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Subject: Environment

  • How the technology industry is trying to meet its climate goals

    Why in the News?

    A groundbreaking study by Microsoft and WSP Global, published in Nature, shows major progress in making data centres more environmentally friendly.

    What are Data centres? 

    Data centres are specialized facilities used to store, process, and manage data for organizations. They house large numbers of computer servers, network equipment, storage systems, and cooling systems, and form the backbone of the digital infrastructure that powers the internet, cloud computing, and various IT services.

    What are the environmental benefits of using cold plates and immersion cooling in data centres?

    • Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions: These methods reduce emissions by 15–21% compared to traditional air cooling. Eg: Microsoft’s study showed that using immersion cooling in their data centres significantly reduced carbon emissions during peak operations.
    • Reduced Energy Consumption: They use 15–20% less energy, as liquid coolants transfer heat more efficiently than air. Eg: Alibaba’s deployment of cold plate cooling led to lower power usage effectiveness (PUE), cutting energy bills and environmental impact.
    • Significant Water Conservation: Water usage drops by 31–52%, helping conserve freshwater resources Eg: In water-stressed regions like Arizona, using cold plate cooling helps tech firms operate data centres without heavy reliance on water-based air conditioning systems.

    How does life cycle assessment aid in evaluating cooling technologies?

    • Measures Full Environmental Impact (Cradle to Grave): LCA evaluates emissions, energy use, and water consumption across a product’s entire lifecycle — from manufacturing to disposal. Eg: The Microsoft-WSP study assessed cold plates and immersion cooling from production to end-of-life, revealing their overall environmental benefits.
    • Identifies Trade-offs Between Technologies: LCA highlights sustainability trade-offs, helping compare the true impact of different cooling methods. Eg: It showed that while immersion cooling reduces emissions, the type of coolant used may raise separate ecological concerns.
    • Supports Informed Decision-Making for Climate Goals: LCA provides data-driven insights for industry and policymakers to adopt greener technologies that align with emissions targets. Eg: The ICT sector can use LCA results to choose cooling systems that help cut emissions by 42% by 2030, as per global climate goals.

    Why is renewable energy essential for sustainable data centre cooling?

    • Drastically Reduces Carbon Emissions: Using renewable energy like solar or wind can cut emissions by 85–90%, regardless of the cooling technology used. Eg: A data centre powered by wind energy in Sweden showed near-zero emissions even with traditional air cooling.
    • Enhances the Impact of Green Cooling Technologies: When combined with cold plates or immersion cooling, renewables amplify environmental benefits by further lowering energy and water use. Eg: The Microsoft-WSP study found that with 100% renewables, water savings could increase up to 50%.
    • Ensures True Sustainability Across the System: Cooling innovations alone aren’t enough if the electricity source is polluting; renewables make the entire system eco-friendly. Eg: A server cooled efficiently but powered by coal-based electricity still carries a high carbon footprint.

    In what ways are liquid-cooling methods superior to air cooling?

    • Higher Cooling Efficiency and Performance: Liquid-cooling systems like cold plates and immersion cooling transfer heat more efficiently than air, reducing the risk of overheating and improving hardware performance. Eg: In Microsoft’s data centres, cold plate cooling reduced component temperatures significantly compared to air-cooled setups, boosting system reliability.
    • Lower Energy and Water Consumption: Liquid methods use 15–20% less energy and up to 52% less water, making them more sustainable and cost-effective in the long run. Eg: Alibaba’s immersion-cooled servers showed reduced electricity bills and water usage in high-demand operations.

    To what extent can cooling innovations help meet ICT emission targets by 2030?

    • Significant Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Advanced cooling technologies like cold plates and immersion cooling can reduce ICT data centre emissions by 15–21%, directly contributing to the 42% emission cut target set for 2030 (from 2015 levels). Eg: Microsoft’s deployment of cold plate systems showed measurable emissions drops in large-scale data operations.
    • Supports Scalable, Energy-Efficient Data Centre Growth: As demand for cloud services increases, liquid cooling enables high-performance computing without a corresponding rise in energy and carbon footprint, helping the sector scale sustainably. Eg: Alibaba’s use of immersion cooling enabled expansion of AI and cloud infrastructure while keeping energy use in check.

