In news

The report, released at an online event on February 25, highlighted the degradation of systems that have led to the creation of the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe

Highlights

• The COVID-19 outbreak has put 265 million people at risk of starvation. Almost 76 per cent of the world’s informal work-force has been severely affected.
• Children including from newborns to 14-year-olds will suffer long-lasting impacts.
• These children will be vulnerable to being underweight, stunting and increased child mortality.
• Their education and work productivity will also be impacted.
• As per the report, pandemic has forced over 500 million children out of school globally. Out of the total children, India accounted for more than half.
• The report further highlighted that; 115 million additional people might get pushed into extreme poverty due to pandemic. Most of the poorer people live in South Asia.

India’s states

• India ranks 117 among 192 nations in terms of sustainable development – it is now behind all South Asian nations except Pakistan
• With respect to meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, the five best performing states in India are Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana
• Going by the same parameter, the five worst performing states have been Bihar, Jharkhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya and Uttar Pradesh. 

On air pollution

• 67 million Indians died due to air pollution in 2019. The economic cost was over US $36,000 million, equivalent to 1.36 per cent of India’s GDP
• India desperately needs a vehicle scrappage policy. By 2025, we will have over 20 million vehicles nearing the end of their lives. These will add to the pollution and environmental damage. 

On water

• Drinking water to all households of rural India – this is one objective that has eluded India forever: 11 past deadlines have been missed. The Jal Jeevan Mission’s target to provide drinking water to all rural households by 2024 will need focus on making the water source sustainable; recharge of groundwater and rainwater harvesting will be critical.
• In all the gloom, there is one good news: since 2014-15, an average 34 per cent of MGNREGA funds have been spent on water-related works, leading to creation of almost 11 million assets in half a million villages.
• Contrary to popular belief, India’s rivers did not see any significant improvement in their water quality during the lockdown. Of India’s 19 major rivers, five – including Ganga – ran dirtier in the Covid-19 period. 

On biodiversity, forests and wildlife

• What is well known is that India’s flora and fauna is under threat. What is relatively unknown is the scale – 438 plant species (of which 95 per cent are flowering plants, including food crops) and 889 vertebrates and invertebratesare threatened.

Source: DTE