Home / Environment / From Ballad to Battle Cry: India's Polluted Promise
From Ballad to Battle Cry: India's Polluted Promise
26 Nov
Summary
- India's rivers show heavy metal contamination in 43% of monitoring systems.
- Air pollution's fiscal burden equals 9.5% of India's GDP.
- 17 lakh Indians died prematurely in 2022 due to air pollution.
India is marking 150 years since Vande Mataram, a song that became a symbol of freedom, prompting reflection on the nation's environmental state. While India is a biodiverse nation with rich agricultural heritage, its natural resources are facing severe threats. Rivers are heavily contaminated with heavy metals and pesticides, placing India at a dismal 120th in global water quality rankings.
The air quality across Indian cities is alarming, with many consistently featuring among the world's most polluted. Air pollution's economic impact is substantial, amounting to 9.5% of India's GDP. Tragically, it led to an estimated 1.7 million premature deaths in India in 2022 alone, a significant increase from previous years.
The article calls for a national dialogue on how the nation's environmental reality aligns with the ideals expressed in Vande Mataram. It highlights the growing activism demanding clean air and water, urging citizens and elected officials to address pollution and climate change to ensure a healthier future for all.
