Environmental Policies in India

Environmental Policies in India

Environmental policies in India have been evolved considerably over the past three decades. These policies have covered a wide range of issues such as air, water pollution, waste management and biodiversity conservation.

India faces challenges in economic development, which has to be achieved with limited resources, minimum externalities and in the presence of an uncertain climate. One of the approaches to overcome this challenge is through the path of sustainable development.

The Supreme Court of India has interpreted and introduced new changes in environmental protection through a series of directions and judgements.

Article 51A(g) of the Constitution states that “it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural  environment including forests, lakes,  rivers  and  wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.”

Development increases the quality of life. This means that people will have higher incomes, better education, better health  and  nutrition,  less  poverty  and more equality of opportunity.

Recap

·        Development refers to the progress of a particular field or a particular person.

·        Economic development means overall growth of all sectors of the economy.

·        The  major  indicators  of  economic development are Per Capita Income, Net National Product, Purchasing Power Parity and Human Development Index.

·        Human resource is necessary for the progress of any country.

·        Sustainable development means development should take place without damaging the environment and preserve it for the future.

·        The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is aimed at protection to wild animals and birds.

·        Thermal  power plants emit large quantity of carbon dioxide, which is harmful to the environment.