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

  • Water Bankruptcy and Global Agriculture

    Why in the News?

    A recent UN report titled Global Water Bankruptcy: Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means in the Post Crisis Era, released by United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health on 20 January 2026, warns that the world has entered a phase of global water bankruptcy, severely impacting agriculture and food security.

    What is Water Bankruptcy?

    • A condition where long term water use exceeds renewable inflows and safe depletion limits
    • Agriculture is no longer facing a temporary water crisis but operating beyond hydrological sustainability
    • Rivers, lakes, aquifers, wetlands, soils and glaciers damaged beyond realistic recovery

    Key Findings of the Report

    • Agriculture and Water Use: ~70 percent of global freshwater withdrawals used for agriculture.Expansion of agricultural land is no longer viable
    • Scale of Exposure:~3 billion people live in areas with declining or unstable water storage. More than half of global food production located in water stressed regions. 170 million hectares of irrigated cropland under high or very high water stress.
    • Land and Soil Degradation: Over 50 percent of global agricultural land moderately or severely degraded. Global salinisation has degraded. 82 million hectares of rainfed cropland. 24 million hectares of irrigated cropland. Accelerates desertification and reduces soil moisture retention.
    [2021] Among the following, which one is the least water efficient crop? 

    (a) Sugarcane 

    (b) Sunflower 

    (c) Pearl millet 

    (d) Red gram

  • Mysterious “Boiling” Seawater off Gujarat Coast

    Why in the News?

    Authorities and fishing communities have reported unusual churning and bubbling of seawater off the Gujarat coast in the Arabian Sea, prompting disaster management agencies to issue alerts and advise vessels to exercise extreme caution.

    What is Being Observed?

    • Large patches of seawater showing continuous bubbling and turbulence, resembling surface boiling
    • Phenomenon captured in videos by fishermen
    • Observed close to fishing grounds and sea transport routes

    Possible Causes  

    Natural causes

    • Methane or natural gas seepage from seabed
    • Underwater tectonic activity
    • Activity along nearby submarine ridges like the Murray Ridge or Carlsberg Ridge
    • Hydrothermal or volcanic processes

    Anthropogenic causes

    • Leakage from undersea gas or oil pipelines
    • Industrial accidents linked to offshore installations
    • Disturbances caused by heavy maritime traffic

    Prelims Pointers

    • Bubbling seas can indicate methane hydrate release
    • Arabian Sea hosts active submarine ridges, unlike the Bay of Bengal
    • Such phenomena do not automatically imply tsunamis, but signal seabed processes
    [2019] Which of the following statements are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’? 

    1. Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits

    2. Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the seafloor

    3. Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • India expands GHG emission intensity regime to four more sectors

    Why in the news

    • The Union Government has expanded the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity reduction regime to four additional industrial sectors under amended rules notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
    • The move operationalises India’s Carbon Credit Trading framework and strengthens compliance based climate mitigation.

    Newly included sectors

    • Petroleum refineries, Petrochemicals, Textiles, andSecondary aluminium
    • These are in addition to aluminium, cement, chlor alkali and pulp and paper sectors notified earlier.

    Coverage

    • 208 industrial units across India
      • 173 textile units
      • 21 petroleum refineries
      • 11 petrochemical units
      • 3 secondary aluminium units
    • Major public sector and private companies covered include
      • ONGC, Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum, Numaligarh Refinery and Reliance Industries.

    Legal and policy framework

    • Notified as Greenhouse Gases Emission Intensity Target Amendment Rules
    • Issued under the compliance mechanism of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023
    • Enforced by the Central Pollution Control Board

    What is GEI (Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity) target?

