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Ghazipur Landfill Catches Fire Due To Heat, Here Are 5 Things To Know

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) believes that Ghazipur landfill caught fire due to the methane generation at site and high temperature afternoon, a massive fire broke out at the Ghazipur dumpsite (commonly known as landfill), one of the three garbage mountains in Delhi. As quoted by news agency ANI, according to the press release by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the fire broke out at around 1:30-1:45 PM in the afternoon and soon began to spread due to strong winds. “MCD quickly responded to the situation and 8-10 fire tenders from the Delhi Fire Department and 13-14 excavators and 4-5 bulldozers working at the landfill site were pressed into action to control the fire,” added the release. he MCD believes that the cause of the fire was the generation of methane gas coupled with high temperature in the national capital Delhi. However, it was controlled using inert material. Spread across 72 acres of land, Ghazipur, the oldest dumpsite in Delhi, was commissioned in 1984 and crossed the permissible height of 20m in 2002. It has been overflowing since then and stands at around 40 meters, as per the MCD. As per the data received from the MCD, 140 lakh tonnes of legacy waste has been dumped on the Ghazipur site as of July 2019. 5 Reasons Why Landfills Catch Fire: In an interview with NDTV, Ashok Kumar Jaiswal, Divisional Officer, Delhi Fire Services said, “It is summer time and decomposition of organic waste amid heat often leads to chemical reactions and generation of gases like carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide. Frankly, during the summer season, landfills catch fire automatically. Yesterday, we managed to douse the fire with the help of 13 fire tenders.” Ghazipur landfill is technically a dumpsite, a mere piece of land where waste is being dumped recklessly. Dr. Richa Singh, Deputy Programme Manager, MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) team, Centre for Science and Environment explains, “While sanitary landfills are scientific structures or containment systems which are engineered and constructed in a way to isolate waste from the surrounding environment, dumpsites are mere pieces of land without any mechanism for pollution control.” Dr Singh adds that sanitary landfills have barriers of high-density polyethylene and mechanisms to collect and treat leachate (contaminated liquid generated when water percolates through waste), alongwith the ability to collect landfill gas, which primarily consists of methane and treat that as well. “Living around dump sites comes with health challenges as people in close vicinity are exposed to gases like the colourless and odorless Methane, trace gases like H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide), as well as high levels of Particulate Matter and Ammonia,” says Dr. Singh. These gases are carcinogenic in nature. Long-term exposure to these gases can result in respiratory disorders, and at times it can lead to cancer as well. On dumpsites, while biodegradable or wet waste decomposes over time, the anaerobic decomposition (breakdown of organic waste in the absence of oxygen) of organic waste generates methane gas, which is flammable and generates heat. That’s the reason why dumpsites in Delhi, especially in summer, often catch fire. If not fire, then these are always smoldering in patches. To prevent such fire outbreaks, Dr Singh recommends an interim solution (till the remediation of all the legacy waste is done) which includes, A gas collection and treatment system for landfill gases. Moreover, landfilling of biodegradable and combustible waste should not be done in the first place to prevent the leachate and landfill gas issue.

Particulate pollution increasing in Rajasthan’s cities

Context As per the analysis by Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), the Particulate matter pollution is increasing in the cities of Rajasthan, which faces a multi-pollutant crisis with the levels of several gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and Ozone. Key findings of the study: The air quality is worsening in both big and small cities and towns despite the clean air action being taken in the State. This has highlighted the systemic pollution which persists in the region because of inadequate infrastructure for pollution control across all sectors. In cities like Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur, where the average 2022 levels had crossed the pre-pandemic levels. As per the report, Jodhpur is the most polluted and Kota is the second among the ‘five non-attainment cities’ in the State. Non-attainment cities are those which have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for five years. Ground-level ozone, requires monitoring to assess its build-up in local situations across the landscape. The report also laid emphasis on the formulation of plans for massive clean energy transition in industry, transport, power plants and households. What is Particulate matter (PM)? Particulate matter, or PM, is the term for particles found in the air, including dust, dirt, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Particles can be suspended in the air for long periods of time. Some particles are large or dark enough to be seen as soot or smoke. Others are so small that individually they can only be detected with an electron microscope. Many manmade and natural sources emit PM directly or emit other pollutants that react in the atmosphere to form PM.

