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रैंक गिरी: भारत सतत विकास के लक्ष्यों को हासिल करने में भूटान, नेपाल और बांग्लादेश से पिछड़ा

संयुक्त राष्ट्र के 193 देशों की ओर से एजेंडा 2030 को अपनाने के बाद भारत सतत विकास के लक्ष्यों को हासिल करने में पड़ोसियों भूटान, नेपाल, श्रीलंका और बांग्लादेश से भी पिछड़ गया है। भारत की रैंक बीते साल के मुकाबले दो स्थान नीचे गिरकर 117 पर आ गई है। भारत का सतत विकास लक्ष्य (एसडीजी) का स्कोर 100 में 61.9 है। भारत पर्यावरण रिपोर्ट, 2021 के मुताबिक, भारत की रैंकिंग बीते साल 115 थी, मगर भूख का खात्मा और खाद्य सुरक्षा, लैंगिक समानता और देश में लचीले बुनियादी ढांचे का निर्माण, समावेशी और सतत औद्योगीकरण और नवाचार को बढ़ावा देने जैसे लक्ष्यों को पाना अब भी चुनौती बना हुआ है। सतत विकास का एजेंडा 2030 संयुक्त राष्ट्र के सभी सदस्य देशों द्वारा 2015 में अपनाया गया था। इसके तहत वर्तमान और भविष्य के लिए धरती और लोगों की शांति और समृद्धि की खातिर किए जा रहे उपायों का रोडमैप देना होता है। सतत विकास लक्ष्यों के बारे में तालमेल का काम भारत सरकार के नीति आयोग को सौंपा गया है। नीति आयोग ने इस बात पर जोर दिया है कि सतत विकास लक्ष्य, सामाजिक, आर्थिक और पर्यावरणीय पहलुओं में परस्पर जुड़े हुए हैं। राज्यों को सलाह दी गई है कि वे भी केंद्र प्रायोजित योजनाओं के साथ-साथ अपनी योजनाओं की भी इसी तरह पहचान करें। केरल, हिमाचल और चंडीगढ़ अव्वल, बिहार फिसड्डी रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, सतत विकास लक्ष्यों को हासिल करने में सभी राज्यों और केंद्रशासित प्रदेशों में केरल, हिमाचल प्रदेश और चंडीगढ़ का प्रदर्शन अव्वल रहा। वहीं, झारखंड और बिहार सतत विकास लक्ष्य को हासिल करने में सबसे पीछे हैं। झारखंड पांच लक्ष्यों में तो बिहार सात लक्ष्यों मेें पिछड़ गया। 17 लक्ष्य हैं, जिन्हें हासिल करना देशों के लिए चुनौती सभी विकसित और विकासशील देशों के लिए 17 सतत विकास लक्ष्य तय किए गए हैं। एसडीजी1-गरीबी का खात्मा, एसडीजी2-भूख मुक्त, एसडीजी3-अच्छा स्वास्थ्य और रहन-सहन, एसडीजी4-गुणवत्तापूर्ण शिक्षा, एसडीजी5-लैंगिक समानता, एसडीजी6-स्वच्छ जल और सफाई, एसडीजी7-किफायती स्वच्छ ऊर्जा, एसडीजी8-गरिमापूर्ण काम और आर्थिक विकास, एसडीजी9-उद्योग,नवाचार और बुनियादी ढांचा, एसडीज10-असमानता में कमी, एसडीजी11-स्थायी शहर और समुदाय, एसडीजी12-जवाबदेह उपभोग और उत्पादन, एसडीजी-13 जलवायु के लिए कदम, एसडीजी14-पानी के अंदर जीवन, एसडीजी15-धरती पर जीवन, एसडीजी16-शांति, न्याय और मजबूत संस्थाएं और एसडीजी17-लक्ष्यों के लिए वैश्विक भागीदारी की मजबूती। पर्यावरणीय प्रदर्शन सूचकांक में भारत की रैंक 168 रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक, पर्यावरणीय प्रदर्शन सूचकांक के लिहाज से देखें तो 180 देशों की सूची में भारत का स्थान 168 है। यह रैंक पर्यावरणीय सेहत, जलवायु, वायु प्रदूषण, सफाई और पेयजल, पारिस्थितिकी सेवाएं, जैव विविधता जैसे संकेतकों के आधार पर तय की जाती है। वहीं, पर्यावरणीय स्वास्थ्य श्रेणी में भारत की रैंक 172 है। यह रैंक बताती है कि देश अपने नागरिकों को पर्यावरणीय सेहत के जोखिमों से कैसे बचाते हैं।

