With a fast growing population, Delhi which is home to about 18 million people already is now facing the big challenge of achieving sustainable development and that too within its carrying capacity, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said on Saturday while releasing the State of the Environment Report for Delhi, 2010 on World Environment Day here.
Ms. Dikshit said the Department of Environment has come out with the State of the Environment (SOE) Report for Delhi to highlight not only its achievements but also the challenges the city faces and actions it desires to take to make it more habitable.
The basic purpose of this report is to present an overview of the environmental situation, create awareness about environmentally sustainable development, and enable policy formulation and articulation of strategy based upon analytical and informed decision-making, the Chief Minister said.
The report provides systematic categorisation of entire information in three chapters -- Urban Growth Pressures in the City; Environment State and Responses; and Key Environmental Concerns.
The first chapter covers urban growth pressures in terms of growing population, transport, industries, land-use changes and economic intensity. It also emphasises on future projections and efforts towards Carbon Neutral Commonwealth Games 2010.
The second chapter covers the key environment parameters namely air, water, land, forests and biodiversity and climate change. The future strategies for abatement of pollution and conservation of resources from various sectors are also outlined here.
The third chapter highlights key environmental concerns for sustainable development and also gives recommendations for measures that can be taken for energy efficiency and conservation in municipal services, residential and commercial sector.
The report in the end stressed the need for preparing an inventory of and mapping all the natural resources and environmental assets of Delhi for making better policy decisions and their implementation.
Ms. Dikshit also hoped that the State of Environment Report will serve as a useful document for policy makers, NGOs, civic society, government agencies in policy making and maintaining a balance between developments while conserving the natural resources. The report expected to sensitize the citizens, the authorities and other agencies and stakeholders about the threat to the environment and provide a basis for preparing a long term strategy for improving the quality of our environment.
Earlier Ms. Dikshit also flagged off a battery operated car and scooter rally from her residence along with TERI director general R.K. Pachauri, who drove the car to the final destination -- Commonwealth Park at Africa Avenue. She also launched an e-newsletter and planted trees at the Commonwealth Park.
