PMF IAS Environment CA 12-2022 and 01-2023

{Envi – Air Pollution – 2022/12} West Bengal’s ‘Graded Response Action Plan’
• Context (DTE): West Bengal Environment Department announced a Graded Response Action Plan
(GRAP) to combat rising pollution in Kolkata and other non-attainment cities (cities that have fallen
short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for over five years) like Howrah, Barrackpore,
Durgapur, Haldia and Asansol.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
• GRAP is a set of emergency measures that are imposed to prevent further deterioration of air quality,
once it reaches a certain threshold.
• Stage 1 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the ‘Poor’ category (201 to 300). Stage 2, Stage 3 and
Stage 4 are activated when AQI is ‘Very Poor’ (301-400), ‘Severe’ (401-450) and ‘Severe +’ (>450) respec-
tively.
Source: Battle bad air in Delhi-NCR: Citizen’s charter lists people’s duties in 4 stages | Delhi News - Times of
India (indiatimes.com)
Air Quality Index (AQI)
• AQI was launched by the Environment Ministry in 2015 under ‘Swachh Bharat’.
• It helps the common man to judge the air quality within his vicinity. There are six AQI categories, namely
Good, Satisfactory, Moderate, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.
• It considers eight pollutants - PM10, PM2.5, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Mon-
oxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Ammonia (NH3), and Lead (Pb).
Source: Air Pollution in India – Crucial Aspects | Environics Trust (environicsindia.in)
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)
• NAAQS are standards for air quality that are applicable all over the country.
• It is based on 12 pollutants - PM10, PM2.5, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Carbon Mon-
oxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Ammonia (NH3), Lead (Pb), Arsenic and Nickel.
• The power to set them is conferred to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) by the Air (Prevention and
Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• However, West Bengal’s GRAP is not graded. It includes the following:

 Mechanised sweeping and water sprinkling to roads to suppress dust.
 Disposal of dust and garbage in designated sites.

 Stop the open burning of garbage.
 Demolition materials and waste generated from construction sites are properly contained.
 Prohibition on open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste.

 Synchronisation of traffic movements.
 Continuous monitoring of the implementation of norms at pollution hotspots.

 Strict enforcement of PUC (pollution under control) norms for vehicles.
 Diversion of non-destined truck traffic.
 Strict action against banned fire-crackers bursting and use of non-compliant diesel generators.
{Envi – Biodiversity – 2022/12} Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
• Context (DTE | TH): During 15th COP to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) held at Mon-
treal (Canada), the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted.
• The framework which is not legally binding sets out 4 goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030.
Key Provisions of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

• 30×30 Pledge: To protect 30% of land and 30% of coastal and marine areas by 2030. At present, only 17%
of terrestrial and 10% of marine ecosystems are protected.
• Financing: To ensure $200 billion per year is channelled to conservation initiatives from public and private
sources. Wealthier countries should contribute at least $20 billion of this every year by 2025, and at least
$30 billion a year by 2030.
• Big Companies Report Impacts on Biodiversity: Companies should analyse and report how their opera-
tions affect and are affected by biodiversity issues.

• Harmful Subsidies: Countries are committed to identify subsidies that deplete biodiversity by 2025, and
then eliminate, phase out or reform them.

• Reduce Pesticide Use: Countries to reduce the use of pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by half.
Four Goals for 2050
• Goal 1: Maintenance of ecosystems, halting of human induced extinction of species and maintenance of
genetic diversity of species.
• Goal 2: Biodiversity is sustainably used and managed.

• Goal 3: Monetary and non-monetary benefits from the utilization of genetic resources are shared fairly and
equitably.
• Goal 4: Adequate means of implementation to fully implement the Kunming-Montreal GBF and equitable
accessibility to all Parties.
Source: PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions
{Envi – Biodiversity – 2023/01} Strategy to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict
• Context (DTE | TH): Odisha has come up with comprehensive strategy for ‘conservation of elephants and
mitigation of human-elephant conflict’. Odisha has seen the highest-ever human casualties due to human-
elephant conflict (HEC) in 2021-2022 than the years before.
• A zonation approach is adopted for this strategy. The zones are:
 Zone I ‘Elephant Conservation Zone’: It will be the elephant reserves where strict protection, no
change in land-use, improve habitat quality is ensured to retain the optimum number of elephants.
 Zone II ‘Co-existence Zone’: Here conflict is intended to be reduced through long-term strategies, dis-
courage destructive land-use practices, promote scientific eco-restoration of degraded forests and en-
courage wildlife-friendly land-use.

 Zone III ‘Conflict Mitigation Zone’: In this zone steps will be taken to reduce conflict through short-
term strategies, minimize human and elephant deaths and to retain a minimum viable number of ele-
phants as per social carrying capacity.
 Zone IV ‘No-go Area for Elephants’: The jumbos straying in this zone to be captured and translocated
forthwith to identified locations.
{Envi – Biodiversity Loss – 2023/01} Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) 2023
• Context (TH | TH): Recently Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) 2023 was conducted.
Key Findings of AWC 2023

• A decline in the number of migratory waterbirds (especially duck species) visiting the Alappuzha region
of Kerala. Duck species like Northern Shoveler, Common teal and Eurasian wigeon were totally missing.
• A shift in migration patterns of waterbirds is observed in the northern parts of Alappuzha.

• Lowest number of waterbirds sighted in three decades at the Kole Wetlands of Kerala (a Ramsar site and
an Important Bird Area).

• Climate change has affected the number of birds visiting the region. However, the precise impact of cli-
mate change on bird migration requires more studies.
Asian Waterbird Census
• AWC is a citizen-science programme supporting conservation and management of wetlands and wa-
terbirds worldwide.
• It is a part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC) coordinated by Wetlands International.
In India, it is jointly coordinated by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Wetlands Interna-
tional.
• It was initiated in the Indian subcontinent in 1987 and since then has grown rapidly to cover major regions
of Asia.
• Significance: It helps in implementation of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the Convention
on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Wetlands International
• It is the only global not-for-profit organisation dedicated to the conservation and restoration of wetlands.
• It works through a network of offices, partners and experts to achieve goals. It is supported by government,
private donors and NGOs.
Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)
• It is a pan-India wildlife research organization established in1883.

• Mission: Conservation of nature, primarily biological diversity through action based on research, education
and public awareness.
• It is designated as a Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (SIRO) by the Department of Sci-
ence & Technology (DST).
• It is the partner of BirdLife International (a worldwide alliance of nongovernmental organizations that
promotes the conservation of birds and their habitats) in India.
Details on Wetland Ecosystem > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition
Details on Measures to Protect Wetlands > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition
{Envi – Biodiversity Loss – 2023/01} Mass mortality of Olive Ridley Turtles

• Context (TH): The breeding grounds of Olive Ridley Turtles in Andhra Pradesh - Sakhinetipalli, Malikipu-
ram, Mamidikuduru and Allavaram - are witnessing the mass mortality of the turtles.
• Reason: The effluents being released from the aqua ponds along the coastline and the discharges from the
pipelines of the onshore oil exploration facilities are blamed for the mass mortality of the turtles.
Olive Ridley Turtle

• Olive Ridley sea turtle (or Pacific Ridley sea turtle) is the smallest and most abundant of all marine turtle
species in the world.
• Distribution: They are found in warm and tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
• They are known for the practice of unique mass nesting called Arribada. Mass nesting picks up in Decem-
ber and continues till January.

• Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary & Rushikulya Rookery Coast are the main Olive Ridley nesting sites in
India.
 Odisha Coast (mouths of three rivers – Dhamra, Rushikulya and Devi Rivers) is the largest mass nest-
ing site.
• Threats: Unsustainable egg collection, slaughtering nesting females on the beach, and direct harvesting
adults at sea for commercial sale, coastal development, natural disasters, climate change, and other sources
of beach erosion.
• Conservation Status:
 IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

 CITES: Appendix I
 Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Difference between Turtle and Tortoise
Turtles Tortoises
Turtles are water-dwelling reptiles. Tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles.
They come to land to lay eggs. They do everything on land.
They are good swimmers (fore and hind limbs are They are bad swimmers (fore and hind limbs are not
modified into paddles). modified into paddles).
Majority of them are carnivores, while some are They are herbivores.
omnivores and very few are herbivores.
They are comparatively smaller in size. They are generally large in size.
They usually have short life span (20-40 years). They usually have long life span (80-120 years).
Their heads can partially withdraw into shells. Their heads can completely withdraw into shells.
Not all turtles are tortoises. All tortoises are turtles as they belong to the order
Testudines or Chelonia (reptiles having bodies en-
cased in a bony shell).
{Envi – CC – 2022/12} Antarctica’s Emperor Penguin
• Context (IE): 97% of land-based Antarctic species could decline by 2100 due to milder temperatures in
Antarctica (due to global warming) and more human visitors. It also creates the conditions for invasive
species to thrive.
• Emperor penguin is the most vulnerable species. Other species under threat includes two flowering plants
(hardy moss and lichens), microbes, invertebrates and seabirds, including Adélie penguins.
• Two most beneficial strategies to mitigate the scenario are “managing non-native species and disease” and
“managing and protecting species”.
Emperor Penguin
• Emperor Penguin is the tallest and heaviest of all living penguin species. It is endemic to Antarctica and
has a life span of 15 to 20 years in the wild. It relies on ice for breeding.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
 Penguins: A group of aquatic flightless birds. They live primarily in the Southern Hemisphere; the Gala-
pagos penguin is the only species found north of the equator.
{Envi – CC – 2022/12} Carbon Border Tax

• Context (DTE | IE): At the 27th Conference of Parties (COP) in Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt), the BASIC group,
comprising India, China, Brazil and South Africa, opposed carbon border tax.
Carbon Border Tax or Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

