Handout-5 on Environment & Ecology by Mrs.

Vaishali Anand
PIB COMPILATIONS : AUGUST , 2018
MoEFCC
❖ Environment & Skill Development Ministries Sign MoU to train one lakh RAC Service
Technicians ( 2 August ‘18 )
➢ MoEF&CC has already launched a Green Skill Mission under which, within the next three
years, training will be imparted to 5 lakh 86 thousand persons.
➢ The two Ministries have agreed to jointly undertake upskilling and certification of 100,000
RAC (refrigeration and air-conditioning) service technicians on good servicing practices
and knowledge of alternative refrigerants to ozone-depleting chemicals. The project will
be funded under the Skill India Mission (PMKVY)
➢ MoEFCC also launched a mobile application developed by Electronic Sector Skill Council
of India and Ozone Cell for the trainees under the project which will host training material
and instruction videos. The videos have been jointly developed by the Ozone Cell and
Energy Efficiency Services Ltd in collaboration with UN Environment.
➢ There are around 200,000 RAC service technicians in the country, mostly in the informal
sector. Training of these technicians is an ongoing activity under the HCFC Phase-out
Management Plan.
➢ The project will be implemented by the Electronic Sector Skill Council of India (ESSCI)
and the Ozone Cell, MoEFCC and supported by industry and service sector associations for
creating awareness and mobilisation of candidates.
➢ India is party to the Montreal Protocol, and in the process of phasing out Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS) and in the future, even non-ODS gases with high global warming
potential will be phased down. The alternative refrigerants have issues like flammability
and toxicity concerns. As a result, skill training for technicians is of paramount importance,
in educating them about safety requirement, energy efficiency and refrigerant leak
minimisation.

❖ Violations of Environmental Regulations (03 August ’18)

➢ According CPCB, there are 441 industries that are not complying the environmental norms
CPCB has issued show-cause notices to 274 industries and closure directions to 140 non-
complying units.
➢ MoEFCC has taken several steps
■ Issuance of Notification of industry specific emission and effluent standards under the
Environment (Protection) Rules;
■ Issuance of revised emission/effluent norms for key sectors such as Thermal Power
Plants;

Page 1 of 28
 ■ Monitoring of compliance of notified emission/ discharge norms,
■ Surprise inspection of highly polluting large and medium units; and online monitoring of
effluent and emission from 17 categories of industries for continuous check on pollution
levels.
➢ MoEF&CC has formulated National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for abatement of air
pollution in the country. He added that the NCAP is intended to strengthen the ongoing
government initiatives targeted towards prevention, control and mitigation of air pollution.

❖ Decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions (03 August ‘18)

➢ India's emission intensity of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has reduced by 12%
between 2005 and 2010 (as per India’s first BUR) in line with our voluntary goal of
reducing emission intensity of GDP by 20-25% by 2020 over 2005 level.
➢ GHG emission inventory for the country is prepared according to the requirements under
UNFCCC as per IPCC guidelines.
National Communications (NATCOMs) are submitted periodically followed by an update
called the Biennial Update Report (BUR) every 2 years.
➢ The commitments under Paris Agreement, called “Nationally Determined Contributions”
(NDC), are to be implemented in post 2020 period which would be achieved through
NAPCC & SAPCC.

❖ Polluted Cities ( 03 August ‘18)

➢ According to WHO Global Ambient Air Quality Database (update 2018) 14 cities of India
- namely Kanpur, Faridabad, Gaya, Varanasi, Patna, Delhi, Lucknow, Agra, Gurgaon,
Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Jaipur, Patiala & Jodhpur are included in the list of 20 cities, which
have recorded high levels of PM2.5.
➢ 14 cities listed in the WHO database, 8 cities are in the list of 94 Non-attainment cities
(2011-2015).(identified primarily on the basis of PM10). State Pollution Control Boards
(SPCBs) have been asked to prepare city-specific plans for all 94 Non-attainment
cities.(08 more cities have been added recently to the list).
➢ National the Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Program (NAMP), the parameters monitored are
mainly PM10, SO2 and NO2. MoEF&CC has formulated National Clean Air Programme
(NCAP) for abatement of air pollution in the country.

❖ Utilization of fund for Environmental Protection (06 August ‘18)

➢ In compliance of Supreme Court Orders in T.N. Godavarman Thirumalpad vs Union of
India & Ors. funds(including Compensatory Afforestation fund) have been deposited by

Page 2 of 28
 concerned parties in various Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV) created in states and utilised
for the purposes specified in the Supreme Court Orders.
➢ The funds are utilised as per the approved annual plan of operation prepared as per the
CAMPA guidelines and duly approved by the Steering Committee of State CAMPA chaired
by the Chief secretary of the State.
➢ The Central Government has now enacted Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016
for utilising the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF).

Status of Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) and Special Purpose Vehicle:-

Fund Amount (cr) Utilised(cr) Balance(cr)

CAF 66298.58 14560.63 51737.95

Total 91608.47 15342.94 76265.63

❖ Early warning system for air pollution (06 August ‘18)

➢ A task force under the chairmanship of Secretary, Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) with
representatives of expert institutions has been set up to build a strategy for developing an
early warning system on air quality, as well as the dissemination of warning to public.

❖ Measures to tackle Dust Pollution. (06 August ‘18)

➢ Government has taken several steps to address air pollution which include:-
■ notification of National Ambient Air Quality Standards
■ setting up of monitoring network for assessment of ambient air quality
■ introduction of cleaner / alternate fuels like gaseous fuel (CNG, LPG etc.), ethanol
blending, launching of National Air Quality index
■ universalization of BS-IV from 2017;
■ leapfrogging from BS-IV to BS-VI fuel standards by 1st April, 2020;
■ notifications regarding ‘Mandatory Implementation of Dust Mitigation Measures’ for
Construction and Demolition Activities.
■ Banning of burning of biomass;

➢ Two pilot projects to tackle dust pollution namely:

Page 3 of 28
 ■ Pariyayantra filtration on the roof top of 30 buses by ManavRachna Innovation and
Incubation Centre to demonstrate the effectiveness of air pollution mitigation by
Pariyayantra filtration.
■ Wind Augmentation and Air Purifying Unit (WAYU) devices by National
Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) for trffic junction pollution
abatement.