    • Mandatory reduction of GHG emissions per unit of output
    • Baseline year is 2023 to 24
    • Targets apply from 2025 to 26
    • Overall reduction of 3 to 7 percent by 2026 to 27

    Compliance and penalty

    • Units must either
      • Meet GEI targets
      • Or submit carbon credit certificates equal to the shortfall
    • Non compliance penalty
      • Imposed as environmental compensation by CPCB
      • Amount equals twice the average carbon credit price in that trading cycle
      • Payable within 90 days

    Climate significance

    • Aligns with India’s net zero target of 2070
    • Supports India’s Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement
    • Promotes market driven decarbonisation instead of criminal penalties
    • Pushes energy efficiency and cleaner technologies in high emission sectors

    UPSC Prelims pointers

    • GEI focuses on emission intensity, not absolute emissions
    • Linked to Carbon Credit Trading Scheme 2023
    • Penalty equals 2 times average carbon credit price
    • Enforcement by CPCB
    • Supports India’s net zero 2070 pathway
    [2011] Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct? 

    (a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol

    (b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota

    (c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission

    (d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations environment programs

  • BNHS and NMCG launch project to protect Indian Skimmer

    Why in the news

    Bombay Natural History Society and National Mission for Clean Ganga have launched a new conservation project in Dehradun to protect the endangered Indian Skimmer in the Ganga Basin. The project was inaugurated by the Union Minister for Jal Shakti C R Patil.

    About Indian Skimmer

    • Scientific name: Rynchops albicollis
    • IUCN status: Endangered
    • Habitat: Large rivers, estuaries, sandbars and islands
    • India hosts around 90 percent of the global population, making conservation nationally critical.

    Core objective

    • Protection of river sandbars, which are crucial nesting and breeding habitats for Indian Skimmer and other riverine birds.

    Major threats addressed

    • Sand mining on riverbeds
    • Altered river flows and sudden water releases from dams
    • Human and livestock disturbance
    • Predation and habitat fragmentation

    Geographical coverage

    • National Chambal Sanctuary
    • Upper Ganga near Bijnor and Narora
    • Ganga Yamuna confluence at Prayagraj
    • Lower Ganga near the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar

    UPSC Prelims pointers

    • Indian Skimmer nests on exposed river sandbars.
    • India holds the largest global population share of the species.
    • Project combines science, community participation, and river planning.
    • Linked with Namami Gange ecosystem restoration goals.
    [2014] With reference to Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), consider the following statements: 1. It is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Environment and Forests

    2. It strives to conserve nature through action-based research, education and public awareness

    3. It organizes and conducts nature trails and camps for the general public

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

    (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 only

  • Environmental (Protection) Fund

    Why in the news

    The Union Government notified detailed rules in January 2026 to operationalise the Environmental (Protection) Fund, a reform enabled by the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023.

    About

    • A statutory fund of the Government of India created to channel environmental penalties into pollution control, restoration, monitoring, research, and capacity building.
    • Converts monetary penalties into direct environmental remediation.

    Legal basis

    • Provided under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
    • Detailed rules notified in January 2026.
    • Strengthened by the Jan Vishwas Act, 2023, which decriminalised several environmental offences while retaining penalties.

    Nodal authority

    • Administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change or any body notified by the Central Government.

    Aim

    • Ensure that pollution penalties are recycled for environmental protection, remediation, clean technology promotion, and stronger regulatory institutions.

    Key features

    • Sources of funds
      • Penalties under the Air Act 1981 and Environment Act 1986
      • Interest from investments
      • Other prescribed sources
    • Permitted uses (11 activities)
      • Pollution prevention and mitigation
      • Remediation of contaminated sites
      • Environmental monitoring equipment
      • Clean technology research
      • IT enabled regulatory systems
      • Laboratory infrastructure
      • Capacity building of regulatory bodies
    • Revenue sharing
      • 75% of penalty proceeds to the Consolidated Fund of the State or UT
      • 25% retained by the Centre
    • Governance: Dedicated Project Management Units at Central and State levels
    • Oversight and transparency
      • Audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India
      • Centralised online portal developed by the Central Pollution Control Board
    [2019] Consider the following statements: The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to: 

    1. State the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought

    2. Lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • Second Range wide Dolphin Survey

    Why in the News?

