Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai on Saturday said that the extreme weather and climate changes are not challenges for the national capital alone and collaboration between states is a must to tackle such situations effectively. In Rai's first interview after last month's unprecedented floods in Delhi, he said that developing nations, including India, are grappling with the consequences of the actions of developed countries. He noted that making environmental protection, climate change and air pollution integral to national politics can pave the way for ecologically-friendly development which will be seen across the nation, news agency PTI reported.
He said, "Climate change doesn't only affect Delhi, it's a challenge for the whole world. Developed nations have contributed the most to climate change because they exploited natural resources without proper checks and balances. Many countries followed the path of developed nations and excessively consumed natural resources. Now, they are all experiencing the consequences. This is a crucial issue that concerns humanity as a whole. We need a global perspective to address it."
According to research, an increase in the irregularity of monsoon rainfall due to climate change is likely to increase the problems such as water shortages and impact hydropower generation in parts of the country, PTI reported.
When asked if it was a cause of concern for Delhi, Rai said, "These challenges require collaboration and dialogue among the states. In Delhi, we are implementing innovative technologies to recycle water and enhance groundwater levels. However, such measures cannot fully meet the water demand of the entire city." As per the official estimates, around two crore residents of Delhi need approximately 1,300 million gallons per day (MGD) of water for consumption and daily needs, however, the Delhi Jal Board can supply only around 1,000 MGD, leaving many areas to face water shortage, reported PTI.
The national capital gets 675 MGD of water from Haryana through two canals and the Yamuna, it gets 253 MGD from Uttar Pradesh through the Upper Ganga Canal, and the rest is drawn from Ranney wells and tube wells that are installed across the city.
The Environment Minister said that Delhi, being the national capital, is at the forefront of efforts to combat climate change and environmental degradation. He added, "The Arvind Kejriwal-led government in Delhi is the most proactive state government in India when it comes to tackling these challenges."
The AAP promised that it will plant two crore saplings over five years, starting 2020, if it returned to power in Delhi. By the end of the fourth year i.e., 2023, the Kejriwal government would have planted around 1.7 crore saplings. He said, "We are on track to exceed (planting) two crore saplings within the fifth year."
Rai emphasises that concerted efforts of all agencies have collectively led to a 30 per cent reduction in air pollution levels in Delhi since the year 2016. The national capital is expected to lose worth Rs 2.75 lakh crore by 2050 due to the impacts of climate change, with changes in precipitation and temperature patterns posing significant threats to the lives of the most vulnerable populations. The city government's draft action plan on climate change estimates the losses from the agriculture and allied sectors will stand at Rs 0.08 lakh crore, manufacturing will stand at Rs 0.33 lakh crore and services at Rs 2.34 lakh crore, PTI reported.