A sorry state, indeed!

THE state of India's natural resources is appalling, according to a preliminary report prepared by Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI) as part of its long-term 'Green India 2047' project. Nearly half the country's population does not have access to drinking water. Rs 2,000 crore worth @f nutrients are lost each year due to soil erosion, while the number of factories have risen 700 per cent in the last three decades.

The project aims to prevent fur ther loss of natural resources and revert to the same level that was prevailing in 1947. The report highlighted other factors like water and sanitation problems which accounted for 75 per cent of illnesses and child mortality. About 90 per cent of the water supply is polluted with only 10 per cent of sewage treatment plants in working conditions.

The annual fuelwood demand is 3.67 cu m per ha as against the yearly production of 0.625 cu m per ha. The demand for industrial wood stands at 0.42 cu m per ha, while production is 0. 18 cu m per ha.