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EDITORIAL / MY PAGE
Shifting from ‘P’
and ‘T’ to ‘C’ and
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No. 12
‘E’ factor
CHIEF EDITOR Obama’s visit to India is
Vivek S Raj historic and also
inspiring. India must
ASSOCIATE EDITOR understand the degree
Vinita S Raj of flexibility in US foreign policy and overall
approach towards their economic imperatives. The
EDITOR AND BUREAU CHIEF superpower has shown ...
R K Singh, Ex-civil Servant
EDITOR (HON.) Page 06
Dr. Apporva 19 CSAT PREPARATION: CSAT: Beginning of a new chapter Only change is permanent
NATIONAL DEBATE
ASSISTANT EDITOR 22.
Organ Trafficking: Lacunas in the 24.
Role of the Union Public Service Commi-
Law and Respective Solutions
Vishi S Raj
26 SOLVED MAINS GENERAL STUDIES 2010
EDITORIAL BOARD NEW SYLLABUS: GENERAL ISSUES ON ENVIRONMENTAL ECOLOGY, BIO-DIVERSITY AND
Manish Singh, Prof. R K Singh, CLIMATE CHANGE
BIODIVERSITY
M.S. Yadav, Rohini Sarkar, 44.
Faunal diversity
Nitesh Khabrani 44.
Floral diversity
Subscription Queries: 09871220001 44.
Angiosperms
44.
Gymnosperms
44.
Pteridophytes
DISTRIBUTORS
45.
Bryophytes
AGGRAWAL NEWS AGENCY: SHIVAJI STA- 45.
Crop genetic diversity
DIUM, NEW DELHI, 9810703008 47.
Livestock genetic diversity
JAGDISH BOOK DEPOT: BER SARAI COMMU- 47.
Fish genetic diversity
NITY CENTRE, NEW DELHI, PH. NO. 26961421. 48.
Mountain diversity
CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY PVT LTD 48.
Magnitude of Biodiversity
27/13, CHENNA REDDY STREET, AGMORE, 48.
Problems of Biodiversity
CHENNAI - 8, PH: 09841266521 49.
GMOs and Biodiversity
RAJU PUSTAK KENDRA: 23/47/50, ALLAHPUR, 50.
NCDMA
LABOUR CHAURAHA, ALLAHABAD, PH: 52.
Biological Diversity Act- 2002
9415697930, 9453460552 52.
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
ASHIRWAD BOOK: Lucknow, Ph. No. 2270019. 52.
CBD and CoP
BOOK SELECTION CENTRE: KD HOUSE, NEAR 52.
Nagoya Biodiversity Summit
SHALIMAR FUNCTION HALL, RAMKOTE, 53.
TEEB 2010
HYDERABAD, PHONE NO. 040-23446841. 54.
Legislative Measures
EBS CHANDIGARH: 98141-10136 54.
Biodiversity in 2010
VISHAL BOOK CENTRE: 4, TOTTEE LANE, 55.
Protection of Traditional Knowledge
KOLKATA: 033-22527816 55.
Agriculture and Bio-diversity
A K NAYAK BHUBNESHWAR: 55.
Research and Development
Ph: 09861046179, 407810 56.
NTFPs
B. JAYAKUMAR NEWS AGENCY: 57.
Invasive alien species
TRIVANDRUM -Ph: 2461246,9846014411. 57.
FDAs-JFMC and NAEB
MAURYA BOOK STALL, VARANASI 57.
Regulatory Mechanisms
PH: 09532102070 59.
Bio-sphere Reserves
ALKA BOOK AGENCY: SHOP NO.27, BUDDHA 59.
Hot Spots of Biodiversity
PLAZA MARG, BUDDHA MARG, PATNA; PH: 0612- 60.
Wasteland
2226540 60.
Types of Wastelands
RAHUL KUMAR: 35-56-6 LANGDI KI CHOWKI, 60.
Coastal Area Ecosystem
AGRA, PH: 9219766675 60.
Initiatives for sustainability
POCKET BOOK DISTRIBUTOR: RAFTMALI 60.
Coral Reefs
DHAL, KHANPUR, AHEMDABAD 61.
Management of Coastal Zones
RANJAN MISHRA: SHOP NO.32, KACHEREY BUS 61.
ENVIS Network
STAND, GORAKHPUR; PH: 09839612129 62.
Waste Water Management
R.K. NEWS AGENCY: PATIALA, M: 09872807517 62.
Biological clean-up methods
R.P. PRASAD: KUMAR NEWS AGENCY (C/O P.C. 62.
Rain-Water Harvesting
JAIN); KRISHNA NAGAR, CHATRIBATI 62.
Techniques Used
GUWAHATI (ASSAM) 63.
Eco-tourism
FAROOQ ABDULLAHA NEWS AGENCY: LAL ENVIRONMENTAL
CHOWK, SRINAGAR, PH. 09419074859 ECOLOGY
SHEILA BOOK CENTRE: KACHHI CHHAWANI, 65.
Ecology and Ecosystem
JAMMU TAWI PH 09419146803. 65.
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
LIBERTY BOOK DEPOT: AHMEDABAD, 66.
Ministry of Environment & Forests
PH 09825060848
GARG BOOK DEPOT: 158, BARKATNAGAR, Civil Services
TONK PHATAK, JAIPUR, PHONE. 0141-2595526
COVER STORY
President Obama’s
visit to India
It was a much awaited
visit as normally the visit
of the President of the
United States of America
to India tends to be. What
made it even more important was the backdrop of
major shifts in the relations between the world’s
two largest ...
Page 08
ssion in ensuring Good Governance
66.
Conservation Reserves
67.
Botanical Survey of India (BSI)
68.
Geological Survey of India (GSI)
68.
Forest Survey of India (FSI)
69.
Forests diversity
69.
Forest Policy
70.
National Forest Academy (IGNFA)
70.
Project Tiger
71.
Community Reserves
72.
World Bank and Project Tiger
72.
Project Elephant
73.
Elephant Landscapes
74.
Wildlife
74.
New Wildlife Action PLAN (2002-16)
74.
Wildlife Research
74.
Fellowships and Awards
75.
National River Conservation Plan
76.
Damodar Action Plan (DAP)
76.
Yamuna Action Plan
76.
Wetlands
78.
Ramsar Convention
79.
Mangroves
80.
Mangrove under threats
81.
IUCN
82.
Marine Mammal Atlas
82.
World Heritage Convention
83.
Pollution Control 2009-10
84.
Hazardous Waste Management
85.
The National Green Tribunal launched
CLIMATE CHANGE
86.
Global Warming (GW)
89.
Ecology and Global Policy
90.
UNCED, Earth Summit
91.
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
91.
Kyoto Protocol
91.
Montreal Protocol
92.
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
92.
Carbon Market
93.
IPCC Report 2008
96.
Bali Roadmap 2007
97.
Copenhagen Accord 2009
98.
Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting
99.
India and Climate Change
100.
CDM and Carbon trading
101.
Classification of Resources
102.
Azo dyes
102.
Element 117
104.
GEI
Launching Year Book 2011

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 MY PAGE/ COVER STORY

Obama’s visit to India sanctions imposed on Iran. The

relative economic weaknesses of UK

Shifting fr om ‘P’ and ‘T’

from and France have made them virtually
insignifi-cant in the
realm of global dip-
to ‘C’ and ‘E’ ffactor
actor lomacy. They follow
what China and US
decides. Conside-

O
bama’s visit to India is historic and also inspiring. India must
ring this insourmo-
understand the degree of flexibility in US foreign policy and overall
untable fact, USA
approach towards their economic imperatives. The superpower has
knows that without economic power
shown exemplary approach towards improvisation of traditional policies in
and targeted market the dominance
dealing with developing countries like India. USA has given a straight message
cannot be maintained for a longer
that nothing succeeds economic necessities and this necessity is equally
period of time. China has shown that
important for the developed, developing and under-development economies.
how economic policy can make them
The details of the visit are deeply analysed in the next article clause by clause
globally significant. Therefore, India
but in my page I want to send message to the media persons, opposition parties,
must outrightly use this opportunity
ruling parties, diplomats, strategists and analysts that only a mere
to analyse its policies from economic
understanding of international relations is not enough to arrive at the specific
point of view and nothing else.
conclusion to analyse the factors behind the changing India-US relations. For
Further, the issue of Pakistan and
this, one has to go out of annals of diplomacy and try to trace the history, geo-
terrorism cannot be solved by USA
politics, psychology, sociology and politics.
alone. In fact, USA knows that if
To me, for the first time in the annals of India-US relations, we witnessed a
Pakistan has gone out of control, then
complete divorce between political expediencies and economic imperatives.
China will have asymmetric
Unlike his predecessors, Obama, did not pay visit to Pakistan after the visit of
advantages. US also knows that they
India. This signifies that a new tradition has started and India must understand
can control Indian markets till the
that instead of focusing on Pakistan and terrorism factors, it should try to build
problems of Pakistan and terrorism
relations purely on economic factors to undermine and neutralize the growing
remains. Today the issue of Pakistan
is more guided by US economic
interest than the political one.
Therefore, demanding an
abandonment of the US’s Pakistan
policy would be uncalled for and
highly utopian. Only in one case, the
traditional policy of USA towards
Pakistan can be changed when US
economic interests are so much
intertwined with Indian economic
interest so that India can demand
more and only then we see a real and
true statement otherwise only
diplomatic deference could be
expected.
I use to see in my colony, in the GBM
of the Residents Welfare Association,
cheque book diplomacy of China. In this context, it is pertinent to refer that the
an agenda is made for discussion, then
history tells that war took place for capturing markets. This happened during
during the meeting the other issues
the feudalism, absolutism, mercantilism and even liberalism. The form and
like sanitation, security of the colony,
the mode were different but the motives were the same.
problems of drainage, irregular
The history also tells that without solid economic base, the political power
supply of water, etc. are raised one by
cannot be sustained for a longer period of time. This happened with France,
one and ultimately the meeting is
Manchu China, and today Russia. No doubt, the issue of permanent
called off without any decisions on
membership in the United Nations is an important issue for India but to me
any specific issue. Therefore, raise the
without solid economics, the membership is nebulous and insignificant. For
issue one by one and not all
understanding this, I feel that for this we are not required to go into history;
simultaneously and right now time
the present is enough. There are 15 members of the Security Council, consisting
has come to raise only the economic
of 5 veto-wielding permanent members (China, France, Russia, the United
issues.
Kingdom, and the United States) and 10 elected non-permanent members with
two-year terms. But what happened with the status of UK, Russia and France.
Russia is economically not that powerful and as a result of this despite its geo-
politic interests and economic interests with Iran, it failed to prevent the UN (Vivek S. Raj)
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 6 Civil Services
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

st
21 century’. This statement is an
expression of intent which is being
substantiated by concrete agreements,
dialogues etc many of which have
been outlined in the joint statement.
The two countries highlighted their
shared culture of pluralism wherein
their multi-cultural societies are held
together by the values of democracy;
education which provides
opportunities for interactions between
their citizens; enterprise which brings
about greater collaboration between
businesses in an open economic
environment; and innovation which is
the fulcrum of a knowledge economy
stimulated by cooperation between
universities and scientific institutions.
The joint statement spoke about
building on the ‘transformation in
relations over the past decade’. Indeed
India- US relations from 2000 to 2010
have undergone a near about 180
degrees u-turn, from sanctions being
imposed by the Clinton
administration on India post Pokhran
II nuclear tests in 1998 to the Indo- US
civil nuclear agreement in 2005; from
attempts by the US to arm- twist India
into stripping its nuclear arsenal by
forcing it to sign the NPT and CTBT
to the building up of a strategic
partnership which is geared towards
promoting a secure and stable world;
advancing technology and innovation;
expanding mutual prosperity and
global economic growth; supporting
sustainable development; and
exercising global leadership in
support of economic development,
open government and democratic
values.
Global strategic partnership
India and USA called for an efficient,
effective, credible and legitimate
United Nations to ensure a just and
sustainable international order. There
have been debates of late regarding
the manner in which the UN’s budget
which is built out of contributions
from its member- countries has been
used. Many countries have called for
the streamlining of the UN’s
administrative machinery so as to
make it more efficient. An effective
UN will be one which can provide a
solution to all types of humanitarian
crises, many of which are a result of
tyrannical political regimes ruthlessly
suppressing rights within their own
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
countries. At present the UN charter
does not allow the world body to
interfere in internal matters of member
countries rendering it toothless
against despotic regimes. The US
believes that the UN must reorient
itself to play an effective role in such
situations so as to provide relief to the
people whereas India without
disputing the urgent need for the UN
to become effective has cautioned
against it being interventionist. The
credibility and legitimacy of the UN
can be increased only when a few
countries are unable to stifle the
opinion of the majority of nations on
global issues and the different UN
resolutions of the UN are adhered to
by member- states.
India has welcomed President
Obama’s affirmation that in the years
ahead, US looks forward to a reformed
UN Security Council that includes
India as a permanent member. Along
with this it was also affirmed in the
joint statement that those who seek to
lead the UN in the 21st century ‘bear
responsibility to ensure that the UN
fulfills its founding ideals of
preserving peace and security,
promoting global cooperation, and
advancing human rights’. These two
affirmations have to be read together
to understand the US stand on India’s
quest for a permanent UNSC berth.
While the US broadly recognizes
India’s aspirations, it is unlikely to
give an unconditional support to India
in this matter. What the US
10
COVER STORY
undoubtedly expects is a greater
alignment of India’s foreign policy
with that of the US while falling short
of expecting India to toe its line on
every matter. This is more so with
respect to Iran and Myanmar. Even
during his address to the joint session
of Parliament, President Obama after
supporting India’s permanent
membership in the UNSC followed it
up by saying that with more power
comes more responsibility and that
India has at times shied away from its
international responsibility especially
in case of Myanmar where democracy
is being subjected to systematic
murder. He added that speaking up
for human rights does not amount to
interfering in the internal matters of
another country. In other words the
US administration has virtually
tagged India’s permanent
membership in the UNSC with its
stand on Iran and Myanmar. No
wonder its support to India is general,
and no time period has been fixed for
India’s membership. The US has given
a clear signal that it would see how
India votes on matters pertaining to
Iran and Myanmar as it begins its two
year stint in the UNSC as a non-
permanent member. US support for its
permanent membership would
depend on its stands on various
international issues as a non-
permanent member in the coming two
years. Thus the joint statement said
that the two leaders reiterated that
their countries, as global leaders, will
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TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

partner for global security as India
serves on the Security Council as a
non- permanent member for the
coming two years. It is significant to
note however that the US
administration is completely silent on
whether it supports veto power for
India if the latter were to become a
permanent member of the UNSC at a
later date. It was also underscored that
‘all states have an obligation to comply
with and implement UNSC
Resolutions, including UN sanctions
regime.’ This was a tacit reference to
Iran against whose clandestine
nuclear program, sanctions have been
imposed by the UN. The two nations
also agreed to carry on regular
discussions on the long- term
sustainability of UN peacekeeping
operations. They also reiterated their
commitment to the UN Democracy
Fund, a concept which is a brainchild
of the US and one about which non-
democratic countries like China are
wary.
Almost as if to put to rest Chinese
doubts about the possibility of the
world’s two largest democracies
ganging up strategically against it,
what with concepts like the
Democracy Fund, the joint statement
next focused on the two countries’
shared vision for ‘peace, stability and
prosperity in Asia, the Indian Ocean
region and the Pacific region and
committed to work together, and with
others in the region, for evolution of
an open, balanced and inclusive
architecture.’ The words ‘others in the
region’ is nothing but a reference to
China which has quite vociferously
opposed Indo- US strategic
engagements in the Indian Ocean
region especially military exercises
along with countries like Japan, with
which China shares an uneasy
relation, in the Malacca Straits. The
two leaders expressed their support
for the East Asia Summit and agreed
to deepen their existing regular strate-
gic consultations on developments in
East Asia, and also decided to expand
and intensify their strategic
consultations to cover regional and
global issues of mutual interests
including Central Asia and West Asia.
The references to East, Central and
West Asia assumes importance in that
it is a sort of acknowledgement of the
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
two countries of each other’s strategic
interests and aspirations in those parts
of the world’s largest continent where
their strategic reach is less than
satisfactory in their own eyes. As far
as the US is concerned, it aspires for a
leadership role in Asia, something that
President Obama referred to in his
speech to Parliament. Though the US
is a major player in West and more
recently in Central Asia, its position
as the dominant player in East Asia in
the wake of an economically and
militarily rising China is still not
beyond doubt. There are enough
intelligence reports and think-tank
assessments in
USA that it will
have to compete
quite hard with a
belligerent China
for strategic space
in East Asia, a
region which is
truly China’s
backyard. In this
competition for
strategic space,
USA needs the
support of India to
contain the Chinese
influence because
apart from China,
India is the other
rising power in the
region. By increasing its ‘strategic
consultations on developments in East
Asia’ the US no doubt wants to
increase its say in matters relating to
the region. Japan and Australia, two
other important players in the region
are anyway US allies. What it needs is
the Indian support now. In return for
its support in East Asia, India has
bargained for more political and
economic space for itself in Central
and West Asia. Though this region has
long cultural ties with India its
strategic reach remains limited. With
its growing economic and political
clout in the world, the expansion and
intensification of India’s strategic
engagements in the region should
come as quite natural. It is time for
India to not only ‘look west’ but also
‘go west’ especially given the region’s
rich oil and gas resources, so critical
for India’s energy security. India
would like US help to spread its wings
on strategic matters here though at the
12
COVER STORY
same time India would like to tread
cautiously so as to avoid giving the
impression that it is toeing the US line
on Iran, Israel- Palestinian conflict etc.
A good foothold in the region has to
be ensured without sacrificing the
much- cherished independence of its
foreign policy.
More specifically the one country in
Central Asia where India would want
US support is Afghanistan, a country
whose peace and stability is intricately
related to the fight against terrorism.
Terrorism poses one of the most
important security related problems
for India. In Afghanistan where India
is committed towards humanitarian
support, infrastructure and capacity
building, it is facing increasing
hostility from pro- Pakistan elements,
a proof of which is the attack on the
Indian embassy in Kabul which was
orchestrated by the ISI, as per Indian
intelligence reports. Diplomatically as
well Pakistan has left no stone
unturned in limiting the Indian role
in Afghanistan citing fanciful reasons.
The Obama administration has
however given a thumbs up to the
Indian engagements in Afghanistan
with the joint statement reiterating
that the two countries were committed
towards intensification of consulta-
tion, cooperation and coordination to
promote a stable, democratic,
prosperous and independent
Afghanistan. The word ‘independent’
is significant given that the ISI has
traditionally tried to influence policy-
making in Afghanistan in its own
favor something which was at its peak
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TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

during the reign of the Taliban. The
US also welcomed enhanced Indian
assistance to help Afghanistan achieve
self- sufficiency. Both countries
expressed their desire to pursue joint
development projects with the Afghan
government in capacity building,
agriculture and women
empowerment.
It was appreciated that success in
Afghanistan as well as regional and
global security requires the
‘elimination of safe havens and
infrastructure for terrorism and
violent extremism in Afghanistan and
Pakistan’. The inclusion of the word
Pakistan will come as a relief more
than anything for Indian diplomats,
especially given that the word was
missing from the President’s
references on terrorism in the first half
of his visit. The joint statement
condemned terrorism in ‘all its forms’.
The term ‘all its forms’ means not only
terrorism faced by the West and of late
Pakistan from Al Qaeda and its
affiliates but also the terrorism
sponsored by Pakistan across the
border towards India. It was agreed
that terrorist networks, including the
Lashkar-e- Toiba must be defeated.
The statement called for Pakistan to
bring to justice the perpetrators of the
November 2008 Mumbai terror
attacks, thus making it clear that the
attack was planned and executed from
Pakistani soil. It stopped short of
directly implicating the Pakistani
establishment in the attack. The
Counter Terrorism Initiative which
was signed between the two countries
in July 2010 was hailed. The new
Homeland Security Dialogue which
has been launched between the Indian
Ministry of Home Affairs and the US
Department of Homeland Security is
expected to deepen operational
cooperation, counter- terrorism
technology transfers and capacity
building. The importance of
cooperation in fighting terrorist
financing and thereby protecting the
international financial system was also
appreciated.
The two leaders agreed that in an
inter- dependent world, stability and
access to air, sea, space and cyberspace
domains is essential for security and
economic prosperity more so in the
wake of hijacking of aircrafts by
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
terrorists, the increasing menace of
piracy, the possibility of militarization
of space and the emerging threat of
cyber- terrorism. The countries
launched a dialogue to work together
and develop a shared vision for these
domains to promote peace, security
and development. With maritime
piracy on the rise in the Caribbean
coast, the Malacca Strait, that is crucial
for global maritime trade, both India
and the US have their own interests
in securing the global seas. So they
reaffirmed the importance of
‘maritime security, unimpeded
commerce and freedom of navigation’
a euphemism for putting a check on
maritime piracy, in accordance with
relevant universally agreed principles
of international law, including the UN
Convention on Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS). They also called for the
peaceful settlement of maritime
disputes. This reference to the
UNCLOS and peaceful maritime
dispute settlement can also be
considered as a prod to India and
Pakistan to resolve their disputes on
the Sir Creek issue through
negotiations. Sir Creek, a small island
on India’s western coast, which is rich
in fishes, is claimed both by India and
Pakistan. The competing claims by
both countries and absence of a
maritime boundary which both
countries agree often result in
fishermen from one country
inadvertently crossing over to the
other and subsequently being arrested
by law enforcement authorities of the
concerned country. According to
UNCLOS, if the two neighbours are
14
COVER STORY
unable to resolve their disputes on Sir
Creek within a stipulated timeframe,
then neither will get any part or whole
of the island. Hence it is in the interest
of the countries to come to a
negotiated agreement at the earliest.
The one sector which has probably
been the biggest indirect beneficiary
of the Indo- US civil nuclear
agreement is the defence sector. The
joint statement spoke of the
‘transformation in India- US defence
cooperation in recent years’. This
transformation of cooperation was
made possible to a great extent by the
civil nuclear agreement because one
of the major spill offs of the agreement
was the removal by the US of the
restrictions hi- technology. Cutting
edge hi- technology in defence
products is one of the hallmarks of
USA and to a great extent the basis on
which the US has built up the most
powerful military machinery in the
world. However being a non-
signatory of the Nuclear Non-
Proliferation Treaty meant that there
was no legal binding on India from
putting to use US defence technology
in building up a nuclear arsenal. This
had for years hugely limited defence
cooperation between the countries.
India was denied US defence
technology and US was denied the
vast, burgeoning Indian defence
market. Now all that is past. The civil
nuclear agreement has in principle
recognized that India is a responsible
nuclear power which has a stated
nuclear policy of maintaining only a
minimum nuclear deterrent and no
more, despite it not having signed the
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TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

NPT. Hence the trust of the US that
its defence hi- technology will not be
used for stockpiling nuclear weapons.
This in turn has opened up defence
trade between the countries. In this
context President Obama welcomed
India’s decision to purchase US hi-
technology defence items which in
turn will give a fillip to the US defence
industry and help create jobs in the
USA. The joint statement reiterated
that greater defence cooperation will
help regional peace and stability and
facilitate a better tackling of the
challenges of terrorism and piracy
through the means of security
dialogue, exercises, trade and
collaboration in defence equipment
and technology.
India and USA, according to the joint
statement, have ‘common ideals,
complementary strengths and shared
commitment’ to a nuclear free world.
However what was left unstated were
the differences the two countries have
as to the ways in which those ideals
can be achieved. Though the statement
said that the countries intended to
forge strong partnership to lead global
efforts for non- proliferation and
‘universal and non- discriminatory’
global nuclear disarmament, what it
did not say was that giving shape to
such partnership is require
tremendous diplomatic expertise from
both sides. For instance, India
considers the NPT discriminatory and
status-quoist and tilted heavily in
favor of the so- called Nuclear
Weapons States (NWS) or the P-5 in
the UN. Universal disarmament
according to India is only possible
when the NWS do away with their
nuclear stockpile. The US, itself a NWS
quite obviously does not adhere to this
viewpoint despite having taken steps
to shed its nuclear arsenal
substantially through treaties like
START. In fact the Proliferation
Security Initiative (PSI) of the US is
also something to which India has
reservations. Both countries however
agree that there is need for dialogue
regarding disarmament among all
states possessing nuclear weapons.
They also agreed that the ‘six- decade
old international norm of non- use of
nuclear weapons’, a reference to the
NPT needs strengthening. This indeed
is a tacit acceptance of the old Indian
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
argument that the NPT is inherently
faulty. The failure of the NPT in
preventing countries like North Korea
and Iran from going nuclear or
secretively preparing to go nuclear can
no longer be overlooked as it has
implications for global security. It was
agreed that there is need for
international cooperation to reduce
the risk of nuclear terrorism, illicit
nuclear trafficking and smuggling
through the IAEA, Interpol and the
Action Plan of the April 2010 Nuclear
Security Summit. At the same time it
was emphasized that the right of
nations that ‘obey rules to harness
nuclear energy to improve energy
security’ must not be reduced. This
was India’s way of reminding the US
led West that in their zealousness to
punish Iran over its possible nuclear
weapons program they must not
infringe that nation’s right to develop
civil nuclear energy as a signatory of
the NPT. There was mention in the
statement that diplomacy (and not
military force) was needed to resolve
the Iran nuclear issue while at the
same time it was necessary for Iran to
meet its IAEA and UNSC obligations.
The leaders welcomed the MoU for
cooperation in the Global Centre for
Nuclear Energy Partnership being set
up in India.
The joint statement stressed the
importance of full implementation of
the Biological and Toxin Weapons
Convention in order to combat
biological terrorism and ensure the
safety and security of biological agents
and toxins and prevent them from
falling in the wrong hands. The US
welcomed the destruction by India of
16
COVER STORY
its chemical weapons stockpile in
accordance with the Chemical
Weapons Convention. Regret was
however expresses at the delay in
starting negotiations in the Conference
on Disarmament for a multi- lateral,
non- discriminatory, internationally
and effectively verifiable treaty
banning the future production of
fissile materials for nuclear weapons
or other nuclear explosive devices. The
Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty
(CTBT) has always been a sticky issue
between India and the US. It has also
been something quite close to the
hearts of Democrat Presidents of USA.
The Clinton administration spent
much of its energies in making various
countries sign the treaty before failing
to do the same at home where the
treaty was voted out by a Republican
majority Senate. With Obama, another
Democratic President back in the helm
after a span of eight years, the US has
once again committed itself to
ratifying the CTBT and enforcing it at
an early date. India remains strictly
opposed to the CTBT and maintains
that it is committed to its own
unilateral and voluntary moratorium
on nuclear explosive testing.
Technology, Innovation and Energy
With Indo- US civil nuclear agreement
in place, the US agreed to work
together with India to strengthen the
global export control framework and
‘transform bilateral export control
regulations and policies to realize the
full potential of the bilateral strategic
partnership’. This essentially means
the removal of restrictions on trade in
dual- use technologies as well as
nuclear technologies and raw
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

conditions and viable tariff regime for
electricity generated’. The US has
made it clear that it wants a level
playing field in the Indian market
along with Indian companies to which
India is agreeable and has made
known its intentions to ratify the
Convention on Supplementary
Compensation.
Keeping in mind the problems of
pollution, climate change and global
warming the two nations expressed
their resolve in building up a
partnership geared towards the
creation of a green economy. A green
economy is an economy driven as
much as possible by clean energy
sources. To create such an economy
would necessitate a major shift from
the traditional reliance on oil and gas
resources to clean sources of energy.
Hence the countries have undertaken
joint research and development of
clean energy like solar cells, advanced
biofuels, shale gas and smart grids. In
addition, the bilateral Partnership to
Advance Clean Energy (PACE) is
intended to promote clean and
efficient energy technologies, a new
MoU on the assessment and
exploration of shale gas has been
signed, and an agreement has been
reached to establish the Joint Clean
Energy Research Centre in India. The
two leaders acknowledged the need to
work within the framework of the UN
Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC) in order to tackle
the challenge of climate change. They
declared their support to the
Copenhagen Accord.
Inclusive Growth, Mutual Prosperity
and Economic Cooperation
The joint statement agreed that
bilateral trade and investment
between the two countries has grown
over the past few years in leaps and
bounds. An indicator of this is that the
US has become India’s largest trading
partner in goods and services and
India has become one of the fastest
growing sources of FDI entering USA.
However the untapped potential for
trade and commerce continues to
remain high. This was highlighted by
Obama when he said that he saw no
reason why India should not be the
USA’s largest trading partner. He also
advocated the reduction of trade
barriers and increased market access
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
to US companies as a means not only
to reduce the trade deficit between the
countries which at present is tilted
against the US but also to create jobs
in USA. In reply to a question from a
student in St. Xavier’s Mumbai,
Obama had in fact said that the best
shield to protectionism is indeed
balanced and more open trade.
It was perhaps his way of suggesting
to the Indian government that part of
the debate in the US over job losses
due to outsourcing was because not
enough jobs were being created due
to increased market access in large
economies like India. In the joint
statement the countries agreed to
reduce trade barriers, fight protectio-
nism, encourage research and
innovation for job creation and
improvement of livelihood. The need
for increased investments
in infrastructure, clean
energy, energy efficiency,
aviation and transpor-
tation, healthcare, food
processing and education
was elaborated.
It is significant that during
the joint press briefing PM
Singh mentioned that
India requires investment
inflows of the tune of $1
trillion in the infras-
tructure sector alone and there was
much opportunity for US companies
to contribute a sizeable amount of that
investment.
The relations between the private
sectors of the two countries drew
praise and the work done by the US-
India CEO Forum was hailed. The
statement also called for greater
engagement between the small and
medium sectors of the countries. Such
engage-ment is also likely to reduce
fears regarding job losses in these
sectors due to the participation of
larger players.
The need for an ambitious and
balanced conclusion of the WTO Doha
Development Agenda was high-
lighted. Both nations also agreed to
work within the framework of the G20
to achieve ‘strong, balanced and
sustainable’ growth. Strong growth
relates to increase in the global GDP,
balanced growth means one where the
disparity between the growth rate of
developed and developing countries
18
COVER STORY
is not too wide, and sustainable
growth means one that can be
continued in the long run without
hampering the environment and
utilizing unsustainable amounts of
energy resources. It was agreed that
the international financial system
regulation needed strengthening so as
to prevent financial crises like the one
the world has recently faced and
preferably provide a sort of early
warning to impending crises. Reforms
in the international financial insti-
tutions so as to project the actual
strength of rising economies are also
very much desirable as is the need to
enhance energy security. Many of
these issues are likely to be raised in
the G20 meeting.
The joint statement touched upon
other issues such as the signing of a
MoU for creating a Global Disease
Detection Regional Centre in New
Delhi to advance the fight against
pandemic influenza and other
dangerous diseases. On education, the
two sides agreed to convene the India-
US Higher Education Summit, expand
the Nehru- Fulbright Program for
scholars, and take forward the Singh-
Obama Knowledge Initiative.
The Obama visit may not have gene-
rated the same kind of excitement that
the Clinton visit did, nor produce a
historic agreement as during the Bush
visit. But what it did was to take the
‘Next Steps in Strategic Partnership’
in Indo- US relations to its conclusions
and for this the Obama visit will be
remembered for years to come. So
after Air Force One left the Indira
Gandhi International airport on 9th
November 2010, one can say, to
borrow a phrase from the President
himself, that Indo-US relations are no
longer emerging, rather they have
emerged.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com
 CSAT PREPARATION
question papers of the past few years
CSAT: Beginning of a new chapter we can easily notice that UPSC is
giving less importance to conventional
Only change is permanent stuff and laying more stress on general
By Nitesh Khabrani awareness, applied science, maps,

A
FTER years of dithering, the Government of India has finally agreed mental ability, and of course, current
to change the format of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) affairs.
Civil Services Examination. The examination system of the Union Now first let us look at the degree of
Public Service Commission (UPSC) is updated from time to time difference between the old scheme of
to keep it in harmony with the changing environment. The present format had the examination and the new scheme.
come under severe criticism from both members of the public as well as from
parliamentary committees, and there had been tremendous pressure on the
government to review it. To begin with, the Preliminary examination, which
consists of general studies and optional papers, may be replaced with an
A fter having given the broad
outline of the proposed changes
in the pattern of the prestigious ICS
aptitude test, to be called the Civil Services Aptitude Test. The test will examination we should better analyse
comprise two objective-type papers, which will be common for all candidates the need or the reason which
appearing for the examination. propelled the UPSC for bringing this
As per the press release of the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance & drastic change.
Pension dated 18.10.2010; from the year 2011, Preliminary Examination (now The reasons behind the changes: -The
CSAT) would consist of two papers- Paper I and Paper II. The syllabus and proposed changes in the scheme of the
pattern of the Preliminary Examination would be as under: of Personnel, ICS examination are not the result of
Public Grievances & Pensions over the night deliberations. Various
(Paper 1) (200 marks) - Duration: Two hrs. committees including the second
1. Current events of national and international importance Administrative Reforms Commission,
2. History of India and Indian national movement in their reports submitted over the
3. Indian and World Geography- physical, social, economic geography of years suggested the changes and laid
India and the world greater emphasis on the ‘aptitude’ of
4. Indian Polity and governance – constitution, political system, candidates than their knowledge of a
Panchayati raj, public policy, Rights issues, etc. subject. The committees have argued
5. Economic and social development – sustainable development, poverty, that specialists or experts in any
inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives etc. particular subject might not
6. General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and climate necessarily be good civil servants and
change-that do not require subject specialization it was thus found be necessary that a
7. General science. level playing field must be created for
(Paper II) (200 marks) – Duration: Two hrs. the candidates of varied backgrounds
1. Comprehension to compete for the ICS. The prelim-
2. Interpersonal skills including communication skills inary exam has always been criticized
3. Logical reasoning and analytical ability for not disclosing the marks, (Cut off)
4. Decision making and problem solving to select the candidates for main
5. General mental ability exams or the method which is adopted
6. Basic numeracy (numbers and their relations, orders of magnitude etc. by the UPSC to compare various
(Class X level), Data interpretation (charts, graphs, tables, data optional subjects is repugnant to the
sufficiency etc. –Class X level) Right to Information Act 2005. The
7. English language comprehension skills (Class X level). current scheme of the examination is
The news of any change is an unnerving moment for any long term serious criticized by various quarters that is
aspirant. Any amount of change has a psychological impact on the human doesn’t promote transparency. To
mind. To some it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To overhaul the current process and
some it is encouraging because things may get better. To some it is inspiring create more transparency in the
because the challenge exists to make things better. However, if one is mentally selection process, the General
prepared, the transition becomes easier. Currently the candidates appearing Aptitude paper is introduced in the
at the ICSP have to attempt two papers with a General Studies Paper (it has place of the Optional Paper.
the weightage of 150 marks) and the other one is the Optional paper in which What does Aptitude Test stands for:
the candidate will have to select one subject among the 23 subjects listed by -An aptitude is an innate, acquired or
UPSC( this paper carries the weightage of 300 marks). After giving effect to learned or developed component of a
the proposed change in the Preliminary examination in 2011, candidates will competency to do a certain kind of
have to appear in two objective-type papers, which will be a General Studies work at a certain level. Aptitude tests
Paper and the other one will be the General Aptitude Paper. The Aptitude are designed to assess the logical
paper will replace the previously existing Optional subject paper. On affecting reasoning or thinking performance of
this model, Civil Services Preliminary Examination will be called as Civil the candidates. The major Aptitude
Services Aptitude Test (CSAT). If we go the UPSC civil services preliminary Test patterns are 1. Verbal Aptitude

DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 19 Civil Services

Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

2.Quantitative Aptitude 3.Abstract
Reasoning 4.Spatial Reasoning
5.Mechanical Reasoning 6.Data
Checking 7. Fault Diagnosis. These
are the general type of aptitude test
patterns being followed in the major
examinations but what the UPSC has
decided for its Civil Service
examination will be made known once
the notification for the examination is
out. The only hint received from the
Government about the content of
General Aptitude test is “Greater
emphasis will be given to test the
aptitude for civil services on the
ethical and moral dimension of
decision-making”. The Aptitude test
ensures to create a uniform ethical
standard for the future generation of
Civil Servants. General Aptitude test
will check the candidates on the
grounds of integrity and social
responsibility.
Getting ready to face the challenge
No 1:- The CSAT
The Indian Civil Services Examination
is still a three stage dream for anyone.
Though, the Government proposes to
bring changes in the first stage of the
examination by bringing a Civil
Services Aptitude Test in place of the
erstwhile Civil Services Preliminary
Examination, the other two stages
namely the Mains and the Interview
remain unchanged for the time being.
It’s the right time that all the
candidates start the process of
appearing in the ICS exam 2011. The
CSAT will take place for the first time
and a new and novel strategy has to
be adopted by the candidates to get
through to the next level of the
prestigious ICS. The following pages
give a bird’s eye view of the strategy
to be adopted that can prove to be a
master guide for the success.
PAPER I
If we give a glimpse at the Paper I of
the proposed CSAT then a careful
study will reveal that there is no major
change in the table of contents if
compared with the GS Paper of the
erstwhile Preliminary examination.
The list of topics to be covered under
the Paper I includes; -
1. Current Affairs of National and
international importance:- Under this
section the focus of the issues will be
more or less same as previous years.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
However it should be expected that
there will be less emphasis on data
based questions such as
personalities, books, years,
institution etc. Candidate should
look a little deeper like root cause,
impacts and associated details of
important current issues.
Suggested Links:
One national newspaper,
Manorama Year Book, India Year
Book of Publication Division, CST
Year Book (forthcoming)
2. History of India and Indian
national movement: -The nature of
questions from Indian History is
expected to remain more or less the
same. Questions from History section
may include Ancient, Medieval and
Modern History of India. Analysing
from the current trend Modern India
(1957 uprising to 1947 Independence)
should be given priority and
especially the Indian national
movement. However one must be
ready to face questions from
contemporary history (till 1960 or
1990) as well.
Suggested Links
NCERT (class IX to XII), Bipan
Chandra and others— India’s
Struggle for Independence; Grover
and Mehta - Modern India; for
movements and mass movements
consult Sumit Sarkar’s Modern
India.
3. Indian and World Geography: -
Under the chapter of Geography same
question pattern may remain however
more emphasis may be on Indian
geography (Human) and geographical
issues related to current affairs.
Suggested Links
NCERT: Physical Geography of
India for X - XII Std
A Good School Atlas, Khullar:
India - A Comprehensive
Geography, R. C . Tewari’s Indian
Geography; G. C Leong Physical
Geography
4. Indian Polity and governance; -
Under Indian Polity, constitutional,
legal, administrative and other issues
emerging from the politico-
administrative system prevalent in
the country can be asked.
Suggested Links
D.D. Basu—Indian Constitution,
Kashyap—Constitution of India,
P.M. Bakshi—Indian Constitution;
20
CSAT PREPARATION
Subhas C Kashyap’s Our
Constitution and Our Parliament
5. Economic and social development:
- The economy portion can emerge as
the most prominent section under the
CSAT. Earlier candidates were tend to
neglect economy altogether as there
were few questions have been asked
in exam. On seeing the new syllabus
it can be said that besides economic
development, questions related to
National policies and social issues can
also be asked. Also its scope is not
restricted within Indian economy; one
may expect questions from India’s
economic relation with world (Bilate-
ral trade and International Institutions
such as WTO IMF etc.). However
emphasis would be Indian Economy.
Suggested Links
NCERT: Evolution of Indian
Economy (I C Dhingra)
Mishra and Puri or Dutt and
Sundaram—Indian Economy or
even Uma Kapila’s Indian Economy
Economic Survey
The Economic Times
Yojna and Kurukshetra
6. General issues on environmental
ecology Regarding the General issues
on environmental ecology, bio-
diversity and climate change,
questions have been asked in previous
year exams under topics of geography
and Current affairs. However special
mention made in the new syllabus
illustrates its importance in current
global politics and policies. So
candidates must go into the current
issues related to environment,
Ecology, Bio-diversity and climate
change.
7. General science Questions under
General Science are expected to
remain in the same format as in the
previous year trend. General Science
includes Physics, Chemistry and
Biology. Non science background
candidates should put greater
emphasis on Biology especially like
Human physiology, Nutrition and
Diseases.
Suggested Links NCERT: (10 level):
Science, (+2 level)
PAPER II
If we carefully analyse the format of
the proposed CSAT, as released in the
press, it becomes clear that the mental
ability portion of the old format is
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

separated into a full Aptitude Test
paper and this replaces the optional
subject. In this paper besides Logical
reasoning & analytical ability, the
scope has been widened to include
Interpersonal skills, English
comprehension, Logical reasoning
and analytical ability to check the
decision making and problem solving
abilities of the candidates. Thus now
the UPSC will give greater emphasis
on testing the aptitude for civil
services as well as on ethical and
moral dimension of decision-making.
A. Comprehension:Comprehension
skills are the ability to use context and
prior knowledge to aid reading and
to make sense of what one reads and
hears.
Comprehension is based on:

Knowledge that reading makes
sense

Readers’ prior knowledge

Information presented in the text,
and

The use of context to assist
recognition of words and meaning.
Here are some suggestions to
improve the Comprehension power:-
1. Develop a broad background:
Broaden your background knowledge
by reading newspapers, magazines
and books. Become interested in
world events.
2. Know the structure of paragraphs:
Good writers construct paragraphs
that have a beginning, middle and
end. Often, the first sentence will give
an overview that helps provide a
framework for adding details. Also,
look for transitional words, phrases or
paragraphs that change the topic.
3. Identify the type of reasoning
4. Anticipate and predict: - Try to
anticipate the author and predict
future ideas and questions. If you’re
right, this reinforces your
understanding. If you’re wrong, you
make adjustments quicker.
5. Build a good vocabulary: - The best
way to improve your vocabulary is to
use a dictionary regularly. You might
carry around a pocket dictionary and
use it to look up new words.
Suggested Links
1.Wren and Martin English Grammar
2.Word Power Made Easy by Norman
Lewis
3.Verbal Ability by Arun Sharma
4.English Proficiency IMS India
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
5.A Communicative Grammar of
English By: Geoffrey Leech
6. How to Prepare for Verbal Ability
and Reading Comprehension by
Arun Sharma and Meenakshi
Upadhyay.
B. Interpersonal skills including
communication skills: - Inter-
personal skills are the skills that a
person uses to interact with other
people. Good communication skills
are skills that facilitate people to
communicate effectively with one
another. This topic in the syllabus is
purely related to the psychology
aspect and it requires continuous
communication and interaction and
then a candidate can learn the traits
of this segment of the syllabus.
C. Logical reasoning and analytical
ability: -Reasoning, both mathem-
atical and analytical, probes deep into
our logical mind and our ability to
comprehend and synthesize the given
information. Evaluating various
possibilities out of the given
information is also essential to derive
necessary conclusions. For this part of
the Paper II following books can prove
to be useful. Candidates should be
ready to face some psycho-analytical
questions from 2011 IAS CSAT. UPSC
can ask some situational questions
that tests the overall personality and
decision making ability of the
candidates.
Suggested Links
1. A Modern Approach To Logical
Reasoning by R. S. Aggarwal
2. How To Prepare For Data Interpre-
tation And Logical Reasoning by
Arun Sharma
3. Handbook of Reasoning by P.K.
Aggarwal
4. Quantitative Aptitude by Arun
Sharma (TMH)
5. Quantitative Aptitude For
Competitive Exams by Abhijit Guha
6. Tips and Techniques and short cut
methods by Abhijit Guha
7. Quantitative Aptitude by Thorpes
8. ‘Analytical and Logical Reasoning’
by B.S. Sijwali
D. General mental ability: This
section of the Paper II was also
mentioned in the erstwhile GS paper
of the Preliminary Examination. The
candidates are expected to be well
versed with this section and it is
highly advisable that a fair amount of
21
CSAT PREPARATION
time should be allotted to solve the
previous year’s papers as this section
can prove to be quite marks fetching
in the coming exams. For GMA there
are various guides available and
candidates can choose any one from
them and the basic mantra to get good
marks in this section is regular practice
which is expected from the candidates.
Suggest Links: -1.Course in General
Mental Ability and Quantitative
Aptitude by Thorpe and Edgar.
E. Basic numeracy: In this section it is
expected that the questions will be
asked regarding the numbers and
their relations from the level of Class
X NCERT and an in-depth knowledge
of data interpretation like charts,
tables graphs etc. up to the level of
Class X Statistics portion is also
expected from the candidates.
Suggested Links
1. How To Prepare For The Data
Interpretation And Logical
Reasoning For The CAT 3rd Edition
by Arun Sharma.
2. The Trachtenberg speed system of
Basic Maths by Ann Cutler and
Mcshane.
The above guidelines make it clear
that the aptitude test is going to be
heavily leaned towards the
Psychometric Testing pattern. This
kind of Aptitude test will help in
creating a uniform ethical standard for
the Civil Servants. General Aptitude
test aims to check that the candidate
is having integrity and a strong sense
of social responsibility also willing to
reflect on and learn from their actions.
The above given aptitude test pattern
can act as a guiding principles till
UPSC gives any details about the
content of the aptitude test. Hence we
cannot conclude that the General
Aptitude paper may contain the
above-mentioned format. The only
hint received from the Government
about the content of General Aptitude
test is “Greater emphasis will give to
test the aptitude for civil services as
well as on ethical and moral
dimension of decision-making”. Till
the notification of the UPSC comes out
all the Civil Services aspirant
fraternity should concentrate on the
preparation on the general guidelines
issues by the government and which
has been worked upon for your help
in this bulletin.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com
 NATIONAL DEBATE
2. The law establishes an institutional
Organ Trafficking structure to authorize and regulate
human organ transplants.
Lacunas in the Law and Respective Solutions 3. It recognizes for the first time in
By Dr. Kirti Singh India, the concept of brain stem death
paving the way for a cadaver –based

T
he organ trafficking of the human being is not new to the world. kidney transplant programme.
India is considered to be one of biggest centres of illegal trafficking. 4.The Act details the action that
Illegal transplantation is on the rise in spite of a special legislation amount to direct participation in or
being in place to deal with the menace. A recently unearthed abetment of the organ trade; these
controversy in Kerala regarding kidney racket has brought to fore, offences are punishable under section
many uncomfortable cross -currents in health sector where state government 19 of the Act.
seems to be sustaining the interest of the culprits. This controversy assumed a 5. The Act provides two types of
sensitive character because most of the victims are tribals who are apparently donors. The first category includes
cheated by the hospital authorities. Local media hounded the government after near relatives and second category
which the government sought to offset it by instituting an inquiry under a that donates out of love and affection.
DIG. The report submitted by the DIG states that among 23 organ 6. The Act makes offence of trading
transplantation were taken place in which 18 were illegal transplantation.1Yet human organ non -cognizable.
the government seems to be fluster for the culprits. 7.The Act sensibly provides for
According to a report, 500 illegal transplantations were carried out across U.P, registration of hospitals claiming to
Delhi and Haryana by Dr. Amit Kumar with more than fifty accomplices have the necessary competence and
including doctors and nurses.2These reports show how this menace is gaining facilities to perform particular organ
momentum. In the present day society, the system of acquiring human organs transplantation.
for their transplantation to disease stricken individuals has become a matter of Lacunas in the
considerable importance. In India for a long time, there was no specific Act and their respective solution.
legislation regulating organ transplantation due to which number of illegal The present Act needs urgent
transaction and kidney scams were reported which led to initiation of action to amendments in the large number of
enact the law relating to the organ transplantation. The law enacted on this clauses. In this respect some important
subject some fifteen years ago is still in force. But it has miserably failed to events has happened in the recent
control illegal transplantation and corrupt practices of unscrupulous elements past. As a result of Delhi High Court’s
who are indulging in Kidney Racket and other illegal activities related to organ decision in the case of Balbeer Singh
transplantation. The issues arise from lacunas in the law and the remedies v. Authorization Committee and
needed to be adopted. Others.5, committee was constituted
This article focuses on the two themes- firstly what are the lacunas in law and by the Government of India to review
secondly, what could be possible solutions of that problem. the existing provision and given
Organ transplantation certain amendments but still there is
According to the Section 2(p) of Transplantation of Human Organ Act, need of other amendments which are
1994, transplantation means grafting any human organ from the deceased given as below:
or living person to other living person. By and large two methods have 1. Definition of the near relative given
become very common for obtaining the human organs: one is ex vivo and in the section 2(i) is very restrictive. It
other ex morto. includes parents, spouse, siblings, and
Under the ex vivo method, living donar donates to the other living person children, to donate their organ. At the
and under ex morto method it’s the cadaver which is donated after the death. same time, the door is kept widely
Medical tourism of organ transplantation. open for illegal transplantation by
The blatant illegal demand created by the rich recipients, profiteering using “love and affection” clause, the
doctors, hospitals, illegal donors involved in ‘live’ kidney racket has had consequence of which is that the donor
many further serious consequences. can donate even though he is not a
The medical faculty in India in collaboration with the tourism industry has relative, of course with the rider that
worked together to give cost effective treatment to the people all over the the transplantation shall be conducted
world. With the privatization of medical care in India evolved the recent with the prior approval of the
and popular trend of treatment along with fun of the vacation, better known authorization committee.
as medical tourism in India 3 wherein the international kidney bazaar These authorization committees are
penetrated its tentacles and got highly evolved with the extensive cross not working satisfactorily most of the
border transaction and a hierarchy of preferences and prices. The victims time as it tries to oblige the rich. So to
are always desperately poor people who have lost everything including save the innocent persons from the
hope. So there is dire need to control the health tourism industry in the clutches of the rich people, it is
guise of which these scams are given an even more lucrative impetus4. required that love and affection clause
Salient features of the Transplantation of Human Organ Act, 1994 be removed and definition of the near
1. This Act provides for the regulation of removal, storage and transplantation relative be widened enough as it was
of the human organ for therapeutic purposes. held in case of Balbeer Singh v.

DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 22 Civil Services

Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

6
Authorization Committee and Others
It should be extended to “relatives by
blood three degrees downwards and
three degree up words in the line of
ascent and descent” and for relatives
by marriage one degree up and one
degree downwards and only to those
denied in the section 2(i) of THOA,
1994.
2. The definition of the human organ
given in the Act is not exhaustive. This
definition says that any part of human
body which cannot be replicated is
called as organ. It mainly considers the
internal organ of the body like kidney,
liver but many times external organs
like skin can be used for the burnt
patients. So this definition needs to be
widened enough to include external
organs as well.
3. Section 3 of the Act says that only
registered medical practitioner can
remove the organ for transplantation.
But in cases of eye donation progra-
mme it is generally difficult to keep
available an eye surgeon for removal
of corneas. While a trained eye
technician can remove corneas easily.
So it is suggested that proviso to be
added in the section regarding
removal of the corneas
4. THO Act , 1994 provides that
in case of removal of the organ of
the patient who has been
declared as brain dead A
certificate to such death is
required which can only be
issued by the committee
comprised of among others by
the Neurologist and Neuro-
surgeon. But we know in India
there is scarcity of Neurologists
and Neurosurgeon so it will be
very difficult to certify brain
death. Even if the deceased were
willing to donate before his death,
he or she cannot donate due to
procedural complexity. Recently
in Andhra Pradesh, a boy named
Shanker was willing to donate his
organ but his death could not be
certified due to non-availability of
a neurologist. So there should be
increment in the number of
neurologists and neurosurgeons.
5. Section 3(2) of Act provides that
written consent of the donor is
required. But still there are cases in
which written consent of the donor
was taken under coercion. Recently in
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
Kerala one woman named Rajni was
not only forcibly made to undergo
abortion but her kidney was also
removed without her consent and to
comply with the procedural
requirements, the culprits had taken
her written consent under coercion.
Now question arises as to how to curb
this kind of situation. For this, consent
of the person concerned should be
taken by the Video Conferencing
technology.
6. The Act mandated the
authorization committee to ensure
that the donor donated out of “love
and affection” but this authorization
committee did not share the
information with the public and no
one knows as to how many
permissions have been granted and
how many have been rejected in this
regard .
So there is a dire need for systematic
research on the data like how many
legal live related kidney donors, legal
live unrelated kidney donors and
illegal live unrelated kidney
transplantations have taken place.
7. There is no centralized mechanism
to regulate and supervise the activities
related to organ retrievals all over the
country. So it is high time that we
should have a centralized mechanism
to regulate and supervise the cases
related to organ retrievals.
8. Now question comes that if any
decision which can be taken for the
interest of the patient and which is
morally and ethically right but not
legally so be allowed or not. This
question is very much connected with
the concept of swapping which is not
recognized under the Act. It has been
recently reported that India’s first
patient to successfully undergo a swap
lever transplantation. But the team of
Gangaram hospital took approval
from an in-house regulatory body
before going ahead as the concept of
swapping is not recognized in India.
So concept of swapping should get
legal recognition in the Act.
9. The Act makes the offence of organ
trading non cognizable. Police cannot
look into complaints of Organ
Trafficking independently but must
wait for complaint to be made by the
appropriate authority set up under the
Act. Due to this, illegal trafficking is
going on in full swing It is suggested
23
NATIONAL DEBATE
that offence under the Act should be
made cognizable and the quantum
punishment to be increased.
10. Then there is the concept of
‘Required Request’ which makes
mandatory obligation on ICUs staff to
request the family member of the brain
dead patients for organ donation. This
concept is not given any place in the
Act, which can be very much
successful to prevent illegal
trafficking. It’s suggested that this
concept be recognized under the Act.
11. There should be a National
Organ Retrieval, Banking and
Transplantation Network. It can
be said that the system of the
organ transplantation has yet to
gain momentum. It is a very good
mechanism indeed in relation to
needy persons but corrupt
practices compel us to think twice
before embarking on techniques
of organ transplantation. The
problem highlighted above need
to be addressed urgently. The act
has to be made more amenable to
the present situations.
Now question comes that if any
decision which can be taken for
the interest of the patient and
which is morally and ethically
right but not legally so be
allowed or not. This question is
very much connected with the
concept of swapping which is
not recognized under the Act.
Lastly I want to say that “at present
as well as any other time the center of
gravity of legal development lies
neither in Judiciary nor in legislation
but in society itself”. Therefore
amendment in the existing law is need
by the society.
By Dr. Kirti Singh, RMLNLU, Lucknow
(Footnotes)
http://www.jstor.org/pss/4412926
(accessed on 25th Aug, 2010)
2
“ Dr. Kidneys anesthetist surrenders”
, Express News Service, Retrieved on
12-12- 2008 from the website http//
www.expressindia.com/ latestnews/
dr-kidney-anaesthetist-surrender/
271955
3
Santhy K.V.K, How to Stop Organ
Trafficking, The Practical Lawyers,
Eastern Book Company Edition Jan
,2010
4
ibid; 5 ( Manu /DE/1262/2004); 6 ibid
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com
 NATIONAL DEBATE
working to enable it to be the watch-
Role of the Union Public Service dog of the merit system of recruiting.
India is a multilingual and multicultural
Commission in ensuring nation and this augments the impor-
tance and need of the UPSC. If we al-
Good Governance low political considerations, nepotism
By Nitesh Khabrani and casteism to dominate the recruit-

G
overnment is a body of people that sets and administers public policy, ment to the civil services then the in-
and exercises executive, political, and sovereign power through cus jury to the democratic fabric of our na-
toms, institutions, and laws within a state. On the other hand, gov tion will be incalculable. This is where
ernance is defined as the dynamic interaction between people, struc- the true meaning and function of the
tures, processes and traditions that support the exercise of legitimate authority, UPSC can be understood. It ensures that
in order to ensure that its purpose is achieved, and that there is proper account- the efficiency, integrity and morale of
ing for the conduct of its affairs, the use of its resources, and the results of its the civil service is maintained at all lev-
activities. Thus governance is more encompassing phenomenon than govern- els and in all conditions.
ment. The concept of governance is as old as human civilization. In recent past The concept of Good Governance
the issue of governance has received serious attention from the researchers, policy emerged with a 1989 World Bank docu-
makers and international development community. If we view the concept in ment which mentioned four key di-
the simplest of the terms then "governance" means the process of decision-mak- mensions of good governance as
ing and their implementation. Analysing the concept of Good governance gives a) Public Sector Management b) Ac-
8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, trans- countability c) Legal Framework d)
parent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows Transparency. In another document of
the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities 1992 WB defined Good Governance as
are taken into account and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are central to creating an environment,
heard in decision-making. The concept of Good Governance demands a com- which fosters strong and equitable de-
plete overall in the recruitment process which the countries across the globe are velopment and it is an essential
following today. The welfare state today demands a new set of personnel with a complement to sound economic poli-
different set of orientation in their working style. The administration needs to cies. Thus the goal of Good Governance
be responsive, people centric and should follow 3 E's i.e. Efficiency, Economy can be achieved when the state insti-
and Effectiveness. Especially the era of LPG demands from our Public adminis- tutions are represented by all sections,
tration and Public institutions to evolve suitable interventions and responsive judiciary is independent and the civil
administrative machinery that has high legitimacy. We need to move from red services are recruited on merit, the citi-
tapism to green tapism, from the era of opaqueness to the generation of trans- zens are provided with right to infor-
parency and citizen rights. Good governance thus promises purposive and de- mation. Our government has taken
velopment oriented administration which is committed to improvement in qual- many initiatives to change the concept
ity of life. All these changes in the functioning of our administrative system and of governance to the concept of Good
the outlook of our administrators requires that the recruiting agency is commit- Governance. We have now the RTI in
ted to the said goals and is proactive in devising policies which prove beneficial place, we have citizen charters, we
in the achievement of the goals of welfare state. In India these functions are have a national E governance plan and
being performed well by the UPSC, the central recruiting agency of our nation, more recently launched the Unique ID
through its innovative and proactive approach. Number scheme. All these are the ma-
Union Public Service Commission:- It's duty towards nation jor initiatives of the government to
Reform of the public services is critical to change the lives of people of the na- bring good governance in the realm of
tion. The administrators must be responsive to the needs of the people. Their public service delivery systems but the
work is a public service-commitment, dedication and honesty should be the success of all these depends of the well
hallmarks of their work. The role of the UPSC in ensuring good governance manned administrative machinery,
assumes contemporary relevance in the larger context of the rising expectations which is honest, has morals and ethics
of the people for an effective delivery of programmes, benefits and services that and is well versed with the changing
are critical for people's welfare. As one of the original constitutional structures to demands of the times. This can thus be
translate the vision of our founding fathers to create an independent civil service, achieved by our civil servants; hence
UPSC was entrusted with the task of conducting examinations for appointment to the role of the UPSC is like laying the
services of the Union. The constitution enjoins the Government that the Commis- foundations of the Good Governance
sion shall be consulted on all matters relating to recruitment, promotions and on in our country. The responsibility for
all disciplinary matters affecting civil servants. A healthy, efficient and honest recruiting the finest talent for manning
public service is the very backbone of the Government and the UPSC endeavours the civil services and protecting their
to provide the same to our nation. The Union Public Service Commission is thus just interests so that they may act im-
regarded as one of the pillars of our Constitutional arrangement. The founding partially and fearlessly are some of the
fathers of our Republic have envisaged a pivotal role for the UPSC as the keystone tasks given to the Commission under
in the vital machinery of governance. They, therefore, armed it with a constitu- the Constitution. UPSC is also respon-
tional status and also provided it with necessary safeguards for its independent sible for advising the Government on

DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 24 Civil Services

Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

related matters of service that actually
cover personnel policy and human re-
source management. The structure and
process of governance are crucially af-
fected by the nature and quality of
public officials in its service. It is be-
cause of the recruiting policies of the
UPSC that an impartial and apolitical
bureaucracy in India has strengthened
governance in the country, and has
contributed to its development and sta-
bility. Enlisted below are few points
that highlight the functions of UPSC
through which it aims to change the
governance prospects in India.
1. The system of recruitment: The sys-
tem of recruitment to public services
has been a subject of reform and inno-
vation and the UPSC has constantly
strived to develop a recruitment sys-
tem that tests the aptitude and compe-
tency required of an increasingly spe-
cialized public administration. At the
same time, it has pursued the goal of
ensuring adequate representation and
social justice for the people, thereby
making the government more inclusive
and participatory.
2. The system of consultations: The
UPSC is consulted by the government
on matters related to the recruitment,
promotions and transfers and on the
suitability of the candidates for such
appointments. But the function of the
UPSC is to advise and not to decide.
3. Reforming the selection process:
The tremendous growth and wide
spread of knowledge today places a re-
sponsibility on the civil servant to keep
abreast of latest developments so that
these can be put to effective use in the
country's development. For this very
reason the UPSC has set up commit-
tees from time to time to bring neces-
sary changes in the process of selection
of the candidates. The Kothari commit-
tee (1979) and the Satish Chandra Com-
mittee (1988), Hota Committee etc gave
some valuable recommendations in the
selection procedures of the civil ser-
vants. The very recent change by the
UPSC is to bring a Civil Service Apti-
tude Test in place of the erstwhile Pre-
liminary examination of the ICS is an-
other major initiative of the UPSC to
select the candidates on the basis of
their aptitude for the service.
4. Disciplinary Matters: UPSC is deals
with all the disciplinary matters affect-
ing a person serving under the govern-
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
ment of India in a civil capacity, includ-
ing memorials or petitions relating to
such matters.
5. Advising the President: UPSC ren-
ders valuable advice to the President of
India whenever such advice is sought
by the office. This advice is valuable in
reforming the recruitment process and
making it attune with the times.
These are the generalised list of func-
tions which the UPSC is supposed to
perform. The major task or function of
the UPSC is recruiting and acting as an
advisory body to the government. This
is appropriate to applaud the com-
mendable task which the UPSC is per-
forming in an era when there is a repo-
sitioning of the concept of good gover-
nance as the role of the government
evolves to meet the challenges of the
21st century. Good governance implies
people's participation, rule of law, trans-
parency, responsiveness, consensus ori-
entation in decision making, equity and
inclusion, effectiveness and account-
ability. De-centralization is very impor-
tant for it is a participatory form of gov-
ernance that empowers people, particu-
larly the underprivileged, the women
and other disadvantaged sections of
society. A people-centric administration
with local institutions playing a lead-
ing role has the advantage of being clos-
est to the people. The 73rd and the 74th
Amendments to the Constitution have
taken democracy to the grassroots. For
the successful functioning Panchayti Raj
bodies there should be proper training
and capacity building at various levels
- Gram Sabhas, Zila Parishads, Zonal
levels. This function is performed by the
UPSC through its proper recruitment.
UPSC is thus building the foundation
of Good Governance in our country.
O ur administrative machinery is
passing through a tough phase.
The challenges before the 21st century
administration are many. It has to en-
sure transparency, honesty, morals eth-
ics, and on the same hand deliver the
result with utmost efficiency and effec-
tiveness and the focus would need to
be centred on propelling economic
growth, following a growth trajectory
that is inclusive and providing basic
amenities to all its citizens. Governance
will be judged by the manner in which
policies of economic growth are imple-
mented and the extent to which ben-
eficial outcomes can be delivered to the
25
NATIONAL DEBATE
people. Social welfare schemes occupy
a central position in the endeavour to
empower the disadvantaged sections
of society so that they can join the na-
tional mainstream. These are some is-
sues which require perspectives. Some
of the pertinent questions are whether
the selection procedure adequately
looks for qualities and skills required
in a changing environment in which
the civil services work. The answers or
more aptly to say the solutions to these
question lie with the UPSC, which has
a mandate to prepare our bureaucrats
with a proper mind set and a vision to
face the welfare challenges of the fu-
ture. UPSC need to make effective ar-
rangements for the training process
which can prepare the individual to
take on the responsibilities of public
service. Regular in-service training for
bringing about better performance
should be made mandatory. Perfor-
mance assessment parameters should
be made clear by the UPSC for the civil
servants so that the work undertaken
by them may be judged fairly. Public
servants must have firm moorings to
moral values and principles. Our nation
has been founded on human values and
progressive ideas. If public servants are
disciplined and hardworking it would
have a multiplier effect on society itself
as they can by their own conduct and
example, spur others in the same direc-
tion. While dealing with issues that
have a human dimension, it is impor-
tant that public authorities must be sen-
sitive. Building a caring administration
is important.
Thus we can say that the Union Public
Service Commission plays an impor-
tant role in the governance process of
the country. As a constitutional body,
it is has provided a strong institutional
mechanism for the recruitment, ap-
pointment and career related matters
of the members of India's civil services.
It has set high standards for itself and
has been recruiting persons of merit
and ability, in an open and impartial
manner. It has also shown a remark-
able ability to respond to changing re-
quirements by taking recourse to inno-
vative and transparent reform initia-
tives. Better systems of selection (the
current change in the selection of the
ICS with the introduction of the CSAT)
will in the long run have a positive ef-
fect on the quality of governance.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Tracing trendless
trends
We are presenting the
model
answer for General
Studies
(Mains examination
2010). The paper has
indicated a changing
trend of answer writing.
The UPSC has tried to
delink the textbooks
and prepared materials.
Now, the examination
checks your ability to
link the things im-
promptu, i.e., at spot
orientation of facts and
concepts in relation to
the given scope of the
answer. In this regard, it
becomes necessary for
the examinee to
understand the scope,
context and dimensions
of the question.
Further, now answers
cannot be done without
knowing the proper
context of the answer.
For this, a thorough
study is needed and
traditional notes cannot
be enough to meet
such challenges. You
have to not only keep
these facts into you
mind but also should
have the ability to link
two different contexts in
a concrete manner. In
such a situation, there
is a need to practice
writing and formulation
of the answers.
Considering these
necessities, we are
focusing contextual
requirement of the
answer within the
stipulated words limit.
Instead of 3,000 words
of answer in the
previous year, this time,
UPSC has asked
answers in 3,520
words. It means almost
20 per cent increase in
the writing speed can
enable to complete the
paper.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
CIVIL SERVICES MAIN EXAMINATION 2010
General Studies
Paper I
1. Answer the following in 250 words for each
answer = 20×2 = 40
(a) "Disputes between the- riparian states on
sharing of river waters in post- Independence
India are becoming increasingly complex."
Objectively analyse the major disputes in this
connection, with special reference to the
Southern States.
Answer: Article 262 (1) does not itself lay down
any specific machinery for adjudication of
water disputes. It only lays down that
Parliament may by law provide for the
adjudication of any disputes or complaints with
respect to use, distribution or control of the
waters of, or in, any inter-state river or river
valley. This is a major reason for growing
complexity amidst undefined provisions.
Source: CST Indian Polity 2010, Page 196 and
Column I
Though the irrigation projects were under the
control of the central government during the
British time, but the republic of India after
independence made irrigation a state subject.
As a result, state governments at present
virtually exercise full control on planning,
development, regulation, distribution and
control of water flowing through their
territories. This has ushered lack of uniformity
in the policy making.
Cauvery dispute: Tamil Nadu, in its suit filed
in 2001, opines that, though the final award has
been given by the tribunal, since the Centre is
yet to notify it in the gazette, the interim award
continues to remain in operation and Karnataka
should implement it. The interim order was
given in June 1991 directing Karnataka to
release 205tmcft water.
Narmada Dispute: The Centre set up a
Narmada water dispute tribunal under section
4 of the Inter-state Water Dispute Act, 1956. The
award of the tribunal, which came which came
in 1979 allowed Gujarat to utilise 90 lakh acre
feet of water, while Madhya Pradesh and
Maharashtra were allowed 182.5 lakh acre feet
and 2.5 lakh acre feet respectively. Apart from
this the construction of Sardar Sarovar dam on
Narmada has also been in controversy.
Krishna water dispute: After independence
Karnataka due to its developmental needs
started utilising more and more of Krishna
water. This led to discontent in the lower
riparian state, Andhra Pradesh. Therefore in
1969, the Bachawat tribunal was set up to find
a solution to the dispute of sharing Krishna
waters. The award of the tribunal came in 1976
and according to which Karnataka was allowed
26
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
to use 700 billion cubic feet of water, Andhra
Pradesh 800 billion cubic feet and Maharashtra
560 billion cubic feet. But defying the tribunal's
award, Andhra Pradesh began work on the
Telugu Ganga Project requiring additional
Krishna waters. The height of the Almatti dam
is another contentious issue relating to Krishna
waters.
Source: CST July 2004, Page No 42 and (CST
December 2007, Page No 64)
See details in Indian Polity about Cauvery
Dispute on Page No. 218 and Col.3
(b) Critically examine the differing estimates
for (i) poverty figures, and (ii) GDP growth data
for April-June 2010, that have been in the news
recently. In your view, what estimates are more
reflective of the ground reality, and why?
Answer: The RBI has revised upwards the GDP
growth rate. “Taking into account the progress
of monsoon so far and the prevailing global
macroeconomic scenario, for policy purposes,
the baseline projection of real GDP growth for
2010-11 is revised to 8.5 per cent, up from 8 per
cent with an upside bias as indicated in April
2010 policy statement,” the policy statement
emphasised.
Source: CST September 2010, Page No. 94,
Column No. 1
The all-India rural headcount ratio and all-India
combined headcount ratio using the
recommended procedure is 41.8 per cent and
37.2 per cent in comparison with official
estimates of 28.3 per cent and 27.5 per cent
respectively. Poverty at all-India level in 1993-
94 was 50.1 per cent in rural areas, 31.8 per cent
in urban areas and 45.3 per cent in the country
as a whole as compared to the 1993-94 official
estimates of 37.2 per cent rural, 32.6 per cent
urban and 36.0 per cent combined.
Infact, the new basis of deciding poverty is
more real because:
There is a need to move away from anchoring
the poverty lines to a calorie intake norm.
Since for canvassing household expenditure on
a recall basis, the NSSO has decided to shift to
an MRP-based estimates for all its consumption
surveys in future, there is need to adopt the
MRP-based estimates of consumption
expenditure as the basis for future poverty lines
as against the previous practice of using URP
estimates. This change
captures the household consumption
expenditure of poor households on low-
frequency items of purchase more satisfactorily.
MRP equivalent of the urban poverty line
basket (PLB) corresponding to 25.7 per cent
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

The UPSC has
widened the scope of
the historical personali-
ties and now they have
included the regional
leaders of the India’s
struggle for freedom
and even included the
personalities before
1857.
Economy needed
better control over
facts, current data and
its interrelationship with
other contemporary
issues.
For this CST recom-
mends a comprehen-
sive study of the
Economic Survey of
India of the last two
years along with a
newspaper like
Financial Express. The
traditional books like
Dutta and Sundaram
and Mishra and Puri
should be also
considered as a basic
textbook.
The relevance of
Modern India is on a
declining trend but it
should not be treated
as a benchmark and a
deep and wide study of
the material should be
needed and for this
along with NCERT
Class XI and XII, one
should also refer
Grover and Mehta
alongwith Tara Chand
Vol 3 and 4.
Bipan Chandra’s
India’s struggle for
independence is still
the basic text. The area
wise spread of mass
movement, along with
tribal, caste, civil
rebellion should be
done from Sumit
Sarkar.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
urban headcount ratio as the new reference PLB
to be provided to rural as well as urban
population in all the states after suitable
adjustments.
The proposed reference PLB takes into account
all items of consumption (except transport and
conveyance) for construction of price indices.
Separate allowance for private expenditure on
transport and conveyance has been made in the
recommended poverty lines.
The new poverty lines seek to enable the rural
as well as urban population in all the States to
afford the recommended all-India urban PLB
after taking due account of within-State rural-
urban and inter-State differentials (rural and
urban) incorporating observed consumer
behaviour both at the all-India and State levels.
Source: CST April 2010, Page No. 61 and see
the Box
CST: 100 per cent of the questions
in this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 40/40
2. Answer any two of the following in about
150 words each: 12×2 = 24
(a) "Dalhousie's predecessors had acted on the
general principles of avoiding annexations, if
these could be avoided. Dalhousie acted on the
principles of annexation, if lie could do so
legitimately. His annexations were both of war
and peace." Analyse.
Answer: The treaties concluded with the
Princely States were not on the basis of
reciprocity and mutual amity, but imposed the
obligation on the part of Princely States to act
in subordinate cooperation with the British
Government and acknowledge its supremacy.
This change took place under the policy of
subordinate isolation. The founder of this
policy were Lord Hastings and Lord Dalhousie.
In the theory of Paramountcy included the
provision of subordinate co-operation;
supremacy of East India Company; no external
sovereignty of Princely States, they have only
internal sovereignty, presence of British
residents in all states; and the British residents
would be the organ of communication between
British India and Princely States and a Princely
States and other state.
Source: CST Mains 1, Modern India, Page No.
60 and Col 1
Dalhousie realised that these Princely States
have been already crippled by the policies of
his predecessors and therefore, this is golden
opportunity to extend the direct rule in the
name of peace i.e, ensuring stability in the
princely states by elimination of
maladministration and seldom in the name of
war.
(b) With respect to cooperative societies what
27
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
are the salient features of the 106th and 111th
constitutional amendment bills as at present?
Answer: The Union Government has proposed
a Constitutional Amendment “to ensure
democratic, autonomous, and professional
functioning of cooperatives”. The Union
Minister for Agriculture and Cooperation
introduced this Bill on 22nd May 2006 in the
Lok Sabha.
Source: CST Indian Polity 2010, Page No. 213
and Column 3
The 111th constitutional amendment adds a
new Directive Principles of State Policy stating
that the “State shall endeavour to promote
voluntary formation, autonomous functioning,
democratic control and professional
management of co-operative societies.” It
further inserts a new part IX B in the
Constitution (adding Articles 243ZH through
243ZT), which outlines certain guidelines for
running co-operative societies.
Source: CST Indian Polity 2010, Page No. 234
and Box
(c) "Small-holder farms need to be strengthened
to achieve national food security." Do you agree
with this assessment? Substantiate.
Answer: Small-holders consist of holdings in
the range of 1 to 4 hectares. In 1970-71, there
were 24 million holdings and they accounted
for 49 million hectares or 30 per cent of the total
area operated.
Source: CST Indian Economy 2010, Page 215
and Col. 3
As per the Report of the Committee on Financial
Inclusion (January 2008), more than 73 per cent
of farmer households have no access to formal
sources of credit. Innovative institutional
mechanisms that provide credit and financial
products (including insurance products)
specifically designed to meet the needs of the
farm sector keeping their risk - bearing ability
in view is the need of the hour.
The rural economy needs to be viewed as
comprising a continuum of interrelated
economic activities. Farming needs to be
dovetailed with viable off-farm and non-farm
activities. Farmers need to be facilitated to take
up value addition such as processing of
agricultural produce, horticulture, pisciculture,
poultry, development of non-farm rural
enterprises.
On the distribution side, there is need to ensure
that benefits accrue to the targeted population.
A mission approach for promotion of smart
cards and its cross reference with ration cards
and voter ID cards would help better targeting,
lesser leakages and easier administration.
An area that requires focused attention is the
issue of sustainability of agriculture with due
emphasis on environmental concerns. Soil
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Considering the
analysis of both
Prelims and Mains
2010, one can safely
conclude that there is
specific emphasis on
environment related
questions in both the
papers and therefore, a
thorough revision of
environment and
ecology is a must.
In the Geography
section, the questions
have been not only
confined to Indian
Geography but also
Physical Geography of
the World and
therefore besides
NCERT VI to XII one
should also study
Khullar for Indian
Geography and G C
Leong for Physical
Geography
NOTE
Only a detailed
compilation of Indian
physiographic division
is the most important
chapter in this context.
Besides that questions
related to multipurpose
projects, sanctuaries,
infrastructure -
especially roads,
Greenfield airports,
commercial ports,
census, tribals,
urbanization, urban
planning, crop pattern,
different revolution in
production needs
special treatment.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
erosion, water logging, reduction in
groundwater table and the decline in the
surface irrigation are the problems faced by
agriculture.
Source: CST Contemporary Issues, Page
No. 92
CST: 100 per cent of the questions
in this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine i.e 24/24
3. Answer any two of the following in about
150 words: 12×2 = 24
(a) Comment on the spatial components in
urban solid waste management in the country.
Answer: Chemical Safety: The Manufacture,
Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical
(MSIHC) Rules, 1989 and the Chemical
Accident (Emergency Planning, Preparedness
and Response) Rules, 1996 are the main
instruments for ensuring chemical safety in the
country. There are one thousand eight hundred
forty one MAH units in the country, located in
two hundred ninety two districts in twenty six
States/UTs (twenty three States & three UT’s)
of the country. A “GIS based Emergency
Planning and Response System” for chemical
accidents in Major Accident Hazard (MAH)
units has been developed.
Management of Plastic Wastes: These are lit-
tered around and if not collected systematically
may find their way into the drainage system
resulting in choking of drains, creating unhy-
gienic environment and causing health prob-
lems. The Ministry has notified the Recycled
Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999
under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
and amended them in 2003 for regulating and
managing plastic carry bags and containers.
After extensive consultations with stakehold-
ers, the Ministry has now notified the draft Plas-
tics (Manufacture, Usage & Waste Manage-
ment) Rules, 2009 and invited objections/ sug-
gestions to the proposals contained in the draft
notification to finalize the notification. The new
Rules will supersede the existing Recycled Plas-
tics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 (as
amended in 2003).
Bio-Medical Waste Management: The Minis-
try has notified the Bio-Medical Waste (Man-
agement & Handling) Rules, 1998 (BMW Rules)
under the provisions of Environment (Protec-
tion) Act, 1986 for proper management and han-
dling of Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) generated
in the country. Under these Rules, the wastes
generated by Health Care Establishments
(HCEs) have been categorized into 10 catego-
ries and treatment & disposal methods for each
of these categories of wastes have been speci-
fied. The status of implementation of these rules
is being regularly monitored by the respective
28
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and
Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) of Union
Territories.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No. 364
(b) Assess the contributions made by the Indian
Council of Agriculture Research in agriculture
development
Answer: During the year, 33 explorations were
undertaken and 2,203 accessions including 784
of wild species were collected. In the National
Herbarium of Cultivated Plants, 371 harbarium
specimens, 121 seed samples and 21 economic
products were added.
A total of 25,456 diverse crop accessions were
introduced from various countries, and 15,000
accessions, including germplasm from the
ICRISAT, were exported to 19 countries. About
13,850 accessions of orthodox and species were
added to the National Genebank.
Under the germ-plasm evaluation and
conservation programme 8,413 lines of 5,847
accessions of agricultural crops were evaluated
and preserved for the long-term storage in the
National Gene Bank. National Facility for Plant
Tissue Culture Repository has maintained a
total of 862 accessions for intro conservation.
Improved lines identified in Indian been
(AHDB-16) bottle gourd, line AHLS-II, AHLS-
24 and AHG-13 cluster bean. PGR
management; development of high yielding
varieties/hybrids; development of RILs for
important traits in tomato, brinjal, chilli and
pumpkin; development of transgenic lines in
tomato using Cry 1 Ac, DREB, ZAT-12 and T-
rep gene construct pyramiding; expression
profiling of gene in tomato for early blight,
draught and heat and development of organic
farming protocols developed. Conserved 1,400
cultivated potatoes in vitro under slow growth.
Hybrid MP/98-71 was released as a French fry
variety, while hybrid MP/98-916 was
introduced in AICPIP as chipping hybrid. 3
lines with resistance to bacterial wilt were
identified. Data base for the use of INFOCROP
potato model has been developed.
Source: CST India 2010, Page 32, Col 2 and 3,
33 and col. 1
(c) List the significance local storms of the hot
– weather season in the country and bring out
their socio-economic impact.
Answer: It is characterised by low-pressure
system high temperature, unstable pressure
and wind circulation. The dust storms of Punjab
and Haryana, the Loo of UP, the Norwesters
(Kalbaisakhis) of W. Bengal and cyclonic
depressions of the eastern coast produce a
stormy and turbulent weather. The rains caused
by thunderstorm in Karnataka are called
‘Cherry Blossoms’. These are beneficial for
coffee plantation. Elsewhere in South India they
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

In the Indian Polity
section, both traditional
and contemporary
issues are important
and for each and every
topic a personal
opinion is needed and
for this best source is
TMH’s Laxmikanth’s
Indian Polity alongwith
Subhas C Kashyap’s
Current Perspective on
Indian Polity and PM
Baskshi’s Indian
Constitution.
Through writing
practice, one has to
interrelate constitu-
tional issues with
general issues and
current issues.
The strategy to deal
with opinion-based
questions is to weigh
both positive and
negative facets of the
concerned topic and
then point out your
conclusion by bringing
out the real state of the
concerned topic and
this shows your ability
to analyse and
understand by
interlinking relevant
points in arriving at a
particular point.
NOTE
For institutions and
organisations of
national importance,
consult the India Year
Book published by
Publications Divisions
of India.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
are known as ‘Mango Showers’. Dry and dusty
westerly winds flow in the northern western
parts of the country which make the outdoor
life difficult are known as Loo.
Source: CST Indian Geography 2010, Page No.
201 and Col 2
CST: 100 per cent of the questions
in this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 24/24
4. Answer any two of the following in 150
words: 12×2 = 24
(a) What are the grounds of disqualifications
of a member of parliament from either House?
Quote relevant provisions in your answer.
Answer: The growing defection is a massive
violation of the people’s mandate. The 52nd
Amendment, 1985 introduced the 10th schedule
in the constitution. It also amended the Articles
101, 102, 190 and 191. If a member voluntarily
resigns from or votes in the House against the
directives of the party on whose symbol he has
entered the house, he/she would be liable to
be disqualified from membership;
Before the 91st amendment the Para 3 recog-
nized a ‘split’ if the legislators, defying the
party whip, form a third of the total strength of
a legislature party.
In the case of a merger, the decision should
have the support of not less than 2/3rd of the
party members. The jurisdiction of courts is
barred in this respect of matters connected with
the qualification of members. The anti-defection
law does not provide for the expulsion of a
member from his party for his activities outside
the House, nor do they provide for anything
like an attached member.
Source CST: Indian Polity 2010, Page No. 166
and Col 1 and 3
(b) Distinguishes between the objectives,
structure and functioning of the ‘Kendriya
Vidyalaya Sangathan’ and the ‘Navodaya
Vidyalaya Samiti’.
Answer: Kendriya
Vidyalaya Sangathan is an autonomous body
established in 1965 with the objective of setting
up and monitoring of Kendriya Vidyalayas.
The main purpose of these schools were to cater
to the educational needs of the children of
transferable Central Government Employees
including Defence Personnel and Para Military
forces. At present, there are 931 Kendriya
Vidyalayas (as on 17 June 2005) out of which
three Kendriya Vidyalayas are based abroad
i.e., one each in Kathmandu, Moscow and
Tehran. All Kendriya Vidyalayas follow a
uniform syllabus.
Source: CST India 2010, Page No. 98 and Col 3
29
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
Whereas Navodaya Vidyalayas are fully
residential co-educational institutions
providing education up to senior secondary
stage. The provision for establishment of such
schools was mentioned in the National Policy
on Education, 1986. These schools emphasise
on quality education of children especially from
rural areas. The scheme, which started with
only two schools on experimental basis in 1985-
86, has grown to 565 schools (as on 31 March
2007) covering as many districts in 34 States/
UTs, with over 1.93 lakh students on rolls as
on 31 March 2007.
Source: CST India 2010, Page No. 98 and Col 1
(c) Bring out the salient features of evolution
and the current status of the ‘Bharat Stage’
vehicle emission norms in the country.
Answer: Currently, emissions of Nitrogen
oxides (NOx), Total hydrocarbon (THC), Non-
methane hydrocarbons (NMHC), Carbon
monoxide (CO) and particulate matter (PM) are
regulated for most vehicle types. In the area of
fuels, the 2001 Biofuels Directive requires that
5.75% of all transport fossil fuels (petrol and
diesel) should be replaced by biofuels by 31
December 2010, with an intermediate target of
2% by the end of 2005. However, MEPS have
since voted to lower this target in the wake of
new scientific evidence about the sustainability
of biofuels and the impact on food prices. In a
vote in Strasbourg, the European parliament’s
environment committee supported a plan to
curb the EU target for renewable sources in
transport to 4% by 2015. They also said that a
thorough review would be required in 2015
before the EU could progress to an 8-10% mark
by 2020.
Exhaust gasses whilst highly harmful, are far
less toxic than they were years ago. Emission
standards for passenger cars and light
commercial vehicles are summarised in the
following tables. Since the Euro 2 stage, EU
regulations introduce different emission limits
for diesel and gasoline vehicles. Diesels have
more stringent CO standards but are allowed
higher NOx emissions. Gasoline-powered
vehicles are exempted from particulate matter
(PM) standards through to the Euro 4 stage, but
vehicles with direct injection engines will be
subject to a limit of 0.005 g/km for Euro 5 and
Euro 6.
Source: CST May 2010, Page No. 39; Col 2 in
Box
CST: 100 per cent of the questions
in this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 24/24
5. Write brief out precise notes on any six of
the following your answer should not exceed
50 words in each case. 5×6 = 30
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

There is no specific
trend of asking
questions related to
geography, polity and
history and the best
way is to prepare them
thoroughly irrespective
of the trends of the
question and their
weightage in the paper.
CST believes in text
book reading because
without this one cannot
build specific opinion
about the subject
matter.
For the Arts and
Culture section, you
have to rely on the
Gazetteer of India,
Volume II, published by
Publications Division.
The matters are
exhaustive and
comprehensive and
make diagrammatic
notes of the various
patterns and architec-
tural designs. The
architectural terms and
concepts must be
properly understood.
There should be
special emphasis to
paintings, sculpture,
temples, architectural
style, literature and
epics.
NOTE
For Arts and Culture,
CST 2 and 5 Marker
may be sufficient but
prefer Gazetteer of
India, Volume II, if you
have enough time.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
(a) Transhumance in India
The seasonal pattern of movement of Nomads
along with their herds between mountains and
lowland pastures is known as Transhumance.
Source: CST Indian Geography, Page No. 107
and Col 2
In India such movement is seen in tribal areas,
north east and Uttarakhand and MP region.
(b) Frontogenesis and Frontolysis
Frontogenesis:
It is a process of regeneration of the old and
the decaying fronts or it means the creation of
altogether new fronts.
Frontolysis:
The process means the dying of a front. Fronts
do not come into existence out of a sudden;
rather they appear only after the process of
frontogenesis has been in operation for quite
some time.
Source: CST Indian Geography, Page No. 52
and Col 1
(c) Golden revolution
India has emerged as the second largest
producer of fresh fruits and vegetables in the
world. India is presently the largest exporter
of spices and cashew. A total of 460 high-
yielding varieties and hybrids of horticultural
crops have been developed.
(d) Sea-floor spreading
Hess’s seafloor-spreading model:
In this paper Hess, drawing on Holmes’s model
of convective flow in the mantle, suggested that
the mid-ocean ridges were the surface
expressions of rising and diverging convective
flow while trenches and Benioff zones with
their associated island arcs marked descending
limbs. At the ridge crests new oceanic crust
would be generated and then carried away
laterally to cool, subside, and finally be
destroyed in the nearest trenches.
Source: CST Indian Geography, Page No. 21
and Col 2
(e) Legislative powers assigned to the Rajya
Sabha under art 249 and art 312 of the
Constitution
Article 312, the RS has the power to create an
All India Services. Article 249 provides that if
RS has declared by resolution supported by not
less than two-thirds of the members present
and voting that it is necessary or expedient in
the national interest that Parliament should
make laws with respect to any matter
enumerated in the State List specified in the
resolution.
Source: CST Indian Polity, Page No. 122 and
Col 1
(f) Causes for dominant dendritic pattern of
drainage in the Gangetic plains.
The plains from Ambala to the Sunderban
stretch over nearly 1800 km, but the fall in its
slope is hardly 300 metres. In other words, there
30
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
is a fall of just one metre for every 6 km.
Therefore, the river develops large meanders.
The dendritic pattern develops where the river
channel follows the slope of the terrain. The
stream with its tributaries resembles the
branches of a tree, thus the name dendritic.
(g) ‘Break-of-bulk’ towns.
A break-in-bulk point is a place where goods
are transferred from one mode of transport to
another, for example the docks where goods
transfer from ship to truck.
CST: 60 per cent of the questions
in this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 18/30
6. Answer any three about 150 words each.
12×3 = 36
(a) While bringing out their salient features,
distinguish between either Madhubari art and
Manjusha art or Rajasthani schools of painting
and the Pahari School of painting.
Answer: Rajasthani Group: The origin of
Rajasthani painting dates back to the Sultanate
period in the early 16th century. A few dated or
undated examples of the second quarter of that
Century in the characteristic Rajasthani style
are known, showing the Rajasthani style in a
rather developed form, although the
illustrations are still simple and unostentatious.
On the other hand, the Chaurapan-chashika
group of illustrations of the second half of the
same century shows a refined quality in the
same style. The rise of regional sub-schools in
the Rajasthani group seems to have taken place
in the same period. However, the earliest
documents from centres like Mewar, Amber,
Bundi, Gujarat, Jodhpur, and Malwa appear
only from the beginning of the 17th century.
They appear in their most exuberant forms of
expression, each differing in quality and
representing and independent sub-school,
although all the sub-styles possess certain
common factors due to their common origin.
All these paintings are decorative in their
composition and colour-scheme.
Since its inception the style was wedded to an
unrivalled attachment to Nature; the illustra-
tions are almost at the level of landscape paint-
ings in which human figures play insignificant
roles. The tree types with their never-ending
variety, dense foliage, and richly decorative
forms were associated with the singing birds
and frolicking animals which similarly appear
in the depiction of the amorous sentiment (
sringara rasa) in Indian poetry or music. Rivers
full of lotus blossoms and drops of rain falling
from deep blue clouds, and streaks of gold
showing flashes of lightning flank the colourful
landscape. aDuring the 18th century, two dif-
ferent groups appear in the Pahari area. Except
that both are fundamentally lyrical in feeling
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

In the section of topics
of national importance,
you have maintain a
regular register to
mention the develop-
ments and any
incomplete and without
updated information,
the preparation is
incomplete and
therefore maintain
topic wise register and
with the passage of
time you update them
through newspapers
and newsmagazines.
For the rural-develop-
ment and poverty
alleviation schemes,
consult the Economic
Survey of India,
chapter 10, i.e. Social
Sector; India Year
Book 2011 and if you
have enough time then
Yojana and
Kurukshetra maga-
zines
NOTE
Time-management has
become very crucial in
these exams not only
at the preparation level
but also at the writing
of answers in the
examination hall.
Therefore, don't kill
your time and first
prepare and then
appear. In other words,
first prepare Mains and
then go for CSAT
because the amount of
information cannot be
tackled in a few
months.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
and have almost the same themes as common
sources of inspiration, they are basically op-
posed to one another. One is rapresented by
the traditionalists-Basohli, Bilaspur, Mandi,
etc., while the other by the Mughal-influenced
Kangra, Guler and Garhwal group which is
sophisticated, sweet and lyrical. Pahari paint-
ing is more human in feeling, more sympathetic
in its outlook and more subtle. Thus, the dying
Mughal School founded a great art-style, which
blossomed into several notable sub-styles in the
Punjab Hills, representing the last great epoch
in the traditional Indian art. Source: CST 2
MARKER Page No. 213, Col 3 and 215, Col: 3
(b) Bring out the powers and responsibilities
attached to the office of the speaker of Lok
Sabha.
Answer: 1. Ex-officio President of the Indian
Parliamentary Group;
2. Lok Sabha Secretariat functions under his
direction and under the control and Secretary
General assists him in his functioning.
3. Nominates, in consultation with the
Chairman of Rajya Sabha, personnel for various
parliamentary delegation to foreign countries.
4. No arrest without his cognizance.
5. Regulatory Powers: to adjourn the House in
the absence of quorum; power to allocate the
timings; power to admit motions and
resolutions; interpretation of institution and the
rules of procedure.
6. Certifies the Money Bill (Art.110) at the time
of transfer to Rajya Sabha.
7. Emolument from CFI.
8. He is the sole authority in the anti-defection
law.
9. The Speaker shall preside over a joint sitting
of the two Houses of the Parliament. Article
118 (4).
Source: CST Indian Polity 2010, Page No. 123
and Col. 2; Words: 130
(c) Distinguish between the following four
literary awards:
(i) Jnanpith Award: crowning glory continues
to be the annual 'Jnanpith Award' (of Rs. 5
lakhs), given for the best creative literary
writing by any Indian citizen in any of the
languages included in the VIII Schedule of the
Indian Constitution. Source: Bhartiya
Jnanpith.net.
(ii) Sathiya Akademi Award: Every year since
its inception in 1954, the Sahitya Akademi
Award prizes to the most outstanding books
of literary merit published in any of the major
Indian languages recognised by the Akademy.
Source: www.sahitya-akademi.gov.in
(iii) Vyas samman: The Vyas Samman, which
is awarded for an outstanding Hindi literary
work published during the last ten years since
1991, carries a cash prize of Rs. 2.5 lakh.
31
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
(iv) Saraswati Samman: Saraswati Samman is
given every year to an outstanding literary
work written in any Indian language and
published in the last ten years.
Source: CST June 2010; Page No. 40, Col 3
(d) After September 1st changes, do you think
the ULIPS and mutual funds are on a level
playing field? Substantiate your answer from
the perspective of an ordinary investor.
Answer: (a) The ULIPS will become more
investor-friendly.
(b) After DTC comes into effect from April
2011, ULIPS could prove a little less tax-
efficient. However, if one were to buy it before
DTC becomes operational; it is likely that the
maturity amount will not be taxable.
(c) The single premium policy cover now has
to be based on the age of the policyholder rather
than the tenure of the policy. The new
guidelines explicitly mention the maximum
limit of health insurance cover provided by
insurers.
(d) Perhaps the most significant change that
will benefit investors is the change in the load
structure. The front loading or the commission
structure that used to be heavily levied on such
products over the first two years will now have
to be spread evenly over the first five years of
the tenure of the policy tenure.
(e) However, as an investor the cost could still
be very high during the course of the policy.
So, if he surrenders in the 6th or 7th year, the
impact on yield could be around 6-7 . To
prevent this, IRDA has prescribed a difference
of 400 bps (4 ), which gradually reduces to 300
bps (3 ) in the tenth year in the last couple of
decades, SEBI has done well to regulate the
Indian capital market sensibly and
methodically, through difficult times,
notwithstanding the periodic hiccups in the
market, with a scam here or a fraud there. On
the whole, SEBI has adopted an approach of
sensible gradualism, rather than go for drastic
changes.
Source: CST November 2010, Page No. 96 and
Col. 1 and 2; Words: 261
CST: 100 per cent of the questions
in this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 36/36
7. Answer any five in about 150 words. 12×5=
60
(a) What do you understand by ‘repo rate’ and
‘reverse repo rate’? What are the implications
in raising these rates?
Answer: Repo contract is a contract whereby
one contractual party transfers financial assets
(e.g., securities) in favour of the other
contractual party in exchange for a sum of
money.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

