Mar-17Envi Flashcards
Mar-17Envi -Index
5.1. Environmental Clearance (EC) violation
5.2. Two Pit Solution
5.3. Living Person Status to Ganga and Yamuna
5.4. Green NOD for Neutrino Project Suspended
5.5. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
5.6. Barasingha Conservation
5.7. World’s Natural Saltiest Pond
5.8. Divya Nayan
5.9. Groundwater Exploitation
5.10. Online Filing of Access and Benefit Sharing
Applications
5.11. Easing of Rules for Clearance of Non-Polluting
Industrial Projects
5.12. Algal Bloom
5.13. WHO Report on Noise Pollution
5.14. Sparrow Conservation
5.15. Reforms in Water Governance
5.16. WWF to Undertake Ganges Dolphin Count
5.17. Earth Hour/Light Pollution
5.18. National Large Solar Telescope
5.19. Bio-Diesel Body Calls for Lower Tax Rate (Bio-
Diesel)
5.20. Cleaning Ganga
5.21. Fewer Migratory Water Birds Sighted at Ropar
5.22. Website for Obtaining Coastal Clearances 5.23.
Western Ghats Conservation
5.24. Bharat Emissions Standards
5.1. ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE (EC) VIOLATION
Why in news? The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has issued a notification, giving a six-month window period to project proponents, who have been operating without obtaining a prior environmental clearance. Background
The process of granting ECs by the ministry includes grant of terms of reference (ToRs), public consultations and environment impact assessment (EIA).
Different sector-based Expert Appraisal Committees (EACs) in the environment ministry appraise projects as per the
provisions of the EIA notification 2006 after which it recommends or rejects environment clearance to
projects. New notification
There is a window for applying EC but the action will be taken in case an expert panel of the ministry finds it to be environmentally unsustainable.
In cases where EAC finds that the project can run in an environmentally sustainable manner, the expert panel will prescribe assessment of ecological damage, a remediation plan and natural and community resource augmentation plan (NCRAP).
The idea is to take away the economic benefit (if any) derived by the company due to violation and pay for the remediation of damage caused due to violation. Future Concerns
Environmentalists are not happy because it encourages violation and negates the purpose of detailed EIA
The EC should not be granted once project activities have started, but if it is now allowed the implementation of remedial measures and compliance of clearance conditions must be strictly monitored.
Box–1-CAG’s performance audit on ECs
It said that ministry has failed at every step in ensuring environment is protected
It also said that ministry has not penalized even a single project for non-compliance.
Only in 11% of the cases were the ECs granted within the prescribed time limit of 105 days.
Box–2-Environmental Impact Assessment EIA is an important management tool for ensuring optimal use of natural resources for sustainable development.
5.2. TWO PIT SOLUTION
Background
Septic tanks are generally preferred by rural households as a mini sewage treatment plants.
It separates the solid waste from the waste water.
They have the advantage of being economical, low maintenance cost and most importantly waste water can be used to drain the farms
But they also have inherent disadvantages such as regular
maintenance is required, foul smell, etc. Also, one time investment
of building a septic tank is high for the rural households of India.
Two pit Latrines
This system has two leach pits, with a ‘Y’ junction. The practice is to
fill one and cover it over when nearly full, and leave it to stand while
the second pit is used. The waste in the first pit will convert into
manure in a year.
It has the following advantages over septic tanks:
o They are very cheap as compared to building septic tank. Also, maintenance cost is also minimal.
o Manure can be used in field or can be sold out giving another economic advantage.
o It will also promote the culture of using latrines because of the economic advantage of manure.
The low preference of farmers for two-pit latrines over septic tanks suggest that there is lack of awareness among them about the advantages.
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5.3. LIVING PERSON STATUS TO GANGA AND YAMUNA
Why in news?
The Uttarakhand HC division bench declared the Ganga and Yamuna living entities, bestowing on them same legal rights as a person.
The Court verdict The Ganga and TheYamuna, all their tributaries,Glaciars like Gangotri,Yamunotri and Forest are declared as living person with all corresponding rights, duties and liabilities.
