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GS Paper: GS3-18.Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.

  • India’s Water Vision: Roadmap for a Sustainable Future

    Central Idea

    • India’s Water Vision addresses key water-related challenges, highlights ongoing interventions, and offers recommendations for ensuring sustainability and serving as a model for other countries to achieve clean water and sanitation for all.

    India’s Water vision

    • India’s Water Vision is a government initiative aimed at providing clean and safe water to all citizens of India.
    • It was launched in 2019 and aims to provide water security, improve water use efficiency, and increase the use of recycled water.
    • The initiative also focuses on conservation of water resources and promoting sustainable water practices.
    • It is a plan announced as part of the Prime Minister’s Vision India @ 2047 initiative.

    The Importance of India’s Water Vision

    • Climate change: India’s Water Vision comes at a critical time when the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report confirms the adverse impacts of human-caused climate change on water availability and security, and the UN 2023 Water Conference takes place after a 46-year gap.
    • G20 presidency: India’s G20 presidency can set an example for other countries to prioritize water action, leading to a global water action agenda with clear commitments and pledges to accelerate progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 by 2030.

    Challenges and Interventions in India’s Water Sector

    • Jal Jeevan Mission: The Jal Jeevan Mission has increased tap connections in rural households, but there is a need to ensure reliability and quality of water supply through investments in source sustainability and water quality surveillance for improved social, economic, and public health outcomes.
    • Groundwater regulation: Strengthen groundwater governance by making substantial progress in decision-making through groundwater atlas, aquifer mapping, and extensive monitoring. Encourage states like Rajasthan and Punjab to pass bills and fully implement the central government’s model law for regulating groundwater.
    • Namami Gange Programme and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation: Focus on pollution abatement and river rejuvenation by improving wastewater management through initiatives like Namami Gange Programme and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation. Realize the potential of treated wastewater for irrigation by strengthening treatment infrastructure and pricing freshwater adequately.
    • Per Drop More Crop initiative: Improve water use efficiency in irrigated agriculture by promoting micro-irrigation systems such as drip and sprinkler technologies through the Per Drop More Crop initiative. Scale up water-saving technologies through targeted subsidies for small and marginal farmers.
    • Atal Bhujal Mission: Engage local communities in water management through programs like Atal Bhujal Mission, which aims to improve groundwater management in water-stressed blocks by involving communities in the preparation of water security plans, ensuring climate resilience.

    Recommendations for Ensuring Sustainability of Water Actions

    • Ensure sustainable source: Ensure access to safely managed domestic water services by focusing on source sustainability and water quality surveillance, leading to positive social, economic, and public health outcomes.
    • Prompt groundwater regulation: Encourage all states to fully implement groundwater regulation laws and take prompt action to address groundwater overexploitation, especially in major groundwater-consuming states.
    • Improve wastewater treatment: Strengthen wastewater treatment infrastructure to treat a larger proportion of municipal sewage and ensure that freshwater is adequately priced to promote safe reuse of treated water for irrigation.
    • Efficient water use practice: Scale up water-saving technologies in agriculture by providing targeted subsidies to small and marginal farmers, facilitating the adoption of water-efficient practices and potentially saving 20% of currently used irrigation water by 2050.
    • Improving community engagement: Support ongoing community engagement in water management by ensuring the development and implementation of annual water security plans, taking corrective action when necessary to ensure water security in vulnerable regions.

    Facts for prelims

    Initiative Objective
    Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) Ensure piped water supply to every household in the country by 2024
    Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY) Improve groundwater management in the country
    Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)              Provide irrigation facilities to all agricultural lands in the country
    National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) Collect, collate, and disseminate water-related data from various sources
    National Hydrology Project (NHP) Improve the country’s hydrological data management system
    Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) Create awareness about water conservation and promote the judicious use of water

    Conclusion

    • India’s Water Vision offers a comprehensive roadmap for addressing water-related challenges and achieving clean water and sanitation for all. By sharing its successes, discussing the sustainability of its initiatives, and offering support to other countries, India can leverage its G20 presidency to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 6 and serve as a model for global water action.

     

     

  • India’s Push for Semiconductors

    semiconductor

    Central idea

    • The Indian government has given ₹1,645 crore in PLI incentives to electronics manufacturers to bring more of the supply chain to India.
    • There is a growing need for semiconductors as they are used in almost all modern electronics.
    • Many countries are moving away from China’s dominance in the sector due to supply chain vulnerabilities and geopolitical pressures.

