Is it possible to have sustainable development in India? Cite major environmental issues and suggest a few measures to achieve the sustainability.

India's journey towards sustainable development is characterized by significant environmental challenges stemming from its rapid industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. Addressing these issues is critical for ensuring a liveable and prosperous future.

Major Environmental Issues in India

• Air Pollution: India consistently ranks among the worst in global air quality indices. Cities like Delhi and Mumbai suffer from severe air pollution, primarily due to vehicular emissions, industrial discharge, construction dust, and stubble burning. India ranks 177th in air quality in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024.
• Water Pollution and Scarcity: Major rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna are heavily polluted by untreated sewage, industrial effluents, and agricultural runoff. Simultaneously, India faces growing water scarcity and falling groundwater tables. Over 67% of Himalayan glaciers have receded since 1962, threatening freshwater availability.
• Waste Management: India generates approximately 62 million tons of municipal waste annually, with only a fraction being processed effectively. This leads to overflowing landfills, environmental degradation, and health hazards. The crisis has shifted from simple littering to a systemic failure of processing, particularly in fragile ecologies.
• Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss: Large-scale infrastructure projects, mining, and agricultural expansion have led to significant forest cover decrease and habitat fragmentation in biodiversity hotspots like the Western Ghats and the Northeast. This results in the erosion of carbon sinks and a decline in diverse species.
• Climate Change Vulnerability: India is highly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including more frequent and intense floods, droughts, cyclones, and heatwaves. Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) in the Himalayas pose a national security and economic threat. Despite ambitious commitments, India's projected greenhouse gas emissions still rank poorly (172nd in EPI 2024).
• Land Degradation and Soil Erosion: Intensive agricultural practices, deforestation, and indiscriminate use of chemicals contribute to soil degradation, loss of fertility, and erosion, impacting food security and rural livelihoods.

Measures to Achieve Sustainability

Achieving sustainability in India requires a comprehensive and multi-pronged strategy involving policy reforms, technological innovation, behavioral changes, and international cooperation.

1. Strengthening Environmental Governance and Policy

• Robust Enforcement of Laws: Enhance the capacity and autonomy of regulatory bodies like the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs). The National Green Tribunal (NGT) plays a crucial role in environmental justice, but its orders require stricter enforcement.
• Integrated Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs): Elevate EIAs to statutory status and ensure meaningful public participation. Post-facto clearances should be minimized, and EIAs should be genuinely comprehensive, not mere formalities.
• Green Fiscal Policies: Implement carbon pricing, environmental taxes, and subsidies for green technologies to incentivize sustainable practices and discourage polluting activities.

2. Promoting Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

• Accelerated Renewable Energy Transition: Continue to invest heavily in solar, wind, and other renewable energy sources. India aims for 500 GW non-fossil energy capacity by 2030 and 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
• Energy Efficiency: Promote energy-efficient appliances, industrial processes, and building codes (e.g., Energy Conservation Building Rules 2018 for commercial buildings).
• Decentralized Energy Systems: Encourage household-level solar installations through schemes like PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, fostering a "prosumer" model.

3. Sustainable Resource Management

• Water Conservation and Management: Implement comprehensive rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment and recycling, and efficient irrigation techniques. Schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission are vital for ensuring clean water access.
• Afforestation and Forest Protection: Launch ambitious afforestation drives (e.g., National Mission for a Green India) and strictly protect existing forest cover and biodiversity hotspots. Community participation through Joint Forest Management (JFM) is crucial.
• Circular Economy and Waste Management: Transition towards a circular economy model by promoting waste segregation at source, recycling, composting, and urban mining for critical minerals. Implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for e-waste and plastics.

4. Sustainable Agriculture and Land Use

• Promoting Organic and Regenerative Agriculture: Encourage practices like crop rotation, organic farming, and precision agriculture to reduce chemical use, enhance soil health, and boost resilience against climate shocks.
• Preventing Land Degradation: Implement measures for soil conservation, watershed management, and restoration of degraded lands.

5. Urban Sustainability and Infrastructure

• Green Urban Planning: Develop "Sponge City" frameworks in urban master plans, mandating permeable surfaces and aquifer recharge zones to mitigate urban flooding and recharge groundwater.
• Sustainable Transportation: Invest in public transport, electric vehicles, and non-motorized transport infrastructure to reduce vehicular emissions.

6. Public Awareness and Participation

• Environmental Education: Integrate environmental education into curricula at all levels and launch public awareness campaigns to foster a culture of sustainability.
• Community Engagement: Empower local communities and Panchayati Raj Institutions to participate actively in environmental decision-making and conservation efforts. Initiatives like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have demonstrated the power of behavioral change.

India's overall SDG composite index score increased to 71 in 2023-24, a 5-point rise from 2020-21 and 14 points higher than the 2018 baseline, indicating steady progress. Targeted government interventions in poverty reduction, economic growth, and climate action have been instrumental. However, challenges persist, particularly in environmental health and ecosystem vitality, where India's performance in the EPI 2024 remains poor.