Environment Yearly 2023 Vision

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5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. OZONE HOLE RECOVERY
Why in news?
A new United Nations-backed Ozone Recovery Assessment Report, 2022 has stated that the ozone layer is on track to
recover within decades as harmful chemicals are phased out.
More on news
• The report highlights that Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) levels in 2022 are back to those observed in 1980 before
ozone depletion was significant.
o This slow but steady progress over the past three decades was achieved by Montreal Protocol.
o The pace of reduction in ozone-depleting substances (ODSs) over Antarctica, which experiences a large ozone
hole in spring, has been slower.
61 www.visionias.in ©Vision IAS

Ozone recovery assessment report 2022
• The report was released by combined efforts of WMO,
UNEP, NOAA, NASA and European Commission.
• Key findings of the report
o The atmospheric abundances of both total
tropospheric chlorine and total tropospheric
bromine from long-lived ODSs have continued to
decline since the 2018 Assessment.
o The study suggests that decline in ODS emissions
due to compliance with the Montreal Protocol
avoids global warming of approximately 0.5–1
°C by mid-century. India’s steps for protection of Ozone
o The study expected that the thickness of ozone • Setting up of Empowered Steering Committee by Ministry of
layer to return to 1980 values around 2066 in Forest, Environment and climate change to oversee
the Antarctic, around 2045 in the Arctic region. implementation of Montreal Protocol.
• Setting up of Ozone Cell as a National Ozone Unit (NOU) to
Key challenges highlighted by the report support implementation of Montreal protocol.
• Lack of proper assessment - The gaps in observation • India has successfully achieved complete phase out of HCFC-
and monitoring networks for compounds like CFC- 141b used in manufacturing of foam.
11, CFC-12 have made it difficult to take action • India has also brought India Action Cooling Action Plan to
reduce the consumption of ozone depleting substances in
against unreported emissions.
cooling equipment.
• Unexplained Emissions - Unexplained emissions
have been identified for other ODSs (CFCs-13, 112a, 113a, 114a, 115, and CCl4) which are difficult to understand as
well as monitor.
• Disparity in Ozone recovery: While ozone in upper stratosphere is recovering properly, but same is not the case with
middle and lower stratospheric zones in both the hemispheres.

• Gaps in regional atmospheric monitoring - existing network of atmospheric monitoring stations provide
measurements of global surface concentrations of long-lived ODSs and HFCs resulting from anthropogenic emissions
making it difficult to assess regional gaps.
• Geo-Engineering Techniques- The impact on the ozone layer of stratospheric aerosol injection (SAI) has hinted
towards deepening of the Antarctic ozone hole and delay in ozone recovery.
Steps taken to heal Ozone Hole
• Vienna Convention (1985) and Montreal Protocol (1987): The initiatives aims to repair the ozone layer through
worldwide reduction and ultimately elimination of ozone depleting substances.
o Its implementation has enabled the production and consumption of these substances to be reduced by more
than 98% between 1986 and 2016.
• Ozone Fund, 1990: The Ozone Fund (Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol) was
established in 1990 to support developing countries in their efforts to phase out the use of ozone depleting
substances.
• Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, 2016: It aims for the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by
cutting their production and consumption.
o Given their zero impact on the depletion of the ozone layer, HFCs are currently used as replacements of
hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), however they are powerful greenhouse
gases.
o With the Kigali Amendment, the Montreal Protocol will be an even more powerful instrument against global
warming.
Way Forward
Key recommendations from the report
• Elimination of emission of methyl bromide which is currently allowed under certain conditions can advance the
achievement of 1980 level of chlorine compound by two years in middle latitudes.
• A 3% reduction in anthropogenic N2O emissions, averaged over 2023–2070, would lead to an increase in annually
averaged global total column ozone.
• Emissions of anthropogenic very short-lived chlorine substances, dominated by dichloromethane (CH2Cl2),
continue to grow and contribute to ozone depletion. These needs to be phased out.
• Reductions in the future emissions of CFCs and HCFCs requires addressing proper assessment and monitoring of
regional gaps.
Conclusion
Arresting ozone depletion is crucial to not only protect earth’s environment but also protect its biodiversity. The complex
interconnection between ozone depletion and climate change needs to be studied and understood in a more scientific
manner in order to design proactive and collective policy responses.
5.2. CLOUD FOREST ASSESTS

Why in News?
Recently a new report
“Cloud Forest Assets
Financing a Valuable
Nature-Based
Solution" was
released by Earth
Security, a global
nature-based asset management advisory firm.

About Cloud Forest
• The suggested Cloud forest bonds as per the
report are a part of ‘ Nature Based Solutions
(NBS)’ and their financing to protect these Cloud
forests.
• Cloud Forests are mountain tropical forests
generally found at the river headstreams and
mostly covered with clouds.
○ These forests serve as the storage of clean
water for communities, industries and
hydropower plants.
○ Majority of Cloud Forest i.e., 90% are found
in 25 developing countries in tropical
regions which bears the disproportionate
impact of climate change.
About the Cloud Forest 25 (CF25) initiative
• The unsustainable model of economic growth,
global warming and increased frequency of
extreme climate events has led to a realization
that economic growth must go hand in hand
with environmental conservation. CF25 is a
step in this direction.
• CF25 is an Investment Initiative to
bring countries, their creditors and
multilaterals organizations together
to accelerate, and consolidate the
progress and scale such investment
products.
• Financing Mechanisms
○ Water Payments: To create a
mechanism for payments for
ecosystem services from water
users such as hydropower dams
which works on a national scale
and is subject to compliance
norms.
○ Sovereign Carbon: The
financing of forest carbon at
sovereign and sub-sovereign
jurisdictional scales as part of
an approach to wider areas of
lowland tropical rainforests.
o For these, the report proposes
Cloud Forest bonds, which can
be issued through such
collective mechanisms.
o Cloud forest bonds are debt
based instruments to mobilise
finance for protection of cloud
forest. Their value is based on the economic value of a country’s Cloud forest resources.
Conclusion
Nature based solutions can be a great instrument for supporting low income countries to preserve their ecosystem while
maintaining sustainable economic growth. It can help realize the principle of common but differentiated responsibility
by enabling developed countries and their private sector to finance climate change mitigation, adaptation activities in
low income countries.
5.3. THE WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2022

Why in News?
Recently, the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 was enacted to amend the WLPA, 1972 to incorporate more
species protected under the law.

About Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA), 1972
• The act provides for the protection of wild
animals, birds, and plants with a view to ensuring
the ecological and environmental security of the
country.
• It empowers the State to declare protected areas,
under four categories- National Parks, Wildlife
Sanctuaries, Community Reserves and
Conservation Reserves.
• Important bodies established under the act
include-
o National Board for Wildlife
o National Tiger Conservation Authority
o Central Zoo Authority
• The Act has created 6 schedules for specially
protected plants (one), specially protected animals
(four) and vermin species (one),
which gave varying degrees of
protection to classes of flora and
fauna.
About the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act (WLPA), 2022

• 2022 act seeks to conserve and protect wildlife through better management of protected areas and implement the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
• Key Provisions of Amended Act 2022:
Key Amendments
New Chapter VB • Designation of authorities: The Central government will designate-
for o Management Authority (MA)- responsible for issuance of permits and certificates for trade of
implementation of scheduled specimens in accordance with the Convention.
CITES o Scientific Authority- to advice MA on aspects related to impact on the survival of the specimens
being traded.
• Identification mark to be used by the MA for a specimen, as per CITES. Modification or removal of the
identification mark is prohibited.
• Registration certificate to be obtained by person possessing live specimens of scheduled animals from
the MA.
• Breeders of species in Appendix I of Schedule IV required to make an application for license to the
Chief Wildlife Warden within 90 days of the commencement of the amendment.
• Conditions for export, import, re-export and introduction from sea of scheduled specimens have been
specified.

Rationalization of Number of schedules from 6 to 4 by:
schedules • Reducing the number of schedules for
specially protected animals from 4 to 2.
• Inserting a new schedule for specimens
listed in the Appendices under CITES
(scheduled specimens).
• Removing the schedule for vermin species.
o Wild animals will be declared as
Vermin by Central Government by the
way of notification for any area and for
a specified period.
Control of • Chief Wildlife Warden will manage and protect sanctuaries in accordance with the management plans
sanctuaries prepared as per guidelines of the central government.
• In case of sanctuaries falling under Scheduled Areas or areas where Forest Rights Act 2006 is
applicable, the management plan for such sanctuary prepared after due consultation with the Gram
Sabha concerned.
Increase in • For General violation increases to 1 lakh from Rs25,000.
Penalties • For specially protected animals increases to 25,000 from Rs10,000.
Exemptions for • Transfer or transport of live elephants allowed for a religious or any other purpose by person having
‘live elephant’ ownership certificates in accordance with conditions prescribed by the Central Government.
(section 43)
New section 42A • Any person having a certificate of ownership for captive animals or animal products, can voluntarily
for Surrender of surrender them to the Chief Wildlife Warden.
captive animals • No compensation to be paid to the person for surrendering such items and the items will become the
property of the State Government.
Relaxation of • Filmmaking (without causing any adverse impact to the habitat for wildlife) as one of the purposes for
certain restrictions which permits may be granted to enter or reside in a sanctuary.
• Certain activities such as, grazing or movement of livestock, bona fide use of drinking and household
water by local communities etc. allowed without a permit in a sanctuary.
Other Provisions • Central government empowered to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession, or proliferation
of invasive alien species.
• No renewal of any arms licences to be granted to any person residing within 10 kilometres of a
sanctuary except under the intimation to the Chief Wildlife Warden or the authorised officer.
• State Board for Wildlife permitted to constitute a Standing Committee.
Concerns about new Act
• Trade in elephants: Prior to 2022 act , the only way to
acquire a captive elephant was through inheritance, now
amended act may provide an open sale and purchase of
elephants thereby defeating the whole purpose of the
Wildlife Protection Act.
o In the existing law, commercial trade of elephants is
prohibited it may drive the live elephant trade
underground as traders switched to dressing up
commercial deals as gift deeds to bypass the 2003
amendment.
✓ In 2003, Section 3 of the WLPA prohibited trade in
all captive wildlife and any (non-commercial)
transfer across state boundaries without permission
from the concerned chief wildlife warden.
o The ambit of “any other purpose” in the present amendment will empower elephant traders, put wild
populations at greater risk of capture, and defeat the very purpose of law.

• Centre’s hold over
‘vermin’ declaration
continue: Major
concern is with how
certain animals are
classified as ‘vermin’.
o Last year, Kerala’s
requests for
declaring wild
boars as vermin
have been turned
down repeatedly by
the Ministry of
Environment,
Forest and Climate
Change.
• Concern over federal
structure: Protection of
wild animals and birds
is a subject under
Concurrent List.
o 2022 Act renders
the State Boards
for Wildlife chaired
by Chief Ministers
defunct and provides for establishing Standing
Committee of Board for Wildlife to be headed by the
Forest Minister with maximum 10 nominated
members.
Way Ahead
• Need to certify elephants’ ownership: There are 2,675
captive elephants in India and only 1,251 have
ownership certificates.
• Uphold federalism principle: The Management and
Scientific Authorities must take into account the strong
principles of Federalism and need to ensure constructive
engagement of State governments.
• More research: There is need to encourage research and
the organic incorporation of scientific information in
conservation planning.
• Temporary restrictions: There is need to place a
restriction on the time period for which animals can be
declared vermin, to ensure review of the conservation
status of the wildlife population
5.4. FOREST (CONSERVATION) RULES, 2022

Why in news?
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) reiterated that Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 are violative of
the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
More in News
• Earlier, the commission had expressed concern that the Forest Conservation Rules of 2022 could severely affect the
rights of Scheduled Tribes and other individuals who have historically lived in forested areas.
• NSCT position on the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 is that it violates of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
About Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022
• Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 have been promulgated solely to
implement the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
o The Rules do not inhibit the commencement of processes
envisaged in other laws like Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, Land Acquisition Act, 1896,
Forest Rights Act, 2006, etc.
o Provisions envisaged in other statutory laws can be undertaken
simultaneously by the respective nodal implementing agencies.
• The Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 will replace the Forest
(Conservation) Rules, 2003.
• The Rules lay down the procedural framework to obtain prior
approval from the Union Government for the use of forest land for
non-forest purposes as provided in 1980 act. Such non-forest
purposes may include-
o Diversion of forest land for a commercial or infrastructure project,
o De-reservation of land recognized as forest or
o Assignment of forest land to any private person by way of lease.
Key features of Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022
• Establishment of Committees: Rules provides for constitution of advisory committee and Regional Empowered
Committee by central government and Project Screening Committee by State Government and Union territory
Administration.
o These committees will advise union and state governments/UT administration in matters involving use of forest
land for non-forest purposes.
• Prior Approval of the Central Government: The approval shall be accorded by the Central Government in two stages:
o ‘In- Principle’ approval, after considering the recommendation of the Advisory Committee subject to fulfilment
of stipulated conditions.
o ‘Final’ approval after having received compliance report and ensuring its completeness.
• Compensatory Afforestation (CA): Rules aims to make land availability for compensatory afforestation easier.
o The Rules have allowed CA to be undertaken in states/UTs other than one in which forest land is being diverted,
de-reserved or leased.
• Accredited compensatory afforestation: The purpose is to encourage people to raise vegetation on its land and sell
it to persons who need to meet compensatory afforestation targets under the Act.
• Creation of Land Bank: State/UT, may for purpose of Compensatory Afforestation create a Land bank under the
administrative control of the Department of Forest.
Issues with Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022
• Contradicts with Forest Rights Act 2006: The 2006 law requires governments to seek prior and informed consent of
forest dwellers before allowing a project on their traditional lands.
o Now, Gram Sabha consent is not required before the grant of the in- principle approval.
o After approval, central Government will leave it to the state government to pass an order for de-reservation or
diversion or assignment.
• Issues with compensatory afforestation: The new plantation cannot compensate for the loss of carbon stocks and
other ecosystem services provided by old-growth forests in any realistic timeframe.

o Environmentalists have also questioned the rationale of environmental harm occurring in one state and being
compensated in another. According to them, it would have a significant impact on local biodiversity and climate.
Conclusion
It is important to build strong partnerships between forest-dwelling communities, civil society organizations, and
government agencies. Such partnerships can help facilitate the sharing of knowledge, skills, and resources for effective
forest conservation. There is a need to strengthen legal frameworks that protect and promote the rights of forest dwellers
and indigenous communities. This includes the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, which grants legal recognition to
the rights of forest-dwelling communities over forestlands.
5.5. HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT

Why in news?
Recently, a report by Comptroller and
Auditor General held that 63077
animals were run over by trains in the
last four years.
More on News
• The report analyzed the data
between 2017-18 and 2020-21.
○ The report highlighted that
unmanned level crossings were
the main reasons behind the
death of these animals.
○ The report also highlighted that
the guidelines circulated by the
Ministry of Railways to prevent
animal deaths by trains have
not been implemented even
after a decade.
Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC)
• It refers to struggles that arise when
the presence or behavior of wildlife
poses actual or perceived direct,
recurring threats to human
interests or needs, often leading to
disagreements between groups of
people and negative impacts on
people and/or wildlife.
• Further, it also proves negative for
the wildlife due to retaliatory
killings and creating a negative
perception towards conservation of
wildlife in common masses.
Status in India
• According to Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change between 2018-19 and 2020-21
○ 222 Elephants were electrocuted while 45 were killed by trains and 29 by poachers.
○ 29 tigers were killed by poachers and the reasons for the death of 197 tigers during the period remain suspected.
○ Between 2019-2021, Elephants took 1549 human lives while 125 lives were taken by tigers.
Steps taken for reducing HWC
• National Initiatives
○ The Standing Committee of the National Board of Wildlife has approved the advisory for management of Human-
Wildlife Conflict (HWC) in the country.
○ Policy Steps
✓ The National
Wildlife
Action Plan
(2002-2016)
gave two new
concepts of
conservation
reserves and
community
reserves for
better human
wildlife
relationship
management.
✓ Further, the
center is providing financial support to the state government for Integrated development of Wildlife Habitat.
○ Legislative Steps
✓ The Indian Forest Act provides establishment of Protected forests and Reserved forests for better
management of wildlife.
✓ The Parliament amended Wildlife Protection Act 1972 to provide legal framework for
▪ Prohibition on hunting
▪ Protection and management of wildlife habitats
▪ Establishment of protected areas
▪ Regulation and control on trade of wildlife and related products
✓ The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 also empowers the concerned authorities to deal with problematic animals
including declaring any protected species as vermin and to be culled.
• State level Initiatives
○ The Odisha government started spreading seed bombs in order to support growth of natural forest which can
serve as sustainable feedstock for animals.
○ Steps like bio-fencing are being undertaken by the Uttarakhand government in order to reduce movement of
wild animals in and around human habitations.
○ Policy responses like including man animal conflict in the list of disasters by the Uttar Pradesh government has
been taken to ensure compensation for damage.
Way forward
• Early Warning systems: Use of drone technology to monitor the migration pattern of big species like elephants to
provide early warning to the local population can help reduce man animal conflicts.
• Wildlife Corridors: Integrating wildlife corridors in developmental planning like Eco bridges can help reduce adverse
impact of habitat destruction by enabling smooth migration of wild animals.
• Ecotourism: Promoting ecotourism in a sustainable manner can help the local population to reap benefits of the local
wildlife which can help bring attitudinal changes towards wildlife conservation.
• Buffer Zone: Creation of natural buffer zones between wildlife habitat and human habitation can help reduce man
animal conflict by providing sufficient feed stock and prey population to wild animals in their natural habitat.
• Electric Fencing: Mild voltage electric fencing can be installed around the agricultural fields and remote villages where
concentration of wild animals is high to scare the animals.

5.6. FLY ASH UTILIZATION
Why in News?
Recently the Union
Ministry of Environment,
Forests and Climate
Change (MoEFCC) has
released notification on
fly ash utilization.
More on news
• The amendments are
made under the
power conferred on
the central
government under
Environmental
Protection Act 1986.
• There have been
various notifications
for Fly Ash Utilization.
Starting with 1999,
the most recent ones
being in the year 2021 and 2020.
• Though fly ash utilization in India has increased from nearly 10% in 1996 to highest 92% in 2020-21, over 17 million
tonnes out of the 222 million tonnes fly ash generated by still remain un-utilised.
Key Highlights of the Amendments
• Wider Scope: The new amendment extends the compliance of fly ash utilization targets to new thermal power
plants established on or after the publication of fly ash utilization rules 2021.
• Time Limit: The new Thermal Power Plants (TPP) will have a time period of 4 years to achieve 100 percent fly ash
utilization.
○ It is similar to the targets of thermal power plants operating at 60 percent of their capacity which is to be
calculated from 1st April 2022.
• Legacy Ash Utilisation: The legacy ash (ash which is being stored from past Key Highlights of 2021 Notification
years) stored with the thermal power plants have to be fully utilized within a • Introduction of Polluter Pays
Principle with a fine for non-
period of 10 years.
achievement of targets.
○ This period is to be calculated from 1st April 2022 and such utilization is
• Role of CPCB to review ways to
over and above the fixed utilization targets for that year. utilise fly ash.
• Reclamation: The amendment allowed reclamation activity in solar and wind • Earlier, a 4 year cycle was
power plants as per the guidelines issued by the Central Pollution Control present for utilisation of fly ash.
Board (CPCB). This notification reduced it to 3
○ Earlier it was only allowed in green belts and plantations. years.
• Time Limit for Reclamation and Certification: The amendment increases the
time period to three years (earlier only one year) for carrying out stabilization and reclamation activities.
○ A certificate needs to be obtained from CBCP for the same.
• Clarifying definition of legacy ash: All ash stored in ash ponds/dykes other than currently operational ones shall be
treated as legacy ash.
• Guidelines for Ash Ponds: The amendment permits existing TPPs (earlier only newly established TPPs were allowed)
to set up a temporary ash pond of the size (0.1 hectare per MegaWatt).
○ This provision is not applicable to TPPs established before 3rd November 2009.
• Competent Authority for Certification: CPCB along with Central Electricity Board shall provide guidelines for safe
management and certification of all existing and new, operational and reclaimed and stabilized ash ponds.
○ This is to be done within three months from the date of publication of ash utilization policy 2021.
○ 2021 rules did not clarify which ash ponds were to be certified which is now being clarified by this amendment.
• Ban on new Ash Ponds: The amendment bans any coal and lignite based TPPs from establishing or designating any
new operational ash ponds.
• Pricing of Ash Ponds: It provides for mandatory usage of fly ash based construction material for both public and
private construction lying within a radius of 300 Kms from a coal or lignite based TPPs.,
○ This is to be at a rate not more than the price specified by
✓ Central Public Works Department (CPWD)
✓ Concerned Public Works Department (PWD)
✓ Price of alternative products, if not mentioned in the Schedule of Rates.
Fly ash
• Fly ash is a particulate material produced from the combustion of coal in thermal power plants.
• It is created when the mineral impurities in the coal fuse together as they come out of the combustion chamber, then cool
down and harden.
• Chemical composition: Composed of silica, aluminum, iron, calcium, and oxygen. Plus, arsenic and lead can be found at trace
levels.
• 2 common types of Fly Ash
o Class F: Low-calcium and carbon content less than 5 percent.
o Class C: High-calcium and carbon content of less than 2 percent.
Fly Ash utilization
Why utilisation is necessary? Benefits of Fly Ash Utilisation
• Occupies a lot of land space. • Cost Effective substitute for Portland cement.
• Indian coal has much more ash content than other • Durable as it increases the life of concrete roads and structures.
countries. • Environmentally Sustainable as it can be utilized for carbon
• Ash ponds may leach heavy metal traces into sequestration.
groundwater. • Has potential in wastewater treatment owing to its chemical
• Increase in the concentration of particulate matter. composition.
• Reduce the rate of photosynthesis and • Effective for the removal of mercury.
transpiration in the plants.
• Challenges for solid waste management in the
nearby areas.
• Adversely impacts human health due to respiratory
illness.
Challenges in use of Fly Ash Initiatives for fly ash utilisation in India
• Lack Of Awareness with fly ash products. • In 2009 it was made it a saleable commodity.
• Strength Gain occurs at a slow pace • ASH TRACK Mobile App has been launched by the Ministry of
• Seasonal Limitations as low temperatures lengthen Power.
setting times. • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the constitution of a
• Color Variability as it is more difficult to control the ‘Fly Ash Management and Utilisation Mission’.
color of concrete containing fly ash. • Rationalizing the GST on fly ash bricks and blocks at concessional
• Secondary Environmental Pollution as it may cause GST rate of 5%.
leaching of some elements into water. State Level
• Maharashtra has a State Fly Ash policy 2016.
• Rajasthan govt decided that power plants will give fly ash to NHAI
free of cost for road construction
Way Forward
● Utilization of ash should be made mandatory for backfilling of mines and road construction.
● Railway track may be extended from the coal yard of TPP to the ash dyke.
● Transport subsidy may be contemplated to encourage fly ash utilisation.
● Incentives to private sector entrepreneurs for setting up fly ash bricks and tiles manufacturing units.
● Export potential of fly ash should be explored.

5.7. SAMUDRAYAAN MISSION
Why in news?
Union ministry of earth sciences recently shared
details of Samudrayaan Mission.
More about news
• Samudrayaan Mission is aimed to develop a
self-propelled manned submersible
(MATSYA 6000) to carry three human
beings to a water depth of 6,000 meters for
deep ocean exploration.
o MATSYA 6000 is being developed by
National Institute of Ocean
Technology, Chennai.
o It has has developed 6000m depth rated
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and
various other underwater instruments
such as Autonomous Coring System
(ACS), Autonomous Underwater Vehicle Other Indian initiatives for blue economy:
(AUV) and Deep Sea Mining System (DSM) • Draft National Policy for India’s Blue Economy released by
for the exploration of deep sea. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• It has an endurance of 12 hours of operational • India is party to various multilateral agreements/arrangements
including Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC), Indian Ocean
period and 96 hours in case of emergency. It is
Rim Association for Regional Co-operation (IOR-ARC), BIMSTEC
being developed under Deep Ocean Mission
etc. to strengthen Blue economy.
(DOM). • Umbrella scheme “Ocean Services, Modelling, Application,
About Deep Ocean mission Resources and Technology (O-SMART)” for implementation
during the period from 2021-26.
• Union cabinet approved deep ocean mission in • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana aims to bring about
2021 with a total budget of ₹4,077 crore for five Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible
years. development of fisheries sector in India.
• It aims to explore Deep Ocean for resources and • Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed between India and
develop deep sea technologies for sustainable other countries like Norway, Bangladesh, Iceland, Indonesia etc
use of ocean resources. to promote bilateral cooperation in field of Fisheries.
o The part of the ocean that lies below a
depth of 200 metres is defined as the deep sea.
o Considering importance of oceans on sustainability, UN declared 2021-2030 as Decade of Ocean Science for
Sustainable Development.
• It is a mission mode project to support Blue Economy initiatives. Blue economy is sustainable use of ocean resources
for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem.
• Mission is to be implemented under aegis of Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Major components of Deep Ocean Mission
Thematic area Details Targeted Blue Economy priority
area
Technologies for Deep Development of a manned submersible to carry 3 people to a depth Exploring and harnessing of
Sea Mining, and of 6000 metres in the ocean and an Integrated Mining System for deep-sea minerals and energy.
Manned Submersible mining Polymetallic Nodules in the central Indian Ocean.
Ocean Climate Change A suite of observations and models will be developed to understand Coastal tourism
Advisory Services and provide future projections of important climate variables on
seasonal to decadal time scales.

Exploration and Bio- prospecting of deep-sea flora and fauna including microbes and Marine Fisheries and allied
conservation of deep- studies on sustainable utilization of deep sea bio-resources will be services
sea biodiversity the main focus.
Deep Ocean Survey To explore and identify potential sites of multi-metal hydrothermal Deep-sea exploration of ocean
and Exploration sulphides mineralization along the Indian Ocean mid-oceanic ridges. resources.
Energy and freshwater Studies and detailed engineering design for offshore Ocean Thermal Off-shore energy development
from the Ocean Energy Conversion (OTEC) powered desalination plant are envisaged.
Advanced Marine Development of human capacity and enterprise in ocean biology Marine Biology, Blue trade and
Station for Ocean and engineering. This component will translate research into Blue manufacturing.
Biology industrial application and product development through on-site
business incubator facilities.
Significance of Deep Ocean mission
• Energy and mineral security: India has been allotted a site of 75,000
sq. km. in Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by International Sea Bed
Authority for exploitation of polymetallic nodules. Just utilizing 10%
of the PMN reserve available in area, country can meet its energy
requirements for the next 100 years.
• Economic growth: Ocean is a major economic factor supporting
fisheries and aquaculture, tourism, livelihoods and blue trade.
o It will help India in achieving target of over Rs. 100 billion “Blue
Economy” through its ocean resources.
• Help in mitigating climate crisis: Understanding deep seas would go a
long way in mitigating crisis of climate
International Seabed Authority (ISA)
change.
• It is an autonomous international organization established under 1982
o It will help in future projections or
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and 1994
predictions like trends in sea level, Agreement relating to Implementation of UNCLOS.
cyclone etc. • It has the mandate to ensure the effective protection of the marine
o Enhanced understanding of deep environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed
seas will help in implementation of related activities.
National Biodiversity Targets. • ISA has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica.
• Drug discovery and development: Deep
Sea harbours several novel biomolecules of
industrial and biomedical importance.
Road Ahead
• Fill knowledge gaps: Establish an
international research agenda to collect
and synthesize high-quality, deep-sea
scientific data to fill identified gaps in
knowledge required for decision-making
and environmental management.
o Exploration and impact monitoring
may expand scientific knowledge and
enable science-informed decision-
making.
• Regulatory framework: An effective
regulatory framework is needed to avoid
lasting harm to the marine environment.
o Stringent precautionary measures and
mitigation strategies should be a core
part of regulations.
• Promote open dialogue: Enhance political, industry and civil-society awareness of the issues and extent of
stakeholder engagement to facilitate open dialogue.
o Ensure inclusive stakeholder participation to inform decisions taken at the international and state level.
• Strengthen legal framework to enforce liability: Lacuane in international legal framework with regards to identifying
and enforcing liability for compensation, clean-up or remediation must be addressed.
o An “Environmental Compensation Fund” can be created to fund any environmental remediation in event of
“serious harm” to marine environment caused by exploration activities.
5.8. JOSHIMATH LAND SUBSIDENCE

Why in news?
Uttarakhand’s Joshimath has been declared as a
landslide and subsidence-hit zone.
More about news
• Satellite images of Joshimath released by
National Remote Sensing Centre of Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO) show
that it sank at a rapid pace of 5.4 cm in just 12
days, triggered by a possible subsidence
event on January 2.
• As per reports, huge cracks have developed in
more than 600 houses in Joshimath, making
them unfit for habitation.
o Roads and fields have also been similarly
affected.
About Land subsidence
• United States Geological Survey describes land subsidence as a gradual settling or
sudden sinking of Earth’s surface due to removal or displacement of subsurface
earth materials.
• Subsidence is a global problem.
o Experts estimate that by 2040, land subsidence will affect eight percent of the
world’s surface.
o Approximate 1.2 billion people living in 21percent of major cities across
globe.
• It is most often caused by the removal of water,
oil, natural gas, or mineral resources out of the
ground by pumping, fracking, or mining activities.
Further, it can also be caused by natural events
such as earthquakes, soil compaction, erosion and
sinkhole formation.
o According to U.S. Geological Survey, more
than 80% of land subsidence across the world
is caused due to excessive groundwater
extraction.
Causes of land subsidence in Joshimath
• Location and topography:
o Joshimath is situated in middle slopes of a hill
bounded by:

✓ Karmanasa and Dhaknala streams on west and east and
✓ Dhauliganga and Alaknanda rivers on south and north.
o The area around town is covered with thick layer of overburden material which makes it highly vulnerable to
sinking.
o Study by Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) highlighted that perennial stream, snow in
upper reaches, and highly weathered rocks with low cohesive characteristics makes it prone to landslides.
• Geology: Joshimath sits on a fault line (Vaikrita Thurst) and is close to another two (Main Central Thrust and
Pandukeshwar Thrust) which makes it highly Construction projects near Joshimath
vulnerable to sinking because of tectonic activity. • Tapovan Vishnugad Hydro-electric Project: It is a 520MW
o Further, city has been built on an ancient run-of-river project being constructed on Dhauliganga
landslide material i.e rests on a deposit of sand River.
and stone, not rock, which doesn’t have high • BRO’s Helang-Marwari bypass project: A 6-km long bypass
load-bearing capacity. construction from Helang to Joshimath to Marwari to
• Unplanned construction: Unplanned developmental reduce the distance to Badrinath.
activities without due regard to bearing capacity have • Badrinath Highway in Chardham Project: It is a part of the
contributed in aggravating slope instability-related construction of the Chardham Project.
• Chardham Railway and Tunnel Project: The 125 km
issues in Joshimath, according to the USDMA survey
Rishikesh-Karnaprayag Railway line in Uttarakhand
report in August 2022. requires the construction of at least 17 tunnels with an
o Unplanned and unauthorised construction led to escape and main tunnel, ballastless tracks, and 35 bridges.
the blocking of the natural flow of water, which
eventually results in frequent landslides. Measures taken to prevent land subsidence in India
• Improper water drainage: Due to the lack of drainage • Regulation of groundwater extraction: The Central
system in Joshimath, natural and anthropogenic liquid Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been regulating
waste seeps into the ground and weakens the land. groundwater extraction in over-exploited and critical
• Climate change acts a force-multiplier: IPCC reports areas to prevent land subsidence.
(2019 and 2022) have critically observed that Himalayan o The Indian Institute of Remote Sensing recently
signed an MoU with the Central Groundwater
region is very prone to disasters.
Board to study the effect of land subsidence in
• Other factors northern India.
o NTPC’s Tapovan Vishnugad Hydro Power Project • Remote Sensing and GIS: Remote sensing and GIS
o Increasing population and tourism in Joshimath technologies are used to monitor land subsidence over
What can be done? time and to identify areas that are susceptible to
subsidence.
• Ban on Construction Activities: Experts advise a • Monitoring and regulation of large infrastructure
complete shutdown of construction and hydroelectric projects: Project specific conditions related to safety
projects in the area. measures like installation of Early Warning Telemetric
o Heavy construction work should only be allowed system, Disaster Management Plan etc. are prescribed
after examining the load-bearing capacity of the soil. in the Environmental Clearances for large projects.
For road repair and other construction work, it is o The Ministry of Mines has been regulating mining
activities to prevent land subsidence.
advisable not to remove boulders by digging or
blasting the hillside. Mahesh Chandra Mishra committee (1976)
• Detailed investigation: Experts have called for a • The government appointed MC Mishra committee for
detailed geotechnical and geophysical reconnaissance of the land subsidence near the Himalayan
investigation of the area to determine its border.
carrying capacity. • Report stated that Joshimath was situated on an old landslide
• Revise town planning: Town planning must be zone, and it does not have high load bearing capacity.
revised to account for the new variables and o Joshimath could sink if development continued unabated.
shifting geographical conditions. • Recommendation
o A risk sensitive urban development plan for o Restrictions on heavy construction work, agriculture on
slopes, felling of trees.
Joshimath should be developed.
o Construction of pucca drainage to stop seepage of
rainwater, proper sewage system, and cement blocks on
riverbanks to prevent erosion.
• Replantation in region: To retain soil capacity, experts have recommended replantation in the region, especially at
sensitive sites.
o A massive campaign to plant trees and grass should be undertaken to conserve soil and water resources.
o Cutting of trees for supplying township with timber, firewood, and charcoal may be strictly regulated.
Conclusion
Central government agencies, experts and the state government are preparing short, medium, and long-term plans for
the land subsidence crisis situation in Joshimath. Government should also assess requirement of repair and restoration
efforts at all other vulnerable sites as well.
5.9. LARGE DAMS IN INDIA

Why in news? United Nations University Institute on Water, Environment
and Health (UNU-INWEH)
A new study by United Nations highlighted that around • UNU-INWEH is one of the United Nations University
3,700 dams in India will lose 26 per cent of their total (UNU) institutes, an academic arm of the UN.
storage by 2050 due to accumulation of sediments. • UNU-INWEH is the only Institute in UNU that focuses
More about news entirely and solely on water issues.
• UNU-INWEH’s mission is to help resolve pressing water
• The study by the United Nations University Institute on challenges that are of concern to the United Nations, its
Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) shows Member States, and their people.
that large dams in 150 countries will lose 26 per cent of
their total storage by 2050 due to sediment trapped in them.
o Trapped sediment has already robbed roughly 50,000 large
dams worldwide of an estimated 13 to 19 per cent of their
combined original storage capacity.
• Earlier in 2015, Central Water Commission had reported that
among 141 large reservoirs which are over 50 years old, one
quarter had lost at least 30 per cent of their initial storage
capacity.
Issues associated with large dams
• Structural issues
o Ageing large dams: Many large dams were built half a
century ago.
✓ Such large constructions become weak because
construction materials such as concrete and steel
deteriorate due to abrasion from waves, silt, sand, and
gravel.
o Sedimentation: The sediment that accumulates behind the dams reduces the water storage capacity of the
reservoir, leading to reduced power generation, irrigation, and drinking water supply.
✓ Sedimentation also affects the dam's structural integrity and increases the risk of flooding downstream.
o Seismic Vulnerability: Large dams in India are often built in seismically active areas, making them vulnerable to
earthquakes.
• Environmental issues
o Environmental impact: Cause environmental impacts, including the loss of wildlife habitats, alteration of river
ecosystems, and changes in the hydrology of the area.
o Climate change: Dams emit greenhouse gases like methane, which can contribute to climate change.
• Social and Cultural Impacts
o Displacement: Analysis of data for 156 large dams in India shows that everyone sq. km of area submerged by
large dams displaces around 154 people.
o Cultural loss: The construction of large dams can have a major impact on local communities, including the loss of
sacred sites, the disruption of cultural traditions, and the destruction of historical sites.

• Political issues: Shortage
of water is increasingly
being felt resulting in
conflicts across the world.
o There is a dispute
among Punjab,
Haryana, and
Rajasthan regarding
the allocation of
water from the
Bhakra Nangal dam.
• Other issues:
o Large dams are often
expensive to build and
can be subject to
significant cost
overruns.
o Dams may cause
increases in water
sourced illnesses like typhus, typhoid fever, malaria and cholera.
o Lack of funds for repair and maintenance of dams.
o Lack of information particularly with regard to ultimate storage capacity (USC) of dams, utilisable surface water
(USW), and ultimate gross irrigation potential (UGIP).
Initiatives taken for large dams in India Reservoir sedimentation
• Dam Safety Act, 2021: It provides for • Sedimentation is a natural process where the flow of water carries
soil, sand, and rocks downstream, which get deposited at the
surveillance, inspection, operation and
bottom of the river or reservoir.
maintenance of the specified dams and o The sedimentation problem is particularly acute in the
institutional mechanism to ensure their safe Himalayan region, where the rivers carry a large amount of
functioning. sediment due to the high erosion rate of the mountains.
o It has provisions for comprehensive dam • To mitigate the sedimentation problem, various techniques are
safety evaluation of all the specified employed, such as sediment flushing, desilting, sediment
dams. The evaluation is required to be bypass tunnels etc.
carried out by independent panel of o However, these methods are expensive and have limited
experts constituted by the dam owners. effectiveness.
• Register of large dams: Central Water
Commission (CWC) compiles and maintains nation-wide register of Large Dams i.e. National Register of Large Dams
(NRLD), as per information provided by dam owners.
• Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP): It aims to improve safety and operational performance of
selected existing dams and strengthen dam safety institutional setup of participating States / Implementing Agencies.
• Web based tools: CWC has developed web-based asset management tools named Dam Health and Rehabilitation
Monitoring Application (DHARMA) and Seismic Hazard Analysis Information System (SHAISYS).
• Guidelines for Safety Inspection of Dams: Primary aim of these Guidelines is to give dam owners, dam engineers,
and other professionals with information to help guide planning and execution of dam inspection programs.
Road Ahead
• Remedy for issues arising from dams: World Commission on Dams lists seven steps as a remedy to issues arising
from dams (see infographics).
• Decommissioning of large dams: Considering futility of large dams, in United States, rate of decommissioning of
large dams has overtaken the rate of construction since 1998. India should also undertake long term research on
dam decommissioning, river morphology and feasibility of rebuilding of storage structures.

• Integrated water management: Develop an
integrated and sustainable plan for water
management, taking into consideration
hydrological units involving allied
disciplines such as soil management, land
use, etc.
• Using advanced technology for collecting
information: Use of remotely operated
underwater vehicles (ROVs) for upstream
underwater inspection of dam body and
reservoir floor.
o Drones could be used for surface mapping of the downstream face of the dam.
• Revision of policies: Existing policies, plans, and water management discourse need urgent revision with recognition
of crisis unfolding due to ageing large dams. Comprehensive damage to water sector and impact on interrelated
sectors should be recognised in various policies.
• Assessing the alternatives to large dams: Country’s water policymakers, planners, and water managers have to
discover alternatives to dysfunctional large storage structures. Some alternatives include-
o Selecting sites for construction of water harvesting structures of varying capacities.
o Building medium or minor irrigation based small storage structures.
o Identifying mechanisms to recharge aquifers and store water underground.
5.10. INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TRANSHIPMENT PORT (ICTP)

Why in News?
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has invited
bids for the ₹41,000-crore mega International Container
Transhipment Port (ICTP) at Great Nicobar. It is being planned
for the Galathea Bay of Great Nicobar Island.
More on News
• ICTP being planned is part of the holistic development of
Great Nicobar Island.
• It will be completed in four phases. Phase 1 will create a
handling capacity of 4 million TEUs, increasing to 16
million TEUs in the ultimate stage of development.
o A twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) is an
approximate unit of measure used for cargo
containers.
• Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata-based) is the
nodal agency for the implementation.
• Public Private Partnership (PPP) will be encouraged for
this project via Landlord model.
o Under Landlord Port model, the port authority acts
as regulatory body and as landlord, while port
operations (especially cargo handling) are carried
out by private companies.
Significance of ICTP project
• Strategic Location: Proximity to the International Trade
Route (40 nautical miles from Malacca Strait) with existing
transhipment terminals like Singapore, Klang, and Colombo.

o Availability of natural water depth of more than Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island
20 metres. • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• Economic efficiencies: Indian Ports can save revenue (MoEF&CC) gave environmental clearance for the Rs
loss of around $200-220 million a year as about 75% 72,000 crore development project on Great Nicobar Island.
of India’s transhipped cargo is handled at ports • The project is to be implemented in three phases over the
outside the country. next 30 years.
o Reduce logistics inefficiencies and push to allied • The project includes proposals of a greenfield city, ICTP, a
businesses such as ship supplies, ship repair, greenfield international airport, a power plant, and a
township for the personnel who will implement the
warehousing and bunkering etc.
project.
o Help in reducing risks to the country’s export
competitiveness and create an opportunity for India to become a large hub for Asia-Africa, Asia-US/Europe
container traffic trade.
o Other benefits include forex savings, foreign direct investment, increased economic activity at other Indian
Ports.
• Development of the region: With development of ICTP at Great Nicobar, there is a huge potential for improvement
in socio-economic variables like creation of around 1,700-4,000 jobs.
Why Port-Led Island Development?
• Improves connectivity: Ports creates the
opportunities of inclusive development with
opening up of efficient transportation modes to
islands and ending their isolation.
o Quality of port infrastructure positively affects
logistics performance; better logistics
performance yields higher seaborne trade, and
higher seaborne trade yields economic growth.
• Creates economic opportunities: Improvement in
mobility of goods, services, and people result in an
economic push to the local economy and creates
tourism opportunities.
o A study conducted in Porto Santo Island of
Portugal reiterates the role of ports in tourism
creation.
• Aids overall development: Ports are drivers of
infrastructure creation, which in turn, have strong
relationship with the social welfare and economic
growth.
Concerns with the project
• Environmental and ecological concerns: The
ecologically rich island was declared a biosphere
reserve in 1989 and included in UNESCO’s Man
and Biosphere Programme in 2013.
o Entire Galathea Bay Wildlife Sanctuary was
denotified by standing committee of the
National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) to make
way for the ICTP.
✓ This bay is India’s most iconic nesting site
for giant leatherback turtles.
o Felling of almost a million trees for the project,
which can adversely affect wildlife and
biodiversity on the island.

o Increased runoff and sediment deposits in the ocean remains a major threat, impacting the coral reefs in the
area.
o Loss of mangrove cover in the island is also concern.
• Social concerns: More than 90% area of the island is designated as a tribal reserve under the Andaman and Nicobar
Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation, 1956.
o There are concerns that project could disturb livelihood and culture of tribals, also compromising their forest
rights under the Forest Rights Act 2006.
o There are two major tribal communities in Nicobar: the Nicobarese and the Shompen. Shompen is classified as
a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG) and is critically dependent on the forests for survival.
• Disaster Vulnerability: It has been reported that the project’s location is on a major fault line, facing frequent
earthquakes. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands
region comes under the high-risk seismic zone V
category.
o Earthquake: Great Nicobar is close to Banda
Aceh in Indonesia, which was the epicentre of
the December 2004 earthquake and tsunami
that caused unprecedented damage.
o Subsidence: According to 2005 report by IIT
Kanpur, the coastline of Great Nicobar is
vulnerable to permanent subsidence.
• Environmental Pollution from the terminal project,
coastal surface runoff, ballasts from ships, physical
collisions with ships, coastal construction, oil spills,
etc. can adversely impact the natural ecosystem.
• Feasibility concerns: According to some experts, the financial viability of the project remains questionable as all the
construction material will have to be shipped to this remote island and it will have to compete with already well-
established ports.
Way forward
• Translocation of affected coral reef: The Zoological Survey of India is currently in the process of assessing how much
of the reef will have to be relocated for the project.
o India has successfully translocated a coral reef from the Gulf of Mannar to the Gulf of Kutch earlier.
• Biodiversity conservation plans: Government is working to put in place a conservation plan for the leatherback turtle.
o Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) also imposed specific conditions for wildlife conservation for leatherback sea
turtles, Nicobar megapodes, saltwater crocodiles and several other species, as well as mangrove restoration.
o The committee noted that three new wildlife sanctuaries had been identified at Little Nicobar (for protecting
leatherback turtles), Menchal (for megapodes) and Meroe Islands (for corals).
• Addressing concerns of tribals: It has been assured that PVTGs will be eligible for compensation for the loss of their
habitat, if any, and that there will be a package for the welfare and development of Shompen while ensuring their
unique identity, culture and heritage is protected.
• Disaster resilient infrastructure: Proposed infrastructure should be made disaster resilient in line with conduction of
feasibility studies and innovative materials to withstand severe disasters.
o Also, early warning systems and contingency plans should be put in place.
Related News
National Logistics Portal-Marine
• Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) has inaugurated National Logistics Portal-Marine, Single Window
Logistics Portal, to improve efficiency and transparency by reducing logistics costs.
o It was envisaged by MoPSW and Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
o NLP covers all modes of transport in waterways, roadways, and airways along with an E-marketplace.

5.11. NEWS IN SHORTS
5.11.1. URBAN FORESTRY AND URBAN • SAIME is a community-based pilot project in West
GREENING IN DRYLANDS REPORT Bengal under which farmers are planting mangrove
trees around shrimp ponds.
• Report was produced in framework of Food and o Generally, mangrove forests are cleared to
Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) Green Urban Oases cultivate shrimps in the areas.
Programme, launched to improve resilience of dryland o It is being conceived by Nature Environment and
cities by tackling climate, health, food and economic Wildlife Society (NEWS), Global Nature Fund and
challenges. others.
o Program contributes to FAO’s Green Cities o It is expected to restore the mangroves.
initiative that was launched in 2020 to improve • Mangroves are a group of trees and shrubs that live in
livelihoods and well-being of urban and peri- coastal intertidal zone.
urban populations in at least 100 cities around the o They prevent erosion and absorb storm surge
world in next three years. impacts during extreme weather events.
• Key highlights of report
o Some 35% of the world’s largest cities (including 5.11.3. 1ST ALL INDIA ANNUAL STATES'
New Delhi, Cairo etc.) are built in world’s drylands MINISTERS CONFERENCE
facing a high risk of social, environmental, and
• 1st All India Annual States' Ministers Conference on
economic crisis as they grow.
"Water Vision@2047" was recently held in Bhopal.
o Scarce rainfall and water supplies compound
• Following initiatives were launched during it:
negative impacts of rapid urbanization on
o National Framework on Reuse of Treated
drylands, leading to overexploitation of limited
Wastewater.
resources, increased land degradation etc.
o National Framework for Sedimentation
o Urban forestry and greening strategies have yet
Management.
to be fully incorporated in many dryland cities.
✓ Sedimentation management enables optimal
• Recommendations
utilization of reservoir capacity. It focuses on
o At landscape level: Plan and maintain green spaces
Adaptive structural and functional measures.
and select trees and other plants that are suited to
o Best practices under Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the
local environment and cityscape.
Rain
o At community level: Boost community
✓ ‘Catch the rain’ aims to nudge Rainwater
participation and a sense of ownership, also to
Harvesting Structures with people’s active
provide incentives to encourage tree planting and
participation.
building capacity through environmental
o Inauguration of a sub-portal of ‘Jal Itihas’ under
education.
WRIS portal.
o At governmental level: Create robust policies and
✓ Jal Itihas showcases selected water heritage
protect urban greenery.
structures more than 100 years old.
✓ India- Water Resources Information System
(WRIS) provides a single window solution for
all water resources data and standardized
information.
o ‘Water Vision Park’ was proposed to be
established to promote idea of afforestation to
achieve goal of water conservation.
o Also, key features of Water and Allied Resources
Information and Management (WARMIS) were
highlighted like Unified data repository, Intelligent
5.11.2. SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE IN Insight into data etc.
MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM (SAIME) • Significance of the conference: It will bring in
INITIATIVE synergies between different government
programmes /schemes in terms of planning,
• New initiative of sustainable shrimp cultivation process, and implementation.
provides hope for mangrove restoration in Sundarbans. • Constitutional provisions for water governance:
o State list, entry 17 (Water supplies, irrigation • Together with financing from Global Environment
and canals, drainage etc); Facility (GEF), WCB transfers project risk from donors
o Union list, entry 56 (Regulation and to investors.
development of inter-State rivers and river o It is part of GEF’s Blended Finance initiative that
valleys) shows how innovative finance can work to combat
global environmental degradation.
o GEF was established at Rio Earth Summit, 1992 to
help developing countries and countries with
economies in transition to meet objectives of
environmental conventions and agreements.
5.11.6. ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS

(AWC)
• Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) 2023 is being
conducted in India.
• AWC, an annual event, is a citizen science programme
supporting conservation and management of wetlands
and waterbirds.
o AWC is part of global International Waterbird
Census (IWC) coordinated by Wetland
International (WI). It was initiated in 1987 in
Indian subcontinent.
• In India, AWC is jointly coordinated by Bombay
Natural History Society (BNHS) and WI (global not-for-
profit organisation).
5.11.4. NATURE RISK PROFILE (NRP) o BNHS, formed in 1883, is a non-governmental
organization engaged in conservation of
• UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and S&P Global biodiversity research.
has launched Nature Risk Profile. o BNHS has been designated as a Scientific and
• NRP is aimed at enabling financial sector to measure Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by
and address nature-related risk by providing Department of Science & Technology.
scientifically robust and actionable analytics on nature • AWC contributes to several conservation activities
impacts and dependencies. including:
o Its methodology is based on Kunming-Montreal o Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), also
Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted in known as Bonn Convention, provides a global
December 2022. platform for conservation of migratory animals and
o GBF includes a target for governments to take their habitats.
legal, administrative or policy measures to o Implementation of East Asian-Australasian
encourage and enable businesses to regularly Flyway Partnership Initiative (EAAFP) and Central
monitor, assess, and transparently disclose their Asian Flyway (CAF) Action Plan.
risks, dependencies and impacts on biodiversity. ✓ EAAFP is an informal and voluntary initiative,
to protect migratory waterbirds.
5.11.5. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION BOND ✓ CAF covers area of Eurasia between Arctic and
(WCB) Indian Oceans and associated island
• Also Known as Rhino Bond, WCB is a five-year $150m chains. Geographically it covers 30 countries
sustainable development bond, to protect and of North, Central and South Asia and Trans-
increase black rhino populations in two protected Caucasus.
areas in South Africa. o BirdLife International’s Important Bird Area
• WCB is an outcome-based World Bank structured Programme.
bond that channels private capital to finance o IUCN/BirdLife International’s Global Species
conservation activities. Programme (Red List).
o Wetlands International’s Waterbird Population
Estimates programme.
5.11.7. SPECIES IN NEWS o Two channels were suggested - one across Adam's
Bridge and another through Palk Bay.
• White tufted royal butterfly: It is a rare butterfly o SC, in 2007, had stayed the work for project and
species that was spotted recently at Kalliyad (Kerala). Centre was also willing to explore another route
o It was earlier spotted in Agasthyakoodam and to SSCP without damaging Ram Setu.
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary. • Significance of SSCP
o It is protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife o Reduce steaming distances between east and
Protection Act, 1972 west coasts of India.
o Butterflies, along with the moths and the skippers, o Strengthen national security by improving
make up the insect order Lepidoptera. navigation for Indian coast guards and naval ships.
o Lepidopteran life cycle has four • Concerns raised against SSCP
stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), o Would destroy natural barrier between Bay of
and adult (imago). Bengal and Palk Bay.
• Greater Scaup: It is a rare species of duck (locally o Oil and marine pollution associated with shipping
known as Sadangman) that was recently sighted in traffic will aggravate ecological stress in region.
Loktak lake (Manipur) after a gap of over 90 years. o Threats to coral reef platforms in Gulf of Mannar.
o Loktak lake is famous for Keibul Lamjao National
Park and Sangai the dancing deer.
o Greater Scaup is a migratory bird widely
distributed across Arctic and Subarctic regions
where it mainly nests in coastal tundra habitats.
o It belongs to the family of Anatidae.
o IUCN status: Least Concern
5.11.8. NEELAKURINJI (STROBILANTHES
KUNTHIANA)
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEF) has listed Neelakurinji under Schedule III of
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including it on list of
protected plants.
• About Neelakurinji
o It is a shrub that grows in the shola forests of
Western Ghats in South India.
o Neelakurinji flowers bloom once every 12 years.
o Plant is named after the famous Kunthi River
which flows through Kerala’s Silent Valley
National Park, where plant occurs abundantly.
✓ Eravikulam National Park, near Munnar, is
known for widespread blooming of kurinji.
o Blue colour of Kurinji has given Nilgiri hills its 5.11.10. MUNROE THURUTHU ISLAND
name, literally meaning Blue Mountains.
• Study by National Centre for Earth Science Studies
5.11.9. RAM SETU (NCESS) revealed anthropogenic interventions as main
• Ram Setu, also known as Adam’s bridge, is a chain of reason for sinking of Munroe Thuruthu Island.
limestone shoals between Pamban Island or o Almost 39% of its land area has been lost in past 2
Rameswaram Island, off the south-eastern coast of decades.
Tamil Nadu, and Mannar Island, off the north-western o Island is in confluence of Ashtamudi Lake and
coast of Sri Lanka. Kallada River in Kerala.
o Recently, Tamil Nadu assembly also passed a o Island’s subsidence began with construction of
resolution urging Centre to resume work on Thenmala dam under Kallada Irrigation Project.
Sethusamudram Ship Canal project (SSCP). • Proposed Mitigation measures: Reverse Landscaping,
• National heritage status is sought in the backdrop of Regulating Sand mining in Ashtamudi lake and Kallada
SSCP that envisages dredging of a ship channel across River, Improving Construction method of buildings,
the Palk Straits between India and Sri Lanka. etc.
5.11.11. DARK SKY RESERVE o Major threats to lake: Deforestation, wetland
degradation, discharge from urban areas etc.
• Talacauvery in Kodagu District, Karnataka has emerged • Lake Chad
as South India's Hanle. o Recently, a report highlighted Climate change
o Hanle (in Ladakh) is India’s first Dark Sky Reserve. fuelling conflict in Lake Chad Basin.
• Dark Sky Reserve is a designation given to a public or o It is freshwater lake located in Sahelian zone of
private land with west-central Africa at conjunction of Chad,
o exceptional or distinguished quality of starry Cameroon, Nigeria, Niger.
nights, and
o nocturnal environment that is specifically 5.11.14. HAWAII’S KILAUEA VOLCANO
protected for its scientific, natural, educational,
cultural, heritage and/or public enjoyment. • Hawaiian volcano kilauea erupted again recently.
• Dark Sky location depends on light pollution which is • Kilauea volcano is active shield volcano (erupts magma
measured on Bortle Scale. of low viscosity and hence less steep) located on the
o Bortle Scale measures night sky’s brightness on a Hawaiian island..
nine-level numerical scale with lesser numerical • Hawaii, USA is a group of 8 volcanic islands in the
scale representing darkness. central Pacific Ocean stretching in a crescent from Kure
Island in west to Hawaii in east.
o Volcanoes make up 51% of Hawaii Island
landmass.
5.11.15. STANDARDS AND LABELING

PROGRAM (SLP) OF BUREAU OF ENERGY
EFFICIENCY (BEE)
• Ceiling fans have come under the ambit of mandatory
star labelling of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
• Standards and Labeling Program was launched in 2006,
5.11.12. URANIUM CONTAMINATION IN under Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
GROUNDWATER • Under it, a Star Rating was introduced on appliances
• A recent report by Central Groundwater Board for visual representation of appliance’s efficiency, i.e.:
highlighted that 12 states have uranium levels beyond o Lowest energy consumption appliances having
permissible limits in their groundwater. highest star and highest energy consumption
o Safe levels prescribed by World Health having the least star.
Organization is 30 parts per billion (ppb). o It is mandatory for several appliances including
• Punjab is worst-affected state followed by Haryana. Frost Free and Direct Cool Refrigerator, LED Lamps,
• Causes of uranium contamination: Natural uranium Room AC (Variable and Fixed speed), Color TV,
content in aquifer rocks, overexploitation of Refrigerators, TFL, Stationary Storage Type Electric
groundwater, bicarbonates used to bring uranium out Water Heater etc.
of source rocks etc.
• Adverse health Effects of uranium contamination:
Impaired renal function and kidney disease, bone
toxicity etc.
5.11.13. LAKES IN NEWS
• Lake Victoria (also called as Victoria Nyanza)
o Recently Delhi-based non-profit Centre for Science
and Environment released a report on managing
Lake Victoria water quality in Tanzania.
o Lake Victoria is largest lake in Africa and chief
reservoir of Nile.
o It is shared by three countries, Tanzania, Uganda
and Kenya.
o Among freshwater lakes of world, it is exceeded in
size only by Lake Superior in North America.
5.11.16. VIRTUAL POWER PLANTS information as well as for emergency
(VPPS) communications and issuing warnings etc.
• Companies including GM, Ford, Google would work 5.11.18. GLOBAL OVERTURNING
together to establish standards for scaling up use of CIRCULATION (GOC)
VPPs.
• GOC refers to equatorward transport of cold, deep
• VPP is a network of decentralized power generating
waters and poleward transport of warm, near-surface
units that pool together thousands of energy
waters.
resources like electric vehicles (EVs) or electric heaters.
o It is responsible for transport of carbon and heat
o VPPs use advanced software to react to electricity
among ocean basins and between ocean and
shortages with techniques like switching
atmosphere.
households' batteries from charge to discharge
• GOC is a system of two connected overturning cells:
mode or prompting electricity-using devices to
o Upper cell is linked to formation of North Atlantic
back off their consumption.
Deep Water (NADW) and its shallower return flow
• VPPs will enable grid planners to better manage
to form Atlantic Meridional Overturning
growing electricity demand and make sure grid stays
Circulation (AMOC).
reliable even in extreme weather challenges and aging
o Lower cell (referred as Southern Ocean Meridional
infrastructure.
Overturning Circulation) is associated with
5.11.17. DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN formation of Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW) and
its return flow as Pacific Deep Water (PDW).
(DMP) FOR POWER SECTOR
• Studies have indicated that tectonically driven changes
• Central Electricity Authority released disaster in ocean gateways such as closure of Central American
management plan (DMP) for power sector. Seaway (CAS), since late Miocene period, had
• DMP provides a framework to utilities in power sector impacted GOC.
to evolve a proactive and integrated approach to o CAS is a body of water that once separated North
strengthen disaster mitigation, preparedness, America from South America.
emergency response, and recovery efforts. • Now, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
o Growth of power sector is directly correlated with reconstructed Deep Water Circulation record of
economic growth of the country and any Indian Ocean and provided evidence in support of
disruption due to disaster creates severe hardship theory that closure of CAS led to evolution of modern
to human beings. form of GOC.
• Under Section 37 of Disaster Management (DM) Act, o Indian Ocean does not have any major deep-
2005 every Ministry/ Department of Government of water formations of its own. It acts only as a host
India shall prepare a DMP. for both GOC components.
o DMP is also consistent with Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), COP21 and PM’s 5.11.19. NEW PLATEAU TYPE
Ten Point Agenda for DRR. DISCOVERED FROM MAHARASHTRA
• A rare low-altitude basalt plateau has been discovered
• Key features of DMP in Thane region in Western Ghats (a global biodiversity
o A four-tier structure at Central, Regional, State hotspot and UNESCO World Heritage site in India).
and Local Unit Levels, with intervention and o This is the fourth type of plateau to be identified
response depending on severity of disaster in the region; previous three are laterites at high
/calamity. and low altitudes and basalt at high altitudes.
o Risk assessment of power infrastructure, i.e., o 76 species of plants and shrubs from 24 different
electric power generation stations, transmission families have been found.
distribution etc. to evolve methods for finding
• Plateaus are dominant landscapes in Western Ghats.
quantitative risk involved.
They are classified as a type of rocky outcrop.
o While uncertainty caused by climate change is
• Rocky outcrops are geological features that protrude
unavoidable, electric utilities can manage risks by
above the surface of surrounding land.
considering different climate scenarios and
o They are formed by weathering that happens at
potential impacts on their assets.
different rates, causing the less weathered rock to
o Use of social media for emergencies and disasters
remain exposed.
on an organizational level to disseminate
o They are found on all continents, in most climate sites for colonial species such as seabirds, bats and
zones and vegetation types. swifts.
• Significance of rocky outcrops
o Support high levels of species diversity
and endemism.
o They have seasonal water availability, limited soil
and nutrients, making them ideal to study effects
of climate change on species survival.
o They provide critical breeding sites for many top
order mammalian and avian predators; nesting

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. E-WASTE (MANAGEMENT) AMENDMENT RULES, 2023
Why in news?
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEF&CC) has notified E-waste
(management) Rules 2023, in the exercise of the
powers conferred by the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986.
Key Provisions mentioned in E-waste
(management) Rules 2023
• These amendments rules seek amendment
to E-waste (management) Rules 2022 which
shall come into force from the 1st April,
2023.
• It adds two substances to the exemptions
listed in Schedule II of E-waste
(management) Rules 2022 as follows:
o Cadmium and lead in Solar panels/cells,
solar Photovoltaic panels/cells/ modules.
o Lead in Medical Devices (with the
exception of all implanted and infected
products).
• Every producer shall provide the detailed
information on the constituents of the
equipment and their components or
consumables or parts or spares.
o This information would be provided along with a declaration of conformance to the reduction of hazardous
substances provisions as and when required by the Central Pollution Control Board.

Issues of E-waste in India
• Lack of infrastructure: There is a
huge gap between present recycling
and collection facilities and the
quantum of e-waste that is being
generated.
• Health hazards: Exposure can cause
headaches, irritability, nausea,
vomiting, and eye pain. Recyclers
may suffer from liver, kidney, and
neurological disorders.
• Lack of Awareness and Financial
Incentives: Consumers lack market
information about prices for e-waste
and various e-waste components,
and they have few financial
incentives for responsibly disposing
of their e-waste.
• Effects on Environment: E-waste is
an environmental hazard causing
groundwater pollution, acidification
of soil, contamination of
groundwater, and air pollution due
to the burning of plastic and other remnants.
• Lack of private participation: E-waste recycling is a relatively
new business, the potential lack of information on cost
effective recycling technologies acts as a market barrier.
• Involvement of child labour: In India, about 4.5 lakh child
labours are observed to be engaged in various e-waste
activities and that too without adequate protection.
• Large informal sector: Over 90% of electronic waste
management is done by informal sector workers, most of
whom are unaware of their rights.
Way forward
• Separate department in urban local bodies: It is suggested
that the government should rework on laws for waste
management and create a separate department in urban local
bodies to deal with the waste management.
• Strengthen unorganized sector: Unorganized sector should
be brought under proper supervision and monitoring, so that
majority of the e-waste generated could be recycled
systematically.
• Stringent monitoring and enforcement of the provisions of
the E-Waste (Management) Rule 2022: So that EPR targets
are met and there is independent information on where this
collected waste is ‘recycled’.
• Improve and incentivize recycling: Recyclers pay GST and are also responsible for transporting e-waste. This makes
formal recycling economically unproductive.
o MoEF&CC could address this at the policy level and come up with schemes to support and enhance the
formalization of the e-waste recycling sector.
• Regulation of import: It is important that ‘used’ material, which is imported without restriction, is regulated and that
information is provided through Harmonised System (HS) codes so that there is the monitoring of this material.
• Improve awareness among consumers about e-waste: The responsibility to raise awareness has to be entrusted to
practically everyone from Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and NGOs to ULBs that have local presence.
5.2. ETHANOL BLENDING

Why in News?
Recently, Petrol blended with 20 percent ethanol was rolled
out at select petrol pumps in 11 states and union territories.
More in News
• At present, 10% ethanol is blended in petrol (10%
ethanol, 90% petrol) and the government is looking to
double this quantity by 2025.
o In June 2022, India achieved an average blending
rate of 10% ethanol in petrol.
• In the first phase, 15 cities will be covered and in the
next two years it will be expanded throughout the
country.
About Ethanol Blending
• Ethanol-blended petrol primarily is a biofuel that is
obtained from an organic source like sugarcane,
maize, wheat, etc.
o Since it is plant-based, it is considered to be a
renewable fuel.
• The ‘National Policy on Biofuels’ notified by the Government in 2018 envisaged an indicative target of 20% ethanol
blending in petrol by year 2030.
o However, the target of 20% ethanol blending (E20) was advanced from 2030 to 2025-26.
• The Oil Marketing Companies are to procure ethanol from domestic sources and blends ethanol at its terminals.
o Government has notified administered price of ethanol since 2014.
o Department of Food and Public Distribution (DFPD) is the nodal department for promotion of fuel grade ethanol
producing distilleries in the country.
Significance of ethanol
blending
• Reduce Pollution:
Use of E20 leads to
an estimated
reduction of carbon
monoxide emissions
by about 50 per cent
in two-wheelers and about 30 per cent in four-wheelers compared to E0 (neat petrol).
o Hydrocarbon emissions are estimated to reduce by 20 per cent in both two-wheelers and passenger cars.
o By blending ethanol with petrol, fuel mixture is oxygenated so it burns more completely and reduces polluting
emissions.
• Reduce Import: It will help lower India’s energy import dependency and crude oil import bill.
o It is estimated that the E20 programme can save the country $4 billion i.e Rs 30,000 crore per annum.
• Boosts farmer incomes: The programme gives farmers an additional source of income.
o During the last eight years, farmers have got Rs 49,078 crore.

• Fulfil International obligations: Increased ethanol blending with fossil fuels help reduce pollution and strengthen
India’s resolve towards fulfilling commitments made at COP-21.
• Energy security: Using ethanol and other alternative fuels and advanced technologies to reduce fuel consumption
continues to strengthen national energy security and reduce transportation energy costs for businesses and
consumers.
Initiatives for ethanol blending
Challenges in ethanol blending • The Government has been fixing remunerative prices of ethanol
produced from different feed-stocks for the supply of ethanol to
• Vehicle Modifications: There is a requirement OMCs for every Ethanol Supply Year
of upgrading the vehicle engines to make it o FCI Rice & maize also allowed as feedstock
compliant with Ethanol blending. • Reduced Goods & Service Tax (GST) on ethanol meant for Ethanol
o Although no significant change is required Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme from 18% to 5%
for 10% mixing, engines and components • Amended the Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951
will need to be tested and calibrated with to ensure free movement of ethanol in the country
E20 as fuel. • Environmental Clearance procedures simplified by the Ministry
• Pricing of E20 vehicles: The cost of E20 of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
compatible vehicles is expected to be higher in • Flexi-fuel engine & components (capable of running up to E85
fuel) included under Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme.
the range of Rs 3000 to Rs 5000 for four-
• The Central Government is providing soft loans up to 40% of the
wheelers and Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 for two-
project cost to the sugar mills from Sugar Development Fund
wheelers, above the cost of ordinary vehicles (SDF) for setting up ethanol projects.
tailored to run on 100% gasoline. • Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal
• Food vs Fuel: The production of ethanol awashesh Nivaran) Yojana for providing financial support to
requires the use of crops such as corn, integrated bio-ethanol projects for setting up Second Generation
sugarcane, or other biomass. The use of food (2G) ethanol projects in the country using lignocellulosic biomass
crops for ethanol production can lead to higher and other renewable feedstock.
food prices and shortages, which can have a o The total financial outlay for the scheme is Rs. 1969.50 crore
significant impact on food security. for the period 2018-19 to 2023-24.
• Water Footprint: Sugarcane is a water intensive crop and is the most lucrative food crop for ethanol even though it
has highest water consumption per acre.
• Limited emission impact: Studies have concluded that no change in emissions was observed for Nitrous oxides
emissions.
• Pricing: The prices of ethanol produced in India are higher in comparison to global players, since the cost of raw
materials like sugarcane and food grains are fixed by the government to support the farming community.
• Interstate disparity: The blending has not been taken up in North-East states due to non-availability of feedstock or
industries.
Way forward
• Augmentation of Ethanol production capacity: Over time, technology for production of ethanol from non-food
feedstock, called ‘Advanced Biofuels’ including second generation (2G) should be promoted so as to tap abundantly
available resource without causing any tradeoff with the food production system.
• Augmenting Infrastructure of OMCs: OMCs will need to prepare for the projected requirement of ethanol storage,
handling, blending and dispensing infrastructure.
o The state governments needed to set up depots where farmers could drop their agricultural waste and the central
government should fix a price for agricultural waste to make investments in 2G bioethanol production an
attractive proposition.
• Incentives for E20 compatible engines: Similar to the tax benefits provided for promoting electric vehicles in some
states, tax benefits could be extended to upgrading vehicle engines to become compatible with E20 ethanol blends.
• Diversify Crops: There is need to explore the feasibility of other grains in ethanol production to meet the 2025
targets.

