Sustaining development

Sustainable development poses a dilemma for the planners. Growth and economic well-being are essential pre-requisites for prosperity and that in turn depends on the implementation of policies and projects that envisage the harnessing of technology and capital. But unregulated activity can lead to hazardous consequences, especially for the environment, threatening our very existence unless corrective steps are taken. The indiscriminate use of plastic and the realisation of the harm it can cause led to a call for a ban on its use.  

The repeated dip in the air quality index of the NCR and the problems it causes to the people therein also calls for awareness and checks. Earlier blamed mostly on the practice of stubble burning, the drop in air quality index this time has been attributed to pollutants spread by vehicular emissions. Climatic conditions like drop in temperature and poor wind flow are believed to have made their dispersal even more difficult in many towns of Haryana bordering Delhi. Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed that the state proceed against stone-crushing units operating from sites not meeting the norms. The units are known to discharge dust in enormous quantity, affecting air quality and the health of workers, livestock and crops. These units have been asked to shift to places that meet the ‘siting criteria’.

The practice of stubble burning and the resultant damage to environment and ecology was also the subject of attention at the recent Punjab Investors’ Summit, with experts pointing out that climate change would pose a challenge to food security and incomes. Cultivation of paddy is leading to problems because of the use of enormous quantity of water and chemical fertilisers. Climate and pest-resilient crop practices, natural farming techniques and rotational crops were suggested as ways to stem the rot and create business opportunities. There is enough in nature to meet man’s need but not his greed, said Mahatma Gandhi. And rightly so, for environment can also tend to be a unifying force in a political landscape dominated by divisive and emotive issues.