Environment CA

MAY 2019
1. NAMAMI GANGE
Context: 10 of the 100 sewage infrastructure projects commissioned after 2015 under the Namami Gange mission, according to records.
Background:
• Commissioning of sewage treatment plants (STP) and laying sewer lines are at the heart of the mission to clean the Ganga. River-front
development, cleaning ghats and removing trash from the river — the cosmetic side of the mission — make up about for Rs. 1,200 crore of
the mission outlay.
About Namami Gange Programme:
• Namami Gange Programme – is an umbrella programme which integrates previous and currently ongoing initiatives by enhancing
efficiency, extracting synergies and supplementing them with more comprehensive & better coordinated interventions.
Government of India is supplementing the efforts of the state governments in addressing the pollution of river Ganga by providing financial
assistance to the states.
• Need: Each day, more than 500 million liters of wastewater from industrial sources are dumped directly into Ganga. In many places, this
wastewater entering the rivers is completely raw, completely untreated.
Its implementation has been divided into:
• Entry-Level Activities (for immediate visible impact),
• Medium-Term Activities (to be implemented within 5 years of time frame) and
• Long-Term Activities (to be implemented within 10 years).
Main Pillars of the Namami Gange Programme are:
• Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure
• River-Surface Cleaning
• Afforestation
• Industrial Effluent Monitoring
• River-Front Development
• Bio-Diversity
• Public Awareness
• Ganga Gram
2. UK PARLIAMENT DECLARES CLIMATE CHANGE EMERGENCY

Context: The UK is the first national government to declare such an emergency.
• This proposal, which demonstrates the will of the Commons on the issue but does not legally compel the government to act, was
approved without a vote.
Why declare an emergency?
• The United Nations says we could have just 11 years left to limit a climate change catastrophe. It’s not just about reducing carbon
emissions on a local scale, but also raising awareness about climate change and trying to convince MPs so that changes can be made.
Way ahead: What is a climate emergency?
There is increasing international focus on meeting the United Nation’s Paris Agreement • There is no single definition of what that
which was signed by 197 countries in 2016. This ground-breaking agreement has the means but many local areas say they
ambitious global aim of preventing global temperatures from reaching 2˚C want to be carbon-neutral by 2030. It’s
above pre-industrial levels (the late nineteenth century) by 2100, and ideally a much more ambitious target than the
should be no more than 1.5˚C. UK government’s, which is to reduce
carbon emissions by 80% (compared to
• A report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the IPCC) has suggested
1990 levels) by 2050
that meeting this target means annual global carbon emissions must effectively halve
between now and 2030, and then fall to zero by 2050. This is a target the UK opposition
party Labour are now calling for.
3. ARSENIC CONTAMINATION
Why in News? Arsenic is toxic to almost all life forms, but now researchers at the University of Washington have discovered that some
microbes in the Pacific Ocean not only tolerate the stuff, but actively breathe it.
Relevant topic:
Arsenic in groundwater:
• Arsenic in ground water is a geogenic contaminant i.e. caused by natural geologic processes.
• Concerns: Incidence of high arsenic in groundwater reported from various parts of the country, particularly in the Ganga-
plains is a serious threat to the health of human being.
Key facts:
• Arsenic is highly toxic in its inorganic form.
• Long-term exposure to arsenic from drinking-water and food can cause cancer and skin lesions. It has also been associated with
cardiovascular disease and diabetes. In utero and early childhood exposure has been linked to negative impacts on cognitive development
and increased deaths in young adults.
Measures:
• to ensure supply of arsenic free water, in the affected areas can be in-situ remediation of arsenic from aquifer system, ex-situ remediation
of arsenic from tapped groundwater by arsenic removal technologies, use of surface water source as an alternative to the contaminated
groundwater source, tapping alternate safe aquifers for supply of arsenic free groundwater or combination of above techniques.
What’s the difference between organic arsenic and inorganic arsenic?
• if carbon is one of these elements, then the arsenic compound is an organic compound.
If there is no carbon present, then the arsenic compound is in an inorganic compound.
• Inorganic arsenic is a known human carcinogen — it is this form of arsenic that is linked with increased risks of cancer and other
health effects.
4. GLOBAL ECOSYSTEM ASSESSMENT
Context: The first-ever Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services by Intergovernmental Science-
Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has been released.
About the report:
• It took three years for a group of 145 expert authors from 50 countries to prepare this report based on more than 15,000 scientific and
government documents. It primarily looked or analysed the impact of economic development on nature and ecosystems.
Key findings:
• Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history — and the rate of species extinctions is accelerating with
grave impacts on people around the world now likely,
• One million animal and plant species are under extinction. More to it, thousands of these would extinct within decades.
• Since the beginning of the last century (1900), availability of native species in most of the land-based habitats has declined by 20 per cent.
Similarly, 40 per cent of the amphibian species are threatened with extinction.
• If one tracks back extinction of species to the 16th century, 680 vertebrate species have been pushed into extinction since then, while 9
per cent of all domesticated breeds of mammals used for food and agriculture went extinct by 2016. Add to it, 1,000 more such breeds are
under threat of extinction.
• Almost 33 per cent of reef-forming corals and more than a third of all marine mammals are threatened.
• Reasons: This loss is a direct result of human activity and constitutes a direct threat to human well-being in all regions of the world.
• Human-induced loss in ecosystems: Three-quarters of What is IPBES?

the • The Intergovernmental Science-Policy
land-based environment and about two-thirds of the marine Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem
environment have been significantly altered by human Services (IPBES) is an independent
actions, says the assessment. Nearly 75 per cent of all intergovernmental body, established by
freshwater resources are now used for crop and livestock member States in 2012. The objective of
IPBES is to strengthen the science-policy
rearing activities.
interface for biodiversity and ecosystem
• Impacts: productivity in 23 per cent of global land has
services for the conservation and
reduced due to land degradation. Up to $577 billion in sustainable use of biodiversity, longterm
annual global crops are at risk from pollinator loss and 100- human well-being and sustainable
300 million people are at increased risk of floods and development.
hurricanes because of loss of coastal habitats and The work of IPBES can be broadly grouped into four
protection. complementary areas:
• Human activity severely threatens biodiversity and • Assessments: On specific themes (e.g.
ecosystem functions worldwide. About 1 million species are “Pollinators, Pollination and Food
facing extinction. If nothing changes many of these could be Production”); methodological issues
gone within just decades. (e.g. “Scenarios and Modelling); and at
• But nature is vital to all aspects of human health. We rely on both the regional and global levels (e.g.
natural systems, not only for food, energy, medicine and “Global Assessment of Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services”).
genetic resources, but also for inspiration, learning and
• Policy Support: Identifying policyrelevant
culture.
tools and methodologies,
• The report also reveals the loss of biodiversity and facilitating their use, and catalyzing their
ecosystem function is much less pronounced on lands further development.
managed by Indigenous peoples and local communities. • Building Capacity & Knowledge: Identifying and meeting the
• It also recognises the significant role of Indigenous priority capacity, knowledge and data
knowledge, governance systems and culturally-specific needs of our member States, experts
worldviews which adopt a stewardship approach to and stakeholders.
managing natural systems. • The world include biodiversity considerations across all sectors and
• The report identified agriculture, forestry and urbanisation jurisdictions to prevent further
as the number one reason for biodiversity loss in land-based degradation of natural systems.
ecosystems and rivers.
• In the sea, fishing has had the greatest impact on biodiversity and is exacerbated by changes in the use of
the sea and coastal lands.
• These factors are aggravated by underlying social values, such as unsustainable consumption and production,
concentrated human populations, trade, technological advances, and governance at multiple scales.
Need of the hour:
• The IPBES Global Assessment provides unequivocal evidence that we need biodiversity for human survival
and well-being. To stem unprecedented species decline the assessment sets out the actions governments,
the private sector and individuals can take.
• If we are to halt the continued loss of nature, then the world’s legal, institutional and economic systems must
be reformed entirely. And this change needs to happen immediately.
What must be done?
The Global Assessment puts forward these next, urgent steps:
• redefine human well-being beyond its narrow basis on economic growth
• engage multiple public and private actors
• link sustainability efforts across all governance scales
• elevate Indigenous and local knowledge and communities.
• Strengthen environmental laws.
• Take serious precautionary measures in public and private endeavours.
• Governments must recognise indivisibility of society and nature, and govern to strengthen rather than weaken the natural world.
• Indigenous and local communities need to be included and supported more than ever before.
.
5. ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)
Context: Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd., which is executing the Kalasa-Banduri project worth nearly Rs. 850 crore, has claimed that
the drinking water project is out of the purview of Environment Impact Assessment (EIA).
About Kalasa- Banduri project:
• The Kalasa-Banduri Nala is a project undertaken by the Government of Karnataka to improve drinking water supply to the Districts of
Belagavi, Dharwad and Gadag.
• It involves building across Kalasa and Banduri, two tributaries of the Mahadayi river to divert 7.56 TMC of water to the Malaprabha river,
which supplies the drinking water needs of the districts.
6. EL NIÑO
Context: El Niños have become stronger and their pattern too has been changing, the world’s first 400-year-long seasonal record of
El Niño created by Australian scientists has revealed. Traditional El Niño events have also become more intense in nature.
Key findings:
• The trend of El Niño in the last four centuries shows a
variation in El Niño types. There has been a simultaneous
increase in central Pacific events and a decrease in eastern
Pacific ones since the late twentieth century.
• This leads to a ratio of central to eastern Pacific events that is
unusual in a multi-century context. Compared to the past four centuries, the most recent 30-year period
includes fewer, but more intense, eastern Pacific El Niño events.
What revealed this?
• The El Niño trends of the past have been
studied on the basis of coral
cores spanning the Pacific Ocean.
• It was made possible because coral
cores — like tree rings — have
centuries-long growth patterns and
contain isotopes that can tell us a lot
about the climate of the past. Hence, the
key to unlocking the El Niño record was
understanding that coral records
contained enough information to
identify seasonal changes in the tropical
Pacific Ocean.
www.insightsonindia.com 109 InsightsIAS
• There has been an unprecedented increase in the number of El Niños forming in the central Pacific over the
past 30 years, compared to all 30-year periods in the past 400 years.
• At the same time, the stronger eastern Pacific El Niños were the most intense El Niño events ever recorded,
according to both, the 100-year-long instrumental record and the 400-year-long coral record.
Significance:
• An understanding of El Niños in the past and present based on this four-century-old trend needs to be
explored further by India for modelling, predicting and planning for future El Niños and their wide-ranging
impacts.
What is ENSO?
• ENSO is nothing but El Nino Southern Oscillation. As the name suggests, it is an irregular periodic variation
of wind and sea surface temperature that occurs over the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean. ENSO affects the
tropics (the regions surrounding the equator) and the subtropics (the regions adjacent to or bordering the
tropics). The warming phase of ENSO is called El Nino, while the cooling phase is known as La Nina.
What is El Nino?
• El Nino is a climatic cycle characterised by high air pressure in the Western Pacific and low air pressure in the
eastern. In normal conditions, strong trade winds travel from east to west across the tropical Pacific, pushing
the warm surface waters towards the western Pacific. The surface temperature could witness an increase of
8 degrees Celsius in Asian waters. At the same time, cooler waters rise up towards the surface in the eastern
Pacific on the coasts of Ecuador, Peru, and Chile. This process called upwelling aids in the development of a
rich ecosystem.
What causes El Nino?
• El Nino sets in when there is anomaly in the pattern. The westward-blowing trade winds weaken along the
Equator and due to changes in air pressure, the surface water moves eastwards to the coast of northern
South America. The central and eastern Pacific regions warm up for over six months and result in an El Nino
condition. The temperature of the water could rise up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit above normal. Warmer
surface waters increase precipitation and bring above-normal rainfall in South America, and droughts to
Indonesia and Australia.
Sources: The Hindu.
7. BENGAL TIGERS MAY NOT SURVIVE CLIMATE CHANGE
Context: The survival of around five lakh land species is in question because of threats to their natural habitat, finds a UN report.
Key findings of the report:
• Vulnerable: The cats are among 500,000 land species whose survival is in question because of threats to their natural habitats.
• Main Causes: Climate change and rising sea levels.
• Threats to Sundarbans: 70% of Sunderbans now is just a few feet above sea level, and grave changes are in store for the region.
• Subsequent impact on tigers: Changes wrought by a warming planet will be “enough to decimate” the few
hundred or so Bengal tigers remaining there. By 2070, there will be no suitable tiger habitats remaining in
the Bangladesh Sundarbans.
• Threats to tiger population: Since the early 1900s, habitat loss, hunting and the illegal trade of animal parts
have decimated the global population of tigers from around 100,000 to fewer than 4,000.
• In the Bangladesh Sundarbans, a spike in extreme weather events and changing vegetation will further
reduce the population. And as the Sundarbans flood, confrontations may grow between humans and tigers
as the animals stray outside their habitat in search of new land.
Background:
• The Sundarbans, 10,000 square kilometres of marshy land in Bangladesh and India, hosts the world’s largest
mangrove forest and a rich ecosystem supporting several hundred animal species, including the Bengal tiger.
Concerns:
• The latest finding adds to existing studies that offered similarly grim predictions for wildlife in the
Sundarbans.
• In 2010, the World Wide Fund for Nature projected that a sea level rise of 11 inches could reduce the number
of tigers in the Sundarbans by 96%within a few decades.
• Beyond sea level rise account for 5.4%to 11.3% of the projected habitat loss in 2050 and 2070.
• In October, a landmark report from the UN found that if greenhouse gas emissions continued at the current
rate, the atmosphere would warm as much as 1.5C above preindustrial levels by 2040 . That increase would
have significant consequences for food chains, coral reefs and flood-prone areas. It may also
disproportionally affect poorer, densely packed countries like Bangladesh, which is home to 160 million
people.
• In an analysis of decades of tidal records, scientists found that high tides were rising much faster than the
global average in Bangladesh , which sits in the Ganges Delta, a complex network of rivers and streams.
About Sundarbans:
• The Sundarbans comprises hundreds of islands and a network of rivers, tributaries and creeks in the delta of
the Ganga and the Brahmaputra at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal in India and Bangladesh.
• Located on the southwestern part of the delta, the Indian Sundarban constitutes over 60% of the country’s
total mangrove forest area.
• It is the 27th Ramsar Site in India, and with an area of 4,23,000 hectares is now the largest protected wetland
in the country.
• The Indian Sundarban, also a UNESCO world heritage site, is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger. It is also home
to a large number of “rare and globally threatened species, such as the critically endangered northern river
terrapin (Batagur baska), the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), and the vulnerable
fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus).”
• Two of the world’s four horseshoe crab species, and eight of India’s 12 species of kingfisher are also found
here. Recent studies claim that the Indian Sundarban is home to 2,626 faunal species and 90% of the
country’s mangrove varieties.
Source: The Hindu.
8. UNEP REPORT ON SAND AND SUSTAINABILITY
Context: The UNEP has released a report, “Sand and Sustainability: Finding new solutions for environmental governance of
global sand resources.”
Problem is highlighted in the report:
• Sand consumption globally has been increasing and we are extracting it at rates exceeding natural replenishment rates.
• Sand and gravel are the second largest natural resources extracted and traded by volume after water, but among the least
regulated.
• While 85% to 90% of global sand demand is met from quarries, and sand and gravel pits, the 10% to 15% extracted from rivers
and sea shores is a severe concern due the environmental and social impacts.
• A 40-50 billion tonne of crushed rock, sand and gravel is extracted from quarries, pits, rivers, coastlines and the marine environment each
year. The construction industry consumes over half of this, and will consume even more in the future.
• China and India head the list of critical hotspots for sand extraction impacts in rivers, lakes and on coastlines.
Cause for concern:
• Their extraction often results in river and coastal erosion and threats to freshwater and marine fisheries and aquatic ecosystems,
instability of river banks leading to increased flooding, and lowering of ground water levels.
• Most large rivers of the world have lost between half and 95% of their natural sand and gravel delivery to ocean the report says.
• The damming of rivers for hydro-electricity production or irrigation is reducing the amount of sediment flowing downstream.
• This broken replenishment system exacerbates pressures on beaches already threatened by sea level rise
and intensity of storm-waves induced by climate change, as well as coastal developments.
• There are also indirect consequences, like loss of local livelihoods — an ironic example is that construction
in tourist destinations can lead to depletion of natural sand in the area, thereby making those very places
unattractive — and safety risks for workers where the industry is not regulated.
What needs to be done?
• Better spatial planning and reducing unnecessary construction — including speculative projects or those
being done mainly for prestige — thereby making more efficient use of aggregates.
• Investing in infrastructure maintenance and retrofitting rather than the demolish and rebuild cycle,
embracing alternative design and construction methods, even avoiding use of cement and concrete where
possible, and using green infrastructure.
• Need for large-scale multipronged actions from global to local levels, involving public, private and civil society
organisations. This will mean building consensus, defining what success would look like, and reconciling
policies and standards with sand availability, development imperatives and standards and enforcement
realities.
Sources: The Hindu.
9. WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY (WMBD)
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: WMBD- theme and significance,
features of CMS.
Context: The World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2019 is being
observed on 11 May 2019. It helps to raise global awareness about
threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and
need for international cooperation to conserve them.
• The first WMBD was celebrated in 2006.
• Organized By: The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),
the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) together
with Environment for the Americas (EFTA).
• Theme: “Protect Birds: Be the Solution to Plastic Pollution!”.
When is it celebrated?
• On 26 October 2017 in the margins of the CMS COP12 in
Manila, Environment for the Americas (EFTA), the Convention
on Migratory Species (CMS) and the Agreement on the
Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds
(AEWA), announced an innovative partnership to increase
awareness of the plight of migratory birds around the world.
• The new partnership formally unites two of the world’s
largest bird education campaigns, International Migratory
Bird Day (IMBD) and World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) in a
bid to strengthen global recognition and appreciation of
migratory birds and highlight the urgent need for their
conservation.
• Starting in 2018, the new joint campaign adopts the single
name of “World Migratory Bird Day” and major events to
celebrate the day will be organized twice a year, on the
second Saturday in May and in October.
What are migratory species? Why protect them?
• Migratory species are those animals that move from one
habitat to another during different times of the year, due to
various factors such as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc.
• The movement between habitats, can sometimes exceed thousands of miles/kilometres for some migratory
birds and mammals. A migratory route can involve nesting and also requires the availability of habitats before
and after each migration.
Sources: The Hindu.
10. HERBIVORE CENSUS IN GIR FOREST
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: the census, it’s significance and related key facts.
Context: Every summer, the Forest Department of Gujarat conducts a Herbivore Census in Gir forest. This year’s
exercise is of particular significance because it is the last Herbivore Census ahead of next year’s Lion Census,
which is a once-in-five-years exercise.
About CMS/Bonn Convention of UNEP
• In order to protect the migratory species
throughout their range countries, a
Convention on Conservation of
Migratory Species (CMS), has been in
force, under the aegis of United
Nations Environment Programme.
• Also referred to as the Bonn
Convention, it provides a global
platform for the conservation and
sustainable use of migratory animals
and their habitats and brings together
the States through which migratory
animals pass, the Range States, and lays
the legal foundation for internationally
coordinated conservation measures
throughout a migratory range.
• Classification of species: Under this
convention, migratory species
threatened with extinction are listed on
Appendix I and Parties strive towards
strictly protecting these animals,
conserving or restoring the places where
they live, mitigating obstacles to
migration and controlling other factors
that might endanger them. Migratory
species that need or would significantly
benefit from international co-operation
are listed in Appendix II of the
Convention.
• CMS is the only global and UN-based
intergovernmental organization
established exclusively for
conservation and management of
terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory
species throughout their range.
• Coverage: The Herbivore Census covers ungulates such as spotted deer, blue bulls (nilgais), sambars, Indian
gazelles (chinkaras), four-horned antelopes (choshinga) and wild boars, as well as Indian langurs and peafowl.
• Why it matters? Wild ungulates and langurs are the main prey of Asiatic lions, the endangered species whose
only wild population in the world is surviving in the 22,000 sq km Greater Gir area. A count provides a sense
of the available of the prey base for lions as well as other predators like leopards, hyenas and wolves. A
strong prey base can reduce depredation of livestock by lions and can reduce man-animal conflict.
• In 2013-14, the last Herbivore Census before the previous Lion Census, the total count of all herbivores was
1.32 lakh, higher than the about 1.25 lakh counted in 2012-13.
• Why it’s done in summer? During summer, foliage is reduced to a minimum in dry and deciduous tropical
forests, which affords the best visibility for conducting a census. Also, wild animals concentrate around water
points, which in Gir include 450 artificial ones filled by the Forest Department.
What has been the herbivore population trend in recent years?
• Since 1974, the population of herbivorous in Gir forest has been on the rise. In 2013, the population of
ungulates was estimated to be 1,26,893 or 76.49 animals per square kilometres. That translates to 8000 kg
of biomass available to carnivorous, very close to the levels in Serengeti National Park in Tanzania. The
population of ungulates was 1,07,172 in 2010. Incidentally, lion census is due in May next year.
Sources: Indian Express.
11. THE MENACE OF WASTEWATER
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: the menace of waste water, concerns and measures needed.
Context: The National Green Tribunal has directed 18 States and 2 Union Territories to submit their
respective action plans on utilisation of treated wastewater to reduce pressure on the groundwater resources
across the country.
• The states and UTs were ordered to submit their action plan within 3 months time to the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB).
Background:
• The action plan includes establishing a monitoring mechanism for coordination with the local bodies, which
will be overseen by the chief secretaries of all the states and UTs.
Concerns and challenges:
• Almost 80% of water supply flows back into the ecosystem as wastewater. This can be a critical
environmental and health hazard if not treated properly but its proper management could help the water
managers in meeting the city’s water demand.
• Currently, India has the capacity to treat approximately 37% of its wastewater, or 22,963 million litres per
day (MLD), against a daily sewage generation of approximately 61,754 MLD according to the 2015 report of
the Central Pollution Control Board.
• Moreover, most sewage treatment plants do not function at maximum capacity and do not conform to the
standards prescribed.
Need of hour:
• A paradigm shift from “use and throw – linear” to a “use, treat, and reuse – circular” approach is needed to
manage wastewater. That said, investment in wastewater treatment has associated risks as well. It is
therefore important to understand the underlying social, political, technical, and financial factors that will
drive, facilitate, and sustain wastewater management interventions in India.
Critical factors for making an informed decision:
• Drivers for initiating wastewater management,
• Policies and regulations,
• Access to technology and finance,
• Scale of intervention,
• Management strategy and institutional framework,
• Public perception,
• Phases of deployment, and
• A framework for participatory approach.
Way ahead:
• The 2017 United Nations’ Water Development Programme’s World Water Development Report (WWDR) –
Wastewater: The Untapped Resource makes clear that we can no longer afford this disconnect.
• As we pursue the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 663 million people around the world who
still lack improved sources of drinking water put into perspective the urgency of our mission.
• Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 specifically focusses on water and sanitation, with Target 3
addressing water quality, but the availability of water is a cross-cutting issue upon which every aspect of
development hinges.
• Put simply, water is life, and without a sustained commitment to improving and benefiting from effective
wastewater management, that precious resource, and the billions of lives it nourishes, are in peril.
12. EVOLUTION OF CRZ NORMS
• Why in News? The Supreme Court has recently ordered the
demolition of some constructions in Kerala’s Ernakulum, for
violating Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Key facts:
• While the CRZ Rules are made by the Union Environment Ministry, implementation is supposed to be done
by state governments through their Coastal Zone Management Authorities.
• The states are also supposed to frame their own coastal zone management plans in accordance with the
central Rules.
Why are states reluctant to implement?
• Despite several amendments, states found the 1991 Rules to be extremely restrictive. They complained that
if applied strictly, the Rules would not allow simple things like building decent homes for people living close
to the coast, and carrying out basic developmental works.
• The 1991 Rules also created hurdles for showpiece industrial and infrastructure projects such as the POSCO
steel plant in Odisha and the proposed Navi Mumbai airport in the first decade of the new century.
13. CLIMATE WARMING AND CONCERNS ASSOCIATED
Context: A recent paper in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A. shows that global
warming during the past half century has contributed to a differential change in income across countries.
• Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services has reported that,
worldwide, the abundance of species has reduced by at least one-fifth, about a million species are under
threat of extinction in the next few decades and 85% of wetlands have been lost.
• There are numerous instances of elite networks that are taking advantage of the situation to consolidate
their control. These networks often involve governments actively or quiescently colluding with fossil fuel
companies, agro-industrial elites, financial elites and other big businesses that are ignoring climate change
and making a fast buck often even from the growing disasters.
• The Arctic is melting rapidly and the tenor of the recent discussions among Arctic countries suggests that
even as increasing glacier melt is responsible for opening up shipping in the area, superpowers are angling
to access wealth from the oil, gas, uranium and precious metals in the region.
• Policies and commitments make it clear that most governments and businesses are not interested in
dealing with the climate and ecological crises. They will certainly not give these the central attention they
deserve in these times of an emergency; they barely even acknowledge them.
• The atmosphere now has concentrations of over 415 parts per million (ppm) of carbon dioxide, compared to
280 ppm in pre-industrial times.
Need of the hour:
• We are now at a stage where we need major overhaul of our lifestyles and patterns of consumption. The
U.K. Parliament became the first recently to declare a climate emergency. It remains to be seen if appropriate
actions will follow this declaration.
14. INDIA COOLING ACTION PLAN (ICAP)
Context: The government’s launch of the India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) on March 8 is a bold response to
addressing India’s future cooling needs while neutralising its impacts.
Significance:
• 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.
• The overarching goal 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:
• 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.
• Training and certification of 100,000 servicing sector technicians by the year 2022-23, in synergy with Skill
India Mission.
• Recognize “cooling and related areas” as a thrust area of research under the national S&T Programme.
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, refrigerantbased
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.
The following benefits would accrue to society over and above the environmental benefits:
• Thermal comfort for all – provision for cooling for EWS and LIG housing.
• Sustainable cooling – low GHG emissions related to cooling.
• Doubling Farmers Income – better cold chain infrastructure – better value of products to farmers, less
wastage of produce.
• Skilled workforce for better livelihoods and environmental protection.
• Make in India – domestic manufacturing of air-conditioning and related cooling equipment’s.
• Robust R&D on alternative cooling technologies – to provide the push to innovation in a cooling sector.
15. BRS CONVENTIONS.
Context: The 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP)
to Basel Convention (COP 14) was held along with the 9th meeting
of the COP to Rotterdam Convention and the 9th meeting of the
COP to Stockholm Convention in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Theme: “Clean Planet, Healthy People: Sound Management
of Chemicals and Waste”.
Overview:
Outcomes of the recent meeting:
• In Basel Convention on Control of Transboundary
Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, two
important issues were mainly discussed and decided i.e.
technical guidelines on e-waste and inclusion of plastic waste
in Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.
• In Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants
(POP), COP decided to list “Dicofol” in Annex A (Elimination)
without any exemption. The “PFOA”, (Perfluorooctanoic acid)
was also listed with some exemptions in Annex A of
Stockholm Convention.
• In Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent
Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides
in International Trade, two new chemicals named Phorate
and HBCD (hexabromocyclododecane) were added in list for
mandatory Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure in
international trade.
BRS Conventions – Brief Background:
• The Basel, Rotterdam and Stockholm (BRS) Conventions are
multilateral environmental agreements, which share
the common objective of protecting human health and the
environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.
• Aim: This “synergies process” aims to strengthen the implementation of the three conventions at the
national, regional and global levels by providing coherent policy guidance, enhancing efficiency in the
provision of support to Parties to the Conventions, reducing their administrative burden and maximising the
effective and efficient use of resources at all levels, while maintaining the legal autonomy of these three
multilateral environmental agreements.
Sources: TOI.
(B) Basel Convention:
• The Basel Convention on the Control of
Transboundary Movements of
Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal
was created to protect people and the
environment from the negative effects
of the inappropriate management of
hazardous wastes worldwide. It is the
most comprehensive global treaty
dealing with hazardous waste materials
throughout their lifecycles, from
production and transport to final use
and disposal.
(R) Rotterdam Convention:
• The Rotterdam Convention on the Prior
Informed Consent Procedure for certain
hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in
international trade provides Parties with
a first line of defence against hazardous
chemicals. It promotes international
efforts to protect human health and the
environment as well as enabling
countries to decide if they want to
import hazardous chemicals and
pesticides listed in the Convention.
(S) Stockholm Convention:
• The Stockholm Convention on Persistent
Organic Pollutants is a global treaty to
protect human health and the
environment from highly dangerous,
long-lasting chemicals by restricting and
ultimately eliminating their production,
use, trade, release and storage.
16. NOT ALL ANIMALS MIGRATE BY CHOICE CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
Context: UN Environment India and Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) of India have launched an awareness
campaign ‘Not all animals migrate by choice’.
About the campaign:
• The campaign aims at creating awareness and garnering public support for the protection and conservation
of wildlife, prevention of smuggling and reduction in demand for wildlife products.
• The campaign also complements worldwide action on illegal trade in wildlife through UN Environment’s
global campaign, Wild for Life.
• In the first phase of the campaign, Tiger, Pangolin, Star Tortoise and Tokay Gecko have been chosen as they
are highly endangered due to illegal trading in International markets.
Need:
• Illegal wildlife trade is driving species to the brink of extinction. A thriving industry with organized wildlife
crime chains spreading across the world, in India, illegal trade in wildlife has seen a sharp rise. Therefore,
there is an urgent need for awareness, action and stringent enforcement of laws to put an end to all illegal
wildlife trade threatening biodiversity and conservation in the wild.
About WCCB:
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory multi-disciplinary body established by the Government of India
under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country.
Under Section 38 (Z) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, it is mandated:
• to collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same
to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action so as to apprehend the criminals.
• to establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank.
• co-ordinate actions by various agencies in connection with the enforcement of the provisions of the Act.
• assist foreign authorities and international organization concerned to facilitate co-ordination and universal
action for wildlife crime control.
• capacity building of the wildlife crime enforcement agencies for scientific and professional investigation into
wildlife crimes and assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes.
• advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international
ramifications, relevant policy and laws.
• Assist and advise the Customs authorities in inspection of the consignments of flora & fauna as per the
provisions of Wild Life Protection Act, CITES and EXIM Policy governing such an item.
Sources: The Hindu.
18. ‘ROOM FOR THE RIVER’ PROJECT
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: key features and significance of the project.
Context: At his recent European tour, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had made a stop at Noordward in the
Netherlands, the site of the ‘Room for the River’ project.
About the project:
• The flagship project of the Dutch government is centered around protecting areas adjoining rivers from
routine flooding and improving water management systems in delta regions.
• The basic premise of the ‘Room for the River’ project is essentially to provide more space for the water body
so that it can manage extraordinary high water levels during floods. The project, implemented at over 30
locations across the Netherlands and funded at a cost of 2.3 billion euros, involves tailor-made solutions for
each river.
• Among the nine measures which define the project are lowering the flood plain, deepening the summer bed,
strengthening of dykes, relocation of dykes, reducing the height of the groynes, increasing the depth of the
side channels and removing obstacles.
• A key aspect of the project is also to improve the surroundings of the river banks through fountains and
panoramic decks. The landscapes are altered in a way that they turn into natural sponges which can
accommodate excess water during floods.
Need:
• The Netherlands has historically been prone to flooding of rivers due to its low elevation. Much of the country
lies below the sea level. The country is located in the delta region of several major rivers like the Rhine, the
Meuse and the Scheldt.
• In fact, the rise of water levels in the sea and rivers due to the effects of climate change is one of the major
challenges facing the Dutch. But over the years, the country’s expert water management techniques and
creation of independent local government bodies for flood control have borne praise across the world.
Relevance for Kerala:
• The LDF government in Kerala believes the project and its foundational ideals can be replicated in Kuttanad,
the state’s rice bowl located below the sea-level. In the floods last year, Kuttanad and adjoining regions in
Kottayam and Alappuzha districts remained submerged for weeks. Since the major rivers in the state empty
out into Kuttanad, there’s a need for long-term comprehensive solutions on the lines of the Dutch project to
prevent flooding in the region.
Sources: Indian express.
19. EFFECTS OF PLASTICS ON ENVIRONMENT
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: effects of plastics on the environment and the need for global consensus on limiting
its use.
Context: Newly published research calculates that across their lifecycle, plastics account for 3.8 per cent of global
greenhouse gas emissions. That’s almost double the emissions of the aviation sector. If it were a country, the
“Plastic Kingdom” would be the fifth-highest emitter in the world.
Why worry about this?
• Demand is set to rise, too. At 380m tonnes a year, we produce 190 times more plastic than we did in 1950.
If the demand for plastic continues to grow at its current rate of four per cent a year, emissions from plastic
production will reach 15 per cent of global emissions by 2050.
Plastic across the lifecycle:
• More than 99 per cent of plastics are manufactured from petrochemicals, most commonly from petroleum
and natural gas. These raw materials are refined to form ethylene, propylene, butene, and other basic plastic
building blocks, before being transported to manufacturers.
• The production and transport of these resins requires an awful lot of energy — and therefore
fuel. Greenhouse gas emissions also occur during the refining process itself — the “cracking” of larger
hydrocarbons from petrochemicals into smaller ones suitable for making plastic releases carbon dioxide and
methane.
Contribution to greenhouse emissions:
• According to the study, about 61% of total plastic greenhouse gas emissions comes from the resin
production and transport stage. A further 30 per cent is emitted at the product manufacturing stage. The
vast majority of these emissions come from the energy required to power the plants that turn raw plastic
materials into the bottles, bin bags and bicycle helmets we use today. The remainder occurs as a result of
chemical and manufacturing processes – for example, the production of plastic foams uses HFCs, particularly
potent greenhouse gases.
• The remaining carbon footprint occurs when plastics are thrown away. Incineration releases all of the
stored carbon in the plastic into the atmosphere, as well as air pollutants such as dioxins, furans, mercury
and polychlorinated biphenyls, which are toxic and damaging to human health.
• As plastics take centuries to degrade, disposal in landfill makes only a small contribution to emissions in
theory. However, as much as 40 per cent of landfill waste is burnt in open skies, dramatically speeding up
the release of otherwise locked-up carbon.
Need of the hour:
• If we are to combat climate breakdown, reductions in plastic emissions are clearly needed. In showing that
transitioning to a zero carbon energy system has the potential to reduce emissions from plastic by 51 per
cent, the study provides yet another reason to rapidly phase out fossil fuels.
• However, beyond urgently required global decarbonisation, we need to reduce our seemingly insatiable
demand for carbon-based plastic. Increasing recycling rates is one simple way of doing this.
• A more fundamental solution is to switch to making plastics from biodegradable sources such as wood, corn
starch, and sugar cane. The materials themselves are carbon neutral, although renewable power is essential
to eliminate the climate impact of energy costs during production, transport and waste processing.
• Governments, corporations, and individuals must make research into alternatives a priority, and support
alternatives to needless plastic waste.
Conclusion:
• Plastics need not be completely demonised as environmental scourges. Affordable, durable, and versatile,
they bring a raft of societal benefits, and will undoubtedly serve an important role where replacements are
unable to be found. But decades of unbridled use and a throw-away culture are having grave consequences
that go far beyond the visible pollution of our land and water. It is essential that we drastically reduce our
use of avoidable plastics, and eliminate the carbon footprint of the ones we need to use. Our relationship
with plastic may be toxic, but it doesn’t need to be forever.
20. CHINA CONTINUES TO USE OZONE DEPLETING CFC-11 IN VIOLATION OF
MONTREAL PROTOCOL
What to study?
• For Prelims: Key facts on Montreal protocol.
• For Mains: Significance of the Ozone layer and the need for protection.
Context: China has been illegally emitting Trichlorofluoromethane or CFC-11 — the banned ozone-depleting
chemical — according to the research published in the journal Nature recently.
Key findings:
• CFC-11 was phased out under the 1987 Montreal Protocol. Despite being the signatory to the Montreal
Protocol, and agreeing to phase out production of CFC-11 in 2010, China continued to emit the polluting gas.
• Emissions of CFC-11 were on the rise since 2013. In fact, the emissions increased by 25 per cent since 2012.
Between 2008 and 2012, eastern China emitted an average of about 6,400 metric tonnes of CFC-11 per year.
That number increased to about 13,400 metric tonnes per year from 2014 to 2017.
Reasons behind:
• China has the world’s largest polyurethane foam market, accounting for about 40 per cent of the world’s
consumption.
• Chinese foam manufacturers have been using CFC-11 illegally to save on the higher cost of alternatives, such
as hydrochloro-fluorocarbons like HCFC-141b, which is to be phased out in China by 2026.
Why limit the use of CFC- 11?
• The hole in the ozone is on the path to recovery according to the World Meteorological Organization’s
(WMO’s) assessment; and reduction in the atmospheric concentration of CFC-11 has made the secondlargest
contribution to the decline in the total atmospheric concentration of ozone-depleting chlorine since
the 1990s. But this gas still contributes one-quarter of all chlorine reaching the stratosphere, and a timely
recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer depends on a sustained decline in CFC-11 concentrations.
• Continued success of the Montreal Protocol in protecting stratospheric ozone depends on continued
compliance and China must adhere to it.
What you need to know about the Ozone layer?
• The ozone layer absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet light which is harmful to human life and other life forms.
The layer absorbs about 97 to 99% of ultraviolet rays and maintain the ozone-oxygen cycle. Dobson unit is a
unit which is used to measure the ozone in the atmosphere at a standard temperature and pressure.
Montreal protocol:
• The Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was designed to reduce the production
and consumption of ozone depleting substances in order to reduce their abundance in the atmosphere, and
thereby protect the earth’s fragile ozone Layer. The original Montreal Protocol was agreed on 16 September
1987 and entered into force on 1 January 1989.
• The Montreal Protocol includes a unique adjustment provision that enables the Parties to the Protocol to
respond quickly to new scientific information and agree to accelerate the reductions required on chemicals
already covered by the Protocol. These adjustments are then automatically applicable to all countries that
ratified the Protocol.
• Montreal Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds that deplete ozone in
the stratosphere-chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform-are to
be phased out by 2000 (2005 for methyl chloroform). These compounds significantly deplete the
stratospheric ozone layer that shields the planet from damaging UV-B radiation.
Outcomes:
• The phaseout of controlled uses of ozone depleting substances and the related reductions have not only
helped protect the ozone layer for this and future generations, but have also contributed significantly to
global efforts to address climate change; furthermore, it has protected human health and ecosystems by
limiting the harmful ultraviolet radiation from reaching the earth.
Sources: the Hindu.
21. CORAL BLEACHING
Context: Researchers have found an alarming pattern of bleaching in the reefs in Mandapam, Keezhakkarai and Palk Bay in Gulf of Mannar
regions.
Key findings:
• Sea surface temperature ranged from 28.7°C to 31°C in the August 2018-February 2019 period and there was no bleaching seen then.
• However, when the temperatures rose to between 32°C and 36°C between March 2019 and May 2019,
researchers observed a pattern of bleaching in corals, which was different at different layers within the sea.
What are Coral reefs?
• Coral reefs are important hotspots of biodiversity in the ocean. Corals are animals in the same class
(Cnidaria) as jellyfish and anemones. They consist of individual polyps that get together and build reefs.
Significance:
• Coral reefs support a wide range of species and maintain the quality of the coastal biosphere.
• Corals control the level of carbon dioxide in the water by converting it into a limestone shell. If this process
does not take place, the amount of carbon dioxide in the ocean water would increase significantly and affect
ecological niches.
Threats:
• Coral reefs are threatened by climate change.
• When the sea surface temperature increases beyond a tolerable limit, they undergo a process of bleaching.
What is bleaching?
• Basically bleaching is when the corals expel a certain algae known as zooxanthellae, which lives in the tissues
of the coral in a symbiotic relationship. About 90% of the energy of the coral is provided by the zooxanthellae
which are endowed with chlorophyll and other pigments. They are responsible for the yellow or reddish
brown colours of the host coral. In addition the zooxanthellae can live as endosymbionts with jellyfish also.
• When a coral bleaches, it does not die but comes pretty close to it. Some of the corals may survive the
experience and recover once the sea surface temperature returns to normal levels.
Sources: Down to Earth.
22. WORLD WILDLIFE FUND (WWF)
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: about WWF, composition, objectives and reports.
Context: Six mammal, bird and fish species are facing the spectre of extinction in Russia according to World
Wildlife Fund (WWF).
• These include the Saiga antelope, the gyrfalcon, the Persian leopard, the spoon-billed sandpiper, the
Sakhalin sturgeon and the kaluga, also a type of sturgeon.
About WWF:
• It is an international non-governmental
organization
• Founded in 1961
• Headquarter — Gland (Switzerland).
• Aim : wilderness preservation & the reduction of
human impact on the environment
• It is the world’s largest conservation
organization
Objectives:
• Conserving the world’s biological diversity
• Ensuring that the use of renewable natural
resources is sustainable
• Promoting the reduction of pollution and
wasteful consumption
Reports & programmes:
• Living Planet Report— published every two years by
WWF since 1998; it is based on a Living Planet Index
and ecological footprint calculation
• Earth hour
• Debt-for-nature swaps–financial transactions in
which a portion of a developing nation’s foreign debt
is forgiven in exchange for local investments in
environmental conservation measures.
• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) — independent
non-profit organization which sets a standard for
sustainable fishing
• Healthy GrownPotato — eco-brand that provides
high-quality, sustainably grown, packaged, and
shipped potatoes to consumers by leveraging
integrated pest management (IPM) farming practices
on large scale farms
Sources: the Hindu.
JUNE 2019
1. #SELFIEWITHSAPLING
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: about the campaign and its significance, about World Environment Day.
Context: On the eve of World Environment Day, Union Environment Ministry has launched a people’s campaign
called #SelfiewithSapling, urging people to advocate the cause on social media.
• Under the campaign, people have been urged to plant a sapling and post selfie with the planted sapling on
social media.
World Environment Day:
• Every June 5th is World Environment Day. On this day, communities and individuals around the world work
to increase awareness of the importance of conserving the environment, the positive global impact of
environmental regulations and controls and engage in activities that serve to educate and improve their
environment locally.
• The World Environment Day is a part of the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) for creating
awareness and action worldwide for the environment. The first World Environment Day was celebrated in
1973.
• The theme for 45th World Environment Day is Beat Air Pollution. It is the call for action to combat the global
crisis for ‘fresh air’.
• Host: China.
2. INDIA’S FERTILISER INDUSTRY NEEDS TO PRIORITISE POLLUTION
CONTROL: CSE STUDY
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: pollution from fertiliser industry, concerns, challenges and measures needed.
Context: The Indian fertiliser industry has overlooked the aspects related to environmental pollution, while
making improvements in energy efficiency, according to a study conducted by the Centre for Science and
Environment, a New Delhi-based non-profit, under its Green Rating Project (GRP).
Highlights of the study:
• The fertiliser industry has been classified under the ‘red category’ of polluting sectors by the Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB).
Water pollution:
• The discharge of untreated or partially treated industrial wastewater has increased pollution of surface water
(rivers and other water bodies) and groundwater sources. Most of the groundwater samples were found to
be non-compliant with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) limits on amount of ammonia.
• According to the BIS, the maximum permissible limit of ammonia (as total ammoniacal nitrogen) in drinking
water is 0.5 ppm. However, about 83 per cent groundwater samples collected from hand-pumps in
surrounding villages and near ash ponds, tubewells and borewells near 18 plant sites (out of the total 23
plant sites studied) had an ammoniacal nitrogen content of 0.51–93.5 ppm, the upper limit of which is 187
times the permissible limit set by BIS.
• Such high levels of contamination can be linked to the seepage or overflow of a plant’s ash pond water into
the ground, the study showed.
• About 57 per cent samples collected near 14 plants were found non-compliant with fertiliser effluent
discharge norms set by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, particularly with respect to
cyanide concentrations in many of the samples and total Kjeldahl nitrogen levels in a few samples.
• Some plants were also found to be diluting their wastewater with freshwater to meet pollution control
norms.
Air pollution:
• While most plants are meeting the particulate matter (PM) standards, inefficient air pollution control devices
or improper fuel combustion within the systems have led to high emission levels at some plants. There is
also no regulation in India for parameters like emissions of gaseous ammonia from urea manufacturing,
the study pointed out.
• Emissions from prilling towers are the main source of pollution at a urea plants. The emissions, which
contains urea dust, ammonia and oxides of nitrogen and carbon, also affects the growth and productivity of
vegetation and crops around a plant. Crops become dry due to exposure to excess ammonia gas.
Solid Waste:
• Solid and hazardous waste management of most urea manufacturing plants is satisfactory. But, a few plants
are not managing their hazardous waste properly, for which they have received notices or directions from
the respective PCB or CPCB.
• Ash pond maintenance has emerged as an issue at most plants. At some plants, handling and storage of fly
ash is inefficient and causes pollution due to fly ash dispersal into the atmosphere and leaching into the
groundwater table.
• A few plants transport coal by road in uncovered trucks, taking advantage of lack of strict regulations
regarding transportation of coal.
3. STATE OF INDIA’S ENVIRONMENT 2019
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: key highlights, concerns raised and findings, measures proposed.
Context: The State of India’s Environment 2019 in Figures is an exclusive data-driven analysis of major
developmental and environmental sectors. SoE 2019 in Figures is an annual quantified statement of
environmental statistics and analysis put together by Down To Earth magazine, which Centre for Science and
Environment (CSE) helps publish.
• Usefulness: The datasets can be used by the media to investigate compelling stories, ask better questions to
policymakers to drive them to come up with better policies for sustainable development agenda.
Key findings:
• State of air – Air pollution is responsible for 12.5 per cent of all deaths in India. Its impact on children is
equally worrying. Over 100,000 children below the age of five die due to bad air in the country. While India
was one of the first countries to pledge the phasing out of non-electric vehicles, its national scheme to
promote the sale of e-vehicles is yet to pick up. Against the target of 15-16 million e-vehicles by 2020, the
county had 0.28 million vehicles till May 2019.
• State of development – Climate change poses the biggest economic threat in the world today and features
prominently in the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030. With just 10 years to go, India is yet to identify
indicators to track its climate change preparedness. Of the 13 SDGs the country is tracking, indicators exist
for only a handful of the targets.
• State of water – Both surface and groundwater in the country are under stress. 86 water bodies are critically
polluted. The bulk of the polluted water bodies are in Karnataka, Telangana and Kerala. One of the reasons
is the substantial increase (136 per cent) in the number of grossly polluting industries between 2011 and
2018. Groundwater is also reeling under overexploitation, which is running 94.5 per cent of all minor
irrigation schemes in the country. There has been an unsustainable increase in the number of deep tubewells
that has gone up by 80 per cent between 2006-07 and 2013-14.
• State of land and agriculture – India’s farm sector is under duress. While the input costs for major crops are
rising, the average farmland size is shrinking. Even the share of the insured cropped area stands at a dismal
26 per cent.
• State of Health – India’s rural health infrastructure is ailing. There is a 35 per cent shortfall in the number of
24×7 public health centres, where 26 per cent of the positions for medical officers are lying vacant. In fact,
Kerala does not have a single 24×7 public health centre. Another worrying trend is that the number of new
doctors qualifying every year in the country has decreased by 60 per cent between 2013 and 2017. The
country also shares the world’s largest absolute burden of at least 11 major neglected tropical diseases,
which includes diseases like dengue.
• State of cities – By 2050, India is projected to add 416 million urban dwellers to the world’s urban population
and will be home to about 58 per cent of the total global population. Keeping this in mind, India in 2015-16
announced its ambitious plan of creating 100 smart cities. Four years later, only 21 per cent of the allocated
funds for the smart cities have been spent. In the meanwhile, most urban cities have a sizeable population
living in slums, which are unfit for habitation. India has 2,613 towns with slums. Of them, 57 per cent are in
Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.
• State of waste – The burden of solid waste is becoming unmanageable. In fact, 79 major protests against
unsanitary landfills and dump yards have been recorded in 22 states in the past three years. Maharashtra,
which registered 16 major protests, leaves 43 per cent of its waste unprocessed. While India claims to process
96 per cent of its biomedical waste, eight states and UTs have defaulting hospitals. The country has also
recorded a 56 per cent increase in the number of hazardous-waste generating industries between 2009 and
2016-17. At the same time, most of these industries are not properly maintaining their waste inventory, as
mandated by the law.
• State of energy – India’s natural gas and hydro-based power plants are in shambles. Gas-based plants are
running at 24 per cent of their capacity due to the acute shortage of domestic natural gas. Hydropower
projects, on the other hand, are running at just 19 per cent of their capacity and their share in total installed
capacity has consistently declined since 1962. The country’s progress in renewable energy in 2018-19 has
also been dismal. In wind, the country met only 6.3 per cent of the target this year. In solar, it met 5.86 per
cent.
• State of climate – There has been a 22 per cent increase in India’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions between
2010 and 2014. This has been fuelled by the energy sector, which is responsible for 73 per cent of the total
GHG emissions. Besides, India phased out ozone depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbon by 2011,
it shifted to substances such as hydrochlorofluorocarbon, which have high globalwarming potential. India
continues to bear the brunt of extreme weather events. In 2018, 11 states recorded major extreme weather
events that claimed 1,425 lives.
• State of forests – India has recently shifted to a powerful forest fire monitoring and alert system, SNPP-VIIRS,
which can capture forest fires with better accuracy and precision. In April 2019, the new technology recorded
69,523 forest fires, which was 9.5 times more than that recorded by the earlier technology.
• State of wildlife – 37 species were poached or seized in 2018. Of these, 13, including lion, marked an increase
over the last year; 161 wild animals were also killed due to road and train accidents
• State of employment – India has witnessed a 1.9 times increase in the unemployment rate in the past two
years. This has especially affected the youth and the educated. Unemployment rate among people with at
least a graduate degree was 13.17 per cent in September-December 2018, up from 10.39 per cent in May-
August 2017.
Sources: down to earth.
4. GUJARAT LAUNCHES INDIA’S FIRST TRADING PROGRAMME TO COMBAT
PARTICULATE AIR POLLUTION
What to study?
• For prelims: key features of the program.
• For mains: significance, need and potential of such programs, challenges ahead and ways to address them.
• Context: Gujarat has launched India’s first trading programme to combat particulate air pollution-the
emission trading scheme (ETS), on World Environment Day 2019, which has air pollution as its theme.
Key features of the programme:
• It is a market-based system where the government sets a cap on emissions and allows industries to buy
and sell permits to stay below the cap.
• Being initiated in Surat by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB).
• Gujarat programme is the first in the world to regulate particulate air pollution.
How it works?
• Under the cap and trade system, the regulator first defines the total mass of pollution that can be put into
the air over a defined period by all factories put together.
• Then, a set of permits is created, each of which allows a certain amount of pollution, and the total is equal
to the cap.
• These permits are the quantity that is bought and sold. Each factory is allocated a share of these permits (this
could be equal or based on size or some other rule).
• After this, plants can trade permits with each other, just like any other commodity on the National
Commodity and Derivatives Exchange Limited (NCDEX).
Significance and benefits:
• The reason for trading is that in a cap and trade market, the regulator will measure pollution over a period
of time and industries must own enough permits to cover their total emissions.
• Factories who find it very expensive to reduce pollution, will seek to buy more permits. Those who can easily
reduce pollution are encouraged to do so because then they have excess permits to sell.
• Eventually, after buying and selling by plants that find it cheap to cut pollution and those for whom it is
expensive, most pollution is taken care of. Whatever the final allocation, the total number of permits does
not change so the total pollution is still equal to the predefined cap. And yet the costs to industry are
decreased.
Current practice and issues associated:
• Under existing regulations, every industry has to meet a certain maximum concentration of pollutants when
it is operating. They are tested occasionally and manually (one or two times a year). However, there is
widespread non-compliance across India. This is partly because penalties are rarely applied, in large part
because they involve punishments such as closing down the entire plant which is not necessarily appropriate
for small violations.
5. PROLIFERATION OF KELPS IN THE ARCTIC
Context: Climate change is altering marine habitats such as kelp
forests.
• Underwater Arctic forests are expanding thanks to
global warming.
Significance of kelps:
• Kelps function underwater in the same way trees do on land.
• They create habitat and modify the physical environment by
shading light and softening waves.
• The underwater forests that kelps create are used by many
animals for shelter and food.
What are Kelps? How do they survive
underwater?
• Kelps are large brown
algae seaweeds that make up
the order Laminariales. There are about
30 different genera.
• Kelps have adapted to the severe
conditions. These cool water species
have special strategies to survive
freezing temperatures and long periods
of darkness, and even grow under sea
ice.
• In regions with cold, nutrient-rich water,
they can attain some of the highest
rates of primary production of any
natural ecosystem on Earth.
• More than 350 different species – up to 100,000 small invertebrates – can live on a single kelp plant, and
many fish, birds and mammals depend on the whole forest.
• Kelp forests also help protect coastlines by decreasing the power of waves during storms and reducing
coastal erosion.
• Kelp forests throughout the world play an important role in coastal economies, supporting a broad range of
tourism, recreational and commercial activities.
• Kelp is a coveted food source in many countries, full of potassium, iron, calcium, fibre and iodine.
• In the Arctic, Inuit traditionally use kelp as food and wild
harvest numerous species.
How climate change is leading to expansion of Kelps?
• Genetic evidence reveals that most kelps reinvaded the
Arctic from the Atlantic Ocean quite recently (approximately
8,000 years ago, following the last Ice Age). As a result, most
kelps in the Arctic are living in waters colder than their
optimal temperature. Ocean warming will also move
conditions closer to temperatures of maximum growth, and could increase the productivity of these habitats.
• As waters warm and sea ice retreats, more light will reach the seafloor, which will benefit marine
plants. Researchers predict a northern shift of kelp forests as ice retreats.
Concerns:
• Other changes are happening in the Arctic that complicate this picture. In Canada, Alaska, Greenland, Norway
and Siberia, permafrost soils that have been frozen for thousands of years are receding by half a metre per
year. Thawing permafrost and crumbling Arctic coasts are dumping sediments into coastal waters at
alarming rates, which blocks light and could limit plant growth.
• The run-off from melting glaciers will also lower salinity and increase turbidity, which impacts young kelp.
Sources: toi.
6. WORLD DAY TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT: 17 JUNE
What to study?
• For prelims: about WCDD- theme and significance.
• For mains: what is desertification, causes, effects, Concerns and measures needed to prevent?
Context: World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on June 17 every year.
• The World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2019 theme is ‘Let’s Grow the Future Together’
(Reflecting on 25 years of progress and envisaging to the next 25) encouraging people against depleting the
land of its inbuilt resources.
Desertification and the Sustainable Development Goals:
• The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development declares that “we are determined to protect the planet from
degradation, including through sustainable consumption and production, sustainably managing its natural
resources and taking urgent action on climate change, so that it can support the needs of the present and
future generations”. Specifically, Goal 15 states our resolve to halt and reverse land degradation.
What is Desertification?
• Desertification is the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas. It is caused primarily by
human activities and climatic variations. Desertification does not refer to the expansion of existing deserts.
• It occurs because dryland ecosystems, which cover over one third of the world‘s land area, are extremely
vulnerable to overexploitation and inappropriate land use. Poverty, political instability, deforestation,
overgrazing and bad irrigation practices can all undermine the productivity of the land.
Facts for Prelims:
• About UNCCD: Established in 1994, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the
sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land
Facts for prelims:
• The Canadian Arctic is the longest Arctic
coastline in the world.
• In the northwestern Canadian
Arctic, lack of rock substrate and a
harsher climate support smaller,
fragmented kelp forests.
management. The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as
the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
Concerns for India:
• India has witnessed increase in the level of desertification in
26 of 29 states between 2003-05 and 2011-13, according to
the State of India’s Environment (SoE) 2019 in Figures.
• Twenty-one drought-prone districts, of the 78 in the country
that were identified by the Indian Space Research
Organisation, have more than half of their areas under
desertification.
• Of these nine have also witnessed over two per cent increase
in the area under desertification between 2003-05 and 2011-
13.
• More than 80 per cent of the country’s degraded land lies in just nine states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra,
Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana.
• Top three districts with highest area under desertification or land degradation are Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
(92.96 per cent during 2011-13 and 98.13 per cent during 2003-05), Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
(80.54 per cent during 2011-13 and 80.57 per cent during 2003-05) and Kargil, Jammu and Kashmir (78.23
per cent during 2011-13 and 78.22 per cent during 2003-05).
Sources: the Hindu.
(Q) Differentiate between land degradation and desertification? Discuss impact of desertification on ecology.
7. ‘DEAD ZONE’ IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: location of Gulf of Mexico, about dead zones and eutrophication.
Context: Scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Louisiana State University
have predicted that this spring’s record rainfall would produce one of the largest-ever “dead zones” in the Gulf
of Mexico.
What are dead zones?
• Unoxygenated “dead zones” appear in waterways wherever algae are overfed by runoff from human
activities such as urbanization and agriculture – a phenomenon called eutrophication.
What caused dead zone in Gulf of Mexico?
• The dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico, fueled by the nutrient-laden water spilling from the mouth of the
Mississippi River, is the second-largest in the world.
• It blooms every summer, when warming waters accelerate the metabolisms of microorganisms, and it is
expected to get even worse as the climate continues to change.
• The primary culprits in eutrophication appear to be excess nitrogen and phosphorus—from sources
including fertilizer runoff and septic system effluent to atmospheric fallout from burning fossil fuels—which
enter waterbodies and fuel the overgrowth of algae, which, in turn, reduces water quality and degrades
estuarine and coastal ecosystems.
Effects of Eutrophication:
• Eutrophication can also produce carbon dioxide, which lowers the PH of seawater (ocean acidification). This
slows the growth of fish and shellfish, may prevent shell formation in bivalve mollusks, and reduces the catch
of commercial and recreational fisheries, leading to smaller harvests and more expensive seafood.
• Improvement of the purifying performance of waste water treatment plants, installing tertiary treatment
systems to reduce nutrient concentrations;
Main reasons that cause desertification in
India are:
• Water erosion (10.98 per cent).
• Wind erosion (5.55 per cent).
• Human-made/settlements (0.69 per
cent).
• Vegetation degradation (8.91 per cent).
• Salinity (1.12 per cent).
• Others (2.07 per cent).
• implementation of effective filter ecosystems to remove nitrogen and phosphorus present in the run-off
water (such as phyto-purification plants);
• reduction of phosphorous in detergents;
• rationalisation of agricultural techniques through proper planning of fertilisation and use of slow release
fertilisers;
• use of alternative practices in animal husbandry to limit the production of waste water.
• oxygenation of water for restore the ecological conditions, reducing the negative effects of the eutrophic
process, such as scarcity of oxygen and formation of toxic compounds deriving from the anaerobic
metabolism;
• chemical precipitation of phosphorous by the addition of iron or aluminium salts or calcium carbonate to the
water, which give rise to the precipitation of the respective iron, aluminium or calcium orthophosphates,
thereby reducing the negative effects related to the excessive presence of phosphorus in the sediments.
Sources: the Hindu.
8. FOREST LANDSCAPE RESTORATION (FLR) AND BONN CHALLENGE
Context: The centre has launched a flagship project on enhancing capacity on forest landscape restoration (FLR)
and Bonn Challenge in India, through a pilot phase of 3.5 years implemented in the States of Haryana, Madhya
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Karnataka.
Background:
• At the UNFCC Conference of the Parties (COP) 2015 in Paris, India also joined the voluntary Bonn Challenge
pledge to bring into restoration 13 million hectares of degraded and deforested land by the year 2020, and
additional 8 million hectares by 2030. India’s pledge is one of the largest in Asia.
What is Bonn Challenge? What is FLR approach?
• The Bonn Challenge is a global effort to bring 150 million hectares of deforested and degraded land into
restoration by 2020 and 350 million hectares by 2030.
• The 2020 target was launched at a high level event in Bonn in 2011 organised by the Government of Germany
and IUCN, and was later endorsed and extended to 2030 by the New York Declaration on Forests of the
2014UN Climate Summit.
• The Bonn Challenge is an implementation vehicle for national priorities such as water and food security and
rural development while simultaneously helping countries contribute to the achievement of international
climate change, biodiversity and land degradation commitments.
• Underlying the Bonn Challenge is the forest landscape restoration (FLR) approach, which aims to restore
ecological integrity at the same time as improving human well-being through multifunctional landscapes.
• It will create approximately USD 84 billion per year in net benefits that could bring direct additional income
opportunities for rural communities.
What is FLR?
• Forest landscape restoration (FLR) is the on-going process of regaining ecological functionality and enhancing
human well-being across deforested or degraded forest landscapes.
• FLR is more than just planting trees – it is restoring a whole landscape to meet present and future needs.
• It is long-term because it requires a multi-year vision of the ecological functions.
• The majority of restoration opportunities are found on or adjacent to agricultural or pastoral land. In these
situations, restoration must complement and not displace existing land uses.
• This result in a mosaic of different land uses including: agriculture, agroforestry systems and improved
ecological corridors.
• It integrates a number of guiding principles, including: Focus on landscapes, restore functionality, Involve
stakeholders, Tailor to local conditions and Avoid further reduction of natural forest cover.
9. CLIMATE CHANGE CAN TRIP SMALL ISLAND STATES ENROUTE SDGS: UN
Context: Many small island developing states (SIDS) may fail to achieve several Sustainable Development Goals by 2030 because of
increasing population and climate change risks, according to the United Nation’s report on World Population Prospects 2019.
Key findings:
• While population growth is keeping all least developing nations from meeting the goals, the problem is compounded by climate change
in SIDS.
• Several SIDS, including Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome and Principe, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu,
are experiencing a sharper population growth than they can handle.
• The challenge is bigger for these small countries because of their vulnerability to climate change, climate
variability and sea-level rise.
• They have higher population growth rate than the global average.
• The total population of these countries is only 71 million, but growing fast: said to increase to 78 million by
2030 and 87 million by 2050.
About SIDS:
• SIDS are a group of small island countries that tend to share similar sustainable development challenges,
including small but growing populations, limited resources, remoteness, susceptibility to natural disasters,
vulnerability to external shocks, excessive dependence on international trade, and fragile environments.
Vulnerability:
• Climate change affects the development of all nations, regardless of location or size of economy. Yet, no
other group of nations is as vulnerable to its devastating effects as the SIDS, according to the United Nations
Development Programme.
• One-third of the entire population of SIDS lives on lands that are less than five metres below the sea level.
This makes them highly vulnerable to sea-level rise, storm surge and coastal destruction.
• These countries contribute to only 1 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, and yet are among the first
to experience the worst impacts of climate change.
• Agricultural production, fisheries, and related sectors are declining as the climate changes, threatening
livelihoods and economic growth. In addition, extreme weather spawned by climate change is destroying
SIDS land, real estate and infrastructure, with economically catastrophic effects.
• Tourism forms the foundation of many SIDS economies, and the impact that climate change is having and
will have on the tourism industry is undeniable. Tourists are also discouraged from travelling to SIDS in the
fear of violent and life-threatening storms.
10. JAL SHAKTI ABHIYAN
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: key features, significance and the need for Jal Shakti Abhiyan.
Context: The Centre is set to initiate the Jal Shakti Abhiyan to ramp up rainwater harvesting and conservation
efforts in 255 water-stressed districts from July 1, in line with the government’s promise to focus on water.
Key features:
• The campaign would be coordinated by 255 central IAS officers of Joint or Additional Secretary-rank.
• Coverage: The campaign would run from July 1 to September 15 in States receiving rainfall during the southwest
monsoon, while States receiving rainfall in the retreating or north-east monsoon would be covered
from October 1 to November 30. Overall, 313 blocks with critical groundwater levels would be covered, along
with 1,186 blocks with over-exploited groundwater and 94 blocks with low groundwater availability.
• Aim: to accelerate water harvesting, conservation and borewell recharge activities already being carried out
under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme and the Integrated Watershed
Management Programme of the Rural Development Ministry, along with existing water body restoration and
afforestation schemes being undertaken by the Jal Shakti and Environment Ministries.
• Block and district-level water conservation plans would be drafted, and Kisan Vigyan Kendras would hold
melas to promote better crop choices and more efficient water use for irrigation.
Sources: the Hindu.
JULY 2019
1. FLY ASH
What to study?
• For prelims: What is fly ash, how is it produced and where it can be used?
• For mains: Concerns associated with its contamination, what needs to be done and legislative measures
necessary.
Context: The National Green Tribunal has sought a report from the authorities on the current status on disposal
and management of fly ash. The report has been sought, following a plea alleging unscientific handling of fly ash
generated by a unit of NTPC.
What is Fly Ash?
• Fly ash is a major source of PM 2.5 (fine, respirable pollution particles) in summer. It becomes air borne, and
gets transported to a radius of 10 to 20 kms.
• It can settle on water and other surfaces.
• Fly ash contains heavy metals from coal, a large amount of PM 2.5 and black carbon (BC).
• Proper disposal of fly ash is still not happening in many places.
What can be done?
• Fly ash, the end product of combustion during the process of power generation in the coal based thermal
power plants, is a proven resource material for many applications of construction industries and currently
is being utilized in manufacturing of Portland Cement, bricks/blocks/tiles manufacturing, road embankment
construction and low-lying area development, etc.
• At present, 63% of the fly ash is being

