Boon for the Environment and Bane for the Economy: Emerging Debate in Pandemic Stuck India

Sarkar, Tanmoy; Mondal, Jayanta

The COVID-19 pandemic shock has painted some unprecedented portrayal and presented some exceptional visuals regarding the economy vs. environment debate worldwide. The history of human civilization is impregnated with the exploitation of the environment. The world needs a long and clear vision where economic activities and developmental goals meet environmental sustainability. The fatal coronavirus and Covid-19 pandemic have already affected more than 216 countries worldwide, with more than thirty-six million confirmed cases, including millions of death tolls. Now, India has the second-largest number of Covid-19 affected confirmed cases. The pandemic-driven nationwide lockdown has had a fatal impact on the economy. The supply-side and demand-side for entire economic sectors were disrupted, industrial production has come to a halt, millions of jobs were lost, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was eroded away at an unprecedented rate, economic anxiety is inevitable in every sphere of life and livelihood. The GDP shows the last 20 years lowest in 2020. The impact of such an economic fallout is supposed to sustain for a long time with its deadly impact directly and indirectly. However, when we come to the environmental aspect, the lockdown exerts a very positive impact. The environmental pollution has been reduced remarkably, and the response in air quality, water quality, wildlife, and vegetation are remarkably flourishing. However, it would not be wise to blame the rampant economic activities and developmental initiatives for the present catastrophic situation. The economy must move on, industrial development would be geared up, and developmental projects must be initialized, but there should be a balance between economy and environment. Human civilization’s sustenance needs mutual harmony with the natural environment, and sustainable development is the safest avenue ahead.