It is critical to raise public awareness of the dire effects of environmental degradation, which lacking an appropriate approach can lead to civilization extinction. Every year, a population of approximately 10 million Indians is subject to growth by 2.11 per cent. This is resulting in extensive straining and exhaustion of natural resources, impacting prevalent environmental conditions. A high marginal presence of individuals below the general poverty line also instigated environmental depletion. 

Discussion

Current topics related to the environment

Air pollution increase:

One of the crucial environmental topics that gained notice in the current times is the air pollution increase in different parts of India during the lockdown timeline. According to general trends, it had been expected that economic activities reduction in relation to the pandemic-related lockdown would decrease air pollution. However, according to satellite observation, it has further increased, with central-western and northern regions within India prone to higher exposure to air pollution. Another environmental topic currently in focus is the climate changes and increasingly warm weather experienced within the country. Reports state that 2021 is marked as the 5th warmest year witnessed by the country ever since 1901. 

Increased mortality incidents:

Furthermore, there have been noted increased mortality incidents directed from natural disasters, reporting approximately 1,750 deaths in 2021. These have resulted from weather events, the commonest examples of which are lightning, heavy rain, floods, landslides, storms (mainly cyclonic) and similar others. 

Water contamination and inadequate healthcare facilities:

Water contamination and inadequate health care facilities for rural habitants have risen as concerning environmental aspects currently in India. According to the commentary of “The Times of India,” the primary factor directing water contamination is the lack of purification plants as a result of urban construction and deforestation. The report states healthcare concerns of 48,969 citizens living in rural parts of India who are extensively impacted by water contamination. It is also pointed out that a major concern is the increased counts of mining, dam construction and deforestation, described as depleting environmental conditions. 

Nationally recognized movement related to the environment

Community Water Purification Plants:

  • One nationally recognised movement in relation to the above-mentioned environmental concerns is the “Community Water Purification Plants” program. 
  • This is directed towards mitigating the death toll from water contamination and the lack of purification plants. 
  • The primary purpose of this movement is to incorporate more space for plantations and environmentally effective greenery for improving air and water quality. 
  • The “standing committee on water resources”, Panel appropriately notified the Parliament regarding this concern, extraction permit for initiating the movement. 

Narmada Bachao Andolan:

  • Another movement is the “Narmada Bachao Andolan” directed primarily towards rehabilitation, along with resettlement for prevalent inhabitants before the “Sardar Sarovar Dam” construction. 
  • Though this was the primary intent, with increased recognition, it has presently shifted to environmental and valley ecosystem preservation. 

Save Dehing-Patkai:

  • One of the recently implemented and nationally recognised forms of movement within India is the “Save Dehing-Patkai” starting in April 2020. 
  • This movement began against the “National Board of Wildlife (NBWL)”’s decision supporting opencast mining by “North-Eastern Coal Fields (NEC)”. 
  • The mining was approved to be induced in the 98.59 hectares stretch of the “Dehing-Patkai Wildlife Sanctuary”, with activists revolting against such atrocities. 
  • Rohit Chaudhary, an activist in this movement, filed an RTI and brought along the revelation of CIL mining in the region for 57.2 hectares since 2003. 
  • The sanctuary mentioned above is popularly known as the “Amazon of the East,” home to a wide variety of both fauna and flora. 
  • Another notable movement is the “Save Aarey” movement against the High Court dismissal of petitions for saving the Aarey Colony. 

News related to the environment

Current reports have been witness to rising efforts as environmental development incorporated by governmental and non-profitable organisations. There are also inclusions of volunteers and social workers incorporating movements against the above-mentioned constructions and resource exhaustion. According to The Economic Time report in January 2022, Indian tree coverage, along with forests have noted a “2,261 square kilometres” growth. This is subject to the duration of the preceding 2 years, mainly focusing on “647 square kilometres” forest coverage in Andhra Pradesh. The biennial report presented by the “Forest Survey of India (FSI)” revealed a “1,540 square kilometres” forest cover increase with the inclusion of “total tree-and-forest”.

Furthermore, as a part of the new “Big Bird Day (BBD)” approach, 20th February 2022 witnessed hundreds of birders setting out from the “National Capital Region (NCR)”. The primary intent was to examine and identify the current aerial life conditions impacted by environmental changes and development programs. The reports pointed out increasing weather for the past few weeks had resulted in faster bird migrations, decreasing expected sightings.  News has further identified a significant funding lack in the development and sustainable initiation of the green-energy sector. Presented reports stated the intent of the sector to be incorporating renewable energy to increase to a 500 GW capacity within the year 2030.

Conclusion

This study has considered not only the environmental issues and concerns present in India but also the currently effective movement. Every year, the population of India, which numbers around 10 million people, grows by 2.11 per cent. As a result, natural resources are being strained and depleted, affecting current environmental conditions. Environmental depletion was also exacerbated by a large marginal presence of people living below the poverty line. According to recent statistics, governmental and non-profit organisations are putting more effort into environmental development. Volunteers and social workers are also included, as are movements against the above-mentioned structures and resource exhaustion.