Large-scale changes have engulfed many underdeveloped, developing and developed societies due to different processes, including colonialism and globalisation. These changes have affected the linkages ironed out over many generations between humans and nature. Notwithstanding the definitions, we need to look at the antecedents of the concept of development and the way it is pursued by different stakeholders. This would provide us hints for the missing links and insight into the problem areas, both at the policy and planning and implementation levels dealing with SDGs 2030, that we need to address.
In today’s world sustainable development is a buzzword and everyone involved in development will have to address this invariably. Sustainable development involves many components like people’s participation, livelihoods, environment, ecology, health, education, human development, etc. In this chain, any one glitch can upset the apple cart. In light of this, there is a need to understand sustainable development and SDGs from a holistic perspective. A badly planned and implemented development programme will be more detrimental than it is otherwise.
The approach of people in the past was holistic and it is only after the industrial revolution and the emergence of utilitarian ‘modern science’, the old thinking was challenged and was regarded as unscientific and superstitious. However, past cultures and societies never abused nature and its resources. What is important to note is that indigenous or traditional local knowledge is the intellectual capital of the local communities acquired over long periods of testing and practice. It is embedded in the traditions, customs, and practices of the natives. It encompasses many areas that include vegetation, environment, agriculture, veterinary, health care, etc.
This paper attempts to analyse the embedded concept of sustainability in the thinking and practices of past and present societies in different realms of knowledge and living.
