The Cheetah Action Plan (CAP) which aimed to introduce African cheetahs into India’s Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs), is completing its two years.
About Cheetah:
The cheetah is a fast-running big cat, and there are two types of Cheetahs globally:
African (savannahs, arid mountains, and hilly deserts)
Asiatic (desert and semi-desert areas only in Iran)
Cheetahs live in three main groups: females with cubs, male coalitions, and solitary males. They hunt during the day, preferring dawn and dusk.
The global cheetah population was 6,500 mature individuals (IUCN, 2021).
IUCN Status: Vulnerable (Globally) and Critically Endangered (Asiatic Cheetah)
Cheetah Reintroduction in India:
In India, cheetahs disappeared in the early 1950s due to hunting and the loss of their habitat.
Cheetahs (i.e. Southeast African Cheetah) from Namibia were reintroduced in Kuno National Park(MP) under the Project Cheetah.
This area was deemed a habitat parallel to Maasai Mara (National Park) in Kenya, suitable for cheetahs.
Current Issues:
Despite the initial excitement, all of these cheetahs remain in captivity at Kuno.
Unfortunately, no cheetahs are currently roaming freely in the wild, raising concerns about the success of the reintroduction efforts.
What is Project Cheetah?
Aim: To conserve threatened species and restore ecosystem functions. It is spearheaded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
The plan involves partnering with other countries to conserve cheetahs, enhancing conservation and eco-tourism in India’s dry forests.
The population should reach Kuno National Park’s capacity in 15 years, needing sustained support.
Sunset Clause: The concept of a sunset clause in the context of Project Cheetah refers to the long-term criteria (at least 30-40 years) for establishing a viable cheetah population in India.
PYQ:
[2012] Consider the following: (2012)
Black-necked crane
Cheetah
Flying squirrel
Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q ‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (UPSC CSE 2015)
Q Describe the major outcomes of the 26th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). What are the commitments made by India in this conference? (UPSC CSE 2021)
Q ‘Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (UPSC CSE 2022)
Prelims:
With reference to the ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2017) 1. It is an initiative of the European Union. 2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets. 3. It is coordinated by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
Mentor’s Comment: The alarming trend of breaching planetary boundaries, highlighted by the shift of Earth’s “overshoot day” from 1970 to 2024, underscores the urgent need for immediate action.
So, what is Earth’s Overshoot Day?
Earth’s Overshoot Day (30 December 1970), is the day when humanity’s demand for resources exceeds the Earth’s ability to regenerate them within a year. The Global Footprint Network, an international research organization, calculates Earth Overshoot Day by dividing the Earth’s biocapacity by humanity’s ecological footprint and multiplying by 365. The remainder is the number of days when humanity exceeds the Earth’s capacity.
Now, as we have exhausted our planet’s capacity to renew its natural resources, we risk upcoming future generations with a depleted and uninhabitable world. We must change our course to not only safeguard the well-being of those currently affected by environmental degradation but also to fulfill our moral obligation to protect the rights and livelihoods of future generations.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
The Summit of the Future at the UN in September 2024 will bring together stakeholders to explore multilateral solutions to pressing global challenges, to create a more secure and equitable future for all.
About Summit of the Future 2024:
• United Nations is convening this Summit on 20 and 21 September 2024 at UN Headquarters in New York. •Theme: Multilateral Solutions for a Better Tomorrow. •Aim: To bring world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future. •Major Pillars of the Summit: Sustainable development and Financing for development, International peace and security, Science and Technology, Youth and Future generations, Global Governance.
How do different countries view the legal obligations towards future generations?
An argument against Legal Duties: Some, like legal scholar Stephen Humphreys, believe the focus on future generations is just rhetoric belief that distracts from the real needs of people alive today.
It allows governments to prioritize short-term economic gains over environmental protection, by claiming they are securing a better future.
Argument for Future Generations’ Rights: In contrast, a group of legal experts, including Margaretha Wewerinke-Singh, argue that existing human rights law already protects future generations.
They point to the Maastricht Principles, which state that human rights extend across time and that states have legal duties to future generations.
How do Maastricht Principles connect future generations to Climate justice?
