International Mother Earth Day

Celebrated on April 22, International Mother Earth Day was established by a United Nations resolution in 2009. Its main objective is to promote Harmony with Nature for sustainable human development. The day underscores the uniqueness of Earth as the only known planet to host life and the urgent need to preserve its resources.

Current Challenges

• Population Pressure:
  • Human population has multiplied significantly, from 1 billion in 1804 to surpassing 8 billion by 2025.
  • India is the most populous country and will likely remain so until the end of the century.
• Environmental Degradation:
  • India ranks 176th in the Environmental Pollution Index (EPI) 2024.
  • 74 out of the 100 most polluted cities globally are in India, according to the World Air Quality Report 2024.
  • Air pollution in Delhi/NCR is reducing life expectancy by 11.9 years.

Threats to Vital Resources

• Soil Degradation: Two-thirds of Indian soils have less than 0.5% soil organic carbon (SOC), compromising fertility.
• Water Depletion: In regions like Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, groundwater levels are dropping by over 1.5 feet annually.
• Biodiversity Loss: Monoculture practices such as rice-wheat rotations have reduced biodiversity.

Strategies for Improvement

• Policy Reforms:
  • Introduce Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) to reward sustainable farming practices.
  • Repurpose subsidies and provide direct benefits to farmers to encourage environmentally friendly practices.
• Agricultural Innovations:
  • Promote legumes like pulses and oilseeds to improve soil quality and biodiversity.
  • Encourage agrivoltaics as an additional crop to produce renewable energy and increase farmer incomes.

Economic Growth and Sustainability

From 2000-01 to 2024-25, India achieved a GDP growth rate of 6.3% and an agricultural sector growth of 3.5% annually. While this has helped reduce poverty and increase food production, subsidies in power and fertilizers need reform to prevent ecological damage.

Renewable Energy Focus

The theme for Earth Day this year is the augmentation of renewable energy by 300% by 2030. Incentivizing farmers to adopt renewable energy sources can lead to enhanced ecosystem conservation and increased income.

This comprehensive approach aligns with the overarching goal of preserving Mother Earth's resources while supporting economic development.