Air, water, and earth—these natural resources are essential for the survival of all living beings, including humans, animals, and plants. Life in any form is impossible without them. These are precious gifts of nature to humankind. However, in the pursuit of economic growth, modern humans have severely polluted these valuable resources in an attempt to satisfy their greed.
Our ancestors recognized the importance of these fundamental elements, which is why they worshipped and revered them. Religious scriptures refer to them with deep respect—Pawan Devta (Air Deity), Jal Devta (Water Deity), and Dharti Mata (Mother Earth). Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in the 15th century, honored these resources by describing them as our teacher, father, and mother—Pawan Guru (Air is the Guru), Pani Pita (Water is the Father), and Dharat Mahat (Earth is the Great Mother). These natural resources are invaluable and can only be preserved—they cannot be created.
It is a matter of deep concern and regret that many countries, including India, have failed to adequately conserve and protect these resources. According to a World Health Organization (WHO) report, 9 out of 10 people globally breathe polluted air. The 2024 Global Air Report states that 8.1 million people die every year due to air pollution. In India alone, 2.1 million deaths occur annually for the same reason, with 464 children under the age of five dying every day from air pollution-related illnesses.
Air pollution contributes to numerous health problems, including heart disease, respiratory issues, lung cancer, asthma, stroke, and allergies affecting the skin and eyes. A report by Yale University also links high levels of air pollution with reduced life expectancy. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. The 2024 World Air Quality Report found that only seven countries—Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Estonia, Grenada, Iceland, and New Zealand—meet WHO PM2.5 standards. It also notes that Delhi is the most polluted capital city in the world, while Burnihat in Meghalaya is the most polluted city globally. Thirteen of the world’s twenty most polluted cities are in India.
Air pollution arises from two main sources: natural events and human activities. While natural pollution is generally short-lived and self-regulating, human-induced pollution—stemming from industries, vehicles, construction, waste dumps, stubble burning, thermal power plants, brick kilns, air conditioners, and firecrackers—persists and worsens over time. These activities release harmful gases that raise the Earth's average temperature, contributing to climate change and an increase in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, making life more difficult for all living beings.
Following air, water is the second most vital resource. Life on Earth is unimaginable without it. Unfortunately, human negligence has severely polluted water sources. Excessive and careless use of water has also led to a continuous decline in groundwater levels, resulting in growing water scarcity.
According to a 2018 NITI Aayog report, groundwater in 21 major Indian cities is projected to run dry in the coming years, leaving 40% of the population without access to drinking water by 2030. The World Wide Fund (WWF) reported in 2020 that 30 Indian cities may run out of water by 2050. Green and Grey Infrastructure forecasts that 33 countries could face severe water shortages by 2040.
In 2019, Chennai experienced a severe water crisis. Cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Shimla also face water shortages each summer. A 2023 Central Ground Water Board report revealed that 70% of India's surface drinking water is polluted, and approximately 300,000 people die prematurely every year from consuming contaminated water. Additionally, 60% of sewage and industrial wastewater is released untreated into rivers and streams.
Construction on water bodies—lakes, ponds, wetlands, seasonal streams, and river floodplains—has reduced recharge zones. Key contributors to drinking water scarcity include population growth, encroachment on water zones, excessive water use, unsustainable cropping patterns, and rapid glacier melting. Industrial discharge, sewage, and agricultural chemicals further pollute groundwater and rivers.
Turning to the earth itself, human activity has endangered its ecological integrity. Nearly 70% of the planet's ice-free land has been altered by humans. Ideally, with three main life forms—humans, animals, and plants—each should occupy roughly one-third of land. Since wild animals live primarily in forests, 66% of land should ideally remain under forest cover. However, forests are often the first to be cleared for development, destroying habitats and displacing wildlife.
Deforestation is accelerating. According to the 2023 India State of Forest Report, only 21.76% of India's land is under forest cover, and just 3.41% is covered by trees. Forests provide oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide. As forest cover shrinks, atmospheric CO₂ levels rise, contributing to global warming and climate change. This has shortened spring and winter seasons and extended summers, which are now marked by intense heatwaves and more frequent natural disasters.
To meet growing food demands, India introduced the New Agricultural Strategy in the 1960s, featuring high-yield seeds, chemical inputs, irrigation, machinery, and modern methods. Punjab was selected as the launch site. While farmers in Punjab helped eliminate food scarcity, the environment paid a heavy price. The strategy degraded soil, polluted air and water, and disrupted ecological balance. The central government's promotion of paddy through favorable Minimum Support Prices (MSP) further strained Punjab’s environment, as the region’s agro-climatic conditions are unsuitable for paddy cultivation, which is more appropriate for high-rainfall areas.
In Kerala, cashew plantations were aerially sprayed with Endosulfan, a pesticide that contaminated land, air, and water, and caused severe health problems.
In the name of economic development, infrastructure projects like four-lane highways, ropeways, and helipads are being constructed in the fragile Himalayan region, putting immense pressure on these young mountains. Moreover, river flows are being altered, and massive dams are leaving rivers dry in some areas, while river-linking projects threaten natural hydrological cycles. Natural resources are being stretched and distorted like rubber.
To protect air, water, and land, we must adopt a model of economic growth that is both people- and nature-friendly. To combat air pollution, the government should enforce the installation of air purification systems in industries, increase forest cover to 33% of total land, improve public transportation, manage waste scientifically, and provide MSP for crops suited to local climates.
To prevent water pollution, industrial and municipal waste must be treated before being discharged into water bodies. Violators—whether industries or municipal committees—must face strict legal consequences. A total ban on waste dumping in any natural water body is essential. Legal action should be taken against those encroaching on water sources. Instead of large dams, smaller dams should be built to maintain river flows and improve local water availability.
To protect the earth from further destruction, all natural resources must be preserved with urgency and care. Economic development in plains, hills, and river valleys must be aligned with the ecological carrying capacity of those regions. Whether it’s crops in the plains, roads in the hills, or dams on rivers, every project must prioritize sustainability. Both state and central governments must ensure that the nation’s development is people- and nature-friendly.
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*Former Professor, Department of Geography, Punjabi University, Patiala
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