•Intergenerational Equity: The Principles assert that human rights are not limited to present generations; they extend to future generations as well. •Right to a Healthy Environment: A core aspect of the Principles is the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment which is essential for ensuring that future generations can enjoy their fundamental human rights, including health, adequate living standards, and access to natural resources. •State Obligations: The Principles clarify that states have binding obligations which include taking proactive measures to combat climate change, promote sustainable development, and prevent environmental degradation that could harm future populations. •Guidance for Legal Frameworks: They help ensure that national and international laws reflect commitments to intergenerational justice, particularly in the context of environmental policies and climate action.
Growing Legal Recognition:
Global Scenario:
Germany’s top court ruled parts of its climate law were unconstitutional for not sufficiently protecting young people’s rights.
Pakistan’s Supreme Court upheld a ban on polluting industries to prevent “decolonizing our future generations”.
Kenya’s High Court stated the present generation has a legal obligation to maintain natural resources for the future.
Norway’sConstitution gives everyone a right to a well-maintained environment for future generations.
Indian Scenario:
Recently, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) of India has also upheld the principle of intergenerational equity in the right to environment.
Need to pay heed to ‘overshoot day’: By prioritizing sustainable practices and responsible stewardship of our planet, we should prevent the irresponsible legacy of environmental bankruptcy and ensure a thriving Earth for generations to come. The time to act is now; our collective future depends on it.
The retreat of glaciers is one of the most visible indicators of climate change, but it also creates new ecosystems that could play a role in mitigating its effects, according to a global study titled ‘The Development of Terrestrial Ecosystems Emerging After Glacier Retreat’ published in “Nature”.
How are Glaciers Formed?
Glaciers form when snowfall accumulates over time in a particular area where temperatures are consistently cold enough for snow to remain year-round.
Over the years, the weight of accumulating snow compresses the lower layers, turning them into firn (a dense snowpack). Further compression transforms firn into ice.
Once thick enough, glaciers begin to move under the force of gravity, flowing slowly like rivers of ice. The glacier’s movement is driven by the internal deformation of the ice and sliding at its base, leading to the formation of crevasses and other glacial features.
What is Glacier Retreat?
Glacier retreat refers to the process where glaciers lose mass due to melting and insufficient snowfall to replenish their ice. This phenomenon is accelerated by climate change, leading to rising sea levels and altered water supplies.
As global temperatures rise, glaciers shrink more rapidly, which impacts ecosystems and human communities that rely on glacial meltwater for drinking, agriculture, and hydropower.
Key Highlights of the Recent Study
The recent study titled “The Development of Terrestrial Ecosystems Emerging After Glacier Retreat,” published in Nature, presents several significant findings:
Ecosystem Development: The study indicates that while glacier retreat is a clear sign of climate change, it also leads to the emergence of new ecosystems that can mitigate climate change effects because of it can enhance carbon capture and storage through biogeochemical processes.
Microbial Colonization: Following glacier retreat, microorganisms such as bacteria and algae are the first to colonize the barren landscapes, which helps in soil formation.
Within a decade, hardy plants like lichens and grasses establish themselves, further enriching the soil and enabling more complex life forms to thrive.
Management Importance: The study emphasizes that with appropriate strategies to manage it because, these areas can quickly develop, providing habitats for species threatened by climate change and contributing to biodiversity conservation.
Water Regulation: In regions like the Himalayas, post-glacial ecosystems are vital for regulating water availability, impacting rivers that support millions of people.
Potential for Discoveries: The biodiversity in these areas may lead to new agricultural and medicinal discoveries, highlighting the ecological benefits of protecting and studying these ecosystems
Way forward:
Ecosystem Management: Implement strategies for managing emerging post-glacial ecosystems to enhance their carbon capture potential and biodiversity conservation, supporting climate change mitigation efforts.
Research and Conservation: Prioritize research on these ecosystems, particularly in regions like the Himalayas, to safeguard water resources and explore potential agricultural and medicinal discoveries, benefiting both the environment and local economies.
Mains PYQ:
Q Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent. (UPSC IAS/2014)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to submit a fresh report on the generation and treatment of electronic waste by states and Union territories (UTs).
AboutCentral Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
Details
Constitution
Established in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
Additional Powers
Empowered under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
Also works under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Nodal Ministry
Functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Main Objective
To promote the prevention, control, and abatement of water and air pollution across India.