5.3. MANGROVES ECOSYSTEM
Why in news?
Union Budget 2023-24 announced MISHTI
(Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats &
Tangible Incomes) scheme.
More about news
• MISHTI scheme aims at mangrove
plantation along the coastline and on salt pan
lands.
• Mangrove plantations will be taken up through
the convergence of job guarantee scheme
MGNREGS, Compensatory Afforestation Fund,
and other funding sources.
About Mangroves
Mangroves are the characteristic littoral plant
formations of tropical and subtropical sheltered
coastlines. They have been variously described as
'coastal woodland', 'tidal forest', and 'mangrove
forest'.
Threats to Mangrove ecosystem
• Climate change: Climate change is causing sea
levels to rise and temperatures to increase, which
can have a significant impact on mangrove
forests.
o Rising sea levels can lead to erosion and
flooding, while increased temperatures can
alter the balance of species in the ecosystem.
• Natural calamities: Frequent
occurrences of tropical cyclones,
storms and tsunamis, have damaged
the mangroves of India.
• Reduction of fresh water and tidal
water flows: Mangroves are well
established in areas where there is
good amount of freshwater inflow.
o Dam and barricade construction
on upper portion of rivers reduces
freshwater flow into mangrove
swamps.
o Embankment construction and
siltation at the river mouth
obstruct tidal water flow into
mangrove swamps.
• Deforestation: Mangroves are often
cleared for agriculture, aquaculture,
and urban development, resulting in
significant habitat loss.
• Invasive species: Invasive species such as the Prosopis juliflora, a non-native tree species, can threaten the survival
of mangrove forests.
• Pollution: Industrial pollution, sewage discharge, and agricultural runoff can all have a negative impact on mangrove
ecosystems.
Measures required to conserve mangroves
• Mainstreaming mangrove conservation in policies: Marine and coastal nature-based solutions such as mangroves
should be given due importance in policy making.
• Monitoring and Surveys: Environmental monitoring in the existing mangrove areas should be taken up systematically
and periodically.
• Addressing knowledge gaps: Knowledge exchange is a crucial factor of successful cooperation. Adequate
mechanisms should be created for knowledge exchange, improving knowledge accessibility for all stakeholders, and
helping close existing knowledge gaps on
Initiatives taken for protection and conservation of mangroves
mangrove protection.
• Regulatory measures: Regulatory measures include Coastal Regulation
• Including all stakeholders: Coastal Zone (CRZ) Notification (2019) under Environment (Protection) Act,
industries and private owners need to be 1986; Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; Indian Forest Act, 1927 etc and
persuaded to actively participate in rules under these acts as amended from time to time.
protecting and developing mangrove • National Coastal Mission Programme on ‘Conservation and
biodiversity. The forest department Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs’: Under this programme,
officials should be trained on taxonomy, annual Management Action Plan (MAP) for conservation and
biology and ecology of mangrove species. management of mangroves are formulated and implemented in all the
o Local communities should be coastal States and Union Territories.
empowered through steps like • Integrated Coastal Zone management Project (ICZMP): MoEFCC
piloted an ICZMP in Coastal stretches of 3 states namely Gujarat, Odisha
community based ecological
and West Bengal. The objective is conservation and protection of
mangrove restoration workshops
Coastal resources which included plantation of mangroves as one of
(CBEMR) to enable them to tackle the the major activities.
threats posed to mangrove forests. • Magical Mangroves campaign: Worldwide Fund for Nature, (WWF),
• Afforestation: It can help in conserving India, enjoined citizens in nine coastal states on mangrove conservation
the mangrove forests. Suitable sites through Magical Mangroves campaign. Campaign aimed at sensitising
should be identified for planting citizens towards mangrove conservation.
mangrove species. • Joined Mangrove alliance for mangroves (MAC): During COP27, India
• Others joined MAC which aims to scale up and accelerate conservation and
o Human activities should be limited restoration of mangrove forests.
around the mangrove forests.
o Encouraging sustainable approach towards ecosystem services/products.
o Fencing along the intertidal zone to prevent livestock access.
o Removing barriers to restore natural tidal flows.
5.4. AQUACULTURE
Why in news?
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying inaugurated and launched three national flagship
programmes for aquaculture sector.
Three programmes are:
Name Details Importance
Genetic Improvement • Program sanctioned with an outlay of Rs.25 crores • Shrimp farming sector mostly depends
Programme of Indian under Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana on one exotic Specific Pathogen Free
White Shrimp (PMMSY). stock of Pacific white shrimp (Penaeus
(Penaeus indicus) vannamei) species.
• Program will help to break single
species dependence and promote
indigenous species vis-à-vis exotic
shrimp species.
Phase 2 National • NSPAAD Phase 2 has been sanctioned under • Will strengthen farmer-based
Surveillance PMMSY. disease surveillance system.
Programme on o Phase 1 is being implemented since 2013. • Help in reduction of revenue losses
Aquatic animal • Envisages development of National Information due to diseases and will increase
Diseases System on Aquatic Diseases and trained ‘disease exports.
(NSPAAD) diagnostic personnel’ with involvement of states.
Launch of Shrimp Crop • Product charges differential premium based on • Help in establishing farmers’ access to
insurance product location and requirements of individual farmer insurance and institutional credit
developed by ICAR- from 3.7 to 7.7 % of input costs. facilities.
CIBA • Farmer will be compensated to tune of 80 % loss • Will help in doubling farmers’ income in
of input cost in the event of total crop loss much faster time frame.
(more than 70%).
Benefits of aquaculture
• Food and nutritional security: Fish and other seafood are good
sources of protein. They also have more nutritional value like the
addition of natural oils into the diet, such as omega 3 fatty acids.
• Employment and Economic Development: Aquaculture can create
jobs and contribute to the development of local economies.
o In India, sector supports the livelihood of over 28 Mn people
especially marginalized and vulnerable communities.
• Exports opportunities: With India being one of top seafood
exporters’ worldwide,
sector has historically
been a significant source
of foreign exchange
earnings. India recorded
highest export of 1.36
MMT worth $ 7.76 Bn in
FY 2021-22.
• Environmental benefits:
Aquaculture helps in the
farming of different species in a sustainable manner whereas practices like capture overfishing and extensive use of
bottom trawlers adversely affects the marine environment by damaging seafloor and leading to overfishing.
• Reduces Fishing Pressure on Wild Stock: The practice of aquaculture allows for alternative sources of food instead of
fishing the same species in their natural
habitats.
o Population numbers of some wild
stocks of some species are in danger
of being depleted due to overfishing
and uncontrolled exploitation.
• Water Usage: Aquaculture systems
often take advantage of harvested
runoffs, stormwater and surface water.
This reduces the dependency on other
sources of water supply.
• Alternative Fuel Source: Algae are slowly
being developed into alternative fuel
sources as they can produce fuels that
can replace contemporary fossil fuels.
Issues faced by aquaculture sector
• Lack of quality inputs: Available inputs like seeds, feed, growth supplements and medicines used in aquaculture have
quality concerns which reduces yield.
• Limited extension services: Many aqua farmers do not have easy access to soil- and water-testing facilities,
consultations, and real-time market information.
• Reliance on few species: Fishing business in the country is reliant on a few fish species- carps, pacu, and pangasius.
Overproduction focusing on fewer species results in an overstock of specific fish species, lowering prices and
increasing volatility.
• Prone to diseases: Classical freshwater fish farming methods like large ponds, no water exchange, no draining, and
no bottom sediment removal are still in use, which lead to disease-promoting conditions.
• Invasive species: Invasives can compete for food and habitat, displace indigenous species, and interfere with the life
of wild species. They can also carry diseases or parasites that might kill native species.
• Aquatic pollution: Use of chemicals
Initiatives taken for aquaculture sector
(fertilizers, pesticides etc) in ponds and
• Creation of an independent ministry: Recognising importance of the
laboratories poses considerable risk of
fisheries sector, an independent Ministry of Fisheries, Animal
aquatic pollution. Release of water Husbandry and Dairying was created in 2019.
containing fish metabolites leads to • Conducive FDI policy: 100% FDI (Foreign direct investment) is allowed
eutrophication. through automatic route in Pisciculture (fish farming) and Aquaculture.
• Climate change: Climate change threatens • ‘Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund’ (FIDF):
aquaculture sector by modulation of It was created in 2018-19 for providing concessional finance to the
physiology, behavior, distribution and State/UT Governments, their entities and the private sector.
migration pattern, reproductive capacity • ‘Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana’ (PMMSY): It aims to bring
and mortality. It has been estimated that about Blue Revolution through sustainable and responsible
ecosystem services of the east coast of India development of fisheries sector in the country. PMMSY is being
will reduce by 25% in 25 years. implemented for a period of five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25 in all
States and UTs.
• Others
• E-Santa: E Santa is an e-Commerce platform launched by MPEDA for
o Poor quality fish delivered in poorly facilitating direct trade between small and marginal aqua farmers and
managed production systems has an the exporters by avoiding middle man effectively.
impact on customer acceptability and o Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) is a
preferences. statutory body established under Ministry of Commerce &
o Lack of proper cold chain and Industry for promotion of marine exports.
distribution systems has an impact on
availability and marketing due to perishable nature.
o Poor access to reasonable loans
Measures to strengthen aquaculture
• Enabling policy framework: A holistic approach to provide the necessary support for easy access to technology,
equipment, training, credit, markets, etc., can help aqua farmers adopt new techniques and methods on a large scale.
o Large-scale adoption of sweet water cultivation techniques like aquaponics, cage culture and saline water
practices like seaweed cultivation can enhance productivity significantly.
• Strengthen aqua value chain: To reduce post-harvest losses, efforts are needed to strengthen supply chain
infrastructure and improve post-harvest technology and value addition. Entrepreneurs and private agencies should
be encouraged to create efficient technology-driven supply chains.
• Promotion of Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FPPOs): Promote FFPOs in fish production clusters across states
in a time-bound manner and to provide them with support to become self-sustainable.
o Guidelines on the ‘Formation and Promotion of Fish Farmer Producer Organizations (FFPOs)’ were launched
under the PMMSY in 2021.
• Using advanced technology: Use of advanced technologies like the internet of things (IoT), big data etc can help in
better decision making. Satellites and drones can provide a holistic view of the ecosystem with spatial and temporal
information which helps in monitoring.

• Promoting value addition by small and micro enterprises: An ‘entrepreneurial model’ can be used to encourage
enterprises in production clusters. Major areas where enterprises require support are capacity building for value
addition, Branding and certification etc.
5.5. WATER SENSITIVE CITIES

Why in news? Water Sensitive Cities
• A water sensitive city aims to achieve higher standards
Recently a research paper highlighted importance of and effective water conservation and wastewater
Water Sensitive Urban Design and Planning (WSUDP) for management standards of the cities.
Cities in the Global South. • Water-sensitive cities are geared towards a holistic
More about research management of the water cycle to deliver basic urban
water services of supply and sanitation while mitigating
• Cities in India and the global south are marked by flood risks and protecting and enhancing the health of
rising inequity in urban settlement/housing, the receiving waterways.
translating into inequity in access to basic • Its key focus area is Water Sensitive Urban Design and
infrastructure and services (including water supply and Planning (WSUDP).
sanitation, drainage and wastewater management).
• The ‘water-sensitive cities’ discourse and frameworks
emerging from global north countries (Europe and
Australia) have their foundations in cities with
planned urban development with a statutory legal
entitlement to housing and basic infrastructure.
• However, cities of the Global South may not be able to
undertake all that the cities of Global North are able
to do to implement Water Sensitive Urban Design Global South
(WSUD). • Global South largely refers to countries in Asia, Africa and
South America.
Water Sensitive Urban Design and Planning (WSUDP) • These countries have certain common attributes like a
• WSUDP is an emerging urban development paradigm history of colonization, lacking role in governance of
multilateral institutions etc.
aimed to minimize hydrological impacts of urban
development on environment.
• WSUDP includes -
o Protecting local water bodies (lakes, ponds and
wetlands) for supplementary water sources.
o Storm water management at public places,
including open areas in cities through elements
of landscape design (e.g., vegetated swales and
buffer strips and bio-retention systems).
o Recycling and reusing wastewater naturally (low
cost or low energy) and not treating it as a
liability.
o Augmenting water conservation approaches at
various scales (buildings and campus)-i.e., by
adopting water-efficient fixtures, xeriscaping, landscaping (i.e., planting native species) and using water-efficient
irrigation methods-thereby minimizing load on the municipal supply system and groundwater sources.
✓ On-site water conservation with rainwater harvesting (RWH) is also important to reduce water scarcity.
o Adding value to the social and ecological aspects of areas by planning and designing the built environment in
accordance with community needs and water issues.
o Integrating the urban water cycle by collaborating with practitioners of different disciplines to bring different
perspectives and expertise.
o Associating upcoming policies, regulations and approvals with WSUDP.

Need for water sensitive planning
• Need to depart from traditional focus of planning on land: Integration of
water planning and city planning is the primary goal of water sensitive
planning.
• Water security: Through sustainable use of rainwater, groundwater, surface
water, and reuse of wastewater.
• Foundational issues with cities in Global South: Largely informal nature of
development, lack of adequate investment in physical infrastructure, diverse
sources of accessing water (e.g., through water tankers), fragmented and
weak urban local government without buoyant tax base, and rent seeking
at a local level.
• Safeguarding and Restoration of Water Commons: Term ‘water commons’
is used for shared resources where water is held by human beings in trust for
future generations, without imposing any costs.
• Wastewater Reuse and Treatment: Presently, in developing countries, 80%
of industrial and municipal waste is released untreated in the water bodies.
• Depleting groundwater tables: In India, the report of the Fifth Census on
Minor Irrigation Schemes claims that groundwater in the country has
declined by 61 % from 2007 to 2017. Storm water run-off needs to be treated
as a resource.
Measures for effective water
sensitive planning
• Population Predictions: Rapid
population growth needs to be
predicted and planned for, due
consideration should be given to
likely water demand when
making population projections.
• Embedding Water in Spatial
Planning : Integration between
water planning and spatial
planning to build “water sensitive
cities”.
• Proper legal protection: To large existing
water bodies including rivers, streams,
lakes, and ponds.
• Green spaces: To act as recharge areas and
in layout plans the direction of storm water
runoff, could follow these green spaces.
• Separation of stormwater, wastewater,
and black water: Separate drainage
systems and sewerage systems should be
built. Decentralized sewage treatment
systems must be developed and linked with
locally placed sewage treatment plants.
o Localization of storm water to reduce
flooding and water pollution, and to
enhance recharge of local water
aquifers.

• City sponges: Integration of drains, water bodies, and organized recreational places such as city level parks and
planned green spaces would be treated as city sponges.
Conclusion
Water sensitive planning does not treat water as a resource and rejects the idea of ‘environmental services’. Under this,
water is treated as a critical element of civilizational significance necessary for the survival of living beings and the planet
itself.
5.6. SEA LEVEL RISE

Why in news?
World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) released
report titled ‘Global Sea-Level Rise and Implications
Facts and Figures’.
Key highlights of report:
• Sea levels rose 4.5 mm a year on average between
2013 & 2022, the highest ever.
o It is over three times higher than the rate at
which they rose between 1901 and 1971.
• Sea-level rise is not globally uniform and varies
regionally.
• India, China, Bangladesh, and Netherlands face the
highest threat of sea-level rise globally.
o Several big cities on all continents are
threatened, such as Shanghai, Dhaka, Mumbai
etc.
• Almost 11% of the global population (896 million
people) lived within the Low Elevation Coastal
Zone in 2020, potentially increasing to beyond 1 billion people by 2050.
Concerns related to Sea Level Rise
• Environmental impact
o Impacts on coastal ecosystems, including wetlands, estuaries, and coral reefs.
o Increase intensity of storm surges.
o Affecting flora and fauna of each place, causing loss of habitat for fish, plants,
and other species.
• Economic impact
o Threatens coastal infrastructure necessary for local jobs and regional industries.
o Rising sea levels can cause saltwater to infiltrate groundwater supplies, which can have negative impacts on
agriculture, freshwater ecosystems, and human health.
• Social Impact: It can lead to the displacement of people who live in low-lying coastal areas, particularly in developing
countries where resources and infrastructure may be limited.
• Maritime disputes: With sea-level rise, the baselines from which most maritime zones (defined under United Nation
Convention on Law of Seas (UNCLOS)) are measured will change. Therefore, the outer boundary of the zone may also
change, retreating landward, which may lead to maritime disputes.
Initiatives taken by India to tackle Sea level rise
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management project
(ICZMP): Government of India has implemented
ICZMP that has contributed, inter-alia, mapping of
hazard line, Eco-sensitive Area, Sediment cell for
entire coastline of India. Hazard line is indicative of
shoreline changes, including the sea level rise due
to climate change.
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
has issued CRZ Notification 2019 to conserve and
protect coastal stretches and to promote
development through sustainable manner.
• Airborne Lidar Terrain Mapping (ALTM) elevation
data: Indian National Centre for Ocean Information
Services (INCOIS), has acquired the baseline ALTM
elevation data from ISRO for vulnerability mapping.
o This data is available for mainland Indian coast
up to two kilometres from coast and would be
used for predicting sea-level rise.
• Indian Tsunami Early Warning System (EWS): As
part of Indian Tsunami EWS, INCOIS
has established a real-time
network of tide gauges at different
locations along the Indian coast. It
will help in monitoring the tsunami
waves and provide timely
advisories.
• Coastal Management Information
System (CMIS): coastal protection
measures, a new component CMIS
was initiated under the Central
Sector Plan Scheme "Development
of Water Resources Information
System". CMIS is a data collection
activity carried out to collect near
shore coastal data.
• Disaster specific guidelines: National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued several disaster specific
guidelines for managing extreme weather-related disasters such as cyclones, floods etc.
Strategies to Tackle Sea Level Rise
Objective Measure
Protect (reduce the • Build/maintain hard defences like dikes and static seawalls that are effective in stabilizing the shoreline
likelihood of the • Beach nourishment and dune restoration that preserves beach amenities.
hazard) • Replace/reinforce shoreline protection with “living” shorelines – through planting vegetation, etc.
Accommodate • Change building codes and design standards to account for sea-level rise, e.g. in building elevation and
(reduce foundation design
vulnerability) • Encourage the use of property-level measures for both new and existing properties.
Avoidance and • Prevent new development in areas at risk of flood or erosion through land-use regulation/zoning
planned retreat • Physical relocation of people and critical assets, including removal of existing hard protection.
(reduce exposure)

Conclusion
There is robust evidence and a compelling case for further action to address the consequences of sea-level rise. While
not all coastal risks can be avoided, well-prepared coastal communities will be better able to adjust to new conditions
and rapidly bounce back from disasters when they occur.
5.7. GLACIAL LAKES OUTBURST FLOODS (GLOFS)

Why in news?
A recent study conducted by scientists at
Newcastle University in the UK revealed
that about 3 million Indians reside in
regions that are susceptible to glacial lake
floods (GLOFs).
More about the study
• Around 15 million people across the
world face the risk of sudden and
deadly flooding from glacial lakes,
which are expanding and rising in
numbers due to global warming.
• More than half of those who could be
impacted live in four countries: India,
Pakistan, Peru and China. India and
Pakistan make up one-third of the
total number of people globally
exposed to GLOFs
• Populations in High Mountains Asia
(HMA) - a region stretching from the
Hindu Kush all the way to the eastern
Himalayas -are the most exposed and on
average live closest to glacial lakes with
around one million people living within
10 km of a glacial lake.
About Glacial Lakes and GLOFs
• Glacial lakes are large bodies of water
that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a
melting glacier.
o As they grow larger in size, they
become more dangerous because
glacial lakes are mostly dammed by
unstable ice or sediment composed of
loose rock and debris.
o Due to global warming glaciers are
retreating and glacier lakes are
expanding in the size and numbers.
• Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a
sudden release of a significant amount of
water retained in a glacial lake,
irrespective of the cause.

• Factors triggering GLOFs include-
o Rapid slope movement into the lake: Fast slope
movement (slides, falls and avalanches) into the
lake produces displacement waves which, in turn
overtop the dam or cause direct rupture of the
dam.
o Increased water inflow into a lake due to heavy
rainfall/snowmelt & cascading processes (flood
from a lake situated upstream).
o Earthquake: The direct mechanism of earthquake-
triggered lake outburst floods is dam rupture and
failure.
o Long-term dam degradation: Successive changes
in the internal structure of the dam leading to
increased hydrostatic pressure induced by basal
ice melting that result in dam failure.
o Black carbon: Due to incomplete combustion of
fossil fuels, wood and other fuels amount of black
carbon is increasing, which reduces the albedo of
earth and melts the glaciers.
o Anthropogenic activities: Mass tourism,
developmental interventions such as roads and
hydropower projects and the practice of slash and
burn type of farming in certain pockets of the
Indian Himalayan region.
Government steps to deal with glacial lake outburst floods
(GLOF)
• Different agencies to monitor, predict and undertake research on
GLOF:
o Central Water Commission (CWC) has 46 existing
meteorological observation stations in the Himalayan region,
1,000 meters above mean sea level out of which 35 stations are
telemetry-based stations.
o GSI carries out Glacier Mass Balance Studies, Glacier Regimen
Studies, and Glaciers& Climate Variability Studies for selected
glaciers besides societal & related studies in Himalayan belt.
• India’s first ever National Disaster Management Plan : Released in
2016 based on four primary themes of the United Nation’s Sendai
framework (2015-30) -understanding disaster risk, managing risk by
strengthening governance, investing in disaster risk reduction for
resilience and enhancing disaster preparedness.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO): Among many
other organisations are engaged in glacial lake monitoring
and water bodies in the Himalayan region of Indian River
Basins.
• Sikkim has installed a Lake monitoring and information
System (water level Sensor): At South Lhonak lake. The
sensor gives the water level of the lake and also monitored
the lake level when there is sudden fluctuation in water
level.

Way ahead
• Glacier Management: A nodal agency is very much essential for inter-agency coordination to streamline the efforts
of different agencies for Glacier Management in the country.
• Access to early warning systems and timely information: Concerted efforts needed to set up and widen the network
of high-altitude meteorological and discharge stations equipped with modern technology including Synthetic
Aperture Radar imagery to automatically detect changes in water bodies and lake formations in the Indian
Himalayan region.
• Coordinated efforts: There are 9,575 glaciers in the Indian Himalayan Region. Monitoring of such a large number of
glaciers requires a coordinated effort with huge manpower and logistics.
5.8. FIRST SYNCHRONIZED VULTURE SURVEY

Why in News?
Recently, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka began the first
synchronised vulture survey in select regions of the
Western Ghats.
More about News
• A tripartite coordination meeting in the Mudumalai
Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu, decided to organise the
first synchronised vulture survey in the Western Ghats
to avoid duplications.
• It will be conducted after dividing the Wayanad
landscape, where the bird species are frequently
sighted, into 10 locations.
o The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, contiguous to the tiger reserves of
Nagarhole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil
Nadu, is the lone region where vultures thrive in the State.
Related information
Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre (VCBC), Pinjore
• Recently, Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change paid his maiden visit to vulture conservation and
breeding centre, Jatayu, situated in Bir Shikargah Wildlife Sanctuary near Pinjore in Panchkula.
• VCBC is a joint project of the Haryana Forest Department and the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), a NGO.
o It is a collaborative initiative to save the three species of vultures, the White-backed, Long-billed and Slender-billed, from
looming extinction.
o The funding for running this centre is also received from international conservation bodies like UK Royal Society for
Protection of Birds and the Darwin Initiative of Survival of Species.
• Other such initiatives have also been taken like “vulture restaurants” in Gadchiroli, Nashik and Thane circles in the
Maharashtra, where carcasses free of diclofenac are provided.
Diclofenac
• Diclofenac is toxic to vultures even in small doses, causing kidney failure.
• It results in uric acid accumulating in the birds' blood and crystallizing around their internal organs—a condition called
visceral gout

5.9. GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF SOIL CARBON IN GRASSLANDS
Why in News?
Recently, Food and
Agriculture Organization
(FAO) of the United Nations
released its report on Soil
Carbon in Grasslands.
More about Report
• This report provides a
comprehensive analysis
of the state of carbon
stocks and potential
offsets in grassland soils in
the world.
• It measures the baseline
of stocks of Soil Organic
Carbon (SOC) in both semi-natural and managed grasslands and estimated their potential of SOC sequestration.
• As per report, most of the world’s grasslands have a positive carbon balance, meaning the land is stable or well-
maintained. However Negative carbon balance was also found in East Asia, Central and South America, and Africa
south of the Equator.
• Globally, grassland soils stored an estimated 63.5 Mt
of carbon in the year 2010 at 30 cm soil depth, with
unimproved systems storing slightly higher amounts
than improved systems (33.8 vs 29.8 Mt C).
• The Russian Federation region accounts for more
than 50% of all SOC stocks globally
About Soil Organic Carbon (SOC)
• It is a measureable component of soil organic
matter.
o Organic matter makes up just 2-10% of most
soil's mass and has an important role in the
physical, chemical and biological function of
agricultural soils.
o Organic matter contributes to
nutrient retention and turnover,
soil structure, moisture
retention and availability,
degradation of pollutants, and
carbon sequestration.
• Soil organic carbon (SOC) refers only
to the carbon component of organic
compounds while Soil organic matter
(SOM) is difficult to measure directly,
so laboratories tend to measure and
report SOC.
• Soil organic carbon and carbon
sequestration
o Sequestering carbon in SOC has
been suggested as one way to
mitigate climate change by reducing
atmospheric carbon dioxide.
o Small increases of SOC over very large areas
in agricultural and pastoral lands will
significantly reduce atmospheric carbon
dioxide.
o For the reduction to be long-lasting, organic
matter would have to be in the more stable
or resistant fractions.
o As per FAO report, if the SOC content in the
0–30 cm depth layer of available
grasslands increased by 0.3 per cent after
20 years of the application of management
practices that enhance soil organic carbon
sequestration, 0.3 tonnes C/ha per year
could be sequestered.
Suggestions
• Improve soil fertility for better SOC:
o Applying gypsum to remediate sodic or
magnesic dispersive soils.

o Applying lime to remediate acid soils: Acidity can degrade the favourable environment for bacteria, fungi and
other soil organisms, and highly acidic soils can inhibit the survival of useful bacteria, such as the rhizobia bacteria
that fix nitrogen for legumes.
• Multi species perennial pasture blends: With a good rotational grazing strategy, a diverse range of pasture species
will ensure peak soil and farming system functionality – resulting in optimal soil carbon sequestration conditions.
• Crop rotation system: Introducing a crop rotation system that encompasses a dynamic nutrient management strategy
can lead to soil that is much more capable of sequestering carbon – particularly where there is a material nutrient
deficiency.
• Undertaking earthworks: implementing various types of earthworks to remediate degraded farmland to rehabilitate
the soil to the point of being able to sequester carbon again.
• Promoting specific plants: Plants linked with fruiting, or mushroom-type, fungi stored 70 percent more carbon per
unit of nitrogen in soil.
5.10. ORGANIC FARMING CERTIFICATION

Why in News?
Ministry of Commerce and Industry has
begun adopting additional onsite
measures to check field-level
irregularities in organic farming
certification.
More about news
• This includes verification of
organisations that certify organic
farming.
• The development follows “various
irregularities being observed in the
certification activities”.
Benefits of Organic Farming
• On Environment
o Prohibits Use of Harmful
Pesticides: It does not involve any
chemical fertilizers, pesticides, additives, or preservatives.
o Maintains a Healthy Soil: Using compost, which contains helpful
bacteria, helps build up the soil.
o Reduces Erosion: Organic farmers limit tillage on fields, keeping dirt from
eroding because the soil isn’t broken up so often.
o Provides Cleaner Water: Organic farming helps keep the water supply
safe and clean by avoiding the use of harmful chemicals.
o Stimulates Biodiversity: A mixture of plants, animals and
microorganisms promotes soil and animal health as well.
• On Farmers
o Attract more customers as interest in organic is on rise at domestic as
well as at international market.
o Reduces the input cost of farmers. For example-it uses 45% less energy compare to traditional farming.
• For Consumers
o Organic produce is free from harmful chemicals and pesticides and therefore poses no health risk.
o Organic produce has been found to have higher levels of vitamins, minerals, healthy fatty acids and
phytonutrients.

Challenges in implementing organic farming across India
• Organic farm yields are significantly lower: Yields are lower (a
recent study pegged this at ~25% lower on average), as is
productivity or the money produced per unit of land (up to
44% lower than in conventional agriculture).
• Low organic manure availability: Converting to organic
farming means that India need to produce a far higher quantity
of organic manure and that means more cattles.
o Cattle rearing have been listed as one of the main
contributors to climate change.
• Unpredictability of weather: Around 50% of India's agriculture
is rainfed and dependent on the monsoon. Conventional
farming may be more suitable due to the unpredictability of
weather, especially during monsoon season.
• Pressure on existing natural habitats: If a larger number of
farmers were to switch to organic practices, it would require
more land to be brought under agriculture.
o This would be additional pressure on existing natural
habitats, due to habitat conversion and loss.
• Impact Food Security: More land diverted for organic produce
would also mean that the cost of production will rise, making
food less affordable for poor consumers.
Steps Government taken to improve Organic Similarity between Organic Farming and Natural Farming
farming • Both are non-chemical systems of farming.
• Paramparagat KrishiVikas Yojana(PKVY): • They are based on diversity, on-farm biomass management and
biological nutrient recycling.
It is a sub-component of Soil Health
• Diversity, rotation multiple cropping and resource recycling is key.
Management (SHM) scheme under
Differences between Organic farming and Natural Farming
National Mission for Sustainable Organic Farming Natural Farming
Agriculture (NMSA). • Open for use of off-farm • No external inputs
o The scheme promotes cluster-based organic and biological inputs • On-farm inputs based on Desi
organic farming with PGS • Does not allow Genetically Cow (Jeevamrit, Beejamrit,
certification. modified seeds or products Ghanajeevamrit)
• Mission Organic Value Chain • Open for micronutrient • Biomass recycling through
Development for North Eastern Region correction through use of mulching
(MOVCDNER): The scheme promotes minerals • Use of compost/ vermicompost
third-party certified organic farming of • Widely popular, Global and minerals are not allowed
niche crops of north east region through market at 132 billion US$ • Evolving markets are yet to be
Farmers Producer organizations (FPOs) developed
with focus on exports.
• National Mission on Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP): Financial assistance at the rate of 50 per cent subsidy to the
tune of Rs. 300/ha is being provided for different components including bio-fertilizers, supply of Rhizobium
culture/Phosphate Solubilising Bacteria (PSB)/Zinc Solubilising Bacteria (ZSB)/ Azatobacter/ Mycorrhiza and vermi
compost.
• National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Financial assistance is provided for promotion of Bio-Fertilizer
(Rhizobium/PSB).
• Financial assistance to individual farmers with 8.0 or more hectare land @ 2700/ha for 3 years for Participatory
Guarantee System (PGS) certification through Regional Council or National Programme for Organic Production
(NPOP) certification.
• Modern organic testing lab in Sikkim: Centre has decided to set up a high quality modern organic testing lab in the
State to promote organic produce of the State.
Comparison Between Sri Lanka's organic farming model and Sikkim Organic Model
Features Sikkim Sri Lanka
Process It was gradual process and it took nearly eight years or so Target based approach was adopted to make
from 2008 to 2016 to be declared as Organic State the island nation into full-scale organic
agricultural production.
Planning Proper planning was done such as a whole range of No such long term planning
biopesticides were also brought in so as to avoid a situation
in which there would be crop failure because of a pest attack
Farming system State farmers were already using less inorganic inputs. Mainly depend on chemicals inputs
Support system When fall in production would affect supplies, imports from No support for farmers to switch over organic
from the main land India were possible. farming.
Government
Training Several agencies with good credentials were brought in to No such mechanism
train master trainers who would train others who would go
to villages and into the fields
5.11. NANO UREA

Why in news?
Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilizers has inaugurated the
IFFCO Nano Urea Liquid Plants at Aonla and Phulpur in Uttar
Pradesh.
More on news
• These two plants would expand the current production
capacity of nano urea.
• At present, the capacity of nano-urea production is over 50
million bottles per year.
• Also, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Chemicals and
Fertilizers has recommended nano-fertilizers for Sustainable
crop production and maintaining soil health.
About Nano Urea
• Nano Urea is a Nano-fertilizers (refer box) that About Nano fertiliser
contains nano nitrogen particles of size range • Nanofertilizers are defined as materials in the nanometer scale,
20-50 nm dispersed in water. usually in the form of nanoparticles, containing macro and
o Ministry of Agriculture & Family Welfare has micronutrients that are delivered to crops in a controlled mode.
notified Nano Urea as nano fertilizer in 2021 • Categories of nanofertilizers based on the type of formulation:
under Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), 1985. o nanoscale fertilizer, which corresponds to the
✓ FCO, 1985 under the Essential conventional fertilizer reduced in size typically in the form
Commodities Act, 1955 lays down as to of nanoparticles;
what substances qualify for use as o nanoscale additive fertilizer, is a traditional fertilizer
fertilizers in the soil. containing a supplement nanomaterial; and
o nanoscale coating fertilizer, refers to nutrients
✓ It also mentions product-wise
encapsulated by nanofilms or intercalated into nanoscale
specifications, methods for sampling and pores of a host material.
analysis of fertilizers, procedure for • No separate funds have been allocated by the Department of
obtaining license/registration, etc. Fertilizers for Nanotechnology.
• Developed by: Nano fertilizer has been
developed indigenously for the first time in the world at Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative Limited (IFFCO IFFCO -
Nano Biotechnology Research Centre (NBRC) Kalol, Gujarat through a proprietary patented technology.
• Nitrogen concentration: Total nitrogen concentration in one bottle of Nano Urea (liquid) is 4 % (40,000 ppm).

• Formation: Process of nano urea formation uses “organic polymers” that keeps the ‘nano’ particles of nitrogen stable
and in a form that can be sprayed onto plants.
• Subsidy: There is no government subsidy on nano urea
and hence there will be huge savings for the
government.
• Relevance of Nano-urea
o Increasing food production is a necessity to ensure
food security for a growing population.
o However, since Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) in
agriculture is less than 30-40%, reaching targeted
crop yields has resulted in overuse of nitrogen.
o Overuse of nitrogen is an economic and
environmental concern (refer to the infographics)
worldwide which could be overcome by use of
nano-urea.
o Nano-urea has Nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of more than 80%.
✓ The quantum effects of nanoparticles and the increased surface area make the nanoparticles in Nano Urea
deliver more nitrogen.
Concerns associated with nano-urea
Issues with Nano Urea
• Health hazard: Nanoparticles could enter into the food chain while also exhibiting large-scale bioretention and
accumulation within living organisms.
o Higher levels of toxicity can cause growth retardation and inhibition.
• Less Nitrogen: Chemically packaged urea is 46% nitrogen (20kg of nitrogen in a 45 kg sack). Contrastingly, Nano Urea
sold in 500 ml bottles has only 4% nitrogen (or around 20 gm).
• Funding- The Parliamentary Standing committee has observed that despite its underlying benefits, no separate
funding has been allocated for nano-urea by the Ministry.
• Effectiveness: Urea is highly water soluble and already reaches the lowest form of concentration when
absorbed. How nanoparticles can increase the effectiveness of nitrogen uptake by being still smaller is being
debated.
• Application methodology: Some critics also believe that
fertiliser use efficiency of urea is better via soil application
rather than foliage.
• Behavioural aspects: Use of packaged urea is deeply
ingrained behaviour in farmers. Changing such a behaviour
would not be easy.
Way Ahead
• Increasing Production: The Parliamentary committee has
recommended to have a dedicated Production Linked
Incentive (PLI) scheme for the promotion of Nano-Fertilizer
production.
o Also, private sector can be involved to scale its production.
• Assessing the effect: Conduct long-term dedicated research for all the major crops in all the agroclimatic regions and
soil types to assess the merits and demerits of the use of nano fertilizers.
o Such research would also be helpful in establishing nutritional quality, bio-safety, efficacy and reliability of the
harvested produce of nano fertilizers treated crops.
• Ensuring quality: Set up of quality testing laboratories throughout the country to ensure production and sale of quality
nano fertilizers

• Minimise variation in effectiveness: Crop specific Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for appropriate application of
Nano Urea be devised.
• Facilitate mechanisation: Facilitating the availability of drones to the farmers at the Block/ village level throughout
the country for effective spray of urea by drones.
o Under Sub-Mission on agricultural mechanization (SMAM) scheme, eligible farmers can buy modern agricultural
equipment with 50 to 80% subsidy.
o Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) fund could also be used to provide the facility of drones
Related news
Nano-Diammonium Phosphate (DAP) fertilizer
• The Ministry of Agriculture has allowed
IFFCO and Coromandel International to start
production of nano-DAP for three years that
would be available from the 2023 kharif
season.
• Nano-DAP is a next-generation fertilizer
with nanoparticles of Nitrogen and
Phosphorus, i.e., particles with size between
1 to 100 nanometres.
• DAP is a phosphate-based fertilizer
manufactured by reacting Ammonia with
Phosphoric acid, containing Nitrogen and
Phosphorus.
• More than half of the country’s DAP
requirements are imported, and the main
sources are West Asia and Jordan.
Essential plant nutrients and their roles
• Three primary macronutrients: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K).
• The Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (NPK) consumption ratio has widened from 4:3.2:1 in 2009-10 to 7:2.8:1 in
2019-20.
• Three secondary macronutrients: calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and sulfur (S).
• Nine Micronutrients: boron (B), chlorine (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), sodium (Na), zinc (Zn), molybdenum
(Mo), nickel (Ni).
• IFFCO is also developing micronutrient fertilisers like Nano Zinc, Nano Copper, Nano Boron, Nano Sulphur, etc. in order to
ensure eco-friendly sustainable agriculture.

5.12.1. DRAFT GEO-HERITAGE SITES AND o Geo-relics are any relic or material of geological
GEO-RELICS (PRESERVATION AND significance or interest like sediments, rocks,
minerals, meteorites or fossils.
MAINTENANCE) BILL
• Geological Survey of India (GSI) has declared 32 geo-
• Draft Bill, published by Ministry of Mines in December heritage sites, including Fossil Parks (e.g. Siwalik Fossil
2022, provides for declaration, preservation, Park, Himachal Pradesh); Geological Marvels (e.g.
protection and maintenance of geo-heritage sites and Lonar Lake, Maharashtra), Rock Monuments (e.g.
geo-relics of national importance for geological Peninsular Gneiss, Karnataka) etc.
studies, education, research etc. o GSI is an attached office under Ministry of Mines.
o Geo-heritage sites are sites of rare and unique • Key Highlights of the Draft Bill
geological and geomorphologic significance o Authorising Central Government to:
having geomorphological, mineralogical, ✓ Declare a geo-heritage site to be of national
petrological, paleontological, and stratigraphic importance.
significance including caves, natural rock- ✓ Acquire area under a geo-heritage site under
sculptures etc. provisions of Right to Fair Compensation and
Transparency in Land Acquisition,
Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
✓ Declare area around each geo-heritage site as o Maintaining climate change resilience as it
prohibited area and regulated area. protects coastal habitats to reduce human
o Penalties for destruction, removal, defacement, vulnerability.
misuse of geo-heritage sites and geo relics.
5.12.3. MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING
(MSP) FRAMEWORK
• Country’s first Marine Spatial Planning framework was
launched in Puducherry.
• MSP Framework, part of a pact under Indo-Norway
Integrated Ocean Initiative, was launched to balance
growth alongside sustainable management of ocean
resources and coastal environment preservation.
o Framework is a collaboration between Norwegian
Environment Agency, Ministry of Earth Sciences,
National Centre for Coastal Research and UT of
Puducherry.
• MSP is a process of analysing and allocating spatial and
5.12.2. FIFTH INTERNATIONAL MARINE temporal distribution of human activities in marine
PROTECTED AREAS CONGRESS areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social
objectives.
• Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress
o Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of
(IMPAC5) concluded in Vancouver, Canada.
UNESCO help countries by providing a step-by-step
• IMPAC5 is a global forum that brings together ocean
guide for ecosystem-based MSP.
conservation professionals and high-level officials to
• Benefits of MSP
inform, inspire and act on Marine Protected Areas
o Ecological/ Environmental Benefits: Identification
(MPAs)
of biological and ecological important areas,
o It aims to protect 30 percent of global ocean by
reduction of cumulative effects of human activities
2030.
on marine ecosystems etc.
o It supported Kunming-Montreal Global
o Economics Benefits: Certainty of access to
Biodiversity Framework, “Our Ocean, Our Future,
desirable areas for new private sector investments,
Our Responsibility” Call for Action and Ocean
transparency in permit and licensing procedures
Conservation Pledge.
etc.
o It was jointly hosted by Host First Nations
o Social Benefits: Improved opportunities for
(Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh)
community participation, improved protection of
together with International Union for
cultural heritage etc.
Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Canadian Parks
o Increasing cross-border cooperation to develop
and Wilderness Society (CPWS) and Province of
renewable energy, allocate shipping lanes, lay
British Columbia.
submarine cables etc.
• MPA is a section of ocean where a government has
o Reducing conflicts and creating synergies between
placed limits on human activity.
different activities.
o Currently, an estimated 7.65% of ocean is covered
by MPAs. 5.12.4. RIVER CITIES ALLIANCE (RCA)
o Important MPAs (coastal or marine) of India are as
given in image. • DHARA 2023 (Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers),
✓ They are notified as either ‘national parks’ or annual meeting of RCA members, was held.
‘wildlife sanctuaries’ under Wildlife o DHARA provides a platform to co-learn and
(Protection) Act, 1972. discuss solutions for managing local water
• Need of MPAs resources.
o Protect marine habitats and variety of life that • RCA is a dedicated platform for river cities to ideate,
they support. discuss and exchange information for sustainable
o Raising the profile of an area for marine tourism management of urban rivers.
and broadening local economic options. o It focuses on three broad themes- Networking,
o Generate income through tourism and Capacity Building and Technical Support.
sustainable fishing.
• RCA includes cities from both Ganga basin and non- o Cheetahs were made available by Phinda Game
Ganga basin states. Reserve, Tswalu Kalahari Reserve, Waterberg
• RCA is a successful partnership of Ministry of Jal Shakti Biosphere, Kwandwe Game Reserve and Mapesu
and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. Game Reserve and will join Cheetahs relocated to
Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh (from
5.12.5. RED SANDERS Namibia).
o Plan is to translocate a further 12 annually for next
• TRAFFIC factsheet highlighted Red Sanders is India’s
eight to 10 years.
most exploited tree species.
• South Africa plays an active role in providing founders
o TRAFFIC was established in 1976 by WWF and
for population and range expansion of iconic species
IUCN as a wildlife trade monitoring network to
such as cheetahs.
undertake data collection, recommendations on
o Cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952 due
wildlife trade.
to over hunting and loss of habitat.
• Key highlights of the factsheet
• Translocation is being made under ‘Project Cheetah’,
o The CITES Trade Database recorded 28 incidents of
world's first inter-continental large wild carnivore
Red Sanders illegal trade seizure.
translocation project.
o China remains the largest importer.
o National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is
o It highlights the threats of rampant illegal logging
nodal agency for project.
and smuggling of trees especially in Chittoor,
• Cheetah, world’s fastest mammal, is a keystone
Kadapa, Nellore & Kurnool districts in Andhra
species (organism that helps define an entire
Pradesh.
ecosystem) of dry forests, scrub forests, and
• About Red Sanders
savannahs.
o Red Sanders is a flora-species that is endemic to a
o Protected under Appendix 1 of CITES.
distinct tract of forests in Eastern Ghats.
o IUCN status: African Cheetah (Vulnerable); Asiatic
o It is a very slow-growing tree species that attains
Cheetah (Critically endangered).
maturity after 25 – 40 years.
o It is fire-hardy and resistant to droughts. 5.12.7. PANGOLIN
o It is locally known as Yerra Chandanam, Rakta
Chandanam. • Over 1,000 pangolins poached and trafficked in India
o It is exploited for the extraction of Santalin (a red between 2018 and 2022.
pigment used as dye and colorant in food), o Pangolins are among the most trafficked wild
medicine, cosmetics. mammals globally.
o It is also a good raw material for musical • Pangolins are only mammals wholly-covered in scales
instruments and luxury furniture. (use to protect themselves).
• Initiatives taken by India o Diet: eat ants, termites and are called as scaly
o The export of Red Sanders from India is prohibited anteater.
under Foreign Trade Policy. o Behaviour: solitary, primarily nocturnal animals.
o nders Anti-Smuggling Task Force (RSASTF)-2015. ✓ Pangolin is an ‘ecosystem engineer’ that helps
o Operation Rakth Chandan. in soil circulation
o Threats: Scales used in traditional medicines, meat
for consumption.
• Out of 8 species of pangolins, Two are found in India.
o Indian Pangolin (Endangered), Chinese Pangolin
(Critically Endangered).
5.12.8. LADAKH’S FIRST BIODIVERSITY

HERITAGE SITE
• Local Biodiversity Management Committee,
5.12.6. CHEETAH TRANSLOCATION concerned panchayat, along with SECURE Himalaya
Project recently resolved to declare Yaya Tso as
• India and South Africa signed a MoU on Cooperation Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site (BHS).
on Re-introduction of Cheetah to India with an aim to o Yaya Tso is a nesting habitat for a large number of
expand cheetah meta-population and to reintroduce birds and animals, such as the bar-headed goose,
cheetahs to a former range state. black-necked crane and brahminy duck.
o It is one of the highest breeding sites of the black-
necked crane in India.
• BHS are areas that are unique, ecologically fragile
ecosystems having rich biodiversity.
o Under Biological Diversity Act (BDA) 2002, the
State Governments are empowered to notify BHS,
in consultation with ‘local bodies’, areas of
biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage
Sites.
o Criteria for BHS: species includes richness, high
endemism, presence of rare, endemic and
threatened species, keystone species, species of
evolutionary significance etc.
o There are 36 BHS in India, Mahendragiri hill
(Odisha) is the last BHS added in 2022.
• About SECURE Himalaya:
o It is a joint project of Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change and United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP), funded by
Global Environment Facility. 5.12.10. DICKINSONIA
o It is aimed at conservation and protection of the
high-altitude ecosystems of the Himalayas. • An alleged fossil discovered near Bhopal about 2 years
ago and thought to be of an extinct
Dickinsonia turned out to be an impression of a
decayed beehive
• Dickinsonia is considered to be Earth’s oldest animal,
dating back 570 million years ago (late Ediacaran
period).
o It is an extinct genus of a basal animal (animals
which have radial symmetry in their body plans).
o It is considered an integral links between early,
simple organisms and then explosion of life in
Cambrian Period that was around 541 million
years ago.
o Dickinsonia has been found in Australia, Russia,
5.12.9. SHINKU LA TUNNEL Ukraine, China.
• Construction of 4.1-km Shinkun La tunnel on Nimu- 5.12.11. PMN (POLYMETALLIC NODULES)

Padam-Darcha Road link has been approved. EXPLORATION
• Shinku-la pass connects Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul
valley and Ladakh’s Zanskar valley. • International Seabed Authority (ISA) and Ministry of
o It’ll be built by Border Road Organisation (BRO) Earth Sciences exchanged PMN (Polymetallic Nodules)
under its ambitious Project Yojak. exploration extension contract.
✓ Project aims to build more tunnels like Atal • Contract for same was initially signed in 2002 for a
Tunnel and maintain the connecting roads. period of 15 years. It was extended by ISA twice for 5
o It’ll provide all-weather road connectivity to years period, during 2017 and 2022.
Ladakh and this will be the shortest route to o India has been assigned an area of about 75,000 sq
border areas of Union territory from other parts of km in Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) for PMN
country. exploration.
o It will bring swiftness in movement of security • PMN refers to small potato-like rounded accretions
forces. composed of minerals such as manganese, nickel,
cobalt, copper and iron hydroxide
o These have immense economic and strategic
importance.
• Significance of deep sea mining:
o Metals extracted from PMN can be used in
electronic devices, smartphones, solar panels etc.
o By just utilizing 10% of PMN reserve available in
allotted area, India can meet its energy
requirements for the next 100 years.
• Concerns related to deep sea mining:
o May cause unavoidable, irreversible harm to
deep-sea ecosystems;
o Can have a deleterious impact on marine species;
o Risk of accidents like leaks and spills of fuel etc.
• ISA, an autonomous international organisation
established under 1982 United Nations Convention on
the Law of the Sea, allots ‘area’ for deep-sea mining.
o Deep-sea mining is process of retrieving mineral
deposits from deep seabed i.e. ocean below 200m.
o India was first country to receive status of a
‘Pioneer Investor’ in 1987. 5.12.14. SDG AGRIFOOD ACCELERATOR
PROGRAMME
5.12.12. PFAS OR FOREVER CHEMICALS
• FAO and SEED partnership launched the Programme.
• New study has found alarming levels of toxic PFAS, o SEED is a global partnership for action on
also known as “forever chemicals” in Norwegian Arctic sustainable development and green economy.
ice which may affect wildlife. o It was founded by UN Environment Programme
• PFAS (Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances) are a (UNEP), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and
large chemical family of over 4,700 highly persistent International Union for Conservation of Nature
chemicals that don't occur in nature. (IUCN).
o They hardly degrade in natural environment and • SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme is designed to
have been found in blood of people and wildlife all help agrifood system start-ups develop their
round world. businesses while contributing to UN’s SDGs.
o It can be toxic to both humans and wildlife. o Operating across Africa and Asia, 12 SMEs who
• PFAS uses: In cosmetics (hair conditioner, foundation joined the Programme will be supported in three
cream, sunscreen etc.), electronics (smartphones), areas: financial readiness, innovation potential,
textiles (waterproof outdoor clothing and equipment, and market reach.
carpets, mattresses) etc.
5.12.15. CLIMATE SMART VARIETIES OF
5.12.13. BISPHENOL A (BPA) CHEMICAL WHEAT
• Recent study has highlighted accelerated breeding in • Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) scientists
mosquitoes due to presence of Bisphenol A in urban have developed three climate-smart varieties of
drains. wheat.
• Bisphenol A or BPA is a chemical produced in large o These varieties are characterised by “mild
quantities for use primarily in production of vernalisation requirement” i.e., need for a certain
polycarbonate plastics. minimum period of low winter temperatures for
o It is commonly used in shatterproof windows, initiation of flowering.
eyewear, water bottles, and epoxy resins. • Three varieties are: HDCSW-18 (officially notified in
• It can leach into food and beverages as well, exposing 2016), HD-3410 and HD-3385.
adults to ill effects of it such as high blood pressure, o HD-3410 (released in 2022), has higher yield
diabetes and cardiovascular disease. potential (7.5 tonnes/hectare) with lower plant
o It can disrupt the endocrine system by interfering height (100-105 cm).
with hormones and affects brain and prostate o Among these, HD-3385 is least lodging-prone and
gland of foetuses, infants and children. most amenable for early sowing.
✓ Lodging refers to permanent displacement of
aboveground parts of a crop from its upright
position.
5.12.16. WORLD SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT 2023
• Summit is TERI’s (the Energy and Resources Institute)
annual flagship multistakeholder event.
o TERI is an independent, multi-dimensional
organization, with expertise in research, policy,
consultancy and implementation.
• It is one of the independently convened event in
Global South that brings together world leaders,
thinkers, scientists, industry etc to work towards long-
term solutions for planet’s health.
• It examined topics such as finance, science, technology
and innovation, sustainable consumption, inclusive
energy transitions etc.
5.12.18. HEAT DOME
5.12.17. EARTH’S INNER CORE • Heat-spewing anticyclone over North-West India has
• Scientists discovered new layer at Earth’s inner core. led to unusual heat in February.
• Discovered by Australian National University o India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts
seismologists, ‘solid metallic ball’ is deep inside inner that it is likely to recede from land and back off
core of Earth, dubbed as “innermost inner core”. into Central Arabian Sea soon, making way for
o It is solid due to high pressure deep within the moisture-laden western disturbance and
Earth that stops iron alloy from melting. associated cloud cover with rain or snow in
o It is a crystallized structure within inner core’s Western Himalayas and adjoining plains.
innermost region that is different from outer layer. • Heat dome is a high-pressure circulation in
o First hypothesised about 20 years ago, it was atmosphere which acts like a dome or cap, trapping
identified through data gathered from seismic heat at surface and favoring heatwave formation.
waves caused by earthquakes. o It occurs when hot ocean air is trapped over a
• So far, four layers of Earth's structure had been large area.
identified (refer image). This includes: • Typically, heat domes are tied to the pattern of jet
o Crust: Topmost or outermost layer of earth which stream (fast winds high in atmosphere that generally
makes up 1% of Earth Volume. It has two parts - runs west to east).
thinner Oceanic Crust and thicker Continental o Normally, jet stream has a wavelike pattern,
Crust. meandering north and then south and then north
o Mantle: Solid/plastic layer of earth which makes again.
up about 84% of Earth Volume. It is divided in two o When these meanders in jet stream become
parts - Upper Mantle and Lower Mantle. bigger, they move slower and can become
Uppermost mantle and crust constitute stationary and resulting into heat domes.
lithosphere. o Hot air typically rises into atmosphere, but dome’s
o Outer core: Liquid portion of core, composed of lid causes air to sink. As air sinks, it compresses and
80% iron along with nickel and some other lighter becomes warmer that causes temperature in
elements. dome to rise continually.
o Inner core: Solid portion of core, composed of Iron • Impact of heat dome: Affect sessional agricultural
and nickel with presence of heavy elements like products; Increased risk of wildfire, heat-related
gold, platinum, palladium, silver and tungsten. illnesses such as heat rash, heat stroke, heat
• Significance of Fifth Layer exhaustion etc.
o Provide information on past events on Earth that
happened hundreds of millions to billions of years
ago.
o Provide a new way to probe Earth’s inner core and
its centremost region.
o Inform on evolution of earth’s magnetic field etc.

such as stratocumulus, altostratus and
altocumulus.
o Turbulence within cumulonimbus often leads to
formation of Mammatus clouds, particularly on
bottom of projecting anvil as it quickly descends
to lower altitudes.
o Their shapes can vary greatly, from typical bulging
shape to a more elongated tube dangling from the
cloud above.
5.12.19. MAMMATUS CLOUDS

• NASA has released picture of Mammatus clouds,
hovering over Nebraska, US.
• About Mammatus clouds
o They generally appear in connection with
substantial cumulonimbus clouds, but they have
also been sighted to form on other cloud types,

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. BIODIVERSITY OF AREAS BEYOND NATIONAL JURISDICTION TREATY
(UNITED NATION HIGH SEAS TREATY)
Why in News?
The Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National
Jurisdiction treaty or the High Seas Treaty has been
adopted.
More on News
• It was adopted at the fifth United Nation
Intergovernmental Conference on Marine
Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National
Jurisdiction.
• It has been adopted under the framework of the
United Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea
(UNCLOS).
o The issue of conservation of marine
biodiversity beyond jurisdiction was raised in
Rio+20 summit in 2012.
o In 2017, UN adopted a resolution to provide
for Inter-governmental conference to frame
legally binding agreement.
o The conference met for the first time in 2018.
• It is legally binding in nature. It will only enter into
force once 60 countries have ratified it.
• It is also referred to as the ‘Paris Agreement for the Ocean’.
• High Ambition Coalition played a key role in the adoption of the treaty.
o It is an intergovernmental group of more than 100 countries.
o Its goal is to
protect at
least 30
percent of the
world’s land
and ocean by
2030. India is
also member
of this group.
o Currently, Co-
chaired by
Costa Rica and
France and by
the UK as
Ocean co-
chair.
• The high seas are
all parts of the
ocean that aren't
included in the exclusive economic zone, the territorial sea, or the internal waters of a country.

Current Challenges of the High Seas
• Conservation of Marine
Biodiversity: According to the
IUCN, nearly 9% of marine
species are at risk of extinction.
• Implementing Global
Commitment: Kunming-
Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework (GBF), Sustainable
Development Goal 14 for
Conservation and sustainable
use of the oceans.
• Climate Change: It has
increased marine heat waves
20-fold. This has led to coral
bleaching, harmful algal
blooms, etc.
• Unprotected Global Common:
Only about 1% of these waters
are under Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs).
• Marine Pollution: Plastic waste makes up 80% of all
marine pollution. E.g., Great Pacific Garbage Patch in
the North Pacific Ocean.
• Economic Activities: Activities like mining, fishing,
etc., disturb sediments and damage breeding
grounds.
Draft High Seas Treaty

Objective-It will ensure the conservation and
sustainable use of marine biological diversity in
areas beyond national jurisdiction through
international cooperation and coordination.
Key Highlights
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits
• Parties obligated to conduct EIA undertaking • Access- and the benefit-sharing committee will frame guidelines for
processes of screening, scoping etc., under EIA. sharing benefits arising from of Marine Genetic Resources (MGR)MGR
before implementation of the project. and digital sequence information on MGR of areas beyond national
• EIA will be followed by an environmental jurisdiction. • No State can claim its right over marine genetic resources
management plan. of areas beyond national jurisdiction.

Consent from Indigenous Community Institutional Mechanism
• Free, prior and informed consent is necessary for • Conference of the Parties (CoP)- Will be set up for governance.
accessing Marine resources in High seas areas that • Clearing-house mechanism- Will enable parties to access, provide
are held by indigenous people and local communities and give information on activities taking place in relation to the
agreement.
Other Highlights
• Area-based management tools-It is a comprehensive system, with ecologically representative and well-connected networks
of marine protected areas.
• Capacity Building and Technology Transfer- In marine scientific research and in the development and transfer of marine
technology.
• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): Treaty will demarcate the MPA in high seas. These can be called national parks or wildlife
reserves of the oceans.
• Equity-Full recognition of the special circumstances of small island developing States and of least developed countries and
acknowledgment of the special interests and needs of landlocked developing countries.
• Global Environment Facility trust fund- It will help in mobilizing resources.
• Settlement Of Disputes: Parties have the obligation to settle disputes by peaceful means.
• Exceptions: Except for Part II, dealing with Marine Genetic Resources, the Agreement does not apply to any warship, military
aircraft or naval auxiliary.
Challenges in Implementing Treaty
• Funding and Technology Transfer: It has been
not made mandatory for developed countries.
• Unaddressed Issues: These include mechanisms
for policing the protected areas, projects that are
assessed to be heavily polluting, and the
resolution of disputes (due to conflict of
interest).
• Negotiation and Deadline: Time period for
forming rules and regulations along with
implementation has not been provided.
• Legally Binding: Countries may oppose it by
blaming that it dilutes their sovereignty.
• Exception: Organisations responsible for
regulating activities such as fisheries, shipping,
and deep-sea mining could continue to do so
without having to carry out EIA.
Way Forward
• Implementation: Its ratification and implementation should be faster than other erstwhile global treaties.
• Cooperation: Countries should cooperate with each other in the implementation of the provisions of the treaty.
• Other Initiatives: Apart from it, other initiatives such as sensitization drives need to be taken.
• Funding Mechanism: Sustainable approach should be followed rather than dependence on developed countries.
5.2. UN 2023 WATER CONFERENCE

Why in News?
The United Nations 2023 Water Conference was held in New York on March 22-24, co-hosted by the Netherlands and
Tajikistan.
More about the news
• Conference deliberations ranged from the urgency of the water crisis, including its role in forced migration, climate
change and conflicts to stressing its critical link to good health, poverty reduction and food security.

• During the event The United Nations World Water
Development Report (UNWWDR) 2023: Partnerships
and cooperation for water was released.
About UN water conference
• UN 2023 Water Conference is the most important
United Nations-hosted event on water supply, sanitation
and hygiene in some 50 years.
o This is only the second UN Conference dedicated to
water, following the Conference in Mar del Plata,
Argentina in 1977.
• The conference aims to promote a comprehensive
understanding and appreciation of the importance of
water, sanitation, and hygiene, and to facilitate
effective management of these critical resources.
• It will provide a unique opportunity to undertake
commitments and accelerate action towards achieving
SDG 6 and other internationally agreed water-related
goals and targets, including those set out in the 2030
Development Agenda.
• The conference embraces the principles of inclusion,
cross-sectoral responsibility, and action orientation.
Water Action Decade 2018-2028
Key outcomes of the conference
• The United Nations General Assembly has declared the
• A new Water Action Agenda: The Agenda is the period between 2018 and 2028 as the International
collection of all voluntary commitments to accelerate Decade for Action on "Water for Sustainable
progress in the second halves of both the Water Action Development" in order to expedite initiatives aimed at
addressing water-related challenges.
Decade 2018-2028 and 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
• It pursues two main goals:
Development.
o To improve knowledge sharing related to water and
o It included a $50-billion commitment from the water pollution control, including information on the
Indian government to improve rural drinking water water-related SDGs outlined in the 2030 Agenda for
services under its Jal Jeevan Mission. Sustainable Development.
• Capacity building: Recognise that many people lack o To improve communication to achieve the water-
access to basic services because they are unable to related SDGs.
advocate for themselves and because infrastructure
projects are designed for and by powerful actors in society.
o Efforts like the Making Rights Real initiative offered to help marginalised communities and women understand
how to exercise their rights.
o Also, Water for Women Fund offered support mechanisms for more effective and sustainable water, sanitation,
and hygiene outcomes for women.
• Knowledge sharing: Recognise that there is a need to accelerate cross-learning.
o One useful cross-learning tool is W12+ Blueprint, a UNESCO platform that hosts city profiles and case studies of
programs, technologies, policies that addresses common water security challenges.
• Demand for formal agreement: Many participants demanded that there is a need for formal global agreement, like
the 2015 Paris climate accords and the 2022 Montreal biodiversity pact, as well as better data and an international
finance mechanism to safeguard water supplies.
• Environmental, social, and corporate governance: The conference concluded that both farmers and industries are
not incentivized enough to be more water efficient.
o For instance, farmers aren’t becoming more efficient or going pesticide-free unless consumers are willing to pay
a premium for more sustainably produced goods.

The United Nations World Water Development Report (UNWWDR) 2023: Partnerships and cooperation for water
• The report is published by UNESCO, on behalf of UN-Water and its production is coordinated by the UNESCO World Water
Assessment Programme.
o The report focuses on a different theme each year and gives policy recommendations to decision-makers by offering
best practices and in-depth analysis.
• Key Highlights of the report
o The world’s water: demand, availability and quality: Water use has been increasing globally by roughly 1% per year over
the last 40 years and is expected to grow at a similar rate through to 2050, driven by a combination of population growth,
socio-economic development and changing consumption patterns.
✓ The bulk of this increase is concentrated in middle- and lower-income countries, particularly in emerging economies.
o Progress towards SDG 6 Targets: At current rates, progress towards all the targets of SDG 6 is off-track and in some areas
the rate of implementation needs to quadruple, or more.
o Water allocation from agriculture to urban centres: This results in less water availability for irrigation, leading to reduced
food security and lower farmer livelihood incomes.
✓ Urban water demand is projected to increase by 80% by 2050.
o Watershed protection: Many watershed services schemes address climate change adaptation by building resilience, and
their role in mitigation is increasingly recognized.
o Partnerships and cooperation: Cooperation improves water governance and decision-making, stimulates innovative
solutions, and leverages efficiencies.
✓ Cooperation is particularly critical for ensuring water security in many transboundary basins and aquifers.
o Data and information: Government agencies tasked with resource monitoring and management often lack the capacity
to generate all the data needed to address water- related economic and social issues.
o Education and capacity development: It helps to accelerate the development, adoption and institutionalization of more
sustainable and equitable water management practices.
✓ In many parts of the world, water management is shaped by local knowledge and practices.
o Financing: Better coordination across stakeholders can generate additional funding streams for water-related
investments.
5.3. AR6 SYNTHESIS REPORT: CLIMATE CHANGE 2023

Why in News?
Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change (IPCC) has
released the Synthesis Report for
the Sixth Assessment Cycle (AR6).
More on News
• It is a summary of the previous
reports, which were released
between 2018 and 2022.
• It integrates the main findings
of the Sixth Assessment
Report (AR6) based on
contributions from the three
Working Groups, and the
three Special Reports: Global
Warming of 1.5°C, Climate Change and Land, The Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate.
• Its aim is to provide policymakers up-to-date understanding of climate change, its impacts and future risks, and
highlight solutions to address it.
Why are Natural Ecosystems Better than Afforested Ecosystems?
• Biodiversity: Natural ecosystems have diverse species of flora while afforestation focuses on monoculture (creating single-
species plantations).
o Non-native species are planted in place of native species (species suitable to a particular climate). Also, invasive species
are planted which is a threat to indigenous species.
• Effectiveness: The Afforested ecosystem’s capability to sequestrate carbon is very low compared to the natural ecosystem.
Also, it takes a long time to come into a mature phase.
• Afforestation Away from Deforestation Site: Haryana in 2022 announced that it would develop the “world’s largest safari”
using CAMPA funds received from deforestation in Great Nicobar for development projects, 2,400 km away and of very
different topography.
• This is not much beneficial for the displaced animal species etc. It poses a threat of extinction to endangered species.
• Destruction of Natural Ecosystem is not Compensated: Comptroller and Auditor General found in 2013 that most of the
money which has been collected through CAMPA is not utilised.
• Maintenance: A huge amount of money is spent on the maintenance of afforested ecosystems in comparison to natural
ecosystems which are self-sustaining.
Key Findings (Present Status of Global Warming and Climate Change)
• Human activities have unequivocally caused global warming: Global surface temperature reached 1.1°C above
1850–1900 in 2011–2020.
• Major Impacts of Climate Change
o Water and food production: The physical water availability and the corresponding food, livestock productivity
has been adversely impacted. Afforestation Strategy of India
✓ This is driven by increase in • Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: Under it, whenever forest land is
agricultural and ecological converted to non-forest land use an equivalent area of non-forest land
droughts and in some cases has to be taken up for compensatory afforestation.
heavy rainfall. • Compensatory Afforestation: Compensatory Afforestation Fund
o Health and Well being: Due to climate Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) was in 2004. Its main
change, rise in infectious diseases, purpose was to manage money collected towards compensatory
heat, malnutrition and displacement afforestation (CA), net present value (NPV), and any other money
has been observed. recoverable from the user agencies.
o Settlement and Infrastructure: Rising • Global Commitment: The government has committed to adding “an
additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent
inland flooding, storm damage in
through additional forest and tree cover by 2030”.
coastal areas has been observed. This
is driven by upper ocean acidification, increase in hot extremes, etc.
o Biodiversity: Terrestrial, freshwater and ocean ecosystems have been adversely affected.
• Natural Vs Plantations ecosystems: The Report highlighted that preventing the degradation of existing natural
ecosystems will be more effective to lower the impact of the climate crisis yield faster mitigation than results than
restoring ecosystems that have been destroyed. It has put a question mark on India’s Afforestation Strategy.
o Climate action, such as technologies to combat climate change, renewable energy farms, etc. should not come
at the cost of natural ecosystems.
• Emission gaps: As per the report, there are gaps between global ambitions and the sum of declared national
ambitions.
o Despite progress, adaptation gaps persist, and initiatives prioritize short-term risk reduction, which hinders
transformational adaptation.
o About 80% of coal, 50% of gas, and 30% of oil reserves cannot be burned and emitted if warming is limited to
2°C. Significantly more reserves are expected to remain unburned if warming is limited to 1.5°C.
Response Against Climate Change
• Global Policy Scenario: The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Kyoto Protocol,
and Paris Agreement are supporting rising levels of national ambition and encourage the development and
implementation of climate policies at multiple levels of governance.
o Rising public awareness has overall helped accelerate political commitment and global efforts to address climate
change.
• Mitigation Actions: By 2020, laws primarily focused on reducing GHG emissions existed in 56 countries covering 53%
of global emissions.
o From 2010 to 2019, there have been sustained decreases in the unit costs of solar energy (by 85%), wind energy
(by 55%) etc.
o Total financial flows for climate mitigation and adaptation increased by up to 60% between 2013-14 and 2019-
20, but average growth has slowed since 2018.
o Mitigation Actions have contributed to a decrease in global energy and carbon intensity between 2010 and 2019.
• Adaptation actions: Growing public and political awareness of
climate impacts and risks has resulted in at least 170 countries and
many cities including adaptation in their climate policies and planning
processes.
o For instance, in the agriculture sector, cultivar improvements,
on-farm water management and storage, soil moisture
conservation, irrigation, etc., provide multiple benefits and
reduce climate risks.
o Adaptation to water-related risks and impacts make up the
majority (~60%) of all documented adaptation.
• Increased evidence of maladaptation: It refers to actions that may
lead to increased risk of adverse climate-related outcomes, including
via increased greenhouse gas emissions, increased or shifted
vulnerability to climate change, more inequitable outcomes, or diminished welfare, now or in the future.
o Example of maladaptation: In agriculture using high-cost irrigation in areas projected to have more intense
drought conditions.
Way Forward
To keep climate change in check, deep, rapid, and sustained reductions in GHG emissions, political commitment, inclusive
governance, international co-operation, knowledge sharing and having a robust funding mechanism is crucial. In
addition, some sector specific initiatives can be:
• Energy Supply: Steps like energy diversification (wind, solar, geothermal, etc.) and promotion of carbon sequestration
must be promoted.
• Water and Food: Improving cropland management, water use efficiency, agroforestry, etc. are some steps that can
be taken.
• Settlement and Infrastructure: Promoting usage of sustainable urban water management, green infrastructure,
electric vehicles, etc must be done.
• Biodiversity: Conservation of biodiversity, controlling industrial waste, circular economy is the way ahead.
• Behaviour and lifestyle changes: They can be supported by policies, infrastructure and technology to help end-users
adopt low-GHG-intensive options.
5.4. CLIMATE JUSTICE

Why in news?
Climate justice as the concept featured in sessions of two top global institutions — the United Nations General Assembly
and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
More on News
• UN General Assembly adopted a resolution calling upon the International Court of Justice, to issue an opinion on
State’s legal responsibilities to protect the climate system for present and future generations and the consequences
of failing to do so.
o The resolution was spearheaded through an initiative by the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu, a Small Island
Developing State.
o The scope of the UN resolution also invites the court to look beyond the Paris Agreement.
o It also puts the spotlight on the legal consequences for causing significant harm to both vulnerable small island
developing states as well as future generations, opening the door to greater accountability owed to these groups.
• The ECHR witnessed the first-ever public hearing addressing the duty of states to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
o ECHR is an international court (at Strasbourg, France) of Council of Europe and it is different from Court of Justice
of the European Union which is located in Luxembourg.
Significance of climate justice
• Acknowledging the Social Dimensions of Climate Change: Climate change is not only an environmental problem but
a social issue that interacts with systems of privilege and embedded injustices.
o It affects people of different classes, races, genders, geographies, and generations unequally.
• Highlight concerns of vulnerable countries and communities: Most Affected People and Areas (MAPA) who have had
nothing to do with provoking climate change will bear the consequences. E.g., countries in the global south and
communities such as women and LGBTQIA+.
• Sharing the burdens of climate change: Those on the frontlines of climate change are often unable and ill-equipped
to respond. The burdens of climate change must be shared by all, particularly those with the capacity to act.
• Recognise local solutions: Recognise climate leaders from the Global South and honour indigenous practices to
address the climate crisis.
• Promotes culture of Polluters Pays Principle: It holds the polluter is liable for the pollution caused to the
environment.
• Recognise gender equity in Climate Justice.
Challenges in ensuring climate justice
• Gradual Dilution of Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR): Developed countries continue to corner a
larger share of the carbon space for their luxurious consumption while they goad developing countries to cut their
emissions emanating from even basic needs.
• Limited Capacity: Many vulnerable communities lack the technical and institutional capacity to develop and
implement climate policies and programs, making it difficult to build resilience and reduce their vulnerability to
climate change.

• Lack of Access to Information: Many communities, especially those in rural or marginalized areas, lack access to
accurate information about climate change and its impacts. This lack of information can hinder their ability to take
action and protect themselves.
• Avoidance of Binding Targets: Climate Action Tracker reports that climate action of major developed countries is
incompatible with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
• Globalization and Neoliberalism: Globalization and neoliberalism can create economic and social conditions that
exacerbate climate change and its impacts, perpetuating systems of inequality and marginalization that undermine
efforts to achieve climate justice.
Ways to achieve climate justice

• Global acceleration of environmental rule of law: To ensure that governments respect, protect and fulfil the right
to a clean and healthy environment, which is key for sustainable development.
• Strong national legal frameworks: To help spur equitable and sustainable management of natural resources.
• Accessible justice and human rights institutions: To enable vulnerable, excluded and marginalized people and
communities to access justice and information, and participate in decision-making.
• Gender equality and Community Actions: Women and Indigenous people are powerful agents of change and climate
justice advocates, if they are allowed the space or platform for their voices to be heard.
• Secure equitable distribution of funds: Distribution of economic and human resources must address this reality,
ensuring that the Global South has access to opportunities to participate on equal footing towards true climate
justice.
Conclusion
ICJ’s legal view is likely to add fresh and significant momentum to pushing countries to cut emissions faster and
strengthen their climate-related plans and actions.

