Clean India Green India

We all know the proverb “Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Yet, we Indians have never followed cleanliness properly. There are many benefits to keeping ourselves and our environment clean. 

A clean environment helps save endangered species from going extinct. We can breathe clean air, and there will be fewer hazards. By having a clean environment, we can have a steady supply of food, water, and many natural resources like wood to create various products. Thus, making India green must become the mantra of all the citizens.

In this endeavor, the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Clean India Green India mission. It has two components, the Clean India and the Green India component. 

Under the Clean India component, the government wants to make India clean and hygienic. To this end, the government had launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan or Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), a nationwide campaign. The mission aims to clean up the streets, roads, and infrastructure of Indian cities, towns, and rural areas. 

The Green India component involves conserving greenery in the country and protecting the natural environmental beauty. The major goals under this component are increasing forest or tree cover in the country to over 5 million hectares and improving ecosystem services like carbon sequestration and storage. The Green India component ultimately aims to reduce the burgeoning air pollution in the country. 

Clean and Green India

Clean India Green India should become the dream of every Indian citizen. The mission is a perfect development movement for India as it envisions sustainable development for the country. 

With the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission, many in India have taken cleanliness seriously. People began cleaning their surroundings every day and also correctly disposing of the garbage. Still, we see many people taking cleanliness lightly. 

We all know the beginning of anything needs a kickstart. The best way to begin this cleanliness drive is by cleaning our own homes first. Then we can collaborate with our neighbors and clean the surroundings of our society.

As part of the Clean India Movement launched by the government, it began sanctioning loans to support the purpose of building toilets. This is to make India open defecation-free. Open defecation is a dreaded habit of Indians that makes our surroundings unclean and unhygienic.

The government subsidized the cost of the raw materials for toilet construction. It had also connected the borrowers with contractors to hasten the toilet building process. 

Why a Clean India, Green India Is Necessary

India suffers from all types of problems due to pollution and improper sanitation. There is a relationship between air pollution (which primarily comes from vehicle emissions, industrial processes, and burning biomass) and the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, as well as rates of premature death.

However, not only does water pollution from untreated sewage and industrial effluents threaten aquatic species, but it also leads to diseases that are transmitted through the use of water and the inadequate availability of drinkable water.

Furthermore, incorrect waste management results in the accumulation of waste and degradation of soil, along with an increase in the number of vectors like mosquitoes and rats.

According to the statistics presented, India’s level of pollution and uncleanliness is extremely high. For instance, the World Health Organisation's (WHO) documents state that several municipalities in India regularly make it to the list of the world’s most polluted cities with alarming levels of particulate matter exceeding safe standards.

Case studies from both urban and rural settings show the human impact of environmental degradation. These studies reflect on populations fighting respiratory diseases, impure water sources, unhygienic living conditions, and others.

A Harmony Between Cleanliness and Greenness

The Clean and Green India mission has a vision of sustainable growth for a symbiotic relationship where the two sides are beneficial to each other. When we speak of cleanliness, it is not only the absence of debris or pollution but also good resource management and waste management. By default, societies invested in cleanliness are more likely to champion care for the environment and conservation of greenery.

There is a close connection between the concepts of cleanliness and environmental conservation. Keeping the surroundings clean decreases pollution levels, keeps habitats from being destroyed, and contributes to the preservation of biodiversity.

Communities can make contributions to the conservation of natural resources by reducing waste production and using environmentally responsible practices. Moreover, clean waters support aquatic systems and increase recreational amenities for local inhabitants.

How Important Are Clean Environments in the Development of Environmental Consciousness?

People and communities are encouraged to be responsible towards the environment when they are exposed to clean environments. When people know the value of cleanliness to themselves, for example, clear air and an attractive appearance, they are much more likely to adopt such behaviours, which could be environmentally friendly.

Furthermore, to maintain a clean environment, synergy and collaborative work are necessary, creating an atmosphere of sense pride for the place. This feeling of responsibility often translates to rather broader environmental issues that would in turn drive individuals into active conservation projects as well as initiate advocacy for green policies.

