SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Ar. Pallavi Sharma,
Asst. Prof., Amity School of Architecture and Planning, Amity University Haryana.
ABSTRACT
We are directly benefitted from nature and without it we will not be able to survive. Majority of
medicines presently in use and all our foods are derived from plants and animals. Ecosystem
services include regulation of the atmosphere and climate; purification and retention of fresh
water; formation and enrichment of soil; nutrient cycling; detoxification and recirculation of
waste; pollination of crops and the production of lumber, fodder and biomass fuel. Nature also
provides us knowledge for our future science and technology. The fastest way for us to progress
is to copy nature. There are large numbers of examples where we have benefited from copying
nature. Presently the new mantra in the design world is to mimic nature. Thus better fluid
dynamic foils by mimicking dolphin swimming; better insulation by studying polar bear’s fur;
better design of helicopter by observing bumble bee flying and better light bulb by understanding
the firefly luminescence etc. are among innumerable examples that are being researched all over
the world.
Destruction of environment and nature are the sad effects of progress. Large-scale deforestation,
pollution of air, introduction of toxic chemicals in rivers and oceans is depleting biodiversity.
According to American heritage dictionary, nature is “The order, disposition and essence of all
entities composing the physical universe or in essence the biosphere”. We need to conserve
nature and biodiversity. We should be aware of the fact that if we destroy nature we will lose
valuable genetic information and with that a possible mechanism to evolve efficiently and
sustainably.
Sustainable development is nothing but global efforts to fulfill basic human needs without
destroying or degrading the natural environment.
It refers to a mode of human development in which natural resources are used to meet human
needs while ensuring the sustainability of natural systems and the environment, so that these
needs can be fulfilled not only in the present, but also for generations to come.
More than three billion people in the world earn $ 1-2/day. Majority of the population live in
rural areas with very primitive quality of life. If we talk about India, around 60% of rural
population are without electricity, and have no clean drinking water.
Cooking and lighting are the two basic necessities of rural areas. It constitutes about 75% of
total energy consumed by rural population. A user friendly and quality product, to satisfy these
needs from locally available resources like biomass, can go a long way in improving the quality
of life.
In present scenario, leaders face challenges on many fronts such as, change in climate,
environmental justice, and energy independence, conservation of natural resources,
unemployment, poverty, and public health. Many local governments have already implemented a
number of environmental and energy saving programs. A sustainability plan provides a means of
bringing everything together under a set of goals and metrics and provides a vision for the future
development of the jurisdiction.
Sustainability is based on a simple principle: “We directly or indirectly depends on natural
environment for our survival and well-being”. Sustainability creates and maintains the
conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony, that permit fulfilling
the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations.
Dream of Gandhi Ji
Gandhiji always spoke about his dream village but somehow was never able to give a concrete
shape to his dreams. He had an idea that the villagers can manufacture things they needed by the
village will be high tech, self reliant, sustainable and will provide its residents a better quality
life.
The villages of India have not changed very much since Gandhiji’s times. About 60% of India’s
rural populations are still without electricity, they do not have clean drinking water supply. In
states like U.P., Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh etc. some of the villages still exist in stone ages.
Until and unless we bring 60% of our rural population into mainstream of development and
provide a quantum jump to their life, we cannot become prosperous country in the world. We are
in the age of electricity. One of the best ways is to provide electricity to maximum areas.
Adequate and uninterrupted supply of electricity for lighting, agriculture, communication,
entertainment can transform the lives of rural population and bring in tremendous wealth to these
areas.
The most abundant local resource in rural areas is biomass (agricultural residues, weeds and
other plant material). In India about 600 million tons of agricultural residues/year is produced,
which can theoretically produce 70,000 MW of electric power. However all these residues
should go back to the soil to nurture it so that farm productivity increases. If it is used for power
generation then the soil will suffer. A much better way to both nurture the soil and produce
power is to produce biogas from these residues. A high tech biogas producer can produce
biogas.
The farmers in India have realized that organic foods can fetch good price for them. Hence they
are moving towards organic farming. Organic farming is environmentally sound and sustainable
way of producing food, since it incorporates integrated method of management which maintains
the health of soil and its productivity. Farmers in developing countries who switch to organic
agriculture also achieve higher earnings and a better standard of living.
It is necessary to develop very efficient biogas producers to raise the economy level of biogas.