5.5. DRAFT CARBON CREDITS TRADING SCHEME (CCTS)
Why in News?
Ministry of Power in consultation
with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency
(BEE) issued draft scheme as a part of
its process to establish framework for
Indian Carbon Market.
About the Draft Carbon Credits
Trading Scheme (CCTS)
• Draft came after the parliament
enacted the Energy Conservation
(Amendment) Act, 2022.
o The Act empowers the
central government to
"specify CCTS", in
consultation with
Bureau of Energy
Efficiency (BEE).
• CCTS aims for
reduction or removal
of green house gas
(GHG) emissions.
• The draft scheme
mainly consists of the
structure of the
proposed Indian
Carbon Market, for
both voluntary
trading and
compliance.
o It provides that
an 'Accredited
Carbon Verifier'
means an agency
accredited by the
BEE to carry out
validation or
verification
activities in
respect of the CCTS.

India’s Experience with Carbon Markets
While India does not have an explicit carbon market, it has instruments that closely resemble carbon markets.
Clean Development Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) Energy Saving Certificates (ESCerts) under Perform
Mechanism (CDM) Scheme Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme
• Created by the Kyoto • A market-based instrument to • Aims at reducing Specific Energy Consumption
Protocol. promote renewable energy and (SEC) i.e., energy use per unit of production for
• Certified Emission facilitate compliance of renewable Designated Consumers (DCs) in energy intensive
Reductions (CERs) purchase obligations (RPO). sectors.
equivalent to the • Value of REC is equivalent to • Excess energy savings are converted into tradable
mitigation of one tonne 1MWh of electricity. ESCerts that are traded at the India Energy
of CO2e. • REC would be exchanged on the Exchange (IEX) and Power Exchange India Limited
• Implemented by National CERC approved power exchanges (PXIL).
CDM Authority (under and through electricity traders. • 1 ESCert = 1 MTOE (Metric Tonne of Oil
MoEFCC). • Regulated by CERC. Equivalent)
• Implemented by BEE under Ministry of Power.
Challenges to carbon markets in India
• Issue with measurement: The PAT and REC schemes do not state their certificates' metric unit in terms of carbon
dioxide equivalent, which seriously limits their growth potential and efficacy as a price discovery mechanism for
carbon.
• Multiple sectoral market instruments: This fragments the scale of the domestic energy market and prevents cross-
linkages between the PAT and REC schemes.
• Weak enforceability on DISCOMs: This is a major problem for the REC market as financially stressed DISCOMs have
limited incentives to minimize costs.

• Poor market transparency: This Significance of draft scheme
results in double counting of • Set up a single carbon market mechanism: A single market at the national
greenhouse gas reductions and a lack level would reduce transaction costs, improve liquidity, enhance a common
of transparency that makes it difficult understanding and streamline the accounting and verification procedures.
to accurately assess how much • Alignment with Paris Agreement (NDC, Article 6): Article 6 of the Paris
money is being used for climate Agreement provides for the use of international carbon markets by countries
mitigation efforts. to fulfil their NDCs.
• Concerns about greenwashing: • Contribution to Sustainable Development: Carbon markets deliver on
several sustainable development goals (SDGs) apart from providing much-
Companies may buy credits to offset
needed climate action under Goal 13 of the SDGs.
their carbon footprints instead of
• Gradual decarbonisation of the economy: A robust carbon market
reducing their overall emissions or mechanism will also enable active participation of the private sector in
investing in clean technologies. decarbonisation efforts, in all potential sectors.
Way forward • Promote transparency in the institutional and financial infrastructure for
carbon market transactions.
• Examination of present trade of
various environmental instruments to
observe trading trends.
• Calibration and effective management
of demand and supply of instruments.
• Developing a provision for fungibility
of the unit trading to emission
reduction may attract voluntary buyers
and lead to international participation
in the market.
Conclusion
Draft Carbon Credits Trading Scheme is a
positive step to provide structure to Indian
Carbon Market (ICM) which will help in
India’s 2030 NDC target and the 2070 Net
Zero target.
5.6. GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS

MONITORING
INFRASTRUCTURE (GGMI)
Why in news?
Recently, the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) launched the Global Greenhouse Gas
Monitoring Infrastructure (GGMI).
About GGMI
• It aims to provide better ways of measuring
planet-warming pollution and help inform
policy choices.
▪ The new platform will integrate space-based
and surface-based observing systems, and
seek to clarify uncertainties about where
greenhouse gas emissions end up.
• This is a significant step towards trying to fill a
key gap in the fight against climate change: standardised, real-time tracking of greenhouse gases.
• Global coordination efforts of the type that is needed for the development of these infrastructure has proved
successful in weather prediction and climate monitoring.
o It is embodied by WMO’s 60-year-old World
Weather Watch and its acclaimed Global
Atmosphere Watch.
• The initiative aims to leverage WMO's experience
in coordinating global collaboration in weather
prediction, climate analysis, and greenhouse gas
monitoring.
o GGMI will build on and expand WMO’s long-
standing activities in GHG monitoring,
implemented as part of the Global
Atmosphere Watch (GAW) and the
Integrated Global Greenhouse Gas
Information System (IG3IS).
✓ GAW focuses on building a single coordinated global understanding of atmospheric composition, its change,
and helps to improve the understanding of interactions between the atmosphere, the oceans and the
biosphere.
✓ IG3IS is an observation-based information system for determining trends and distributions of greenhouse
gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere and the ways in which they are consistent or not with efforts to reduce GHG
emissions.
5.7. RIGHT TO REPAIR

Why in News?
The proposed right to repair framework is extended across four sectors in India.
More on news
• The framework is expanded to four sectors namely: consumer durables; Mobile and Electronics; automobiles
equipment; and farm equipment.
• Under this framework, it would be mandatory for manufacturers to share their product details with customers so
that they can either repair them by self or by third parties.
• The framework aims to ease access to repair services not just by original manufacturers but also by reliable third-
party technicians to lower costs and lengthen the shelf Right to Repair across the World
life of devices, equipment and home appliances. • USA: The first country to bring the “Right to repair” in
• It also seeks to harmonize trade between the original- place. The legislation requires companies, at least in the
equipment manufacturers and third-party buyers state of New York, to provide patented tools and remove
and sellers. software restrictions that prevent users from repairing
their own products.
Right to Repair • UK: Requires manufacturers to make spare parts
• It refers to legislative framework that enables the available to their customers and third parties for up to ten
consumers to repair their goods at their own years after the product is first released.
preference, where repairs by other entities are not • France: imposes a mandatory repairability score
through the Anti-Waste Law, 2020, which ranks products
encouraged by the manufacturers.
based on their ease of repair and informs users how to
o It is commonly done by limiting access to tools repair them before purchasing them.
and components or by putting up software
barriers to prevent independent repair or modification to the product.
o This obliges the customers to use only their services.
• Earlier the Centre has set up a committee headed by Nidhi Khare to create the framework for the same in the
country.

Implementation Challenges
• Cost to the Exchequer: Most of the small
repair shops are unorganised and
promoting the small repair shops will
invariably reduce the tax inflow to the
Government.
• Lack of Awareness: The consumers are
unaware of their right in most cases and
oblige to the instructions from the
manufacturers.
• Quality of the third-party spare parts:
There is no effective mechanism to test the
quality of the third-party spare parts and fearing that it will falter soon, the consumers are moving to the manufacturer
stores.
• Inhibits Innovation: The process might inhibit the innovations in many fields and the manufacturing companies may
reduce their R&D expenses.
• Can cause damage: Over reliance on third party and small service centres, without pertaining to minimum standards
of quality, might damage the product and might cause harm to the user too.
Way Forward
• Bridging the Quality gap between the Manufacturer and the third-party service provider, where the manufacturing
companies by themselves shares the specific standards by which their products needs to be repaired.
• Creating Awareness among the consumers, that they need not pay extra to use a company’s products and its their
right to ask for the spares and services for the products that they have purchased.
• Skilling the human resource, to match the demand of repairing the products away from the authorised company
service centres.
5.8. ELECTRIC VEHICLES (EVS) POLICY

Why in News
Recently, Parliamentary Committee on Estimates presented a report on ‘Evaluation of Electric Vehicle (EV) Policy’
suggesting formulation of a comprehensive national policy on electric vehicles (EV).
Need of a National EV policy in India

• High oil import: India is massively dependent on oil imports. According to data of Petroleum Planning & Analysis Cell
(PPAC), India has spent USD 119.2 billion in FY 2021–22. Hence EVs policy can help to reduce it significantly.
• Improve Air Quality of Cities: Vehicular pollution arising from the increasing stock of private vehicles, especially
internal combustion engines (ICE) has contributed significantly in deteriorating the air quality in Indian cities .
o As per the 'World Air Quality Report, 2022’ released by IQAir, 39 of the top 50 most polluted cities in the world
are in India.
• International Commitments: It can help to fulfil the India’s international commitments under Panchamrita such as
achieving Net-Zero carbon emissions by 2070 and reducing the total projected carbon emissions by one billion tones
by 2030.
• High demand of EV vehicle in India: India represents the fifth largest automobile market in the world and is showing
an upward trend in demand of EVs.
• Improve penetration of related Infrastructure: To improve battery rechargeable infrastructure in the country which
is still concentrated near big cities. As per NITI Aayog, India has an active network of only 934 active public charging
stations.
• Need to have uniform EVs policy across India: Since transport is a State subject, some States have formulated an EV
policy for themselves. A strong National Policy framework on EVs is required. based on the experience and feedback
of NEMMP 2020, to ensure a comprehensive and uniform growth of the EV Sector.
Challenges of EVs and EV Industry
• Inadequate charging Infrastructure: Factors like unsurety in utilization rates of charging stations, huge operating
costs, load on electricity DISCOMs, etc., create a negative environment for operators to establish charging stations..
• Deterrents for consumers: Factors preventing consumers from opting for EVs include worries about the range and
safety of EVS, lack of assurance about satisfactory resale value, scarcity of charging infrastructure, unreliable and
unstable electricity supply and a wide gap between EV and ICE vehicle prices.
• Scarce battery technology: The battery technology used in EVs is still evolving, and the cost of the battery is a
significant factor in the overall cost of an Government Steps to promote EVs
EV. • Ministry of Heavy Industries:
o Moreover, the availability of rare o National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020: Aim to
earth metals and other raw materials bring about a transformational paradigm shift in the automotive
required for the production of and transportation industry in the country.
batteries is limited. o Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (Hybrid &) Electric Vehicles
• Limited Manufacturing Capabilities: India in India (FAME India) Scheme: Launched in 2015 to promote
is heavily dependent on import in EV adoption of electric/ hybrid vehicles (xEVs) in the country.
sector such as rechargeable batteries, • GST restructuring: GST on electric vehicles has been reduced from 12%
to 5%; GST on chargers/ charging stations for electric vehicles has been
equipment, etc.
reduced from 18% to 5% by GST Council.
• Need for Scrapping Policy: Electric • Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme
vehicles contain high-voltage components o for manufacturing of Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) in the
that are harmful to the environment, if country in order to bring down prices of battery in the country.
not handled properly. o Auto and Auto component PLI Scheme, hydrogen fuel cell based
• Shortage of skilled manpower for vehicles which are Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) are covered
servicing and repair of EVs: Unlike under this.
traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, • Model Building Bylaws 2016: Ministry of Housing and Urban
EVs have unique components and Development amended the law to establish charging stations and
systems, such as batteries, electric motors infrastructure in private and commercial buildings.
• Green license plates: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH)
etc., that require specialized training and
announced that battery operated vehicles will be given green license
expertise to repair and service.
plates and be exempted from permit requirements.
• Data Security: EVs can also contain
sensitive data that should be protected.
Suggestions for EVs and EV Industry as per report
• Reducing upfront costs: Costs can be brought down by enhancing the subsidy on electric four wheelers, encouraging
States to waive off road tax/ by providing compensation, further reducing further reducing GST on EVs.
• Extending FAME-II: Government should extend the FAME-II scheme beyond its current March 31, 2024 timeline by 2
years and launching comprehensive FAME-III scheme based on its experiences.
• Improving Bidding Process: Robust mechanism should be developed for all bidding processes such as Production
Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for 'Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage’, so that incomplete/frivolous
applications can be rejected summarily at pre-bid/technical bid stage in future.
• Promotion of other technologies along with EVs such Best practices of EVs
as flex fuel vehicles, Hydrogen ICE, Hydrogen fuel cell International: United Kingdom
vehicles etc. with greater emphasis. • Setting Well Defined e-Mobility roadmap: Transport
• Expediting extraction of Lithium: Geological Survey of decarbonisation plan with commitments and actions to
India (GSI) has, for the first time, established Lithium decarbonise the UK’s transport sector.
inferred resources (G3) of 5.9 million tonnes in Salal- • Setting Clear Targets: All new cars and vans to be 100%
Haimana area of Reasi District of Jammu & Kashmir. zero emission at the tailpipe by 2035.
• Offering Specific and easily accessible incentives:
• Building trust among consumers through formulating
Favourable company car tax rates and tax benefits,
safety standards and providing a minimum guarantee
exemptions from Vehicle Excise Duty, etc.
for batteries’ life. • Funding to local authorities through the Go Ultra Low City
• Strategy for reuse or disposal of EV Batteries: A Scheme for the select cities.
proper disposal plan and dedicated recycling units Domestic: Uttar Pradesh
would ensure a truly sustainable ecosystem of EVs. • Released its own Manufacturing and Mobility policy 2022.
• Apprenticeships and traineeships: Government • The state has the most comprehensive electric
needs to frame new courses for specialization in EVs vehicle policies with the widest range of parameters,
in ITIs, other Industrial Training Centres and Skill including budget allocations, charging infrastructure, etc.
Development Centres, as well as fund apprenticeships • Subsidies to all electric vehicles – bikes, scooters, three-
and traineeships in the local EV and associated wheelers and cars.
manufacturing sector.
• Solar charging stations: A roadmap for setting up of Solar charging stations should be prepared in a time bound
manner to reduce the dependence on electricity generated by using coal, to remain true to the green mobility
objective of the Government.
5.9. FOREST RIGHTS IN INDIA

Why in News?
According to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA) about 38%
of all claims over land made under the Scheduled Tribes and
Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest
Rights) Act, 2006 [Also known as Forest Rights Act (FRA)] till
November 2022, have been rejected.
More on News
• 39.29% of Individual Forest Rights (IFR) claims had been
rejected in this time period compared with 24.42% rejection in Community Forest Rights (CFR) claims.
About Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006
• Objective: It recognizes the rights of the forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and other traditional forest
dwellers to forest resources (OTFD), on which these communities were dependent for a variety of needs, including
livelihood, habitation, and other socio-cultural needs.
• Eligibility for FR: A member or community can claim rights over forest lands that they primarily resides in for at least
three generations (75 years) or prior to December 13, 2005.
o A person should be a bonafide dependent on the forest, its land, and resources for their livelihood.
• Rights Under the Act
o Individual Forest Rights (IFR): It includes the right of self-cultivation and habitation. Provides ownership of land
(maximum of 4 hectares), only for land that is being cultivated by the beneficiary no new lands are granted.
o Community Forest Rights (CFR): It provides collective rights to the community. Some of these include grazing
and fishing rights; and ownership, access, use, and disposal rights of Minor Forest produce (MFP) traditionally
collected within or outside village boundaries.
✓ Also includes the right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource etc.
• Recognition, Restoration, and Procedure for Vesting of FR: Gram Sabha, Sub-Divisional Level Committee, District
Level Committee, State Level Monitoring Committee. etc. have been set up for recognizing and vesting FR.
o Gram Sabha is the authority to initiate the process for
determining the nature and extent of individual or
community forest rights or both .
o Forest Rights Committees (FRC) are set up by the Gram
Sabha to assist it in discharge of its function.
o FR are applicable in protected forests, reserved forests,
sanctuaries and national parks, including Critical critical
wildlife habitats of National Parks and Sanctuaries
Challenges/Issues in Granting Forest Rights
• Jurisdiction Overlap: MoTA is the implementing agency of
FRA, 2006, while the Forest Department grants titles
because the lands claimed, are under its jurisdiction.
• Bureaucratic Control: It has been noticed that Gram Sabha
and Forest Rights Committee committees were mostly
constituted by the Panchayat Secretaries upon the
directives received from District Magistrates.
o Also, the verification process is complex Steps Taken to Promote Forest Rights
with multiple agencies involved. • Recording FR Claims: FRA process will only be completed when
• Frivolous Grounds of Rejection: In Gujarat, the record of rights (RoR) has been created.
there was the insistence on satellite images as • Integrating government Schemes: As per FRA, Amendment
evidence while other admissible proofs were Rules, 2012, all government schemes are provided to such
ignored. claimants and communities whose rights have been recognized
o Individuals of tribal communities have been and vested under the Act.
denied individual rights on the ground that • Deregulation of Minor Forest Produce: FRA transferred all
powers on the use and governance of non-timber forest products
they are government servants.
(NTFP) from the forest department to village assemblies.
• Awareness: Low awareness levels among the • Capacity Building through Training: The sub-division and district
tribal people prevent them from fighting for FR, administration officers, especially revenue, forest, and tribal
especially in the scheduled areas which functionaries are provided adequate training.
are remotely located. • Coordination between MoEF&CC and MoTA: A Joint
• Disparity in Implementation: States with more Communication was signed between them in 2021.
forest cover have higher claim distribution • Ensuring Minimum Support Price (MSP): introduced a scheme
rates, while states with the presence of left- ‘Mechanism for Marketing of MFP through MSP and the
wing extremism are associated with higher Development of Value Chain for MFP’.
claim rejection rates.
• Low involvement in conservation process: It has been generally believed that forest-dwelling communities are
responsible for the degradation of the forests due to their way of life such as shifting cultivation.
• Diversion of forest land: The potential land for granting FR has been diverted for non-forest purposes.
Way Forward
• Role of Civil Society: NGOs in the Dang district of Gujarat have made a difference by helping beneficiaries get their
rights.
• Resolving Pending Cases: Resolution of forest land claims on a priority basis especially those pending at the sub-
divisional and district levels needs to be done.
• Verification Grounds: One size fit approach needs to be avoided, for instance using satellite images etc.
• Gram Sabha: Strengthening Gram Sabhas and their role in the claiming process.
5.10. LANDSLIDE ATLAS OF INDIA

Why in news?
Recently, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) released the Landslide Atlas of India, a detailed guide identifying
landslide hotspots in the country.
About Landslide Atlas of India About Landslide
• This Atlas provides the details of landslide present in • Landslides are defined as the movement of a mass of
rock, debris, or earth down a slope due to the direct the
Landslide provinces of India including damage
impact of gravity.
assessment of specific landslide locations.
• Broadly classified based on the type of materials involved
• ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), (rock, debris, soil, loose mud), type of movement of the
Hyderabad, has created this database of landslide- material (fall, topple, slide, rotational slide or translational
prone regions of India based on events during 1998 – slide), and type of flow of the material.
2022. • Among the main natural catastrophes, which cause major
• The database covers landslide vulnerable regions in problems in mountainous terrain by killing hundreds of
17 states and 2 UTs of India in the Himalayas and people every year besides damaging property, disrupting
Western Ghats. transportation and blocking communication links.
• Causes of Landslide:
Findings of the Atlas o Natural causes: Heavy rainfall, earthquakes, snow
melting and undercutting of slopes due to flooding.
• India among Top Landslide-Prone Countries:
o Anthropogenic activities: Excavation, cutting of hills
According to the Atlas, India is among the top four
and trees, excessive infrastructure development, and
countries with highest landslide risk, where for every overgrazing by cattle.
year the estimated loss of life per 100 km2 is greater
than one.
• Rainfall Variability: Rainfall variability pattern is identified as the single biggest cause of landslides in India, with the
Himalayas and the Western Ghats remaining highly vulnerable.
• Geographical Land Area Prone to Landslides in India: Excluding snow-covered areas, approximately 12.6% of the
country's geographical land area (0.42 million sq km) is prone to landslides.
• Districts with Maximum Landslide Exposure in India: The number of districts with maximum landslide exposure are
in Arunachal Pradesh (16), followed by Kerala (14),
Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir (13 each).
Issues in Landslide mitigation and prevention
• Critical Infrastructure Development: Nationally important
critical infrastructure such as the Char Dham project has been
developed in eco-sensitive zones prone to landslides, such as
those near the India-China border.
• Human Settlement in Landslide-Prone Areas: Settlement in
landslide-prone areas makes it difficult to take quick and
proactive action. For example, Joshimath is situated on sand
and stone deposits, which exacerbates the risk of landslides.
• Impact of Climate Change on Landslides: The increasing
incidence of landslides in the country is partly attributed to
climate change, unpredictable weather, climate crisis, and
heavy and intense rainfall.
• Poor Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure: There is poor disaster-
resilient infrastructure in the country, particularly in the Himalayan region where most building constructions are
inspired by the Delhi Master Plan, which is not suitable for hill cities.
• Human-Caused Fatal Landslides: In India, 28% of incidents of stone falls occur due to construction work, leading to
high numbers of human-caused fatal landslides.
Suggestion for landslide mitigation and prevention
• National Landslide Risk Management Strategy released by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Its
major guidelines include-
o Landslide Hazard Zonation (LHZ) maps to be prepared at macro scale and meso level.
✓ It focuses on making use of advanced state-of-the-art tools such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV),
Terrestrial Laser Scanner, and very high-resolution Earth Observation (EO) data.
o Awareness Programmes: Since the community is the first to confront the disaster before any aid reaches them,
a mechanism of awareness is framed to involve and educate the community.
o Capacity Building and Training of Stakeholders: Creation of Centre for Landslide Research Studies and
Management (CLRSM) to create a techno-scientific pool of expertise in the country.
o Preparation of Mountain Zone Regulations and Policies: The strategy describes the formulation of landuse
policies and techno legal regime, updation and enforcement of building regulations, review and revision of BIS
code / guidelines for landslide management, proposed amendment in town and country planning legislations,
regulations for land use zoning for natural hazard prone areas etc.
• Different models for different region
o Dynamic modelling of debris flow landslides has become an increasingly important practice for simulating the
characteristics and behaviour of debris flow relying on the physical laws of conservation of mass, momentum and
energy.
o Using time series measurements from space using microwave satellite data and the InSAR (Interferometric
synthetic aperture radar) technique, which can detect displacement at the millimeter level to vulnerability.
o Rainfall –Threshold based landslide early warning: Rainfall thresholding for slope failure can be established using
a process based, empirical or statistical approach.
• Development projects at eco-sensitive zone: Need to have proper third-party Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) as well as Social Impact Assessment (SIA).
• Improving surface and subsurface drainage: Because water is a main factor in landslides, improving surface and
subsurface drainage at the site can increase the stability of a landslide-prone slope.
• Constructing piles and retaining walls: Piles are metal beams that are either driven into the soil or placed in drill
holes. Properly placed piles should extend into a competent rock layer below the landslide.
o Wooden beams and telephone poles are not recommended for use as piles because they lack strength and can
rot.
5.11. GLACIER MANAGEMENT

Why in news? About Glaciers
Recently, Parliamentary Standing Committee on • A glacier is a multi-year accumulation of snowfall in excess of
Water Resources tabled its report on glacier snowmelt on land, resulting in a mass of ice, at least 0.1 Km2 in
area that exhibits some evidence of movement in response to
management and monitoring.
gravity.
Key issues highlighted for Glacier Management in o Whereas, Cryosphere is an all-encompassing term for those
India portions of Earth’s surface where water is in solid form,
including sea ice, lake ice, river ice, snow cover, glaciers, ice
• Majority of Himalayan glaciers are melting: It caps, ice sheets and frozen ground.
will severely affect flow in Himalayan river • There is no specific size to differentiate between major glaciers
system and also give rise to disasters. and minor glaciers.
o Himalayan Karakoram region is warming • Glaciers are important components of hydrological cycles of
faster than global mean by 0.5 degree Indian Himalayan region as these are source of three large river
Celsius. systems, i.e. Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra.
o Smaller glaciers in the Himalayan region are o There are 9775 Glaciers In Indian Himalayan Region (IHR).
o 1306.1 cubic km of ice volume is locked up in glacierised
more sensitive to climate change.
basins of Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra
o 13% Glacier area lost by Himalayas over the
• Hindu Kush Himalayan Region is also known as ‘Water Towers of
period of 40 years (1960-2000) (nearly 0.3% Asia’.
per year).
• Impact on ecology of the Himalayans: Melting of glaciers may lead to shift of tree line in Himalaya, increase in Glacial
Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and may also cause change in phenological (timing of seasonal events such as flowering,
usually influenced by environmental conditions.) behaviour of plants.
o Almost 60 % of water sources in the Indian Himalayan region are on the verge of drying up.
• Black carbon’s impact on Himalayan Glaciers: Black carbon absorbs more light and emits infra-red radiation that
increases the temperature.
o Therefore, an increase in black carbon in
the high Himalayas contribute to the faster
melting of glaciers.
o Also, increase in black carbon results in the
‘elevated heat pump effect ‘(aerosol-
induced mid- and upper-tropospheric
warming in the Himalayan foothills and
above the Tibetan Plateau which leads
to an early onset and intensification of
Asian monsoon rainfall.
• Himalayas have become less cold: Number of
warm days is increasing and number of cold
days is decreasing, reduction of cold days is
noted to be approximately 2 to 6% within a 30-year period.
• Lack of data sharing: There is no specific Agreement/Treaty with neighbouring countries for sharing of glacier related
data for large-scale modeling and runoff evolution.
• Fragmented research and studies by various Departments: Plethora of ministries/departments/ institutions exists
with different mandates for dealing with hydro-meteorological and hydro-geological hazards of Himalayan glaciers.
• Policy issues: No specific Disaster
Management (DM) Plan has been
prepared by the NDMA for the
Himalayan States.
o Also, no manual and Standard
Operating Procedure (SOP)
has been developed by NDMA
to deal with the emergent
situations like flash floods,
Cloudburst and Avalanches.
Recommendations
• Set up apex body for glacier
management: Such an agency
should be entrusted with the
responsibility of coordinating the
activities of all the
Departments/Agencies involved in
Himalayan Glaciers monitoring and research work.
• Need to have data sharing agreements: For regional cooperation, seamless sharing of hydrological information /
data on glacier movement / behaviour.
• Creation of a multi-hazard alert and warning system: Need of a real-time coordinated mechanism under the aegis
of a single nodal agency for regular monitoring and issuing of hazards / disasters warnings.
• Strengthen functioning of National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): Instead of depending on State Governments, it
would be more advisable for NDRF to have its own dedicated inventory of modern search and rescue equipment.
• Better involvement of Himalayan States and their agencies: Role of State Governments particularly in the Indian
Himalayan Region (IHR) need to be adequately recognized and they should be made active partners and engaged
proactively in monitoring and research of glaciers.
• Public awareness programme: By involving print, electronic and social media and also the academia in creating public
awareness about the consequences of global warming resulting in threat to the ecosystem, communities and
infrastructure.
• Other recommendations: Strengthen network of monitoring station; need to evolve land use regulations; bring
smaller glaciers under monitoring.

5.12.1. CO2 EMISSIONS IN 2022 REPORT • Biofuel, renewable form of energy, is any hydrocarbon
fuel that is produced from organic matter in a short
• International Energy Agency (IEA) released ‘CO2 period of time. This is in contrast with fossil fuels.
Emissions in 2022’ report. o Types of Biofuel: Bio ethanol, Biodiesel,
• Report is first in IEA’s new series, Global Energy Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), Bio-hydrogen etc.
Transitions Stocktake- tracking progress towards Paris • Significance of Biofuels
Agreement, provides complete picture of energy- o Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are a
related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2022. renewable source of energy.
• Key findings o Benefit Farmers with additional income.
o Global energy-related CO2 emissions grew by o Opportunities for new businesses in processing of
0.9% in 2022, reaching a new high of over 36.8 Gt. biomass, storage solutions and enable
(refer image) employment generation.
✓ CO2 emissions are caused by burning fossil • Government policies to promote Biofuels
fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas. o National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 for reaching 20%
o Despite the rise, CO2 growth was well below global ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending by
GDP growth of 3.2% - reverting to a decade-long 2030.
trend of decoupling emissions and economic o Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran
growth. Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana, 2019.
o Emissions from oil grew even more than emissions o GOBAR (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources)
from coal. DHAN scheme, 2018.
o Renewables met 90% of last year’s global growth o Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable
in electricity generation. Transportation (SATAT) to establish an ecosystem
✓ Clean energy technologies (wind and solar for CBG production.
energy, electric vehicles etc.) helped prevent
an additional 550 million tons in CO2
emissions.
o Emissions from Asia’s emerging market and
developing economies (excluding China) grew
more than those from any other region in 2022.
• Global Energy Transitions Stocktake
o It tracks technology, investment and people-
centered progress toward Paris Agreement and
supports first Global Stocktake (GST) which will
conclude at COP 28 in 2023.
o GST, started at COP 26, assesses world’s collective
progress towards Paris Agreement and long-term
climate goals.
o Paris Agreement is a legally binding international
treaty on climate change adopted by 196 Parties
at UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) in 2015.
5.12.2. BIOFUELS
• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) amended
Biofuels’ Export Policy. 5.12.3. BIO RESOURCES FOR
• DGFT has modified the 2018 notification, allowing COMMERCIAL PURPOSES
export of biofuel from Special Economic Zones (SEZs)
• As per National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), Dabur
and Export-Oriented Units (EOUs) for both fuel and
used bio resources for commercial purposes without
non-fuel purposes without any restrictions if biofuel is
approval.
produced using imported feed stock.
• Under Biological Diversity Act (BDA) 2002, an Indian
o Biofuel imports and exports both require a license.
entity has to give intimation to state biodiversity

board (SBB) while obtaining any bio-resources for • Barda, where Maldhari community lives, was
commercial utilisation. recommended for translocation by report on
o Biological Resources include plants, animals, “Lion@2047: A vision for Amrutkal”, prepared by
micro-organisms, their parts, genetic material and Wildlife Institute of India.
by-products. o BWS would protect lion population from
o Commercial utilisation includes using such extinction in case of diseases like Canine
resources for making drugs, food flavors, Distemper Virus; unexpected decline in prey;
cosmetics, fragrance etc. natural calamities or retaliatory killings.
• BDA is implemented through a three-tiered structure: • Project Lion envisages landscape ecology-based
Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at local conservation of Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating
level, SBB at state level, NBA at National level. conservation and eco-development.
• Each of these structures are connected for decision o It was launched in 2020 on lines of Project Tiger
making processes on various issues, including on issues and Project Elephant.
of access and benefit sharing (ABS). • Asiatic Lions are found only in India, in five protected
o ABS refers to the way in which genetic resources areas in Gujarat – GNP, Gir Sanctuary, Pania Sanctuary,
may be accessed, and how benefits from their use Mitiyala Sanctuary, and Girnar Sanctuary.
are shared between people/countries using o Conservation status: Schedule I and IV of Wildlife
resources (users) and people/countries that Protect Act, 1972; Appendix of CITES; and
provide them (providers). Endangered on IUCN Red List.
o International efforts for ABS include the o Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Nagoya (Vulnerable on IUCN Red list).
Protocol on ABS.
5.12.5. CAPTIVE WILD ANIMALS

• Supreme Court has increased the jurisdiction of a high-
powered committee, led by its former judge, to
oversee transfer and import of captive wild animals.
• It would now conduct necessary checks and undertake
fact-finding exercises concerning import, transfer,
procurement, rescue and rehabilitation of wild
5.12.4. ASIATIC LIONS animals, including those in captivity, across India.
o Ambit of committee was earlier restricted to
• Project Lion proposed Barda in Gujarat as second Tripura and Gujarat.
home for Asiatic lions. o Chief Wildlife Wardens of States would be a part
• Gujarat government has proposed a second home for of the committee.
Asiatic lions in Gujarat at Barda Wildlife Sanctuary o Other designated members: Director General of
(BWS). Forests, Head of Project Elephant Division (MoEF)
o It is about 100 km away from their present home and Member Secretary (Central Zoo Authority of
at Gir National Park (GNP) which is overflowing India).
with big cats. o From now on, State and Central authorities should
o The central government has given in-principle report seizure of wild animals or abandonment of
approval to the project. captive wild animals to committee.

5.12.6. GREATER PANNA LANDSCAPE ✓ It is the 3rd Biosphere Reserve included in the
COUNCIL (GPLC) UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere
reserves (WNBR) from Madhya Pradesh after
• As part of the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), GPLC has Pachmarhi and Amarkantak.
been constituted to ensure systematic and time bound
implementation of the Greater Panna Landscape 5.12.7. FOREST CERTIFICATION
Management plan. • Certification offers a multi-layer audit system to
o KBLP is an interlinking of rivers project (through authenticate origin, legality, and sustainability of
the Panna Tiger Reserve), envisages transferring forest-based products such as timber, furniture,
water from the Ken River to the Betwa river. handicraft, paper and pulp, rubber etc.
• The broad objectives of the GPLC are; • There are two major international standards:
o Ensure “win-win” situation for conservation o One developed by Forest Stewardship Council
through integration with development process (FSC) ;
based on a balanced approach. o Other by Programme for Endorsement of Forest
o Enable betterment of habitat, and management Certifications (PEFC).
for flagship species viz. tiger, vulture, and gharial in • Two main types of certification: Forest management
the landscape; and Chain of Custody.
o Consolidate the landscape for biodiversity
• Currently, forests in only one state (Uttar Pradesh) are
conservation through spatial prioritization;
certified in India.
o Provide species-specific and site-specific
monitoring strategies. 5.12.8. HEAT INDEX (HI) READING
• About Integrated Landscape Management • India Meteorological Department (IMD), in addition to
o It refers to long term collaboration to achieve the giving out day’s maximum and minimum temperatures,
objectives required from the landscape, such as will soon issue a HI- a reading that gives estimation of
agricultural production, the delivery of ecosystem what temperature actually feels like.
services, cultural heritage and values, and rural o It factors the day’s relative humidity, wind speed,
livelihoods. maximum temperature, and cloud cover.
o A colour-based warning will also be issued, based
on the expected HI, listing precautions people can
take.
• Calculation of HI will help states in formulating better
Heat Action Plans (HAPs) for heatwave assessment,
forecast, preparedness and mitigation.
o Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature
of a station reaches at least 40°C for Plains and at
least 30°C for Hilly regions.
• Recently, an assessment of HAPs across states by
Centre for Policy Research (CPR) highlighted that:
o Humid heat spells are not being considered in
making HAPs.
o Most HAPs are not built for local context and have
an oversimplified view of the hazard.
o HAPs fail to identify vulnerable groups.
• About Panna Tiger Reserve • Recommendations by CPR on HAPs
o Location: It is situated in the Vindhyan Hills nearer o Incorporation of climate projections, and
to the confluence of the Deccan Peninsula, Upper localisation of heat hazard definition.
Gangetic Plain, and Semi-Arid Gujarat Rajputana o Incorporate vulnerability assessments and holistic
reflecting the influence of three bio-geographic risk assessments.
regions. o Create mechanisms for inter- and intra-state
o Major River: Ken passes through it. sharing of knowledge and best practices.
o Formation: It was formed in 1981 and in 2011 it
was designated a biosphere reserve by the
government.
5.12.9. STRIVING FOR CLEAN AIR: AIR • LIQUID 3 is more efficient than trees, replacing two 10-
POLLUTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH IN year-old trees or 200 square meters of lawn.
SOUTH ASIA REPORT 5.12.11. PLASTIC ROCKS
• World Bank released ‘Striving for Clean Air: Air • Researchers have found plastic rocks on Trindade
Pollution and Public Health in South Asia’ report. island in the state of Espirito Santo, Brazil.
• The report uses Greenhouse Gas and Air Pollution o Trindade island is an important conservation spot
Interactions and Synergies (GAINS) model to quantify for one of the largest sea turtles - Green Turtles
particulate matter (PM) emissions and how they (Chelonia Mydas), (IUCN Status: Endangered).
disperse in the atmosphere. • Plastic was found in the rocks called plastiglomerates
• Key findings - a mixture of sedimentary granules and other debris
o In the densely populated Indo gangetic plane, fine held together by plastic.
PM concentration such as soot and small dust (PM • This intertwining of plastic with rocks is evidence of
2.5) is up to 20 times higher than WHO standard humans' pollution reaching earth’s geological cycles.
of 5 microgram per cubic metre in some areas.
o Main causes behind Air Pollution in South Asia are 5.12.12. DESALINATION PLANTS
Solid fuel combustion, small industries, municipal
waste management practices (e.g. burning of • National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) will set
plastics) etc. up a green, self-powered desalination plants in
o Identifies six major airsheds in South Asia where Lakshadweep.
spatial interdependence in air quality is high. • Once made operational, it’ll probably be the world’s
✓ An airshed can be defined as a region that first desalination plant that will supply power to plant
shares a common flow of air, which may as well while converting seawater to potable water.
become uniformly polluted and stagnant. o Current desalination plants are powered by diesel
✓ Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, share generator sets - leading to air pollution and
a common airshed that spans Indo Gangetic increase in operational cost due to diesel
Plain. transportation to island.
• Recommendations • NIOT has established Low Temperature Thermal
o Have coordinated trans-boundary actions through Desalination (LTTD) plants on six Lakshadweep islands
additional and joint-targets, focusing beyond and one at Northern Chennai.
power plants, large factories and transportation, o Desalination is the process of obtaining freshwater
i.e. include agriculture, waste management etc. to from either seawater or brackish water from
reduce PM 2.5 concentration across South Asia. estuaries.
o Mainstream air quality in economy through • LTTD is a process in which warm surface seawater is
taxation of air pollution, creation of markets for flash evaporated at low pressure and vapour is
emission-permit funding etc. condensed with cold deep seawater.
o Cold water condenses the warmer water (at the
surface level) whose pressure has been lowered
using vacuum pumps. Condensed water is free of
salts and contaminants and fit to consume.
o Now, instead of diesel-powered vacuum pumps,
Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
technology will be used to generate energy to
depressurize warmer water.
5.12.10. LIQUID TREE/LIQUID 3

• Belgrade (Serbia) has introduced liquid tree, an urban
photo-bioreactor, to combat air pollution.
• LIQUID 3 contains water and uses microalgae to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air
quality by binding carbon dioxide and producing pure
oxygen through photosynthesis.
• Benefits of LTTD • The South Atlantic Anomaly arises from two features of
o Do not require any chemical pre and post- Earth’s core: The tilt of its magnetic axis, and the flow
treatment of seawater and thus pollution of molten metals within its outer core .
problems are minimal. • Similar to a dent in Earth’s magnetic field or a kind of
o Completely indigenous, robust and environment pothole in space, it can affect orbital spacecraft when
friendly. passing directly through SAA.
o Example, Causing short-circuit and malfunction in
technological systems onboard satellites when
struck by high-energy protons from the Sun.
• It increases the risk of significant data loss and even
permanent damage.
5.12.13. SOUTH ATLANTIC ANOMALY

(SAA)
• Actively monitored by US space agency NASA, SAA is a
strange anomaly in Earth’s magnetic field.
o SAA is giant region of lower magnetic intensity in
skies above planet, stretching out between South
America and southwest Africa.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. PROJECT TIGER
Why in News? International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA)
PM recently inaugurated the • Genesis: It was first proposed by India at an international group against poaching and
programme 'Commemoration of illegal wildlife trade in 2019.
• Aim: IBCA has been launched for the conservation of seven big cats namely Tiger, Lion,
50 years of Project Tiger' in
Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.
Mysuru, Karnataka.
o It aims to reach out to 97 range countries covering the natural habitats of the
More on News aforementioned species.
• The International Big Cats • Timeline: It will provide assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of
Alliance (IBCA) was also over Rs. 800 crores.
launched by India during the
event. Key Finding of Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) Framework, 2022
• The ‘Amrit Kaal Ka Vision For • It has reported an overall increase of 8% in mean MEE Score (77.92%) in comparison
to fourth cycle of MEE TR assessment 2018 (70%).
Tiger Conservation’, a
• Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) topped the list with a MEE score of 94.38% among the 51
summary report of the 5th
reserves that were evaluated.
cycle of Management • Satpura and Bandipur came second (93.18%), while Nagarhole was ranked third
Effectiveness Evaluation (92.42%).
(MEE) of Tiger Reserves and • No TRs in the poor category.
the summary report of All
India Tiger Estimation (5th cycle) was also released. Key Finding of All India Tiger Estimation (5th
o MEE is a global framework, is an evaluation of management cycle) Report
effectiveness of protected areas based on six main categories- • Number of tigers in India is 3,167.
Context, Planning, Output, Input, Process and Outcomes. • Population grew by 200 from 2018 to
About Project Tiger 2022 (6.7 % growth rate).
• Highest number (1,161) of tigers were
• A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, noted in the Central Indian Highlands and
Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), launched in 1973. Eastern Ghats.
o Initially launched in 9 Tiger reserves (TRs) in different states of • Nilgiri cluster (Nagarahole to Biligiriranga
India. Hills) of the Western Ghat has the largest
o Provides central assistance to tiger range States for in-situ tiger population in the world.
conservation of tigers in designated tiger reserves.
• Objective: To ensure the maintenance of a viable population of tigers
in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological
values.
• Implementing Agency: Statutory body, National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA).
o Overarching supervisory/coordination role and approves the
Tiger Conservation Plan prepared by the State Governments.
• Funding pattern: Centre provides financial assistance to States of 60%
and 50% for expenditure on all non-recurring items and recurring items respectively.
o North-eastern and Himalayan States are provided 90% central assistance in both cases.
• Activities undertaken under Project Tiger
o Establishment and development of new TRs: 53 tiger reserves account for 2.3% of India’s land area.
o Core-buffer strategy for TRs: Core areas are kept free of all human activities, a co-existence agenda adopted in
buffer and fringe areas with landscape approach.
o NTCA banned new construction in tiger reserves’ core areas.
o NTCA conducts assessment using application M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers Intensive-Protection &
Ecological Status): Uses GPS to geotag photo-evidence.
o Independent monitoring and the evaluation
of tiger reserve by developing Management
Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) Framework.
o Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF)
deployed in several TRs for focused anti-
poaching operations.
o Technological advancements: E-Bird project
uses Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) for
Surveillance and Monitoring.
• Factors that Led to Rise of Tiger Population in
India
o Conservation efforts: Project Tiger, Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972 and other initiatives.
o Curbed poaching: Increased vigilance by the
Forest Department.
o Human-Animal Conflict:
Rehabilitating villages
outside core areas has
led to more inviolate
space for tigers.
o Habitat Restoration: In
Sariska Tiger Reserve,
where tigers were once
completely wiped out,
efforts have been made
to restore the habitat and
reintroduce tigers. About Indian Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera Tigris)
• International Efforts • A flagship species of India, declared as the National Animal of India.
o Global Tiger Forum, 1993 • Habitat: Largest population is in India, smaller groups in Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan,
China and Myanmar.
exclusively set up for the
o India home to more than 75% of global tiger population.
conservation of tigers in • Distribution of Tiger population in India: Habitats ranging from the high mountains,
the wild in the range mangrove swamps, tall grasslands, to dry and moist deciduous forests, as well as
countries. evergreen and shola forest systems.
o Global Tiger Initiative • Significance of tiger conservation:
(GT), 2008 is a global o Ecological: Both an Umbrella species and a Keystone species.
alliance of governments, ▪ Keystone Species- A keystone species helps define an entire ecosystem.
international Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different
organizations, civil or cease to exist altogether.
society and the private ▪ Umbrella Species- Umbrella species are often conflated with keystone
sector. species. The key distinction between umbrella species and keystone species
o St. Petersburg is that the value of an umbrella species is tied to its geographic species range.
declaration, 2010 o Economic: Ecotourism and related industries.
adopted to double tiger o Cultural and spiritual: Symbols of power, strength, and beauty.
numbers by 2022 (India • Characteristics:
has achieved this). o Solitary and territorial animal, and an adult male’s territory may encompass
o Global Tiger Day (July 29 territories of two to seven females.
every year) to raise o Stripes are individually as unique as human fingerprints.
awareness.
o Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards (CATS) framework, 2013 to check if their management will lead to
successful tiger conservation.

o Bilateral instruments/MoU with several tiger range countries India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, China, and
Myanmar.
Challenges in Tiger Conservation
• Habitat and loss of prey species: Out of the approximately four lakh square kilometres of forests in states that have
tiger habitats, only one-third are in relatively healthy condition.
• Human-animal conflict: It has resulted due to linear infrastructure such as roads, highways, mining, etc.
• Funds: States are dependent on Union for the funds. The allocation of funds is less than the requirement. Also,
sometimes funds are not released on time.
• Hunting, poaching, and illegal trade: They are hunted as status symbols, decorative items such as wall and floor
covering, as souvenirs and curios, and for use in traditional Asian medicines.
• Monitoring: TR such as Mukundra, Ranthambore, Nagarhole, etc. are situated along the boundaries of the state,
which creates an issue of monitoring as the animal moves from one generation to another.
• Climate change: Shifting temperatures are altering the habitats of tigers in the Himalayan States.
o Climate change accelerates, and wildfires are becoming more frequent in ecosystems that do not typically
experience a fire season.
• Other: At least 20% of the reserves are also threatened by invasive plant species such as Lantana camara.
o About 20% of the reserves have unsustainable pressure from pilgrims visiting temples inside these.
Conclusion
People have become more conscious of the issue of biodiversity and have taken measures to keep them from declining.
For many people, Project Tiger also created jobs. Since the project began, biodiversity has faced marginally less issues.
Not only has Project Tiger saved tigers, but also saved other aspects of biodiversity.
5.2. PROJECT ELEPHANT Success of the Project Elephant

• India is home to more than 60% of all wild Asian
Why in News? elephants.
• As per the Elephant Census 2017, India had
President Participated in Gaj Utsav at Kaziranga National Park and
29,964 elephants.
Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) in Assam to mark 30 years of Project • Karnataka has the highest number of elephants,
Elephant. followed by Assam and Kerala.
More on News • Census is carried out at every five-year interval.
• Objective of the Gaj Utsav was to raise awareness of elephant conservation, protect their corridors and habitat, and
reduce human-elephant conflict.
Project Elephant
• About: It was launched in 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
Change (MoEFCC).
• Support and Coverage: Financial and Technical support are being provided to major elephant-bearing States in the
country. Presently the Project is being implemented in 22 States/UTs.
• Main activities under the Project:
o Conserve and protect viable populations of wild elephants in their natural habitats.
o To conserve, protect and to restore natural habitats and traditional corridors/migratory routes used by the
elephants through eco-restoration, acquisition etc.
o Protect the elephants from poaching and other threats by taking suitable measures like deployment of patrolling
squads, intelligence gathering, etc.
o Ensure inter-state and regional and national level coordination in protecting and conserving the elephant and its
ranges.
• Steering Committee: It includes representatives of the Government as well as non-government wildlife experts and
scientists.
o It advises the centre on the project related issues.

• Elephant reserves:
o Declared as an administrative category by the government to demarcate large landscapes that hold elephants
and their movements.
o 33 elephant reserves together cover a total area of nearly 80,000 sq km.
o Tamil Nadu and Assam have the highest number of ERs (5 each) followed by Kerala (4) and Odisha (3).
o Mysore ER in Karnataka is the largest ER.
About Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus)

• Characteristics:
o Highly intelligent animals characterised by strong family bonds
with sophisticated forms of communication.
o Complex behaviour, including the ability to feel grief and
compassion.
o Form herds of related females led by the oldest female, the
'matriarch'.
o Have the longest gestation period of all mammals (18 to 22
months).
o Adult male Asian elephants are less social than females.
o They enter musth -- a mate-searching strategy for old (above 30
years of age) males, annually.
• Habitat: Found in the central and southern Western Ghats, North East India, eastern India and northern India and in some
parts of southern peninsular India.
• Threats: Human-elephant conflict, habitat loss and fragmentations, poaching and the loss of genetic viability resulting from
small population size and isolation.
Other Conservation measures

• National Level:
o Elephant Corridor- Has been formed by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) with assistance from State Forest
Department of elephant range states.

✓ They are linear, narrow, natural habitat linkages that allow
elephants to move between secure habitats without being
disturbed by humans.
✓ Currently, there are 101 corridors in India.
o National Awareness Program - Gaj Yatra (launched by NGO Wildlife
Trust of India (WTI) and Haathi Mere Saathi, aimed at raising
awareness about the shrinking habitat for wild elephants and the
importance of securing elephant corridors.
o Elephant Task Force (2010)- It was set up to review the existing policy
of elephant conservation in India and formulate future interventions.
o National Heritage Animal (2010) – It was declared so because of its
unique role in socio-religious life people.
o RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks Using Bees) initiative
launched by Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)
o Other Initiatives: Building hard and soft barriers (trenches
and fences) and anti-depredation squads, controlling
elephant population, initiating alternate livelihoods and
compensating for losses to life and livelihood.
Global Level
• Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) Programme-
Launched (COP resolution of CITES) in South Asia in the year
2003.
o Provides information needed for elephant range States to
make appropriate management and enforcement
decisions, and to build institutional capacity.
o There are currently 28 sites participating in the MIKE
programme in Asia, distributed across 13 countries: India
has 10 sites (refer map).
o In 2017, IUCN was engaged by CITES to implement the
MIKE Asia programme in two sub-regions:
✓ South Asia (via the IUCN India Country Office in New
Delhi);
✓ Southeast Asia (through the IUCN Asia Regional Office
in Bangkok).
• International Elephant Foundation- A non-proﬁt corporation
of individuals and institutions dedicated to the conservation of
Elephants worldwide.
• Elephant – 8 Ministerial Meeting (2011)- It was hosted by
India. Botswana, Congo, Indonesia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Thailand participated in it.
Conclusion
The consistent efforts of the government and all the stakeholders have played a key role in enhancing the population of
elephants in India. A dedicated authority based on the line of NTCA needs to be set up so that conservation efforts are
more effective.
5.3. CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Why in News?
For the first time, International Day of Zero Waste (IDZW) has been observed to encourage everyone to prevent and
minimize waste and promotes a societal shift towards a circular economy (CE).

More on News
• A zero-waste approach entails responsible production,
consumption and disposal of products in a closed,
circular system.
o This means that resources are reused or recovered
as much as possible and that we minimize the
pollution to air, land or water.
• United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a
resolution in 2022 to proclaim 30 March as the IDZW,
to be observed annually.
o It is jointly facilitated by the UN Environment
Programme (UNEP) and the UN Human
Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
o Theme of the day was ‘Achieving sustainable and
environmentally sound practices of minimizing
and managing waste’.
• Also, the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime
Minister of India (PMEAC) released a working paper
‘India’s Tryst with a Circular Economy’.
About Circular Economy
CE is essentially an economic system where means of production are organized around reusing and recycling the inputs.
o The central idea here is to achieve a circularity of inputs.
• At the end of a product’s life, the materials used to make it are kept in the economy and reused wherever possible.
• According to the Circularity Gap Report 2023,
only 7.2% of the global economy is circular with a
declining trend.
Need of the Circular Economy
• Replacing Linear Economic Model: In this,
resources are used to make things, consumed,
and finally thrown away.
o From 1970 to 2015, India witnessed a six-fold
increase in its annual material consumption.
• Reduce waste generation: According to the
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), India
generates over 62 million tonnes of waste every
year.
o About 70% of it is collected, of which only
about 12 million tonnes are treated, and 31
million tonnes are dumped in landfill sites.
• Job Creation: Create new job opportunities for the repair and refurbishment of goods, recycling and recovery of
materials, and waste management.
• Global Commitment: Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 11 (making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe,
resilient, and sustainable) and SDG 12 (ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns).
o India has promised to become a net zero emitter by 2070 at COP26 Glasgow. This is why circular economy is
important for India.
• Economic Growth & Resource Optimization: Its emphasis on localizing production and using locally sourced
materials could create new opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
o India’s resource extraction is 251% higher than the world average of 450 tonnes/acre.

o It can potentially
generate an annual
value of US$ 218
billion by 2030 and
US$ 624 billion by
2050.
• Self-Reliance: Reducing
dependence on
imported resources
could improve India's
resource security and
resilience, reducing its
vulnerability to global
price fluctuations and
supply chain
disruptions.
• Climate Change and
Environment
Conservation: India is the third highest emitter of greenhouse gases, and accounts for 9.2% of total world emissions.
o CE will prevent land degradation, air, water, and noise pollution, the release of toxic substances, and greenhouse
gas emissions.
Challenges in Transitioning to Circular Economy
• Lack of awareness: Policymakers, businesses, and consumers lack understanding about the concept of CE.
o There is lack of focus on reducing waste and maintaining the value proposition of material and components.
• Require Systemic Change: Design, produce, consume, and dispose of goods and services need remarkable changes.
• Waste Management Sector: Inefficient and dominated by the informal sector (waste collection and disposal).
Percentage of goods recycled in India is just 20 %.
• Infrastructure: Municipal Corporation/concerned authorities lack waste collection vehicles, sorting facilities, and
waste management technology.
o For instance, in the national capital ‘New Delhi’ mountains of garbage have been created.
• Downcycling: It refers to the process of recycling materials into products of lower value and quality compared to
the original material.
o It is mainly prevalent in the plastic recycling industry.
• Limited Research & Development: It requires innovation and new approaches to address the challenges of resource
depletion, waste, and environmental degradation.
• Incentivization of Businesses: Transitioning to CE can be costly and time-consuming, and businesses need incentives
to make the shift.
• Limited availability of recycled materials: India generates a vast amount of waste every day, which is not adequately
collected or segregated. Due to this, businesses are forced to rely on virgin materials.
Way Forward
• Policy Making: National-level vision document of a CE will establish clear goals, strategies, and initiatives that
promote circular practices across different sectors.
• Regulatory framework: Promotes circular practices and provides incentives for businesses and consumers to adopt
circular solutions.
• Monitoring and Evaluation system: To track the advances made towards achieving the vision of a CE.
• Waste disposal and Waste Management: Reducing waste generation and managing waste more efficiently by
promoting recycling, composting, and other forms of waste recovery.
o For example, French car maker Renault uses 33% recycled materials in all its cars in Europe.
• Incentivization: On using reused, repaired, and recycled (3 Rs) products.
o Investing in innovation and technology to develop new circular solutions can help develop new materials that
are more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
5.4. GROUNDWATER
Why in news?
Standing Committee on Water Resources
presented its report on ‘Groundwater: A
Valuable but Diminishing Resource’.
Key highlight of the report
• The committee noted that the progress
made in terms of bringing down the
groundwater use is “minimal.”
• As per the 2020 assessment, 61.6% of India's
annual extractable groundwater resource
of 398 billion Cubic Meter (BCM) was being
utilized, with 245 BCM being extracted for
all uses.
• Over-extraction of groundwater for
meeting irrigation needs is prevalent
mainly in northern states, particularly in
Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan.
• The Committee find that regional
distribution of Ground water varied
o Northern mountainous terrain of Himalaya (from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh) being major source of recharge
for the vast Indo- Gangetic and Brahmaputra alluvial plains.
o Peninsular Shield located south of Indo-Gangetic-Brahmaputra plains has limited Ground water potential while
coastal tracts have potential multi-aquifer systems in the States of Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,
and Orissa.
Groundwater
Issues related to groundwater in India. • Water that exists underground in saturated zones
beneath the land surface.
• Dependency on Groundwater: More than 60% of • The upper surface of the saturated zone is called the
irrigated agriculture and 85% of drinking water supplies water table.
are dependent on groundwater. o The water table may be located only a foot below
o Urban residents increasingly rely on groundwater the ground’s surface, or it can sit hundreds of feet
due to unreliable and inadequate municipal water down.
supplies.
• Unregulated extraction: Groundwater, regarded as a
“common pool resource”, has historically witnessed
little control over its extraction.
o India uses an estimated 230 cubic kilometers of
groundwater per year - over a quarter of the global
total.
• Poor knowledge of groundwater: In-depth
understanding of groundwater requires expensive and
sophisticated technology that is difficult to run and
maintain.
o It also requires significant experience in data collection, analysis, and management which is largely missing.
• Institutional vacuum: The various organisations that manage India’s groundwater lack accountability and
responsibility.

o Standing Committee on Water Resources (2022-23) has highlighted that there is a lack of coordination among
various bodies to manage ground water.
• Groundwater contamination: It refers to the presence of pollutants
such as bacteria, phosphates and heavy metals from human activities
including domestic sewage.
o In India, high levels of arsenic, fluoride, nitrate, and iron are also
naturally occurring in groundwater, with concentrations likely to
rise as water tables fall.
• Lack of Fund: Standing Committee on Water Resources (2022-23) has
highlighted that National Water Mission (one of the Missions
implementing the National Action Plan on Climate Change) is hindered
by lack of funds and autonomy.
• Lack of political will: 19 states in India have enacted laws on
groundwater management based on a 1970 model Bill (last revised in
2005). However, the lack of guidelines has hindered implementation.
o The Committee recommended urgent action by the Department of Water Resources to address this issue.
Government initiatives for Groundwater management
• National Aquifer Mapping and
Management Programme (NAQUIM):
It aims to map and manage aquifers
through a multi-disciplinary approach
involving geological, geophysical,
hydro-geological, hydrological, and
water quality studies.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: It is a Central Sector
Scheme, with focus on community
participation and demand side
interventions for sustainable Ground
water management in identified water
stressed areas.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA): JSA (first launched in 2019) aims to effectively harvest the monsoon rainfall through
creation of artificial recharge structures, watershed management, intensive afforestation, and awareness
generation etc.
• Groundwater recharging: Schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme and
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana implement projects for artificial recharge of groundwater.
• Schemes to reduce water consumption in agriculture: Schemes such as PMKSY-Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) and
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) have been brought to reduce Ground water
consumption in agriculture.
o Punjab and Haryana brought innovative schemes such as ‘Pani Bachao Paisa Kamao’ and ‘Jal Hi Jeevan/Mera
Pani Meri Virasat’ etc. respectively to motivate farmers towards water conservation.
• Guidelines to regulate groundwater: Guidelines for regulation and control of Ground water extraction in India (2020)
have been issued by CGWA with pan-India applicability to promote sustainable withdrawal.
• Amrit Sarovar Mission: The Mission is aimed at developing and rejuvenating 75 water bodies in each district of the
country.
• Focus on water conservation in MBBL: MoHUA formulated Model Building Bye Laws (MBBL), 2016 for States/UTs,
wherein adequate focus is given on rainwater harvesting and water conservation measures.
• Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Groundwater (2020): The plan prepared by the CGWB with States/UTs
envisages construction of about 1.42 crore Rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge structures in the Country.

Road Ahead
• Creation of a central body: Standing committee recommended to form a body with inter-ministerial representation
as well as representation from State Government Departments.
o Such a body should be entrusted with the responsibility to regulate Ground water in a cohesive and holistic
manner.
● From ‘land productivity’ to ‘water productivity’: The committee recommend that water productivity i.e., production
per cubic meter of water should be a major criterion in decisions relating to crop production.
o Measures should be taken to wean away farmers from water intensive crops in areas with severe Ground water
shortage.
• Adopt water-sensitive urban design: Water-sensitive urban design and planning can help maintain the water cycle
by managing groundwater, surface water and rainwater for water demand and supply.
o Also, explore potential role of the green (trees, parks, gardens, playgrounds, and forests) and the blue (seas,
rivers, lakes, wetlands and water utilities) spaces in addressing groundwater challenges.
• Evidence based policy making: Availability of real time data will help in formulation of appropriate strategy and
measures by both the Government and user communities, suitable to the local requirements.
• Encouraging community participation: Close cooperation with the user groups/communities is key to make
Government’s efforts to conserve, augment and manage Ground water resources successful.
5.5. NEWS IN SHORTS

5.5.1. STATE ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDEX o Mainstream monitoring and reporting of energy
data through transparent online portals.
(SEEI) 2021-22
• Ministry of Power released SEEI 2021-22.
• SEEI assesses the annual progress of states and UTs in
energy efficiency (EE) implementation. It improves
data collection, enables cross-state collaboration, and
develops EE program ideas.
o Index uses 51 indicators across seven sectors:
buildings, industry, municipality, transport,
agriculture, distribution companies (DISCOMs),
and cross-sectoral initiatives.
• Index has been developed by Bureau of Energy
Efficiency (BEE) in collaboration with Alliance for an
Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE).
o AEEE is an industry led, membership based not-for-
profit organization that drives EE markets and 5.5.2. FIRST CENSUS OF WATER BODIES
policies in India.
• Ministry of Jal Shakti released All India report of the
• Key Highlights
first census of Water Bodies.
o Categorizes states and UTs as ‘Front runner’ (>60),
• Objective is to develop a national database for all
‘Achiever’ (50-60), ‘Contender’ (30-49.5), and
water bodies by collecting information on subject
‘Aspirant’ (<30).
including their size, condition, status of
o States in Front Runner category: Andhra Pradesh,
encroachments, use, storage capacity, status of filling
Karnataka, Kerala, Rajasthan and Telangana.
up of storage etc.
o Telangana and Andhra Pradesh showed most
o Census was launched in convergence with 6th
improvement since the last index.
Minor Irrigation Census under Centrally
• Recommendations
Sponsored Scheme “Irrigation Census”.
o Develop and implement State EE Action Plans.
• Water bodies include all natural or man-made units
o Facilitate fiscal support for EE by earmarking
bounded on all sides with some or no masonry work
funds.
used for storing water for irrigation or other purposes
o Strengthen institutional capacity by appointing EE
(refer image for types).
nodal officers in all government departments and
setting up EE cells in district and head offices.
• Key highlights of the Census effective abatement of pollution, conservation and
o 24.24 lakh water bodies have been enumerated, rejuvenation of Ganga.
out of which 97.1% are in rural areas and only 2.9% o It was launched in 2014 and now extended till
are in urban areas. 2026.
o Top 3 states with most water bodies: West Bengal, o There is no State-wise allocation under NGP.
Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh. • Under NGP, Central Pollution Control Board is carrying
✓ West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district has out studies for water quality assessment of River
highest number of waterbodies. Ganga.
o States/UTs with least water bodies: Sikkim,
Chandigarh, Delhi.
o 78% are man-made water bodies whereas 22%
are natural water bodies.
o 55.2% are owned by private entities whereas rest
are under public ownership.
o Water User Associations (WUA) has helped in
preventing encroachments.
5.5.4. ECO-SENSITIVE ZONES (ESZ)

• Supreme Court (SC) modified order on eco-sensitive
zones (ESZ) around protected forests
• Modifying its June 2022 order that mandated a
minimum 1-km ESZ around national parks or wildlife
sanctuaries, SC stated that ESZ cannot be uniform
across the country and has to be “protected area-
specific”.
o Earlier, Centre and several States had sought
modification of the order as it affected villages in
the peripheries of forests.
• Significance of ESZ
o Create a kind of shock-absorber around protected
areas
o Minimize impact of urbanization and other
developmental activities
o Helps in in-situ conservation
o Minimise man-animal conflict
• Key highlights of modified order
o 2022 order will not be applicable:
✓ To ESZs for which draft and final notifications
have been issued by Ministry of Environment,
5.5.3. PRAYAG PLATFORM Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC ) and in
• PRAYAG stands for Platform for Real-time Analysis respect of proposals which have been
of Yamuna, Ganga and their Tributaries received by Ministry.
• Prayag is a real tme monitoring centre for planning ✓ Where national parks and sanctuaries are
and monitoring of projects, river water quality, etc. located on inter-state borders or share
through various online dashboards such as Ganga common boundaries.
Tarang Portal, Ganga Districts Performance Monitoring o No mining would be allowed, either within
System, etc. national parks and sanctuaries or in a 1-km radius.
• Launched by: Ministry of Jal Shakti, Under the ambit o Any developmental activities undertaken within
of Namami Gange Programme (NGP). ESZs should follow the MoEF&CC 2011 guidelines
• NGP, under Ministry of Jal shakti, is an integrated and also provisions of the 2022 Office
conservation mission to accomplish objectives of Memorandum by MoEF&CC.

• ESZ are ecologically important and fragile areas men’s –irregular, informal, part-time, low-skilled,
around protected areas designated under or labour-intensive.
Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986. o Women also have less secure tenure over land,
o As per National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016), less access to credit and training, and have to work
land within 10 km of boundaries of national parks with technology designed for men.
and wildlife sanctuaries is to be notified as ESZ. o Women’s equality in agrifood systems could boost
the global economy by $1 trillion, reduce food
5.5.5. PROSOPIS CHILENSIS insecurity by 45 million.
• As per the study Prosopis chilensis, an alien invasive • FAO defines agrifood systems as: entire range of
plant is threatening to pulverize native vegetation actors, and their interlinked value-adding activities,
across 21 islands in the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere engaged in the primary production of food and non-
Reserve (GoMBR). food agricultural products, as well as in storage,
• About Prosopis chilensis: aggregation, post-harvest handling, transportation,
o It is a drought-resistant plant native to the arid
processing, distribution, marketing, disposal and
regions of four South American countries consumption of all food products including those of
namely Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru. non-agricultural origin.
o It is a small to medium-sized legume tree that
grows up to 12 m in height and 1 m in diameter.
o The Prosopis chilensis is also known as Chilean
mesquite.
• The GoMBR, India’s first marine biosphere reserve, is
one of the important habitats for coastal birds
migrating from the Arctic Circle.
5.5.6. ENVIRONMENT STATISTICS 2023

• Recently, Volume 1 of Environment statistics 2023
was released by Ministry of Statistics and Programme
Implementation (MoSPI).
• Key findings
5.5.8. OPEN-SOURCE SEEDS MOVEMENT
o In 2022, annual rainfall measured in India has (OSSM)
increased in comparison to 2021. • OSSM affirms that plant genetics and their physical
o In 2022, maximum heatwave days were reported traits cannot/shouldn’t be owned by individuals or
in Rajasthan, followed by Punjab and Haryana, corporation.
Jharkhand, and Delhi. o Genetics of open source seeds are protected and
✓ Notably, Assam and Himachal Pradesh have pledged to forever remain in public domain.
not reported a heatwave day since 2010. o This is done by providing new varieties with an
o Number of cyclonic storms experienced by North open-source licence which provides:
Indian Ocean (NIO) increased substantially in 2018 ✓ Anyone may use it, grow it, propagate it and
which persisted in subsequent year but again develop it further through breeding.
reduced in 2022. ✓ No one is allowed to privatise the seed and its
further developments; patent and plant-
5.5.7. AGRIFOOD SYSTEMS
variety protection are thus excluded.
• The status of women in agrifood systems report ✓ Each recipient transfers same rights and
released by Food and Agriculture Organization of the obligations to future users of seed and its
United Nations (FAO). further developments.
• Key Highlights of the report • Concern: Lack of IPR (Intellectual Property Rights)
o Globally, 36% of working women are employed in discourages innovators to invest in new technology.
agrifood systems, along with 38% of working men. • IPR in agriculture in India
o Agrifood systems are a more important source of o India Patent Act 1970 provides patents for
livelihood for women than for men in many agricultural tools and machinery or processes of
countries. development of agricultural chemicals.
o Women’s roles tend to be marginalized and their
working conditions are likely to be worse than
o Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights • Government measures
(PPV&FR) Act, 2001 provides rights to farmer who o Mobile app for ash management-ASH TRACK.
has bred or developed new variety. o Mandatory use of fly ash-based products in all
✓ It's the world’s only IPR legislation which Government schemes e.g. Pradhan Mantri Gramin
grants IPR to plant breeders and farmers by Sadak Yojana.
protecting new, extant and farmers’ varieties. o Maharashtra became first state to adopt Fly Ash
Utilisation Policy, 2016.
5.5.10. CARBON MARKET REFORMS
• European Union (EU) lawmakers adopted carbon
market reform.
• These adopted measures are part of the EU's Fit for 55
package.
o Fit for 55 refers to the EU’s target of reducing net
greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030
from 1990 levels and achieve net zero emissions by
2050.
• Measures adopted
o Social Climate Fund will support people in Europe
with the costs of transitions.
o Reforming Emission Trading System (ETS):
European industries and energy companies should
cut emissions by 62 % by 2030 compared to 2005
levels, compared to previous target of 43%.
o Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM):
To put a tax on foreign company imports which
5.5.9. FLY-ASH does not meet EU’s climate protection standards.
✓ Goods covered by CBAM are iron, steel,
• First evidence of industrial fly-ash in an Antarctic ice cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electricity and
core. hydrogen etc.
• Spheroidal carbonaceous particles (SCP), a ✓ Under this, importers must purchase carbon
component of fly ash, have been identified by certificates equivalent to the EU's carbon
researchers for the first time in an Antarctic ice core, pricing rules.
which are dated back to 1936. ✓ EU importers can claim CBAM liability
o SCPs have no other anthropogenic or natural deductions if non-EU producers have already
sources other than fossil fuel combustion. Thus, paid emissions fees in their respective
they are an unambiguous environmental indicator countries.
of industrialisation.
• Fly Ash is a fine powder, which is the by-product of
burning coal in Thermal Power Stations (TPS).
o Indian coal is of low grade with ash content of 30-
45 %, in comparison to imported coal (10-15%).
o Fly ash disposal not only requires large area of land
but is also pollutes air and water.
o It resembles Portland cement but it is chemically
different.
o Fly ash is toxic due to organic pollutants, heavy
metals etc.
• Composition: Substantial amounts of oxides of silica,
aluminium and calcium. Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, 5.5.11. MISSION 50K-EV4ECO
lead etc. in trace concentrations.
• Uses of fly ash: Agriculture (improves water holding • Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
capacity and soil aeration), Construction industry has launched a pilot scheme called Mission 50K-
(manufacturing of cement, bricks etc.). EV4ECO.
• The mission aims to strengthen the Electric Vehicle • Contrary to this, SST gives information only about the
(EV) ecosystem in India by financing EVs purchase thin upper layer of the ocean and does not reflect the
through direct and indirect lending to Micro, Small and thermal energy available in the upper ocean.
Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and NBFCs respectively.
• It will serve as precursor to SIDBI-World Bank's
EVOLVE programme
• SIDBI is a statutory body established in 1990 as the
principal financial institution for promotion, financing
& development of the MSME sector.
o It works under Ministry of Finance.
5.5.12. SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE
(SST)
• The global average Sea Surface Temperature (SST)
reached 21.1° Celsius (C), highest in recorded history,
according to data released by Climate Change Institute 5.5.13. UPWARD LIGHTNING OR UPWARD
at University of Maine. FLASHES
o In the Indian Ocean, it was 29 to 31° C on April 16
• Brazilian researchers recently succeeded in taking
- which is 1-2° C above normal.
pictures of upward lightning.
o Due to this, there are patches of strong marine
• Upward lightning is a phenomenon whereby a self-
heat waves over the south Arabian Sea and Bay of
initiated lightning streak develops from a tall object
Bengal.
that travels upward toward an overlaying electrified
• SST is the water temperature close to the ocean's
storm cloud.
surface.
• For this to happen, storm electrification and the
o It varies mainly with latitude, warmest near
resulting presence of a cloud charge region are
equator and coldest at poles.
enabling factors:
o It provides fundamental information on the global
o The vertical elevation of a tall object accentuates
climate system.
the electric field locally on the ground.
o It helps in the study of marine ecosystems,
o This results in conditions favourable for the
weather prediction and atmospheric model
initiation of an upward streak (called a leader)
simulations; including the onset of El Niño and La
from a tall object.
Niña cycles, i.e. the
• Reasons Behind SST Rise: Global Warming (Climate 5.5.14. ANIMAL BIRTH CONTROL RULES,
Change), high solar radiation combined with certain 2023
ocean dynamics etc.
• Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
• Impact:
has notified the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023
o Helping in the onset of Monsoon and rain through
under Prevention of Cruelty to Animal Act, 1960.
development of low-pressure systems,
o Coral Bleaching and Fish mortality.
• As per rules:
Related Information
o Animal Birth Control (ABC) programmes for the
• Scientists use Ocean mean temperature (OMT), sterilisation and immunisation of stray dogs are to
measured up to a 26-degree C isotherm depth, to be carried out by the respective local
predict the Indian summer monsoon. bodies/municipalities etc.
• 26 degrees C isotherm is seen at depths varying from o Animal birth control programme should be run by
50–100 meters. an Animal Welfare Board accredited organization.
o Municipal Corporations need to implement the
ABC and Anti Rabies Program jointly.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. DECARBONISATION OF INDIAN ECONOMY
Why in News?
The Energy Transition Advisory Committee (ETAC), formed under the direction of the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural
Gas (MoP&NG), has compiled a report ‘The Green Shift: The Low Carbon Transition of India’s Oil & Gas Sector’.
More on News
• ETAC was formed to draw an energy transition pathway for Oil & Gas Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in the
country.
• The report focuses on increasing adoption of clean energy solutions such as hydrogen, biofuel, nuclear, geothermal,
tidal in the energy mix of the country.
• This energy transition pathway will pave the way towards decarbonization of the Indian Economy, thus enabling the
idea of Sustainable Development.
Need for Decarbonisation
• Global Warming: Based on the current policy
pathway defined by countries worldwide, the
earth is expected to be 2.7-3.5°C warmer than
pre-industrial temperature levels by the end of
this century.
o To successfully meet the Paris Agreement
target for limiting global warming, it is crucial
to reduce GHG emissions in the next 8 years by around 50%.
• Climate Change risk: India ranked 7th in the world's most affected countries by climate change in 2019.
o More than 75% of India’s districts are categorized as hotspots for extreme climate events.
o Over the last 15 years, droughts and floods have become increasingly frequent across India, with 13 fold increase
in the annual average number of drought-affected districts and a fourfold rise in flood events.
• Achieving Net Zero amidst an increase in energy demand: India made the historic announcement of reaching Net
Zero by the year 2070 but there is a need for more energy intake as the Indian economy clocks high growth rates
over coming decades.
India’s Carbon Emissions Profile
• Global standing: India is the third largest aggregate emitter in the world. Emissions are expected to grow by 5x if emissions
continue to grow at the historical rate of 5%.
o India is home to 1/6th of the world’s population but historically has accounted for only 3.3% of cumulative global
emissions.
• Major sectors: Industrial and power sectors account for most of India’s emissions of 2.7 GtCO2e.
o Around one-third of emissions come from steel and cement sectors, followed by one-third from the power sector, and
the rest from transportation and other sectors.
o Agriculture and allied activities is another important sector contributing almost 17% of emissions.
Wheels of Decarbonisation for India’s Energy Transition
• Renewable Energy: India has to move towards cleaner energy sources progressively and cannot afford high pollution
levels.
o India has set a target of 500 GWs of non-fossil fuel installed capacity by 2030.
o India has huge potential for solar energy, and the cost of solar power has come down.
• Resource Exploration: India cannot continue to depend on large-scale energy imports and must develop its own
resources.
• Energy Efficiency and Energy Affordability: The increase in energy efficiency and its affordability will always remain
an important issue.
o There is a requirement for an updated national-level building rating system that should include renewable energy
usage.
• Technology and Innovation:
o Through well-targeted Production-
Linked Incentives (PLI) schemes, the
domestic capacity in technology
and related equipment & hardware
has increased.
o India must also look for technologies
to use coal without causing much
environmental damage in the
medium term.
• Industry Transition: Industry, a large
energy consumer, is shifting slowly to
electricity or natural gas. However, some
hard-to-abate sectors like Steel and
Cement still use a large quantity of coal
due to their peculiar requirement.
• Electric Transportation: Globally as well
as for India, the rate of transition in fossil
fuel consumption primarily depends on
the shift in the auto sector to Electric
Vehicles (EVs).
• National Carbon Market: Developing and scaling voluntary carbon markets in near term and compliance markets in
the longer term could play a role in financing the transition.
• Alternative Fuels
and Waste-to-
Fuel Economy:
Having achieved
the target of 10%
EBP (Ethanol
Blending Program)
in 2022, India has
preponed target
of achieving 20%
ethanol blending
and 5% biodiesel blending, by the year 2025 and 2030, respectively.
Institutional setup and changes needed for Indian Economy’s decarbonization
Potential Institutional Setup

• Ministry level setup: The Administrative Setup may be created around energy-providing Ministries consisting of MoPNG,
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and Ministry of Power and Coal Ministry at the core. The process may be
coordinated by MNRE.
• Providing accurate data: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) may be tasked with validating and consolidating all data
related to the energy transition.
• Modelling and Projections: NITI Aayog may continue to provide modelling expertise and make projections for the future, which
are essential for planning, monitoring, course correction etc.
• Expert Group on Energy Transition: An expert group comprising industry representatives from different sectors, both energy
demand and supply, may be created to provide inputs to this setup.
• Tie-up/ Liaison with international organizations: Constantly scan and note the relevant developments taking place globally to
get a quick idea of what might work and what needs to be avoided.

