Nov-16Envi Flashcards
Nov-16Envi -Index
5.1. New Policy Initiatives in Urban Transport
5.2. Mission Electrification
5.3. Coral Bleaching at Great Barrier Reef Highest Ever
5.4. Loktak Lake
5.5. Delhi Declaration on Agrobiodiversity Management
5.6. Marrakesh CoP
5.7. ‘Clear the Air for Children’: UNICEF Study
5.8. Emissions Gap Rising
5.9. Fly Ash Utilization Policy
5.10. Community Forests in Controlling Carbon
Emissions
5.11. Disaster Risk Reduction
5.12. Delhi Smog
5.13. Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
5.1. NEW POLICY INITIATIVES IN URBAN TRANSPORT
About
The central government working on new policy initiatives in public transport systems like metro rail, non-motorised transport and other low carbon emitting systems in urban areas.
The new initiatives under consideration include Green Urban Transport Scheme (GUTS), new metro rail policy, revision of metro Acts and standardisation and indigenisation of metro systems, aimed at increased private sector participation.
GUTS
Under GUTS, provision of non-motorised transport infrastructure, increasing access to public transport, use of clean technologies, adoption of intelligent transport systems (ITS) and private sector participation in urban transport projects will be increased.
Metro Policy
The government is also working on a new Metro Policy which would mandate preparation of comprehensive mobility plans of cities to ensure last mile connectivity with metro stations besides bringing in more innovative models of implementation.
The present Metro Acts in Delhi and Kolkata will be integrated envisaging more delegation of powers to State Governments besides promoting PPP and private initiatives.
State governments would also be encouraged to form Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority to facilitate coordinated planning and implementation of projects relating to urban transport and integrated management.
Non-Motorised Transport
The policy will also promote Non-motorised transport (NMT) infrastructure for encouraging walking and cycling.
NMT as a viable alternative mode of mobility would be effective if there is a close relationship between work and living place and this would require proper land use zoning, development control and building regulations to ensure success of public transport system in cities.
NMT is already being encouraged under the Smart Cities and AMRUT mission.
Significance
The government wants the new urban transport planning to be people centric aiming at moving people instead of moving cars. It would ensure that all sections of people have access to efficient public transport through inclusive planning.
One of the major drawbacks of the Smart City programme was that there was no focus on mobility. The new policy would help in meeting this gap.
Another positive aspect would be that it will ask cities to submit plans on mobility and will rate them on service quality indicators.
Box–UPSC in Past
Mains 2014
Q. National urban transport policy emphasizes on moving people instead of moving vehicles. Discuss critically the success of various strategies of the government in this regard. (200 words)
5.2. MISSION ELECTRIFICATION
About
It is an initiative of the Railway Ministry to reduce dependence on diesel by electrifying nearly 90% of railway tracks in the next five years.
The Indian Railways will now set targets for ourselves to complete the electrification in a time-bound manner. It aims to speed up the present average rate of electrification of 1,700 route kilometers per year by doubling it next year.
A mobile application called Rail Saver was also launched to enable railway officials to keep a track of energy consumption and trends.
The government has tied up with PSUs for increasing the pace of route electrification and also with Ministry of Science of Technology for developing and utilizing renewable energy technologies.
Significance
The largest component of greenhouse emission comes from transportation after power generation. Hence transportation will play a key role in reducing the ill effects of such emissions.
Indian Railways consumes 2% of the country’s total power generation. The power could be effectively utilized in other sectors.
This would also make the travel through Railways faster.
This will help in reducing the energy bill of railways considerably. Railways’ expenditure on energy is second highest after salaries and pensions. It expects to reduce fuel bill by Rs 10,000 crore annually through electrification of major routes.
5.3. CORAL BLEACHING AT GREAT BARRIER REEF HIGHEST EVER
About
A study report that 2,300-kilometre long Great Barrier
Reef in Australia has suffered its most severe
bleaching in recorded history.
The Bleaching is due to warming sea temperatures
during March and April of this year, with the
maximum damage on its northern, pristine part.
Scientists estimate that the northern region, region
with most damage, will take at least 10-15 years to
regain lost corals. However, the issue could be the
possibility of a major bleaching event occurring
before that, hampering the recovery.
The southern two-thirds of the reef has escaped with minor damage.
