AN OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES IN INDIA IN THE PRESENT CONTEXT

Abstract

The term "Environment" is predominantly utilized to refer to the "natural" environment, encompassing the entirety of living and non-living entities that exist around an organism or a collective of organisms. The environment comprises all elements, factors, and conditions that influence the growth and development of specific organisms. In India, environmental challenges are escalating daily, leading to a significant crisis in this regard. This situation is exacerbated by a considerable lack of education and a population exceeding one billion, a substantial portion of which lives in extreme poverty. The recent surge in industrial activity, coupled with minimal environmental education and infrastructure that is nearly overwhelmed, contributes to the ongoing issues, including extensive deforestation. Although there is an abundance of governmental legislation aimed at environmental protection, its enforcement is severely lacking due to rampant abuse of power, corruption, and insufficient resources. A major ecological concern is global warming, which is driven by substantial carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles, aircraft, and industrial processes worldwide.