Our charismatic, dynamic and ever active Prime Minister is all set to appear on an upcoming episode of the popular British television series Man vs Wild with Bear Grylls.
The program is set to be broadcasted at 9pm on August 12 on Discovery India.
The episode will try to bring out the lesser known side of the Indian prime minister as he is shown venturing into the Indian wilderness and speaking on the significance of environment conservation.
The show will be broadcasted across more than 180 countries in the world and present Mr. Modi as a stark environmentalist.
In a recent press release by Discovery, the Indian PM states
“ For years, I have lived among nature, in the mountains and in the forests. These years have a lasting impact on my life. So when I was asked about a special programme focusing on life beyond and that too in the midst of nature I was both intrigued and inclined to take part in it. For me, this show presents a great opportunity to showcase to the world India’s rich environmental heritage and stress on the importance of environment conservation and living in harmony with nature. It was a great experience spending time in nature once again, this time with Bear, who is blessed with indefatigable energy and quest to experience nature at its purest.”
While the episode featuring the Indian prime minister will be watched by lakhs around the world and they certainly will see the prime minister in an altogether new light, it is also very important for us to look back at the situation in our country where the environment is endangered.
India has been trying to make sure that at least 33% of its geographical area falls under forest cover but despite many years of struggle it has not even been able to reach even 22%. Like much of the third world countries, India has also seen rapid deforestation due to relentless focus on economic development.
In fact, it is important to note that 275 million people in India depend on forests for their subsistence and livelihoods, therefore the environmental assaults are threatening for such communities.
Although India has enacted several significant legislations to recognise the right of the tribal population to the forests and to recognise their tenurial access to them, the implementation and widespread awareness regarding the rights of indigenous communities to their forests remains a matter of concern.
Apart from rapid deforestation and ecological degradation, other environmental challenges include rising air pollution, water based pollution etc. In fact, it is to be noted that out of 180 countries surveyed, India ranked 177 as far as performance on the global environmental index was concerned.
Delhi has been ranked the most polluted capital in the world and Gurgaon is the most polluted city, according to a Greenpeace Report.
Moreover, India is facing the worst water crisis in its history which is threatening millions of lives. 600 million people in India are facing acute water crisis and close to 200,000 people are dying every day due to water borne diseases. Out of a series of major onslaughts on nature, the latest that may be condemned is the decision of building of new railway tracks without seeking environmental clearance. This project is likely to impact several wild life sanctuaries and tiger reserves across the country.
Certainly India is not one of the topmost successful nations when it comes to looking after its ecology or implementing developmental projects that are environmentally sustainable.
In fact, we are a nation of several contradictions and challenges.
So perhaps when we sit down to watch the latest episode of Man vs Wild featuring PM Narendra Modi, let us be prepared to take it with a pinch of salt.
