Syllabus
GS Paper 3 – Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
What does this article provide?
The article discusses the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, India’s first major river-interlinking initiative, which has finally begun after 29 years, and the debate it ignites between development and environmental conservation.
Potential Areas for Prelims
Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, development and environmental conservation, National Infrastructure Pipeline, Gati Shakti, Digital Agriculture Mission, PM-KISAN scheme
Potential Areas for Mains
India’s current core development priorities, key environmental concerns arising from development aspirations
Source
Business Standard
Ken-Betwa river project: Balancing development with ecological concerns
Introduction
The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project marks a significant milestone in India’s development, aiming to address water scarcity and boost regional growth. However, it also highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing development with ecological concerns. As India’s first major river-interlinking initiative, this project, 29 years in the making, brings to the forefront critical debates about the trade-offs between infrastructural progress and environmental preservation. By navigating these complexities, the Ken-Betwa project serves as a litmus test for future endeavors, emphasizing the need to harmonize human advancement with nature’s sustainability.
Ken-Betwa River Linking Project: A New Dawn in India’s Development
- Inauguration:
- The Ken-Betwa River Linking Project has recently commenced with a ceremonial inauguration.
- Vision:
- It represents a pivotal moment in India’s ambitious river-interlinking plans.
- Marks the beginning of the first project among 16 proposed river-linking projects after a 29-year wait.
- Development vs. Conservation:
- Sparks intense debates about balancing development and environmental conservation.
- Highlights the need to weigh every step of development against its ecological impact.
- Readiness:
- Excavators and engineers are set to start work, bringing the project to life.
- The project is a significant step in understanding the broader story of progress in modern India.
- Broader Narrative:
- The Ken-Betwa project offers a lens to scrutinize the complex relationship between development and nature.
- Every developmental achievement must be carefully considered in terms of its environmental footprint.
Core Priorities in India’s Development Strategy
Infrastructure Development:
- Economic ambitions: Focused on creating world-class infrastructure to enhance productivity, trade, and investment
- Support for growth: Infrastructure base aids industrial growth and bridges regional disparities by connecting remote areas to economic activities
- Key initiatives: National Infrastructure Pipeline (₹111 lakh crore over 5 years), Gati Shakti for sector integration and improved connectivity
- Capital allocation: 2023-24 capital expenditure raised to ₹10 lakh crore (3.3% of GDP), indicating infrastructure-focused growth
Climate Change Mitigation and Renewable Energy:
- Critical priority: Balancing development with environmental sustainability
- Transition: Moving to renewable energy and low-carbon technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and ensure energy security
- Key projects: Green Hydrogen Mission (₹19,700 crore), solar energy expansion (71 GW capacity in 2023)
- Renewable capacity: As of October 2024, renewable electricity generation capacity at 201.45 GW (46.3% of total capacity), aligning with Paris Agreement commitments
Human Capital Development:
- Investment: Critical for socio-economic transformation
- Education and healthcare: Ensuring an empowered, healthy, and skilled workforce for sustained growth
- Notable schemes: PM e-Vidya for digital education, Ayushman Bharat for health insurance (covers over 50 crore citizens)
- Improvements: Literacy rate at 77.7%, Infant Mortality Rate reduced from 32 per 1000 (2018) to 28 per 1000 (2020)
Financial Inclusion and Digital Economy:
- Emphasis: Digital and financial inclusion to democratize financial services and accelerate socio-economic upliftment
- Empowerment: Bridging the digital divide enables seamless economic participation and fosters equitable growth
- UPI growth: 2024 saw around 172 billion UPI transactions, a 46% increase from 2023
- Jan Dhan Yojana: 53 crore unbanked individuals included in financial system, supporting poverty alleviation
Employment Generation and Rural Empowerment:
- Sustainable jobs: Key to addressing demographic challenges and rural prosperity
