October 2023 : Kurukshetra Magazine GIST : Micro Notes or Revision Notes : Kurukshetra Magazine Summary
Vision for Green and Clean Rural India
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- 17 goals for a better and more sustainable future
- Localized SDGs (LSDGs) address these goals at the village level
- Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) and SDGs
- Adopt “Whole of Government, Whole of Society” approach
- Localize SDGs through joint advisories with ministries
Key Interventions for Clean and Green Village
- Raise awareness
- Reduce waste, promote sustainable consumption
- Reduce environmental pollution
- Educate about climate change
- Map resources
- Land use, water bodies, forests, etc.
- Water and sanitation
- Select appropriate technology
- Ensure maintenance of toilets and public spaces
- Energy
- Develop comprehensive energy program
- Promote Mission LiFE and certification
Gram Panchayats and Clean and Green Village
- Prioritize water/land resource management and clean energy
- Focus on natural resource management, biodiversity protection, waste management, afforestation
- 16% of Gram Panchayats have taken Sankalp for Clean and Green Village
- Organic farming and marketing are other areas of focus
- Self-sufficient Panchayats can target carbon neutrality
Open Defecation Free (ODF)
- 52% of villages are ODF Plus villages
- Nearly 425,691 villages have sustained ODF status with waste management systems
Gram Urja Swaraj Abhiyaan
- Helps Gram Panchayats develop their own renewable energy models
- Aims for energy self-sufficiency and income generation
- Focuses on solar, biogas, small hydro and mini/micro grid
Mission LiFE
- Launched at COP26 to promote sustainable living globally
- Aims to replace “use-and-dispose” with a “circular economy”
- Panchayats can drive adoption of eco-friendly practices
Capacity Building for Clean and Green Village
- Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) strengthens capacities for rural local governance
Convergence for Clean and Green Panchayats
- Collaboration needed between government, NGOs, and youth organizations
Overall Goal
- All Gram Panchayats to become Clean and Green by 2030
- Address climate change challenges
India’s Renewable Energy Achievements
- Total installed renewable energy capacity crossed 100 GW
- India ranks 4th in the world for total installed renewable energy capacity
- India ranks 5th for solar and 4th for wind energy capacity
Preserving the Green Cover of Indian Villages
- Villages are changing
- Emulating urban lifestyles
- Losing green cover
- Local Indicator Framework (LIF)
- A program for clean and green villages
- Promoted by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR)
- Addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals
- Sourcing Local Materials for Construction
- Use of bamboo and other locally available materials
- Environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing
- Requires reviving traditional knowledge
- Sustainable Architecture
- Design solutions that use local elements
- Empower communities and create pride
- Requires educating professionals about village challenges
- Way Forward
- Villages should be centers for “living with nature”
- Promote traditional knowledge of Jal-Jangal-Jamin (water, forest, land)
- Develop niche tourism opportunities based on green cover
- Provide education on modern and traditional knowledge for community participation
Integrated Solar Village Scheme for Inclusive Development
Solar Energy Benefits
- Provides cheap and reliable renewable power to rural households
- Reduces power procurement costs for DISCOMs
Current Rooftop Solar Scheme
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) offers capital subsidies
- India has installed around 11 GW of rooftop solar till August 2023
- Scheme extended up to 2026
Importance of Reliable Electricity in Rural Areas
- Essential for households, services (health, education), and livelihoods
- India achieved nearly 100% household electrification by March 2023
Challenges in Rural Electricity Supply
- Power outages: rural areas average 20 hours of supply compared to urban areas
- Power quality issues: voltage fluctuations damage appliances
- Healthcare and educational institutions are also affected
Integrated Solar Village Development Scheme
- Focuses on improving power supply, rural income, education, health, and employment
- Key elements:
- Demand assessment: evaluate electricity needs (homes, agriculture, government buildings)
- Innovative business models: rooftop solar, community solar models
- Livelihoods through decentralized appliances: raise awareness, incentivize adoption
- Integration with existing policies: align with solar street light/water heater programs
- Skill development and capacity building: train rural youth as “Surya Mitras” (solar experts)
- Models for sustenance: define roles and responsibilities for stakeholders (installation, maintenance)
Conclusion
- Need to integrate rural policies for clean energy and poverty alleviation
- Accelerate deployment of distributed renewable energy (DRE) for a sustainable energy transition
Crop Residue Management
Crop Residue (CR) Definition and Uses
- Crop residue includes stalks, stover, husk, and leaves
- Used for animal bedding, feed, mulch, biofuel, compost, and more
CR Generation in India
- India produces 683 million tonnes of CR annually
- Cereals (rice, wheat) contribute most (⅔)
- Cotton is the main source of fiber residue (74%)
Problems from Burning CR
- Loss of nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur)
- Reduced soil organic carbon
- Emission of greenhouse gases (CO2, CO, methane, oxides of nitrogen and sulfur)
- Health problems from air pollution
Reasons for Burning Paddy Stubble in North-West India
- Labor shortage during peak season
- Short window for planting wheat after rice
- Use of combine harvesters
Government Regulations and Solutions
- Financial assistance for purchase of CR management machinery (50% for farmers, 80% for cooperatives)
- Promotion of machines like super straw management systems, happy seeders, mulchers
- Techno-commercial pilot projects with industries for paddy straw utilization
- Pusa Decomposer technology for on-farm straw decomposition (microbial solution)
- Promotion of composting and vermicomposting
Alternative Uses of CR