Director of the Namami Gange programme, the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary, and the Advocate-General of Uttarakhand would serve as “parents” for the rivers and would be the human faces to protect, conserve and preserve the rivers and their tributaries. Earlier the bench asked authorities to impose complete prohibition on alcohol including beer in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts from April 1. Directed the state government to impose a ‘glacier tax’.( It’s a cess imposed on tourists visiting the Himalayas in order to protect depleting glacier ecology and the amount realized by way of it would be used only for the benefit of people visiting the area including the pilgrims) Asked Uttarakhand Environment Protection & Pollution Control Board (UEPPCB) strictly to seal the industries, hotels, ashrams and other establishments, which are discharging the sewerage in the rivers.
The constitution of Ganga Management Board is necessary for the purpose of regulating irrigation, rural and urban water supply, hydro power generation, navigation, industries. Earlier precedents
Earlier New Zealand has recognised the Whanganui Riverans ecosystem as living being after relentless effort by the Iwi indigenous peoples who live along the bank of river by passing Te Awa Tapua bill. In Ecuador, people went to court in the name of the Vilcabamba River, being affected by a road widening project. Significance Recognition of the rivers’ rights is based on its value for socio-political-scientific development and the spiritual significance as they serve us but it should be due to their innate qualities and being a part of overall ecosystem. It may be extended to all other rivers and other natural resources like hills mines etc. to protect them also.
It has potential ramification of legal litigations if a situation arises when private and public property are damaged by river and other streams as they are considered legal living person now. It’s a positive move as National acquatic animal Gangatic Dolphine and other river ecosystem animal will be saved inadvertantly.
5.4. GREEN NOD FOR NEUTRINO PROJECT SUSPENDED
Why in news? The Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal suspended the Environmental Clearance (EC) granted to the India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) About INO
India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is a particle physics research project under construction to primarily study atmospheric neutrinos in a 1,300 meters deep cave near Bodhi west hills reserved forest near pottipuram village in Theni district, Tamil Nadu.
After photons, neutrinos are the most abundant particles in the universe. They are affected only by a weak sub-atomic force of much shorter range, making it possible for them to pass great distances through matter without being affected. Reason
The petitioner says that the project was 4.9 km away from Mathikettan Shola National Park in Idukki district, Kerala. This makes INO a category ‘A’ project (within 5 km of a national park) requiring clearance from the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
Environmental concerns
Site stands on an aquifer that feeds three important river systems – Periyar, Vaigai, and Vaippar
Rock-blasting during construction could seismically impact reservoirs including Mullaperiyar and Idukki
Department of Atomic Energy could use the underground space for storing high-level radioactive waste from nuclear power plants Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai being the other four place of sitting of the Tribunal
Box–About National Green Tribunal (NGT) The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. Its mandate is to enforce any legal right relating to environment, providing relief and compensation for damages to persons and property. It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. The Tribunal is mandated for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
5.5. DAROJI SLOTH BEAR SANCTUARY
Why in news?
Sloth Bear cubs are spotted after 4 years in Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary. About Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
It is located in Ballari district in karnataka and 15 km near Hampi Created exclusively for preservation of Indian sloth bear. It is the flagship species (the ability of one threatened species to help drive conservation efforts that also benefit others smaller and important species i.e. Tiger, Elephant conservation requires large area and effort and in due course other species get protection inadvertantly) of the sanctuary.
Flora is dry deciduous scrub and southern thron forest.
About Indian sloth bear
There are eight species of Bears in the world. Indian Sloth Bear is confined to India and Sri Lanka only
Locally called KARADI in karnataka
Comes under endangered species.
5.6. BARASINGHA CONSERVATION
Why in news?
Bhoorsingh the Barasingha- Kanha tiger reserve becomes first in India get official mascot.
About Barasingha
Barasingha also called swamp dear is state animal of Madhya Pradesh
It comes under vulnerable category in IUCN red list.
It is extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh and its native of India and nepal.
Kanha tiger reserve is spread over Mandla and Balaghat district.
The swamp deer differs from all the Indian deer species in that the antlers carry more than three tines because of this distinctive character it is designated barasingha meaning twelve-tined.