utilised and target is for 100%
utilisation of the fly ash. There is
need for education and awareness
generation.
• Road contractors and construction
engineers need to know the
benefits of using fly ash in
construction.
• Measures need to be taken to reduce
the cost of construction of roads
using fly ash by way of tax structure,
subsidies and transportation
services.
• Besides, there is a need to prevent
the ash from coming to the power plant by washing the coal at its place of origin. The government should
also come out with a policy to encourage fly ash use in cement plant.
Sources: the hindu.
(Q) What is fly ash? In the past few years concerns have been raised over its environmental impact from several
quarters. What are these concerns? How they can be addressed? Examine.
2. CORAL REHAB PROGRAMME
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: coral bleaching- causes, effect and various ways to restore.
Why in News? The National Centre for Coastal Research’s (NCCR) proposal of dropping ‘melted plastic rocks or
slabs’ on the seabed for growing coral reefs and address the problem of disposal of plastic waste has drawn
criticism from the Gulf of Mannar (GoM) Marine National Park, which has been implementing coral rehabilitation
programme since 2002.
What’s the issue?
• The NCCR suggested that plastic waste materials could simply be wound around as hard substrates as a way
of disposing of them and help build coral colonies.
• Therefore, researchers have expressed apprehensions that the NCCR’s ‘innovative idea’ for the growth of
marine organisms like algae for coral reefs building would destroy the existing coral reef colonies.
• Corals in the GoM were already stressed and bleached under climate change and the NCCR’s idea would turn
the reefs into graveyards.
About the Coral Rehabilitation Programme:
• The GoM Marine National Park has been implementing the corral rehabilitation programme since 2002.
• It has so far covered eight sq km areas in GoM region, where coral reefs suffered bleaching and degradation
due to climate change and high temperature.
• The program employs ‘concrete frame slabs’ method.
• Corals would start growing in 60 days using the concrete frames as sub-state. The acropora coral species
grow by 10 to 12 cm per year on these slabs.
Sources: the Hindu.
3. ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)
Context: State-level officers tasked with environmental assessment have objected to several clauses in a draft
law that proposes the creation of district-level environment impact assessment authorities.
What’s the issue?
• The proposed Environment Impact Assessment Notification, 2019, makes the District Magistrate (DM) the chairperson of an
expert authority, or the District Environment Impact Assessment Authority (DEIAA), that will accord environment clearance for
“minor” mining projects.
• District Magistrate (DM) in the State is also the ‘District Mining officer’ who is tasked with executing mining
licence deeds. These officers usually had a “target” to collect revenues from mining activities. Making the
DM the chairman (of the DEIAA) would be self-serving for grant of environmental clearance.
About EIA:
• Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is a formal process used to predict the environmental consequences
of any development project. Environment Impact Assessment in India is statutory backed by the
Environment Protection Act in 1986, which contains various provisions on EIA methodology and process.
• Rationale behind EIA: EIA looks into various problems, conflicts and natural resource constraints which may
not only affect the viability of a project but also predict if a project might harm to the people, their land,
livelihoods and environment. Once these potential harmful impacts are predicted, the EIA process identifies
the measures to minimize those impacts.
• The objective of the EIA is to: Identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to
taking a decision on its implementation. Mitigation of harmful impacts and maximizes the beneficial effects.
• Once the assessment is complete, the EIA findings are communicated to all stakeholders viz. developers,
investors, regulators, planners, politicians, affected communities etc. On the basis of the conclusion of EIA
process, the government can decide if a project should be given environment clearance or not. The
developers and investors can also shape the project in such a way that its harms can be mitigated and
benefits can be maximized.
Sources: the Hindu.
4. IS DESALINATION REALISTICALLY A HELP IN HARNESSING POTABLE WATER
FROM THE SEA?
• Context: With warnings from India’s top policy-makers and reports of major cities in India struggling to stave
off a water crisis, there’s talk about exploring the idea of desalination, or obtaining freshwater from salt
water.
What is desalination technology?
• To convert salt water into freshwater, the most prevalent technology in the world is reverse osmosis (RO).
• How it works? A plant pumps in salty or brackish water, filters separate the salt from the water, and the salty
water is returned to the sea. Fresh water is sent to households.
• Seawater has Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) — a measure of salinity — close to 35,000 parts per million (ppm),
or equivalent to 35 g of salt per one litre/kg of water. An effective network of RO plants reduce this down to
about 200-500 ppm.
• Challenges: Engineering RO desalination plants have to factor in various constraints, for instance, salt levels
in the source water that is to be treated, the energy required for the treatment and disposing of the salt
back into the sea.
Osmosis and RO:
• Osmosis involves ‘a solvent (such as water) naturally moving from an area of low solute concentration,
through a membrane, to an area of high solute concentration.
• A reverse osmosis system applies an external pressure to reverse the natural flow of solvent and so seawater
or brackish water is pressurised against one surface of the membrane, causing salt-depleted water to move
across the membrane, releasing clean water from the low-pressure side’.
How popular is it in India?
• Years of water crises in Chennai saw the government set up two desalination plants between 2010 and 2013.
Each supplies 100 million litres a day (MLD); together they meet little under a fourth of the city’s water
requirement of 830 MLD. Buoyed by the success of these plants, the city’s water authorities are planning to
install two more plants.
• Last year, Gujarat announced plans of setting up a 100 MLD RO plant at the Jodiya coast in Jamnagar district.
This would go a long way in ‘solving’ the water availability problems in the drought-prone Saurashtra region.
• Other plants of a similar size are expected to come up in Dwarka, Kutch, Dahej, Somnath, Bhavnagar and
Pipavav, which are all coastal places in Gujarat.
• There are also a slew of desalination plants that cater to industrial purposes. For now, India’s real-world
experience with desalination plants is restricted to Chennai.
What are the problems with RO plants?
• Deposition of brine (highly concentrated salt water) along the shores.
• Hyper salinity along the shore affects plankton, which is the main food for several of these fish species.
• The high pressure motors needed to draw in the seawater end up sucking in small fish and life forms,
thereby crushing and killing them — again a loss of marine resource.
• Construction of the RO plants required troves of groundwater. This was freshwater that was sucked out and
has since been replaced by salt water, rendering it unfit for the residents around the desalination plants.
• Cost and time: On an average, it costs about ₹900 crore to build a 100 MLD-plant and, as the Chennai
experience has shown, about five years for a plant to be set up.
• To remove the salt required, there has to be a source of electricity, either a power plant or a diesel or
battery source. Estimates have put this at about 4 units of electricity per 1,000 litres of water. It is estimated
that it cost ₹3 to produce 100 litres of potable water.
Is RO water healthy?
• In the early days of RO technology, there were concerns that desalinated water was shorn of vital minerals
such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, potassium and carbonates. They are collectively referred to
as TDS. Higher quantities of these salts in desalination plants tend to corrode the Seawater has Total
Dissolved Solids (TDS)— a measure of salinity — close to 35,000 parts per million (ppm), or equivalent to 35
g of salt per one litre/kg of water. An effective network of RO plants reduce this down to about 200-500 ppm.
and filtration system in these plants. So ideally, a treatment plant would try to keep the TDS as low as
possible. Highly desalinated water has a TDS of less than 50 milligrams per litre, is pure, but does not taste
like water. Anything from 100 mg/l to 600 mg/l is considered as good quality potable water.
• Most RO plants put the water through a ‘post-treatment’ process whereby salts are added to make TDS
around 300 mg/l.
Are there technological alternatives?
• Low-temperature thermal desalination (LTTD) technique works on the principle that water in the ocean
1,000 or 2,000 feet below is about 4º C to 8º C colder than surface water. So, salty surface water is collected
in a tank and subject to high pressure (via an external power source). This pressured water vapourises and
this is trapped in tubes or a chamber. Cold water plumbed from the ocean depths is passed over these tubes
and the vapour condenses into fresh water and the resulting salt diverted away.
• Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion: It will draw power from the vapour generated as a part of the
desalination process. This vapour will run a turbine and thereby will be independent of an external power
source. While great in theory, there is no guarantee it will work commercially. For one, this ocean-based
plant requires a pipe that needs to travel 50 kilometres underground in the sea before it reaches the
mainland.
5. PICKING OUT PLASTIC: ON RECYCLING AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
• Context: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has put 52 producers, brand owners and importers on
notice, for failing to take responsibility for their plastic waste.
What’s the issue?
• It is eight years since the concept of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) was incorporated into the
Plastic Waste Management Rules, but municipal and pollution control authorities have failed to persuade
commercial giants to put in place a system to collect and process the waste.
• Tighter rules in 2016 and some amendments two years later put the onus on producers and brand
owners to come up with an action plan for the retrieval of waste within six months to a year, but that too
failed to take off.
Concerns:
• Mountains of garbage with a heavy plastic load have been growing in suburban landfills, out of sight of city
dwellers. Without determined steps, the crisis is certain to worsen.
• Given the role played by packaging, the waste management problem is likely to become alarming.
Need of the hour:
• The two prongs of the solution are packaging innovation that reduces its use by using alternatives,
and upscaling waste segregation, collection and transmission.
• Recovering materials from garbage should be a high priority, considering that India is the third highest
consumer of materials after China and the U.S.; the Economic Survey 2019 estimates that India’s demand
for total material will double by 2030 at current rates of growth.
• Plastics may be less expensive than other inputs in manufacturing, but recycling them into new products
extends their life and provides a substitute for virgin material.
• Keeping them out of the environment reduces clean-up and pollution costs. Companies can form waste
cooperatives in India, employing informal waste-pickers.
• Making municipal and pollution control authorities accountable is also equally important.
6. JALYUKTA SHIVAR
What to study?
• For prelims: Key features of the programme.
• For mains: Water scarcity problem in India and Maharashtra in particular, causes, challenges and measures
proposed.
What is Jalyukta Shivar?
• It is the flagship programme of the Maharashtra government launched in December 2014.
• Aim: To make 5,000 villages free of water scarcity.
Implementation:
• The scheme targets drought-prone areas by improving water conservation measures in order to make them
more water sustainable. The scheme envisages to arrest maximum run-off water, especially during the
monsoon months, in village areas known to receive less rainfall, annually.
• Under the scheme, decentralised water bodies were installed at various locations within villages to
enhance the groundwater recharge.
• It also proposed to strengthen and rejuvenate water storage capacity and percolation of tanks and other
sources of storage.
• Dedicated committees were formed to assist in construction of watersheds like farm ponds, cement nullah
bunds alongside rejuvenating the existing water bodies in the villages.
Why was the scheme introduced?
• About 82 per cent area of Maharashtra falls is rainfed sector while 52 per cent of area is drought
prone. This, when coupled with natural rainfall variability and long dry spells during the monsoons,
severely hampers agriculture activities.
How does this intervention work?
• Under the scheme, water streams in a locality are deepened and widened, which would later be connected
to the newly constructed chains of cement nullah bunds in the village.
• Besides, efforts would be made to arrest and store water in small earthen dams and farm ponds in such
areas. While new interventions are made, maintenance of existing sources like canals and all kinds of wells
would be undertaken.
• Activities like desilting of water conservation structures and repairs of canals are undertaken to help
improve water storage and percolation at the site.
• Additionally, recharge of dug and tubewells would be taken up in specific locations.
• Real time information of water availability due to such interventions would be gathered from each village
of every tehsil from all districts and the same would be fed into a common portal.
What are the outcomes of the scheme?
Long- term outcomes:
• To strengthen the rural economy, which continues to be largely agriculture-driven.
• Improve farmer income by addressing the basic problem pertaining to availability of water for farming or
irrigation purposes.
• Reducing water scarcity in villages that have limited natural supply.
• Improving in risk management or becoming drought resilient and improving water availability through
effective management.
Short- term outcomes:
• Reduction in the run-off water and diverting it to some kind of storage.
• Increasing water storage capacity.
• Increasing the rate of groundwater recharge.
• Enhancing soil fertility and ultimately, improving farm productivity.
7. BOTANICAL SURVEY OF INDIA HAS COME UP WITH THE FIRST
COMPREHENSIVE CENSUS OF ORCHIDS OF INDIA- KEY HIGHLIGHTS
• Total number of orchid species or taxa to 1,256.
Orchids can be broadly categorised into three life forms:
1. epiphytic (plants growing on another plants including those growing on rock boulders and often termed
lithophyte).
2. terrestrial (plants growing on land and climbers).
3. mycoheterotrophic (plants which derive nutrients from mycorrhizal fungi that are attached to the roots
of a vascular plant).
Distribution:
• About 60% of all orchids found in the country, which is 757 species, are epiphytic, 447 are terrestrial and 43
are mycoheterotrophic.
• The epiphytic orchids are abundant up to 1800 m above the sea level and their occurrence decreases with
the increase in altitude.
• Terrestrial orchids, which grow directly on soil, are found in large numbers in temperate and alpine region
whereas mycoheterotrophic orchids, mostly associated with ectomycorrhizal fungi, are found in temperate
regions, or are found growing with parasites in tropical regions.
State-wise distribution:
• Himalayas, North-East parts of the country and Western Ghats are the hot-spots of the beautiful plant
species.
• The highest number of orchid species is recorded from Arunachal Pradesh with 612 species, followed by
Sikkim 560 species and West Bengal; Darjeeling Himalayas have also high species concentration, with 479
species.
• While north-east India rank at the top in species concentration, the Western Ghats have high endemism of
orchids.
• Kerala has 111 of these endemic species while Tamil Nadu has 92 of them.
• Among the 10 bio geographic zones of India, the Himalayan zone is the richest in terms of orchid species
followed by Northeast, Western Ghats, Deccan plateau and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Protection: The entire orchid family is listed under appendix II of CITES (Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and hence any trade of wild orchid is banned globally.
8. BLUE FLAG PROJECT
• Context: The Union Environment Ministry has selected 12
beaches in India to vie for a ‘Blue Flag’ certification, an
international recognition conferred on beaches that meet
certain criteria of cleanliness and environmental propriety.
• These beaches are at Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Bhogave
(Maharashtra), Ghoghla (Diu), Miramar (Goa), Kasarkod and
Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Eden (Puducherry),
Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh),
Golden (Odisha), and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar
Islands).
Criteria:
• There are nearly 33 criteria that must be met to qualify for a
Blue Flag certification, such as the water meeting certain
quality standards, having waste disposal facilities, being
disabled- friendly, have first aid equipment, and no access to
pets in the main areas of the beach. Some criteria are
voluntary and some compulsory.
Sources: the Hindu.
9. THE WHEELS TO A LOW-CARBON TRANSPORT SYSTEM
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: Impact of road transport system on climate change and measures needed to reverse
this trend.
Context: Studies show that India’s road transport emissions are small in global comparison but increasing
exponentially. In fact, the Global Carbon Project reports that India’s carbon emissions are rising more than two
times as fast as the global rise in 2018.
Background:
• Globally, the transport sector accounts for a quarter of total emissions, out of which three quarters are
from road transport.
Why reduce CO2 emissions from road transport?
• Reducing CO2 emissions of road transport leverages multiple co-benefits, for example, improving air quality
and increasing physical activity, which are critical for well-being, particularly in urban areas.
• The action requires an understanding of how emissions vary with spatial context. In India, income and
urbanisation are the key determinants of travel distance and travel mode choice and, therefore,
commuting emissions.
• Mayors and town planners should organise cities around public transport and cycling, thereby improving
mobility for many, while limiting car use.
• India should double down in its strategy to transition to electric two and three-wheelers. India is the thirdlargest
market for automobiles; about 25 million internal combustion engines were sold in 2017, including
about 20 million two-wheelers.
• Compact cities improve accessibility and reduce emissions from transport and even the building sector. City
managers should ensure that existing urban areas provide short routes and fast access to schools, hospitals
and jobs, otherwise, residents would be required to travel long distances.
Sources: the Hindu.
About Blue flag programme:
• The Blue Flag Programme for beaches
and marinas is run by the international,
non-governmental, non-profit
organisation FEE (the Foundation for
Environmental Education).
• It started in France in 1985 and has
been implemented in Europe since
1987, and in areas outside Europe since
2001, when South Africa joined. Japan
and South Korea are the only countries
in South and southeastern Asia to have
Blue Flag beaches. Spain tops the
list with 566 such beaches; Greece and
France follow with 515 and 395,
respectively.
10. IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES
What to study?
• For Prelims and Mains: Categorization of IUCN red list, features and criteria, recent additions from India to
the list.
Context: The latest update to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened
Species shows that more and more species assessed are being threatened with extinction.
• The IUCN Red List assesses 1,05,732 species. The current update breaks the 1,00,000 species barrier, making
it the largest such assessment of species.
• According to the new updated list, 28,338 species are threatened with extinction.
Key findings:
• Nature is declining globally at rates unprecedented in human history — and the rate of species extinction is
accelerating, with grave impacts on people around the world now likely.
• According to the global assessment, one million animal and plant species are under extinction. Moreover,
thousands of these would extinct within decades.
• The new list brings out an alarming rate of decline of freshwater and deep-sea species. For example, over 50
per cent of Japan’s endemic freshwater fishes are under extinction. The main drivers of this decline are the
loss of free-flowing rivers and increasing agricultural and urban pollution.
About IUCN red list of threatened species:
• The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global
conservation status of plant and animal species.
• It uses a set of quantitative criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species. These criteria are
relevant to most species and all regions of the world. With its strong scientific base, The IUCN Red List is
recognized as the most authoritative guide to the status of biological diversity.
The IUCN Red List Categories:
• The IUCN Red List Categories define the extinction risk of species assessed. Nine categories extend from NE
(Not Evaluated) to EX (Extinct).
• Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) species are considered to be threatened
with extinction.
The IUCN system uses a set of five quantitative criteria to assess the extinction risk of a given species. In general,
these criteria consider:
• The rate of population decline.
• The geographic range.
• Whether the species already possesses a small population size.
• Whether the species is very small or lives in a restricted area.
• Whether the results of a quantitative analysis indicate a high probability of extinction in the wild.
Significance:
• The IUCN Red List brings into focus the ongoing decline of Earth’s biodiversity and the influence humans have
on life on the planet. It provides a globally accepted standard with which to measure the conservation status
of species over time.
• Scientists can analyze the percentage of species in a given category and how these percentages change over
time; they can also analyze the threats and conservation measures that underpin the observed trends.
Sources: the hindu.
11. INDIAN FOREST ACT AMENDMENT
What to study?
• For Prelims: Key features of the Indian Forest Act and
amendments.
• For Mains: Need for review and the expected outcomes.
Context: Across India, activists for tribal rights have said the
proposed IFA amendments will divest tribals and other forestdwelling
communities of their rights over forest land and
resources.
Highlights of the draft amendments:
• The amendment defines community as “a group of persons
specified on the basis of government records living in a
specific locality and in joint possession and enjoyment of
common property resources, without regard to race,
religion, caste, language and culture”.
• Forest is defined to include “any government or private or
institutional land recorded or notified as forest/forest land in
any government record and the lands managed by
government/community as forest and mangroves, and also
any land which the central or state government may by
notification declare to be forest for the purpose of this Act.”
• While the preamble of IFA, 1927, said the Act was focused on laws related to transport of forest produce and
the tax on it, the amendment has increased the focus to “conservation, enrichment and sustainable
management of forest resources and matters connected therewith to safeguard ecological stability to ensure
provision of ecosystem services in perpetuity and to address the concerns related to climate change and
international commitments”.
• Increased role of states: The amendments say if the state government, after consultation with the central
government, feels that the rights under FRA will hamper conservation efforts, then the state “may commute
such rights by paying such persons a sum of money in lieu thereof, or grant of land, or in such other manner
as it thinks fit, to maintain the social organisation of the forest dwelling communities or alternatively set out
some other forest tract of sufficient extent, and in a locality reasonably convenient, for the purpose of such
forest dwellers”.
• The amendment also introduces a new category of forests — production forest. These will be forests with
specific objectives for production of timber, pulp, pulpwood, firewood, non-timber forest produce, medicinal
plants or any forest species to increase production in the country for a specified period.
Concerns with regard to the present Draft Bill:
• The draft Bill reinforces the idea of bureaucratic control of forests, providing immunity for actions such as use
of firearms by personnel to prevent an offence.
• The hard-line policing approach is reflected in the emphasis on creating infrastructure to detain and
transport the accused.
• To penalise entire communities through denial of access to forests for offences by individuals. Such
provisions invariably affect poor inhabitants, and run counter to the empowering and egalitarian goals that
produced the Forest Rights Act.
• For decades now, the Forest Department has resisted independent scientific evaluation of forest health and
biodiversity conservation outcomes. In parallel, environmental policy has weakened public scrutiny of
decisions on diversion of forests for destructive activities such as mining and large dam construction.
• Impact assessment reports have mostly been reduced to a farce, and the public hearings process has been
• The exclusion of ‘village forestry’ from the preview of Forest Right Act (forest official supersedes Gram
Sabha) is legally contradictory and would add confusion on the ground.
Indian Forest Act, 1927:
• The Indian Forest Act, 1927 was largely
based on previous Indian Forest Acts
implemented under the British. The
most famous one was the Indian Forest
Act of 1878.
• Both the 1878 act and the 1927 one
sought to consolidate and reserve the
areas having forest cover, or significant
wildlife, to regulate movement and
transit of forest produce, and duty
leviable on timber and other forest
produce.
• It also defines the procedure to be
followed for declaring an area to be a
Reserved Forest, a Protected Forest or
a Village Forest.
• It defines what a forest offence is, what
are the acts prohibited inside a Reserved
Forest, and penalties leviable on
violation of the provisions of the Act.
• The draft mentions that the state governments could take away the rights of the forest dwellers if the
government feels it is not in line with “conservation of the proposed reserved forest” by payment to the
people impacted or by the grant of land.
The need for review:
• Many reports like the MB Shah report of 2010 and the TSR Subramanian report of 2015, have talked about
amending the IFA.
Sources: the Hindu.
12. BIOFUELS
What to study?
• For Prelims: National Biofuel Policy- key features, classification of biofuels.
• For Mains: Biofuels- significance, policies for their promotion and challenges therein.
Context: The Government has allowed the direct sale of biodiesel (B100) for blending with high speed diesel to
all consumers, in accordance with the specified blending limits and the standards specified by the Bureau of Indian
Standards, with effect from 29th June, 2017.
Background:
• The National Policy on Biofuels-2018 approved by the Government envisages an indicative target of 20%
blending of ethanol in petrol and 5% blending of bio-diesel in diesel by 2030.
National Policy on biofuels- salient features:
• Categorization: The Policy categorises biofuels as “Basic Biofuels” viz. First Generation (1G) bioethanol &
biodiesel and “Advanced Biofuels” – Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) to dropin
fuels, Third Generation (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal
incentives under each category.
• Scope of raw materials: The Policy expands the scope of raw material for ethanol production by allowing use
of Sugarcane Juice, Sugar containing materials like Sugar Beet, Sweet Sorghum, Starch containing materials
like Corn, Cassava, Damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, Rotten Potatoes, unfit for human
consumption for ethanol production.
• Protection to farmers: Farmers are at a risk of not getting appropriate price for their produce during the
surplus production phase. Taking this into account, the Policy allows use of surplus food grains for production
of ethanol for blending with petrol with the approval of National Biofuel Coordination Committee.
• Viability gap funding: With a thrust on Advanced Biofuels, the Policy indicates a viability gap funding scheme
for 2G ethanol Bio refineries of Rs.5000 crore in 6 years in addition to additional tax incentives, higher
purchase price as compared to 1G biofuels.
• Boost to biodiesel production: The Policy encourages setting up of supply chain mechanisms for biodiesel
production from non-edible oilseeds, Used Cooking Oil, short gestation crops.
Expected benefits:
• Import dependency: The policy aims at reducing import dependency.
• Cleaner environment: By reducing crop burning & conversion of agricultural residues/wastes to biofuels
there will be further reduction in Green House Gas emissions.
• Health benefits: Prolonged reuse of Cooking Oil for preparing food, particularly in deep-frying is a potential
health hazard and can lead to many diseases. Used Cooking Oil is a potential feedstock for biodiesel and its
use for making biodiesel will prevent diversion of used cooking oil in the food industry.
• Employment Generation: One 100klpd 2G bio refinery can contribute 1200 jobs in Plant Operations, Village
Level Entrepreneurs and Supply Chain Management.
• Additional Income to Farmers: By adopting 2G technologies, agricultural residues/waste which otherwise
are burnt by the farmers can be converted to ethanol and can fetch a price for these waste if a market is
developed for the same.
Significance of Biofuels:
• Globally, biofuels have caught the attention in last decade and it is imperative to keep up with the pace of
developments in the field of biofuels.
• Biofuels in India are of strategic importance as it augers well with the ongoing initiatives of the Government
such as Make in India, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill Development and offers great opportunity to integrate
with the ambitious targets of doubling of Farmers Income, Import Reduction, Employment Generation,
Waste to Wealth Creation.
Classification of Biofuels:
• 1st generation biofuels are also called conventional biofuels. They are made from things like sugar, starch,
or vegetable oil. Note that these are all food products. Any biofuel made from a feedstock that can also be
consumed as a human food is considered a first-generation biofuel.
• 2nd generation biofuels are produced from sustainable feedstock. The sustainability of a feedstock is defined
by its availability, its impact on greenhouse gas emissions, its impact on land use, and by its potential to
threaten the food supply. No second generation biofuel is also a food crop, though certain food products can
become second generation fuels when they are no longer useful for consumption. Second generation
biofuels are often called “advanced biofuels.”
• 3rd generation biofuels are biofuel derived from algae. These biofuels are given their own separate class
because of their unique production mechanism and their potential to mitigate most of the drawbacks of 1st
and 2nd generation biofuels.
(Q) Discuss the importance of biofuels for India? Critically examine whether the national policy on biofuels will
help India unlock it’s biofuel potential?
13. INTERNATIONAL TIGER DAY: 29 JULY
What to study?
• For Prelims: International Tiger Day- significance and theme, Tiger population- state- wise, country- wise and
other key facts, Important tiger reserves, M- Stripes.
• For Mains: Dwindling tiger population- causes, concerns and conservation efforts- both national and
international.
Context: Global Tiger Day, often called International Tiger Day, is an annual celebration to raise awareness for
tiger conservation, held annually on 29 July.
• It was created in 2010 at the Saint Petersburg Tiger Summit.
• The goal of the day is to promote a global system for protecting the natural habitats of tigers and to raise
public awareness and support for tiger conservation issues.
4th cycle of all India Tiger Estimation:
• On the eve Global Tiger Day, a census report of tigers in India-‘The Tiger Estimation Report 2018’- has been
released.
Key findings:
• 2967 tigers are present in India. Highest number of tigers have found in Madhya Pradesh (526), after that
Karnataka has 524 and Uttarakhand is accommodating 442 tigers.
• In five years, the number of protected areas increased from 692 to over 860, community reserves from 43
to over 100.
• While the 2014 census pegged the total number of striped big cats in the country at 2,226, the 2010 census
put the figure at 1,706 and the 2006 version at 1,411, indicating that tiger numbers have been on the up.
• While Pench Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of tigers, Sathyamangalam Tiger
Reserve in Tamil Nadu registered the “maximum improvement” since 2014.
• Chhattisgarh and Mizoram saw a decline in their tiger numbers while tiger numbers in Odisha remained
constant. All other states witnessed a positive trend.
Tiger protection in India- Concerns and challenges:
• India has one of the lowest per capita forest areas in the world. Depletion of forests is responsible for
reduction of tiger habitats.
• Reduced food base: As forestlands fall to development projects, habitable land for animals that make for the
tiger’s food base are also reduced.
• Poaching: Another issue that has hindered tiger conservation in India and globally is poaching, which will
persist as long as there is an illegal market for tiger body parts.
• Climate change: Rising sea level as a result of climate change is on the verge of wiping out Sundarbans, one
of the last remaining habitats of the Bengal tigers.
Conservation efforts:
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has launched the M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for
Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status), a mobile monitoring system for forest guards.
• At the Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010, leaders of 13 tiger range countries resolved to do more for the tiger
and embarked on efforts to double its number in the wild, with a popular slogan ‘T X 2’.
• The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) program of the World Bank, using its presence and convening ability,
brought global partners together to strengthen the tiger agenda.
• Over the years, the initiative has institutionalised itself as a separate entity in the form of the Global Tiger
Initiative Council (GTIC), with its two arms –the Global Tiger Forum and the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem
Protection Program.
• The Project Tiger, launched way back in 1973, has grown to more than 50 reserves amounting to almost 2.2%
of the country’s geographical area.
Sources: the Hindu.
(Q) The centrality of tiger agenda is an ecological necessity for the sustainability of our environment. In this
context, examine the steps taken by India to conserve tigers?
14. EFFECTS OF EL NIÑO AND ANTARCTIC OSCILLATION ON AIR POLLUTION
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: Causes and effects of El Niño and Antarctic Oscillation on pollution levels.
Context: Team of researchers affiliated with various institutions in China and the U.S. has discovered that data
from El Niño and Antarctic Oscillation events can be used to foretell air pollution levels in northern India.
Background:
• In recent years, northern India has experienced poor air quality, significantly in the winter months, to the
extent that the nation has some of the worst air quality in the world—surpassing even China. Researchers
have additionally found that in some years, pollution ranges appear worse than regular because of weather
conditions.
Key findings:
• El Niño occasions tend to end in lowered wind speeds within the area, which prevented airborne pollutants
from moving out of densely populated areas.
• Antarctic Oscillation occasions create stronger winds in some components of northern India and weaken
them in others, resulting in uneven impacts on pollution levels.
Significance:
• The model they have developed shows 75% accuracy in predicting pollution levels, and the prediction can be
done even a season in advance.
• India has been emerging as one of the world’s most polluted countries, with particulate matter PM 2.5 levels
spiking more than 999 microgram per cubic metre in parts of Delhi last year.
• Studying a combination of El Nino, Antarctic Oscillation and the anomalies in sea surface temperature during
autumn (September-November), can help forecast the pollution conditions in winter (December-February).
• The statistical model developed by the team can also help the government in adjusting policies and strategies
for pollution control before winter comes, the paper published in Science Advances adds.
What is Antarctic Oscillation?
• The Antarctic oscillation (AAO) is a low-frequency mode of atmospheric variability of the southern
hemisphere.
• It is also known as the Southern Annular Mode (SAM).
• It is defined as a belt of westerly winds or low pressure surrounding Antarctica which moves north or south
as its mode of variability.
• In its positive phase, the westerly wind belt that drives the Antarctic Circumpolar Current intensifies and
contracts towards Antarctica, while its negative phase involves this belt moving towards the Equator.
• Effects: Winds associated with the Southern Annular Mode cause oceanic upwelling of warm circumpolar
deep water along the Antarctic continental shelf, which has been linked to ice shelf basal melt, representing
a possible wind-driven mechanism that could destabilize large portions of the Antarctic Ice Sheet.
Sources: the Hindu.
AUGUST 2019
1. GLOBAL COALITION TO PROTECT POLLINATORS

