India's Welfare Schemes: A Model for Integrated Climate and Health Action
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Social Development (Health, Nutrition, Sanitation); Government Policies & Schemes (PM POSHAN, Swachh Bharat, PMUY, MGNREGA); Environment (Climate Change, Co-benefits); International Relations (COP meetings).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Health, Governance, Social Justice): Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health; Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; Government policies and interventions.
General Studies Paper 3 (Economy, Environment): Inclusive growth; Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation.
Essay: Topics on Climate Change, Public Health, Sustainable Development, and Governance.
Key Highlights from the News
India did not officially participate in the Global Conference on Climate and Health held in Brazil, but the article argues that India's welfare schemes are a global model in linking climate and health.
Although not directly designed as climate policies, many of India's major schemes have health and climate co-benefits.
Examples:
PM POSHAN: Addresses malnutrition while promoting millets to build climate-resilient food systems.
PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): Improves women's health by reducing household air pollution, and also helps the climate by reducing carbon emissions.
Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, MGNREGA also provide similar integrated benefits.
Three main lessons can be learned from the success of these schemes: strong political leadership, community engagement, and effective utilization of existing institutions (ASHA, SHGs, Panchayats).
However, siloed administrative machineries (government departments working separately) and the intrusion of other interests are major challenges in implementing such integrated policies.
The article suggests making Health Impact Assessments mandatory for all major policies, similar to environmental impact assessments.
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