    Way forward: 

    • Promote Policy Incentives for Green Cooling Technologies: Governments should provide tax breaks, capital subsidies, and faster approvals for data centres that adopt liquid-cooling systems and renewable energy integration. Eg: Extending schemes like India’s PLI (Production-Linked Incentive) to green tech in data centres can fast-track low-emission infrastructure adoption.
    • Mandate Life Cycle Assessments and Emission Reporting: Introduce mandatory Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) and carbon disclosure norms for large-scale data centres to encourage transparent, science-based decisions. Eg: Requiring firms to report environmental impact from cooling systems can guide smarter industry shifts aligned with ICT sector’s 2030 emission targets.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2022] How will India achieve the target of 50% of its installed capacity from renewable energy by 2030? Justify your answer. How will the shift of subsidies from fossil fuels to renewables help achieve the above objective? Explain.

    Linkage: Switching to renewable energy is a more effective way for the tech industry to run energy-hungry data centers in a cleaner, more sustainable way. This helps them meet climate goals and support national environmental targets.

  • In news: Valley of Flowers National Park

    Why in the News?

    The Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand opened to tourists on June 1 for its annual four-month window.

    Valley of Flowers National Park

    About the Valley of Flowers National Park:

    • Location: The park is in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
    • Altitude and Size: It covers 87 square kilometres and lies at 3,352 to 3,658 metres above sea level.
    • Protected Status: Declared a National Park in 1980 and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988.
    • Natural Features: Known for its colourful meadows, dense forests, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains.
    • Mountain Range: Lies in the transition zone between the Zanskar and Great Himalaya ranges.
    • River System: The Pushpawati River, from the Tipra Glacier, flows through the valley into the Alaknanda River.
    • Ecosystem: It is part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, which was named a UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Reserve in 2004.

    Flora and Fauna of the Valley:

    • Plant Diversity: The valley has over 520–650 species of flowers like orchids, primulas, poppies, daisies, and the sacred brahmakamal.
    • Flora by Altitude Zones:
      1. Sub-alpine (3,200–3,500 m): Trees like maple, fir, birch, and rhododendron.
      2. Lower alpine (3,500–3,700 m): Shrubs like junipers, willows, and geraniums.
      3. Higher alpine (above 3,700 m): Mosses, lichens, and the blue Himalayan poppy.
    • Animal Life: Includes rare species like the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and the Himalayan monal bird.
    [UPSC 2019] Which one of the following National Parks lies completely in the temperate alpine zone?

    Options: (a) Manas National Park (b) Namdapha National Park (c) Neora Valley National Park (d) Valley of Flowers National Park*

     

  • Jharkhand to set up its first Tiger Safari near Palamau TR

    Why in the News?

    The Jharkhand government has announced to establish its first tiger safari in the fringe area of the Barwadih Western Forest Range in Latehar district, which is part of the Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR).

    What is a Tiger Safari?

    • About: A tiger safari is a tourist activity where visitors observe tigers in natural-like habitats, usually around tiger reserves.
    • Legal Status: The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 does NOT define tiger safaris but restricts construction in protected areas unless approved by the National Board for Wildlife.
    • Policy Origin: The idea was formally introduced in 2012 by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under its tourism guidelines.
    • Rules on Tiger Inclusion (2016): Initially, safaris were allowed only in buffer or fringe zones and could host rescued or conflict tigers, not zoo-bred ones.
    • Amended Rules (2019): The NTCA later allowed even zoo-bred tigers, with Central Zoo Authority (CZA) in charge of animal welfare.
    • Supreme Court Ruling (2024): The court ordered that safaris must be built outside core and buffer zones to protect wild habitats.

    About Jharkhand’s Tiger Safari Project:

    • Location: Planned in the Barwadih Western Range, outside core and buffer zones of Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR), in line with the Supreme Court’s order.
    • Animal Inclusion: Will house only rescued, injured, or orphaned tigers from various reserves and zoos — not wild tigers from PTR.
    • Tourism and Employment: The project aims to boost tourism and create jobs for around 200 locals as guides and staff.
    • Approval Process: The plan is still in early stages. After state Forest Department approval, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will go to NTCA and CZA.

    Back2Basics: Palamu Tiger Reserve

    • It is located in Jharkhand’s Latehar and Garhwa districts, is one of India’s oldest tiger reserves, established under Project Tiger in 1973.
    • Spanning over 1,014 sq. km, it features a diverse landscape of valleys, hills, plains and is nourished by rivers like the North Koel, Auranga, and Burha.
    • The reserve is rich in moist and dry deciduous forests, dominated by Sal and bamboo.
    • It is home to key wildlife species, including tigers, Asiatic elephants, leopards, and sloth bears.