At the preparation
level, the important
aspect is the review of
the previous question
papers of the last
twenty years. This
gives a lot of ideas
about the changing
trends of the paper and
also your requirement
of the material and its
quality to meet the
standards of the
question. This will
enable you to assess
your preparation level
will discourage a 'touch
and go approach' of
the candidates and
their coaching
institutes.
NOTE
The coaching institutes
have an instrumental
role to play in shaping
your preparation but
their role is limited and
don't listen them if they
overstretch their role to
confuse you. In this
realm you must clarify
the requirements of the
examination and a
specific source and
material to tackle them.
Ask them to match the
required level of the
material and mind it in
UPSC nothing
guaranteed and
nobody can claim
one's mastery and
UPSC gives every time
a lot of lessons to learn
and act
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
> repo transactions – receipt of deposits and
sale of securities with a commitment to
repurchase these on a specific date.
> reverse repo transactions – making deposits
and buying securities with a commitment to
resell them on a specific date.
In other words, when RBI lends money to
bankers against approved securities for
meeting their day to day requirements or to fill
short term gap. It takes approved securities as
security and lends money. These types of
operations are generally for overnight
operations.
Source: CST April 2010, Page No 31 and see
Box
In order to control to rising inflation rate, the
central bank has tightened the liquidity flow
by raising the repo rate from 5.5 per cent to 5.75
per cent and the reverse repo rate from 4 per
cent to 4.50 per cent.
Source: CST September 2010, Page No 94 and
column 1
(b) "Cost - benefit analysis should not be the
sole consideration, while deciding to host
events like the Commonwealth Games."
Critically comment on this perspective.
Answer: The cost-benefit analysis is an
important component of trading and
investment but there are certain specific areas
where the entire edifice of the trade and
investment depends and that is to whom you
are trading and where you are investing. This
is called the goodwill and reputation of the
place and the people.
Considering this indispensible component, the
cost-benefit analysis should not be the basis in
certain areas where cultural, managerial and
administrative skills has to be shown to the
world. The holding of these games send a direct
massage to the world that the country is capable
of holding big events and has a capacity to
protect the investments of the people in its
country.
In fact, investments in these events may pave
the way for the future investments and business
and in a world of globalization without proper
investment no business can be sustained.
Therefore, these events have multi-dimensional
impact over the future prospectus of the
country in the world market.
(c) List any eight ‘Ramsar’ wetland sites located
in India. What is the ‘Montreux Record’ and
what Indian sites are included in this Record?
Answer: Twenty five sites have already been
designated as Ramsar sites in India till date.
India has designated 6 wetlands under Ramsar
Convention: (i) Keoladeo National Park
(Bharat-pur), (ii) Chilka (Orissa), (iii) Loktak
(Manipur), (iv) Wullar (J&K), (v) Harike
32
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
(Punjab), (vi) Sambar (Rajasthan)
Point Calimere (Tamil Nadu) and ten others
have been recently included in the international
Ramsar Convention list.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No 351
The Montreux Record is a register of wetland
sites on the List of Wetlands of International
Importance where changes in ecological
character have occurred, are occurring, or are
likely to occur as a result of technological
developments, pollution or other human
interference. It is maintained as part of the
Ramsar List. Keoladeo National Park,
designated 01/10/81, Rajasthan, 2,873 ha,
Montreux Record 04/07/90; Loktak Lake,
designated 23/03/90, Manipur, 26,600 ha,
Montreux Record 16/06/93.
(d) Are the ‘Dedicated Freight Corridor’
railway project and the ‘Golden Quadrilateral’
road project mutually complementary or
competitive? Assess.
Answer: Dedicated Freight Corridor
Corporation of India (DFCCIL) is a Special
Purpose Vehicle set up under the
administrative control of Ministry of Railways
to monitor DFC. The plan to construct
dedicated freight corridors across the country
marks a strategic inflexion point in the history
of Indian Railways that has essentially run
mixed traffic across its network. Once
completed, the dedicated freight corridors will
enable Indian Railways to improve its customer
orientation and meet market needs more
effectively. Creation of rail infrastructure on
such a scale - unprecedented in independent
India – is also expected to drive the
establishment of industrial corridors and
logistic parks along its alignment.
In the first phase, DFCCIL will be constructing
two corridors – the Western DFC and Eastern
DFC- spanning a total length of about 2800
route km. The Eastern Corridor, starting from
Ludhiana in Punjab will pass through the states
of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and terminate at Son
Nagar in Bihar. The Western Corridor will
traverse the distance from Dadri to Mumbai,
passing through the states of Delhi, Haryana,
Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Source: DFCCIL
Whereas Golden Quadrilateral (GQ)
comprising, National Highways connecting
four metro cities-Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and
Chennai- having total length of 5846 km.
Golden Quadrilateral was targeted for
substantial completion by December 2005.
North-South and East-West Corridors
comprising the National Highways connecting
Srinagar to Kanyakumari including Kochi-
Salem spur and Silchar to Porbandar. The total
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

For the last two-three
years, UPSC has
emphasized on various
Acts and amendment
bills and even those
bills which were
enacted before three-
four years back and
are pending in different
Houses. This is a big
challenge for us. Even
CST has decided to list
and give details of the
various acts and bills
of the last five years.
NOTE
The recent trend of
UPSC paper indicates
that days of classroom
teaching is over. The
roles of prepared
materials are limited.
Besides, them one has
to go for broad-based
opinion on any subject-
matter. There should
not be any inconsisten-
cies or discrepancies
at the perception level.
A very clear and
relevant perception
has to be evolved in
course of time. The
UPSC believes that the
candidates must have
a sense of proper
awareness and
originality.
. colonies, residential buildings, apartments and
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
length of the corridors is about 7300 km. The
North-South and East-West Corridors was
targeted for completion by Dec.2007.
Source: CST Indian Geography, Page No. 220
and Box
Therefore, the areas of operation and the
purpose of the projects are complimentary to
each other and considering the growing India
needs more projects like them.
(e) “Upliftment of the neglected sections of
society will be best served with many more
centres of the Indira Gandhi National Tribal
Universities. Expand on the assertion made.
Answer: The Indira Gandhi National Tribal
University, Amarkantak has been established
by an Act of the Parliament of India. It came
into existence by the Indira Gandhi National
Tribal University Act, 2007.
The university would provide avenues of
education, especially higher education and
research facilities primarily for the tribal
population of India. At the same time it will
disseminate and advance knowledge by
providing instructional and research facilities
in tribal art, tradition, culture, language,
medicinal systems, customs, forest based
economic activities, flora, fauna and
advancement in technologies relating to the
natural resources of the tribal areas.
Further, it will collaborate with national and
international universities and organizations,
especially for undertaking cultural studies and
research on tribal communities.
It will formulate tribal centric development
models, publish reports and monographs and
to organize conferences and seminars on issues
relating to tribes and to provide inputs to policy
matters in different spheres.
In view of the aims and objectives of the
university the major thrust will be on providing
more opportunity for the tribes.
(f) Comment on the salient features of the recent
draft model real estate (Regulation of
Development) Act of the Ministry of Housing
and Urban Poverty Alleviation of the Central
Government.
Answer: The Model Act proposes to establish
a regulatory authority to control and promote
construction, sale, transfer and management of
other similar properties. The Model Act
provides for establishment of a Real Estate
Regulatory Authority ("Regulatory Authority"),
to comprise of a Chairperson and two members
to be appointed from amongst persons having
special knowledge and professional experience
in the field of public administration.
The Act provides for compulsory registration
of all real estate projects. The Model Act defines
rather exhaustively who can be termed a
"Promoter" and goes on to detail the obligations
33
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
and responsibilities of the Promoter.
In order to ensure transparency in the
functioning there would be a regulatory
Authority to ensure compliance of the
obligations cast upon the Promoters and
allottees.
The Model Act provides for establishment of a
Real Estate Appellate Tribunal to adjudicate
any dispute and hear and dispose of appeal
against any direction, decision or order of the
Regulatory Authority.
CST: 40 per cent of the questions in
this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 24/60
8. Answer each of the following briefly but
precisely. Each answer should be less than 50
words. 5×6 = 30
(a) How is disagreement between the Legis-
lative Council and Legislative Assembly of a
State in passing of an ordinary Bill, resolved?
Answer: An ordinary bill is introduced in both
the Houses, but in the case of deadlock, the will
of the assembly would prevail over the will of
the Council. Even in the passing of an ordinary
bills, the council has only advisory type of
powers. The Council can only detain or delay
the bill for the period of four months-three
months in the first instance and one month in
the second instance. When the ordinary bill
originated in the council is sent to assembly,
and if it is rejected by the assembly, there will
be death or end of the Bill.
Source: CST Indian Polity, Page No. 143
and Box
(b) Comment on the recent HFC-23 emissions
controversy that includes in its ambit some
Indian companies.
Answer: HFC-23 is a potent greenhouse gas
which is an unwanted by product of
manufacturing the refrigerant gas HCFC-22. At
the same time, HFC-23 emissions from
developing countries are still increasing, since
about half of their HFC-23 production is not
covered by CDM projects and is released into
the atmosphere. HFC-23 destruction projects
mostly profit Chinese and Indian chemical
companies.
(c) Comment on the recommendations of the
Wadhwa Commission on Public Distribution
System.
Answer: Correctly, it has emphasised that it
may be useful to introduce food stamps/
coupons, which may be valid outside the PDS
outlets once the markets get better integrated.
Food coupons will allow the consumers a wider
choice. Multiapplication smart cards will also
enhance the efficiency of administering various
schemes. In PDS system, the smart card will
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

UPSC has introduced
situational questions in
which they ask for your
opinion and action over
a given situation. CST
suggests that bring out
practical suggestion
and always maintain
relations with existing
resources and any
suggestion beyond the
level available
resources should be
discouraged. At the
same time, your
answer should be
based on both
preventive and curative
level.
NOTE
For current personality
and short news, one
can rely on newspa-
pers and news
channels. For this
maintain a regular note
to mention the
newsmakers and their
details. Unlike common
view, this time UPSC
has covered till 30th
September 2010.
Therefore, span of
current news has
further widened. CST
advises all candidates
to continue to buy the
magazine till 1st
October of every year
and read them
carefully because a lot
of questions could be
asked from them.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
reduce the incidence of bogus ration cards or
diversion of foodgrains. Leakages can also be
restricted by redirecting subsidies currently
under PDS to better funding of other schemes
like Mid-Day Meal scheme or the ICDS.
Source: CST August 2010, Page No. 71 and
Column no. 2
(d) What are the salient features of the National
Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan?
Answer: The National Oil Spill Disaster
Contingency Plan (NOSDCP), which was
prepared by the Coast Guard and approved by
the Committee of Secretaries on 04 Nov 1993,
delineates the roles and responsibilities of
various Ministries, Departments, Ports, oil
companies and other resource agencies.
The National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency
Plan (NOSDCP), which was prepared by the
Coast Guard and approved by the Committee
of Secretaries on 04 Nov 1993, delineates the
roles and responsibilities of various Ministries,
Departments, Ports, oil companies and other
resource agencies.
(e) You arrive first at the scene where a bus
accident has just occurred. What emergency
measures should you immediately and safely
adopt?
Answer: I will try to bail out those people who
are trapped inside the bus to avoid further
casualties. Then I will try to involve as many
as persons possible at that time on road and
try to take use the available first aid box for the
treatment of the local injuries and in the
meantime through my mobile I would try to
communicate the message to district
administration, hospital and highway
authorities.
(f) Bring out the sectoral and state-wise
distribution pattern of Foreign Direct
Investment (FDI) inflows into the country.
Answer: More than two-fifth of the market
capitalisation originates in small cities. FDI-
enabled service facilities have a relatively high
concentration in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka,
Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The proportion
of service facilities located in small cities is
relatively less significant vis-à-vis manufact-
uring plants. The sectors with strong backward
linkages include electrical equipment; drugs
and pharmaceuticals; food processing; and
textiles, among others. Service sectors,
telecommunications, and consultancy services
have strong forward linkages.
Source: CST Indian Economy 2010, Page No.
202 and Column no. 2 and 3
CST: 50 per cent of the questions in
this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 15/30
9. Write brief note on each of the following
34
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
about 20 words. 2×8 = 16
(a) Contributions of Latika Ghosh to the
freedom struggle
S C Bose encouraged the formation of the first
political organisation for women; the Mahila
Rashtriya Sangha was formed in 1928 and
Latika Ghosh was appointed as its Secretary.
She helped in recruiting members and set up a
network of Shakti Mandirs.
(b) Bhai Maharaj Singh as a freedom fighter
He was a saintly person turned revolutionary
who led an anti-British movement in the Punjab
after the first Anglo-Sikh war and involved in
Prema conspiracy case involving him in a plot
to murder the British resident, Henly Lawrence,
and other pro-British officers of the Lahore
Darbar.
(c) Chandrayaan-II
The spacecraft is to be launched by ISRO's
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. The
second Indian space mission to the moon,
Chandrayaan 2, scheduled for 2013, will have
three new Indian payloads and will repeat two
instruments from the 2008 Chandrayaan 1
mission.
Source: CST November 2010, Page No. 50 and
Column no. 2
(d) Agni-V
According to the DRDO, India is likely to
launch Agni-V ballistic missile, having a strike
range of 5,000 km by 2010. After the success of
Agni III in May last year, defence scientists are
now working to club the first and second stage
of the missile to increase its strike range from
3,500 km to 5,000 km.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No. 488
(e) Babli project
The Babli project is a barrage being built by
Maharashtra across the Godavari River in the
Pochampad dam area. Political parties in AP
allege that it will deprive water for irrigation
to 18 lakh acres in six districts of Telangana.
(f) ‘Swavalamban’ scheme
Previously known as NORAD/ Women’s
Economic Programme was launched in 1982-
1983 to provide training and skills to women
for facilitating them to obtain employment and
self employment on a sustainable basis.
Source: CST 2 Marker 2010, Page No. 324 and
Column no. 2
(g) National Investment Fund
The National Investment Fund (NIF) has been
officially launched. All proceeds from
disinvestment of Central Public Sector
Enterprises will be channelised into NIF. NIF
will be maintained outside the Consolidated
Fund of India and is to be professionally
managed to provide sustainable returns to the
Government, without depleting the Corpus.
Source: CST Indian Economy 2010, Page No.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

General Studies
Paper II represents a
classical combination
of facts and concepts.
It requires the ability
to formulate,
coordinate and
articulate the facts
within word limit. The
basic requirement is
the time management.
In addition, for this, a
lot of practice is
needed. This year
some questions on
science and
technology were
unpredictable. A line
by line and word by
word study is needed
to deal with the new
questions.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
201 and Box
(h) ‘Aerostat’ balloon
A 70 crore Aerostat helium gas Balloon was the
most important attraction of commonwealth
Games Delhi 2010. An aerostat is a system that
remains aloft primarily through the use of
buoyant lighter than air gases to give a vehicle
with nearly the same overall density as air.
CST: 50 per cent of the questions in
this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 8/16
10. Who are the following why have they been
in news recently 20 words. 2×8 = 16
(a) Divya Ajithkumar
A 21-year-old has become first woman in
Indian history to be conferred by the Army with
the coveted 'Sword of Honour'. (Note a news
of 20th September 2010)
(b) N.C. Saxena
The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)
recommendation was based on the N.C. Saxena
Committee report that detailed the violations
and the adverse impact of the project on the
local Dongria Kondh tribal community and
biodiversity in the region.
Source: CST November 2010, Page 92, Col 3s
(c) Islam A. Siddiqui
Islam A. Siddiqui, a prominent Indian
American agricultural scientist, has been
nominated for the post of the Chief Agricultural
Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade
Representative by the US President Barack
Obama.
(d) Swarnalatha Cherukutty
South Indian singer Swarnalatha died at the age
of 37. She had won the National Film Award
for best female playback singer for her rendition
of the famous song Porale Ponnuthayi from the
film Karuthamma. (Note news of 12th
September 2010)
(e) Nithin Nohria: An alumnus of the Indian
Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mumbai, has
been named the first Indian-American dean of
the prestigious Harvard Business School.
Source: CST July 2010, Page 94, Col 2
(f) Deepak Mondal
The Arjuna Award winner for football in 2010.
Source: CST November 2010, Page 68, Box
(g) Gaurav Singh Saini
The winner of coveted Bharat Award 13-year-
old Gaurav Singh Saini from Haryana, who
saved 50-60 people during a stampede at the
Naina Devi temple.
(h) Upendra Limaye
The Best Actor Award goes to Upendra Limaye
for his performance in Marathi feature film
Jogva.
Source: CST March 2010, Page 93, Col 2
35
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
CST: 50 per cent of the questions in
this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 8/16
OVERALL PERFORMANCE FIRST
PAPER
221/300
Note: In this calculation, we have
not covered old issues of the
magazine and opinion-based
questions
General Studies
Paper II
1. Answer the following in not more than 250
words each. 20×2 = 40
(a) Critically examine the implications of the
disintegration of the Soviet Union on India’s
security and strategic perspectives. What
further responses would you suggest in India’s
foreign policy to accommodate these
implications?
Answer: During the cold-war period, the
foreign policy was guided by three factors: (a)
political ideologies of communism and
capitalism; (b) the balance of power; and (c)
showing loyalties towards the super powers.
After fall of Soviet Russia, India had to face
security and strategic threat from Afghanistan
FATA. The NAM became irrelevant and India
had to diversify its relations by going for look-
east and look-west policy and finally
intensifying the south-south cooperation. And
today, the foreign policy of a country is directed
by three harsh realities: (a) the imperatives of
global market economy; (b) the menace of
terrorism; and (c) the wrath of fundamentalism.
It is very much different from the pre-cold war
period.
Source: CST Foreign Policy of India, Preface
India must lobby hard to get a berth of
permanent seat at the UN Security Council
(UNSC). India must try to get membership of
ASEAN + 3 and APEC. India is not a member
of any big trading bloc. This is one of the
limitations of Indian Foreign Policy. The
relevance of NAM is gradually dwindling and
under these circumstances India must take the
initiative to revive and reinvent NAM in the
similar manner as NATO is doing.
Source: CST November 2010, Page No. 75 and
Col. 3 and take inputs from Sept 2010, Page 9
(b) Evaluate India’s approach towards meeting
the country’s growing energy demands.
Compare the success of this approach with that
of another Asian giant which has perhaps the
fastest growing energy demands.
Answer: In 2000-2001, the Government has
initiated a new Plan Scheme namely the
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

CST has been told by
some people that we
give too much
emphasis on interna-
tional developments
and international
relations.
In an era of globaliza-
tion and economic
driven world, the
politics and policies are
deeply governed by
imperatives of
economic relations.
For this, Foreign Policy
of India of CST may
provide a strategic
base to your knowl-
edge level from where
you can develop your
own understanding and
start co-relating with
the contemporary and
current developments.
In this section special
emphasis should be
made on neighbouring
countries and shifting
Indian foreign policy
especially 'Look East
Policy', Look West
Policy' and South-
south cooperation.
NOTE
For international
relations Hindu
newspaper is may be
regarded as a very
authentic source to
keep pace with the
current development of
the events. The
editorials of the
newspaper must be
read and summary
should be written in
200 words. This will
enhance your power of
comprehension.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
Accelerated Power Development Programme
(APDP), Restructured Accelerated Power
Development Reforms Programme (RAPDRP),
the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran
Yojana (RGGVY) and Rajiv Gandhi Gramin
LPG Vitrak Yojana (RGGLVY). Also private
sector participation K G Basin, etc.
Launched Ultra Mega Power Projects and Mega
Power Policy.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No. 180-184
Signed civil nuclear cooperation with 8
countries, 19 reactors have become operational
and established nuclear energy parks.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No. 212-213
Also Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission
(JNNSM) and encouraged new and renewable
energy and alternate energy like alternate fuel.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No. 231
In recent years India has established a presence
in E&P projects in 14 countries, including
Sakhalin-I in the Russian Federation, and is in
discussion or negotiation for hydrocarbon
properties in some 50 countries around the
globe.
Source: CST Foreign Policy of India 2010,
Page No. 72
India’s Africa Policy” slightly lagged behind
the “China’s Africa Policy”. Even state-run
firms like the Oil and Natural Gas Corp
(ONGC) bought a 25-percent stake in Sudan’s
Greater Nile Project seven years ago in a bid to
improve the country’s energy security, raising
quite an eyebrow. But crude supplies to India
have already begun and ONGC maintains its
entire investment of nearly $1 billion had been
paid off in three years. Unfortunately, ONGC
has been less than successful in recent years in
acquiring oilfields in less controversial parts of
Africa like Uganda and Algeria, where it has
been outbid in some cases by China.
Source: CST October 2010, Page No. 33 and
Col No. 33
CST: 100 per cent of the questions
in this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 40/40
2. Answer any four of the following in not
more than 150 words. 12×4 = 48
(a) How far have Japan’s principles of Hikaku
San Gensoku impacted bilateral ties with India?
Answer: Japan's Three Non-Nuclear Principles
are a parliamentary resolution (never adopted
into law) that have guided Japanese nuclear
policy since their inception in the late 1960s,
and reflect general public sentiment and
national policy since the end of World War II.
Source: Wikipedia
Despite their insistence on signing NPT and
36
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
time taking on signing of civil nuclear
cooperation, the bilateral ties are not affected
as the two nations have decided to conclude a
Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Agreement (CEPA) by the end of 2007. They
have decided to triple the bilateral trade target
to $20 billion by 2010. Japan has contributed
to infrastructure development in India. Japan
has also contributed to India's development
through aid. It is the largest economic assistance
provider to India through the ODA. India and
Japan have signed a bilateral agreement on
currency swap. In order to further strengthen
strategic partnership, India and Japan have
come up with a 'Roadmap for New Dimensions
to Strategic and Global Partnership' which
seeks to strengthen ties in civilian nuclear
energy, political, security, defence, economic,
high technology, trade, higher education, IT,
science and technology, and disarmament.
Source; CST Foreign Policy of India, Page 163
(b) Assess the contributions of India’s diaspora
in the Caribbean.
Answer:
Samuel Insanally

The foreign minister of Guyana.
He re-
mains the permanent representative (ambassa-
dor) of Guyana to the United Nations.
Samuel Selvon

He is known for novels such as The Lonely
Londoners and Moses Ascending.

In many ways, his books are the precursors
to works such as White Teeth by Zadie Smith
and The Buddha of Suburbia by Hanif Kureishi.
Winston Dookeran

A Trinidad and Tobago politician and econo-
mist.

He currently as serves Political Leader of the
United National Congress and as Member of
Parliament for the St. Augustine constituency.
V. S. Naipaul

A Trinidadian-born British novelist of Hindu
heritage and Indo-Trinidadian ethnicity.
Naipaul lives in Wiltshire, England.

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Litera-
ture in 2001 and knighted by Queen Elizabeth
II in 1990.
Simbhoonath Capildeo

A Trinidad and Tobago politician and law-
yer, born in Chaguanas.
Capildeo was one of the founding members of
the Democratic Labour Party and a Member of
Parliament from 1956-1966.

He served as the Leader of the Opposition in
1956.

Capildeo was also an important Hindu leader
and played in role in the foundation of the
Sanatan Dharma Maha Sabha.
Shridath Ramphal

The second Commonwealth Secretary-Gen-
eral (1975–1990). Ramphal served as Foreign
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Minister of Guyana from 1972-1975.
Source: CST 2 Marker, Page No 327-348
In the international
section, a diary of all
(c) Do you agree with the view that Israel is a
the major issues ‘natural ally’ of India?
should be maintained Answer: India and Israel are both ancient
continent wise and civilizations, held in high esteem for their
every month the status contributions to humanism, philosophy and
should be checked by human progress. The links between Indians and
the Internet because in Jews go back to the times of the First Temple,
this context magazines when the earliest Jewish communities settled
and newspapers
in India and flourished over the years.
sometimes fail to
maintain the follow up
Both Israel and India are victims of terrorism,
events. This has much of which originates form their
happened with CST as neighbourhood.
we have covered the The one area where cooperation is tremendous
developments of between India and Israel is that of defence.
Sudan till February but India is one of the largest importers of defence
we have failed to carry hardware in the world and Israel is one of the
out follow up till major exporters of the same.
October and we feel a
Source: CST Foreign Policy of India, Page 170
mistake on our part.
The various interna- India is interested in absorbing Israel’s
tional reports, summits, technological prowess in areas such as bio-tech,
joint statements, nano-technology, healthcare, security services,
should be reviewed to water management and agriculture, whereas
refer in your opinion Israel would like to focus on the India’s
and perception to manufacturing potential to overcome its
substantiate your point limitations on this front. Israel brings great
of view. learning through research in the field of
agriculture and specializes in cultivation using
scarce resources that could be useful to about
700 million farmers in India. The expertise in
computerized drip irrigation and water
management could be very helpful in India —
along with untapped potential in dairy sector.
Source: CST October 2010, Page No. 80 and
Column one
(d) Bring out the FDI and employment
implications of China being a manufacturing
hub and India a service hub.
Answer: China.s proactive policies toward FDI
resulted in increasing inflow of foreign capital
in the late 1980s and, in particular, early 1990s.
NOTE Since 1993, China has gone for 90 per cent FDI
The trend of Mains in greenfield investment. The FDI got invested
questions have also into the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) at
indicated that not only
unique locations like Shenshen, Shantou and
bilateral relations are
important but also Zhuhai are in Guangdong Province adjoining
trilateral relations are Hong Kong.
important, especially The foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) have
those countries which contributed over 26 per cent of the total value-
are important to us like added of the entire manufacturing industry and
Myanmmar and more than 17 per cent of the people is employed
Bangladesh or any in this sector.
other neighbouring Relatively speaking China get 60 billion dollars
states.
and India gets 6 billion doallars and this is
region why India remains benefited as a service
provider and not as manufacturing hub.
Although Foreign direct investment in the
services sector dropped by 33.5 per cent to $4.39
billion during 2009-10, mainly on account of
the global credit squeeze, Growths in FDI flows
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 37
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
are
found to be the heaviest in consultancy services,
financial and non-financial services, Hotel and
Tourism and Telecommunications and trading.
Consultancy services records a highest growth
of 119.0 percent per annum during study
period. FDI in Financial and non-financial
services, hotel and tourism and telecommun-
ications and trade record a growth rate of 60.5,
46.8, 43,9 and 32.0 percent per annum
respectively.
(e) Have the Uruguay Round negotiations and
the Trade Related Intellectual Property Rights
(TRIPS) agreement helped in resolving trade
conflicts arising out of variations in different
nations’ IPR regions? Also list the steps taken
by India to conform to TRIPS.
Answer: Trade Related Intellectual Property
Rights is in formation with commercial value
is a composite of ideas, inventions and creative
expressions plus the public willingness to
bestow the status of property on them and give
their owness the right to exclude others from
access to or use of protected subject matter. And
this has certainly resolved the trade conflicts.
Source: CST Indian Economy 2010, Page No.
135 and column no. 2
Besides making patent law for 20 years, they
involve an inventive state and are capable of
industrial application. The Patent is not only
applicable to product but also to plant varieties
and also ‘sui generis’ product varieties.
India has Design’s Act of 1911. In this
technological and functional aspects are
included out of designs whereas the
beautification and the outer design are part of
industrial design. In India the TM law is guided
by Trade and Merchandise Marks Act 1958
(TMMA). In 1993 an amendment was sought
in this field to protect the trade mark, but it
was not passed. Finally in Dec 1995 the
parliament passed the amendment and now
even provisions of protection of TM is there.
In India there is no specific law on G.I. In 1999
a new law has been made which has following
provisions: (i) Marketing and production of
anything outside its originating place will be
prohibited. (ii) Marketing of the same product
in the same name will be prohibited.
In India a bill related to copyright was
introduced in 1993 by amending Trade and
Merchant Marks Act of 1958.
Source: CST Indian Economy 2010, Page No.
138-139 and column no. 2 and 3
(f) Examine the recent developments towards
the solution of the Bangladesh-Myanmar
maritime boundary dispute. What implications
do these have for India.
Answer: Bangladesh and Myanmar have
agreed to resolve a maritime boundary dispute
that brought their forces face to face in the Bay
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

of Bengal in 2008. Bangladesh sent a naval
patrol to the disputed area in October 2008 after
In the IBRD, IMF and
WIPO and WTO
Myanmar began oil and gas exploration. Both
section, only superficial countries also concentrated troops at strategic
informations will not do points along their 320-km (200-mile) border,
and for this you have to partly demarcated by the river Naf. Myanmar
do each and every withdrew its exploration teams and agreed to
component and their resolve the issue through talks.
relations with India. The following portion is from CST Page No.
The Indian economy 17 September 2010, that this would enhance
has basically become
tri-lateral cooperation between Myanmar-
the India's economic
interaction with the
China-Bangladesh and may aid to Chinese
world. For this section policy of ‘string of pearls’ and it is palapable
all the micro and from the fact that the China has agreed to
macro informations implement a Bangladeshi proposal for a road
and developments link via Myanmar. The proposed road project
must be taken into will be implemented in two phases. In the first
considerations. All the phase, two kilometres of road will be
follow ups related to constructed from Ramu to Gundum inside
PTAs, FTAs, RTAs
Bangladesh and 23 kilometres will be
must be fully analyzed
with an eye over future constructed between Taungbro and Bolibazar
prospectus. inside Myanmar. In the second phase, the
Myanmar authorities will construct 110
kilometres of road link between Bolibazar and
Kyanktow in Myanmar. There is a road link
between Kyanktow and Kunming. In other
words, Bangladesh is trying to establish equal
relations with China and India and this would
provide undue advantage to China at the geo-
strategic level.
CST: 95 per cent of the questions in
this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 45/48
3. Answer any eight of the following not more
than 50 words each: 5×8 = 40
NOTE
(a) Compare and contrast the role of IMF with
Again for this Under-
standing Foreign Policy
that of the World Bank.
of India is an effective Answer: The World Bank is a vital source of
compilation but all the financial and technical assistance to developing
informations must be countries around the world. The World Bank
connected with the is like a cooperative, where its 186 member
current developments countries are shareholders. A Board of
and without proper Governors, who is the ultimate policy makers
update these informa- at the World Bank, represents the shareholders.
tions may be nebulous.
CST Indian Economy, Page no. 105 and Col 3
A coherent material
only provides basis on IMF has all the three functions. i.e.: Regulatory-
which you have to as a guardian of code; Financial- by giving short
update and develop term to medium term loans to meet BOP defi-
your own perception to cit; Consultative- by giving them technical as-
defend your individual sistance.
opinion. CST Indian Economy, Page no. 104 and Col 2
and 3
(b) What are the major capacity-building and
reconstruction projects being undertaken by
India in Afghanistan?
Answer: Despite daunting logistical and
security challenges, the construction of a 220
KV Transmission Line from Pul-e-Khumri to
Kabul together with sub-station in Chimtala
was completed, a project of importance for the
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 38
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
provision of electricity to the residents of Kabul.
Construction of Afghanistan’s new Parliament
building, seen as a symbol of the common
commitment of both countries to pluralism and
democracy, is also progressing. Other Indian
projects in a range of areas such as agriculture,
rural development, education, health,
vocational training, capacity building and
humanitarian assistance are all progressing
satisfactorily.
Source: CST September 2010, Page No. 10 and
Col 1
(c) Bring out the significance of GDI and GEM
as components of UN’s Human Development
Report (HRD). Comment on India’s relative
rankings with regard to HDI and GDI.
Answer: The Gender Empowerment Measure
(GEM) is a measure of inequalities between
men's and women's opportunities in a country.
It combines inequalities in three areas: political
participation and decision making, economic
participation and decision making, and power
over economic resources. The Gender-related
Development Index (GDI) is an indication of
the standard of living in a country. Both indicate
the overall pattern of growth at wider level.
This following portion has been referred in
CST December 2009 Page No. 46 and Coumn
3
Overall, however, India has made steady
progress on the Human Development Index
(HDI). Its value has gone up from 0.556 in 2000
to 0.612 in 2007.
(d) What is ‘Round Tripping’ in the context of
FDI inflow and why has it been in the news
recently in the case of India?
Answer: ``Round tripping'' of FDI is where
domestic funds come back into India as FDI
money without any incremental flow of funds
into the country. Round tripping is a common
system of tax evasion where an investor using
the tax holiday advantage in Mauritius or some
other country-with which India has a double
taxation avoidance agreement-to take money
out of India only to bring it back disguised as
foreign investment. The Government has asked
the revenue authorities to examine whether
``round tripping'' of domestic funds into India.
G-20 nations agreed to crack down on tax
havens where nearly $11 trillion is parked, the
Organisation of Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD) has begun a review of
India's foreign direct investment (FDI) policy
to suggest measures that will ease sector-
specific ceilings as well as look into issues of
round tripping.
(e) Comment on the reasons for the recent hike
in visa processing fees for certain categories of
US visas. What is the likely impact of this hike
on India?
Answer: The recent proposed legislation to
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

raise the fees on H-1B visas for companies who
have more than 50 percent of their employees
In the Science and
Technology section, a
on such visas for highly skilled professionals
vast information level is likely to hit the Indo-US trade relations. The
has to be developed fees for these visas have been hiked from $320
and facts should be to $2,320. Similarly, the fee on L visas given to
carried out till the multi-national transferees is hiked from $320
coming out of to $2,570. India has expressed concern over the
examination hall and bill saying the new legislation will have an
therefore, it is (estimated) additional cost implication of over
necessary to revise the
USD 200 million annually and an adverse
notes at least 10 times
before writing the
impact on the competitiveness and commercial
examinations. interests of Indian companies.
The important topic Source: CST October 2010, Page No. 46 and
may be enumerated as Column 1
Information Technol- (f) In the context of UNFCCC, distinguish
ogy, Energy Conven- between ‘Annex-I’ and ‘Annex-II’ countries?
tional and Non- Answer: Annex I Parties commit to implement
Conventional, Nuclear individually or jointly the quantified economy-
Technology
wide emissions targets for 2020, to be submitted
Alternate Source of
Energy, in the format given in Appendix I by Annex I
Health and Family Parties to the secretariat by 31 January 2010 for
Welfare, compilation in an INF document. Annex I
Environment, Ecology Parties that are Party to the Kyoto Protocol will
and National Heritage, thereby further strengthen the emissions
Space Technology, reductions initiated by the Kyoto Protocol.
Defence and Allied Non-Annex I Parties to the Convention will
Services, Robotics and implement mitigation actions, including those
Artificial Intelligence
to be submitted to the secretariat by non-Annex
Super Conductivity,
Laser and Maser, I Parties in the format given in Appendix II by
Nanotechnology, Fiber 31 January 2010, for compilation in an INF
Optics document, consistent with Article 4.1 and
Biotechnology and Article 4.7 and in the context of sustainable
Genetic Engineering, development.
Contributions of Nobel Source: CST February 2010, Page No. 9 and
Award Winners Col. 1
(g) Highlight the role of the Indian peace-
keeping contingent as a part of MONUSCO.
Answer: Recalling India’s significant
contribution to international peace-keeping
efforts in general and in the Democratic
Republic of the Congo in particular since the
early sixties, the DRC Foreign Minister lauded
the services of the 5000-strong Indian
contingent in MONUC, which has not only
engaged in peace-keeping but also carried out
significant humanitarian work for the
Congolese people.
Source: CST Foreign Policy of India 2010, Page
No. 524
(h) List the salient features of the Riyadh
declaration & the bilateral agreement between
India & Saudi Arabia signed earlier this year.
Answer: The two countries stressed on
continuing to work towards strengthening their
strategic partnership by meeting the two
countries’ vast requirements relating to
infrastructure, energy and development, by
augmenting the flow of their investments into
each other’s countries, and enhancing the
bilateral trade in accordance with the potential
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 39
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
and size of their economies.
Source: CST July 2010, Page No. 35 and Box
(i) Comment on the reasons for the recent
economic crisis in the so-called ‘PIGS’ countries
of Europe.
Answer: The Greek Government has admitted
that it had cooked up its books to show less
than 3 per cent fiscal deficit to enter the
European Union despite the fact that Greece
had more than 12 per cent fiscal deficit.
The trouble surfaced when it was learnt that
Greece owes foreign banks •220 billion (£190
billion), equal to 115 per cent of its GDP. The
fiscal deficit has been found around 13 per cent
of GDP. Although Greece is relatively small
economy, about 3 per cent of the eurozone. But
European banks have large holdings of Greek
sovereign bonds on their balance sheets. This
created panic amongst the countries of
European Union.
Source:CST July 2010, Page No. 6 and Col. 1
CST: 95 per cent of the questions in
this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 38/40
4. Answer any two of the following in 150
words. 12×2 = 24
(a) Examine the opportunities for a lasting West
Asia peace solution in the context of the
‘historic’ talks started in September 2010.
Answer: Israel’s Prime Minister says peace will
be possible only if the Palestinian leadership
agrees to recognise Israel as a Jewish state-a
demand the Palestinians have long rejected.
At least, the direct talks started because the
direct peace talks that have been suspended
since December 2008. But the prospects seem
to be very remote as Palestine talks with Israel
but does not recognize it as a nations; Israel
talks but does not talk with those people who
are people’s representatives. In the ultimate
analysis one can say that without the dilution
of this contradiction nothing substantial can
take place. The US which had tried earlier and
is still trying today has no control over both
the parties. Under such a situation, until or
unless, the people of both the sides realize and
prepare to sacrifice and relinquish their
interests, nothing positive can happen. After
all, both the countries have democracy and the
internal compulsion is more powerful than the
international pressure.
(Words 160 and Marks 12)
Source: CST November 2010, Page No. 75 and
Column no. III
(b) Has the February agreement between the
Sudanese government and the Justice and
Equality Movement (JEM) been more
successful in ending the strife in Darfur than
the Abuja peace agreement of 2006? Evaluate.
Answer: No significant change has taken place
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com
 Solved Mains General Studies 2010

Al-Qa’ida and since February 2010. JEM suspended its special reference to Community Earth System
associated extremist participation in the talks in Doha after accusing Model (CESM).
groups have a wide the Sudanese army of breaching a cessation of Answer: The Community Earth System Model
variety of potential hostility signed in February this year. They also (CESM) will be one of the primary climate
agents and delivery accused the host country, Qatar, of favoring models used for the next assessment by the
means to choose Khartoum government and disputed its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
from for chemical, neutrality. In fact, it has been claimed that (IPCC). The Community Earth System Model
biological, partial agreements with groups that have no (CESM) is a fully-coupled, global climate model
radiological, or
real existence on the ground will not achieve that provides state-of-the-art computer
nuclear (CBRN)
attacks. peace" but rather will give the justification for simulations of the Earth's past, present, and
the government to implement is "bloody future climate states. CESM is sponsored by the
Al-Qa’ida is scheme falsely called new strategy for peace" National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S.
interested in
in Darfur. Department of Energy (DOE). Administration
radiological
dispersal devices
The following inputs taken from CST March of the CESM is maintained by the Climate and
(RDDs) or “dirty 2010, Page No. 59 and Column 3 Global Dynamics Division (CGD) at the
bombs.” The inherent problems lie with the the United National Center for Atmospheric Research
I. Chemical Agents: Nations Security Council (UNSC) approved (NCAR).
(a) Cyanides: (i) Resolution 1706 which authorized the raising The model’s advanced capabilities will help
Sodium or potassium of a 26,000 strong UN peacekeeping force to be scientists shed light on some of the critical
cyanides are white- called the UNAMID, whose objective would be mysteries of global warming, including issues
to-pale yellow salts to supplant or supplement the poorly funded such as how will patterns in the ocean and
that can be easily
and ill- equipped 7,000 strong African Union atmosphere affect regional climate and to assess
used to poison food
or drinks. (ii)
Mission in Sudan peacekeeping force. Sudan the effects of tiny airborne particles, known as
Hydrogen cyanide vehemently opposed the resolution declaring aerosols, on clouds and temperatures. The
(HCN) and that UN forces would be treated as nothing CESM is one of about a dozen climate models
cyanogen chloride more than invaders in the country. worldwide that can be used to simulate the
(ClCN) are colorless- (c) Comment on the present status of the many components of Earth’s climate system,
to-paleyellow liquids . Biological Weapons Convention (BWC). What including the oceans, atmosphere, sea ice, and
(b) Mustard Agent: important issues, do you think, need to be taken land cover.
Mustard is a blister up at the 7th review conference of the BWC (b) What is phytoremediation? Discuss its
agent that poses a scheduled for 2011? applications.
contact and vapor Answer: The Convention on the Prohibition of Answer: Phytoremediation is a bioremediation
hazard. Inhalation of the Development, Production and Stockpiling process that uses various types of plants to
mustard damages of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin remove, transfer, stabilize, and/or destroy
the lungs, causes
Weapons and on their Destruction was the first contaminants in the soil and groundwater.
difficulty breathing,
and death by
multilateral disarmament treaty banning the Bioremediation is usually employed as a
suffocation in severe production of an entire category of weapons. secondary treatment after mechanical collection
cases due to water in The BWC was opened for signature on April of oil waste using different types of equipment.
the lungs. 10, 1972 and entered into force March 26, 1975 That first phase can mean the recovery of up to
when twenty-two governments had deposited 60 percent of the spilt hydrocarbon. It is the use
(c) Nerve Agents: their instruments of ratification. of living green plants for in situ risk reduction
Source: Wikipedia and/or removal of contaminants from
Sarin, tabun, and VX BWC should not be seen in isolation. It should contaminated soil, water, sediments, and air.
are highly toxic be regarded as an integrated part with the key Under this technology, specially selected or
military agents that
nuclear agreements like START follow-on engineered plants are used in the process. It is
disrupt a victim’s
nervous system by agreement, the Comprehensive Nuclear Test basically energy efficient, cheaper and
blocking the Ban Treaty (CTBT), the Fissile Material Cut-Off remediates sites with low to moderate levels
transmission of nerve Treaty (FMCT), the Convention for the of contamination and it can be used in
signals. Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism and conjunction with other more traditional
the Convention on the Physical Protection of remedial methods as a finishing step to the
(d) Toxic Nuclear Materials and its 2005 Amendment. remedial process and it offers a permanent in
Source: CST December 2009, Page No. 14 and situ remediation rather than simply
Industrial Column 3 translocating the problem.
Chemicals:
CST: 60 per cent of the questions in Applications:
this section were directly asked 1. Plants may break down or degrade organic
(i) Chlorine and
phosgene are from the various issues of the CST pollutants, or remove and stabilize metal
industrial chemicals magazine, i.e 16/24 contaminants.
and 5. Answer any four of the following in 150 2. Phytoremediation uses plants to clean up
Organophosphate words. 12×4 = 48 pollution in the environment.
pesticides such as (a) Bring out the applications of computer 3. Plants can help clean up many kinds of
parathion are similar models in studying climate changes, with pollution including metals, pesticides,
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 40 Civil Services
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

to those of mustard
agent. Herbicides,
such as Agent
Orange, are
chemicals that kill
vegetation. Agent
Orange was used
during the Vietnam
War.
II. Biological Agents
(a) Anthrax
Bacillus anthracis, the
bacterium that
causes anthrax, is
capable of causing
mass casualties.
Anthrax can be
disseminated in an
aerosol or used to
contaminate food and
water.
Cutaneous anthrax
can be caused by
skin contact with B.
anthracis. This form
of the disease, which
is easily treated with
antibiotics, is rarely
fatal.
(b) Botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin is
produced by the
bacterium Clostridium
botulinum, which
occurs naturally in the
soil. The toxin
molecule is likely too
large to penetrate
intact skin.
(c) Ricin
Ricin is a plant toxin
that is 30 times more
potent than the nerve
agent VX by weight
and is readily
obtainable by
extraction from
common castor
beans.
(d) Microorganisms
The microorganisms
that cause tularemia,
Q fever, and yellow
fever.
The bacteria that
cause bubonic
plague and the virus
that causes smallpox
can kill large numbers
of untreated people.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
explosives, and oil.
4. The plants also help prevent wind, rain, and
groundwater from carrying pollution away
from sites to other areas.
Source and inputs from Biological clean-up
methods of CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page 384
(c) Explain and differentiate among ‘Plasma’
‘LCD’ and ‘LED’ television technologies?
Answer: Plasma Display : It is basically a
computer display in which each pixel is
illuminated on the screen by tiny bit of plasma
or charged gas.
Source: CST 2 Marker 2010, Page No. 32
A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a thin, flat
display device made up of any number of color
or monochrome pixels arrayed in front of a light
source or reflector. It is prized by engineers
because it uses very small amounts of electric
power, and is therefore suitable for use in bat-
tery-powered electronic devices.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No. 118
Each pixel consists of a column of liquid crys-
tal molecules suspended between two transpar-
ent electrodes, and two polarizing filters, the
axes of polarity of which are perpendicular to
each other. Without the liquid crystals between
them, light passing through one would be
blocked by the other. The liquid crystal twists
the polarization of light entering one filter to
allow it to pass through the other.
The most commonly-used optical transmitters
are semiconductor devices such as light-emit-
ting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes. The dif-
ference between LEDs and laser diodes is that
LEDs produce incoherent light, while laser di-
odes produce coherent light.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No. 88
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD): It is a technol-
ogy that is used for displays in smaller com-
puters. It works on the principle of blocking
rather than emitting light. As a result it is less
power consuming than LED and gas displays.
Source: CST 2 Marker 2010, Page No. 27
(d) What is ‘cloud computing’? Bring out its
essential features and list its advantages and
limitations?
Answer: It is an Internet-based computing
system. Under this the shared resources,
software and information are provided to
computers and other devices on-demand, like
the electricity grid.
Advantages:
1. The customers are not required to their own
the physical infrastructure. For this, there is no
need to go for capital expenditure. They can
have services on rent from a third party.
2. The cloud computing has high-speed band-
width which saves times.
41
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
3. Time sharing-style approach are low barri-
ers to entry, shared infrastructure and costs, low
management overhead, and immediate access
to a broad range of applications.
4. It is user friendly as users can terminate the
contract at any time and the services are often
covered by service level agreements (SLAs)
with financial penalties.
5. Device and location independence enable
users to access systems using a web browser
regardless of their location or what device they
are using (e.g., PC, mobile).
6. Basically, the centralization of data makes it
more safer and less fragile.
7. The maintenance cloud computing applica-
tions are easier for the purposes of operations,
since they donot have to be installed on each
user's computer. They are easier to support and
to improve since the changes reach the clients
instantly.
8. The services are cheaper as the minute or the
hour sells it on demand, typically; therefore,
there is fair amount of flexibility at the choice
level.
Disadvantages
1. Despite safety of data, there are concerns
about loss of control over certain sensitive data,
and the lack of security for stored kernels and
at the same time, the complexity of security is
greatly increased when data is distributed over
a wider area and / or number of devices.
2. There is a growing concerns about losing
control when moving data and services into the
cloud continue to make organizations wary of
cloud computing.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No. 119-120
(e) Discuss the applications of nanotechnology
in healthcare sector?
Answer: India has already patented the
development of drug delivery system using
nano-technology. Stem cell research in India is
advancing in the field of cardiology,
ophthalmology, diabetic research,
endocrinology, oncology and immunology. It
is essential to develop drug delivery system for
stem cell implantation into the specific organs
of the body related to the ailment using nano
technology.
The companies like Dabur Pharma, Biocon and
Cromoz were developing nano medicines in
India. In healthcare nano forms can be
developed as suspensions, encapsulations and
aggregates. Aggregates can be two-dimensional
tubes or three-dimensional fibres. Nano
materials for healthcare can be sourced from
synthetics like oxides, sulphides, carbon,
metals, polymers or from naturals like proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids, fibrin, chitin. Toxicity
problem can emerge from materials sourced
from synthetics. The xicity of the material
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

III. Radiological
and Nuclear Devices
(a) Radiological
Dispersal Devices
(RDD)
An RDD is a
conventional bomb
not a yield-producing
nuclear device. They
are designed to
disperse radioactive
material to cause
destruction,
contamination, and
injury from the
radiation produced by
the material. A variety
of radio-active
materials like
Cesium-137, Stron-
tium-90, and Cobalt-
60 are easily
available in Hospitals,
universities,etc.
(a) Improvised
Nuclear Device (IND)
It is intended to cause
a yield-producing
nuclear explosion. An
IND could consist of
diverted nuclear
weapon components,
a modified nuclear
weapon, or
indigenous-designed
device.
INDs can be
categorized into two
types: implosion and
gun assembled.
Unlike RDDs that can
be made with almost
any radioactive
material, INDs require
fissile material—
highly enriched
uranium or pluto-
nium—to produce
nuclear yield.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
depends upon the size and the shape. Smaller
the size, lesser the toxicity and more its
effectiveness.
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
Page No. 530
CST: 90 per cent of the questions in
this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 20/24
6. Comment on any three of the following in
50 words. 5×3 = 15
(a) Rotterdam convention
The text of the Convention was adopted on 10
September 1998 by a Conference of
Plenipotentiaries in Rotterdam, the
Netherlands. The Convention entered into
force on 24 February 2004 to promote shared
responsibility and cooperative efforts among
Parties in the international trade of certain
hazardous chemicals in order to protect human
health and the environment from potential
harm.
(b) The Mavi Marmara incident
Answer: The tension once again marred the
peace in the region when Israeli, code named
Operation Sea Breeze or Operation Sky Winds,
intercepted the six ships Gaza Freedom Flotilla
carrying some 10,000 tons of aid for the isolated
seaside territory. Activists aboard the flotilla’s
largest ship, the MV Mavi Marmara, clashed
with Israeli Shayetet 13 Special Forces as the
commandos abseiled onto the deck of the
vessel. Nine IHH activists were killed by the
Israeli troops and seized 682 persons.
Source: CST August 2010, Page 22 and column
no. 1
(c) Significance of the Kampala declaration of
the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Answer: The Conference adopted the Kampala
Declaration which deals mainly with the
reaffirmation of the commitment of States to
the Rome Statute and its full implementation,
as well as its universality and integrity. The
States parties agreed upon a resolution defining
the crime of aggression and setting out the
mechanism by which a prosecution would be
brought before the ICC.
Importance:
1. The importance of complementarity was
highlighted and measures on strengthening
national jurisdictions to prosecute international
crimes were welcomed. There was also a
general call for universal ratification of the
Rome Statute.
2. The agreement will theoretically give the ICC
the power to prosecute political and military
leaders who initiate or execute illegal wars and
also hold them criminally responsible for the
international crime.
3. The Conference also decided not to amend
article 124 of the Rome Statute, which allows
42
Solved Mains General Studies 2010
new States Parties to opt for excluding from
the Court's jurisdiction war crimes allegedly
committed by its nationals or on its territory
for a period of seven years. They agreed to
review the article in five years' time.
(d) Trial chamber of the Extraordinary Chamber
in the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC) and its
recent verdict.
Answer: In 2001 the Cambodian National
Assembly passed a law to create a court to try
serious crimes committed during the Khmer
Rouge regime 1975-1979. This court is called
the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of
Cambodia for the Prosecution of Crimes
Committed during the Period of Democratic
Kampuchea (Extraordinary Chambers or
ECCC).
Kaing Guek Eav
Also known as Duch, a former official of the
Cambodia’s Khmer Rouge in the 1970s was
pronounced guilty of crimes against humanity
and sentenced to 35 years of imprisonment for
his role in the mass execution of the “enemies”
of Khmer Rouge at S-21, a security centre which
was used as a prison and a killing field between
1975 and 1979.
Source: CST November 2010, Page No. 62 and
Column No. 1
CST: 55 per cent of the questions in
this section were directly asked
from the various issues of the CST
magazine, i.e 8/15
7. Comment on any six in 50 words each. 5×6
= 30.
(a) MRSA infection
The bacteria that pick up this resistance are
resistant to virtually all the good antibiotics,
including the most powerful class called
carbapenems, and experts say there are no new
drugs on the horizon to tackle it. They have
given the name of the new gene New Delhi
metallo-beta-lactamase, or NDM-1. The
overuse and misuse have helped fuel the rise
of drug-resistant "superbug" infections like
methicillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus
(MRSA).
Source: CST November 2010, Page No. 52 and
Col no. 2
(b) HRP-2M Choromet
Japan's National Institute of Advanced
Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) and
three other firms to build a smaller, cheaper
version of the HRP-2m called the Choromet. It
is powered by Linux.
(c) Maglev vehicles
The term "maglev" refers specifically designed
for magnetic levitation and propulsion. The
Maglev technology is based on three concepts:
(a) electromagnetic suspension (EMS), (b)
electrodynamic suspension dynamic
suspension (EDS) and (c) Stabilized permanent
Civil Services
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 Solved Mains General Studies 2010

magnet suspension. thousands of topics, anywhere, anytime.