Collects and disseminates technical and statistical data on water and air pollution.
Key Programs
National Air Monitoring Programme (NAMP)
National Water Quality Monitoring Program (NWQMP)
Oversees the National Air Quality Index (NAQI) to provide real-time data on air quality.
Initiatives
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP)
Clean Air Campaign
PYQ:
[2018] How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?
1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct-?
The Centre has recently approved transferring 256 acres of Mumbai’s salt pan land to DRPPL, a joint venture with Adani Realty, for constructing rental housing for slum residents.
What are Salt Pan Lands?
Salt pan lands are low-lying areas where seawater is allowed to flow in and evaporate, leaving behind salt and other minerals.
These lands are part of an important ecological system that, along with mangroves, helps in flood control by absorbing excess water during heavy rainfall and high tides.
Why are Mumbai’s Salt Pan Lands at Risk?
Development Pressures: Salt pans are valuable as undeveloped land in Mumbai, leading to proposals for various development projects, including affordable housing and infrastructure.
Government Plans: Recent approvals, such as the transfer of 256 acres of salt pan land for the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, have faced criticism due to concerns that such development will encroach on these ecologically sensitive areas.
Legal and Administrative Challenges: Past plans for using saltpan lands for development have been put on hold or altered due to legal and environmental challenges, including those concerning the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.
Why do Salt Pans Matter?
Flood Prevention: Salt pans play a crucial role in preventing flooding in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs by acting as natural reservoirs for excess water during heavy rains and high tides.
During significant rainfall events, such as the July 2005 deluge, salt pans helped mitigate the impact of flooding, emphasizing their importance in urban flood management.
Environmental Protection: They support local biodiversity, including various species of birds and insects. Destroying or altering these lands could disrupt these ecosystems.
Climate Resilience: Salt pans contribute to the city’s climate resilience strategy, making their preservation crucial for managing future climate-related challenges.
National Context:
Across India, approximately 60,000 acres are designated as salt pan lands, distributed among states like Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra.
These lands are crucial for local ecosystems and flood management, highlighting the broader importance of preserving such areas from development pressures.
Way Forward:
Strengthen Environmental Regulations: Enhance the enforcement of Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms and other environmental regulations to safeguard salt pan lands.
Promote Sustainable Land Use Planning: Integrate salt pan lands into urban planning strategies as critical components of flood management and biodiversity conservation.
Natural geographic separation is happening among Asiatic lion populations in Gujarat, and there is no immediate need to relocate them, says the director general of the International Big Cat Alliance.
About Asiatic Lion
Asiatic Lion, part of the Panthera Leo Leo subspecies, is found only in India, with a distinct belly skin fold.
Once spread across West Asia and India, now limited to Gir National Park, where the population increased in 2020.
Asiatic lions face threats from diseases, natural disasters, poaching and retaliation for livestock attacks.
They are classified as Endangered(IUCN), listed in CITESAppendix I, and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act.
The Asiatic Lion Conservation Project (2018-2021) aims for scientific management and community involvement.
About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Details
Objective
Protect and conserve 7 big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
Initial Funding
₹150 crore from the Government of India for five years, with additional funding from global agencies.
Membership
Open to 96 range countries with natural big cat habitats.
Key Activities
Advocacy, knowledge sharing, capacity building, eco-tourism promotion, and resource mobilization.
Governance
General Assembly, elected Council, and Secretariat. Secretary General appointed by the Assembly.
Governance Framework
Based on the International Solar Alliance (ISA); finalized by the International Steering Committee.
India’s Role
India is home to 5 of the 7 big cats: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah.
India hosts about 70% of the world’s tiger population and has seen steady growth in its Asiatic lion population.
PYQ:
[2012] Consider the following:
Black-necked crane
Cheetah
Flying squirrel
Snow leopard
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
The Wallace Line, a distinct transition zone between Asia and Australia, has long fascinated researchers due to its unique characteristics.
What is Wallace Line?
Details
What is it?
A bio-geographical boundary separating the eco-zones of Asia and Australia.
It was identified by British explorer Alfred Russel Wallace in 1863 during his explorations.
