60 Days Plan: UPSC IAS Prelims 2019- Environment and Current Affairs (Day 42)

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is a leading Indian nature conservation organisation committed to the service of nature. Its mission is to conserve wildlife and its habitat and to work for the welfare of individual wild animals, in partnership with communities and governments.

It is not under the administrative control of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

Gaj Yatra is led by Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Hence statement 2 is correct.

Bt. cotton is the only GM crop approved for commercial cultivation in the Country.

Hence statement 1 is correct.

Maharashtra has the highest area under Bt. cotton Cultivation in the year 2017-18. (37.86 Lakh Hectares)

Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Additional Information:

The approval of any new genetically modified crop is given on a case to case basis after thorough scientific evaluation of health and environment safety as per applicable guidelines made under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and Rules, 1989.

Total Area under Bt. cotton cultivation in India is 106.62, 89.43, 110.75 Lakh Hectares in 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18 respectively.

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) functions under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Hence statement 1 is correct.

GEAC is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC and co-chaired by a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Additional Information:

The functions of GEAC as prescribed in the Rules 1989 are as follows:

• To appraise activities involving large scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinants in research and industrial production from the environmental angle.
• To appraise proposals relating to release of genetically engineered organisms and products into the environment including experimental field trials.
• The committee or any persons authorized by it has powers to take punitive action under the Environment Protection Act.

India was once home to many cheetahs, but the last of them was killed in 1947 and the cheetah was declared extinct in India in 1952. It is the only large mammal to have been declared extinct in our country in recorded history.

Hence statement 1 is correct.

Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was found to be the most suitable area for the cheetah reintroduction as its forests are not very dense to restrict the fast movement of the cheetah. Besides, the prey base for cheetahs is also in abundance at the sanctuary.

Hence statement 2 is correct.

Additional Information:

Just as the tiger is the flagship species of the forest, the cheetah is the flagship species of the grasslands, scrublands and open forests. Therefore, with the reintroduction of the cheetah, these dryland ecosystems of India will have a chance to return to their natural state.

The Asian Elephant Alliance has been formed to tackle the crisis faced by Asian Elephants. The member organizations are Elephant Family, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), IUCN Netherlands, Wildlife Trust of India and World Land Trust.

Hence statement 1 is correct.

Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus) is listed under the endangered category of IUCN Red List.

Hence statement 2 is correct.

Additional Information:

African Elephant (Elephas maximus) is listed under the vulnerable category of IUCN Red List.

Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar is the only sanctuary for Gangetic Dolphin in India.

Hence statement 1 is correct.

The ‘baiji’ or Chinese river dolphin was declared functionally extinct in 2006.

The remaining species are the Amazon River dolphin, the Gangetic Dolphin and the Indus River dolphin.

Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Additional Information:

Gangetic Dolphin is India’s National Aquatic Animal.

Gangetic Dolphin is listed under the endangered category of IUCN Red List.

The Gangetic Dolphin is endemic to the Indian sub-continent and has a fairly extensive distribution range. It is found in the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of India and Bangladesh, while a few individuals may survive in the Karnali, and the Sapta Kosi Rivers in Nepal.

Colony Collapse Disorder is the phenomenon that occurs when the majority of worker bees in a colony disappears and leaves behind a queen, plenty of honey, pollen and a few nurse bees to care for the remaining immature bees and the queen.

Hence statement 1 and 2 are incorrect.

Colony Collapse Disorder is marked by sudden loss of a colony’s worker bee population with very few dead bees found near the colony.

Hence statement 3 is correct.

Banni Grassland are located in Kachchh district in the state of Gujarat. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

Maldharis are the nomadic natives of Banni Grasslands. Altogether 13 different communities inhabit the area and the vast majority belongs to Maldharis. Hence statement 2 is correct.

Additional Information:

Bannis represent the largest stretches of contiguous grasslands in India.

Maldharis have inherited traditional fresh water harvesting system known as Virda.

Namdapha National Park is famous for being the only national park in India to have four big cat species, like leopard, tiger, clouded leopard and snow leopard.

Additional Information:

The Namdapha National Park is the largest protected ecological area in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot. It is located at the Changlang district in the State of Arunachal Pradesh.

SAFAR (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting) is the initiative of Ministry of Earth Sciences. Hence statement 1 is incorrect.

The system (SAFAR), first of its kind in the country, was developed indigenously in record time by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune and operationalized by India Meteorological Department (IMD). Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Additional Information:

The system (SAFAR) will be an integral part of India’s first Air Quality Early Warning System operational in Delhi and will strengthen the existing air quality network of SAFAR, Central Pollution Control Board and Delhi Pollution Control Committee.

The Belmont Forum, created in 2009, is a high level group of the world’s major and emerging funders of global environmental change research and international science councils.

Hence statement 1 is correct.

It provides an opportunity to identify study and deliver international environmental research priorities, for the society, in an accelerated way through trans­national research collaboration between natural and social scientists and alignment of international resources

India is a member of Belmont Forum, besides Australia, Brazil, Canada, European Commission, France, Germany, Japan, Netherland, South Africa, UK and USA etc. Ministry of Earth Science (MoES), represents India in the Belmont Forum since 2012. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

Following a series of initiatives and conventions organized in partnership with faith-based organizations, the UN’s Environment Programme (UNEP)  launched the Faith for Earth Initiative in November 2017.  

