Subject: Conservation & Mitigation

Following the death of three cheetah cubs this week, the Centre has appointed a new steering committee, comprising national and international experts, to oversee the implementation of Project Cheetah.

What is Project Cheetah?

• After being reported extinct in India for seven decades, the cheetah is set to make a comeback through ‘Project Cheetah’.
• The Government of India reintroduced eight African cheetahs, consisting of five females and three males, at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.

Origin and Approval of Project Cheetah

• Project Cheetah received approval from the Supreme Court of India in January 2020 as a pilot program to reintroduce the cheetah species to the country.
• The initiative was first proposed in 2009 by Indian conservationists in collaboration with the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), a non-profit organization headquartered in Namibia.
• The CCF is dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of cheetahs in their natural habitats.

Chronology of events

• Medieval times: During the Mughal Period, they were extensively used for hunting, and Emperor Akbar owned a menagerie of 1,000 cheetahs. Various states in Central India, particularly Gwalior, had cheetahs for a long time.
• 1947: The country’s last three surviving cheetahs were shot by Maharaja Ramanuj Pratap Singh, the ruler of a small princely state in Chhattisgarh. India’s last spotted cheetah died in the Sal forests of Chhattisgarh’s Koriya district in 1948, leading to the animal’s official extinction in India in 1952.
• 1970s: The first concrete efforts to reintroduce the cheetah began in the 1970s during talks with Iran’s Shah Muhammad Reza Pahlavi. The plan involved swapping India’s Asiatic lions for Iran’s Asiatic cheetahs.
• 2009: Another attempt was made to acquire Iranian cheetahs, but it was unsuccessful as Iran did not permit the cloning or export of its cheetahs.
• 2012: The reintroduction project was halted in 2012 when the Supreme Court ordered a stay on it.
• 2020: In 2020, South African experts surveyed four potential reintroduction sites: Kuno-Palpur, Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Madhav National Park.

Basis of recent translocation

• Coexistence approach: India’s approach is unique as it aims to reintroduce the cheetah in an unfenced protected area using a coexistence approach.
• Fenced protection: Fencing has been successful in other countries but limits population growth and range.
• Perfect breeding area selection: Kuno NP’s core conservation area is largely free of human-made threats.

Various challenges

• Retaliatory killing: Anthropogenic threats like snaring for bush meat and retaliatory killings pose risks to the cheetahs.
• Fencing issues: Maintaining cheetahs and their prey base in an enclosure is considered impossible.
• Habitation stress: Captivity and changes in habitat induce anxiety and stress, hindering reproduction.
• Acclimatization issues: The climate, prey species, and overall conditions in Kuno forest may not stimulate mating and reproduction.
• Prolonged captivity: Concerns are raised about the prolonged captivity of cheetahs before translocation, which may have increased stress and vulnerability.

Is the project a failure?

(1) Understanding adaptation challenges

• The deaths among cheetahs must be considered in light of their natural lifespan and the difficulties they face in adapting to Indian conditions.
• Daksha, a female cheetah, died from injuries sustained during a violent mating attempt by two males, which aligns with known predator behavior.

(2) Immediate assessment is an absurdity

• The success of wildlife breeding programs is not an overnight phenomena. It is premature to judge at this juncture.
• The increase in lion and tiger populations in Gir, Gujarat also took sustained efforts over decades.

(3) Complexities and Publicity of the Project

• The cheetahs’ arrival in India followed extensive government planning, Supreme Court hearings, negotiations with multiple countries, logistical challenges, and the PM’s involvement.
• The project received significant publicity. This necessarily doesn’t mean that the PM has a Midas touch.

Conclusion

• The relocation program is considered an experiment, and every death and birth should not be seen as a definitive success or failure.
• However, clear criteria and timelines must be established for project managers to determine if adjustments are necessary.

 

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Central Idea: Groundwater extraction in northwestern India, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, and Faridabad, has led to land subsidence and structural damage.