UN की सतत विकास रैंकिंग में भारत का प्रदर्शन खराब, भूटान-नेपाल से भी नीचे

17 सस्टेनेबल डेवलपमेंट गोल्स (SDG) में भारत का स्थान चार दक्षिण एशियाई देशो... कोरोना संकट के बीच भारत को एक और झटका लगा है. संयुक्त राष्ट्र (UN) के सदस्य देशों की ओर से स्वीकार किए गए 17 सस्टेनेबल डेवलपमेंट गोल्स (SDG) में भारत का प्रदर्शन खराब रहा और नई रैंकिंग में वह 2 स्थान फिसल गया. भारत अब खिसककर 117वें स्थान पर आ गया है. जारी नई रिपोर्ट के मुताबिक 2015 में संयुक्त राष्ट्र के 193 सदस्य देशों की ओर से अपनाए गए 17 सस्टेनेबल डेवलपमेंट गोल्स (SDG) में भारत अपने पिछले प्रदर्शन में सुधार नहीं ला सका और अब वह 117वें स्थान पर आ गया है. जबकि पिछले साल भारत 115वें पायदान पर था. यूएन सदस्य देशों ने 2015 में 17 एसडीजी को स्वीकार किया था. 2030 तक इन लक्ष्यों को पूरा करने का एजेंडा तय किया गया था. <p class="text-align-justify">भारत की पर्यावरण रिपोर्ट 2021 की स्थिति से पता चलता है कि भारत की रैंक पिछले साल 115 थी और इस बार दो पायदान की गिरावट के कारण मुख्य रूप से भूखमरी को खत्म करने और खाद्य सुरक्षा (एसडीजी 2) हासिल करने, लैंगिक समानता (एसडीजी 5) हासिल करने, लचीला बुनियादी ढांचे के निर्माण और देश में सतत औद्योगीकरण तथा नवाचार को बढ़ावा देने (एसडीजी 9) में नाकामी रही है. झारखंड और बिहार की स्थिति बेहद खराब भारत का स्थान चार दक्षिण एशियाई देशों (भूटान, नेपाल, श्रीलंका और बांग्लादेश) से भी नीचे है. भारत का कुल एसडीजी स्कोर 100 में से 61.9 है. <p class="text-align-justify">देश में राज्यों की तैयारियों को लेकर भी रिपोर्ट तैयार की गई है जिसमें कहा गया कि झारखंड और बिहार लक्षित साल 2030 तक एसडीजी को पूरा करने के लिए सबसे निचले स्तर पर हैं और कम तैयार हैं. झारखंड 5 एसडीजी में पीछे है जबकि बिहार 7 में पीछे है. <p class="text-align-justify">हालांकि इस रिपोर्ट में यह भी कहा गया है कि केरल, हिमाचल प्रदेश और चंडीगढ़ सबसे अच्छे समग्र स्कोर वाले राज्य या केंद्र शासित प्रदेश हैं जो एसडीजी हासिल करने की राह पर हैं. <p class="text-align-justify">सतत विकास के लिए एजेंडा 2030 (The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development) 2015 को संयुक्त राष्ट्र के सभी सदस्य देशों द्वारा स्वीकार किया गया था, जो लोगों और धरती के लिए अभी और भविष्य में शांति तथा समृद्धि को लेकर एक साझा खाका प्रदान करता है. >वैश्विक साझेदारी के तहत ये 17 एसडीजी तैयार किए गए जिसमें सभी देश चाहे विकसित और विकासशील देश हों, की ओर से कार्रवाई के लिए एक अर्जेंट कॉल है

India slips two spots to rank 117 on 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted as 2030 agenda: Report

India's rank has slipped by two places from last year to 117 on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted as a part of the 2030 agenda by 193 United Nations member states in 2015, a new report has said. India slips two spots to rank 117 on 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted as 2030 agenda: Report By: PTI | June 06, 2021 2:53 PM India's rank has slipped by two places from last year to 117 on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted as a part of the 2030 agenda by 193 United Nations member states in 2015, a new report has said. SDGs sustainable development goals, State of India's Environment Report 2021 , India bSDG ranking, sustainable industrialisation, 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, India ranks below four South Asian countries India’s rank has slipped by two places from last year to 117 on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted as a part of the 2030 agenda by 193 United Nations member states in 2015, a new report has said. The State of India’s Environment Report 2021 revealed that India’s rank was 115 last year and dropped by two places primarily because major challenges like ending hunger and achieving food security (SDG 2), achieving gender equality (SDG 5) and building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation (SDG 9) remain in the country. India ranks below four South Asian countries — Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, it said. The overall SDG score of India is 61.9 out of 100. Elaborating state-wise preparedness, the report said Jharkhand and Bihar are the least prepared to meet the SDGs by 2030, which is the target year. While Jharkhand lags in five of the SDGs, Bihar lags in seven. It said the states/UTs with the best overall score which are on the path to achieving the SDGs are Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, which provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. There are 17 SDGs which are an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership. The 17 SDGs adopted by UN member states are SDG1- no poverty, SDG 2-zero hunger, SDG3-good health and well-being, SDG4- quality education, SDG 5- gender equality, SDG 6- clean water and sanitation, SDG 7- affordable and clean energy, SDG 8 decent work and economic growth, SDG 9- industry, innovation and infrastructure. SDG 10 reduced inequalities, SDG 11- sustainable cities and communities, SDG 12- responsible consumption and production, SDG 13- climate action, SDG 14- life below water, SDG 15- life on land, SDG 16- peace, justice and strong institutions and lastly SDG 17- strengthening global partnerships for the goals. The report also said that India ranked 168 out of 180 countries in terms of Environmental Performance Index (EPI) which is calculated on various indicators, including environmental health, climate, air pollution, sanitation and drinking water, ecosystem services, biodiversity, etc. India’s rank was 172 in the environmental health category, which is an indicator of how well countries are protecting their populations from environmental health risks. According to the EPI 2020 report by Yale University, India ranked 148, 21 positions behind Pakistan which was at 127th position in the category of biodiversity and habitat which assesses countries’ actions toward retaining natural ecosystems and protecting the full range of biodiversity within their borders.