    The Second Range wide Dolphin Survey has been launched from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh under Project Dolphin to update dolphin population estimates, assess habitat quality and identify threats across India’s river systems.

    About Project Dolphin

    A national conservation initiative of the Government of India for protecting riverine and oceanic dolphins through habitat protection, scientific monitoring and community participation.

    Key details

    • Launched: 15 August 2020
    • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
    • Aim:
      • Conserve dolphin diversity in India
      • Address threats like pollution, habitat degradation, by catch and altered river flows
      • Involve local communities and stakeholders

    Key features

    • 10 year initiative with pan India coverage
    • Focus on riverine and oceanic species
    • Scientific surveys and monitoring for population trends
    • Linked with river ecosystem conservation and policy action

    Second Range wide Dolphin Survey

    • A pan India scientific estimation exercise to assess:
      • Dolphin population size
      • Distribution and habitat condition
      • Anthropogenic and ecological threats

    Covers riverine and estuarine dolphins in a structured manner.

    Implementation and coverage

    • Phase I:
      • Main stem of the Ganga from Bijnor to Ganga Sagar
      • Indus river system
    • Phase II: Brahmaputra, Ganga tributaries, Sundarbans delta and Odisha river and estuarine systems
    • Coordinating agency: Wildlife Institute of India
    • Implemented with State Forest Departments and conservation partners
    • Uses standardised protocols, hydrophones for acoustic monitoring and trained field teams

    Note: Oceanic dolphins in Indian waters include Indo-Pacific bottlenose (Tursiops aduncus), spinner (Stenella longirostris), seen along Gujarat, Kerala, Odisha coasts in Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

    Previous Survey Findings (2021 to 2023)

    • Around 6,327 riverine dolphins recorded across India
    • Highest populations: Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
    • Followed by West Bengal and Assam
    • Small population of Indus River Dolphin recorded in the Beas system

    Prelims Takeaways

    • Project Dolphin was launched in 2020
    • Nodal ministry is MoEFCC
    • Second survey uses acoustic monitoring via hydrophones
    • Ganga and Brahmaputra systems are key dolphin habitats
    • India hosts both riverine and oceanic dolphins
    [2014] Other than poaching, what are the possible reasons for the decline in the population of Ganga River Dolphins? 

    1. Construction of dams and barrages on rivers

    2. Increase in the population of crocodiles in rivers

    3. Getting trapped in fishing nets accidentally

    4. Use of synthetic fertilizers and other agricultural chemicals in crop-fields in the vicinity of rivers

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only

  • Dugong

    Why in the News?

    The Union government’s Expert Appraisal Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has asked Tamil Nadu to revise the design of the proposed International Dugong Conservation Centre at Manora in Thanjavur.

    About

    • Large, slow moving marine mammal, commonly called sea cow
    • Exclusively herbivorous, feeds only on seagrass
    • Recognised as a keystone species for seagrass ecosystems
    • Scientific name: Dugong dugon

    Habitat

    • Found in warm, shallow coastal waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean
    • Prefers seagrass meadows, estuaries, lagoons and nearshore areas
    • Strictly marine species, does not enter freshwater unlike manatees
    • IUCN status: Vulnerable as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature

    UPSC Prelims Pointers

    • Dugong is a marine mammal, not a fish
    • Only marine sirenian found in Indian waters
    • Depends entirely on seagrass meadows
    • Listed as Vulnerable by IUCN
    • Protection of dugongs also conserves coastal seagrass ecosystems
    [2015] With reference to ‘dugong’, a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? 

    1. It is a herbivorous marine animal

    2. It is found along the entire coast of India

    3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

    Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only

  • Vulture Safe Zones in Tamil Nadu

    Why in the News?

    The Tamil Nadu Forest Department informed the Madras High Court that the process of establishing Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs) has begun in the State to protect critically endangered vulture species from toxic veterinary drugs.

    Background of the Case

    • Submission made before a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Manindra Mohan Shrivastava
    • Status report filed in response to a Public Interest Litigation
    • PIL filed by K Surya Kumar
    • Aim is to prevent mass mortality and near extinction of vultures

    What are Vulture Safe Zones (VSZs)?

