The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role
Author: Nani Palkhivala
Pre-text Questions (with answers)
Q1. Why do we call Earth “Mother Earth”?
Ans. Because it nourishes, sustains, and protects all living beings just like a mother cares for her children.
Q2. Do you think human beings have respected nature enough?
Ans. No. Human beings have exploited natural resources for selfish gain, leading to pollution, deforestation, and global warming.
Post-text Questions (with answers)
A. Understanding the Text
Q1. What is the Green Movement? When did it start?
Ans. The Green Movement is a global effort to protect the environment. It started in 1972 when the first worldwide environmental conference was held in Stockholm.
Q2. What are the four principal biological systems mentioned in the text?
Ans. Fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands.
Q3. Why does the author call Earth “an ailing planet”?
Ans. Because human exploitation, overuse of resources, deforestation, and pollution have endangered the planet’s health.
Q4. What is sustainable development according to the author?
Ans. Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
Q5. Why is population control important for the survival of Earth?
Ans. Because unchecked population growth leads to overconsumption, resource depletion, unemployment, and poverty, which strain the planet’s limited resources.
B. Talking About the Text
Q1. Why does the author say that we have not inherited the Earth from our forefathers but borrowed it from our children?
Ans. Because our responsibility is not just to use resources but to preserve them for future generations.
Q2. What is the significance of the Green Movement in modern times?
Ans. It reminds us to protect the environment, adopt sustainable practices, and act responsibly as trustees of the planet.
Q3. What solutions does the author suggest to save the planet?
Ans. Resource conservation, population control, afforestation, sustainable development, and ecological awareness.
C. Working with Words
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Holistic → complete, interconnected.
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Degradation → decline, destruction.
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Ecology → the study of relationships between living beings and environment.
D. Noticing Form
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The essay blends factual information, statistics, and persuasive argument in a journalistic style.
Summary of The Ailing Planet
Nani Palkhivala’s essay The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role is a thought-provoking reflection on the environmental crisis facing humanity. It highlights the urgent need to protect natural resources and adopt sustainable development.
The essay begins by noting the rise of the Green Movement in 1972, which signaled the world’s awakening to environmental concerns. The author emphasizes that Earth is not a limitless resource to be exploited but a living entity that sustains life. Yet, human beings have treated it recklessly, leading to its gradual decline.
Palkhivala identifies four essential biological systems—forests, fisheries, grasslands, and croplands. These systems form the foundation of life, but human exploitation has severely damaged them. Overfishing has depleted marine life; deforestation has destroyed biodiversity; grasslands have been degraded by overgrazing; and croplands have been overused without giving time for soil renewal.
Another major concern is the uncontrolled growth of human population. The author calls it the greatest problem facing mankind. Every additional person puts pressure on resources, creates unemployment, and contributes to poverty. Population explosion, coupled with resource misuse, has made the Earth “ailing.”
Palkhivala underlines the concept of sustainable development—meeting present needs without compromising the future. He stresses that resources must be preserved for future generations, echoing the idea that “We have not inherited this planet from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children.” This perspective makes human beings trustees, not masters, of the Earth.
The essay also highlights the importance of awareness. Governments, NGOs, and individuals must recognize that economic progress without ecological balance is meaningless. True progress should integrate environmental responsibility with growth.
In conclusion, the author appeals to readers to act with wisdom and responsibility. Protecting forests, controlling population, and practicing sustainable development are essential steps. Only then can humanity ensure a healthy planet for future generations.
Thus, the essay is both a warning and a call to action. It reminds us that the Earth is fragile and finite, and unless we change our ways, we risk destroying the very foundation of life.
Biography of Nani Palkhivala
Nani Ardeshir Palkhivala (1920–2002) was one of India’s most respected jurists, economists, and public intellectuals. Renowned for his brilliance in law and his eloquence in writing and speech, Palkhivala was also a passionate advocate for environmental and economic issues.
Born on 16 January 1920 in Bombay (now Mumbai), Palkhivala overcame early challenges—he had a speech impediment and struggled with stammering. Yet, through determination, he transformed into one of the most articulate lawyers and speakers of his time. He studied at St. Xavier’s College and Government Law College, Bombay, and went on to become a legal legend.
Palkhivala gained national fame as a constitutional lawyer. He argued several landmark cases in the Supreme Court of India, including the famous Kesavananda Bharati case (1973), which established the “basic structure doctrine” of the Indian Constitution. This judgment became a cornerstone of Indian democracy, ensuring that Parliament could not alter the fundamental framework of the Constitution.
Beyond law, Palkhivala was deeply engaged with economics and public policy. He wrote extensively on India’s economy and delivered popular lectures explaining the Union Budget to the general public in simple language. His book We, the People became a classic on Indian democracy and governance.
Palkhivala was also a champion of environmental awareness. At a time when ecological concerns were not widely discussed in India, he raised his voice for the protection of forests, sustainable development, and ecological balance. His essay The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role reflects his visionary concern for the Earth’s future. He understood that true progress is not possible if we destroy the natural systems that sustain life.
Throughout his career, Palkhivala served on various national and international bodies. He represented India at the United Nations and was also India’s ambassador to the United States in the 1970s. His intellect, integrity, and humility earned him admiration worldwide.
Despite his professional achievements, Palkhivala lived a simple life, dedicated to knowledge and service. His speeches drew thousands, as he could explain complex issues with clarity, passion, and moral conviction.
Nani Palkhivala passed away on 11 December 2002, leaving behind a rich legacy of law, literature, and public service. He is remembered as a defender of democracy, a visionary thinker, and a voice of conscience for environmental and economic justice. His writings continue to inspire new generations to act responsibly towards society and the planet.