*****Climate change - Finance

*****Climate Change
COP 26

Climate change
change in climate over a long period of time as a result of human activity or natural causes
measured in terms of change in Temp, rainfall, wind pattern

INTRO
Environmental degradation (temp ^ and irregular monsoon)
depress the living standards of nearly half the countryʼs population by 2050 : WB
According to “Global climate change vulnerability Index” - India is most vulnerable country to CC as
per HSBC report (2018) - among major devpd and emerging economies.
we don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children – Ancient proverb
Prime Minister calls for One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative - aims to connect 140
countries through a common grid that will be used to transfer solar power.
Germany to become first major economy to phase out coal (by 2038) + nuclear
6th mass extinction —>Anthropocene extinction
Climate emergency in NZ

Conlcu
Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon - "We are the last that can end climate change”. Hence
need international collaboration and take up CBDRWRC (common but…) (US pulled out of Paris
climate deal)
Developing countries who have the least responsible for climate change face the worst
consequences. In this regard the WIM has to play an important role - to accept their responsibility
and take steps in order to ensure that they fulfill their duties.
However, India has development imperatives. While the sustainable development path chosen by
the country shows that economic growth and environment protection can go hand-in-hand, the
world also needs to pay heed to Prime Minister call for “climate justice”.
principle of common but differentiated responsibility with respect capabilities

FACTS AND FIGURES?

Australian fire - as big as Denmark (reason --> coal + atmosphere)
June was hottest ever recorded on Earth :European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
France recorded the hottest temperature in the countryʼs history (46 C)
Australia - 41 degree (hottest ever) - Delhi 2 degree
loss in farmers income from climate change = 25% (economic survey 2017-18)
World Bank -air pollution to be the cause of an estimated 16 lakh premature deaths in India, which
translated into a welfare loss equivalent around 8% of Indiaʼs GDP.
Environment Performance Index
Slipping from rank 141 in 2016, to 177 in 2018.
Yale University and Columbia University+ World Economic Forum.
India achieves complete phase out of one the most potent ozone depleting chemical -
 Hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)-141 b - used by foam industries

CAUSES OF CLIMATE CHANGE

1. Natural
earth-sun relationship
sunspot cycles – change in the amount of radiation that sun emits. In 1998, sunspot cycle was
responsible for increase in earth's T
geological
volcanic eruption, etc
2. Anthropogenic
Agri
emission (agriculture – methane, industries –,, Sox, GHGs,, etc)
Black carbon
soot – particulate air pollutant —> Punjab - exchange 15 yrs old auto rickshaw with
new battery operated e-rickshaws + see for all legalities of vehicle + driving license +
pay tax.
source – incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, biomass
Nox
Cox
HFCs
Methane
source – wetland, leakage from natural gas, raising of livestock
Hence —> Global Methane Initiative (GMI) - India joined in 2004
…..
Industry
Deforestation (amazon rainforest, Indonesia – palm plantation)
Construction, land use change, urban heat island
Ice melting- albedo decrease
Vehicular

IMPLICATIONS
1. OCEAN
sea level rise -> submergence of coastal areas (Tuvalu)
ocean warming
ocean acidification ->coral reefs
2. HEALTH
vector borne disease – Dengue, Chikangunia
Productivity - ILO report (July 2019) - by 2030 heat stress (for 1.5degree rise) will cause loss of 6%
of working hours, equivalent to 3.5cr jobs. - excessive heat causes impact on physical function and
capabilities thus productivity.
3. AGRICULTURE
low productivity -> food insecurity
4. EXTREME EVENTS
flood, drought, cold waves, heat waves, forest fires
 flood, drought, cold waves, heat waves, forest fires
Others
habitat loss
South Asia Hotspots :WB
Gender
Class - caste

ACTION TAKEN
International
UNFCCC – kyoto protocol and paris agreement
ISA
Agenda 2030
SDGs – goal 13 - climate action
EUs Green deal -The EU has promised to bring a law, binding on all member countries, to
ensure it becomes “climate neutral” by 2050
Funding
GCF
GEF
REDD+
GOVT
NAPCC
INDC ...
Industries
New strict environmental standards for coal-fired power plants - Proposal by PMO to
waive off the carbon tax (on prod and import) - for buying pollution control tech
Vehicles
Bharat Stage VI emission … puri history bata do
Electric vehicles promotions… same
NAPCC (SEHWAG HK)
National Solar Mission-100 GW by 2022
Afforestation
AQI
support- REDD and REDD+

Challenges
Vehicles
The automobile industry : full conversion to electric vehicles is realistically possible only by
2050.
Afforestation
SC pulled up Centre for non utilising CAMPA fund-90k cr
Adaptation
CAG in a report :
not developing an action plan
not developing an action plan
poor utilisation of allocated funds in the clean-up of the Ganga.
COP 25 - Madrid

COP25 in Madrid was mandated by the UNFCCC to resolve the outstanding issues :
 Carbon markets dealt with in Article 6 of the Paris Agreement
Loss and Damage under Paris Agreement and setting up of a fund to help poor countries
reeling from climate crisis
Enhancing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by all countries to curb emissions.

Achievement
As the Paris Agreement --> into force from January 1st, 2020 --> Hence almost finalize the
“rulebook”
It is no longer a climate crisis; it is a climate emergency.
Delegates committed to limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 C, to achieve carbon
neutrality by 2050

Somewhat acceptable
On Loss and Damage:
Developed countries, including the EU, were, however, non-committal of honouring their
previous pledges on funds and technology transfers
The final texts essentially note that the GCF already supports activities that can be
defined as relating to “loss and damage”
Santiago Network was established, as part of the WIM, to catalyse the technical
assistance
“Chile Madrid Time for Action”document.
NDCs - new climate pledges that represent a progression beyond previous pledges
But it doesnʼt stipulate a schedule for updating NDCs.
India, China and Brazil argued that they would not support strong language on raising
ambitions without a similar call for rich countries to honour their past commitments

Unable to resolve
On Carbon Market: The conference closed without resolving - under Article 6 of the Paris
Agreement
GLOBAL WARMING

WHAT??
avg increase in T of earth's atmosphere due to GHGs
Recent melting of 10 billion ton of ice sheet in Greenland - within 24 HOURS

WAY AHEAD??
Nations
Enhance NDCs
Under the Paris Agreement, the EU was committed to making a 40 per cent reduction in its
emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels- now promising at least 50 per cent.
Also Over 60 countries had agreed to scale up their climate action
Clean energy + Reduce consumption
Finance
carbon tax
Technology
Geoengineering
carbon capture, carbon sequestration, carbfix project
Think on causes….
Better agri practices
....
Personally
“Do your own green good deeds and ensure others do that as well.” - all citizens should do
FUNDING MECHANISMS

GREEN CLIMATE FUND

fund to finance green projects within the framework of UNFCCC
Adaptation fund on climate change
NABARD – implementing agency for green climate fund in india

REDD +
reducing emission from deforestation and degradation
money from developed nation -> green climate fund -> developing nation -> national agency
nations have to prove the result fought against deforestation without harming local communities,
only then they will get the money

GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY

operational entity of financial mechanism of UNFCCC
established by WB in 1991
covers folowing
UNFCCC
CBD
UN CCD
stockholm convention on POP
Minamata convention on mercury

Warsaw International Mechanism for Loss and Damage (WIM) ; Suva Expert Dialogue
2013 :aim was to access and help the countries facing loss and damage due to climate change

The following are the main objectives on which WIM works on:
1. To access the Loss and Damage
2. To facilate Financial and Technological help to manage and mitigate this risk.
3. Strengthen Dialogue and collaboration in mitigating the results.

But WIM is facing certain challenges such as:

1. The lack of consesus among the developed countries especially US
3. The laggard transfer of technology and financial resources from the developed countries

INDIA'S POSITION IN CLIMATE CHANGE

INDIA'S POSITION IN CLIMATE CHANGE
1. India will continue to be a low carbon economy (WB study)
1. India's per capita CO2 emission – 1 metric tonnes where US is approx 20
2. focus : adaptation > mitigation
3. advocates research in low carbon technology and access to IPR

INTERNATIONAL SOLAR ALLIANCE

India and France launched ISA during paris climate summit 2015
Treaty based international intergovernmental organisation
121 nations – that fall between tropic of cancer and tropic of capricorn (fully and partially)
Objectives
force down prices of generation of solar energy by demand
bring standardisation in solar technology
R&D
ISA HQ @ Gurugram, India
financial assiatance from WB

PARIS CLIMATE SUMMIT

FACTS??
Pre-industrial level = 1850-1900
Paris agreement contains rights of climate migrants in its preamble
india ratified paris climate agreement on 2 oct 2016
not legally binding

OUTCOME
At the end of the century, T < 2 degree celcius above pre-industrial level. If possible = 1.5
Submit 1st INDC by 2020
thereafter every 5 years. Each successive INDC should be more than earlier
from 2023, 5 yearly review in a non-punitive way
 from 2023, 5 yearly review in a non punitive way
developed nations committed to contribute $ 100 billion yearly by 2020