Box–Coral Bleaching
It occurs when abnormal environmental conditions, such as warmer sea temperatures, cause corals to expel tiny photosynthetic algae, draining them of their colour.
Algae are vital to the coral, which uses the organic products of photosynthesis to help it grow.
The loss of algae makes the host vulnerable to disease and means it will eventually die.
However, coral can recover if water temperature drops and the algae are able to recolonize them.
5.4. LOKTAK LAKE
Why in News
The MoEF recently constituted a four-member team for conservation and management of the Loktak Lake.
The team will review the implementation of various work carried out with financial assistance provided by the central and state governments so far for the conservation and management of the Lake. It will also suggest further interventions required for conserving the lake in a holistic manner.
About
Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in Northeast India located in Manipur.
It is famous for the phumdis which is heterogeneous mass of vegetation, soil, and organic matter at various stages of decomposition floating over it.
Keibul Lamjao is the only floating national park in the world. It is located near Moirang in Manipur.
The Keibul Lamjao National Park is the last natural refuge of the endangered Sangai deer.
Human activity has led to severe pressure on the lake ecosystem.
5.5. DELHI DECLARATION ON AGROBIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT
About
The first International Agrobiodiversity Congress (IAC) held in New Delhi has adopted New Delhi Declaration on Agrobiodiversity Management.
In the declaration, 900 participants from 60 countries have urged researchers and policy-makers to strengthen and promote complementary conservation strategies to conserve and use agrobiodiversity.
Major Highlights
The Congress addressed seven themes:
agrobiodiversity for food and nutrition;
agrobiodiversity for adaptation to climate change;
intellectual property rights (IPRs) and access and benefit-sharing (ABS) and farmers’ rights;
quarantine, biosafety and biosecurity issues;
conservation strategies and methodologies;
science-led innovation for agrobiodiversity management and sustainable use; and
capacity-building and strengthening partnerships.
5.6. MARRAKESH COP
Background
in the latest CoP of the UNFCCC held at Marrakesh, Morocco more than 190 countries negotiated to prepare the fine print for Paris deal. It sought to make the rules that would help in the implementation of the law i.e. Paris Agreement.
The countries have agreed to complete the rule book by 2018 as the Agreement would come into force from 2020.
Concerns
Differences between the developed and developing countries persisted over crucial issues pertaining to climate finance, adaptation funds and scaling up reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases.
The developed countries, led by USA from the front, tried to use the rule-making process to subvert the Paris agreement.
The developed countries were successful in getting their OECD report on climate finance acknowledged into the formal negotiations, despite developing countries claiming that it had used dubious accounting methods. This OECD report could now become one of the bases for defining climate finance.
Principles of equity and differentiated responsibilities remain on table but no progress on operationalizing them in the Paris Agreement rulebook.
The road map for rich countries to provide US $100 billion annually starting 2020 looks more dubious than before.
No space for deeper emission reductions or increased climate finance by rich countries before 2020.
The replenishment of funds for adapting to climate change though, was one of positive developments from the Marrakesh conference. There was a demand for replenishing the adaptation fund under the Paris agreement and that was done with $80 million. However, discussion over it will continue in the next CoP.
The issue of providing loss and damage finance to vulnerable countries also will be taken up next year.
India’s call for ‘Climate Justice’ finds no placeholder. India unable to find even a rhetorical entry for ‘lifestyle issues’ at Marrakech.
5.7. ‘CLEAR THE AIR FOR CHILDREN’: UNICEF STUDY
About
The UNICEF recently concluded a study called ‘Clear the Air for Children’.
In the study which is based on satellite imagery it has categorised the affected areas based on the quantum of particulate matter, ranging from 10 to 60 μg/m3.
Major findings
Two-hundred and twenty million children in South Asia region including India, among nearly 300 million globally, currently live in areas where outdoor air pollution exceeds international guidelines by at least six times
Many of these children are already disadvantaged by poverty and deprivation. Some are already at heightened risk from conflicts, crises and the intensifying effects of climate change.
Globally, air pollution affects children in low-income and middle-income countries more.
Impact
The impact of such high level of pollution is commensurately shocking. Every year, nearly 600,000 children under the age of five die from diseases caused or exacerbated by the effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution.
