Unsustainable development occurs when present progress is at the expense of future generations. For example, environmental degradation, irresponsible planning and much more. Such practices are not sustainable in the long term.
Growth doesn't always come with a price. But it did when it comes to India's economic growth, which took a toll on its natural assets like forests, food, clearn air, etc.
Water: Less snow, glaciers, inland and coastal wetlands
Climate change has had a huge impact on water resources, the report shows 24% decline in the area under snow and glacier in some states and also notes the impact of the climate change on wetlands/water bodies in Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jammu Kashmir.
Moreover, unsustainable extraction of ground water resources is causing a decline in water levels in Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Odisha and Rajasthan.
Forest: Deforestation
Deforestation is causing a huge ecological impact in India. It is done by mining, building huge dams, flourishing real-estate business, constructing roads and highways which adversely affects our ecosystem.
Deforestation is the main cause of decrease in the wildlife, increase in floods and disasters,
Urbanisation
Conversion of agricultural land to meet need of urban population will affect productive capacity. While mentioning the use of agricultural land for urbanisation, the report says that high rate of urban growth is likely to affect a productive capacity in states like Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Telangana and West Bengal.
It calls for a better utilisation of land in a sustainable manner to fulfil the demands of growing population without increasing the degraded land.
Way Forward
The misguided economic policies, such as "grow first, clean later" has already endangered the environment and human well-being in India.
There is a urgent need to incorporate all ecological services of nature or biodiversity in economic accounts.
A 'Green GDP' would help account for environmental degradation in GDP growth and to manage the economy along with the environmental sustainability. Reversing unsustainable development of India essentially hinges on securing environmental quality while growing economically and ensuring just distribution of wealth and natural resources between the present and future generations.
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