Specific aspects of Decarbonization such as Finance, Technology Adoption etc. will be dealt with in the subsequent
articles.
5.1.1. CLIMATE FINANCE FOR DECARBONIZATION

Climate Finance Landscape in India
• Major role of domestic sources: 85% of climate
finance was from domestic sources like
commercial banks, government budgets and public
sector grants.
o There is a limited foreign capital inflow
despite public commitments from developed
countries to provide US$100B of climate
finance annually to developing countries.
• High reliance on debt and grants: More than 60%
of finance flows were in the form of loans from
commercial banks and multilateral organizations.
Government funding was primarily offered via
grants.
• Concentrated in the power sector: Climate funding
is majorly towards renewables, with the power generation sector remaining the primary recipient with ~80% of
funds.
o Other low-carbon pathways, such as biofuels & last-mile technology like Carbon capture, Utilisation and Storage
(CCUS) and green hydrogen, have yet to receive enough funding.
o Adaptation funding was critically underserved, with less than 10% of overall funds.
• Opposing Realities Affecting India’s green financing:
o Reality – 1: India needs 9 times more climate finance annually
o Reality – 2: Lack of a bankable pipeline of projects in India for Investors

• Other challenges in getting
funding includes:
o Lack of a standard
definition of “green” in
India resulting in limited
visibility on fund flows
and increasing fears of
greenwashing.
o Limited incorporation of
climate risk in credit
rating/ risk frameworks
resulting in higher
perceived risks of green
investments.
o Long term institutional
investors such as
pension funds are not
factoring climate risks in
investment portfolio.
5.1.2. TECHNOLOGY ADOPTION FOR DECARBONISATION

It is estimated that existing technologies can eliminate about 25% of current emissions, and technologies in early adoption
can address another 40%. This still leaves approximately 35% of current annual emissions, for which new technologies
are needed if we are to achieve net zero.
• Deploy advanced digital tools for emission tracking and
mitigation: Digital technologies like-
o Emission-linked DSS (Decision Support System),
o Advanced Energy Scenario Modelling, etc.
• Partner ecosystem enablement: Cross-industry / sector
data partnerships enable joint reduction initiatives across
the ecosystem.
• Develop & promote emerging green technologies:
Establish internal process innovation as a priority to
develop green technologies by adopting the framework
– Re-engineer, Re-imagine, Reboot, or Invent.
• Energy Efficiency Improvements: Along with re-imagination and invention, re-engineering through energy
enhancement programs within the refineries must be explored.
• Establish coordination framework knowledge sharing and joint accountability: Sectoral bodies can be set up to reap
the collective benefits of efforts being made by individual entities.
• Mobilize investor interest with public sector backing: Increase public funding via co-investment and matching
mechanisms to lower investor risk.
o The public sector will have to absorb increased levels of investment risks currently associated with emission
reduction technologies (early adoption stages).
• Use of Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for building domestic capacities and helping create global
competitive ability.
5.1.3. CARBON MARKET TO AID DECARBONIZATION

The Bureau of Energy Efficiency along with the Ministry of Environment,
Forest & Climate Change aims to develop the Carbon Credit Trading
Scheme for decarbonization.
• Aim: To decarbonize the Indian economy by pricing the Green House Gas (GHG) emissions through the trading of
carbon credit certificates.
• Need: India has an energy savings-based market mechanism (Performance, Achieve, and Trade) and the new
scheme will enhance the energy transition efforts with an increased scope that will cover the potential energy
sectors.
• Functioning: The GHG emissions intensity benchmark and targets will be developed, which will be aligned with India's
emissions trajectory as per climate goals.
o The trading of carbon credits will take place based on the performance against these sectoral trajectories.
o Further, it is envisaged that there will be a development of a voluntary mechanism concurrently, to encourage
GHG reduction from non-obligated sectors.
To read more about Carbon Trading, kindly refer to Article 5.5. Draft Carbon Credits Trading Scheme (CCTS) of March
2023 Monthly Current Affairs Magazine.
5.1.4. BIOFUEL OPPORTUNITY IN DECARBONIZATION

Biofuels involve the direct conversion of biomass into liquid fuels, which
can be blended with existing automotive fuels. Ethanol and biodiesel are
the two main transport biofuels. These fuels can be produced from a variety
of biomass.
• First-generation (1G) biofuels are usually made from edible feedstock
like sugarcane, beets, food grains etc.
• Second Generation (2G) fuels are produced from lignocellulosic
biomass obtained from energy crops or waste biomass, such as
agricultural and forest residue.
• Third Generation (3G) biofuels are produced from algal biomass.
Algae can be used for the production of all types of biofuels, such as
biodiesel, gasoline, butanol, propanol, and ethanol, with a high yield,
approximately 10 times higher than 2G biofuel.
• Fourth-generation biofuels (4G) are the amalgamation of genomically
prepared microorganisms and genetically engineered feedstock. These feedstocks can be grown in nonarable land.
Biofuels Indian Market Key Challenges Key Policy Interventions
Bioethanol India achieved the • Low yield for sugarcane and • Promote technology for production of ethanol
(produced by targeted 10% maize will require land use from non-food feedstock (Advanced Biofuels).
distilling ethanol blending in change. • Encourage the production of crops with a lower
carbohydrates 2022, and has gone • Unsustainable water use and environmental burden such as maize, sorghum
from sugarcane on to prepone the fertilisers due to subsidies in etc.
and beet or timeline by 5 years feedstock production. • Establish a feedstock pricing mechanism linked
distilling starch to 2025 for an • Promoting 1G biofuels may to bioethanol prices.
from food ambitious blending lead to technology lock-ins and • Institutionalize certification systems for GHG
grains) target of 20%. delay switching to 2G savings.
feedstocks. • Expedite establishment of a National Biofuel
Fund.
Biodiesel In the National • Lack of a dedicated supply • Promote research on new feedstocks like algae
(produced by Biofuels Policy chain for raw materials oil to ensure a steady supply
converting 2018, India set a • High prices in international • Encourage direct sale without blending
vegetable oils target of 5% markets and increased exports • Establish a mandate for the use of Used Cooking
into biodiesel blending resulting in a supply deficit Oil (UCO) for biodiesel production
compounds in diesel by 2030. within the country.
called fatty acid • Lack of incentives for vehicle
methyl esters) manufacturers to make
biodiesel-compatible engines.

Compressed ‘SATAT’ • Higher equipment costs due to • Creation of a biomass supply chain through
Biogas (CBG) (Sustainable lack of economies of scale and subsidies, promotion activities, notification of
(Biogas through Alternative difficulties in financing biomass clusters and incentives.
the process of Towards Affordable • Lack of long term sustainable • Waste should be directed to biogas production.
anaerobic Transportation) supply of feedstocks • CBG market development by mandating CBG
decomposition) initiative on CBG • Technical and infrastructure blending, promoting CBG and CNG vehicles.
envisages barriers due to poor collection • Financial assistance for CBG plants and PLI
production of 15 and unorganized transportation scheme.
MMT CBG & 50 of wastes
MMT of manure
from 5,000 plants.
5.1.5. GREEN HYDROGEN OPPORTUNITY FOR DECARBONIZATION

99% of pure hydrogen demand in India comes from primarily two sectors, i.e., refinery (petroleum refining) & fertilizers
(ammonia production). However, hydrogen has the potential
to be used in other sectors as an energy carrier.
Different colour codes have been assigned to distinguish
between hydrogen generated from various sources (refer
infographic).
Challenges in Scaling up Green Hydrogen Market
• High Cost: Cost of green hydrogen including production,
transportation, conversion, and storage, is still high.
• Low level of technology readiness: Technologies required
for decarbonization in hydrogen value chain need to be
proven at scale.
• Efficiency issues: Hydrogen production and conversion
involve significant energy losses at each stage of the value
chain.
• Renewable electricity availability: As more end-use
sectors are electrified, a lack of sufficient renewable
electricity may become a bottleneck for production of
green hydrogen.
• Policy / Regulatory Uncertainty: Stable, long-term policy frameworks are needed to support development and
deployment at scale.
• Standards & Certification: Countries lack institutionalized mechanisms to track the production and consumption of
any shade of hydrogen and identify its characteristics.
Key Policy Interventions needed
• Facilitate access to low-cost renewable electricity.
• Allow hydrogen mixed with natural gas to be used in existing natural gas infrastructure
• Develop appropriate mechanisms to price the emissions of GHGs, which would encourage decarbonization of the
economy
• PLI schemes for different components in green hydrogen or ammonia value chain
• Partial exemptions of grid charges, taxes, and levies for electrolysers.
5.2. GAS-BASED ECONOMY

Why in news?
India’s natural gas consumption which fell 6% in FY23 compared to a year ago, posing a challenge to India’s vision of a
gas-based economy.

About Gas-based economy
A gas-based economy implies the dominance of natural gas in India’s primary energy mix. India’s goal is to increase the
share of gas in the energy mix from the current 6 per cent to 15 per cent in 2030.
Significance of a gas based economy
• Cleaner Energy Source: Though, natural gas is a fossil fuel, CO2 emissions (per unit of energy produced)
from gas are around 40% lower than coal and around 20% lower than oil.
o It also has considerable advantages in terms of emissions of the main air pollutants, including fine particulate
matter (PM2.5), sulfur oxides, mainly sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOX).
• Energy Efficiency: Natural gas-fired power plants have higher energy efficiency compared to coal-fired plants.
o Natural gas production is much less expensive than other fossil fuels such as oil or coal.
• Rapid and Efficient Transport: When it is cooled to −161.5 °C, natural gas becomes a liquid (LNG), filling only 1/600th
of its original volume. This makes natural gas easier to store and transport long distances.
• Versatile Energy Source: As a gas or as LNG, it can power electrical grids, heating systems, home cooking appliances,
and some vehicles.
• Backup power companions to renewables: The intermittent nature of solar/ wind power sources raises concerns
about instability in the power grid. Natural gas fired generators can be the ideal backup power companions as they
provide clean source of power and have a very short start-up time.
• Help in vision of reliable power: Gas has a role to play in helping the Government deliver on its commitment to
provide 24/7 reliable power. In urban centres, piped natural gas can effectively cater to the cooking, heating, and
cooling needs of both commercial and residential entities.
Challenges related to gas based economy Initiatives taken towards gas based economy
• Revised domestic natural gas pricing guidelines: Based on
• Variation in estimations: Over the past two
recommendations of a panel headed by Kirit Parikh,
decades, there have been variations in Government has approved the revised domestic natural gas
estimations regarding the share of natural gas in pricing guidelines.
India's energy mix. Goals have shifted from 20% o Key changes include benchmarking the price of APM
by 2025 to 11% by 2032 and then to 15% by (Administered Price Mechanism) gas to the price of
2030. imported crude and monthly, rather than biannual revisions
o Without clear justifications for these in prices.
changes, monitoring and analysis of progress • Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy (HELP): It aims to
become challenging. boost domestic gas production through initiatives like
• Concerns about energy security: Around 50 expediting development of existing discoveries, developing
marginal or small fields, and establishing marketing freedom for
percent of our current demand is met through
gas produced from deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas, and
the import of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from from small fields.
other countries. Thus, energy security through • Launch of India Gas Exchange: India has now its own gas
gas is linked to higher import bills and exchange, acting as a nationwide, automated trading platform
geopolitical dependence. to enable competitive indigenous benchmark gas prices.
• Lack of competitive parity: For e.g. coal is • Unified tariff for natural gas pipelines: PNGRB has amended the
subject to Goods and Services Tax (GST) and PNGRB (Determination of Natural Gas Pipeline Tariff)
therefore taxed at 5%, while natural gas is Regulations to incorporate the regulations pertaining to unified
outside the purview of the GST and typically tariff for natural gas pipelines. It is an attempt towards
taxed at a higher rate. ambitious aim of One Nation, One Grid and One Tariff.
• Creating necessary Gas infrastructure: This is being done
• Not conducive with decarbonisation: Natural
through LNG terminals (like Dahej and Hazira in Gujarat, Dabhol
gas increased share in the primary energy mix
in Maharashtra, Kochi in Kerala etc), National Gas Grid and City
may not be conducive to India’s long-term deep gas Distribution (CGD) network.
decarbonisation strategy. Thus, related o Also, eastern and north-eastern parts are connected with
infrastructure may end-up being stranded assets gas grid by developing Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga project
and investment. and North East Gas Grid project.
• Infrastructure Constraints: India currently lacks
adequate infrastructure for natural gas distribution, including pipelines and storage facilities.
• Environmental concern: While natural gas is considered a cleaner fossil fuel, its extraction, production, and
combustion still generate greenhouse gas emissions.
Road Ahead
• Consider other recommendations of Kirit Parekh Panel: Other recommendations include completely free and
market-determined pricing for natural gas extracted from legacy fields and include natural gas in GST regime.
• Demand Stimulation: Promote the use of natural gas across various sectors, including power generation, industry,
transportation, and residential sectors.
o This can be achieved through policy incentives, such as tax benefits, subsidies, and targeted schemes.
• Increase the utilisation of current assets: The centre, state, and private sector must collaborate to increase
utilization of gas-based plants.
o The Parliament Standing Committee on Energy’s report has identified 14.3 GW of stranded gas-based plants with
an investment of over ₹650 billion, most of it lent by banks.
• Diversify import sources: India should attempt to diversify import sources of natural gas while strengthening
existing bilateral energy partnerships.
• Domestic Production: Encourage and incentivize domestic gas exploration and production to reduce dependence on
imports.

• Research and Development: Invest in research and development to advance technologies related to natural gas
extraction, production, and utilization.
• One Nation, One Gas Grid: Natural gas-based energy can be produced and distributed throughout the entire country
on a single gas system.
5.3. NEWS IN SHORTS

5.3.1. CENTRAL ASIAN FLYWAY (CAF) • The 11 member CPSC, comprising national and
international experts constituted to oversee the
• Meeting of Range Countries to strengthen implementation of Project Cheetah will be in force for
conservation efforts for migratory birds and their two years.
habitats in CAF held. o ‘Project Cheetah’ is the world's first inter-
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate continental large wild carnivore translocation
Change in collaboration with United Nations project.
Environment Programme, organized the meeting. o Since Cheetah is a keystone species the project
• CAF is one among the nine flyways (refer image) was expected to restore open forest and grassland
identified under Convention on Migratory Species ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, etc.
(CMS), also known as Bonn Convention. • Committee is formed in the wake of the recent death
o Flyways are areas used by groups of birds during of cubs born to a translocated Namibian cheetah at
their annual cycle which includes breeding areas, the Kuno National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh.
stop-over areas and wintering areas. • Challenges in sustainability of ‘Project Cheetah’
• CAF encompasses overlapping migration routes over o Cheetahs have a tendency to range over wide
30 countries for different waterbirds linking their distances, whereas KNP has very small area
northern most breeding grounds in Russia (Siberia) to available.
southernmost non-breeding (wintering) grounds in o Animal behaviour issues related to inability to
West and South Asia, Maldives and British Indian Ocean learn dispersal and movement, foraging, territorial
Territory. aggression.
o India provides critical stopover sites to over 90% o Lack of similar prey base from their native
of the bird species known to use this migratory ecosystem at the place of translocation.
route. o Difficulty with the post-release monitoring due to
✓ Also, India developed a National Action Plan topography and remoteness, availability of skilled
for Conservation of Migratory Birds and their personnel.
Habitat (2018 - 2023). o Forests across India suffer from a large population
• Importance of Migratory Birds: Act as pest control of stray dogs who carry pathogens like Parvovirus
agents, in dispersal of seeds, increase in species which are fatal to cheetahs”.
richness, support local communities by boosting eco-
tourism, important indicator for flagging state of
environment.
5.3.2. CHEETAH PROJECT 5.3.3. TIGER TRANSLOCATION

• National Tiger Conservation Authority formed • India’s first inter-state tiger translocation project had
Cheetah Project Steering Committee (CPSC) to keep failed.
watch on cheetah project
• Tiger relocation project was initiated in 2018 by 5.3.5. SEA BUTTERFLY
National Tiger Conservation Authority(NTCA), wherein
two big cats to be trans-located • British Antarctic Survey studied the impact of climate
o A male (Mahavir) from Kanha Tiger Reserve and a change on sea butterflies, a suborder of free-
female (Sundari) from Bandhavgarh from Madhya swimming sea snails and a gastropod mollusk of the
Pradesh were relocated to Satkosia Tiger Reserve class Gastropoda.
in Odisha. o Due to rising ocean acidification their survival is at
o To serve two purposes- reducing tiger population threat.
in areas with excess tigers to majorly reduce • Sea Butterflies and Ocean acidification
territorial disputes o World's oceans absorb approximately a quarter of
✓ To reintroduce tigers in areas where the all carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
population has considerably reduced due to o During absorption, CO2 reacts with seawater and
various reasons. oceanic pH levels fall. This is known as ocean
• Failure of Project: poor prey augmentation; lack of acidification and results in lower carbon ion
capacity building of staff; enhancement of protection concentrations.
couldn’t be achieved; funds provided under Project o Therefore, it reduces availability of carbon ion for
Tiger were diverted; Tiger-Human conflict. sea butterfly.
• Satkosia Tiger Reserve comprises two wildlife divisions o Ocean is the most acidic in winter because cooler
—Mahanadi and Satkosia. It is the 2nd biggest tiger water absorbs more CO2. This means, the winter
reserve in the Odisha after Similipal. months are the most dangerous for the shelled sea
o Currently, Satkosia has no big cats. butterflies.
• Kanha National Park is nestled in the Maikal range of o As emissions rise, acidification of oceans will
Satpuras in Madhya Pradesh. intensify and extends to spring when the species
o Kanha National Park was declared a reserve forest spawn and they’re in the larval stage.
in 1879 and revalued as a wildlife sanctuary in o This can diminish the population that would
1933. Its position was further upgraded to a otherwise develop into healthy adults.
national park in 1955. ✓ Their reduced population also impacts larger
• Bandhavgarh National Park is spread over the Vindhya pteropods and other oceanic creatures that
hills in Madhya Pradesh. feed on them.
o The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh ✓ The entire underwater food chain of the seas
is the highest known in India as well as in the world. surrounding Antarctica may suffer as a ripple
• National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) is a effect.
statutory body under the Ministry of Environment,
Forests and Climate Change constituted under enabling
provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972,
established in 2005.
5.3.4. WILD LIFE PROTECTION (WLP)

ACT, 1972
issued the notification to amend WLP Act, 1972.
• Now, all persons engaged in breeding in captivity or
artificially propagating any scheduled specimen listed
in Appendix I of Schedule IV of the Act are requested
to make an application for a license.
o Appendix 1 of Schedule IV is endangered exotic
animals (Red Panda, various species of dogs, 5.3.6. GEKKO MIZORAMENSIS
wolves, cats, apes, chimpanzees, gibbons) and
plants, and import rules are stricter for them. • Researchers from the Mizoram University and the Max
o Earlier, Captive breeding of exotic species Planck Institute for Biology, Germany, found a new
protected under CITES was not regulated. species of flying gecko (also called parachute or gliding
geckos) in Mizoram along the Indo-Myanmar border.
o Geckos are small, mostly carnivorous lizards found
in warm climates throughout the world.
o There are 13 species of flying gecko. Of them only Sustainability Reporting (BRSR) framework by
one species, Ptychozoon lionotum was found in SEBI.
Mizoram. ✓ BRSR aims to establish links between financial
• It has been named Gekko Mizoramensis after the state results of a business with its ESG performance.
of Mizoram. ✓ BRSR was made mandatory for top 1,000
• Characteristics: listed entities (by market capitalisation) from
o It is around 20 cm in length, is an arboreal that lives 2022–23.
on trees. It can glide from one tree to another and
is nocturnal.
o It is most similar to Gekko popaensis from which it
differs genetically in having discrete differences in
morphology and colour pattern.
5.3.7. BAOBABS
• Bhil tribe of Central India is opposing the forest
department’s decision to give permission for
uprooting baobab trees for commercial use.
• Baobabs belongs to the genus Adansonia are native to
mainland Africa, Madagascar, and Australia. 5.3.9. UNEP REPORT ON PLASTIC
• They have unusual barrel-like trunks and are known POLLUTION
for their extraordinary longevity (live up to 2,000
years) and ethnobotanical importance. • Go circular to end plastic pollution stated a United
• The tree’s unique pendulous flowers are pollinated by Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report.
bats and bush babies. • Report titled ‘Turning off the Tap How the world can
• IUCN Status: endangered end plastic pollution and create a circular economy’
• Madhya Pradesh government has applied for a addresses various issues associated with solution for
Geographical Indication (GI) tag. circular plastics economy while also safeguarding
livelihoods.
5.3.8. GLOBAL FINANCIAL INNOVATION o Circular economy is an economic system where
NETWORK (GFIN) means of production are organized around
reusing and recycling inputs to facilitate a
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to join Global Financial sustainable and environment friendly mode of
Innovation Network (GFIN)’s Greenwashing production.
TechSprint • Key highlights of report
• RBI has opened the application window for all India o Global plastic pollution can reduce by 80 percent
based firms and innovators to participate in GFIN’s first by 2040 if market shifts to a circular economy
ever Greenwashing TechSprint. (refer image).
o TechSprint will bring together 13 international o Currently, world produces 430 million metric tons
regulators (including RBI) alongside firms and of plastics each year of which over two-thirds are
innovators to address GFIN’s priority on short-lived products.
Environmental, Social And Governance (ESG) and o Plastic could emit 19% of global greenhouse gas
mitigate risks of greenwashing in financial emissions allowed under a 1.5°C scenario by 2040
services. and production is set to triple by 2060 if ‘business-
• Greenwashing is marketing that portrays an as-usual’ continues.
organisation’s products, activities or policies as • Plastic pollution occurs when plastic has gathered in an
producing positive environmental or social outcomes, area and has begun to negatively impact natural
or avoiding environmental or social harm, when this is environment and create problems for plants, wildlife,
not the case. and even the human population.
• ESG framework helps stakeholders understand how an
• Benefits from transformed plastics economy:
organization is managing risks and opportunities
Opportunities for jobs, income and innovation;
related to ESG criteria.
Reduction in damage to human health and
o India is gradually moving towards ESG regulations
environment; and Reduction in liabilities, risks and
with introduction of Business Responsibility and

litigation associated with damage from plastic stop solution for citizens, commercial enterprises, etc.
pollution etc. to deposit unused or used plastic items, clothes, shoes,
footwear, books, and toys.
o Items will then be given to different stakeholders
to be refurbished for reuse or would be made into
new products contributing to a circular economy,
o These ‘RRR’ centres would be set up as part of a
nationwide campaign ‘Meri LiFE, Mera Swachh
Shehar’ (‘My Life, My Clean City’) under aegis of
Swacch Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0).
5.3.11. DEBT FOR CLIMATE SWAPS

• Debt for Climate (DFC) swaps are a type of debt swap
Related News in which the debtor nation, instead of continuing to
Greenpeace published “Forever Toxic: The science on make external debt payments in a foreign currency,
health threats from plastic recycling” Report makes payments in local currency to finance climate
• Report has been published ahead of second session of projects domestically on agreed upon terms.
Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop o It was introduced as a debt restructuring device
a Global Plastics Treaty (GPT). that aims to combat climate change by ensuring
o In 2022, at UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, that debt-ridden countries do not incur additional
175 countries have agreed to legally binding global debt while addressing climate change locally.
treaty called GPT to end plastic pollution by 2024. o It was first used in the 1980s in Latin America.
• Key highlights of report o It has grown relatively popular among low and
o Three poisonous pathways for recycled plastic middle-income countries as a debt-relief measure.
material to accumulate toxic chemicals
• DFC swaps would be used to generate the following
✓ Direct contamination from toxic chemicals in
outcomes:
virgin plastic.
o Enhanced climate spending
✓ Substances like plastic containers for
pesticides, cleaning solvents and others that
o Boosting economy recovery: Given suppressed
enter recycling chain and can contaminate economic demand, the investments can stimulate
plastic. private investment and assist in economic
✓ Recycling process, when plastics are heated. recovery, while incorporating climate resilience
o Plastic production is forecast to triple by 2060. and protecting biodiversity.
• Threats from plastic recycling o Reduced external sovereign debt
o Recycled plastics contain higher levels of chemicals o Fulfill global commitment of developed nation:
that can poison people and contaminate DFC swaps serve as a means for the signatories of
ecosystems. the Paris Agreement and the Glasgow Financial
o Plastic recycling releases persistent carcinogenic Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) to fulfill their global
compounds (dioxins and furans). commitment of providing financial assistance to
o Increasing risk of large fires at plastic recycling developing countries in their efforts to construct
facilities, especially in those that hold e-waste clean and climate-resilient futures.
plastics with used batteries.
• Key Recommendations
o Institute “polluter pays” principle (those who
produce pollution should bear costs of managing it
to prevent damage to human health/environment)
for plastic waste management.
o Promote non-combustion technologies for plastic
stockpiles and waste disposal.
5.3.10. ONE-STOP CENTRES FOR ZERO

WASTE
• Government will launch one-stop centres called
Reduce, Recycle and Reuse which will serve as one-

5.3.12. CLIMATE CHANGE AND o Developed countries like the US, Japan, Russia and
INFLATION Canada who are historically responsible for a major
chunk of greenhouse gas emissions have made
• According to a report published by European Central little progress in meeting their pledges.
Bank, Climate Change will increase global inflation by o Build-back measures undertaken to undo the
as much as one percentage point every year as food impact of Covis-19 pandemic are not sustainable.
will get costly.
o Report anticipate that increasing temperatures will
lead to a rise in annual inflation, ranging from 0.32
to 1.18 percentage points higher by 2035.
o This will pose challenges for both consumers and
policymakers, who strive to maintain low levels of
inflation.
• The similar analysis has been presented by IMF in its
recent report ‘Eye of the storm: The impact of Climate
shocks on inflation and growth’.
o Climate-induced natural disaster has differential
and opposing effects on inflation and growth
through multiple channels.
✓ Dampening economic activity and lowering
labor productivity 5.3.14. ARCTIC AMPLIFICATION
✓ Reducing wealth and income and thereby • Recently, a World Metrological Organisation (WMO)
consumption and investment study highlighted that Arctic warming is
✓ Affecting transportation infrastructure and disproportionately high.
distribution costs • The Arctic region has warmed at least twice as much as
o Impact of weather-related shocks on core and food the world average.
inflation shows significant variation in magnitude o The warming differential between the poles and
and pattern across country groups. the tropics is known as Arctic (or
o The differing patterns of inflation and growth polar) amplification.
response to climate shocks will lead to greater • Why Arctic is warming faster than other parts of the
heterogeneity in the level of inflation and income world?
growth experienced by different segments of the o The ice cover in the Arctic is melting, because of
society within a country. which more land/water is getting exposed to the
5.3.13. 1.5°C TARGET Sun and leading to more absorption of sunlight.
o Heat transfers from the tropics to the poles
• According to the “Global Annual to Decadal Climate through prevailing systems of air circulation.
Update 2023-2027” and “State of Global Climate 2022” o Polar amplification is much stronger in the
by WMO the global average temperature may rise to Arctic than in Antarctica. This difference is
1.5°C by 2027. because the Arctic is an ocean covered by sea ice,
• Under the 2015 Paris Agreement parties have pledged while Antarctica is an elevated continent covered
to limit the average temperature rise to below 2°C, in more permanent ice and snow.
while actively aiming for 1.5°C above pre-industrial
levels by 2100.
o This was endorsed as a global target by the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC) in 2018.
✓ The 2°C target was unacceptable to small
island countries as it implied that their survival
was compromised.
o The 1.5°C target is expected to prevent the planet
from slipping into further climate crises like
frequent and intense heat waves, droughts, heavy
precipitation, rise in sea level, etc.
• Key reasons for inability to meet target
5.3.15. RIVER-CITIES ALLIANCE (RCA) o Membership: 193 members including India. ICAO
is not an international aviation regulator. It is a
• National Mission For Clean Ganga (NMCG) organized specialized agency of United Nations.
RCA Global Seminar. o Its vision is to achieve sustainable growth of global
• RCA is a dedicated platform for river cities to ideate, civil aviation system.
discuss and exchange information for sustainable
management of urban rivers. 5.3.17. AURORA
o It has expanded to 109 river cities across India and
• The Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO) in Ladakh
one international member city from Denmark.
successfully documented the occurrence of a rare
o Alliance is open to all river cities of India.
Aurora phenomenon for the very first time.
• It is a joint initiative of Ministry of Jal Shakti & Ministry o IAO is situated above Mount Saraswati in the Hanle
of Housing and Urban Affairs. Valley of Changthang, Ladakh, at nearly 14,800 feet
5.3.16. CARBON OFFSETTING AND above sea level.
• Auroras are geomagnetic storm which are seen due to an
REDUCTION SCHEME FOR
intense interaction of the sun’s plasma waves and the
INTERNATIONAL AVIATION (CORSIA) earth's magnetic field.
• Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has announced that o During a coronal mass ejection, billions of charged
India will start participating in International Civil particles move into space at ultra-high speeds, some
Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) Carbon Offsetting and reaching up to 3 million kilometers per hour. When
Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) they arrive in the direction of Earth, they cause a
and Long-Term Aspirational Goals (LTAG) from 2027. disturbance in the Earth's magnetic field and enable
o In order to mitigate carbon emissions from us to see the aurora lights.
aviation, ICAO has adopted goals of 2% annual fuel • The shape of Earth's magnetic field creates two auroral
efficiency improvement through 2050, carbon ovals above the North and South Magnetic Poles.
neutral growth and net zero by 2050. o It is called an aurora borealis or northern light near
• CORSIA offers a harmonised way to reduce emissions the North pole and aurora australis or the southern
from international aviation, minimising market lights near the South pole.
distortion, while respecting special circumstances and • They are more frequent at higher latitudes and places
respective capabilities of ICAO Member States. like Alaska, Canada, and Antarctica, closer to the Earth’s
o CORSIA is implemented in three phases - a pilot poles.
phase (2021-2023), a first phase (2024-2026), and o However, Due to a geo-effective coronal mass
ejection (CME), the Northern Lights were observed
a second phase (2027-2035). Participation is
at unprecedented mid-to-low latitudes across the
voluntary for first two phases. United States, brightly lit European cities, and even
o CORSIA is applicable only to flights originating over China and India.
from one country to another i.e., international o According to reports, this remarkable plunge in
flights. auroral activity has not been witnessed since 2015.
o CORSIA will mitigate around 2.5 billion tonnes of • They occur at any time of the day, but it can’t be seen
CO2 between 2021 and 2035, which is an annual with the naked eye unless it’s dark.
average of 164 million tonnes of CO2. • Colors and patterns are from the types of ions or atoms
• 41st ICAO Assembly adopted LTAG for international being energized as they collide with the atmosphere
aviation of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in and are affected by lines of magnetic force.
support of UNFCCC Paris Agreement. o Altitude affects the colors. Blue violet/reds occur
o LTAG does not attribute specific obligations or below 100 km, with bright green strongest
commitments in form of emissions reduction goals between 100-240 km. Ruby reds appear above 240
to individual States but each state will contribute km.
within its own national timeframe and
circumstances.
• ICAO (HQ: Montreal, Canada) was established in 1947
under Convention on International Civil Aviation
(Chicago Convention), which was drafted in 1944 by 54
nations.

5.3.18. SUN HALO 5.3.19. WORLD’S 2ND DEEPEST BLUE
HOLE IN MEXICO
• The phenomenon of the Sun halo was witnessed in
North India. • Scientists have uncovered a massive sinkhole off the
About Sun Halo: coast of the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico.
• The Mexico blue hole has been named ‘Taam Ja’, which
• It is a multi-colored ring that appears like a rainbow means ‘deep water’ in Mayan
circling the star in our solar system. • Blue hole is actually a massive underwater sinkhole,
o It is also referred to as 22-degree halo because the which is hundreds of metres long and spans across
radius of the circle is always approximately 22 areas that are bigger than cities and stands at a height
degrees. of several skyscrapers.
Formation of Halo: o Blue holes get their names from their indigo
centres and light blue perimeters.
• Halos are a sign of high, thin cirrus clouds drifting o It is believed to have been formed in the Ice Age,
20,000 feet (6 km) or more above our heads. when the sea level was as low as 100–120 m lower
• These clouds contain millions of tiny unique hexagonal than current levels.
ice crystals. o Considered hotspots of microbial biodiversity.
o These icy crystals are found in cirrus clouds, which • Dragon Hole or Longdong is the deepest blue hole on
are thin and wispy clouds. earth and situated in the South China Sea. It’s more
• When sunlight enters these ice crystals, it is refracted, than 980 ft deep.
or bent, by the crystal's surfaces. • Yucatan Peninsula is a peninsula in Central America,
• This bending of light causes the sun's rays to separate separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
into their component colors (because of dispersion), Peninsula includes parts of Mexico, Guatemala and
creating a spectrum of colors that are visible as the Belize.
halo.
• The crystals must be oriented and positioned with
respect to one’s eye, for the halo to appear. This is why
sun halos are relatively rare.
• Light undergoes two refractions as it passes through
the ice crystals and the bending that occurs depends on
the ice crystal's diameter. In a 22-degree halo, light
enters from one side of the ice crystal and exits
through another, being refracted on both entry and
exit.
• Like rainbows, halos around the sun or moon are
considered personal. Everyone sees their own unique
halo, made by the ice crystals from their point of view
(on the basis of the orientation).
• Lunar halos are mostly colorless because moonlight
isn’t very bright.
• Atmospheric optical phenomena like halos were used
as part of weather lore (traditional knowledge), which
was an empirical means of weather forecasting before
5.3.20. PALGHAT GAP
meteorology was developed.
o They often do • Often called as a significant discontinuity in Western
indicate that Ghats, It is a geological shear zone (weak regions in
rain will fall earth’s crust) that runs from east to west.
within the next o It is a corridor that connects Coimbatore with
24 hours, since Palakkad.
the cirrostratus o Bharathappuzha river flows through it.
clouds that • Origin of Palghat Gap also stems from drift of
cause them can continental shelves after Australia and Africa broke
signify an off from Gondwana landmass.
approaching frontal system.
• Western Ghats in north of Palghat Gap receive more o Under OALP, a bidder intending to explore
rain annually, but south gets rain more evenly hydrocarbons like oil and gas, coal bed methane,
throughout the year. gas hydrate etc., may apply to the Government
o Vegetation in Palghat Gap is classified as dry seeking exploration of any new block (not already
evergreen forest. It also marks a divide in flora and covered by exploration).
fauna of region. o HELP is an exploration and production policy
o Species richness and phylogenetic diversity are launched by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural
abundant in Western Ghats south of Palghat Gap. Gas in 2016 that replaced the New Exploration
Licensing Policy (NELP) to improve exploration and
5.3.21. AMRIT AND MOONGA BLOCKS IN production in India.
ARABIAN SEA o Government of India intends to increase India's
exploration acreage to 0.5 million sq. km. by 2025
• ONGC has discovered crude oil and natural gas in two
and 1.0 million sq. km. by 2030.
blocks named as Amrit and Moonga Blocks (Open
Acreage Licensing Policy (OLAP) blocks) in Mumbai Data Bank
offshore on the Arabian Sea. As per Ministry of Petroleum and Natural, India is the
• OALP under Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing world’s-
Policy (HELP), gives an option to a company looking for • 3rd largest consumer of energy,
exploring hydrocarbons to select the exploration blocks • 3rd largest consumer of crude oil
on its own, without waiting for the formal bid round • 4th largest Refiner
from the Government. • 6th largest importer of petroleum products
• 7th largest exporter of petroleum products.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. GLACIERS IN HINDU KUSH HIMALAYA
Why in News?
The International Centre for Integrated
Mountain Development (ICIMOD) released
Water, Ice, Society, and Ecosystems (WISE)
report for the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).
More on news
• ICIMOD is an intergovernmental
knowledge and development organization
(established in 1983) that focuses on climate
and environmental risks, green economies,
and sustainable action.
o Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan are its members.
• The WISE report highlighted the following impacts climate change on HKH:
o Glacier: Water Glaciers disappeared 65% faster in the 2010s than in the previous decade.
✓ For global warming between 1.5°C to 2°C, by 2100 glaciers are set to lose 30%–50% of their volume compared
with 2015.
o Water Security: With accelerated glacier melt, ‘peak water’ will be reached around mid-century in most HKH
river basins, and overall water availability is expected to decrease by the end of the century.
✓ Peak water is a stage in which the supply of fresh snow water due to glacier melt will be the highest ever.
o Increase in Hazards: Hazards like floods, and landslides, large avalanches, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) etc.
are projected to increase over the coming decades.
✓ A three-fold increase in GLOF risk across the HKH is projected by the end of the twenty-first century.

Challenges in tackling the deteriorating situation in HKH
• Poor adaptation capabilities: There are large gaps between the adaptation needs of communities and their access to
the necessary adaptation support due to less financial and technical support.
• Complex and unpredictable Hazards: Early warning and adaptation measures are difficult to implement as several
different slow- onset hazards (like erosion) and fast-onset hazards (like GLOFs) are occurring in the same watersheds
frequently at same time.
• Population growth and infrastructure development: It Steps Taken to protect Glacial Ecosystem
India’s Initiatives
has exposed larger communities to increased hazards.
• National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan
• Low protection: About 67% of ecoregions and 39% of Ecosystem (NMSHE) is implemented by the
global biodiversity hotspots that are in the HKH are still Department of Science and Technology.
outside protected areas. o It is part of the National Action Plan on Climate
• Limited Regional Cooperation: HKH is spread over Change (NAPCC), launched in 2008.
multiple countries leading to issues in data collection and • National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
implementing uniform policies. (NCPOR) established by the Ministry of Earth Sciences
• Neglect at International Forums: HKH’s concerns are not (MoES).
given due priority in the international climate discussion • Research station ‘Himansh’ was established in the
such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Chandra basin (Himachal Pradesh) in 2016.
• National Institute of Hydrology (NIH) is conducting
Climate Change’s (UNFCCC’s) Conference of Parties.
several studies for the assessment of runoff from the
Way Forward melting of glaciers at catchment and basin scales.
Global Initiatives
• Regional and global cooperation are needed for- • ICIMOD’s initiatives like Hindu Kush Himalayan
o technical and financial assistance to facilitate Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP),
adaptation and mitigation, Mountain Ministerial Summit, etc.
o enhancing transboundary data and information • Framework for regional cooperation by United Nations
sharing and Development Programme (UNDP) and ICIMOD.
o effectively protecting mountain communities and • UNESCO’s World Glacier Monitoring Services.
biodiversity hotspots.
• Improve monitoring Network: Techniques such as in-situ measurements, remote sensing, satellite data, and
modelling can be combined to generate high-quality products.
• Building adaptation and early warning strategies taking into account the increased likelihood of multi-hazards and
cascading events due to climate change.
• Adopting Integrated Water Resources Management Approach: Governments should thoroughly understand water
sources’ contribution to river flows to anticipate future changes.
• Stakeholder engagement and communication: Raising awareness among stakeholders (including mountain
communities, civil society, private sector, governments, etc.) about the ongoing changes and preparation needed for
tackling them.
5.2. ENERGY TRANSITION

Why in News?
World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with Accenture, released the report titled “Fostering Effective Energy
Transition 2023”. In this report, Energy Transition Index (ETI) was published.
About Energy Transition Index (ETI), 2023
• It is prepared on the three parameters- equity, security, and sustainable.
• Key Findings
o Sweden is placed at the first spot, followed by Norway and Denmark.
o India has been ranked at 67th place out of 120 countries.
o India & Singapore are the only two countries making advances in all aspects of energy system performance.
o ET has increased each consecutive year over the last decade, but the growth has plateaued in the past three
years, due to rising challenges to the equity and inclusiveness of the transition.
About Energy transition
• It refers to the global energy sector’s
shift from fossil-based systems of
energy production and consumption
(including oil, natural gas, and coal) to
renewable energy (RE) sources like
wind and solar.
Need for Energy Transition in India
• Reducing emissions and tackle Global
warming: Sector-wise, electricity
generation is a major contributor in
India’s Greenhouse Gases (GHG)
emissions (contributing around 34 % in
total emissions in 2019).
• Environmental Impact: Fossil fuel
extraction and combustion have significant
negative environmental impacts, such as air and
water pollution, habitat destruction, etc.
• Fulfill International Commitments: India needs to
accelerate the energy transition in order to fulfil
its Nationally determined contributions (NDCs)
and Panchamrita Pledge, such as- achieving 50%
energy from non-fossil fuel resources by 2030,
net-zero emissions by 2070, etc.
• Reduced Energy Dependency/Energy Security:
India needs to reduce its dependency on energy
imports to overcome issues related to energy
supply chain volatilities.
o For instance, recent economic and
geopolitical developments, such as the
Ukraine crisis, have led to high fuel prices,
reducing accessibility of energy.
• Energy accessibility and affordability: Renewable
power generation technologies, notably solar
photovoltaic and onshore
wind power, have
become mature, cost
competitive, and can
enhance accessibility at
different topography.
• Create green jobs:
International Renewable
Energy Agency’s Global
Energy Transition
Outlook estimates that
43 million people could
be employed in the RE
sector by 2050.

Challenges in Energy Transition
• High Dependence on Conventional sources: As of June 2023, the total installed capacity from fossil sources in India
is more than 50% of the total installed capacity.
• Financial constraints: As per some estimates, cumulative investments of up to 6–8 trillion USD will be required during
2015–2030 to transform the current energy systems in India.
o The recently released Low-cost finance for the Energy Transition Report (by IRENA in close collaboration with
the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) also highlight the need for an increase in the availability of low-
cost capital in G20 countries and beyond for the energy transition.
• Low Private participation: Private participation is limited due to low return and high risk, unclear or inconsistent
policies and regulations, etc.
• Ensuring Just Transition: Unjust energy transition
can exacerbate the economic vulnerabilities of
sectors and workers engaged in fossil fuel supply
chains.
• Ambitions and implementation gaps between the
Centre and the States: Goals set at national levels
could be misaligned with State priorities (e.g., coal
rich resource preferring its utilization).
o Further, energy transition can
exacerbate legacy issues in the electricity
sector, such as high discom losses, impacting state economies.
• Availability of Technology: India still lacks the capability of manufacturing large-scale low carbon technologies (LCTs),
especially in segments of offshore wind, hydrogen electrolyzers, energy storage etc.
• Inadequate infrastructure such as energy storage systems, grid connectivity, transmission networks, etc.
Way Forward
• Closing inefficient fossil fuel-based thermal power plants and gradual phasing down of fossil fuel-based energy.
• Adopting blended finance structures, which involves the public sector strategically providing capital to mitigate
certain risks that private sector capital cannot absorb.
• Effective innovation frameworks incorporating coordinated policies and actions to drive innovations in four areas –
namely, enabling technologies, business models, market design, and system operation.
• Promoting R&D for frontier technologies in emergent fields like coal gasification, offshore wind, carbon capture,
utilization and storage, high-efficiency fuel cells, advanced chemistry cells, etc.
• International collaboration through mechanisms such as Just Energy Transition Partnerships (JETPs).
o JETPs are financing cooperation mechanisms that help heavily coal-dependent economies, to make a just energy
transition and address the social consequences of transitioning.
• Creating a State-level framework for ET to enhance the participation of states through adequate plans, actions, and
governance processes.
• Collecting adequate data about the sectors, people, etc. who will be impacted by the energy transition and forming
effective policies such as reskilling and redeployment of manpower.
Related News: ‘Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress’ report
• It was released through the collaboration between the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy
Agency (IRENA), United Nations Statistics Division, World Bank, and the WHO.
o SDG 7 provides for achieving affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.
• Key Findings:
o The current pace is not adequate to achieve any of the 2030 targets.
o Globally, access to electricity between 2010 and 2021, grew from 84% of the world’s population to 91%.
o To enable an energy system aligned with the 1.5°C target through the century, the share of renewables in global energy
mix must reach 33–38% by 2030, from the current 19.1% in 2020.
o India alone accounts for the largest share of the access deficit (defined as the population lacking access to electricity),
with 505 million people lacking access, followed by China.
5.3. COAL BASED THERMAL POWER PLANTS EMISSION NORMS COMPLIANCE
Why in News?
Recently, Centre for Science
and Environment (CSE)-a
Environmental NGO assessed
the status of compliance of coal-
fired thermal power plants (TPP)
with SOx emission norms.
More about news
• Report is based on data
provided by the Central
Electricity Authority (CEA)
under the Ministry of
Power.
• CSE had done assessment
based on installation of Flue
Gas Desulphurization (FGD)
at TPPs.
• Major finding:
o Only 5% of the coal
power capacity has
complied with emission
norms so far.
o 17% of overall coal
power capacity was still
at very initial stages of
compliance.
Emission Norms for TPPs
• In 2015, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change first time introduced environmental emission
standards for controlling SO2, NOx & Mercury emissions from coal-based TPPs under the Environment (Protection)
Act, 1986.
• In 2021, government extended the timelines for the majority of coal-based power plants in India.
o Three Categorization with three different deadlines
Category Location/area Changed Deadlines
Category A Within a 10-km radius of Delhi-NCR and cities December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2024.
population more than 10 Lakh
Category B 10-km radius of critically-polluted areas or non- December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2025.
attainment cities (those cities failed to meet the
National Ambient Air Quality Standards)
Category C For all other power plants December 31, 2024 to December 31, 2026.
o Power plant units declared to retire before December 31, 2027 will not be required to meet the specified norms
for SOx.
• On water use: All plants with Once Through Cooling (OTC) shall install Cooling Tower (CT).
o There is temperature Limit for discharge of Condenser Cooling Water from TPPs.
• Use of beneficiated coal: Its aim is to minimize flyash generation.
o Coal beneficiation is a process through which the combustion attribute of the coal is enhanced by separating
the inorganic impurities (volatile matter or ash) from raw coal.
o Each TPPs generating station should achieve 100% utilisation of total ash generated at plant.
Pollution Control Technologies (PCTs) at different stages of a power plant’s operations
Pre-combustion In-combustion Post-combustion
Coal washing and • Installation of Low NOx Burner (LNB) and Technologies available for
blending Over-Fire Air (OFA) inside the boiler are the • SOx emission: Flue-gas desulfurization (FGD)
in-combustion controls available for NOx. • NOx Emission: Selective Catalytic or Non-Catalytic
• Limestone injection into the furnace is an Reduction (SCR/SNCR)
effective in-combustion control applicable • Particulate Matter (PM) Emission: Electrostatic
for SOx reduction. Precipitators (for large PM) or fabric filters.
Challenges in meeting New Standards
• High investment: As per CSE estimate, around one lakh crore (in 2020) required to achieve emission norms. Money
is required for hiring skilled manpower, equipment, etc.
• Import of Pollution Control Technologies (PCTs) equipment: Certain components of FGD are not manufactured in
India and Lack of bidders for supply of FGD is coming in the way of meeting the target for implementation in time.
o Also due to deadlines there is lack of time for developing indigenous manufacturing facility in the country.
• Impact of COVID-19 pandemic: It delayed the entire process of planning, tendering and implementing the Flue Gas
De-sulphurisation (FGD).
• Meagre penalty for violating emission norms: Power plant continues to function even if they are failing to achieve
emission norms.
Suggestions
• Dis-incentivise/incentivise plants: It should be based on measures taken to meet the deadline by implementing
policies.
• Collaboration: Central Electricity Authority and Ministry of Power should work in tandem and ensure that thermal
power plants implement norms that are good for environment as well as the health of people.
• Emission Data: Stakeholders must publish transparently about emission data and their impact to immediate vicinity
of TPPs for public research and scrutiny.
• Provide one year grant window or subsidy scheme: This can be done to expedite the implementation of the norms
to enable fund-raising for the high upfront costs.
• Removal of tax levied on imported Pollution Control Technologies (PCTs): Tax benefits will encourage TPPs to utilize
and import the technologies.
5.4. DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

Why in News?
Ministry of Home Affairs recently
announced three major schemes
worth more than ₹8000 crores for
disaster management.
More on News
• The schemes were launched at a
meeting conducted with
States’/Union Territories’
administrations under the Vision
@2047, to further strengthen
the disaster risk reduction
system in the country to make
India disaster resilient.
• Three major scheme includes:
o Rs. 2,500-crore Project to reduce the risk of urban flooding in the seven most populous metros- Mumbai,
Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Pune.
o Rs. 825 Crore National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project for Landslide Mitigation in 17 States and Union
Territories.
o Rs. 5,000 crore Project to expand and modernize Fire services across the states.
• Also, the Ministry highlighted that the approach to disaster management in the country has been improved by
replacing the earlier approach of reactionary and relief-centric with a holistic and integrated management
approach.
* The disasters covered under the newly launched schemes have been discussed in subsequent articles.
To know more about Landslides in India, refer to Monthly March 2023 magazine.
Steps taken in India to move away from reactionary and relief-centric approach
• Holistic approach to disaster management: In addition to rehabilitation and response, the Government of India also
focussed on prevention, mitigation and preparedness-based disaster management at the grassroots level, through
steps like-
Other initiatives for disaster Management in India
o Establishing National Disaster Mitigation Fund and State
• Policies like National Disaster Management
Disaster Mitigation Fund in 2021 for mitigation activities. Plan (NDMP), 2016 and National Policy on
o Undertaking prevention activities like planting of saplings Disaster Management, 2009 cover all phases of
on the banks of 13 major rivers which are prone to floods. disaster management: prevention, mitigation,
o Developing advanced early warning systems, e.g., India response and recovery.
Meteorological Department (IMD) issues 5 days advance • NDMA guidelines for disasters like
forecast of rainfall and flood. earthquakes, cold wave, cyclone etc.
• Enhanced and proactive fund allocation: Release of funds from • Prime Minister released a ten point agenda on
NDRF has increased by nearly three times from 2005-14 to 2014- Disaster Risk Reduction.
23. • National Disaster Response Fund managed by
the Central Government.
• Promoting the use of Information and Communication
• India is a signatory to the Sendai Framework
Technology (ICT): It includes Common Alerting Protocol
for Disaster Risk Reduction.
through SMS, Disaster Management Information System
• India launched a multi-stakeholder global
Portal, and Emergency Response Support System. partnership- the Coalition for Disaster Resilient
• Cooperation between States and Union: Collective Infrastructure (CDRI) in 2019.
responsibility and response mechanism was developed at the
centre and state level.
• Involvement of community at grass root level: Emphasis has been given to capacity development of the first
responders to the disaster through awareness drives etc.
o For instance, Scheme for Training of Community Volunteers in Disaster Response (Aapda Mitra) has set a target
of preparing around one lakh youth volunteers in 350 high-risk disaster-prone districts.
Challenges in Disaster Management
• Poor coordination/Multiple Agencies: Responsibilities of institutions such as NDMA and NEC as well as Union and
state governments often overlap.
• Slow progress at district level: District Disaster Management Plans in 87 districts of 8 states are still pending.
• Limited integration of Climate change into risk reduction plans: Climate change has led to an increase in the
frequency and intensity of disasters such as flash floods, landslides, droughts, cyclones, etc.
• Capacity building and training: Insufficient funds have been allocated for developing specialized units for different
disasters.
• Inadequate Early Warning Systems (EWS’s): They still face issues like lack of impact-based forecasts, poor
dissemination of information about risks, etc. in several disaster-prone areas.
• Lack of infrastructure: Many remote areas lack proper roads, communication networks, and emergency services,
making it difficult to provide timely assistance during disasters.
• Other issues: Limited public awareness about disaster risks and preparedness measures; weak compliance of policies
like building laws; timely mobilization of central assistance etc.

Way Forward
• Strengthening coordination mechanisms, clarifying roles and responsibilities, and establishing clear lines of
communication.
• Integrating climate change impacts into disaster plans and developing effective local response systems for different
disasters.
• Promoting community-based disaster preparedness and conducting awareness campaigns.
• Training programs, simulations, and exercises should be conducted regularly to enhance the skills and knowledge of
stakeholders.
• Improving and expanding early warning systems, including weather forecasting and seismic monitoring.
Related News: Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
• Cabinet approved Ratification of the Headquarters Agreement (HQA) between India and Coalition for Disaster Resilient
Infrastructure (CDRI)
• In 2022, Cabinet had approved recognition of CDRI as an International Organization and for signing of HQA for granting CDRI
exemptions, immunities and privileges as contemplated under Section- 3 of United Nations (Privileges & Immunities) Act,
1947.
o Act was enacted to give effect to Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, adopted by UN
General Assembly in 1946.
✓ UN Charter allows UN, and also its officials,
to enjoy in the territory of each of its
Members such legal capacity, privileges and
immunities which are necessary for the
exercise of its functions and the fulfilment of
its purposes.
o Section 3 of the act states that premises of UN
shall be inviolable. Act was also extended to
several other international organisations.
• Signing of HQA will provide CDRI an independent and
international legal persona, so that it can carry out its
functions internationally, more efficiently.
• It will allow CDRI to
o Deputing experts and also bringing in experts
from member countries to India.
o Deploying funds globally and receiving
contributions from member countries.
o Providing technical expertise to assist countries
to develop resilient infrastructure.
o Leveraging international engagement to foster disaster resilient infrastructure at home.
5.4.1. URBAN FLOODS

• Urban floods are defined as excessive runoff in developed urban areas, where the stormwater doesn’t have
anywhere to go due to poor capacity of the drainage system, causing inundations.
o They are significantly different from rural flooding as the developed catchments of urban areas increase the
flood peaks from 1.8 to 8 times and flood volumes by up to 6 times.
• Examples: New Delhi (2023), Bengaluru (2022), Hyderabad (2020), etc.
• Current Challenges in Urban Flood management
o Global climate change and the urban heat island effect is resulting in changed weather patterns and increased
episodes of high intensity rainfall events occurring in shorter periods of time.
o Drainage infrastructure becoming easily overwhelmed due to inadequate capacity and poor maintenance.
o Unplanned development and poor land use planning in cities leading to encroachment of floodplains and a
severe lack of blue and green spaces to absorb excess water.
o Lack of financial resources for implementing effective flood management strategies: For instance, retrofitting
existing buildings and infrastructure to withstand flooding can be costly and technically challenging.
• Way Forward Initiatives to tackle urban flooding
o Adopting integrated ecological • Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for mitigating Urban
approaches which combine watershed Flooding by the Central Government under the Atal Mission for
land-use planning with the regional Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
development planning. • Flood management programme provides financial assistance to
o Enhancing capacity of drainage systems by the state governments for undertaking flood management works
removing encroachments, redesigning in critical areas.
storm water drainage based on scientific • National Guidelines on Management on Urban Flooding by the
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
methodology etc.
• Uniform System of Alerts and Warnings by the Ministry of Home
o Creating detailed flood hazard and
Affairs- categorizing alerts in stages – Yellow, Orange and Red.
zonation maps. • Integrated Flood Warning system like IFLOWS-Mumbai.
o Conservation and restoration of urban o Similar system was also introduced in Chennai (C-FLOWS)
water bodies by providing legal protection
to lakes, remove encroachments, etc.
5.4.2. FIRES
• In India, fire incidents are often witnessed in densely populated Fire safety regulations in India
urban areas, congested markets, factories, slums, residential • Amended Model Fire Bill, 2019, aims at
buildings, and public transport systems, causing widespread bringing a uniform law across the states for the
destruction and loss of life and property. maintenance of fire and emergency service.
• Examples: Commercial complex fire in Secunderabad, • National Building Code of India 2016
Hyderabad (2023), Hotel fire in Karol Bagh, Delhi (2019), Uphaar (published by Bureau of Indian Standards)
cinema, New Delhi (1997) etc. contains detailed provisions under Part – IV
“Fire & Life Safety” on fire prevention, life
• Current challenges in fire risk management
safety and fire protection.
o Poor enforcement of Fire safety norms and building bylaws
• In 2020, Ministry of Health & Family welfare
by the civic authorities leading to unauthorized circulated strict guidelines stipulating third-
construction, lack of regular monitoring and inspection, party accreditation for fire safety.
obsolete fire safety equipment, use of unsafe and low- • NDMA has stipulated requirements for fire
quality fixtures etc. safety in public buildings, including hospitals.
o Lack of uniformity in rules and limited applicability of fire
safety norms, e.g., fire safety norms in some states depend on building heights.
o Capacity and resource constraints in Local governments.
o Infrastructural issues like narrow lanes in densely populated areas which limit access to a site by Fire brigade
services.
o Negligence and low awareness among citizens to take effective safety measures to deal with fire incidents.
• Way forward
o Enactment and enforcement of a uniform fire safety laws in every state on the line of the Model Fire and
Emergency Service Bill, 2019.
o Enhance capacity through awareness and mock drills.
o Technological Upgradation like use of automatic smoke alarm, sprinklers, gas leakage alarm etc. with built-in fire
suppression system.
o Mainstreaming of fire risks mitigation and management in urban planning and development.
o Conducting regular fire safety audits of public spaces Hospitals, cinema halls, etc.
o Proper evaluation and scrutiny before the sanction and renewal of the permits, licenses, approvals, etc.
5.5. CLOUD SEEDING

Why in news?
Recently, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has successfully conducted a test flight for cloud seeding.

About Cloud Seeding
• Cloud seeding is a kind of a
weather modification
technology to create artificial
rainfall.
o Rain happens when moisture
in the air reaches levels at
which it can no longer be
held.
o Cloud seeding aims to
facilitate and accelerate that
process by making available
chemical ‘nuclei’ around
which condensation can
take place.
• It works only when there is
enough pre-existing clouds in
the atmosphere.
• Two ways of adding nuclei
particles to clouds:
o Using large cannons that shoot particles into the sky
o Using airplanes that drop the particles from above.
✓ IIT Kanpur used this method.
✓ Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEX) – IV was conducted during
two consecutive monsoon seasons of 2018 and 2019 over Solapur, Maharashtra.
• Mainly 8 Chemicals are used in Cloud seeding: Silver iodide, dry ice, Potassium Iodide, Propane, Calcium Carbide,
Ammonium Nitrate, Sodium Chloride, Urea
Compound.
Benefits of Cloud seeding
• Drought management: Cloud seeding
technique is useful for drought affected areas.
As per India Meteorological Department (IMD),
87% of India's districts vulnerable to droughts.
• Clearing fog in airports: During fog season many
flight gets affected due to lowering visibility
hence cloud seeding technique can help to
improve the visibility.
• Fight forest fires: As per India State of Forest
Report (2021), 35.46% of the forest cover is
prone to forest fires. Rain through cloud seeding
will help to reduce the forest fire affected
region.
• Suppress hail: As seeding accelerates hail embryos growth at lower level in the cloud, where liquid water content is
smaller and updrafts are weaker.
• Divert rainfall: Clouds can be diverted to other region based on requirement such as during 2008 Olympics opening
ceremony Beijing used it to make ceremony precipitation-free.
• Improve water availability: Cloud seeding will help to distribute rainfall across the country and hence help to recharge
aquifers.

Issues in Cloud seeding
• Bioaccumulation: For example Silver iodide chemical is most commonly used to seed a cloud is known to be toxic for
aquatic life because of bioaccumulation.
o Bioaccumulation is a process of accumulation of chemicals in an organism that takes place if the rate of intake
exceeds the rate of excretion.
• Increasing Carbon footprint: Cloud seeding through dry ice (Carbon di oxide) is source of Greenhouse Gases and
affects the climate change.
• Uncertainty on effectiveness: The World Meteorological Organization adopted guidelines in 2017 advising members
not to perform weather modification activities without considering the high levels of uncertainty in effectiveness and
potential harms involved.
• Not all types of clouds are suitable: Clouds must be deep enough and of a suitable temperature (between -10 and -
12 degrees Celsius) to be seeded effectively.
• Disturbing the Hydrological cycles: Cloud seeding simply redistributes rain in drought affected areas which can
ultimately affect the Hydrological cycles.
Conclusion
Cloud seeding technology holds significant promise for addressing water scarcity and mitigating drought conditions.
However, to fully unlock its potential, further improvements are needed. Such as incorporating nanotechnology-based
Titanium dioxide coating on salt particles can enhance the effectiveness of cloud seeding operations. Nevertheless, it is
imperative to conduct extensive research to fully comprehend the long-term implications and potential risks associated
with cloud seeding.
5.6. NEWS IN SHORTS

5.6.1. UN’S HIGH SEAS TREATY o It aims to establish large-scale marine protected
areas in international waters, which protect
• Adopted by the Intergovernmental Conference on marine biodiversity in high seas.
Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National o It also calls for setting up of a Conference of
Jurisdiction (BBNJ), “high seas” treaty aims at taking Parties to oversee and enforce compliance with
stewardship of ocean on behalf of present and future treaty’s terms.
generations.
o It has been adopted under the framework of 5.6.2. BONN CLIMATE MEET
United Nations Convention on Laws of the Sea
• Bonn climate meet was held to set the agenda and
(UNCLOS).
preparation for CoP 28 to be held at Dubai.
o It is legally binding in nature. It will only enter into
• Key Discussions during the conference:
force once 60 countries have ratified it.
o A draft framework for Global Stocktake (GST) was
• Key highlights of the treaty
released
o Strengthening resilience and contains provisions
✓ It is an exercise aimed at assessing countries
based on polluter-pays principle as well as
progress against climate change, and deciding
mechanisms for disputes.
ways and means to enhance global action
o Parties must assess potential environmental
against climate change.
impacts of any planned activities beyond their
✓ The first GST will take place in CoP 28 as
jurisdictions.
mandated by the 2015 Paris agreement.
o Offers guidance, including through an integrated
o The Mitigation Work Programme (MWP): It was
approach to ocean management that builds
set up at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 for climate
ecosystem resilience to tackle adverse effects of
action focusing on increasing emission cuts.
climate change and ocean acidification.
✓ The developing countries complained that
o Recognize rights and traditional knowledge of
the developed countries are yet to offer
indigenous peoples and local communities,
finance and technology transfers to achieve
freedom of scientific research, and need for the fair
their emission targets.
and equitable sharing of benefits.
o Loss and Damage Principle: It was a result of
CoP27.