What to study?
• For Prelims: About the coalition and it’s functions.
• For Mains: Pollinators- significance, threats and various efforts for their conservation.
Context: Nigeria becomes fourth African nation to join global coalition to protect pollinators.
• While Morroco became a member of this group in May this year, Ethiopia was the first African nation to be
part of this global coalition in 2017. Burundi was the second African country to join this global group.
About the Global Coalition of the Willing on Pollinators:
• The organisation was formed three years ago, to follow up on the findings of IPBES Assessment on Pollinators,
Pollination and Food Production, which found that many of the world’s pollinator species are on the decline.
• The initiative to form a coalition was taken by the Netherlands on December 12, 2016 at the Conference of
the Parties–Convention of Biological Diversity held in Mexico.
• Members: The coalition now has 28 signatories including 17 European countries, five from Latin America and
the Caribbean and four from Africa.
Need:
• About 16.5 per cent of vertebrate pollinators are threatened with global extinction, say the International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assessments.
• The assessment highlights that 75 per cent of food crops in the world and nearly 90 per cent of wild
flowering plants depend, at least to some extent, on animal pollination.
• Pollinator-dependent species include several fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and oil crops, which are major
sources of micronutrients, vitamins and minerals to humans.
Joining the coalition means adopting the following measures:
• Taking action to protect pollinators and their habitats by developing and implementing national pollinator
strategies.
• Sharing experience and lessons learnt in developing and implementing national pollinator strategies,
especially knowledge on new approaches, innovations and best practices.
• Reaching out to seek collaboration with a broad spectrum of stakeholders—countries as well as businesses,
NGOs, farmers and local communities.
• Developing research on pollinator conservation.
• Supporting and collaborating with each other—and those parties that are willing to join the coalition.
What is the importance of pollinators?
• Plants depend on pollination.
• Globally nearly 90% of wild flowering plant species depend on animal pollination.
• More than 75% of leading global crop types benefit from animal pollination in production, yield and quality.
• Around 5-8% of current global crop production is directly ascribed to animal pollination, which equates to
somewhere between 235 and 577 billion American dollars worldwide.
2. HIMALAYAN STATES DEMAND GREEN BONUS, SEPARATE MINISTRY
Context: Himalayan states recently met at a conclave to demand a separate ministry to deal with problems
endemic to them and a green bonus in recognition of their contribution to environment conservation.
• Ten out of 11 states took part in the conclave. It is for the first time that the Himalayan states have come
on a single platform to take a unanimous stand on the issue of green bonus and demanded a separate
ministry to deal with problems unique to them.
Outcome of the meet:
• A “Mussoorie resolution” was passed at the conclave making a collective pledge to conserve and protect
their rich cultural heritage, bio-diversity, glaciers, rivers and lakes besides making their own contribution to
the nation’s prosperity.
Rationale behind the demand for green bonus:
• Most of the country’s rivers originate in the Himalayas and therefore, the Himalayan states have to play the
most significant role in the prime minister’s water conservation initiative.
• It is also necessary because the Himalayan states’ contribution to environmental conservation is the biggest
with all their green cover.
• The Himalayan states are also at a disadvantage because large swathes of land fell into ecosensitive zones
where all sorts of development activities could not be carried out.
• So, these states, by protecting forests and ecosystems, ensure larger life-saving services to the country.
For these, they also face numerous restrictions in their usual development works such as taking up big
projects that destroy forests.
• A green bonus thus is needed to compensate the Himalayan states for their disadvantages.
Indian Himalayan region:
• IHR is the section of Himalayas within India, spanning 11 Indian states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam Himachal
Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand) & 2
districts of Bengal and that runs along 2500 km of Himalayan ranges between Indus river basin in North-
West and Brahmaputra in the East.
• Approximately 9,000 glaciers of IHR store about 12,000 km³ of freshwater.
• This region is endowed with rich vegetation & is home to almost 36% of India’s total biodiversity. More
than 41.5% area of IHR states is under forests, representing 1/3rd of total forest cover of India & nearly half
(47%) of the “very good” forest cover of the country.
• The total geographical area of IHR states is approximately 591,000 sq. km (18% of India) and it is inhabited
by about 3.8% of the country’s population.
• The strategic importance of the IHR is evident from the fact that IHR states share borders with 6
neighbouring countries.
• This is one of India’s major carbon sink. Besides it averts soil erosion from the world’s youngest mountain
range.
Payment for ecosystems services (PES):
• The demand for green bonus is an emerging global mode to conserve ecosystems called payment for
ecosystems services (PES).
• And this demand has triggered interest on PES in India which has been experimenting this though in sporadic
ways.
How is it allocated?
• This demand has been the country’s longest ever bid for PES at this scale that involves formalised distribution
of incentive fund between the Union and state governments.
• The 12th Finance Commission (2005-10), for the first time, recognised the need to invest in resources and
earmarked Rs 1,000 crores for five years to be given to states for preserving forests.
• The 13th Finance Commission allocated Rs 5,000 crore, based on the area under forest cover with an added
parameter of Canopy density.
• The 14th commission reformed the revenue-sharing formula between the Union and the states. It brought
the landmark change of including forest cover as a determining factor in a state’s share.
• Though it is for all states, the Himalayan states are perceived to be the natural beneficiaries given their
high forest cover.
• In the distribution of funds to states, the commission attached a 7.5 per cent weight to forest cover.
Population, demographic change, income distance and area are the other factors that decide the share of a
state in central tax pool.
Coverage:
• At present, ecological services payment schemes cover carbon sequestration and storage, watershed
development and protection, non-domestic biodiversity protection and forest protection. In the climate
change regime, carbon emission reduction and other mitigation activities make huge businesses.
• But agriculture and farmers have been kept out of the formal carbon market that is worth more than $100
billion. Farmers, particularly those practicing traditional farming including in Himalayan states, have been
rarely considered eligible for payment for their ecological services.
Need of the hour:
• Now, it is being felt that farmers should be rewarded for their ecological services. Traditional farming is
considered climate-resistant and less harmful to the environment.
• Under the climate change mitigation and adaptation plans, agro-biodiversity is mentioned as a potential
instrument to be explored. The poorest farmers living in degraded environment usually practise this type of
farming.
• When agriculture with low ecological footprint is encouraged for payment for ecological services, it would
serve two purposes — bring down poverty and make agriculture climate-resistant.
Way ahead:
• The demand for a ‘green bonus’ by Himalayan states, thus, is not only a valid one but also an ecological
necessity. They should demand more, because by giving them more India’s plains can be saved from many
disasters.
3. PASHMINA PRODUCTS RECEIVE BIS CERTIFICATION
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: About BIS, Pashmina- Need for
conservation, issues associated.
Context: Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has published an Indian
Standard for identification, marking and labelling of Pashmina
products to certify its purity.
Significance and the need for certification:
• The certification will help curb the adulteration of Pashmina.
• Protect the interests of local artisans and nomads who are
the producers of Pashmina raw material.
• Assure the purity of Pashmina for customers.
• Discourage counterfeit or substandard products presently
mislabeled and sold as genuine Pashmina in the market.
• Motivate the younger generation to continue in this
profession as well as encourage more families to take up this
occupation.
Background:
• The nomadic Pashmina herders live in the hostile and tough terrain of Changthang and are solely dependent
on Pashmina for their livelihood. At present, there are 2400 families rearing 2.5 lakh goats.
About Changthangi or Pashmina goat:
• It is a special breed of goat indigenous to the high altitude regions of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir.
• They are raised for ultra-fine cashmere wool, known as Pashmina once woven.
• These goats are generally domesticated and reared by nomadic communities called the Changpa in the
Changthang region of Greater Ladakh.
• The Changthangi goats have revitalized the economy of Changthang, Leh and Ladakh region.
About BIS:
• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is
the national Standards Body of India
working under the aegis of Ministry of
Consumer Affairs, Food & Public
Distribution.
• It is established by the Bureau of Indian
Standards Act, 1986.
• The Minister in charge of the Ministry
or Department having administrative
control of the BIS is the ex-officio
President of the BIS.
• Composition: As a corporate body, it
has 25 members drawn from Central or
State Governments, industry, scientific
and research institutions, and consumer
organisations.
• It also works as WTO-TBT enquiry point
for India.
4. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (ESMF)
• Context: The Environment Ministry has unveiled a draft Environmental and Social Management Framework
(ESMF).
Key highlights:
• The draft is part of a World Bank-funded project.
• The draft plan will dictate how prospective infrastructure projects situated along the coast ought to be
assessed before they can apply for clearance.
• It lays out guidelines out for coastal States to adopt when they approve and regulate projects in coastal
zones.
• The plan describes how “environmental and social aspects” ought to be integrated into the planning, design,
implementation of projects.
• It says, projects should strive to avoid or minimise impacts on cultural properties and natural habitats,
compensate any loss of livelihood or assets, adopt higher work safety standards, occupational and
community health and safety.
Background:
• The project seeks to assist the Government of India in enhancing coastal resource efficiency and resilience,
by building collective capacity (including communities and decentralised governance) for adopting and
implementing integrated coastal management approaches.
• So far three coastal States, namely Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal, have prepared Integrated Coastal Zone
Management Plans with support from the World Bank.
• Such plans would be prepared for the selected coastal stretches in other States/UT, the project notes.
The key activities proposed for coastal zone development that consist of investments by States include:
• Mangrove afforestation/shelter beds.
• Habitat conservation activities such as restoration of sea-grass meadows.
• Eco-restoration of sacred groves.
• Development of hatcheries.
• Rearing/rescue centres for turtles and other marine animals.
• Creation of infrastructure for tourism.
• Restoration and recharge of water bodies.
• Beach cleaning and development.
• Other small infrastructure facilities.
Livelihood improvement projects include:
• Demonstration of climate resilient or salinity resistant agriculture.
• Water harvesting and recharge/storage.
• Creation of infrastructure and facilities to support eco-tourism.
• Community-based small-scale mariculture.
• Seaweed cultivation, aquaponics, and value addition to other livelihood activities.
Sources: the Hindu.
5. CITES — WASHINGTON CONVENTION
What to study?
• For Prelims: CITES- key facts.
• For Mains: Why India has proposed to remove rosewood from the CITES list? Need and implications of this
move.
Context: India has submitted proposals regarding changes to the listing of various wildlife species in the CITES
secretariat meeting, scheduled later this month in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The proposals submitted are regarding changes in the listing of the smooth-coated otter, small-clawed otter,
Indian star tortoise, Tokay gecko, wedgefish and Indian rosewood.
• The country seeks to boost the protection of all the five animal species as they are facing a high risk of
international trade.
• A resolution calling for Japan and the European Union (EU) to close their legal domestic ivory markets was
not adopted at the ongoing 18th Conference of Parties (CoP18) to the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES) in Geneva on August 21, 2019.
Background:
• Currently, EU regulations afford too many opportunities for criminals to pass off ivory from poached
elephants as antiques and export to other markets around the world.
• Legal ivory markets and a lack of action against large illegal markets in certain countries continue to provide
opportunities for criminal syndicates to traffic ivory.
About Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
• It is an International agreement to regulate worldwide commercial trade in wild animal and plant species.
• It restricts trade in items made from such plants and animals, such as food, clothing, medicine, and
souvenirs.
• It was signed on March 3, 1973 (Hence world wildlife day is celebrated on march 3).
• It is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• Secretariat — Geneva (Switzerland).
• CITES is legally binding on state parties to the convention, which are obliged to adopt their own domestic
legislation to implement its goals.
Classifications:
It classifies plants and animals according to three categories, or appendices, based on how threatened. They are.
• Appendix I: It lists species that are in danger of extinction. It prohibits commercial trade of these plants and
animals except in extraordinary situations for scientific or educational reasons.
• Appendix II species: They are those that are not threatened with extinction but that might suffer a serious
decline in number if trade is not restricted. Their trade is regulated by permit.
• Appendix III species: They are protected in at least one country that is a CITES member states and that has
petitioned others for help in controlling international trade in that species.
6. SAMAGRA SHIKSHA-JAL SURAKSHA
What to study?
• For prelims: Key features of the campaign.
• For mains: Water conservation- issues, challenges and need of the hour.
Context: ‘Samagra Shiksha-Jal Suraksha’ Drive has been launched by the Department of School Education &
Literacy, HRD Ministry to create awareness about water conservation among all school students in the country.
Five Major Objectives:
(i) To educate students learn about conservation of water.
(ii) To sensitize Students about the impact of scarcity of water.
(iii) To empower Students to learn to protect the natural sources of water.
(iv) To help every Student to save at least one litre of water per day.
(v) To encourage Students towards judicious use and minimum wastage of water at home and school level.
Target:
• One Student – One Day – Save One Litre Water.
• One Student – One Year – Save 365 Litres Water.
• One Student – 10 Years – Save 3650 Litres Water.
Sources: the Hindu.
7. CYCLE OF EXTREMES: ON DROUGHTS AND FLOODS
• Context: Aided apparently by beneficial conditions in the Indian Ocean, very heavy rainfall has been
recorded, notably in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, the northeastern States, Karnataka, the Konkan coast,
hilly districts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Concern:
• A normal Indian Summer Monsoon is bountiful overall, but as last year’s flooding in Kerala, and the Chennai
catastrophe of 2015 showed, there can be a terrible cost in terms of lives and property lost, and people
displaced.
Madhav Gadgil Report:
• Recent floods have brought the focus back on an almost forgotten 2011 report on the Western Ghats that
had made a set of recommendations for preserving the ecology and biodiversity of the fragile region along
the Arabian Sea coast.
What did the Gadgil Committee say?
✓ It defined the boundaries of the Western Ghats for the purposes of ecological management.
✓ It proposed that this entire area be designated as ecologically sensitive area (ESA).
✓ Within this area, smaller regions were to be identified as ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) I, II or III based
on their existing condition and nature of threat.
✓ It proposed to divide the area into about 2,200 grids, of which 75 per cent would fall under ESZ I or II or under
already existing protected areas such as wildlife sanctuaries or natural parks.
✓ The committee proposed a Western Ghats Ecology Authority to regulate these activities in the area.
What was the need for the subsequent Kasturirangan Committee?
• None of the six concerned states agreed with the recommendations of the Gadgil Committee, which
submitted its report in August 2011.
• In August 2012, then Environment Minister constituted a High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats
under Kasturirangan to “examine” the Gadgil Committee report in a “holistic and multidisciplinary
fashion in the light of responses received” from states, central ministries and others.
• Its report revealed that of the nearly 1,750 responses it had examined, 81% were not in favour of the Gadgil
recommendations. In particular, Kerala had objected to the proposed ban on sand mining and quarrying,
restrictions on transport infrastructure and wind energy projects, embargos on hydroelectric projects, and
inter-basin transfer of river waters, and also the complete ban on new polluting industries.
Recommendations of Kasturirangan Committee:
✓ A ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining.
✓ No new thermal power projects, but hydro power projects allowed with restrictions.
✓ A ban on new polluting industries
✓ Building and construction projects up to 20,000 sq m was to be allowed but townships were to be banned.
✓ Forest diversion could be allowed with extra safeguards.
Way forward:
• Recent floods are a lesson worth of learning for India’s disaster management system. India, having more
than 7500 km of coastline, should have a strong disaster early warning and management system.
• Cooperation between the states can create an expert and integrated national structure, to manage any
kind of natural disaster.
• There is now a need to learn lessons from past tragedies and increase the resilience of disaster-struck
areas through sustainable and long-term development that would involve minimal intervention in natural
processes. There is an urgent need for corrective action.
• The Madhav Gadgil Report and The Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction (2015-2030) must be
considered while planning and implementing and completely adopting integrated and inclusive institutional
measures.
• To work towards preventing vulnerability to disaster, increase preparedness for response and recovery and
strengthen resilience by inclusion of private sector and local population to prevent such mishaps in the
future.
Need of the hour:
• The government’s measures have been “piecemeal” and “short-term”. They are not addressing the
problem at the source — they are firefighting. But, is there a long-term solution?
• There needs to be “a basin-wide approach” to the problem. That should ideally bring in all the basin-sharing
countries on board. Besides, interstate relationships, political cooperation and the role of the government
are also important.
• The government can also try flood-plain” zoning, which is done the US. Depending on the vulnerability of
the area, you divide them into categories, and accordingly ban certain activities on it: like farming, building
a house etc.
Things to consider:
• In drafting their management plans, States must be aware of the scientific consensus: that future rain spells
may be short, often unpredictable and very heavy, influenced by a changing climate.
• They need to invest in reliable infrastructure to mitigate the impact of flooding and avert disasters that could
have global consequences in an integrated economy.
• It is important to increase resilience through planning, especially in cities and towns which are expanding
steadily.
• Orderly urban development is critical for sustainability, as the mega flood disasters in Mumbai and Chennai
witnessed in this century make clear.
• Similarly, there’s also an urgent need to upgrade dam management in the region.
Conclusion:
• As a nation that is set to become the most populous in less than a decade, India must address its crippling
cycles of drought and flood with redoubled vigour. Scientific hydrology, coupled with the traditional wisdom
of saving water through large innovative structures, will mitigate floods and help communities prosper.
9. GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF FOREST BIODIVERSITY BY WWF
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: About WWF and key findings of the report.
Context: World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has released the first-ever global assessment of forest biodiversity.
Background:
• Until now, forest biodiversity had never been assessed, but forest area was often used as a proxy indicator.
• The new findings were based on the Forest Specialist Index, developed following the Living Planet Index
methodology — an index that tracks wildlife that lives only in forests.
Key findings:
• There has been a 53% decline in the number of forest wildlife populations since 1970.
• Of the 455 monitored populations of forest specialists, more than half declined at an annual rate of 1.7 per
cent, on average between 1970 and 2014.
• While the decline was consistent in these years among mammals, reptiles and amphibians (particularly from
the tropical forests), it was less among birds (especially from temperate forests).
Reasons responsible for the decline in wildlife populations:
1. Deforestation
2. Habitat loss and habitat.
3. Degradation/change.
4. Exploitation
5. Climate change.
Threats:
➢ Loss of habitat due to logging, agricultural expansion, mining, hunting, conflicts and spread of diseases
accounted for almost 60 per cent of threats.
➢ Nearly 20 per cent of threats were due to overexploitation. Of the 112 forest-dwelling primate populations,
40 were threatened by overexploitation (hunting).
➢ Climate change, on the other hand, threatened to 43 per cent of amphibian populations, 37 per cent of
reptile populations, 21 per cent of bird populations but only 3 per cent of mammal populations.
➢ More than 60 per cent of threatened forest specialist populations faced more than one threat.
What’s the main concern now?
• Wildlife is an essential component of natural and healthy forests. They play a major role in forest
regeneration and carbon storage by engaging in pollination and seed dispersal. Thus, loss of fauna can have
severe implications for forest health, the climate and humans who depend on forests for their livelihoods.
Need of the hour:
• Protecting wildlife and reversing the decline of nature requires urgent global action. The need is to preserve
harmonious land use in our region, including forest management and protect the most valuable surviving
ecosystems.
Sources: Down to earth.
10. SINGLE-USE PLASTICS
What to study?
• For Prelims and Mains: Ban on single- use plastics- significance.
Context: In response to Prime Minister’s call on India’s 73rd Independence day, to make India free of single use
plastics, a massive public campaign will be launched engaging all stakeholders.
What are single use plastics?
• There is no central and comprehensive definition for single-use plastic, crucial for any ban to be
successful. Governments currently use various definitions.
• Some states like Telangana, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh banned plastic bottles and Tetra
packs, single-use straws, plastic/styrofoam tea cups/containers, etc. But many like Bihar banned only
polythene bags.
India’s efforts to beat plastic pollution:
• More than 20 States and Union Territories have joined the fight to beat the plastic pollution, announcing a
ban on single-use plastics such as carry bags, cups, plates, cutlery, straws and thermocol products.
• India has also won global acclaim for its “Beat Plastic Pollution” resolve declared on World Environment Day
last year, under which it pledged to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022.
• All such efforts have yielded positive results: Voluntary initiatives are having an impact in many States, as
citizens reduce, reuse and sort their waste. A Bengaluru waste collective estimates that the volume of plastic
waste that they collect dropped from about two tonnes a day to less than 100 kg.
Gaps existing:
• Waste plastic from packaging of everything from food, cosmetics and groceries to goods delivered by online
platforms remains unaddressed.
• Collect-back system: The Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 are clear that producers, importers and
brand owners must adopt a collect-back system for the plastic they introduce into the environment.
However, not much has been done to take the process forward.
• Extended Producer Responsibility clause: Small producers of plastics are facing the ban, while more
organised entities covered by the Extended Producer Responsibility clause continue with business as usual.
What is needed?
• Governments must start charging the producers for their waste, and collect it diligently, which will lead to
recovery and recycling.
• State and local governments should upgrade their waste management systems, which is necessary to even
measure the true scale of packaging waste.
• Role of local bodies: Local bodies should consult manufacturers or importers to assess the problem. Cities
and towns need competent municipal systems to achieve this.
• A central legislation with a clear definition of what constitutes single-use plastic is also necessary.
(Q) India has made a lot of progress in reducing plastic waste but a lot more still needs to be done. Comment.
11. DRAFT NATIONAL RESOURCE EFFICIENCY POLICY
What to study?
• For Prelims: Key features of the policy.
• For Mains: Resource efficiency- need, significance, challenges and means to achieve it, NITI Aayog’s strategy
on resource efficiency.
Context: Driven by serious sustainability concern, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change had
proposed a draft National Resource Efficiency Policy 2019.
• It aims to streamline the efficient use of these resources with minimum negative impact on environment.
Key features of the policy:
• It seeks to set up a National Resource Efficiency Authority (NREA) with a core working group housed in the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and a members group with representations from
different ministries, state/union territory, and other stakeholders.
• The authority would be supported by an Inter-Ministerial National Resource Efficiency Board to guide on
the aspects critical to its implementation.
• It also plans to offer tax benefits on recycled materials, green loans to small and medium Enterprises
(SMEs) and soft loans to construct waste disposal facilities, apart from setting up Material Recovery Facilities
(MRF).
• Manufacturers and service providers would also be required to use more recycled or renewable materials
and awareness would be created among consumers to indicate the shift.
• Idea of the national policy is to drive the country towards circular economy through efficient use of available
material resources, based on principle of 6R and ‘green public procurement’.
• The 6R stands for reduce, reuse, recycle, redesign, re-manufacture and refurbish while the very premise of
‘green public procurement’ is to procure products with lower environmental footprints such as secondary
raw materials and locally sourced materials.
• It also pitches for moving towards ‘zero landfill’ approach in the country, hinting at possibility of imposing
‘landfill taxes’ and ‘high tipping fees’ for bulk generators of waste so that they can move towards optimal use
of materials and better waste management.
Functions of NERA:
• Develop and implement resource efficient strategies for material recycling, reuse and land-filling targets for
various sectors.
• Set standards for reuse of secondary raw materials to ensure quality.
• Maintain a database of material use and waste generated, recycled and land filled, across various sectors
and different regions and monitor the implementation.
What is Resource Efficiency?
• Resource efficiency very simply put is making more with fewer materials. In practice, through a life-cycle
approach, it leads to minimizing impact on environment & the associated societal burdens, transforming
‘waste’ into ‘resources’ fostering circular economy, and strengthening resource security.
• Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy are important goals and central principles for achieving
sustainable development. Sustainability is a global priority and SDGs commitment and 11th Five year plan
also clearly enunciate importance of Resource efficiency (RE).
Why ensure resource efficiency?
• India’s large population, rapid urbanization and expanding industrial production have led to exploitation of
available limited natural resources with concerns regarding resource depletion and future availability
becoming more pronounced.
• Therefore, Enhancing resource efficiency (RE) and promoting the use of secondary raw materials (SRM) is
a pertinent strategy to address these challenges and reduce dependence on primary resource.
Challenges before India:
• According to data available, India’s resource extraction of 1580 tonnes/acre is much higher than the world
average of 450 tonnes/acre, while material productivity remains low.
• Water is fast becoming scarce while deteriorating air quality has emerged as a major threat to human life.
• There has been massive soil degradation, with 147 million hectares (Mha) of a total of 329 Mha land area
hit.
• Import dependency is nearly 100% for the majority of the ‘most critical’ materials -cobalt, copper and
lithium that find extensive application in high-end technology industry.
• Over 80% of crude oil that is processed in the economy is imported, alongwith 85% of its coking coal
demand. Extraction of non-metallic minerals is crippled with challenges.
• To add to the problems, the country’s recycling rate is just about 20-25% compared with 70% in developing
countries in Europe. The situation will only aggravate as India is likely to double its material consumption by
2030.
12. STRATEGY ON RESOURCE EFFICIENCY
• NITI Aayog in collaboration with the European Union delegation to India have released the Strategy on
Resource Efficiency. The strategy aims to promote resource efficiency in India.
• This strategy is the first policy document to emphasize resource productivity in the country. The Strategy
emphasizes on Sustainable Public Procurement (SSP) as an action agenda which will be the market
transformation tool to transform to a resource efficient economy.
• It is developed with the recommendations from the Indian Resource Efficiency Programme (IREP), launched
by the Indian Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and Indian Resource Panel
(InRP) in April 2017.
13. INDIA LARGEST EMITTER OF SO2 IN WORLD
Context: India is the largest emitter of anthropogenic sulphur dioxide in the world, as per the data released by
environmental NGO Greenpeace on August 19, 2019.
• Anthropogenic sulphur dioxide is produced from burning of coal and it is known to largely contribute to air
pollution.
Key findings:
• SO2 hotspots across the world have been mapped.
• The SO2 hotspots were detected by the OMI (Ozone Monitoring Instrument) satellite.
• India has over 15 percent of all anthropogenic sulphur dioxide (SO2) hotspots in the world.
• The main SO2 hotspots in India include Singrauli in
Madhya Pradesh, Korba in Chhattisgarh, Talcher and
Jharsuguda in Odisha, Neyveli and Chennai in Tamil
Nadu, Kutch in Gujarat, Ramagundam in Telangana and
Chandrapur and Koradi in Maharashtra.
• Norilsk smelter complex in Russia is the largest SO2
emission hotspot in the world, followed by Kriel in
Mpumalanga province in South Africa and Zagroz in
Iran.
How to control the SO2 emission?
• SO2 emission is a significant contributor to air pollution
and the largest source of SO2 in the atmosphere is
burning of fossil fuels in power plants and other
industrial facilities.
• The primary reason for India’s high emission output is
the expansion of coal-based electricity
generation over the past decade.
• India should take stricter action against coal power plants and should not give them a free to hand to
continue polluting the atmosphere and cause a public health emergency.
Efforts in this regard:
• The Environment Ministry had introduced SO2 emission limits for coal power plants in December 2015 and
set the initial deadline to control SO2 emissions from power generation by December 2017.
• The deadline was later extended till December 2019 after a request from the Ministry of Power and power
plant operators in Delhi-NCR and till 2022 for some other power plants across the country through a Supreme
Court order.
14. WORLD BANK REPORT ON WATER POLLUTION
What to study?
• For prelims: Water pollution- key contributors, impacts and About BoD.
• For mains: Effects, concerns over water pollution, challenges present and ways to address them.
Context: World Bank has released a report on Water Pollution.
• The report relied on what the Bank said was the biggest-ever database assembled on global water
quality using monitoring stations, satellite data and machine learning models.
Key findings:
Concerns raised:
• Clean water is a key factor for economic growth. Deteriorating water quality is stalling economic growth,
worsening health conditions, reducing food production, and exacerbating poverty in many countries.
• Heavily polluted water is reducing economic growth by up to a third in some countries.
• When Biological Oxygen Demand — an index of the degree of organic pollution and a proxy for overall water
pollution — crosses a threshold of 8 milligrams per liter, GDP growth in downstream regions drops by 0.83
percentage points, about a third for the mean growth rate of 2.33 percent used in the study.
• A key contributor to poor water quality is nitrogen, essential for agricultural production but which leaches
into rivers and oceans where it creates hypoxia and dead zones, and in the air where it forms nitrous oxide,
a greenhouse gas.
• Early exposure of children to nitrates affects their growth and brain development, reducing their health
and earning potential.
• For
every additional
kilogram of nitrogen
fertilizer per hectare,
yields may rise up to five
percent, but childhood
stunting increases as
much as 19 percent and
future adult earnings
fall by up to two percent
compared to those not
affected.
• And increased salinity
as a result of manmade
pressures such as
irrigation, stormwater
runoff, leaching of
fertilizer, and urban
wastewater discharge is
pushing down
agricultural yields.
• The report estimated
enough food is lost to
saline water each year
to feed 170 million
people, about the
population of
Bangladesh.
What needs to be done- key
recommendations?
• Need for action to
address human and
environmental harm.
• Information campaigns
to raise awareness.
• Prevention efforts to
stem some of the worst problems.
• Investments to treat pollution once it has occurred, with more modern technologies like reverse-osmosis
offering new pathways.
15. FLY ASH
What to study?
• For prelims: What is fly ash, how is it produced and where it can be used?
• For mains: Concerns associated with its contamination, what needs to be done and legislative measures
necessary.
Context: IIT Hyderabad scientists convert fly ash into waterproofing material.
• Treating fly ash with stearic acid, used in soaps and shampoos, modified the nature of fly ash and helped
develop materials with contrasting adhesion behaviours — high adhesions like a rose petal and low adhesion
like a lotus leaf.
What is Fly Ash?
• Fly ash is a major source of PM 2.5 (fine, respirable pollution particles) in summer. It becomes air borne, and
gets transported to a radius of 10 to 20 kms.
• It can settle on water and other surfaces.
Composition:
• Fly ash contains heavy metals from coal, a large amount of PM 2.5 and black carbon (BC).
Health and environmental hazards:
• Toxic heavy metals present: All the heavy metals found in fly ash nickel, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, lead,
etc—are toxic in nature. They are minute, poisonous particles accumulate in the respiratory tract, and cause
gradual poisoning.
• Radiation: For an equal amount of electricity generated, fly ash contains a hundred times more radiation
than nuclear waste secured via dry cask or water storage.
• Water pollution: The breaching of ash dykes and consequent ash spills occur frequently in India, polluting a
large number of water bodies.
• Effects on environment: The destruction of mangroves, drastic reduction in crop yields, and the pollution of
groundwater in the Rann of Kutch from the ash sludge of adjoining Coal power plants has been well
documented.
The issues which impede its full-scale utilization in India:
• Indian fly ash is primarily of the calcareous or class C variety, implying that it possesses not only pozzolanic,
but also hydraulic (self-cementing) properties. In contrast, European fly ash is of a silicious or class F variety,
implying an absence of hydraulic properties.
• BIS revised the maximum and minimum blending standards. While the BIS is in line with the American
standards on blended cement, the European and South African standards allow the blending of fly ash up
to 55%.
• The pricing of fly ash is increasingly becoming a contentious issue that is hampering its gainful utilisation.
• Imperfections typical of quasi-markets, such as information asymmetry and high transaction costs, vested
interests, technical and technological limitations, and the lack of regulatory oversight and political will, have
impeded the flow of fly ash to its most value-adding use.
How can it be utilised?
• Fly ash is a proven resource material for many applications of construction industries and currently is being
utilized in manufacturing of Portland Cement, bricks/blocks/tiles manufacturing, road embankment
construction and low-lying area development, etc.
• There is need for education and awareness generation.
• Road contractors and construction engineers need to know the benefits of using fly ash in construction.
• Measures need to be taken to reduce the cost of construction of roads using fly ash by way of tax structure,
subsidies and transportation services.
• There is also a need to prevent the ash from coming to the power plant by washing the coal at its place of
origin.
• The government should also come out with a policy to encourage fly ash use in cement plant.
Need of the hour:
• Conduct more research on improving the quality of fly ash, grading fly ash generated by different
technologies and types of coal, and feasible blending ratios for the cement industry.
• The BIS must update the blending standards, which have not been revised since 2000.
• Improve transparency and reduce the costs of fly ash disposal by Coal power plants.
• Limit fly ash production through greater deployment of renewable energy sources, using better coal and
combustion techniques, etc, since cement-related industries alone will not be able to absorb all the fly ash
generated in the future
• The key requirements for overcoming the barriers are greater regulatory oversight and price control,
revision of cement blending standards, research in improving fly ash quality, reducing cost of transportation,
provisions for overcoming information asymmetries, and overall sensitisation of key decision-makers on the
matter.
Sources: the Hindu.
16. COMPOSITE WATER MANAGEMENT INDEX (CWMI)
What to study?
• For Prelims: CWMI- key features, best and worst performing states.
• For Mains: Water crisis- concerns, challenges and solutions.
Context: NITI Aayog has released its report on Composite Water Management Index (CWMI).
About CWMI:
• The Composite Water Management Index report is a step in a direction that aims to create awareness among
people and governments about the realities of water crisis in the country.
• CWMI aims to enable effective water management in Indian states in the face of this growing crisis.
• The index would provide useful information for the states and concerned Central ministries and departments
enabling them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for better management of water resources.
• NITI Aayog has ranked all states in the index on the composite water management, comprising 9 broad
sectors with 28 different indicators covering various aspects of ground water, restoration of water bodies,
irrigation, farm practices, drinking water, policy and governance.
Key performers:
• Gujarat is ranked one in the reference year (2017-18).
• It is followed by Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
• In North Eastern and Himalayan States, Himachal Pradesh has been adjudged number 1 in 2017-18 followed
by Uttarakhand, Tripura and Assam.
• The Union Territories have first time submitted their data and Puducherry has been declared as the top
ranker.
• In terms of incremental change in index (over 2016-17 level), Haryana holds number one position in general
States and Uttarakhand ranks at first position amongst North Eastern and Himalayan States.
• On an average, 80% of the states assessed on the Index over the last three years have improved their water
management scores, with an average improvement of +5.2 points.
Key findings and concerns:
• Even as states are making progress in water management, the overall performance remains well below what
is required to adequately tackle India’s water challenges.
• Of the 25 states and two union territories, assessed in the CWMI, 80 per cent have improved their water
management scores, with an average improvement of more than 5.2 points. But, 16 states still score less
than 50 points on the index (out of 100) and fall in the low-performing category.
• The low-performing states, which include Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, Delhi, Rajasthan,
Nagaland and Meghalaya, collectively account for around 48 per cent of the population, 40 per cent of
agricultural produce and 35 per cent of economic output of India.
• The report cautioned that urban hubs are likely to witness severe water shortages in the future. This which
could risk growth and reduce quality of life for citizens in urban areas.
Need of the hour:
• The states must improve water management practices so that the country can provide its citizens with better
quality of life, support economic growth and sustain its ecosystem.
Way ahead:
• Water scarcity is one of the biggest problems the country is facing today and that more than the scarcity of
water, it is an issue of management of water resources.
• Water management is often currently viewed as a zero-sum game by states due to limited frameworks for
inter-state and national management. However, Centre-state and inter-state cooperation can help address
the issue.
• There is a need to reward those states which are doing well in managing their water resources and also to
bring in the public domain the names of those states which are not managing their resources properly.
17. EARTH’S BURNING LUNGS: ON AMAZON’S RAINFOREST FIRE
Context: The Amazon rainforest, the largest of its kind in the world, is ablaze, with over 9,500 distinct fires
burning through its main basin since August 15.
• Is it new? No. Fires are common in Amazon forests.
• But, this year the crisis has been aggravated mainly by loggers and farmers seeking, as they do during the
summer months, to clear vast tracts for agricultural or industrial use.
How bad is the situation?
• There has been an increase of at least 80% in the number of recorded fires compared to the same period in
2018.
• The number and intensity of the fires are closely linked to the rate of deforestation. Some reports estimate
that in July 2019, the Amazon shrunk by 1,345 sq km, up 39% from the same month last year, and a historical
record.
And how will that affect climate change?
• Forests contain carbon, stored in the trees and vegetation — to the tune of 459 tonnes per hectare in the
Amazon.
• When a tree is cut, the carbon inside will reenter the atmosphere years later, at the end of its use cycle
when it decomposes. When vegetation is burned, as is
happening now, the carbon enters the atmosphere
immediately.
• In both cases, the carbon will be released. It just takes
some simple math to realize that the total for the past
few months has already reached hundreds of millions
of tonnes of carbon.
Significance of the Amazon:
• The entire world needs the Amazon, the world’s largest
rainforest, to survive and fight global warming.
• Called the “lungs of the planet” for its role in sucking
carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and adding fresh
oxygen to it, this green cover which spreads over
several South American countries — 60% of it
in Brazil — is crucial for sustaining the human
civilisation.
Why Brazil is to blamed for all these?
• Under Brazil’s Forest Code of 1965, farmers could purchase Amazon land but could farm only 20% of it.
• Following the collapse of the military dictatorship in 1988, a new constitution gave indigenous populations
legal ownership of their land and the right to reject development of their land.
• In 2012, the Forest Code was revised to reduce the area of deforested land required to be restored, and to
reduce penalties for illegal deforesting. In 2018, Brazil’s Supreme Court upheld these changes.
• The new regime, which came to power in January 2019, had promised during election campaign that it
would open up the Amazon region for business.
• The Amazon has large reserves of gold and other minerals. Along with aggressive policies of promoting
agribusiness, the government has opposed protections for indigenous tribal land.
• Conservationists believe that for Brazil’s government, short-term economic interests pushed by lobbies take
precedence over environmental concerns.
Sources: the Hindu.
18. REDD+
What to study?
• For Prelims: REDD+ related facts.
• For Mains: Significance and the need for National REDD+ strategy, performance of REDD+.
Context: The Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) programme being carried
out in the himalayan states jointly by Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) and International
Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has been extended till July 2020.
Background:
• ICFRE-ICIMOD’s REDD+ Himalaya: Developing and using
experience in implementing REDD+ in the Himalaya
programme was launched in January 2016 in Mizoram
to address the drivers of deforestation and forest
degradation in India’s Himalayan states.
Background:
• Since its formalisation in 2006, REDD+ had emerged as the
most prominent global mechanism to integrate the role of
forests in climate change. It was touted as a win-win
situation for biodiversity conservation, carbon sequestration
and local livelihoods.
• More than 300 REDD+ initiatives have taken off since 2006.
The mechanism has been enshrined in the Paris Agreement
of 2015, and its implementation is transitioning from smaller, isolated projects to larger, jurisdictional
programmes with support from bilateral and multilateral agencies.
About REDD+:
• REDD+ is a mechanism developed by Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC).
• It creates a financial value for the carbon stored in forests by offering incentives for developing countries to
reduce emissions from forested lands and invest in low-carbon paths to sustainable development.
• Developing countries would receive results-based payments for results-based actions. REDD+ goes beyond
simply deforestation and forest degradation and includes the role of conservation, sustainable management
of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
India’s REDD+ strategy:
• Complying with the UNFCCC decisions
on REDD+, India has prepared its
National REDD+ Strategy.
• The Strategy builds upon existing
national circumstances which have been
updated in line with India’s National
Action Plan on Climate Change, Green
India Mission and India’s Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC) to
UNFCCC.
• The strategy report has been prepared
by Indian Council of Forestry Research &
Education (ICFRE), Dehradun.
19. CAMPA
What to study?
• For Prelims: Features of CAF Act.
• For Mains: Significance and the need for afforestation, significance of CAF Act.
Context: Centre releases Rs. 47,436 crores for afforestation to various states from CAMPA funds.
What is CAMPA?
• Supreme Court of India ordered for establishment of Compensatory Afforestation Fund and Compensatory
Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) in 2001.
• In 2006, adhoc CAMPA was established for the management of Compensatory afforestation fund.
CAMPA Act:
• To compensate the loss of forest area and to maintain the sustainability, the Government of India came up
with a well-defined Act, known as CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning
Authority).
• The law establishes the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of India, and a
State Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of each state.
• These Funds will receive payments for: (i) compensatory afforestation, (ii) net present value of forest (NPV),
and (iii) other project specific payments.
• The National Fund will receive 10% of these funds, and the State Funds will receive the remaining 90%.
• According to the Act’s provision, a company diverting forest land must provide alternative land to take up
compensatory afforestation.
• For afforestation, the company should pay to plant new trees in the alternative land provided to the state.
Issues with CAMPA:
• In 2002, the Supreme Court had observed that collected funds for afforestation were under-utilised by the
states and it ordered for centrally pooling of funds under ad hoc Compensatory Afforestation Fund.
• The law says that land selected for afforestation should preferably be contiguous to the forest being
diverted so that it is easier for forest officials to manage it. But if no suitable non-forest land is found,
degraded forests can be chosen for afforestation. In several states like Chattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand
where the intensity of mining is very high, to find the non-forest land for afforestation to compensate the
loss of forest is a big task.
• Utilisation of CAMPA fund: Several state governments are not utilising it properly. An amount of Rs 86 lakh
from CAMPA funds meant for afforestation was reportedly spent on litigation work in Punjab.
• Moreover, at several places, the loss of natural species is compensated with plantation of non-native species
in the name of the artificial plantation. It serves as a threat to even the existing ecosystem.
Way ahead:
• The proposed objective of the Act must be fulfilled by utilising the CAMPA funds only for the purpose it is
meant for. It should efficiently be used only for afforestation and wildlife conservation activities.
• A closer look at the state government activities using CAMPA funding is needed. The central government
should adopt the concept of outcome budgeting for allocation of funds to the state government in which
funding will be done on installment basis by checking the outcome of previous funds.
• State governments should restore the existing forests rather than creating new ones.
Sources: pib.
SEPTEMBER 2019
Topics: Conservation related issues, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental
impact assessment.
1. UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD)
What to study?
• For Prelims: UNCCD.
• For Mains: Land Degradation- issues, challenges and solutions.
Context: The 14th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification (UNCCD COP 14) begins in New Delhi.
• India took over the Presidency of the COP from China.
About UNCCD:
• Established in 1994.
• It is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable
land management.
• It is the only convention stemming from a direct recommendation of the Rio Conference’s Agenda 21.
• To help publicise the Convention, 2006 was declared “International Year of Deserts and Desertification”.
• Focus areas: The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as
the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
• Aim: Its 197 Parties aim, through partnerships, to implement the Convention and achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals. The end goal is to protect land from over-use and drought, so it can continue to provide
food, water and energy.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is the nodal Ministry for this Convention.
Need of the hour:
• Responsible land governance is key to provide an enabling environment for ecosystem restoration,
biodiversity protection, land use-based adaptation and for improving the livelihoods of many small-scale
farmers.
• At the UNCCD COP 14, parties to the convention have the opportunity to adopt an ambitious resolution on
land tenure for Land Degradation Neutrality. They must use this opportunity to empower communities to
better adapt to the impacts of the climate emergency.
Sources: the Hindu.
2. SINGLE-USE PLASTIC BAN
What to study?
• For Prelims and Mains: Ban on single- use plastics- significance.
Context: Single-use plastic

