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Type: Prelims Only

  • Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

    Jal Shakti Ministry plans network of Groundwater Sensors

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Groundwater in India

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    groundwater

    Central Idea: The Jal Shakti Ministry is working on an ambitious plan to deploy a vast network of groundwater sensors to continuously relay information on groundwater levels and contamination.

    What is Groundwater?

    • Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock.
    • It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers.
    • Aquifers are typically made up of gravel, sand, sandstone, or fractured rock, like limestone.
    • Water can move through these materials because they have large connected spaces that make them permeable.
    • Aquifers, hand-dug wells, and artesian wells are different types of sources of groundwater.

    Sensors-based Groundwater Monitoring

    • Under this new initiative, around 16,000-17,000 digital water level recorders will be connected to piezometers in the wells to transmit information digitally.
    • In the next three years, the CGWB aims to increase its network from the existing 26,000 to about 40,000.
    • When combined with similar networks possessed by other institutions, India will have about 67,000 digitally recordable units to monitor groundwater dynamics.

    Significance of the move

    • This would make groundwater visible much the same way as air quality and meteorological variables
    • The information will be publicly accessible.
    • It will potentially provide groundwater forecasts to farmers that would be useful for sowing and updated advisories that can influence groundwater extraction policies by states

    Why monitor groundwater?

    • Nitrate contamination – a result of the use of nitrogenous fertilizers – has been observed in some regions
    • Groundwater contamination, mostly “geogenic” (natural), hasn’t significantly changed over the years.
    • But nitrate contamination and fluoride and arsenic contamination have been observed in some regions and states.

    Present system of monitoring

    • The Central Groundwater Board currently relies on a network of about 26 thousand groundwater observation wells.
    • It requires technicians to manually measure the state of groundwater in a region.

    Groundwater Extraction in India

    • The total annual groundwater recharge in the country has been assessed as 437.60 billion cubic meters (BCM)
    • The annual extractable groundwater resource has been assessed as 398.08 bcm, with actual extraction of 239.16 bcm
    • The average stage of groundwater extraction for the country as a whole works out to be about 60.08%, and anything above 70% is considered “critical”

    Also read

    Groundwater Extraction Lowest in 18 years

     

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  • Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

    What is Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)?

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Important Geophysical Phenomena

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: CBAM

    Mains level: Not Much

    carbon

    The Indian government will be analyzing how the European Union’s (EU’s) proposed carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will affect the Indian industry. The CBAM is set to start from October this year.

    Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

    Proposed by European Union (EU)
    Purpose To reduce carbon emissions from imported goods and prevent competitive disadvantage against countries with weaker environmental regulations
    Objectives Reduce carbon emissions from imported goods

    Promote a level playing field between the EU and its trading partners

    Protect EU companies that have invested in green technologies

     

    How does CBAM work?

    Coverage Applies to imported goods that are carbon-intensive
    Integration Covered by the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS), which currently covers industries like power generation, steel, and cement
    Implementation CBAM taxes would be imposed on the carbon content of imported goods at the border, and the tax rates would be based on the carbon price in the EU ETS
    Exemptions Possible exemptions for countries that have implemented comparable carbon pricing systems
    Revenue Use Revenue generated from CBAM taxes could be used to fund the EU’s climate objectives, such as financing climate-friendly investments and supporting developing countries’ climate efforts

     

    Who will be affected by CBAM?

    Details
    Countries Non-EU countries, including India, that export carbon-intensive goods to the EU
    Items Initially covers iron and steel, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, and electric energy production
    Expansion The scope of the CBAM may expand to other sectors in the future

    Advantages of CBAM

    • Encourages non-EU countries to adopt more stringent environmental regulations, reducing global carbon emissions.
    • Prevents carbon leakage by discouraging companies from relocating to countries with weaker environmental regulations.
    • Generates revenue that could be used to support EU climate policies.

