by Playfuls Staff |
10th April 2007
The need for environmental sustainability is the greatest challenge that India will face on its path of development, says a new World Bank report released Tuesday.
While [more] giving a detailed analysis of India's environmental status, the report, titled 'Strengthening Institutions for Sustainable Growth: Country Environmental Analysis for India', stated that India's rapidly growing economy is putting a lot of pressure on its natural resources and the environment.
"India's high population density has and will put an unprecedented pressure on its environment and natural resources like the land, air, water, soil and forests. And these pressures are projected to become the highest in the world by 2020," said Prodipto Ghosh, secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forests.
According to the report, despite its strong policy framework India has not been able to stop large-scale environmental degradation, which is a must to meet the increasing economic growth.
Coal, the report says, will remain the dominant fuel to cater to India's energy needs for its growing population, despite attempts to develop an alternative energy source. It goes on to say that the demand for coal will in fact increase three-fold in the next 20 years.
In its list of suggestions for a healthier environment to support the growing economy, the report says that specialised environmental programmes should be developed for small and medium enterprises in order to help them develop their businesses without affecting the environment.
It also suggests involvement of the public in the planning, monitoring and enforcement of any new development project.
© 2007 Ians.in