Fivefold increase in farm protests since 2017: CSE report

Apart from the three contentious farm laws, procurement and agricultural market price-related failures have contributed to a fivefold increase in major farmers’ protests since 2017, according to data collated by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). In 2017, there were 34 major protests across 15 States. That number has now shot up to 165 protests across 22 States and Union territories. Also Read Farmers shout slogans in Noida on September 25, 2020 as they ride tractors towards New Delhi. The Hindu Explains | Who gains and who loses from the farm Bills? The CSE’s State of Environment in Figures 2021 report records that 12 of these are pan-India protests, including 11 agitations against the three farm reform laws introduced last year. Along with protests against State legislation and inadequate Budget allocations for the agricultural sector, such anti-policy agitations account for 96 major protests across the country. However, large numbers of farmers are also fighting against market failures and demanding fair prices, which have led to 38 major protests. Battles against the acquisition of farm land for development projects, including highway and airport construction, are the prime cause of 17 agitations. Loan waivers At least seven agitations have been to demand loan waivers or to protest poor insurance coverage and delayed compensation. Farmers have gathered at least four times over 2020-21 to protest the unavailability or increased prices of farm inputs and infrastructure, such as irrigation or fertilisers. The arrests of protesting farm leaders have also led to further stirs. Although Punjab and Haryana farmers have caught the limelight for the recent protests outside Delhi, the CSE data shows that the largest number of recent protests have taken place in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The report noted that India now has more farm labourers than landowning farmers and cultivators. This is true in 52% of the country’s districts, as well as in all districts of Bihar and Kerala. More than 28 agricultural workers and cultivators end their lives every day. The latest data available shows that 5,957 farmers and an additional 4,324 farm labourers died by suicide in 2019. The CSE called for the better maintenance of agricultural data, noting that 14 States had actually witnessed a deterioration in the quality of their land records. “India is sitting atop a massive time-bomb of agrarian crisis and disquiet, and the clock is ticking away,” said a CSE statement.

दिल्ली-NCR में 14 नए प्रदूषण हॉट स्पॉट, लॉकडाउन का भी असर नहीं

19 अप्रैल से लागू आंशिक लॉकडाउन की वजह से दिल्ली के प्रदूषण स्तर में 20 प्रतिशत की गिरावट आई थी, दिल्ली-एनसीआर और उसके आसपास के इलाकों में प्रदूषण के आंकड़ों के एक ताजा विश्लेषण से पता चला है कि 14 नए स्थानों में हवा की गुणवत्ता में औसत गिरावट दर्ज की गई है. यह विश्लेषण दिल्ली की थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट (सीएसई) ने किया है. सीएसई ने कहा कि इन 14 हॉट स्पॉट्स में दूसरे हॉट स्पॉट की तुलना में प्रदूषण अधिक दर्ज किया गया है गई. सीएसई ने जिन हॉट-स्पॉट्स का स्टडी किया उनमें अलीपुर, डीटीयू, आईटीओ, नेहरू नगर, पटपड़गंज, सोनिया विहार और दिल्ली में विवेक विहार, नोएडा में सेक्टर 1 और 116, गाजियाबाद में लोनी, संजय विहार और इंदिरापुरम, ग्रेटर नोएडा में नॉलेज पार्क वी और बुलंदशहर शामिल हैं. पिछले साल लॉकाउन में प्रदूषण हुआ था कम बता दें कि पिछले साल मार्च में कोरोना की वजह से लगे लॉकडाउन के बाद प्रदूषण में काफी गिरावट दर्ज की गई थी. लेकिन इस बार लॉकडाउन के नियम ज्यादा सख्त नहीं थे, इसलिए कुछ खास फर्क नहीं पड़ा. 19 अप्रैल से लागू आंशिक लॉकडाउन की वजह से दिल्ली के प्रदूषण स्तर में 20 प्रतिशत की गिरावट आई थी, इसके बाद 20 अप्रैल से लगे पूर्ण लॉकडाउन के दौरान इसमें और 12 प्रतिशत की कमी आ गई. 18 मई से लॉकडाउन की पाबंदियां हटने से पीएम 2.5 पार्टिकल्स के स्तर में 28 प्रतिशत की वृद्धि हुई. सीएसई के मुताबिक इसके लिए आंशिक तौर पर मौसम विभाग भी जिम्मेदार होगा, लेकिन इसका कारण शहर और आस-पास के क्षेत्र में प्रदूषण नियंत्रण के उपायों के कमजोर होने के कारण भी हो सकता है.सीएसई के विश्लेषण में यह भी पता चला है कि इस साल के फरवरी-मार्च में वायु गुणवत्ता के मामले में 27 दिन बहुत खराब थे, जबकि 2020 में 17 दिन और 2019 में 12 दिन ही खराब थे.

