India is a welfare state and protection of environment is a panacea for welfare of human life. The Indian Constitution under the Directive Principles of State Policy and the Fundamental Duties makes it the duty of the Indian state and its citizens to protect the environment. But, unplanned urbanization and alarming rates of pollution is causing environmental degradation, affecting well-being and hampering sustainable development.
The levels of suspended air particulate matter (PM-10 and PM-2.5) recorded in Indian metropolitan cities, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) in major river systems of India and noise levels in Indian cities have often exceeded the global safe limits. The 2014 report of Ambient Air Pollution database by World Health Organization (WHO) has ranked Delhi as the second most polluted city in the world. In Delhi, PM2.5 concentration is 153 micrograms and PM10 concentration is 286 micrograms, much more than WHO’s permissible limits.
High population, lax government regulations, dependence on fossil fuels, unscientific waste management, poor public transport infrastructure, climate change and unsustainable lifestyle of India’s urban population are largely responsible for such dangerous pollution levels in Indian cities. As urbanization progresses, population density in urban agglomerates, specially in the metropolitan cities have increased exponentially. This has resulted into indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources, specially freshwater resources. Release of untreated industrial effluents and vehicular emissions above permissible limits continue due to poor government regulations and misgovernance.
According to the new industrial policy, 2010, thermal power will constitute 60% of India’s energy share for next two decades. This is bound to increase levels of SPM and oxides of sulfur and nitrogen in air. Incineration and landfill are two most common waste management techniques. They cause air pollution due to the release of dioxins and water/soil pollution due to leachate. Public transport has improved in Indian cities but use of Compressed Natural Gas is still low. Moreover, public transport connectivity in city outskirts is poor, forcing people to continue using private transport.
Climate change and pollution have a more cyclic relation. Increasing air pollution levels have transformed India’s metropolitan cities into heat islands. Increasing dust storms and fog covers in North India has accentuated the SPM and toxic gas levels in the air.
Lifestyle patterns of the urban populace, specially the middle class has largely failed to imbibe “green” and healthy habits. Waste recycle/reuse, segregation of waste and judicious use of resources are still not followed by many. Consumerism, on the other hand, is on the rise.
The impact of pollution is very dangerous because it can hamper inclusive growth and thereby economic growth. As the air, water and soil gets polluted, the poor people will face the maximum resource crunch. The rich can afford clean air and clean water but the poor cannot. Thus, increasing pollution can lead to increasing poverty levels. Expansion of slums and the poor living conditions therein is a case in point. Incidence of diseases like lung cancer, respiratory diseases and water-borne diseases have increased. This has increased the out-of-pocket expenditure on healthcare by Indian households. As per reports, increasing pollution can reduce life expectancy by 3 years. This can be a major threat to the demographic dividend that India may enjoy in near future. The WHO report that ranked Delhi as the second most polluted city globally has also hampered the tourism industry. India also lost the bid for hosting the 2014 Asian Games due to the same reason.
Acknowledging the seriousness of the issue, Indian government has taken certain steps. At the Copenhagen Climate Change Summit, 2009, India committed to reduce its emissions per unit of GDP 20 to 25% below 2005 levels by 2020. For this, India is focusing on increasing fuel efficiency (by implementing Bharat Stage norms), adopting green buiding codes(the GRIHA rating), increasing forest cover and increasing the share of energy derived from wind, solar and small hydro power plants from current 8% to 20% by 2020.
In 2014, the Indian government adopted the vision of building 100 smart cities in India. To make these cities inclusive, healthy and attractive, pollution control will be one of the first issues that the government should tackle. While dependence on thermal energy for generating electricity will be difficult to reduce, clean technologies can be adopted to reduce emissions. The India-Japan agreement on clean coal technology transfer is a good step in this direction. High tax rates on sports cars is another good effort by the government.
State governments will have a huge role to play in pollution control. Maintenance of water resources and health are subjects under the state list. Also, swift implementation of pollution control measures and regulations will depend on political and bureaucratic will at the state level. The pollution levels in South Indian cities is much lesser compared to North Indian cities mainly due to efforts of state governments in developing renewable energy resources, better city planning and strict implementation sewage treatment rules.
Scientific urban planning with special focus on solid waste management, public transport infrastructure and slum rehabilitation will have to be sped up if pollution levels of Indian cities are to be reduced. Increase in number of buses, better public transport coverage in city outskirts, use of CNG and speedy clearing of wastes to avoid the burning of garbage dumps are some quick steps that the government can adopt. The support of civil society will also be crucial specially in bringing about behavioural and lifestyle changes among the urban population and create the demand for green and cleaner technologies.
Sincere and holistic efforts to reduce pollution levels in Indian cities will surely reap benefits. In future, it will result in urban spaces that are sustainable and healthy. It will surely bring economic benefits and help in achieving the goal of inclusive growth. In perspective, it can help India achieve its rightful place of “Jagat-Guru” in the world.
