GS Paper: GS1-15.Geographical features and their location- Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court notified civic officials of allegedly violating its 1996 directive in the M.C. Mehta vs Union of India case (1996) by approving a private housing project in Delhi’s ecologically sensitive Morphological Ridge area.

About Delhi Morphological Ridge:

• The Delhi Ridge is the northern extension of the ancient Aravalli Range, stretching approximately 35 km from Tughlaqabad to Wazirabad, along the Yamuna River.
• It is composed mainly of quartzite rock, is over 1.5 billion years old, and significantly older than the Himalayas.
• It functions as Delhi’s green lungs, aiding in carbon sequestration, temperature regulation, and air pollution reduction.
• It acts as a natural barrier against desert winds from Rajasthan and supports rich biodiversity, making Delhi one of the world’s most bird-rich capitals.
• It is divided into four zones: Northern Ridge, Central Ridge, South-Central Ridge, and Southern Ridge.
• Key conservation areas include the Northern Ridge Biodiversity Park and the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.

Land Use Regulation in the Ridge:

• Although the area shares ecological features with the Delhi Ridge, it is NOT officially notified as forest land, but it enjoys judicial protection.
• A 1966 directive prohibits any NON-forest use or encroachment without court approval.
• Any change in land use must be cleared by the Ridge Management Board (RMB) and the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC).
• The area is mapped using data from the Delhi Forest Department and the 2006 Seismic Zonation Map.
• Formal notification as a Reserved Forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, is pending due to the absence of ground-truthing.
• In revenue records, it is often marked as “gair mumkin pahad”, meaning uncultivable rocky hill.
• The terrain is ecologically fragile, with shallow soil and rocky outcrops, making it unsuitable for construction.

Why in the News?

Recent research has uncovered evidence of ancient wildfires (palaeofires) in the Godavari Basin, shedding light on Earth’s geological and climatic history from over 250 million years ago.

Ancient Palaeofires in the Godavari Basin:

• Palaeofires, traced back to the Permian period, provide evidence of how fires influenced prehistoric landscapes.
• Advanced techniques like Raman Spectroscopy and FTIR Spectroscopy were used to differentiate between in situ (on-site) and ex situ (transported) charcoal.
• The research also highlighted how sea level changes impacted charcoal deposition, with well-preserved fire signatures during regressive phases and more oxidized charcoal during transgressive phases.
• These findings contribute to understanding carbon storage in the Earth’s crust and provide insights into past climate dynamics and fire behavior.

Role of Palaeofires in Earth’s Past:

• Palaeofires were crucial in shaping Earth’s climate, vegetation, and contributing to coal formation across various geological periods.
• During the Permian period, palaeofires were widespread in Gondwana, affecting plant life and coal deposits.
• Fossil charcoal found in coal-bearing formations like the Raniganj Coalfield suggested a connection between seasonal droughts and wildfires.
• These wildfires influenced vegetation patterns and led to the accumulation of carbon-rich deposits.
• High atmospheric oxygen levels likely intensified these wildfires, significantly affecting both climate and ecosystem changes.
• Understanding palaeofires helps in grasping long-term carbon sequestration processes.

Why in the News?

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar, with its epicentre near Mandalay, the country’s second-largest city.

What caused the Earthquake in Myanmar?

• Myanmar is situated between the Indian Plate and the Eurasian Plate, which makes the region seismically active.
  • The Sagaing Fault, running from north to south through Myanmar, marks the boundary of these plates.
  • It is an active fault line that has caused significant earthquakes in the past, including a 7.9 magnitude earthquake in 1912 and a 6.9 magnitude earthquake in 2016.
• The Indian Plate was moving northward along the Sagaing Fault relative to the Eurasian Plate. The friction and stress built up along this fault led to a sudden release of energy, resulting in the earthquake.
• The earthquake’s epicentres was located 17.2 km from Mandalay, Myanmar’s second-largest city, at a depth of just 10 km.

Why are Shallow Earthquakes more destructive?

