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Subject: Environment

  • State of Global Air Report, 2020

    Air pollution now biggest health risk in India, says the State of Global Air 2020 Report.

    State of Global Air Report

    • The State of Global Air report brings into one place the latest information on air quality and health for countries around the globe.
    • It is produced annually by the Health Effects Institute and the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation’s Global Burden of Disease project.

    India’s exposure to pollution

    • Long-term exposure to outdoor and household air pollution contributed to over 1.67 million annual deaths from stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer, chronic lung diseases and neonatal diseases in India in 2019.
    • Overall, air pollution was now the largest risk factor for death among all health risks, the report noted.
    • Outdoor and household particulate matter pollution also contributed to the deaths of more than 1,16,000 Indian infants in their first month of life last year.
    • For the youngest infants, most deaths were related to complications from low birth weight and preterm birth.

    A comparison with peers

    • India faced the highest per capita pollution exposure — or 83.2 μg/cubic metre — in the world.
    • It is followed by Nepal at 83.1 μg/cubic metre and Niger at 80.1.
    • Countries with the least population exposure are below 8 micrograms (μg) per cubic metre.

    Back2Basics: Particulate Matter

    • PM is the term for a mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air. Some particles, such as dust, dirt, soot, or smoke, are large or dark enough to be seen with the naked eye.
    • Others are so small they can only be detected using an electron microscope.
    • Particle pollution includes:
    1. PM10 : inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 10 micrometres and smaller; and
    2. PM2.5: fine inhalable particles, with diameters that are generally 2.5 micrometres and smaller.

    Sources of PM

    • These particles come in many sizes and shapes and can be made up of hundreds of different chemicals.
    • Some are emitted directly from a source, such as construction sites, unpaved roads, fields, smokestacks or fires.
    • Most particles form in the atmosphere as a result of complex reactions of chemicals such as sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which are pollutants emitted from power plants, industries and automobiles.

    Harmful effects of PM

    • Particulate matter contains microscopic solids or liquid droplets that are so small that they can be inhaled and cause serious health problems.
    • Some particles less than 10 micrometres in diameter can get deep into your lungs and some may even get into your bloodstream.
    • Of these, particles less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter, also known as fine particles or PM2.5, pose the greatest risk to health.

  • Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation System (KLIS)

    The National Green Tribunal (NGT) wants a relook at Kaleshwaram Project since the Telangana government subsequently changed the design of the project.

    Try this question from our AWE initiative:

    The Kaleshwaram Project

    • The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation System is considered to be one of the world’s largest multi-purpose projects.
    • It is designed to provide water for irrigation and drinking purposes to about 45 lakh acres in 20 of the 31 districts in Telangana, apart from Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
    • This project is unique because Telangana will harness water at the confluence of two rivers with the Godavari by constructing a barrage at Medigadda in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district.
    • It would reverse pump the water into the main Godavari River and divert it through lifts and pumps into a huge and complex system of reservoirs, water tunnels, pipelines and canals.

    Records to its glory

    • The project has set many records with the world’s longest water tunnels, aqueducts, underground surge pools, and biggest pumps.
    • By the time the water reaches Kondapochamma Sagar, the last reservoir in the system, the water would have been lifted to a height of 618 metres from its source at Medigadda.
    • The total length of the entire Kaleshwaram project is approximately 1,832 km of which 1,531 km is gravity canals and 203 km comprises water tunnels.

    How important is KLIS to Telangana?

    • The project will enable farmers in Telangana to reap multiple crops with a year-round supply of water wherein earlier they were dependent on rains resulting in frequent crop failures.
    • This year, Telangana farmers have already delivered bumper rabi crops of paddy and maize due to better irrigation facilities and an extended monsoon.
    • KLIS covers several districts which used to face rainfall deficit and the groundwater is fluoride-contaminated.
    • Apart from irrigation, a main component of the project is the supply of drinking water to several towns and villages and also to twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
    • Mission Bhagiratha, the Rs 43,000-crore project to supply drinking water to every household in villages, draws a large quantity of water from the KLIS and some quantity from projects on River Krishna.
    • There is a burgeoning freshwater fishing industry in the state.

    Issues raised by NGT

    • The NGT has observed that the Telangana government subsequently changed the design of the project to increase its capacity.
    • By increasing its capacity to pump 3 TMC water from 2 TMC, large tracts of forest land and other land was taken over and massive infrastructure was built causing adverse impact on the environment.
    • Extraction of more water certainly requires more storage capacity and also affects hydrology and riverine ecology of Godavari River.
    • Such issues have to be examined by the statutory authorities concerned.

    B2Basics

    National Green tribunal

    • It is a specialised body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act (2010) for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
    • With the establishment of the NGT, India became the third country in the world to set up a specialised environmental tribunal, only after Australia and New Zealand, and the first developing country to do so.
    • NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
    • The NGT has five places of sittings, New Delhi is the Principal place of sitting and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four.

    Structure of NGT

    • The Tribunal comprises of the Chairperson, the Judicial Members and Expert Members. They shall hold office for term of five years and are not eligible for reappointment.
    • The Chairperson is appointed by the Central Government in consultation with Chief Justice of India (CJI).
    • A Selection Committee shall be formed by central government to appoint the Judicial Members and Expert Members.
    • There are to be least 10 and maximum 20 full time Judicial members and Expert Members in the tribunal.

  • 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.