The synergy between cleanliness and environmental sustainability is evident from the fact that many towns and communities around the world have initiated integrated green projects.

For instance, the use of modern waste management systems in Brazil is popular because it reduces garbage that reaches landfills through recycling and composting. The city-state of Singapore has been transformed into a “garden city” by implementing massive-scale urban greening initiatives. Such activities include vertical gardens and rooftop parks that have improved biodiversity in urban cities.

With the support of local people, through establishing decentralised waste management and building eco-friendly infrastructure, towns in India, including Indore and Mysore, have made significant progress concerning cleanliness and sanitation.

Green India 

After cleanliness comes the preservation of the environmental beauty. What more is beautiful than a surrounding with lush green trees, grass, and many other small plants? 

The Clean India Green India slogan states that if we try to keep our India clean, it will become green by cleaning our environment and our surroundings. Green India's mission is all about the environment. The focus of the mission is to stop deforestation and increase the number of trees in India to decrease pollution.

Deforestation can be reduced by promoting lesser use of raw material from the forest. We can bring a change to our forests by growing trees and small plants. 

Green India also tackles the climate change problem. By growing trees, the government aims to reduce greenhouse gases which are the reason behind global warming and climate change. Not only this, the Indian government has altered its economic and energy policies to become more environmentally responsible.

Greenery in India is of importance, as it helps in nation development and reduces air pollution. By having lush green forests, the air gets purified. Forests also minimize the impact of natural disasters in the nation. Further, high forest cover helps in maintaining the ecological balance.

War on Climate Change

Climate change will destroy humanity in the coming decades if we do not act now. Clean India Green India is thus a war on climate change initiated by the Indian government. 

The mission will help handle greenhouse gases and tackle air pollution, the biggest reason for death in the country. 

Recently, some state governments took charge of the war on climate change and banned the sale of firecrackers in the face of Diwali.

If the environment is not clean, humans can never be healthy. As individuals, we have the potential to make a big difference, and together we can change the world. Once our India becomes cleaner and greener, it will be beneficial not only for us but for our future generations too. They can live in a purer and healthier environment. It would be our best gift to them. Let’s aim for a better, cleaner, and green India and work together to achieve it.

Objectives of Clean India : 

• To reduce or eliminate open defecation by constructing individual, cluster, and community toilets.
• To convert the insanitary toilets into flush toilets
• To eradicate the system of manual scavenging
• Establishing a better mechanism for monitoring the work of the government
• Get India Open Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2, 2019
• Development through Cleanliness
• Assisting production centers for sanitary materials and rural marts for sanitary
• Management of solid and liquid waste treated as a project for Gram Panchayat
• Creating awareness for healthy sanitation practices with behavioral changes and linking people with the programs of sanitation and public health
• Building strong urban local bodies to design and execute all systems properly
• Use of the scientific process of disposal, reuse, and recycling solid waste
• Providing a better environment for private sectors to participate in the Capital Expenditure related to the clean campaign

The Clean India program is:

• Unique: Because of the involvement of children and youth
• Scientific: Because it is equipped with scientific techniques
• Innovative: Because there is a structured framework to address the needs
• Inclusive: Because of the involvement of other stakeholders
• Holistic: Because it addresses the entire value chain
• Regular: As it creates an environmental movement along with scientific learning with civic action
• Effective: Because it creates Eco citizen

Goals of Swacch Bharat Abhiyan

1- Behavior change

A nation is built of people. So, it is necessary to change people’s attitudes towards the combat on sanitation. The change should be in a rational way. There should be adequate budgets and campaigns that put Panchayat and rural communities to achieve the best in sanitation.

2- Specialized Project Management Agency

There should be a “Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)” that acts as a specialized Project Management Agency for all the water and sanitation projects. It should also prepare District Project Reports and process Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects. 

3- Incentivizing State and Local Governments

Central Government should sign Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) with State governments, where they commit to doing their part to achieve Swachh Bharat. These should be accurately done, and implementation must be from rural to urban levels.

