Poverty and the environment are closely inter-related. Whilst people living in poverty are seldom the principal creators of environmental damage, they often bear the brunt of environmental damage and are often caught in a downward spiral, whereby the poor are forced to deplete resources to survive, and this degradation of the environment further impoverishes people. Relationship between poverty and environmental degradation in India:

• Poverty leading to environmental degradation:
  • Depletion of resources: For instance, migration from rural to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities or towards coastal areas for the development of new industries lead to deforestation, encroachment of flood plains, over-exploitation of resources, increased pollution, etc. Hence, the pace of development basically depletes or sometimes destroys the very resources that are fuelling its growth.
  • Unsustainable agriculture: Poverty often causes people to put relatively more pressure on the environment and agriculture. Insufficient knowledge or unsustainable agricultural practices can lead to a decline in crop yield and productivity. For instance, decline in agricultural productivity due to practice of ‘jhum cultivation’ in the North-East.
  • Waste generation: Poor people are more likely to use unsustainable and traditional techniques, which create more waste and carbon emissions. For instance, use of non-clean fuel, open defecation, etc.
• Environmental degradation exacerbating poverty:
  • Soil erosion, land degradation and deforestation lead to a decline in food production and fuelwood along with a shortage of fodder for livestock leading to inflation, which adds to the woes of the poor.
  • Poor people are more vulnerable to environmental disasters such as cyclones, flood, heatwaves, etc., which are intensified by human-induced climate change. For instance, the fishing community is more vulnerable to climate change.
  • The urban poor are the most exposed to severe air and water pollution leading to health issues and increased out of pocket expenditure, which further squeezes their income. A study conducted in 2021 stated that India’s poor face disproportionately higher risk of dying from air pollution than the rich.
  • Women in certain villages of India in arid regions such as Vidarbha need to spend considerable time fetching water and fuelwood, which leaves less time for productive activities. Further, environmental damage affects their economic prospects disproportionately.

Role of poverty reduction in promoting sustainable development and safeguarding the environment:

• Investing in a sustainable livelihood: Poverty reduction efforts can promote sustainable development by creating economic opportunities that are environmentally sustainable, such as investing in renewable energy or promoting sustainable agriculture.
• Assigning ownership/responsibility of resources: Education and awareness raising programmes focusing on environmental issues can be integrated into poverty reduction efforts in order to empower communities to take ownership of their environmental resources and preserve them for future generations. For example, promoting eco-tourism, improving waste management practices, etc.
• Access to cleaner resources: Improved access to clean water, sanitation, and healthcare under poverty reduction efforts can reduce health risks associated with pollution, waste, and poor sanitation practices, thereby contributing to a healthier environment.
• Access to secure housing: It would free up land encroached by slum dwellers, which could be saved from land degradation and further utilised for watershed development, agro-forestation, etc.
• Promoting gender equality and empowering women: Women are often more vulnerable to environmental risks and degradation, and empowering them in decision-making leads to better resource governance and environmental conservation.

Thus, any development strategy needs to integrate economic poverty and environmental degradation to ensure its sustainability in the long-run. The government needs to examine the effectiveness, practicality and appropriate forms of policy targeting aimed at achieving poverty reduction and sustainable environmental management in different agro-ecological zones and urban environments.