    • Geographically defined areas
    • Use of toxic veterinary NSAIDs strictly prohibited
    • Ensure availability of safe carcasses for vultures
    • Promote recovery of vulture populations
    • Part of India’s vulture conservation strategy

    Major Threat Addressed

    • Diclofenac and other NSAIDs
      • Used to treat cattle
      • Residues remain in carcasses
      • Cause kidney failure in vultures
    • Primary reason for over 95 percent decline in vulture population in India since the 1990s

    Prelims Pointers

    • Vulture Safe Zones target NSAID free landscapes
    • Diclofenac is the most lethal drug for vultures
    • First VSZ in Tamil Nadu proposed in Moyar River Valley
    • Monitoring radius is 100 km
    • Based on Vision Document for Vulture Conservation 2025 to 2030
    • Vultures are protected under Wildlife Protection Act 1972
    [2012] Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to: 

    (a) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species 

    (b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle 

    (c) scarcity of food available to them 

    (d) a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them

  • Rise in Mugger Crocodile Population in Similipal National Park

    Why in the News?

    Similipal National Park in Odisha recorded an increase in its mugger crocodile population to 84 during a three day census in 2026, reversing a declining trend observed in recent years.

    About Similipal National Park

    • A National Park, Tiger Reserve, and Biosphere Reserve
    • Forms part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve
    • Included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2009
    • Among India’s most biodiverse protected landscapes

    Location

    • Situated in Mayurbhanj district, northern Odisha
    • Lies within the Eastern Ghats
    • Area of about 2,750 sq km
    • One of the largest tiger reserves in India

    Mugger Crocodile Census and Conservation

    Census Findings

    • 2026 census recorded 84 mugger crocodiles
    • Increase from 81 individuals in 2025
    • West Deo River alone hosts about 60 crocodiles
    • Indicates stabilisation and early recovery of the species

    Conservation Efforts

    • Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List
    • Recovery attributed to the Ramtirtha Mugger Crocodile Breeding Centre
    • Centre releases hatchlings annually into Similipal rivers
    • Focus on
      • Habitat protection
      • Scientific monitoring
      • Assisted population reinforcement
    [2011] Two important rivers — one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha — merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area. Which one of the following could be this? 

    (a) Bhitarkanika 

    (b) Chandipur-on-sea 

    (c) Gopalpur-on-sea 

    (d) Simlipal

  • Karuna Abhiyan 2026

    Why in the News?

    The Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel visited the Wildlife Care Centre at Bodakdev, Ahmedabad to review rescue and treatment operations under Karuna Abhiyan 2026, a statewide initiative to rescue birds injured by kite strings during the Uttarayan festival.

    About Karuna Abhiyan

    • Karuna Abhiyan is a state led compassionate wildlife rescue campaign aimed at saving birds and animals injured during festivals, especially Uttarayan.
    • It focuses on rescue, treatment, rehabilitation and release of injured wildlife.
    • Launched in 2017
    • First state driven initiative of its kind in India
    • Implementing Departments: Forest Department, Animal Husbandry Department, Municipal bodies and Voluntary organisations and NGOs

    Special Features

    • Water Birds Unit for specialised avian care
    • 24×7 WhatsApp helpline: 8320002000
      • Sending “Hi” provides district wise treatment centre details
    • Emergency helpline: 1926
    • Animal Husbandry helpline: 1962

    Prelims Pointers

    • Karuna Abhiyan was launched in 2017 by Gujarat
    • Conducted mainly during Uttarayan
    • Focuses on bird and animal rescue
    • Uses WhatsApp based grievance and rescue reporting
    • Considered the first state driven wildlife rescue campaign in India
    [2014] Every year, a month-long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the following are such communities/tribes? 

    (a) Bhutia and Lepcha 

    (b) Gond and Korku 

    (c) Irula and Toda 

    (d) Sahariya and Agariya