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    14 views18 pages

    Environment

    Uploaded by

    Albus Severus
    CSE

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    of 18
    1G ENVT, DISASTER MGMT, & GEOG - 40+ IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS TOPICS: TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV ENVT., DM. GEOGRAPHY: 40+ IMP. TOPICS FOR MAINS TEST 1 SOLUTION: ANSWER WRITING PRACTICE 1, Poaching is emerging as the biggest threat to some of the Indian species. In the light of the statement, suggest innovative measures to counter this menace. Enlist various global initiatives undertaken for the prohibition of wildlife trade. Approach: + Mention briefly how and why poaching is evolving asa threat to Indian species, «Suggest measures to counter and control the instances of poaching in India «Enumerate various global initiates aiming at controlling and prohibiting wildlife trade # Conclude with a way forward Answer: The hunting of animals is the biggest threat to species such as tigers, leopards, elephants, Great Indian Bustards, Rhinoceros etc,, and is mainly prevalent in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Assam. Poaching of animals is fuelled by the international demands for animal parts for eg. Tiger claws and Rhino Horns in Chinese medicine, funding of militancy, distress poaching ete. ‘The mitigation of this crisis is complicated because of the multidimensional issues of poverty amongst forest ‘dwellers, loopholes in governance, and poor implementation ot laws. Measures to counter poaching + Involvement of communities ~ Socio economic upliftment of the local forest dwellers, as poverty forces these communities to take up poaching. = Coordination with the local communities so as to improve intelligence gathering at the local level against poachers = Recruitment ofthe local dwellers as forest guards as they have better familiarity with the terrain = Creating general awareness among the population. «Use of Sophisticated technologies ~ Drones for surveillance, especially during the night time and in foggy conditions = _ Laser motion detectors to prevent trespassing in core areas, = RFID tags for better monitoring of large mammals lke tigers, rhinoceros = Innovative methods like dyeing of Rhino horns to make it unusable * Governance reforms = Changing the work culture of the Forest department which operates with a colonial mindset, lacking transparency and accountability ~~ Infrastructural development for forest guards like building Machans and check posts = Provision of adequate funding support for surveillance infrastructure, equipment and personnel training. Published by: www.thelashu.com ‘thetAShub © 2018 | Al Rights Reserved we ENVT, DISASTER MGMT, & GEOG - 40+ IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS TOPICS: TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV ~ Better training of Forest Rangers, anti-poaching squads, and Border personnels to tackle the wildlife trade supply chain holistically. + Strict implementation of Wildlife protection act 1972, Environment Protection Act 1986, Customs Act, 1962, Foreign Trade act 1992 etc, ‘International collaboration: Leveraging funding and technical support from international, organisations, bilateral and multilateral financial institutions, civil society organisations and private sector. Global initiatives for prohibition of wildlife trade CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) -an intergovernmental agreement for regulation of international trade in wild animals and plants ‘#_TRAFFIC-a joint program of WWE and IUCN, to prevent illegal wildlife trade ‘+ The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals or the Bonn Convention - aims to conserve terrestrial, marine, and avian migratory species «The International Whaling Commission or the IWC.- responsible for the conservation, management, and regulation of whaling, globally + Global wildlife program - initiative by the GEF and World Bank to target the entire supply chain of ilegal wildife trade. ‘Wild for life campaign - launched by UN environment urging for global cooperation to fight against illegal wildlife trade ‘+ The United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) - furnishes assistance, legal and otherwise, to help solve wildlife elated crimes. United Nations in its Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development has emphasised taking up immediate action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species and address demand and supply of their products. Thus, countries should come together and formulate required local, regional, and global policies to protect these vulnerable species “The forests in India are under tremendous pressure, and forest fires have further aggravated their vulnerability.” Discuss the reasons for resurgence of forest fires in India and