• Carbon border tax is a duty on imports based on the amount of carbon emission resulting from the
production of the product in question.
• It is proposed by European Union (EU) to tax carbon-intensive products, such as iron and steel, cement,
fertiliser, aluminium and electricity generation, from 2026.
• Benefits:
 It will level the playing field for EU’s firms, protecting them from competitors who can manufacture
more cheaply in countries with lenient environmental laws.
 It will act as a signal to push other countries to implement stronger emission reduction efforts.
• Opposition:
 It goes against the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR) enshrined in
the Paris Agreement.
 In this world of global value chains, carbon emitting activities (like manufacturing) are outsourced
by lead firms and low carbon emitting activities (like branding and financing) are retained. So, the
comparative energy efficiency in the North cannot be delinked from the energy inefficiency in the
South.
 Carbon emissions in traded goods and services comprise only 27% of global carbon emissions indi-
cating that the scope of international trade policy in achieving global green growth is limited.
 Common But Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR): This principle acknowledges different capabilities
and differing responsibilities of individual countries in addressing climate change. It has evolved from the
notion of the ‘common heritage of mankind’ which recognizes historical differences in the contributions of
developed and developing countries to global environmental problems and differences in their present ca-
pability to tackle these problems.
{Envi – CC – 2022/12} Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture
• Context (HT): India raised strong objections to Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture (KJWA), a special
UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) effort.
• KJWA seeks to expand efforts to reduce emissions of greenhouses gases to the agriculture sector.
• It addresses 6 interrelated topics on soils, nutrient use, water, livestock, methods for assessing adaptation,
and the socio-economic and food security dimensions of climate change across the agricultural sectors.
Why India Opposes KJWA?
• According to India, agricultural emissions are not “luxury” emissions but “survival” emissions of the
poor. In most developing countries, agriculture is done by small and marginal farmers who brave the vagar-
ies of extreme weather and climate variability as well as the additional stress of climate change.
• Moreover, the world is facing the present climate crisis because of the excessive historic cumulative emis-
sions by the developed nations. These nations are still unable to reduce their emissions domestically by any
worthwhile change in their lifestyles and are rather searching for cheaper solutions abroad.
{Envi – CC – 2023/01}
• Context (IE): Several parts of Europe witnessed an unprecedented winter heat wave over New Year’s week-
end due to the formation of a heat dome over the region.
Heat Dome
• A heat dome occurs when an area of high-pressure traps warm air over a region for an extended pe-
riod of time. High pressure forces air to sink and once it reaches the ground, it gets compressed and be-
comes even warmer. Moreover, when air sinks, it gets drier and further raises the temperature of the area.
• Heat domes generally stay for a few days but sometimes they can extend up to weeks, which might
cause deadly heat waves.
• Formation: Heat dome conditions arise when the jet stream develops a large wave pattern (Rossby
Waves). When these waves get bigger and elongated, they move slowly and become stationary. This is
when a high-pressure system gets stuck and leads to the occurrence of a heat dome.
 Jet streams: They are relatively narrow bands of strong wind in the upper levels of the atmosphere.
Causes of Formation of Heat Dome
• Change in Ocean Temperature: When there is a strong gradient (change) in ocean temperatures, it causes
more warm air heated by the ocean surface to rise over the ocean surface. As prevailing winds move the
warm air towards land, jet stream traps the air and sinks it, resulting in heat domes.
• Climate Change: The rising temperatures due to climate change is expected to make jet stream wavier and
more stationary, causing frequent heat dome formations which are intense and longer.
{Envi – CC – 2023/01} World's 5th Warmest Year on Record
• Context (TH): 2022 was the world's 5th warmest year on record and the last nine years were the warmest
since pre-industrial times, putting the 2015 Paris Agreement's goal to limit global warming to 1.5°C in seri-
ous jeopardy.
• 2015 was jointly the 5th warmest year along with 2022 despite the presence of the La Nina weather pattern
in the Pacific Ocean, which generally lowers global temperatures slightly.
• The world's average global temperature is now 1.1°C to 1.2°C higher than in pre-industrial times.
{Envi – Climate Change – 2022/12} Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission
• Context (IE | TH): Tamil Nadu became the first state in India to launch its own climate change mission
to make Tamil Nadu a ‘climate smart state’.
 Climate smart: It is an approach that envisages sustainable development and green economy, while maximis-
ing mitigation and adaptation of climate challenges to achieve climate resilience.

• The mission will follow a bottom-up approach to facilitate the participation of local communities
• It will focus on bio fencing of coastal areas, green fellowship, climate smart villages, green rating of indus-
tries and buildings.

• ‘Tamil Nadu Green Climate Company’ was established to steer three major missions of the state govern-
ment – Climate Change Mission, Green Tamil Nadu Mission (to increase the State’s green cover from
23.71% to 33%), and Tamil Nadu Wetlands Mission.
 Meendum Manjappai: It is a flagship scheme of the Tamil Nadu government that encourages the use of
yellow cloth bags in place of single-use plastic bags.
{Envi – Conservation – 2022/12} Freezing of Great Barrier Reef Coral
• Context (TH): Scientists have successfully trialled the freezing of Great Barrier Reef coral. It is the world’s
first trial to freeze corals.
• Rising ocean temperatures are destabilising delicate ecosystems of corals. The Great Barrier Reef has suf-
fered four bleaching events in the last seven years, including the first-ever bleach during a La Niña phe-
nomenon (which typically brings cooler temperatures).

 Coral Polyps: They are shallow warm water organisms which have a soft body covered by a calcare-
ous skeleton. They live in a symbiotic relationship with microscopic algae called Zooxanthellae. Al-
gae with its photosynthetic abilities feed the coral polyps and in return, the polyps provide protection to
Zooxanthellae.
 Coral Reefs: They are formed when the freely moving coral polyps attach themselves to sedimentary
rocks or hard surfaces near the coastlines. When the coral polyps die, they shed their skeleton (coral) on
which new polyps grow. The cycle is repeated for millions of years and shallow rock layers created by the
depositions of corals are called coral reefs.

 Coral Bleaching: When corals face stress by changes in temperature, light, or nutrients, they expel the
symbiotic algae zooxanthellae, causing them to turn completely white. This phenomenon is called coral
bleaching.
Preserving Corals
• Cryogenically frozen coral reefs can be stored and later reintroduced to the wild to protect them against
rising ocean temperatures. But the current process requires sophisticated equipment including lasers.
• The newly developed ‘Cryomesh’ technology is lightweight, can be manufactured cheaply and can better
preserve corals. It enables the storage of the coral larvae at -196°C (-320.8°F).
{Envi – Conservation – 2022/12} Lion@47: Vision for Amrutkal
• Context (PIB): The Project Lion document titled ‘Lion @ 47: Vision for Amrutkal’ has been launched.
Project Lion
• Project Lion envisages landscape ecology-based conservation of the Asiatic Lion in Gujarat by integrating
conservation and eco-development.
• The Project is being implemented in the Gir landscape in Gujarat which is the last home of the Asiatic
lion. (Project Tiger is implemented in 53 tiger reserves.)
• Objectives of Project Lion:

 to secure & restore lions’ habitats for managing their growing population;
 to scale up livelihood generation and participation of local communities;
 to become a global hub of knowledge on big cat disease diagnostics and treatment;
 to create inclusive biodiversity conservation through the Project Lion initiative
Asiatic Lion
• Asiatic Lion (also known as Persian Lion or Indian Lion) is restricted to India. Earlier it was found in West
Asia and the Middle East.

• In India, they are found at Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (the only abode of the Asiatic lion).
Earlier it was also found in West Bengal and in central India.
 IUCN Red List: Endangered

• Difference between Asiatic and African Lion: Asiatic lions are smaller than African lions. They have a longi-
tudinal fold of skin running along their belly which is rarely found in African lions.
{Envi – Conservation – 2022/12} Nilgiri Tahr Project
• Context (IE | TH): Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday has launched the first project in the country
to conserve the Nilgiri tahr. This project will be funded by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board.
• Objectives of the project;

 To conduct surveys to estimate numbers of the tahrs through radio telemetry and radio-collaring
 To restore and re-introduce the tahrs in its original habitat
 To address proximate threats

 To increase public awareness of the species
Nilgiri Tahr
• Nilgiri Tahr, locally known as Varaiaadu, is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
• It is the only mountain ungulate in southern India among the 12 species found in India.
 Ungulate: A herbivorous hoofed mammal; e.g., cow, sheep, horse, camels etc.
• It is endemic to the southern portion of the Western and Eastern Ghats. It is mainly found the Nilgiri Hills
but is now restricted only to Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

• Habitat: Tropical montane grasslands and shrublands (locally called sholas) at elevations of 1,200 to 2,600
m.

{Envi – Conservation – 2022/12} Rewilding of Asian Giant Tortoise
• Context (DTE | TH): 10 captive-bred Asian Giant tortoise were soft-released (a process of gradually re-
leasing captive-raised species into the wild) into Intanki National Park, Nagaland.
Asian Giant Tortoise

• Asian Giant Tortoises are the largest tortoises in mainland Asia and are found in Bangladesh, India, Indo-
nesia, and Malaysia among other places.
 IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
 CITES: Appendix II
 Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule IV
Difference between Turtle and Tortoise
Turtles Tortoises
Turtles are water-dwelling reptiles. Tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles.
They come to land to lay eggs. They do everything on land.
They are good swimmers (fore and hind limbs are They are bad swimmers (fore and hind limbs are not
modified into paddles). modified into paddles).
Majority of them are carnivores, while some are They are herbivores.
omnivores and very few are herbivores.
They are comparatively smaller in size. They are generally large in size.
They usually have short life span (20-40 years). They usually have long life span (80-120 years).
Their heads can partially withdraw into shells. Their heads can completely withdraw into shells.
Not all turtles are tortoises. All tortoises are turtles as they belong to the order
Testudines or Chelonia (reptiles having bodies en-

cased in a bony shell).
{Envi – Conservation – 2022/12} Three Himalayan Medicinal Plants enter IUCN

Red List
• Context (TH): Three medicinal plant species found in the Himalayas (Meizotropis pellita, Fritilloria cir-
rhosa and Dactylorhiza hatagirea) have made it to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Meizotropis pellita
• Commonly known as Patwa, it is a perennial shrub (with restricted distribution) that is endemic (native)
to Uttarakhand. It belongs to the pea family.

• Significance: Essential oil extracted from its leaves possesses strong antioxidants (can be a promising natu-
ral substitute for synthetic antioxidants in pharmaceutical industries).

• IUCN Red List status: It is listed as ‘critically endangered’ based on its limited area of occupancy (less
than 10 sq. km). It is threatened by deforestation, habitat fragmentation and forest fires.
Fritilloria cirrhosa
• Commonly known as Himalayan fritillary and Kakoli, it is a perennial bulbous herb. It belongs to the lily
family.
 Bulb: A rounded underground stem surrounded by fleshy modified leaves which contains the shoot of a new
plant.
• Significance: It is a strong cough suppressant and source of expectorant drugs. In China, it is used for the
treatment of bronchial disorders and pneumonia.