What is Groundwater?

• Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock.
• It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers.
• Aquifers are typically made up of gravel, sand, sandstone, or fractured rock, like limestone.
• Water can move through these materials because they have large connected spaces that make them permeable.
• Aquifers, hand-dug wells, and artesian wells are different types of sources of groundwater.

Reasons for Depletion

• Increased demand for water for domestic, industrial and agricultural needs and limited surface water resources lead to the over-exploitation of groundwater resources.
• Limited storage facilities owing to the hard rock terrain, along with the added disadvantage of lack of rainfall, especially in central Indian states.
• Green Revolution enabled water-intensive crops to be grown in drought-prone/ water deficit regions, leading to over-extraction of groundwater.
• Frequent pumping of water from the ground without waiting for its replenishment leads to quick depletion.
• Subsidies on electricity and high MSP for water-intensive crops is also leading reasons for depletion.
• Inadequate regulation of groundwater laws encourages the exhaustion of groundwater resources without any penalty.
• Deforestation, unscientific methods of agriculture, chemical effluents from industries, and lack of sanitation also lead to pollution of groundwater, making it unusable.
• Natural causes include uneven rainfall and climate change that are hindering the process of groundwater recharge.

Impact of groundwater depletion

• Lowering of the water table: Groundwater depletion may lower the water table leading to difficulty in extracting groundwater for usage.
• Reduction of water in streams and lakes: A substantial amount of the water flowing in rivers comes from seepage of groundwater into the streambed. Depletion of groundwater levels may reduce water flow in such streams.
• Subsidence of land: Groundwater often provides support to the soil. When this balance is altered by taking out the water, the soil collapses, compacts, and drops leading to subsidence of land.
• Increased cost for water extraction: As the depleting groundwater levels lower the water table, the user has to delve deep to extract water. This will increase the cost of water extraction.

Mechanism of Land Subsidence

• The relationship between excessive groundwater extraction and land subsidence became evident through the analysis of data from Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellites.
• Excessive groundwater withdrawal, coupled with limited monsoon rain, has resulted in critically low groundwater levels in the region.
• Land subsidence occurs when underlying aquifers, which are deep water channels storing percolated water, are not adequately recharged.
• The depletion of aquifers causes the layers of soil and rock above them to sink gradually.
• This sinking of soil is similar to “soil settlement” observed in mining operations.

Regulation of Groundwater in India

(1) Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA)

• It has the mandate of regulating groundwater development and management in the country.
• It is constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act of 1986.
• CGWA issues advisories, public notices and grant No Objection Certificates (NOC) for ground water withdrawal.

(2) National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM)

• The NAQUIM is an initiative of the Ministry of Jal Shakti for mapping and managing the entire aquifer systems in the country.
• It maintains the Hydrological Map of India.

(3) Atal Bhujal Yojana 

• It is a Central Sector Scheme, for sustainable management of groundwater resources with community participation in water-stressed blocks.

Way Forward

• Routine survey: There should be regular assessment of groundwater levels to ensure that adequate data is available for formulating policies and devising new techniques.
• Assessment of land use pattern: Studies should be carried out to assess land use and the proportion of agricultural land falling under overt-exploited units.
• Changes in farming methods: To improve the water table in those areas where it is being overused, on-farm water management techniques and improved irrigation methods should be adopted.
• Reforms in power supply subsidies: The agricultural power-pricing structure needs to be revamped as the flat rate of electricity adversely affects the use of groundwater.
• Monitoring extraction: There should be a policy in place to monitor the excessive exploitation of groundwater resources to ensure long-term sustainability.

 

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The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has now flagged alleged discrepancies with respect to the forest clearance granted for the ₹72,000-crore Great Nicobar Island (GNI) Project.

What is GNI Project?