For Statistics, the best Source: CST Science and Technology 2010, (d) ‘Dreamliner’ aircraft
available book is S.P Page No. 518 It is 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than other
Gupta’s Statistical
(d) Super absorbent polymers (SAP) comparable aircraft, which means it will reduce
Methods, published
by S Chand Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) are dry costs and offer potential to increase revenues.
Publications and granular materials that have the unique ability Also, the 787 can carry 40 per cent more cargo.
Chapter 5 to 12 is to absorb and retain large volumes of water and It is a 250-seater than can fly 12-14 hours non-
important. other aqueous solutions. stop.
The time- (e) Ginkgo biloba Source: CST February 2010, Page No. 52 and
management is a big Ginkgo Biloba has an oxygenation function in Col no. 2
challenge and it the brain level by increasing the use of the (e) Blue gene project
needs to be
glucose and the production of ATP and 1. USA - BlueGene/L - eServer Blue Gene
maintained through
incessant practice.
reducing this way the tendency to form clots Solution; supercomputer project and it is the
The ideal time is and thrombosis in the veins and arteries, being fastest supercomputer project.
around 30-35 minutes of help in the recuperation from brain vascular Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
and anything above accidents and cardiac crisis. Page 81
that may be fatal for (f) CARTOSAT-2B (f) ‘Predator’ drones
the candidate In its sixteenth consecutive successful flight Armed Predators were first used in late 2001
because it may affect India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV- from bases in Pakistan and Uzbekistan, mostly
the subsequent C15), was launched on July 12, 2010 and for targeted assassinations inside Afghanistan.
performance.
successfully launched CARTOSAT - 2B from The Indian government is considering buying
Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR, an unspecified number of such drones from
Sriharikota. European aerospace and defence equipment
Source: CST Science and Technology 2010, company EADS.
Page No. 425 Source: CST Science and Technology 2010,
(g) Various generations of mobile phone Page 496
technology (g) ‘Deepwater Horizon’ incident
2G: Second generation provides voice and The Mexico oil spill disaster has closed fisheries
limited data services and its uses digital in the Gulf of Mexico, sidelining workers and
modulation which enhances the audio quality. dealing a heavy blow to the seafood industry
3G: A mobile phone technology that can beam and beach towns from Louisiana to Florida.
data at 144 kilobits per second. 3G is very Source: CST November 2010, Page No. 86 and
compatible for music and video. Column 3
4G: Better video, audio and data addition. 2,000 (h) ACTN 3 gene
NOTE times faster than mobile data rates and 10 times More than a billion humans worldwide are
In the ultimate faster than other top transmission rates; predicted to be completely deficient in the fast
analysis, one can Source: CST Science and Technology 2010, skeletal muscle fiber protein -actinin-3 owing
safely conclude that a
Page No. 112 to homozygosity for a premature stop codon
very effective and
authentic way of the
CST: 66 per cent of the questions in polymorphism, R577X, in the ACTN3 gene. The
preparation lies with this section were directly asked R577X polymorphism is associated with elite
the fact that be a part from the various issues of the CST athlete status and human muscle performance,
of it and make it a magazine, i.e 20/30 suggesting that -actinin-3 deficiency influences
daily routine after all 8. Who/What are the following & why have the function of fast muscle fibers.
the logic is to serve they been in the news recently. (Your answers
the society and CST: 75 per cent of the questions in
should be in a sentence or two only) 3×8 = 24
therefore, one has to this section were directly asked
(a) Craig Venter
look beyond oneself from the various issues of the CST
The first synthetic cell has been developed at a
in terms of magazine, i.e 12/16
complacency.
cost of $30 million by the researchers at J Craig
OVERALL PERFORMANCE FIRST
Venter Institute; the experimental one-cell
PAPER
organism opens the way to manipulation of life
223/261
on a previously unattainable scale.
Note: In this calculation, we have
Source: CST August 2010, Page No. 90 and
not covered old issues of the
Column No. 1
magazine and opinion-based
(b) Shahran Amiri: Iranian nuclear scientist
questions
Shahram Amiri has resurfaced after vanished
221 + 223 = 444/560
during a pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia more than
i.e almost 80 per cent and this is
a year ago.
being 10th consecutive time in CST
Source: CST November 2010, Page 66, Col. 1
history.
(c) Wolfram alpha
Thanking you for encouraging and
The Wolfram|Alpha App for Android lets you
believing in us.
compute accurate answers to questions across
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 43 Civil Services
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Biodiversity

Biodiversity
comprises all the
diversity observed
among species, their
populations and also
the vast ecosystems.

Of the 34 globally
identified biodiversity
hotspots, India
harbours four hotspots,
i.e., Himalaya, Indo-
Burma, Western Ghats
and Sri Lanka and
Sundaland.

In terms of plant
diversity, India ranks
tenth in the world and
fourth in Asia. With
over 45,500 plant
species, India
represents nearly 11
per cent of the world’s
known floral diversity.

So far, nearly 91,212
faunal species (7.43
per cent of the world’s
faunal species) have
been recorded in the
country. Whereas
inventories of
mammals, birds,
reptiles, amphibians
and fishes are fairly
complete, a large
number of other life
forms are yet to be
described.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
Biodiversity
I
ndia is an identified megadiverse country,
rich in biodiversity and associated tradi
tional knowledge. The country also has a
tradition of conservation and sustainable use
of its biodiversity, which has now come under
pressure on account of various factors includ-
ing development imperatives, habitat fragmen-
tation, and introduction of invasive alien spe-
cies.
Biodiversity comprises all the diversity ob-
served among species, their populations and
also the vast ecosystems.
In other words Biological diversity, or
biodiversity, encompasses the variety of all life
on earth. Biodiversity manifests itself at three
levels: species diversity which refers to the
numbers and kinds of living organisms; genetic
diversity which refers to genetic variation
within species; and ecosystem diversity which
denotes the variety of habitats. To date, about
1.7 million species have been described while
many more await discovery. India, a
megadiversity country with only 2.4 per cent
of the land area, accounts for 7-8 per cent of the
recorded species of the world spread over
45,500 species of plants and 91,000 species of
animals that have been documented so far.
In terms of species richness, India ranks sev-
enth in mammals, ninth in birds and fifth in
reptiles. In terms of endemism of vertebrate
groups, India’s position is tenth in birds with
69 species, fifth in reptiles with 156 species and
seventh in amphibians with 110 species. India’s
share of crops is 44 per cent as compared to the
world average of 11 per cent. India also has
23.39 per cent of its geographical area under
forest and tree cover.
Of the 34 globally identified biodiversity
hotspots, India harbours four hotspots, i.e.,
Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats and Sri
Lanka and Sundaland.
I. Faunal diversity
So far, nearly 91,212 faunal species (7.43 per
cent of the world’s faunal species) have been
recorded in the country. Whereas inventories
of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and
fishes are fairly complete, a large number of
other life forms are yet to be described.
The Indian faunal groups show diverse range
of endemism across groups. Some of the lower
groups such as Mesozoa (100 per cent), Acan-
thocephala (88.6 per cent), Oligochaeta (77.8 per
cent), Platyhelminthes (71.9 per cent),
Kinorhyncha (70 per cent) show high degree
of endemism. Among higher groups, Amphibia
(61.2 per cent) and Reptilia (47 per cent) de-
serve special mention.
As per the IUCN Red List (2008), India has 413
44
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
globally threatened faunal species, which is
approximately 4.9 per cent of the world’s total
number of threatened faunal species. The glo-
bal estimates as per IUCN Red List, 2008 sug-
gest that 10 per cent (5,966 species) of verte-
brate and 0.20 per cent (2,496 species) of inver-
tebrate described fauna is threatened. In 2004,
one species, Megaptera novaeangliae, showed
an upward trend of population while eleven
species showed stable populations. Further, of
the total 447 threatened species, for which
trends are available, 218 are showing decreas-
ing trend of population as per the 2004 status.
The 2008 report, however, indicates upward
population trend of one-horned rhinoceros in
the country, as a result, the threat category has
improved from endangered to vulnerable.
India, through its strong initiatives for survey
and monitoring of biodiversity, is contributing
towards new discoveries. For example, ZSI has
discovered 65 faunal species in 2007 and Na-
tional Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources
(NBFGR) reported 36 new fin fish species from
diverse biogeographic zones of India.
II. Floral diversity
In terms of plant diversity, India ranks tenth in
the world and fourth in Asia. With over 45,500
plant species, India represents nearly 11 per
cent of the world’s known floral diversity. As
elsewhere in the world, many organisms espe-
cially in lower groups such as bacteria, fungi,
algae, lichens and bryophytes are yet to be de-
scribed and remote geographical areas are to
be comprehensively explored.
Angiosperms: India has about 17,527 species
of flowering plants (more than 7 per cent of the
world’s known flowering plants) in 247 fami-
lies and 2984 genera. The dominant families
with more than 500 species are Poaceae-1291;
Orchidaceae-1229; Leguminosae-1225;
Asteraceae-892; Rubiaceae-616; Cyperaceae-
545; Euphorbiaceae-527; and Acanthaceae-510.
Gymnosperms are represented by about 67
species. Pinaceae (6 genera and 15 species) is
the largest family, followed by Cupressaceae
(13 genera and 13 species), Ephedraceae (1 ge-
nus, 7 species) and Gnetaceae (1 genus and 5
species). The species of Gnetum and Cycas are
mostly confined to North Eastern region, East-
ern and Western Ghats, and Andaman &
Nicobar Islands.
Pteridophytes: India has about 1200 species
under 204 genera. While species of Marsilea,
Azolla and Salvinia grow in aquatic habitats,
those of Acrostichum occur in mangrove eco-
systems. The north-eastern region (including
Eastern Himalaya) is rich in pteridophytic di-
versity with about 845 species, followed by
south India (including Eastern and Western
Ghats) with 345 species and north India (includ-
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Biodiversity

Eighteen families of
flowering plants
occurring in India such
as Ancistrocladaceae,
Biebe-rsteiniaceae,
Martyniaceae, Tetra-
centraceae and
Trichopodaceae, etc.,
are monogeneric.

In the case of
fauna, new plant
species are continually
being discovered in the
country. For example,
41 plant taxa were
discovered by BSI and
other researchers from
diverse bio-geographic
zones of India during
2007.

India has 14,500
species of fungi in
2,300 genera and 250
families with maximum
diversity in the
Western Ghats
followed by the eastern
Himalaya and the
western Himalaya

Lichens representing
symbiotic association
of fungi and algae,
constitute a dominant
component of epiphytic
and saxicolous
vegetation, and
comprise 2,223
species in 283 genera
and 72 families.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ing Western Himalaya) with 340 species. About
17 per cent of the species are endemic to India.
The families such as Polypodiaceae (137 spe-
cies), Dryopteridaceae (125 species),
Athyriaceae (97 species), Thelypteridaceae (83
species), Selaginellaceae (62 species), and gen-
era like Selaginella (62 species), Asplenium (45
species) and Polystichum (45 species) are some
of the dominant families and genera of the
pteridophytic flora of Indian region.
Bryophytes represented by 2500 species are the
second largest group of green plants in India
distributed largely in Eastern Himalaya, North-
eastern India, Western Himalaya and the West-
ern Ghats. Mosses constitute the major compo-
nent of Indian bryoflora with 1576 species fol-
lowed by liverworts and hornworts (924 spe-
cies). Lejeuneaceae (155 species) is the largest
family followed by Pottiaceae (129),
Dicranaceae (119), Bryaceae (98) and
Sematophyllaceae (92 species). Fissidens (67
species) is the largest genus followed by
Plagiochila (65) and Frullania (63). Nineteen
genera and 629 species are endemic to India.
Lichens representing symbiotic association of
fungi and algae, constitute a dominant compo-
nent of epiphytic and saxicolous vegetation,
and comprise 2,223 species in 283 genera and
72 families. Western Ghats are the richest re-
gion with 800 species (38 per cent) followed by
Eastern Himalaya with 759 species (37 per cent)
and Western Himalaya with 550 species (27 per
cent). Families such as Parmeliaceae,
Graphidaceae, Physciaceae, Usneaceae,
Cladoniaceae, and genera like Parmelia,
Graphina, Usnea, Graphis and Lecanora are
among the dominant families and genera of
Indian lichens. About 23 per cent species,
mainly belonging to genera Graphina,
Trypethelium, Graphis and Porina, are endemic
to India. Andaman & Nicobar Islands (24 per
cent), Western Ghats (20 per cent) and Eastern
Himalaya (18 per cent) show high percentage
of endemic species.
Fungi: India has 14,500 species of fungi in 2,300
genera and 250 families with maximum diver-
sity in the Western Ghats followed by the east-
ern Himalaya and the western Himalaya.
Deuteromycetes with 900 genera and 6000 spe-
cies (40 per cent) is the largest group of Indian
mycoflora, followed by Ascomycetes [680 gen-
era / 3500 species (25 per cent)] and Basidi-
omycetes [520 genera/3400 species (23 per
cent)]. Cercospora with
707 species is the largest genus of Indian fungi
followed by Puccinia (328 species) and
Phyllosticta (280 species). About 3500 species
are endemic to the country.
Algae are represented by over 7,175 species in
666 genera. They are found in a variety of habi-
45
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
tats ranging from aquatic (both fresh water and
marine) to terrestrial. Chlorophyceae with 4,495
species is the largest family followed by Cy-
anophyceae (1,453 species) and Bacillari-
ophyceae (516 species).
Eighteen families of flowering plants occurring
in India such as Ancistrocladaceae, Biebe-
rsteiniaceae, Martyniaceae, Tetra-centraceae
and Trichopodaceae, etc., are monogeneric.
About 2,863 (16.4 per cent) are trees, which
include some of the highly valued timber spe-
cies of the world. India is also a storehouse of
primitive flowering plants, confined mainly in
North Eastern region of the country. Diversity
of such plants led Takhtajan (1969) to desig-
nate this region as the ‘‘Cradle of Flowering
Plants’. The Indian flora also shows a rich di-
versity in aquatic flowering plants. Some
important families of aquatic plants include
Hydrocharitaceae (13 species), Pontederiaceae
(13 species), Alismataceae (8 species),
Aponogetonaceae (6 species), Potamogeton-
aceae (6 species), Typhaceae (4 species),
Salviniaceae (3 species), etc. The insectivorous
plant families, yet another group of unique
plants, are represented by Lentibulariaceae (36
species), Droseraceae (3 species), and
Nepenthaceae (1 species).
About 11,058 species are endemic to Indian re-
gion, 6,200 of which belong to flowering plants
alone. Eastern Himalaya and north-eastern re-
gion (about 2,500 species), peninsular India in-
cluding western and Eastern Ghats (about 2,600
species), north-western Himalaya (about 800
species) and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
(about 250 species) are the areas rich in endemic
plants.
As in the case of fauna, new plant species are
continually being discovered in the country. For
example, 41 plant taxa were discovered by BSI
and other researchers from diverse bio-geo-
graphic zones of India during 2007. Similarly
in cryptogams (Lichens and Bryophytes), the
National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI),
Lucknow described 11 new species during
2007-08. Under the AICOPTAX, 493 taxa new
to science have been discovered.
III. Crop genetic diversity
India stands seventh in the world in terms of
contribution of species to agriculture and ani-
mal husbandry. In qualitative terms too, the
contribution has been significant. The National
Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning
distinguished 20 broad agro ecological zones,
based on natural features and crop growing
periods. India has over 800 crop species and
320 wild relatives: millets (51); legumes (31);
fruits (109); spices and condiments (27); veg-
etables (54); fiber crops (24); oil seeds, tea, cof-
fee, tobacco and sugarcane (12); and, medici-
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 NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change

Biodiversity Major multilateral environment agreements (MEAs)

Area Initiative / Event ratified by India
Contribution
1. Indian Network for MEAs Year Issues covered
Climate Change
Assessment (INCCA):
Convention on Wetlands of 1971 Conservation and wise use of wetlands,
Network of 120 research International Importance primarily as habitat for the water-birds
institutions and 250
scientists launched; major Convention for the Protection 1972 Protection and conservation of cultural
conferences planned in of World Cultural and Natural Heritage and natural heritage
May and November 2010
2. Himalayan Glaciers
Monitoring Programme: Convention on International 1973 International trade in endangered species
Comprehensive Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora
programme to scientifi-
cally monitor the Bonn Convention on Migratory 1979 Conservation, management and wise use
Himalayan glaciers – Species of Wild Animals of migratory species of wild animals and
Phase I completed;
Phase II launched;
their habitats
Discussion Paper on State
of Himalayan Glaciers Vienna Convention for 1985 Protection of atmospheric ozone layer
released Protection of the Ozone Layer above the planetary boundary layer
3. Launch of Indian
Satellite to Monitor
Greenhouse Gases: ISRO
Montreal Protocol on Substances 1987 Protection of atmospheric ozone layer
to launch a micro-satellite that Deplete the Ozone Layer above the planetary boundary layer
in 2010 to study aerosols
(soot particles), followed Basel Convention on Trans- 1989 Regulation of transboundary movements
by a comprehensive boundary Movements of of hazardous wastes and their disposal
satellite in 2011 to Hazardous Wastes and
monitor GHG gases;
their Disposal
India to join elite club of
countries to do so
4. India’s Forest and Tree United Nations Framework 1992 Changes in the earth’s climate system due
Cover as a Carbon Sink: Convention on Climate Change to anthropogenic interference
Research estimates the (UNFCCC)
value of India’s forests as
a carbon sink –
assessment shows that Kyoto Protocol to the UNFCCC 1997 Quantified emission limitation and
they reduction commitments for Annex I Parties
neutralise 11% of India’s
annual GHG emissions Convention on Biological 1992 Biological diversity and biological resources
Science & Research Diversity (CBD)
5. India’s GHG
Emissions Profile: India’s
GHG Emission Pathways Cartagena Protocol on 2000 Regulation of transboundary movement,
until 2030 under different Biosafety to the CBD transit, handling and use of living
assumptions made public; modified organisms (LMOs)
shows
India will remain a minor
United Nations Convention 1994 Combating desertification and mitigate the
per capita emitter even in
2030 to Combat Desertification effects of drought, particularly in Africa
6. Expert Group on Low
Carbon Economy: Rotterdam Convention on the 1998 Promote shared responsibility and cooperative
Planning Commission-led Prior Informed Consent efforts among the Parties in the international
Group set up to develop Procedure for Certain trade of certain hazardous chemicals, in
strategy for India as a low
Hazardous Chemicals and order to protect human health and the
carbon economy; to
feed into twelfth plan Pesticides in International environment from potential harm and to
process. Trade contribute to their environmentally sound
7. State Action Plans on use
Climate Change Delhi
becomes first State to Stockholm Convention on 2001 Protect human health and the environment
release Climate Change
Persistent Organic Pollutants from persistent organic pollutants
Action Plan; other States

DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 46 Civil Services

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Biodiversity
finalising their Plans
Policy Development
8. National Policy on
Biofuels: National Policy
on Bio-fuels approved by
Cabinet to promote
cultivation, production
and use of
Bio-fuels for transport
and in other applications
9. National Missions
under National Action
Plan on Climate Change:
National Missions on
Solar Energy, Energy
Efficiency and Strategic
Knowledge approved;
other Missions in final
stages of preparation
10. First National
Conference on Green
Building- Materials and
Technologies: Confer-
ence to stimulate green
building sector; to set an
example the Govt
proposes that all its new
buildings will be GRIHA
4* compliant subject to
site conditions
11. 30 “Solar Cities”: In-
principle approval given
to 30 ‘Solar Cities’ with
aim of 10% deduction in
projected demand of
conventional energy
through a combination of
energy efficiency and
renewables
12. Energy Efficiency
Standards for Appli-
ances: Energy efficiency
ratings made mandatory
for 4 key appliances —
refrigerators, air
conditioners,
tubelights and transform-
ers from January 7, 2010;
more to follow through
2010
13. Fuel Efficiency
Norms Plan for fuel
economy norms for
vehicles announced; to
be made operational in
two years
Policy Implementation
14. CDM Program India
assessed as Best CDM
Country; Indian projects
to neutralise 10% of
emissions by 2012
15. India to host
‘Rio+20’ India to host
11th COP of Convention
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
nal plants (3,000). The National Gene Bank at
NBPGR is primarily responsible for conserva-
tion of unique accessions on long-term basis,
as base collections for posterity, predominantly
in the form of seeds.
IV. Livestock genetic diversity
India, endowed with varied forms of animal
genetic resources, is traditionally considered as
an important rearing centre for domesticated
animals. India has vast resources of livestock
(485 million) and poultry (489 million), which
play a vital role in rural livelihood security. In
terms of population, India ranks first in buffa-
loes, second in cattle and goats, third in sheep,
fourth in ducks, fifth in chicken and sixth in
camels in the world. The genetic resources of
farm animals in India are represented by a
broad spectrum of native breeds of cattle, buf-
faloes, goats, sheep, swine, equines, camel and
poultry. There are around 140 listed breeds of
livestock and poultry in India, with 30 breeds
of cattle, 10 of buffalo, 42 of sheep, 20 of goat, 3
of pig, 6 of horse and pony, 8 of camel and 18
of poultry. Besides, there are breeds of yak,
mithun, ducks, quails and several nondescript
populations.
Over the years, animal husbandry has intensi-
fied in India with widespread introduction of
exotic breeds. There is a perceptible increase in
the population of limited specialized breeds.
This has led to the reduction in total genetic
variability and population size of many local
breeds. The majority (85 per cent) of the do-
mestic livestock in India is reared under low
input production systems. Of the indigenous
breeds, 14 of cattle, 3 of buffalo, 9 of sheep, 4 of
goat and almost all breeds of horse and poul-
try are showing declining trends in the coun-
try. Estimates indicate that 50 per cent of in-
digenous goat, 30 per cent of sheep, 20 per cent
of cattle and almost all poultry breeds are
threatened.
In this context, the National Bureau of Animal
Genetic Resources (NBAGR) undertakes suit-
able programmes for identification, evaluation,
characterization, conservation and sustainable
utilization of animal genetic resources.
V. Fish genetic diversity
India is endowed with vast inland and marine
bio-resources. It is the third largest producer
of fish in the world and the second largest pro-
ducer of inland fish. As such, fisheries and
aquaculture play an important role in social
development, economic upliftment of farmers
and fisherfolks, apart from contributing to the
nutritional security of the country. The NBFGR
has taken up various research programmes and
major achievements which are as under:

Development of a database on 2,182 fishes
found in Indian waters; total listing of 287 fresh-
47
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
water fishes of aquatic hotspot – the Western
Ghats which include 192 endemic species.

Identification of 47 potentially cultivable te-
leosts and 106 ornamental species endemic to
Western Ghats.

Assessment of 327 freshwater fish species for
IUCN threat categories and listing of 79 threat-
ened species.

Preparation of a macro level fish occurrence
map of entire India (1:1000000).

Genetic characterization of 33 species using
different markers and development of DNA
barcodes for 100 Indian marine fish species.

Ex-situ conservation of prioritized endan-
gered species undertaken through successful
captive breeding techniques for Horabagrus
brachysoma, Labeo dussumieri, L. dyocheilus,
Chitala chitala, Ompok pabda, Puntius sarana,
Anabas testudineus, Nandus nandus, Clarias
btrachus and Heteropneustes fossilis; sperm
cryopreservation protocols for 16 threatened
and commercial fish species; and, tissue cul-
ture bank for housing 11,600 accessions of 273
species.

Publication of a bibliography on ‘Fish Patho-
gens and Diseases in India’, which contains
2,610 references of 1451 Indian research in dif-
ferent fields of fish pathology, quarantine and
related topics across 104 years (1898-2001).
Also, developed an information system ‘Fish
Diseases and Quarantine Information System’.

Development of a new database on Indian
fish diversity comprising information on 2,243
indigenous and 291 exotic fin fishes (globally
recognized number of fin fishes is 29,300).
VI. Genetic diversity of agriculturally impor-
tant microorganisms (AIMs)
India has initiated isolation and identification
of AIMs mainly through the efforts of NBAIM.
Important initiatives inter alia include the
following:

NBAIM has a repository of 2,517 cultures
which includes filamentous fungi (2,077), bac-
teria (394), Actinomycetes (36) and yeasts (10).

The sources of fungi collections include
plants (1,212), soil insects (641), air flora (39)
and others (185).

The special collections of microorganisms
having importance in agriculture and industry
include: bio-control agents (Trichoderma
viride, T. harzianum, T. aurioviride,
Glocladium virens, Bacillus subtilis,
Pseudomonas flurescens); bio-pesticides
(Beauvaria bassiana, Bacillus thrungenensis);
biofertilizers (Rhizobium spp., Azotobacter
chrococcum, Azospirillum brasilense, Bacillus
subtilis, fluorescent Pseudomonas); bio-
remedation (Pseudomonas putida, P.
flourescens, Alcligens); industrial importance
(Aspergillus niger, Bacillus subtilis).
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Biodiversity
on Biodiversity (CBD)
in 2012, mark 20th
anniversary of Rio
16. UN Climate
Technology Conference
India successfully hosts
global Conference on
technology, Delhi
Statement adopted
17. SAARC Environ-
ment Ministers
Conference: India
successfully hosts
SAARC Ministers
Conference and agrees
joint actions on Climate
Change;
2010 SAARC Summit to
be on the theme of
Climate Change
International Coopera-
tion
18. India’s Submissions
to UNFCCC Report
documenting India’s 12
proactive submissions to
UNFCCC released
19. State of Forests
Report 2009 Latest State
of Forest Report
released; shows
continued rise in India’s
forest cover
20. Launch of CAMPA
Ambitious Rs
11,700crore (USD2.5Bn)
Programme for forest
conservation launched
21. Green India Mission
New mission under
NAPCC to fast-track re-
forestation being
finalised
22. Capacity Building in
Forestry Scheme New
Rs 369 crore (USD
80Mn) scheme for HRD
for forest personnel
23. Intensification of
Forest Management New
Rs 600 crore (USD
125Mn) scheme to
improve forest
management, infrastruc-
ture, fires, etc.
Forestry
24. Inclusion of Forestry
within NREGA: Forestry
related activities
included as part of
India’s flagship
employment guarantee
scheme to fast-track
reforestation; Pilots
being implemented
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental

The Vision 2025 envisages that the NBAIM
act as a nodal agency, responsible for taking
appropriate measures for system-wide man-
agement of AIMs by various means, such as,
(i) constituting microbial genetic resource ad-
visory committee, (ii) preparing national explo-
ration maps, developing and widely dissemi-
nating guidelines for handling and storage of
microbial isolates, registration and notification
of microbial deposits, (iv) developing/imple-
menting coordination, linkages and coopera-
tion mechanisms, (v) technical backstopping by
development of national policy and its imple-
mentation, and (vi) handling matters/concerns
related to biosafety, biopiracy and IPR issues,
etc.
VII. Mountain diversity
The Himalayan flora represents 71 endemic
genera and 32 per cent endemic species. Also,
five families are endemic to the region (i.e.
Tetracentraceae, Hamamelidaceae, Circaeas-
teraceae, Butomaceae, and Stachyuraceae),
while over 90 per cent of the species in
Berberidaceae and Saxifragaceae are endemic
to the Himalaya. A large number of orchids,
many representing neo endemic taxa, have been
reported from Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
Out of the five natural World Heritage Sites
(WHS) recognized by United Nations Educa-
tional, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) in India, three are located in the
Himalayan region viz, Nanda Devi NP,
Kaziranga NP and Manas NP. Further, the Val-
ley of Flowers NP has been included in the list
of WHS as an extension to Nanda Devi NP. In
addition, Kangchendzonga NP and Namdapha
NP are included in the tentative list of WHS.
Considering the importance of natural sites, an
externally aided project titled 'World Heritage
Biodiversity Programme for India: Building
Partnerships to Support UNESCO’s WHS
programme’ is being undertaken.
Magnitude of Biodiversity: The known and de-
scribed number of species of all organisms on
the earth is between 1.7 to 1.8 million, which is
fewer than 15 per cent of the actual number.
The predicted number of total species varies
from 5 to 50 million and averages at 14 million.
About 61 per cent of the known species are in-
sects. Only 4650 species are known to science.
Biological diversity includes three hierarchical
levels:
(i) Genetic diversity,
(ii) Specific diversity, and
(iii) Community and ecosystem diversity.
These levels are interrelated, yet distinct
enough to be studied separately to understand
the interconnections that support life on the
earth.
Genetic Diversity: Each species, varying from
48
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
bacteria to higher to higher plants and animals,
stores an immense amount of genetic informa-
tion. Genetic diversity refers to the variation of
genes within species; the differences could be
in alleles (different variants of same genes), in
entire genes (the traits determining particularly
characteristics) or in chromosomal structures.
The genetic diversity enables a population to
adapt to its environment and to respond to the
natural selection. If specie has more genetic di-
versity, it can adapt better to the changed envi-
ronmental conditions.
The amount of genetic variation is the basis of
speciation (evolution of new species). It has a
key role in the maintenance of diversity at spe-
cies and community levels.
Species Diversity: Species are distinct units of
diversity, each playing a specific role in an eco-
system.
Community and Ecosystem Diversity: Diver-
sity at the level of community and ecosystem
has three perspectives:
Alpha diversity (within-community diversity)
refers to the diversity organisms sharing the
same community/habitat.
Beta diversity (between-community diversity)
refers to the rate of replacement of species along
a gradient of habitats or communities.
Gamma diversity (overall) refers to the diver-
sity of the habitats over the total landscape or
geographical area.
Gradient of Biodiversity: Biodiversity varies
with the change in latitude or altitude. As we
move from high to low latitudes, broadly
speaking, the biological diversity increases.
Similarly, we generally notice a decrease in spe-
cies diversity from lower to higher altitudes on
a mountain.
Problems of Biodiversity
A global scientific analysis of current trends and
plausible future scenarios project that
biodiversity loss is likely to continue in the fore-
seeable time largely because the direct drivers
of biodiversity loss are projected to either re-
main constant or to increase in the near future.
This global concern about loss of biodiversity
is sought to be addressed in the international
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to
which India is a Party.
The growing population, industrialization and
urbanization and excessive use of chemical fer-
tilizers and pesticides has completely perturbed
the existing ecological balance of the country.
As a result of this about 1,336 plant species are
considered vulnerable and endangered; about
20 species of higher plants are categorised as
possibly extinct because these have not been
sighted during the last 6-10 decades.
More than 33 species of mammals, 72 species
of birds, 17 species of reptiles, three species of
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Biodiversity

The loss of diversity
is not only an ethical
tragedy but also a
great social, economic
and cultural one. In
fact, official conserva-
tion policies and
programmes, planned
and controlled by a
centralized bureau-
cracy in collaboration
with urban environ-
ment, is responsible to
a greater extent for this
state of nature.

Even though
forestry is the second
largest land
use in India after
agriculture, covering
approximately 23.57
percent (recorded
forest area) of the total
geographical area, the
contribution to the
Gross Domestic
Product from forestry is
minimal (it was barely
1.1 percent in 2001).

Nearly 50 per cent of
the aquatic plants of
the world are recorded
from the Indian sub-
continent but only a
few have been studied
in detail. In order to
address some of these
concerns, a National
Institute on Mangroves
and Coastal
Bioresources is being
set up by the MoEF in
Sunderbans.
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NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
amphibious, two species of fish and a large
number of butterflies, moth and beetles are con-
sidered vulnerable and endangered.
Habitat destruction is identified as the main
threat to biodiversity. The major impact of de-
velopmental activities involves diversion of
forest land. Since the enactment of Forest (Con-
servation) Act in 1980, 11.40 lakh hectares of
forest area, for about 14,997 development
projects, has been approved for diversion.
Against this diversion, compensatory affores-
tation has been stipulated for over 12.10 lakh
hectares of land.
The loss of diversity is not only an ethical trag-
edy but also a great social, economic and cul-
tural one. In fact, official conservation policies
and programmes, planned and controlled by a
centralized bureaucracy in collaboration with
urban environment, is responsible to a greater
extent for this state of nature. It is only an alli-
ance between local communities, government
agencies and concerned NGOs and individu-
als that can save natural habitats and wildlife
from the clutches of destructive forces.
Declining natural resource base and over-ex-
ploitation of resources:
Construction of roads and canals, quarrying,
shifting cultivation and encroachments are
other threats. Degradation of forests results
from illicit felling, excess removal of forest
products, fodder, fuel wood, forest floor litter,
overgrazing and forest fires. As a result, some
of the floristic and faunal components, includ-
ing many keystone and endemic forest species
are now left with narrow eroding populations
which need to be urgently conserved.
Even though forestry is the second largest land
use in India after agriculture, covering approxi-
mately 23.57 percent (recorded forest area) of
the total geographical area, the contribution to
the Gross Domestic Product from forestry is
minimal (it was barely 1.1 percent in 2001). An
estimated 41 percent of the country’s forest
cover has been degraded to some degree. As
much as 78 percent of forest area is subject to
heavy grazing and about 50 percent of the for-
est area is prone to forest fires. Domestic de-
mand for timber and fuelwood is well above
the sustainable level.
The rich diversity of medicinal plants (over
6,500 species) in the country needs conserva-
tion and sustainable utilization, as their habi-
tats are either degraded or the species are be-
ing over-exploited. In fact, nearly 90 per cent
of the medicinal plants in trade are harvested
from the wild. The medicinal plants constitute
critical resource for health care of rural com-
munities and for the growth of Indian herbal
industry. Currently, India’s share in the
complementary medicine related global mar-
49
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
ket is only 0.3 per cent and there exists immense
scope for expanding its share in the 62 billion
US$ world market from the present level of Rs.
5,000 crores (approximately 1.2 billion US$).
But, it is a sad reflection that while it has the
knowledge, skills and resources, India has not
yet seized opportunities in the global market.
Even its 0.3 per cent share is largely (70 per cent)
through export of raw materials and only in a
limited way (30 per cent) through value addi-
tion and sale of finished products. Indian ex-
ports are thus guided by what may be termed
as a trader’s vision rather than by a knowledge-
products vision.
Why to conserve Bio-diversity?
Each genetic resource has a certain specific char-
acter of its own. The genetic material can be
exploited by the man in the form of food, medi-
cines and specimens. For example, plant bio-
diversity can be used to develop transgenic
plants that can yield more production and are
resistant to diseases, drought, and pests. Grains
with higher percentage of protein and
biofertilizer can also be produced by these ge-
netic resources.
Problems related to
the underground biodiversity:
The underground biodiversity, particularly soil
microbes, are poorly understood. The degra-
dation of land has led to the loss of under-
ground biodiversity. Similarly, the microbial
diversity of fresh water and marine ecosystems
is less known and may yield novel compounds
of therapeutic and industrial value. For sustain-
able agriculture, microorganisms play a deci-
sive role. The information on biodiversity of
freshwater, coastal and marine areas of the
country is highly fragmentary, although it has
vast economic potential.
Nearly 50 per cent of the aquatic plants of the
world are recorded from the Indian sub-conti-
nent but only a few have been studied in de-
tail. In order to address some of these concerns,
a National Institute on Mangroves and Coastal
Bioresources is being set up by the MoEF in
Sunderbans.
GMOs and Biodiversity:
The application of Genetic Use Restriction Tech-
nologies (GURTs) or terminator technologies
is prohibited and import of GURTs based prod-
ucts is also banned in the country. Hence, there
is a need to further develop state-of-the-art con-
tainment facilities and diagnostic tools for
GURTs in the country. GURT, also called ter-
minator technology, is a biotech-based strategy
that prevents seeds from germinating in the
next growing season unless treated chemically
by the seed company prior to planting. When
seeds of crop varieties (containing this kind of
genetic manipulation) are purchased from the
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Biodiversity

Government
initiated a scheme on
bio-diversity conserva-
tion to ensure
coordination among
various agencies
dealing with the issues
related to conservation
of biodiversity and to
review, monitor and
evolve adequate polity
instruments for the
same.

A draft National
Action Plan (NAP) has
been prepared based
on 71 mega
Biodiversity Strategy
and Action Plan
(BSAPs) at local (sub-
state) state, eco-
regional and thematic
levels.

The International
Agricultural Research
Centre, operating
under CGIAR, decided
in 2000 against the
use of this technology
and India was the first
country to block its
entry. The Government
of India has further
strengthened this
action through
Protection of Plant
Varieties and Farmers’
Rights Act, 2001.
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NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
company and planted, they germinate and
grow normally but produce seeds that do not
germinate when saved by the farmers for sow-
ing during the following season. Thus, healthy
and high yielding plants are genetically com-
manded to produce ‘sterile’ seeds preventing
the farmers to use them for the next season’s
planting.
The technology was first developed by the
Delta & Pine Land, a multinational seed com-
pany, and the US Department of Agriculture.
If commercialized, ‘terminator’ would compel
farmers to purchase fresh seeds from the com-
pany every year. It is bad for agricultural
biodiversity and worse for the small and mar-
ginal farmers.
Farmers have to purchase seeds of high yield-
ing hybrid varieties because seeds produced by
the hybrid plants are not uniform and their
production capacity decreases in successive
seasons. Hybrid varieties are not yet popular
in self-fertilised crop plants like wheat and rice
whose seeds are normally replaced after five
years or so and that too on exchange among
the farmers.
Multinational seed companies intend to pre-
vent this traditional practice through GURTs.
It is noteworthy that India opted to enact its
sui generis system (PPVFR Act 2001) for pro-
tection of crop varieties as required under the
WTO-TRIPS provisions. The Indian system is
largely compliant to an accepted international
system for variety protection, called UPOV
1978, that permits farmers to use saved-seeds
and also exempts researchers in using seeds of
protected varieties. These two exemptions dis-
tinguish this system from its more recent ver-
sion called UPOV 1991 which does not permit
them and operates more like the patenting sys-
tem. GURTs can be employed to achieve this
objective without the need to seek protection
or patenting of new seed varieties.
The International Agricultural Research Cen-
tre, operating under CGIAR, decided in 2000
against the use of this technology and India was
the first country to block its entry. The Gov-
ernment of India has further strengthened this
action through Protection of Plant Varieties and
Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001. Its section 29 (3)
states that “Notwithstanding anything con-
tained in sub-section (2) and sub-sections (1)
and (3) of section 15, no variety of any genus or
species which involves ‘any technology’ inju-
rious to the life or health of human beings, ani-
mals or plants shall be registered under this Act.
For the purposes of this subsection, the expres-
sion “any technology” includes genetic use re-
striction technology and terminator technol-
ogy.”
Government Efforts for Conservation
50
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Environment protection is enshrined in the
Constitution of India [Article 48A and Article
51A (g)]. Wide-ranging policies, programmes
and projects are in place, which directly or in-
directly serve to protect, conserve and
sustainably use the country’s biological re-
sources. These include the Forest (Conserva-
tion) Act, Wildlife (Protection) Act, Biological
Diversity Act, National Green Tribunal Act,
National Biodiversity Action Plan, National
Forest Policy, National Wildlife Action Plan,
National Forestry Action Programme, National
Environment Policy and National Action Plan
on Climate Change.
Government initiated a scheme on bio-diver-
sity conservation to ensure coordination among
various agencies dealing with the issues related
to conservation of biodiversity and to review,
monitor and evolve adequate polity instru-
ments for the same. Important steps taken are:
(i) A comprehensive project National
Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP)
has been launched for preparation of planning
documents relating ecological security and live-
lihood of people depending on natural re-
sources. The ultimate aim is to develop a Na-
tional Plan for conservation of biodiversity and
to sustainable use.
A draft National Action Plan (NAP) has been
prepared based on 71 mega Biodiversity Strat-
egy and Action Plan (BSAPs) at local (sub-state)
state, eco-regional and thematic levels. Thereby
are draft and thematic review, large number of
secondary sources and so on.
The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) set
up at Chennai on October 1, 2003 as per the
provisions of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002
is mandated to facilitate implementation of the
Act. Progress/Achievements made during the
year.

The Authority has held two meetings dur-
ing the year and taken a number of important
decisions including prescribing format for
“agreements” to be signed between NBA and
other parties seeking access to Genetic Re-
sources and Associated Knowledge and Noti-
fication of guidelines on collaborative research.

The Authority organized a number of semi-
nars, symposia involving various stake hold-
ers to educate and create awareness in regard
to provisions of the Act. The NBA has also con-
sidered 38 applications relating to access of Bio-
logical Resource and related matters and an-
other 62 applications are under consideration
and examination by the Authority.
NCDMA: India has established National Clean
Development Mechanism Authority (NCDMA)
for according host country approval to CDM
projects as mandated under the Kyoto Proto-
col to the UN Framework Convention on Cli-
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Biodiversity

Several species
specific projects are
being implemented for
flagship animal
species such as Tiger
(National Animal),
Elephant (National
Heritage Animal),
Rhinoceros, Gharial,
Hangul and snow
leopard, birds such as
Vulture, Great Indian
Bustard, and plants
such as Orchids,
Rhododendron and
citrus.

India has a National
Wildlife Action Plan,
which envisages 10
per cent of the
geographical area of
the country under PA
coverage. This is
significant, keeping in
view that India holds
18 per cent of world’s
human population and
also 18 per cent of the
world’s livestock
population in an area,
which is only 2.4 per
cent of the world’s
geographical area.

India has a National
River Conservation
Plan under implemen-
tation in 160 cities
covering 34 rivers.
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NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
mate Change (UNFCCC). One of the criteria
used for approval of CDM projects is impact
on biodiversity. Host country approvals have
so far been accorded to 404 CDM projects fa-
cilitating investment of more than Rs, 22,000
crores.
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional For-
est Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act,
enacted in 2006, is a tool to provide occupa-
tional and habitational rights to the people,
thus, incentivising conservation and sustain-
able use of biological resources by providing
access to livelihood enhancing resources to
people.
National Biotechnology Development Strat-
egy, 2007 calls for promotion of mass use of
technologies for sustainable utilisation of
bioresources.
National Biodiversity Action Plan of 2008 de-
veloped in consultation with various stakehold-
ers and by taking cognizance of legislative and
policy framework is a dynamic matrix for
mainstreaming biodiversity concerns in the
country.
India has a National Wildlife Action Plan,
which envisages 10 per cent of the geographi-
cal area of the country under PA coverage. This
is significant, keeping in view that India holds
18 per cent of world’s human population and
also 18 per cent of the world’s livestock popu-
lation in an area, which is only 2.4 per cent of
the world’s geographical area.
Under the Man and Biosphere (MAB)
Programme out of 16 biospheres in India
(70,000 sq. km.), seven are already in UNESCO
World Network of Biosphere Reserves (World
total 503). India has a National Wetland Con-
servation Programme covering 125 wetlands
including 25 Ramsar sites under the Ramsar
Convention. India accounts for about 5 per cent
of the world’s mangroves (including
Sunderbans delta the largest mangrove forest
in the world) and partners with IUCN’s Man-
groves for Future programme and has estab-
lished a National Institute of the Mangrove
Research at Kolkata.
Coral reefs in India occupy an extent of 2375
sq. km. (including the Andaman Islands, which
have rich coral diversity and a National Coral
Reef Research Centre at Port Blair).
India has a National Lake Conservation Plan
covering 42 lakes, which aims at rejuvenation
in terms of improvement on water quality and
biodiversity.
India has a National River Conservation Plan
under implementation in 160 cities covering 34
rivers. National Ganga River Basin Authority
(NGRBA) is responsible for conserving and sus-
tainable use of the biodiversity of the river
Ganges. Conservation and sustainable use of
51
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
biodiversity have been an integral part of In-
dian ethos. Sacred groves are thick patches of
natural Forests conserved by the local commu-
nities as part of sociocultural practices. The
Sacred Grove Information System holds infor-
mation on 3000 such groves in the country out
of an estimated 100,000 to 150,000.
Several species specific projects are being
implemented for flagship animal species such
as Tiger (National Animal), Elephant (National
Heritage Animal), Rhinoceros, Gharial, Hangul
and snow leopard, birds such as Vulture, Great
Indian Bustard, and plants such as Orchids,
Rhododendron and citrus.
India has put in place a number of initiatives
for promoting conservation of biodiversity,
such as, provision of national gene fund, na-
tional biodiversity fund, awards etc. Pressure
from habitat loss and degradation has been re-
duced by the system of environment clearances
based on Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA), Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), National
Afforestation and Eco-development Board
(NAEB), National Action Programme to Com-
bat Desertification and Green India Mission.

The Guidelines for International Collabora-
tion Research Project involving transfer or ex-
change of biological resources or information
relating thereto between institutions including
government sponsored institutions and such in-
stitutions in other countries were issued
through Gazette. These guidelines are appli-
cable in all the Departments/Ministries of Gov-
ernment of India. The methodology for prepa-
ration of Peoples Biodiversity Register was also
finalized during the year.
Seventeen countries-Bolivia, Brazil, China, Co-
lombia, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya,
Madagascar, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philip-
pines, South Africa and Venezuela rich in bio-
logical diversity and associated traditional
knowledge have formed the Group of Like
Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC). The
LMMC Group holds nearly 70 per cent of the
global biodiversity and is duly recognised ne-
gotiating block in the UN and other interna-
tional forum India has taken over Presidency
of the LMMC on February 2004. Indian in its
capacity as the Chair of the LMMC had
organised an Expert and Ministerial level Meet-
ing of the LMMCs in New Delhi at January 2004
and this meeting has adopted the New Delhi
Ministerial Declaration of Like Minded
Megadiverse Countries on Access and Benefit
Sharing.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, the first
international regulatory framework for safe
transfer, handling and use of Living Modified
Organism (LMOs) was negotiated under the
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Biodiversity

The CBD is the first
comprehensive global
agreement addressing
all aspects relating to
biodiversity. The
institutional framework
for CBD’s implementa-
tion is provided by the
Conference of the
Parties (COP).