• IUCN Red List status: It is listed as ‘vulnerable’ considering its rate of decline, long generation length,
poor germination potential, high trade value, extensive harvesting pressure and illegal trade.
 Expectorant drug: It is a type of cough medicine used to help clear mucus (phlegm) from one’s airway.
 Long generation length: It is the average time between two consecutive generations in the lineages of a popu-
lation
Dactylorhiza hatagirea
• Commonly known as Himalayan Marsh Orchid, Salampanja, Hatta haddi and Panchaule, it is perennial
tuberous herb that is endemic to Hindu Kush and Himalayan ranges of Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, In-
dia, Nepal, and Pakistan. It belongs to the orchid family.
 Tuber: A swollen underground stem or root of a plant from which new plants can grow.
• Significance: It is extensively used in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and other alternative systems of medicine to
cure dysentery, gastritis, chronic fever, cough and stomach aches.

• IUCN Red List status: It is listed as ‘endangered’ because it is threatened by habitat loss, livestock grazing,
deforestation, and climate change.
Difference between Shrub and Herb
Shrub Herb
Taller than herbs (but smaller than trees) Smaller than shrubs
Mainly perennial Can be annual, biennial, and perennial
Profuse branching of stems Less branching of stems.
Woody and hard stems Thin and soft stems
Cannot be easily uprooted Can be easily uprooted
For information on IUCN Red List of Threatened Species > IUCN Red List India | Red Data List | Red Book
Part-1 - PMF IAS
{Envi – Conservation – 2022/12} Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022
• Context (IE | TH): Rajya Sabha clears Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022 which is enacted to
amend the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The amendment bill was cleared by the Lok Sabha during
the monsoon session.
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA, 1972)
• The WPA, 1972 is a legal framework for the protection of wild animals, birds and plants and for matters
connected with them (like management of their habitats, regulation and control of trade in wild animals,
plants and products made from them) to ensure the ecological and environmental security of the coun-
try.
• It extends to the whole of India. Earlier it was not applicable to Jammu & Kashmir when Article 370
(which gave special status to J&K) was in force.

• It lists the species in six schedules to provide them protection.
 Schedule I: It covers endangered species. Their poaching, hunting and trading are prohibited.
 Schedule II: Their trade is prohibited. They cannot be hunted except under threat to human life
or if they are suffering from a disease that is beyond recovery.
 Schedule III & IV: They cover species that are not endangered (big game in Schedule III and
small game in Schedule IV). Their hunting is prohibited but the penalty for any violation is less
compared to the first two schedules.
 Schedule V: It includes the vermin (problematic creatures that damage crops, livestock and
property and spread diseases). Their hunting is allowed.
 Schedule VI: It contains plants that are forbidden from cultivation, trade and possession.
Objectives of the Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022

• The Bill is enacted to address the following objectives:
 Give effect to India's obligations under the Convention on Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora (CITES) (it requires countries to regulate the trade of all listed specimens through per-
mits)
 Rationalise schedules which list out species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (WPA, 1972)
 Strengthen the protection of species (esp. endangered species)

 Conserve and protect wildlife through better management of protected areas
 Benefit the local tribal communities

Amendments Proposed in Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022
• The Bill reduces the number of schedules to four which involves the removal of schedule for vermin
species and insertion of a new schedule for specimens under CITES.

 The WPA, 1972 has six schedules – for specially protected animals (Schedule I, II, III, IV), vermin species
(Schedule V) and specially protected plants (Schedule VI)
 Specimen: Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Bill, 2022 defines ‘specimen’ as any animal or plant (dead or
alive).
• The Bill empowers the central government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession or
proliferation of invasive alien species (plant or animal species which are not native to India and whose in-
troduction may adversely impact wild life or its habitat).
• It provides for any person to voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to the Chief
Wild Life Warden. No compensation will be paid to the person for surrendering and surrendered items will
become the state’s property.
• It empowers the Central government to declare areas adjacent to National Parks and Wild Life Sanc-
tuaries as Conservation Reserves for protecting flora and fauna, and their habitat.
 Under the WPA, 1972, this power was entrusted only to state governments.
• It specifies that the Chief Warden must act according to the management plans for the sanctuary which are
prepared as per guidelines of the Central government and as approved by the Chief Warden.
 The WPA 1972 has entrusted the Chief Wild Life Warden who is appointed by the state government to
control, manage and maintain all sanctuaries in a state.
• It seeks to amend Section 6 of the WPA, 1972 to constitute Standing Committee to exercise such powers
and duties as may be delegated to it by the State Board for Wildlife.
• It seeks to amend Section 43 of the WPA, 1972 to permit transfer or transport of a captive elephant (a
Schedule I animal) for ‘religious or any other purpose’ by a person having a valid certificate of owner-
ship.
• It inserts Section 49E to enable Central government to appoint a Management Authority to grant export
or import permits for trade of specimens. It also inserts Section 49F to empower Central government to
appoint a Scientific Authority to advice on impact on the survival of the specimens being traded.
These provisions are included to ensure ‘sustainable exploitation’ of flora and fauna.
 Every person possessing live specimens of scheduled animals to obtain a registration certificate from
the Management Authority.

 Every person engaging in trade of a scheduled specimen must report the details of the transaction to
the Management Authority.
 The Management Authority (as per CITES) may use an identification mark for a specimen. The Bill pro-
hibits any person from modifying or removing the identification mark of the specimen.
• It also enhances the penalties for violation of provisions of the WPA. For 'General violations', maximum fine
is increased from 25,000 to 1 lakh. In case of ‘Specially protected animals’, the minimum fine of Rs. 10,000 is
enhanced to Rs. 25,000.
Arguments against Amendments
• Against elephant protection: The provision of allowing the transfer of captive elephants for ‘any other
purpose’ is vague and can be used as loop hole for commercial trade of elephants their captivity and bru-
tality.
• Human-wildlife harmony is overlooked: According to critics, the amendment bill has missed the oppor-
tunity to address important the issues relating to Human-Wildlife conflict, Eco-sensitive Zone rule, etc.
• Against the federal structure of the Constitution: Protection of wild animals and birds is a subject under
Concurrent List of the Constitution. But many provisions of the amendment bill have increased the power
of the Central government is this regard and reduces state's involvement.
• Issue of vermin species: The amendment bill removes the schedule for vermin species. Thus, the Centre
can easily declare any species to be ‘vermin’ and allow them to be hunted freely.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES)
• CITES (or Washington Convention) is an international agreement (multilateral treaty) between govern-
ments.
• It was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted by members of IUCN in 1963. It entered into force in
1975.
• Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threat-
en their survival.
• CITES is legally binding on the Parties. India is a signatory to the CITES.
 However, it does not take the place of national laws. It only provides a framework to be respect-
ed by each Party. The parties need to adopt their own domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is
implemented at the national level.

• Three categories of protection are offered to species by CITES. They are:
 Appendix I: It includes species threatened with extinction. Their trade is permitted only in ex-
ceptional circumstances.
 Appendix II: It includes species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but may become so if
their trade is not controlled.
 Appendix III: contains species that are protected in at least one country, which has asked other
CITES Parties for assistance in controlling the trade.
Constitutional Provisions for the Wildlife Act
• Article 48A (Directive Principles of State Policy): the State to protect and improve the environment and
safeguard wildlife and forests (it was added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976).
• Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duties): to protect and improve the natural environment including forests,
lakes, rivers, and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.
• 42nd Amendment Act, 1976: It transferred Forests, and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds from State
to Concurrent List.
History of Wildlife Protection Legislation in India
• Wild Birds Protection Act, 1887 was passed by the British Indian Government.
• Wild Birds and Animals Protection Act, 1912. It was amended in 1935.
• In 1960 the issue of certain species becoming extinct raised concern.
• Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 was into effect.
{Envi – Conservation – 2022/12} World Restoration Flagships
• Context (PIB | TH): The United Nations (UN) has recognized Namami Gange initiative as one of the top 10
World Restoration Flagships to revive the natural world at the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the
Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada.
World Restoration Flagships

• World Restoration Flagships are best and most promising examples of large-scale and long-term ecosys-
tem restoration in any country or region.
• They are selected under the banner of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (a global
movement by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Food and Agri-
culture Organization (FAO) that aims to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of natural spaces across
the planet).
• The ten recognized flagships will be eligible to receive UN support, funding or technical expertise.
Namami Gange Programme
• ‘Namami Gange Programme’ is an Integrated Conservation Mission to accomplish the twin objectives of
effective abatement of pollution, conservation and rejuvenation of National River Ganga.
• Approved as a ‘Flagship Programme’ by the Union Government in 2014, it is a centrally sponsored
scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• It is being implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterpart or-
ganizations i.e., State Program Management Groups (SPMGs).
• The main pillars of the programme are:

 Sewage Treatment Infrastructure
 River-Front Development
 River-Surface Cleaning
 Biodiversity Conservation
 Afforestation
 Public Awareness
 Industrial Effluent Monitoring

 Ganga Gram: Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation (MoDWS) identified 1674 Gram Panchayats sit-
uated on the bank of River Ganga in 5 states (Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West
Bengal) for construction of toilets.
National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG)
• NMCG, the implementation wing of National Ganga Council, was established in 2011 as a registered
society.
• The objectives of NMCG are:

 To ensure effective abatement of pollution and rejuvenation of the river Ganga by adopting a river
basin approach to promote inter-sectoral coordination for comprehensive planning and manage-
ment.
 To maintain minimum ecological flows in the river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water quality and
environmentally sustainable development.
National Ganga Council

• The National Ganga Council (also known as the National Council for Rejuvenation, Protection, and Man-
agement of River Ganga) was set up in 2016. It replaced the National River Ganga Basin Authority
(NRGBA).
• It is chaired by Prime Minister and is formed under the Environment (Protection) Act (EPA),1986.
• It is responsible for the supervision of pollution prevention and rejuvenation of River Ganga Basin and its
tributaries.
{Envi – Conservation – 2023/01} Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022
• Context (TH): National Commission for Scheduled Tribes stated that the Forest (Conservation) Rules,
2022 are violative of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.
Key Provisions of Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022

