Chapter 4 – The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement's Role (Prose)

NCERT Solutions for English Hornbill Class 11 Chapter 4 – The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement's Role (Prose)

If you're looking for reliable and easy-to-understand NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 4 – The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement's Role, you've landed at the right place. This chapter is a thought-provoking prose written by Nani Palkhivala, one of India's most respected legal minds and public intellectuals. What makes this chapter stand out in the Class 11 English syllabus is that it doesn't just talk about environmental issues — it pushes the reader to think about responsibility, sustainability, and what kind of planet we're leaving behind for future generations. 

The essay originally appeared as an editorial in a leading newspaper, and its journalistic tone makes it highly readable even for students who don't usually enjoy non-fiction. At Myclass24, our subject experts have prepared step-by-step answers, summaries, and important questions that align directly with the latest CBSE exam pattern. Whether you're preparing for your board exams, doing quick revision, or trying to understand the deeper message of the text, these solutions will guide you through every section of the chapter with clarity and precision. Must-check NCERT Solutions for class 11 English and NCERT solutions for class 11 for all subjects. 

NCERT Solutions PDF – Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 4 The Ailing Planet

Download the free PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Hornbill Chapter 4 from Myclass24. The PDF includes textbook question answers, extract-based questions, and a chapter summary — all formatted for easy reading on mobile and desktop.

Chapter Overview: The Ailing Planet – The Green Movement's Role

About the Author

Nani Ardeshir Palkhivala (1920–2002) was an eminent Indian jurist, economist, and public figure. He served as India's Ambassador to the United States and was known for his powerful budget speeches that attracted audiences of thousands. This essay reflects his deep concern for environmental degradation and humanity's collective failure to protect the natural world.

Key Facts at a Glance

What Is the Chapter About?

The Ailing Planet draws a powerful analogy — the Earth is like a sick patient, and humanity is the cause of its illness. Palkhivala opens by talking about the Green Movement that began in 1972 in New Zealand. He describes how the world's first Green Party was established and how this marked a turning point in global environmental consciousness. The essay argues that human beings have been treating the Earth as an asset to exploit rather than a home to nurture.

The author introduces the concept of a "holistic and ecological view of the world" — the idea that every living and non-living thing is interconnected. He quotes the World Commission on Environment and Development (Brundtland Commission) to highlight the definition of sustainable development: development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Palkhivala then identifies four principal biological systems that sustain all life on Earth — fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands. He warns that all four are under serious threat due to overexploitation. The chapter also discusses the rapid growth of the world's population, especially in developing countries, and how it puts immense pressure on natural resources.

One of the most striking parts of the essay is the mention of the famous statement attributed to Lester Brown: "We have not inherited this Earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children." This single line captures the moral heart of the chapter — our generation is living on borrowed time and borrowed resources.

Important Themes in the Chapter

Summary of the Chapter

The essay begins by describing how a new awareness — an ecological and holistic world view — has been taking shape globally. The Green Movement, starting in the early 1970s, led to the formation of the world's first Green Party in New Zealand in 1972. The movement has since grown into a significant force in global politics.

Palkhivala then explains the idea that the Earth is a living organism, and that its biological systems — forests, fisheries, grasslands, and croplands — are being pushed beyond their natural limits. Deforestation, in particular, is highlighted: forests are being cut down at an alarming rate, and this has serious consequences for climate, biodiversity, and water cycles.

The chapter also draws attention to the unchecked growth of the world's human population. At the time of writing, the author notes that the world's population was growing by 1 billion every 13 years. This exponential growth puts enormous pressure on food, water, energy, and land resources. Palkhivala ends the essay with an urgent call to action. He notes that Parliament in India still spends relatively little time discussing environmental matters. He cites the statement: "The destiny of the human race is linked to the destiny of the world's forests." The message is clear — if we do not act now, we are not just endangering the planet; we are endangering ourselves.

Important Questions and Answers

Q1. What does Palkhivala mean when he says the Earth should be viewed "holistically"? He means that all parts of the Earth — living and non-living — are interconnected. A change in one system affects all others. This holistic view encourages conservation instead of exploitation.

Q2. What are the four principal biological systems mentioned in the chapter? The four systems are fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands. These form the foundation of the global economy and support all human life.

Q3. What is meant by "sustainable development"? Sustainable development refers to progress that fulfills the current generation's needs without depleting resources or harming the environment in a way that would prevent future generations from meeting their own needs.

Q4. What is the significance of the statement: "We have not inherited this Earth from our forefathers; we have borrowed it from our children"? This powerful statement shifts the perspective from ownership to stewardship. It means we are responsible for preserving the Earth's resources because they actually belong to our children and future generations.

Q5. What role does Parliament play, according to Palkhivala? The author criticizes the fact that the Indian Parliament spends very little time discussing environmental issues. He believes that lawmakers need to prioritize ecological concerns much more seriously than they currently do.

Extract-Based Questions (Important for Exams)