    Semiconductor manufacturing in India

    • Invest India agency estimates electronics manufacturing to be worth $300 billion by 2025-26.
    • While finished product facilities have been growing, fabs for chipsets and displays are rarer.
    • Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology is set to announce the first semiconductor manufacturing fab soon.
    • Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) suggests India to leverage its strength in the electronics manufacturing value chain.
    • Foundry companies require high investments while OSAT generate better margins.
    • Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) set-ups take care of less capital-intensive parts of chipmaking and run specialized tests.
    • Many chip facilities tend to be captive units of large companies.

    Importance of semiconductor manufacturing

    • Semiconductor fabrication units turn raw elements like silicon into integrated circuits used in practically all electronic hardware.
    • Fabs are highly capital-intensive undertakings costing billions of dollars for large facilities.
    • Fabs require a highly reliable and high-quality supply of water, electricity, and insulation from the elements, reflecting the high degree of precision, cost, and capital needed to make sophisticated circuits.
    • Countries have spotted strategic value in cornering segments of the value chain for fabs.
    • China has pulled ahead of Taiwan last year in terms of global sales from fabs.
    • The US passed the CHIPS Act to provide subsidies and investments to manufacturers opening fabs and making semiconductors in the US.
    • US also pushed some restrictions and sanctions on the Chinese semiconductor industry.

    India’s advantages in semiconductor manufacturing

    • India has an advantage in semiconductor manufacturing as a large portion of semiconductor design engineers globally are either Indian or Indian-origin.
    • Chipmaking firms such as Intel and NVIDIA have large facilities in India that are already flush with Indian talent working on design problems.
    • China is losing control over this advantage in the face of sanctions and an ageing population.
    • Experts believes that without a sustainable pipeline of high calibre talent, China’s goals for the semiconductor sector will not be achievable.

    Various challenges

    • Huge Investments involved: Semiconductor Fabrication facility requires many expensive devices to function. Complex tools and equipment are required to test quality and move silicon from location to location within the ultra-clean confines of the plant.
    • Economy of scale:  In semiconductor fabrication, a high volume of production is required to be maintain so as to meet the increasing demand of the marketplace, at the same time, a strong financial backing as Indian market is very much uncertain about financial fluctuations.
    • Requirement highly skilled labour: Semiconductor fabrication is a multiple-step sequence of photolithographic and chemical processing steps during which electronic circuits are gradually created on a wafer made of pure semiconducting material. This actually requires high skills.
    • Scarcity of raw materials: From a value-chain perspective, it needs silicon, Germanium & Gallium arsenide and Silicon carbide which are not available in India and needs to be imported.
    • Uncertain Indian market: A semiconductor fabrication facility in India cannot independently rely on Indian customers for their entire sales structure. They have to maintain overseas customer base to balance inflections from Indian market due to market trends, government policies etc.
    • Disposal of hazardous waste: Many toxic materials are used in the fabrication process such as arsenic, antimony, and phosphorus. Hazardous impact on the environment by the industry may act as an impediment to India’s commitment to mitigate climate change.

    Policy initiatives in India

    • Make in India:This aims to transform India into a global hub for Electronic System Design and Manufacturing (ESDM).
    • PLI scheme:In December 2021 the Centre sanctioned ₹76,000 crore under the production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme to encourage the manufacturing of various semiconductor goods within India.
    • DLI scheme:It offers financial incentives, design infrastructure support across various stages of development and deployment of semiconductor design for Integrated Circuits (ICs), Chipsets, System on Chips (SoCs), Systems & IP Cores and semiconductor linked design.
    • Digital RISC-V (DIR-V) program: It intends to enable the production of microprocessors in India in the upcoming days achieving industry-grade silicon and design wins by December 2023.
    • India Semiconductor Mission (ISM):The vision is to build a vibrant semiconductor and display design and innovation ecosystem to enable India’s emergence as a global hub for electronics manufacturing and design

    Way forward

    To ensure greater resilience in a volatile world, India needs to undertake the following measures to sustain the domestic and global semiconductor demand:

    • Policy framework: As foundry setup is highly Capital intensive, it must be supported with a solid long term plan and financial backing. This backing is required from the entrepreneur & the government both.
    • Fiscal sustenance: In text of Indian Government as tax holiday, subsidy, zero duty, financial investment etc. will play an important role in promoting the Fab along with the semiconductor industry in India; this will put further pressure on already large Fiscal Deficit.
    • Support Infrastructure: World class, sustainable infrastructure, as required by a modern Fab be provided, with swift transportation, large quantity of pure water, uninterrupted electricity, communication, pollutant free environment etc.