    Challenges with CBAM

    • Difficulty in accurately measuring the carbon emissions of imported goods, especially for countries without comprehensive carbon accounting systems.
    • Potential for trade tensions with the EU’s trading partners, especially if other countries implement retaliatory measures.

    Conclusion

    • The CBAM is a proposed policy by the EU to reduce carbon emissions from imported goods and to promote a level playing field between the EU and its trading partners.
    • Although the CBAM has its challenges, it has the potential to incentivize non-EU countries to adopt more stringent environmental regulations and reduce global carbon emissions.

     

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  • Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

    First Census of Waterbodies in India

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Waterbodies definition, Key stats

    Mains level: Water conservation efforts

    water

    The Ministry of Jal Shakti has recently released the report of the first census of waterbodies in India.

    Waterbodies Census

    • It is the first ever process of conducting a comprehensive survey of all the waterbodies in a particular region or country.
    • The census aims to identify and classify different types of waterbodies like ponds, tanks, lakes, and reservoirs, among others.
    • The information can help in the development of strategies for their conservation and management.

    Major highlight: Definition of Waterbodies

    • The census defines a waterbody as a unit bounded on all sides that is used for storing water for various purposes.
    • These units can be either natural or man-made and may or may not have masonry work.
    • Waterbodies are used for a variety of purposes, such as irrigation, industrial use, pisciculture, domestic and drinking water supply, recreation, religious purposes, and groundwater recharge.
    • The report states that any structure that accumulates water from ice-melt, streams, springs, rain or drainage of water from residential or other areas or stores water by diversion from a stream, nala or river is also considered a waterbody.

    Key facts: Distribution of Waterbodies

    According to the report, India has 24.24 lakh water bodies like ponds, tanks, and lakes, with West Bengal having the highest number (7.47 lakh) and Sikkim having the least number (134).

    Waterbody Type Percentage of Total Waterbodies Number of Waterbodies
    Ponds 59.5% 14,42,993
    Tanks 15.7% 3,81,805
    Reservoirs 12.1% 2,92,280
    Water Conservation Schemes/Percolation Tanks/Check Dams 9.3% 2,26,217
    Lakes 0.9% 22,361
    Others 2.5% 58,884

     

    State-Wise Distribution of Waterbodies

    • The report highlights that West Bengal has the highest number of ponds and reservoirs, while Andhra Pradesh has the highest number of tanks.
    • Tamil Nadu has the highest number of lakes, and Maharashtra is the leading state with water conservation schemes.
    • South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal has been ranked as the top district having the highest (3.55 lakh) number of waterbodies across the country.

    Issues highlighted: Encroachment of Waterbodies

    • Total 1.6% of waterbodies reported to be encroached
    • 4% of encroached waterbodies in rural areas, 4.6% in urban areas
    • 8% of encroached waterbodies have less than 25% area under encroachment
    • 8% of waterbodies have more than 75% area under encroachment

    Conclusion

    • The census provides a comprehensive overview of the distribution of waterbodies in India, highlighting the states and districts with the highest number of waterbodies.
    • The data on encroachment of waterbodies can help in identifying areas where conservation efforts are needed to protect these valuable resources.

     

     

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  • Interstate River Water Dispute

    Assam- Arunachal Pradesh Border Dispute

    Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Federalism

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: NA

    Mains level: Interstate border disputes

    • assam

    Central idea

    • Ahave had a long-standing border dispute over 123 villages that are located in 12 districts of Arunachal and 8 districts of Assam.
    • On April 21, 2022, an MoU was signed between the two states to resolve the dispute.

    Genesis of the dispute

    • The border dispute between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam has around 1,200 points of conflict along their 804 km boundary, which began in the 1970s and intensified in the 1990s.
    • The issue goes back to 1873 when the British government introduced the inner-line permit, vaguely separating the plains from the frontier hills.
    • In 1954, the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) was formed, and 3,648 sq. km of the “plain” area of Balipara and Sadiya foothills was transferred to the Darrang and Lakhimpur districts of Assam based on the 1951 report.
    • Arunachal has been celebrating its statehood with an eye on China since 1987, and its people living in the transferred patches have been resentful, claiming that the transfer was done arbitrarily.
    • However, their counterparts in Assam say the 1951 demarcation is constitutional and legal.