Millions more suffer from respiratory diseases that diminish their resilience and affect their physical and cognitive development
The effects of indoor air pollution kill more children globally than outdoor air pollution, especially in Africa and Asia where the use of solid fuels for cooking is prevalent.
Chronic exposure to high pollution increases risk of miscarriage and early labor in pregnant women, and low birth weight.
Some suggestions by the Report
It emphasised that nations need stronger measures to cut back on the sources of air pollution, which cannot be contained within borders and spreads across regions.
Air pollution moves across borders, both national ones as well as sub-national ones, and so coherent government policies are needed to address these trans-boundary risks
At a global scale, better monitoring of air pollution is required.
Public investment in healthcare for the children is required to make them more resilient against such new risks.
5.8. EMISSIONS GAP RISING
Why in News
A recent UN Environment Programme Report reveals that global emissions have continued to rise despite some signs of emissions from fossil fuels and industries stabilizing.
The emissions gap for 2030 is 12 to 14 GtCO2e (Giga tonne CO2 equivalent) compared with 2°C scenarios, and for 1.5°C the gap is three GtCO2e larger.
What is Emissions Gap?
Emissions gap is the difference between the emissions levels in 2020 necessary to meet climate targets, and the levels expected that year if countries fulfill their promises to cut greenhouse gases.
So, the emissions gap reveals how much more needs to be done by countries in order to meet the target of keeping global warming levels below the 2°C safe limit as agreed in the Paris climate accord last year.
Significance of the Finding
The Report shows that the INDCs, even if fully implemented, would only help the world in staying below an increase in temperature of 3.2°C by 2100, and this would have disastrous consequences for the climate.
The report has therefore emphasised on pre-2020 action by countries. According to it, raising ambition before 2020 is likely the last chance to keep the option of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.
However, considering the political realities of the world especially the G-20 countries, the pre-2020 action would be an extremely difficult task to achieve.
5.9. FLY ASH UTILIZATION POLICY
Why in News
The Maharashtra state cabinet has recently approved
the State Thermal Power Plant Ash Utilisation Policy.
With this it has become the first state to adopt this
policy.
The policy seeks to curb transport of fly ash produced
in the coal-based thermal plants and stipulates
measures to utilize all coal waste at source.
Need
Ash content of Indian coal is approximately 30-45% while imported coals have 10-15%.
A large quantity of ash is thus being generated at coal/lignite-based thermal power stations in the country, which not only requires large areas of precious land for its disposal near power plants but is also one of the sources of pollution of both air and water.
Key features of the Policy
The government has announced cluster development of ash-based industries, such as cement, in the vicinity of all thermal power plants. The industries, in joint venture with the government, will be given land, ash and tax incentives.
Fly ash can be used for making cement, pre-fabricated building material, bricks, laying roads, housing and industrial buildings, dams, flyovers, reclaiming low-lying areas, wasteland development, stowing of mines and all other construction works. These uses will be suitably promoted.
The government has directed departments like Rural Development, PWD, Urban development, Tribal, Social Justice and premier schemes such as Housing for All, Pradhan Mantri and Mukhya Mantri Sadak Yojna to use at least 15% ash component in their works.
The coal ash can be used in the agricultural land to increase its productivity and hence agriculture department has also been roped in to promote the fly ash among farmers.
The government has also decided to export fly ash after treating it with cenospheres, which is expected to generate revenue of Rs 1,500 crore.
The government has decided to set-up a company, Maha Gen Management Services (MahaGeMS), to manage the ash generated at all government-run and private thermal plants in the state.
Box–Significance
It will help in cutting down air pollution as much of the fly ash pollutes the air while transportation.
This would help in saving the ash transportation cost, a whopping Rs. 2000 crore at present, which is borne by the power stations.
This could lead to cutting the cost of power to consumers.
This would become the source of additional revenue for the government
5.10. COMMUNITY FORESTS IN CONTROLLING CARBON EMISSIONS
Need
Tropical forests are one of the most significant carbon storage points above the ground. Indiscriminate afforestation, thus, exposes the world to large amount of carbon emissions.
At least one-fourth of carbon stored in these tropical forests is found in the collectively-managed territories of indigenous people and local communities.
To look at differently, about One tenth of the total carbon contained above ground in tropical forests is in collectively managed forests which lack formal and legal recognition.