CRITICISM
Review in non-puntive way
To keep global warming within 2 degree limit, INDC of countries may not be sufficient
To meet INDC target, India needs $ 2.5 trillion!!
silent on future of CDM and carbon credit
carbon market down as US, canada pulled out of Kyoto protocol
US pulled out of paris agreement
no mention of IPR protection
no action plan for relocation and rehabilitation of climate refugees

CHALLENGES FOR INDIA??

growing energy demand and urbanisation -> requires investment in fossil fuel
lifting 36 crore people out of poverty and raising standard of living
Need funding and technology
US exit from Paris accord -> future of projects like JL national solar mission

POSITIVES
Requires all countries to reduce GHG
Mitigation, adaptation, finance

INDIA'S INDC COMMITTMENT

Reduce emission intensity of its GDP by 33-35% by 2030 as compared to 2005 level
By 2030, 40% of energy through renewable sources
175 GW of renewable energy by 2022
100 GW from solar,
60 GW from wind,
10 GW from biomass,
5 GW from small hydropower
Indian Initiative
*****Renewable --> Solar energy + Wind energy - See
PYQ and get more info

Actual - 175 GW of renewable energy capacity (2019)

35 GW Solar,
35 GW from Wind,
10 GW from Bio power and
4.5 GW from Small Hydro Power.

Solar capacity - 35GW

RJ
Wind - 35GW
TN
MH

Facts
India ranks 4rd among 40 countries in renewable energy country attractiveness index

Conclu (use it for pollution and renewable ki power)

Border village in Anupgarh tehsil Rajasthan gets new rooftop solar installation reverse osmosis
Border village in Anupgarh tehsil Rajasthan gets new rooftop solar installation - reverse osmosis
plant (water purification + solar)
The canalʼs water has been beset by pesticide pollution from the upper stretches of Punjab.
The new rooftop solar installation powers -reverse osmosis plant, powers a gym and the local
ʻsupermarket.
SOLAR

News
In MP,continuous rain has damaged Asiaʼs largest solar Power project
Will also produce the cheapest solar power in the country at just Rs 3 per unit.
Govt has approved a proposal to set up a Dispute Resolution Committee (DRC) for solar/wind
sector.

Facts
India expanded its solar-generation capacity 8 times from
2 GW to 35 GW in 7 yrs
CHALLENGES
Investors concern - NPA, ADR low, contract enforcement
slow progress on rooftop solar
low green bond investment in solar projects (risky + geographically dispersed)
Competition from chinese made solar cells
solar energy only during sunshine

Govt initiates
ISA - Kochi airport
DRC
Land
favourable policy on land acquisition
setting up parks for domestic manufacturing of solar PV modules
develop green energy corridor (solar power transmission network)
Capital
100% FDI under automatic route for renewable energy generation and distribution projects
infrastructure status for solar projects
tax free solar bonds
Kusum
Decentralised solar production at farms - farmer will sell (extra income)
Rooftop
SOlar mitra
SOlar farms
Solar parks
SOlar pumps
Solar mama

WAY AHEAD
state to take initiative for leasing of land (land = state subject)
green bonds for solar projects
encourage domestic production of solar cells
strengthen grid infrastructure
build storage capacity

WIND ENERGY

News
Cost rise - 2.85Rs/unit - in 2019
Why
Higher risks
Lower competition
Financial challenges
****Climate change - India's E ort + Private
****EIA
Tool to measure the effect of a project on environment
mandatory under the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986for 29 categories of developmental
activities involving investments of Rs. 50 crores and above.

News
Environment clearance to Kaleshwaram in violation of law : NGT

EIA CYCLE
…..

EIA (AMENDMENT) 2006

Developmental projects
category A
appraised by national level impact assessment agency and expert appraisal committee
EIA mandatory
Category B
appraised by state level institutions
category B1 – req EIA
category B2 – not req EIA
Draft law on (EIA),2019 , an update to the EIA 2006.
DM the chairperson of the District Environment Impact Assessment Authority(D-EIA-A) that will
accord environment clearance for minor mining projects.
Minor mining =sand and stone mining in plots smaller than 25 hectares.
Objection - by State EIA Authority (SEIAA)
(DM)-
self-serving for grant of environmental clearance
doesnʼt have technical expertise in matters of environment and ecology.
***Air pollution
A substance in the air that can be adverse to humans and the environment is known as an air pollutant.

News
UK probing death due to air pollution - Ella (first time in world) (Dec 2020)

Conclu
16 lakh death (State of Global Air (SOGA) Report, 2020 ) vs COVID —> 1 lakh death.

FACTS??
16 lakh death every year
20 most polluted cities in the world, the top 14 are Indian cities

WHY??
Power - Electricity (Thermal power plants)
Factories and industries - unrestricted discharge of polluted effluent (gaseous) by plants
Vehicles
Construction
dust and road dust - Unpaved surface
Road dust = biggest source of suspended particulate matter in the city (IIT Kanpur study)
Agri
Stubble burning
Wood burining
undisclosed air pollution –
10% of delhi's resident use biomass for cooking. Similarly rurals.
Deforestation
Cultural
Firecrackers

Govt efforts — think of causes…..

Vehicles
BS VI
emission standards instituted by GOI to regulate output of air pollutants from internal
combustion engine equipment including motor vehicles
standards set by CPCB, under MoEFCC
max amount of pollutant that vehicle can emit
CO, HC, NOx, PM
if > limit -> can't be sold in india
on the lines of Euro norms
Gov announced to skip bharat stage 5 and move from 4 to 6 by 2020 - effect from 1st
April 2020
introduction of electric vehicles at affordable rates
Electric vehicles
 CNG vehicles
Bus and metros
Technology
NITI Aayog in collaboration with International Transport Forum (ITF) have jointly launched
the Decarbonizing Transport in India project.
Cities - Action plan
Delhi
(EPCA) has directed Delhi and neighbouring States to implement Graded Response Action
Plan(GRAP) (Oct 2020)
Overview of Action Plan:
Coordination among 13 different agencies in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and
Rajasthan (NCR areas).
It includes the measures to prevent worsening of Air Quality of Delhi-NCR (National
Capital Region) and prevent PM10 and PM2.5 levels to go beyond ʻmoderateʼ
national Air Quality Index (AQI) category.
EPCA is mandated to enforce the Action Plan as per the pollution levels.
Action
Ban diesel generator
Dust control measures
Industries - used only “authorised fuel"
Green crackers - in majority - after complete ban in 2018 and 2019.
Campa..
Ujjwala
Infra
The environment ministry - mandatory for construction agencies to take dust mitigation
measures. e.g. DMRC, NBCC and NHAI to comply with these rules.
no uncovered vehicles carrying construction materials would be permitted
Constn waste...
Detect - NAQI, SAFAR
AQI - by MoEFCC but released by CPCB - PM, Pb, ozone, SO2, No2 etc
it is part of clean india campaign

High level committee solution for Delhi pollution : submitted to SC

Use of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) and Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) technology for
better pollution-monitorin
Adoption of oxy furnaces in industries
Use of anti-smog guns: Anti-smog gun is a device that sprays nebulised water droplets into the air
through high pressure propellers, which help particles to settle down.
A pilot project to set up 'smog towers' as high as 20 feet:
In Delhi, company named Kurin Systems is also developing a 12-metre (40 ft) tall smog tower,
called the Kurin City Cleaner. It is expected to filter air for covering up to 75,000 people within a
3-kilometre radius

Way ahead:
Way ahead:
Mitigate
Vehicles
CNG buses - public transport.
Car pooling lane (CPL)
CPL = one lane reserved for cars carring more than 1 occupant
vehicles run @ high speed time saving
strict enforcement of polluter pays principle
more powers to CPCB, SPCB etc
Burning
controlling landfill burning
stop burning of farm residue – convert waste into useful products like enriched fodder,
biogas, biofuel, compost
Happy seeder machines
sprinkle water on roads
afforestation
investment in green technologies
Green buildings
Citizens - use it in all ans
Increase tax on private cars
use of public transport
cycling for short distances
Solar energy (non thermal)
GRIHA rating and LEED certification with respect to building construction.
Adapt
air filters in schools - Closing of primary school.
.....

Stubble Burning

News
Central law for stubble burning (Nov 2020)

Way ahead
Reduce paddy area/production,
Rice farmer earns about ₹55,000 per hectare whereas maize would set them back by about
₹15,000.
Agricultural economist Ashok Gulati suggests ₹12,000 per hectare (keeping power saving in
mind) as an acceptable compensation
6000 cr goes for free power to tube well
distribute“happy seeders” - on rent basis - need only for 15 days a year
New Commission for Air Quality Management

Why in News
The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) is set to table
the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas
Bill, 2021 in Parliament during the Monsoon Session.

