5. Summary
The notion of sustainability in its different meanings is
discussed. They all see it as a process towards the goal of
managing the resource base in a way that does not limit its
use by future generations. In order to assess the interst
and capability of the very inhomogeneous land-cultivating
households, it is suggested that they be classified into socio-economic
categories of land cultivators; their characteristics are
outlined briefly, and their number and acreage estimated for
Pakistan.
The categories are then assessed as to the degree to which
they are interested in sustainability and, because of their
situation, are able to think in these terms. The socioeconomic
categories are rated. The result is that only about 1/5 of
all cultivating households with 2/5 of the cultivated area
satisfactory takes aspects of sustainability into account,
while the majority has other interests or is too poor to consider
aspects beyond its immediate survival.
The large number of cultivating households of a great variety
makes it imposible to leave to the government the goal of
achieving sustainability. Indeed, governments must set standards
and control them. But the most important aspect of an 'Environmental
Management System' are self-help groups of villagers assumming
the double function of (developing and controlling environmental
consciousness among the villagers and calling for (government
action in cases that are beyond the villagers' technical and
financial possibilities. It is of great importance to train,
per village, two persons as subject matter specialists in
environmental care so that technical competence is always
available in the Village. This frees from government. These
associations are an important task for the village youth.
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