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You searched “Biodiversity & Environment”. Your tag search matches the following results:

Asiatic Lions

Why in News Recently, eight Asiatic lions at Hyderabad’s Nehru Zoological Park have tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. It is the...

05 May 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Financial Sector & Climate Change

Why in News Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) joined the Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS). The RBI expects to benefit...

04 May 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Natural Gas: A Stepping Stone

This article is based on “India’s road to clean energy goes via natural gas” which was published in The Indian Express on...

03 May 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972

Introduction Constitutional Provisions for Wildlife: The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976, Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds was...

03 May 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Xylophis deepaki

Why in News A tiny snake “Xylophis deepaki” has been named in honour of Indian herpetologist Deepak Veerappan for his contribution in...

03 May 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Delhi Air Pollution

Why in News Recently, according to the SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research) system, Delhi’s air quality...

01 May 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
The Global Forest Goals Report 2021: UN Report

Why in News According to the United Nations’ Global Forest Goals Report 2021, Covid-19 pandemic has aggravated the challenges faced by...

30 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Green Initiatives: Saudi Arabia

Why in News Recently, Saudi Arabia launched Saudi Green Initiative and the Middle East Green Initiative to combat the threat of climate...

28 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Leaders’ Summit on Climate

Why in News Recently, the Leaders' Summit on Climate was convened by the US President virtually. 40 world leaders, including the Prime Minister...

24 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Climate Change: Impact on Children

Why in News A recent analysis, based on Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN) index, has shown the impact of climate change on children...

24 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Tough Corals

Why in News A recent study has suggested that coral structures may withstand climate change owing to their impressive process of forming rock-hard...

23 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Protest Against Blue Flag Beaches

Why in News Recently Odisha government’s plan to get Blue Flag Certification for five beaches was opposed by the fishermen. Odisha planned...

23 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Snow Leopard

Why in News Just days before celebrating Earth Day, the internet was going viral over a photo of a snow leopard. Key Points About: Scientific...

23 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
State of the Global Climate 2020: WMO

Why in News Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) released its annual State of the Global Climate for 2020. The report was...

21 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
National Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report

Why in News The Department of Science and Technology has released a report titled ‘The Report Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation...

20 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Sulphur Dioxide Emissions from Caribbean Volcano

Why in News The Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emissions from a volcanic eruption in the Caribbean (La Soufriere Volcano) have reached India, sparking fear...

20 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Draft 2020

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) EIA as per UNEP: The UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the...

19 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Great Indian Bustards

Why in News Recently, a group of hunters shot down two Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) in a protected area of southern Punjab’s Cholistan in...

19 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Exotic Animals

Why in News Recently, the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to take a decision on framing rules to confer protection for exotic animals that are...

19 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment
Cleaning Ganga

This article is based on “River of life” which was published in The Indian Express on 17/04/2021. It talks about the reason for...