COP 10 was held
from 18 to 29 October
2010 at the Nagoya
Conference Centre, in
Nagoya, Aichi
Prefecture, Japan. The
high-level segment of
the Nagoya Summit
was held with the
participation of 122
ministers and five
Heads of State and
Government

India has been a
signatory to the
Convention since 18th
February 1994, and is
one of the first
countries to have
enacted an appropriate
comprehensive
legislation to achieve
the objectives of the
convention.
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NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
aegis of the convention on Biological Diversity.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, a supple-
mentary treaty to the Convention, seeks to pro-
tect biological diversity from the potential risks
posed by living modified organisms resulting
from modern biotechnology. To date, 159 coun-
tries and the European Union have ratified the
Protocol. The Secretariat of the Convention and
its Cartagena Protocol is located in Montreal.
Biological Diversity Act- 2002
India has been a signatory to the Convention
since 18th February 1994, and is one of the first
countries to have enacted an appropriate com-
prehensive legislation to achieve the objectives
of the convention. As of now, 193 countries are
party to the CBD. The Union Ministry of Envi-
ronment and Forests (MoEF), the nodal agency
for implementing provisions of CBD in India,
developed a strategy for biodiversity conser-
vation at macro-level in 1999 and enacted the
Biological Diversity Act in 2002 followed by the
Rules thereunder in 2004. In pursuance to Ar-
ticle 6 of the CBD, India within five years of
ratifying the Convention, had developed a
National Policy and Macrolevel Action Strat-
egy on Biodiversity in 1999. Thereafter, an ex-
ternally-aided project on National Biodiversity
Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) was also
implemented in the country during 2000-2004,
adopting a highly participatory process involv-
ing various stakeholders. Meanwhile, India also
enacted the Biological Diversity Act in 2002,
Section 36 of which empowers the Central Gov-
ernment to develop national biodiversity action
plan. The Central Government has brought Bio-
logical Diversity Act 2002, with the following
salient features:
(i) to regulate access to biological resources of
the country with the purpose of securing equi-
table share in benefits arising out of the use of
biological resources; and associated knowledge
relating to biological resources;
(ii) to conserve and sustainable use biological
diversity;
(iii) to respect and protect knowledge of local
communities related to biodiversity;
(iv) to secure sharing of benefits with local
people as conservers of biological resources and
holders of knowledge and information relat-
ing to the use of biological resources;
(v) conservation and development of areas of
important from the standpoint of biological di-
versity by declaring them as biological diver-
sity heritage sites;
(vi) protection and rehabilitation for threatened
species; and
(vii) involvement of institutions of state gov-
ernment in the broad scheme of the implemen-
tation of the Biological Diversity Act through
constitution of committees.
52
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
The NBA established in October 2003 pursu-
ant to Section 8 of the BDA. It focuses and ad-
vises GOI on conservation of biodiversity, sus-
tainable use of its components and securing
equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the
utilization of biological resources. It regulates
access to biological resources and associated
traditional knowledge for research and/or
commercial purposes, bio-survey and bio-uti-
lization as well as transfer of research results,
seeking IPR and third party transfer of bio-re-
sources.
It advises the State Governments in the selec-
tion of areas of importance as biodiversity heri-
tage sites and measures for the management of
such sites. It h as constituted expert commit-
tees to perform functions such as laying down
the procedure and guidelines to govern the
activities such as Access and Benefit Sharing
(ABS), Prior Informed Consent (PIC), Mutually
Agreed Terms (MAT), Intellectual Property
Rights (IPR), list of normally traded commodi-
ties, establishment of heritage sites and their
management, national designated repositories
and safeguarding of traditional knowledge re-
specting the Article 8 (j) of the CBD.
CBD and CoP
The CBD is the first comprehensive global
agreement addressing all aspects relating to
biodiversity. The institutional framework for
CBD’s implementation is provided by the Con-
ference of the Parties (COP). The COP is the
governing body of CBD which keeps under
review implementation of the Convention, and
steers its development COP is the supreme
decision making body which has the authority
to adopt protocols under the Convention. It also
has the authority to amend the Convention it-
self. To date, ten ordinary meetings of the COP
have been held, the first three annually (Nassau,
Bahamas in 1994; Jakarta, Indonesia in 1995;
and Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1996), and
thereafter biennially (Bratislava, Slovak Repub-
lic in 1998; Nairobi, Kenya in 2000; Hague, the
Netherlands in 2002; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
in 2004, Curitiba, Brazil in 2006, Bonn, Germany
in May, 2008).
Nagoya Biodiversity Summit
COP 10 was held from 18 to 29 October 2010 at
the Nagoya Conference Centre, in Nagoya,
Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The high-level segment
of the Nagoya Summit was held with the par-
ticipation of 122 ministers and five Heads of
State and Government, including the President
of Gabon, the President of Guinea-Bissau, the
Prime Minister of Yemen representing the
Group of 77 and China, as well as Prince Albert
of Monaco. The President of the tenth meeting
of the Conference of the Parties to the Conven-
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Biodiversity

The Multi-Year Plan
of Action on South-
South Cooperation on
Biodiversity for
Development adopted
by the 131 members of
the Group of 77 and
China was welcomed
as an important
instrument at the
service of the new
vision.

The Economics
of Ecosystems and
Biodiversity (TEEB)
Local and Regional
Policy Makers report
launched at national
workshop in New
Delhi.

The “Aichi Target”
will be the overarching
framework on
biodiversity not only for
the biodiversity-related
conventions, but for
the entire United
Nations system.
Parties agreed to
translate this
overarching interna-
tional framework into
national biodiversity
strategy and action
plans within two years.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
tion on Biological Diversity (COP-10) was Ryu
Matsumoto, the Minister of the Environment
of Japan. The Nagoya Protocol is expected to
enter into force by 2012, with support from the
Global Environment Facility of one million
United States dollars to support early entry into
force.
The summit achieved its three inter-linked
goals: (a) adoption of a new ten year Strategic
Plan to guide international and national efforts
to save biodiversity through enhanced action
to meet the objectives of the Convention on Bio-
logical Diversity; (b) a resource mobilization
strategy that provides the way forward to a sub-
stantial increase to current levels of official de-
velopment assistance in support of
biodiversity; and (c) a new international pro-
tocol on access to and sharing of the benefits
from the use of the genetic resources of the
planet.
The Strategic Plan of the Convention on Bio-
logical Diversity or the “Aichi Target”, adopted
by the meeting includes 20 headline targets,
organized under five strategic goals that ad-
dress the underlying causes of biodiversity loss,
reduce the pressures on biodiversity, safeguard
biodiversity at all levels, enhance the benefits
provided by biodiversity, and provide for ca-
pacity-building. Among the targets, it is impor-
tant to note that Parties:

Agreed to at least halve and where feasible
bring close to zero the rate of loss of natural
habitats including forests;

Established a target of 17 per cent of terres-
trial and inland water areas and 10 per cent of
marine and coastal areas;

Through conservation and restoration, Gov-
ernments will restore at least 15 percent of de-
graded areas; and

Will make special efforts to reduce the pres-
sures faced by coral reefs.
Parties also agreed to a substantial increase in
the level of financial resources in support of
implementation of the Convention.
The “Aichi Target” will be the overarching
framework on biodiversity not only for the
biodiversity-related conventions, but for the
entire United Nations system. Parties agreed
to translate this overarching international
framework into national biodiversity strategy
and action plans within two years.
Actions in support will also take place at
subnational and local levels. Parties endorsed
a plan of action on cities and biodiversity
adopted by the Nagoya Biodiversity City sum-
mit attended by more 200 mayors. 122 legisla-
tors from around the world attending the
GLOBE meeting on parliamentarians and
biodiversity agreed to support the implemen-
tation of the new Strategic Plan.
53
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
The importance of acting to conserve
biodiversity also received support by the do-
nor community. Representatives of 34 bilateral
and multilateral donor agencies agreed to trans-
late the plan into their respective development
cooperation priorities.
The Multi-Year Plan of Action on South-South
Cooperation on Biodiversity for Development
adopted by the 131 members of the Group of
77 and China was welcomed as an important
instrument at the service of the new vision.
Finance in support of implementation of the
Convention was announced. The Prime Minis-
ter of Japan, Mr Naoto Kan, announced 2 bil-
lion United States dollars in financing, the Min-
ister of Environment of Japan announced the
establishment of a Japan Biodiversity Fund.
Additional financial resources were announced
by France, the European Union and Norway.
Some 110 million United States dollars were
mobilized in support of projects under the CBD
LifeWeb Initiative aimed at enhancing the pro-
tected-area agenda.
Financial support for the Strategic Plan will be
provided under the framework of the resource
mobilization strategy. Parties will work to de-
fine in time for the eleventh meeting of the
Conference of the Parties in 2012, the targets
and mechanisms through which financial re-
sources can be identified, unleashed and chan-
nelled.
Parties adopted the Nagoya Protocol on Access
to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable
Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utiliza-
tion. The historic agreement creates a frame-
work that balances access to genetic resources
on the basis of prior informed consent and
mutually agreed terms with the fair and equi-
table sharing of benefits while taking into ac-
count the important role of traditional knowl-
edge. The Protocol also proposes the creation
of a global multilateral mechanism that will
operate in transboundary areas or situations
where prior informed consent cannot be ob-
tained. India is going to host the 11th Confer-
ence of Parties of CBD in 2012.
TEEB 2010
The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity
(TEEB) Local and Regional Policy Makers re-
port launched at national workshop in New
Delhi. Factoring the planet’s multi-trillion dol-
lar ecosystem services into policy-making can
help save cities and regional authorities money
while boosting the local economy, enhancing
quality of life, securing livelihoods and gener-
ating employment.
This is the finding from a major international
study, launched in a report by TEEB for Local
and Regional Policy Makers, being released in
India, Brazil, Belgium, Japan and South Africa
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Biodiversity

The CBD recognises
the sovereign rights of
States over their
natural resources in
areas within their
jurisdiction. Parties to
the Convention
therefore have the
authority to determine
access to genetic
resources in areas
within their jurisdiction.

The Protection of
Plant Varieties and
Farmer’s Rights Act,
2001 and Rules 2003
deal primarily with the
protection of plant
breeders rights over
the new varieties
developed.

The Geographical
Indications of Goods
Act, 1999 has been
enacted to provide for
protection of geo-
graphical indications of
goods referring to a
place of origin of that
product and the
exclusion of unautho-
rized persons from
misusing geographical
indications.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
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NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
on September 9. Various representatives from
national governments, state bodies, mun-
cipalities, corporations, NGOs, biodiversity
boards, environmental organisations, forest
departments, academics etc. from across India
participated in the New Delhi launch. The event
provided the platform for the launch of this sig-
nificant report, and a workshop for local au-
thorities from across the region to explore find-
ings of the report within an Indian context. The
event was organized by the TEEB Study, Min-
istry of Environment and Forests, Indian Insti-
tute of Technology Bombay, Green India States
Trust (GIST) and ICLEI South Asia.
Negotiation on Access and Benefit Sharing
(ABS): The CBD recognises the sovereign rights
of States over their natural resources in areas
within their jurisdiction. Parties to the Conven-
tion therefore have the authority to determine
access to genetic resources in areas within their
jurisdiction. Parties also have the obligation to
take appropriate measures with the aim of shar-
ing the benefits derived from their use. Ben-
efits derived from genetic resources may in-
clude the result of research and development
carried out on genetic resources, the transfer
of technologies which make use of those re-
sources, participation in biotechnological re-
search activities, or monetary benefits arising
from the commercialisation of products based
on genetic resources. Further to the call for ac-
tion by Governments at the World Summit on
Sustainable Development in 2002, the COP-7
established the Working Group on ABS to ne-
gotiate protocol for an international regime on
access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing.
Legislative Measures
Strategies and plans for conservation and sus-
tainable use of biological resources based on
local knowledge systems and practices are in-
grained in Indian ethos and are enshrined in
the Constitution of India [Article 48A and Ar-
ticle 51 A(g)] in the form of environment pro-
tection. In recent times, the major building
blocks of policy frameworks, legislations and
action plans that drive the country in achiev-
ing all the three objectives of the CBD include,
among others, Biological Diversity Act (BDA),
2002, National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP)
(2002-2016), National Environment Policy
(NEP) 2006, National Biodiversity Action Plan
(NBAP), 2008 and National Action Plan on Cli-
mate Change (NAPCC), 2008.
The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmer’s
Rights Act, 2001 and Rules 2003 deal prima-
rily with the protection of plant breeders rights
over the new varieties developed. The Act also
provides for protection of farmer’s varieties and
creation of national gene fund for promoting
conservation of local varieties.
54
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
The second and third amendments to the
Patent Act, 1970 provide for mandatory disclo-
sure in the patent application, of the source and
geographical origin of the biological material
used in the invention.
The Geographical Indications of Goods Act,
1999 has been enacted to provide for protec-
tion of geographical indications of goods re-
ferring to a place of origin of that product and
the exclusion of unauthorized persons from
misusing geographical indications.
Biodiversity in 2010
I
ndia has taken a wide range of measures
to achieve 2010 target. Some examples
include: (i) holistic community-based
sustainable forestry programmes such as
JFM is now operational on more than 17
million ha of land spread all over the country;
(ii) National Bureau of Plant Genetic
Resources (NBPGR) that has been engaged
in documenting a large number of varieties
of crop plants in the country, and National
Bureau of Agriculturally Important
Microorganisms (NBAIM) which is acting as
a nodal centre for the acquisition and
management of indigenous and exotic
microbial genetic resources for improved
utilization in food and agriculture; (iii) the
Tiger Project that now incorporates 37 tiger
reserves in seventeen states; (iv) 38 mangrove
areas identified for intensive conservation
and management; (v) Project Elephant which
helps in ensuring long-term survival of
identified viable elephant populations in
their natural habitats and presently India has
26 such reserves; (vi) development of TKDL,
an easily navigable computerized database
of documented information available in
published texts of Indian systems of
medicine, with the objective of preventing
the grant of patents on non-original
invention; and vii) the National Policy on
Farmers (2007) which contributes to protect
and improve land, water, biodiversity and
genetic resources essential for sustained
increase in productivity, profitability and
stability of major farming systems by
creating an economic stake in conservation.
Likewise, initiatives in PAs include an
innovative strategy, as envisaged in NEP,
2006, to increase forest cover from 23 per cent
to 33 per cent of the national territory by
2012 and the goal to establish 163 NPs and
707 WLs ensuring appropriate represe-
ntation across all ecosystems. The monitoring
committee of the NWAP periodically
monitors the status of establishment and
management of PAs.
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Biodiversity

The Biological
Diversity Act provides
for documentation of
coded and oral
traditional knowledge
associated with
bioresources in the
form of People’s
Biodiversity Register,
to ensure effective
management,
promotion and
sustainable uses.

National Innovation
Foundation (NIF), an
autonomous society
established in 2000 for
recognising, respecting
and rewarding
innovations and
outstanding traditional
knowledge at
grassroots, has
developed a model for
facilitating prior
informed consent for
local innovators and
traditional knowledge
holders which provides
for NIF mediation.

Traditional Knowl-
edge Digital Library
(TKDL) is an effective
deterrent to bio-piracy:
TKDL is a maiden
Indian effort and is a
proprietary and original
database. TKDL is
available in English,
Japanese, French,
German and
Spanish.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
There is a provision for benefit sharing for ac-
cess to biological and or associated knowledge
(ABS) in the Biological Diversity Act. Under this
Act, 87 benefit sharing agreements have been
entered by NBA with applicants in consulta-
tion with the stakeholders.
There are seven main statutory Acts that regu-
late environmental impacts
from mining activity as given below:
(a) Mines and Mineral (Development and Regu-
lations) Act, 1957
(b) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pol-
lution) Act, 1974
(c) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollu-
tion) Act, 1981
(d) The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
(e) The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and
(f) The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
(g) The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional
Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights Act), 2006
National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an au-
tonomous society established in 2000 for
recognising, respecting and rewarding innova-
tions and outstanding traditional knowledge
at grassroots, has developed a model for facili-
tating prior informed consent for local innova-
tors and traditional knowledge holders which
provides for NIF mediation.
Protection of Traditional Knowledge: India
has strived hard to protect its traditional knowl-
edge and resources. India fought successfully
for the revocation of turmeric and basmati pat-
ents granted by United States Patent and Trade-
mark Office (USPTO) and neem patent granted
by European Patent Office (EPO). As a sequel
to this, in 1999, the Department of Ayurveda,
Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and
Homoeopathy (AYUSH) and Council of Scien-
tific and Industrial Research (CSIR) constituted
an inter-disciplinary Task Force, for creating an
approach paper on establishing a Traditional
Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)
Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
(TKDL) is an effective deterrent to bio-piracy:
TKDL is a maiden Indian effort and is a pro-
prietary and original database. TKDL is avail-
able in English, Japanese, French, German and
Spanish. Today, India through TKDL is capable
of protecting about 0.224 million medical for-
mulations. On an average, it takes five to seven
years for opposing a granted patent at interna-
tional level which may cost 0.2-0.6 million US$.
India has signed TKDL Access Agreements
with European, US, Canadian, German, and
UK Patent Offices. These agreements are
unique in nature and have inbuilt safeguards
on non-disclosure to protect India’s interest.
Significant impact has already been realised at
EPO during the last one year. The access to 2.24
55
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Lakh (0.22 million) medicinal formulations is
available to Patent Offices under TKDL Access
Agreement. As of September 2010, 3 patents
have been set aside and 23 patents have been
withdrawn based on TKDL database by the
EPO.
A recent study has revealed a sharp decline (44
per cent) on filing of patent applications con-
cerning Indian systems of medicine at EPO.
TKDL is proving to be an effective deterrent
against bio-piracy. India has also set up a glo-
bal bio-piracy watch system under TKDL in
respect of patent applications related to Indian
System of Medicines. Misappropriation and
biopiracy are the issues of great concern for the
developing countries and this agenda is being
pursued at multilateral fora such as CBD, TRIPS
Council and WIPO, and we hope, a global Tra-
ditional Knowledge protection system is estab-
lished soon.
The Biological Diversity Act provides for docu-
mentation of coded and oral traditional knowl-
edge associated with bioresources in the form
of People’s Biodiversity Register, to ensure ef-
fective management, promotion and sustain-
able uses. So far, 419 such registers have been
documented in 6 states. These documents will
be of great value in protecting the biodiversity.
Agriculture and Bio-diversity
India has made significant strides in agricul-
ture to integrate and mainstream biodiversity
considerations through a strong back-up of
policies (e.g. National Policy for Farmers, 2007),
institutions including four National Bureaus
and agricultural universities, missions (e.g.
National Bamboo Mission), and projects, espe-
cially the ones that follow ecosystem approach
(such as National Agriculture Innovation
Project and Conservation and Management of
Pollinators for Sustainable Development). Ma-
jor achievements include:
i) creation of a National Gene Fund for conser-
vation and development of plant genetic re-
sources; ii) establishment of Protection of Plant
Varieties and Farmer’s Rights Authority
(PPV&FR Authority) and granting incentives
to farmers in the form of “ Plant Genome Sav-
ior Community Recognition”; iii) establishment
of a multilateral system to facilitate access to
plant genetic resources for food and agricul-
ture (PGRFA) through International Treaty on
Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agricul-
ture (ITPGRFA); iv) integration of pest man-
agement programmes, and v) promotion of
organic farming; and vi) identification of agro-
biodiversity heritage sites.
Research and Development
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research
has set up a number of gene banks for ex situ
conservation under the National Bureau of
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TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Biodiversity

The Department of
Biotechnology (DBT)
has been implement-
ing focused
programmes on
biodiversity conserva-
tion through biotechno-
logical interventions
since 1991, inter alia
by developing
techniques, tools and
technologies for ex situ
conservation.

India has all along
shown deep commit-
ment for biodiversity
conservation and
sustainable develop-
ment and has
responded effectively
to relevant interna-
tional treaties and
conventions.

Indian forests are
rich in several types of
Non-Timber Forest
Products (NTFPs)
such as honey,
bamboo, cane, gums
and resins, leaves
used for country
smoke and plate-
making, several types
of flowers, dye plants,
fruits, nuts, seeds and
roots.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
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NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi,
National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources
(NBAGR), Karnal, National Bureau of Fish
Genetic Resources (NBFGR), Lucknow, and
National Bureau of Agriculturally Important
Microorganisms (NBAIM), Mau. A large num-
ber of microorganisms of agricultural impor-
tance also form a vital part of the diversified
Indian agricultural ecosystem.
The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has
been implementing focused programmes on
biodiversity conservation through biotechno-
logical interventions since 1991, inter alia by
developing techniques, tools and technologies
for ex situ conservation. Many tissue culture
protocols have been developed for regenera-
tion of endangered and threatened species. The
DBT has established a national facility “Labo-
ratory for conservation of species” – LaCONES,
at Hyderabad jointly with the help of Central
Zoo Authority (MoEF), CSIR and Andhra
Pradesh Government for the conservation of
endangered animal species like tiger, lion, black
buck, vulture, etc.
India has all along shown deep commitment
for biodiversity conservation and sustainable
development and has responded effectively to
relevant international treaties and conventions.
Partnerships and cooperation in different sec-
tors have further strengthened and consoli-
dated India’s efforts in cross-sectoral integra-
tion of biodiversity considerations. Among oth-
ers, the sectors and programmes include: i)
plant, animal, human and microbial genomics
(joint centres in biotechnology with France,
Germany, Indo-ASEAN Institute of Biotechnol-
ogy, Indo-ASEAN Biotechnology Network); ii)
International Centre for Genetic Engineering
and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi (an
autonomous UN organization); iii) cooperation
with Consultative Group on International Ag-
ricultural Research (CGIAR) centres for devel-
opment of high quality seed material of some
crops; iv) partnership building through FDAs
and JFMCs, partnerships with industries; v)
CSIR Strategic Alliances; vi) new initiatives in
agriculture sector to promote agriculture re-
search and education through collaboration
with a large number of countries; vii) promot-
ing investment in coastal ecosystem conserva-
tion with IUCN; viii) wildlife protection and
care with USA; and ix) collaboration with GEF
through wide ranging twelve on-going projects.
NTFPs
Indian forests are rich in several types of Non-
Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) such as honey,
bamboo, cane, gums and resins, leaves used for
country smoke and plate- making, several types
of flowers, dye plants, fruits, nuts, seeds and
roots. Sustainable management of NTFPs is one
56
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
of the main objectives of forest management.
NTFPs contribute to over 75 per cent of total
forest export revenue, and add significantly to
the income of about 30 per cent of rural people.
NTFPs
play an important role in the social and tradi-
tional life of forest dependent populations.
According to a study, about 67 per cent of all
gatherers are women and 13 per cent are chil-
dren.
Trade in some items such as tendu leaves, sal
seeds, myrobolans, gums and resins is nation-
alized in some States. In Madhya Pradesh and
Chhattisgarh, the major share of net revenue
goes back to NTFP gatherers.
Sustainability of the management of NTFPs is
one of the major concerns which is being en-
sured through development and application of
non-destructive methods of NTFP collection.
Despite very high potential of NTFPs, their
sustainable management is a major issue requir-
ing urgent action. NTFP gatherers are highly
unorganized with little market access. Because
of lack of inventory data or value addition, and
resultant non-remunerative prices, the gather-
ers often resort to unsustainable and destruc-
tive harvesting to maximize their collection.
Further, in the forestry sector, the local organi-
zations such as cooperatives are either still rare
or in infancy. There is a need to strengthen the
useful link between NTFP management and
JFM so that the benefits accruing from NTFPs
can be profitably channelised for the well-be-
ing of the forest dependent communities, en-
suring sustainable forest management.
The high potential of NTFPs is to be rationally
and optimally utilized through scientific ap-
proaches, research, acquisition of appropriate
technology and greater people’s participation.
The constraints in forestry sector, among oth-
ers, include: (i) lack of adequate awareness
about the multiple roles and benefits of forests
and their relevance to poverty alleviation and
sustainable development; (ii) low priority for
forestry in national planning process; (iii) slow
pace of policy reforms and inadequate imple-
mentation of regulatory mechanisms; (iv) over-
emphasis on government control and involve-
ment, and difficult administrative procedures;
(v) weak forestry information system render-
ing decision-making difficult; (vi) inadequate
investment in forestry, not-commensurate with
its role in sustainable development; (vii) inad-
equate space for private participation; (viii) lack
of full realization of people’s participation; (ix)
inadequate targeted research and extension
studies; (x) inadequate frontline staff and that
too of older age group; (xi) less emphasis on
forestry research; (xii) lack of on-job training
and capacity building for forest officers espe-
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Biodiversity

Remedial actions for
restoration of
degraded areas have
been undertaken
through eco-restora-
tion programmes by
involving local people.
Special attention has
been given to coastal
zones through Coastal
Zone Regulation
Rules, 1991 under the
Environment (Protec-
tion) Act.

Invasive alien
species (obnoxious
weeds, fish,
pathogens and pests,
etc.) pose a serious
threat to native
species, their habitats
and functioning of
different ecosystems.

Environmental
Impact Assessment
(EIA) is one of the
management tolls for
incorporating environ-
mental concerns in
development process
and also in improved
decision making.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
cially for the frontline staff; (xiii) general ne-
glect of full potential of NTFPs; and (xiv) lack
of supportive land use policy.
Remedial actions for restoration of degraded
areas have been undertaken through eco-res-
toration programmes by involving local people.
Special attention has been given to coastal zones
through Coastal Zone Regulation Rules, 1991
under the Environment (Protection) Act. This
notification is under reformulation based on
scientific principles as recommended by
Swaminathan Committee (2005), and a draft
notification on Coastal Management Zone 2008
has been issued.
Invasive alien species
Invasive alien species (obnoxious weeds, fish,
pathogens and pests, etc.) pose a serious threat
to native species, their habitats and function-
ing of different ecosystems. In India, a multi-
agency and multi-programme approach, in-
volving several Ministries and agencies, is be-
ing followed for regulating introductions and
managing invasive alien species. Major activi-
ties include regulation of introduction of exotic
living materials, their quarantine clearance and
release for research and direct use.

India follows international quarantine regu-
lations.

Presently, there is no exclusive legislation or
policy in India to deal with the invasive alien
species.

Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine
and Storage, Faridabad, Ministry of Agricul-
ture is the nodal agency to enforce the regula-
tions.

Latest regulations are ‘Plant Quarantine Or-
der 2003’.

On preliminary assessment, 61 species of
plants (including 12 species of fungi) and 14
species of insects have been identified as inva-
sive having national distribution and 36 spe-
cies having regional distribution.

About 28 species native to India have been
found to be invasive to other biogeographical
zones.

ICFRE has established a ‘FIS Cell’ in FRI to
deal with various aspects of management of FIS
in the country.
FDAs-JFMC and NAEB
The concept of Forest Development Agencies
(FDAs) was initially developed as an institu-
tional mechanism to develop forest range vil-
lages where communities are substantially de-
pendent on local forest resources. The FDAs in
collaboration with village-level forest commit-
tees (JFMCs) are working as a two-tier mecha-
nism in which forest communities at village
level are supported and guided by forest divi-
sion level FDAs.

The NAP Scheme is being implemented
57
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
through two-tier decentralized mechanism of
Forest Development Agency (FDA) at Forest
Division Level and Joint Forest Management
Committees (JFMCs) at the village level.
National Afforestation and Eco Development
Board (NAEB), Ministry of Environment and
Forests, Government of India, is currently
implementing a National Afforestation
Programme (NAP) with the help of FDA-JFMC
mechanism in over 700 FDAs involving over
twenty thousand JFMCs. The scheme, since the
inception has invested over Rs.1500 crore to
bring afforestation in about one million hect-
are forest land and led to infrastructure devel-
opment in over twenty thousand villages. The
National Afforestation and Eco-development
Board (NAEB) was set up in August 1992 for
promoting afforestation, tree planting, ecologi-
cal restoration and eco-development activities
in the country. Special attention is being given
to the regeneration of degraded forest areas and
lands adjoining forest areas, national parks,
sanctuaries and other protected areas as well
as the ecologically fragile areas like the West-
ern Himalayas, Aravallis, Western Ghats etc.
Regulatory Mechanisms

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is
one of the management tolls for incorporating
environmental concerns in development pro-
cess and also in improved decision making.

To give legislative status to the procedure of
impact assessment, EIA was made mandatory
since January 1994 for thirty categories of de-
velopment activities.

In 1999, in order to ensure safeguards, the
Ministry has established six regional offices at
Shillong, Bhubaneshwar, Chandigarh, Banga-
lore, Lucknow and Bhopal.

The interim operational guidelines provid-
ing inter-link between EIA Notification 1994
and 2006 have been issued by the Ministry and
are available on the website of the Ministry.

The Ministry has recently fostered a scheme
for accreditation/registration of EIA Consult-
ants with an objective of improving the quality
of EIA studies and making it more authentic.
The scheme will be operated by Quality Coun-
cil of India (QCI).

Amended EIA Notification 2009: With a view
to further simplify the procedure for obtaining
the environmental clearance without compro-
mising or diluting the regulatory framework,
the EIA notification has been amended in De-
cember, 2009. The amended EIA Notification
of December, 2009 provides for exemption of
biomass based power plants up to fifteen MW,
power plants
based on non hazardous municipal solid wastes
and power plants based on waste heat recov-
ery boilers without using auxiliary fuel.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Biodiversity

Seventeen catego-
ries of heavily polluting
industries have been
identified. They are:
cement, thermal power
plant, distilleries,
sugar, fertilizer,
integrated iron and
steel, oil refineries,
pulp and paper,
petrochemicals,
pesticides, tanneries,
basic drugs and
pharmaceuticals, dye
and dye intermediates,
caustic soda, zinc
smelter, copper
smelter and aluminium
smelter.

The National River
Conservation
Directorate (NRCD)
functioning under the
Ministry, is enagaged
in implementing the
River Action Plans
under the National
River Conservation
Plan (NRCP). It has 31
rivers under this
programme in action.

The Central
Pollution Control Board
(CPCB), an autono-
mous body of the
Ministry, was set up in
September 1974,
under the provisions of
the Water (Prevention
and Control of
Pollution) Act, 1974.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental

For the purpose of protecting and conserv-
ing the coastal environment the Ministry has
issued the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
Notification in 1991, declaring coastal stretches
of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and back
waters which are influenced by tidal action, up
to 500 metres from the high tide line and the
inter-tidal zone as the Coastal Regulation Zone.

The Ministry constituted a four member
Committee under the chairmanship of Prof.
M.S. Swaminathan on 15th June, 2009. The
Committee submitted its report on 15th July,
2009 after holding detailed discussions with the
concerned stakeholders. The major recommen-
dations of the Committee included, (i) to let the
draft Coastal Management Zone Notification,
2008 lapse, (ii) stringent implementation of the
Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991 and
use of space technology –enabled enforcement
of the provisions of the notification, (iii) en-
hance protection of fishermen communities, (iv)
introduce regulations to manage the prolifera-
tion of ports along the coasts, (v) tighter stan-
dards for disposal of effluents in to coastal wa-
ters, (vi) new management regimes for
Andaman, Nicobar and lakshdweep Islands,
(vii) include the seaward side to insure protec-
tion from current and future threats, (viii) mea-
sures to strengthen research and regulatory
capacity, (ix) introduce policies keeping in view
the future dangers from sea level rise and in-
creased vulnerability of the coasts.

An ECOMARK label has been introduced
to label consumer products that are environ-
ment-friendly.

A Network of 295 Ambient Air Quality
Monitoring Stations covering towns/cities all
over the country has been set up by Central
Pollution Control Board in coordination with
State Pollution Control Boards.

Under National Air Quality Monitoring
Programme (NAMP), four air pollutants viz,
Sulphur Dioxide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Sus-
pended Particulate Matter and Respirable Sus-
pended Particulate Matter have been identified
for regular monitoring at all the locations.
Besides this, additional parameters such as
Respirable Lead and other toxic trace metals
and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons are also
being monitored in seven metro-cities of the
country.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB),
an autonomous body of the Ministry, was set
up in September 1974, under the provisions of
the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1974.

The CPCB coordinates the activities of the
State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) and Pol-
lution Control Committees (PCCs) and also ad-
vises the Central Government on all matters
58
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
concerning the prevention and control of envi-
ronmental pollution.

Seventeen categories of heavily polluting in-
dustries have been identified.
They are: cement, thermal power plant, distill-
eries, sugar, fertilizer, integrated iron and steel,
oil refineries, pulp and paper, petrochemicals,
pesticides, tanneries, basic drugs and pharma-
ceuticals, dye and dye intermediates, caustic
soda, zinc smelter, copper smelter and alu-
minium smelter.

The National River Conservation Director-
ate (NRCD) functioning under the Ministry, is
enagaged in implementing the River Action
Plans under the National River Conservation
Plan (NRCP). It has 31 rivers under this
programme in action.

The National Afforestation and Eco-Devel-
opment Board (NAEB) was set up in August
1992 for promoting afforestation, tree planting,
ecological restoration and eco-development ac-
tivities in the country.
The institution of Forest Development Agency
(FDA), which is a forest division-level federa-
tion of village forest committees, has been
formalised and supported under the National
Afforestation Programme of NAEB in the Tenth
Plan.
Integrated Coastal Management Zone (ICMZ)
project of World Bank: An Integrated Coastal
Zone Management (ICZM) project of World
Bank has been initiated with financial assis-
tance from the World Bank which has follow-
ing three major components: (i) Vulnerability
and Ecologically Sensitive Area Mapping; (ii)
National Institute Building and Capacity
Strengthening; (iii) Development and Imple-
mentation of State Level approaches to Inte-
grated Coastal Zone Management on pilot scale
in the States of Gujarat, West Bengal and Orissa.
Ecologically Sensitive Areas: Environmentally
Sensitive Zones may be defined as areas with
identified environmental resources having “In-
comparable Values” which require special at-
tention for their conservation. The Ministry has
already notified ecologically-sensitive areas in
respect of Matheran, Mahableshwar-
Panchgani, Doon Valley, Taj Trapezium,
Numaligarh, Aravalli and Dhanu Taluka un-
der the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
Zonal Master Plan / Area Development Plan
for all notified / to be notified environmentally
sensitive areas would be prepared by the con-
cerned State Governments as per the provisions
of the said respective draft notifications involv-
ing local communities / experts and got ap-
proved by the Ministry for regulating devel-
opment activities and protection and conser-
vation of Entities of Incomparable Values.
Monitoring Committees with representatives
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Biodiversity

Bio-sphere
Reserves are a
special category of
protected areas of
land and/or coastal
environments, wherein
people are an integral
component of the
system. These are
representative
examples of natural
biomes and contain
unique biological
communities.

A Biosphere
Reserve consists of
core, buffer and
transition zones. The
natural or core zone
comprises an
undistributed and
legally protected
ecosystem. The buffer
zone surrounds the
core area and is
managed to accommo-
date a greater variety
of resource use
strategies, and
research and
educational activities.

Kachchh (12,454)
notified on 29th
January, 2008 and it
includes parts of
Kachchh, Rajkot,
Sunderanagar and
Patan Civil Districts of
Gujarat state.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
of Government, Experts and local representa-
tives as per the notifications would be consti-
tuted to ensure compliance of approved Zonal
Master Plans/Area Development Plan.
Bio-sphere Reserves
They are a special category of protected areas
of land and/or coastal environments, wherein
people are an integral component of the sys-
tem. These are representative examples of natu-
ral biomes and contain unique biological com-
munities. Biosphere reserve is basically a multi-
purpose protected area with the basic objective
to preserve the genetic diversity in representa-
tive eco-systems.

The idea was launched in 1975 as a part of
the UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Programme.
Till May 2002, there were 408 biosphere re-
serves located in 94 countries.

The Ministry has provided financial assis-
tance to the respective State Governments for
conservation and management of fourteen Bio-
sphere Reserves designated so far. In addition,
a number of potential sites are under consider-
ation out of which Rann of Kutchch in Gujarat
and Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Jammu
& Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are at an
advanced stage. Research and development
projects are also supported in these designated
Reserves and potential sites.

Out of the sixteen Biosphere Reserves des-
ignated nationally, seven Biosphere Reserves
namely Sunderbans (West Bengal), Gulf of
Mannar (Tamil Nadu) , Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu,
Kerala and Karnataka), Nanda Devi,
(Uttarakhand), Pachmarhi (Madhya Pradesh),
Simlipal (Orissa) and Nokrek (Meghalaya) have
been included in the World Network of Bio-
sphere Reserves so far. The proposals in respect
of Khangchandzonga (Sikkim), Manas (Assam)
and Great Nicobar (Andaman & Nicobar Is-
lands) are under active consideration of the
UNESCO for inclusion in the world Network.
Efforts are on for getting remaining Biosphere
Reserves included in the World Network of
Biosphere Reserves.

While the Core areas of the Biosphere Re-
serves will continue to be protected under the
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and Indian
Forest Act, 1927 and Forest Conservation Act,
1980, a separate Regulation within the frame-
work of existing Environment (Protection) Act,
1986 is being firmed up to regulate activities
within Buffer Zone of the Biosphere Reserves.
1. Nilgiri*(5520 ) 1.8.86 Part of Wynad,
Nagarhole, Bandipur and Madumalai,
Nilambur, Silent Valley and Siruvani hills
(Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka)
2. Nanda Devi*(6497.03) 18.1.88 Part of
Chamoli, Pithoragarh & Almora Districts and
Valley of Flowers (Uttarakhand)
59
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
3. Nokrek (820) 1.9.88 Part of Garo Hills
(Meghalaya)
4.Manas (2837) 14.3.89 Part of Kokrajhar,
Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, Kamprup and
Darang Districts (Assam)
5. Sunderbans*(9630) 29.3.89 Part of delta of
Ganges & Brahamaputra river system (West
Bengal)
6. Gulf of Mannar*(10500) 18.2.89 Indian part
of Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka
(Tamil Nadu)
7. Great Nicobar(885) 6.1.89 Southern most is-
lands of Andaman and Nicobar (A&N Islands)
8. Similipal (4374) 21.6.94 Part of Mayurbhanj
district (Orissa)
9. Dibru-Saikhowa(765) 28.7.97 Part of
Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts (Assam)
10. Dehang Debang(5111.5) 02.09.98 Part of
Siang and Debang valley in Arunachal Pradesh.
11. Kanchanjunga ( 2619.92 ) 07.02.2000 Parts
of North and West Sikkim.
12. Pachmari (4926.28) 03.03.99 Parts of Betur,
Hoshangabad and Chhindwara District of
Madhya Pradesh
13. Agasthyamalai (3500.36) 12.11.2001 Parts
of Thirunelveli and Kanya Kumari (area Dis-
tricts in Tamil Nadu and expanded on
Thiruvanthapuram, Kollam and Pathanmthitta
30.3.2005) of Kerala
14. Achanakmar-Amarkantak 30.3. 2005 Parts
of Anuppur and Dindori (3835.51) districts of
Madhya Pradesh and Parts of Bilaspur district
of Chhattisgarh State.
15. Kachchh (12,454) notified on 29th January,
2008 and it includes parts of Kachchh, Rajkot,
Sunderanagar and Patan Civil Districts of
Gujarat state.
16. Cold Desert (7770) notified on 28.08.09 and
includes parts of Pin Valley National Park and
surroundings; Chandratal and Sarchu & Kibber
Wildlife Sancturary in Himachal Pradesh.

In India, Biosphere Reserves are also noti-
fied as National Parks.
A Biosphere Reserve consists of core, buffer and
transition zones. The natural or core zone com-
prises an undistributed and legally protected
ecosystem. The buffer zone surrounds the core
area and is managed to accommodate a greater
variety of resource use strategies, and research
and educational activities. The transition zone,
the outermost part of the Biosphere Reserve, is
an area of active cooperation between reserve
management and local people, wherein activi-
ties like settlements, cropping and other eco-
nomic uses continue in harmony with conser-
vation goals.
Hot Spots of Biodiversity
Twenty-five terrestrial hot spots for conser-
vation of biodiversity have been identified
world-wide. Among the 25 hot spots, two are
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Biodiversity

Coastal Area
Ecosystem (CAE),
particularly a sensitive
eco-zone is an
“interface zone” where
land meets the sea. It
is there fore, dynamic
and non-static in its
geo-physical and
chemical parameters.

As per the recom-
mendation of the
National Committee on
Mangroves and Coral
Reefs, the four major
coral reefs areas
identified for intensive
conservation and
management are: i)
Gulf of Mannar, ii) Gulf
of Kutchch, iii)
Lakshadweep and iv)
Andaman and Nicobar
Islands.

Coastal features are
varied and display a
sharp contrast
between the western
and the eastern
segments.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
in India, they are: (i) Western Ghats; and (ii)
Eastern Ghats.
Wasteland

The National Wasteland Development
Board (NWDB) was set up in 1985.

In 1989 out of 120 million hectares: (a) 40
million hectares has been identified as forest-
lands and (b) Nearly 80 million hectares has
been identified as is non-forest wastelands.

Government has taken a number of steps to
promote wastewater management.

Submerged Aerated Fixed Film Reactor
(SAFF) has been introduced by the wastewater
management division of Thermax in place of
what is termed as the activated sludge process.
SAFF has various advantages: (a) lower power
requirement; (b) less maintenance; (c) low op-
erating cost; and (d) reduction in the overall
volume of the plant.

Reverse Osmosis is a highly advanced recy-
cling system. Common Effluent Treatment
Plants (CEPTs) have a number of problems:
(a) There is significant variation in the compo-
sition of the effluent discharged by the indus-
trial units;
(b) The problem is compounded because many
of the users do not give the primary treatment
that is required before charging wastes into the
common discharge line;
(c) This pre-treatment is technically necessary;
(d) Improper planning at the design stage;
(e) No adequate training and it is a long drawn
process; and
(f) For SSIs, it is very costly.
Types of Wastelands:
(a) Cultivable Wasteland: Surface water logged,
laterite and saline lands; (b) Uncultivable
Wasteland: Land Rocky lands, snow capped
mountains.

There are over 87 million hectares of agricul-
tural land prone to degradation by severe ero-
sion.
Coastal Area Ecosystem
Coastal Area Ecosystem (CAE), particularly a
sensitive eco-zone is an “interface zone” where
land meets the sea. It is there fore, dynamic and
non-static in its geo-physical and chemical pa-
rameters. It has the highest primary produc-
tivity on the planet. Being the tail-end ecosys-
tem, it receives all the negative externalities of
the terrestrial pollution.
The importance of the coast can be gauged more
precisely if we look at its place in the overall
classification of the physical divisions and re-
lief features of the Earth. The principal divi-
sions of the earth are air, water and land. Tech-
nically, we can recall them as atmosphere, hy-
drosphere, and lithosphere. The major relief
features of the earth comprise continental
60
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
masses and the ocean basins.
Coastal features are varied and display a sharp
contrast between the western and the eastern
segments. Wide variations in coastal features
are conditioned by geological factors such as
the rock type, and their composition, structure/
tectonics and the dominant process of degra-
dation or aggradations, besides wave and wind
action, and vegetation.
Initiatives for sustainability

On the landward side, there is need for a set-
back area of at- least 500 meters from the high
tide line that should be deemed as “non-devel-
opment green zone” which should be envis-
aged as a playground for the sea.

The no development green zone can be suit-
ably transformed into a bio-shield using veg-
etation or tree cover that is appropriate for the
specific site mangrove, beach grass, casuarines.

The sea gives and takes in the natural course
of her being. It is in human interest that we learn
to respect her vicissitudinous nature. In this
light the rationale of Coastal Regulation Zone
(CRZ), should be seen and should not be con-
sidered as a restriction on development activ-
ity.

There should be a Littoral Regulation Zone
(LRZ), an area of the sea about five kilometers
from the shoreline, for exclusive access rights
of fisher folk who use conventional fishing
boats and within this a two kilometer belt from
the shoreline should be exclusively reserved for
those using non-mechanized fishing means.

In this LRZ the sedentary marine resources
such as sea grass, sea weeds, corals and ma-
rine fauna should be nurtured preferably with
community participation.

The possibility of setting up Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs) and Marine Extractive Reserves
(MERs), where controlled harvesting of the re-
sources is undertaken under community super-
vision may be envisaged.
coral reefs
As per the recommendation of the National
Committee on Mangroves and Coral Reefs, the
four major coral reefs areas identified for in-
tensive conservation and management are: i)
Gulf of Mannar, ii) Gulf of Kutchch, iii)
Lakshadweep and iv) Andaman and Nicobar
Islands. The Ministry provides financial assis-
tance to the State Forest Departments of all the
four identified coral reefs areas in the country
for activities like monitoring, surveillance, edu-
cation and awareness. Besides, the Ministry
also supports R&D activities with emphasis on
targeted research on coral biodiversity, its man-
agement including various aspects of pollution
in these areas.

The Indian reef area is estimated to be 2,375
sq. km. For encouraging targeted research on
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Biodiversity

The Ministry has a
National Committee
and a Research Sub-
Committee on
Mangroves and Coral
Reefs. In order to
further focus attention
on all aspects/issues
related to corals in
India, a Working Group
of expert scientists on
Strategy for Conserva-
tion and Management
of Coral Reefs has
also been constituted.

An Environment
Information System
(ENVIS) was set up by
the Ministry of
Environment and
Forests in 1982 as a
decentralised
information network for
collection, collation,
storage, retrieval and
dissemination of
environmental
information.

The MoEF had
constituted an expert
committee under the
chairmanship of Prof.
M.S. Swaminathan in
July, 2004, to review
and make recommen-
dations with regard to
implementation and
amendments if
necessary, of Coastal
Regulation Zone
Notification, 1991.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
both hard and soft corals in the country, the
Ministry has established a National Coral Reef
Research Centre at Port Blair. The Ministry has
a National Committee and a Research Sub-
Committee on Mangroves and Coral Reefs. In
order to further focus attention on all aspects/
issues related to corals in India, a Working
Group of expert scientists on Strategy for Con-
servation and Management of Coral Reefs has
also been constituted.

Detailed Guidelines for the preparation of
comprehensive Management Action Plans for
identified coral reefs have also been formulated
by way of augmentation of existing guidelines.

Thirty two research projects have been sanc-
tioned and implemented to supplement the
management action plans on mangroves &
coral reefs.

During the year, over 100 researchers and
officers of the Coastal States have been trained
in the taxonomy of marine flora & fauna, snor-
keling, scuba diving and coral biomonitoring
methodologies.
Management of Coastal Zones
The MoEF had constituted an expert commit-
tee under the chairmanship of Prof. M.S.
Swaminathan in July, 2004, to review and make
recommendations with regard to implementa-
tion and amendments if necessary, of Coastal
Regulation Zone Notification, 1991. The Expert
Committee submitted its report alongwith rec-
ommendations, which were accepted by the
MoEF in April, 2005. The major recommenda-
tions include:
1. Implementation of Integrated Coastal Zone
Management Plan rather than uniform regula-
tory approach.
2. Development along the coastal stretches
based on the vulnerability of the coast, taking
into account the natural and manmade hazards.
3. Inclusion of the ocean zone for regulation.
4. Setting up of an Institute for Coastal Zone
Management to address the policy and legal
issues.
5. Abatement of the pollution of coastal areas
and marine waters in a time-bound manner.
6. Identification and mapping of the coastal
eco-sensitive areas such as mangroves, corals,
and turtle breeding
areas.
7. Development of coastal bio-shield.
The MoEF has initiated steps for implement-
ing the above recommendations which include:
1. Preparation of a national action plan for con-
trol of pollution of coastal waters from land
based activities.
2. Pilot scale studies for demarcation of vul-
nerability line along identified coastal stretches
through scientific organizations namely, Sur-
vey of India, Dehradun, Space Application
61
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Centre, Ahemdabad and Centre for Earth Sci-
ence Studies, Thiruvananthapuram.
3. Seeking technical and financial assistance
from multilateral agencies for implementing
the recommendations pertaining to mapping
of ecologically sensitive areas along the coast-
line, control of pollution in the coastal waters
from land based activities and capacity build-
ing and institutional development.
ENVIS Network
An Environment Information System (ENVIS)
was set up by the Ministry of Environment and
Forests in 1982 as a decentralised information
network for collection, collation, storage, re-
trieval and dissemination of environmental in-
formation. The ENVIS has been designated as
National Focal Point (NFP) and Regional Ser-
vice Centre (RSC) for South Asia Sub-regional
countries by INFO-TERRA of UNDP. The
World Bank under the Environmental Manage-
ment Capacity Building Technical Assistance
Project (EMC-BTP), which is basically geared
to improve the functioning of ENVIS.
ENVIS has maintained a close liaison with vari-
ous national information systems like Bio-Tech-
nological Information System (BTIS), Delhi Li-
brary Network (DELNET), etc., for exchange
of environmental information and to avoid du-
plication of efforts in the field of environment
and related areas. ENVIS network at present
consists of a chain of 76 network partners out
of which 46 are on subject-specific and 30 are
on State related issues.