Key Points
Background and New Changes:
Initially, the Commission for Air Quality Management ordinance was promulgated by
the President in October, 2020 but the bill to replace the ordinance was not passed in the budget
session of Parliament, as a result of which the commission ceased to operate in March, 2021.
Subsequently, the MoEFCC brought a second ordinance in April 2021, with modifications due to
the farmersʼ protest.
Farmers had raised concerns of stiff penalties and possible jail terms for stubble
burning (as stated in the first ordinance).
The government has decriminalised the act of stubble burning and withdrawn the
clause for possible jail time.
However, environmental compensation fees are levied on those who are found to be
engaged in stubble burning, including farmers.
About the Bill:
It provides for the constitution of a Commission for better coordination, research, identification,
and resolution of problems related to air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) and
adjoining areas.
Adjoining areas have been defined as areas in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan,
and Uttar Pradesh adjoining the NCR where any source of pollution may cause adverse
impact on air quality in the NCR.
It also dissolves the Environment Pollution Prevention and Control Authority established in
the NCR in 1998.
Composition:
The Commission will be headed by a full-time chairperson who has been a Secretary to the
Government of India, or a Chief Secretary to a State government.
The chairperson will hold the post for three years or until s/he attains the age of 70 years.
It will have members from several Ministries as well as representatives from the stakeholder
States.
It will have experts from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO)and Civil Society.
Functions:
Coordinating actions taken by concerned state governments (Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan,
and Uttar Pradesh).
Planning and executing plans to prevent and control air pollution in the NCR.
Providing a framework for identification of air pollutants.
 Conducting research and development through networking with technical institutions.
Training and creating a special workforce to deal with issues related to air pollution.
Preparing various action plans such as increasing plantation and addressing stubble burning.
Powers:
The new body will have the power to issue directions and entertain complaints as it deems
necessary for thepurpose of protecting and improving the quality of the air in the NCR and
adjoining areas.
It will also lay down parameters for control of air pollution (such as permissible levels of
emissions and discharge of pollutants).
It will also be in charge of identifying violators, monitoring factories and industries and any
other polluting unit in the region, and will have the powers to shut down such units.
It will also have the powers to overrule directives issued by the state governments in the
region, that may be in violation of pollution norms.

Way Forward
Legal and regulatory changes to tackle public issues like air pollution, need a democratic
conceptualisation.
There is a need for the massive augmentation of intra-city public transport, and to move
industries, power plants and other users away from polluting fuels like coal to natural gas, electricity
and renewable energy to ensure clean combustion.
The government should undertake a thorough review of the various laws and institutions in order
***Biodiversity - Superyear 2020
WHAT IS BIODIVERSITY? - FLORA + FAUNA
Sum total of all the living organism on earth
Types (GES)
genetic biodiversity= variability within species
species biodiversity=variability among species
ecological biodiversity = variability among ecosystem
great indian Bustard found in GJ…

News
NEW RULES TO REGULATE EXOTIC ANIMAL TRADE by MoEFCC
register their stock with Chief Wildlife Warden of their States. Currently, DGFT oversees its
trade.

FACTS AND FIGURES?

India = 8% of world's flora and fauna
Virtually almost all of Australiaʼs shellfish reefshave disappeared due to Overfishing, habitat
modification, disease outbreaks, invasive species and a decline in water quality.

WHY BIODIVERSITY IMPORTANT? / ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

Ecological
protection of water resources
buffer against extreme events
soil protection
nutrient storage and recycling
pollution reduction
climate stability - carbon sequestration
maintenance of ecological processes
economic
food security, medicine, fuel
breeding material for crop improvement
future resources
asset to countries - 33% of total wealth of developing countries
social
recreational value - animals
tourism
cultural value
immaterial and intangible nature

WHY THREAT TO BIODIVERSITY?

Natural causes
climate change
Human induced reasons
 deforestation - for development
hunting,
commercial exploitation
Tropical rain forest reduced
Amazon rainforest cleared for soyabean cultivation, conversion of grasslands to act as
fodder for cattle
pollution
execution of projects with high negetive externalities
introduction of exotic species
For ornamental purpose or accidently
habitat loss
human settlement
clearing forest area for agriculture, industries

Conlcu
Eco-corridors
CRSIPR - CAS 9
Local solutions are needed as 'one size fits all' solution may not work everywhere. Zero budget
natural farming in AP, Telangana and Community driven forest conservation initiatives in Odisha
and NE India are shining examples of success of local solutions.
AICHI TARGETS
HOT SPOTS

Criteria for Hotspots

Area > 1500 endemic species
> 70% original habitat loss
hotspots in india
Himalayan
western ghat
Indo-Burma
Sundaland (Nicobar island)

SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY

ISSUE
India thinking of bringing a policy on synthetic biology
new life forms can be made in labs
existing one (eg. Bacteria) can be tweaked to produce specific proteins and chemical useful
products

PROS
production of drugs, vaccine, fuel compenents
eg. production of ARTEMISININ, anti malarial drug from yeast

CONSERVATION STRATEGIS

News
KAAVAN - elephant from Pakistan to Cambodia

Features
in-situ (protection of biodiversity within their natural habitat)
national park
no human activity/settlement allowed
wildlife sanctuary
 wildlife sanctuary
some human activities, tourism allowed
biosphere reserves
people allowed to live, own private land, activities
recognized within UNESCO's men and biosphere programme
3 zones
core (innermost) = no entry allowed
Buffer = education and research purpose
Transition (outermost) = everything allowed
vulture restaurent
ex-situ (preservation outside natural habitat)
botanical gardens
gene banks
seed banks

PROJECTS
Project Tiger 1973
Project elephant 1992
…...

NATIONAL WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN (2017-31)

integrated management of wildlife and their habitats - landscape approach
adaptation to climate change
eco tourism, nature education, participatory management
development of HR in wildlife conservation
role of private sector in wildlife conservation - CSR
wildlife research

Q4 WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SAVE BIODIVERSITY?

Consideration of biodiversity into developmental plans
sustainable farming (optimal use of chemical fertilizers) like organic farming
community based forest management
fair sharing of fruits of biodiversity
 22 = 4 species of fauna and 18 species of flora have gone extinct in India in the past few centuries.
e.g. Cheetah, Sumatran rihno

PROJECT ELEPHANT
launched in 1992 as CSS in 13 states
states are given financial and technical assistance
Objectives
to protect elephant, habitat and corridors
address issue of men elephant conflict (collision with railways)
welfare of domesticated elephants
News
Okavango Delta, Botswana - high number of elephant carcasses - death cause unknown

FACTS?
MoEF declared elephant as national heritage animal of india in 2010
Elephant = schedule 1 of wildlife protection act 1972

ELEPHANT CORRIDOR
Narrow strip of forested land that allow elephants to move from one habitat patch to another

THREATS TO ELEPHANT??
1. habitat loss – coal and iron ore mining (developmental projects)
2. men elephant conflict
3. poaching for elephant ivory
4. electrocution
Accidents like railways

Steps taken –
Plan beeis an amplifying system imitating the buzz of a swarm of honey bees to keep wild elephants
away from railway tracks. This strategy was adopted by the Northeast Frontier Railway(NFR) - 1k
saved in 5yrs
increasing the height of electric poles,
using metal spikes rings around them
MIKE PROGRAMME
monitoring of illegal killing of elephants
began in south asia in 2013 by CITES
HAATHI MERE SATHI
campaign launched by MoEF
conservation and welfare of elephants

INDIA RHINO VISION 2020

implemented by department of environment and forests (assam), WWF, NGOs, bodoland
territorial council, etc
aim – to increase population of rhinos from 2000 to 3000 by 2020
ensure these rhinos are distributed over at least 7 PAs
strategis
anti poaching
community conservation
translocation
monitoring
RHINOS
Kaziranga national park, Manas national park, Orang national etc
GLOBALLY IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE SYSTEM (GIAHS)

WHAT??
To safeguard world agricultural heritage sites
developed by FAO in 2002

OBJECTIVES??
understand and appreciate nature friendly traditional agricultural practices
To document indigenous knowledge.
promote indigenous agricultural knowledge on a global scale

WHY GIAHS?
Food security problem = Globalization, population, environment degradation
Loss of bio-diversity, livelihood due to climate change etc

HOW GIAHS SITES CHOSEN?

Food security
high level of bio-diversity
***BIOECONOMY - Biofuel
HP - Himachal Pradesh: First State with 100% LPG connections
Aug 2018 -Spicejet- Deradune to Delhi - Jatropha based biofuel (+aviation fuel) - plane travel-
received by Enviro min, Transport, petroleum … (500 families from Chhatisgrah grew Jatropha..)
(BPCL) will set up Maharashtraʼs first ever ethanol biorefinery in Vidarbhaʼs Bhandara district.The
plant will manufacture ethanol from rice straw.

BIOFUEL - Diesel, methanol, Ethanol...

Any fuel whose energy is obtained through a process of biological carbon fixation

TYPES
1st generation biofuel
produced directly from food crops – wheat, sugar, vegetable oils
2nd generation fuel
produced from marginal croplands unsuitable for food production or non food crops
woods, organic waste, Jatropha
3rd generation fuel
specially engineered crops such as algae
4th generation
Carbon Capture from atmosphere

Conclusion -
boost rural economy by utilizing bio resources

ADVANTAGES ?
1. Reduce import dependency –
2. cleaner environment –
instead of burning crop residue, waste to biofuel conversion
MSW management – waste to wealth creation
3. Health benefits – air pollution
reduce GHG emission – no release of PM, NOx, SOx
4. infrastructure development in rural areas –
5. employment generation –
7. additional income to farmers
price stabilisation during bumper crop

CHALLENGES
1st generation – comes from food crops – less food crops – food inflation
2nd generation – less land available for food crops (and less food production)

Govt initiatives
 National Policy on Biofuels,2018
Target of 20% of ethanol in petrol and 5% of biodiesel in diesel is also proposed by 2030.
Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN yojana.
ETHANOL BLENDING PROGRAMME
Ethanol – produced from by product of sugar industry (molasses)

Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN yojana.

