The Future of Sustainability: Have Your Say!

Week Two - “Human Wellbeing and Sustainability”
Comment / Comentario / Commentaire

Dr. Muhammad Pervaz, Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan, Pakistan

Moderating team: Dr. Pervaz highlights that the concept of “human wellbeing” is relative to different communities who may have different needs. He observes that many state-owned resources are over-exploited and this leads to decreased access to resources by some communities. To ensure their access he supports community ownership.

El Dr. Pervaz recalca que el concepto de “bienestar humano” es relativo pues depende de las necesidades de las comunidades. Observa al mismo tiempo que los recursos que pertenecen a los Estados suelen ser sobreexplotados y que las comunidades tienen menos acceso a los mismos. Para asegurar este acceso a los recursos, el apoya la idea de la propiedad comunitaria.

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I appreciate the Statement from Dr. Ashok Khosla and submit the following comments.

Human wellbeing is a qualitative term. Some people or community may feel well at certain level of materials and non material availability. Other may consider and feel bad/uncomfortable at the same level.

In order to conserve resources the immediate communities should be given ownership. A different and special strategy is required to conserve common pool and state owned resources. I personally observed that common and state owned resources are overexploited or utilized especially forests and water. Some of the immediate community are deprived by existing governing or management systems of forest resources.

In case of water there is a cut in the rights of lower reparians (Downstream) by upper reparians.

Some communities and states/nations are wellbeing at the cost of other which is highly unsustainable practice.