All the ENVIS network partners both in the-
matic areas as well as State subject-areas con-
tinued their activities in information collection,
collation, storage, retrieval and dissemination
to all concerned. All the ENVIS network part-
ners continued to publish information packages
in the print form like newsletters, monographs
state-of-art, etc., in their specific subject-areas
for dissemination of information to the users
concerned. These publications have also been
uploaded in their respective websites to access
electronically by the concerned users. Each net-
work partner also published the newsletter in
their concerned subject-area in a regional lan-
guage in order to create awareness among the
people of the region regarding availability of
environmental information in the concerned
subject-area among the users, develop forest re-
sources based, to promote forest resources
based Industries, to arrange marketing of tim-
ber and other forest resources on the mainland
and abroad.

The ENVIS Focal Point, in association with
NIC, developed a database, namely, India State
Level Basic Environmental Information Data-
base (ISBEID) with 23 modules and GIS inter-
face, to assist the State Government ENVIS
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Biodiversity

The collected water
can be stored for direct
use or can be used to
recharge the ground-
water. Artificial
recharge of groundwa-
ter is a process by
which the ground
water reservoir is
augmented at a rate
exceeding that under
natural conditions of
replenishments.

Bioil-FC has proven
effective in changing
toxic compounds in
hydrocarbons into
biodegradable
substances, up to
complete conversion
into carbon dioxide
and water.
Bioremediation is
usually employed as a
secondary treatment
after mechanical
collection of oil waste
using different types of
equipment.

“Bioremediation”
is a technique for
environmental
detoxification through
microorganisms that
break down dangerous
organic waste and turn
it into less harmful
compounds.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
Centres to collect, collate and disseminate en-
vironmental information concerning their
States. The database with six modules was
implemented on pilot basis for the States of
Madhya Pradesh and Orissa and with seven
more modules in the North-Eastern States and
the State of Maharashtra for the implementa-
tion of ISBEID. The remaining States have been
planned to be taken in a phased manner.
Waste Water Management

Government has made a number of steps to
for waste water management.

Submerged Aerated Fixed Film Reactor
(SAFF) has been introduced by the waste wa-
ter management division of Thermax in place
of what is termed as the activated sludge pro-
cess. SAFF reactor has various advantages:
(a)lower power requirement; (b) less mainte-
nance; (c) low operating cost; (d) reduction in
the overall volume of the plant.

Reverse Osmosis - is a highly advanced re-
cycling system.

Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs)
this has a number of problems:
(a) There is significant variation in the compo-
sition of the effluents discharged by the indus-
trial units;
(b) The problem is compounded because many
of the users do not give the primary treatment
that is required before it is discharged into the
common discharge line;
(c) This pre-treatment is technically necessary;
(d) Improper planning at the design stage;
(e) No adequate training and it is a long drawn
process; and
(f) For SSIs, it is very costly.

Some of the industries that constitute the
sources of the most toxic effluents, such as sugar
industries, distillery units, etc, bypass waste
water management norms using their political
lobbies.
Biological clean-up methods
Bioil-FC has proven effective in changing toxic
compounds in hydrocarbons into biodegrad-
able substances, up to complete conversion into
carbon dioxide and water. Bioremediation is
usually employed as a secondary treatment
after mechanical collection of oil waste using
different types of equipment. That first phase
can mean the recovery of up to 60 percent of
the spilt hydrocarbon.
Advantages:
1. The applications in Cuba and Caribbean Is-
lands have shown effective results. It is more
cost-effective than other chemical and physi-
cal process.
2. “Bioremediation” is a technique for environ-
mental detoxification through microorganisms
that break down dangerous organic waste and
turn it into less harmful compounds.
62
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
3. It is least polluting and doesn’t affect the eco-
system.
4. It can be effectively used in cold areas like
Antarctica.
5. It has ability to be used in cleaning up the
acid drainage produced from abandoned coal
mines.
6. Unlike chemical and physical pollution, the
biological, or “passive” control. This technol-
ogy involves the construction of a treatment
system that is permanent and requires little or
no maintenance. Passive control measures in-
volve the use of anoxic drains, limestone rock
channels, alkaline recharge of ground water,
and diversion of drainage through man-made
wetlands or other settling structures.
Disadvantages:
(a) Bioil-FC is that it acts only at temperatures
above five degrees (Celsius). Maximum effec-
tiveness is achieved between 25 and 35 degrees.
(b) Biological pollution removal, which on the
face of it is relatively simple, nevertheless re-
quires case by case investigations”.
Rain-Water Harvesting
The collected water can be stored for direct use
or can be used to recharge the groundwater.
Artificial recharge of groundwater is a process
by which the ground water reservoir is aug-
mented at a rate exceeding that under natural
conditions of replenishments.
Water harvesting is aimed at understanding the
value of rain and improvising optimum use of
rainwater at a place where it falls. Most of the
rain that occurs in India is short in duration
and heavy in intensity.
Techniques Used
There are two main techniques of rain water
harvesting. They are:
First, the storage of rain water on surface for
future use. It is a traditional technique and
structures used are underground tanks, ponds,
check dams, weirs, etc.
Second, the recharge to ground water is a new
concept of rain water harvesting. The structures
they employ are: pits, trenches, dug wells, hand
pumps, recharge wells, etc.
Recharge wells are generally constructed for re-
charging the deeper aquifers and water is
passed through filter media to avoid choking
of recharge wells.
Spreading technique is also very effective.
When permeable strata starts from top then this
technique is used. Water is spread in streams/
nalas by making check dams, cement plugs,
Nala Bunds, gabion structures or a percola-
tion pond, Recharge Shaft, Dugwell Recharge,
Ground water dams or sub-surface Dykes may
be constructed in rural areas. In the urban ar-
eas, the technology of rooftop rainwater har-
vesting through Recharge Pit/Recharge
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Biodiversity

To provide the
necessary infrastruc-
ture to harvest and
develop forest
resources based, to
promote forest
resources based
Industries, to arrange
marketing of timber
and other forest
resources on the
mainland and abroad.

A Mexican
architect, Hector
Ceballos-Lascurian,
first conceptualised
the concept of
eco-tourism in
1983.

India is member-
country of TPN - 2
“Agro-Forest and Soil
Conservation in Arid,
Semi-Arid and Dry
Sub-humid Areas”.
The Central Arid
Zone Research
Institute (CAZRI),
Jodhpur has been
identified as National
Task Manager.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Trench/existing Tubewells can be adopted. concentrates on marketing of processed foods
It has many advantages: (a) it enhances the un- in value added form;
derground water table; (b) it can be effectively
Also introduces effective quality control mea-
employed to combat drought situations; (c) it sures.
reduces flooding of roads and improves the Marine Product Export Development Author-
quality of water; (d) it saves energy in lifting of ity, Cochin:
water; and (e) the application of rain water har-
It is a statutory body set up in August 1972;
vesting reduces the runoff which chokes the
It is responsible for the development of ma-
storm water drains. rine products industry with special reference
Wide water-harvesting scheme, NABARD will to exports.
lend the money on easy terms and no margin
National Action Programme to Combat De-
money will be charged from the borrower. sertification and MoEF is the National Coor-
Andaman & Nicobar Islands dinating Agency for the implementation of the
Forest and Plantation Dev. Corp. Ltd. United Nations Convention to Combat Deser-
To provide the necessary infrastructure to har- tification (UNCCD) in the country.
vest and develop forest resources based, to pro-
Under UNCCD, a Regional Action
mote forest resources based Industries, to ar- Programme for Asian countries has been for-
range marketing of timber and other forest re- mulated to strengthen the existing capacity of
sources on the mainland and abroad. the member country parties and to network
To plant, grow, cultivate, produce, and raise with each other for effective measures to com-
plantations of various forest species of proven
utility and other agricultural, plantation, hor-
ticultural crops, medicinal and aromatic plants
and to buy, sell, export, import, process, dis-
tribute, or otherwise deal with all kinds of for-
est crops, natural products agricultural, plan-
tation and horticultural crops, medicinal
and aromatic plants.
To carry on the business of planters, cul-
tivators, producers, sellers and deal-
ers in timber, processed or not and
such other products of every descrip-
tion and to manufacture, dispose of
sell and deal in products of natural
forest and forest plantations, agricul-
tural, plantation and horticultural
crops and medicinal and aromatic
plants.
To establish, administer, own and run
industries for manufacturing forest
products, agricultural, plantation and
horticultural products, medicinal and aro-
matic plants.
To conduct and contract for training and re-
search connected with the integrated devel-
opment of forest resources of the islands and bat desertification. Six Thematic Programme
cultivation as well as processing of agricultural, Network (TPN) has been identified for this pur-
plantation and horticultural crops, medicinal pose.
and aromatic plants.
India is member-country of TPN - 2 “Agro-
To maintain and improve Wild Life and other Forest and Soil Conservation in Arid, Semi-
natural Resources. Arid and Dry Sub-humid Areas”. The Central
Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Jodh-
Eco-tourism pur has been identified as National Task Man-
A Mexican architect, Hector Ceballos- ager.
Lascurian, first conceptualised the concept of
G B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environ-
eco-tourism in 1983. ment and Development was established in
Agricultural and Processed Food Products August 1988, at Kosi-Katarmal, Almora
Export Development Authority (APEDA): (Uttaranchal) as an autonomous Institute of the

It came into existence in 1986; MoEF.

It acts as focal point for agricultural exports;
Indian Council of Forestry Research and
63 Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com
 NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change

No. Name of PTR State Year Total Area

Biodiversity (sq.km.)
1 Achanakmar Chhattishgarh 2009 553.286

Indian Council of
Forestry Research 2 Annamalai-Parambikulam Tamil Nadu 2007 1410
and Education and Kerala
(ICFRE), Dehradun 3 Bandhavgarh Madhya Pradesh 1993-94 1161.471
is the premier 4 Bandipur Karnataka 1973-74 880
foresty research
organisation.
Nagarhole Extension Karnataka 1999-00 643.39
5 Bhadra Karnataka 1998-99 451.69
6 Bori-Satpura Madhya Pradesh 1999-00 1486
7 Buxa West Bengal 1982-83 760.92
8 Corbett Uttarakhand 1973-74 1318.54
9 Dampa Mizoram 1994-95 500
10 Dandeli-Anshi Karnataka 2007 875
11 Dudhwa Uttar Pradesh 1987-88 883.739
Katerniaghat Extension Uttar Pradesh 1999-00 551
12 Indravati Chhattishgarh 1982-83 2799.086
13 Kalakad-Mundathurai Tamil Nadu 1988-89 895
14 Kanha Madhya Pradesh 1973-74 1945
15 Kaziranga Assam 2006 859
16 Manas Assam 1973-74 2837
17 Melghat Maharashtra 1973-74 1676.49

The following 18 Mudumalai Tamil Nadu 2007 321
forestry research 19 Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Andhra Pradesh 1982-83 3568.09
institutes and centres 20 Namdapha Arunachal Pradesh 1982-83 1985.245
under the Council are 21 Pakhui-Nameri Arunachal Pradesh 1999-00 1206
responsible for
and Assam
undertaking research
in their respective eco- 22 Palamau Jharkhand 1973-74 1026
climatic zones: (i) 23 Panna Madhya Pradesh 1994-95 542.67
Forest Research 24 Pilibhit * Uttar Pradesh 2008 1079
Institute, Dehradun, (ii) 25 Pench (Maharashtra) Maharashtra 1992-93 664.3
Arid Forest Research
Institute, Jodhpur, (iii)
26 Pench (M.P.) Madhya Pradesh 1992-93 757.86
Rain Forest Research 27 Periyar Kerala 1978-79 777
Institute, Jorhat; (iv) 28 Ranthambhore Rajasthan 1973-74 1334.64
Institute of Wood 29 Ratapani * Madhya Pradesh 2008-09 674
Science and Technol- 30 Shahyadri * Maharashtra 2008-09 741.22
ogy, Bangalore, (v)
Tropical Forestry
31 Sanjay-Sanjay Dubri Madhya Pradesh 2008 831
Research Institute, 32 Sariska Rajasthan 1978-79 866
Jabalpur; (vi) Institute 33 Satkosia Orissa 2007 964
of Forest Genetics and 34 Simlipal Orissa 1973-74 2750
Tree Breeding, 35 Sitanadi-Udanti Chhattishgarh 2008 1580
Coimbatore; (vii)
Himalayan Forest 36 Sunabeda * Orissa 2008 956.17
Research Institute, 37 Sunderbans West Bengal 1973-74 2585
Shimla; (viii) Institute 38 Tadoba-Andhari Maharashtra 1993-94 575.78
for Forest Productivity, 39 Valmiki Bihar 1989-90 840.26
Ranchi, (ix) Centre of Total - 49,112
Social Forestry and
Eco-rehabilitation,
Allahabad, and (x) Education (ICFRE), Dehradun is the premier Technology, Bangalore, (v) Tropical Forestry
Institute of Forestry foresty research organisation. Research Institute, Jabalpur; (vi) Institute of
Research and Human
The following forestry research institutes and Forest Genetics and Tree Breeding,
Resources Develop- centres under the Council are responsible for Coimbatore; (vii) Himalayan Forest Research
ment, Chhindwara.
undertaking research in their respective eco- Institute, Shimla; (viii) Institute for Forest Pro-
climatic zones: (i) Forest Research Institute, ductivity, Ranchi, (ix) Centre of Social For-
Dehradun, (ii) Arid Forest Research Institute, estry and Eco-rehabilitation, Allahabad, and
Jodhpur, (iii) Rain Forest Research Institute, (x) Institute of Forestry Research and Human
Jorhat; (iv) Institute of Wood Science and Resources Development, Chhindwara.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 64 Civil Services
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

India is the first
country that has
made constitutional
provisions for
protection and
improvement of the
environment. In the
Directive Principles of
State Policy of the
Constitution, Article
48-A of Chapter IV
enjoins the state to
make endeavor for
protection and
improvement of the
environment and for
safeguarding the
forest and wild life
of the Country.

Ecology is derived
from the word “Eco”. It
certainly isn’t a new
word. In Greek “oikos”,
it means the home, the
place where we live.
Ecology is the science
to study how all living
creatures interact
within our home - our
environment on this
fascinating, complex
Spaceship Earth.

India’s major
strength in in-situ
conservation lies in its
impressive Protected
Area (PA) network,
which currently
comprises 661 PAs
which includes ninety
nine National Parks
and five hundred
fifteen Wildlife
Sanctuaries, forty
three Conservation
Reserves and four
Community Reserves.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
Environmental
Ecology
Ecology and Ecosystem
I
ndia is the first country that has made con
stitutional provisions for protection and
improvement of the environment. In the
Directive Principles of State Policy of the Con-
stitution, Article 48-A of Chapter IV enjoins the
state to make endeavor for protection and im-
provement of the environment and for safe-
guarding the forest and wild life of the Coun-
try. In Article 51 A (g) of the Constitution, one
of the fundamental duties of every citizen of
India is to protect and improve the natural en-
vironment including forests, lakes, rivers and
wild life and to have compassion for living crea-
tures.
Ecology is derived from the word “Eco”. It cer-
tainly isn’t a new word. In Greek “oikos”, it
means the home, the place where we live. Ecol-
ogy is the science to study how all living crea-
tures interact within our home - our environ-
ment on this fascinating, complex Spaceship
Earth.
In ecology, an ecosystem is a naturally occur-
ring assemblage of organisms (plant, animal
and other living organisms—also referred to as
a biotic community or biocoenosis) living to-
gether with their environment (or biotope),
functioning as a unit of sorts.
The term “ecosystem” first appeared in a 1935
publication by the British ecologist Arthur
Tansely. However, the term had been coined
already in 1930 by Tansley’s colleague Roy
Clap- ham.
India’s major strength in in-situ conservation
lies in its impressive Protected Area (PA) net-
work, which currently comprises 661 PAs
which includes ninety nine National Parks and
five hundred fifteen Wildlife Sanctuaries, forty
three Conservation Reserves and four Commu-
nity Reserves. established under the Wildlife
(Protection) Act (WPA), 1972] covering ap-
proximately 4.80 per cent of the total geographi-
cal area of the country. India also has special
flagship programmes for the conservation of
tiger and elephant. India’s PAs grew by 15 per
cent since the adoption of the Programme of
Work on PAs in 2002. The top five states in
terms of PA coverage are Gujarat, Maharashtra,
Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh and
Madhya Pradesh. The PA network covers about
24.2 per cent of the forest area of the country,
mainly with relatively larger populations of
target species and associated ecological com-
ponents. Under this Scheme, 100 per cent grant
is provided for identified items of non-recur-
ring expenditure. Also, 50 per cent assistance
is provided in respect of recurring items of ex-
65
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
penditure. For areas located in mountainous,
coastal, deserts and with identified endangered
species, 100 per cent financial support is pro-
vided for both recurring and non-recurring
items of work. An amount of Rs 80.00 crore was
allocated during the year 2009-10 under the
Scheme. A total of nine extensive surveys were
undertaken during this year viz. Gulf of
Mannar, Sunderbans, Nokrek (Biosphere Re-
serve), Kumbhalgarh, Dalma, Radhanagiri,
Kanyakumary (Wildlife Sanctuary), Mahatma
Gandhi Marine National Park and Keibul
Lamjao (National Park).
– Status Survey of Endangered Species Status
survey on the six species were undertaken viz.,
Swamp Deer, Mouse Deer, Goral, Chinkara,
Desert Cat, Gangetic Dolphin, Blackbuck and
Four horned antelope.
Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
The Zoological Survey of India, the only taxo-
nomic organization in the country involved in
the study of all kinds of animals from Protozoa
to Mammalia, occurring in all possible habitats
from deepest depth of the ocean to the peaks
of Himalaya, was established on 1st July, 1916
to promote survey, exploration and research
leading to the advancement in our knowledge
of the various aspects of the exceptionally rich
animal life.

Responsible for carrying out survey to list
all endangered species.

It has its headquarters at Kolkata and also
has sixteen other regional stations.

Four status surveys one for Tibetan Wild Ass
as earlier surveys. Ecological studies including
status survey of endangered animals were also
continued.

The National Zoological Collection was fur-
ther enriched by the addition of 9532 Identi-
fied specimens belonging to 487 species.

Several faunal exploration and surveys in-
cluding various eco-systems, Biosphere Re-
serves, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuar-
ies, Tiger Reserves, were undertaken by the ZSI
and its various Regional Stations.

Research work regarding Identification of
new taxa, and fauna from various States were
also continued during the year.

Several studies on Butterflies and Moths of
Madhya Pradesh, Amphibions of North-East
India, Mammals of Kerala, etc., were under-
taken by the ZSI and its various Regional Sta-
tions.

The ZSI published several records, occasional
papers, bibliographies of Indian Zoology and
other special publications during the year.
Participation in Antarctica Expedition: ZSI is
providing monthly e-News since January 2009,
highlighting new discoveries, new records,
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 NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change

Conservation Reserves
Ecology
State S.No. Name Area District(s)
Ministry of Environ-
(sq km)
ment & Forests
Role of the Ministry Tamil Nadu 1 Tiruppadaimarathur 0.03 Tirunelveli
Implementation of poli-
cies and programmes re- Uttarakhand 2 Asan Barrage 4.444 Dehradun
lating to conservation of 3 Jhilmi Jheel 37.84 Haridwar
the country’s natural re-
sources including lakes Karnataka 4 Bankapur Peacock 0.56 Haveri
and rivers, its biodiversity, 5 Jayamangali Blackbuck 3.23 Tumkur
forests and wildlife, ensur-
ing the welfare of animals Haryana 6 Bir Bara Ban 4.19 Jind
and prevention and
7 Saraswati 44.53 Kurukshetra
abatement of pollution are
the primary concern of the & Kaithal
Ministry of Environment &
Maharashtra 8 Bhorkada (Bhorgad) 3.49 Nashik
Forests under the Gov-
ernment structure. While Gujarat 9 Chharidhandh Wetland 227.00 Kachchh
implementing these poli-
Jammu & Kashmir 10 Ajas (WL) 1.00 Bandipora
cies and programmes, the
Ministry is guided by the 11 Ajas 48.00 Bandipora
principle of sustainable
development and en-
12 Bahu 19.75 Jammu
hancement of human 13 Boodh Karbu 12.00 Kargil
well-being. The Ministry
also serves as the nodal
14 Brain-Nishat 15.75 Srinagar
agency in the country for 15 Chatlam, Pampore (WL) 0.25 Pulwama
the United Nations Envi-
ronment Programme 16 Gharana (WL) 0.75 Jammu
(UNEP), South Asia Co- 17 Hokera (Ramsar Site) (WL) 13.75 Srinagar
operative Environment
Programme (SACEP), In- 18 Hygam (WL) 7.25 Baramula
ternational Centre for In- 19 Jawahar Tunnel 18.00 Doda
tegrated Mountain Devel-
opment (ICIMOD) and for 20 Khanagund 15.00 Pulwama
the follow-up of the United 21 Khimber/Dara/Sharazbal 34.00 Srinagar
Nations Conference on
Environment and Devel- 22 Khiram 15.75 Anantnag
opment (UNCED). The 23 Khonmoh 67.00 Pulwama
Ministry is also entrusted
with the issues relating to 24 Khrew 50.25 Pulwama
multilateral bodies such 25 Kukarian (WL) 24.25 Jammu
as the Commission on
Sustainable Development 26 Malgam (WL) 4.50 Baramula
(CSD), Global Environ- 27 Manibugh (WL) 4.50 Pulwama
ment Facility (GEF) and of
regional bodies like Eco- 28 Mirgund (WL) 4.00 Budgam
nomic and Social Council 29 Naganari 22.25 Baramula
for Asia and Pacific
(ESCAP) and South 30 Nanga (WL) 15.25 Jammu
Asian Association for Re- 31 Narkara (WL) 3.25 Budgam
gional Co-operation
(SAARC) on matters per- 32 Norrichain (WL) 2.00 Leh
taining to environment. 33 Panyar 10.00 Pulwama
The broad objectives of
the Ministry are: 34 Pargwal (WL) 49.25 Jammu
(a) Conservation and sur- 35 Sabu 15.00 Leh
vey of flora, fauna, forests
and wildlife, (b) Preven- 36 Sangral-Asa Chak (WL) 7.00 Jammu
tion and control of pollu-
37 Shallabugh (WL) 16.00 Srinagar
tion, (c) Afforestation and
regeneration of degraded 38 Shikargah 15.5 Pulwama
areas, (d) Protection of
39 Sudhmahadev 142.25 Udhampur
the environment, and (e)
Ensuring the welfare of 40 Thein 19.00 Kathua
animals.
These objectives are well
41 Tsomoiri (Ramsar Site) (WL) 120.00 Leh
supported by a set of leg- 42 Wangat/Chatergul 12.00 Srinagar
islative and regulatory
measures, aimed at the
43 Zaloora, Harwan 25.25 Srinagar

DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 66 Civil Services

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 NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change

preservation, conserva- State /Union Territory State Area No. of Area Per cent of
tion and protection of the
km² WLS km² State Area
environment. Besides the
legislative measures, a Andhra Pradesh 275069 21 11618.12 4.22
National Conservation
Strategy and Policy State- Arunachal Pradesh 83743 11 7487.75 8.94
ment on Environment and
Development, 1992, Na- Assam 78438 18 1932.01 2.46
tional Forest Policy, 1988,
Bihar 94163 12 2851.67 3.03
a Policy Statement on
Abatement of Pollution, Chhattisgarh 135191 11 3583.19 2.65
1992 and a National En-
vironment Policy, 2006 Goa 3702 6 647.91 17.50
have also been evolved.
Botanical Survey of Gujarat 196022 23 16619.81 8.48
India (BSI)
Haryana 44212 8 233.21 0.53
The Botanical Survey of
India (BSI) was estab- Himachal Pradesh 55673 33 6171.11 11.08
lished on February 13,
1890 with its headquarter Jammu & Kashmir 222236 15 10243.11 4.61
at Kolkata and its 10 circle
offices throughout the Jharkhand 79714 11 1955.82 2.45
country with the basic ob- Karnataka 191791 21 3871.75 2.02
jective to explore the plant
resources of the country Kerala 38863 15 1819.33 4.68
and to identify the plants
species with economic vir- Madhya Pradesh 308245 25 7158.41 2.32
tues. As a part of scien-
tific development of the
Maharashtra 307713 35 14152.70 4.60
country it was reorganised Manipur 22327 1 184.40 0.83
and during the successive
plan periods, the func- Meghalaya 22429 3 34.20 0.15
tional base of BSI was fur-
ther expanded to include Mizoram 21081 8 1090.75 5.17
various new areas in this
field.
Nagaland 16579 3 20.34 0.12

During the field/ explo- Orissa 155707 18 6969.15 4.48
ration/collection tours,
more than 5,500 speci- Punjab 50362 12 323.79 0.64
mens were collected in-
cluding lower groups of Rajasthan 342239 25 5379.26 1.57
plants viz. Algae, Fungi,
Sikkim 7096 7 399.10 5.62
Lichens, Bryophytes and
Pteridophytes. About Tamil Nadu 130058 21 3521.95 2.71
3,000 specimens belong-
ing to 900 species were Tripura 10486 4 566.93 5.41
identified by different
circles and units of Botani- Uttar Pradesh 240928 23 5221.88 2.17
cal Survey of India. Uttarakhand 53483 6 2418.61 4.52

Seven herbarium con-
sultation tours/study tours West Bengal 88752 15 1203.28 1.36
were also undertaken in
connection with the revi- Andaman & Nicobar 8249 96 389.39 4.72
sionary and floristic stud-
ies under National/State/
Chandigarh 114 2 26.01 22.82
Regional/District flora. Dadra & Nagar Haveli 491 1 92.16 18.77

Twenty three new spe-
cies/variety were discov- Daman & Diu 112 1 2.18 1.95
ered and 25 new records
for India and 41 new Delhi1483 1 8.77 0.59
records for States were
created by the BSI during
Lakshadweep 32 1 0.01 0.03
the year. Pondicherry 480 1 3.90 0.81

The following nine
plants were collected af- India 3287263 514 118150 3.59
ter 50 years or more by
the BSI and its various
circle offices: There are 514 existing wildlife sanctuaries in India covering an area of 118,150 km2, which is

Begonia tessaricarpa 3.59% of the geographical area of the country (National Wildlife Database, April, 2010).
C. B. Clarke [Begoniaceae] Another 219 sanctuaries are proposed in the Protected Area Network Report covering an

Cistachne tubulosa area of 16,669 km2.
(Schrenk) Weight.

DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 67 Civil Services

Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

The FSI celebrated
the year 2006 as its
Silver Jubilee Year on
September 28-29,
2006. Workshops, film
shows were organized
and a number of
publications were also
brought out by the FSI
on this occasion.

India is a producer-
member of the
International Tropical
Timber Organizations
(ITTO) which was
established by the
International Tropical
Timber Agreement
(ITTA), 1983. At
present, there are 59
Member-Countries in
ITTO out of which, 33
are Producer-Member
countries and 26 are
Consumer-Member
countries.

A study in forest
cover in 28 Tiger
Reserves of India has
revealed that there
was increase in forest
cover of five Tiger
reserves, a decrease
in 11 Tiger reserves
and no change in 12
Tiger Reserves with
over slight decrease in
forest cover and the
major loss in forest
cover occurred in
Nameri, Buxa, Manas,
Indravati and Dampa
Tiger reserves due to
socioeconomic
reasons and natural
disasters.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
published paper articles on its role in environ-
mental protection, visit of the dignitaries, pub-
lication of checklists etc.
Faunal Exploration and Surveys: Ecosystems:
A total of thirty eight extensive surveys were
undertaken during 2009-10 viz. Mountain
(nineteen), Forests (two), Marine (two), Estua-
rine (nine), Desert (four), Manmade ecosystems
(two).
Geological Survey of India (GSI)
GSI is a premier earth science organisation,
meets the geosciences information requirement
in diverse fields;

Established in 1851 with the main aim of lo-
cating coal resources.

Has strength of about 2,900 scientists and
technical professionals.

Its functions are to encompass wide spectrum
of earth science activities e.g. geological, geo-
physical and geo-chemical surveys, marine sur-
veys, geoenvironmental studies and various
laboratory studies.

It has opened full-fledged seism-otectonic
divisions at Lucknow, Jaipur, Shillong,
Calcutta, Nagpur and Hyderabad.

Has also opened technical consultancy divi-
sions at many of its regional centres to collabo-
rate and cooperate with the potential investors
in mineral fuel and other developmental sec-
tors.

New activities initiated during Ninth Plan
period are development of village economy by
Mineral Resource Appraisal Programme and
Geochemical Mapping.
Forest Survey of India (FSI)

Established in 1981.

Has its headquarters at Dehradun and four
regional offices at (1) Bangalore, (2) Kolkata,
(3) Nagpur and (4) Shimla.

It was a successor to “Pre-investment Sur-
vey of Forest Resources” (PISFR), a project ini-
tiated in 1965 by Government of India and
sponsored by FAO and UNDP.

It prepares thematic maps on 1:50,000-scale
and forest vegetation map of the country.

Vegetation maps are prepared after every
two years.

The activities of FSI include: (i) Forest Cover
Mapping; (ii) Inventory Data Processing; (iii)
Training; (iv) Creation of National Basic Forest
Inventory System (NBFIS); (v) Special Studies;
and (vi) Consultancy.

A part from the above, the FSI is also in the
process of carrying out assessment of Trees out
side forest (TOF), both rural and urban for
which necessary statistical techniques have
been evolved by FSI.
Forest Survey of India (FSI) assesses forest
cover of the country every two years by digi-
tally interpretation of remote sensing satellite
68
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
data and publishes the results in a biennial re-
port called ‘State of Forest Report’ (SFR).

Beginning in 1987, nine SFRs have been
brought out so far, and the 10th SFR is under
publication. In the current 10th cycle (i.e. for
Himalayan Monal Pheasant (Lopophorus
impejanus) (Kiang) in Ladakh, one for Hima-
layan Marmot in Ladakh, one for Snow Trout
in Himachal Pradesh and another for Hima-
layan Salamander in West Bengal were carried
out.

Several short duration intensive surveys for
ecological studies were also undertaken and
detailed taxonomic studies were carried out on
the material collected during these as well.

The FSI celebrated the year 2006 as its Silver
Jubilee Year on September 28-29, 2006. Work-
shops, film shows were organized and a num-
ber of publications were also brought out by
the FSI on this occasion.

During the year data collection and data pro-
cessing work in respect of forest inventory, TOF
(R & U) for 60 districts pertaining to period
2004-06 has been completed. Data collection
work in respect of additional 30 districts per-
taining to 2006-07 is being done. The inventory
provides information on growing stock of
wood, diameter and species distribution of
trees, regeneration status of forests and
biodiversity to some extent and the soil carbon.

FSI has further taken up the inventory of Tree
Outside Forest (TOF) in the current year of se-
lected five districts of Uttarakhand State
namely Dehradun, Haridwar, Nainital, Pauri
Garhwal and Udhamsingh Nagar, based on the
request of the State government. The inventory,
data processing and final report is about to be
completed which will provide the available tim-
ber resource outside the forests in the state. This
is mainly to help the state government to de-
cide issue of license to the wood based indus-
tries to run them.

A study in forest cover in 28 Tiger Reserves
of India has revealed that there was increase in
forest cover of five Tiger reserves, a decrease
in 11 Tiger reserves and no change in 12 Tiger
Reserves with over slight decrease in forest
cover and the major loss in forest cover oc-
curred in Nameri, Buxa, Manas, Indravati and
Dampa Tiger reserves due to socioeconomic
reasons and natural disasters.

India is a producer-member of the Interna-
tional Tropical Timber Organizations (ITTO)
which was established by the International
Tropical Timber Agreement (ITTA), 1983. At
present, there are 59 Member-Countries in
ITTO out of which, 33 are Producer-Member
countries and 26 are Consumer-Member coun-
tries.
India State of Forest Report 2009 is the elev-
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Ecology

India’s forest cover
in 2007 is 69.09 million
ha which is 21.02 per
cent of the geographi-
cal area. Of this, 8.35
million ha (2.54 per
cent) is very dense
forest, 31.90 million ha
(9.71 per cent) is
moderately dense
forest, and the rest
28.84 million ha (8.77
per cent) is open
forest; including 0.46
million ha mangroves.

Madhya Pradesh
has the largest forest
cover (7.77 million ha)
amongst States/UTs
constituting 11.25 per
cent of the country’s
forest cover followed
by Arunachal Pradesh
(9.75 per cent),
Chhattisgarh (8.09 per
cent), Maharashtra
(7.33 per cent) and
Orissa (7.07 per cent).
The seven North-East
States together
account for about one
fourth of the total forest
cover of the country.

Pursuant upon the
recommendation made
by the Indian Board of
Wildlife in its 21st
Meeting held on
January 21, 2002
under the Chairman-
ship of Hon’ble Prime
Minister of India, the
National Forest
Commission, with
Justice B.N. Kirpal ex-
Chief Justice of India
with six other members
was constituted vide
resolution dated
February 7, 2003 of
the Ministry.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
enth such report. Forest cover mapping in this
report has been done by digital interpretation
of satellite images of LISS III sensor of
Resourcesat-1. The scale is 1:50,000 and the
minimum mappable area is 1 ha.
Forest Cover: India’s forest cover in 2007 is
69.09 million ha which is 21.02 per cent of the
geographical area. Of this, 8.35 million ha (2.54
per cent) is very dense forest, 31.90 million ha
(9.71 per cent) is moderately dense forest, and
the rest 28.84 million ha (8.77 per cent) is open
forest; including 0.46 million ha mangroves.
A comparison of the forest cover of the coun-
try between the present and the preceding as-
sessments (2005) shows that there is a net gain
of 728 km2 during the period. .
Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover
(7.77 million ha) amongst States/UTs consti-
tuting 11.25 per cent of the country’s forest
cover followed by Arunachal Pradesh (9.75 per
cent), Chhattisgarh (8.09 per cent), Maharashtra
(7.33 per cent) and Orissa (7.07 per cent). The
seven North-East States together account for
about one fourth of the total forest cover of the
country. The North-East region of the country
comprising seven States namely, Arunachal
Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya,
Mizoram, Nagaland & Tripura is only 7.76 per
cent of the geographic area of the country, but
accounts for nearly one fourth of its forest cover.
The total forest cover in the region is 170,423
km2, which is 66.81 per cent of the geographic
area as against the national average of 21.02 per
cent. Compared with the previous assessment,
there is a net gain of 598 km2.
The forest cover in 188 tribal districts is 412,625
km2, which is 37.32 per cent of the total geo-
graphic area of these districts, showing a net
gain of 690 km2 which is mainly due to re-
growth in shifting cultivation area and protec-
tion.
Forests diversity
India has the target of increasing forest to one-
third of its territory by 2012.

Forests are managed concurrently by the cen-
tral government and the state governments. At
the central level, the MoEF set policy, coordi-
nates activities with State Forest Departments,
and Overseas National Forestry Research, Edu-
cation and Training.

The Forest Conservation Act of 1980, as
amended in 1988, is its most powerful tool. This
Act empowers it to regulate use of forest lands
for non-forest purposes in the states. The Act
requires consultation between the MoEF and
the relevant state before forest lands can not be
reserved for other uses.

Frontline forest management responsibility
and responsibility for the implementation of
forestry policies lies with the states. Most states
69
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
have basic forestry statutes which are modeled
after the Indian Forest Act of 1927.

Under these Acts, state governments assume
the power (exercised by their forest depart-
ments) to declare any land (including public
and common lands) as Government forest
lands. These acts also typically provide for the
establishment of usufruct rights in forest lands
based on customary usage.
Although, the situation differs from state-to-
state, States' Forest Acts typically are comple-
mented by a number of other laws that govern,
for example, royalties payable to the state for
harvest of timber and non-timber forest prod-
ucts, harvest and marketing of forest products,
grazing on forest lands, regularization of en-
croachment on forest lands, rights to trees on
private holdings and transit of timber.
Objectives of 1988 Forest Policy: (a) Mainte-
nance of environmental stability through pres-
ervation and restoration of ecological balance;
(b) Conservation of natural heritage; (c) Check
on soil erosion and denudation of sand dunes
in desert areas of Rajasthan and along the
coastal tracts; (d) Substantial increase in forest
tree cover through massive afforestation and
social forestry programmes; (e) Steps to meet
requirements of fuelwood, fodder, minor for-
est produce and soil timber of rural and tribal
populations; (f) Increase in productivity of for-
est to meet the national needs; (g) Encourage-
ment of efficient utilization of forest produce
and optimum substitution of wood; and (h)
Steps to create massive peoples movement with
involvement of women to achieve the objectives
and minimize pressure on existing forests.
Forest Policy
Pursuant upon the recommendation made by
the Indian Board of Wildlife in its 21st Meeting
held on January 21, 2002 under the Chairman-
ship of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, the
National Forest Commission, with Justice B.N.
Kirpal ex-Chief Justice of India with six other
members was constituted vide resolution dated
February 7, 2003 of the Ministry. After inter-
acting with various stakeholders and State/UT
Governments, the Commission submitted its
report on March 28, 2006.

There are 360 recommendations. Action on
these recommendations is to be taken by Gov-
ernment of India as well as by State Govern-
ments.

National Forest Action Programme (NFAP),
1999: It is a long-term plan for the next twenty
years to achieve the target of 33 per cent forest
cover.

According to the provisions of the Forest
(Conservation) Act, 1980, prior approval of the
Central Government is required for diversion
of forest lands for non-forest purposes.
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Ecology

The tiger reserves
are constituted for the
purpose of manage-
ment on a ‘core’,
‘buffer’ strategy. In the
core area, forestry
operations, collection
of non-timber forest
produce, grazing
human settlement and
other biotic distur-
bances are not
allowed, and is
singularly oriented
towards conservation.

A new Scheme
called ‘Integrated
Forest Protection
Scheme’ has been
formulated by merging
the two schemes,
‘Forest Fire Control
and Management’ and
‘Bridging of Infrastruc-
ture Gaps in the
Forestry Sector in the
North Eastern Region
and Sikkim’.

The National Tiger
Conservation Authority
(NTCA), previously
known as Project Tiger
was launched in 1973
with an objective “to
ensure maintenance of
a viable population of
Tigers in India for
scientific, economic,
aesthetic, cultural and
ecological values, and
to preserve for all
times, areas of
biological importance
as a national heritage
for the benefit,
education and
enjoyment of the
people”.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental

Regional Chief Conservator of forests are
responsible for decisions relating to diversion
of forestland for non-forestry purposes up to
the extent of five hectares except mining and
regularisation of encroachments.

Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003 have been
notified to supersede the Rules made in 1981.

The concept of Joint Forest Management
(JFM) along with village communities was
started in 1990. The JFM Programme was pur-
sued vigorously and as a result JFM resolution
has now been adopted in all 28 states. 84,632
JFM Committees have been formed and 17.33
million hectares forest area have been brought
under the JFM Programme. About 85.28 lakh
families are involved in the Programme all over
the country.

A new Scheme called ‘Integrated Forest Pro-
tection Scheme’ has been formulated by merg-
ing the two schemes, ‘Forest Fire Control and
Management’ and ‘Bridging of Infrastructure
Gaps in the Forestry Sector in the North East-
ern Region and Sikkim’.
National Forest
Academy (IGNFA), Dehradun.

Fifty State Forest Service officers under IFS
(Appointment by Promotion) Regulations were
inducted into the Service during the year.

About 18 IFS officers joined at various levels
under the Central Staffing Scheme of the Min-
istry and about twenty IFS officers joined un-
der the Central Staffing Scheme of the DoPT.
The IFS Civil List for 2006 was published. For
the first time, e-mail IDs for all 2763 officers
have been created and made operational.
13th Finance Commission Recommendations:
The Thirteenth Finance Commission has rec-
ommended the grant of Rs. 5000 crores to the
States for conserving forests.
The Government has accepted the recommen-
dation. The formula for deciding the State- wise
allocation of grant takes into consideration
three factors viz. the share of the total forest
area in the country falling in a particular State,
whether or not the share of forested area in a
total area of the State is greater than the na-
tional average and the quality of the forest in
each State, as measured by density.
National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA)
Project Tiger
The National Tiger Conservation Authority
(NTCA), previously known as Project Tiger
was launched in 1973 with an objective “to en-
sure maintenance of a viable population of Ti-
gers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic,
cultural and ecological values, and to preserve
for all times, areas of biological importance as
a national heritage for the benefit, education
and enjoyment of the people”. The National
70
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statu-
tory body under ministry of environment and
forests (MoEF) monitoring all 39 tiger reserves
in India, will examine 15 mining and power
project proposals impacting tiger conservation
mostly in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
The Project has been successfully implemented,
and at present 38 (besides,1 is waiting to be no-
tified) tiger reserves covering about 49,112 sq
kms area (approximate) are established in In-
dia in different parts of the India housing
around 1,141.
According to preliminary estimates, the
Kaziranga National Park had shown the high-
est known tiger density so far. He said tiger
presence had been recently reported in Buxa.
In several areas like Nagarjunasagar, Bandipur,
Satyamangalam, Mudumalai, Sahyadri and
Radhanagiri, tiger sightings have been re-
ported, including presence of cubs. In buffer
areas of Indravati, too, evidence has come to
light of tiger.
The tiger reserves are constituted for the pur-
pose of management on a ‘core’, ‘buffer’ strat-
egy. In the core area, forestry operations, col-
lection of non-timber forest produce, grazing
human settlement and other biotic disturbances
are not allowed, and is singularly oriented to-
wards conservation. The buffer zone is man-
aged as a ‘multiple use area’, with conserva-
tion oriented land use, having the twin objec-
tives of ensuring habitat supplement to the
spill-over population of wild animals from the
core, apart from providing site specific eco-de-
velopmental inputs to stakeholder communi-
ties.

“In principle” approval has been given for
eight new tiger reserves in the country.

Evaluation of management practices in 28
Tiger Reserves by a panel of Indian experts se-
lected on the basis of their qualifications, expe-
rience, independence, and absence of conflict
of interest is undertaken. The evaluation was
based on a framework of the World Commis-
sion on Protected Areas (IUCN) as adapted to
Indian conditions, and the assessment reports
were peer reviewed by international experts
nominated by the IUCN and placed before Par-
liament.
The Wildlife Protection Society of India re-
corded the death of 719 tigers and 2474 leop-
ards between 1994 and 2004. The best national
parks are in their most miserable state in India.
Even high-profile Ranthambore has had to face
a spate of illegal woodcutting in the last two
months.
In Panna, where 31 tigers were counted in the
last census, sightings have become increasingly
rare and it’s feared that most of the big cats have
been killed. In Bandhavgarh, tigers are hardly
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Ecology

Interpol says that the
illegal wildlife trade is
worth $12 billion a
year. A dead tiger is
worth at least Rs 3
lakh in the international
market. Poachers, who
are often impoverished
tribals, make as little
as Rs 600 for killing a
tiger.

The Indian Forest
Service (IFS) has been
greatly weakened by a
shortage of trained
manpower to protect
forests; it has in
addition unwisely
diversified into forest-
based economic
activities that go
against the grain of
conservation.

Creation of tiger
intelligent teams to act,
advice and be
empowered for
monitoring and
independent assess-
ments could help
improve tiger protec-
tion. The priority focus
of the Forest Depart-
ment should be
protection.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
COMMUNITY RESERVES
EXISTING
S.N. Name Year of Estd.
1. Keshopur Chhamb 2007
2. Lalwan 2007
3. Kadalundi 2007
4. Kokkare Bellur 2007
PROPOSED
Sl.No. Name Location
1. Wadvana Wetland Vadodara, Gujarat
2. Pariyej and Kaneval Lakes Kheda & Anand, Gujarat
seen – some have been electrocuted by naked
wire, when not being hunted down by poach-
ers.
Unauthorised road construction through many
of the parks remains a concern. Despite the al-
ready-existing 400 km of road in Ranthambore,
another road has just been constructed through
Chandhali – a prime tiger breeding area – and
hundreds of Dhonk trees have been cut during
the construction.
Interpol says that the illegal wildlife trade is
worth $12 billion a year. A dead tiger is worth
at least Rs 3 lakh in the international market.
Poachers, who are often impoverished tribals,
make as little as Rs 600 for killing a tiger.
There is a need to create a new Ministry of For-
ests and Wildlife. Splitting up of the present
non-functioning ministry in two would be
helpful. Reform of the Indian Forest Service is
also needed.
The Indian Forest Service (IFS) has been greatly
weakened by a shortage of trained manpower
to protect forests; it has in addition unwisely
diversified into forest-based economic activi-
ties that go against the grain of conservation.
A strong focus on wildlife science is absent in
most State forest bureaucracies.
Creation of tiger intelligent teams to act, ad-
vice and be empowered for monitoring and in-
dependent assessments could help improve ti-
ger protection. The priority focus of the Forest
Department should be protection.
It is being alleged that the sanctity of the Wild-
life Protection Act, 1972 and the Forest Con-
servation Act, 1980 has been devastated.
A draft resolution entitled ‘The Scheduled
Tribes and Forest Dwellers (Recognition of For-
est Rights) Act, 2005 is also being seen as po-
tential threat to every bit of wilderness in the
country.
It may further be added that Indian tiger re-
serves still have no anti-poaching squad, a fact
that CITES – the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna
and Flora – has been bemoaning for over a de-
cade now. The Prime Minister has cleared the
setting up of a National Wildlife Crime Pre-
71
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Area (km2) Location
3.40 Gurdaspur, Punjab
12.67 Hoshiarpur, Punjab
1.50 Malappuram, Kerala
3.12 Mandya, Karnataka
vention and Control Bureau while ordering a
special task force to report on the status of ti-
gers. This will effective monitoring.
The campaign to save the country’s tigers has
been led by successive Prime Ministers start-
ing with Indira Gandhi who was personally
concerned about the fate of Panthera tigris.
A Task force on status of ti-gers has been con-
stituted. The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan
Singh, chaired the second meeting of the Na-
tional Board for Wild Life here. The Prime Min-
ister approved the following decisions of the
Board taken at the meeting:
1. To constitute a Task Force on the status of
tigers in wildlife parks across the country. In
response to alarming reports of the disappear-
ance of Tigers, the Prime Minister had already
ordered a CBI enquiry.
The proposed Task Force will include forest
officials, representatives of civil society and
wild life experts.
The Task Force will be asked to give a report
on the current status of Project Tiger and the
status of tigers in wild life parks.
2. The Prime Minister also accepted the Board’s
suggestion to establish a National Wild life
Crime Prevention and Control Bureau.
3. The Prime Minister also informed the Board
that the Government will ban any gift of ani-
mals by the Head of State / Government to
other Heads of State/ Government or foreign
zoos.
4. The Board also gave its approval to allow
access into protected forest areas for profes-
sional researchers for purposes of carrying out
scientific research.
5. The Board also decided to commission a spe-
cial study on the status of vultures, in the light
of reports of the threat of extinction of vultures.
Recent: Revised the Special Tiger Protection
Force (STPF) guidelines to involve local people
like Van Gujjars and others in field protection
– Rapid assessment of tiger reserves done
twelve good, nine satisfactory and sixteen poor.
– Special crack teams sent to tiger reserves af-
fected by left wing extremism and low popula-
tion status of tiger and its prey.
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Ecology

The ministry, after a
survey by the Wildlife
Trust of India, had
choosen Kuno-Palpur
and Nauradehi in
Madhya Pradesh and
the Shahgarh Bulge in
Jaisalmer district for
introducing cheetah,
which is now extinct in
the country.

Project Elephant
was launched in
February, 1992 to
assist States having
free ranging popula-
tions of wild elephants
to ensure long term
survival of identified
viable populations of
elephants in their
natural habitats.

