Environment in India
1. Air Pollution Issue: India is home to 63 of the 100 most polluted cities. PM2.5 concentrations in 48% of cities are more than 10 times higher than WHO guidelines. Major sources: vehicular emissions, industrial waste, cooking smoke, construction, crop burning, and power generation. Solutions: Government aims for 33% tree cover by 2030. Steps we can take: Plant a pollinator garden. Reduce, recycle, reuse. Learn about and share knowledge on endangered species, like through Project Peril. 2. Water Pollution Issue: 70% of surface water is unfit for consumption. Illegal dumping and inadequate waste management contaminate waterways. 40 million liters of wastewater enter water bodies daily, with minimal treatment. Solutions: Steps we can take: Pick up litter and dispose of it properly. Avoid putting chemicals down the drain; use authorized disposal centers. Wash cars on dirt or grass areas to prevent runoff into waterways. 3. Food and Water Shortages Issue: Heatwaves and droughts dry up water sources and affect crops. Temperatures can reach up to 60°C in some areas. Solutions: Steps we can take: Adopt a sustainable diet focusing on local and seasonal foods. Eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes.
5 Biggest Environmental Issues in India in 2024
- Air Pollution
Undoubtedly one of the most pressing environmental issues in India is air pollution. According to the 2021 World Air Quality Report, India is home to 63 of the 100 most polluted cities, with New Delhi named the capital with the worst air quality in the world. The study also found that PM2.5 concentrations – tiny particles in the air that are 2.5 micrometres or smaller in length – in 48% of the country’s cities are more than 10 times higher than the 2021 WHO air quality guideline level.
Vehicular emissions, industrial waste, smoke from cooking, the construction sector, crop burning, and power generation are among the biggest sources of air pollution in India. India’s dependence on coal, oil, and gas makes it the world’s third-largest polluter, contributing over 2.65 billion metric tonnes of carbon to the atmosphere every year.
Solution :
The Indian Government aims to have around 33 percent of tree cover by 2030. Afforestation, which is termed as growing more trees and planting trees to balance out the destruction caused by deforestation is the key step.
Steps that we can take :
1.Plant a pollinator garden
2.Reduce, recycle, reuse
3.Learn about endangered species. Sharing this knowledge with others for example Project Peril.
- Water Pollution
India’s waterways are extremely polluted, with around 70% of surface water estimated to be unfit for consumption. Illegal dumping of raw sewage, silt, and garbage into rivers and lakes severely contaminate India’s waters. The near-total absence of pipe planning and an inadequate waste management system have accelerated this situation. Every day, a staggering 40 million litres of wastewater enter water bodies. Of these, only a tiny fraction is adequately treated due to a lack of infrastructure.
Solution :
1.If possible, pick up litter and garbage by hand, and take it to our personal garbage can before it travels into local waterways.
2.To not put chemicals down the drain. To place them into our outside garbage can or take them to the local authorized center.
- To wash our car where the water and soap can go to a dirt or grass area instead of a street and drain to the river or creek.
- Food and Water Shortages
India has experienced long heatwaves and droughts that have dried up its water sources and affected crops. Temperatures have surpassed 40 degrees Celsius, while in some areas, surface land temperatures reached up to 60C.
Solution :
- Opting for a more sustainable diet.
- A sustainable diet considers the environment and food supply when planning meals. According to the World Health Organization, food production accounts for 20–30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and up to 66% of water usage.
- Sustainable eating means seeking out local and seasonal foods. Focus on eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, and legumes. Reducing consumption of red meat, processed foods, and refined grains will also positively impact greenhouse gases and water usage.
- Waste Management
Nearly 277 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW) are produced in India every year. It is likely to reach 387.8 million tonnes and will more than double the current value by 2050. India’s rapid urbanisation makes waste management extremely challenging. Currently, about 5% of the total collected waste is recycled, 18% is composted, and the remaining is dumped at landfill sites.
India currently produces more than 25,000 tonnes of plastic waste every day on average, which accounts for almost 6% of the total solid waste generated in the country.
Solution :
1.We can record all the plastic that goes in and out of our house over a week or a month. Then, review our list and see if there is an opportunity to reduce, For example, using reusable straws, bags, coffee cups, and water bottles instead of plastic ones.
- Make compost from wet waste.
- Biodiversity Loss
India has four major biodiversity regions : the Himalayas, the Western Ghats, the Sundaland (including the Nicobar Islands), and the Indo-Burma region with significant levels of animal and plant species that are threatened by human habitation. India has already lost almost 90% of the area under the four hotspots, according to a 2021 report issued by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
Solution :
At government level :
After detailed farm surveys, soil sampling and water testing, farmers are chosen and farms are readied for tree-planting. Tree species are chosen by scientists and progressive local farmers, while sowing and nurturing techniques follow scientific principles to ensure survival.
These trees will provide farmers with extra income, as well as restore biodiversity in their farms through a variety of trees -- timber, fruits, flower, herbs and shrubs. This extra income makes farmers resilient and more open to chemical-free farming, which is especially important in Bhatinda, Punjab, which has been dubbed the cancer belt of India because of excessive chemical use.
At our level :
To plant seasonal saplings, fruits and vegetables.