1.

1 ENVIRONMENT:
• Everything that surrounds and affect living organism is environment.
• Environment’ is a term derived from the French word ‘Environner’ that means ‘to
surround’
• All biological (biotic) and non-biological (abiotic) entities surrounding us are
included in the term ‘environment.
• Environment is thus defined as “the sum total of water, air and land and the
inter-relationships that exist among them and with the human beings, other
living organisms and materials.

Air

Living organisms

Water Humans Land

Materials

Fig. 1.1. Concept of Environment: air, water, land, living organisms and materials surrounding us
and their interactions together constitute environment.

Figure 1.1 depicts the environment of human beings. Air, water and land surrounding us
constitute our environment, and influence us directly. At the same time we too have an
influence on our environment due to overuse or over-exploitation of resources or due to
discharge of pollutants in the air, water and land. The flora, fauna and micro-organisms as
well as the man-made structures in our surroundings have a bi-directional interaction with
us directly or indirectly. The totality of all these components and their interactions
constitute the environment.
1.1.2 SEGMENTS OF ENVIRONMENT
Environment consists of four segments.
1. Atmosphere- Blanket of gases surrounding the earth.

2. Hydrosphere- Various water bodies present on the earth.

3. Lithosphere- Contains various types of soils and rocks on the earth.

4. Biosphere- Composed of all living organisms and their interactions with the
environment.

1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES MULTI-DISCIPLINARY IN NATURE:

Environment is complex and has multifarious aspects. Environmental studies deal with
working of earth, its life-support systems, its interactions, influences, its problems and
solutions. Keeping in view the complex nature of environment, knowledge and information
from various disciplines of science, social science, law and engineering have to be included in
Environmental Studies to understand it completely.

Figure 1.2 depicts the multi-disciplinary nature of environ- mental studies.

• Life Sciences including botany, zoology, microbiology, genetics and biochemistry help
in understanding the biotic components and their interactions. Genetics and
biotechnology are emerging as useful tools for finding solutions to environmental
problems.
• For understanding the physical and chemical structure of abiotic components of
environment along with mass and energy transfers we have to make use of the basic
 concept of physics, chemistry, geology, atmospheric science, oceano- graphy and
geography.
• Mathematics, statistics and computer science likewise serve as effective tools in
environmental modeling.
• Subjects like economics, management and sociology provide the inputs for dealing with
the socio-economic aspects associated with various development activities.
• A synthesis of civil engineering, hydraulics, chemical engineering and nanotechnology
provide the technical solutions to environmental pollution control and waste treatment
that are extremely important for protection of the environment.
• Environmental laws provide the guidelines and legal measures for effective management
and protection of the environment.
• Environmental education and mass communication are two important subjects that are
instrumental in disseminating environmental awareness.
• Environmental ethics provide the guidelines for a sustainable life style.
• Environmental sciences, therefore, is a multi-disciplinary subject where we deal with
different aspects using a holistic approach.

1.3 SCOPE:

Environmental studies as a subject has a wide scope. It encompasses a large number of areas
and aspects, which may be summarized as follows:

• Natural resources—their conservation and management

• Ecology and biodiversity
• Environmental pollution and control
• Social issues in relation to development and environment
• Human population and environment
These are the basic aspects of environmental studies which have a direct relevance to
every section of the society. Environmental studies can also be highly specialized
concentrating on more technical aspects like environmental science, environmental
engineering or environmental management.

In the recent years, the scope of environmental studies has expanded dramatically the
world over. Several career options have emerged in this field that are broadly categorized
as:
(i) Research & Development (R & D) in environment: Skilled environmental
scientists have an important role to play in examining various environmental
problems in a scientific manner and carry out R & D activities for developing
cleaner technologies and promoting sustainable development.