➢ NCAP as a long-term time bound national level strategy to tackle the increasing air pollution
problem across the country in comprehensive manner.
The overall objective is to augment and evolve effective ambient air quality monitoring
network across the country.
➢ NCAP has many other components viz. Technical Assessment Cell, technology support,
sharing of international best practices, awareness and capacity building, source
apportionment studies, plantation drive, intensive inspection drive etc to support the time
bound implementation of NCAP

❖ Funds for prevention of pollution in rivers, lakes and ground water (06 August’18)
➢ MoEFCC has been supplementing the efforts of the State Governments in abatement of
pollution in rivers under the National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) and conservation &
management of lakes & wetlands under a separate scheme of National Plan for
Conservation of Aquatic Eco-systems (NPCA).
➢ NRCP {excluding Ganga and its tributaries, handled by MoWR,RD&GR from 01/08/2014
onwards} has covered polluted stretches of 32 rivers in 76 towns spread over 14 States in
the country at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 4581.91 crore and Central share of Rs. 2258.72.
Sewage treatment capacity of 2472.43 mld (million litres per day) has been created so far
under the NRCP.
➢ State Governments, are also utilising funds under AMRUT and Smart Cities Mission of
Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs as well as Namami Gange programme of
MoWR,RD&GR (funds of Rs.3696.49 crore in last 3 years) for improving sewage
infrastructure and STP.
➢ NPCA has so far covered 148 identified wetlands and lakes in 24 States & 1 Union Territory
and Central share of Rs. 893.69 crore has been released.
➢ No funds have been released to Jharkhand during the last three years and current year
under NRCP and NPCA.
➢ The MoWR,RD&GR is also implementing the Repair, Renovation and Restoration (RRR)
of water bodies, including ponds and tanks, which aims at
■ improving catchment areas of tanks commands,
■ increase in storage capacity, ground water recharge,

Page 4 of 28
 ■ improvement in agriculture and increased availability of drinking water.
➢ Central Ground Water Board under MoWR,RD&GR is implementing the ‘Ground Water
Management & Regulation’ scheme, under which studies on monitoring, analyzing and
mapping of ground water quality and other preventive steps are taken up throughout the
country.
➢ Funds under NRCP & NPCA are released in a phased manner to the States based on
progress of work and on receipt of Utilization Certificates as well as physical and financial
progress reports from the States.
❖ Pollution due to synthetic fertilizers and agricultural pollutants. (06 August ‘18)

➢ CPCB is monitoring the water quality of both surface and ground water under the National
Water Monitoring Programme (NWMP) through a network of monitoring stations in the
country.
➢ Steps taken by the Government to check the pollution of water bodies include
■ Formulation and notification of standards for effluents from industries, operations or
processes;
■ Enforcing of these standards by SPCBs and regular monitoring;
■ Setting up of monitoring network for assessment of water quality;
■ Installation of Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring systems (OCEMS) to check the
discharge of effluent directly into water bodies;
■ Installation of Common Effluent Treatment Plants for cluster of Small Scale Industrial
units;
■ Issuance of directions for implementation of Zero Liquid Discharge in certain
categories of highly polluting industries;
■ Issuance of directions under Section 5 of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and
under Section 18(1)(b) of Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.

❖ Draft Forst Policy and Tribals. (06 August ’18)

➢ The draft National Forest Policy of 2018 is for conservation, protection and management of
forests along with addressing other issues associated with forest and forest management.
➢ To protect the interest of tribals, the Draft Policy of 2018 proposes to launch Community
Forest Management Mission for management of community forest resources through a
participatory forest management approach

Page 5 of 28
❖ Cases pending in Supreme Court and NGT (06 August ‘18)
➢ The number of cases related to environmental issues pending in the Supreme Court of India
is around 110 and 3573 in the National Green Tribunal.

❖ Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve 11th Biosphere Reserve from India that has
been included in World Network of Biosphere Reserves (08 August ‘18)
➢ The decision was taken at the 30th Session of International Coordinating Council (ICC) of
Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme of UNESCO.
➢ Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve in Sikkim is one of the highest ecosystems in the
world, reaching elevations of 1, 220 metres above sea-level. It includes a range of
ecolines , varying from sub-tropic to Arctic, as well as natural forests in different biomes,
that support an immensely rich diversity of forest types and habitats.
➢ The southern and central landscape, which makes up 86% of the core area, is situated in
the Greater Himalayas. The northern part of the area accounts for 14% is characterized by
trans-Himalayan features.
➢ The core zone – Khangchendzonga National Park was designated a World Heritage Site in
2016 under the ‘mixed’ category. Many of the mountains, peaks, lakes, caves, rocks,
Stupas (shrines) and hot springs function as pilgrimage sites.
Over 118 species of the large number of medicinal plants found in Dzongu Valley in north
Sikkim are of ethno-medical utility.

❖ “PARIVESH” – an environmental single window hub for Environment, Forest, Wildlife

and CRZ clearances launched (10 August ‘18)
➢ The Prime Minister launched PARIVESH on the occasion of World Biofuel Day, here today.
It is a Single-Window Integrated Environmental Management System which automates
the entire process of submitting the application and tracking the status of such proposals at
each stage of processing.
➢ It is in accordance with E-Governance, Ease of Doing Business, Digital India.
➢ PARIVESH is a workflow based application, based on the concept of web architecture for
online submission, monitoring and management of proposals submitted by Project
Proponents to the MOEFCC, as well as to the State Level Environmental Impact
Assessment Authorities (SEIAA), to seek various types of clearances (e.g. Environment,
Forest, Wildlife and Coastal Regulation Zone Clearances).
➢ Highlights of PARIVESH include -
■ single registration and single sign-in for all types of clearances
■ unique-ID for all types of clearances required for a particular project

Page 6 of 28
 ■ a single Window interface for the proponent to submit applications for getting all types of
clearances

➢ PARIVESH also helps the processing authorities, as it has a Single Window System for
Central, State and District level clearances, auto-generation of agenda, minutes of the
meetings and online generation of approval letters.
Facility of Geographic Information System (GIS) interface for the Appraisal Committee will
help them in analyzing the proposal efficiently.

