The Dismal State of India’s Environment

The Hindu

1. Key Arguments Presented in the Article

A. Ecological Degradation Has Intensified Across India

• The Aravalli range, a major ecological barrier, is facing rapid destruction due to mining and construction.
• Illegal mining continues unchecked, causing water scarcity, dust pollution, and changing the microclimate of northwest India.
• Forests and ecologically fragile regions are being opened up for commercial use.

B. Government’s Recent Policy Changes Are Weakening Environmental Safeguards

The author argues that several recent amendments and decisions dilute ecological protection:

1. Forest Conservation Amendment Act (2023) — allegedly eases diversion of forest land.
2. Draft EIA Notification (2020) — criticized for post-facto approvals and reduced public participation.
3. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification (2018) — permits construction closer to shorelines.
4. Relaxation of norms for mining and industrial projects.

C. Climate and Pollution Crisis

• North India suffers from severe air pollution; smoke from crop burning, dust from construction, and vehicular fumes are chronic contributors.
• Poor air quality is linked to millions of premature deaths annually.
• Water contamination is spreading, as seen in Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and other states.

D. Institutional Weakening

• Institutions meant to protect the environment, such as the Forest Advisory Committees and Pollution Control Boards, are allegedly sidelined, politicised, or under-resourced.
• The environmental governance ecosystem lacks independence and scientific rigor.

E. Environmental Injustice

• Tribal communities and vulnerable populations bear the heaviest impact.
• Displacement for mining and development projects occurs without adequate compensation or consultation.

F. Call for Policy Reforms

The author advocates:

• A new deal for the environment
• Stricter laws
• Better implementation
• Reversal of recent legislative dilutions
• Empowering local communities and institutions

2. Author’s Stance

The author takes a strongly critical and cautionary stance.

She argues that:

• Environmental degradation in India is reaching dangerous levels.
• Recent policy shifts have moved toward ease of doing business at the cost of ecological sustainability.
• The government must restore strong protections and pursue development that aligns with long-term ecological security.

Tone: Alarmed, urgent, normative, and reform-oriented.

3. Biases Present in the Article

A. Political Bias

The author, being a senior political leader, naturally frames her critique from an opposition perspective.

B. Focus on Government Failures

The analysis highlights shortcomings but does not sufficiently acknowledge:

• India's renewable energy expansion
• Afforestation programs
• Global leadership in climate negotiations
• Improvements in environmental monitoring systems

C. Limited exploration of complexities

Economic growth–environment trade-offs are only discussed from an ecological perspective, not from energy security or employment viewpoint.

Nonetheless, the core concerns raised hold substantive policy relevance.

4. Pros and Cons of the Arguments

Pros

• Highlights real, evidence-backed environmental concerns.
• Draws attention to weakening regulatory frameworks.
• Emphasises climate justice and rights of marginalised communities.
• Articulates the urgency of revisiting environmental laws.
• Encourages accountability, transparency, and scientific policymaking.

Cons

• Underestimates economic pressures driving India’s developmental choices.
• Underplays improvements in clean energy, waste management, and air quality policy frameworks.
• Relies heavily on one-sided political critique.
• Does not propose detailed, actionable alternatives beyond broad recommendations.

5. Policy Implications

A. Environmental Governance

• Strengthen Pollution Control Boards by ensuring autonomy and scientific capacity.
• Reinforce community-based monitoring systems (Gram Sabhas, Tribal Councils).

B. Legislative Review

• Re-examine Forest Conservation Amendment Act, EIA rules, and CRZ norms.
• Introduce stronger accountability for illegal mining and regulatory violations.

C. Pollution Control

• National Clean Air Programme requires stricter targets, real-time monitoring, and financial penalties for violations.

D. Land and Resource Use

• Adopt sustainable mining frameworks.
• Implement land restoration and afforestation programs in degraded regions.

E. Climate Change

• Integrate mitigation and adaptation in all development planning.
• Promote nature-based solutions—wetlands restoration, river rejuvenation, and urban greening.

6. Real-World Impact

Short-Term

• Public health costs rise sharply from air pollution.
• Increased water scarcity, heatwaves, and crop failures.
• Greater conflict between local communities and industries.

Long-Term

• Accelerated biodiversity loss.
• Diminishing ecosystems leading to climate vulnerabilities.
• Threat to India’s developmental aspirations due to deteriorating natural capital.
• Higher economic burden from environmental degradation (estimated at ~5-7% of GDP annually).

7. Mapping to UPSC GS Papers

GS Paper 3

• Environmental degradation
• EIA & environmental governance
• Conservation of forests, biodiversity
• Pollution and health hazards
• Climate change impacts

GS Paper 2

• Role of statutory bodies (PCBs, Forest Advisory Committees)
• Federalism & centre-state coordination
• Policy formulation and implementation issues

GS Paper 1

• Geography: ecosystems, topography (Aravallis, coasts)
• Society: impact on vulnerable communities

Essay Paper

Themes:

• “Development vs Environment”
• “Ecological Justice”
• “India’s Environmental Crisis”

8. Balanced Summary

The article paints a stark picture of India’s environmental state, arguing that forests, coasts, rivers, mountains, and air quality are deteriorating due to regulatory dilution, unchecked industrialisation, weak enforcement, and political disregard for ecological limits. It urges immediate reforms, reinstatement of strong environmental safeguards, and a people-centred approach to natural resource management.

While the article’s tone is critical and politically framed, it raises legitimate concerns on environmental governance and the need for sustainability-oriented development. However, the narrative could benefit from acknowledging India's ongoing green energy achievements and the developmental challenges that shape environmental decisions.

9. Future Perspectives

To achieve long-term ecological sustainability, India must:

1. Establish a National Environmental Restoration Mission.
2. Ensure independent, science-based environmental institutions.
3. Reform EIA procedures to increase transparency and public participation.
4. Invest in green infrastructure, waste management, and climate-resilient agriculture.
5. Strengthen ecological education and citizen engagement.
6. Shift from reactive to preventive environmental governance.
7. Integrate climate justice in all policy frameworks.