    Conclusion

    • India’s electronic manufacturing incentive programs are geared towards breaking new ground in ambitious plans connected to popular brands such as Apple.
    • The Indian government is working to create an ecosystem that will facilitate sustainable growth and fiscal feasibility in the semiconductor industry.
    • The electronics value chain must be an international undertaking among like-minded nations with common values to be effective.

     

  • India’s disputed Compensatory Afforestation (CAMPA) Policy at odds with new IPCC report

     

    Central idea

    • The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Synthesis Report, where the IPCC notes the significance of preserving natural ecosystems to mitigate climate change.
    • The report has raised concerns about the ongoing policy of afforestation in India that allows forests to be cut down and replaced elsewhere.

    Afforestation in India

    • Afforestation has become an increasingly contested policy in India.
    • The government has pledged to add “an additional (cumulative) carbon sink of 2.5-3 GtCO2e through additional forest and tree cover by 2030”.

    Why is CAMPA invoked in the IPCC report?

    • India’s Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) has been accused of facilitating the destruction of natural ecosystems in exchange for forests to be set up elsewhere.

    What is CAMPA?

    • CAMPA is a body established by the Indian government in 2002 on the orders of the Supreme Court.
    • The purpose of CAMPA is to promote afforestation and regeneration activities as a way of compensating for forest land that has been diverted to non-forest uses, such as for dams, mines, and other development projects.
    • The Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980 requires project proponents to identify land elsewhere for afforestation and pay for the afforestation exercise.
    • The money paid by project proponents is deposited in a fund overseen by CAMPA.

    Controversies surrounding CAMPA

    • Unutilised fund: The money paid to CAMPA sits in a fund, but most of the fund remained unspent until 2013, leading to criticism of facilitating the destruction of natural ecosystems. In 2006-2012, the fund grew from Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 23,600 crore.
    • Threatening endangered landscape: CAMPA also came under fire for funding projects that endangered landscape connectivity and biodiversity corridors.
    • Unsustainability of artificial plantation: CAMPA has been accused for planting non-native species or artificial plantations that don’t compensate for the ecosystem loss.

    Why is forestation under CAMPA unsustainable?

    • Natural ecosystems sequester more carbon: This report highlights the importance of preserving natural ecosystems and reducing the conversion of natural ecosystems to mitigate climate change.
    • Renewable energy installation is more sustainable: The IPCC report also found that solar power has more mitigating potential than reducing the conversion of natural ecosystems, and wind power was the third highest.

    Conclusion

    • Preserving natural ecosystems should be recognized as an essential means to mitigate climate change, and environment impact assessments should include climate costs.
    • Policies such as afforestation, ecosystem restoration, and renewable energy must be carefully evaluated to reduce the impact of the climate crisis.

     

  • The Great Nicobar Island Project: Environmental Recklessness or Economic Opportunity?

    Central Idea

    • The ₹70,000 crore Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project raises concerns about its ecological impact and the Union government’s hasty clearances, while its feasibility and sustainability remain questionable.

    What is Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project is all about?

    • The Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project is a major infrastructure development initiative launched by the Indian government in 2020.
    • The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has cleared the way for the ‘Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project.
    • The project aims to transform the Great Nicobar Island, the largest island in the Nicobar group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, into a modern, sustainable, and self-sufficient territory.
    • The project includes an international transhipment port, an international airport, a gas and solar-based power plant, and an ecotourism and residential township.

    Environmental and Ecological Concerns

    1. Quick Clearances and Exemptions: The project’s quick approvals, clearances, exemptions, and de-notifications indicate the Union government’s keenness to implement it.
    2. Urbanization and Biodiversity: The project is expected to attract a population equal to the entire island chain, with potential negative impacts on the region’s marine and terrestrial biodiversity.
    3. Biosphere Reserve and Tribal Reserves: The island was declared a biosphere reserve in 1989 and is home to vulnerable tribal communities, such as the Nicobarese and Shompen.

    Feasibility and Sustainability Issues

    1. Hinterland Economic Activities: A successful transhipment hub requires viable hinterland economic activities, which may be wishful thinking in Great Nicobar.
    2. Afforestation and Coral Reef Translocation: The far-field afforestation recommendation and coral reef translocation are questionable compensation methods.
    3. Tectonic Instability: Great Nicobar Island’s proximity to the Ring of Fire and its history of earthquakes raise concerns about the feasibility of developing an urban port city.

