Climate Change:
Need for concrete action beyond promoting solar energy.
Focus on reducing emissions and building resilience against climate impacts (floods, droughts etc.).
Implement plans for evacuation, rehabilitation, and food security in vulnerable regions.
Forest Degradation:
Increase forest cover per capita (currently very low compared to other countries).
Improve the quality of forest cover, not just relying on plantations or urban trees.
Repeal the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023 and enact stronger forest protection measures.
Polluted Cities:
Address air and water pollution in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.
Improve sewage treatment (currently only 28% treated).
Protect and restore green spaces and water bodies within cities to combat heat islands.
Himalayan Concerns:
Mitigate the impact of rapid glacial retreat on water and food security.
Address the concerns of Himalayan communities regarding climate change.
Protect ecologically important wetlands and marginal landscapes.
Public Participation and Transparency:
Implement robust Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) mechanisms with meaningful public participation.
Strengthen EIA notifications and prevent their weakening through loopholes.
Listen to stakeholder concerns and address environmental protests effectively.
Improve environmental governance and enforcement of environmental laws.
Restore genuine conservation
Ill-advised Policies: Policies driven by commercial interests, like green credits and compensatory afforestation, replace genuine conservation efforts.
Sustainable Development: True sustainable development involves more than just commercially profitable steps.
Enforcement: Enforcement mechanisms and bodies need more authority to ensure adherence to environmental laws.
COMMENTS