10% blending percentage of Ethanol in petrol by 2022.
an alternate route viz. Second Generation (2G) Ethanol from biomass and other wastes is being
explored by MoP&NG to bridge the supply gap for EBP programme.

BIOGAS

gases produced by anaerobic decomposition of organic matter

generally release CO2 and methane
Used as fuel
clean, and environmental friendly
renewable energy
uses – cooking, transporting
burns without smoke
leaves no residue like ash, charcoal
***Major Environmental Movements in India
Tawang Monks Oppose Hydro Power Project
13 total project - esp Namjang chu --> black necked crane - religious and spiritual reason
Ecocide - French Parliament passed ECOCIDE offence to punish environmental damage
Like Genocide
Green camoflauge

1.Bishnoi Movement
Year: 1700s
Rajasthan state.
Leaders: Amrita Devi along with Bishnoi villagers+ surrounding villages.
Aim: Save sacred trees from being cut down by the kingʼs soldiers for a new palace.
She hugged the trees and encouraged others to do the same.
300+ Bishnoi villagers were killed in this movement.
The king who came to know about these events rushed to the village and apologized, ordering the
soldiers to cease logging operations.
Also declared Bishnoi state as a protected area, forbidding harm to trees and animals.

2. Chipko Movement
Year: 1973
Uttarakhand
Aim: From contractors of the forest.
Mr. Bahuguna enlightened the villagers by conveying the importance of trees - erosion of soil, cause
rains and provides pure air.
The main demand - benefits of the forests (especially the right to fodder) should go to local people.
The women tied the sacred thread around trunks of trees and they hugged the trees, hence it was
called ʻChipko Movementʼ

3. Jungle Bachao Andholan

Year: 1982
Place: Singhbhum district of Bihar
Leaders: The tribals of Singhbhum.
Aim: Against governments decision to replace the natural sal forest with Teak (highly-priced)
Strong protest

For afforestation by NGOs / societies

Green Yatra
This organisation goes beyond mere tree plantation, to inculcate a sense of responsibility
in students across Maharashtra.
They call this program ‘Go Green Kids,’ and provide free saplings to schools, in rural and
 y p g , p p g ,
urban parts of the state. The students then look after the saplings.
Project Green Hands
Established by the Isha Foundation, NGO, with the motive of increasing green coverage in Tamil
Nadu to 33 percent,
Project Green Hands then gives them 2000 seeds, and through peer-to-peer education,
students cultivate mini-forests within the school premises.
***Ozone
OZONE POLLUTION

WHAT?
Ozone present at ground level – harmful
not emitted directly by any sources but by chemical reaction between Nox and volatile organic
compound (VOC) in the presence of sunlight
sources of Nox and VOC – industries, motor vehicle exhaust

IMPLICATIONS?
Health – asthama patient
environment
forest, wildlife, vegetation (eg. Western ghat)
responsible for photochemical smog
damage leaves and needles of sensitive plants
agriculture
affect crop productivity
***SDG goals - inclusive and sustainable

MDG vs SDG
In reality MDGs were considered targets for poor countries to achieve from the finance of wealthy
countries.
SDG - Every country will be expected to work towards achieving the SDGs.
e.g. Goal 16 has a target to promote the rule of law and equal access to justice.
8 vs 17 goals
Very exhaustive
GIS GPS --> help to achieve SDGs
***SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT ; E-Waste ; Plastic
pollution ; Waste water mgmt ; Biomedical
BIO MEDICAL WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES 2018

News
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has released revised guidelines for Biomedical waste
management generated from COVID-19

COVID disposal
Designated trained nodal officers
separate vehicle for proper disposal as biomedical waste either to a CBWTF or a waste-to-energy
plant
Use dedicated trolleys and collection bin in COVID-19 isolation wards and label “COVID- Waste"
dedicated sanitation workers
Segregation of waste - Use a dedicated collection bin labelled as ʻCOVID- ʼ
applicable to all stakeholders including isolation wards, quarantine centres, sample collection
centres, laboratories, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs)

FEATURES?
Pre treatment of biomedical waste
biomedical waste treatment facility to establish GPS and Bar coding facility
Bio medical waste generators need to phase out the use of chlorinated plastic bags and gloves by
March 2019
EPR

Effective way of waste management is to encourage manufacturers to design environmentally

friendly products by holding producers responsible for the costs of managing their products at end
of life because the producers have the greatest control over product design and marketing; This is the
idea behind the policy of extended producer responsibility (EPR).
(OECD) countries, Japan and China etc., - have benefited themselves out of the EPR programmes

Facts
Around 60 million tonnes of waste is generated annually in the country at present
10 million is plastic waste,
8 million tonnes is hazardous waste
1.5 million tonnes is e-waste
0.2 million tonnes is biomedical waste,
Out of this, only about 60-70% of waste is collect and only 25 % of this waste is processed and
treated.

Conclu
Recent example of giving wrong address - made headlines -done by prominent companies like
Samsung… etc
Should have penalty by CPCB

EPR in Indian Context

 The E-Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011 introduced the concept of EPR for the first
time in India
The amendment -new E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016, set stringent targets for the
producers to collect and recycle
Also finds place in Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 as well as the Solid Waste Management
Rules, 2016.

Liabilities under EPR - determined by legislation.

ECONOMIC RESPONSIBILITY means that the producer will cover all or part of the expenses, for
example, for the collection, recycling or final disposal
PHYSICAL RESPONSIBILITY -in somewhat manner retain ownership - therefore be responsible for
environmental damage caused by it.
INFORMATIVE RESPONSIBILITY - supply information on the environmental properties

Challenges in EPR Compliance in India

Ilegal market or “grey market” for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and unknown
producers in India make it difficult to identify all the producers.
In addition, a large amount of WEEE is illegally imported into India, which adds to the already
significant amount of domesticWEEE.
Rules primarily focus upon the formal sectors of recycling even though most of the recycling is
handled by informal sector.
Lacks the mechanism to verify the claims of these companies.
Not provide incentives for the informal recyclers either to sell to the formal recyclers or to
formalise.
The dearth of proper recycling infrastructure —> difficult to observe the take- back scheme.

Way Forward
Integrating informal recycling with formal recycling-comprising of kabadiwalas and scrap dealers,
with the formal recycling system
Outsourcing the responsibility of collection of end-of-life products by the producers to separate
collection agencies
…

SWM

News
Indiaʼs largest solid waste-to-energy plant launched at Delhiʼs at Narela
The project will use 2,000 metric tonnes of waste every day to generate 24 mega watt of
energy.

Waste to Energy Issue

WtE plants in India burn mixed waste. The presence of chlorinated hydrocarbons like PVC results in
the release of dioxins and furans / toxic gases and particulates
Methods
 Methods
Inceneration
Pyrolysis
Gasification
Bio-methanenation
Even when incineration takes place under optimal conditions,
large amounts of flue gases, mercury vapour and lead compounds are released, and
there is always about 30 per cent residue from incineration in the form of slag (bottom ash) and
fly ash (particulate matter)
Less efficient- bcoz High wet content- hence less calorific value

Proof:
The plant was slapped a fine of Rs 25 lakh in February 2017 by the NGT
There are only five municipal WtE plants operational in India with a total capacity to produce
66.4 MW electricity per day

Solution
Appropriate filtering mechanisms need to be installed to control such dangerous emissions. —>
Electrostatic precipitator
Strict SWM Rules enforcement

Case study
Jagruti ben from Anand district, Gujrat
24k biogas plant - 2 years ago
Advantage
Solved problem of dumping dung of 4 buffaloes - 20kg each day
Gets biogas equivalent of 2 cooking cylinder per month - no problem of buying lpg
Entire investment reconvered in 1 year
Byproduct slurry - works as organic manure 1000Rs extra earnings monthly
Coughing reduced significantly
Govt giving subsidy on purchase - 40%
NDDB set up 1000 biogas plants in 12 states - 10k target in next 5 years

E-WASTE

E-waste is technically all waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) discarded without the intent of
reuse.

FACTS??
• india = world's 4th largest e waste producer
• main sector – telecom sector (15%)
GOV INITIATIVES??
• e-waste management rules 2016
• Basel convention on preventing the transboundary movement of hazardous waste
Government Initiatives
MeitY, - E-waste Awareness programme under Digital India initiatives, along with industry
associations
The general public- ʻSwachh Digital Bharatʼ, by giving their e- waste to authorised recyclers
only.

