Gs Paper 1
Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation
A team of wildlife conservationists tagged the Ganges river dolphin for the first time.
About Ganges River Dolphin:
- The Ganges River Dolphin, declared as India’s National Aquatic Animal in 2009, is an endangered freshwater dolphin species primarily found in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna river systems.
- Known locally as Susu, it serves as an indicator of the health of river ecosystems due to its apex predator role.
- Key Features:
- Physical Characteristics: Nearly blind, it uses echolocation to navigate and hunt.
- Habitat: Prefers slow-moving waters with adequate depth and prey availability.
- Diet: Carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish and invertebrates.
- Geographical Distribution:
- Found in the Ganga, Brahmaputra-Meghna, and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
- Historically widespread, but populations are now fragmented due to anthropogenic pressures.
- Ecological Significance:
- Keystone Species: Plays a crucial role in maintaining riverine ecosystem balance.
- Indicator Species: Reflects the overall health of freshwater ecosystems.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Status: Endangered
- CITES: Appendix I
- Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Major Threats:
- Habitat Degradation:
- Pollution from industries, agriculture, and urban runoff.
- Dams and barrages fragment habitats, reducing population connectivity.
- Bycatch and Hunting:
- Accidental entanglement in fishing nets.
- Targeted for oil and meat in some areas.
- Water Abstraction:
- Excessive withdrawal of water for agriculture and industry impacts river flow.
- Riverbed Alteration:
- Sand mining and dredging disrupt habitats.
Conservation Efforts by the Government:
- Project Dolphin (2020):
- Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on the conservation of both river and marine dolphins.
- Protected Areas:
- Designated dolphin sanctuaries like Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar.
- Community Awareness:
- Initiatives to educate local communities about sustainable fishing and conservation.
- Technological Interventions:
- Satellite tagging projects for studying migration and habitat needs.
- Legislative Measures:
- Strict enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act and bans on harmful practices like sand mining.
News Summary:
- India marked a significant milestone in wildlife conservation with the first-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin in Assam.
- This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), was executed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
- The project is part of the larger Project Dolphin.
- Objectives and Significance:
- Understanding Habitat Needs: The tagging aims to fill knowledge gaps regarding the Ganges River Dolphin’s habitat requirements, migratory patterns, and range distribution.
- Conservation Efforts: By studying their behaviour and movement, the project seeks to develop a conservation action plan for protecting this apex predator, which plays a vital role in maintaining the health of river ecosystems.
- Technological Advancement: Lightweight satellite tags compatible with Argos systems were used, ensuring minimal interference with the dolphins’ movement.
- Broader Implications:
- The project underscores India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and sets a benchmark for protecting endangered species globally.
- It also highlights the need for continued technological advancements and comprehensive research to ensure the sustainability of river ecosystems.
- This landmark effort reflects the growing awareness and proactive measures toward conserving India’s rich aquatic biodiversity.
UPSC Prelims PYQ : 2015
Ques : Which one of the following is the national aquatic animal of India?
(a) Saltwater crocodile
(b) Olive ridley turtle
(c) Gangetic dolphin
(d) Gharial
Ans : c)
GS PAPER 2
Prelims Fact
The Indian Space Research Organisation on Wednesday commenced the assembly of the Human Rated Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (HLVM3) for the Gaganyaan mission’s maiden uncrewed flight.
- The assembly of the HLVM3 is taking place at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota and the uncrewed flight is expected to take place early next year from the spaceport.
- “At 0845 hrs on December 18, 2024, at SDSC, the stacking of the nozzle end segment with full flex seal nozzle of the S200 motor took place, thus commencing the official launch campaign of the HLVM3-G1 / OM-1 mission,” it said.
- It further added that the preparation of both S200 motors will now involve assembling segments, control systems, and avionics.
- “L110 and C32 stages for the HLVM3 are ready at the launch complex. The crew escape systems elements are also received at SDSC. The integration of the Crew Module is happening at VSSC and the integration of the Service Module at URSC, Bengaluru. The Orbital Module (OM) level integration and tests will take place subsequently at URSC,” it added.
Project background
- The Gaganyaan project envisages a demonstration of human spaceflight capability by launching a crew of three members to an orbit of 400 km for a three-day mission and bringing them back safely to Earth by landing in sea waters.
- Under the programme, ISRO intends to carry out three uncrewed missions and one crewed mission.