• Formation of Committees: It constituted an Advisory Committee, a regional empowered committee at
each of the integrated regional offices and a screening committee at the State/UT level.
• Approval by Central Government: Approval for diverting forest land beyond five hectares for non-forestry
uses must be given by the Central government. Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) will do it on behalf of the
Central government.
• Shift of Responsibility: It shifts the Central government's responsibility to take the consent of inhabitants
(before the approval of a project) onto the State governments. After FAC’s approval, the State government
will ensure compliance with the Forest Right Act, 2006, collect compensatory funds and then process the fi-
nal approval.
• No Consent of Inhabitants Required: It allows the Central government to permit the clearing of a forest
before consulting its inhabitants.
• No Consent of Gram Sabha Required: It had done away with the requirement of mandatory consent of
Gram Sabhas before the Stage 1 clearance. Now this process can be done even after Stage 2 clearance.
• Compensatory Afforestation: It stated that those applying for diverting forest land in a hilly or mountain-
ous state with 2/3rd of its geographical area as forest cover or a state/UT with over 1/3rd of its geographical
area as forest cover will take up compensatory afforestation in other states/UTs where the cover is less than
20%.
• Private Plantations: It made a provision for private parties to cultivate plantations and sell them as land to
companies who need to meet compensatory afforestation targets.
• Allows Building in Forests: It allowed the right to construct structures for bonafide purposes including
forest protection measures and residential units (up to an area of 250 sq.m as one-time relaxation).
Concerns Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022
• The major concern with Forest Conservation Rules, 2022 (FCR 2022) is the doing away of Consent of In-
habitants and Consent of Gram Sabha for the diversion of forest lands. By doing so it has violated the
Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA 2006) and compromised the forest dwellers’ rights as recognised by FRA
2006.
 The requirement of consent for diverting forest lands gives legal recognition to the rights of the
forest dwellers. It provides them with the power to ensure that forest lands are diverted following
the due process and claim for their proper resettlement.
Government’s Position
• The government have countered that FCR 2022 are framed under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 and
that the NCST’s apprehension of these rules being in violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 was “not
legally tenable”.
• It also said that FCR 2022 provides for diversion of forest land only after fulfilment and compliance of all
provisions under the FRA 2006 and does not infringe upon the operation of other laws mandating consent
of Gram Sabhas.
Constitutional Provisions for Forest Acts
• Article 48A (Directive Principles of State Policy): the State to protect and improve the environment and
safeguard wildlife and forests (it was added to the Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976).
• Article 51A(g) (Fundamental Duties): to protect and improve the natural environment including forests,
lakes, rivers, and wildlife and to have compassion for living creatures.
• 42nd Amendment Act, 1976: It transferred Forests, and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds from State
to Concurrent List.
Forest Related Initiatives in India
• Indian Forest Policy, 1952: It was an extension of colonial forest policy. It stated about the need to in-
crease the forest cover to 1/3rd of the total land area of the country.
• Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: It was enacted to regulate deforestation in the country. It prohibits
use of forest land for ‘non-forest purpose’ without prior clearance from the central government. The
clearance process includes seeking consent from local forest dwellers and wildlife authorities.
• National Forest Policy, 1988: Its principal aim was to maintain environmental stability and ecological
balance through conservation of forests.
• National Afforestation Programme (2000): It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest
and Climate Change (MoEFCC) for the afforestation of degraded forest lands.
• Forest Rights Act, 2006: It was enacted to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in
forest land to forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been
residing in such forests for generations. It recognizes the rights of forest dwellers to access, use, and con-
serve forests and their resources.

 It also provided for the constitution of Gram Sabhas for helping in the process of recognizing and
vesting forest rights.
Details on Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition
Details on Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA 2006) > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition
{Envi – Conservation – 2023/01} Habitat Loss of Asian Elephant
• Context (TH): Study shows that Asian elephant has lost most of its optimal habitat in Nilgiri Biosphere Re-
serve.
• Significance: If the movement of elephants is restricted then there will be more in-breeding leading to low
genetic diversity. Low genetic diversity increases the chances of disease and lowers fertility rates.
 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: It is a biosphere reserve in the Nilgiri mountains of the Western Ghats in
South India. It is the largest protected forest area in India, spreading across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
and Kerala. It includes the protected areas:- Mudumalai National Park (NP), Mukurthi NP, Sath-
yamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) in Tamil Nadu; Nagarhole NP, Bandipur NP in Karnataka; Silent
Valley NP, Aralam WLS, Wayanad WLS, and Karimpuzha WLS in Kerala.
Asian Elephant
• Elephants are the largest terrestrial mammals. They are keystone species.
 Keystone species: A species whose addition to or loss from an ecosystem leads to major changes in the oc-
currence (presence) of at least one other species. All top predators (Tiger, Lion, Crocodile, Elephant) are
keystone species because they regulate all other animal population indirectly.
• They are matriarchal, meaning they live in female-led groups.

• Females become sexually mature at the age of 15, depending on their nutrition intake. Males become ma-
ture between the ages of 9 and 13, and then they disperse from the matriarchal group and establish their
independent home range.

• The gestation period of elephant is 18 to 22 months and calf is nursed for 2 to 4 years. Lifespan of ele-
phants is 60-70 years in the wild.

• There are three species of elephants: African Forest Elephant (Critically Endangered), African Savanna
Elephant (Endangered) and Asian Elephant (Endangered).
• There are three subspecies of Asian elephant: Indian, Sumatran and Sri Lankan.
• Conservation status of Asian elephants:

• India is home to 50% of the Asian elephant population. Karnataka is the leading state with 25% of Asian
elephant population in India.
• Indian subspecies has the widest range among Asian elephants and accounts for the majority of the ele-
phants on the continent.
Difference between Asian Elephant and African Elephant
Asian Elephant African Elephant
• Comparatively smaller. • Relatively larger.
• Estimated population: 40,000 to 50,000. • Estimated population: 4,15,000
• IUCN Red List status: Endangered • IUCN Red List status:

 Forest Elephant: Critically Endangered
 Savannah Elephant: Endangered
• CITES status: Appendix I • CITES status: Appendix I

• Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 status: Schedule I
• Only some male Asian elephants have tusks. • Both male & female African elephants grow
tusks.
• They have only 1 finger-like feature on the end of • They have 2 finger-like features at the tip of
their trunk. the trunk.

{Envi – Conservation – 2023/01} Increase in Birds at Bhitarkanika National Park
• Context (LM): The Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha has registered an increase in its bird population.
However, diversity of bird species has decreased (140 species of birds spotted compared to 144 last year).
Bhitarkanika National Park

• Bhitarkanika National Park, located in Kendrapara district of Odisha, is the 2nd Ramsar site of the state af-
ter Chilka Lake.
• It is located in the estuary of Brahmani, Baitarani and Dhamra.

• It is surrounded by Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary separates the
park from the Bay of Bengal.
• Major Fauna: Saltwater (estuarine) crocodile (LC), Indian python, king cobra, etc. It houses 70% of the
country’s saltwater crocodiles.
• Major Flora: Mangrove species. It is the 2nd largest mangrove ecosystem in India.
{Envi – Conservation – 2023/01} Neelakurinji on the list of Protected Plants
• Context (TH): Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) has listed Neelakurinji plant un-
der Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Implications of this protection are:
 Uproot or destruction of the plant will lead to penalty and imprisonment
 Cultivation and possession of the plant is not allowed
Neelakurinji Plant
• Neelakurinji is endemic to a small stretch in the Western Ghats from the Mangaladevi hills to the Nilgiris
hills. It is a shrub found in the Shola forests of Western Ghats.
• It grows at an altitude of 1300 to 2400 m.

• This purplish-blue flower gave the Nilgiri Mountains range its name.
• It blooms once in 12 years as the pollination of flowers needs a longer period. It flowers during Septem-
ber-October. Eravikulam National Park (near Munnar) is known for its widespread blooming.
• Tamil Nadu’s ‘Paliyan’ tribe used the Neelakurinji flowers to calculate age.
• Kurinjimala Sanctuary of Kerala and Kurinji Andavar Temple of Tamil Nadu (dedicated to Murugan) pre-
serves these plants.
{Envi – Conservation – 2023/01} Recovery of Ozone Layer
• Context (DTE | IE): According to an UN-backed report, the Earth's ozone layer is on track to completely
recover within four decades due to the successful global phaseout of ozone-depleting chemicals as en-
visioned by the Montreal Protocol and Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
• If current ozone conservation policies remain in place, the ozone layer should recover by around 2066 over
the Antarctic, by 2045 over the Arctic and by 2040 for the rest of the world.
• Concerns raised: The report flagged that geoengineering experiments to reduce global warming can
damage the ozone layer.

 Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (intentional addition of aerosols into the stratosphere) increases sun-
light reflection and lowers the amount of heat that enters the troposphere. But this method can also af-
fect stratospheric temperatures, circulation and ozone production and destruction rates and transport.
Ozone Layer
• Ozone layer is a layer of ozone gas in the stratosphere (between 15 and 50 km). Almost 90% of ozone is in
the stratosphere.
 Ozone (O3): It is a molecule made up of three atoms of oxygen (O).
• This layer absorbs a portion of the radiation from the Sun, prevents Sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radia-
tion from reaching the surface. Increase in penetration of UV rays leads to sunburns, skin cancer, cataracts,
reduced crop yields etc.
Ozone Layer Depletion and Ozone Hole
• Ozone molecules are constantly formed and destroyed in the stratosphere. Without human intervention,
the amount of ozone in the ozone layer should remain constant over time. But if more ozone molecules get
destroyed than formed, then the earth’s ozone layer gradually thins and it is called ozone layer depletion.
• Ozone hole is an area where ozone levels drop below the historical threshold of 220 Dobson Units (DU
is the measure of ozone concentrations).
• Causes of ozone layer depletion are:

 Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS): They release chlorine and bromine atoms on exposure to UV
rays. When chlorine and bromine atoms come in contact with ozone, they destroy the ozone molecules.
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the most abundant ODS. Nitrogenous compounds (NO2, NO, and N2O)
also act as ODS.
ODSs Sources
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) Refrigerators, Air-conditioners, Solvents, Dry-cleaning agents, etc.
Halons Fire-extinguishers
Carbon tetrachloride Solvents & Fire extinguishers
Methyl chloroform Aerosols & Adhesives
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) Air-conditioners, Solvents & Fire extinguishers
 Natural Causes: Certain natural processes such as sunspots, stratospheric winds and volcanic eruption
also destroy ozone.

