Over‑extraction of groundwater due to excessive borewell pumping for irrigation and reduced natural recharge (possibly from land use changes) leading to falling water table.

(1) Implement rainwater harvesting and recharge pits to increase groundwater recharge. (2) Promote efficient irrigation (drip/sprinkler), crop planning to reduce water‑intensive crops and regulate borewell use through community committees.

Deforestation removed vegetation cover that stabilises soil; rainwater runoff caused accelerated soil erosion and transported sediment to the reservoir, causing siltation.

Immediate: construct contour bunds and check dams to slow runoff and trap sediment. Long‑term: afforestation of slopes, terracing, cover crops and controlled grazing to restore vegetation and reduce erosion.

Collected roof runoff is directed into recharge pits or percolation structures, allowing water to infiltrate and replenish the local aquifer, thereby raising nearby water tables.

Regular cleaning of gutters and filters to prevent clogging; periodic inspection of recharge pits and removal of silt; community awareness to avoid contamination and misuse.

Open burning releases toxic fumes and particulates causing respiratory problems; dumping near water contaminates water bodies causing eutrophication and water‑borne diseases.

Introduce segregation at source (organic/inorganic), set up composting for organics, arrange for recyclables to be collected by recyclers, and establish a proper landfill or material recovery facility for residues.

Biogas reduces reliance on firewood (less deforestation), lowers indoor air pollution from smoke, and the digester slurry can be used as organic fertiliser, improving soil health.

Challenge: Consistent feedstock supply and proper maintenance. Remedy: Community schedule for feedstock collection, user training and a simple maintenance fund or committee.

Industrial effluents pollute the river causing oxygen depletion, toxic effects and habitat degradation leading to fish mortality and decline.

Enforce effluent treatment standards for industries, set up monitoring of water quality, create riparian buffer zones, and implement community reporting mechanisms for pollution incidents.

Sand mining destabilises riverbanks causing erosion, alters river flow, increases turbidity harming aquatic organisms, and can lower groundwater recharge in floodplains.

Strengthen enforcement and monitoring, issue legal extraction permits with sustainable extraction limits, restore mined areas, and provide alternative building materials or regulated supply chains.

Use of inappropriate exotic species, poor site selection, lack of soil preparation and inadequate post‑planting care (watering, protection) lead to poor survival.

Select native species adapted to local conditions, prepare soil, involve community in maintenance, use mixed species planting and protect seedlings from grazing.

Impermeable surfaces reduce infiltration and increase surface runoff; reduced recharge and clogged drains lead to flash flooding and overwhelmed drainage systems.

Implement permeable pavements, green roofs, increase urban green spaces, construct stormwater retention basins, maintain drains and promote rainwater harvesting to reduce runoff.

Emissions include particulate matter (PM), carbon monoxide, sulphur and nitrogen oxides causing respiratory and cardiovascular issues and aggravating asthma.

Introduce cleaner kiln technologies (zigzag, hybrid), enforce emission controls, provide protective zones, and encourage use of cleaner fuels or energy recovery systems.

Leaching of heavy metals and acidic drainage can contaminate surface and groundwater, harming aquatic life and human health.

Contain tailings using liners and covers, treat runoff via constructed wetlands, stabilise piles with vegetation, monitor water quality, and implement progressive rehabilitation of mined areas.

Clear local tenure rights, community involvement in decision‑making, equitable benefit sharing, sustainable harvesting rules, and technical support from NGOs or forestry departments.

Sustainable use provides regular income from forest products, reduces incentive for illegal exploitation, and maintains habitat health, benefiting biodiversity and people.

Excess fertilisers degrade soil structure and microbial balance, causing nutrient imbalances; nitrates leach into groundwater causing contamination and potential health risks like methemoglobinemia.

Use integrated nutrient management combining organic manures, crop rotation, green manuring, soil testing to apply balanced fertilisation and reduce reliance on chemical inputs.

Install community bins, signage, regular waste collection, set up monitoring and reporting, and engage local authorities to enforce anti‑dumping rules.

Awareness campaigns, school projects, and community workshops teach consequences of pollution and promote responsible disposal, recycling and stewardship.

Reduces dependence on fossil fuel electricity, lowering emissions; net metering encourages adoption by allowing households to offset electricity costs and support grid stability during peak solar production.

Challenge: Intermittency and reverse power flows. Solution: Encourage battery storage adoption, smart inverters and grid upgrades to handle distributed generation.

Fragmentation isolates populations, reduces genetic exchange, increases edge effects and vulnerability to extinction, and disrupts migration and foraging routes.

Establish buffer zones, promote sustainable livelihoods outside protected areas, implement land‑use planning, relocate settlements only with community consent and compensation, and create wildlife corridors.

Electric buses produce zero tailpipe emissions, reducing NOx, PM and CO emissions in urban areas; when powered by clean electricity, lifecycle emissions are much lower than diesel buses.

Improve public transport frequency and coverage, implement congestion pricing, promote non‑motorised transport (cycling, walking) and improve fuel standards for remaining vehicles.

Certain pesticides (neonicotinoids, broad‑spectrum insecticides) are toxic to bees, killing them or disrupting navigation, foraging and reproduction, leading to pollinator population declines and reduced crop yields.

Adopt integrated pest management (IPM), use selective or biological controls, time pesticide application to avoid flowering periods, plant pollinator‑friendly habitats and reduce reliance on harmful chemicals.

Mangroves buffer storm surges, stabilise sediments, reduce erosion, provide nursery habitats for fish and support coastal biodiversity; their clearance increases vulnerability to storms.

Promote aquaculture practices that avoid mangrove clearance (use existing ponds), implement mangrove restoration, enforce coastal zone regulations and develop community‑based ecotourism as alternative livelihoods.

Reduces plastic pollution in streets and waterways, lowers waste volume sent to landfills, and reduces microplastic contamination. It also stimulates local recycling and alternative product markets.

Combine bans with incentives for alternatives, public awareness campaigns, infrastructure for collection and recycling, support for local producers of sustainable alternatives, and enforcement with community participation.