- The assembly of the HLVM3 coincides with the 10th anniversary of the LVM3-X/CARE mission, which took place on December 18, 2014.
- “It was on December 18, 2014, that the Indian Coast Guard recovered the Crew Module from the turbulent seas of the Bay of Bengal, approximately 1600 km from SDSC-SHAR. On the same day, LVM3-X, in its maiden flight, had lifted a Crew Module of mass of 3775 kg (LVM3-X/CARE mission) into a suborbital altitude of 126 km from where it was controlled using thrusters to orient it for a favourable re-entry,” the agency said.
GS PAPER 3
Prelims Fact
With Donald Trump potentially returning to the White House, OPEC+ delegates express concern over higher US oil production.
- His administration’s focus on deregulating the energy sector could lead to increased oil output, contributing to a further erosion of OPEC+’s market share.
About ‘Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ Plus (OPEC+)
| What is OPEC+? | Formation and Purpose:
OPEC+ is a coalition of OPEC members and non-OPEC oil-producing nations that work together to manage oil production and stabilize global oil prices. The alliance was formed in 2016 in response to increasing oil production in the United States, particularly from shale oil, which led to falling oil prices. OPEC Members: OPEC was founded in 1960 and includes 12 member countries: Non-OPEC Members in OPEC+: OPEC+ includes 10 non-OPEC members: Global Influence: OPEC+ countries together produce approximately 40% of the world’s crude oil and control about 80% of the world’s proven oil reserves. |
| Factors are influencing OPEC+’s oil production cuts | Rising US oil production: The shale boom in the US has increased its market share, impacting OPEC+’s influence.
Global price stability: OPEC+ implements production cuts to prevent oil prices from falling too low. Weak global demand: Extended cuts due to low demand, especially in major economies. |
| Implications of OPEC+’s policies | Reduced market share: OPEC+’s global oil share dropped from 55% in 2016 to 48% in 2024.
Price volatility: OPEC+’s production cuts aim to stabilize prices, but increasing US production affects this goal. Economic stability: Production cuts help sustain favorable prices for oil-producing economies. |
In News : Arctic Tundra as a Carbon Source
The Arctic Tundra has transitioned from a carbon sink to a carbon emitter as confirmed by a new analysis in the ‘Arctic Report Card’ by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
About Arctic Tundra:
- The Arctic Tundra is a vast, treeless biome characterized by its cold, dry, and rocky terrain.
- The term “tundra” originates from the Finnish word tunturi, meaning a ‘treeless plain.’
Characteristics of the Arctic Tundra:
- Permafrost: It refers to permanently frozen soil, starting within a meter of the surface. During summer, only the upper layer thaws, while deeper layers remain frozen.
- The frozen layer restricts plant root growth and prevents tree growth, resulting in a treeless landscape.
- Soil composition: The tundra’s soil is rocky and nutrient-poor due to low decomposition rates.
- Organic material accumulates in the form of peat (decayed sphagnum moss) and humus (organic matter), making it a significant carbon sink.
- Geographic location: The Arctic tundra is the northernmost biome, covering areas north of the Arctic Circle up to the polar ice cap, parts of Canada, Iceland, and Greenland.
- It spans approximately 5 million km².
- Climate: Temperatures range from 5°C in summer to -60°C in winter, with mean temperatures below 0°C for 6–10 months.
- Annual precipitation is low, ranging between 150–250 mm, but evaporation is minimal.
- Features 24-hour sunlight in summer and 24-hour darkness in winter.
- Natural vegetation: Vegetation is predominantly herbaceous due to the cold climate and short growing season.Includes grasses, mosses (e.g., reindeer moss), lichens, and liverworts.
- Woody plants like dwarf willows remain short and spread to withstand high winds.
- Animal life: Large mammals such as polar bears, caribou, musk ox, and Arctic foxes inhabit the tundra.
- Smaller animals like lemmings and Arctic hares adapt with fur that changes color seasonally.
- Migratory birds, such as loons and snow geese, breed in the tundra during summer.
- Arctic Tundra as a Carbon Sink: Despite the absence of trees, the Arctic Tundra is a significant carbon sink.
- This is due to the accumulation of organic matter in: Peat (Decayed sphagnum moss) and Humus (Decomposed organic material).
- The cold conditions slow decomposition, trapping carbon in the permafrost for millennia.