Five-fold rise in farmers’ protests since 2017, says Centre for Science and Environment

Weeks after lakhs of farmers protesting against the three farm laws, observed ‘Black Day’ on the completion of six months of their agitation on May 26, it has come to the fore that India has seen a five time increase in farmers’ protest in just three years (under the Modi government), Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has claimed. As per data released by the CSE, while in 2017 India recorded 34 major protests across 15 states, the number has gone up to 165 protests across 22 states and Union territories. Every day, as per the CSE, over 28 farm labourers and cultivators commit suicide in the country. In 2019 alone, 5,957 farmer committed suicide as per the data. 4,324 farm labourers also died by suicide, said the CSE. Five-fold rise in farmers’ protests since 2017, says Centre for Science and Environment Saying that “India now has more farm labourers than farmers”, which is “indicative of the sorry state Indian agriculture”, CSE added, “India is sitting atop a massive time-bomb of agrarian crisis and disquiet, and the clock is ticking away.” “There is drama in numbers, especially when these numbers give you a trend – are things getting better or worse. It is even more powerful when you can use the trend to understand the crisis, the challenge and the opportunity,” said CSE director general Sunita Narain. “Data collection is important – it is part of the art of governance – but it is equally important that entire data sets are shared and worked upon so that they can be critiqued and through this process used and improved upon,” added Narain. “This is evident all the more when you see the condition of land records and their maintenance in the country,” said Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth magazine published by the CSE. “Our analysis shows that 14 states in India have witnessed deterioration in the quality of their land records,” added Mahapatra.

Every second COVID case and death reported in May 2021 was from rural India

Last month, 53% of new cases and 52% of deaths due to the coronavirus were from rural districts of India, finds the ‘State of India’s Environment 2021’ report. What makes the situation more worrisome is the acute shortage of healthcare staff in rural India — a 76.1% shortfall of specialists at the CHC level. Rural India, where two-thirds of Indians live, did not escape the fury of the second wave of the COVID19 pandemic. Latest data collated and analysed by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a New Delhi-based environmental research organisation, shows that every second COVID case and death recorded in the country in May 2021 was from rural districts. The ‘State of India’s Environment 2021’, the latest data report by CSE, goes on to note that in the first 26 days of May, globally, India accounted for every other new COVID-19 case and every third death due to the infection. This also means every fourth case reported in the world last month was from rural India. ‘State of India’s Environment 2021’, CSE, New Delhi. Gaon Connection has been consistently reporting on the rise of the COVID infections in villages across the country. On the one hand, there was a sharp increase in cases registered in rural India, and on the other, there was a shortage of testing facilities, COVID wards and basic health services. Also Read: Rural Uttar Pradesh in a fever of trouble Villagers and health sector experts claim that COVID deaths recorded in rural India are far lesser than the actual number of deaths. Whereas the district administration claimed some were ‘natural deaths’, family members insist they died of COVID-like symptoms. Because of lack of testing and fear of testing, among other things, it is hard to ascertain the real cause of the rising deaths in rural districts. Even then, the available data paints a grim picture, as reflected in the recent report. Also Read: There’s more to India’s COVID19 death toll than meets the eye Shortage of rural healthcare staff What makes the COVID assault on rural India extremely difficult to handle is the acute shortage of basic healthcare services and infrastructure in villages. The rural healthcare system in India operates at three levels — sub-centre, primary health centre (PHC), and community health centre (CHC). A sub-centre covers a population of 5,000 people, a PHC covers 30,000 people and the CHC covers 120,000 people. Also Read: Want to help citizens of rural India in COVID pandemic? Here’s a verified directory of rural initiatives However, the ‘State of India’s Environment 2021’ report shows the gaping holes in rural health infrastructure. It found that as of March 2020, there is a shortfall of 14.1 per cent ANMs (auxiliary nurse midwives), 35 per cent male health workers and 7 per cent doctors at sub-centre and PHC level. The situation is worse at the CHC level that has a shortfall of 78.9 per cent surgeons, 69.7 per cent obstetricians & gynecologists, 78.2 per cent physicians and 78.2 per cent pediatricians. This works out to a total shortage of 76.1 per cent specialists at CHC level, where rural India seeks specialised healthcare. ‘State of India’s Environment 2021’, CSE, New Delhi. On May 29, Gaon Connection reported how a number of sub-centres and PHCs in rural Uttar Pradesh were dilapidated and non-functional, with leaking roofs, missing doors and few staff. Also Read: Leaking roofs, missing doors, weeds everywhere and few staff: Rural health centres in shambles The CSE’s recent report notes that India needs at least 38 per cent more CHCs, which is the first level of health infrastructure where the rural population gets access to specialist doctors and radiographers. It also informs that at the all-India level, the country needs 24 per cent more sub-centres and 29 per cent more PHCs to meet the shortfall. At present, rural health infrastructure has a rampant shortage of doctors and specialists such as lab technicians and radiographers in rural health centres. Based on an investigation, Gaon Connection had reported on May 6 how several district hospitals where rural India seeks medicare, have inadequate, faulty or no ventilators at their disposal. There is also a severe shortage of trained technicians to operate them. Also Read: COVID-19 invades rural India; district hospitals struggle with faulty or no ventilators at all Acute shortage of human resources Data analysis by the CSE shows that Puducherry and Mizoram have no specialist doctors available at the CHC level. Gujarat and Tripura have a 99 per cent shortage of such doctors at CHCs. Meghalaya and Madhya Pradesh have 96 per cent shortfall each (see bar graph). ‘State of India’s Environment 2021’, CSE, New Delhi. Most Indian states also have a shortage of radiographers at CHCs. Bihar has reported the highest shortfall at 95 per cent followed by Kerala at 94 per cent, Nagaland at 86 per cent and Uttarakhand at 84 per cent. At the all-India level, there is a 56 per cent shortfall in radiographers at CHCs. Similarly, there is a shortage of doctors at PHCs. The Union territory of Ladakh has a shortfall of 69 per cent doctors at PHCs followed by 51 per cent at Chhattisgarh. Uttar Pradesh has reported only a 4 per cent shortage of PHC doctors. At the all-India level, there is a 7 per cent shortfall in PHC doctors. Meanwhile, there is a shortage of lab technicians both at PHCs and CHCs, with the highest shortfall in Himachal Pradesh (93 per cent) followed by Uttarakhand at 81 per cent and national capital Delhi at 80 per cent. At the all-India level, there is a 35 per cent shortfall in lab technicians at CHCs and PHCs. That healthcare infrastructure in rural India is sorely lacking is well known, but in the last month, the ineptitude has been felt like never before.