    Past efforts to resolve the border issue

    • Several efforts were made in the past to resolve the border dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
    • In 1979, a high-powered tripartite committee was constituted to delineate the boundary, and around 489 km of the 800 km were demarcated by 1983-84.
    • Further demarcation could not take place because Arunachal Pradesh did not accept the recommendations.
    • The apex court appointed a local boundary commission in 2006 to resolve the dispute. However, nothing came of it.

    Process leading up to the signing of the MoU

    • Assam CM and Arunachal CM commenced CM-level talks over the border issue on January 24, 2022.
    • In their second meeting on April 20, 2022, they made key decisions.
    • The border issues between both the states would be confined to a list of 123 villages which Arunachal Pradesh had claimed before the Local Commission in 2007.
    • A boundary line delineated by the high-powered tripartite committee in 1980 would be taken as the notified boundary, and all realignment would be done in relation to it.
    • Both states would set up 12 regional committees covering the 12 districts of Arunachal Pradesh and the 8 counterpart districts of Assam for joint verification of the 123 villages.

    Extent to which the issue has been resolved

    • The MoU has resolved the dispute over 34 villages.
    • The village boundaries of 49 of the remaining villages are unresolved.
    • The MoU states that in these, the Regional Committees will finalize the boundaries within a period of six months “through continuous dialogue.”

     

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  • Roads, Highways, Cargo, Air-Cargo and Logistics infrastructure – Bharatmala, LEEP, SetuBharatam, etc.

    India’s first underwater transport tunnel spanning the Hooghly River

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Hooghly River

    Mains level: Not Much

    tunnel

    Central idea: The East-West Metro corridor, the second line of Kolkata’s Metro network that is currently under construction, will connect Kolkata and Howrah, and one of its highlights is India’s first underwater transport tunnel spanning the Hooghly river.

    Hooghly River: Some facts

    Description
    Name Bhagirathi Hooghly River (Anglicized alternatively spelled Hoogli or Hugli)
    Source Close to Giria, north of Baharampur and Palashi, in Murshidabad
    Length 260 km
    Flows through West Bengal
    Endpoint Bay of Bengal
    Importance Lifeline for Kolkata, transportation route for goods and people, historical trade route, cultural and ecological resource
    Challenges Changing course, frequent floods, pollution from industrial effluents and sewage
    Additional Information A man-made canal called the Farakka Feeder Canal connects the Ganges to the Bhagirathi to bring the abundant waters of the Himalayan river to the narrow river that rises in West Bengal.

    The main course of the Ganges then flows into Bangladesh as the Padma.

    The Bhagirathi Hooghly River is also called the Ganga or the Kati-Ganga in the Puranas.

    About the East-West Corridor

    • The East-West Corridor is expected to significantly ease congestion in the city.
    • The line connects Kolkata’s IT hub of Salt Lake Sector V to the western suburb of Howrah.
    • The eastern part of the East-West line is operational while the western portion of the corridor is underground.
    • There are 12 stations on the entire route, including the country’s deepest, Howrah, at a depth of 33 meters.

    Key feature: Underwater Tunnel

    • The tunnels under the Hooghly River are 520 meters long and more than 30 meters below the river surface at its deepest point.
    • The trains will have an operational speed of 80 km/h and will cover the half-kilometre stretch under the Hooghly in about 45 seconds.
    • The underwater tunnels have an internal diameter of 5.55 meters and an external diameter of 6.1 meters.

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Species in news: Olive Ridley Turtles

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Olive RIdley Turtles

    Mains level: NA

    olive

    Millions of baby Olive Ridley Turtles crawled towards the Bay of Bengal after emerging from eggshells along Odisha’s Rushikulyabeach in the Ganjam district.

