What the hell is Biodiversity?

Biodiversity = biological diversity. It means number and variety of plants and animals.

o o o

Jungle a has 10 tigers and 100 deers. Jungle b has 20 tigers in 200 deers. Jungle c has 10 lions and 10 tigers, 100 deers and 100 wild buffalos.
Here jungle c has the most biodiversity. [jungle b also has 220 animals but variety is less.]

Which of the following statement is true? (wfst)

o o o
Biodiversity is high in isolated islands Biodiversity is low in tropical forests and coral reefs. Biodiversity is higher in europe compared to south asia.
All statements are incorrect.

o o o o

Isolated islands have limited number of variety in plants and animals compared to tropical rainforest or coral reefs. Because number of competitors and predators are limited. In the subtropical and polar regions of Northern Hemisphere, the climate is very cold, the region had gone through iceages = less population =less competition =less predators =less evolution= less biodiversity of plants and animals (compared to African or Brazilian jungle) In general, you will find less variety in plant and animal species in some European country (Ukraine) compared to a tropical country like Vietnam. So, As you move from equator towards the poles, biodiversity decreases. (latitudes)
Talking about Europe, almost all plans eaten today in Europe have originated in the developing countries around the equator.

o o o o

Coffee: Ethiopia Rice: India Wheat: turkey and Afghanistan Soya, cucumber, orange: china

Actual UPSC question from csat -2011.

(81.) Consider the following statements (csat 2011 gs paper i) 1. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes. 2. Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as compared to the higher altitudes. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a.) 1 only (b.) 2 only (c.) Both 1 and 2 (d.) Neither 1 nor 2 ans. 1st statement istrue. (europe vs africa). Second istrue. Higher you go= colder atmosphere = less biodiversity.

Keystone species
o
These species determine the ability of a large number of other species to survive.

o o o o o

When the keystone species becomes extinct. It has snowballing (=cascading) effect on extinction of other species (just like increase in petrol price on inflation) Examples of keystone species Bees : pollination of fruits and flowers. Albert Einstein once said, if the honeybee goes extinct, we have four more years on earth. Plankton : food of many fishes

Demo question: which of the following is not a keystone species?

1. 2. 1.Bees 2.Plankton

Sentinel species: frogs

o o o o o o o
They are sensitive indicators of environmental problem. For example, frogs, toads, salamander. They are amphibians (can live in both land and water). Frogs breath through their moist skin, which is very sensitive to pollutants in environment. In amphibians, fertilization is typically external, meaning that the sperm and egg join outside of the females body. They lay unprotected eggs (without shell like chicken egg) in water or moist damp places, so their eggs are also very vulnerable to pollution, temperature, humidity change etc. Thus, a rapid decline in the population of frogs thus would indicate a looming environmental problem. (Homework) difference between coldblooded and warm blooded animals.

Blue whales
o o o
Largest mammals on Earth. Elephents are the largest mammals on land only. International whaling commission (IWC) was set up in 1946 to fix anyone hunting quotas for the countries. Since 1980s IWC called for a halt on whale poaching But Japan, Norway and Ireland are major countries that still continue to indulge in whale hunting, they are unhappy with IWC and cites restrictions.

Interval : which of the following Statements are true?

o o o o o
1.Construction of large dam will increase the biodiversity in the area. 2.Fish and Amphibians are cold-blooded animals. 3.Whale is a cold-blooded fish. 4.Whale dives out of water to regulate its body temperature 5.Polar bear is a cold blooded animal because it goes in hibernation.

Non-native species
o
For example, in the 18th century, rabbits introduced in Australia for sport shooting.

o o o o

Since they were a non-native species in Australia, it meant they had no predators or competitors to control their population. They destroyed a vast range of plants and reduced the forest area. Rats of several species were unintended stowaways* on oceanic voyages, and thus spread around the world. Infected humans took the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which caused aids from Africa to the rest of the world. Stowaways= a person who hides aboard a ship or plane in the hope of getting free passage

Bird : Another Sentinel Species

o o o o
Birds are very important for seed dispersal, insect and rodent control, scavenging (vultures), and pollination. Many birds are also sentinel species e.g.Vultures Colombia has more than 1800 species of birds = most bird-diverse country Indias got about 1250 =we rank in top-10 in terms of bird diversity.

Vultures and Diclofenac

o o o o o o o
Diclofenac is a painkiller medicine used mostly for arthritis in humans Veternary Diclofenac is used on cattle, as painkiller, stopping inflammation and fever. When Animals are treated with Diclofenac, this drug keeps accumulating in their body. When these animals die, Vultures eat them = kidney failure =death of vulture. Hence Government of India banned Veternary Diclofenac. Now farmers have to use other expensive drugs instead of Diclofenac. Bigger Why should we care? Let the vultures die! What difference does it make to us or to the environment ? Well, Less vultures= more dead animals for dogs to eat = dog population increases = more problem of rabies. Secondly, vultures digestive system can destroy many parasites, but dogs digestive system ca nnot. Hence dogs who eat dead animals are more disease carriers than vultures.

What is biodiversity hotspot?

o o
It is an area unusually rich in biodiversity of birds and animals, but they are under constant threat of overexploitation. Such an area is called a biodiversity hotspot Example of biodiversity hotspots in India : eastern Himalayas, western Ghats. (more in separate articles)

Plant biodiversity and Green Revolution

o
But under the green revolution program, the government introduced HYV (high yielding variety) seeds. So, instead of 30,000 indigenous varieties of rice, now Indian farmers plant only 12 HYV rice varieties.= reduced biodiversity of rice.

Cites: convention on international trade in endangered animals and plant species.

o
The illegal smuggling of rare species, exotic pets (orangutan), ornamental plants (orchid, cactus) is estimated to be $8 billion per year, which is second only to the illegal weapons smuggling.

o o o

Cites convention restricts the trade of endangered plants and animals and also the trade of clothing, food, medicine, and souvenirs, produced out of these species. Cites is a step by worlds oldest global environmental organization IUCN = international union for conservation of nature and natural resources (iucn), hq: Switzerland. The same ICUN maintains the red list of threatened species.

What is Seabuckthorn?
o o o
Seabuckthorn (Leh berry) is a shrub It grows in the dry temperate and cold desert of the Himalayas. Found extensively in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttatrakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

What are the uses of Seabuckthron?

o o o o o
Has multi-purpose medicinal and nutritional properties, besides being useful for soil conservation and nitrogen fixation. Since this is the only plant that can grow in high altitude regions it can be easily used for water and soil conservation. Can aid in climate change mitigation and provide livelihoods support thereby reducing pressures on the ecosystem. Ideal plant for desertification control. Every part of the plant viz. Fruit, leaf, twig, root and thorn has been traditionally used as medicine, nutritional supplement, fuel and fence, and therefore, seabuckthorn is popularly known as Wonder Plant, Ladakh Gold, Golden Bush or Gold Mine.

1. 2. 3. 4.

What is National Seabuckthorn Initiative?

o o o o o
Indias National Action Plan on Climate Change It has a key Mission called Green India Mission Under this Green India Mission, there is a Sub-Mission on Cold Desert Ecosystems This Sub-Mission will include the National Seabuckthorn Initiative. In 2010, Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) and the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have jointly launched a major new national initiative for seabuckthorn cultivation in the high altitude, cold desert ecosystems of the country.

What will they do?

o
Under this initiative, Eco Task Force Battalions and Womens Self -help groups will be mobilised for plantation of seabuckthorn in remote areas.

Research and Development (R&D) for cultivation and commercial processing in collaboration with China, Russia, Pakistan, Germany etc nations where this plant is found.

CSAT 2012 Actual Question

Government of India encourages the cultivation of 'sea buckthorn'. What is the importance of this plant?

o o o o

It helps in controlling soil erosion and in preventing desertification. 2.It is a rich source of biodiesel. 3.It has nutritional value and is well-adapted to live in cold areas of high altitudes. 4.Its timber is of great commercial value.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct? (a)1 only (b)2, 3 and 4 only (c)1 and 3 only (d)1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation#1
o o o
It is a shrub and not a tree, so you cannot take timber (wood) of great commericial value out of it! So, Eliminate Options involving Statement #4. Both Statement #1 and Statement #3 are correct from above article. Therefore, Final answer (C)
Source: Press Note by Ministry of Environment and Forest.

Explanation#2
o o o
According to some websites, Seabuck has potential as biodiesel provider [although commercial extraction is yet to be started in India] According to some other websites,Local people use it as timber [although the phrase "great commercial value" is debatable] So All Statements are correct.
Final Answer: (D)

Verdict
Wait for UPSC to give official answerkey in RTI reply next year (2013)

[EnB] Biodiversity: In-situ and Ex-situ methods of Conservation, Difference between Wildlife sanctuary and National Park

What is biodiversity conservation?

First, what is biodiversity: number and variety of plants and animals. Whatever we do, to protect the number and variety of plants and animals= biodiversity conservation. There are two Methods of biodiversity conservation

1. In-Situ (natural home) 2.Ex-Situ (artificial home) Actual Question in CSAT 2011

(12.) Which one of the following is not a site for in-situ method of conservation of flora?

(a.)Biosphere Reserve (b.) Botanical Garden (c.) National Park (d.) Wildlife Sanctuary

In-situ biodiversity conservation (Natural Home)

In this case, you identify an area with high biodiversity (= this area has lot of number and variety of plants and animals) And then, you isolate and protect this area from human activities by establishing a natural park/sanctuary/biosphere reserve etc. Very essential for Big animals like elephants, rhinos, tigers: they require huge area.

Difference between a national park, wildlife Sanctuary, and a biosphere reserve

National Park No human activity or settlement allowed. Villagers cannot graze their animals, Extremely strict rules about jungle produce collection (Tendu leaves, Honey etc.)

Wildlife Sanctuary

People are not allowed to live (some exceptions though) but some human activities are allowed, such as grazing, firewood collection. Tourism is permitted. A Sanctuary can be upgraded as a National Park. However a National Park cannot be downgraded as a Sanctuary. People are allowed to live, own private land and carry on their traditional activities. (In the outer-zone)

Biosphere reserve

Ex-Situ biodiversity conservation (artificial home)

examples: seed banks, zoo, botanical gardens, aquariums

Seed Banks

They store seeds at extremely low temperature and humidity. Advantage: can save large variety of plant species in a very small space. Seed Banks : Problems

every seed has an expiry date, you cannot store it for an indefinite time. So every once in a while, you have to take out the seeds, germinate them and get new seeds and store them again. Multinational companies such as Monasoto have excellent infrastructure for these activities, but they care for storing the seeds of commercially viable species only. Ex. Wheat, maize, rice, potato, brinjal etc. for doing research and development on them, and create new hybrid varieties. They have no interest in protecting some unknown grass or fruit of jungle on the verge of extinction, this duty falls on the (inefficient) government agencies.

Zoos

You can bring some endangered species in zoo, try to breed them, and reintroduce their offsprings in the jungle. (done in case of pandas, orangutans etc.) CENTRAL ZOO AUTHORITY of India

Enforces minimum standards and norms for upkeep and health care of animals in Indian Zoos Restrains mushrooming of unplanned and ill-conceived Zoos that were cropping up as adjuncts to public parks, industrial complexes and waysides. Zoo Problems

Not all species can breed in captivity. Life expectancy of Caged Ex-situ animal is less compared to its in-situ cousin. Offsprings born in captivity, have problems in adjusting and surviving in jungles. Tiger cub born in zoo, feeding on readymade meat, living in a small area, cannot easily survive in a jungle. It doesnt know how to efficiently move in a jungle and hunt animals. Zoos require huge land, lot of funds, trained personnel. Zoos concentrate on protection and breeding of big and popular species such as Tiger, Panda, orangutans, etc. as it brings more public support and funds. But small and unknown species such as frogs and birds get neglected.

Decision Making question in CSAT Paper-II

(also for Case-study is Group discussions in MBA admission) You are the superintendent of Kankaria Zoo, Ahmedabad. Recently you have received funds from an international charity organisation to purchase animals. Your Subordinate staff has given you a suggestion
There is a sharp decline in number of zoo visitors, we hardly get any money from ticket sales and mostly relying on Government funds (just like AirIndia) so

Better purchase popular animals. Currently Panda and Tigress are hot favorite among kids after the movie Kung Fu Panda #2. Kids will beg their parents to visit our zoo every weekend, we will also sell stuffed toys and souvenirs of those animals for extra-income.

Verbal instruction from Environment Minister

Buy a pair of African Lions because it is our partys election symbol. In return Ill see to it that your zoo gets more fund allocations in next years budget.

Demand by Local Civil Society and NGO lobby

Buy certain small frogs, birds and snakes from Brazilian Rainforest, because theyre on verge of extinction, they cannot survive in the natural habitat given the tree-cutting and pollution and must be protected in an Ex-situ habitat. Theyll require less space and expenditure than typical big animal such as Lion or Panda.

What will be your decision as the zoo superintendent?

1. Buy Kung Fu Panda and Tigress , to bring more of visitors and earn more ticket revenue. 2. African Lion, the election symbol of ruling party to get more funds in next budget. 3. Those Small frogs, birds and snakes, on the verge of Extinction. 4. No purchase, return the money back to that Charity org. Interval WFST:

Which of the following is true about Indian and African Elephants

A. For African Elephants: Only males have tusks but females dont. B. For Indian Elephants: Only females have tusks but males dont.

Continuing the discussion further, another ex-situ method

Botanical Gardens (Ex-situ)

for example, BOTANIC GARDEN OF THE INDIAN REPUBLIC (BGIR), NOIDA has been set up to facilitate ex situ conservation

and propagation of rare and threatened indigenous plants of the country Problem: area and funds : They do not get as much media attention, public support and charity like the zoos. WFST: which of the following statements are true?

1. Ex-situ is the most convenient and effective method for saving big animals. 2. Central Zoo authority looks after the matters related to prevention of cruelty to animals. 3. Human activities are allowed in National parks but not in wild-life sanctuaries. 4. India has more National parks compared to Wild-life sanctuaries. 5. Wild Ass is only found in Ranthambhor, Rajasthan. 6. Bactrian camel (Two Humped Camel) is a native to Central America. 7. Aquarium is an example of In-situ method of biodiversity conservation.

[Biodiversity] National Aqatic Animal

Aug 17th, 2012 @ 05:30 pm Skip to comments

This is shared by Varoon Bakshi.

o o o o o
The River Dolphin is found in the River Ganges. In 2009, The Ganga River Dolphin was declared the National Aquatic Animal of India by the National Ganga River Basin Authority which is chaired by the Prime Minister. The Ganga River Dolphin is basically found in the Ganga and Brahmaputra river systems. Around 1500-2000 River Dolphins are found in the aforementioned two river systems. The scientific name of the Ganga River Dolphin is Platanista Gangetica.

Problems faced by River Dolphins

o o o o
The habitats of the Ganga River Dolphins are shrinking as smaller rivers are drying up and bigger rivers do not have uninterrupted flow of water in various parts. Thus the Ganga River Dolphins are perhaps one of the few creatures which face extinction due to the destruction of their habitat instead of being hunted or poached. Although, these river dolphins are hunted for their oil and sometimes they get stuck in the nets of the fishermen and die. By declaring the Ganga River Dolphin as the National Aquatic Animal of India there will be some focus on the plight of these animals.

[Environment] Landslides in Himalayas: Reasons, Solutions

Aug 25th, 2012 @ 06:06 am Skip to comments

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Three main geological divisions of India. Classification of Himalayas Hazards in the Himalayan Eco-System Regions and disasters Landslides: Reasons Landslides: Damage Suggestions to fix problem

Three main geological divisions of India.

1. 2. 3. Himalayas, also known as the Extra-Peninsula Indo-Gangetic Plains Peninsula

Classification of Himalayas
Method #1
o
1. 2. 3. 4. Himalayas are classified, from west to east, into four regions: Punjab Himalaya area between Indus and Sutlej rivers. Kumaon Himalaya area between Sutlej and Kali rivers Nepal Himalaya- area between Kali and Tista rivers. Assam Himalaya- area between Tista and Brahamputra rivers.

