- The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project marks India’s first major river-interlinking initiative, finally commencing after 29 years.
- Sparks debate between development and ecological conservation.
Core Development Priorities
- Infrastructure Development
- Focus on creating world-class infrastructure.
- National Infrastructure Pipeline: ₹111 lakh crore over 5 years.
- Capital expenditure for 2023-24 raised to ₹10 lakh crore (3.3% of GDP).
- Climate Change Mitigation
- Shift towards renewable energy and low-carbon technologies.
- Green Hydrogen Mission: ₹19,700 crore investment.
- 201.45 GW renewable energy capacity as of October 2024.
- Human Capital Development
- Investments in education and healthcare.
- PM e-Vidya scheme and Ayushman Bharat initiatives improving literacy and health.
- Financial Inclusion & Digital Economy
- Unified Payments Interface (UPI) processed 172 billion transactions in 2024.
- Jan Dhan Yojana brought 53 crore unbanked individuals into the financial system.
- Employment Generation
- PM Vishwakarma Yojana: ₹13,000 crore for traditional artisans.
- MGNREGA acts as a rural employment safety net.
- Technological Innovation
- Programs like Semicon India aim to make India a semiconductor hub.
- Social Justice & Gender Equality
- Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 seeks 33% representation for women in legislatures.
- Defense Modernization
- 13% of Budget 2024 allocated to defense; focus on indigenous manufacturing.
- Urban Development
- Smart Cities Mission: 100 cities have completed 7,188 projects.
- Agriculture Modernization
- Digital Agriculture Mission and e-NAM improving market linkages for farmers.
- Industrial Growth
- Focus on boosting manufacturing from 17-18% to 25% of GDP.
- Tourism Development
- PRASHAD Scheme promoting heritage conservation and ecotourism.
Key Environmental Concerns
- Deforestation: 668 kha per year; habitat loss affecting species like the Great Indian Bustard.
- Air Pollution: India hosts 39 of the world’s 50 most polluted cities; PM2.5 levels exceed WHO standards.
- Water Stress: 600 million Indians face extreme water stress; 70-80% of farmers rely on groundwater.
- Land Degradation: Nearly 30% of land affected by unsustainable practices.
- Marine Pollution: India produces 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.
- Climate Change: 6.1% rise in greenhouse gas emissions in 2023; extreme weather events increasing.
- Urban Waste Management: Generates 62 million tonnes of waste annually; only 70% collected.
- Loss of Wetlands: Nearly 40% of wetlands lost in 30 years.
Strategies for Sustainable Balance
- Renewable Energy Transition
- Integrate renewable energy storage and promote green hydrogen.
- Sustainable Urbanization
- Incorporate green infrastructure and energy-efficient buildings.
- Forest Conservation
- Enforce afforestation laws and promote community-driven projects.
- Enhanced Environmental Governance
- Strengthen Environmental Impact Assessments and green financing.
- Integrated Water Resource Management
- Combine rainwater harvesting and aquifer recharge techniques.
- Circular Economy
- Encourage closed-loop production systems and sustainable consumption.
- Green Mobility
- Promote electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel-cell technologies.
- Climate-Smart Agriculture
- Focus on precision farming and agroforestry to enhance resilience.
- Marine Protection
- Address overfishing and implement coastal regulation zones.
- Grassroots Sustainability
- Foster public awareness and community-driven initiatives.
Balancing development with ecological integrity is crucial for India’s future growth. Sustainable initiatives align with global SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) related to clean water, energy, sustainable cities, and climate action.