ENVIRONMENT Table of Contents 3.2.3

ENVIRONMENT Table of Contents 3.2.3. Cheetah Reintroduction Project ______22 1. CLIMATE CHANGE ______3 3.2.4. Elephant Conservation ______23 1.1. Global Scenario ______3 3.2.4.1. Gaj Yatra ______23 1.1.1. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate 3.2.4.2. New Elephant Reserve ______23 Change Report ______3 3.2.5. Asian Rhinos ______23 1.1.2. Effects of Climate Change on the Ocean _ 3 3.2.6. Great Indian Bustard ______24 1.1.3. Dead-Zone ______4 3.2.7. Gangetic Dolphin ______25 3.2.8. Banni Grassland ______25 1.2. Mitigation Measures ______4 1.2.1. Land Degradation Neutrality ______4 3.3. Conservation Measures ______29 1.2.2. Climate Engineering ______5 3.3.1. Measuring Natural Capital ______29 3.3.2. Legal Entity Status for All Animals ______29 1.3. International Cooperation ______6 3.3.3. Access and Benefit Sharing ______30 1.3.1. Global Environment Facility (GEF) ______6 3.3.4. National REDD+ Strategy ______30 1.3.2. Katowice COP 24 ______6 3.3.5. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ 1.3.3. Suva Expert Dialogue on Loss and Damage 7 Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001 ______31 1.3.4. Montreal Protocol Assessment ______8 3.3.6. Recovery Programme for Wildlife Species 31 3.3.7. Conservation of Migratory Birds and Their 2. POLLUTION ______9 Habitats ______32 2.1. Air Pollution ______9 3.3.8. Community Forest Resource ______32 2.1.1. Black Carbon ______9 3.3.9. ‘Cultural Model’ of Conservation ______33 2.1.2. Petcoke ______9 3.3.10. Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve _ 33 2.1.3. GHG Emission from Shipping Industry __ 10 3.3.11. Indian Sundarbans- A Wetland of 2.1.4. National Clean Air Programme ______10 International Importance ______34 2.1.5. Clean Air- India Initiative ______12 3.3.12. India Biodiversity Awards, 2018 ______34 2.1.6. Other Air Pollution Initiatives in News __ 12 3.3.13. Kaziranga National Park ______35 2.1.6.1. System of Air Quality and Weather 3.3.14. Ecotourism Policy ______35 Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) ______12 4. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ______36 2.1.6.2. National Air Quality Index ______12 2.1.6.3. Comprehensive Environmental 4.1. Non-Conventional Sources of Energy __ 36 Pollution Index (CEPI) ______12 4.1.1. National Policy on Biofuels-2018 ______36 2.1.6.4. WAYU (Wind Augmentation Purifying 4.1.2. Pradhan Mantri Ji-Van (Jaiv Indhan- Unit) ______12 Vatavaran Anukool Fasal Awashesh Nivaran) 2.1.6.5. Environment Pollution (Prevention and Yojana ______37 Control) Authority (EPCA) ______12 4.1.3. Scheme for Biomass Based Cogeneration 2.2. Water Pollution ______13 Projects ______37 4.1.4. Off-Shore Wind Power ______38 2.2.1. Toxicity in Indian Rivers ______13 4.1.5. Global Solar Council ______38 2.2.2. Composite Water Management Index __ 13 4.1.6. Waste to Energy Plants ______39 2.2.3. Guidelines for Groundwater extraction _ 14 2.2.4. National Water Informatics Centre ____ 15 4.2. Electric Vehicles ______39 2.2.5 Rainwater Harvesting in Metropolitan Cities16 4.2.1. Charging Infrastructure Guidelines _____ 40 2.3. Nitrogen Pollution ______16 4.3. River Basin Management ______40 2.4. Plastic Pollution ______17 4.3.1. Minimum River Flow for Ganga ______40 4.3.2. Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan ______41 2.5. Blue Flag Certification ______18 4.3.3. Ganga Praharis (Guardians of The Ganga) 42 2.6. Pesticides Ban ______19 4.4. Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification 2018 ______42 3. BIODIVERSITY______20 4.5. Earmarking Eco-Sensitive Area ______43 3.1. Convention on Biological Diversity ____ 20 4.6. Green Bonds ______44 3.2. Flora & Fauna ______21 4.6.1. Sovereign Blue Bond ______44 3.2.1. Asiatic Lion Conservation Project ______21 3.2.2. Tiger Conservation ______22

4.7. State Energy Efficiency Preparedness 5.12. Titli Cyclone ‘Rarest of Rare’ ______52 Index 2018 ______44 6. GEOGRAPHY ______53 4.8. Parivesh ______45 6.1. India’s 1st Soil Moisture Map ______53 4.9. National Compensatory Afforestation 6.2. Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment Report53 Fund Management and Planning Authority (NCAFMPA) ______45 6.3. Kelp Forests ______54 5. DISASTER MANAGEMENT ______47 6.4. Polar Vortex ______55 5.1. National Disaster Risk Index ______47 6.5. Ensemble Prediction Systems (EPS) ___ 56 5.2. State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) __ 47 6.6. Deep Ocean Mission ______56 5.3. Repeated Earthquakes in Palghar_____ 47 6.7. Meghalayan Age ______56 5.4. Drought Declaration in India ______48 7. MISCELLANEOUS TIT BITS ______58 7.1. South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network 5.5. Rat-Hole Mining ______49 (SAWEN) ______58 5.6. Kerala Flood ______49 7.2. STAPCOR-2018 ______58 7.3. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) ___ 58 5.7. Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods ______49 7.4. International Whaling Commission ______58 5.8. Landslide Warning System ______50 7.5. Asian Waterbird Census, 2019 ______58 7.6. Green Agriculture (Green-Ag) Project ____ 58 5.9. ACROSS Scheme ______50 7.7. Green Skill Development Programme (GSDP)59 7.8. Iran Sees ‘Revival’ of Lake Urmia ______59 5.10. Large Forest Fire Monitoring Programme51 7.9. Other Short News ______59 5.11. Indian Ocean Wave Exercise 2018 7.10. Report and Indices ______60 (IOWave18) ______51

1. CLIMATE CHANGE 1.1. GLOBAL SCENARIO • If global emissions continue as per the commitments made under Paris Agreement, the carbon budget (the amount of CO2 that 1.1.1. INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL the world can emit) for 1.5°C warming will be ON CLIMATE CHANGE REPORT exhausted by 2030. Why in news? o In order to limit warming at 1.5°C, the world will have to reduce CO2 emissions The IPCC has released its Special Report titled by 45 per cent by 2030 from the 2010 “Global Warming of 1.5°C”. levels and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. What is the IPCC? • It was established by the United Nations 1.1.2. EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE Environment Programme (UNEP) & the World ON THE OCEAN Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988 to provide policymakers with regular scientific Why in News? assessments concerning climate change, its implications and potential future risks, as well as to According to a recent study, all oceans in the put forward adaptation and mitigation strategies. world are heating up 60 per cent faster than what • India is a member. IPCC had stated in its Fifth Assessment report. Related Information Hothouse Earth: A situation in which a planet has Details passed a tipping point (approximately 2 degree Celsius) beyond which its own natural processes trigger • According to IPCC Fifth Report, world’s uncontrollable warming. oceans have absorbed 90% of the temperature rise caused by man-made carbon Key findings of the Report emissions, while only 1% in the atmosphere. • The sea level rise (SLR) can impact food • Present global warming status: Human- security, create conflict between induced global warming in 2017 has already neighbouring countries and put low lying reached 1°C above pre-industrial levels; countries at risk. Various reports suggest a sea o Since 2000, the estimated level of human- level rise of 1 additional metre by 2100. induced warming has been equal to the • Immediate effects of SLR include saltwater level of observed warming due to intrusion of surface waters, increasingly contributions from solar and volcanic severe storm surges, submergence and activity over the historical period. increased flooding of coastal land. • Impacts of global warming at 1.5°C: World • Longer-term effects of SLR are increased would witness greater sea level rise, increased erosion, saltwater intrusion into groundwater precipitation and higher frequency of and a decline of coastal wetlands droughts and floods, hotter days and (saltmarshes, mangroves etc.) heatwaves, more intense tropical cyclones, • SLR endangers freshwater supplies (through and increased ocean acidification and salinity. salinization), food yields (through loss of • Impact of transition from 1.5°C to 2°C: arable land) and physical safety (through o Decline in crop yields, unprecedented damages to coastal infrastructure such as climate extremes and increased roads, housing and sanitation systems), in susceptibility could push poverty by several low-lying Small Island States and leads several million by 2050. to the displacement of people. o Coral reefs would decline by 70-90 • Increasing ocean temperatures and significant percent with global warming of 1.5°C, amounts of melting fresh water may result in whereas virtually all (> 99 percent) would a slowing of the ocean conveyor belt, altering be lost with 2°C. oceanic patterns, changing global weather o Additional people could be at risk from conditions and disrupting marine food webs. malaria. • Extreme weather events: Increasing sea o About 350 million additional people could surface temperatures increase evaporation be exposed to deadly heat waves. and atmospheric moisture, creating and facilitating environmental conditions for

ocean storms to escalate into more powerful Impacts of Dead Zones systems. • Impact on Global Warming- As Oxygen levels • Coral bleaching: Increasing ocean fall, the pace of climate change can temperatures also impact corals which expel accelerate, with low oxygen levels triggering the zooxantheallae. the release of chemicals like nitrous oxide. Sea Level Rise This greenhouse gas is 300 times more • It is caused primarily by two factors related to powerful than carbon dioxide at trapping global warming: heat in the atmosphere. o the added water from melting ice sheets; and • Impact on Corals-Low oxygen levels can kill glaciers coral reefs. o the expansion of seawater as it warms. • Contribution in Sea Level Rise Impact on Human- due to loss of valuable ocean produce. 1.2. MITIGATION MEASURES

1.2.1. LAND DEGRADATION NEUTRALITY Why in news? Recently a session was held at United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) to review the first global assessment of land degradation which seeks to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) by 2030.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification 1.1.3. DEAD-ZONE (UNCCD) • Adopted in 1994 and entered into force in 1996, it Why in News? is the only internationally legally binding framework set up to address the problem of Scientist have recently predicted that the dead desertification. zone in Gulf of Mexico will become larger. • The Convention addresses specifically the arid, About Dead Zones semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands. • Dead zones (Hypoxic zones) are areas of the • UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework has been ocean (occasionally in lakes and even rivers) launched to improve the condition of affected where oxygen has fallen to such low levels ecosystems, combat desertification/land that most marine life cannot survive. degradation and to improve the living conditions • Dead zones are reversible if their causes are of affected populations. • 2010 to 2020 has been declared as United Nations reduced or eliminated. Decade for Deserts and the Fight Against Causes Desertification. • Rising sea temperatures- About LDN o For each degree of ocean warming, oxygen concentration goes down. • As per the UNCCD definition, LDN is a state o It causes layers of ocean water to stratify whereby the amount and quality of land so the more oxygen-rich surface waters resources, necessary to support ecosystem are less able to mix with oxygen-poor functions and services and enhance food waters from the deeper ocean. security, remains stable or increases within o The higher temperatures are putting specified temporal and spatial scales. more stress on marine species, causing • The overarching principle for LDN includes: their metabolisms to speed up and their o Avoid: By addressing drivers of need for oxygen to increase. degradation and through proactive • Eutrophication: Nutrient pollution from measures to prevent adverse change in sources such as sewage. land quality and confer resilience, via appropriate regulation, planning and management practices.

o Reduce: By application of sustainable in and transporting it elsewhere (like management practices. oilfields) to be sequestered o Reverse: Restoring or rehabilitating underground. degraded land through actively assisting ✓ Carbon Capture Utilization Storage the recovery of ecosystem functions. (CCUS): It’s a process that captures • LDN can prevent Soil erosion, desertification, carbon emissions from sources like water scarcity, migration insecurity and coal-fired power plants and either income inequalities caused by land reuses or stores it so it will not enter degradation. Thus, it helps in combating the the atmosphere. impacts of climate change. ✓ In CCS, emissions are forced into Steps taken to achieve LDN underground rocks at great cost and no economic benefit while CCUS aims • Creation of an LDN fund to invest in bankable projects on land rehabilitation and sustainable at using CO2 emissions by exploiting land management worldwide including the resource itself and creating new sustainable agriculture, sustainable livestock markets around it. management etc. It is promoted by UNCCD ✓ Biochar making: Partly burn materials and managed by Mirova (a private such as logging slash or crop waste to Investment management firm). make a carbon-rich, slow-to- • UNCCD releases the Global Land Outlook. decompose substance known as • The Land for Life Programme was launched biochar, which can then be buried or at UNCCD COP 10 in 2011 to confront the spread on farmland. Biochar has been challenges of land degradation and used for centuries to enrich the soil desertification. for farming, but of late has been • In India, National Action Plan (NAP) to drawing increased attention for its combat desertification was launched in 2001 ability to sequester carbon. for 20 years. o Solar Radiation Management or Sunlight • Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas Reflection Methods (SRM): This method (2016) of entire country was prepared by ISRO. aims to reduce the amount of heat • Schemes like Integrated Watershed trapped by greenhouse gases by Development Program, Per Drop More Crop, reflecting sunlight back into space, either National Afforestation Program, National by increasing the reflectivity of the earth’s Green Mission, etc. have components to surfaces, or by deploying a layer of tackle Land degradation. reflective particles in the atmosphere. ✓ Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI): 1.2.2. CLIMATE ENGINEERING It involves spraying into the Why in News? stratosphere fine, light-coloured particles designed to reflect back part Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI), a climate of the solar radiation before it engineering method could potentially slow global reaches and warms the earth. Sulphur warming. Dioxide gas is used for the process. ✓ Cirrus cloud manipulation: Here the Climate Engineering Solutions cirrus clouds are removed or thinned • Climate Engineering or Geoengineering so that their long-wave trapping projects are designed to tackle the effects of capacity is reduced and thus cools the climate change directly, usually by removing surface. CO2 from the air or limiting the amount of ✓ Marine cloud brightening: The low sunlight reaching the planet's surface. warm clouds which are highly • Various method of Geo-engineering are: reflective to sunlight are modified to o Greenhouse gas removal: Examples increase their reflectivity. ✓ Carbon capture and storage (CCS), ✓ Space sunshade: Obstructing sunrays where some of the carbon being with space based mirrors. emitted by coal-fired power stations ✓ Using pale-coloured roofing material is recaptured by physically sucking it or growing high albedo crops. 5 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

1.3. INTERNATIONAL billion in 2014. This will be the first time GEF’s budget has been reduced since its origin COOPERATION because US has pledged to slash its contribution to GEF by almost half. 1.3.1. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY • The GEF has proposed certain changes in the (GEF) light of funding cut from US o Increased co-financing requirement for Why in news? the poorest countries to 5 times and • Recently, the Sixth GEF Assembly summit larger developing countries to 9 times the took place in Da Nang, Vietnam in June 2018. original grant. o About GEF A new “index of development” for • It is a financial mechanism established under the restricting countries from accessing 1992 Rio Earth Summit. funding that have developed beyond a • It is managed by World Bank. certain point according to this index. • Presently, it involves an international partnership o Large countries whose average GDP of 183 countries, international institutions, civil growth is more than 5% over the last four society organizations and the private sector that years to be ineligible to receive any GEF addresses global environmental issues. funding. • The Council is the GEF's main governing body, • It approved a grant of USD 15 million for the comprises 32 Members appointed by and from Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem among GEF member countries (14 from developed (BOBLME) project, started by the UN Food countries, 16 from developing countries and 2 from economies in transition). and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2009, • The GEF Assembly is composed of all 183-member involving all eight countries along its coastline countries which meets every four years to review - Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, general policies, GEF’s operation and the Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand. membership of the Facility. o BOBLME project aims to promote • Environmental Conventions under GEF financial sustainable fishing, reduce marine mechanism pollution and improve the lives of o Convention on Bio diversity (CBD) approximately 400 million people who live o Convention to combat desertification along its coasts. (UNCCD) o Framework convention on climate change 1.3.2. KATOWICE COP 24 (UNFCCC) o Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Why in news? Pollutants th o Minamata Convention The 24 Session of the of the Conference of the o Montreal Protocol (provides support) Parties to the United Nations Framework GEF/UNDP Small Grants Programme (SGP) Convention on Climate Change (COP 24) was held • The program is funded by Global Environment in Katowice, Poland. Facility (GEF) and executed by the United Nation Development Program (UNDP). About UNFCCC • It was launched alongside the Rio Earth Summit in • In 1992, countries joined the UNFCCC, as a 1992. framework for international cooperation to • It provides direct financial and technical support combat climate change by limiting average global to communities and Civil Society Organizations for temperature increases. various projects that conserve and restore the • It is one of three conventions adopted at the “Rio environment while enhancing people's wellbeing Earth Summit” in 1992. Its sister Rio Conventions and livelihoods. are the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and • In India the program is hosted through the the Convention to Combat Desertification. MoEFCC National Host Institution (NHI) i.e. - Centre for is the nodal ministry for the three conventions. Environment Education (CEE) • Important funds established under the UNFCCC o It is a national level institution supported by are: Ministry of Environment and Forest, • Green Climate Fund: It was established at COP 16 Government of India as a “centre of held in Cancun. It assists developing countries in excellence”. adaptation and mitigation practices. World Bank is the Interim Trustee of the fund. More about the summit • The Adaptation Fund (AF): It was established in • It announced GEF replenishment of $4.1 2001 to finance concrete adaptation projects and programmes in developing country Parties to the billion, a cut in the funding from USD 4.4 6 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

Kyoto Protocol that are particularly vulnerable to Parties by setting internationally binding emission the adverse effects of climate change. reduction targets. o It is financed with a share of proceeds from • It entered into force on 16 February 2005. the clean development mechanism (CDM) • The targets for the first commitment period (2008- project activities and other sources of funding. 2012) of the Kyoto Protocol cover emissions of the • The Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) was six main greenhouse gases, namely: Carbon established in response to guidance from the dioxide (CO2); Methane(CH4); Nitrousoxide (N2O); Conference of the Parties (COP7) in Marrakech in Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); Perfluorocarbons 2001. The SCCF complements the Least Developed (PFCs); and Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) Countries Fund (LDCF). Unlike the LDCF, the SCCF • Doha Amendment of Kyoto Protocol entered into is open to all vulnerable developing countries. force the second commitment period(2013-2020) Key outcomes in Katowice for its targets. • India is a party to Kyoto Protocol and has ratified Rulebook Specifics the second commitment period. • Accounting Guidance Rules to guide the Talanoa Dialogue is a facilitative dialogue in 2018, to countries for their Climate pledges take stock of the collective efforts of Parties in relation (“nationally determined contributions”, to progress towards the long term goal referred to NDCs), to compare pledges and to add them Paris Agreement and to inform the preparation of up as a global aggregate. nationally determine contributions (NDCs). • Market mechanisms: It provides for the Post-2020 Actions are meant for all countries as per trading of carbon credits i.e. overachievement their nationally determined contributions (NDCs) under of NDCs, as well as individual projects 2015 Paris Agreement. generating carbon credits for sale. Pre-2020 Actions refer to existing obligations of small group rich and developed nations to take mitigation • Other outcomes: actions under Kyoto Protocol. o Accounting Rules to prevent “double Virtual Climate Summit counting” of emissions reductions by the buyer and seller of offsets could not be • It is organized as part of the Talanoa Dialogue. • It is a Heads of Government level conference held finalised. entirely online as the first Virtual Summit o The schemes and methodologies for the (#VirtualClimateSummit) of global political leaders, implementation of Sustainable eliminating emissions and promoting inclusive Development Mechanism- SDM would be dialogue. discussed in COP-25. The SDM is intended • It was organised by the Climate Action Network to replace the Kyoto Protocol’s “Clean (CAN) and the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF). Development Mechanism” (CDM) for carbon offsets. 1.3.3. SUVA EXPERT DIALOGUE ON o Overall Mitigation in Global Emissions LOSS AND DAMAGE (OMGE): It is voluntary and new element under the Paris Agreement, that takes Why in news? carbon markets beyond the offsetting Recently Suva Expert Dialogue on loss and approaches of the existing markets like the CDM. The primary purpose of OMGE is damage was held at COP-23 UNFCCC, Bonn. to deliver on cost-effectively reducing Loss and damage in UNFCCC greenhouse gas emissions, rather than • In simple terms, loss and damage is a concept creating carbon markets for their own where rich countries, who have historical sake. responsibility for climate change, are asked to • Loss and damage: The global stocktake rules be liable to developing countries, who are add loss and damage clause. already facing climate change. • Setting up an expert compliance committee: • Initiative under UNFCCC: The committee will be able to investigate o Establishment of the Subsidiary Body of countries that fail to submit climate pledges. Implementation (SBI) Work Program on • Talanoa Dialogue: The convention invited loss and damage in Cancun (COP 16), 2010 countries to consider the outcomes of the o Establishment of the Warsaw International Talanoa dialogue in preparing their NDCs and Mechanism (WIM) under the Cancun in efforts to enhance pre-2020 ambition. Adaptation Framework at COP 19, 2013 Kyoto Protocol: The Kyoto Protocol is an international o It is also anchored in the Article 8 of the agreement linked to the United Nations Framework 2015 Paris agreement which emphasizes the Convention on Climate Change, which commits its “importance of averting, minimizing and 7 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

addressing loss and damage associated Key findings of the Scientific Assessment of with the adverse effects of climate Ozone Depletion 2018 change”. • Actions taken under the Montreal Protocol Related Information have led to decreases in the atmospheric The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, abundance of controlled ozone-depleting established at the CoP22 (UNFCCC), aims to mobilize climate actions quickly and to reap the benefits in substances (ODSs) and the start of the efficiency and effectiveness through partnerships and recovery of stratospheric ozone. coordination between different actors. • At projected rates, Northern Hemisphere and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) mid-latitude ozone is scheduled to heal completely (i.e. equivalent to 1980 values) by • They are a group of 57 small island countries that tend to share similar sustainable development the 2030s followed by the Southern challenges, including small but growing Hemisphere in the 2050s and Polar Regions by populations, limited resources, remoteness, 2060. susceptibility to natural disasters etc. Ozone change and its influence on climate • They were first recognized as a distinct group of developing countries at the United Nations • Influence on stratospheric climate: Decrease Conference on Environment and Development in in stratospheric ozone has been an important June 1992. contributor to observed stratospheric cooling. 1.3.4. MONTREAL PROTOCOL ASSESSMENT • Influence on surface climate and oceans: Why in news? These changes include the observed pole The quadrennial review of the Montreal Protocol ward shift in Southern Hemisphere revealed a healing ozone layer. tropospheric circulation, with associated impacts on surface temperature and Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer [1985] precipitation. • It acts as a framework for the international efforts to protect the ozone layer. • It paves the way for a legally binding treaty through protocol called Montreal protocol. • India is a party to Vienna convention and its protocols. Montreal Protocol [1987] • It aims at reducing the production and consumption of ozone depleting substances (ODS). • It has been ratified by 197 parties making it universally ratified protocol in United Nations history. • It’s one of the most successful and effective environmental treaties ever negotiated and implemented, as all 142 developing countries were able to meet the 100% phase-out mark for CFCs, halons and other ODS in 2010. Kigali agreement to amend the Montreal Protocol [2016] • Its aim is to phase out Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), a family of potent greenhouse gases by the late 2040s. • It will be binding on countries from 2019.