items will be banned in India
from October 2, 2019.
What is single-use plastic?
• A form of plastic that is
disposable, which is only
used once and then has
to be thrown away or
recycled.
• The single-use plastic
items include plastic
bags, water bottles, soda
bottles, straws, plastic
plates, cups, most food
packaging and coffee
stirrers.
Why is it being banned?
• With climate and
environment becoming a
rising global
concern, plastic pollution
and plastic waste
management have become the focal point of worry.
• Millions of tons of plastic is being produced every year, which is not biodegradable. Hence, the countries
across the globe are adopting and implementing strategies aimed at eliminating the use of single-use plastic.
India’s efforts:
• India has won global acclaim for its “Beat Plastic Pollution” resolve declared on World Environment Day last
year, under which it pledged to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022.
Challenges ahead:
• The ubiquitous plastic has made humans so dependent that it is virtually impossible to live without it.
• The PWM Rules Amendment, 2018, omitted explicit pricing of plastic bags that had been a feature of the
2016 Rules.
• Waste plastic from packaging of everything from food, cosmetics and groceries to goods delivered by
online platforms remains unaddressed.
• The fast moving consumer goods sector that uses large volumes of packaging, posing a higher order
challenge.
• Lack of adequate infrastructure for segregation and collection is the key reason for inefficient plastic waste
disposal.
• Small producers of plastics are facing the ban, while more organised entities covered by the Extended
Producer Responsibility clause continue with business as usual.
Need of the hour:
• Promoting the use of biodegradable plastics, khadi bags, cotton bags.
• Incentivising collection.
• Start charging the producers for their waste, which will lead to recovery and recycling.
Sources: the Hindu.
3. SARDAR SAROVAR DAM
What to study?
• For Prelims: Key features of the project and Narmada river.
• For Mains: Concerns over the projects, challenges and ways to address them.
Context: Oustees displaced in Madhya Pradesh due to the backwaters of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat are
not convinced by the government of Madhya Pradesh’s promises to help them even as they stare at continual
displacement.
Background:
• The height of the dam was increased to 138.68 metres in 2017. The water level in the dam reached 136.04
metres on September 9, 2019, due to heavy rains. The dam is to be filled to its full reservoir level by October
15.
Various issues present:
• Compensation amounts.
• Formation of islands due to submergence.
• Inadequate number of plots and rehabilitation sites.
• Leveling of land for house construction.
• Action on people involved in fake registry of land for homes.
• Rights for the fishing community on the reservoir.
• Cases of oustees settled in Gujarat.
• Issues of farmers who have lost land for rehabilitation sites.
Sardar Sarovar project- key facts:
• Taken up after the Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal gave its final award vis-à-vis Gujarat-Madhya Pradesh
in 1979.
• Second biggest dam in terms of volume of concrete used in it.
• Third highest concrete dam in India.
• Power generated from the dam would be shared among three states — Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and
Gujarat.
What’s the concern with the project?
• Water level in the submergence area of the dam in Barwani and Dhar districts of Madhya Pradesh is rising
steadily.
• As per Narmada Bachao Andolan group, 40,000 families in 192 villages in Madhya Pradesh would be
displaced when the reservoir is filled to its optimum capacity.
• According to the World Bank, the project started with very little assessment of resettlement and
rehabilitation, and environmental impact.
Why is this project significant and what benefits has it got?
• Unused Water from Narmada river, which would otherwise flow into the sea, could be used for serving many
dry towns, villages and districts of Gujarat.
• The project would employ about one million people starting from the start to end of the project.
• Provide electricity to the unserved regions and also to the farmers.
• Provide water for irrigation and for drinking purpose.
• Provide flood protection to an area of about 30,000 hectares which is prone to the fury of floods.
• Task of rehabilitation and resettlement of affected people should be completed immediately.
• Need of an independent review of the project on continuous basis to fulfil the real objectives of the project.
• Studies should take into consideration the seasonal temporal variations in the climate and many other
important parameters.
• Environment safeguards should be put in place.
Sources: the Hindu.
4. FRAMEWORK FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF BENEFITS OF ACTION/COST OF
INACTION FOR DROUGHT PREPAREDNESS REPORT
What to study?
• For Prelims: About UNCCD and the framework.
• For Mains: Causes and impacts of drought and ways to address them?
Context: Framework for the Assessment of Benefits of Action/Cost of Inaction for Drought Preparedness report
has been released at the ongoing 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the United Nations Convention to
Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
The 10-point framework:
• Appoint a national drought management policy commission
• State or define the goals and objectives of risk-based national drought management policy
• Seek stakeholder participation, define and resolve conflicts between key water use sectors
• Inventory data and financial resources available and broadly identify groups at risk
• Prepare the key tenets of the national drought management policy and preparedness plans
• Identify research needs and fill institutional gaps
• Integrate science and policy aspects of drought management
• Publicise the policy and preparedness plans, build public awareness
• Develop education programs for all age and stakeholder groups
• Evaluate and revise policy and supporting plans
Indian scenario:
• Droughts affect 42 per cent of India’s land while another 6 per cent is ‘exceptionally dry plane’; 40 per cent
of the country’s population is vulnerable to droughts.
Challenges:
• Conditions of the political economy often gives governments weak incentives to adopt a risk-management
approach.
• Other causes include the lack of a holistic approach; integrating analysis and action across sectors and
agencies and the political economy of aid.
What India can learn from this?
• The way to combat frequent droughts lies in evaluating their impacts.
• Losses due to droughts need proper estimation.
• More and better economic analysis could be a decisive factor in moving countries from crisis management
to risk management.
Sources: the Hindu.
5. BASEL BAN AMENDMENT
What to study?
• For prelims and mains: features, need for and significance of the convention.
Context: The 1995 Basel Ban Amendment, a global waste dumping prohibition, has become an international law
after Croatia (97th country to ratify) ratified it on September 6,
2019.
What next?
• It will become a new Article in the Convention and will enter
into force in the 97 countries after 90 days — on December
5.
Basel Convention — Control of Transboundary Movements of
Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal:
• Opened for signature on 22 March 1989
• entered into force on 5 May 1992
• Parties — 187.
• It is an international treaty that was designed to reduce the
movements of hazardous waste between nations, and
specifically to prevent transfer of hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries (LDCs).
• It does not address the movement of radioactive waste.
6. A CASE FOR DIFFERENTIAL GLOBAL CARBON TAX
What to study?
• For Prelims: About carbon tax and features of it.
• For Mains: Challenges due to uneven sharing of burden, what needs to be done?
Concerns raised by the Recent IPCC report:
• Total global emissions will need to fall by 45% from 2010 levels by 2030 and reach net zero by 2050.
• If these targets are not met, tropical regions of the world, which are densely populated in the global South
are likely to be most negatively affected because of their low altitudes and pre-existing high temperatures.
About the 1995 Basel Ban Amendment:
• Adopted by the parties to the Basel
Convention in 1995.
• To protect human health and the
environment against the adverse
effects of hazardous wastes.
• The amendment prohibits all export of
hazardous wastes, including electronic
wastes and obsolete ships from 29
wealthiest countries of the Organization
of Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) to non-OECD
countries.
What’s the issue now?
• The global South has always contributed less to the problem and even at present its per capita carbon
emissions are much smaller in comparison to the countries in the global North. But, the price being paid it
to changing climate is huge.
• Some impact of this was already felt during the Tamil Nadu water crisis this year.
• At this point, burden of adjustment cannot be equal when the underlying relationship between the two
worlds has been historically unequal.
• A just approach would involve a global sharing of responsibility among countries according to their
respective shares in global emissions.
• Just Energy Transition (JET) model: Premised on a sense of global justice in terms of climatic fallouts and the
respective contributions of the countries. It will also help the resource-poor developing countries to make
the energy transition without having to worry about finances unduly.
• Burden sharing: Apart from funding their own energy transition, countries should partially support the
transition for the countries at the bottom. This sharing of the burden of development should be done in a
way that inverts this injustice funnel. Countries have to spend around 1.5% of their GDP.
Need of the hour:
• A genuine global consensus on the mitigation of this problem.
• Both worlds need to contribute to averting this danger in their self-interest.
Sources: the Hindu.
7. GROUNDWATER CRISIS
What to study?
• For Prelims and Mains: Groundwater crisis- causes, extent, concerns, challenges and measures by govt to
save groundwater.
Context: Expressing concern over depleting groundwater levels, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has set up a
committee to formulate steps required to prevent illegal extraction of groundwater.
Why conserve groundwater?
• Groundwater reserves are already under pressure as the global population explodes and crop production
rises in lockstep.
• Extreme weather events such as drought and record rainfall — have both made worse by our heating planet
— could have another long-lasting impact on how quickly reserves replenish.
• Only half of all groundwater supplies are likely to fully replenish or re-balance within the next 100 years —
potentially leading to shortages in drier areas.
• The process through which rainwater is filtered through bedrock and accumulated underground can take
centuries and varies greatly by region.
• As climate change delivers longer droughts and bigger superstorms, the extremes of rainfall become more
pronounced, impacting groundwater reserves for generations to come.
Situation of groundwater in India:
• Today, India is the largest user of the groundwater in the world with almost 90% being used for drinking
water and almost 60-70% for irrigation. Current statistics also show that nearly 50% of urban water supply
comes from groundwater. India is on the threshold of a very serious groundwater crisis, which needs
mitigation both in the fields and at the policy corridors of the country.
Need of the hour:
• There is a need to modernise the regulatory framework for accessing groundwater soon after massive
expansion in mechanical pumping led to the realisation that recharge could not keep pace with use.
Sources: the hindu.
8. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE PRESERVATION OF THE OZONE LAYER
What to study?
• For Prelims: Key facts on Montreal protocol and Ozone day.
• For Mains: Significance of the Ozone layer and the need for protection.
Context: The International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer (or World Ozone Day) is observed every year
on September 16 for the preservation of the Ozone Layer.
• World Ozone Day 2019 Theme: 32 Years and Healing.
Significance of the day:
• In 1994, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of
the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
What you need to know about the Ozone layer?
• Absorbs most of the Sun’s ultraviolet light which is harmful to human life and other life forms.
• Absorbs about 97 to 99% of ultraviolet rays and maintain the ozone-oxygen cycle.
Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer:
• Designed to reduce the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances in order to reduce their
abundance in the atmosphere, and thereby protect the earth’s fragile ozone Layer.
• The original Montreal Protocol was agreed on 16 September 1987 and entered into force on 1 January 1989.
• The Protocol includes a unique adjustment provision that enables the Parties to the Protocol to respond
quickly to new scientific information and agree to accelerate the reductions required on chemicals already
covered by the Protocol.
• These adjustments are then automatically applicable to all countries that ratified the Protocol.
Target:
• Montreal Protocol stipulates that the production and consumption of compounds that deplete ozone in the
stratosphere-chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform-are to be
phased out by 2000 (2005 for methyl chloroform).
Sources: the hindu.
9. INDIA COOLING ACTION PLAN (ICAP)
What to study?
• For Prelims and Mains: Highlights and significance of ICAP.
Context: India’s Cooling Action Plan (ICAP) has received appreciation from the UN on World Ozone Day.
Significance of ICAP:
• India is the first country in world to develop such a document.
The goals emerging from the suggested interventions stated in ICAP are:
• 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.
• Training and certification of 100,000 servicing sector technicians by the year 2022-23, in synergy with Skill
India Mission.
• Recognize “cooling and related areas” as a thrust area of research under the national S&T Programme.
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, refrigerantbased
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.
The following benefits would accrue to society over
and above the environmental benefits:
• Thermal comfort for all – provision for cooling
for EWS and LIG housing.
• Sustainable cooling – low GHG emissions
related to cooling.
• Doubling Farmers Income – better cold chain
infrastructure – better value of products to
farmers, less wastage of produce.
• Skilled workforce for better livelihoods and
environmental protection.
• Make in India – domestic manufacturing of air-conditioning and related cooling equipment’s.
• Robust R&D on alternative cooling technologies – to provide the push to innovation in a cooling sector.
Sources: the Hindu.
10. SHOLA GRASSLANDS
What to study?
• For Prelims: What are they? Where are they found?
• For Mains: Threats, need for conservation.
Context: Expanding plantations of exotic species, including tea, in the Nilgiris can wipe out Shola vegetation,
according to a report filed by an expert committee formed by the Madras High Court.
Key findings:
• This change in vegetation will result in loss of water sources and is already leading to massive landslides.
• Invasive species like eucalyptus, tea plantations and wattle and naturalised alien species like Lantana
camara, Opuntia stricta, Chromolaena odorata, Parthenium hysterophorus and Senna spectabilis have had a
serious impact on the Shola forest and grasslands.
What are Shola Grasslands?
• The Shola vegetation are tropical montane forests found in the Western Ghats separated by rolling grasslands
in high altitudes.
• Shola grasslands consist of dwarf trees growing 25-30 feet.
• It is a stunted forest growths of diverse grass species.
• Vegetation is double layered storey with closed canopy which hardly permits a single ray of sunlight to
penetrate in the natural vegetation.
• Nilgiris upper region is classified as southern grassland mountain grassland.
• Between 1973-2014 Shola grasslands area had seen a 66.7% decline.
Significance:
• The Shola forests and associated grasslands
store large quantities of water on the
mountain ranges, thus serving as huge
`water harvesting and storage structures.
• Many of the rivers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
originate from the Shola grasslands and
were perennial. With depletion of Sholas and other forests, the streams that supply water to them dry up in
summer.
• They are rich store houses of biodiversity and also home to extremely rich wildlife.
Concerns:
• Shola grasslands which are critical habitats for many species, continue to be viewed as lower priority or grassy
blanks
• As grasslands vanish or become more fragmented, local flora and fauna, particularly endemic species such
as Nilgiri Pipit, may be under threat.
• In the Palani hill range of Western Ghats.
Threats:
• The Forest Departments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, besides private planters, were responsible for large-scale
destruction of Sholas during the past two centuries
• Expanding agriculture – agriculture and fallow land have increased three times to 100 sq.km. in the past four
decades.
• The spread of invasive species like acacia have eaten into as much as two-thirds of natural grasslands.
• Fire is also one of the major factor which not only depletes undergrowth but also facilitates the seed
germination of fast invading, weed plants by breaking seed dormancy.
• Development of tourism in places such as Udhagamandalam, Ponmudi (Thiruvananthapuram district) and
Munnar is also leading to destruction of Shola grasslands.
Need for conservation:
• Shola is a very sensitive type of vegetation. Once it vanishes from its original habitat, it is very difficult to
make it reappear in view of the change in climate which does not allow shola seedling to grow in open
grasslands.
12. EMISSIONS TRADING SCHEME (ETS)
What to study?
• For prelims: key features of the program.
• For mains: significance, need and potential of such programs, challenges ahead and ways to address them.
What is it?
• Launched in Surat by Gujarat Government, the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) is a regulatory tool that is
aimed at reducing the pollution load in an area and at the same time minimising the cost of compliance
for the industry.
• ETS is a market in which the traded commodity is particulate matter emissions.
• It is also being described as the world’s first market for trading in particulate matter emissions.
How is it being implemented?
• The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) sets a cap on the total emission load from all industries.
• Various industries can buy and sell the ability to emit particulate matter, by trading permits (in kilograms)
under this cap. For this reason, ETS is also called a cap-and-trade market.
How does the trading take place?
• At the beginning of every one-month compliance period (during which one emission permit is valid), 80 per
cent of the total cap of 280 tonnes for that period is distributed free to all participant units.
• These permits are allocated based on an industry’s emission sources (boilers, heaters, generators) as this
determines the amount of particulate matter emitted.
• Remaining 20 per cent of the permits will be offered during the first auction of the compliance period, at a
floor price of Rs 5 per kilogram. Participating units may buy and sell permits among each other during the
period.
• The price is not allowed to cross a ceiling of Rs 100 per kilogram or fall below Rs 5 per kg, both of which may
be adjusted after a review.
Significance and benefits:
• The reason for trading is that in a cap and trade market, the regulator will measure pollution over a period
of time and industries must own enough permits to cover their total emissions.
• Factories who find it very expensive to reduce pollution, will seek to buy more permits. Those who can easily
reduce pollution are encouraged to do so because then they have excess permits to sell.
• Eventually, after buying and selling by plants that find it cheap to cut pollution and those for whom it is
expensive, most pollution is taken care of.
• Whatever the final allocation, the total number of permits does not change so the total pollution is still equal
to the predefined cap. And yet the costs to industry are decreased.
13. BLACK CARBON
What to study?
• For Prelims: What is black carbon?
• For Mains: concerns associated, need for regulation.
Context: According to a recent study published, black carbon particles emitted by the vehicular exhaust and
coal-fired power plants, have been detected on the fetus-facing side of the placenta.
• This is expected to affect the overall development of the unborn baby.
Findings:
• Concentration of black carbon particles was highest in the placentas of women who are most exposed to
airborne pollutants in their daily life.
• Inhalation of these particles by the mother gets translocated from the mothers’ lungs to the
placenta, resulting in life-long changes to the development of the baby along with permanently damaging
the lung tissues.
• The link between exposure to dirty air and increased cases of miscarriages, premature births, and low birth
weights which in turn increases the chances for diabetes, asthma, stroke, heart disease and a lot of other
conditions, has been established in this study.
What is Black Carbon?
• Black carbon consists of pure carbon in several linked forms. It is formed through the incomplete combustion
of fossil fuels, biofuel, and biomass, and is emitted in both anthropogenic and naturally occurring soot.
Harmful effects of BC:
• Black carbon (BC) is a pollutant known to aggravate breathing disorders. Because BC particles strongly absorb
solar and terrestrial radiation and heats up the atmosphere it can upset the monsoon system. If deposited
on snow, it could accelerate the heating of snow and quicken the melting of glaciers.
Sources: the Hindu.
14. INDIA WATER WEEK-2019
What to study?
• For Prelims: Objectives and significance of the event.
• For Mains: Water conservation- need, challenges and measures needed.
Context: 6th India Water Week-2019 is being observed.
• It is being organised in New Delhi between 24th and 28th September 2019.
• Organized by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, the Ministry
of Jal Shakti.
• Theme: ‘Water Cooperation – Coping with 21st Century Challenges’.
Background:
• Conceptualized and organized for the first time in 2012, the India Water Week is a regular forum where the
Ministry of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of lndia discusses,
talks, strategizes with eminent stakeholders through seminars, exhibitions and sessions to build public
awareness, to get support to implement key strategies for conservation, preservation and optimum use of
available water.
Sources: pib.
15. FOREST-PLUS 2.0
What to study?
• For Prelims and mains: Key features and significance of the programme.
Context: US Agency for International Development (USAID) and India’s Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Climate Change (MoEF&CC) have launched Forest-PLUS 2.0.
What is it?
• Forest-PLUS is a five-year programme initiated in December 2018 that focuses on developing tools and
techniques to bolster ecosystem management and harnessing ecosystem services in forest landscape
management.
• Forest-PLUS 2.0, the second set of pilot projects, is meant to enhance sustainable forest landscape
management after Forest-PLUS completed its five years in 2017.
• The programme’s first set focused on capacity building to help India participate in Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+). It included four pilot projects in Sikkim, Rampur, Shivamogga
and Hoshangabad.
• Under these, field tests, innovative tools and approaches for Indian forest management were developed.
Promotion of bio-briquettes in Sikkim, introduction of solar heating systems in Rampur and development of
an agro-forestry model in Hoshangabad were some of the achievements of this programme.
• Forest-PLUS 2.0 comprises pilot project in three landscapes — Gaya in Bihar, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala
and Medak in Telangana. The choice of these sites was driven by the contrast in their landscapes – Bihar is a
forest deficit area, Telangana is a relatively drier area where there is ample scope for community livelihood
enhancement and Kerala is rich in biodiversity.
The targets of this set are:
• 1,20,000 hectares of land under improved management.
• New, inclusive economic activity worth $12 million.
• Measurable benefits accrued to 800,000 households.
• Three incentive mechanisms demonstrated in managing landscapes for ecosystem services.
To achieve these targets, the programme has three focal points of action:
• Developing tools for multiple services in forests management. The tools consist innovative apps for
automating forest planning processes, model forest management plans. These tools are expected to result
in enhanced water flow and quality, improved livelihoods and resilience of forest-dependent communities.
• Developing incentive-based instruments for leveraging finance. For example, a payment mechanism where
a municipality or industry would pay upstream forest communities to use water flowing down because of
improved forest management.
• Unlocking economic opportunities for forest-dependent people by modelling and setting up conservation
enterprises and mobilising investment from the private sector.
Sources: the Hindu.
16. NEW IPCC REPORT WARNS OF DIRE THREAT TO OCEANS
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a special report- ‘Special Report on the
Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate’. The report underlines the dire changes taking place in oceans,
glaciers and ice-deposits on land and sea.
• It was prepared following an IPCC Panel decision in 2016 to prepare three Special Reports and follows the
Special Reports on Global Warming of 1.5°C, and on Climate Change and Land (SRCCL).
Key findings:
• Over the 21st century, the ocean is projected to transition to unprecedented conditions with increased
temperatures, further ocean acidification, marine heatwaves and more frequent extreme El Niño and La Niña
events.
• The global ocean has warmed unabated since 1970 and has taken up more than 90% of the excess heat in
the climate system.
• Since 1993, the rate of ocean warming has more than doubled.
• Marine heatwaves have very likely doubled in frequency since 1982 and are increasing in intensity.
• Floods will become more frequent and severe in the mountainous and downstream areas of the Indus,
Ganges and Brahmaputra river basins, because of an increase in extreme precipitation events.
Sources: the Hindu.
17. INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE (IPCC)
What to study?
• For Prelims: About IPCC, working groups and assessment reports.
• For Mains: Climate change and role of IPCC in assessing these changes.
Context: IPCC Working Group III is meeting in India to further preparations of Sixth Assessment Report.
• More than 200 experts from 65 countries will come together to start preparing a first draft of the report,
which is due to be finalized in July 2021.
• The meeting is hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India.
Background:
• IPCC Working Group III is responsible for assessing the mitigation of climate change – responses and
solutions to the threat of dangerous climate change by reducing emissions and enhancing sinks of the
greenhouse gases that are responsible for global warming.
• Comprehensive scientific assessment reports are published every 6 to 7 years; the latest, the Fifth
Assessment Report, was completed in 2014, and provided the main scientific input to the Paris Agreement.
What is Sixth Assessment Report (AR6)?
• It will examine topics such as the link between consumption and behaviour and greenhouse gas emissions,
and the role of innovation and technology.
• It will assess the connection between short to medium-term actions and their compatibility with the longterm
temperature goal in the Paris Agreement.
• It will assess mitigation options in sectors such as energy, agriculture, forestry and land use, buildings,
transport and industry.
What next?
• Each of the three IPCC Working Groups will release their contributions to the Sixth Assessment Report in
2021.
• A Synthesis Report in 2022 will integrate them together with the three special reports that the IPCC is
producing in the current assessment cycle.
• It will be released in time to inform the 2023 global stocktake by the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC) when countries will review progress towards the Paris Agreement goal of
keeping global warming to well below 2°C while pursuing efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.
About the IPCC:
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the UN body for assessing the science related to
climate change.
• Established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO) in 1988.
• Aim: to provide political leaders with periodic scientific assessments concerning climate change, its
implications and risks, as well as to put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies.
• Composition: It has 195 member states.
The IPCC has three working groups:
• Working Group I, dealing with the physical science basis of climate change.
• Working Group II, dealing with impacts, adaptation and vulnerability.
• Working Group III, dealing with the mitigation of climate change.
OCTOBER 2019
Topics: Conservation related issues, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Ban on single-use plastic
What to study?
For Prelims: What are single use plastics?
For Mains: Why ban them? Concerns, need for alternatives.
Context: The government has launched massive campaigns against single-use, or disposable, plastic products, as part of the year-long
celebrations to mark 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
What are Single-use plastics?
They are disposable plastics meant for use-and-throw.
These comprise polythene bags, plastic drinking bottles, plastic bottle caps, food wrappers, plastic sachets, plastic wrappers, straws,
stirrers and Styrofoam cups or plates.
Are these measures sufficient?
1. Banning its usage while is a welcome move to save the environment, it is only one side of the story.
2. Along with any move to impose a ban, there should also be equal emphasis on recycling and waste management .
3. There is a need for a very comprehensive waste collection, segregation and waste management eco-system to be in place,
which could take multi- billion dollar investment.
4. While there is increased awareness in urban areas, the challenge will be to find a suitable cost effective alternatives in tier II and
tier III towns and remote locations.
Why these measures are necessary?

25,940 tonnes of plastic waste is generated every day in the country, with 40 per cent plastic waste being uncollected and 60 million tonnes
of solid waste generated in one year.
According to World Wildlife Fund (WWF), plastic is harmful to the environment as it is non-biodegradable, takes years to disintegrate.
1. Single-use plastics slowly and gradually break down into smaller pieces of plastic known as microplastics.
2. It can take thousands of years for plastic bags to decompose, thus contaminating our soil and water in the process.
3. The noxious chemicals used to produce plastic gets transmitted to animal tissue, and finally, enter the human food chain.
Government measures in place:

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme was introduced in the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2011, and was
largely redefined in PWM 2016, wherein producers, importers and brand owners were asked to take primary responsibility for collection of
used multi-layered plastic sachets or pouches or packaging.
Challenges ahead for India:
The government has not put in place a clear roadmap with timelines to meet the 2022 deadline for eliminating single-use plastics.
The guidelines do not specify that states and union territories must phase-out single-use plastics by 2022 . Without a clear
roadmap, that target date of 2022 is now more aspirational in nature.
Swachhata Hi Seva India Plog Run- To propagate the idea of shunning plastics, the Fit India Plog Run has been launched.
Plogging involves picking up litter while jogging.
Sources: pib. www.insightsonindia.com 135 InsightsIAS
Indian Forest Act Amendment

What to study?
For Prelims: Key features of the Indian Forest Act and amendments.
For Mains: Need for review and the expected outcomes.
Context: The Mizoram government has rejected the Centre’s proposed amendment to Indian Forests Act, 1927, on the ground that it
violates the special provisions guaranteed to the state under Article 371G of the Constitution.
Background:
Article 371(G) of the Constitution states that the Parliament cannot decide on the matters of the religious and social practices of the
Mizos, civil and criminal law of the land, land ownership transfer, and customary law procedure without the consent of the Assembly.
What’s the issue?
Mizoram argues that it does not come under the purview of the Indian Forests Act of 1927.
The Mizoram Forest Act of 1955 governs the state’s forests in line with customary laws.
Highlights of the draft amendments:
• • The amendment defines community as “a group of persons specified on the basis of government records living in a specific
locality and in joint possession and enjoyment of common property resources, without regard to race, religion, caste, language and culture”.
• • Forest is defined to include “any government or private or institutional land recorded or notified as forest/forest land in any
government record and the lands managed by government/community as forest and mangroves, and also any land which the central or
state government may by notification declare to be forest for the purpose of this Act.”
• • While the preamble of IFA, 1927, said the Act was focused on laws related to transport of forest produce and the tax on it, the
amendment has increased the focus to“conservation, enrichment and sustainable management of forest resources and
matters connected therewith to safeguard ecological stability to ensure provision of ecosystem services in perpetuity and to address the
concerns related to climate change and international commitments”.
• • Increased role of states:The amendments say if the state government, after consultation with the central government, feels
that the rights under FRA will hamper conservation efforts, then the state “may commute such rights by paying such persons a sum of
money in lieu thereof, or grant of land, or in such other manner as it thinks fit, to maintain the social organisation of the forest dwelling
communities or alternatively set out some other forest tract of sufficient extent, and in a locality reasonably convenient, for the purpose of
such forest dwellers”.
• • The amendment also introduces a new category of forests — production forest . These will be forests with specific objectives
for production of timber, pulp, pulpwood, firewood, non-timber forest produce, medicinal plants or any forest species to increase production
in the country for a specified period.
Concerns with regard to the proposed amendments:

• • The Bill reinforces the idea of bureaucratic control of forests, providing immunity for actions such as use of firearms by personnel
to prevent an offence.
• • The hard-line policing approach is reflected in the emphasis on creating infrastructure to detain and transport the accused.
• • To penalise entire communities through denial of access to forests for offences by individuals. Such provisions invariably affect
poor inhabitants, and run counter to the empowering and egalitarian goals that produced the Forest Rights Act.
• • For decades now, the Forest Department has resisted independent scientific evaluation of forest health and biodiversity
conservation outcomes. In parallel, environmental policy has weakened public scrutiny of decisions on diversion of forests for destructive
activities such as mining and large dam construction.
• • Impact assessment reports have mostly been reduced to a farce, and the public hearings process has been
• • The exclusion of ‘village forestry’ from the preview of Forest Right Act (forest official supersedes Gram Sabha) is legally
contradictory and would add confusion on the ground.
• • The draft mentions that the state governments could take away the rights of the forest dwellers if the government feels it is not
in line with “conservation of the proposed reserved forest” by payment to the people impacted or by the grant of land.
Sources: the Hindu.

Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) Expedition
What to study?
For Prelims: MOSAiC- objectives and composition.
For Mains: Significance of the mission, How climate change is affecting Arctic region? Concerns and measures needed.
Context: India’s Vishnu Nandan will be the only Indian aboard the multidisciplinary drifting observatory for the Study of Arctic
Climate (MOSAiC) expedition.
He will be aboard the German research vessel Polarstern, anchored on a large sheet of sea ice in the Central Arctic, drifting along with it
during the pitch-black Polar winter.
About MOSAiC:
Spearheaded by the Alfred Wegener Institute in Germany.
It is the largest ever Arctic expedition in history .
It will be the first to conduct a study of this scale at the North Pole for an entire year .
The aim of the expedition will be to parameterise the atmospheric, geophysical, oceanographic and all other possible variables
in the Arctic, and use it to more accurately forecast the changes in our weather systems .
The international expedition will involve more than 60 institutions from 19 countries.
Significance:
• • MOSAiC will contribute to a quantum leap in our understanding of the coupled Arctic climate system and its representation in
global climate models.
• • The focus of MOSAiC lies on direct in-situ observations of the climate processes that couple the atmosphere, ocean, sea ice,
biogeochemistry, and ecosystem.
Why study and understand about changes in the Arctic?

• • The Arctic is the key area of global climate change, with warming rates exceeding twice the global average and warming during
winter even larger.
• • It is well possible that the Arctic ocean will become ice free in summer during the 21st century.
• • This dramatic change strongly affects weather and climate on the whole northern hemisphere and fuels rapid economic
development in the Arctic.
Sources: the Hindu.

Green Crackers
What to study?
For Prelims: What are green crackers? How are they different from traditional ones? How do crackers get different colours?
For Mains: Need for green crackers, observations made by the Supreme Court, what lies ahead?
Context: Indian Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has developed green crackers, which are new and improved
formulations of the previous sound-emitting crackers and other fireworks.
What are green crackers? www.insightsonindia.com 137 InsightsIAS
They are less harmful and less dangerous than the conventional ones. They are the crackers with reduced emission and decibel level. They
are known as 'green' firecrackers because they have a chemical formulation that produces water molecules , which
substantially reduces emission levels and absorbs dust.
• • It promises a reduction in particulate matters and harmful gases, like nitrous oxide and sulfur oxide, by 30- 35 per cent.
• • The green crackers will be 25-30 per cent cheaper to manufacture and manufacturers would not have to make any changes in
their facilities.
Need:
• • With concern over pollution in major cities growing, there was a demand for a ban on firecrackers.
• • Legal battles to this end have been going on for about a decade now, though the movement has intensified in the last couple
years.
• • A petition was filed in the Supreme Court on behalf of three infants in 2015 by their fathers asking for a complete ban.
• • With air pollution level going up 29 times above the World Health Organisation standards in November 2016, the Court suspended
the sale of fireworks in the NCR, affecting 50 per cent of the total crackers sold in the country.
• • The Court also asked the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and some others to conduct a study on the impact of bursting
fireworks during Dussehra and Diwali on the health of the people.
Background:
In its report the CPCB said that due to fireworks on Diwali day, particulate matter 2.5 (tiny particles or droplets in the air that are two and
one half microns or less in width, and hinder visibility and adversely affect health) levels go up. It stated when when there was less
fireworks in 2017, the level had reduced compared to previous years.
What gives colour to the firecrackers?
Red: Strontium salts (Nitrates, carbonates and sulphates of strontium).
Orange: Calcium salts (Carbonates, chlorides and sulphates of calcium).
Yellow: Sodium salts ( Nitrates and oxalates of sodium).
Green: Barium salts (Nitrates, carbonates, chlorides and chlorates of barium).
Blue: Copper salts (Carbonates and oxides of copper).
Purple: A combination of copper and strontium compounds.
White: The burning of metals like magnesium, aluminium and titanium).
Sources: pib.
Fly Ash
What to study?
For prelims: What is fly ash, how is it produced and where it can be used?
For mains: Concerns associated with its contamination, what needs to be done and legislative measures necessary.
Context: Supreme Court seeks response from the Centre and others on a plea seeking directions to restrain thermal power plants
in Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh, and Sonebhadra, Uttar Pradesh, from disposing fly ash, toxic residue and industrial waste in
the Rihand reservoir and other water bodies.
What’s the issue?
A petition was filed in the court after more than 35 lakh metric tons of fly ash entered into the Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar 'Rihand
Reservoir' from NTPC station in Singrauli.
The reservoir is the only source of drinking water for the people of Singrauli and Sonebhadra districts, and the entire water
has been contaminated, making it unfit for consumption.
The damage has been caused to the environment in various contexts viz ground water damage, damage of standing crops and the
agricultural land have become unfertile.
What is Fly Ash?
Popularly known as Flue ash or pulverised fuel ash, it is a coal combustion product.
Composition:
Composed of the particulates that are driven out of coal-fired boilers together with the flue gases.
Depending upon the source and composition of the coal being burned, the components of fly ash vary considerably, but all fly ash
includes substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and calcium oxide (CaO), the main mineral
compounds in coal-bearing rock strata.
Minor constituents include: arsenic, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, hexavalent chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, mercury,
molybdenum, selenium, strontium, thallium, and vanadium, along with very small concentrations of dioxins and PAH compounds. It also has
unburnt carbon.
How is it regulated?
In the past, fly ash was generally released into the atmosphere, but air pollution control standards now require that it be captured prior to
release by fitting pollution control equipment.
• • For example, in the United States, fly ash is generally stored at coal power plants or placed in landfills. About 43% is recycled,
often used as a pozzolan to produce hydraulic cement or hydraulic plaster and a replacement or partial replacement for Portland
cement in concrete production.
• • In modern coal-fired power plants, fly ash is generally captured by electrostatic precipitators or other particle
filtration equipment before the flue gases reach the chimneys.

Toxic heavy metals present: All the heavy metals found in fly ash nickel, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, lead, etc—are toxic in nature.
They are minute, poisonous particles accumulate in the respiratory tract, and cause gradual poisoning .
Radiation: For an equal amount of electricity generated, fly ash contains a hundred times more radiation than nuclear waste secured via
dry cask or water storage.
Water pollution: The breaching of ash dykes and consequent ash spills occur frequently in India, polluting a large number of water bodies.
Effects on environment: The destruction of mangroves, drastic reduction in crop yields, and the pollution of groundwater in the Rann of
Kutch from the ash sludge of adjoining Coal power plants has been well documented.
However, fly ash can be used in the following ways:
1. Concrete production, as a substitute material for Portland cement, sand.
2. Fly-ash pellets which can replace normal aggregate in concrete mixture.
3. Embankments and other structural fills.

4. Cement clinker production - (as a substitute material for clay).
5. Stabilization of soft soils.
6. Road subbase construction.
7. As aggregate substitute material (e.g. for brick production).
8. Agricultural uses: soil amendment, fertilizer, cattle feeders, soil stabilization in stock feed yards, and agricultural stakes.
9. Loose application on rivers to melt ice.
10. Loose application on roads and parking lots for ice control.

Indian fly ash is primarily of the calcareous or class C variety, implying that it possesses not only pozzolanic, but also hydraulic (self-
cementing) properties. In contrast, European fly ash is of a silicious or class F variety, implying an absence of hydraulic properties.
The pricing of fly ash is increasingly becoming a contentious issue that is hampering its gainful utilisation.
Imperfections typical of quasi-markets, such as information asymmetry and high transaction costs, vested interests, technical and
technological limitations, and the lack of regulatory oversight and political will, have impeded the flow of fly ash to its most value-adding
use.
Sources: the Hindu.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
What to study?
For Prelims and mains: GRAP- features, need for and significance.
Context: Soon, some stricter measures to fight air pollution will come into force in Delhi’s neighbourhood, as part of the Graded
Response Action Plan (GRAP).
As per the plan:
Measures aimed at stopping the use of diesel generator sets will extend beyond Delhi to the NCR, where many areas see
regular power cuts.
Measures will be incremental. As pollution rises, and it is expected to as winter approaches, more measures will come into play depending
on the air quality.
What is GRAP?
Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016.
It works only as an emergency measure.
As such, the plan does not include action by various state governments to be taken throughout the year to tackle industrial,
vehicular and combustion emissions.
When the air quality shifts from poor to very poor, the measures listed have to be followed since the plan is incremental in nature.
Has it been helpful?
1. Yes. It has created a step-by-step plan for the entire Delhi-NCR region and getting on board several agencies including pollution control
boards, industrial area authorities, municipal corporations, regional officials of the India Meteorological Department, and others.
2. It has been successful in fixing accountability and deadlines. For each action to be taken under a particular air quality category, executing
agencies are clearly marked.
3. Coordination among as many as 13 agencies from four states is simplified to a degree because of the clear demarcation of responsibilities.
4. Three major policy decisions that can be credited to EPCA and GRAP are the closure of the thermal power plant at Badarpur, bringing BS-
VI fuel to Delhi before the deadline set initially, and the ban on Pet coke as a fuel in Delhi NCR.
Overview of the plan:
1. The plan requires action and coordination among 13 different agencies in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Rajasthan (NCR areas).
2. At the head of the table is the EPCA, mandated by the Supreme Court.
3. Before the imposition of any measures, EPCA holds a meeting with representatives from all NCR states, and a call is taken on which
actions has to be made applicable in which town.
Measures announced:
Severe+ or Emergency- (PM 2.5 over 300 μg/cubic metre or PM10 over 500 μg/cu. m. for 48+ hours):
1. Stop entry of trucks into Delhi (except essential commodities).
2. Stop construction work.
3. Introduce odd/even scheme for private vehicles and minimise exemptions.
4. Task Force to decide any additional steps including shutting of schools.
Severe- (PM 2.5 over 250 μg/cu. m. or PM10 over 430 μg/cu. m.):
1. Close brick kilns, hot mix plants, stone crushers.
2. Maximise power generation from natural gas to reduce generation from coal.
3. Encourage public transport, with differential rates.
4. More frequent mechanised cleaning of road and sprinkling of water.
Very Poor- (PM2.5 121-250 μg/cu. m. or PM10 351-430 μg/cu. m.):

1. Stop use of diesel generator sets.
2. Enhance parking fee by 3-4 times.
3. Increase bus and Metro services.
4. Apartment owners to discourage burning fires in winter by providing electric heaters during winter.
5. Advisories to people with respiratory and cardiac conditions to restrict outdoor movement.
Moderate to poor- (PM2.5 61-120 μg/cu. m. or PM10 101-350 μg/cu. m.):

1. Heavy fines for garbage burning.
2. Close/enforce pollution control regulations in brick kilns and industries.
3. Mechanised sweeping on roads with heavy traffic and water sprinkling.
4. Strictly enforce ban on firecrackers.
Way ahead:
One criticism of the EPCA as well as GRAP has been the focus on Delhi. While other states have managed to delay several measures, citing
lack of resources, Delhi has always been the first one to have stringent measures enforced.
For GRAP as well as EPCA, the next challenge is to extend the measures to other states effectively.
Hindu Kush- Himalayan Region and the Climate Change
What to study?
For Prelims and Mains: All about third pole, its location, significance and climate change issues associated.
Context: To better gauge the impact of climate change on the Hindu Kush mountains, which includes the Himalayas, and spruce up
data-gathering, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) will collaborate with meteorological agencies in China and Pakistan, among
others, to provide climate forecast services to countries in the region. www.insightsonindia.com 142 InsightsIAS
About Hindu Kush-Himalayan region:
The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region spans an area of more than 4.3 million square kilometres in Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China,
India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.
The region stores more snow and ice than anywhere else in the world outside the polar regions, giving its name: ’The Third Pole‘.
It contains the world’s highest mountains, including all 14 peaks above 8,000 metres, is the source of 10 major rivers, and forms a
formidable global ecological buffer.
Significance:
• • The Third Pole region has enormous socioeconomic and cultural diversity; it is home to many different ethnic communities
speaking more than 600 languages and many more dialects.
• • It is endowed with rich natural resources and contains all or part of four global biodiversity hotspots.
• • The mountain resources provide a wide range of ecosystem services and the basis for the livelihoods to the 210 million people
living in the region, as well as indirectly to the 1.3 billion people — one fifth of the worlds’ population — living in the downstream river
basins.
• • More than 3 billion people benefit from the food and energy produced in these river basins that have their origin in the
mountains.
The Third Pole and Climate Change:

• • Climate change has become a major concern in the Third Pole.
• • Mountain systems are particularly sensitive to climate change and the Third Pole region is home to some of the people most
vulnerable to these changes in the world.
• • Changes in the river systems and their basins have impacted directly on the wellbeing of millions of people.
• • The rate of warming in the Third Pole region is significantly higher than the global average, and the rate is higher at higher
altitude, suggesting a greater vulnerability of the cryosphere environment to climate change. This trend is expected to continue.
• • Climate change projections suggest that all areas of South Asia are likely to warm by at least 1°C by the end of the century, while
in some areas the warming could be as high as 3.5-4°C.
• • The life and livelihoods of the people in the Third Pole region is challenged due to climate change, and the stability and prosperity
of the region affected by the Third Pole is at risk, which will have implications for all of Asia and for the world.
The threats and challenges faced by the biodiversity in the Hindu Kush region are:
1. Biodiversity is in steep decline driven by human development, pollution, overexploitation of resources and climate change.
2. With the growing impacts of climate change, along with new infrastructure development, trade routes and hydropower dams planned for
the fragile region, the effects on the biodiversity is set to worsen further.
3. Along with species loss this will mean the loss of the key environmental services the region provides – such as water and carbon storage –
to the rest of Asia.
4. As temperatures rise with climate change, large areas of grasslands, alpine meadows, wetlands and permafrost will disappear on the
Tibetan plateau by 2050.
5. Human impact has led to a loss of wildlife populations, plant productivity, changes in growing seasons and plants and entire ecosystems
shifting to higher altitudes.
6. Hydropower is a big threat, with over 550 large projects in existence or under construction.
7. New trade routes under China’s Belt and Road initiative – such as new rail and roads cutting through fragile landscapes – will bring new
opportunities to remote regions, but could facilitate greater resource extraction and illegal wildlife trade.
8. About 40% of the HKH region is designated as protected areas, but actual implementation of conservation measures is patchy.
9. Many of these areas are remote and authorities have little control over border regions sometimes plagued with ongoing conflict. Example:
Indo-Burma hotspot.
Facts for Prelims:

The Third Pole Environment (TPE): TPE, an international research program, was launched in 2009 and focuses on the Tibetan Plateau
and surrounding mountain ranges.
Sources: the hindu.
‘Green wall’ of India
What to study?
For Prelims: The proposed green wall, About The Great Green Wall of Africa.
For Mains: Need for, significance and challenges therein.
Context: The Centre is mulling an ambitious plan to create a green wall on North- Western part of India.
About the proposed wall: www.insightsonindia.com 144 InsightsIAS
1. It will be a 1,400km long and 5km wide green belt from Gujarat to the Delhi-Haryana border, on the lines of the “Great
Green Wall” running through the width of Africa, from Dakar (Senegal) to Djibouti, to combat climate change and desertification. If
approved, this may turn out to be a legacy programme in India’s efforts to deal with land degradation and the eastward march
of the Thar desert.
2. India seeks replicate the idea as a national priority under its goal to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
3. The green belt may not be contiguous, but would roughly cover the entire degraded
Aravali range through a massive afforestation exercise.
The need for and significance of the wall:

1. A legacy programme like converting such a huge tract of land as a green belt in high-intensive land-degraded states will be great boost
towards meeting India’s target.
2. The idea of forming a green belt from Porbandar to Panipat will not only help in restoring degraded land through afforestation
along the Aravali hill range that spans across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana and Delhi, but also act as a barrier for dust
coming from the deserts in western India and Pakistan.
3. The Aravalli range, which separates western India’s Thar desert from the relatively green plains to its east, has lost so much green
cover that it is losing its ability to act as a natural barrier against the heat and dust that blows in from the west. The greener it remains,
say ecologists, the less likely that the desert will expand into the rest of the Indian landmass.
Background:
India has, at present, 96.4 mha of degraded land which is 29.3% of the country’s total geographical area (328.7 mha).
The desertification and land degradation atlas of India, brought out by the ISRO in 2016, revealed that Gujarat, Rajasthan and
Delhi were among states/UT where more than 50% of the total area was degraded land and those under the threat of desertification.
Sources: the Hindu.
C40 Clean Air Cities Declaration
What to study?
For Prelims: About Athe declaration, it’s features and significance.
For Mains: Why cooperation at global level is necessary? Challenges and ways to address them.
Context: ‘Clean Air Cities Declaration ’ was unveiled at the C40 World Mayors Summit in Copenhagen, an event that occurs
once every three years and is designed to implement “substantive clean air policies by 2025”.
About C40 Clean Air Cities Declaration:
Through this Declaration, mayors commit to using their power and influence to reduce air pollution and work towards meeting
the World Health Organization’s Air Quality Guidelines .
This means cities will continually reduce their local emissions, and advocate for reductions in regional emissions, resulting in continuous
declines in air pollution levels that move towards the WHO guidelines.
Signatories of the declaration pledge to: www.insightsonindia.com 145 InsightsIAS
1. Set ambitious pollution reduction targets within two years that meet or exceed national commitments, putting them on a path towards
meeting World Health Organization guidelines;
2. Implement substantive clean air policies by 2025 that address the unique causes of pollution in their cities; and
3. Publicly report progress on achieving these goals.
Expected outcomes:
1. If the 35 signatories reduce annual average PM2.5 levels to WHO guidelines (10 ug/m3) it could avoid 40,000 deaths each year.
2. C40 research shows that if all C40 cities cleaned their transport, buildings and industry this would reduce GHG emissions by 87%, PM2.5
by nearly 50% and would avoid over 220,000 premature deaths per year.
Sources: the Hindu.

Delhi’s Odd- Even Rule
What to study?
For Prelims: Overview and features of odd- even rule.
For Mains: It’s performance, impact, outcomes and other measures necessary to fight the pollution.
Context: Odd-even road rationing scheme will be implemented in Delhi from November 4 to 15.
Need for the scheme:
The capital city of India is facing worst phase of pollution and it could lead to devastating effect if pollution remains untreated or
inadequately treated. Although number of steps have been taken in this regard, strict implementation has been lackluster and inadequate.
Further most of the actions themselves lack sound strategy and sustainability. Thus, is urgent need for evolving sustainable and effective
measures.
What exactly is the odd-even vehicle rule?
Private vehicles will be allowed to run across the city based on their registration numbers. For example, if a vehicle's registration number
ends with an odd digit, it will be allowed on the road on January 1, while that ending with an even number can be driven on the second, and
so on.
Where did it come from?
1. This system was implemented in Beijing in 2008 just before the summer Olympics. While the rule was initially said to be temporary, it
turned out to be so effective the government made it permanent.
2. Similar road-rationing rules are imposed in many places around the world like Paris, Mexico and Bogota to curb road jams and pollution.
Is it enough?
Experts say the efficacy of the scheme would depend much on the availability of public transport. If public transport is robust, the
government would be in a position to include all vehicles in the scheme, including more than 60 lakh two-wheelers that contribute heavily to
the city’s pollution.
Sources: the Hindu.
Definition of Forest
What to study?
For Prelims: Definition and procedure to define forests.
For Mains: Concerns over the way in which forests are defined, need for a comprehensive definition and challenges
involved.
Context: Centre clarifies on definition of forest. www.insightsonindia.com 146 InsightsIAS
Clarifications given by the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Environment Ministry:
States need not take the Centre’s approval to define what constitutes unclassified land as forest.
Do we have a comprehensive legal definition for forest?
Since 2014, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has been considering evolving a legal definition of forest
and reportedly prepared drafts as late as 2016. These, however, were never made public.
How is a forest defined?
The freedom to define land, not already classified as forests by the Centre or State records, as forest has been the prerogative of the States
since 1996 and stems from a Supreme Court order, called the Godavarman judgment.
• • The Supreme Court judgment expanded the definition of forest to include lands that were already notified by the
Centre as forests, that appear in government records as forests as well as those that fell in the “dictionary definition” of forest.
• • The latter clause allows the States to evolve their own criteria and define tracts of land as forest, and these would then
be bound by forest conservation laws.
Why it is difficult to have an all-encompassing definition of forest?