World Food Safety Day 2021: Combating Food Borne Illnesses

The right to food is a fundamental human right. Food quality and safety are important aspects of this right to food. In order to draw attention to the importance of food safety that has implications on human health and economic prosperity, World Food Safety Day was observed for the first time on June 7th, 2019 by WHO in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. World Food Safety Day 2021 World Food Safety Day is aimed at reinforcing the commitment to scale up food safety made by the Addis Ababa Conference and the Geneva Forum in 2019 under the umbrella of “The Future of Food Safety”. World Food Safety Day 2021 is to be observed on June 7, 2021, with the theme – “Safe food today for a healthy tomorrow”. The intent is to initiate an action-oriented campaign that will promote global food safety awareness and call upon countries and decision-makers, the private sector, civil society, UN organizations and the general public to take action. Food Safety – A Concern in India Food and Water contamination is a serious concern in India. Chandra Bhushan, Deputy Director-General, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has said, “Scientific evidence has shown that contamination of food is a serious issue in India as unchecked microbial activity and the use of pesticides and antibiotics seriously compromise food safety, while consumption of junk food and other chemically-laced foods adds to the problem.” According to CSE researchers, in 2013, about 10 per cent of deaths in India of children below 5 years were due to diarrhoea. The total burden of foodborne illnesses in the country is yet to be estimated. One of the major reasons that are responsible for food and water contamination is the indiscriminate use of pesticides in agriculture. Such food contamination leads to long-term health effects, such as endocrine disruption, birth defects and cancer. In addition to this, the unmet hygiene standards of highly popular street-food in India also contribute to food-borne illnesses in India. Relevance of World Food Safety Day Amid COVID-19 outbreak COVID-19 outbreak has drastically changed the world as we know it. The importance of hygiene and cleanliness has forced the food vendors to meet the safety and cleanliness standards. Considering the fact that there is no sure treatment for COVID-19 and even the vaccines are not completely effective on various variants that keep emerging, people are forced to take health seriously and improve their immunity. At such a time, World Food Safety Day 2021 has gained another dimension that needs to be addressed. Food safety now is not just about meeting some SDGs. It is about survival. Food Safety at Production Level Considering the fact that pesticides and chemical farming are largely responsible for food and water contamination, food producers need to find alternatives to these in agriculture and food production. Organic Farming Organic Farming benefits the farmers in a way that it helps them improve their soil quality and water quality. A wide range of organic pesticides and fertilizers helps them secure their production and earn more value for their products considering the increased demand and low supply of organic products. These products also have health benefits for the consumers considering the absence of chemicals in them. The only drawback of the method is that it requires more manual labour, and less produce comparatively which might discourage the farmers from pursuing. Zero Budget Natural Farming Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF) is a method of agriculture where the farmer lets nature run its course. The farmers do not need to till the soil or use any form of fertilizers or pesticides. In this method, the farmers do not have to make any form of investment except perhaps to procure seeds. Once planted, nature provides for the plant’s needs, which makes it resilient against storms or other natural calamities. It also prevents soil erosion and degradation. However, now since the seeds are chemically treated, the plants that grow from them are not adapted to sustain independently. This means that it might take a few years for farmers to actually be able to make money out of ZBNF, discouraging them to pursue the method. Precision Farming It is the indiscriminate use of fertilizers and pesticides that is harmful to soil and human health. Using it in a controlled manner is not as harmful. This is where the method of Precision Farming comes into the picture. In this method, the farmer uses technology in form of Artificial intelligence, sensors and ipads/tablets/smartphones that give them information as to which element is missing from the soil, or the moisture content of the soil at a specific time. This allows farmers to use fertilizers or pesticides in a controlled manner. Precision farming is highly beneficial since it saves water use, fertilizer use and prevents soil degradation and contamination. In addition, it does not impact the quality and quantity of the produce obtained. The drawback of the technique is; it requires a substantial initial investment in the form of installation of the technology. Also, it requires the farmers to develop the skill to employ the technology accurately, which is not an easy feat for Indian farmers. Food Safety at Consumption Level Food Safety does not end at the level of production. Consumers need to take necessary precautions from their end in order to ensure that the food is not contaminated before consumption. For this, individuals must; 1. Keep produce separate from meat, poultry, seafood and eggs, while shopping. 2. Keep produce and other ready to eat foods in a separate area of the refrigerator, away from the meat, poultry, seafood and eggs. 3. Refrigerate food within 2 hours of grocery shopping or 1 hour if kept in air temperatures above 32 degrees. 4. Wash hands with soap and water for 20 seconds before preparing food. 5. Rinse whole fruits and vegetables under running water and dry with a clean cloth. 6. Clean cooking surfaces and utensils with hot, soapy water after every use. 7. Keep meat, poultry, and seafood warm (60 degrees or above) between cooking and serving. The individuals must make sure to avoid; 1. Choosing meat, poultry, seafood, or eggs with broken or leaking packaging. 2. Removing eggs from the carton or keeping them in the refrigerator door. 3. Placing raw meats, poultry, or seafood on upper shelves of the refrigerator where they can drip onto other foods. 4. Using soap or detergent on foods. 5. Reusing plates or cutting boards that have touched uncooked meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, or flour before washing them with hot, soapy water. 6. Allowing food to cool before refrigerating. 7. Letting food to sit out for more than 2 hours or 1 hour in air temperatures above 32 degrees. Food Safety by Street/Home Food Sellers There are more than 1.2 million registered street vendors in India, as of 2013. These street vendors are subjected to food safety norms. However, there are many more unregistered street food vendors, or home food sellers. There are many women or families in India who sell baked goods, snacks or even cooked tiffins from home. The service helps them stay financially independent. However, these entrepreneurs are not really registered with FSSAI, making it difficult for the food safety agency to enforce the food safety norms on them. In order to discourage these entrepreneurs from conducting their business outside the law, the food safety agencies of states are now tightening their norms by charging a penalty of over 5 lakhs and imprisonment of over 6 months against not registering their businesses. The move is important so that these vendors are also subjected to the safety norms and are under the ambit of the law. Food Safety is an important aspect to consider to fight against malnutrition, and achieve health goals in India. A collaborative effort from all to achieve food safety at production and a keen sense of self-preservation will achieve it at the level of consumption.

