Sustainable Development Goals In Northeast India

This book covers themes related to the geosphere, biosphere, sociosphere and ecosphere dealing with changing geographical, environmental and socio-economic realities to plan a sustainable future for the northeast region (NER) of India. The NER consists of eight states—Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya and Sikkim—and they carry political, economic and social importance. The book integrates the past, present and future of geospheric attributes incorporating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to meet the demands for improving human wellbeing under diverse and challenging socio-economic, political and environmental conditions. The key SDGs, as in food and agriculture, health, education, water, energy and other overarching goals of the region, have yet to incorporate providing sustainable jobs and promoting equality and inclusive development, although there have been a few studies in that regard. The challenges to achieve SDGs in the NER are formidable compared to the rest of India. The NER has put a great deal of effort into achieving the SDGs, mainly in poverty (SDG-1), good health (SDG-3), education (SDG-4), gender (SDG-5), decent work (SDG-8) and reduced inequalities (SDG-10), similar to the rest of the country. However, the standard development indicators such as road length, access to health care, power consumption and other measures are far below the national average. A multi-pronged strategy has played a pivotal role in the region, but development strategy to attain the SDGs 2030 must be more inclusive in empowering people with maximising self-governance, considering the resources, needs and aspirations of the people. This book evaluates the performance of the SDGs and fills in the gaps. It includes case studies focusing on different SDGs using advanced cartographic, statistical and GIS techniques and methods. It also provides unique findings that serve as valuable resources for planners and policy-makers so that a sustainable future in Northeast India can be achieved.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the most significant global development of this decade with its influence spreading over the world till next decade. Sustainable Development Goals were presented by the United Nations for adoption in 2015 as- “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, to provide a roadmap for development until 2030. India adopted these goals and integrated global aspirations to our our policies. Today, our policymakers are more concerned than ever towards addressing the problems of poverty, hunger, climate change etc. Sustainable Development Goals has given a new approach to our policy-making. The Protracted policies and approvals with inconsistent results are getting replaced by targeted/ time defined policies and clearances. This book presents the current state of India on each sustainable development goal along with the recent policy initiatives taken in terms of change in domestic laws, policy measures etc. The book follows a 360-degree approach on each goal and presents 17 nicely crafted essays for students aspiring to become future administrator (through UPSC Civil Services Examination or State Public Service Examination). It will also help the informed citizens who care about the nature and aspire a better future of our nation in getting a deeper understanding on the events happening around us.

Papers presented at a symposium on 'Sustainable development of water resources in Barak Valley', held at Assam University on 24th March 2010.

Contributed workshop papers.

With increasing concern of human being on the issue sustainability, the interpretation has also become a fanciful exercise. The issue sustainability can be understood from two perspectives, the first one is reductive approach, second is the holistic approach.

This volume examines the practicality of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals in India, and includes policy analyses and statistical assessments of comparative data between India and different countries. With a focus on poverty and economics, the contributors offer sector and state specific performance analyses of each goal, determining the feasibility for different states and regions to implement a given goal under conditions of extreme poverty and economic distress. Readers will learn how to perform comprehensive economic performance analyses, and how to apply these methods at local and regional scales within the framework of sustainable development. The book will be of interest to students and researchers studying sustainable development, economics, and policy analysis, as well as NGOs and government agencies working towards achieving the SDGs in impoverished nations.