Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Making of a New India through Bio-diversity and Agricultural Prosperity

‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan,’ or the Self-reliant India Movement, is the perception of the Prime Minister of
India Narendra Modi of making India a self-reliant country which was mentioned on 12th May 2020. This
independent policy does not aim for being separated from the rest of the world but to become a bigger and more
important part of the global economy without being dependent on foreign countries for development. One of the
many ways to make India 'aatmanirbhar' is by building a New India through improvements in the biodiversity of
the country along with agricultural prosperity.

Biodiversity refers to the genetic variability on earth, ranging from the tiniest microorganisms to the largest
animals and plants. It is essential for a country in multiple ways including food, fibres, fodder, fuel, timber,
medicine and promoting the aesthetic value of nature. Trees decrease global warming, wetlands filter pollutants
from water and microorganisms decompose organic matter into humus. India is one of the world’s ‘mega
diversity’ countries. Indirectly, biodiversity produces economic benefits like good water quality, soil protection,
environmental monitoring, scientific research, etc. Economy depends upon the economic management of biotic
resources. It produces several products harvested from nature and traded in commercial markets. This can be done
by conserving biodiversity, restricting hunting, safeguarding specific habitats, preserving unique ecosystems,
setting up of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and biosphere reserves and sustainable utilisation of resources.
With efficient developments in the biodiversity, India will be able to achieve another level of becoming an
‘aatmanirbhar’ nation.

India is an agrarian nation and forms the backbone of Indian economy. About 60-70 percent of the population
depends on it for their sustenance. Naturally, agriculture plays a crucial role in building 'Aatmanirbhar
Bharat', and this campaign supports strengthening the agriculture sector, which has great potential. Under this
policy, funds will be provided to agricultural cooperative societies, farmer producer organisations and start-ups
for boosting farm-gate infrastructure. Fish production, vaccination of farm animals, animal husbandry, herbal
cultivation, and beekeeping will be focused as well. This will also provide a choice for farmers to sell produce at
prices of their choice. In this way, this policy ensures proper advancements in agriculture and animal husbandry,
thus generating enough surplus with the help of the huge workforce of India to import more food items to foreign
nations, making India self-reliant in terms of most, if not all, types of agricultural products.

With the developments in biodiversity and agricultures, other problems of environmental issues,
underemployment, unemployment (visible and disguised), etc. will be solved as well. This will bring a much-
needed increase in the Indian economy in future, and help in making New India which is ‘aatmanirbhar’ in all
fields, especially the natural areas. The dream of a self-reliant India will be incomplete without improving our
best resources- biodiversity and agriculture. In Narendra Modi's words, "Let us resolve to make India self-reliant.
In India's self-reliance, there is concern for the whole world's happiness, cooperation and peace."