Society and Sustainable Development

Introduction Sustainable development is the idea that human societies must live and meet their needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Report, 1987) Sustainable development mans attaining a balance between environmental protection and human economic development and between the present and future needs. It means equity is development and sectoral actions across space and time. It requires an integration of economic, social and environmental approaches towards development. In Vellore Citizen Welfare Forum V. Union of India and M.C. Mehta V. Union of India, it was observed that the balance environmental protection and developmental activities could only be maintained by strictly following the principle of sustainable development. This is a development strategy that caters the needs of the present without negotiating the ability of upcoming generations to satisfy their needs. The strict observance of sustainable development will put as on a path that ensures development while protecting the environment, a path that works for all peoples and for all generations. It a guarantee to the present and a bequeath to the future. All environmental related developmental activities should benefit more people while maintaining the environmental balance. This could be ensured only by the strict adherence of sustainable development without which life of coming generations will be in jeopardy