There is a need for trained manpower at every level to deal with environmental
issues. Environmental management and environmental engineering are emerging
as new career opportunities for environmental protection and management. With
the pollution control laws becoming more stringent, industries are finding it difficult
to dispose off the wastes produced. In order to avoid expensive litigation, companies
are now trying to adopt green technologies, which would reduce pollution.
Investing in pollution control technologies will reduce pollution as well as cut on
costs for effluent treatment. Market for pollution control technology is increasing the
world over. Cleaning up of the wastes produced is another potential market. It is
estimated to be more than $ 100 billion per year for all American business. Germany
and Japan having more stringent laws for many years have gained more experience
in reducing effluents. Still there is a $ 200 billion market for cleaning up the former
East Germany alone. In India also the Pollution Control Boards are seriously
implementing pollution control laws and insisting on upgradation of effluents to
meet the prescribed standards before they are discharged on land or into a water
body. Many companies not complying with the orders have been closed or ordered
to shift.
(ii) Green advocacy: With increasing emphasis on implementing various Acts and
Laws related to environment, need for environmental lawyers has emerged, who
should be able to plead the cases related to water and air pollution, forest, wildlife etc.
(iii) Green marketing: While ensuring the quality of products with ISO mark, now
there is an increasing emphasis on marketing goods that are environment friendly.
Such products have ecomark or ISO 14000 certification. Environmental auditors
and environmental managers would be in great demand in the coming years.
(iv) Green media: Environmental awareness can be spread amongst masses through
mass media like television, radio, newspaper, magazines, hoardings,
advertisements etc. for which environmentally educated persons are required.
(v) Environment consultancy: Many non-government organisations (NGOs),
 industries and government bodies are engaging environmental consultants for
systematically studying and tackling environment related problems.

1.4 IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENT:

Environment belongs to all and is important to all. Whatever be the occupation or age
of a person, he will be affected by environment and also he will affect the environment
by his deeds. That is why we find an internationally observed environment calender to
mark some important aspect or issue of environment.

(a) Global vs. Local Importance of Environment

Environment is one subject that is actually global as well as local in nature.

Issues like global warming, depletion of ozone layer, dwindling forests and energy
resources, loss of global biodiversity etc. which are going to affect the mankind as a whole
are global in nature and for that we have to think and plan globally.
However, there are some environmental problems which are of localized importance.
For dealing with local environmental issues, e.g. impact of mining or hydroelectric project
in an area, problems of disposal and management of solid waste, river or lake pollution, soil
erosion, water logging and salinization of soil, fluorosis problem in local population, arsenic
pollution of groundwater etc., we have to think and act locally.

In order to make people aware about those aspects of environment with which they
are so intimately associated, it is very important to make every one environmentally
educated.
(b) Individualistic Importance of Environment

Environmental studies is very important since it deals with the most mundane
problems of life where each individual matters, like dealing with safe and clean drinking
water, hygienic living conditions, clean and fresh air, fertile land, healthy food and
sustainable development. If we want to live in a clean, healthy, aesthetically beautiful, safe
and secure environment for a long time and wish to hand over a clean and safe earth to our
children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, it is most essential to understand the basics
of environment.
 2.1 ECOSYSTEMS
2.1.1INTRODUCTION:

ECOLOGY:
• The term was first coined by Hons Reiter and Haekel in 1869.
• The term ecology (Okekologie) is originated from two Greek words Oikos (eco) – means
“house” (or) place of living and “ology” means “the science of (or) the study of. Hence,
ecology is the branch of science that deals with the study of the pattern of relations
between the organism and their environment.

(OR)

• Ecology is the study of interactions among organisms (or) group of organisms with their
environment.

(OR)

• Ecology is the study of ecosystems.

ECO SYSTEM:
• In 1935, the British ecologist A.G. Tansley coined the term “eco system”.

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 • The term “eco system” is made up of two Greek words. “Eco” means ecological sphere
(or) house (or) place of living (or) surroundings (or) Environment, w here living organism
does exist while “system” means “group of organisms joined in regular and
interdependent manner. Hence,
• A group of organisms interacting among themselves and with environment is known as
ecosystem.
(OR)
• A system of interaction of organisms with their surroundings (i.e., environment) is
called as “ecosystem”.
Examples: Pond, lake, ocean, forest and desert…. Etc are some of the examples of the
ecosystems.

2.1.2 FUNDAMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ECOLOGY

STRUCTURE:
• Living /Biotic
• Non-Living /Abiotitic
PROCESS:
• Energy flow
• Cycling of matter
CHANGE:
• Dynamic (Not static)
• Succession etc.
FUNCTION:
• Food chain
• Food web
• Ecological pyramids
• Energy Flow
• Cycling of matter

2.1.3 CHARACTERISTICS OF ECOSYSTEM

• Eco system is the basic functional unit of ecology.
• It contains both biotic and abiotic components.