17 Apr 2021 Biodiversity & Environment

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		'article_id' => (int) 8303,
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		'title' => 'Asiatic Lions',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, eight <strong>Asiatic lions</strong> at Hyderabad&rsquo;s <strong>Nehru Zoological Park</strong> have tested positive for the deadly<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronaviruses" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> coronavirus</a>.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is the<strong> first known</strong> case of the human infecting the felines and making them sick in India.</li>
<li>Earlier in 2020, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/animals-and-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tiger being infected with Covid-19</strong></a> was reported in New York (Bronx Zoo).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Asiatic Lion (also known as the Persian Lion or Indian Lion) is a member of the <em><strong>Panthera Leo Leo</strong> </em>subspecies that is restricted to India.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Its previous habitats consisted of <strong>West Asia and the Middle East before it became extinct in these regions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Asiatic lions are<strong> slightly smaller than African lions.</strong></li>
<li>The most striking morphological character, which is always seen in Asiatic lions, and rarely in African lions, is a <strong>longitudinal fold of skin running along its belly.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Distribution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Asiatic lions <strong>were once distributed to the state of West Bengal in east and Rewa in Madhya Pradesh, in central India.</strong></li>
<li>At present <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gir-national-park" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary</strong></a> is the only abode of the Asiatic lion.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2020, the Gujarat Forest Department announced an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rise-in-the-population-of-asiatic-lions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>increase in the population of Asiatic lions</strong></a> in the Gir forest region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Its <strong>vulnerability to unpredictable events</strong> such as a plague or a natural disaster, <strong>poaching</strong> and <strong>locals near the Gir National Park killing the lions</strong> in retaliation for attacks on livestock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IUCN Red List</a>:</strong> Endangered</li>
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CITES</a>:</strong> Appendix I</li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972</a>:</strong> Schedule I</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asiatic-lion-conservation-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Asiatic Lion Conservation Project&rdquo;</strong></a> has been launched by the<strong> Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).</strong></li>
<li>It has been<strong> approved for three financial years from 2018 to 2021.</strong></li>
<li>It envisages <strong>scientific management with the involvement of communities</strong> in coordination with multi-sectoral agencies for <strong>disease control and veterinary care</strong> for overall conservation of Asiatic lions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Nehru Zoological Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is <strong>one of the largest zoos of India</strong> and one of the top sightseeing places to visit in Hyderabad, Telangana. <strong>Run by the Forest department, Government of Telangana</strong>, the zoo has been named after Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of the country.</li>
<li>It was <strong>opened to the public in the year of 1963.</strong></li>
<li>It is situated near the historically important <strong>Mir Alam Tank, which is 200 year old and is the first multi-arch masonry dam in the world.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/eight-asiatic-lions-test-positive-for-coronavirus-in-hyderabad-zoo/article34480453.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8295,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Financial Sector & Climate Change',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong> </a>joined the <strong>Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The RBI expects to benefit from the membership of NGFS by learning from and contributing to global efforts on <strong>climate finance</strong>, which has assumed significance in the context of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Network for Greening the Financial System</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>global network of central banks and supervisory authorities</strong> advocating a more sustainable financial system.</li>
<li>It <strong>aims to analyse the consequences of climate change for the financial system</strong> and to redirect global financial flows in order to enable low-carbon economic growth.</li>
<li>It was created at the <strong>Paris One Planet Summit in December 2017</strong> and its secretariat is hosted by the Banque de France.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Climate Finance</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/climate-finance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Climate Finance</strong></a> refers to <strong>local, national or transnational financing</strong>&mdash;drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing.</li>
<li>It<strong> seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions</strong> that will address climate change.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Risks to Financial Stability due to Climate Change:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Climate change poses risks to financial stability in the form of:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Physical risks:</strong> Caused by <strong>extreme and slow onset weather events.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Transition risks:</strong> Caused by <strong>changes in policy</strong>, legal and regulatory frameworks, consumer preferences and technological development while transitioning to a low-carbon economy.</li>
<li><strong>Example:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Under many climate projections, <strong>climate change leads to a further rise in sea levels and increase in storm surge.</strong></li>
<li>These effects, in turn, <strong>lead to increased inundation of coastal land parcels</strong>, which could either damage existing structures on those parcels, or<strong> require investment and adaptation for their continued productive use.</strong></li>
<li>As this inundation occurs, <strong>the expected value of coastal real estate may decrease</strong>&mdash;which may, in turn, <strong>pose risks to real estate loans, mortgage-backed securities, the profitability of firms using the inundated property, and the finances of state and local governments</strong> facing declining property tax revenues and rising remediation costs.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1620120884_image%201.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1620120884_image 1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-gender-gap-report-2021-wef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Economic Forum&rsquo;s (WEF)</strong></a> <strong>Global Risks Report 2021</strong> noted <strong>climate action failure and infectious diseases as the highest risks</strong> (risks with greatest impact and likelihood).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Situation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A World Bank report estimates that <strong>losses to India&rsquo;s <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-decreases-to-11-year-low" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product</a> by 2050 due to climate change could be USD 1,178 billion.</strong></li>
<li>The RBI has noted the importance of <strong>climate-related financial disclosures and private green finance </strong>as<strong> necessary to generate the enormous amounts of investments</strong> required to combat climate change and bring about a transformation towards sustainable and low carbon development.</li>
<li>A study by non-profit Shakti Foundation found that an assessment of <strong>BSE (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/social-stock-exchange" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bombay Stock Exchange</a>)</strong> 100 companies showcases that most of the <strong>Indian companies are lagging in the climate change disclosure </strong>space<strong> due to lack of relevant expertise; limited access to relevant tools and methodologies; and limited subject knowledge.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TFCD):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>TFCD was <strong>created in 2015</strong> by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/domestic-systemically-important-banks#:~:text=Financial%20Stability%20Board%20(FSB)%20is,assessing%20and%20identifying%20G%2DSIBs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Financial Stability Board (FSB)</strong></a> to develop consistent climate-related financial risk disclosures for use by companies, banks, and investors in providing information to stakeholders.</li>
<li>To make the private sector contribute to climate positive action and become resilient to climate risks are the <strong>recommendations of the TFCD.</strong></li>
<li>Its recommendations are now <strong>widely recognised as the gold standard for global business sustainability reporting frameworks</strong>, providing standardised and comprehensive guidelines for corporate climate disclosures.</li>
<li>About <strong>32 Indian organisations have signed up for TFCD, including the Mahindra Group, Wipro etc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, <strong>New Zealand became the first country to announce a law</strong> that will require financial firms to disclose climate-related risks and opportunities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The only way forward is to <strong>fully integrate climate-aligned structural change with economic recovery needing a fundamental shift in the entire finance system with a massive increase in private finance to get from &ldquo;billions to trillions&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Indian government needs to introduce guidelines and regulations to standardise and mandate climate-related disclosures in all financial statements</strong> and push private companies and financial institutions to manage their exposure to climate risks in their portfolios and operations.</li>
<li>This would help not only in increasing resilience of Indian companies to face physical and transition risks of climate change but also in <strong>facilitating greater climate finance flows while minimising &lsquo;greenwashing&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/climate-change/addressing-climate-risks-for-climate-finance-takes-centrestage-76748%23:~:text%3DThe%2520Reserve%2520Bank%2520of%2520India,voluntary%2520group%2520of%2520central%2520banks.%26text%3DEarlier%2520this%2520month%252C%2520New%2520Zealand,climate%252Drelated%2520risks%2520and%2520opportunities.&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1620124727305000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3agMxv2qXaOBu2lrHXY92R" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8291,
		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Natural Gas: A Stepping Stone',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/indias-road-to-clean-energy-goes-via-natural-gas-7299417/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;India&rsquo;s road to clean energy goes via natural gas&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 02/05/2021. It talks about the option of natural gas, as a suitable energy transition option.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, many think tanks, climate negotiators, corporates and environmental NGOs in India are currently contemplating on the concept of &ldquo;net zero carbon emissions&rdquo; and the appropriate target year for achieving it.</p>
<p>In the effort to secure a global consensus around this target, India must first &ldquo;green&rdquo; its fossil fuel energy basket. This can be done by increasing the share of natural gas.</p>
<p>However, the natural gas economy requires policy reforms cutting across all segments of the natural gas value chain from production (domestic and international) to transportation (pipeline and LNG) to markets (current and emergent) to commercial (pricing, taxation) and regulatory issues.</p>
<h3>Natural gas: A Suitable Transition Option</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Versatility &amp; Abundance:</strong> Natural gas has multiple uses and it is the &ldquo;greenest&rdquo; of all fossil fuels. Also, it is abundantly available in and within the Indian subcontinent.</li>
<li><strong>Easy Transition Energy Option:</strong> Natural gas is a feasible prospect because it will not generate the headwinds due to shutting down of coal mines.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, it will not require industries to invest heavily in retrofitting their systems.</li>
<li>Moreover, it will allow the government to meet its objective of providing secure and affordable energy to everyone without degrading the environment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Excess Usage of Fossil Fuels:</strong> The average global share of fossil fuels in the energy basket is 84% which is even more for India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Energy Agency (IEA)</strong></a>, India is the world's third largest consumer of oil.</li>
<li>Dependence on coal and oil needs to be reduced and natural gas has to be replaced as much as possible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated With the Natural Gas Sector</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pricing Distortions:</strong> The pricing of natural gas is based on multiple price formulae. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is differential pricing for gas produced from domestic fields by the public sector companies and private companies.</li>
<li>Similarly, differential pricing for production from deep waters offshore under high temperature etc.</li>
<li>This creates problems in coming up with competitive pricing.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regressive Taxation System:</strong> It is a cascading structure so that the tax rates increase as the gas flows from one zone to another. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This means that customers located at a distance from the source of gas pay a higher price than those closer to the source.</li>
<li>The result is the dampening of demand.</li>
<li>Moreover, gas is not under GST.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conflict-of-interest Situation:</strong> The Gas Authority of India Ltd (GAIL) is currently engaged in the production, transportation and marketing of gas. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This allows GAIL to leverage its ownership of the bulk of the gas pipelines to deny its competitors access to the market.</li>
<li>Most countries have tackled this conflict-of-interest situation by separating the upstream (production/import) and downstream (marketing) interests from transportation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Centre-States Issue:</strong> Completion of a national pipeline grid gets affected due to clashes between Centre and state over issues like land acquisition, pipeline routing; and royalty payments. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Centre-state differences have also delayed the construction of import facilities and the creation of gas markets.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Deregulation of Pricing:</strong> A key aspect of ensuring market reforms to boost gas economy, would be deregulation of pricing for domestically produced gas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will allow freedom to price and market domestic gas and in turn boost domestic production, making it more viable for players to invest.</li>
<li>Moreover, market-determined and affordable pricing would also boost industrial growth and economic competitiveness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Boosting Infrastructure:</strong> These markets have greatly benefited from factors such as open access to infrastructure, system operator, unbundled marketing and transport functions and market-friendly transport access and tariff besides strong pipeline infrastructure.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the institutional mechanism should be created to enable better coordination between the central and state governments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Freeing Gas Markets:</strong> Through ensuring price benchmarks, it will drive competition across the value chain and stimulate investments in exploration and production along with downstream infrastructure.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, factors such as inclusion under GST and an overarching regulatory framework will also play an important role in boosting the overall gas markets</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>India stands a better chance of reaching the destination of a predominantly clean system if it moves forward incrementally. That is, if it makes natural gas the &ldquo;next stop&rdquo; in its energy journey.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfcf5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>In the effort to secure a global consensus around this target, India must first &ldquo;green&rdquo; its fossil fuel energy basket. This can be done by increasing the share of natural gas. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
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	(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8290,
		'category_id' => (int) 28,
		'title' => 'Wildlife (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972',
		'description' => '<h3>Introduction </h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Constitutional Provisions for Wildlife:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/major-constitutional-amendments-part-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>42<sup>nd</sup> Amendment Act</strong></a>, 1976, Forests and Protection of Wild Animals and Birds was transferred from State to Concurrent List.</li>
<li><strong>Article 51 A (g)</strong> of the Constitution states that it shall be the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fundamental-duties" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fundamental duty</strong> </a>of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment including forests and Wildlife.</li>
<li><strong>Article 48 A</strong> in the <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-180" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Directive Principles of State policy</strong></a>, mandates that the State shall endeavor to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972:</strong> The Act was enacted for the protection of plants and animal species. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.</li>
<li>Prior to this legislation, India had only five designated national parks. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>At present, there are 101 National Parks in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Authorities Appointed under the Act:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Central Government appoints the Director of Wildlife Preservation</strong> and assistant directors and other officers subordinate to the Director.</li>
