INSIGHTS MISSION 2018

STATIC TEST 6 SYNOPSIS

1.Bring out the differences between the Tropical Grassland and Temperate
grassland (Grassland Biomes).
Answer:

Serial Tropical Grasslands Temperate Grasslands

Number
1. They lie between Tropic of Cancer They lie between the Tropic of
and Tropic of Capricorn Cancer/Capricorn and Arctic/Antarctic
Circle in both the hemispheres.
2. They are a transition between the They are situated away from the
hot deserts and tropical rainforests Mediterranean regions and in the interiors
of continents.
3. Soil is not very fertile therefore, tall Soil is very fertile in these grassland,
grasses that grow here are less therefore, short and soft grasses are highly
nutritious. There are short trees as nutritious.
well.
4. Example- Savannas in Africa, Llanos Example- Prairies in North America,
and Compos in South America etc. Pampas in Argentina, Downs in Australia
etc.
5. They are known for rich wildlife. They are called granaries of the world.
6. There are different tribes who are They are economically important for
either cattle pastoralists such as the extensive mechanized wheat cultivation,
Masai of East African plateau or nomadic herding and pastoral farming.
settled cultivators like Hausa of
northern Nigeria.

2. How does biodiversity maintain the integrity of an ecosystem?

Answer:

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Biodiversity refers to the number of species occurring in some ecological community or in a
designated area, such as a park or a country. It is the total richness of biological variation,
including genetic variation within populations and species, the numbers of species in
communities, and the patterns and dynamics of these over large areas.
Many natural processes are supported by biodiversity for an ecosystem to function normally
and have ecological integrity such as:
1. Predator /prey cycles, food chain and food web such as bears eat fish and fish eats
plankton
2. Nutrient cycling- When plants and animals die and decompose on the ground, they
release energy and nutrients, as well as provide food or shelter for other species (carbon
cycle, nitrogen cycle)
3. Fire is an essential process for some plant species to reproduce such as the heat opens
the seeds on a Jack pine.
4. Hydrologic cycle from the atmosphere to Earth and back into the atmosphere again.
5. Capacity for self-renewal through the ability to recover from a natural disturbance such
as fire, wood or wind for maintaining the necessary ecological processes.
Many environmental changes that have an adverse effect on some species, ecosystems, and
ecological processes occur due to human activities. Ecological integrity aims to provide a means
that represents improvements in the quality of ecosystems and biodiversity.

3.Discuss the significance of soil conservation. Give an account of various soil

conservation measures.
Answer:
Soil conservation is important because it is crucial for many aspects of human life. It provides
food, filters air and water and also helps to decompose biological waste into nutrients for new
plant life. It is the foundation of plant life and agriculture. Some of the soil conservation
measures include:
1. Extensive reforestation and afforestation to retain vegetation cover.
2. Prevention of faulty practices such as over grazing, shifting cultivation, overuse of
chemical fertilizers etc.
3. Changing Agricultural Practices such as:
• Crop Rotation to grow two or more different crops in sequence in a field for maintaining
the soil fertility.

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 • Contour Ploughing refers to ploughing parallel to the contours of a hill slope to form a
natural barrier for water to flow down the slope.
• Terrace Farming: Terraces or flat platforms are constructed in steps in a series along
the slope to retain water on each terrace which can be used to raise crops. This reduces
surface run-off and soil erosion.
• Trash farming in which chopped crop residue are spread and ploughed to increase the
humus and organic matter content.
4. Check dams to regulate the flow of river water and its velocity.
5. Storing water in catchment areas, promoting use of bio fertilizers, organic farming, soil
mulching etc.
Thus, soil conservation is important for sustaining life of various species dependent on it
including both plants and animals.

4. Red Lists published by IUCN are a valuable tool to assist conservation

planning and decision making. Discuss.
Answer:
The red list published by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) provides global
conservation status of biological species. Further, a Regional Red List gives report of
threatened status of species within a country or region.
1. The plants and animals assessed for the red list are the building blocks of the
ecosystem, and their information provides the foundation for making decisions about
conserving biodiversity from local to global levels. The information is freely available for
all potential users.
2. The conservation status indicates whether an organism still exists and also highlights
those plants and animals that are facing a higher risk of global extinction (those listed as
Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable).
3. It helps conservation planners to determine where to allocate limited resources first,
particularly given the uneven spread of, and threats to, biodiversity.
4. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species incorporates data not only on threats to species,
but also on species distributions and ecological requirements.
Therefore, both governmental and non-governmental organizations increasingly rely on the
IUCN Red List to inform priorities, influence legislation, and guide conservation investment.

