Society and environment

Environment can be described as the natural world of land, water, air, plants and animals that exist around us. It forms the basis of our existence and development. The dictionary meaning of the word 'environment' is 'surrounding' -the external conditions influencing development or growth of people, animals ot plants; living or working conditions etc. In the beginning, the environment of early man had consisted of only physical aspects of the planet earth (land air, water) and biotic communities (plants and animals including man and his functions, organizations and institutions) but with the march of time and advancement of society, man extended his environment through his social, economic and political functions. Environment, therefore, refers to the sum total of conditions, which surround man at a given point of time.