❖ “Need to Address Root Cause Behind Man-Animal Conflict”: Commerce Minister

Environment Ministry Celebrates World Elephant Day; Four-Day “Gaj Mahotsav” to
Conclude on Independence Day (12 August ‘18)
➢ Human intervention has fragmented habitats of elephants and destroyed forests, which in
turn has led to the occurrence of man-animal conflict.
➢ Elephants keep walking and eating for 18 hours in a day and defecate half-digested food,
including grass, bamboo and leaves over a wide area, giving rise to another chain of events.
He averred that if elephants are confined to one place, nature’s linkage is broken.Urgent
need to protect the habitat and corridors of elephants.
➢ MoEFCC along with Wildlife Trust of India, kicked off the celebrations of ‘Gaj Mahotsav’
today. The 101 elephants displayed during Gaj Mahotsav symbolize the 101 elephant
corridors that need to be protected.
➢ “Best Elephant Warrior Award” to Late Dr. Manikandan. The award for making a
significant contribution to the cause of conservation of Asian elephant was given to Mr.
John Burton & Ms. Vivien Burton. Colouful ‘Tolu Bomblatta shadow puppets’ from Andhra
Pradesh was made before the gathering.
➢ Population estimates for Asian elephants in the country, as per 2017 Census, are about
30,000. Asian elephants are confined to South Asia and South East Asia and about 60 per
cent of global population of Asian elephants is found in India. Elephants were declared as a
National Heritage Animal in the year 2010.

❖ Release of compensatory afforestation fund to states will help in meeting Nation’s

INDCs (14 August ‘18)
➢ Government introduced CAF Bill in 2015 and the Bill was passed in 2016.After framing of
Rules after wider consultations with various stakeholders the CAF Act will come into force
from September 30, 2018.

Page 7 of 28
➢ Release of fund to States (Rs. 52,000 crore) will help in creating the additional carbon sink
to meet the nation’s INDC of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent through
additional forest and tree cover by the year 2030.
➢ Fund will be kept in the interest-bearing Public account of the Centre and States, will be
safe and will be used only for
■ compensatory afforestation,
■ soil moisture conservation,
■ wildlife management and catchment area treatment.

➢ Till now funds have been managed by adhoc CAMPA. Now, the Fund will be managed as
per the CAF Act and Rules, unlocking the use of funds collected for the purpose of forest
ecosystem restoration and water security.

❖ MoEFCC releases India’s REDD+ Strategy (30 August ‘18)

➢ Cooperation and involvement of the tribals, other forest dwelling people and the society as
a whole, is crucial for the implementation of the REDD+ strategy.
➢ REDD+ strategy will help the country to fulfill its NDC commitments , contribute to the
livelihood of the forest dependent population and also in conservation of biodiversity.
➢ REDD+ aims to achieve climate change mitigation by incentivizing forest conservation,
address drivers of deforestation and forest degradation and also developing a roadmap for
enhancement of forest carbon stocks and achieving sustainable management of forests
through REDD+ actions. The National REDD+ Strategy will soon be communicated to the
UNFCCC.
➢ India’s first biennial update report to UNFCCC has revealed that forests in India capture
about 12% of India’s total GHG emissions.

Page 8 of 28
❖ Environment Ministry prepares policy for Eco-tourism in forest and wildlife areas
(31st August ‘18)
➢ Ministry has prepared an Eco-tourism policy that will provide livelihood opportunities for
the local communities, as well as educate visitors and enhance their understanding of
nature.
➢ Economic opportunities :-
■ nature and tourist guides for providing hospitality,
■ as nature science interpreters and patrol partners to protect nature.
■ homestead-based hospitality enterprises for enhancing local livelihood,
■ small-scale entrepreneurs and operators like souvenir shops and equipment for hiring for
photography.
➢ Infrastructure development for eco-tourism will be designed in such a manner that it merges
with the ambient environment.The activities undertaken will be eco-friendly in nature and no
permanent structure will be allowed without clearance under Forest (Conservation) Act.
➢ Eco-tourism will be developed in wildlife conservation areas designated as Protected Areas
(PAs)including
■ wildlife sanctuaries,
■ national parks,
■ conservation reserves and community reserves.
➢ As well as in areas outside designated Protected Areas, including
■ forests,
■ mangroves,
■ sacred groves,
■ mud flats,
■ wetlands and rivers.

Page 9 of 28
 PIB COMPILATIONS : SEPTEMBER 2018
MOEFCC

❖ Cabinet approves continuation of the Centrally Sponsored Umbrella Scheme of

Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats beyond 12th Plan (5th September ‘18)
➢ The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has approved continuation of the Centrally
Sponsored Umbrella Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (CSS-
IDWH) beyond the 12thPlan period from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
➢ The Scheme consists of Centrally Sponsored Scheme of :-
■ Project Tiger (CSS-PT) : Rs. 1143 crore
■ Development of Wildlife Habitats (CSS-DWH) : Rs. 496.50 crore
■ Project Elephant (CSS-PE): Rs.92.22 crore The total outlay is Rs. 1731.72 crore as central
share.
➢ A total of 18 tiger range States, distributed in five landscapes of the country would be
benefitted under the Project Tiger scheme. Similarly, for other two schemes, the coverage is
entire country in case of Development of Wildlife Habitats (DWH) and 23 elephant range
States for Project Elephant. It would foster wildlife conservation in general with specific
inputs for tiger in Project Tiger area and elephant in Project Elephant area.
➢ The schemes would address the human wildlife conflict effectively. Besides, the
communities opting for voluntary relocation from the Core/Critical Tiger Habitat (6900
families) would be benefitted under Project Tiger (CSS-PT) and 800 families under CSS of
Development of Wildlife Habitat.
➢ These schemes would generate employment opportunities resulting in economic
upliftment of people in and around tiger reserves/ Protected Areas besides leading to
reduction in natural resource dependency with substitution by clean energy use. It will
generate direct employment of about 30 lakh mandays annually which shall include many
local tribes besides non-tribal local workforce.
➢ People living in vicinity would also get indirect benefits. Local populace would get
opportunities to serve as guides, driver, hospitality personnel and in other ancillary jobs.
These schemes would foster imparting various skills towards making people self-dependent
through various eco-development projects, thereby enabling them to go for self-
employment.
➢ These schemes would result in resource generation through tourist visits, thereby fostering
in securing tiger source areas and other areas important for wildlife conservation, besides
being helpful in sustaining life support systems as well as ensuring the food, water and
livelihood security.

Page 10 of 28
➢ The implementation of the schemes would be done through the respective States in
designated Tiger Reserves, Protected Areas and Elephant Reserves.