- Animal bedding (can be composted with dung)
- Mushroom cultivation (rice straw is a good substrate)
- Biochar production (carbon-rich soil amendment)
- Surface mulch for various crops
- Diversification of crops (reduce reliance on wheat-rice cycle)
Conclusion
- Government efforts and stakeholder collaboration have reduced CR burning events
- Action plans, monitoring, education, and awareness campaigns are crucial for sustained improvement
Clean and Green Village Initiative
Government Vision
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with “Whole of Government, Whole of Society” approach
- Clean and green villages for health, climate action, water conservation, and well-being
Components of a Clean and Green Village
- Open Defecation Free (ODF) village
- Clean and Green Schools
- Clean and Green Anganwadis
- Scientific solid waste management
- Wastewater management
- Affordable and clean energy (solar, wind)
- Greening development (afforestation)
- Organic farming with reduced chemical use
- Celebrating clean and green living
- Strengthening local committees and participation
- Supplying clean and safe drinking water
- Improving indoor air quality
- Energy conservation
- Rainwater harvesting
What “Clean” and “Green” Mean
- Green: Sustainable management of natural resources for livelihoods, food security, and environmental protection
- Clean: Access to safe water, sanitation, clean air, and a low-pollution environment
Government Initiatives
- Swachh Bharat Mission (2014): Aims for ODF India by eliminating open defecation
- ODF definition: No visible feces and all households using safe sanitation methods
- Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) (2019): Aims for clean, safe drinking water for all rural households by 2024
- As of August 15, 2023, 66.8% of rural households have functional tap connections
- Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) (2019): Promotes water conservation and recharge through public participation
Role of Gram Panchayats in Green Panchayats
- Raise awareness about reducing waste, sustainable consumption, and climate change
- Promote measures to reduce pollution
- Map land use patterns, water bodies, forests, etc.
- Develop rules for sustainable use of common resources
- Assess water needs, waste generation, and create water conservation plans
- Set water/sanitation goals and select appropriate technology
Conclusion
- India is developing sustainable villages to improve life and reduce migration to cities
- Collaboration across government departments is crucial to achieve SDGs and address climate change by creating clean and green villages
Clean and Green Villages with Agroecology
Rural India
- 65% of India’s population lives in rural areas (MoF, 2023)
- 47% of the population depends on agriculture for livelihood
- India has 640,000 villages with 833 million people
Clean and Green Villages Defined
- Green: Sustainable management of natural resources for livelihoods and environmental protection
- Clean: Access to safe water, sanitation, clean air, and a low-pollution environment
Components of Clean and Green Villages
- Open defecation free village
- Clean and green schools and Anganwadis
- Scientific solid waste management
- Wastewater management
- Affordable and clean energy
- Greening development (afforestation)
- Organic farming with reduced chemical use
- Celebrating clean and green living
- Local committee participation
Agroecology for Clean and Green Villages
- Agroecology uses ecological and social concepts to manage food and agriculture
- Practices include nutrient cycling, natural pest control, and biodiversity conservation
Organic and Natural Farming
- Avoid synthetic chemicals and pesticides
- Improve soil health and reduce pollution
- Promoted by the Government of India
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY)
- Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER)
- PM-PRANAM promotes alternate fertilizers
Waste to Wealth
- Biogas sector reduces pollution and improves waste management
- GOBARdhan program uses waste to generate biogas and fertilizer
- National Biogas Programme supports biogas plant installation
Rural Industries
- Agroecology can create rural industries
- Biogas is a promising renewable energy source with job opportunities
Conclusion
- Scaling up agroecology programs with support from local groups can achieve clean and green villages.
Digital Technology for Greener Villages
Challenges in Rural India
- Less environmental awareness compared to urban areas
- Dependence on agriculture and nature makes rural areas more vulnerable to environmental issues
Digital Technology for Solutions
- Growing internet users in rural India
- Digital tools can raise awareness and promote sustainable practices
- Examples:
- Swachh Bharat Mission – geotagging and mobile apps for sanitation efforts
- Content and mobile technology for sustainable agriculture
Government’s Approach
- Multifaceted strategy using digital technology for environmental protection
- Mobile apps for education and citizen engagement
- Online platforms for feedback, ideas, and participation
Challenges
- Lack of awareness about environmental issues
- Digital Divide (access, connectivity, power, literacy)
- Resource limitations for large-scale initiatives
- Lack of coordination among stakeholders
Examples of Success
- Namami Gange Project
- Uses satellite imagery and geospatial technology for river cleanup
- Actively engages citizens
- Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR)
- Non-profit focused on water security, livelihoods, and rural development
- Uses digital tools for environmental sustainability
- Improved water availability, reduced soil erosion, and promoted biodiversity
- Centre for Environment Education (CEE)
- Non-profit promoting environmental education and sustainable development
- Develops educational materials and uses social media for outreach
- Digital Green Initiative
- Global organization improving lives of smallholder farmers
- Promotes sustainable farming practices and environmental protection
Conclusion
- India is making progress using digital technologies for green villages
- Government initiatives and successful examples show a promising future
- Rural communities will be empowered with information and support for a sustainable future
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