The Environment is a National Issue

Context: The Environment issue is currently based on ideological or political standings while it should be treated as a national issue requiring a balance between its crucial dimensions.

Challenges to the Environment Conservation in India

• Decline in India’s rank in Environmental Performance Index Report 2020: India ranked at “168 out of 180 countries”.

• A total drop of about 59 points compared with 2008.
• 2008 ranking suggests that wealth is a major determinant of environmental success
• However,  the balance between the environment and development needs to be struck within India based on our priorities, and not some international index.

• Impact of “crony capitalism” and implementing “ease of doing business”: Every government faces the challenge to maintain a balance between environment and development

• Rising Winter smog and pollution in North India: Linking this with the EIA draft is not reasonable as the problem is not a new one.

• The problem exemplifies the anomalies of federalism, where the imperatives of the Centre and States differ.
• Inadequacy of Environmental laws: which are effective in principle, against point sources like industries — but not against agriculture-related pollution such as stubble burning

• Problems of Adivasis

• Failure to frame subordinate legislation and implement the Forest Rights Act effectively
• Major dilution of the Forest Rights Act despite objections
• De-facto control of the states on the forest: Even after transferring “Forest” from State List to Concurrent List, states hesitate to fully implement the Forest Rights Act.

• The myopic view of challenges to deforestation: While diversion of forests for mining and industry is regulated by law and challenged in courts, the other major drivers are not even discussed.

• Population pressure due to which the slash­and­ burn (or jhoom cycle) has reduced in forest areas from 17­20 years to 2-3 years giving no time for forest regeneration,
• Creeping conversion of forest to cultivated land.
• Increasing the use of timber for household and industry purposes.

Way Forward: Balancing the Crucial Dimensions of Environment Conservation:

• Between Need and Environment:

• For, E.g. While ‘Nirmal Ganga’ can be achieved by zero discharge of effluents and domestic sewerage, 

• But ‘Aviral Ganga’ can only be achieved by constant balancing between irrigation needs of agriculture and potable water for cities on the one hand and the environmental ?ow of the river on the other. 

• Between the environment and poverty eradication.

• Harmonise the working of the central, state, and local governments

Conclusion: The environment is a national issue which requires the unwavering participation of all governments, and all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.