❖ Sustainability Summit inaugurated (6th Sept, ‘18)

➢ Emphasising that circular economy and resource efficiency can provide solutions to the
challenges posed in the process of reconciling economic growth with environmental
sustainability, MoEFCC has pointed to the need for corporate participation in building
resource efficiency and a circular economy.
➢ In the 13th Sustainability Summit with the theme – “Everyone’s future” here today,
minister stated that India has registered 1 per cent growth in its forest and tree cover,
according to the latest report of Forest Survey of India.
➢ The recent implementation of ‘PARIVESH’- a single window clearance system in the
spheres of Environment, Forest, Wildlife and Coastal Regulation Zone.
➢ The automated system will help applicants track the application status, as well as help in
improving environmental compliance. India’s affirmative action in embracing a sustainable
lifestyle by aligning the 5 Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership.
➢ Acknowledging that the quality of air is an environmental issue that impacts the health of the
country’s citizens, The National Clean Air Action Plan and air quality monitoring
infrastructure are the Government’s key areas of focus.
➢ Dr. Vardhan alluded to the development of strategies for proper segregation of municipal
solid waste and utilisation of plastic waste for recycling and recovery.
➢ MoHUPPA reiterated India’s strong commitment against rising global temperatures and
INDC target of 175 GW renewable energy capacity by 2022.
➢ Sustainable Development Goals in 2015 recognized the intrinsic linkages between
climate change and urbanization. “Goal 11, titled “Make cities and human settlements
inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable” has embedded in it, critical elements of climate
action. Solid waste management, air pollution, slum housing, and water related disasters,
are just some of the climate-related aspects covered in Goal 11”, he outlined.
➢ Pointing to the objective of the Swacch Bharat Mission (SBM) to make India ODF and have
100% scientific solid waste management by October 2, 2019, the Minister suggested that
SBM is not only about infrastructure, but also bringing about behavioural and cultural
changes among citizens.
➢ The use of new and alternate construction technologies in the construction of houses,
locally available eco-friendly materials suited to local climatic conditions are being
encouraged, reducing not only the cost of construction but also the resultant carbon
footprint. He also emphasised on affordable, eco-friendly and modern urban
transportation services and said that Delhi Metro is today comparable to the best in the
world.

Page 11 of 28
❖ India first country in the world to develop document on Cooling Action Plan .
"Keep Cool and Carry on”: The Montreal Protocol is the theme of 24th World Ozone
Day celebrations. (17 Sept. ‘18)
➢ India is committed to protection of ozone layer which is a hallmark in implementation of ODS
phase-out programme in the country. MoEFCC is upskilling 100,000 Refrigeration and Air-
Conditioning Servicing technicians in collaboration with MSDE under (PMKVY) – Skill India
Mission.
➢ He released the draft India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) and a booklet on ‘Montreal
Protocol – India’s Success Story’. A refurbished website on the Ozone Cell of the Ministry
and a Management Information System (MIS) for Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) were
also launched on the occasion.
➢ The Minister also released two handbooks for trainers and technicians on “Good Service
Practices and installation of room air-conditioners with HCFC-22 and flammable
refrigerants”
➢ Besides these publications, “A Guide for integration of topics related to HCFC Phase out
and Energy efficiency in Architectural Curriculum” was also released.
➢ MoEF&CC has developed a very strong linkage with the industry and other stakeholders.
Along with energy efficiency, it is critical to identify the usage of gases and not merely
replacement of gases.
➢ Government’s effort is to provide thermal comfort to those who have no access to it.
“There are alternative ways to cooling that should be looked at. Another issue is an army
of trained manpower to handle manufacturing and maintenance”.
➢ India is the first country in world to develop such a document (ICAP), which addresses
cooling requirement across sectors and lists out actions which can help reduce the cooling
demand. This will help in reducing emissions.
➢ The thrust of the ICAP is to look for synergies in actions for securing both environmental and
socio-economic benefits. The overarching goal of ICAP is to provide sustainable cooling
and thermal comfort for all while securing environmental and socio-economic benefits for
the society.
➢ The goals emerging from the suggested interventions stated in ICAP are:
■ Recognition of “cooling and related areas” as a thrust area of research under national
science and technology programme to support development of technological solutions
and encourage innovation challenges.
■ Reduction of cooling demand across sectors by 20% to 25 % by year 2037-38.
■ Reduction of refrigerant demand by 25% to 30% by year 2037-38.
■ Reduction of cooling energy requirements by 25% to 40% by year 2037-38.

Page 12 of 28
 ■ Training and certification of 100,000 servicing sector technicians by the year 2022-23, in
synergy with Skill India Mission.

➢ The broad objectives of the India Cooling Action Plan include

■ Assessment of cooling requirements across sectors in next 20 years and the associated
refrigerant demand and energy use,
■ Map the technologies available to cater the cooling requirement including passive
interventions, refrigerant-based technologies and alternative technologies such as not-
in-kind technologies,
■ Suggest interventions in each sector to provide for sustainable cooling and thermal
comfort for all,
■ Focus on skilling of RAC service technicians,
■ Develop an R&D innovation ecosystem for indigenous development of alternative
technologies.

➢ ICAP had been prepared by the Ministry after extensive deliberations and multi-
stakeholders engagement in public domain for receiving comments/suggestions.
➢ The Montreal Protocol is the only environmental treaty which enjoys universal ratification of
197 UN numbers countries. The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer has been recognized as the most successful international environment treaty in
history. Its implementation has not only led to the phase-out of around 98% of ozone
depleting chemicals, but also averted more than 135 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide
equivalent emissions. Nearly 2 million cases of skin cancer per year have been averted
globally.
➢ India has consciously chosen a path for most environment-friendly and energy efficient
technologies while phasing out Ozone Depleting Substances, unlike many of the
developed countries. India is among the few countries globally and a pioneer in some cases,
in the use of technologies, which are non-ozone depleting and have low global warming
potential.
➢ Cooling has been recognized as an important development need due to cross-sectoral
nature and considerable use of cooling and air conditioning in different Sectors of the
economy such as industries, residential and commercial buildings, cold chain, transport
(personal, commercial, metro and railways, ships).
➢ The integration of topics on HCFC phase out and energy efficiency in architectural
curriculum will help the future architects to introduce energy efficiency and use ozone
friendly materials in new construction of buildings. This will help not only in the protection of
Ozone layer, but also reduce energy consumption in building sector, which is one of the
significant consumers of electricity in urban areas.

Page 13 of 28
❖ Environment Ministry organises ‘Swacchhta Hi Seva’ Programme (20 Sept. ‘18)

➢ Speaking on the occasion, Director General (Forests) said that the role of children in
Swacchhta campaign is crucial.
➢ Ministry has initiated efforts to make all the Protected Areas (PAs) in the country
plastic-free and clean. He emphasized the need to plant more and more trees and reduce
single use plastic to enable the environment to cleanse itself.
➢ ‘Swacchhta’ (cleanliness) is closely linked to the quality of life and health of people. He
pointed out that Swacchhta has been an integral part of Indian culture and tradition. He
stated that the Green Good Deeds campaign, launched by MoEFCC comprises 10 small
activities to protect the environment, must be extended to schools.
➢ A ‘Green March’ by the students was also flagged off on the occasion. About 200 students
from Eco-Clubs of schools in Delhi, were present in the gathering.

