MyRight: Independence From Environmental Degradation

Blessed with rich natural treasure, India has it all. From lush green hills to deserts, dense forests to snow clad mountains; the country has a wide-ranging variety of ecological topographies. However with the passage of time, these terrains are being risked against ‘development’.

In the current technology-driven era of urbanisation, environment and environmental protection laws are blamed for being hurdles in the way of ‘development’. Several debates recurrently crop up disputing the gravity of both.

Usual domestic conversations often describe ‘development’ as a view with wide concrete roads, swanky buildings and modern amenities. An important factor here is frequently skipped- conservation of natural habitat.

“Deforestation, mining, infrastructure development, pollution and poaching are often isolated words cited as the reasons for environmental degradation. However, upon connecting the dots, the larger picture emerges wherein the major cause for environmental degradation is short-sighted, unsustainable development models catering to the needs of an ever growing population,” said Dr Rashneh Pardiwala, Founder & Director, Centre for Environmental Research and Education (CERE).

Urbanisation in limited, unevenly distributed parts of the country also has a role to play. “The major reason for environmental exploitation is the lack of capacity to support livelihoods for the population. Geographic concentration of opportunities makes it worse. If there were 20 cities that had the economic heft of Mumbai in India, if there were zoning laws in urban agglomerations and if the protectors of the law ensured that short-cuts were not permitted in exchange for favours we would be experiencing a very different India,” said Anirban Ghosh, Chief Sustainability Officer, Mahindra Group.

India attained independence from British rule in 1947 and gained sovereign democratic and independent status. Since then, it has been the responsibility of Indians to lead the country on the path of progress. In the decades that passed by, have we been able to successfully do so? We need to brood over this.

According to United Nations, India in 2011 ranked third in the world list of Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions with China and United States leading the chart respectively. India discharged 2,074,344.9 thousand metric tons of CO2 in a year contributing evidently towards global warming.

The Environmental Performance Index 2016 report places India at 141st level in the list of 180 countries in their overall performance. The same index ranks India at 178th position in terms of its air quality.

A lot has been changing in the Indian topographies exploiting environment. Global warming and climate change sound like jargons used by scientists with little relevance to common man. The truth however is different. The unseasonal rains, recurrent floods and droughts, rise in temperature and melting glaciers are just few of the effects of global warming that everyone is aware of. Nature, with its changing phenomenon is screaming for its protection.

India has many laws relating to environmental protection. Are these laws adequate to serve their purpose is a question in place. “Our strong environmental protection laws – an inconvenient truth – are constantly being reviewed, amended and diluted to ensure that they finally do not serve their core purpose. Environmental clearances are being fast tracked without due impact assessment studies and compliance of law. Where there is no will to protect the environment, there is very little that paper laws can do, whether strong or weak,” added Pardiwala.

Another expert, Pooran Chandra Pandey, Executive Director, UN Global Compact has a slightly different opinion. “The laws concerning the environment in our country are good enough to serve the people and save the environment to a large extent. What needs to perhaps happen is that the authorities put in place a system that caters to the implementation of these laws and enforce them in a manner that these result in effective follow up and can have intended impact.”

“Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy of the government, accompanying corporate social responsibility (CSR) provisions for the mining and mineral industry are fairly good safeguards. However, the state and the central government would need to continue to improve on existing laws and see that we do not upset our forest covers, bio-diversity and flora and fauna. These will continue to gain more significance as we advance while ensuring that growth and economic development continue to take place with minimum damage to the green cover and our environment,” added Pandey.

In India, political parties fight elections with development as a prime promise. Only a few are seen to be talking about protecting and maintaining natural habitat.

Time has come that we shift our approach from mere ‘development’ to ‘sustainable development’.

A perfect striking balance of growth and sustainability is the need of the hour. “Development and Environment have always been viewed as two conflicting concepts – a case of ‘either – or’. While in reality, they are two sides of the same coin where each is closely inter-related and will inflict great consequences on one another,” said Pardiwala.

Efforts are now being taken at international levels with COP 21 that was recently held in Paris. Countries committed to ensure that they would take measures to save the planet.

Many corporate houses of India have been taking up the task of planting and maintaining the green cover. The government has been pushing for it too but only these efforts will not suffice and the desired change will not be seen until citizens buck up for their better future and play their roles.

“Freedom for all living beings on planet Earth to survive and flourish in healthy ecosystems would be the true Independence from Environmental Degradation. We need to move beyond the human-centric lens and realise that we need to share this one planet with millions of other life forms and not consume beyond the carrying capacity of this lone planet. We need independence for future generations to be able to breathe fresh air, drink clean water, eat healthy food and live sustainable lives in harmony with nature,” Pardiwala explains her take on Independence from Environmental Degradation.

It is time we take citizen social responsibility to the lead and ensure a planet with rich minerals, flourishing forests, healthy natural resources and a perfect planet for all.

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Regards,
The CSR Journal Team