E-WASTE MANAGEMENT RULES 2016

bring producers under extended producer responsibility (EPR) 2016
producers have been made responsible for collection of e-waste and its exchange
setting upcollection centres and
buy back mechanisms or a deposit refund scheme
not apply to micro enterprises

CHALLENGES
• 95% of e waste managed by unorganised sector -> unscientific way of handling ->
environment + health
Burning produces deadly toxins -smoke can cause cancer, nervous system damage, etc
• only 2.5% of total e waste = recycled
• no segregation at source
Formal sector recyclers face stiff competition from informal operators who get away without
following the regulations
• capacity and accounability
PRIs, ULBs – lack of financial resources and manpower
CPCB – lack of adequate powers to penalise
• industries find it profitable to pay fines than to modify their process

WAY AHEAD??
Reduce
US has developed a biodegredable, flexible electronic device that could reduce the amount of
e waste generated
reuse
Private -
refund policy = mobile owner deposit extra money and promises to pay back once e- product
is sold back
• waste collection from home
recycle,
incentivise customers to sell their old, unusable e-product like mobile
eg. Amazon offer Rs x for selling old mobile
recover,
incentivise
Waste to energy plant (eg. Jabalpur) waste use for fertilizer, compost
 gy p ( g p ) , p
Policy
• kerala has brought waste pickers into formal sector by training in waste management

PLASTIC POLLUTION

News
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has criticised 50 firms for flouting Extended Producers
Responsibility (EPR) under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 (amended in 2018).
responsibility of collection of used plastics is entrusted upon producers, importers and brand
owners.
mandated to provide a timeline or a plan to collect the plastic waste
not yet registered at the online portal and disclosed their disposal plans.

Fact
60% of that plastic produced ends up in either a landfill or the natural environment.

Advantages

Challenges
• industries find it profitable to pay fines than to modify their process

World initiatives
G20 economies has adopted a new implementation framework for actions to combat marine plastic
pollution.

Govt initiatives
plastic waste management rules
End single use plastic
Plastic rocks
The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park authorities have rejected the National Centre for
Coastal Researchʼs (NCCR) proposal of using the Gulf of Mannar region for field tests.
NCCR had proposed dropping ʻmelted plastic rocksʼ on the seabed for growing coral reefs and
address the problem of disposal of plastic waste - grounds- were already stressed -field testing
would further destroy
The Maharashtra government implemented a state-wide plastic ban on June 23. After four days,
the government announced a relaxation for the retailers that they can only use plastic bags with
50 microns thickness.

Marine plastic inititatives

India
India is a signatory to MARPOL. In addition, Prevention of Marine Pollution is also dealt with by
Merchant Shipping Rules 2009 under the Merchant Shipping Act 1958
 Merchant Shipping Rules, 2009 under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
BIS has come out with an Indian standard according to which plastic microbeads of diameter 5
mm or less
Steps to phase out single-use plastics
Global
The UN Regional Seas Programme: in 1974 under (UNEP) —> specifically addressing marine
litter/plastics debris and microplastics.
The Honolulu Strategy: to foster collaboration by sharing lessons learned and best practices.
Closing the Loopʼ project: (ESCAP) - addressing plastic waste pollution in rivers and oceans.
IUCN "Close the Plastic Tap” Programme - generate regional and local solutions that are
tailored to the different sources.

Way ahead
….
Reusables in government offices
Fishing for plastic waste from water bodies
Utilising plastic for road surfacing
Upcycling plastic for better purposes

Conclusion
World Environment Day' (June 5 2018) with a critical theme: beat plastic pollution
RIVER POLLUTION

WASTEWATER

EFFECTS OF WASTEWATER??
Human health problem – Cholera, Dysentery, typhoid, polio, Hepatitis A
Aquatic ecosystem – corals, fishes, eutrophication of lakes, biomagnification, bioaccumulation
• soil and water contamination -> affect agriculture productivity
Soil sickness

CHALLENGES ??
• Urbanisation
not in my backyard syndrome : we throw everything at the same location
Wahi ….
Awareness nahi hai...
segregation at source
• lack of manpower and financial resources to municipalities
• industries find it profitable to pay fines than to modify their process

Govt
e-waste, solid waste and plastic waste management rules
Centre eases norms for sewage plants all over India (including Ganga belt)
BOD - <30mg/l from 10mg/l. Reason - 10mg/lit criteria is impractical in Indian scenario- huge
capital-demotivates many- achieve in phased manner.

WAY AHEAD
• Wastewater to energy mechanism as followed in Singapore
wastewater recycled -> used for industrial process / AGRI (like Israel)
biofuel, biogas
fertilizer, compost
• extraction of N, P from wastewater
• localised treatment of waste (segregation at source)

The ecologically subsidised city - natural enviro uses

C t d K lk t ʼ t t i i t d di t dd t i d i (bh i i B li) id ti
Case study : Kolkataʼs wastewater is introduced into and detained in (bheris in Bengali) -oxidation
ponds because of the - treated water is used by villagers in the area to grow vegetables and paddy.
Impact
Capacity to treat 10s of million litres of wastewater per day
These wetlands are also home to a wide variety of aquatic life, vegetation, species of
birds.
Moreover, after natureʼs organic treatment- costless fertilizer
***Wetlands-in-India
WHAT??
"area of marsh, peatland, water , whose depth of water < 6 m @ low tides, can be artificial, natural,
temporary, permanent"- Ramasar defn
e.g. Chilka, Pulicat ..

News
Chandigarh Wetlands Authority issued a notification for the declaration of Sukhna Lake as a
wetland under Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rule 2017 (Wetland Rules).

Q. WHY WETLANDS ARE IMPORTANT??

Animals
habitat to aquatic flora and fauna
Soil
filtration of harmful sediments
nutrient recycling
prevent coastal erosion
Water
ground water recharging
People
provide drinking water, fodder, fuel etc
livelihood to locals
stabilization of local climate – keeping climate cool

Q. WHY ARE WETLAND DEPLETING??

deforestation
overgrazing
climate change
industrial waste
habitat destruction
Coastal tourism

Q. WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS??

Prevent
weed control
removal of encroachment
Industrial pollution control
Sustainable tourism
….
Promote (Proactive)
habitat protection
Declare more as ESZ
 afforestation
Decentralised conservation

Q. WETLANDS IN INDIA??
60k wetland in india
majority – inland wetland

Q. MAJOR GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES??

wetland (conservation and management) rules 2017
Ramsar convention ratified
e.g.TSOMORIRI LAKE , Ladakh

WISE USE

Wetland (conservation and management) rules 2017 replaces the 2010 Wetland Rules
National wetland committee
State Wetland Auth- respect min. Of enviro+forest officials
activities prohibited in wetlands – industrialization, construction, dumping of untreated waste,
reclamation
many wetland, not under Ramsar convention are included
introduces decentralisation approach
Digital inventory of all wetlands

Demerits:
Funding issue
It doesn't provide mechanism for restoration of the encroached wetlands as specified in the SC
:Jagpal singh judgment.
**COVID impact
**Ecosystem restoration + Ecological fiscal trasfer
FINANCE
**Ecotourism
responsible travel to natural areas, conserves environment, improves well being of local people
low impact, small scale alternative to commercial mass tourism

PRINCIPLE OF ECOTOURISM - People, Planet, Profit

1. Trinity of conservation, community welfare, sustainable tourism
2. minimise impact
3. build environment, local tradition and cultural awareness
4. provide direct financial benefits and empowerment of local people for conservation

CRITICISM
Term open to interpretation
Costly to implement & hard to enforce
In the name of sustainable tourism, promoting mass tourism, mass construction of hotels, resorts ->
destruction of local resources and threat to local culture
**Forest Policy and Laws in India ; Social forestry
News
Recently, Haryana had started aerial seeding across the state on a pilot basis (for Aravalis) - seed
balls

ISoF Report 2019

24.56% total forest cover - from 24.4% of total area —>
The total forest cover of the country is 7,12,249 sq km which is 21.7% of the
geographical area of the country.
The nationʼs tree and forest cover has largely hovered from 21-25% and is short of
the National Forest Policy, 1988,which envisages 33%
Forest cover increased by 4000sq km
Outside forest area increase - due to plantation and afforestation
But sharpest decline in NE - which is dense forest - sharpest in Arunachal P -
Due to tribal population getting land titles
Increase in the tree cover
Tree cover comprises of tree patches of size less than 1 hectare occurring outside the recorded
forest area.
The tree cover of the country is estimated as 95,027 sq km which is 2.9% of the geographical area.
Maharashtra has had the highest increase in tree cover and a large part of that is due to
horticulture.

Back2Basics: Forest Classification in India

The Forest Survey of India (FSI) classifies forest cover in 4 classes.
Very Dense forest: All lands with tree cover (including mangrove cover) of canopy density of
70% and above.
Moderately dense forest: All lands with tree cover (including mangrove cover) of canopy
density between 40% and 70%.
Open forests: All lands with tree cover (including mangrove cover) of canopy density
between 10% and 40%.
Scrubs: All forest lands with poor tree growth mainly of small or stunted trees having canopy
density less than 10%.

Facts
Dependence of fuelwood on forests is highest in the State of Maharashtra, whereas, for fodder, small
timber and bamboo, dependence is highest in Madhya Pradesh

Special features in ISFR 2019:

For first time
Extent of Trees outside Forest (TOF) in the country: TOF are trees found outside the recorded
forest areas. Extent of TOF has been derived for the first time in the ISFR 2019.
Wetlands in Forest Areas: FSI has undertaken a new exercise of overlaying spatial layer of
wetlands obtained from
 Assessment of plant biodiversity in forests: Rapid assessment of biodiversity for all the States
and UTs (except two) and for all the sixteen Forest Type Groups.
Space Application Center over the boundaries of RFA.