❖ Dr. Harsh Vardhan Addresses Environment Ministers of NCR States to Ensure Better
Preparedness Towards Improving air Quality. (27 Sept. ‘18)
➢ Centre has provided all possible assistance such as grant of Rs. 1150 crore from Centrally
Sponsored Schemes (CSS) to tackle stubble burning to the States of Punjab, Haryana
and Uttar Pradesh and also provided financial assistance under Urban Development Fund
(UDF) to Delhi for procurement of mechanical road sweeping machines, water
sprinklers and greening.
➢ The meeting discussed the steps taken to address air pollution during the winter months
and reviewed various steps taken to ensure better preparedness towards improving air
quality in Delhi-NCR during the coming months, in comparison to previous years.
■ The number of Good, Satisfactory and Moderate days increased from 144 in 2017 to
149 in 2018.
■ The number of Poor, Very Poor and Severe days decreased from 125 in 2017 to 120 in
2018 till date.

➢ CPCB had deployed 41 teams in Delhi-NCR for ground-level inspection of activities that
cause pollution from September 15 this year. CPCB has also issued directions to
concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), MCDs, construction agencies, transport
and agricultural departments to prepare targeted action plans for air polluting sources and to
implement these plans. Three mitigation pilot projects have also been sanctioned for
deployment in Delhi.
➢ In addition, several steps such as:-

Page 14 of 28
 ■ restriction on the use of petcoke and furnace oil in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and
Rajasthan
■ introduction of BS VI compliant petrol in Delhi since April 2018
■ conversion of brick kilns to zig-zag technology
■ issuance of list of approved fuels permissible for use within the borders of NCT of Delhi
■ operationalisation of Eastern Peripheral Expressway to ease congestion and diversion of
traffic from Delhi
■ financial incentive for in-situ crop residue management in Haryana and Punjab are likely
to have a positive impact on the ambient air quality in the coming months.

➢ With a view to enhance public participation, CPCB has invited proposals through crowd
sourcing. Any person with any practical idea has been invited to participate in the collective
endeavour.
➢ It was also emphasised at the meeting that NCR states should ensure that farm implements
that are being distributed to tackle stubble burning should be completed in the next 10
days to ensure that no stubble burning incident takes place in the States of Punjab,
Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
➢ Ambient air quality monitoring network is being expanded in NCR States and more data
is expected to facilitate better air quality management decisions.

Page 15 of 28
 PIB COMPILATIONS : OCTOBER 2018
MoEFCC
❖ Environment Ministry Sanctions River Pollution Abatement Project in Udhampur in
Jammu & Kashmir 01 Oct, 18

➢ MoEFCC has sanctioned a project for ‘Pollution abatement of rivers Devika and Tawi in
Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir through National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)
➢ Full sewerage system will be laid in the town and its entire sewage will be treated, the
project will improve the aesthetics and sanitation conditions in Udhampur.
➢ The total sanctioned cost of the project is Rs. 186.74 crore, will be shared between the
Government of India and Government of J&K on 90:10 cost-sharing basis respectively.The
Urban Engineering and Environment Department (UEED) is the implementing agency of the
project.
➢ The major components under the project include laying of 129.27 kms of sewer lines (which
will ensure full sewerage system in Udhampur town), setting up of 3 Sewage Pumping
stations and construction of 3 Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) of 13.60 million litres per
day (mld) capacity.
➢ The project will also cover non-sewerage works relating to river front development in a
length of 340 metres at 3 bathing ghats, including Mela Ghat.

❖ Prime Minister conferred Champions of Earth Award 2018 for Policy Leadership 03
Oct, 18

➢ The Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi, was today conferred the Champions of the Earth
Award 2018 for Policy Leadership by UN Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Guterres.
➢ Champions of the Earth is the highest UN honour in the field of environment. The award
recognizes outstanding figures from public and private sector as well as civil society, whose
actions have brought about a positive impact and a transformation on environment.

❖ Wildlife week celebrations conclude at Delhi Zoo 08 Oct, 18

➢ Wildlife Week is celebrated every year from October 2. The celebration of Wildlife Week
started in the year 1952.
➢ India has only 2.5 per cent of land of the world, it is home to about 18% of wildlife population
and tiger, lion, rhinoceros and crocodile are surviving and thriving in the country.
➢ Minister of MoEFCC inaugurated a bio-methanation plant under an MoU between BARC
and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. The capacity of the bio-
methanation plant will be 3 Metric Tonnes (MT) per day.

Page 16 of 28
❖ States must play a proactive role in implementing climate policies”: Dr. Harsh
Vardhan 9th Oct 18.
➢ States must create their own initiatives for climate action beyond implementing central
policies. Issues of transfer of technology and finance continue to be major issues in dealing
with climate change.
➢ Adopting one Green Good every day, Green Good Behaviour, Green Social Responsibility
and adopting Green Practices will help in fighting climate change.
➢ National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plan on Climate
Change (SAPCC) had been conceptualized almost a decade ago. Thus, the ministry is
taking steps for revision for the national missions of NAPCC as well as the SAPCCs to
reflect the current climate change realities.
➢ 11 States have submitted second proposals under NAPCC and 27 adaptation projects,
including a multi-state regional project, are being implemented.
➢ State governments are key stakeholders in driving climate change action at the sub national
level and would play an even more significant role in combating climate change in the post-
2020 period.

❖ Strengthening Forest Fire Management will help India meet its Long-Term Climate
Change Goal, says new report 09 Oct ,18
➢ Forest fire management is part of our long-term vision for Sustainable Forest Management.
➢ Minister of MoEFCC affirmed that the recommendations suggested in the report must be
implemented effectively for significant reduction in the incidence of forest fires.
➢ Forest fires have distinct regional patterns, with 20 districts (not the same ones) account for
47% of fire distribution.
➢ The report pointed out that forest fires are caused by a combination of natural and social
factors and policies on forest fire prevention and management. It also underscores the need
to put more emphasis on better fire prevention practices and a well-equipped and trained
workforce to fight fires. The report has been prepared jointly by the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change and World Bank.
➢ Some of the recommendations include –
■ developing a National Forest Fire Prevention Management Plan as an open, consultative
and a time-bound process,
■ institute standard management practices,
■ adapt technology to local conditions,

Page 17 of 28
 ■ scale up the best practices and increase engagement with local communities to ensure
that big fire is used in a responsible way.
■ give communities a greater say in decision-making process.