Five-fold increase in farmers' protests across India, finds new study

These statistics points that India is sitting atop a massive time-bomb of agrarian crisis and disquiet, and the clock is ticking away. NEW DELHI: Farmer protests in India have registered an almost five-fold increase since 2017. From 34 major protests across 15 states in 2017, the number has now gone up to 165 protests across 22 states and Union territories. Every day, over 28 farm labourers and cultivators commit suicide in our country. In 2019, there were 5,957 farmer suicides, along with an additional 4,324 farm labourers who died by suicide, according to the State of India’s Environment in Figures 2021. Today, India has more farm labourers than farmers – in 52 per cent of the country’s districts, the population of farm labourers has outstripped that of farmers and cultivators. Bihar, Kerala and Puducherry have more farm labourers than farmers in all their districts. These statistics points that India is sitting atop a massive time-bomb of agrarian crisis and disquiet, and the clock is ticking away. CSE director general Sunita Narain said: “There is drama in numbers, especially when these numbers give you a trend – are things getting better or worse. It is even more powerful when you can use the trend to understand the crisis, the challenge and the opportunity.” In the case of agriculture and land, things seem to be certainly on the downside. “This is evident all the more when you see the condition of land records and their maintenance in the country. Our analysis shows that 14 states in India have witnessed a deterioration in the quality of their land records," says Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth. According to Narain, “at a time and age when the quality of data available to us is usually poor – it is either missing, unavailable publicly or of questionable quality – a collection like this can be immensely helpful, especially for journalists. Improving the quality of data can only happen when we use it for policy.”

