By Nikita Das

Why are community development programmes important in a country like India?

Let’s take this statistic. Over 1.2 million people die in India each year due to air pollution?

It’s true, as confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO). This alarming statistic raises some troubling questions. How did we go from being known as “Dhan Ka Katora,” with agricultural prosperity and abundant resources, to facing such severe environmental challenges? 

Today, India’s population has grown immensely, bringing with it numerous environmental issues that impact natural resources and public health. The urgency of addressing these environmental problems is quite evident in the government policies being implemented.

Considering this, it’s unsurprising that environmental initiatives and community development programmes have emerged as a powerful approach to propelling sustainable development in India.

But what are these community-based solutions for environmental sustainability? In this article, we have explored them in depth and discussed the various ways in which we can contribute to them. 

What Environmental Challenges Is India Facing Today?

India, and in fact, the entire world, is grappling with numerous environmental issues today. The statistics reveal the full story. In their annual World Air Quality report, Swiss company IQAir also mentioned something similar, stating that 14 out of the 20 top-most polluted cities in the world are in India.

Air pollution, growing amounts of waste and its poor management, declining groundwater levels, and soil degradation are some of the major issues India is facing today. Rapid population growth and urbanisation have only exacerbated these problems.

Unintentionally, many of these issues are community-led. There is a massive buildup of heavy metals in the soil of regions like Ghaziabad, which contaminates vegetables and poses health risks. Burning fuelwood and biomass in huge amounts as a source of energy every year, inadequate waste disposal in big and small cities alike, the diversion of consumer waste into rivers, dumping factory waste into landfills, and conducting cremation practices near major rivers are just a few ways in which societal practices are harming the environment.

Government Initiatives to Promote Community-Based Environmental Solutions

Environmental repairs cannot be done without the active involvement of the community. Recognising this opportunity, the Indian government has implemented several initiatives to encourage people to participate in community development programmes of India. Here are some of them:

  • Green Credit Programme (GCP)

The Green Credit Initiative was introduced in 2023 as part of the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) movement. This community development programme fosters an ecosystem for voluntary environmentally supportive actions by different stakeholders, from individuals to communities to private companies. People and corporations can support the initiative by engaging in activities such as:

  • Tree plantation
  • Water management
  • Sustainable agriculture
  • Waste management
  • Air pollution reduction
  • Mangrove conservation and restoration

Designated authorities will verify the activities, and involved parties will then be issued green credits for their participation, which they can later make use of. The green credits are provided based on factors such as scale, resource requirements, scope, and size, which are instrumental in achieving the desired environmental outcomes.

  • Atal Bhujal Yojana

The Atal Bhujal Yojana was launched in 2019 with the aim of improving groundwater management. This community development programme requires active participation from the community to foster sustainability for the long term in India. People are encouraged to form Water User Associations (WUAs), which comprise farmers, women, and individuals at the village level, and establish processes related to water use, distribution, and conservation. WUAs contribute to community development India by ensuring that the opinions of all community members are taken into account during decision-making. 

  • The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission):

Launched in 2014, the Mahatma Gandhi Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, or Clean India Mission is a community development programme that was split into two focal areas—urban and rural, to achieve nationwide sanitation and eliminate open defecation. It’s been supported by millions of people who volunteered for the cause, significantly improving the state of sanitation across India:

  • 26,563 projects have been undertaken under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
  • 84,720 people have pledged to support the cause
  • 6,106 cleanliness drives (pakhwada) have been conducted under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan
  • About 110 million toilets were built by 2019

The second phase of this mission is set to conclude by the end of this year.

  • Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP)

The Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP) is a community development programme in India launched to empower youth with skills for employment in the environment and forest sectors. With a target of training over 5.5 lakh individuals, the initiative was launched in 2018 to create opportunities for employment and to encourage biodiversity conservation. Supported by the Ministry of Environment, this scheme aims to significantly contribute to community development India. 

  • National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is an initiative by the government of India to reduce air pollution and improve air quality. Launched in 2019, this mission aims to reduce PM10 (coarse particles) and PM2.5 (fine particles) levels across the country by the end of this year. There are multiple steps involved with the focus on community development India, such as implementing city-specific action plans and establishing Integrated Command and Control Centres. This community development programme also encourages people to shift to CNG vehicles.

  • Jal Jeevan Mission

The Jal Jeevan Mission was launched in August 2019 for community development India. Under this mission, the aim is to deliver a supply of 55 litres of water per day to every rural household through Functional Household Tap Connections (FHTC), a goal expected to be achieved by the end of this year. 

Extensive community involvement is crucial for the success of this community development programme, where the approach is to inform, educate and communicate the key components, enabling a collective approach to water resources. Local infrastructure is being developed so that rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge is made possible. 

  • National Afforestation Programme

The programme is focused on community development India, specifically on forest development for the community. The aim is to rehabilitate degraded forest lands with the help of local people. Through Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs), local communities can actively take charge and contribute to forest conservation and management.

These are just the tip of the iceberg. The Government of India has many ambitious plans for the future, including increasing the capacity of renewable energy to 500 GW by 2030. The target is to achieve almost 40 percent of the overall electric power capacity from non-fossil energy resources in the coming seven years. Communities are encouraged to adopt solar solutions, with initiatives to make them more affordable for masses. By supporting community-based solutions for environmental sustainability in India, we will be able to overturn this environmental crisis effectively. 

Importance of Community Programmes for Environmental Sustainability in India

There are many reasons why the involvement of community is crucial for effective sustainable development in India. Here we have stated some:

Local Expertise and Knowledge

Since local communities know their areas best, they possess valuable knowledge about the ecosystem, including available resources, how to harvest them, and the challenges one might face during harvesting. They also provide insights into the psyche of the local community, traditional practices, and sustainable solutions that will actually work.

Social Cohesion

Collective participation allows different groups to come together and work towards focused goals. It fosters communal harmony, especially for marginalised groups, giving them the opportunity to be decision-makers.

Authorities must ensure that every community member has the opportunity to participate in community development programmes, including women, the elderly, and youth. This inclusivity increases the effectiveness and impact of the initiative, resulting in better outcomes.

Sense of Belonging for All Groups

The grassroots approach allows people to experience a sense of belonging and responsibility, leading to more positive outcomes. Since people are connected to their local environment and feel ownership of it, they actively participate in these climate change community projects and adopt new practices to boost sustainability and long-term solutions.

Steps should be taken to foster partnerships with government bodies, NGOs, and private companies so that local communities can leverage additional expertise and resources. Effective collaboration is essential for the success of community-based environmental solutions in India.

Social and Economic Advantages

Such initiatives can have economic benefits too. For example, they can generate employment opportunities, provide people with chances to become self-sufficient, and sustainably increase their standard of living.

Awareness and Education

Involving people in such initiatives can raise awareness among the local population about environmental changes and educate them on ways to address these shifts. Communities will become more acquainted with and adopt sustainable practices, remaining conscious of the impact their activities have on the ecosystem. This can inspire them to inculcate more eco-friendly habits for future sustainability.

Additionally, training and resources should be provided to communities so that they are empowered and ready to contribute to the initiatives. With proper skills and knowledge for environmental solutions, the results will be sustainable in the long term.

Conclusion

Given how things are going, community environmental initiatives appear to be a solid answer to India’s environmental challenges. By leveraging local knowledge, manpower, and participation, and utilizing effective strategies, such initiatives can foster sustainable development and create communities that are resilient in the face of environmental challenges in the long term.