Current Affairs SSC

Category : SSC

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Key Points:

Introduction

• Kofi Annan quote
• Mother nature
• Kaavu

Pollution reasons

• Population explosion
• Over-exploitation of available resources

India and environmental protection

• Paris agreement
• Historical responsibility
• Green highway project
• NGO's
• Movements
• Chipko movement
• Narmada bachao andolan

Why Ahead

• Balance of environment protection and economic development
• Sustained development

THE ESSAY BEGINS...

'The earth is not ours; it is a treasure we h Id in trust for our children and grandchildren." This African proverb cited by Kofi Annan in his millennium address to the United Nations General Assembly summarizes how we should treat our environment.

Environmental protection is not a new thing to India. Since Vedic ages, we have been treating earth as Mother Nature, respect and protection towards it being part of our daily life. 'Kaavus', the sacred groves of Kerala, are an amalgamation of religion and environmental protection with numerous rare plants grown inside.

Pollution has been growing at an alarming rate in our country, and with population explosion resulting in overexploitation of available resources, the level will only increase. India, being a responsible country, has made a big commitment to reduce the emissions intensity by 33-35% of the GDP by 2030 from 2005 level at the Paris Agreement, even though it doesn't have a historical responsibility. Green Highway Project and similar projects by the government, when supplemented by the efforts of the citizens of the country will definitely help in curbing the pollution level of the country.

Environmental protection has been taken up by NGOs and environmental activists too, ranging from Chipko movement to Narmada Bachao Andolan.

To balance environmental protection and economic development is the need of the hour. Assuring clean air and water to our progeny can only be achieved through sustainable development, which will lead a nation to a great future.