Method#2

o o

three regions: the Western, Central and Eastern Himalaya Nepal Himalaya constitutes the Central Himalaya and the mountainous area to its west and east are known as Western and Eastern Himalaya respectively

Hazards in the Himalayan Eco-System

o
All major types of disasters, prominently

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

earthquakes, landslides, avalanches, flash floods forest fires soil erosion

Regions and disasters

Altitude Type of disaster Over 3500m snow avalanches and glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) 500 to 3500 m flash floods; landslides and mudflows

Landslides: Reasons
1. 2. 3. 4. indiscriminate chopping down of trees. slash and burn cultivation technique called JHUM, Road construction and mining. Every increasing population, grazing, urbanization etc. has destroyed the dense natural evergreen forest cover.

Such activities have disrupted the ecological balance, thereby resulting in loosening of the soil. During the heavy rain, this leads to soil erosion and frequent landslides

Landslides: Damage
o o o o o o o
Every year, landslides in the region kill dozens of people and cause widespread damage to several villages such that they have now become almost unfit for habitation. They create blockades in the road network and river system, which in turn, cause floods. The terraced farm fields have been destroyed that cannot be easily renovated or made productive again. The road network remains closed for long periods causing indescribable hardship to the villagers who get their basic supplies and provisions from the neighbouring areas. Water source is also disrupted due to landslides as they are breached from several places and are choked by the debris. The sediment load of rivers has also increased considerably, causing problems like irregular courses and frequent breaching of the banks, which create uncertainty regarding the river course and unexpected floods. The water channels are affected from the up hillside due to which the villagers are devoid of water for irrigation purposes. This adversely affects agriculture production in the region.

Suggestions to fix problem

1. 2. 3. 4. Excess water should be stored in the catchments areas, which will reduce the fury of flash floods, recharge the ground water and improve the environment. Runoff collection ponds in the catchments, though they might get silted up in a few years, will be more useful than the measures in the lower reaches. To prevent rapid siltation of tanks, the contributing catchments (even if they are not cultivated but used for grazing or forestry purposes) need to be well managed so that soil erosion is prevented. All common lands should be put under fuel/fodder trees.

5. 6. 7. 8.

Planting of barren areas, especially on slopes, with grass cover is an important component of integrated watershed management programme. Grazing should be completely restricted. After the area is completely protected from grazing, better grasses can be planted. The grasses of industrial importance should also be planted so that there is some economic return to the farmers as well. The surface vegetative cover will not only protect the land from the beating action of rain drops and bind the soil particles but would also decrease the velocity of flowing water and cause less of soil erosion .

[EnB] Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)

Guest article by Mr.Manikandan, For Environment and Biodiversity topic in CSAT GS paper. (Preliminary exam) 1. What is GIAHS? 2. What is FAO? 3. What are the objectives of GIAHS? 4. Why is it done? 5. How is a GIAHS site chosen? 6. GIAHS Sites in India: 7. Koraput, Odisha State 8. Kashmir Valley, Pampore region 9. Kuttanad 10. What will GIAHS do in Indian Sites? 11. Other Potential sites: 12. Ladakh: 13. Raikas: 14. Korangadu: 15. Catamaran Fishing, Tamilnadu: 16. Soppina bettas systems, Western Ghats:

What is GIAHS?

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) Purpose of GIAHS is to create public awareness, safeguard world agricultural heritage sites. It was started in 2002 by FAO (Food and agricultural organization).

What is FAO?

FAO an intergovernmental organization, headquartered at Rome with 191 member nations. Aims at helping world population get ensured food security, eliminate hunger, poverty.

What are the objectives of GIAHS?

To understand and appreciate the nature friendly agricultural practices of local and tribal populations around the world. To document indigenous knowledge. To conserve and promote these knowledge at global scale to promote food security, sustainable development. Providing incentives for local population by measures like ecolabeling, eco-tourism.

Why is it done?

Globalization, increasing population pressure, environment degradation putting food production under stress. Loss of Biodiversity, loss of livelihood and economic returns for marginalized and poor- major impacts. To overcome all these, combat climate change, move towards MDGs, eradicate poverty this initiative undertaken.

How is a GIAHS site chosen?

The provision of local food security High levels of agricultural biodiversity and associated biological diversity, Store of indigenous knowledge and Ingenuity of management systems.

-A site with all the above characteristics, if under stress or threat of degradation is chosen. Various sites across the world from china, srilanka, argentina, peru etc. have been recognized under GIAHs. Now our focus: two sites recognized in India and 6 more recognized as potential sites:

GIAHS Sites in India: Koraput, Odisha State

This region has rich biodiversity, growing several varieties of paddy, millets, pulses, oilseeds, vegetables. Region primarily a tribal district inhabited by khonds, bonda tribes practicing poddhu (shifting) cultivation. Shifting cultivation loss of forest cover = hurting the biodiversity. Soil erosion, Soil degradation, habitat loss. Illiteracy, large family, small farm holding size. The socio-economic indicators are very poor here nearly 84% living in abject poverty.

Kashmir Valley, Pampore region

Saffron Heritage Site of Kashmir in India

Grains such as maize, rice, rajmah/lentils, fruit and vegetable crops and pulses. A set of unique low-tillage traditional agricultural practices are carried During the fallow period, growth of fruit, fodder and mulberry trees along the farm boundaries (Agro-forestry) is practiced, thereby maintaining traditional agro-biodiversity. Problems

1. Loss of productivity due to the lack of agricultural management practices 2. Climate change vulnerabilities, water scarcity and weather vagaries 3. Efforts from the younger generation to appreciate and conserve heritage systems absent.

Kuttanad:

Kuttanad is a delta region of about 900 sq. km situated in the west coast of Kerala State, India. Unique feature: Below sea level rice cultivation site, only such system in India.

Farmers of Kuttanad have developed and mastered the spectacular technique of below sea level cultivation over 150 year ago. They made this system unique as it contributes remarkably well to the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services including several livelihood services for local communities.

What will GIAHS do in Indian Sites?

Contribute to awareness-raising promote use of modern technologies to conserve the heritage systems. Documenting the traditional knowledge. Provide capacity building training for farmers to increase productivity and marketing practices. Modernization, commercialization strategies establishing standards, eco labeling. Establishing sustainable practices amongst the tribals utilizing their knowledge, modern technologies.

Other Potential sites: Ladakh:

Ladakh is located on the high Tibetan plateau between India and the Himalayan Mountains to the south, China and the Karakoram Mountains to the north, and Indian Kashmir to the west. Four types of land are cultivated: Zhing (cultivated land), Zhing Zhang (well fertilized land), Rizhing (stony land), Thang Zhing (pasture land). Apricots, apples and walnuts are cultivated in deep valleys. Organic composting is said to be an indigenous technique here Western cultural intrusion, urban consumerism are said to be threatening factors. Promoting its uniqueness especially amidst harsh terrains is essential.

Raikas:

The Raikas are a pastoral caste Camel herding is their heritage. They live in groups of 4-20 families on the outskirts of villages and combine crop production during the summer rains with pastoralism during the autumn-spring dry season. The Raikas face several threats: Camel herding is no longer profitable, Droughts, Decrease in common pasture lands, disease and fodder scarcity, privatization of land Government support, help to withstand climate change, drought conditions need to be provided to preserve this heritage group.

Korangadu:

The Korangadu silvo-pastoral system exists in the semiarid tract of the Erode, Coimbatore, Karur, Dindigul districts of Tamil Nadu. Innovative fencing mechanism of land by live mullukiluvai (Commiphora berryi), a thorny drought resistant shrub. No fertilizer or nutrients, use of natural animal droppings, use of Phaseolus trilobus, a crop which provides a very nutritious feed. The leaves and pods of Albizia amara serve as a natural hair conditioner. Now monocropping, horticulture, tube wells haunt the natural heritage of this area. Deficient monsoon, water scarcity have also changed the cultivation patterns. The Korangadu pastureland shows people how to live with nature, while conserving it , utilizing it and this needs to be preserved, propagated.

Catamaran Fishing, Tamilnadu:

Catamaran- Two words in Tamil: Kattu-to tie, Maram- Tree; The Bay of Bengal waters source of unique resources, marine biodiversity. People of coastal tamilnadu have shown a sustainable way of exploiting the marine resources which is very important as India is the worlds fourth largest fishing nation. Modern fishing problems: pollution, stress over exploitation. Also problems of mechanization in this area and 2004 Tsunami effects still threatening the livelihoods of these people.

It thus represents a set of Agricultural Biodiversity of Global Significance (ABGS), associated knowledge systems and cultural practices which are endangered and needs international recognition.

Soppina bettas systems, Western Ghats:

Western Ghats of Karnataka- 16 varieties of rice grown Compost made from foliage and leaf litter (Soppina Bettas) used as fertilizer-local innovation. Soppina Bettas provide manure, botanical pesticides, fuel wood, fodder, medicine and timber to the communities. The existence of this unique self-sustaining system is threatened due to over exploitation, conversion of land and lack of awareness.

Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Trading, Copenhagen Accord: Meaning, Explained

What is Rio Summit/ Earth Summit ? What is the UNFCCC? What is Conference of the Parties (COP)? What is Kyoto Protocol? What is common but differentiated responsibilities? Annex Kyoto protocol: How does it actually work? 1. #1 Emissions Trading / Carbon Trading 2. #2 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) 3. #3 Joint Implementation (JI) 8. Why USA did not ratify Kyoto Protocol? 9. Canada Quits Kyoto protocol 10. What is the Copenhagen Accord? 11. Important Players in climate change 1. United States 2. BASIC Countries 3. European Union (EU) 4. Alliance of Small Island State (AOSIS)

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

What is Rio Summit/ Earth Summit ?

It was a United nations summit, held in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) in 1992. It led to creation of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

What is the UNFCCC?

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Created because of the Rio Summit/ Earth Summit of 1992. It is an international treaty for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Nearly every country on Earth is a party to the UNFCCC.

What is Conference of the Parties (COP)?

The nations, whove signed UNFCCC convention, meet every year to discuss climate change strategy. These meetings are called Conference of the Parties (COP) The first COP (COP 1) was held in Berlin. Third COP (COP 3) held in Kyoto, Japan. It was here the famous Kyoto Protocol came in to existence. 2011: COP held in Durban, S.Africa. 2012: COP will be held in Doha, Qatar in November 2012 (so it becomes important topic for next prelims!)

What is Kyoto Protocol?

1997: third meeting of UNFCC nation (also known as Conference of Parties/COP3), In this meeting Kyoto Protocol was created. Kyoto protocol wants the Industrialised nations to reduce their green house gas emission by around 5.2% by 2012. (measured against 1990 levels) Before dwelling much into Kyoto, some important terms.

What is common but differentiated responsibilities?

The developed countries such as US,UK have already polluted the atmosphere with greenhouse gases (GHGs) through

industrialization. So theyre the one who created/started global warming and all the mess. While Developing countries (India and Brazil) have started polluting the world only recently. Therefore, the developing countries such as India, Brazil should share less of the burden of lowering overall emissions. And Developed countries (US,UK) should bear more responsibility in fixing this global warming mess etc. because theyre the one more responsible for it. So, while it is the Common responsibility of every nation of this world, to reduce Green house gas emission, but there should be some difference between the responsibility given to developed countries and developing countries. Kyoto Protocol follows that principle and assigns separate responsibilities to the countries.

Annex
Annex means some elaboration/detail given at the end of a book/treaty.
Annex What?

Annex I

List of industrialized countries and economies in transition: US, France, Japan etc. These countries had pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000. A sub-group of Annex 1 Countries, these Annex II countries are required to give financial assistance and technology to the developing countries (nonAnnex countries). Developing countries like India, Brazil, China. They donot have compulsory binding targets to reduce green house gas emission, although they are encouraged to do it.

Annex II

Non Annex

It gives the list of 6 Green House gases that are responsible for the whole problem Annex A 1. Carbon dioxide (CO2); 2. Methane (CH4); 3. Nitrous oxide (N2O);

4. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); 5. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and 6. Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6)

Annex B

This gives the Annex I countries (Developed countries) compulsory binding targets to reduce green house gas emission. For example USA is required to cut down its emission by 7%

Back to Kyoto Protocol

Ok, so far we learned that In Earth Summit, Rio De Janero, Brazil, they formed a treaty called UNFCCC The UNFCCC gangsters meets every year, there is item song, gun-firing, consumption of desi-liquor and deliberations on how to fix the global warming problem and these meetings are called Conference of Parties COP. In third such COP meeting @Kyoto, Japan, they come up with an idea under which o Developed nations like US, will compulsorily reduce their green house gas (GHG) emission by 2012. o Developing nations like India, should reduce GHG emission but not compulsory. Although various countries signed Kyoto Protocol in 1997, it did not came into force immediately. Kyoto protocol came into force only after required number of Annex 1 Countries ratified it. So this was achieved only in 2005. Thus, Kyoto although signed in 1997, came into force in 2005.

Kyoto protocol: How does it actually work?

Suppose Abdul, Bhide and Champak (ABC) goto a Gujarati dining hall. This hall serves only fixed dish i.e. 1 sabji, 4 roti,dal and rice. And each dish costs Rs.50. If you want more roti then youll have to pay extra 5 rupees per roti. Now Champak is an old man so he cannot eat all the 4 rotis served in his plate. He eats only two rotis.

On the other hand, Abdul and Bhide are quite hungry, so they want more, they take 1-1 roti each from Champaks plate and agree to pay 5-5 rupees to him. Another example: You know how broadband internet billing works= there are plans for example 2GB plan for Rs.500 That means as long as you download music, movies etc. worth less than or equal to 2GB then youll get bill of Rs.500 but if you download more files above 2GB quota, then company will charge you Rs.1 per MB of extra download. Similarly, Under Kyoto Protocol, each Annex-B country is given emission target quota (Kyoto Units). For example, for the year 2009, Australias allowed quota was 2,957,579,143 Kyoto units. (each unit is equivalent to 1 ton of carbon dioxide) Now, as long as Australia emits that much green house gas= no problem. So first of all, Australian Government should do all steps to make sure it doesnt cross that quota for example o Making compulsory anti-pollution laws: for example a Tire making company with daily output of 200 tires must not emit more than 200 tonnes of green house gas per year. o Promoting solar energy, reducing tax on solar cells, wind mill equipments etc. o If a family buys second car then it will have to pay higher tax (just like Chinas one child policy but with cars!) o if a kid is found bunking his college lecture and loitering on his motorbike then hell be fined for polluting the environment. But even after all these measures, if Australia wants to emit more green house gas, then it will have to buy additional quota or units from another country. Kyoto Protocol allows three mechanisms to do so

#1 Emissions Trading / Carbon Trading

Suppose two Annex B parties are Japan and Australia. Japan was given quota of 100 units And Australia was given quota of 200 units. But Austrialian Government is unable to maintain this limit and Australia emits 210 units of green house gas, in given year.

On the other side, Japanese Government takes very strong steps to control emission and hence they only emit 90 units of Green House gas. So it has spare 10 Kyoto Units. Now, under Emission trading system, Australia can buy this 10 spare kyoto units from Japan and thus remain within its limit. In real life scenario, each annex B country makes law giving fixed quota to the companies. o Suppose steel factory cannot emit more than 1 ton of Green house gas o Tire company cannot emit more than 2 tonnes of green house gas. o So if tire company owner buys superfine machinaries that produce less gas so he has some spare credit/quota (say 1 ton) o While Steel factory emits more than its allowed quota (suppose it was allowed 2 tonnes but emitted 3 tonnes) o Then the steel company can pay the tire company and get a certificate that weve purchase 1 ton quota from this xyz tire company. This Is the essence of Carbon Trading. Here are some charts to understand it better. But the text in below image is hard to read (because the original images were in low quality). Solution =just hold down Ctrl Key on your keyboard and move your mouse-wheel upwards and itll zoom the image.

#2 Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)

Suppose Annex B country Australia is given emission quota of 200 units, but it emits 210 units of green house gas. But Australia can finance a solar power project in some village of India (Non-Annex or developing Country) and get certificate that the solar plant led to reduction of 10 units of green house gas. In this way, Australia will remain in its quota/limit.

Similarly, suppose Australian Government has passed a law that a steel production company with output of 200 tonnes of steel per a day, must not emit more than 10 units of green house gas in a year. o But this company wants to produce more steel, then its green house gas emission has increased to 11 units. (1 more unit above the quota) o So this company can also do some solar-projects in India, Brazil etc. and get a certificate that it has led to reduction of 1 unit of GHG emission. = problem solved.

#3 Joint Implementation (JI)

This is identical to CDM. In CDM, Australia can do good project in a non-Annex country (developing country) e.g. India. In Joint Implementation, Australia can do the good project in another Annex B country e.g. Japan to meet the quota.

