**Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Striking a Balance Between Environmental Conservation and Economic Development**
Opening a roundtable on “Environmental Conservation and Economic Development: Searching for Balance” here on Monday, Dr. Arash Fazli, Chair for Studies in Development at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya (DAVV), emphasized that growth or mere expansion cannot continue indefinitely. He asserted that what is truly needed is authentic development—the realization of true possibilities.
The conference gathered academics, environmentalists, social entrepreneurs, and students to explore how India can reconcile its urgent developmental needs with the pressing imperative of ecological preservation. Dr. Fazli described the environmental crisis not simply as a technical or policy challenge but as a profound moral emergency. He warned that “profit-making had never been the foundation of society’s organisation.”
Highlighting the complexities of balancing human needs with sustainability, DAVV Vice Chancellor Prof. Rakesh Singhai cited the Narmada dam’s transformative role in Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat as a case in point.
Padma Shri awardee Dr. Janak Palta McGilligan shared her decades of experience in land restoration, rural women’s training, and renewable energy promotion. She emphasized that true sustainability must be deeply rooted in service and gratitude.
Other speakers underscored the importance of community knowledge, innovation in renewable energy, and individual responsibility. Dr. Yogesh Jadhav argued that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) should be viewed as a by-product of grassroots conservation-led development, rather than as the sole indicator of progress.
Divya Kaushal and Umi Saran called for greater recognition of nature’s intrinsic value, beyond mere human utility.
The central message of the roundtable was clear: India faces a dual challenge of poverty and unemployment alongside severe ecological decline. Participants agreed that addressing these issues requires a new paradigm—one that weaves ethics, values, and sustainability into the very fabric of economic planning.
This dialogue marks an important step towards redefining India’s development trajectory to ensure a balanced and sustainable future for all.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/need-to-balance-growth-with-ecology-conservation-says-dr-arash-fazli-chair-for-studies-in-davv