💥Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF
Talk to Mentor

Civilsdaily

Login

Subject: Environment

  • Why does India need climate resilient agriculture

    Introduction

    India’s food system faces mounting stress from climate variability, declining soil health, and environmental degradation. Agriculture must simultaneously ensure food security for a growing population and adapt to rising climate risks. Conventional farming systems, particularly in rainfed regions, are proving inadequate under these pressures. Climate-resilient agriculture offers a pathway to sustain productivity while safeguarding ecological stability.

    Why in the news?

    Climate-resilient agriculture has gained renewed attention as India confronts increasing climate unpredictability, declining soil health, and rising pressure on food security. With nearly 51% of India’s net sown area being rainfed and contributing about 40% of total food production, climate variability poses a systemic risk to agricultural output and farmer livelihoods. 

    Why is Climate-Resilient Agriculture Necessary for India?

    1. Rainfed Agriculture Dependence: Nearly 51% of India’s net sown area remains rainfed, producing about 40% of national food output, increasing vulnerability to rainfall variability.
    2. Climate Variability Exposure: Erratic monsoons, heat stress, droughts, and extreme weather events directly affect crop yields and farm incomes.
    3. Population Pressure: Rapid population growth intensifies demand for reliable and stable agricultural productivity.
    4. Limits of Conventional Farming: Input-intensive methods show declining returns under climate stress and contribute to soil degradation and pollution.

    What is Climate-Resilient Agriculture (CRA)?

    1. Biotechnology Integration: Uses biofertilisers, biopesticides, and soil-microbiome analysis to reduce chemical dependence while maintaining productivity.
    2. Genomic Interventions: Enables development of genome-edited crops tolerant to drought, heat, salinity, and pests.
    3. Digital and AI-Based Tools: Applies AI-driven analytics to integrate climate and agronomic variables for location-specific advisories.
    4. Sustainability Orientation: Balances productivity enhancement with soil health and environmental protection.

    Where Does India Stand Today on CRA Adoption?

    1. Institutional Leadership: In 2011, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research launched the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project.
    2. Technology Demonstration: CRA practices demonstrated across 448 climate-resilient villages.
    3. Key Interventions Implemented:
      1. Cropping Techniques: System of Rice Intensification (SRI), aerobic rice cultivation.
      2. Resource Efficiency: Zero-till wheat sowing, direct seeding of rice.
      3. Soil Management: In-situ incorporation of rice residues.
    4. Outcome: Enhanced adaptive capacity and resilience of farmers to climate variability.

    How Does the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture Contribute?

    1. Productivity Enhancement: Focuses on improving yields, especially in rainfed regions.
    2. Integrated Farming Systems: Encourages crop-livestock-resource integration.
    3. Water Use Efficiency: Prioritises efficient irrigation and moisture conservation.
    4. Soil Health Management: Supports balanced nutrient use and organic matter restoration.
    5. Resource Synergy: Aligns conservation with productivity goals.

    What is the Role of Biotechnology and BioE3 Policy in CRA?

    1. Policy Positioning: BioE3 policy identifies CRA as a key thematic area for biotechnology-led solutions.
    2. Commercial Readiness: Several CRA-relevant technologies already commercialised.
    3. Bio-inputs Expansion: Companies supplying bio-inputs that improve soil health and reduce chemical dependency.
    4. Private Sector Participation: Signals transition from pilot-based models to scalable solutions.

    How is Digital Agriculture Strengthening Climate Resilience?

    1. AI-Enabled Advisory Services: Provide real-time, location-specific climate advisories.
    2. Precision Irrigation: Optimises water use under variable climatic conditions.
    3. Crop Health Monitoring: Enables early detection of stress and pest outbreaks.
    4. Yield Prediction Tools: Improve risk assessment and planning for farmers.

    Conclusion

    Climate-resilient agriculture is no longer optional for India’s food system. High dependence on rainfed farming, combined with climate volatility, necessitates a coordinated national strategy integrating biotechnology, digital tools, and institutional support. India’s early investments through NICRA, sustainable agriculture missions, and biotechnology policies provide a foundation, but scaling and coherence remain critical for long-term resilience.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2016] Given the vulnerability of Indian agriculture to vagaries of nature, discuss the need for crop insurance and bring out the salient features of the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY). 

