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Subject: Environment

  • Medicinal plants in news

    This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in DownToEarth.

    Explained below are the medicinal properties of 10 valuable plants known to boost natural immunity:

    (1) Abrusprecatorius (Indian liquorice, Ratti)

    • The bright red ovoid seeds with a black spot weigh 1/10th of a gram, and were hence used as weighing unit called ‘Ratti’ in ancient India by goldsmiths.
    • Its seeds are said to have immune-modulating properties.

    (2) Artemisia scoparia (Redstem Wormwood)

    • These plants have excellent clinical anti-malarial properties due to the presence of artemisinin.
    • They possess potent anti-inflammatory properties and help regulate both innate and adaptive immunity.

    (3) Azadirachtaindica (Neem)

    • It is a well-known tree used in various systems of traditional medicine since time immemorial. In Sanskrit, it is known as Arishtha, which means ‘reliever of sicknesses’.
    • Neem bark is known to have strong immunostimulant Neem oil has been shown to possess activity by selectively activating cell-mediated immune mechanisms.

    (4) Boerhaviadiffusa (Punarnava)

    • In Ayurveda, Punarnava is included in the category of rasayana herbs that possess anti-ageing properties. It helps prevent diseases.
    • This means they increase resistance by providing hepatoprotection (the ability of a substance to prevent damage to the liver) and immune-modulation.

    (5) Cardaminehirsuta (Hairy Bitter Cress)

    • The plants contain vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, beta carotene, antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds that boost immunity.

    (6) Clerodendrumphlomidis (Sage Glory Bower, Arni, Agnimantha)

    • It is an essential medicinal plant that is also mentioned in texts since the Vedic period. It is known to boost the immune system, purify the blood and cure urinary tract infection.
    • The decoction made from the whole plant is useful in improving strength and immunity following a bout of fever or other ailments.

    (7) Phyllanthus tenellus (Mascarene Island leaf-flower)

    • It is an annual herb commonly found near wetlands, ditches, wet places, edges of drains and disturbed places. It is known for immune-modulatory properties.
    • Physalis peruviana (Cape Gooseberry, Rasbhari) (Family: Solanaceae): It is used in traditional folk medicines as an immunomodulatory drug. It is rich in vitamin C and helps enhance body immunity.

    (8) Portulaca oleracea (Purslane)

    • Purslane has been used in folk medicine since ancient times and is included in the World Health Organization’s list of most widely used medicinal plants.
    • The leaves of the plant are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is important in preventing heart attacks and strengthening the immune system.

    (9) Withaniasomnifera (Indian Winter Cherry, Indian Ginseng, Aswagandha)

    • Ashwagandha is an important ancient herb and has been used in the indigenous medical system for over 3,000 years.
    • It is considered to be one of the best rejuvenating agents in Ayurveda that helps to maintain proper nourishment of the tissues. It possesses antioxidant, mind-boosting and immune-enhancing properties.

    Now try this PYQ:

    Q.Consider the following statements:

    1. The Taxus tree is naturally found in the Himalayas
    2. The Taxus tree is listed in the Red Data Book.
    3. A drug called “taxol” is obtained from Taxus tree is effective against Parkinson’s disease

    Which of the above statements is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 1 and 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 3 only

  • Species in news: Lion-tailed Macaque

    The Union government allowed a geotechnical investigation that involved drilling of 12 boreholes inside Sharavathi Valley Lion-tailed Macaque Sanctuary in the Western Ghats in Karnataka.

    Try this PYQ:

    Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

    (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda, Asiatic Wild Ass

    (b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetah, Blue Bull, Great Indian Bustard.

    (c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey, Saras (Crane)

    (d) Lion Tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur, Cheetah

    About Lion-tailed Macaque

    • Endemic to rainforests of the Western Ghats, the Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca Silenus) is an Endangered species, according to IUCN assessment.
    • It is listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
    • It is a Schedule 1 species under WPA, 1972 and thereby, accorded the highest protection under the Indian law.
    • Their total (global) population is 2,500 mature individuals.

    Why in news?

