đŸ’„Join UPSC 2027,2028 Mentorship (July Batch) + XFactor Notes & Microthemes PDF

Subject: Environment

  • Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdictions (BBNJ) Agreement

    Why in the News?

    The Ministry of Earth Sciences has formed a 12-member committee led by SC lawyer Sanjay Upadhyay to draft a new national law safeguarding India’s maritime and economic interests under the 2023 High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement).

    About the BBNJ (High Seas Treaty) Agreement:

    • Overview: International treaty under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), focusing on biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction (high seas).
    • Objective: Conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in international waters (covering ~64% of the world’s oceans).
    • Scope of Provisions:
      • Establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in high seas.
      • Regulation of seabed mining and extractive activities.
      • Fair and equitable sharing of benefits from marine genetic resources.
      • Mandatory environmental impact assessments (EIAs) before major projects.
      • Use of both scientific and traditional knowledge, guided by the precautionary principle.
    • Relation to UNCLOS: Would be the third implementing agreement, alongside:
      • 1994 Part XI Implementation Agreement (seabed mineral resources).
      • 1995 UN Fish Stocks Agreement (conservation of migratory fish stocks).
    • Adoption & Status:
      • Agreed in March 2023, open for signature for 2 years from September 2023.
      • Enters into force 120 days after the 60th ratification (currently ratified by 55 countries).
    [UPSC 2022] With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:

    1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.

    2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.

    3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.

    Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

     

  • Noise pollution is rising but policy is falling silent

    Introduction

    Noise pollution in India has emerged as a silent but significant public health crisis. With urban decibel levels routinely breaching permissible limits near schools, hospitals, and residential zones, the constitutional promise of dignity and peace is being eroded. Despite a robust legal framework in place since 2000, fragmented enforcement, civic fatigue, and policy inertia have left the issue largely unaddressed. Unlike Europe, where noise-induced illnesses shape policymaking, India remains institutionally and politically silent.

    Why is noise pollution in the news?

    Noise pollution has resurfaced as a pressing issue because of increasing violations in silence zones, lack of updated enforcement mechanisms, and alarming ecological findings. The Central Pollution Control Board’s National Ambient Noise Monitoring Network (NANMN), launched in 2011 as a flagship real-time monitoring system, has become a passive repository with little accountability. In 2024, the Supreme Court reaffirmed that excessive noise is a violation of Article 21. A 2025 ecological study added urgency, revealing that even one night of urban noise disrupts bird song and communication.

    Weaknesses in India’s noise monitoring system

    1. Flawed sensor placement: Many noise monitors are mounted 25–30 feet high, violating CPCB’s 2015 guidelines and recording misleading data.
    2. Data without enforcement: NANMN has been reduced to a dashboard of figures with no link to penalties or compliance.
    3. Fragmented institutions: State Pollution Control Boards, traffic police, and municipalities act in silos, preventing unified action.
    4. Opacity in data: RTI queries remain unanswered, and States like Uttar Pradesh have not released first-quarter 2025 data.

    Noise pollution as a constitutional and legal challenge

    1. Right to life with dignity (Article 21): Supreme Court reaffirmed in 2024 that unchecked urban noise directly undermines mental well-being.
    2. Directive Principle (Article 48A): The State has a duty to protect and improve the environment, but silence on noise policy reflects neglect.
    3. Failure of Silence Zones: Hospitals and schools often record 65–70 dB(A) against the permissible 50 dB(A) daytime and 40 dB(A) nighttime limits set by WHO.

    Human and ecological costs of unchecked urban noise

    1. Mental health erosion: Chronic noise exposure causes disturbed sleep cycles, hypertension, and reduced cognitive function.
    2. Children and elderly at risk: Sensitive groups face aggravated anxiety and cardiovascular problems.
    3. Biodiversity disruption: 2025 Auckland study shows even one night of noise alters bird song complexity, affecting species survival and ecological communication.
    4. Cultural normalisation: Honking, drilling, and loudspeakers have become ambient irritants, tolerated rather than resisted.