 Unregulated Rocket Launches: They may deplete more ozone than the CFCs do.
Initiatives to Recover Ozone Layer
Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer
• Vienna Convention (1985) was established for global monitoring and reporting on ozone depletion.
• It also created a framework for the development of protocols for taking more binding action.
Montreal Protocol on on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
• Montreal Protocol under the Vienna Convention was agreed in 1987. India is a signatory of it.
• It aims to phase out certain Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) by specific deadlines.
• The Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol are the first and only global environmental treaties to
achieve universal ratification, with 197 parties.
Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol
• In the 28th meeting of the Parties (2016) to the Montreal Protocol held in Kigali (capital of Rwanda), an
agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol was signed.
• It aims for the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) by cutting their production and consumption.
The parties are expected to reduce HFCs by 80-85% from their respective baselines, till 2045.
 Reason: Montreal Protocol led to the replacement of CFCs and HCFCs with HFCs which do not de-
stroy the ozone layer. But later HFCs are found extremely potent in causing global warming.
• This phase down is expected to arrest the global average temperature rise up to 0.5 °C by 2100.
• It is a legally binding agreement which came into effect from 1st January 2019. It is the first legally bind-
ing climate treaty of the 21st century.
Details on Ozone Depletion > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition
Details on National & International Measures to Regulate Ozone Depleting Substances > PMF IAS Envi-
ronment 1st Edition
{Envi – Conservation – 2023/01} Silent Valley Bird Survey
• Context (TH): A bird survey is conducted at the Silent Valley National Park in the last week of December,
2022 which identified 141 species, of which 17 are new.
• Brown wood owl, Banded bay cuckoo, Malabar woodshrike, White-throated kingfisher, Indian nightjar, Jun-
gle nightjar, and Large cuckooshrike are among the 17 species newly identified in the Silent Valley.
Silent Valley National Park

• Silent Valley National Park is a national park in Kerala which located in the Nilgiri hills. Declared as nation-
al park in 1984, it is situated within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
 Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: It is a biosphere reserve in the Nilgiri mountains of the Western Ghats in
South India. It is the largest protected forest area in India, spreading across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
and Kerala. It includes the protected areas:- Mudumalai National Park (NP), Mukurthi NP, Sath-
yamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) in Tamil Nadu; Nagarhole NP, Bandipur NP in Karnataka; Silent
Valley NP, Aralam WLS, Wayanad WLS, and Karimpuzha WLS in Kerala.
• Vegetation: South Western Ghats montane rain forests and tropical moist evergreen forest. Above
1,500m, the evergreen forests replaced by stunted forests (sholas), interspersed with open grassland.
• Major Fauna: Lion-tailed macaques (EN), Niligiri langur, Malabar giant squirrel, Nilgiri tahr, tiger, leopard,
Travancore flying squirrel, Indian pangolin, etc.
 Silent Valley NP is home to the largest population of lion-tailed macaques.
• Important Mountain Peaks: Mukurthi peak, the 5th highest peak in South India, and Anginda peak are lo-
cated in the vicinity of the Silent Valley NP.
• Important Rivers: Kadalundi River originates in Silent Valley NP. Bhavani River, a tributary of Kaveri River,
and Kunthipuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha river originate in the vicinity of Silent Valley NP.
• Indigenous tribal groups: Irulas, Kurumbas, Mudugas and Kattunaikkars.
{Envi – Energy – 2022/12} 2022 New Energy Outlook Report
• Context (DTE): The BloombergNEF (a provider of research on markets and technologies driving the transi-
tion to a lower-carbon economy) has published the 2022 New Energy Outlook Report.
 New Energy Outlook Report: It is BloombergNEF’s long-term analysis of the future of the energy economy
(covering electricity, industry, buildings and transport etc.) until 2050.
• Highlights of 2022 Report:
 Greenhouse gas emissions from developing economies, particularly India, will continue to rise until the
end of the present decade and will begin to decline by the early 2030s. While emissions in Europe, the
United States, Australia and Japan have already peaked this year and will decline rapidly after that.
 It is possible to keep the temperature increase to 1.7°C above pre-industrial levels by 2050 with deter-
mined action. Shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy can reduce 50% of carbon emissions. An-
other 25% can be reduced using low-carbon electricity in the transport and industrial sector. The rest of
the emissions can be addressed using hydrogen (6%) and carbon capture and storage (11%).
 Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): It is the process of using technology to capture carbon emissions from
industrial processes or power generation, from where it is transported and stored underground for posterity.
{Envi – Energy – 2022/12} The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022
• Context (ET | TH): Rajya Sabha passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 that proposes
to amend the Energy Conservation Act 2001.
Energy Conservation Act 2001
• It is a legal framework that regulates energy consumption and promotes energy efficiency and energy
conservation.
• It applies to appliances, vehicles, industrial and commercial establishments and buildings.
• The Act has set up the Bureau of Energy Efficiency to recommend regulations and standards for energy
consumption.
Objectives of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022
• The Bill is enacted to address the following objectives:

 To achieve revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) adopted at COP-26 (Glasgow) goals
 To mandate use of non-fossil sources (including green hydrogen, green ammonia, biomass, ethanol and
feedstock)
 To establish carbon markets in the country
Provisions of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022

• Mandatory use of non-fossil sources of energy: The Bill empowers the Central government to specify the
designated consumers to meet a minimum share of energy consumption from non-fossil sources. Different
consumption thresholds may be specified for different non-fossil sources and consumer categories.
 Designated consumers: They include - (i) industries such as mining, steel, cement, textile, chemicals, petro-
chemicals, (ii) transport sector including Railways, and (iii) commercial buildings, as specified in the schedule.
• Carbon trading: The Bill empowers the Central government or any authorised agency to issue carbon
credit certificates to entities registered under the scheme. The entities will be entitled to purchase or sell
the certificate. Any other person may also purchase a carbon credit certificate on a voluntary basis.
 Carbon credit: It implies a tradeable permit to produce a specified amount of carbon emissions.
• Energy conservation code for buildings: The 2001 Act allowed the Central government to specify ‘ener-
gy conservation code for buildings’ which is prescribed in terms of area.

 The Bill amends this to provide for an ‘energy conservation and sustainable building code’ which will
provide norms for energy efficiency and conservation, use of renewable energy, and other require-
ments for green buildings.
• Applicability to residential buildings: Under the 2001 Act, the ‘energy conservation code’ applies to
commercial buildings - (i) erected after the notification of the code, and (ii) having a minimum connected
load of 100 kilo watts (kW) or contract load of 120 kilo volt ampere (kVA).
 Under the Bill, the new ‘energy conservation and sustainable building code’ will also apply to the
office and residential buildings meeting the above criteria. It also empowers the state govern-
ments to lower the load thresholds.
• Standards for vehicles and vessels: Under the 2001 Act, the energy consumption standards can be speci-
fied for equipment and appliances which consume, generate, transmit, or supply energy.
 The Bill expands the scope to include vehicles (as defined under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988), and
vessels (ships and boats). Failure to comply with standards will be punishable with a penalty.
• Regulatory powers of SERCs: The 2001 Act entrusted the State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs)
to adjudge penalties under the Act.
 The Bill empowers SERCs also to make regulations for discharging their functions.
• Composition of the governing council of BEE: The 2001 Act provided for the setting up of the Bureau of
Energy Efficiency (BEE). BEE, a statutory body under the Ministry of Power, assists in developing policies
and strategies with the primary objective of reducing the energy intensity.
 The Bill proposes to strengthen the composition of BEE and make it more representative.
India’s Revised NDCs Adopted at COP-26 (Glasgow)

• NDCs are non-binding national plan highlighting climate change mitigation, including climate-related
targets for greenhouse gas emission reductions.
• They were called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) when during Warsaw Summit
2013 (19th COP to UNFCCC) countries agreed to publicly outline their climate action plans. However,
when countries formally join the Paris Agreement (21st COP to UNFCCC), the ‘intended’ is dropped and
INDC is converted into NDC.
• India revised its NDCs at the Glasgow Summit (26th COP to UNFCCC) in 2021. India’s five new climate
targets are called ‘Panchamrit’.
Energy Conservation Act 2001 & 2010 > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition
{Envi – Energy – 2023/01} India's First Green Hydrogen Blending Project
• Context (BS | PIB): India's first green hydrogen blending project has been started in the piped natural gas
(PNG) network of NTPC Kawas township, Surat. The project is a joint effort of NTPC and Gujarat Gas Lim-
ited (GGL).
• Benefit: Green hydrogen when blended with natural gas reduces CO2 emissions keeping the net heating
content the same. At present, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), the regulatory body
has given approval for 5% vol./vol. blending of green hydrogen with PNG (it will be scaled up to 20%).
Green Hydrogen
• Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis process
powered by renewable energy (like wind and solar energy).

 Electrolysis: The process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical
change. In a chemical change, the substance loses or gains an electron (oxidation or reduction).
• Benefits of green hydrogen over other hydrogen types:
 Green hydrogen releases no carbon by-products because it is produced using renewable energy
(water and water vapour are the only by-products it releases). So, it has a low carbon footprint.
 It is very difficult to use renewable energy as a steady source of energy supply. So, green hydrogen
helps in the utilisation of renewable energy while meeting energy needs in a steady way.
 It is light, storable for a long time and energy-dense (storing a large amount of energy in relation to
its volume). So, it is suitable for long-distance mobilisation.

• Challenges in the use of green hydrogen:
 High transportation cost of renewable energy required in green hydrogen production.

 High cost of production and lack of infrastructure
 Limited technology to use green hydrogen in different sectors.
{Envi – Energy – 2023/01} National Green Hydrogen Mission
• Context (DTE | IE | PIB): The Union Cabinet approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission to be imple-
mented by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE). The goals of the mission are:
 Decarbonisation of industrial, mobility and energy sectors
 Reduction in dependence on imported fossil fuels and feedstock

 Development of indigenous manufacturing capabilities
 Creation of employment opportunities

 Creation of export opportunities for Green Hydrogen and its derivatives
• Important provisions to be facilitated under the mission are:

 Under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition Programme (SIGHT), two distinct
financial incentive mechanisms targeting domestic manufacturing of electrolysers and production of

Green Hydrogen will be provided.
 Pilot projects in emerging end-use sectors and production pathways will be supported.
 Regions capable of supporting large scale production or utilization of Hydrogen will be developed as
Green Hydrogen Hubs.
 A robust Standards and Regulations framework will be developed.

 A public-private partnership framework for R&D, Strategic Hydrogen Innovation Partnership (SHIP)
will be facilitated.
Hydrogen as a Fuel
• Hydrogen (H) is a colourless, odourless, highly flammable, non-toxic gas. It is the lightest and most
abundant element.
• It never occurs freely; it exists combined with other elements, e.g., water (H2O). It has to be produced
from other sources of energy. Hence, it is an energy carrier (like electricity) and not an energy source.
 Energy carriers: They allow the transport of energy in a usable form from one place to another.
• Hydrogen is a clean molecule and it produces only water and water vapour as by-product. So, it has the
potential as a clean fuel source. But the process of extracting it is energy intensive.
Types of Hydrogen
• Based on the energy source used in the production of hydrogen, hydrogen is classified into different types.
 Brown Hydrogen: Produced using Coal without carbon sequestration (the process of capturing and
storing CO2 from the earth's atmosphere to reduce the greenhouse effect).
 Grey Hydrogen: Produced using Natural Gas without carbon sequestration.