2. POLLUTION 2.1. AIR POLLUTION o It influences cloud formation and impacts regional circulation (monsoon) and rainfall patterns. 2.1.1. BLACK CARBON o When deposited on ice and snow, black Why in news? carbon and co-emitted particles reduce surface albedo (the ability to reflect A recent study has found that black carbon sunlight) and heat the surface. travelling from Mediterranean countries during o Can affect the health of ecosystems in the western disturbances and wind trajectories several ways for eg by depositing on plant may be one of the contributing factors leading to leaves and increasing their temperature. pollution and receding snowline in the Himalayas. • Health impact: Black carbon and its co- About Black Carbon pollutants are key components of fine • Black carbon is a potent climate-warming particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution. component of particulate matter formed by the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, • Brown Carbon: It originates primarily during the wood and other fuels. combustion of organic biomass and coexists with Black Carbon. It has similar climate effect as Black • It is a short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) Carbon due their light absorbing property. with a significant direct and indirect impacts • Blue Carbon: It is the carbon stored and on the climate, glacial regions, agriculture and sequestered in coastal ecosystems such as human health. mangrove forests, seagrass meadows or intertidal ✓ SLCP are defined as gases and particles saltmarshes. that contribute to warming and that have a lifetime of a few days to approximately 2.1.2. PETCOKE 10 years. ✓ Other than black carbon (BC) it includes Why in News? tropospheric ozone (O3) and its Central Government had banned the import of pet precursors CO, VOC and NOx, methane coke for use as fuel. It is allowed only for cement, (CH4), and some hydrofluorocarbons lime kiln, calcium carbide and gasification (HFCs). industries, when used as the feedstock or in the manufacturing process on actual user condition. Related news and Information Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short Lived About Pet Coke Climate Pollutants is a voluntary partnership of • Petroleum coke or pet coke, is a solid carbon rich governments, intergovernmental organizations, (90% carbon and 3% to 6% sulfur) material derived businesses etc. committed to reduce short-lived climate from oil refining. pollutants with over 120 state and non-state partners. It • It is categorized as a “bottom of the barrel” fuel. was initiated in 2012 by governments of Bangladesh, • It is a dirtier alternative to coal and emits 11% more Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden and the United States, greenhouse gases than coal and nearly 17 times along with the United Nations Environment more sulphur than coal. Programme (UNEP). • Petcoke is a source of fine dust which can get lodged in the lungs. It may contain vanadium Global Air Pollution and Health Conference which is a toxic metal. • WHO organised the first global conference on air • Sulphur-heavy petcoke and other polluting fuels pollution and health in Geneva, Switzerland. such as furnace oil are widely used by cement • Theme: ‘Improving Air Quality, Combating Climate factories, dyeing units, paper mills, brick kilns and Change: Saving Lives.’ ceramics businesses. • Target: To reduce the number of deaths from air • India is the world’s largest consumer of petcoke pollution by two thirds by 2030 as mandated by and imports over half its annual pet coke World Health Assembly (decision making body of consumption mainly from the United States. WHO). • Plan: ‘Geneva Action Agenda to Combat Air Reasons for use of Pet Coke Pollution’ has been proposed. • Cheaper alternative: Per-unit delivered energy Impact of Black Carbon for petcoke is much cheaper compared to • Climate impact coal. o It is very effective at absorbing light and • Favourable tax regime: with respect to other heating its surroundings. fules such as natural gas.

• Clean energy cess of Rs. 400 per tonne levied o The combustion of HFO produces high on coal, further promote shift to pet-coke. levels of pollutants such as particulate • Zero Ash Content in Pet coke is a big matter, black carbon, sulphur oxide, advantage over coal which has significant ash nitrogen oxide. content. It also allows cement firms can use o Reducing speed could lower power low grade limestone. requirements and thereby fuel consumption. 2.1.3. GHG EMISSION FROM SHIPPING o Ships can install scrubbers or other INDUSTRY exhaust gas cleaning devices to remove polluting particles. Why in news? • IMO was tasked with limiting and reducing Members of the International Maritime emissions from shipping under the Kyoto Organisation (IMO) have reached an agreement Protocol in 1997. on reducing their greenhouse gas emissions from • Despite its major role in polluting the planet, shipping by at least 50% of 2008 levels by 2050. shipping was not accounted for in the Paris agreement on climate change. About IMO • It is the United Nations specialized agency with 2.1.4. NATIONAL CLEAN AIR responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships. PROGRAMME • India has been one of the earliest members of the Why in news? IMO, joining it as a member-state in the year 1959. • The MARPOL convention was adopted under IMO. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was MARPOL Convention, 1973. recently launched by Ministry of Environment, • International Convention for the Prevention of Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) is the main About NCAP international convention covering prevention of pollution of the marine environment by ships from • It is a pollution control initiative to cut the operational or accidental causes. concentration of particles (PM10 & PM2.5) by • It has six technical Annexes: 20-30% by 2024. It will have 2017 as the base o Annex I – Regulations for the Prevention of year for comparison and 2019 as the first year. Pollution by Oil. • It is to be implemented in 102 non-attainment o Annex II – Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in cities. These cities are chosen on the basis of Bulk. Ambient Air Quality India (2011-2015) and o Annex III – Prevention of Pollution by Harmful WHO report 2014-2018. Substances Carried by Sea in Packaged Form. • It is not legally binding. o Annex IV – Prevention of Pollution by Sewage • Its objectives include- from Ships. o Stringent implementation of mitigation o Annex V – Prevention of Pollution by Garbage measures for prevention, control and from Ships. abatement of air pollution. o Annex VI – Prevention of Air Pollution from o Ships. Augment and strengthen air quality • India is a signatory to MARPOL convention. monitoring network across the country. o Augment public awareness and capacity Details building measures. • The ultimate goal for shipping industry is to Significance of NCAP reduce greenhouse gas emission to zero by the middle of the century, with most newly • First such effort - Framing a national built ships running without fossil fuels by the framework for air quality management with a 2030s. time-bound reduction target. • The international shipping industry CO2 • Multisectoral Collaboration and Participatory emissions are projected to grow between 50 approach: It has tried to incorporate and 250% by 2050 if no action is taken. measures for urban as well as rural areas. • Heavy fuel oil (HFO) also known as “residual Further, NCAP also identifies the trans- fuel oil”, considered as the world’s dirtiest boundary nature of air pollution. and most polluting ship fuel, is a tar-like • Linking Health and Pollution: NCAP has now residual waste from the oil refining process. taken on board the National Environmental Health Profile of 20 cities that the MoEFCC

initiated along with the Indian Council of o Further, the state capitals and cities with a Medical Research with special focus on air population more than a million may be pollution and health. taken up on priority for implementation. Implementation of NCAP Knowledge and Database Augmentation

• The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) • Air Quality Monitoring Network: It includes shall execute the nation-wide programme for setting rural monitoring network and 10 city the prevention, control, and abetment of air super network. pollution within the framework of the NCAP. • National Emission Inventory: This will be Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) formalized under the NCAP. Its significance is • It is the statutory organization constitutedunder in tracking progress towards emission the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) reduction targets and as inputs to air quality Act, 1974. model. • Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and Institutional Strengthening functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. • Institutional Framework: It involves a • It functions under the Ministry of Environment, National Apex Committee at the MoEFCC and Forest and Climate Change. State-level Apex Committee under the chief • Some of the important functions of the CPCB are : secretaries in various states. There are various o To promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, other institutions being envisaged such as control and abatement of water pollution, and Technical Expert Committee and National- o To improve the quality of air and to prevent, level Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) at the control or abate air pollution in the country. MoEF&CC and National-level Project o Co-ordinate the activities of the State Board Implementation Unit (PIU) at the CPCB. and resolve disputes among them. • Setting up Air Information Centre: for data o Provide technical assistance and guidance to analysis, interpretation, dissemination. the State Boards, carry out and sponsor • Operationlize the NPL-India Certification investigation and research relating to Scheme (NPL-ICS) for certification of problems of water and air pollution, and for their prevention, control or abatement; monitoring instrument. o It is responsible for the enforcement of • Air-Quality Forecasting System (AQFS): As a Hazardous Waste (Management & Handling) state-of-the-art modelling system, Rules 1989. it will forecast the following day’s air quality. • Network of Technical Institutions- Components of NCAP: It has 3 components Knowledge Partners: Dedicated air pollution Mitigation Actions: NCAP details various units will be supported in the universities, mitigation actions. organizations, and institutions and a network of highly qualified and experienced • Web-based, three-tier mechanism - to review, academicians, academic administrators, and monitor, assess and inspect to avoid any form technical institutions will be created. of non-compliance. The system will work • Technology Assessment Cell (TAC): It will independently under the supervision of a evaluate significant technologies with single authority. reference to prevention, control, and • Extensive Planation Drive at pollution hot abatement of pollution. spots in the cities/towns. Related news • Technology Support. • NITI Aayog has proposed 15-point action plan titled • Regional and Transboundary Plan: Air quality 'Breathe India' for combating air pollution in ten management at South-Asia regional level by most polluted cities in the country, including Delhi, activating the initiatives under ‘Male Kanpur and Varanasi. o According to the World Health Organisation Declaration on Control and Prevention of Air (WHO) global air pollution database, India has Pollution and its Likely Transboundary 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the Effects for South Asia’ and South Asia world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations. Cooperative Environment Programme (SACEP) to be explored. • City Specific Air Quality Management Plan for 102 Non-Attainment Cities.

2.1.5. CLEAN AIR- INDIA INITIATIVE Poor, and Severe. AQ sub-index and health breakpoints are evolved for eight pollutants Why in news? (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) Recently, the clean air-India initiative was for which short-term (upto 24-hours) National launched in Delhi by Prime Minister of Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed. Netherlands. • SAMEER app has been developed to display About the initiative AQI at a city and receive complaints. • Related Information - Pollutants covered • It is a collaborative project between Get in the under National Ambient Air Quality Standards Ring (a platform for start-ups by the are: Sulphur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, lead, government of the Netherlands), Start-up Ozone, PM10, PM2.5, carbon monoxide. India and INDUS Forum (an online matchmaking platform of Indian and Dutch 2.1.6.3. COMPREHENSIVE ENVIRONMENTAL businesses). POLLUTION INDEX (CEPI) • Aim: To curb air pollution in Indian cities by promoting partnerships between Indian start- • It is measured by Central Pollution Control ups and Dutch companies and build a network Board for Monitoring Polluted Industrial Areas of entrepreneurs working on business (PIAs). solutions for cleaner air. • It is a rational number between 0 and 100. • CEPI score of 70 or above is considered as #StartUpLink critically polluted cluster tag. • It was launched by Invest India and Dutch • Categorization of industrial sectors based on government for Indian and Dutch start-ups which offers access to key information, relevant CEPI score: networks, pilot opportunities, and navigators for o Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index the respective start up ecosystems. score of 60 and above - Red category • ‘Clean Air’ India Ring is a critical component of the o Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index Indo-Dutch #StartUpLink. score of 41 to 59 – Orange category • As a partner for #StartUpLink, Dutch company o Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index shell has established a Shell E4 Start hub, the first score of 21 to 40– Green category energy focused start up hub in India. o Industrial Sectors having Pollution Index score incl. & upto 20- White category 2.1.6. OTHER AIR POLLUTION (newly introduced) INITIATIVES IN NEWS 2.1.6.4. WAYU (WIND AUGMENTATION 2.1.6.1. SYSTEM OF AIR QUALITY AND PURIFYING UNIT) WEATHER FORECASTING AND RESEARCH • It is developed by Council of Scientific and (SAFAR) Industrial Research – National Environmental • Recently, most advanced System of Air Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI) Quality and Weather Forecasting (SAFAR) was as a part of Technology Development Project inaugurated. being funded by Department of Science and • It monitors UV-Index, PM1, PM2.5, PM10, Technology. Mercury, Black Carbon, Sulfur Dioxide, Ozone, • The device works on two principles mainly Nitrogen Oxides, Carbon Monoxide, Benzene, Wind generation for dilution of air pollutants Toluene and Xylene. and Active Pollutants removal. • It is implemented in four cities of India – • It has filters for Particulate Matter removal Delhi, Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad. and activated carbon (charcoal) and UV lamps • It is developed by Indian Institute of Tropical for poisonous gases removal such as VOCs Meteorology, Pune, and operationalized by and Carbon Monoxide. India Meteorological Department (IMD). • It has the capacity to purify air in an area of 500 meter square. 2.1.6.2. NATIONAL AIR QUALITY INDEX 2.1.6.5. ENVIRONMENT POLLUTION • It transforms complex air quality data of (PREVENTION AND CONTROL) AUTHORITY various pollutants into a single number (index (EPCA) value) nomenclature and colour. • Central government recently, re-constituted • There are six AQI categories, namely Good, EPCA. Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very 12 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

• It was constituted under Section 3(3) of • Using Green remediation techniques such as Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Phytoextraction for soils and wetlands • It was empowered by the Supreme Court for contaminated with toxic metals. e.g. - Water protecting and improving the quality of the hyacinth is used for cleansing polluted water environment and preventing and controlling by absorbing pollutants especially chromium. the environmental pollution in the National Metal Source Capital Region. Arsenic Pesticides, fungicides, metal smelters • It was also mandated to enforce Graded Cadmium Welding, electroplating, pesticides, Response Action Plan (GRAP) for Delhi and fertilizers, batteries, nuclear plants the NCR region, which comprises the graded Chromium Mining, electroplating, textile, tanneries Copper Mining, electroplating, pesticides measures for each source framed according Lead Paint, batteries, pesticides, automobile to the AQI categories. emissions, mining, burning of coal Manganese Welding, fuel addition, ferro manganese 2.2. WATER POLLUTION production Mercury Pesticides, batteries, paper industries 2.2.1. TOXICITY IN INDIAN RIVERS Nickel Electroplating, zinc base coating, battery industries Why in news? Zinc Refineries, brass manufacturing, metal A recent report titled Status of trace and toxic plating, immersion of painted idols metals in Indian rivers 2018 by Central Water Commission. 2.2.2. COMPOSITE WATER MANAGEMENT INDEX More about the news Why in News? • The report has highlighted that 42 rivers in India have at least two toxic heavy metals in Recently, NITI Aayog released Composite Water quantities beyond the permissible limit. Management Index (CWMI) to assess and • Ganga was found to be polluted with five improve the performance of states/UTs in heavy metals—chromium, copper, nickel, lead efficient management of water resources. and iron. Background • Sources: Mining, milling, plating and surface finishing industries are the main sources of • World Bank indicates that by 2030 India’s per heavy metal pollution and the concentration capita water availability may shrink to half, of such toxic metals has increased rapidly which will push the country into ‘water over the past few decades. scarce’ category from the existing ‘water stress’ category. Toxic metals and sources of metal Pollution o Water Stressed Condition: When annual • The term ‘‘heavy metal’’ refers to any metal per-capita water availability is less than and metalloid element that has a relatively 1700 cubic meters. high density ranging from 3.5 to 7 g/cm3 and o Water Scarcity Condition: When annual is toxic or poisonous at low concentrations. per- capita water availability is less than • Primary metals considered to be toxic are 1000 cubic meters. lead, arsenic, copper, cadmium, mercury and • India is home 16% of World’s population nickel. however, it holds only about 4% of global • Health impacts of toxic metals: Heavy metals freshwater. pose a serious threat to humans and the • Water is a State subject and its optimal environment because of its toxicity, non- utilization and management lies biodegradability and bioaccumulation and predominantly within the domain of the may result in reduction of species diversity. States. • With nearly 70% of water being contaminated, Corrective measures India is placed at 120th amongst 122 countries • Controlling runoff pollution such as in the water quality index. agriculture runoff, urban runoff and runoff from livestock farms through afforestation, sustainable agriculture practices and using wastewater for irrigation etc.

2.2.3. GUIDELINES FOR GROUNDWATER EXTRACTION Why in news?

• The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) recently notified revised guidelines for ground water (GW) extraction to be effective from 1st June 2019. • However, National Green Tribunal has stayed its implementation stating that the guidelines have liberalised extraction of groundwater adding to the crisis unmindful of the ground situation and likely impact it will have on environment.

Brief Background Finding of the report • India is the largest user of ground water in the world- about 25% of the global ground • About Index: Index evaluates states on nine water extraction. About 80% of India’s broad sectors and 28 indicators (see drinking water needs is dependent on infographic) groundwater. o 14 of the 24 states analysed scored below • The Easement Act, 1882, provides every 50% on water management and have been landowner with the right to collect and classified as “low performers”. dispose, within his own limits, all water under o 21 Indian cities including Delhi, Bengaluru, the land and on the surface. Landowners are Chennai and Hyderabad will run out of not legally liable for any damage caused groundwater by 2020, affecting 100 to water resources as a result of over- million people. extraction. • India is undergoing the worst water crisis in • Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA), its history constituted under the Environment (Protection) o 600 million people in India face high to Act of 1986 has the mandate of regulating ground extreme water stress in the country. water development and management in the o 75% of the households in the country do country. not have drinking water at their premise. • CGWA has been regulating ground water o 84% rural households do not have piped development for its sustainable management in water access. the country through measures such as issue of • Decreasing annual per capita availability of advisories, public notices, grant of No Objection Certificates (NOC) for ground water withdrawal. water: It fell from 1,820 cubic meters in 2001 to 1,545 cubic meters in 2011, which may Salient features of the revised guidelines: further fall to 1,341 cubic meters in 2025. • Food security risk: Underperformance of • For Industries states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan and o Introduction of the concept of Water Haryana poses significant water and food Conservation Fee (WCF) which varies with security risks for the country as they account the category of the area, type of industry for 20-30% of India’s agriculture output and and the quantum of ground water are home to over 600 million people. extraction and is designed to o Many water-scarce states have progressively increase from safe to over- performed better in the Index like exploited areas and from low to high Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra water consuming industries as well as Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and with increasing quantum of ground water Telangana. extraction. o Encouraging use of recycled and treated sewage water by industries. o Provision of action against polluting industries, and measures to be adopted to ensure prevention of ground water 14 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

contamination in premises of polluting 2.2.4. NATIONAL WATER industries/ projects. INFORMATICS CENTRE o Mandatory requirement of digital flow meters, piezometers and digital water Why in News? level recorders (with or without telemetry The government has set up National Water depending upon quantum of extraction). Informatics Centre (NWIC) to maintain a o Mandatory water audit by specified comprehensive water resources data. industries abstracting ground water. o Mandatory roof top rain water About NWIC harvesting except for specified industries. • It would be a repository of nation-wide water • Monitoring: Monthly water level data shall be resources data and would work as a submitted to CGWA through the web portal. Subordinate Office under the Ministry of • Exemptions Water Resources, River Development and o Exemption from requirement of NOC has Ganga Rejuvenation which is to be headed by been given to agricultural users, users a Joint Secretary level officer. employing non-energised means to • It will provide latest and reliable water data extract water, individual households (other than classified data) through web- (using less than 1 inch diameter delivery based India Water Resources Information pipe) and Armed Forces Establishments System (India-WRIS) on a GIS platform in during operational deployment or during Public Domain. mobilization in forward locations. • It will also collaborate with leading national Related news and international research institutes to Recently, a new study by researchers has found provide technical support to central and state widespread uranium contamination in groundwater organisations dealing with water emergency from aquifers in 16 Indian states. response of hydrological extremes. More on findings of the study • It is a component of National Hydrology • The majority of high-uranium levels were located in Project and also in consonance with the Rajasthan and parts of Punjab, Haryana and National Water Mission which has an Gujarat objective of “conservation of water,

• The results showed that most of the wells tested in minimizing wastage and ensuring its more Rajasthan and Gujarat had more uranium than the equitable distribution through integrated WHO’s recommended limit of 30 µg/L. • The primary source of uranium is granite, which is water resources development and common in the Himalayan range. Over the years, management”. uranium may have slowly leached into the water. National Hydrology Project • However, anthropogenic factors such as over- exploitation of groundwater for agricultural • It is a central sector scheme. Under this, the Hydro- irrigation and nitrate pollution due to overuse of meteorological data will be stored and analyzed in nitrogenous fertilizers may have further enhanced real time basis and can be seamlessly accessed by uranium mobilization. any user at State, District and Village level. • Its components include- Issues associated with uranium contamination o In Situ Hydromet Monitoring System and • The Bureau of Indian Standards’ Drinking Water Hydromet Data Acquisition System. Specifications does not prescribe any limit for o Setting up of National Water Informatics uranium which makes quality monitoring of water Centre (NWIC). table impossible. Some of the major contaminants o Water Resources Operation and Management which are monitored under the specification System include: Cadmium, Cyanide, Mercury, Lead, o Water Resources Institutions and Capacity Arsenic, Chromium etc. Building • Uranium in drinking water raises concerns because India-Water Resource Information System of chemical toxicity, chronic kidney problems etc. • It is a joint venture of the Central Water Commission (CWC), Ministry of Water Resources and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Department of Space. • India-WRIS provides 'Single Window solution' for all water resources data & information in a national GIS framework.