    Fragmented governance and symbolic compliance

    1. Weak legal update: Noise Pollution Rules, 2000 have not been revised to reflect rapid urbanisation and logistics-heavy economies.
    2. Institutional silos: No coordination between police, local bodies, and SPCBs, leaving sporadic enforcement drives without systemic change.
    3. Judicial reminders: Despite Noise Pollution (V), In Re (2005, reaffirmed in 2024), state capacity to enforce remains symbolic.

    Towards a national acoustic policy and cultural change

    1. Decentralise monitoring: Grant local governments access to real-time NANMN data.
    2. Link data with penalties: Without enforcement, monitoring becomes performative.
    3. National acoustic policy: Define permissible decibel limits across zones with periodic audits.
    4. Urban planning reforms: Embed acoustic resilience into city designs, zoning, and transport planning.
    5. Sonic empathy campaigns: Similar to seatbelt norms, honking reduction must be internalised through community education.

    Conclusion

    Noise pollution is not an invisible irritant, it is a public health emergency, an ecological disruptor, and a constitutional concern. Without a rights-based framework that treats silence as essential to dignity, India’s urban future risks becoming unliveable. The challenge is not only regulatory but also cultural: fostering a shared ethic of sonic empathy. Silence must not be imposed, but enabled through design, governance, and civic will.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] What is oil pollution? What are its impacts on the marine ecosystem? In what way is oil pollution particularly harmful for a country like India?

    Linkage: Both oil and noise pollution are invisible pollutants with severe but often neglected impacts — oil disrupts marine ecosystems while noise erodes mental health and biodiversity.

    Like India’s vulnerability to oil spills due to its long coastline, rapid urbanisation makes it highly exposed to noise hazards. In both cases, regulatory frameworks exist but enforcement is fragmented, highlighting a gap between law and practice.

  • Data shows seas rising faster around Maldives, Lakshadweep than believed

    Introduction

    Sea-level rise is one of the most significant consequences of global warming, threatening ecosystems, economies, and human settlements. In the Indian Ocean, recent findings based on coral microatolls suggest that sea levels began rising rapidly as early as the 1950s, decades before satellite and tide-gauge data had indicated. This challenges existing assumptions in climate change studies and raises critical questions about preparedness for vulnerable island states like Maldives, Lakshadweep, and the Chagos archipelago.

    Coral Microatolls as Natural Recorders of Sea-Level History

    • Unique natural recorders: Coral microatolls are disk-shaped colonies that stop growing upwards once constrained by the lowest tide, making their surface a natural reflection of long-term sea-level change.
    • Longevity and accuracy: They can survive for decades or centuries, providing high-resolution, continuous data.
    • Study site: Research conducted on Mahutigalaa reef, Huvadhoo Atoll (Maldives), measured a Porites microatoll covering 1930–2019.

    Acceleration and Scale of Sea-Level Rise in the Indian Ocean

    • Accelerated rise: Data showed a 0.3 metre increase over 90 years.
    • Rates of rise:
      • 1930–1959: 1–1.84 mm/year
      • 1960–1992: 2.76–4.12 mm/year
      • 1990–2019: 3.91–4.87 mm/year
    • Striking revelation: Sea-level rise began in the late 1950s, not around 1990 as earlier assumed.
    • Cumulative impact: Maldives, Lakshadweep, and Chagos have witnessed 30–40 cm rise in half a century, worsening flooding and erosion risks.

    Climate Variability and Environmental Signals Captured in Corals

    • Climate variability: Slow or interrupted coral growth coincided with El Niño and negative Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events.
    • Astronomical influence: The 18.6-year lunar nodal cycle was reflected in the growth bands, showing tidal and sea-level oscillations.
    • Tectonic stability: Critical factor ensuring that coral growth data reflects sea-level change rather than land movement.