    Linkage: This question directly links to GS Paper III themes of agricultural vulnerability, climate risk, and risk-mitigation mechanisms. Climate-resilient agriculture frameworks emphasize crop insurance (PMFBY) as a financial resilience tool to buffer farmers against increasing climate-induced crop losses.

  • Amazonian Stingless Bees 

    Why in the News?

    Municipalities in Peru passed a landmark ordinance granting legal rights to Amazonian stingless bees, making them the first insects in the world to receive such recognition.

    About Amazon’s Stingless Bees

    Stingless bees belong to the Meliponini group and either lack stingers or have non functional stingers, making them harmless to humans. They are critical pollinators in tropical ecosystems.

    Origin

    • Among the oldest bee lineages, existing for nearly 80 million years
       • Emerged during the age of dinosaurs
       • About 500 species globally, nearly half in the Amazon

    Habitat

    • Tropical forests worldwide
       • Highly abundant in the Amazon rainforest
       • Peru hosts over 170 species

    Key Ecological and Cultural Features

    • Primary rainforest pollinators
       • Pollinate over 80 percent of Amazonian plant species
       • Support key global crops like coffee, cacao, avocado, blueberry
       • Deeply embedded in Indigenous knowledge systems
       • Culturally significant to communities such as Asháninka and Kukama-Kukamiria

    Legal Rights for Stingless Bees

    The ordinance recognises inherent rights, including
     • Right to exist and flourish
     • Right to maintain healthy populations
     • Right to regenerate natural ecological cycles
     • Right to live in pollution free habitats
     • Right to legal representation when threatened

    Significance

    • Global legal first: First instance of insects granted legal rights
       • Stronger conservation framework: Enables legal action against deforestation, pollution, and habitat loss
       • Advances Rights of Nature doctrine: Moves from human centred environmental protection to ecosystem centred justice
    [2023] Which of the following organisms perform waggle dance for others of their kin to indicate the direction and the distance to a source of their food? 

    (a) Butterflies 

    (b) Dragonflies 

    (c) Honeybees 

    (d) Wasps

  • Secondary Pollutants

    Why in the News?

    A recent analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air has revealed that secondary pollutants now contribute nearly one third of Delhi’s annual PM2.5 load, highlighting a major shift in the nature of urban air pollution.

    What are Secondary Pollutants?

    • Secondary pollutants are not emitted directly from pollution sources.
    • They are formed in the atmosphere when primary pollutants such as SO₂, NOx and VOCs undergo chemical reactions.
    • These reactions are influenced by sunlight, temperature, humidity and stagnant air conditions.
    • They often accumulate downwind and over time, making monitoring and control more complex than primary pollutants.

    Major Secondary Pollutants

    • Secondary PM2.5: Ammonium sulfate and Ammonium nitrate
    • Ozone (O₃): Formed from nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the presence of sunlight
    • Acids: Sulfuric acid and Nitric acid (contributors to acid rain)
    • Photochemical smog components: Peroxyacetyl nitrates (PANs) and Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂)

    Implications

    Regional and transboundary impact

    • Secondary aerosols can travel hundreds of kilometres
    • Delhi’s air quality is influenced by emissions from coal intensive states beyond the NCR

    Winter smog intensification

    • Moist and stagnant winter air sharply increases secondary PM2.5

    Health risks

    • Fine secondary particles penetrate deep into the lungs
    • Increase risks of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases

    Prelims Pointers

    • Secondary pollutants are formed in the atmosphere, not emitted directly
    • Ammonia plays a key role in secondary PM2.5 formation
    • Winter meteorology is crucial for secondary aerosol build up
    • Air pollution control requires regional coordination, not only city level measures
    [2013] Photochemical smog is a resultant of the reaction among 

    (a) NO₂, O₃ and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight

    (b) CO₂, O₂, and peroxyacetyl nitrate in the presence of sunlight

    (c) CO, CO₂, and NO₂ at low temperature

    (d) high concentration of NO₂, O₃ and CO in the evening

  • Kolleru Lake

    Why in the News?