suggest measures for their prevention and control. ‘Approach: ‘© Give a brief introduction on India’s forest resources and the threats they are facing, especially from the forest fires, ‘* Highlight the impact of forest fires and damages caused by them to the forest ecosystem. ‘© Discuss reasons for increasing instances of forest fires in the recent times ‘+ Suggest way forward for prevention and control of forest fires. Answer: As per State of Forests Report 2017, India has forest cover of 21.5% of the total geographical area of the country. In india, forests are under tremendous pressure because of overgrazing, droughts, exploitation for Published by: www.thelashu.com ‘thetAShub © 2018 | Al Rights Reserved 1x ENVT, DISASTER MGMT, 8 GEOG - t+ IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS TOPICS: TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of MK YADAV. commercial benefits and agriculture, rapid deforestation for infrastructural development, increasing population pressure, changing land use pattern etc. However, in the recent times, forest fires have emerged as one of the biggest threats to forests. According to a report by Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Technology, India, the country has seen a 55% rise in the number of forest fires 2s on December 2016 ‘© According to Global Forest Watch, India witnessed a 125% increase in such fires in just two years (2015 +10 2017). ‘© Data suggests that about half of India’s forests are prone to fires (43% prone to occasional fires, 5% to frequent fires, and 1% at high or very high risk). Furthermore, forest ecosystem once destroyed takes considerably long to recover. This is because forest fires also results in loss of soil fertility, lead to soll erosion, drying up of water resources, and loss of bio-diversity. It also destroys habitat and the livelihood of many tribal and rural people. Causes of Forest fires: © Natural Causes: Lightening: It rapidly increases forest fires to other areas also. Climatic conditions: High temperature and dry climate from February to mid-June. In dry season fire may also be caused by friction between rolling stones. ~ Wind speed: It causes friction among forest. Its the biggest reasons of fires in Bamboo forests. © Man-made causes: 90% of forest fires Large scale expansion of Chir forests in Himalayan mountains: They are deciduous in nature with leaves falling during dry season. These dry leaves are highly inflammable and catch fire rapidly. Callousness: Fire is caused when a source of fire like naked flame, cigarette or bidi, electric spark (or any source of ignition comes into contact with inflammable material Shifting cultivation: In the North-Eastern region of India and in parts of the States of Orissa and ‘Andhra Pradesh, To ward off wild animals: The use of fires by villagers to keep the wild animals away = Toconceal illegal timber cutting Government measures like National Plan for forest fire management, Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme(FPM), provision under Draft National Forest policy, fire detection implemented by Forest Survey of India etc are steps in the right direction. However, to check rapidly increasing instances of forest fires following steps need to be taken: ‘+ Promotion of natural broadleaf trees in place of Chir pine trees: They can resist high temperature and retain soil moisture ‘Early detection and warning system: Remote sensing technology is to be given due importance in fire detection, ‘= Financial support to States: Provision of Aids/Loans from GOI to States/UT’s according to their action plan for Systematic Forest Fire Management. ‘© Strategic small forest fires: They must be allowed early during onset of summer as this practice reduces chances of more severe fires later. Published by: www.thelashu.com ‘thetAShub © 2018 | Al Rights Reserved we ENVT, DISASTER MGMT, & GEOG - 40+ IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS TOPICS: TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV © Joint forest management: Local participation of tribal people and farmers should be encouraged. For example, Vanpanchats. + Environmental awareness and education to people: Help of civil society can be enlisted for this purpose. Use of alternative of Biomass: Like use of natural gas in cooking, * Strategise the flow of fire - by analysing the wind speed and control accordingly. © Research and development: in fire detection, suppression and fire ecology for better management of wildfires. Forests are extremely vital resources as they not only check climate change but also are an important source of livelihood of tribal people, Thus, above mentioned steps need to be taken to check their further degradation. he Disaster management cycle forms the bedrock of Disaster Management Plan”. Explain in the context of the recently adopted National Disaster Management Plan, 2016, and