Dehradun: To monitor the state of ecology alongside economic growth in the state, the Sustainable Environment Performance Index (SEPI) has been developed. It includes eight sectors and 86 indicators. The task of preparing SEPI based on the state’s economic and environmental indicators was initiated by the Center for Public Policy and Good Governance (CPPGG) of the Planning Department.
CPPGG Director Manoj Kumar Pant said that SEPI has been prepared. It includes eight sectors: agriculture, forests, tourism, drinking water, energy, human health, rural development-urban development, and disaster management. It comprises 86 indicators. Through these, the impact on the environment will be assessed. He said that this is important in balancing ecology and economy. This will allow for a comparative analysis of both.
The base year for this is 2016-2017. Initially, in 2018-2019, a pilot project on eco-services was prepared through the Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal, and now it has been developed on a comprehensive scale. This has currently been prepared at the state level. In the future, there are plans to prepare SEPI at the district level, so that local administrations are also aware of the changes happening at the district level. According to officials, the process for SEPI approval is underway.
Steps for improvement can be taken
Director Pant said that the preparation of SEPI will provide a lot of information. For example, it will show whether factories are being set up and whether water resources are being exploited. It will also show how much work has been done to recharge groundwater sources compared to the exploitation. If not, the concerned departments will be able to work in this direction. Similarly, if plastic is a challenge, with its production and use increasing but its processing not keeping pace, it will continue to be an environmental problem. Awareness of this issue will allow for targeted efforts to address it. Likewise, work can be done to promote greenery through plantation initiatives. According to officials, the goal is to improve the economy while simultaneously protecting the environment.
