What impact has economic growth had on India’s natural environment?

India’s rapid economic growth has come at a significant environmental cost, affecting air, water, and land quality and contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. These environmental issues impact human health, agriculture, and the broader climate.

Air Pollution

• Urban Air Quality: India was home to 10 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities in 2023. In Delhi, air pollution levels were over 92.6 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m³), far above safe limits, compared to London, which was 11.4 µg/m³. Vehicle emissions, industry, construction, and biomass burning in rural areas significantly contribute to India’s air pollution.
• Health Impacts: According to the University of Chicago, air pollution reduces the life expectancy of urban Indians by around 5.3 years. Respiratory diseases, heart problems, and chronic bronchitis are common, especially among the poor. In rural areas, indoor pollution from burning dung and paraffin can cause over a million deaths annually.
• Economic and Social Effects: Pollution affects labour productivity and could reduce tourism, while pollutants settling on farmland negatively impact crop yields.

Water Pollution

• River Pollution: Assessment of water quality over the years revealed that in the year 2015, 70% of rivers monitored (275 out of 390) were identified as polluted whereas, in the year 2022, this had reduced to 46% of rivers monitored (279 out of 603) are identified as polluted. Despite the decrease, river pollution is still a significant problem in India. The source of pollution is primarily due to untreated sewage, industrial waste, and agricultural runoff. The Ganges and Yamuna are among the world’s most polluted rivers.
• Limited Sewage Treatment: Only around 28% of urban sewage was treated in 2020-2021, allowing raw waste to flow directly into rivers and other water bodies, worsening the water quality.
• Impacts on Health and Agriculture: Contaminated water affects human health, spreads waterborne diseases, and also harms aquatic ecosystems and agriculture through polluted irrigation water.

Deforestation and Desertification

• Deforestation: Between 1990 and 2023, India’s forest cover has experienced both declines and recoveries. In the early 1990s, deforestation was prevalent due to agricultural expansion, logging, and urbanization. However, concerted afforestation efforts and policy interventions have gradually increased forest cover in recent years. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021, the country’s total forest cover was 713,789 square kilometres, accounting for 21.71% of its geographical area. This reflects an increase of 1,540 square kilometres compared to the previous assessment in 2019. Despite these gains, challenges such as deforestation in certain regions and the need for sustainable forest management persist.
• Causes of Deforestation: Deforestation occurs due to logging, agricultural expansion, urbanisation, mining, and the construction of dams. Forest fires and overgrazing also contribute to this problem.
• Desertification: Between 1990 and 2023, India has experienced significant challenges related to desertification. The Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of India, published by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), indicates that approximately 32% of the country’s total geographical area is undergoing land degradation, with 25% affected by desertification processes.
• Causes of Desertification: Factors contributing to this trend include deforestation, overgrazing, unsustainable agricultural practices, and climate change. The government has initiated various programs to combat desertification, such as afforestation projects and sustainable land management practices. However, the effectiveness of these measures varies across regions, and continuous efforts are essential to mitigate the adverse effects of desertification on India’s ecosystems and agricultural productivity.
• Vulnerable Regions: Desertification particularly affects Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Jammu and Kashmir. Drought is common in these areas, impacting millions of people’s livelihoods.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Carbon Dioxide Emissions: India is the world’s third-largest emitter of CO₂ (behind China and the USA), largely due to its dependence on coal for energy.
  

  In 2023, around 53% of India’s energy consumption originated from coal, driven by the availability of domestic coal reserves.
  

• Efforts to Reduce Emissions: India aims to expand renewable energy sources, like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, to reduce reliance on coal. Additionally, increasing forest cover is seen as a way to offset emissions, aiming for a carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent.
• Other Greenhouse Gases: India also emits significant amounts of methane and nitrous oxide, though its per capita emissions remain lower than those of developed countries.

Climate Change Impacts

• Vulnerability to Climate Change: India is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts, including more erratic monsoon patterns, which are vital for agriculture. In 2023, India experienced its driest monsoon season since 1901. Rainfall during that August was almost 40% below average, significantly impacting agriculture and water resources.
• Agricultural Threats: Over 60% of Indian agriculture depends on monsoon rains, so changing rain patterns pose risks to food production and rural jobs. The agriculture sector’s worth is estimated at around $56.9 billion, underscoring the high stakes involved.

Summary

India’s economic development has led to substantial environmental challenges, from urban pollution and water contamination to deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. These issues impact human health, agricultural productivity, and contribute to global climate change. Sustainable development, including investment in renewable energy, improved waste management, and better pollution controls, is essential for India’s long-term prosperity and environmental health.