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PT 365 Environment 2019 PDF
PT 365 Environment 2019 PDF
Table of Contents
3.2.3. Cheetah Reintroduction Project _______ 22
1. CLIMATE CHANGE __________________ 3 3.2.4. Elephant Conservation _______________ 23
1.1. Global Scenario ____________________ 3 3.2.4.1. Gaj Yatra ______________________ 23
1.1.1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 3.2.4.2. New Elephant Reserve ___________ 23
Change Report ___________________________ 3 3.2.5. Asian Rhinos _______________________ 23
1.1.2. Effects of Climate Change on the Ocean _ 3 3.2.6. Great Indian Bustard ________________ 24
1.1.3. Dead-Zone _________________________ 4 3.2.7. Gangetic Dolphin ___________________ 25
3.2.8. Banni Grassland ____________________ 25
1.2. Mitigation Measures ________________ 4
1.2.1. Land Degradation Neutrality __________ 4 3.3. Conservation Measures_____________ 29
1.2.2. Climate Engineering _________________ 5 3.3.1. Measuring Natural Capital ____________ 29
3.3.2. Legal Entity Status for All Animals ______ 29
1.3. International Cooperation ___________ 6 3.3.3. Access and Benefit Sharing ___________ 30
1.3.1. Global Environment Facility (GEF) ______ 6 3.3.4. National REDD+ Strategy _____________ 30
1.3.2. Katowice COP 24 ____________________ 6 3.3.5. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’
1.3.3. Suva Expert Dialogue on Loss and Damage 7 Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001 _________________ 31
1.3.4. Montreal Protocol Assessment ________ 8 3.3.6. Recovery Programme for Wildlife Species 31
3.3.7. Conservation of Migratory Birds and Their
2. POLLUTION _______________________ 9 Habitats _______________________________ 32
2.1. Air Pollution_______________________ 9 3.3.8. Community Forest Resource __________ 32
2.1.1. Black Carbon _______________________ 9 3.3.9. ‘Cultural Model’ of Conservation ______ 33
2.1.2. Petcoke ___________________________ 9 3.3.10. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve _ 33
2.1.3. GHG Emission from Shipping Industry __ 10 3.3.11. Indian Sundarbans- A Wetland of
2.1.4. National Clean Air Programme ________ 10 International Importance__________________ 34
2.1.5. Clean Air- India Initiative_____________ 12 3.3.12. India Biodiversity Awards, 2018 ______ 34
2.1.6. Other Air Pollution Initiatives in News __ 12 3.3.13. Kaziranga National Park _____________ 35
2.1.6.1. System of Air Quality and Weather 3.3.14. Ecotourism Policy __________________ 35
Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) ________ 12
4. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT _______ 36
2.1.6.2. National Air Quality Index ________ 12
2.1.6.3. Comprehensive Environmental 4.1. Non-Conventional Sources of Energy __ 36
Pollution Index (CEPI) __________________ 12 4.1.1. National Policy on Biofuels-2018_______ 36
2.1.6.4. WAYU (Wind Augmentation Purifying 4.1.2. Pradhan Mantri Ji-Van (Jaiv Indhan-
Unit) ________________________________ 12 Vatavaran Anukool Fasal Awashesh Nivaran)
2.1.6.5. Environment Pollution (Prevention and Yojana _________________________________ 37
Control) Authority (EPCA) _______________ 12 4.1.3. Scheme for Biomass Based Cogeneration
Projects ________________________________ 37
2.2. Water Pollution ___________________ 13
4.1.4. Off-Shore Wind Power _______________ 38
2.2.1. Toxicity in Indian Rivers _____________ 13
4.1.5. Global Solar Council _________________ 38
2.2.2. Composite Water Management Index __ 13
4.1.6. Waste to Energy Plants ______________ 39
2.2.3. Guidelines for Groundwater extraction _ 14
2.2.4. National Water Informatics Centre ____ 15 4.2. Electric Vehicles ___________________ 39
2.2.5 Rainwater Harvesting in Metropolitan Cities16 4.2.1. Charging Infrastructure Guidelines _____ 40
2.3. Nitrogen Pollution _________________ 16 4.3. River Basin Management ___________ 40
4.3.1. Minimum River Flow for Ganga ________ 40
2.4. Plastic Pollution ___________________ 17
4.3.2. Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan _________ 41
2.5. Blue Flag Certification ______________ 18 4.3.3. Ganga Praharis (Guardians of The Ganga) 42
2.6. Pesticides Ban ____________________ 19 4.4. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification
2018________________________________ 42
3. BIODIVERSITY_____________________ 20
4.5. Earmarking Eco-Sensitive Area _______ 43
3.1. Convention on Biological Diversity ____ 20
4.6. Green Bonds _____________________ 44
3.2. Flora & Fauna ____________________ 21 4.6.1. Sovereign Blue Bond ________________ 44
3.2.1. Asiatic Lion Conservation Project ______ 21
3.2.2. Tiger Conservation _________________ 22
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4.7. State Energy Efficiency Preparedness 5.12. Titli Cyclone ‘Rarest of Rare’ ________ 52
Index 2018 __________________________ 44
6. GEOGRAPHY _____________________ 53
4.8. Parivesh _________________________ 45
6.1. India’s 1st Soil Moisture Map ________ 53
4.9. National Compensatory Afforestation
6.2. Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report53
Fund Management and Planning Authority
(NCAFMPA) __________________________ 45 6.3. Kelp Forests ______________________ 54
5. DISASTER MANAGEMENT ___________ 47 6.4. Polar Vortex ______________________ 55
5.1. National Disaster Risk Index _________ 47 6.5. Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS) ___ 56
5.2. State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)__ 47 6.6. Deep Ocean Mission _______________ 56
5.3. Repeated Earthquakes in Palghar_____ 47 6.7. Meghalayan Age __________________ 56
5.4. Drought Declaration in India ________ 48 7. MISCELLANEOUS TIT BITS ___________ 58
7.1. South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network
5.5. Rat-Hole Mining __________________ 49 (SAWEN) _______________________________ 58
5.6. Kerala Flood ______________________ 49 7.2. STAPCOR-2018 ______________________ 58
7.3. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) ___ 58
5.7. Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods ________ 49 7.4. International Whaling Commission ______ 58
5.8. Landslide Warning System __________ 50 7.5. Asian Waterbird Census, 2019 __________ 58
7.6. Green Agriculture (Green-Ag) Project ____ 58
5.9. ACROSS Scheme __________________ 50 7.7. Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP)59
7.8. Iran Sees ‘Revival’ of Lake Urmia ________ 59
5.10. Large Forest Fire Monitoring Programme51
7.9. Other Short News ____________________ 59
5.11. Indian Ocean Wave Exercise 2018 7.10. Report and Indices __________________ 60
(IOWave18)__________________________ 51
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1. CLIMATE CHANGE
• If global emissions continue as per the
1.1. GLOBAL SCENARIO
commitments made under Paris Agreement,
the carbon budget (the amount of CO2 that
1.1.1. INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL the world can emit) for 1.5°C warming will be
ON CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT exhausted by 2030.
Why in news? o In order to limit warming at 1.5°C, the
world will have to reduce CO2 emissions
The IPCC has released its Special Report titled by 45 per cent by 2030 from the 2010
“Global Warming of 1.5°C”. levels and reach net-zero emissions by
2050.
What is the IPCC?
• It was established by the United Nations 1.1.2. EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
Environment Programme (UNEP) & the World
ON THE OCEAN
Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to
provide policymakers with regular scientific Why in News?
assessments concerning climate change, its
implications and potential future risks, as well as to According to a recent study, all oceans in the
put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies. world are heating up 60 per cent faster than what
• India is a member.
IPCC had stated in its Fifth Assessment report.
Related Information
Hothouse Earth: A situation in which a planet has Details
passed a tipping point (approximately 2 degree Celsius)
beyond which its own natural processes trigger • According to IPCC Fifth Report, world’s
uncontrollable warming. oceans have absorbed 90% of the
temperature rise caused by man-made carbon
Key findings of the Report emissions, while only 1% in the atmosphere.
• The sea level rise (SLR) can impact food
• Present global warming status: Human-
security, create conflict between
induced global warming in 2017 has already
neighbouring countries and put low lying
reached 1°C above pre-industrial levels;
countries at risk. Various reports suggest a sea
o Since 2000, the estimated level of human-
level rise of 1 additional metre by 2100.
induced warming has been equal to the
• Immediate effects of SLR include saltwater
level of observed warming due to
intrusion of surface waters, increasingly
contributions from solar and volcanic
severe storm surges, submergence and
activity over the historical period.
increased flooding of coastal land.
• Impacts of global warming at 1.5°C: World
• Longer-term effects of SLR are increased
would witness greater sea level rise, increased
erosion, saltwater intrusion into groundwater
precipitation and higher frequency of
and a decline of coastal wetlands
droughts and floods, hotter days and
(saltmarshes, mangroves etc.)
heatwaves, more intense tropical cyclones,
• SLR endangers freshwater supplies (through
and increased ocean acidification and salinity.
salinization), food yields (through loss of
• Impact of transition from 1.5°C to 2°C:
arable land) and physical safety (through
o Decline in crop yields, unprecedented
damages to coastal infrastructure such as
climate extremes and increased
roads, housing and sanitation systems), in
susceptibility could push poverty by
several low-lying Small Island States and leads
several million by 2050.
to the displacement of people.
o Coral reefs would decline by 70-90
• Increasing ocean temperatures and significant
percent with global warming of 1.5°C,
amounts of melting fresh water may result in
whereas virtually all (> 99 percent) would
a slowing of the ocean conveyor belt, altering
be lost with 2°C.
oceanic patterns, changing global weather
o Additional people could be at risk from
conditions and disrupting marine food webs.
malaria.
• Extreme weather events: Increasing sea
o About 350 million additional people could
surface temperatures increase evaporation
be exposed to deadly heat waves.
and atmospheric moisture, creating and
facilitating environmental conditions for
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ocean storms to escalate into more powerful Impacts of Dead Zones
systems. • Impact on Global Warming- As Oxygen levels
• Coral bleaching: Increasing ocean fall, the pace of climate change can
temperatures also impact corals which expel accelerate, with low oxygen levels triggering
the zooxantheallae. the release of chemicals like nitrous oxide.
Sea Level Rise This greenhouse gas is 300 times more
• It is caused primarily by two factors related to powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping
global warming: heat in the atmosphere.
o the added water from melting ice sheets; and • Impact on Corals-Low oxygen levels can kill
glaciers
coral reefs.
o the expansion of seawater as it warms.
Contribution in Sea Level Rise • Impact on Human- due to loss of valuable
ocean produce.
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o Reduce: By application of sustainable in and transporting it elsewhere (like
management practices. oilfields) to be sequestered
o Reverse: Restoring or rehabilitating underground.
degraded land through actively assisting ✓ Carbon Capture Utilization Storage
the recovery of ecosystem functions. (CCUS): It’s a process that captures
• LDN can prevent Soil erosion, desertification, carbon emissions from sources like
water scarcity, migration insecurity and coal-fired power plants and either
income inequalities caused by land
reuses or stores it so it will not enter
degradation. Thus, it helps in combating the
the atmosphere.
impacts of climate change.
✓ In CCS, emissions are forced into
Steps taken to achieve LDN underground rocks at great cost and
no economic benefit while CCUS aims
• Creation of an LDN fund to invest in bankable
projects on land rehabilitation and sustainable at using CO2 emissions by exploiting
land management worldwide including the resource itself and creating new
sustainable agriculture, sustainable livestock markets around it.
management etc. It is promoted by UNCCD ✓ Biochar making: Partly burn materials
and managed by Mirova (a private such as logging slash or crop waste to
Investment management firm). make a carbon-rich, slow-to-
• UNCCD releases the Global Land Outlook. decompose substance known as
• The Land for Life Programme was launched biochar, which can then be buried or
at UNCCD COP 10 in 2011 to confront the spread on farmland. Biochar has been
challenges of land degradation and used for centuries to enrich the soil
desertification. for farming, but of late has been
• In India, National Action Plan (NAP) to drawing increased attention for its
combat desertification was launched in 2001
ability to sequester carbon.
for 20 years.
o Solar Radiation Management or Sunlight
• Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas
Reflection Methods (SRM): This method
(2016) of entire country was prepared by
ISRO. aims to reduce the amount of heat
• Schemes like Integrated Watershed trapped by greenhouse gases by
Development Program, Per Drop More Crop, reflecting sunlight back into space, either
National Afforestation Program, National by increasing the reflectivity of the earth’s
Green Mission, etc. have components to surfaces, or by deploying a layer of
tackle Land degradation. reflective particles in the atmosphere.
✓ Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI):
1.2.2. CLIMATE ENGINEERING It involves spraying into the
Why in News? stratosphere fine, light-coloured
particles designed to reflect back part
Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), a climate of the solar radiation before it
engineering method could potentially slow global reaches and warms the earth. Sulphur
warming. Dioxide gas is used for the process.
✓ Cirrus cloud manipulation: Here the
Climate Engineering Solutions
cirrus clouds are removed or thinned
• Climate Engineering or Geoengineering so that their long-wave trapping
projects are designed to tackle the effects of capacity is reduced and thus cools the
climate change directly, usually by removing surface.
CO2 from the air or limiting the amount of ✓ Marine cloud brightening: The low
sunlight reaching the planet's surface. warm clouds which are highly
• Various method of Geo-engineering are: reflective to sunlight are modified to
o Greenhouse gas removal: Examples increase their reflectivity.
✓ Carbon capture and storage (CCS), ✓ Space sunshade: Obstructing sunrays
where some of the carbon being with space based mirrors.
emitted by coal-fired power stations ✓ Using pale-coloured roofing material
is recaptured by physically sucking it or growing high albedo crops.
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billion in 2014. This will be the first time GEF’s
1.3. INTERNATIONAL budget has been reduced since its origin
COOPERATION because US has pledged to slash its
contribution to GEF by almost half.
1.3.1. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY • The GEF has proposed certain changes in the
(GEF) light of funding cut from US
o Increased co-financing requirement for
Why in news? the poorest countries to 5 times and
• Recently, the Sixth GEF Assembly summit larger developing countries to 9 times the
took place in Da Nang, Vietnam in June 2018. original grant.
About GEF
o A new “index of development” for
• It is a financial mechanism established under the restricting countries from accessing
1992 Rio Earth Summit. funding that have developed beyond a
• It is managed by World Bank. certain point according to this index.
• Presently, it involves an international partnership o Large countries whose average GDP
of 183 countries, international institutions, civil growth is more than 5% over the last four
society organizations and the private sector that years to be ineligible to receive any GEF
addresses global environmental issues. funding.
• The Council is the GEF's main governing body, • It approved a grant of USD 15 million for the
comprises 32 Members appointed by and from
Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem
among GEF member countries (14 from developed
(BOBLME) project, started by the UN Food
countries, 16 from developing countries and 2 from
economies in transition). and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2009,
• The GEF Assembly is composed of all 183-member involving all eight countries along its coastline
countries which meets every four years to review - Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia,
general policies, GEF’s operation and the Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
membership of the Facility. o BOBLME project aims to promote
• Environmental Conventions under GEF financial sustainable fishing, reduce marine
mechanism pollution and improve the lives of
o Convention on Bio diversity (CBD) approximately 400 million people who live
o Convention to combat desertification along its coasts.
(UNCCD)
o Framework convention on climate change 1.3.2. KATOWICE COP 24
(UNFCCC)
o Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Why in news?
Pollutants
o Minamata Convention The 24th Session of the of the Conference of the
o Montreal Protocol (provides support) Parties to the United Nations Framework
GEF/UNDP Small Grants Programme (SGP) Convention on Climate Change (COP 24) was held
• The program is funded by Global Environment in Katowice, Poland.
Facility (GEF) and executed by the United Nation
Development Program (UNDP). About UNFCCC
• It was launched alongside the Rio Earth Summit in • In 1992, countries joined the UNFCCC, as a
1992. framework for international cooperation to
• It provides direct financial and technical support combat climate change by limiting average global
to communities and Civil Society Organizations for temperature increases.
various projects that conserve and restore the • It is one of three conventions adopted at the “Rio
environment while enhancing people's well- being Earth Summit” in 1992. Its sister Rio Conventions
and livelihoods. are the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and
• In India the program is hosted through the the Convention to Combat Desertification. MoEFCC
National Host Institution (NHI) i.e. - Centre for is the nodal ministry for the three conventions.
Environment Education (CEE) • Important funds established under the UNFCCC
o It is a national level institution supported by are:
Ministry of Environment and Forest, • Green Climate Fund: It was established at COP 16
Government of India as a “centre of held in Cancun. It assists developing countries in
excellence”. adaptation and mitigation practices. World Bank is
the Interim Trustee of the fund.
More about the summit • The Adaptation Fund (AF): It was established in
2001 to finance concrete adaptation projects and
• It announced GEF replenishment of $4.1
programmes in developing country Parties to the
billion, a cut in the funding from USD 4.4
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Kyoto Protocol that are particularly vulnerable to Parties by setting internationally binding emission
the adverse effects of climate change. reduction targets.
o It is financed with a share of proceeds from • It entered into force on 16 February 2005.
the clean development mechanism (CDM) • The targets for the first commitment period (2008-
project activities and other sources of funding. 2012) of the Kyoto Protocol cover emissions of the
• The Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) was six main greenhouse gases, namely: Carbon
established in response to guidance from the dioxide (CO2); Methane(CH4); Nitrousoxide (N2O);
Conference of the Parties (COP7) in Marrakech in Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); Perfluorocarbons
2001. The SCCF complements the Least Developed (PFCs); and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)
Countries Fund (LDCF). Unlike the LDCF, the SCCF • Doha Amendment of Kyoto Protocol entered into
is open to all vulnerable developing countries. force the second commitment period(2013-2020)
Key outcomes in Katowice for its targets.
• India is a party to Kyoto Protocol and has ratified
Rulebook Specifics
the second commitment period.
• Accounting Guidance Rules to guide the Talanoa Dialogue is a facilitative dialogue in 2018, to
countries for their Climate pledges take stock of the collective efforts of Parties in relation
(“nationally determined contributions”, to progress towards the long term goal referred to
NDCs), to compare pledges and to add them Paris Agreement and to inform the preparation of
up as a global aggregate. nationally determine contributions (NDCs).
• Market mechanisms: It provides for the Post-2020 Actions are meant for all countries as per
trading of carbon credits i.e. overachievement their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under
of NDCs, as well as individual projects 2015 Paris Agreement.