Why USA did not ratify Kyoto Protocol?

US President George W Bush refused to ratify Kyoto protocol saying that it would gravely damage the US economy. for example a US steel company would need to either buy Carbon Credits from another company or invest in some projects in a developing country), while an Indian or Chinese Steel company has no such obligation so their cost of production = low, hence they can sell their products @lower MRP = US steel company will loose customers. So US Government feels is that the treaty is fatally flawed, because it does not require developing countries (especially India and China) to commit to emissions reductions. After President Bush, President Obama too, didnt ratify Kyoto protocol for the same reason. (plus we should also understand that the powerful US industrialist lobby may stop election funds to a candidate, if he is in favor of Kyoto protocol, so USA is unlikely to ratify Kyoto or any such future protocols that are legally binding!)

Canada Quits Kyoto protocol

In 2011, Canada, become the first country to quit the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, saying the 1997 accord was handicapped because top green house emitters like the United States and China not covered by it. (Because USA has refused to ratify the treaty and China being an Annex II country has no compulsory responsibility to cut down emission.)

What is the Copenhagen Accord?

Recall that UNFCCC countries meet every year and it is called Conference of Parties (COP). 15th such meeting was held @Copenhagen, Denmark = COP15 In the meeting, the BASIC blocBrazil, South Africa, India and Chinaand the U.S., came up with a political agreement. This agreement is known as the Copenhagen Accord. It says all countries should pledge to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emission but all of the pledges made under the Copenhagen Accord are voluntary; There are no binding obligations placed on these pledges by the UNFCCC or any other international body. UNFCCC acknowledged the Copenhagen Accord and has assisted in collecting the GHG reduction pledges of various countries. Copenhagen Accord also lays the groundwork for financial commitments from developed countries (US,UK) to developing countries (India,Brazil etc) for climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

Important Players in climate change

The First commitment period of Kyoto will end in 2012. Thats why, the next meeting (COP18, Doha, Qatar in Nov2012) becomes very critical. So nowadays UNECC nations are trying to form factions (small gangs) to discuss what should be their stand in that meeting? o either extend commitments under Kyoto or o create a successor of Kyoto Protocol: a post-2012 international climate treaty.

United States

China is the world leader in total annual Green House Gas emissions U.S. is second. EU is third. United States is the only Annex I country that has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol. In line with the Copenhagen Accord, the U.S. has pledged a 17% reduction in GHG emissions, against a 2005 baseline, by 2020. (but this is not legally binding). As we saw earlier, US is not in favour of any legally binding commitments. Besides, Obama has to face election in November.

BASIC Countries

Brazil, South Africa, India and China, this group includes the worlds major emerging economies and some of its largest emitters together, the group accounts for around 30% of global GHG emissions. BASIC countries, along with the US, were the authors of the Copenhagen Accord and will continue to be some of the most influential players in the negotiations. All of the BASIC countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. But theyre not under any binding obligation to meet a specified target. (because these countries are not part of Annex B countries of Kyoto Protocol). Under the Copenhagen Accord, China and India have pledged to reduce their carbon intensitythe amount of GHG emissions per unit GDPby 40-45% and 20-25%, respectively, against 2005 levels by 2020. (again not legally binding). BASIC countries recently met in Brazil in September 2012, and declared their intentions (what they want in COP meeting @Doha, Qatar in Nov.2012): 1. rich countries should take on more of a burden to reduce emissions because of their historical contribution to global warming. 2. new agreement should respect the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities,

3. new Kyoto commitment period should start on January 1, 2013

European Union (EU)

EU is a Party to both the Convention and the Kyoto Protocol. EU is the 3rd largest GHG polluter, accounting for about 12% of global emissions EU states have ratified Kyoto.

Alliance of Small Island State (AOSIS)

Not really a player, these are the future victims if green house gas emission is not reduced. AOSIS is an team of 43 small island and low-lying coastal countries (Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba etc.) More green house gas = rise in global temperature = ice melts= sea level rise =many of these areas to become uninhabitable.

[Science] IPCC- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Meaning and functions

Oct 2nd, 2012 @ 05:34 pm Skip to comments

Guest article by Mr.Arpan Gupta

1. 2. 3. 4. What is IPCC? The Structure of IPCC IPCC reports: how are they prepared? Why important?

What is IPCC?
o o o o o o o
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change H.Q in Geneva The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change. It was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in 1988. To have a clear view on the present scenario of Climate change and its future impact on Enviornment, Livelihood, Economics. It does not conduct any research nor does it monitor climate related data or parameters. It merely assesses the most recent scientific, technical and socio-economic information produced worldwide relevant to the understanding of climate change. Thousand of scientists contribute to provide info voluntarily.

It is open to all member countries of the United Nations (UN) and WMO. Currently 195 countries are members of the IPCC.

The Structure of IPCC

Each group assess the report in their respective proficiency and then a succinct conclusion can be configured out.

IPCC reports: how are they prepared?

Check this flow-chart

timeline of reports

Assessment Reports Year of Publication first Second Third Fourth 1990 1995 2001 2007

Why important?
The fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC) said that most of the warming that has taken place since the middle of the last century is very likely the result of increase in the concentration of human-induced greenhouse gases. A hot topic. Fodder material can be mug up through the Yojana Disaster Management in India, comprising

o o o o o o

Harnessing technology to employ systems which can efficiently predict monsoon, Early Warning System and bla.. bla. Formulating a National Action Plan. Implementation and regular assessment Ascertaining the post disaster effects which are generally not counted in monetary terms as well as social terms. Encourage the people to emit less and to plant more and all that. Formulating the new policies like Carbon Trading, whose target is to ultimately bring down the concentration of GHG irrespective of the nations.

Mrunal
Menu

Search

[Environment] SC Ban on Tiger Tourism, Core and Buffer Areas, Project Tiger, NTCA Guidelines explained
Oct 17th, 2012 @ 02:28 pm Skip to comments

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

What is core zones and Buffer Zone? What is Project Tiger? What is NTCA? Why is Tiger population threatened? Concept of Umbrella Species: Why do we need to protect Tiger? International Cooperation Timeline of Events July 2012: SC bans tourism Pro-Tourism Arguments Misleading information by Media Employment Tourism actually helps the tigers Ban on Tourism hurts the tigers Anti-Tourism Arguments Sept-Oct 2012: NTCA frames guidelines October 2012: UPSC asks the question October 2012: SC Lifts the Ban Conclusion Roleplaying question for interview. Cheetah Appendix 1: List of 41 tiger reserves in India Appendix 2: Maps of Tiger Reserves in India

Before discussing Supreme Courts ban on Tiger Tourism, Let us go through some basics.

What is core zones and Buffer Zone?

o o o o

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the state governments have to notify the list of core and buffer areas of tiger reserves in their territory. Core zone (critical tiger habitats): This is where tigers usually rest, reside, feed and breed. Therefore, Government should prevent any disturbance in such areas, including tourism. Buffer zone = areas that lie in the periphery of the core zone. Buffer zones constitute the fringe areas (=The outside boundary or surface of something) of tiger reserves up to 10 kms. Following map should clear the concept:

Core Zone and Buffer Zone (Click to Enlarge)

What is Project Tiger?

o o o o o o o
A 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme, by Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) It was launched in 1973, in nine reserves of different States (Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal) Right now it covers total 41 tiger reserves in 17 states. It is a program for in-situ conservation of Tigers. (what is the difference between in -situ vs ex-situ? Whatre the pros and cons of each method? Weve already seen it in an old article - click ME) In crude words, It provides for staff, equipment, and infrastructure in tiger reserves. Provides for money, in case a man or cattle is killed by wild animals, crop is lost, rehabilitation of villages etc.

What is NTCA?
o o o
National Tiger Conservation Authority It is a provided in the Wildlife Protection Act (Ameneded in 2006). Therefore NTCA is a statutory body. The Minister of Environment and Forest, is the chairman of this NTCA. (Jayanthi Natarajan right now).

o o

It coordinates, implements and monitors Project Tiger. It prepares annual reports, which are laid down in the parliament.

Why is Tiger population threatened?

o o o o o o o
Deforestation because of Human pressure: farming, mining, illegal felling of trees. Grazing of domestic animals Because of Deforestation, the size of tiger-prey (Deer, sambar etc.) has declined. Hence tigers have to come outside the protected areas to hunt for animals, including domestic cattle. This leads to mananimal conflict, tiger deaths in road accidents, and provides ample opportunities to poachers. Tiger breeding/ reproduction is reduced/disturbed due to highways, noise pollution, tourism etc. Tiger is a territorial animal, which advertises its presence in an area through urine marking and maintains a territory. Therefore, to support a population of 80-100 tigers, youd need a protected area of atleast 1000 sqkm - totally undisturbed. Otherwise the male tigers would fight, maim and kill eachother and the weaker ones would be forced to hunt in surrounding villages- leading to man-animal conflicts. But because of the highways, villages, farming activities, the Habitats are getting fragmented. Habitat Fragmentation = bad for tigers. They cannot move, hunt or breed freely in small and fragmented habitats. Insurgency in North East and naxals in Central India= Forest dept. cannot efficiently work and protect tigers.

o o

Concept of Umbrella Species: Why do we need to protect Tiger?

1. 2. 3. 4. Tiger is an umbrella species. It resides at the top of the jungle food chain . A healthy tiger population indicates that the other ecological components in its habitat are equally robust, since tigers need large amount of prey and good habitat. If the Umbrella species is protected, it will also ensure viable populations of other wild animals (co predators like Leopords and prey like dears) and the habitat (trees, shrubs, water). Thus, when youre protecting the tiger, youre indirectly protecting the whole jungle and all the species that live in it.

International Cooperation
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. India has a bilateral understanding with Nepal on controlling trans -boundary illegal trade in wildlife and conservation, India has signed a protocol on tiger conservation with China India has signed a protocol has with Bangladesh for conservation of tigers in Sunderban region. India has Constituted a group on tiger and leopard conservation with Russia. India is a party to Convention on Inter national Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Unlike China, India doesnt support captive breeding of tigers (breeding tigers on a commercial scale, to sell their hides and bones later, just like a poultry farm). India made an appealing to China to phase out tiger farming and eliminate stockpiles of Atiger body parts and derivatives.

Now coming to the topic of SC Ban on Tiger Tourism

Timeline of Events July 2012: SC bans tourism

One Mr.Ajay Dubey (NGO named Prayatna) filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in Supreme court. He argued that
1. 2. Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 implies that tourism to all core tiger habitats in India should be banned. But yet, Several state Governments have allowed the construction of hotels, resorts and shops inside the core areas of tiger reserves.

So, Supreme court looked into the matter and imposed a temporary ban on all tourism in the core areas of tiger reserves.

Pro-Tourism Arguments Misleading information by Media

o o o o
Consider this- Supreme Court has only banned tourism activity in the CORE zone and not in the buffer zone. Yet the media covered the whole news in such a sensationalized manner that potential tourists thought SC has completely banned tourism in tiger reserves. Hence they cancelled their trips. The truth is, the tourism was still permitted in buffer zones and many a times, tourists can get a glimpse of tigers and other wildlife, while touring in the buffer zones. For example, in Uttarakhands Jim Corbett National Park and Assams Kaziranga Wildlife Reserve, nobody is allowed to go into 95% of the core area. So even before the SC ban, for all these years, tourists were seeing the buffer area only.

Employment
1. 2. 3. Tiger tourism is an 18 million dollar$ industry. In Madhya Pradesh Alone, more than 20,000 people earn their livelihood through tiger-tourism activities related activities. There are entire towns that rely on tourism. Ranthambhore [a National Park in Jaipur] alone gets 2 lakh tourists per year and provides employment to almost 4,000 local people directly (from hotel managers, travel guide, waiters, cooks etc) and perhaps 10 times that amount indirectly (rickshaw drivers, fruit-vegetable-milk suppliers etc.) Tourist season is October to March. And generally they get huge bookings during Diwali Season. But if tourism activities are banned then all those potential customers might prefer to go vacation elsewhere. Thus severely affecting the livelihood of so many people.

4.

Tourism actually helps the tigers

1. 2. 3. Presence of tourists provides extra eyes and ears to the Forest Department. It helps protect the animals by deterring poachers and loggers, It does not affect the animals willingness to hunt or breed.

4.

5.

Seventeen tiger reserves have few or no tigers left in them. No tourism has ever been allowed in or near these reserves. Instead, loggers arrived, thinned the jungle then tigers were forced to hunt outside core areas and poachers got easy opportunities to kill them. Poachers are the largest threat to tigers, not tourism. And the solution thus, is improvement in law enforcement rather than a ban on tourism.

Ban on Tourism hurts the tigers

1. 2. The complete ban on tourism = ban would result in loss of livelihood (income) to local populations (Who work as tourist guides, supply vegetables etc to the hotels etc.) And then they would be forced to be more dependent on forest for their livelihood e.g. cutting trees, selling jungle produce illegally, may be hunting and poaching. so overall, this ban will damage the jungles and wildlife.

Anti-Tourism Arguments
1. 2. 3. The tour operators run wildlife safaris day and night. All the vehicle movement, honking, shouting, camera flashes disturb the tigers. Construction of hotels, shops etc = deforestation. The garbage created by tourists, hotels = not good.

Sept-Oct 2012: NTCA frames guidelines

Recap: SC had banned tourism in core areas of tiger reserves. So, if Government wanted to get this ban lifted, itd need to convince the supreme court that we are doing everything to protect the tigers and make sure tourism doesnt hurt the tigers. Union Government >> Ministry of Environment and Forest >> National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). This NTCA framed new guideline for State Governments regarding the Tiger Tourism. Here are the salient guidelines / main recommendations:
1. 2. Allow tourist activities, only up to 20 percent of the core/critical tiger habitat. Instead of the conventional wildlife tourism, promote a new type of tourism (ecotourism) that conserves the environment, educates the tourists about tiger conservation and improves the well-being of the local people. 3. Make sure that no new tourism infrastructure (resorts, hotels, shops etc) is created in the core areas of tiger reserves. 4. If there are already any permanent tourist infrastructure (resort,hotels etc) inside the core areas, then theyll be removed in phased manner. The procedure will be regulated by a Local Advisory Committee. This Local Advisory Committee will comprise of divisional commissioner, local MLA and district collector. 5. Charge a conservation fee ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 3000 from the tourism -depending upon the number of beds in a particular resort. And use this money for the benefit of local community.(education, health, etc) 6. Visitors be kept at least 20 meters from all forms of wildlife and nobody will be allowed to lure or feed any wildlife creatures. 7. each tiger reserve should calculate the maximum number of visitors and vehicles that can be permitted on any given day considering their potential to disturb wildlife. E.g. At Kanha, the limit will be 25 vehicles in forenoon and 15 in afternoon 8. Use of battery operated vehicles, instead of diesel or petrol operated vehicles, to reduce noise pollution. 9. 10 per cent of the revenue generated from pilgrim centres located in tiger reserves, should be spent for to develop local communities via Gram Sabha. 10. All tour guides and drivers shall compulsorily go through a short course in rules and regulations of tiger-reserves, followed by an oral examination. Only after passing the exam, theyll be allowed to conduct tours. 11. All certified guides and drivers shall wear special uniforms with name tags and badges.

12. 13. 14. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Prior to every tourist season, certified guides and drivers shall go through a refresher course or workshop. The use of wood as fuel shall be prohibited, except for campfires All tourist facilities, old and new- must be environment friendly. Have low height Shall aim to generate at least 50 % of their total energy and fuel requirements from alternate energy sources (solar and biogas) Waste recycling, water management, Natural cross-ventilation (to reduce the need for AC), No use of asbestos, Discharge of only treated sewage, No air pollution, Minimal outdoor lighting outside the building They should merging with the surrounding landscape, via right combination of wall colors and aesthetic architecture.

Now, Union Government filed an affidavit in the Supreme court and said Please see this list of guidelines framed by NTCA. Well make sure that tourism doesnt harm the tigers. Now please lift the ban.

October 2012: UPSC asks the question

UPSC Conducts Civil Service (Mains) General Studies Exam, and asks following question. Q. The issue of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve forests in the country is a subject matter of debate. Critically examine various aspects of this issue, keeping in view relevant recent judicial pronouncements. (250 words, 25 marks)

October 2012: SC Lifts the Ban

o o
Supreme Court considers the plea of Government and passes judgment: ok well very, since youve framed the new guidelines, We lift the ban. but from now onwards, all the tourism activities must be regulated in very strict manner. And We also direct the state governments to prepare their tiger conservation plan within in six months and submit it to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for approval.