 Blue Hydrogen: Produced using Natural Gas with carbon sequestration.
 Green Hydrogen: Produced using Renewable Energy. Carbon sequestration is not needed.
Green Hydrogen
• Green hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using electrolysis process
powered by renewable energy (like wind and solar energy).
 Electrolysis: The process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a chemical
change. In a chemical change, the substance loses or gains an electron (oxidation or reduction).
• Benefits of green hydrogen over other hydrogen types:
 Green hydrogen releases no carbon by-products because it is produced using renewable energy
(water and water vapour are the only by-products it releases). So, it has a low carbon footprint.
 It is very difficult to use renewable energy as a steady source of energy supply. So, green hydrogen
helps in the utilisation of renewable energy while meeting energy needs in a steady way.
 It is light, storable for a long time and energy-dense (storing a large amount of energy in relation to
its volume). So, it is suitable for long-distance mobilisation.
• Challenges in the use of green hydrogen:

 High transportation cost of renewable energy required in green hydrogen production.
 High cost of production and lack of infrastructure
 Limited technology to use green hydrogen in different sectors.
{Envi – In News – 2022/12} Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden
• Context (DTE): Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden in Howrah, West Bengal is under
threat due to severe land erosion by Ganga river. Erosion rate has been quickened due to the jetty built in
the southern fringes of the garden.
 Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden: It is India’s largest botanical garden and was
founded in 1787. It is considered the ‘largest man-made plant kingdom’. It is under the jurisdiction of the
Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and has about 12,000 specimens of as many as 1,000 species.
{Envi – In News – 2022/12} Confuciusornis Shifan

• Context (SN): A new species of confuciusornithid bird, named Confuciusornis shifan, has been identified
from a fossil found in north-eastern China.
 Confuciusornithids: They are the earliest known toothless, beaked birds. They lived during Early Creta-
ceous epoch.
• Confuciusornis shifan weighed less than 200 gm and was smaller than most of confuciusornithid species.
{Envi – In News – 2022/12} EV Yatra Mobile Application
• Context (AIR | BS): ‘EV Yatra’ web portal and mobile phone application was launched on National Energy
Conservation Day to promote e-mobility in the country.

 National Energy Conservation Day: It is observed on December 14th each year to raise awareness about ener-
gy efficiency and conservation to control global warming and climate crisis.
• EV Yatra mobile application is developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to facilitate in-
vehicle navigation to the nearest public charger for EV (Electronic Vehicle) users. It enables the users
to pre-book a charging slot and provides details about the real-time availability of charging slots. The app
is now available on Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
• BEE has also developed an EV Yatra web-portal to enable charging point operators (CPOs) to register their
charging details securely into the National Online Database. It provides details like the types of chargers in-
stalled at the EV charging station, tariffs charged and services provided by the charging stations.
Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
• BEE is a statuary agency under the Ministry of Power created in 2002 under the provisions of Energy
Conservation Act, 2001.
• Its function is to develop programs which will increase the conservation and efficient use of energy.
• It mandatory for certain appliances in India to have BEE ratings.
Energy Conservation Act 2001 & 2010 > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition
{Envi – In News – 2022/12} India’s First Green Steel
• Context (AIR | PIB): India’s first Green Steel Brand ‘KALYANI FeRRESTA’ manufactured by Kalyani
group using renewable energy resources, leaving zero carbon footprints is launched.
 Green Steel: The steel which is manufactured without the use of fossil fuels. It is produced using low-
carbon energy sources such as hydrogen, coal gasification, or electricity.

• It is an endeavour towards India (2nd largest producer of steel) becoming a responsible and sustainable
producer of steel.
{Envi – In News – 2022/12} Just Transition Initiative
• Context (DTE): Kenya and South Africa have announced ‘Just Transition’, an initiative to end plastic pol-
lution in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned.
• It aims to create decent work opportunities for waste-pickers and other workers in the plastic value chain. It
includes workers in informal and cooperative settings, and it recognises their fundamental human dignity
and historic contribution.
• It is legally binding to ensure the spirit of leaving no one behind.
• It involves maximising the social and economic opportunities of ending plastic pollution while minimising
and carefully managing any challenges.
{Envi – In News – 2022/12} Okavango Delta and Murchison Falls
• Context (DTE): Oil companies are threatening two of Africa’s most iconic biodiversity hotspots, Oka-
vango delta and Murchison falls, in an effort to drill for oil
Okavango Delta
• Okavango delta, UNESCO World Heritage Site, is formed by the Okavango River, which originates in the
highlands of Angola.
 Okavango’s river flows into the Kalahari Desert and spreads out forming a ‘fan’. It makes the otherwise
dry area a waterlogged wetland that provides water resource.

• The delta is home to Africa’s Big Five wildlife species – Savanna elephants, Cape buffaloes, rhinos, lions
and leopards. It also has giraffes, zebras, antelopes, pangolins, 400 bird species and over 1,000 plant spe-
cies.
• It is also the homeland of indigenous people like the San.
Murchison Falls
• Murchison Falls, Uganda’s oldest and largest national park, is situated on the north of Lake Albert, one of
the Rift Valley Great Lakes that lies on the border between Uganda and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• The national park through which Victoria Nile flows is home elephants, hippos, Nile crocodiles, buffaloes
and marabou storks. It has 556 bird species and 188 mammal species.
{Envi – In News – 2022/12} Plan to Install 500 GW of Renewable Energy Capacity

by 2030
• Context (TH): India has planned to install 500 GW (gigawatt) of renewable energy capacity by 2030 in or-
der to keep its global commitments to source half its energy from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
• Because renewable-energy generation is only available for a limited time every day, the plan envisages
installing battery storage capacity worth 51.5 GW by 2030 to provide “round-the-clock power to end-
consumers”.
• The plan has identified major upcoming non-fossil fuel generation centres in the country, including at
Fatehgarh, Bhadla and Bikaner in Rajasthan, Khavda in Gujarat, and Anantapur and Kurnool in Andhra Pra-
desh.
More information on Renewable Energy > Sources of Energy > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition
{Envi – In News – 2023/01} New Frog Species in Madagascar
• Context (IS | SN): 20 new frogs belonging to Brygoomantis subgenus are discovered in Madagascar
• Brygoomantis frogs are small, mostly brown frogs. They are ubiquitous along streams in Madagascar’s
humid forests.
• The males emit very subtle advertisement calls to attract females which sounds like ‘gurgling stomach’.
{Envi – In News – 2023/01} Statement on Climate of India during 2022
• Context (IE | LM): Recently, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has released ‘Statement on Climate of
India during 2022’.

• Highlights of the Report:
 The year 2022 was the 5th warmest year on record since1901.
 The highest number of human casualties in India due to extreme weather events in three years was
reported in 2022. Lightning strikes and thunderstorms is the leading cause of such causalities fol-
lowed by floods.
 15 cyclonic disturbances (3 cyclonic storms and 12 depressions) formed over the north Indian
Ocean.
 Bihar was the most vulnerable state to extreme weather events in 2022 followed by Assam, Uttar
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
{Envi – Marine Ecosystem – 2022/12} Prokaryoplankton
• Context (HT): Researchers have found that less than 3% of prokaryoplankton cells accounted for up to a
third of all oxygen consumed by the group.

 Prokaryoplankton: They are a vast group of bacteria and archaea that constitute more than 90% of the cells
in the ocean. They use organic matter to generate energy through a process called cellular respiration,
which consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
• Significance: This finding has big implications for the understanding of how carbon cycles in the ocean
work.
• Drawback: The study does not account for the diverse types of marine prokaryoplankton, each of which
may function differently.
{Envi – Pollution – 2022/12} World Bank Report on Air Pollution
• Context (BS | TH): World Bank report, ‘Striving for Clean Air: Air Pollution and Public Health in South Asia’,
stated that 9 of the world’s 10 cities with the worst air pollution are in South Asia.
Highlights of the Report

• Currently over 60% of South Asians are exposed to an average 35 µg/m3 of PM2.5 annually. In some parts
of the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) it spiked to as much as 100 µg/m3, nearly 20 times the upper limit of 5
µg/m3 recommended by the WHO.

• There are six major airsheds in South Asia where air quality in one affected the other. They are:
 Airshed: A geographic area where pollutants get trapped and create similar air quality for everyone due to
topography, meteorology or climate.
1. West/Central IGP: Punjab (Pakistan), Punjab (India), Haryana, part of Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar
Pradesh.
2. Central/Eastern IGP: Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bangladesh;
3. Middle India: Odisha/Chhattisgarh;
4. Middle India: Eastern Gujarat/Western Maharashtra;
5. Northern/Central Indus River Plain: Pakistan, part of Afghanistan;

6. Southern Indus Plain and further west: South Pakistan, Western Afghanistan extending into Eastern Iran.
• When the wind direction was predominantly northwest to southeast, 30% of the air pollution in Indian Pun-
jab came from the Punjab of Pakistan.
• Around 30% of the air pollution in the largest cities of Bangladesh (Dhaka, Chittagong, and Khulna) origi-
nated in India.
Suggestions given in the Report
• Significant reduction is possible only if coordinated approach is adopted across the airsheds.
• The report offers a three-phased roadmap:
 First phase: Steps for more and better monitoring air pollution and improved institutions
 Second phase: Control of emissions beyond traditional targets (powerplants, large factories and trans-
portation) and will include emissions form agriculture, solid waste management, households, brick kilns,
and other small industries
 Third phase: Taxation of activities that release pollutants to make cleaner technologies more competi-
tive
Indian Efforts to Control Air Pollution
• National Clean Air Campaign (NCAP): It is a national level strategy launched in 2019 that aims to re-
duce air pollution in 131 of India’s most polluted cities.

 It targets to reduce Particulate Matter concentrations by 20%-30% by 2024 keeping 2017 as the
base year (target has been revised to 40% by 2025-26).
• National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP): It a nation-wide programme of ambient air
quality monitoring executed by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
 Objectives of the NAMP are: 1. to determine status and trends of ambient air quality; 2. to ascer-
tain if prescribed ambient air quality standards are violated; 3. to identify Non-attainment Cities;
4. to develop preventive and corrective measures and 5. to understand the natural cleansing pro-
cess undergoing in the environment.

 Under NAMP, four air pollutants (Sulphur Dioxide, Nitrogen Oxide, PM10 and PM2.5) and me-
teorological parameters (wind speed and wind direction, relative humidity and temperature) are
identified for regular monitoring.

• Air Quality Index: It is an index for reporting daily air quality focusing on health effects one might ex-
perience within a few hours or days after breathing polluted air.