Our population question

There is no doubt that more people will need more resources to survive. But it cannot be argued that population growth is an indicator of the resultant environmental degradation India is expected to overtake China to become the world’s most populous country sometime in July, it is said. We don’t have a firm month, because our census — the count of population — is more than a decade old. So, we can only estimate the expected overshoot date — sometime in mid-2023, we will match China’s 1.45 billion people and then surpass it. The question I get asked often is, what does this mean for the environment? There is no doubt that more people will need more resources to survive. But it cannot be argued that population growth is an indicator of the resultant environmental degradation. It is not as linear. The simple counter-argument is that countries like the US, with 336 million people, or Australia, with 26 million people, have a much greater environmental footprint than India does. Earth Overshoot Day — a group that calculates the bioresources used by countries — estimates that if everyone lived like an American, we would need five Earths; as an Australian, we would need 4.5 Earths, and as an Indian, we would need 0.8 of an Earth. These countries with smaller populations have emitted huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, adding to our common jeopardy. So, population per se is not the determinant of environmental problems; it is their consumption pattern that leads to environmental degradation. We know that the environmental damage caused by wealthier countries is extensive — they overexploit land, water, forests, and other resources, but externalise the source. Their consumption of fossil fuels is driving global warming. But their local air appears “clean” because they have the money to invest in improved technology. These wealthier countries have wilderness areas, and so, you may argue that their natural habitat is protected. But no. Because their use of the natural habitat is extensive, it results in the overuse of forests and degradation of land in other places. The poor, on the other hand, have intensive use of their local environment. In villages they depend on forests that are already lopped, land that is grazed, and waterbodies that are polluted. But even with this visible destruction, their combined impact on the environment is less than that of the smaller but richer populations. That said, it is also a fact that the Indian people have a smaller footprint because they are poor. It is poverty that makes us frugal. So, it can be argued that as we get richer, we may also wish for the global middle-class lifestyle (the American way), which has now become the benchmark of economic wealth and modernity. And even if we do not reach the obscene levels of consumption as the other middle class, our sheer numbers will add up to leave the same environmental impact. We already see that with waste generation — as we get richer, the amount of waste increases; its composition changes; and garbage takes over our streets. We also see this with air pollution in our cities — the richer we get, the more we drive in individual vehicles; and even as we clean up each vehicle with better emission controls and fuel quality, the absolute growth in numbers means more pollution. So, we must focus on three points: How do we keep a check on population growth? And how do we use this population dividend? There is no doubt that every human being is a wonderful creature and an asset. So, the third point is, how do we make sure that as our population grows, we do not end up being in self-destructive mode as the rest of the world? The answer to the first is relatively clear: India is already seeing a decline in its total fertility rate, which has dropped below the replacement level (2.1). The latest National Family Health Survey reveals that Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, and Uttar Pradesh are the only outliers, with fertility levels above two children per woman (also the country average). It is well known that fertility declines only when girls are educated, women are empowered, and they have health and economic security. Fertility is not about population control but about women’s right over reproductive decisions. It is an indicator of progress. We are seeing this happen. We need to stay on track. Then, of course, is the issue of the population dividend — this is also where education kicks in. We need to do much more to get this right. And finally, the environment question. Ensuring this will be much more difficult because the aspirational idea of a global middle class is not so easy to deconstruct and take apart. The lifestyle of the global consuming class is about market forces and the economics that drives wealth creation. But this is really where the rubber meets the road — we want a planet that is liveable. It is time we discussed this seriously and urgently.

