What is sustainable development?

Sustainable development is the development of the present without compromising the requirements of future generations. The compounds and materials that are used by human beings and the living system to satisfy their needs and requirements are called resources. Resources can be classified as renewable and non-renewable. Renewable resources are those resources that will get renewed and replenished through physical, chemical and mechanical processes. On the other hand, non-renewable resources like coal and petroleum have only a fixed stock. They will be replenished but only after millions of years. Thus the judicious utilization of resources is important for the progress of any country.