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5.Assess the impact of global warming on the forests of the World.
Answer:
Forests cover about 27% of the land area (excluding Greenland and Antarctica) and are
vulnerable to factors like climate change, pollution and human exploitation. They constitute the
primary photosynthetic organ of the planet together with marine phytoplankton. They are
responsible for the bulk of the free oxygen in the atmosphere and for most of the fixing of
carbon dioxide and solar energy.
Global warming is expected to have more pronounced effect at higher latitudes, and therefore
the boreal forest is expected to be most affected. Due to large climate variations in the past,
the boreal forest may be better able to adapt to a moderate range of climate changes than the
tropical forests, which experienced minor climate fluctuations over the last several million
years, and therefore may be less resilient to change. Ranges of major forest types around the
world are likely to shift dramatically in future. Mangrove forests in coastal regions will be on
the verge of submergence.
In many regions, the change might not be from one forest type to another, but rather from
forest to grassland or even desert, while other regions may shift from tundra to forest. A
significant loss of forest cover due to global warming can hamper hydrological cycle services.
Fire and insect infestations are known to be highly correlated with weather. Global warming
will cause significant shifts in natural disturbance patterns in all forests around the world.
To prepare for these coming changes in the world’s forests, there is a need for:
1. Intensive forest management in the form of short- rotation plantations.
2. Judicious use of forest resources in order to reduce deforestation by human beings.
3. Preparation for increased disturbances such as fire and insect infestations to reduce
their effects.

6.Discuss in brief the contribution of NITI Aayog in developing plans and policies
for continuous growth and development of India.
Answer:
NITI Aayog was formed with an objective of 'bottom-up' approach to planning through the
inclusion of cooperative federalism. Contribution of NITI Aayog is as follows since its inception:

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 1. It appointed three subgroups of chief ministers to advise the central government on
the subjects of Centrally Sponsored Schemes, Skill Development and Swachh Bharat
Mission.
2. It also set up two task forces at the Aayog on Agricultural Development and Elimination
of Poverty, with parallel task forces on each subject constituted in the states and Union
territories.
3. For Promoting reforms in states, it has formulated a model land-leasing law, which
Madhya Pradesh has adopted and Uttar Pradesh has substantially incorporated into a
pre-existing law. Several other states are actively considering adopting the model law.
4. It is working to bring about major reforms in agricultural marketing.
5. Initiative to identify numerous sick Public-Sector units for closure was taken by NITI
Aayog.
6. NITI Aayog has identified several functioning units for strategic disinvestment and
Finance ministry is also moving ahead with the actual sales of these units.
7. A comprehensive National Energy Policy draft has been placed in public domain for
wider consultation.
8. It has also led the way for the creation of a vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship
ecosystem in the country through its Atal Innovation Mission which aims to establish
tinkering labs in more than 200 schools as well as several incubators to promote
innovation and entrepreneurship.
Thus, NITI Aayog has brought out a series of best practices, conducted workshops of state
officials to spread these practices, collaborated with thinktanks, created the utility India Energy
Security Scenarios 2047, sponsored policy research and published several occasional papers.

7.What are the possibilities of achieving two SDGs regarding “No Poverty” and
“Zero Hunger” in India? Can the achievement of one goal lead to another?
Answer:
India is uniquely placed to deliver on its commitments to inclusive and sustainable development
as one of the fastest growing major economies of the world. India is committed to achieve
many ambitious goals under SDGs taking cue from the phrase Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas
(Collective Effort, Inclusive Development).
While targeting economic growth, infrastructure development and industrialization, the
country’s war against poverty has become fundamentally focused on social inclusion and
empowerment of the poor. Several large-scale anti-poverty programmes have been
implemented. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has generated

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over 2 billion person-days of employment during 2016-17 alone largely for the disadvantaged
sections of society. There are also efforts to universalize access to basic services.
Various programmes are also being implemented for ensuring access to education, health and
nutrition security, with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children.
Other priority areas are drinking water and sanitation. With respect to clean sources of
cooking fuel, large number of families have been provided with Liquefied Petroleum Gas
connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana.
Public Distribution System aims to provide food grains at affordable prices. There is Mid-Day-
Meal scheme for children, food distribution governance is being strengthened through the
digitization of ration cards and an online grievance redressal mechanism. Further, sustainable
and climate-adaptive agriculture has been boosted by promoting organic farming and issuing
Soil Health Cards to farmers.
Thus, poverty and hunger are both are intrinsically linked to one another because when people
will be economically capable to feed themselves, there would be no hunger. The Indian
government is doing so by ensuring social protection, enhancing access to basic services,
promoting sustainable agricultural practices and improving the livelihoods and capacities of
small scale famers.