✓ Developed and Developing countries were 5.6.4. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY
divided on how it would be funded. (GEF) APPROVES GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY
o The New Collective Qualified Goals (NCQG) which
FRAMEWORK FUND (GBFF)
was agreed upon by the 2015 Paris conference for
climate financing prior to 2025 is set to miss its • 64th GEF council meeting was held in Brazil.
target. • GEF’s governing board has approved the
✓ The Developed countries are reluctant and establishment of a new fund GBFF to finance the
called for viewing NCQG as a “collective goal” implementation of Kunming-Montreal Global
for all developed and developing countries. Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
Related News: o The approved GBFF will be launched at the next
• European Investment Bank, is expected to back ‘Debt GEF Assembly in Canada by August 2023.
for Nature Swap’ this year. • GBFF will draw in capital from governments, private
o Debt for Nature Swap, is an arrangement in which sector, and philanthropic organisations and will focus
countries cut their debt in return for conservation on eight thematic Action Areas namely Biodiversity
commitments. conservation, restoration, land/sea-use and spatial
planning, etc.
5.6.3. PARIS FINANCE MEET o GBFF acknowledges the important roles and
• Summit for a New Global Financing Pact concluded contributions of indigenous peoples as custodians
recently in Paris, France. of biodiversity and in its conservation, restoration
• Summit's objective is to boost crisis financing for low- and sustainable use.
income states and ease their debt burdens, reform • Three principles that guide the country’s allocation of
post-war financial systems and free up funds to tackle resources for GBFF
climate change. o Allocation system must accommodate financial
• Key announcement made at summit contributions on a rolling basis.
o An additional lending capacity of $200 billion of o Consider special needs of Least Developed
Multi-Development Banks (MDBs) would be Countries and Small Island developing States.
unlocked for emerging economies. o Acknowledge that biodiversity is not evenly
✓ World Bank announced disaster clauses for distributed across the globe and some areas have
debt deals that would suspend debt payment greater potential to contribute to global
in case of extreme weather events. biodiversity benefits than others.
o $100bn is to be provided to poorer countries • KMGBF was adopted by COP15 (Montreal) of UN
through SDRs (form of currency provided by IMF). Convention on Biological Diversity.
✓ Recycling of SDRs from rich countries to poor o It has set 23 targets to be achieved by 2030, which
countries has been proposed to expand the include 30% conservation of land and sea, 30%
amount of concessional finance to developing restoration of degraded ecosystems and halving
countries. the introduction of invasive species.
o New 2.5 billion Euro Just Energy Transition • About GEF
Partnerships (JETP) deal was announced for o GEF is a multi stakeholder partnership to tackle
Senegal to increase renewable share in energy mix. various environmental issues established during
o Momentum on polluter taxes accelerated. the 1992 Rio Earth Summit of UNFCCC.
Pollution tax is a tax levied on persons who pollute o GEF funding is provided by participating donor
environment. countries and is mobilized through a
o Proposed a Global Expert Review on Debt, replenishment process every four years.
Nature, and Climate to assess impact of debt on o It serves as "financial mechanism" to five
low- and medium-income countries' capacity. conventions
o EU unveiled a call to action on ‘Paris Aligned ✓ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Carbon Markets’ with the goal of covering at least ✓ United Nations Framework Convention on
60 percent of global emissions with carbon pricing Climate Change (UNFCCC).
mechanisms. ✓ Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic
o Long overdue $100 billion climate finance goal will Pollutants (POPs).
be delivered this year (2023). ✓ UN Convention to Combat Desertification
(UNCCD).
✓ Minamata Convention on Mercury.

o Structure of GCF: 5.6.6. CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD
✓ The GEF Assembly is composed of all 185
CHOICES
member countries, or participants including
India. • A recent study highlighted the importance of bringing
✓ The GEF Council is the main governing body, changes in food choices and dietary habits to reduce
with 32 members appointed by constituencies emissions and tackle global warming.
of GEF member countries. • According to the research, food consumption in the 5
✓ The GEF Secretariat is based in Washington, highest emitting countries, China, India, Indonesia,
D.C. Brazil, and the US, was responsible for more than 40%
of the global food supply chain emissions in 2019.
5.6.5. WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED) • Food choices are increasingly contributing to global
2023 emissions due to-
• World Environment Day 2023 marks the completion of o Shift in diets to animal-based products, like red
50 years of its establishment on 5th June, 2023. meat, dairy, and farmed shrimp, resulting in
o WED is observed on 5th June every year since 1973 increased ruminant enteric emissions,
as part of the United Nations Environment deforestation, etc.
Programme (UNEP) to build awareness to save life o Preference to packaged and processed goods.
on planet Earth. o Globalisation of food choices (increases emission
due to transport, refrigeration etc.).
• Every year World Environment Day has a specific host
o Widespread consumption of unsustainably
country and a theme.
produced food (increase in emissions from
o This year host is the West African country of Côte
overuse of synthetic fertilizers).
d’Ivoire, in partnership with the Netherlands with
o Food wastage: At least 6% of global greenhouse
theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution.’
gas emissions come from wasted food.
o 45th World Environment Day with the same
theme was held under the leadership of India. • Way forward: Promoting plant-rich diets or plant-
based protein (such as beans, grains, etc.); alternatives
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on
such as lab-grown meat; preferring locally produced
occasion of WED 2023 launched two schemes named
and seasonal food; prioritizing unpackaged and
Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for
sustainably farmed whole food products, minimizing
Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes).
food wastage at home etc.
5.6.7. SUBSIDIES AND CLIMATE CHANGE

• According to a recent report by the World Bank
subsidies don’t help fight climate change.
• Key Highlights of the report:
o Report highlights the negative consequences of
inefficiently subsidising agriculture, fishing, and
fossil fuel sectors, both implicitly and explicitly, by
spending trillions of dollars, exacerbating climate
change.

o These subsidies exceed about 8% of global gross o The Indian Council of Forestry Research and
domestic product. Education is the administrator of the GCP,
o The distribution of subsidies across sectors and responsible for its implementation, management
countries is highly skewed and uneven. and monitoring.
• Effects of subsidies: • GCP was announced during the Union Budget 2023,
o Agriculture subsidies are responsible for the loss aligning with India’s climate goals under Paris
of 2.2 million hectares of forest per year - or 14% Agreement and realizing the vision of “Mission LiFE”.
of global deforestation. o GCP aims to leverage a competitive market-based
o Fossil fuel usage, incentivized by subsidies, is a key approach for Green Credits thereby incentivising
driver of the 7 million premature deaths each year voluntary environmental actions of various
due to air pollution. stakeholders.
o Fisheries subsidies, which exceed $35 billion each o Article 6 of Paris Agreement allows for carbon
year, are a key driver of dwindling fish stocks, trading through market mechanisms.
oversized fishing fleets, and falling profitability.
5.6.8. DRAFT GREEN CREDIT

PROGRAMME (GCP) IMPLEMENTATION
RULES 2023
(MoEF&CC) notified Draft GCP Implementation Rules
2023.
• MoEF&CC has decided to institute GCP under
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and issued these 5.6.9. SHORT-LIVED HALOGENS (SLH)
draft rules. • As per a recent study, oceans cool the planet by
• Draft GCP Implementation Rules 2023 releasing short-lived halogens that contribute 8-10 per
o Green Credit (GC) means a singular unit of an cent of cooling.
incentive provided for a specified activity, • SLH (lifetime of less than six months) are gases that
delivering a positive impact on the environment.
contain the halogen elements chlorine, bromine, or
o Objectives of GCP:
iodine.
✓ Create a market-based mechanism for
o Source: Marine phytoplankton and algae, as well
providing GCs to individuals, organizations,
as abiotic sources from ocean and tropospheric
local bodies, gram panchayats, private sectors
chemistry.
etc. for environment positive actions.
o Impact: SLH from oceans reduces warming by
✓ Create mass movement around environment
depleting ozone and reduce the formation of
positive actions and realize the vision of cooling aerosols
Mission LiFE.
o SLH increase methane’s lifetime in the
o GCs will be tradable outcomes and will be made
atmosphere and increase the levels of water
available for trading on a domestic market
vapour.
platform.
✓ An activity generating GCs may also get
Carbon Credits from the same activity under
the carbon market.

5.6.10. LEED RATING SYSTEM o First launched in 2018 by Department of Water
Resources, River Development & Ganga
• India outperforms US and China in Leadership in Rejuvenation.
Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) net zero ✓ 2nd and 3rd editions were given for the years
certifications. 2019 and 2020.
• LEED rating system provides a framework for healthy, ✓ Awards were not given in the year 2021 due
efficient, carbon and cost-saving green buildings. to COVID pandemic.
o It is a globally recognized certification system • Objective: To encourage various stakeholders towards
developed by U.S. Green Building Council and adopting a holistic approach towards water resources
administered by Green Business Certification Inc. management in the country.
o It achieves and recognizes building at four
certification level (Certified, Silver, Gold, 5.6.12. DESICCATION-TOLERANT
Platinum). VASCULAR (DT) PLANTS
o LEED India Programme is administered by Indian
• New study discovered 62 desiccation-tolerant vascular
Green Building Council (IGBC).
plant species in India's Western Ghats, having
• A complement to LEED certification, LEED Zero
applications in agriculture.
recognises projects that have reached net zero or net
o DT Plants are plants that are capable to withstand
positive status in the categories of carbon, energy,
extreme dehydration, losing up to 95% of their
water, or waste.
water content, and they revive themselves once
o India has 73 LEED Zero certified projects,
water is available again.
comprising 45% of the more than 150 total LEED
o Plants resistant to desiccation are commonly
Zero certifications.
known as “resurrection plants” (vascular and non-
✓ Nearly one-third of all carbon emissions in
vascular plants).
India come from building and construction
• In tropical regions, they are the predominant
sector.
occupants of rock outcrops.
o Haryana and Tamil Nadu are leading states in
• Rock outcrops are visible exposures of bedrock or
certifications.
other geologic formations at the surface of the Earth.
o India’s DLF group is the leader globally in total
LEED Zero certifications. 5.6.13. PROTOSTEROL BIOTA
• Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment
(GRIHA) is India’s own green building rating system • According to a recent study Protosterol Biota
jointly developed by The Energy & Resources Institute inhabited the underwater world over 1.6 billion years
(TERI) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. ago (Proterozoic Eon).
o GRIHA is a five star rating system. Rating is valid • These microscopic organisms belong to eukaryotes
for a period of 5 years. and are the source of the evolution of life on Earth.
o Eukaryotes are single-celled or multicellular
organisms whose cells contain a nucleus and other
membrane-bound organelles.
o Modern forms of eukaryotes include fungi, plants,
animals and single-celled organisms such as
amoebae.
5.6.14. BAN ON DRUGS HARMFUL FOR

VULTURES
• Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) recommended
ban on two more drugs harmful for vultures.
• DTAB agreed to prohibit manufacture, sale and
5.6.11. NATIONAL WATER AWARDS
distribution of drugs Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac for
• President of India conferred 4th National Water treatment of livestock animals to conserve vultures.
Awards, 2022. Prominent winners are Madhya o DTAB is the highest statutory decision-making
Pradesh (Best State), Ganjam in Odisha (Best District). body on technical matters related to drugs in the
• About National Water Awards: country.

o It is part of Central Drugs Standard Control sand mining and environmentally friendly
Organization (CDSCO) in Ministry of Health and management method.
Family Welfare. o Sand Mining Framework, 2018, prepared by
• Ketoprofen, Aceclofenac, Diclofenac and Nimesulide Ministry of Mines, envisages alternative sources
are Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) of sand in form of Manufactured -Sand from
used in veterinary practice that have been proven crushed rock fines (crusher dust), etc.
toxic to vultures and other birds of prey.
5.6.16. MARINE NOISE POLLUTION
o Diclofenac is already banned by India.
• Some NSAIDs are not fully metabolized by vultures • The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory
and cause damage to the birds’ kidneys. Species of Wild Animals (CMS) released a report to
o Treated cattle metabolize NSAIDs within 3-4 days address a major threat to marine species: noise
of treatment and therefore do not pose a threat pollution.
to vultures if they die after such a period has • The report focuses on three major sources of noise
lapsed. pollution:
• A total of nine species of vultures are found in India. o shipping,
These are: o seismic airgun surveys (used in oil and gas
o Oriental White-backed Vulture, Slender billed exploration)
Vulture, Long billed Vulture, Egyptian Vulture, Red o pile driving (used for offshore wind farms and
Headed Vulture, Indian Griffon Vulture, Himalayan other marine infrastructure).
Griffon, Cinereous Vulture and Bearded Vulture or • Solution offered to reduce noise pollution:
Lammergeier. o Alterations in ship design and propeller
o Population of White-backed Vulture, Slender technology, and improving operating conditions;
billed Vulture and Long billed Vulture (all three o Marine Vibroseis, a technology designed to
Critically Endangered) has declined drastically produce controlled vibration as compared to
over the past decades. airgun.
o Lower-frequency seismic signals, etc.
5.6.15. RIVER SAND MINING
• National Green Tribunal (NGT) has made it mandatory 5.6.17. INDIAN OCEAN DIPOLE (IOD) AND
to obtain consent from concerned SPCBs for river sand EL-NINO
mining.
• While the El Nino is already firmly established in the
o NGT directed MoEFCC to issue guidelines within
Pacific Ocean this year, a positive IOD development is
two months to ensure that it is uniformly
also being forecasted by different meteorological
applicable.
agencies.
o No river sand mining will be allowed to continue
• IOD is defined by the difference in sea surface
in country without obtaining these consents with
temperature between the eastern and western sides of
effect from 1st September 2023.
the Indian Ocean.
• Sand mining is extraction of sand, mainly through an
• Relation between Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
open pit but sometimes mined from inland dunes from and IOD
oceans, riverbeds and beaches.
o The air circulation in the Indian Ocean is from west
o It is classified as a ‘minor mineral’ under section
to east, and in opposite directions at the upper
3(e) of Mines and Mineral (Development and level.
Regulation) i.e., MMDR Act 1957 and o In a normal year warm water from the west Pacific
administrative control vests with State cross over to the Indian Ocean and make the air
Governments.
rise and strengthening the air circulation.
• Impact of sand mining o During ELnino, the western side of the Pacific is
o Alter river bed, force river to change course, erode cooler than normal because of which the Indian
banks and lead to flooding. Ocean side also gets cooler and helps in the
o Destroys habitat of aquatic animals and micro- development of positive IOD.
organisms besides affecting groundwater o Similarly negative IOD is associated with LA-lina.
recharge. o Researchers believe that while external factors
• Initiatives taken to curb sand mining such as ENSO can trigger IOD, many times is
o Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines caused by the local circulations.
2016, issued by MoEFCC, encourages scientific

• A positive IOD helps rainfall along the African coast, o Warm conditions are very much favourable for
and Indian subcontinent while suppressing it in the the rapid intensification of cyclones so it has
eastern Indian Ocean, and the opposite during a potential to sustain the strength for a longer
negative IOD. period.
o Compared with ENSO events, the impact of IODs is o Increasing frequency of El Nino Modoki
much weaker but they can subdue the impact of phenomenon which makes conditions conducive
ENSO for cyclone formation over Arabian Sea.
✓ El Nino Modoki causes warm moist conditions
in Central Pacific and dry cold conditions in
Eastern and western pacific.
5.6.19. EARTHQUAKE IN JAMMU &

KASHMIR AND LADAKH
• Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh hit by several mild-
intensity earthquakes within 24 hours.
• Geology of the Himalayas, determined largely by the
ongoing collision of Indian tectonic plate with
Eurasian plate, makes the region particularly
vulnerable to earthquakes.
o Indian plate is diving under (subduction) the
Eurasian plate in north-northeast direction.
• Geology of the Himalayas on its southern side is
characterised by three major tectonic units:
o Main Central Thrust (MCT)
o Main Boundary Thrust (MBT)
o Himalayan Frontal Thrust (HFT) or Main Frontal
Thrust (MFT).
• Highest and oldest of these is MCT, which is a north-
dipping fault and marks tectonic contact between
higher and lesser Himalayas.
o Lesser and sub-Himalayas are separated by MBT,
and HFT constitutes southern-most and youngest
thrust.
o All these three faults conjoin along basal
detachment plane—called decollément in
geophysical language—called Main Himalayan
Thrust (MHT).
5.6.18. CYCLONES IN ARABIAN SEA • In the current era, both MBT and HFT faults are
considered more active compared to MCT.
• Cyclone Biparjoy, earlier headed towards Pakistan • There is about 700 km stretch in Central Himalayas
coastline, is now predicted to move towards northern where MFT has shown no sign of any rupturing for
Gujarat coast, with a landfall expected on June 15. several centuries, which is referred to as “Central
o Cyclones in Arabian Sea usually do not move seismic gap”.
towards Indian coast. • Seismic gap regions are high risk areas for large
o Most of them, more than 75%, move northwards earthquakes in the future.
or north-westwards with trajectory directed
towards Pakistan, Iran or Oman.
• According to a recent study, there is a 52% increase in
the frequency of cyclonic storms (CS) during 2001–
2019 in the Arabian Sea making India’s west coast
more vulnerable.
• CS are increasing in Arabian sea because of
o Warming of both the sea surface temperature and
deeper waters in Arabian Sea.
5.6.20. GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION
TILTED EARTH’S SPIN
• A new study found that Groundwater pumping has
tilted the planet nearly 80 centimetres east between
1993 and 2010 alone.
• Planet’s geographic north and south poles are where
its axis intersects the surface; however, they are not
fixed.
o The axis and hence the poles fluctuate due to
variations in Earth’s mass distribution.
o Water circulated across the planet determines
how mass is distributed.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023
Why in the news?
Recently, both houses of
Parliament passed the Biological
Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2023,
amending the Biological Diversity
Act of 2002.
Biological Diversity Act 2002
• The Act was implemented to
help India meet the objectives
of the United Nations
Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) 1992.
• The Law was enacted with the
aim to:
o Conserve biodiversity.
o Promote the sustainable
utilisation of its elements.
o Ensure just and fair
distribution of the
advantages arising from
the use of biological
resources.
• Act provides for a decentralised three-tiered mechanism for regulation.
o National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level,
o State Biodiversity Boards (SSB) at the state level, and
o Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) at the local body level.
• Act provides for sharing benefits with biodiversity conservers and holders and creators of associated knowledge.
o Benefits may be shared in various forms, such as monetary compensation, sharing of intellectual property rights,
or technology transfer.
Key changes made in the Biodiversity Amendment bill

Provision Biological Diversity Act 2002 Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill 2023
Extension of • Act requires prior approval or intimation • It exempts AYUSH registered practitioners, local people
Exemptions to the regulatory authority for accessing and communities of the area, including growers and
biological resources. cultivators of biodiversity, from giving prior intimation to
SBB for accessing biological resources for commercial
utilization.
Approval for • Act specifies that approval of NBA is • Amendment changes the requirement and now the
Intellectual required before applying for IPR involving approval will be required before the actual grant of the
biological resources obtained from India. IPR and not before the application.
Property Rights
(IPR)
Benefit Sharing • Act requires users of biological resources • Bill exempts users of “codified traditional knowledge”
and associated knowledge to share from this requirement.
benefits with local communities.
Offences and • Offences like failure to take approvals • Bill decriminalises the offences and makes offences
Penalties from the authorities for various activities punishable with a penalty between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 50
which were punishable up to 5 years or a lakh.
fine or both. • Continuing contravention may attract an additional
penalty of up to 1 crore rupees (Here, the adjudicating
officer should not be below the rank of Joint Secretary).
Expansion of • Act requires NBA to have 10 ex-officio • 16 ex officio members representing the Ministries like
NBA members apart from the Chairman. Tribal Affairs, Biotechnology etc.
• 5 non-official members to be appointed • 4 representatives from SSB.
from amongst specialists (including legal) • 5 non-official members amongst specialists (including
and scientists. legal) and scientists.
• 1 Member-Secretary (must have experience in
biodiversity conservation), who will be the chief
coordinating officer of the NBA.
Key issues with the Bill
• Ambiguity in the definition of codified traditional knowledge: The CBD’s
Nagoya and Cartagena protocols do not define this term.
o A broad interpretation of this term might exempt almost all
traditional knowledge from benefit-sharing requirements.
• Local communities may have little say in benefit sharing: Bill removes the
direct role of local bodies and benefits claimers in determining mutually
agreed terms.
• Issues in offences and penalties:
o A wide range of penalties can be levied, between one lakh rupees and
one crore rupees. There needs to be legislative guidance to the
adjudicating officer on assessing the penalty within this range.
• Large companies may evade the requirement for prior approval or sharing the benefits:
o Most AYUSH firms are registered under the name of the practising AYUSH doctors, and excluding them could also
exempt their companies.
o A company under foreign management but registered in India wouldn’t need to seek permission from the NBA
to use a specific resource and develop a product from it. Without the NBA’s cognisance, any monetary benefits
from the product’s sale might not reach the local communities.
Conclusion
There is a need to address the abovementioned concerns to ensure that India’s rich biological diversity and associated
traditional and contemporary knowledge systems be preserved without compromising the objectives and hindering their
growth and usability.
5.2. PROTECTION OF PLANT VARIETIES AND FARMERS' RIGHTS (PPVFR)

Why in the news?
Recently, Delhi High Court dismissed an appeal filed by PepsiCo India Holdings (PIH) against a 2021 order revoking PIH’s
registration of a potato variety FL-2027.
Background of the Issue
• The FL-2027 variety of potatoes (commercial name FC-5) was introduced by Pepsi in 2009 through a contract farming
arrangement.
• The FL-2027 variety was registered under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act 2016.
• In 2019, Pepsico sued some farmers in Gujarat for illegally growing its registered potato variety and violating its IPR
under the Act.
• In 2021, the registration of FL-
2027 was revoked on the
grounds of furnishing incorrect
information and infringing
farmers’ rights.
About the Protection of Plant
Varieties and Farmers' Rights
(PPV&FR) Act 2001
• Enacted: In 2001 under Article 27(3) (b) of the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights
(TRIPS).
o The act conforms with International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), 1978.
• World’s only IPR legislation: that grants intellectual property rights not only to the plant breeders but also to the
farmers by protecting new, extant and farmers’ varieties.
o Unlike UPOV, the Act facilitates the protection of not only new but even existing varieties.
• Objective:
o To recognise and protect farmers’ rights regarding plant genetic resources for the development of new plant
varieties.
o To accelerate agricultural development in the country,
o Protect plant breeders' rights.
o Facilitate the growth of the seed industry in the country.
• Protection period:
o Trees and vines: 18 years.
o For other crops, 15 years.
o For extant varieties: 15 years
• Institutions/Authorities:
o Plant Varieties Protection Appellate Tribunal (PVPAT): Decisions of the PVPAT can be challenged in the High
Court. The Tribunal shall dispose of the appeal within one year.
o Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FR Authority): Established to implement the
provisions of the Act by the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture.
✓ Its function includes Registration of new plant varieties, Facilitating the development and
commercialisation of new varieties, etc.
Rights under the Act
Breeders’ Rights Researchers’ Rights
• Breeders have exclusive rights to • Researchers can use any of the registered varieties under the Act for conducting
produce, sell, market, distribute, experiments or research.
import, or export the protected • Can also use a variety as an initial source of variety for the purpose of developing
variety. another variety.
Farmers’ Rights
• A farmer is entitled to register and protect a new variety.
• A farmer can save, use, sow, re-sow, exchange, share or sell his farm produce including seeds of a variety protected under
the PPV&FR Act, 2001.
o The farmer shall not be entitled to sell branded seed of a variety protected under the PPV&FR Act, 2001.
• In the case of non-performance of variety, the farmer shall be compensated.
Concerns with PPV&FR
• Limited Access to Seeds: Breeders' rights can restrict small-scale farmers' access due to costly patented seeds.
• Hybrid and GM Seeds Preference: Contradicts PPV&FR's aim to conserve plant genetic resources.
• Implementation Challenges like lack of awareness, resources, and infrastructure hinder effective enforcement.
• Biopiracy Concerns: Local communities are exploited without fair compensation for traditional knowledge and
resources.
Conclusion
The PPV&FR Act 2001 promotes the interest of Breeders, Researchers’ and Farmers. There is a need to ensure that Act is
implemented comprehensively.
Difference Between Patent And PPV&FR Act
Patent PPV&FR Act
• Deals with IPR over devices of • Confers IPR to plant breeders who have bred or developed plant varieties.
Industrial applications.
• Set of exclusive rights granted by • Gives rights to farmers, breeders and researchers besides giving protection to
a state (national government) to varieties of all crop species notified under the Act.
an inventor or their assignee for
a limited period of time in
exchange for the public
disclosure of an invention.
• No provision for benefit sharing. • Provision for benefits sharing, compensation to the farmers, etc.
5.3. TIGER CONVERSATION IN INDIA

5.3.1. STATUS OF TIGER REPORT
Why in the news?
The National Tiger Conservation

Authority (NTCA) recently released the
Status of Tigers, co-predators and Prey
in India-2022 report.
Key observation from the Status of Tiger

report
• Land area: 53 tiger reserves cover
2.3% of India's total land area.
• Population: India currently harbours
almost 75% of the world’s wild tiger
population.
o Central India and the Shivalik
Hills and Gangetic Plains
witnessed a notable increase in
tiger population.
• Need to strengthen: Approximately
35% of tiger reserves urgently
require enhanced protection
measures, subsequent tiger
reintroduction, etc.
• Technique used
o M-STrIPES (Monitoring System
For Tigers-Intensive Protection
and Ecological Status): uses a

Global Positioning System and remote sensing to collect information from the field.
o Camera trap-based Capture-Mark-Recapture: Camera trap surveys are a well-established method for the
abundance and density estimation of tigers.
o In areas where camera trapping was not possible molecular tools were used to determine the presence of tigers
by extracting DNA from scats.
5.3.2. MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVENESS EVALUATION (MEE) OF TIGER RESERVES

Why in the news?
Recently, the National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA)
released the Management
Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE)
of Tiger Reserves in India (5th
cycle) – Final report.
About MEE
• The government has been
using the MEE to assess tiger
reserves nationwide since its inception in 2006.
• It is being jointly conducted by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India
(WII).
• It was the 5th cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) carried out by the government.
• The framework for assessing the management effectiveness of protected areas was given by International Union for
Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources World Commission on Protected Areas (See infographic).
What is MEE?
• It is defined as the assessment of how well Protected
Areas (PAs) are being managed primarily, whether they
are protecting their values and achieving the goals and
objectives agreed upon.
• The term management effectiveness reflects three
main themes of PA management.
o Design issues relating to both individual sites and PA
systems
o The adequacy and appropriateness of management
system and process.
o Delivery of the objectives of PAs including
conservation of values.
About the 5th cycle of MEE
• 51 tiger reserves were evaluated as two newly declared tiger reserves, Ramgarh Visdhari and Ranipur, have not been
included in the current cycle of MEE.
o The Periyar Tiger Reserve in Kerala has been ranked as the best-maintained tiger reserve in India.
• The overall mean MEE score has increased from 65% in the second cycle in 2010 to 78% in the present assessment,
indicating continuous improvement in management effectiveness.
o 12 tiger reserves ranked in the 'Excellent' category, followed by 21 in the 'Very Good' category, 13 in the 'Good'
category, and 5 in the 'Fair' category.
o The MEE report graded none of the country's tiger reserves as 'Poor’.
• The headline indicator 'carbon capture and climate change' received the lowest score in the current cycle due to the
absence of a mandate for it in Tiger Conservation Plans.

For more information on Project Tiger, Tiger Species and NTCA, refer to April 2023 Monthly Current Affairs Magazine.
Related News: Centre merged Project Tiger and Project Elephant
• After the merger, a new division named ‘Project Tiger and Elephant Division’ (PT&E) has been created under the Ministry
of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
o The staff and divisional heads of Project Elephant (PE) will now report to the additional director general of forests
(ADGF), Project Tiger (PT), who has now been designated as ADGF (PT&E).
o Reason for the merger is to rationalize funding for both conservation projects.
• Significance of the merger
o It would help in streamlining the efforts to conserve both species.
o Makes the administration of the projects efficient and linear.
o Since both species share the same habitat, an integrated approach can benefit both.
• Challenge:
o The inclusion of multiple species under one project may dwindle the actual fund allocation to the tigers.
o Both the programs required separate units and heads, given the different nature of challenges in their conservation
5.4. FOREST CONSERVATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2023

Why in the news?
Both the houses passed the Forest Conservation (Amendment) (FCA) Bill 2023.
About Forest Conservation (Amendment) (FCA) Bill, 2023
• It will amend Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.
o Forests is a subject under the Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, empowering
the Parliament of India to enact a law on it.
• Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: puts several restrictions on the de-reservation of forests or use of forest land for
non-forest purposes and specifies penalties for contravention of any of its provisions.
o The Act has been given a new name through the amendment– T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of
‘Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam’ (Forest India Case (1996)
(Conservation and Augmentation) Act), 1980. • Till 1996 concerned authorities used to
• Bill will enable India to increase its forest/tree cover; achieve national apply the provisions of the Act only to the
and international targets; Fast track Strategic & security-related forests notified under the Indian Forest
Act of 1927.
projects; etc.
• The Supreme Court judgment, in this
Key Amendments case, expanded the definition of “forest”
covered under the Act to include:
• Rationale: Clarifies the scope of applicability of the Act after the o All areas recorded as “forest” in any
ambiguity created by the Supreme Court judgment in the T.N. government (Union and State)
Godavarman case (1996). record, irrespective of ownership,
• Addition of Preamble: It encompasses India’s Nationality recognition and classification.
Determined Contribution and other National targets, such as Net o All areas that conformed to the
Zero Emission by 2070, creating a carbon sink of an additional 2.5 to “dictionary” meaning of forest.
3.0 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030. o Areas are identified as “forests” by
an expert committee constituted by
• Coverage: Land covered under the provisions of the Act includes:
the Supreme Court following the
o Land declared/notified as a forest under the Indian Forest Act,
1996 order.
1927 or other laws.
o Land recorded in Government records (records held by Revenue Department/Forest Department of the State/UT
Governments etc.) as forest, as on or after 1980.
✓ This does not include land which has been officially changed from forest use to use for non-forest purposes
on or before 1996.
• Exempted Categories of Land: Certain categories of land have been kept outside the purview of the Act (see image).
o Further, tree, tree plantation or reafforestation raised on lands not explicitly covered under the Act is allowed.
• Addition of activities into the array of forestry activities: Following activities have been excluded from the definition
of non-forest purposes:

o establishment of zoos and safaris under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, in forest areas other than protected
areas;
o eco-tourism facilities included in plans of the area;
o silvicultural operations, including regeneration operations; and
o any other purposes specified by the Central Government.
• Uniformity in the Assignment/leasing of forest land: State governments now require prior approval of the central
government before assigning of forest land by way of lease or otherwise to government entities as well (earlier
needed for only private entities).
• Central government have been further empowered to:
o Specify terms and conditions for treating any survey, such as reconnaissance, prospecting, investigation or
exploration, including seismic survey, as non-forest purposes.
o Provide terms and conditions for exempted lands, including planting trees to compensate felling of trees.
o Issue directions to any government authority or organisation for implementation of the act.
Concerns regarding the Bill

• Contrary to the spirit of FCA, 1980: Excluding more activities for non-forest purposes may promote large-scale
deforestation.
• Invalidates SC’s 1996 Judgement: Placing non-recorded forests out of the purview of the Act leaves large areas of
forests unprotected.
o For example, the sacred forest Mangar Bani in Haryana is unrecognised.
• Dilutes Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights Act), 2006: Exemptions
to forest lands are provided without consent or clearance by any authorities such as the Gram Sabha.
• Compromises Federalism: The state government needs to take prior approval from the Central government for
assigning forest land on lease to government authorities.
• Threatens Ecologically Fragile Areas: Blanket exemptions across international borders can threaten biodiversity in
most ecologically fragile areas, such as the Northeast.
• Plantations vs Natural forests: Plantations cannot substitute for the large gamut of ecological services offered by
natural forests.
Conclusion
The Amendment Act aims to promote the conservation of forests and fulfil India’s international commitments. A
comprehensive survey of the extent of all forest land in the country can be conducted to address the concerns. Further,
any diversion of forest land should be done to protect the ecological integrity of the region and ensure sustainable
development.
5.5. GRADED RESPONSE ACTION PLAN (GRAP)

Why in the news?
Recently, Commission
for Air Quality
Management in NCR &
Adjoining Areas
(CAQM) announced a
revision in the existing
GRAP to abate air
pollution in the region.
About Graded
Response Action Plan
• GRAP is an
emergency
response mechanism based on Delhi's Air Quality Index level.
o It brings together all stakeholders to respond to deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR.
• In pursuant to the Supreme Court’s order of 2016 in the matter of M. C. Mehta vs Union of India regarding air quality
in the National Capital Region of Delhi, a Graded Response Action Plan was prepared.
• The GRAP was first notified under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986 in January 2017 by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
o According to the notification, implementing the GRAP fell on the now-dissolved Environment Pollution
(Prevention and Control) Authority
for the NCR.
✓ From 2021 onwards, the GRAP is
being implemented by the
CAQM.
• Since October 2022, GRAP has been
enforced based on the AQI.
o AQI includes pollutants-PM10,
PM2.5, NO2, Ozone, SO2, CO, NH3
and lead (Pb).
o Older version of the GRAP was
enforced based only on the
concentration of PM2.5 and PM10.
• The GRAP for the NCR has been classified
under four different stages of adverse
air quality in Delhi. (Shown in Table)
Revised Graded Response Action Plan
Stages Delhi AQI Actions
Stage I - 'Poor' 201-300 • Strictly enforce NGT / SC’s order on over aged diesel / petrol vehicles and as per extant
Air Quality statutes.
• Ensure hotels, restaurants and open eateries use only electricity / clean fuel gasbased
appliances (Shifted from Stage-II to Stage I)
• New Additions:
o Citizen charter: Prefer hybrid vehicles or EVs to control vehicular pollution.
o Do not drive/ply end of life/ 10/15 years old Diesel/Petrol vehicles.
Stage ll - 'Very 301-400 • Schedule for regulated operations of DG sets across all sectors in the NCR including
Poor' Air Industrial, Commercial, Residential and Office establishments etc.
Quality • New Additions:
o Ensure focussed and targeted action on predominant sector(s) contributing to adverse
air quality in all identified hotspots in NCR.
Stage III – 401-450 • NCR State Governments. / GNCTD Action: To impose strict restrictions on plying of BS III
‘Severe’ Air petrol and BS IV diesel LMVs (4 wheelers).
Quality • New Additions:
o NCR State Governments. / GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical
classes in schools for children up to Class V.
Stage IV – 450+ • New Additions:
‘Severe +’ Air o Do not permit LCVs registered outside Delhi, other than EVs / CNG / BS-VI diesel, except
Quality those carrying essential commodities / providing essential services.
o NCR State Governments/GNCTD may take a decision on discontinuing physical classes
even for classes VI – IX, class XI and conduct lessons in an online mode.
Other Key Features
• Time of enforcement: The revised GRAP to come into force w.e.f. 01.10.2023 in the entire NCR.
• Can be invoked at least three days in advance: Based on the dynamic model and weather/ meteorological forecast
by IMD / llTM on a day-to-day basis.
o Actions under Stages ll, lll and lV of the GRAP shall be invoked at least three days before the AQI reaches that
stage's projected levels.
• Continued Restrictive Actions: For example, restrictive actions under the Stage lll category, whenever invoked, shall
be in addition to those under Stage I and ll, respectively and so on.
• Additional Measures: CAQM may decide upon additional measures and exceptions to the schedule of the GRAP
under different air pollution categories, i.e., Stages I to lV, as per the prevalent AQI and weather forecast.
Conclusion
The 5th Annual World Air Quality Report released by IQAir reported that Delhi was ranked fourth in the world’s most
polluted cities. A graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) is the right step to curb NCR air pollution and reduce its negative
impact on health.
5.6. PLASTIC POLLUTION

Why in the news?
Prime Minister has called on G-20 nations to work
constructively for an effective international legally-
binding instrument to end plastic pollution.
More on News
• As per the 2023 Plastic Overshoot Day Report
released by Swiss-based research consultancy Earth
Action (EA):

o On July 28, 2023, the Earth saw its first Plastic Overshoot Day.
o India saw its Plastic Overshoot Day on 6th January 2023.
o India is among the 12 countries responsible for 52% of the world’s mismanaged plastic waste.
• Overshoot Day is the day when the generation of plastic waste exceeds the capacity of waste management, leading
to environmental pollution.
o It is based on the country’s Mismanaged Waste Index (MWI), i.e., the mismanaged and total waste ratio.
Impact of Plastic pollution Challenges in Curbing plastic pollution
• Bisphenols and phthalates releasing • Weak waste management systems: Lagging to meet the growing needs.
into air from burning of plastics. • Insufficient data and reporting: as the products are scattered into diverse
• Micro plastics entering the marine & sectors.
human leading to serious ailments. • Use of Single-Use Plastics which has short lifespan and widespread use.
• Plastic nets entangles with the marine • Poor implementation of policies: Like Plastic Waste Management
lives. Amendment Rules, 2021.
• Degradation of the earth's land • Consumer’s behaviour: which are currently aligned with the usage of plastic
surfaces due to dangerous chemicals disposables.
from plastic. • Lack of a suitable alternative: which are either too costly or difficult to
produce in mass.
Initiatives to curb Plastic Pollution
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2021
o Prohibited the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of single-use plastics.
o The thickness of plastic carry bags increased from 50 to 75 microns from 30th September 2021 and to 120 microns
with effect from 31st December 2022.
o Extended Producer Responsibility guidelines made applicable to plastic producers.
• Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022: To strengthen the circular economy of plastic packaging
waste and development of recycling infrastructure for plastic packaging waste.
• Private sector collaborations: India Plastics Pact (IPP), Un-Plastic Collective (UPC) etc.
• UNEA’s Resolution to “End Plastic Pollution.”
o 175 countries have endorsed the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-5) resolution in Nairobi to End Plastic
Pollution and forge an international legally binding agreement by 2024.
o Countries will be expected to develop, implement and update national action plans.
Conclusion
There is a need for multiple steps like incentivising Recycling, creating awareness, stricter implementation of rules,
strengthening the Pollution Control Board, etc., to address the growing issue of Plastic Pollution in the country.
Also, with a focus on resource efficiency and recovery, implementing the circular economy can lead to materials
constantly flowing around a ‘closed loop’ system rather than being used once and then discarded.
5.7. BLUE ECONOMY

Why in the news?
Recently a G20 concluded with adopting a series of “Chennai High-
Level Principles” for a sustainable and resilient blue economy.
More on news
• The Chennai High-Level Principles are a set of principles which
majorly call for:
o Establish and Implement Blue Economy Monitoring and
Evaluation Mechanisms
o Enhance Ocean Finance
o Promote using Marine Spatial Planning.

o Address Marine Pollution and Reverse Biodiversity Loss
o Recognise and Protect Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge
About Blue Economy
• It refers to sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihood and jobs, and ocean
ecosystem health (according to World Bank).
• SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources.
• Significance of Blue Economy to India:
o Estimated Size of the Blue Economy in India: about 4% of GDP.
o Unique Maritime Position: 7517 km long coastline and has 12 major ports and 187 non-major ports.
✓ India’s Exclusive Economic Zone is over two million square kilometres.
o Provide Value addition to existing sectors: like in trade, in shipping, in deep-sea minerals, aquaculture and
fisheries and marine-related technologies.
o Other benefits like job creation, food security, ensures livelihood, renewable energy etc
Challenges to Achieve Blue Economy
• Lack of specific organisational framework in India: Relating to granting permissions, leasing, evaluating and
monitoring offshore activities.
• Lack of comprehensive legislation for Blue Economy (draft policy framework on India’s Blue Economy was prepared
Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2021).
• Measurement Challenges: Existing economic classifications struggle to distinguish ocean-based activities due to
limitations in the System of National Accounts (NAS).
• Other challenges include Climate Change, overfishing, marine plastic pollution, etc.
Way Forward
• To Set up a Nodal Agency: which would be responsible for achieving integration between various sectors of the Blue
Economy.
• To commence a periodical study: of the ocean floor on various parameters need to be done to explore the minerals
better.
• Formulate a new National Map and Data Policy: To balance the increased requirement of data security and
transparency with respect to the offshore areas and the EEZ and Continental Shelf.
• Use of Technology: to reduce pollution at sea and unsustainable usage of resources.
• Encourage private investments: in Industries such as aquaculture, marine biotechnology, ocean energy etc.
5.8. RESOURCE EFFICIENCY CIRCULAR ECONOMY INDUSTRY COALITION

(RECEIC)
Why in the news?
Recently, RECEIC was launched at the G20 4th
Environment and Climate Sustainability Working
Group (ECSWG) meeting.
About RECEIC
• It is an industry-driven initiative.
• About 39 companies headquartered in 11
countries have joined the coalition as its founding
members.
• It is envisaged to accelerate the implementation
of
o The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals.
o Climate Goals under the Paris Agreement.
o Goals and targets under the Kunming Montreal
Global Biodiversity Framework.
o Kigali Amendments, Resource Efficiency
Dialogue Roadmap and other relevant
international goals.
• The coalition is structured around the three guiding
pillars:
• Partnerships for Impact:
o Showcasing success stories from the ground
level.
o The utilisation of waste materials generated by
one industry as raw materials in another.
o Enabling cooperation across value chains. For
instance, programs to involve MSMEs and
companies in the unorganised sector.
• Enhancing Capabilities and Technology
Collaborations:
o Dialogues to identify technology and innovation
gaps.
o Identify high-impact use cases for technological
innovation, such as Plastic Industry.
o Technology interventions to enhance sustainability across the 6 Rs of circularity-redesign, reduce, reuse,
remanufacture, repair and recycle.
• Investments for Scale:
o Mobilising concessional finance for circular economy projects by sharing investment best practices.
5.9. IMO STRATEGY ON REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE (GHG) EMISSIONS FROM

SHIPS 2023
Why in the news?
International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a
Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.
More on news
• Adopted by the Marine Environment Protection
Committee (MEPC 80), an important committee of
IMO.
• GHG by Shipping Industry: Accounts for 2.89% of
anthropogenic GHG emissions.
o Includes carbon dioxide (CO2), black carbon (BC),
nitrogen oxides (NOx) and nitrous oxide (N2O).
Key Provisions of Strategy
• Reduction of Emissions:
o Reduce CO2 emissions by at least 40% by 2030, compared to 2008.
o Peak GHG emissions from international shipping as soon as possible and reach net-zero GHG emissions by or
around 2050.
• Improving the energy efficiency of new ships.
• Technology adoption: Uptake of technologies to reduce:
o at least 5%, striving for 10%, of the energy used by international shipping by 2030.
• Periodic Review: Five-yearly review, first review due in 2028.
Challenges in Controlling Emissions from Ships
• Compliance with Rules and Regulations: Strategies for emissions reduction are not legally binding.
• High cost of Retrofitting: Ships’ engines need to be updated with the latest decarbonisation technologies (refer to
image).
• Transition to Conventional fuel: Due to the Higher price of low-carbon fuel alternatives (such as hydrogen).
• Other challenges: like need for more workforce/resources/ effective monitoring and cooperation etc.
Other Efforts for Reducing Emissions from Ships
India
• Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has released 'Harit Sagar' Green Port Guidelines 2023.
• India has been selected as the first country under IMO’s Green Voyage 2050 project.
• Maritime Vision 2030 provides for a sustainable maritime sector.
• Certain Ports to be developed as Hydrogen Hubs (capable of handling, storing, and generation of green hydrogen by 2030).
• Centre has set 2030 as target for India to become global hub for green shipping.
• Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has launched the Green Tug Transition Programme (GTTP).
Global
• Clydebank Declaration for Green Shipping Corridors (India is not signatory).
• Financing Sustainable Maritime Transport (FIN-SMART) Roundtable initiative (IMO-EBRD-World Bank)
• Global Maritime Technologies Cooperation Centres (MTCC) Network (GMN) (European Union and IMO)
• IMO CARES (Coordinated Actions to Reduce Emissions from Shipping) Foundation Project (2022-2024)
Conclusion
Emissions from the shipping industry can be further reduced by adopting innovative decarbonisation solutions, ensuring
global cooperation, promoting Market-based measures (emissions trading systems), supporting developing nations
(technology transfer), and improving Infrastructure (pipelines, storage facilities).
5.10. WIND ENERGY

Why in the news?
Standing Committee on Energy recently presented the
Report on the ‘Evaluation of Wind Energy in India’.
About Wind Energy
• Wind Energy classification based on location
o Onshore wind energy: Wind turbines are
placed in farmland, coastal areas near the
ocean’s edge, or at high altitudes.
o Offshore wind energy: Wind turbines are
situated out to sea or in large bodies of water.
• Advantages of Wind Energy
o Clean and renewable energy source: Help achieve Panchamrit Commitments of COP.
o Low cost of maintenance
o Effective development of hybrid systems: World’s largest wind-solar hybrid power plant is at Jaisalmer,
Rajasthan.
o Cost-effective: Land-based, utility-scale wind turbines provide one of the lowest-priced energy sources available
today.
o Employment generation: According to Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), India can create over a million jobs
through greater emphasis on wind energy.
o Other benefits: self-reliance in energy, set up in remote areas (coastal areas, islands etc.)
Challenges in the growth of Wind Energy in India
• Geographic Concentration: Wind resource is highly site-specific, and most wind-rich sites (Gujarat, AP, MP, etc.) have
already been exploited to a large extent.
• Pending approval of Draft Policy Repowering Steps taken by Government
of the Wind Power Projects, 2022: After • National Offshore Wind Energy Policy (2015): Providing the basic
feedback from stakeholders, the policy is still framework for developing the offshore wind sector.
pending final approval with the government. • Meso-scale map of Wind potential: National Institute of Wind
• High tariff: Compared to other renewable Energy (NIWE) has prepared a mesoscale map and published wind
sources, especially solar energy, wind energy potential maps at 50m, 80m, 100m and 120m above ground level.
has higher tariffs. o Most of this potential exists in eight States namely Andhra
• Impact on wildlife: Wind farms affect wild Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.
animals both directly, via collisions, as well as
• National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy (2018): The policy was
indirectly due to noise pollution, habitat loss,
introduced to provide a framework for the promotion of large grid-
and reduced survival or reproduction. connected wind-solar PV hybrid systems.
• Some Challenges Specific to Offshore Wind • New Guideline issued: Guidelines for Tariff Based Competitive
Farms Bidding Process for Procurement of Power from Grid Connected
o Unexploited offshore wind energy Wind Power Projects and issued under Electricity Act, 2003.
capacity: No offshore wind project has • Incentive Schemes: Generation Based Incentive (GBI) is being
been established in the country. This is provided to the wind projects commissioned on or before 31
despite having a dedicated National March 2017.
Offshore Wind Energy Policy. • Waiver of Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charges: This
o Protecting the export cables: Damages waiver is for the inter-State sale of solar and wind power for
due to anchors, fishing gear, dredging, and projects to be commissioned by 30th June 2025.
more.
o Design, manufacture and operation of Policy for Repowering of Wind Power Projects 2016
offshore wind farm: Issues such as • Objective: To promote the optimum utilisation of wind energy
resources by creating a facilitative framework for repowering.
corrosion, fatigue, erosion, lightning
• Incentive: Additional interest rate rebate of 0.25% over and above
strikes, etc. the interest rate rebates available to the new wind projects being
o Impacting locals: Offshore wind farms financed by IREDA.
built within view of the coastline may be • Implementation Arrangements: State Nodal Agency/Organisation
unpopular among residents, especially involved in promoting wind energy in the State.
fishing communities, and may affect • Financial Outlay: No additional financial liability is to be met by the
tourism. MNRE for implementing the Repowering Policy.
Way forward
• Recommendation by committee
o New and Efficient Turbines: Old and less efficient wind turbines should be retired and replaced with
technologically advanced and more efficient wind turbines.
o Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme: Need to finalise the VGF scheme for offshore wind energy projects. Draft
Policy Repowering of the Wind Power Projects, 2022: Ministry should approve the revised policy as early as
possible and ensure its timely implementation to achieve the objectives in this regard.
o Offshore wind: Details regarding the bidding trajectory for installing 37 GW capacity of Off-shore Wind Energy by
2030 need to be published.
• Other Suggestions
o Introducing Tax breaks: Need to implement industry-friendly breaks on the sale of power.
o Robust policy framework: To improve demand for wind turbines and incentives manufacturers to restore supply
to the domestic market.
o Specific to Offshore Wind Farm
✓ Use of larger turbine blades: Significant improvements in efficiency and reductions in cost have been
achieved through the use of larger turbine blades with the next generation of composite blade structures.

5.11.1. CROP RESIDUE MANAGEMENT • Key highlights of CCTS
GUIDELINES o Set up National Steering Committee (NSC), aka
Indian Carbon Market Governing Board (ICMGB),
• Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare revised headed by power and environment secretaries, to
Crop Residue Management Guidelines. govern and oversee the functions of the Indian
• Guidelines will enable efficient ex-situ management of Carbon Market (ICM).
paddy straw generated in Punjab, Haryana, UP and o The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) would be
Delhi. the administrator for the carbon market and set
o Burning of crop residues results in the emission of targets for reduction in emissions, issue carbon
gases such as CH4, CO, N2O and NOx, particulate credit certificates, and accredit carbon verification
matter, loss of plant nutrients and adversely agencies.
affects the environment and soil health. o Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC)
• Key features of guidelines will regulate all trading activities.
o Techno-commercial pilot projects for Paddy Straw o Grid Controller of India will be the registry of ICM.
Supply Chain will be established between • Carbon markets are a tool for putting a price on carbon
Beneficiary/Aggregator (Farmers, rural emissions— they establish trading systems where
entrepreneurs, FPOs etc.) and Industries. carbon credits or allowances can be bought and sold.
o Government shall provide financial assistance on o A carbon credit is a tradable permit that equals
the capital cost of machinery and equipment. one tonne of carbon dioxide removed, reduced,
o Central and State Governments jointly will provide or sequestered from the atmosphere.
financial support of 65% of the project cost.
✓ The industry will contribute 25%, and
Farmers, rural entrepreneurs, FPOs etc., will
contribute 10%.
o State Governments shall approve these projects
through a project sanctioning committee.
o Financial assistance will be extended for
machines and equipment such as Higher HP
Tractor, Cutters, Tedder etc.
5.11.3. INDIA CLIMATE ENERGY

DASHBOARD (ICED) 3.0
• NITI Aayog released the ICED 3.0.
• About ICED:
o One-stop platform for near real-time data on the
5.11.2. CARBON CREDIT TRADING energy sector, climate, and related economic
SCHEME (CCTS) datasets based on government-published sources.
o Developed as a user-friendly platform, it enables
• The Ministry of Power notified Carbon Credit Trading users to freely access and analyse datasets using
Scheme (CCCTS). an analytical engine.
• CCTS 2023 sets up a carbon credit trading market as the o Facilitates insights and enhances understanding
country aims to decarbonise the economy and has about the energy and climate sectors while
committed to cutting emissions by 45 per cent from identifying the key challenges.
2005 levels by 2030. o Immensely useful in monitoring the progress of
o CCTS was first announced under Energy India's clean energy transition journey.
Conservation Act 2001, amended by Energy
Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022.
5.11.4. WMO OZONE AND ULTRAVIOLET • Maximum discoveries of both flora and fauna were
(UV) BULLETIN made in Kerala.
• Key Fauna discovered
• The bulletin highlighting the steady recovery of the o Miniopterus phillipsi, a long-fingered bat, and
Ozone layer was published by World Meteorological Glischropus meghalayanus, a bamboo-dwelling
Organisation (WMO) after a gap of seven years. bat from Meghalaya.
• Key highlights o The Sela macaque (Macaca selai) was discovered
o Montreal Protocol and its in Arunachal Pradesh (AP) and named after Sela
amendments successfully eliminated up to 99% of Pass.
Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS). o Macaca leucogenys, a white-cheeked macaque
✓ ODS are long-lived man-made chemicals (found in Modog, Tibet) sighted in India for the first
which destroy the protective ozone layer time in AP.
o Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcanic eruption o Ficedula zanthopygia is a yellow-rumped
(located under the ocean surface in the western flycatcher (known from Mongolia, China, Korea
Pacific) in January 2022 has increased the water and Japan) found in India on Narcondam Island of
vapour content of the stratosphere by 5% to 10%. Andaman.
✓ Nearly 90% of Earth’s ozone resides in the • Key flora discovered
stratosphere. o Calanthe lamellosa, an orchid species earlier
recorded in China and Myanmar, is found in India
5.11.5. CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ON in the Japfu mountain range in Kohima, Nagaland.
ANIMAL COMMUNICATION o Nandadevia Pusalkar, in the foothills and warm
outer valleys of Uttarakhand Himalayas.
• Climate change is changing chemical communication
o Nilgiriella Pusalkar is endemic to southern
in marine, freshwater, and land-based species.
Western Ghats and distributed in Karnataka,
o Chemical communication via infochemicals plays
Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
a pivotal role in ecological interactions, allowing
organisms to sense their environment, and locate About ZSI and BSI
predators, food, habitats, or mates. • ZSI was established in 1916 and traces its origin to
✓ Infochemicals are chemicals including Zoological Section of the Indian Museum at Calcutta in
hormones, pheromones and allelochemicals. 1875. It undertakes exploring, naming, describing,
✓ Sharks use these chemicals to sniff out their classifying and documenting animals from all over India.
• BSI was established in 1890 with the objectives of exploring
prey over large distances.
the plant resources of the country and identifying plant
✓ Some plant species release info chemicals to
species with economic virtue.
attract pollinators but repel those that may
cause harm. 5.11.7. GAMBUSIA AFFINIS (G AFFINIS)
• As temperatures rise due to climate change, the
production and efficacy of infochemicals are being • Andhra Pradesh released Gambusia fish into the
affected. state’s water bodies to combat mosquito-borne
o Ant species struggle to follow trails as their vital diseases like malaria and dengue.
pheromones decay in warmer temperatures. • Gambusia affinis is native to the southeastern United
o Coral reefs experience disruptions, with States.
damselfish losing their ability to recognize o Fish, also known as mosquitofish, is widely used as
predators. a biological agent for controlling mosquito larvae.
• Multiple countries, including India, have listed
5.11.6. FLORA AND FAUNA DATABASE Gambusia as invasive species.
o Fish has a high breeding capacity.
• India added 664 animal species to its fauna database
o They are known to eat the eggs of competing
and 339 taxa to its ﬂora.
fishes and frog tadpoles.
• The list by Ministry for Environment, Forest and
Climate Change also contains new records (species 5.11.8. CRYPTOBIOSIS
found in India for the first time) of animals and new
distributional records of flora. • Scientists brought microscopic worms back to life after
o Faunal discoveries are compiled by the Zoological they were frozen in the Siberian permafrost for 46,000
Survey of India (ZSI) and the Floral by Botanical years by entering in to state called cryptobiosis.
Survey of India (BSI).
• About Cryptobiosis o E.g., Bacteria present in the roots of legumes
o Cryptobiosis is the state of an organism when it benefit from the sugars produced by the plant and
shows no visible signs of life and when its favour plant growth by supplying nitrogen.
metabolic activity becomes hardly measurable or • As such, their collective genomes forge a
comes reversibly to a standstill. "hologenome,".
o In this state, organisms can survive the complete
absence of water and oxygen and withstand 5.11.12. GLOBAL ASSESSMENT REPORT
extreme conditions. ON DISASTER RISK REDUCTION (DRR)
o Since metabolism is a defining characteristic of 2023
life, cryptobiosis can be termed as a temporary
death of an organism. • United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
(UNDRR) released Global Assessment Report on DRR
5.11.9. BAHU BALLI CATTLE FENCE 2023 (GAR- DRR 2023)
(BAMBOO FENCE) • Theme: “Mapping Resilience for Sustainable
Development Goals”.
• Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is planning to • Key highlights
implement the Bahu Balli Cattle Fence along highways o The number of recorded disasters has increased
in India. fivefold over the past 50 years.
○ It will prevent cattle from crossing the road and o Eighty per cent increase in the risk of crop failure
causing dangerous accidents. and hunger in sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast
• About Bahu Balli Cattle Fence Asia due to drought.
○ Bamboo is treated with creosote oil and coated o Global best practices for resilience include India’s
with recycled High-Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE), Heat action plans in cities to deal with heatwaves,
making it a stronger alternative to steel. Sahel’s Great Green Wall to counteract
○ Fence has a fire rating of Class 1, ensuring safety desertification etc.
and addressing environmental concerns. • Resilience is the ability of a system, community, or
society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb,
5.11.10. SALSOLA OPPOSITIFOLIA accommodate, adapt to, transform, and recover from
DESFONTANIA the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner.
• It is a new species, discovered recently, belonging to o Societal well-being (people), ecological or
the Amaranthaceae family. biosphere well-being (planet), and economic well-
• It is a perennial shrub that grows in saline, arid, to being (prosperity) are interlinked in fostering
semi-arid environments of Gujarat’s Kutch district resilience.
(Khadir Bet and Bela region). • DRR aims to reduce the damage caused by natural
o It is prostrate (woody plant) and, unlike other hazards like earthquakes, floods, droughts, and
species of Salsola, does not have any hairs. cyclones, through an ethic of prevention.
• Other species of the Salsola genus discovered in India: • Recommendations
Salsola kali, Salsola hatmanii, Salsola monoptera, o Investing earlier in resilience and adaptation can
Caroxylon imbricatum (Salsola baryosma) and avoid the costs of hazard impacts.
Halogeton glomeratus (Salsola glomerata). o Building resilience requires investment and
• Plants of the Salsola genus have salty juice stored in adaptation from both the public and private
their leaves, are used in manufacturing soaps and are sectors.
rich in pharmacological properties. • UNDRR (HQ: Geneva) was established in 1999 and is
the custodian of the Sendai Framework for DRR 2015-
5.11.11. HOLOBIONTS 2030.
• Animals and plants are no longer heralded as

autonomous entities, but rather as biomolecular
networks composed of the host plus its associated
microbes, i.e., "holobionts."
o In short, it is a host, and all its microbes living as a
unit in symbiosis.

✓ Rs. 500 crore has been kept for incentivising
the States on the basis of their legal and
infrastructure-based reforms.
o To avail funds under the Scheme, the respective
State Governments must provide 25% of the total
project cost from their budgetary resources.
✓ North-Eastern and Himalayan (NEH) States
shall have to contribute 10%
5.11.14. EARTHQUAKE SWARM

• 2,200 earthquakes were observed in Iceland in 24
hours.
• Iceland is Europe's largest and most active volcanic
region due to its presence on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
o The diverging plate movements in the ridge
region are the main cause of these swarms of
earthquakes and also lead to the creation of
Hotspots through which a vertical plume of hot
molten rock erupts from the mantle.
o Mount Fagradalsfjall and Eyjafjallajokull volcano
are two major earthquake zones in Iceland.
• Earthquakes and Earthquake Swarm:
o Any sudden shaking of the ground caused by the
passage of seismic waves (Body Waves (P and S)
and Surface Waves (Rayleigh and Love) through
5.11.13. SCHEME FOR EXPANSION AND Earth’s rocks (refer infographic).
MODERNIZATION OF FIRE SERVICES IN ✓ S-Waves can only travel through solids.
THE STATES o Earthquake swarms are sequences of many
earthquakes that occur in a relatively short period
• It was launched, by the Union Ministry of Home without a specific foreshock, mainshock or after
Affairs, from the earmarked allocation of the Shocks.
Preparedness and Capacity Building Funding Window ✓ Earthquake swarms can last for hours, days, or
under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). even weeks.
o NDRF is a fund constituted under Disaster ✓ They mostly consist of low to moderate-
Management Act 2005. magnitude events, although larger quakes can
o India’s approach towards disaster management occur within the swarm sequence.
has shifted from relief-centric and reactionary to ✓ They often occur at relatively shallow depths
Disaster Risk Reduction, focusing on early within the Earth's crust.
warning systems, prevention, mitigation and ✓ They usually occur along existing fault
preparedness at the grassroots level. systems which experience continuous stress
• The scheme is based on recommendations of the 15th and strain accumulation.
Finance Commission.
o It allows an allocation of 12.5 per cent of each of
the NDRF and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)
for the Funding Window of Preparedness and
Capacity Building.
• Features of schemes :
o Objective: to expand and modernise Fire Services
in the States.
o Of the total NDRF corpus, Rs. 5,000 Crore was
earmarked for priority "Expanding and
Modernization of Fire Services".

o Its name is derived from the Kaasa tree, botanically
known as Elaeocarpus glandulosus (rudraksha
family).
o It is made of igneous rocks.
o This plateau is inscribed in the UNESCO World
Natural Heritage Site list under the Western
Ghats.
5.11.17. UREILITE
• A study suggested that the Dhala crater in Madhya
Pradesh resulted from the collision of a meteorite,
known as Ureilite, some 2500-1700 million years ago.
o It is Asia’s largest and the world’s seventh-largest
impact crater.
o In India, three meteor impact craters are found.
The other two are Ramgarh in Rajasthan and
Lonar in Maharashtra.
• Ureilites’ are a rare class of primitive meteorites that
constitute a tiny fraction of meteorites on Earth.
o They consist of silicate rock, mostly olivine and
pyroxene, interspersed with less than 10% carbon
5.11.15. SHELF CLOUD (diamond or graphite), metal sulphides and a few
• A shelf cloud was recently witnessed in Uttarakhand. fine-grained silicates.
• Shelf clouds - also known as Arcus clouds - are often 5.11.18. ANTHROPOCENE EPOCH
associated with powerful storm systems and are often
reported as wall clouds, funnel clouds, or rotation. • Scientists say the ‘Anthropocene epoch’ began in the
• These clouds are sometimes seen beneath 1950s.
cumulonimbus clouds, the dense, towering vertical • The sediment study at Crawford Lake (Canada) has
clouds that cause intense rain. provided evidence of the beginning of the
• It is formed when a cold downdraft from a Anthropocene epoch.
cumulonimbus cloud reaches the ground; the cold air o Crawford Lake was chosen because it is
may spread rapidly along the ground, pushing existing meromictic (water layers there do not mix), and its
warm moist air upwards. layers of sediment preserved the annual impact of
o As this air rises, water vapour condenses into the human activities on Earth’s climate.
patterns associated with shelf clouds. • The Anthropocene epoch is a proposed epoch that
denotes the present geological time interval in which
Earth’s ecosystem has undergone radical changes due
to human impact, especially since the onset of the
Industrial Revolution.
o Numerous phenomena are associated with this
epoch, such as global warming, sea-level rise,
ocean acidification, mass-scale soil erosion,
deadly heat waves etc.
o The term was first coined by Nobel Prize-winning
chemist Paul Crutzen and biology professor
Eugene Stoermer in 2000.
• However, there are disagreements over enough
evidence to prove its advent.
• Earth’s geological time scale is divided into five broad
5.11.16. KAAS PLATEAU categories: eons, epochs, eras, periods, epochs and
ages.
• Kaas Plateau or Pathar, also known as Valley of o Officially we’re in the Phanerozoic eon, Cenozoic
Flowers, is in Satara District, Maharashtra. It falls in era, Quaternary period, Holocene epoch and
the biosphere of the Western Ghats. Meghalayan age.
✓ Meghalayan age (4200 years ago) began with 5.11.19. ERRATA
an abrupt mega-drought that caused the
collapse of several civilisations. • Due to a typological error in Article 5.6.17 ‘Indian
✓ Geologists found proof of this event in Ocean Dipole (IOD) And El-Nino’ of June 2023, the
Meghalaya’s Mawmluh Cave system.
correct spelling is “La-Nina” and complete full form
ENSO is “El Niño/La Niña Southern Oscillation
(ENSO)”.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY FRAMEWORK FUND (GBFF)
Why in the news? Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)

• KMGBF was adopted in 2022 at COP 15 (held in Montreal) to the UN
GBFF was recently ratified and launched at the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment • It replaced the Aichi Biodiversity Targets that expired in 2020.
Facility. • It is not legally binding.
• It sets out 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.
About GBFF
4 overarching 1. To halt human-induced species extinction
• Purpose: GBFF aims to finance the goals to be 2. Equitable sharing of benefits
implementation of the Kunming-Montreal achieved by 2050 3. Sustainable use of biodiversity
Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). focus on 4. Closing the biodiversity finance gap of $700
billion per year.
• Governance: GBFF Council will be open to
23 action- Key targets
representation by the following members, oriented global • 30% of land, inland water, marine and coastal
o 16 from developing countries; targets for urgent ecosystems will be protected by 2030 (30x30
o 14 from developed countries; action over the Deal).
o 2 Members from the countries of central decade to 2030 • Reducing the rate of introduction of invasive
and eastern Europe and the former alien species by 2050.
Soviet Union. • Cutting global food waste by half.
o Decisions of the GBFF Council are to be • Reducing the loss of areas of high biodiversity
taken by consensus along the lines of the importance to zero.
GEF Instrument. • Reducing by $500 billion annual harmful
• Financial management: The World Bank will government subsidies.
be invited to serve as the Trustee of the GBFF. • Mobilizing investment close to the biodiversity
funding gap by $200 billion in year.
o GBFF will be established similar to the
Capacity-Building Initiative for Transparency Trust Fund, Least Developed Countries Fund, Special Climate
Change Fund, and Nagoya Protocol Implementation Fund.
• Fund allocations:
o 20% of the funds would support Indigenous-led initiatives to protect and conserve biodiversity.
o Prioritise support for Small Island Developing States and LDCs, which will receive more than a third of the fund’s
resources.
o Funding Sources are governments, philanthropy, the private sector, international financial institutions, etc.
Significance of GBFF
• A new source of funding: To halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.
• Promise of including indigenous people: Approximately 25% of the Earth’s surface and ocean areas are managed by
indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), and these areas hold 80% of the Earth’s biodiversity.
o GBFF emphasises respect for the rights of indigenous communities that traditionally protect forests and
biodiversity and their involvement in conservation efforts.
• Aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals: 3 of which directly deal with the environment and thus with
biodiversity: Goal 13 on climate action, Goal 14 on life below water and Goal 15 on life on land.
Conclusion
Need of the hour is for all the countries, multilateral development banks, private sectors and philanthropists to
contribute immediately and significantly to the GBFF to make it fully operational to help implement the ambitious targets
set in Montreal COP 15.

5.2. UNREGULATED TOURISM IN THE INDIAN HIMALAYAN REGION (IHR)
Why in the news?
Recently, a Parliamentary Standing Committee has recommended the government to prepare a practical action plan with
clear timelines to put a check on destructive activities in IHR.
More on news
• The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forest and Climate Change
highlighted the tremendous increase of tourist activities in IHR has led to over-exploitation of natural resources and
illegal construction.
o This includes home stays, guest houses, resorts, hotels, restaurants and other encroachments.
Specific vulnerabilities of the IHR
• Geo-physical: Himalayas are tectonically active and are mostly made-up of unconsolidated and semi-consolidated
deposits.
o Under-cutting by river currents in valleys like Alaknanda, Bhagirathi, Mandakini, etc.
o Hill washing and percolation of waters due to rain, cloud-bursts, and melting of snow resulting in land subsidence
like the one witnessed in Joshimath, Uttarakhand earlier this year.
• Socio-economic: Deforestation for agriculture, grazing, construction, etc., on hill slopes giving rise to avalanches,
landslides, etc.
o Obstruction of natural flow of water due to construction various mega hydel Power Projects, like Tehri Dam
Reservoir in Tehri Garhwal district.
• Rising Tourism: IHR records about 100 million tourists every year and the number is expected to increase to 240
million by 2025, putting huge pressure on resources.
o As per Niti Aayog, Tourism contributes more than 10% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in many
states such as Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Tripura, Assam, etc.
Challenges of unregulated tourism in the IHR
• Waste generation: According to Niti Aayog’s report in 2018, tourism in IHR States generates about 8.395 million
tonnes per year (MT/Y) of solid waste.
o Unorganized waste collection, segregation, disposal, and recycling further aggravated the problem.
o It also leads to degradation of watersheds and water sources.
• Forests and biodiversity: Loss of natural forest covers for Why Shimla is crumbling? – A Case Study
building various tourism infrastructures such as • Lack of climate-smart infrastructure development.
accommodation, transport, etc. o Like the Himachal Pradesh High Court Lawyers
o Loss of natural resources impacting biodiversity and Chambers and the new Indira Gandhi Medical
ecosystem services. College has been constructed over substantial
• Landscape: Replacement of traditional eco-friendly and water springs and channels.
aesthetic infrastructure with inappropriate, unsightly and • Further, planning for Shimla is overseen by the
dangerous constructions. Town and Country Planning Department (Public
Works Department, Himachal Pradesh) which
• Seasonality of tourism: High fluctuations in tourism
operates without democratic oversight.
activities in different seasons lead to various problems like
• Also, Shimla Development Plan (SDP), which also
overcrowding, lack of services, etc. lacks any climate action plan, is currently subjudice
• Socio-cultural: Erosion of cultural fabric and social values of before the Supreme Court.
collectivism due to mass tourism.
Initiatives undertaken to promote Sustainable Tourism
Way Forward
• National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism: To
• Planning, implementation and monitoring: A multi-year mainstream sustainability in Indian tourism sector
strategy for sustainable tourism should be formulated and ensure a more resilient, inclusive, carbon neutral
that covers environmental, economic, social, health, and and resource efficient tourism
safety issues. • Swadesh Darshan 2.0: Includes a vision of sustainable
o It should be done in the spirit of local community and responsible tourism under various projects.
• Swachh Paryatan Mobile Application: To allow
partnerships.
people to report any hygiene issues at tourist places.
• Policy and regulations: Promote zero waste destination
by enforcing Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, and Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016.
o Environmental audit of tourism service providers based on environment efficiency and carbon generation and
certification.
o Common certification scheme and eco-labelling for tourism ventures in line with environmental parameters can
help to reduce pollution.
o Clear zoning of landscape (Land Use Plan based on maps and stakeholder interests) will assist in monitoring and
guide site specific interventions if and when required
• Institutions and Processes: Inter-departmental convergence to ensure integrated destination and infrastructure
planning and implementation.
o Active monitoring and public reporting of environmental, economic, social, and tourism strategies, milestones
and issues in sync with SDG Targets and Indicators.
o Designing climate-smart infrastructure to redirect investment away from high-risk areas, project and policy
appraisal through strategic Environmental Assessment, climate risk disclosure, etc.
• Finance and market: Introducing ‘Green Cess’, Payment for Environmental Services based on eco-certification, etc.
o Explore new tourism circuits and packages to offer diversified destinations and for de-congestion of mass
tourism sites.
o On the pattern of smart cities, “smart mountain tourism destination” business plans could be prepared.
• Technology: Prepare tourism satellite accounts of IHR, multi-hazard zoning, geomorphological mapping along major
river valleys, etc., for effective planning.
• Capacity building: Design and deliver an IHR specific Awareness and sensitization package through proactive media
campaign and tourism information centres.
5.3. WATER TRADING
Why in the news?
Recently, NITI Aayog released a document on water trading mechanisms to promote the reuse of treated wastewater.
About Water Trading Mechanism
• Water Trading is a water market mechanism that considers water as a commodity rather than a public good.
o It can be traded amongst users according to their needs.
• Mechanism: A Water company, rather than creating its own water source, can buy the water from a third party and
sell it to the users.
• Enabling elements for Water Trading
o Ownership of water - should be indisputable.
o Water entitlements- could be transferred.
o Water Reuse Certificates (WRCs) - as tradable permits.
✓ Under the WRC trading system, water users across sectors, including municipal/residential, industrial and
agricultural sectors, shall be registered and get individual targets for water reuse.
✓ Water users having WRCs may sell them in the open market, allowing other water users to bridge the gap
between their wastewater reuse targets.
Need for reuse of treated wastewater through water trading
• Rising pace of urbanisation: Only about 40% of urban wastewater is treated in India, and even that is not being
reused.
• Unequal spatial distribution: Wide temporal and spatial variations in the distribution of water.
o For example, India receives more than 80 % of the rainfall during four months of the year.
• Private hand in water management: The National Water Policy of 2002 & 2012 has proposed a private hand in water
management and has emphasised public-private partnership.
• Rising water pollution: Wastewater, including agricultural runoff, is the leading cause of water pollution.
o It is intricately linked to human and ecosystem health, with over 80% of global wastewater estimated to enter
water bodies untreated. (UN World Water Report 2023)
• Tackling water scarcity: Around 80% of people living under water stress lived in Asia, in particular, northeast China,
as well as India. (UN World Water Report 2023)
• Low water use efficiency in Indian agriculture: Around
89% of groundwater extracted is used for irrigation, and
crops such as paddy and sugarcane consume more than
60% of irrigation water.
o India is also a large virtual net export of water
because of agricultural products export.
Challenges
• Fixing price: Treating the wastewater and supplying it to the farm fields or to the industrial units will involve certain
costs which may not be competitive with the cost of fresh water.
o As fresh water is available at a substantially low or sometimes even at no cost.
• Storage: Since the process of wastewater generation is continuous, the treatment process also should be continuous.
However, the demand may not remain constant throughout the year.
o For example, the crops may not require irrigation for a certain period; demands in industrial units may also vary.
This would require either storage of treated wastewater or discharging the treated water to other freshwater
sources.
• Identification/creation of demand: To make water/treated wastewater a tradable commodity, it is necessary to have
a demand.
• Assured supply: Maintenance of plant, disruption in sewage network, quality problems in inlet sewage or treated
sewage, disruption in the distribution network, etc. could interrupt supply.
• Water as a fundamental human right: In India, water is neither considered a commodity nor possesses any significant
economic value.
o This is mainly because of the due consideration of the essentiality of water as a fundamental human right.
Way forward
• Formation of Independent Regulatory Authority (IRAs) with statutory powers to determine water allocation and
pricing of treated wastewater.
o Today, 12 states in India have enacted Acts to form IRAs, but they mostly have the power to regulate water
tariffs in the irrigation sector.
• Creation of a trading platform and induction of all stakeholders into it.
o Fixing the reuse target and finalising the norms of treated wastewater quality along with credits and value of
Water Reuse Certificates (WRCs).
• Identification of Industrial Clusters, Municipal/Residential units, Agriculture lands, and Environmental needs where
the treated wastewater could be reused.
• Preparation of site-specific plans for reuse: GIS tools could be used for initial planning, and social mobilisation
through NGOs would be required to overcome the stigma of the use of treated wastewater.
• Monitoring mechanism: Establishment of regular monitoring mechanisms and Social impact assessment under the
supervision of IRAs.
• Working towards Water Neutrality: Water Neutrality concept advocates that the total water demand should be the
same after a new development is built as it was before.
o Promoting water reuse can aid in achieving water neutrality.
World’s Best Practices in Water Trading
• Australia: Murray Darling Basin has proved that water trading is one of the best methods to use water in an
efficient manner.
o Water trading helps farmers make more productive use of water and contributes to sustainable water
management.
• Spain: Water market exchanges alleviated the conditions of those basins where water scarcity was most severe.
• South Africa: One of the most advanced water frameworks in the world. South Africa’s system enables existing
water rights to be reallocated.
Crop Diversification - For Resolving Water Crisis in Agriculture

• It refers to a shift from the regional dominance of one crop to regional production of a number of crops, to meet the increasing
demand of cereals, pulses, vegetables, fruits, oilseeds, etc.
• In addition to water conservation, it aims to improve soil health and to maintain dynamic equilibrium of the agro-ecosystem.
Various measures taken
• Crop Diversification Programme, a sub scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana is being implemented in Original Green
Revolution States to divert the area of paddy crop to alternate crops.
• Government is using MSP as a signal to encourage crop diversification towards the production of oilseed. (Economic Survey
2022)
• State specific schemes to pay farmers for leaving their fields uncultivated or switching from paddy to other crops.
o Financial incentive for farmers who adopt direct-seeded rice (DSR) - a method that consumes less water than the
traditional way of transplanting paddy seedlings.
Significance Concerns
• In Haryana these initiatives saved 31,500 crore litres of water • Can harm farmers' income & India's food security.
and brought 72,000 acres of land under DSR in 2022 during the • Net return to a farmer favours cultivation of paddy
Kharif season. over maize in the Green Revolution belt.
• Paddy is not a natural crop in Haryana, Punjab etc. • Lack of awareness among farmers about the benefits
• Mono cropping pattern reduces resource use efficiency. of crop diversification.

