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

  • How to expand India’s forest cover

    Context

    The recently released India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 shows the total forest and tree cover in India is 80.9 million hectares, which is 24.62 per cent of the geographical area of the country.

    Definition of forest in India

    • India’s definition of forest cover is in sync with that of the Kyoto Protocol.
    • A “forest” has a minimum area of 0.05 to 1 ha (India has 1.0 ha minimum), with the tree crown cover percentage being more than 10 to 30 per cent (India has 10 per cent) and with trees having the potential to reach a minimum height of 2 to 5 m at maturity in situ (in India, it’s 2 m).
    • The definition thus arrived at by India assesses forests as all lands, more than 1 hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10 per cent irrespective of ownership and legal status.
    • Such lands may not necessarily be a recorded forest area.
    • It also includes orchards, bamboo, palm etc.

    Assessment of forest cover

    • The assessment of forest cover is done based on the interpretation of satellite data, which basically identifies umbrella-shaped canopies from the sky.
    • The forest cover is also estimated from field inventory data, which corroborates the figures of forest cover obtained from the satellite-based interpretation.
    • The environment ministry is even considering providing forest cover maps through the Web Map Service to make the analyses of researchers and agencies easier.
    • Importance of plantations: The importance of plantations needs to be understood.
    • For example, cashew plantations, which mainly grow along the coast, serve as the first line of defence against cyclones, which are hitting with greater frequency and ferocity.
    • Mixed plantations, especially of native species, meet all the ecological functions of natural forests.
    • A lot of wildlife inhabits these plantations.
    • While we do not advocate equating natural forests with plantations, let us recognise their ecological functions.

    Afforestation efforts

    • India is on track to achieve its national commitment to land degradation neutrality.
    • India is working towards restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
    • Our afforestation efforts are also aligned with our wildlife conservation efforts.
    • Project Tiger was launched in 1973.
    • From nine tiger reserves initially, we now have 51 tiger reserves.
    • These are the cornerstones of wildlife conservation and preserve natural ecosystems which support ecological processes responsible for providing various goods and services that are vital for human well-being.

    Way forward

    • Notwithstanding these gains, the goal of 33 per cent area under forest and tree cover as per the National Forest Policy, 1988, remains to be achieved.
    • Focus on TOF: The balance of 9 per cent can be achieved through taking up plantation/afforestation outside the forests and restocking/plantation in degraded and scrub forests.
    • According to the ISFR 2021, the Trees outside forest (TOF) extent comprises 36.18 per cent of the total forest and tree cover of the country.
    • Given this fact, the draft NFP 2021 has focused on the promotion of TOF by including it among its objectives.
    • NFP 2021: Given this fact, the draft NFP 2021 has focused on the promotion of TOF by including it among its objectives.
    • The provisions in draft NFP 2021 include substantially increasing the tree cover outside forests by incentivising and promoting agro-forestry and farm forestry; managing and expanding green spaces in urban and peri-urban areas to enhance citizens’ well-being; plantation of trees outside forests in partnership with local communities, land-owning agencies, and private enterprises; creation, sustainable management and promotion of urban forests; afforestation/reforestation in public-private partnership (PPP) mode; promotion of urban forests.

    Conclusion

    It is with this holistic approach that India is moving towards restoring the ecological balance of the planet and ensuring sustainable development.

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  • Species in news: White-Cheeked Macaque

    In an important discovery, scientists have recorded presence of White-Cheeked Macaque (Macaca leucogenys) from central Arunachal Pradesh.

    White-Cheeked Macaque

    • White- Cheeked Macaques are distinct from other macaques found in the region by displaying white cheeks, long and thick hairs on the neck area, and a longer tail.
    • The species was discovered in 2015 by a group of Chinese scientists from the Modog region in southeastern Tibet.
    • This discovery was considered a significant breakthrough as far as primates are concerned.

    Existence in India

    • From India, the species has not been sighted or reported after a single incidence of photographic capture from Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh in 2015.
    • The number of these mammals reported from India stands at 434.
    • The significance of the discovery is that it marks a new addition to mammals of India.