• The GNI Project refers to the “Holistic Development of Great Nicobar Island,” a proposed mega project being piloted by NITI Aayog.
• The project aims to develop the southern end of the Andaman and Nicobar group of Islands in the Bay of Bengal by constructing –

1. Transshipment port
2. Dual-use military-civil international airport
3. Power plant and
4. A township over a span of 30 years on more than 160 sq. km of land, of which 130 sq. km is primary forest

Features of the Project

• Transshipment hub of the East: The proposed port will allow Great Nicobar to participate in the regional and global maritime economy by becoming a major player in cargo transshipment.
• Naval control: The port will be controlled by the Indian Navy, while the airport will have dual military-civilian functions and will cater to tourism as well.
• Urban amenities: Roads, public transport, water supply and waste management facilities, and several hotels have been planned to cater to tourists.

Significance of the project

(1) Economic significance

• Making India transshipment giant: The proposed port would allow GNI to become a significant player in cargo transshipment, as it is positioned equidistant from Colombo, Port Klang (Malaysia), and Singapore.
• En-route of busiest shipping lane: It located close to the East-West international shipping corridor that sees a vast amount of the world’s shipping trade.
• Huge source of revenue: The proposed ICTT can potentially become a hub for cargo ships travelling on this route.

(2) Strategic significance

• Securing IOR: The proposal to develop GNI has been on the table since the 1970s, and it has been highlighted repeatedly as a crucial element for national security and consolidation of the Indian Ocean Region.
• Critical shipping chokepoint: Great Nicobar is equidistant from Colombo to the southwest and Port Klang and Singapore to the southeast, the region through which a very large part of the world’s shipping trade passes.
• Oceanic outpost: The ANI is an oceanic outpost for continental India.
• Combatting Chinese presence: In recent years, the escalating Chinese presence in the Indian Ocean has added greater urgency to this imperative.

Issues with the Project

• Threat to Biodiversity: The construction of the port, airport, and township, and the influx of people that the project is expected to bring, are likely to result in habitat destruction, fragmentation, and degradation, which could threaten the survival of several species.
• Displacement of Indigenous Tribes: GNI is home to two isolated and indigenous tribes, the Shompen and the Nicobaris, who have lived on the island for thousands of years. The project could displace these tribes and disrupt their way of life and culture.
• Deforestation: The project is expected to result in the cutting down of an estimated 8.5 lakh trees in the island’s prehistoric rainforests, which could have a significant impact on the island’s ecology and biodiversity.
• Lack of Adequate Environmental and Social Impact Assessments: The project has received several easy clearances with uncharacteristic haste, raising questions about the adequacy of environmental and social impact assessments.
• Fragile Topography: Experts have raised several concerns relating to the tectonic volatility and disaster vulnerability of the islands, which have experienced nearly 444 earthquakes in the past 10 years. The tribal communities, who were displaced in the 2004 Tsunami, are still recovering from its impact.

Concerns highlighted by the NCST

(1) Discrepancies with FRA Compliance

• The island administration did not recognise or grant ownership of any forest land to local tribespeople as per FRA, a requisite step under the Forest Conservation Rules, 2017, before Stage-I clearance is granted.
• This is despite the fact that Rule 6(3)(e) of Forest Conservation Rules-2017 (FCR) requires that any diversion of forest land first requires the District Collector to recognise and vest rights to locals under the FRA.
• The legislation allows forest communities the right to control and manage the use of the forest land over which they hold titles, and their consent is mandatory for diverting it.

(2) Inconsistencies with Stage-I Clearance

• The Stage-I clearance for the project was granted in October 2022, two years after the application was received.
• Monthly progress reports show that the district administration did not process any claims over forest land under the FRA in the 26 months since project sanction.
• A Gram Sabha meeting was called with less than a day’s notice to villagers where a resolution was passed consenting to the diversion of forest land for the project.

(3) Withdrawal of Consent

• Weeks after the Stage-I clearance was granted, the Tribal Council at Campbell Bay withdrew the consent granted by the Gram Sabha.
• NCST alleged that the minutes of the meeting were typed after securing members’ signatures.