Way ahead
Forest and tree cover
33% countrywide (now 24.4%)
2/3rd in hilly and mountainous region
Institutions
National board of forestry (headed by Environment minister)
state board of forestry (headed by Minister of state MoEFCC)
PPP model – afforestation activity
promote agro-forestry, farm forestry, urban green to increase tree cover outside forest
biodiversity conservation
human wildlife conflict
Deemed forest

News
Karnataka Forest Minister has announced that the state government would soon declassify 6.66 lakh
hectares of the 10 lakh hectares of deemed forests in the state (nearly 67%) and hand it over to
Revenue authorities.
Total forest area in KN - 40 lakh ha.. 10 lakh ha is deemed.

Law
Not been clearly defined in any law including the Forest Conservation Act of 1980.
Supreme Court in the case of Thirumal-pad (1996) accepted a wide definition of forests under the
Act.
 A deemed forest fits “dictionary meaning” of a forest, and any areas recorded as forest in the
government record - “irrespective of ownership”.
dictionary definition of forests was applied to identify thickly wooded areas

CAMPA Act, 2016

It seeks to establish the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of
India, and a State Compensatory Afforestation Fund under the Public Account of each state.
The payments into the funds include compensatory afforestation, NPV, and any project specific
payments. The National Fund will get 10% of funds collected and the remaining 90% will go to
respective State Fund.
The collected funds will be utilised for afforestation, regeneration of forest ecosystem, wild life
protection and infrastructure development.

Intro
After felling 22,000 trees, NHAI to plant 1 lakh trees - Delhi Meerut Expressway

Conclusion
The line between development and environment is a fine one. We must tread it carefully.
All schools and colleges to have nutrition gardens in Mizoram - staff will work along with children

Issues
Compensation is reduced to a matter of counting trees.
Recently, MP planted 6 crore trees in 12hrs, making new record.
India's policy framework lays emphasize on Landscape approach, multiple ecosystem
services, food security, climate mitigation, adpatation and conservation of diversity.
We should also focus on benefit to local communities- 35 types of agroforestry-timber, fruit,
fodder, etc- Diversify income.
An old forest is a whole lot more than the sum of its trees.
It has built up ecosystem for insects, microbes, birds, animals, etc
Soil erosion
Recharge of acquifer
Native forest(which can grow on itself) is destroyed and hence new forest will require care.
For forest-dependent communities, loss of these places means giving up livelihoods, homes and
property.
But a mature, decades-old tree has an incredible capacity for
pollution control,
biodiversity support and
cooling cities
Need decade to regrow new samplings
Planners seek to compensate for the loss of these trees by selecting fast-growing species but
plants like Eucalyptus deplete groundwater and affect soil quality.
Lungs are required inside city and not outside - more pollution and urban heat
 Lungs are required inside city and not outside - more pollution and urban heat.
In cities they are important public spaces for shelter and recreation

Balance develop and enviro

Urban population (nearly 30%) --> 60% + Air pollution !!
Delhi is projected to become the most populous city in the world by 2030, according to the
United Nations.
Due to migration- heavy pressure- quality of life will deteriorate. Hence infra is inevitable.
Environmental pollution caused by daily hour-long traffic jams on a 10-km stretch will do more
harm to the environment and to peopleʼs health than felling 500 trees to build a metro line or an
elevated corridor.
Care must be taken to avoid any harm to the environment.
by going either underground or elevated for Metro
Sensitize engineers about enviro and prompt them to design the road, canal, etc save max trees.
Use trees in medians
Large-scale compensatory afforestation should be provided in the immediate vicinity, to the
extent possible.

Problem areas
CAG
have identified four reasons why CA has not worked, the foremost being the availability of land
SC
also upbraided the government for not utilising (CAMPA) fund for the right purpose.
Delays in fund disbursements
Poor utilisation of funds by the forest
Dumping saplings in sites that are empty and where trees are not appropriate -

Example
GPS, radio tags, drones are used to prevent felling of trees in Shimla. Around 3 lakh have been
tagged.
**International initiatives and National laws
The Sustainable Development Mechanism is a new mitigation mechanism
In order to achieve its goals, the mechanism provides incentives for successfully mitigating
GHG emissions. Under this mechanism, Parties that contribute to the reduction of GHG
emissions in a host country can benefit from their mitigation activities by using the resulting
emission reductions to fulfill their own mitigation ambition requirements.
Overall, the structure of the Sustainable Development Mechanism closely resembles the Clean
Development Mechanism
News
MoEFCC has reconstituted the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) to include an expert from the School of
Planning and Architecture, Delhi, and a molecular biologist.

CRZ

News
Four apartment complexes built in violation of CRZ rules in Kochi, were destroyedby controlled
implosions + removed the debris - as per SC order -

Quote
The arm of law is long - delayed but not denied (even 7 star villas being demolished for violation of
norms by SC)

CRZ norms
 CRZ 1 A - estuaries, bays, lakes, etc
CRZ 1B - low tide - high tide level

Poor vs rich villas

Have humanitarian approach towards poor - some compensation - they there for basic livelihood
and part of ecosystem
Living bcoz of compulsion
**Religion and Enviro
Hinduism
Hindu Vedic principle of Rta dharma
protect their forests and sacred hills, the indigenous forest communities
In Vedic hymns - Great importance given to the elements such as earth, water, air, and fire.

Sikhism
Guru Granth Sahib: Air, water, earth, and life — all originated from the True Lord who resides in
each one of us and requires protection

Way ahead
Community ownership

Conclusion
environmental citizenship
“prakriti panchayats”
*CRZ
*GM crop
1000 farmers in Akola district have publicly sown unapproved (HT) BT cotton and Brinjal using
smuggled seeds
Growing crop attracts fine and imprisonment.
MoeF has taken cognisance.

Basics: Genetically Modified crop:

Genetically Modified Organisms, are the ones in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in
such a way as to get the required quality - from organizism - put into plant.

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS??
Cartegena biosafety protocol under CBD

Issues with GM crops:

Human Health Risks:
Potential impact on human health including allergens and transfer of antibiotic resistance
markers.
Environmental concerns:
They can reduce species diversity. For example, Insect-resistant plants might harm insects that
are not their intended target and thus result in destruction of that particular species.
Transfer of genes from one crop to another, creating “super weeds”
Many farmers claiming , after cultivation of Bt cotton, they are not able to cultivate
indigenous cotton anymore
Viral genes added to crops- can lead to new and more virulent virus strains.
Economic Concerns:
Introduction of a GM crop to market is a lengthy and costly process.
Not all result in high yields as promised. For instance, the highest yields in mustard are from the
5 countries which do not grow GM mustard — U.K., France
Patent laws give developers of the GM crops a dangerous degree of control over the food supply.

Advantages of GM crops:
Crop Protection:
Improved resistance to diseases, pest, insects and herbicides.
Improved tolerance to cold/heat, drought and salinity ie. Climate resistance
Economic benefits:
Increase yield and thus income.
Longer shelf life.
Food Security:
About 60 countries have accepted GM crops-crops range from soyabean, corn, brinjal, and, even
apples and potatoes
China and US are becoming leaders
Bangladesh has used Indiaʼs data to successfully cultivate Bt brinjal, despite all the negative
propaganda.
 GM technology adoption has reduced pesticide use by 33%, increased crop yield by 25%, and
increased farmer profits by 66%
Safe
Data from a billion animals fed on GM corn have not indicated any health hazards.
Those in the Americans and elsewhere consuming Bt corn or soybean for over 15 years have not
reported any health issues.

GM Crops in India: BT Cotton:

In 2002, Bt Cotton became the first and only transgenic crop approved

BT Brinjal:
The GEAC in 2007, recommended the commercial release of Bt Brinjal. The initiative was blocked in
2010.
HT Mustard:
Dhara Mustard Hybrid(DMH-11) is an indigenously developed transgenic mustard. It is genetically
modified variety of Herbicide Tolerant (HT) mustard.
In 2017, the GEAC recommended the commercial approval of the HT Mustard crop.

Important Committees and Recommendations:

High-powered panel on Doubling Farmersʼ Income (DFI): It made the following observations:
Genetic Engineering is ʻpowerfulʼ tool for developing future crop, but for now it should be
adopted only for non-food crops.
For transgenic food crops, questions on its safety must be addressed and settled first.

Concerns in India:
1. According to critics, the current safety assessments are inadequate to catch most of the harmful
effects from the GM crops.
2 Th i l k f d hi t t h GM i t d Th i l F dL bi
 2. There is lack of adequate machinery to test the GM crops imported. There is only a Food Lab in
Kolkata under the Ministry of Health and which is not well-equipped.
3. Conflict of interest: All the safety tests for regulatory approvals in India are conducted by the same
party that applies for commercialisation of GM crops.