➢ Need to support forest fire management through improved data, and research to fill critical
knowledge gaps.
■ A national forest fire information database
■ bringing together satellite-based remote sensing data,
■ field-reported data, will be instrumental for assessing longer-term trends across states and
regions and for planning fire prevention and response.

❖ Cabinet approves Memorandum of Cooperation between India and Finland on

Environmental Cooperation 10 Oct , 18

➢ The Memorandum of Cooperation will enable establishment and promotion of closer and
cooperation between the two countries in the field of
■ environment protection
■ management of natural resources on the basis of equity, reciprocity and mutual benefits.

➢ It is expected to bring in the latest technologies and best practices suited for bringing
about better environment protection, better conservation, and better management of climate
change and wildlife protection/conservation.
➢ The areas of cooperation under this Memorandum of Cooperation shall include:
■ Promotion of circular economy, low-carbon solutions and sustainable management
of natural resources including forests.
■ Environmental and Forest monitoring and data management.
■ Conservation of Marine and Coastal Resources.
■ Integrated water management of Oceanic/Sea Islands.

❖ Minister MoEFCC launches Air Quality early warning system for Delhi.
➢ Centre has already released Rs. 591.65 crore to Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and NCT
of Delhi for the promotion of agricultural mechanization for in-situ management of crop
residue.

Page 18 of 28
➢ 41 teams of CPCB have been deployed in Delhi and NCR cities to monitor and supervise
dust mitigation and other air pollution abatement measures.
➢ Other steps taken :-
■ Badarpur thermal power plant is being closed from October 15.
■ Number of mechanized road sweeping machines in Delhi will increase from 52 to 64 by
the end of November 2018.
■ the use of water sprinklers and
■ opening of Western Peripheral Expressway

➢ The number of Good, Satisfactory And Moderate days is 157 in 2018 (Up to October 13)
compared to 150 in 2017 and 107 in 2016 duringthe corresponding period.
The number of Poor, Very Poor and Severe days have come down from 167 in 2016 to 136
in 2017 to 129 in 2018 (Up to 13th October) during the corresponding period.

➢ Comparing the PM10 and PM2.5 levels-

Sept 2017 Sept 2018 Oct 2017 (upto 11th) Oct 2018 (upto 11th)

PM10 215 116 262 223

PM2.5 61 44 110 86

➢ There is a reduction of 46% in the PM10 levels in Sept 2018 compared to last year and a
15% reduction in October. There is a reduction of 28 % in the PM2.5 levels in Sept 2018
compared to last year and a reduction of 22 % in October.
➢ Number of active fire detections in 2018 is less in comparison to 207 and 2016 till 14th
October 2018

2018 2017 2016

Punjab 699 2635 4126

Haryana 923 1527 1931

➢ The numbers are 75% lower than last year in Punjab and 40% lower in case of Haryana.

➢ Eastern Peripheral Expressway has been operationaland steps are being taken for 100%
divergence of non-destined trucks entering Delhi.

Page 19 of 28
➢ Other steps taken:
■ (DMRC) has added 906 new coaches.
■ 427 AC buses (198 Electric + 229 CNG) are being added by DMRC as last mile connectivity
■ out of 1131 industrial units in Delhi, about 950 units have switched over to PNG
■ 722 brick kilns in Delhi and NCR have switched over to Zig- Zag technology
■ 400 water sprinklers will be deployed by municipal corporations in Delhi
■ WAYUs at 7 traffic intersections in Delhi;
■ dust suppressant chemicals at some construction sites;

❖ MoU Signed Between ICFRE & Navoday Vidyalaya Samiti and Kendriya Vidyalaya
Sangathan to Promote Environmental Awareness Among Students

➢ Two MoU were signed, here today, by Indian Council of Forestry Research and
Education ,Dehradun, with Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Kendriya Vidyalaya
Sangathan.
➢ MoUs have been signed to launch the programme “PRAKRITI” with the objective to
promote awareness about forests and environment, to stimulate interest among the students
of NVS and KVS
➢ Another objective is to provide a platform to school children to learn practical skills towards
judicious use of our resources and to mobilize a cadre of youth for raising a peoples’
movement committed to conservation of forest and environment.
➢ ICFRE, through its nine Institutes and five Centres located across the country, is guiding,
promoting and coordinating forestry research, extension and education at the national level.

❖ “Harit Diwali-Swasth Diwali” campaign launched by Ministry of Environment today

22nd Oct, 18
➢ Crackers contains combustible chemicals that include potassium chlorate powdered
aluminum, magnesium, salts of barium, copper, sodium, lithium, strontium etc. and
emits smoke on combustion of these chemicals along with sound.
➢ “Harit–Diwali” campaign was initiated in 2017-18 wherein large number of school children
especially from eco-clubs participated and took pledge to minimize bursting of crackers and
also discouraged the neighborhood and their friends from bursting of crackers.
➢ Children are advised to celebrate Diwali in an environment-friendly manner by
■ gifting plant sapling to their relatives and friends along with sweets,
■ undertake cleaning of houses, neighbourhoods, schools,

Page 20 of 28
 ■ collect old books and unused notebooks gift to needy children,
■ donate old warm clothing, blankets to night-shelters and other homeless people.

➢ The “Harit Diwali-Swasth Diwali” campaign is now merged with “Green Good Deed”
movement that has been initiated as a social mobilization for conservation and protection of
environment.
❖ 3rd Decadal International year of Reefs-2018 23rd Oct, 18
➢ International Conference on Status and Protection of Coral Reefs (STAPCOR – 2018)
with the theme “Reef for Life” was inaugurated MoEFCC at Bangaram coral Island of
Union Territory of Lakshadweep.
➢ The Minister highlighted the importance of coral reefs and the need for its protection,
emphasising on converting science into adequate policies for conservation
➢ Evolving effective management strategies leading to restoration of coral reef, along with the
practice of green good deed for behavioral change and social responsibility in day to day life
was also emphasized.
➢ Soon Lakshadweep will establish an International Atoll Research Centre, with world class
infrastructures for scientific research on corals.
➢ The effect of climate change and global warming along with Elnino on the corals lead to
heavy bleaching internationally during the year 1998, this lead to the foundation of
STAPCOR with a decision to have a international conference in every 10 years to review the
status and progress of coral reefs all over the world.