    Protection status

    • It has NOT been yet included in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 of India.
    • The potential threat to all species of macaques in the landscape is due to hunting by locals for consumption and habitat degradation due to urbanization and infrastructure development.

     

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  • What is Havana Syndrome?

    A recent US intelligence report says that ‘Havana Syndrome’ —a collection of symptoms and related brain injuries, reported by some US officials could be caused by pulsed electromagnetic energy or close-range ultrasound.

    What is Havana Syndrome?

    • ‘Havana Syndrome’ is a colloquial name given to a set of symptoms such as dizziness, hearing loss, headaches, vertigo, nausea, memory loss and possible brain injuries.
    • It was first reported by 16 American Embassy staff and their family members in Havana, Cuba, in 2016-17.
    • There have been other instances of the phenomenon, which has mostly impacted US officials.

    What did the latest investigation find?

    • Such cases have been caused by pulsed electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency.
    • The results of the investigation did not point to who may have been behind the phenomenon, nor commented on their motivations.
    • A partially redacted report summary finds that the symptoms of AHI are “genuine and compelling.”

    What can be the other reasons?

    • Psychosocial factors alone do not explain the core characteristics, the report finds, although they may cause other incidents or contribute to long-term effects.
    • These other incidents could occur via hyper-vigilance or reactions to stress especially among individuals who are security-oriented.

     

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  • Places in news: Basai Wetlands

    The Basai Wetlands in Gurugram has shrunk to a quarter of its original size over the years.

    Basai Wetlands

    • Basai wetland, located in Basai village in Gurgaon Haryana is a flora and fauna rich water body.
    • It lies in one of the paleochannel of the Sahibi River, a tributary of Yamuna which originates from the Aravalli range in Rajasthan and flows through the region.

    Its significance

    • It is recognized as one of India’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and is of global conservation significance.
    • It supports populations of several endangered, vulnerable, and threatened bird species.
    • It is recognized globally as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the BirdLife International housing 20,000 birds of over 280 species including migratory birds and endangered birds.
    • However, it has not yet been declared a protected wetland by the Government of Haryana.

    Threats

    • Given the accelerated expansion of the city of the future, the wetland continues to disappear under newly laid roads, modern housing constructions and other infrastructure development.
    • An upcoming expressway, cutting through the terrain here, has majorly impacted the flyway of thousands of migratory birds from Europe and Central Asia.

     

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  • Species in news: Golden Langur

    Neighbours of a golden langur habitat in western Assam’s Bongaigaon district have opposed a move by the State government to upgrade it to a wildlife sanctuary.

    Kajoijana Bamuni Hill Wildlife Sanctuary

    • The Assam Forest Department has issued a preliminary notification for converting the 19.85 sq. km. patch of forest into the Kajoijana Bamuni Hill Wildlife Sanctuary.
    • It is one of the better-known homes of the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) found only in Assam and Bhutan.

    About Golden Langur

    • Gee’s golden langur (Trachypithecus geei), also known as simply the golden langur, is an Old World monkey.
    • It is found in a small region of Western Assam and in the neighboring foothills of the Black Mountains of Bhutan.
    • Long considered sacred by many Himalayan people, the golden langur was first brought to the attention of the western world by the naturalist Edward Pritchard Gee in the 1950s.
    • Adult males have a cream to golden coat with darker flanks while the females and juveniles are lighter.
    • It has a black face and a long tail up to 50 cm in length.

    Its habitat

    • It lives in high trees and has a herbivorous diet of ripe and unripe fruits, mature and young leaves, seeds, buds and flowers.
    • The average group size is eight individuals, with a ratio of several females to each adult male.
    • It is one of the most endangered primate species of India and Bhutan.

    Distribution

    • Its habitat is bounded on the south by the Brahmaputra River, on the east by the Manas River, on the west by the Sankosh River, in Assam and on the north by the Black Mountains of Bhutan.

