ABSTRACT

This chapter discusses the key concepts of sustainability, and examines the concept of environment. It focuses on the concept of poverty, its magnitude and the problems of measurement and so of definition. The chapter also discusses the magnitude of rural poverty, and explores the effects of rural poverty on the environment. It deals with poverty-alleviating strategies which will lead to environmental restoration or preservation. The chapter argues that the use of income data or human development index depends on one's view of poverty in narrow 'material' or wider 'quality of life' terms. Efforts must be made to identify the most sensitive points in the environment insecurity - poverty system. The European Union's policies on poverty alleviation are interesting and are summarized for meditation, as they apply to the rural poor. These policy areas include taking an integrated long-term approach involving all instruments of development; giving priority, to the target population.