    • Kolleru Lake is gaining recognition for its black dried fish, now popular in domestic and international markets.

    What is Black Dried Fish

    • A traditional sun dried fish product
    • Prepared by drying small freshwater or brackish water fish without heavy salting
    • Dark colour develops due to natural oxidation and fermentation during drying
    • Strong aroma and long shelf life

    Location and Physical Features

    • One of the largest freshwater lakes in India
    • Located in Andhra Pradesh, near Eluru
    • Lies in the inter-deltaic plain of Krishna and Godavari
    • Acts as a natural flood-balancing reservoir for both rivers
    • Shallow lake in nature

    Hydrology

    • Receives water from Budameru, Ramileru, Tammileru, Errakalva rivers
    • Also fed by 18 drains
    • Drains into the Bay of Bengal through Upputeru outlet

    Ecological Importance

    • Known as Peerless Fisherman’s Paradise and Bird Heaven
    • Declared a Wildlife Sanctuary in November 1999
    • Designated a Ramsar Wetland in November 2002
    • Supports over 20 million migratory birds annually
    • Key species: Grey pelican, Painted stork, Open billed stork
    • Hosts migratory birds from Siberia, Central Asia, and the Himalayas

    Socio-Economic Significance

    • Sustains livelihoods through fishing, duck farming, and paddy cultivation
    • Traditional black dried fish is a unique local product with growing market value

    Prelims Pointers

    • Largest freshwater lake in Andhra Pradesh
    • Ramsar site and wildlife sanctuary
    • Flood moderation role for Krishna and Godavari
    • Internationally known for migratory birds and fisheries
    Consider the following statements: (2023)

    1. Jhelum River passes through Wular Lake. 

    2. Krishna River directly feeds Kolleru Lake. 

    3. Meandering of Gandak River formed Kanwar Lake. 

    How many of the statements given above are correct? 

    (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None

  • Dhasan River 

    Why in the News?

    The National Green Tribunal, Principal Bench, New Delhi, dismissed an appeal challenging the cancellation of environmental clearance for sand mining in the Dhasan River in Jhansi district.

    About Dhasan River

    • A right bank tributary of the Betwa River
       • Betwa River is a tributary of the Yamuna
       • Flows through the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh
       • Known as Dasharna in the ancient period
    • Originates in Begumganj tehsil, Raisen district, Madhya Pradesh
       • Forms the south eastern boundary of Lalitpur district, Uttar Pradesh

    Infrastructure

    • Lehchura Dam is built across the Dhasan River
       • Primarily an irrigation dam
       • Supplies water through the Dhasan Canal System (DCS) for agricultural use

    Prelims Pointers

    • Dhasan is a right bank, not left bank tributary
       • Flows through Bundelkhand, a drought prone region
       • Ancient name Dasharna is important for history culture linkage
       • Sand mining issues fall under NGT jurisdiction
    Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds? [2018] 

    1. Decreased salinity in the river 

    2. Pollution of groundwater 

    3. Lowering of the water-table Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

    (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Himalayan Red Fox 

    Why in the News?

    A roadside sighting of a Himalayan Red Fox near Pangong Tso in Ladakh went viral on social media. Wildlife authorities cautioned that human interaction with wild animals can disturb their natural behaviour and pose ecological risks.

    About Himalayan Red Fox

    • Subspecies of the widespread red fox
      • One of the most adaptable predators of high altitude Himalayan ecosystems

    Conservation Status

    • Classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List

    Distribution

    • Native to the Himalayan mountain range
      • Found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Tibet
      • In India, distributed across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh

    Key Facts about Pangong Tso

    • High altitude endorheic lake in the Ladakh Himalayas
      • One third lies in India and two thirds in China
      • World’s highest saltwater lake
      • Known for changing colours such as blue, green, and reddish shades

    Prelims Pointers

    • Himalayan Red Fox shows high ecological adaptability
      • Pangong Tso is saline and landlocked
      • Wildlife disturbance from tourism is an emerging conservation concern
      • Least Concern species can still face localised threats
    Consider the following: (2012)

    1. Black-necked crane 

    2. Cheetah 

    3. Flying squirrel 

    4. Snow leopard. 

    Which of the above are naturally found in India? 