5.4. COASTAL AQUACULTURE AUTHORITY (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2023
Why in the news?
Recently, this Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Act, 2023, was adopted, which amends the earlier 2005 Act.
Background
• Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act 2005 was enacted to provide for the establishment of a Coastal Aquaculture
Authority for regulating the activities connected with coastal aquaculture in the coastal areas.
o It aimed to protect the coastal environment while promoting the orderly growth of coastal aquaculture farming
in coastal areas.
o It defines coastal aquaculture as culturing, under
controlled conditions in ponds, pens, enclosures or
otherwise, in coastal areas of shrimp, prawns, fish or any
other aquatic life in saline or brackish water but does not
include freshwater aquaculture.
o It also facilitates the continued operation of coastal
aquaculture within the Coastal Regulatory Zone area
and beyond.
o It penalised unregistered farms or farms in prohibited
areas.
• In 2005, coastal aquaculture activity was essentially shrimp
farming.
o Now, newer forms of environment-friendly coastal
aquaculture have come up, which can be done in coastal
areas and mostly within CRZ.
• However, there have been demands to remove the About Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2019
ambiguities and amend some of the provisions of • As per this notification, certain coastal areas were declared
the 2005 Act to make this legislation progressive and as coastal regulation zone, wherein setting up of industries
decrease the regulatory burden. and expansion of industries are prohibited activities and
other developmental activities/projects are regulated/
About Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) permitted as per provisions of the said notification.
Act, 2023 • The notification also provides for ‘No Development Zones’
(NDZ) along various categories of coastal areas to protect
• Broaden the definition of “coastal
India’s coastline from encroachment, erosion and accretion.
aquaculture”: Comprehensively covers all activities • CRZ notification is issued by the central government under
of coastal aquaculture, removing the ambiguity the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
existing between the farm and other verticals of
coastal aquaculture.
o New coastal aquaculture, such as cage culture, seaweed culture, bi-valve culture, marine ornamental fish
culture and pearl oyster culture, are promoted.
• Registration granted under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act shall prevail and be treated as valid permission
under CRZ Notification.
• Additional role of Coastal Aquaculture Authority:
o fix standards for inputs and discharge of effluents from aquaculture units,
o prohibit the use of certain inputs to prevent harm to the environment,
o monitor and regulate units, inputs, and emissions.
• Decriminalises and fixed penalties if coastal aquaculture is carried out illegally
• Permitting certain aquaculture activities in CRZ areas: The Act permits hatcheries, nucleus breeding centres, and
broodstock multiplication centres to be established in no-development zones (NDZ) of seas and buffer zones of
creeks/rivers/ backwaters.
• Prevent the use of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances that harm human health in coastal
aquaculture.
• Promote biosecurity: i.e. any measure adopted to analyse, manage and prevent the risk of introduction or spread of
harmful organisms within the coastal aquaculture unit and to minimise the risk of transmission of infectious diseases.
Significance of the CAA (Amendment) Act, 2023
• Sustainable growth of Coastal areas: Promote production, productivity and exports, traceability and increased
competitiveness and entrepreneurship.
• Empowering Authority: with more power to regulate activities and enforce environmental compliance, including the
Polluter Pays Principle.
• Ease of doing business: as it decriminalises the offences under the Act.
o It also enables lakhs of small marginal aquaculture farmers to avoid the possible need for obtaining CRZ
clearances from multiple agencies.
• Promoting new Environment-friendly coastal aquaculture: such as cage culture, seaweed culture, etc.
• Employment Generation: on a large scale for coastal fisher communities, especially fisherwomen;
• Developing dedicated facilities: in areas having direct access to seawater to produce genetically improved and
disease-free broodstocks and seeds for use in coastal aquaculture.
• Improve Export: Prohibiting the use of antibiotics pharmacologically will help to reduce the impact of non-tariff
barriers under WTO, hence improving exports.
Initiatives of Government to promote Aquaculture
Issues with the Act • Marine Products Export Development Authority is a
statutory body established in 1972 under the Ministry of
• Infective work by Coastal Aquaculture Authority: Due Commerce & Industry to promote marine product export.
to a deficiency in skilled manpower and infrastructure • Blue Revolution in India demonstrated importance of
facilities in the Authority (as noted by the CAG report). Fisheries and Aquaculture sector.
• Promoting intensive coastal aquaculture: which may • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) steps
have adverse impacts on the environment, such as to intensify and diversify inland fisheries and aquaculture
salinisation of land/wells and obstruction of natural with focus on diversification of species, introduction of
flood water drainage. new species.
Conclusion
The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Act of 2023 is the appropriate step toward reviving and modernising
coastal aquaculture in the nation and making it a major seafood exporter worldwide. However, there may also be a need
to balance promoting aquaculture activities and minimising the environmental damage from such activities.
5.5. AGROFORESTRY
Why in the news?
Recently, the Centre released a fact sheet to promote agroforestry prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research
and Education (ICFRE).
More about News
• The report released details of cultivating 36 specific
species, including bamboo, that are suitable for
agroforestry systems and home gardens.
• The 36 species include Leucaena leucocephala, or
subabul, and various varieties of eucalyptus.
o Subabul is considered an invasive species that
has been reported as a weed in more than 20
countries, according to an International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) database.
o Eucalyptus is considered highly water-intensive.

About Agroforestry
• Agroforestry is a combination of practicing agriculture and forestry together.
o It focuses on the interaction and interdependence of various elements in nature.
• Components of agroforestry: Crops, trees, and livestock.
• Agroforestry systems: These are classified based on the type of component:
o Agri silviculture (crops + trees),
o Silvopastoral (pasture/livestock + trees); and
o Agrosilvopastoral (crops + pasture + trees).
• Attributes of the Agroforestry system
o Productivity: Production of preferred goods and
increasing productivity of land
o Sustainability: Conserving the production
potential
o Adoptability: Acceptance of the prescribed
practice
Significance of the Agroforestry
• Farm profitability: The combined output of trees, crops, and livestock per unit area is greater than the combined
output of any one component.
• Resource sustainability: It aids in the preservation and protection of natural resources by reducing pollution,
managing soil erosion, and establishing wildlife habitats.
• Decrease input cost: By generating mulch/leaf litter as manure and
bio-pesticides from tree components.
• Biodiversity conservation: Combining trees, crops, and livestock
creates a more diverse ecosystem, supporting a broader range of
species.
• Food security: Helps improve health and nutrition due to increased
diversity and quality of food outputs.
• Increasing income of farmers: New products from agroforestry
increase the farming enterprise’s financial flexibility and generate
employment opportunities.
• Carbon sequestration: Agroforestry is involved in capturing carbon
and long-term storage of atmospheric carbon dioxide.
Way forward for scaling agroforestry
• Development of new agroforestry models for different agro-climatic
zones.
• Ensuring the availability of certified planting material to the farmers and other users.
• Research and development: Participatory research on larger agroforestry models viable across different
agroecological regions.
• Improving market access to farmers: Development of industries and/or secondary processing units near the agro-
forestry zones.
• Assessing impact: Research on ecological and social impacts on adoption of agroforestry.
• Extension service: Improve the delivery of technology know-how to the farmers through extension programs
involving research institutions and industries.
Government Initiatives for Agroforestry
• Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (Har Medh par Ped) Scheme: Launched in 2016-17 to encourage tree plantation on farmland
along with crops.
• Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH): It has been implemented since 2014-15 for holistic growth of
horticulture covering fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, spices, etc.

• National Agroforestry Policy, 2014: To encourage and expand tree plantation in a complementarity and integrated manner
with crops and livestock.
• Exempted many tree species from the Felling and Transit rules, and removed bamboo from the category of forest produce
to enable large-scale cultivation.
5.6. COMPRESSED BIO-GAS (CBG)

Why in the news?
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Petroleum and
Natural Gas submitted an action taken report on its earlier
recommendations on the subject ‘Review of
Implementation of CBG (SATAT)’.
About Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable
Transportation (SATAT)
• Launch: 2018.
• Objective: To set up Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG)
production plants and make available CBG in the
market for use in automotive fuels.
o Bio-gas is produced naturally through the anaerobic
decomposition of biomass, such as agricultural
residue, municipal solid waste, sugarcane press
mud, etc.
✓ CBG is obtained after purification and
compression of bio-gas, which has a high
methane content (>90%) and higher calorific
value (47-52 MJ/kg).
✓ Other components of CBG include – CO2 (<4%), Hydrogen Sulphide (<16 ppm), Nitrogen (<0.5%), Oxygen
(<0.5%), and Moisture (<5mg/m3).
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).
Challenges in Implementation
• Governance-related issues: Limited technical capabilities of the municipal bodies act as a hindrance.
o Multiple regulatory approvals and involvement of various ministries, including MoEFCC, MoPNG, MoNRE, etc.,
hinder entrepreneurs.
o Discontinuation of Central Financial Assistance (CFA) since April 2021 for extending support to new and
renewable energy projects.
o Lack of interest among Oil PSUs in setting up CBG projects despite domestic natural gas production being a
mandate of the upstream oil PSUs
• Unregulated bio-mass supply chain: Limited timeframe of 30–40 days for gathering agricultural feedstock and the
unpredictability of feedstock prices.
o Inefficient source segregation of Municipal Solid Waste leads to the contamination of the feedstock used in the
biogas production process.
• Distribution challenge: The differential tax structure of Compressed Natural Gas and CBG acts as a hurdle in the
synchronisation of CBG with the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network.
• Market: No buyers for fermented organic manure on which CBG companies base 15-20% of their revenue.
o Lack of bio-CNG consumers in rural areas due to limited availability of CNG vehicles.
o Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) projects are not being implemented at a desired rate (only about 40 CBG plants have
been set up.)
Other initiatives to promote CBG in India
• Integration of Bio-CNG as a fuel for transportation
• National Policy on Biofuels, 2018: It aims to promote the production of CBG and other bio-fuels.
• GOBAR-Dhan Scheme: To support villages in effective management of cattle and bio-degradable wastes.
• Recognition of CBG projects under the Priority Sector Lending (PSL) scheme by the RBI to improve access to
credit.
• Fertilizer Control Order for Fermented Organic Manure: To promote usage of organic fertilizer in agriculture and
expand market for solid and liquid by-products of CBG plants.
• National Bioenergy Programme by MNRE: For capacity building and research in biogas, solid waste management,
and other bioenergy aspects.
Way Forward
• Coordination mechanism: Convene meetings of the National Bio-fuel Coordination Committee (NBCC) regularly to
sort implementation issues.
• Financial assistance: Need to move towards Generation Based Incentive (GBI) instead of Capex-based subsidy for
CBG plants.
o Setting up a financial institution in consultation with Oil and Gas PSUs for all bio-fuel and clean energy projects.
o Setting up a Bio Fuel Infrastructure Fund and Credit Guarantee Fund to expedite the development of the CBG
sector.
o Provide fiscal support for the development of pipeline infrastructure for connecting CBG projects with the CGD
network.
• Governance reforms
o Simplify and digitise regulatory approvals by creating single window clearance for disbursal of subsidies.
o Capacity building of Urban Local Bodies and involving the PPP model to ensure effective waste segregation in
municipalities.
o Restricting or regulating the export of agricultural biomass to ensure local bioenergy industries have affordable
access to feedstock
• Technology: Use of AI-based sensors to analyse the quality of feedstock, enable vehicle tracking, etc., to establish a
sound biomass supply chain.
5.7. TIDAL ENERGY

Why in the news? Other Types of Ocean Energy
• Waves Energy derived from transfer of
Parliamentary Standing Committee on Energy submitted a report on kinetic energy of wind to the upper surface
‘Tidal Power Development in India.’ of the ocean.
More on News • Ocean currents Energy derived from
oceanic circulations.
• There are three main types of ocean energy – Wave, Tidal and • Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion derived
Ocean. from temperature differences between
• The committee stated that the estimated potential of tidal and upper and lower ocean layers.
wave energy in India are 12455 MW and 41300 MW, respectively. • Salinity gradient (osmotic pressure)
o The potential areas with low/medium tidal wave strength are: derived from salinity differences between
fresh and ocean waters at river mouths.
✓ Gulf of Khambat, Gulf of Kutch & southern regions in Gujarat.
✓ Palk Bay- Mannar Channel in Tamil Nadu.
✓ Hoogly river, South Haldia & Sunderbans in West Bengal.
o Potential of Ocean-Thermal energy has not been estimated till date.
Challenges
• Technological: Low turbine efficiency and high equipment costs due to limited scalability of manufacturing.
o Unpredictable environmental conditions and lack of implementation experience.
o Corrosion: Saltwater is highly corrosive, which requires extra care in design, construction and installation to
overcome the effects of corrosion.
o Bio-fouling: Small animals and plant life can attach to the moving parts of underwater devices, creating the
potential for costly breakdowns and maintenance.
• Financial: Capital intensive and higher upfront installation cost compared to conventional coal-based energy.
o Absence of adequate risk-sharing and mitigation mechanisms reduces project profitability.
o Lack of interest among financial institutions hinders the mobilisation of funds.
• Environmental: Reduced flushing and erosion can change the vegetation of the area and disrupt the ecological
balance.
o Presence of installed devices, electromagnetic effect, acoustic effect, etc., can affect the movement of migratory
birds; disturb the sensory system of marine species, among others.
Way Forward
• Reassessment of various forms of ocean energy: To explore the practically exploitable potential.
o Site-specific tidal power development cost also needs to be reassessed to consider economic viability and long-
term benefits.
• Set up demonstration/ pilot projects: To showcase proof-of-concept and commercial viability of tidal power.
• Non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPOs): Ministry should follow-up on inclusion of ocean energy under
non-solar RPOs to ensure development of commercial tidal projects.
o In 2019, government clarified that various forms of ocean energy shall be eligible for meeting non-solar RPOs.
• Environmental Impact Assessment: Pragmatic assessment of environmental impact and ecological sustainability of
ocean energy projects.
o Evaluation of global experience (particularly, two projects from France and South Korea, which constitutes about
90% of installed tidal power in the world).
• De-risking financing options: Issuance of tax free bonds by renewable financing institutions like IREDA, for on-lending
to renewable sector, improvement in soft loans scheme for refinance, etc.
5.8. NEWS IN SHORTS

5.8.1. URBAN RIVER MANAGEMENT
PLANS (URMPS)
• Committee of National Mission for Clean Ganga
(NMCG) approves project for preparation of URMPs for
60 cities.
• Project is part of River-Cities Alliance (RCA) under
Namami Gange.
o RCA, started in 2021, is a joint initiative of Ministry
of Jal Shakti (MoJS) & Ministry of Housing and
Urban Affairs (MoHUA) with a vision to connect
river cities and focus on sustainable river centric
development.
o Project will work in two phases. First phase would
cover 25 cities from 5 main stem Ganga basin
states i.e., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar,
Jharkhand and West Bengal.
o Main stem is the principal channel of a
drainage system into which other smaller
streams or rivers flow.
o It will be funded by World Bank.
• Need for Urban River Management
o Ensure effective regulations of activities in the
floodplain.
o Water pollution from sources like sewage draining
and grey water, erosion due to deforestation etc.
o Lack of specific land-use category or legislation
defining 'River Regulation/Riparian Zone'. 5.8.2. FLOODWATCH MOBILE
o Religious practices such as mass bathing, idol APPLICATION
immersion, cremation etc.
• Central Water Commission (CWC) has launched the
• Interventions by URMPs
mobile application, FloodWatch.
o Inculcating river-sensitive behaviour among
citizens. • FloodWatch provides real-time flood situations in the
o Develop eco-friendly riverfront projects. country and flood forecasts to the public.
o Rejuvenate waterbodies and wetlands in the city. o It will provide State-wise/Basin-wise Flood
o Ensure maximum good quality return flow from Forecast.
the city into the river. • FloodWatch app utilises advanced technologies such
o Leverage on economic potential of the river. as satellite data analysis, mathematical modelling,

and real-time monitoring to deliver accurate and ✓ Annual per capita plastic consumption is 5.3
timely flood forecasts. kg/capita/year (among the lowest in the
world).
5.8.3. MINAMATA CONVENTION ON ✓ Ranks 4th in the MWI, with 98.55 % of
MERCURY generated waste being mismanaged
• Mostly due to the disposal of collected plastic in
• Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted in 2013 at
unsanitary landfills and dumpsites.
Geneva, is first global legally binding treaty to protect
○ 330 764 tons of microplastic generated from tire
human health and environment from adverse effects
abrasion, shedding of textile fibers, and paint, etc.
of mercury.
released into waterways.
o It is named after the city in Japan that became the
○ 1.33 % of its total plastic waste was imported,
epicentre of Minamata disease, a neurological
while the country exported 0.8 % of its total
disease caused by severe mercury poisoning, in
waste.
1950s.
• Initiatives by India: 1000 Cities to become 3-Star
o It came into force in 2017. Presently, there are 144
Garbage Free by October 2024, Mission LiFe, Plastic
Parties and 128 Signatories to it.
Waste Management Rule, etc.
o India ratified it in 2018 with flexibility for
continued use of mercury-based products and
processes involving mercury compounds up to
2025.
• Minamata Convention requires that party nations
o Reduce and where feasible eliminate use and
release of mercury from Artisanal and Small-Scale
Gold Mining.
o Control mercury air emissions from coal fired
power plants, coal-fired industrial boilers etc.
o Phase-out or reduce mercury use in products like
batteries, switches, lights, cosmetics, pesticides,
dental amalgam.
o Addresses supply and trade of mercury; safer
storage and disposal, and strategies to address
5.8.5. EARTH OVERSHOOT DAY
contaminated sites.
• Mercury is a naturally occurring element that is found • August 2, is observed as the Earth Overshoot Day for
in air, water and soil year 2023.
o It may have toxic effects on nervous system, • Earth Overshoot Day is marked as the date when
thyroid, kidneys, lungs, immune system, eyes, humanity’s demand for ecological resources and
gums and skin. services each year exceeds what Earth can regenerate
o It is considered by WHO as one of the top ten in that year.
chemicals of major public health concern. o It is measure by Global Footprint Network
(international research organization) each year
5.8.4. PLASTIC OVERSHOOT DAY REPORT since 1971.
• According to the report India contributed 16.7 days in o It is calculated by multiplying the planet’s
157 days of World Plastic Overshoot Days in 2023. biocapacity (the quantity of ecological resources
• Plastic Overshoot Day refers to the day when the Earth can generate each year) by humanity’s
amount of plastic waste surpasses the capability of Ecological Footprint (humanity’s demand for that
waste management systems to effectively manage. year) by 365.
○ It is based on the country’s Mismanaged Waste 5.8.6. BELEM DECLARATION
Index (MWI) i.e., the ratio of the mismanaged
waste and the total waste. • Member countries of Amazon Cooperation Treaty
• Other key Findings on India Organization (ACTO) signed the Belém Declaration in
○ Categorized as ‘The Waste Sponges’ referring to a the Brazilian city of Belém.
low consumption yet a high level of plastic o ACTO is an intergovernmental socio-
pollution. environmental block formed by signing of the
Amazon Cooperation Treaty.
o Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, use in cosmetics, medicinal products, and high-end
Suriname, and Venezuela are its members. furniture/woodcraft.
• Belém Declaration calls for ensuring participation of • Conservation Status
Indigenous Peoples in decision-making o IUCN Status: Endangered
• It also commits to launching the Amazon Alliance to o Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, India: Schedule IV
Combat Deforestation. o Convention on International Trade in Endangered
• However, member countries could not agree on the Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Status:
goal to protect the Amazon rainforest. Appendix II
5.8.7. DEBT-FOR-NATURE SWAP 5.8.9. DHOLPUR-KARAULI TIGER

RESERVE (DKTR)
• Gabon has recently announced a $500 million debt-
for-nature swap deal for marine conservation. • National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)
• About Debt-for-nature swap accords final approval to DKTR.
o It is an agreement where a creditor forgoes a • Now, after being notified by the State government
portion of debtor's foreign debt or provides debt DKTR will become the 54th Tiger Reserve (TR) of
relief in exchange for debtor's commitment to India and 5th of Rajasthan.
invest in a specific environmental project.
○ Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills and
o It can be bilateral or multi-party.
Ramgarh Vishdhari are the remaining four TRs in
• Significance: Mainstreaming the environment in
Rajasthan.
government policies, better adaptation and
○ TRs are notified by State Governments on the
mitigation to climate change, Free up fiscal resources
for government. advice of NTCA under Section 38V of the
Wildlife (Protection) or WPA Act, 1972.
5.8.8. EXPORT POLICY OF RED SANDERS • A TR, considered as critical for tiger conservation, consists
WOOD of two parts:
○ Core or critical tiger habitat: National Park or Sanctuary
• Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), under
status
the Ministry of Commerce and Industry amended
○ Buffer or peripheral area: A lesser degree of habitat
export policy of red sanders wood sourced from
protection is required
privately cultivated land.
o The amendments were issued under the power
• Key initiatives to protect tiger
conferred by the Foreign Trade (Development & ○ Project Tiger launched in 1973 is a Centrally
Regulation) Act,1992 and Foreign Trade Policy Sponsored Scheme of MoEFCC.
2023. ○ Tiger Conservation Plan and Tiger Conservation
• Recent amendment allows an annual export quota for Foundation to be prepared by the state
artificially propagated red sanders and zero export government under WPA for tiger reserve
quota for wild specimens of red sanders. management.
• Under the foreign trade policy import of Red Sanders is ○ TRAFFIC to facilitate improvements in India’s
prohibited, while its export is restricted. anti-poaching efforts.
o Earlier DGFT in 2019 had revised its export policy ○ Leveraging technology
to permit export of Red Sanders, in log form and ✓ M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers
roots, if it is exclusively obtained from private Intensive-Protection & Ecological Status):
cultivated land (including pattaland). An android app for monitoring.
• About Red Sanders ✓ Project ‘E-Bird Technology for Tiger
o Flora endemic to a distinct tract of forests in Conservation’: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as
Eastern Ghats. a Surveillance and Monitoring tool.
o Very slow-growing tree species that attains ✓ Conservation Genetics: Used in low tiger
maturity after 25 – 40 years. density areas to detect tiger presence.
o Resistant to droughts.
• In a related development MoEFCC cleared the
o Locally known as Yerra Chandanam, Rakta
NTCA’s in-principle approval to declare
Chandanam.
Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary (in Rajasthan) as a
o Its therapeutic properties are responsible for its
high demand across Asia, particularly China, for tiger reserve.

Mahanadi, Yamuna, and Son
✓ Black-bellied Tern: Around Chambal,
Mahanadi, Ganga, Son, Godavari, and Yamuna
○ Critically Endangered
✓ Great Indian Bustard: Rajasthan, Gujrat
✓ Bengal Florican: Restricted to the Himalayan
Terai and grasslands of northeastern India
(Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh)
✓ Baer’s Pochard: Wetlands of Assam and
Manipur
• ZSI was established in 1916 by the Ministry of
Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to
explore the faunal diversity of the country.
5.8.10. IUCN’S INTEGRATED TIGER

HABITAT CONSERVATION PROGRAMME
(ITHCP) OR TIGER PROGRAM
• ITHCP has launched a Call for Concept Notes for Phase
IV of Program.
o Phase IV will expand its focus to include other
Pantherine species, in particular leopards and
clouded leopards. 5.8.12. REPORT ON ‘INCLUSIVE
• ITHCP, launched in 2014, is a strategic funding CONSERVATION INITIATIVE (ICI)’
mechanism supported by German Federal Ministry for
Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). • The report was released by Global Environment
o It is contributing to Global Tiger Recovery Facility (GEF) and Conservation International (CI).
Programme, a global effort to double tiger • Key highlights
numbers in wild by 2022. ○ Indigenous peoples own 40% of terrestrial
protected areas and 37% of ecologically intact
5.8.11. STATE OF INDIA’S BIRDS 2023’ landscapes.
REPORT ○ Indigenous land management has equal or
• Report was released by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) greater impacts on reducing deforestation than
and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). state managed.
• Report is a periodic assessment of the distribution ○ Less than 1% of climate change mitigation and
range, trends in abundance and conservation status of adaptation funding is directed to IPLC
India’s key bird species. (indigenous people and local communities)
• Key highlights: ○ Only 7% of the US$ 1.7 billion of funding
○ Bird species richness has reduced because of pledged for ILPC (at the 26th CoP of UNFCCC in
commercial monoculture plantations, 2021) goes directly to them.
urbanisation, infrastructural development, climate • About ICI
change, etc. ○ Background: Endorsed by GEF in 2022
○ Long-distance migrants have declined the most, ○ Aim: To support IPLC to secure and enhance
by over 50%. their stewardship over landscapes, seascapes
✓ Shorebirds that breed in the Arctic have been and territories with high biodiversity and
particularly affected (declining by close to 80% irreplaceable ecosystems.
). ○ 4 components
○ Several bird species such as the Indian Peafowl, ✓ Local Action to deliver Global
Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel and House Crow are Environmental Benefits
showing an increasing trend.
✓ Global IPLC Capacity Building
• Key birds and their habitat ✓ IPLC Leadership in International
○ Endangered
Environmental Policy
✓ Indian Skimmer: Around Chambal, Ganga,
✓ Inclusive Conservation Knowledge to Action o Bacteria produce biomass after consuming
• Other initiatives for inclusive conservation methane, which can be used as feed in
○ Global Biodiversity Framework Fund proposed aquaculture.
by GEF. • Methane is over 85 times more potent than carbon
○ India: Formation of Community Reserves and dioxide on a 20-year timescale and responsible for
recognition to the Sacred Grove under Wildlife nearly 30% of total global warming.
(Protection) Act, 2002; Recognition of Forest 5.8.15. TURTLES AND TORTOISES
Rights Act, 2006.
• CI is a Virginia (USA) based non-profit organization • Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (Uttar Pradesh) and Turtle
that works to protect nature that introduced Survival Alliance (NGO) joined hands for turtles and
quantitive threshold for biodiversity hotspots. tortoises conservation.
• Turtles and tortoises both are reptiles.
5.8.13. THAROSAURUS INDICUS • Turtles
o They live in water some or nearly all of the time.
• It is a long-necked, plant-eating dicraeosaurid o Omnivorous.
dinosaur found in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan by India o They have thinner, more water-dynamic shells.
Scientists. o They have more flipper like legs, or webbed feet.
• It is 167 million years old and belongs to a new species, • Tortoises:
unknown to scientists thus far.
o Land creatures (found in deserts to wet tropical
o Theories so far had suggested that the oldest forest)
dicraeosaurid was from China (about 166-164 o Generally vegetarians
million years old). o They have rounded and domed shells
o Also, fossils of dicraeosaurid dinosaurs have been o They have club-like forelegs and 'elephantine'
found previously in North and South Americas,
hind legs
Africa and China.
• It is named after the ‘Thar desert’ of Rajasthan where 5.8.16. FUJIWHARA EFFECT
it was found.
• As per the National Weather Service, when two
5.8.14. METHYLOTUVIMICROBIUM hurricanes or cyclones spinning in same direction,
BURYATENSE 5GB1C come close to each other, they begin ‘an intense dance
around their common center’.
• Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C is a o This interaction between two cyclones is called the
methanotroph (methane-eating microorganism) Fujiwhara effect.
bacterial strain. o In rare instances, if two cyclones are intense, they
o It can potentially remove methane from major may merge with one another leading to the
emission sites like landfills, paddy fields, and oil formation of a mega cyclone capable of wreaking
and gas wells. havoc along coastlines.
o Harnessing this bacteria on a large scale can keep o It was observed for the first time over western
240 million tonnes of methane from reaching the Pacific Ocean, when typhoons Marie and Kathy
atmosphere by 2050. merged in 1964.
o It was first Identified by Sakuhei Fujiwhara in 1921
in Japan.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. NAMAMI GANGE PROGRAMME (NGP)
Why in the News?
According to the latest projections on the
Namami Gange Programme (NGP), the installed
waste treatment plants are capable of treating
just 20% of the sewage estimated to be
generated in the 5 major States that lie along
the river.
More on News
• The projection has also revealed that out of
a total of 409 projects, only 232 projects
have been completed and made
operational (till December 2022).
About NGP
• Objective: Integrated Conservation
Mission to accomplish the twin objectives
of effective abatement of pollution,
conservation, and rejuvenation of River
Ganga. Achievements of Namami Gange Programme
o Also covers its tributaries under one umbrella • Median value of Dissolved Oxygen (indicator of river health) has
programme. been found to be within acceptable limits as per survey in 2022.
• Phases: • Out of 1072 Grossly Polluting Industries (GPIs) 885 have been
o Namami Gange Mission- I: 2014-2021. brought under Central Pollution Control Board’s Online
o Namami Gange Mission- II: 2022-2026. Continuous Effluent Monitoring Stations (OCEMS).
• Key features Other Key Initiatives for Cleaning Ganga
o Type: Central Sector Scheme. • Clean Ganga Fund: In 2014, it was formed to clean up
o Implementing Agency: National Mission for Clean the Ganga, set up waste treatment plants, and
Ganga (NMCG) and its state counterparts—State conserve the biotic diversity of the river.
Programme Management Groups. • National River Ganga Basin Authority (NRGBA): It
was constituted under the provisions of the EPA,
• Key pillars: Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure, River-Front
1986. It has been dissolved in 2016, consequent to
Development, River-Surface Cleaning, Bio-Diversity,
constitution of National Council for Rejuvenation,
Afforestation, Public Awareness, Industrial Effluent Protection and Management of River Ganga
Monitoring, and Ganga (NCRPM) or National Ganga Council.
• Gram. o It is implemented by NMCG.
• Major States covered: Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, • Ban on Waste Disposal: In 2017, the National Green
Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal. Tribunal banned the disposal of any waste in the
• Activities split into three segments or targets Ganga.
o Entry-level activities immediate (for visible impact). • Collaboration with Other Countries: Such as
o Medium-term activities (to be implemented within 5 years Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, etc.
of time frame).
o Long-term activities (to be implemented within 10 years).
Challenges faced by NGP
• Delay in Implementation of Projects: Mainly due to factors such as delays in handing over land, delays in getting
permission from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and Railways, etc.

• Poor financial
management: Only
about 14,745cr of
funds have been
released by NMCG
to State
Governments, State
Missions for Clean
Ganga (SMCG), and
other agencies till
June 2023.
o States are
dependent on
the Centre for
funds.
• Inadequate Sewage
treatment:
Untreated sewage
and substantial
industrial effluents
are still being
discharged into the
river or its
tributaries. This is
because of the
absence of requisite functional treatment capacity.
• Governance issues: There are a number of authorities at the state and the national levels which cause duplication
of effort. There is a lack of coordination among agencies.
• Lack of Participation: Not much enthusiasm is shown by the private entities and civil society at large to take extra
steps without being dependent on the government funds.
Way forward
• Verification: The existing and planned sewage treatment plants (STPs) need to be verified on efficiency, reliability
and technology parameters by independent agencies.
• Revenue Generation: Evolve new and innovative ways to generate sufficient revenues for operation and
maintenance (O&M) of water and wastewater infrastructure through pricing and valuing water.
• Restore local storages (ponds, lakes, wetlands): It should be an integral part of river restoration and conservation
strategy.
• Mapping and updating of land records: Map the entire looped length of each and every tributary of the Ganga and
correct the land records.
o Start restoring lower-order streams and smaller tributaries in the Ganga Basin.
• Other Strategies: Many of the strategies like river-linking, riverfront development projects, access to toilets, making
villages open defecation-free, etc. need to be integrated with long-term ecological and sustainability goals.
5.2. IPBES ASSESSMENT REPORT ON INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES AND THEIR

CONTROL
Why in the news?
Recently, the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has released the ‘Assessment
Report on Invasive Alien Species and their Control’.

More on news
• The report analyzes the extent of the threat posed by such
species to various categories of biodiversity and ecosystem
services.
o It assesses the effectiveness of current international,
national and subnational control measures and associated
policy options that could be employed to prevent,
eradicate and control invasive alien species.
About Invasive Alien Species
• Invasive alien species represent a subset of alien species
known to have established and spread with negative impacts
on biodiversity, local ecosystems and species.
o Alien species are animals, plants, and other organisms that
have been introduced by human activities to new regions.
o All Alien species are not invasive
species.
• As per the report, invasive alien species are
one of the five major direct drivers of
biodiversity loss globally, alongside land
and sea use change, direct exploitation of
organisms, climate change, and pollution.
• Common characteristics of invasive alien
species include:
o Rapid reproduction and growth
o High dispersal ability
o Ability to adapt physiologically to new
conditions.
o Ability to survive on various food types
and in a wide range of environmental
conditions.
Reasons for the growth of Invasive Alien Species
• Lack of legislation: 83 per cent of countries do not have national legislation or regulations directed specifically
toward the prevention and control of invasive alien species.
o Nearly half of all countries (45 per cent) do not invest in the management of invasive alien species.
• Human activities: Many human activities facilitate the transport, introduction, establishment and spread of invasive
alien species.
o It is estimated that, by 2050 the total number of alien species globally is expected to be about 36% higher than in
2005.
• Global Trade: There is a strong link between the volume of commodity imports and the number of invasive alien
species in a region.
o Increasing international trade of exotic plants and animals and the movement of people, including tourism,
facilitate the spread of invasive alien species.
• Climate change: Climate change facilitates the spread and establishment of many alien species and creates new
opportunities for them to become invasive.
Impact of Invasive Alien Species
• Environmental damage: They have devastating effects on native plant and animal species, leading to human-wildlife
conflicts. Invasive alien plants, especially trees and grasses, can sometimes be highly flammable and promote more
intense fires.

o 60% of global extinctions have been Initiatives against Invasive Alien Species
caused, solely or alongside other drivers, • Target 6 of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
by invasive alien species. aims to eliminate, minimize, reduce and or mitigate the impacts of
• Food security: Invasive species are the major IAS on biodiversity and ecosystem services by 2030.
cause of crop loss and degraded soil quality. • Global Invasive Species Programme (GISP): It was established in
• Social impact: They negatively affect the 1997 to address global threats caused by Invasive Alien Species and
autonomy, rights and cultural identities of to provide support to the implementation of Article 8(h) of the
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Indigenous Peoples through the loss of
o Article 8 (h) of CBD calls to prevent the introduction of,
traditional livelihoods and knowledge, control or eradicate those alien species which threaten
reduced mobility and access to land, and ecosystems, habitats or species.
increased labour to manage the invasive alien • Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS)
species. presents validated and verified national checklists of introduced
o More than 2,300 invasive alien species are (alien) and invasive alien species at country, territory, and
found on lands of Indigenous Peoples associated island level.
across all regions of Earth. • Ramsar Convention: Ensure that the impact on wetlands from
• Health: Invasive alien species can serve as invasive species is prominently addressed.
vectors for infectious zoonotic diseases that • United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS):
can lead to epidemics, such as malaria, dengue States are required to protect and preserve the marine
environment from intentional or unintentional introduction of
fever, chikungunya, Zika, yellow fever etc.
alien species.
• Economic burden: The global economic cost of
invasive alien species exceeded $423 billion annually in
2019, with costs having at least quadrupled every decade
since 1970.
Way Forward
• Effective Management: Biological invasions and their
adverse impacts can be prevented and mitigated through
effective management of
o Pathways of introduction and spread of invasive alien
species.
✓ Pathway management involves strictly enforced import controls, pre-border, border and post-border
biosecurity, and measures to address escape from confinement.
o Target invasive alien species at either local or landscape scales
o Site-based or ecosystem-based management
• Awareness: Public engagement with citizen-science platforms or community-driven eradication campaigns can raise
awareness and contribute to actions that reduce the threat of invasive alien species.
• Integrated Governance: There is a need for a context-specific integrated governance approach, involving
complementary strategic actions such as
o Enhancing coordination and collaboration across international and regional mechanisms.
o Developing and adopting effective and achievable national strategies
o Sharing efforts and commitment and understanding the specific role of all actors
• Investment: Capacity building and targeted investment in research innovation and environmentally sound
technology is required for the eradication of invasive alien species.
5.3. UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES

Why in news?
According to new research, the World Heritage Sites (WHS’s) make up less than 1 % of the Earth’s surface, but they
harbour more than 20 % of the planet’s biodiversity.

More on News
• Research was conducted by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• They are estimated to protect over 20,000 endangered species.
• WHS’s have been referred as last line of defense against extinction.
o Played key role in protection of Javan Rhinos, Vaquitas (the world’s smallest cetacean) and Pink Iguanas.
o Also protected Sumatran Rhinos, Sumatran Orangutans and Mountain Gorillas.
About World Heritage Sites (WHS) and Convention
• It is any of the areas or objects inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• These sites are designated as having outstanding universal value under the World Heritage Convention of 1972.
• There are total 1199 heritage sites under the Convention (as of 27th Sept, 2023).
• Sites are selected under three categories i.e. cultural, natural, and mixed.
o There are 42 World Heritage Sites in India. Out of these, 34 are cultural, 7 are natural, and one is of mixed type.
• World Heritage Convention
o It has been adopted as Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
o Principle: Recognizes the way in which people interact with nature, and the fundamental need to preserve the
balance between the two.
o Parties and Implementing Agency: 195 State parties including India and World Heritage Committee.
o Strategic Objectives (Five Cs): Credibility, Conservation, Capacity-building, Communication and Communities.
Why World Heritage Sites are unique in conserving biodiversity?
• Covers wide Horizon: Deals with both natural, cultural heritage and mixed heritage sites. These are conferred the
highest level of international protection. E.g., Khangchendzonga National Park of India.
• Regional Planning Programme (RPP): Parties are encouraged to integrate the protection of the sites into RPP. E.g.,
National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
• World Heritage Fund: It fulfils the urgent need during disasters or natural calamities.
• Reporting Mechanism: Convention stipulates the obligation on Parties to report regularly to the World Heritage
Committee (WHC) on the state of conservation of their World Heritage properties.
o E.g., In Kaziranga National Park (India) and Chitwan National Park (Nepal), the population of Greater one-horned
Rhinos has been doubled since their inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
• Public Participation: Encourages States Parties to strengthen the appreciation of the public to enhance protection
through educational and information programmes.
• Policy Action: Facilitate dialogue between policymakers and World Heritage actors in the development and
implementation of effective actions.
• Balance between Nature and Culture: Strengthen the link between nature and culture, as many cultural sites,
including those in urban areas are promoting biodiversity.
Challenges faced by World Heritage Sites
• Decline in the population of the endangered species: Either by natural factors such as disease or by human‑made
factors such as poaching. E.g. Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra.
• Development Activities: It includes activities like construction of reservoirs which flood important parts of the
property, industrial and agricultural development etc.
o Human encroachment also threatens the integrity of the sites. E.g. Lake Turkana National Parks in Kenya
• Climate Change: Every 1°C increase in global temperature could double the number of species threatened by
dangerous climate conditions. Due to it, migration pattern, food availability etc. have changed.
• Funding: World Heritage Fund is not able to fulfil need of all nations as many nations do not contribute on time.
• Armed conflict: Along with rising frequency of disasters, heritage sites face brunt of armed conflicts.
o E.g., UNESCO sites of Kyiv and L’viv are inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger due to Ukraine-Russia
conflict.

• Other: Nations modify the legal protective status of the area, severe deterioration of the natural beauty or scientific
value, etc.
Conclusion
WHS need to be given more protection and priority as they are playing key role in biodiversity conservation. It will play
key role in achieving the target of Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
UNESCO
About
• Established in 1945, as a specialised agency of the United Nations to promote international cooperation in education,
sciences, culture, communication and information.
• Membership: 194 Members including India and 12 Associate Members.
• Structure: Secretariat, headed by Director-General, implements the decisions of General Conference and Executive Board
Functions
• Attaining quality education for all and promoting lifelong learning
• Mobilizing scientific knowledge and policy for sustainable development
• Addressing emerging social and ethical challenges
• Fostering cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace
• Building inclusive knowledge societies through information and communication
Key Initiative/Other Information
• Man and Biosphere Programme (MAB), 1971: MAB is an Intergovernmental Scientific Programme that aims to establish a
scientific basis for the improvement of relationships between people and their environments.
• Budapest Declaration on World Heritage (2002): Adopted to ensure that the World Heritage Convention applies to heritage
in all its diversity. It is an instrument for the sustainable development of all societies through dialogue and mutual
understanding.
• UNESCO strategy for gender equality in and through education 2019-2025
• It is also a member of United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG).
• All Member States have established a National Commission for UNESCO.
5.4. PACIFIC DECADAL OSCILLATION (PDO)

Why in the news?
According to a recent study, a combination of global
warming and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)
could make cyclones more frequent in the coming
years.
More on News
• Also, both PDO and El Nino Southern Oscillation
(ENSO) impact each other.
• Scientist have also pointed the linkage of PDO
and global warming.
About PDO
• PDO is a long-term ocean fluctuation in the
Pacific Ocean.
• It has two phases:
o Cool or Negative Phase: Characterized by a cool wedge of lower than normal sea-surface heights/ocean
temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific.
✓ And a warm horseshoe pattern of higher than normal sea-surface heights connecting the north, west and
southern Pacific (refer to image).
o Warm or positive phase: It is reverse of cool phase. In it, West Pacific Ocean becomes cool and the wedge in the
east warms.

• It waxes and wanes approximately every 20 to 30 years. However, in the recent time, the ‘warm’ and ‘cold’ phases
have been much shorter. About ENSO
Why PDO enhances the frequency of Cyclones? • Though ENSO is a single climate phenomenon, it has three states
or phases. Which are as Follows:
• Negative PDO along with La Nina phase creates o El Niño: A warming of the ocean surface or above-average
suitable condition for the tropical cyclones. sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern
• In 2019, the PDO entered a cooler or negative tropical Pacific Ocean.
phase. If it remains so, it could mean more ✓ It leads to drought and deficient rainfall in Asia.
tropical cyclones in the post-monsoon months ✓ Due to it, recently global monthly mean ocean
temperatures has raised at an all-time high relative to
that originate near the equator.
temperatures since records started to be kept.
o The number of equatorial-origin cyclones o La Niña: A cooling of the ocean surface or below-average
was 43% fewer in 1981-2010 compared with sea surface temperatures (SST), in the central and eastern
1951-1980, and this was because the PDO tropical Pacific Ocean.
was in a ‘warmer’ or positive phase. o Neutral: Neither El Niño or La Niña. Often tropical Pacific
• It’s usually rare for cyclones to form near the SSTs are generally close to average.
Equator (due to the absence of Coriolis force) but when the waters are warm, they can gain more moisture and rise
in intensity.
Relation between PDO and El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
• Climate impacts experienced during a PDO event can go hand-in-hand with impacts of ENSO.
o If both phenomena are in the same phase, their associated impacts can be amplified.
• Impact on Indian Monsoon: ENSO (El Niño phase) with a positive PDO is generally not good for the Indian monsoon.
o When ENSO (in La Nina phase) is linked with a negative PDO, it intensifies monsoon in India.
Relation between PDO and Global Warming
• It is thought that negative phases could be linked to times of slower warming.
• This happens because cold or negative phases of the PDO tend to increase mixing of colder, deep ocean waters with
warmer surface waters.
o This temporarily reduces the rate of global warming caused by increasing greenhouse gas emissions.
• However, positive phases of PDO have the opposite effect i.e. increases the global warming.
Conclusion
PDO is a complex phenomenon. It impacts region ranging from USA to India. Due to climate change and other related
events such as ENSO its cycle has changed in the recent time. Still research is going on to understand its different
dimensions.
Related News: Marine Heatwaves (MHWs)
• Long-term, persistent warming and discrete periods of extreme regional ocean warming is called MHWs.
o Indian Ocean (Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal) experienced it recently.
• Causes: It occurs when the surface temperature of a particular region of the sea rises to 3 or 4 degrees Celsius above the
average temperature for at least five days.
o El Nino has contributed in its occurrence.
• Key Characteristics:
o MHWs can last for weeks or even years.
o They can affect small areas of coastline or span multiple oceans.
o MHWs have increased by 50% over the past decade and now last longer and are more severe.
• Impacts:
o Marine ecosystems: Deaths of several marine species, alter their migration patterns, lead to coral bleaching and even
impact weather patterns.
o Humans: Can make storms stronger and severely affect coastal communities. These make hurricanes and tropical
cyclones stronger more intense and frequent.
o Precipitation: Due to its presence in the Bay of Bengal, northwest India received sufficient rainfall.

5.5. NEWS IN SHORTS
5.5.1. BREAKTHROUGH AGENDA REPORT o It has been accredited as a digital public good
2023 (DPG) and can be integrated with national
measurement, reporting and verification (MRV)
• Jointly released by International Energy Agency, systems to meet international reporting
International Renewable Energy Agency, and UN requirements.
Climate Change High-Level Champions. • National carbon Registry will promote development
• It is an annual progress report, requested at UN of Carbon Market by facilitating trading of carbon
Climate Change Conference COP26 2021 as part of credits.
the launch of the Breakthrough Agenda. o Article 6 of Paris Agreement allows countries to
o Breakthrough Agenda is an action plan that voluntarily cooperate with each other to
aims to align actions and coordinate investment achieve emission reduction targets set out in
across 5 key sectors viz. their Nationally Determined Contributions
✓ Power, Road transport, Steel, Hydrogen, and (NDCs).
Agriculture. • Carbon markets are trading systems in which
• Key findings carbon credits are sold and bought.
o Transition to clean energy sustainable solutions o Companies or individuals can use carbon
is accelerating. markets to compensate for their greenhouse
o Country’s Nationally Determined Contributions gas emissions by purchasing carbon credits
are not aligned with global climate goals. from entities that remove or reduce greenhouse
o Power sector accounts for 23% of total gas emissions.
emissions, which has risen by around 10% since o One tradable carbon credit equals one tonne of
2010. carbon dioxide or the equivalent amount of a
• Sector wise recommendations different greenhouse gas reduced, sequestered
o Power sector: Prioritise R&D investments in or avoided.
storage, and distributed operation of energy o Carbon trading was introduced by Kyoto
resources. Protocol in 1997.
o Hydrogen: Define regulatory frameworks for • In India, Ministry of Power notified Carbon Credits
storage technology transfer and increase Trading Scheme (CCTS), 2023 for institutionalisation
concessional finance available for well-targeted and functioning of Indian Carbon Market (ICM).
usages.
o Road transport: Agreed on a timeline for zero- 5.5.3. TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE
emission and established standards for battery GLOBAL STOCKTAKE
carbon footprint, • The first global stocktake technical synthesis report
o Steel: Establish a dialogue on steel released by the United Nations Framework
decarbonization policies and make an emissions Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
accounting methodology. • The global stocktake (GST) aims to serve as a report
o Agriculture: Additional finance is needed for card on the progress of countries under the 2015
agroecology, reduction of food loss and waste, Paris Agreement in achieving their climate action
reducing methane emissions, and crop and goals.
livestock breeding. o The Global Stocktake is intended to evaluate
progress on climate action at the global level —
5.5.2. UNDP LAUNCHES NATIONAL
not the national level — and identify overall gaps
CARBON REGISTRY
to achieve the Paris Agreement as well as
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) opportunities to bridge them.
launched the National Carbon Registry. • Key Finding
• National Carbon Registry is an open-source software o The world is ‘not on track’ to meet the long-
that allows countries to effectively manage national term goal of limiting global temperatures to 2
data and processes for trading carbon credits. degrees Celsius.

o Renewable energy has to be scaled up and all o Better performing cities i.e., the top 3 cities in
‘unabated fossil fuels’ (for example, coal plants each category, are rewarded with a cash price,
without carbon capture and storage trophy and Certificate.
mechanisms) were to be rapidly eliminated to o In Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023
reach net zero CO2 emissions. ✓ Indore ranked first in 1st category (million
o More ambitious mitigation targets in NDCs plus population)
(Nationally Determined Contributions) are ✓ Amravati ranked first in 2nd category (3-10
needed to reduce emissions more rapidly. lakhs population)
o Transparent reporting on adaptation can ✓ Parwanoo ranked first in the 3rd Category
facilitate and enhance understanding, (less than 3 lakhs population)
implementation and international cooperation.
o Support for adaptation and funding
arrangements for averting, minimising and
addressing loss and damage, from the impact of
climate change, needed to be rapidly scaled up
from expanded and innovative sources.
o A focus on inclusion and equity can increase
ambition in climate action and support.
o Strategic capacity-building support to
developing countries needs to be scaled up to
address locally determined needs.
5.5.5. BUILDING MATERIALS AND THE
5.5.4. SWACHH VAYU SARVEKSHAN CLIMATE
• Recently, Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023 (Clean Air • ‘Building Materials and The Climate: Constructing A
Survey) awards were announced. New Future’ report was released by the United
• Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan is an initiative by the Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate • It highlights the urgent need to develop new models
Change (MoEFCC) under the National Clean Air for cooperation on decarbonisation of building
Programme (NCAP). materials.
o NCAP has been launched by the MoEFCC as a o Report was developed in collaboration with Yale
comprehensive initiative in partnership with Center for Ecosystems and Architecture in the
various Ministries and States to improve air framework of the Global Alliance for Buildings
quality at city, regional and national level. and Construction (GlobalABC).
• Objectives of Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan • Decarbonisation of buildings refers to removal or
o To create awareness among all sections of the reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission into
society atmosphere.
o To create awareness among all sections of the • Need to decarbonise building/construction sector
society o It is responsible for at least 37 percent of global
o To create awareness among all sections of the emissions (largest emitter of greenhouse gas).
society o To limit global warming to 1.5°C (Paris
o Inform citizens about the health impacts agreement) and achieve net zero by 2050 by
related to exposure. reducing embodied carbon in building materials.
o Comparing air quality conditions at different ✓ Embodied carbon account for 11 percent of
locations/cities annual global GHG emissions arising from
o To achieve the goal of NCAP ‘Clean Air for All’ manufacturing, transportation, installation,
• All 131 cities covered under NCAP are required to do maintenance, and disposal of building
the self-assessment as per the framework provided materials.
on the PRANA online portal (Dashboard to capture
the progress of the NCAP programme).
o 131 cities are categorized into three groups
based on population.

• Challenges in decarbonization of building/ ✓ Deal with any applications made by any
construction sector aggrieved person.
o Regulation and market demand: No consensus ○ Jurisdiction: Whole country
exists on Building specifications, standards and ○ Deferment of State: If the State differs from
codes. CEC’s recommendation, it shall be referred to
o Lack of Data on durability and resilience of the Centre whose decision shall be final and
materials and its impact on embodied carbon. binding.
o Lack of capacity in data collection and reporting • Concern: Lack of representation from civil society
of material changes, maintenance and repair (ad hoc panel comprised of two members of NGOs).
that have occurred in a building over time.
5.5.7. GLOBAL TRENDS ON LAND
DEGRADATION AND DROUGHT
• Data released by the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
o UNCCD is the sole legally binding international
agreement for sustainable land management.
• Key Findings
o Between 2015 and 2019, at least 100 million
hectares of land were degraded every year
amounting to 402 million hectares in four years.
o It impacted the lives of 1.3 billion people.
o At this rate, restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land
by 2030 is essential to achieve a land-
5.5.6. CENTRAL EMPOWERED degradation-neutral (LND) world.
COMMITTEE (CEC)
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change
(MoEF&CC) forms CEC on Environmental issues.
○ MoEFCC, exercising power under the
Environment (Protection) Act (1986),
constituted a permanent statutory CEC.
✓ The permanent CEC will replace an ad hoc
CEC formed in 2002 for monitoring the
implementation of SC’s order in TN
Godavarman vs. Union of India (1996).
✓ Ad hoc CEC has been reporting to SC on steps
taken for removal of encroachment,
compensatory afforestation, and other
conservation issues.
• Key highlights about CEC
○ Composition:
✓ Chairman and 3 Expert Members selected
for 3 years (extendable once upto age of 60).
✓ Chief Coordinating Officer a serving officer
not below rank of DIG of Forests/Director in • Reasons: extreme weather conditions, drought,
GOI. excessive Use of fertilizers and pesticides,
✓ All of them should have experience in salination, climate change, etc.
Environment, Forest and Wildlife. • LDN is a state whereby, the amount and quality of
○ Functions: land resources necessary to support the ecosystem
✓ Monitor implementation of SCs orders and to enhance food security remain stable or increase,
place reports of noncompliance before the within specified temporal and spatial scales.
Centre.
• Earlier, UNCCD has released a 2018−2030 Strategic o Consider programs like debt-for-nature swaps
Framework that focuses on; for a commitment to invest in mangrove
o Mitigate, adapt and manage land degradation. restoration or wetland conservation.
o Mobilize financial and nonfinancial resources. o Switching to water-efficient crops or using
o Improve the condition of land degradation- methods like sprinkler or drip irrigation versus
through participation. flooding fields.
o Cities should develop urban water resilience
5.5.8. ECOCIDE action plans.
• Ecocide refers to unlawful or wanton acts
committed with knowledge that there is a
substantial likelihood of widespread or long term
damage to environment being caused by those acts.
o Arthur Galston, in 1970, was first to link
environmental destruction with genocide when
referring to use of Agent Orange (a herbicide) by
US during Vietnam War.
• Ecocide is currently recognised as a crime in several
countries.
• Though used in certain cases as references by
Courts, India is yet to make it an offence.
5.5.10. ATLANTIFICATION
5.5.9. EXTREME WATER STRESS • Atlantification is making the Arctic Ocean saltier and
• New data from World Resources Institute (WRI), a warmer.
global research organisation, shows that • Atlantification is a process in which warm water
o One-quarter of the global population faces from Atlantic is being advected into arctic ocean in
extremely high water stress. increasing amounts thereby making some parts of
o 25 countries, including India, face extremely Barents Sea to more closely resemble the Atlantic.
high water stress each year. o Top of the Arctic Ocean is typically covered by
✓ A country facing “extreme water stress” sea ice. Below this is a layer of cool freshwater,
means it is using at least 80% of its available followed by a deeper layer of warmer, saltier
supply, “high water stress” means it is water delivered to Arctic from Atlantic.
withdrawing 40% of its supply. o Layers are held in place as a result of differences
• Other Key findings in water salinity and thus protects sea ice from
o 50% of world’s population live under highly being melted by incoming warm water from
water-stressed conditions for at least one Atlantic.
month of the year. • However, rapid decline in arctic ice covers in recent
o 31% of global GDP will be exposed to high water decades is causing the ocean to mix together and
stress by 2050. India, Mexico, Egypt and Turkey also driving Atlantification.
will account for over half of exposed GDP in o Once sparked, Atlantification causes further
2050. melting of sea ice, which could, in turn, lead to
o 60% of world’s irrigated agriculture faces more Atlantification.
extremely high water stress. • Researchers believe that Atlantification is driven by
o Causes of global water stress: Increased water a process called Arctic Dipole which is associated
use, lack of investment in water infrastructure, with anticyclonic winds over North America and
unsustainable water use policies, increased cyclonic winds over Eurasia which alternates in an
variability due to climate change etc. approximately 15-year cycle.
• Recommendations o Positive phase of Arctic Dipole contributed to
o Improve water governance through nature- slowing Arctic sea-ice loss by restricting Atlantic
based solutions and green infrastructure. water into the Arctic via the Fram Strait and
negative phase accelerate sea-ice decline.

o For example: E85 which has 85% ethanol fuel
and 15% gasoline or other hydrocarbon by
volume.
o Benefits: Lower harmful pollutant emission like
Carbon monoxide, sulphur, etc., reduced import
dependence on crude oil.
o Drawbacks: Lower mileage compared to
traditional gasoline, use of water-intensive crops
such as sugarcane for production of ethanol, etc.
• Bharat Stage VI (BS VI)
o Bharat stage (BS) emission standards are laid
down to regulate the output of air pollutants
from internal combustion engine and spark-
ignition engine equipment.
o Government had decided to leapfrog directly
from BS-IV to BS-VI emission norms w.e.f. April
01, 2020.
o The fuel quality has improved significantly from
BS-IV to BS-VI norms by reducing the
permissible Sulphur content by 80% (from 50
Parts Per Million (ppm) to maximum 10 ppm).
5.5.11. ARTIFICIAL REEF (AR)
Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme
• Department of Fisheries is promoting AR under • The target of 10% ethanol blending for Ethanol Supply
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana for Year (ESY) 2021-22 has already been achieved.
rejuvenating coastal fisheries. • The National Policy on Biofuels – 2018 targets 20%
• ARs are technology interventions used to blending of ethanol in petrol by ESY 2025-26.
rehabilitate or improve natural habitats, increase
productivity and manage aquatic resources including 5.5.13. MARINE LIGHT POLLUTION
habitat enhancement. • According to a study by Journal Aquatic Conservation
• Advantages marine light pollution threatens coastal marine
o Reduce wave damage on coasts, helps systems.
regeneration of marine ecosystem and act as a • Light pollution also known as ‘Artificial Light at
carbon sink. Night’ (ALAN) is an excessive, misdirected, or
o Enhance recreational fisheries, eco-tourism, obtrusive artificial (usually outdoor) light in the
creating suitable areas for diving and reducing environment.
conflicts. • Sources of light for Marine Ecosystem:
o Restricts bottom trawling in the near shore o Natural Sources- Sunlight, moonlight, starlight,
areas. and bioluminescent light (result of endogenous
5.5.12. ELECTRIFIED FLEX FUEL VEHICLE biochemical reactions).
o Artificial light: City lights, by offshore oil and gas
(FFV)
platforms, wind farms, and island development.
• World’s first prototype of the BS 6 Stage II • Significance of Light for Marine Ecosystem
‘Electrified Flex fuel vehicle (FFV)’ launched. o Ocean is generally divided into three zones
o This vehicle has both the flex fuel engine as well based on the amount of sunlight it receives i.e.,
as an electric powertrain. Euphotic (<200 m), Dysphotic(200 and 1,000 m),
o It offers higher use of ethanol combined with and Aphotic zones (below 1,000 m).
better fuel efficiencies. o Marine organisms have visual systems guided
• FFV has an internal combustion engine that can run by light and solar and lunar cycles to regulate
on more than one type of fuel, or even a mixture of their life events e.g., eggs hatching, etc.
fuels such as petrol and ethanol. • Impacts of ALAN:
o Behavior change-mating, reproductive.
o Symbiosis or inter species interaction impacted. o It is a legally binding agreement that was
o Physiology e.g hormones, metabolism and adopted in 2001 and entered into force in 2004
growth. (India is a party).
o Photosensitive systems of species get o ITPGRFA makes it possible to share plant
disturbed. genetic resources across borders through a
unique Multilateral System of Access and
Benefit-sharing (MLS).
• India has enacted the Protection of Plant Varieties
and Farmers' Rights Act 2001 to safeguard interest
of farmers and other peoples who are engaged in
the conservation and improvement of plant genetic
resources.
5.5.15. NORMAN BORLAUG FIELD AWARD
FOR FIELD RESEARCH AND APPLICATION
• Dr. Swati Nayak, an Indian scientist at International
Rice Research Institute (IRRI), was named the
recipient of the prestigious award in 2023.
o She is recognized for her innovative approach to
engaging smallholder farmers in demand-
driven rice seed systems and adoption of
climate-resilient and nutritious rice varieties.
• $10,000 award recognizes exceptional, science-
based achievement in international agriculture and
5.5.14. DELHI FRAMEWORK ON food production by an individual under the age of
FARMERS’ RIGHTS 40.
o Endowed by: Rockefeller Foundation.
• Global Symposium on Farmers' Rights (GSFR)
adopts the Delhi Framework on Farmers’ Rights. 5.5.16. WALKING LEAVES
o GSFR was organized by Secretariat of
• An international research team has described seven
International Treaty on Plant Genetic
previously unknown species of leaf insects
Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)
(Phylliidae family), also known as walking leaves.
of Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
• About Walking Leaves:
o PGRFA are the raw material that form basis of
o They are usually green
all crop varieties and include seeds and all other
insects and are known
plant genetic material.
for their leaf-like
• Key highlights of Delhi Framework:
appearance.
o Creating functional synergy across different UN
o Distribution: Islands in
instruments (ITPGRFA, CBD, United Nations
the Indian Ocean,
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
across parts of
Peoples (UNDRIP) etc.) for realization of
mainland South Asia
farmers’ rights.
and Southeast Asia, to
o Establish/support farmer-managed seed system
Papua New Guinea
for traditional varieties and create self-
and Australia in the western Pacific.
sustaining production and marketing value
o Males tend to be smaller than females.
chain.
o Building farmer-centric partnership 5.5.17. KYLINXIA ZHANGI
opportunities including South-South, triangular • Researchers have investigated a nearly 520-million-
and regional cooperation. year-old fossil of Kylinxia zhangi (found in China).
• ITPGRFA, also known as seed treaty, is a major o New findings revealed that Kylinxia sported
international agreement to conserve, use three eyes on its head, along with a pair of claws
and manage PGRFA around the world. that was possibly used to catch prey.
• The fossil is part of the Cambrian Chengjiang biota, o They have a very long and slender opercular
a group of exceptionally preserved animals. spine and a short cleithral spine.
• Kylinxia is related to the arthropods. o Its distinct characteristics include a distinct
pectoral-fin with black membranes on the inner
surface, a white posterior margin, and three
small white spots basally in the fin.
5.5.20. RED FIRE ANT

• Red fire Ant - one of the world’s most invasive
species, has been found in Europe for the first time.
• Native: South America however, spread in United
States, Mexico, the Caribbean, China, and Australia.
5.5.18. MITHUN • Communication: through chemical secretions and
• Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has stridulation (sounds produced by rubbing or
recognised the Mithun (Bos frontalis) as a food drumming one body part against another)
animal. • Invasive species drive plant and animal extinctions,
• Food Animals are those that are raised and used for threaten food security and exacerbate
food production or consumption by humans. environmental catastrophes.
• About Mithun 5.5.21. SAGO
o Species: Ruminant species of Bovidae family.
o Habitat: Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, • SAGOSERVE (a cooperative society) received GI tag
and Mizoram. Also found in parts of Bangladesh, for its Sago produced in Salem (TN).
Myanmar, and Bhutan. • Sago is derived from raw tapiocas and is in the form
o State animal: of both Arunachal Pradesh and of small hard globules or pearls and is pearl white in
Nagaland. colour.
o Similar to that of Gaur (Indian bison) but are o Tapioca is a horticultural crop, that grows in
smaller in size. tropical, warm humid climate with rainfall of
• Categorization can help check its declining over 100 cm per annum.
population. • Sago comprises of high carbohydrate content and is
• Earlier in 2022, Himalayan yak was accepted as a low in protein, fat, minerals, vitamins etc.
food animal by FSSAI. • It is easy to digest and provides rapid energy.
5.5.22. AGUMBE FOREST

• The amount of rainfall received in Agumbe has
reduced as compared to the other towns in the
region.
• Agumbe is in the Shivamogga district of Karnataka
and referred as “Cherrapunji of South India”, with
an average rainfall of 8000 mm
o It is situated at an elevation of 650 meters
within Central Western Ghats and has a
distinctive tract of tropical moist evergreen
forest.
5.5.19. PTERYGOTRIGLA INTERMEDICA o It is also located adjacent to the Someshwara
Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kudremukh National
• Scientists of Zoological Survey of India have Park.
discovered a new species of marine fish from West • It is the world’s only natural habitat of the King
Bengal. Cobra and referred to as "The Cobra Capital".
• New species, commonly known as gurnards or sea-
robins, belongs to family Triglidae and there are a
total 178 species of the family worldwide.
5.5.23. SIANG RIVER 5.5.24. OMEGA BLOCKING
• The Centre has proposed to construct a large • According to a study, recent floods in the
barrage on the Siang River to protect it from Mediterranean regions were caused by low-
potential hazards posed by the massive Chinese pressure systems forming around an Omega Block
dam being built on river Tsangpo in Tibet. centred over the Netherlands.
• China’s proposed massive hydropower project on • Omega block occurs when two low-pressure
the Great Bend of Yarlung Tsangpo River just before systems become cut off from the main flow of the
the river enters India as Siang. jet stream, sandwiching a high-pressure system
o The Yarlung Tsangpo river starts from between them.
Mansarovar lake and flows easterly for more • It resembles the Greek letter Ω on a weather map.
than 1,600 km across Tibet before bending • Omega-blocking events have also been linked to
towards the south-east around Namcha Barwa other extreme weather events in the past, including
peak to enter India at Gelling in Arunachal Pakistan floods in 2011, 2019 heatwaves during May
Pradesh, where the river is known as Siang. in France and July in Germany etc.
o The Siang flows down the Himalayas in
Arunachal Pradesh, enters the Assam valley,
joins two other rivers (Lohit and Dibang) and
together they become the Brahmaputra.
• Impact of China’s mega dam project
o Chinese control overflow: Chinese authorities
will have control over the Tsangpo's flow,
enabling them to store it in reservoirs and
redirect it to suit their regional water
management needs
o Agriculture: Such a huge dam could hold back
massive amounts of silt carried by the river
which could affect farming in the areas 5.5.25. KILAUEA VOLCANO
downstream.
• Kilauea volcano has erupted again in US state of
✓ Silty soil is more fertile than other types of
Hawaii.
soil and it is good for growing crops.
• Kilauea aka Mount Kilauea, the world’s most active
o Seismological impact: Large-scale infrastructure
volcanic mass, is located on southeastern part of
projects elevate seismic risks, endangering
island of Hawaii, Hawaii state, U.S.
downstream populations significantly.
• Volcano is a vent in the crust of Earth, from which
o Ecological impact: Deforestation, soil erosion,
eruptions of molten rock, hot rock fragments, and
and landslides compound ecological
hot gasses take place.
vulnerabilities.
5.5.26. EARTHQUAKE IN MOROCCO
• Earthquake is caused by to release of energy within
the earth’s lithosphere generating waves.
• Epicentre: located in the Atlas Mountains.
• Reasons for the strongest earthquake in this region
o Northward convergence of the African plate
with respect to the Eurasian plate along a
complex plate boundary.
o It was attributed to oblique-reverse faulting at
shallow depth within the Moroccan High Atlas
Mountain range.
o This type of faulting is common in areas of
compression along the convergent plate
boundaries.
5.5.27. AAROGYA MAITRI CUBE UNDER
PROJECT BHISHM
• India has built the world’s first disaster hospital,
called Aarogya Maitri Cube which can be airlifted
and assembled in 72 cubes.
o These cubes contain medical equipment and
supplies to support 200 survivors for 48 hours.
o These medical cubes have been indigenously
developed under Project BHISHM (Bharat
Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri).
o India has already donated two Aarogya Maitri
Cubes to Myanmar as a goodwill gesture and
one is being readied for donation to Sri Lanka.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE RESILIENCE
Why in the news?
Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)
released the first biennial report on global infrastructure
titled “Global Infrastructure Resilience: Capturing the
Resilience Dividend”.
What is Infrastructure Resilience?
• Infrastructure: Infrastructure is defined by the UN as
“the physical structures, facilities, networks and other
assets which provide services that are essential to the
social and economic functioning of a community or
society”.
• Resilience: Resilience is the ability to prevent, resist,
absorb, adapt, respond and recover positively, efficiently and effectively when faced with a wide range of risks
while maintaining an acceptable level of functioning.
• Dimensions:
o Resilient infrastructure: Infrastructure that can absorb, respond to, and recover from hazard events and shocks.
o Infrastructure for resilience: Infrastructure that supports broader social and economic or systemic resilience
without generating or accumulating new systemic risk.
Global Infrastructure Risks and the need for Infrastructure resilience
• Obsolescence of infrastructure: Many countries, particularly those that industrialized prior to World War II, need to
replace obsolete infrastructure assets.
• Weak infrastructure governance: Socio-economic development in lower income countries is constrained by large
infrastructure deficits being aggravated by weak infrastructure governance.
o Deficient planning and design, inadequate standards, ineffective regulation and compliance and low levels of
investment characterize weak infrastructure governance.
• Systemic risks: Systemic risks such as climate change and biodiversity loss, can be considered existential, as they
threaten the habitability of the planet.
o International agreements for climate change mitigation mandate a rapid transition from carbon-locked-in
infrastructure to low, zero, or negative emission infrastructure.
• Developmental benefits: Investing to strengthen infrastructure resilience could set countries on a development
trajectory characterized by quality and dependable essential services, reduced damage to infrastructure assets,
lowered systemic risk, and sustainable development goals.
• Disproportionate impact: The resources required in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) for infrastructure
resilience are at least one order of magnitude greater than current investment.
• Infrastructure finance: Recent estimates of the annual investment required to address infrastructure deficits, achieve
the SDGs, and achieve net zero by 2050, amount to $9.2 trillion.
o In the coming years, it is expected that just four countries (China, India, Japan, and USA) will account for 50% of
total global infrastructure investment.
Nature-based Infrastructure Solutions (NbIS)
NbIS refer to practices that concurrently protect and provide infrastructure, adapt to climate change, promote
environmental integrity and biodiversity, and provide social well-being. If widely adopted, they can play a crucial role in
strengthening resilience.