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Back2Basics: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST)

	Description
Formation	NCST was set up with effect from 19th February, 2004. Created by inserting a new article 338A in the Constitution through the 89th Constitution Amendment Act, 2003. Hence a constitutional body.
Objective	To oversee the implementation of various safeguards provided to STs under the Constitution or under any other law for time being in force or under any other order to the Government and to evaluate the working of such safeguards.
Composition	It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and 3 other Members who are appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal. At least one member should be a woman. The Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the other Members hold office for a term of 3 years. The members are not eligible for appointment for more than two terms. The Chairperson has been given the rank of Union Cabinet Ministers, the Vice Chairperson has the rank of a Minister of State and other Members have the rank of a Secretary to the Government of India.

 

 

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Central idea

• The Supreme Court modified its judgment on mandatory eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) around protected forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries across the country.
• The court has now made it clear that ESZs cannot be uniform across the country and has to be “protected area-specific.”

What are the Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZs)?

• Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or Ecologically Fragile Areas (EFAs) are areas notified by the MoEFCC around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
• The purpose of declaring ESZs is to create some kind of “shock absorbers” to the protected areas by regulating and managing the activities around such areas.
• They also act as a transition zone from areas of high protection to areas involving lesser protection.

How are they demarcated?

• The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 does NOT mention the word “Eco-Sensitive Zones”.
• However, Section 3(2)(v) of the Act, says that Central Government can restrict areas in which any industries, operations or processes or class of industries, operations or processes shall be carried out or shall not, subject to certain safeguards.
• Besides Rule 5(1) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986 states that central government can prohibit or restrict the location of industries and carrying on certain operations or processes on the basis of certain considerations.
• The same criteria have been used by the government to declare No Development Zones (NDZs).

Defining its boundaries

• An ESZ could go up to 10 kilometres around a protected area as provided in the Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 2002.
• Moreover, in the case where sensitive corridors, connectivity and ecologically important patches, crucial for landscape linkage, are beyond 10 km width, these should be included in the ESZs.
• Further, even in the context of a particular Protected Area, the distribution of an area of ESZ and the extent of regulation may not be uniform all around and it could be of variable width and extent.

Activities Permitted and Prohibited

• Permitted: Ongoing agricultural or horticultural practices, rainwater harvesting, organic farming, use of renewable energy sources, and adoption of green technology for all activities.
• Prohibited: Commercial mining, saw mills, industries causing pollution (air, water, soil, noise etc), the establishment of major hydroelectric projects (HEP), commercial use of wood, Tourism activities like hot-air balloons over the National Park, discharge of effluents or any solid waste or production of hazardous substances.
• Under regulation: Felling of trees, the establishment of hotels and resorts, commercial use of natural water, erection of electrical cables, drastic change of agriculture system, e.g. adoption of heavy technology, pesticides etc, widening of roads.

What was the recent SC judgment?

• On June 3, 2022, the apex court had ordered a 1-km buffer zone for protected areas to act as a “shock absorber.”
• However, the Centre and several states, including Kerala, had returned to the apex court seeking modification of the judgment, saying the direction affected hundreds of villages in the peripheries of forests.

Impact of the Judgment

• Earlier judgement would have certainly hampered the day-to-day activities of the citizens residing in ESZs.
• It would also prevent villagers from reconstructing their houses, the government from constructing schools, dispensaries, anganwadis, and other basic structures for the improvement of the life of the villagers.
• The court also noted that it would be impossible for forest departments to conduct eco-development activities around national parks and sanctuaries.

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Try this PYQ

With reference to ‘Eco-Sensitive Zones’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Eco-Sensitive Zones are the areas that are declared under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
2. The purpose of the declaration of Eco-Sensitive Zones is to prohibit all kinds of human activities, in those zones except agriculture.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

 

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