Introduction

Environmental Planning is a critical discipline that integrates environmental considerations into the land-use planning and development process. The primary goal of environmental planning is to ensure that economic and social development proceeds in a manner that is sustainable, minimizing negative impacts on the natural environment while maximizing the benefits to communities and economies. This process typically encompasses several key activities:

1. Assessment and Analysis
2. Policy Development
3. Land-Use Planning
4. Public Participation
5. Implementation and Monitoring

This approach is vital in addressing contemporary environmental challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion.

Objectives

After going through this unit you will be able to:

1. explain basic concepts of environmental planning;
2. describe integrated land use planning;
3. understand land use patterns;
4. impact of population growth;
5. and major issues related to Himalayan ecology, deserts and mangroves