The Perseid meteor shower, which began in July, is currently at its peak activity from August 11 to 13, 2024.
About Perseid Meteor Shower
Details
Origin
Named after the constellation Perseus, from which the meteors appear to originate.
Cause
Caused by debris left behind by Comet Swift-Tuttle as it orbits the Sun.
How It Occurs
Consists of ice, rock, and dust particles shed by Comet Swift-Tuttle.
Earth passes through this debris field annually between mid-July and late August.
Particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at around 214,000 km/h, causing them to heat up and create bright streaks of light.
Discovery
The connection between the Perseid meteor shower and Comet Swift-Tuttle was established in 1862 by Lewis Swift and Horace Tuttle.
Historical Observations
Observed for centuries, with records dating back to ancient Chinese, Japanese, and European civilizations.
Impact of Earth’s Gravity
Earth’s gravity pulls particles from the debris field, causing them to enter the atmosphere.
Larger particles can create fireballs—bright meteors that are more intense and last longer.
Note: In the 1990s, scientists feared comet Swift-Tuttle might hit Earth or the Moon in 2126, but later calculations confirmed safety for two millennia.
PYQ:
[2011] What is the difference between asteroids and comets?
Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are formed of frozen gases held together by rocky and metallic material.
Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury.
Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
A23a, the world’s largest iceberg, has recently started spinning in place after drifting away from Antarctica in 2020.
Now it is near South Orkney Islands, about northeast of the Antarctic Peninsula.
What is A23a?
A23a is an iceberg, about 3,855 square kilometers in area, which is 5 times the size of New York City.
It was originally part of an even larger iceberg called A23.
It broke off from the Filchner Ice Shelf in Antarctica in 1986.
What is happening with A23a?
It is now trapped over a seamount, and is spinning slowly in place.
It is completing a full spin approximately in 24 days.
Reason behind the spinning: Icebergs spin in Iceberg Alley because they get pulled by the strong Antarctic Circumpolar Current, moving into warmer waters where they melt.
Implications
A23a’s melting does not contributetoglobal sea level rise since it is already floating.
Its extended stay in this vortexcould impact marine life in the area, especially plankton and other organisms in the food chain.
The situation also provides a unique opportunity for scientists to study how such large icebergs behave in the ocean.
PYQ:
[2021] With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements:
1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater.
2. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater.
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
[2021] How do the melting of the Arctic ice and glaciers of the Antarctic differently affect the weather patterns and human activities on the Earth? Explain.
The Union Cabinet has approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
What is the Clean Plant Programme (CPP)?
Details
Objective
To providevirus-free, high-quality planting material to farmers, enhancing the quality, productivity, and sustainability of fruit crops across India.
Aligns with Mission LiFE and One Health initiatives, promoting sustainable practices and reducing dependence on imported planting materials.
Key Features
Virus-Free Planting Material: Ensures availability of high-quality, virus-free planting material.
All-inclusivity: Accessible to all farmers, with emphasis on women’s participation.
Region-Specific Approaches: Tailored strategies for diverse agro-climatic conditions across India.
Core
Components
Clean Plant Centers (CPCs): Nine state-of-the-art CPCs equipped with advanced diagnostics and tissue culture labs will be established across India. These include:
These centers will produce and maintain virus-free planting material for large-scale propagation.
Certification and Legal Framework: Under the Seeds Act of 1966.
Nursery Infrastructure: Support for large-scale nurseries to multiply clean planting materials.
Key Benefits
For Farmers: Increased crop yields, improved income opportunities, and economic stability through access to virus-free, high-quality planting materials.
ForConsumers: Access to superior quality, virus-free fruits, resulting in better taste, appearance, and nutritional value.
For nation: Strengthened position in global fruit trade through the production of higher-quality, disease-free fruits.
PYQ:
[2013] Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer storage life because:
(a) Exposure to sunlight is prevented
(b) Concentration of carbon dioxide in the environment is increased
(c) Rate of respiration is decreased
(d) There is an increase in humidity
[2018] Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?