2.2.5 RAINWATER HARVESTING IN Highlights of the report METROPOLITAN CITIES • In India nitrogen emissions grew at 69% from Why in news? 2001 to 2011 and has replaced methane as the second largest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) from The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Urban Indian agriculture. Development submitted its report on “Rainwater • Agricultural soils contributed to over 70% of Harvesting in Metropolitan Cities”. nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, followed by Techniques of Rainwater Harvesting in Urban waste water (12%) and residential and Areas- NITI Aayog has outlined the following commercial activities (6%). techniques- • India is globally the biggest source of ammonia emission, nearly double that of NOx • Roof Top Rain Water Harvesting- A container emissions. needs to be constructed or placed beneath • Health impact: Blue Baby Syndrome, reduced the roof level, which will store the rainwater functioning of the thyroid gland, Vitamin A intercepted and redirected towards it through shortages etc. pipes made out of wood, bamboo, or PVC. • Excessive nitrogen in the form of fertilizer • Driveway Rain Off Harvesting- This technique brings down the carbon content of the soil, is useful where the built-up area is much result in diminishing returns in terms of crop larger, such as office complexes. The rain yield. water is harvested by intercepting it with the • Excessive eutrophication which turns water help of a shallow gutter or a bump near the body into Dead Zone, substance like nitric acid gate and directed to a recharge well. is a component of acid rain. Some Traditional Methods of Rainwater Harvesting in • Nitrous oxide (N2O) is 300 times more potent states- In India, rainwater harvesting has been in as a greenhouse gas as opposed to CO2. It is practice for more than 4000 years. also a dominant ozone-depleting substance • Himachal Pradesh- Kul, Kuhi and also leads to formation of smog. • Rajasthan- Baoris, Jhalaras, Johad, Nadis, khadins, kunds • Maharashtra- Bhandaras • Bihar- Ahar-Pynes • Karnataka- Kere • Madhya Pradesh- Bundela Tank, Chandela Tank, Katas, Pat • Tamil Nadu- Eri, Ooranis • Nagaland- Cheo-ozihi • Andhra Pradesh- Cheruvu • West Bengal- Dungs

2.3. NITROGEN POLLUTION

Why in News? Recently, Indian Nitrogen Assessment report highlighted the nitrogen emission scenario in India. Nitrogen Emission Hotspot Steps taken to control Nitrogen pollution • Recently, Greenpeace conducted a study of National satellite-based data for the identification of nitrogen emission hotspot (NEH) around the • Soil Health Card provides information to world. farmers on nutrient status of their soil along • South Africa’s Mpumalanga province emits the with recommendations on appropriate highest amounts of nitrogen dioxide and the dosage of nutrients for crop. largest number of hotspots are found in China. • Mandatory neem-coated urea production to • Hotspot in India: Delhi-NCR, Sonbhadra in UP & slow down the dissolution of nitrogen into Singrauli in MP (both taken as one entity) and soil, resulting into less nutrient requirement. Talcher-Angul in Odisha.

• Bharat Stage Norms: Aim to regulate the • Responsibility of street vendors and retailers: Not harmful emission from vehicle like carbon to provide such carry bags or fine would be monoxide (CO), unburnt hydrocarbons (HC), imposed. Only the registered shopkeepers on Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Particulate matter payment of a registration fee to local bodies would (PM). be allowed to give out plastic carry bags on charge. • To promote the use of plastic for road construction • National Air Quality Index (NAQI) has been or energy recovery. implemented in which Nitrogen Dioxide is one of the eight pollutants to be controlled and Background monitored. • India was the global host of 2018 World Global Environment Day (June 5, 2018) with “Beat • Gothenburg Protocol: It aims to Abate Plastic Pollution” as the theme, reflecting Acidification, Eutrophication and Groundlevel world commitment to combat single-use Ozone and is a part of is part of the plastic pollution. Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air • According to United Nations Environment Pollution. Programme (UNEP) if current pollution rates o Objective: To control and reduce continue, there will be more plastic in the sea emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2), than fish by 2050, as globally, only 14% of nitrogen oxides (NOx), ammonia (NH4), plastics is recycled. volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and • Only 24 States and Union Territories have Particulate Matter (PM) that are caused complied with the Centre’s Plastic Waste by human activities. Management (PWM) Rules, 2016, to regulate • Kyoto Protocol: It aims to reduce the manufacture, sale, distribution and use of emissions of the Green House Gases such as plastic carry bags including those of Methane (CH4), Nitrous oxide (N2O), compostable plastic, and plastic sheets for Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), Perfluorocarbons packaging or wrapping applications. (PFCs), Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and carbon • Single Use Plastic: Also referred as disposable dioxide (CO2). plastics, are commonly used for plastic • International Nitrogen Initiative (INI): It is an packaging and include items intended to be international program, set up in 2003 under used only once before they are thrown away sponsorship of the Scientific Committee on or recycled. It account for 50% of the plastic Problems of the Environment (SCOPE) and we use, with none states in India have plans in from the International Geosphere-Biosphere place to tackle single use plastics. Program (IGBP) to optimize nitrogen’s beneficial role in sustainable food production. Microplastics • Microplastics or Microbeads are plastic pieces or 2.4. PLASTIC POLLUTION fibre which is very small, generally measuring less than 1mm. Why in News? • They have a variety of use, most notably being personal care products like toothpaste, body Recently, India committed to eliminate all single- creams, clothing and industrial use. use plastic in the country by 2022. • They have an ability to spread easily and provide silky texture and colours to the product. Thus, Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2016 adding visual appeal of the cosmetic products. • It defines the minimum thickness of plastic carry bags i.e. 50 microns. This would increase the cost Impact of plastic Pollution and the tendency to provide free carry bags would come down. • Bio-accumulation: Plastic bags are often • Responsibility of local bodies: Rural areas are ingested by animals who mistakenly taken brought under the rules. The gram sabhas have them for food due to which toxic chemicals been given responsibility of implementation. enter the human food chain. • Extended Producer Responsibility: Producers and • Leaching of harmful chemical: As the plastics brand owners have been made responsible for degrade and become brittle, they leach out collecting waste generated from their products. monomers like Bisphenol A which can then be • Responsibility of waste generator: All institutional absorbed by marine life, with relatively little generators of plastic waste shall segregate and known consequences. store their waste as per Solid Waste Management o They have been linked to decreasing crop Rules, and handover segregated wastes to authorized waste disposal facilities. productivity, impacting food security, 17 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

birth defects, impaired immunity, Taj Declaration endocrine disruption and other ailments. • It aims at gradual phasing out of single-use plastic • Source of vector borne diseases: They water bottles and cutlery in the 500-metre radius provide abundant surfaces area for of the Taj Mahal in the next five years and to make colonization opportunities. In addition, these the monument litter-free. plastics are essentially rafts for organisms to Ocean Clean up travel further then they usually would, making Recently, the Ocean Cleanup project was started in the them vectors for spreading invasive marine Pacific Ocean. species. • Ocean Cleanup is a non-profit organisation which is • Air Pollution: Disposing of plastic waste by developing advanced technologies to rid the burning it in open-air pits releases harmful world’s oceans of plastics. gases like furan and dioxin. • It is directed at cleaning The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP) which is a zone between Hawaii and • Financial Loss: The total economic damage to California. About 1.8 Trillion pieces of plastic float the world’s marine ecosystem caused by the surface of the GPGP. plastic amounts to at least $13 billion every year. International efforts for tackling Plastic Debris

• UN Environment launched #CleanSeas campaign: to eliminate major sources of marine litter, microplastics in cosmetics and the excessive, wasteful usage of single-use plastic by the year 2022. • Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal: It aims at preventing and minimizing the generation of wastes including those ending up in the ocean. Much of the marine liter and microplastics found in the sea may be determined as ‘waste’ as defined under the Convention.

• Stockholm Convention on POPs: It aims to protect human health and the environment 2.5. BLUE FLAG CERTIFICATION from POPs (organic chemicals that persist in the environment, bio accumulate in humans Why in news? and wildlife, have harmful eﬀects and have 13 Indian beaches have been shortlisted for the the potential for long-range environmental transport). Plastics can adsorb POPs such as Blue flag certification. PCB, DDT and dioxins and these are frequently More on news detected in marine plastic liter. • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and • The Honolulu Strategy: It is a framework for a Climate Change had started a pilot project comprehensive and global collaborative effort under a Unified Coastal Areas Management to reduce the ecological, human health, and Programme to develop the Indian beaches economic impacts of marine debris according to the Blue Flag standards in worldwide. December 2017. Related news • Chandrabhaga beach of Odisha's Konark Alliance to End Plastic Waste coast was the first to complete the tag • Alliance to End Plastic Waste was recently certification process and will be the first in founded. Asia to get the Blue Flag certification. • It is a nonprofit organization which includes • Apart from it, 12 other beaches across are also companies from across the globe. From India, being developed by the Society for Reliance Industries is a part of the alliance. Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) as • It has committed over $1.0 billion with the goal of blue flag beaches which include investing $1.5 billion over the next five years to help end plastic waste in the environment. Maharashtra's Chiwla and Bhogave beaches

and one beach each from Puducherry, Goa, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. • Beach Management Service (BeaMS) It’s an integrated coastal management scheme introduced by the ministry to reduce existing pollutants on beaches and achieve such high international standards. Blue Flag Standards • The Blue Flag beach standards were established by Copenhagen-based Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) in 1985 in France. • The Blue Flag is an environmental award for beaches, sustainable boating tourism operators, and marinas. • Only local authorities or private beach operators can apply for a Blue Flag for beaches. • The criteria for Blue Flag beaches cover four main area: o water quality, Regulations for pesticide in India o environmental management, • Insecticide Act 1968, was enacted to regulate o environmental education and imports, manufacture, storage, transport, o safety. sale, distribution and use of insecticides with a Society for Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM) view to prevent risk to human beings and • It has been established under the aegis of animals. MoEFCCC. • The Central Insecticide Board and

• The main objectives of SICOM are as follows: Registration Committee (CIBRC) approves o To support implementation of Integrated the use of pesticides in India. Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) activities in India. • The health and family welfare ministry o To implement the World Bank assisted monitors and regulates pesticide levels in India ICZM Project food, and sets limits for residues in food o To provide Research Development (R&D) and commodities. stakeholders participation in management of • Department of Agriculture, Co-Operation & the Coastal areas in India. Farmers Welfare (DAC&FW) has launched a scheme “Strengthening and Modernization 2.6. PESTICIDES BAN of Pest Management Approach in India” to promote Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Why in News? • “Grow Safe food” Campaign has been The Government of India has decided to ban the initiated to create awareness about the safe use of 18 pesticides following the and judicious use of pesticides among the recommendations of the Anupam Verma various stakeholders Committee. • India is signatory to UNEP led Stockholm Convention For Persistent Organic Pollutants and Rotterdam Convention which promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to use proper labelling, include directions on safe handling, and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or bans. • Draft Pesticides Management Bill 2017 aims to regulate the manufacture, imports, storage, transportation, inspection, testing and distribution of pesticides.

3. BIODIVERSITY agreement with a participation of 196 member 3.1. CONVENTION ON countries. BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY • India is a member. Protocols adopted under the Convention. Why in News? • Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety: It seeks to • Recently, Conference of the Parties (COP 14) protect biological diversity from the potential risks to the Convention on Biological Diversity posed by living modified organisms resulting from (CBD) was held, adopting Sharm El-Sheikh modern biotechnology. Declaration. o It establishes an advance informed agreement • India also recently submitted Sixth National (AIA) procedure for ensuring that countries Report (NR6) to the CBD. are provided with the information necessary o Submission of national reports is a to make informed decisions before agreeing to the import of such organisms into their mandatory obligation on Parties to territory. international treaties, including CBD. o It also establishes a Biosafety Clearing-House o NR6 provides an update of progress in to facilitate the exchange of information on achievement of 12 National Biodiversity living modified organisms. Targets (NBT) developed under the • Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing: It Convention, in line with the 20 global aims at sharing the benefits arising from the Aichi biodiversity targets. utilization of genetic resources in a fair and o India has achieved two NBTs (6&9), it is equitable way, including by appropriate access to on track to achieve 8 NBTs and in respect genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of of the remaining 2 NBTs. relevant technologies. o Threat to Wildlife: In India has a total of Highlight of COP-14 683 animal species in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s • Adoption of Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration on (IUCN) critically endangered, endangered Investing in Biodiversity for People and and vulnerable categories, as compared Planet. to 646 species in 2014 when the fifth • New Deal for Nature: It is an agreement on a national report was submitted, and 413 in comprehensive and participatory process to these categories in 2009. develop post-2020 global biodiversity Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) framework to further achieve the 2050 Vision • It seeks to address all threats to biodiversity and for Biodiversity. ecosystem services, including threats from climate • Launch of International Alliance of Nature change. and Culture to advance work on biological • It aims to promote the conservation of and cultural diversity in collaboration with the biodiversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of United Nations Educational, Scientific and benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and • It was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the indigenous peoples and local communities. United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio "Earth Summit"). • It’s a legally binding multilateral environmental

Asiatic Lion 3.2. FLORA & FAUNA • Asiatic Lion, Panthera Leo Persica is listed in Schedule 1 of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and in 3.2.1. ASIATIC LION CONSERVATION Appendix-I of CITES, while IUCN lists it in PROJECT endangered category. • The lion is one of five pantherine cats inhabiting Why in News? India, along with the Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, snow leopard and clouded leopard. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate • Their population is limited to only five protected Change launched the “Asiatic Lion Conservation areas in Gujarat – Gir National Park, Gir Sanctuary, Project”. Pania Sanctuary, Mitiyala Sanctuary and Girnar Sanctuary. 21 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

Asiatic vs African Lions About the project • Size: Asiatic lions tend to be smaller than their • It is conceived by the MoEFCCC, NTCA and African cousins. Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun. • Mane: Compared to the African lion, the male Asiatic lion has a relatively short, sparse mane. As a • It involves shifting six tigers (three pairs) from result, the male Asiatic lion's ears tend to remain different reserves in the central state to the visible at all times. In addition to being less well- eastern state. developed, the mane is generally darker than that Conservation Efforts in India of African lions. • Project Tiger (1973): It’s a centrally Sponsored • Skin Fold: The most distinguishing characteristic of Scheme for in-situ conservation of wild tigers in the Asiatic lion is a longitudinal fold of skin that designated tiger reserves (50 at present). runs along the belly. This trait is found in all Asiatic • The National Tiger Conservation Authority lions. It is absent in African Lions. (NTCA): It is a statutory body and has overarching • Pride Size: Asiatic prides tend to be smaller than supervisory/coordination role as provided in the their African counterparts. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. It implements Background major tiger conservation initiatives like project tiger, Tiger conservation plan etc. • 23 Lions died in short period of 20 days in o Minister of MoEFCC is the chairman of the 2018, due to Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) authority. and tick-borne Babesiosis. • Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive About the Project Protection and Ecological Status (M-STrIPES): It is a software-based monitoring system launched • It will be funded from the Centrally across Indian tiger reserves by the NTCA. Sponsored Scheme- Development of Wildlife Global Conservation Efforts Habitat (CSS-DWH) with the contributing ratio • The Global Tiger Initiative (GTI), 2008: A global being 60:40 of Central and State share. alliance of governments, international • Focus: To cause habitat improvement, organizations, civil society, the conservation and scientific communities and the private sector and scientific interventions, disease control and includes organization like the World Bank, the veterinary care supplemented with adequate Global Environment Facility (GEF), etc. eco development works for the fringe o Aim: To work together to save wild tigers population in order to ensure a stable and from extinction. In 2013, the scope was viable Lion population in the Country. broadened to include Snow Leopards. o The initiative is led by the 13 tiger range Related News countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, • Recently, the government approved continuation Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand, and of the scheme beyond the 12thPlan period from Vietnam). 2017-18 to 2019-20. o TX2: In 2010, the St. Petersburg Declaration • It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme where GoI on Tiger Conservation was adopted under the provides financial and technical assistance to the GTI and TX2 was endorsed. Its goal was to State/UT Governments for activities aimed at double the number of wild tigers across their wildlife conservation. geographical areas. The WWF is implementing • Component: Scheme consists of Centrally the programme in 13 tiger range countries. Sponsored Scheme of Project Tiger (CSS-PT), • The Global Tiger Forum (GTF) is the only inter- Development of Wildlife Habitats (CSS-DWH) and governmental international body established with Project Elephant (CSS-PE). members from willing countries to embark on a global campaign to protect the Tiger. • Implementation of the schemes would be done through the respective States in designated Tiger • Conservation Assured Tiger Standards CA|TS: It is Reserves, Protected Areas and Elephant Reserves. a new tool for tiger conservation management. It is a set of criteria which allows tiger sites to check if their management will lead to successful tiger 3.2.2. TIGER CONSERVATION conservation. It is an important part of Tx2 Why in news? programme. As part of the country’s first inter-state 3.2.3. CHEETAH REINTRODUCTION translocation of tigers project, a female cub was PROJECT shifted from Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve (BTR) in Madhya Pradesh to Satkosia Tiger Reserve (STR) Why in news? in Odisha. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has reported to the Supreme Court that African

cheetahs, to be translocated in India from • Singhphan Elephant Reserve - It has huge Namibia, will be kept at Nauradehi wildlife tracts of forest, strategically located in sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh. contiguity with the Abhaypur Reserve Forest About the Plan of Assam. • NTCA is nodal agency for the Cheetahs • Other Protected areas in Nagaland: Intanki reintroduction plan. National Park, Puliebadze Wildlife Sanctuary, • In 2009, Project Cheetah was launched and Fakim Wildlife Sanctuary and Rangapahar Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary (MP) and Shahgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. area in Rajasthan were identified as other two Steps Taken for Elephant conservation sites for cheetah reintroduction plan. • Elephant is National Heritage Animal and • Nauradehi was found to be the most suitable categorised as Endangered under IUCN list. • It is under schedule I of the Indian Wildlife area for the cheetahs as its forests are not (Protection) Act, 1972 and in Appendix I of the very dense to restrict the fast movement of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Cheetahs. Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES). Karnataka has About African Cheetah the highest number of elephants followed by • It is a large cat that occurs in Southern, North and Assam and Kerala respectively. East Africa And also in some localities in Iran. • Project Elephant: • It inhabits different habitats like dry forests, scrub o It was launched in the year 1992 as a Centrally forests, and savannahs. Sponsored Scheme. • IUCN status: Vulnerable (Asiatic Cheetah – o Objectives: To protect elephants, their habitat Critically endangered) & corridors; to address issues of man-animal • India was once home to many cheetahs, but it was conflict and welfare of captive elephants declared extinct in India in 1952 and last spotted in o Elephant reserves are established across Chhattisgarh 1947. states to achieve above objectives. • The only mammal to become extinct in India in last • Elephant corridors: These are narrow strips of land 1,000 years. that allow elephants to move from one habitat patch to another. There are approx. 100 identified Significance of the move elephant corridors in India. • It will make India the only country in the world • Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) to host six of the world's eight large cats, Programme including lions, tigers, jaguars, panthers and o It was established in 2003, through a leopards. Conference of the Parties (COP) resolution to the Convention on International Trade in • Cheetah is the flagship species of the Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora grasslands. This will help dryland ecosystems (CITES). of India to return to their natural state. o It is an international collaboration that tracks trends in information related to the illegal 3.2.4. ELEPHANT CONSERVATION killing of elephants across Africa and Asia, to monitor effectiveness of field conservation 3.2.4.1. GAJ YATRA efforts. • Asian Elephant Alliance • It’s a nationwide campaign to protect o It was launched in July 2015 in London, United elephants, launched on the occasion of World Kingdom. Elephant Day led by the Wildlife Trust of India o It is an umbrella of five NGOs-Elephant Family, (WTI) and International Fund for Animal International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Welfare (IFAW), both NGOs, from Tura in IUCN Netherlands, World Land Trust (WLT) and Garo Hills, Meghalaya. Wildlife Trust of India (WTI). • It was organized in the Garo Hills in o It aims to secure a safe future for the wild recognition of the people’s initiative of elephants of India, which make up approximately half of the world’s wild Asian community forests for human-elephant elephants. harmony and conservation of animals such as hoolock gibbon. 3.2.5. ASIAN RHINOS 3.2.4.2. NEW ELEPHANT RESERVE Why in News? • Recently, Nagaland government declared the Recently, 2nd Asian Rhino Range Countries (i.e. Singphan Wildlife Sanctuary as an Elephant India, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia and Malaysia) Reserve (30th in total), with the approval of meeting, has signed- The New Delhi Declaration central government. on Asian Rhinos 2019.