❖ Memorandum of Understanding among BRICS Nations on Environmental Cooperation

24 Oct ,18
➢ The MoU identifies the following stress of cooperation:
■ Air quality
■ Water
■ Biodiversity;
■ Climate Change;
■ Waste Management;
■ Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable
Development Goals.
➢ The MoU acknowledges the responsibility of the BRICS nations, an association of the five
major economies of the world comprising of more than 40% of the population of the world,
towards the protection, preservation and sustainability of the Environment.

Page 21 of 28
➢ The MoU shall facilitate exchange of experiences, best practices and technical knowhow
through both public and private sectors among the participating BRICS nations.

❖ Clean Air Week from 1st November to control pollution in Delhi 30 Oct, 18
➢ A Clean Air Week would be organised from 01 to 05 November, 2018 in collaboration with
the Government of Delhi and the four major NCR cities to control the air pollution. 52 teams
have been formed to ensure compliance and safety and take quick action.
➢ All the DMs and MCD commissioners shall be involved in the campaign and ensure that
quick action is taken on the cases of violations reported by the field teams.
➢ On the issue of firecrackers, it was decided that the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court
in the Order dated 23.10.2018 shall be followed strictly in Delhi and NCR.
➢ Only eco friendly fire crackers would be sold after proper authorization has been obtained
from PESO. Any other kind of firecrackers would not be permitted to be sold in the NCR
region.
➢ Other Steps:-
■ deploy 400 water sprinklers/ tankers.
■ Construction sites will be closed temporarily.
■ no local biomass and industrial waste burning.
■ No truck should be allowed to move uncovered while carrying C&D waste

Environment News of Times of India : June ‘18

❖ Climate Change
➢ India committed to Paris climate deal
■ PM Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to move to a renewable energy future which is
an important component of the country’s Paris pledge.
■ Under the Paris agreement, India is committed to
● install 175 GW of solar, wind and biomass electricity by 2022,
● reduce its emission intensity (emission per unit of GDP) by 33-35% from its 2005 levels by
2030,
● create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by
2030 through additional forest and tree cover
● produce 40% of electricity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030.

Page 22 of 28
➢ Paris Agreement: Formal US exit possible only in 2020
■ The US has also spoken about the option of renegotiating terms for an American re-
entry. However, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC) Secretariat has clearly ruled out the possibility of renegotiation.
■ As per rules of Paris agreement a party can withdraw from it by giving a year's written
notice to the UN secretary-general only after three years of the agreement having been
in force.
■ The US pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol saying emerging economies do not have
quantified emission targets.
■ The Kyoto pact had binding targets for emission reductions only for the 38 developed
countries. The Paris deal is more comprehensive because it has universal application to
all countries.
➢ Climate change affecting Darjeeling tea.
■ Joint study by IIT-KGP and Indiana University.
■ Very little research has been done on Darjeeling Tea because of the difficult terrain.
Despite having the GI Tag, Darjeeling tea is facing the challenges from smaller tea
growing countries.
➢ Climate change may cause more rainfall in tropical areas: NASA
■ Most global climate models underestimate decreases in high clouds over the tropics
seen in recent Nasa observations.
■ Rainfall is not related just to the clouds that are available to make rain but also to Earth's
"energy budget".
■ High-altitude tropical clouds trap heat in the atmosphere. If there are fewer of these
clouds in the future, the tropical atmosphere will cool.
■ Judging from observed changes in clouds over recent decades, it appears that the
atmosphere would create fewer high clouds in response to surface warming. It would
also increase tropical rainfall, which would warm the air to balance the cooling from the
high cloud shrinkage.
■ Rainfall warming the air also sounds counter intuitive - people are used to rain cooling
the air around them, not warming it.
■ When water evaporates into water vapour here on Earth's surface and rises into the
atmosphere, it carries with it the heat energy that made it evaporate.
■ In the cold upper atmosphere, when the water vapour condenses into liquid droplets or
ice particles, it releases its heat and warms the atmosphere. It puts the decrease in
high tropical cloud cover in context as one result of a planet-wide shift in large-scale air
flows that is occurring as Earth's surface temperature warms.

Page 23 of 28
 ■ These large-scale flows are called the atmospheric general circulation, and they
include a wide zone of rising air centred on the equator.
■ Observations over the last 30-40 years have shown that this zone is narrowing as the
climate warms, causing the decrease in high clouds.

➢ Climate change may lead to 2 Billion refugees by 2100.

■ One-fifth of the world's population - about two billion people - could become climate
change refugees by the year 2100 due to rising ocean levels.
■ Earth's escalating population is expected to top nine billion people by 2050 and climb to
11 billion people by 2100, according to a UN report.

➢ Ice-free areas of Antarctica to increase by 2100

■ Ice-free areas may increase in Antarctica by 25 per cent due to climate change, leading
to drastic changes in the continent's biodiversity according to University of Queensland
(UQ) in Australia,
■ Ice-free areas make for small patches of suitable habitat for plants and animals - like
islands in a sea of ice.
■ The majority of this melting would occur on the Antarctic Peninsula where the climate
had already rapidly warmed.This expansion of ice-free habitat could lead to new
opportunities for Antarctic biodiversity, although the warmer conditions will also
encourage invasive species to establish.
■ Many native species have evolved isolated from each other for extended time periods;
they are mainly constrained by the availability of resources, such as water and nutrients.
■ How these species will cope with increasing connectivity and competition from invasive
species is largely unknown, researchers said.

➢ Forest fire highest in five years in Himalyan foothills.

■ An analysis of forest fires in Uttarakhand and Himachal by NASA reflects there were
more than 13,000 fires this May compared to only 2927 last year. Meteorologists have
linked it to a relatively long dry spell April onward and extreme heat even in the hills. In
2012, there were more than 14,000 fires in May.
■ Forest Survey of India (FSI) scientists and forest department officials confirmed that
there may have been extensive damage to biodiversity on the forest floor, in some cases
even canopies have caught fire.
■ The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) linked this to the fact that there was no
impact of western disturbance or wet spell in May. “Trees are dry which is leading to

Page 24 of 28
 the spread of fire. A western disturbance was there but it affected only Jammu and
Kashmir. This coupled with intense heating and vertical sunrays may have caused the
fires to spread.
■ Forest officials said 2016 was another year with a massive number of forest fires but the
peak was in April end instead of May.
■ None of the fires are natural. They have been set by people. People set fire to the dry
chir pine needles every year. The weather conditions are leading to fires spreading to
large areas. People have to set fire to ensure there is growth of grass.
■ The Forest Department of Uttarakhand has stopped planting chir pine since 2005 and
has been focusing on species like deodar and oak.