    Facts for Prelims: Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI)

    • Location: Located between 6° and 14° North Latitude and 92° and 94° East Longitude lie the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a union territory in India.
    • Two groups of Island: It consists of two groups of islands. The islands located north of 10° north latitude are known as Andaman while islands located south of 10° north latitude are called Nicobar.
    • The Andamans: More than 300 islands make up the Andamans. North, Middle, and South Andaman, known collectively as Great Andaman, are the main islands;
    • The 10- degree channel: The 10-degree channel which is about 145 km long separates Little Andaman in the south from the Nicobar Islands.
    • The Nicobars: The Nicobars consists of 19 islands. Among the most prominent is Car Nicobar in the north; and Great Nicobar in the south. About 90 miles to the southwest of Great Nicobar lies the northwestern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia.
    • Formation: Both the Andaman and Nicobar groups are formed by the above-sea extensions of submarine ridges of mountains and are a part of a great island arc. The highest peak is 2,418 feet at Saddle Peak on North Andaman, followed by Mount Thullier at 2,106 feet on Great Nicobar and Mount Harriet at 1,197 feet on South Andaman. Barren island, the only known active Volcano in south Asia lies in the Andaman Sea. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, there were volcanic eruptions on Barren Island.
    • Andaman Terrain: Formed of sandstone, limestone, and shale of Cenozoic age, the terrain of the Andamans is rough, with hills and narrow longitudinal valleys. Flat land is scarce and is confined to a few valleys.
    • Nicobar Terrain: The terrain of the Nicobar is more diverse than that of the Andamans. Some of the Nicobar Islands, such as Car Nicobar, have flat coral-covered surfaces with offshore coral formations that prevent most ships from anchoring. Other islands, such as Great Nicobar, are hilly and contain numerous fast-flowing streams.
    • Great Nicobar is the only island in the territory with a significant amount of fresh surface water.
    • Climate: The climate of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is tropical but is moderated by sea.

    Conclusion

    • The Great Nicobar Island project’s ecological and environmental costs, along with its questionable feasibility and sustainability, raise concerns about India’s commitment to conservation, sustainability, and green development models. It is crucial that the green developmental model becomes the guiding principle for future economic activities, ensuring that growth does not result in irretrievable loss of natural capital.

    Mains Question

    Q. Recently Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has cleared the way for the Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island project. In this backdrop, discuss environmental and ecological concerns and sustainability issues.

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  • Why do so many Waste-to-Energy Plants fail?

    waste

    The Kerala government has announced its first waste-to-energy project in Kozhikode, which is expected to be built in two years and generate about 6 MW of power.

    What are Waste-to-Energy Plants?

    • Waste-to-energy plants are facilities that use non-recyclable dry waste to generate electricity.
    • The process involves combusting the non-recyclable dry waste, which generates heat that is then converted into electricity.
    • These plants are used to increase a state’s power generation capacity while also easing the burden of solid waste management.

    Feasibility of such plants

    • Waste-to-energy plants consume a portion of the non-recyclable dry waste generated in urban local bodies (ULBs) nearby.
    • These plants can be a good way to deal with the mountains of waste that Indian cities produce but require the unwavering support of the municipality, its residents, and the State to succeed.

    Operational status in India

    • In India, solid waste is generally composed of 55-60% biodegradable organic waste, 25-30% non-biodegradable dry waste, and around 15% silt, stones, and drain waste.
    • However, despite there being around 100 waste-to-energy projects around the country, only a handful of them are operational, thanks to various production and operation challenges.

    Why do such projects often fail?

    • Waste-to-energy projects often fail because of improper assessments, high expectations, improper characterisation studies, and other on-ground conditions.
    • They faces several challenges, such as-
    1. Low calorific value of solid waste in India due to improper segregation
    2. High costs of energy production, and
    3. Variable quantity of waste generated by cities due to multiple factors.

