Hyderabad: As the effects of climate change are overwhelming the world, measures for environmental protection need to be implemented on an urgent basis. Environmental crisis is shattering the economies of several nations.
In this context, India has allocated INR 4,400 crores towards conserving the environment in Union Budget 2020 as it is gearing up for the implementation of the Paris Agreement.
It is noteworthy that in cities where pollution is predominant, the budget focused on preventing the incidence of air pollution and improve the deteriorating air quality.
The air quality index in northern and southern states shows how severe the air pollution is. With the onset of winter, air pollution accompanied by smog is chokes Indian cities.
In the wake of such issues, the Center aims to prevent air pollution and provide quality air to the people by implementing a comprehensive strategy. This can be viewed as a key step towards environmental protection.
For this, it is laudable that the Center is taking steps to introduce air quality standards. This responsibility has been handed over to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
In the latest Union Budget, INR 460 crores have been specially allocated to this ministry in order to introduce pollution control measures. The budget will be used for programs conducted under National Clean Air Program. The central government has allotted INR 311 crores to the National Green Mission.
As a part of this, INR 246 crores have been devoted towards the development of forests across the nation. The forest cover is getting depleted due to rapid urbanization, industrialization and conflagrations from climate change. INR 50 crores have been allocated for the prevention and control of wildfires.
According to a recent study by the Greenpeace South Asia, over 10 lakh lives are lost annually in India due to air pollution alone. The same study revealed that 9.80 lakh premature babies are born annually in India, due to effects of fossil fuels on atmosphere.
India is ranked third among the nations that are most vulnerable to air pollution caused by carbon emissions. This fact proves how dismal the current situation is. The annual loss caused by pollution is equivalent to 5.4 percent of the total GDP. It was revealed that 1 out of 8 deaths domestically is due to air pollution.
Considering the policies adopted by the present and past governments, it is evident that climate change and environmental crisis were of least interest and were poorly understood.
The focus of business, trade and political organizations on the environment is negligible. There is criticism that meagre budget allocations to environmental conservation are also a reason for adverse climatic circumstances.
At present, climate change in India is severely impacting several sections of the population. Thunderstorms, flash floods, famines, irregular seasons and high temperatures are all proof enough for this.
In order to achieve sustainability and improve the living standards of people, carbon emissions must be fully controlled.
The Government of India is strategically moving forward with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, with the intention of implementing measures to control global warming by January 1, 2021.
As a part of this, the Center has decided to shut down thermal power stations that are not in line with the current standards of carbon regulations.
The PM Kusum Yojana will be launched nationwide to promote the usage of alternative energy sources instead of fossil fuels in the field of agriculture, that employs 70 percent of the population.
Farmers will be provided to install 35 lakh solar pump sets across the country, which is a welcome move. However, if the farmers are encouraged to set up solar power plants in the barren lands, and link the generated solar power to the common power grid, carbon emissions can be controlled to an extent.
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