The lacklustre and lackadaisical approach of the authorities to environmental issues was visible to all when the Supreme Court, earlier this month, directed the Agra Nagar Nigam to pay environmental compensation of INR 58.39 crore. In its directive/judgment, the Supreme Court upheld the fine placed upon the civic body by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in April this year. The NGT was forced to take such drastic steps due to the failure of existing sewage treatment plants in Agra. The NGT noted that, out of the 90 drains meant to treat sewage, only 21 were functioning, while 61 were totally non-functional. This resulted in untreated sewage flowing directly into the Yamuna River. The developments in Agra are nothing new; rather, they add to a long list of incidents that have made the Yamuna one of the most polluted rivers in our country. The Yamuna, which has been the lifeline of countless civilisations, has today been transformed into a polluted eyesore where no significant aquatic life can survive.
The current state of the Yamuna is emblematic of the larger problems facing the states of northern India, where high levels of pollution have made life difficult for residents. In the last few years, it has become commonplace for Delhi and the NCR to experience smog-related issues. This is caused by the presence of various pollutants in the air which, during winter, tend to mix with fog. The smog in Delhi and the NCR has been adversely affecting the daily lives of people, who now have to plan their lives around it. This menace has been so widespread that the Delhi government has been forced to change office and school timings, while many in the private sector have chosen to work from home. Such conditions in the capital region of one of the most powerful nations in the world have shocked many, especially foreign tourists, who now tend to avoid winters when travelling to north India.
The condition of the Yamuna and the menace of smog in Delhi and northern India symbolise the historically lackadaisical attitude toward environmental conservation, which has only begun to change in the last few years. Despite the change in the government’s attitude, the fact remains that very few have any substantial ideas regarding pollution control. The fast economic growth of our nation has created urban behemoths that require constant expansion to accommodate the ever-increasing workforce. This reflects the difficult nature of sustainable development. While India has risen to become one of the five biggest economies in the world in the last 10 years, this economic growth has, in turn, endangered our habitat, as protecting it and nature is essential for the well-being of future generations. This dilemma requires long-term planning, and one should not expect any miracles. Rather, in addition to the government’s efforts, ordinary people also need to contribute to protecting their futures.