    • Sharavathi is likely one of the most exploited rivers.
    • It flows for mere 132 km, but four major power projects on it produce 40 per cent of all hydroelectric power in Karnataka.
    • Yet, in an attempt to squeeze more power from the river flowing through the Western Ghats, a new pumped hydro-storage project has been proposed.
    • This will only intensify the cumulative adverse impact of previous projects on the biodiversity of the Sharavathi valley.
    • In particular, the impacts on the iconic Lion-tailed Macaque are likely to be huge.

  • [pib] Buldhana Pattern of water conservation

    Maharashtra’s ‘Buldana Pattern’ of water conservation’ has won national recognition and the NITI Aayog is in the process of formulating National Policy on water conversation based on it.

    Refer this link to read more about traditional water conservations systems in India:

    https://geographyandyou.com/ten-traditional-water-conservation-methods/

    What is ‘Buldhana Pattern’?

    • It is based on the synchronization of national highway construction and water conservation.
    • It was achieved for the first time in Buldana district of drought-prone Vidarbha region, by using soil from the water bodies, nallas and rivers.
    • This consequently leads to the increase in capacity of water storage across the water-bodies in Buldana district and it came to be known as ‘Buldana Pattern’.
    • Creation of State Water Grid and adopting water Conservations works under this pattern will increase the agriculture production and bring prosperity in farmer’s economic life in Vidarbha.

  • Ladakh Fault in Indus Suture Zone (ISZ)

    A recent survey has found that a tectonic fault line that runs through Ladakh, all along the Indus river, is not inactive as was previously thought and is, in fact, moving northward.

    Tap here to read more about Himalayan orogeny:

    Indus Suture Zone (ISZ)

    • A suture zone is a linear belt of intense deformation, where distinct terranes, or tectonic units with different plate tectonic, metamorphic, and paleogeographic histories, join together.
    • The ISZ represents a belt of tectonic compression caused by the underthrusting of the Indian shield/ plate against the Tibetan mass.
    • It marks the boundary between the Indian and Eurasian plates.
    • The suture zone stretches from the North-Western Himalayan syntaxis bordering the Nanga Parbat to the East as far as the Namche Barwa Mountain.

    Its tectonic activity

    • The Karakoram Range and the Ladakh plateau lie to the north of ISZ and originally formed a part of the European plate.
    • The zone has been neo-tectonically active for the past 78,000-58,000 years.
    • While the frontal and central parts of the Himalayas — the Shivaliks, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Sikkim — are still known to be active and moving.
    • The fault line runs all along the Indus river, from China through India and Pakistan.
    • The study was conducted in Ladakh from the north of Ladakh’s capital, Leh, to the Tso Moriri lake, a distance of 213 kilometres.

    Why the Ladakh region is more vulnerable?

    • Fault lines weaken the rock formation in the region through which it runs, making the area vulnerable to excessive erosion and landslides.
    • What makes the Ladakh region vulnerable is that unlike other areas in the Himalayas and the rest of the country, there is very little vegetation here and very few trees that can root the soil down.
    • So, in the case of a flash flood or a cloud burst, this can have a widespread impact.

  • ZSI lists Skinks of India

    Celebrating skinks, Zoological Survey of India has listed 62 species.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.With reference to India’s Biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are-

    (a) Birds

    (b) Primates

    (c) Reptiles

    (d) Amphibians

    What are Skinks?

    • Skinks are lizards belonging to the family Scincidae, a family in the infraorder Scincomorpha.
    • With long bodies, relatively small or no legs, no pronounced neck and glossy scales, skinks are common reptiles around homes.
    • Although they are common reptiles and have a prominent role in maintaining ecosystems, not much is known about their breeding habits, and ecology because identification of the species can be confusing.

    Certain notions about them

    • Skinks are highly alert, agile and fast-moving and actively forage for a variety of insects and small invertebrates.
    • The reduced limbs of certain skink species or the complete lack of them make their slithering movements resemble those of snakes, leading people to have the incorrect notion that they are venomous.
    • This results in several of these harmless creatures being killed.

