India, one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, is facing numerous environmental threats that pose a risk to both the natural environment and human well-being. From deforestation and water scarcity to air and plastic pollution, the country is grappling with multiple challenges that need immediate attention and action.
In this article, we will delve into the top 10 environmental threats facing India and take a closer look at the highlights from environmental surveys conducted over the last 5 years.
The top 10 environmental threats in India are deforestation, water scarcity, air pollution, plastic pollution, climate change, soil degradation, waste management, biodiversity loss, chemical pollution, and overfishing. Deforestation continues to be a major concern, with India losing valuable forest cover due to urbanization and industrialization.
The country is also facing a fresh water crisis, with sinking groundwater levels leading to water scarcity in many regions. Air pollution is choking many Indian cities, with a 20% increase in air pollution levels over the last 5 years. A steep rise in Plastic pollution makes thing worse, with India generating over 15,000 tons of plastic waste daily.
The impacts of climate change are already being felt in India, with crop yields declining by 5% over the last 5 years. Soil degradation, due to the extreme infusion of chemical fertilizers and pesticides for commercial purpose has sliced acres of fertile land. India also faces a daunting task in managing its waste, with a lack of proper disposal facilities leading to pollution of land and water bodies.
The country's rich biodiversity is under threat from habitat destruction, over-exploitation of resources, and climate change. Finally, overfishing is leading to the decline in fish populations and loss of livelihoods for fishing communities.
5 highlights from Indian environmental surveys over the last 5 years:
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Forest cover in India increased by 1% from 2015 to 2020, but deforestation still continues unabated in many regions.
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Groundwater levels in India have declined by about 10% over the last 5 years, leading to water scarcity in many regions.
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Air pollution in Indian cities has increased by 20% over the last 5 years, leading to serious health impacts.
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Plastic pollution in India's oceans and rivers has increased by 30% over the last 5 years.
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Climate change is already having adverse effect on Indian agriculture, with crop yields declining by 5% over the last 5 years.
Here are the top 10 environmental threats in India:
1. Deforestation: India is facing rapid deforestation due to large scale urbanization and industrialization, leading to loss of biodiversity and soil erosion.
2. Water Scarcity: The country is reeling under a fresh water crisis with sinking groundwater levels, leading to water scarcity in many regions.
3. Air Pollution: India has some of the world's most polluted cities due to vehicular emissions, industrial pollution and burning of crop residue.
4. Plastic Pollution: India generates over 15,000 tons of plastic waste on daily basis, The pollution ultimately ends up contaminating oceans and rivers.
5. Climate Change: India is one of the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, including sea level rise, increased frequency of extreme weather events, and declining agricultural productivity.
6. Soil Degradation: Extreme use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is leading to soil degradation and loss of fertile land.
7. Waste Management: India faces a major challenge in managing its waste, with a lack of proper disposal facilities leading to pollution of land and water bodies.
8. Biodiversity Loss: The country is home to a rich biodiversity, but habitat destruction, over-exploitation of resources, and climate change leaves species jostling for survival.
9. Chemical Pollution: India's rapid industrialization has led to widespread chemical pollution of air, water, and soil, affecting human health and the environment.
10. Overfishing: India's coastal waters are facing overfishing, leading to decline in fish populations and loss of livelihoods for fishing communities.
The threats to environment being faced by India are complex and far-reaching, which require a multi-pronged approach to mitigate and address them. From policymakers to individuals, everyone has a role to play in safeguarding the natural environment and ensuring a sustainable future. India must take immediate action to address these threats to achieve sustainable development to ensure a healthy and prosperous future for all.