The Mission of Faith for Earth Initiative is, “To encourage, empower and engage with faith-based organizations as partners, at all levels, toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and fulfilling the 2030 Agenda.”

Its vision is a world in which everything is in balance.

Faith for Earth Initiative features values which form the acronym, CREATION:

• C: Communication– Effective communication at all levels between all stakeholders.
• R: Respect– All spiritual and religious beliefs are respected.
• E: Empower – Empower and engage all stakeholders.
• A: Act – Act in coherence with individual reflection and communal beliefs.
• T: Transform – Transform people’s behavior for a more responsible lifestyle inspired by their own faiths.
• I: Inspire–Inspire innovative approaches to achieve the 2030 Agenda.
• O: Organize – Organize knowledge and other resources related to faiths and sustainable development.
• N: Network – Build a strong network between the UN and faith-based organizations.

Kawal Tiger Reserve is located at Jannaram mandal of Mancherial District in Telangana state of India. Govt of India declared Kawal wildlife sanctuary as Tiger Reserve in 2012. The reserve is the oldest sanctuary in the northern Telangana region of the state.

In news: Mukundra Hill Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan)- the tiger reserve gets its first adult tigress. Tigress T-106 was relocated to Mukundra Hill Tiger Reserve from Ranthambore National Park in November 2018.

Black Panther was spotted in Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (Chhattisgarh) in 2018.

There are 13 Biodiversity Heritage Sites in India

Khlaw Kur Syiem Kmielng: In Meghalaya. It is a mosaic of natural habitats along with significant diversity of life forms. It is also an old Sacred Grove with monoliths and religious spots.

Glory of Allapalli: In Maharashtra, It is a reserved forest being preserved as natural forest having biological, ethnical and historical values.

Dialong Village: Manipur.

Dhotrey: Darjeeling, West Bengal. It is a Medicinal Plant Conservation Areas.

Angria Bank is a bank, a shallow sunken atoll, on the continental shelf off the west coast of India. It is located 105 kilometres (65 mi) west of Vijaydurg, Maharashtra.

It has rich coral diversity unlike the shallow reefs around Andaman and Lakshadweep islands, the interim report on one of the first expeditions in Angria Bank by the National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) has found.

Angria Bank has the potential to become India’s Great Barrier Reef, it is reported

Ocean Pathway, an initiative of the COP23 Presidency, to call attention to the critical links between the ocean and climate change, and to present a strategy for including oceans in the UNFCCC process.

The Ocean Pathway was successfully launched in COP 23 in Bonn with a two track strategy for 2020 supporting the goals of the Paris Agreement that includes;

• Increasing the role of the ocean considerations in the UNFCCC process and;
• Significantly increasing action in priority areas impacting or impacted by ocean and climate change.

Increasing trade in environmentally sound technologies (ESTs) can promote economic development, job creation and innovation, while fostering economic and climate resilience, according to a report published by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

According to the report, the value of trade in clean technology-related services has increased more than five-fold over the past decade, with global trade in clean technologies increasing by 60% from 2006 to 2016.

Renewable energy technologies account for more than one-third of the total trade value, followed by wastewater management and water treatment, and solid and hazardous waste management technologies.

The report argues for tackling barriers to trade in ESTs in a holistic manner to help developing countries harness clean technology trade opportunities.

It identifies emerging economies, such as China, which have transitioned from net importers to net exporters of ESTs by embracing international trade and investment to build technology and production capacity.

However, the publication notes, low-income countries, particularly least developed countries (LDCs), have not yet benefited much from EST trade.

The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) is the “umbrella” organisation for the world zoo and aquarium community.

Its mission is to provide leadership and support for zoos, aquariums, and partner organizations of the world in animal care and welfare, conservation of biodiversity, environmental education and global sustainability.

The organisation is based in Barcelona, Spain.

Members of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums include leading zoos and aquariums, and regional and national Associations of Zoos and Aquariums as well as some affiliate organizations, such as zoo veterinarians or zoo educators, from all around the world. Together they are ‘United for Conservation’.

Members in Asia:

• National associations in: China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Thailand
• Regional association for South East Asia: SEAZA (South East Asian Zoos Association)

The World Bank established a Pollution Management and Environmental Health (PMEH) program to respond to this demand from clients and stakeholders.

PMEH is part of the World Bank’s brown business line (pollution management and environmental health) within the Environment and Natural Resources Global Practice.

http://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/pollution-management-and-environmental-health-program

Bonnethead Shark

Scientists have recently identified the first known omnivorous shark species, with 60 per cent of its diet consisting of seagrass.

They found that bonnethead sharks happily graze upon seagrass, in addition to eating bony fish, crabs, snails and shrimp.

