What are the environmental challenges faced by India and the measures taken to address them
India is confronting numerous environmental challenges and undertaking efforts to mitigate them. Analyze the major environmental issues and the corresponding measures implemented.
- Pollution: India faces severe air, water, and soil pollution due to industrial emissions, vehicular pollution, and improper waste disposal. To tackle this, the government has introduced initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme and the National Clean Ganga Mission.
- Deforestation: Rampant deforestation threatens India's biodiversity and contributes to climate change. Measures adopted include afforestation programs like the Green India Mission and the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act.
- Water Scarcity: India experiences water scarcity due to overexploitation, pollution, and climate change. The government has implemented schemes like the Atal Bhujal Yojana for efficient groundwater management, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan for water conservation, and the Namami Gange project for cleaning the Ganga River.
- Climate Change: The country is vulnerable to climate change impacts like extreme weather events and rising sea levels. To address this, India has ratified the Paris Agreement, launched the National Action Plan on Climate Change, and increased the share of renewable energy.
- Biodiversity Loss: Habitat destruction and poaching pose challenges to India's rich biodiversity. Measures taken include the establishment of protected areas, species conservation programs like Project Tiger and Project Elephant, and awareness campaigns.
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