the Sendai framework. ‘Approach: ‘© Define disaster management and the disaster management cycle ‘Explain how disaster management cycle requires crucial consideration in formulation of disaster management plans ‘© Highlight how National Disaster Management Plan, 2016, and the Sendai framework have aimed at disaster risk management, taking into account all phases of the disaster management cycle ‘Answer: Disaster management can be defined as the organization, planning, and application of measures aimed at preparing for, responding to and, initial recovery from disasters. The Disaster management cycle illustrates the ongoing process by which governments, businesses, and civil society plan for and reduce the impact of disasters, react during and immediately following a disaster, and take steps to recover after a disaster has occurred. Thus, the complete disaster management cycle forms the basis ‘on which disaster management policies and plans are shaped. Understanding the crucial role of disaster management cycle, the National Disaster Management Policy, 2009 Introduced a paradigm shift, from the erstwhile relief-centric response to a proactive prevention, mitigation and preparedness-driven approach for conserving developmental gains and to minimize loss of life, livelihood and property Taking this a step further, the National Disaster Management Plan, 2016, based on the Sendai framework, ‘adds special emphasis on the Recovery phase ie. Building Back Better (B88 - rehabilitation, reconstruction) Key components of Disaster Management Cycle 1) MITIGATION: Mitigation efforts attempt to prevent hazards or to reduce the effects of disasters when they occur (disaster risk reduction) Published by: www.thelashu.com ‘thetAShub © 2018 | Al Rights Reserved 1 ENVT DISASTER MGMT, &.GEOG. 40 IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS TOPICS: TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of MK YADAV. 2) PREPAREDNESS - In the preparedness phase, emergency managers develop plans of action for when the disaster strikes. 3) RESPONSE - The response phase includes the mobilization of the necessary emergency services and first responders in the disaster area. 4) RECOVERY - The aim of the recovery phase is to restore the affected area to its previous state, including relief and rehabilitation measures. Disaster Mitigation: Prevention & Risk Reduction Figure 4-1: Disaster management cycle ‘The Sendai framework is a voluntary, non-binding, agreement for Disaster Risk Reduction aiming at significantly reducing the disaster risk and decrease the loss of lif, livelihoods, and assets (economic, physical, | environmental). ts Global Targets give due consideration to each phase of disaster management cycle: Mitigation - emphasised in reducing mortality of global population, economic loss to global GOP, damage to Critical infrastructure + Preparedness - by promoting international cooperation, helping countries with local and National Disaster response strategies, availablity and access to multi hazard early warning systems. + Enhanced Response as the goals are defined in terms of outcome-based targets instead of focusing on sets of activities and actions. + Better Rehabilitation by adoption of the principle of “Build back Better” in recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction. ‘The National Disaster Management Plan, 2016 incorporates substantively the approach enunciated in the Sendai Framework to help meet the goals set in the framework. Published by: wanw.thelashub.com ‘thetAShub © 2018 | Al Rights Reserved we ENVT, DISASTER MGMT, & GEOG - 40+ IMP. CURRENT AFFAIRS TOPICS: TARGET 2018 Under the Guidance of M K YADAV © Mitigation - is incorporated by strengthening Disaster Risk governance featuring areas such as Mainstreaming Risk reduction, capacity development, scientific and technological capabilities, participatory approach, ete. + Preparedness - Horizontal and vertical coordination among all agencies and departments of the government. = Aseparate Responsibility Matrix to clearly delineate who is responsible for what, at different stages of disaster management phases eg. Hazard specific nodal agencies, agency for media relations, department for early warning Empower local authorities and prepare communities as partners. NDMP emphasizes on a greater need for Information, Education and Communication activities. Response - has been categorised into 18 different areas : Early warning, Evacuation of people and livestock, Basic provisioning etc. to enhance the Response efforts. ‘© Rehabilitation - has been evolved into using disasters as opportunities for better construction, Ethical media coverage of disasters to provide a healing touch via the use of the me: The revamped disaster management strategy has, thus, tried to provide a comprehensive framework and

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