• Safeguarding
traditional
infrastructure: NbIS
can be used to
complement,
substitute or
safeguard
traditional ‘grey’
infrastructure, thus
representing a
paradigm shift
towards building
with nature.
• Low-cost: NbIS cost,
on average, only
51% of grey
infrastructure
projects.
• Reducing carbon
emissions: NbIS also
reduce carbon
emissions across
infrastructure
lifecycles, which will enable avoiding land use change and extending infrastructure lifespans.
• Socio-economic outcomes: NbIS increases opportunities for women’s involvement in decision-making and
governance, particularly in rural areas.
o It has the potential to create an estimated 59 million jobs by 2030.
o Widespread adoption of NbIS would influence the achievement of SDGs.
Challenges for integrating NbIS
• Knowledge requirement: NbIS require new interdisciplinary knowledge and skill sets that traditional engineers and
architects do not necessarily possess.
• Lack of research: Rarely can one find research that quantifies ecosystem services, integrates nature-based values into
modelling and cost-benefit accounting, and facilitates the design of NbIS.
• Lack of risk assessment: Without a credible and robust risk identification process, it is impossible to identify the
resilience dividends that can accrue through adopting NbIS.
• Politically unattractive: NbIS may sometimes be unattractive politically precisely because it reduces opportunities for
privatized profits.
• Gestation period: NbIS is often a slow solution in a context where many infrastructure requirements need quick
action.
Integrating NbIS
• Research: Carefully reviewed, curated, up-to-date, multi-lingual and publicly available research, libraries, design
standards, and case studies are essential.
o All countries, particularly LMICs, will need national centres of excellence in NbIS.
• Outcome linked NbIS: Linking NbIS monitoring to the achievement of the SDG and the global common goals may
facilitate its greater uptake.
• Regulation: Effective legislation to protect and enhance ecosystems is necessary to encourage greater investment in
NbIS.
• Rating systems: Rating tools can serve as a market signal for resilience or sustainability and provide verified examples
of good practice.
o For example, GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) in India.
• Global standards: Prescriptive global standards for NbIS could provide a pathway for greater project financing.
• Financing incentives: Integrating NbIS into existing pipelines of grey infrastructure delivery systems can be a way to
achieve scale, reduce loss and damage to infrastructure assets, and prevent loss of biodiversity.
Conclusion
The long design lifecycles of many infrastructure assets will be key to making investments resilient and configure
development trajectories in the decades to come. At the same time, strengthening infrastructure resilience is critical to
address existential risks associated with catastrophic climate change and biodiversity loss.
5.2. GLACIAL LAKE OUTBURST FLOOD (GLOF)

Why in the News?
Sikkim witnessed Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) due to bursting of the
southern bank of the South Lhonak Lake.
Causes for Sikkim flash floods
The Sikkim disaster was primarily triggered by a catastrophic combination of factors.
• Glacier melting: Sikkim’s South Lhonak Lake, situated in a high-altitude glacierised region, experienced accelerated
melting due to climate change. This led to the lake's expansion.
• GLOF event: The pressure and volume reached a critical point, causing the lake to breach its boundaries. The resulting
GLOF, combined with excessive rainfall due to cloud burst, triggered the devastating flash floods.
o A GLOF is a sudden and catastrophic event where a glacial lake, often dammed by a glacier or moraine, bursts
open, releasing an immense volume of water, rocks, and debris downstream.
• Chungthang dam: The floodwaters reached the Teesta-III hydel project at Chungthang via the Lachen River and were
worsened by release of water from Chungthang Dam.
About Glacial Lakes and GLOFs
• Glacial lakes are large bodies of water that sit in front of, on top of, or beneath a melting glacier.
o As they grow larger in size, they become more dangerous
because glacial lakes are mostly dammed by unstable ice
or sediment composed of loose rock and debris.
o Due to global warming glaciers are retreating and glacier
lakes are expanding in the size and numbers.
• Glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) is a sudden release of a
significant amount of water retained in a glacial lake,
irrespective of the cause.
• GLOF vulnerability in India
o As per recent ICIMOD report (Hindu Kush Himalaya (HI-
WISE) assessment report) - in the event of global warming
between 1.5°C to 2°C, by 2100, glaciers are set to lose
30–50% of their volume compared with 2015.
o More than nine million people in High Mountain Asia
(HMA) — surrounded by mountain ranges of Tien Shan,
Pamir, Hindu Kush, Karakoram, Himalaya and Qilian Shan
— are vulnerable to glacial lake outbursts.
o India has witnessed at least three highly devastating
GLOF events in the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins over the last decade —Kedarnath (2013), Chamoli (2021) and
Sikkim (2023).

Causes for Flash Floods
• Increased flow: Increased flow in streams, short and seasonal rivers, tributaries and the main riverstem after the
initiation of high intensity rainfall is largely the genesis of flash floods.
• Cloudburst: Cloudburst refers to an extreme amount of rain that occurs in a short span of time. Predicting cloud bursts
is extremely difficult.
• Rainstorms: According to IMD, rainstorms are characterised by either substantial, extreme or heavy rainfall over a
particular area for a particular period.
• Human induced interventions: Continuous push towards centralized development and increasing tourism economy
is leading to haphazard construction in vulnerable regions. These include:
o Commissioning of Hydropower projects in vulnerable regions prone to seismicity, landslides, and other disasters.
o Unsustainable and unplanned infrastructure in ecologically fragile zones.
o Climate change and increased warming of the planet due to anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases and
pollutants.
Flood mitigation measures
• National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): It issues guidelines for management of floods and specifies roles
of various central and state agencies.
o NDMA issued guidelines on management of GLOFs in 2020, urban flooding in 2010 and flood management in
2008. (refer infographic)
• Structural Measures: Creation of reservoir, depressions, embankments, channelisation of rivers, improvement of
channel and drainage, watershed management etc.
• Floodplain zoning: It aims at demarcating zones likely to be
affected by floods of different magnitudes or frequencies,
and specify the types of permissible developments in these
zones.
• Early Warning System: NDMA has planned to install early
warning systems for real-time alerts at most of 56 at-risk
glacial lakes in India.
• Guidelines for Hydro projects: Central Electricity Authority
(CEA) has issued guidelines for slope stability—inclines that
can withstand movement—in hydropower projects.
Measures that can be taken
• Risk assessment: Comprehensive risk assessment of
vulnerable regions should inform disaster risk-reduction
strategies.
• Monitoring and data collection: Intense monitoring and
forecasting of meteorological events near vulnerable glacier
lakes, and rivers is an urgent necessity.
• Climate mitigation: Climate mitigation efforts and adaptive
measures need to be taken to protect communities and
infrastructure from the escalating risks.
• Use of technology: Vulnerable zones can be identified using
Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS),
and drone and Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology.
• Collective resilience: Institutionalising social, cultural and localized knowledge and practices for developing local
warning systems and to build collective resilience.
• Green-grey infrastructure: Retention basins, wetlands, vegetation shields, sediment traps, flood walls, diversion
channels etc. can improve the geo-morphology of the mountain rivers.
o Also, Infrastructure projects in mountains — dams, bridges and highways — must be subjected to stringent
quality control measures.
• EPIC Response Framework: World Bank has put forward a new perspective to better manage flood and drought risks
– the EPIC Response Framework (Enable, Plan, Invest, Control).
5.3. NEWS IN SHORTS

5.3.1. CORAL REEF BREAKTHROUGH 5.3.2. SUSTAINABLE FINANCE
• Coral Reef Breakthrough was launched by • A report on Sustainable finance was released by
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) in partnership UNESCAP titled- “Sustainable Finance: Bridging the
with Global Fund for Coral Reefs and High-Level Gap in Asia and the Pacific”.
Climate Champions. • Sustainable finance refers to the financing of
o It aims to prevent extinction of at least 125,000 sustainable activities as well as finance that is
km2 of shallow-water tropical coral reefs. sustainably managed.
• Action Plans to achieve target • Key findings
o Mitigate local drivers of loss including land-based
○ There is sufficient capital and liquidity to close
sources of pollution, destructive coastal
the global financing gap in sustainable finance.
development, and overfishing.
○ Asia-Pacific region is not on track to meet the
o Bolster resilience based coral reef conservation
SDGs by 2030.
efforts by aligning with and surpassing global
coastal protection targets including 30by30. ○ Only 17 of the 51 Asia-Pacific countries party to
✓ Target 3 of Kunming-Montreal Global the UNFCCC have assessed and reported their
Biodiversity Framework i.e. at least 30% of financial needs to meet their Nationally
terrestrial and inland water areas, and marine Determined Contributions (NDCs).
and coastal areas should be conserved by ○ Average economic losses resulting from
2030. disasters and other natural hazards in the region
o Assist development and implementation of may increase to $1.1 trillion- $1.4 trillion.
innovative solutions at scale and climate smart ○ Climate change under a high emissions scenario
designs that support coral to impact 30% of could impose 35% GDP losses in India by 2100.
degraded reefs by 2030. • Recommendations: Action for policymakers,
o Secure investments of at least USD 12 billion by regulators and private finance includes:
2030 from public and private sources to conserve ○ Commitments to net zero pledges for 2050 with
and restore coral reef. credible transition pathways including 2030
• Coral reefs are made up of colonies of hundreds to goals.
thousands of tiny individual corals, called polyps. ○ Policy coherence and capacities developed
o These marine invertebrate animals have hard across key government ministries
exoskeletons made of calcium carbonate. ○ Reducing sectoral and regional mismatches
o In India, Coral reefs are present in Gulf of Kutch,
between capital and investment needs.
Gulf of Mannar, Andaman & Nicobar, and
○ Local-currency financing of energy transition
Lakshadweep Islands.
projects as well as green technologies and other
net-zero investments.
○ Concessional financing and risk-sharing by
multilateral development banks, bilateral
development financial institutions, etc.

5.3.4. CLIMATE IMPACT, LOSS & DAMAGE
IN SUNDARBANS
• Experts from India and Bangladesh believe that climate
change triggered loss and damage in the Sundarbans,
should be seen as a “global common”.
o This is because the region gets significantly
affected despite contributing minimally to carbon
emissions.
• Global commons are areas and their potential
economic resources that lie beyond national
jurisdiction (high sea, atmosphere, Antarctica and
outer space) and to which all nations have access.
o Conventions and treaties to govern global
commons include United Nations Convention on
Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, Antarctic Treaty
System, Treaty on Principles governing Activities of
States in Exploration and Use of Outer etc.
• Sundarbans is a cluster of low-lying islands in Bay of
Bengal, spread across India (40%) and Bangladesh
(60%).
o It lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra
and Meghna rivers. It is the largest area of
mangrove forest in the world.
o It is designated as a Cultural UNESCO World
Heritage Site and accorded the status of ‘Wetland
of International Importance’ under Ramsar
Convention.
o Fauna: Estuarine crocodile, royal Bengal tiger,
Water monitor lizard, Gangetic dolphin, Olive
ridley turtle etc.
o Threats: Vulnerable to floods, earthquakes,
cyclones, sea-level rise and coastline erosion.
5.3.3. NET ZERO ROADMAP

• A Report on Net Zero Roadmap was released by
International Energy Agency (IEA) titled ‘A Global
Pathway to keep the 1.5 °C Goal in reach.
• Key Highlights of the report:
o Limiting global warming to 1.5 °C is becoming
harder but a narrow window remains because
clean energy infrastructure has grown around the
world. 5.3.5. CUTTING METHANE FROM FOSSIL
o Clean energy like solar power, electric car are FUELS
among technologies which together deliver 1/3rd
of the emissions reductions between today and • A Report titled ‘Imperative of Cutting Methane from
2030 in the pathway. Fossil Fuels’ was prepared by International Energy
• Suggestions: Tripling Renewables capacity by the end Agency (IEA) with contributions from UNEP and UNEP-
of the decade; using Carbon capture, utilisation and Convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).
Storages, etc. o CCAC, founded in 2012, is the only international
body working to reduce short-lived climate
pollutants – methane, black carbon,
hydrofluorocarbons– that drive both climate o Important to achieve commitments of “net zero”
change and air pollution. emissions by 2050 (or by 2070, as pledged by
• Key findings India).
o Targeted methane mitigation from fossil fuels • Challenges in India
could avoid 0.1°C warming by 2050. o India is one of the fastest urbanising countries and
o Without targeted action on methane, increase in is witnessing a housing and infrastructure boom.
global average surface temperature will likely o Lack of availability of alternatives for Pyro-
exceed 1.6 °C by 2050. processing and calcination
• Methane mitigation by 2050 can prevent o Limited initiatives and economic measures
o Nearly 1 million premature deaths due to ozone promote sectoral energy efficiency enhancements
exposure. • Measures
o 90 million tonnes of crop losses (wheat, rice, soy o Increase the share of blended cement (minimising
and maize) due to ozone and climate changes. the use of limestone by using another substitute).
o About 85 billion hours of lost labour due to heat o Increase the share of recycled materials in
exposure. production.
• Methane (CH4) is a greenhouse gas and responsible o More utilization of alternative fuels like refuse-
for 30 percent of global warming. derived fuel (RDF), industrial waste and biomass.
o Around 580 million tonnes of methane is emitted o Using innovative technologies like carbon capture,
every year globally, 60 percent of which comes utilisation and storage (CCUS).
from human activities (landfills, agricultural
practices, wastewater treatment etc).
o It is the second largest contributor to climate
change after carbon dioxide.
5.3.7. INDIA RUNNING OUT OF

PHOSPHORUS
• Phosphorus is one of the macronutrients essential for
5.3.6. DECARBONISATION OF THE plant growth which is required by plants for:
o Photosynthesis process
CEMENT INDUSTRY
o Energy transfer and nutrient movement within the
• In the cement industry, Pyro-processing (limestone plant
and clay, are heated in a kiln at more than 1,400oC) and o Strong root development
calcination (calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is heated) are o Transfer of genetic characteristics
major processes which cause Carbon emissions. • India is the world’s largest importer of Phosphorus,
• Need of decarbonisation in the cement Industry most of it from the cadmium-laden deposits of West
o It is the second largest industrial emitter in the Africa.
world (after iron and steel).
o Contributes about 7 % of CO2 emissions globally.
o Phosphate rocks are majorly produced only from telecommunication lines, drainage lines and
two States in India, namely Rajasthan and Madhya freshwater systems.
Pradesh.
o Some deposits are also present in the central part 5.3.9. AMAZON RIVER BASIN
of peninsular India, Lalitpur (Uttar Pradesh), • As Lake Puraquequara dried up, floating village have
Mussoorie syncline, and Cuddapah basin (Andhra turned to mud flats.
Pradesh). • Lake lies on Amazon River basin which is facing severe
• Concerns with Phosphorus availability: drought due to El Niño and the warming of northern
o At most places, Phosphorus coexists with tropical Atlantic Ocean waters.
Cadmium, a heavy metal whose removal is o These climate phenomena are aggravated by
expensive. global warming and burning of fossil fuels.
o Handful of countries such as Morocco, Western • Amazon river basin:
Sahara, China, Algeria etc control most of the o Largest drainage basin in the world
world’s reserves of phosphorus which is a major o Covers about 34% of South America.
geopolitical concern. o Harbours ~60% of world’s rainforest and harbors
• Harmful effects of phosphorus: 10% of planet’s known forms of life.
o Much of phosphorus is lost directly to water • Countries covered: Brazil (equator and tropic of
bodies as agricultural run-off and through sewage capricon both pass through it), Bolivia, Colombia,
which leads to growth of toxic algal blooms. Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
o Cadmium-laden fertilizers are often applied to the
soil, absorbed by crops, and consumed, 5.3.10. PETROLEUM COKE OR PET COKE
bioaccumulating in human bodies accelerating
• Supreme Court has asked Commission for Air Quality
heart disease.
Management (CAQM) to consider issues related to
distribution of highly polluting pet coke
• Pet coke is a carbon-rich solid material derived from
final cracking process of crude-oil refining
• It is used as a replacement of coal due to its higher
calorific value
• It is hydrophobic, less volatile and produces low ash
residue,
• It is used in Cement manufacturing, lime kilns,
industrial boilers, Aluminum Anodes, etc.
5.3.11. UNIFIED REGISTRATION PORTAL

FOR GOBARDHAN
• Portal seeks to streamline the registration of
Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) and biogas plants
nationwide.
5.3.8. CONOCARPUS TREES o CBG/Biogas plants registered in the portal are
• It is an invasive mangrove species, recently banned by eligible for assistance of Rs. 1500/MT under the
Gujarat government. Earlier, Telangana government Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme
had also banned it. of the Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
• Conocarpus is a genus of two species of flowering • GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources
plants in family of Combretaceae, native to tropical Dhan) Scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
regions of the world. • Aim: To generate wealth and energy by converting
o It is widely used in public spaces for its ornamental cattle dung, agricultural residue, and other organic
looks. waste into Biogas, CBG and biofertilizers.
o Flowering in this tree takes place in Winter and the
5.3.12. POLYETHYLENE
particles spreading from it causes cold, coughing,
asthma, allergy etc. harms to human beings
TEREPHTHALATE DEGRADING ENZYME
nearby. (PET46)
o Roots of this species go deep inside soil and • Researchers have identified a PET46 from a deep-sea
develop extensively, damaging microorganism for the first time.
o PET is a lightweight plastic that is widely used for • Ecological Role: Insects play crucial roles in pollination,
packaging foods and beverages e.g., soft drinks, nutrient cycling and as a food source for other animals.
water etc.
• PET46 enzyme unique is in its ability to degrade both
long-chain and short-chain PET molecules, enabling
continuous degradation.
• Significance:
o Potentially break down PET waste in the ocean,
effectively contributing to efforts to combat plastic
pollution.
o Contribute to understanding of ecological role of
deep-sea archaea (marine organism).
o Other PET degrading enzymes - PETase, MHETase,
THC_Cut1 etc.
5.3.13. MANIS MYSTERIA (NEWLY

DISCOVERED SPECIES OF PANGOLIN)
5.3.15. FISH MINT
• Scientists have discovered a new species of highly • Herbal plant full of medicinal properties
endangered Pangolin. • Distribution: Extends from the Himalayan foothills
• About Pangolins through Southeast Asia, China, Korea and Japan.
o Only mammals wholly covered in scales. o In Meghalaya, known as ja mardoh, tokning-khok
o Four species live in Africa: Black-bellied pangolin, in Manipur, in Assam, as masunduri.
White-bellied pangolin, Giant Ground pangolin and • Features: Has a fish-like taste and smell. Hence, the
Temminck's Ground pangolin. name, fish mint.
o Four species found in Asia: Indian pangolin, • Invasive plant: Because of its ability to regrow from
Philippine pangolin, Sunda pangolin, and the underground rhizomes forming new plants when
Chinese pangolin. disturbed.
o IUCN status: Chinese, Philippine, and Sunda • Medicinal Properties: used to treat digestive issues,
pangolins are listed as Critically Endangered on insect bites, fevers, coughs, etc.
the IUCN Red List. • Its benefits have been documented in ancient texts of
o Indian Pangolin: Listed in Schedule I of Wildlife Ayurveda and Siddha.
(Protection) Act, 1972, and as Endangered on
IUCN Red List.
5.3.14. DAMSELFLY SPECIES 5.3.16. DANCING FROGS

• A New Damselfly species found in the Western Ghats • Dancing frogs of the Western Ghats are considered
(Kerala) named Armageddon Reedtail. one of the most threatened amphibian genera as per
• The name, Armageddon Reedtail, is a direct reference second Global Amphibian Assessment of IUCN
to the concept of “Ecological Armageddon”, a term o Nilgiri Dancing Frog is listed as Vulnerable and
used to describe the devastating decline of insect White-Cheeked Dancing Frog is listed as
populations around the world. Endangered on IUCN List.
• They are threatened by invasive species, land use 5.3.18. KAMLANG TIGER RESERVE
change, extreme weather, etc.
• Named so as they perform “foot flagging” in which • Kamlang Tiger Reserve conducted a butterfly walk and
males stretch up their hind legs one at a time and wave nature trail event for the first time ever in association
their webbed toes in air in a rapid motion akin to a with NGOs.
dance. • About Kamlang Tiger Reserve
o It is located in the Lohit district of Arunachal
5.3.17. PINK BOLLWORM Pradesh and is named after the Kamlang river
• Damage by pink bollworm (PBW) to Bt Cotton worst in which flows through it.
two decades o Climate: Sub-tropical
o Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) cotton which o Flora: Common species of trees include Ammora
incorporates genes from a soil bacterium code for wallichi (Amari), Gmelina arborea (Gamari), etc.
proteins toxic to American bollworm. o Fauna: Snow Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Tiger,
• Pink Bollworm (PBW) Scientific Name: Pectinophora Himalayan Palm Civets, Hornbill, etc.
gossypiella (Saunders) o Glow Lake falls within this reserve.
o Bollworm is any larvae of various moths.
5.3.19. 15-MINUTE CITIES
• Native To: Possibly the eastern Indian Ocean region.
• Impact: Adults lay eggs on cotton bolls; once hatched, • It is an urban planning concept that advocates putting
the larvae eat the seeds and damage the fibres of the essential services within walking or biking distance of
cotton, reducing the yield and quality. residents to reduce pollution.
• It is a spatial development model to help foster a more
local, healthy, equitable and sustainable way of life.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. AIR POLLUTION IN URBAN INDIA
Why in the news?
Recently, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata were among the world’s 10 most
polluted cities, according to a Swiss air quality technology company, IQAir.
Causes of air pollution in cities
• Burning of Fossil Fuels: Most air pollution occurs due to the
incomplete burning of fossil fuels.
o These include coal, oil, and gasoline to produce energy for
electricity or transportation.
• Industrial Emission: Particulate Matter (PM) 2.5 and 10, NO2, SO2,
and CO are key pollutants that are emitted from industries.
• Open Burning of Garbage Waste: Open-air garbage burning releases
toxins such as black carbon, soot, and carcinogens.
o It actively contributes to pollution and in turn to the greenhouse
effect.
• Construction and Demolition: Construction and demolition sites are a rich source of PM and other air pollutants
including Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) etc.
• Indoor Air Pollution: Use of toxic products also called VOCs, inadequate ventilation, uneven temperature, and
humidity level can cause indoor air pollution.
• Some Agricultural Practices: Like stubble burning and use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture can release
ammonia.
o Also, Livestock farming is one of the major contributors to methane emissions.
• Variations due to geographic processes:
o Change in weather patterns. For example, a dip in La Nina (cooling of the ocean surface and change in wind
patterns) partially caused the recent spike in PM in coastal cities (including Mumbai).
o Dust storms, wildfires, and natural sources of pollution also impact air quality in various regions of India. E.g.,
the temperature difference between the city and nearby hills draws winds and dust from areas like Navi Mumbai
towards the city.
Impacts of urban air pollution
• Adverse health outcomes: It increases the risk of respiratory infections, heart disease and lung cancer.
o Children, elderly, and poor people are more susceptible.
• Climate Change: Certain air pollutants, such as black carbon (soot) and methane, contribute to climate change.
o Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, contributing to global warming.
• Environmental Damage: Air pollution contributes to environmental degradation, including damage to ecosystems,
soil, and water bodies.
o For instance, Acid rain, resulting from the release of sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, can harm forests,
aquatic systems, and soil quality.
• Reduced Agricultural Productivity: Ground-level ozone damages plant tissues, affecting photosynthesis and reducing
crop productivity.
o Particulate matter can also get deposited on crops, affecting their growth.
• Economic Costs: Health impacts of air pollution result in significant economic costs, including healthcare expenses,
lost productivity due to illness, and the cost of premature mortality.
o Environmental damage and reduced agricultural productivity can impact various sectors of the economy.

Regulatory measures taken to improve air quality
• Vehicular Emission:
o BS-IV to BS-VI norms and introduction of cleaner/alternate
fuels like CNG, LPG, and ethanol blending in petrol.
o Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME)
-2 scheme has been rolled out.
• Industrial Emissions: Ban on the use of pet coke and furnace oil in
NCR, use of pet coke in processes in cement plants, lime kilns and
calcium carbide manufacturing units.
o Shifting of brick kilns in Delhi- NCR to zig-zag technology
(zigzagging the air flow in brick kilns) for reduction of pollution.
• Air Pollution due to dust and burning of waste: Extended Producer
Responsibility (EPR) framework for plastic packaging, battery
waste, tire waste and e-waste have been implemented.
• Monitoring of Ambient Air Quality: System of Air Quality and
Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) was launched to know
the Air Quality and Overall city pollution and Location-specific Air
Quality through AQI.
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Envisages to achieve reductions up to 40% or achievement of National
Ambient Air Quality Standards for PM 10 concentrations by 2025-26.
Way ahead Global success stories to combat air pollution
• Seoul, Republic of Korea: 5G-enabled
• Reduce Emissions by Optimizing Power Sector: Inefficient power autonomous robots scan industrial
plant systems could be replaced by efficient super-thermal plants complexes to monitor air quality, while a
or with power generators that are based on renewable energy. satellite monitoring system offers real-time
• Implementing a National Emissions Trading System: A market- air quality data to the public.
based instrument within a regulatory framework based on the • Bogota, Colombia: Strict emissions
concept of ‘polluters pay’ could be implemented. standards on trucks and other heavy-
o Similar models exist in the European Union (Emissions Trading polluting vehicles; a fully electric metro rail
system etc.
System).
• Spain: Four-day work week trial in Spain
• Implementation of a Business Model to Utilize Crop Residue:
leads to healthier workers, less pollution.
Direct procurement of crop residue by large agro-waste • Southern California: Electric cars, ship at-
management companies, inter-state trading for paddy stubble. port electrification, cleaner fuel for trucks,
• Tackle City Dust through ULBs: Undertaking reforestation and ships and trains and mandatory installation
afforestation drive along roadsides, covering landfills with of newer and cleaner engines.
vegetation.
• Decarbonization of the transport sector: Declaring some expressways and national highways as green freight
corridors.
5.1.1. STUBBLE BURNING

Why in the news?
Supreme Court directed Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and
Delhi to stop stubble burning immediately which is considered a major
cause of air pollution in Delhi.
About Stubble (Parali) burning
Stubble burning is a process of setting on fire the straw stubble, left after
the harvesting of grains, like paddy, wheat, etc. It is usually required in
areas that use the combined harvesting method which leaves crop
residue behind.
Reasons why farmers burn the stubble
• Time Constraints: In many agricultural regions, there is a narrow window between the harvest of one crop and the
sowing of the next. Stubble burning is seen as a quick and efficient way to clear fields.
o For example, in Punjab and Haryana, there is only a two to three-week time between cropping cycles.
• Increased mechanization of harvesting: Use of mechanized harvesters leaves stubble of 10 – 30 cm in the field,
depending on the type of crop, which was not the case earlier with manual harvesting.
• Labour shortage: Use of expensive labour for stubble extraction is not feasible. Costs are high, especially in Punjab
and Haryana, where farm sizes are large, and the use of mechanized harvesters is common.
• No market for crop residue: Low commercial and economic value of crop residue, coupled with the high costs of
processing, reduces its value for farmers.
• Tradition and Conventional Practices: Stubble burning has been a long-standing practice in some agricultural
communities and is considered a traditional approach passed down through generations.
• Pest and Disease Management: Farmers view burning the stubble can help eliminate pests, diseases, and weed seeds
that may be present in the crop residue.
• Access to Resources: Limited access to resources such as equipment for residue management also indirectly
encourages stubble burning.
Impact of stubble burning
• Pollution: Stubble burning emits toxic pollutants in the atmosphere
containing harmful gases like Carbon Monoxide (CO), methane (CH4),
carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and volatile organic
compounds (VOC).
o These pollutants disperse in the surroundings and eventually affect
air quality and people's health by forming a thick blanket of smog.
• Soil fertility: Soil becomes less fertile, and its nutrients are destroyed
when the husk is burned on the ground.
o Burning paddy straw radiates heat that kills fungus and bacteria
which are essential for soil fertility.
• Heat penetration: Stubble burning generates heat that penetrates the
soil, causing an increase in erosion and loss of useful microbes and
moisture.
• Impact on Biodiversity: Fires can destroy habitats for various wildlife species, such as insects, birds, and small
mammals, which may rely on crop residues for shelter or food.
Regulatory Measures and Policies
• National Policy for Management of Crop Residue (NPMCR) 2014: Envisages adoption of technical measures including
diversified uses of crop residue, capacity building & training along with formulation of suitable law/legislation.
• National Green Tribunal (NGT) had issued the following directions in 2015:
o Mechanism for collection of crop residue, transportation, and utilization to be evolved.
o For persistent defaulters of crop residue burning, appropriate coercive and punitive action could be taken.
o Every state must provide machines, mechanisms and equipment or cost to the farmers to remove, collect and
store straws.
• Commission on Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) has developed an action plan for
effective prevention and control of Stubble Burning.
o In-situ Crop Residue Management: Setting up of Custom Hiring Centers, high yield, and short duration paddy
varieties, staggering of harvesting schedule, extensive use of bio-decomposer.
o Ex-situ Crop Residue Management: Alternative usage of paddy straw viz. Biomass Power Projects, Co-firing in
Thermal Power Plants, Feed stock for 2G Ethanol plants, Feed stock in Compressed Biogas plants, fuel in industrial
boilers, WTE plants, packaging materials etc.

• Crop Diversification Programme (CDP): A sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) in Haryana, Punjab &
Western Uttar Pradesh since 2013-14 to divert the area of water-intensive paddy crop to alternative crops like
pulses, oilseeds etc.
o Government is implementing a Scheme for the Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management
of Crop Residue in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi.
Way forward
• New and Improved Seed Varieties: Recently, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute has developed a high-yielding
short-duration variety namely Pusa-2090.
o The Pusa-2090 variety matures in only 120 to 125 days as compared to currently Pusa-44 which takes 155 to 160
days to mature.
o New paddy variety will give around 30 days time to farmers to ready their fields for the next crop.
• Innovative farm technologies: Employing agricultural machines like Happy Seeder, Rotavator, Baler, Paddy straw
chopper etc.
o As these machines are cost-intensive, the Government could provide adequate subsidies to make these
machinery affordable for farmers.
• Biogas plants can curb crop burning: These plants are installed by the government under ‘waste to energy mission’
and they generate bio-gas by utilising crop waste such as rice straw through bio-methanation technology.
• Pusa-bio-decomposer: Developed by scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, which turns crop residue
into manure in 15-20 days by accelerating the decomposition process.
• Educating and empowering the stakeholders: Educating and empowering the farming community could be an
important step to making a significant impact.
• Encouraging Sustainable Alternatives to Crop Residue Management:
o Mulching: Mulching involves spreading crop residues on the soil surface as a protective layer.
o Zero-Till Farming: It minimizes soil disturbance and relies on the direct planting of seeds into crop residues.
o Residue Incorporation: Instead of burning crop residues, farmers can incorporate them into the soil. Techniques
like chiseling and ploughing help bury crop residues, enriching the soil with organic matter and nutrients.
5.1.2. CLOUD SEEDING

Why in the news?
Researchers discussed the possibility of using cloud seeding to tackle Delhi's air pollution.
About Cloud Seeding
• Cloud Seeding: It is a weather modification technique to enhance precipitation by dispersing substances into the air
that help to saturate the clouds.
• The Process:
o It starts with identifying suitable clouds through weather analysis using aircraft or ground-based generators.
o Following this, seeding agents are released into the targeted clouds.
o Seeding particles help in the formation of larger water droplets, which leads to increased rainfall.
• Chemicals used: To initiate cloud seeding, clouds are injected
with salts such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, sodium
chloride, or dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), which acts as the
seed.
o These salts are dispersed to provide additional nuclei
around which more cloud droplets can form.
• Conditions required for cloud seeding to be effective:
o Cloud type: Not all clouds are suitable for seeding. Clouds
should be deep enough and have a suitable temperature,
typically between -10 and -12 degrees Celsius.
o Cloudiness: Clouds should cover at least 50% of the
target area.
o Wind: Wind speeds should be below a certain level.
o Humidity: Cloud seeding tends to be less effective when
relative humidity is less than 75%.
o Temperature: Clouds should be cold enough to contain
supercooled liquid water.
Methods of cloud seeding
• Hygroscopic cloud seeding: It involves dispersing salts through flares or explosives in lower portions of clouds.
Following the dispersal, the salts grow in size.
o It has proved to have positive results in research conducted by countries such as South Africa and Mexico.
• Use of electrical charges: Electrical charges work similarly to silver iodide by helping water droplets to merge and
form precipitation.
o In 2010, researchers from the University of Geneva directed infrared to the air above Berlin.
o The experiment showed that infrared can help atmospheric sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide form particles
that act as seeds and cause rainfall. How Artificial rain can help tackle pollution?
Applications of Artificial Rain (using Cloud Seeding) • Clearing the atmosphere: Rainfall induced through
cloud seeding can help remove particulate matter
• Agriculture: It helps to create rain, which can provide relief and pollutants from the air.
to drought-stricken areas.
• Reduction of airborne pollutants: Artificial rain can
o For example, the Karnataka government, in 2017,
assist in reducing concentration of pollutants,
launched "Project Varshadhari", under which an
including dust, smoke, and chemicals, by washing
aircraft was used to spray chemicals to induce rainfall.
them out of the atmosphere and depositing them on
• Power generation: Cloud seeding method has been shown
the ground.
to augment the production of hydroelectricity (enhancing
rainfall in catchment areas) in Tasmania, Australia, during • Mitigating smog and haze: Cloud seeding can help
the last 40 years. disperse smog and haze, making the air clearer and
• Water pollution control: The process of cloud seeding can more breathable.
maintain minimum river flows and dilute the impact of
treated wastewater discharges from industries.
o Minimum river flows refer to minimum quantity of water or ecological flow that various stretches of the river
must necessarily have through the year.
• Fog dispersal and cyclone modification: During winters, cloud seeding
is initiated to increase the mountain snowpack to ensure that
additional runoff is received during the spring melt season.
o For example, USA in 1962 launched "Project Sky Water", aimed
at fog dispersal, hail suppression, and cyclone modification.
• Controlling forest fires: In regions prone to wildfires, cloud seeding can
be used to induce rainfall and help extinguish fires, preventing the
release of smoke and pollutants into the atmosphere.

• Research and Experimental Studies: To better understand atmospheric processes, cloud physics, and potential
impacts of weather modification.
Issues with inducing Artificial Rains
• Side-effects: The chemicals used in cloud seeding may cause harm to plants, animals, people, and even the
environment.
o For example, silver iodide, the material used in cloud seeding, can be toxic to aquatic life.
• Abnormal weather patterns: It may lead to changes in climatic patterns, interfering with local weather patterns.
• High cost: Cloud seeding involves dispersing chemicals to the sky using aircraft or flare shots, which involves huge
costs and logistic preparations.
• Ethical and Legal challenges: Issues related to water rights and environmental impact.
o Also, ethical considerations regarding human intervention in natural processes raise questions about different
communities' rights to natural resources.
Conclusion
Collaborative efforts between scientists, policymakers, and the public are crucial to establish clear guidelines, ethical
standards, and regulatory frameworks for the responsible implementation of cloud seeding projects. Also, dedicated
research is necessary to understand the long-term impacts of Cloud Seeding on ecosystems, weather patterns, and
human health.
5.2. UNITED NATIONS FORUM ON FORESTS

Why in the news?
India hosted a Country-Led Initiative (CLI) event as part of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) in Dehradun,
Uttarakhand.
More about the News
• United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) was established in 2000, by the resolution of the Economic and Social
Council of the United Nations (ECOSOC), UNFF promotes the management, conservation, and sustainable
development of all types of forests.
o India holds the distinction of being a founding member of UNFF.
• Country-Led Initiative (CLI)’s primary goal is to contribute to the discussions of UNFF regarding the implementation
of Sustainable Forest Management and the UN Strategic Plan for Forests (UNSPF).
o It also aims to facilitate the sharing of best practices among UNFF member States for the implementation of SFM
and the UNSPF.
o India led CLI focused on one of the themes of forest certification and Sustainable Forest Management (SFM).
Forest Certification
• Forest certification is a market mechanism to promote the
sustainable use and management of forests and to identify
“sustainably produced” products for the consumer.
o Some countries consider forest certification as an effective means
to ensure Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and a tool for
preventing forest degradation or deforestation.
• It is a voluntary process whereby an independent third party (the
“certifier”) assesses the quality of forest management and
production against a set of requirements (“standards”)
predetermined by a public or private certification organization.
• Types: There are two types of forest certification:
o Certification of Forest Management, which assesses whether forests are being managed according to a specified
set of standards; and

o Certification of the Chain of Custody (CoC certification), which verifies that certified material is identified or kept
separate from non-certified or non-controlled material.
• Total forest area under certification has increased by 35% (or 120 million ha) since 2010.
• Developing countries continue to face several challenges such as excessive costs of certification, audit and
compliance issues, inaccessibility to forest owners in remote regions and lack of capacity due to the complexity of
various certification standards.
Sustainable Forest Management (SFM)

• Definition: According to Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO),
SFM is the stewardship and use of forests and forests lands in a
way, and at a rate, that:
o maintains their biodiversity, productivity, regeneration
capacity, vitality and
o maintains their potential to fulfil, now and in the future,
relevant ecological, economic, and social functions, at local,
national, and global levels, and
o does not cause damage to other ecosystems.
• Constituents: It implies various degrees of human intervention,
ranging from administrative, legal, technical, economic, social and
environmental actions aimed at safeguarding and maintaining
forest ecosystems.
• Outcomes: Sustainably managed forests provide important ecosystem services, such as carbon sequestration,
biodiversity conservation, and the protection of water resources.
Need for sustainable forest management
• Biodiversity Conservation by maintaining ecosystems, protecting endangered species, and allowing for natural
regeneration.
• Tackling climate change: Forests act as carbon sinks, playing a crucial role in mitigating climate change and SFM is
essential to minimizing the impact of climate change.
• Community development: Forests are the lifeline of millions of people in India, especially the tribal communities and
forest conservation cannot be isolated from the well-being of communities that rely on forest resources.
• Forest fire management: In recent years, the world has witnessed an alarming increase in the scale and duration of
wildfires.
o Approximately 100 million hectares, equivalent to 3% of the world's forest area, is affected by fires every year.
o 62% of Indian states are prone to high-intensity forest fires.
• Traditional Knowledge: Forests are a repository of medicinal plants and traditional knowledge.
Measures taken by India for SFM
• Legislative Framework: India has enacted various conservation-oriented legislations such as the Forest Conservation Act
(FCA) 1980, the Indian Forest Act 1927, and Wildlife Protection Act 1972 etc.
o For instance, the FCA allows the government to declare specific areas as reserved or protected forests, restricting
degrading activities.
• Joint Forest Management (JFM): JFM involves the collaboration between forest authorities and local communities for the
protection and management of forests.
• Afforestation and Reforestation Programs: Initiatives like the National Afforestation Program (NAP), Compensatory
Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA), Green Highways Programme etc.
• Technology Adoption: Use of technology, such as Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, satellite imagery, and
remote sensing, assists in monitoring and managing forest resources.
• Development of standards: Through Bhopal-India Process, India developed its national set of 8 criteria and 37 indicators
for sustainable management of its natural forests.
• Community Forest Rights: The Forest Rights Act, 2006 recognizes and vests forest rights in forest-dwelling communities
thus harnessing the knowledge and capability of indigenous people in SFM.
Way Forward
• India’s proposal: India proposed to launch Gandhinagar Implementation Roadmap and Gandhinagar Information
Platform that emanated from the G20 deliberations, to tackle restoration of forest fire and mining degraded lands.
• Global standards: Setting up global benchmark standards for forest certification, conservation practices and forest
fire management.
• Integrated fire management strategy: A concerted approach to the prevention, management, and restoration of
forest fires and policy interventions.
o Promoting the use of Global Fire Management Hub for sharing of best practices.
• Community development: Livelihood improvement programmes and incorporating incentive schemes while
formulating forest management policies.
• Cooperation: Promote regional and international cooperation and coordination among governments to address
subnational and transboundary forest fire issues.
5.3. CLIMATE CHANGE AND CHILDREN

Why in the News?
Recently, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) released two reports titled ‘Children Displaced in a Changing
Climate’ and the Climate-Changed Child: A Children's Climate Risk Index Supplement.
More about the news
• The report establishes the critical connection between climate, mobility, and childhood.
• As per the report, millions of children are being driven from their homes by weather-related events, exacerbated by
climate change.
• While the link between climate change and displacement is complex, it’s clearer than ever that the climate is shifting
patterns of displacement.

Key Findings of the reports
• Three countries dominate the results based on
absolute numbers: the Philippines, India, and China,
with a combined total of almost 23 million child
displacements due to weather related events
between 2016 and 2021.
• The Supplement Index Report examines two
components:
o Water scarcity (the physical availability of water)
o Water vulnerability (the combination of water
scarcity and lack of access to drinking water
service).
• Key highlights of the supplement Index
o Almost 1 billion children are exposed to high or
extremely high-water stress.
o India, Niger, Eritrea, Yemen, and Burkina Faso are
among top 5 countries, which had the highest
overall child exposure to high or
extremely high-water vulnerability.
Factors behind Children’s Vulnerability due
to climate change
• Physical capabilities: Because of their
small surface-to-body ratio, infants and
children are particularly vulnerable to
dehydration and heat stress.
o For e.g. The UNICEF report predicts
that by 2050, nearly 2.2 billion
children (below 18+) worldwide will
be at risk from frequent heatwaves.
• Economic and social inequality:
Children in poverty are more vulnerable
to environmental shocks and stresses.
o As per the Oxfam India’s report on
inequality in India, the bottom 50 %
of the population possess only 3 % of the wealth.
• Lack of access to key essential services: Such as water, sanitation
and hygiene, health, education and social protection increase their
vulnerability.
o As per WHO, around 1.4 million lives are lost each year due to
inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene.
• Less Focus on children: In the Global climate change discourse and
financing, children most of the time get ignored.
o Only 2.4% of climate finance from key multilateral climate
funds support projects incorporating child-responsive
activities.
• Spend more time outdoors: Children these days tend to spend
more time outdoors than adults, increasing their exposure to heat
and cold, rain and snow, outdoor allergens, and insect bites.

• Developing emotionally: Children are still at the developing stage emotionally and thus are more prone to mental
health impacts like trauma from extreme events.
Way forward
The report talks about 3Ps i.e., Protect-Prepare-Prioritize to tackle children’s vulnerability towards climate change.
• Suggestions by the report
o Protect
✓ Child-critical services: Child-critical services must be shock-responsive, portable, and inclusive, including for
children already uprooted.
o Prepare
✓ Proactive steps: Prepare children and young people to live in a climate changed world by improving their
adaptive capacities, resilience and enabling their participation.
o Prioritize
✓ Priority to already displaced children: Prioritize children and young people – including those already
uprooted from their homes – in climate, humanitarian and development policy, action, and investments.
• Suggestions by the Supplement Index
o Including Children concern in UNFCCC COP28: The elevation of children within the final COP28 Cover Decision
and an expert dialogue on children and climate change.
o Inclusion in Global Goal for Adaptation (GGA): The inclusion of children and climate resilient essential services
within the final decision on the GGA.
o Funding Mechanism: Make the Loss and Damage Fund and funding arrangements child responsive with child
rights embedded in the fund’s governance and decision-making process.
o Global Stocktake (GST): The embedding of children and intergeneration equity in the GST.
5.4. GREEN BUILDINGS

Why in the news?
Recently Indian Green Building Congress
was held in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) by the
Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
About Green Building
• Green buildings usually refer to the
use of environmentally friendly
construction materials, processes,
operation, and maintenance.
• The concept of a green building is
driven by incentives to reduce the
cost of energy and waste management considering global warming and environmental degradation.
• Some innovative solutions in green construction include Cool Roofs, Geothermal Heating, Smart Grid refrigerators,
vegetated rooftops, etc. For example,
o Agrocrete is a carbon-negative building material made of crop residues such as paddy straw, wheat straw,
sugarcane bagasse, etc.
o Carbon Craft Tile is made with upcycled carbon by using recovered carbon waste as a resource.
• The global green building materials market is projected to grow from $422.27 billion in 2023 to $951.15 billion by
2030, at a CAGR of 12.3%
• Green buildings are different from Energy-efficient, and Net-zero carbon buildings.
Advantages of Green buildings
• Emission reduction: The building and construction sectors contribute about 38% of the greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions and account for 35% of the total energy consumption.
o LEED-certified green
buildings consume 25%
less energy than
traditional buildings.
• Economic benefits: Green
budlings have lower
operation and maintenance
cost.
o Also, they improve
occupant productivity
and optimize life-cycle
economic
performance.
• Social benefits: Enhance
occupant comfort and
health, by ensuring clean air and water and less exposure to toxins and volatile organic compounds.
Steps taken for green building promotion
• Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC): Introduced in 2007 (revised in 2017) by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency
(BEE).
o ECBC establishes minimum energy standards for new commercial buildings with a connected load of 100 kW or
a contract demand of 120 kVA or more.
• Eco-Niwas Samhita 2018: launched by Ministry of Power Eco-Niwas (Energy Conservation–New Indian Way for
Affordable & Sustainable homes) Samhita 2018 is ECBC for Residential Buildings.
• Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA): Jointly developed by The Energy & Resources Institute
(TERI) and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), GRIHA uses a five-star rating, valid for five years.
• Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED): An internationally recognized certification system for green
buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council.
o Recently, India outperformed USA and China in LEED net zero certifications.
• Star Rating of Commercial Buildings: Launched by the Ministry of Power, for assessing energy usage in the building
on a 1-5 scale (5-star labelled buildings being the most efficient).
• Faster clearances: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) offers fast-track environmental
clearance for green building projects which are Pre-certified by IGBC.
Challenges in adoption of green buildings
• High initial construction cost: The high initial construction cost of green buildings also results in higher rentals, making
it challenging to attract investors and tenants.
• Issues in construction: The green building construction sector is fragmented around the world which may lead to
uncertain supply of green materials. Also, there is a limited access to design and skilled worker.
• Governance issues: Extension of project schedules, lack of research and developmental works, poor building code
enforcement, high payback period are key hinderance.
• Limited Awareness: There is a lack of awareness, information, and education about the benefits of green building
both private and public benefit.
Way ahead
• Economic Incentives: Finance Commissions & Local bodies should encourage green buildings through tax incentives
and other measures.
o Green projects need long-term investment, which banks can support through the issuance of green bonds.
o Banks can also offer construction loans with lower interest rates to incentivize developers.
• Policy measures: Fast track clearance for green buildings, enact legislation mandating green building standards for
new constructions.
o Additionally, require the retrofitting of existing buildings to adopt environment friendly practices and become
more sustainable.
• Training and Capacity building: Develop training modules and conduct training session for various industry
stakeholders, including government officials, green rating agencies, architects, etc. to promote the adoption.
• Awareness Campaigns: Creating awareness on green buildings at school, college, and university levels.
o This will enable educational institutions to develop Industry-ready professionals trained on green concepts and
facilitate industry - academia linkage.
5.5. NATIONAL EFFICIENT COOKING PROGRAMME (NECP)

Why in the news? Energy Efficient Fans Programme
Recently, Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) launched the • Aim: Emphasizing on the importance and
National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) and Energy Efficient Fans urgency of energy efficient fans.
Programme (EEFP). • Target: To distribute 1 Cr energy-efficient
fans that can reduce nearly 20% of total
About National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP) residential electricity consumption.
• Scheme A subset of the Clean Cooking Scheme.
• Aim: To revolutionise cooking practices in India.
• Target: To deploy 20 Lakh induction-based cook stoves across India.
• Focus: Non-Solar/Electricity-based Induction Cookstoves, aligning with the Go-electric initiative by the Ministry of
Power.
o Go Electric Campaign aims to create awareness on the e-mobility ecosystem & benefits of electric cooking
through Information, Communication and Education (ICE) activities.
Other schemes for alternate cooking solutions
• Unnat Chulha Abhiyan programme (2014): For the promotion of improved biomass cookstoves in the country to reduce
consumption of fuel wood with higher efficiency and low emissions.
• National Biogas and Manure Management Programme (NBMMP): For setting up of family-type household biogas plants to
meet the cooking energy needs of rural and semi-urban areas.
• Promoting solar cookers to reduce indoor air pollution.
• Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY): For providing them with clean cooking fuel through LPG.
Significance of the initiative
• Benefits of e-cooking: Efficient and safer alternative to
traditional gas and electric stoves with portability, convenience,
and safety.
• Fulfilling rising demand for induction stoves: With over 10
million units sold in 2021-22, increased demand is attributed to
factors like modular kitchens, rising LPG costs, and the
versatility of cooking with induction.
• Carbon footprint reduction: These initiatives are aimed to
enhance energy efficiency in Indian households and contribute
to carbon mitigation goals.
• Economic savings: It offers a cost advantage of 25-30% over
traditional cooking methods.
• Other benefits: Reduce dependence on imported sources of
energy, no difference in food cooked on flame versus that
cooked using induction cookers.

5.6. ORGANIC FARMING
Why in the news?
During the National Symposium on
‘Promotion of Organic Products through
Cooperatives’, organic food products of
National Cooperative Organics Ltd (NCOL)
were launched under brand name ‘Bharat
Organics’.
More about the news
• Six organic products were launched
under the ‘Bharat Organics’ brand - tur
dal, chana dal, sugar, rajma, basmati rice,
and Sonamasoori rice.
• Concept of 'Organic under one roof' i.e.
a network of retail outlets for all organic
products started through NCOL was also launched.
• NOCL is one of the three new cooperatives the government has
set up; the other two cooperatives work in the field of certified
seeds and exports.
What is organic farming?
• It is a unique production management system that promotes and
enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity,
biological cycle and soil biological activity.
o This is accomplished by using on-farm agronomic, biological,
and mechanical methods in exclusion of all synthetic off-farm
inputs.
• Benefits of Organic Farming
o For the Environment: Prohibits Use of Harmful Pesticides; Healthy Soil; Mitigate climate change through carbon
sequestration; Reduces Erosion; Cleaner Water; Stimulates Biodiversity and microorganisms; Ethical pasture-
based systems etc.
o For Farmers: Reduces the input cost; Attract more customers; More resilient to extreme weather events etc.
o For Consumers: Healthier; Higher nutritional quality etc.
• Organic vs Natural Farming
o While both organic and natural farming are similar in certain aspects such as prohibiting use of synthetic
fertilizers, use of on-farm biomass management and biological nutrient recycling, encouraging crop-diversity etc.,
they differ in certain aspects as well.
Differences between Organic and Natural farming
Organic Farming Natural Farming
Permits use of off-farm organic and biological inputs like No external inputs used on farmlands; only on-farm-based
compost, vermicompost, etc. inputs used.
Open for micronutrient correction through use of minerals. Use of minerals not allowed.
Ploughing, soil tilling, and weeding might be undertaken in Mimics natural ecosystems: No ploughing, no soil tilling, and no
organic farms. weeding done on natural farms.
Major Challenges for the Organic Farming Sector
• High input costs and low yields in the initial years of transitioning from conventional to organic farming.
• Inefficient supply chain for marketing and distribution of organic food products.
• Issues with certification process like presence of multiple certifications, complex and costly processes, and
inadequate number of third-party accreditations.
• Limited government support for
agriculture inputs needed for
organic farming, especially for
bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides.
• Lack of awareness among farmers
related to production
technologies, compost
management, pest control, and
the benefits of organic farming.
Organic Certification regime in India
• National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP): System of process certification wherein an independent organization
reviews the entire production, processing, handling, transport, etc. to ensure compliance with organic standards.
o Managed and operated by: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) under the
Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
o NPOP-certified products can be traded in export and in domestic markets including import.
• Participatory Guarantee System of India (PSG-India): Quality assurance initiative that is locally relevant, emphasizes the
participation of stakeholders, including producers and consumers, and operates outside the frame of third-party certification.
o Implemented by: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmer’s Welfare, Ministry of Agriculture, and farmer
welfare.
• Jaivik Bharat logo: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has introduced the logo to communicate the
adherence to the National organic standards (Both PSG and NPOP).
Other Government initiatives for promoting organic farming

• Pramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana: A cluster-passed program for the promotion of organic farming.
• National project on organic farming: A national center for organic farming was established at Ghaziabad to provide
institutional support and to facilitate farmers for organic crop production.
• Organic value chain development in Northeastern Region Scheme: To link growers with consumers to support the
development of the entire value chain starting from inputs, and seeds certification, in the Northeastern region.
• Organic e-commerce platform (www.jaivikkheti.in) for directly linking farmers with retail & bulk buyers.
• The government would help 10 million farmers switch to natural (or chemical-balanced) farming during the following three
years, according to Budget 2023.
State level initiatives
• Kerala’s Organic Farming Mission aimed at expanding organic farming to 5,000 hectares in Kerala in the next five years through
an annual target of 1,000 hectares.
• Sikkim became the world’s first 100% organic state.
Way forward
• Mobilizing and training farmers to produce on-farm input through
farmer-field schools, using information and communications tools.
• Encouraging local decentralized production of inputs for organic farming
that utilizes local resources and generates village-level employment.
• Strengthening certification regime by simplifying processes, handholding
farmers to obtain certifications, enhancing the number and reach of
certifying agencies etc.
• Incentivizing production of organic inputs through government
subsidies, tax benefits etc.
• Investing in building the capacity of small-scale manufacturers and
entrepreneurs on composting techniques, quality assurance, and
marketing and selling manure to upscale production.
• Enhancing the role of cooperatives to support organic farming.

5.7. NEWS IN SHORTS
5.7.1. CLIMATE EQUALITY 5.7.2. ADAPTATION GAP REPORT 2023
• Oxfam released a report titled “Climate Equality: A • The report is released by United Nations Environment
Planet for the 99%”. Programme (UNEP).
• The report emphasizes on the Climate Breakdown and • Adaptation is a process of reducing countries and
Extreme Inequality as twin challenges facing humanity. communities’ vulnerability to climate change by
• Key findings increasing their impact absorption ability.
o In 2019, super-rich 1% were responsible for 16% • Adaptation gap is the difference between
of global carbon emissions, equivalent to implemented adaptation and societally set goals.
emissions of the poorest 66% of humanity. o It is determined by preferences related to climate
o Since the 1990s, super-rich 1% burned through change impacts, and reflecting resource
twice as much of the carbon budget as the limitations and competing priorities.
poorest half of humanity combined. • Key highlights of the report
o The emissions of the 1% are set to be over 22 o Adaptation finance needs are 10-18 times higher
times more than the safe limit (the emissions than current public flows.
allowed to stay below 1.5°C global warming) in o Adaptation finance gap is expanding, now at
2030. US$194-366 billion annually.
o The emissions of the super-rich 1% in 2019 are o Action plan on loss and damage has overlooked
enough to cause 1.3 million deaths due to heat. non-economic losses like cultural heritage and
• Policy recommendations indigenous knowledge.
o Radical increase in equality: Governments must o Only 2% of gender-tagged international
implement proven policies to dramatically drive adaptation finance is gender-responsive.
down the gap between the richest and the rest. • Recommendations
o Fast and just transition away from fossil fuels: o Developed countries should double their climate
Implement a new wave of taxes on the finance for adaptation from 2019 levels by 2025.
corporations and billionaires to drive down o Increase and improve budget tagging and tracking
emissions dramatically and fund transition. for integrating adaptation into budget planning.
o New purpose for a new age: Prioritize human and o Mobilize private investments, by methods like
planetary well-being over endless profit, extraction resilience bonds, and insurance.
and consumption. o Leverage remittances which often contribute
significantly to Gross Domestic Product.
o Financing Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs),
stimulating them to offer adaptation-relevant
products and services.
o Implementation of article 2.1(c) of the Paris
Agreement, making finance flows consistent with
a pathway towards low-carbon and climate-
resilient development.

○ Technology transfer,
○ Availability of market-based mechanisms.
• UNFCCC secretariat (UN Climate Change) is tasked with
supporting the global response to the threat of
climate change
○ United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCC), adopted in 1992, is the parent
treaty of the Paris Agreement.
5.7.3. PARIS AGREEMENT SYNTHESIS

REPORT 2023
5.7.4. STATE OF CLIMATE SERVICES
• UNFCCC secretariat released Nationally determined REPORT 2023
contributions under the Paris Agreement Synthesis
• World Metrological Organisation (WMO) released
report 2023.
State of Climate Services report for 2023.
• The report analysed NDCs of 195 Parties to the Paris
• This year the annual report focuses on health.
Agreement.
• Key highlights
• Key highlights
○ Impact of Climate change: Climate change may
○ World is off track to Paris Agreement goals:
reverse decades of progress towards better
Implementing latest NDCs will increase emissions
health particularly in the most vulnerable
by approximately 8.8% by 2030, relative to 2010
communities.
levels.
○ Financing gap for air pollution: Air pollution is the
✓ Emissions need to be cut by 45% by 2030,
fourth biggest killer by health risk factor yet only
compared to 2010 levels to achieve Paris
2% of international climate finance commitments
Agreement goal (IPCC report, 2018).
go to tackle it.
○ Indigenous Peoples and local communities: 40%
○ Underutilization of climate information: Climate
of Parties outlined the roles of local communities
information enhances public health prevention
and rights of Indigenous Peoples in adaptation
strategies and preparedness to save lives.
components of NDCs.
✓ 74% of National Meteorological and
✓ This includes addressing the specific
Hydrological Services provide climate data to
vulnerabilities of Indigenous Peoples,
health actors, but utilization of these data
emphasizing the importance of utilising
remains limited.
Indigenous knowledge to enhance climate
○ Climate services for health: It includes
efforts, etc.
collaboration among partners to identify access,
○ Gender-sensitive approach: Parties are
generate, and use reliable climate knowledge for
increasingly recognizing gender integration as a
better health decisions. Such services are facing:
means to enhance the ambition and effectiveness
✓ research and knowledge gaps,
of their climate action.
✓ lack of access to sufficient local
• Recommendation: To achieve emission peaking
meteorological observations
before 2030, essential factors include:
✓ insufficient human and institutional capacity,
○ Enhanced access to financial resources,
etc.
• Recommendation: There is a need for tailored climate • About Ocean-driven melting of floating ice: It follows
information and services to support the health sector. the following sequence-
This can be achieved through: ○ Melting causes the retreat of the grounding line
○ Developing in-country capacities to improve local (i.e. the line where the ice first goes afloat).
knowledge. ○ It reduces the resistance to ice flowing across the
○ Policy mandates for health and meteorological grounding line.
actors to collaborate. ○ Faster flow near the grounding line causes more
○ Raising awareness about the importance of horizontal stretching leading to thinning.
climate information. ○ It creates steeper surface slopes which increases
the stress that drives the ice forward,
○ The faster flow inland causes thinning to propagate
even further into the interior of the ice sheet,
increasing the contribution to sea level rise.
• Impact of the recent revelation
○ Enormous impact on sea level: West Antarctic ice
sheet, if completely lost, could contribute to sea
level rise of up to 5 meters.
○ Impact on coastal cities: Over a third of the global
population resides within 100 kilometers of the
coast, making them vulnerable to sea level rise.
5.7.6. GLOBAL LANDSCAPE OF CLIMATE

FINANCE 2023 REPORT
• The report is released by Climate Policy Initiative.
• Climate finance refers to financing, from public,
private, and alternative sources, that seeks to support
mitigation and adaptation actions to address climate
change.
○ Mitigation tackles the causes of climate change,
5.7.5. ICE MELT IN WEST ANTARCTICA whereas adaptation tackles the effects of climate
change.
• According to research accelerated ice melt in West • Key highlights of the report
Antarctica is unstoppable. ○ Average annual climate finance flows reached
• The researcher used a high-resolution computer almost USD 1.3 trillion in 2021/2022, nearly
model of the Amundsen Sea. doubling then the previous year.
• Ocean-driven melting of floating ice shelves in the ○ China, US, Europe, Brazil, Japan, and India received
Amundsen Sea is the main process controlling sea-level 90% of increased climate finance.
rise. ○ Climate finance is uneven across sectors, energy
○ The Amundsen Sea is located off the coast of West and transport continue to attract the majority of
Antarctica. flows:
○ Private actors provided 49% of total climate 5.7.8. DRAFT GUIDELINES TO PREVENT
finance.
GREENWASHING
○ Adaptation finance continues to lag, with 98%
coming from the public sector. • Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI)
• Recommendations: proposed Draft Guidelines for Environmental/Green
○ Reforming international financial institutions, Claims in Advertising to make advertising free of
with rules, and incentives aligned with climate Greenwashing.
needs. o ASCI was formed in 1985 as a self-regulatory
○ Leveraging concessional finance to expand private organization by professionals from the advertising
flows. and media industry to keep Indian ads decent, fair,
○ Mainstreaming climate adaptation and resilience and honest.
into financial systems. • Greenwashing (also called green sheen) is a deceptive
○ Phasing out unabated fossil fuels through a just practice of making misleading environmental claims.
transition. o Environmental claims mainly suggest or create an
○ Making climate finance data widely available and impression that a product/service has a neutral or
accessible. positive impact and is less damaging to the
○ Work across countries to harmonize and enhance environment.
interoperability. o It utilizes different methods such as Fibbing (make
false claims such as ‘net-zero’, ‘green’, ‘ecological’
Global Climate finance mechanisms
• Global Environment Facility (established in 1992 Rio etc.), Vagueness (non-specific about processes or
Earth Summit): It is a unique partnership of 18 agencies materials used) etc.
working with 183 countries to address the world’s most o The term was coined by Jay Westerveld in 1986.
challenging environmental issues. • Proposed Guidelines:
• Adaptation Fund was established in 2001 to finance o Absolute claims such as environment friendly,
concrete adaptation projects and programmes in eco-friendly, sustainable, planet friendly must be
developing countries Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. supported by a high level of substantiation.
• Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) was established in o Environmental claims must be based on the full life
2001 to finance projects relating to: adaptation; cycle of the advertised product or service.
technology transfer and capacity building; energy,
o Certifications and Seals of Approval should make
transport, etc.
clear which attributes of product/service have
• Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) was established
to support a work programme to assist Least Developed been evaluated.
Country Parties in carrying out the preparation and o Claims of a product being compostable,
implementation of national adaptation programmes of biodegradable, recyclable, non-toxic, free-of etc.
action (NAPAs). should be based on reliable scientific evidence.
• Green Climate Fund (established under Cancún
Agreements in 2010), is mandated to support developing
countries in raising and realizing their Nationally
Determined Contributions (NDC) ambitions.
5.7.7. WORLD’S LARGEST SOLAR

FACILITIES
• Recently launched Noor Abu Dhabi of the UAE is one
of the world’s largest stand-alone operational solar
plants with a total capacity of 1.2 GW.
• Other largest solar power plants
○ Bhadla Solar Park (multiple plants) in Rajasthan
has a capacity of 2.25GW.
○ Pavagada Solar Park in Karnataka has a capacity of
2 GW.
○ Ramagundam Floating Solar PV Project at
Ramagundam, Telangana is India’s largest floating 5.7.9. UNCCD DATA DASHBOARD
solar power project (commissioned in 2022).
○ Cochin International Airport is the world’s first • UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
solar-powered airport. launched its first-ever Data Dashboard.
• It compiles national reporting figures from 126 o It indicates the expansion of global drylands,
countries, which shows that land degradation is increased aridity and worsening drought
advancing at an astonishing rate across all regions. conditions.
• Key findings • SDS occurs when strong, turbulent winds erode small
o Between 2015- 2019, at least 100 million hectares particles from dryland surfaces with little or no
of healthy and productive land were degraded vegetation cover.
every year. o 75% of global dust comes from natural sources and
o India’s 9.45 percent reported land area is 25% from anthropogenic sources.
degraded. ✓ Major anthropogenic factors responsible for
o Between 2016- 2019, 50.49 percent of global SDS include land-use change, agriculture and
reported land area and 36.8 percent of India’s land deforestation.
area is affected by drought. • Implications of SDS:
o Eastern and Central Asia, and Latin America and o Affects 11 of the 17 Sustainable development
Caribbean regions experience the most severe goals (SDG’s).
degradation. ✓ For instance, progress in SDG 6 (clean water
• Land degradation is the deterioration or loss of and sanitation) is disrupted as dust
productive capacity of the soils for present and future. depositions are compromising water quality.
o 109 countries have set voluntary Land o Deposition of dust on glaciers induces a warming
Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets for 2030. effect and increases the melting of ice.
o LDN is a state whereby the amount and quality of o Reduces agricultural yield due to sandblasting
land resources necessary to support ecosystem (damage plants by impact, burial, and exposure of
functions and services to enhance food security plant roots).
remain stable, or increase, within specified • Recommendations:
ecosystems. o Sustainable land and water management.
• India’s Initiative for Land Degradation o Structural stabilisation measurements through
o India joined voluntary Bonn Challenge pledge to windbreaks, agroforestry and afforestation.
bring into restoration 26 million hectares of o Risk/impact assessment and vulnerability
degraded and deforested land by 2030. mapping.
o Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas of o Strengthening of risk governance and increasing
India, for state-wise areas of degraded land. investment and financing in SDS risk reduction.
5.7.11. RED SANDERS REMOVED FROM

RST
• 77th CITES Standing Committee meeting removed Red
Sanders from Review of Significant Trade (RST).
• CITES RST is a process where Standing Committee
closely examines a country's species exports to ensure
5.7.10. SAND AND DUST STORMS (SDS) compliance with CITES.
○ Noncompliance may lead to disciplinary actions
• A report titled ‘Sand and Dust Storms (SDS): A Guide through trade suspensions.
to Mitigation, Adaptation, Policy, and Risk ○ India has been under RST process for Red Sanders
Management Measures in Agriculture’ was released. since 2004.
• In the report, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) ✓ Removal from RST will help farmers growing
highlighted that SDS frequency is consistent with Red sanders enter the supply chain of
climate change projections. legitimate trade.
• Exemption from RST has been attributed to, among • The objective of the session was to promote
others, the 2022 amended to Wild Life (Protection) sustainable tropical forest management activities.
Act, 1972. o Also, it emphasized on ensuring the trade of
○ Amendment incorporated provisions of CITES as sustainably produced tropical timber.
mandated under the CITES National Legislation • Tropical forests are major source of timber. Tropical
Programme (NLP). timber includes logs, sawnwood, veneer sheets and
○ As a result, CITES Standing Committee has now plywood.
moved India from Category 2 to Category 1. o Tropical forests represent 45% of all forests. These
✓ Under NLP, based on compliance level Parties are situated between the Tropic of Cancer and
could be placed in any of the three categories Capricorn.
(refer to the box). ✓ Main tropical forest includes Amazon
• About Red Sanders rainforest, Congo Basin etc.
○ Distribution: Endemic to tropical dry deciduous • Major uses of Tropical Timber:
forest of Eastern Ghats and referred to as ‘the o Construction: In houses, railway sleepers, the
pride of Eastern Ghats’. piers, and jetties etc.
○ Conservation Status: IUCN Red List (Endangered), o Fuel: In both, domestic and industries.
CITES (Appendix II), Wildlife Protection Act o Other Uses: Production of paper, synthetic textile
(Schedule IV). fabrics like Rayon etc.
○ Other feature: Plants heartwood is heavily • Major Threats to sources of Tropical Timber:
impregnated with red dye called ‘santalin’, for o Deforestation: Due to land use change to
which it is valued. agriculture and urbanization, illegal logging, and
wood fuel collection.
• CITES (the Convention on International Trade in o Forest degradation: It is due to wildfires, climate
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an change etc.
international agreement between governments. • Initiatives for Tropical Timber:
• Its aim is to ensure that international trade in o International Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA),
specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten 2006
the survival of the species. o ITTO's Strategic Action Plan (2022–2026)
o ITTO/ Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
Collaborative Initiative for Tropical Forest
Biodiversity
o Intergovernmental Panel and Forum on Forests
{United Nations Conference on Environment and
Development (UNCED, 1992)}
5.7.13. NOA-DIHING MUSIC FROG

• Biologists from Wildlife Institute of India have
discovered the new species of music frog in the
5.7.12. TROPICAL TIMBER Namdapha-Kamlang landscape of Arunachal Pradesh.
• 59th Council session of the International Tropical • The species is named after the Noa-Dihing River.
Timber Organisation (ITTO) concluded recently.
o Noa-Dihing River it is a tributary of Brahmaputra 5.7.15. HISTORIC FLOODING SWAMPS
River.
SOMALIA
• Key Features of Frog
o Genus: Nidirana (first time frog of this species are • Once in a century flooding swamped Somalia after
found in India) historic drought, according to UN Office for the
o Characterized by a pale cream-colored line on the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
mid body with ‘rounded’ snouts and bony • The heavy seasonal rainfall has been worsened due to
protrusions on their backs. the combined impact of two climate phenomenons, El
o They are referred as Music frogs because of their Niño and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), as per
unique call pattern. UNOCHA.
○ Across the Horn of Africa, El Niño and a positive
5.7.14. HIMALAYAS’ VULNERABILITY TO IOD are associated with above-normal rains and
LANDSLIDES flooding.
• El Niño: It is a climate pattern associated with the
• An under construction Silkyara-Barkot tunnel tunnel
warming of the ocean surface temperatures in the
in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi collapsed due to a
central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean,
landslide.
○ Generally, El Niño occurs on average every 2-7
o Silkyara-Barkot tunnel will connect Yamunotri on
years.
the south end to Dharasu on the north end.
○ It can lead to a weakening of the monsoon
o It is part of Char-Dham all-weather road project.
circulation over the Indian subcontinent.
o Tunnel is being built in an area comprising
• IOD: Also known as Indian Nino, IOD refers to the
limestone and other soft rocks that have a
difference in sea surface temperature between the
tendency to collapse.
eastern and western sides of the Indian Ocean. It has
• Why are Himalayas more prone to landslides?
3 phases:
o Natural reasons
○ Positive: The western side is warmer than the
✓ Earthquakes resulting from tectonic activity
eastern side.
can trigger landslides
○ Negative: Cooler western side and warmer
✓ Heavy rainfall can saturate the soil and weaken
eastern side.
rock formations.
○ Neutral: Temperatures are close to normal across
✓ Climate change-induced warming can lead to
the Indian Ocean.
permafrost thawing.
• About UNOCHA: It is responsible for bringing together
o Anthropogenic
humanitarian actors to ensure a coherent response to
✓ Construction of dams, roads, and other
emergencies.
significant infrastructure changes the natural
stability of slopes.
✓ Deforestation, Irrigation, Mining activities etc.

5.7.16. CYCLONE MIDHILI 5.7.17. SEISMIC/ EARTHQUAKE SWARMS
• According to recent IMD update, the cyclone storm • Iceland has been hit by more than 5500 small
Midhili, after crossing Bangladesh coast, weakened earthquakes.
into a deep depression and later into a depression. • About Seismic swarms
• Cyclonic storm is cyclonic disturbance in which the o These are sequences of many earthquakes that
maximum average surface wind speed is in range of 34 occur in a relatively short period without a specific
to 47 knots (62 to 88 kmph). main shock.
• In deep depression, maximum sustained wind speed o It can last weeks and produce many thousands of
lies in the range 28 to 33 knots (50 to 61 kmph). earthquakes within a relatively small volume.
• Depression is a cyclonic disturbance in which maximum o These are observed in volcanic environments,
sustained surface wind speed is between 17 and 33 hydrothermal systems, and other active
knots (31 and 61 kmph). geothermal areas.
✓ Iceland is Europe's largest and most active
volcanic region due to its presence on the Mid-
Atlantic Ridge.