Five-fold rise in farmer protests in India since 2017, says CSE’s new statistical analysis

Bathinda: Farmer protests in India have registered an almost five-fold increase since 2017. Just a year before the target of doubling of farmers' income, India recorded 165 major protests across 22 States and UTs in 2020 up from only 34 major protests witnessed in 15 states in 2017. In the year 2020, 96 protests were related to economic farm policies (which include protests against three contentious farm laws), 38 protests related to procurement, the fair price of crops, 4 related to farm infrastructure, 17 against land acquisition, 7 related to insurance and loan waivers, 3 for other reasons, says the statistical data analysed by Centre for Science and Environment. CSE has also analysed that as per National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) every day 28 cultivators and farm labourers committed suicide in the country in 2019 as 5,957 farmers and 4324 labourers committed suicides. Now the situation has come to such a pass that in 52 per cent of the country’s districts, the population of farm labourers has outstripped that of farmers and cultivators. Bihar, Kerala and Puducherry have more farm labourers than farmers in all their districts. While studying statistics, CSE points that the country is sitting atop a massive time-bomb of agrarian crisis and disquiet. CSE director general Sunita Narain said: “The numbers point towards a trend. The trend points towards impending crisis, and the challenge ahead. In the case of agriculture and land, things seem to be certainly on the downside.” “This is evident all the more when you see the condition of land records and their maintenance in the country,” says Richard Mahapatra, managing editor of Down To Earth. “Our analysis shows that 14 states in India have witnessed a deterioration in the quality of their land records.” Says Narain: “At a time and age when the quality of data available is usually poor – it is either missing, unavailable publicly or of questionable quality but the correct data like this can be immensely helpful. Improving the quality of data can only happen when we use it for policy. Just consider how we have suffered in this past year due to the Covid-19 pandemic because we do not have sufficient or accurate data on tests, or the number of deaths, or serological surveys, or genomic sequencing of the variants.”

Fivefold increase in farm protests since 2017: CSE report

Apart from 12 pan-India agitations, most protests were in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Apart from the three contentious farm laws, procurement and agricultural market price-related failures have contributed to a fivefold increase in major farmers’ protests since 2017, according to data collated by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). In 2017, there were 34 major protests across 15 States. That number has now shot up to 165 protests across 22 States and Union territories. The CSE’s State of Environment in Figures 2021 report records that 12 of these are pan-India protests, including 11 agitations against the three farm reform laws introduced last year. Along with protests against State legislation and inadequate Budget allocations for the agricultural sector, such anti-policy agitations account for 96 major protests across the country. However, large numbers of farmers are also fighting against market failures and demanding fair prices, which have led to 38 major protests. Battles against the acquisition of farm land for development projects, including highway and airport construction, are the prime cause of 17 agitations. Loan waivers At least seven agitations have been to demand loan waivers or to protest poor insurance coverage and delayed compensation. Farmers have gathered at least four times over 2020-21 to protest the unavailability or increased prices of farm inputs and infrastructure, such as irrigation or fertilisers. The arrests of protesting farm leaders have also led to further stirs. Although Punjab and Haryana farmers have caught the limelight for the recent protests outside Delhi, the CSE data shows that the largest number of recent protests have taken place in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The report noted that India now has more farm labourers than landowning farmers and cultivators. This is true in 52% of the country’s districts, as well as in all districts of Bihar and Kerala. More than 28 agricultural workers and cultivators end their lives every day. The latest data available shows that 5,957 farmers and an additional 4,324 farm labourers died by suicide in 2019. The CSE called for the better maintenance of agricultural data, noting that 14 States had actually witnessed a deterioration in the quality of their land records. “India is sitting atop a massive time-bomb of agrarian crisis and disquiet, and the clock is ticking away,” said a CSE statement.

Fivefold increase in farm protests since 2017: CSE report

Other than 12 pan-India agitations, most protests had been in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Other than the three contentious farm legal guidelines, procurement and agricultural market price-related failures have contributed to a fivefold enhance in main farmers’ protests since 2017, in accordance with knowledge collated by the Centre for Science and Surroundings (CSE). In 2017, there have been 34 main protests throughout 15 States. That quantity has now shot as much as 165 protests throughout 22 States and Union territories. The CSE’s State of Surroundings in Figures 2021 report data that 12 of those are pan-India protests, together with 11 agitations in opposition to the three farm reform legal guidelines launched final 12 months. Together with protests in opposition to State laws and insufficient Finances allocations for the agricultural sector, such anti-policy agitations account for 96 main protests throughout the nation. Nevertheless, giant numbers of farmers are additionally combating in opposition to market failures and demanding truthful costs, which have led to 38 main protests. Battles in opposition to the acquisition of farm land for growth initiatives, together with freeway and airport development, are the prime explanation for 17 agitations. Mortgage waivers At the very least seven agitations have been to demand mortgage waivers or to protest poor insurance coverage protection and delayed compensation. Farmers have gathered at the very least 4 occasions over 2020-21 to protest the unavailability or elevated costs of farm inputs and infrastructure, equivalent to irrigation or fertilisers. The arrests of protesting farm leaders have additionally led to additional stirs. Though Punjab and Haryana farmers have caught the limelight for the current protests outdoors Delhi, the CSE knowledge exhibits that the most important variety of current protests have taken place in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The report famous that India now has extra farm labourers than landowning farmers and cultivators. That is true in 52% of the nation’s districts, in addition to in all districts of Bihar and Kerala. Greater than 28 agricultural employees and cultivators finish their lives day by day. The newest knowledge out there exhibits that 5,957 farmers and a further 4,324 farm labourers died by suicide in 2019. The CSE referred to as for the higher upkeep of agricultural knowledge, noting that 14 States had truly witnessed a deterioration within the high quality of their land data. “India is sitting atop an enormous time-bomb of agrarian disaster and disquiet, and the clock is ticking away,” stated a CSE assertion.