5.7. WORLD’S NATURAL SALTIEST POND
Why in news?
Scientists discover how the world’s saltiest pond gets its salt. How does it remain liquid?
Don Juan Pond gets its salt and some of its water from a nearby deposit of calcium chloride salt.
The salt deposit sucks water from the icy air whenever the humidity increases.
That salt laden water then slowly trickles downhill towards the pond. The rest of the pond’s water comes from occasional snow melt that helps to wash the salt into the pond. About Pond
Name - Don Juan Pond situated in figid McMurdo valley in Antarctica.
Its unique feature is it remains in liquid form and does not freeze.
Saltiest water body on earth, 8th times brinier than The Dead Sea.
Don Juan Pond was discovered in 1961, named after two helicopter pilots, Lt. Don Roe and Lt. John Hickey.
5.8. DIVYA NAYAN
Why in news?
Chandigarh based Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab develops the most advanced reading machine for visually challenged. Features
It is portable device is based on the principle of contact scanning of a printed document and converting it into speech. It can scans any script and reads it aloud for visually challenged to understand.
The device can analyse a multicolumn document and provide seamless reading
It is capable of page, text and word level navigation while reading
The device is standalone(able to operate independently of other hardware or software), portable, completely wireless and uses open source hardware and software
Currently it supports Hindi and English languages later on it will be programmed for other Indian and foreign languages as well.
Internal storage of 32 GB with run time of upto 3 hours and weighs 410 gram
It is equipped with WiFi and Bluetooth interface
It also can be connected to a monitor and be used as a mini computer with screen reader utility. Advantages
Earlier Braille was the primary source of reading for such people but converting text into Braille is time consuming, now this limitation has been removed.
India has a population of 15 million visually challenged, of the 39 million across the world. Such large number of people will be benefited by access of technology.
It would bridge the gap of available technology for visually challenged.
5.9. GROUNDWATER EXPLOITATION
Why in news?
On the World Water Day on March 22, the Karnataka government admitted that the groundwater levels in more than 140 of the total 176 talukas have depleted due to overexploitation.
What is groundwater exploitation?
Excessive withdrawal of groundwater for various purposes including irrigation, domestic and industrialization, which result in decline in ground water levels.
On the other hand, ground water recharge in many areas is reduced due to varied &erratic rainfall pattern
as well as change in land use.
Initiatives Taken Up by GOI
The National Water Policy (2012) was formulated which advocates conservation, promotion and protection of water and highlights the need for augmenting the availability of water through rain water harvesting, direct use of rainfall and other management measures.
Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) has been constituted.
Under “The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986” for the purpose of regulation and control of ground water development and management.
As per Schedule-I of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), the water conservation and water harvesting structures to augment ground water constitute a special focus area for MGNREGA works.
CGWB has taken up Aquifer Mapping and Management programme during XII Plan.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change have merged two separate programmes, namely, National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) and National Wetland Conservation Programme (NWCP) into a new Integrated Scheme of National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Eco-Systems (NPCA) for conservation and management of identified lakes and wetlands in the country.
CGWB has been organizing mass awareness programmes in the country to promote rain water harvesting and artificial recharge to ground water.
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5.10. ONLINE FILING OF ACCESS AND BENEFIT SHARING APPLICATIONS
Why in news?
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (Moef) launched the online filing of Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) applications.
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), teamed up with the National Informatics Centre (NIC), to launch the website to enable E-filing of applications.
What is Access and Benefit Sharing?
Access and benefit-sharing (ABS) refers to the way in which genetic resources may be accessed, and how benefits from that result from their use are shared between the people or countries using the resources (users) and the people or countries that provide them (providers).
The Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS) to the Convention on Biological Diversity is a supplementary agreement to the Convention on Biological Diversity.
It was constituted on 29th October, 2010.
Box– NBA is a statutory body established under the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act.
It performs facilitative and advisory functions for the Union government on issues of conservation, sustainable use of biological resources and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the use of biological resources.