Pre-2020 Actions refer to existing obligations of small
generating carbon credits for sale.
group rich and developed nations to take mitigation
• Other outcomes: actions under Kyoto Protocol.
o Accounting Rules to prevent “double
Virtual Climate Summit
counting” of emissions reductions by the
buyer and seller of offsets could not be • It is organized as part of the Talanoa Dialogue.
• It is a Heads of Government level conference held
finalised.
entirely online as the first Virtual Summit
o The schemes and methodologies for the (#VirtualClimateSummit) of global political leaders,
implementation of Sustainable eliminating emissions and promoting inclusive
Development Mechanism- SDM would be dialogue.
discussed in COP-25. The SDM is intended • It was organised by the Climate Action Network
to replace the Kyoto Protocol’s “Clean (CAN) and the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF).
Development Mechanism” (CDM) for
carbon offsets. 1.3.3. SUVA EXPERT DIALOGUE ON
o Overall Mitigation in Global Emissions LOSS AND DAMAGE
(OMGE): It is voluntary and new element
under the Paris Agreement, that takes Why in news?
carbon markets beyond the offsetting
Recently Suva Expert Dialogue on loss and
approaches of the existing markets like
the CDM. The primary purpose of OMGE is damage was held at COP-23 UNFCCC, Bonn.
to deliver on cost-effectively reducing Loss and damage in UNFCCC
greenhouse gas emissions, rather than • In simple terms, loss and damage is a concept
creating carbon markets for their own where rich countries, who have historical
sake. responsibility for climate change, are asked to
• Loss and damage: The global stocktake rules be liable to developing countries, who are
add loss and damage clause. already facing climate change.
• Setting up an expert compliance committee: • Initiative under UNFCCC:
The committee will be able to investigate o Establishment of the Subsidiary Body of
countries that fail to submit climate pledges. Implementation (SBI) Work Program on
• Talanoa Dialogue: The convention invited loss and damage in Cancun (COP 16), 2010
countries to consider the outcomes of the o Establishment of the Warsaw International
Talanoa dialogue in preparing their NDCs and Mechanism (WIM) under the Cancun
in efforts to enhance pre-2020 ambition. Adaptation Framework at COP 19, 2013
Kyoto Protocol: The Kyoto Protocol is an international o It is also anchored in the Article 8 of the
agreement linked to the United Nations Framework 2015 Paris agreement which emphasizes the
Convention on Climate Change, which commits its “importance of averting, minimizing and
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addressing loss and damage associated Key findings of the Scientific Assessment of
with the adverse effects of climate Ozone Depletion 2018
change”.
Related Information
• Actions taken under the Montreal Protocol
have led to decreases in the atmospheric
The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action,
abundance of controlled ozone-depleting
established at the CoP22 (UNFCCC), aims to mobilize
climate actions quickly and to reap the benefits in substances (ODSs) and the start of the
efficiency and effectiveness through partnerships and recovery of stratospheric ozone.
coordination between different actors. • At projected rates, Northern Hemisphere and
Small Island Developing States (SIDS) mid-latitude ozone is scheduled to heal
• They are a group of 57 small island countries that
completely (i.e. equivalent to 1980 values) by
tend to share similar sustainable development the 2030s followed by the Southern
challenges, including small but growing Hemisphere in the 2050s and Polar Regions by
populations, limited resources, remoteness, 2060.
susceptibility to natural disasters etc.
Ozone change and its influence on climate
• They were first recognized as a distinct group of
developing countries at the United Nations • Influence on stratospheric climate: Decrease
Conference on Environment and Development in in stratospheric ozone has been an important
June 1992.
contributor to observed stratospheric
cooling.
1.3.4. MONTREAL PROTOCOL ASSESSMENT
• Influence on surface climate and oceans:
Why in news? These changes include the observed pole
The quadrennial review of the Montreal Protocol ward shift in Southern Hemisphere
revealed a healing ozone layer. tropospheric circulation, with associated
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone
impacts on surface temperature and
Layer [1985] precipitation.
• It acts as a framework for the international efforts
to protect the ozone layer.
• It paves the way for a legally binding treaty
through protocol called Montreal protocol.
• India is a party to Vienna convention and its
protocols.
Montreal Protocol [1987]
• It aims at reducing the production and
consumption of ozone depleting substances
(ODS).
• It has been ratified by 197 parties making it
universally ratified protocol in United Nations
history.
• It’s one of the most successful and effective
environmental treaties ever negotiated and
implemented, as all 142 developing countries were
able to meet the 100% phase-out mark for CFCs,
halons and other ODS in 2010.
Kigali agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol
[2016]
• Its aim is to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs),
a family of potent greenhouse gases by the late
2040s.
• It will be binding on countries from 2019.
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2. POLLUTION
o It influences cloud formation and impacts
2.1. AIR POLLUTION regional circulation (monsoon) and
rainfall patterns.
2.1.1. BLACK CARBON o When deposited on ice and snow, black
Why in news? carbon and co-emitted particles reduce
surface albedo (the ability to reflect
A recent study has found that black carbon
sunlight) and heat the surface.
travelling from Mediterranean countries during
o Can affect the health of ecosystems in
the western disturbances and wind trajectories
several ways for eg by depositing on plant
may be one of the contributing factors leading to
leaves and increasing their temperature.
pollution and receding snowline in the Himalayas.
• Health impact: Black carbon and its co-
About Black Carbon pollutants are key components of fine
• Black carbon is a potent climate-warming particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution.
component of particulate matter formed by
the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, • Brown Carbon: It originates primarily during the
wood and other fuels. combustion of organic biomass and coexists with
Black Carbon. It has similar climate effect as Black
• It is a short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP)
Carbon due their light absorbing property.
with a significant direct and indirect impacts • Blue Carbon: It is the carbon stored and
on the climate, glacial regions, agriculture and sequestered in coastal ecosystems such as
human health. mangrove forests, seagrass meadows or intertidal
✓ SLCP are defined as gases and particles saltmarshes.
that contribute to warming and that have
a lifetime of a few days to approximately 2.1.2. PETCOKE
10 years.
✓ Other than black carbon (BC) it includes Why in News?
tropospheric ozone (O3) and its Central Government had banned the import of pet
precursors CO, VOC and NOx, methane coke for use as fuel. It is allowed only for cement,
(CH4), and some hydrofluorocarbons lime kiln, calcium carbide and gasification
(HFCs). industries, when used as the feedstock or in the
Related news and Information
manufacturing process on actual user condition.
Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short Lived About Pet Coke
Climate Pollutants is a voluntary partnership of • Petroleum coke or pet coke, is a solid carbon rich
governments, intergovernmental organizations, (90% carbon and 3% to 6% sulfur) material derived
businesses etc. committed to reduce short-lived climate from oil refining.
pollutants with over 120 state and non-state partners. It • It is categorized as a “bottom of the barrel” fuel.
was initiated in 2012 by governments of Bangladesh, • It is a dirtier alternative to coal and emits 11% more
Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden and the United States, greenhouse gases than coal and nearly 17 times
along with the United Nations Environment more sulphur than coal.
Programme (UNEP). • Petcoke is a source of fine dust which can get
lodged in the lungs. It may contain vanadium
Global Air Pollution and Health Conference
which is a toxic metal.
• WHO organised the first global conference on air • Sulphur-heavy petcoke and other polluting fuels
pollution and health in Geneva, Switzerland. such as furnace oil are widely used by cement
• Theme: ‘Improving Air Quality, Combating Climate factories, dyeing units, paper mills, brick kilns and
Change: Saving Lives.’ ceramics businesses.
• Target: To reduce the number of deaths from air • India is the world’s largest consumer of petcoke
pollution by two thirds by 2030 as mandated by and imports over half its annual pet coke
World Health Assembly (decision making body of consumption mainly from the United States.
WHO).
• Plan: ‘Geneva Action Agenda to Combat Air Reasons for use of Pet Coke
Pollution’ has been proposed.
• Cheaper alternative: Per-unit delivered energy
Impact of Black Carbon for petcoke is much cheaper compared to
• Climate impact coal.
o It is very effective at absorbing light and • Favourable tax regime: with respect to other
heating its surroundings. fules such as natural gas.
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• Clean energy cess of Rs. 400 per tonne levied o The combustion of HFO produces high
on coal, further promote shift to pet-coke. levels of pollutants such as particulate
• Zero Ash Content in Pet coke is a big matter, black carbon, sulphur oxide,
advantage over coal which has significant ash nitrogen oxide.
content. It also allows cement firms can use o Reducing speed could lower power
low grade limestone. requirements and thereby fuel
consumption.
2.1.3. GHG EMISSION FROM SHIPPING o Ships can install scrubbers or other
INDUSTRY exhaust gas cleaning devices to remove
polluting particles.
Why in news? • IMO was tasked with limiting and reducing
Members of the International Maritime emissions from shipping under the Kyoto
Organisation (IMO) have reached an agreement Protocol in 1997.
on reducing their greenhouse gas emissions from • Despite its major role in polluting the planet,
shipping by at least 50% of 2008 levels by 2050. shipping was not accounted for in the Paris
agreement on climate change.
About IMO
• It is the United Nations specialized agency with
2.1.4. NATIONAL CLEAN AIR
responsibility for the safety and security of shipping
and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. PROGRAMME
• India has been one of the earliest members of the
Why in news?
IMO, joining it as a member-state in the year 1959.
• The MARPOL convention was adopted under IMO. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was
MARPOL Convention, 1973. recently launched by Ministry of Environment,
• International Convention for the Prevention of Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main
About NCAP
international convention covering prevention of
pollution of the marine environment by ships from • It is a pollution control initiative to cut the
operational or accidental causes. concentration of particles (PM10 & PM2.5) by
• It has six technical Annexes: 20-30% by 2024. It will have 2017 as the base
o Annex I – Regulations for the Prevention of year for comparison and 2019 as the first year.
Pollution by Oil.
• It is to be implemented in 102 non-attainment
o Annex II – Regulations for the Control of
Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in cities. These cities are chosen on the basis of
Bulk. Ambient Air Quality India (2011-2015) and
o Annex III – Prevention of Pollution by Harmful WHO report 2014-2018.
Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form. • It is not legally binding.
o Annex IV – Prevention of Pollution by Sewage • Its objectives include-
from Ships. o Stringent implementation of mitigation
o Annex V – Prevention of Pollution by Garbage measures for prevention, control and
from Ships.
abatement of air pollution.
o Annex VI – Prevention of Air Pollution from
Ships. o Augment and strengthen air quality
• India is a signatory to MARPOL convention. monitoring network across the country.
o Augment public awareness and capacity
Details building measures.
• The ultimate goal for shipping industry is to Significance of NCAP
reduce greenhouse gas emission to zero by
the middle of the century, with most newly • First such effort - Framing a national
built ships running without fossil fuels by the framework for air quality management with a
2030s. time-bound reduction target.
• The international shipping industry CO2 • Multisectoral Collaboration and Participatory
emissions are projected to grow between 50 approach: It has tried to incorporate
and 250% by 2050 if no action is taken. measures for urban as well as rural areas.
• Heavy fuel oil (HFO) also known as “residual Further, NCAP also identifies the trans-
fuel oil”, considered as the world’s dirtiest boundary nature of air pollution.
and most polluting ship fuel, is a tar-like • Linking Health and Pollution: NCAP has now
residual waste from the oil refining process. taken on board the National Environmental
Health Profile of 20 cities that the MoEFCC
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initiated along with the Indian Council of o Further, the state capitals and cities with a
Medical Research with special focus on air population more than a million may be
pollution and health. taken up on priority for implementation.
Implementation of NCAP Knowledge and Database Augmentation
• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) • Air Quality Monitoring Network: It includes
shall execute the nation-wide programme for setting rural monitoring network and 10 city
the prevention, control, and abetment of air super network.
pollution within the framework of the NCAP. • National Emission Inventory: This will be
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
formalized under the NCAP. Its significance is
• It is the statutory organization constitutedunder in tracking progress towards emission
the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) reduction targets and as inputs to air quality
Act, 1974. model.
• Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and
Institutional Strengthening
functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1981. • Institutional Framework: It involves a
• It functions under the Ministry of Environment, National Apex Committee at the MoEFCC and
Forest and Climate Change.
State-level Apex Committee under the chief
• Some of the important functions of the CPCB are :
secretaries in various states. There are various
o To promote cleanliness of streams and wells
in different areas of the States by prevention, other institutions being envisaged such as
control and abatement of water pollution, and Technical Expert Committee and National-
o To improve the quality of air and to prevent, level Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) at the
control or abate air pollution in the country. MoEF&CC and National-level Project
o Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board Implementation Unit (PIU) at the CPCB.
and resolve disputes among them. • Setting up Air Information Centre: for data
o Provide technical assistance and guidance to analysis, interpretation, dissemination.
the State Boards, carry out and sponsor
• Operationlize the NPL-India Certification
investigation and research relating to
Scheme (NPL-ICS) for certification of
problems of water and air pollution, and for
their prevention, control or abatement; monitoring instrument.
o It is responsible for the enforcement of • Air-Quality Forecasting System (AQFS): As a
Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) state-of-the-art modelling system,
Rules 1989. it will forecast the following day’s air quality.
• Network of Technical Institutions-
Components of NCAP: It has 3 components
Knowledge Partners: Dedicated air pollution
Mitigation Actions: NCAP details various units will be supported in the universities,
mitigation actions. organizations, and institutions and a network
of highly qualified and experienced
• Web-based, three-tier mechanism - to review, academicians, academic administrators, and
monitor, assess and inspect to avoid any form technical institutions will be created.
of non-compliance. The system will work • Technology Assessment Cell (TAC): It will
independently under the supervision of a evaluate significant technologies with
single authority. reference to prevention, control, and
• Extensive Planation Drive at pollution hot abatement of pollution.
spots in the cities/towns. Related news
• Technology Support. • NITI Aayog has proposed 15-point action plan titled
• Regional and Transboundary Plan: Air quality 'Breathe India' for combating air pollution in ten
management at South-Asia regional level by most polluted cities in the country, including Delhi,
activating the initiatives under ‘Male Kanpur and Varanasi.
o According to the World Health Organisation
Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air
(WHO) global air pollution database, India has
Pollution and its Likely Transboundary 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the
Effects for South Asia’ and South Asia world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations.
Cooperative Environment Programme
(SACEP) to be explored.
• City Specific Air Quality Management Plan for
102 Non-Attainment Cities.
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2.1.5. CLEAN AIR- INDIA INITIATIVE Poor, and Severe. AQ sub-index and health
breakpoints are evolved for eight pollutants
Why in news? (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb)
Recently, the clean air-India initiative was for which short-term (upto 24-hours) National
launched in Delhi by Prime Minister of Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed.
Netherlands. • SAMEER app has been developed to display
About the initiative AQI at a city and receive complaints.
• Related Information - Pollutants covered
• It is a collaborative project between Get in the under National Ambient Air Quality Standards
Ring (a platform for start-ups by the are: Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, lead,
government of the Netherlands), Start-up Ozone, PM10, PM2.5, carbon monoxide.
India and INDUS Forum (an online
matchmaking platform of Indian and Dutch 2.1.6.3. COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL
businesses). POLLUTION INDEX (CEPI)
• Aim: To curb air pollution in Indian cities by
promoting partnerships between Indian start- • It is measured by Central Pollution Control
ups and Dutch companies and build a network Board for Monitoring Polluted Industrial Areas
of entrepreneurs working on business (PIAs).
solutions for cleaner air. • It is a rational number between 0 and 100.
#StartUpLink
• CEPI score of 70 or above is considered as
critically polluted cluster tag.
• It was launched by Invest India and Dutch
• Categorization of industrial sectors based on
government for Indian and Dutch start-ups which
offers access to key information, relevant CEPI score:
networks, pilot opportunities, and navigators for o Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index
the respective start up ecosystems. score of 60 and above - Red category
• ‘Clean Air’ India Ring is a critical component of the o Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index
Indo-Dutch #StartUpLink. score of 41 to 59 – Orange category
• As a partner for #StartUpLink, Dutch company o Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index
shell has established a Shell E4 Start hub, the first score of 21 to 40– Green category
energy focused start up hub in India. o Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index
score incl. & upto 20- White category
2.1.6. OTHER AIR POLLUTION (newly introduced)
INITIATIVES IN NEWS
2.1.6.4. WAYU (WIND AUGMENTATION
2.1.6.1. SYSTEM OF AIR QUALITY AND PURIFYING UNIT)
WEATHER FORECASTING AND RESEARCH
• It is developed by Council of Scientific and
(SAFAR) Industrial Research – National Environmental
• Recently, most advanced System of Air Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI)
Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) was as a part of Technology Development Project
inaugurated. being funded by Department of Science and
• It monitors UV-Index, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, Technology.
Mercury, Black Carbon, Sulfur Dioxide, Ozone, • The device works on two principles mainly
Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, Wind generation for dilution of air pollutants
Toluene and Xylene. and Active Pollutants removal.
• It is implemented in four cities of India – • It has filters for Particulate Matter removal
Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. and activated carbon (charcoal) and UV lamps
• It is developed by Indian Institute of Tropical for poisonous gases removal such as VOCs
Meteorology, Pune, and operationalized by and Carbon Monoxide.
India Meteorological Department (IMD). • It has the capacity to purify air in an area of
500 meter square.
2.1.6.2. NATIONAL AIR QUALITY INDEX
2.1.6.5. ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION
• It transforms complex air quality data of (PREVENTION AND CONTROL) AUTHORITY
various pollutants into a single number (index (EPCA)
value) nomenclature and colour. • Central government recently, re-constituted
• There are six AQI categories, namely Good, EPCA.
Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very
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• It was constituted under Section 3(3) of • Using Green remediation techniques such as
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Phytoextraction for soils and wetlands
• It was empowered by the Supreme Court for contaminated with toxic metals. e.g. - Water
protecting and improving the quality of the hyacinth is used for cleansing polluted water
environment and preventing and controlling by absorbing pollutants especially chromium.
the environmental pollution in the National Metal Source
Capital Region. Arsenic Pesticides, fungicides, metal smelters
• It was also mandated to enforce Graded Cadmium Welding, electroplating, pesticides,
Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and fertilizers, batteries, nuclear plants
Chromium Mining, electroplating, textile, tanneries
the NCR region, which comprises the graded
Copper Mining, electroplating, pesticides
measures for each source framed according
Lead Paint, batteries, pesticides, automobile
to the AQI categories. emissions, mining, burning of coal
Manganese Welding, fuel addition, ferro manganese
2.2. WATER POLLUTION production
Mercury Pesticides, batteries, paper industries
2.2.1. TOXICITY IN INDIAN RIVERS Nickel Electroplating, zinc base coating, battery
industries
Why in news? Zinc Refineries, brass manufacturing, metal
A recent report titled Status of trace and toxic plating, immersion of painted idols
metals in Indian rivers 2018 by Central Water
Commission. 2.2.2. COMPOSITE WATER
MANAGEMENT INDEX
More about the news
Why in News?