 It considers eight pollutants (Ground-level ozone, PM10, PM2.5, Carbon Monoxide, Sulfur Dioxide,
Nitrogen Dioxide, Ammonia, Lead).

 It is launched by the Ministry of Environment in 2015 under ‘Swachh Bharat’.
• System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) Portal: It is a national initia-
tive by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to measure the air quality of a metropolitan city.
 It monitors weather parameters (temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, UV
radiation, and solar radiation) and pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen
Oxides, Sulfur Dioxide, Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, and Mercury).
 It is indigenously developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune and
is operationalized by the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
 It is an integral part of India’s first Air Quality Early Warning System operational in Delhi.
• Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) (for Delhi): It is a set of emergency measures that are imposed
to prevent further deterioration of air quality, once it reaches a certain threshold.

 Stage 1 of GRAP is activated when the AQI is in the ‘Poor’ category (201 to 300). Stage 2, Stage 3
and Stage 4 are activated when AQI is ‘Very Poor’ (301-400), ‘Severe’ (401-450) and ‘Severe +’
(>450) respectively.
{Envi – Report – 2022/12} Climate Investment Opportunities in India’s Cooling

Sector Report
• Context (TH): According to World Bank report titled Climate Investment Opportunities in India’s
Cooling Sector, alarmingly higher temperatures and heat waves that India will experience in near future
could open an investment opportunity of $1.6 trillion by 2040 besides reducing greenhouse gas emissions
significantly and creating 3.7 million jobs.
• Thus, India’s cooling strategy can help save lives and livelihoods, reduce carbon emissions and simultane-
ously position India as a global hub for green cooling manufacturing.

 Heat wave: It is a condition of air temperature which becomes fatal to human body when exposed. Heat
wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains and at least
30°C or more for Hilly regions.
Key Findings of the Report

• From 2030 onwards, more than 200 million Indians will be exposed to lethal heat waves every year, and
around 34 million Indians will lose job due to heat stress-related productivity decline.
• By 2037, the demand for cooling will increase by eight times, making it imperative for India to deploy alter-
native and innovative energy efficient technologies for keeping spaces cool.
• With the higher demand for air-conditioning, there will be 435% increase in annual greenhouse gas emis-
sions over the next two decades. Thus, a need to shift to a more energy-efficient cooling system leading to
a substantial reduction in expected CO2 levels.
Solutions Suggested in the Report
• The report proposes a roadmap to support India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) 2019, through new invest-
ments in three major sectors: building construction, cold chains and refrigerants.
• Adopting climate-responsive cooling techniques in both private and government-funded constructions

to ensure that economically weaker are not affected by rising temperatures. It suggests that India’s afford-
able housing program for the poor, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), can adopt such changes
on scale.
• Enacting a policy for district cooling technologies that generate chilled water in a central plant which is then
distributed to multiple buildings via underground insulated pipes. It will lead to 20-30% less consumption
of power. Moreover, guidelines for implementation of local and city-wide urban cooling measures such as
cool-roofs should also be considered.

• To minimise rising food and pharmaceutical wastage during transport due to higher temperatures, the gaps
in cold chain distribution networks should be fixed. Investing in pre-cooling and refrigerated transport can
help decrease food loss by about 76% and reduce carbon emissions by 16%.
• Improvements in servicing, maintenance and disposal of equipment that uses hydrochlorofluorocarbons,
along with a shift to alternative options with a lower carbon footprint are also recommended. This can cre-
ate 2 million jobs for over the next two decades and reduce the demand for refrigerants by around 31%.
India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP)

• ICAP was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• It provides a 20-year perspective (with projections for cooling needs by 2037-38) and outlines actions
needed to provide access to sustainable cooling.
{Envi – Report – 2022/12} State of Finance for Nature Report
• Context (DTE): Second edition of the State of Finance for Nature report was released jointly by the Unit-
ed Nation Environment Programme (UNEP) along with the Economics of Land Degradation initiative of the
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) of Germany, the United Nations Con-
vention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the European Commission.
• The report reveals that nature-based solutions (NbS) are still significantly under-financed. If the world
wants to halt biodiversity loss, limit climate change to below 1.5°C and achieve land degradation neutrality
by 2030, current finance flows to NbS must urgently double by 2025 and triple by 2030.
Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

• NbS refers to the sustainable management and use of natural features and processes to tackle socio-
environmental challenges. These challenges include issues such as climate change, water security, water
pollution, food security, human health, biodiversity loss, and disaster risk management.
• IUCN defines NbS as “actions to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems,
that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and
biodiversity benefits”.
• These solutions are inspired and supported by nature, which is cost-effective, simultaneously provide
environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience.
Category of NbS Approaches Examples
Ecosystem Restoration Approach- Ecological restoration, Ecological engineering, Forest landscape restora-
es tion
Issue-specific Ecosystem-related Ecosystem-based adaptation, Ecosystem-based mitigation, Climate ad-
Approaches aptation services, Ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction
Infrastructure-related Approaches Natural infrastructure, Green infrastructure
Ecosystem-based Management Integrated coastal zone management, Integrated water resources man-
Approaches agement
Ecosystem Protection Approaches Area-based conservation approaches including protected area man-
agement
• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to NbS are: - Goal 1 (No Poverty), Goal 7 (Affordable and
Clean Energy, Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Pro-
duction), Goal 13 (Climate Action), Goal 14 (Life Below Water), Goal 15 (Life on Land).
{Envi – Report – 2023/01} Global Risks Report 2023
• Context (DTE): World Economic Forum (WEF) has released the 18th edition of Global Risks Report 2023.
• According to 2023 report, most severe risks facing the world in the next decade are:
 1st Failure to mitigate climate change
 2nd Failure of climate change adaptation

 3rd Natural disasters and extreme weather events (it is also the 2nd most severe risk for the world in the
next 2 years)
 4th Biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse

 5th Cost of living (it ranks as the top most severe risk for the world in the next 2 years)
• The report held global pandemic and war in Europe responsible for the energy, inflation and food crises.
This has led ‘cost of living’ to be the top most severe risk for the world in the next 2 years.
Global Risks Report

• The Global Risks Report is an annual study published by the World Economic Forum (WEF) based on the
work of the Global Risk Network.
• The report describes changes occurring in the global risks landscape from year to year. It also explores the
interconnectedness of risks, and considers the mitigation strategies of global risks.

 Global risk: It is defined as the possibility of the occurrence of an event or condition which, if it occurs,
would negatively impact a significant proportion of global gross domestic product, population or natural
resources.
World Economic Forum (WEF)
• World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.
• It was established in 1971 as a not-for-profit foundation and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Mission: to engage the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global,
regional and industry agendas.
• It is independent, impartial and not tied to any special interests.
• Some major reports published by WEF are:

 Fostering Effective Energy Transition Report
 Global Competitiveness Report
 Global Gender Gap Report

 Global Social Mobility Report
 Chief Economists Outlook

 Global IT Report
{Envi – Solar Energy – 2023/01} Bikaner Solar Power Project
• Context (LM | PIB): The foundation stone for the 1,000 MW Bikaner Solar Power Project is laid. The project
is being implemented by SJVN Green Energy Limited (SGEL), a subsidiary of state-owned energy firm SJVN
Limited.
Importance of Solar Energy in India

• India being a tropical country has a huge potential for solar energy (per year about 5,000 trillion kWh ener-
gy is incident over India’s land area). India is now the 4th largest solar power producer in the world (Kar-
nataka leads among states followed by Telangana, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat).
• Solar energy will help India to achieve revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) at Glasgow
Summit. The revised NDCs are:
 India will achieve its non-fossil energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030.
 India will meet 50% of its energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030.
 India will reduce the total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes from now to 2030.
 India will reduce the carbon intensity of its economy to less than 45% by 2030,
 India will achieve the target of Net Zero by 2070.
Initiatives to Harvest Solar Energy
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): It is an alliance was initiated by India and its primary objective is to
work for efficient exploitation of solar energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. It is now extended to
all members of the UN and is now a treaty-based inter-governmental organization.
• One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG): It is India’s initiative to build a global ecosystem of inter-
connected renewable energy resources. It intends to tap the global solar energy potential for the benefit
of all nations and requires an international electricity grid to allow inter-country free flow of power.
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM) Scheme: It was
launched in 2019 by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) to support installation of off-grid
solar pumps in rural areas and reduce dependence on grid, in grid-connected areas.
• Rooftop Solar (RTS) Programme: The MNRE had, in 2015, approved ‘grid connected rooftop and small
solar power plants programme’ which aimed to install 4,200 MW (42. GW) rooftop solar plants.
• National Programme on Solar PV Modules: It is a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme with an out-
lay of Rs 4,500 crore to add 10,000MW capacity of integrated solar PV modules manufacturing plants.
• National Wind-Solar Hybrid Policy: Launched in 2018 by MNRE, the Policy seeks to promote new hybrid
projects as well as the hybridization of existing wind/solar projects.
Details on Solar Energy > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition
{Envi – Species – 2022/12} Supreme Court Idea on ‘Project GIB’
• Context (IE): The Supreme Court Has suggested to launch a 'Project GIB' to protect the Great Indian Bus-
tard on the lines of ‘Project Tiger’.
Great Indian Bustard (GIB)

• GIB which is native to the Indian subcontinent is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world.
• It is the state bird of Rajasthan (locally called Godawan) and is found only in a few pockets in India and
Pakistan.
• Earlier GIB was found in 11 states of India but now confined only to 6 states which includes Andhra Pra-
desh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
• Its largest populations (95%) are found in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

• Habitat of this omnivorous bird is large expanses of dry grassland & steppe region.
• Threats: Habitat loss (esp. due to agricultural expansion), hunting, mortality due to collision with power
lines and windmills (they have a poor frontal vision).
 IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
 Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix I (page.139, PMFIAS Environment book)
• GIB is considered a flagship grassland species.
 Flagship Species: These are species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined habitat,
issue, campaign or environmental cause. They are chosen for their vulnerability, attractiveness or distinc-
tiveness in order to engender support and acknowledgement from the public at large.
• GIB was the mascot for the 13th COP of the UN Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species
(CMS) held in India, 2020.

Measures Taken to Protect GIB
• Species Recovery Programme: It is kept under the Species Recovery Programme (for saving critically
endangered species and habitats). Species Recovery Programme is a component of the Integrated Devel-
opment of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) of the MoEFCC. IDWH is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which pro-
vides financial assistance to State/UTs for protection and conservation of wildlife.
• GIB Conservation Breeding Facility: MoEF&CC, Rajasthan government and Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
have established a GIB conservation breeding facility in Desert National Park at Jaisalmer. Objective is to
breed GIB in captivity and then release them in the wild.

