Brief Overview of Current state of Worlds Environment The environment includes natural resources (fauna, flora, water, soil

and minerals) and ecosystem services (crop production, energy supply and soil maintenance). These resources and services are being degraded mainly because of increasing population and consumption. It is beyond question that as world population grows and countries modernize, global environmental systems come under greater pressure. Our air, land, and water are under constant assault from the evergrowing ravages of man-made pollution generated chiefly by industrialized societies. Radical action is required to insure our basic survival as a species. Half of the forests that originally covered 46% of the Earth's land surface are gone. Only one-fifth of the Earth's original forests remain pristine and undisturbed. Between 10 and 20 percent of all species will be driven to extinction in the next 20 to 50 years. Based on current trends, an estimated 34,000 plant and 5,200 animal species - including one in eight of the world's bird species - face extinction. Almost a quarter of the world's mammal species will face extinction within 30 years. Up to 47% of the world's plant species are at risk of extinction.60% of the world's coral reefs, which contain up to one-fourth of all marine species, could be lost in the next 20-40 years Hundreds of thousands of sea turtles and marine mammals are entangled and drowned by irresponsible fishing practices every year. More than 20 percent of the world's known 10,000 freshwater fish species have become extinct, been threatened, or endangered in recent decades. Sixty percent of the world's important fish stocks are threatened from overfishing. Desertification and land degradation threaten nearly one-quarter of the land surface of the globe. Over 250 million people are directly affected by desertification, and one billion people are at risk. Global warming is expected to increase the Earth's temperature by 3C (5.4F) in the next 100 years, resulting in multiple adverse effects on the environment and human society, including widespread species loss, ecosystem damage, flooding of populated human settlements, and increased natural disasters. An estimated 40-80 million people have been forcibly evicted and displaced from their lands to make way for the construction of large dams, resulting in economic and social devastation for these people.

Relationship of Population, Development and Environment We can safely assume that development and environment are interrelated to each other. Improper or uncontrolled development is likely to cause adverse impacts on the environment, and environmental pollution or degradation may become a major obstacle for social and economic development. The interrelationship between development and environment has been observed throughout the world, especially in fast-developing countries such as Japan, South Korea, China, India and Thailand.

Rapid increase in population disturbs the biotic environment. The rate, at which world population is increasing, is alarming. Human beings are forced to encroach upon forests, mountains, sea and rivers, for space and food. More habitable and cultivable land is required, as also more space is needed for grazing the cattle. Wild animals are being killed indiscriminately for food and money. Trees are being cut to satisfy the needs of fuel and timber. This has caused an ecological crisis. If it is not checked, it is bound to bring disaster. Explosion of population has also caused overcrowding. It has caused physical discomfort, which creates mental tension. Living with mental tension is bound to cause social and health disorders. By looking at India the rapid growing population and economic development is leading to a number of environmental issues in India because of the uncontrolled growth of urbanization and industrialization, expansion and massive intensification of agriculture, and the destruction of forests. Major environmental issues are forest and agricultural degradation of land, resource depletion (water, mineral, forest, sand, rocks etc.), environmental degradation, public health, loss of biodiversity, loss of resilience in ecosystems, livelihood security for the poor. It is estimated that the country's population will increase to about 1.26 billion by the year 2016. The projected population indicates that India will be the first most populous country in the world and China will be ranking second in the year 2050. India having 18% of the world's population on 2.4% of world's total area has greatly increased the pressure on its natural resources. Water shortages, soil exhaustion and erosion, deforestation, air and water pollution afflicts many areas. India's water supply and sanitation issues are related to many environmental issues.

In regards of environment and sustainable development, in earlier days, human beings were leading a harmonious life with nature. In the age of science and technology, they are capable of using more natural resources to create an environment of their own. As such, the natural environment is shaped, guided and directed by socio-economic considerations. This practice has led to degradation of natural environment. Old villages, hills, beaches, etc., have been converted into cities and big towns. In order to increase communication for trade purposes, a network of roads and transport has been established. Tourism has been given importance and big hotels have been constructed. Agricultural lands have been used in constructing big hotels, industries, etc. Big dams have been constructed in order to generate more electricity for the industries. Water bodies have shrunken. To maintain a balance between environment and development, it is necessary to strive for sustainable development to meet the needs of present generation without foreclosing the options for future generation. To achieve this, one has to consider different aspects of development. Conservation, sustainability and biological diversity are interrelated. If human beings have to survive, they have to live in harmony with nature. More plants have to be planted. Green grassy patches have to be interspersed between concrete buildings. We will have to adopt such technologies which are environment friendly sound, and based on maximizing recycling and efficient use of resources practices which are inherent in Indias traditions.