     

    [UPSC 2020] Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?

    Options: (a) Corbett (b) Ranthambore (c) Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam* (d) Sunderbans

     

  • Danger in the sea: On Kerala and the MSC Elsa 3 sinking

    Why in the News?

    The container ship MSC Elsa 3 sank off the coast of Kochi on May 24, triggering a major environmental and maritime safety crisis that could turn into one of India’s worst maritime pollution disasters.

    What led to the sinking of MSC Elsa 3?

    • Operational Failure at Sea: On May 24, MSC Elsa 3 began tilting off the coast of Kochi due to an unspecified operational problem. Despite attempts by the crew, the ship could not be stabilised.
    • Aging Vessel and Abandonment by Crew: Although structurally considered safe, the ship was nearly 30 years old. The crew abandoned it after unsuccessful efforts to right it, leading to its eventual sinking.
    • Unfavourable Sea Conditions: Monsoon-related rough weather worsened the situation, with containers dislodging and floating, further destabilising the vessel before it sank to a depth of 50 metres.

    Why are the sunken containers considered hazardous?

    • Reactive Chemicals: Some containers hold substances that react dangerously with water, posing immediate chemical and fire hazards. Eg: 12 containers had calcium carbide, which reacts with seawater to produce acetylene gas, a highly flammable and explosive compound.
    • Toxic Leakage: Leaked substances from damaged containers can pollute seawater and pose health hazards to marine life and humans. Eg: A container with rubber solution leaked and reacted with seawater, leading to the appearance of plastic pellets along the Kerala coast.
    • Long-Term Environmental Impact: Chemicals from sunken containers can gradually seep out, causing persistent marine pollution and ecological damage. Eg: If not retrieved, chemicals from these containers may enter the food chain, harming marine biodiversity and impacting fisheries.

    Who handles oil spill response in India?

    The Indian Coast Guard is the nodal agency under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP).

    How does this incident test India’s maritime disaster readiness?

    • Inter-agency Coordination: Effective disaster response requires smooth coordination between multiple agencies such as the Coast Guard, pollution control boards, and port authorities. Eg: In the 2017 Chennai oil spill, response was delayed due to confusion and poor coordination, leading to severe coastal damage.
    • Emergency Response Infrastructure: The ability to quickly deploy salvage teams, pollution control equipment, and monitoring systems is essential. Eg: After MSC Elsa 3 sank, authorities had time to prepare, making it a critical test of India’s readiness to act swiftlybefore oil or chemicals leak.
    • Policy Implementation and Preparedness: Real-time implementation of national plans and compliance with international protocols demonstrate operational strength. Eg: The National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) designates the Coast Guard as the nodal agency, and this incident checks how well the plan is executed.

    What are the steps taken by the Indian Government? 

    • Activation of Nodal Agencies: The Indian Coast Guard has been designated as the nodal agency under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) to coordinate the response. Eg: In the MSC Elsa 3 case, the Coast Guard is actively engaged in monitoring oil leakage and coordinating salvage efforts.
    • Deployment of Salvage Operations: Salvage teams are being engaged following international insurance protocols to prevent further environmental damage. Eg: Authorities have mobilised professional salvers to safely retrieve containers and prevent hazardous leaks from the sunken ship.
    • Monitoring and Cleanup Measures: Environmental agencies have been tasked with identifying and addressing the pollution caused, including plastic pellets and chemical residues. Eg: The Kerala government is coordinating with central pollution control authorities to manage the shoreline impactand protect marine life.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Maritime Hazard Protocols and Container Screening: India must enforce stricter pre-shipment screening of cargo for hazardous materials and mandate real-time tracking of containers carrying reactive or toxic substances.
    • Enhance Rapid Response Infrastructure and Inter-agency Coordination: Develop a unified maritime disaster response framework with clearly defined roles for all agencies — Coast Guard, pollution boards, port authorities, and state governments.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2022] Discuss in detail the photochemical smog emphasizing its formation, effects and mitigation. Explain the 1999 Gothenburg Protocol.

    Linkage: The MSC Elsa 3 incident directly involves environmental pollution, specifically marine pollution from hazardous cargo and fuel oil, necessitating mitigation efforts. This question reflects the UPSC’s interest in environmental pollution issues.

  • Pedicularis rajeshiana: New plant species from Himalayas

    rajesh

    Why in the News?