Particulate pollution increasing in Rajasthan’s cities, says CSE report

Systemic pollution persists in the region because of inadequate infrastructure for pollution control across all sectors, analysis by Centre for Science and Environment finds Particulate pollution has been increasing in the cities of Rajasthan, which faces a multi-pollutant crisis with the levels of several gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide and ozone beginning to rise. This has increased public health risk in the State, an analysis report of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said. The air quality is worsening in both big and small cities and towns despite the clean air action being taken in the State. The continuing elevated pollution levels among city stations highlight the systemic pollution which persists in the region because of inadequate infrastructure for pollution control across all sectors, according to the report. CSE executive director (research and advocacy) Anumita Roychowdhury said while releasing the report in New Delhi on Friday that particulate pollution was on the rise in Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur, where the average 2022 levels had crossed the pre-pandemic levels. Several cities exceed the standards for this category of pollution, while Jodhpur is the most polluted and Kota is the second among the five non-attainment cities in the State. Non-attainment cities are those which have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for five years. Ms. Roychowdhury said the ground-level ozone, emerging as a challenge in non-attainment cities, needed more robust monitoring to assess risk. Ground-level ozone, which is highly toxic and can harm even during short duration exposure, requires monitoring to assess its build-up in local situations across the landscape. On several days in a year, ground-level ozone has started to exceed the eight-hour average standard in all the non-attainment cities, with Jaipur being the most affected. A range of gases, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and other elements emitted from vehicles and industries react with each other in the air under the influence of sunlight to form ozone, the report said. The analysis has assessed long-term trends as well as seasonal variations in particulate and gaseous pollution in the State. Nitrogen dioxide pollution, closely linked with traffic flow, is on the rise in Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur, as its level was 24% to 51% higher than was recorded in 2019. The report stated that the nitrogen dioxide level had breached the annual standard in Jaipur in 2022, while Alwar and Kota had shown a stable trend. “This pollutant requires early and preventive action, as growing motorisation can skew the curve,” Ms. Roychowdhury said. She suggested a State-wide action to improve systems and infrastructure in all the key sectors of pollution, including industry, vehicles and transport, clean energy, management of waste streams, construction and greening. The report also laid emphasis on the formulation of plans for massive clean energy transition in industry, transport, power plants and households. It said State-wide action should be initiated to scale up electrification of vehicles and promote public transport, walking and cycling, in addition to developing a circular economy.

Rajasthan’s towns witness alarming increase in air pollution: CSE Study

In a recent analysis by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), air pollution is increasing in the cities of Rajasthan. The analysis reveals a multi-pollutant crisis with rising levels of nitrogen dioxide and ozone, among other gaseous pollutants. This deterioration in air quality is not limited to non-target cities but also affects smaller cities and towns in Rajasthan. Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, CSE said that “Despite the clean air programme, air quality is deteriorating not only in non-target cities but also in smaller cities and towns of Rajasthan. Time-bound improvement in air quality requires statewide action to improve systems and infrastructure in all major sectors of pollution, including industry, vehicles and transportation, clean energy, waste management, construction and greening. Allocate resources equitably for accelerated measures in key areas with a strong compliance framework to meet the clean air targets.” Avikal Somvanshi, senior program manager at CSE, says expanding air quality monitoring will help better assess this growing risk. The persistently high pollution levels in the city’s stations highlight systemic pollution caused by weak pollution control infrastructure. Meeting clean air standards requires strong and consistent action throughout the year. The CSE suggests that expanding air quality monitoring can provide better insights into the growing risk of pollution. Analysis of data from air quality monitoring stations in Rajasthan reveals high levels of pollution, indicating a systemic pollution problem due to inadequate pollution control infrastructure. It emphasizes the need for strong, consistent action throughout the year to meet clean air standards. The analysis is based on data collected from January 1, 2019, to May 31, 2023, at air quality monitoring stations in Rajasthan. Efforts have been made to expand the monitoring network in the state. As of the first half of 2023, there are a total of 99 operational monitoring stations in 33 cities including Alwar, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota and Udaipur. The analysis shows that Jodhpur is the most polluted city in terms of particulate matter with an average PM2.5 level of 71 µg/m3 and a PM10 level of 153 µg/m3. Kota ranks as the second most polluted city, with PM2.5 averaging 55 µg/m3 and PM10 averaging 105 µg/m3. Jaipur ranks third with a PM2.5 level of 52 µg/m3 and a PM10 level of 114 µg/m3. Udaipur and Alwar are also affected by pollution. The analysis reveals that particulate pollution has increased in Jaipur, Kota and Udaipur, with average levels in 2022 exceeding pre-pandemic levels. PM2.5 and PM10 levels have worsened in these cities compared to 2019. Alwar has shown minimal changes in PM2.5 and PM10 levels in the last four years, while Jodhpur has seen improvements with a 17% decrease in PM2.5 and PM10. 9% in PM10 since 2019. In terms of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur experienced increasing levels in 2022 compared to 2019. Although NO2 levels in these cities are currently below National Ambient Air Quality Standards, the pollution levels are rising. The number of vehicles on the roads can make the situation even worse. Alwar and Kota have shown stable trends in NO2 pollution. The analysis also indicates that smaller cities and towns in Rajasthan are experiencing higher levels of particulate matter and NO2 pollution. Recent air quality monitoring in 24 cities and small towns suggests that some of them may have even higher seasonal pollution levels than non-target cities.

