The Environment Benefits During The Lockdown Are Coming At An Economic Cost: Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot

"If we talk about the lockdown and its positive effects, definitely there is a huge dip in air pollution levels, our skies are bluer. But all this is coming at a huge economic cost. These positives that we are seeing today is because factories are closed, people are not going to their work and are not getting their daily wages. So, this really is a tight time,” said Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan Sachin Pilot as he joined NDTV and Hero Cycles 2-hour special telethon that was organised to discuss how we can keep these environmental gains from slipping away completely once the lockdown is lifted. 

Talking about the action plan for state Rajasthan, which has seen more than 2,800 positive cases of coronavirus and 71 deaths, Deputy CM Sachin Pilot added,

Once the lockdown is lifted, we will work on reviving our economy. But everyone needs to understand that life after coronavirus will be different, we all will have to take precautions and adopt best practices like social distancing. In all this, the contribution of people is very important along with policy interventions.

Further talking about how we can keep environmental gains from slipping away, the minister said that if we want to leave a good environment for a future generation then we all need behavioural change. He adds,

We as a society will have to think of ways to keep our environment healthy as it is right now when we all are locked inside.

Sachin Pilot also talked about the road ahead of this crisis and the use of bicycles which reduces the load on the environment, he said, 

Before we ask our citizens to make this huge choice to move from automobiles to cycles, we will need to ensure that proper infrastructure is available to them. I don't think we are a cycle-friendly nation. To make India move towards being a cycle nation, we will also require to change people mindsets. In this regard,  in Rajasthan, we have started an initiative ‘no vehicle day' in which people are allowed only to travel via a cycle and not any other vehicle. This is done once in a month in Rajasthan. These are small changes being done but as in whole, we require a lot more changes as a nation. I think young people can lead to this change.

Highlighting what are the precautions one must take as the lockdown and its related restrictions start to ease off, Deputy CM Sachin Pilot added that as a community we all need to be very responsible. He further said,

One must maintain precautions and social distancing despite relaxations. We can't overlook precautions as there's a heavy chance to pay. We need to take all this very seriously. I'm apprehensive but also confident about people. When the lockdown is partially lifted, we need to adhere to all the guidelines and precautionary measures. Look at Sweden, they are following precautions and there is no lockdown. It will take time and until we have a vaccine - staying away is the best practice.