    Olive Ridley Turtles

    Description
    Scientific name Lepidochelys olivacea
    Habitat Warm and tropical waters
    Found in Pacific and Indian Oceans
    Nesting sites Rushikulya rookery in Odisha
    Largest mass nesting site Coast of Odisha in India
    Conservation status Vulnerable in IUCN Red List
    Listed in Schedule 1 in Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

    Special feature: Mass nesting

    Notable behavior Arribadas
    Nesting habits Synchronized mass nesting and return to the same beach where they hatched
    Nest structure Conical nests about one and a half feet deep, dug with hind flippers
    Incubation period 45 to 60 days, influenced by temperature of the sand and atmosphere

     

     

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  • Mother and Child Health – Immunization Program, BPBB, PMJSY, PMMSY, etc.

    What is Garbh-Ini Program?

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Garbh-INI Program

    Mains level: NA

    Central idea: The scientists working in the Garbh-Ini program have identified 19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) or genetic markers that are associated with preterm or premature birth.

    What is Garbh-Ini?

    • It is an interdisciplinary research program in India that focuses on the advanced research of birth outcomes.
    • It is a collaborative initiative under the Department of Biotechnology.
    • It is led by DBT-Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) in the NCR Biotech cluster, Faridabad, in collaboration with DBT-NIBMG, Kalyani, DBT-Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB), Gurugram Civil Hospital, and other organizations.
    • The program aims to use advanced technology to improve maternal and child health outcomes and address the high incidence of preterm births in India.

    What are Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)?

    • Genetic markers are specific sequences of DNA that can be used to identify an individual or a particular trait.
    • Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the most common type of genetic variation that occurs in the DNA sequence.
    • SNPs occur when a single nucleotide (A, C, T, or G) in the DNA sequence is altered.
    • These changes can occur in any region of the genome and can be used as genetic markers to identify specific traits or disease susceptibility.

    Significance of the Study

    • The study is significant as it identifies 19 SNPs or genetic markers that are associated with preterm or premature birth.
    • Out of these 19 SNPs, five were found to be associated with an increased risk of early preterm birth (birth before 33 weeks) and can be used to predict premature births.
    • This is the first study in South Asia to identify genetic markers associated with preterm births, and it has significant implications for improving maternal and child health outcomes in India.

     

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Oceans absorb 90% of human-induced planet warming: Study

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Important Geophysical Phenomena

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Heat Budget of Earth

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    ocean

    The study published in the journal Earth System Science Data estimates that almost 90% of the warming that has occurred in the last 50 years has been absorbed by the ocean, with the remaining heat absorbed by the land, cryosphere and atmosphere.

    Earth’s energy balance: A quick recap

    ocean

    • It is the balance between the amount of energy that Earth receives from the Sun and the amount of energy that Earth radiates back into space.
    • It is also known as the radiation budget.
    • The energy from the Sun that Earth receives is mainly in the form of visible light and ultraviolet radiation.
    • This energy is absorbed by the Earth’s surface and atmosphere, which then radiate it back into space in the form of infrared radiation.
    • The balance between incoming and outgoing radiation is crucial for maintaining the Earth’s temperature and climate.
    • Any imbalance between the two can lead to global warming and climate change.
    Description
    Total incoming solar radiation Approximately 342 W/m² reaches Earth’s atmosphere
    Albedo About 30% of incoming solar radiation is reflected back to space
    Greenhouse effect Remaining 70% of incoming solar radiation is absorbed by Earth’s surface and atmosphere, creating the greenhouse effect
    Atmospheric heat Atmosphere contains only 0.001% of Earth’s heat energy, but is crucial in regulating heat budget

     

    Key highlights of the Study: Heat Accumulation

    heat

    • The study estimates that approximately 381 zettajoules (ZJ) of heat accumulated on the planet from 1971-2020 due to anthropogenic emissions.
    • This roughly equals a heating rate of approximately 0.48 watts per square metre (Earth Energy Imbalance or EEI). EEI is the difference between incoming and outgoing solar radiation.
    • According to the study, about 89% of the accumulated heat is stored in the ocean, 6% on land, a percent in the atmosphere, and about 4% available for melting the cryosphere.

