India ranks 117 this year in Sustainable Development Goals

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India has slipped down to two places from 115 to 117 this year as compared to last year on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted as a part of the 2030 agenda by 193 United Nations member states in 2015.

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According to the State of India’s Environment Report 2021 the main reason for the drop in India’s rank is because major challenges like ending hunger and achieving food security (SDG 2), achieving gender equality (SDG 5) and building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation (SDG 9) remain in the country.

India ranks below to its four neighboring countries that is, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The total SDG score of India is 61.9 out of 100. Jharkhand and Bihar are the lowest state to meet the SDG goals. Jharkhand falls short of five SDG goals and Bihar is lacks behind in seven SDG goals.

The top states that are on the path to achieve SDGs are Kerala, Himanchal Pradesh and Chandigarh.

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were adopted in 2015 by all United Nations Member states. It provides for shared plan for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.

The 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to transform our world:

• GOAL 1: No Poverty
• GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
• GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
• GOAL 4: Quality Education
• GOAL 5: Gender Equality
• GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
• GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
• GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• GOAL 13: Climate Action
• GOAL 14: Life below Water
• GOAL 15: Life on Land
• GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
• GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal

The report also said that India ranked 168 out of 180 countries in terms of Environmental Performance Index (EPI) which is estimated on various indicators, including environmental health, climate, air pollution, sanitation and drinking water, ecosystem services, biodiversity, etc.

India's rank was 172 in the environmental health category, which is an indicator of how well countries are safeguarding their populations from environmental health risks.

According to the EPI 2020 report by Yale University, India ranked 148, 21 positions behind Pakistan which was at 127th position in the category of biodiversity and habitat which assesses countries' actions toward maintaining natural ecosystems and preserving the comprehensive range of biodiversity within their borders.