An all-encompassing definition of forest is difficult for India because the country has 16 different kinds of forest.
A tract of grassland in one State might qualify in one region as forest, but not in another. However, once a State applied a criteria, it
couldn't be reversed.
The onus on the States to define forests is also significant because the States often claim that they are helpless in preventing
encroachment because a patch of land in question hadn't been notified as forest. A recent instance was the felling of trees in
Mumbai's Aarey Colony, which officially isn’t classified as forest.
Need for a definition:
1. India’s definition of forests has been criticised by scientists in the past on the grounds that it doesn’t provide an accurate picture of the
extent of biodiversity in rich natural forests.
2. A technical assessment by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) of India’s submission on forest cover
has raised concerns about the country’s definition of forests, which experts say exaggerates forest cover and inadvertently masks
deforestation.
Sources: the Hindu.

Draft National River Ganga Bill, 2018
What to study?
For Prelims: Key highlights of the Bill.
For Mains: Conservation of Ganga- concerns, challenges and measures.
Context: In the next two months, hydropower projects that do not comply with the Centre’s ecological flow notification, which
mandates that project developers ensure a minimum supply of water all through the year, could face closure.
Background:
The Centre’s ecological flow notification, as it is called, came into effect last October and gave companies three years to modify their
design plans, if required, to ensure that a minimum amount of water flowed during all seasons. Power producers generally hoard water to
create reserves to increase power production.
Many environmentalists had long been demanding such provisions which ensure uninterrupted flow of the river.
National River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Conservation and Management) Bill, 2018- highlights:
1. The bill propose to ban the construction of jetties, ports or “permanent hydraulic structures” in the Ganga, unless permitted by
the National Ganga Rejuvenation Authority.
2. It proposes to create a management structure that will supervise the health of the 2,500-kilometre long Ganga which, the draft Bill
defines, as ‘India’s national river.’
3. The Bill lays down a host of restrictions to ensure the “uninterrupted, ecological flow” of the river. Currently, a host of dams in
the upper stretches of the river lead to the river’s flow being obstructed.
4. The proposed legislation specifies that “unauthorized” activities that cause obstruction or discontinuity of water in the River Ganga
due to engineered diversion of water or stoppage of water.
5. The Armed Ganga Protection Corps (GPC) personnel will be provided by the ministry of home affairs and will be deployed by the
National Ganga Rejuvenation Authority. The GPC personnel will have power to arrest those who pollute the river covering offences like
obstructing the flow of the
river to commercial fishing.
6. It specifies that the upper stretches of the Ganga — from its origins in the glaciers and until Haridwar — would have to
maintain: 20% of the monthly average flow of the preceding 10-days between November and March, which is the dry season; 25% of the
average during the ‘lean season’ of October, April and May; and 30% of monthly average during the monsoon months of June-September.
The Bill has listed out a list of offences marked as cognizable which includes:
1. Construction activities causing obstruction in the river.
2. Withdrawal of ground water for industrial or commercial consumption from the land fronting the river and its tributaries.
3. Commercial fishing or aqua culture in the river and its tributaries.
4. Discharging untreated or treated sewage into the river.
Need:
According to a map of Ganga river water quality presented by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to National Green Tribunal (NGT)
in August 2018, only five out of 70-odd monitoring stations had water that was fit for drinking and seven for bathing. After
three decades of efforts to clean the national river, it is a sad state of affairs that the river is not even fit for bathing.
Sources: the Hindu.
Global Mobility Report
Whattostudy?
ForPrelims:KeyfindingsofthereportandaboutSuM4All.
ForMains:Concernandchallenges,waystoaddressthem,overviewofGRA.
Context:GlobalMobilityReporthasbeenreleasedbySustainableMobilityforAll(SuM4All)initiative. www.insightsonindia.com 148
InsightsIAS
WhatisSuM4All?
TheSuM4Allinitiative,launchedin2017,isanumbrellaplatformthatbringstogether55publicandprivateorganisationsandcompaniestoactcollectivelyto
implementtheSDGsandtransformthetransportsector.
Keyfindings:
1. Not a single country — developed or developing — is on track to achieve sustainability in the transportation sector and attain the
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) mandated by the United Nations.
2. Developed countries outperformed developing countries on all mobility policy goals, except per capita transport-related
greenhouse gas emissions.
3. The gap is more striking on safety and air pollution, placing a higher burden on developing countries compared with the developed
countries.
4. With growing urbanisation, increasing world trade and new technologies, the global mobility system is stressed.
5. More than one billion people or one-third of the global rural population, lack access to all-weather roads and transport services.
Whatneedstobedone?
• Closing transport access gap in rural areas can connect this population to education, health and jobs.
• Improvements in border administration, transport and communication infrastructure can also increase global gross domestic
product (GDP) by up to $2.6 trillion.
• Halving the pollution caused by the transport sector can help an additional 1.6 billion people to breathe cleaner air.
GlobalRoadmapforAction(GRA):
ThereportchartedaGlobalRoadmapforAction(GRA),whichprovidesacatalogueofpolicymeasuresthathavebeenusedandtestedaroundtheworld
toachievefourpolicygoals—universalaccess,efficiency,greenmobilityandsafety.
TheGRAwillhelpcountriestoidentifygaps,crucialstepsandappropriatepoliciestoensurethattransportsectorcontributestoattainth
eSDGsby2030.
GRAwillworkinthreewaystothepolicyagendaonmobility:
1. Charting mobility performances of 183 developed and developing countries.
2. Providing a catalogue of suitable policy measures that have been used and tested around the world to achieve any of the four policy
goals.
3. Laying out a methodology to extract from this catalogue of policies those measures that are most impactful and relevant to a country’s
context.
UNEP Colombo Declaration
What to study?
For Prelims and Mains: Nitrogen- natural cycle, pollution and ways to prevent it, South Asian Nitrogen Hub, About Colombo
declaration, INMS ans INI.
Context: UN Environment Programme (UNEP) member states recently adopted the “ Colombo Declaration” which calls for tackling
global nitrogen challenge.
Highlights of the declaration:
1. The Colombo Declaration has been developed with the technical support of the International Nitrogen Management
System (INMS), a joint activity of the UNEP and the International Nitrogen Initiative supported by the Global Environmental
Facility.
2. The aim is to halve nitrogen waste by 2030.
3. A campaign on sustainable nitrogen management called “Nitrogen for Life” is to be launched. It stems from the Sustainable
Nitrogen Management Resolution which was adopted during the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly held from
11 – 15 March 2019 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
4. The Declaration calls upon UN agencies, other international organizations, development partners, philanthropic agencies, academic and
civil society organizations to support its implementation.
5. It also urges countries to conduct a comprehensive assessment on nitrogen cycling covering policy, implementation, regulation, and
scientific aspects at a national level plus sensitize the citizens to understand the natural nitrogen cycle and how human impacts alter its
balance.
What necessitated this?

While a critical element for building structures of living organisms and an essential element for the survival of all living things, nitrogen
overuse has negative impacts on the planet, biodiversity and is a contributor to the climate crisis.
How Nitrogen turned into pollutant from nutrient how it is affecting health and environment?
1. Nitrogen is an inert gas that’s necessary for life. But we’re changing it into forms that are harmful, overloading the environment with it,
and throwing the natural nitrogen cycle out of whack.
2. Nitrogen compounds running off farmland have led to water pollution problems around the world, while nitrogen emissions
from industry, agriculture and vehicles make a big contribution to air pollution.
3. Over 80% of the nitrogen in soil is not utilised by
humans. While over four-fifths of the nitrogen is used to feed livestock, only about six per cent reaches humans in case of non-vegetarian
diet, as compared to the 20% that reaches the plate of a vegetarian.
4. Nitrogen becomes a pollutant when it escapes into the environment and reacts with other organic compounds. It is either
released into the atmosphere, gets dissolved in water sources such as rivers, lakes or groundwater, or remains in the soil. While it might
lead to favourable growth of species that can utilise this nutrient, nitrogen as a pollutant is often detrimental to the environment and health.
5. According to the World Health Organization, nitrate-contaminated drinking water can cause reduced blood function, cancer
and endemic goiters. Surplus inputs of nitrogen compounds have been found to cause soil acidification. The lowering pH, as a result of
the acidification, can lead to nutrient disorders and increased toxicity in plants. It may also affect natural soil decomposition.
NOVEMBER 2019
1. PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY DECLARED IN DELHI
Context: EPCA declares public health emergency in Delhi-NCR.
AQI entered the "severe plus" or "emergency" category.
Background- Pollution levels and indicators: An AQI between 0-50 is considered 'good', 51-100 'satisfactory', 101-200 'moderate', 201-300
'poor', 301-400 'very poor' and 401-500 'severe'. Above 500 falls in the 'severe-plus emergency' category.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):
• Approved by the Supreme Court in 2016.
• It works only as an emergency measure.
• As such, the plan does not include action by various state governments to be taken throughout the year to tackle
industrial, vehicular and combustion emissions.
• When the air quality shifts from poor to very poor, the measures listed have to be followed since the plan is incremental in nature.
Has it been helpful?

1. It has created a step-by-step plan for the entire Delhi-NCR region and getting on board several agencies including pollution control
boards, industrial area authorities, municipal corporations, regional officials of the India Meteorological Department, and others.
2. It has been successful in fixing accountability and deadlines. For each action to be taken under a particular air quality category, executing
agencies are clearly marked.
3. Coordination among as many as 13 agencies from four states is simplified to a degree because of the clear demarcation of responsibilities.
4. Three major policy decisions that can be credited to EPCA and GRAP are the closure of the thermal power plant at Badarpur, bringing BS-
VI fuel to Delhi before the deadline set initially, and the ban on Pet coke as a fuel in Delhi NCR.
To address this menace, we need a permanent solution which might include the following:
1. Strict enforcement of lower pollution norms: Trucks and buses mixing kerosene and diesel should be impounded, and fined.
2. Buses from other states should be allowed to enter Delhi only if they meet certain pollution norms.
3. Constant monitoring of garbage dumps such as those in Bhalswa and New Ashok Nagar and any fire incidents at these places need to
proactively put out.
4. Complete ban on burning of leaves in Delhi through the year.
5. All construction activity in Delhi should be done with draping, to ensure that dust and dirt doesn't fly into the air. This is done everywhere
else in the world.
6. Dust soppers can be run through Delhi roads regularly, every morning.
7. To prevent burning of wood etc during peak winters, build shelters for the homeless to sleep at night in the winters. Some of this has
been done by the govt. More needs to be done.
8. Move Brick kilns out of Delhi within 3 years. This was done with tanneries almost 20 yrs ago.
2. WASTELAND ATLAS
Context: Ministry of rural development releases fifth edition of Wasteland Atlas. The last edition was published in 2011.
• This is significant as it takes into account 12.08 MHa of unmapped area of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) for the first time.
• The new wastelands mapping exercise was carried out by NRSC using the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite data.
Background:
Department of land resources in collaboration with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), Department of Space has published Wastelands
Atlases of India - 2000, 2005, 2010 & 2011 editions.
Key findings:
1. Spatial extent of wastelands in India is 55.76 Mha (16.96 per cent of geographical area of the country i.e. 328.72 Mha) for the year 2015-
16 as compared to 56.60 Mha (17.21 per cent) in the year 2008-09.
2. As per the Atlas, during this period 1.45 Mha of wastelands are converted into non wastelands categories.
3. India with 2.4 per cent of total land area of the world is supporting 18 per cent of the world’s population. The per capita availability of
agriculture land in India is 0.12 ha whereas world per capita agriculture land is 0.29 ha.
Significance and the need for information:
Unprecedented pressure on the land beyond its carrying capacity is resulting into degradation of lands in the country. Therefore, robust
geospatial information on wastelands assumes significance and effectively helpful in rolling back the wastelands for productive use through
various land development programmes/schemes.
Sources: the Hindu.
3. Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009
Context: The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009 is being blamed for contributing to the air pollution over Delhi and
surrounding areas.
Why?
The law led to the sowing and transplantation of the summer paddy crop to be delayed by about a fortnight, and moved the
harvesting season to end-October and early November — a time when the moist air and largely inactive wind systems cause
particulate matter and gases from burning paddy stubble to hang in the atmosphere. This air is carried by northwesterly
winds towards Delhi, which lies to the southeast of Punjab.
What is The Punjab Preservation of Subsoil Water Act, 2009?
The law aimed at conserving groundwater by mandatorily delaying the transplanting of paddy to beyond June 10, when the
most severe phase of evapotranspiration (transfer of water from land to the atmosphere through evaporation from the soil and plant
transpiration) is over. Farmers were forbidden from sowing paddy before May 10, and transplanting it before June 10.
Why was the law enacted?
There has been serious concern over the drastic fall in the water table in Punjab and the cultivation of paddy leads to over-exploitation of
underground aquifers, as a very large number of tubewells (more than 14 lakh in 2015-16) running on free power pump out virtually endless
amounts of water.
It was believed that early transplanting of rice (before mid-June) resulted in unsustainable withdrawals of groundwater with
the monsoon still far, temperatures very high, and the evapotranspiration rate (ETR) at its peak. And hence this law was put in
place.
What is the law’s link with air pollution?
Farmers’ organisations say late sowing and transplanting delays the harvesting as well (it is end-October by the time operations
end), and they are left with a very small window to prepare their fields for the next (wheat) crop.
In this situation, setting the stubble ablaze is a quick-fix solution. By this time, temperatures have started to fall, and a combination
of atmospheric and meteorological conditions ensure that the smoke cannot disperse easily.
A part of the smoke from the farm fires is carried by westerly winds towards the NCR and further down the Indo-Gangetic
plain.
But does the Act really help conserve groundwater?
A study has reported a robust effect of the 2009 Act on reducing groundwater depletion. Between 2008-09 and 2012-13, the average annual
rate of decline of groundwater in Punjab was 0.7 metres, less than the 0.9 m during the period 2000-01 to 2008-09, the study found.
What is Punjab’s underground water situation currently?
According to a report in May 2019 by the Central Ground Water Board under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, 105 out of 138 blocks are in the dark
zone. At current rates of depletion, good quality water in the first aquifer up to a depth of 100 m shall be exhausted in 10 years, and the
entire subsurface water resource could be finished in the next 22 years.
4. BROWN TO GREEN REPORT 2019

Context: The 2019 Brown to Green Report has been published by the Climate Transparency partnership, an international research
collaboration.
The report is the most comprehensive review of G20 countries' climate performance, mapping achievements and drawbacks in
their efforts to reduce emissions, adapt to climate impacts and green the financial system.
Key findings:
1. Carbon emissions from the world's 20 biggest economies, including India, are rising.
2. None of the G20 countries have plans that will help them achieve the target. Many of the current 2030 climate targets under the Paris
Agreement (Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs) are too weak, with about half of the G20 countries projected to meet or
overachieve their inadequate NDCs.
3. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in G20 countries shot up by 1.8 per cent in 2018 due to rising energy demand.
4. Energy supply is not getting cleaner: despite a more than five per cent rise in G20 total renewable energy supply in 2018, the share
of fossil fuels in the G20 energy mix remains at 82 per cent.
5. While renewables now account for 25.5 per cent of power generation, this is not sufficient to outweigh the growth of emissions from fossil
fuel sources.
6. Low-carbon fuels need to increase roughly 10 times by 2050 to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius.
7. G20 emissions in the building sector grew more than in any other sector in 2018 (4.1 per cent). Retrofitting existing buildings
challenges all G20 and especially OECD countries. New buildings have to be near zero-energy by 2020-25 to keep global warming below 1.5
degrees.
India specific observations:

• Among the G20 countries, India has the most ambitious NDC. However, it still needs real action now to prepare the different sectors for
stringent emission reductions.
• In the power, India is currently investing most in renewable energy, while Brazil and Germany are the only G20 countries with long-term
renewable energy strategies.
• India and China are among the G20 countries with the most progressive energy efficiency policies.
Need of the hour:

1. To keep the Paris Agreement's 1.5 degrees goal within reach, G20 countries will have to increase their 2030 emission targets by 2020 and
significantly scale up mitigation, adaptation and finance over the next decade.
2. Coal needs to be phased out by 2030 in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries and by 2040
globally.
3. G20 countries need to scale up their policies to ban new fossil fuel cars by 2035 at the latest, reduce emissions from freight transport to
net-zero by 2050 and shift towards non-motorised and sustainable public transport.
4. Cutting government subsidies to the aviation sector, taxing jet fuel and using revenues to invest massively in new carbon free fuels would
leverage huge emissions reductions and health benefits.
5. A coal phase-out plan is needed in Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Turkey and the US.
5. DAL LAKE AREA TO BE ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE

For Prelims: Eco Sensitive zones- how are they declared and key provisions in this regard, about Dal.
For Mains: Significance and the need for these zones, and issues related to management of these zones.
Context: The Jammu and Kashmir UT will set up a 10-member committee that will declare Dal Lake, an Eco-sensitive Zone.
Need:
According to a report, the area of the Dal Lake has shrunk to 24 sq km from 31 sq km and the lake has witnessed significant changes in land
use and cover, apart from increasing human population.
What are Eco-sensitive zones?
The Environment Protection Act, 1986 does not mention the word “Eco-sensitive Zones”.
1. The section 3(2)(v) of the Act, says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes shall
not be carried out or shall be carried out subject to certain safeguards
2. Besides the section 5 (1) of this act says that central government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on
certain operations or processes on the basis of considerations like the biological diversity of an area, maximum allowable limits of
concentration of pollutants for an area, environmentally compatible land use, and proximity to protected areas.
The above two clauses have been effectively used by the government to declare Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFA). The
same criteria have been used by the government to declare No Development Zones.
Criteria:
The MoEF (Ministry of Environment & Forests) has approved a comprehensive set of guidelines laying down parameters and criteria for
declaring ESAs.
These include Species Based (Endemism, Rarity etc), Ecosystem Based (sacred groves, frontier forests etc) and Geomorphologic feature
based (uninhabited islands, origins of rivers etc).
About Dal:
Also known as the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, dal lake, which is the second largest in the state, is integral to tourism and
recreation in Kashmir and is named the “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s Jewel”. The lake is also an important source for
commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting.
The lake is located in the Zabarwan mountain valley, in the foothills of the Shankracharya hills, which surrounds it on three sides.
The lake has four main interconnected basins namely, Hazratbal, Bod dal, Gagribal and Nagin.
6. JAL JEEVAN MISSION

Context: The Union Minister for Water Resources recently reviewed the performance of Jal Jeevan Mission in the southern states.
About Jal Jeevan Mission:
The Mission was announced in August 2019.
The chief objective of the Mission is to provide piped water supply (Har Ghar Jal) to all rural and urban households by 2024.
It also aims to create local infrastructure for rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household
waste water for reuse in agriculture.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission is set to be based on various water conservation efforts like point recharge, desilting of minor irrigation tanks, use
of greywater for agriculture and source sustainability.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve its objectives of sustainable water
supply management across the country.
Need for and significance of the mission:

India has 16% of the world population, but only 4% of freshwater resources. Depleting groundwater level, overexploitation and
deteriorating water quality, climate change, etc. are major challenges to provide potable drinking water.
It is an urgent requirement of water conservation in the country because of the decreasing amount of groundwater level. Therefore, the
Jal Jeevan Mission will focus on integrated demand and supply management of water at the local level.
7. NEW WATER POLICY
Context: The government has finalised a committee to draft a new National Water Policy (NWP). The committee is expected to
produce a report within six months.
National Water Policy 2012:
• The NWP currently in force was drafted in 2012 and is the third such policy since 1987.
• Among the major policy innovations in the 2012 policy was the concept of an Integrated Water Resources Management approach
that took the “river basin/ sub-basin” as a unit for planning, development and management of water resources.
• Minimum levels: It also proposed that a portion of river flows ought to be kept aside to meet ecological needs. Such an approach led to
the government, in 2018, requiring minimum water levels to be maintained in the Ganga all through the year and hydropower projects,
therefore, to refrain from hoarding water beyond a point.
• The policy also stressed for a minimum quantity of potable water for essential health and hygiene to all its citizens to be
made available within easy reach of households.
• The policy also noted that inter-basin transfers of water should be considered on the basis of merits of each case after evaluating the
environmental, economic and social impacts of such transfers.
Need for revision:
There have been a lot of changes which need to be addressed and the prioritization of the water usage needs to be defined.
1. Spring sets in Himalayas have been decreasing without any active step by the government.
2. Revitalisation of rivers needs to be brought in focus because many of our rivers and rivulets are drying and the policy parameters
need to be set up accordingly.
3. Technological innovations like censors, geographic information systems (GIS) and satellite imagery need to be
introduced to modulate the water and track the flow.
4. Budgeting needs to be done in a way that it covers all levels from the basin to sub basin.
8. CLIMATE CHANGE IS DAMAGING HEALTH OF CHILDREN, SAYS LANCET REPORT

Context: The Lancet has published a report titled- ‘Countdown on Health and Climate Change’.
• The report is a comprehensive yearly analysis tracking progress across 41 key indicators, demonstrating what action to meet
Paris Agreement targets — or business as usual — means for human health.
• The project is a collaboration between 120 experts from 35 institutions, including the World Health Organisation, the World Bank,
University College London, and the Tsinghua University in Beijing.
Key findings:
1. Climate change is already damaging the health of the world’s children and is set to shape the well-being of an entire generation, unless
the world meets the target to limit warming to well below 2˚C.
2. As temperatures rise, infants will bear the greatest burden of malnutrition and rising food prices — average yield potential of
maize and rice has declined almost 2% in India since the 1960s, with malnutrition already responsible for two-thirds of under-5 deaths.
3. Also, children will suffer most from the rise in infectious diseases — with climatic suitability for the Vibrio bacteria that cause cholera
rising 3% a year in India since the early 1980s.
4. With its huge population and high rates of healthcare inequality, poverty and malnutrition, few countries are likely to suffer from
the health effects of climate change as much as India.
5. Diarrhoeal infections, a major cause of child mortality, will spread into new areas, whilst deadly heatwaves, similar to the one in 2015
that killed thousands of people in India, could soon become the norm.
Increased vulnerability:
1. Children are particularly vulnerable to the health risks of a changing climate. Their bodies and immune systems are still developing,
leaving them more susceptible to disease and environmental pollutants.
2. The damage done in early childhood is persistent and pervasive, with health consequences lasting for a lifetime.
3. As temperatures rise, harvests will shrink — threatening food security and driving up food prices. This will hit infants hardest.
4. They would also feel deadliest impact of disease outbreaks.
5. If the world follows a business-as-usual pathway, with high carbon emissions and climate change continuing at the current
rate, a child born today will face a world on average over 4˚C warmer by their 71st birthday, threatening their health at every stage of their
lives.
Challenges ahead for India:
• Over the past two decades, the Government of India has launched many initiatives and programmes to address a variety of diseases and
risk factors. But the public health gains achieved over the past 50 years could soon be reversed by the changing climate.
• For the world to meet its UN climate goals and protect the health of the next generation, the energy landscape will have to change
drastically, and soon.
• Nothing short of a 7.4% year-on-year cut in fossil CO2 emissions from 2019 to 2050 will limit global warming to the more
ambitious goal of 1.5°C.
• Without immediate action from all countries to cut greenhouse gas emissions, gains in wellbeing and life expectancy will be
compromised, and climate change will come to define the health of an entire generation.
Need of hour:
To dramatically reduce emissions by 2050, and to meet multiple Sustainable Development Goals, India must transition away from coal
and towards renewable energy. It will also need to enhance public transport, increase use of cleaner fuels, and improve waste
management and agricultural production practice.
9. GERMANY’S CLIMATE PROTECTION ACT

Context: The German parliament has passed the Climate Protection Act in an attempt to reach its climate target by 2030.
This will be Germany’s first climate action law.
Key features of the bill:
1. With this bill, a price on carbon emissions in the transport and heating sectors will be imposed along with some other measures
to combat climate change.
2. The bill consists of emissions targets for different sectors of the economy such as transport, energy and housing.
3. Pollution rights: From 2021, companies that market diesel and petrol, heating oil and natural gas in the country will need to obtain
pollution rights for the amount of greenhouse gases they emit.
4. This will be regulated through a national emissions trading mechanism. The cost of these emissions will drive up the cost of using
fossil fuels, making the usage of such fuels more expensive for the citizens and hence, discouraging their use and paving the way for
climate-friendly technologies.
5. The aviation tax will be increased.
Criticisms:
• Climate package was not sufficient and that the goals were not achievable.
• The price of CO2 was kept too low to dissuade its emissions and the increased burden on the citizens.
10. Water Quality Report

Context: The Centre has released the Water Quality Report.
The report is in line with the Jal Jeevan Mission that was launched to provide clean and safe drinking water to all by 2024.
Background:
In order to ensure that clean and safe drinking water is provided to all, Department of Consumer Affairs decided to undertake a study
through the Bureau of India Standards (BIS) on the quality of piped drinking water being supplied in the country and also rank the
States, Smart Cities and even Districts based on the quality of tap water.
How was the water tested?
Tests were conducted on various parameters such as Organoleptic and Physical Tests, Chemical test, Toxic substances and Bacteriological
tests in the first stage.
Performance of cities:
1. In Delhi, all the samples drawn from various places did not comply with the requirements of the Indian Standard& failed on several
parameters.
2. All the 10 samples drawn from Mumbai were found to comply with the requirements.
Significance:
• All should get clean drinking water and that is the objective of this activity.
• State Governments are encouraged to ensure quality potable tap water to all citizens.
Way ahead:
The Union Government wants to make BIS Standards mandatory for Tap Water so as to ensure quality drinking water for all
households.
11. Avian Botulism

Context: Avian botulism is said to be the reason behind the deaths of 18,000 birds in and around Rajasthan’s Sambhar lake.
What happened at Sambhar?
As per the report, the avian botulism in Sambhar was caused by the climate.
Fluctuating Water levels: Fluctuated throughout the year. Due to a good monsoon this year, the water level reached the lake bed after a
gap of 20 years.
Favourable environment for bacteria: The good monsoon provided a favorable environment for the bacteria to spread. The bacteria
needs anaerobic (absence of oxygen) conditions and does not grow in acidic conditions.
Nutrient-rich substrate: The lake also provided a nutrient-rich substrate, like areas with large amounts of decaying plant or animal
materials. The monsoon brought with it a large population of crustaceans (like shrimps, crabs, and prawns), invertebrates (snails) and
plankton (like algae), which are capable of hosting the bacteria for a long period of time.
What happened now?
There are two theories:
1. The bacteria is also found in the gills and digestive tracts of healthy fish. It reproduces through spores and these spores remain
dormant for years. They are resistant to temperature changes and drying. Under favourable conditions, the spores are activated. After the
monsoon, when the water levels receded, there might have been an increase in salinity levels which could have led to the death
of these living organisms. At this point in time, the spores could have been activated.
2. ‘A bird-to-bird cycle’ could also have led to the tragedy. In such an event, maggots feeding on dead birds can concentrate the toxin.
Birds feeding on dead birds can get affected. This was observed in Sambhar too as researchers found only insectivorous and omnivorous
birds affected and not herbivores.
What need to be done?
The government should pass legislation in the Assembly to create a Sambhar Lake Development and Conservation Authority.
This authority should be handed A to Z responsibility of Sambhar Lake.
A fresh document should study why the water from four rivers, which flows into the lake, has decreased over the years. It
should study the hydrology, sedimentation, the increase or decrease in depth of the lake, as well as birds, animals, their food sources, etc.
12. STUBBLE BURNING

Context: Centre, Punjab at odds over stubble burning.
Why? Both the Central and State governments have released data on stubble burning, but with starkly different narratives.
• As per the Centre, the events had declined 19% this year, including a 16.8% reduction in Punjab.
• As per Punjab, there is an increase of 2.3% in the number of incidents.
Context: The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched an advanced Air Quality Early Warning System , which can
predict places neighbouring Delhi that are likely to burn crop residue on a given day.
Key facts:
• The system has been developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, under MoES.
• It uses data of stubble burning incidents from the past 15 years to predict the date and place of the next burning, and help authorities to
act in advance.
• Using the data, the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), under the aegis of the Central Pollution Control Board,
creates probability maps to alert government agencies about areas where the chances of stubble burning is going to be high.
• The system can also track pollution load from stubble burning in places neighbouring the national capital, using satellite data. It can
predict the air pollution level for next 72 hours. It can also forecast the level of pollutants like particulate matter (PM) 2.5, PM10, and dust,
coming from sources other than stubble burning.
• This will help authorities to take preventive steps to control pollution levels as well as mitigate pollution from existing sources.
Background:
Every year between October and November, air quality deteriorates in Delhi and its neighbouring states, as farmers burn the residue after
harvesting paddy to clear the fields and make way for the sowing of wheat, despite there being a ban on burning agricultural residue.
Smoke from Punjab and Haryana travels to Delhi leading to a spike in pollution levels.
Context: The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) data shows that the State had from April 15 to May 16 witnessed 5,981 incidents of
stubble burning as against 9,900 cases reported during the corresponding period in 2018. The incidents of burning dipped compared to last
year.
Context: Through the various efforts under the Central Sector Scheme on ‘Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ
Management of Crop Residue in the State of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh & NCTof Delhi ’ the paddy residue burning events
have reduced by 15% and 41% in 2018 as compared to that in 2017and 2016, respectively in all these States as per the satellite data.
• More than 4500 villages in Punjab and Haryana have been declared as Zero Stubble Burning Villages during 2018 as not a single crop
burning incident was reported from these villages during the year.
What is stubble burning?
• Stubble burning is a common practice followed by farmers to prepare fields for sowing of wheat in November as there is little time left
between the harvesting of paddy and sowing of wheat.
• Stubble burning results in emission of harmful gases such carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide along with particulate
matter.
Concern of the Farmers: Why they opt for stubble burning?
• Even though farmers are aware that the burning of straw is harmful to health, they do not have alternatives for utilising them
effectively.
• The farmers are ill-equipped to deal with waste because they cannot afford the new technology that is available to handle the waste
material.
• Experts say that with less income due to crop damage, farmers are likely to be inclined to light up their fields to cut costs and not spend
on scientific ways of stubble management.
Advantages of stubble burning:
• It quickly clears the field and is the cheapest alternative.
• Kills weeds, including those resistant to herbicide.
• Kills slugs and other pests.
• Can reduce nitrogen tie-up.
What’s the issue?
• Stubble burning is adversely affecting environment and public health. The problem has not been fully tackled and the adverse impacts on
the air quality and consequent impacts on the citizens’ health and lives are undisputed.
Alternative solutions that can avoid Stubble Burning:
• There is great potential for making investments in paddy straw-based power plants which can help avoid stubble burning to a large extent
and also create employment opportunities.
• Incorporation of crop residues in the soil can improve soil moisture and help activate the growth of soil microorganisms for better plant
growth.
• Convert the removed residues into enriched organic manure through composting.
• New opportunities for industrial use such as extraction of yeast protein can be explored through scientific
research.
Need of the hour:
• Unless Financial assistance is to be provided by the Centre for boosting farm mechanisation, it is difficult to completely stop stubble
burning.
• States needs to make alternative arrangements for consumption of paddy straw into the soil as per the directions of the NGT.
What needs to be done- Supreme Court’s observations?
• The problem is required to be resolved by taking all such measures as are possible in the interest of publichealth and environment
protection.
• Incentives could be provided to those who are not burning the stubble and disincentives for those who continue the practice.
• The existing Minimum Support Price (MSP) Scheme must be so interpreted as to enable the States concerned to wholly or partly deny the
benefit of MSP to those who continue to burn the crop residue.
• Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has also been directed to be present to “find a lasting solution.”
• The Central government should convene a meeting with the States.
Context: As many as eight districts in Punjab and three in Haryana have been identified as contributing around 62% of the total crop
burning emission, as per an analysis done by a team of experts at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D).
13. KEN-BETWA RIVER INTERLINKING PROJECT

Context: The government has said it is pushing Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to make progress on the Ken-Betwa river
interlinking project.
What’s the issue?
The ₹18,000-crore project has been mired in several hurdles. The most recent one is a disagreement between the States on the share of
water. There are outstanding environmental obstructions too. It involves deforesting a portion of the Panna Tiger Reserve.
About Ken- Betwa project:
Conceived as a two-part project, this is the country's first river interlinking project. It is perceived as a model plan for similar
interstate river transfer missions.
The project aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken river in MP to Betwa in UP to irrigate the drought-prone
Bundelkhand region spread across the districts of two states mainly Jhansi, Banda,Lalitpur and Mahoba districts of UP and
Tikamgarh, Panna and Chhatarpur districts of MP.
Key facts:
• Ken and Betwa rivers originate in MP and are the tributaries of Yamuna.
• Ken meets with Yamuna in Banda district of UP and with Betwa in Hamirpur district of UP.
• Rajghat, Paricha and Matatila dams are over Betwa river.
• Ken River passes through Panna tiger reserve.
Benefits of interlinking:
1. Enhances water and food security.
2. Proper utilisation of water.
3. Boost to agriculture.
4. Disaster mitigation.
5. Boost to transportation.
14. EMISSION GAP REPORT

Context: The annual United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) flagship Emissions Gap Report has been released.
What is the “Emissions Gap”?
Also called as the “Commitment Gap”, it is the difference between the low level of emissions that the world needs to drop to,
compared with the projected level of emissions based on countries’ current commitments to decarbonization.
It measures the gap between what we need to do and what we are actually doing to tackle climate change.
Why does the Emissions Gap Matter?
The gap is important because if we can’t close it and meet the emissions reduction target, we will face increasingly severe climate impacts
worldwide.
Therefore, it is important that policymakers, and their citizens, know what the gap is so that the commitments countries are making are
sufficient to close the gap.
The Emissions Gap Report measures and projects three key trendlines:
1. The amount of greenhouse gas emissions every year up to 2030.
2. The commitments countries are making to reduce their emissions and the impact these commitments are likely to have on overall
emission reduction.
3. The pace at which emissions must be reduced to reach an emission low that would limit temperature increase to 1.5oC,
affordably.
The report also identifies key opportunities for each country to increase the pace of emission reduction necessary to close the gap.
Key findings of the report:
1. The world will fail to meet the 1.5°C temperature goal of the Paris Agreement unless global greenhouse gas emissions fall by 7.6 per cent
each year.
2. Global temperatures are set to rise about 3.2 degrees C by 2100, the report says, bringing catastrophic weather including hotter,
deadlier heatwaves and more frequent floods and drought.
3. The top four emitters (China, USA, EU and India) contributed to over 55% of the total emissions over the last decade, excluding
emissions from land-use change such as deforestation.
4. The rankings would change if land-use change emissions were included, with Brazil likely to be the largest emitter.
Where India stands?
India is the fourth-largest emitter of Green House Gases (GHGs).
It is among a small group of countries that are on their way to achieve their self-declared climate targets under the Paris Agreement.
The report names five key areas that will be decisive in the future:
1. At least €1.45 billion ($1.59 billion) annual investment in renewables and more efficient energy use.
2. Coal phaseout.
3. Decarbonization of transport.
4. Decarbonization of industry.
5. Increased access to electricity for 3.5 billion people.
Solutions:
1. A full decarbonization of the energy sector is necessary and possible.
2. Renewables and energy efficiency are critical to the energy transition.
3. The potential emission reduction thanks to renewable energy electricity totals 12.1 gigatonnes by 2050.
4. Electrification of transport could reduce the sector’s CO2 emissions by a huge 72 per cent by 2050.
5. Each sector and each country has unique opportunities to harness renewable energy, protect natural resources, lives and livelihoods, and
transition to a decarbonization pathway.
15. EU DECLARES CLIMATE EMERGENCY

Context: European Union (EU) has become the first multilateral bloc to declare climate emergency. A resolution in this regard
was recently passed.
Implications:
The symbolic move is expected to pressurise countries to act ahead of the United Nations summit on climate change that starts on
December 2 in Spain.
The resolution will have more symbolic effect than practical impact, and is designed to pressure EU governments to adopt a
commitment for all of the EU to reduce emissions to net zero.
Who else have declared climate emergency?
Similar climate emergency declarations have already been made in several EU member states, including Spain, France and the United
Kingdom. Outside Europe only Canada, Argentina and Bangladesh have declared a climate emergency.
What is Climate Emergency?
There is no single definition of what that means but many local areas say they want to be carbon-neutral by 2030.
It varies. For example, for UK government it is to reduce carbon emissions by 80% (compared to 1990 levels) by 2050.
Why declare an emergency?
1. The United Nations says we could have just 11 years left to limit a climate change catastrophe.
2. It’s not just about reducing carbon emissions on a local scale, but also raising awareness about climate change.
What does the Paris Agreement say?
With the planet to experience further warming from the heat held by the oceans, there is increasing international focus on meeting the
United Nation’s Paris Agreement which was signed by 197 countries in 2016.
The agreement has the ambitious global aim of preventing global temperatures from reaching 2˚C above pre-industrial levels
(the late nineteenth century) by 2100, and ideally should be no more than 1.5˚C.
About Loss and Damage (L&D): • Under L&D, rich

DECEMBER 2019 countries who have historical responsibility for climate
1. COP 25 change are asked to be liable to the developing countries
• Recently, Conference Of Parties (COP 25) under the auspices of United who are already facing climate change impacts.
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) had • The Warsaw International Mechanism (WIM) on
concluded in Madrid under the presidency of Chile. Loss and Damage came into being in 2013(COP 19). It
• Conference also included the 15th session of the Conference of the acknowledges that “loss and damage associated with the
Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP adverse effects of climate change includes, and in some
15), and the second session of the Conference of the Parties serving as cases involves more than that which can be reduced by
the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 2). adaptation”.
Agenda of COP25 • In Paris Agreement 2015, developed countries agreed
COP25 in Madrid was mandated by the UNFCCC to resolve the to include loss and damage in the agreement, but only with
outstanding issues in the Climate Package, including: an added clause that the specific article which relates to
• Carbon markets dealt with in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement loss and damage “does not involve or provide a basis for
• Loss and Damage under Paris Agreement and setting up of a any liability or compensation”
fund to help poor countries reeling from climate crisis
• Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by all Issues and debates related to L&D: • Negotiations on
countries to curb emissions. L&D under the UNFCCC are stuck between demands for
climate justice, understood as compensation, for increases
Significance of COP25: in extreme and slow-onset event risk, and the reluctance of
• As the Paris Agreement comes into force from January 1st, 2020 the developed countries to consider L&D different from
COP 25 was important to finalize the “rulebook” for the Paris Agreement. adaptation.
• It is no longer a climate crisis; it is a climate emergency. Delegates • Whether insurance instruments, especially micro-
committed to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5˚C, to achieve insurance and regional pools, can serve as a risk-reducing
carbon neutrality by 2050, and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by and equitable compensatory response to L&D from climate
45% of 2010 levels by 2030. extremes occurring in developing countries.
• The WIM has made little progress identifying new or
additional finance to address L&D. Vulnerable nations will
likely require the use of innovative financial tools beyond
insurance.
• Owing to its original location in Chile- a nation with around 4,000 miles of coastline - the leadership dubbed this year’s event the “blue
COP”, laying out its intention to focus on oceans.
Key Outcomes: The COP adopted the “Chile Madrid Time for Action” document.
• On Emission Reductions: Rather than strong language setting out a clear timeline for nations to enhance their NDCs in 2020, it merely
reiterated the invitation to parties to communicate. The text then “urges parties to consider that gap” when they “recommunicate” or
“update” their NDCs, though it does not specify a fixed timeline.
• On Loss and Damage: The final decision on loss and damage that emerged was not as strong as developing nations had pushed for.
Some stronger language was lost, such as a specific call for “developed countries” to increase their support. The final texts essentially note
that the GCF already supports activities that can be defined as relating to “loss and damage”, with a suggestion that it – and other funds –
could do more in this area in the future. o Also, the Santiago Network was established, as part of the WIM, to catalyse the technical
assistance required by the most vulnerable countries.
• On Climate Finance: Negotiators were unable to agree on when they should take a decision on whether and how the work
programme for the Long Term Finance agenda should continue post-2020, reflecting concerns about whether the $100bn will be met
next year and how to continue holding developed countries accountable as they continue this finance mobilisation through 2025.
• On Carbon Market: The conference closed without resolving one of the most significant objectives it set out to achieve – setting rules for
carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. The decision was deferred till COP26 next year.
• On Gender Action Plan: Decision was made on a new five-year gender action plan (GAP), intended to “support the implementation
of gender-related decisions and mandates in the UNFCCC process”.
2. CARBON MARKETS
• Carbon markets are one of the tools to tackle the climate change problem, i.e. the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the
atmosphere. Since it doesn’t matter where we reduce emissions, the argument behind carbon trading is that the best way to take climate
action is to reduce emissions where it is least costly to do so.
The non-Market Approach • Article 6.8

recognises “non-market” approaches to • Article 6 under Paris Agreement contains three separate mechanisms for
boost “mitigation, adaptation, finance, “voluntary cooperation” towards climate goals: two based on markets and a third
technology transfer and capacity-building”, based on “non-market approaches”.
in situations where no trade is involved.
• This could involve similar activities to those Carbon markets under the Paris Agreement (Article 6)
under Article 6.2 or 6.4, without the • Market Mechanism 1 (Article 6.2) – It sets up a
added element of trading. E.g., a country carbon market which allows Understanding Overall Mitigation in Global
could support a renewable energy scheme countries to sell Emissions (OMGE) • Currently, international carbon
overseas via concessional loan finance, but any extra emission market mechanisms operate under the rules set by the
there would be no trading of any reductions {called as Kyoto Protocol and are in principle a zero-sum game for
emissions cuts generated. Internationally Transferred the atmosphere – meaning that no net reduction of global
• It might also overlap with other parts Mitigation Outcomes emissions occurs as a result of transfers between Parties.
of Paris deal on climate finance, capacity (ITMO)} they have achieved o For instance, a ton of greenhouse gas emissions is
building or education and public awareness. compared to their Nationally reduced in one place, and the international transfer of
Determined Contributions these reductions allows emissions to increase by the same
(NDCs) target. o E.g., if a amount in another place.
country has committed to reducing its emissions by 100 tCO2e (tonnes of CO2
equivalent), but actually reduces 110 tCO2e, it would be able to sell the extra • A possible working definition for OMGE could be that it is
10tCO2e reduced to another country, which has not managed to meet its own achieved when carbon market mechanisms go beyond a
target. zero net impact and directly lower global emissions. This
o This is a voluntary direct bilateral cooperation between the countries occurs if a portion of the emission reductions achieved
aiming to promote sustainable development, while ensuring environmental through carbon markets is used neither by the seller nor
integrity and transparency (the reporting requirements under Paris regime). by the buyer toward achievement of its own NDC or
climate mitigation goals. In contrast to the notion of 'own
• Market Mechanism 2 (Article 6.4) - The second mechanism would create a mitigation benefits', OMGE seeks to deliver 'global'
new international carbon market for the trading of emissions reductions mitigation.
created anywhere in the world by the public or private sector. o This new • Among the various mechanisms to implement the
market referred to as the “Sustainable Development Mechanism” (SDM) OMGE, Automatic Cancellation is favored by most of
seeks to replace the CDM. the stakeholders. If this was implemented, every time a
o The delivery of an OMGE is a key requirement of the SDM. This means that credit was transferred from a host country to another,
mitigation should go beyond what would have happened if the trading scheme part of it would be “cancelled”. o E.g., if 100 credits were
had not been in place. transferred, representing 100 tCO2e, then the receiving
o In contrast to direct bilateral cooperation under Mechanism 1, this mechanism country might only be allowed to count 80 of those credits
will be supervised by a body designated by the UN Conference of the towards its targets. In doing so, 20tCO2e would not be
Parties (CoP). counted by anyone and, overall, mitigation would be
o Another unique aspect of this mechanism is mobilizing the private sector achieved.
to participate in climate change mitigation by providing suitable incentives.
Why is Article 6 important?