About the Declaration • It is endemic to Indian Sub-continent, found • It intends to conserve and review the in central India, western India and eastern population of the Greater one-horned, Javan Pakistan. and Sumatran rhinos (three species of Asian • Currently, it is found in only six states in the Rhino) every four years to reassess the need country — Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, for joint actions to secure their future. Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and • The declaration outlines a series of strategic Karnataka. actions including Trans-boundary • Protection: Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife collaboration among India, Nepal, and Bhutan (Protection) Act, 1972 and Critically for one-horned rhino; engagement of the Endangered on the IUCN Red List local communities; initiate proactive • It is also listed in Appendix I of CITES and monitoring on potential adverse impacts of covered under CMS or Bonn Convention. climate change; accelerate natural and • Bustard Species Found in India: Great Indian conservation breeding of Sumatran rhino etc. Bustard, the Lesser Florican and the Bengal Florican; Houbara also belong to Bustard Related Facts family but it's a migratory species. • Javan and Sumatran rhinos are currently classified • Importance to Ecosystem: GIB is an indicator as critically endangered. species for grassland habitats and its gradual • The Sumatran rhino, the smallest of all rhino species and the only Asian rhino with two horns, disappearance from such environments became extinct in the wild in Malaysia. shows their deterioration. The Great One-Horned Rhinoceros o Once the species is lost, there will be no • The great one-horned rhino or Indian Rhino is the other species to replace it, and that will largest of the rhino species found commonly in destabilise the ecosystem of the Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and India. grassland and affect critical bio- • In India, it is found in Assam – Kaziranga National diversities, as well as blackbucks and Park, Manas National Park, Pobitora Reserve wolves, who share their habitat with the Forest, Orang National Park, Laokhowa Reserve GIB. Forest etc. • Conservation Steps: Great Indian Bustard, • It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is protected under the Schedule I of the Wildlife popularly known as 'Godawan', is Rajasthan's Protection Act. It is threatened by poaching, state bird. It’s one of the Species for The habitat destruction, flooding etc. Recovery Programme under the Integrated • Indian Rhino Vision 2020 – It has been Development of Wildlife Habitats of the implemented by Assam State Government with the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Bodo autonomous council as an active partner and Bustard Recovery Programme supported by WWF- India. The aim is to increase the number of Rhinos and provide long term • It recommends linking local livelihoods with viability of the one-horned rhino population. bustard conservation. • The government of Assam has raised the Special • For effective conservation, the guidelines direct Rhino Protection Force from people living in the state governments to identify the core breeding fringe areas of the Kaziranga National Park. areas for bustards and keep them inviolate from human disturbances. 3.2.6. GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD • The guidelines suggest restriction on infrastructure development and land use diversion Why in News? for roads, high tension electric poles, intensive agriculture, wind power generators and A recent study suggests that, Great Indian Bustard construction. population has been falling continuously, from Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species around 1,260 in 1969 to less than 200 in 2018. of Wild Animals (CMS) or Bonn convention About Great Indian bustard (Ardeotis Nigriceps) • It is the only convention under UNEP which provides a global platform for the conservation • It’s among the heaviest bird with a horizontal and sustainable use of migratory animals and their body and long bare legs giving it an ostrich habitats (and their migration routes). India is a like appearance. member of the convention. • Habitat: Arid and semi-arid grasslands, open • Appendix I of the Convention: It includes country with thorn scrub, tall grass Migratory species threatened with extinction. interspersed with cultivation. It avoids • Appendix II of the Convention: It includes irrigated areas. Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation.

3.2.7. GANGETIC DOLPHIN o Potential sites for intense dolphin conservation should be demarcated and Why in news? States with Gangetic Dolphin populations should have a regional Dolphin Recently, study showed that rising salinity in Conservation Centre. Sunderbans region of India is causing a decrease o The use of nylon monofilament fishing in population of the Ganges River Dolphins. gillnets should be banned and Critical About Gangetic dolphins water flow and minimum depths for all • It inhabits the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna river dolphin habitats should be and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, determined. o India, and Bangladesh. Trans-boundary Protected Areas • It is among the four freshwater dolphins between India, Nepal and Bangladesh. found in the world – the other three are- baiji • National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG): In found in the Yangtze River (China), the its efforts of biodiversity conservation in ‘bhulan’ of the Indus (Pakistan) and the ‘boto’ Ganga River basin, it has been working on the of the Amazon River (Latin America). Ganges River Dolphin Conservation Action. • It is fluviatile (riverine) in habitat, it may also • National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC), be found in brackish water. It never enters Patna: It's India’s and Asia’s first Centre for the sea. strengthening conservation efforts and • A long thin snout, rounded belly and large research to save the endangered mammal. flippers are its characteristics. Other Indian River Dolphins • It is a mammal and cannot breathe in the • Indus Dolphin (Bhulan) water and must surface every 30-120 seconds. o They are endangered, freshwater, and • Because of the sound it produces when functionally blind species of dolphins which rely breathing, the animal is popularly referred to on echolocation to navigate, communicate and as the 'Susu'. hunt prey including prawns, catfish and carp. o Except for a tiny, isolated population of Only Conservation Status five to 11 individual Indus Dolphins in India’s Beas River (185 km stretch between Talwara • It is the national aquatic animal and had been and Harike), Indus river dolphins live exclusively granted non-human personhood status by in the Indus river in Pakistan. government in 2017. o Punjab has recently declared it as their state • It is mentioned under Schedule I of the aquatic animal. Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and been • Irrawaddy Dolphin categorised as endangered on the Red List of o They are Critically Endangered and live in both Threatened Species by the IUCN. salt- and freshwater in South and Southeast • Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary Asia. (VGDS) in Bihar is India's only sanctuary for o Three exclusively freshwater populations are found in Irrawaddy/Ayeyarwady River the Gangetic dolphin. (Myanmar), Mekong River (Lao PDR, • It is listed under the Convention on Cambodia); and Mahakam River (Indonesia). International Trade in Endangered Species of o In addition, very small numbers survive in the Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Appendix I. partially freshwater Songkhla Lake (Thailand)

• The presence of Dolphins in a river system and the brackish Chilika Lake (India). signals a healthy ecosystem. Since the river dolphin is at the apex of the aquatic food 3.2.8. BANNI GRASSLAND chain, its presence in adequate numbers symbolizes greater biodiversity in the river Why in news? system and helps keep the ecosystem in balance. Nomadic tribes (Maldhari) are leaving their villages in Banni region due to water scarcity. Conservation Efforts About Banni grassland • A Conservation Action Plan for the Gangetic • The Banni grassland of Gujarat (near Rann of Dolphin 2010-2020 has been formulated by Kutch) is the largest natural grassland in the the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Indian subcontinent known for its scarce Climate Change. It provides following rainfall and semi-drought conditions. recommendations:

• The land of Banni is formed out of ocean clay, 341, which leads to the India-Pakistan so it includes an element of salt from very International Border. beginning. This land is formed out of alluvial • There are 22 ethnic communities living in the and clayey sand. area called Maldhari pastoralists (’mal’ means • Migratory pastoralism has been followed animal stock and ‘dhari’ means keeper). here from centuries with a broader • It is also known for strange dancing light geographical landscape that included Sindh in phenomena known locally as Chir Batti. Pakistan and even extended into parts of • A huge freshwater lake locally known as Baluchistan and Afghanistan. Chhari-Dhand is a prominent feature of the • Now, Banni is divided into eastern and Banni grassland. It is a legally protected western parts separated by National Highway wetland conservation reserve.

Species (Flora and Details (Conservation status/ Habitat etc.) Fauna) Indian Leopard or • Conservation Status: IUCN: VU; WPA,1972: Schedule I; CITES: Appendix I common Leopard • Habitat: In India, the leopard is found in all forest types, from tropical rainforests to (Panthera pardus) temperate deciduous and alpine coniferous forests. It is also found in dry scrubs and grasslands, the only exception being desert and the mangroves of Sundarbans. • Threat: increasing conflict with humans, poaching for illegal trade in body parts and loss of habitat. • Conservation Effort: Rajasthan has become the first state in the country to launch a project to conserve leopards by improving their prey base, mitigating conflicts with humans and controlling poaching. • Conservation Status: IUCN: VU; WPA,1972: Schedule I; CITES: Appendix I; CMS: Appendix Snow Leopard I • Habitat: Snow leopards live in the mountainous regions of central and southern Asia. In India, their geographical range encompasses a large part of the western Himalayas including the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh in the eastern Himalayas. • Conservation Efforts: Project Snow Leopard (2009) launched to safeguard and conserve India’s unique natural heritage of high-altitude wildlife populations and their habitats by promoting conservation through participatory policies and actions. Black Panthers • A black panther is the melanistic color variant of any big cat species. • Conservation Status: IUCN: VU; WPA,1972: Schedule I; CITES: Appendix I • Habitat: Forest in sundergarh, Odisha, Kerala (Periyar Tiger Reserve), Karnataka (Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve and Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary), Chhattisgarh (Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Udanti-Sitanadi tiger reserve), Maharashtra (Satara) etc. Nilgiri Tahr (State • Conservation Status: IUCN: EN; WPA,1972: Schedule I animal of Tamil Nadu) • Habitat: Open montane grassland (Shola Grassland) habitats at elevations from 1200 to 2600 m (generally above 2000 m) of the South Western Ghats. • Their range extends over 400 km from north to south, and Eravikulam National Park is home to the largest population. Hog deer or Pada • Conservation Status: IUCN: EN • Habitat: Two sub-species of hog deer have been reported from its range. The western race is distributed from Pakistan and the terai grasslands (along the Himalayan foothills, from Punjab to Arunachal Pradesh), while the eastern race of hog deer is found in Thailand, Indo-China, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. • A small population of genetically similar to eastern race hog deer has been recently reported Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), Manipur. Kashmir Stag • Conservation Status: IUCN: CR; WPA,1972: Schedule I (Hangul)- State animal • Habitat: Jammu & Kashmir (Dachigam National Park) of Jammu & Kashmir • Threats: Continuing decline in area, extent and quality of habitat • Conservation Efforts: Project Hangul Blue Sheep or Bharal • Conservation Status: IUCN: LC • Habitat: Species live on high-altitude mountains mainly in India, Nepal, Tibet, Pakistan and Bhutan. E.g. Gangotri National Park, Uttarakhand. Red Panda (Lesser • Conservation Status: IUCN: EN; WPA,1972: Schedule I; CITES: Appendix I Panda or Red Cat- • Habitat: A mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. In India, bear) largely found in Sikkim, western Arunachal Pradesh, Northern West Bengal and parts of

Meghalaya. • Threat: It is poached for its meat, and for use in medicines, and as a pet. Sangai (Brow- • Conservation Status: IUCN: EN; WPA,1972: Schedule I antlered deer or • Habitat: Floating marshy grasslands, Phumdis, of the Keibul Lamjao National Park, dancing deer or Eld’s located in the southern parts of the Loktak Lake (largest freshwater lake in eastern India) deer)- State animal of • Endemic species found only in Manipur, India. Manipur • Phumdi — floating mass of entangled vegetation formed by the accumulation of organic debris and biomass with soil. Chrysilla Vollupe (rare • Recently discovered from the Waynad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) after nearly 150 years. spider discovered) • Belongs to the family of jumping spiders (Salticidae) Red Sanders • Conservation Status: IUCN: NT; CITES: Appendix II (Pterocarpus • It is an endemic tree of South India. Santalinus) • They are found in Tropical Dry Deciduous forest of the Palakonda and Seshachalam hill ranges of Andhra Pradesh and in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and occur in hot, dry climate with a rainfall of 88-105 cm. • It prefers lateritic and gravelly soil and cannot tolerate water logging. • It is used for various purposes such as immunity medicine, furniture, radiation absorbent, musical instrument, food dyes and spices, Ayurveda and Sidha medicine, decorative and ornamental purposes etc. • Threats: Illegal felling of trees for smuggling North Indian • IUCN: D latifolia (Indian rosewood) as vulnerable and D sissoo (sheesham or North Rosewood/Shisham Indian rosewood) as Least Concern; CITES: Appendix II (Dalbergia sissoo) • It is a deciduous tree found in tropical to subtropical climates and is economically important for its value in forestry, agroforestry, horticulture and medicine. Uses • Soil fertility: Native to the Indian sub-continent it is a member of the legume family and can fix nitrogen from the atmosphere through bacteria nodules on its root system. • It also has insecticidal and larvicidal properties, as well as resistance to some wood boring insects. Vultures in India: • Conservation Status: There are nine species of vultures in India out of which, 3 have been on critically endangered list of IUCN and also listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. These are: o White-rumped Vulture (Gyps bengalensis) o Slender billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) o Indian Vulture/long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus). • Note: o Himalayan Griffon; closely related to Indian Gyps- not endangered; only Near Threatened o Red-headed vulture is on critically endangered list of IUCN but not listed under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. • Threats: Use of veterinary drug Diclofenac • Conservation Efforts: The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS – BirdLife in India) and the RSPB (BirdLife in the UK), are working as part of Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE). Amur Falcon • Conservation Status: IUCN: LC • Habitat: Amur falcon species are distributed in India, Africa and Northeast Asia in Grassland, Savanna, Forest, Wetlands (inland). • Amur Falcons are the migratory bird that stay every year at Doyang lake during their flight from Mongolia to South Africa. • Pangti village in Nagaland is considered as the world’s Amur Falcon capital. Elephant Bird • Elephant birds are an extinct group of colossal flightless birds that roamed Madagascar (Vorombe Titan) during the Late Quaternary. • Vorombe titan was named the world’s largest bird (3 meters high and weighs upto 800 kg). Earlier, Aepyornis Titan was known as largest ever Elephant Bird in the year 1984. Sri Lankan Frogmouth • For the first time, this rare bird has been sighted on the eastern side of the Western (rare bird) Ghats (in Chinar Wildlife Sanctuary). • Sri Lankan Frogmouth is usually found on the western side of the Western Ghats. It has a unique habitat in Sri Lanka and is present in the Thattekad bird sanctuary, Kerela. It is also found in Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra. • Its preferred habitat is a dry and open area with some small trees or bushes. • It is a relative of Nightjar, a crepuscular and nocturnal bird breeding in Europe and 27 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

temperate Asia. • The main feature is that it lays only one egg a year after the mating season in April-May. Sarus Crane (Antigone • Conservation Status: IUCN: VU Antigone)- State bird • Habitat: It generally inhabits natural wetlands with low water depth, marshy and fallow of Uttar Pradesh areas and agricultural fields. • They are large non-migratory crane and India’s only resident breeding crane and the world’s tallest flying bird. • The Sarus crane has three disjunct populations in the Indian sub-continent, south-east Asia and northern Australia. • Threat: habitat loss and degradation due to draining the wetland and conversion of land for agriculture and other uses. • Conservation Efforts: Sarus Crane Conservation Project launched by Wildlife Trust of India in Uttar Pradesh. Olive Ridley Turtle • Conservation Status: IUCN: VU; CITES: Appendix I • Habitat: It’s found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. • Gahirmatha located in the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary, Odisha houses the world largest mass nesting site of these turtles. • Rushikulya rookery coast, and Bahuda Rookery are other major nesting site of olive ridleys on the Odisha coastline. • They are known for their arribadas (synchronised mass nesting) during which time tens of thousands of female turtles come ashore to nest in the span of a few days. Northern River • Conservation Status: IUCN: CR; CITES: Appendix I Terrapin • Habitat: It’s a species of riverine turtle found in the rivers that flow in Eastern India. It is a native of Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia and Malaysia. Indian Ocean • Conservation status: IUCN: EN; WPA,1972: Schedule I Humpback Dolphin • Habitat: It is known to occur within the shallow waters of Indian Ocean from South Africa to India. Eurasian otter (Lutra • Conservation Status: IUCN: NT; CITES Appendix I Lutra) • Habitat: Semiaquatic mammal native to Eurasia, recently reported from the Western Ghats in India. While the species is widespread across Europe, northern Africa and several south Asian countries, it is not as frequently sighted as smooth-coated Otter (IUCN status-VU) or small-clawed otters (IUCN status-VU) in India. • They are carnivorous mammals and adapt to a variety of habitats ranging from marine to freshwater environments. • Threats: Loss of wetlands, illegal poaching for pelts Mugger crocodile • It is a reptilian species also called marsh crocodile or broad-snouted crocodile and is one (Crocodylus palustris) of the three-crocodile species (others are Saltwater Crocodile and Gharial) found in India. • Conservation Status: IUCN: VU; WPA,1972: Schedule I; CITES: Appendix I • Habitat: wetlands (inland), marine neritic (shallow part of ocean), artificial/aquatic & marine. • Principal threats: Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and transformation, mortality due to increased fishing activities. Gharial (Gavialis • Conservation Status: IUCN: CR; WPA, 1972: Schedule I gangeticus) • Habitat: Endemic to the Indian sub-continent. In India, the major breeding populations are confined to two rivers only, Girwa and the Chambal. • Threats: Habitat alteration and destruction, Prey depletion, Pollution and siltation, Hunting and Mortality due to fishing nets. Become extinct in most of the subcontinent with exceptions of Nepal and India. • Conservation Efforts: In 1976, Project Crocodile was initiated with support from the United Nations Development Programme and Food and Agriculture Organization. The project included an intensive captive rearing and breeding programme intended to restock depleted Gharial habitats. Ganges shark (Glyphis • Conservation Status: IUCN: CR; WPA,1972: Schedule I, Part IIA gangeticus) • Habitat: Endemic to India, it inhabits the River Hooghly in West Bengal, as well as the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, Mahanadi in the states of Bihar, Assam and Orissa. • It is amongst the 20 most threatened shark species. Arabian Sea • Conservation Status: IUCN: EN Humpback Whale • Habitat: India, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates,

(Megaptera Yemen novaeangliae Arabian • Threats: Ship strikes, unforgiving fishing gear and seismic explorations pose grave threat Sea subpopulation) to it. IUCN Categories Criteria Extinct (EX) A designation applied to species in which the last individual has died or where systematic and time-appropriate surveys have been unable to log even a single individual. Extinct in the Wild A category containing those species whose members survive only in captivity or as artificially (EW) supported populations far outside their historical geographic range. Critically Endangered A category containing those species that possess an extremely high risk of extinction as a (CR) result of rapid population declines of 80 to more than 90 percent over the previous 10 years (or three generations, whichever is longer), a current population size of fewer than 50 individuals, or other factors. Endangered (EN) A designation applied to species that possess a very high risk of extinction as a result of rapid population declines of 50 to more than 70 percent over the previous 10 years (or three generations), a current population size of fewer than 250 individuals, or other factors. Vulnerable (VU) A category containing those species that possess a very high risk of extinction as a result of rapid population declines of 30 to more than 50 percent over the previous 10 years (or three generations), a current population size of fewer than 1,000 individuals, or other factors. Near Threatened (NT) A designation applied to species that are close to becoming threatened or may meet the criteria for threatened status in the near future. Least Concern (LC) A category containing species that are pervasive and abundant after careful assessment. Data Deficient (DD) A condition applied to species in which the amount of available data related to its risk of extinction is lacking in some way. Consequently, a complete assessment cannot be performed. Thus, unlike the other categories in this list, this category does not describe the conservation status of a species Not Evaluated (NE) A category used to include any of the species described by science but not assessed by the IUCN. • It incorporates a broad perspective on the set 3.3. CONSERVATION MEASURES of services provided by ecosystems assets. Natural Capital Accounting, or environmental- 3.3.1. MEASURING NATURAL CAPITAL economic accounting Why in news? • It is a tool that can help to gain an EnviStats India 2018 report by the Ministry of understanding of the interaction between the economy and the environment. Statistics and Programme Implementation • It can be used to measure the state of (MOSPI), revealed that India’s economic growth ecosystems, flows of ecosystem services as took a toll on its natural assets like forests, food well as changes in stocks and flows of natural and clean air. resources in relation to economic changes. More on news 3.3.2. LEGAL ENTITY STATUS FOR ALL • The average growth rate of gross state ANIMALS domestic product (GSDP) during 2005-15 for Why in news? almost all the states was around 7-8 per cent but 11 states registered a decline in their The Uttarakhand High Court has declared natural capital. the “entire animal kingdom including avian and • The natural capital accounting (NCA) method aquatic” as legal entities. has been used to account for income and More on News costs associated with natural resource used, based on a framework approved by the • The entire animal kingdom, including avian United Nations in 2012 called the System of and aquatic ones, are declared as legal Environmental Economic Accounts (SEEA). entities having a distinct persona with corresponding rights, duties and liabilities of a Natural Capital living person. • It includes those elements of the nature that • Role of citizens: All the citizens throughout provide valuable goods and services to the state of Uttarakhand are hereby declared humans, such as the stock of forests, food, persons in loco parentis as the human face for clean air, water, land, minerals, etc. the welfare/protection of animals.