Way Forward:
1. Needs to be extensive research.
2. Adopt a participatory approach in order to bring together all stakeholders to develop regulatory
protocols. This would ensure trust in the entire process.
3. The Indian government must take decisions on GM technologies on the basis of scientific evidence.
4. Any new technology adopted in the farming sector must be in the interest of the farmers

Conclusion :
In 2016, 100+ Nobel laureates signed a letter challenging Greenpeace to drop its anti-genetically
modified organism (GMO) technology stance. They stated that the anti-GMO campaign is
scientifically baseless and potentially harmful to poor people in the developing world —> WE
CANNOT REMAIN ALOOF TO THIS NEW TECH.
STANDARD LINE – gov should adopt a participatory approach to bring together all stakeholders to
develop regulatory protocols to restore trust in the process
*Green building
Green building is one which consumes less energy, consumes less water, produces less waste , and
recycles most of the waste , to provide healthy living space to its occupants.
Bcoz —>We shape our building, then it shapes us - Wiston Churchill

Green building
Lighting load by 50%
Well ventilated - 33% load on AC
Operating cost of building by 25% - without affecting project cost
In some building even reduced the initial cost

Conclu
An Architecture for India
Balkrishna Doshi wins the 2018 Pritzker Prize. (architecture's equivalent to the Nobel.)
Focus - Traditional living patterns - mix in natural environment - local materials
Low cost housing

How will you make Green building - 4 core aspect

Smart Design and planning
Ecofriendly Materials
Energy Efficiency + Water Conservation and solid waste mgmt

GRIHA (green rating for integrated habitat assessment) by TERI

Tool to rate the performance of building against certain nationally accepted benchmarks for
green building
Various Parameters
Various Parameters
Site Planning - should confirm to master plan of city
energy consumption - energy efficiency
water savings
Rain water harvesting
Efficient plumbing system and sensors
waste generation less + On site sewage adoption
renewable energy adoption
Solar energy
sustainable site development
Post constn- recycle reuse reinvent - hence post cosntn mandatory building audit
e.g Baba saheb Ambedkar memorial
e.g.
Site Planning - should confirm to master plan of city
Protect agri land and trees
Top soil be reused for landscaping
During constn - protect surrounding from air construction - by barricades
 Material used- have recycled content/waste byproducts/fly ash
Grass paving for water percolation
Solar, rain water harvest
On site
Smart shading technique - Allow min heat to enter the building - by extra passage way
surrounding - building thud inside- to avoid direct sunlight
Innovation
Smart metering and monitoring
e.g Indira paryavara Bhavan - 5 star rated GRIHA

LEED- (leadership in energy and environmental design)

international certification provided by US green building council to incorporate green building
solutions

Net Zero Energy Buildings

What
A net-zero energy building is one that relies on renewable sources to produce as much energy as it
uses, usually as measured over the course of a year.
It is also possible for a building to produce an energy surplus, sending excess back to the
electrical grid
*Land degrade
Soil erosion,
desertification (UNCCD),
degradation,
salinity
SOIL EROSION

REASON ?
Human induced
Deforestation - over grazing
sand mining - brick making
faulty agro practices
 faulty agro-practices
lack of crop rotation exhaustion of soil nutrients
ploughing along the slope with no barrier
natural
water – sheet erosion, gully erosion, rill erosion
gully erosion result in bad topography
wind – saltation, suspension, surface creep
slip erosion – landslides – water + gravity moves large matter down the slope

IMPLICATIONS OF SOIL EROSION??

loss of top soil
lowering of GWT
vegetation dries up
rivers and canals siltation
frequency of flood and drought increases

SOIL CONSERVATION??
Structural solutions
On slopes
construction of retaining walls
strengthening slopes of river bank using stone pitching and wire netting
Geosynthetics
on coastal regions
Mangroves etc
groyne
on rivers
River training
Non structural solutions
afforestation
Agri
agro-forestry
soil mulching – base, stem of plant is left on the field to form protective layer called mulch.
Eg sugarcane
crop rotation
strip farming
regulate grazing, shifting cultivation
stabilise sand dunes
along slopes
terrace farming
contour farming – alternate furrows with ridges
COASTAL EROSION

WHY IN NEWS?
WHY IN NEWS?
Parali 1 island (part of Lakshadweep island) disappeared due to coastal erosion

CAUSES?
Wave energy
climate change -
increase in sea level due to melting of glaciers
increased frequency of natural hazards like Tsunami, storm surges
sand and coral mining
Deforestation- removal of mangroves etc

WAY AHEAD?
groynes
geo – synthetic tubes (used along odisha coast)
vegetation : Mangroves, corals

SOIL SALINITY

REASONS??
Faulty agro-practices
intensive irrigation
water seepage from adjoining high land
sea water intrusion in coastal ground water reserves
example = gulf of khambhat in GJ
bad drainage
Terai region
Basin topography of Pb, Haryana
black cotton soil

IMPLICATIONS?/
salts of Na, Ca, Mg in top soil
soil fertility reduced
only salt resistant crop cultivation – cotton, barley
quality of fodder reduced
water logging

SOIL CONSERVATION
structural solution
leaching (washing of soil)
improving drainage
laying under ground piping
pump out excess water
lining of canals to avoid seepage
f h i l lik
 use of chemicals like gypsum
non structural solutions
judicious use of GW
agro-climatic farming
*Mangroves
WHAT??
numerous trees (medium height) and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitat in tropic
and subtropic
distribution = 25 degree N and S

News
MH DECLARE STATE MANGROVE TREE AS SYMBOL OF CONSERVATION (2020)

FEATURES??
grows between high tide and low tide (intertidal zones)
salt tolerants (Halophytes) – halo = saline, phytes - love
require high solar radiation
nutrient uptake – pneumatophores helps in uptake of Oxygen, iron etc directly from atm
adaptation to low oxygen – due to pneumatophores (breathing roots)
viviparity mode of production – seed germinate in the tree itself before falling to ground

MANGROVES IN INDIA
largest – sundarban
famous for royal bengal tiger, crocodiles
Mangrove swamps – godavari-krishna delta
other areas
GJ – gulf of kachchh
A&N island
cauvery delta
Ratnagiri (goa)
mahanadi delta

IMPORTANCE OF MANGROVES
impede water flow
enhance sediment deposition
stabilise coastal shores
breeding ground for fishes
prevent soil and coastal erosion
prevent land from tsunami, cyclone, floods, hurricanes
natural recycling of nutrients
wood, medicinal plants, fuel, fodder
tourism

Q. WHY ARE THEY DEPLETING??

clearing of area for agriculture
coastal settlement
road building
oil spills
sewage
use of chemical, pesticised, fertilizers
mining
production forestry
*Tiger conservation
PROJECT TIGER 1973 - for protection and conservation

FACTS AND FIGURES?

2222 tigers according to Tiger census 2014 (80% of world's tigers) —> 3000 (2018)

TIGER RESERVES
created by state gov on recommendation of national tiger conservation authority
Zones
Core - kept inviolative
buffer - livelihood, development, of local people allowed

NTCA
environment minister = chairman
functions
habitat protection
development of local people
day to day monitoring
voluntary relocation of people from core area
addressing man animal conflict

ESTIMATION OF TIGER POPULATIONS

older method – Pugmark census technique (foot print of animals)
new method – camera trapping and DNA finger printing, faecal matter, scats

Q. WHAT SHOULD BE DONE BY NTCA??

People
voluntary relocation of people
Tiger
strengthening of infrastructure and habitat
develop national repository
use of ICT
building tiger corridors - ecobridges
Poachers
step up protection, networking, survellience
Policy
colloboration with tiger range countries
foster research and awareness
independent management
Q. STEPS TAKEN BY GOV FOR TIGER CONSERVATION??
NTCA
M – StrIPES (app developed by wildlife institute of india)
monitoring system for tiger intensive protection and ecological status
effective field patrolling and monitoring —> Increased vigilance —>curb tiger poaching
Special tiger protection force
drones to be used by NTCA and wildlife institute of india to monitor tigers
GLobal
Tx2 set up by (WWF).- double the number of wild tigers by 2022.

CONCERNS :
FAST REDUCING FOREST COVER in some states
TIGER POPULATION DECREASING IN SOME STATES - drastically declined in Chhattisgarh
Large poaching cases (25% mortality)
man animal conflict
50% of tiger death outside tiger reserves – NTCA data
PRE-REQUISITES of ADEQUATE PREY DENSITY, HABITAT CONDITIONS
TIGER CARRYING CAPACITY of few reserves not adequate - WILDLIFE CORRIDORS needed for free
movement of TIGERS
Eco-bridges for the movement of tigers
*In a first of its kind, Telangana State will have eco-friendly bridges conecting Tadoba-
Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)
The intervention requires the laying of fertile soil to grow grass and plants over the
structure, so that fragmentation of the reserve forest is camouflaged.

