Sustainable Development

Definition of Sustainable Development
The term sustainable development came into popular use after the 1987 report of the World Commission on Environment and Development popularly known as the Brundtland Report and the
Brundtland commission respectively. The report was largely a response to the growing international Environmental and Ecological lobby. It defined sustainable development as " Development that meets the needs of present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".
According to Robert Repetto "The core idea of sustainability is that current decision should not impair the prospects for maintaining or improving future live standards .This implies that our economic system should be managed so we can live off the dividends of our resources. "
Objective of Sustainable Development
The Brundtland commission outlined a series of 'Strategic Imperatives ' or 'Critical Objectives ' inherent in the sustainable development.
1. Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment.
2. Social progress that recognizes everyone's need of food, energy, water and sanitation.
3. Ensuring a sustainable level of population growth.
4. Conserving and enhancing the resource base; prudent use of natural resources.
5. Reorienting technology and managing risk.
6. Merging environment and economic in decision making.
Dimension (Pillars) of Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development consists of three dimension. They are:
1. Economic dimension
2. Environment dimension
3. Social dimension
1. Economic dimension
Economically sustainable system must be able to produce goods and services on a continuing basis, to maintain manageable size of government and external debt and to avoid sectoral imbalances. Economic sustainability which occurs when development, which moves toward social and environmental sustainability, is financially feasible .
2. Environmental dimension
Environmental dimension aims to improve human welfare through the protection of natural capital (e.g. land, air, water, minerals etc.). Initiatives and programs are defined environmentally sustainable when they ensure that the needs of the population are met without the risk of compromising the needs of future generations. Use of the environment as a waste sink on the basis that waste disposal rates should not exceed rates of managed or natural assimilative capacity of the ecosystem.
3. Social dimension
Social sustainability which requires that the cohension of society and its ability to work towards common goals be maintained. Social sustainability aims to preserve social capital by investing and creating services that constitute the framework of our society. Individual needs, such as those for health and well being, nutrition, shelter, education and cultural expression should be met.
Conclusion

The pattern of social and structured economic development which optimizes the economic and social benefits available in the present , without jeopardizing the likely potential for similar benefits in the future. The resources are managed so as to maintain production opportunities for the future . Social equity, the fulfill of basic health and education needs and participatory democracy are crucial elements of development as they are interrelated with sustainability. Sustainable Development doesnot mean that resources must not remain untouched, rather it means that their rates of uses be choosen so as not to jeopardize future generations . It doesnot imply constant technology, new technology can reduce on natural resources and yield increasing flow of resources and efficient use of available resources. It satisfy minimum condition of eco-system stability and resilence through time.