Rajasthan Cities Face Rising Particulate Pollution, Says CSE Analysis

Cities of Rajasthan are experiencing rising particulate pollution and also witnessing a multi-pollutant problem with levels of several gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone beginning to rise. This increases public health risk in the state. This has emerged from a new analysis carried out by New Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Urban Lab.

Extreme weather events claimed 233 lives in India between January and April: Report

Extreme weather events claimed 233 lives and damaged 0.95 million hectare of cropland in the country in the first four months of this year, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Such events impacted 32 states and Union territories this time as against 27 last year. Rajasthan and Maharashtra reported the maximum number of extreme weather days (30 each), followed by Himachal Pradesh (28) and Bihar and Madhya Pradesh (27). Delhi reported extreme weather on 12 days as against 25 during the period last year. Between January and April 2022, extreme weather events claimed 86 lives and damaged 0.03 million hectare of cropland, according to the report. Lightning and storms occurred on 58 days this time as compared to 35 days during the corresponding period in 2022. Most of these events occurred in March and April. The country recorded just 15 heatwave days in the first four months of 2023 as compared to 40 days last year. Meteorologists attribute fewer heatwave days to frequent western disturbances -- weather systems that originate in the Mediterranean region and bring unseasonal rainfall to northwest India -- during March and April. India experienced extreme weather events on 314 of the 365 days in 2022. The events claimed 3,026 lives and damaged 1.96 million hectares (ha) crop area. Extreme weather, climate and water-related events caused 573 disasters in India between 1970 and 2021 that claimed 1,38,377 lives, according to data from the World Meteorological Department, a specialised agency of the United Nations.

Autonomous Train Market is set to experience a significant growth rate

Global Autonomous Train Market Size study, by Automation Grade (GoA 1, GoA 2, GoA 3 and GoA 4), by Application (Passenger and Freight), by Technology (CBTC, ERTMS, ATC and PTC), and Regional Forecasts 2021-2027, Covid 19 Outbreak Impact research report added by Report Ocean, is an in-depth analysis of market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography. It places the market within the context of the wider Autonomous Train market, and compares it with other markets., market definition, regional market opportunity, sales and revenue by region, manufacturing cost analysis, Industrial Chain, market effect factors analysis, Autonomous Train market size forecast, market data & Graphs and Statistics, Tables, Bar &Pie Charts, and many more for business intelligence. Get complete Report (Including Full TOC, 100+ Tables & Figures, and Chart). – In-depth Analysis Pre & Post COVID-19 Market Outbreak Impact Analysis & Situation by Region Key Segments Studied in the Global Autonomous Train Market Global Autonomous Train Market is valued approximately at USD XX Million in 2020 and is anticipated to grow with a healthy growth rate of more than XX% over the forecast period 2021-2027. Autonomous trains, are driverless trains that are monitored from the control station. Growing traffic congestion around the world, growing pollution level and rise in budget allocation for rail transport are fueling demand for autonomous train. According to Centre for Science and Environment, Chikkaballapur in southern Karnataka witnessed 3.9 per cent increase from 2019 pollution level as compared to 2020. Furthermore, growing government investment and research and development activities are expected to create demand in the market. In 2018, Singapore Land Transport Authority (LTA) purchased 66 six-car train-sets from Bombardier for its North-South and East-West lines. Also, in 2021, Siemens Mobility was awarded a contract to design, install, and commission the first Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) technology for cross-border link trains between Malaysia and Singapore. However, high cost of train automation and high possibilities of hacking are poised to hinder the growth during forecast period.

233 killed due to extreme weather events in India between January and April: Report

Extreme weather events claimed at least 233 lives and damaged 0.95 million hectare of cropland in India in between 2023 January and 2023 April, said Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Rajasthan and Maharashtra reported the maximum number of extreme weather days (30 each), followed by Himachal Pradesh (28) and Bihar and Madhya Pradesh (27), PTI report, citing CSE report. The National Capital Region reported extreme weather on 12 days as against 25 during the period last year. Lightning and storms occurred on 58 days this time as compared to 35 days during the corresponding period in 2022. India recorded just 15 heatwave days in the first four months of 2023 as compared to 40 days last year.