4- Tracking Toilet Use

An annual Survey of Toilets should be done for tracking how many households are using toilets, and there should be a penal system for t, he misuses. There will be Nirmal Gram Puraskar by Swachh Bharat Puraskar (SBP) to attract people to the completion of this mission.

Challenges in Green India Clean India

Turning India into a clean and green nation is no easy task since there are various challenges. To overcome barriers to environmental sustainability, there is a need to understand the obstacles.

• Huge Population: A noticeable barrier is the unawareness of environmental problems among the population. It is possible that many people may not fully understand the link between their activities and environmental degradation, which could lead to increased apathy or indifference towards initiatives aimed at promoting sustainability.
• Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient waste management and sanitation infrastructure presents huge problems, especially in densely populated cities where resources are often scarce. This is even more so in places lacking adequate sanitation facilities.
• Inequality: In India, pollution and environmental degradation are aggravated by the socio-economic status gap in the country. In many cases, economic growth is preferred over environmental conservation in industries and infrastructure projects. This often leads to the displacement of natural resources and discrimination against people who are already vulnerable. Poverty and the absence of basic amenities are two more factors that worsen environmental issues. Thus, marginalised populations may engage in unsustainable practices to earn income or survive.
• Policy Gaps: Despite the fact that environmental rules and regulations are in practice, there are policy gaps coupled with enforcement barriers hampering India’s efforts to be a clean nation. In addition to corruption and inefficiency within the bureaucracy, environmental rules are unevenly implemented, weakening the legal framework. In addition, there are loopholes in regulation as well as a failure to account for what companies and polluters do that harm the environment. Additionally, environmental authorities are severely hampered in their ability to effectively monitor and ensure compliance with the appropriate funds that they receive.

Some Steps We Should Take for Green India Clean India Project

We as humans can take a few basic steps like carrying a recycle bag when we go out of our house and not throwing garbage here and there. This will reduce the consumption of disposable bags, and we will not litter the environment. Similarly, we can encourage using reusable items like bottles, cups, etc., which reduce littering. Also, ensure that the waste you dispose of ends up where it should. 

Wherever possible, recycle the recyclable materials. Make sure to reduce the likelihood of your garbage ending up in the environment by keeping a lid on your trash cans when it’s outside. Composting kitchen waste at home lowers the garbage volume sent to landfills and reduces the chance of some products becoming marine debris. 

With an unhealthy environment, problems arise that affect the whole ecosystem and others around us. We all know the adverse effects of air pollution, acid rain, and others that occur due to environmental pollution. With timely interventions like those mentioned above, we can keep our environment and surroundings clean.

To lay the road to a green India clean India, it is important that all actors, including individuals,’ governments, and stakeholders, make conscious efforts.

The following proposals provide an outline of major tactics for developing collective action and improving environmental sustainability:

Recommendations for Citizens, Stakeholders, and Policymakers

• The government should create and enforce stringent environmental policies that help reduce pollution levels while promoting positive environment-related behaviors. Stakeholders should be engaged in lobbying for policies and promoting projects focusing on environmental conservation.
• To reduce the effects of climate change and make it economically resilient, governments and private organisations should invest in green infrastructure projects. Such initiatives include various renewable energy projects, eco-friendly transportation solutions, and sustainable city planning designs.
• The circular economy will decrease the quantity of garbage generated and enhance the efficiency of resource use through the circular economy approach. It is the role of policymakers to have incentives for companies in order for them to pursue circular practices like recycling and upcycling. Citizens can also take part by consuming less and choosing eco-friendly products.

Education and awareness campaigns

• Introduction of environmental education, such as the Clean and Green India mission, in curriculum and community initiatives can lead to the education of culture from childhood. By propagating knowledge in the public on the interplay between human actions and nature, one can bring about a sense of duty for positive behavioural changes.
• Public awareness campaigns through a range of media formats can also be used to raise awareness about pressing environmental issues and encourage people to engage in environmentally friendly practices throughout their personal lives. In this way, such campaigns can draw attention to the importance of preservation initiatives and inspire people to take action.

By: Kritin Dixit
Class: 9
School: SKD Academy School, UP