G. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with the concept of sustainable development? In your opinion, what should be improved?

1. IE Application Essay
By:
Kamal Nandan

2. G. Do you think that the lifestyle of the inhabitants of
your town or city reflects behavior that is in line with
the concept of sustainable development? In your
opinion, what should be improved?

3. What is sustainable development?

4. Sustainable Development
Sustainable development recognizes
that growth must be both inclusive and
environmentally sound to reduce
poverty and build shared prosperity for
today’s population and to continue to
meet the needs of future generations. It
must be efficient with resources and
carefully planned to deliver immediate
and long-term benefits for people, and
the planet.

5. Is the lifestyle of the inhabitants of my city in line with
the concept of Sustainable Development?

6. I live in National Capital Region of India - Delhi

7. Delhi is a traditional city

8. Yet, it has kept pace with modernization and development

9. More than 25 million people live here

10. And it is expanding every day – population as well as area

11. There is a great cultural diversity in Delhi

12. People from all classes live here – poor, middle-class, and the rich

13. Delhi is home to people from different parts of India

14. There are people belonging to different faiths – Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, etc.

15. Yet, there are a few lifestyle habits among the
inhabitants that cut across the diversity of people

16. Some of the habits are sustainable and worth
emulating

17. Habit 1: People in Delhi care for animals and birds, which leads to reduced man-animal
conflict

18. Habit 2: More than 30% of population in Delhi is vegetarian, and its increasing every day

19. Habit 3: Battery operated rickshaws are getting popular

20. But, we need to change/improve a few habits
that are not in line with sustainable development

21. Habit 4: People blatantly use polythene/plastic bags

22. Use of polythene bags leads to plethora of
environmental hazards!!!

23. Polythene and plastics have littered the landscape of the city

24. Polythene/plastics have been killing animals, birds, and marine life

25. Polythene and plastics are not bio-degradable and are hazardous for the environment

26. How can we stop the use of polythene/plastic bags???

27. All of us need to do our bit – Government, Businesses,
and the common man

28. Short-term measures to prevent polythene and plastic use
- Ban
sale/production
of polythene
bags
- Prohibitive
taxation
Government
- Charge
exorbitant
amount of
money for
disposable bags
Retail stores
- Carry your own
reusable bags
- Shop in bulk
People

29. Long term measures
- Educate people
about harmful
effects of plastic
- Promote bio-
degradable
material
Government
- Run awareness
campaign under
“Corporate social
responsibility”
Corporate
- Educate our
youngsters about
the harmful
effects of
polythene and
plastic
People

30. Habit 5: Excessive use of private vehicles in Delhi

31. People don’t take environment into consideration while using private vehicles

32. There are more than 6 million cars on the roads of Delhi-NCR

33. Large no. of vehicles lead to many problems

34. More vehicles – leading to already highly polluted air

35. Large no. of vehicles on the roads lead to traffic congestion

36. All of us need to do our bit – public-private
partnership is required

37. By the government
• Higher taxes on registration
of new vehicles (successful
model in Singapore)
• Congestion taxes on certain
roads (many countries have
successfully adopted this
model)
• Allow only odd/even
numbered vehicles on
odd/even days (was pilot
tested in Delhi and was
successful; needs to be
adopted in the entire NCR)
• Increase rate of
petrol/diesel
By the corporates/businesses
• Facilitate pooled cab
facilities and/or bus to
employees
• “Work from Home” option
to employees
• Flexible working hours
option to employees
By the People
• Car pool with family
members or work
colleagues
• Use pooled cab facilities
provided by cab services
such as Uber and Ola; these
are cheaper, hassle-free and
we can also utilize our travel
time by reading a book
• Use Delhi Metro more often
– cheaper and saving of
time by 50%
Measures to be adopted in the short term

38. Measures to be adopted in the medium/long term
By the government
• Introduce comfortable
and efficient bus
services
• Better penetration of
Metro rail
• Develop cycle tracks
• Promote CNG/battery
operated vehicles by
decreasing taxes on
such vehicles
• Impose Euro VI norms
By the corporates
• Spread awareness to
use public transport
under “Corporate
Social Responsibility”
By the people
• Cycle to short
distances
• Spread awareness and
encourage others to
make use of public
transport
• Plant trees

39. Habit 6: Spitting and urinating in the open

40. These are common sights in Delhi
Spitting is a
common
habit among
more than
70% of
inhabitants

41. Spitting or urinating in the open leads to many health
hazards

42. Spitting in the open spreads many diseases and problems

43. Urine lying in the open leads to spread of many diseases through carriers

44. It is bad for business and economy as well

45. How can we prevent such habits???

46. Government has taken a few measures and they have born fruit

47. But, more needs to be done…

48. Short term measures
By the government
• Impose penalty
on such acts.
By the corporates
• Spread
awareness
among
employees about
the significance
of cleanliness
By the people
• We ourselves
need to be
mindful that we
don’t commit
such acts
• Discourage or
point out those
who indulge in
such acts

49. Medium/long term measures
By the government
• Paint the exteriors of
vulnerable public buildings or
sidewalks with “hydrophobic
paint” that splashes back the
liquid that is thrown at the
wall.
• Easy availability of clean
toilets.
• Easy availability of dustbins
at public places.
• Create awareness about the
health hazards.
• Educate students from
primary level – make
cleanliness an important part
of education system.
By the corporates
• Paint the exteriors of its
buildings with “hydrophobic
paint” that splashes back the
liquid that is thrown at the
wall.
By the people
• Inculcate clean habits among
our youngsters

50. There are many other lifestyle habits that are not in line with sustainability and
they need to be addressed too…
• Corruption in public life
• Wastage of water and electricity
• Gender inequality
• Cleanliness and sanitation
• Housing and infrastructure
• Waste management issues

51. Following are a few lifestyle changes that may favorably affect an array of
problems
Inculcate moral education and values from primary school level
Practice patience
Plant trees

52. Thank you
- Kamal Nandan