Definitions [3]
Environment is defined as the total planetary inheritance and the totality of all resources. It includes all the biotic and abiotic factors that influence each other. While all living elements—the birds, animals and plants, forests, fisheries etc.—are biotic elements, abiotic elements include air, water, land etc. Rocks and sunlight are examples of abiotic elements of the environment.
Define: sustainable development
Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
- In 1987, the Brundtland Commission cited the definition of sustainability.
"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs." - “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”
-World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987- - “The alternative approach (to sustainable development) is to focus on natural capital assets and suggest that they should not decline through time.”
-Pearce, Markandya and Barbier, 1989-
Key Points
Economic growth in India has caused serious environmental damage, so development now must be sustainable (growth without degrading the environment).
- Environment = all living (plants, animals, forests, fisheries) and non‑living (air, water, land, rocks, sunlight) elements and their interactions.
- It supplies resources, absorbs waste, sustains life via biodiversity, and provides aesthetic services like scenery.
- When resource use and waste exceed nature’s capacity to regenerate and absorb pollution, we face environmental crisis (pollution, resource depletion, health problems, climate issues like global warming and ozone loss).
India has rich natural resources but they are under severe pressure from both poverty and rapid industrialisation.
- Main problems: land degradation, loss of biodiversity, air pollution (especially vehicles), freshwater scarcity and solid waste issues.
- Causes of land degradation: deforestation, overgrazing, wrong farming practices, overuse of fertilisers/pesticides, over‑pumping groundwater and poor irrigation.
- Pollution Control Boards monitor and regulate water and air pollution, but unplanned urbanisation and industrial growth mean that India must consciously follow sustainable development.
Sustainable development means improving life today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
- It links needs with fairness in resource use, especially for the poor (food, jobs, health, education, water, energy, housing).
- Environment and economy must stay within nature’s carrying capacity: use renewables no faster than they regenerate and gradually replace non‑renewables with sustainable alternatives.
- Shift to cleaner energy: wind, solar, CNG, mini‑hydel, LPG and gobar gas to cut pollution and deforestation.
- Promote eco‑friendly farming: biocomposting and biopest control instead of excessive chemical fertilisers and pesticides.
- Revive traditional knowledge and practices (like Ayurveda, herbal products, mixed cropping) that are more environment friendly and low‑chemical.
Important Questions [5]
- "In India women participation rate is lower in urban areas than in the rural areas." Explain with valid arguments.
- Interpret the situation of earth as depicted in the given picture, with reference to current environmental challenges:
- Define: sustainable development
- Explain how Bio-composting can be helpful in achieving the objectives of sustainable development.
- "Serious concerns over the climate change is taking over the attention of the world." In the light of the above statement and image, discuss any two strategies to tackle