• Significance: Judgment, is meant to act as a (PIC) being granted by a provider to a user deterrent to poachers, companies that pollute and negotiations between both parties to the natural environment and those who abuse develop mutually agreed terms (MAT) to pets or wildlife. ensure the fair and equitable sharing of • High court in 2017 accorded the status of genetic resources and associated benefits. “living entity” to the Ganga and Yamuna Related initiatives for ABS rivers, all their tributaries, streams, every Centre for Biodiversity Policy and Law (CEBPOL) natural water flowing with flow continuously • Government of India in collaboration with or intermittently of these rivers, a decision Norwegian Government has established this centre subsequently stayed by the Supreme Court. to develop professional expertise in biodiversity policies and laws and develop capacity building. 3.3.3. ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING UNEP – GEF – MoEF ABS Project Why in News? • Objective: To increase the institutional, individual Recently, Uttarakhand High Court has directed and systemic capacities of stakeholders to Divya Pharmacy, to share its profits with local and effectively implement the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and the Rules 2004 to achieve biodiversity indigenous communities, as part of the Fair and conservation through implementing Access and Equitable Benefit Sharing (FEBS) objectives of Benefit Sharing Agreements in India. the Biodiversity Act, 2002. Biodiversity Act (BDA), 2002 3.3.4. NATIONAL REDD+ STRATEGY • India being a signatory to CBD, enacted the Why in news? Biodiversity Act in 2002, with three main objectives: Union Ministry for Environment, Forest and o Conservation of biological diversity. Climate Change (MoEFCC) released National o Sustainable use of its components. REDD+ Strategy. o Equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources. Background • Institutional Structure: Three-tier system was COP 11, 2005 at Coalition of 9 rainforest nations established with National Biodiversity Authority Montreal sought attention to growing threat (NBA) at the Centre, State Biodiversity Boards of deforestation and introduced (SBBs) in each of the Indian states and local-level concept of Reducing Emission from Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) Deforestation (RED) functioning with both municipalities and COP 12, 2006 at ‘Compensated Conservation’ policy panchayats. Nairobi introduced by India intended to • Act recognises the role and participation needs of compensate countries for ILCs in conserving the biological resources. Under maintaining and increasing carbon it, a company is required to share 0.5 per cent of pools of their forests. its sales post taxes if its annual turnover is above COP 13, 2007 at ‘Compensated Conservation’ policy Rs 3 crore. Bali approach finally recognized • It also provides for the involvement of ILCs COP 16, 2010 at Official entry of REDD as a UNFCCC- through biodiversity management committee Cancun enabled mitigation mechanism (BMCs) in preparation of people’s biodiversity COP 19, 2013 at It agreed on Warsaw REDD+ registers (PBRs) and issuance of mutually agreed Warsaw framework terms (MAT). Important provisions of National REDD+ Strategy What is access and benefit-sharing (ABS)? • Coverage of REDD+ will cover all trees within forest areas and tree outside forest (TOF). • It refers to the way in which genetic resources • Phased approach of REDD+ may be accessed, and how the benefits that o Phase 1: development of national result from their use are shared between the strategies or action plans, policies and people or countries using the resources measures, and capacity-building. (users) and the people or countries that o Phase 2: implementation of national provide them (providers). policies, measures and national strategies • The benefits to be shared can be monetary, or or action plans. non-monetary, such as the development of o Phase 3: evolvement into results based research skills and knowledge. actions that should be fully measured, • Working Procedure: Access and benefit- reported and verified. sharing is based on prior informed consent

• Sub-national REDD+ Approach: The country breeders, including farmers. The protection has been divided into 14 physiographic zones period is for 15 years, and 18 years in the case by the Forest Survey of India. State of trees and vines. Governments may collaborate and develop • Objective REDD+ Action Plan in a physiographic zone. o To recognize and protect the rights of o REDD+ Activities for Enhancement of farmers in respect of their contributions Forest Carbon Stocks include Namami made at any time in conserving, Ganga, Forestry Interventions for Other improving and making available plant Major River Catchments, Green Highways genetic resources for the development of (Plantation, Transplantations, new plant varieties. beautification & Maintenance) Policy – o To accelerate agricultural development in 2015 and innovative programmes like the country, protect plant breeders’ Green Army of Maharashtra. rights; stimulate investment for research • Developing strategies for addressing and development both in public & private Deforestation and Forest Degradation sector for the development new of plant through awareness amongst stakeholders. varieties. • Capacity Building and Trained Human o Facilitate the growth of seed industry in Resource through Green Skill Development the country, to ensure the availability of Programme. high quality seeds and planting material • Funding: Devolution through Finance to the farmers. Commission, Compensatory Afforestation Fund and Green Climate Fund and Other 3.3.6. RECOVERY PROGRAMME FOR External Sources of Funding. WILDLIFE SPECIES

REDD+ Why in news? • REDD+ means “Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation”, The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) recently conservation of forest carbon stocks, sustainable added four species- the Northern River Terrapin, management of forests, and enhancement of Clouded Leopard, Arabian Sea Humpback Whale, forest carbon stocks in developing countries. Red Panda- to a Recovery Programme for Critically • REDD+ aims to achieve climate change mitigation by incentivizing forest conservation. Endangered Species.

Carbon pools About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) • It is a statutory Board constituted under the Wild • A system that has the capacity to store or release Life (Protection) Act, 1972. carbon. • It is chaired by the Prime Minister. Its vice • The Marrakesh Accords (regulatory framework for chairman is Minister of Environment. the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol) • It has power to review all wildlife-related matters recognize five main carbon pools or reservoirs in and approve projects in and around national parks forests: Above-ground biomass, below-ground • and sanctuaries. biomass, dead wood, litter and soil organic matter. • No alternation of boundaries in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries can be done without approval 3.3.5. PROTECTION OF PLANT • of the NBWL. VARIETIES AND FARMERS’ RIGHTS • It advises the Central Government on framing (PPV&FR) ACT, 2001 policies and measures for conservation of wildlife in the country. Why in news? More about Recovery Programme Recently, farmers were sensitized on PPV&FR Act 2001. • It is one of the components of centrally About the Act sponsored scheme - Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) which provides • It's the world’s only Intellectual Property assistance to the State/UT governments for Rights legislation on plant varieties that activities aimed at wildlife conservation. recognised and protected the rights of both • Other Species Identified under the recovery breeders as well as farmers maintaining programme - Snow Leopard, Bustard traditional landraces. (including Floricans), Dolphin, Hangul, Nilgiri • Aim: To provide an effective system for IPR Tahr, Marine Turtles, Dugongs, Edible Nest protection of plant varieties and the rights of Swiftlet, Asian Wild Buffalo, Nicobar 31 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

Megapode, Manipur Brow-antlered Deer, timber forest produce (NTFPs), fuelwood and Vultures, Malabar Civet, Indian Rhinoceros, improved forest protection. Asiatic Lion, Swamp Deer and Jerdon’s • In 2006, The Scheduled Tribes and Other Courser. Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act or the Forest Rights Act 3.3.7. CONSERVATION OF MIGRATORY (FRA) was passed which provides for BIRDS AND THEIR HABITATS recognition of forest lands as community forest resources (CFR). Why in news? Joint Forest Management (JFM) Vs Community Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate forest resource (CFR) management Change (MoEFCCC) has developed a National Action Plan for Conservation of Migratory Birds • The primary and most significant basis for and their Habitats along Central Asian Flyway JFM is provided by the National Forest Policy (CAF) for the period 2018-23. of 1988. Thus, it lacks any statutory sanctity unlike CRF which is a right recognised under About Action Plan the FRA, 2006. • It is based on Central Asian Flyway Action • Under JFM, both forest department and the Plan which provides a common strategic local community form a Joint Forest framework for regional collaboration and Management Committee (JFMC) and an affirmative action for protecting, conserving, executive committee to manage and protect restoring, and sustainably managing forests by sharing the cost and benefits. populations of migratory bird species and However, CFR management committees their habitats in the Indian subcontinent (CFRMCs) comprise members exclusively falling under the Central Asian Flyway region. from the gram sabha with no representation • Long Term Goal: To arrest population decline of forest or other officials with 100% authority and secure habitats of migratory bird species. over collection and sale of all NTFPs.

A flyway is a geographical region within which a single Forest Right Act 2006: It provides for a rights-based, or a group of migratory species completes its annual democratic and decentralized governance of forests. cycle - breeding, staging and non-breeding etc. This Rights recognized under FRA. includes breeding areas, stop-over areas and wintering • Individual forest rights (IFR) to legally hold areas. forestlands that the forest dwelling communities • Central Asian Flyway (CAF), one among the nine have been residing on and cultivating prior to 13 flyways in the world, encompasses overlapping December 2005. migration routes over 30 countries for different • Community rights (CRs) of ownership, use and water birds linking their northern most breeding disposal of ‘minor forest produce’, also known as grounds in Russia (Siberia) to the southernmost non-timber forest produce (NTFP). CRs include non-breeding (wintering) grounds in West and rights of grazing, collection of firewood, fish and South Asia, the Maldives and the British Indian other such products from water bodies, as well as Ocean Territory. rights to biodiversity and intellectual property, • India has a strategic role in the flyway, as it including those related to traditional knowledge. provides critical stopover sites to over 90% of the • Community forest resource (CFR) rights under bird species known to use this migratory route. Section 3(1)(i) to protect, regenerate, conserve or • At least 370 species of migratory birds from three manage forest resources for sustainable use, flyways (CAF, The East Asian – Australasian providing for community governance of forests. flyway, and Asian East African flyway) are • Eligibility to get rights under the Act is confined to reported to visit the Indian subcontinent. those who "primarily reside in forests" and who depend on forests and forest land for a livelihood. 3.3.8. COMMUNITY FOREST RESOURCE Further, either the claimant must be a member of Why in news? the Scheduled Tribes scheduled in that area or must have been residing in the forest for 75 years. Recently, People’s Forests Report was released by • The Act provides that the gram sabha, or village Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) on assembly, will initially pass a resolution Community Forest Resource (CFR) management. recommending whose rights to which resources should be recognised. Background About CFR • National Forest Policy, 1988, led to the • CFR rights is the most empowering provision of emergence of joint forest management the Act because it restores gram sabha’s [village (JFM), leading to increased availability of non- council] control over governance of forests from

the forest department, thereby democratising the declared the Pakke Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF)– country’s colonial forest governance as a whole. the state’s only conservation festival, as a ‘state • CFR management committees (CFRMCs) are festival’. created by Gram Sabha, which are expected to prepare a conservation and management plan for 3.3.10. KHANGCHENDZONGA community forest resources in order to sustainably BIOSPHERE RESERVE and equitably manage CFR areas. Why in news? 3.3.9. ‘CULTURAL MODEL’ OF Recently, Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve CONSERVATION was included in the UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WNBR) under the Man and Why in news? Biosphere Programme (MAB). Now the total Idu Mishmi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh is number of Biosphere reserves under MAB protesting against the declaration of Dibang programme has reached to 686. Wildlife Sanctuary (DWS) as Tiger Reserve and About Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve asking for a Cultural Model of Conservation. • It is one of the highest ecosystems in the More on news world and located at trijunction of India • The Idu Mishmi people traditionally follow an (Sikkim), bordering Nepal to the west and animist and shamanistic faith and believe that Tibet (China) to the north-west. tigers are their elder siblings. Tigers are never • The Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP), hunted by Idu Mishmi and even If a tiger is which comprises the core area of the KBR, killed in self-defense, it will receive the same was inscribed as India’s first ‘Mixed World burial as a human being. Heritage Site’ in 2016. Colonial versus Cultural model of conservations • Over 118 species of the large number of medicinal plants found in Dzongu Valley in • Colonial Model of Conservation: In this north Sikkim are of ethno-medical utility. model, human presence is taken as threat to • Fauna: Red Panda, Snow Leopard, Himalayan nature and denies indigenous peoples’ rights Black Bear and herbivores species of Musk and provoked long-term social conflict. deer, Great Tibetan Sheep, Blue Sheep, Boral • Cultural model of Conservation: It respect for and Barking Deer. the rights of indigenous peoples and other Related Information bearers of “traditional knowledge” and UNESCO: MAB Programme prevents social conflicts. • Launched in 1971, it is an Intergovernmental • The Kinshasa Resolution of 1975 (under IUCN) Scientific Programme that aims to establish a provides international recognition to cultural scientific basis for the improvement of model of conservation. relationships between people and their environments. Application by Cultural model of conservation in • It combines the natural and social sciences, different tribes of India economics and education to improve human livelihoods and the equitable sharing of benefits, • Bishnoi Tribe of Rajasthan: Bishnois consider trees and to safeguard natural and managed as sacred and protect the entire ecosystem ecosystems. including animals and birds that exists in their World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WNBR) and villages. Tribe has organized their own Tiger Force India which is a brigade of youth actively pursue wildlife It covers internationally designated protected areas, protection. each known as biosphere reserves, that are meant to • Chenchu Tribe of Andhra Pradesh: They are demonstrate a balanced relationship between people involved in tiger conservation at Nagarjunasagar and nature. Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR). • India has 18 biospheres reserves, of which 11 have • Maldhari Tribe in Junagadh(Gujarat): The success been included in the WNBR. of lion conservation in Gir forest area is due to • The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first reserve peaceful coexistence of tribe with lions. from the country to be included in the WNBR. • Bugun Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh: They protect Others MAB -WNVR site in India the critically endangered bird Bugun Liocichla. For • Nigiri – Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka its efforts Singchung Bugun Community Reserve • Gulf of Mannar- Tamil Nadu won the India Biodiversity Award 2018. • Sundarban- West Bangal • Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh in conserving • Nanda Devi-Uttrakhand hornbills in the Pakke/Pakhui Tiger Reserve. • Recently, government of Arunachal Pradesh Nokrek- Meghalaya 33 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

• Pachmarchi-Madhya Pradesh About Wetlands of International Importance • Simlipal- Orisa • It is declared under Ramsar Convention on • Achanakmar-Amarkantak- Madhya Pradesh Wetlands of International Importance, an • Great- Nicobar- Andaman and Nicobar Island intergovernmental treaty that provides the • Agasthyamala- Kerala and Tamilnadu framework for the conservation and wise use 3.3.11. INDIAN SUNDARBANS- A of wetlands and their resources. WETLAND OF INTERNATIONAL • It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975. IMPORTANCE • Chillika lake was designated the first Ramsar Why in News? site in India in 1981. India has designated Sundarban Reserve Forests • Some criteria for identifying Wetlands of as the wetlands of International Importance, International Importance include: making it the 27th site in India. o Sites containing representative, rare or More on Sundarbans unique wetland types • The Indian Sunderbans, with 2,114 sq. km. of o Sites of international importance for mangrove forests, comprise almost 43% of the conserving biological diversity - Criteria mangrove cover in the country according to a based on species and ecological 2017 Forest Survey of India report. It is the communities largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in o Specific criteria based on waterbirds the world. o Specific criteria based on fish etc. • It is located in the Ganga- Brahmaputra delta region. 3.3.12. INDIA BIODIVERSITY AWARDS, • Sundarbans has now become the largest 2018 Ramsar Site in India. Why in news • The Sundarbans was made a UNESCO World Recently, India Biodiversity Award 2018 was Heritage Site in 1987. conferred by the National Biodiversity Authority • They are the only mangrove habitat which (NBA). supports a significant population of tigers (Royal Bengal Tigers), and they have unique About NBA aquatic hunting skills. • It is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. • The Site is also home to a large number of • It performs facilitative and advisory functions for rare and globally threatened species such as the Union government on issues of conservation, the critically endangered northern river sustainable use of biological resources and fair and terrapin, the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use and the endangered fishing cat. of biological resources. • Threats to Conservation: climate change, sea Background level rise, widespread construction, clearing of mangrove forests for fisheries, • In 2012, the Government of India, in establishment of coal-based thermal power partnership with UNDP India, initiated the plant just a few kilometres north of the India Biodiversity Awards reserve forest in Bangladesh. • Aim: To recognize and honour outstanding models of biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and governance at the grassroots level. • Awards is presented in different categories: o Conservation of Wild and Domesticated Species o Sustainable Use of Biological Resources o Replicable Mechanisms for Access and Benefit Sharing o Best Biodiversity Management Committees • Different awards given in various categories are: o Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve Management Committee: 34 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

Conservation of Wild Species 3.3.13. KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK (Institution) for conservation of the Bugun Liocichla bird. Why in news? o Lemsachenlok Organization: The Kaziranga National Park (KNP) had been split Conservation of Wild Species into two divisions — the existing Eastern Assam (Institution) for successful creation of an Wildlife and the new Biswanath Wildlife park with 8-10 sq km Community Conserved Area to Brahmputra flowing in between. encourage coexistence and reduce human-wildlife conflict. About the Kaziranga National Park o Kutch Unt Uchherak Maldhari Sangathan • Kaziranga protected area is located on the (KUUMS): Conservation of Domesticated edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity Species (Institution) for working closely hotspot. It is a UNESCO world heritage site. with the local community to breed, cure • The park is home to large breeding and protect Kharai camels. populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, o Kalden Singhi Bhutia (Sikkim): and swamp deer other than the one-horned Conservation of Domesticated Species rhino. (Individual) for conservation and • Kaziranga is recognized as an ‘Important Bird propagation of Tibetan sheep. Area’ by Birdlife International. o Sangham Women Farmers Group: Sustainable Use of Biological Resources 3.3.14. ECOTOURISM POLICY (Institution) for preserving agrobiodiversity. They also started the Why in news? Millet Sisters Network to conserve and The government has brought out a policy for preserve different varieties of millets. ecotourism in Forest and Wildlife Areas. o Parvathi Nagarajan (Tamil Nadu): Sustainable Use of Biological Resources Policy for Eco-Tourism in Forest and Wildlife for environment protection, wellness and Areas women's empowerment. • Eco-tourism: It can be defined as responsible o Raipassa Biodiversity Management travel to natural areas that conserves the Committee, Tripura: Sustainable Use of environment and improves the well-being of Biological Resources for ensuring that local people. bio-resources of the area are traded in a • Prepared by MoEFCCC, it provides livelihood manner, that is both commercially and opportunities for the local communities environmentally viable. This community (homestead-based hospitality enterprises), depends on the cultivation, collection and educate visitors and enhance their sale of broom grass for its livelihood. understanding of nature. o Eraviperoor Grama Panchayat, Kerala: • Coverage: It will be developed in Protected Biodiversity Management Committee - Areas (PAs- wildlife sanctuaries, national They have rejuvenated a tributary of the parks, conservation reserves and community river Pampa and have successfully revived reserves) and areas outside designated PAs the traditional cultural practice of boat including forests, mangroves, sacred groves, racing. mud flats, wetlands and rivers. o Pithorabad Grama Panchayat, Madhya • Eco-Tourism Development Board to be Pradesh: Biodiversity Management established by State/Union Territory, to advise Committee has conserved traditional the them on the modalities of eco-tourism varieties by establishing a community and to oversee the implementation of the seed bank and facilitated value addition in policy. the form of marketing for select products like organic wheat.

4. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT 4.1. NON-CONVENTIONAL developed by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP). SOURCES OF ENERGY Salient Features of the National Policy on 4.1.1. NATIONAL POLICY ON BIOFUELS- Biofuels, 2018 2018 • Categorisation of biofuels to enable extension of appropriate financial and fiscal Why in news? incentives under each category. The two main Rajasthan has become the first State in the categories are: country to implement the national policy on o Basic Biofuels- First Generation (1G) biofuels. bioethanol & biodiesel. o About Biofuels Advanced Biofuels - Second Generation (2G) ethanol, Municipal Solid Waste Biofuel is any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced (MSW) to drop-in fuels, third Generation from organic matter in a short period of time. (3G) biofuels, bio-CNG etc. Different generations of biofuels: • Thrust on Advanced Biofuels: Viability gap • First Generation Biofuels: It uses the food funding scheme for 2G ethanol Bio refineries crops like wheat and sugar for making ethanol in addition to additional tax incentives and and oil seeds for bio diesel by conventional higher purchase price as compared to 1G method of fermentation. biofuels. • Second Generation Biofuels: It uses non-food • Expands the scope of raw material for crops and feedstock such as Jatropha, wood, ethanol production: by allowing use of grass, seed crops, organic waste. sugarcane juice, sugar containing materials • Third Generation Biofuels: It uses specially like sugar beet, sweet sorghum, starch engineered Algae whose biomass is containing materials like corn, cassava, converted into biofuels. damaged food grains like wheat, broken rice, • Fourth Generation biofuel: It aims at not only rotten potatoes, unfit for human producing sustainable energy but also a way consumption for ethanol production. • Allows use of surplus food grains for of capturing and storing CO2. production of ethanol for blending with Different types of Bio Fuels petrol to ensure appropriate price to farmers during surplus. However, it needs the • Bio ethanol: It is an alcohol produced from approval of National Biofuel Coordination fermentation of carbohydrate and cellulosic Committee (headed by the Minister, material of crops and other plants and Petroleum and Natural Gas). grasses. It is generally used as an additive to • Encourages setting up of supply chain increase octane number of fuel. mechanisms for biodiesel production from • Bio Diesel: It is a methyl or methyl ester of non-edible oilseeds, used cooking oil, short fatty acids produced by trans esterification of gestation crops. oils and fats obtained from plants and • Synergising efforts by capturing the roles and animals. It can be directly used as fuel. responsibilities of all the concerned Ministries/ • Bio gas: Biogas (primarily a mixture of Departments with respect to biofuels in the methane and other gases like CO2 and N2) is policy document itself. produced by anaerobic digestion of organic materials. It can be produced either from Related Information biodegradable waste materials or by the use International Energy Agency (IEA) of energy crops fed into anaerobic digesters • It was founded in 1974 to help countries to supplement gas yields. collectively respond to oil supply disruptions.