• Project Great Indian Bustard: It has been initiated by Rajasthan government with the objective of enclos-
ing of GIB breeding grounds in protected areas and provide secure breeding grounds outside protected ar-
eas.
 Protected Area: IUCN defines it as ‘a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed,
through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature’.
• Task Force: MoEFCC has also constituted a Task Force for suggesting Eco- friendly measures to mitigate
impacts of power transmission lines and other power transmission infrastructures on wildlife including the
Great Indian Bustard.

Keystone Species, Foundation Species and Flagship Species > Biodiversity of India, Biodiversity Hotspots of
India - PMF IAS
{Envi – Species – 2023/01} Nobel's Helen Butterfly
• Context (TH): Nobel's Helen, a swallowtail butterfly disappearing from its previously known ranges has
been recorded for the first time in Namdapha National Park of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It was last rec-
orded in 1999 at Myanmar.
• This extremely rare butterfly is characterised by a much large dorsal white spot. It is closest to the Papilio
Antonio butterfly from the Philippines.
• It was once common in the montane forests of northern Thailand. It was also reported in Myanmar, China,
Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.
• Significance: Butterflies are considered vital indicators representing the state of biodiversity and key ecosys-
tem functions.
{Envi – Species – 2023/01} Soliga Ecarinata
• Context (TH | TOI): Soliga ecarinata, a new genus of wasp is named after indigenous Soliga community
of Biligiri Rangan Hills of Karnataka. It is named after Soliga community to acknowledge the Soliga lifestyle
(rooted in the philosophy of sustainability) which helps in conservation of forests and biodiversity.
• The species is named as ‘ecarinata’ denoting the absence of ridges in certain body regions.
 Biligiri Rangan Hills: It is located in the south-eastern Karnataka under the confluence of the Western
Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.
{Envi – Water Resource – 2023/01} National Aquifer Mapping and Management

Programme
• Context (TH): National Aquifer Mapping and Management (NAQUIM) programme, which is aimed at de-
lineating aquifer and water availability, is set to be completed in one year.

 Aquifer: It is an underground layer of rock, rock fractures, or unconsolidated materials (gravel, sand, or silt)
which permeable and contain water.
• It is being implemented by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) to facilitate sustainable manage-
ment of groundwater resources.

• It is a part of the Ground Water Management and Regulation Scheme (a central sector scheme)
• Objectives of NAQUIM are:
 Delineation & characterization of aquifers in 3D to understand their disposition.
 Identification & quantification of groundwater issues.
 Development of groundwater management plans.
Central Ground Water Board (CGWB)
• CGWB is the National Apex Agency entrusted with the responsibilities of providing scientific inputs for the
management, exploration, monitoring, assessment, augmentation and regulation of groundwater resources

of the country.
• It is a subordinate office of the Ministry of Water Resources. It was established in 1970 by renaming the Ex-
ploratory Tube wells Organization under the Ministry of Agriculture. It was merged with the Ground Water
Wing of the Geological Survey of India in 1972.

{Envi – Water Resources – 2022/12} State of Global Water Resources Report 2021
• Context (DTE): World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) has released its first State of Global Water Re-
sources Report 2021.
State of Global Water Resources Report

• This annual report assesses the effects of climate, environmental and societal change on the Earth’s water
resources. Aim of this report is to support the monitoring and management of global freshwater resources.
• The report focuses on three major areas:
 Streamflow (the volume of water flowing through a river channel at any given time).
 Terrestrial water storage (TWS) (all water on the land surface and in the sub-surface).
 Cryosphere (frozen water).
Highlights of the 2021 Report
• Area with below-average streamflow was approximately two times larger than the above-average area.
• Major Indian River basins (the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Indus) and important river basins in Asia (Huang
Ho and Mekong) exhibited a gradual decline in TWS.

• The Ganga-Brahmaputra and Indus basins that recorded more streamflow due to glacial melt even as their
total water storage declined.
• Large areas of the globe recorded drier-than-normal conditions in 2021, a year in which precipitation pat-
terns were influenced by climate change and a La Niña event.
• Some of the hotspots are worsened by over-abstraction of groundwater for irrigation.
{Envi – WLS – 2022/12} Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS)
• Context (DTE): Supreme Court exempted Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS) from its mandate of
creation of a 1 km eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) around all Protected Areas in India. SC stated that practical diffi-
culties and ground realities will have to be taken into account before having a uniform order for creating
ESZs as mandated by its earlier order.
Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs)

• ESZs (or Ecologically Fragile Areas) are located within 10 km of Protected Areas, National Parks and
Wildlife Sanctuaries. They are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MoEFCC) under Environment Protection Act 1986.

• Areas beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Central government as ESZs, if they hold larger ecologi-
cally important ‘sensitive corridors’.
• Basic aim of ESZs: To regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries to mini-
mize the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas.
Basically, they act as transition zones and ‘shock absorbers’ to the protected areas.
 Protected Area: IUCN defines it as ‘a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and man-
aged, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature’.
 National Park: It is a protected area that conserves flora, fauna or any other objects of historical and geo-
graphic significance. It has fixed and defined boundaries within which human activities are restricted.
 Wildlife Sanctuaries: It is a protected area that conserves flora and fauna. It does not have fixed boundaries
within which human activities are not strictly restricted.
How are ESZs Demarcated?
• Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 does not mention ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’. The government uses fol-
lowing to declare ESZs.
 Section 3(2)(v) of the Act, states that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries
or class of industries and operations shall be carried out or shall not, subject to certain safeguards.
 Rule 5(1) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 states that Central Government can pro-
hibit or restrict the location of industries and certain operations on the basis of certain considera-
tions.
• The National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016) of the MoEFCC issued that state governments should de-
clare land falling within 10 km of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as ESZs under
the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986.
 National Wildlife Action Plan (2002-2016): It is the second National Wildlife Action Plan. Its aim is to con-
serve in situ all taxa of flora and fauna along with the full range of ecosystems they inhabit.
• Supreme Court in June 2022 made it mandatory to establish 1 km Eco-Sensitive Zones around all pro-
tected areas, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
Activities Permitted, Prohibited and Regulated in ESZs
• Permitted Activities in ESZs: Ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic
farming, use of renewable energy sources, and adoption of green technology for all activities.
• Prohibited Activities in ESZs: Commercial mining, saw mills, industries causing pollution (air, water, soil,
noise etc.), the establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP), commercial use of wood, tourism activi-
ties like hot-air balloons over the National Park, discharge of effluents or any solid waste or production of
hazardous substances.
• Regulated Activities in ESZs: Felling of trees, the establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of
natural water, erection of electrical cables, drastic change of agriculture system, e.g. adoption of heavy
technology, pesticides etc, widening of roads.
Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary (TWS)
• TWS is located on a plateau east of Vasai and Virar in the Palghar district of Maharashtra. It lies in the
suburbs of Mumbai.
• It forms a corridor between Sanjay Gandhi National Park (also called Borivali National Park) and
Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It has three different types of forests – Dry Deciduous, Moist Deciduous and Semi Evergreen.
• Fauna: Leopard, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Langur, Rhesus Macaque, Crested Serpent-eagle, Jungle Owlet,
Emerald Dove and Heart-spotted Woodpecker.
Envi – Species – 2022/12} Bar-headed Goose
• Context (TH): Bar-headed goose, one of the world’s highest flying birds, is recently spotted in the
Muttukadu backwaters (Chennai) and Karingali Puncha wetlands (Kerala).
• They are found in central China and Mongolia and they breed there.
• They migrate to the Indian sub-continent by crossing the Himalayas during winter and stay here till the end
of the season. It is one of the most high-altitude migrations in the world.
• Significance: The capacity to transport and consume oxygen at high rates in hypoxia (condition when
the body tissues are starved of oxygen) distinguishes them from similar lowland waterfowl.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern

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{Envi – Air Pollution – 2022/12} West Bengal’s ‘Graded Response Action Plan’

Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)

Air Quality Index (AQI)

Good, Satisfactory, Moderate, Poor, Very Poor, and Severe.

Source: Air Pollution in India – Crucial Aspects | Environics Trust (environicsindia.in)

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

• However, West Bengal’s GRAP is not graded. It includes the following:

 Disposal of dust and garbage in designated sites.

 Prohibition on open burning of biomass and municipal solid waste.

 Continuous monitoring of the implementation of norms at pollution hotspots.

 Diversion of non-destined truck traffic.

{Envi – Biodiversity – 2022/12} Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

Key Provisions of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

tions affect and are affected by biodiversity issues.

then eliminate, phase out or reform them.

Four Goals for 2050

genetic diversity of species.

• Goal 2: Biodiversity is sustainably used and managed.

{Envi – Biodiversity – 2023/01} Strategy to Mitigate Human-Elephant Conflict

courage wildlife-friendly land-use.

{Envi – Biodiversity Loss – 2023/01} Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) 2023

Key Findings of AWC 2023

• A shift in migration patterns of waterbirds is observed in the northern parts of Alappuzha.

an Important Bird Area).

mate change on bird migration requires more studies.

Asian Waterbird Census

on Biological Diversity (CBD).

private donors and NGOs.

Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)

• It is a pan-India wildlife research organization established in1883.

• It is the partner of BirdLife International (a worldwide alliance of nongovernmental organizations that

promotes the conservation of birds and their habitats) in India.

Details on Wetland Ecosystem > PMF IAS Environment 1st Edition

{Envi – Biodiversity Loss – 2023/01} Mass mortality of Olive Ridley Turtles

Olive Ridley Turtle

species in the world.

ber and continues till January.

 IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Difference between Turtle and Tortoise

Turtles are water-dwelling reptiles. Tortoises are land-dwelling reptiles.

They come to land to lay eggs. They do everything on land.

modified into paddles). modified into paddles).

omnivores and very few are herbivores.

{Envi – CC – 2022/12} Antarctica’s Emperor Penguin

{Envi – CC – 2022/12} Carbon Border Tax

Carbon Border Tax or Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

production of the product in question.

{Envi – CC – 2022/12} Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) effort.

end due to the formation of a heat dome over the region.

Causes of Formation of Heat Dome

in the Pacific Ocean, which generally lowers global temperatures slightly.

{Envi – Climate Change – 2022/12} Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission

ing mitigation and adaptation of climate challenges to achieve climate resilience.

tries and buildings.

{Envi – Conservation – 2022/12} Freezing of Great Barrier Reef Coral

nomenon (which typically brings cooler temperatures).

depositions of corals are called coral reefs.

{Envi – Conservation – 2022/12} Lion@47: Vision for Amrutkal