SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

  • Since the second half of the twentieth century, a number of scientists are indicating that the present level of development is not sustainable.
  • For example: At present, nearly 1/3rd of the country is overusing its groundwater reserve, which will exceed 60% of the country in the next 25 years. Groundwater is a renewable resource i.e. it can be replenished by nature. However, if the rate of using this resource exceeds the rate at which it is replenished, it will imply that we are overusing it.
  • Non-renewable resources refer to those that will exhaust after years of use. Example: Coal and petroleum.

 Making development a continuous process

  • The consequences of environmental degradation are no more nation-specific.
  • The sustainability of development is a new area that is being explored.
  • Development is perennial. At all times, we have to figure out what we want and how to achieve it in a sustainable manner.