• Biojet: It is a type of biofuel which are • It is an autonomous body within the OECD framework. produced from biomass resources and used in • Only the OECD member states can become place of, or blended with air turbine fuel. members of the IEA. o Recently, India’s first ever bio-jet fuel • India is not a member but has joined IEA as an flight taken off by using the fuel association country. • It publishes the World Energy Outlook (WEO). 36 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

• To become a member of the IEA, a country must • Despite govt efforts, the highest ever ethanol have petroleum product reserves equivalent to 90 procurement stands around 150 crore litres days of the previous year’s net imports. during 2017-18 which is sufficient only for Technology Collaboration Programme on Bioenergy around 4.22% blending Pan India. • Recently the India joined IEA Bioenergy TCP as its • Ethanol availability is constrained by 25th member. procurement price variation, lack of • It is an international platform with the aim of distilleries, limited feedstock availability and improving cooperation and information exchange lack of an integrated and dedicated supply between countries that have national programmes chain. in bioenergy research, development and deployment. Related Information • The primary goal of joining IEA Bioenergy TCP by Lignocellulosic biomass: refers to plant biomass that is Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG) is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. to facilitate the market introduction of advanced Lignocellulosic materials including agricultural wastes, biofuels with an aim to bring down emissions and forestry residues, grasses and woody materials have reduce crude imports. great potential for bio-fuel production. • The R&D work in IEA Bioenergy TCP is carried out SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable carried out within well-defined 3-years Transportation) initiative programmes called "Tasks". • Launched by MoP&NG, it aimed at setting up of Drop- in Fuels: are bio feedstock derivatives that are Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) production plants and chemically identical to standard gasoline or diesel. They make it available in the market for use in are engineered for blending with, or outright automotive fuels. replacement of petroleum fuels without any changes to • Objective: To boost availability of more affordable the fuel infrastructure. transport fuels, better use of agricultural residue, cattle dung and municipal solid waste, as well as to 4.1.2. PRADHAN MANTRI JI-VAN (JAIV provide an additional revenue source to farmers. INDHAN- VATAVARAN ANUKOOL GOBAR-DHAN (Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro FASAL AWASHESH NIVARAN) YOJANA Resources) scheme: To convert cattle dung and solid waste in farms to CBG and compost. Why in news? 4.1.3. SCHEME FOR BIOMASS BASED Recently government approved Pradhan Mantri COGENERATION PROJECTS JI-VAN yojana. Details of the scheme Why in news? • The scheme under the Ministry of Petroleum Ministry of New and Renewable Energy recently & Natural Gas (MoP&NG) will provide approved the scheme namely “Scheme to financial support to Integrated Bioethanol support promotion of biomass-based Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and cogeneration in sugar mills and other industries other renewable feedstock. • 12 commercial scale and 10 demonstration in the country.” scale Second Generation (2G) ethanol projects More about the scheme will be provided viability gap funding support over the next six years in two phases. • Aim: To support Biomass based Cogeneration • It also seeks to increase R&D in this area. Projects in Sugar mills and Other Industries for • The ethanol produced by the scheme power generation in the country. beneficiaries will be mandatorily supplied to • Incentives: It will provide Central Financial Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) to further assistance (CFA) for projects utilizing biomass enhance the blending percentage under like bagasse, agro-based industrial residue, Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme. crop residues, wood produced through • Centre for High Technology (CHT), a technical energy plantations, weeds, wood waste body under the aegis of MoP&NG, will be the produced in industrial operations, etc. implementation Agency for the scheme. • Registered Companies, Partnership Firms, Proprietorship Firms, Cooperatives, Public Ethanol blending in India Sector Companies, Government owned Firms • Government had launched Ethanol Blended are eligible for financial support available Petrol (EBP) programme in 2003, under which under the scheme. OMCs are to blend upto 10% of ethanol in • Municipal Solid Waste is not covered under Petrol. the programme. 37 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

New National Biogas Organic Manure Programme “National Offshore Wind Energy Policy –2015” (NNBOMP) • National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has been • Objective: To provide clean cooking fuel for authorized as the Nodal Agency for development of kitchens, lighting and meeting other thermal and offshore wind energy. small power needs of farmers/dairy farmers/ users including individual households and to improve Objectives organic manure system based on bio slurry from • To explore and promote deployment of offshore biogas plants in rural and semi urban areas by wind farms in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of setting up of biogas plants. the country, including those under Public Private • Implementation Authority: State rural Partnership. Development Department of States and State • To promote Investment in Energy Infrastructure. offices of Khadi and Village Industries Commission • To promote R&D and encourage indigenization of (KVIC). the offshore wind energy technology. • To create skilled manpower and employment in the 4.1.4. OFF-SHORE WIND POWER offshore wind energy sector. Why in news? Related Information map showing wind energy The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) potential in India recently invited Expressions of Interest (EoI) for the country's first 1 GW offshore wind project in Gulf of Khambat. About Off-Shore Power

• Offshore wind power is the use of wind farms constructed in bodies of water, usually in the ocean on the continental shelf, to harvest wind energy to generate electricity. • In India, there is yet no commercial production of energy from off-shore wind farm. Two regions where preliminary studies are conducted are off coast of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu which have shown significant potential. • MNRE has declared medium and long-term target for off-shore wind power capacity additions, which are 5 GW by 2022 and 30 GW by 2030. Advantages of offshore wind power over the onshore wind power • Greater area for setting up large projects and 4.1.5. GLOBAL SOLAR COUNCIL higher wind speed resulting in higher electricity generation per amount of capacity Why in news? installed. Chairman of National Solar Energy Federation - • Consistent wind speed: The effective use of Pranav R. Mehta recently became the first Indian wind turbine generating capacity will be to be appointed chief of Global Solar Council. higher at sea than on land. Details • Less visual impact: As these sites are located far from land they have less visual impact • Global Solar Council is international non- which helps with public acceptance issues. profit association of the national, regional • Close to load centers: The off-shore wind and international associations in solar energy farms are usually located near to the cities and the world ‘s leading corporations. and load centers thus transmission losses are • It was founded at the 2015 Paris Climate minimised. Conference. • Environmental impact: low global warming • National Solar Energy Federation is a potential per unit of electricity generated, founding member of the Global Solar Council comparable to that of onshore wind farms. (GSC). 38 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

o It is an umbrella organization of all solar • Landfill usage and expansion greatly energy stakeholders of India such as reduced: such facilities typically reduce waste international and national companies. volumes by 90%. o It works in a complimentary manner with • Transportation of waste to long distances the Central and State Governments for can be greatly reduced with a waste to energy achieving India’s national solar target of facility in a community, resulting in less air 100 GW by 2022. pollution. Types of Technique at WtE Related news • Incineration uses MSW as a fuel, burning it with World’s largest solar plant high volumes of air to form carbon dioxide and • Ladakh will become the world’s largest single- heat to make steam, which is then used to location solar photo-voltaic plant with a installed generate electricity. capacity of 5,000 MW Capacity by 2023. • Gasification is a process that converts organic or • Other high capacity project In India: Bhadla Solar fossil fuel based carbonaceous materials into Park (2255 MW capacity in Rajasthan); Kurnool carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide. (2000 MW capacity in Andhra Pradesh). This is achieved by reacting the material at high Solar Park scheme temperatures (>700’C), without combustion, with a controlled amount of oxygen and/or steam. The • Launched by Solar Energy Corporation of India syngas produced by gasification can be turned into (SECI), to encourage the construction of solar higher value commercial products. parks that can generate electricity above between • Pyrolysis involves application of heat with no 500 MW and 1000 MW. added oxygen in order to generate oils and/or • SECI is a CPSU under Ministry of New and syngas (as well as solid waste outputs) and Renewable Energy. requires more homogenous waste streams. Solar Charkha Mission • Biomethanation is a process by which organic • It is a Ministry of Micro Small & Medium material is microbiologically converted under Enterprises (MSME) initiative and Khadi & Village anaerobic conditions to biogas. It involves Industries Commission (KVIC) is implementing fermenting bacteria, organic acid oxidizing agency. bacteria, and methanogenic archaea. • Aim: To employ artisans in 50 identified clusters. • It entails a subsidy of Rs 550 crore in the initial two Government Initiative years for 50 clusters and every cluster will employ • Program on Energy from Urban, Industrial 400 to 2000 artisans. and Agricultural Waste/Residue for creating • Solar charkha units have been classified as village conducive conditions and environment with industries. fiscal and financial regime to develop, 4.1.6. WASTE TO ENERGY PLANTS demonstrate, and disseminate utilization of wastes and residues for recovery of energy. Why in News? o Central financial assistance (CFA) in the form of capital subsidy and grants-in-aid Recently, residents of Okhla and surrounding will be provided for biogas production areas in Delhi have been protesting against WtE from industrial waste, sewage treatment plant in their vicinity. plants, etc. • Advantages of Waste to Energy (WtE) Plants Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), 100% scientific processing and disposal of municipal solid • Net Greenhouse Gas Reducer: WtE facilities waste is envisaged by 2019. WTE plants are avoid the production of methane while key to Mission since they lead to the most producing almost ten times more electricity scientific disposal of waste. from each ton of waste compared to landfills. • Resource savings and recovery greatly 4.2. ELECTRIC VEHICLES expanded: Metals left in the municipal solid waste stream can be extracted from the ash Why in news? resulting from incineration and the metals can Recently a panel headed by Y S Malik, has be recycled. presented a 15 point plan to aid car manufacturers • 24*7 Electricity: WTE facilities, unlike wind to switch from Internal Combustion Engines (IECs) and solar, are capable of providing 24*7 to Electric Vehicles (EVs). renewable electrical power. Need for electric vehicles • Fulfilling INDC 2030 goals and combatting increasing air pollution load in Indian Cities as 39 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

Fossil fuel based transportation is second components for electric vehicles, especially the largest source of carbon dioxide emission. lithium ion batteries. • Cut oil imports and generation of jobs in India • Establishment of charging infrastructure: About both upstream and downstream supply chain. 2700 charging stations will be established in metros, million plus cities, smart cities and cities of Government steps hilly states across the country. • National Electric Mobility Mission Plan 4.2.1. CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE (NEMMP) 2020 with an aim to achieve GUIDELINES national fuel security by promoting hybrid and electric vehicles in the country. It set an Why in News? ambitious target to achieve 6-7 million sales of Recently, Government released guideline on hybrid and electric vehicles year on year from Charging Infrastructure for Electric Vehicles. 2020 onwards. Highlight of Guidelines • FAME-India (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of (hybrid &) Electric vehicles • Promoting Private Participation in charging in India) scheme: To support the Infrastructure. hybrid/electric vehicles market development • Ease of Setting: No license will be required for and its manufacturing eco-system to achieve setting set up a public charging station and self-sustenance by subsidizing electric vehicle any individual or entity is free to set up one if purchases on an annual basis. they follow the standards and guidelines o Scheme is proposed to be implemented • Rollout plan: Phase I (1-3 years) will cover all till 2020. mega cities with population above forty lakh, o The scheme has four focus areas viz. and the associated expressways and technology development, demand highways. Phase II (3-5 years) will cover state creation, pilot projects and charging and UT capitals. infrastructure. • Tariff: The Central or State Electricity • Automotive Mission Plan 2026: It aimed at Regulatory Commissions will determine the bringing the Indian Automotive Industry tariff for supply of electricity to the public among the top three of the world in charging stations. engineering, manufacture and exports of • Open access: Charging station has been vehicles & components; growing in value to allowed to source electricity from any power over 12% of India GDP and generating an generation company through open access. additional 65 million jobs. • Green Urban Transport Scheme: It focuses to 4.3. RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT reduce the emission of harmful carbon gas from the transportation, especially from 4.3.1. MINIMUM RIVER FLOW FOR government owned transport facilities. GANGA o Under this scheme, government plans to launch the eco–friendly transportation Why in News? facilities in urban areas across the nation Recently National Mission for Clean Ganga which run without damaging climatic (NMCG) has laid down the flow specifications for conditions. river Ganga to maintain a minimum river flow or Related News - FAME India Phase II ecological flow. It will be implemented over the period of 3 years from Namami Gange Programme 2019-20 to 2021-22. The main objective of the scheme is • It is an Integrated Conservation Mission to to encourage faster adoption of electric & hybrid accomplish the twin objectives of effective vehicle by the way of market creation and abatement of pollution, conservation and indigenization. FAME-Phase 2 has been introduced to rejuvenation of National River Ganga. achieve the target of more than 30% electric vehicles by • Main pillars of the mission are: 2030, a more realistic goal in comparison to the earlier o River front development target of 100% EVs by 2030. Main features are - o Conservation of Aquatic life and biodiversity • Electrification of the public & shared transport: it o Improvement of coverage of sewerage is planned to support 10 Lakhs e-2W (electric – 2 infrastructure in habitations on banks of Wheeler), 5 Lakhs e-3W, 55000 4Ws and 7000 Ganga. Buses. o River Surface cleaning for collection of • Local manufacturing: Special incentives will be floating solid waste from the surface of the given for local manufacturing of critical Ghats and River 40 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

o Afforestation • Applicability: The compliance of minimum o Industrial Effluent Monitoring environmental flow is applicable to all o Development of Ganga Gram existing, under-construction and future o Creating Public Awareness projects except the mini and micro projects • Under the aegis of National Mission for Clean which do not alter the flow characteristics of Ganga (NMCG) & State Programme Management Groups (SPMGs), States and ULBs and PRIs will be the river significantly. involved in this project. • The existing projects would have to comply with the norms within a period of three years. Under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, a five tier structure has been envisaged at national, state and • The very purpose of e-flow is to ensure free district level to take measures for prevention, control migration of various species. But the and abatement of environmental pollution in river notification is completely silent on this Ganga and to ensure continuous adequate flow of aspect. water so as to rejuvenate the river Ganga as below; Central Water Commission (CWC) • National Ganga Council under chairmanship of • Prime Minister of India (replaced National Ganga It is premier technical organization under Ministry River Basin Authority). of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. • Empowered Task Force (ETF) on river Ganga under • chairmanship of Union Minister of Water It undertakes measures for control, conservation Resources, River Development and Ganga and utilization of water resources throughout the Rejuvenation. country and has been monitoring water quality of river water since year 1963. • National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). • State Ganga Committees and About Minimum River Flow • District Ganga Committees in every specified district abutting river Ganga and its tributaries in • Minimum River Flow or Minimum the states. Environmental Flow or E-flow is a regime of National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) flow in a river that mimics the natural pattern. • It is the implementing wing of National Council for It refers to the water considered sufficient for Rejuvenation, Protection and Management of protecting the structure and function of an River Ganga. ecosystem and its dependent species. • It is registered as a society under the Societies • It means enough water is to be released in Registration Act 1860. the downstream of the river system after • Aims of NMCG – utilizing the water for the development o To ensure effective abatement of pollution projects in order to ensure downstream and rejuvenation of Ganga basin approach to environmental, social and economic benefits. promote inter-sectoral co-ordination for • comprehensive planning and management It will also ensure demand side management o To maintain minimum ecological flows in the of water as it will help to reduce water river Ganga with the aim of ensuring water withdrawal from the river by adopting quality and environmentally sustainable scientific practices in irrigation, reusing and development. recycling of water and regulating • To achieve the objectives, NMCG shall carry out the groundwater withdrawals for various following key functions namely: purpose. o Implement the work programme of National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA). 4.3.2. GANGA VRIKSHAROPAN o Implement the World Bank supported ABHIYAN National Ganga River Basin Project. o Coordinate and oversee the implementation Why in news? of projects sanctioned by Government of India under NGRBA. NMCG has started “Ganga Vriksharopan Abhiyan” o Undertake any additional work or functions as in five main stem Ganga basin states – may be assigned by MoWR, RD &GR in the Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and area of conservation of river Ganga. West Bengal. More on news More on news • The campaign has been initiated as part of the • Central Water Commission would be the Forest Interventions in Ganga component of designated authority to collect relevant data Namami Gange programme. and submit reports on a quarterly basis to the • It aims to bring greater awareness among NMCG. people and other stakeholders regarding the

importance of afforestation for the task of tree plantation, organic and medicinal plants. Ganga Rejuvenation. • Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation is the • Schools, colleges and departments have been nodal agency for its implementation. requested to “Adopt a Plant” to make this Asita Project (Asita is another name of Yamuna) campaign into a people’s movement. • It's a Yamuna River Front Development Project, • State Forest Departments of respective states aims to restore, revive and rejuvenate the river’s have been made the nodal agencies for the floodplains and make them accessible to the smooth and effective execution of the people of Delhi. campaign. • Reviving Ecosystem by creating a wetlands, to • In Uttar Pradesh, the programme is store the flood waters and to improve the groundwater recharge which will eventually result dovetailed with the Ganga Haritima Abhiyan in flourishing of biodiversity in the floodplains. (to enhance the green cover in the catchment • NMCG is monitoring the development of project. areas of the river Ganga and to control the land erosion). 4.4. COASTAL REGULATION ZONE 4.3.3. GANGA PRAHARIS (GUARDIANS (CRZ) NOTIFICATION 2018 OF THE GANGA) Why in news? Why in news? Recently, a grassroot-level workforce – Ganga The Union Cabinet has approved the Coastal Praharis, was launched by the Ministry of Water Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2018 (under Resources. the Environment Protection Act, 1986), based on the recommendations of Shailesh Nayak About Ganga Praharis Committee report (2016). • To conserve the biodiversity of River Ganga and reduce the direct dependency of local Salient Features communities on the river, Wildlife Institute of • Easing FSI norms: This notification de-freezes India (an autonomous institution of the the restrictions imposed on Floor Space Index MoEFCC) and National Mission for Clean (FSI) or the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) under CRZ, Ganga under the “Biodiversity Conservation 2011 in accordance to 1991 Development and Ganga Rejuvenation” have roped in the Control Regulation (DCR) levels. local community of five Ganga states (Uttar • No development zone (NDZ) reduced for Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and densely populated areas: For CRZ-III areas Uttarakhand) known as Ganga Praharis. o CRZ-III A areas shall have a NDZ of 50 • They are a cadre of self-motivated and meters from the HTL on the landward trained volunteers from local communities side as against 200 meters from the HTL working for biodiversity conservation and stipulated in the CRZ Notification, 2011. cleanliness of Ganga with an objective of o CRZ-III B areas shall continue to have an Nirmal and Aviral Ganga. NDZ of 200 meters from the HTL. • They will create awareness about the benefits • Temporary Tourism infrastructure for basic of the clean and vibrant Ganga thus creating a amenities to be promoted at a minimum mass-movement to clean Ganga and create a distance of 10 metres from HTL. Such convergence point at grassroot level by temporary tourism facilities are also now linking livelihood of local communities with permissible in the NDZ of the CRZ-III areas. overall efforts of various agencies working for • CRZ Clearances streamlined: clean Ganga. o CRZ clearances are needed only for • Ganga Praharis of all the five Ganga basin projects located in CRZ-I and CRZ IV. states will be connected through Bhuvan o States to have the powers for clearances Ganga App, mygov App and Swachhta app w.r.t. CRZ-II and III with necessary thus creating a broadband network among guidance. them. • NDZ of 20 meters has been stipulated for all Ganga Gram Islands: in the wake of space limitations and • It’s a concept to transform the villages on the unique geography and to bring uniformity in bank of river Ganga into ideal villages with treatment of such regions. emphasis on Open Defecation Free, Solid and • All Ecologically Sensitive Areas have been Liquid Waste Management, Water Conservation, accorded special importance: Ground Water Recharge, modern crematorium,

Through Specific guidelines related to their pollution and unregulated development. The conservation and management plans. government can prohibit industrial • Pollution abatement has been accorded operations such as mining, sand quarrying special focus: By permitting construction of and building thermal power plants in sensitive treatment facilities in CRZ-I B area subject to areas. necessary safeguards. • The Act does not mention the word ‘Eco • Defence and strategic projects have been Sensitive Zone’. However, section 3(2)(v) accorded necessary dispensation. gives authority to the central government to Classification of the CRZ restrict areas in which any industries, • CRZ-I areas are environmentally most critical and operations or processes or class of industries, are classified as under: operations or processes shall not be carried o CRZ-I A: The ecologically sensitive areas and out or shall be carried out subject to certain the geomorphological features which play a safeguards. role in the maintaining the integrity of the • To categorise an area as ecologically coast viz. Mangroves; Corals and coral reefs; Sand Dunes; Turtle nesting grounds; sensitive, the government looks at protected areas etc. topography, climate and rainfall, land use and o CRZ-I B: The intertidal zone. land cover, roads and settlements, human • CRZ-II: The developed land areas up to or close to population, biodiversity corridors and data of the shoreline, within the existing municipal limits plants and animal species. or in other existing legally designated urban areas. • As per orders of the Supreme Court, no • CRZ-III: Land areas that are relatively undisturbed project can be allowed within 10 km of the (viz rural areas etc) and those do not fall under boundary of national parks and sanctuaries CRZ-II. CRZ-III is further classified as: without the approval of the National Board of o CRZ-III A: Areas with population density more Wildlife (NBWL), unless a site-specific ESZ is than 2161 per sq km as per 2011 census. o CRZ-III B: areas with population density of less notified around that park or sanctuary. than 2161 per sq km, as per 2011 census. • Purpose: They would also act as transition • CRZ- IV: It constitutes the water area and further zone (shock absorber) from areas of high classified as: protection to areas involving lesser o CRZ- IV A: The water area and the sea bed area protection. between the LTL up to 12Nm on the seaward • Nature of Activities in ESZ: While some of the side. activities could be allowed in all the ESAs, o CRZ- IV B: the water area and the bed area others will need to be regulated/ prohibited: between LTL at the bank of the tidal o Prohibited- commercial mining, polluting influenced water body to the LTL on the opposite side of the bank, extending from the industries, major hydroelectric projects mouth of the water body at the sea up to the etc. influence of tide, i.e., salinity of five parts per o Restricted with safeguards (Regulated) - thousand (ppt) during the driest season of the Felling of trees, Establishment of hotels year. and resorts, Drastic change of agriculture system, widening of roads, introduction 4.5. EARMARKING ECO- of exotic species etc. SENSITIVE AREA o Permissible- Rain Water Harvesting, Organic farming, Ongoing Agricultural Why in news? Practices etc. • Centre has released a draft notification for Related Information on Western Ghats earmarking Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) in • The hill ranges of the Western Ghats (sometimes Western Ghats. called the Great Escarpment of India), a global biodiversity hotspot, extend along the west coast • It proposes nearly 37% of Western Ghats as ‘no of India from the river Tapti in the north to the go’ zone, as recommended by Kasturirangan southern tip of India. Committee. (The Madhav Gadgil panel had • It is spread through Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, recommended 64% of western ghats as ESA). Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat. • Eco Sensitive Zones (ESZ)/Eco-Sensitive Area Though covering an area of just 6% of the land area of India, the Western Ghats contain more than 30% (ESA) of all plant, fish, herpeto-fauna, bird, and mammal species found in India. • These are ecologically important areas • Many species are endemic, such as the Nilgiri tahr notified under the Environment Protection (Hemitragus hylocrius) and the Lion-tailed Act, 1986, to be protected from industrial 43 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

macaque (Macaca silenus), in fact 50% of India’s Governance and Shared Growth Program amphibians and 67% of fish species are endemic to (SWIOFish). this region. • They are debt instruments issued by the • They include a diversity of ecosystems ranging governments, development banks etc. to from tropical wet evergreen forests to montane raise capital from impact investors to finance grasslands containing numerous medicinal plants and important genetic resources, the unique shola marine and ocean-based projects that have ecosystem (montane grasslands interspersed with positive environmental, economic and climate evergreen forest patches). benefits. 4.6. GREEN BONDS 4.7. STATE ENERGY EFFICIENCY PREPAREDNESS INDEX 2018 Why in news? Green bonds of huge amounts from India are Why in news? stuck because of rising interest rates and global The Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy uncertainties. (AEEE) under the leadership of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and NITI Aayog has What is Green Bond? recently released the first Nationwide ‘State • Green bonds are debt instruments like normal Energy Efficiency Preparedness Index’. bonds, but the proceeds are used for Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy is an industry renewable energy projects, or for services led, membership based not-for-profit organization that that are ecologically sustainable. drives energy efficiency (EE) markets and policies in • The bond is voluntary and may be issued by a India. financial institution, the government or even a Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL): company to raise funds for a defined period. • It is a joint venture of four national Public-Sector • The first Green bond was issued by the Undertakings under Ministry of Power– NTPC European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2007. Limited, Power Finance Corporation Limited, Rural The Indian Green Bond Market Electrification Corporation Limited and POWERGRID Corporation of India Limited. • In 2015, YES Bank issued the first green bond • It leads the market-related activities of the in India for financing the renewable and clean National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency energy projects particularly, for wind and (NMEEE), one of the eight national missions under solar. National Action Plan on Climate Change. • Gradually, the market has expanded to several • It also aims to provide consultancy services in the public sector undertakings, state-owned field of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) commercial banks, state-owned financial projects, carbon markets, demand side institutions, corporates, and the banking management, energy efficiency, climate change and related areas. sector. • Its other programs include: • SEBI published its official green bonds o Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All requirements for Indian issuers making India (UJALA) the second country (after China) to provide o Street Light National Programme (SNLP) national level guidelines. o Agriculture Demand Side Management (AgDSM) Programme 4.6.1. SOVEREIGN BLUE BOND o Energy efficient Buildings Program o Smart Meter National Program Why in News? About Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