5.11. EASING OF RULES FOR CLEARANCE OF NON-POLLUTING INDUSTRIAL PROJECTS
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MOEF) has said that Projects under the new category of “white”, which is practically non-polluting, will not require environmental clearance. Background MOEF in consultation with the Central Pollution Control Boardhas reclassified the industries into “Red”, “Orange”, “Green” and “White” with an objective to promote “Ease of Doing Responsible Business”. Projects are supposed to get environmental clearances under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 or Consent under Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Significance It will simplify procedures to fast-track industries falling under the “white” category which includes real estate projects. Will cut procedural delays to spur growth through improved 'ease of doing business'. Criticism The hurry to spare the real estate projects when the similar matter under the December 9 notification is pending in the NGT. It also bypasses the Environment (Protection) Act as well as the 2006 EIA notification"
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5.12. ALGAL BLOOM
Why in news?
The algal bloom has expanded from the shores of Oman on the west to India and Pakistan on the east raising environmental concerns.
What is algal bloom? An algal bloom is a rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic system. What are harmful algal blooms? Algal bloom is caused by Noctilucascintillans—microscopic dinoflagellates that feed on plankton and suck up energy from the sun through microscopic algae living within their cells.
Effects of harmful algal blooms Produce extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals. Create dead zones in the water. Raise treatment costs for drinking water Hurt industries that depend on clean water
Box–Dinoflagellates are one-celled aquatic organisms bearing two dissimilar flagella and having characteristics of both plants and animals.
5.13. WHO REPORT ON NOISE POLLUTION
Why in news?
World Health Organisation “Worldwide Hearing Index” claims Delhi to be the second worst city with highest noise pollutions.
The report has been created by digital hearing app founders Mimi Hearing Technologies Gmbh after an analysis was done on 2, 00,000 of their users.
Report Analysis
Guangzhou in China had the worst noise pollution, while Zurich in Switzerland had the least.
A typical source of noise pollution is transport, such as road, rail and air traffic.
Most of the people living in the noise polluted cities face hearing loss. Around 360 million people worldwide have been facing hearing loss out of which 32 million are children
In next few years around 1.1 billion teenagers worldwide are at risk of developing hearing loss due to unsafe use of personal audio devices and exposure to damaging levels of sounds in noisy entertainment venues.
Effects of Prolonged Noise Pollution
According to a 2007 WHO estimate, almost six per cent people in India suffer from hearing loss.
Prolonged exposure to noise above 60 dB can lead to irreversible Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)
Other serious health implications are:
deafness,
heart conditions,
sleep disorders and
cognitive impairment in children
Preventive measures
NIHL can be prevented by improving one’s diet
Dietary supplements rich in antioxidants can protect hair cells
in the inner ear.
Food rich in Beta-Carotene, Vitamin C and E, and magnesium protect from threshold shifts.
Use of ear plugs and muffs is also recommended as a sound protective measure.
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5.14. SPARROW CONSERVATION
Why in news?
The House Sparrow which was declared as the State bird of Delhi in 2012 is now fast disappearing.
Reasons
Anthropogenic factors food and nesting places are destroyed by humans.
Homeless due to “matchbox styled” architecture that makes it difficult for the bird to build nests.
Increased use of packaged food.
Insects which are their primary source of food are killed due to use of pesticides and insecticides in farms and gardens
Radiation from mobile towers.
Solution
Kitchen waste can be utilised to make birds feed by making microbes through decomposition.
In summer, Bird -bath along with water bowls would help them to rehydrate.
Plants and hedges can be grown to help build them nests.
Artificial nests outside our homes could be build for a safe breeding and roosting place.
What is being currently done?
Seminary hills in Nagpur is to designated as a sparrow conservation site.
A similar sparrow conservation programme is also being launched at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali, and forest department’s Rambagh Colony in Chandrapur
Box–The Great Sparrow Count is a Nature Forever Society of India (NFSI) Initiative.
The aim is document the population and distribution of 24 different species of sparrows found across the world.
NFSI is a non-profit organization found to conserve house sparrows.
March 20 is celebrated as World Sparrow Day across 50 countries annually since 2010.