India has refused
the offer of World Bank
to manage and monitor
its efforts to conserve
the Indian tiger under
the Global Tiger
Initiative (GTI). The
Indian government has
informed the GTI that
conservation of tiger is
a sovereign issue, and
it would not accept that
the WB dictate terms
to it.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
– All India meeting of Field Directors convened
on 25 and 26 July, 2009 under the Chairman-
ship of the Minister of State (Independent
Charge) for Environment and Forests for re-
viewing the status of field protection and re-
lated issues in tiger reserves.
The status of tiger continues to be endangered,
and the Government of India, in an ongoing
manner, is providing assistance to the 17 tiger
States under the Centrally sponsored scheme
of Project Tiger 8 new tiger 8 New tiger reserves
have been declared. Revision of project tiger
scheme with new components including an
enhanced village relocation package of Rs.10
lakhs per family from the earlier Rs.1 lakh,
Constitution of the National Tiger Conservation
Authority and the Wildlife Crime Control
Bureau, declaration of 8 new tiger reserves,
providing enhanced financial support to States
for tiger conservation with eco-development for
fringe people, taking steps for international
cooperation to conserve tigers, reintroduction
of tigers in Sariska and Panna and providing
100 per cent central assistance for raising,
arming and deploying the Special Tiger
Protection Force in 13 sensitive tiger reserves
are some of the steps to save the tiger.
After a gap of about four years, tigers are back
in Sariska. Two tigers-a male and a female-were
airlifted from Ranthambhore.
The Cabinet has approved a tripartite
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between the Ministry of Environment and
Forests, State Governments and Tiger Reserve
Management to ensure effective tiger
conservation. It also has commitments like
establishment of Tiger Conservation
Foundation which would promote innovative
practices for involving the local stakeholders
in tiger conservation.
World Bank and Project Tiger
India has refused the offer of World Bank to
manage and monitor its efforts to conserve the
Indian tiger under the Global Tiger Initiative
(GTI). The Indian government has informed the
GTI that conservation of tiger is a sovereign
issue, and it would not accept that the WB
dictate terms to it.
Problems with TP
1. The involvement of State Governments is
crucial, for instance, in creating buffer zones to
protect wildlife from human conflicts and ac-
tivities that endanger the reserves. Bur unfor-
tunately, according to a report, more than 25 of
the 37 reserves do not have the buffer areas,
simply because State Governments have not no-
tified them for fear of losing out on various du-
bious ‘developmental’ activities that could fetch
them revenue from those regions.
2. Despite crores being spent in the name of
72
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
conservation and Project Tiger, illegal mining
activity is back in full gear in the protected area
of Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary.
3. The 39 Tiger Reserves have been divided into
five clusters on the basis of region and state and
the Naxal infested Tiger Reserves belong to
cluster three.
Project Cheetah: The ministry, after a survey
by the Wildlife Trust of India, had choosen
Kuno-Palpur and Nauradehi in Madhya
Pradesh and the Shahgarh Bulge in Jaisalmer
district for introducing cheetah, which is now
extinct in the country. The Shahgarh Bulge in
Jaisalmer is along the international border and
is a grassland with sparse population and a
good presence of chinkara as the prey base.
Plans for the proposed project included addi-
tional fencing of 140 km to encompass a 4,000
sq km of xerophytic habitat.
Project Elephant
Project Elephant was launched in February,
1992 to assist States having free ranging popu-
lations of wild elephants to ensure long term
survival of identified viable populations of el-
ephants in their natural habitats. The Project is
being implemented in States, viz Andhra
Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam,
Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Meghalaya,
Nagaland, Orissa, Tamilnadu, Uttaranchal,
Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. States are be-
ing given financial as well as technical assis-
tance in achieving the objectives of the Project.
Help is also provided to other States with small
populations of elephants for the purpose of cen-
sus, training of field staff and mitigation of
human- elephant conflict.

Financial assistance was provided to the el-
ephant range states including North-Eastern
states for the purpose of habitat management,
mitigation of man-elephant conflict, payment
of ex-gratia relief for loss of life human and
crop caused by wild elephants, strengthening
of anti-poaching measures, capacity building
of the field staff, registration of domesticated
elephants using microchips etc.

32 Elephant Reserves were notified by vari-
ous state governments.

Permission was given for creation of three
more Elephant reserves – ton in Chattisgarh
namely – Lemru and Badalkhod and; Deomali
in Arunachal Pradesh.
Recent: India's Environment Ministry has de-
clared the elephant a National Heritage Ani-
mal in order to increase protective measures
for the country's nearly 29,000 elephants. Sixty
percent of elephants in Asia live in India, where
18 states host elephant populations making up
an estimated national total of 26,000 in the wild
plus about 3,500 in captivity. The Government
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Ecology

A Task Force on
Project Elephant under
the Chairmanship of
Dr. Mahesh
Rangarajan, Professor,
Department of History,
University of Delhi
constituted on Project
Elephant to provide
detailed recommenda-
tions to upgrade the
project to bring about
more effective
conservation and
management regime
for the species in India.

Elephants, being
long ranging animals,
render the concept of
Elephant Reserves
(ER) much beyond the
boundaries of a PA.
Only about 27
percent of the area of
ER is legally protected
under the PA network.
Almost 30 percent of
the ER is outside the
purview and control of
the MoEF and State
Forest Departments.

Contiguous reserves
in adjacent states that
form part of a unified
landscape e.g., Nilgiri-
Eastern Ghats shall be
declared as newly
created
Elephant Landscapes
(EL).
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
will soon set up a National Elephant Conser-
vation Authority, on the lines of National Ti-
ger Conservation Authority.
A Task Force on Project Elephant under the
Chairmanship of Dr. Mahesh Rangarajan, Pro-
fessor, Department of History, University of
Delhi constituted on Project Elephant to pro-
vide detailed recommendations to upgrade the
project to bring about more effective conserva-
tion and management regime for the species in
India.
– Consultation held with affected states and
Ministry of Railways in September 2009 to
minimize death of elephants in train accidents.
Needful initiatives have been taken by the Rail-
way Board.
– Consultation held with all Elephant Range
states in November 2009 to mitigate elephant –
human conflict. States advised to take several
short term and long term actions including
preparation of Action Plan.
With the notification of Uttar Pradesh Elephant
reserve in the year 2009, the total number of
Elephant Reserves (ERs) in the country has be-
come twenty seven where as permission for five
more Elephant Reserves-Baitarini ER & South
Orissa ER in Orissa, Lemru & Badalkhod in
Chattisgarh and Khasi ER in Meghalaya has
been accorded by the Ministry. The area under
these would be extending over about 69582 sq km.
Monitoring of Illegal Killing
of Elephants (MIKE ) Programme
Mandated by COP resolution of CITES , MIKE
program started in South Asia in the year 2003
with following purpose –
To provide information needed for elephant
range States to make appropriate management
and enforcement decisions, and to build insti-
tutional capacity within the range States for the
long-term management of their elephant popu-
lations
The main objectives of the MIKE are
• to measure levels and trends in the illegal
hunting of elephants;
• to determine changes in these trends over
time; and
• to determine the factors causing or associ-
ated with such changes, and to try and assess
in particular to what extent observed trends are
a result of any decisions taken by the Confer-
ence of the Parties to CITES.
Under the programme data are being collected
from all sites on monthly basis in specified
MIKE patrol form and submitted to Sub Re-
gional Support Office for South Asia
Programme located in Delhi who are assisting
Ministry in the implementation of the
programme.
MIKE sites in India
• 1. Chirang Ripu (Assam)
73
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
• 2. Dhang Patki (Assam)
• 3. Eastern Dooars (WB )
• 4. Deomali (Arunachal Pradesh)
• 5. Garo Hills (Meghalaya)
• 6. Mayurbhanj (Orissa)
• 7. Mysore (Karnataka)
• 8. Nilgiri (Tamil Nadu)
• 9. Shivalik (Uttarakhand)
• 10. Wayanad (Kerala)
Difference between TR and ER
Elephants, being long ranging animals, render
the concept of Elephant Reserves (ER) much
beyond the boundaries of a PA. Only about 27
percent of the area of ER is legally protected
under the PA network. Almost 30 percent of
the ER is outside the purview and control of
the MoEF and State Forest Departments. In
such a scenario, unlike Project Tiger, the con-
servation of elephants requires better coordi-
nation and support of other ministries and a
much higher financial support.
Therefore, Elephant Reserves should be the
basic management unit for focussed elephant
conservation in the country. The limits of an
Elephant Reserve should lie within state bound-
aries. If interstate reserves exist, these unified
boundaries need to be re-aligned. The 32 El-
ephant Reserves already declared or proposed
be continued should be continued with.
In addition to the National Parks and Wildlife
Sanctuaries and other Protected Area catego-
ries existing in the Elephant Reserves, other
critical elephant habitat and corridors be
brought under the PA network. Elephant Re-
serves encompass National Parks, Wildlife
Sanctuaries, and other Protected Areas and for-
ests under various legal categories within their
boundaries. These should be continued with.
Other critical elephant habitat and corridors
should come under protection. If this is to be
within the PA network, categories other than
sanctuary or national park may be also in-
cluded.
Elephant Landscapes
Contiguous reserves in adjacent states that form
part of a unified landscape e.g., Nilgiri-East-
ern Ghats shall be declared as newly created
Elephant Landscapes (EL). The new Elephant
Landscapes that are recommended are as fol-
lows:
1. Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong-Intanki
2. Kameng-Sonitpur
3. East Central
4. North Western
5. Brahmagiri-Nilgiri-Eastern Ghats
6. Eastern South Bank
7. North Bengal-Greater Manas
8. Meghalaya
9. Anamalai-Nelliampathy-High Range
10. Periyar-Agasthyamalai
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

The Indian Board
of Wildlife, headed
by the Prime Minister,
is the apex advisory
body overseeing and
guiding the implemen-
tation of various
schemes for wildlife
conservation.

Research
programmes in
wildlife are carried
out by the Wildlife
Institute of India,
Dehradun, and the
Salim Ali Centre for
Ornithology and
Natural History,
Coimbatore.

The Indira
Priyadarshini
Vrikshmitra Award
(IPVM) was constituted
by the Ministry in 1986
to recognise outstand-
ing contribution of
individuals and
organization in the field
of afforestation and
wasteland develop-
ment.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
Of these ten Elephant Landscapes the Task
Force recommends that the first five be taken
up on priority basis and re dedicated to the
nation at the earliest.
Wildlife

The first National Wildlife Action Plan
(NWAP) of 1983 has been revised and the new
Wildlife Action Plan (2002-16) has been
adopted.

The Indian Board of Wildlife, headed by the
Prime Minister, is the apex advisory body over-
seeing and guiding the implementation of vari-
ous schemes for wildlife conservation.

At present, the protected area network com-
prises 92 national parks and 500 sanctuaries
covering an area of 15.67 million hectares.

The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, provides
for restrictions or prohibitions on hunting, cut-
ting, and other forms of exploitation of noti-
fied species, the establishment of protected ar-
eas, control of trade in wildlife products, and
the protection of plant life.
The Act authorises the constitution of Wildlife
Advisory Boards, appointment of wildlife pres-
ervation staff, and the establishment of national
parks, sanctuaries, and closed areas.
New Wildlife Action PLAN (2002-16)
It points out the strategy for the conservation
of wild fauna and flora in the country. It
strengthens and increases the Protected Area
Network and works for the effective manage-
ment of protected areas, conservation of endan-
gered species, control of poaching, taxidermy
and illegal trade in wild animals and plant spe-
cies, ensures people’s participation in wildlife
conservation; enhances financial allocation for
ensuring sustained fund flow to the wildlife
sector, and also works for the Integration of Na-
tional Wildlife Action Plan with other sectoral
programmes.
Wildlife Research
Research programmes in wildlife are carried
out by the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun,
and the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and
Natural History, Coimbatore.

National Natural Resource Management
System (NNRMS) is the utilisation of Remote
Sensing Technology with the conventional
methods for optimal use of management of the
natural resources of the country.

To create environmental awareness among
various age groups and to disseminate infor-
mation through Environmental Information
System (ENVIS) network to all concerned.

A National Environmental Awareness Cam-
paign (NEAC) is organised very year. Water-
Elixir of Life was the theme for the year 2002-
03. The Global Learning and Observation to
Benefit the Environment (GLOBE), an Inter-
national Scheme and Education Progra-mme
74
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
with stress on hands-on participatory approach
are still continuing.

Nine Centre of Excellence have been set up
by the Ministry to strengthen awareness, re-
search and training in priority area of Environ-
mental Science and Management.

The National Museum of National History
(NMNH) set up in New Delhi in 1978, is con-
cerned with the promotion of non-formal edu-
cation. Three Regional Museums of Natural
History have been established at Mysore,
Bhopal and Bhuban-eswar.

The Indian Council for Forestry Research and
Education is the focal point of forestry educa-
tion and extension development in the coun-
try. The Indira Gandhi National Forest Acad-
emy, Dehradun, imparts in-service training to
the Indian Forest Service (IFS) professionals.

Indian Plywood Industries Research and
Training Institute, Bangalore, organises short-
term courses in the area of wood science. The
Indian Institute of Forest Management,
Bhopal, also provides training in forest and
management and allied subjects to persons
from the Indian Forest Service.

The Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun,
provides in-service training to forest officers,
wildlife ecologists and other professionals for
conservation and management of the wildlife
resources of the country.
Fellowships and Awards
Instituted in 1987, the Indira Gandhi
Paryavaran Puraskar (IGPP), consisting of a
cash prize of rupees five lakh, a stroll and a
citation, is awarded every year to an organiza-
tion and to an individual for significant contri-
butions in the field of environment.

The Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshmitra
Award (IPVM) was constituted by the Minis-
try in 1986 to recognise outstanding contribu-
tion of individuals and organization in the field
of afforestation and wasteland development.

The Mahavriksha Puraskar, instituted by the
National Afforestation and Eco-Development
Board (NAEB) during 1993-94, is given every
year to individuals/ organizations for trees of
notified species having the largest girth and
height and in good vigour. The award consists
of a cash prize of Rs. 25,000 a plaque and a cita-
tion.
With the objective of encouraging original and
applied research among Group ‘A’ scientists in
the Ministry and its associated offices and au-
tonomous bodies, Paryavaran Evam Van
Mantralaya Vishist Vaigyaik Puraskar was in-
stituted in 1992-93.

The Pitambar Pant National Environment
Fellowship Award instituted in 1978, is
awarded annually to recognize, encourage and
support excellence in any branch of research
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

The Ministry has
approved institution
of Amritadevi Wildlife
Protection Award,
in the name of
Amritadevi Bishnoi,
to be given to Village
Communities for
showing valour and
courage for protection
of wildlife.

The Central
Government has
given Ganga the
status of a ‘National
River’ and has
constituted a ‘National
Ganga River Basin
Authority’ (NGRBA)
on February 20, 2009.

Under Gomati Action
Plan, pollution
abatement works are
being taken up along
the Gomati river in
Lucknow, Sultanpur
and Jaunpur in UP.
The sanctioned cost of
Gomti Action Plan
Phase-II at Lucknow is
Rs.263.04 crore. The
project cost is to be
shared in the ratio of
70:30 between
Government of India
and State Government.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
related to environmental science.

Instituted in 1995, the B.P. Pal National En-
vironmental Fellowship Award for bio-diver-
sity is in recognition of significantly important
research development contributions.

The Ministry has approved institution of
Amritadevi Wildlife Protection Award, in the
name of Amritadevi Bishnoi, to be given to
Village Communities for showing valour and
courage for protection of wildlife.
To encourage work of excellence in taxonomy
and appreciate achievements, the Ministry has
instituted the Janaki Ammal National Award
in Taxonomy. The award carries a cash prize
of Rs. 50,000 and a citation.

The National Awards for Prevention of Pol-
lution and Rajiv Gandhi Environment
Awards for Clean Technology 2002-03 were
given to five categories of highly polluting in-
dustries in the large scale sector.
National River Conservation Plan
To oversee the implementation of the GAP and
to lay down policies and programmes, Govern-
ment of India constituted the Central Ganga
Authority (CGA) in February 1985, renamed
as the National River Conservation Author-
ity (NRCA) in September 1995, under the chair-
manship of the Prime Minister. The Govern-
ment also established the GPD Ganga Project
Directorate (GPD) in June 1985 as a wing of De-
partment of Environment, to execute the
projects under the guidance and supervision
of the CGA.
The Government renamed the GPD as the
NRCD (National River Conservation Director-
ate) in June 1994.The Central Ganga Authority
(CGA) established in 1985, lays down the poli-
cies for works to be taken under the Ganga Ac-
tion Plan (GAP)-I. On 31st March 2000, the GAP
phase I was over. All the 261 schemes have been
completed by 30th September 2001.
The main component of the Ganga Action Plan
is diversion of sewage flowing into the river to
other locations for treatment and conversion
into valuable energy sources.
The GAP, Phase II has been merged with the
National River Conservation Plan (NRCP). So
far a total of 38 rivers have been covered under
the programme. Besides other pollution abate-
ment works, a sewage treatment capacity of 869
mld. (million litres per day) was created under
Phase-I and an amount of about Rs. 452 crore
was spent under the Plan. This phase was de-
clared completed in March 2000. Since GAP
Phase-I did not cover the pollution load of
Ganga fully, GAP Phase-II was taken up which
included, Ganga and its four tributaries i.e.
Damodar, Gomti, Mahananda and Yamuna.
Works under Ganga Action Plan Phase-II cov-
ers sixty towns along the main stem of river
75
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Ganga at an Sanctioned cost of Rs. 635.66 crore.
The GAP has a number of limitations:
(a) the implementation is worst as six states
namely Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Rajasthan,
Goa and Kerala out of the 18 states under
NRCP have failed to complete even a single
sanctioned plan;
(b) the agencies are more concerned in the cre-
ation of the pumping stations and sewage treat-
ment plants (STPs);
(c) even GAG has criticised the poor function-
ing of GAP;
(d) the corruption is on rampant;
(e) it suffers from ad hocism; (f) some of the
states have blamed that the liquidity crisis is
the main reason of the delay of the project; (g)
even MoEF has now sought to review the allo-
cations of Tenth Finance Commission. (TFC)
despite the increase of gross budgetary support
from Rs 1417 crore to Rs 1826 crore; (h) never-
theless, most of the states have failed to even
spend the money and fair amount of money is
left unutilized; (i) though Delhi has spent 99
per cent of the allocated fund but nothing sub-
stantial has come out; and (j) the stipulated
fund for NRCP schemes is very often diverted
to other schemes; and finally the scheme also
fails to treat the river ecosystem entirely.
Finally, there should be a provision of the cre-
ation of river regulation zone under an inde-
pendent autonomous body. The plans should
executed by the NGOs and the panchayats. The
schemes should be target based. The flood plain
conservation is also very important.
National Ganga River Basin Authority: The
Central Government has given Ganga the sta-
tus of a ‘National River’ and has constituted a
‘National Ganga River Basin Authority’
(NGRBA) on February 20, 2009. The NGRBA
has been set up as an empowered planning, fi-
nancing, monitoring and coordinating author-
ity for the conservation of Ganga River with a
holistic approach under the Environment (Pro-
tection) Act, 1986.
Under Gomati Action Plan, pollution abate-
ment works are being taken up along the
Gomati river in Lucknow, Sultanpur and
Jaunpur in UP. The sanctioned cost of Gomti
Action Plan Phase-II at Lucknow is Rs.263.04
crore. The project cost is to be shared in the ra-
tio of 70:30 between Government of India and
State Government. The works in this phase will
include two sewage treatment plants of a total
capacity of 375 MLD (over and above the 47
MLD capacity being set up in the first phase),
interception & diversion works of sewage of
the remaining drains and other miscellaneous
items such as river front development, toilets,
plantation, public awareness and participation,
and acquisition of land. Out of thirty schemes,
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

The scheme of
Damodar Action Plan
was approved in
October 1996 on 100
per cent funding
pattern with stipulated
period of implementa-
tion up to December
2005 covering eight
towns namely, Bokaro-
Kargali, Chirkunda,
Digdha, Jharia,
Ramgarh, Telmachu,
Sindri and Sudamdih
in the State of
Jharkhand and Andal,
Asansol, Durgapur and
Raniganj in the State
of West Bengal.

Under Yamuna
Action Plan Phase-I,
assisted by the Japan
Bank for International
Cooperation (JBIC), a
total of 753 mld.
sewage treatment
capacity was created
and this Phase was
declared completed in
March, 2003.

The Ramsar
Convention defines
wetlands as ‘Wetlands
are area of marsh, fen,
peatland or water,
whether natural or
artificial, permanent or
temporary, with water
that is static or flowing,
fresh, brackish or salt,
including areas of
marine water, the
depth of which at low
tide does not exceed
six metres.’
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
works on seven schemes have been completed.
Damodar Action Plan (DAP): The scheme of
Damodar Action Plan was approved in Octo-
ber 1996 on 100 per cent funding pattern with
stipulated period of implementation up to De-
cember 2005 covering eight towns namely,
Bokaro-Kargali, Chirkunda, Digdha, Jharia,
Ramgarh, Telmachu, Sindri and Sudamdih in
the State of Jharkhand and Andal, Asansol,
Durgapur and Raniganj in the State of West
Bengal.
National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP): The
Ministry is implementing a Centrally Spon-
sored Scheme of National Lake Conservation
Plan (NLCP) for conservation and management
of polluted and degraded lakes in urban and
semi-urban areas of the country on 70:30 cost
sharing basis between the Central Government
and the respective State Governments. Based
on the proposals received from different states,
the Ministry has so far, sanctioned projects for
conservation of 59 lakes in 14 States, at a total
cost of Rs.1008.26 crore. The scheme of National
Lake Conservation Plan was initiated with the
approval of conservation and management
plans of three lakes namely, Powai
(Maharashtra), Ooty and Kodaikanal (Tamil
Nadu), in June, 2001 at a cost of Rs. 14.90 crore.

Four more lakes namely, Kundawada Lake
(Karnataka), Rani Talab (Madhya Pradesh),
Kote Tavarekere (Karnataka), Rankala Lake
(Maharashtra), with an approved cost of
Rs.19.02 crore have been included in the
programme for conservation and management
of polluted lakes under National Lake Conser-
vation Plan.
Yamuna Action Plan (YAP): Under Yamuna
Action Plan Phase-I, assisted by the Japan Bank
for International Cooperation (JBIC), a total of
753 mld. sewage treatment capacity was cre-
ated and this Phase was declared completed in
March, 2003.
A loan assistance of Yen 13.33 billion has been
extended by the Japan International Coopera-
tion Agency (JICA) which has been merged
with JBIC for implementation of Yamuna Ac-
tion Plan (YAP) Phase II, which is part of the
National River Conservation Plan (NRCP).
Wetlands
The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as
‘Wetlands are area of marsh, fen, peatland or
water, whether natural or artificial, permanent
or temporary, with water that is static or flow-
ing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of
marine water, the depth of which at low tide
does not exceed six metres.’
For the purpose of this classification, wetlands
must have one or more of the following at-
tributes.
1. At least periodically the land supports pre-
76
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
dominantly hydrophytes.
2. The substrate is predominantly undrained
hydric soil.
3. The substrate is non-soil and is saturated
with water or covered by shallow water some-
time during the growing season of each year.
This definition emphasizes three key attributes
of wetlands: (1) hydrology which is a degree of
flooding of soil saturation, (2) wetland vegeta-
tion (hydrophytes), and (3) hydric soils. This
definition has been broadly followed as it speci-
fies various attributes of wetlands. This defini-
tion does not contradict Ramsar’s definition but
only specifies the parameters to be used for
identification.
India is rich in fresh water wetland resources
which exhibit great ecological diversity. The
wetlands of our country are of great economic,
aesthetic and scientific importance.
India has a variety of wetland ecosystems rang-
ing from high altitude cold desert wetlands to
hot and humid wetlands in coastal zones with
its diverse flora and fauna.
Distribution:

It has spread from the cold arid zone of
Ladakh in the north to the wet humid climate
of Imphal in the East; from the warm arid zone
of Rajasthan in the west to the wet and humid
zone of Southern Peninsula. In Central India it
is found in the tropical monsoon area. Over the
years, based on the recommendations of Na-
tional Wetlands Committee, one hundred fif-
teen Wetlands have been identified so far for
conservation under the National Wetland Con-
servation Programme.
Wetlands in India are distributed in different
geographical regions ranging from Himalayas
to Deccan plateau. The variability in climatic
conditions and changing topography is respon-
sible for significant diversity. They are classi-
fied into different types based on their origin,
vegetation, nutrient status, thermal character-
istics, like Glaciatic Wetlands (e.g., Tsomoriri
in Jammu and Kashmir, Chandertal in
Himachal Pradesh), Tectonic Wetlands (e.g.,
Nilnag in Jammu and Kashmir, Khajjiar in
Himachal Pradesh, and Nainital and Bhimtal
in Uttaranchal), Oxbow Wetlands (e.g., Dal
Lake, Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir and
Loktak Lake in Manipur and some of the wet-
lands in the river plains of Brahmaputra and
Indo-Gangetic region.
Deepor Beel in Assam, Kabar in Bihar, Surahtal
in Uttar Pradesh), Lagoons (e.g., Chilika in
Orissa), Crater Wetlands (Lonar lake in
Maharashtra), Salt water Wetlands (e.g.,
Pangong Tso in Jammu and Kashmir and
Sambhar in Rajasthan), Urban Wetlands (e.g.,
Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir, Nainital in
Uttaranchal and Bhoj in Madhya Pradesh),
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Ecology

At present, 115
wetlands have been
identified under the
National Wetland
Conservation
Programme (NWCP)
and 25 wetlands of
international impor-
tance under Ramsar
Convention. About
4,445 sq.km area of
the country is under
mangroves.

Under the National
Wetland Conservation
Programme, 68 sites
have been identified
for conservation in the
country, 41 being
recently added to the
conservation List
including 35 man-
groves, 4 coral areas
and 10 urban lakes.

India is a signatory
to the convention on
wetlands of interna-
tional importance, the
Ramsar Convention of
1971. Ramsar is in
Iran. India also
participated in the
panel discussions of
CoP-9 meeting, jointly
organized by Wetland
International, IUCN,
Bird International,
WWF, etc.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
Ponds/Tanks, man-made Wetlands (e.g.,
Harike in Punjab and Pong Dam in Himachal
Pradesh), Reservoirs (e.g., Idukki, Hirakund
dam, Bhakra-Nangal dam), Mangroves (e.g.,
Bhitarkanika in Orissa), Coral reefs (e.g.,
Lakshadweep), Creeks (Thane Creek in
Maharashtra), seagrasses, estuaries, thermal
springs are some kinds of wetlands in the coun-
try.
At present, 115 wetlands have been identified
under the National Wetland Conservation
Programme (NWCP) and 25 wetlands of inter-
national importance under Ramsar Convention.
About 4,445 sq.km area of the country is under
mangroves. The major threats to wetland eco-
systems include uncontrolled siltation, weed
infestation, discharge of waste effluents, sur-
face run-off, habitat destruction, encroachment
and hydrological perturbations.
Importance of wetlands:

It plays an important role in flood control,
treatment of waste water, reduction of sediment
loads and pollution abatement.

It is a habitat of endangered and rare species
of birds, animals, plants and insects

It influences the micro-climate of the locality
in addition to checking of underground salt wa-
ter intrusion on an adjacent brackish water en-
vironment through interface pressure.

As an ecosystem they are useful for nutrient
recovery and cycling, releasing excess nitrogen,
deactivating phosphates, removing toxins,
chemicals and heavy metals through absorp-
tion by plants and also in the treatment of waste
water.

Valuable for their educational and scientific
interest (especially their high diversity or spe-
cies richness). Recreational benefits (swimming,
diving, tourism).
Wetlands are threatened due to reclamation for
developmental activities, pollution, increasing
water demand, change in hydrological regime,
over exploitation of resources, etc.
Biotic Threat:
1. Uncontrolled siltation and weed infestation.
2. Uncontrolled discharge of waste water, in-
dustrial effluents, surface run-off, etc. result-
ing in proliferation of aquatic weeds, which ad-
versely affect the flora and fauna.
3. Tree felling for fuel wood and wood prod-
ucts causes soil loss affecting rainfall pattern,
loss of various aquatic species due to water-
level fluctuation.
4. Habitat destruction leading to loss of fish
and decrease in number of migratory birds.
Abiotic Threat:
1. Weed infestation in Harike Lake, district
Ferozepur, Punjab
2. Encroachment resulting in shrinkage of area.
3. Anthropogenic pressures resulting in habi-
77
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
tat destruction and loss of biodiversity.
4. Uncontrolled dredging resulting in succes-
sional changes.
5. Hydrological intervention resulting in loss
of aquifers.
Some of the threatened wetland bird species
such as Finns’ Weaver (Ploceus megarhy-
nchus); Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliacal); Indian
Skimmer (Rynchops albicollis); Lesser Kestrel
(Falco naumanni); Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus
gregarious); Bristled Grass Warbler (Chaetornis
striatus); Masked Finfoot (Helipais personata)
etc., have very small populations restricted to
one or two sites.
The Research projects to supplement Manage-
ment Action Plans (MAPs) for intensive con-
servation on thrust areas of research are con-
sidered by the Thematic Group for conserva-
tion of Wetlands and Mangroves constituted
by RE Division in the Ministry.

Wetlands derive some protection from the
Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act,
1974; the Water (Prevention and Control of Pol-
lution) Cess Act, 1977 and the Environment
(Protection) Act, 1986. The scheme on conser-
vation and management of wetlands was initi-
ated in 1987.

Under the National Wetland Conservation
Programme, 68 sites have been identified for
conservation in the country, 41 being recently
added to the conservation List including 35
mangroves, 4 coral areas and 10 urban lakes.

It is spread from the cold arid zone of Ladakh
in the north to the wet humid climate of Imphal
in the East; from the warm arid zone of
Rajasthan in the west to the wet and humid
zone of Southern Peninsula. In Central India it
is found in the tropical monsoon area.

The National Level Committee has identi-
fied 21 wetlands for intensive conservation and
management purposes on priority basis. They
are: (1) Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur,
Rajasthan), (2) Chilka (Orissa) (3) Loktak
(Manipur), (4) Wullar and Tso Morari (J&K),
(5) Harike (Punjab), (6) Sambar (Rajasthan), (7)
Kolleru (A.P) (8) Bhoj (MP), (9) Ashtamudi,
Vembanad and Sasthamkotta (Kerala), (10)
Kanjli (Punjab) (11) Ujni (Maharashtra), (12)
Renuka (H.P), (13) Kabar (Bihar) (14)
Nalsarovar (Gujarat), (15) Sukhna
(Chandigarh) and Pichola (Rajasthan) and (16)
East Calcutta Wetland (WB).

India is a signatory to the convention on
wetlands of international importance, the
Ramsar Convention of 1971. Ramsar is in Iran.

India also participated in the panel discus-
sions of CoP-9 meeting, jointly organized by
Wetland International, IUCN, Bird Interna-
tional, WWF, etc.

India also chaired a session on Himalayan
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Ecology

Montreux Record:
Montreux Record is a
list of such wetland
sites maintained by
Ramsar Convention
Secretariat
where changes in
ecological character
have occurred or are
likely to occur as a
result of pollution and
other anthropogenic
activities. It is
maintained as a part of
Ramsar database.
Inclusion of a wetland
within Montreux record
does not mean red
listing or black listing a
wetland site. It
highlights the action to
be taken for manage-
ment of these wetlands
on priority basis.
It is maintained as part
of the Ramsar List.
Keoladeo National
Park, designated 01/
10/81, Rajasthan,
2,873 ha, Montreux
Record 04/07/90;
Loktak Lake, desig-
nated 23/03/90,
Manipur, 26,600 ha,
Montreux Record 16/
06/93.

February 2 of every
year is observed as
World Wetlands Day. It
marks the date of the
signing of the
Convention on
Wetlands on 2
February 1971, in the
Iranian city of Ramsar
on the shores of the
Caspian Sea.
Therefore, this
Convention came to be
known as the Ramsar
Convention (1971).
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Agro-ecological regions harbouring
rich crop diversity in India
Agro-ecological regions Crops
Western Himalaya
Barley, wheat, maize, buckwheat, amaranth, prosomillet, finger millet

French bean, soyabean, lentil, black gram, peas

Pumpkin, cucumber, Alliums pp., ginger, Brassicae

Pome, stone, soft and nut fruits
Eastern Himalaya
Barley, maize, buckwheat, amaranth, finger millet, foxtail millet

French bean, soyabean, cowpea, black gram, peas, scarlet bean

Pumpkin, cucumber, Alliums pp. ginger, chayote, tree tomato, Brassicae

Pome and stone fruits
North-Eastern Region
Rice, maize, sorghum, finger millet, foxtail millet, job’s tears

French bean, soyabean, pigeonpea (perennial), black gram, rice bean,
Dolichos bean, winged bean

Pumpkin, chayote, cucumber, okra, eggplant, chilli/capsicum spp.,
Pointed gourd, ash gourd

Taros,yams

Citrus-Lime/lemon/orange/grape fruit, banana

Tea, tree cotton, jute, kenaf and mesta, large cardamom, ginger, long
pepper, sugarcan
Gangetic Plains
Rice, sorghum, barnyard millet, little millet/Panicum

Chickpea, cowpea, mung bean

Okra, eggplant, bitterground, cucumis spp., Luffa spp.

Jackfruit, mango, lemon/lime, orange, jujube, Indian gooseberry
Emblica, jumun/Syzygium, melons

Linseed, niger, sesame, Brassicae

Sugarcane, mulberry
Indus Plains
Durum wheat, pearl millet

Moth bean, cluster bean, chickpea, black gram

Okra, Cucumis spp.

Jujube, Khirni/Mimusops, Phalsa/Grewia

Sesame, Taramira/Eruca,Cotton
Eastern Peninsular
Rice, sorghum, finger millet, pearl millet, foxtail millet, little millet,
Region/E.Ghats/ prosomillet, kodo millet
Deccan
Black gram, green gram, cowpea, horse gram, Mucuna, pigeonpea,
Dolichos bean, rice bean

Taros, yams, elephant-food yam

Banana, mango, lemon/lime, jackfruit

Niger, Brassicae, sesame

Ginger, turmeric, chilli, kenaf, sugarcane, coconut, cotton
Western Peninsular
Rice, sorghum, finger millet, small millet/Panicum
Region/Western
Black gram, green gram, cowpea, pigeonpea, Dolichos bean, horse gram,
Ghats/Malabar sword bean

Okra, eggplant, cucumber, chilli/Capsicum

Taros, yams, elephant-foot yam

Jackfruit, banana, lime/lemon, orange, jumun/Syzygium

Sugarcane, black pepper, turmeric, ginger, coconut, arecanut, cotton
The Islands Regions
Coconut, breadfruit, chilli, taros, yams, Xanthosoma
initiative jointly organized by Ramsar Secre- mous for Olive Ridley turtle) are wetlands in
tariat and other Asian countries. The national Orissa.
level celebrations of the World Wetlands Day, Ramsar Convention: February 2 of every year
2008 were held at Fatehpur, near Pong Dam in is observed as World Wetlands Day. It marks
Himachal Pradesh. By June 2008, 25 sites have the date of the signing of the Convention on
already been designated as Ramsar sites in In- Wetlands on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city
dia. of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

Bhitarkanika and Gahir-matha Beaches (fa- Therefore, this Convention came to be known
78 Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

Mangroves are very
naturally vegetated
estuaries serve to
preserve both coast
and coastal inhabitants
in times of cyclones,
tidal waves and the
rare tsunamis.
Mangrove ecosystem
has a very vital role in
protecting the coastline
during natural
disasters.

India is home to
some of the best
mangrove species in
the world, comprising
69 species under 42
genera and 28
families. Sunderbans,
West Bengal have
been included in the
World List of Bio-
sphere Reserves by
UNESCO. It repre-
sents the largest
stretch of mangroves
in India.

Mangroves in India
account for about five
percent of the World’s
mangrove vegetation
and are spread over
an area of about 4500
square kilometres
along the coastal
States/UTs of the
country. Sunderbans in
West Bengal account
for a little less than half
of the total area under
mangroves in India.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
as the Ramsar Convention (1971). India is also
a Party to the United Nations Framework Con-
vention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Con-
vention on Biological Diversity, Convention on
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild
Animals, Convention on World Heritage, Su-
pervisory Council of Wetland International, etc.
Interlinkages among these Conventions are fre-
quently discussed in the inter-Ministerial and
intra-Ministerial meetings to develop compre-
hensive plans on actions for their implementa-
tion.
– Twenty five sites have already been desig-
nated as Ramsar sites in India till date. India
has designated 6 wetlands under Ramsar Con-
vention: (i) Keoladeo National Park (Bharat-
pur), (ii) Chilka (Orissa), (iii) Loktak (Manipur),
(iv) Wullar (J&K), (v) Harike (Punjab), (vi) Sam-
bar (Rajasthan)

Point Calimere (Tamil Nadu) and ten others
have been recently included in the international
Ramsar Convention list. The addition of these
sites to the Ramsar List brings the total area of
Wetlands of International Importance in India
to 677,131 hectares in 25 Ramsar Sites.
Mangroves
The Ministry accords high priority to the con-
servation and management of mangroves and
coral reefs in the country. The Coastal Regula-
tion Zone Notification (1991) under the Envi-
ronmental Protection Act (1986) recognizes the
mangrove and coral reefs areas as ecologically
sensitive and categorizes them as CRZ-I (i)
which implies that these areas are afforded pro-
tection of the highest order. The National
Policy, 2006 recognizes that mangroves and
coral reefs are important coastal environmen-
tal resources. They provide habitats for marine
species, protection from extreme weather
events; and a resource base for sustainable tour-
ism.
Mangroves in India cover 4,639 km2 showing
a net increase of 58 km2 over the previous as-
sessment figures. West Bengal has nearly half
of the country’s mangroves. As per the State of
Forest Report 2009, published by Forest Sur-
vey of India the mangrove cover in the country
is 4,639 sq km which is 0.14 per cent of the
country’s total geographical area. Compared
with 2005 assessment, there has been an in-
crease of fifty eight sq km in mangrove cover
mainly because of the plantations and protec-
tion measures in the States of Gujarat, Orissa,
Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Decrease in
mangrove cover in Andamans & Nicobar Is-
lands is attributed to after effects of tsunami.
In nutshell, there was an increase of 55 sq. km
in mangrove cover of Gujarat, 16 sq. km in West
Bengal, 4 sq. km in Orissa and 3 sq. km in Tamil
Nadu. However, there was a loss of 20 sq. km
79
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, due to the
effect of tsunami in December 2004. This loss
stood reduced by 1 sq. km as compared to the
previous assessment in 2005.

Based on an average of an annual target of
3,000 hectares on a country wide basis, the ar-
eas supported under the scheme are among the
38 areas as already identified by Ministry for
intensive conservation. New areas are added
to the existing list of the 38 ones on the basis of
recommendation by the National Mangrove
Committee.

Mangroves in India account for about five
percent of the World’s mangrove vegetation
and are spread over an area of about 4500
square kilometres along the coastal States/UTs
of the country. Sunderbans in West Bengal ac-
count for a little less than half of the total area
under mangroves in India. The Forest Survey
of India is assessing the vegetation cover of the
country including mangroves using remote
sensing since 1987. West Bengal has maximum
of mangrove cover in the country followed by
Gujarat and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. In-
dia is home to some of the best mangroves in
the world. The Ministry has established a Na-
tional Mangrove Genetic Resources Centre in
Orissa.

Mangroves are very naturally vegetated es-
tuaries serve to preserve both coast and coastal
inhabitants in times of cyclones, tidal waves
and the rare tsunamis. Mangrove ecosystem has
a very vital role in protecting the coastline dur-
ing natural disasters.

India is home to some of the best mangrove
species in the world, comprising 69 species
under 42 genera and 28 families. Sunderbans,
West Bengal have been included in the World
List of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO. It rep-
resents the largest stretch of mangroves in In-
dia.
Features

Mangroves actually constitute a heteroge-
neous group of plants with similar adaptations
to a particular environment.

They colonise tidal shores and brackish wa-
ters in the tropics and subtropics and in doing
so not only stabilize shorelines but also create
new land by trapping debris, silt and mud
along their interlacing roots.

Mangroves spread out to the water by send-
ing their branches roots that reach into the mud
and develop into sturdy supporting props.

A distinctive feature of mangroves is their
large fruit, the seeds of which germinate and
grow into sturdy seedlings before they leave
the parent plant.

Mangroves are salt tolerant forest ecosys-
tems, found mainly in the tropical and subtropi-
cal incidal regions of the world.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

Mangroves are self-
propagating plants and
if it is undisturbed, can
grow quite easily in
conducive soil and
locations. These are
the plants that grow in
the inter-tidal zone
along the coastline of
India. They are very
hardy plants that have
adapted over millennia
to grow in difficult
conditions.

Gujarat has
increased its man-
grove cover by almost
10 times which acts as
protection from
tsunami. Similar is the
case with West
Bengal. Mangroves
are plants that survive
high salinity, tidal
regimes, strong wind
velocity, high tempera-
ture and muddy
anaerobic soil – a
combination of
conditions hostile for
other plants.

Two mangrove
species are endemic
to India, namely
Rhizophora
annamalayana
occurring in
Pitchavaram, Tamil
Nadu and Heritira
benikensis which
exists only in
Bhitarkanika of
Orissa.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental

Mangroves plants can survive high salinity,
tidal extremes, strong wind velocity, high tem-
perature and muddy anaerobic soil.
All these conditions are hostile for other plants.
Saline inter-tidal zone at the interface between
the land and the sea along the deltas, shallow
lagoons, mud flats, bays and backwaters in the
tropical and subtropical sheltered coastlines are
most favourable inhabitant for the colonization
of mangrove forests.
Role and Importance: Mangroves are self-
propagating plants and if it is undisturbed, can
grow quite easily in conducive soil and loca-
tions. These are the plants that grow in the in-
ter-tidal zone along the coastline of India. They
are very hardy plants that have adapted over
millennia to grow in difficult conditions.
Gujarat has increased its mangrove cover by
almost 10 times which acts as protection from
tsunami. Similar is the case with West Bengal.
Mangroves are plants that survive high salin-
ity, tidal regimes, strong wind velocity, high
temperature and muddy anaerobic soil – a com-
bination of conditions hostile for other plants.
Mangrove wetlands and forests act as a shelter
belt against cyclones. (In Orissa a few years ago,
villages surrounded by mangrove forests sur-
vived the fury of cyclones, unlike other vil-
lages).

As they have their existence on mudflats and
survive the daily tidal cycles, most species of
mangroves either have prop roots or pneumato-
phores, i.e. additional roots, underground root
system and grow erect out of the mud. This
underground root system can obtain oxygen in
an anaerobic substrate.

Mangrove trees develop aerial or air- breath-
ing roots to avoid suffocation in the oxygen-
poor mud.

All aerial tree roots have special tiny pores
on their surface to take in air keeping water and
salt out.

Their roots contain large air space and not
only they transport air but also provide reser-
voir of air during high tide when all the other
aerial roots may be under water.

Aerial roots can take different forms in dif-
ferent species of mangroves, such as 'Avicennia'
which develops shallow cable roots that spread
out from the trunk under the soil. Along there
cable roots emerge short pencil like rods called
'Pneumatophores' (air carrier).

'Sonneratia' also produce can shape pneu-
matophores.

Rhizophora send out roots from their trunks
and branches that arch down to the ground for
extra support and air absorption.

Bruguiera send out knee shaped roots that
radiate out from the trunk.

With the help of these roots the mangroves
80
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
form an effective bio-shield that protects the
shoreline from the tidal damage.

Mangroves not only protect the coastal life
from the fury of cyclones and coastal storm but
also promote sustainable fisheries and prevent
sea erosion.

Mangrove forests serve as the home for a
wide range of flora and fauna; they provide
medicine and fuel wood.

Inspite of all such gifts they confer, many
mangrove ecosystems have been cleared for
aquaculture ponds and other alternative uses.
Others have been exploited unsustainably,
leading to their degradation.
Mangrove under threats

Mangrove ecosystems have been subjected
to various anthropogenic and biotic pressures
resulting in habitat destruction, loss of
biodiversity, affecting avifauna and their mi-
gration paths.

Unsustainable aquaculture, siltation, weed
infestation, uncontrolled discharge of waste
water, industrial effluents, surface run off, en-
croachment around these water bodies, etc. is
resulting in shrinkage of mangrove area.

Two mangrove species are endemic to India,
namely Rhizophora annamalayana occurring in
Pitchavaram, Tamil Nadu and Heritira
benikensis which exists only in Bhitarkanika of
Orissa.

Bangladesh and India share the 26,000sqkm
mangrove kingdom, which is vulnerable to cli-
mate change.

If that airport comes up in the proposed area,
400 acres of mangroves would be destroyed.

The oil spill from MSC Chitra has caused
massive damage to the 25-km mangroves
stretch in and around 10-12 km coastline be-
tween Revas and Mandwa and 5-6 km coast-
line at Elephanta and Vashi have been found
massively damaged.

The International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN), a network of several conser-
vation groups, has set alarm bells ringing by
warning that more than one in six mangrove
species worldwide are in danger of extinction
due to coastal development and other factors,
including climate change, logging and agricul-
ture.
Effective measures:
Keeping the importance of mangrove ecosys-
tem in view, the Ministry of Environment and
Forests launched Mangrove Conservation
Programme in 1987 and, has so far, identified
35 mangrove areas for intensive conservation
and management in the country.

Mangrove areas are identified on the recom-
mendation of National Committee on Man-
grove and Coral Reefs on the basis of their
unique ecosystems, biodiversity, etc.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

Sunderbans, West
Bengal have been
included in the World
List of Biosphere
Reserves by
UNESCO. It repre-
sents the largest
stretch of mangroves
in India.

The Ministry has
established a National
Mangrove Genetic
Resources Centre in
Orissa. Two mangrove
species are endemic to
India. One species is
Rhizophora annamal-
ayana, occurring in
Pichavaram in Tamil
Nadu.

IUCN, International
Union for Conservation
of Nature, helps the
world find pragmatic
solutions to our most
pressing environment
and development
challenges.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental

Hundred per cent central assistance is given
under Management Action Plans (MAPs) for
undertaking activities like raising mangrove
plantations, protection, catchment area treat-
ment, biodiversity conservation, sustainable re-
source utilization, survey and demarcation,
education and awareness, etc.

Recognizing the importance of mangrove
ecosystem, the number of mangrove areas has
grown from 15 to 35 to be put under conserva-
tion and management.

Presently efforts have been on to persuade
the State Governments to identify new and ad-
ditional mangroves conservation areas.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests has
established a National Mangrove Genetic Re-
sources Centre in Orissa.

Two mangrove species are endemic to India,
namely Rhizophora annamalayana occurring in
Pitchavaram, Tamil Nadu and Heritira
benikensis which exists only in Bhitarkanika of
Orissa.

Sunderbans, West Bengal have been included
in the World List of Biosphere Reserves by
UNESCO. It represents the largest stretch of
mangroves in India.
Throughout the country, the mangrove areas
are being subjected to various threats. Their
survival is being threatened by felling, graz-
ing, reclamation, urban development, industri-
alization and mining. Thus effective
programme and regulated management plans
with community participation is the pre-req-
uisite for the protection and maintenance of this
Bio-shield. This will provide the human genre
a safe coastal life and economic prosperity at
present and ensure for the future.
They stabilise the shoreline and act as a bul-
wark against encroachments by the sea.

The mangroves in India comprise 69 species
under 42 genera and 28 families.

The Ministry has established a National
Mangrove Genetic Resources Centre in
Orissa. Two mangrove species are endemic to
India. One species is Rhizophora annamal-ayana,
occurring in Pichavaram in Tamil Nadu.

Another species in Heritiera kanikensis that
exists only in Bhitarkanika, Orissa.
Areas identified: By July 2003, 32 Mangrove
areas have been identified. Ganga, Mahanadi,
Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery as well as the
Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Total area covered: It is estimated at about 6,700
sq. km., which constitutes about 7 per cent of
the world’s mangroves. Sunderbans is the larg-
est with 4,200 sq.km, Andaman & Nicobar Is-
lands account for an additional 1,200 sq. Km.,
while small patches are found in Andhra
Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala,
Maharas-htra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.
81
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change

Government is implementing a Plan Scheme
on Conservation and Management of Man-
groves since 1986-87. Management Action
Plans: (1) Sunderbans (West Bengal), (2)
Pichavaram (Tamil Nadu), (3) Muthupet
(Tamil Nadu) (4) Goa and (5) Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
Under the scheme on conservation and man-
agement of mangroves, 15 areas have been
identified: (1) Northern Andaman, (2)
Sunderbans, (3) Bhitarkanika (Orissa), (4)
Coringa (Andhra Pradesh), (5), Godavari Delta
(Andhra Pradesh), (6) Krishna Estuary (Andhra
Pradesh), (7) Mahanadi Delta (Orissa), (8)
Pitchavaram (TN) (9) Point Calimer (TN), (10)
Goa, (11) Gulf of Kutch, (12) Coondapur
(Karnataka) (13) Achra/Ratnagiri;
(Maharashtra) (14) Vembanad (Kerala); (15)
Nicobar.
A National Mangrove Genetic Resource Cen-
tre in Orissa has been established.