- Reasons for Emissions:
- Thawing permafrost: Rising temperatures activate microbes, breaking down organic matter and releasing CO₂ and CH₄ (methane).
- Increased wildfires release additional GHGs and accelerate permafrost thawing.
- Temperature trends: The Arctic is warming four times faster than the global average. 2024 marked the second-warmest year since records began in 1900.
- Global carbon trends:
- CO2 emissions in 2024 are projected to be 6 billion tonnes, up from 40.6 billion tonnes in 2023.
- Land-use changes add 2 billion tonnes of emissions annually.
In News : Baiga Tribe: Jodhaiya Bai
Jodhaiya Bai, a celebrated Baiga tribal artist and Padma Shri awardee, passed away on December 15, 2024, at the age of 86 after a prolonged illness. Her death was reported from her native Lodha village in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh.
About Baiga Tribe:
- The Baiga Tribe is one of India’s Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). They primarily reside in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
- Traditional Practices:
- Livelihood: Traditionally semi-nomadic, they practised slash-and-burn cultivation, locally called “Bewar”, and now depend mainly on minor forest produce.
- Tattooing: This is integral to their culture, with specific tattoos designated for different body parts and age groups. Tattoos are made using kajal derived from Ramtilla seeds (Niger seeds).
- Mahua Tree: These are fermented and distilled to prepare an intoxicant, forming an essential part of their diet and culture.
- Cultural Identity:
- Bamboo: A vital resource used in their daily life.
- Habitat Rights: The Baiga tribe is the first community in India to be granted habitat rights, reflecting their deep connection with forests.
Jodhaiya Bai’s Contribution:
- Jodhaiya Bai was pivotal in bringing international recognition to Baiga tribal art.
- She was honored with the Padma Shri in 2023 for her exceptional contribution to the field of arts.
- Her artwork, which portrays Baiga tribal culture on canvas, has been exhibited in multiple countries around the world.
GS PAPER 4
Editorial Analysis
Context :
- Carbon markets offer an opportunity to transform Indian agriculture by incentivizing sustainable practices while addressing climate change.
- However, challenges like socio-economic exclusivity, lack of training, and delayed payments hinder their effectiveness.
- Ensuring inclusivity, technological advancements, and policy support is crucial for building a successful carbon market in India.
Introduction to Carbon Markets and Agriculture
- Carbon markets present an opportunity to transform Indian agriculture into a profitable venture for farmers by adopting sustainable practices while addressing climate change.
- Carbon pricing plays a key role in mitigating climate change through compliance and voluntary carbon markets.
- Compliance markets are regulated by governments or international bodies like the UN and enforce emission caps, requiring companies to either purchase carbon credits or pay carbon taxes.
- Voluntary markets, unregulated, enable trading of carbon credits through mechanisms like the Clean Development Mechanism, Verra, and Gold Standard.
India’s Carbon Market Initiatives
- At COP29 in November 2024, a centralized UN carbon market was approved.
- India announced plans to launch compliance and voluntary carbon markets.
- The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) have listed five agriculture carbon credit projects with Verra.
Key Principles of Carbon Markets
- Additionality: Credits are issued only if emission reductions occur due to the project, requiring new practices to be adopted.
- Permanence: Benefits, such as carbon storage, must be long-lasting to avoid reversals.
Existing Projects in India
- Over 50 carbon farming projects have been listed in the Verra registry, targeting 1.6 million hectares and aiming to generate 4.7 million credits annually.
- None of these projects have been registered, and farmers have not received payments.
Challenges
- Communication and Training: 45% of farmers reported no communication, and 60% lacked training.
- Financial Incentives: 28% discontinued sustainable practices due to inadequate financial support.
- Payments and Support: 99% of farmers had not received carbon credit payments, leading to dissatisfaction.
- Inclusivity: Projects by startups performed better but were less inclusive of smallholders and marginalized groups.
Recommendations for Improvement
- Higher prices for credits from inclusive projects to encourage participation by smallholders and marginalized groups.
- Regular training, effective communication, and timely payments to ensure participation.
- Collaborations with research institutions to identify suitable interventions and avoid yield penalties.
Advancing Technology and Collaboration
- Improved tools like satellite imagery, drones, and sensors can enhance monitoring and implementation.
- Policymakers, researchers, and private entities must collaborate to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and efficient implementation.