MUMBAI: At a time when many of India's
infrastructural projects are caught in the throes of an environment versus
development conundrum, a new report released by the World Bank estimates that
environmental degradation is costing India around 5.7% of its GDP every year.
The report, "Diagnostic Assessment of Select
Environmental Challenges in India" is the bank's first national economic
assessment of environment-related degradation in India. It analysed the losses
of environmental health and natural resources, and provided a valuation of
biodiversity and ecosystem services in India, among other valuations.
"The annual cost of environmental
degradation in India amounts to about Rs 3.75 trillion ($80 billion) equivalent
to 5.7% of GDP," stated the report. Among the highest to blame was
pollution, mainly outdoor pollution arising from particulate matter (PM10) that
was largely due to the burning of fossil fuels along with the losses due to the
lack of access to clean water supply, sanitation and hygiene, stated the
report.
"The costs for outdoor/indoor air pollution
are primarily driven by an elevated exposure of the young and productive urban
population to particulate matter pollution. This results in a substantial
cardiopulmonary and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease mortality load among
adults," stated the authors of the report in a press note.
The report was meant to underline the need for
India to green its growth. The issue of lowering emission has been a contentious
one between developed and developing nations, with the latter including India
stating that they should be allowed to grow on par with countries which have
had an early advantage before they impose emission cuts.
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