Without secure rights, these communities and their forests are at risk of illegal, forced, or otherwise unjust expropriation and capture by more powerful interests, thus displacing the residents, destroying the forests and releasing the carbon they contain into the atmosphere.
Advantages of community management
Indigenous peoples and local communities are the best stewards of these forests.
Further, securing the rights of indigenous peoples to own and manage their forests is an inexpensive way to limit emissions while improving communities’ economic stability.
A recent study says that ecosystem services provided by tropical forests like soil retention, pollination, biodiversity, flood control, source of clean water along with tourism and other economic benefits to various
sectors amount trillions of dollars. In contrast, the cost of securing these land rights is less than 1% of the total benefits.
Challenges
Many tropical forest nations have not embraced this cost-effective solution to preventing further emissions from forest loss.
According to a report of Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) released earlier this year, only 21 of 188 countries included forest people in their national plans for reducing carbon emissions under the Paris Agreement.
Studies have shown that indigenous people and local communities customarily claim at least 50% of the world’s lands—including forests—but legally own just 10% of global lands, and have some degree of recognized management rights over an additional 8%.
The lack of legal protection makes the forests more vulnerable to exploitation. For example, about 60 per cent of the forest cover of Arunanchal Pradesh is classified as “unclassed state forest, or USF”, and is largely under the control of the local communities. The State of Forest Report (2011) has recorded a decline of 74 sq. km in the forest cover in the community-owned forest land in the State.
Way Forward
Global communities, thus, need to recognize that keeping tropical forests intact will prevent carbon emissions.
Community management of forest which is a reality must be promoted not only for its environmental benefits but also the various economic and social benefits it offers.
5.11. DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
The Asian Ministerial Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, 2016
was concluded recently at New Delhi.
The Conference sought to pave the way towards implementation
of the Sendai Framework in the Asian region.
Key Highlights
India-UN Agreement
India and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction
signed a Statement of Cooperation.
The Statement underlined the guiding principles, objectives and areas of cooperation between India and UNISDR towards the effective implementation and monitoring of the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction (SFDRR).
India will partner with UNISDR to work towards strengthening the capacity of Asian countries in ensuring risk resilient development.
It will also facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences, and collaborative efforts towards addressing critical regional challenges.
Focus on Vulnerable Sections
India laid stress on working towards the protection of vulnerable sections especially women.
Women are disproportionately affected by disasters. But they have unique strengths and insights which should be effectively channelized. The need to train a large number of women volunteers to support special needs of women affected by disasters was emphasized.
Use of Technology
There should be investment in risk mapping globally.
New technology needs to be utilized in enhancing the efficiency of the disaster risk management efforts.
Social media and mobile technologies must be properly applied in this.
Local Capacity
The local body form part of decision making and are the first to act on disaster management.
Thus, there is a need to focus on building on local capacity and initiative and ensuring that the opportunity to learn from a disaster is not wasted.
The regional plan would support national laws and national actions and advocated stronger disaster laws.
There is a need to bring about greater cohesion in international response to disasters.
The Conference came to an end with the adoption of the ‘New Delhi Declaration’ and the ‘Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework’.
New Delhi Declaration
It was a political statement spelling out the commitment of participating governments towards preventing and reducing disaster risk, and strengthening the resilience of communities, nations and the Asian region.
Recognising the need to accelerate the implementation of global frameworks, it committed to a people-centered and whole-of-society approach towards DRR.
It also emphasises the need to enhance the capacity of communities and ensure participation of all stakeholder groups towards achieving resilience.
Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of the Sendai Framework
It focused on the methodology to reduce disaster risk at national and local levels.
It has arrived at a longer term road map of cooperation and collaboration, spanning the 15-year horizon of the Sendai Framework, as well as a two-year action plan to further disaster risk reduction with specific, actionable activities.
Box–Established in 2005, AMCDRR is a biennial conference jointly organized by different Asian countries and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR). So far, six AMCDRR conferences have been organised. India had also hosted the second AMCDRR in New Delhi in 2007.
5.12. DELHI SMOG
About
Delhi witnessed the worst smog in almost two decades, with consistently hazardous pollution levels being recorded for over a week.
The air quality was 10 times worse than the safe levels.