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 • The function of ecosystem is related to the cycling of matter (materials) and flow of
energy.
• The amount of energy needed to maintain an ecosystem depends on its structure.
• Ecosystem passes from a less complex state to more complex state, which is called as
“ecological succession”.

2.1.4 CLASSIFICATION OF ECOSYSTEM:

• The ecosystem can be generally classified into two types:
1. Natural Ecosystem
2. Artificial Eco system
1. NATURAL ECOSYSTEM:
• A natural ecosystem is developed and governed by nature.
• These are capable of operating and maintaining themselves without any major
interference by man.
• The following are the two types of natural ecosystem based on their habitat.
1. Terrestrial Ecosystem.
2. Aquatic Ecosystem.
1) Terrestrial Ecosystem:
• This ecosystem is related to land.
Examples: Grassland ecosystem.
Forest ecosystem, and
Desert ecosystem etc.
2) Aquatic Ecosystem:
• This ecosystem is related to water, it is further sub divided into two types based
on salt content.
i. Fresh Water Ecosystem:
a. Running Water Ecosystems
Examples: Rivers, streams (small narrow rivers)
b. Standing Water Ecosystems
Examples: Pond, lake & well, etc
ii. Marine Ecosystem:
Examples: seas and sea shores <land along the edges of sea>

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 2. MAN MADE (OR) ARTIFICIAL ECOSYSTEM:
An artificial ecosystem is created and maintained by man for his different needs.
Examples: Reservoirs, Artificial lakes and gardens, etc.
2.1.5 STRUCTURE (OR) COMPONENTS OF AN ECOSYSTEM:
• The term structure refers to various components. So, the structure of an ecosystem
explains the relationship between the abiotic (non-living) and the biotic (living)
components.
• Each and every ecosystem has two major components are:
1. Biotic (living) components.
2. Abiotic (Non-living) components.

Biotic
Components

Eco System

Abiotic
Components

Fig: Components Of Ecosystem

1. Biotic Components: The living component of an ecosystem is called “Biotic

component”.
Examples: Plants (Producers)

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 Animals (Consumers) and
Micro Organisms (Decomposers)
• The biotic components of an ecosystem are classified into three types based on how
they get their food.

A. Producers (Autotrophs) : Plants

B. Consumers (Heterotrophs) : Animals
C. Decomposers (Saprotrophs) : Micro organisms.

A. Producers (or) Autotrophs (Auto=self, troph=feeder)

• Self food producing organisms are known as autotrophs.
Examples: All green plants and trees.
• Producers synthesize their food themselves through photosynthesis. Hence
they are also called “Photo autotrophs”. (photo = light)
B. Consumers (or) Heterotrophs (Hetero = other, troph = feeder:
• Consumers are organisms, which cannot prepare their own food and depend
directly (or) indirectly on the producers.
Examples: Plant Eating Species: Insects, rabbit, goat, deer, cow, etc.
Animals Eating Species: Fish, lions, tigers, etc.
• Depending upon the food habits the consumers are divided into four types.
i. Herbivores (or) Primary Consumers (Plant Eaters)
ii. Carnivores (or) Secondary Consumers (Meat Eaters)
iii. Omnivores (or) Tertiary Consumers (With plant & meat eaters)
iv. Detritivores (dead organism eaters)

i. Herbivores: (Herbi = the green plant & Vorare = to devour)

• Animals that eat only plants are called Herbivores.
• They directly depend on the plants for their food. So they are called Plant
eaters.
Examples: Insects, goat, deer, cow, horse, etc.
ii. Carnivores: (Carne = flesh meat & Vorare = to devour)
• Animals that eat other animals are called carnivores.

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 • They directly depend on the herbivores for their food.
Examples: Frog, cat, snake & foxes, etc.
iii. Omnivores: (Omni = whole comes from “ohm” & Vorare = to
devour)
• Animals that eat both plants and animals are called omnivores.
• They depend on both herbivores and carnivores for their food.
Examples: humans, tigers, lions, rats and fox etc.
iv. Detritivores: (Detritifeeder)
• Animals that eat dead organisms and waste of living are called detritivores.
Examples: beetles, termites, ants, crabs, earthworms, etc.
C. Decomposers (or) Saptrotrophs: (Sapros = Rotten, trophos = feeder)
• Decomposers attack the dead bodies of producers and consumers and
decompose them into simple compounds. During the decomposition inorganic
nutrients are released.
• The organisms which break down the complex compounds into simple products
are called decomposers (or) reducers.
Examples: micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi, etc.
2. Abiotic Components:
• The non-living component of an ecosystem is called “abiotic component”
• These non-living components enter the body of living organism, take part in
metabolic activities and then return to the environment. The abiotic component
of the ecosystems divided into three portions.
1. Climate factors : Solar radiation, temperature, wind, water current,
rainfall, etc.
2. Physical factors : light, fire, soil, air, etc.
3. Chemical factors : Organic and Inorganic substances.