    A new plant species named Pedicularis rajeshiana has been discovered in the western Himalayas of India.

    About Pedicularis rajeshiana:

    • Discovery: It is a newly discovered plant species found at Rohtang Pass, Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of 4,390 metres.
    • Research Publication: The discovery was made by a scientist from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), Dehradun, and published in the journal Phytotaxa.
    • Plant Family: It belongs to the Orobanchaceae family and is part of the Lousewort group of plants.
    • Plant Type: It is a hemiparasitic plant, meaning it draws some nutrients from nearby plants but also performs photosynthesis.
    • Habitat: Grows on shaded, rocky mountain slopes, making it rare and possibly endangered due to its specific environment.
    • Diversity: With this addition, India now has 83 Pedicularis species, including 36 in the western Himalayas.

    Key Features of the Plant:

    • Unique Floral Structure:
      • Flowers have a deeply cut lower lip and stamens at three different levels — a very rare combination.
      • Some flowers show a twin galea (double hood), never observed before in this genus, possibly an evolutionary trait to enhance pollination.
    • Microscopic Details: Pollen grains have a croton-like texture and a distinct shape, confirmed through microscope studies.
    • Distinctiveness: Compared to related species like P. porrecta and P. heydei, this plant is smaller, with fewer flowers and leaflets.
    [UPSC 2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis juliflora often mentioned in news?

    Options: (a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics. (b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grows. * (c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides. (d) (None of the above.

     

  • Culling of Vermins

    Why in the News?

    The Kerala Cabinet is exploring the legal possibility of introducing a bill to permit scientific and regulated culling of wild animals, particularly feral boars.

    What are Vermins?

    • Definition: Vermins are animals considered harmful or nuisance-causing because they damage crops, threaten livestock, or pose risks to human life and property.
    • Examples: Common vermins include rats, mice, common crows, and fruit bats.
    • Legal Effect: When an animal is classified as vermin, it loses legal protection and becomes exempt from conservation safeguards.

    Provisions Related to Vermin in Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972:

    • Schedule V: Lists animals classified as vermin, which can be hunted freely.
    • Section 62: Allows the central government to declare any wild animal (except those in Schedule I and Part II of Schedule II) as vermin for a specified area and time period.
    • Protection Status: Once declared vermin, the animal is treated as a Schedule V species, losing protection.
    • Exclusions: Animals in Schedules I and II (e.g., tigers, elephants) enjoy the highest protection and cannot be declared vermin.
    • Section 11: Chief Wildlife Wardens can allow trapping, capture, or killing of animals like wild boars in cases of public safety or property damage.
    • Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022:
      • Reduction of Schedules: From six to four, with Schedule V has been removed.
      • Direct Declaration Power: It allows the Centre to directly declare any species (except those in Schedule I) as vermin, enabling broader culling without the older categorisation system.

    How are Vermins Declared?

    • State Initiation: The state sends a formal request to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
    • Declaration: If justified, the Centre issues a notification, declaring the species vermin for a specific region and time frame.
    • Temporary Status: This declaration is not permanent and applies only to the area and time mentioned.
    • Examples:
      • Wild boar in Uttarakhand
      • Nilgai (blue bull) in Bihar
      • Rhesus monkeys in Himachal Pradesh
    [UPSC 2024] Consider the following statements:

    Statement-I: The Indian Flying Fox is placed under the “vermin” category in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

    Statement-II: The Indian Flying Fox feeds on the blood of other animals. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

    Options: (a) Both statement I and Statement II are correct and statement II explains statement I (b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I (c) Statement- I is correct , but Statement II is incorrect* (d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

     

  • Conservation of Dugongs

    Why in the News?

    May 28 is celebrated every year as World Dugong Day.

    Conservation of Dugongs

    About Dugongs:

    • Species Info: Dugong dugon, also known as sea cows, are herbivorous marine mammals closely related to manatees but live only in saltwater.
    • Habitat: They live in shallow coastal waters and are mainly found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and Gulf of Kutch.
    • Diet and Role: Dugongs feed on seagrass species like Cymodocea, Halophila, Thalassia, and Halodule. As they graze, they stir up the seabed, earning the nickname “farmers of the sea.”
    • Lifespan and Behaviour: They can live up to 70 years and are usually solitary or seen in mother-calf pairs.
    • Reproduction: Females mature at 9–10 years and give birth every 3–5 years, resulting in a slow population growth of about 5% per year.
    • Conservation Concern: India’s dugong population has dropped to an estimated 200 individuals, with shrinking range and numbers.