• It envisions a system that allows for higher ambition in countries’ mitigation and adaptation actions and that promotes sustainable
development and environmental integrity. it could help reduce emissions in two ways. o First, the principle of OMGE within SDM has
the potential to go beyond offsetting and the “zero-sum game” established by the Kyoto markets.
o Second, trading could help reduce emissions by making it easier and cheaper for countries to meet their climate targets, in the process
encouraging them to set increasingly ambitious goals. ✓According to a World Bank Report, some 96 country climate pledges - about half
of all NDCs - refer to the use of carbon pricing initiatives.
According to IETA, trading could save $250bn every year by 2030. This could be invested into further emissions cuts to raise ambition.
• It also has a clause that a “share of the proceeds” generated under SDM shall be utilised to assist developing country parties that are
particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change to meet the costs of adaptation. This could become another route to
channel climate finance from richer nations to developing countries, supplementing existing measures, such as the Green
Climate Fund.
• Article 6 could also provide a means of incorporating climate commitments by businesses into the wider UN process. Article 6 is
the only part of the text that directly refers to private sector participation in the Paris process.
Double Counting and Corresponding Adjustment
Tracking countries’ progress towards their NDCs is often done based on countries’ emission inventories. These inventories are essentially
a physical measure of the amount of CO2e which is released into the atmosphere.
If emissions are reduced, this will be seen in the country’s inventory. If this emission reduction is sold to another country, it will also be
used by this other country towards meeting its objective. This is double counting.
In order to avoid this, it is of paramount importance that countries make corrections to their reported emissions, to show that some of
their achieved emission reductions have been used by another entity. This is called a “corresponding adjustment”.
E.g. if a country reduced its emissions by 100tCO2e, but sells 10 credits to another entity, then it should report a reduction of 90tCO2e.
In this case, the corresponding adjustment applied is 10tCO2e.
Key issues regarding Article 6

• Avoiding double-counting: When one country sells a reduction to another country, it is important to ensure that this reduction is not
counted by both countries. The double-counting must be avoided through a “corresponding adjustment”.
• Emissions reductions ‘inside’ vs ‘outside’ the scope of host NDCs: The issue would arise if a host country were to sell Article 6
carbon credits that were created in a sector falling “outside” the scope of its NDC, as opposed to falling “inside” the pledge. o The concern is
that this income would act as an incentive to keep certain sectors “outside” a country’s goals, so that it could continue to cash in without
affecting the targets “inside” its NDC.
• ‘Transition’ of Kyoto-era projects, methods and carbon credits: Several countries that are host to large numbers of ongoing CDM
projects, such as Brazil and India, are keen to allow their full transition along with Kyoto-era methodologies and units. Others fear a full
transition could undermine the ambition of the international climate regime, by allowing already-weak targets to be met without any
additional effort.
• The ‘share of proceeds’ from trading that will be set aside for adaptation: While the Paris Agreement requires this levy to be
taken from all Article 6.4 activities, many developing nations have been pushing to extend it to Article 6.2 as well. o Developing nations
argue that if such a system is not applied to both markets, besides providing fewer proceeds for the adaptation fund, it will result in an
unbalanced situation where Article 6.2 is less regulated, meaning nations might opt to use it instead of the stricter Article 6.4
scheme.
• Protecting local stakeholders and the environment and delivering on the sustainable development goals: CDM has lacked the
most essential safeguards to avoid harmful local impacts. This must be corrected in the new set of markets under the Paris Agreement.
Specifically, this means adopting detailed rules for consulting local stakeholders before emission reduction projects are implemented - and
making such consultations mandatory, establishing a grievance mechanism, governed by an independent body, and specifying criteria which
could be used to measure a project’s contribution to sustainable development.
Lessons from the Kyoto Protocol- Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) • CDM
Conclusion allowed rich countries to buy emission reductions from developing ones through carbon
The carbon market system must evolve credits, called Certified Emission Reductions (CERs). In theory, this should have allowed
towards something better than offsetting. countries to adopt more ambitious climate targets. In practice, it even failed at the task of
It should aim to accelerate the transition, compensating existing emissions. This is because a large majority of the emission
rather than offering a cheap way out and reductions under the CDM would have happened anyway.
replacing somebody’s efforts with those of • For example, some projects which sold emission reductions were mandated by law, and
someone else. The world should move some were profitable even without selling credits. Countries relied on these credits to
away from offsetting mechanisms and replace other emission reduction efforts which meant that the CDM led to an increase in
towards financing climate projects that emissions, compared to a situation where countries would have met their targets without
truly drive the zero-carbon transition. relying on the CDM.
• It is estimated that 85% of CDM projects would have operated even without the CDM
3. CLIMATE FINANCE revenues.
Introduction • In addition, some projects registered under the CDM have had significant negative
• Climate finance refers to local, impacts at local level, because the system lacks essential safeguards. For example, its
national or transnational financing - rules on local stakeholder consultations are insufficient and it has no mechanism
drawn from public, private and alternative in place to address grievances raised by local communities. These elements
sources of financing -that seeks to demonstrate why the CDM has failed at its task of contributing to the global effort to
support mitigation and adaptation reduce greenhouse gas emissions and delivering sustainable development benefits.
actions that will address climate change.
o Climate finance is needed for
mitigation, because large-scale
investments are required to significantly reduce emissions.
o Climate finance is equally important for adaptation, as significant financial resources are needed to adapt to the adverse effects and
reduce the impacts of a changing climate.
• The Convention (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement call for financial assistance.
• In accordance with the principle of “common but differentiated responsibility and respective capabilities” set out in the
Convention, developed country Parties are to provide financial resources to assist developing country Parties in implementing
the objectives of the UNFCCC.
• To facilitate this, the Convention has established Financial Mechanisms to provide funds to developing country Parties. o The Global
Environment Facility (GEF) has served as an operating entity of the financial mechanism since the Convention’s entry into force in 1994.
o At Copenhagen COP 15, in 2009, under Copenhagen Accord, developed countries committed to provide developing countries with
“scaled up, new and additional, predictable and adequate funding” with a target of mobilizing $100 billion per year by 2020 from a
“wide variety of sources, public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources of finance”.
Furthermore, governments committed to establish the Green Climate Fund, through which “a significant portion of this financing should
flow”.
o At COP 16 (2010), Parties established the Green Climate Fund (GCF) and in 2011 (COP 17) also designated it as an operating entity
of the financial mechanism.
o Additionally, Parties have established special funds: Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF), the Least Developed Countries Fund
(LDCF), both managed by the GEF; and the Adaptation Fund (AF) under the Kyoto Protocol in 2001.
o At COP 16, Parties decided to establish the Standing Committee on Finance (SCF) to assist the COP in exercising its functions in
relation to the Financial Mechanism of the Convention. E.g. providing biennial assessment (BA) of financial flows from developed to
developing countries.
• At Paris Climate Change Conference (COP 21)

o The Paris Agreement reaffirms the obligations of developed countries, while for the first time also encouraging voluntary
contributions by other Parties.
o Parties agreed that the GCF and GEF as well as the SCCF and the LDCF shall serve the Paris Agreement.
o Developed countries agreed to continue mobilizing $100 billion a year until 2025, and governments agreed to set a new collective
mobilization goal beyond 2025, which would represent a progression beyond the existing goal.
o Parties decided that the SCF shall also serve the Paris Agreement.
Key Issues involved in Climate Finance
Discussions around the financing of climate action revolve around three key areas:
• The amounts of financing: Financial commitments towards climate action are on an upward trend as shown is in the Box.
However, issues remain there. o Amounts are not at all sufficient - for instance, global annual fossil fuel subsidies together with their
externalities cost about $5.3 trillion.
Further, not all the trends are encouraging; for instance,
 Currently US has stopped further funding for the GCF
 An Adaptation Watch report found that of over 5000 adaptation projects worth $10.1 billion supported by OECD countries,
three-quarters lacked a clear connection to addressing vulnerability to climate change.
o Although countries agreed at Katowice COP 24 to initiate formal discussions on the new post-2025 mobilization goal in 2020,
countries such as India believe that a decision to initiate deliberations is weaker than a decision to start the process of
setting this goal.
• The definitions and reporting of climate finance: Important issues revolve around- o Even 10 years after COP 15, there is no
commonly agreed universal definition of what type of finance can be counted as climate finance in support of the Copenhagen pledge
under GCF.
o There is a disagreement on a whole set of qualitative and normative criteria that should provide the framework for how public
climate finance is mobilized, governed and disbursed. ✓These include questions such as the additionality (on top of or as part of official
development assistance) or predictability of climate finance.
o Reporting guidelines approved at COP 24 for climate finance provided by developed countries over the previous two years allow
them to include an almost limitless set of financial flows, and even non-financial efforts such as capacity building or technology
transfers, under climate finance.
o However, some important provisions in reporting remain optional and will require continued scrutiny.
✓As asserted by India, reporting processes should incorporate proper verification mechanisms and should be developed in
consultation with developing countries.
✓A two-year lag in reporting also limits the ability to properly verify the flows of climate finance.
✓Concerns exist about the accounting of financial instruments such as market-rate loans and export credits towards developed
country commitments, and
✓Reporting requirements around the projected financing provisions remain weak.
• The market mechanism: The Paris Agreement states that a share of proceeds from the new market mechanism under Article 6 will go
to support adaptation in developing countries. This revenue stream will likely be directed to the Adaptation Fund. Key topics of discussion
relate to the size of this share, and whether it should be applied to all mechanisms created under Article 6, or only some.
Discussions at COP 25 • Both the GEF and GCF guidance documents were debated around whether to instruct them to startworking
more specifically on loss and damage.
• There was also some discussion about the creation of a new climate finance goal, given the deadline for “$100bn by 2020”
(agreed in 2009 at the Copenhagen COP) is almost up.
• Another issue being considered was long-term climate finance (LTF), a work stream that examines progress and scaling up of
climate finance, but which is due to end in 2020. There is a debate about whether to continue it at all, or whether to bring it under the
CMA (i.e. the Paris Agreement).
• However, given that the US is expected to leave the Paris Agreement and yet is still involved in the $100bn target creating an
ambiguity in the future of GCF.
• Hence, there is no consensus regarding the financing mechanisms despite the Kyoto Protocol coming to an end by the end of
2019.
Conclusion
There still doesn’t exist an operational definition of what counts as “climate finance” or “new and additional”. Clarifying these definitional and
accounting issues in a consultative way, with an eye on post-2025 actions, would go a long way towards increasing trust and scaling up
collective action.
4. OCEAN DEOXYGENATION
Recently, a report titled, ‘Ocean deoxygenation: Everyone’s problem’ was released by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN).
More on the news About Ocean deoxygenation
• The report was released at the 25th • Ocean deoxygenation refers to the loss of oxygen from the oceans.
session of the Conference of the Parties • The ocean gains oxygen in the upper layer due to photosynthesis by autotrophic
(COP25) to the UNFCCC. organisms and oxygen from the atmosphere dissolving in the under-saturated waters.
• It highlights that ocean are increasingly • The ocean loses oxygen throughout the whole water column: o at the surface- due
experiencing low levels of oxygen, which to the outgassing of oxygen to the atmosphere in over-saturated waters,
threatens marine ecosystems and fish o from the surface to depths- due to the respiration of aerobic organisms and oxidation
species that are already impacted by of reduced chemical species.
ocean warming and acidification. • This equilibrium has disturbed in the recent decades. The global ocean oxygen
Causes behind Ocean Deoxygenation inventory losses from 1960 to 2010 are close to 2%.
The loss of oxygen in the ocean has two • As compared to 45 sites in 1960s with low oxygen conditions, the report finds that 700
sites are affected by low oxygen conditions in 2010.
major causes: • Further, the volume of areas depleted of oxygen, known as “anoxic waters”, have
• Climate Change: As the ocean warms quadrupled.
due to global warming, it induces • Examples: Among the best-known areas subject to low oxygen are the Baltic Sea and
Ocean warming- driven Black Sea.
deoxygenation. Eastern boundary upwelling systems (EBUS) are one of the ocean’s most productive
o Warmer ocean water holds less biomes.
oxygen and is more buoyant than • These ecosystems are defined by ocean currents that bring nutrient rich but oxygen-
cooler water. poor water to the eastern edges of the world’s ocean basins.
This leads to reduced mixing of • EBUS are key regions for the climate system due to the complex of oceanic and
oxygenated water near the surface atmospheric processes that connect the open ocean, troposphere and land, and the fact
with that they host Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs), responsible for the world’s largest
deeper waters (deeper waters naturally fraction of water column denitrification and for the largest estimated emission of
contain less oxygen). the greenhouse gas nitrous oxide.
o This further intensifies with changes in • As naturally oxygen poor systems, EBUS are especially vulnerable to further changes
currents and wind patterns. in global ocean deoxygenation and so what happens to the oxygen content of EBUS will
o Warmer water also raises oxygen ultimately ripple out and affect many hundreds of millions of people.
demand from living organisms
(increases the metabolic rates). As a
result, less oxygen is available for
marine life.
o Warming of bottom waters may result
in enhanced destabilization of methane gas hydrates, leading to enhanced release of methane from sediments and subsequent
aerobic respiration of methane to CO2.
• Nutrient pollution (Eutrophication)- It causes oxygen loss in coastal waters as fertiliser, sewage, animal and aquaculture waste cause
excessive growth of algae, which in turn deplete oxygen as they decompose.
o The main features of a coastal area that becomes deoxygenated are: ✓high biological production from over-enrichment by high
nitrogen and phosphorus loads;
 a stratified water column from salinity, temperature or both, mostly in water depths < 100 m; and
 long water residence time allows for development of allows for development of phytoplankton blooms, containment of fluxed
organic matter and the development of stratification.
Impacts
• On marine organisms- Oxygen is required by marine organisms to turn food into energy that can be used to grow and reproduce, as
well as escape from, adapt to, and repair damage caused by other stressors. When ocean oxygen levels are insufficient, an organism may
not have the necessary energy to withstand other stressors. o Ocean warming, ocean deoxygenation, and ocean acidification are
major ‘stressors’ on marine systems and typically co-occur because they share a common cause.
• On fisheries- Oxygen declines induce species range shifts, changes to vertical and across-shelf movement patterns, and losses in
spawning habitats. o On coastal economy- with reduced fish catches, decrease in economic profit of coastal states is expected.
• On ecosystem services- which can be India Specific Data- Indian Ocean • The low-oxygen zones of the Indian
negatively affected by combined deoxygenation, Ocean are expected to continue to expand and intensify. The northern Indian
pollution and ocean acidification. Ocean contains about two thirds of the global continental margin area in contact
• On Climate Change- decreasing oxygen with very low oxygen waters, and also houses the world’s largest naturally
concentrations will increase greenhouse gas formed shallow low-oxygen zone (off western India).
emission with increased release of methane and • With countries surrounding its semi-enclosed basins, accounting for about a
N2O. Substantial nitrogen losses are observed in quarter of the global human population, Indian Ocean’s environment,
OMZs and they account for approximately 10% of biodiversity and living resources, are most vulnerable to human-induced
global denitrification producing N2O. changes, especially deoxygenation.
• On Feedback mechanisms- Oxygen loss is • There is no clear evidence for expansion of oxygen minimum zone (OMZ)
directly related to carbon and other nutrient cycles in the Arabian Sea, where microbes decompose organic matter via anaerobic
in the sediments. o e.g. The recycling of pathways, but slight oxygen loss might have brought the relatively more
phosphorus (P) in marine systems is oxygenated Bay of Bengal OMZ close to anoxia.
enhanced when oxygen in sea water is low. The • Hypoxia/ anoxia has developed in several Indian estuaries, bays and ports
resulting increased availability of phosphorous can as a result of human activities.
further enhance productivity and, upon sinking of • There is a lack of information from potential hotspots, including the mouths
the organic matter, enhance the oxygen demand in of the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra etc.
deeper waters. This positive feedback-loop between
productivity, oxygen loss and increased P availability can contribute to further deoxygenation.
• On People- People in low latitudes, coastal urban and rural populations, poor households in developing countries, and marginalized
groups (such as women, children, and indigenous populations) are most vulnerable to the impacts of ocean deoxygenation. o People receive
benefits from ocean ecosystem services in the form of well-being (assets, health, good social relations, security, agency).
Potential solutions
• Work on climate change: it requires a dramatic climate mitigation effort, primarily through urgent, radical and large global reductions in
greenhouse gas emissions due to human activities.
• Nutrient reduction strategies that have been most effective have utilized legal requirements, set specific targets, and have employed
monitoring to detect problems and responses to management strategies. These can be tailored to local needs and economies.
• Increased oxygen observation and experimentation- through integration

with existing programmes and networks, targeting regions where more data
will improve assessment of the current status and patterns of oxygen
change. o Continued improvement of oxygen monitoring
equipment including sensors that accurately measure ultralow oxygen
concentrations and low-cost sensors that will make more extensive
monitoring in under sampled coastal waters possible.
o Need to understand the critical mechanisms that control the
patterns and effects of oxygen declines.
• Assessments of effects on human economies- and societies,
especially where oxygen declines threaten fisheries, aquaculture and
livelihoods. Adaptive, ecosystem-based management of fisheries,
spatial planning to create refugia that enhance ecosystem resilience,
actions that reduce local stress on ecosystems, capacity building and
socio-ecological shifts that ameliorate impacts on people could be
considered.
Conclusion
This report is a wake-up call needed to dramatically raise our ambitions to immediately curb the emissions of greenhouse gases such as
methane. This is needed before human actions irreparably impact and change the conditions favourable for life on earth.
5. INDIA STATE OF FORESTS REPORT 2019
Why in news?
The Forest Survey of India released the India State of Forest Report for the year 2019.
About ISFR
• FSI undertakes biennial assessment of country’s forest resources, the results of which are presented as the India State of Forest Report
(ISFR).
• Forest Survey of India (FSI), a premier national organization under the union Ministry of Environment and Forests is responsible for
assessment and monitoring of the forest resources of the country.
• Since 1987, 15 such assessments have been completed and the current assessment is the 16th in the series.
Key Highlights of the report Forest and Tree Cover at national level:
• The total forest cover of the country is 7,12,249 sq km (Includes 4,975 sq km under Mangrove Cover) which is 21.67% of the total
geographic area of the country. The tree cover of the country is estimated as 95,027 sq km which is 2.89% of the geographical area.
• The total Forest and Tree cover of the country is 8,07,276 sq km which is 24.56% of the geographical area of the country. In the
last assessment it was 24.39%.
• There is an increase of 3,976 sq km (0.56%) of forest cover, 1,212 sq km (1.29%) of tree cover and 5,188 sq km (0.65%) of forest and
tree cover put together, at the national level as compared to the previous assessment i.e. ISFR 2017.
• Very Dense Forests (VDF), which represents the lushest vegetation and has canopy density above 70%, increased by 1,120 sq km
over the assessment of 2017.
• Forest cover within the Recorded Forest Area (RFA) / Green Wash (GW) has shown a slight decrease of 330 sq km (0.05%) whereas
there is an increase of 4,306 sq km of forest cover outside the RFA/GW as compared to ISFR 2017.
• Forest cover in the hill districts of the country is which is 40.30% of the total geographical area of these districts. The current
assessment shows an increase of 544 sq km (0.19%) in 140 hill districts of the country.
Forest Cover in States • Forest Cover: Forest Cover refers to all lands more than one
• Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover in the hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10%
country followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha irrespective of ownership and legal status. Such lands may not
and Maharashtra. necessarily be a recorded forest area. It also includes orchards,
• In terms of forest cover as percentage of total bamboo and palm.
geographical area, the top five States are Mizoram (85.41%), • Recorded Forest Area (RFA): It refers to all the geographic
Arunachal Pradesh (79.63%), Meghalaya (76.33%), Manipur areas recorded as 'Forests' in government records. It consists of
(75.46%) and Nagaland (75.31%). Reserved Forests and Protected Forests which have been
• Total forest cover in the North Eastern region is 65.05% constituted under the provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927.
of its geographical area showing a decrease of forest cover to • Green Wash: The extent of wooded areas generally shown in
the extent of 765 sq km (0.45%) in the region since 2017. light green colour on the Survey of India toposheets.
Except Assam and Tripura, all the States in the region show • Tree Cover: Tree patches outside recorded forest areas exclusive
decrease in forest cover. of forest cover and less than the minimum mappable area of one
• The top five States in terms of increase in forest cover are hectare.
Karnataka (1,025 sq km), Andhra Pradesh (990 sq km), Kerala • Carbon Stock: Forest carbon stock is the amount of carbon that
(823 sq km), Jammu & Kashmir (371 sq km) and Himachal has been sequestered from the atmosphere and is now stored
Pradesh (334 sq km). within the forest ecosystem, mainly within living biomass and soil,
• States showing maximum loss in forest cover are and to a lesser extent also in dead wood and litter.
Manipur • Open Forest (OF): Lands with forest cover having a canopy
(499 sq km), Arunachal Pradesh (276 sq km) and Mizoram (180 density between 10 to 40 percent.
sq km). • Dense Forest: All lands with a forest cover having a canopy
• The total forest cover in the tribal districts is 37.54% of density of 40% and above.
the o Moderately Dense Forest (MDF): All lands with forest cover
geographical area of these districts. The current assessment having a canopy density between 40 - 70%
shows a decrease of 741 sq km of forest cover within the o Very Dense Forest (VDF): Lands with forest cover having a
RFA/GW in the tribal districts and an increase of 1,922 sq canopy density of 70% and above.
km outside.
Wetlands:
• Among the big States, Gujarat has the largest area of the wetlands within RFA in the country followed by West Bengal.
• Among the smaller States/UTs Puducherry followed by Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) Islands have large areas of wetlands within RFA.
• In the country as a whole there are 62,466 wetlands covering 3.83% of the area within RFA/GW of the country and 8.13% of the
total number of wetlands are located within the RFA/GW.
Mangrove Cover:
• There has been a net increase of 54 sq km in the mangrove cover of the country as
compared to 2017 assessment.
• The mangrove cover in the country is 4,975 sq km, which is 0.15% of the
country’s total geographical area.
• West Bengal has 42.45% of India’s mangrove cover, followed by Gujarat
23.66% and A&N Islands 12.39%.
• About 40% of world’s Mangrove Cover is found in South East Asia and South
Asia. India has about 3% of the total Mangrove cover in South Asia.
Forest Fire:
• 21.40% of the forest cover of the country is highly to extremely fire prone. Most of the fire prone forest area are found in the northeastern
region and the central part of the country.
• Most of the forest fires have occurred in open forests followed by moderately dense forests.
Carbon stock:
• The total carbon stock of the country was estimated at 7,124.6 million tons, which is an
increase of 42.6 million tons from 2017. India’s NDC goal is to create additional carbon
sink of 2.5 to 3.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover
by 2030.
• Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) represents the largest pool of carbon stock in forests.
The SOC contributes 56% to the total forest carbon stock of the country. o It is
the organic component of soil containing small plants residues, small living soil
organism and decomposed organic matter.
Biodiversity:
• Maximum tree diversity has been found in tropical wet evergreen and semi-evergreen
forests of Western Ghats (Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) followed by northeastern
states.
• Karnataka has maximum species richness for trees, Arunachal Pradesh has
maximum species richness for shrubs and Jammu & Kashmir has maximum species richness for
herbs.
• Arunachal Pradesh has the maximum richness of species when all the three types of plants (trees,
shrubs and herbs) are considered, followed by Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.
Bamboo cover:
• The total bamboo bearing area was estimated to be 1,60,037 sqkm and increased by 3,229 sqkm, compared to the 2017 estimate.
• Madhya Pradesh has maximum bamboo bearing area followed by Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh and Odisha.
Dependence of fuelwood on forests is highest in the State of Maharashtra, whereas, for fodder, small timber and bamboo, dependence
is highest in Madhya Pradesh. It has been assessed that the annual removal of the small timber by the people living in forest fringe villages
is nearly 7% of the average annual yield of forests in the country.
Growing Stock: It is the sum (by number or volume) of all the trees growing/living in the forest or a specified part of it.
The total growing stock of wood in the country is estimated 5,915.76 million cubic metre (cum). The average growing
stock per hectare in forest has been estimated as 55.69 cum. Special features in ISFR 2019:
• Quantified estimation of dependence of people living in the forest fringe villages on forests for fuelwood, fodder, small
timber and bamboo. More than 1,70,000 villages are located in the proximity of forests.
• Extent of Trees outside Forest (TOF) in the country: TOF are trees found outside the recorded forest areas. Extent
of TOF has been derived for the first time in the ISFR 2019.
• Assessment of plant biodiversity in forests: FSI in a first ever attempt has carried out a rapid assessment of
biodiversity for all the States and UTs (except two) and for all the sixteen Forest Type Groups.
• Refined Forest Type Map of India: A new exercise for refining and updating the forest types as per the latest baseline
forest cover was initiated in the year 2016 and has been completed in 2019.
• Mapping of Fire Prone Forest Areas: Fire prone forest areas of different severity classes were mapped in the grids.
• Wetlands in Forest Areas: FSI has undertaken a new exercise of overlaying spatial layer of wetlands obtained from
Space Application Center over the boundaries of RFA.
• Forest Cover on Slopes: An exercise has been undertaken to assess forest cover on different slope classes for each
State & UT of the country. High forest cover on steep slopes may be a good indicator of stability of mountains.
• Major Invasive Species: Invasive species pose serious threat to the sustainable management of forests. Information on
important invasive species of each State & UT is collected for determining five major invasive species in each State & UT
and also an estimate of area affected by them.
• Important NTFP species: A new information has been generated from the forest inventory data about the top five Non-
Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) species. NTFPs are important source of livelihood for many tribal communities and villagers
living in the proximity of forests.
6. HLC SUBMITS REPORT ON COMBATTING AIR POLLUTION IN NCR
Why in News?
A High-Level Committee (HLC), formed on the Supreme Court orders in its report gave recommendations on how to control air pollution
levels in the national capital region (NCR).
Recommendations of the Committee
The report has following technological solutions to fight air pollution.
• Use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) technology for better pollution-monitoring.
o LiDAR is a high-end application of LASER-based technology for monitoring pollution. The HLC has recommended that this technology may
be adopted for vertical monitoring at a few places to track transport of pollutants at higher altitude.
o WSN may be used as an indicative monitoring tool for a few activities like mining, large construction sites, to supplement air quality data
and report to regulator for conducting further investigation.
• Adoption of oxy furnaces in industries: Oxy furnace uses only oxygen as fuel instead of atmospheric air (which contains nitrogen),
thus reducing the production of NOx by about 90% in industries.
• Photocatalytic paints to be used on roads: These paints contain titanium dioxide (TiO2) which has a good oxidising potential and can
remove pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides from the atmosphere in the presence of sunlight and
ultraviolet rays.
• Use of anti-smog guns: Anti-smog gun is a device that sprays nebulised water droplets into the air through high pressure propellers,
which help particles to settle down.
• It also recommended the use of chemical methods, including dust suppressants, to control air pollution.
• A pilot project to set up 'smog towers' as high as 20 feet: Smog towers are basically structures designed as large-scale air purifiers
to reduce pollution particles from the atmosphere. The Supreme court has given the Centre and Delhi government three months to set up a
'smog tower' pilot project at Connaught Place, New Delhi. o Around 65% reduction in pollution can be achieved on an average up to 700
metres from the the tower. These towers will be able to improve the air quality of more than one kilometre in the downwind direction.
o In Delhi, company named Kurin Systems is also developing a 12-metre (40 ft) tall smog tower, called the Kurin City Cleaner. It is
expected to filter air for covering up to 75,000 people within a 3-kilometre radius with a capacity of cleaning 32 million cubic metres of air
per day.
7. CLIMATE CHANGE PERFORMANCE INDEX -2020

Context: The latest edition of Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) was recently presented at the climate summit in
Madrid.
What is Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)?
Designed by the German environmental and development organisation Germanwatch e.V.
• Published in cooperation with the NewClimate Institute and Climate Action Network International and with financial support from Barthel
Foundation.
About Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI)
• It is an independent monitoring tool for tracking countries’ climate protection performance, since its inception in 2005.
• It aims to enhance transparency in international climate politics and enables comparison of climate protection efforts and progress
made by individual countries.
• Objective: To enhance transparency in international climate politics.
• First published in 2005 and an updated version is presented at the UN Climate Change Conference annually.
• In 2017, the underlying methodology of the CCPI was revised and adapted to the new climate policy framework of the
Paris Agreement from 2015. The CCPI was extended in order to include the measurement of a country’s progress towards the
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and the country’s 2030 targets.
• The Index covers 57 countries and the EU.
• The ranking results are defined Rank
by a country’s aggregated
performance in 14 indicators
within the four Indicators
GHG Emissions 11
Renewable Energy 26
Energy Use 9
Climate Policy 15
The ranking results are defined by a country’s aggregated performance in 14 indicators within the four categories
o GHG Emission- 40%
o Renewable Energy – 20%
o Energy Use- 20%
o Climate Policy- 20%
Findings of the CCPI 2020 • Decreased Emissions: Emissions decreased in 31 out of 57 High Emitting Countries. The major reason
being, falling global coal consumption.
• No Top 3 Performers: As none of the countries assessed is already on a path compatible with Paris Climate Targets, the First Three
Places of the Ranking remained unoccupied.
o Sweden, with the 4th position, is the frontrunner and Denmark, with 5th position, is the best climber.
• Only two G20 countries in Top 10: The G20 countries, UK (7th rank) and India (9th rank) are “High” Category. Eight of the G20
countries are in the worst category of the Index (“Very Low”) o USA, for the first time, has replaced Saudi Arabia as the worst performing
country.
India and CCPI 2020
• Improvement in Ranking: India’s ranking improved two places, from 11th (CCPI 2019) to 9th (CCPI 2020) entering into top ten
rankings for the first time.
Performance of other countries:
• USA for the first time replaces Saudi Arabia as worst performing country.
• Sweden is ranked fourth (first three places in the final ranking remain unoccupied), Denmark climbs up significantly in the ranking.
• Eight EU countries rated “high” – Poland and Bulgaria “very low”.
• China, the largest global emitter, once again slightly improves its ranking to 30th place (“medium”).
• While only two G20 countries, the UK (7th) and India (9th), are ranked in the “high” category, eight G20 countries are remaining in the
worst category of the index (“very low”). .
8. 2019 POLLUTION AND HEALTH METRICS

Why in news?
Recently, a report titled ‘The 2019 Pollution and Health Metrics: Global, Regional and Country Analysis’ by the Global Alliance
on Health and Pollution (GAHP) was released.
Key highlights of report:
• Pollution is the largest environmental threat to health: In 2017, pollution was responsible for 15% of all deaths globally (around
8.3 million people) and 275 million Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALY) o DALY is a measure of overall disease burden, expressed as the
number of years lost due to ill-health, disability or early death).
• The report includes three lists on pollution-induced deaths. India is the only country that features in the top 10 in all three lists.
o Annual Premature Pollution related deaths: India accounts for highest number of such deaths in the world- about 2.3 million, followed
by China with about 1.8 million.
o Annual Premature Air Pollution related deaths: India is at 2nd position with 1.240 million deaths, very close to China with 1.243 million
deaths.
o Pollution deaths per 1,00,000 people: India ranks 10th with 174 deaths per 1 lakh people.
• India has seen increasing industrial and vehicular pollution from urban growth, while poor sanitation and contaminated
indoor air in low income communities.
Global Alliance on Health and Pollution (GAHP)
• GAHP is a collaborative body made up of more than 60 members and observers that advocates for resources and solutions to pollution
problems.
• It was formed in 2012 by prominent members like World Bank, UNEP, UNDP, UNIDO, Asian Development Bank, the European
Commission and more than 25 low- and middle-income countries, and non-profit agencies to address pollution and health at scale.
• GAHP builds public, political, technical and financial support to address pollution globally, tracks pollution impact and interventions,
promotes scientific research on pollution and raises awareness on the scope and impacts of all types of pollution.
9. JAL JEEVAN MISSION

Recently, Operational Guidelines for Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) were released
. The need for the
mission Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM)
• Poor availability of • JJM aims at providing Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) to every rural household (Har
potable water: Ghar Nal Se Jal) by 2024.
Currently, 81.67% of o FHTC means a tap connection to a rural household for providing drinking water in adequate quantity of
rural households do prescribed quality on regular basis.
not have tap water • Following works are to be taken up under JJM: o In-village water supply infrastructure for tap
connections. water connection to every household
• JJM is an upgraded o Development of reliable drinking water sources and/or augmentation of existing sources
version of the National o Technological intervention for treatment to make water potable
Rural Drinking Water o Greywater management (domestic non-faecal wastewater)
Programme (NRDWP) o development of utilities, water quality laboratories, water quality testing & surveillance, R&D, knowledge
that was launched in centre, capacity building of communities, etc
2009. JJM seeks to . • Community driven approach with pivotal role to Gram Panchayats and local community. (As drinking
develop upon limitations water is in the 11th Schedule)
of • Fund sharing pattern: 90:10 for Himalayan and North-Eastern States; 50:50 for other States and 100%
NRDWP. Problems in for UTs
NRDWP:
o Findings of CAG on NRDWP:
Underperformance of the scheme: only 17% of rural households were given household connections.
Shortcomings in planning and delivery mechanism as there were deviations from the programme guidelines in the planning and delivery
framework established at the centre and states. E.g. 21 states had not framed water security plans.
Programme implementation issues like incomplete, abandoned and non-operational works, unproductive expenditure on equipment,
non-functional sustainability structures etc.
✓ Fund management: 10% of funds remained unused.
o Findings of Standing Committee on Rural Development on NRDWP: ✓ Water quality testing laboratories: either water testing
laboratories are not setup or suffer from paucity of technical manpower, qualified personnel and equipment.
✓ Water quality in rural areas: arsenic, fluoride, iron and nitrate contamination along with problems of salinity are increasing in a large
number of rural districts.
About the guidelines
• Planning: Every village will have to prepare a village action plan (VAP), on three components: water source and its maintenance,
water supply, and grey water management.
o Village plans will be aggregated at district level and thereafter at state level to formulate a state action plan. The state action plan
covers projects like regional grids, bulk water supply etc. for ensuring drinking water security in the state.
• Institutional Mechanism: o National Jal Jeevan Mission at the Central level:
provides policy guidance, financial assistance and technical support, undertakes regular monitoring and necessary corrective actions.
State Water and Sanitation Mission (SWSM) at State
level: Finalization of State Action Plan (SAP)
Timely utilization of fund deciding charges for providing FHTC.
Support in creation of DWSMs, ensure capacity building, and its regular monitoring.
District Water and Sanitation Mission (DWSM) at district level
Responsible for overall implementation of JJM.
Ensure preparation of Village Action Plan and finalizes a District Action Plan (DAP).
Gram Panchayat sub-committees i.e. Village Water Sanitation Committee (VWSC)/ Paani Samiti at village Level: ✓ Plan,
design, implement, operate and maintain the in-village water supply schemes and infrastructure and decide seasonal supply hours
Procure construction services/ goods/ materials from agencies/ vendors as finalized by SWSM
Undertake social audit
Implementation Support Agencies (ISAs): NGOs/ VOs/ women SHGs/ CBOs/ Trusts/ Foundations are to be identified and empanelled
by state government and engaged by SWSM/ DWSM as per the requirement
Implementation:
o Priority to water quality affected habitations and time bound completion with no extension of time or cost escalation except for the cost
towards retrofitting the same.
o Community contribution: To bring in sense of ownership and pride, 5% capital cost contribution towards in-village water supply
infrastructure in hilly, forested, and more than 50% SC/ ST dominant population villages, and 10% in the remaining villages is proposed.
✓ Also, community would be rewarded to the tune of 10% of the capital expenditure on their respective in-village water supply scheme.
This would serve as a 'revolving fund' to meet emergency repair.
o Operation & Maintenance (O&M): No expenditure like electricity charges, salary of regular staff, and purchase of land, etc., will be
allowed from the central share. o Convergence with existing schemes such as MGNREGS to implement measures like rainwater harvesting,
groundwater recharge etc. ✓ This marks shift from 'infrastructure development approach' to a 'utility-based approach'. This will enable
institutions to function as utilities and focus on drinking water supply services and recover water tariffs from all kinds of consumers.
• Financial Planning and Funding: o Incentives to good performance of states out of the fund not utilised by other states. o Funds released
by the Centre will be transferred within 15 days of release.
o Extra budgetary resources will be available for JJM, which will be allocated along with gross budgetary support to the states.
o Rashtriya Jal Jeevan Kosh (RJJK) to be set up under NJJM which will serve as a receptacle for charitable contributions and CSR fund
to achieve goals of JJM.
• Technological Interventions/ Innovations:
o Use of emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, Data Analytics, block-chain technology, nano-technology
o A digital data platform would be created for planning, implementation and monitoring of Jal Jeevan Mission in States/ UTs.
• Monitoring and Evaluation includes Third party inspection before making any payment, functionality assessment of the schemes
etc.
• Disaster Management: o Stationing permanent mobile water purification plants at the nearest possible safe locations
o Contingency plans must mention the location of sustainable water sources and the design of water supply systems.
o Ensure upkeep of hand pumps which provide interim solution to potable water during any natural disaster like cyclones and floods.
Related News Recently, Odisha Chief Minister launched the ‘Jalsathi’ programme in the state.
• JalSathi aims to ensure the supply of clean drinking water to consumers through piped water connections.
• The scheme is implemented by women volunteers who serve as ‘Jalasathis’ who will act as link between consumers and the
government.
• The ‘Jalasathis’ will be included from Mission Shakti.
• Earlier, the Odisha government had engaged the women self-help groups under the 'Mission Shakti', for the collection of power dues,
paddy procurement and mid-day meal preparation activities.
10. ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA

Why in News?
Recently, Atal Bhujal Yojana has been launched by Ministry of Jal Shakti.
About Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) Other important ground water statistics • As
• Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL) is a Central Sector per Composite Water Management Index
Scheme, to improve ground water management through community released by NITI Aayog 21 cities including New
participation in identified priority areas. Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad will run
• Coverage is seven States- Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya out of groundwater by 2020 affecting around
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh benefitting nearly 100 million people.
8350 Gram Panchayats in 78 districts. • Composite Water Management Index 2.0 by
• It is to be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25). NITI Aayog notes that: o Though states have
It is sponsored by World Bank with 50% of the total outlay coming from it. displayed overall improvement in recharge of
• Scheme components: ATAL JAL has two major components: o their groundwater resources between FY15- 16 and
Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building component including FY17-18, the median continues to remain below
improving monitoring networks, capacity building, strengthening of Water User 50% of the total achievable score.
Associations, allocating more funds for Panchayats and making Panchayat level o Overall, states have failed to show any significant
plans etc. improvement in on-farm water use efficiency.
o Incentive Component for incentivising the States for achievements in • By CWC benchmarks, a water-stressed condition
improved groundwater management practices like data dissemination, happens when per capita availability is less than
preparation of water security plans, water budgeting, implementation of 1,700 cubic metres, and a water-scarcity condition
management interventions through convergence of ongoing schemes, adopting when per capita availability falls below 1,000 cubic
demand side management practices etc. metres.
Recommendations of an Expert committee on issue related to Groundwater Protection,

Current status of ground Conservation and Regulation (2019) • Regulate the overuse of water in agriculture: o by
water usage in India registration of inventories for borewells across the country.
• About 60% of the irrigation o Use of treated sewage water for agriculture should be made mandatory
needs, 85% of rural drinking o Cultivation of water-intensive crops should be discontinued and farmers should shift to water-
water needs and 50% of urban efficient crops like millets.
needs are met through • Charging water conservation fee from all users for groundwater extraction.
groundwater. • Identify groundwater over-exploited areas and ban on extraction of groundwater for
• According to Water and new/expansion projects there except for drinking purposes.
Related Statistics 2019, the • The committee proposed a 50-year-plan which includes:
annual replenishable groundwater o Establishing 2.5 lakh groundwater monitoring stations
resources in India (2017) are 432 o Assessment of saline groundwater resources, plan to prevent seawater ingress
BCM, out of which 393 BCM is the o Use of artificial intelligence for ground water study and management
annual “extractable” groundwater o Look at finding fresh groundwater in offshore areas and consider studying groundwater
availability. The current annual microbiology.
groundwater extraction is 249 o Develop a methodology for drought alert based on groundwater levels
BCM (around 63%). o Study of transboundary aquifers
• In decadal average for 2009-18,
there has been a decline in the
groundwater level in 61% of
wells monitored by the Central
Ground Water Board (CGWB) (see picture). o Moreover, even when water is available, it is likely to be contaminated (up to 70 per cent of
our water supply is contaminated).
• Faulty cropping pattern: As per the ‘Dynamic Groundwater Resources of India 2017’, 90% of ground water extracted is used in
irrigation sector followed by domestic use and industrial use (9.8%).
• Increasing population and hence demand: According to the Central Water Commission (CWC), per capita availability in the country
will decrease from 1,434 cubic metres in 2025 to 1,219 cubic metres in 2050.
• According to a 2017 CAG report on working of the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP), there was inadequate
focus on surface water-based schemes and 98% of the schemes, including piped water schemes continued to be based on ground water
resources.
• The numbers of over-exploited units has increased to 1,186 in 2017, from 839 in 2004.
• National Water Policy, 2012 has laid emphasis on periodic assessment of ground water resources on scientific basis.
11. ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRATION

Why in news?
Recently, various studies have pointed out that disasters due to climate change have been displacing more people than conflicts.
More on the news
• According to Global Report on Internal Displacement (GRID, 2019), in 2018, of the total new 28 million internally displaced people in
148 countries, 61% were due to disasters. In comparison, 39% were due to conflict and violence.
• As per the estimates, climate change resulted in the displacement of 2.7 million Indians in 2019.
About Environmental Migrants

• According to International Organization for Migration (IOM), Environmental migrants are persons or groups of persons who,
predominantly for reasons of sudden or progressive change in the environment that adversely affects their lives or living
conditions, are obliged to leave their habitual homes, or choose to do so, either temporarily or permanently, and who move either within
their country or abroad.
• According to Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC), every Environmental Refugees
year since 2008, an average of 26.4 million persons around the world have been Environmental Refugee is a specific term which
forcibly displaced by floods, windstorms, earthquakes or droughts. o In 2019, covers only cross-border migrants forced to do so
1.6 million people displaced by disasters were still in camps or places out of due to environmental factors. It has not been
their homes. defined till date.
o At 2.7 million people, India had the highest number of people displaced UN Refugee Convention (1951) • It grants
by disasters and extreme weather events in 2018. certain rights to people fleeing persecution because
• The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) predicts that in of race, religion, nationality, affiliation to a
the next 50 years between 250 million and 1 billion humans will leave their particular social group, or political opinion.
homes because of climate change. o According to an UN Office for Disaster Risk • Cross-border displaced who have migrated
Reduction (formerly known as UNISDR) report in 2017, India has been due to climate change are not recognised as
ranked as the world's most disaster-prone country for displacement of refugees under the 1951 Refugee Convention
residents. or its 1967 protocol, and thus do not qualify for
protection under national or international legal
How is climate change expected to affect the movement of people? frameworks for refugee protection.
• Greater frequency and, potentially, greater intensity of weather-related natural
disasters – both sudden- and slow-onset – may lead to higher risk of
humanitarian emergencies and increased population movements.
• The adverse consequences of warming, climate variability and of other effects of climate change on livelihoods, health, food security and
water availability are likely to exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities. o When household income in rural areas decreases, livelihood
stress linked to climate change could, in some places, result in lower levels of outmigration. As migration requires resources, those people
wanting to move but could not due to lack of resources become trapped populations.
• Rising sea levels may make coastal areas and low-lying islands uninhabitable.
• Competition over shrinking natural resources may exacerbate tensions and potentially lead to conflict and, in turn, to displacement.
Challenges with Environmental/ Climate Migrants and Climate Refugees

Terms such as climate migrant and climate refugees are used interchangeably, however they are not the same. "Environmental refugee" or
"climate change refugee" have no legal basis in international refugee law. These terms are misleading and could potentially undermine the
international legal regime for the protection of refugees. There are following challenges associated with defining a climate migrant or
according climate refugee status-
• Climate migration is mainly internal: when migration is internal, people moving are under the responsibility of their own state, they
do not cross borders and are not seeking protection from a third country or at the international level.
• Migration is not necessarily forced, especially for very slow onset processes migration is still a matter of choice, even if constrained,
so countries need to think first migration management and agreements rather than refugee protection.
• Isolating environment/climatic reasons is difficult, from humanitarian, political, social, conflict or economic ones. It can sometimes
be an impossible task and may lead to long and unrealistic legal procedures.
• Creating a special refugee status for climate change related reasons might unfortunately have the opposite effects of what is sought
as a solution: it can lead to the exclusion of categories of people who are in need of protection, especially the poorest migrants
who move because of a mix of factors and would not be able to prove the link to climate and environmental factors.
• Opening the 1951 Refugee Convention might weaken the refugee status which would be tragic given so many people are in need
of protection because of persecution and ongoing conflicts.
• Moreover, creating a new convention to recognise the climate migrants and refugees might be a lengthy political process and
countries might not be ready for it.
Way Forward
• Climate migration discussions should not lose their focus on preventive measures: The key objective is to invest in climate and
environmental solutions so that people will not have to leave their homes in a forced way in the future. The Paris Agreement offers
anchorage for climate action that considers human mobility to avert, minimize and address displacement in the context of climate
change.
• Full use of all already existing bodies of laws and instruments, both hard and soft law in humanitarian, human rights and refugee
law, instruments on internal displacement, disaster management, legal migration and others. Many responses can come from migration
management and policy as highlighted already in the 2011 International Dialogue on Migration and the recently adopted Global Compact for
Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration.
• Human rights-based approaches are key for addressing climate migration: States of origin bear the primary responsibility for
their citizens’ protection even if indeed their countries have not been the main contributors to global warming; they should therefore apply
human rights-based approaches for their citizens moving because of environmental or climatic drivers.
• Regular migration pathways can provide relevant protection for climate migrants and facilitate migration strategies in response to
environmental factors. Many migration management solutions can provide a status for people who move in the context of climate change
impacts, such as humanitarian visas, temporary protection, authorization to stay, regional and bilateral free movements’ agreements, among
several others.
International Conventions on Environmental Migrants

• New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, UNHCR (2016): It seeks to protect the human rights of all refugees and
migrants, regardless of their status.
• The Global Compact on safe, orderly and regular migration,2018: It is the first-ever UN global agreement on a common
approach to international migration in all its dimensions. 'Climate refugees', migrants who move due to natural disasters and climate
change, are now recognised under its Objective.
• The Peninsula Principles on Climate Displacement Within States (2013): The Principles provide a comprehensive normative
framework, based on principles of international law, human rights obligations and good practice, within which the rights of climate
displaced persons within States can be addressed.
• Nansen Initiative Protection Agenda for Cross-Border Displaced Persons (2015): It’s a state-led consultative process to
build consensus on a protection agenda addressing the needs of people displaced across borders in the context of disasters and the
effects of climate change.
• Platform on Disaster Displacement (2016): It was launched to implement the recommendations of the Nansen Initiative
Protection Agenda.
• Climate Migrants and Refugees Project: It aims to spread the word about this challenge, its potential impacts, and to seek out
solutions and connections that will help the people most threatened by climate change live safe, dignified, and prosperous lives.
12. URBAN FIRES

About Urban Fire
• Urban fire occurs in cities or towns with the potential to rapidly spread to adjoining structures. These fires damage and destroy homes,
schools, commercial buildings and vehicles.
• According to National Crime Records Bureau figures, 17,700 Indians died – 48 people every day – due to fire accidents in 2015.
Fire safety regulations in India NBC guidelines related to Fire safety.
• Fire service is a state subject and comes under the Twelfth Schedule of the The Part 4 (Fire and Life Safety) of NBC
Constitution of India, under the provisions of Article 243W of the Constitution. contains the fire safety norms through detailed
• The National Building Code (NBC) is the basic model code in India on matters provisions on fire prevention, life safety and fire
relating to building construction and fire safety. protection.
• Bureau of Indian Standards has formulated more than 150 standards on fire safety • It gives guidance by specifying the standards
in buildings and firefighting equipment & systems. for construction, plumbing, active and passive
• As per The Model Building ByeLaws, 2003: o The Chief Fire Officer issues the fire protection systems etc.
‘No Objection Certificate’ from the view point of fire safety and means of escape. • It mentions the restrictions on buildings in
o This is done after ensuring that all the fire protection measures have been each fire zone and classifies height-width
implemented and are functional as per approved plans. parameters
Reasons for Urban Fires • It provides for other restrictions and
• Unplanned urban growth and high congestion: With rise in population requirements necessary to minimise danger to
residential and commercial buildings are witnessing expansion and densification over life from fire, smoke, fumes or panic before the
time. building can be evacuated.
• Poor compliance of norms: Issues such as non-compliant construction; lack of
precautionary maintenance like the upkeep of extinguishers, fire doors, fire exits and
their markings and assembly areas are common.
• Lack of adequate resources with the municipal corporations and local bodies which are responsible for providing fire services in many
states.
• Lack of manpower for inspection as well as lack of investment in modern technology has made it difficult to track vulnerable zones.
• Low awareness among public regarding fire safety.
Measures needed to tackle Urban fire
• Enactment of a Fire Act in every state: It is of utmost importance that every state enacts its own Fire Act so that fire vulnerabilities in
the state are adequately dealt with and unacceptable loss of life and property is prevented.
o Through a legislation, cities should reserve physical spaces for fire stations, fire hydrants, and fire lanes/parking spots.
• Preparation of a comprehensive plan: Every state is to prepare a complete plan and work out the total requirements of manpower
and equipment for the entire state. There is a need to upgrade fire services delivery capacity of local bodies by:
o Providing them adequate funds
o Recruitment and training of workers to check non-compliant constructions and for dispersal of NOCs in a timely manner.
• Adopting modern technologies: Investing in technologies such as LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) based technologies to aerially
track the fire.
• Fire safety audits: It can be made mandatory via Third Party Agencies.
• Awareness: Building awareness among citizens about fire prevention and protection measures is also of paramount importance.
o Organising firefighting workshop once in six months in localities/mohallas/schools with the involvement of local councellor/elected
representatives is one way to achieve awareness.
14. TORREFACTION TO REDUCE STUBBLE BURNING