India’s population question

Population per se is not the determinant of environmental problems; it is their consumption pattern that leads to environmental degradation India is expected to overtake China to become the world’s most populous country sometime in July, it is said. We don’t have a firm month, because our census—the count of population—is more than a decade old. So, we can only estimate the expected overshoot date—sometime in mid-2023, we will match China’s 1.45 billion people and then surpass it. The question I get asked often is, what does this mean for the environment? There is no doubt that more people will need more resources to survive. But it cannot be argued that population growth is an indicator of the resultant environmental degradation. It is not as linear. The simple counterargument is that countries like the US with 336 million people or Australia with 26 million people have much greater environmental footprints than that of India. Earth Overshoot Day—a group that calculates the bioresources used by countries—estimates that if everyone lived like an American, we would need five Earths; as an Australian, we would need 4.5 Earths and as an Indian, we would need 0.8 of an Earth. These countries with smaller populations have emitted huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, adding to our common jeopardy. So, population per se is not the determinant of environmental problems; it is their consumption pattern that leads to environmental degradation. We know that the environmental damage caused by wealthier countries is extensive—they overexploit land, water, forests and other resources, but externalise the source. Their consumption of fossil fuels is driving global warming. But their local air appears “clean” because they have the money to invest in improved technology. These wealthier countries have wilderness areas, and so, you may argue that their natural habitat is protected. But no. Because their use of the natural habitat is extensive, it results in the overuse of forests and degradation of land in other places. The poor, on the other hand, have intensive use of their local environment. In their villages, they depend on forests that are already lopped, land that is grazed and waterbodies that are polluted. But even with this visible destruction, their combined impact on the environment is less than that of the smaller but richer populations. That said, it is also a fact that the Indian population has a smaller footprint because it is poor. It is poverty that makes us frugal. So, it can be argued that as we get richer, we may also wish for the global middle-class lifestyle (the American way), which has now become the benchmark of economic wealth and modernity. And even if we do not reach the obscene levels of consumption as the other middle class, our sheer numbers will add up to leave the same environmental impact. We already see that with waste generation—as we get richer, the quantum of waste increases; its composition changes; and garbage takes over our streets. We also see this with air pollution in our cities—the richer we get, the more we drive in individual vehicles; and even as we clean up each vehicle with better emission controls and fuel quality, the absolute growth in numbers means more pollution. So, we must focus on three points: How do we keep a check on the population growth? And how do we use this population dividend? There is no doubt that every human being is a wonderful creature and an asset. So, the third point is, how do we make sure that as our population grows, we do not end up being in the self-destructive mode as the rest of the world? The answer to the first is relatively clear: India is already seeing a decline in its total fertility rate, which has dropped below the replacement level (2.1). The latest National Family Health Survey reveals that Bihar, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya and Uttar Pradesh are the only outliers, with fertility levels above two children per woman (also the country average). It is well known that fertility declines only when girls are educated, women are empowered and they have health and economic security. Fertility is not about population control but about women’s rights over reproductive decisions. It is an indicator of progress. We are seeing this happen. We need to stay on track. Then, of course, is the issue of the population dividend—this is also where education kicks in. We need to do much more to get this right. And finally, the environment question. Ensuring this will be much more difficult because the aspirational idea of a global middle class is not so easy to deconstruct and take apart. The lifestyle of the global consuming class is about market forces and the economics that drives wealth creation. But this is really where the rubber meets the road—we want a planet that is livable. It is time we discussed this seriously and urgently. DTE

Extreme weather events claimed 233 lives in India between January and April: Report

Such events impacted 32 states and Union territories this time as against 27 last year. Extreme weather events claimed 233 lives and damaged 0.95 million hectare of cropland in the country in the first four months of this year, according to a report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). Such events impacted 32 states and Union territories this time as against 27 last year. Rajasthan and Maharashtra reported the maximum number of extreme weather days (30 each), followed

Extreme weather: 233 people died due to adverse weather, 0.95 million hectares of crop damaged

Extreme weather: The indifference of the weather has taken the lives of many people this year. According to a report by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), extreme weather events claimed 233 lives in the country in the first four months of this year. Not only this, 0.95 million hectare crop has also had to pay the price of bad weather. That is, so many people have lost their lives due to extremely adverse weather from January to April this year. More indifference of weather was seen this year than last yearAccording to the Center for Science and Environment, due to adverse weather activities, this time a total of 32 states and union territories of the country came under the grip of bad weather several times. Whereas, in the year 2022, 27 states and union territories were affected. The worst affected states were Rajasthan and Maharashtra. The maximum number of days of adverse weather remained 30-30 in Rajasthan and Maharashtra. After this, 28 days were unfavorable in Himachal Pradesh, 27-27 days in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. Last year 86 people diedAccording to the report of the Center for Science and Environment, the country’s capital Delhi had 25 unfavorable days in the same period last year, while this year the number has come down to 12 days. According to the report, between January and April 2022, 86 people died and 30,000 hectares of crops were damaged due to adverse weather events. KC Venugopal said on Sachin Pilot’s new party – it’s just a rumour, will contest elections together According to the report of the Center for Science and Environment, there were 58 days of lightning and storms this year compared to 35 days between January and April in 2022. According to the report, most of these incidents took place in March and April. According to the report, the country experienced only 15 days of heat wave in the first four months of 2023 as compared to 40 days last year. In India, 314 out of 365 days in 2022 were due to adverse weather events. In these incidents, 3026 people were killed and 19.6 lakh hectares of crop area was damaged.with language input