Biogas has been used extensively in rural areas and it requires considerable amount of cow dung
and other nitrogenous material. It is therefore not suitable for a household with less than 3-4
Biogas powered diesel gensets can also produce clean drinking water as a by-product. Thus the
strategy of using locally available agricultural residues based biogas gensets will produce electric
power, excellent fertilizer and clean drinking water for the village. Besides the excess biogas
can also be used to provide clean cooking fuel for villagers. This is true sustainability and may
lead to Gandhiji’s dream villages. Solar and wind energy can also be used to generate light.
1. Rain Water Harvesting
Rain water harvesting is nothing but collecting, saving and storing rain water. The roof of the
building/house is fitted with the pipe so that the rainwater will pass through the pipes and
collected on the ground water tanks and further used for other applications. The water that is
collected is passed through different stages of filtering and then finally stored in the tank or some
suitable place. Water of first rain of the season should not be collected for first 10-20 minute,
depending upon the cleanliness of the roof top. Water must be allowed to let go off the roof top
so that the dirt and dust present is washed away. Once the dirt is removed, the water collected in
the tanks will be pure enough for daily uses.
Use of Rain Water Harvesting
It increases and recharges the water level in surrounding reservoirs and lakes, ponds,
Rivers.
It improves the Under Ground Water Table Level. It minimizes the scarcity of water.
It reduces the burden and power consumption in the water pumping stations. It Restores the Natural Vegetation and Brings down the Temperature of Earth.
2. Roof Top Solar Powered Home Lighting
To convert solar radiation into current electricity, Photovoltaic is a method is adopted. Solar
panels are used to convert solar light into electricity, and then are then stored into batteries which
batteries serve as a reservoir to store electricity. These batteries can be used to light up the area
during the required time.
Uses:
It can be used in remote villages or areas where there is no Electricity and light
In small and remote villages it serves as Free Power and Electricity and hence people can
live happy and bright life
It minimizes the use of RAW Power from the GRID
It’s a Free and Cheapest way to Produce Free and Natural Power It Reduces the Burden on the Power Generating Stations
3. Solar and Wind Turbine Powered Street Lights
Part A – DC Motor (Wind Turbine)
To convert mechanical rotation into a pulsing direct electric current, Dc Motor (Wind Turbine) is
used through Faraday’s law of induction. This motor consists of a stationary structure, called the
stator, which provides a constant magnetic field, and a set of rotating windings called the
armature which turn within that field. The motion of the wire within the magnetic field causes
the field to push on the electrons in the metal, creating an electric current in the wire. This DC
Motor (Wind Turbine) basically consists of Copper Coils and Metal Discs or Rings. When
Power is Fed to this DC Motor (Wind Turbine) it works as the Motor, Electrical Power
converted into Mechanical Power. When it is used in Reverse, i.e., when mechanically Rotated,
this Produces Electricity as same as a Dynamo. Mechanical Power Converted To Electrical
Power. When wind hits the Propeller DC Motor (Wind Turbine) Rotates and Hence Produces the
Electricity. This Setup Works as the Turbine to Generate Electricity and Power. This Electricity
can be stored in Batteries and used for various applications whenever needed.
Photovoltaic (PV) is a method of generating electrical power by converting solar radiation into
direct current electricity using semiconductors that exhibit the photovoltaic effect. The solar light
is converted into Electricity by solar panel; this is then store into battery and can be used
whenever required. During Day Light, the Battery is Charged through the Solar Panel and
Charges is Stored in the Battery. The Battery serves as the reservoir for Electricity to store the
Power. During the Required time the Charge Stored in Battery can be Used to Light up the
Devices in the Home.
Uses:
In small and remote villages it serves as Free Power and Electricity and hence people can
live happy and bright life.
Can be used to Power Street Lights and General Power needs. It minimizes the use of RAW Power from the GRID.
It can be used in remote villages or areas where there is no power and Light. It minimizes the use of RAW Power from the GRID.
Safe to use.
It’s a Free and Cheaper method to Produce Free and Natural Power.
REFERENCES
Rajvanshi, Anil. K., VILLAGE OF MY DREAM, Published as an editorial article in
Times of India, October 19, 2005.
Rajvanshi, Anil. K., Nature of Human Thought, Published by NARI, India. August 2005, pg. 66.
UDPFI Guidelines, Ministry of Urban Affairs & Employment, Govt. Of India, New
Delhi, August 1996. www.ndtv.com › All India.
