Telangana has secured the top position among all Indian states in terms of overall environmental performance, as per the recently released "The State of India's Environment 2023 In Figures" report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Down to Earth magazine. The report was unveiled on June 4, 2023, ahead of World Environment Day. Telangana's commendable progress in increasing forest cover and effectively treating municipal waste were key factors in its top ranking.
The report meticulously evaluated 29 states across four domains: environment, agriculture, public health and infrastructure, using a comprehensive set of 32 indicators. Telangana, along with Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Gujarat, emerged as the leading states in this evaluation.
Telangana's success story lies in its expansion of forest cover, which has seen a significant 7.7 per cent increase, according to the Forest Survey of India.
Another achievement for the state is in the area of municipal waste treatment. Through the successful implementation of a bio-mining program, Telangana has efficiently dealt with accumulated waste in municipalities and municipal corporations, ensuring proper sanitation in urban areas. Hyderabad, the state capital, stands out by ranking second in the country for generating 24 megawatts of electricity from waste, further bolstering Telangana's top position in waste management.
While Telangana has excelled in environmental performance, the report also sheds light on areas that require improvement. Parameters such as the "share of water bodies not in use". "stage of groundwater extraction", and "change in the number of polluted river stretches" were identified as areas where the state fell below the average performance level. These findings highlight the need for continued efforts in water resource management and pollution control to achieve sustainable development.
Telangana's remarkable accomplishments serve as an inspiration and benchmark for other states to follow. They demonstrate that through dedicated efforts and sustainable initiatives, environmental performance can be enhanced, leading to a greener and more sustainable future for all.