SWOT Analysis for Sustainable Development in Indian Perspective
SWOT is meant for studying and analyzing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in a particular perspective. Here we will analyze the aspect of sustainable development in Indian perspective.
Strengths
India is a vast country with a massive coastline and fast-growing economy. It is a treasure trove of biodiversity. It is not only of its vastness but its variety of natural resources including the climate, type of its forests and fresh water in the shape of rivers and lakes. India is a laboratory of natural wealth and museum of crops. It has the world’s wettest spot and among the driest areas of Thar Desert. It is the proud place of large species of plants, animals as well as insects in the world. It is among the largest producer of fish in the world. While the scarcity of petroleum and its harmful effects are well known, India has ample scope to develop an alternative to it in the form of biodiesel such from ethanol which is in plenty in India. Due to its geographical advantage, India has rich potential of solar energy as well as wind energy. The geothermal power has also been under-developed in India, keeping in view the resources.
Weaknesses
The green revolution in agriculture ushered in the sixties in India. It paid little attention for sustainable agriculture. On the one hand, a lot of attention was paid to develop the irrigation facilities, but a little attention was given to flood control, soil conservation. Even the public investment on irrigation system was relaxed over the years. The lack of coordination between the concerned departments of agriculture with the departments of natural resources was noticed. Inconsistencies in statistics rolled out by them well speak of Indian bureaucratic responsibilities. Our rules and regulations are well sufficient but its implementation leaves much to be desired. How it all helps environment management. Environment consciousness is necessary for environment management. At the same time, there is drastic lack of concern for maintaining environment safety. Moreover, there is deficiency of knowledge for environment. This type of knowledge is much more important than just visiting zoos and bird sanctuaries. Knowledge for natural habitats of the species, the eco-systems, the threats, and the mechanism of conservation is much important. The participatory role of individuals and institutions at grass root levels is a decisive factor here. It is foolish to think that the nature will take care of itself. It looks, we have not yet learned from our past mistakes. We neither prevent major environmental degradation nor have we ever taken steps to repair.
Opportunities
India has sufficiently enough laws and regulations to prevent the reckless damage to our natural environment treasure. We must act to prevent reckless felling of trees, poaching of animals, and contamination of water and air. We have many agencies and various programmes to protect and develop soil fertility, forests, wastelands, water resources and mineral deposits. Also, we have many NGOs fighting for environment protection. We have awards for individuals and institutions who do yeoman service to protect our environment. We have research institutions and universities working on new innovative methodologies and techniques for environment management.
Threats
Ever growing population of humans and increasing exploitation of natural resources is a continuing menace. There are environmental factors such as decrease of rainfall, deforestation and polluting and desilting of water bodies. There are developmental influences also. Submersion due to irrigation and power project, infrastructure development due to roads expansion and damage to forests, pollution of cities is some of the examples. Over-exploitation and encroachments of agricultural land and inefficient uses of technologies are the other reasons. Unhealthy industrialization and rapid expansion of tourism are endangering our flora and fauna species.
In Nutshell
It is the poor and deprived people who are both victims and agents off environmental damage. It is unfortunate that both market and state have under achieved in the task of managing environment in a desirable manner. The poor and larger populace is ever dependent on natural resources which is fast getting degraded. On the other hand, India wants to add value to agriculture. Agriculture is becoming an industry. It brings factory to the farm and harm through pollution. The marginalized sections of the society are facing the problem of development brought in by globalization. What is their future when there is a threat to nature. The gap between haves and have nots is likely to increase unless economic growth is wedded to social security. This is the ever-important lesson to be learnt in the course of environment management.