Q1 “Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation to the environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. (UPSC IAS/2018)
Q2 Environmental Impact Assessment studies are increasingly undertaken before a project is cleared by the Government. Discuss the environmental impacts of coal-fired thermal plants located at coal pitheads. (UPSC IAS/2014)
Note4Students:
Prelims: What is just a transition concept?;
Mains: Advantages of a just transition framing;
Mentor comments: In April 2024, the Supreme Court of India delivered a significant judgment in the case of “M.K. Ranjitsinh and Others vs Union of India.” The two-judge bench, comprising Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Dipankar Datta, ruled on the matter concerning the rights of wildlife and environmental protection. The court emphasized the importance of safeguarding natural habitats while balancing developmental needs, thereby reinforcing the legal framework aimed at preserving biodiversity and ecological integrity in India. This ruling reflects the judiciary’s commitment to environmental justice and sustainable development practices.
Let’s learn!
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Why in the News?
In April 2024, the Supreme Court of India, in the case of “M.K. Ranjitsinh and Others vs Union of India”, acknowledged a human right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change.
This landmark decision has generated considerable discussion, with varying opinions. For some, it represents a significant advancement in climate action, while others contend that it inadequately safeguards endangered biodiversity.
Key points as per judgement:
Recognition of Human Rights Against Climate Change: The Supreme Court’s judgement recognized a human right against the adverse impacts of climate change, marking a significant step in the realm of environmental jurisprudence in India.
Concept of Just Transition: The judgement emphasized the importance of framing climate action through the lens of “just transition.”
Inclusion of the Non-Human Environment: A significant aspect of the judgement was the consideration of introducing the non-human environment, such as biodiversity and ecosystems, as a subject within the concept of just transition.
Mixed Reactions: The decision has sparked diverse opinions. While it is seen as a victory for climate action, some critics argue that it has not sufficiently protected endangered biodiversity, especially species like the Great Indian Bustard.
What is just a transition concept?
The concept of just transition refers to a framework aimed at ensuring that the shift from a high-carbon economy to a low-carbon economy is equitable and inclusive, addressing the social, economic, and environmental impacts of this transition.
Advantages of a just transition framing
Equitable Climate Action: Framing the case within a just transition context allows the court to promote equitable and inclusive climate action. It shifts the narrative from viewing decarbonisation and biodiversity protection as adversarial to recognising their interdependence.
This approach can prevent the marginalisation of biodiversity interests, ensuring that the burdens of climate action are shared fairly among all stakeholders, including affected communities and ecosystems.
Expansion of Just Transition Concept: The case provides a unique opportunity to broaden the just transition framework by incorporating the non-human environment, specifically the Great Indian Bustard, as an affected entity.
This inclusion can help develop jurisprudence that recognizes the rights of nature and expands the understanding of just transition beyond human communities, aligning with emerging eco-centric legal principles.
Catalyst for Research and Awareness: Introducing the just transition concept in this case can stimulate much-needed research on just transition litigation in India, an area that remains underexplored.
By mapping existing cases and integrating them into the broader discourse on just transitions, the court can contribute to filling gaps in knowledge and understanding of how climate justice can be effectively achieved in the context of renewable energy projects.
Way forward:
Developing a Comprehensive Legal Framework for Just Transition: The Supreme Court should advocate for the creation of a robust legal framework that explicitly incorporates the principles of just transition. This framework should provide clear guidelines for ensuring that climate action, particularly decarbonisation efforts, is inclusive and fair to all stakeholders, including vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
Establishing a Multidisciplinary Task Force for Monitoring and Implementation: The Court could recommend the formation of a multidisciplinary task force comprising experts in environmental law, social justice, economics, and biodiversity conservation.
Facing a significant decline in its tiger population in recent years, Chhattisgarh on Wednesday approved a long-awaited proposal to establish a new tiger reserve, which will be the third largest in the country.
