(General Studies III – Environment Section -Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.)
- India faces severe environmental challenges, with 29.7% of its land degraded, as per ISRO’s Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas.
- To address this, a Nature Restoration Law (NRL) similar to the EU’s model, could provide India with a framework for ecosystem restoration.
| Why India Needs a Naure Restoration law? India’s environmental crisis is becoming increasingly severe, with 83.69 million hectares affected by desertification as of 2018-19, according to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This degradation is particularly prominent in key states like Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, which account for over 23% of the nation’s desertified land. A 2021 report by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) further highlights that 30% of India’s total land area is now undergoing degradation, a steep rise from previous assessments. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), launched in 2008, has been hindered by insufficient legal backing. Reports by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) have pointed out delays and inefficiencies in the implementation of such programs. |
Key Components of a Nature Restoration Law for India –
- Restoration Targets: India should aim to restore 20% of degraded land by 2030, similar to the EU’s NRL. This could include forests, wetlands, rivers, and urban green spaces.
- Wetland Restoration: India could focus on restoring 30% of its degraded wetlands by 2030, such as the Sundarbans and Chilika Lake, which are crucial for biodiversity and carbon sequestration.
- Sustainable Agriculture: India’s agriculture-dominated landscape could benefit from agroforestry and sustainable practices. Using biodiversity indicators like the butterfly index could help track progress.
- River Restoration: Restoring rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna would reduce pollution and remove obstructions, ensuring free-flowing waterways.
- Urban Green Spaces: Cities facing degradation, such as Bengaluru and Delhi, should prioritize urban forests to combat heat islands and improve air quality.
Benefits of a Nature Restoration Law –
- Economic Impact: Nature restoration could contribute to an estimated $10 trillion in global economic returns annually by 2030. For India, this translates into improved agricultural productivity, enhanced water security, and millions of new jobs, especially in rural areas.
- Climate Resilience: Restoring ecosystems would strengthen India’s carbon sinks, helping meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement while mitigating climate change impacts.
- Socio-Economic Development: A law could help India meet SDG Goal 15, promoting the sustainable management of forests and combating desertification.
India’s environmental degradation calls for urgent action. A Nature Restoration Law, modeled after the EU’s NRL, would not only restore ecosystems but also bring socio-economic and climate benefits. Immediate steps are needed to safeguard India’s future
| Right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change Recently, the Supreme Court in the matter of MKRanjitsinh and Ors. vs. Union of India and Ors. has recognized the right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change as a distinct right. The Court expanded the ambit of Articles 14 (equality before law and the equal protection of laws) and 21 (right to life and personal liberty) of the Constitution of India. This judgment is poised to become a landmark case in Indian environmental law and paving the way for a new right to protection from adverse effects of climate change. |