• The report has highlighted that 42 rivers in
India have at least two toxic heavy metals in Recently, NITI Aayog released Composite Water
quantities beyond the permissible limit. Management Index (CWMI) to assess and
• Ganga was found to be polluted with five improve the performance of states/UTs in
heavy metals—chromium, copper, nickel, lead efficient management of water resources.
and iron. Background
• Sources: Mining, milling, plating and surface
finishing industries are the main sources of • World Bank indicates that by 2030 India’s per
heavy metal pollution and the concentration capita water availability may shrink to half,
of such toxic metals has increased rapidly which will push the country into ‘water
over the past few decades. scarce’ category from the existing ‘water
stress’ category.
Toxic metals and sources of metal Pollution
o Water Stressed Condition: When annual
• The term ‘‘heavy metal’’ refers to any metal per-capita water availability is less than
and metalloid element that has a relatively 1700 cubic meters.
high density ranging from 3.5 to 7 g/cm3 and o Water Scarcity Condition: When annual
is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations. per- capita water availability is less than
• Primary metals considered to be toxic are 1000 cubic meters.
lead, arsenic, copper, cadmium, mercury and • India is home 16% of World’s population
nickel. however, it holds only about 4% of global
• Health impacts of toxic metals: Heavy metals freshwater.
pose a serious threat to humans and the • Water is a State subject and its optimal
environment because of its toxicity, non- utilization and management lies
biodegradability and bioaccumulation and predominantly within the domain of the
may result in reduction of species diversity. States.
• With nearly 70% of water being contaminated,
Corrective measures India is placed at 120th amongst 122 countries
• Controlling runoff pollution such as in the water quality index.
agriculture runoff, urban runoff and runoff
from livestock farms through afforestation,
sustainable agriculture practices and using
wastewater for irrigation etc.
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2.2.3. GUIDELINES FOR
GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION
Why in news?
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contamination in premises of polluting 2.2.4. NATIONAL WATER
industries/ projects.
INFORMATICS CENTRE
o Mandatory requirement of digital flow
meters, piezometers and digital water Why in News?
level recorders (with or without telemetry
The government has set up National Water
depending upon quantum of extraction).
Informatics Centre (NWIC) to maintain a
o Mandatory water audit by specified
comprehensive water resources data.
industries abstracting ground water.
o Mandatory roof top rain water About NWIC
harvesting except for specified industries.
• It would be a repository of nation-wide water
• Monitoring: Monthly water level data shall be
resources data and would work as a
submitted to CGWA through the web portal.
Subordinate Office under the Ministry of
• Exemptions
Water Resources, River Development and
o Exemption from requirement of NOC has
Ganga Rejuvenation which is to be headed by
been given to agricultural users, users
a Joint Secretary level officer.
employing non-energised means to
• It will provide latest and reliable water data
extract water, individual households
(other than classified data) through web-
(using less than 1 inch diameter delivery
based India Water Resources Information
pipe) and Armed Forces Establishments
System (India-WRIS) on a GIS platform in
during operational deployment or during
Public Domain.
mobilization in forward locations.
• It will also collaborate with leading national
Related news and international research institutes to
Recently, a new study by researchers has found provide technical support to central and state
widespread uranium contamination in groundwater organisations dealing with water emergency
from aquifers in 16 Indian states.
response of hydrological extremes.
More on findings of the study • It is a component of National Hydrology
• The majority of high-uranium levels were located in Project and also in consonance with the
Rajasthan and parts of Punjab, Haryana and National Water Mission which has an
Gujarat objective of “conservation of water,
• The results showed that most of the wells tested in
minimizing wastage and ensuring its more
Rajasthan and Gujarat had more uranium than the
equitable distribution through integrated
WHO’s recommended limit of 30 µg/L.
• The primary source of uranium is granite, which is
water resources development and
common in the Himalayan range. Over the years, management”.
uranium may have slowly leached into the water.
National Hydrology Project
• However, anthropogenic factors such as over-
exploitation of groundwater for agricultural • It is a central sector scheme. Under this, the Hydro-
irrigation and nitrate pollution due to overuse of meteorological data will be stored and analyzed in
nitrogenous fertilizers may have further enhanced real time basis and can be seamlessly accessed by
uranium mobilization. any user at State, District and Village level.
• Its components include-
Issues associated with uranium contamination
o In Situ Hydromet Monitoring System and
• The Bureau of Indian Standards’ Drinking Water Hydromet Data Acquisition System.
Specifications does not prescribe any limit for o Setting up of National Water Informatics
uranium which makes quality monitoring of water Centre (NWIC).
table impossible. Some of the major contaminants o Water Resources Operation and Management
which are monitored under the specification System
include: Cadmium, Cyanide, Mercury, Lead, o Water Resources Institutions and Capacity
Arsenic, Chromium etc. Building
• Uranium in drinking water raises concerns because
India-Water Resource Information System
of chemical toxicity, chronic kidney problems etc.
• It is a joint venture of the Central Water
Commission (CWC), Ministry of Water Resources
and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO),
Department of Space.
• India-WRIS provides 'Single Window solution' for
all water resources data & information in a national
GIS framework.
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2.2.5 RAINWATER HARVESTING IN Highlights of the report
METROPOLITAN CITIES
• In India nitrogen emissions grew at 69% from
Why in news? 2001 to 2011 and has replaced methane as the
second largest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) from
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Indian agriculture.
Development submitted its report on “Rainwater • Agricultural soils contributed to over 70% of
Harvesting in Metropolitan Cities”.
nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, followed by
Techniques of Rainwater Harvesting in Urban waste water (12%) and residential and
Areas- NITI Aayog has outlined the following commercial activities (6%).
techniques- • India is globally the biggest source of
ammonia emission, nearly double that of NOx
• Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting- A container
emissions.
needs to be constructed or placed beneath
• Health impact: Blue Baby Syndrome, reduced
the roof level, which will store the rainwater
functioning of the thyroid gland, Vitamin A
intercepted and redirected towards it through
shortages etc.
pipes made out of wood, bamboo, or PVC.
• Excessive nitrogen in the form of fertilizer
• Driveway Rain Off Harvesting- This technique
brings down the carbon content of the soil,
is useful where the built-up area is much
result in diminishing returns in terms of crop
larger, such as office complexes. The rain
yield.
water is harvested by intercepting it with the
• Excessive eutrophication which turns water
help of a shallow gutter or a bump near the
body into Dead Zone, substance like nitric acid
gate and directed to a recharge well.
is a component of acid rain.
Some Traditional Methods of Rainwater Harvesting in • Nitrous oxide (N2O) is 300 times more potent
states- In India, rainwater harvesting has been in as a greenhouse gas as opposed to CO2. It is
practice for more than 4000 years. also a dominant ozone-depleting substance
• Himachal Pradesh- Kul, Kuhi and also leads to formation of smog.
• Rajasthan- Baoris, Jhalaras, Johad, Nadis, khadins,
kunds
• Maharashtra- Bhandaras
• Bihar- Ahar-Pynes
• Karnataka- Kere
• Madhya Pradesh- Bundela Tank, Chandela Tank,
Katas, Pat
• Tamil Nadu- Eri, Ooranis
• Nagaland- Cheo-ozihi
• Andhra Pradesh- Cheruvu
• West Bengal- Dungs
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• Bharat Stage Norms: Aim to regulate the • Responsibility of street vendors and retailers: Not
harmful emission from vehicle like carbon to provide such carry bags or fine would be
monoxide (CO), unburnt hydrocarbons (HC), imposed. Only the registered shopkeepers on
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Particulate matter payment of a registration fee to local bodies would
be allowed to give out plastic carry bags on charge.
(PM).
• To promote the use of plastic for road construction
• National Air Quality Index (NAQI) has been or energy recovery.
implemented in which Nitrogen Dioxide is one
of the eight pollutants to be controlled and Background
monitored.
• India was the global host of 2018 World
Global
Environment Day (June 5, 2018) with “Beat
• Gothenburg Protocol: It aims to Abate Plastic Pollution” as the theme, reflecting
Acidification, Eutrophication and Groundlevel world commitment to combat single-use
Ozone and is a part of is part of the plastic pollution.
Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air • According to United Nations Environment
Pollution. Programme (UNEP) if current pollution rates
o Objective: To control and reduce continue, there will be more plastic in the sea
emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), than fish by 2050, as globally, only 14% of
nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia (NH4), plastics is recycled.
volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and • Only 24 States and Union Territories have
Particulate Matter (PM) that are caused complied with the Centre’s Plastic Waste
by human activities. Management (PWM) Rules, 2016, to regulate
• Kyoto Protocol: It aims to reduce the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of
emissions of the Green House Gases such as plastic carry bags including those of
Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O), compostable plastic, and plastic sheets for
Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons packaging or wrapping applications.
(PFCs), Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and carbon • Single Use Plastic: Also referred as disposable
dioxide (CO2). plastics, are commonly used for plastic
• International Nitrogen Initiative (INI): It is an packaging and include items intended to be
international program, set up in 2003 under used only once before they are thrown away
sponsorship of the Scientific Committee on or recycled. It account for 50% of the plastic
Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) and we use, with none states in India have plans in
from the International Geosphere-Biosphere place to tackle single use plastics.
Program (IGBP) to optimize nitrogen’s
Microplastics
beneficial role in sustainable food production.
• Microplastics or Microbeads are plastic pieces or
2.4. PLASTIC POLLUTION fibre which is very small, generally measuring less
than 1mm.
Why in News? • They have a variety of use, most notably being
personal care products like toothpaste, body
Recently, India committed to eliminate all single- creams, clothing and industrial use.
use plastic in the country by 2022. • They have an ability to spread easily and provide
silky texture and colours to the product. Thus,
Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016 adding visual appeal of the cosmetic products.
• It defines the minimum thickness of plastic carry
bags i.e. 50 microns. This would increase the cost Impact of plastic Pollution
and the tendency to provide free carry bags would
come down. • Bio-accumulation: Plastic bags are often
• Responsibility of local bodies: Rural areas are ingested by animals who mistakenly taken
brought under the rules. The gram sabhas have them for food due to which toxic chemicals
been given responsibility of implementation. enter the human food chain.
• Extended Producer Responsibility: Producers and • Leaching of harmful chemical: As the plastics
brand owners have been made responsible for degrade and become brittle, they leach out
collecting waste generated from their products. monomers like Bisphenol A which can then be
• Responsibility of waste generator: All institutional absorbed by marine life, with relatively little
generators of plastic waste shall segregate and
known consequences.
store their waste as per Solid Waste Management
o They have been linked to decreasing crop
Rules, and handover segregated wastes to
authorized waste disposal facilities. productivity, impacting food security,
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birth defects, impaired immunity, Taj Declaration
endocrine disruption and other ailments. • It aims at gradual phasing out of single-use plastic
• Source of vector borne diseases: They water bottles and cutlery in the 500-metre radius
provide abundant surfaces area for of the Taj Mahal in the next five years and to make
the monument litter-free.
colonization opportunities. In addition, these
plastics are essentially rafts for organisms to Ocean Clean up
travel further then they usually would, making Recently, the Ocean Cleanup project was started in the
them vectors for spreading invasive marine Pacific Ocean.
species. • Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organisation which is
• Air Pollution: Disposing of plastic waste by developing advanced technologies to rid the
burning it in open-air pits releases harmful world’s oceans of plastics.
gases like furan and dioxin. • It is directed at cleaning The Great Pacific Garbage
Patch (GPGP) which is a zone between Hawaii and
• Financial Loss: The total economic damage to California. About 1.8 Trillion pieces of plastic float
the world’s marine ecosystem caused by the surface of the GPGP.
plastic amounts to at least $13 billion every
year.
International efforts for tackling Plastic Debris
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and one beach each from Puducherry, Goa,
Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep and Andaman
and Nicobar Islands.
• Beach Management Service (BeaMS) It’s an
integrated coastal management scheme
introduced by the ministry to reduce existing
pollutants on beaches and achieve such high
international standards.
Blue Flag Standards
• The Blue Flag beach standards were established by
Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental
Education (FEE) in 1985 in France.
• The Blue Flag is an environmental award for
beaches, sustainable boating tourism operators,
and marinas.
• Only local authorities or private beach operators
can apply for a Blue Flag for beaches.
• The criteria for Blue Flag beaches cover four main
area:
o water quality, Regulations for pesticide in India
o environmental management, • Insecticide Act 1968, was enacted to regulate
o environmental education and
imports, manufacture, storage, transport,
o safety.
sale, distribution and use of insecticides with a
Society for Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM)
view to prevent risk to human beings and
• It has been established under the aegis of animals.
MoEFCCC. • The Central Insecticide Board and
• The main objectives of SICOM are as follows:
Registration Committee (CIBRC) approves
o To support implementation of Integrated
the use of pesticides in India.
Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) activities in
India. • The health and family welfare ministry
o To implement the World Bank assisted monitors and regulates pesticide levels in
India ICZM Project food, and sets limits for residues in food
o To provide Research Development (R&D) and commodities.
stakeholders participation in management of • Department of Agriculture, Co-Operation &
the Coastal areas in India. Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) has launched a
scheme “Strengthening and Modernization
2.6. PESTICIDES BAN of Pest Management Approach in India” to
promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
Why in News? • “Grow Safe food” Campaign has been
The Government of India has decided to ban the initiated to create awareness about the safe
use of 18 pesticides following the and judicious use of pesticides among the
recommendations of the Anupam Verma various stakeholders
Committee. • India is signatory to UNEP led Stockholm
Convention For Persistent Organic Pollutants
and Rotterdam Convention which promotes
open exchange of information and calls on
exporters of hazardous chemicals to use
proper labelling, include directions on safe
handling, and inform purchasers of any known
restrictions or bans.
• Draft Pesticides Management Bill 2017 aims
to regulate the manufacture, imports,
storage, transportation, inspection, testing
and distribution of pesticides.
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3. BIODIVERSITY
agreement with a participation of 196 member
3.1. CONVENTION ON countries.
BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY • India is a member.
Protocols adopted under the Convention.
Why in News?
• Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: It seeks to
• Recently, Conference of the Parties (COP 14) protect biological diversity from the potential risks
to the Convention on Biological Diversity posed by living modified organisms resulting from
(CBD) was held, adopting Sharm El-Sheikh modern biotechnology.
Declaration. o It establishes an advance informed agreement
• India also recently submitted Sixth National (AIA) procedure for ensuring that countries
Report (NR6) to the CBD. are provided with the information necessary
to make informed decisions before agreeing
o Submission of national reports is a
to the import of such organisms into their
mandatory obligation on Parties to
territory.
international treaties, including CBD. o It also establishes a Biosafety Clearing-House
o NR6 provides an update of progress in to facilitate the exchange of information on
achievement of 12 National Biodiversity living modified organisms.
Targets (NBT) developed under the • Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing: It
Convention, in line with the 20 global aims at sharing the benefits arising from the
Aichi biodiversity targets. utilization of genetic resources in a fair and
o India has achieved two NBTs (6&9), it is equitable way, including by appropriate access to
on track to achieve 8 NBTs and in respect genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of
relevant technologies.
of the remaining 2 NBTs.
o Threat to Wildlife: In India has a total of Highlight of COP-14
683 animal species in the International
Union for Conservation of Nature’s • Adoption of Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration on
(IUCN) critically endangered, endangered Investing in Biodiversity for People and
and vulnerable categories, as compared Planet.
to 646 species in 2014 when the fifth • New Deal for Nature: It is an agreement on a
national report was submitted, and 413 in comprehensive and participatory process to
these categories in 2009. develop post-2020 global biodiversity
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) framework to further achieve the 2050 Vision
• It seeks to address all threats to biodiversity and for Biodiversity.
ecosystem services, including threats from climate • Launch of International Alliance of Nature
change.
and Culture to advance work on biological
• It aims to promote the conservation of
and cultural diversity in collaboration with the
biodiversity, the sustainable use of its
components, and the fair and equitable sharing of
United Nations Educational, Scientific and
benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and
• It was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the indigenous peoples and local communities.
United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development (the Rio "Earth Summit").
• It’s a legally binding multilateral environmental
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Asiatic Lion
3.2. FLORA & FAUNA • Asiatic Lion, Panthera Leo Persica is listed in
Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and in
3.2.1. ASIATIC LION CONSERVATION Appendix-I of CITES, while IUCN lists it in
PROJECT endangered category.
• The lion is one of five pantherine cats inhabiting
Why in News? India, along with the Bengal tiger, Indian
leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
• Their population is limited to only five protected
Change launched the “Asiatic Lion Conservation areas in Gujarat – Gir National Park, Gir Sanctuary,
Project”. Pania Sanctuary, Mitiyala Sanctuary and Girnar
Sanctuary.
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Asiatic vs African Lions About the project
• Size: Asiatic lions tend to be smaller than their • It is conceived by the MoEFCCC, NTCA and
African cousins.
Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun.
• Mane: Compared to the African lion, the male
Asiatic lion has a relatively short, sparse mane. As a • It involves shifting six tigers (three pairs) from
result, the male Asiatic lion's ears tend to remain different reserves in the central state to the
visible at all times. In addition to being less well- eastern state.
developed, the mane is generally darker than that Conservation Efforts in India
of African lions. • Project Tiger (1973): It’s a centrally Sponsored
• Skin Fold: The most distinguishing characteristic of Scheme for in-situ conservation of wild tigers in
the Asiatic lion is a longitudinal fold of skin that designated tiger reserves (50 at present).
runs along the belly. This trait is found in all Asiatic • The National Tiger Conservation Authority
lions. It is absent in African Lions. (NTCA): It is a statutory body and has overarching
• Pride Size: Asiatic prides tend to be smaller than supervisory/coordination role as provided in the
their African counterparts. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It implements
Background major tiger conservation initiatives like project
tiger, Tiger conservation plan etc.
• 23 Lions died in short period of 20 days in o Minister of MoEFCC is the chairman of the
2018, due to Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) authority.
and tick-borne Babesiosis. • Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive
About the Project Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES): It is
a software-based monitoring system launched
• It will be funded from the Centrally across Indian tiger reserves by the NTCA.
Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Global Conservation Efforts
Habitat (CSS-DWH) with the contributing ratio • The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI), 2008: A global
being 60:40 of Central and State share. alliance of governments, international
• Focus: To cause habitat improvement, organizations, civil society, the conservation and
scientific communities and the private sector and
scientific interventions, disease control and
includes organization like the World Bank, the
veterinary care supplemented with adequate Global Environment Facility (GEF), etc.
eco development works for the fringe o Aim: To work together to save wild tigers
population in order to ensure a stable and from extinction. In 2013, the scope was
viable Lion population in the Country. broadened to include Snow Leopards.
o The initiative is led by the 13 tiger range
Related News countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia,
Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia,
• Recently, the government approved continuation Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and
of the scheme beyond the 12thPlan period from Vietnam).
2017-18 to 2019-20. o TX2: In 2010, the St. Petersburg Declaration
• It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme where GoI on Tiger Conservation was adopted under the
provides financial and technical assistance to the GTI and TX2 was endorsed. Its goal was to
State/UT Governments for activities aimed at double the number of wild tigers across their
wildlife conservation. geographical areas. The WWF is implementing
• Component: Scheme consists of Centrally the programme in 13 tiger range countries.
Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger (CSS-PT), • The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is the only inter-
Development of Wildlife Habitats (CSS-DWH) and governmental international body established with
Project Elephant (CSS-PE). members from willing countries to embark on a
global campaign to protect the Tiger.
• Implementation of the schemes would be done
through the respective States in designated Tiger • Conservation Assured Tiger Standards CA|TS: It is
Reserves, Protected Areas and Elephant Reserves. a new tool for tiger conservation management. It
is a set of criteria which allows tiger sites to check
if their management will lead to successful tiger
3.2.2. TIGER CONSERVATION conservation. It is an important part of Tx2
programme.
Why in news?
As part of the country’s first inter-state 3.2.3. CHEETAH REINTRODUCTION
translocation of tigers project, a female cub was PROJECT
shifted from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in
Madhya Pradesh to Satkosia Tiger Reserve (STR) Why in news?
in Odisha. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
has reported to the Supreme Court that African
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cheetahs, to be translocated in India from • Singhphan Elephant Reserve - It has huge
Namibia, will be kept at Nauradehi wildlife tracts of forest, strategically located in
sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. contiguity with the Abhaypur Reserve Forest
About the Plan of Assam.
• NTCA is nodal agency for the Cheetahs • Other Protected areas in Nagaland: Intanki
reintroduction plan. National Park, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary,
• In 2009, Project Cheetah was launched and Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary and Rangapahar
Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (MP) and Shahgarh Wildlife Sanctuary.
area in Rajasthan were identified as other two Steps Taken for Elephant conservation
sites for cheetah reintroduction plan. • Elephant is National Heritage Animal and
categorised as Endangered under IUCN list.
• Nauradehi was found to be the most suitable
• It is under schedule I of the Indian Wildlife
area for the cheetahs as its forests are not
(Protection) Act, 1972 and in Appendix I of the
very dense to restrict the fast movement of Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Cheetahs. Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). Karnataka has
About African Cheetah the highest number of elephants followed by
• It is a large cat that occurs in Southern, North and Assam and Kerala respectively.
East Africa And also in some localities in Iran. • Project Elephant:
• It inhabits different habitats like dry forests, scrub o It was launched in the year 1992 as a Centrally
forests, and savannahs. Sponsored Scheme.
• IUCN status: Vulnerable (Asiatic Cheetah – o Objectives: To protect elephants, their habitat
Critically endangered) & corridors; to address issues of man-animal
• India was once home to many cheetahs, but it was conflict and welfare of captive elephants
declared extinct in India in 1952 and last spotted in o Elephant reserves are established across
Chhattisgarh 1947. states to achieve above objectives.
• The only mammal to become extinct in India in last • Elephant corridors: These are narrow strips of land
1,000 years. that allow elephants to move from one habitat
patch to another. There are approx. 100 identified
Significance of the move elephant corridors in India.
• It will make India the only country in the world • Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE)
to host six of the world's eight large cats, Programme
including lions, tigers, jaguars, panthers and o It was established in 2003, through a
Conference of the Parties (COP) resolution to
leopards.
the Convention on International Trade in
• Cheetah is the flagship species of the Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
grasslands. This will help dryland ecosystems (CITES).
of India to return to their natural state. o It is an international collaboration that tracks
trends in information related to the illegal
3.2.4. ELEPHANT CONSERVATION killing of elephants across Africa and Asia, to
monitor effectiveness of field conservation
3.2.4.1. GAJ YATRA efforts.
• Asian Elephant Alliance
• It’s a nationwide campaign to protect o It was launched in July 2015 in London, United
elephants, launched on the occasion of World Kingdom.
Elephant Day led by the Wildlife Trust of India o It is an umbrella of five NGOs-Elephant Family,
(WTI) and International Fund for Animal International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW),
Welfare (IFAW), both NGOs, from Tura in IUCN Netherlands, World Land Trust (WLT) and
Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).
• It was organized in the Garo Hills in o It aims to secure a safe future for the wild
recognition of the people’s initiative of elephants of India, which make up
approximately half of the world’s wild Asian
community forests for human-elephant
elephants.
harmony and conservation of animals such as
hoolock gibbon. 3.2.5. ASIAN RHINOS
3.2.4.2. NEW ELEPHANT RESERVE Why in News?
• Recently, Nagaland government declared the Recently, 2nd Asian Rhino Range Countries (i.e.
Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary as an Elephant India, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia and Malaysia)
Reserve (30th in total), with the approval of meeting, has signed- The New Delhi Declaration
central government. on Asian Rhinos 2019.
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About the Declaration • It is endemic to Indian Sub-continent, found
• It intends to conserve and review the in central India, western India and eastern
population of the Greater one-horned, Javan Pakistan.
and Sumatran rhinos (three species of Asian • Currently, it is found in only six states in the
Rhino) every four years to reassess the need country — Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat,
for joint actions to secure their future. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and
• The declaration outlines a series of strategic Karnataka.
actions including Trans-boundary • Protection: Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife
collaboration among India, Nepal, and Bhutan (Protection) Act, 1972 and Critically
for one-horned rhino; engagement of the Endangered on the IUCN Red List
local communities; initiate proactive • It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES and
monitoring on potential adverse impacts of covered under CMS or Bonn Convention.
climate change; accelerate natural and • Bustard Species Found in India: Great Indian
conservation breeding of Sumatran rhino etc. Bustard, the Lesser Florican and the Bengal
Florican; Houbara also belong to Bustard
Related Facts family but it's a migratory species.
• Javan and Sumatran rhinos are currently classified
• Importance to Ecosystem: GIB is an indicator
as critically endangered.
species for grassland habitats and its gradual
• The Sumatran rhino, the smallest of all rhino
species and the only Asian rhino with two horns, disappearance from such environments
became extinct in the wild in Malaysia. shows their deterioration.
The Great One-Horned Rhinoceros o Once the species is lost, there will be no
• The great one-horned rhino or Indian Rhino is the other species to replace it, and that will
largest of the rhino species found commonly in destabilise the ecosystem of the
Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and India. grassland and affect critical bio-
• In India, it is found in Assam – Kaziranga National diversities, as well as blackbucks and
Park, Manas National Park, Pobitora Reserve wolves, who share their habitat with the
Forest, Orang National Park, Laokhowa Reserve GIB.
Forest etc.
• Conservation Steps: Great Indian Bustard,
• It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is
protected under the Schedule I of the Wildlife
popularly known as 'Godawan', is Rajasthan's
Protection Act. It is threatened by poaching, state bird. It’s one of the Species for The
habitat destruction, flooding etc. Recovery Programme under the Integrated
• Indian Rhino Vision 2020 – It has been Development of Wildlife Habitats of the
implemented by Assam State Government with the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
Bodo autonomous council as an active partner and
Bustard Recovery Programme
supported by WWF- India. The aim is to increase
the number of Rhinos and provide long term • It recommends linking local livelihoods with
viability of the one-horned rhino population. bustard conservation.
• The government of Assam has raised the Special • For effective conservation, the guidelines direct
Rhino Protection Force from people living in the state governments to identify the core breeding
fringe areas of the Kaziranga National Park. areas for bustards and keep them inviolate from
human disturbances.
3.2.6. GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD • The guidelines suggest restriction on
infrastructure development and land use diversion
Why in News? for roads, high tension electric poles, intensive
agriculture, wind power generators and
A recent study suggests that, Great Indian Bustard construction.
population has been falling continuously, from Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
around 1,260 in 1969 to less than 200 in 2018. of Wild Animals (CMS) or Bonn convention
About Great Indian bustard (Ardeotis Nigriceps) • It is the only convention under UNEP which
provides a global platform for the conservation
• It’s among the heaviest bird with a horizontal and sustainable use of migratory animals and their
body and long bare legs giving it an ostrich habitats (and their migration routes). India is a
like appearance. member of the convention.
• Habitat: Arid and semi-arid grasslands, open • Appendix I of the Convention: It includes
country with thorn scrub, tall grass Migratory species threatened with extinction.
interspersed with cultivation. It avoids • Appendix II of the Convention: It includes
irrigated areas. Migratory species that need or would significantly
benefit from international co-operation.
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3.2.7. GANGETIC DOLPHIN o Potential sites for intense dolphin
conservation should be demarcated and
Why in news? States with Gangetic Dolphin populations
should have a regional Dolphin
Recently, study showed that rising salinity in
Conservation Centre.
Sunderbans region of India is causing a decrease
o The use of nylon monofilament fishing
in population of the Ganges River Dolphins.
gillnets should be banned and Critical
About Gangetic dolphins water flow and minimum depths for all
• It inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river dolphin habitats should be
and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, determined.
India, and Bangladesh. o Trans-boundary Protected Areas
• It is among the four freshwater dolphins between India, Nepal and Bangladesh.
found in the world – the other three are- baiji • National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): In
found in the Yangtze River (China), the its efforts of biodiversity conservation in
‘bhulan’ of the Indus (Pakistan) and the ‘boto’ Ganga River basin, it has been working on the
of the Amazon River (Latin America). Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Action.
• It is fluviatile (riverine) in habitat, it may also • National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC),
be found in brackish water. It never enters Patna: It's India’s and Asia’s first Centre for
the sea. strengthening conservation efforts and
• A long thin snout, rounded belly and large research to save the endangered mammal.
flippers are its characteristics. Other Indian River Dolphins
• It is a mammal and cannot breathe in the • Indus Dolphin (Bhulan)
water and must surface every 30-120 seconds. o They are endangered, freshwater, and
• Because of the sound it produces when functionally blind species of dolphins which rely
breathing, the animal is popularly referred to on echolocation to navigate, communicate and
as the 'Susu'. hunt prey including prawns, catfish and carp.
o Except for a tiny, isolated population of Only
Conservation Status five to 11 individual Indus Dolphins in India’s
Beas River (185 km stretch between Talwara
• It is the national aquatic animal and had been and Harike), Indus river dolphins live exclusively
granted non-human personhood status by in the Indus river in Pakistan.
government in 2017. o Punjab has recently declared it as their state
• It is mentioned under Schedule I of the aquatic animal.
Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and been • Irrawaddy Dolphin
categorised as endangered on the Red List of o They are Critically Endangered and live in both
Threatened Species by the IUCN. salt- and freshwater in South and Southeast
• Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Asia.
(VGDS) in Bihar is India's only sanctuary for o Three exclusively freshwater populations are
found in Irrawaddy/Ayeyarwady River
the Gangetic dolphin.
(Myanmar), Mekong River (Lao PDR,
• It is listed under the Convention on Cambodia); and Mahakam River (Indonesia).
International Trade in Endangered Species of o In addition, very small numbers survive in the
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I. partially freshwater Songkhla Lake (Thailand)
• The presence of Dolphins in a river system and the brackish Chilika Lake (India).
signals a healthy ecosystem. Since the river
dolphin is at the apex of the aquatic food
3.2.8. BANNI GRASSLAND
chain, its presence in adequate numbers
symbolizes greater biodiversity in the river Why in news?
system and helps keep the ecosystem in
balance. Nomadic tribes (Maldhari) are leaving their
villages in Banni region due to water scarcity.
Conservation Efforts
About Banni grassland
• A Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic
• The Banni grassland of Gujarat (near Rann of
Dolphin 2010-2020 has been formulated by
Kutch) is the largest natural grassland in the
the Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Indian subcontinent known for its scarce
Climate Change. It provides following
rainfall and semi-drought conditions.
recommendations:
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• The land of Banni is formed out of ocean clay, 341, which leads to the India-Pakistan
so it includes an element of salt from very International Border.
beginning. This land is formed out of alluvial • There are 22 ethnic communities living in the
and clayey sand. area called Maldhari pastoralists (’mal’ means
• Migratory pastoralism has been followed animal stock and ‘dhari’ means keeper).
here from centuries with a broader • It is also known for strange dancing light
geographical landscape that included Sindh in phenomena known locally as Chir Batti.
Pakistan and even extended into parts of • A huge freshwater lake locally known as
Baluchistan and Afghanistan. Chhari-Dhand is a prominent feature of the
• Now, Banni is divided into eastern and Banni grassland. It is a legally protected
western parts separated by National Highway wetland conservation reserve.
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Meghalaya.
• Threat: It is poached for its meat, and for use in medicines, and as a pet.
Sangai (Brow- • Conservation Status: IUCN: EN; WPA,1972: Schedule I
antlered deer or • Habitat: Floating marshy grasslands, Phumdis, of the Keibul Lamjao National Park,
dancing deer or Eld’s located in the southern parts of the Loktak Lake (largest freshwater lake in eastern India)
deer)- State animal of • Endemic species found only in Manipur, India.
Manipur • Phumdi — floating mass of entangled vegetation formed by the accumulation of organic
debris and biomass with soil.
Chrysilla Vollupe (rare • Recently discovered from the Waynad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) after nearly 150 years.
spider discovered) • Belongs to the family of jumping spiders (Salticidae)
Red Sanders • Conservation Status: IUCN: NT; CITES: Appendix II
(Pterocarpus • It is an endemic tree of South India.
Santalinus) • They are found in Tropical Dry Deciduous forest of the Palakonda and Seshachalam hill
ranges of Andhra Pradesh and in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and occur in hot, dry climate
with a rainfall of 88-105 cm.
• It prefers lateritic and gravelly soil and cannot tolerate water logging.
• It is used for various purposes such as immunity medicine, furniture, radiation
absorbent, musical instrument, food dyes and spices, Ayurveda and Sidha medicine,
decorative and ornamental purposes etc.
• Threats: Illegal felling of trees for smuggling
North Indian • IUCN: D latifolia (Indian rosewood) as vulnerable and D sissoo (sheesham or North
Rosewood/Shisham Indian rosewood) as Least Concern; CITES: Appendix II
(Dalbergia sissoo) • It is a deciduous tree found in tropical to subtropical climates and is economically
important for its value in forestry, agroforestry, horticulture and medicine.
Uses
• Soil fertility: Native to the Indian sub-continent it is a member of the legume family and
can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere through bacteria nodules on its root system.
• It also has insecticidal and larvicidal properties, as well as resistance to some wood
boring insects.
Vultures in India: • Conservation Status: There are nine species of vultures in India out of which, 3 have been
on critically endangered list of IUCN and also listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life
(Protection) Act, 1972. These are:
o White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis)
o Slender billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris)
o Indian Vulture/long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus).
• Note:
o Himalayan Griffon; closely related to Indian Gyps- not endangered; only Near
Threatened
o Red-headed vulture is on critically endangered list of IUCN but not listed under
Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Threats: Use of veterinary drug Diclofenac
• Conservation Efforts: The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS – BirdLife in India) and
the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK), are working as part of Saving Asia’s Vultures from
Extinction (SAVE).
Amur Falcon • Conservation Status: IUCN: LC
• Habitat: Amur falcon species are distributed in India, Africa and Northeast Asia in
Grassland, Savanna, Forest, Wetlands (inland).
• Amur Falcons are the migratory bird that stay every year at Doyang lake during their
flight from Mongolia to South Africa.
• Pangti village in Nagaland is considered as the world’s Amur Falcon capital.
Elephant Bird • Elephant birds are an extinct group of colossal flightless birds that roamed Madagascar
(Vorombe Titan) during the Late Quaternary.
• Vorombe titan was named the world’s largest bird (3 meters high and weighs upto 800
kg). Earlier, Aepyornis Titan was known as largest ever Elephant Bird in the year 1984.
Sri Lankan Frogmouth • For the first time, this rare bird has been sighted on the eastern side of the Western
(rare bird) Ghats (in Chinar Wildlife Sanctuary).
• Sri Lankan Frogmouth is usually found on the western side of the Western Ghats. It has a
unique habitat in Sri Lanka and is present in the Thattekad bird sanctuary, Kerela. It is
also found in Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.
• Its preferred habitat is a dry and open area with some small trees or bushes.
• It is a relative of Nightjar, a crepuscular and nocturnal bird breeding in Europe and
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temperate Asia.
• The main feature is that it lays only one egg a year after the mating season in April-May.
Sarus Crane (Antigone • Conservation Status: IUCN: VU
Antigone)- State bird • Habitat: It generally inhabits natural wetlands with low water depth, marshy and fallow
of Uttar Pradesh areas and agricultural fields.
• They are large non-migratory crane and India’s only resident breeding crane and the
world’s tallest flying bird.
• The Sarus crane has three disjunct populations in the Indian sub-continent, south-east
Asia and northern Australia.
• Threat: habitat loss and degradation due to draining the wetland and conversion of land
for agriculture and other uses.
• Conservation Efforts: Sarus Crane Conservation Project launched by Wildlife Trust of
India in Uttar Pradesh.
Olive Ridley Turtle • Conservation Status: IUCN: VU; CITES: Appendix I
• Habitat: It’s found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian
Oceans.
• Gahirmatha located in the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha houses the world
largest mass nesting site of these turtles.
• Rushikulya rookery coast, and Bahuda Rookery are other major nesting site of olive
ridleys on the Odisha coastline.
• They are known for their arribadas (synchronised mass nesting) during which time tens
of thousands of female turtles come ashore to nest in the span of a few days.