Chemical Factors

Organic Substances Inorganic Substances

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 2.1.6 FUNCTION OF AN ECOSYSTEM:
• The function of an ecosystem is related to the cycling of materials (matter) and flow of
energy.
2.6.1 Types of functions:
• Functions of an ecosystem are of three types:
1. Primary Function: The producers (plants) can make their food themselves
through photosynthesis. This process is called primary function of eco system.
Examples: All green plants and trees.
2. Secondary Function: The consumers (animals and humans) cannot make their
own food. They are always depending upon the producers for their energy. This is
called secondary function of eco system.
3. Tertiary Function: Decomposers attack the dead bodies of consumers and
producers and decompose them into simpler compounds. During the decomposition
inorganic nutrients are released.
Examples: Micro organisms like bacteria and fungi, etc.
The functioning of an ecosystem may be understood by studying the following terms:
A. Food chains
B. Food webs
C. Food pyramids (or) Energy pyramids
D. Energy and material flow.
A. Food Chain:
• Anything which we eat to live is called food.
• Food contains energy.
• Food can be transferred from one organism to the other.
• The process of transfer of food (energy) from one organism to a series of
organisms is called as “food chain”.
• A food chain always starts with a plant life and end with animal life. Thus, a
food chain is a picture (or) model that shows the flow of energy from
autotrophs (producers) to series of organisms in an environment, as shown
in the following figure.

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 Carnivores Omnivores Decomposer
SUN

Figure: Schematic representation of food chain.

• Infact, all the food chains starts with the sun. The sun provides energy for
plants.
• The producers (plants) can make their food themselves with the help of the
sunlight, chlorophyll, water and air. The consumers, including animals and
humans, cannot make their own food. They are always depending upon the
producers for their energy.
• Decomposers are the micro-organisms that break down the dead animals and
plants and release nutrients that become part of the soil, which are re-used
by new plants, back to the starting point of the food chain.
Types of food chain:
Three basic types of food chains are found in a typical eco system. They are:
1. Grazing food chains.
2. Detritus food chains.
3. Parasitic food chains.
1. Grazing food chains:
• Grazing food chain starts with green plants (producers) and goes to decomposer
food chain (or) detritus food chain through herbivores and carnivores.
• It has two types :
a. Terrestrial food chain and
b. Aquatic food chain
a. Terrestrial food chain: Food chain on land is called terrestrial food chain.
Example: Grassland food chain
Forest land food chain
Desert land food chain
Grass land food chain
Grasses Grasshoppers Frog Snake Eagles
Forest food chain

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 Green plants Deer Tiger (or) lion
b. Aquatic food chain : This food chain is slightly different from terrestrial food
chain. It is seen in aquatic (water) eco system. Food chain in water is called
“Aquatic food chain”.
Example: Marine food chain Example: Ocean
Fresh water food chain Example: Pond, lake, streams, etc.
Food chain in a pond
Phytoplankton Zoo Plankton Small fish Large fish Man
Marine Food chain:
Sea Weeds Small fish Large fish Sharks and other animals

Figure:

Food chain

Grazing food chain Detritus food chain Parasite food chain

Terrestrial food chain Aquatic food chain

Marine food chain Fresh water food chain

Standing water food chain Running water food chain

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 2. Detritus’ food chain: Detritus food chain starts with dead organic matter (plants
and animals) and goes to decomposer through consumers. Detritus food chains,
independent of solar energy, but they depend on influx of dead organic matter.
Example:
Dead Plants Soil mitts Algae Crabs Small fish Large
fish
3. Parasitic food chain: Parasitic food chain operates in many ecosystems. In this food
chain either consumer (or) producer is parasitized and the food passes to smaller
organisms. A parasitic food chain involves host parasite hyper parasites’ links.
Example: Trees Fruit eating birds Lice & Bugs Bacteria Fungi

B. Food Web:
• Web means “network” such as spider’s web, World Wide Web (WWW) etc.
• So, food web is a network of food chains.
• In a food web many food chains are inter connected, where different types of organisms
are connected at different tropic levels, so that there are a number of options of eating
and being eaten at each tropic level. Thus, there is a inter connecting of various food
chains are called food webs and as shown in following figure.