Context: India tests Swedish torrefaction technology to reduce stubble burning.
What is torrefaction?
It is a thermal process used to produce high-grade solid biofuels from various streams of woody biomass or agro residues.
The end product is a stable, homogeneous, high quality solid biofuel with far greater energy density and calorific value than the original
feedstock, providing significant benefits in logistics, handling and storage, as well as opening up a wide range of potential uses.
How it works?
1. Biomass torrefaction involves heating the biomass to temperatures between 250 and 300 degrees Celsius in a low-oxygen atmosphere.
2. When biomass is heated at such temperatures, the moisture evaporates and various low-calorific components (volatiles) contained in the
biomass are driven out.
3. During this process the hemi-cellulose in the biomass decomposes, which transforms the biomass from a fibrous low quality fuel into a
product with excellent fuel characteristics.
15. EXTRA NEUTRAL ALCOHOL (ENA)

Why in NewsAlcohol manufacturers citing a shortage of domestic supplies have sought a reduction in import duty of Extra Neutral
Alcohol to make it cost-effective for them to import from global markets.
What is ENA?
It is a byproduct of the sugar industry.
Formed from molasses that are a residue of sugarcane processing.
It is the primary raw material for making alcoholic beverages.
Features:
• It is colourless food-grade alcohol that does not have any impurities.
• It has a neutral smell and taste and typically contains over 95 per cent alcohol by volume.
Other applications of ENA:
1. An essential ingredient in the manufacture of cosmetics and personal care products such as perfumes, toiletries, hair spray, etc.
2. Utilized in the production of some lacquers, paints and ink for the printing industry, as well as in pharmaceutical products such as
antiseptics, drugs, syrups, medicated sprays.
16. WORLD SOIL DAY

Context: World Soil Day is celebrated every year on 5th of December by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of United
Nations.
Aim: To communicate messages on importance of soil quality for food security, healthy ecosystems and human well-being.
Theme 2019: ‘Stop Soil Erosion, Save Our Future’.
Why December 5 was chosen?
It corresponds with the official birthday of H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the King of Thailand, who officially sanctioned the
event.
Soil pollution- concerns:
Soil pollution is a hidden danger that lurks beneath our feet.
1. 1/3 of our global soils are already degraded. Yet we risk losing more due to this hidden danger. Soil pollution can be invisible and seems
far away but everyone, everywhere is affected.
2. With a growing population expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, soil pollution is a worldwide problem which degrades our soils, poisons the
food we eat, the water we drink and the air we breathe.
3. Most of the pollutants originate from human activities, such as unsustainable farming practices, industrial activities and mining, untreated
urban waste and other non-environmental friendly practices.
4. Technology improvements may also lead to new contaminants being released into the environment.
SDGs:
In the Agenda for Sustainable Development 2030, the Sustainable Development Goals 2, 3, 12, and 15 have targets which commend
direct consideration of soil resources, especially soil pollution and degradation in relation to food security.
Need for conservation and protection of soil:
1. Soil holds three times as much carbon as the atmosphere and can help us meet the challenges of a changing climate.
2. 815 million people are food insecure and 2 billion people are nutritionally insecure, but we can mitigate this through soil.
3. 95% of our food comes from soil.
4. 33% of our global soils are already degraded.
Way ahead:
According to the FAO, it is vital to tackle soil pollution to reduce the risk of food security and human health. By preventing soil pollution, we
can also address soil degradation, adapt to climate change and stem rural migration.
17. GLOBAL CLIMATE RISK INDEX 2020

Context: The international environmental think tank ‘Germanwatch’ has recently released the Global Climate Risk Index 2020.
The annually published Risk Index analyses to what extent countries have been affected by the impacts of weather-related loss events
(storms, floods, heat waves etc.).
Germanwatch, based in Bonn and Berlin (Germany), is an independent development and environmental organisation which works for
sustainable global development.
Key findings:
On India:
1. India is the fifth most vulnerable country to climate change.
2. In 2020, India’s rank has worsened from the 14th spot in 2017 to 5th in 2018 in the global vulnerability.
3. India has also recorded the highest number of fatalities due to climate change and the second highest monetary losses from
its impact in 2018.
4. India’s high rank is due to severe rainfalls, followed by heavy flooding and landslide that killed over 1000 people.
Global scenario:
• Japan is the worst-hit country in 2018 (the last year covered by the data), while Germany and Canada were both also in the ‘bottom
10’, that is, the most affected.
• The results reflect the increasing damage caused by heatwaves, which scientists have found are being worsened by the climate change.
How climate change impacts extreme weather events?
Many studies have concluded that the “frequency, intensity, and duration of some extreme weather events have been changing
as the climate system has warmed.”
• For instance, global warming leads to higher temperatures which leads to intensification of the water cycles. This means that
there will be more droughts, along with increased floods due to drier soil and increased humidity.
• Extreme precipitation is expected to increase as global warming intensifies the global hydrological cycle. Thereby, single precipitation
events are expected to increase in intensity at a higher rate than global mean changes in total precipitation.
Further, surface sea temperatures impact increase in storms, wind speeds and precipitation too.
Climate change is also impacting desertification and degradation of land, increasing the risk of the former in the future. This has
negative implications for loss of biodiversity as well a potential increase in wildfires.
18. ADAPTATION FUND

Context: The latest data show that since 2010, the Adaptation Fund has directed $532 million to 80 concrete adaptation projects in the
most vulnerable communities of developing countries, serving 5.8 million direct beneficiaries.
What is Adaptation fund?
Established under the Kyoto Protocol of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
• It finances projects and programmes that help vulnerable communities in developing countries adapt to climate change.
• Initiatives are based on country needs, views and priorities.
Financing:
The Fund is financed in part by government and private donors, and also from a two percent share of proceeds of Certified
Emission Reductions (CERs) issued under the Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism projects.
Governance:
The Fund is supervised and managed by the Adaptation Fund Board (AFB). The AFB is composed of 16 members and 16 alternates
and meets at least twice a year.
The World Bank serves as trustee of the Adaptation Fund on an interim basis.
Challenges ahead:
The Adaptation Fund, despite its limited size, is one of the few consistent avenues for finance sourced from developed countries, over which
developing countries have significant control.
The challenge now is to keep raising money from developed countries, while retaining control in the representatives of those
who are most vulnerable to the climate crisis.
19. IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES

Context: The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has added about 1,840 new species to its updated
“Red List of Threatened Species”. The list now contains over 30,000 species under threat of disappearing.
What is IUCN red list of threatened species?
It is the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
How are species categorised? It uses a set of quantitative criteria to evaluate the extinction risk of thousands of species.
The IUCN Red List Categories:
The IUCN Red List Categories define the extinction risk of species assessed. Nine categories extend from NE (Not Evaluated) to EX
(Extinct).
Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN) and Vulnerable (VU) species are considered to be threatened with extinction.
The IUCN system uses a set of five quantitative criteria to assess the extinction risk of a given species. In general, these
criteria consider:
1. The rate of population decline.
2. The geographic range.
3. Whether the species already possesses a small population size.
4. Whether the species is very small or lives in a restricted area.
5. Whether the results of a quantitative analysis indicate a high probability of extinction in the wild.
Utility of the red list:
It brings into focus the ongoing decline of Earth’s biodiversity and the influence humans have on life on the planet. It provides a
globally accepted standard with which to measure the conservation status of species over time. www.insightsonindia.com 110 InsightsIAS
• Scientists can analyze the percentage of species in a given category and how these percentages change over time; they can also analyze
the threats and conservation measures that underpin the observed trends.
20. HEAVY METALS CONTAMINATING RIVERS

Context: Central Water Commission (CWC) has released a report on heavy metals contaminating Indian rivers.
Background:
The exercise was limited to surface water and did not cover groundwater contamination.
Value addition for Mains:
Key findings:
• Samples from two-thirds of the water quality stations spanning India’s major rivers are contaminated by one or more heavy
metals, exceeding safe limits set by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
• Iron emerged as the most common contaminant.
• Arsenic and zinc are the two toxic metals whose concentration is always found within the limits.
• Other major contaminants found in the samples were lead, nickel, chromium, cadmium and copper.
• The contamination of water sites depends on the season- varied presence of contaminants is found in different seasons.
• Metals found in Non-Monsoon Period: Lead, cadmium, nickel, chromium and copper.
• Monsoon Period: Iron, lead, chromium and copper exceeded ‘tolerance limits’ in this period most of the time.
• The main sources of heavy metal pollution are mining, milling, plating and surface finishing industries that discharge a variety of toxic
metals into the environment.
• The population growth and rise in agricultural and industrial activities are also responsible for contamination of surface water.
What’s the concern?
The presence of metals in drinking water to some extent is unavoidable and certain metals, in trace amounts, are required for
good health. However, when present above safe limits, they are associated with a range of disorders.
Long-term exposure to the heavy metals may result in physical, muscular, and neurological degenerative processes that mimic
Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, muscular dystrophy and multiple sclerosis.
For Prelims:
What are heavy metals?
Metals with relatively high densities, atomic weights, or atomic numbers.
A density of more than 5 g/cm3 is sometimes quoted as a commonly used criterion.
21. NAMAMI GANGE

Context: Review meeting of the National Ganga Council was recently held.
For Prelims:
About Namami Gange Programme: It is an umbrella programme which integrates previous and currently ongoing initiatives by
enhancing efficiency, extracting synergies and supplementing them with more comprehensive & better coordinated interventions.
Implemented by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), and its state counterparts—State Programme Management Groups.
National Ganga Council (NGC):
Created in October 2016 under the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016, dissolving
the National Ganga River Basin Authority.
Headed by the Prime Minister.
It replaced the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA).
NGC would have on board the chief ministers of five Ganga basin states—Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Bihar, Jharkhand
and West Bengal—besides several Union ministers and it was supposed to meet once every year.
Main Pillars of the Namami Gange Programme are:
1. Sewerage Treatment Infrastructure
2. River-Surface Cleaning
3. Afforestation
4. Industrial Effluent Monitoring
5. River-Front Development
6. Bio-Diversity
7. Public Awareness
8. Ganga Gram
Why we need "Namami Gange" programme?

1. River Ganga has significant economic, environmental and cultural value in India.
2. Rising in the Himalayas and flowing to the Bay of Bengal, the river traverses a course of more than 2,500 km through the plains of north
and eastern India.
3. The Ganga basin - which also extends into parts of Nepal, China and Bangladesh - accounts for 26 per cent of India's landmass.
4. The Ganga also serves as one of India's holiest rivers whose cultural and spiritual significance transcends the boundaries of the basin.
If we are able to clean it, it will be a huge help for the 40 per cent population of the country.
What are the pollution threats to Ganga?
1. Rapidly increasing population, rising standards of living and exponential growth of industrialization and urbanization have exposed water
resources to various forms of degradation.
2. The deterioration in the water quality of Ganga impacts the people immediately.
3. Ganga has become unfit even for bathing during lean seasons.
4. The impacts of infrastructural projects in the upper reaches of the river Ganga raise issues.
Challenges ahead:
1. Sewage treatment. 2. Restoring the flow. 3. Sludge control. 4. Cost overruns. 5. Governance glitches.
22. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT CELL FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION MEASURES

Context: The Ministry of Coal has decided to establish a ‘Sustainable Development Cell’.
About the cell:
Objective: To promote environmentally sustainable coal mining in the country and address environmental concerns during the
decommissioning or closure of mines.
Roles and functions:
• Advise, mentor, plan and monitor the mitigation measures taken by the coal companies for maximising the utilisation of available resources
in a sustainable way.
• Act as nodal point at Ministry of Coal level in this matter. Formulate the future policy framework for the environmental mitigation measures
including the Mine closure Fund.
Implications:
This move gains significance as the new private entities are now going to form a significant part of the future, a set of guidelines for proper
rehabilitation of mines need to be evolved in tune with global best practices.
23. PROJECT DOLPHIN

Context: The government is planning to launch a programme called “ Project Dolphin”, along the lines of “Project Tiger” to enhance the
population of these dolphins.
For Prelims:
Protection status:
Dolphins have been included in Schedule I
of the Indian Wild Life (Protection) Act
1972, in Appendix I of the Convention
on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES), in Appendix II of the
Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)
and categorised as ‘Endangered’ on the
International Union for the
Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red
List.
Characteristic features:
The Gangetic river dolphins can only live in
freshwater, are blind and catch their
prey in a unique manner, using
ultrasonic sound waves.
They are distributed across seven states
in India: Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand and
West Bengal.
Need for conservation:

The Gangetic river dolphins were officially discovered in 1801 and are one of the oldest creatures in the world along with some
species of turtles, crocodiles and sharks, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
• They once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh, but are now
mostly extinct from many of its early distribution ranges.
• Today, their numbers have dwindled mainly because of direct killing, habitat fragmentation by dams and barrages and indiscriminate
fishing.
Some of the efforts made to preserve and increase the numbers of these dolphins include:
Setting up of the Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic Dolphin (2010-2020), which has identified threats to Gangetic dolphins
and impact of river traffic, irrigation canals and depletion of prey-base on dolphin populations.
The Gangetic dolphins have been included in Schedule -I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which means they have the highest
degree of protection against hunting.
They are also one among the 21 species identified under the centrally sponsored scheme, “Development of Wildlife Habitat”.
24. KALESWARAM PROJECT

Context: Telangana State government has requested the Centre to treat Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project (KLIP) as a National
Project.
Why?
National Projects are provided Central grant of 90% of the estimated cost for their completion in a time bound manner.
What’s the project?
The Kaleshwaram project is an off-shoot of the original Pranahitha-Chevella Lift Irrigation Scheme.
It is on the Godavari River.
The Centre under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 is mandated to support programmes for the development of
backward areas in the successor States, including expansion of physical and social infrastructure.
Impact:
The Kaleshwaram project has provision for the storage of about 148 tmc ft with plans of utilising 180 tmc ft by lifting at least 2 tmc ft water
every day for 90 flood days. The project is designed to irrigate 7,38,851 hectares (over 18.47 lakh acres) uplands in the erstwhile districts of
Karimnagar, Nizamabad, Warangal, Medak, Nalgonda and Ranga Reddy.
What’s unique?
According to engineers, KLIP has many unique features, including the longest tunnel to carry water in Asia, running up to 81 km, between
the Yellampally barrage and the Mallannasagar reservoir. The project would also utilise the highest capacity pumps, up to 139 MW, in the
country to lift water.
25. EUROPEAN GREEN DEAL

Context: On the sidelines of recently concluded annual Madrid Climate talks, the European Union came up with an announcement on
additional measures it would on climate change. It is Called the European Green Deal.
Overview and key features of the European Green Deal:
Climate neutrality: The EU has promised to bring a law, binding on all member countries, to ensure it becomes “climate neutral” by 2050.
• What is it? Climate neutrality, sometimes also expressed as a state of net-zero emissions, is achieved when a country’s emissions are
balanced by absorptions and removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Absorption can be increased by creating more carbon sinks
like forests, while removal involves technologies like carbon capture and storage.
Increase in 2030 emission reduction target:

• In its climate action plan declared under the Paris Agreement, the EU was committed to making a 40 per cent reduction in its emissions by
2030 compared to 1990 levels. It is now promising to increase this reduction to at least 50 per cent and work towards 55 per cent.
Significance of the deal:

EU with 28 member countries are together the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world after China and the United
States. Therefore, the announcement was hailed as a major step forward, even though it needs complementary efforts from other
countries to make a significant impact.
Implications and Lessons for other countries:
• Over the last few months, there had been a growing demand for countries to commit to net-zero emissions by 2050. The UN Secretary-
General had convened a special meeting on the sidelines of the General Assembly session in September to persuade countries to commit to
this target. Over 60 countries had agreed to scale up their climate actions, or to the 2050 target, but these were all relatively small emitters.
The EU is now the first major emitter to agree to the 2050 climate neutrality target.
• The EU also happens to be only one among major emitters to retain the 1990 baseline for emission cuts, originally mandated
under the Kyoto Protocol for all developed countries. Most other countries have shifted their baselines to 2005 or even later under the
2015 Paris Agreement.
What else is expected from developed regions like EU?

EU has not been fulfilling all its climate obligations. The Kyoto Protocol required the rich and developed countries to provide
finance and technology to the developing countries to help them fight climate change. In those respects, there has been little
climate money flowing out of the EU, especially for adaptation needs of developing countries, and transfer of new climate-friendly
technologies has been mired in patent and ownership complications.
This is the reason why developing countries, like India and China, have been repeatedly raising the issue of unfulfilled obligations of
developed countries in the pre-2020 period, that is covered by the Kyoto Protocol.
The Green Deal is important but inadequate in itself to achieve the emission reductions that scientific assessments say would be
required to save the world from catastrophic and irreversible impacts of climate change.
There has been no signal from other big emitters, including large developing countries like China and India, that they were
considering immediate scaling up of their climate actions.
• As long as many international partners do not share the same ambition as the EU, there is a risk of carbon leakage, either because
production is transferred from the EU to other countries with lower ambition for emission reduction, or because EU products are replaced by
more carbon-intensive imports.
• If this risk materializes, there will be no reduction in global emissions, and this will frustrate the efforts of EU and its industries to meet the
global climate objectives of the Paris Agreement.
JANUARY 2020
SUPREME COURT BANS AGAINST TRANSFER OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Context: Recently, the Supreme Court of India held that the Government has no right to transfer “invaluable” community
resources like village water ponds to powerful people and industrialists for commercialisation of the property.
The judgment came on a plea against the transfer of village ponds’ sites of Saini Village in the National Capital Region to some
private industrialists by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority.
Observations made by the Court:
1. Protection of such village commons is essential to safeguard the fundamental right guaranteed by Article 21 of our Constitution.
2. These common areas are the lifeline of village communities, and often sustain various chores and provide resources necessary for life.
3. The State cannot divest villagers of their existing source of water even if it promises to provide them an alternative site where the water
body can be replicated. Such an attitude would display “a mechanical application of environmental protection .”
4. There is no guarantee that the adverse effect of destroying the existing water body would be offset and people would be compelled to
travel miles to access the alternative site.
KERALA TO TURN TO MIYAWAKI METHOD
Context: The Miyawaki method of afforestation is to come up on the government office premises, residential complexes, school
premises, and puramboke land in Kerala.
What is Miyawaki method?
The Miyawaki method, developed by a Japanese botanist after whom it is named, involves planting saplings in small areas, causing
them to "fight" for resources and grow nearly 10 times quicker.
It originated in Japan, and is now increasingly adopted in other parts of the world, including our Chennai. It has revolutionised the
concept of urban afforestation by turning backyards into mini-forests.
The process explained:
1. A pit has to be dug, and its dimensions depend on the available space. Before digging the pit, the list of tree species should be chosen
judiciously. As there is very little space to work around with, trees with varying heights should be chosen.
2. Fill it with one layer of compost, followed by a layer of natural waste such as bagasse and coconut shells and then top it with a layer of
red soil.
3. Plant the saplings following interval and tree height specifications.
4. The whole process can be completed in two to three weeks. The saplings have to be maintained regularly for a year.
Cost analysis: The exercise will cost approximately ₹ 20,000 for a 600 sq. ft mini forest.
GREEN CREDIT SCHEME

Context: Forest Advisory Committee has approved the implementation of Green Credit scheme.
Key features of the scheme:
It allows “forests” to be traded as a commodity.
It allows the Forest Department to outsource one of its responsibilities of reforesting to non-government agencies.
Implementation:
1. The scheme allows agencies — they could be private companies, village forest communities — to identify land and begin growing
plantations.
2. After three years, they would be eligible to be considered as compensatory forest land if they met the Forest Department’s criteria.
3. An industry needing forest land could then approach the agency and pay it for parcels of such forested land, and this would then be
transferred to the Forest Department and be recorded as forest land.
4. The participating agency will be free to trade its asset, that is plantation, in parcels, with project proponents who need forest land.
Present scenario:
1. In the current system, industry needs to make good the loss of forest by finding appropriate non-forest land — equal to that which would
be razed.
2. It also must pay the State Forest Department the current economic equivalent — called Net Present Value — of the forest land.
3. It’s then the Forest Department’s responsibility to grow appropriate vegetation that, over time, would grow into forests.
Need for change:
1. Industries have often complained that they find it hard to acquire appropriate non-forest land, which has to be contiguous to existing
forest.
2. Nearly ₹50,000 crore had been collected by the Centre over decades, but the funds were lying unspent because States were not spending
the money on regrowing forests.
3. The Supreme Court intervened, a new law came about with rules for how this fund was to be administered. About ₹47,000 crore had
been disbursed to States until August, but it has barely led to any rejuvenation of forests.
Background:
This is not the first time that such a scheme has been mooted. In 2015, a ‘Green Credit Scheme’ for degraded forest land with
public-private participation was recommended, but it was not approved by the Union Environment Minister, the final authority.
Benefits of the scheme:
Such a scheme will encourage plantation by individuals outside the traditional forest area and will help in meeting international commitments
such as sustainable development goals and nationally determined contributions.
OPEN-LOOP SCRUBBER USAGE IN SHIPS

Context: According to GlobalData, a data and analytics company, there has been a huge increase in the use of open-loop scrubbers in
ships in just last one year.
There are currently 3,756 vessels with scrubbers installed, compared to just 767 in 2018. Out of these, only 65 have closed-loop, rest are all
open-loop.
How sulphur emissions are regulated?
The International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) adopted the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from
Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI in 2008 that regulates the prevention of air pollution from ships and prohibits deliberate emissions
of ozone-depleting substances such as sulphur oxides and nitrous oxides.
What’s the issue now?
Following the adoption, exhaust scrubbers have become one of the most preferred ways of reducing sulphur exhaust as they
‘scrub’ pollutants out of emissions.
There are two types of exhaust scrubbers- open and closed.
While closed-loop scrubbers retain the sulphur emissions for safer disposal at port, open-loop scrubbers release pollutants
back in the sea after turning the sulphur dioxide into sulphuric acid.
However, uncertainty around the sustainability of open-loop scrubbers continues to escalate in the shipping industry.
About International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL):
The Convention was adopted on 2 November 1973 at IMO.
It includes regulations aimed at preventing and minimizing pollution from ships - both accidental pollution and that from routine operations.
All ships flagged under countries that are signatories to MARPOL are subject to its requirements, regardless of where they sail and member
nations are responsible for vessels registered on their national ship registry.
WHAT ARE CRZ RULES?
Context: SC order to demolish 59 villas on Kerala island for violating CRZ norms.
The villas are constructed in the Vembanad backwaters -- a Ramsar site. The wetland is of international importance and protected by the
Ramsar Convention.
What are CRZ norms?
In India, the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Rules govern human and industrial activity close to the coastline, in order to
protect the fragile ecosystems near the sea. They restrict certain kinds of activities — like large constructions, setting up of new
industries, storage or disposal of hazardous material, mining, reclamation and bunding — within a certain distance from the coastline.
Background:
After the passing of the Environment Protection Act in 1986, CRZ Rules were first framed in 1991. After these were found to be
restrictive, the Centre notified new Rules in 2011, which also included exemptions for the construction of the Navi Mumbai airport and for
projects of the Department of Atomic Energy.
In 2018, fresh Rules were issued, which aimed to remove certain restrictions on building, streamlined the clearance process, and aimed
to encourage tourism in coastal areas.
What is the regulation zone?
In all Rules, the regulation zone has been defined as the area up to 500 m from the high-tide line.
What are the restrictions?
The restrictions depend on criteria such as the population of the area, the ecological sensitivity, the distance from the shore, and
whether the area had been designated as a natural park or wildlife zone.
The latest Rules have a no-development zone of 20 m for all islands close to the mainland coast, and for all backwater islands
in the mainland.
For the so-called CRZ-III (Rural) areas, two separate categories have been stipulated.
1. In the densely populated rural areas (CRZ-IIIA) with a population density of 2,161 per sq km as per the 2011 Census, the no-
development zone is 50 m from the high-tide level, as against the 200 m stipulated earlier.
2. CRZ-IIIB category (rural areas with population density below 2,161 per sq km) areas continue to have a no-development
zone extending up to 200 m from the high-tide line.
Implementation:
While the CRZ Rules are made by the Union environment ministry, implementation is to be ensured by state governments through
their Coastal Zone Management Authorities.
CENTRE EASES CRZ RULES FOR ‘BLUE FLAG’ BEACHES

This is to help States construct infrastructure and enable them to receive ‘Blue Flag’ certification.
Need:
The Blue Flag certification requires beaches to create certain infrastructure — portable toilet blocks, grey water treatment plants, a solar
power plant, seating facilities, CCTV surveillance .However, India’s CRZ laws don’t allow the construction of such infrastructure on
beaches and islands.
Blue flag programme:
The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the
Foundation for Environmental Education).
It started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in areas outside Europe since 2001, when South Africa
joined.
Definition:
The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an ‘eco-tourism model’ and marks out beaches as providing tourists and beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing
water, facilities/amenities, a safe and healthy environment, and sustainable development of the area.
Key facts:
• Japan and South Korea are the only countries in South and southeastern Asia to have Blue Flag beaches.
• Spain tops the list with 566 such beaches; Greece and France follow with 515 and 395, respectively.
Criteria:
There are nearly 33 criteria that must be met to qualify for a Blue Flag certification, such as the water meeting certain quality standards,
having waste disposal facilities, being disabled- friendly, have first aid equipment, and no access to pets in the main areas of the beach.
Some criteria are voluntary and some compulsory.
Beaches identified in India:
• 13 pilot beaches have been identified for the certification.
• These include Ghoghala Beach (Diu), Shivrajpur beach (Gujarat), Bhogave (Maharashtra), Padubidri and Kasarkod (Karnagaka), Kappad
beach (Kerala) etc.
• Chandrabhaga beach of Odisha’s Konark coast has completed the Blue Flag certification process.
AUSTRALIAN BUSHFIRES
Context: Australia was recently ravaged by the worst wildfires seen in decades, with large swaths of the country devastated since the
fire season began.
All this has been exacerbated by persistent heat and drought, and many point to climate change as a factor making natural disasters go
from bad to worse.
Regions affected:
There have been fires in every Australian state, but New South Wales has been hardest hit.
Blazes have torn through bushland, wooded areas, and national parks like the Blue Mountains.
Some of Australia's largest cities have also been affected, including Melbourne and Sydney -- where fires have damaged homes in the outer
suburbs and thick plumes of smoke have blanketed the urban center.
What is causing the fires?
Each year there is a fire season during the Australian summer, with hot, dry weather making it easy for blazes to start and spread.
Natural causes are to blame most of the time, like lightning strikes in drought-affected forests.
Dry lightning was responsible for starting a number of fires in Victoria's East Gippsland region.
Humans can also be to blame. NSW police have charged at least 24 people with deliberately starting bushfires.
Challenges that Australia is facing:
Australia is experiencing one of its worst droughts in decades- last spring was the driest on record.
Meanwhile, a heatwave in December broke the record for highest nationwide average temperature, with some places sweltering under
temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius (about 113-120 degrees Fahrenheit).
Strong winds have also made the fires and smoke spread more rapidly.
Experts say climate change has worsened the scope and impact of natural disasters like fires and floods -- weather conditions are growing
more extreme, and for years, the fires have been starting earlier in the season and spreading with greater intensity.
What has been the damage so far?
• Entire towns have been engulfed in flames, and residents across several states have lost their homes.
• The heaviest structural damage occurred in NSW, the country's most populated state, where 1,588 homes have been destroyed and over
650 damaged.
• In total, more than 7.3 million hectares (17.9 million acres) have been burned across Australia's six states -- an area larger than the
countries of Belgium and Denmark combined.
• The worst-affected state is NSW, with more than 4.9 million hectares (12.1 million acres) burned.
• Number of total animals affected could be as high as one billion nationwide. Almost a third of koalas in NSW may have been killed in the
fires, and a third of their habitat has been destroyed.
REVIEW OF STATE AND CENTRAL GOVERNMENT WATER DEPARTMENTS

Context: Report on the review of state and Central government water departments by the ministry of Jal Shakti has been
released.
How are they ranked?
Ranking has been done under the National Hydrology Project that aims to improve drought and flood management, creating a state
specific database on availability, plugging leakages in canals and dams and meteorological forecast on water resources information system.
1. The ranking is part of the mid-term review of the Central and the state government departments dealing with water to achieve the target
to provide piped drinking water connection to every household in the next five years.
2. Another aim of the ranking is to have a water resources information system (WRIS) for all states to create a real-time integrated National
Water Information Center (NWIC).
Performance of various states:
1. Gujarat has been ranked the best for parameters on efficiency targets.
2. Delhi is among the worst performing states.
3. In the previous year’s ranking, Telangana had got the top slot and this year’s topper, Gujarat, was ranked seventh last time.
4. Among the states that significantly improved its ranking was Tamil Nadu, which stood at 13th position as compared to 33 in 2018.
Performance of government departments:
The departments have been ranked on parameters for procurement, finance, real-time data acquisition system, data digitization, analytical
work, trainings and updating MIS.
The agencies have been given score out of 100, and those scoring between 48 and 100 are called satisfactory; the ones scoring between
40 and 48 are moderately satisfactory; score between 34 and 40 falls under moderately unsatisfactory category and score below 34
is in the unsatisfactory category.
• Among the seven Central departments reviewed, the Survey of India has got the top billing followed by the National Institute of Hydrology
(NIH) and Central Water Commission.
• The Central Pollution Control Board, the country’s pollution watchdog, has got the lowest rank.
Way ahead:
Ranking project will have impact on ground only if leakages are detected on real time basis and there are personnel to act on the alerts to
be issued by the WRIS.
The states need to strengthen its workforce on ground to deliver the benefits of the system to people. The system can also help people in
getting real time alerts on water related natural calamities such as drought and floods
CARBON DISCLOSURE PROJECT

Context: The CDP India annual report has been released by CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project) India.
The report examines carbon reduction activities of companies.
Top 4: United States of America secured the top spot followed by Japan, United Kindom and France.
Key findings:
1. The boards of 98% of the firms directly monitor climate change risks with top management integrating these concerns in
performance evaluation.
2. 2/3rd of the 59 firms that were surveyed use climate analysis tools to formulate their business strategies.
3. Improvement in disclosure rate has primarily been driven by investors who are actively pushing companies to reveal climate risks and take
steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
4. Among the key focus areas of Indian firms is renewable energy. According to the report, 23 companies reported renewable energy targets
in 2019, a 44% rise over 2018. Of these, Infosys, Dalmia Cement and Tata Motors have reported 100% RE consumption.
Overall performance of India:
1. India is now among the top five countries globally when it comes to adopting science-based target initiatives (SBT) with as
many as 38 Indian companies in 2019 committing to going beyond policy requirements to plan urgent climate action, a significant rise from
25 firms in 2018.
2. In 2019, up to 57 of the 59 responding companies stated that they have a process for risks assessment; 51 declared that their process of
identifying, assessing and managing climate related risks is integrated into the multi-disciplinary, company-wide risk identification,
assessment, and management process which is considered a best practice.
About CDP:
• The CDP is a global disclosure system that enables companies, cities, states and regions to measure and manage their environmental
impacts.
• It collects and collates self-reported environmental data in the world.
• It is aimed at measuring the carbon reduction activities undertaken by different companies and firms operating in various countries across
the globe.
HYDROCHLOROFLUOROCARBONS (HCFC)
Context: India has successfully achieved the complete phase out of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141 b, claims the ministry of
environment, forest and climate change.
About HCFC- 141 b:
• It is a chemical used by foam manufacturers.
• It is used mainly as a blowing agent in the production of rigid polyurethane (PU) foams.
• It is one of the most potent ozone depleting chemical after Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Background:
On 31 December 2019, as part of the move towards environment friendly technologies, the ministry of environment, forest and climate
change (MoEFCC) also brought out a Gazette notification prohibiting the issuance of import licence for HCFC-141b from 1 January
2020 under Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Amendment Rules, 2019 issued under the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986.
Significance:
Nearly, 50% of the consumption of ozone depleting chemicals in the country was attributable to HCFC-141 b in the foam sector.
India has now emerged as one among the few countries globally and a pioneer in some cases in the use of technologies, which are non-
Ozone Depleting and have a low Global Warming Potential (GWP).
Montreal Protocol:
The complete phase out of HCFC 141 b from the country in foam sector is among the first at this scale in Article 5 parties (developing
countries) under the Montreal Protocol.
What are HCFCs?
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are a large group of compounds, whose structure is very close to that of Chlorofluorocarbons
(CFCs), but including one or more hydrogen atoms.
1. Under normal conditions, HCFCs are gases or liquids which evaporate easily. They are generally fairly stable and unreactive.
2. HCFCs do not usually dissolve in water, but do dissolve in organic (carbon-containing) solvents.
3. HCFCs are chemically similar to Hydrobromofluorocarbons (HBFCs), Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and Halons and therefore display
some similar properties, though they are much less stable and persistent.
4. HCFCs are also part of a group of chemicals known as the volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
How might it affect the environment?
HCFCs are unlikely to have any impact on the environment in the immediate vicinity of their release.
1. As VOCs, they may be slightly involved in reactions to produce ozone, which can cause damage to plants and materials on a local scale.
2. At a global level however, releases of HCFCs have serious environmental consequences. Although not as stable and therefore not so
persistent in the atmosphere as CFCs, HBFCs or Halons, they can still end up in the higher atmopshere (stratosphere) where they can
destroy the ozone layer, thus reducing the protection it offers the earth from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
3. HCFCs also contribute to Global Warming (through “the Greenhouse Effect”). Although the amounts emitted are relatively small, they
have a powerful warming effect (a very high “Global Warming Potential”).
BIOROCK OR MINERAL ACCRETION TECHNOLOGY

Context: The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), with help from Gujarat’s forest department, is attempting for the first time a process to
restore coral reefs using biorock or mineral accretion technology in the Gulf of Kachchh.
What is Biorock?
It is the name given to the substance formed by electro accumulation of minerals dissolved in seawater on steel structures
that are lowered onto the sea bed and are connected to a power source, in this case solar panels that float on the surface.
How they are formed?
1. The technology works by passing a small amount of electrical current through electrodes in the water.
2. When a positively charged anode and negatively charged cathode are placed on the sea floor, with an electric current flowing between
them, calcium ions combine with carbonate ions and adhere to the structure (cathode).
3. This results in calcium carbonate formation. Coral larvae adhere to the CaCO3 and grow quickly.
4. Fragments of broken corals are tied to the biorock structure, where they are able to grow at least four to six times faster than their actual
growth as they need not spend their energy in building their own calcium carbonate skeletons.
CHEETAH REINTRODUCTION PROJECT

Context: The Supreme Court has allowed the Centre to introduce the African cheetah to a suitable habitat in India.
Background:
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) had previously told the Supreme Court that African cheetahs would be
translocated in India from Namibia and would be kept at Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has given a ‘no objection’ for the translocation.
What is reintroduction and why reintroduce Cheetah now?
‘Reintroduction’ of a species means releasing it in an area where it is capable of surviving.
Reintroductions of large carnivores have increasingly been recognised as a strategy to conserve threatened species and restore
ecosystem functions.
• The cheetah is the only large carnivore that has been extirpated, mainly by over-hunting in India in historical times.
• India now has the economic ability to consider restoring its lost natural heritage for ethical as well as ecological reasons.
Facts:
• The cheetah, Acinonyx jubatus, is one of the oldest of the big cat species, with ancestors that can be traced back more than five million
years to the Miocene era.
• The cheetah is also the world’s fastest land mammal.
• It is listed as vulnerable in IUCN red listed species.
• The country’s last spotted feline died in Chhattisgarh in 1947. Later, the cheetah — which is the fastest land animal — was declared
extinct in India in 1952.
• The Asiatic cheetah is classified as a “critically endangered” species by the IUCN Red List, and is believed to survive only in Iran.
Cheetah reintroduction programme in India:

The Wildlife Institute of India at Dehradun had prepared a ₹260-crore cheetah re-introduction project seven years ago.
Nauradehi in Madhya Pradesh was found to be the most suitable area for the cheetahs as its forests are not very dense to restrict the fast
movement of the spotted cat. Besides, the prey base for cheetahs is also in abundance at the sanctuary.
Reasons for extinction:
1. The reasons for extinction can all be traced to man’s interference. Problems like human-wildlife conflict, loss of habitat and loss of prey,
and illegal trafficking, have decimated their numbers.
2. The advent of climate change and growing human populations have only made these problems worse.
3. With less available land for wildlife, species that require vast home range like the cheetah are placed in competition with other animals
and humans, all fighting over less space.
About NTCA:
The National Tiger Conservation Authority is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
It was constituted under enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended in 2006, for strengthening tiger
conservation.
RAMSAR SITES IN INDIA

Context: India has added 10 more wetlands to sites protected by the Ramsar Convention.
Wetlands in India:
The country has over 757,000 wetlands with a total wetland area of 15.3 million ha, accounting for nearly 4.7% of the total geographical
area of the country.
India has 37 Ramsar sites now, covering an area of 1.07 million ha. The latest additions include Maharashtra’s first Ramsar site,
the Nandur Madhmeshwar bird sanctuary; three more from Punjab (in Keshopur-Miani, Beas Conservation Reserve and Nangal); and
six more from Uttar Pradesh (in Nawabganj, Parvati Agra, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi and Sarsai Nawar).
The other Ramsar sites are in Rajasthan, Kerala, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Assam, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir,
Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Tripura.
About Ramsar convention:
• It is an international treaty for the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
• It is named after the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the Caspian Sea, where the treaty was signed on 2 February 1971.
• Known officially as ‘the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat’ (or, more
recently, just ‘the Convention on Wetlands’), it came into force in 1975.
Montreux Record:
Montreux Record under the Convention is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where
changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological
developments, pollution or other human interference.
It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
The Montreux Record was established by Recommendation of the Conference of the Contracting Parties (1990).
Sites may be added to and removed from the Record only with the approval of the Contracting Parties in which they lie.
• Currently, two wetlands of India are in Montreux record: Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and Loktak Lake (Manipur).
• Chilka lake (Odisha) was placed in the record but was later removed from it.
UN’S NEW RULES FOR SHIPS IN THE ARCTIC REGION

Context: On January 1, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued new rules aiming to reduce sulphur emissions,
due to which ships are opting for newer blends of fuels.
But, recently environmental activists called for a ban on the use of new low sulphur marine fuel in the Arctic region , citing a
research which shows that blends of very low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO) contribute to highly polluting black carbon emissions in
the environment.
What do the new IMO rules say?
The IMO has banned ships from using fuels with a sulphur content above 0.5 per cent, compared with 3.5 per cent
previously.
The new limits are monitored and enforced by national authorities of countries that are members of the International
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex VI.
Under the new policy, only ships fitted with sulphur-cleaning devices, known as scrubbers, are allowed to continue burning high-sulphur
fuel.
Alternatively, they can opt for cleaner fuels, such as marine gasoil (MGO) and very low-sulfur fuel oil (VLSFO).
There are complaints against VLSFO as well, as testing companies have claimed that high sediment formation due to the fuel’s use
could damage vessel engines.
Implications:
The new regulations, called IMO 2020, have been regarded as the biggest shake up for the oil and shipping industries in decades. It affects
more than 50,000 merchant ships worldwide.
Concerns associated with Sulphur usage:
Sulphur oxides (SOx), which are formed after combustion in engines, are known to cause respiratory symptoms and lung disease, while also
leading to acid rain.
FEBRUARY 2020
Green India Mission
Context: A sum of Rs 343.08 crore has been released under the Green India Mission (GIM) for undertaking afforestation activities over
an area of 126,916.32 hectare (ha) in 13 states, according to the Economic Survey 2019-20.
About Green India Mission:
GIM is one of the eight missions launched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
• GIM, launched in February 2014, is aimed at protecting, restoring and enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover and responding to climate
change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures.
Objectives of the Mission:
1. To protect, restore and enhance India's falling forest cover.
2. To respond to climate change through a combination of adaptation as well as mitigation measures.
3. To increased forest-based livelihood incomes.
4. To enhance annual Carbon sequestration by 50 to 60 million tonnes in the year 2020.
Goals:
1. Improvement in quality of forest cover and ecosystem services of forests /non-forests, including moderately dense, open forests,
degraded grassland and wetlands (5 m ha).
2. Eco-restoration/afforestation of scrub, shifting cultivation areas, cold deserts, mangroves, ravines and abandoned mining areas (1.8 m
ha).
3. Improvement in forest and tree cover in urban/peri-urban lands (0.20 m ha)
4. Improvement in forest and tree cover on marginal agricultural lands/fallows and other non-forest lands under agroforestry /social forestry
(3 m ha)
5. Management of public forest/ non-forests areas (taken up under the Mission) by the community institutions
6. Adoption of improved fuelwood-use efficiency and alternative energy devices by project-area households.
7. Diversification of forest-based livelihoods of about 3 million households living in and around forests.
WORLD WETLANDS DAY 2019

Context: World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2 each year to mark the Day the Convention on Wetlands was adopted in
the Iranian City of Ramsar in 1971.
India is a party to the Convention since 1982 and committed to the Ramsar approach of wise use of wetlands.
The theme for 2020 is ‘Wetlands and Biodiversity’.
Status of wetlands in India:
The bad news is that India’s cities have lost 25 ha of wetland for every one sq. km’s increase of built-up area in the last four
decades.
Significance of wetlands:
Wetlands provide a wide range of important ecosystem services, such as food, water, groundwater recharge, water purification, flood
moderation, erosion control, microclimate regulation, landscape aesthetics and, of course, livelihood opportunities. They are in fact a major
source of water and the principal place from which India’s cities receive their freshwater.
Threats:
• Increasing urbanisation has significantly reduced the amount of area under wetlands.
• According to an assessment undertaken by Wetlands International South Asia (WISA), between 1970 and 2014, cities have rapidly
degraded wetlands, to the tune of 25 ha per sq. km of built-up area.
• The biggest offenders were the metropolitans of New Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai and Hyderabad, which treat wastelands as their
private dumping grounds.
KERALA’S BAN ON CFL AND FILAMENT BULBS FROM NOVEMBER 2020

Context: Kerala will impose a ban on the sale of compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and incandescent (filament) bulbs starting
November this year as part of sustainable energy policy.
This is in line with the government project of ‘Filament-free Kerala’ envisaged in 2018 as part of the state’s Urja Kerala mission.
What is filament-free Kerala project?
• It will be implemented by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Energy Management Centre, Kerala.
• Consumers in the state can place orders for LED bulbs on the KSEB website in exchange for existing filament bulbs.
• Nine-watt LED bulbs are being sold at reduced prices by the government to encourage usage. Last year, Peelikode in Kasaragod
district became the first panchayat in the country to be completely filament-free.
• The project is also part of the long-term sustainable energy policy to reduce the dependence on conventional energy sources and
instead maximise potential on renewable sources like solar and hydel power.
Key differences between LED and CFL:
• The major difference between the CFL and LED is that in CFL the emission of light is because of the ionisation of mercury
vapour. The mercury vapour when ionise produces ultraviolet rays. These rays when collides with phosphorous coating tube generates
visible light.
• Whereas in the LED it is because of the PN junction diode. When the forward current applies across the diode, the recombination of
the charge carrier takes place. This charge carrier gives energy in the form of the heat and light.
Rationale behind the ban:
1. The CFL uses mercury vapour which is dangerous for the environment and living beings.
2. Also, it requires additional components like ballast, tungsten tube coated with barium, etc., which increases their cost.
3. The destruction of the LED is easier than the CFL because LED does not have any harmful metal which pollutes the environment.
4. The brightness of LED is more as compared to CFL because LED emits light only in one direction.
Why LED?
The LED is better than the CFL in every aspect. The LED saves up to 80 percent of the electricity bill even though their cost is very less. It is
recyclable, and their brightness remains same even after using it for a long time.
PROTECTED SPECIAL AGRICULTURAL ZONE’ (PSAZ)

Context: Tamil Nadu CM declares Cauvery Delta as Protected Special Agriculture Zone. A law in this regard will be enacted soon.
The protected zone will include Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam districts and delta regions of Trichy, Ariyalur, Cuddalore and
Pudukkottai.
Significance:
PSAZ is aimed at protecting the Cauvery delta region for the future, fulfilling TN’s food requirements and ensuring the welfare of delta
farmers.
It has recognised farmer concerns about hydrocarbon exploration and accorded primacy to food security.
Need for:
The delta, which produces 33 lakh tonnes of grains in 28 lakh acres, has seen multiple protests for a decade over methane, hydrocarbon, oil
and natural gas projects, which required acquisition of fertile lands and well drilling — proposals which triggered fears of groundwater
contamination.
Challenges ahead:
Tamil Nadu now has to enact legislation to protect a vast region, largely in the coastal area, from industries that would affect farming.
The State has its challenges:
1. In 2017, a government notification delineated 45 villages covering about 23,000 hectares in Cuddalore and Nagapattinam districts in the
delta, as a Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Region, with an eye on over ₹90,000 crore in investments. The proposed
PSAZ raises a question mark on this ambitious scheme.
2. The government may have to brave central pressure and litigation from companies which pumped in money for exploration.
3. The decision may also have implications for the State’s investment climate.
GLOBAL CONSERVATION LIST

Context: India will be moving to include the Asian Elephant and the Great Indian Bustard in global conservation list- the list of species
that merit heightened conservation measures.
• The list will be debated at the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of
Wild Animals (CMS), an environment treaty under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• The COP is scheduled to be organised from February 17 to 22 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
• India has been designated the President of the COP for the next three years.
Implications and significance:
Having the elephant and the Great Indian Bustard in the list — more formally known as Appendix 1 — would coax countries neighbouring
India, where wild animals such as tigers and elephant foray into, to direct more resources and attention to protecting them. There are now
173 species in the Appendix 1.
About CMS:
In order to protect the migratory species throughout their range countries, a Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), has
been in force, under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme.
Also referred to as the Bonn Convention, it provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory
animals and their habitats and brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the legal
foundation for internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range.
Classification of species:
Under this convention, migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I and Parties strive towards strictly protecting
these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might
endanger them. Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are listed in Appendix II of the
Convention.
CMS is only global and UN-based intergovernmental organization established exclusively for conservation and management of
terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
• Migratory species are those animals that move from one habitat to another during different times of the year, due to various factors such
as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc.
• The movement between habitats, can sometimes exceed thousands of miles/kilometres for some migratory birds and mammals. A
migratory route can involve nesting and also requires the availability of habitats before and after each migration.
JAL JEEVAN MISSION

