Maharashtra, as one of the most populous and economically significant states in India, plays a pivotal role in India's journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Its bustling cities like Mumbai and Pune, coupled with rural agricultural communities, represent a microcosm of India's diverse development challenges and opportunities. For instance, Maharashtra's efforts towards providing quality education (SDG 4) and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) have potential for national influence. The state's initiatives towards improving clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), such as the Jalyukt Shivar Abhiyan for water conservation, and pushing for affordable and clean energy (SDG 7) via increased solar and wind installations, have significant implications for sustainability. Furthermore, Maharashtra's urbanization efforts directly impact sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11), while its biodiversity conservation actions contribute towards life on land (SDG 15). Therefore, Maharashtra's progress, given its sheer scale and diversity, can significantly influence India's overall advancement towards the SDGs.
In 2019, Dr. Ankur Patwardhan, Head of the Biodiversity Department at Maharashtra Education Society’s Abasaheb Garware College, Pune, India, was awarded the second prize in the Elsevier Foundation Green and Sustainable Chemistry Challenge. Contributing to SDGs 13 and 15, his project, “Butterfly attractant for pollination and ecosystem health”, focused on the plant-pollinator interactions that play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance and aimed at enhancing floral visits by butterflies through the development of natural attractant formulations. One year later, we interviewed Dr. Patwardhan about his experience at the Challenge, as well as the upcoming steps for his project.