Since the outbreak of COVID-19, varying degrees of restrictions have been imposed in several parts of the world, including India. With more than three lakh deaths and around 4.7 million infected cases globally, the novel coronavirus has brought widespread suffering and panic among people. Governments across the globe are struggling to stop the spread of the virus through stringent containment measures.
A 21-day nationwide lockdown was imposed across India on 25th March, which was further extended till 17th May. On the basis of the Health Ministry’s growth rate-based analysis (with a pre-lockdown growth rate of 28.9%), without implementing the lockdown measures, the number of positive cases would have reached 1.5 lakh by 15th April.
At the time of writing this article, the number of coronavirus positive cases in India had risen to a total of 63,420 cases, with the death toll of 2,109, revealing at least some success in preventing the spread.
The nationwide lockdown in its Phase-1, along with its successive Phase-2 and 3 have led to widespread suffering, especially among the weaker sections of the country. Migrant labourers, daily wage workers, small businesses, and the unorganised sectors are the worst affected.
A slowdown is foreseeable as the main sectors of the economy have come to a sudden halt. Methods are being adopted to stop the pandemic and save the distressing economy at the same time. However, this grim situation and negativity on the socio-economic front are here to stay for months to come.
At a time when the majority of human activities are almost still, the sight of blue skies, fresh air to breathe and clean water to drink are surely a few reasons to cherish. Globally, various reports suggest a significant improvement in air and water quality due to coronavirus lockdown.
Also, other forms of life (barring homo sapiens) could be seen reclaiming their natural space. Due to reduced road traffic and tourism, a decrease in the death of wild animals and rejuvenation of natural and ecological landscapes has been reported.
A Blessing To The River Ecosystem
Lockdown in India has been the most extensive one globally, with all industrial units, shops, markets, places of worship closed, almost all means of public transport suspended, and construction work stopped. This came as a blessing for the river ecosystem. A reduced flow of pollutants has resulted in a cleaner Yamuna water, reports Delhi Jal Board (DJB), after testing the river’s water at many places in Delhi. There has also been a significant improvement in the water quality of the Ganga river.
According to the real-time water monitoring data of India’s pollution watchdog Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), out of the 36 monitoring units placed at various points across the Ganga, the water quality at around 27 points was suitable for bathing and propagation of wildlife and fisheries. Reduced human activities has proved to be a bliss for aquatic life.
The 50-km stretch of the Ganga river between Sultanganj and Kahalgaon (in Bihar), known as the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS), India’s only dolphin sanctuary, hosts the endangered Gangetic Dolphin. According to reports, the VGDS witnessed an increased visibility of dolphins due to less human interference during the lockdown, a sign of a healthy river ecosystem.
Quoting an environmental scientist at the Gurukul Kangri University, a leading newspaper reported that Ganga water at Rishikesh and Haridwar has become very clean, and after a long time, it has become suitable for achaman (ritual sipping) in Haridwar.
Positive Impact On Air Pollution
Reports also indicate a significant drop in the level of harmful air pollutants. Data from the CPCB reported a 71% decrease in the level of nitrogen dioxide. Continuous air quality monitoring stations in Delhi reported a huge dip in the level of particulate matter (PM2.5). Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and other cities have also recorded a drop in these air pollutants. For India, which has 21 of the world’s 30 most polluted cities, this comes as a blessing in disguise.
CO2 Emissions Amid Coronavirus
While the world is fighting the coronavirus pandemic with its full potential, only a little is being done for the probable climate crisis despite warning calls from the scientific community. With lesser fossil fuel-based activities during the lockdown, global CO2 emissions have substantially gone down.
However, it would be too early to say much about the lowering of the global temperature. Nevertheless, if the world goes through similar emission restrictions in the future, some positive changes can be seen as far as climate change and associated crisis are concerned. However, if left unchecked, coronavirus and climate change together could pose severe threats to human existence.
The Post Pandemic World
So, the pandemic has a silver lining. While breathing in Delhi was injurious, clean air comes as bliss. The skies are more apparent in Delhi now, and residents have not seen such blue skies for more than a decade. However, this comes at the cost of human life and enormous suffering, and certainly provides us with no reason to celebrate.
It’s just a bitter lesson that we badly needed. It will be interesting to see whether we remember the lessons learnt from the pandemic, which will be gauged from the decisions we take post the pandemic.
The current environmental issues at the global as well as national level require systemic changes. Radical decisions made by the government during the nationwide lockdown may also be replicated to deal with environmental issues. Reduction in fossil fuel-based energy, moving towards renewable energy resources, increased investment towards a cleaner future have become a pre-requisite for a better future.
Undoubtedly, when we emerge from the pandemic, the world will be different, a world like never before. But, our future course of action, based on the gains that have been made on the environmental front during the lockdown, would guide us towards a sustainable world.