Sustainable development aims to balance economic growth, social justice, and environmental protection. However, in a developing country like India, where 228.9 million people still live in poverty (NITI Aayog, 2023 MPI Report), there is often a tension between protecting the environment and meeting the survival needs of the poor.

Sustainable Growth

1. Inclusive Development – Balancing GDP growth with reduction in poverty and inequality.
2. Green Energy Expansion – Scaling renewables energy (500 GW target by 2030).
3. Sustainable Agriculture – Crop diversification, organic farming, millets promotion
4. Green Jobs & Skills – Workforce transition towards solar, EVs, waste management.
5. Resource Efficiency – Circular economy, recycling, sustainable mining and industry.
6. Digital & Smart Infrastructure – Smart cities, e-mobility, resilient transport.

Environmental Protection

1. Pollution Control – Enforcing emission standards, waste management rules.
2. Climate Action – Low-carbon pathways, adaptation, and resilience (Net Zero 2070).
3. Biodiversity Conservation – Biodiversity Conservation Act, Environment Protection Act
4. Water & Soil Conservation – Watershed management, rainwater harvesting, anti-desertification efforts.
5. Environmental Regulations – EIA, green clearance norms, NGT
6. Community Participation – Joint Forest Management, people’s biodiversity registers.

Conflict Between Sustainable Growth, Environmental Protection, and Poor People’s Needs

1. Dependence on Forests & Commons – Environmental protection restricts access to forests, rivers, and grazing lands. Eg– Tribal and forest-dwelling communities face eviction under wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves.
2. Energy Access vs Green Transition – Shift from coal/wood to renewables raises costs for the poor in the short run as rural poor still depend on biomass. Eg- refilling costs under Ujjwala Yojana.
3. Employment vs Environmental Norms – Stricter EIA and green clearances delay projects that could generate jobs. Eg– Mining bans in Goa and Bellary impacting informal workers. 
4. Pollution control vs Job creation – Eg- Vedanta’s Niyamgiri bauxite project (Odisha) scrapped for ecological reasons, blocking potential jobs for locals
5. Livelihoods in Informal Sector – Eg– Ban on single-use plastics hit informal recycling workers and street vendors.
6. Climate-Smart Agriculture vs Cost Burden – Eg- Organic/natural farming reduces chemicals but increases labour and costs for marginal farmers.
7. Cost of Green Alternatives – Eco-friendly housing, EVs, organic food are often unaffordable for low-income groups. Eg– High cost of EV auto-rickshaws.
8. Displacement by “Green” Projects – Large-scale renewable projects, dams, and afforestation drives can displace marginal communities. Eg- Sardar Sarovar Dam, Tehri Dam displaced 100,000 people

However, focus on Sustainable Development & Environmental Protection also Fulfils Poor People’s Needs

1. Securing Livelihoods from Natural Resources – Eg– Joint Forest Management (JFM) in Madhya Pradesh increased forest cover while enhancing tribal incomes from tendu leaves and bamboo.
2. Health Benefits for the Poor – Eg– National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in Delhi reduced PM2.5 levels, benefitting vulnerable communities most exposed to air pollution.
3. Affordable Clean Energy – Eg– Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana provided over 9 crore LPG connections, reducing indoor air pollution deaths (mostly among poor women).
4. Resilience Against Climate Shocks – Eg– MGNREGA-linked watershed projects in Bundelkhand improved groundwater and farm incomes.
5. Green Jobs and Inclusive Growth – Eg– Solar PV sector employed ~319,000 workers in 2023; total RE jobs ~1.02 million.
6. Food Security through Sustainable Agriculture – Eg– International Year of Millets (2023) promoted climate-resilient crops consumed largely by rural poor.
7. Rights-Based Environmental Protection – FRA 2006 and biodiversity laws empower poor communities with resource rights. Eg- rights over minor forest produce

Way Forward

1. Inclusive Green Growth – Link poverty alleviation with sustainability through green jobs in renewable energy, waste management, eco-tourism.
2. Just Transition Framework – Reskill workers from polluting industries (mining, coal) for jobs in clean energy and sustainable infrastructure.
3. Integrated Rural Development – Use MGNREGA, watershed management, afforestation programmes to restore ecosystems while generating rural incomes.
4. Strengthened Social Safety Nets – Housing, PDS, and health schemes must cushion vulnerable communities during green transitions.
5. Policy Convergence – Align poverty eradication with SDG-1 (No Poverty), environmental goals with SDG-13 (Climate Action), and growth with SDG-8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

As Indira Gandhi reminded the 1972 Stockholm Conference: “Poverty is the greatest polluter.” Sustainable development in India must therefore mean ending poverty while protecting the environment.