    Regional Significance of Findings for the Indian Ocean Basin

    • Above-average warming: The Indian Ocean is heating faster than the global average, amplifying sea-level fluctuations.
    • Strategic gaps: Despite its ecological and geopolitical importance, the central Indian Ocean is one of the least-monitored basins.
    • Regional variations: Coastal areas saw recent acceleration, but the central basin experienced earlier, stronger rise, influenced by shifts in Southern Hemisphere westerlies, ocean heat uptake, and the Intertropical Convergence Zone.

    Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Imperatives for Island Nations

    • Existential threat: Infrastructure and communities are concentrated just above sea level in Maldives and Lakshadweep.
    • Adaptation strategies: Understanding historic timing and magnitude of sea-level rise is vital for coastal planning, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience.
    • Scientific value: Microatolls cannot replace tide gauges or satellites but offer a vital complementary tool to refine projections in data-sparse regions.

    Conclusion

    The discovery that sea-level rise in the Maldives and Lakshadweep began decades earlier than thought is a wake-up call for policymakers and communities. Coral microatolls, silent sentinels of the ocean, have revealed the urgency of accelerating adaptation and resilience measures. As the Indian Ocean warms faster than global averages, the survival of low-lying nations will depend on proactive international cooperation and evidence-based planning.

     

    Value Addition

    Global Reports and Scientific Frameworks

    • IPCC AR6 (2021–22): Predicts global mean sea level rise of 0.28–1.01 m by 2100, depending on emission scenarios.
    • World Meteorological Organization (WMO): State of the Global Climate 2023: Confirms Indian Ocean warming faster than the global average, intensifying regional sea-level anomalies.
    • UNFCCC & Paris Agreement: Commitments to limit warming below 2°C directly shape adaptation strategies for vulnerable island nations.

    Case Studies for Enrichment

    • Maldives: Declared intent to become a carbon-neutral nation by 2030; adaptation measures include artificial islands and elevated infrastructure.
    • Kiribati (Pacific Island): Purchased land in Fiji to relocate populations – showcases climate migration.
    • Lakshadweep Islands: Reports of shoreline erosion, freshwater lens salinity, and threat to tourism livelihoods.

    Scientific Concepts for Enrichment

    • Thermal Expansion: Ocean water expands as it warms, contributing ~50% to global sea-level rise.
    • Cryosphere–Ocean Linkages: Melting of Greenland & Antarctic ice sheets accelerates rise beyond thermal expansion.
    • Lunar Nodal Cycle (18.6 years): Natural oscillation in tides influencing local sea-level variability, as confirmed in microatoll data.

    PYQ Relevance

    [UPSC 2023] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has predicted a global sea level rise of about one metre by AD 2100. What would be its impact in India and the other countries in the Indian Ocean region?

    Linkage: The article’s findings on coral microatolls show that sea-level rise in the Maldives, Lakshadweep, and Chagos began as early as the 1950s, much earlier than assumed. This reinforces IPCC projections of accelerated rise, highlighting existential risks for low-lying islands. For India and the wider Indian Ocean region, the impacts include intensified coastal erosion, loss of habitats, and the need for urgent adaptation strategies.

  • Collapse of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

    Why in the News?

    A new study warned that the collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) is no longer a low-likelihood scenario.

    What is AMOC?

    • Overview: It is a large system of ocean currents, part of the thermohaline circulation (THC) or global ocean conveyor belt.
    • Function: Moves warm tropical surface waters northward.
    • Deep Currents: In the North Atlantic, cooled water sinks and flows back south as deep currents.
    • Global Link: Connected to the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, making it part of a worldwide circulation system.
    • Key Role: Distributes heat and nutrients across the world’s oceans.

    Collapse of Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC)

    Why is AMOC slowing down?

