In the light of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it is important to examine sustainable development in the Indian context. Ancient India was home to many scientists and philosophers, who made great progress in the field of science. Ancient Indians succeeded in achieving development without causing damage to the environment. Our scriptures say a harmonious relationship between man and nature is crucial to mankind’s survival and sustenance.
This ancient wisdom has great relevance today, a time when industrial development and indiscriminate use of natural resources have led to problems like global warming that threaten the human race. In order to achieve the sustainable development goals, we must first examine the challenges that stand in our way.
India is the world’s second most populated country, and our population is growing at an alarming rate. An increase in population implies an increase in the rate at which resources are depleted. If the population continues to grow unchecked, the available resources will no longer be sufficient to sustain the population. Thus, it is of utmost importance that the increase in population be controlled for us to be able to achieve our targets for sustainable development.
Our country’s population can be channelled to various sectors to achieve economic and social development. Providing education and employment will enable us to harness our human resources.
India has several unique contributions to make towards the global effort to achieve the sustainable development goals. Khadi, or khaddar, is a hand-spun and hand-woven fabric that played an important role in India’s struggle for freedom. It is a fabric that causes close to zero damage to the environment.
The use of solar-powered charkas to spin khadi leads to a reduction in the water and electricity consumed to manufacture it. According to the ministry of micro, small and medium enterprises, the manufacture of a metre of khadi fabric requires less than 6 per cent of the water required to manufacture a metre of mill fabric. The Khadi and Village Industries Commission is putting in an effort to promote the manufacture and use of khadi, which will generate jobs for rural weavers and significantly increase their income.
Yoga is an ancient Indian practice that is a global phenomenon today. It teaches us to control our minds and bodies. The principle of aparigraha teaches us to consume only as much as we need and to donate what we do not need to other people. The adoption of this principle will boost our attempt to promote optimum consumption patterns. The control that one can establish over one’s mind and body by practising yoga will help control one’s individual consumption pattern. Adoption of yoga has the potential to help our labour force to work harder and be more productive.
Adoption of vegetarianism can go a long way in controlling consumption patterns. The livestock and animals have a lot of utility, all of which is lost when these animals are slaughtered for their meat. The amount of energy and water required for organised rearing of livestock for slaughter is further leading to degradation of the environment.
Sustainable development needs the concerted effort of all nations, particularly developed nations, as they have smaller populations than most underdeveloped and developing nations, but have some of the greatest consumption levels and carbon footprint. It is necessary that these nations take responsibility for their contribution to global warming and resource depletion, and put in their best efforts to achieve sustainable development by checking their consumption patterns.
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