Climate change, natural disasters and hazards risks
Climate change and natural disasters pose a key challenge to sustainable development. Different ecological and climatic zones in India have made it differentially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These impacts range from changes in temperature, precipitation and humidity to increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events like floods, droughts and cyclones. Changes in climatic conditions can have serious implications on agricultural production agriculture dependent livelihoods and food. Freshwater availability is also at risk due to potential glacial melt and changes in river flows along the Himalayan range.
Vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters also has a strong linkage with poverty and has the potential to create multiple stresses over the stresses that already exist. It is, therefore imperative that the country adopts measures aimed at building resilience to such risks. The most important measure of adaptation is development itself and acceleration of inclusive growth is the key to combat expected adversities.
Biodiversity related challenges
India is a mega diverse country, with about eight oercent of the world’s biodiversity, high percentage of endemic floral and faunal specials, and four biodiversity hotspots. This biodiversity is under severe threat both within and outside the protected area (PA) network, due to the loss and/or fragmentation of its habitat to competing uses. The global struggle against poverty and hunger cannot be won without enhanced conservation, and sustainable natural resource management. The Biodiversity Act of 2002 provides for access and benefit sharing related to traditional knowledge and biodiversity. India has taken a number of proactive measures related to biodiversity conservation. Since 1991, the government has committed funds, particularly in the field of PA management, for eco-development (integrated conservation and development), along with site specific package comprising measures for conserving biodiversity through local community development. There have been some successful examples of the eco-development programme like the Periyar Tiger Reserve. In recognition of the need to protect the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, the Moet set up a Panel in 2010 to study its ecological status and recommend improvements. The Panel has recently submitted its report.
Conclusion
Though India has made significant progress in terms of its achievements across the pillars of sustainable development, many problems continue to persist. New threats are also posing new challenges to the country. Though there has been reduction in poverty levels in the country, there is a need to step up efforts for further poverty eradication and inclusive development. The depletion of Natural resources and deterioration in environmental quality needs to be addressed on an urgent basis.
Climate change and natural disasters pose a key challenge to sustainable development. Different ecological and climatic zones in India have made it differentially vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. These impacts range from changes in temperature, precipitation and humidity to increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme events like floods, droughts and cyclones. Changes in climatic conditions can have serious implications on agricultural production agriculture dependent livelihoods and food. Freshwater availability is also at risk due to potential glacial melt and changes in river flows along the Himalayan range.
Vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters also has a strong linkage with poverty and has the potential to create multiple stresses over the stresses that already exist. It is, therefore imperative that the country adopts measures aimed at building resilience to such risks. The most important measure of adaptation is development itself and acceleration of inclusive growth is the key to combat expected adversities.
Biodiversity related challenges
India is a mega diverse country, with about eight oercent of the world’s biodiversity, high percentage of endemic floral and faunal specials, and four biodiversity hotspots. This biodiversity is under severe threat both within and outside the protected area (PA) network, due to the loss and/or fragmentation of its habitat to competing uses. The global struggle against poverty and hunger cannot be won without enhanced conservation, and sustainable natural resource management. The Biodiversity Act of 2002 provides for access and benefit sharing related to traditional knowledge and biodiversity. India has taken a number of proactive measures related to biodiversity conservation. Since 1991, the government has committed funds, particularly in the field of PA management, for eco-development (integrated conservation and development), along with site specific package comprising measures for conserving biodiversity through local community development. There have been some successful examples of the eco-development programme like the Periyar Tiger Reserve. In recognition of the need to protect the Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, the Moet set up a Panel in 2010 to study its ecological status and recommend improvements. The Panel has recently submitted its report.
Conclusion
Though India has made significant progress in terms of its achievements across the pillars of sustainable development, many problems continue to persist. New threats are also posing new challenges to the country. Though there has been reduction in poverty levels in the country, there is a need to step up efforts for further poverty eradication and inclusive development. The depletion of Natural resources and deterioration in environmental quality needs to be addressed on an urgent basis.
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