Since time immemorial, the value of nature and a clean and green environment has been emphasized. The holy books of all religions, as well as age-old human behaviours, have all encouraged sustainable living and moderation. Our hunger for development and material success has driven us to carelessly plunder the natural resources around us, with little regard for the environment. Deforestation, water and air pollution, and overuse of natural resources have pushed us to the verge of disaster. “The Brundtland Report defines 'sustainable development' as 'development that meets the requirements of the present generation without compromising future generations' ability to satisfy their own needs.' According to the paper, sustainable development entails incorporating economics and environment into decision-making at all levels. “The Caring for the Earth document defines ‘sustainability’ as ‘a characteristic or state that can be maintained indefinitely’ whereas ‘development’ is defined as ‘the increasing capacity to meet human needs and to improve the quality of human life.’ This means that sustainable development would imply improving the quality of human life within the carrying capacity of the supporting ecosystems. “The concept of sustainable development rejects the old notion that development and environment are antithesis of each other. On the contrary, it emphasizes that development and environment are synthesis of each other. Both are complimentary and mutually supportive. “Sustainable Development is a process in which development can be sustained for generations. It means improving the quality of human life while at the same time living in harmony with nature and maintaining the carrying capacity of the life supporting ecosystem. Development means increasing the society’s ability to meet human needs. Economic growth is an important component but cannot be a goal in itself. The real aim must be to improve the quality of human existence to ensure people to enjoy long, healthy and fulfilling lives. “Sustainable development focuses at integration of development and environmental imperatives. It modifies the previously unqualified development concept. To be sustainable, development must possess both economic and ecological sustainability. The concept of sustainable development indicates the way in which development planning should be approached. “For being sustainable development must be both economic and environmentally viable. The necessary condition for achieving sustainable development is ecological security, economic efficiency and social equity. Sustainable development is, in fact, a multi-dimensional concept involving three interacting aspects–ecology, economy and ethics. Ecological restoration, economic betterment and social justice mutually reinforce one another. In practice environment protection is the development because environment degradation leads to poverty and distorted development. Sustainable development is the only path for conservi
Dr. Anjeet Kumar Choudhary S/O Late Amar Nath Choudhary Assistant Professor, Dept. of Political Science, R B jallan college, Bela Darbhanga, L N Mithila University.
Preface Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 2 Development Impact on Environment Chapter 3 Concept of Sustainable Development Chapter 4 International Efforts for The Protection and Preservation of Environment Chapter 5 Indian Efforts to Combat Environment Pollution Chapter 6 Constitutional and Legislative Measures Chapter 7 International Legislative and Administrative Efforts Chapter 8 Environmental Protection: Constitutional Perspectives Chapter 9 Right to Clean Environment Bibliography Index