Impact of Growth and Trade on Environment - Evidence from IndiaPaperback, 20 October 2011

The Environment -Development syndrome has been the major concern of developing countries like India. The developing countries being disenchanted by the unforeseen consequences brought forth by the process of development have been in a dilemma to choose between development and environmental protection. It would obviously be absurd to advice the developing countries to stop all industrialisation for the sake of the environment. The standard of living and standard of life simultaneously are the pre-requisites for humanity to survive. While development provides the former, the latter rests on the environment. It has been a tough trade-off decision between economic growth and environmental protection especially in developing countries. Development per se, is not always the cause of environmental degradation. Rather, there are certain kinds of mindless development strategies that deteriorate the environment and these need to be curbed and changed. As a result there is a growing recognition that the overall goals of environment and development are not in conflict but are indeed the same.