    Implications

    (1) Land Heat Accumulation

    • Heat accumulated on land drives up ground surface temperatures, which may increase soil respiration, releasing carbon dioxide in the process.
    • Higher soil respiration will likely decrease soil water, depending on climatic and meteorological conditions and factors.

    (2) Inland Water Bodies and Permafrost Thawing

    • Heat storage within inland water bodies has increased to roughly 0.2 ZJ since 1960. For permafrost thawing, it was about 2 ZJ.
    • The accumulation of heat in inland water increases lake water temperatures, making conditions ripe for algal blooms.
    • Permafrost heat content could inject methane and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the researchers warned.

    (3) Ocean and Troposphere heating

    • The upper ocean (0-300 and 0-700 meters depth) has taken up a major fraction of heat, according to the new estimates.
    • During 2006-2020, ocean warming rates for the 0-2,000 meters depth reached record rates of roughly 1.03 watts per square meter.
    • The troposphere is also warming up due to increased heat accumulation.

    (4) Cryosphere heating

    • The cryosphere – the frozen water part of the Earth system – gained roughly 14 ZJ of heat from 1971-2020.
    • Half of the uptake triggered the melting of grounded ice, while the remaining half is linked to the melting of floating ice.
    • The Antarctic Ice Sheet contributed about 33% to the total cryosphere heat gain, while Arctic sea ice stood second, having contributed 26%.

     

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    NASA develops Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: EELS Mission

    Mains level: NA

    eels

    NASA is developing a snake-like robot- Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS), which it says can boost space exploration through its diverse adaptability to various terrains.

    Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS)

    Details
    Purpose Designed to explore internal and enclosed dynamic terrain structures to assess evidence for life.
    Focus To explore ocean-world-inspired terrain, and besides Enceladus, it can explore Martian polar caps and descending crevasses in Earth’s ice sheets.
    Enceladus and EELS system Enceladus is a small and icy body, and the Cassini spacecraft dubbed it to be one of the most scientifically interesting destinations in the solar system.
    Scientific investigations Work is underway to identify high-priority and high-impact scientific investigations to show the capabilities of the snake-like robot.

     

    Features of EELS Robot

    Details
    Propulsion and gripping mechanism EELS robot has an actuation and propulsion mechanism, driven by power and communication electronics.

    It uses a rotating propulsion unit that acts as tracks, while the gripping mechanism and propeller unit help it to access a plume vent exit.
    Adaptability The robot’s adaptability to various terrains and its unique features make it capable of exploring areas that were once inaccessible.
    Enceladus Geyser-like jets spew water vapor and ice particles from an underground ocean beneath Enceladus’s icy crust, making it a promising lead for NASA in its search for life.

     

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  • Indian Air Force Updates

    Exercise INIOCHOS-23

    Prelims Only | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: INIOCHOS-23

    Mains level: NA

    iniochos

    The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be participating in a multi-national air exercise called Exercise INIOCHOS-23, which will be hosted by the Greece Air Force.

    Ex. INIOCHOS-23

    • Exercise INIOCHOS-23 will be conducted at the Andravida Air Base in Greece.
    • The IAF will be participating with four Su-30 MKI and two C-17 aircraft.
    • The objective of the exercise is to enhance international cooperation, synergy, and interoperability among the participating Air Forces, as stated by the IAF in a statement.

    Strategic significance

    • The exercise will be conducted in a realistic combat scenario involving multiple types of air and surface assets
    • This will provide valuable insight into each other’s best practices and enable the participating contingents to interact professionally.

     

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