Sustainable development ensures that the maximum rate of resource consumption and waste discharge for a selected development portfolio would be sustained indefinitely, in a defined planning region, without progressively impairing its bio-productivity and ecological integrity. Environmental conservation, therefore, contrary to general belief, accelerates rather than hinders economic development.
Therefore, the Development plans have to ensure:
Sustainable and equitable use of resources for meeting the needs of the present and future generations without causing damage to environment.
To prevent further damage to our life-support systems;
To conserve and nurture the biological diversity, gene pool and other resources for long term food security.
The resource position, therefore, needs to be examined in the context of the present environmental setting.