<li>The <strong>State Governments appoint a Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW)</strong> who heads the Wildlife Wing of the department and exercises complete administrative control over Protected Areas (PAs) within a state. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The state governments are also entitled to appoint<strong> Wildlife Wardens in each district.</strong> </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Salient Features of the Act</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Prohibition of hunting:</strong> It prohibits the hunting of any wild animal specified in Schedules I, II, III and IV of the act. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exception:</strong> A wild animal listed under these schedules can be hunted/ killed only after getting permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of the state if: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It becomes dangerous to human life or to property (including standing crops on any land). </li>
<li>It is disabled or suffering from a disease that is beyond recovery. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Prohibition of Cutting/Uprooting Specified Plants:</strong> It prohibits the uprooting, damage, collection, possession or selling of any specified plant from any forest land or any protected area.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Exception:</strong> The CWLW, however, may grant permission for uprooting or collecting a specific plant for the purpose of education, scientific research, preservation in a herbarium or if a person/institution is approved to do so by the central government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Declaration and Protection of Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks:</strong> The Central Government can constitute any area as a Sanctuary, provided the area is of adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural or zoological significance. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government can also declare an area (including an area within a sanctuary) as a National Park. </li>
<li>A Collector is appointed by the central government to administer the area declared as a Sanctuary. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Constitution of Various Bodies:</strong> The WPA act provides for the constitution of bodies to be established under this act such as the <strong>National and State Board for Wildlife, Central Zoo Authority </strong>and<strong> National Tiger Conservation Authority.</strong> </li>
<li><strong>Government Property:</strong> Hunted wild animals (other than vermin), animal articles or meat of a wild animal and ivory imported into India and an article made from such ivory shall be considered as the property of the Government. </li>
</ul>
<h3>Bodies Constituted under the Act</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):</strong> As per the act, the central government of India shall constitute the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wildlife-panel-holds-virtual-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Board for Wildlife (NBWL)</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It serves as an<strong> apex body for the review of all wildlife-related matters</strong> and for the approval of projects in and around national parks and sanctuaries.</li>
<li>The NBWL is <strong>chaired by the Prime Minister</strong> and is responsible for promotion of conservation and development of wildlife and forests.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> is the <strong>Vice-Chairperson</strong> of the board. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The board is &lsquo;advisory&rsquo; in nature and can only advise the Government on policy making for conservation of wildlife.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Standing Committee of NBWL:</strong> The NBWL constitutes a Standing Committee for the purpose of approving all the projects falling within protected wildlife areas or within 10 km of them.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The committee is chaired by the Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>State Board for Wildlife (SBWL):</strong> The state governments are responsible for the constitution of the state board of wildlife. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Chief Minister of the state/UT is the chairperson of the board. </li>
<li>The board advises the state government in: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The selection and management of areas to be declared as protected areas. </li>
<li>The formulation of the policy for protection and conservation of the wild life</li>
<li>Any matter relating to the amendment of any Schedule. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Central Zoo Authority:</strong> The act provides for the constitution of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/reconstitution-of-central-zoo-authority" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Zoo Authority</strong></a> consisting of a total 10 members including the Chairperson and a Member-Secretary. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Environment Minister is the chairperson.</li>
<li>The authority provides recognition to zoos and is also tasked with regulating the zoos across the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It lays down guidelines and prescribes rules under which animals may be transferred among zoos nationally and internationally.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA):</strong> Following the recommendations of the Tiger Task Force, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-tiger-conservation-authority" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)</strong></a> was constituted in 2005 for strengthening tiger conservation.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Union Environment Minister is the Chairperson of NTCA and the State Environment Minister is the Vice-Chairperson. </li>
<li>The Central Government on the recommendations of NTCA declares an area as a Tiger Reserve. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>More than 50 wildlife sanctuaries in India have been designated as Tiger Reserves and are protected areas under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB):</strong> The act provided for the constitution of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/not-all-animals-migrate-by-choice-campaign" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)</strong></a> to combat organized wildlife crime in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bureau has its headquarters in New Delhi.</li>
<li>It is mandated to: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to the State to apprehend the criminals.</li>
<li>Establish a centralized wildlife crime data bank.</li>
<li>Assist State Governments to ensure success in prosecutions related to wildlife crimes.</li>
<li>Advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, relevant policy and laws.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Schedules under the Act</h3>
<p>The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 has divided the protection status of various plants and animals under the following six schedules: </p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Schedule I:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It covers endangered species that need rigorous protection. The species are granted protection from poaching, killing, trading etc. </li>
<li>A person is liable to the harshest penalties for violation of the law under this Schedule.</li>
<li>Species under this Schedule are prohibited to be hunted throughout India, except under threat to human life or in case of a disease that is beyond recovery. </li>
<li>Some of the animals granted protection under the Schedule I include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Black Buck</li>
<li>Bengal Tiger</li>
<li>Clouded Leopard</li>
<li>Snow Leopard</li>
<li>Swamp Deer</li>
<li>Himalayan Bear</li>
<li>Asiatic Cheetah </li>
<li>Kashmiri Stag</li>
<li>Fishing Cat</li>
<li>Lion-tailed Macaque</li>
<li>Musk Deer</li>
<li>Rhinoceros </li>
<li>Brow Antlered Deer</li>
<li>Chinkara (Indian Gazelle)</li>
<li>Capped Langur</li>
<li>Golden Langur</li>
<li>Hoolock Gibbon </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule II:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Animals under this list are also accorded high protection with the prohibition on their trade.</li>
<li>They cannot be hunted except under threat to human life or if they are suffering from a disease/ disorder that goes beyond recovery. </li>
<li>Some of the animals listed under Schedule II include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Assamese Macaque, Pig Tailed Macaque, Stump Tailed Macaque</li>
<li>Bengal Hanuman langur</li>
<li>Himalayan Black Bear</li>
<li>Himalayan Newt/ Salamander </li>
<li>Jackal </li>
<li>Flying Squirrel, Giant Squirrel</li>
<li>Sperm Whale</li>
<li>Indian Cobra, King Cobra </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule III &amp; IV:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Species that are not endangered are included under Schedule III and IV. </li>
<li>This includes protected species with hunting prohibited but the penalty for any violation is less compared to the first two schedules.</li>
<li>Animals protected under Schedule III include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chital (spotted deer)</li>
<li>Bharal (blue sheep)</li>
<li>Hyena </li>
<li>Nilgai </li>
<li>Sambhar (deer)</li>
<li>Sponges </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Animals protected under Schedule IV include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Flamingo </li>
<li>Hares </li>
<li>Falcons </li>
<li>Kingfishers</li>
<li>Magpie</li>
<li>Horseshoes Crabs</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule V:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This schedule contains animals that are considered as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rhesus-macaque-declared-vermin#:~:text=The%20Union%20Environment%20Ministry%20has,in%20Shimla%20for%20one%20year." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>vermin</strong></a> (small wild animals that carry disease and destroy plants and food). These animals can be hunted. </li>
<li>It includes only four species of wild animals: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Common Crows</li>
<li>Fruit Bats</li>
<li>Rats </li>
<li>Mice</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Schedule VI:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It provides for <strong>regulation in cultivation of a specified plant</strong> and restricts its possession, sale and transportation. </li>
<li>Both cultivation and trade of specified plants can only be carried out with prior permission of competent authority.</li>
<li>Plants protected under Schedule VI include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Beddomes&rsquo; cycad (Native to India) </li>
<li>Blue Vanda (Blue Orchid) </li>
<li>Red Vanda (Red Orchid) </li>
<li>Kuth (Saussurea lappa) </li>
<li>Slipper orchids (Paphiopedilum spp.) </li>
<li>Pitcher plant (Nepenthes khasiana)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 4 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8285,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Xylophis deepaki',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>A tiny snake &ldquo;Xylophis deepaki&rdquo;</strong> has been <strong>named in honour of Indian herpetologist Deepak Veerappan</strong> for his contribution in erecting a new subfamily <strong>Xylophiinae</strong> to accommodate wood snakes.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>common name suggested</strong> for the species is<strong> 'Deepak&rsquo;s wood snake'.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1620031141_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1620031141_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Xylophis deepaki:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>a tiny snake of just 20 cm length</strong> with<strong> iridescent scales.</strong></li>
<li>It was first found on a<strong> coconut plantation</strong> in <strong>Kanyakumari.</strong></li>
<li>It is now reported to be an <strong>endemic species</strong> of <strong>Tamil Nadu</strong> and also been sighted in some parts of the<strong> southern <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ecologically-sensitive-areas-in-western-ghats" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Western Ghats.</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is found in the <strong>drier regions</strong> and in <strong>lower altitudes</strong> around <strong>Agasthyamalai hills.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Xylophis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is<strong> a small genus of snakes in the family Pareidae.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>has five species,</strong> all of which are <strong>endemic to the Western Ghats</strong> in southern India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Five Species:</strong> Xylophis Captaini, Xylophis deepaki, Xylophis Mosaicus, Xylophis Perroteri and Xylophis Stenorhynchus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These five species constitute the <strong>monotypic subfamily Xylophiinae.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They are the <strong>only pareidae</strong> snakes found in India and the only snakes in the family found outside Southeast Asia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Wood Snakes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These are <strong>harmless (non-venomous), sub-fossorial</strong> and often found while digging soil in farms and under the logs in the<strong> Western Ghat forests.</strong></li>
<li>They feed on <strong>earthworms</strong> and possibly other<strong> invertebrates.</strong></li>
<li>Their close relatives are found in <strong>Northeast India</strong> and <strong>Southeast Asia</strong> and are known to be <strong>arboreal</strong> (living in trees).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Information :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> IUCN Red List</a> of Threatened Species, 12% of assessed snake species</strong> are listed as <strong>threatened</strong> and their populations are in <strong>decline.</strong></li>
<li>Each year, <strong>2.7 million</strong> people around the world suffer a serious <strong>snakebite envenomation.</strong> The <strong>World Health Organization (WHO)</strong> classified<strong> snakebite</strong> as a <strong>neglected tropical disease</strong> to reduce snakebite in developing countries.</li>
<li><strong>Save The Snakes</strong> is a <strong>dedicated initiative</strong> exclusively for <strong>snake conservation </strong>and<strong> human-snake conflict mitigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Agasthya Hills</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Agasthya hill is a 1,868-metre tall peak within <strong>Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary,</strong> in the <strong>Western Ghats of Kerala.</strong> The peak lies on the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This peak is a part of the <strong>Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.</strong></li>
<li>The peak is named after Hindu sage Agastya, who is considered to be one of the seven rishis (Saptarishi) of Hindu Puranas. It is a pilgrimage centre for devotees.</li>
<li>The <strong>Thamirabarani River</strong> is a <strong>perennial river</strong> which originates from the eastern side of the range and flows into the Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve is listed on <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biosphere-reserves-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves</a> (2016).</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/herpetologist-deepak-veerappan-has-a-snake-named-after-him/article34459064.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 5 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8278,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Delhi Air Pollution',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, according to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/safar#:~:text=The%20System%20of%20Air%20Quality,air%20quality%20of%20the%20city." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research)</strong> </a>system, Delhi&rsquo;s air quality deteriorated from &lsquo;moderate&rsquo; to &lsquo;poor&rsquo; and &lsquo;very poor&rsquo;.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Causes of Deteriorating Air Quality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delhi&rsquo;s air <strong>typically worsens in October-November</strong> and improves by March-April. Current weather conditions are not unfavourable, unlike in winter.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>During winter, cool and calm weather traps and spikes daily pollution, particularly in north Indian cities located in the <strong>Indo Gangetic Plain.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hence, apart from <strong>local emissions</strong>, the deterioration in air quality is <strong>being attributed to an increase in fire counts, mostly due to burning of wheat crop stubble in northern India.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>most crucial reasons</strong> for the alarming levels of air pollution in Delhi include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>City&rsquo;s landlocked geographical location.</li>
<li>Crop burning in neighbouring states (Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan).</li>
<li>Vehicular emissions.</li>
<li>Industrial pollution.</li>
<li>Large-scale construction activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Deteriorating air quality is worrying amid an increasing number of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19)</strong></a> cases and deaths.</li>
<li>In the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-air-quality-report-2020#:~:text=Delhi%20has%20been%20listed%20as,capital%20city%20in%20the%20world." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Air Quality report 2020</strong></a>, Delhi has been listed as the <strong>10<sup>th</sup> most</strong> <strong>polluted city and the top polluted capital city in the world.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, it <strong>shows a boost in Delhi&rsquo;s air quality by approximately 15%</strong> from 2019 to 2020.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In July 2020, <strong>Greenpeace (non-governmental organisation)</strong> found out that of the 28 global cities studied, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenpeace-analysis-on-economic-cost-of-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Delhi bore the highest economic cost of air pollution</strong></a> with an estimated loss of 24,000 lives in the first half of 2020 despite a strict Covid-19 lockdown.</li>
<li>Long-term exposure to outdoor and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indoor-air-pollution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>household (indoor) air pollution</strong></a> contributed to over 1.67 million annual deaths from stroke, heart attack, diabetes, lung cancer, chronic lung <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-injection-for-type-2-diabetes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>diseases</strong></a>, and <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-tackling-infant-mortality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">neonatal diseases</a></strong>, in India in 2019 <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-global-air-2020-hei" target="_blank" rel="noopener">(State of Global Air 2020)</a>.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Measures Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Subsidy to farmers for buying <strong>Turbo Happy Seeder (THS)</strong> which is a machine mounted on a tractor that cuts and uproots the stubble, in order to <strong>reduce stubble burning.</strong></li>
