‘Sustainable development is a crucial step for the development of a country.’ Explain with suitable examples.

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.

The indiscriminate use of resources has resulted in the following major problems:

• Depletion of resources: The over-extraction of fossil fuels has resulted in the cumulative depletion of the resources for satisfying the greed of few individuals.

• Social division: The accumulation of resources in few hands has resulted in the division of the society into two segments – the rich and poor. The still widening gap between them is still a cause of concern

• Global ecological crisis: Indiscriminate exploitation of resources and the disruption of the natural balance has led to global ecological crises such as global warming, ozone layer depletion, environmental pollution and land degradation.

The only solution to all these problems faced by humanity is the sustainable utilization of resources. An equitable and unbiased distribution of resources is very essential for the maintenance of a sustained quality of life and global peace. It is also our moral responsibility to let the future generation enjoy the living standards and quality of life as enjoyed by the present generation. Thus, Sustainable development is a crucial step in the development of a country.