Omnivores feed on a variety of food of both plant and animal origin. The bonnethead shark is abundant in the shallow waters of the Western Atlantic, and the Gulf of Mexico.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced the “Paris Call for Trust and Security in Cyberspace,” a new initiative designed to establish international norms for the internet, including good digital hygiene and the coordinated disclosure of technical vulnerabilities.

Kyasanur Forest Disease

• It is a tick-borne viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to South Asia.
• The virus belongs to the Flaviviridae family, whose other members are responsible for causing Yellow Fever, Zika and Dengue.
• Better known as ‘Monkey Fever’, KFD is primarily transmitted through ticks — in short, a tick-borne zoonotic disease.
• Multiple species of ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis are the principal vectors. Infections peak between November and March, which coincides with the larvae-nymph cycles of ticks
• Doctors treat only the symptoms, for KFD has no known cure.
• The disease was first noted at Kyasanur village near Sagar in Shivamogga district of Karnataka.
• The virus has been detected in monkeys in parts of Bandipur National Park (Chamarajnagar) and parts of the Nilgiris.
• Human infection occurred in Bandipur through handling of dead monkeys that were infected.

Sustainable Catchment Forest Management (SCATFORM) Project

• The Project was launched by Tripura
• It aims to improve quality of forest in the catchment area by sustainable forest management, soil and moisture conservation and livelihood development.
• The Tripura Forest Department (TFD) is the Executing Agency of the Project.
• It is jointly funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and GoI

Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme (DDRS)

• It is a Central Sector Scheme of Government of India which is being implemented since 1999 for providing financial assistance to NGOs working for education and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities.
• This scheme was revised in 2018 and the revised scheme is being implemented since 1st April 2018.
• The approach of this Scheme is to provide financial assistance to voluntary organizations to make available the whole range of services necessary for rehabilitation of persons with disabilities including early intervention, development of daily living skills, education, skill-development oriented towards employability, training and awareness generation.
• Ministry – Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment

Objectives

• To create an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity, social justice and empowerment of persons with disabilities.
• To encourage voluntary action for ensuring effective implementation of the People with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities and Protection of Rights) Act of 1995.

Krakatoa

• It is a volcanic island situated in the Sunda Strait between the islands of Java and Sumatra in the Indonesian province of Lampung.
• The name is also used for the surrounding island group comprising the remnants of a much larger island of three volcanic peaks which were obliterated in a cataclysmic 1883 eruption.
• In 1927, a new island, Anak Krakatau, or “Child of Krakatoa”, emerged from the caldera formed in 1883 and is the current location of eruptive activity.
• The island is part of the Ujung Kulon National Park

Technology innovations, and their supporting enabling environment, have the potential to support positive food system transformation. This report, developed by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with McKinsey & Company, focuses on the potential of emerging technologies to improve traceability in food value chains.

The report explores the powerful opportunity for traceability to improve information about the provenance, safety, efficiency and sustainability of food and food supplies.

It also emphasizes that simply applying new technologies for traceability within food systems will not necessarily provide the desired outcome.

Risks, such as the potential exclusion of small-scale value chain actors must be carefully safeguarded against. Collaboration focused on an inclusive economic model, enabling technology infrastructure, harmonized standards, and proper training and support across the value chain will broadly accelerate and amplify potential impact.

This report supports the Innovation with a Purpose Platform, which is curated by the World Economic Forum’s System Initiative on Shaping the Future of Food.

https://www.weforum.org/reports/innovation-with-a-purpose-improving-traceability-in-food-value-chains-through-technology-innovations

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) in June 2015 launched the “Global Partnership on Wildlife Conservation and Crime Prevention for Sustainable Development” program also known as the Global Wildlife Program (GWP).

The GWP is World-Bank led global partnership of countries in Asia and Africa to promote the conservation and sustainable development by combating trafficking in wildlife.

The Invest4Climate platform aims to further mobilize, coordinate, and deliver the finance needed to close the climate financing gap and help countries make the transition to a low-carbon resilient future that supports jobs and growth. It is a joint World Bank Group and UNDP partnership co-launched by the United Nations Secretary General and World Bank President in September 2017.

Following the second session of the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Working Party on Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), UNECE is launching a call for “people-first” PPPs, in view of the gap in infrastructure funding and investment needed to meet the SDGs.

People-first Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) ensure that out of all stakeholders, ‘people’ are on the top.

Its focus is on improving the quality of life of the communities, particularly those that are fighting poverty, by creating local and sustainable jobs, those that fight hunger and promote well-being, promote gender equality, access to water, energy, transport, and education for all, and that promote social cohesion, justice and disavow all forms of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, creed and culture. People-first PPPs must expand in scale, speed, and spread with more people having access to better services at affordable prices.

Elm, botanically known as Ulmus wallichaiana, is a native deciduous tree species that is distributed across the western Himalayas and belongs to the Ulmaceae family.

The characteristic greyish-brown bark with longitudinal furrows make the tree easily identifiable. This species can be utilised for a variety of purposes, including fuel, fodder and medicines purposes. Limited population and restricted distribution has resulted in the species being listed as vulnerable.

Barot Valley is located in Himachal Pradesh.

https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/agriculture/mushroom-growing-elm-trees-can-empower-barot-village-communities-62787