<li>The introduction of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-bs-vi-emission-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>BS-VI vehicles</strong></a>, push for <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/electric-vehicles-evs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>electric vehicles</strong></a> (EVs), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/health-emergency-in-new-delhi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Odd-Even</strong></a> as an emergency measure and construction of the <strong>Eastern and Western Peripheral Expressways</strong> to reduce vehicular pollution.</li>
<li>Implementation of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/grap-to-be-enforced-in-delhi-ncr" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Graded Response Action Plan</a> (GRAP).</strong> It is a set of curbs triggered in phases as the air quality deteriorates, which is typical of the October-November period.</li>
<li>Development of the <strong>National Air Quality Index (AQI)</strong> for public information under the aegis of the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cpcb-notifies-contaminated-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Pollution Control Board</a> (CPCB).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>SAFAR is a national initiative <strong>introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)</strong> to measure the air quality of a metropolitan city, by measuring the overall pollution level and the location-specific air quality of the city.</li>
<li>The system is<strong> indigenously developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)</strong>, <strong>Pune</strong> and is <strong>operationalized by the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-fani" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India Meteorological Department (IMD).</a></strong></li>
<li>The ultimate objective of the project is to increase awareness among the general public regarding the air quality in their city so that appropriate mitigation measures and systematic action can be taken up.</li>
<li>SAFAR is a<strong>n integral part of India&rsquo;s first Air Quality Early Warning System</strong> operational in Delhi.</li>
<li>It <strong>monitors all weather parameters</strong> like temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed, and wind direction, UV radiation, and solar radiation.</li>
<li><strong>Pollutants Monitored:</strong> PM2.5, PM10, Ozone, Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Benzene, Toluene, Xylene, and Mercury.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The wheat season is not followed by intensive farm fires, unlike paddy harvesting, as managing wheat stubble is comparatively easy and wheat straw is processed into cattle feed by most farmers.</li>
<li>So instead of focusing on farm fires, Delhi should look at local emissions to control the air pollution.</li>
<li>Breathing clean air is a fundamental right of every Indian citizen. Therefore, human health must become a priority when it comes to tackling air pollution.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/air/delhi-air-in-trouble-again-should-farm-fires-be-in-focus-76758#:~:text=Published%3A%20Friday%2030%20April%202021,on%20Thursday%20(April%2029).&amp;text=Hence%2C%20apart%20from%20local%20emissions,crop%20stubble%20in%20no" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 6 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8273,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'The Global Forest Goals Report 2021: UN Report',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the U<strong>nited Nations&rsquo; Global Forest Goals Report 2021, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coronavirus-disease-named-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19</a></strong> pandemic has <strong>aggravated the challenges faced by countries in managing their forests.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Report has been prepared by the <strong>Department of Economic and Social Affairs</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations.</strong></a> It provides an initial overview of progress of Goals and targets contained within the<strong> United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings of the Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Covid-19 leading to Systemic Vulnerabilities and Inequalities:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>More than just a health crisis, <strong>Covid-19 is driving losses of lives and livelihoods</strong>, extreme poverty, inequality, and food insecurity, and it has put the &lsquo;Future We Want&rsquo; further out of reach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19 on Global Output:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is estimated that world gross product <strong>fell by an estimated 4.3% in 2020.</strong> It is the <strong>sharpest contraction</strong> of global output <strong>since the Great Depression.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Covid-19 is Threatening the Lifeline that Forests Provide:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>estimated 1.6 billion people, or 25% of the global population, rely on forests</strong> for their subsistence <strong>needs, livelihoods, employment, and income.</strong></li>
<li>Of the extreme poor in rural areas, 40% live in forest and savannah areas, and approximately 20% of the global population, especially women, children, landless farmers, and other vulnerable segments of society look to forests to meet their food and income needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid-19 on Forest Dependent Population:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>On the <strong>economic front</strong>, forest-dependent populations have <strong>faced job loss, reduced income</strong>, <strong>diminished access to markets and information</strong>, and for many women and youth, <strong>a contraction in seasonal employment.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Socially</strong>, many of these populations are already <strong>marginalized and vulnerable groups</strong>, such as indigenous peoples, least able to access critical socio-economic safety nets.</li>
<li>Many forest dependent populations, especially those in remote or hard to reach places, have faced <strong>difficulties accessing healthcare</strong> or find that government assistance programmes and basic services are disrupted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Pressure on Forest:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pandemic driven health and socio-economic outcomes have increased pressure on forests.</li>
<li>To ease their growing vulnerability, many indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as returning migrants and urban workers,<strong> have retreated deeper into the woods to seek food, fuel, shelter, and protection from the risks of Covid-</strong>19.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biodiversity Crisis:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Among its many findings, the <strong>&lsquo;Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services&rsquo;</strong> of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-report-on-species-extinction#:~:text=The%20Intergovernmental%20Science%2DPolicy%20Platform,risk%20of%20extinction%20within%20decades." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)</strong></a> highlighted that <strong>one million species were at risk of extinction</strong> and that 100 million hectares of tropical forest were lost from 1980 to 2000.</li>
<li>At the same time, <strong>climate change is jeopardizing the resilience of forest ecosystems</strong> and their ability to support ecosystem services worldwide.</li>
<li>Though forests offer nature-based solutions to overcome these concurrent global challenges, they have also never been more at risk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The resilient recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic along with responses to the climate and biodiversity crises <strong>must be rooted in the world&rsquo;s forests.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Forests and forest-dependent people are both a casualty and an important part of the solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustainably resourced and managed forests</strong> can bolster employment, disaster risk reduction, food security and social safety nets, for starters.</li>
<li>Forest <strong>can also protect biodiversity and advance both climate mitigation and adaptation.</strong></li>
<li>With regard to global health, safeguarding and restoring forests are among the environmental actions that <strong>can reduce the risk of future zoonotic disease outbreaks.</strong></li>
<li>The report called for a future course of action that included <strong>greater sustainability and a greener and more inclusive economy</strong> to tackle the threats of Covid-19, climate change and the biodiversity crisis faced by forests.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Status of World Forest</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Total Forest Area:</strong> According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/deforestation-rate-declined" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 (FRA 2020)</strong></a> report, the <strong>world&rsquo;s total forest area is 4.06 billion hectares (bha)</strong>, which is 31% of the total land area. This area is equivalent to 0.52 hectares per person.</li>
<li><strong>Top Countries in Forest Cover</strong>&mdash;the Russian Federation, Brazil, Canada, the United States of America and China constituted more than 54% of the world&rsquo;s forests.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Forest in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/india-state-of-forest-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India State of Forest Report, 2019,</strong></a> the <strong>Total Forest and Tree cover is 24.56%</strong> of the geographical area of the country.</li>
<li><strong>Forest Cover (Area-wise):</strong> Madhya Pradesh&gt; Arunachal Pradesh&gt; Chhattisgarh&gt; Odisha&gt; Maharashtra.</li>
<li><strong>National Forest Policy of India, 1988</strong> envisages a goal of achieving 33% of the geographical area of the country under forest and tree cover.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017&ndash;2030</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 was created with a mission to promote sustainable forest management and enhance the contribution of forests and trees to the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3#:~:text=To%20bring%20sustainable%20development%20in,over%20the%20next%2015%20years." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.</strong></a></li>
<li>The agreement on the first-ever UN Strategic Plan for Forests was <strong>forged at a special session of the UN Forum on Forests held in January 2017</strong> and provides an ambitious vision for global forests in 2030.</li>
<li><strong>Goals and Targets:</strong> It features <strong>a set of six Global Forest Goals and 26 associated targets</strong> to be reached by 2030, which are <strong>voluntary and universal.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It includes a target to increase forest area by <strong>3% worldwide by 2030</strong>, signifying an increase of 120 million hectares, an area over twice the size of France.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It builds on the vision of the 2030 Agenda and recognizes that real change requires decisive, collective action, within and beyond the UN System.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619783660_Image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619783660_Image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/covid-19-has-aggravated-challenges-to-manage-forests-un-report-76718%23:~:text%3DPublished%253A%2520Wednesday%252028%2520April%25202021%26text%3DThe%2520novel%2520coronavirus%2520disease%2520(COVID,of%2520people%2520during%2520the%2520pandemic.&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1619785106757000&amp;usg=AOvVaw02J4jZUdvZPAXsQuTFlLTl" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong></strong></a></p>
</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/forests/covid-19-has-aggravated-challenges-to-manage-forests-un-report-76718#:~:text=Published%3A%20Wednesday%2028%20April%202021&amp;text=The%20novel%20coronavirus%20disease%20(COVID,of%20people%20during%20the%20pandemic." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: DTE</a></strong></p>',
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	(int) 7 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8255,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Green Initiatives: Saudi Arabia',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, Saudi Arabia launched <strong>Saudi Green Initiative</strong> and <strong>the Middle East Green Initiative</strong> to combat the threat of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> climate change.</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619607322_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619607322_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background and G20 Summit:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>One of the main pillars of the Saudi <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/important-institution-upsc-ias-g20-significance-global-groupings-member-challenges-buenos-aires-gs-mains-paper-ii-2-international-relations" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20</strong></a> presidency was to<strong> safeguard the planet.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2020, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initiatives-launched-on-g20-emm" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>G20 introduced initiatives</strong> </a>like establishing a <strong>Global Coral Reef Research and Development Accelerator Platform and the Circular Carbon Economy (CCE) Platform.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Saudi Arabia reiterated that it is committed to lead regional efforts to address climate change and has been making steady progress in this direction.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Saudi Arabia established the<strong> Environmental Special Forces in 2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Saudi Green Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To <strong>raise the vegetation cover, reduce carbon emissions, combat pollution and land degradation, and preserve marine life.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>10 billion trees</strong> will be planted in the Kingdom.</li>
<li>To <strong>reduce carbon emissions by more than 4% of global contributions,</strong> through a <strong>renewable energy programme</strong> that will generate 50% of Saudi&rsquo;s energy from renewables by 2030.</li>
<li>Saudi Arabia is working towards <strong>raising the percentage of its protected areas to more than 30% of its total land area,</strong> exceeding the global target of 17%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Middle East Green Initiative :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To preserve marine and coastal environments, increase the proportion of natural reserves and protected land, <strong>improve the regulation of oil production, accelerate the transition to clean energy and boost the amount of energy generated by renewables.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Saudi Arabia will work with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gulf-cooperation-council-and-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Gulf Cooperation Council</strong> </a>countries and regional partners to plant an additional 40 billion trees in the West Asian region. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It represents 5% of the global target of planting one trillion trees and reducing 2.5% of global carbon levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Saudi Arabia will<strong> convene an annual summit called the Middle East Green Initiative</strong> which will host leaders from the government, scientists and environmentalists to discuss the details of implementation.</li>
<li>In partnership with participating countries,<strong> innovative methods will be researched</strong> to irrigate from treated water, cloud seeding and other purpose-driven solutions such as planting native trees which requires support for three years to grow and will then be able to survive on their own with natural irrigation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Current Support:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Saudi Arabia has been sharing its expertise and know-how with its neighbouring countries to <strong>reduce carbon emissions resulting from hydrocarbon production in the region by 60% and globally by 10%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Saudi Arabia currently operates the <strong>largest carbon capture and utilisation plant in the world,</strong> it also operates one of the<strong> region&rsquo;s most advanced CO<sub>2</sub>-enhanced oil recovery plants</strong> that captures and stores 8,00,000 tonnes of CO<sub>2</sub> annually.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Appreciating Indian Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Saudi Arabia also appreciated India&rsquo;s remarkable commitments to tackle climate change as India is on track to achieve its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement</strong> </a>targets.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s <strong>renewable energy capacity is the fourth largest in the world.</strong> India has an ambitious target of achieving <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/foundation-day-of-areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>450 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Indian Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-environment-forest-and-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-india-will-shift-to-bs-vi-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission norms</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/report-on-energy-efficiency-measures" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UJALA scheme</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-solar-technology-summit-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance </strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Saudi Arabia hopes that the launch of the two Initiatives marks the<strong> beginning of a green era </strong>and that these<strong> initiatives provide momentum to other countries to unify their efforts to save our planet.</strong></li>
<li>Economic prosperity cannot be achieved at the cost of the environment. It is critical for us, as an industry, to shift from &lsquo;pollute-first, clean-up later&rsquo; attitude and<strong> commit to preserving our diminishing natural resources.</strong></li>
<li>The intent and aspiration to align economic efforts with the environment should not be restricted to the government.<strong> Collaboration between the industry, government and regulatory bodies will help in evaluating decisions on economic viability and environmental benefits.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/marking-the-beginning-of-a-green-era/article34424848.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source:TH</a></strong></p>',
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	(int) 8 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8230,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Leaders’ Summit on Climate',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Leaders' Summit on Climate</strong> was convened by the US President virtually.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>40 world leaders, including the<strong> Prime Minister of India,</strong> were invited to the event<strong> to underscore the urgency of stronger climate action.</strong></li>
<li>This summit is seen as a key milestone on the road to the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Climate Change</a> Conference, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Conference of the Parties</a> 26 (COP 26)</strong> in November 2021 in Glasgow, Scotland.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India-US Clean Energy Agenda 2030 Partnership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a<strong> joint climate and clean energy initiative of</strong> India with the US.</li>
