Explain any two causes responsible for the destruction of the eco-system.

Two causes responsible for the destruction of the ecosystem are:

1. Industrialisation — Setting up of more and more industries and expansion of existing industrial units leads to clearing of forest land and fertile agricultural land. Biological diversity is being lost forever. Industrial wastes and manufacturing processes have a direct adverse effect on the environment. Industries produce chemicals, fertilisers, dyes and paints. Industrialisation is an important cause of air pollution and water pollution, contributing significantly to environmental degradation.

2. Mining — Mining involves removal of minerals and other materials from the earth's crust for use by people. In India, more than 80,000 hectares of land is under the stress of mining activities. These activities involve removal of plant cover (deforestation) along with the underlying soil mantle and excavating overlying rock masses. Mining leads to disruption of surface and groundwater circulation, reshaping of topography, generation of greater volumes of waste (debris), severe contamination of water by mine wastes, soil erosion, landslides and degradation of land.