India’s growth is rapid yet sustainable, rooted in environmental values, says PM Modi
New Delhi, September 19: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that India is addressing climate challenges by combining its ancient environmental thinking with a modern approach. India’s development is both rapid and sustainable. India’s efforts in the field of environmental protection are not just a measure of the country’s development but a measure of its contribution to the future of humanity.
The Prime Minister made this statement while addressing the international conference on “The Future of Environment and Climate Dynamics” organized by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) at Vigyan Bhawan.
Prime Minister said that India has guided the world on the subject of nature and environment for centuries. Drawing on its traditions and cultural experiences, India is providing solutions to modern climate challenges and calling for collective efforts from humanity. He congratulated the officials of the NGT and its associates for organizing the conference.
He said that the responsibility for carbon emissions has often been wrongly placed on developing countries. The historical truth is that even today, India’s contribution to per capita carbon emissions is less than half the global average. Developed countries have per capita carbon emissions nearly six times higher than India’s. India strongly emphasizes this fact on global platforms.
Modi said that India is setting new standards for environmental protection by engaging the world. Platforms like “One Sun, One World, One Grid,” the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the Global Biofuel Alliance, the International Big Cat Alliance, and Mission Life are advancing India’s commitment to climate and the environment.
He said that India has made remarkable progress in every environmentally related area in the last 12 years. Twelve years ago, the country’s solar energy capacity was approximately two gigawatts, which has now exceeded 160 gigawatts. Under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Free Electricity Scheme, rooftop solar panels have been installed on more than 5 million homes. Under the PM-KUSUM scheme, solar pumps have been installed on the farms of 3 million farmers. The Prime Minister stated that solar energy alone has successfully prevented approximately 200 million tons of carbon emissions.
He added that in the last 12 years, the country’s wind energy capacity has tripled, and hydroelectric capacity has also increased. Non-fossil energy capacity has increased nearly fourfold. India is promoting technologies such as coal gasification for cleaner coal use, and work is also progressing rapidly in the field of nuclear energy.
Modi said that India is also making rapid progress in the field of clean transportation and green hydrogen. The country’s first hydrogen train has been launched. Sales of electric vehicles have increased nearly 950-fold in the last 12 years. Before 2014, fewer than 3,000 electric vehicles were sold annually, while last year, nearly 2.5 million electric vehicles were sold.
He said that until 2014, there was a metro network of about 250 kilometers in five cities, whereas today, metro is operational in more than 20 cities, and the metro network in the country has grown to over 1,000 kilometers. Nearly 100 percent electrification of railways has saved millions of liters of diesel. Freight trains running on approximately 3,000 kilometers of dedicated freight corridors are carrying cargo equivalent to hundreds of trucks at a time. Transportation has also begun on approximately 5,000 kilometers of waterways.
Referring to the work done in the field of water conservation, the Prime Minister said that more than 70,000 Amrit Sarovars have been built in the country. Under the “Catch the Rain” campaign, approximately 15 million water harvesting structures have been constructed. Through the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana, more than 20 million farmers have been connected to modern irrigation facilities. The “Per Drop More Crop” campaign is saving water.
He said that Shri Anna is a crop that consumes less water. Millet production and exports have increased in India, reaching nearly 150,000 tons. Due to India’s efforts, 2023 was celebrated as the International Year of Millets.
Modi stated that natural farming is also being promoted. 24,000 clusters for natural farming have been established in the country, and nearly 3,000 varieties of climate-resilient crops have been developed. Over the past 12 years, dense forest cover has increased by more than 22 percent. Crores of trees have been planted under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign.
He stated that India has banned single-use plastic and promoted a circular economy with the mantra of reduce, reuse, and recycle. Through the Govardhan Yojana, cow dung and other organic waste are being converted into useful resources in villages.
The Prime Minister stated that the earth is considered a mother in India’s cultural ethos. In this spirit, India is working to build a responsible and sustainable future. He expressed confidence that the new ideas and solutions emerging from the discussions at the conference will be a source of strength for generations to come.
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupendra Yadav, Attorney General of India R. Venkataramani and NGT Chairperson Justice Prakash Srivastava, among other dignitaries, were present at the event. The two-day conference was attended by environmental experts, Supreme Court and High Court judges, district judges, secretaries of various ministries, senior officials and judicial representatives from 17 countries.
