Environment & Ecology
In news: A 3-year period MoU was signed between National Cadet Corps (NCC) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to tackle plastic pollution and achieve the universal goal of clean water bodies through ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’ and ‘Tide Turners Plastic Challenge programme’.
Objective:
- To consolidate, develop and detail cooperation of youth in achieving common objectives in the field of environment.
- To engage in capacity building, information sharing and awareness on environmental sustainability through training initiatives.
- To promote opportunities for NCC cadets to participate in national and international platforms.
About Puneet Sagar Abhiyan:
- Launched by The NCC on December 1, 2021
- It is a nationwide campaign to clean sea shores of plastic and other waste material and to raise awareness about the importance of cleanliness
- It was started initially for one month and was subsequently extended as a pan-India round-the-year campaign
- It covers rivers and other water bodies as well.
- Achievements: Since the launch of ‘Puneet Sagar Abhiyan’, over 100 tonnes of plastic waste have been collected from nearly 1,900 locations by more than 12 lakh NCC cadets, impacting 1.5 crore people. Of the approximately 100 tonnes of collected plastic waste, more than 60 tonnes have been recycled.
About National Cadet Corps (NCC):
- It is the youth wing of the Indian Armed Forces as a Tri-Services Organisation, comprising the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force
- Headquarters are in New Delhi, India.
- It is open to school and college students on voluntary basis,
- To develop the youth of the country into disciplined and patriotic citizens.
- The emblem of the NCC consists of 3 colours; red, dark blue and light blue representing the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force respectively. The 17 lotuses indicate the 17 directories of India.
About United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP):
- The UNEP is a leading global environmental authority established on 5th June 1972 in the aftermath of Stockholm Conference (Declaration on the Human Environment).
- Functions: It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for global environment protection.
- Major Reports: Emission Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers, Invest into Healthy Planet.
- Major Campaigns: Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, Wild for Life.
- Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya.
The UNEP engages in developing global conventions on the environment and related issues. It hosts the secretariats of various conventions such as:
- Minamata Convention on Mercury
- United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- Basel Convention- Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes
- Stockholm Convention – on Persistent Organic Pollutants
- Rotterdam Convention – on Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
- Vienna Convention – Protection of the Ozone Layer
- Montreal Protocol – on reducing substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
- Convention on Migratory Species
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Q.1) With reference to an initiative called “The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)” which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
- It is an initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF, and World Economic Forum.
- It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity.
- It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate, and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- 1 and 2 only
- 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