    Conservation Efforts in India:

    • IUCN Status: Dugongs are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ globally and ‘Regionally Endangered’ in India.
    • Legal Protection: They are protected under Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
    • Global Agreements: India joined the Convention on Migratory Species in 1983 and signed the Dugong Conservation MoU in 2008.
    • Dugong Reserve: In 2022, India established its first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu, covering 448.3 sq. km.
    [UPSC 2015] With reference to ‘dugong’ a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. It is a herbivorous marine animal. 2. It is found along the entire coast of India. 3. It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

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

     

  • [27th May 2025] The Hindu Op-ed: Focus on heat-resilience despite the monsoon

     

    PYQ Relevance:

    [UPSC 2024] What is disaster resilience? How is it determined? Describe various elements of a resilience framework. Also mention the global targets of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015- 2030).

    Linkage: The heat health crisis falls under the broader domain of disaster risk reduction and building resilience, especially considering extreme heat events as climate-induced disasters. It prompts discussion on defining resilience and the frameworks needed, aligning with the call for embedding heat resilience into public health systems.

     

    Mentor’s Comment: India is going through a serious climate-health crisis as rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves put more pressure on the already stretched public health system. At the recent national conference “India 2047: Building a Climate-Resilient Future,” experts shared not only scientific facts like wet-bulb temperatures but also the real-life struggles of informal workers. This showed how heat stress and social inequality are closely linked. The conference highlighted the need to move beyond isolated emergency care and take united, cross-sector, and fair action to build climate resilience into the way we manage public health.

    Today’s editorial discusses the  serious climate-health crisis as rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves. This content would help in GS Paper II ( Governance & Health Sector) and GS Paper III (Climate change impact).

    _

    Let’s learn!

    Why in the News?

    As extreme weather increases, we need to move from only treating emergencies to preventing problems by focusing on fair and caring public health.

    Why is linking weather alerts with health systems crucial?

    • Enables Timely Preventive Action: Early warning systems allow health workers to prepare and respond before heatwaves lead to medical emergencies. Eg: In Ahmedabad, heat alerts trigger distribution of hydration kits and public advisories, reducing heatstrokecases.
    • Strengthens Community-Level Response: Alerts shared through ASHA workers or local networks can activate door-to-door checks, especially for the elderly and chronically ill. Eg: ASHAs sending WhatsApp messages and visiting vulnerable residents during red alerts.
    • Reduces Burden on Emergency Healthcare: By preventing illness through early interventions (like avoiding midday work, increasing hydration), the pressure on hospitals and emergency services is reduced. Eg: Pre-monsoon planning with meteorological inputs helps health centers stock cooling kits and prepare treatment spaces.

    What is the impact of extreme heat on India’s public health?

    • Rise in Heat-related Illnesses and Deaths: Extreme heat leads to heatstroke, dehydration, and worsens heart and kidney conditions. Eg: According to the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), over 25,000 heat-related deaths were recorded in India between 1992 and 2020.
    • Overburdened Healthcare Infrastructure: Hospitals face a surge in emergency cases during heatwaves, straining limited resources. Eg: During the 2022 heatwave, Delhi’s Lok Nayak Hospital reported a 30% increase in patients with heat-related symptoms in just a week.

    How does extreme heat act as a “social injustice multiplier”?

    • Greater Risk to Vulnerable Populations: Outdoor workers, elderly, and slum dwellers suffer disproportionately due to poor shelter and exposure. Eg: A study by the Indian Institute of Public Health (Ahmedabad) found construction workers had a 2.5 times higher risk of heat illness compared to the general population during peak summer.
    • Limited adaptive capacity: Daily wage workers, street vendors, and waste pickers cannot afford to stop working during heatwaves, making them more vulnerable to heat stress and illness. Eg: Construction workers under tin roofs suffer intense heat but have no choice but to continue working.
    • Excludes the marginalised from public guidance: Advice like “stay indoors” or “avoid exertion” is often irrelevant to those who lack shelter, depend on outdoor jobs, or live in overcrowded spaces, highlighting deep systemic inequalities. Eg: A homeless person or a street vendor cannot follow “stay indoors” guidance during a red alert.

    Who can act as frontline heat-safety champions?