    Various challenges

    • Improper segregation: The calorific value of mixed Indian waste is about 1,500 kcal/kg, which is not suitable for power generation. Waste-to-energy plants require segregated and dried non-recyclable dry waste, which has a calorific value of 2,800-3,000 kcal/kg. However, segregation of waste is often not done properly, which can lead to low-quality feedstock and reduced power generation.
    • High costs: The cost of generating power from waste is around Rs 7-8/unit, while the cost at which the States’ electricity boards buy power from coal, hydroelectric, and solar power plants is around Rs 3-4/unit. This high cost of energy production can make waste-to-energy projects less attractive compared to other sources of energy.
    • Low efficiency: Such projects have low efficiency due to the low calorific value of mixed waste, which reduces the amount of energy that can be generated. This can make it difficult to generate sufficient power to make the project financially viable.
    • Operational challenges: Such projects are often subject to operational challenges, such as improper assessments, high expectations, improper characterisation studies, and other on-ground conditions. The quantity of waste generated by cities varies due to multiple factors, including season, rainfall, and the floating population, which can make it difficult to get a consistent supply of feedstock.
    • Environmental concerns: Such plants can generate emissions, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. Therefore, it is important to ensure that these plants operate with proper environmental controls in place.

    Way forward

    • Proper segregation: To overcome these challenges, the municipality must ensure that only non-biodegradable dry waste is sent to the plant and separately manage the other kinds of waste.
    • Public awareness: The full support of the municipality, the State, and the people is crucial for the success of the project.
    • Extensive field studies: It is also necessary to conduct field studies and learn from the experience of other projects.
    • All-stakeholders collaboration: There should be a tripartite agreement between the municipality, the plant operator, and the power distribution agency to optimise cost per unit of power.

     

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  • Why are India’s garbage landfill burning?

    landfill

    The Kochi landfill site has caught fire. This is a stark reminder that Indian cities need to be prepared for more such incidents as summer approaches.

    What are Landfills?

    • Garbage landfills, also known as waste disposal sites or dumps, are areas where waste materials are disposed of by burying them in the ground.
    • They are designed to contain and isolate the waste from the surrounding environment, preventing the spread of pollutants and contamination of soil and water sources.
    • Garbage landfills are commonly used for the disposal of non-hazardous municipal solid waste, such as household trash, construction debris, and yard waste.
    • However, they can also be used for the disposal of hazardous waste and other types of industrial waste, depending on the regulations and restrictions in place.

    Is landfilling best way for waste management?

    • Landfilling is not considered the best way for garbage disposal, as it can have negative environmental impacts.
    1. Landfills take up space
    2. Release harmful gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, and
    3. Contaminate groundwater and soil if not properly managed
    • Landfills can emit odours and create noise pollution, which can impact nearby communities.

    Alternative methods for garbage disposal

    • Recycling: This involves the separation of waste materials such as plastics, glass, metals, and paper from the general waste stream, and processing them into new products.
    • Composting: This is the process of breaking down organic waste materials such as food scraps, yard waste, and paper into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
    • Waste-to-energy: This involves the conversion of waste into energy through incineration, gasification, or pyrolysis. The energy produced can be used to generate electricity or heat.
    • Landfill gas recovery: This involves the collection and use of methane gas produced by decomposing waste in landfills to generate electricity or heat.
    • Mechanical biological treatment: This is a process that combines mechanical and biological processes to separate and treat waste materials, producing compost and recyclable materials.
    • Anaerobic digestion: This is a biological process that breaks down organic waste in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas and fertilizer.

    Landfills in India

    landfill

    • Indian municipalities collect more than 95% of the waste generated in cities.
    • The efficiency of waste processing is 30-40% at best.
    • Indian municipal solid waste consists of about 60% biodegradable material, 25% non-biodegradable material, and 15% inert materials.
    • Municipalities are expected to process wet and dry waste separately and have recovered by-products recycled.

    Why do Indian landfills often catch fire in summers?

    • The rate of processing in India’s cities is far lower than the rate of waste generation.
    • Unprocessed waste remains in open landfills for long periods.
    • Openly disposed waste includes flammable material like low-quality plastics and rags and clothes.
    • In summer, the biodegradable fraction composts much faster, increasing the temperature of the heap.
    • Higher temperature and flammable material increase the chance for the landfill to catch fire.
    • Some fires have been known to go on for months.

    Is there a permanent solution?

    There are two possible permanent solutions to manage landfill fires.

    1. Completely cap the material using soil and close landfills in a scientific manner: This solution is unsuitable in the Indian context as the land can’t be used again for other purposes. Closed landfills have specific standard operating procedures, including managing methane emissions.
    2. Clear the piles of waste through bioremediation: Excavate old waste and use automated sieving machines to segregate the flammable refuse-derived fuel (RDF), such as plastics, rags, clothes, etc., from biodegradable material. The recovered RDF can be sent to cement kilns as fuel, while the bio-soil can be distributed to farmers to enrich soil. The inert fraction will have to be landfilled.