- Skill enhancement: Targeted programs reduce unemployment and empower rural communities
- Key programs: PM Vishwakarma Yojana (₹13,000 crore) for artisans, MGNREGA as rural employment safety net
- Female labor participation: Rural Female Labour Force Participation Rate rose from 19.7% (2018-19) to 27.7% (2020-21)
Technological Innovation and Industry 4.0:
- Technology focus: Core strategy for economic leadership, diversification, and creating high-value jobs
- Advanced manufacturing: Initiatives to establish India as a hub for innovation
- Key programs: Semicon India (₹76,000 crore) for global semiconductor hub
- IT and AI: IT and BPM industries’ revenue at US$ 245 billion (FY 2023), AI expected to add $967 billion to economy by 2035
Social Justice and Gender Equality:
- Inclusive society: Emphasizing equitable opportunities for marginalized groups and addressing systemic inequalities
- Economic growth: Legal reforms and schemes translate growth into social upliftment
- Notable acts: Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023 (33% representation in Parliament), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao for improved child sex ratios
- Support policies: SC/ST scholarships, EWS reservation policy
Defense Modernization and Strategic Autonomy:
- Strengthening defense: Enhancing capabilities and self-reliance in defense production for national security
- Indigenous production: Investments reduce import reliance, boost technological capabilities
- Budget allocation: Defence sector received 13% of Budget 2024, focus on indigenous weapon production
- Exports: Defense equipment exports worth ₹16,000 crore (FY 2022-23)
Urban Development and Smart Cities:
- Urban transformation: Focused on resilient, efficient, and sustainable ecosystems
- Smart cities: Using technology and innovation to address urban challenges and improve quality of life
- Mission progress: 100 cities completed 7,188 projects (90% of total), fostering digital and physical infrastructure
Agriculture Modernization:
- Productivity enhancement: Sustainable practices and technological innovation for food security and increased farmers’ incomes
- Market reforms: Driving rural growth through improved market linkages
- Key missions: Digital Agriculture Mission, e-NAM (National Agriculture Market)
- Agri exports: Expected to cross $50 billion (2024-25), PM-KISAN scheme provided over ₹2 lakh crore in direct benefits
Industrial Growth and Manufacturing:
- Prioritizing industry: Aiming to be a global manufacturing hub and create employment opportunities
- Policy support: “Make in India” and PLI scheme boost domestic manufacturing, reduce import dependency
- Sector investments: Electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles investments
- GDP share: Target to increase manufacturing share in GDP from 17-18% to 25%
Tourism and Cultural Heritage:
- Economic potential: Rich cultural heritage and diverse landscapes for tourism-led growth
- Conservation efforts: Promoting heritage conservation and ecotourism to boost local economies
- Initiatives: PRASHAD Scheme, Dekho Apna Desh initiative
- Tourist arrivals: 9.52 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2023, significant contribution to foreign exchange and local economies
Key Environmental Challenges in India’s Development Ambitions
Deforestation and Habitat Loss:
- Urbanization and Infrastructure: Rapid development compromises India’s ecological balance
- Clearing of Forests: Highways, mining, and urban projects displace wildlife and disrupt carbon sequestration and groundwater recharge
- Eco-sensitive Zones: Projects like Hasdeo Aranya in Chhattisgarh highlight conflict between development and conservation
- Deforestation Rate: FAO reports India loses 668 kha of forests per year (2015-2020), impacting species like the Great Indian Bustard, now critically endangered
Air Pollution from Industrialization:
- Industrial Growth: Led to a decline in air quality due to emissions from factories, power plants, and vehicles
- Pollution Norms: Lax enforcement and fossil fuel dependency worsen air pollution
- Global Ranking: In 2023, India had 39 out of the world’s 50 most polluted cities (IQAir), with Delhi and Kanpur facing severe pollution (PM2.5 levels exceeding WHO standards)
Water Stress and Over-Extraction:
- Groundwater Dependency: Agriculture and industry heavily reliant on groundwater, depleting resources
- Irrigation Practices: Inefficient practices and water-intensive crops worsen water scarcity, especially in arid regions
- Critical Levels: Punjab and Haryana aquifers face severe depletion, 70-80% farmers rely on groundwater
