Environmental accounting and sustainable development: a study in some small and medium enterprises industrial estates of Assam, India

Abstract

The cause of serious effects and concern on the global environmental quality is the development of the urban environment through rapid industrial growth backed by increased and varied consumer preferences. Besides temperature, the urban environment affects many other climatologically parameters detrimental to life in planet. Saying this, Kamrup District is showing growth of small and medium industries which may impact on the environment leading ultimately to shrinkage of the spatial bases of diverse micro and macro ecosystems. The study is a multidisciplinary approach towards the understanding of coexistence of industry, pollution and its effects on environment and sustainability. Therefore the paper attempts to locate the manufacturing SMEs in Amingaon and Bamunimaidan Industrial estates in Kamrup district which may be correlated to ecology due to simultaneous release of large amounts of toxic liquid, solid and gaseous waste into the environment. These problems give rise to a host of complicated situations needing immediate attention and sustainable management. The study accounts for the application of environmental parameters and environmental accounting on balancing environment and industrial growth. It deals with sustainability of manufacturing organizations that can have positive impact on the society. To achieve such objective the study is carried out through distribution of structured questionnaires to all manufacturing enterprises with a comprehensive literature review.