दिल्ली में ग्राउंड लेवल ओज़ोन प्रदूषण

सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरनमेंट (CSE), केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (Central Pollution Control Board- CPCB), ओज़ोन प्रदूषण, वायु गुणवत्ता सूचकांक (Air Quality Index- AQI), NCAP मेन्स के लिये: दिल्ली में ग्राउंड लेवल ओज़ोन प्रदूषण चर्चा में क्यों? सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एन्वायरनमेंट (CSE) के एक नए विश्लेषण के अनुसार, दिल्ली-NCR क्षेत्र के कुछ हिस्सों में वर्ष 2023 में मार्च तथा मई के बीच 92 में से 87 दिनों में ग्राउंड लेवल ओज़ोन राष्ट्रीय मानकों से अधिक देखा गया। केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड (Central Pollution Control Board- CPCB) के आँकड़ों के आधार पर किया गया विश्लेषण ओज़ोन प्रदूषण की अवधि एवं भौगोलिक प्रसार तथा विभिन्न मौसमों के दौरान इसके प्रभाव और अंतर्निहित कारणों पर प्रकाश डालता है।

India has the potential to achieve UN SDG – 3 ‘Good Health and Well Being’

According to annual report titled ‘State of India’s Environment 2023 (SoE)’, released by the fortnightly magazine ‘Down To Earth’ published by New Delhi-based non-profit ‘Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) in March 2023, India ranks 121 in 2022. The report cited that India has skidded down by nine spots as the country is facing challenges in 11 out of the 17 UN SDGs. The report has been compiled with ground level data collected from across states and interestingly it also highlights that there have been considerable improvements in individual states’ performances in some of the major UN SDGs namely SDGs 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 3 (good health and well-being), 5 (gender equality), 7 (affordable and clean energy), 11 (sustainable cities and communities) and 12 (responsible consumption and production). India’s dominance in tacking Covid19 With special reference to UN SDG 3 – ‘Good Health and Well Being’, India has already demonstrated its leadership role to the world both in terms of capabilities and potential which tackling the Covin19 pandemic. Vaccinating the country’s large population while at the same time supplying more than 235mn Covid19 Vaccine to 98 countries through India’s flagship initiative ‘Vaccine Maitri’ (Vaccine Friendship). In line with the clarion call made by the UN for promoting the use of Digital Public Goods (DPGs) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in achieving the UN SDGs by 2030, India has been lauded by many nations for the use of DPIs like ‘Aadhar’, ‘Co-WIN’ along with Unified Payments Interface (UPIs) in tackling the Covid19 pandemic. Moving forward with the ‘Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission’ India has laid the foundation for a robust digital infrastructure primarily for the healthcare sector. Leveraging the ‘Co-WIN’ user experience will further the usage of digital platforms and expedite the process of achieving the UN SDG 3 in community healthcare sector. Promoting the use of DPIs for surveillance of diseases, administration of mass drug distribution and running parallel health campaigns for various diseases is the need of the hour for community healthcare. Role of Non-governmental social welfare organisations There are various Public Private Partnership (PPP) programmes in India that currently in progress in various parts of the country. Non-governmental social welfare organisations are working towards improving the social, humanitarian and environmental cause through providing education to children, empowering women, planting trees, reducing hunger and poverty, and so forth. The more the opportunities for non-governmental social welfare organisations to participate, it will expediate the process of mass healthcare programme implementation. Conclusion India, to achieve the 2030 target for UN SDG 3 – ‘Good Health and Well Being’, the need of the hour is to push for more and more use of DPIs while the government, the private sector and the non-governmental social welfare organisations needs to participate in collaboration. Access to effective, affordable, quality and safe essential medicines and vaccines are some of the key components of SDG 3 and can be better achieved through meaningful collaboration.