<li>It will demonstrate <strong>how the world can align swift climate action with inclusive and resilient economic development,</strong> taking into account national circumstances and sustainable development priorities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mobilise investments, demonstrate <strong>clean technologies and enable green collaborations</strong> in India that could also create templates of <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sustainable development</strong> </a>for other developing countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Two Main Tracks of the Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Strategic Clean Energy Partnership.</li>
<li>The Climate Action and Finance Mobilization Dialogue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>US&rsquo; Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Pledged:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To <strong>cut the US&rsquo;s <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/greenhouse-gas-emission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">GreenHouse Gas (GHG)</a> in half by the year 2030</strong> and called upon other nations to <strong>&ldquo;set higher climate ambitions&rdquo;</strong> that will create jobs at home, advance innovative technologies and help countries vulnerable to the impact of climate change.</li>
<li>To double its<strong> public <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/climate-finance-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate financing</a> to developing countries</strong> and triple public financing for climate adaptation in developing countries by 2024.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>NDC:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It submitted a new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ndc-synthesis-report-unfccc#:~:text=The%20UNFCCC%2C%20in%20its%20Nationally,the%20end%20of%20the%20century." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)</strong></a> target that aims to reduce its <strong>GHG</strong> emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The US has rejoined the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Agreement.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Applauded:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India for<strong> stepping up its climate change commitment including the partnership with the US</strong> to deploy 450 gigawatts of renewable power to meet the ambitious 2030 target for climate action and clean energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Carbon Neutrality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Its carbon emissions will peak before 2030 and the country will achieve<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eu-green-deal" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> carbon neutrality</a> by 2060.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Promoted its <strong>green <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/belt-and-road-initiative-perspectives-from-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Belt and Road Initiative</a></strong> and announced efforts to <strong>&ldquo;strictly control coal-fired power generation projects&rdquo;</strong> and phase down coal consumption.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Common but Differentiated Responsibilities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It also emphasised on <strong>the principle of <a href="/mains-practice-question/question-86#:~:text=Common%20But%20Differentiated%20Responsibilities%20(CBDR,countries%20in%20addressing%20climate%20change." target="_blank" rel="noopener">common but differentiated responsibilities</a></strong>, which argues for long-time polluters such as developed countries to do more to fight the climate crisis.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India's Stand :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Emissions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India was already doing its part and that the country&rsquo;s per capita <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fall-in-india-s-co2-emissions" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>carbon emissions</strong></a> are 60% lower than the global average.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Commitment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s ambitious <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-renewable-energy-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>renewable energy</strong></a> target of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/foundation-day-of-areas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>450 GW by 2030.</strong></a></li>
<li>Despite its development challenges, India has taken many bold steps on clean energy, energy efficiency, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inadequate-compensatory-afforestation" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>afforestation</strong> </a>and biodiversity. India is among few countries whose NDCs are<strong> 2&deg;C</strong> compatible.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Emphasis:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Emphasised its <strong>encouragement of global initiatives</strong> such as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-solar-technology-summit-isa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Solar Alliance</strong></a> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coalition-for-disaster-resilient-infrastructure-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coalition for Disaster Resilience Infrastructure.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Some Indian Initiatives to Fight Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-environment-forest-and-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-india-will-shift-to-bs-vi-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission norms</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/report-on-energy-efficiency-measures" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UJALA scheme</strong></a></li>
<li><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is an<strong> urgent need</strong> for every country, city, business and financial institution <strong>to adopt concrete plans for transitioning to net-zero.</strong></li>
<li>Even more urgent is for governments<strong> to match this long-term ambition with concrete actions now,</strong> as trillions of dollars are mobilised to overcome the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Covid-19 pandemic</a>. Revitalising economies is our chance to re-engineer our future.</strong></li>
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/g-7-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> G7 Summit</strong></a> in June 2021 offers the opportunity for the world&rsquo;s wealthiest countries to step up and provide the necessary financial commitments that will <strong>ensure the success of COP26.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/narendra-modi-joe-biden-india-us-clean-energy-initiative-7284833/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 9 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8224,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Climate Change: Impact on Children',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A recent analysis, based on <strong>Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN)</strong> index, has shown the impact of climate change on children across the world.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The analysis was done by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/childhood-index" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Save the Children International</strong></a>, a <strong>child rights</strong> non-profit organisation.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ND-GAIN is <strong>part of the Climate Change Adaptation Program of the University of Notre Dame's Environmental Change initiative (ND-ECI).</strong></li>
<li><strong>ND-GAIN's Country Index</strong> shows which countries are best prepared to deal with global changes brought about by overcrowding, resource-constraints and climate disruption.</li>
<li>The Country Index uses <strong>20 years</strong> of data to <strong>rank more than 180 countries</strong> annually based on their vulnerability and, uniquely, how ready they are to adapt.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Vulnerability is considered in six life-supporting sectors &ndash;</strong> food, water, health, ecosystem service, human habitat and infrastructure.</li>
<li>Overall <strong>readiness is measured by considering three components &ndash;</strong> economic readiness, governance readiness and social readiness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to the scores for <strong>2018, India ranked 122</strong> and is the <strong>48<sup>th</sup> most vulnerable country </strong>and the <strong>70<sup>th</sup> least ready country.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>From the Analysis:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Countries with Highest Climate Risk:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Sub-Saharan Africa</strong> has<strong> 35 of the 45 countries</strong> globally at highest climate risk.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-climate-vulnerability-assessment-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Climate risk</a> </strong>can be defined as a combination of hazard exposure, sensitivity to impact, and adaptive capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chad, Somalia, Central African Republic, Eritrea and Democratic Republic of the Congo </strong>are the<strong> least capable of adapting to the impact of climate change.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Around 490 million children</strong> under the age of 18 in 35 African countries are at the <strong>highest risk of suffering</strong> the impact of climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Situation in South Asian Region:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Of the<strong> 750 million</strong> children in <strong>45 countries</strong> likely to be most affected by climate risk, 210 million are in three South Asian nations &mdash; <strong>Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Climate Change on Children:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Floods, droughts, hurricanes and other extreme weather events</strong> will have a deep impact on vulnerable children and their families. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Malaria and dengue fever already plague children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.</li>
<li>Increasing extreme weather events can lead to new health risks while the health system is already limited.</li>
<li><strong>Around 9.8 million people were displaced due to the disasters</strong> caused by climate change during the<strong> first half of 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Most of them were in South and South-East Asia and the Horn of Africa, confirmed the World Meteorological Organisation in its flagship State of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/provisional-report-on-the-state-of-the-global-climate-2020-wmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Global Climate report.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Children will be <strong>impacted by food shortages, diseases and other health threats, water scarcity, or be at risk from rising water levels &ndash;</strong> or a combination of these factors.</li>
<li>There is enough evidence that establishes the<strong> impact of &ldquo;climate crisis on food production&rdquo;.</strong> Hence, this will lead to<strong> local food scarcity and price hikes.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Climate change can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect food quality.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Children of the poorest households will be the most-affected. In fact, there has been scientific evidence of the<strong> link between obesity, under-nutrition and climate change.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Scenario:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Findings from 2020 PwC Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Disadvantaged and vulnerable populations (including children), indigenous people and local communities dependent on agricultural</strong> or coastal livelihoods are <strong>at a disproportionately higher risk of adverse consequences</strong> due to climate change.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Children bear the brunt of climate change as it affects their fundamental rights of survival, protection, development and participation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Other <strong>potential effects of climate change on children</strong> are orphanhood, trafficking, child labour, loss of education and development opportunities, separation from family, homelessness, begging, trauma, emotional disruption, illnesses, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Performance in Other Related Indices:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/climate-change-performance-index#:~:text=Overall%20Performance%3A%20India%20ranked%2010,63.98%20points%20out%20of%20100.&amp;text=In%20September%202019%2C%20at%20the,from%20175%20GW%20by%202022." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Climate Change Performance Index</a>:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India <strong>ranked 10<sup>th</sup></strong> in CCPI 2021, released by Germanwatch, the New Climate Institute and the Climate Action Network.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-risk-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Risk Index 2020</strong></a>: India has ranked 89<sup>th</sup> among 181 countries on the WRI 2020 and is fourth-most-at-risk in South Asia, after Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is released by the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), B&uuml;ndnis Entwicklung Hilft and the University of Stuttgart in Germany.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assessment-of-climate-change-over-the-indian-region-moes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region: MoES</strong></a>:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is India&rsquo;s first-ever national forecast on the impact of global warming on the subcontinent in the coming century, published by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-climate-vulnerability-assessment-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report</strong></a>: Released by the Department of Science and Technology, it identified Jharkhand, Mizoram, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal as states highly vulnerable to climate change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Some of the Indian Initiatives to Fight Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Shift from <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-india-will-shift-to-bs-vi-norms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bharat Stage-IV (BS-IV) to Bharat Stage-VI (BS-VI) emission</strong></a> norms,</li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/year-end-review-2019-ministry-of-environment-forest-and-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)</a>,</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/report-on-energy-efficiency-measures" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UJALA scheme</a>, </strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Action Plan on Climate Change</a> (NAPCC),</strong> etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scale up <strong>adaptive and shock-responsive social protection systems &ndash;</strong> such as grants for pregnant mothers and children - to address the increasing impacts of climate change on children and their families.</li>
<li>More countries <strong>need to work towards their commitment in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-children-s-day#:~:text=It%20is%20a%20treaty%20adopted,their%20race%2C%20religion%20or%20abilities." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on the Rights of the Child</a></strong> to ensure every child is protected from poverty, for example by providing universal child benefits to improve children&rsquo;s well-being and build resilience.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/climate-change-490-million-children-in-africa-most-vulnerable-76595" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 10 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8223,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Tough Corals',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A recent study has suggested that<strong> coral structures may withstand climate change</strong> owing to their impressive process of <strong>forming rock-hard skeletons.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Study:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It studied <em><strong>Stylophora pistillata,</strong></em> a common stony coral in the Indo-Pacific revealing that<strong> coral structures consist of a biomineral</strong> containing a highly organized organic mix of proteins that resembles human bones.</li>
<li>It highlighted that <strong>several proteins are organized spatially &ndash;</strong> a process that&rsquo;s critical to forming a rock-hard coral skeleton.</li>
<li>The study highlighted that corals have survived global climate change over millions of years by the process called <strong>Biomineralization.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Biomineralization</strong> is the study of processes that lead to the formation of hierarchically structured organic&ndash;inorganic materials generated by living organisms, such as shells, bone and teeth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coral:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Corals are made up of genetically<strong> identical organisms called polyps.</strong> These polyps have <strong>microscopic algae called zooxanthellae</strong> living within their tissues.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The corals and algae have a <strong>mutualistic relationship.</strong></li>
<li>The coral provides the zooxanthellae with the compounds necessary for photosynthesis. In return, the<strong> zooxanthellae supply the coral with organic products of photosynthesis,</strong> like carbohydrates, which are utilized by the coral polyps for the synthesis of their calcium carbonate skeletons.</li>
<li>In addition to providing corals with essential nutrients, zooxanthellae are responsible for the<strong> unique and beautiful colors of corals.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are also called the <strong>&ldquo;rainforests of the seas&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>There are <strong>two types of corals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hard, shallow-water corals&mdash;the kind that builds reefs.</li>
<li>Soft corals and deepwater corals that live in dark cold waters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits of Coral:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong> Corals are home to over 1 million diverse aquatic species, including thousands of fish species.</li>
<li><strong>Income:</strong> Coral reefs and related ecosystems have a global estimated value of &lsquo;$2.7 trillion per year, or 2.2% of all global ecosystem service values&rsquo;, this includes tourism and food.</li>
<li><strong>Coastal Protection:</strong> Coral reefs reduce shoreline erosion by absorbing energy from the waves. They can protect coastal housing, agricultural land, and beaches.</li>
