Environment degradation and its impact on Sustainable Development 

"Environmental degradation is the deterioration of the environment through depletion of resources such as air, water and soil: the destruction of ecosystems; habitat destruction; the extinction of wildlife; and pollution. It is defined as any change or disturbance to the environment perceived to be deleterious or undesirable." It occurs when the earth's natural resources are depleted, and the environment is compromised in the form of extinction of species, pollution in the air, water and soil, and rapid growth in population.

Environmental degradation is one of the largest threats that are being looked at in the world The United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction characterizes environment degradation as the lessening of the limit of the earth to meet social and environmental destination and needs. 

 Environmental degradation can happen in a number of ways. At the point when environments wrecked or common assets are exhausted, the environment is considered to be corrupted harmed. There are a number of different techniques that are being used to prevent this, including environmental resource protection and general protection efforts. 

Effects of Environmental Degradation on Sustainable Development:

1. Impact on Human Health: Human health might be at the receiving end as a result environmental degradation. Areas exposed to toxic air pollutants can cause respiratory problem like pneumonia and asthma. Millions of people are known to have died due to the indire effects of air pollution. 

2. Loss of Biodiversity: Biodiversity is important for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem in the form of combating pollution, restoring nutrients, protecting water sources and stabilizing climate. Deforestation, global warming, overpopulation and pollution are a few of the major causes of loss of biodiversity. 

3. Ozone Layer Depletion: The ozone layer is responsible for protecting the earth from harmful ultraviolet rays. The presence of chlorofluorocarbons, hydro chlorofluorocarbons in the atmosphere, is causing the ozone layer to deplete. As it will deplete, it will emit harmful radiation back to the earth. 

4. Loss for the Tourism Industry: The deterioration of the environment can be a huge setback for the tourism industry that relies on tourists for their daily livelihood. Environmental damage in the form of loss of green cover, loss of biodiversity, huge landfills, increased air and water pollution can be a big turn off for most of the tourists. 

5. Economic Impact: The huge cost that a country may have to borne due to environmental degradation can have a significant economic impact in terms of restoration of green cover. cleaning up of landfills and protection of endangered species. The economic impact can also be in terms of the loss of the tourism industry.