Class 12 Indian Economic Development Notes · CBSE
Strategies for Sustainable Development
Strategies for Sustainable Development — study seven strategies: non-conventional energy, cleaner fuels, mini-hydel plants, traditional knowledge, bio-compost, biopest control, and sustainable consumption. CBSE Class 12 IED notes.
Last updated: 1 Sep 2026
Notes
Non-Conventional Sources of Energy
Non-Conventional Energy Sources (Wind & Solar)
Advantages
- Wind power and solar rays are cleaner and greener energy sources
- In areas with high wind speeds, windmills can provide electricity without adverse environmental impact
- India is naturally endowed with large quantity of solar energy
- Solar energy can be converted into electricity with photovoltaic cells
- Both sources are totally free from pollution
Disadvantages
- Have not yet been explored on a large-scale due to lack of technological devices
- Initial cost is high (though benefits easily absorb the high cost over time)
India in action
Rajasthan's Bhadla Solar Park — one of the world's largest at 2,245 MW capacity. A single home rooftop solar panel (₹1–2 lakh) can save ₹1,500–2,000/month in electricity bills.
Cleaner Fuels
| Aspect | Urban Areas — CNG | Rural Areas — LPG & Gobar Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel | Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) | LPG and Gobar Gas |
| Why Needed | Petrol and diesel cause severe air pollution | Wood, dung cake, biomass cause deforestation and air pollution |
| Impact | ⭐ In Delhi, CNG in public transport has significantly lowered air pollution | Help in reducing household pollution to a large extent |
| Cleanliness | Much cleaner than petrol/diesel | Much cleaner than traditional biomass fuels |
Mini-Hydel Plants
Such power plants are more or less environment-friendly and generate enough power to meet local demands. Moreover, large-scale transmission towers and cables are not required.
Himachal Pradesh example
In Himachal Pradesh, several villages generate their own electricity through mini-hydel plants on local streams — no grid connection needed.
Traditional Knowledge and Practices
India's Traditional Knowledge
India is well known for its Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) treatment with about 15,000 species of plants which have medicinal properties.
The shift from traditional systems has caused large-scale damage to the environment and rural heritage. Traditional systems are environment friendly, relatively free from side effects.
Bio-compost and Biopest Control
Chemical fertilizers have adversely affected productive land and contaminated water bodies.
With rise in demand for organic food, farmers have started using Bio-compost — compost made from organic wastes.
Ensures sustainable development by avoiding excessive use of chemical fertilizers.
Benefits civic authorities — they have to dispose of lesser quantity of waste.
Change in Unsustainable Consumption Patterns
With increasing purchasing power, wasteful consumption linked to market-driven consumerism is stressing the resource base of developing countries further.
It is important to counter this through education and public awareness. Desirable limits and standards for consumption and production need to be established through appropriate mechanisms.
Think about it
India's middle class now buys 3–4 phones per household in 5 years. A single smartphone contains 60+ elements mined from the earth. Reducing upgrade frequency from 2 years to 4 years cuts resource demand by 50%.
Key Takeaways
Key Takeaways
- Non-conventional energy sources like wind and solar are clean but need large-scale exploration and initial investment.
- CNG in urban areas and LPG/Gobar Gas in rural areas are cleaner alternatives to traditional fuels — Delhi CNG is a success story.
- Mini-hydel plants in mountainous regions generate local, environment-friendly electricity without large transmission infrastructure.
- India's traditional knowledge (AYUSH) with 15,000+ medicinal plant species offers environment-friendly alternatives.
- Bio-compost and neem-based biopesticides reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, protecting soil and water.
- Changing unsustainable consumption patterns through education and awareness is essential for long-term resource conservation.