Preparation of Vision Document & Policy Road Map for Incorporation of Sustainable Development Goals

Aims & Objectives: The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) enshrined in 2030 Agenda adopted by 193 Member States at the United Nation represents a new global development agenda. Encompassing three core dimensions of economic, social and environmental development, the Agenda has become the centre of a renewed development framework for countries of the world. The SDGs offer a unique transformative opportunity to close development gaps and provide a life of dignity and sustainable prosperity. India has also adopted the 2030 agenda for sustainable development. In this context, the Institute had been entrusted by the State Government of Uttarakhand to prepare a Vision Document for 2030 at the state level given the framework of implementation of the 17 SDGs. The overall objective was to prepare a vision document and a policy road map for implementation of the SDGs and for its incorporation in the development mandate of Uttarakhand. Apart from the fifteen-year vision, a three-year Action Plan document has also been prepared.

Methodology: The framework adopted for the Vision document for Uttarakhand envisaged people at the centre of the development process. The 17 SDGs were categorized into four groups for ease of analysis, each of which contributed towards enhancement of the development process for the people of Uttarakhand. The four categories include:

1. Sustainable Livelihoods comprising of SDG 1, 2, 8 and 9.
2. Human Development comprising of SDG 3, 4 and 6.
3. Social Development comprising of SDG 5, 10 and 16.
4. Environmental Sustainability comprising of SDG 7, 11, 12, 13 and 15.

Individual SDGs were discussed along with targets (provided by the UN) and state- level indicators were devised for the state for each target. The analysis included baseline values for the indicators, along with vision for 2030 as well as short-term (2019-20) and medium term (2023-24) targets. After discussing each Goal, considering the baseline situation, the existing challenges for achieving the 2030 vision and the strategies were discussed. Discussion also happened around the important sectors as growth drivers and enablers for the government. The financial implications of attaining the Vision 2030 for the Uttarakhand state were also deliberated. The final report was submitted to the Planning Department, Government of Uttarakhand.

Findings & Recommendations: The Vision document for Uttarakhand aims at helping the state government to prioritize the sustainable development agenda at the State and the local level and help in mainstreaming the agenda into the State plans, strategies and budgets. It will help in awareness generation amongst all the relevant actors and in identification of critical constraints and preparation of a policy road map to meet the SDG targets and ensure that the implementation process remains partnership based, fully inclusive, transparent and accountable. This will lead to an integration of the three pillars of sustainable development— social, economic, and environmental for inclusive growth reaching out to the poorest of the poor within the policy objectives in different sectors and the developmental mandate of the State.