The Ailing Planet Class 11 Prose 4 Notes & Summary

Have you ever wondered what’s really happening to our Earth? Why is our planet called “ailing” or sick? The chapter “The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role” by Nani Palkhivala answers these questions and helps us understand the serious problems our environment is facing today like pollution, deforestation, and overpopulation. 

But it also gives us hope by showing how we can save the Earth through awareness, education, and responsible action.

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This NCERT Hornbill chapter is deleted from the 2025-26 syllabus. But still we’ve created these simple and complete notes to help you understand how humans are harming nature, why the planet needs our help, and how we can be part of the solution.

Let’s explore the The Ailing Planet Class 11 summary, key points, themes, message, and detailed explanations

Chapter Synopsis

The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role by Nani Palkhivala is a powerful essay that highlights the worsening condition of Earth due to human actions like deforestation, pollution, and overpopulation. 

The author explains how the planet is becoming “sick” and emphasizes the importance of sustainable development and population control. He also points out that we are only caretakers of the Earth, not its owners, and must protect it for future generations. 

The chapter urges governments and individuals to act responsibly. The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role reminds us that saving the environment is a shared and urgent duty.

The Ailing Planet Class 11 Short Summary

The chapter opens by highlighting how the Green Movement 1972 has shifted our understanding of Earth. The author emphasizes that humans now view Earth not as a possession but as a living organism, a “holistic and ecological view” that focuses on the interconnectedness of life.

• The Earth’s Declining Health

Palkhivala describes the environmental crisis as a result of deforestation, pollution, and overpopulation. He calls Earth an "ailing planet" due to the reckless exploitation of natural resources. Alarming facts are shared, such as how forests are disappearing at nearly 40–50 million acres a year - about 1.5 acres every second.

• Humans: The Most Dangerous Species

The author states that humans have become the most dangerous species due to their greed and disregard for nature. Instead of being protectors, we have turned into exploiters of the environment. This selfish behavior threatens all other species and the balance of nature.

• The Role of Population Explosion

A major concern addressed in the essay is population growth. Palkhivala stresses that increasing population puts pressure on natural resources, food, water, and shelter. He supports the idea of family planning and controlling population as key to saving the planet.

• The Responsibility of Governments and Individuals

Finally, the author urges governments, especially in developing countries, to take stronger actions. He mentions India's Constitutional duties and the 1987 statement by the Indian Prime Minister that no generation has a freehold on this Earth. All we have is a life tenancy–with a full repairing lease. Protecting the environment is a sacred duty. He believes the future of our planet depends on the will of the people and the actions of the authorities.

• Four Principal Biological Systems

In The Ailing Planet, Nani Palkhivala highlights four principal biological systems–fisheries, forests, grasslands, and croplands, which form the foundation of the global economy. These systems supply food and raw materials, but human exploitation has pushed them to unsustainable levels.

• Overfishing threatens protein sources;
• forests are cut for fuel and timber;
• grasslands are degraded into barren land; and
• croplands lose fertility due to overuse.

Their decline shows how human greed endangers both nature and future generations.

Character Analysis (Earth, Humans, Governments, Green Movement)

The chapter "The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role" is a Nani Palkhivala essay, not a fictional story, so it doesn’t have traditional characters like a novel or short story. However, the essay uses personification and symbolic references to bring certain "characters" to life in a broader, philosophical sense.

1. The Planet Earth - The Ailing Patient

• Role: Central symbol in the essay
• Character Traits: Weak, sick, overexploited, and neglected
• Earth is presented as a living organism that is suffering because of human exploitation. The title itself refers to Earth as an “ailing planet”, suggesting it is in urgent need of healing and care.
• The author emphasizes the need to treat Earth with compassion and urgency, much like a sick patient who needs immediate medical help.

2. Humankind - The Caretaker Turned Exploiter

• Role: Main antagonist in the essay’s theme
• Character Traits: Intelligent yet irresponsible, greedy, shortsighted
• Humans are portrayed as the most dangerous species, exploiting nature for selfish purposes. Instead of being protectors, humans have become destroyers of forests, water bodies, and wildlife.
• However, Palkhivala also sees hope in humans, as they can change and act more responsibly.

3. The Green Movement - The Voice of Change

• Role: A symbol of awareness and hope
• Character Traits: Enlightened, awakening, responsible
• The Green Movement, started in 1972, is seen as a turning point. It represents the change in human attitude from domination to cooperation with nature.
• It encourages people to see Earth as a shared home, not a resource to be looted.

4. Government and Authorities - The Decision-Makers

• Role: Supporting characters with great power
• Character Traits: Often negligent, sometimes responsive
• Palkhivala points out that many governments have been slow in reacting to environmental concerns.
• But he also acknowledges leaders and countries that have taken positive steps, like constitutional duties to protect the environment.

