Delhi Emerged As Worst Place in Environmental Performance Index

The National Capital of India, Delhi emerged as worst place in terms of key parameters of environment in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) was started by the Planning Commission. In 2011, Delhi ranked at number 26 and now slipped down to number 32 in 2012.

EPI Project was started three years ago, but its results were published for the first time as per the analysis of data which was supplied by 35 states as well as union territories. EPI was developed to measure the environmental well being of states.

The rankings of EPI reflect the performance of the states depending upon 16 green indicators which are divided under five main categories- water quality, air quality, waste management, measures undertaken for climate change adaptation as well as state of the forests. All the states in India were asked to submit their detailed report on these parameters.

Delhi’s cumulative score was 0.4246 in comparison to 0.7696 of the top ranker, Andhra Pradesh. Delhi’s rank was 32 among various states and union territories. The state that achieves the score 1 reflects cleaner environment, adherence to environmental standards, implementation of necessary legislation as well as conduction of efforts for the conservation of natural resources.

The best performing states with their scores are as follows:

• Andhra Pradesh: 0.7696
• Sikkim: 0.7478
• Himachal Pradesh: 0.7414
• Madhya Pradesh: 0.7334
• Maharashtra: 0.7167