    Some immediate measures to manage landfill fires

    • Divide the site into blocks: Based on the nature of waste, separate fresh waste from flammable material and capping portions with soil to reduce the chance of fire spreading across blocks.
    • Cap the most vulnerable part of the landfill: That contains lots of plastics and cloth, with soil.
    • Provide enough moisture to the fresh-waste block: By sprinkling water and regularly turn the material for aeration to cool the waste heap.
    • Classify incoming waste: On arrival and dispose of it in designated blocks rather than dumping mixed fractions.
    • Send to kilns on time: Send already segregated and baled non-recyclable and non-biodegradable waste to cement kilns instead of allowing it to accumulate at the site.

    Way forward

    • Sites should be equipped with water tankers with sprinklers for immediate action.
    • The municipality should work with the nearest fire department and have a plan of action in advance.
    • Waste-processing workers (plant operators, segregators, etc.) should have basic fire safety and response training.
    • People around landfill sites should also be trained and equipped to safeguard themselves during fires.
    • The municipality should have routine round-the-clock video surveillance of the most flammable portion of the landfill.
    • Flammable material like chemical waste, match sticks, and lighters should not enter the site.
    • Machines at the site, like sieves and balers, should be cleaned and moved away from the flammable material.
    • On-site staff and security personnel should be housed away from the flammable portion.
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  • Reintroduction of Cheetahs and Its Potential Impact

    Cheetahs

    Central Idea

    • India has embarked on a conservation plan to reintroduce the cheetah into the country, with the aim of establishing a self-sustaining population at Madhya Pradesh’s Kuno National Park. The initiative has translocated eight African cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa since September 2022. Can this initiative succeed in helping India’s grasslands?

    Cheetahs

    Know about Cheetahs

    • Appearance: Cheetahs have a distinctive appearance, with a slender, muscular body, long legs, and a spotted coat. They have black tear marks on their faces that help to protect their eyes from the sun’s glare.
    • Speed: Cheetahs are the fastest land animals in the world, capable of reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour in short bursts.
    • Diet: Cheetahs are obligate carnivores and typically hunt during the day.
    • Conservation status: Cheetahs are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated population of less than 7,000 individuals in the wild. Their numbers have declined due to habitat loss, hunting, and other threats, and they are at risk of extinction in many parts of their range.
    • Reproduction: Cheetahs have a relatively low genetic diversity, which makes them more vulnerable to disease and other threats.

    Cheetah reintroduction plan

    • The plan is to introduce roughly 20 cheetahs annually for the next 8-10 years, and the goal is to establish a population of 21 adults in Kuno National Park in 15 years.
    • The larger habitat of 3,000-5,000 sq km, which is larger than the 748 sq km where the cheetahs are based, could accommodate up to 40 cheetahs.

    The impact of cheetahs on India’s grasslands: Illustration

    • Regulate herbivore populations: Cheetahs are predators that primarily hunt herbivores such as antelopes, gazelles, and other small to medium-sized ungulates. By preying on these herbivores, cheetahs can help regulate their populations, preventing them from overgrazing and causing damage to the grasslands.
    • Increase biodiversity: The presence of cheetahs in the grasslands is expected to increase biodiversity by creating a more balanced ecosystem. By regulating the populations of herbivores, cheetahs can prevent certain species from dominating the ecosystem, allowing other species to thrive.
    • Promote grassland health: Overgrazing by herbivores can damage the grasslands, leading to soil erosion and other ecological problems. By regulating herbivore populations, cheetahs can help maintain the health of the grasslands, ensuring that they continue to provide important ecosystem services.
    • Ecotourism: The presence of cheetahs in India’s grasslands could also boost ecotourism in the region, providing economic benefits to local communities.
    • Challenges: However, there are also potential challenges associated with the reintroduction of cheetahs to India’s grasslands, such as competition with other predators and potential conflicts with human activities.