Conclusion
o o o
In last century, there were more than 40,000 tigers in India, now barely 1700 left. Tiger protection is not the job of Forest Department alone. It requires coordination between and stakeholders, including the departments forestry, agriculture, social welfare, tourism, fisheries, tea -coffee estates, road and rail transport, mining, thermal power plants, irrigation projects, temples, tour operators, tourists, Gram Sabha, local villagers. Unless each and every one of them is sensitized about the issue, tiger may not survive to see the next century.

Roleplaying question for interview.

Suppose youre the administrator of a tiger reserve. Give us a list of essential men and material requirements to run the organization.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Police/forest guards/ex- army personnel, with wireless handsets, weapons, ammunition, and handcuffs for apprehending offenders. Compass, range finder, Global Positioning System (GPS), camera traps, radio collars, binoculars and night vision goggles., to petrol the jungle and keep an eye on tigers. Kerosene, tent, medicine, field kit, mosquito net, torch etc. Vehicles (Gypsy, Jeep, Truck, Tractor, boats) to ferry the men and injured animals. elephants (for patrolling in core areas- because jeeps would disturb the tigers) Money to Rewards the informers about poaching and tree cutting. Tranquilizer guns, cages in case there is need to capture a man eater tiger/leopard or in case they attack on nearby villages. A 24/7 Veterinary doctor to deal with injured animals. Residential accommodation for the family and children of frontline staff (forest guards, doctors etc. in nearby towns or villages)

Cheetah
A side note for for GK
o o
Ministry of Environment and Forests has decided to take up reint roduction of cheetah in the States of Rajasthan (Shahgarh area) and Madhya Pradesh (Kuno- Palpur and Noradehi Wildlife Sanctuaries). The said States would receive 100 % support towards village relocation.

Appendix 1: List of 41 tiger reserves in India

It may not be possible to memorize the whole list, but atleast for the interview and State PSC exam, mugup the names of reserves in your state and in the surrounding states. Here is the Statewise Alphabetical list.

Name Kawal Nagarjunsagar Namdapha Pakke Manas Nameri Kaziranga

State Andhra Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh Assam Assam Assam

Valmiki Achanakmar Udanti-Sitanadi Indravati Palamau Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Bandipur Bhadra Dandeli-Anshi Nagarahole Periyar Parambikulam Kanha Pench Bandhavgarh Panna Satpura Sanjay-Dubri Sahyadri Melghat Tadoba-Andhari Pench Dampa

Bihar Chattisgarh Chattisgarh Chhattisgarh Jharkhand Karnataka Karnataka Karnataka Karnataka Karnataka Kerala Kerala Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Maharashtra Maharashtra Maharashtra Maharashtra Mizoram

Similipal Satkosia Ranthambore Sariska Anamalai Kalakad-Mundanthurai Mudumalai Dudhwa Corbett Sunderbans Buxa

Odisha Odisha Rajasthan Rajasthan Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Tamil Nadu Uttar Pradesh Uttarakhand West Bengal West Bengal

New Tiger reserves

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has granted approval for creation of 5 new tiger reserves viz
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Pilibhit UP Ratapani MP Sunabeda Odisha Mukundara Hills Raj. Satyamangalm TN

And, Final approval has also been accorded to Kudremukh (Karnataka) for declaring as a tiger reserve. NTCA has also requested the State Governments, to file proposals to create Tiger reserves in following areas.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Bor (Maharashtra), Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh), Nagzira-Navegaon (Maharashtra) Gu ru Ghasidas National Park (Chhattisgarh) Mhadei Sanctuary (Goa) Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel / Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuaries / Varushanadu Valley (Tamil Nadu).

Appendix 2: Maps of Tiger Reserves in India

Click To Enlarge

proposed Tiger Reserves in India (click to Enlarge)

[Environment] Krill-Food chain,Non Native Species, Nisargruna Biogas

1. Biodiversity 1. Krill and food chain 2. Hydrocarbon-eating bugs 3. Adipic acid: Nylon 4. Rhino horn powder 5. Non-native/Invasive species: Asian Ladybug 6. New Sperm Freezing method 2. Pollution related 1. Nisargruna biogas technology 2. Biodegradable electronic devices 3. Agro related 1. Senescence in fruits 2. Why Water=Transparent? 3. Sapota

4. Rice blast 5. Chawki 6. PSTOL1 4. Disasters 1. Mt Tongariro 2. LAquila quake 3. Climate change and Rainfall

Biodiversity Krill and food chain

The whale is not a fish but a mammal Krill= Shrimp-like planktonic creatures = theyre favorite food of whale. Krill eat phytoplankton, which are microscopic plants that live near the surface of oceans and lakes. Phytoplankton are mainly one-celled organisms and are autotrophic.

Planktons

autotrophic= they depend on the sun for the energy they need to produce their food.

Thus microscopic phytoplankton are very important to all living organisms in the sea. The blue whale feeds throughout the summer on krill that are abundant in the cold, polar water of both the northern and southern hemisphere. In the late fall, the blue whale migrates on the warmer waters of the tropics where the water is warmer. There are no krill in tropical areas of the ocean so the blue whale must live off its blubber for the entire time it spends there. (Blubber = fat stored in Whale body) When there is oil-spill, it reduces the planktonic creature and thus affects the whole food chain.

Hydrocarbon-eating bugs

In early 2012, there was an oil spill in Gulf of Mexico- from British Petroleums Deepwater Horizon rig. Scientists found growing population of carbon-eating bacteria about six miles from the leak. (oceanospirillale) Each time the scientists got back to the laboratory to test the seawater samples, the bugs had already eaten all the oil in them.

Adipic acid: Nylon

Adipic acid is produced from fossil fuel, and the pollution released from the refinement process contributes significantly to global warming Adipic acid is required for nylon production. Now scientists have came up with process to produce eco-friendly adipic acid. Theyll convert cheap sugars into adipic acid, instead of using fossile fuel.

Rhino horn powder

Rich and affluent people in Vietnam, are using Rhino horn power to spice up their alcoholic drink in parties. (miracle cure for cancer, AIDS..you get the idea, just like tiger bones)

Because of this demand, more and more rhinos are hunted in Africa. Vietnamese government, is accused of not taking the crisis seriously, despite pressure from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (Cites). Vietnam is the only country in the world where rhino horn grinding bowls are mass produced. It shows that Vietnamese Government is not serious in cracking this illegal business.

Non-native/Invasive species: Asian Ladybug

Aphids= plant sucking insect. Asian ladybug= these were introduced into Europe and USA to combat aphids problem. But these Asian ladybugs are displacing the native European ladybugs. (Because Asian Ladybugs eats aphids as well as European ladybygs.) and thus, its population exploded, now infesting the buildings. Thus Asian ladybug = a threat to native species and biodiversity in Europe and America.

Asian Ladybug

New Sperm Freezing method

Previously, elephant breeders could only use a limited number of elephant bulls living in zoos, as semen could not be frozen and

had to be used within twelve hours. But scientists have now solved this problem using the new sperm freezing method. This new freezing method could also be used with other endangered species like rhinoceros and gorilla

Nisargruna biogas technology

developed by the Mumbai-based Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). This technology can produce more methan and organic manure from biowaste (compared to the conventional gobar gas plant) This methane enriched biogas can be used directly for heating (instead of LPG) or for generating electricity.

Biodegradable electronic devices

electronic devices such as integrated circuits, chips and tools etc. when discarded, they are called e-waste. It is estimated that e-waste alone accounts for over 70 per cent of toxic wastes currently found in landfills we use electronic devices such as pacemakers and other sensors that are implanted in our bodies. The trouble with them is that once they are past their use, we need to surgically remove them (and perhaps implant a fresh one). How nice it would be if only they dissolve away and get removed from the body; much the way we discard our body liquids and solids every day! Scientists are now working on such biodegradable electronic devices.

Agro related Senescence in fruits

The non-greening of leaves is called senescence. ripening in fruits also involves chlorophyll loss and an increase in production of yellow, orange, red or purple pigments.

Why Water=Transparent?

Light is a form of an electromagnetic energy with a wide range of wavelengths. If a material absorbs all the visible range of light, then it looks black to us because there is hardly any visible light left from the object to reach our eyes. If a material does not absorb any part of the visible range of light, then the object either appears colourlessly transparent Water has molecules that do not have the kind of electrons which absorb any portion of the visible range (but have electrons that absorb only in the invisible ultraviolet range) of light That is why water appears transparent. Several other liquids, such as benzene, alcohol, chloroform, coconut oil, etc also look transparent for this reason.

Sapota

Tropical fruit plant. (chikoo) Grown widely in India for its fruit and milky latex which is the source of chicle used to make chewing gum.

Rice blast
is a fungal infestation known to occur in all the rice growing areas of the county. The disease attacks all the parts of the crop growing above the soil.

Chawki

refers to young silk worms reared from hatching to second moult stage. The quality of these worms forms the crux of successful silkworm rearing. If the chawki worms are not reared properly, the later stages will result in crop losses.

Chawki Rearing

PSTOL1

It is a gene that helps the rice plants to grow in phosphorusdeficient soil. The absence of PSTOL1 from modern rice varieties underlines the importance of conserving and exploring traditional rice varieties.

Disasters Mt Tongariro
Volcano erupted here, in New Zealand

LAquila quake

Occurred in Italy, in 2009. The scientists of Italys top disaster body had failed to predict it accurately. Now Italian court sentenced them to jail. This has outraged the international science community

Climate change and Rainfall

With every 1 degree Celsius rise in temperature, tropical regions will see 10 per cent heavier rainfall extremes, with possible impacts for flooding in populous regions

[Biodiversity] Amur Falcon Massacre, Nicobar Megapod, Narcondam Hornbill

1. Amur Falcon

2. Nicobar scrubfowl/Megapod 3. Narcondam Hornbill 4. Mock Questions

Amur Falcon

A Migratory bird from Russia. Every year, in October, they arrive in northeast India from Siberia en route to their final destination Africa. During their flight, they stop the jungles of Nagaland for a while, for food and rest. Why in News? Because some environment activists found that 120,000 to 140,000 birds are being slaughtered in Nagaland every year during their passage through the state, and sold for their meat @local markets. Theyve requested Environment Ministry to take action. India, is a signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), therefore it is Governments responsibility to provide safe passage to all migratory birds, turtles etc.

Amur Falcon

Nicobar scrubfowl/Megapod

A bird, only found in Nicobar island. Why in news? Because Navy wanted to setup a missile testing site at Tillanchong Sanctuary in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Environment Ministry rejected it, missile testing project would destroy the habitat of this bird. This Bird is also called Nicobar megapode because of its large legs. This bird is considered sacred by the Nicobarese people, was hit badly by the Indian Ocean tsunami that destroyed vast swathes of its habitat and nesting grounds. Navy Chief said, We know that Environment ministry has its reservations. But the fact is we cannot do without our firing range

Nicobar scrubfowl/Megapod

Narcondam Hornbill

Narcondam is an extremely remote, tiny island in the Andaman and Nicobar Island group, and is home to about 300 Narcondam hornbills, a species that is found nowhere else in the world. Why in news? Because The Coast Guard wanted to set up a surveillance radar here, but environment ministry rejected the proposal.

Narcondam Hornbill

Andaman Nicobar Map-click to enlarge

[EnB] IUCN, Red Databook, CITES Agreement : Meaning, Features, Mock Questions for CSAT
Nov 27th, 2012 @ 05:02 pm Skip to comments

1. 2.

What is IUCN? What is IUCN Red List?

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Limitation IUCN red-list What is CITES? Why illegal trade of wildlife? How does CITES work? Appendix What is Conference of Parties? Criticism, limitation of CITES #1: No police of its own #2: Non-Native Species #3: Appendix are Counterproductive #4: Not Comprehensive Mock questions on Environment and Biodiversity for CSAT

What is IUCN?
o o o
International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) also known as the World Conservation Union. The IUCN is the worlds oldest global environmental organization. (WWF in 60s, UNEP in 70s, IPCC in 80s, Kyoto etc in 90s) Observe this Timeline

Click to Enlarge

o o

IUCN includes both Nations and NGOs. HQ=Gland, Switz.

The IUCN enjoys observer status at the United Nations General Assembly.

What is IUCN Red List?

1. 2. It is a system of classifying plants, animals etc on basis of their likelihood of extinction. This classification contains total 9 groups. Observe following chart.

Taken From Encyclopedia Britannica

3. 4.

5.

Each year thousands of scientists around the world assess or reassess species. The IUCN Red List is subsequently updated. Latest updated list was released @RIO +20 summit. This list helps Governments and NGOs prioritize their efforts to save the particular plant, animal etc. For example more money and manpower should be spent on red species compared to orange or green species in the list. And the sale of red species products must be banned under CITES. The IUCN Red List has listed 132 species of plants and animals as Critically Endangered from India.

Limitation IUCN red-list

o o o
Red list/ Red Data book contains 9 groups. th 9 Group is NE (Not Evaluated) species, it also contain thousands of species. It is likely that many of these species have become or are in the process of becoming extinct, but not receiving th Government/NGO efforts and public funding because theyre in the 9 group.

What is CITES?
o o o
CITES= Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. CITES is an international agreement, brainchild of IUCN, Made in 70s. HQ=Geneva, Switzerland. (Secretariat administered by UNEP.)

CITES aims to stop illicit trade of wildlife.

Why illegal trade of wildlife?

o o o o o o o
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 80 percent of the worlds population uses traditional medicines derived from animals and plants. In traditional Chinese and Asian medicine systems the bones, tissues, blood of tigers, bears, elephants, rhinos etc= used to treat arthritis, impotence, Cancer and AIDS(!) Rapid Growth of human population without rapid growth of education = increased demand for (stupid) medicines. So, animals are hunted not only for their hides but also for their bodyparts, to make those (stupid) medicines. Mobiles, Internet, online money transfer, faster modes of transports= good for illegal trade. Experts believe this is a multibillion dollar industry just like narcotic drugs trade. International cooperation is necessary because illegal wildlife trade involves involves import and export between countries.

How does CITES work?

o o
CITES has no enforcement authority (i.e. doesnt have its own police force or militia). CITES classifies species into three categories Appendix I, II and III and regulates their trade via cooperation of various nations.

Appendix
There are almost 1000 plant and animal species in this list. Their trade =totally banned, unless exeptional situation. o Species that are not necessarily threatened, but will get threatened if their trade is not controlled. o Businessmen will need to get licence from relevant authorities to export such plants/ animals/their products. Appendix o II The Government can give licence if it certain that that trade will not be harmful to the survival of the species in the wild

Appendix oI

Appendix o III

list of species included at the request of any one nation but needs the cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation.

What is Conference of Parties?

o o
The countries that have ratified the CITES are called parties. Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties, it does not take the place of national laws. Rather it provides a framework respected by each Party. So These parties have to do two things Make laws to regulate import and export of wildlife species. Establish licenseing authority for trade of wildlife species and their products.

1. 2.

These Parties meet @regular interval. Such meetings are called Conference of Parties (COP). In COP, they contemplate about progress, achievement; need to update the species appendix etc.

Criticism, limitation of CITES

#1: No police of its own

o o o
CITES has no enforcement authority, but rather depends on the voluntary development of laws and enforcement procedures within each nation. However, laws among nations vary greatly, and even when strong laws exist, many national authorities lack the resources, political will, or both to enforce them. Many believe that CITES has become a battleground between developed nations, which typically promote bans on endangered species trade, and developing nations, which often seek such trade as a viable economic strategy.

#2: Non-Native Species

o o
Confiscated endangered species in some countries have been released into nature preserves without adequate consideration of potential ecological impacts. For example, Malayan pangolins, does not naturally occur in China, but have been released into China, where they can compete with native animals. (Non-Native Species)

#3: Appendix are Counterproductive

o o
The inclusion of a species in Appendix I can drive up black-market prices for that species, encouraging more poaching and stockpiling of commodities, including rhinoceros horn, elephant ivory, and tiger bone. Sometimes it is hard to distinguish parts of an endangered species from parts of a nonendangered species. For example, all bear gallbladders look to that of nonendangered animals as domestic pigs= problem in legit trading of domestic pigs bodyparts.

#4: Not Comprehensive

o o
Major threats to endangered species come from deforestation, Habitat destruction, and other environmentally destructive policies. But theyre are outside the scope of CITES.