    • Melting Ice Sheets: Greenland and Arctic ice melt releases freshwater, lowering seawater density, preventing sinking, and weakening circulation.
    • Indian Ocean Warming (2019 Study): Extra rainfall in the Indian Ocean reduces rainfall in the Atlantic.
    • Temporary Boost: Atlantic water becomes saltier, sinks faster, giving AMOC short-term strengthening.
    • Future Outlook: Effect fades once Pacific and other oceans catch up in warming.
    • Climate Models: Predict a 34–45% weakening of AMOC by 2100 under continued global warming.

    What happens if AMOC collapses?

    • Severe Cooling: Europe and the North Atlantic would face strong cooling.
    • Rainfall Reduction: Decline in rainfall over Europe.
    • ENSO Impact: Altered El Niño–Southern Oscillation patterns.
    • Sea Ice Expansion: Increase in Greenland–Iceland–Norwegian seas.
    • Rain-belt Shift: Southward movement over the tropical Atlantic.
    • Long-term Impact: Global climate instability with regional extremes.
    [UPSC 2012] Consider the following factors:

    1. Rotation of the Earth 2. Air pressure and wind 3. Density of ocean water 4. Revolution of the Earth

    Which of the above factors influence the ocean currents?

    Options: (a) 1 and 2 Only (b) 1, 2 and 3* (c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4

     

  • Species: Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) species is under threat as Tamil Nadu allowed the lapse of the Rosewood Conservation Act (1995–2025).

    Species: Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)
    Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia)

    About Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia):

    • Type: Tall deciduous or semi-evergreen tree reaching up to 40 metres.
    • Native Range: Nilgiris, Anamalai, and Parambikulam ranges of Tamil Nadu; also found in parts of Southeast Asia.
    • Adaptation: Thrives in tropical monsoon climates; considered drought hardy.
    • Wood Characteristics: Heartwood ranges from golden brown to purplish-brown with darker streaks, releasing a rose-like scent when worked.
    • Durability: Fine-grained, resistant to rot and insects; known as the “ivory of the forests.”
    • Uses: Premium furniture, cabinetry, decorative veneers, and musical instruments.
    • Conservation Status:
      • Classified as Vulnerable by IUCN since 2018.
      • Included under Appendix II, regulating international trade through permits.

    Legal Protection:

    • Indian Framework: Covered under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, regulating felling, harvest, and transport of timber.
    • Tamil Nadu Law (1995):
      • Prohibited cutting without government permission; extended in 2010 for 15 years.
      • Act lapsed in February 2025, exposing privately owned rosewood trees, especially in Nilgiri tea plantations, to felling.
    [UPSC 2007] Dalbergia species is associated with which one of the following?

    Options: (a) Cashew nut (b) Coffee (c) Tea (d) Rosewood*

     

  • Why are Killer Whales offering fresh prey to humans?

    Why in the News?

    A new study in the Journal of Comparative Psychology documents rare instances of Killer Whales (Orcinus orca) sharing freshly killed prey with humans.

    Why are Killer Whales offering fresh prey to humans?

    About Killer Whales (Orcinus orca):

    • Overview: Largest member of the dolphin family (Delphinidae), often called “wolves of the sea”.
    • Apex predators: At the top of the marine food chain.
    • Physical traits:
      • Black dorsal side, white underside, distinctive eye patch, saddle patch behind dorsal fin.
      • Can grow up to 9 m, weigh over 5,000 kg, and swim up to 54 km/hr.
    • Social structure: Live in pods led by a matriarch; highly coordinated hunters using complex tactics.
    • Distribution: Found in all oceans worldwide, from polar to tropical seas, in both open and coastal waters.
    • IUCN – Data Deficient: But many regional populations face threats from climate change, prey decline, and pollution.

    Why do they offer their fresh prey to humans?