    The impact of cheetahs on India’s grasslands: Opinion

    • Reintroduction programme can improve India’s grasslands: Cheetahs indicate the overall wellness of open areas, meadows, and grasslands because they need these habitats to survive. The health of the cheetah population can, therefore, be an indicator of the health of the grasslands.
    • Opinion in contrast: Some expert disagrees and argues that restoring open natural ecosystems, including grasslands, should begin by addressing the problems that led to their degradation and decline. The arrival of the cheetahs will not save India’s grasslands, and there are already issues, such as large tracts of open natural ecosystems being categorised as wasteland and granted to renewable energy projects, including solar panels.

    Example: Reintroduction of species contributing to the development of a larger ecosystem:

    • Project Tiger in India: The project started with nine reserves and now has 53 reserves making up 2.3% of the country’s geographical area. Scientists worked to establish source and sink dynamics and the concept of how exclusively investing in an umbrella can bring in a compelling, inclusive engagement with people and areas beyond.
    • Wolves in Yellowstone national park, US: The reintroduction of wolves and beavers in the Yellowstone ecosystem in the US as a global example based on solid science. The presence of wolves helped to control the population of elk, which had been overgrazing and damaging the park’s vegetation. As a result, the vegetation began to recover, which in turn led to increases in other species such as beavers, songbirds, and fish.

    FYI: Impact of the Project Tiger

    • Project Tiger was launched by the Government of India in 1973, has made a significant impact on tiger conservation and the ecosystem in India.
    • Increase in tiger population: Project Tiger has been successful in increasing the tiger population in India. The latest tiger census conducted in 2018 estimated that there were around 2,967 tigers in India, an increase from the previous census in 2014 which estimated the population to be around 2,226.
    • Restoration of degraded ecosystems: The conservation efforts under Project Tiger have also helped to restore degraded ecosystems. For example, in the Sariska Tiger Reserve, efforts have been made to restore degraded grasslands and create water sources, which has resulted in the return of several species that were previously absent.
    • Expansion of tiger habitat: The project has also helped to expand the habitat available to tigers in India. The creation of new protected areas and improved management of existing ones has resulted in an increase in the area of tiger reserves from 9 to 51, covering an area of more than 71,000 square kilometers.
    • Protection of other species: The conservation efforts under Project Tiger have had a positive impact on other species in the ecosystem as well. The protection of tiger habitats has helped to conserve a wide range of flora and fauna, including elephants, leopards, and various bird species.
    • Reduction in human-wildlife conflict: The conservation efforts under Project Tiger have helped to reduce human-wildlife conflict by providing alternative livelihoods and increasing awareness about conservation among local communities. This has helped to reduce retaliatory killings of tigers and other wildlife
    • Challenges: Despite the success of Project Tiger, there are still several challenges that need to be addressed. Poaching, habitat loss, and human-tiger conflict remain significant threats to tiger populations in India.

    Remarks: The success of the translocation exercise

    • According to the experts it took two and a half to three years for tigers to acclimate to Indian conditions in Sariska.
    • In cheetah project, they expect it to take longer since cheetahs are coursers that require large tracts of terrain.
    • While others believes that a clear picture of success will emerge when the animals not only survive but start reproducing, leading to a self-sustaining population.

    Cheetahs

    Conclusion

    • The reintroduction of cheetahs to India can help establish a self-sustaining population and contribute to the global survival of the species. However, it remains to be seen if they can successfully acclimate to Indian conditions and if they will have a significant impact on India’s grasslands. Nevertheless, the initiative highlights the importance of conservation efforts and the need to address the root causes of environmental degradation.

    Mains Question

    Q. What is the significance of India’s cheetah reintroduction plan, and can it help improve the country’s grasslands? Illustrate

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  • Meeting India’s ‘Carbon Sink’ target

    carbon-sink

    Central idea: India’s commitment to reduce its carbon emissions and increase its carbon sink as part of the Paris Climate Agreement. The Agreement is a legally binding international treaty signed by 196 parties, including India, to limit global warming to well below 2°C.

    What is a carbon sink?

    • A carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.
    • It can be a natural ecosystem such as forests, oceans, or soil, or it can be an artificial system like carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology.
    • Carbon sinks help to reduce the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere and mitigate the negative effects of climate change.

    Methods of Carbon Sinks

    There are two types of carbon sinks:

    (A) Natural Carbon Sinks: These are ecosystems that naturally absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere. The most common natural carbon sinks are:

    • Forests: Trees absorb CO2 through photosynthesis and store it in their trunks, branches, and roots.
    • Oceans: The Ocean absorbs CO2 from the atmosphere, where it dissolves and forms carbonic acid.
    • Soil: Carbon can be stored in soil in the form of organic matter, such as dead plant and animal material, which is broken down by microorganisms.