    Conservation status

    • IUCN Red List: Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

     

    Try this question from CSP 2014:

     

    Q. Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

     

    (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Asiatic Wild Ass

    (b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetah, Blue Bull, Great Indian Bustard

    (c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey, Saras (Crane)

    (d) Lion Tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur, Cheetah

     

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  • [pib] Definition of Forest in India

    The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change has informed about the criteria used to define forest in India.

    Defining Forests universally

    • As per the Conference of Parties (CoP) 9-Kyoto Protocol, the forest can be defined by any country depending upon the capacities and capabilities of the country.
    • Forest- Forest is defined structurally on the basis of
    1. Crown cover percentage: Tree crown cover- 10 to 30% (India 10%)
    2. Minimum area of stand: area between 0.05 and 1 hectare (India 1.0 hectare) and
    3. Minimum height of trees: Potential to reach a minimum height at maturity in situ of 2 to 5 m (India 2m)

    India’s definition of Forests

    The definition of forest cover has clearly been defined in all the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) and in all the International communications of India.

    • The forest cover is defined as ‘all land, more than one hectare in area, with a tree canopy density of more than 10 percent irrespective of ownership and legal status.
    • Such land may not necessarily be a recorded forest area. It also includes orchards, bamboo and palm’.

    Classification of forest cover

    In ISFR 2021 recently published has divided the forest cover as:

    1. Inside Recorded Forest Area: These are basically natural forests and plantations of Forest Department.
    2. Outside Recorded Forest Area: These cover mango orchards, coconut plantations, block plantations of agroforestry.

    Back2Basics: Forest Classification in India

    The Forest Survey of India (FSI) classifies forest cover in 4 classes.

    • Very Dense forest: All lands with tree cover (including mangrove cover) of canopy density of 70% and above.
    • Moderately dense forest: All lands with tree cover (including mangrove cover) of canopy density between 40% and 70%.
    • Open forests: All lands with tree cover (including mangrove cover) of canopy density between 10% and 40%.
    • Scrubs: All forest lands with poor tree growth mainly of small or stunted trees having canopy density less than 10%.

     

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  • Places in news: Godavari Estuary in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS)

    Godavari Estuary in Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) is facing due ignorance despite meeting all nine criteria of Ramsar Convention.

    Godavari Estuary

    • The estuary, including 235.70 sq. km Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS), is one of the rarest eco-regions on the earth.
    • It is also home to India’s second-largest mangrove cover after the Sundarbans.
    • The CWS is inhabited by 115 endangered fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus), Olive Ridley turtles, Indian smooth-coated otter, and saltwater crocodiles.

    What are the nine criteria laid out by Ramsar Convention?

    • Criterion 1: “it contains a representative, rare, or unique example of a natural or near-natural wetland type found within the appropriate biogeographic region.”
    • Criterion 2: “it supports vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered species or threatened ecological communities.”
    • Criterion 3: “it supports populations of plant and/or animal species important for maintaining the biological diversity of a particular biogeographic region.”
    • Criterion 4: “it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions.”
    • Criterion 5: “it regularly supports 20,000 or more waterbirds.”
    • Criterion 6: “it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of waterbird.”
    • Criterion 7: “it supports a significant proportion of indigenous fish subspecies, species or families, life-history stages, species interactions and/or populations that are representative of wetland benefits and/or values and thereby contributes to global biological diversity.”
    • Criterion 8: “it is an important source of food for fishes, spawning ground, nursery and/or migration path on which fish stocks, either within the wetland or elsewhere, depend.”
    • Criterion 9: “it regularly supports 1% of the individuals in a population of one species or subspecies of wetland-dependent non-avian animal species.”

    Back2Basics: Ramsar Convention

    • The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (better known as the Ramsar Convention) is an international agreement promoting the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
    • It is the only global treaty to focus on a single ecosystem.
    • The convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
    • Traditionally viewed as a wasteland or breeding ground of disease, wetlands actually provide fresh water and food and serve as nature’s shock absorber.
    • Wetlands, critical for biodiversity, are disappearing rapidly, with recent estimates showing that 64% or more of the world’s wetlands have vanished since 1900.
    • Major changes in land use for agriculture and grazing, water diversion for dams and canals, and infrastructure development are considered to be some of the main causes of loss and degradation of wetlands.