- Water Stress: NITI Aayog reports 600 million Indians face severe water stress, with over half of India’s rivers polluted (CPCB, 2022)
Land Degradation and Soil Erosion:
- Unsustainable Practices: Deforestation and exploitative agriculture causing soil erosion and desertification
- Agricultural Impact: Threatens productivity and food security, with 30% of India’s land affected
- Degraded Land: Approximately 100 million hectares degraded, with 3 million hectares added (2004-2019)
Marine Pollution and Coastal Erosion:
- Waste Disposal: Industrial and urban waste harms marine ecosystems, while coastal development accelerates erosion
- Plastic Waste: India produces 9.3 million tonnes of plastic annually, with 5.8 million tonnes burned and 3.5 million tonnes released into the environment
- Coastal Erosion: NCCR study shows 33.6% of India’s coastline eroding, 26.9% accreting, 39.5% stable
Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events:
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Development increases emissions, worsening climate change and extreme weather
- Socio-economic Impact: Vulnerable populations severely affected by events like floods, cyclones, heatwaves
- Emission Surge: India’s emissions rose by 6.1% in 2023, accounting for 8% of global total
- Extreme Weather: In 2023, India experienced extreme weather on 85 out of 92 days
Urban Waste Management Crisis:
- Urbanization: Infrastructure lags behind rapid urbanization, leading to waste management issues and health risks
- Waste Segregation: Poor segregation and recycling exacerbate the problem
- Waste Generation: India generates 62 million tonnes annually, with only 70% collected and 12 million tonnes treated
- Landfills: Ghazipur landfill fire in Delhi (2023) highlights severity
Loss of Wetlands and Natural Carbon Sinks:
- Wetland Encroachment: Rapid urban expansion and infrastructure projects degrade wetlands, crucial for carbon sequestration and biodiversity
- Wetland Loss: Wetlands International reports nearly 40% of India’s wetlands lost in the last 30 years
Lack of Sustainable Tourism Practices:
- Unregulated Tourism: Waste accumulation, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem degradation from tourism in fragile areas
- Tourism Impact: Hill stations and coastal regions face over-tourism issues
- Tourist Footfall: Ladakh saw significant increase (2015-2023), leading to waste and water shortages
- Mangrove Decline: Goa witnessed a sharp decrease in mangrove areas over three decades
Strategies to Balance Development with Environmental Sustainability
Renewable Energy Transition for Low-Carbon Economy:
- Renewable Energy: Shifting to renewables is vital for cutting greenhouse gas emissions while fulfilling energy needs
- Storage Systems: Integrate grid-scale renewable energy storage to tackle intermittency issues
- Investments: Focus on offshore wind and decentralized solar for rural electrification
- Policy Strengthening: Enhance frameworks like Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) and promote green hydrogen production for energy independence
Sustainable Urbanization and Climate-Resilient Infrastructure:
- Urban Planning: Implement models that include green infrastructure, energy-efficient buildings, and zero-waste policies
- Land Use: Advocate for mixed land use, vertical green spaces, and climate-resilient infrastructure in urban areas
- Initiatives Integration: Merge Smart Cities Mission with sustainable urban drainage, urban forestry, and renewable-powered public transport to reduce urban ecological stress
Forest Conservation and Community-Driven Afforestation:
- Law Enforcement: Enforce compensatory afforestation laws more strictly and enhance ecological offset monitoring
- Community Projects: Promote community-based afforestation and agroforestry for livelihoods and biodiversity
- Policy Integration: Use advanced satellite-based forest cover monitoring and incentivize eco-sensitive tourism through National Forest Policy
Enhanced Environmental Governance and Green Financing:
- Impact Assessments: Strengthen Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) with public consultations, expert panels, and robust monitoring
- Green Financing: Leverage India’s status as the second-largest green bond issuer to fund renewable energy parks
- Corporate Leadership: Highlight examples like TCS and Infosys, which publish annual sustainability reports
Integrated Water Resource Management:
- Water Management: Adopt integrated water management techniques like rainwater harvesting, wastewater recycling, and aquifer recharge