[EnB] Convention on Biodiversity (CBD): Prologue to Cartagena, Nagoya, Aichi, COP-11

Nov 27th, 2012 @ 05:14 pm Skip to comments

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

What is UNEP? Earth Summit? What is the connection between UNEP and Earth Summit? Kids of Earth Summit What is CBD? What does CBD want? Objective#1: Protect Biodiversity Where is the money? How does CBD work? Mock Questions

What is UNEP?
o
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

o o o o

An organization under United Nations. (1972) The United Nations General Assembly elects the UNEP governing council members. HQ= Nairobi, Kenya Two important terms associated with UNEP

Earthwatch Global Environment Outlook (GEO)

UNEP keeps constant surveillance on environment, through this program. UNEP publishes this report.5th such report (GEO-5) released in 2012.

Earth Summit?
o o
Conference held in Rio-De-Janerio, Brazil in 1992 Formal name: United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)

What is the connection between UNEP and Earth Summit?

o o o o
In the late 80s, the UNEP members decided we should have some sort of international agreement to protect biodiversity. They worked on a draft Agreement. (Nairobi Conference) In 1992, when Earth Summit was held in Rio, Brazil, these UNEP people put that draft-agreement on the table, and requested various countries to sign it. This signed international agreement is known as Convention on Biodiversity. (Official name =Convention on Biological Diversity)

Kids of Earth Summit

o
Earth summit, 1992 gave birth to many things. But three important kids were

Mission Earth Summits result 1. CBD Protect Biodiversity 2. UNFCCC Reverse Climate Change 3. Agenda 21 Promote Sustainable Development
As the year progressed, these three kids (CBD, UNFCC, Agenda 21) grew up, had their own kids.

Mission
1. Protect Biodiversity

Earth Summits result Their kids CBD UNFCCC Agenda 21

1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 1. Aichi Targets Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety Nagoya Protocol on Genetic Resources Kyoto Protocol Copenhagen Accord RIO+20

2. 3.

Reverse Climate Change Promote Sustainable Development

We can summarize this in an equation and a Chart Earth Summit=> CBD (Cartagena+ Aichi+Nagoya) +UNFCCC (Kyoto+Copanheggan) +Agenda 21 (RIO+20)

Once ^this is clear, observe the following timeline to see the bigger picture of how every piece fits into the puzzle.

Click to Enlarge

What is CBD?
o o o
Convention =International Agreement. Convention on Biodiversity is the brainchild of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) HQ= Montreal, Canada. It works under UNEP.

What does CBD want?

Convention on Biodiversity wants three things and it leads to three more things.

Wants to
1. 2. 3. Protect biodiversity Safe use of bio-technology Stop unfair use of Genetic resources

Leads to COP meetings, Aichi Targets. Cartagena Biosafety Protocol Nagoya Genetic Resources Protocol

Objective#1: Protect Biodiversity

o o

You already know what is biodiversity, why is it important, what is in-situ, ex-situ. If you dont know those basic things, visit www.Mrunal.org/enb, read the earlier articles, download the NOS studyresources and then come back. Welcome back. Convention on Biodiversity, as the name suggests = has something to do with biodiversity.

CBD accepts/wants following things

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Biological diversity is a common concern of humankind. States have sovereign rights over their own biological resources. But at the same time, States are responsible for conserving their biological diversity. Therefore, States are required to create National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAP). Sustainable use of biological diversity =important for food security, health and other needs of public. Biological diversity is being significantly reduced by certain human activities. But Well protect biodiversity via in-situ and ex-situ methods. We recognize vital role of women and NGOs in protecting biodiversity. Our rich members (developed countries) will give money and (secret James Bond) technology to the middle class and poor members (developing nations and Least developed countries) 10. Well give special attention to the least developed countries (L.D.C.) and small island States, because theyre more vulnerable. 11. Well also give special attention to developing countries, especially those with arid and semi - arid zones, coastal and mountainous areas. 12. + add public awareness, sensitization, knowledge -sharing and other diplomatic-legal fodder.

Where is the money?

o o o o
1. 2. To fund various projects, activities under CBD, you need truckload of cash. This cash comes through an organization named as Global Environment Facility (GEF). GEF gets money from world bank, UN, various (rich) nations and trust organization, companies etc. GEF gives that money to finance many environment related activies including Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

How does CBD work?

o o o o o o o o
Convention = international agreement. Legally speaking, agreement involves two or more parties. So CBD doesnt have members it has parties: rich parties on one side, middle class and poor parties on the other. These parties meet at regular interval. These meetings are called Conference of Parties (COP). In these Meetings, the leaders, delegates consume desi-liquor (to provide sustainable livelihood to local communities) and evaluate their past achievements; lay down future course of action, money and technology transfer to third world. Each party has one vote. Decision taken by majority vote. These meetings led to Cartagena Biosafety Protocol (2000). th 10 Such meeting was held at Nagoya, Japan (2010). It led to Nagoya Protocol on Genetic Resources + Aichi Targets. th 11 such meeting (COP-11) was held in Hyderabad, India in 2012

Each of them (Cartagena, Nagoya, Aichi, COP-11) will be discussed in future article. For the whole Archive on Environment and Biodiversity (EnB) related articles, including RIO+20, UNFCCC, Kyoto etc. visit this page: www.Mrunal.org/enb

[EnB] Aichi Targets for Biodiversity Protection under CBD

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
What is Aichi Target? Strategic goal A Strategic Goal B Strategic Goal C Strategic Goal D Strategic Goal E

Lets recap what we learned in previous episode. Earth Summit led to=> 1. Biodiversity protection: CBD (Cartagena+ Aichi+Nagoya) 2. Reverse Climate Change: UNFCCC (Kyoto+ Copenhagen) 3. Sustainable Development: Agenda 21, RIO+20

COP-10 under CBD

The Parties (Countries) under Convention of Biodiversity (CBD), meet at regular interval. These meetings are called Conference of Parties (COP) 10th such meeting was held at Aichi precinct (district) of Nagoya, Japan. This COP-10 gave birth to two things

1. Nagoya Protocol on Genetic Resources 2. Aichi Targets for biodiversity

What is Aichi Target?

In the COP-10 meeting, the parties agreed that previous biodiversity protection targets are not achieved, So we need to do comeup with new plans and targets.
Plan Mid/Long term Timeframe By 2050

Short term

By 2020

This short term plan is officially known as Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. It is a a ten-year framework for action by all countries to save biodiversity. This short term plan provide a set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets, collectively known as the Aichi Targets.

Aichi Targets= 20 targets, divided into 5 sections (A to E).

Strategic goal A
Address the causes of biodiversity loss 1. Make people aware about the values of biodiversity 2. Integrated biodiversity values in development + poverty reduction plan 3. Subsidies which are harmful to biodiversity= and eliminate them, phase them out or reform them 4. Sustainable production and consumption.

Strategic Goal B:
Reduce the direct pressure on biodiversity and promote sustainable use 5. Reduce the rate of natural habitat loss + forest loss by at least 50% 6. Reduce overfishing 7. Agriculture, aquaculture and forestry in sustainable manner 8. Reduce pollution and excessive use of fertiliser 9. Prevent invasive alien species (non-native) 10. Minimise the choral reflow destruction, ocean acidification

Strategic Goal C
Safeguard ecosystems, species and genetic diversity

11. Conserve terrestrial and inland water, coastal marine areas 12. Prevent extinction of threatened species 13. Maintain genetic diversity of agro-plants, domesticated animals and minimising genetic erosion

Strategic Goal D
Biodiversity benefits to all 14. Safeguard ecosystems for women, tribals, and poor. 15. Combat desertification and restore the degraded ecosystem 16. Operationalise the nagoya protocol on genetic resources, via national legislations

Strategic Goal E
Participatory planning, capacity building 17. National biodiversity strategy and action plans update for participation 18. Integrate the knowledge of tribal communities 19. Scientific and technological knowledge sharing application 20. Financial resources mobilisation [EnB] Bergmanns Rule, Migrantwatch, Seasonwatch, Ross Sea Marine Protected Zone, Lake Vida, Chromatophores
Dec 2nd, 2012 @ 12:46 pm Skip to comments

These terms are from The Hindu S&T, Nov.2012

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Cold Climate=Big Body size Migrantwatch and Seasonwatch. Bactrian camels and heavy-chain antibodies Ross Sea: Marine Protected Zone Lake Vida Chromatophores Hedonic Scale Method Brevetoxin-2 Mock Questions

Cold Climate=Big Body size

o o o

For most species of animals, body mass increases the closer you get to the poles. The bigger you are, the more fat you can store to help you get through the winter. bigger animals have a smaller surface area-to-volume ratio, which helps reduce heat loss- a pattern known as Bergmanns Rule.

Migrantwatch and Seasonwatch.

Two projects started by National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, (NCBS) These projects are aimed at involving common citizen in scientific research.

Migrantwatch

Seasonwatch builds up baseline data about the flowering participants in this activity identify migrant birds and fruiting of trees, to work on climateand note down the first sighting and feed it into season change from ecological the online database: www.migrantwatch.in angle. www.seasonwatch.in

Bactrian camels and heavy-chain antibodies

o o o o
Two-humped camel Found in cold deserts of central Asia. (China, Mongolia) They consume eight times more salt than cattle and have twice the blood glucose levels of other ruminants, yet do not develop diabetes or hypertension. They also produce unique disease-fighting proteins called heavy-chain antibodies, which interest pharmaceutical engineers.

Ross Sea: Marine Protected Zone

o o o
The Ross Sea, located in arm of the southern Pacific Ocean in Antarctica. Ross sea is populated by seals, whales, fish, penguins and other birds. Environment activists want to create Marine protected zones (MPAs) in Ross sea= where fishing would be totally banned.

Lake Vida
o o o
in East Antarctica hosts some newly discovered microbes, 60 feet below ice. Thus proving that where there is water, there is life.

Chromatophores
o o
Right now, the lipstick colores are made using artificial chemicals. These chemicals can cause allergy and even cancer.

o o

Scientists have now found reddish-brown spores in squid skin that can be used for lipstick colors. They are screening it for consumer acceptance applying hedonic scale method.

Hedonic Scale Method

o
Hedonic Scale is used in food science, marketing research where the respondents indicate the extent to which they either like or dislike for a particular product sample.

Brevetoxin-2
o o
compound produced naturally by marine algae, currently under research. can be used for Treatment of stroke.

What is Western Ghats?

o o o o
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Entire tract of hills from the Tapi to Kanyakumari. Length =approx. 1500km Area= approx. 1.6 lakh sq.kms About 30% of the area of the Western Ghats Region is under forests.
SIX States Three (important) Passes

Gujarat (portions of Dang Forests). Maharashtra 1. Thalghat Karnataka 2. Bhorghat Goa 3. Palghat Kerala Tamilnadu

Administrative Regions
(no need to mugup table, but if youre from any of these districts, be more prepared for profile based interview questions on Western Ghats).

Gujarat Maharashtra Karnataka Kerala TN

The Dangs Navsari Valsad Ahmednagar Kolhapur Nandurbar Nashik Pune Raigarh Ratnagiri Satara Sindhudurg Thane Belgaum Chamrajnagar Chikmagalur Dakshin Kannad Davanagere Hassan Kodagu Mysore Shimoga Udupi Uttar Kannada Idukki Kannur Kasaragod Kollam Kottayam Kozhikode Malappuram Palakkad Pattanamtitta Thiruvananthapuram Thrissur Wayanad Coimbatore Dindugal Erode Kanyakumari Nilgiris Tirunelveli Tiruppur Theni Virudunagar

+ UT- Diu Daman (Silvassa region)

Western vs Eastern Ghats

Western Almost Continuous hills avg. height : 1500 to 2000 m Highest peak: Anai Mudi (Kerala) Eastern Discontinuous hills (thanks to River deltas) lower: 500-700 m Dewodi Munda (Odisha) (as per Majid Hussein)

Fast flowing rivers, donot form delta Long broad rivers, form delta. Narmada-Tapi Flow into Arabian sea. Krishna, Kaveri, Godawai (these origin from Western Ghats though) and Mahanadi Into Bay of Bengal.

o o

Land between Western and Eastern Ghats=Deccan plateau. Nilgiri hills connect Western and Eastern Ghats.

Western Ghat: Forest

Western Slope Rainfall: 200cm Tropical Evergreen+ Semi Evergreen. Eastern Slope 70-200cm Moist Deciduous (also known as Monsoon forest) There is no definite time for trees to shade leaves. Trees shed leaves during dry season. Hence the jungle appears green throughout the year.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Rosewood, Mahogony Ebony Aini Cedar Hollywood ock Kail

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Teak Sal Shisham Mahua Sandalwood Mahua

Western Ghats: Rivers

o o o o o o o o
Three main rivers of South India= Krishna, Godavari and Kaveri. They originate from Western Ghats. Traditionally these water resources were used to irrigate the valleys for paddy and arecanut cultivation. But later, construction of major river valley projects =irrigation + power generation. The steep slopes to the western Ghats = ideal for constructing dams and hydel power generation. In recent years construction of resorts and hill stations started around lakes and rivers. E.g. Amba Valley, Lavasa. Rivers flowing from the Western Ghats drain almost 40% of land in India. Roughly 250 million people depend on these rivers . From Western Ghats, rivers originate and flow in both directions: West and East.

West Flowing Rivers

Narmada Tapi Origin (both MP) Amarkantak hills Satpura Ranges. Length Longer Shorter Guj, MP, Mah. Handmaid of Narmada. States covered Guj, MP Other names Reva

Coastal plains between Western Ghats and the Arabian sea are very narrow. Hence, these coastal rivers are short (compared to East flowing rivers)

East Flowing rivers

They drain into Bay of Bengal. Godavari Origin Length (km) Nasik, Mah. 1500 Krishna Mahabaleshwar 1400 Mah, Karn, AP Kaveri Brahmagiri Range 750 Karn, Ker, TN Ganga of South Sivasamudram water falls.

Water Basin covers Mah, MP, Odi, AP* Other names Misc.notes Dakshin Ganga/Vridha Ganga

Tributaries

1. 2. 3.

Manjra Wainganga Penganga

Lobate

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Tungabhadra 1. Koyana 2. Ghatprabha 3. Musi 4. Bhima

Arcuate

Amravati, Bhavani, Hemavati Kabini.

Quadrilateral

Type of Delta?

o o o

*NCERT Class 9 Geography: Chapter 3 page 21. Every once in a while, UPSC has a nasty habit of asking MCQ question from delta -type (Lobate, Arculate etc.) so do mug it up hahaha. Mahanadi also drains in Bay of Bengal but it comes from Chattisgarh=not part of Western Ghats.

Western Ghats- Other names

1. Maharashtra
Sahyadri

2. 3. 4.

Karnataka Tamil Nadu Kerala

Nilgiri hills Same as above Anaimalai + Cardamom hills.

Geologically, the Western Ghats is subdivided into three parts

1. 2. 3.

Surat to Goa Goa to Nilgiris South of Palghat Gap

Agro
Agriculture in Western Ghats
Region Cultivation of Paddy

Valleys Hill slops

o o o

Earlier slash and burn type agriculture. Nowadays Terrace farming. Millets and legumes. arecanut

o coconut, mango, jackfruit Coastal areas

Plantation crops
Introduced by Europeans in Western Ghats Native to Western Ghats

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Tea Coffee Rubber Tapioca Potato

1. 2.

Pepper Cardamom

Forest produce
o o o
Pepper, Cardamom,Honey,Wax, Myrobalan (Small Fruit), Bamboos + Reeds = For Basket Weaving 1980 onwards = explosion of forest-based industries such as paper, plywood, polyfibres, matchwood, tanning etc.

Western Ghats: Biodiversity

o o o
The Western Ghats is one of the Biodiversity hotspots of the country. The wild relatives pepper, cardamom, mango, jackfruit and plantain=found here. Thousands of endemic* species of flowering plants, insects, trees, fishes, butterflies, dragonflies, mollusks (land snails) present.

*What is Endemic Species?

o
Any species which is exclusively confined to a particular geographical area and it is found nowhere else in the world.

Nasikabactrachus sahyadrensis
o o
Recently discovered frog species in Western Ghats. It proves that Western Ghat was once part of ancient Gondwana region.