Northern River • Conservation Status: IUCN: CR; CITES: Appendix I
Terrapin • Habitat: It’s a species of riverine turtle found in the rivers that flow in Eastern India. It is a
native of Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Indian Ocean • Conservation status: IUCN: EN; WPA,1972: Schedule I
Humpback Dolphin • Habitat: It is known to occur within the shallow waters of Indian Ocean from South
Africa to India.
Eurasian otter (Lutra • Conservation Status: IUCN: NT; CITES Appendix I
Lutra) • Habitat: Semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia, recently reported from the Western
Ghats in India. While the species is widespread across Europe, northern Africa and
several south Asian countries, it is not as frequently sighted as smooth-coated Otter
(IUCN status-VU) or small-clawed otters (IUCN status-VU) in India.
• They are carnivorous mammals and adapt to a variety of habitats ranging from marine to
freshwater environments.
• Threats: Loss of wetlands, illegal poaching for pelts
Mugger crocodile • It is a reptilian species also called marsh crocodile or broad-snouted crocodile and is one
(Crocodylus palustris) of the three-crocodile species (others are Saltwater Crocodile and Gharial) found in
India.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: VU; WPA,1972: Schedule I; CITES: Appendix I
• Habitat: wetlands (inland), marine neritic (shallow part of ocean), artificial/aquatic &
marine.
• Principal threats: Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and transformation, mortality due
to increased fishing activities.
Gharial (Gavialis • Conservation Status: IUCN: CR; WPA, 1972: Schedule I
gangeticus) • Habitat: Endemic to the Indian sub-continent. In India, the major breeding populations
are confined to two rivers only, Girwa and the Chambal.
• Threats: Habitat alteration and destruction, Prey depletion, Pollution and siltation,
Hunting and Mortality due to fishing nets. Become extinct in most of the subcontinent
with exceptions of Nepal and India.
• Conservation Efforts: In 1976, Project Crocodile was initiated with support from the
United Nations Development Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization. The
project included an intensive captive rearing and breeding programme intended to
restock depleted Gharial habitats.
Ganges shark (Glyphis • Conservation Status: IUCN: CR; WPA,1972: Schedule I, Part IIA
gangeticus) • Habitat: Endemic to India, it inhabits the River Hooghly in West Bengal, as well as the
rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi in the states of Bihar, Assam and Orissa.
• It is amongst the 20 most threatened shark species.
Arabian Sea • Conservation Status: IUCN: EN
Humpback Whale • Habitat: India, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates,
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(Megaptera Yemen
novaeangliae Arabian • Threats: Ship strikes, unforgiving fishing gear and seismic explorations pose grave threat
Sea subpopulation) to it.
IUCN Categories Criteria
Extinct (EX) A designation applied to species in which the last individual has died or where systematic and
time-appropriate surveys have been unable to log even a single individual.
Extinct in the Wild A category containing those species whose members survive only in captivity or as artificially
(EW) supported populations far outside their historical geographic range.
Critically Endangered A category containing those species that possess an extremely high risk of extinction as a
(CR) result of rapid population declines of 80 to more than 90 percent over the previous 10 years
(or three generations, whichever is longer), a current population size of fewer than 50
individuals, or other factors.
Endangered (EN) A designation applied to species that possess a very high risk of extinction as a result of
rapid population declines of 50 to more than 70 percent over the previous 10 years (or three
generations), a current population size of fewer than 250 individuals, or other factors.
Vulnerable (VU) A category containing those species that possess a very high risk of extinction as a result of
rapid population declines of 30 to more than 50 percent over the previous 10 years (or three
generations), a current population size of fewer than 1,000 individuals, or other factors.
Near Threatened (NT) A designation applied to species that are close to becoming threatened or may meet the
criteria for threatened status in the near future.
Least Concern (LC) A category containing species that are pervasive and abundant after careful assessment.
Data Deficient (DD) A condition applied to species in which the amount of available data related to its risk of
extinction is lacking in some way. Consequently, a complete assessment cannot be
performed. Thus, unlike the other categories in this list, this category does not describe the
conservation status of a species
Not Evaluated (NE) A category used to include any of the species described by science but not assessed by the
IUCN.
• It incorporates a broad perspective on the set
3.3. CONSERVATION MEASURES of services provided by ecosystems assets.
Natural Capital Accounting, or environmental-
3.3.1. MEASURING NATURAL CAPITAL economic accounting
Why in news? • It is a tool that can help to gain an
EnviStats India 2018 report by the Ministry of understanding of the interaction between the
economy and the environment.
Statistics and Programme Implementation
• It can be used to measure the state of
(MOSPI), revealed that India’s economic growth
ecosystems, flows of ecosystem services as
took a toll on its natural assets like forests, food well as changes in stocks and flows of natural
and clean air. resources in relation to economic changes.
More on news 3.3.2. LEGAL ENTITY STATUS FOR ALL
• The average growth rate of gross state ANIMALS
domestic product (GSDP) during 2005-15 for
Why in news?
almost all the states was around 7-8 per cent
but 11 states registered a decline in their The Uttarakhand High Court has declared
natural capital. the “entire animal kingdom including avian and
• The natural capital accounting (NCA) method aquatic” as legal entities.
has been used to account for income and More on News
costs associated with natural resource used,
based on a framework approved by the • The entire animal kingdom, including avian
United Nations in 2012 called the System of and aquatic ones, are declared as legal
Environmental Economic Accounts (SEEA). entities having a distinct persona with
corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a
Natural Capital living person.
• It includes those elements of the nature that • Role of citizens: All the citizens throughout
provide valuable goods and services to the state of Uttarakhand are hereby declared
humans, such as the stock of forests, food, persons in loco parentis as the human face for
clean air, water, land, minerals, etc. the welfare/protection of animals.
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• Significance: Judgment, is meant to act as a (PIC) being granted by a provider to a user
deterrent to poachers, companies that pollute and negotiations between both parties to
the natural environment and those who abuse develop mutually agreed terms (MAT) to
pets or wildlife. ensure the fair and equitable sharing of
• High court in 2017 accorded the status of genetic resources and associated benefits.
“living entity” to the Ganga and Yamuna Related initiatives for ABS
rivers, all their tributaries, streams, every Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Law (CEBPOL)
natural water flowing with flow continuously
• Government of India in collaboration with
or intermittently of these rivers, a decision Norwegian Government has established this centre
subsequently stayed by the Supreme Court. to develop professional expertise in biodiversity
policies and laws and develop capacity building.
3.3.3. ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING
UNEP – GEF – MoEF ABS Project
Why in News? • Objective: To increase the institutional, individual
Recently, Uttarakhand High Court has directed and systemic capacities of stakeholders to
effectively implement the Biological Diversity Act,
Divya Pharmacy, to share its profits with local and
2002 and the Rules 2004 to achieve biodiversity
indigenous communities, as part of the Fair and
conservation through implementing Access and
Equitable Benefit Sharing (FEBS) objectives of Benefit Sharing Agreements in India.
the Biodiversity Act, 2002.
Biodiversity Act (BDA), 2002 3.3.4. NATIONAL REDD+ STRATEGY
• India being a signatory to CBD, enacted the Why in news?
Biodiversity Act in 2002, with three main
objectives: Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and
o Conservation of biological diversity. Climate Change (MoEFCC) released National
o Sustainable use of its components. REDD+ Strategy.
o Equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the
use of biological resources. Background
• Institutional Structure: Three-tier system was COP 11, 2005 at Coalition of 9 rainforest nations
established with National Biodiversity Authority Montreal sought attention to growing threat
(NBA) at the Centre, State Biodiversity Boards of deforestation and introduced
(SBBs) in each of the Indian states and local-level concept of Reducing Emission from
Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) Deforestation (RED)
functioning with both municipalities and COP 12, 2006 at ‘Compensated Conservation’ policy
panchayats. Nairobi introduced by India intended to
• Act recognises the role and participation needs of compensate countries for
ILCs in conserving the biological resources. Under maintaining and increasing carbon
it, a company is required to share 0.5 per cent of pools of their forests.
its sales post taxes if its annual turnover is above COP 13, 2007 at ‘Compensated Conservation’ policy
Rs 3 crore. Bali approach finally recognized
• It also provides for the involvement of ILCs COP 16, 2010 at Official entry of REDD as a UNFCCC-
through biodiversity management committee Cancun enabled mitigation mechanism
(BMCs) in preparation of people’s biodiversity COP 19, 2013 at It agreed on Warsaw REDD+
registers (PBRs) and issuance of mutually agreed Warsaw framework
terms (MAT). Important provisions of National REDD+ Strategy
What is access and benefit-sharing (ABS)? • Coverage of REDD+ will cover all trees within
forest areas and tree outside forest (TOF).
• It refers to the way in which genetic resources
• Phased approach of REDD+
may be accessed, and how the benefits that
o Phase 1: development of national
result from their use are shared between the
strategies or action plans, policies and
people or countries using the resources
measures, and capacity-building.
(users) and the people or countries that
o Phase 2: implementation of national
provide them (providers).
policies, measures and national strategies
• The benefits to be shared can be monetary, or
or action plans.
non-monetary, such as the development of
o Phase 3: evolvement into results based
research skills and knowledge.
actions that should be fully measured,
• Working Procedure: Access and benefit-
reported and verified.
sharing is based on prior informed consent
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• Sub-national REDD+ Approach: The country breeders, including farmers. The protection
has been divided into 14 physiographic zones period is for 15 years, and 18 years in the case
by the Forest Survey of India. State of trees and vines.
Governments may collaborate and develop • Objective
REDD+ Action Plan in a physiographic zone. o To recognize and protect the rights of
o REDD+ Activities for Enhancement of farmers in respect of their contributions
Forest Carbon Stocks include Namami made at any time in conserving,
Ganga, Forestry Interventions for Other improving and making available plant
Major River Catchments, Green Highways genetic resources for the development of
(Plantation, Transplantations, new plant varieties.
beautification & Maintenance) Policy – o To accelerate agricultural development in
2015 and innovative programmes like the country, protect plant breeders’
Green Army of Maharashtra. rights; stimulate investment for research
• Developing strategies for addressing and development both in public & private
Deforestation and Forest Degradation sector for the development new of plant
through awareness amongst stakeholders. varieties.
• Capacity Building and Trained Human o Facilitate the growth of seed industry in
Resource through Green Skill Development the country, to ensure the availability of
Programme. high quality seeds and planting material
• Funding: Devolution through Finance to the farmers.
Commission, Compensatory Afforestation
Fund and Green Climate Fund and Other 3.3.6. RECOVERY PROGRAMME FOR
External Sources of Funding. WILDLIFE SPECIES
REDD+ Why in news?
• REDD+ means “Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and forest Degradation”, The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) recently
conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable added four species- the Northern River Terrapin,
management of forests, and enhancement of Clouded Leopard, Arabian Sea Humpback Whale,
forest carbon stocks in developing countries.
Red Panda- to a Recovery Programme for Critically
• REDD+ aims to achieve climate change mitigation
by incentivizing forest conservation. Endangered Species.
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the forest department, thereby democratising the declared the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF)–
country’s colonial forest governance as a whole. the state’s only conservation festival, as a ‘state
• CFR management committees (CFRMCs) are festival’.
created by Gram Sabha, which are expected to
prepare a conservation and management plan for 3.3.10. KHANGCHENDZONGA
community forest resources in order to sustainably
BIOSPHERE RESERVE
and equitably manage CFR areas.
Why in news?
3.3.9. ‘CULTURAL MODEL’ OF Recently, Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
CONSERVATION was included in the UNESCO’s World Network of
Biosphere Reserve (WNBR) under the Man and
Why in news?
Biosphere Programme (MAB). Now the total
Idu Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is number of Biosphere reserves under MAB
protesting against the declaration of Dibang programme has reached to 686.
Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) as Tiger Reserve and
About Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve
asking for a Cultural Model of Conservation.
• It is one of the highest ecosystems in the
More on news
world and located at trijunction of India
• The Idu Mishmi people traditionally follow an (Sikkim), bordering Nepal to the west and
animist and shamanistic faith and believe that Tibet (China) to the north-west.
tigers are their elder siblings. Tigers are never • The Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP),
hunted by Idu Mishmi and even If a tiger is which comprises the core area of the KBR,
killed in self-defense, it will receive the same was inscribed as India’s first ‘Mixed World
burial as a human being. Heritage Site’ in 2016.
Colonial versus Cultural model of conservations • Over 118 species of the large number of
medicinal plants found in Dzongu Valley in
• Colonial Model of Conservation: In this north Sikkim are of ethno-medical utility.
model, human presence is taken as threat to • Fauna: Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Himalayan
nature and denies indigenous peoples’ rights Black Bear and herbivores species of Musk
and provoked long-term social conflict. deer, Great Tibetan Sheep, Blue Sheep, Boral
• Cultural model of Conservation: It respect for and Barking Deer.
the rights of indigenous peoples and other Related Information
bearers of “traditional knowledge” and UNESCO: MAB Programme
prevents social conflicts. • Launched in 1971, it is an Intergovernmental
• The Kinshasa Resolution of 1975 (under IUCN) Scientific Programme that aims to establish a
provides international recognition to cultural scientific basis for the improvement of
model of conservation. relationships between people and their
environments.
Application by Cultural model of conservation in • It combines the natural and social sciences,
different tribes of India economics and education to improve human
livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits,
• Bishnoi Tribe of Rajasthan: Bishnois consider trees
and to safeguard natural and managed
as sacred and protect the entire ecosystem
ecosystems.
including animals and birds that exists in their
World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WNBR) and
villages. Tribe has organized their own Tiger Force
India
which is a brigade of youth actively pursue wildlife
It covers internationally designated protected areas,
protection.
each known as biosphere reserves, that are meant to
• Chenchu Tribe of Andhra Pradesh: They are
demonstrate a balanced relationship between people
involved in tiger conservation at Nagarjunasagar
and nature.
Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR).
• India has 18 biospheres reserves, of which 11 have
• Maldhari Tribe in Junagadh(Gujarat): The success
been included in the WNBR.
of lion conservation in Gir forest area is due to
• The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first reserve
peaceful coexistence of tribe with lions.
from the country to be included in the WNBR.
• Bugun Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh: They protect
Others MAB -WNVR site in India
the critically endangered bird Bugun Liocichla. For
• Nigiri – Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka
its efforts Singchung Bugun Community Reserve
• Gulf of Mannar- Tamil Nadu
won the India Biodiversity Award 2018.
• Sundarban- West Bangal
• Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh in conserving
• Nanda Devi-Uttrakhand
hornbills in the Pakke/Pakhui Tiger Reserve.
Recently, government of Arunachal Pradesh • Nokrek- Meghalaya
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• Pachmarchi-Madhya Pradesh About Wetlands of International Importance
• Simlipal- Orisa • It is declared under Ramsar Convention on
• Achanakmar-Amarkantak- Madhya Pradesh
Wetlands of International Importance, an
• Great- Nicobar- Andaman and Nicobar Island
intergovernmental treaty that provides the
• Agasthyamala- Kerala and Tamilnadu
framework for the conservation and wise use
3.3.11. INDIAN SUNDARBANS- A of wetlands and their resources.
• It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in
WETLAND OF INTERNATIONAL
1971 and came into force in 1975.
IMPORTANCE
• Chillika lake was designated the first Ramsar
Why in News? site in India in 1981.
India has designated Sundarban Reserve Forests • Some criteria for identifying Wetlands of
as the wetlands of International Importance, International Importance include:
making it the 27th site in India. o Sites containing representative, rare or
More on Sundarbans unique wetland types
• The Indian Sunderbans, with 2,114 sq. km. of o Sites of international importance for
mangrove forests, comprise almost 43% of the conserving biological diversity - Criteria
mangrove cover in the country according to a based on species and ecological
2017 Forest Survey of India report. It is the communities
largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in o Specific criteria based on waterbirds
the world. o Specific criteria based on fish etc.
• It is located in the Ganga- Brahmaputra delta
region. 3.3.12. INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARDS,
• Sundarbans has now become the largest 2018
Ramsar Site in India. Why in news
• The Sundarbans was made a UNESCO World
Recently, India Biodiversity Award 2018 was
Heritage Site in 1987.
conferred by the National Biodiversity Authority
• They are the only mangrove habitat which
(NBA).
supports a significant population of tigers
(Royal Bengal Tigers), and they have unique About NBA
• It is a statutory body established under the
aquatic hunting skills.
provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
• The Site is also home to a large number of
• It performs facilitative and advisory functions for
rare and globally threatened species such as the Union government on issues of conservation,
the critically endangered northern river sustainable use of biological resources and fair and
terrapin, the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use
and the endangered fishing cat. of biological resources.
• Threats to Conservation: climate change, sea Background
level rise, widespread construction, clearing
of mangrove forests for fisheries, • In 2012, the Government of India, in
establishment of coal-based thermal power partnership with UNDP India, initiated the
plant just a few kilometres north of the India Biodiversity Awards
reserve forest in Bangladesh. • Aim: To recognize and honour outstanding
models of biodiversity conservation,
sustainable use and governance at the
grassroots level.
• Awards is presented in different categories:
o Conservation of Wild and Domesticated
Species
o Sustainable Use of Biological Resources
o Replicable Mechanisms for Access and
Benefit Sharing
o Best Biodiversity Management
Committees
• Different awards given in various categories
are:
o Singchung Bugun Village Community
Reserve Management Committee:
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Conservation of Wild Species 3.3.13. KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK
(Institution) for conservation of the
Bugun Liocichla bird. Why in news?
o Lemsachenlok Organization:
The Kaziranga National Park (KNP) had been split
Conservation of Wild Species
into two divisions — the existing Eastern Assam
(Institution) for successful creation of an
Wildlife and the new Biswanath Wildlife park with
8-10 sq km Community Conserved Area to
Brahmputra flowing in between.
encourage coexistence and reduce
human-wildlife conflict. About the Kaziranga National Park
o Kutch Unt Uchherak Maldhari Sangathan • Kaziranga protected area is located on the
(KUUMS): Conservation of Domesticated edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity
Species (Institution) for working closely
hotspot. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
with the local community to breed, cure
• The park is home to large breeding
and protect Kharai camels.
populations of elephants, wild water buffalo,
o Kalden Singhi Bhutia (Sikkim):
and swamp deer other than the one-horned
Conservation of Domesticated Species
rhino.
(Individual) for conservation and
• Kaziranga is recognized as an ‘Important Bird
propagation of Tibetan sheep.
Area’ by Birdlife International.
o Sangham Women Farmers Group:
Sustainable Use of Biological Resources 3.3.14. ECOTOURISM POLICY
(Institution) for preserving
agrobiodiversity. They also started the Why in news?
