Explain the relevance of intergenerational equity in the definition of sustainable development.
Sustainable development in itself makes it obligatory for the development process to be such that the basic needs of not only the present generation but also of the future generations are taken care of. It becomes the moral duty of this generation to hand over the Earth to the future generation in good form. Therefore, if the resources are overused or misused, they will deplete so fast that the production capacity of the future generations would not be sustainable. Sustainable development aims at maximising the welfare of both present and future generations. It does not mean hindering the existing pace of economic growth but refers to a judicious or optimum utilisation of resources in such a manner that pace of economic growth sustains with intergenerational equity.