Context: Rajasthan government has sought changes in the norms for Central assistance for the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in order to
reduce the financial burden on the States. The flagship Central scheme at present stipulates the share in 50:50 ratio.
Background:
Rajasthan, where only 12% households are currently getting piped water supply, has formulated new action plans for implementing JJM by
rejuvenating the sources of water to provide connections to about 98 lakh households.
The JJM is being implemented under the State Water and Sanitation Mission, which is already functional, and different sources,
including rainwater harvesting, have been tapped.
Way ahead:
The State, which had only 1.01% of the country’s surface water, has been trying hard to supply drinking water to geographically difficult
areas and expected more assistance from the Centre to achieve the targets of JJM. Unless the steps are taken to increase surface water, the
dark zones would expand across the State.
About Jal Jeevan Mission:

The Mission was announced in August 2019.
The chief objective of the Mission is to provide piped water supply (Har Ghar Jal) to all rural households by 2024.
households by 2024.
Key features:
• It aims to create local infrastructure for rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge and management of household waste water for reuse
in agriculture.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission is set to be based on various water conservation efforts like point recharge, desilting of minor irrigation tanks, use
of greywater for agriculture and source sustainability.
• The Jal Jeevan Mission will converge with other Central and State Government Schemes to achieve its objectives of sustainable water
supply management across the country.
Need for and significance of the mission:

India has 16% of the world population, but only 4% of freshwater resources. Depleting groundwater level, overexploitation and
deteriorating water quality, climate change, etc. are major challenges to provide potable drinking water.
It is an urgent requirement of water conservation in the country because of the decreasing amount of groundwater level. Therefore, the
Jal Jeevan Mission will focus on integrated demand and supply management of water at the local level.
FUTURE OF EARTH 2020

Context: The Future of Earth 2020 report has been released by the South Asia Future Earth Regional Office, Divecha Centre for
Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science.
The report was prepared with the aim of reducing carbon footprint and halting global warming below 2 degree Celsius by 2050.
Five global risks:
The report lists five global risks that have the potential to impact and amplify one another in ways that may cascade to create a global
systemic crisis. They are:
1. Failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
2. Extreme weather events.
3. Major biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse.
4. Food crises.
5. Water crises.
Key observations:
Interrelation of risk factors: Extreme heat waves can accelerate global warming by releasing large amounts of stored carbon from
affected ecosystems, and at the same time intensify water crises and/or food scarcity.
Biodiversity loss and it’s impact: The loss of biodiversity weakens the capacity of natural and agricultural systems to cope with climate
extremes, increasing our vulnerability to food crises.
The five years from 2014 to 2018 were the warmest recorded over land and ocean since 1880.
Concerns and Challenges ahead:
Major assessments in last two years have all argued that time is running out to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• This has inspired declarations of a climate crisis or climate emergency by the leaders of more than 700 cities, States and governments.
• Yet, during 2019, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere reached more than 415 ppm.
Anthropogenic factors: Humans have now “significantly altered” 75% of our planet’s land area; about a quarter of species in assessed
plant and animal groups are threatened.
Strains on food production are expected to increase, as a result of various forces including climate change, biodiversity loss, and a global
population on the rise.
Denial of climate change: Right-wing populism, a breed of politics that exploits people’s fears during times of economic decline and
growing inequality, and that focuses on nationalist tendencies to clamp down on borders and reject immigrants, is on the rise around the
world. This often leads to a denial of climate change facts or impacts.
The digital platforms such as social media, search engines and e-commerce algorithms, tend to favour the spread of information designed
to engage with emotion over reason, which can cause the propagation of “fake news”, and can lead to social harms like an erosion of trust
in vaccines.
Environmental health and education:
New thinking about conservation is needed. The National Education Policy will address the question of environmental health and
education at the school level.
Children in the last four years of secondary education will have a reasonable grounding to be sensitive towards the environment. Without it
no government rules and policies can be helpful
STATE OF INDIA’S BIRDS 2020

Context: The research titled ‘State of India’s Birds 2020’ (SoIB), put together by over ten institutions and numerous citizen scientists,
was released recently at the ongoing United Nations 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species in
Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Key findings:
1. Over 50 per cent of the 867 species studied, exhibit a population decline in the long term while 146 are at great risk in the short term.
2. The populations of raptors (eagles, hawks, kites, etc.), migratory seabirds and birds that live in specialised habitats were the most
affected in the past decades.
3. The number of birds in the Western Ghats, which is considered one of the world’s foremost biodiversity hotspots, also declined by almost
75 per cent since 2000.
4. Indian Peafowl, the national bird, has shown a dramatic increase in both abundance and distribution across the country.
The number of house sparrows has also stabilised nationwide, although there is still a marked decline in their population in cities.
5. 126 species, including the peafowl, house sparrow, Asian Koel, rose-ringed parakeet and the common tailorbird, are expected to increase
in numbers, primarily due to their ability to survive in human habitats.
How was the study carried out?
The data for these birds was collected through the citizen science app ‘eBird’, which received a record ten million entries by approximately
15,500 citizen scientists.
Cornell University’s Laboratory of Ornithology hosts the app, while its India-specific portal is curated and customised by Bird Count India,
an informal group of birdwatching enthusiasts, ornithologists, naturalists and conservationists dedicated to documenting Indian birds.
Concerns:
This assessment makes it very clear that our birds are in overall decline, in some cases catastrophically so.
Several spectacular birds, many of them endemic to the sub-continent, face a growing threat from loss of habitat due to:
• Human activity.
• The widespread presence of toxins, including pesticides.
• Hunting and trapping for the pet trade.
Categorisation:
1. It categorises 101 species as ‘High Conservation Concern for India’.
2. 319 species are classified under the ‘Moderate Conservation Concern’ category. These species must be carefully monitored to rapidly
detect and act upon signs of continuing decline.
What next?
This information should also translate into many voices being raised for bird conservation, both among conservation bodies, and the general
public.
Many urgent policy measures need to be adopted immediately. Conservation action must be taken immediately to identify causes of decline
and implement measures to halt and reverse the trend for these species.
SPECIES INCLUDED IN APPENDIX I OF UN CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY SPECIES:

Context: The Great Indian Bustard, Asian Elephant and Bengal Florican have been included in Appendix I of UN Convention on
Migratory Species.
• This was done at the ongoing 13th Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) in
Gandhinagar (Gujarat).
About Asian Elephant:
Found in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan ans Myanmar.
IUCN status: Endangered.
It is also listed in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
and Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
About Great Indian Bustard:
It is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world.
Its largest populations are found in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
State bird of Rajasthan.
It is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.
It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES andSchedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
About Bengal Floridian:
In India it is found in Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
It has been listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.
The bird is listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of India, 1972 and Appendix I of CITES.
JALYUKTA SHIVAR
Context: Maharashtra government has scrapped the Jalyukta Shivar- the flagship water conservation project.
What is Jalyukta Shivar?
Launched in December 2014 after Maharashtra experienced consecutive droughts.
Aimed at rolling out measures that could potentially mitigate water scarcity in the most drought-prone villages in a systematic manner.
Features:
• The project targeted strengthening and streamlining existing water resources like canals, bunds and ponds by arresting maximum run-off
rainwater during monsoon.
• Tasks to widen and deepen natural water streams and connect them to nearby water storage facilities like earthern or concrete check-
dams was proposed.
What necessitated this?
Nearly 52 per cent of the state’s geographical area is prone to drought, either naturally or due to poor rainfall. This includes Marathwada
and adjoining areas of Madhya Maharashtra and large parts of Vidarbha.
Was Jalyukta Shivar beneficial?
By January 2019, the scheme had transformed 16,000 drought-prone villages of Maharashtra. The irrigation cover had been increased by 34
lakh hectares. In the process, thereby, increasing the crop yield each year, particularly the kharif crops. Until mid-2019, interventions
resulted in stocking of water measuring 24 lakh trillion cubic metre.
WORLD AIR QUALITY REPORT 2019

Context: World Air Quality Report 2019 was released by the pollution tracker IQAir and Greenpeace.
The ranking is based on a comparison of PM 2.5 levels.
Bangladesh emerged as the most polluted country for PM 2.5. Pakistan, Mongolia, Afghanistan and India followed behind
respectively.
Background:
PM 2.5 includes pollutants such as sulfate, nitrates and black carbon. Exposure to such particles has been linked to lung and heart disorders
and can impair cognitive and immune functions.
Performance of India:
1. Twenty-one of the world's 30 cities with the worst air pollution are in India.
2. Six cities from India are in the top ten.
3. Ghaziabad, an area close to New Delhi in northern Uttar Pradesh state, is ranked as the world's most polluted city, with an average
PM 2.5 concentration measurement of 110.2 in 2019.
4. National air pollution in India decreased by 20% from 2018 to 2019, with 98% of cities experiencing of varying levels of
improvement.
5. The report points to economic slowdown, favorable weather conditions, and efforts towards cleaning the air as reasons behind the
decrease.
6. The report also points India's launch of the country's first National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) which aims to reduce PM 2.5 and
the bigger particulate PM 10 air pollution in 102 cities by 20-30% by 2024 compared to 2017 levels.
South Asia:
1. South Asia continues to be of particular concern, with 27 of the 30 most polluted cities in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh.
2. However, South Asia has seen improvements from the previous year.
3. Chinese cities have overall seen marked improvements in recent years, with average concentrations of pollutants falling 9% from 2018 to
2019, according to the report.
Effects of air pollution:
• According to the World Health Organization, air pollution causes an estimated 7 million premature deaths a year globally, mainly as a result
of increased mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancers and respiratory infections.
• It is estimated that more than 80% living in urban areas which monitor air pollution are exposed to air quality levels that exceed WHO
guideline limits, with low- and middle-income countries most at risk.
1000 SPRINGS INITIATIVE LAUNCHED RECENTLY.

About 1000 springs initiative:
It is an online portal on GIS-based Spring Atlas with the hydrological and chemical properties of the springs mentioned.
Aim: To improve access to safe and adequate water for the tribal communities living in difficult and inaccessible part of rural areas in the
country.
It is an integrated solution around natural springs.
Key features:
It includes the provision of infrastructure for piped water supply for drinking; provision of water for irrigation; community-led total sanitation
initiatives; and provision for water for backyard nutrition gardens, generating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the tribal people.
Implementation:
Under this initiative, more than 70 young tribal youths from the rural belt of three districts of Odisha namely, Kalahandi, Khandamal and
Gajapati have been trained as barefoot hydro geologists by combining traditional and scientific knowledge for identification and mapping of
springs, and undertaking rejuvenation and protection measures in their habitations.
What are Springs?
Springs are natural sources of groundwater discharge and have been used extensively in the mountainous regions across the world.
Potential:
In the central and eastern Indian belt with more than 75% tribal population, it remains largely unrecognized and under-utilized.
Significance of this initiative:
The initiative will help in harnessing the potential of perennial springs’ water to address the natural scarcity of water in tribal areas.
DELHI WATER DOESN’T CONFORM TO ISO STANDARDS

Context: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has submitted its report to the Supreme Court of India on drinking water standards
in Delhi.
Key findings:
• None of the drinking water samples randomly collected from across Delhi conforms to the ISO standards of purity in one or more
requirements as per IS 10500:2012 [specification for drinking water].
• One of the main reasons for contamination in Delhi was leaking pipes.
What next?
The court has asked the BIS to suggest measures to improve water purity and asked it for reports on the samples taken from the other
cities.
MARCH 2020
1. Black carbon levels spike at Himalayan glaciers
Key findings:
1. Black carbon concentrations near the Gangotri glacier rose 400 times in summer due to forest fires and stubble burning from agricultural
waste, and triggered glacial melt.
2. The monthly mean concentration of EBC (equivalent black carbon) was found to be minimum in August and maximum in the month of
May. The observed seasonal mean concentrations of EBC indicated a pristine glacial source and an absence of EBC sources in the locality.
3. The concentration varied from a minimum of 0.01μg/cubic metre in winter to 4.62μg/cubic metre during summer.
Black carbon results from the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels biofuels and biomass.
BC is produced both naturally and by human activities
Primary sources include emissions from diesel engines, cook stoves, wood burning and forest fires.
Concerns associated:
1. The fine particles absorb light and about a million times more energy than carbon dioxide.
2. It is said to be the second largest contributor to climate change after CO2. But unlike CO2, which can stay in the atmosphere for
years together, black carbon is short-lived and remains in the atmosphere only for days to weeks before it descends as rain or snow.
3. Black carbon absorbs solar energy and warms the atmosphere. When it falls to earth with precipitation, it darkens the surface of snow
and ice, reducing their albedo (the reflecting power of a surface), warming the snow, and hastening melting.
4. India is the second largest emitter of black carbon in the world, with emissions expected to increase dramatically in the coming
decades, says an April 2019 study in the journal Atmospheric Research, with the Indo Gangetic plains said to be the largest contributor.
Complete combustion would turn all carbon in the fuel into carbon dioxide (CO2), but combustion is never complete and CO2, carbon
monoxide, volatile organic compounds, and organic carbon and black carbon particles are all formed in the process.
The complex mixture of particulate matter resulting from incomplete combustion is often referred to as soot.
WHAT CAUSES CORAL BLEACHING AT THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

Context: Scientists have warned that the Great Barrier Reef will face a critical period of heat stress over the coming weeks, following the
most widespread coral bleaching the natural world has ever endured.
About Great Barrier Reef:
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which spreads across a length of over 2,300 km and is roughly the size of Italy, is home to about 3,000
coral reefs, 600 continental islands, 1,625 type of fish, 133 varieties of shark and rays and 600 types of soft and hard corals. It is a world
heritage site.
What are Coral reefs?
Coral reefs are important hotspots of biodiversity in the ocean. Corals are animals in the same class (Cnidaria) as jellyfish and anemones.
They consist of individual polyps that get together and build reefs.
Significance:
Coral reefs support a wide range of species and maintain the quality of the coastal biosphere.
Corals control the level of carbon dioxide in the water by converting it into a limestone shell. If this process does not take place, the amount
of carbon dioxide in the ocean water would increase significantly and affect ecological niches.
Threats:
• Coral reefs are threatened by climate change.
• When the sea surface temperature increases beyond a tolerable limit, they undergo a process of bleaching.
What is bleaching?
Basically bleaching is when the corals expel a certain algae known as zooxanthellae, which lives in the tissues of the coral in a symbiotic
relationship. About 90% of the energy of the coral is provided by the zooxanthellae which are endowed with chlorophyll and other pigments.
They are responsible for the yellow or reddish brown colours of the host coral. In addition the zooxanthellae can live as endosymbionts with
jellyfish also.
When a coral bleaches, it does not die but comes pretty close to it. Some of the corals may survive the experience and recover once the sea
surface temperature returns to normal levels.
PRESERVATION OF EASTERN, WESTERN GHATS

Context: A public interest litigation petition has been filed in the Madras High Court seeking a direction to the Centre and State
government to constitute a permanent body for taking serious steps to safeguard the flora, fauna and other natural resources in the
Eastern and Western Ghat areas in Tamil Nadu.
• The petition is on the basis of the recommendations made by the Madhav Gadgil and Kasturi Rangan committees.
What’s the issue? Why there is a need for protection?

• Petitioner contended that the natural resources abundantly available in this area are being properly utilised by other regions, except Tamil
Nadu. They are being misutilised and mismanaged not only by the administrators but also by the public at large.
• Besides, large-scale plantations of coffee, tea and orchards have been raised in the hills of Western Ghats. Aromatic and valuable trees like
sandal are removed illegally. Despite the Wildlife Protection Act, hunting takes place in some pockets. The forests are getting degraded
because of illicit collection of firewood, illicit grazing and illicit felling of trees.

1. It defined the boundaries of the Western Ghats for the purposes of ecological management.
2. It proposed that this entire area be designated as ecologically sensitive area (ESA).
3. Within this area, smaller regions were to be identified as ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) I, II or III based on their existing
condition and nature of threat.
4. It proposed to divide the area into about 2,200 grids, of which 75 per cent would fall under ESZ I or II or under already existing
protected areas such as wildlife sanctuaries or natural parks.
5. The committee proposed a Western Ghats Ecology Authority to regulate these activities in the area.
Why was Kasturirangan Committee setup?

None of the six concerned states agreed with the recommendations of the Gadgil Committee, which submitted its report in August 2011.
• In August 2012, then Environment Minister constituted a High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats under Kasturirangan to “examine”
the Gadgil Committee report in a “holistic and multidisciplinary fashion in the light of responses received” from states, central ministries
and others.
• The Kasturirangan report seeks to bring just 37% of the Western Ghats under the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) zones — down
from the 64% suggested by the Gadgil report.
1. A ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining.
2. No new thermal power projects, but hydro power projects allowed with restrictions.
3. A ban on new polluting industries.
4. Building and construction projects up to 20,000 sq m was to be allowed but townships were to be banned.
5. Forest diversion could be allowed with extra safeguards.
Importance of western ghats:
• The Western Ghats is an extensive region spanning over six States. It is the home of many endangered plants and animals. It is a
UNESCO World Heritage site.
• It is one of the eight "hottest hot-spots" of biological diversity in the world.
• According to UNESCO, the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas. They influence Indian monsoon weather patterns by
intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer.
Eastern Ghats:
The Eastern Ghats run from the northern Odisha through Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south passing some parts of
Karnataka.
They are eroded and cut through by four major rivers of peninsular India, viz. Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Kaveri.
‘UNITED FOR BIODIVERSITY’

Context: The European Commission (EC) has launched the ‘United for Biodiversity’ coalition. It was launched on World Wildlife
Day 2020- 3rd March.
What is it?
1. The coalition is made up of zoos, aquariums, botanical gardens, national parks, and natural history and science museums from around the
world.
2. The coalition offers the opportunity for all such institutions to “join forces and boost public awareness about the nature crisis, ahead of
the crucial COP-15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity in Kunming, China in October 2020.
A common pledge adopted:
The coalition adopted a common pledge, citing the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
(IPBES) Global Assessment finding that one million species were already at risk of extinction, and appeals to visitors to each of their
institutions to “raise their voice for nature.”
Need for this coalition:
These organisations are vital not only for cataloguing and preserving the natural world, but are indispensable and invaluable centres for
education and mobilisation — particularly for young leaders and decision-makers of the future.
NATIONAL CLEAN AIR PROGRAMME (NCAP)

Context: Union Environment Ministry has asked for city-level plans for the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) as these problems
need to be dealt with at the local level.
What is the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)?
Launched in January 2019, it is the first ever effort in the country to frame a national framework for air quality management
with a time-bound reduction target.
The programme will not be notified under the Environment Protection Act or any other Act to create a firm mandate with a strong
legal back up for cities and regions to implement NCAP in a time bound manner for effective reduction.
The plan includes 102 non-attainment cities, across 23 states and Union territories, which were identified by Central Pollution Control
Board (CPCB) on the basis of their ambient air quality data between 2011 and 2015.
What are Non-attainment?

Non-attainment cities are those which have been consistently showing poorer air quality than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
These include Delhi, Varanasi, Bhopal, Kolkata, Noida, Muzaffarpur, and Mumbai.
Key features of the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP):
Target: Achieve a national-level target of 20-30% reduction of PM2.5 and PM10 concentration by between 2017 and 2024.
Implementation: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will execute this nation-wide programme in consonance with the section 162 (b)
of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act.
As part of the programme, the Centre also plans to scale up the air quality monitoring network across India. At least 4,000
monitors are needed across the country, instead of the existing 101 real-time air quality (AQ) monitors, according to an analysis.
The plan proposes a three-tier system, including real-time physical data collection, data archiving, and an action trigger system in all 102
cities, besides extensive plantation plans, research on clean-technologies, landscaping of major arterial roads, and stringent industrial
standards.
It also proposes state-level plans of e-mobility in the two-wheeler sector, rapid augmentation of charging infrastructure, stringent
implementation of BS-VI norms, boosting public transportation system, and adoption of third-party audits for polluting industries.
Various committees proposed: The national plan has proposed setting up an apex committee under environment minister, a steering
committee under-secretary (environment) and a monitoring committee under a joint secretary. There would be project monitoring
committees at the state-level with scientists and trained personnel.
WHAT ARE BHARAT STAGE EMISSION STANDARDS (BSES)?

Context: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has said it has approached the Supreme Court seeking directions to ensure that
sale and registration of BS-IV complaint is allowed till March 31, 2020.
• The move follows circulars from some State governments setting a cut-off date ranging between February 29 and March 25, 2020, for
accepting registration applications for BS-IV-compliant vehicles.
About the Bharat Stage Standards (BSES):

• Introduced in the year 2000.
• They are set by the Central Pollution Control Board under the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change.
• Objective: To keep air pollutants emitted by the internal combustion engine of vehicles under control.
• They are based on European (EURO) emission standards.
• Bharat Stage (BS) emission norms were first brought into effect in 2000 under the head “India 2000”. This was followed by BS2 in 2001
and BS3 in 2005.
• However, the emission norms were made more stringent only with the enforcement of Bharat Stage IV (BS4). Thereafter, the
Government of India skipped the implementation of BS5 in 2016 and decided to introduce Bharat Stage VI (BS6) in 2020
instead.
How does BS6 emission norms differ from BS4?
The following are the key differences between BS4 and BS6 emission norms:
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) are being introduced with the roll-out of Bharat Stage VI
norms, which were not a part of Bharat Stage IV.
Real Driving Emission (RDE) will be introduced in India for the first time with the implementation of Bharat Stage VI emission norms. It
will measure a vehicle’s emission in real-time conditions against laboratory conditions.
Onboard Diagnostics (OD) has been made mandatory for all vehicles.
Sulphur and Nitrogen Oxide content: Sulphur traces in BS6 fuel is five times lower (10 ppm) as compared to sulphur traces in BS4 fuel
(50 ppm). Further, nitrogen oxide level for BS6-grade diesel engines and petrol engines will be brought down by 70% and 25%,
respectively.
BS VI can bring PM in diesel cars down by 80 per cent . The new norms will bring down nitrogen oxides from diesel cars by 70 per
cent and in petrol cars by 25 per cent.
WHAT IS EARTH HOUR?

Context: Every year, Earth Hour is observed on the last Saturday of March at 8:30 pm.
What is Earth Hour?
Dating back to 2007, Earth Hour is an annual event organized by the World Wildlife Fund that promotes conservation and sustainable
energy. During this time, civilians are encouraged to switch off their lights for one hour to help reduce the effect of global warming and raise
awareness for climate change and wildlife conservation.
Background:
It was famously started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia in 2007. Since then it has grown to engage more than 7000 cities and
towns worldwide. Today, Earth Hour engages a massive mainstream community on a broad range of environmental issues.
What’s the difference between Earth Hour and Earth Day?
Whereas Earth Hour stands as a climate change initiative where people reduce their electricity usage, Earth Day (April 22) celebrates our
natural environment by inspiring people to plant trees, recycle regularly and keep the planet tidy.
APRIL 2020
ANTI-SMOG GUNS INSTALLED AT 14 LARGE PROJECT SITES IN DELHI.
On January 13, the Supreme Court had said that anti-smog guns should be mandatory in projects that require environmental clearance from
the State or Centre, and have a built-up area of over 20,000 square metres.
As per this, 47 large projects in Delhi had to have these guns installed.
• Anti-smog gun is a device that sprays nebulised water droplets into the atmosphere to reduce air pollution.
• Connected to a water tank and mounted on a vehicle, the device could be taken across the city to spray water to settle dust and other
suspended particles.
• It can spray water up to a height of 50 metres and the results were positive as the spray acts like rain and settles dust particles and also
PM 2.5.
URANIUM CONTAMINATION IN GROUND WATER

Context: A new study conducted by the University of Manchester, UK and Mahavir Cancer Institute and Research Centre, Phulwarisharif in
Patna has found uranium contaminating the groundwater in 10 districts of Bihar. A report on Uranium Contamination in ground water
in Parliament.
Key findings:
• Supaul, Gopalganj, Siwan, Saran, Patna, Nalanda, Nawada, Aurangabad, Gaya and Jehanabad are the 10 districts.
• Uranium concentrations are elevated mostly in the North West-South East band along and to the east of Gandak river and running south of
the Ganga river.
• The maximum uranium content was in Supaul, 80 microgram of uranium
per litre of water.
The Indian Standard IS 10500: 2012 for Drinking Water
specification has specified the maximum acceptable limits for radioactive
residues as alpha and beta emitters, values in excess of which render the
water not suitable.
These requirements take into account all radioactive elements including
uranium. No individual radioactive elements have been specifically
identified.
As per Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS), maximum permissible limit
of Uranium is 0.03 mg/l (as per WHO provisional guidelines) in all
drinking water standards after following due process.
Affected states:
A report brought out by Duke University, USA in association with Central
Ground Water Board and State Ground Water departments states
that Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh,
Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu,
Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Jammu & Kashmir have localised
occurrence of Uranium concentration.
Main factors responsible for uranium contamination:
1. Amount of uranium contained in an aquifer’s rocks.
2. Water-rock interactions that cause the uranium to be extracted from those rocks.
3. Oxidation conditions that enhance the extracted uranium’s solubility in water.
4. The interaction of the extracted uranium with other chemicals in the groundwater, such as bicarbonate, which can further enhance its
solubility.
5. Human factors such as groundwater-table decline and nitrate pollution may be exacerbating the problem.
What is Uranium?
1. Uranium is weakly radioactive and remains so because of its long physical half-life (4.468 billion years for uranium-238).
2. The biological half-life (the average time it takes for the human body to eliminate half the amount in the body) for uranium is about 15
days.
3. It is a naturally occurring element found in low levels within all rock, soil, and water.
4. This is the highest-numbered element to be found naturally in significant quantities on earth.
5. It is considered to be more plentiful than antimony, beryllium, cadmium, gold, mercury, silver, or tungsten.
6. It is about as abundant as tin, arsenic or molybdenum.
FLY ASH
The Reliance Power's Ultra Mega Power Project's (UMPP) in Sasan area of Singrauli fly ash dyke collapsed recently. The flood of the toxic ash
slurry from the collapsed dyke located in adjoining Harhawa village washed away six persons, including three kids, a woman and two men
living in the adjoining villages.
What is Fly Ash?
Popularly known as Flue ash or pulverised fuel ash, it is a coal combustion product.
Composition:
• Composed of the particulates that are driven out of coal-fired boilers together with the flue gases.
• Depending upon the source and composition of the coal being burned, the components of fly ash vary considerably, but all fly ash includes
substantial amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3) and calcium oxide (CaO), the main mineral compounds
in coal-bearing rock strata.
• Minor constituents include: arsenic, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, hexavalent chromium, cobalt, lead, manganese, mercury,
molybdenum, selenium, strontium, thallium, and vanadium, along with very small concentrations of dioxins and PAH compounds. It also has
unburnt carbon.

Toxic heavy metals present: All the heavy metals found in fly ash nickel, cadmium, arsenic, chromium, lead, etc—are toxic in nature.
They are minute, poisonous particles accumulate in the respiratory tract, and cause gradual poisoning.
Radiation: For an equal amount of electricity generated, fly ash contains a hundred times more radiation than nuclear waste secured via
dry cask or water storage.
Water pollution: The breaching of ash dykes and consequent ash spills occur frequently in India, polluting a large number of water bodies.
Effects on environment: The destruction of mangroves, drastic reduction in crop yields, and the pollution of groundwater in the Rann of
Kutch from the ash sludge of adjoining Coal power plants has been well documented.
However, fly ash can be used in the following ways:
• Concrete production, as a substitute material for Portland cement, sand.
• Fly-ash pellets which can replace normal aggregate in concrete mixture.
• Embankments and other structural fills.
• Cement clinker production – (as a substitute material for clay).
• Stabilization of soft soils.
• Road subbase construction.
• As aggregate substitute material (e.g. for brick production).
• Agricultural uses: soil amendment, fertilizer, cattle feeders, soil stabilization in stock feed yards, and agricultural stakes.
• Loose application on rivers to melt ice.
• Loose application on roads and parking lots for ice control.

1. Indian fly ash is primarily of the calcareous or class C variety, implying that it possesses not only pozzolanic, but also hydraulic (self-
cementing) properties. In contrast, European fly ash is of a silicious or class F variety, implying an absence of hydraulic properties.
2. The pricing of fly ash is increasingly becoming a contentious issue that is hampering its gainful utilisation.
3. Imperfections typical of quasi-markets, such as information asymmetry and high transaction costs, vested interests, technical and
technological limitations, and the lack of regulatory oversight and political will, have impeded the flow of fly ash to its most value-adding
use.
NGT RAISES CONCERN OVER COVID-19 BIO-MEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL

Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has urged the State Pollution Control Board and Pollution Control Committee to
put in serious efforts to mitigate possible risk of unscientific disposal of the bio-medical waste arising out of the handling of the
COVID-19 disease.
What’s the concern now?
There are concerns regarding unscientific disposal of bio-medical waste by unauthorised healthcare facilities.
Only 1.1 lakh out of 2.7 lakh healthcare facilities are authorised under the Bio-medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 so far.
What has the tribunal said?
1. There are gaps in compliance of the Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016 which are applicable to the disposal of the bio-
medical waste generated out of handling a viral disease.
2. The State PCBS/PCCS have to make serious efforts to bridge the gap to mitigate possible risk in terms of unscientific disposal of bio-
medical waste and enforce rule of law.
3. There is need for revision of the guidelines for 'Handling, Treatment and Disposal of Waste Generated during Treatment,
Diagnosis, Quarantine of COVID-19 Patients' issued by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recently.
Need of the hour:

1. All aspects of scientific disposal of liquid and solid waste management should be taken care of not only at institution level but also at
individual levels, such as manner of disposal of used Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), used bags, gloves, goggles, without the same
getting mixed with other municipal solid waste causing contamination.
2. The effectiveness of the monitoring mechanism, including securing information should be reviewed by way of electronic
manifest system from the handlers of such waste and its online reporting by the State PCBS or PCCS by developing necessary software.
3. There is the need to create awareness
Salient features of BMW Management Rules, 2016:

1. The ambit of the rules has been expanded to include vaccination camps, blood donation camps, surgical camps or any other healthcare
activity.
2. It calls for Phase-out the use of chlorinated plastic bags, gloves and blood bags within two years.
3. It calls for Pre-treatment of the laboratory waste, microbiological waste, blood samples and blood bags through disinfection
or sterilisation on-site.
4. It seeks to Provide training to all its health care workers and immunise all health workers regularly.
5. It seeks to Establish a Bar-Code System for bags or containers containing bio-medical waste for disposal.
6. As per the rules, Bio-medical waste has been classified in to 4 categories instead 10 to improve the segregation of waste at
source.
7. As per the rules, State Government shall provide land for setting up common bio-medical waste treatment and disposal
facility.
SUJALAM SUFALAM JAL SANCHAY ABHIYAN

Gujarat government has given its the green signal for the third edition ''Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan'‘,The scheme, which
will continue till June 10, will see the deepening of lakes, check dams and rivers by removing silt, and it will be done with
people''s participation as well as under MNREGA.
Background:
The scheme was started in 2018 after a weak monsoon, and till date, the state''s water storage capacity has increased by 23,000 lakh cubic
feet due to deepening pf lakes, check-dams, rivers and reservoirs.
About Sujalam Sufalam Jal Sanchay Abhiyan:
• a conservation plan to deepen water bodies in the state before monsoon. Launched in 2018, the scheme aims to deepen water bodies
in the state to increase storage of rainwater to be used during times of scarcity.
• It involves cleaning and desilting of riverfronts, sprucing up of Irrigation canals. It also involves deepening of lakes, tanks and reservoirs.
• The drive runs on a Public Private Partnership mode and contribution from the government shall remain 60% of the expenditure of the
work while 40% share will be from people’s contribution.
MAY 2020
1. Jal Shakti Abhiyan
Context: Under the National Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Centre has decided to utilize the upcoming monsoon season to expand its water
conservation efforts.
Ministry of Home Affairs, as per the Centre, has allowed to take up MGNREGA works/drinking water and sanitation works at the
time of lockdown with priority to be given to water conservation and irrigation works.
About Jal Shakti Abhiyan:
• It is a time-bound, mission-mode campaign.
• Launched in 2019, it covered 256 water stressed districts across the country.
• The campaign will run through citizen participation.
• It is also a mass movement to bring all the stakeholders under one ambit of water conservation drive.
• It is a collaborative effort of various Ministries of the Government of India and State Governments, being coordinated by the
Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Work to be done under this initiative:

1. Rejuvenation of the traditional water bodies.
2. Desilting of ponds and lakes.
3. Encroachments removal in the water bodies.
4. Catchment area treatment.
5. Construction and strengthening of inlets/outlets.
2. Tiger Population Rises to 96 in West Bengal's Sundarbans

Context: The number of Royal Bengal Tigers in West Bengal's Sundarbans has risen to 96, up by eight, according to the latest
census.
The increase in the number by eight is significant as it is the highest annual jump reported from the Sundarbans.
Background:
In 2017-18, the total count of Royal Bengal Tiger in Sundrabans was 87.
Forest Department has taken various steps to increase the mangrove cover in the Sundarbans region to improve the tiger habitat's
condition.
About Sundarbans:
1. The Sundarbans comprises hundreds of islands and a network of rivers, tributaries and creeks in the delta of the Ganga and the
Brahmaputra at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal in India and Bangladesh.
2. Located on the southwestern part of the delta, the Indian Sundarban constitutes over 60% of the country’s total mangrove
forest area.
3. It is the 27th Ramsar Site in India, and with an area of 4,23,000 hectares is now the largest protected wetland in the country.
4. The Indian Sundarban, also a UNESCO world heritage site, is home to the Royal Bengal Tiger.
5. It is also home to a large number of “rare and globally threatened species, such as the critically endangered northern river
terrapin (Batagur baska), the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris), and the vulnerable fishing cat
(Prionailurus viverrinus).”
6. Two of the world’s four horseshoe crab species, and eight of India’s 12 species of kingfisher are also found here. Recent
studies claim that the Indian Sundarban is home to 2,626 faunal species and 90% of the country’s mangrove varieties.
3. World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD)

Context: The World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) 2020 was observed on 9th May 2020. It helps to raise global awareness about threats
faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and need for international cooperation to conserve them.
The first WMBD was celebrated in 2006.
Organized By: The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) together with Environment
for the Americas (EFTA).
Theme: “Birds Connect Our World”.
Origins:
On 26 October 2017 in the margins of the CMS COP12 in Manila, Environment for the Americas (EFTA), the Convention on
Migratory Species (CMS) and the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA),
announced an innovative partnership to increase awareness of the plight of migratory birds around the world.
The new partnership formally unites two of the world’s largest bird education campaigns, International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) and
World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) in a bid to strengthen global recognition and appreciation of migratory birds and highlight the urgent
need for their conservation.
Starting in 2018, the new joint campaign adopted the single name of “World Migratory Bird Day” and major events to celebrate the day
were to be organized twice a year, on the second Saturday in May and in October.
About CMS:
In order to protect the migratory species throughout their range countries, a Convention on Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), has
been in force, under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme.
Also referred to as the Bonn Convention, it provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and
their habitats and brings together the States through which migratory animals pass, the Range States, and lays the legal foundation for
internationally coordinated conservation measures throughout a migratory range.
Classification of species: Under this convention, migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I and Parties strive
towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling
other factors that might endanger them.
Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are listed in Appendix II of the Convention.
Significance:
CMS is the only global and UN-based intergovernmental organization established exclusively for conservation and
management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
Migratory species are those animals that move from one habitat to another during different times of the year, due to various factors such as
food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc.
The movement between habitats, can sometimes exceed thousands of miles/kilometres for some migratory birds and mammals. A migratory
route can involve nesting and also requires the availability of habitats before and after each migration.
4. Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020

Context: Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 has been released by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO).
The FRA 2020 has examined the status of, and trends in, more than 60 forest-related variables in 236 countries and territories in the period
1990–2020.
Key findings:
• Forest area has declined all across the world in the past three decades. The world lost 178 mha of forest since 1990, an area
the size of Libya.
• The rate of forest loss has also declined due to the growth of sustainable management. The rate of forest loss in 2015-2020
declined to an estimated 10 million hectares (mha), down from 12 million hectares (mha) in 2010-2015.
• The area of naturally regenerating forests worldwide decreased since 1990, but the area of planted forests increased by
123 mha.
Highest loss and highest gains:

Africa had the largest annual rate of net forest loss in 2010–2020, at 3.9 mha, followed by South America, at 2.6 mha.
On the other hand, Asia had the highest net gain of forest area in 2010–2020, followed by Oceania and Europe.
Geographical extent:
• The world’s total forest area was 4.06 billion hectares (bha), which was 31 per cent of the total land area. This area was
equivalent to 0.52 ha per person.
• The largest proportion of the world’s forests were tropical (45 per cent), followed by boreal, temperate and subtropical.
• More than 54 per cent of the world’s forests were in only five countries — the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United
States of America and China.
• The highest per cent of plantation forests were in South America while the lowest were in Europe.
5. Long-term monitoring of tigers, co-predators and prey species in TATR

Context: A new prey and predator estimation in Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district has found the
presence of 115 tigers and 151 leopards inside the 1,727 sq km of the core and buffer areas of the reserve in 2019.
The estimation was done as part of the ‘Long-term monitoring of tigers, co-predators and prey species in TATR’.
Key findings:
Although the tiger numbers appear to be up as compared to 2018, the population density shows a decline from 5.51 to 5.23 per
100 sq km. This is because of coverage of more area this year.
The overall tiger count in Chandrapur district alone is more than 200, which is about two-third of the total number of tigers in the
state.
About TATR:
It is Maharashtra's oldest and largest national park.
Created in 1995, the Reserve includes the Tadoba National Park and the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary.
Tadoba" is taken from the name of the god "Tadoba" or "Taru", worshipped by the tribes who live in the dense forests of the Tadoba
and Andhari region, while "Andhari" refers to the Andhari river that meanders through the forest.
Tadoba reserve covers the Chimur Hills, and the Andhari sanctuary covers the Moharli and Kolsa ranges.
6. Preservation of Eastern, Western Ghats

Context: 6 States have expressed desire to expedite early notification of Ecologically Sensitive Area of Western Ghats.
These six states include Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu.
Background:
The government had constituted a High Level Working Group under the Chairmanship of Dr. Kasturirangan to conserve and
protect the biodiversity of Western Ghats while allowing for sustainable and inclusive development of the region.
The Committee had recommended that identified geographical areas falling in the six States of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat
and Tamil Nadu may be declared as Ecologically Sensitive Areas.
What are Eco-Sensitive Areas?
They are located within 10 kms around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
ESAs are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under Environment Protection Act
1986.
The basic aim is to regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries so as to minimise the negative impacts of
such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas.
Objectives of declaring areas as ESA:
• To manage and regulate the activities around these areas with the intention of creating some kinds of ‘shock absorbers’.
• To provide for a transition zone between the highly protected and relatively less protected areas.
• To give effect to Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 which restricts the operation of industries or processes to be
carries out in certain areas or to maintain certain safeguards to operate industries.

1. It defined the boundaries of the Western Ghats for the purposes of ecological management.
2. It proposed that this entire area be designated as ecologically sensitive area (ESA).
3. Within this area, smaller regions were to be identified as ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) I, II or III based on their existing
condition and nature of threat.
4. It proposed to divide the area into about 2,200 grids, of which 75 per cent would fall under ESZ I or II or under already existing
protected areas such as wildlife sanctuaries or natural parks.
5. The committee proposed a Western Ghats Ecology Authority to regulate these activities in the area.
Why was Kasturirangan Committee setup?

None of the six concerned states agreed with the recommendations of the Gadgil Committee, which submitted its report in August 2011.
• In August 2012, then Environment Minister constituted a High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats under Kasturirangan to “examine”
the Gadgil Committee report in a “holistic and multidisciplinary fashion in the light of responses received” from states, central ministries
and others.
• The Kasturirangan report seeks to bring just 37% of the Western Ghats under the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) zones — down
from the 64% suggested by the Gadgil report.
1. A ban on mining, quarrying and sand mining.
2. No new thermal power projects, but hydro power projects allowed with restrictions.
3. A ban on new polluting industries.
4. Building and construction projects up to 20,000 sq m was to be allowed but townships were to be banned.
5. Forest diversion could be allowed with extra safeguards.
Importance of western ghats:

• The Western Ghats is an extensive region spanning over six States. It is the home of many endangered plants and animals. It is a
UNESCO World Heritage site.
• It is one of the eight "hottest hot-spots" of biological diversity in the world.
• According to UNESCO, the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas. They influence Indian monsoon weather patterns by
intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer.
Eastern Ghats:
The Eastern Ghats run from the northern Odisha through Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south passing some parts of
Karnataka.
They are eroded and cut through by four major rivers of peninsular India, viz. Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Kaveri.
7. Stubble burning
Context: With wheat harvesting over in Punjab, the State has witnessed a spike in incidents of stubble burning against the last two years
as several farmers continue to defy the ban on burning the crop residue.
The ban and action against the people burning the crop residue is regulated under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act,
1981.
What the data show?
Government data show that across the State, between April 15 and May 24, 13,026 incidents of stubble burning have surfaced. Last year the
number of such incidents during the same period was 10,476. In 2018, Punjab recorded 11,236 fire incidents.
What is stubble burning?
It is a common practice followed by farmers to prepare fields for sowing of wheat in November as there is little time left between the
harvesting of paddy and sowing of wheat.
Impact: Stubble burning results in emission of harmful gases such carbon diaoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide along with particulate
matter.
Why farmers opt for stubble burning?
1. They do not have alternatives for utilising them effectively.
2. The farmers are ill-equipped to deal with waste because they cannot afford the new technology that is available to handle the waste
material.
3. With less income due to crop damage, farmers are likely to be inclined to light up their fields to cut costs and not spend on scientific
ways of stubble management.
Advantages of stubble burning:

1. It quickly clears the field and is the cheapest alternative.
2. Kills weeds, including those resistant to herbicide.
3. Kills slugs and other pests.
4. Can reduce nitrogen tie-up.
Effects of Stubble Burning:
Pollution: Open stubble burning emits large amounts of toxic pollutants in the atmosphere which contain harmful gases like methane
(CH4), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Volatile organic compound (VOC) and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. They may eventually
cause smog.
Soil Fertility: Burning husk on ground destroys the nutrients in the soil, making it less fertile.
Heat Penetration: Heat generated by stubble burning penetrates into the soil, leading to the loss of moisture and useful microbes.
Alternative solutions that can avoid Stubble Burning:
1. Promote paddy straw-based power plants. It will also create employment opportunities.
2. Incorporation of crop residues in the soil can improve soil moisture and help activate the growth of soil microorganisms for better
plant growth.
3. Convert the removed residues into enriched organic manure through composting.
4. New opportunities for industrial use such as extraction of yeast protein can be explored through scientific research.
What needs to be done- Supreme Court’s observations?

Incentives could be provided to those who are not burning the stubble and disincentives for those who continue the practice.
The existing Minimum Support Price (MSP) Scheme must be so interpreted as to enable the States concerned to wholly or partly deny
the benefit of MSP to those who continue to burn the crop residue.
Chhattisgarh Model:
An innovative experiment has been undertaken by the Chhattisgarh government by setting up gauthans.
1. A gauthan is a dedicated five-acre plot, held in common by each village, where all the unused stubble is collected through parali daan
(people’s donations) and is converted into organic fertiliser by mixing with cow dung and few natural enzymes.
2. The scheme also generates employment among rural youth.
3. The government supports the transportation of parali from the farm to the nearest gauthan.
4. The state has successfully developed 2,000 gauthans.

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MAY 2019

2. UK PARLIAMENT DECLARES CLIMATE CHANGE EMERGENCY

• Human-induced loss in ecosystems: Three-quarters of What is IPBES?

Sources: the Hindu.

• At present, 63% of the fly ash is being

1. GLOBAL COALITION TO PROTECT POLLINATORS

Context: Single-use plastic

Why these measures are necessary?

Government measures in place:

Indian Forest Act Amendment

Concerns with regard to the proposed amendments:

Sources: the Hindu.

Why study and understand about changes in the Arctic?

Sources: the Hindu.

Health and environmental hazards:

3. Embankments and other structural fills.

The issues which impede its full-scale utilization in India:

Very Poor- (PM2.5 121-250 μg/cu. m. or PM10 351-430 μg/cu. m.):

Moderate to poor- (PM2.5 61-120 μg/cu. m. or PM10 101-350 μg/cu. m.):

The Third Pole and Climate Change:

Facts for Prelims:

The need for and significance of the wall:

Sources: the Hindu.

Why it is difficult to have an all-encompassing definition of forest?

Sources: the Hindu.

What necessitated this?

Has it been helpful?

4. BROWN TO GREEN REPORT 2019

India specific observations:

Need of the hour:

5. DAL LAKE AREA TO BE ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE

6. JAL JEEVAN MISSION

Need for and significance of the mission:

8. CLIMATE CHANGE IS DAMAGING HEALTH OF CHILDREN, SAYS LANCET REPORT

9. GERMANY’S CLIMATE PROTECTION ACT

10. Water Quality Report

11. Avian Botulism

12. STUBBLE BURNING

13. KEN-BETWA RIVER INTERLINKING PROJECT

14. EMISSION GAP REPORT

15. EU DECLARES CLIMATE EMERGENCY

About Loss and Damage (L&D): • Under L&D, rich

The non-Market Approach • Article 6.8

Why is Article 6 important?

Key issues regarding Article 6

• At Paris Climate Change Conference (COP 21)

• Increased oxygen observation and experimentation- through integration

7. CLIMATE CHANGE PERFORMANCE INDEX -2020

8. 2019 POLLUTION AND HEALTH METRICS

9. JAL JEEVAN MISSION

10. ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA

Recommendations of an Expert committee on issue related to Groundwater Protection,

11. ENVIRONMENTAL MIGRATION

About Environmental Migrants

Challenges with Environmental/ Climate Migrants and Climate Refugees

International Conventions on Environmental Migrants

12. URBAN FIRES

14. TORREFACTION TO REDUCE STUBBLE BURNING

15. EXTRA NEUTRAL ALCOHOL (ENA)

16. WORLD SOIL DAY

17. GLOBAL CLIMATE RISK INDEX 2020

18. ADAPTATION FUND

19. IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES

20. HEAVY METALS CONTAMINATING RIVERS