    • ASHA Workers and Primary Health Workers: Trained Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) and staff at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) are well-placed to spread awareness, monitor vulnerable groups, and respond early to heat-related illnesses. Eg: An ASHA worker in a rural village sends heat alerts via WhatsApp and conducts door-to-door visits during a heatwave.
    • Health and Wellness Centre Staff: Staff at Health and Wellness Centres can play a key role in educating communities, distributing hydration kits, and advising on preventive measures like staying hydrated and avoiding midday sun. Eg: A nurse at a wellness centre trains local youth on recognizing signs of heat stress and first-aid response.

    What are the steps taken by the Indian Government? 

    • Development of Heat Action Plans (HAPs): The government, in collaboration with local bodies and NGOs, has promoted city-level Heat Action Plans to reduce heat-related mortality through early warnings, public awareness, and cooling strategies. Eg: The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan (2013) includes early warning systems, public cool spaces, and training for health workers.
    • Integration with Meteorological Services: India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides heat alerts, which are increasingly being integrated into local health response systems to trigger preventive action. Eg: Heat alerts in Odisha are linked to ASHA worker messaging and hydration kit distribution before peak summer.
    • Policy Push for Climate-Resilient Health Systems: The National Action Plan on Climate Change and Human Health (NAPCCHH) encourages health systems to be climate-ready by building infrastructure, developing clinical protocols, and training staff. Eg: Health ministries now issue advisories on heat stress, including guidance on modifying medication for chronic patients during heatwaves.

    What preventive steps can make India’s health system heat-resilient? (Way forward)

    • Strengthening Primary Health Infrastructure: Equip primary health centres, Health & Wellness Centres, and ASHA workers with training and protocols to identify and respond to heat-related illnesses. Eg: Trained ASHA workers in rural Gujarat conduct door-to-door checks during heat alerts and share hydration tips via WhatsApp groups.
    • Integrating Heat Risk into Chronic Disease Care: Clinicians should adjust medications, provide heat safety counselling, and track high-risk patients like those with heart or kidney conditions during summer. Eg: In Delhi, doctors monitor diabetic patients more closely during red alerts and advise them on avoiding midday exposure.
    • Standardising Clinical Protocols for Heat Illness: Create and implement national clinical guidelines for diagnosing and treating heatstroke and heat stress, including summer drills and heat corners in hospitals. Eg: Rajasthan hospitals now stock cooling kits and have designated heat response units during summer months.

  • GEDA invites tenders for Solar Waste recycling to tackle growing e-waste in Gujarat

    Why in the News?

    As India nears 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030, solar waste will surge. Gujarat’s GEDA launches a recycling framework to set standards, promoting sustainable waste management alongside solar growth.

    What is Gujarat aiming to achieve with this solar waste recycling initiative?

    • Standardised Protocols: GEDA aims to formulate robust, eco-friendly, and enforceable protocols for handling solar and electronic waste.
    • Research-Driven Framework: The tender invites organisations to conduct feasibility studies and material recovery experiments, focusing on valuable materials like silicon, silver, copper, aluminum, and rare metals.
    • Focus on PV Technologies: The initiative spans across multiple technologies—crystalline silicon, CdTe, CIGS, and TOPCon cells—each requiring specialised recycling approaches.
    • Dismantling and Worker Safety: It includes drafting of guidelines for safe dismantling, regulatory compliance, and worker safety.

    Why is Gujarat suitable for this initiative?

    • Solar Manufacturing Hub: Gujarat has the highest number of solar module manufacturers in India, creating a large volume of solar waste needing recycling. Eg: Numerous solar factories in Gujarat produce panels, which eventually generate recyclable waste.
    • Large-scale Solar Projects: The state hosts many big solar power plants, leading to significant quantities of end-of-life solar panels. Eg: Gujarat’s extensive solar farms produce damaged or old panels that require eco-friendly disposal methods.
    • Government Support: Gujarat’s proactive policies and agency initiatives foster effective recycling infrastructure and standards. Eg: GEDA’s tender for solar waste recycling research demonstrates the state’s commitment to clean energy sustainability.

    How serious is the solar waste crisis in India?

    • Rapid Growth of Waste: From 100 kilotons in FY2023, India’s solar waste is projected to grow to 340 kilotons by 2030, according to CEEW’s 2024 report.
    • Long-Term Projection: The volume is expected to increase 32-fold between 2030 and 2050.
    • Panel Lifespan Ending: Panels installed during India’s solar boom (2010–2020) are now nearing the end of their 20–25 year lifespan.
    • Infrastructure Deficit: India currently lacks a national solar waste policy, making Gujarat’s move even more critical.