It is an imaginary line that intersects the Lombok Strait between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok to the south, and extends north through the Makassar Strait between Kalimantan (Borneo) and Sulawesi.
Unique Features
Divides species with distinct evolutionary histories.
Asiatic species (tigers, elephants) are found to the west; Australian fauna (kangaroos, marsupials) dominate the east.
Despite their geographical proximity, these species evolved separately.
Impact on Wildlife
Birds and mammals are particularly influenced, with few species crossing the line.
Flora is less affected, though species like Eucalyptus stay on the Australian side.
Impact on Marine Species
While the Wallace Line is a barrier for terrestrial species, it doesn’t stop marine life.
The area between the Wallace Line and the Sahul Shelf (near Australia) is known as the Coral Triangle, the most biodiverse marine environment on Earth.
Formation
Result of Australia’s drift from Antarctica and subsequent collision with Asia around 35 million years ago.
Climate shifts led to cooler, drier Australia and tropical Asia.
This collision created a deep-water channel that still acts as a natural barrier for species migration.
Pleistocene Epoch Influence
During the Pleistocene epoch, lower sea levels exposed land bridges.
Deep waters between Asia and Australia prevented species migration, maintaining the boundary.
Note:
Weber Line more accurately defines the balance point where the influence of Asian and Australian species is nearly equal, whereas the Wallace Line marks a sharper divide.
The elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), a critically endangered species, was recently spotted in Haryana’s Damdama area during a research survey in the Aravalli hills.
About Elongated Tortoise:
Details
Physical Features
Medium-sized body with a yellowish-brown or olive-colored shell
Black blotches at the center of each scute
Pink ring around nostrils during breeding season
Habitat
Found in Sal deciduous and hilly evergreen forests
Distribution includes Southeast Asia, northern India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and other regions
Indian Range
Present in the Chhota Nagpur plateau and Himalayan foothills at elevations up to 1,000 meters
Threats
Human exploitation for food and traditional medicine
Hunting, often with the help of dogs
Habitat degradation and illegal wildlife trade
Ecological Role
Significant species in its ecosystems but highly vulnerable to environmental changes and anthropogenic pressures
Population Decline
Significant population decline due to hunting, habitat degradation, and illegal wildlife trade, despite its wide distribution
A study published last week in the journal Nature revealed that India is responsible for contributing one-fifth of the world’s plastic pollution.
What did the Paris Agreement (2015) and the UN Environmental Assembly (2022) say on plastic pollution?
Paris Agreement (2015): Primarily on climate change, the Paris Agreement doesn’t directly address plastic pollution. However, the agreement encourages countries to reduce emissions and promote sustainable practices.
UN Environmental Assembly (2022): The UNEA agreed in 2022 to develop the first legally binding international treaty on plastic pollution by the end of 2024. Objectives: The treaty aims to curb plastic pollution through measures like phasing out single-use plastics.
Challenges in Implementation
Lack of Cohesive Policies: There is often a disconnect between global agreements and national policies, leading to fragmented approaches that fail to address the scale of plastic pollution effectively.
Infrastructure Deficiencies: Many countries, particularly in the Global South, lack the necessary infrastructure for waste management, leading to high levels of unmanaged plastic waste. Inadequate public servicesand resources exacerbate this situation.
Economic Dependencies: Countries reliant on plastic production for economic growth may resist regulations aimed at reducing plastic use, complicating the implementation of international agreements.
Why do we need more research on this issue?
Understanding Environmental Impact: Comprehensive studies are needed to elucidate the sources and impacts of plastic pollution, including its relationship with climate change and public health.
Informing Policy Development: Research can guide policymakers in creating effective strategies for reducing plastic waste and improving waste management systems, ensuring that solutions are tailored to specific regional challenges.
Health Implications: As microplastics increasingly infiltrate ecosystems and human bodies, understanding their health impacts is critical for public health initiatives and regulatory frameworks.
Way forward:
Strengthen Global Plastic Reduction Targets: Implement binding international commitments to reduce plastic production, particularly single-use plastics, and promote sustainable alternatives, aligning with climate goals.
Improve Waste Management Infrastructure: Prioritize investment in waste management systems, especially in the Global South, to ensure proper collection, recycling, and disposal, reducing unmanaged plastic pollution.
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