8.Explain the present regional disparity in India with respect to missing regional
planning in India.
Answer:
Faster economic growth in India has seen rising regional disparities which were inherited from
colonial rule of over two centuries. They increased in the post-independence era due to some
faulty unified and centralized planning, political structure and social traditions.
At present, the income differentials between more developed and relatively poorer states
show a widening trend which is a matter of serious concern. The rich states have grown faster
than the poorer states while the backward states struggle even for basic amenities such as
universal primary education, primary health care, housing, rural roads, drinking water and
electricity. Moreover, per capita GSDP (Gross State Domestic Product) growth shows greater
regional disparity because the poor states have experienced a faster growth in population.
Economic reforms led growth process has increased concentration of economic activities in
and around the centers already developed. High inequalities in infra-structural facilities, easy
availability of skilled labour and raw material along with the investment friendly policies of

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state governments push entrepreneurs to select developed regions for the expansion of their
activities.
Various economic and social indicators confirm the higher level of inter-state disparities in
India. Uttar Pradesh, even after carving out Uttarakhand, has several regions at varying levels
of growth and socio-economic development. The Marathwada and Vidarbha regions are
drastically behind western Maharashtra in terms of growth and development.
Conclusion:
1. Lagging states need to bring more jobs to their people by creating an attractive
investment destination.
2. Reforms in cumbersome regulatory procedures, improvement in rural connectivity,
establishment of law and order, creation of a stable platform for natural resource
investment to balance business interests with social concerns and providing rural
finance are important.
3. Good understanding and coordination between the government machinery is essential
for development and inclusive growth.

9.Explain the impediments caused by the social and income inequalities in

achieving inclusive growth in India.
Answer:
Inclusive growth has been a major concern for human development in India with rising inequalities.
Despite tremendous growth of economy, failure on distributive front has aggravated the progressive
journey towards collective well-being.

1. Caste system has been a big reason of suppression and exploitation of poor. In large parts of
India, land is held by people from dominant castes thus leading to economic exploitation of low
caste people, landless labourers and artisans.
2. The quality and quantity of employment has been very low in India due to illiteracy and lack of
skills increasing dependence on agriculture. Generation of productive employment for the ever
increasing labour force is a prevailing challenge for the country.
3. The sectoral, social and spatial inequalities have raised questions about welfare approaches of
Government planning and emphasized the role of the private sector in addressing development
issues in the country which further marginalized the poor.
4. Social and developmental infrastructure, health-care, gender inequalities, poor quality
delivery system, and regional disparities are some of the areas where a gap between rich and
poor has been clearly visible.

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Identification of these marginalized sections of the population under Census or NSSO survey is a
challenge. Due to these reasons, many people are unaware of the schemes that Government is
providing for their upliftment and development. They often do not have bank accounts due to which
they are unable to gain benefits of interest on their savings, DBT, fertilizer subsidies etc. Thus, they are
in persistent inequality trap.

Inclusive growth encompasses social, economic and political factors. Socially, lack of inclusive growth
leads to unrest and tension among people. The measures which raise equity also promote economic
growth. No government in a democracy should ignore large sections of workers and non-working
population which is deprived of equality.

10.In context of Ministry of Happiness set up by Madhya Pradesh, Is GNH a

better indicator than GDP for measuring development in India?
Answer:
GDP has always been a measure of economic growth and not a measure of overall social well-
being. Replacement of GDP with a happiness index might not get the results because the
measurement of GDP is a fairly robust exercise, comparable to a large extent across space and
time. The GDP measures the total output of all goods and services produced using prices as a
common metric of value.
GNH aims to evaluate sustainability, wellbeing and quality of life. There are nine index
variables and many other metrics, which are used to measure GNH. Some of the key
measurements include total household income, the highest level of education, the value of
voluntary work and unpaid housework, natural capital such as energy, air and water quality,
sustainable transportation, levels of health and education, crime, pollution and recycling levels.
Happiness and GDP may not necessarily move in the same direction although happiness and
incomes within countries are correlated. An individual’s assessment of her well-being is
determined by prevalent social norms as well. Though happiness increases with income but
there is an upper bound beyond which the income effect dissipates. GNH is only an indication
and does not solve the real problems.
Too much fixation over the idea of alternative to the GDP might not be fruitful. GDP is a
reliable yardstick for economy while GNH is an attempt to bring about behavioural changes in
people, not behavioural changes within government. Therefore, GDP is still a better indicator
than GNH in many respects.

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