Establishing harmony with nature
B. B. Goel

Environment Protection and Sustainable Development
by S. Bhatt. APH, New Delhi. Pages XVIII +241. Rs 495.

SUSTAINABLE development is a dynamic process to guide and uplift the progress and prosperity of human activity from social, political, cultural, economic, technological and ecological parameters. It aims at devising a cost-effective and ecologically harmonious strategy with active involvement of mankind.

Man is both agent and victim of environmental degradation the world over. Though natural resources are not renewable, their ruthless exploitation (uncontrolled pollution, ozone depletion, erosion of bio-diversity, etc.) has culminated into uneven pattern of development. Such an alarming crisis deserves priority of planners and administrators. With the help of legislatives, regulatory interventions and latest technologies, they can help in protecting, preserving and promoting our greatest asset—environment.

The book under review is an outcome of a research project that attempts to address these issues. The author has covered genesis and growth of environmental movement in four chapters. The global concern spearheaded by the United Nations at Stockholm (1972) emphasised that nature need not be conquered and ravaged by man. The United Nations General Assembly’s World Charter for Nature (1982) stressed the need for linkages between man-made laws and laws of nature. The Rio Declaration (1992) called for promotion of economic development on the principle "polluter shall pay." Similarly, the World Summit at Johannesburg (2002) advocated integration of science, philosophy and humanism.

In India, a national committee for environment was formed in the early 70s. In 1980, the Tiwari Committee recommended ‘environment protection’ to be transferred to concurrent list. The mass movements for protecting ecology in countryside, courts interventions in saving the fragile eco-system, enactment of a comprehensive Act (1986) and a central nodal agency in the form of the Ministry of Environment and Forests are some of the efforts made to save environment.

A chapter on duties and responsibilities of the Centre and states restricts to narrating the constitutional mandate (Article 48-A and 51-A) and summarised provisions of the Air and Water Pollution Control Acts and the Forest Conservation Act. It is hard to concur with the author that India follows international norms for environment protection, and that the Centre-State relations are extremely smooth.

A chapter on the present state of environment in India is full of confusion. Instead of conducting a region-wise or subject-specific environmental study, discussion revolves around studies brought out by the UNEP and an NGO. The studies suggest establishing harmony with nature, professionalising state pollution control boards and setting up environment courts.

The book has taken up the rationale of sustainable development. To accelerate the economic development, it seeks the partnership of man with nature without jeopardising natural resources. The author also highlights spadework done by the Union Government, which was presented before the World Summit.

On the whole, there is little consistency and continuity in building the theme. The author’s intentions to quote names and designations of some personalities quite often and repeatedly highlighting his own profile are beyond comprehension. Exorbitantly priced, the book is bound to remain on the shelves.

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