Fivefold increase in farm protests since 2017: CSE report

Apart from 12 pan-India agitations, most protests had been in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana Apart from the three contentious farm legal guidelines, procurement and agricultural market price-related failures have contributed to a fivefold increase in main farmers’ protests since 2017, in keeping with knowledge collated by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). In 2017, there have been 34 main protests throughout 15 States. That quantity has now shot as much as 165 protests throughout 22 States and Union territories. The CSE’s State of Environment in Figures 2021 report information that 12 of those are pan-India protests, together with 11 agitations towards the three farm reform legal guidelines launched final 12 months. Along with protests towards State laws and insufficient Budget allocations for the agricultural sector, such anti-policy agitations account for 96 main protests throughout the nation. However, giant numbers of farmers are additionally combating towards market failures and demanding truthful costs, which have led to 38 main protests. Battles towards the acquisition of farm land for improvement tasks, together with freeway and airport building, are the prime explanation for 17 agitations. Loan waivers At least seven agitations have been to demand mortgage waivers or to protest poor insurance coverage protection and delayed compensation. Farmers have gathered a minimum of 4 instances over 2020-21 to protest the unavailability or elevated costs of farm inputs and infrastructure, akin to irrigation or fertilisers. The arrests of protesting farm leaders have additionally led to additional stirs. Although Punjab and Haryana farmers have caught the limelight for the latest protests outdoors Delhi, the CSE knowledge exhibits that the biggest variety of latest protests have taken place in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The report famous that India now has extra farm labourers than landowning farmers and cultivators. This is true in 52% of the nation’s districts, in addition to in all districts of Bihar and Kerala. More than 28 agricultural staff and cultivators finish their lives on daily basis. The newest knowledge out there exhibits that 5,957 farmers and a further 4,324 farm labourers died by suicide in 2019. The CSE referred to as for the higher upkeep of agricultural knowledge, noting that 14 States had truly witnessed a deterioration in the standard of their land information. “India is sitting atop a massive time-bomb of agrarian crisis and disquiet, and the clock is ticking away,” mentioned a CSE assertion.

दिल्ली: इस बार प्रदूषण पर नहीं लग पाया 'लॉकडाउन', नियमों में मिली छूट ने किया नुकसान

कोरोना महामारी से बचने के लिए पिछले साल लगे लॉकडाउन का प्रदूषण पर भारी असर दिखा था। इस बार भी कोरोना से निपटने के लिए लॉकडाउन लगा लेकिन प्रदूषण पर इसका कोई खासा असर देखने को नहीं मिला। दिल्ली की थिंक टैंक सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरमेंट (सीएसई) का दावा है कि पिछले साल के मुताबिक इस बार के लॉकडाउन से दिल्ली के प्रदूषण में खासा कमी देखने को नहीं मिली है। सीएसई की एक स्टडी में कहा गया है कि इस साल भी लॉकडाउन के दौरान पीएम स्तर 2.5 पहुंच गया, लेकिन चूंकि लॉकडाउन की अवधि भी कम थी और प्रतिबंध भी पिछली बार की तरह कड़े नहीं थे, इसलिए प्रदूषण स्तर 2020 की तरह कम नहीं रह पाया। छह से 19 अप्रैल के बीच लागू आंशिक लॉकडाउन के कारण दिल्ली के प्रदूषण स्तर में 20 प्रतिशत की गिरवट आई थी। इसके बाद 20 अप्रैल से लगे पूर्ण लॉकडाउन के दौरान इसमें और 12 प्रतिशत की कमी आ गई। प्रदूषण के इस स्तर के लिए मौसम विज्ञान आंशिक रूप से जिम्मेदार हो सकता है, लेकिन इस महामारी के दौरान शहर में कमजोर प्रदूषण नियंत्रण उपायों और प्रयासों का परिचायक भी हो सकता है। इस बार तो यातायात की आवाजाही भी पिछले साल की तुलना में अधिक रही। बता दें कि केंद्रीय प्रदूषण नियंत्रण बोर्ड के पूर्व अपर निदेशक डॉ. सुशील कुमार त्यागी ने बताया था कि दिल्ली में गर्मी के दिनों में पश्चिम की ओर से हवाएं चलती हैं। यही वजह है कि राजस्थान से आने वाली धूलभरी आंधी के साथ पीएम 10 व पीएम 2.5 कण दिल्ली में डेरा डाले रहते हैं। वहीं, इसके उलट सर्दी में हवा की दिशा उत्तर-पश्चिम की ओर हो जाती है। उस समय पंजाब व हरियाणा में जलने वाली पराली का धुआं दिल्ली की ओर रुख करता है। वहीं, वेंटिलेशन इंडेक्स कम होने के से भी सांसों का अधिक संकट हो जाता है।