Process of Notification of Tiger Reserves
Proposal and Evaluation: The state government initiates the process by proposing an area to be designated as a tiger reserve. This proposal is then evaluated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Cabinet Approval: After NTCA’s recommendations, the state cabinet must approve the notification of the tiger reserve.
Integration of Areas: The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve integrates the existing Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary, covering an area of 2,829 square kilometers.
Note: Once a tiger reserve is notified, it cannot be easily denotified. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, allows for denotification only under exceptional circumstances and with approval from the NTCA and the National Board for Wildlife.
About Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve
It is Chhattisgarh’s fourth tiger reserve, following Indravati, Udanti-Sitanadi, and Achanakmar.
The reserve spans four districts: Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Koriya, Surajpur, and Balrampur.
It aims to bolster conservation efforts and provide a protected habitat for tigers, thereby promoting eco-tourism and creating employment opportunities for local communities.
It aims to bolster conservation efforts and provide a protected habitat for tigers by Providing additional budgetary resources from the National Project Tiger Authority for its operations.
It would promote eco-tourism and create employment opportunities for local communities.
Tiger Reserves in India
As of June 2024, India has 55 tiger reserves. This number has increased from 9 reserves in 1973 when Project Tiger was initiated. India is home to around 75% of the global tiger population.
The latest addition to the list is the Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, which is the 55th reserve established in the country.
These reserves are crucial for the conservation of the Bengal tiger, which is a keystone species in India’s ecosystems, and they collectively support around 80% of the world’s tiger population.
Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of tigers at 785, followed by Karnataka (563), Uttarakhand (560), and Maharashtra (444).
The initiative was taken by the Government:
Strengthening Legal Framework: The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 provides a legal framework for tiger conservation, establishing national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and critical tiger habitats. The 2006 amendment led to the creation of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Anti-Poaching Measures:Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) has been deployed in tiger reserves to combat poaching. Modern surveillance technologies like camera traps and drones are used to monitor tiger populations and deter poaching activities.
To avoid human-tiger conflict: As of 2023, 12,327 families from 173 villages have been successfully relocated from tiger reserves to reduce human-tiger conflict.
Way forward:
Undertake habitat restoration measures in the tiger reserves, including prey base management and removal of invasive species, to improve the quality of tiger habitats.
Deploy the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) in the newly notified Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve to curb poaching.
Mains PYQ:
Q How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act,2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (UPSC IAS/2018)
The Madhya Pradesh State Wetland Authority has reported that Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal is not at risk of being removed from the Ramsar Convention List of important international wetlands.
About Bhoj Wetland
Bhoj Wetland is located in the center of Bhopal district in Madhya Pradesh.
The wetland includes two man-made lakes: the upper lake and the lower lake.
Since August 2002, they have been recognized as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
The upper lake, created by King Bhoj in the 11th century, is one of the oldest large man-made lakes in central India.
It was formed by building an earthen dam across the Kolans River, which used to be a tributary of the HalaliRiver.
Now, the upper part of the Kolans River and the Bhojtal drain into the Kaliasot River through a diversion channel.
Bhadbhada Dam, built in 1965, controls the outflow to the Kaliasot River.
The lower lake was created in 1794 by Nawab ChhoteKhan to beautify the city.
It also has an earthen dam and drains into the Halali River through the lower part of the Kolans River, now called the Patra Drain.
Both the Kaliasot and Halali Rivers flow into the Betwa River.
Significance of Bhoj Wetland
The upper lake provides 40% of Bhopal’s drinking water, while the lower lake supplies raw water and enhances the city’s beauty.
It supports over 700 species of plants and animals, including zooplankton and phytoplankton.
Both lakes are rich in biodiversity, supporting various fish species, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians.
PYQ:
[2018] Which one of the following is an artificial lake?
New research has documented previously unseen shapes at the base of a West Antarctic ice shelf.