Bird(Eagle)
Snake Fish

Insect

Frog Grass

Grasshopper

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 Hawk

Snake Insect

Mouse

Cat Lizard

Grain Grass

This food web shows many linear food chains <as shown in figure>. These linear food chains
are inter connected with other food chains operating in the eco system to form a food web.
The grazing food chains are as follows:
• Grains Mouse Cat
• Grains Mouse Hawk
• Grains Mouse Snake Hawk
• Grains Insect Sparrow Hawk
• Grass Insect Lizard Snake Hawk
• Grass Insect Sparrow Snake Hawk
The above food web is a simple one. Much more complex food webs do exist in nature.
C. Ecological Pyramids:
• The concept of ecological pyramids was first developed by British ecologist Charles
Elton in 1927.
• Ecological pyramids are the diagrammatic representation of tropic structures in which
the tropic levels (i.e., tiers) are depicted in successive stages.
• An ecological pyramid is shown in the following figure.

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 Decrease in number (or) Biomass (or) Energy

Base

Figure: Formation of an Ecological Pyramid

• In ecological pyramids, tropic levels are shown in the following manner:

i. The producers represent first tropic level in the ecological pyramid.
ii. The herbivores (or) primary consumers represent second tropic level in the
ecological pyramid.
iii. The carnivores (or) secondary consumers represent third tropic level in the
ecological pyramid.
iv. The omnivores (or) tertiary consumers represent fourth tropic level in the
ecological pyramid.

• On the basis of the number of organisms, the biomass of organisms and energy flow in
organist population. Three types of ecological pyramids are:
1. Pyramid of numbers.
2. Pyramid of biomass
3. Pyramid of energy.

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 1. Pyramid of numbers:
• It shows the number of individual organisms present in each tropic level.
• It is expressed in numbers per unit area.
• Depending upon the type of ecosystem, we have three types of pyramid of numbers.
a. Upright pyramid of numbers.
b. Partly upright pyramid of numbers.
c. Inverted pyramid of numbers.

1. Upright Pyramid of numbers:

• The number of individual organisms gradually decreases from lower tropic
level to higher tropic level is called “upright pyramid of numbers”.
Example: A grassland ecosystem and a pond ecosystem show an upright
pyramid of numbers.
• The producers in the grass lands are grasses, which are small in size and
large in numbers. So, producers occupy lower tropic level (1 st
tropic level).
• The primary consumers (herbivores) are rats, which occupy the II tropic level.
Since the numbers of rats are lower when compared to the grasses, the size
of which is lower.
• The secondary consumers (carnivores) are snakes, which occupy the III tropic
level. Since the numbers of snakes are lower when compared to the rats, the
size of which is lower.
• The tertiary consumers (omnivores) are eagles, which occupy the IV tropic level.
The number and size of the last tropic level is lowest <as shown in figure>.
• Similarly, in the case of pond ecosystem, producers, herbivores and carnivores
are decreases from lower tropic level to the higher tropic level. Thus, these
pyramids are upright.
• Therefore, the numbers of individual organisms permit area, decreases from
lower tropic level to higher tropic level as shown in figure.

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 Apex

Large Tertiary Consumers

Fish
Distance in Number

Secondary Consumers
Small Fish

Primary Consumers
Zoo Plankton Ex: Protozoa

Producers
Phytoplankton (Algae)

