The data on malnutrition, stunting, and wasting in children across states in India emerging from the first phase of the National Family Health Survey 5 (2019-2020) is Dickensian in scope and sentiment. The spectre of hunger and starvation, worsened by the ongoing pandemic and the subsequent loss of livelihoods, is spawning Oliver Twists, who subsist on thin gruels, with little nutrition thrown in.

In India, the implementation of a large number of developmental and infrastructure programmes have often led to environmental degradation. Very often, environmental damage is recognised post-implementation of a programme or a project.

The Government of India has Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and clearance requirements for large projects. Even this is a flawed process since most of the projects are cleared anyway. Of late, there have been efforts to further dilute the EIA.

The ongoing pandemic has spared none, including the power sector. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), following the pandemic, the global energy demand has reduced by around 6%. This, along with the increase in the percentage share of renewable energy sources, indicates that carbon emissions this year will decrease by around 8%. 

Transport options driven by fossil fuels, poor waste management (due to waste burning), emissions from industry, and road dust are among the top common components of air pollution in the non-attainment cities.

Speaking to The Hindu, Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) Executive Director Jai Asundi said the think-tank was making customised clean air action plans for non-attainment cities across the country whose air quality do not conform to the national ambient air quality standards.

The overall story of India’s solar power sector is one of extraordinary growth. India has grown its solar power capacity from 2.5 GW in 2014 to almost 36 GW today. Of this, over 30 GW capacity is generated by ground-mounted solar power plants, such as the Bhadla Solar Park in Rajasthan and the Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka — both developed by the Government of India under the National Solar Mission — among others.

Early November, the Ministry of Finance announced that a total amount of INR 2,200 crore would be transferred to 40 cities with a million-plus population to aid in improving air quality. This is in alignment with the National Clean Air Action Programme (NCAP), launched in January 2019 by the Government of India, which aims to cut pollution by 20-30% in 122 non-attainment cities by 2024. This funding would be the first tranche of a total INR 4,400 crore support the 15th Finance Commission announced in February 2020.