Recently, Republic of Seychelles launched the • It was set up in 2002 by Ministry of Power, under Energy Conservation Act, 2001. world’s first sovereign blue bond (SBB). • It assists in developing policies and strategies About SBB based on self-regulation to reduce energy intensity of the Indian economy. • The Bond and the programs of marine • Functions of BEE includes Conducting energy activities have been developed by the support audit, developing Energy Conservation Building of World Bank and Global Environment Codes, implementing Standards and Labeling Facility. Program. • It is part of the project under the World National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency Bank’s South West Indian Ocean Fisheries (NMEEE), 2011. It is one of the eight national missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). 44 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

NMEEE consist of four initiatives to enhance energy Wildlife and CRZ Clearances from Central, efficiency in energy intensive industries which are as State and district level authorities. follows: • Enhance transparency: It automates the • PAT (perform, achieve & trade) scheme: entire tracking of proposals which includes Improving efficiency in energy intensive sector. online submission of a new proposal, • Energy Efficiency Financing Platform (EEFP): editing/updating the details of proposals and provides a platform to interact with financial institutions and project developers for displays status of the proposals at each stage implementation of energy efficiency projects of the workflow. • Framework for Energy Efficient Economic • The system includes monitoring of Development (FEEED): focuses on developing compliance reports including geo-tagged appropriate fiscal instruments to promote energy images of the site by regulatory body or efficiency financing. inspecting officers even through the Mobile • Market transformation for Energy Efficiency App for enhanced compliance monitoring. (MTEE): Accelerating shift toward energy efficient • It provides access to previous Environment appliances. Impact Assessment Reports, which is a About State Energy Efficiency Index valuable reservoir of information. • It examines states’ policies and regulations, 4.9. NATIONAL COMPENSATORY financing mechanisms, institutional capacity, adoption of energy efficiency and energy AFFORESTATION FUND savings. MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING • The Index has 63 indicators in all - 59 across AUTHORITY (NCAFMPA) buildings, industry, municipalities, transport, agriculture and DISCOMs; and 4 cross-cutting Why in News? indicators. • Recently, Supreme Court directed the transfer • The ‘Front runner’ states in the inaugural of Rs 53,852 crore lying with the ad-hoc edition of Index are Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Compensatory Afforestation Fund Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan. Management and Planning Authority Related news Eco Nivas Samhita, 2018 (CAMPA) to NCAFMPA for its utilisation. • Recently Ministry of Power has launched Energy • NCAFMPA has been created under the Conversation Building Code for residential Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016. buildings named Eco Nivas Samhita, 2018 in order About Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016 to promote energy efficiency in design and • construction of homes and generate awareness It established National Compensatory towards conservation. Afforestation Fund (NCAF) under the Public • This new code is applicable to all residential account of India and State Compensatory buildings built on a plot area of ≥500 m2. However, Afforestation Funds under public accounts of states and municipal bodies may reduce the plot states. area. • These funds will receive payments for: • Energy Conversation Building Code is formulated o Compensatory afforestation, and implemented by Bureau of Energy Efficiency. o Net present value of forest (NPV), o Other project specific payments. 4.8. PARIVESH • The National Fund will receive 10% of these funds, and the State Funds will receive the Why in News? remaining 90%. Recently, government launched an integrated • The funds will be in the interest-bearing, non- environmental management system named lapsable and interest bearing by the rate PARIVESH (Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation decided by central government on a yearly by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Single- basis. window Hub). • Usage of Fund: The fund will be used for About PARIVESH compensatory afforestation, additional compensatory afforestation, penal • Ease of Process: It is a web based, role-based compensatory afforestation, net present workflow application which has been value, catchment area treatment plan or any developed for online submission and money for compliance of conditions monitoring of the proposals submitted by the stipulated by the Central Government while proponents for seeking Environment, Forest, 45 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

according approval under the provisions of utilisation of State Compensatory the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980. Afforestation Fund. • Act provides statutory status for two ad-hoc o The act also seeks to provide for institution, namely; constitution of a multidisciplinary o National Compensatory Afforestation monitoring group to monitor activities Fund Management and Planning undertaken from these funds. Authority (NCAFMPA) for management • The act also provides for annual audit of the and utilisation of NCAF. accounts by the Comptroller and Auditor o State Compensatory Afforestation Fund General. Management and Planning Authority for

5. DISASTER MANAGEMENT 5.1. NATIONAL DISASTER RISK 5.2. STATE DISASTER RESPONSE INDEX FUND (SDRF)

Why in news? Why in news? The Union ministry of home affairs with the Central Government enhanced its Contribution in support of United Nations Development SDRF from 75% to 90%. w.e.f. 1st April 2018. Programme (UNDP) have prepared for the first About SDRF time a national disaster risk index for India. • SDRF at state level and National Disaster More about the Index Response Fund (NDRF) at national level has • It mapped hazards and vulnerabilities been setup under Disaster Management Act, including economic vulnerabilities across 640 2005 as a fund for meeting the expenses for districts and all states including UTs. emergency response, relief and rehabilitation • The index factors in exposure of population, during any notified disaster. agriculture and livestock and environmental • Disaster (s) covered under SDRF: Cyclone, risk. drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, • It will be used to prepare a composite disaster hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, scorecard (DSC). pest attack, frost and cold waves. • The index is in line with India’s commitment to • NDRF is constituted to supplement the funds the Sendai Framework. of the SDRF of the states to facilitate immediate relief in case of calamities of a severe nature. • Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) monitors relief activities for calamities associated with drought, hailstorms, pest attacks and cold wave /frost while rest of the natural calamities are monitored by Ministry of Home Affairs. Other bodies constituted under Disaster Management Act 2005 • National Disaster Management Authority with the Prime Minister of India as its Chairman. o Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction National Executive Committee (NEC) of NDMA takes decisions on the expenses from NDRF. • It is a 15-year (2015-30), voluntary, non-binding Members of NEC comprise of secretaries of agreement which recognizes that the State has the the concerned central government ministries primary role to reduce disaster risk but that and departments. responsibility should be shared with other • stakeholders including local government, the National Disaster Response Force (under Ministry private sector and other stakeholders. of Home Affairs) o It is a specialised force constituted for the • It is the successor instrument to the Hyogo purpose of specialist response to a Framework for Action (2005-15) threatening disaster situation or disaster. • India is a signatory of Sendai Framework. o It consists of 12 battalions, three each from the • UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) BSF and CRPF and two each from CISF, ITBP has been tasked to support the implementation, and SSB. follow-up and review of the Sendai Framework. o UNISDR was established in 1999 as a dedicated secretariat to facilitate the implementation of 5.3. REPEATED EARTHQUAKES IN the International Strategy for Disaster PALGHAR Reduction (ISDR). o ISDR is a global framework established within Why in news? the United Nations for the promotion of action to reduce social vulnerability and risks of The Palghar district in northern Maharashtra has natural hazards and related technological and been witnessing an unusual frequency of environmental disasters. earthquakes since November, 2018.

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• Palghar falls in seismic zone III. o Bureau of Indian Standards has grouped the country into four seismic zones, viz. Zone II, III, IV and V. Of these, Zone V is seismically the most active region, while zone II is the least. • National Centre for Seismology (NCS) has categorized the unusual tremors as an ‘earthquake swarm’. • Earthquake swarms can occur through the process of Reservoir Induced Seismicity (RIS) when large amount of seismic energy gets concentrated in a small area due to the weight of the large structure and the water that it holds. • Hydro-seismicity is being hypothesized as the reason for swarms in peninsular India. o Water from heavy rainfall enters the small fractures in the rocks creating pressure Declaration of Drought between them. o With every 10 meter rise in groundwater, • The Manual for Drought Management, pore pressure increases by 1 bar. This released in 2016 by the Union Ministry of pressure is released in the form of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, prescribes earthquake swarms. “new scientific indices and parameters” for a “more accurate assessment of drought” in Earthquake swarm the country. • It is a series of low magnitude earthquakes that • The manual lists five categories of indices, occur in a localized region and over a period of which include rainfall, agriculture, soil time ranging from days, weeks to even months. moisture, hydrology, and remote sensing • But earthquake swarms are not limited to the (health of crops). Peninsula. In 2016, a series of 58 earthquakes were • The State Governments declare drought recorded in the Rampur area of Himachal Pradesh. through a notification specifying clearly the This Himalayan swarm was attributed to low geographical extent and administrative units strength of the earth’s crust in the area which could not hold the tectonic energy. such as Gram Panchayats, Blocks, Mandals, Taluks, Subdivision, Districts. Such notification should also indicate the level of severity of the 5.4. DROUGHT DECLARATION IN drought (moderate or severe). INDIA According to the National Commission on Agriculture the 3 types of droughts are: Why in news? • Meteorological drought: This happens when the Despite persisting drought like conditions, many actual rainfall in an area is significantly less than states did not officially declare the drought. the climatological mean of that area. • According to IMD’s earlier classification, “when the Hydrological drought: A marked depletion of rainfall deficiency is more than 10% and when 20-40% surface water causing very low stream flow and area of the country is under drought conditions, then drying of lakes, rivers and reservoirs. the year is termed as an All India Drought Year”. • Agricultural drought: Inadequate soil moisture resulting in acute crop stress and fall in agricultural However, in 2016, IMD replaced the word “drought” to productivity. describe poor rainfall with “deficient year” and “large • IMD can define a meteorological drought, but deficient year” as described below: agricultural and hydrological droughts are different and states are better equipped to declare them.

• Objective of DRIP: 5.5. RAT-HOLE MINING o To improve the safety and operational performance of selected existing dams and Why in News? associated appurtenances in a sustainable Recently, the collapse of a coal mine in manner, and Meghalaya’s East Jaintia Hills in which 15 workers o To strengthen the dam safety institutional were trapped, has thrown the spotlight on a setup of participating States / Implementing procedure known as “rat-hole mining”. Agencies. About rat-hole mining Emergency Action Plan • It is a formal plan proposed under DRIP that • It involves digging of very small tunnels, identifies potential emergency conditions at a dam usually only 3-4 feet high, without any pillars and prescribes the procedures to be followed to to prevent collapse, in which workers (often minimize loss of life and property damage. children) enter and extract coal. • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned it 5.7. GLACIAL LAKES OUTBURST in 2014 on grounds of it being unscientific and FLOODS unsafe for workers. • Even after ban, it remains the prevalent Why in news? procedure for coal mining in Meghalaya as no other method would be economically viable Disaster managers and scientists in Sikkim are in Meghalaya, where the coal seam is siphoning out excess water from South Lhonak extremely thin. lake to prevent it from Glacial Lakes Outburst • Further, mining activities are a state subject, Floods. but safety of mine workers is a central subject What is Glacial Lakes Outburst Floods (GLOFs)? which creates problems in implementation of • safety policies. Floods caused due to outburst of glacial lakes is known as GLOF. 5.6. KERALA FLOOD • The moraine wall act as a natural dam, trapping the melt water from the glacier and Why in news? leading to the formation of a glacial lake. Recently, Kerala witnessed their worst flood since Factors triggering GLOFS 1924. • Retreat of glaciers and change in radiative More on news balance in the region in the wake of global • Some of the Reasons for Kerela floods warming. include: Incessant rainfall; Dam • Increasingly erratic and unpredictable Mismanagement (sudden releases of water monsoon rainfall patterns and increased from the Mullaperiyar dam - located in Kerala, climate variability. but operated by Tamil Nadu); Stone • quarrying, Deforestation, Uncontrolled sand Anthropogenic activities such as mass mining; Large expanse of low-lying areas etc. tourism; developmental interventions such as • Operation “Madad” by the Southern Naval roads and hydropower projects; and the practice of slash and burn type of farming in Command (SNC) and Operation Sahayog by certain pockets of the Indian Himalayan Army was launched for assisting Kerela’s region. administration in undertaking disaster relief. • Black carbon also plays important factor Related Information which melts the ice on the mountain due to Dam Rehabilitaton and Improvement Plan (DRIP) albedo effect. • It is being implemented by Ministry of Water • Other Factors like cascading processes (flood Resources with assistance from the World Bank. from a lake situated upstream), earthquake, • 80% of the total project is provided by the World blocking of subsurface outflow tunnels, long- Bank as loan/credit and remaining 20% is borne by term dam degradation also trigger GLOFS. the States / Central Government (for Central Water Commission). • It originally envisaged the rehabilitation and improvement of about 223 dams in four states namely, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu and later Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand joined the project.

5.8. LANDSLIDE WARNING rock debris and earth, under the influence of gravity. SYSTEM • Major reason for triggering of Landslides o Natural causes like vibrations from Why in news? earthquakes and the build-up of water Recently, a real-time landslide warning system pressure between soil layers due to has been set up in the Sikkim-Darjeeling belt of prolonged rainfall or seepage. north-eastern Himalayas. o Manmade causes include removal of vegetation from the slopes, interference with natural drainage, leaking water or sewer pipes, modification of slopes by construction of roads, railways, buildings, mining etc. • Weather Induced Landslide: Landslide occurrence peaks during the northern hemisphere summer, when cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons are more frequent and the monsoon season brings heavy rain to parts of Asia. • Flash Flood Phenomenon: Landslide Lead to formation of artificial lake, which can trigger flash flood in the region affected.

Geological Survey of India (GSI) • GSI is the “nodal agency” for the Indian government for landslide data repository and landslide studies and it is engaged in all types of landslide and slope stability investigations. • It functions under Ministry of Mines. • It initiated the national programme National Landslide Susceptibility Mapping (NLSM), 2014 to offer seamless landslide susceptibility maps and landslide inventory maps of the entire landslide- prone areas of India Other schemes/projects associated with Landslide • A National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project (NLRMP) is being run at NDMA. Under this project a landslide site in Mizoram has been selected. 5.9. ACROSS SCHEME

Why in News?

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs Background (CCEA) has approved continuation of the scheme • As per global database on landslides, the "Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling world's top two landslide hotspots exist in Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS)" during India: the southern edge of the Himalayan arc, 2017-2020 and establishment of National Facility and the coast along south-west India where Airborne Research during 2020-21 and beyond. the Western Ghats are situated. What is ACROSS? • According to Geological Survey of India (GSI), about 12.6 % of the total land mass of India • It pertains to the atmospheric science falls under the landslide-prone hazardous programs of the Ministry of Earth Sciences zone. (MoES) and addresses different aspects of weather and climate services, which includes About Landslide warnings for cyclone, storm surges, heat • Definition: Landslides are downward and waves, thunderstorms etc. outward movement of slope materials such as 50 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

• Each of these aspects is incorporated as nine Related Scheme sub-schemes under the umbrella scheme Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme "ACROSS" • Intensification of Forest Management Scheme o Atmospheric, Climate Science and was revised and replaced as Forest Fire Services. Prevention & Management Scheme in o Numerical Modeling of Weather & December 2017. Climate. • It is a centrally sponsored scheme with an aim o Physics and Dynamics of Tropical Clouds. to focus solely on the issue of forest fire o Agro Meteorology. prevention & management and related o Aviation Services. activities, to address growing concern over o Center for Atmospheric Technology. adverse effects of forest fire. o High Impact Severe Weather Warning • Funding Pattern: System. o For Normal States: 60:40 between center o Metropolitan Air Quality and Weather and states. Service. o NE and Himalayan states: 90:10 between o Monsoon Mission of India. center and states • It is implemented in an integrated manner o For Union Territory: 100% central funding through the four institutes - India o Meteorological Department (IMD), Indian • Monitoring and Evaluation Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), o At National level, MoEFCC will review the National Centre for Medium Range Weather scheme and will also carry out third party Forecasting (NCMRWF) and Indian National evaluation after every 3 years. Centre for Ocean Information Service o At State Level, State Forest Department (NCOIS). will be responsible for regular monitoring National Facility for Airborne Research (NFAR) and review of achievement under the scheme. • NAFR comes under Indian Institute of About FSI Tropical Management (IITM), Pune. Under • It is an organisation under the MoEFCC. this a state-of-the-art research aircraft • Its principal mandate is to conduct survey and equipped with instruments will be used for assessment of forest resources in the country. atmospheric research. • It publishes biennial “The State of Forest Report”. • It will take simultaneous measurements of aerosols, trace gases, cloud microphysics and 5.11. INDIAN OCEAN WAVE large-scale meteorological parameters at high EXERCISE 2018 (IOWAVE18) temporal resolution and at different altitudes in different seasons over the Indian sub- Why in news? continent. India along with 23 countries participated in this major Indian ocean-wide tsunami mock drill, 5.10. LARGE FOREST FIRE namely IOWAVE18. MONITORING PROGRAMME More on news Why in news? • It is being organised by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Recently, Forest Survey of India (FSI) launched Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO). beta-version of the Large Forest Fire Monitoring • The Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre Programme. (ITEWC), based out of the Indian National About Large Forest Fire Monitoring Programme Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, participated in it. • It aims to improve tactical as well as strategic o INCOIS is an autonomous institution response to large forest fires by under the Union Ministry of Earth disseminating specific Large Fire alerts with Sciences. the objective to identify, track and report o ITEWS acts as a Regional Tsunami serious forest fire incidents. Advisory Service Provider along with • It is part of the Fire Alert System (FAST) Australia and Indonesia for the Indian Version 3.0, where the FSI will monitor forest Ocean region. fire events using real time data from the

About IOC-UNESCO, 1960 Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning

• It is the only competent organization for marine System for Africa and Asia (RIMES) science within the UN system. • It is an international organisation on disaster • Purpose: To promote international cooperation warning, formed in the aftermath of 2004 Indian and to coordinate programmes in research, Ocean Tsunami by the efforts of African and Asian services and capacity-building, in order to learn countries. more about the nature and resources of the ocean • It operates from the early warning centres located and coastal areas. at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology • It coordinated in setting up of the Indian Ocean in Pathumthani, Thailand. Tsunami Warning and Mitigation System • It is registered with United Nations and is also (IOTWMS). supported by UNESCAP and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA). 5.12. TITLI CYCLONE ‘RAREST OF • Member Countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, RARE’ Comoros, India, Lao PDR, Maldives, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Seychelles, Sri • Titli Cyclone is a severe cyclonic storm that Lanka and Timor-Leste. devastated Odisha in October. Re-curvature of cyclones • Titli cyclone is the rarest of rare in terms of its • Their normal behaviour is to derive strength from characteristics such as recurvature after the moisture in waters such as the Bay of Bengal, landfall and retaining its destructive move west, incline in a northerly direction and potential after landfall and recurvature away weaken out into the sea or land, depending on from the coastal areas for more than two their origin. days. • In a re-curving cyclone, the cyclone gets a sort of • Naming of cyclone in Indian Ocean second wind when it is on the wane. • In northern hemisphere, it is deflected right or o World Meteorological Organisation eastwards. This is due to air currents in the local (WMO) and the United Nations Economic atmosphere that push cold air from the poles and Social Commission for Asia and the towards the equator and interfere with cyclone Pacific (ESCAP) started the tropical formation. That’s what make them ‘re-curving.’ cyclone naming system in 2000. • This re-curving frequently happens during the El o Eight north Indian Ocean countries — Nino years but at times it has occurred when an El Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Nino had not taken shape. Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and • A challenge with re-curving cyclones is that it is Thailand, gave eight names each which hard for weather models to pick them early on. was combined into a list of 64 names.

6. GEOGRAPHY 6.1. INDIA’S 1ST SOIL MOISTURE Importance of Soil moisture • It acts as a nutrient itself and regulates soil MAP temperature. Why in news? • It serves as a solvent and carrier of food nutrients for plant growth. India Meteorological Department (IMD), for the • Yield of crop is more often determined by the first time, has provided a country-wide soil amount of water available rather than the moisture forecast termed ‘Experimental deficiency of other food nutrients. Forecasts Land Surface Products’. It has been • Soil forming processes and weathering developed using the ‘Variable Infiltration depend on water. Capacity’ model that takes into consideration soil, • Microorganisms require water for their vegetation, land use and land cover among other metabolic activities. parameters.

India Meteorological Department 6.2. HINDU KUSH HIMALAYA • IMD established in 1875, is a principal government ASSESSMENT REPORT agency in all matters related to meteorology, seismology and allied subjects. Why in news? • Along with Indian Institute of Tropical The Kathmandu-based International Centre for Meteorology (IITM) and National Centre for Integrated Mountain Development’s (ICIMOD) Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), “Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment” reveals that is under the administrative control of Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). more than one-third of the glaciers in the region could retreat by 2100, even if the global temperature rise is capped at 1.5ºC.