Base

Large Fish
Tertiary Consumers

Small Fish
Secondary Consumers

Zoo Plankton
Ex: Protozoa Primary Consumers

Phytoplankton (Algae) Producers

Figure: Pyramid of numbers in an aquatic (pond) ecosystem

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 2. Partially Upright Pyramid Of Numbers:
• A forest eco system is an example of partially upright pyramid.
• In a forest eco system, big trees are the producers, which are less number. So,
these producers occupy the lower tropic level which is narrow base.
• The primary consumers (herbivores) are birds, insects, which occupy the II tropic
level. Since the number of birds, insects and other species are higher when
compared to the trees, the size of which is broader.
• The secondary consumers (Carnivores) are fox, snakes, lizards, which occupy
the third tropic level. Since the number of fox, snakes are lower when compared
to the birds, insects the size of which is lower.
• The tertiary consumers (omnivores) are lion, tiger, which occupy the IV tropic
level. Since the number of lion, tiger are lower when compared to the fox and
snakes the size of which is very (or) narrow lower. So the pyramid is narrow on
both sides and broader in the middle and hence it is called partially upright of
number as shown in figure.

Tertiary Consumers

Tiger

Snakes, Secondary Consumers

Primary Consumers

Trees

Producers

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 Lion, Tiger Tertiary Consumers

Snakes, Foxes
Secondary Consumers

Insects, Birds Primary Consumers

Trees Producers

Figure: Pyramid of numbers in the forest ecosystem

3. Inverted Pyramid Of Numbers:

The number of individual organisms gradually increases from lower tropic level to higher
tropic level, is known as “inverted pyramid of numbers”.
Example: Parasitic food chain shows as inverted pyramid of number as shown in the
following figure.

Tertiary Consumers

Secondary Consumers

Primary Consumers

Trees
Producers

2. Pyramid of Biomass:
• It represents the total amount of biomass (mass (or) weight of biological
material (or) organism) present in each tropic level.
• It is expressed in gram per unit area.

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 • Depending upon the type of ecosystem, we have two types of pyramid of biomass.
i. Upright pyramid of biomass.
ii. Inverted pyramid of biomass.
i. Upright Pyramid Of Biomass:
• The pyramid of biomass gradually decreases from the produce level (or) first tropic
level to consumer level (higher tropic level) is called “upright pyramid of biomass”
• A forest ecosystem showed an upright pyramid of biomass.
• In this ecosystem, the biomass decreases from the producer level to consumer levels
(as shown in figure)

Apex

10kgs
Distance in Number

Base

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 Lion, Tiger Tertiary Consumers

Snakes, Foxes
Secondary Consumers

Insects, Birds Primary Consumers

Trees Producers

ii. Inverted pyramid of biomass:

• The pyramid of biomass gradually increases from producer level to consumer
level are called as Inverted pyramid of biomass.
• Example: The pond ecosystem shows an inverted pyramid of biomass.
• In this, ecosystem, the biomass increases from producer level to consumer
levels as shown in the following figure.

Tertiary Consumers

Secondary Consumers

Primary Consumers

Algae
Producers

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 Big fish Tertiary Consumers

Small fish
Secondary Consumers

Insects Primary Consumers

Algae
Producers

Figure: Pyramid of biomass in pond (eco system)

3. Pyramid of Energy:
• It represents the amount of flow of energy in each tropic level.
• It is expressed in calories per unit area per year.
• In an eco system, the energy flows from producer level to the consumer level. At
each successive tropic level, there is a huge loss of energy (about 90%) in the
form of heat, respiration, etc. Thus, at each next higher level only 10% of the
energy passes on. Hence, there is a sharp decrease in energy at each and every
producer to omnivores (or) top carnivores. Therefore, the pyramid of energy is
always upright as shown in figure.
Decrease in Energy

5 Kcals

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 5 K Cals Tertiary Consumers

50 K cals
Secondary Consumers

500 k cals Primary Consumers

5000 K cals Producers

1.5 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:

Human beings live in both natural and social world. Our technological development has
strong impacts on the natural as well as the social components. When we talk of development,
it cannot be perceived as development only for a privileged few who would have a high
standard of living and would derive all the benefits. Development also does not mean an
increase in the GNP (Gross National Product) of a few affluent nations. The Earth has limited
supply of resources and renewable resources. Development has to be visualized in a holistic
manner, where it brings benefits to all, not only for the present generation, but also for the
future generations.
Sustainable development is defined as “meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” This
definition was given in Brundtland Commission Report, ‘‘Our Common Future’’, by the
Norwegian Prime Minister, G.H. Brundtland, who was also the Director of World Health
Organisation (WHO). Today sustainable development has become a buzz word and
hundreds of programmes have been initiated in the name of sustainable development. If you
want to test whether or not a proposal will achieve the goals of sustainability just try to find
out the following:

• Does it protect our biodiversity?

