The State of Environment Report 2021, made public recently by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a research and advocacy organization in New Delhi, highlights key environmental issues impacting India. The CSE focuses on promoting sustainable and equitable development. This report raises several urgent concerns related to child welfare, education, poverty, pollution, and sustainable development.
Pandemic Generation: Impact on Children
According to the report, India is on the brink of encountering a ‘pandemic generation’. An estimated 375 million children, aging from newborns to 14 years old, are expected to face long-term impacts. These impacts may manifest as an increase in underweight children, stunting (low height-for-age), higher mortality rates among children, along with potential losses in education and decreased work productivity.
Education: Rise in School Dropouts
The Covid-19 pandemic has had profound consequences on children’s education worldwide. Globally, over 500 million children were forced to leave school due to the pandemic, and India accounted for more than half of these numbers.
Poverty: Increased Levels Due to the Pandemic
The Covid-19 crisis has exacerbated existing poverty issues. The report suggests that the pandemic might push an additional 115 million people into extreme poverty. The majority of this population resides in South Asia.
Pollution: Deteriorating Levels Air, Water, and Land Quality
The study reveals that India’s air, water, and land have become increasingly polluted between 2009 and 2018. Out of 88 significant industrial clusters in the country, as per the Central Pollution Control Board, 35 showed overall environmental degradation. Thirty-three indicated declining air quality, while 45 had more polluted water, and in 17, land pollution worsened. Tarapur in Maharashtra was identified as the most polluted cluster.
Sustainable Development: India’s Global Standing
In terms of sustainable development, India ranks 117 among 192 nations, trailing behind all South Asian nations except Pakistan.
States’ Performance in Sustainable Development Goals
Among Indian states, the report identifies the best and worst performers in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana emerged as the top-performing states. Conversely, Bihar, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Uttar Pradesh ranked as the lowest performers.
Additional Reports
Other related reports include the UN Report on the Impact of Covid-19 on Children and the Report on Winter Pollution by CSE.