<li><strong>Medicine:</strong> Reefs are home to species that have the potential for treatments for some of the world&rsquo;s most prevalent and dangerous illnesses and diseases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threat to Corals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Overfishing:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Overfishing of certain species on or adjacent to coral reefs can affect the reef&rsquo;s ecological balance and biodiversity. For example, overfishing of herbivorous fish can lead to high levels of algal growth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Destructive Fishing Methods:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fishing with dynamite, cyanide, bottom trawling and Muro Ami (banging on the reef with sticks) can damage entire reefs and is unsustainable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recreational Activities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Unregulated recreational activities and tourism cause damage to the very environment upon which the industries depend. Physical damage to the coral reefs can occur through contact from careless swimmers, divers, and poorly placed boat anchors.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Coastal Development:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Coastal areas have some of the fastest rates of growth in tropical countries. Airports and buildings are often built on land reclaimed from the sea. Sensitive habitats are destroyed or disturbed by the dredging of deep-water channels or marinas, and through the dumping of waste materials.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Urban and industrial waste, sewage, agrochemicals, and oil pollution are poisoning reefs. These toxins are dumped directly into the ocean or carried by river systems from sources upstream. Some pollutants, such as sewage and runoff from farming, increase the level of nitrogen in seawater, causing an overgrowth of algae, which 'smothers' reefs by cutting off their sunlight.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Coral Bleaching:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/coral-bleaching" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Coral bleaching</strong></a> is the loss of the algae and a rapid whitening of the coral. This is a stress response by the coral host that can be caused by various factors such as the rise in sea surface temperature. If the temperature decreases, the stressed coral can recover; if it persists, the affected colony can die.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ocean Acidification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The decrease in the pH of the Earth&rsquo;s oceans, caused by their uptake of anthropogenic CO<sub>2</sub> from the atmosphere is known as Ocean Acidification. The decrease in pH has negative consequences for oceanic calcifying organisms such as coral reefs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Initiatives to Protect Corals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>A number of global initiatives are being taken to address the issues, like:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/3rd-international-year-of-reef" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Coral Reef Initiative</strong></a></li>
<li>Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN)</li>
<li>Global Coral Reef Alliance (GCRA)</li>
<li>The Global Coral Reef R&amp;D Accelerator Platform</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Similarly, the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change(MoEF&amp;CC), India has included the studies on coral reefs under the<strong> Coastal Zone Studies (CZS).</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In india, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/two-new-species-of-eels" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Zoological Survey of India</strong></a> (ZSI), with help from Gujarat&rsquo;s forest department, is attempting a process to restore coral reefs using <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/coral-restoration-through-biorock" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;biorock&rdquo; or mineral accretion technology.</strong></a></li>
<li><strong>National Coastal Mission Programme</strong> to protect and sustain coral reefs in the country.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
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		'article_id' => (int) 8221,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Protest Against Blue Flag Beaches',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently Odisha government&rsquo;s plan to get Blue Flag Certification for five beaches was opposed by the fishermen.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Odisha planned to develop five more beaches in three districts to meet <strong>international standards</strong> after receiving the certification for Puri&rsquo;s Golden Beach in 2020.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Fishermen&rsquo;s Demands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The proposed land for the certification is used by the fishermen to anchor their boats.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They want a permanent sea mouth to anchor the fishing boats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Protection of livelihood should be ensured and protected.</li>
<li>Reopening of a new fishing jetty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Blue Flag Certification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eight-indian-beaches-recommended-for-blue-flag" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blue Flag</strong></a> beaches are considered the <strong>cleanest beaches of the world.</strong></li>
<li>The Blue Flag is one of the world&rsquo;s most recognised <strong>voluntary eco-labels</strong> awarded to beaches, marinas, and sustainable boating tourism operators.</li>
<li><strong>Criteria for Certification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In order to qualify for the Blue Flag, a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety, and accessibility criteria must be met and maintained.</li>
<li>There are around <strong>33 criteria</strong> that are to be met to qualify for a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eight-indian-beaches-recommended-for-blue-flag" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Blue Flag</a> certification,</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Such as the water meeting certain quality standards, having waste disposal facilities, being disabled- friendly, having first aid equipment, and no access to pets in the main areas of the beach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Some criteria are voluntary and some compulsory.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Organisations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Blue Flag Programme for beaches and marinas is run by the international, non-governmental, non-profit organisation FEE (the Foundation for Environmental Education).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>FEE</strong> (the Foundation for Environmental Education) was <strong>established in France in 1985.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On the lines</strong> of Blue Flag certification, India has also launched its own <strong>eco-label <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eight-indian-beaches-recommended-for-blue-flag" target="_blank" rel="noopener">BEAMS</a> (Beach Environment &amp; Aesthetics Management Services).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>BEAMS</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Beach Environment &amp; Aesthetics Management Services</strong> that comes under<strong> ICZM (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/integrated-coastal-zone-management-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Integrated Coastal Zone Management</a>)</strong> project.</li>
<li>This was launched by the <strong>Society of Integrated Coastal Management (SICOM)</strong> and the <strong>Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).</strong></li>
<li>The objectives of<strong> BEAMS program</strong> is to:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Abate pollution</strong> in coastal waters,</li>
<li><strong>Promote sustainable</strong> development of beach facilities,</li>
<li><strong>Protect &amp; conserve coastal</strong> ecosystems &amp; natural resources,</li>
<li><strong>Strive and maintain</strong> high standards of cleanliness,</li>
<li><strong>Hygiene &amp; safety for</strong> beachgoers in accordance with coastal environment &amp; regulations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>There are eight beaches in India which have received Blue Flag Certification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Shivrajpur in Gujarat,</li>
<li>Ghoghla in Daman &amp; Diu,</li>
<li>Kasarkod in Karnataka and,</li>
<li>Padubidri beach in Karnataka,</li>
<li>Kappad in Kerala,</li>
<li>Rushikonda in Andhra Pradesh,</li>
<li>Golden beach of Odisha,</li>
<li>Radhanagar beach in Andaman and Nicobar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619174433_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1619174433_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="512" height="325" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/governance/why-fishermen-in-odisha-s-ganjam-are-protesting-plan-for-blue-flag-beaches-76338" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 12 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8219,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Snow Leopard',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Just days before celebrating <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/earth-day-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Earth Day</strong></a>, the internet was going viral over a photo of a snow leopard.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Scientific Name:</strong> Panthera uncia</li>
<li><strong>Top Predator:</strong> Snow leopards act as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem in which they live, due to their position as the top predator in the food web.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Habitat:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mountainous regions of <strong>central and southern Asia.</strong></li>
<li><strong>In India, their geographical range encompasses:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Western Himalayas: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Eastern Himalayas: Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Snow Leopard capital of the world:</strong> Hemis, <strong>Ladakh.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Hemis National Park</strong> is the biggest national park in India and also has a good presence of Snow Leopard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The snow leopard is listed as Vulnerable on the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IUCN-World Conservation Union&rsquo;s Red List</strong></a> of the Threatened Species.</li>
<li>In addition, it is also listed in <strong>Appendix I</strong> of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES)</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Making trading of animal body parts (i.e., fur, bones and meat) illegal in signatory countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is listed in <strong>Schedule I of the Indian <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972</a>.</strong></li>
<li>It is also listed in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cms-com-13" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)</strong></a>, affording the highest conservation status to the species, both globally and in India.</li>
<li>It is also protected by several national laws in its range countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts by India:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Government of India has identified the snow leopard as a <strong>flagship species</strong> for the high altitude Himalayas.</li>
<li>India is also party to the <strong>Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme since 2013.</strong></li>
<li>HimalSanrakshak: It is a community volunteer programme, to protect snow leopards, launched in October 2020.</li>
<li>In 2019, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/first-snow-leopard-survey" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>First National Protocol</strong> </a>was also launched on Snow Leopard Population Assessment which has been very useful for monitoring populations.</li>
<li><strong>SECURE Himalaya: <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Global Environment Facility (GEF)-United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)</a></strong> funded the project on conservation of high altitude biodiversity and reducing the dependency of local communities on the natural ecosystem.</li>
<li><strong>Project Snow Leopard (PSL):</strong> It was launched in 2009 to promote an inclusive and participatory approach to conserve snow leopards and their habitat.</li>
<li>Snow Leopard is on the list of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-21st-december-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>21 critically endangered species for the recovery programme</strong></a> of the Ministry of Environment Forest &amp; Climate Change.</li>
<li>Snow Leopard conservation breeding programme is undertaken at <strong>Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park, Darjeeling, West Bengal.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The GSLEP is a high-level inter-governmental alliance of all the 12 snow leopard range countries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The snow leopard countries namely, India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Mongolia, Russia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It majorly focuses on the need for awareness and understanding of the value of Snow Leopard for the ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Living Himalaya Network Initiative</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Living Himalayas Initiative (LHI) is established as one of WWF&rsquo;s global initiatives to bring about transformational conservation impact across the three Eastern Himalayan countries of Bhutan, India (North-East) and Nepal.</li>
<li>Objectives of LHI include adapting to climate change, connecting to habitat and saving iconic species.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/photographer-ismail-shariff-interview-how-to-spot-snow-leopard/article34375768.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 13 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8200,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'State of the Global Climate 2020: WMO',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/state-of-the-global-climate-wmo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Meteorological Organization (WMO)</strong></a> released its annual<strong> State of the Global Climate for 2020.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The report was released ahead of the <strong>Leaders Summit on Climate,</strong> hosted by the US.</li>
<li>Extreme weather combined with<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19</strong> </a>was a double blow for millions of people in 2020. However, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/future-pandemics-and-reduction-measures" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>pandemic</strong></a>-related <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/impact-of-economic-slowdown-due-to-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">economic slowdown</a> failed to put a brake on <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">climate change</a> drivers and accelerating impacts.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Global Temperature:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>2020<strong> was one of the three warmest years on record,</strong> despite a cooling<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/el-nino-and-la-nina" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> La Ni&ntilde;a</strong></a> event. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The global average temperature was about <strong>1.2&deg; Celsius above the pre-industrial (1850-1900) level.</strong></li>
<li>The other two warmest years are <strong>2016</strong> and <strong>2019.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> six years since 2015 have been the warmest on record.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>2011-2020 <strong>was the warmest decade on record.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Greenhouse Gases:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Emission</strong> of major <a href="/infographics/info-paper3/greenhouse-gas-emission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>greenhouse gases</strong></a> <strong>increased in 2019 and 2020.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will be <strong>higher</strong> in <strong>2021.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concentrations</strong> of the major greenhouse gases in the air<strong> continued to increase in 2019 and 2020.</strong></li>
<li>Globally, averaged <strong>mole fractions</strong> of carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) have already exceeded 410 parts per million (ppm), and if the CO<sub>2</sub> concentration follows the same pattern as in previous years, it could reach or exceed 414 ppm in 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mole fraction</strong> represents the <strong>number of molecules of a particular component in a mixture divided by the total number of moles</strong> in the given mixture. It's a way of expressing the concentration of a solution.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Oceans:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2019, the oceans had the <strong>highest heat content</strong> on record. In 2020, it has broken this record further. Over <strong>80% of the ocean area experienced at least one marine <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/heat-wave-warning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">heatwave</a> in 2020.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A marine heatwave is defined when<strong> seawater temperatures exceed a seasonally-varying threshold for at least 5 consecutive days.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The percentage of the ocean that experienced <strong>&ldquo;strong&rdquo; marine heat waves (45%)</strong> was greater than that which experienced<strong> &ldquo;moderate&rdquo; marine heat waves (28%).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sea-level Rise:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Since record-taking started in 1993 using the satellite altimeter, sea-level has been rising. It is<strong> due to the La Ni&ntilde;a induced cooling.</strong></li>
<li>Sea level has recently been rising at a higher rate<strong> partly due to the increased melting of the ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Arctic and the Antarctica:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2020, <strong>the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/arctic-concerns-opportunities" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Arctic</a> sea-ice extent came down to second lowest</strong> on record. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The 2020 minimum extent was <strong>3.74 million square kilometre,</strong> marking <strong>only the second time</strong> (after 2012)<strong> on record that it shrank to less than 4 million sq km.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In a large region of the Siberian Arctic, <strong>temperatures in 2020 were more than 3&deg;C above average.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A record temperature of 38&deg;C was noted in the town of <strong>Verkhoyansk, Russia.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-in-antarctica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Antarctic</a> sea-ice extent remained close to the long-term average.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the Antarctic ice sheet has exhibited a strong mass loss trend since the late 1990s.</li>