• Does it prevent soil erosion?
• Does it slow down population growth?
• Does it increase forest cover?
• Does it cut off the emissions of CFC, SOx, NOx and CO2?

• Does it reduce waste generation and does it bring benefits to all? These are only a few
parameters for achieving sustainable growth.
Important components of Sustainable development:
1.Economic development
2.Community development
3.Environmental protection
True sustainable development aims at optimum use of natural resources with high degree of
reusability, minimum wastage, least generation of toxic by-products and maximum
productivity. Aspects of sustainable development
The key aspects for sustainable development are:

(a) Inter-generational equity: This emphasizes that we should minimize any adverse
impacts on resources and environment for future generations i.e. we should hand over a
safe, healthy and resourceful environment to our future generations. This can be possible only
if we stop over-exploitation of resources, reduce waste discharge and emissions and
maintain ecological balance.
(b) Intra-generational equity: This emphasizes that the development processes
should seek to minimize the wealth gaps within and between nations. The Human
Development Report of United Nations (2001) emphasizes that the benefits of technology
should seek to achieve the goals of intra- generational equity. The technology should address
the problems of the developing countries, producing drought tolerant varieties for uncertain
climates, vaccines for infectious diseases, clean fuels for domestic and industrial use. This
type of technological development will support the economic growth of the poor countries
and help in narrowing the wealth gap and lead to sustainability.

Approaches for Sustainable Development:

Some of the important approaches for sustainable development are as follows:

(i) Using appropriate technology is one which is locally adaptable, eco-friendly,

resource- efficient and culturally suitable. It mostly involves local resources and local
labour. Indigenous technologies are more useful, cost-effective and sustainable. Nature
is often taken as a model, using the natural conditions of that region as its components.
 This concept is known as “design with nature”.
The technology should use less of resources and should produce minimum waste.

(ii) Reduce, Reuse, Recycle approach: The 3-R approach advocating minimization of
resource use, using them again and again instead of passing it on to the waste stream and
recycling the materials goes a long way in achieving the goals of sustainability. It
reduces pressure on our resources as well as reduces waste generation and pollution.
(iii) Promoting environmental education and awareness: Making environmental
education the centre of all learning process will greatly help in changing the thinking
pattern and attitude of people towards our earth and the environment. Introducing
subject right from the school stage will inculcate a feeling of belongingness to earth in
small children. ‘Earth thinking’ will gradually get incorporated in our thinking and
action which will greatly help in transforming our lifestyles to sustainable ones.

(iv) Resource utilization as per carrying capacity: Any system can sustain a limited
number of organisms on a long-term basis which is known as its carrying capacity. In
human beings, the carrying capacity concept becomes all the more complex. It is
because unlike other animals, human beings, not only need food to live, but need so
many other things to maintain the quality of life.

Sustainability of a system depends largely upon the carrying capacity of the system. If the
carrying capacity of a system is crossed (say, by over exploitation of a resource),
environmental degradation starts and continues till it reaches a point of no return.
Carrying capacity has two basic components:

• Supporting capacity i.e. the capacity to regenerate

• Assimilative capacity i.e. the capacity to tolerate different stresses.

In order to attain sustainability it is very important to utilize the resources based upon
the above two properties of the system. Consumption should not exceed regeneration and
changes should not be allowed to occur beyond the tolerance capacity of the system.

(v) Improving quality of life including social, cultural and economic dimensions:
Development should not focus just on one section of already affluent people. Rather it
should include sharing of benefits between the rich and the poor. The tribal, ethnic
people and their cultural heritage should also be conserved. Strong community
participation should be there in policy and practice. Population growth should be
stabilized.
Thus sustainable development can occur by integrating social, scientific and ecological
dimensions at regional and global level, as illustrated in Fig. 3.2.

Global interactions

Ecological balance

Economic Equity Resource

growth conservation

Sustainable
development

Appropriate and Socio-cultural innovative,

cleaner technological eco-friendly practices.
innovations

Regional development
policies

Fig. 3.2. Multidimensional model for sustainable development.

Sustainable development is possible by considering the earth and its resources as

common for all. Participatory role of public and different nations for evolving technological
innovations and conservationist life style is equally important to achieve economic growth,
ecological balance, equity and resource conservation.