Contents: Preface. 1. Basic Components of the Environment. 2. Ecology. 3. Biomes. 4. Biodiversity. 5. Environmental Degradation, Pollution, and Conservation. 6. Environmental Disasters and Their Management .7. Natural Resources. 8. Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India. 9. Major Crops and Cropping Patterns in India. Summary. Exercise. Appendix. Index. The environment is defined, perceived, and valued diversely by different countries, cultures, and communities. A healthy environment ensures human security, which means everyone has the access to food and water, employment and livelihood stability, resilience to climate change and extreme weather events, and also social and political stability. As the demand for food, fodder, fuel, and raw material grows, it increases the pressure on the environment and the competition for natural resources. Both human and natural activities have caused the physical, chemical, and biological degradation of the environment. The Environment covers the basic components of environment, ecology, biomes, and biodiversity. The book gives an analytical understanding of the topics. While the book covers major international topics, it has a strong focus on India too. The book will help candidates appearing for competitive examinations such as civil services. It is also extremely useful for readers interested in environment science, environment chemistry, and related subjects.