Western Ghat: Notable wildlife

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Tiger Elephant The Indian Bison Lion-Tailed Macaque Wynad Laughing Thrush (Songbirds) Travancore Tortoise Uropeltid Snakes Several Species Of Legless Amphibians.

ow we see the threats to this biodiversity of Western Ghats.

British Raj Exploitation

After 1857s mutiny, the Crown took over Indian administration. Now Britishers took three major initiatives in Western Ghats

1. 2. 3.

Construct Railways Construct Dams Construct Roads.

(usually in this order: Railways > Dams > Roads). Why was it done in this order? Think about it :)

o o

Anyways, the British used these three channels for resource extraction and exploitation in Western Ghats. Later they started giving away land in the Sahyadri region (Maharashtra) at throwaway prices, to expand urban and industrial settlements of Mumbai-Thane, Nashik, Pune region. (And this trend has continued in the present times as well.) Nowadays, Whether virgin lands in the Sahyadris, is opened up for development of urban areas, hill stations, farm house plots or holiday resorts= bad for biodiversity.

Railways: Impact on biodiversity

o
The first railway across the Western Ghats was built from Mumbai to Pune, and was completed in 1863.

o o

railway line was instrumental in transporting forest, agricultural produce, timber etc. from jungles to the untapped market in Peninsular India as well as Europe. Thanks to railways, timber from the Western Ghats could be transported to most corners of the country, through the medium of railways.

Dams
o o
Britishers build the first dam First dam in the Northern Western Ghats in British India was built in Mumbai at Vihar in 1860. After that, they constructed of over 20 dams till 1947.

Era and Approach

1.

o o British Raj o o
1947 to 80s o

Shifting cultivation banned State takeover forest lands. large-scale teak plantations

o o

Sacred groves and sacred Species destroyed

2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

o Many sacred groves felled large-scale river valley projects and mining o to meet industrial requirements; o Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks established 80s onwards o Land acquisition and industrialization o Biosphere Reserves + Ecologically Sensitive Areas established.
between 19201990, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have lost about 40% of their original forest cover. Rise in Population and industrialization. tourism, holiday resorts. River valley projects= forest area is being submerged. Mining mafias encroaching in forest lands soil erosion, land slides Railways, roads and other infra.projects = natural habitats getting fragmented + road / rail accidents killing wildlife animals.

What is Sacred Groves?

o o o o
Part of a forest, that Tribals consider sacred. This part is left untouched. Hunting and foraging is not done here. Sacred Groves often have natural water storage facilities, help villagers during drought. With increase in mining activities, roads-railways, infrastructure projects, plantation etc. the Sacred groves have been declining in number.

Fisheries
Fish consumption =traditional source of protein poor people in Western Ghats. Problem areas in fisheries

1. 2. 3.

Unscientific methods of collection (use of poisons, electro-fishing, dynamiting etc.) Pollution due to pesticides, industrial effluents/other sources Waste dumping in rivers

4. 5. 6. 7.

Introduction of exotic fishes Destruction/loss of breeding grounds Unauthorised ornamental fish trade Introduction of Exotic species

Exotic Species=BAD4Biodiversity?
Exotic species Belong to some other area/ place / region Endemic species Found in the particular place only.

o o o o o o

Consider this case: Periyar Lake is one of the biodiversity hotspots of Kerala. Exotic fish species such as Cyprinus carpio have been introduced here for breeding. But their food preference is similar to endemic species= competition for food=endemic fish population affected. Similar case with exotic high-yielding African catfish. Alien species such as catla, rohu and mrigal have been cultured in most of the reservoirs and ponds of Kerala. And because of them endemic fish populations=declined.

Mining in Western Ghats

o o o o o
Iron, manganese and bauxite. After 2002, the price of iron ore has increased in international market = this led to rise in illegal mining in the Western Ghats. The major ports on Western Coast of India = ideal for exporting these ores. Hence (illegal) mining activities have grown rapidly especially in Goa and Karnataka. 100% of Goas ore is exported of which about 89% is exported to China and about 8% to Japan

Why Mining =BAD 4Biodiversity?

o o o o o o o
Opencast mining has induced significant changes in water quality and quantity besides causing topographical, morphological, and land use changes. Suspended particulate matter in the mine =air pollution Tailings (residual material) is discharged in water. This water is used for paddy cultivation= soil fertility declined. During rain, direct surface runoff from the adjoining mine dumps into the agricultural lands= soil pollution. Mining activities require considerable pumping out of water. Hence water tables drop due to the drainage of water into mining pits =local wells go dry = shortage of water for drinking and farming. This severely affects the poor women, because theyve to travel long in search of water.

Air quality
o
1. 2. The ores are transported from Karnataka to Goa on a massive scale. But Why? for blending with local ore for its upgrading the quality before export. exporting through Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) in Goa.
ok then whats the problem?

1. 2. 3.

enormous traffic problems because trucks movement Trucks are often overloaded, and uncovered= spillover, accidents. It has increased air pollution =health problems for local folks.

Sand Mafias
o o o
During dry season, sand-mafias dig away sand from the river beds. Indiscriminate sand mining= water tables lowered. River beds in some stretches are lower than the sea level = saline ingress =drinking water is also salty and unfit for agriculture= crop losses

Incorrect land use patterns

o o o
In Goa alone, the government itself has acknowledged that over half of the 300 odd mining leases are located close to water bodies= water pollution. Selaulim dam= drinking water to 50% public of Goa. About 180 mining permissions are given within one kilometer of this project.=again water pollution.

Thermal power plants=bad 4Biodiversity?

o o o o o o o o o
The states in Western Ghats have large-scale iron and steel, cement, petroleum refineries, sugar, distilleries, fertilizers and petrochemical industries. All of which are large energy consumers. Therefore, many thermal power projects are commissioned in these states. Thermal power plants increase the temperature of nearby regions. Higher temperatures of water= better dissolution of toxic chemicals from air=bad for environment, bad for fishes. Thermal power plants emit Fly ash. Particles of fly ash also contain toxic elements such as lead and mercury When fly ash is deposited in the marginal areas of the river= Reproduction of fish is affected. Thick deposits of fly ash at the bottom of lake/rivers make the nutrients unavailable to aquatic life.

Transport and Communication

o o o o o o o o o
Western Ghats=hilly terrain, thick forests, heavy rains, roads get washed off. So in In the ancient and medieval times, the Transport and communication = very difficult. In fact, the strength of the Maratha empire rested on the strategic advantages of this inaccessible terrain. But after independence, = major river valley and mining projects =lead to development of extensive transport and communication facilities. Problem?= Growth of roads +railway lines across the Ghats = connectivity between natural habitats disrupted. = bad for biodiversity+accidents. Emergence of a large wealthy middle class = holiday resorts etc. availability of powerful earth-moving machinery, The Western Ghats are beginning to be urbanized. But it leads => biodiversity destroyed + local tribes displaced.

Farm Houses + Resorts= Bad 4Biodiversity?

o o o o o o o
In past decade a new wealthy upper middle class has emerged. They like to buy second homes in the hill areas for vacation and holidays. At the same time, when city people are attracted to the hills, the village people want city life. So they have started selling land, and migrating to cities But City folks want good wide roads, water, electricityeverything in their holiday homes and farmhouses. This has led to unprecedented level of construction activities in the Western Ghats region. Non-renewable materials like cement, steel, bricks and quarried stone are used to constructing these resorts and farm houses. These houses replete with with ACs, TVs, marble, and similar luxuries. Consequently, the weekend homes have become more energy-consuming than a city home!

Gardens
o o o o o
People also want to have city-like in these resorts/farm houses. but these city-like gardens use excessive daily watering, fertilizers and pesticides= bad for local species. Many times invasive plant varieties are used that are dangerous to local ecosystems. These gardens are overlaid with pathways, paving, steps, etc., consuming a lot of cement. To sumup Developmental activities associated with these projects are roads, terracing, vegetation cutting, construction and landscaping, all proving dangerous to biodiversity.

Construction (Allied) =Bad 4Biodiversity?

o o
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. For example setting up temporary colony/slum of laborers for constructing resorts and farm houses in Western Ghat. This leads to new problems such as waste disposal, both solid and liquid Increase in vegetation cutting for fuel wood Increase in wildlife hunting Quarries and stone crushers Stone dust causes air, soil & water pollution ill effect of accumulation of stone dust on vegetation

Monoculture Plantation=Bad?
By Government
o o o o
Monoculture plantation means forest department just grows only one type of tree in a particular area. Government usually starts monoculture plantation to reverse the deforestation (caused by mining, forest-fire, illegal felling of tress etc.) It was attempted in India, in the 80s. Large plantations of Eucalyptus tree were setup in Western Ghats. But Monoculture plantation is bad from biodiversity point of view. Why?

o o o

Because in a jungle, the insects, birds, monkeys etc. require multiple species of trees for their food and survival. When Monoculture plantation is introduced, these animals/birds/insects start migrating to other areas in search of more suitable living conditions. Hence Monoculture plantations are sometimes called Green deserts (because like deserts, very few species live here.)

By farmers
o o o o o o
The term Monoculture plantation is also used when big farmer establishes a permanent tea/coffee/rubber etc. plantation. These plantations lead to soil erosion, degradation of river ecosystems and toxic contamination of the environment. The use of pesticides like DDT was started in the tea plantations during the British period itself. The quantity of toxic pesticides being pumped into the plantations is so huge it has severely affected the biodiversity of Western Ghats. Therefore, Instead of monoculture, we should use polyculture/mixed cropping systems. It will help to reduce soil erosion, improve water holding capacity of the soil and improve economic returns from unit area.

Tribals
Western Ghats has a large tribal population only in a few pockets such as the

1. 2. 3. 4.

Dangs Thane Wynaad Nilgiris

Cholanaikas
o o
Theyre the only truly stone age hunting gathering tribe of Peninsual India. They live in Nilgiris.

Problem of the tribals?

1. 2. 3. 4. Loss of biodiversity =less Forest produce (wax, honey etc.). Extermination of wildlife species= cant do hunting anymore. PESA and Forest rights acts are not implemented thanks to vested interests of Mining mafias. Displacement of tribals due to mining, holiday resorts, plantation farmers, hydro projects etc.

+ve sides of Development

o o
Better transport and communication facilities= malaria is no longer life-threatening. Tourism generates (some) employment.

[EnB] Gadgil Panel report on Western Ghats: recommendations, Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ), WGEA (Part 3 of 4)
Feb 3rd, 2013 @ 07:44 pm Skip to comments

1.

What is Gadgil Panel?

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ) Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA)? Hierarchy Structure Functions Zonal recommendations General recommendations

In the last two articles, we saw

1. 2. Western Ghats: overview of physical geography and biodiversity: click ME Threats to the biodiversity of Western Ghats: click ME

Now moving forward:

What is Gadgil Panel?

This is Madhav Gadgil

o o o o o

2010: Environment ministry created this panel Full name: Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel Chairman=Prof. Madhav Gadgil (he was Ex-Chairman, Centre for Ecological Sciences, in Indian Institute of Science) To study the ecological and environmental problems of Western Ghats and give recommendations. Gadgil submitted his report in 2011. Here are his observations and recommendations.

Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ)

o o o o
Environment Protection Act 1986 (EPA)=Union Government can designate an area as ecologically sensitive zone and then Government can prohibit/regulate Development in this region. Using this power, many ecologically sensitive zone have been setup. E.g. Mahabaleshwar-Panchgani region in Mahrashtra. But all of them face common problems:

1. 2.

Over bureaucratization =corruption. For example a farmer would need to pay bribe get clearance to dig well/bore in his own farm. little or no meaningful participation by the local community. The Western Ghats has thousands of endemic species of flowering plants, fish, frogs, birds and mammals. Therefore, entire Western Ghats should be designated as Ecologically sensitive zones. Gadgil recommends that entire Western Ghat should be divided into 3 zones (actually 4) Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3 PA

o o o
1. 2. 3. 4.

Highest protection must be given to them Intermediate Moderate control and protection. Protected Areas= existing Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks.

o o

final demarcation of the Zones should be done by Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA). And that too, after taking extensive inputs from local communities and local bodies, namely, Gram Panchayats, Taluka Panchayats, Zilla Parishads, and Nagarpalikas

Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA)?

o o o
Madhav Gadgil Panel recommended for this. WGEA will have jurisdiction over the Western Ghat districts in six states (Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu). WGEA will be a statutory authority appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests.

Hierarchy
Western Ghats Ecology Authority Union State Western Ghats Ecology Authorities In 6 states District Ecology Committee In districts under Western Ghat

Structure
1. 2. 3. 4. Chairman A retired judge of the Supreme Court, preferably from the Western Ghats region. Experts from biology, law, science, sociology etc. Representative from tribal group. Civil society representatives.

Functions
1. 2. 3. 4. conservation, sustainable development and Eco restoration of the Western Ghats Environmental Impact Analysis and Clearance process in Western Ghats. Its recommendations will be ordinarily binding. (just like National Board of Wildlife whose decisions are rarely tampered with and by and large have been approved even by the Supreme Court of India.) WEGA will decide location of industry, land use planning in Western Ghats.

5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Prevent activity having negative environmental, social and ecological impact on Western Ghats. Can issue directions to the state government or agencies to prevent any negative impacts on the Western Ghats. Authority shall also be the final authority for demarcating the areas under the Ecologically Sensitive Zones #1, 2 and 3. Power to levy fines and other punitive measures Right to call for files, records, evidences etc. under Civil Procedure Code.

Zonal recommendations
As we saw earlier: Gadgil recommended Western Ghats to be divided into three ecologically sensitive zones. Here theyre:

Ecologically Sensitive Zone (ESZ) Zone #1 Zone #2 Zone #3 Donot give new licenses for mining. o Allow New mining license only IF scarce Where mining Existing mines should minerals not available on the plains. Mining exists, it should be be under strict o Existing mines should be under strict phased out in 5 regulation and social regulation and social audit. years. audit. Donot allow new industries.Exisiting Polluting Industry Allow new industries but with industries must switch to zero pollution by (Red/Orange) strict regulation + social audit. 2016 else close them down. Non polluting industry Allow but with strict regulation + social audit (green/blue) No river projects Any height allowed but with River higher than 3 Not higher than 15m detailed environmental impact projects/dams meters. assessment. Existing= with strict regulation Power plants Donot allow new power plants. + social audit.New plants=only if theyve zero pollution.
o

Transport Tourism

No new railway lines and major roads, except where it is highly essential (e.g Goa), Avoid new highways, Expressways

Allowed but only with strict regulation + social audit.

waste management, traffic, water and energy use=strictly regulate. (recall Tiger tourism article).

General recommendations
Agro
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Promote organic agricultural practices Give money for sequestration of carbon in soils. Donot allow any Genetically Modified crops in Western Ghats. Phase out use of chemical pesticides/ weedicides in the coming years. Instead of giving subsidies for chemical fertilizers, give the farmers subsidies for biogas, organic agriculture etc. Donot allow monoculture plantation of exotic species like eucalyptus.

Animal husbandary

7. 8. 9. 10.

11. 12. 13. Fisheries 14. 15. Awareness 16. 17. Sci-Tech and 18. IT 20. 21. Construction 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Misc

Encourage planting of endemic species; Extraction of medicinal plants with strict regulations Promote cattle breed that can withstand adverse agro climatic conditions of Western Ghats. Donot allow weedicides in cash crop areas alongside the roads. Because almost all plants coming under the weed category are rich cattle fodder. Donot allow introduction of any invasive alien species. Donot allow dynamite and other explosives to kill fish; provide fish ladders at all reservoirs monitor and control trade in aquarium fishes. Make river clubs in every school. Teach agri-stuff in schools. Use them for impact assessment for all new projects such as dams, mines, tourism, and housing. Prepare hydrological data base of rivers eco-friendly building material and construction methods, Minimise the use of steel, cement and sand Green Building certifications of Eco Housing, GRIHA codes. Donot allow filling of marshes/ wetlands. plastic bags in shops, tourist spots should be phased out. Generate awareness about reasonable and adequate vs luxury and wasteful energy consumption (for example excessive lights and Air conditioners in malls, hotels etc.)

Ok everything sounds well and good with Gadgils report, then why is there a controversy? Well see that in fourth and last article of this series: click me

Controversies: Gadgil report

There are 6 main controversies surround Gadgils report on Western Ghats.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Gadgil saying NO to some Dams in Kerala and Karnataka. TM* (trademark belongs to UPSC) RTI stone walling Committee pe Committee Angry Kerala Government Mining mafias spreading baseless rumors (about removal of optional subjects lolz) Creation of separate authority
Lets check them one by one:

Contro#1: NO to Dams in Kerala and Karnataka

o o o
Madhav Gadgil had proposed that Environmental Clearance should not be given to any large scale dams in zone #1 and #2. And on the same logic, he also recommended dont give environmental clearance to the two proposed dams in Kerala and Karnataka. lets see why?

