Outline the steps involved in attaining sustainable development in India.

Sustainable development refers to the achievement of economic development by careful and judicial utilization of the natural resources so that the present generations' needs are fulfilled without compromising that of the future generations'. Aligned with the view of a leading environmental economist, Herman Daly, India has taken the following steps to achieve the aim of sustainable development:  

(i)  Population Control Measures  

India has promoted various measures to arrest population explosion. The various population control measures include spread of awareness and knowledge of birth control measures and literacy.  

(ii) Use of Environment Supportive Fuel  

As the fuels such as petrol and diesel emit huge amount of carbon dioxide that leads to global warming, so, the Indian government has promoted the use of CNG and LPG. These clean, eco-friendly fuels emit lesser smoke.  

(iii) Use of Solar and Wind Energy  

India being a moderate country is enriched with sunlight and wind power. These are two free gifts of nature that is non-exhaustible. It solves the problem of economic growth with due focus on sustainable development.  

(iv) Recycling and Ban on Plastic Bags  

The industrial and household wastes are accumulated on daily basis. There is a need to develop the habit of recycling of waste products in order to sustain the environment. Household waste can be used as manure for organic farming. A very recent step taken by the Indian government is banning the use of plastic bags. This is a very good step as plastic bags do not get decomposed easily and leads to pollution while recycling.  

(v) Pollution Tax and Fines  

Indian government has taken many steps to control pollution. Some of the measures are regular vehicle checkups, levying pollution tax on the industries emitting smoke. These measures are coupled with huge fines and even imprisonment for the law breakers.  

(vi) Use of the Input Efficient Technology  

The input efficient methods have been devised that not only increases the production and productivity but also efficiency with which the inputs are used. The efficient use of input, on one hand, leads to lesser exploitation of the natural resources and, on the other hand, enhances the future economic growth prospects of India.

Sustainable development refers to the achievement of economic development by careful and judicial utilization of the natural resources so that the present generations' needs are fulfilled without compromising that of the future generations'. Aligned with the view of a leading environmental economist, Herman Daly, India has taken the following steps to achieve the aim of sustainable development:  

(i)  Population Control Measures  

India has promoted various measures to arrest population explosion. The various population control measures include spread of awareness and knowledge of birth control measures and literacy.  

(ii) Use of Environment Supportive Fuel  

As the fuels such as petrol and diesel emit huge amount of carbon dioxide that leads to global warming, so, the Indian government has promoted the use of CNG and LPG. These clean, eco-friendly fuels emit lesser smoke.  

(iii) Use of Solar and Wind Energy  

India being a moderate country is enriched with sunlight and wind power. These are two free gifts of nature that is non-exhaustible. It solves the problem of economic growth with due focus on sustainable development.  

(iv) Recycling and Ban on Plastic Bags  

The industrial and household wastes are accumulated on daily basis. There is a need to develop the habit of recycling of waste products in order to sustain the environment. Household waste can be used as manure for organic farming. A very recent step taken by the Indian government is banning the use of plastic bags. This is a very good step as plastic bags do not get decomposed easily and leads to pollution while recycling.  

(v) Pollution Tax and Fines  

Indian government has taken many steps to control pollution. Some of the measures are regular vehicle checkups, levying pollution tax on the industries emitting smoke. These measures are coupled with huge fines and even imprisonment for the law breakers.  

(vi) Use of the Input Efficient Technology  

The input efficient methods have been devised that not only increases the production and productivity but also efficiency with which the inputs are used. The efficient use of input, on one hand, leads to lesser exploitation of the natural resources and, on the other hand, enhances the future economic growth prospects of India.

Steps involved in attaining sustainable development in India are outlined below:

1. Population Control:

Limiting the human population to a level within the carrying capacity of the environment is the first step to be followed for attaining sustainable development as population is exerting tremendous pressure in terms of demand for resources which is more than the absorptive capacity of the environment leading to environmental crisis.

2. Efficient Utilization of Resources: 

Technological progress and industrialization should be input efficient and wastage of resources should be minimized by proper utilization. This will help to produce more with lesser amount of resources and thus depletion of resources will be slower.

3. Control of Over Extraction:

Rate of extraction of renewable resources should not exceed the rate of regeneration so that they are extracted on a sustainable basis.

4. Control of Depletion:

Rate of depletion of non – renewable resources should not exceed the rate of creation of renewable substitutes so that environmental risis does not emerge and resources are avaliabe for future generations.

5. Pollution Control:

Pollution in all forms has negative environmental impact which has high opportunity cost. Hence, control of pollution is a must to maintain the quality of natural resources such as air and water for sustainable development.

6. Use of Non – Conventional Energy:

India is hugely dependent on thermal and hydro power plants to meet its power needs which have adverse environment impacts. Wind power and solar rays are cleaner and greener energy sources which should be explored on a large scale by developing technological devices along with non – conventional sources like nuclear energy.

The steps involved in attaining sustainable development in India are: 

1. decreasing the absolute poverty of the poor by providing employment opportunities 

2. providing livelihood in such a manner that can minimize resource depletion, environmental degradation, cultural disruption, and social instability.