Herald Journal of Geography and Regional Planning Vol. 3 (4): 131 - 139 August, 2014 Available online http://www.heraldjournals.org/hjgrp/archive.htm Copyright © 2014 Herald International Research Journals ISSN: 2350 – 2185 Full Length Research Paper Sustainable development of Horticulture in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh (India): A debate on food security and climate change Gibji Nimasow 1* , Karma Chozom 2 , Oyi Dai Nimasow 3 and Pema Tsering 4 1 *Senior Ass. Prof., Department of Geography, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh – 791112 Arunachal Pradesh (INDIA) 2 Department of Geography, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh – 791112 Arunachal Pradesh (INDIA) 3 Assistant Professor, Department of Botany, Rajiv Gandhi University, Rono Hills, Doimukh - 791112 (INDIA) 4 Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies, Dahung, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh (INDIA) Received March 08, 2013 Accepted June 24, 2014 Sustainable Development is a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs. The cultivation of fruits and vegetables is known as Horticulture. Agriculture is the mainstay of the people of Arunachal Pradesh and horticulture is one of the significant opportunities for their economic development. West Kameng District is one of the important producers of horticultural crops, because of its suitable climatic conditions for some specific crops. There is a vast scope for growing crops like – Apple, Pears, Plum, Pine-apple, Orange, Grapes, Kiwi and Vegetables like- Cabbage, Cauliflower, Beans, Tomato, Radish, Beans, Chilies, Ginger, etc. But in recent years due to increase in population causing rapid changes in climatic conditions has put an alarming sign in the development of the horticulture in the district. Climatic changes in the district is taking place due to increasing demands of the population in the form of mass deforestation, construction of buildings, increase in temperature, rainfall variability, etc. Consequently, the production rate of horticultural crops has declined in the recent decades. A comprehensive survey and personal interview / observation of the area reveal that the changes in climatic conditions have caused deep impacts on the essential growth conditions of horticultural crops in the area. Therefore, the sustainability of horticultural activities in the district has been threatened to a greater extent, which needs immediate controlling measures. Keywords: Sustainable Development, Food security, Climate change, Horticulture, West Kameng (India). INTRODUCTION The concept of sustainable development is intuitively understandable, but remains difficult to be expressed in a concrete practical definition as it is interpreted differently from different field (Briassoulis, 2001). It is a pattern of resource use that aims to meet human needs while preserving the environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but also for generations to come (Smith and Rees, 1998). It contains within it two key concepts: • the concept of needs, in particular the essential *Corresponding Author E-mail: gibji26@yahoo.co.in needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and • the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs (the Brundtland Report, United Nation Report, 1987). Sustainable Agriculture is environmental friendly methods of farming that allow the production of crops or livestock without damage to the farm as an ecosystem. Apart from this, it also prevents the adverse effects on soil, water supplies, biodiversity, or other surrounding natural resources. The concept of sustainable agriculture is an intergenerational one in which we pass on a conserved or improved natural resource base instead of one which has