Project State River

Athirappilly Project Gundia Kerala Chalakudy Karnataka Gundia 200

Capacity (MW) approx. 150+

Athirappilly Project: Why problem?

Plants - Some new species of plants reported in this region- critically endangered species of riparian trees found here. Kerala has four species of Hornbills

1. 2. Birds 3. 4.

the Malabar grey hornbill, grey hornbill, Malabar pied hornbill great Indian hornbill
and all of them are found in this Athirappally region.

o o
Fishes

o o o Entire project area falls under the migratory route of elephants, project Elephant. Elephant o Lion-tailed Macaque, an endemic, endangered species of the Western Ghats, lives here. Monkeys o cane turtle, an endemic and endangered species, first reported here, is currently the only place where they could
Turtles

rare species of fishes and amphibians like the torrent frog found here. National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources has recommended the Chalakudy river to be declared as a Fish Sanctuary Some of the species of fish migrate upstream while some do so downstream to complete their annual life cycle . Hence, construction of the dam will directly affect the survival of these species

be seen in reasonable numbers

Adar Tribal displacement

o
Adar tribe is considered to be the most primitive of the South Indian forest tribes

o o o

They are a primitive hunter and food gatherer tribe originally restricted to the forests and hill tracts of Chalakudy river basin. Their population is fewer than 1500. Theyll be affected by the dam.
Given these factors, Madav Gadgil panel has recommended not to construct the Athirappilly dam.

Gundia Project: why problem?

o o o o o
cuckoo bee : a unique species found in Gundia basin Lion-tailed macaque Travancore flying squirrel Nilgiri marten (cat) presence of tiger and elephants sighted.
Therefore Madav Gadgil panel has recommended not to construct dam on Gundia river.

Contro#2: R.T.I. stonewallingTM

o o o o o o

As you already know, Gadgil recommended that whole Western Ghat be divided into 3 zones no new mining licences should be given in zone 1 and 2. Government must stop all existing mines in Zone 1 by 2016. Government must stop illegal mining activities immediately.

o o o o o

^This is a bitter pill. And no Government wants to swallow (thanks to powerful mining lobby of South West India with deep pockets and political connections.) Anyways, Gadgil submitted his report in 2011. But Environment ministry did not release this report for media/public discussion. (because Ministrys plan was to let the report gather dust, and take no action on it.) But Someone from Kerala filled R.T.I in 2012 seeking a copy of this report. And Public Information Officer in Environment Ministry said we cannot disclose Gadgil report because it is still being analysed and considered. And more importantly: Section 8 (1) (a) of the RTI Act exempts information, disclosure of which would affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of the state. The R.T.I applicant went all the way to CIC.

CIC ordered following

o o o o o o o o
The Supreme Court of India has recognized that the right to information is a fundamental right of the citizens of India under Article 19 (1) of the Constitution of India. The RTI Act has codified this fundamental right 19(1) by stating that every citizen shall have the right to information. The RTI Act recognises that a democracy requires an informed citizenry and transparency of information, Therefore, all agents of Government must be responsible for their conduct. The people of this country have a right to know every public act, everything that is done in a public way by their public functionaries. If Gadgil report is disclosed, itll enable citizens to debate in an informed manner and they can provide useful feedback to the government. R.T.I Act requires suo moto disclosure by the public authority while formulating important policies and not after formulating them. Therefore I direct the Ministry of Environment and Forests to publish the report of Gadgil panel.
And thus, environment ministry had to upload the PDF file on its website, (somewhere in mid-2012)

Contro#3: Committee pe Committee.

o o o
Judiciary=taarikh pe taarikh. Similarly Government=Committee pe Committee. Since Government did not like Gadgils recommendations, they formed a new committee headed by Kasturi Rangan to study the report of Gadgil Panel!
Gadgil himself got angry and stated:

o o

Ive merely pointed out many inconvenient truths but Government is trying to suppress my report and evade a democratic debate on its recommendations. And this Kasturi Rangan fellow is keeping me completely out of the loop while assessing my report!

Contro#4: Angry Kerala Government

Kerala Governments official stand is

o o o

We cannot accept the recommendations given by Madhav Gadgil. Because most of his suggestions are impractical to implement! Gadgil says NO to Athirappally hydroproject but it is essential for our states energy security.

o o o o

Keralas total hydel potential was estimated to be 6,000 MW, only 35 per cent of it had been harnessed so far. But Gadgil has instead suggested decommissioning of dams which were 35 to 40 years old. This would pose a question mark on the existing and proposed power projects and would plunge our state into darkness. Gadgil did not make concrete proposals on Revenue loss suffered by the state Government while implementing the recommendations (e.g. no mining in zone#1=no royalties payment from miners.)

Land Mafias of Kerala

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Land mafias (with political support) have grabbed lot of area in the forests and surrounding regions of Western Ghats. Now Madhav Gadgil says no to Development activities in such sensitive zones. = problem for politicians and mafias. Kerala Government fears that if we try to evict those mafias and other farmers, itll led to huge protests and violence (as it happened in Munnar Grasslands earlier). Kerala government fears that Gadgils recommendations will impact on growth. Gadgil says set up new Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA). But we are capable of preserving the Western Ghats within provisions of the existing laws.

Contro#5: Mining mafias spreading baseless rumors

Gadgil said

1. 2. 3.

donot give permission for new mines in Zone #1 and #2. And whatever mines are operational in zone #1,=close them down by 2016. Shut down illegal mining immediately. This has greatly upset the mining lobby. Now their agents are provoking the farmers and tribals in Western ghat region with baseless rumor that Gadgil has recommend to throw you out of your villages and make wildlife sanctuaries everywhere! So now some farmers and tribals are protesting against Gagdils report.

o o

o My report contains no proposal for relocation of any farmer or tribals from jungle areas! o Infact, Ive suggested financial assistance be given to farmers organic farming. Gadgil clarifies o It is the mining lobby particularly of Goa is behind this mischief.

Contro#6: Creation of separate authority (WGEA)

o o o
Gadgil recommended setting up an autonomous statutory authority Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA) to oversee the conservation of Western Ghats in the 6 states. But state Governments fear that such authority will take away their Decision Making power (and the bribe opportunity that comes with it for granting project approvals!) Therefore, state Governments are against creating WGEA. They say, existing regulatory framework is sufficient to protect the Western Ghats.

[EnB] Trophic Levels, Biotic Potential, Bio Magnification & IGNOU Material on Environment and biodiversity (free Download)
Feb 14th, 2013 @ 10:50 am Skip to comments

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.

Food Chain What is Trophic Level? Type of Food Chains Ecological Pyramids Types of Pyramids Food Web Why is Food web important? Energy Flow in the Ecosystem nd 2 law of themodynamics Connection: Trophic level vs Energy flow Energy=Unidirectional Nutrients/Material=Cyclic DDT and Biomagnification Biotic Potential. Carrying Capacity Interspecies relations Predation vs Parasitism Free download IGNOU Material on EnB Mock questions

Food Chain
o o o
For example, plants are eaten by insects, who are eaten by frogs, these frogs are eaten by fish, who are eaten by human beings. Plant > insect > frog > fish > human. This sequence is known as Food chain.

What is Trophic Level?

o o o
1. 2. 3. 4. Each step in the food chain is called a Trophic level. In this food chain: Plant > Insect > Frog > Fish > human= five steps. The trophic level to which an organism belongs, indicates how far it is away from plants in the food chain. green plants (producers)= trophic level I herbivores (primary consumers)= trophic level II carnivores (secondary consumers)=trophic level III top carnivores (tertiary consumers)= trophic level IV Herbivores (deer, cow etc.) are always @second trophic level. Higher trophic levels are made up of carnivores. An organism cannot always be assigned to one specific trophic level. nd nd E.g. man (omnivore), so he is both a herbivore (@2 trophic level) and as a carnivore he can be (@>2 trophic level)

o o o o

Type of Food Chains

Food Chain
1. Grazing

Description Starts with green plants.e.g. Grass> grasshoppers> birds> hawks.

2. 3.

Also starts with green plants but here smaller organisms depending on larger organism. e.g. Grass> cow> lice. Detritus* /saprophytic Starts with dead plant/animal/ waste material> decomposers.
Parasitic

*Detrius = dry leaves, dead plant, animal remains, dead skin cells, other organic waste (urine, excreta).

Ecological Pyramids
o o o o o
You already know about the food chain: grass > Grasshoppers >birds >hawk. Each step or level is known as Trophic level. If we draw these trophic levels in a verticle fashion, a pyramid is created. This pyramid is known as Ecological pyramid. The Autotrophs (green plants) = base of the pyramid The top carnivores (lion tigers) = tip (apex) of this pyramid.

Types of Pyramids
1. 2. 3. Pyramid of numbers, Pyramid of biomass Pyramid of energy or productivity

Food Web
o o o
Food Chain:> Grass> grasshopper >frog > fish > man Food chain assume the isolated linear line. But in real life, frog could be eating other insects apart from grasshopper. Fish could be eating smaller fishes apart from frog. So there exists an interconnected Network of (Food Chain + Food Chain + Food chain). This interconnected network of food chains = food web.

Why is Food web important?

o o o o
Suppose in a jungle, the deer species is wiped out due to some human poaching/ diseases / natural disaster. Then its predators (lion,tiger) can feed on other animals such as fox, wolf, crane, peacock etc. until deer population grows again. Thus, food web= help living organism survive in case of minor or major setbacks in their food chain. food web=provides stability to the ecosystem.

Energy Flow in the Ecosystem

o o o
So far you know what is food chain and what is food web. You also know what is Trophic level. (each step in a food chain). When energy is passed from one tropic level to next trophic level, some part of energy is wasted. So energy declines as we move up in the chain/ web / pyramid.

Why?
1. 2. 3. 4. Because some energy is wasted as body heat. No herbivore (deer, cow) can entirely digest and absorb the plant nutrients. Some energy is wasted while capturing the prey. (e.g. Tiger chasing a deer.) Some energy remains trapped e.g. Tiger only eats the flash of a deer. He doesnt eat the skin, hair, bone and teeth of a deer. So the energy stored in the skin, hair, bone and teeth of a deer =not moved up in the food chain. However this energy is later utilized when scavenger (hyena) comes into picture. Because Hyenas stomach acid is so powerful, it can digest the skin, hair, bone, teeth and other remnants of a deer corpse.

o o

2nd law of themodynamics

o o o o o o o o o

When energy changes from one form to another, some of the energy is Lost. Suppose a jungle receives 1000 calories worth Sunlight everyday. Most of the sunlight is not absorbed; some is reflected back to space. Out of the sunlight that is absorbed, only a small portion is utilized by green plants Out of which the plant uses up some for respiration, therefore only 100 calories are stored as energy rich materials. Now a deer, eats the green plant containing 100 cal of food energy. The deer uses some of it for its own metabolism and stores only 10 cal as food energy. A tiger eats the deer gets an even smaller amount of energy. Thus usable energy decreases from sunlight to producer(green plant) to herbivore(deer) to carnivore(tiger). Therefore, the energy pyramid will always be upright.

Connection: Trophic level vs Energy flow

o o o
The loss of energy (explained in previous para) limits the number of trophic levels in the ecosystem. Hence trophic levels are seldom more than five. This also explains why the steps in a food chain are limited to four or five.

Energy=Unidirectional

o o o o o

Movement of Energy is Unidirectional (one-way). Because initial Solar energy trapped by an autotroph (plant) does not go back to Sun. Similarly, energy that passes from herbivore (deer) to carnivore (lion) does not pass back to herbivore (deer). This unidirectional (one-way) and continuous energy flow=prevents the collapse of Ecosystem. (otherwise, if lion ate deer and another rabbit ate lion then what will happen hahaha!)

Nutrients/Material=Cyclic
o o o o o o
The Movement of nutrients/materials is cyclic. e.g. grasshopper eats grass and dies. Its body is decomposed and again absorbed by some other plant/grass. In other words: The Decomposers break down the fecal matter, excretory products and dead bodies of all plants and animals into inorganic materials. And this inorganic material is again reused by autotrophs (green plants). Ok here is a question? If you want to make the movement of nutrients unidirectional then what should be done? Ans. Eliminate the decomposers.

Entry of DDT and other pesticides, damages this smooth cycle of nutrient movement. Lets check how:

DDT and Biomagnification

o o o o o
DDT=dichloro-diphenyl trichloroethane. It is a broad spectrum pesticide (meaning it can kill variety of insects, not just one or two.) It lasts for a relatively long time (nearly 20 years) after one application. DDT is cheap to produce, been extensively used across world. Problem: DDT cannot be metabolized (digested) by any living organism.

Suppose DDT was sprayed on water.

o o o o o o

There are millions of planktons in the water. Each of them absorbed 5ppm of DDT. Since they cannot digest DDT, it remains unprocessed in their body. A fish eats 8 such planktons, so it gets 8 x 5 =40 ppm of DDT in its body. A bird eats 50 such fishes, so bird gets 40 x 50 =2000 ppm of DDT in its body. So the amount of DDT keeps increasing as we move up in the food chain. This phenomenon is known as bio magnification. Bio magnification is bad because it produces variety of diseases in the species + its offsprings (babies) via teratogenesis. Teratogenesis = formation of defective embryo.

To sumup
o o o o
Biomagnification is a man-induced process. Biomagnification occurs with non-degradable chemicals/substances/pollutants only. For example Pesticides, anti-knocking agents used in internal combustion engines, paints, artificial perfumes etc. Biomagnification doesnt occur with degradable chemicals/substances for example sugar, tea, cheese, milk etc. because they can be digested by (some) living organisms.

Biotic Potential.
o o
Unlimited food + ideal environmental conditions =a species can produce offspring @ maximum rate. This is known as Biotic potential. It can be high or low, depending on how many offspring (children) can a species produce in ideal conditions.

Biotic potential High low

Example Bacteria, insects, mice, rabbits larger species like elephants, tigers and humans

Why? produce a large number of offspring in a short time. Gestation period is long. So they produce only a few offspring species during their lifetime, even if ideal food and environment conditions are given.

Carrying Capacity
o o
It means the maximum population that an environment can support and sustain. When the carrying capacity is reached, birth rates equal death rates and the population should maintain a steady state equilibrium.

Interspecies relations
Interaction
1. 2. 3. 4. Mutualism Commensalism Predation Parasitism

Species A Enjoys Enjoys Enjoys Enjoys

Species B Enjoys Neutral Harmed Harmed

Example Bees and flowers (pollination) Orchid plant growing on a mango tree. Tiger eating deer. Tapeworm in human digestive tract.

5. 6.

Competition Amensalism

Harmed Harmed Jungle Deers vs domestic goats grazing in same area. bread mold Penicillium secretes penicillin and it destroys other Neutral Harmed bacteria.

Btw, whats the difference between

Predation vs Parasitism
Predation
Tiger killing deer. done only for food. Prey (deer) killed immediately Predator is (usually) big in size. Predators biotic potential is usually very low. (tiger, lion etc.)

Parasitism
Tapeworm in human digestive tract. Done for food + shelter. Host not killed immediately Smaller. Parasites biotic potential is usually higher.

[EnB] COP 11 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Hyderabad 2012 Outcomes, Bushmeat, Empty Jungle syndrome
May 14th, 2013 @ 12:14 am Mrunal Skip to comments

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. 3. 4. 1. 5. 1. 6. 7. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Intro COP Conferences under CBD India and CBD COP11(HYDCBD) Logo COP11(HYDCBD): Outcomes/ Agreements #1: CASH #2: Ocean #2a: Ocean: Protected Planet 2012 #2b: Ocean: Research What is Marine Litter? #3 Online forum #4: Bushmeat Empty forest syndrome? #5: Champions and their pledges Maldives: Biosphere reserve nation #6: Nagoya Ratification #7:Misc Science Express Biodiversity Special Museum in Hyd Rajiv Gandhi award Mock Questions

Intro

o o o o

When it comes to environment protection, climate change, wildlife protection, there are multiple conventions and each convention has parties. Those parties hold conferences at regular interval. such conferences are called conference of Parties COP. In a single calendar year there can be more than on COP (because these are different conventions).

