12/6/2018----Expected Questions in Environment & Latest Developments Part 2 (Set 1)- Translation in Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi,

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Expected Questions in Environment & Latest Developments Part 2 (Set 1) (Download PDF)
(December 5, 2018)

“Methanol Economy” NITI Aayog Working on Road Map on World Environment Day, 2018: -NITI Aayog is working on roadmap
for full-scale implementation of methanol economy in country in near future, which would curb pollution, & reduce India’s dependence on oil
imports as well.

In Energy Sector

Other major area where methanol can reduce pollution is Energy sector. India has installed capacity of 22000 MW on HFO (Heavy fuel oil)
alone. HFO is one of dirtiest fuel & most countries of world have abandoned it. Entire HFO usage can be replaced by Methanol.

Power Modules of Mobile Towers (about 750000) in India can fully be replaced by Methanol Reformer/Fuel Cell based platforms in next 2
years.

By adopting Methanol India can have its own indigenous fuel at cost of approx. Rs. 19 per litre at least 30 % cheaper than any available fuel.

Image of The Methanol

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12/6/2018----Expected Questions in Environment & Latest Developments Part 2 (Set 1)- Translation in Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi,
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Methanol Economy

Concept of “Methanol Economy” is being actively pursued by China, Italy, Sweden, Israel, US, Australia, Japan & many other European
countries.

10 % of fuel in China in transport Sector is Methanol.

Methanol Economy, if adopted by India can be one of best ways to mitigate Environmental hazards of growing economy.

UGC Directs Universities to Ban Plastic Cups, Bottles

UGC has directed all varsities & higher educational institutions to ban use of plastic cups, lunch packets, straws, bottles & bags on their
campuses.

Directive by commission comes after Union Environment Ministry issued advisory, saying India is global host of this year’s World
Environment Day celebrations - Largest UN-led celebration on environment.

Theme for this edition is ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’.

Ban take-away coffee cup, lunch wrapped in disposable plastic packaging, plastic bags, disposable food service cups, plates, containers made
in polystyrene foam & plastic straws.

Restrict single-use plastic water bottle & encourage use of refillable bottles instead.

Commission has asked varsities to conduct networking activities on mass awareness on disposal of plastic & cleanliness drives under Swachh
Bharat Mission in municipalities.

In run-up to World Environment Day celebrations on 5th June, Environment Ministry has asked schools stop use of plastics in their premises
& constituted 19 teams to undertake cleaning of 24 beaches & equal number of polluted riverfronts & lakes across country.

World Bank Approves Rs. 6,000 Crore Atal Bhujal Yojana

World Bank has approved Water Resources & River Development Ministry’s Rs. 6000 cr. worth central sector scheme, ‘Atal Bhujal Yojana’.
Scheme will be implemented over period of 5 years from 2018 - 19 to 2022 - 23 w/assistance from World Bank.

Scheme proposal is recommended by Expenditure Finance Committee & Ministry will be seeking Cabinet approval for project shortly.

Aims of Atal Bhujal Yojana: It aims to improve ground water management in priority areas in country thru community participation.

Priority areas are identified under scheme fall in states of Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan & UP.

They cover 2 major types of groundwater systems found in India, alluvial & hard rock aquifers, & have varying degrees of institutional
readiness & experience in groundwater management.

Status of Ground Water in India

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Image of Status of Ground Water in India

Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) is regulating ground water development in 23 States/UTs.

As per assessment of dynamic ground water resources of country carried out jointly by CGWB & State Ground Water Departments, out of
total 6584 numbers of assessment units (Block/Taluks/Mandals/watershed/Firkka), 1034 units are categorized as ‘Over-exploited’.

This may be due to increase in population, rapid urbanization & industrialization & other related factors.

NITI Aayog to Launch Composite Water Management Index

NITI Aayog announced to launch Composite Water Management Index w/aim to achieve objective of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Composite
Water Management Index will be useful tool to assess & improve performance in efficient management of water resources.

Objectives of Composite Water Management Index

To inspire States & UTs towards efficient & optimal utilization of water & recycling, w/sense of urgency.

To formulate & implement suitable strategies for better management of water resources.

It will provide useful information for States & for concerned Central Ministries.

Composite water management index comprises of 9 parameters & 28 indicators.

These include various aspects of ground water, irrigation, restoration of water bodies, farm practices, drinking water, policy & governance.

For purpose of analysis, reporting states of index were divided into 2 special groups North Eastern & Himalayan states & Other States to take
into account diff. hydrological conditions across these groups.

Currently, 600 million Indians face high to extreme water stress & about 2 lakh people die every year due to inadequate access to safe water.

Ranking of States/UTs

General States or Other States: Gujarat topped list followed by MP, AP, Karnataka & Maharashtra. Jharkhand, Haryana, UP & Bihar were
worst performers among general States. Rajasthan held 1st position in terms of incremental change.

North-eastern and Himalayan states: Tripura has topped list followed by Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim & Assam.

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