Biodiversity

2018

Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life forms within a given ecosystem, region, or the entire planet. India is recognized as one of the world’s 17 mega-biodiverse countries, hosting 7-8% of the world’s recorded species on just 2.4% of the global land area.

Biodiversity in India

Biogeographic Diversity – Presence of 10 distinct biogeographic zones based on climate, relief and ecology.

Ecosystem Diversity – Eg- Mangroves of Sundarbans, coral reefs of Lakshadweep, alpine meadows of Himalaya.

Species Richness – Over 47,000 plant species and 1,00,000+ animal species (ZSI & BSI estimates).

Endemism – India ranks fifth in reptiles and seventh in amphibians. Eg- Lion-tailed macaque in Western Ghats, Nilgiri tahr in Nilgiris.

Biodiversity Hotspots – Four global hotspots lie partly in India due to high endemism and threat levels. Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, Sundaland (Nicobar).

Altitudinal Variation – Eg- Tropical sal forests in foothills vs alpine rhododendrons in upper Himalaya.

Agricultural Diversity: India’s share of global crop diversity is 44%, compared to the world average of 11%

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Objectives

Conservation of Biological Diversity

Sustainable Use of Biological Resources

Benefit Sharing with Local Communities

Role of Biological Diversity Act, 2002 in Conservation of Flora and Fauna

Provides legal Backing to implement Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Three-Tier Institutional Mechanism – Establishes NBA, SBBs, and BMCs for decentralised biodiversity governance.

Access Regulation to prevent bio-piracy. Eg- Foreign companies need NBA approval for bio-resource use.

Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) – Ensures fair and equitable sharing of benefits with local communities.

Protection of Traditional Knowledge – Eg- Kani tribe benefit-sharing from Jeevani drug in Kerala.

People’s Biodiversity Registers (PBRs) by Biodiversity Management Committees – Legal documentation of local flora, fauna and traditional practices.

Creation of National, State and Local Biodiversity Funds for conservation activities.

Challenges in Implementation

Weak Enforcement – Only ~2.78 lakh PBRs completed.

Lengthy approvals and compliance burden deter research.

Low Awareness of ABS rights among Local Communities

Limited Coordination Between Agencies

Insufficient Protection of Digital Sequence Information (DSI)

Biological Diversity Act, 2002 is a cornerstone of biodiversity governance in India.

Answer

Introduction: Briefly define the key concept in the question and set the context with a relevant fact, report or constitutional provision.

Body: Examine the issue across 3–4 dimensions — constitutional, political, administrative and social. Support each point with an example, a committee recommendation or a Supreme Court judgment.

Challenges: Highlight the main gaps or criticisms, with data where possible.

Way forward: Suggest practical, specific reforms drawn from expert committees and best practices.

Conclusion: Close with a balanced, forward-looking statement that links back to the question.

Solid Wastes

Environment › Solid Wastes

2018

According to a report by TERI, India generates 62 million tonnes (MT) of waste annually. Only 43 MT of total waste gets collected and 12 MT treated before disposal.

Impediments in Disposing Huge Quantities of Solid Waste

Rapid Urbanisation – Cities generate waste faster than civic bodies can manage. Eg – Cities produce 160,000+ tonnes/day of solid waste.

Inadequate Segregation at Source – makes recycling and composting inefficient.

Limited Treatment & Processing Capacity – Only 50% of the waste produced is actually processed in India. (CPCB)

Dumping in Landfills – Eg – Ghazipur and Deonar operate beyond capacity.

Dominance of Informal Sector – Eg- 80% of plastic collection relies on the informal sector – lack safety mechanisms

Poor compliance with Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016. Eg – Many ULBs still rely on open dumping.

Lack of data transparency – Eg- according to the official estimates, plastic waste generation rate in India is 0.12 kg/capita/day, while as per ‘Nature’ , it is 0.54 kg/capita/day.

Limited capacity of ULB’s – Lack 3Fs and functional overlap with parastatal bodies

Inadequate Infrastructure for waste collection, segregation, transportation, processing, and disposal.

Lack of Interagency co-ordination – Eg- MoEFCC develop rules and guidelines while the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs oversees ground-level enforcement

Safe Removal of Toxic Wastes from the Environment

Technology adoption – Eg – Biomedical waste treated using controlled incinerators.

Smart Waste Management System using AI, IoT. Eg- RFID-enabled door-to-door waste collection monitoring

Promoting circular economy based on 6R principle – Refuse, Rethink, Reduce, Reuse, Repair, and Recycle

Promoting Composting, vermicomposting and bio-methanation for treating organic waste.

Enhanced Public-Private Partnerships – Eg- contractual arrangement with the private sector for setting up compost plants.

Decentralised Waste Processing – Eg- Micro-Composting Centres (MCC) with 5 TPD capacity for wet waste.

Adopting Waste Hierarchy principle

Strict implementation of ‘Polluter Pays Principle‘, to penalize non-compliance and shift towards ‘Government Pays Principle’

Efficient waste management is not just a regulatory obligation but a constitutional imperative to safeguard the fundamental rights of citizens.

Answer

Introduction: Briefly define the key concept in the question and set the context with a relevant fact, report or constitutional provision.

Body: Examine the issue across 3–4 dimensions — constitutional, political, administrative and social. Support each point with an example, a committee recommendation or a Supreme Court judgment.

Challenges: Highlight the main gaps or criticisms, with data where possible.

Way forward: Suggest practical, specific reforms drawn from expert committees and best practices.

Conclusion: Close with a balanced, forward-looking statement that links back to the question.

Wetlands

Environment › Wetlands

2018

As per Ramsar Convention, wetlands are defined as “areas of marsh, fen, peatland or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six metres”.

Ramsar Concept of Wise Use

It refers to the maintenance of ecological character of wetlands through sustainable use, ensuring that benefits derived from wetlands do not lead to long-term degradation.

Recently, India’s resolution on the ‘‘Promoting Sustainable Lifestyles for the Wise Use of Wetlands’’ was adopted at the 15th COP15 to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Key Elements of Wise Use

Maintaining Ecological Character – Conservation of hydrology, biodiversity, water quality, and ecosystem services. Eg – Preventing encroachment and regulating land-use.

Integrated Management Approach – Eg – Wetland Management Committees under Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.

Avoiding Degradation – Ensuring human activities do not cause pollution, over-extraction, or habitat loss. Eg – Restricting construction and waste discharge around wetlands.

Sustainable Livelihoods – Supporting communities dependent on wetlands while ensuring ecological health. Eg – regulated fisheries in Ramsar sites.

Examples of Ramsar Sites in India

India has 94 Ramsar Sites (highest in Tamil Nadu)

Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan)

A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Important for migratory birds like Siberian cranes; supports floodwater-based wetland ecology.

Chilika Lake (Odisha)

Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon

Known for Irrawaddy dolphins, rich fisheries, and large wintering bird populations.

Wetlands are critical natural infrastructure and the Ramsar principle of wise use ensures that development and conservation are balanced.

Answer

Introduction: Briefly define the key concept in the question and set the context with a relevant fact, report or constitutional provision.

Body: Examine the issue across 3–4 dimensions — constitutional, political, administrative and social. Support each point with an example, a committee recommendation or a Supreme Court judgment.

Challenges: Highlight the main gaps or criticisms, with data where possible.

Way forward: Suggest practical, specific reforms drawn from expert committees and best practices.

Conclusion: Close with a balanced, forward-looking statement that links back to the question.