    • Study Findings (2004–2024):
      • Killer whales were observed offering whole prey to humans (fish, birds, mammals, etc.) in multiple oceans.
      • In most cases, they waited for a human response before reclaiming or abandoning prey.
    • Possible Reasons:
      • Exploration/Curiosity: Reflects their advanced cognition and social curiosity; a way to learn about humans.
      • Prosocial Behaviour: They are among the few species that share food within and outside their groups.
      • Play Theory Rejected: Behaviour not limited to juveniles; adults also involved, often with whole prey.
      • Scientific Thinking Analogy: Behaviour resembles “asking questions” and testing human reactions — a form of exploratory intelligence.
      • Machiavellian Behaviour: Could sometimes be manipulative, as killer whales are known to steal fish and disrupt vessels.
    [UPSC 2023] Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?

    Options: (a) Fishing cat (b) Orangutan * (c) Otter (d) Sloth bear

     

  • Fireflies emerge as Ecological Indicators

    Why in the News?

    A recent study in Tamil Nadu documented multiple firefly species and highlighted their role as ecological indicators of habitat health.

    About Fireflies and their behaviour traits:

    • Identity: Bioluminescent beetles (not true flies) of the family Lampyridae.
    • Life Cycle: Larvae live in soil/leaf litter feeding on snails and worms; adults emerge after rains and live briefly to reproduce.
    • Indian Species: Abscondita chinensis, Luciola ovalis, Luciola nicolleri, Asymmetricata humeralis, Pyrocoelia analis.
    • Distribution: Found in tropical and temperate regions; most visible on humid monsoon nights.
    • Bioluminescence: Glow produced in abdominal light organ using luciferin, luciferase, oxygen, and ATP.
    • Light Nature: Cold and efficient, colours vary between green and yellow depending on species.
    • Courtship Function: Flashing used as mating signal; males emit species-specific codes, females respond if correct.

    Ecological Role and Conservation Significance:

    • Sensitivity: Strongly affected by pesticides, habitat loss, artificial lights, and polluted water.
    • Habitat Health Indicator: Large synchronised gatherings reflect intact ecosystems; sparse numbers signal disturbance.
    • Light Pollution Impact: Artificial lighting disrupts flashing, forcing males to waste energy and reducing mating success.
    • Local Evidences: Communities like the Malasar and Irula report declines linked to pesticides and polluted streams.
    • Indicator Role: Act as proxy species for nocturnal biodiversity, signalling risks to moths, bats, and amphibians.
    [UPSC 2024] Which one of the following shows a unique relationship with an insect that has coevolved with it and that is the only insect that can pollinate this tree?

    Options: (a) Fig* (b) Mahua (c) Sandalwood (d) Silk cotton

     

  • Ice Age-era Dragon Fly rediscovered

    Why in the News?

    Odonatologists have reconfirmed the presence of the elusive dragonfly species Crocothemis erythraea in the southern Western Ghats.

    About Crocothemis erythraea Dragonfly:

    • Species Type: A rare dragonfly species, usually found in Europe, Asia, and the Himalayas.
    • Recent Finding: Reconfirmed in the Western Ghats, specifically in Kerala and Tamil Nadu high ranges.
    • Comparison: Closely resembles the common lowland species Crocothemis servilia, leading to earlier misidentifications.
    • Habitat Preference: Inhabits cooler, high-altitude areas above 550 metres.
    • Historical Origin: Likely spread to South India during the Ice Age and survived in montane habitats such as Sholas and grasslands.

    Significance of the Discovery:

    • Biodiversity Insight: Demonstrates how ancient climate changes influenced current biodiversity patterns.
    • Ecological Importance: Reinforces the Western Ghats’ status as a biodiversity hotspot of global value.
    • Conservation Message: Highlights the need to protect sensitive high-altitude habitats like Sholas and montane grasslands.
    • Scientific Contribution: Adds to India’s growing record of documenting and conserving rare species.
    [UPSC 2024] The organisms Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater are:

    Options: (a) Birds (b) Fish (c) Insects* (d) Reptiles

     

  • United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)

    Why in the News?