    (a) 1, 2 and 3 only (b) 1, 3 and 4 only (c) 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

  • Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme 

    Why in the News?

    India is expected to have more than 100 tsunami ready villages under the Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme in the Indian Ocean region.

    About Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme

    • An international community based recognition programme
    • Developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
    • Focuses on coastal communities vulnerable to tsunami hazards

    Objectives

    • Build resilient coastal communities
    • Enhance awareness and preparedness against tsunamis
    • Protect life, livelihoods and property
    • Reduce loss and damage during tsunami events

    Prelims Pointers

    • Programme is recognition based, not funding based
    • Focus is on last mile preparedness
    • Applies to coastal and island communities
    • Part of global efforts for tsunami risk reduction
    • India is a member of the Indian Ocean tsunami preparedness framework
    The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge? (2011)

    (a) Mangrove swamps separate human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out. 

    (b) Mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster. 

    (c) Mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or Tsunami. 

    (d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots.

  • The great wall in the North: Why the Aravallis matter

    Introduction

    The Aravalli range, dating back over a billion years to the Precambrian era, stretches approximately 700 km across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. Despite being one of the most degraded mountain systems in India, it remains central to water security, climate regulation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihood support in north and north-western India. The current policy moment exposes tensions between mineral exploitation, urbanisation, and ecological protection.

    Why in the News

    The Aravalli range has returned to public debate following a new definition notified by the Centre in October 2023, subsequently accepted by the Supreme Court in November, which excludes nearly 90% of the Aravalli landscape from protection against mining and development. This marks a sharp departure from earlier judicial and administrative approaches, which treated large parts of the range as ecologically sensitive regardless of formal forest classification.

    How extensive is the Aravalli range and why does its geography matter?

    1. Spatial spread: Extends across four states and 37 districts, underscoring inter-state ecological interdependence.
    2. Length and distribution: Covers about 700 km, with 560 km located in Rajasthan alone, indicating uneven conservation pressures.
    3. Topographical role: Forms a physical barrier separating the Thar Desert from the Indo-Gangetic plains, limiting eastward sand movement.

    Why are the Aravallis described as a natural sand and climate barrier?

    1. Desertification control: Blocks desert sand from advancing into Delhi, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, reducing dust storms and land degradation.
    2. Air quality protection: Prevents sand ingress that worsens air pollution episodes in urban centres such as Delhi-NCR.
    3. Climate moderation: Acts as a climatic shield for north-west India, similar in function to the Western Ghats for peninsular India.

    What role do the Aravallis play in groundwater recharge and river systems?

    1. Aquifer recharge: Rocky, fractured, and porous formations allow rainwater to percolate underground instead of surface runoff.
    2. Water security: Supports groundwater reserves for rapidly expanding urban centres such as Gurugram, Faridabad, and Sohna.
    3. River origins: Forms part of the watershed for rivers flowing into both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, including tributaries linked to the Chambal system.

    How does the Aravalli ecosystem support biodiversity and wildlife?

    1. Habitat diversity: Supports dry deciduous, semi-arid, and savanna ecosystems, enabling species adaptation in arid conditions.
    2. Protected areas: Hosts 22 wildlife sanctuaries, with 16 in Rajasthan alone.
    3. Tiger reserves: Includes Ranthambore, Sariska, and Mukundra, three of India’s critical tiger landscapes.
    4. Species presence: Supports fauna such as leopard, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, desert fox, and diverse avifauna.

    What human activities are driving the degradation of the Aravallis?