A number of factors were seen as responsible for the smog- stubble burning from Punjab and Haryana, vehicular pollution, Diwali crackers and rising levels of dust from construction and allied activities formed the major reasons.
Adverse weather conditions, such as low wind speed coupled with drop in temperature and high humidity, which had blocked dispersal of pollutants, deteriorated the conditions further.
Measures taken
Odd-Even policy,
Ban on 10 years old diesel vehicles
SC had ordered the Center and NCR states to divert commercial vehicles not destined for Delhi and levy environmental compensation charge on commercial vehicles to discourage them from passing through Delhi.
But the Issues with the above is
These measures are not comprehensive.
Not all measures have been implemented well by the states.
Even the ECC that has been collected has not been fully utilized.
Suggestions
Comprehensive road transport policy whereby promotion of public transport is needed. Several studies have shown that public transport provides more than 65 per cent of Delhi’s commuting needs but occupies less than five per cent of road space.
This should be coupled with imposing disincentives to purchase private vehicles. In this a combination of pollution taxes, rationalizing licensing and registration of vehicles, congestion tax, car free areas etc should be implemented.
Urban planning should be long-term which should give enough space for non-motorised transport like cycling and walking.
The challenge is political will as automobile is one of the most important industry in India.
Stubble Burning
Burning of agricultural waste add greenhouse gases that cause global warming, besides pollutants such as carbon monoxide, ammonia, nitrous oxide and sulphur dioxide and a high quality of PM2.5 that severely affect human health. It not only pollutes the air but also deprives the land of useful nutrients.
Stubble burning in the northern States significantly contributes to the poor air quality in large parts of the Indo-Gangetic Basin, with local and cascading impacts felt from Punjab all the way to West Bengal.
It is one of the most significant reasons for increasing pollution in the NCR region in winters that has become a regular menace.
Efforts taken
Punjab has imposed a prohibition on the burning of paddy straw
It further launched initiatives aimed at better utilisation of biomass, including as a fuel to produce power.
NGT has banned crop burning in the NCR region.
Issues
The root of the problem is financial- removing crop residues is expensive and thus is not preferred by the farmers. Further the use of mechanized harvesters which don’t cut the crop more close to the ground is aggravating the problem. The present efforts fail to address this issue.
The efforts of utilizing biomass do not match the scale of agricultural residues
Present efforts fail to address farmers’ anxiety to remove the surplus from the fields quickly to make way for the next crop.
There is no mission mode approach to the annual crisis.
Suggestions
Most of the biomass is burned during the winter when the demand for fodder is rising and thus the surplus material could be efficiently utilized.
Power production from biomass, mechanized composting and bio-gas production should be scaled up by increasing investment.
Policy support should be given to farmers to incentivize their liberal adoption.
Conservation agriculture needs to be popularized which would encourage farmers to use newer low-till seeding technologies allowing much of the crop residues to remain on site, and curb the release of a variety of pollutants.
Eminent agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan has suggested commercializing the paddy straw to address the problem. Paddy straw can be used for making animal feed, cardboard, paper and other products. Thus, if sufficient financial incentives are given to the farmers, they would not resort to burning them.
There is also a need to develop rice varieties that are both rich in grain yield and high in straw quality. Use of such dual-purpose rice varieties will help to maintain food security, farm income and improve environmental sustainability.
Environmental Emergency
The NGT had prescribed certain measures to be taken if pollution levels breach prescribed levels. For example, it said that if PM 10, PM 2.5 are in excess of 500, 300 respectively, a state of environment emergency should be declared.
The measures could include a temporary shutdown of thermal power plants, temporary closure of all construction activity in affected areas etc.
Box–UPSC IN PAST
Mains 2015
Q. Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but the air pollution is much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so?
5.13. GREAT INDIAN BUSTARD (GIB)
Why in news?
The Rajasthan government is formulating a long-term plan to save this bird from extinction in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
It will take into consideration important measures like controlling the population of stray dogs and implementing recovery actions programmes in collaboration with different stakeholders.
About GIB
It is found in the exclusively in north-western plains particularly parts of Rajasthan and also Pakistan.
It is one of the heaviest flying birds.
It is critically endangered bird.
The reasons are depleting habitat, i.e. grasslands especially due to development of infrastructure intrusions.
It is the state bird of Rajasthan