    This year marks three decades since the landmark Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, which established the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

    About United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED):

    • Event: Also called the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (June 3–14, 1992).
    • Participation: 178 countries, 117 heads of state, thousands of NGOs and civil society groups.
    • Objective: Reconcile economic growth with environmental protection, mainstreaming sustainable development globally.
    • Key Outcomes:
      • Rio Declaration (27 principles, including precautionary principle & Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR)).
      • Agenda 21 (non-binding action plan for sustainable development).
      • UNFCCC (binding treaty on climate change; later Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement).
      • Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (binding treaty on biodiversity).
      • Statement of Forest Principles (non-binding guidelines for sustainable forests).
      • Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) created to monitor implementation.
    • Significance: Landmark in international environmental diplomacy, embedding sustainability in global policy and leading to follow-ups (Rio+10, Rio+20).

    India and UNCED:

    • Stance & Advocacy:
      • Strongly pushed for Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR); developed nations must bear greater responsibility due to historical emissions and resource use.
      • Emphasized poverty eradication and the right to economic growth for developing countries.
      • Called for financial support and technology transfer from developed countries to the Global South.
    • Commitments:
      • Signed & ratified all key Rio agreements: Rio Declaration, Agenda 21, UNFCCC, CBD.
    • Domestic Follow-up:
      • Integrated Agenda 21 principles into national policies (sustainable resource use, biodiversity protection, EIAs).
      • Strengthened environmental legislation under the Environment Protection Act (1986).
    • Role: Positioned itself as a voice of developing countries, balancing environment with development imperatives.
    [UPSC 2010] The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty drawn at-

    Options:

    (a) United Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm, 1972

    (b) UN Conference on Environment and Development, Rio De Janerio, 1992 *

    (c) World Summit on Sustainable Development, Johannesburg, 2002

    (d) UN Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, 2009

     

  • Gangotri Glacier System (GGS) shrinks 10% in 4 decades

    Why in the News?

    A recent IIT Indore study shows that climate change has caused a 10% shrinkage in the Gangotri Glacier System over four decades, altering snowmelt and hydrology.

    Gangotri Glacier System (GGS) shrinks 10% in 4 decades

    About Gangotri Glacier System (GGS):

    • Location: Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand, in the Central Garhwal Himalayas.
    • Origin: Near the Chaukhamba massif at ~7,000 metres above sea level.
    • Size: Main trunk 30–32 km long, 2–4 km wide, with a total glacierized area of ~252 sq. km.
    • Snout: Known as Gaumukh (“cow’s mouth”), source of the Bhagirathi River, which later merges with the Alaknanda at Devprayag to form the Ganga.
    • Tributaries: Includes Chaturangi, Raktavarn, Meru, Rudugaira, Kedar, and Vasuki glaciers.
    • Type: Valley-type glacier with granite, gneiss, and schist bedrock.
    • Features: Moraines, supraglacial lakes, crevasses, and avalanche fans.
    • Debris Cover: 20–24% of the glacier area is debris-covered, affecting melting rates.

    Key Findings of the IIT Indore Study (1980–2020):

    • Flow Contribution: Snowmelt 64%, glacier melt 21%, rainfall-runoff 11%, base flow 4%.
    • Decline in Snowmelt Share: From 73% in 1980–90 to 63% in 2010–20, reflecting climate change impact.
    • Temperature Rise: Mean annual temperature increased by 0.5°C in 2001–2020 compared to 1980–2000.
    • Shift in Peak Discharge: From August to July since the 1990s due to earlier melting and reduced winter precipitation.
    • Snowmelt Rebound: During 2010–2020, colder winters (–2°C) and higher winter precipitation (262 mm) increased snow accumulation.
    [UPSC 2019] Consider the following pairs:

    Glacier: River

    1. Bandarpunch -Yamuna

    2. Bara Shigri -Chenab

    3. Milam -Mandakini

    4. Siachen -Nubra

    5. Zemu -Manas

    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

    Options: (a) 1, 2 and 4* (b) 1, 3 and 4 (c) 2 and 5 (d) 3 and 5