Economic magic, environmental failure.

- introduction to the current environmental situation in India

India may be witnessing rising demand for exploitation of its natural resources. India may be seeing an increased pressure on its forest-based products. India may be satisfied with the current high gear economy-but the need to find solutions to its environmental degradation only furthers with such development. Wild life trade, pollution, deforestation, and the aspirations of more than millions have combined to put forth cataclysmic issues to the table that India, and furthermore, the world would struggle with everyday.

The rising demand for forest based products has put great strains on exploiting forest protected areas. Such actions have lead to a great loss of natural resources that prove to be critical to the well being of not only wildlife but also humans. A total approximation of industrial roundwood consumption exceeds 70 million m³ per year-estimated to reach 350,000 shipping containers by the end of the decade. As a nation heavily focused on meeting its demand, there is a great risk that the loss of conservation value and biodiversity in India-and other places around the world-will become a great threat to Mother Nature.

 Known for its great palm oil consumption, India continues to be a big edible oil consumer of exporters like Indonesia and Malaysia, responsible for over 95% oil export. Such conversion of natural forests for oil palm is a major threat to the sustainability of the tropics. Currently, a great proportion of the lowlands of Indonesian island of Sumatra has been devastated due to exploitation of pulp wood plantations. Other concerns such as pollution, unsustainable, illegal wildlife trade, and poorly managed fishing continue threat the environment of both India and the world.

Despite the desolating situation in India, even the environmental problems that have direct effect to the livelihood of individuals are not being addressed sufficiently. Recently, however, the Ministry of Environment Forests of Government of India have put forth The Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 in order to ensure better conservation and management and stop further degradation of wetlands.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests have recognized the importance of establishing a legal framework in which the livelihood of individuals could be protected and ensured-especially environmental problems connected directly to the lives of individuals such as the wetlands. Wetlands are critical for human development and wellbeing, especially in India, where a large number of people depend on them for drinking water. Under the new program, the Government will be overseeing 115 wetlands indentified for its importance. As the Minister for Environment and Forest, Mr. Jairam Ramesh notes, ¿This is the first time that legally enforceable Rules are being notified for such eco-sensitive areas in our country. This will go a long way in protecting our wetlands which are under severe threat.¿ With such efforts to identify and tackle problems in India, hopefully, India will work towards alleviating environmental problems for everyone's good.  

Sources: http://wwf.panda.org/