    1. Mining and quarrying: Extensive legal and illegal extraction of stone and minerals, weakening hill structures.
    2. Deforestation: Reduces soil stability and accelerates erosion.
    3. Urbanisation: Expansion of cities like Gurugram and Alwar encroaches on hill systems and recharge zones.
    4. Ecological fragmentation: Creation of at least 12 major gaps in the range, enabling desert sand movement eastwards.

    Why has the new Aravalli definition triggered concern?

    1. Regulatory dilution: Redefines Aravallis largely based on elevation and revenue records, excluding large ecologically active areas.
    2. Protection rollback: Removes mining and development restrictions from nearly 90% of the range.
    3. Ecological risk: Weakens safeguards for groundwater recharge zones and wildlife corridors.
    4. Governance gap: Shifts focus from ecosystem function to narrow land classification criteria.

    Conclusion

    The Aravalli range functions as a critical ecological infrastructure for northern India by regulating desert expansion, sustaining groundwater recharge, and supporting biodiversity across a densely populated region. The ongoing degradation of the range, driven by mining, deforestation, and regulatory dilution, undermines these life-supporting functions and amplifies risks of desertification, water stress, and ecological fragmentation. Ensuring landscape-level protection of the Aravallis is therefore essential not merely for environmental conservation, but for long-term economic resilience and human security in north and north-western India.
    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2020] The process of desertification does not have climatic boundaries. Justify with examples.

    Linkage: This question is relevant to GS-I (Physical Geography) as it examines desertification as a geomorphological and environmental process driven by both climatic and anthropogenic factors. The Aravalli degradation exemplifies how mining, deforestation, and urbanisation enable desert expansion beyond arid climatic zones, validating the non-climatic spread of desertification.

  • Long-billed Vulture 

    Why in the News?

    The Bombay Natural History Society, along with the Maharashtra Forest Department, successfully tagged 15 long billed vultures at Melghat Tiger Reserve to support conservation and tracking efforts.

    About Long-Billed Vulture

    • An Old World vulture native to the Asian region
    • Also called Indian long billed vulture due to its elongated beak
    • Medium sized, bulky scavenger feeding mainly on animal carcasses
    • Females are smaller than males

    Habitat and Distribution

    • Found in savannas and open landscapes
    • Common near villages, towns, and cultivated areas
    • Native to India, Pakistan, and Nepal

    Conservation Status

    • IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
    • Population decline mainly linked to diclofenac poisoning, habitat loss, and food scarcity
    Vultures which used to be very common in Indian countryside some years ago are rarely seen nowadays. This is attributed to: (2016)

    (a) the destruction of their nesting sites by new invasive species 

    (b) a drug used by cattle owners for treating their diseased cattle 

    (c) scarcity of food available to them 

    (d) a widespread, persistent and fatal disease among them

  • Aluminium Contamination in Kuttanad Paddy Fields

    Why in the News?

    Soil tests in Kuttanad, known as the rice bowl of Kerala, show aluminium levels far above safe limits, threatening paddy cultivation and farmer livelihoods.

    Key Findings

    • Aluminium concentration: 77.51 to 334.10 ppm
     • Safe limit for rice cultivation: 2 ppm
     • Present levels are 39 to 165 times higher than permissible limits
     • Samples collected from 12 paddy fields

    Cause of Contamination

    • Increasing soil acidity (increasing aluminium solubility)
     • Aluminium becomes toxic when soil pH falls below 5
     • Aluminium availability increases tenfold with each unit drop in pH

    Impact on Crops

    • Damage to plant root systems
     • Reduced absorption of nutrients: phosphorus, calcium, potassium, magnesium
     • Iron toxicity also increases in acidic soils
     • Decline in paddy yield

    Threat to Livelihood

    • Risk to small and marginal farmers
     • Direct impact on Kerala’s food security
     • Described as a grave environmental imbalance

    Prelims Pointers

    • Aluminium toxicity is linked to acidic soils, not alkaline soils
     • Liming reduces aluminium solubility
     • Kuttanad is a below sea level, wetland rice ecosystem
     • Soil health directly affects nutrient uptake and crop productivity

    What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture? (2015)

    1. Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur. 

    2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place. 

    3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

    (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3