Environmental Degradation

Natural resource degradation due to rapid growth of population and poverty are the maincauses of environmental degradation in India. However, over the years, expansion ofeconomic development through agriculture and industrialization in India has also playedan equally important role in damaging the country's eco-system and bio-diversity. Thereis therefore a need to highlight environmental issues in the country's development discourse. India's success in attaining food-self sufficiency through agricultural development and its overall performance in socio-economic development are creditableand surely a sign of sustainable development, but, there is a perception that enoughattention is not being paid to ensuring environmental sustainability. Development ismeaningful only when it is not at the cost of the country's environmental sustainability; itis the overall sustainable development that makes India shine in the world. Human capitaland natural resources like land and water are the major factors of economic developmentin any country. It is evident from India's experience that low socio-economic development can cause environmental problems like over population, poverty and unemployment.