Millet Sisters Network to conserve and The government has brought out a policy for
preserve different varieties of millets. ecotourism in Forest and Wildlife Areas.
o Parvathi Nagarajan (Tamil Nadu):
Sustainable Use of Biological Resources Policy for Eco-Tourism in Forest and Wildlife
for environment protection, wellness and Areas
women's empowerment. • Eco-tourism: It can be defined as responsible
o Raipassa Biodiversity Management travel to natural areas that conserves the
Committee, Tripura: Sustainable Use of environment and improves the well-being of
Biological Resources for ensuring that local people.
bio-resources of the area are traded in a
• Prepared by MoEFCCC, it provides livelihood
manner, that is both commercially and
opportunities for the local communities
environmentally viable. This community
(homestead-based hospitality enterprises),
depends on the cultivation, collection and
educate visitors and enhance their
sale of broom grass for its livelihood. understanding of nature.
o Eraviperoor Grama Panchayat, Kerala:
• Coverage: It will be developed in Protected
Biodiversity Management Committee -
Areas (PAs- wildlife sanctuaries, national
They have rejuvenated a tributary of the
parks, conservation reserves and community
river Pampa and have successfully revived
reserves) and areas outside designated PAs
the traditional cultural practice of boat
including forests, mangroves, sacred groves,
racing.
mud flats, wetlands and rivers.
o Pithorabad Grama Panchayat, Madhya
• Eco-Tourism Development Board to be
Pradesh: Biodiversity Management
established by State/Union Territory, to advise
Committee has conserved traditional
the them on the modalities of eco-tourism
varieties by establishing a community
and to oversee the implementation of the
seed bank and facilitated value addition in
policy.
the form of marketing for select products
like organic wheat.
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4. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
developed by the CSIR-Indian Institute of
4.1. NON-CONVENTIONAL Petroleum (IIP).
SOURCES OF ENERGY
Salient Features of the National Policy on
4.1.1. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOFUELS- Biofuels, 2018
2018 • Categorisation of biofuels to enable
extension of appropriate financial and fiscal
Why in news?
incentives under each category. The two main
Rajasthan has become the first State in the categories are:
country to implement the national policy on o Basic Biofuels- First Generation (1G)
biofuels. bioethanol & biodiesel.
About Biofuels o Advanced Biofuels - Second Generation
(2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste
Biofuel is any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced (MSW) to drop-in fuels, third Generation
from organic matter in a short period of time. (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc.
Different generations of biofuels: • Thrust on Advanced Biofuels: Viability gap
• First Generation Biofuels: It uses the food funding scheme for 2G ethanol Bio refineries
crops like wheat and sugar for making ethanol in addition to additional tax incentives and
and oil seeds for bio diesel by conventional higher purchase price as compared to 1G
method of fermentation. biofuels.
• Second Generation Biofuels: It uses non-food • Expands the scope of raw material for
crops and feedstock such as Jatropha, wood, ethanol production: by allowing use of
grass, seed crops, organic waste. sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials
• Third Generation Biofuels: It uses specially like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, starch
engineered Algae whose biomass is containing materials like corn, cassava,
converted into biofuels. damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice,
• Fourth Generation biofuel: It aims at not only rotten potatoes, unfit for human
producing sustainable energy but also a way consumption for ethanol production.
of capturing and storing CO2. • Allows use of surplus food grains for
production of ethanol for blending with
Different types of Bio Fuels petrol to ensure appropriate price to farmers
during surplus. However, it needs the
• Bio ethanol: It is an alcohol produced from
approval of National Biofuel Coordination
fermentation of carbohydrate and cellulosic
Committee (headed by the Minister,
material of crops and other plants and
Petroleum and Natural Gas).
grasses. It is generally used as an additive to
• Encourages setting up of supply chain
increase octane number of fuel.
mechanisms for biodiesel production from
• Bio Diesel: It is a methyl or methyl ester of
non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, short
fatty acids produced by trans esterification of
gestation crops.
oils and fats obtained from plants and
• Synergising efforts by capturing the roles and
animals. It can be directly used as fuel.
responsibilities of all the concerned Ministries/
• Bio gas: Biogas (primarily a mixture of
Departments with respect to biofuels in the
methane and other gases like CO2 and N2) is
policy document itself.
produced by anaerobic digestion of organic
materials. It can be produced either from Related Information
biodegradable waste materials or by the use International Energy Agency (IEA)
of energy crops fed into anaerobic digesters • It was founded in 1974 to help countries
to supplement gas yields. collectively respond to oil supply disruptions.
• It is an autonomous body within the OECD
• Biojet: It is a type of biofuel which are
framework.
produced from biomass resources and used in
• Only the OECD member states can become
place of, or blended with air turbine fuel. members of the IEA.
o Recently, India’s first ever bio-jet fuel • India is not a member but has joined IEA as an
flight taken off by using the fuel association country.
• It publishes the World Energy Outlook (WEO).
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• To become a member of the IEA, a country must • Despite govt efforts, the highest ever ethanol
have petroleum product reserves equivalent to 90 procurement stands around 150 crore litres
days of the previous year’s net imports. during 2017-18 which is sufficient only for
Technology Collaboration Programme on Bioenergy around 4.22% blending Pan India.
• Recently the India joined IEA Bioenergy TCP as its • Ethanol availability is constrained by
25th member. procurement price variation, lack of
• It is an international platform with the aim of distilleries, limited feedstock availability and
improving cooperation and information exchange lack of an integrated and dedicated supply
between countries that have national programmes chain.
in bioenergy research, development and
deployment. Related Information
• The primary goal of joining IEA Bioenergy TCP by Lignocellulosic biomass: refers to plant biomass that is
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG) is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.
to facilitate the market introduction of advanced Lignocellulosic materials including agricultural wastes,
biofuels with an aim to bring down emissions and forestry residues, grasses and woody materials have
reduce crude imports. great potential for bio-fuel production.
• The R&D work in IEA Bioenergy TCP is carried out SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable
carried out within well-defined 3-years Transportation) initiative
programmes called "Tasks". • Launched by MoP&NG, it aimed at setting up of
Drop- in Fuels: are bio feedstock derivatives that are Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production plants and
chemically identical to standard gasoline or diesel. They make it available in the market for use in
are engineered for blending with, or outright automotive fuels.
replacement of petroleum fuels without any changes to • Objective: To boost availability of more affordable
the fuel infrastructure. transport fuels, better use of agricultural residue,
cattle dung and municipal solid waste, as well as to
4.1.2. PRADHAN MANTRI JI-VAN (JAIV provide an additional revenue source to farmers.
INDHAN- VATAVARAN ANUKOOL GOBAR-DHAN (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro
Resources) scheme: To convert cattle dung and solid
FASAL AWASHESH NIVARAN) YOJANA waste in farms to CBG and compost.
Why in news?
4.1.3. SCHEME FOR BIOMASS BASED
Recently government approved Pradhan Mantri
JI-VAN yojana.
COGENERATION PROJECTS
Details of the scheme Why in news?
• The scheme under the Ministry of Petroleum Ministry of New and Renewable Energy recently
& Natural Gas (MoP&NG) will provide approved the scheme namely “Scheme to
financial support to Integrated Bioethanol support promotion of biomass-based
Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and
cogeneration in sugar mills and other industries
other renewable feedstock.
• 12 commercial scale and 10 demonstration in the country.”
scale Second Generation (2G) ethanol projects More about the scheme
will be provided viability gap funding support
over the next six years in two phases. • Aim: To support Biomass based Cogeneration
• It also seeks to increase R&D in this area. Projects in Sugar mills and Other Industries for
• The ethanol produced by the scheme power generation in the country.
beneficiaries will be mandatorily supplied to • Incentives: It will provide Central Financial
Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to further assistance (CFA) for projects utilizing biomass
enhance the blending percentage under like bagasse, agro-based industrial residue,
Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme. crop residues, wood produced through
• Centre for High Technology (CHT), a technical energy plantations, weeds, wood waste
body under the aegis of MoP&NG, will be the produced in industrial operations, etc.
implementation Agency for the scheme. • Registered Companies, Partnership Firms,
Proprietorship Firms, Cooperatives, Public
Ethanol blending in India Sector Companies, Government owned Firms
• Government had launched Ethanol Blended are eligible for financial support available
Petrol (EBP) programme in 2003, under which under the scheme.
OMCs are to blend upto 10% of ethanol in • Municipal Solid Waste is not covered under
Petrol. the programme.
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New National Biogas Organic Manure Programme “National Offshore Wind Energy Policy –2015”
(NNBOMP)
• National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has been
• Objective: To provide clean cooking fuel for
authorized as the Nodal Agency for development of
kitchens, lighting and meeting other thermal and
offshore wind energy.
small power needs of farmers/dairy farmers/ users
including individual households and to improve Objectives
organic manure system based on bio slurry from • To explore and promote deployment of offshore
biogas plants in rural and semi urban areas by wind farms in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of
setting up of biogas plants. the country, including those under Public Private
• Implementation Authority: State rural Partnership.
Development Department of States and State • To promote Investment in Energy Infrastructure.
offices of Khadi and Village Industries Commission • To promote R&D and encourage indigenization of
(KVIC). the offshore wind energy technology.
• To create skilled manpower and employment in the
4.1.4. OFF-SHORE WIND POWER offshore wind energy sector.
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o It is an umbrella organization of all solar • Landfill usage and expansion greatly
energy stakeholders of India such as reduced: such facilities typically reduce waste
international and national companies. volumes by 90%.
o It works in a complimentary manner with • Transportation of waste to long distances
the Central and State Governments for can be greatly reduced with a waste to energy
achieving India’s national solar target of facility in a community, resulting in less air
100 GW by 2022. pollution.
Types of Technique at WtE
Related news
• Incineration uses MSW as a fuel, burning it with
World’s largest solar plant high volumes of air to form carbon dioxide and
• Ladakh will become the world’s largest single- heat to make steam, which is then used to
location solar photo-voltaic plant with a installed generate electricity.
capacity of 5,000 MW Capacity by 2023. • Gasification is a process that converts organic or
• Other high capacity project In India: Bhadla Solar fossil fuel based carbonaceous materials into
Park (2255 MW capacity in Rajasthan); Kurnool carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide.
(2000 MW capacity in Andhra Pradesh). This is achieved by reacting the material at high
Solar Park scheme temperatures (>700’C), without combustion, with
a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam. The
• Launched by Solar Energy Corporation of India
syngas produced by gasification can be turned into
(SECI), to encourage the construction of solar
higher value commercial products.
parks that can generate electricity above between
• Pyrolysis involves application of heat with no
500 MW and 1000 MW.
added oxygen in order to generate oils and/or
• SECI is a CPSU under Ministry of New and
syngas (as well as solid waste outputs) and
Renewable Energy.
requires more homogenous waste streams.
Solar Charkha Mission
• Biomethanation is a process by which organic
• It is a Ministry of Micro Small & Medium
material is microbiologically converted under
Enterprises (MSME) initiative and Khadi & Village
anaerobic conditions to biogas. It involves
Industries Commission (KVIC) is implementing
fermenting bacteria, organic acid oxidizing
agency.
bacteria, and methanogenic archaea.
• Aim: To employ artisans in 50 identified clusters.
• It entails a subsidy of Rs 550 crore in the initial two Government Initiative
years for 50 clusters and every cluster will employ • Program on Energy from Urban, Industrial
400 to 2000 artisans.
and Agricultural Waste/Residue for creating
• Solar charkha units have been classified as village
industries.
conducive conditions and environment with
fiscal and financial regime to develop,
4.1.6. WASTE TO ENERGY PLANTS demonstrate, and disseminate utilization of
wastes and residues for recovery of energy.
Why in News? o Central financial assistance (CFA) in the
form of capital subsidy and grants-in-aid
Recently, residents of Okhla and surrounding
will be provided for biogas production
areas in Delhi have been protesting against WtE from industrial waste, sewage treatment
plant in their vicinity. plants, etc.
Advantages of Waste to Energy (WtE) Plants • Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), 100% scientific
processing and disposal of municipal solid
• Net Greenhouse Gas Reducer: WtE facilities waste is envisaged by 2019. WTE plants are
avoid the production of methane while key to Mission since they lead to the most
producing almost ten times more electricity scientific disposal of waste.
from each ton of waste compared to landfills.
• Resource savings and recovery greatly 4.2. ELECTRIC VEHICLES
expanded: Metals left in the municipal solid
waste stream can be extracted from the ash Why in news?
resulting from incineration and the metals can Recently a panel headed by Y S Malik, has
be recycled. presented a 15 point plan to aid car manufacturers
• 24*7 Electricity: WTE facilities, unlike wind to switch from Internal Combustion Engines (IECs)
and solar, are capable of providing 24*7 to Electric Vehicles (EVs).
renewable electrical power. Need for electric vehicles
• Fulfilling INDC 2030 goals and combatting
increasing air pollution load in Indian Cities as
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Fossil fuel based transportation is second components for electric vehicles, especially the
largest source of carbon dioxide emission. lithium ion batteries.
• Cut oil imports and generation of jobs in India • Establishment of charging infrastructure: About
both upstream and downstream supply chain. 2700 charging stations will be established in
metros, million plus cities, smart cities and cities of
Government steps hilly states across the country.
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8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW
o Afforestation • Applicability: The compliance of minimum
o Industrial Effluent Monitoring environmental flow is applicable to all
o Development of Ganga Gram existing, under-construction and future
o Creating Public Awareness projects except the mini and micro projects
• Under the aegis of National Mission for Clean
which do not alter the flow characteristics of
Ganga (NMCG) & State Programme Management
Groups (SPMGs), States and ULBs and PRIs will be
the river significantly.
involved in this project. • The existing projects would have to comply
Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, a five
with the norms within a period of three years.
tier structure has been envisaged at national, state and • The very purpose of e-flow is to ensure free
district level to take measures for prevention, control migration of various species. But the
and abatement of environmental pollution in river notification is completely silent on this
Ganga and to ensure continuous adequate flow of aspect.
water so as to rejuvenate the river Ganga as below;
Central Water Commission (CWC)
• National Ganga Council under chairmanship of
Prime Minister of India (replaced National Ganga • It is premier technical organization under Ministry
River Basin Authority). of Water Resources, River Development and
Ganga Rejuvenation.
• Empowered Task Force (ETF) on river Ganga under
chairmanship of Union Minister of Water • It undertakes measures for control, conservation
Resources, River Development and Ganga and utilization of water resources throughout the
Rejuvenation. country and has been monitoring water quality of
river water since year 1963.
• National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG).
• State Ganga Committees and About Minimum River Flow
• District Ganga Committees in every specified
district abutting river Ganga and its tributaries in • Minimum River Flow or Minimum
the states. Environmental Flow or E-flow is a regime of
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) flow in a river that mimics the natural pattern.
• It is the implementing wing of National Council for It refers to the water considered sufficient for
Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of protecting the structure and function of an
River Ganga. ecosystem and its dependent species.
• It is registered as a society under the Societies • It means enough water is to be released in
Registration Act 1860. the downstream of the river system after
• Aims of NMCG – utilizing the water for the development
o To ensure effective abatement of pollution projects in order to ensure downstream
and rejuvenation of Ganga basin approach to
environmental, social and economic benefits.
promote inter-sectoral co-ordination for
comprehensive planning and management
• It will also ensure demand side management
o To maintain minimum ecological flows in the of water as it will help to reduce water
river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water withdrawal from the river by adopting
quality and environmentally sustainable scientific practices in irrigation, reusing and
development. recycling of water and regulating
• To achieve the objectives, NMCG shall carry out the groundwater withdrawals for various
following key functions namely: purpose.
o Implement the work programme of National
Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). 4.3.2. GANGA VRIKSHAROPAN
o Implement the World Bank supported ABHIYAN
National Ganga River Basin Project.
o Coordinate and oversee the implementation Why in news?
of projects sanctioned by Government of India
under NGRBA.
NMCG has started “Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan”
o Undertake any additional work or functions as in five main stem Ganga basin states –
may be assigned by MoWR, RD &GR in the Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and
area of conservation of river Ganga. West Bengal.
More on news
More on news
• The campaign has been initiated as part of the
• Central Water Commission would be the Forest Interventions in Ganga component of
designated authority to collect relevant data Namami Gange programme.
and submit reports on a quarterly basis to the • It aims to bring greater awareness among
NMCG. people and other stakeholders regarding the
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importance of afforestation for the task of tree plantation, organic and medicinal plants.
Ganga Rejuvenation. • Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is the
• Schools, colleges and departments have been nodal agency for its implementation.
requested to “Adopt a Plant” to make this Asita Project (Asita is another name of Yamuna)
campaign into a people’s movement. • It's a Yamuna River Front Development Project,
• State Forest Departments of respective states aims to restore, revive and rejuvenate the river’s
have been made the nodal agencies for the floodplains and make them accessible to the
smooth and effective execution of the people of Delhi.
campaign. • Reviving Ecosystem by creating a wetlands, to
store the flood waters and to improve the
• In Uttar Pradesh, the programme is
groundwater recharge which will eventually result
dovetailed with the Ganga Haritima Abhiyan in flourishing of biodiversity in the floodplains.
(to enhance the green cover in the catchment • NMCG is monitoring the development of project.
areas of the river Ganga and to control the
land erosion).
4.4. COASTAL REGULATION ZONE
4.3.3. GANGA PRAHARIS (GUARDIANS (CRZ) NOTIFICATION 2018
OF THE GANGA)
Why in news?
Why in news?
Recently, a grassroot-level workforce – Ganga The Union Cabinet has approved the Coastal
Praharis, was launched by the Ministry of Water Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2018 (under
the Environment Protection Act, 1986), based on
Resources.
the recommendations of Shailesh Nayak
About Ganga Praharis
Committee report (2016).
• To conserve the biodiversity of River Ganga
and reduce the direct dependency of local Salient Features
communities on the river, Wildlife Institute of • Easing FSI norms: This notification de-freezes
India (an autonomous institution of the the restrictions imposed on Floor Space Index
MoEFCC) and National Mission for Clean (FSI) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) under CRZ,
Ganga under the “Biodiversity Conservation 2011 in accordance to 1991 Development
and Ganga Rejuvenation” have roped in the Control Regulation (DCR) levels.
local community of five Ganga states (Uttar • No development zone (NDZ) reduced for
Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and densely populated areas: For CRZ-III areas
Uttarakhand) known as Ganga Praharis. o CRZ-III A areas shall have a NDZ of 50
• They are a cadre of self-motivated and meters from the HTL on the landward
trained volunteers from local communities side as against 200 meters from the HTL
working for biodiversity conservation and stipulated in the CRZ Notification, 2011.
cleanliness of Ganga with an objective of o CRZ-III B areas shall continue to have an
Nirmal and Aviral Ganga. NDZ of 200 meters from the HTL.