     

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  • Places in news: Sultanpur National Park

    Homestays would soon be allowed in the villages around Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram to promote tourism and provide an opportunity for the visitors to catch a glimpse of rural life in Haryana.

    Sultanpur National Park

    • Sultanpur NP is located at Sultanpur village on Gurugram-Jhajjar highway, 15 km from Gurugram, Haryana and 50 km from Delhi.
    • It was a bird sanctuary, ideal for birding and bird lookers. Its area covers approximately 142.52 hectares.
    • Migratory birds start arriving in the park in September. Birds use the park as a resting place till the following March-April.
    • During summer and monsoon months the park is inhabited by many local bird species.
    • In April 1971, the Sultanpur Jheel inside the park (an area of 1.21 sq. km.) was accorded Sanctuary status under section 8 of the Punjab Wildlife Preservation Act of 1959.
    • The status of the park was upgraded to National Park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in July 1991.

    Why must we remember it?

    • It is one of the few NPs in the small state of Haryana.
    • Another NP in Haryana is Kalesar National Park.

    Important Fauna at the Park

    • Mammals: Blackbuck, Nilgai, Hog deer, Sambar, Leopard etc.
    • Birds: Siberian Cranes, Greater Flamingo, Demoiselle Crane etc.

     

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  • Species in news: Septemeranthus

    A new genus of a parasitic flowering plant has recently been discovered from the Nicobar group of islands.

    Septemeranthus

    • The genus Septemeranthus grows on the plant species Horsfieldia glabra (Blume) Warb.
    • The parasitic flowering plants have a modified root structure spread on the stem of the tree and are anchored inside the bark of the host tree.
    • It has a distinct vegetative morphology, inflorescence architecture and floral characters.
    • The leaves of the plant are heart-shaped with a very long tip and the ovary,fruit and seeds are ‘urceolate’ (earthen pot-shaped).
    • Birds consume viscous seeds of this new genus and seeds have potential of pseudo viviparous germination that deposit on the leaves and branches of their same plant which is already attached to host plants.

    Key features

    • They need a host tree or shrub in order to thrive and exhibit a worldwide distribution in tropical as well as temperate habitats.
    • They are important in forest ecology, pathology and medicine.
    • They play an important role as they provide food for frugivorous birds.

    Try this PYQ from CSP 2019:

    Q.Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of

    (a) anti-malarial drug

    (b) bio-diesel

    (c) pulp for paper industry

    (d) textile fibre

     

     

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  • What is Pollution-Under-Control (PUC) Certificate?

    Delhi govt will soon make PUC certificate mandatory for fuel at filling stations.

    What is PUC Certificate?

    • The PUC certificate is a document that any person driving a motor vehicle can be asked to produce by a police officer in uniform authorized by the state government.
    • These issue certificates if a vehicle is found complying with the prescribed emission norms.
    • Since the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 came into force, PUC certificate has been made mandatory.
    • A PUC certificate contains information such as the vehicle’s license plate number, PUC test reading, date on which the PUC test was conducted and the expiry date.

    How is a pollution control check carried out?

    • The computerized model for pollution check was developed by the Society of Indian Automobile manufacturers.
    • A gas analyzer is connected to a computer, to which a camera and a printer are attached.
    • The gas analyzer records the emission value and sends it to the computer directly, while the camera captures the license plate of the vehicle.
    • Subsequently, a certificate may be issued if the emission values are within the limits.

    Fines for non-compliance

    • The test costs between Rs 60 and Rs 100.
    • The validity of the test is one year for BS IV vehicles and three months for others.
    • The fine for PUC violations has now gone up to Rs 10,000; it used to be Rs 1,000 for the first offence and Rs 2,000 for subsequent violations before the amendments came into force.

     

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