India drops two ranks to 117 on 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted as 2030 agenda by 193 United Nations member states in 2015, after failing to abolish certain social and ecological challenges, a report has stated.
The country is still tackling the challenges of ending hunger, achieving food security (SDG 2), achieving gender equality (SDG 5) and building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and fostering innovation (SDG 9) – all of which has caused India’s rank to drop from 115 last year to 117.
India drops two ranks to 117 on 17 SDGs adopted as 2030 Agenda after failing to abolish certain social and ecological challenges | Image: Wikipedia
The country ranks below its four neighbouring nations – Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. According to the report, the overall SDG score of India is 61.9 out of 100. It further added that Jharkhand and Bihar are the least prepared states to meet the SDGs by the target year 2030. While Jharkhand is unable to reach five of the SDGs, Bihar lags in seven.
Furthermore, it mentioned that Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh are the states/UTs with the best overall score, which are on track to achieving the SDGs.
Adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet. The 17 SDGs are an urgent call for action by the global community to secure the present and the future.
The country is still tackling the challenges of ending hunger, achieving food security, sanitation and drinking water | Image: ANI
The report also stated that India ranked 168 out of 180 countries in terms of the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), which analyses environmental health, climate, air pollution, sanitation and drinking water, ecosystem services, biodiversity, etc.
The EPI 2020 report by Yale University revealed that India ranked 148, 21 positions behind Pakistan, which was at 127th position in terms of biodiversity and habitat.
It appears as if the efforts of India are lacking the sheer determination it is required to meet the 17 SDGs. However, it remains to witness what tomorrow brings for the South Asian country.
Via: Hindustan Times