“The goal of the country should be to achieve development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs,” said B.N.M. University Vice-Chancellor B.S. Jha.

He was speaking as the chief guest at the ninth International Conference on Ecosystem Conservation and Sustainable Development and the second Indian Zoology Conference, organised by SABS and AET Group of Institutions in collaboration with the Department of Zoology, Bangalore University.

Prof. Jha stressed the need to strike a balance between economic development, environmental conservation and social welfare.

He said the long-term security of natural resources must be ensured through the conservation of forests, water, soil and biodiversity. As part of India’s sustainable development efforts, greater emphasis should be given to wind and solar energy, bio-gas, small hydro-power projects, electric vehicles and sustainable agriculture.