    What are the challenges for India in recycling of E-waste?

    • Informal Sector Dominance: A large portion of e-waste recycling is handled by informal workers using unsafe methods, leading to health risks and environmental damage. Eg: Informal dismantling often involves burning or acid baths to extract metals, releasing toxic fumes.
    • Lack of Infrastructure: Insufficient formal recycling facilities and technology gaps limit efficient and eco-friendly processing of complex e-waste. Eg: Many regions lack certified recycling plants capable of handling advanced electronics like smartphones and solar panels.
    • Weak Enforcement and Awareness: Poor enforcement of regulations and low public awareness hinder proper e-waste collection and disposal. Eg: Consumers often discard e-waste with regular trash due to lack of knowledge or convenient drop-off options.

    What are the steps taken by the Indian government? 

    • Implementation of E-Waste Management Rules: The government has enacted regulations like the E-Waste (Management) Rules to ensure proper collection, recycling, and disposal of electronic waste. Eg: Mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requires manufacturers to take back and recycle e-waste from consumers.
    • Promoting Formal Recycling Infrastructure: Encouraging the development of certified recycling units with environmentally sound processes to handle e-waste safely. Eg: Setting up authorized e-waste recycling centers that use safe dismantling and recovery techniques.
    • Awareness and Capacity Building: Conducting campaigns and training programs to educate stakeholders, including consumers and informal sector workers, about e-waste hazards and management practices. Eg: Government and NGOs organizing workshops for informal recyclers to transition into formal, safer e-waste handling roles.

    Way forward: 

    • Strengthen Policy Enforcement and Infrastructure: Ensure strict implementation of e-waste and solar waste management regulations while investing in advanced, formal recycling infrastructure to enable safe, efficient, and large-scale recovery of valuable materials.
    • Promote Stakeholder Collaboration and Awareness: Enhance coordination between government agencies, industry, and informal workers through capacity building, incentives, and public awareness campaigns to foster sustainable recycling practices and support circular economy goals.

    Mains PYQ:

    [UPSC 2013] What are the legal provisions for management and handling of hazardous wastes in India? What are the strategies to pollution control?

    Linkage: The GEDA initiative addresses the recycling of both solar waste and electronic waste (e-waste). E-waste often contains hazardous materials, requiring specialized processing. This question directly probes the legal and strategic framework for managing hazardous waste and controlling pollution, which is highly relevant to the challenges posed by growing e-waste and the need for a robust, eco-friendly recycling framework as envisioned by GEDA.

  • Schistura Densiclava: New Fish Species Discovered in Meghalaya’s Cave

    Why in the News?

    A new species of fish, named Schistura densiclava, has been discovered inside a limestone cave in Meghalaya, even as the cave was already in focus due to a conflict over a Shivalinga-like stone formation.

    About Schistura Densiclava:

    • Discovery Location: Schistura densiclava was discovered in Krem Mawjymbuin, a limestone cave in East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya.
    • Research Team: The species was identified by a team led by Kangkan Sarma of Gauhati University’s Zoology Department.
    • Type: It is a troglophile loach, meaning it lives in caves but can also survive in surface streams.
    • Habitat Conditions: Found in a fast-flowing cave stream, 60 meters inside, with low oxygen and 18°C temperature.
    • Family: Belongs to the Nemacheilidae family, which includes small, bottom-dwelling freshwater fishes.

    Key Features:

    • Body Color and Markings: The fish has a pale yellow-green body with 14 to 20 greyish-black bars along its sides.
    • Name Meaning: “Densiclava” is Latin for “thick stripe,” referring to a dark stripe near the dorsal fin.
    • Adaptation Traits: Unlike many cave species, it retains pigmentation and functional eyesight, helping it survive both underground and in surface waters.
    • Sexual Dimorphism:
      • Males are slimmer, have irregular body patterns, and have puffier cheeks.
      • Females are more robust with uniform markings.
    • Genetic Confirmation: DNA testing confirmed that this is a completely new species.
    • Endemism: The fish appears to be endemic to Krem Mawjymbuin, meaning it is found nowhere else.
    [UPSC 2025] Regarding Peacock tarantula (Goody tarantula), consider the following statements:

    I. It is an omnivorous crustacean.

    II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.

    III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Options: (a) I only (b) I and III (c) II only (d) II and III