• They will create awareness about the benefits • Temporary Tourism infrastructure for basic
of the clean and vibrant Ganga thus creating a amenities to be promoted at a minimum
mass-movement to clean Ganga and create a distance of 10 metres from HTL. Such
convergence point at grassroot level by temporary tourism facilities are also now
linking livelihood of local communities with permissible in the NDZ of the CRZ-III areas.
overall efforts of various agencies working for • CRZ Clearances streamlined:
clean Ganga. o CRZ clearances are needed only for
• Ganga Praharis of all the five Ganga basin projects located in CRZ-I and CRZ IV.
states will be connected through Bhuvan o States to have the powers for clearances
Ganga App, mygov App and Swachhta app w.r.t. CRZ-II and III with necessary
thus creating a broadband network among guidance.
them. • NDZ of 20 meters has been stipulated for all
Ganga Gram Islands: in the wake of space limitations and
• It’s a concept to transform the villages on the unique geography and to bring uniformity in
bank of river Ganga into ideal villages with treatment of such regions.
emphasis on Open Defecation Free, Solid and • All Ecologically Sensitive Areas have been
Liquid Waste Management, Water Conservation, accorded special importance:
Ground Water Recharge, modern crematorium,
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Through Specific guidelines related to their pollution and unregulated development. The
conservation and management plans. government can prohibit industrial
• Pollution abatement has been accorded operations such as mining, sand quarrying
special focus: By permitting construction of and building thermal power plants in sensitive
treatment facilities in CRZ-I B area subject to areas.
necessary safeguards. • The Act does not mention the word ‘Eco
• Defence and strategic projects have been Sensitive Zone’. However, section 3(2)(v)
accorded necessary dispensation. gives authority to the central government to
Classification of the CRZ restrict areas in which any industries,
• CRZ-I areas are environmentally most critical and operations or processes or class of industries,
are classified as under: operations or processes shall not be carried
o CRZ-I A: The ecologically sensitive areas and out or shall be carried out subject to certain
the geomorphological features which play a safeguards.
role in the maintaining the integrity of the
• To categorise an area as ecologically
coast viz. Mangroves; Corals and coral reefs;
Sand Dunes; Turtle nesting grounds; sensitive, the government looks at
protected areas etc. topography, climate and rainfall, land use and
o CRZ-I B: The intertidal zone. land cover, roads and settlements, human
• CRZ-II: The developed land areas up to or close to population, biodiversity corridors and data of
the shoreline, within the existing municipal limits plants and animal species.
or in other existing legally designated urban areas. • As per orders of the Supreme Court, no
• CRZ-III: Land areas that are relatively undisturbed project can be allowed within 10 km of the
(viz rural areas etc) and those do not fall under boundary of national parks and sanctuaries
CRZ-II. CRZ-III is further classified as:
without the approval of the National Board of
o CRZ-III A: Areas with population density more
Wildlife (NBWL), unless a site-specific ESZ is
than 2161 per sq km as per 2011 census.
o CRZ-III B: areas with population density of less notified around that park or sanctuary.
than 2161 per sq km, as per 2011 census. • Purpose: They would also act as transition
• CRZ- IV: It constitutes the water area and further zone (shock absorber) from areas of high
classified as: protection to areas involving lesser
o CRZ- IV A: The water area and the sea bed area protection.
between the LTL up to 12Nm on the seaward • Nature of Activities in ESZ: While some of the
side. activities could be allowed in all the ESAs,
o CRZ- IV B: the water area and the bed area
others will need to be regulated/ prohibited:
between LTL at the bank of the tidal
influenced water body to the LTL on the
o Prohibited- commercial mining, polluting
opposite side of the bank, extending from the industries, major hydroelectric projects
mouth of the water body at the sea up to the etc.
influence of tide, i.e., salinity of five parts per o Restricted with safeguards (Regulated) -
thousand (ppt) during the driest season of the Felling of trees, Establishment of hotels
year. and resorts, Drastic change of agriculture
system, widening of roads, introduction
4.5. EARMARKING ECO- of exotic species etc.
SENSITIVE AREA o Permissible- Rain Water Harvesting,
Organic farming, Ongoing Agricultural
Why in news? Practices etc.
• Centre has released a draft notification for Related Information on Western Ghats
earmarking Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) in • The hill ranges of the Western Ghats (sometimes
called the Great Escarpment of India), a global
Western Ghats.
biodiversity hotspot, extend along the west coast
• It proposes nearly 37% of Western Ghats as ‘no of India from the river Tapti in the north to the
go’ zone, as recommended by Kasturirangan southern tip of India.
Committee. (The Madhav Gadgil panel had • It is spread through Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
recommended 64% of western ghats as ESA). Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
• Though covering an area of just 6% of the land area
Eco Sensitive Zones (ESZ)/Eco-Sensitive Area
of India, the Western Ghats contain more than 30%
(ESA) of all plant, fish, herpeto-fauna, bird, and mammal
species found in India.
• These are ecologically important areas
• Many species are endemic, such as the Nilgiri tahr
notified under the Environment Protection (Hemitragus hylocrius) and the Lion-tailed
Act, 1986, to be protected from industrial
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macaque (Macaca silenus), in fact 50% of India’s Governance and Shared Growth Program
amphibians and 67% of fish species are endemic to (SWIOFish).
this region. • They are debt instruments issued by the
• They include a diversity of ecosystems ranging governments, development banks etc. to
from tropical wet evergreen forests to montane
raise capital from impact investors to finance
grasslands containing numerous medicinal plants
and important genetic resources, the unique shola
marine and ocean-based projects that have
ecosystem (montane grasslands interspersed with positive environmental, economic and climate
evergreen forest patches). benefits.
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NMEEE consist of four initiatives to enhance energy Wildlife and CRZ Clearances from Central,
efficiency in energy intensive industries which are as State and district level authorities.
follows: • Enhance transparency: It automates the
• PAT (perform, achieve & trade) scheme: entire tracking of proposals which includes
Improving efficiency in energy intensive sector.
online submission of a new proposal,
• Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEFP):
editing/updating the details of proposals and
provides a platform to interact with financial
institutions and project developers for displays status of the proposals at each stage
implementation of energy efficiency projects of the workflow.
• Framework for Energy Efficient Economic • The system includes monitoring of
Development (FEEED): focuses on developing compliance reports including geo-tagged
appropriate fiscal instruments to promote energy images of the site by regulatory body or
efficiency financing. inspecting officers even through the Mobile
• Market transformation for Energy Efficiency App for enhanced compliance monitoring.
(MTEE): Accelerating shift toward energy efficient • It provides access to previous Environment
appliances.
Impact Assessment Reports, which is a
About State Energy Efficiency Index valuable reservoir of information.
• It examines states’ policies and regulations, 4.9. NATIONAL COMPENSATORY
financing mechanisms, institutional capacity,
adoption of energy efficiency and energy AFFORESTATION FUND
savings. MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING
• The Index has 63 indicators in all - 59 across AUTHORITY (NCAFMPA)
buildings, industry, municipalities, transport,
agriculture and DISCOMs; and 4 cross-cutting Why in News?
indicators.
• Recently, Supreme Court directed the transfer
• The ‘Front runner’ states in the inaugural
of Rs 53,852 crore lying with the ad-hoc
edition of Index are Andhra Pradesh, Kerala,
Compensatory Afforestation Fund
Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan.
Management and Planning Authority
Related news
Eco Nivas Samhita, 2018
(CAMPA) to NCAFMPA for its utilisation.
• Recently Ministry of Power has launched Energy • NCAFMPA has been created under the
Conversation Building Code for residential Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016.
buildings named Eco Nivas Samhita, 2018 in order About Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016
to promote energy efficiency in design and
construction of homes and generate awareness
• It established National Compensatory
towards conservation. Afforestation Fund (NCAF) under the Public
• This new code is applicable to all residential account of India and State Compensatory
buildings built on a plot area of ≥500 m2. However, Afforestation Funds under public accounts of
states and municipal bodies may reduce the plot states.
area. • These funds will receive payments for:
• Energy Conversation Building Code is formulated o Compensatory afforestation,
and implemented by Bureau of Energy Efficiency. o Net present value of forest (NPV),
o Other project specific payments.
4.8. PARIVESH • The National Fund will receive 10% of these
funds, and the State Funds will receive the
Why in News?
remaining 90%.
Recently, government launched an integrated • The funds will be in the interest-bearing, non-
environmental management system named lapsable and interest bearing by the rate
PARIVESH (Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation decided by central government on a yearly
by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single- basis.
window Hub). • Usage of Fund: The fund will be used for
About PARIVESH compensatory afforestation, additional
compensatory afforestation, penal
• Ease of Process: It is a web based, role-based compensatory afforestation, net present
workflow application which has been value, catchment area treatment plan or any
developed for online submission and money for compliance of conditions
monitoring of the proposals submitted by the
stipulated by the Central Government while
proponents for seeking Environment, Forest,
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according approval under the provisions of utilisation of State Compensatory
the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Afforestation Fund.
• Act provides statutory status for two ad-hoc o The act also seeks to provide for
institution, namely; constitution of a multidisciplinary
o National Compensatory Afforestation monitoring group to monitor activities
Fund Management and Planning undertaken from these funds.
Authority (NCAFMPA) for management • The act also provides for annual audit of the
and utilisation of NCAF. accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor
o State Compensatory Afforestation Fund General.
Management and Planning Authority for
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8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW
5. DISASTER MANAGEMENT
5.1. NATIONAL DISASTER RISK 5.2. STATE DISASTER RESPONSE
INDEX FUND (SDRF)
Why in news? Why in news?
The Union ministry of home affairs with the Central Government enhanced its Contribution in
support of United Nations Development SDRF from 75% to 90%. w.e.f. 1st April 2018.
Programme (UNDP) have prepared for the first About SDRF
time a national disaster risk index for India.
• SDRF at state level and National Disaster
More about the Index Response Fund (NDRF) at national level has
• It mapped hazards and vulnerabilities been setup under Disaster Management Act,
including economic vulnerabilities across 640 2005 as a fund for meeting the expenses for
districts and all states including UTs. emergency response, relief and rehabilitation
• The index factors in exposure of population, during any notified disaster.
agriculture and livestock and environmental • Disaster (s) covered under SDRF: Cyclone,
risk. drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami,
• It will be used to prepare a composite disaster hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst,
scorecard (DSC). pest attack, frost and cold waves.
• The index is in line with India’s commitment to • NDRF is constituted to supplement the funds
the Sendai Framework. of the SDRF of the states to facilitate
immediate relief in case of calamities of a
severe nature.
• Department of Agriculture and Cooperation
under Ministry of Agriculture (MoA)
monitors relief activities for calamities
associated with drought, hailstorms, pest
attacks and cold wave /frost while rest of the
natural calamities are monitored by Ministry
of Home Affairs.
Other bodies constituted under Disaster Management
Act 2005
• National Disaster Management Authority with the
Prime Minister of India as its Chairman.
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction o National Executive Committee (NEC) of NDMA
takes decisions on the expenses from NDRF.
• It is a 15-year (2015-30), voluntary, non-binding
Members of NEC comprise of secretaries of
agreement which recognizes that the State has the
the concerned central government ministries
primary role to reduce disaster risk but that
and departments.
responsibility should be shared with other
stakeholders including local government, the • National Disaster Response Force (under Ministry
private sector and other stakeholders. of Home Affairs)
o It is a specialised force constituted for the
• It is the successor instrument to the Hyogo
purpose of specialist response to a
Framework for Action (2005-15)
threatening disaster situation or disaster.
• India is a signatory of Sendai Framework.
o It consists of 12 battalions, three each from the
• UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR)
BSF and CRPF and two each from CISF, ITBP
has been tasked to support the implementation,
and SSB.
follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework.
o UNISDR was established in 1999 as a dedicated
secretariat to facilitate the implementation of 5.3. REPEATED EARTHQUAKES IN
the International Strategy for Disaster PALGHAR
Reduction (ISDR).
o ISDR is a global framework established within Why in news?
the United Nations for the promotion of action
to reduce social vulnerability and risks of The Palghar district in northern Maharashtra has
natural hazards and related technological and been witnessing an unusual frequency of
environmental disasters. earthquakes since November, 2018.
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More in news
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• Objective of DRIP:
5.5. RAT-HOLE MINING o To improve the safety and operational
performance of selected existing dams and
Why in News?
associated appurtenances in a sustainable
Recently, the collapse of a coal mine in manner, and
Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills in which 15 workers o To strengthen the dam safety institutional
were trapped, has thrown the spotlight on a setup of participating States / Implementing
procedure known as “rat-hole mining”. Agencies.
About rat-hole mining Emergency Action Plan
• It is a formal plan proposed under DRIP that
• It involves digging of very small tunnels, identifies potential emergency conditions at a dam
usually only 3-4 feet high, without any pillars and prescribes the procedures to be followed to
to prevent collapse, in which workers (often minimize loss of life and property damage.
children) enter and extract coal.
• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned it 5.7. GLACIAL LAKES OUTBURST
in 2014 on grounds of it being unscientific and
unsafe for workers.
FLOODS
• Even after ban, it remains the prevalent Why in news?
procedure for coal mining in Meghalaya as no
other method would be economically viable Disaster managers and scientists in Sikkim are
in Meghalaya, where the coal seam is siphoning out excess water from South Lhonak
extremely thin. lake to prevent it from Glacial Lakes Outburst
• Further, mining activities are a state subject, Floods.
but safety of mine workers is a central subject What is Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods (GLOFs)?
which creates problems in implementation of
safety policies. • Floods caused due to outburst of glacial lakes
is known as GLOF.
5.6. KERALA FLOOD • The moraine wall act as a natural dam,
trapping the melt water from the glacier and
Why in news? leading to the formation of a glacial lake.
Recently, Kerala witnessed their worst flood since Factors triggering GLOFS
1924.
• Retreat of glaciers and change in radiative
More on news
balance in the region in the wake of global
• Some of the Reasons for Kerela floods
warming.
include: Incessant rainfall; Dam
• Increasingly erratic and unpredictable
Mismanagement (sudden releases of water
monsoon rainfall patterns and increased
from the Mullaperiyar dam - located in Kerala,
climate variability.
but operated by Tamil Nadu); Stone
quarrying, Deforestation, Uncontrolled sand • Anthropogenic activities such as mass
mining; Large expanse of low-lying areas etc. tourism; developmental interventions such as
roads and hydropower projects; and the
• Operation “Madad” by the Southern Naval
practice of slash and burn type of farming in
Command (SNC) and Operation Sahayog by
certain pockets of the Indian Himalayan
Army was launched for assisting Kerela’s
region.
administration in undertaking disaster relief.
• Black carbon also plays important factor
Related Information which melts the ice on the mountain due to
Dam Rehabilitaton and Improvement Plan (DRIP) albedo effect.
• It is being implemented by Ministry of Water • Other Factors like cascading processes (flood
Resources with assistance from the World Bank. from a lake situated upstream), earthquake,
• 80% of the total project is provided by the World blocking of subsurface outflow tunnels, long-
Bank as loan/credit and remaining 20% is borne by term dam degradation also trigger GLOFS.
the States / Central Government (for Central Water
Commission).
• It originally envisaged the rehabilitation and
improvement of about 223 dams in four states
namely, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil
Nadu and later Karnataka, Uttarakhand and
Jharkhand joined the project.
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rock debris and earth, under the influence of
5.8. LANDSLIDE WARNING gravity.
SYSTEM • Major reason for triggering of Landslides
o Natural causes like vibrations from
Why in news?
earthquakes and the build-up of water
Recently, a real-time landslide warning system pressure between soil layers due to
has been set up in the Sikkim-Darjeeling belt of prolonged rainfall or seepage.
north-eastern Himalayas. o Manmade causes include removal of
vegetation from the slopes, interference
with natural drainage, leaking water or
sewer pipes, modification of slopes by
construction of roads, railways, buildings,
mining etc.
• Weather Induced Landslide: Landslide
occurrence peaks during the northern
hemisphere summer, when cyclones,
hurricanes and typhoons are more frequent
and the monsoon season brings heavy rain to
parts of Asia.
• Flash Flood Phenomenon: Landslide Lead to
formation of artificial lake, which can trigger
flash flood in the region affected.
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6. GEOGRAPHY
Importance of Soil moisture
6.1. INDIA’S 1ST SOIL MOISTURE
• It acts as a nutrient itself and regulates soil
MAP temperature.
Why in news? • It serves as a solvent and carrier of food
nutrients for plant growth.
India Meteorological Department (IMD), for the • Yield of crop is more often determined by the
first time, has provided a country-wide soil amount of water available rather than the
moisture forecast termed ‘Experimental deficiency of other food nutrients.
Forecasts Land Surface Products’. It has been • Soil forming processes and weathering
developed using the ‘Variable Infiltration depend on water.
Capacity’ model that takes into consideration soil, • Microorganisms require water for their
vegetation, land use and land cover among other metabolic activities.
parameters.
Some findings of the Assessment Report w.r.t. context of glacier retreat throughout the
Glaciers rest of the extended HKH region, this
behaviour has been designated the
• Area Changes ‘Karakoram anomaly’.
o Since 1970s, nearly 15% of the glaciers in o Area loss also leads to glacier
the HKH has disappeared. Eastern fragmentation; the number of glaciers in
Himalaya glaciers have tended to shrink the Himalaya is reported to have
faster than glaciers in the central or increased over the past five decades.
western Himalaya. • Glacier Projections
o In contrast to the Himalayan glaciers, on o Glacier volumes are projected to decline
average, glacier areas in the Karakoram by up to 90% through the 21st century in
have not changed significantly. Given the
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response to decreased snowfall,
increased snowline elevations, and
longer melt seasons.
o Even if warming can be limited to the
ambitious target of +1.5 °C (Paris Climate
Deal), this will lead to a 2.1°C rise in the
HKH region due to elevation-dependent
warming.
About International Centre for Integrated Mountain
Development (ICIMOD)
• It is a regional intergovernmental learning and
knowledge sharing centre based in Kathmandu, About Kelps
Nepal
• It is serving the eight regional member countries • They are large brown algae seaweeds. They
of the Hindu Kush Himalaya – Afghanistan, grow in "underwater forests" (kelp forests) in
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, shallow oceans.
