Sustainable Development and Global Management of Natural Resources

Abstract

The world is blessed by the beauty of its vast and varied landscapes and the wealth of its natural resources. But with this blessing, comes the responsibility to ensure their preservation and a healthy environment, in a planet that should be livable and pleasant. In the new knowledge-based and technology-driven global economy, this can be achieved only by integrating our economic, environmental and social goals and policies with various levels of government, within our country and across the globe. These goals must be achieved in partnership with several stake- holders- government, and the civil society; industries and business; academicians, researchers and technologists who have the requisite perception, knowledge and expertise to steer the right course of action. The twin concerns in the relationship between development & environment are: a) Environment without development would be life without opportunities. b) Development without adequate environmental protection would inflict serious environmental damage and destroy Earth’s delicate natural balance. The policies and actions needed in this context have to be in the nature of “coordinate efforts” ranging from local to global. They must be conceived as an “interlinked strategy” mutually supporting each other and aimed at the common goal of sustainable development and global management of natural resources. Emphasis should be given on: Environmental degradation & Natural Resources management, Sustainable water security, Sustainable Energy, Sustainable Forestry & Biodiversity, Sustainable agriculture etc. The paper is mainly confined to outline the contours of Sustainable development and global management of natural resources within the framework of environmental Sustainability, conservation and equity consideration. An outline of policy framework, governance and different management approaches required for the growth of natural resources after the liberalized economic order are presented in the paper.