Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
Environment of India - statistics & facts
As one of the 17 megadiverse countries in the world, India hosts a rich variety of ecosystems and geographic landscapes, such as hot and cold deserts, highlands, tropical and temperate forests, grasslands, swamplands, and mangroves, among others. Bound by the Himalayas in the north, tapering off into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and the Arabian Sea on the west, it is the seventh largest country in the world occupying 2.4 percent of the world’s land. It houses over seven percent of all recorded species of plants and animals uniquely endemic to this subcontinental nation and hosts four of the 34 globally recognized biodiversity hotspots.
However, owing to climate change, the frequency of extreme weather events such as cyclones, heatwaves, and floods have increased in the last few years and are expected to rise manifold in the future. The recent disastrous floods and landslides in the Indian Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are just one of many examples of climate risks that endanger the subcontinent. Mass deforestation, poaching, increasing urbanization, and pollution are some of the factors that adversely impact the delicately balanced ecosystems of the country.
In addition to the environmental impact, the economic impact of climate change manifested in the form of water shortage for agriculture, droughts, and stunting or early ripening of crops is expected to impact India’s food economy and macroeconomic stability. As per estimates, climate change could cost India around 2.4 percent of its GDP and depress the living standards of half its population by 2048.
However, the recent Forest Conservation Amendment Act has become a bone of contention between the government and the environmentalists. The amendment removes the necessity for forest clearance in various exceptional cases such as building security-related infrastructure near international borders, zoos, and safari parks among others. Ecologists argue that the lack of clearance might prove detrimental to natural ecosystems and biodiversity and economic growth should not be at the cost of environmental degradation. As the country stands at the forefront of climate-induced changes, identifying, planning, and implementing its sustainable development goals (SDGs) will be one of the main challenges in the coming years.
Emerging climate-risks
This unique geography and geology strongly influence the climate of the subcontinental country. Average yearly temperatures are around 26 degrees Celsius. The country’s mainland gets extremely hot during the summer months from April to June. Heatwaves occur frequently with temperatures reaching between 40 and 50 degrees Celsius in some areas.However, owing to climate change, the frequency of extreme weather events such as cyclones, heatwaves, and floods have increased in the last few years and are expected to rise manifold in the future. The recent disastrous floods and landslides in the Indian Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are just one of many examples of climate risks that endanger the subcontinent. Mass deforestation, poaching, increasing urbanization, and pollution are some of the factors that adversely impact the delicately balanced ecosystems of the country.
In addition to the environmental impact, the economic impact of climate change manifested in the form of water shortage for agriculture, droughts, and stunting or early ripening of crops is expected to impact India’s food economy and macroeconomic stability. As per estimates, climate change could cost India around 2.4 percent of its GDP and depress the living standards of half its population by 2048.
Environmental sustainability
With over 1.4 billion citizens, the largest youth population, and one of the fastest-growing economies, India can play a decisive role in climate action and the conservation of biodiversity. One such example is Project Tiger which completed 30 years this year, resulting in a significant increase in the tiger population in India. The country is also working towards a clean energy transition, investing in renewables, and promoting green finance to meet its net-zero and sustainability goals.However, the recent Forest Conservation Amendment Act has become a bone of contention between the government and the environmentalists. The amendment removes the necessity for forest clearance in various exceptional cases such as building security-related infrastructure near international borders, zoos, and safari parks among others. Ecologists argue that the lack of clearance might prove detrimental to natural ecosystems and biodiversity and economic growth should not be at the cost of environmental degradation. As the country stands at the forefront of climate-induced changes, identifying, planning, and implementing its sustainable development goals (SDGs) will be one of the main challenges in the coming years.