- Irrigation Methods: Promote drip and sprinkler irrigation through subsidies to curb over-extraction in water-stressed areas
- Watershed Development: Strengthen watershed development and interlink rivers in an environmentally sensitive manner
Circular Economy and Sustainable Consumption:
- Framework Building: Develop a circular economy framework to reduce resource extraction and waste generation
- Closed-Loop Systems: Encourage industries to adopt closed-loop production and consumers to shift to sustainable products
- Waste Management: Implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), decentralized waste management, and large-scale composting of biodegradable waste
Electrification of Transport and Green Mobility:
- Decarbonizing Transport: Push for electric vehicles, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, and bio-CNG buses
- Infrastructure: Strengthen EV manufacturing, battery recycling, and charging networks for clean mobility
- Policy Support: Complement FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles) with congestion pricing and vehicle scrappage incentives
Climate-Smart Agriculture for Resilient Food Systems:
- Agricultural Techniques: Promote climate-resilient agriculture through precision farming, conservation tillage, and integrated pest management
- Risk Mitigation: Expand crop insurance, agroforestry, and resilient seed varieties to counter climate risks
- Supply Chains: Encourage renewable-powered cold storage and supply chains to reduce post-harvest losses
Marine Ecosystem Protection and Blue Economy:
- Marine Protection: Strengthen policies against overfishing, mangrove deforestation, and marine plastic pollution
- Sustainable Practices: Promote sustainable fishing, eco-tourism, and renewable offshore energy
- Coastal Regulation: Strictly enforce coastal regulation zones to protect vulnerable ecosystems from industrial development
Behavioral Change and Grassroots Sustainability:
- Public Awareness: Promote campaigns on energy conservation, waste segregation, and sustainable consumption
- Eco-Literacy: Implement eco-literacy programs in schools and local governance to foster a sustainability culture
- Community Initiatives: Support community-based initiatives like Self-Help Groups (SHGs) for decentralized waste management and renewable energy adoption
Conclusion
India’s development ambitions, as demonstrated by the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project, must strike a balance between economic progress and environmental sustainability. Moving towards renewable energy, embracing sustainable urban planning, and strengthening environmental governance are essential to harmonizing development with ecological preservation. India’s future growth relies on maintaining ecological integrity while pursuing its ambitious developmental objectives, in alignment with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
Related PYQ
Enumerate the National Water Policy of India. Taking river Ganges as an example, discuss the strategies which may be adopted for river water pollution control and management. What are the legal provisions of the management and handling of hazardous wastes in India? [UPSC CSE – 2013 Prelims]
Practice Question
Discuss the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project in the context of balancing developmental aspirations with environmental sustainability. Highlight the potential benefits and challenges, and suggest measures to ensure an ecological balance. [250 words]
Guidelines to Answer the Question
- Introduction:
- Briefly introduce the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project.
- Mention its significance as India’s first major river-interlinking initiative.
- Developmental Aspirations:
- Discuss the potential benefits of the project, such as addressing water scarcity and boosting regional development.
- Highlight economic growth, agricultural productivity, and regional connectivity.
- Environmental Concerns:
- Identify key environmental challenges, including habitat loss, deforestation, and biodiversity threats.
- Discuss the impact on local ecosystems, wildlife, and water resources.
- Balancing Development and Ecology:
- Suggest measures to mitigate environmental damage, such as strict environmental impact assessments and compensatory afforestation.
- Emphasize the importance of community involvement and sustainable practices.
- Conclusion:
- Summarize the need for a balanced approach that ensures both developmental progress and ecological sustainability.
- Mention the alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water, energy, cities, and climate action.