Importance of Sustainable Development

Concept of Brunt-Land Commission

UN General Assembly formed a Commission on Environment and Development under the chairmanship of Norwegian Prime Minister Grow Harlem Brundtland to suggest the world on Environment and Development in 1987 AD. According to this commission, “Sustainable development is a process in which exploitation of resources is done to meet the need of present generation without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their needs”. Sustainable development is necessary for the maintenance of the environment. The purpose of development work is people’s welfare. The target of development work is never achieved effectively if the adverse effects are ignored.

Similarly in 1992, a conference held on Rio de Janeiro, held by environment conservates gave importance to environmental conservation for proper development. In this matter FAO also has similar thoughts. It has outlined some points for sustainable development, which are:

1. Environment conservation and proper utilization of natural resources.
2. Increase funding for environment development
3. Conservation of biodiversity
4. Pollution control
5. Population control and poverty elevation
6. Increase public participation
7. Creating INGOs and local groups for conservation
8. Consevation for future generation
9. Ecological diversification and its conservation

Importance of Sustainable Development

Sustainable development is necessary for the maintenance of the environment. The purpose of development work is people’s welfare. The target of development work is never achieved effectively if the adverse effects are ignored.The importance of sustainable development are as follows: -

1. Proper Use of Means and Resource: Sustainable development teaches people to make low use of means and resources. The use of mineral oil, drinking water, insecticide, chemical fertilizer, forest product should be minimized. This will lead to the minimum use of means and resources for maximum benefit without wastage. It helps to conserve and promote the environment.
2. Development of Positive Attitude: Sustainable development brings about changes in people’s knowledge, attitude, and skill. It aware the people of the responsibility to use and preserve, natural resources like mine, forest, land, herb, etc. It creates the feeling that natural resources are the common property of all and nobody can use the property according to his personal will. It helps to conserve natural and social environment.
3. Development of Fundamental Parts: Sustainable development emphasizes on the progress of health, education, agriculture, tourism and social reform for the development of human beings. While making progress in these aspects, environment conservation and promotion should be conducted ahead in an integrated way.
4. Development Based on People's Participation: People’s participation is to be given priority in development work in order to achieve the aim of sustainable development. It creates the interest of local people in development work and environment conservation with the feeling of ownership. In this way, it increases the public involvement at all levels of environment protection and promotion.
5. Limitation of Development: Limited but effective uses of means and resources are enough for the people to satisfy their basic needs. However, more development works are carried on due to greed. Limited and non-renewable means and resources go on decreasing in globally due to over-use. Development works should be conducted as per carrying capacity. Sustainable development aware the people of the involvement in the policy making for the concept of limit of development.
6. Long lasting Development: Sustainable development aims at achieving the goal of economic and social development without destroying the earth’s means and resources. It attempts to create the concept of maintaining the present work for the future and conserving the natural resources for future generation.