India Vision 2047: Environmental Version

This Blog is Written by Khushi Singla, 1st Year, BA LLB (Hons.), UILS, Punjab University, Chandigarh.

Blog 16 | Edition VII

The India @ 2047 vision aims to transform India into a developed self-reliant and resilient country by its 100^th independence anniversary. It demands to coexist rapid economic development with clean energy and to take up the path of sustainable development. To achieve India’s net zero emission by 2070, India needs to alleviate its ecological crisis to pioneering an ecosystem with environmental sustainability. It requires a sophisticated planning with a blend of urban infrastructure, energy needs, natural resources management, renewable energy production, economic advancement. India is already on its path of transformation but many more steps are needed to look at. As India is also the most populous country it bears the responsibility of 1.46 billion people, amplifying day by day. This essay explores how India is elevating its economy by transforming its energy sector, infrastructure, climate resilience, forest cover and how far it can go.

Achieving this milestone requires many initiatives, planning, and systematic approach. Schemes and initiatives of India like (MISSION LIFE) Lifestyle for environment, which was adopted at COP 26 in order to encourage individuals and communities to adopt pro-planet activities and to protect our environment with optimal utilization of resources. Even in constitution of our India environmental governance is given priority under Article 48A of directive principal of state policy, it directs and poses duty upon state to protect and improve environment by taking necessary steps to safeguard wildlife and forests of our country. Moreover Article 51(A) (g) which poses fundamental duty upon every citizen of country to protect our flora and fauna. Under fundamental right to life (Article 21) Supreme Court also expanded the right which now implicitly includes right to clean, healthy and pollution free environment through multiple landmark judgments. Most notable judgment is MC Mehta v. Union of India 1987, also known as oleum gas leak case is a landmark environmental jurisprudence which established the doctrine of absolute liability stating that any organisation or enterprise engaging in hazardous or inherently dangerous activity will be absolutely liable for any consequences, without any exception. Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India (1996) is also a landmark environmental lawsuit under which over 900 leather tanneries in Tamil Nadu were dumping toxic chemicals into opens lands and river. Water becomes highly contaminated and an acre of farming land becomes barren, due to which a group of Vellore citizens files petition. Supreme Court then introduced two major environmental principals one of them is Polluter Pays Principal under which any company which abuses the nature, will have t pay for it; other one is The Precautionary Principle is a rule that says , "It is better to be safe than sorry." It states that any action, policy or initiative which can cause serve environmental degradation in future should be applied with ultimate caution even if there is no scientific certainty that how much damage can occur, owner will be responsible for any damage absolutely. Even in the most pivotal environmental treaty United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Article 3.3 of treaty explicitly directs member states to comply Precautionary Principal. India also achieved its Paris Agreement 2030 goals before time, prompting it to submit NDG climate 3.0, official blueprint for 2031-35. It includes achieving3.5 to 4.0 Billion Tonnes of CO₂ equivalent of which we already achieved 2.29 Billion Tonnes in 2021. India’s renewable energy 2035 target is to have 60 % of total energy as renewable of which 52.57% was achieved by early 2026. The Paris Agreement which was adopted in 2015 during COP 21 and introduced National Determined Goals , Global stocktake to track the progress of 196 countries. India is acquiring milestones in its environmental goals under Paris Agreement and other domestic initiatives.

Furthermore, to govern and handle only environmental cases, in 2010 under a special law National Green Tribunal Act, National Green Tribunal was established. It works to solve environmental issues rapidly which according to act it should try to decide each case in 6 months. Also with the establishment of NGT India becomes the third country in the world to have an environmental court. Most remarkable was when NGT issues a ban on all diesel vehicles older than 10 years and petrol vehicles older than 15 years in NCR region in 2015, the plastic ban in Delhi in 2017, and complete ban on open waste burning in 2016, all these are some of the prominent orders of NGT. India has some striking legislations to protect its forest, wildlife, air, water. One of the remarkable legislation that was passes after Bhopal Gas Tragedy is The Environmental (Protection) Act 1986, it is an umbrella legislation which gives centre power to set rules on how to clean environment. Then to protect rivers, lakes, and other water bodies, Water (Prevention and Control) Act, 1974 was passed under which Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Board (SPCBs) was created to inspect and make policies in order to improve the conditions of water bodies of India. As many industries were polluting rivers with hazardous chemicals and toxins, this act changes the equation by restricting these kinds of activities. The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 expands the powers of SPCBs and the CPCB to regulate factory emissions and set air quality standards across India. Moreover, to curb deforestation and to restrict anthropogenic activities including mining, dam construction etc. in forest, The Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 was passed restricting the use of forest for non-forest purposes without prior government approval. The legal framework to protect flora and fauna is, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 which established a system of protected areas like national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

Even though various human activities currently running in our country makes the situation of environment worse, forest cover of India according to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 is 25.17% of the country’s geographical location but according to our National Forest Policy and environmental specialists envision 33% of the country’s total geographical area as covered with forest also this number increases when we talk about hilly or mountainous region. India needs to adopt pro planet, environmentally friendly activities or habits in order to attain a desired country with fulfilled motto of clean India, green India. Saving environment is a shared responsibility of all citizens, conserving natural resources making mindful choices that help our planet to heal from the wounds we give it by anthropogenic activities. The prosperous example of India’s commitment towards environmental success is its achievement of 20% ethanol blending target (E20) under Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme ahead of its original timeline. By integrating the use of technology we can do far better and can accomplish our goals with new innovations.

In conclusion, Viksit Bharat @ 2047 is a prolonged journey which is a foundational base for the nation’s progress. India’s commitment towards fostering economic prosperity with sustainable development can achieve milestones in future. Transforming India into a global leader require collective effort of entire nation. Making better choices today will safeguard the future of our upcoming generations also.                                                                                                                                                                       

(Write to the author at singlakhushi239@gmail.com.)