New Delhi, Dec 18: Sustainable consumption of natural resources was the only way to have sustainable development, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Murli Manohar Joshi said here today. "Sustainable development without sustainable consumption around the world would create an environment which do not have place for human beings," Joshi said inaugurating 'the II international conference on sustainable agriculture, water resources development and earth care policies'.
It was the life style of people of some developed countries which was responsible for the current environmental crisis in the world, he said adding the high consumption of natural resources was posing a threat to the environment.
"Developed countries are using major chunk of the natural resources. About 20 per cent people in developed countries consume 80 per cent of the natural resources whereas 5 per cent population living in poor countries consume 3 to 4 per cent," Joshi said.
He appealed people to use natural resources with prudence so that it could be used for long.
Rajya Sabha MP, Prof M Sankaralingam, who also spoke on the occasion, said industries causing irreparable damage to nature should be penalised,
Chairman of Bhoovigyan Vikas Foundation, Dr K V Sundaram emphasised on formation of an 'Earth's Right Commission' which would monitor and ensure that natural resources of the country were not misused. Bureau Report