Base of a West Antarctic Ice Shelf
Basal Melt Dynamics: The base of West Antarctic ice shelves, including the Dotson Ice Shelf, experiences basal melt driven by warm ocean water. This process leads to thinning and hollows out cavities beneath the ice, reducing structural support for the grounded ice above.
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Research: Recent research utilized an AUV equipped with multibeam sonar to explore the topography of the basal melt cavity beneath the Dotson Ice Shelf, revealing previously unquantified melt mechanisms and unique formations at the ice shelf’s base.
Warm salty water, which is transported through ocean currents, significantly contributes to the melting of ice shelves. This bottom-up melting is critical to understanding the dynamics of ice loss and its implications for global sea level rise.
The AUV discovered tear-shaped indents and other unique shapes at the base of the ice shelf, indicating diverse melting patterns influenced by the flow of warm water.
About the Dotson Ice Shelf (DIS) in Amundsen Sea
Dotson Ice Shelf is part of the West Antarctic ice sheet and is located next to Thwaites Glacier in the Amundsen Sea.
Thwaites Glacier is considered to have a potentially large impact on future sea level rise due to its size and location.
Reasons behind ocean warming
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Since the Industrial Revolution, human activities such as burning fossil fuels have significantly increased greenhouse gas (GHG) concentrations in the atmosphere, including carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. These gases trap heat, leading to global warming.
Heat Absorption: The oceans have absorbed more than 93% of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions since the 1970s. This resulted in an average increase in ocean temperature of about 1°F (0.6°C) over the past century.
Impact of El Niño: The El Niño weather pattern, characterized by the abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean, contributes to both ocean warming and rising global surface temperatures.
International Efforts and Agreements
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed by 166 countries in 1992, acknowledging humanity’s role in climate change.
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, sets the international community the goal of limiting global warming to “well below” 2°C in this century.
The Green Climate Fund, established in 2010, aims to help developing countries adopt initiatives to combat climate change and deforestation
Way forward:
Enhanced Global Commitments: Nations need to reinforce their commitments under international agreements like the Paris Agreement. This includes setting more ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adhering to these goals through stringent policies and regulations.
Funding and Technology Transfer: Developed countries should increase financial contributions to climate funds such as the Green Climate Fund to support mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing countries.
Mains Question for practice:
Q Bring out the relationship between the shrinking Himalayan glaciers and the symptoms of climate change in the Indian sub-continent. (2014)
The Central government is considering the legality of declaring the landslide a national disaster.
Wayanad Landslide: Destruction and Casualties
The landslide, triggered by heavy rain, devastated at least three villages.
Kerala’s official death toll stands at 221, with over 200 people still missing.
Rescue workers continue to retrieve bodies and body parts from the mud and debris.
Approximately 9,000 people displaced by the disaster have taken refuge in government-run relief camps in Wayanad.
Defining a Disaster:
A naturaldisaster includes natural events like earthquakes, floods, landslides, cyclones, tsunamis, urban floods, and heatwaves.
Man-made disasters can include nuclear, biological, and chemical incidents.
According to the Disaster Management Act, 2005, a disaster is defined as:
A catastrophe, mishap, calamity, or grave occurrence in any area arising from natural or man-made causes.
It results in substantial loss of life or human suffering, damage to or destruction of property, or environmental degradation.
The damage must be of such a nature or magnitude that it is beyond the coping capacity of the affected community.
Is there any provision to declare a ‘National Disaster/Calamity’?
There is NO provision under the existing guidelines to declare any disaster, including floods, as a national calamity.
The guidelinesdo NOT contemplate declaring a disaster as a National Calamity.
Attempts to Define National Calamity:
National Committee (2001):
Chaired by the then Prime Minister, the committee was tasked with defining parameters for a national calamity.
The committee did not suggest any fixed criteria for such a declaration.
10th Finance Commission (1995-2000):
It proposed that a disaster be termed “a national calamity of rarest severity” if it affects one-third of a state’s population.
It did not define “calamity of rare severity” but suggested that each case be adjudged individually.