5. Future Generations - The Silent Stakeholders

• Role: Victims of today's actions
• Character Traits: Innocent, dependent, hopeful
• Future generations are not directly present but are central to the author's concern.
• They will either suffer or thrive based on how the present generation treats the planet.

Line by Line Explanation of the Essay

Let us understand the essay line by line.

Part 1

• From “A holistic view of the world...” to “…we are only trustees for the next generation.”

The essay begins with the idea of a holistic worldview, where the Earth is not just a resource but a living organism. This perspective became more widespread after the Green Movement, which shifted how people think about nature. The author emphasizes that we don’t inherit the Earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children.

Main Point: The essay introduces the Earth as a living being, urging us to protect it for future generations.

Part 2

• From “Scientists have catalogued about 1.4 million living species…” to “…man has been the most dangerous animal.”

The essay now discusses the massive biodiversity on Earth, with over a million known species, though many are vanishing due to human actions. The World Commission on Environment and Development declared that human beings have harmed the environment more than any other species. We are called the most dangerous animal because we exploit nature selfishly.

Main Point: Humans have caused the most damage to the planet, endangering biodiversity through greed and carelessness.

Part 3

• From “It is not the disappearance of species alone that threatens the Earth…” to “…development is the best contraceptive.”

The author shifts focus to the rising human population. Overpopulation worsens problems like poverty, hunger, and environmental degradation. The author mentions India’s former Prime Minister, who said that development is the best contraceptive, meaning that if people have access to education and a better life, they tend to have smaller families.

Main Point: Uncontrolled population growth is a major environmental threat; development and education are the solutions.

Part 4

• From “Fertility falls as education spreads…” to “…to see that the poor are not only fed but also helped to become self-reliant.”

Here, the essay explains how education, particularly among women, leads to lower fertility rates. Development must aim not just at economic growth but also at empowering the poor to become self-sufficient. The author suggests that the real solution lies in sustainable development, meeting today’s needs without compromising the future.

Main Point: Sustainable development and education are key to improving lives and reducing pressure on natural resources.

Part 5

• From “In India, the Constitution states…” to the end

In the final section, the author points out that India’s Constitution mandates citizens to protect the environment. Yet, enforcement is weak. The author believes that true progress will happen only when people and governments take responsibility. He ends with hope, stating that the survival of the Earth depends not just on words, but on actions.

Main Point: Environmental protection is a national duty, and real change needs strong commitment from both people and authorities.

Themes of the Story

Let us understand the themes of the story.

1. Environmental Degradation

The essay highlights how human activities like deforestation, pollution, overuse of resources, and industrialization are damaging the planet. The Earth is described as an “ailing planet” because of this widespread environmental destruction.

2. Population Explosion

One of the strongest themes in the essay is overpopulation. The author stresses that rising population puts pressure on natural resources, causes poverty, and harms the environment.

3. Sustainable Development

Palkhivala emphasizes the need for sustainable development, which means using natural resources wisely to meet today’s needs without compromising the future. He supports development that benefits the poor while protecting the planet.

4. Human Responsibility and Stewardship

The essay talks about the moral duty of humans to act as caretakers, not exploiters, of the Earth. We are “trustees” of the planet for future generations. He urges people to change their attitude from dominance to responsibility.

5. Government and Citizen Action

The author points out that laws alone are not enough. Both governments and citizens must actively enforce environmental protection. In India, the Constitution supports environmental care, but the real challenge is proper implementation.

Conclusion

To sum it up, “The Ailing Planet: The Green Movement’s Role” is a powerful reminder that our planet is in danger and we need to act now. Nani Palkhivala explains in simple words how human carelessness has made the Earth sick and why it’s our responsibility to take care of it.

Now that you’ve gone through the summary, explanation, themes, and key ideas, you’re fully prepared to answer any question from The Ailing Planet with confidence. But more importantly, this chapter teaches us to be aware citizens who care about the environment and think about the future.

Let’s not just learn this chapter for marks, let’s understand its message and do our part to protect the only home we have, our Earth. 

FAQs

Q1. What is the Green Movement and when did it start?

Ans. The Green Movement started in 1972, focusing on protecting the environment and sustainable use of resources.

Q2. What are the four main biological systems mentioned in the chapter?

Ans. Fisheries, forests, grasslands and croplands are the basic resources that support all life.

Q3. Why is population growth called the “biggest problem”?

Ans. Because it puts huge pressure on food, water, forests and energy, leading to poverty and environmental damage.

Q4. What does the chapter say about industries and resources?

Ans. Industries must use resources carefully and adopt sustainable practices to avoid harming the environment.

Q5. What is the central message of the essay?

Ans. The Earth’s survival depends on responsible human actions, conservation and balancing development with nature.