❖ Environmental Protection
➢ By 2022, India vows to stop single-use plastics
■ India on the occasion of the World Environment Day (5th June) pledged to eliminate all
single-use plastics (items like carry bags, straws and water bottles among others) from
the country by 2022.
■ India is preparing to join the 'Clean Seas Campaign' and make its contribution towards
saving our oceans.
■ The annual average per capita consumption of plastic in India is at 11 kg as against
global average of 28 kg.

➢ Novel material can remove pollutants from water.

■ Absorbent materials that can help soak up pollutants found in urban waste water in less
than 24 hours Two types of phyllosilicates:
● a highly-charged expandable synthetic mica (Na-Mica-4),
● one obtained from cation exchange with an organo-functionalised mica (C18-Mica-
4).
■ The phyllosilicates were found to be effective against 18 organic pollutants, industrial
pollutants, cleaning products, active pharmacological ingridients.
■ The study was carried out on untreated urban waste water, treated urban waste water,
surface water from rivers and potable water.

➢ India will be at centre of ‘sunshine countries’ of ISA.

■ India has set a target of achieving 40 per cent of its total electricity generation from non-
fossil fuel sources by 2030.

Page 25 of 28
■ Government's target of installing 20 GW of solar power by 2022 was achieved four years of
ahead of schedule in January through solar parks, and India has set a fresh target of
achieving 100 GW of solar power by 2022.

❖ Flora and Fauna

Butterflies the soldiers of our environment

■ Rare species of butterflies namely Black Raja, Blue Admiral, Spangle, Commander,
Common Gesture, Vagrant among others found in butterfly park of Chandigarh.
■ More than 70 percent pollination happens due to butterflies and bees. Hence, they are
essential for our ecosystem.

➢ Coral reef loss may double flood damage worldwide.

■ Coral reefs serve as natural, submerged breakwaters that reduce flooding by breaking
waves and reducing wave energy.
■ When coupled with sea level rise, flooding could quadruple.
■ The countries with the most to gain from reef conservation and restoration are Indonesia,
Philippines, Malaysia, Mexico, and Cuba.

➢ Coral reef off Goa coast.

■ Corals can be found at the Grande Island archipelago.
■ A joint study by World Wide Fund for Nature and National Institute of Oceanography at
Grande island documented coral reefs growing at a depth of 4-8 metres.
■ Coral species Porites mannarensis is unique to India.
■ There are 18 Species of fish life, including parrotfish, butterflyfish, damselfish and fauna
such as sea urchins and sea cucumbers.

➢ Valmiki tiger reserve tripled number of tigers in 10 years.

■ The 900sqkm reserve , 1km from the border with Nepal, has scripted a remarkable
success story in tiger conservation.
■ In the 1980s and 1990s, the forest, then looked after by the Bihar government, was full
of people and machines engaged in pebble mining. The stone crushing units and
gensets threw up dust and noise.

Page 26 of 28
 ■ After the Supreme Court banned stone mining from the Pandai river in 2002, green
cover improved.
■ The Patna high court also ordered Eastern railways in 2017 to build structures on the
track that pass through the reserve so that wild animals can cross over without being
mowed down by trains.
■ Equipping trackers with GPS-enabled gadgets and training them, barricading entrances,
regulating tourist flow, and ensuring that the core area is inviolate.
■ Tiger census methods, too, have improved — from the unreliable pugmark method to
the more scientific camera trap method.
■ Between 2006 and 2010, the reserve had only about 10 tigers, but successive censuses
since have shown consistent growth in big cat population. From 22 in 2013, the big cats
rose in number to 28 in 2014-15. In 2016-17, the number was 31, plus nine cubs.
■ Apart from regular forest staff, the sanctuary has engaged 548 local youth from the
Tharu and Oraon tribes as wireless operators, guards, computer operators and
chowkidars.

➢ Madhya Pradesh shifts Bandhavgarh tigress to Odisha.

■ Madhya Pradesh forest department on Wednesday captured and translocated second
tiger to Satkosia tiger reserve in Odisha.
■ Earlier tiger — MB2 — was selected from Kanha. Both were selected in compliance with
NTCA guidelines.
■ The MoEFCC, NTCA, and Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun have prepared a special
project for the reintroduction of tigers into the Satkosia tiger reserve.
Under this project, the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department is to give away 6 tigers (3
pairs) to the Odisha government for reintroduction. As two tigers are to be sent from
Kanha, this was the first tiger in this sequence.
■ However the concern is that the last living tiger of Satkosia was shifted to Nandan
Kanan zoo as the only resort to save it from poachers. There are 25 villages within the
core area of Satkosia and 175 outside it.
❖ Pollution and Pollution control.
➢ Union Earth Science ministry to study marine litter.
■ The country had joined the United Nations' "Clean Seas' programme and the ministry's
Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services would work on the field of marine
litter.
■ We have been doing it for over 25 years at 25 places. It has shown good results and we
now know where water quality is poor or good.

Page 27 of 28
➢ Outdoor air pollution killed 4.2mn people in 2016 : UN
■ In 2016, 91 per cent of the urban population worldwide were breathing air that did not
meet the world health organization air quality guidelines value for particulate matter (pm
2.5).
■ More than half were exposed to air pollution levels at least 2.5 times higher than that
safety standard," said the 2018 Sustainable Development Goals Report.
■ Between 2000 and 2014, the proportion of the global urban population living in slums
dropped from 28.4 percent to 22.8 percent. However, the actual number of people living
in slums increased from 807 million to 883 million.

➢ Maharashtra bans plastic

■ The Maharashtra government has banned single-use plastic items including carry bags,
disposable cutlery and thermocol from 23 June.

➢ Pollution causing malnutrition in trees.

■ Pollution is changing the fungi that provide mineral nutrients to tree roots, causing plants
in Europe to become malnutritioned.
■ To get nutrients from the soil, trees host fungi, known as mycorrhizal fungi, in their
roots. These fungi receive carbon from the tree in exchange for essential nutrients, like
nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which they gather from the soil.
■ Recent studies have noted signs of tree malnutrition across Europe, such as discoloured
leaves or leaves lost from the crown.

➢ Sweden, Finland developing technology to curb India's pollution woes.

■ Sweden is exploring ways to come up with innovative technology to address the issue of
stubble-burning in parts of north India that leads to pollution in Delhi-NCR.
■ The idea essentially seeks to transform those burning fields (stubble) into bio coal.
■ Finland also had innovative solutions to offer in the matter like converting rice paddy to
fibre that can later be used for making clothes.

Page 28 of 28