    ZSI study on Skinks

    • A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) reveals that India is home to 62 species of skinks and says about 57% of all the skinks found in India (33 species) are endemic.
    • Sepsophis (with one species)and Barkudia (with two species) are limbless skinks found in the hills and coastal plains of the eastern coast.
    • Barkudia insularisis believed to be found only in the Barkud Island in Chilka lake in Odisha. Barkudia melanosticta is endemic to Visakhapatnam.
    • Sepsophis punctatus is endemic to the northern part of Eastern Ghats.
    • Five species of Kaestlea (blue-tailed ground skinks) are endemic to the Western Ghats and four species of Ristella (Cat skinks) also endemic to the southern part of Western Ghats.

  • The Human Cost of Disasters Report (2000-2019)

    The UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) recently published its report titled “The Human Cost of Disasters”.

    The report holds much significance for prelims as well as mains. Just for the sake of information, we must be aware of the report.

    Highlights of the report

    • 7,348 major disaster events had occurred between 2000 and 2019, claiming 1.23 lives, affecting 4.2 billion people and costing the global economy some $2.97 trillion.
    • Of this, China (577 events) and the US (467 events) reported the highest number of disaster events followed by India (321 events).
    • Climate change is to be blamed for the doubling of natural disasters in the past 20 years says the report.
    • There had also been an increase in geophysical events like earthquakes and tsunamis that are not related to climate but are particularly deadly.

    Back2Basics: UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

    • The UNDRR was established in 1999 as a dedicated secretariat to facilitate the implementation of the International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).
    • It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
    • It is mandated to serve as the focal point in the UN system for the coordination of disaster reduction and to ensure synergies among the disaster reduction activities.
    • It has a vision to substantially reduce disaster risk and losses for a sustainable future with the mandate to act as the custodian of the Sendai Framework to which India is a signatory.

  • Towards cleaner air in Delhi

    The article suggests the three-pronged strategy to deal with the emission from transportation and highlights the importance of coordination at various level to deal with the issue of pollution.

    Anti-pollution campaign in Delhi

    • With air pollution returning to pre-COVID levels, the Delhi administration has launched a major anti-pollution campaign this month.
    • The campaign is focused on cutting the deadly smoke from thermal plants and brick kilns in the National Capital Region as well as on chemical treatment of stubble burning from nearby States.

    Abating emission from transportation

    • Delhi’s long-term solution will depend importantly also on abating emissions from transportation.
    • Delhi needs a 65% reduction to meet the national standards for PM2.5.
    • Vehicles, including trucks and two-wheelers, contribute 20%-40% of the PM2.5 concentrations.
    • Tackling vehicle emissions would be one part of the agenda, as in comparable situations in Bangkok, Beijing, and Mexico City.

    Three-part action to combat emissions from transportation

    • A three-part action comprises emissions standards, public transport, and electric vehicles.

    1) Stricter enforcement of emission controls

    • Two-wheelers and three-wheelers were as important as cars and lorries in Beijing’s experience.
    • Bangkok ramped up inspection and maintenance to cut emissions.
    • The first order of business is to implement the national standards.

    2) Strengthening public transport

    • Bus Rapid Transit (BRT)  around the world show how the sizeable investment cost is more than offset by the benefits, and that financing pays off.
    • Delhi has lessons from its BRT experience in designating better BRT lanes, improving the ticketing system and synchronising with the Metro.
    • The Supreme Court’s ruling to increase Delhi’s bus fleet and align it with the Metro network must be carried out.
    • The ‘odd-even’ number plate policy can help, but the system should reduce exemptions, allow a longer implementation period, and complement it with other measures.

    3) Adoption of electric vehicle: A long term solution

    •  Subsidies and investment will be needed to ensure that EVs are used to a meaningful scale.
    • The Delhi government’s three-year policy aims to make EVs account for a quarter of the new vehicles registered in the capital by 2024.
    • EVs will gain from purchase incentives, scrappage benefits on older vehicles, loans at favourable interest and a waiver of road taxes.

    Need for coordination at various level

    • Transport solutions need to be one part of pollution abatement that includes industry and agriculture.
    • Delhi’s own actions will not work if the pollution from neighbouring States is not addressed head on.
    • Technical solutions need to be underpinned by coordination and transparency across Central, State, and local governments.
    • Public opinion matters.
    • Citizen participation and the media are vital for sharing the message on pollution and health, using data such as those from the Central Pollution Control Board.