<li>This trend accelerated around 2005, and <strong>currently, Antarctica loses approximately 175 to 225 Gigaton per year,</strong> due to the increasing flow rates of major <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/glaciers-6" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>glaciers</strong></a> in West Antarctica and the Antarctic Peninsula.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extreme Weather Events in India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India <strong>experienced one of its wettest <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2#:~:text=The%20climate%20of%20India%20is%20described%20as%20the%20'monsoon'%20type.&amp;text=The%20southwest%20monsoon%20season%20%2D%20Rainfall,are%20known%20for%20retreating%20monsoons." target="_blank" rel="noopener">monsoons</a> since 1994,</strong> with a seasonal surplus of 9% that led to <strong>severe <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/urban-flooding" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floods</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/landslide-in-kodagu#:~:text=A%20landslide%20is%20defined%20as,slides%2C%20spreads%2C%20and%20flows." target="_blank" rel="noopener">landslides.</a></strong></li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-amphan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cyclone Amphan</strong></a>, which hit Kolkata in May 2020, has been named as the <strong>costliest tropical cyclone for the North Indian Ocean region</strong> that brought about an estimated loss of USD 14 billion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Climatic Impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Extreme Weather Situations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Along with the pandemic, people across the world struggled to survive as they faced extreme weather in the form of storms, cyclones, heavy rainfall and record heat.</li>
<li><strong>Response and recovery</strong> to people hit by cyclones, storms and similar extreme weather was<strong> constrained throughout the pandemic in 2020.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Human Mobility Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mobility restrictions and economic downturns owing to Covid-19 <strong>slowed down delivery of humanitarian assistance</strong> to vulnerable and displaced populations, who live in dense settlements.</li>
<li>The <strong>pandemic added further dimension to human mobility concerns,</strong> highlighting the need for an integrated approach to understanding and addressing climate risk and impact on vulnerable populations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>World Meteorological Organization</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is an<strong> intergovernmental organization </strong>with a<strong> membership of 192 Member States and Territories. India </strong>is a <strong>member.</strong></li>
<li>It originated from the <strong>International Meteorological Organization (IMO),</strong> which was established after the 1873 Vienna International Meteorological Congress.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Establishment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Established by the ratification of the WMO Convention on 23<sup>rd</sup> March 1950, WMO became the<strong> specialized agency of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/united-nations-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations</a></strong> for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Headquarters:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Geneva, Switzerland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/the-world-was-in-high-fever-in-2020-76586#:~:text=2020%20was%20one%20of%20the,the%20warmest%20decade%20on%20record." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 14 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'article_id' => (int) 8189,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'National Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/50th-foundation-day-of-dst" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Department of Science and Technology</strong></a> has released a report titled <strong>&lsquo;The Report Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India Using a Common Framework&rsquo;.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It <strong>identifies the most vulnerable states and districts in India with respect to current climate risk</strong> and key drivers of vulnerability.</li>
<li>It <strong>aids in prioritizing adaptation investment</strong>, developing and implementing adaptation programs.</li>
<li>The assessment is unique as it uses a common framework across the states &amp; union territory to make them comparable thereby <strong>empowering the decision-making capabilities</strong> at the policy and administrative levels.</li>
<li>Some <strong>key indicators</strong> for the assessment include percentage of population living below the poverty line; income share from natural resources; the proportion of marginal and small landholdings, women&rsquo;s participation in the workforce; density of healthcare workers etc.</li>
<li>It is <strong>part of the capacity building programme</strong> under the two missions of the <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Action Plan on Climate Change</strong></a> (total 8 missions).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE)</li>
<li>National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Key Findings of the Report:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Highly Vulnerable States:</strong> It identified Jharkhand, Mizoram, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal as states highly vulnerable to climate change.</li>
<li><strong>Lower-middle Vulnerable States:</strong> Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim and Punjab.</li>
<li><strong>Low Vulnerable States:</strong> Uttarakhand, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Nagaland, Goa and Maharashtra.</li>
<li><strong>Highly Vulnerable Districts:</strong> Among all states, <strong>Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand have over 60% districts</strong> in the category of <strong>highly vulnerable districts.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Vulnerability scores in all the districts of India lies in a very small range. It shows that <strong>all districts &amp; states are somewhat vulnerable with respect to current climate risk in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance of the Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The assessments can be used for India&rsquo;s reporting on the <strong>Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)</strong> under the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement#:~:text=Paris%20Agreement%20(also%20known%20as,to%20deal%20with%20climate%20change." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Paris Agreement</a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>NDCs</strong> embody efforts by each country <strong>to reduce national emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>These assessments will help support India&rsquo;s National Action Plan on Climate Change.</li>
<li>It will contribute to the development of more targeted climate change projects and will support the implementation of the <strong>State Action Plans on Climate Change.</strong></li>
<li>It will help in developing adaptation projects for the Green Climate Fund, <strong>Adaptation Fund and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/climate-finance-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">funds from multilateral and bilateral agencies</a>.</strong></li>
<li>It will <strong>also benefit climate-vulnerable communities</strong> across India through development of better-designed climate change adaptation projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Climate Risk</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Climate-related extremes, such as heat waves, droughts, floods, cyclones, and wildfires</strong>, reveal significant vulnerability and exposure of some ecosystems and many human systems to current climate variability.</li>
<li>Differences in vulnerability and exposure <strong>arise</strong> <strong>from non-climatic factors and from multidimensional inequalities</strong> often produced by uneven development processes. These differences shape differential risks from climate change.</li>
<li>According to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-climate-risk-index-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The Germanwatch Global Climate Risk Index-2019</strong></a>, <strong>India was ranked 5<sup>th</sup> out of 181 countries</strong>, implying an extremely high exposure and vulnerability.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID%3D1712450&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1618910008156000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2kSWvF4M5ClP97sk1F9P3e" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8187,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Sulphur Dioxide Emissions from Caribbean Volcano ',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sulfur-dioxide-emission-norms-delayed#:~:text=India%27s%20sulphur%20dioxide%20(SO2,largest%20emitter%20of%20SO2." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sulphur Dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) emissions</strong></a> <strong>from a <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sangay-volcano-ecuador" target="_blank" rel="noopener">volcanic eruption</a> in the Caribbean (La Soufriere Volcano)</strong> have reached India, sparking fear of <strong>increased <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/air-pollution-concerted-efforts" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pollution</a> levels</strong> in the northern parts of the country and <strong>acid rain.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Caribbean is the region</strong> roughly south of the United States, east of Mexico and north of Central and South America, consisting of the Caribbean Sea and its islands.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About La Soufriere Volcano:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>an active stratovolcano</strong> on the <strong>Caribbean island of Saint Vincent</strong> in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong>stratovolcano</strong> is a tall, conical volcano composed of one layer of hardened lava, tephra, and volcanic ash. These volcanoes are characterized by a steep profile and periodic, explosive eruptions.</li>
<li>Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, <strong>located in the southern Caribbean</strong>, consists of more than 30 islands and cays, nine of which are inhabited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is the <strong>highest peak in Saint Vincent</strong> and has had five recorded explosive eruptions since 1718, most recently in April 2021.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The last time the volcano had <strong>erupted was in 1979.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618901971_image%202.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618901971_image 2.jpg" width="450" caption="false" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Impact of the Eruption on Global Temperatures:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Volcanic emissions</strong> reaching the stratosphere <strong>can have a cooling effect on global temperatures.</strong></li>
<li>The most significant climate impacts from volcanic injections into the stratosphere come from the <strong>conversion of sulphur dioxide</strong> to <strong>sulphuric acid</strong>, which condenses rapidly in the stratosphere to form <strong>fine sulphate aerosols.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>aerosols increase</strong> the <strong>reflection of radiation</strong> from the Sun back into space, <strong>cooling the Earth&rsquo;s</strong> lower atmosphere or troposphere.</li>
<li>Bigger eruptions during the past century have caused a decrease in temperature of <strong>0.27 degree Celsius</strong> or more on the Earth&rsquo;s surface for up to three years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sulphur Dioxide and Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>SO<sub>2</sub> emissions that lead to high concentrations of SO<sub>2</sub> in the air generally also lead to the formation of other sulfur oxides (SO<sub>x</sub>). SO<sub>x</sub> can react with other compounds in the atmosphere to form small particles. These particles contribute to <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dashboard-for-monitoring-air-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Particulate Matter (PM)</a> pollution.</strong></li>
<li>Small particles may penetrate deeply into the lungs and in sufficient quantities can contribute to health problems.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sulphur Dioxide and Acid Rain:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Acid rain results <strong>when sulphur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) and nitrogen oxides (NO<sub>X</sub>) are emitted into the atmosphere</strong> and transported by wind and air currents.</li>
<li>The <strong>SO<sub>2</sub> and NO<sub>X</sub> react with water, oxygen and other chemicals</strong> to form sulfuric and nitric acids. These then mix with water and other materials before falling to the ground.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/natural-disasters/sulphur-dioxide-from-caribbean-volcano-reaches-india-wmo-confirms-76547#:~:text=The%20sulphur%20dioxide%20(SO2)%20emissions,can%20come%20down%20with%20rainfall." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'article_id' => (int) 8185,
		'category_id' => (int) 28,
		'title' => 'Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Draft 2020',
		'description' => '<h3>Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>EIA as per UNEP:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/making-peace-with-nature-unep-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNEP</strong></a> defines <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/environmental-impact-assessment-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)</strong></a> as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. </li>
<li><strong>Aim of EIA:</strong> It aims to<strong> predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design,</strong> find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Importance of EIA</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Provides a<strong> cost effective method</strong> to eliminate or minimize the adverse impact of developmental projects.</li>
<li>Enables the decision makers to <strong>analyse the effect of developmental activities on the environment</strong> well before the developmental project is implemented.</li>
<li>Encourages the <strong>adaptation of mitigation strategies</strong> in the developmental plan.</li>
<li>Makes sure that the <strong>developmental plan is environmentally sound</strong> and within the limits of the capacity of assimilation and regeneration of the ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>EIA and India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>History:</strong> The need first arose in 1976-77 when the Planning Commission asked the Department of Science and Technology to examine the river-valley projects from an environmental angle.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The first EIA notification was promulgated in 1994 by the then Ministry of Environment and Forests (now the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The notification mandated Environmental Clearance (EC) for expansion or modernisation of any activity or for setting up new projects listed in Schedule 1 of the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Statute:</strong> The Environment Impact Assessment in India is<strong> statutorily backed by the Environment Protection Act, 1986</strong> which contains various provisions on EIA methodology and process.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>2006 Amendment to the EIA Notification</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Decentralisation of Project Clearances:</strong> It classified the developmental projects in two categories: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Category A (national level appraisal):</strong> projects are appraised by Impact Assessment Agency (IAA) and the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)</li>
<li><strong>Category B (state level appraisal):</strong> State Level Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA) and State Level Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC) provide clearance to the Category B projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Introduction of Different Stages:</strong> The Amendment introduced four stages into EIA Cycle; Screening, Scoping, Public hearing and Appraisal. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Category A projects require mandatory environmental clearance and thus they do not have to undergo the screening process.</li>
<li>Category B projects undergo a screening process and are further classified into B1 (Mandatorily requiring EIA) and B2 (Not requiring EIA).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Projects with Mandatory Clearance:</strong> Projects such as mining, thermal power plants, river valley, infrastructure (road, highway, ports, harbours and airports) and industries including very small electroplating or foundry units are mandated to get environment clearance.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Draft EIA Notification 2020</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&amp;CC) has published the draft Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2020, with the intention of replacing the existing EIA Notification, 2006 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The Key Proposals of the 2020 Draft include:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Reduced Time for Public Hearings:</strong> One of the major steps of the EIA Mechanism is the public participation. The 2020 <strong>draft proposes to reduce the notice period for public hearings from 30 days to 20 days.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, the MoEFCC has claimed it to be &ldquo;in tune with the times&rdquo;, given the growth of internet and mobile telephony.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exemption of Projects:</strong> Furthermore, by classifying a number of projects into A, B1 and B2, a host of<strong> projects are exempted from public scrutiny.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Category B2 projects do not require mandatory Environment Clearance (EC), unlike the Category A and B1 projects.</li>
<li><strong>Exempted Projects:</strong> The projects under this exempted category include: <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Offshore and onshore oil, gas and shale exploration.</li>
<li>Hydroelectric projects up to 25 MW.</li>
<li>Irrigation projects between 2,000 and 10,000 hectares of command area.</li>
<li>Small and medium cement plants.</li>
<li>Acids other than phosphoric or ammonia, sulphuric acid.</li>
<li>MSMEs in dye and dye intermediates, bulk drugs, synthetic rubbers, medium-sized paint units.</li>
<li>All inland waterway projects and expansion or widening of highways between 25 km and 100 km with defined parameters. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These include roads that cut through forests and dredging of major rivers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Aerial ropeways in ecologically sensitive areas.</li>
<li>Specified building construction and area development projects; built-up area up to 1,50,000 sq. m.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Post-clearance compliance:</strong> It implies that once a project gets approved by the concerned authority, the proponent projects are required to adhere to certain rules laid down in the EIA report in order to ensure that no further environmental damages take place.</li>