Conclu-
The Idu Mishmi people traditionally follow an animis faith and believe that tigers are their elder
siblings.
India have achieved its target under the Global Tiger Recovery Program, launched with the aim of
doubling the global tiger population by 2022 much early of its target
Some animals are more equal than others
Tiger -dies - national news. Smaller species - becoming extict- no news.
Colonial versus Cultural model of conservations
Colonial Model of Conservation:
In this model, human presence is taken as threat to nature.
This model denies indigenous peoplesʼ rights and provoked long- term social conflict
This model is not suitable for India as many indigenous communities are believed to be in co-
existence with nature
Cultural model of Conservation
This is based on a respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and other bearers of
“traditional knowledge” and prevents social conflicts.
It involves forest dwellers in governance an- for making conservation more effective and more
transparent.
The Kinshasa Resolution of 1975 (under IUCN) provides international recognition to cultural
*Tribals and Enviro
*Urban heat island
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar - 0.5 degree C increase in
absolute local temperature in large cities solely due to urbanisation (since 2000 to 2010) (June 2019)
Built up area that is hotter than surrounding areas

CAUSES / FACTORS?
Direct pollution – from fires, industry, agriculture burning
absorption of heat – concrete roads, bricks
Urban geometry – height and spacing of buildings affect amount of radiation received and emitted
blanketing effect by atmospheric pollution on outgoing radiation
lack of vegetation

EFFECTS?
Increase in demand for energy – Air conditioning
increase in GHG emission and air pollution
high power demand -> usage of fossil fuel
human health
exhaustion, heat strokes, heat cramps, headaches
impact on forest, plant, animals
impact on weather and climate
intense vertical lifiting of air -> thunderstorm
changes in local wind pattern, formation of fog and cloud

WAY AHEAD?
Use of light coloured concrete and white roofs -> to increase albedo
green roofs – by providing vegetation
green buildings
planting trees
improvement in technology and infrastructure – Bharat stage 6
Acid rain
rain with pH<5.6
when oxides of S and N reacts with water and form sulphuric acid and nitric acid

SOURCES OF S AND N
natural
volcanic eruption
biological process in soil
Human induced
….

IMPLICATIONS
soil
leaching of nutrients
decrease in respiration of soil organisms
increase in ammonia -> reduce rate of decomposition
vegetation
death of affected trees
wildlife
metals stick to sediments and soil -> releases into ocean -> affect marine ecology
loss of habitat
Humans
chronic bronchitis, cancer
food poisoning through food web
irritation of skin, eyes, respiratory tracts
socio-economic impact
affect agriculture and fishery

SOLUTIONS
Buffering (neutralisation) – add neutralising agent like lime at source of origin
Reduce fossil fuel emission – increase share of renewable energy
Bioremediation
Bioremediation is a waste management technique that involves the use of organisms(bacteria or fungii)
to remove or neutralize pollutants from a contaminated site. The naturally occurring organisms are able
to break down hazardous substances into less toxic or non toxic substances. Bioremediation can be ex situ
or in situ.

The various techniques related to bioremediation are as follows:

Phytoremediation (Mustard)
Rhizofiltration (water)
Bioaugmentation (ASP)
Bioremediation of Oil
Biosparging (water - O2 add)
Bioventing (soil - O2 add)

Phytoremediation
Phytoremediation is treatment using the plants that mitigate the environmental problem. Some
plants such as mustard - proven to be successful in Phytoremediation.
Bioaugmentation (ASP)
Bioaugmentation is the process of addition of bacterial cultures required to speed up the rate of
degradation of a contaminant.
Usually the steps involve studying the indigenous varieties present in the location to determine if
biostimulation is possible. If the indigenous variety do not have the metabolic capability to perform
the remediation process, exogenous varieties with such sophisticated pathways are introduced.
Bioaugmentation is commonly used in municipal wastewater treatment to restart activated sludge
bioreactors.
Rhizofiltration
Itʼs a Phytoremediation technique which uses hydroponically cultivated plant roots to remediate
contaminated water through absorption, concentration, and precipitation of pollutants. It also filters
through water and dirt.
Bioremediation of Oil
Bioremediation uses the microorganisms or biological agents such as oil eating bacteria. ...

Biosparging
is an in-situ remediation technology that uses indigenous microorganisms to biodegrade organic
constituents in the saturated zone.
In biosparging, air (or oxygen) and nutrients (if needed) are injected into the saturated zone to
increase the biological activity of the indigenous microorganisms.
Bioventing
is an in situremediation technology that uses microorganisms to biodegrade organic constituents
adsorbed on soils in the unsaturated zone.
Bioventing enhances the activity of indigenous bacteria and simulates the natural in situ
biodegradation of hydrocarbons in soil by inducing air or oxygen flow into the unsaturated zone
and, if necessary, by adding nutrients.
Carbon capture and storage
Coral reefs
A ridge of rock in the sea formed by the growth and deposit of coral.

CURRENT EVENTS??
Mass coral bleeching in Great barrier reef, Aus

Fact
Coral Triangle
western Pacific Ocean described as world's epicentre of marine diversity.
It includes waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, and Solomon
Islands

CORAL SITES IN INDIA??

Gulf of Kutchh
Gulf of Mannar
A&N (Highest)
Lakshadweep (it is coral island)

What?
Colonies formed by coral polyps(skeleton)
Coral polyps = tiny, fleshy sea anemones
made of limestone and dolomite shells accumulated by polyps
reef = layered deposition of zooxanthellae i.e. sea organisms
colours – provided by zooxanthellae
aka “Rainforests of ocean” due to diversity
distribution – indo pacific region – 30 degree N&S

Q. WHY CORALS ARE RARE ON WESTERN COAST OF AFRICA AND AMERICA??

cold ocean current (corals thrive @ optimum T)

FACTORS FOR CORAL REEF GROWTH

Temp (18-30 degree celcius) = tropical and sub-tropical
salinity = 25-40%
Ph >7
depth of ocean water < 50m (need sunlight)
Algae ( zooxanthellae)
symbiotic relation between algae and polyps
algae -> food through photosynthesis -> growth of polyps -> make shelter for algae (CR)
Oxygen (for survival of coral)
turbidity (coral die in excess turbidity)
fresh water (too much fresh water kill corals) (very less salinity)
ocean current and waves
Bring food to algae -> symbiotic relations
FRINGING REEFS
Grow along the shore of continent or island
Eg. A&N

BARRIER REEFS
Border shoreline but at a great distance
separated from land by lagoon (water body)
eg. great barrier reef in AUS

ATOLL REEFS
When island completely submerge
eg. Maldives
Coral bleeching
When pH, pollution = high, corals expel algae from their tissue -> coral become white

FACTORS FOR CORAL BLEECHING

climate change – decreases pH
ocean acidification (bcoz absorb CO2 from air) -(oceans are basic - than water)
invasive exotic species
El-nino (rise in T)
pollution of sea water
Oil spill - Recently, there have been several serious cases of oil spills- Russiaʼs arctic region and
Mauritius oil spill (Mauritius has declared a state of environmental emergency)
destructive fishing practices - bottom sea trailing
mining of corals for building purpose
ozone depletion -> increase in harmful solar radiation
algae bloom
agriculture fertilizer -> GW to sea -> rich in nutrient, so algae overproduction ->
occupies major portion of sea -> CR unable to get sunlight

IMPORTANCE OF CORAL REEFS

Rich bio-diversity in marine ecosystem
provide habitat to aquatic organisms
provide substrate for mangroves
indicative of health of marine ecosystem
nutrient recycling
Tourism
Used for ornamental purpose
natural buffer against natural disaster like cyclone, tsunami, storm
absorb energy
STEPS TAKEN FOR THEIR PRESERVATION
Coral reef and mangroves areas –
ecological sensitive areas ESA
Coral reef – schedule 1 in wildlife protection act 1972 – highest degree of protection
Coastal regulation zone notification 2011
national and state coastal zone management authority
World
Giving it world heritage site status . eg. Great barrier reef in Aus
Oil spill
News
Recently, there have been several serious cases of oil spills- Russiaʼs arctic region and Mauritius oil
spill.
Massive oil spill from damaged ship in Mauritius Mauritius has declared a state of
environmental emergency after a grounded ship off its coast is said to be leaking tonnes of
crude oil.

India
National Oil Spill-Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS- DCP)
under the purview of the National Disaster Management Authority, Ministry of Home
Affairs.
Its functional responsibilities include enactment and administration of legislation,
prevention and control, monitoring and surveillance and combating of marine
pollution.
Marine plastic initiatives
India
India is a signatory to MARPOL. In addition, Prevention of Marine Pollution is also dealt with by
Merchant Shipping Rules, 2009 under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
BIS has come out with an Indian standard according to which plastic microbeads of diameter 5
mm or less
Steps to phase out single-use plastics
Global
The UN Regional Seas Programme: in 1974 under (UNEP) —> specifically addressing marine
litter/plastics debris and microplastics.
The Honolulu Strategy: to foster collaboration by sharing lessons learned and best practices.
Closing the Loopʼ project: (ESCAP) - addressing plastic waste pollution in rivers and oceans.
IUCN "Close the Plastic Tap” Programme - generate regional and local solutions that are
tailored to the different sources
INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES
WHAT?
Species that is established outside its natural past / present distribution , whose introduction
threaten biological diversity
2nd most serious threat to biodiversity after global warming (IUCN)

CHARACTERISTICS OF IAS?
Rapid reproduction and growth
ability to survive on various food types
ability to adapt physiologically to new conditions
high dispersal capability

STEPS TAKEN?
CBD and aichi target – control or eradicate alien species which threaten ecosystem, habitat and
species

Conlcu
Virtually almost all of Australiaʼs shellfish reefs have disappeared due to Overfishing, habitat
modification, disease outbreaks, invasive species and a decline in water quality.