5. ENVIRONMENT
5.1. COP28
Why in the news?
Recently 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the
UNFCCC, was held in Dubai, UAE.
About COP28
• COPs are annual conference that takes place to
discuss on ways to address the climate crisis.
o A crucial part of COP meetings is the review of the
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs),
submitted by member countries under Paris
Agreement (2015).
• It also marked 18th session of the Conference of the
Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 18) and 5th
session of the Conference of the Parties to the Paris
Agreement (CMA 5).
• It also adopted final document called UAE Consensus.
Key outcomes of COP28
Pillars of COP28 Key outcomes
Fast-tracking a • Launch of Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge
just, orderly, and • The Global Cooling Pledge for COP 28 which provides countries an opportunity to commit to sustainable
equitable energy cooling with concrete actions.
transition • Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter
Fixing climate • Mobilization of $83.9 billion to climate finance in the Green Climate Fund, Adaptation Fund, Least
finance Developed Countries Fund, and Special Climate Change Fund.
• Operationalization of loss and damage fund to help vulnerable countries cope with the impact of
climate change.
• Declaration on a Global Climate Finance Framework.
Focusing on • First implementation report of Sharm el-Sheikh Adaptation Agenda (SAA) was released.
people, lives and • COP28 UAE Declaration on Agriculture, Food, & Climate
livelihoods • COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health
• COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate Relief, Recovery & Peace
• Global Goal on Adaptation-UAE Framework for Global Climate Resilience adopted.
o It guides long-term adaptation efforts, in the context of the temperature goal referred to in Article
2 of the Paris Agreement.
o Global Goal on Adaptation is a collective commitment under Article 7.1 of the Paris Agreement
aimed at “enhancing world's adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability
to climate change.
Underpinning • Launch of the COP 28 Gender-Responsive Just Transitions and Climate Action Partnership.
everything with • Appointment of the Youth Climate Champion to serve as the missing bridge between the COP Presidency
full inclusivity and youth stakeholders.
Reports released at COP28
Report Released by Other details
Report on climate Independent High-Level Expert Group Key findings
finance on Climate Finance (IHLEG), formed • Amount of global climate finance committed has more than
by COP26 Presidency, to develop tripled over last decade but it is still too low.
policy options and recommendations • Climate finance is concentrated in developed economies and
China, and in mitigation rather than adaptation.
to promote investment for UNFCCC
Paris Agreement.
An eye on methane International Methane Emissions Provides decision-makers a framework, to track and monitor
Report Observatory (IMEO) methane emissions, to plan targeted and ambitious actions for
their mitigation.
Issues persisting from COP 28
• Rules on Global Carbon market: Countries failed to agree on rules for global carbon market.
o US tried to make regulations which was blocked by EU, African and Latin American.
• Phasing down of non-coal fossil fuel: COP28 focus only on phasing down of coal, ignoring other fossil fuel like oil and
gas.
• Limited Climate finance:
o COP28 also failed to deliver a credible response to challenge of dwindling fiscal space of developing countries due
to the debt crisis.
o Current levels of climate finance are insufficient to meet adaptation finance gap.
• Carbon capture and Storage: Promotion of Marine geoengineering technologies like CCUS in COP28, ignores the harm
they pose to marine environment.
• Greenwashing: Concerns were raised regarding of oil-and-gas influence and greenwashing during the COP28.
Greenwashing: Roadblock to effective climate action
• It was reported that many delegates registered at COP28 were economically connected to highly polluting industries
such as petrochemicals, mining and beef production.
• The number of ‘net-zero’ commitments and other mitigation targets among firms and governments is growing across the
globe. In the absence of criteria and coherent standards to check the credibility of emission reduction claims, the tendency
to mark activities as climate-friendly, based on misleading information and unverifiable claims (greenwashing) is also on
the rise.
o Greenwashing presents a false picture of the progress being made on the climate change front, thereby pushing the
world towards disaster, while at the same time rewarding entities for irresponsible behavior.
Way Forward
• Scaling climate finance: To finance adaptation and transitioning costs for developing countries and Small Island
Developing States.
o Developed country need to expeditiously deliver USD 100 billion/year goal through to 2025, towards climate
mitigation.
• Concerted actions on outcomes: Countries need to deliver on the outcomes of UAE Consensus through national
policies and investments
• Need to adhere to Precautionary principle: while planning to implement geo-engineering technologies like Carbon
Capture and Storage (CCS).
• Capacity building: Operating entities of the Financial Mechanism e.g. GEF, need to provide, capacity-building support
to attain and update INDCs.
5.1.1. INDIA AT COP 28

Prime Minister at the COP-28 voiced the concerns of the Global South and reiterated the urgency of making climate
finance available to the developing countries.
India’s role at COP28
Role Details
Co-launched the Leadership • LeadIT 2.0 will focus on inclusive & just industry transition, codevelopment and transfer
Group for Industry Transition of low-carbon technology, and financial support to emerging economies for industry
(LeadIT 2.0) transition.
• LeadIT was launched by India and Sweden at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019.
Co-hosted (India and UAE) event • The Green Credit Initiative focuses on voluntary environmental actions involving the
on ‘Green Credits Programme’ at community, private industry and individuals.
COP-28
India participated at Mangrove • MAC seeks to scale up, accelerate conservation, restoration and growing plantation
Alliance for Climate Ministerial efforts of mangrove ecosystems globally.
Meeting at COP-28 • It was initiated by the UAE and Indonesia, during COP 27. India is also a member.
India’s National Statement at • India has successfully reduced the emission intensity vis-à-vis its GDP by 33% between
COP-28 reiterated 2005 and 2019.
• India also achieved 40% of electric installed capacity through non-fossil fuel sources,
nine years ahead of the target for 2030.
• Between 2017 and 2023, India has added around 100 GW of installed electric capacity,
of which around 80% is attributed to non-fossil fuel-based resources.
India-led Global River Cities • National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) signed a Memorandum of Common Purpose
Alliance (GRCA) launched (MoCP) with Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative (MRCTI).
• This led to launch of GRCA, as the current River Cities Alliance (RCA) has now expanded
its strength to membership of 267 global river-cities including India, USA and Denmark.
• GRCA’s secretarial role would be served by NMCG under Ministry of Jal Shakti (MoJS)
and National Institute for Urban Affairs (NIUA) under Ministry of Housing and Urban
Affairs (MoHUA).
• RCA is a joint initiative of MoJS & MoHUA to connect river cities and focus on sustainable
river centric development.
Issues concerning India at COP28
• Refrained from signing COP28 Declaration on Climate and Health: The declaration calls upon to reduce greenhouse
gas (GHG) emissions of health systems.
o India expressed concerns that GHG reduction for cooling in the health sector could hinder its ability to meet the
growing demands for medical services.
• Equity and justice: India emphasized need of "equity and justice" in U.N. climate negotiations, with rich countries
leading global climate action.
• Phase down of coal: India reiterated that cuts must be on all fossil fuel, not just Coal, which it needs for thermal
power.
o Accordingly, India has refused to sign Green energy pledge due to its focus on coal and investments in it.
Way forward
• Uphold voice of Global South: Advocate principles of equity and climate justice to uphold the interests of Global
south at climate negotiations.
• Leadership through climate Action: Ramp up efforts to sustained climate action to achieve Panchamitra targets.
• Sustainable consumption: Developed countries should focus on transitioning to sustainable lifestyles, as highlighted
by India’s “LiFE campaign”.
Conclusion
Overall, India's active participation at COP-28 positions the country as a proactive and influential player in the global fight
against climate change, showcasing a commitment to collaborative, innovative, and localized solutions.
5.1.2. INITIATIVES
Initiative Launched Features
Global Green Credit By India • Serve as the international platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the
Initiative (GGCI) exchange of innovative environmental programs and instruments.
Loss and Damage (L&D) • First announced • L&D refers to the negative consequences arising from the unavoidable
Fund during COP27. risks of climate change, like rising sea levels, heatwaves, crop failures, etc.
• Operationalized • L&D fund is meant to compensate countries already dealing with climate
during COP28. change.
Global Stocktake • COP28 marked first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement.
Global Renewables and Signed by 118 • Aims to triple the global installed renewable energy capacity to at least
Energy Efficiency Pledge countries on the 11,000 GW and
sidelines of COP28
• Double the global energy efficiency improvement rate to more than 4%
by 2030.
• Phase down unabated coal.
Fossil Fuel, Oil and Gas 50 companies, • A global industry Charter dedicated to speeding up climate action and
Decarbonization Charter representing more achieving high-scale impact across the oil and gas sectors.
(OGDC) than 40 percent of
global oil production
have signed on to
the OGDC
Africa Green African leaders • AGII aims to accelerate green growth of industries in Africa and attract
Industrialisation Initiative launched at COP28. finance and investment opportunities.
(AGII)
G7 climate club Led by Germany and • It is an open, cooperative, and inclusive forum of climate-ambitious
Chile, along with 36 countries with the goal of supporting the effective implementation of the
member countries Paris Agreement and decisions thereunder.
including Kenya, the • It aims to support accelerating climate action and increasing ambition to
European Union, achieve global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or around mid-
Switzerland and century, with a particular focus on decarbonising industry.
others.
5.1.2.1. GLOBAL GREEN CREDIT INITIATIVE (GGCI)

Why in the News?
India and UAE co-hosted the High-level event on ‘Green Credits Programme’ at COP-28 which led to the launch of Global
Green Credit Initiative (GGCI).
About GGCI
• It would serve as an international platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative
environmental programs and instruments.
• Unlike traditional carbon credits, “green credits” focus on voluntary environmental actions involving the community,
private industry and individuals.
• Key Purposes:
o Science: Sharing of global technical know-how and experiences.
o Policy: Shaping green credit policy instruments.
o Supporting implementation (practice component): Creating one common value chain.
✓ It will connect communities, self-help groups, etc. with companies/corporates and other stakeholders who
can participate in the program through one marketplace.
• Key Benefits: Knowledge Sharing, innovative solutions, collective actions, and participating countries can assert global
leadership in providing environmental solutions.
• Features of GGCI
o 'Green Credit' system, envisages a fully digital and tradable instrument for environmental sustainability.
o Green Credit Portal,' a repository documenting plantations and environmental projects working to shape global
demand for future policies.
o GGCI is aligned with the principles of the Green Credit program (GCP).
Conclusion
GGCI is expected to facilitate global collaboration, cooperation and partnership in planning, implementation and
monitoring of environment positive actions. It reflects India’s pro-active approach to climate change, sustainability.
Green Credits Programme (GCP)
• Notified through Green Credit Rules, 2023 by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change under the Environment
Protection Act, 1986.
• It is an innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across diverse sectors,
by various stakeholders like individuals, communities, private sector industries, and companies.
• In its initial phase, the GCP focuses on two key activities: water conservation and afforestation.
• Governance Structure: Steering Committee, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) (Administrator), and
Technical Committees.
5.1.2.2. LOSS AND DAMAGE

Why in News?
COP28 climate conference in Dubai, officially operationalized the loss and damage fund to help vulnerable countries cope
with the impact of climate change.
About Loss and Damage (L&D)
• These are impacts of climate change that cannot be adapted to, and where losses are permanent.
• Loss and damage (L&D) fund
o It refers to the compensation that rich industrialized nations, with historic role in climate change, must pay to
poor nations, whose carbon footprint is low but are facing the brunt of climate change.
o It will be based at the World Bank but managed by an independent secretariat.
o Several countries including UAE, Germany, UK, Japan, etc., pledged money to the fund
o L&D fund was first announced during COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh (Egypt) in 2022.
• India’s stand on fund
o India has been a strong supporter of the fund and welcomed the decision to operationalize it.
o India is among the countries pitching for opening up L&D funds for developing nations and not limit it to small
island and least developed nations.
Need of L&D fund
• Slowdown Loss and Damage: To slowdown if not stop irreversible loss of ecosystems and their services, including
freshwater, land and ocean ecosystems.
• Prevent humanitarian spillover of L&D: L&D leads to food insecurity, risk of malnutrition, and loss of livelihoods.
• Address climate induced socio-economic degradation: These include increased human mortality and morbidity, rise
in inequality and poverty rates, risk to water and energy security due to drought and heat etc.
• Address Existential threat: Sea-level rise poses an existential threat for low-lying areas, at or below current sea levels.
E.g. Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• Uphold climate Justice: Regions facing highest levels of L&D (e.g. SIDS, Africa) have lowest levels of carbon footprint.
o Therefore, it is an ethical imperative for rich, industrialized to support such vulnerable regions.
Challenges in L&D fund
• Lack of common definition: Absence of a mutually agreed upon definition to categorize L&D activities.
• Data availability: Poor data availability and processes for systematically collecting, recording, and reporting
information on L&D.
• Low technical capacity: Especially in developing countries – to scientifically model L&D.
• Difficulty in quantifying non tangible L&D: Non-economic losses, like losing family members, the disappearance of
cultures and ways of living etc. are difficult to quantify.
Way Forward
• Global consensus: Build upon the COP28 UAE consensus to arrive at a mutually compatible definition of L&D.
• Resilience: Focus on building climate change resilience.
o E.g. strengthening flood defences, Climate resilient Infrastructure, financial or social support, like, insurance
protection etc.
• Mitigation and adaptation actions: Essential for both developing and developed countries, to avert and minimize the
extent of L&D.
• L&D in Climate Policy: Incorporate concept of L&D in national and international policy on climate action.

Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) for L&D
• WIM for L&D was established at COP19 in 2013 in Warsaw (Poland) to address L&D associated with climate change in
developing countries.
• Functions of WIM
o Enhance knowledge and understanding of comprehensive risk management approaches
o Enhance action and support, including finance, technology, and capacity building, to address L&D.
5.1.2.3. FIRST GLOBAL STOCKTAKE (GST)

Global stocktake is a process for countries to see whether they are collectively making progress towards meeting the
goals of the Paris Agreement.
Global Stocktake (GST) calls on Parties to the Paris Agreement, to follow 8 steps
5.2. INDIAN TRADITIONAL PRACTICES & CLIMATE CHANGE

Why in News?
The risks posed by climate change have led to a
growing recognition that traditional practices
should be at forefront in climate change responses.
Role of Indian Traditional practices in increasing
climate change resilience
• Agriculture
o Natural Farming: E.g. Zero-Budget Natural
Farming (ZBNF), a chemical-free
agriculture drawing from traditional Indian
practices.
✓ It increases farmers' climate resilience by improving soil health and reducing water usage.
o Diverse cropping systems: E.g. Akkadi Saalu practiced in dry land regions of Karnataka.
✓ Such systems present an answer to green revolution led mono cropping and genetic simplification.
o Unique Agricultural practices: E.g. Kuttanad Kaliyanam farming involves below sea level paddy cultivation in
Kerala, paddy-cum-fish cultivation of Apatani tribes (Arunanchal Pradesh)
✓ Such practices can help adapt to present impacts of climate change like Inundation of coastal and island
regions.
o Irrigation: E.g. Meghalaya's bamboo drip irrigation system Leverages the locally made bamboo pipes to divert
perennial springs on the hilltops to the lower reaches by gravity.
• Architecture and housing: Traditional architecture from extreme weather and disaster-prone regions can provide
insights to contemporary climate resilience. E.g.
o Kathkuni structures of Himanchal Pradesh.
o Dhajji-Dewari and Taq system of Kashmir valley.
o Bhonga houses of the Kutch region.
• Traditional medical practices: Practices like Ayurveda help in preventive medication and adoption of healthier
lifestyle in face of rise in disease frequency due to climate change.
• Sacred Grooves in India
o They are critical sanctuaries of religious and cultural significance where customary laws prohibit their
exploitation.
✓ E.g. 133 sacred groves at the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand.
o They act as gene pools for traditional crop varieties and medicinal plants, safeguarding genetic resources for
future generations.
• Faith Based In situ conservation: Communities protect endangered animal species like fish, turtles, tortoises, deer,
blackbucks, peafowl, and birds etc.
o E.g. Bishnoi community of Rajasthan consider black buck as sacred.
• Traditional Rainwater harvesting helps mitigates the effects of drought.
Traditional water harvesting structures in India
• Jhalaras are rectangular-shaped step wells in Jodhpur region of Rajasthan.
• Talabs are reservoirs that store water for household consumption and drinking purposes. E.g. pokhariyan ponds in the
Bundelkhand region lakes of Udaipur.
• Bawaris are unique step wells that were once a part of the ancient networks of water storage in the cities of Rajasthan.
• Taanka is a traditional rainwater harvesting technique indigenous to the Thar desert region of Rajasthan.
• Ahar Pynes are traditional floodwater harvesting systems indigenous to South Bihar.
• Johads, of Rajasthan, are small earthen check dams that capture and store rainwater.
• Zings, found in Ladakh, are small tanks that collect melting glacier water.
• Zabo, practiced in Nagaland, combines water conservation with forestry, agriculture and animal care.
• Eri (tank) system of Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest water management systems in India.
• Baolis are traditional secular structures from which everyone could draw water.
Issues with adoption of traditional practices
• Threat to food security: Risk of decline in agricultural productivity, as a result of traditional agri-practices.
• Lack of Scientific certainty: Efficacy of some traditional practices, E.g. ZNBF farming, traditional medicine, lack
sufficient scientific validation.
• Endangered Traditional practices: Homogenizing influence of modernization and westernization, compounded by
lack of repository of traditional practices.
• Misappropriation of India’s traditional Knowledge and practices: Wrong granting of patents to foreign entities for
Indian traditional knowledge. E.g. patent on healing properties of turmeric, neem etc.
Conclusion
There is need to Capturing India’s Traditional Knowledge and practices through community engagement, participatory
mapping, ethnographic research and documenting and mapping. Also, there is a need to integrate traditional knowledge
into national climate change policies.

India’s initiatives to incorporate traditional practices
• Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) includes India’s rich traditional knowledge related to the systems of medicine
from classical/ traditional books.
o It seeks to prevent exploitation and protect Indian traditional knowledge at Patent Offices worldwide.
• Bharatiya Prakritik Krishi Paddhati (BPKP) aims at promoting traditional indigenous practices, which give freedom to farmers
from externally purchased inputs.
• Tribal Research Institute: Research and documentation of Indigenous practices by tribals in medicinal plants, agriculture
system, etc.
• SWASTIIK (Safe Water and Sustainable Technology Initiative from Indian Knowledgebase) can have significant benefits in
terms of providing safe water.
5.3. NATIONAL CIRCULAR ECONOMY ROADMAP FOR REDUCTION OF PLASTIC

WASTE IN INDIA
Why in news?
Recently a flagship document on ‘National Circular
Economy Roadmap for reduction of Plastic waste in
India’ was released.
More on news
• The document is collaborative exercise between
leading research institutions from India and
Australia.
• The research was part of India-Australia
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
announced by in 2020.
• Document aims to foster research and industry
partnerships between two countries and co-
develop a roadmap for India’s transition to a
circular economy in the Plastics sector.
What is Circular Economy?
• The circular economy is a model of production
and consumption, which involves sharing, leasing,
reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life
cycle of products is extended.
• When a product reaches the end of its life, its materials are kept within the economy wherever possible by recycling.
o These can be productively used again and again, thereby creating further value.
o This is a departure from the traditional, linear economic model, which is based on a take-make-consume-throw
away pattern.
About National Circular Economy Roadmap for reduction of Plastic waste in India
The roadmap mentions seven elements (refer image) in framework for achieving circular economy for plastics, as follows:
Element Steps suggested
Production • Design products that can be easily and efficiently recycled, with minimal contamination, to
reduce waste, minimising the use of additives etc.
Consumption • Avoid single-use plastics, choose products with extended lifetimes, reuse plastics, choose
products made with recycled plastic etc.
Recycling • Promote closed-loop recycling and chemical upcycling technologies, to retain plastic in the
material loop for longer etc.
Commercial viability • Use incentives for circular economy businesses, develop markets for high quality secondary
material etc.
Awareness and readiness • Schools, universities etc. should be used to raise awareness.
• Selective curricula on waste management
Supportive infrastructure • Invest in recycling and digital infrastructure needed to collect, sort, track, and assess quality and
value of end-of-life plastics, etc.
Consistent compliance • State governments must set targets and monitor progress on plastics reduction, reuse and
recycling.
Why a circular economy roadmap for plastics is needed for India?
• The scale and complexity of the plastic waste problem: India generates nearly 26,000 tonnes of plastic waste each
day (CPCB, 2020), more than any economy except the USA and European Union.
o Despite several initiatives, India continues to confront the challenge of linear ‘take-make-waste’ industry.
• Economic benefits: Circular economy can create new secondary markets for used plastics in construction and
manufacturing, and new primary markets for alternative, eco-friendly products.
• Ecological benefits: Diverting dry waste from landfill, leading to a cleaner environment, less greenhouse emissions,
improved air quality, and reduced microplastics in the food chain.
• Enabling behavioural change: Circular economy can support a cultural shift, away from ‘use and throw’, to one that
leads future generations to value resources and care for the environment even as they develop their economy.
• Global commitments: Circular economy can be a tool to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) and net zero
target.
• Align with proposed Plastic treaty: It can support Government and industry associations in responding to the
requirements of Global Plastics Treaty that is expected to be in force by 2024.
• In line with LiFE – Lifestyles for Environment: Launched as India-led global mass movement to nudge individual and
community action to protect and preserve the environment.
o Its key element is sustainable consumption and production.
Current challenges in attaining circular economy for plastics
• Informal sector: Informal sector, dominated by unregistered waste pickers and rag pickers, contributes significantly
to the plastic waste value chain posing a major barrier to circular economy.
• Compliance mechanisms for existing policies: At the industry level, there are rules in place empowering pollution
control boards to undertake periodic audits and inspections to check compliance. However, there are implementation
issues.
• Gaps in policies: For example, EPR regulations lack aspects of designing for the environment and minimising
production.
o They currently target mostly small-scale plastic processors and manufacturers whose activities are highly
fragmented and informal, whereas polymer manufacturers are few in number and mostly large firms.
• Cost: Businesses substituting plastics noted that plastic is very
cheap and it is difficult for alternatives to compete on price. Steps taken for Plastic waste management in
India
• Regulatory barriers: Technologies enabling plastic recycling
• Mandated Extended Producer Responsibility
options for secondary raw materials face regulation barriers and (EPR) on producers, importers and brand
require infrastructure and large investments. owners for plastic packaging waste in 2016.
o Also, plastic recycling technologies for various types of • Prohibited identified single use plastic items,
polymers are still a grey area for the plastic recycling scenario which have low utility and high littering
in India. potential, with effect from 1st July, 2022,
o For instance, PET recycling rate in India is comparatively high, under Plastic Waste Management
compared to other countries. Amendment Rules, 2021.
• Information and awareness: Lack of knowledge and incentive • In order to stop littering due to light weight
among households about importance of segregation and plastic carry bags, prohibited manufacture,
import, sale, use etc. of plastic carry bags
outcomes of waste collected leave these primary waste
having thickness less than one hundred and
generators entirely out of the system.
twenty microns from December, 2022.

Overall strategy for attaining circular economy
• Set a single, clear framework and implementation plan: A practical policy framework for circular economy, in which
all initiatives and information have a place, and a plan to put it into action.
• Formalising the sector: Integrate informal sector into the formal economy by recognising their role, enabling their
access to government services and benefits and supporting them in developing their own business ventures in the
sector.
• Recognise and engage all stakeholders: Collaboration must encompass entire ecosystem: across the petrochemical
industry, ULBs, informal cooperatives, regulators etc.
• Create systems to support state governments to design and implement action-plans: Needed to encourage
decentralised governance and implementation at municipal and panchayat levels, leveraging local skills, networks
and enabling local contextual responses.
• Integrate learning along the supply chain: Encouraging state-level data collection, monitoring, and evaluation as well
as higher transparency in public reporting to enable better measurement.
• Phase out plastics: Set dates beyond which manufacture of certain plastics is banned, and support manufacturers of
these materials to transition to alternative products and businesses.
• Support the circular economy: With public procurement policies and fiscal and tax incentives that prefer secondary
plastic waste-based products and businesses.
• Technology-related investments: Investments in digital waste management tools such as GPS-enabled tracking for
vehicles or image recognition tools are required. data transparency is required to build a circular plastic waste value
chain etc.
5.4. GLOBAL COOLING WATCH REPORT-2023

Why in the news?
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) led Cool Coalition has released a Global Cooling Watch report 2023
named “Keeping it Chill: How to meet cooling demands while cutting emissions”.
About the report About Cool Coalition
• UNEP launched the Cool Coalition at the First
• The report, Global Conference on Synergies between
o stocktakes the totality of emissions from the cooling across the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
sectors like space cooling, cold chain and refrigeration, and Goals and the Paris Agreement.
transport globally, • It is a global network of partners working to
o suggest pathways to achieve near-zero emissions from provide efficient, climate-friendly cooling for all.
cooling and policy measures that can enable transition to • International Solar Alliance (India) is a partner
of Cool Coalition network.
sustainable cooling by 2050.
• The report is released to support the Global Cooling Pledge, a joint initiative between the United Arab Emirates as
host of COP28 and the Cool Coalition.
o Global Cooling Pledge aims to raise international cooperation through collective global targets to reduce cooling
related emissions by 68% by 2050, increase access to sustainable cooling by 2030, and increase the global average
efficiency of new air conditioners by 50%. India has not signed the pledge yet.
Key Highlights of the report:
• Cooling acts as a double burden on climate change: Cooling equipment raise the demand for power at one end and
induces global warming due to the release of refrigerant gases.
• Rising demand for cooling: Under the current approach to cooling, the installed capacity of cooling equipment
globally will triple between now and 2050.
o Providing access to cooling in developing countries overall requires an additional 10 per cent growth in the 2050
cooling capacity.
• Key drivers of cooling demand: Climate change, population growth, income growth, urbanization, and policies to
improve access to cooling.
o 82% of global cooling-related GHG emissions came from G20 countries, in 2022.
• Increasing emissions from cooling sector: Emissions from cooling are predicted to account for more than 10% of
global emissions in 2050 (6.1 billion tons of CO2e per year).
o This will present a major hurdle to the ongoing transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources in many
countries.
• Sustainable Cooling as the solution: To minimize the multiple and severe negative impacts from cooling growth, a
rapid transition to sustainable cooling is needed. These measures could reduce predicted 2050 emissions from
cooling by at least 60%.
o Sustainable cooling requires the adoption of cooling technologies and approaches that are accessible, affordable
and scalable but that minimize negative impacts on people, the economy and the environment.
Recommendations by the report:
The report focuses on three key measures for sustainable cooling:
• Implementing Passive Cooling Strategies: To address extreme heat and reduce cooling demand in buildings and in
the cold chain.
o E.g. Integrating building energy codes which incorporate passive strategies like improved insulation, reflective
surfaces, shading through nature, natural ventilation etc.
• Driving energy efficiency: This includes higher energy efficiency standards and norms for cooling equipment.
o Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) along with effective labelling of products and regulations for
phasing down high-GWP refrigerants are needed to increase the efficiency of cooling products.
• Faster refrigerant phase down: A phase-down of climate-
warming hydro fluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants at a
faster rate than is required under the Kigali Amendment
to the Montreal Protocol.
o Under the Kigali Amendment, Parties will phase down
production and consumption of HFCs that do not
deplete ozone but have high global warming
potential.
• Other measures:
o Transitioning towards electric vehicles and
decarbonizing the electric grid.
o Integrating cooling within climate and energy
decrees: mandating reporting on annual cooling GHG
emissions.
o Cooling bonds can be used to raise funds towards
sustainable cooling projects.
Steps taken by India towards Sustainable Cooling
• India Cooling Action Plan It was launched in 2019 by the MoEFCC.
o It seeks to reduce cooling demand across sectors by 20% to 25% by 2037-38, and refrigerant demand by 25% to 30% by
2037-38.
o Recognize ‘cooling and related areas’ as a thrust area of research under the National S&T Programme.
• Energy Conservation Building Code – ECBC 2017: formulated by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) makes it mandatory for
commercial buildings with a load of 100 kVA or more to comply with its energy-efficient standards.
• BEE Star Labelling Program to reduce the energy consumption of appliances such as Electric Geysers, Colour TV, Room Air
Conditioners, LED lamps, etc.
• Green Building Ratings: Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA), Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) and
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

5.5. HINDU KUSH HIMALAYAS
Why in the news?
Asian Development Bank (ADB) launches the Building Adaptation and Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalayas Initiative.
About the Initiative:
• It aims to address the adversities of climate change in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region.
• This initiative will combine cutting edge risk assessment and risk management tools, such as insurance and risk
transfer, to help guide investment decisions for large scale infrastructure.
• It supports Bhutan and Nepal in climate adaptation (worst-
affected regions).
About Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region:
• Hindu Kush-Himalayan region (refer to infographic) spans an
area of approximately. 4.3 million square km in Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and
Pakistan.
• It is home to the world’s highest peaks such as Mount Everest
and Kanchenjunga.
• HKH is known as the Third Pole or the Water Tower of Asia
because it holds the largest ice reserves outside of the polar
regions.
• HKH with young and rising mountains are highly vulnerable to
multiple hazards such as earthquakes and landslides
Climatic risks faced by the region
• Increased intensity and frequency of Climate change hazards
like- Glacial Lake outbursts, flash floods etc. posing significant
risk to mountain habitants.
• Declining snow cover and accelerated melting of glaciers
resulting in drying rivers, impact on hydropower energy and
degradation of water quality.
o According to ADB, if global warming reaches 3 degrees, up
to 75% of glaciers will melt in parts of the Himalayas by
2100.
• Impact on livelihoods of mountain inhabitants in the short term
and river basins in the long run.
o Economic losses in the region from disaster totalled $45
billion from 1985 to 2014, more than any other mountainous region in the world.
• Loss of Biodiversity: Adverse impact on mountain dwelling species, some of which are expected to decline in
numbers.
Other global initiatives for protecting Himalayan Ecosystem
• The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD): An intergovernmental knowledge and
learning centre working for the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), located in Kathmandu (Nepal).
• Himalayan Adaptation Network by IUCN: Web-based network initiative in Sikkim to build climate resilient strategies
for reducing community and ecosystem vulnerability in the Indian Himalayan region (IHR) through the landscape
approach.
• Living Himalayas Initiative by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to protect the biodiversity in the Eastern
Himalayas.

India’s Initiatives
• National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Eco-system (NMSHE) launched under the National Action Plan on Climate
Change (NAPCC) to continuously assess the health status of the Himalayan Ecosystem.
• SECURE (Securing livelihoods, conservation, sustainable use and restoration of high range Himalayan ecosystems) Himalaya
by MoEFCC (India) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) as a part of the Global Wildlife Program (GWP),
funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
5.6. CLIMATE ENGINEERING

Why in the News?
UNESCO released it first report on the ethics of climate engineering.
About Climate Engineering
• Climate engineering or Geoengineering aims to address global warming
not by reducing greenhouse emissions but by directly intervening in the
climate system.
• Climate engineering does not address the root cause of climate change
but it can take critical steps to slow climate change.
• It could be carried out through:
o Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR): Removing carbon dioxide from the
atmosphere.
o Solar Radiation Modification (SRM): Allowing more infrared
radiation to escape into space or reflecting incoming sunlight back
to space.
✓ SRM is also referred as Solar geoengineering
• Significance of climate engineering
o Mimicking natural processes: This amplifies suitability of climate
engineering for tackling climate changes.
o More time to transition: Reduces the urgency of reducing carbon
emissions and provides more time to transition towards the
renewables.
o Regional Implementation: Affordable nature of certain techniques
enables it to be built at regional level as well
o Addressing climate policy gap: They may fill the gap between climate policy targets and the necessary reductions
in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations needed to avert catastrophic climate change impacts.
Potential risks associated with climate engineering

• Environmental Risks: Given our current knowledge gaps, these techniques cannot yet be relied on to significantly
contribute to meeting climate targets as they:
o may impair the self -regulation capacity of natural ecosystems in long run;
o can have adverse impact on ozone layer, rainfall, crop production and ocean acidification; and
o may create technology dependency for tackling climate changes and withdrawal of such technology withdrawal
may cause termination shock, leading to
India’s Initiative for climate engineering
rapid warming, disrupted water cycle, and
• Department of Science and Technology (DST) is supporting an
biodiversity loss. active climate modelling research program in geoengineering at
• Economic Risks: The cost of developing and the Indian Institute of Science(IISc).
deploying these tools is high. • Major Research and Development Program (MRDP) was launched
o Also, increased number of patents are by DST to understand the implications of geoengineering.
being filed (in US & EU) for such technique • Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology is developing Earth
which may exacerbate global system model for performing solar geoengineering simulations.
inequalities.

• Ethical issues
o Organized irresponsibility:
✓ Due to the uncertainties and synergistic effects of environmental risks, there is no institution that can
specifically assign responsibility and blame.
✓ Also, there is little transparency available about their progress, feasibility, risks, and benefits.
o Distributive justice
✓ Technologies are being developed by small group of countries, firms and academics and marginalised
communities are kept at bay.
✓ Equally distributing risks globally may not be unfeasible, and there would be procedural issues in achieving
ethical consensus for proper recognition and compensation.
o Moral hazard: Successful implementation can produce morally undesirable consequences as it allows for an
easier way to deal with the climate crisis rather than taking ecological responsibility seriously.
• Other issues
o Transnational nature of impacts of climate engineering may lead to conflicts.
o Future control over climate-altering technologies by a country may be perceived as acts of war.
Way ahead to minimize risks associated with climate engineering
UNESCO’s recommendations for researching and governing climate engineering include:
• Governance: Intergenerational and transboundary impacts should get due considerations in decision making.
o States shall introduce legislation that regulates climate action to prevent harm and ban weaponization of
climate engineering techniques.
• Participation and inclusiveness: Marginalised groups, women, youth, indigenous people and civil society should be
key stakeholders in the development and implementation of policies.
o International cooperation down to regional activities within local communities should be encouraged.
o Scientific knowledge and research: Promote open collaboration and constant monitoring of climate actions to
promote informed decision making.
✓ Political and economic interests should not interfere with scientific research.
• Strengthening capacity: UNESCO should support Member States in strengthening institutional, technological and
ethical capacities as regards climate action.
o Businesses and industry should act ethically, follow international standards, and closely collaborate with public
sectors.
• Education, Awareness and Advocacy: Ethical issues related to climate action should become an integral part of the
curricula of relevant educational and training programmes.
Conclusion
Climate engineering may be risky because of its interactions with the climate and also its potential for exacerbating
existing risks and introducing new ones. Hence, it is imperative to pursue these technologies with a comprehensive
understanding of their effects and ethical implications.
5.7. ENVIRONMENTAL COST OF WAR

Why in the news?
Experts have raised concerns with respect to environmental impact and associated costs of Russia-Ukraine war and the
Israel-Palestine conflict.
About Environmental costs of war
• According to Institute for Economics and Peace, only a few countries globally are conflict-free, despite this being
considered the most peaceful century.
o Even in comparatively peaceful nations, security forces consume extensive resources.
o However, during war, the environment experiences neglect, exploitation, human desperation, and deliberate
abuse on a significant scale.

• The environmental impact of wars and the extent of which depends on various factors, such as the nature and length
of the conflict, what weapons were mostly used, and how big an area is occupied etc.
Stage Associated environmental cost
Preparation • Exploitation of Resources: Building military forces consumes vast resources, including metals, water, and
(before war) energy, primarily met through oil.
• GHG emissions: Military overall requires significant energy, and it’s mostly derived from fossil fuels.
o For example, British military activity is responsible for approximately 50% of all UK government
emissions.
• Compromise with conservation efforts: Excessive military spending and the use of biodiversity-critical areas
for military bases, testing, training, etc.
War • Pollution: Debris from explosive weapons causes significant air and soil pollution. Wrecked or
damaged ships, submarines, cause oil spill.
• Deforestation: Caused by weapons containing white phosphorous, bombing of protected areas, etc.
o For example, During Vietnam War US military cleared rainforests in Vietnam to enable them to see their
enemies more easily,
• Invasive species threat: War causes devastating destruction to ecosystems including species loss, and
creates the potential for invasive species.
After war • Radiation: Nuclear-weapons may have lasting impact on environment as was seen in Hiroshima and Nagasaki
in the aftermath of World War 2.
• Wildlife crime: Increased hunting and poaching, facilitated by easy access to small arms in addition to
ungoverned spaces contribute to wildlife crime.
• Impact on Conservation efforts: Researchers face restricted access to protected areas, government may cut
budget for projects under international environmental obligations.
• Reduced ecosystem services: Irreversible loss of biodiversity and soil nutrients reduces ecosystem services.
• Other issues: Deforestation, forced human displacement, and associated exploitation of resources exacerbate
environmental footprints of war.
Key Initiatives: Initiatives and principles that aim to minimize the environmental impact of war and encourage responsible
conduct during armed conflicts include:
• Geneva Convention: Imposes restrictions on warfare methods aiming to cause widespread, long-term, and severe
damage to the natural environment.
• Brundtland Report (1987): The report "Our Common Future" introduced the concept of sustainable development.
o It also emphasizes that Armed conflict and rivalry pose significant barriers to sustainable development.
• Stockholm Conference (1972): Prohibits the use of all weapons of mass destruction.
• UN Conference on Environment and Development (1992 Rio Conference)
o Principle 24 emphasizes that armed conflict is fundamentally harmful to sustainable development, urging nations
to adhere to international environmental norms during war.
o Principle 25 emphasizes the interconnectedness and indivisibility of peace and sustainable development.
• Rome Statutes - Article 12: Addresses the responsibility of states regarding environmental damage in armed conflicts.
• International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict: Recognizes the
importance of preventing environmental exploitation during conflicts.
• Draft Principles on Protection of the Environment in Relation to Armed Conflicts: Adopted by the International Law
Commission, these principles provide a framework for environmental protection during armed conflicts.
• UN Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques
(ENMOD): Aims to prevent the military or hostile use of environmental modification techniques.
Challenges associated with environmental cost of war
• Limited knowledge: Many of the wars have occurred within biodiversity hot spots, however, understanding of
environmental costs of war is limited.
• Difficulty in Quantifying: Environmental damage from war is challenging to measure, with disruptions to monitoring
systems and unreported pollution caused by military activities.

• Exclusion from Paris Climate Agreement: Armaments and the military are not included in the Paris Climate
Agreement, exempting them from reporting to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
• Competing Priorities Post-Conflict: After conflicts end, immediate reconstruction efforts prioritize housing,
infrastructure, and services over environmental considerations.
• Vicious Circle: Climate change (a hidden cost of war on environment) makes resources scarcer and increases
vulnerabilities.
o This creates an ongoing cycle where resource depletion and heightened vulnerabilities contribute to conflicts
which exacerbate the cost of war on environment, perpetuating the cycle.
Way ahead to mitigate war's impact on the environment
• UN Framework on Climate Change: Create binding global agreements under the UN Framework on Climate Change
to address military and conflict emissions.
o Hold responsible parties accountable based on the "polluter pays" principle.
• Green Post-Conflict Recovery: Prioritize green and sustainable recovery post-conflict, considering climate change,
biodiversity loss, and pollution concerns.
• Military Training: Educate Armed Forces members on emission reduction and environmental preservation, adapting
training to the operational environment and tasks, including Humanitarian Aid, Disaster Relief, and resilience-building
in climate-vulnerable countries.
• Decarbonizing Military: Implement efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, such as replacing petroleum-fueled
vehicles with hybrid and electric cars, installing solar arrays, and enforcing emission reductions in the supply chain.
o UK’s Ministry of Defence has developed a Climate Change and Sustainability Strategy
o Switzerland has set a goal to create a carbon-neutral military by 2050.
Conclusion
As Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon highlighted, ‘the environment often becomes a silent casualty of war and
armed conflict’. To safeguard a healthy planet for present and future generations, it is crucial not to overlook the
frequently forgotten environmental costs associated with armed conflicts.
5.8. GROUND WATER IN INDIA

Why in news?
Union Minister for Jal Shakti released Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment Report for the country for year 2023.
More on news
• The assessment was carried out jointly by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) and States/UTs, which can be used
for taking suitable interventions by various stake-holders.
• Such joint assessments were carried out from 1980 onwards. From 2022, the exercise is being carried out annually.
Key highlights of the report
Indicator Findings
Total annual groundwater • 449.08 billion cubic meters (bcm) (Increased from 437.6 bcm in 2022).
(GW) recharge in the • Major increase is noticed in West Bengal, Assam, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Gujarat
country and Bihar.
‘Over-exploited’ units • 736 units (11.23%) of total 6553 assessment units in various States/ UTs. (Decreased from 1006
(indicating GW extraction units (14.2%) in 2022)
exceeding annually • Accounts for 17 % of total recharge worthy area of the country.
replenishable GW recharge) • Over-exploited’ Units are mostly concentrated in:
o North west, including parts of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Western Uttar Pradesh where
there has been indiscriminate withdrawals of GW leading to over-exploitation.
o Western part, in parts of Rajasthan and Gujarat, where due to arid climate, GW itself is
limited.

o Southern part, including parts of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu Telangana and Andhra Pradesh,
where due to inherent characteristics of crystalline aquifers, GW availability is low.
‘Critical’ units (GW • 199 (3.04 %) assessment units
extraction between 90- • Accounts for 3 % of total recharge worthy area of the country.
100%)
“Semi-critical’’ units (GW • 698 (10.65 %) assessment units
extraction between 70 % • Accounts for 12 % of total recharge worthy area of the country.
and 90 %)
‘Safe’ units (GW extraction • 4793 (73.14 %) assessment units. (Increased from 4780 units (67.4%) in 2022)
is less than 70 %) • Accounts for 66 % of total recharge worthy area of the country.
• Reason for improvement in Total annual groundwater (GW) recharge

o The changes are attributed mainly to changes in recharge from ‘Other Sources’.
o Recharge from other sources constitutes:
✓ Recharges from canals, surface water irrigation, ground water irrigation, tanks & ponds and water
conservation structures in command areas and non-command areas.
o Main source of replenishable groundwater was rainfall, which contributed to nearly 60% of total annual GW
recharge.
GW scenario in India
• India is the world’s largest user of groundwater,
exceeding the use of the United States and China
combined.
• Although the recent assessment is a silver lining
but water level in more than 60% of wells
monitored by CGWB registered a declining trend
in the last one decade.
• According to Interconnected Disaster Risks
Report 2023, published by United Nations
University – Institute for Environment and Human
Security some areas in Indo-Gangetic basin in
India have already passed the groundwater
depletion tipping point.
o Also, the entire north-western region is
predicted to experience critically low
groundwater availability by 2025.
o 78% of wells in Punjab are considered
overexploited.
Reasons for Overall decline in GW in India
• Over-Extraction: Green revolution has rapidly
increased the demand for groundwater for
agriculture. Over the last 50 years, number of
borewells has grown from 1 million to 20 million.
• Climatic factors: A long-term decline in
monsoonal rainfall, owing to climate change, has
partially been contributing to the decline in GW due to lower recharge levels.
• Policy related factors: Several states affected by depletion of groundwater provide free or heavily subsidized power
(including solar pumps) for pumping groundwater for irrigated agriculture.
o Also, weak regulations result in the expansion of groundwater irrigated areas and drilling of additional wells.
• Irrigation methods: Irrigation efficiencies are extremely low in India. Traditional flood irrigation in India accounts for
huge water loss through evapotranspiration.
• Other factors, include, exceptionally high demand versus limited supply owing to rise in population, urbanisation and
rise in industries etc.
Ground Water Assessment and Management Initiatives by Govt
• National Aquifer Mapping & Management Programme (NAQUIM): It aims mapping of major aquifers, their
characterization and formulation of Aquifer Management Plans to ensure sustainability of resources.
• Jal Kranti Abhiyan: Launched by Ministry of Jal Shakti, aimed at consolidating water conservation and management
initiatives in country through a holistic and integrated approach involving all stakeholders.
• Atal Bhujal Yojana: Implemented from 2020, envisages improving ground water management in identified water-
stressed areas in parts of seven States in the country with emphasis community participation.
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)-Har Khet Ko Pani: It envisages creation of irrigation potential from
groundwater in assessment units where there is sufficient scope for further future ground water development.
• Jal Shakti Abhiyan: It involves water conservation and harnessing of rainwater, revitalization of traditional and
contemporary aquatic ecosystems, recycling and replenishment of water, watershed development, etc.
• Masterplan at India level: “Master Plan for Artificial Recharge to Ground water in India 2020” by Central Ground
Water Board envisages implementation of nearly 11 million Rain Water Harvesting and Artificial Recharge structures
to augment the ground water resources of the
country.
o Ministry of Jal Shakti has also circulated a
Model Bill to all States/UTs to enable them
to enact suitable legislation for regulation
of ground water development, which
includes provision of rainwater harvesting.
Suggestions to improve GW management
• Estimating future availability: Ground water
modelling can be done which gives an idea of the
future availability of Ground water resources
with respect to the changing climate and
extraction patterns.
• Move away from water guzzling crops: For
instance, in Gujarat, farmers are beginning to
understand the need to move away from water-
guzzling crops such as cotton and wheat to
pomegranates and cumin, which not only use
less water but also fetch good prices.
• Community participation: Since groundwater
conservation lies in the hands of millions of
people, communities shall be placed at the heart
of the effort, marrying scientific inputs with
traditional wisdom.
• Policy level measures: Policies like separating agricultural electrical connections from household connections and a
fixed timing for agricultural electricity availability.
o Mihir Shah Committee recommended corrective measures such as establishing required drilling depth, distance
between wells, etc.
• Restructuring governance: Mihir Shah Committee recommended that Central Water Commission and CGWB should
be restructured to form a new National Water Commission. It reasoned that a unified body will help in the collective
management of ground and surface water.
• Demand side interventions: Surface water harvesting through farm ponds and check-dams, installation of water-
efficient irrigation systems (e.g. more efficient drips and sprinklers) etc.

5.9. GLOBAL DROUGHT SNAPSHOT 2023
Why in news?
As per United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD) report Global Drought
Snapshot 2023, at least 23 countries, including
India, declared drought emergencies at a
national or sub-national level during 2022-23.
What is a drought?
• India Meteorological Department (IMD)
defines a meteorological drought in any
area when the rainfall deficiency in that
area is ≥25% of its long term normal.
o It is further classified into moderate
and severe drought depending upon
the deficiency.
o As per Climate Hazards and
Vulnerability Atlas of India by IMD, 87%
of the districts and 93% of the
population are moderate to very
highly vulnerable.
✓ 27% of the districts and 32% of
population are highly vulnerable.
Current Impacts of droughts highlighted by report
• Global Impact: Based on data reported by 101
country Parties to the UNCCD, 1.84 billion
people are drought stricken, out of which 4.7
per cent are exposed to severe or extreme
drought.
• Impact on women and children: Compared to
men, women and children are over 14 times
more likely to be killed by climate fuelled
disasters.
o In addition to posing a direct threat to
their lives, disasters expose women to
other protection risks.
• Impact on food security: As of the end of
December 2022, the ongoing drought had left
approximately 23 million people severely food
insecure across the Horn of Africa.
• Induces forced migration: 98 per cent of the 32.6 million new disaster displacements in 2022 were the result of
weather-related hazards such as storms, floods and droughts.
• Impact on primary energy production: For instance, Hydropower installations can be impacted when a lack of water
reduces their proper operation.
• Impact on forests: Droughts increased deforestation by 7.6% compared to years of normal weather.
• Impact on Agriculture: Over the last 3 decades land degradation has caused reduction in global productivity (0.4%
each year) in irrigated and rainfed crops.
• Impact on Glaciers of Himalayas: Glaciers in have lost significant mass over the past 40 years, and the loss is
accelerating. In 2022, exceptionally warm and dry conditions exacerbated mass loss for most glaciers.
Suggestions given in report
• Sustainable development: This would reduce population
exposure to drought by 70% compared to fossil-fuelled
development.
• Insurance coverage of drought related losses: Close to 45% of
disaster-related losses at a global level in 2020 were insured, a
growth from 40% of insured loss over the period of 1980-2018.
This can be further scaled up.
• Rainwater harvesting: On average, only 15% of rainwater enters
the ground in urban areas while in rural areas 50% of rainwater is
absorbed into the ground. Rainwater harvesting provides an
efficient option to store rainwater and then reuse it in times of
drought.
• Role of international financial system: By addressing poverty, and
addressing gross inequality regional societal collapse driven by
food insecurity and environmental degradation can be avoided.
• Nature based solutions: Nature-based solutions have the
potential to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to 25%.
Initiatives undertaken
Global
• "30x30" Target: 195 nations to agree to
protect and restore at least 30% of Earth’s
land and water by 2030, under Convention
on Biological Diversity.
• Early Warning for All: United Nations
Secretary-General announced goal of
covering whole world with early warning
systems by 2027.
• International Drought Resilience Alliance
(IDRA): This collaborative platform was
launched at the UNFCCC COP27 Leaders’
Summit in 2022.
• UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, aims
to deliver on commitments to restore 1 billion
hectares of land by 2030.
India’s Steps
• National Disaster Management Guidelines –
Management of Drought’ recommends
measures ranging from early warning system,
capacity building, etc.
• Manual for Drought Management 2016
(updated in 2020): Released by Union govt, it
provides use of modern technology in
monitoring/ determination of drought.
• Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) / Central
Sector (CS) Schemes, such as Pradhan Mantri
Krishi Sinchai Yojana, Rainfed Area
Development Programme.
5.10.1. INDIA’S MAIDEN WINTER ARCTIC
EXPEDITION
• Ministry of Earth Sciences Launched India’s 1st Winter
Scientific Expedition to Arctic.
• Indian scientific expeditions to Earth’s poles (Arctic
and the Antarctic) are facilitated under Polar Science
and Cryosphere Research (PACER) scheme through
National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
(institute under Ministry of Earth Sciences).
o Since 2008, India operates a research base in the
Arctic named Himadri in Svalbard, Norway.
✓ Himadri has been mostly hosting scientists
during summer (April to October).
• Significance of Winter Expedition (i.e. November to
March)
o Allow researchers to conduct unique scientific
observations during polar nights,
✓ During polar nights there is no sunlight for
nearly 24 hours and sub-zero temperatures
(as low as -15 degrees Celsius).
o Aid in expanding understanding of Arctic,
especially climate change, space weather,
ecosystem adaptations, etc.
✓ Space weather affects weather and climate in
the tropics, including monsoons.
o Makes India among select nations with extended
in-time operations in the Arctic.
✓ Priority research areas include atmospheric
and space sciences, environmental chemistry, 5.10.2. INDIA SURPASSED MONTREAL
terrestrial ecosystems, and astrophysics etc. PROTOCOL TARGETS
• Challenges
o Unlike Antarctica, which is governed by Antarctic • India surpassed Montreal protocol targets, says report
Treaty, Arctic region belongs to various national by MOEFCC and UNDP.
jurisdictions. • According to the report India exceeded the 35% HCFC
o Limited access, harsh climate, several months of (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) phase-out goal, achieving
darkness etc. a 44% reduction from the 2020 baseline and has also
eliminated HCFC 141b.
○ HCFCs are employed as refrigerants in production
of new equipment.
○ HCFC 141b, is used as a blowing agent in
production of rigid polyurethane foam.
• India will also phase out use of HCFCs in new
equipment manufacturing completely by December
2024 ahead of the Montreal Protocol schedule (2030).
• Montreal Protocol (1987)
○ It is a global environmental treaty to eliminate the
production and use of Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS).
○ It was implemented under the Vienna Convention
(adopted in 1985).

○ In 2016, Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol • Key highlights of KMGBF.
was adopted to phase down production and o Four overarching goals for 2050:
consumption of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). ✓ Halt human-induced species extinction
✓ HFCs are non-ODS alternative to CFCs and ✓ Sustainable use of biodiversity
HCFCs, but their global warming potential is ✓ Equitable sharing of benefits
thousands of times that of carbon dioxide. ✓ Closing the biodiversity finance gap of $700
billion per year.
About Ozone and ODS
o It has set 23 Global Targets for 2030, it includes-
• Stratospheric ozone (good Ozone) are found at 10-40 ✓ 30 % conservation of land, sea, and inland
KM above Earth's surface, and protects Earth from UV waters,
radiation of Sun. ✓ 30 % restoration of degraded ecosystems,
○ ODS are human-made chemicals containing ✓ Integration of biodiversity into policies,
chlorine and bromine like Chlorofluorocarbons ✓ Halving the introduction of invasive species,
(CFCs), HCFC, tetrachloride, etc. etc.
○ ODS after reaching stratosphere undergo catalytic o Funding: Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
reactions that depletes stratospheric ozone. Fund, a Special Trust Fund by Global Environment
• Ozone formed in Troposphere is harmful and is called Facility (GEF).
‘bad ozone’. ✓ GEF was established at Rio Earth Summit
(1992) and World Bank serves as the GEF
Trustee.
o Monitoring and Reporting: Countries to monitor
and report progress every 5 years or less on a set
of indicators.
• Progress made by KMGBF: It led to adoption of the
Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of
Marine Biodiversity beyond Areas of National
Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
5.10.3. KMGBF COMPLETES ONE YEAR

• Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
(KMGBF) was adopted at the Convention on Biological
Diversity’s (CBD) 15th Conference of Parties (CoP15).
o It replaced Aichi Biodiversity Targets (time period
2011-2020).
o It is legally non-binding in nature.

5.10.4. UPDATED RED LIST BY IUCN ○ Categories (Decreasing order of risk): Extinct,
Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered,
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least
released an updated Red List of threatened species Concern, and data deficient.
• Key-findings • Criteria used to determine the risk of species
○ Around 44,000 are threatened with extinction, ○ Population size reduction.
which increased by 2000 from last year. ○ Restricted geographical range.
○ Saiga, an antelope that have roamed the earth ○ A small population and declining.
since the last Ice Age, was moved from Critically ○ Very small or lives in a restricted area.
Endangered to Near Threatened. ○ Quantitative analysis of extinction risk.
○ 25% of freshwater fish are at risk of extinction,
with at least 17% affected by climate change. 5.10.5. REPORT ON CONSERVATION OF
✓ This is the first global freshwater fish MIGRATORY SPECIES
assessment.
• “Climate Change & Migratory species: a review of
○ Four freshwater subterranean fish species
impacts, conservation actions, indicators and
(found in water bodies under the surface) from
ecosystem services” report released by the
Kerala included in list are:
conservation of migratory species of wild animals
✓ Endangered: Shaji's Catfish, Abdulkalam's
(CMS).
Blind Cave Catfish, Pangio Bhujia
✓ Vulnerable: Gollum snakehead • Key findings
○ Ecosystem services: Migratory species provide
essential ecosystem services to society. For
example,
✓ Antelopes can reduce the risk of wildfires
through their grazing patterns.
✓ Migratory species also help in pollination,
seed dispersal, nutrient cycling, and pest and
disease control in an ecosystem.
○ Climate change threats to migratory species:
Threats includes loss of suitable habitat, wide-
scale changes in ecosystem functioning, etc.
✓ Major visible direct effects include poleward
range shifts, changes in the timing of
migration, and reduced breeding success and
survival.
• Recommendation:
○ Include conservation needs of migratory species
in nature-based climate change
mitigation/adaptation strategies.
○ Establish effective networks of protected areas
for migratory species, including a coherent and
interconnected network of passage and safe
stopover sites.
○ Foster international cooperation in the
conservation of migratory species to help the
conservation and restoration of shared resources.
○ Making use of new technologies for conservation,
such as those that can track species movements in
• About Red list real-time or model future scenarios.
○ It is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s
biodiversity.
○ Provides information about range, population
size, habitat and ecology, use and trade, threats,
and conservation actions.
5.10.7. IMPATIENS KARUPPUSAMY
• This new plant species was recently discovered by the
Botanical Survey of India in Kalakad Mundanthurai
Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu.
○ Species is named after Dr. S Karuppusamy
(Madhura College, Tamil Nadu) for his significant
contributions to the taxonomy of south Indian
angiosperms.
• Morphology: The species, resembling Impatiens
Bicornis, distinguishes itself with small leaves, six to
eight-flowered, short scape, and small flowers.
• Distribution: Although widely distributed in tropical
Africa, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, and China,
Impatiens are restricted to certain areas and can
become extinct due to climate change.
5.10.8. NAMDAPHA FLYING SQUIRREL

(BISWAMOYOPTERUS BISWASI)
• Missing for 42 years, flying squirrel resurfaces in
Arunachal Pradesh.
• About Namdapha flying squirrel:
o It’s a nocturnal, endemic to northeastern India
mammal.
o Status: Critically endangered.
o Range: Only known with certainty from a single
specimen collected in Namdapha National Park,
Arunachal Pradesh.
o Habitat: Occurs in dry deciduous montane forests
occupying moist forest tracts along streams.
o Threats: poaching, habitat loss.
o Protected under schedule II of the Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972.
• Namdapha Tiger Reserve has evergreen Forests, Moist
deciduous forests, sub-tropical forests, Temperate
Forests and Alpine biomes.
5.10.6. INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF
CAMELIDS 5.10.9. DIEL VERTICAL MIGRATION
(DVM)
• United Nations has designated 2024 as the
International Year of Camelids. • DVM is synchronised movement of deep-sea marine
animals up and down in oceanic water column over a
• About Camelids daily cycle.
o As a group camelids include alpacas, Bactrian • Free-floating zooplanktons swim up to food-rich
camels (two humped camel), dromedaries, surface waters at night to feed when light is scarce and
guanacos, llamas, vicuñas etc. they are “hidden” from predators.
o Mostly are herbivorous and feed primarily but not o They return to the depths before sun rises.
exclusively on grasses. • DVM plays a pivotal role in sequestering carbon.
o Camelids play a key role food security and o Animals remove substantial amounts of carbon
livelihoods of communities in Andean highlands from Upper Ocean as they feed on surface-
and in the arid and semi-arid lands in Africa and dwelling plankton.
Asia. o When these organisms return to deeper waters,
o Even in extreme climatic conditions they can they carry carbon with them.
produce fibre and nutritious food.
5.10.10. TROPICALISATION technological development, enhancing green
energy security and transition partnerships.
• A study indicates that rising sea temperatures due to
climate change are causing tropical marine species to 5.10.12. STATE OF FINANCE FOR NATURE
move from equator towards poles and retraction of 2023 REPORT
temperate species.
• The report is released by the UN Environment
o This mass movement of marine life has been
Programme.
termed tropicalisation.
• It tracks public and private finance flows to Nature
• Mediterranean Sea is now considered a tropicalisation
based Solutions (NbS) to tackle global challenges
hotspot due an increase in tropical species.
related to biodiversity loss, land degradation and
• Tropicalisation together with Borealisation and
climate change.
Desertification contribute to global redistribution of
o It first time estimated global scale of public and
biota and rearrangement of ecological communities.
private nature-negative finance.
o Borealisation is expansion of temperate species
• Key Findings of Report
(terrestrial and marine) into Arctic polar- regions.
o Current finance flows to NbS: Around US$200
5.10.11. GLOBAL FINANCE billion which is only one third of NbS finance
ARCHITECTURE FOR SUSTAINABLE needed by 2030.
o Nature-negative finance flows: Estimated at
GROWTH
almost US$7 trillion per year.
• Green and Sustainable Growth Agenda for the global ✓ Nature-negative financial flows refer to
economy report released by NITI Aayog. finance flows for activities that could
• Report emphasized on ‘Reshaping Global Finance potentially have a negative effect on nature.
Architecture for Sustainable Growth’. Like fossil fuel subsidies.
• Need of Reshaping Global Finance Architecture: o Future investment needs: To meet Rio Convention
o Fragmented global financial architecture: Current targets finance flows to NbS must almost triple
global system is contributing to disparities in from current levels to reach US$542 billion per
economic recovery between developed and year by 2030.
developing regions.
✓ Global debt architecture is informal and
inefficient, with many low-income countries in
or nearing a debt crisis.
o Finance Requirement: There is need of USD 3
trillion over the next decade to finance green
growth.
✓ Poor mobilisation of private resources.
• Recommendations:
o Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs):
Reforming their structure to improve capital
mobilisation, better project implementation and
making sustainable infrastructure an asset class.
o Establishing multilateral creditor club: For
managing debt sustainably in a transparent
manner.
o Flexibility Missions: Countries in Global South
need them as they will provide them with the
means to adapt and innovate in response to
impacts of climate change.
o Expand bilateral swap lines and IMF contingency
lines to make capital flows safer. About Nature based Solutions (NbS)
✓ Also, making Special Drawing Rights (SDR) • NbS are actions to protect, sustainably manage, and
allocation rule-based and less discretionary.
restore natural and modified ecosystems that address
o Other long-term solutions: Creating resilience societal challenges effectively and adaptively,
funds, promoting circular economies, joint simultaneously benefiting people and nature.
• Examples of NbS are Reforestation and Afforestation,
Wetland Restoration, Green Infrastructure etc.
Related news
ENACT Partnership
• Six new countries and UN Environment
Programme have joined ENACT (Enhancing Nature-
based Solutions for an Accelerated Climate
Transformation) Partnership recently.
• About ENACT Partnership
o Launched by Germany and Egypt along with
the IUCN at COP 27, which took place at Sharm
el-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022.
o It aims to coordinate global efforts to address
climate change, land and ecosystem
degradation, and biodiversity loss through
Nature-based Solutions (NbS).
5.10.13. GLOBAL CLIMATE 2011-2020

REPORT
• The Global Climate 2011-2020 Report released by
World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
• Key Findings:
o 2011-2020 is the warmest decade on record for
both land and ocean.
o Northwest India, Pakistan, China and the southern
coast of the Arabian Peninsula experienced wet
decade.
o Marine heat waves (MHW) experienced over 60%
of the surface of oceans.
✓ MHW occurs when the surface temperature
of a particular region of the sea rises to 3 or 4
degree Celsius above the average temperature
for at least five days.
o Glaciers globally thinned by 1 meter per year.
✓ Antarctic ice sheet lost nearly 75% more ice (in
comparison to 2001-2010).
o Sea level rose at an annual rate of 4.5mm/yr.
• Key impacts on Human System:
o 94% of all disaster displacements recorded over
the last decade was due to weather related event.
o Four pillars of food security (access, availability,
utilization, stability) are facing threat, posing
5.10.14. COMPRESSED BIO-GAS
challenges in achieving SDG 2 targets by 2030. BLENDING OBLIGATION
• Key Recommendations: • Centre announced mandatory blending of
o Strengthening science-policy-society interaction Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) in CNG (Transport) & PNG
to advance synergistic action. (Domestic) segments of City Gas Distribution (CGD)
o Develop a framework for action (refer to image). Sector.
✓ It will help decision-makers to identify • Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas introduced
synergistic action for just transition. phase-wise CBG Blending Obligation (CBO) to promote
• WMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations, production and consumption of CBG.
established in 1950. • CBO is an obligation where mixtures of traditional and
alternative fuels (like CBG) are blended in varying
percentages in order to displace petroleum.
o It will encourage investment (around Rs. 37500 • ADB’s initiative aims to enhance municipal solid waste
crores) and facilitate establishment of 750 CBG (MSW) management under SBM-U 2.0 which commits
projects by 2028-29. all cities to be garbage-free by 2026.
• Key objectives of CBO ○ ADB’s Initiative (refer infographics) will be
o Stimulate demand for CBG in CGD sector, implemented in 100 cities across 8 states with a
o Import substitution for Liquefied Natural Gas, focus on climate resilience and social inclusivity.
o Saving in foreign exchange, • About MSW in India
o Promoting circular economy and, ○ MSW comprises solid or semi-solid commercial
o Assisting in achieving net zero emissions. and residential wastes including treated bio-
• CBO Roadmap medical wastes but excluding industrial hazardous
o CBO will be voluntary till FY 2024-2025 and wastes from municipal areas.
mandatory blending obligation would start from ○ In 2020-21, India generated 1.6 lakh TPD (Tonnes
FY 2025-26. Per Day) of solid waste, with 95.4% collected, but
o CBO shall be kept as 1%, 3% and 4% of total only 50% treated (CPCB report).
CNG/PNG consumption for FY 2025-26, 2026- 27 ○ Management of MSW is the responsibility of
and 2027-28 respectively. From 2028-29 onwards Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
CBO will be 5%. • Issues in MSW management in India
o Central Repository Body shall monitor and ○ Initially, urbanization did not incorporate MSW
implement blending mandate. management as a component.
• CBG is an energy-rich gas produced by anaerobic ○ Suboptimal compliance of source segregation.
decomposition of biomass like agriculture residue, ○ Insufficient funds with ULBs.
cattle dung, sugarcane press mud, municipal solid • Key initiatives:
waste, among other. ○ Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 provide for
• It comprises: Methane (it consists 90%), carbon detailed criteria for setting‐up solid waste
dioxide and low levels of Hydrogen sulphide and processing and treatment facility, among others
ammonia. ○ Waste to Wealth Mission to generate energy,
recycle materials, and extract resources of value
from waste.
○ SBM-U 2.0 calls for 100% source segregation, door
to door collection, etc.
5.10.15. LOAN TO INDIA FOR MSW

MANAGEMENT BY ADB
• Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved US $200
million loan to India to Improve Waste Management
and Sanitation.

5.10.16. MULTI-HAZARD EARLY
WARNING SYSTEMS (MHEWS)
• ‘Global Status of Multi-Hazard Early Warning Systems
2023’ report released by the United Nations and the
World Meteorological Organisation
• Multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) enables
individuals, communities, governments, business and
others to take timely action to reduce disaster risks in
advance of hazardous events.
o Four pillars of MHEWS are disaster risk
knowledge, observation & monitoring,
communication and preparedness to respond.
o Report assesses the current global status of
MHEWS against Target of the Sendai Framework
(2015-2030).
• Key highlights:
o Out of the 101 countries reporting having MHEWS,
95 have reported the existence of a disaster risk
reduction strategy.
o Common Alerting Protocol has helped the timely
flow of information from authoritative sources to
the public.
o Over 400 million people in Least Developed
Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing
States (SIDS) have access to better predictions and
warnings for floods, drought, etc.
• Challenges:
o Only half of the world is covered by an early
warning system.
o Increasing unpredictability, complexity and 5.10.17. ENNORE OIL SPILL
severity of hazardous events are challenging the
MHEWS capability. • Oil spill occurred in Ennore region of Chennai after
o In India, disaster risk knowledge and Cyclone Michaung-induced floods.
management, warning, dissemination and • As per Indian Coast Guard, Oil spill originating from
communication are not adequate. Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd refinery has
✓ However, preparedness, response spread across 20 square kilometres into the sea.
capabilities and detection, monitoring, • An oil spill is the release of a liquid petroleum
forecasting capabilities are available. hydrocarbon into environment, especially marine
areas.
• Causes of Oil Spills: Equipment breaking down due to
human errors; deliberate acts by illegal dumping
natural disasters like hurricanes, etc.
• Impacts of oil spill
o Destroys insulating ability of fur on mammals and
impacts water repelling qualities of a bird’s
feathers.
o Impacts immune system and reproduction of
dolphins and whales by oil inhalation.
o Health problems like heart damage, immune
system effects, headache due to strong odour, skin
irritation, etc.
o Obstruct passage of sunlight into sea, thereby
destroying photosynthesising phytoplankton.
o Impacts mangrove forests as they can no longer o It is mostly prevalent in Meghalaya because of
shield coastlines. thinness of coal found there.
• Bio remediation technology developed in India for Oil o Once the pits are dug, miners descend using ropes
spills or bamboo ladders to reach the coal seams.
o Oilzapper (developed by TERI), an eco-friendly o The coal is then manually extracted using
technique of using the bacteria to get rid of oil primitive tools such as pickaxes, shovels, and
sludges and oil- spill. baskets.
o Oilivorous-S (jointly developed by TERI and Indian • However, rat hole mining has various issues like:
Oil Corporation Ltd) has an additional bacterial o Soil erosion-excavation of rat hole causes the
strain that makes it more effective against sludge removal of vegetation.
and crude oil with high-sulphur content. o Water pollution- contaminate water sources with
pollutants and runoff from exposed mining areas
o Poor Ventilation- Cases have been reported of
miners succumbing to death.
o Involvement of children-underage labour in rat-
hole mining is a prevalent issue.
Banning Status
• The National Green Tribunal had banned Rat hole
mining in 2014 on grounds of the practice being
unscientific and unsafe for workers.
• However, in 2019 Supreme Court stated that if coal
mining is done under Mines and Minerals
(Development and Regulation) Act and Mineral
Concession Rules 1960, then NGT ban will not be
applicable.
5.10.19. MULLAPERIYAR DAM

• Supreme Court orders Survey of India to assess Kerala’s
mega parking project Near Mullaperiyar Dam.
• Survey of India will determine if the mega parking
project encroaches on Periyar Lake Lease Agreement
(1886) territory.
• Mullaperiyar dam
o It was constructed during 1887-1895 and owned,
operated, and maintained by Tamil Nadu
Government.
o It is located in upper reaches of river Periyar,
which flows into Kerala after originating in Tamil
Nadu.
✓ The reservoir is within Periyar Tiger Reserve.
• About the dispute
o The Dam was constructed based on Periyar Lake
Lease Agreement (1886) for a lease of 999 years.
5.10.18. RAT HOLE MINING METHOD ✓ Agreement signed between Maharaja of
Travancore and Secretary of State for India
• Rat Hole Mining method used to rescue workers in (during British rule).
Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse. o Earlier, Kerala Government claimed that dam is
• This method was used for horizontally drilling for the unsafe and a threat to people living downstream
remaining 10- to 12-meter stretch of debris in the and pitched for building a new dam.
collapsed section of the under-construction Silkyara o Whereas, Tamil Nadu government denies it and is
tunnel on the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand. utilising the dam to its full capacity after structural
• Rat Hole Mining involves digging of narrow pits dug strengthening.
into the ground, typically just large enough for one
person to descend and extract coal.
• Importance of Dams and Dams Safety • Survey of India
o Dams play a vital role in the overall water security o Survey of India is the National Survey and
and energy needs of a country. Mapping Organization.
o India’s third-largest number of dams in the world, ✓ It was set up in 1767.
and many of them are aging, and seismically o It works under the Department of Science &
vulnerable, thus safety becomes paramount. Technology.
o Unsafe dams expose downstream areas to risks of
catastrophic flooding, and displacement.

Environment Yearly 2023 Vision

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Jkssb Study Material Click 󰗐 . .......

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5.2. CLOUD FOREST ASSESTS

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5.3. THE WILDLIFE (PROTECTION) AMENDMENT ACT, 2022

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About the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act (WLPA), 2022

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5.4. FOREST (CONSERVATION) RULES, 2022

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5.5. HUMAN-WILDLIFE CONFLICT

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5.8. JOSHIMATH LAND SUBSIDENCE

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5.9. LARGE DAMS IN INDIA

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5.10. INTERNATIONAL CONTAINER TRANSHIPMENT PORT (ICTP)

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5.11.6. ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS

5.11.15. STANDARDS AND LABELING

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5.2. ETHANOL BLENDING

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5.5. WATER SENSITIVE CITIES

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5.6. SEA LEVEL RISE

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5.7. GLACIAL LAKES OUTBURST FLOODS (GLOFS)

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5.8. FIRST SYNCHRONIZED VULTURE SURVEY

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5.10. ORGANIC FARMING CERTIFICATION

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5.11. NANO UREA

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5.12. NEWS IN SHORTS

5.12.8. LADAKH’S FIRST BIODIVERSITY

• Construction of 4.1-km Shinkun La tunnel on Nimu- 5.12.11. PMN (POLYMETALLIC NODULES)

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5.12.19. MAMMATUS CLOUDS

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Draft High Seas Treaty

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5.2. UN 2023 WATER CONFERENCE

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5.3. AR6 SYNTHESIS REPORT: CLIMATE CHANGE 2023

5.4. CLIMATE JUSTICE