“Sustainable development” and “sustainability” may be among the most used phrases across discourses, both mainstream and radical, on “development.” As in any conceptualisation, disciplinary frameworks and value judgments matter here as well. The goal of sustainable development is to meet the needs of the present generation, but in a way that it does not compromise the ability of future generations to use the same resources (World Commission on Environment and Development 1987). Indeed, the resources in question are natural resources, primarily ecological systems...
Human activities, such as resource extraction and pollution, can cause significant reductions in ecosystem resilience. Thus, reducing both pollution and extraction is important for maintaining ecosystem stability. One way to decrease pollution is through minimising the use of exhaustible resources and their substitution with renewable/biotic resources. Such substitutions can support sustainable livelihoods as well, provided the rate of extraction is lower than the rate of renewal or regeneration. This requirement holds for all economic activities using bio-resources. In short, sustainable use of bio-resources, either as a substitution of exhaustible resources or as an input to support new economic activities, can chart pathways for a bio-economy for India.
India has witnessed the formulation of many bio-economic 'models of development'. Community energy projects, agro-forestry systems and traditional organic farming are common examples. However, they often remain a local initiative or are not sustained because of planning challenges, sustainability-concerns, or unsustainable demand.
This programme will identify and promote sustainable development pathways that are based on bio-resources, and are both economically viable and ecologically sustainable. To this end, the programme will estimate ‘market value’ of sustainable flow of bio-resources and their value (over time) in biodiversity hotspots and other areas with significant biodiversity. It will further evaluate the cost of stabilising, augmenting and sustaining bio-resource flows in ecosystems faced with a rapid but recent decline in biodiversity and ecosystem services. Finally, the programme will assess the cost of restoring, stabilising, augmenting and sustaining ecosystems with a rich biodiversity history and/or potential Through the execution of this programme, India will take the lead in developing methodologies for protecting, utilizing and regenerating bio-resources, which are the indispensable foundations of a resilient “green” economy.
Various experts from diverse academic and professional backgrounds come together to build the team that looks after this programme
He is a Professor in the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Jamia Millia Islamia. His research interests are in the trans-disciplinary fields of Classical Political Economy and Ecological Economics, and at the interface of Ecology-Economy-Society.
She prepared documents including 'Bioeconomy’ in India: An Overview of Government, Private and Partnership Schemes' and 'Biodiversity in Sikkim: Policies, Schemes and Baseline Information. She currently works at IDinsight.
He prepared documents including 'Drivers of Biodiversity Change: A brief review of literature and way ahead', created a list of data sources for components of bio-economy, and worked on economic viability for ecological restoration.
She prepared a literature survey titled 'Degree of incorporation of Non-Marketed Goods and Services in SNA & SEEA for selected Bioresources across countries'. She is currently working at Infinite Sum Modeling.
She prepared a report titled ‘Comparison of bio-economy, green economy, circular economy, and other such conceptualisations in terms of identifying common characteristics and differences at a theoretical plane as well as in actions’.
She prepared a literature survey titled 'Integrated Development' that analyses the Recognition and Integration of Biodiversity/Bio-Resource in Development Plans at Sub-State Level Such as District, Taluka or Panchayat in selected countries other than India'. She currently works in the fintech industry.
She prepared a literature survey 'Status of Integration of System of Environment-Economic Accounting (UN) in Domestic National Systems of Accounts in selected Countries'. She is currently a Research Assistant at the Indian School of Business.
She prepared a report titled 'Recognition and Integration of Biodiversity/Bio-Resource in Development Plans at Sub-State Level Such as District, Taluka or Panchayat in India during the last ten Years'. She currently works as a Research Associate with Ecopanacea.
