Question

Read the following text carefully:

Sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. India is critical in determining the success in a pursuit to achieve sustainable development. The Union Budget 2023 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman builds on India’s commitment to lead the global action against climate change, preserve biodiversity and support sustainable development. The government has accelerated the pace of Green Growth as India is facing the grave reality of depleting natural resources, limited supply of water, minerals, and fossil fuels. In a bid to counter the climate threat, India has committed to achieving net zero by 2070; released a low-carbon development strategy; and introduced the concept of ‘LiFE’ (Lifestyle for Environment) to promote responsible consumption. The Green Growth actions include several pointed measures that would facilitate the much-needed steady decarbonization of Indian industries, reduce dependency on fossil fuel imports and establish technology and market leadership in this sunrise sector. For instance: The allocation of Rs 35,000 crore of priority capital investment towards achieving net zero by 2070 and clean energy transition ensures the country’s energy security. The outlay of Rs 19,700 crore for the Green Hydrogen Mission will mobilise a green hydrogen production capacity of 5 metric million tonnes by 2030. Moreover, to encourage the optimal use of wetlands, enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities, the Amrit Dharohar scheme will be implemented over three years.

On the basis of the given text and common understanding, answer the following questions:

1. Define sustainable development.
2. Briefly elaborate, any two reasons behind the objective of Green Growth being set up by the Indian Government.

Answer 1

1. Sustainable development is the development that meets the need of the present generation without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs.
2. The Indian Government has accelerated the pace of Green Growth as India is:

• Facing the grave reality of depleting natural resources, limited supply of water, minerals, and fossil fuels. This has created a number of environmental issues in the recent past in India.
• To counter the climate threat, India has committed to achieve net zero target by the year 2070. This will facilitate much needed decarbonization of Indian industries, reduce dependency on fossil fuel imports and to become a market leader in the sunrise industry.