Nepal, and Pakistan.
• Generally speaking, kelps live further from
• It aims to assist mountain people to understand
the tropics than coral reefs, mangrove
the influence climate change have on the stability
of fragile mountain ecosystems, adapt to them, forests, and warm-water seagrass beds.
and make the most of new opportunities, while o Although kelp forests are unknown in
addressing upstream-downstream issues. tropical surface waters, a few species
Elevation-dependent warming (EDW) have been known to occur exclusively in
• It is one of the expressions of global warming tropical deep waters.
wherein there is an enhancement of warming rates o Kelps and coral reefs are composed of
with elevation. algae that grow in the shallow parts of the
• One of the possible reasons could be that ocean in warm and sunny waters.
reductions in mountain snow cover exposes the However, kelp forest grows in nutrient-
dark coloured earth beneath. This reduces the
rich waters while corals can develop in
surface albedo and increases the absorbed solar
radiation that can lead to elevation-dependent
low nutrient waters.
amplification of warming via the snow albedo • The environmental factors necessary for kelp
feedback (SAF) to survive include hard substrate (usually
rock), high nutrients, clear shallow coastal
Impact of HKH Warming waters and light.
• River flows and water availability: Melting • The productive kelp forests tend to be
glaciers will increase river flows, pushing up associated with areas of significant
risks of high-altitude lakes bursting their oceanographic upwelling.
banks causing floods (glacial lake outburst • They are known for their high growth rate.
floods (GLOFs)). Some varieties grow as fast as half a metre a
• Drying Springs: 30% of springs in the Indian day, ultimately reaching 30 to 80 metres.
Himalaya have dried up due to reasons • Kelp forests are recognized as one of the
including receding glaciers. most productive and dynamic ecosystems on
• On Western Disturbances: These are also Earth. Smaller areas of anchored kelp are
likely to see increased variability. called kelp beds.
• Impact on Monsoon: Shifting monsoon Importance of Kelp Forests
patterns will lead to intense precipitation
which would increase the risk of floods, • They are considered as Keystone Species and
landslides and soil erosion. their removal is likely to result in a relatively
• It may also cause sea level rise with its own significant shift in the composition of the
consequences. community and perhaps in the physical
structure of the environment.
6.3. KELP FORESTS • It provides as an important source of food for
many marine species. In some cases, up to
Why in News? 60% of carbon found in coastal invertebrates
According to a recent study, Climate change could is attributable to kelp productivity. It may be
lead to decline of underwater kelp forests. consumed directly or colonised by bacteria
that in turn are preyed upon by consumers.
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• It increases productivity of the near shore boundary is actually defined by the polar
ecosystem and dumps carbon into that front jet stream- a narrow band of very, very
ecosystem. Kelp primary production results in fast-moving air, moving from west to east.
the production of new biomass, detrital • But that boundary shifts all the time. It shrinks
material etc. in summer, pole-ward while in winter, the
• It slows down the flow of the water which is polar vortex sometimes becomes less stable
important in situations where animals are and expands, sending cold air southward with
spawning and releasing their larvae. the jet stream. This is called a polar vortex
• They are natural breakwaters and prevent event (“breaking off” of a part of the vortex).
coastal erosion. • The break in polar vortex appears to be linked
• They can influence to the long and chilly winter in the north India
coastal oceanographic patterns and provide this year.
many ecosystem services.
• It is an important source of potash and iodine.
Many kelps produce algin, a complex
carbohydrate useful in industries such as tire
manufacturing, ice-cream industry.
Climate Change and Kelp Forest
• Ocean warming and ocean acidification can cause
changes in the microbiome on the surface of Kelp,
leading to disease-symptoms like blistering,
bleaching and eventually degradation of the kelp's
surface.
• This will affect the Kelp’s ability to
photosynthesize and potentially survive.
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disrupt the stratospheric polar vortex. give special rights to a state regarding the
Sometimes this upper vortex becomes so exploration and use of marine resources.
distorted that it splits into two or more • It will also help India in exploration of site
swirling eddies. allotted to it in the Central Indian Ocean Basin
• These “daughter” vortices tend to wander (CIOB) by the UN ISBA for exploitation of
southward, bringing their very cold air with Poly-Metallic Nodules.
them and leaving behind a warmer-than- UN International Sea Bed Authority (UN ISBA)
normal Arctic. • The ISBA is an autonomous international
organization situated at Kingston, Jamaica.
6.5. ENSEMBLE PREDICTION • It was established under the UN Convention on the
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1994 to to regulate
SYSTEMS (EPS) the exploration and exploitation of marine non-
Why in News? living resources of oceans in international waters.
Poly-Metallic Nodules (PMN)
IMD recently launched the Ensemble Prediction • Polymetallic nodules, also called manganese
Systems (EPS) to provide probabilistic weather nodules, are rock concretions formed of concentric
forecasts upto next 10 days. layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a
core.
About EPS • India is the first country to have received the status
of a pioneer investor in 1987 and was allocated an
• It has been developed jointly by the IMD,
exclusive area in Central Indian Ocean Basin by UN
National Centre for Medium Range Weather for exploration and utilization of nodules.
Forecasting (NCMRWF) and the Indian
Institute of Tropical Meteorology. 6.7. MEGHALAYAN AGE
• Under this, the area of spatial resolution,
which is 23 km presently, will reduce to 12 km, Why in news?
enabling the meteorological department to
give district-level warning. Scientists have identified a new phase in Earth's
geological history called the Meghalayan age.
• With this new model, India joins the US with a
model that predicts with a 12 km resolution. Geological Time Scale
Only the 'European Center for Medium Range
• The geological time scale is the “calendar”
Weather Forecast' has a better 9km
for events in Earth history.
resolution.
• It subdivides all time into named units of
6.6. DEEP OCEAN MISSION abstract time called—in descending order of
duration—eons, eras, periods, epochs, and
Why in News? ages.
• Eons are the largest intervals of geologic
In a recently unveiled Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) time and are hundreds of millions of years in
blueprint, Centre has drawn up a five year, Rs. duration. For e.g. Phanerozoic Eon is the
8000 Crore plan on lines of ISRO in designing and most recent eon and began more than 500
launching satellite. million years ago.
About the DOM blueprint • Eons are divided into smaller time intervals
known as eras. For e.g. the Phanerozoic is
• Its focus will be on technologies for deep-sea
divided into three eras: Cenozoic, Mesozoic
mining, under water vehicles, under water
and Paleozoic.
robotics and ocean climate change advisory
o The names of eras were chosen to reflect
services, among others.
major changes of the development of life
• Key deliverables to achieve these goals:
on the Earth: Paleozoic (old life),
o Offshore tidal energy desalination plant
Mesozoic (intermediate life), and
that will work with tidal energy.
Cenozoic (recent life).
o Developing a submersible vehicle to
• Eras are subdivided into periods. For e.g. the
explore depths of at least 6000 Meters
Paleozoic is subdivided into the Permian,
with three people on board.
Pennsylvanian, Mississippian, Devonian,
• It will promote exploration by India in its
Silurian, Ordovician and Cambrian periods.
Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). EEZ are
• Periods are further subdivided into epochs
boundaries prescribed by the UNCLOS which
which are further divided into ages.
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o Each period corresponds to significant • It has been officially ratified as the most
events such as the break-up of recent unit of the Geologic Time Scale by the
continents, shifts in climate, and the International Union of Geological Sciences,
emergence of particular types of an international NGO.
animals and plant life. • The International Commission on
• These units of the geologic time scale are Stratigraphy, which is responsible for
based on sedimentary strata that have standardising the Geologic Time Scale,
accumulated over time. approved the definition of the beginning of
the youngest unit of the Geologic Time Scale
based on the timing of this event and
forwarded its proposal to IUGS.
• The other two subdivisions of the Holocene
Epoch — the Early Holocene Greenlandian
(11,700 years ago), Middle Holocene
Northgrippian (8300 years ago) were also
approved.
• The Meghalayan Stage has been defined at a
specific level in a stalagmite in the Mawmluh
caves — one of the India’s longest and
deepest — in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya.
o The onset of the age was marked by a
severe 200-year drought that resulted in
the collapse of civilisations and human
migrations in Egypt, Greece, Syria,
Palestine, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley,
and the Yangtze River Valley.
• The International Chronostratigraphic Chart,
Meghalayan Age the famous diagram depicting the timeline for
Earth's history will be updated.
• The Meghalayan Age, which is the subdivision
of the Holocene Epoch, began about 4,200
years ago.
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7. MISCELLANEOUS TIT BITS
7.1. SOUTH ASIA WILDLIFE 7.4. INTERNATIONAL WHALING
ENFORCEMENT NETWORK (SAWEN) COMMISSION
• Recently the fourth meeting of SAWEN (first in • Recently Japan announced its withdrawal from
India) was held in Kolkata. International Whaling Commission (IWC) to
• SAWEN is an inter-governmental wildlife law resume commercial whale hunting.
enforcement support body of South Asian • The IWC was constituted under the
countries namely- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, International Convention for the Regulation of
Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Whaling in 1946 with an aim for orderly
Lanka. development of the whaling industry by putting
• It aims at working as a strong regional inter- catch limit, designating whale sanctuaries,
governmental body for combating wildlife crime coordinating conservation work etc.
by attempting common goals and approaches • Currently a complete ban is applied on
for combating illegal trade in the region. commercial whaling, while whaling under the
• It was officially launched in January, 2011 in scientific-research and aboriginal-subsistence
Paro, Bhutan. It operates its activities from the provisions are allowed.
Secretariat based in Kathmandu, Nepal.
7.5. ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS, 2019
7.2. STAPCOR-2018
• It was held recently in various parts of India. It is
• The International Conference on Status and part of the global International Waterbird
Protection of Coral Reefs (STAPCOR)-2018 took Census (IWC) carried out each January as a
place recently at Bangaram Coral Island of voluntary activity.
Lakshadweep. Theme of the conference was • In India, the AWC is jointly coordinated by the
“Reef for Life”. Bombay Natural History Society and Wetlands
• It takes place every 10 year after the foundation International.
of STAPCOR in 1998 when heavy bleaching of • Wetlands International is a non-profit
corals was observed internationally because of organization established in 1937 as
Global warming, climate change and El-Nino ‘International Wildfowl Inquiry’ and HQ in
effect. Netherlands.
• Other prominent developments- • Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS): Non-
o Year 2018 has been declared as 3rd decadal governmental organization in India engaged in
International year of Reefs. conservation research.
o An International Atoll Research Centre for o Collaborated with technology company
scientific research on corals will be Accenture to create Internet of Birds,
established in Lakshadweep. which is an online tool for birdwatchers that
o World’s largest artificial coral reef installed identifies birds based on their photos.
in Maldives.
7.6. GREEN AGRICULTURE (GREEN-AG)
7.3. WILDLIFE CRIME CONTROL PROJECT
BUREAU (WCCB)
• Government of India in collaboration with the
• Recently, United Nation Environment Program Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
has awarded Wildlife Crime Control Bureau launched a Global Environment Facility (GEF)
(WCCB) with Asia Environment Enforcement assisted project, Green–Ag: Transforming
Awards, 2018. Indian agriculture for global environment
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory benefits and the conservation of critical
body, under the Ministry of Environment and biodiversity and forest landscapes.
Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in • It was launched in high-conservation-value
the country and was constituted in 2007 by landscapes of five states, namely Madhya
amending the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Pradesh (Chambal landscape), Mizoram (Dampa
o It coordinated “Operation Thunder Bird” landscape), Odisha (Similipal landscape),
(INTERPOL’s multi-national and multi- Rajasthan (Desert National Park landscape) and
species enforcement operation) in India. Uttarakhand (Corbett-Rajaji landscape).
o It has launched Operation wildnet to • Executive Agencies: Ministry of Agriculture and
counter the menace of the illegal trade Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate
through internet. Change.
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About FAO o some are hosted by environment-related
• It is a specialized agency of the United Nations governmental and non-governmental
that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. organisations/ institutes of professional
excellence, with varied thematic mandates
• Its 5 strategic objectives include:
pertaining to environment, called the ENVIS
o Help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and Resource Partners (RPs).
malnutrition
• ENVIS will conduct India’s first ever National
o Make agriculture, forestry and fisheries
Environment Survey (NES) in 55 districts across 24
more productive and sustainable states and three Union Territories.
o Reduce rural poverty O It will collect comprehensive data on various
o Enable inclusive and efficient agricultural environmental parameters such as air, water, soil
and food systems quality; emission inventory; solid, hazardous and
o Increase the resilience of livelihoods to e-waste; forest & wildlife; flora & fauna;
threats and crises wetlands, lakes, rivers and other water bodies.
• Its major initiatives and achievements include: o It will also assess carbon sequestration potential
of all the districts across the country.
o Created international standards, Codex
o It will rank all the districts on their
Alimentarius, to ensure safe, good food for
environmental performance and document their
everyone. best green practices.
o Created and led adoption of the first ever
binding international accord to combat
7.8. IRAN SEES ‘REVIVAL’ OF LAKE
illegal fishing, the Port State Measures
Agreement. URMIA
o Globally Important Agricultural Heritage About Lake Urmia
Systems
• It is an endorheic (which do not drain to the sea)
▪ These are outstanding landscapes of
salt lake in Iran.
aesthetic beauty that combine
• The lake has shrunk to 10% of its former size due
agricultural biodiversity, resilient
to damming of the rivers that flow into it, and
ecosystems and a valuable cultural
the pumping of groundwater from the
heritage.
surrounding area.
▪ GIAHS from India: Saffron Heritage of
Kashmir; Koraput Traditional • Lake Urmia is designated as a site of
Agriculture; Kuttanad Below Sea Level international importance under the UN
Farming System. Convention on Wetlands.
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climate change, with Chhattisgarh and modern biotechnologies to save
Madhya Pradesh likely to be the top two endangered wildlife species of India.
climate hotspots. • Recently, Indian Ocean Research Vehicle (IORV)
• Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Sagar Nidhi as part of India- US expedition
Species (LaCONES) – Recently, National Wildlife seeking to find answers to vagaries of Bay of
Genetic Resource Bank (NWGRB) was Bengal fed South-West Monsoon was set out in
established at Laboratory for Conservation of Indian Ocean. The project is funded by the
Endangered Species (LaCONES). Ministry of Earth Sciences and the US Office on
o LaCONES is a dedicated laboratory of the Naval Research.
CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular • CUSAT Stratosphere Troposphere-205 Radar:
Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. It is the only Situated at Cochin, it is fully indigenously built
institute in the country working towards radar to scan stratosphere over the Indian
conservation of endangered wildlife using Ocean for movement of air and monsoon winds.
7.10. REPORT AND INDICES
REPORT Published by KEY FINDING/FEATURES
Emissions Gap United Nations Environment Programme • About: It focuses on the “gap” between the
Report (UNEP). emissions reductions necessary to achieve
Other Reports/Publications Published the agreed targets at lowest cost and the
• Global Environment Outlook. likely emission reductions from full
• Actions on Air Quality. implementation of the Nationally
• The Rise of Environmental Crime (By UNEP Determined Contributions (NDCs), which
& INTERPOL) form the foundation of the Paris
• Environmental Rule of Law – 1st global Agreement.
assessment of environmental laws. • Pathways reflecting current NDCs imply
• Inclusive Wealth Report 2018: global warming of about 3°C by 2100, with
o About: It’s a biennial report that seeks warming continuing afterwards.
to evaluate a country’s wealth and • Global greenhouse gas emissions show no
wellbeing through the Inclusive Wealth signs of peaking. Global CO2 emissions from
index (IWI). energy and industry increased in 2017,
o Inclusive Wealth = Manufactured following a three year period of
Capital + Human Capital+ Natural stabilization.
Capital
Greenhouse World Meteorological Organization (WMO) • About: Published annually, it reports on
Gas Bulletin- Other Reports/Publications Published atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse
2018 • WMO Statement on the state of the gases.
Global Climate • It is based on observations from the WMO
Global Atmosphere Watch Programme
(GAW), which tracks the changing levels of
greenhouse gases as a result of
industrialization, energy use from fossil fuel
sources, intensified agricultural practices,
increases in land use and deforestation.
• Carbon dioxide is the main long-lived
greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
Concentrations reached 405.5 ppm in 2017,
146% of the pre-industrial era (before 1750).
• Methane (CH4) is the second most
important long-lived greenhouse gas and is
now 257% of the pre-industrial level.
• Atmospheric concentration of Nitrous
oxide (N2O) is 122% of pre-industrial levels.
• CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane): Since
2012 its rate of decline has slowed.
Climate Germanwatch, the New Climate Institute and • Countries are ranked across four
Change the Climate Action Network. categories — Greenhouse Gas Emissions,
Performance Global Climate Risk Index 2019 by Renewable Energy, Energy Use and
Index (CCPI), Germanwatch. Climate Policy.
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2019. • About: analyses to what extent countries • The report ranks 56 countries and the
and regions have been affected by European Union, which together are
impacts of weather-related loss events. responsible for 90% of global greenhouse
• For the examination of the CRI, the gas emissions.
following indicators were analysed: • India ranked 11th in CCPI, improving from
o Number of deaths the previous 14th as a result of an improved
o Number of deaths per 100 000 performance in renewable energy,
inhabitants comparatively low levels of per capita
o Sum of losses in US$ in purchasing emissions and a relatively ambitious
power parity (PPP) mitigation target for 2030.
o Losses per unit of Gross Domestic • Sweden and Morocco were the leading
Product (GDP) countries with 4th and 5th rank respectively.
• Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka and Dominica were First three positions were unoccupied,
at the top of the list of the most affected because none of the 56 countries or the EU
countries in 2017. were clearly on a well below two degrees
• India moved from 6th rank to 14th rank as a Celsius pathway in their overall
result of efficient cyclone prediction performance.
system and gradual improvement in its
disaster response system.
Living Planet World Wide Fund for Nature • Released every two years, it is a
Report, 2018 Global Soil biodiversity Atlas comprehensive study of trends in global
• It is a joint venture of the Global Soil biodiversity and the health of the planet.
Biodiversity Initiative and the European • The current rate of species loss is 100 to
Commission Joint Research Centre. 1,000 times higher than only a few hundred
• It placed India among countries whose soil years ago.
biodiversity faces the highest level of risk. • The report says that the Earth has entered
• Atlas findings were published as part of the the sixth mass extinction event in the last
Living Planet Report, 2018 half-a-billion years.
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