    (B) Artificial Carbon Sinks: These are human-made technologies that capture and store carbon from the atmosphere. The most common artificial carbon sinks are:

    • Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): CCS technology captures CO2 emissions from industrial processes, such as power plants, and stores it underground.
    • Direct Air Capture (DAC): DAC technology captures CO2 directly from the air and stores it underground or repurposes it for other uses.

    India’s carbon sink target

    • India has pledged to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
    • This will be achieved through afforestation, reforestation, and other land-use changes.

    India’s progress towards its carbon sink target

    • India has already achieved 24.6% of its carbon sink target as of 2017.
    • This was primarily due to afforestation and tree plantation programs, such as the Green India Mission and the National Afforestation Programme.

    Challenges in meeting India’s carbon sink target

    • Unavailability of accurate data: There is a lack of accurate data on the extent and health of India’s forests, which makes it difficult to measure the effectiveness of afforestation and reforestation programs.
    • Conversion of natural forests: The conversion of natural forests to monoculture plantations that have lower carbon sequestration potential can reduce the effectiveness of carbon sinks.
    • Pressure on land: The pressure on land for agriculture and other forms of development can lead to deforestation and the loss of carbon sinks.
    • Lack of funding: Afforestation and reforestation programs require significant funding, which can be a challenge for India.
    • Lack of awareness: Lack of awareness among the public and policymakers about the importance of carbon sinks and the need for their conservation and restoration can hinder efforts to meet India’s carbon sink targets.

    Conclusion

    • India’s commitment to increasing its carbon sink is crucial in mitigating the impacts of climate change.
    • More efforts are needed to ensure the success of afforestation and reforestation programs and to address the challenges facing India’s forests.
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  • India pitches for International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

    cat

    India has proposed to launch International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) to protect big cats and assured support over five years with guaranteed funding of $100 million.

    International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

    • It is a proposed mega-global alliance that will work toward the protection and conservation of the seven major big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
    • Membership to the alliance will be open to 97 ‘range’ countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as other interested nations, international organizations, etc.

    Proposed objectives

    • The alliance’s purpose is to provide a platform for the dissemination of information on benchmarked practices, capacity building, resources repository, research and development, awareness creation, etc. on the protection and conservation of big cats.
    • Its major activities will include advocacy, partnership, knowledge e-portal, capacity building, eco-tourism, partnerships between expert groups and finance tapping.

    Financial outlay

    • After the first five years, IBCA will be supported by India’s ‘total grant assistance’ of $100 million.
    • It is expected to sustain itself through membership fees, and contributions from bilateral and multilateral institutions and the private sector

    Governance Structure

    • A General Assembly consisting of all member countries.
    • A Council of at least seven but not more than 15 member countries elected by the General Assembly for a term of 5 years, and a Secretariat.
    • Upon the recommendation of the Council, the General Assembly will appoint the IBCA Secretary General for a specific term.

    India’s success in tiger conservation

    • India has been successful in tiger conservation, with its tiger population increasing from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2019.
    • India’s success in tiger conservation has been attributed to measures such as habitat restoration, anti-poaching efforts, and community participation.

    What lies ahead?

    • India plans to expand its conservation efforts to other big cat species, such as lions and leopards.
    • India also plans to work with other countries to promote conservation efforts for big cats on a global scale.
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  • Yellowstone NP celebrates its 151st anniversary

    yellow

    Yellowstone National Park, which celebrated its 151st anniversary earlier this week, is widely considered to be the first national park in the world.

    Yellowstone National Park

    • It is a large protected area located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho.
    • It was established in 1872 and is widely considered to be the first national park in the world.
    • It spans an area of over 9,000 sq. km comprising lakes, canyons, rivers, iconic geothermal features such as the Old Faithful geyser, and mountain ranges.

    Some key features and attractions of Yellowstone National Park include:

    1. Geothermal features: Yellowstone is famous for its geothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and steam vents. The most famous of these is Old Faithful, a geyser that erupts on a regular schedule.
    2. Wildlife: Yellowstone is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, elk, and moose. Visitors can see these animals in their natural habitats throughout the park.
    3. Scenic drives: The park has several scenic drives, including the Grand Loop Road, which takes visitors to many of the park’s major attractions.
    4. Fishing: The park has many rivers and lakes that offer excellent fishing opportunities, including the Yellowstone River.

     

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