Environmental Crisis in India

• India’s environmental crisis is a growing man-made emergency marked by rising emissions, pollution, and ecological degradation. As the 3^rd largest CO₂ emitter globally (IEA, 2024), India faces severe pollution in air, water, and soil. Rapid urbanisation, deforestation, and unsustainable practices pose significant threats to both climate change mitigation goals and public health.

Environmental Crisis: Current Status and Facts

• Rising Fossil CO₂ Emissions: India’s fossil CO₂ emissions rose by 4.6% in 2024, reaching approximately 3.12 Gt and accounting for about 8% of global emissions.
• Low Per-Capita Emissions: India’s per capita CO₂ emissions are approximately 1.9–2.0 tonnes.
• Escalating Municipal Waste: India generates 277 Mt of municipal solid waste annually, projected to reach 388 Mt by 2030.
• E-Waste Surge: India is the world’s 3rd largest e-waste producer, generating around 2 Mt annually.
• Water Scarcity & Glacier Loss: Over 67% of Himalayan glaciers have receded since 1962, and per-capita freshwater is likely to fall below 1,000 m³ by 2025.
• Climate Disasters: Climate-related disasters (floods, cyclones, drought) have cost India over $120 billion, displacing more than 1 billion people.

Root Causes of India’s Environmental Crisis

• Coal-Heavy Power Generation: India continues its reliance on coal, with 74% of electricity generated from coal and a record 1 billion tonnes of coal produced in FY 2024–25.
• Slow Renewable Transition: Despite renewables making up over 50% of installed capacity, coal still supplies around 70% of actual generation due to low utilization and grid limitations.
• Land-Use Change & Deforestation: Large-scale clearance in biodiversity hotspots, such as the Western Ghats and Northeast, for infrastructure has fragmented ecosystems and eroded carbon sinks.
• Agricultural Pollution from Monocultures: The expansion of high-input, monoculture farming has contaminated water bodies with nitrates, pesticides, and plastics.
• Waste Management & Urban Pollution: India generates approximately 62 million tons of municipal waste annually, yet only about 12 million tons (20%) are processed, resulting in untreated sewage and industrial effluents polluting rivers such as the Ganga and Yamuna.

Impact of Environmental Crisis on India

• Air Pollution-Induced Mortality & Healthcare Burden: India records around 2 million premature deaths annually due to air pollution, contributing to a loss of 1.36% of GDP.
• Rising Ozone Levels Worsen Respiratory Risks: Delhi experienced 75 hours with ozone levels above 120 µg/m³, up from 11 hours the previous year, which aggravates asthma and respiratory health issues.
• Heat Stress and Agricultural Vulnerability: Punjab experienced 128 heatwave days, resulting in a 25% decline in wheat yields in 2022, underscoring intensified climate vulnerability.
• Economic Losses from Extreme Events: Climate disasters floods, cyclones, droughts have inflicted over US $120 billion in economic damages and displaced more than 1 billion people across India.
• Waterway Pollution & Biodiversity Decline: Rivers like the Ganga suffer from approximately 2,900 million litres per day of untreated sewage, threatening health and aquatic biodiversity while exposing 500 million people to unsafe water.

Challenge to Tackle Environmental Crisis

• Rapid Urbanisation & Deforestation: Unchecked urban expansion reduces vegetation, worsens heat stress, and increases flood and air pollution risk.
• Ineffective Waste & Plastic Management: India generates over 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, with only 75% collected and merely 20% processed.
• Fragmented Environmental Governance: Environmental governance remains fragmented, with overlapping responsibilities across the CPCB, SPCBs, ULBs, and sectoral departments.
• Persistent Pollution & Health Impacts: Despite regulations, Delhi continues to struggle with ozone exposure, with 75 hours exceeding 120 µg/m³, while urban air quality remains hazardous year-round.
• Insufficient Climate Finance and Policy Support: Although COP29 pledged US $300 billion annually by 2035, it falls significantly short of the US $1 trillion that India deems essential.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Pollution Monitoring and Enforcement: Empower CPCBs and SPCBs through funding and the use of AI-based sensors, drone surveillance, and GIS tracking.
• Expand Carbon Market & Green Credits: Operationalize India’s voluntary National Carbon Trading Scheme and align with the Green Credit Programme to incentivize low-carbon practices.
• Accelerate Renewable Transition: Scale up solar, wind, and hydropower aggressively. India aims to reach 500 GW of renewable capacity by 2030, as outlined in the Paris Agreement, which is crucial for reducing power-sector CO₂ emissions.
• Implement Climate-Resilient Urban Planning: Cities like Mumbai are launching Climate Action Plans that incorporate flood control, sustainable waste management, green cover, and air-quality measures.
• Enforce Corporate Environmental Accountability: Hold polluting firms to strict standards through carbon taxes, market exclusion for non-compliance, and performance-based audits.
• Promote Low-Carbon Livelihoods and Conservation: India must accelerate ecological agriculture, community forestry, and conservation-based livelihoods through targeted programs. E.g., the Green India Mission and watershed schemes.

India’s environmental crisis stems not from development but from fragmented governance, unsustainable practices, and skewed priorities. As the PM aptly stated, “We are not the owners of all that is around us; we are the trustees of this planet.” A balanced roadmap that combines climate justice, intergenerational equity, and scientific policymaking is essential for building ecological resilience.

Reference: The Hindu

PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 223

Q. India’s environmental crisis is a predominantly man-made catastrophe leading to carbon emissions and pollution. In this context, analyse the root causes of the environmental crisis and propose a strategic roadmap to build ecological resilience. (250 Words) (15 Marks)

Approach

• Introduction: Write briefly about the environmental crisis and mention a fact.
• Body: Analyse root causes of environmental crisis and strategic roadmap to build ecological resilience.
• Conclusion: Emphasis on balanced approach rooted in climate justice, equity, and science-led policy.