For example

What? When? Where? Issue/topic/convention? COP-11 Oct 2012 Hyderabad, India Biodiversity (CBD) COP-18 Nov-Dec 2012 Doha, Qatar Climate change (UNFCC) COP-16 March 2013 Bangkok, Thailand illegal trade of endangered species (CITES)
lets focus on COP related to CBD (Convention on biological diversity) To get a better grasp of CBD/COP11, make sure youve already read earlier two [EnB] articles
1. 2. CBD: basics and evolution, click me Aichi targets under CBD, click me

COP Conferences under CBD

Year COP# Where 2010 10 Nagoya, Japan 2012 11 Hyd, India 2014 12 PyeongChang, S.Korea (theme = Biodiversity forSustainable Development)

India and CBD

o o o o
The Convention on Biodiversity (CBD) has near universal membership with 193 countries. The USA is the only major country that is not a Party. India has ratified the CBD. India also enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002 and notified the Rules in 2004 to give effect to the provisions of the CBD. Now India has got presidency of CBD for two years. (2012-14). previously it was with Japan.

COP11(HYDCBD)
o o o o
Total 170 countries participated in the conference. Current decade (2011-2020) has been declared as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity and United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification. COP11-HYDCBD is the first conference during above special decades. th Just few days before the official COP11, Hyderabad also hosted the 6 meeting of parties to Cartagena protocol on biosafety (under CBD). This is known as COP-MOP-6.

October 1-5 COP-MOP-6

October 8-19 COP11

Logo

o o

Was developed by National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad for the Government of India. This logo symbolises the cycle of life with a tiger, a dolphin, a bird and a women with grains depicting linkage of biodiversity with livelihoods. On top is the slogan in Sanskrit with English translation Nature Protects if She is Protected

COP11(HYDCBD): Outcomes/ Agreements

o o
HYDCBD is not the official name. Just visualize Eleven cops (policemen) hiding kabaad (trash)= 11 COP was held in Hyderabad for Convention on Biodiversity. The Previous COP (#10) was held @ Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan in 2010.
th

Anyways, lets check the outcome of COP-11(HYDCBD)

#1: CASH
Who? Developed (EU/US) What did they say?
o Well double (2x) the funding to help developing states to meet Aichi Biodiversity Targets, by 2015. countries o roughly it means, developing countries will get about 30 billion USD=~Rs. 1,50,000 crore over the
next 8 years. For the first time, developing countries at COP 11, including India and several African states, pledged Countries additional cash above and beyond their core funding towards CBD o India committed over US$ 50 million. o By 2015, Well prepare national financial plans for biodiversity and increase domestic Expenditure for it.

Developing All

#2: Ocean
o o
COP-11(HYDCBD) gave much focus to Ocean, marine biodiversity. Countries agreed to pay more attention to Sargasso Sea, the Tonga archipelago and key corals sites off the coast of Brazil.

Sargasso Sea Tonga

o

o middle of the North Atlantic Ocean. o South Pacific Ocean. Archipelago o Tonga is a sovereign state.

Well factor biodiversity into environmental impact assessments (EIA) for infra/development projects in costal areas.

We call upon the fisheries management bodies to play a stronger role in protecting biodiversity.

#2a: Ocean: Protected Planet 2012

o o o o o
Protected planet 2012=it is name of the report released by UNEP. This report says Half of the worlds richest biodiversity zones remain entirely unprotected. If you want to meet the Aichi Biodiversity targets, then youve declare an additional 8 million square kilometers of marine and coastal areas as protected. We, the COP11(HYDCBD) players, will show these results to UN General assembly and ask them amend United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea accordingly + international agreement for biodiversity conservation in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction.

#2b: Ocean: Research

Well do more research into adverse effect of
1. 2. 3. underwater noise from ships on marine biodiversity, and Marine litter* Climate change impacts on coral reefs,

What is Marine Litter?

These are items / materials that
o o o
People deliberately discard/throw into the sea or rivers or on beaches. indirectly brought to sea via rivers, sewage, storm water or winds; Lost at sea in accident/bad weather.

#3 Online forum
o o o
1. 2. 3. 4. National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans Forum (NBSAP Forum) was launched at COP11 (HYDCBD) This online forum will provide easy-to-access, targeted information such as best practices, guidelines and learning tools for countries. This online forum is joint initiative by UNEP UNDP GEF Global Environment Facility CBD

#4: Bushmeat
o o
In Africa, forest is often called bush, so meat from jungle= bushmeat. Large scale hunting of monkeys, elephants, wild-buffalos etc. for bushmeat = led to Empty forest syndrome.

Empty forest syndrome?

o o
You already know that protection of jungle and wildlife=both important. Empty forest syndrome = jungles are still visible but animals gone.

In other words, Empty forest syndrome is a situation in which animals disappear at a much faster rate than their habitats. WHY? Because
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Bushmeat (as explained above) Trading of Skin, Hides, tusks etc. for making jewelry, trophies etc. Making Traditional medicine from animal-bones etc. (and it can even cure AIDS and Cancer!) Trading of exotic pets endangered birds, orangutan etc.) Climate change

Anyways back to the main topic (outcome of COP11)

o o
In Central Africa, gorillas, chimpanzees and many more wild animals are hunted as bush meat is the only cheap source of protein and food security for the poor communities. The players @COP11 (HYDCBD) adoped Hyderabad bushmeat recommendations for sustainable use and Management of bushmeat species to prevent the empty forest syndrome.

#5: Champions and their pledges

o o
COP-11 invited parties and partner organizations to make pledges to support one or more Aichi Biodiversity Targets. Under this

India Pledged to give 50 million USD Maldives pledged to make their entire country a Biosphere Reserve.

Maldives: Biosphere reserve nation

o o o
In support of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets (of CBD), the Republic of Maldives has pledged to become the first nation where the entire country and its Exclusive Economic Zone will be a Biosphere Reserve. First theyll implement biodiversity protection plans in their different atolls in a stepwise fashion, till the end 2017, Then theyll apply to UNSECO to declare Maldives as a Biosphere Reserve. (under UNESCOs Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program.)

#6: Nagoya Ratification

o o o o o
Nagoya Protocol=under CBD, For sharing benefits from genetic resources. Official name= Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization (ABS). India has already ratified Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit sharing. Now that weve got 2 years presidency for CBD, India will work tirelessly to get the Protocol ratified by 50 countries so that it comes into force during the Presidency of India.

#7:Misc
o o o o o
Well ask main economic sectors, such as business and development organizations, to integrate biodiversity objectives in their plans and programmes. Well enhance collaboration between the CBD and UN climate change initiatives including Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). CBD Secretariat to monitor and control trade, movement of invasive alien species. encourage parties to expand the use of biofuel, although with precautions Encourage parties to adopt Addis ababa principles (on sustainable use of biodiversity), in their national planning.

Science Express Biodiversity Special

o o o o o
A train to generate awareness about biodiversity conservation. (actually this started way before the actual COP11 (HYDCBD) took place. But the train was stationed @Hyderabad during the conference.) Collaborative initiative of Ministry of Environment & Forests + Department of Science and Technology. will cover over 100 stations in two years. Has total Of the 16 coaches 8 of them are solely dedicated to showcasing the biodiversity spread across all the bio-geographical zones of India.

Museum in Hyd
o o
Government already established a a commemorative Pylon and a Biodiversity Garden in Hyderabad for CBD. Now theyre also planning to establish a Biodiversity Museum on that site.

Rajiv Gandhi award

Indian Government has proposed to institute Rajiv Gandhi International Award for Harnessing Biodiversity for Livelihood.

[EnB] Doha COP18/UNFCC: Extension of Kyoto, Green Climate Fund, AAU issue, challenges exaplained
May 15th, 2013 @ 01:48 am Mrunal Skip to comments

1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Prologue 3 COPS under UNFCC th 17 COP, Durban (2011)? th 18 COP Doha (2012)? Kyoto extended Kyoto Mechanism Continue Agreement for 2020 Review CA$H Misc outcomes in DOHACOP11 1.Gender balance 2.Vulnerable junta

9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 5. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 1. 2. 3. 6.

3.LDCs 4.Web registry 5.PR 6.Forestry 7.Capture n Store 8.Tech transfer 9.-ve fallout Problem/Challenges @DohaCOP18 No CA$H No Compensation Agro kept out Others first too late Civil society more nations to leave the game Problem: AAU surplus selling What is AAU? AAU carryover AAU Selling: Mock Questions

Prologue
In case you wonder why have I suddenly shifted from Economic surveys to EnB? Reason: 12th chapter talks about sustainable Development and climate change and under that three international summits of 2012 will have to be covered anyways viz.
1. 2. 3. RIO+20 = done last year HYDCBD= done yesterday DohaCOP=doing It right now.

Then well go back to 12th chapter of economic survey and concentrate only on the India related stuff (+12th FYP) for sustainable Development and climate change. By the way, UPSC has uploaded marksheet of recommended candidates of CSE2012, although it doesnt show score in Individual subjects: only written total and interview total is given. click me to see the PDF

3 COPS under UNFCC

First, understand the basic of UNFCC and Kyoto protocol from earlier article click me COP= conference of parties.

Year COP# CMP*# Where? 2011 17 7 Durban, S.Africa 2012 18 8 Doha, Qatar 2013 19 9 Warsaw, Poland
*CMP= Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (and Kyoto is under UNFCC).

Before looking @18th COP (Doha, Qatar), lets get an overview of what happened during

17th COP, Durban (2011)?

Following were the key outcomes of 17th Conference held in Durban, S.Africa (2011)

Kyoto Extended 2020 QELRO Durban Platform

o o o o

It established a second commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol, which will begin on January 1, 2013 and end either on December 2017 or December 2020. Japan, Russia and Canada refused to join the second commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol. post 2020 arrangements would be finalized by 2015 and implemented from 2020. quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives (QELROs) for developed country Kyoto Protocol Parties will be determined during 2012. To discuss the post 2020 arrangements for global climate change regime. web-based registry was also agreed upon to be set up under the management of the UNFCCC Secretariat. This registry will serve as a platform for the developing countries to upload their Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs). to support projects, programmes, policies and other activities in developing nations. The Fund will start operating from 2013 developed nations will provide money in this fund

o o

Web registry o
o Green Climate o o Fund

18th COP Doha (2012)?

o o
18th session of the COP to the UNFCCC, was held @Doha, Qatar. It has resulted in a set of decisions (clubbed together as Doha Climate Gateway)

Kyoto extended
o o o o o o
The first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol was ending on 31 December 2012. th In 17 COP (Durban, S.Africa, 2011) we had agreed that Kyotos extension will be either upto on December 2017 or December 2020. th But here @18 COP (Doha, Qatar, 2012), we agree that second period of Kyoto protocol Will start from 1 January 2013 and st End @31 Dec 2020. =Kyoto extended for total 8 years.

1. 2. 1. 2. 3. 4.

Players What is their stand? China Lolz, as developing countries, we are not legally required to cut down our emissions, so India weve nothing to lose here. (Actually more cash to gain via Green climate fund!) WAIT! This stupid protocol doesnt bind China or India cut their emissions! The whole Russia New Zealand concept of CBDR (Common But Differentiated Responsibility) is a big joke. Why Japan should we be the sacrificial lambs?We dont want to be in this second commitment Canada period of Kyoto.

USA

hahaha, be it first commitment or second commitment, I had never ratified the Kyoto protocol. So, adios suckers.

Kyoto Mechanism Continue

o o
Well will also extend Protocols Market Mechanisms the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Joint Implementation (JI) and International Emissions Trading (IET). (although there is a problem / challenge with trading of surplus AAUs. Explained @bottom of this article).

Agreement for 2020

o o
Well speedily work toward a climate change agreement applicable to all countries from 2020, to be adopted by 2015. Well scale up our efforts before 2020 to meet the gap in global ambition for emissions reduction.

Review
o o
Well launch a robust process to review the long-term temperature goal. This will start in 2013 and conclude by 2015. This review will be is a reality check on how big the climate change threat is and what further action is needed to prevent it.

CA$H
o

Developed countries Germany, UK, France, Denmark, Sweden and EU Green Climate Fund
By the way,

o o o o

Theyve reiterated commitment to mobilize US$100 billion to developing countries by 2020. But they didnot give any specific targets for mid-term financing (between 2013-2017). they made Finance pledges worth total $6 billion for period upto 2015 (Its office) will be hosted in the Songdo district in Incheon city of South Korea. Most likely to start operation in 2014.

What is Green Climate Fund?

o o
financial mechanism of the UNFCCC to transfer money from the developed to the developing world, so they can counter climate change

2010 16th Cancun COP launched Green climate fund 2012 18th COP decided that Green climate fund will be hosted in S.Korea

Misc outcomes in DOHACOP11

1.Gender balance 2.Vulnerable junta 3.LDCs

Well strive for gender balance in our countries negotiating teams.

o o o o o o o o o

for vulnerable population (e.g. those living in costal areas thatll get submerged in future). Well create concrete institutional arrangements to help them parties agreed for ways to implement National Adaptation Plans for least developed countries (LDCs) also funding and other support for LDCs Recall that in 17th COP (Durban,Africa, 2011) this web registry was launched. Now the parties have completed a registry to record for developing country that seek recognition or financial support for their mitigation programs. climate change education and training create public awareness enable the public to participate in climate change decision-making enhance the efforts to fight deforestation. under the Kyoto Protocols Clean Development Mechanism well work on projects to capture and store carbon emissions developed countries will help transfer (secret james bond) technology to the developing countries so they can curb their GHG emissions. In some cases, if one country tries to reduce emissions, it could result in negative economic or social consequences for other countries. In Doha, governments discussed measures to address such consequences in a special forum.

4.Web registry 5.PR

o 6.Forestry 7.Capture n o o Store o 8.Tech transfer o

9.-ve fallout

Problem/Challenges @DohaCOP18
No CA$H No Compensation Agro kept out Others first too late Civil society
o o o o o o o o

Just like RIO+20. Here too, the developed nations didnt give firm time table for money transfer. With more and more players exiting the game, the promose of raising 100 billion USD at the end of 2020, seems like a mission impossible. Vulnerable countries vociferously demanded compensation mechanism for loss and damage resulting from climate change. But no agreement was reached.
Agriculture is responsible for 14% of the global emissions. But there was no agreement among parties to cut down emission from this sector. (because developing countries like India dont want any haste in this matter.) EU says will raise its target of cutting emissions by 20 percent by 2020 to 30 percent only if other countries showed sufficient commitment. There is a provision in the agreement for countries to tighten their emissions targets in 2014 but many developing countries think that by the time any review is instigated it may already be too late to keep temperature rises below 2C. although COP18 itself was held @Doha Qatar but lot of meetings between parties were done in various countries. It is easier for big MNCs to lobby at so many places. But for an NGO/Civil society it is not easy to participate / travel in so many places and voice their concerns due to lack of money/funding. Thus UNFCC itself restricts participation of people.

more nations to o leave the game o

Belarus has hinted that it may withdraw from Kyoto. Kazakhstan and Ukraine also in same mood.

Problem: AAU surplus selling

What is AAU?
o o o o o o
AAU=Assigned amount units AAUs are tradable emission permits under the Kyoto Protocol. Observe the words: Tradable= can be sold from one country to another. Countries whose emissions are above their emissions reduction target, can purchase AAUs from other countries that have surpluses. Emission permits= One AAU (permit) allows a country to emit 1 metric tonne of CO2. By the way Hot air= term used to describe surplus AAUs held by Russia, Ukraine and other former soviet bloc countries.

AAU carryover
o o o o
@DOHACOP18, Parties agreed that if any country had accumulated surplus AAU (permits) during 1st period of Kyoto then those permits will be valid for second period also. st 1 Problem= Russia has left the game, so those permits are useless for them. Russia wants to sell away those AAU surplus to other players whore still in the game for second period of Kyoto protocol (2013-2020). This leads us to second problem

AAU Selling:
@DOHACOP, parties agreed that
o o
Surplus AAUs (from 1 period) can be sold and purchased during 2 period of Kyoto. nd BUT condition: the selling party must be in the game for 2 period (2013-2020)
st nd

2nd problem: Russia has lot of surplus AAUs. But Russia has withdrawn itself from second commitment period of Kyoto. Therefore, Russia cannot sell its surplus AAU permits to other players who are still in the game e.g. Germany or France.