Response to such calamities in India
When a calamity is declared as such, support is provided at the national level.
The Centre considers additional assistance from the NDRF.
A Calamity Relief Fund (CRF) is established, with the corpus shared 3:1 between the Centre and the state.
If resources in the CRF are insufficient, additional assistance is considered from the National Calamity Contingency Fund (NCCF), funded entirely by the Centre.
Relief measures can include the repayment of loans or the provision of fresh loans to affected individuals on concessional terms.
PYQ:
[2020] Discuss the recent measures initiated in disaster management by the Government of India departing from the earlier reactive approach.
[2019] Vulnerability is an essential element for defining disaster impacts and its threat to people. How and in what ways can vulnerability to disasters be characterized? Discuss different types of vulnerability with reference to disasters.
In July, the Odisha government approved a proposal to plant 1.9 million palm trees to mitigate deaths caused by lightning strikes, which were declared a state-specific disaster in 2015.
How many people have lost their lives to lightning in Odisha?
Over the last 11 years, a total of 3,790 people have lost their lives due to lightning strikes in Odisha.
In the previous three fiscal years, 791 fatalities were reported, indicating an increasing frequency of lightning strikes.
On September 2, 2023, Odisha recorded 61,000 lightning strikes in a two-hour period, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 people.
Why are Lightning strikes of particular concern in Odisha?
Odisha is located in a tropical zone and experiences a hot, dry climate that creates ideal conditions for lightning strikes.
The state has the highest number of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes in eastern and central India. The Annual Lightning Report 2023-2024 indicates a significant concentration of lightning activity in this region.
Research indicates that climate change exacerbates lightning activity, with a 10% increase in lightning occurrences for every degree Celsius of warming. This is particularly relevant in Odisha, where climatic factors contribute to frequent lightning events.
With 96% of lightning strikes occurring in rural areas, the most affected populations include farmers and daily wage earners who work outdoors, making them particularly vulnerable during peak agricultural seasons.
How can Odisha defend Itself against lightning strikes?
Planting Palm Trees: The Odisha government has approved a proposal to plant 19 lakh palm trees as a natural defense against lightning strikes. Palm trees are considered effective conductors of lightning due to their height and moisture content, which can absorb lightning and mitigate its impact on the ground.
Financial Commitment: The state has allocated Rs 7 crore for the palm tree plantation initiative and has banned the felling of existing palm trees to enhance this strategy.
Public Awareness and Early Warning Systems: While the state has implemented early warning systems to forecast lightning strikes, experts emphasize the need for widespread public education on safety measures during lightning events.
Concerns: Experts have raised concerns about the effectiveness of palm trees as a long-term solution, noting that it takes 15 to 20 years for them to reach a height where they can effectively mitigate lightning strikes.
NDMA Guidelines for Lightning
Preparation and Awareness: The Local government should educate the communities about lightning safety and the risks associated with thunderstorms.
Seek Shelter: During a thunderstorm, individuals should seek shelter in a fully enclosed building or a hard-topped metal vehicle. Open vehicles and structures such as metal sheds or under-construction buildings are unsafe.
Avoid Trees: Taking shelter under trees is discouraged, as they can attract lightning. If in a wooded area, find the shortest trees for shelter.
Crouching Position: If no shelter is available, crouch down with heels touching and head between the knees to minimize height and reduce risk.
30-30 Rule: After seeing lightning, start counting to 30. If you hear thunder before reaching 30, go indoors. This rule helps assess the distance of the storm.
Way forward:
Installation of Lightning Rods and Conductors: The government should invest in the widespread installation of lightning rods and conductors in rural and vulnerable areas. These devices can provide immediate protection to critical infrastructure, homes, and open fields where farmers and workers are most at risk.
Advanced Early Warning Systems: Need to enhance the existing early warning systems with more accurate, real-time data and ensure these warnings are disseminated quickly through multiple channels, including mobile alerts, community announcements, and local radio.
Main PYQ:
Q Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. (2022)
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