    Conclusion

    • It is a matter of prioritising people’s health and a brighter future. Once the pandemic is over, Delhi must not stumble into yet another public health emergency. The time to act is now.

  • 8 Indian beaches accorded ‘Blue Flag’ tag

    Eight Indian beaches have got an International Blue Flag Certification, said Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

    Note the beaches and their respective states. They can be asked in the ”match the pairs” type questions.

    Citation needed: *As of now, there are 13 Blue flag awarded beaches in India a/c to wikipedia. But Blue Flag website would provide exact figures (which yet to update the official numbers).

    Which are these beaches?

    1. Shivrajpur (Dwarka-Gujarat)
    2. Ghoghla (Diu)
    3. Kasarkod [NOT Kasargod which is in Kerala] and Padubidri (Karnataka)
    4. Kappad (Kerala)
    5. Rushikonda (AP)
    6. Golden Beach (Odisha) and
    7. Radhanagar (A&N Islands)

    Blue Flag Beaches

    • The ‘Blue Flag’ beach is an ‘eco-tourism model’ and marks out beaches as providing tourists and beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities/amenities, a safe and healthy environment, and sustainable development of the area.
    • The certification is accorded by the Denmark-based Foundation for Environment Education.
    • It started in France in 1985 and has been implemented in Europe since 1987, and in areas outside Europe since 2001 when South Africa joined.
    • It has 33 stringent criteria under four major heads for the beaches, that is, (i) Environmental Education and Information (ii) Bathing Water Quality (iii) Environment Management and Conservation and (iv) Safety and Services.

  • Species in news: Aenigmachanna Gollum

    Scientists have discovered a new family of bony fish from the Western Ghats and named it Aenigmachannidae.

    A stand-alone species being mentioned in the news for the first time (and that too from Southern India) find their way into the prelims. Make special note here. Usually, note the species and its habitat location (IUCN status if available), in the purview of a generic prelims question.

    Aenigmachannidae

    • Aenigmachanna Gollum has a surprisingly large number of primitive characters, and detailed molecular phylogenetic analyses including of its Mitochondrial DNA suggested an ancient separation from Channidae.
    • Many such species were earlier found in the aquifers of Kerala.
    • Many of these species are blind, pigment-less, and have peculiar morphological characters that are otherwise not seen in species occurring in surface waters.

    Significance of the discovery

    • The presence of two unique endemic families of freshwater fish in a small region like Kerala is unparalleled and indicates the exceptional diversity and endemicity of fishes in this part of the world.
    • The members of Aenigmachannidae are “living fossils” and comprise an ancient Gondwanan lineage that survived the break-up of the supercontinent and the northward drift of the Indian subcontinent.

  • Global Nitrous Oxide Pollution

    Human emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) — a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO2) — increased by 30 per cent between 1980 and 2016.

    Observe the above image carefully and try to find out the major contributor of nitrous oxide emission in the Global N2O Budget.

    What is Nitrous oxide?

    • Nitrous oxide is a dangerous gas for the sustainable existence of humans on Earth.
    • It has the third-highest concentration — after CO2 and methane — in our atmosphere among greenhouse gases responsible for global warming.
    • N2O can live in the atmosphere for up to 125 years.
    • Most N2O emissions have come from emerging countries like India, China and Brazil.

    About the research

    • Nitrous oxide global concentration levels have increased from 270 parts per billion (ppb) in 1750 to 331 ppb in 2018 — a jump of 20 per cent.
    • The growth has been the quickest in the past five decades because of human emissions.
    • The research was conducted through an international collaboration between the International Nitrogen Initiative (INI) and the Global Carbon Project of Future Earth, a partner of the World Climate Research Programme.

    Why N2O matters?

    • N2O is also the only remaining threat to the ozone layer, for it accumulates in the atmosphere over a long period of time, just like CO2.
    • The increase in its emissions means that the climatic burden on the atmosphere is increasing from non-carbon sources as well, while the major focus of global climate change negotiations is currently centred on carbon.
    • A major proportion of the N2O emissions in the last four decades came from the agricultural sector, mainly because of the use of nitrogen-based fertilizers.
    • The growing demand for food and feed for animals will further increase global nitrous oxide emissions.