Q.26. Explain the participation of public in environmental impact assessment process.
Ans. Public participation in environment impact assessment process is of paramount importance as the development authorities may not always identify the environmental issues, which the public perceives to be important and they may also lack the detailed local knowledge that the public possesses. Public participation may also provide access to information about local environmental, economic and social systems, the possible identification of alternative actions and an increase in the acceptability of the project as public will better understand reasons for the project. However, it could also be time consuming and increase costs and participants may be unrepresentative of the community. In spite of these potential problems, the Ministry of Environment and Forests on 10th April 1977 amended the Environment Impact Assessment Notification dated 27th January, 1994 making public hearing mandatory for environmental clearance. The public hearing will be conducted by the State Pollution Control Boards before the proposals are sent to the Ministry of Environment and Forests for obtaining environmental clearance.
Thus, we can see that the community, general public and the media also have a vital role to play as environmental watchdogs for government.
Q.27. Define sustainable development and discuss its concepts. (AKTU. - 2007-08, 08-09 IInd Sem.)
Related Questions -
Q. Write a short note on sustainable development. (AKTU. - 2009 - 10, 11 - 12)
Q. What are the objectives of sustainable development? (AKTU. - 2012 - 13)
Ans. Sustainable Development: -
Definition: -
The development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’; this is the most widely accepted definition. Thus, sustainable development is a philosophy based on human goals and the understanding of long-term impacts of human activities on the environment and biosphere. It is a programme which can fulfil the present aspirations as well as conserve the future.
The major goal of sustainable development is the conservation of natural resources including living things. This not only centres on using such resources in a wise manner in order to prevent their depletion, but also on using them in a manner that will not degrade their quality for future generations. A major initiative at the international level to understand what sustainability means was the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which brought together governments of various countries across the world. The principal outcome of the Rio Conference was Agenda 21. This Agenda describes the actions necessary for progressing towards a sustainable society.
Measures: -
1. Implementing effective planning for population control.
2. Reducing per-capita demand of natural resources.
3. Using efficient technological devices.
4. Following the three Rs (reduce, reuse, and recycle) approach.
5. Promoting environmental awareness through education.
6. Using effective planning for regeneration of natural resources,,,
Q.28. What are the major obstacles in the path of sustainable development in India? (AKTU. - 2008-09)
Related Questions -
Q. what is sustainable development? discuss the concept of sustainable development. (AKTU. - 2009-10)
Ans. Obstacles In The Path Of Development In India: -
These include the following:
Disagreements Between Stakeholders: -
In a society, there exist many stakeholders such as men, woment, children, youth, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, workers and trade unions, and agricultural (farmers) and technological communities. Before implementing any decision, all these stakeholders have to be considered. Each of these stakeholders has different priorities and hence it is extremely difficult for all to agree upon a common goal of sustainable development.
Uncertainty: -
There is always an uncertainty regarding different global environmental issues and the manner in which they interact with the global ecosystem. There is also uncertainty regarding how the implementation of new policies will affect the normal functioning of the biosphere.
Consumption And Life-style: -
Level of consumption and life-styles of different people of the area are upheld in any programme to achieve sustainable development. Developing countries aspire to achieve a more comfortable living standard. Any rise in living standards in developing countries should be counter-balanced by lowering the ecological footprints of developed countries.
Arguments Over Cause And Responsibility: -
Global warming, a problem attributed to the wealthy developed nations of the west, has lead to a rise in the sea level causing large portions of coastal areas to submerge. The victims are inhabitants of low-lying coastal areas and islands. While wealthy nations can afford to build coastal defences, poorer countries cannot cope with the situation because of-limited means and resources. Despite the popularity of the term ‘sustainable development’, different groups of people all around the world are still struggling to understand what it means for them and how they can make it possible. The vision of sustainable development will not be realized unless people around the world and their governments share sustainability as a common concern and work towards it.
As a concept, sustainable development draws upon two, often opposed intellectual traditions – one concerned with the limits nature presents to humans; the other with potential for human material development.