• Proximity to the Surface: Shallow earthquakes (less than 70 km deep) cause intense shaking. For example, the Myanmar earthquake occurred at 10 km, leading to rapid, forceful seismic waves and extensive damage.
• Energy Release: Shallow earthquakes retain more energy in seismic waves, causing stronger surface shaking and greater destruction.
• Higher Intensity: Shallow quakes produce higher intensity shaking, resulting in more structural damage compared to deeper quakes, where seismic waves lose energy.
• Aftershocks: Shallow earthquakes often lead to more intense aftershocks, further damaging already weakened structures. The Myanmar earthquake had aftershocks, including one with magnitude 6.4.

Why in the News?

It was nearly 50 years ago, that India had completed the construction of the Farakka Barrage.

About Farakka Barrage

• The Farakka Barrage is located on the Ganges River in Murshidabad District, West Bengal, India, about 18 km from the Bangladesh border.
• The barrage measures 2,304 meters (7,559 feet) in length.
• Its construction began in 1962 and was completed in 1970 at a cost of 1 billion dollars. It became operational on April 21, 1975.
• The Feeder Canal is approximately 42 km long, connecting the barrage to the Hooghly River.
• Purpose:
  • It diverts water to the Hooghly River to maintain the navigability of Kolkata Port and to flush out sediment from the river.
  • It diverts 1,800 cubic meters per second of water from the Ganges.
• Construction Details:
  • Built by Hindustan Construction Company, it consists of 109 gates, with 108 over the river and one over low-lying land as a precaution.
  • Supports the Farakka Super Thermal Power Station.
• The 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty ensured fair water distribution:
  • 70,000 cusecs or less: 50% to both India and Bangladesh.
  • 70,000 – 75,000 cusecs: India gets 35,000 cusecs, Bangladesh the balance.
  • 75,000 cusecs or more: India receives 40,000 cusecs, Bangladesh gets the remainder.

Significance in India-Bangladesh Water Sharing:

• The Farakka Barrage is crucial for irrigation in West Bengal, supporting agriculture during the dry season.
• Bangladesh, particularly Mongla and Khulna, depends on the Ganges for water.
• The diverted water has led to water scarcity, impacting agriculture, fisheries, and livelihoods in Bangladesh, causing diplomatic tensions.
• This treaty ensures equitable distribution and guarantees a minimum flow for Bangladesh.

• Issues: 

• • Water diversion has led to salinization and soil degradation in Bangladesh, affecting agriculture and freshwater supplies.
  • Biodiversity loss and damage to the Sundarbans mangrove forests have been significant environmental impacts.

Why in the News?

The Pangsau Pass International Festival returns to Nampong, Arunachal Pradesh, from January 20-22, 2025, celebrating India-Myanmar cultural ties and heritage after a four-year gap.

About Pangsau Pass

• Pangsau Pass is a vital mountain pass located on the India-Myanmar border, connecting the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India, with the Sagaing Region of Myanmar.
• Situated in the Patkai Hills, it lies at an altitude of approximately 3,727 feet (1,136 meters) above sea level.
• Often referred to as “Hell Pass” due to its challenging terrain and dense forests, it serves as both a geographical marvel and a historical landmark.

Geographical Significance:

• Strategic Location: Acts as a natural link between India and Myanmar, facilitating cross-border trade and cultural exchanges.
• Scenic and Biodiverse: Attractions include the Lake of No Return, a mythical body of water in Myanmar associated with World War II legends.
• Tourism Potential: The Pangsau Pass International Festival showcases the region’s tribal cultures, boosting local economies and promoting tourism.

Historical/Political Significance

• The pass was a crucial part of the Stillwell Road (Ledo Road), constructed during World War II to connect India to China through Myanmar.
• It played a pivotal role in the China-Burma-India Theater, facilitating supply lines for Allied forces.
• It serves as a gateway for implementing India’s Act East Policy, aimed at strengthening ties with Southeast Asia.
• It facilitates cross-border trade and cultural exchanges, fostering economic and diplomatic relationships between India and Myanmar.
• It enables communities on both sides of the border to engage under the Free Movement Regime (FMR) (now suspended), allowing visitors to travel up to 16 km into each other’s territories without visas or passports.