Some findings of the Assessment Report w.r.t. context of glacier retreat throughout the Glaciers rest of the extended HKH region, this behaviour has been designated the • Area Changes ‘Karakoram anomaly’. o Since 1970s, nearly 15% of the glaciers in o Area loss also leads to glacier the HKH has disappeared. Eastern fragmentation; the number of glaciers in Himalaya glaciers have tended to shrink the Himalaya is reported to have faster than glaciers in the central or increased over the past five decades. western Himalaya. • Glacier Projections o In contrast to the Himalayan glaciers, on o Glacier volumes are projected to decline average, glacier areas in the Karakoram by up to 90% through the 21st century in have not changed significantly. Given the 53 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

response to decreased snowfall, increased snowline elevations, and longer melt seasons. o Even if warming can be limited to the ambitious target of +1.5 °C (Paris Climate Deal), this will lead to a 2.1°C rise in the HKH region due to elevation-dependent warming. About International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) • It is a regional intergovernmental learning and knowledge sharing centre based in Kathmandu, About Kelps Nepal • It is serving the eight regional member countries • They are large brown algae seaweeds. They of the Hindu Kush Himalaya – Afghanistan, grow in "underwater forests" (kelp forests) in Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, shallow oceans. Nepal, and Pakistan. • Generally speaking, kelps live further from • It aims to assist mountain people to understand the tropics than coral reefs, mangrove the influence climate change have on the stability of fragile mountain ecosystems, adapt to them, forests, and warm-water seagrass beds. and make the most of new opportunities, while o Although kelp forests are unknown in addressing upstream-downstream issues. tropical surface waters, a few species Elevation-dependent warming (EDW) have been known to occur exclusively in • It is one of the expressions of global warming tropical deep waters. wherein there is an enhancement of warming rates o Kelps and coral reefs are composed of with elevation. algae that grow in the shallow parts of the • One of the possible reasons could be that ocean in warm and sunny waters. reductions in mountain snow cover exposes the However, kelp forest grows in nutrient- dark coloured earth beneath. This reduces the rich waters while corals can develop in surface albedo and increases the absorbed solar radiation that can lead to elevation-dependent low nutrient waters. amplification of warming via the snow albedo • The environmental factors necessary for kelp feedback (SAF) to survive include hard substrate (usually rock), high nutrients, clear shallow coastal Impact of HKH Warming waters and light. • River flows and water availability: Melting • The productive kelp forests tend to be glaciers will increase river flows, pushing up associated with areas of significant

risks of high-altitude lakes bursting their oceanographic upwelling. banks causing floods (glacial lake outburst • They are known for their high growth rate. floods (GLOFs)). Some varieties grow as fast as half a metre a • Drying Springs: 30% of springs in the Indian day, ultimately reaching 30 to 80 metres. Himalaya have dried up due to reasons • Kelp forests are recognized as one of the including receding glaciers. most productive and dynamic ecosystems on • On Western Disturbances: These are also Earth. Smaller areas of anchored kelp are likely to see increased variability. called kelp beds. • Impact on Monsoon: Shifting monsoon Importance of Kelp Forests patterns will lead to intense precipitation which would increase the risk of floods, • They are considered as Keystone Species and landslides and soil erosion. their removal is likely to result in a relatively • It may also cause sea level rise with its own significant shift in the composition of the consequences. community and perhaps in the physical structure of the environment. 6.3. KELP FORESTS • It provides as an important source of food for many marine species. In some cases, up to Why in News? 60% of carbon found in coastal invertebrates According to a recent study, Climate change could is attributable to kelp productivity. It may be lead to decline of underwater kelp forests. consumed directly or colonised by bacteria that in turn are preyed upon by consumers.

• It increases productivity of the near shore boundary is actually defined by the polar ecosystem and dumps carbon into that front jet stream- a narrow band of very, very ecosystem. Kelp primary production results in fast-moving air, moving from west to east. the production of new biomass, detrital • But that boundary shifts all the time. It shrinks material etc. in summer, pole-ward while in winter, the • It slows down the flow of the water which is polar vortex sometimes becomes less stable important in situations where animals are and expands, sending cold air southward with spawning and releasing their larvae. the jet stream. This is called a polar vortex • They are natural breakwaters and prevent event (“breaking off” of a part of the vortex). coastal erosion. • The break in polar vortex appears to be linked • They can influence to the long and chilly winter in the north India coastal oceanographic patterns and provide this year. many ecosystem services. • It is an important source of potash and iodine. Many kelps produce algin, a complex carbohydrate useful in industries such as tire manufacturing, ice-cream industry. Climate Change and Kelp Forest • Ocean warming and ocean acidification can cause changes in the microbiome on the surface of Kelp, leading to disease-symptoms like blistering, bleaching and eventually degradation of the kelp's surface. • This will affect the Kelp’s ability to photosynthesize and potentially survive.

6.4. POLAR VORTEX

Why in news? Recently, US mid-west experienced sub-zero temperatures due to a breakdown in the polar vortex. What is a polar vortex? • It is a large area of low pressure and cold air surrounding the Earth’s North and South Pole. • The term refers to the counterclockwise flow (clockwise over south pole) of air that helps keep the colder air close to the poles. Why cold air plunges south (in Northern • There are not one but two polar vortexes in Hemisphere)? each hemisphere. o One exists in the lowest layer of the • Greenhouse gas emissions has amplified atmosphere, the troposphere. The Arctic warming resulting into dramatic tropospheric polar vortex is the one that melting of ice and snow in recent decades, affects our weather. which exposes darker ocean and land surfaces o The other exists in the second-lowest, that absorb a lot more of the sun’s heat. called the stratosphere. It is much more • Because of rapid Arctic warming, the north- compact than its tropospheric south temperature difference has diminished. counterpart. This reduces pressure differences between o If the two polar vortexes line up just right, the Arctic and mid-latitudes, weakening jet very deep freeze conditions may occur. stream winds which tend to meander. • The boundary of the polar vortex is really the • Large north-south undulations in the jet boundary between the cold polar air to the stream generate wave energy in the north, and the warmer sub-tropical air atmosphere. If they are wavy and persistent (considering Northern Hemisphere). And that enough, the energy can travel upward and 55 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

disrupt the stratospheric polar vortex. give special rights to a state regarding the Sometimes this upper vortex becomes so exploration and use of marine resources. distorted that it splits into two or more • It will also help India in exploration of site swirling eddies. allotted to it in the Central Indian Ocean Basin • These “daughter” vortices tend to wander (CIOB) by the UN ISBA for exploitation of southward, bringing their very cold air with Poly-Metallic Nodules. them and leaving behind a warmer-than- UN International Sea Bed Authority (UN ISBA) normal Arctic. • The ISBA is an autonomous international organization situated at Kingston, Jamaica. 6.5. ENSEMBLE PREDICTION • It was established under the UN Convention on the SYSTEMS (EPS) Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in 1994 to to regulate the exploration and exploitation of marine non- Why in News? living resources of oceans in international waters. Poly-Metallic Nodules (PMN) IMD recently launched the Ensemble Prediction • Polymetallic nodules, also called manganese Systems (EPS) to provide probabilistic weather nodules, are rock concretions formed of concentric forecasts upto next 10 days. layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a core. About EPS • India is the first country to have received the status • It has been developed jointly by the IMD, of a pioneer investor in 1987 and was allocated an exclusive area in Central Indian Ocean Basin by UN National Centre for Medium Range Weather for exploration and utilization of nodules. Forecasting (NCMRWF) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. 6.7. MEGHALAYAN AGE • Under this, the area of spatial resolution, which is 23 km presently, will reduce to 12 km, Why in news? enabling the meteorological department to give district-level warning. Scientists have identified a new phase in Earth's geological history called the Meghalayan age. • With this new model, India joins the US with a model that predicts with a 12 km resolution. Geological Time Scale Only the 'European Center for Medium Range • The geological time scale is the “calendar” Weather Forecast' has a better 9km for events in Earth history. resolution. • It subdivides all time into named units of 6.6. DEEP OCEAN MISSION abstract time called—in descending order of duration—eons, eras, periods, epochs, and Why in News? ages. • Eons are the largest intervals of geologic In a recently unveiled Deep Ocean Mission (DOM) time and are hundreds of millions of years in blueprint, Centre has drawn up a five year, Rs. duration. For e.g. Phanerozoic Eon is the 8000 Crore plan on lines of ISRO in designing and most recent eon and began more than 500 launching satellite. million years ago. About the DOM blueprint • Eons are divided into smaller time intervals known as eras. For e.g. the Phanerozoic is • Its focus will be on technologies for deep-sea divided into three eras: Cenozoic, Mesozoic mining, under water vehicles, under water and Paleozoic. robotics and ocean climate change advisory o The names of eras were chosen to reflect services, among others. major changes of the development of life • Key deliverables to achieve these goals: on the Earth: Paleozoic (old life), o Offshore tidal energy desalination plant Mesozoic (intermediate life), and that will work with tidal energy. Cenozoic (recent life). o Developing a submersible vehicle to • Eras are subdivided into periods. For e.g. the explore depths of at least 6000 Meters Paleozoic is subdivided into the Permian, with three people on board. Pennsylvanian, Mississippian, Devonian, • It will promote exploration by India in its Silurian, Ordovician and Cambrian periods. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). EEZ are • Periods are further subdivided into epochs boundaries prescribed by the UNCLOS which which are further divided into ages.

o Each period corresponds to significant • It has been officially ratified as the most events such as the break-up of recent unit of the Geologic Time Scale by the continents, shifts in climate, and the International Union of Geological Sciences, emergence of particular types of an international NGO. animals and plant life. • The International Commission on • These units of the geologic time scale are Stratigraphy, which is responsible for based on sedimentary strata that have standardising the Geologic Time Scale, accumulated over time. approved the definition of the beginning of the youngest unit of the Geologic Time Scale based on the timing of this event and forwarded its proposal to IUGS. • The other two subdivisions of the Holocene Epoch — the Early Holocene Greenlandian (11,700 years ago), Middle Holocene Northgrippian (8300 years ago) were also approved. • The Meghalayan Stage has been defined at a specific level in a stalagmite in the Mawmluh caves — one of the India’s longest and deepest — in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya. o The onset of the age was marked by a severe 200-year drought that resulted in the collapse of civilisations and human migrations in Egypt, Greece, Syria, Palestine, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and the Yangtze River Valley. • The International Chronostratigraphic Chart, Meghalayan Age the famous diagram depicting the timeline for Earth's history will be updated. • The Meghalayan Age, which is the subdivision of the Holocene Epoch, began about 4,200 years ago.

7. MISCELLANEOUS TIT BITS 7.1. SOUTH ASIA WILDLIFE 7.4. INTERNATIONAL WHALING ENFORCEMENT NETWORK (SAWEN) COMMISSION

• Recently the fourth meeting of SAWEN (first in • Recently Japan announced its withdrawal from India) was held in Kolkata. International Whaling Commission (IWC) to • SAWEN is an inter-governmental wildlife law resume commercial whale hunting. enforcement support body of South Asian • The IWC was constituted under the countries namely- Afghanistan, Bangladesh, International Convention for the Regulation of Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Whaling in 1946 with an aim for orderly Lanka. development of the whaling industry by putting • It aims at working as a strong regional inter- catch limit, designating whale sanctuaries, governmental body for combating wildlife crime coordinating conservation work etc. by attempting common goals and approaches • Currently a complete ban is applied on for combating illegal trade in the region. commercial whaling, while whaling under the • It was officially launched in January, 2011 in scientific-research and aboriginal-subsistence Paro, Bhutan. It operates its activities from the provisions are allowed. Secretariat based in Kathmandu, Nepal. 7.5. ASIAN WATERBIRD CENSUS, 2019 7.2. STAPCOR-2018 • It was held recently in various parts of India. It is • The International Conference on Status and part of the global International Waterbird Protection of Coral Reefs (STAPCOR)-2018 took Census (IWC) carried out each January as a place recently at Bangaram Coral Island of voluntary activity. Lakshadweep. Theme of the conference was • In India, the AWC is jointly coordinated by the “Reef for Life”. Bombay Natural History Society and Wetlands • It takes place every 10 year after the foundation International. of STAPCOR in 1998 when heavy bleaching of • Wetlands International is a non-profit corals was observed internationally because of organization established in 1937 as Global warming, climate change and El-Nino ‘International Wildfowl Inquiry’ and HQ in effect. Netherlands. • Other prominent developments- • Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS): Non- o Year 2018 has been declared as 3rd decadal governmental organization in India engaged in International year of Reefs. conservation research. o An International Atoll Research Centre for o Collaborated with technology company scientific research on corals will be Accenture to create Internet of Birds, established in Lakshadweep. which is an online tool for birdwatchers that o World’s largest artificial coral reef installed identifies birds based on their photos. in Maldives. 7.6. GREEN AGRICULTURE (GREEN-AG) 7.3. WILDLIFE CRIME CONTROL PROJECT BUREAU (WCCB) • Government of India in collaboration with the • Recently, United Nation Environment Program Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), has awarded Wildlife Crime Control Bureau launched a Global Environment Facility (GEF) (WCCB) with Asia Environment Enforcement assisted project, Green–Ag: Transforming Awards, 2018. Indian agriculture for global environment • Wildlife Crime Control Bureau is a statutory benefits and the conservation of critical body, under the Ministry of Environment and biodiversity and forest landscapes. Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in • It was launched in high-conservation-value the country and was constituted in 2007 by landscapes of five states, namely Madhya amending the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Pradesh (Chambal landscape), Mizoram (Dampa o It coordinated “Operation Thunder Bird” landscape), Odisha (Similipal landscape), (INTERPOL’s multi-national and multi- Rajasthan (Desert National Park landscape) and species enforcement operation) in India. Uttarakhand (Corbett-Rajaji landscape). o It has launched Operation wildnet to • Executive Agencies: Ministry of Agriculture and counter the menace of the illegal trade Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate through internet. Change. 58 8468022022 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW

About FAO o some are hosted by environment-related • It is a specialized agency of the United Nations governmental and non-governmental that leads international efforts to defeat hunger. organisations/ institutes of professional • Its 5 strategic objectives include: excellence, with varied thematic mandates pertaining to environment, called the ENVIS o Help eliminate hunger, food insecurity and Resource Partners (RPs). malnutrition • ENVIS will conduct India’s first ever National o Make agriculture, forestry and fisheries Environment Survey (NES) in 55 districts across 24 more productive and sustainable states and three Union Territories. o Reduce rural poverty O It will collect comprehensive data on various o Enable inclusive and efficient agricultural environmental parameters such as air, water, soil and food systems quality; emission inventory; solid, hazardous and o Increase the resilience of livelihoods to e-waste; forest & wildlife; flora & fauna; threats and crises wetlands, lakes, rivers and other water bodies. • Its major initiatives and achievements include: o It will also assess carbon sequestration potential o Created international standards, Codex of all the districts across the country. o It will rank all the districts on their Alimentarius, to ensure safe, good food for environmental performance and document their everyone. best green practices. o Created and led adoption of the first ever binding international accord to combat 7.8. IRAN SEES ‘REVIVAL’ OF LAKE illegal fishing, the Port State Measures Agreement. URMIA o Globally Important Agricultural Heritage About Lake Urmia Systems • It is an endorheic (which do not drain to the sea) ▪ These are outstanding landscapes of salt lake in Iran. aesthetic beauty that combine • The lake has shrunk to 10% of its former size due agricultural biodiversity, resilient to damming of the rivers that flow into it, and ecosystems and a valuable cultural the pumping of groundwater from the heritage. surrounding area. ▪ GIAHS from India: Saffron Heritage of • Kashmir; Koraput Traditional Lake Urmia is designated as a site of Agriculture; Kuttanad Below Sea Level international importance under the UN Farming System. Convention on Wetlands. 7.7. GREEN SKILL DEVELOPMENT 7.9. OTHER SHORT NEWS PROGRAMME (GSDP) • India's first ESG (environment, social and governance) based fund – Avendus India ESG • Launched by MoEFCCC in 2017, it is an initiative Fund has been launched by Avendus Capital for skill development in the environment and Public Markets Alternate Strategies. ESG forest sector to enable India's youth to get investing is an umbrella term for investments gainful employment and/or self-employment. that also consider and evaluate the long-term • All courses are National Skills Qualifications impact that business practices have on society Framework (NSQF) compliant. and the environment. • GDSP utilises vast network of Environmental • Environmental Fund - Madras High Court Information System (ENVIS) hubs and Resource became first to set up ‘Environmental Fund’ Partners (RPs). where amounts received from various courts, in Green Skills the form of costs ordered to parties, would be • According to OECD, Green skills are needed to adapt used for planting and nurturing trees as well as products, services and processes to climate change cleaning water bodies and the related environmental requirements and • Green Good Deeds campaign - launched by the regulations. They include the knowledge, abilities, MoEFCC, it's a social movement to protect values and attitudes needed to live in, develop and environment and promote healthy living. support a sustainable and resource-efficient society. • South Asia’s Hotspots: The Impact of Environmental Information System (ENVIS) Temperature and Precipitation changes on • It is a central sector scheme, being implemented by living standards – published by World Bank, MoEF&CC since 1982-83. identifies “hotspots” as the states /districts • It is a decentralized network of centres of which- where these changes will have a notable effect o some centres dealing with ''State of the Environment and Related Issues'' are hosted by on living standards. State Government /UT Administrations, called o States in central, north and northwestern ENVIS Hubs. parts of India will be the most vulnerable to 59 DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW 8468022022

climate change, with Chhattisgarh and modern biotechnologies to save Madhya Pradesh likely to be the top two endangered wildlife species of India. climate hotspots. • Recently, Indian Ocean Research Vehicle (IORV) • Laboratory for Conservation of Endangered Sagar Nidhi as part of India- US expedition Species (LaCONES) – Recently, National Wildlife seeking to find answers to vagaries of Bay of Genetic Resource Bank (NWGRB) was Bengal fed South-West Monsoon was set out in established at Laboratory for Conservation of Indian Ocean. The project is funded by the Endangered Species (LaCONES). Ministry of Earth Sciences and the US Office on o LaCONES is a dedicated laboratory of the Naval Research. CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular • CUSAT Stratosphere Troposphere-205 Radar: Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad. It is the only Situated at Cochin, it is fully indigenously built institute in the country working towards radar to scan stratosphere over the Indian conservation of endangered wildlife using Ocean for movement of air and monsoon winds. 7.10. REPORT AND INDICES

REPORT Published by KEY FINDING/FEATURES Emissions Gap United Nations Environment Programme • About: It focuses on the “gap” between the Report (UNEP). emissions reductions necessary to achieve Other Reports/Publications Published the agreed targets at lowest cost and the • Global Environment Outlook. likely emission reductions from full • Actions on Air Quality. implementation of the Nationally • The Rise of Environmental Crime (By UNEP Determined Contributions (NDCs), which & INTERPOL) form the foundation of the Paris • Environmental Rule of Law – 1st global Agreement. assessment of environmental laws. • Pathways reflecting current NDCs imply • Inclusive Wealth Report 2018: global warming of about 3°C by 2100, with o About: It’s a biennial report that seeks warming continuing afterwards. to evaluate a country’s wealth and • Global greenhouse gas emissions show no wellbeing through the Inclusive Wealth signs of peaking. Global CO2 emissions from index (IWI). energy and industry increased in 2017, o Inclusive Wealth = Manufactured following a three year period of Capital + Human Capital+ Natural stabilization. Capital Greenhouse World Meteorological Organization (WMO) • About: Published annually, it reports on Gas Bulletin- Other Reports/Publications Published atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse 2018 • WMO Statement on the state of the gases. Global Climate • It is based on observations from the WMO Global Atmosphere Watch Programme (GAW), which tracks the changing levels of greenhouse gases as a result of industrialization, energy use from fossil fuel sources, intensified agricultural practices, increases in land use and deforestation. • Carbon dioxide is the main long-lived greenhouse gas in the atmosphere. Concentrations reached 405.5 ppm in 2017, 146% of the pre-industrial era (before 1750). • Methane (CH4) is the second most important long-lived greenhouse gas and is now 257% of the pre-industrial level. • Atmospheric concentration of Nitrous oxide (N2O) is 122% of pre-industrial levels. • CFC-11 (trichlorofluoromethane): Since 2012 its rate of decline has slowed. Climate Germanwatch, the New Climate Institute and • Countries are ranked across four Change the Climate Action Network. categories — Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Performance Global Climate Risk Index 2019 by Renewable Energy, Energy Use and Index (CCPI), Germanwatch. Climate Policy.

2019. • About: analyses to what extent countries • The report ranks 56 countries and the and regions have been affected by European Union, which together are impacts of weather-related loss events. responsible for 90% of global greenhouse • For the examination of the CRI, the gas emissions. following indicators were analysed: • India ranked 11th in CCPI, improving from o Number of deaths the previous 14th as a result of an improved o Number of deaths per 100 000 performance in renewable energy, inhabitants comparatively low levels of per capita o Sum of losses in US$ in purchasing emissions and a relatively ambitious power parity (PPP) mitigation target for 2030. o Losses per unit of Gross Domestic • Sweden and Morocco were the leading Product (GDP) countries with 4th and 5th rank respectively. • Puerto Rico, Sri Lanka and Dominica were First three positions were unoccupied, at the top of the list of the most affected because none of the 56 countries or the EU countries in 2017. were clearly on a well below two degrees • India moved from 6th rank to 14th rank as a Celsius pathway in their overall result of efficient cyclone prediction performance. system and gradual improvement in its disaster response system. Living Planet World Wide Fund for Nature • Released every two years, it is a Report, 2018 Global Soil biodiversity Atlas comprehensive study of trends in global • It is a joint venture of the Global Soil biodiversity and the health of the planet. Biodiversity Initiative and the European • The current rate of species loss is 100 to Commission Joint Research Centre. 1,000 times higher than only a few hundred • It placed India among countries whose soil years ago. biodiversity faces the highest level of risk. • The report says that the Earth has entered • Atlas findings were published as part of the the sixth mass extinction event in the last Living Planet Report, 2018 half-a-billion years.

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