<li><strong>Annual Submission of Reports:</strong> The new draft EIA, <strong>proposes the submission of compliance reports annually</strong> whereas as per the 2006 notification, the compliance report was to be submitted every six months. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Environmental experts are of the view that allowing a longer period for filling the compliance report will give an opportunity to project proponents to hide disastrous consequences, which could go unnoticed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Report Prepared Solely by Project Proponents:</strong> Meanwhile, <strong>submission of the compliance report will be solely prepared by the project proponents itself,</strong> which, without oversight and review, may lead to inaccurate information submitted on the project. </li>
<li><strong>No Public Reporting for Non-Compliance:</strong> The EIA Notification 2020 excludes reporting of violations and non-compliance by the public. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Instead, the <strong>government will take cognisance of reports only from the violator-promoter,</strong> government authority, Appraisal Committee or Regulatory Authority. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Post-facto Clearance:</strong> Another major proposal in the draft 2020 is granting &lsquo;post-facto clearance&rsquo; where a <strong>project that has been operating without environmental clearance, can be regularised or allowed to apply for clearance.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The judiciary has held, as in the case of Alembic Pharmaceutical vs. Rohit Prajapati in April 2020 that &ldquo;environment law cannot countenance the notion of an ex post facto clearance.&rdquo;</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Penalty for Firms:</strong> Firms found violating the terms of their establishment, if they have to get the clearance, however, will have to pay a penalty.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Opens the Floodgates of Violations:</strong> The environmental lawyers have argued that the Post-Facto Clearance of the Projects is likely to encourage industries to commence operations without bothering clearance and eventually get regularized by paying the penalty amount and thus opening the floodgates of violations.</li>
<li><strong>Strengthens the Government but Weakens the Public:</strong> The draft offers no remedy for the political and bureaucratic stronghold on the EIA process, and thereby on industries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Instead, it proposes to bolster the government&rsquo;s discretionary power while limiting public engagement in safeguarding the environment.</li>
<li>Also, the draft, by limiting public consultation, is not in consonance with protecting the rights of tribals, among others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Easy Clearance for &lsquo;Strategic&rsquo; Projects:</strong> While projects concerning national defence and security are naturally considered strategic, the government gets to decide on the &ldquo;strategic&rdquo; tag for other projects. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 2020 draft says no information on &ldquo;such projects shall be placed in the public domain&rdquo;. This opens a window for clearance for any project deemed strategic without having to explain why.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reduced Time means Reduced Awareness:</strong> The reduced notice period for public hearing from 30 days to 20 days will only make it difficult to study the draft EIA report, more so when it is not widely available or provided in the regional language.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the reduction of time would particularly pose a problem in those areas where information is not easily accessible or areas in which people are not that well aware of the process itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non-Conformity to International Frameworks And Conventions:</strong> India&rsquo;s has been an active participant of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations (UN) Conference on Human, Environment and Development in Stockholm in 1972</strong></a>, the Rio Summit in 1992, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.drishtiias.com/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unfccc&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1618838400074000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0N0G3zV7zKmNp1JiwhUhZp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)</strong> </a>and the<strong> Paris Climate Accord</strong> which has significantly strengthened its environmental governance.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>After pledging allegiance to these international environmental instruments and now on the contrary proposing to weaken its EIA regime at the domestic level, India is in a position of cognitive dissonance. </li>
<li>Such a non-conformity to pledges made at international negotiations and agreements will weaken India&rsquo;s stance as a global leader in environmental governance and climate politics.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ministry, instead of reducing the time for public consultation, should focus on ensuring access to information as well as awareness about the public hearing and its impact upon the whole EIA process.</li>
<li>In order to improve ease of doing business, the government should bring down the average delay of 238 days in granting environmental clearance, that emanates from bureaucratic delays and complex laws.</li>
<li>Grow now, sustain later should not be the policy, as the notion is dangerously tilted against the concept of sustainable development.</li>
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		'article_id' => (int) 8179,
		'category_id' => (int) 21,
		'title' => 'Great Indian Bustards',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a group of hunters shot down two<strong> Great Indian Bustards (GIBs)</strong> in a protected area of southern Punjab&rsquo;s Cholistan in Pakistan.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618819776_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618819776_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="450" height="360" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Great Indian Bustard (GIB),</strong> the <strong>State bird of Rajasthan,</strong> is considered India&rsquo;s most critically endangered bird.</li>
<li>It is considered the<strong> flagship grassland species,</strong> representing the health of the grassland ecology.</li>
<li>Its population is confined mostly to <strong>Rajasthan and Gujarat.</strong> Small populations occur in <strong>Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.</strong></li>
<li>The bird is under constant threats due to <strong>collision/electrocution</strong> with power transmission lines, <strong>hunting</strong> (still prevalent in Pakistan),<strong> habitat loss</strong> and alteration as a result of widespread agricultural expansion, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List</a>: Critically Endangered</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.drishtiias.com/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites&amp;sa=D&amp;source=editors&amp;ust=1618821422911000&amp;usg=AOvVaw29mWVj48d_9NWHR7PsJFSd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)</a>: Appendix1</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cms-com-13" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)</a>: Appendix I </strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972</a>: Schedule 1</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Concerns:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The grassland habitat in the Cholistan desert, where the GIBs were killed, is very similar to the habitat in <strong>Rajasthan&rsquo;s Desert National Park (DNP),</strong> where the GIB&rsquo;s last remnant wild population is found. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>DNP is situated near the towns of Jaisalmer and Barmer, forming a part of the mighty <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/thar-desert" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Thar desert.</strong></a></li>
<li>It was declared as a National Park in 1981 to protect the habitat of the Great Indian Bustard.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>As Rajasthan shares the international border with Pakistan's Sindh and Punjab provinces, the birds will become an easy prey for the gun-toting poachers there.</li>
<li>The hunting of the rare bird will not only drastically reduce India&rsquo;s GIB population, but will also affect the desert ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Government&rsquo;s Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is kept under the <strong>species recovery programme</strong> under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/clouded-leopards-and-their-habitats" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats</strong></a> of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC).</li>
<li>The MoEFCC has also launched a program called <strong>&lsquo;Habitat Improvement and Conservation Breeding of Great Indian Bustard-An Integrated Approach&rsquo;.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The objective of the programme is to build up a captive population of Great Indian Bustards and to release the chicks in the wild for increasing the population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Rajasthan government has launched<strong> &lsquo;Project Great Indian Bustard&rsquo;</strong> with an aim of constructing breeding enclosures for the species and developing infrastructure to reduce human pressure on its habitats.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/bustard-poaching-in-pakistan-desert-shocks-wildlife-activists/article34338082.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'title' => 'Exotic Animals',
		'description' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Delhi High Court directed the Centre to take a decision on<strong> framing rules to confer protection for exotic animals</strong> that are currently <strong>not under the purview of the&nbsp;</strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.</strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The court&rsquo;s order came in response to a petition filed by animal rights group, <strong>People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)</strong> India about the status of a male <strong>hippopotamus</strong> rescued from the Asiad Circus in Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>Earlier in June 2020, the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> issued an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/advisory-on-importing-live-exotic-animals" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>advisory to streamline and formalise the process of importing live exotic animals.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Exotic Animals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The term exotic does not have a set definition but it usually <strong>refers to a wild animal or one that is more unusual and rare than normal domesticated pets</strong> like cats or dogs.</li>
<li>These are those<strong> species which are not usually native to an area</strong> and are introduced to an area by humans.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Provisions Related to Illegal Trade of Animals:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Illegally traded exotic animals are confiscated under <strong>Section 111</strong> of the <strong>Customs Act, 1962</strong> which is read with the provision of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)</strong> </a>and the Foreign Trade Policy (Import-Export Policy) of India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>CITES is<strong> an international agreement between governments.</strong> Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species. <strong>India</strong> is a party to it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Also,<strong> Sections 48 and 49</strong> of the<strong> Wildlife Protection Act, 1972</strong> prohibit trade or commerce in wild animals, animal articles or trophies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hippopotamus</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618818117_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1618818117_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hippopotamus, <strong>also called hippo or water horse,</strong> is an<strong> amphibious</strong> African ungulate mammal.</li>
<li>It is considered to be the <strong>second largest land animal</strong> (after the elephant).</li>
<li>Hippos are <strong>well adapted to aquatic life.</strong> The ears, eyes, and nostrils are located high on the head so that the rest of the body may remain submerged.</li>
<li>Hippopotamuses were extinct in northern Africa by 1800 and south of Natal and the Transvaal by 1900. They are still<strong> fairly common in East Africa, but populations continue to decrease continent wide.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><em>Hippopotamus amphibius.</em></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/man-animal-conflict-mac" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Human-wildlife conflict</strong></a> and habitat encroachment.</li>
<li>Often <strong>killed for their meat</strong> under the guise of protection, and they are also hunted for<strong> hippo fat and their ivory canine teeth.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>IUCN Red List</strong></a>: Vulnerable</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/cites" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>CITES</strong></a>: Appendix Ill</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/delhi-high-court-orders-centre-to-frame-protection-rules-for-exotic-animals-not-included-in-wpa-76534" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: DTE</strong></a></p>',
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		'category_id' => (int) 22,
		'title' => 'Cleaning Ganga',
		'description' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/namami-gange-project-kumbh-mela-gathering-religious-congregation-7277020/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;River of life&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 17/04/2021. It talks about the reason for pollution in the river Ganga and steps taken to deal with it.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India witnessed the world&rsquo;s largest religious congregation as millions of pilgrims gathered for a holy dip in the Ganga during the Kumbh Mela. Since time immemorial, the Kumbh Mela has been a melting pot for varied beliefs, practices, philosophies, and ideologies.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, over time, the increase in population, coupled with unregulated industrialization and unsustainable agricultural practices, have led to a significant increase in pollutants in the Ganga river and its tributaries.</p>
<p>However, after the launch of the flagship program called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-mission-for-clean-ganga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Namami Gange</strong></a>, the pollution in River Ganga has significantly reduced. It has adopted a holistic approach to public policy, technology intervention, and community participation.</p>
<h3>Reasons for Polluted River Ganga</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Urbanization:</strong> Rapid urbanization in India during the recent decades has given rise to a number of environmental problems such as water supply, wastewater generation and its collection, treatment, and disposal. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Many towns and cities which came upon the banks of river Ganga have not given proper thought to the problem of wastewater, sewerage, etc. </li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Industries:</strong> Unrestricted flow of sewage and industrial effluents into the Ganga has adversely affected its purity. All these industrial wastes are toxic to life forms that consume this water.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The other significant contributors to wastewater are paper mills, steel plants, textile, and sugar industries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Agricultural Runoff and Improper Agricultural Practices:</strong> Traces of fertilizers and pesticides are washed into the nearest water-bodies at the onset of the monsoons or whenever there are heavy rains.</li>
<li><strong>Withdrawal of Water:</strong> According to a report of the Ministry of Water Resources on the study of minimum flows in the Ganga, impact on river water quality resulting from discharges of treated or untreated wastewater into the river will depend on the dilution offered by the quantum of flows in the river. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, River Ganga gets starved of water when they enter the plain area. For instance, the Upper Ganga Canal and the Lower Ganga Canal have left the Ganga downstream almost dry.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Religious and Social Practices:</strong> Religious faith and social practices also add to the pollution of the river Ganga. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Dead bodies are cremated on the river banks. Partially burnt bodies are also flung into the river.</li>
<li>Mass bathing in a river during religious festivals is another environmentally harmful practice.</li>
<li>All this is done as a matter of religious faith and in keeping with ancient rituals. These practices pollute the river water and adversely affect the water quality. </li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Steps Taken to Reduce Pollution in River Ganga</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Public Policy:</strong> In 2016, the government issued a notification to authorize the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) to exercise powers under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>NMCG also issued directives regulating mining activities on river banks, prohibiting encroachment, and regulating activities like the immersion of idols.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Technology Intervention:</strong> NMCG adopted cutting-edge technologies like satellite imagery, remote sensing, and geospatial solutions which facilitated real-time monitoring of pollutants in Ganga and its tributaries.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientific forecast models were deployed for designing new sewage treatment infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Community Participation:</strong> To encourage community participation in cleaning the river, an awareness campaign is regularly carried out in cities, towns, and villages alongside Ganga through a newly-established community force called &ldquo;Ganga Praharis&rdquo;. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Through them, the government seeks to transform &ldquo;jal chetna&rdquo; into &ldquo;jan chetna&rdquo; and turn it into a &ldquo;jal aandolan&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The Constitution of India mandates the central and state governments to provide both a clean and decent environment and clean drinking water for the people (Article 48A, Art. 51 (A) (g), Article 21). Also, the Supreme Court has declared that the right to a decent and clean environment is a fundamental right.</p>
<p>In this context, the Namami Gange project is a step in the right direction to clean the river Ganga and should be emulated to deal with pollution in other rivers of India.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; height: 92px; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f5fcff; border-style: dotted;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Namami Gange project is a step in the right direction to clean river Ganga and should be emulated to deal with pollution in other rivers of India. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
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