Critical Analysis of Environmental Degradation in India

Seminar paper from the year 2024 in the subject Sociology - Miscellaneous, , course: BALLB (Hons), language: English, abstract: This paper analyses environmental degradation in India, focusing on social sciences.

The term ¿Environmental Degradation¿ often looks self-explanatory i.e., destruction of the environment or eradication of wildlife but it is a complex issue as scientifically it entails the destruction of the earth or deterioration of the environment by consumption of resources like soil, water, and air. The issue not only concerns the environmentalists which are the primary level of force of action behind resolving these issues but the social scientists too, especially sociologists. Sociologists are primarily tasked with analysing the social factors behind these issues. Now a days, rarely any conference passes where environmental issues are not concerned even though the conference was organised with a different agenda overall, such is the impact of the environment that it has crept into every aspect of our life. A good example of it can be the International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL) which has included Environmental crimes in its jurisdiction. One of the major reasons behind these issues attracting global recognition is that if the degradation of environment surpasses the maximum permissible limit, then it can affect even the basic conditions of living of human beings and no cure has yet been discovered for them.

This degradation of resources is not a recently emerged phenomenon, it has been happening all over the world for centuries. The problem which has garnered the spotlight is the pace at which this degradation is occurring which is much faster than a decade ago. As a result of which, the natural resources do not get sufficient time for their recovery and regeneration in case of renewable resources. If we bring nonrenewable resources into purview, the situation looks gloomier. This scarcity of resources makes the suitable administration of the environment and its resources a topmost priority. By judicial use of these resources, an individual can attain financial development and prosperity which in the contemporary times are the first priority of individuals. Environmental issues are also the driving causes of many diseases, health issues, and long-term livelihood impact for India which shall be discussed in detail in the later part of the research paper.