The additional 15 mangrove centres are: (1)
Subarnekha, (2) Devi, and (3) Dhamra-all in
Orissa; (4) Ramnad in Tamil Nadu, (5) Dakshin
Kannada (Karnataka), (6) Devgarh
(Maharashtra), (7) Vijaydurg, (8) Veldur, (9)
Kundlika, (10) Revdanada, (11) Mumbra-Diva,
(12) Vaitrana, (13) Vasoi Manori, (14)
Shreevardhan-Varal-Turmbadi-all in Mahara-
shtra and (15) Puducherry.
Suggestions
Throughout the country, the mangrove areas
are being subjected to various threats. Their
survival is being threatened by felling, graz-
ing, reclamation, urban development, industri-
alization and mining.
Thus effective programme and regulated man-
agement plans with community participation
is the pre-requisite for the protection and main-
tenance of this Bio-shield. This will provide the
human genre a safe coastal life and economic
prosperity at present and ensure for the future.
The National Green Tribunal Bill, 2009: The
National Green Tribunal (NGT) Bill, 2009 was
introduced in the Lok Sabha on 31st July, 2009.
The Bill provides for the establishment of a
National Environment Tribunal for the effec-
tive and expeditious disposal of cases relating
to environmental protection and conservation
of forests and other natural resources includ-
ing enforcement of any legal right relating to
environment and giving relief and compensa-
tion for damages to persons and property.
IUCN
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of
Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solu-
tions to our most pressing environment and
development challenges. It supports scientific
research, manages field projects all over the
world and brings governments, non-govern-
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

The Government of
India was the first
country in South Asia
to join IUCN as a state
member in 1969. It is
also the first and the
only country in the
region to host the
General Assembly of
IUCN in 1969.

Marine mammals
such as whales,
dolphins, porpoise and
sea cow are important
component of marine
ecosystems. From the
Indian Ocean, 26
species of marine
mammals have been
reported so far. Marine
mammals are
migratory in nature and
play a key role in the
marine food web.

Environment
Pollution (Prevention
Control) Authority for
the National Capital
Region, National
Environment Appellate
Authority (NEAA) and
Loss of Ecology
(Prevention and
Payments of Compen-
sation) Authority for the
State of Tamil Nadu
continued to function
during the year.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ment organizations, United Nations agencies,
companies and local communities together to
develop and implement policy, laws and best
practice.
IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global
environmental network - a democratic mem-
bership union with more than 1,000 govern-
ment and NGO member organizations, and al-
most 11,000 volunteer scientists in more than
160 countries.
IUCN’s work is supported by more than 1,000
professional staff in 60 offices and hundreds of
partners in public, NGO and private sectors
around the world. The Union’s headquarters
are located in Gland, near Geneva, Switzerland.
IUCN was founded in 1948 as the world’s first
global environmental organization and has
Official Observer Status at the United Nations
General Assembly.
The Government of India was the first country
in South Asia to join IUCN as a state member
in 1969. It is also the first and the only country
in the region to host the General Assembly of
IUCN in 1969. At present there are twenty two
members of IUCN in India including the Min-
istry of Environment & Forests, National Board
for Wildlife, Wildlife Institute of India,
Dehradun the Govind Ballabh Pant Institute for
Himalayan Studies, Almora and Indian Insti-
tute of Forest Management, Bhopal.
Marine Mammal Atlas
Marine mammals such as whales, dolphins,
porpoise and sea cow are important component
of marine ecosystems. From the Indian Ocean,
26 species of marine mammals have been re-
ported so far. Marine mammals are migratory
in nature and play a key role in the marine food
web. Many of them are highly intelligent and
can be trained to perform different tasks. Inci-
dental catches in fishing gear have drastically
reduced the populations of these wonderful
creatures of the world oceans. Considering their
threatened status, many international bodies
such as International Whaling Commission
(IWC), United Nation’s Environment
Programme (UNEP) and International Union
for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) are taking
measures to protect, conserve and manage the
marine mammals. The IWC, in 1979, declared
the Indian Ocean as a sanctuary for whales.
Countries such as Canada, Hawaii and Thai-
land have developed benign ecotourism ven-
tures on marine mammals found in their EEZ.
However, information on the distributional pat-
terns, species diversity, abundance and genetic
diversity are scanty from the Indian EEZ.
The project was executed by the Central Ma-
rine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi. This is
the first comprehensive study on marine mam-
mals from the Indian EEZ which will help us
82
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
to understand these curious animals of the
oceans, the role they play in the food web of
the marine ecosystems, their migratory routes
and aggregations. Besides, meeting our inter-
national obligations on the protection and con-
servations of marine mammals, it is possible to
develop profitable benign ecotourism ventures
surrounding these intelligent and friendly crea-
tures of the oceans. The study indicates that the
areas around Kanyakumari, Cochin – Calicut,
off Visakhapatnam and south of Sri Lanka, have
maximum abundance and diversity, and have
the potential for developing ecotourism.
World Heritage Convention: India is a mem-
ber of World Heritage Convention responsible
for listing of World Heritage Sites, which in-
clude both Cultural and natural sites. The
World Heritage Convention is a Convention
under the aegis of the United Nations Educa-
tional, Scientific & Cultural Organization
(UNESCO).
Wildlife wing of the Ministry of Environment
& Forests is associated with conservation of the
Natural World Heritage sites.
Currently, five natural World Heritage Sites
have been recognized by UNESCO in India viz,
Nanda Devi National Park, Kaziranga National
Park, Manas National Park, Keoladeo National
Park and Sundarbans National Park, apart from
these, the Valley of Flowers National Park has
also been included in the list of World Heri-
tage Sites as an extension to Nanda Devi Na-
tional Park.
Four new natural heritage sites viz, Western
Ghats cluster, Kangchendzonga National Park,
Namdhapha National Park and Wild Ass Sanc-
tuary, Little Rann of Kutch have been included
in the tentative list of World Heritage Sites. The
Ministry of Environment & Forests has for-
warded the detailed nomination dossiers for
listing of Western Ghats Cluster Sites to the
World Heritage Sites, to the UNESCO.
India had represented in the 33rd Session of
the World Heritage Committee that was held
at Seville, Spain from 22nd to 30th June 2009.
International Whaling Commission: The In-
ternational Whaling Commission (IWC) was set
up under the International Commission for the
Regulation of Whaling which was signed in
Washington on 2nd December 1946. The pur-
pose of the Convention is to provide for con-
servation of whale stocks. India has been a
member of the International Whaling Commis-
sion since 1981 and has played a pro-active and
prominent role in bringing about a moratorium
on commercial whaling and supporting the
Commission in its efforts towards whale con-
servation. The 61st Annual meeting of the In-
ternational Whaling Commission was held in
Madeira, Portugal from 22nd to 26th June 2009.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

The Eco-cities
Project aims at
improving the existing
environment and at
changing those
aspects that are
causing environment
damage. The focus of
the project includes
protection of environ-
mental resources like
water bodies, forests
etc., improving
infrastructure and
sanitary conditions in
the towns and creating
aesthetic environs.

Under the NAMP,
four air-pollutants viz.,
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2),
Oxides of Nitrogen as
NO2, Suspended
Particulate Matter
(SPM) and Respirable
Suspended Particulate
Matter (RSPM or PM
10), have been
identified for regular
monitoring at all the
locations.

Under the Eco City
Programme, the
following towns have
been taken to bring in
visible environmental
improvement:
Vrindavan (Uttar
Pradesh); Tirupati
(Andhra Pradesh); Puri
(Orissa); Ujjain
(Madhya Pradesh);
Kottayam (Kerala);
Thanjavur (Tamil
Nadu).
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
POLLUTION CONTROL 2009-10

Environment Pollution (Prevention Control)
Authority for the National Capital Region, Na-
tional Environment Appellate Authority
(NEAA) and Loss of Ecology (Prevention and
Payments of Compensation) Authority for the
State of Tamil Nadu continued to function dur-
ing the year.

During the year, the Ministry recognized 14
environmental laboratories in various places of
the country under Environment (Protection)
Act, 2006.

With a view to initiate policy measures and
to prepare ambient air quality management
plans, 321 Air Quality Monitoring Stations are
operational covering twenty five States and
four Union Territories for control of air pollu-
tion.

Keeping in view the monitored data avail-
able on air quality, the Hon’ble Supreme Court
in its various judgements have identified six-
teen cities namely; Hyderabad, Patna,
Ahemdabad, Faridabad, Jharia, Bangalore,
Pune, Mumbai, Sholapur, Jodhpur, Chennai,
Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Varanasi and Kolkata
as equal to or more polluted than Delhi for
which Action Plans for improvement of air
quality have been drawn.

Under the Eco City Programme, the follow-
ing towns have been taken to bring in visible
environmental improvement:
Vrindavan
(Uttar Pradesh);
Tirupati (Andhra Pradesh);

Puri (Orissa);
Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh);

Kottayam (Kerala);
Thanjavur (Tamil
Nadu).
– The Eco-cities Project aims at improving the
existing environment and at changing those
aspects that are causing environment damage.
The focus of the project includes protection of
environmental resources like water bodies, for-
ests etc., improving infrastructure and sanitary
conditions in the towns and creating aesthetic
environs. The Eco-city Programme has been
continued during the Eleventh Five Year Plan
Period with inclusion of three more towns/cit-
ies namely, Chanderi (M.P.) Sawai Madhopur
(Rajasthan) and Darjeeling (W.B.). The con-
cerned Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) and the State
Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) have been
asked to take further necessary action for imple-
mentation of various projects under this
programme.

Under the Development and Promotion of
Cleaner Technology Scheme, The Life Cycle
Assessment (LCA) Study in four cement plants
namely, Ambuja Cement, Kodinar, Distt
Junagarh, Gujarat, ACC, Bilaspur, Himachal
Pradesh, Rajshree Cement, Gulbarga,
Karnataka and Ultratech Cements, Raipur,
Chattisgarh were completed during
83
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
the year.

The implementation of the Waste Minimiza-
tion Scheme has helped in identifying the pol-
luting small and medium industries, evaluat-
ing the causes of pollution and facilitating them
to adopt cleaner production practices leading
to preventive strategies. It has also provided a
platform for creating awareness amongst the
small and medium industries for adopting
simple waste minimization principle.

Studies have been initiated for the collection
of baseline data regarding mercury levels on
different components of environment includ-
ing toxicological, bio-accumulation and its
health impacts. These studies are being carried
out by National Institute of Occupational
Health, Ahemdabad; Industrial Toxicological
Research Centre, Lucknow; Central Pollution
Control Board and Jamia Hamdard University
and National Productivity Council (NPC).

Central Pollution Control Board is executing
a nation-wide programme of ambient air qual-
ity monitoring known as National Air Quality
Monitoring Programme (NAMP). The network
consists of 326 monitoring stations covering 116
cities/towns in 28 States and four Union Terri-
tories of the country.

Under the NAMP, four air-pollutants viz.,
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2), Oxides of Nitrogen as
NO2, Suspended Particulate Matter (SPM) and
Respirable Suspended Particulate Matter
(RSPM or PM 10), have been identified for regu-
lar monitoring at all the locations.

Parameters like Carbon Monoxide, Sulphur
Dioxide, Oxides of Nitrogen, Benzene, Toluene
& Xylene, Ozone, Particulate Matters (TSP &
PM 10) and meteorological parameters will be
monitored continuously at these stations.

The CPCB in collaboration with concerned
SPCBs/PCCs established a wide network of
water quality monitoring. The present network
comprises of 1019 stations in 27 States and six
Union Territories spread over the country. The
monitoring is done on monthly or quarterly
basis in surface waters and on half yearly basis
in case of ground water. The monitoring net-
work covers 200 Rivers, 60 Lakes, five Tanks,
three Ponds, three Creeks, 13 Canals, 17 Drains
and 321 Wells. Among the 1019 stations, 592
are on rivers, 65 on lakes, 17 on drains, 13 on
canals, five on tank, three on creeks, three on
pond and 321 are groundwater stations.

Groundwater quality was monitored at 15
major cities in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and
Chhattisgarh states selecting five cities in each
state. Samples were collected from tube wells,
hand pumps and open wells, two locations in
each category covering residential areas, indus-
trial areas and municipal waste dumpsites in
each city.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

The MoEF is the
nodal agency for the
management and
control of hazardous
substances like
chemicals, waste and
micro-organisms.

The producer of
electronic goods
including household
appliances, computers,
toys and medical
equipment shall be
liable for collecting any
e-waste generated
while manufacturing
and will have to
channelise it for
recycling.

Nearly fifty percent
of the total industrial
output in India is
contributed by the
SMEs. They also
account for 60 to 65
percent of the total
industrial pollution.
According to a report
released by the
Central Pollution
Control Board (CPCB),
Gujarat generates
almost 29 per cent of
the 62 lakh metric
tonnes of hazardous
waste generated every
year.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental

The Central Pollution Control Board pre-
pared and published an Indicative Operational
Guidelines on Utilization of Plastics in Road
Construction. The revised Guidelines for evalu-
ation and recognition of Environmental Labo-
ratories have been approved for implementa-
tion in the 135th Board meeting of CPCB.

Draft Procedure for Monitoring Ambient
Noise Level due to Aircrafts, has been prepared
by CPCB considering prevalent noise monitor-
ing procedure practiced internationally and
also based on the results of the detailed noise
monitoring conducted in and around IGI In-
ternational Airport by CPCB. The objective of
this document is to specify suitable require-
ments and procedures for airport authorities
to carry out monitoring ambient noise level due
to aircrafts around airports.
Hazardous Waste Management
The MoEF is the nodal agency for the manage-
ment and control of hazardous substances like
chemicals, waste and micro-organisms.
The main provisions of draft E-waste (Manage-
ment and Handling) Rules 2010, are:
1. The producer of electronic goods including
household appliances, computers, toys and
medical equipment shall be liable for collect-
ing any e-waste generated while manufactur-
ing and will have to channelise it for recycling.
In fact, the producers' responsibility will go
beyond the boundaries of the manufacturing
unit.
2. They will set up collection centres for e-waste
generated from `end of life' of their products in
line with the principle of `extended producer
responsibility' and ensure that such e-waste is
channelised to a registered refurbisher.
3. They shall also finance and organise a sys-
tem to meet the costs involved in handling the
e-waste.
4. The rules moot a unique serial number or
individual identification code for product track-
ing in the e-waste management system. Deal-
ers have to make provision for collecting used
appliances. Besides registering themselves with
the respective State Pollution Control Boards,
they will have to submit details of the collected
waste annually.
5. Even the consumers are expected to do their
bit by ensuring that the electronic equipment
not fit for use is deposited with the dealer or
authorised collection centre.
6. Emphasising the reduction in use of hazard-
ous substances (RoHS) in the manufacture of
electrical and electronic equipment over a three-
year period, the rules state that producers are
expected to adhere to the prescribed minimum
threshold limits to using such substances. Fur-
ther, the import of used electrical and electronic
equipment for charity shall not be allowed in
84
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
the country, the rules state.
7. Further, the stakeholders shall be liable for
any damage caused to the environment or hu-
man health including third parties due to im-
proper handling and disposal of e-waste.
8. They shall inform the authorities of such
damage and undertake to reinstate or restore
the damage at their cost, failing which they shall
be liable to pay the entire cost of remediation
or restoration of the environment.
9. Even the consumers shall be liable to deposit
the e-waste with an authorised dealer or col-
lection centre, failing which they shall be liable
to pay a fine as specified for violation of the
provision.
Vaious Acts
It is estimated that India produces some 3.8 lakh
tonnes of e-waste annually.

The following rules have been notified un-
der the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: (a)
Manufacture, storage and import of hazardous
chemicals, 1989; (b) Hazardous Wastes (Man-
agement and Handling) Rules, 1989; (c) Manu-
facture, use, import, export and storage of haz-
ardous micro-organisms/genetically-engi-
neered organisms or cells, 1989; and (d) Bio-
medical waste rules, 1998.
New rules titled Hazardous Wastes (Manage-
ment, Handling and Transboundary Move-
ment) Rules, 2008 have been notified supersed-
ing the earlier regulation. Recycling of e-waste
and the requirement of registration for e-waste
recyclers have been included under these Rules.
A national strategy on hazardous wastes is be-
ing prepared to facilitate implementation of an
action plan for management of hazardous
waste, and to fulfill obligations under the Basel
Convention on transboundary movement of
hazardous waste, including their minimization,
environmentally sound management and ac-
tive promotion of cleaner technologies.
The amount of hazardous waste generated in
this country is quite small in comparison to that
of the USA, where as much as 275 million tones
of hazardous waste was generated annually.
However, considering the fragile ecosystem
that India has (The State of India's Environ-
ment, Part I, National Overview, The Citizens
Fifth Report, Centre for Science & Environment,
1999), even this low quantum of hazardous
wastes (around 4.4 million MTA) can cause
considerable damage to natural resources if un-
treated before releases. India's fragile ecosys-
tem could be seen from the following:
(a) Air pollution in Indian cities is highest
amongst the world;
(b) Over seventy percent of the country's sur-
face water sources are polluted and, in large
stretches of major rivers, water is not even fit
for bathing; and
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Ecology

The Manufacture,
Storage and Import of
Hazardous Chemical
(MSIHC) Rules, 1989
and the Chemical
Accident (Emergency
Planning, Prepared-
ness and Response)
Rules, 1996 are the
main instruments for
ensuring chemical
safety in the country.

The Ministry has
notified the Bio-
Medical Waste
(Management &
Handling) Rules, 1998
(BMW Rules) under
the provisions of
Environment (Protec-
tion) Act, 1986 for
proper management
and handling of Bio-
Medical Waste (BMW)
generated in the
country.

The National Green
Tribunal has officially
been notified by the
Chairperson of the
Tribunal, Justice
Lokeshwar Singh
Panta. Justice Panta,
who took charge of his
office on October 18th,
2010, served as a
justice of the Supreme
Court of India from
February 3rd 2006 to
April 22nd 2009 and
has had an illustrious
record of practice
spanning almost four
decades specialising in
Constitutional Law,
Administrative Law,
Civil and Labour Law,
Criminal Law and
Taxation matters.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
(c) India has among the lowest per capita avail- gestions to the proposals contained in the draft
ability of forests in the world, which is 0.11 ha notification to finalize the notification. The new
as compared to 0.50 ha in Thailand and 0.8 ha Rules will supersede the existing Recycled Plas-
in China. tics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 (as
Nearly fifty percent of the total industrial out- amended in 2003).
put in India is contributed by the SMEs. They Bio-Medical Waste Management: The Minis-
also account for 60 to 65 percent of the total try has notified the Bio-Medical Waste (Man-
industrial pollution. According to a report re- agement & Handling) Rules, 1998 (BMW Rules)
leased by the Central Pollution Control Board under the provisions of Environment (Protec-
(CPCB), Gujarat generates almost 29 per cent tion) Act, 1986 for proper management and han-
of the 62 lakh metric tonnes of hazardous waste dling of Bio-Medical Waste (BMW) generated
generated every year. It is followed by in the country. Under these Rules, the wastes
Maharashtra (25 per cent) and Andhra Pradesh generated by Health Care Establishments
(9 per cent). (HCEs) have been categorized into 10 catego-
Chemical Safety: The Manufacture, Storage ries and treatment & disposal methods
and Import of Hazardous Chemical (MSIHC) for each of these categories of wastes have been
Rules, 1989 and the Chemical Accident (Emer- specified. The status of implementation of these
gency Planning, Preparedness and Response) rules is being regularly monitored by the re-
Rules, 1996 are the main instruments for en- spective State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs)
suring chemical safety in the country. There are and Pollution Control Committees (PCCs) of
one thousand eight hundred forty one MAH Union Territories.
units in the country, located in two hundred
A central control room has been set up in the
ninety two districts in twenty six States/UTs Ministry to deal with emergencies arising from
(twenty three States & three UT’s) of the coun- hazardous chemicals and a Crisis Alert System
try. A “GIS based Emergency Planning and has been established.
Response System” for chemical accidents in
Emergency Response Centres have been set
Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units has been up at Bhopal, Baroda, Manali and Khapali.
developed.
A sub-scheme entitled ‘Industrial Pocket-
Management of Plastic Wastes: These are lit- wise Hazard Analysis’ has been in operation
tered around and if not collected systematically since the 8th Five-Year Plan. Hazard analysis
may find their way into the drainage system studies of 37 industrial pockets have since been
resulting in choking of drains, creating unhy- completed.
gienic environment and causing health prob-
A Public Liability Insurance Act has been
lems. The Ministry has notified the Recycled enacted to provide immediate relief to the vic-
Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999 tims of accidents by hazardous chemical indus-
under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 tries.
and amended them in 2003 for regulating and
A scheme on National Register of Potentially
managing plastic carry bags and containers. Toxic Chemicals (NRPTC) has been started for
After extensive consultations with stakehold- setting up the basic infrastructure for imple-
ers, the Ministry has now notified the draft Plas- menting the London guidelines for the ex-
tics (Manufacture, Usage & Waste Manage- change of information on chemicals in interna-
ment) Rules, 2009 and invited objections/ sug- tional trade, including the procedure for prior
The National Green Tribunal launched
The National Green Tribunal has officially been notified by the Chairperson of the Tribunal,
Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta. Justice Panta, who took charge of his office on October 18th,
2010, served as a justice of the Supreme Court of India from February 3rd 2006 to April 22nd
2009 and has had an illustrious record of practice spanning almost four decades specialising in
Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Civil and Labour Law, Criminal Law and Taxation
matters.
The National Green Tribunal marks the first time a tribunal exclusively dedicated to environ-
mental issues has been set up. This Body, established by an Act of Parliament (being the Na-
tional Green Tribunal Act of 2010) will have circuit benches across the country to try all mat-
ters related to and arising out of environmental issues.
The Tribunal which shall also consist of members who are experts in the field of environmen-
tal and related sciences, has been empowered to issue directions for the compensation and
restitution of damage caused from actions of environmental negligence. In doing so, this is the
first body of its kind that is required by its parent statute, to apply the polluter pays principle
and the principle of sustainable development.
85 Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

Since 1900, the
average global
temperature has
increased by 0.74°C.
Humans are further
changing the climate
by their actions,
especially through
emissions of green-
house gases,
particularly carbon
dioxide (CO2) which
artificially warms the
earth’s atmosphere.
The burning of fossil
fuels is largely to
blame.

The world has a
wide range of solutions
that will help combat
climate change.
Protecting and better
managing our natural
resources is a cost-
effective and efficient
way to stabilize
greenhouse gas
emissions while we
make the transition to
a sustainable, low-
carbon world in the
coming decades.

Global Warming
(GW) is a phenom-
enon in which the
lower atmosphere
traps more terrestrial
radiation and thus the
mean global tempera-
ture of the earth rises
beyond 14o C. Global
warming takes place
because of rise in the
concentration of gases
known as green house
gases namely-water
vapour, CO2, CH4,
oxides of Nitrogen and
man-made gases, like
CFCs.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
informed consent.

Nine Regional Registers (RRPTC) have been
set up in UP, MP, Gujarat, Kerala, HP, Punjab
and Maharashtra.

A National Poison Information Centre has
been set up in AIIMS.

The Ministry has constituted a National
Waste Management Council to suggest ways
and means for effective utilization of wastes
generated in the country.

A pilot project on Municipal Solid Waste
Management has been sanctioned to the
Hyderabad Municipal Corporation.

A high-powered committee on hazardous
wastes has been constituted to oversee the strict
implementation of the rules and regulations.

A notification has been issued banning im-
port of wastes containing Beryllium, Selenium,
Chromium (Hexavalent), Thallium, Pesticides,
Herbicides and insecticides as well as Waste
Asbestos (dust and fibre), waste containing
PCB, PCT and PBB.
The Basel Convention on hazardous wastes
India is a Party to the Basel Convention on
transboundary movement of hazardous wastes.
The basic objectives of the Basel Convention are
for the control and reduction of transboundary
movements of hazardous and other wastes sub-
ject to the Convention, prevention and mini-
mization of their generation, environmentally
sound management of such wastes and for ac-
tive promotion of the transfer and use of cleaner
technologies.
Climate Change
S
ince 1900, the average global tempera
ture has increased by 0.74°C. Humans
are further changing the climate by their
actions, especially through emissions of green-
house gases, particularly carbon dioxide (CO2)
which artificially warms the earth’s atmo-
sphere. The burning of fossil fuels is largely to
blame.
Climate change will increasingly cause storms,
droughts, floods and fires and have a severe
impact on food production, water availability
and ecosystems such as forests and wetlands.
A major concern is how rapid climate change
will magnify existing environmental stresses
and contribute to food insecurity, conflict over
resources, and loss of livelihood for millions of
people.
Certain regions will be worse affected than oth-
ers. Global warming is expected to be greatest
over land and at high northern latitudes. The
Arctic, Sub Saharan Africa, small islands and
the big river deltas of Asia will be most seri-
ously affected.
Those least responsible for global emissions, the
poor and vulnerable in developing countries,
86
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
are bearing the brunt of climate change impacts.
It is a global responsibility to help these people
adapt.
The world has a wide range of solutions that
will help combat climate change. Protecting and
better managing our natural resources is a cost-
effective and efficient way to stabilize green-
house gas emissions while we make the transi-
tion to a sustainable, low-carbon world in the
coming decades. Natural resources can also
help us adapt to the impacts of climate change
we are already facing. It is an opportunity we
cannot afford to pass up.
According to the IPCC, if global average tem-
peratures exceed 2°C there will be irreversible
impacts on water, ecosystems, food, coastal
zones and human health. We have a 50% chance
of avoiding a 2°C warming if we stabilize green-
house gases at 450 ppm CO2 eq (parts per mil-
lion carbon dioxide equivalent). Recent evi-
dence suggests even more rapid change, which
will greatly, and in some case irreversibly, af-
fect not just people, but also species and eco-
systems. This means we must start radically
reducing emissions now and stay on a low
emissions pathway to avoid increasing the
amount of CO2 in the atmosphere.
Impact:

Sea levels rose 20 cm last century

Glaciers, snow cover and sea ice are all de-
clining

We are experiencing more heat-waves,
droughts and extreme rainfall and more intense
tropical cyclones

Global temperature could rise by as much as
6.4°C by the end of the century

Up to 30% of plant and animal species could
go extinct if the global temperature increase
exceeds 1.5-2.5°C.

Arctic sea ice could disappear altogether dur-
ing the summer by the second half of this cen-
tury.

Crop yields in tropical zones could signifi-
cantly decrease with even a modest (1-2°C) tem-
perature increase.

One in six countries in the world faces food
shortages each year because of severe droughts
that could become semi-permanent under cli-
mate change.
The overall costs and risks of climate change
will be equivalent to losing up to 20% of global
GDP each year, while the costs of action now
can be limited to around 1% of global GDP each
year.
Global Warming (GW)
It is a phenomenon in which the lower atmo-
sphere traps more terrestrial radiation and thus
the mean global temperature of the earth rises
beyond 14o C. Global warming takes place be-
cause of rise in the concentration of gases
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

The United Nations
Framework Conven-
tion on Climate
Change in 1992
commonly known as
the Kyoto Protocol.
Intense geopolitical
stalemate persisted till
2005 when the treaty
finally came into force
but without US and
Australian support.
Treaty aims to achieve
GHG emission targets
below 1990 levels by
2008-2012, initially
exempting developing
nations of this
obligation.

Agriculture sector is
a huge source of
methane and nitrous
oxide, and responsible
for 15 per cent of
worldwide greenhouse
gas emissions.
Climate-friendly
agricultural manage-
ment (i.e. organic
farming) could reduce
emissions significantly.

In 2002 about 40
per cent of U.S. carbon
dioxide emissions
stem from the burning
of fossil fuels for the
purpose of electricity
generation. Coal
accounts for 93
percent of the
emissions from the
electric utility industry.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
known as green house gases namely-water
vapour, CO2, CH4, oxides of Nitrogen and man-
made gases, like CFCs.
Among these gases, CO2 is primarily respon-
sible for GW. The current global trend in de-
forestation along with rise in fossil fuel com-
bustion is leading to rise in CO2 concentration
in the lower atmosphere. In 1957, CO2 concen-
tration was 311 ppmv. It rose to 340 ppmv in
1990 and was at 370 ppmv in 2000.
Climatic Expediencies:
The recent natural disasters have indicated that
the ODS and global warming has reached a
point of no return. The recent floods and fire in
USA has also signaled that situation is going
out of control. Fears of global warming are not
unfounded; models have predicted an average
global temperature rise of up to 5.8°C by 2100.
A widespread catastrophe is in sight as ice
sheets deplete; raising the sea level by up to
88cm. Associated perils of extreme weather
conditions like storms, floods, droughts are
aplenty.
The United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change in 1992 commonly known as
the Kyoto Protocol. Intense geopolitical stale-
mate persisted till 2005 when the treaty finally
came into force but without US and Australian
support. Treaty aims to achieve GHG emission
targets below 1990 levels by 2008-2012, initially
exempting developing nations of this obliga-
tion. Till date, over 170 countries have ratified
to save the world with recent most ratification
by Australia. Vatican joined this movement,
with the Pope declaring environmental pollu-
tion, besides drugs, genetic manipulations etc.,
as one of seven most deadly sins. With little
pecuniary controls, especially surrounding
cross-border issues, these baby steps are turn-
ing out to be like tooth-less tiger in midst of
global menace.
Development of environmental financial mar-
kets can be traced to late 1980s with success of
Montreal protocol and US emissions trading
schemes in limiting CFCs and acid rain emis-
sions. Emission Trading involves economic ex-
change of allowances and reduction credits to
enable entities meet their GHG emission tar-
gets through a cost on emissions and value on
reductions.
Worth of global carbon markets in 2007 almost
doubled compared to 2006 with EU Emission
Trading System emerging as largest operational
trading scheme. The primary CDM market in-
creased marginally by 25 per cent compared to
a 10-fold increase in the secondary CDM mar-
ket. China has emerged as a clear front-runner
in CDM while share of other BRIC nations re-
mains fluctuating - India's contribution dipped
half to 6 per cent in 2007.
87
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
According to a report released by World Bank
has indicated that China is far ahead of India
in terms of carbon credit business. China has
become the world leader in the carbon credit
business with a market share of 73 per cent in
the volume of credits traded in 2007 as com-
pared to India's 6 per cent.
Carbon credits are generated under the Clean
Development Mechanism, mandated by the
UN, where developed countries having green-
house gas emission reduction targets offset
them by funding clean technology in develop-
ing nations. In return, they earn the credits that
they can use to set off their reduction targets.
Causes For Climatic Change
Industrialisation: Industrial production is re-
sponsible for 57 per cent of all CO emissions.
2
Largest quantities of CO emitted by energy
2
producers and energy-intensive industries.
New filtration technologies could reduce CO
2
emissions by 30 to 50 per cent. Since the indus-
trial revolution amounts have increased by 30
per cent. Other greenhouse gases include Meth-
ane, Nitrous oxide, CFC’s (manmade) and
Ozone. One major problem is that these gases
can remain in the atmosphere for decades.
Fossil Fuel: The combustion of fossil fuels re-
leases approximately 24 billion tonnes of car-
bon dioxide into the atmosphere each year, and
the net result of these two opposing processes
has been a 26 per cent increase of this gas in the
atmosphere since the start of the Industrial
Revolution. Currently, the atmospheric carbon
dioxide concentration is rising at about 0.4 per
cent per annum, and this rise is caused almost
entirely by the combustion of fossil fuels (coal,
oil and natural gas).
Vehicles: 27 per cent of all man-made CO2
emissions are transportation related. 750 mil-
lion cars world emit a total of approx. 2.25 bil-
lion tons of CO2 each year.
Agriculture: Agriculture sector is a huge source
of methane and nitrous oxide, and responsible
for 15 per cent of worldwide greenhouse gas
emissions. Climate-friendly agricultural man-
agement (i.e. organic farming) could reduce
emissions significantly.
Power Plants: In 2002 about 40 per cent of U.S.
carbon dioxide emissions stem from the burn-
ing of fossil fuels for the purpose of electricity
generation. Coal accounts for 93 percent of the
emissions from the electric utility industry. Coal
emits around 1.7 times as much carbon per unit
of energy when burned as does natural gas and
1.25 times as much as oil.
Deforestation: After carbon emissions caused
by humans, deforestation is the second prin-
ciple cause of atmospheric carbon dioxide. De-
forestation is responsible for 25 per cent of all
carbon emissions entering the atmosphere, by
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

GW is likely to
increase the melting of
polar ice-caps as a
result which the sea
level may rise. GW
may cause the world
temperature to rise by
4.5 to 5oC by 2050; as
a result nearly 100
living areas of the
earth will submerge
into the sea. It is
estimated that by 2080
nearly 1/3 rd of the
bio-diversity will go
under the sea.

Water pollution is the
main cause; municipal
sludges, drainage of
insecticides, pesticides
and fertilizers in the
rivers, river bed
siltation, etc.

The EL-Nino
appears more
frequently and with
greater intensity since
1980s. Large
destruction of coral-
reefs was observed in
the last EL-Nino in
1998.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
the burning and cutting of about 34 million
acres of trees each year.
Buildings: Buildings structure account for
about 12 per cent of carbon dioxide emissions.
METHANE
Methane is second most important. According
to the IPCC, Methane is more than 20 times as
effective as CO2 at trapping heat in the atmo-
sphere. Levels of atmospheric methane have
risen 145 per cent in the last 100 years. Meth-
ane is derived from sources such as rice pad-
dies, bovine flatulence, bacteria in bogs and
fossil fuel production.
NITROUS OXIDE
Another greenhouse gas is Nitrous oxide (N2O),
a colourless, non-flammable gas with a sweet-
ish odour, commonly known as “laughing gas”,
and sometimes used as an anaesthetic. Nitrous
oxide is naturally produced by oceans and
rainforests. Man-made sources of nitrous ox-
ide include nylon and nitric acid production,
the use of fertilisers in agriculture, cars with
catalytic converters and the burning of organic
matter. Nitrous oxide is broken down in the
atmosphere by chemical reactions that involve
sunlight.
Effects of global warming

GW is likely to increase the melting of polar
ice-caps as a result which the sea level may rise.
GW may cause the world temperature to rise
by 4.5 to 5oC by 2050; as a result nearly 100 liv-
ing areas of the earth will submerge into the
sea. It is estimated that by 2080 nearly 1/3 rd of
the bio-diversity will go under the sea.

The warm water will form a lid over the sur-
face of the sea and thus it will prevent the stir-
ring up of the oceans. This will seriously affect
the recycling of the marine resources. The pho-
tosynthesis activity in the marine plants is likely
to be affected and thus there will be great bio-
logical damage due to deficiency of O2 in the
oceans. The tropical regions will be most af-
fected. Fish population will migrate towards
the pole.

Due to increased evaporation rate, precipi-
tation will be frequent. However, it will not be
evenly distributed which may lead to storms
and floods in certain parts of the world. The
rain- fall pattern of the earth will be disturbed;
established farming region may receive less
rain fall and arid and semi-arid regions may
receive more rainfall. This may force human
migration, unprecedently in the history of man-
kind. Human migration is likely to disturb the
established social, political and economical
structures of many countries.

Rise in temperature will directly affect the
soil and river basins which are also very sensi-
tive to the climatic changes.
Early Implications:
88
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change

Rise in sea levels due to melting glaciers and
thermal expansion of oceans as global tempera-
tures rise.

Release of greenhouse gases from melting
permafrost and dying forests.

A high risk of more extreme weather events
such as heat waves, droughts and floods. Glo-
bal incidence of drought has doubled over the
past 30 years.

Natural systems, including glaciers, coral
reefs, mangroves, arctic ecosystems, alpine eco-
systems, boreal forests, tropical forests, prairie
wetlands and mative grasslands, will be se-
verely threatened.

More species are likely to be wiped off the
face of the Earth and the risk of biodiversity
loss will be worse.

The greatest impact will be on poorer coun-
tries who are least able to protect themselves
from rising sea levels, spread of disease and
decline in agricultural production.
Long term effects

Melting Ice Sheets: Unless checked, warm-
ing from emissions may trigger the irreversible
meltdown of the Greenland ice sheet in the
coming decades.

Rising Sea Level: High tides are higher than
before. Over the last 100 years, the level of the
sea has rise by about 6-8 inches worldwide.

Human Health: Climate change can affect
people's health. For instance, heat stress and
other heat-related health problems are caused
by very warm temperatures and high humid-
ity.

Changing Ecological Systems: Climate
change can alter the world's habitats and eco-
systems.
Tell-tale evidence of GW

The Larsen effect: The shelf in the northern-
most tip of Antarctica experienced a huge crack
in 1995 and ice shields started drifting into
South sea exposing the sea beneath to ice
shields. For the first time in 20,000 years, this
will set in the cascading effect leading to melt-
ing of more polar ice-caps.

The EL-Nino appears more frequently and
with greater intensity since 1980s. Large de-
struction of coral-reefs was observed in the last
EL-Nino in 1998.

Summers are becoming increasingly hotter
since 1990s.
Some other causative factors
for environmental degradation

Water pollution is the main cause; munici-
pal sludges, drainage of insecticides, pesticides
and fertilizers in the rivers, river bed siltation,
etc.

Soil pollution due to scientific farming and
denundation of the green cover, leads to loss
of top soil through erosion.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

Since the of 19th
century, ecology has
been relevant to social
and philosophical
movements related to
protection of the
natural environment,
such as
conservationism and
environmentalism.
Today ecology is a
major political topic,
and a source of
ideology for major
political organizations
such as the Green
Party and
Greenpeace.

In 1972, the United
Nations held the first
international confer-
ence on human
environment in
Stockholm, the agenda
was prepared by Rene
Dubos and other
experts.

Ecology became a
central part of the
World’s politics as
early as 1971 when
UNESCO launched a
research programme
called Man and
Biosphere, with the
objective of increasing
knowledge about the
mutual relationship
between humans and
nature. A few years
later it defined the
concept of Biosphere
Reserve.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental

Air pollution due to emission of CH4, SO2,
and other polluting gases.

Nuclear pollution due to release of radiations
and nuclear wastes which affects both soil and
water.

Pollution in the normal living environment
due to multistoryed building, ‘sick building
syndrome’, spray- painted plastics, fluorescent
lights, etc.

Besides these various forms of pollutions, in-
visible pollutions and pollution of outer space
are on the rise. Electro -magnetic radiations
from various sources, reacts with sensitive
bodyparts. Space-debris are also on the rise.
Lead poisoning is causing anaemia, malfunc-
tioning in the kidneys, etc. in human beings.
Some measures
Preservation, conservation, reforestation and
afforestation could only help us out of this prob-
lem. Many initiatives have been taken globally
as well as at national level to protect the envi-
ronment from the scourge of degradation.

Two acts have been passed for the preserva-
tion and control of air and water pollution en-
forced by a Central Board assisted by states
boards. Central Board also lays down standards
for natural waters, industrial and domestic ef-
fluents and air.

Ecological Development Programme; The main
purpose of this programme is to regenerate
environment degraded areas with peoples par-
ticipation by creating general awareness. Eco-
logical Development Board organizes various
activities for environmental protection, stu-
dents’ camps and mobilizes voluntary agencies.

Government has enacted the Environment
Protection Act 1986, it covers all types pollutions
including noise and electro-magnetic radia-
tions. It was the first act to permit an individual
to sue the government for inaction.

New Forest Policy 1988: It states that atleast
1/3rd of land in India shall be brought under
forest cover by bringing 60 per cent of hilly re-
gions and 20 per cent of plains under forest
cover.

Social Forestry Scheme: Also known as ‘exten-
sion’ or ‘community’ forestry, it was initiated
by UNDP in 1978. It aims to provide food, fod-
der, fuel, fertilizer and fibre to population liv-
ing closer to forests so that they do not turn
towards the forest reserves. For this purpose
government of India is aiming to bring
panchayat land, fallow lands and other gov-
ernment lands under the social forestry in or-
der to meet the demands of local people. The
scheme seeks to incorporate the local popula-
tion in various activities for the growth of so-
cial forestry. This scheme was unable to give
the required results because; it could not en-
sure the participation of people, unscientific se-
89
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
lection of species of trees and it could not pre-
vent overgrazing, cutting of young trees, etc.

After a review Social Forestry Scheme was
relaunched in 1992. Under the current phase,
growing eucalyptus tree has been replaced by
promoting local species of trees that are fast
growing. Panchayats have been incorporated
in the development and maintenance of social
forestry to ensure peoples participation.

India is also receiving financial and techni-
cal assistance from Norway, Denmark, Sweden,
Canada, etc. for the promotion of social forestry
in the country.

The National Conservation Strategy and
policy has been prepared and adopted by the
government of India. It is a major policy instru-
ment of the government. for dealing with vari-
ous facets of environment and development in
a comprehensive manner. Besides providing a
perspective, this will help in devising the norms
and regulations for integration of environmen-
tal considerations in developmental activities
of various sectors to achieve sustainable devel-
opment.
Conservation and
Environmental Movements
Since the of 19th century, ecology has been rel-
evant to social and philosophical movements
related to protection of the natural environ-
ment, such as conservationism and environ-
mentalism. Today ecology is a major political
topic, and a source of ideology for major politi-
cal organizations such as the Green Party and
Greenpeace.
Ecology and Global Policy

Ecology became a central part of the World’s
politics as early as 1971 when UNESCO
launched a research programme called Man and
Biosphere, with the objective of increasing
knowledge about the mutual relationship be-
tween humans and nature. A few years later it
defined the concept of Biosphere Reserve.

In 1972, the United Nations held the first in-
ternational conference on human environment
in Stockholm, the agenda was prepared by Rene
Dubos and other experts.

This conference was the origin of the phrase
“Think Globally, Act Locally”. The next major
events in ecology were the development of the
concept of biosphere and the appearance of
terms “biological diversity” (or now more com-
monly biodiversity) in the 1980s.

These terms were emphasised upon at the
Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, where
the concept of the biosphere was recognized
by the major international organizations, and
risks associated with reductions in biodiversity
were publicly acknowledged.

Again in 1997, the dangers which the bio-
sphere was facing were recognized from an in-
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

ALBA
The Bolivarian Alliance
for the Peoples of Our
America (Spanish:
Alianza Bolivariana para
los Pueblos de Nuestra
América, or ALBA) is an
international coopera-
tion organization based
on the idea of social, po-
litical, and economic in-
tegration between the
countries of Latin
America and the Carib-
bean. The name initially
contained "Alternative"
instead of "Alliance", but
was changed on June
24, 2009. ALBA also
means "dawn" in Span-
ish. ALBA nations are in
the process of introduc-
ing a new regional cur-
rency, the SUCRE. It is
intended to be the com-
mon virtual currency by
2010 and eventually a
hard currency.
It was established in
2004 by Cuba and Ven-
ezuela. The 9 members
are: 1. Antigua and
Barbuda; 2. Bolivia; 3.
Cuba; 4. Dominica; 5.
Ecuador; 6. Honduras;
7. Nicaragua; 8. Saint
Vincent and the Grena-
dines; and 9. Venezuela
Observer states Ob-
server states of the
organisation include
Haiti, Iran and Uruguay.
ALBA reiterated its com-
mitment to the struggle
against climate change
and to the principles of
the Kyoto Protocol, now
more valid than ever,
whose content we con-
sider capable of im-
provement with the de-
cisions of the partici-
pants, and subsequent
accords, but something
that we shouldn’t allow
to die.
ALBA expressed its po-
litical desire to continue
working in the frame-
work of the Convention
and the Kyoto Protocol.
The relaunch of these
negotiations should be
based on respect, inclu-
sion, transparency, and
legitimacy.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ternational point of view at the conference lead-
ing to the Kyoto Protocol. In particular, this con-
ference highlighted the increasing dangers of
the greenhouse effect — related to the increas-
ing concentration of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere, leading to global changes in cli-
mate.

In Kyoto, most of the world’s nations recog-
nized the importance of looking at ecology from
a global point of view, on a worldwide scale,
and took into account the impact of humans
on the Earth’s environment.
Replacement of ODS

HCFC-22 (hydro CFC): With addition of hy-
drogen, it is more unstable and do not break in
lower atoms itself and gets absorbed. It causes
less damage to ozone layer (1/10th than that by
CFC)

HFC-134A (Hydro Fluoro Carbon): It is a re-
placement of CFC. It is totally ozone-friendly
but is expensive, inflammable and toxic. It is
also a powerful GHG.

Hydrocarbons: Butane and propane; they
can be replacements for CFCs. They can be used
as refrigerants in AC and refrigerators. They
are cheap and readily available, environment
friendly but flammable and poisonous.

Ammonia: Cheap and simple alternative to
CFC but they are corrosive and have to be
handled carefully.
Environment Impact Assessment
As part of the present regulations layed out un-
der the Environment Impact Assessment Noti-
fication (EIA), 1994, the Ministry of Environ-
ment and Forests ‘if deemed necessary’ can con-
sult a committee of experts. Thereby, relevant
documents including project reports, Environ-
ment Impact Assessments and so on are as-
sessed by one of the seven Expert Committees
(ECs) depending on which category they fall
under. These include Industrial projects, Ther-
mal projects, River Valley and Hydroelectric
projects, Mining projects, Nuclear Projects, In-
frastructure and Miscellaneous projects and
New Construction Projects and Industrial Es-
tates.
UNEP
On the recommendations of the above men-
tioned Conference the United Nations Environ-
ment Programme (UNEP) was launched with
its headquarters at Nairobi in 1972. Purpose:
The programme was expected to provide lead-
ership and encourage partnerships in caring for
the environment without compromising for fu-
ture generations. Activities: The UNEP has set
up Global Environment Monitoring System
(GEMS) and Global Resource Information Da-
tabase (GRID), which focus on vital areas of
environmental concerns such as climate and at-
mosphere, oceans, renewable resources, trans-
90
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
boundary and health consequence of pollution.
The UNEP Council/Forum has organised its
11th Special Session at Bali, Indonesia from 24-
26 February, 2010.
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and
forest Degradation (REDD)
Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and
Forest Degradation (REDD) is an approach to
achieving reductions in global greenhouse gas
emissions that is currently under negotiation
at the United Nations Framework Convention
on Climate Change (UNFCCC). REDD-plus in-
cludes: Reducing emissions from deforestation
and forest degradation and the role of conser-
vation, sustainable management of forests and
enhancement of forest carbon stocks in devel-
oping countries. A REDD mechanism with ro-
bust environmental and social safeguards could
offer an effective climate abatement strategy,
provided it is linked to a post-2012 climate
agreement with strong binding CO2 emission
reduction targets for industrialized nations.
After the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol in
1997, the UNFCCC agreed on a limited role of
forests as carbon sinks for the first commitment
period. Forests in developing countries were
only included in the Clean Development
Mechanism. The 2001 Marrekesh Accords
stipulated that in the context of forest-related
mitigation only afforestation and reforestation
projects under the CDM. REDD differs in that
it focuses on possibilities to reduce emissions
from deforestation and forest degradation as
well as the capacity of forests to conserve car-
bon. REDD-plus thus also includes conserva-
tion, the sustainable management of forests and
the enhancement of forest carbon stocks.
UNCED, Earth Summit
A landmark development in the sphere of pro-
tection of environment took place in 1992 when
the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development was held at Rio de Janeiro.
The conference popularly known as Earth Sum-
mit was the largest gathering of the world lead-
ers at that time. The conference sought to re-
verse environmental deterioration and estab-
lish the basis for a sustainable way of life into
the twenty-first century.
Outcomes: The Summit produced two legally
binding conventions:
 The United Nations Framework Conven-
tion on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under
which the industrialised countries were re-
quired to reduce emission of green house gases
that cause global warming and related atmo-
spheric problems. It came into force in 1993.
 The Convention on Biological Diversity,
which failed for halting the destruction of spe-
cies, habitats and ecosystems. It came into force
in 1994.
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Missions under Na-
tional Action Plan
on Climate Change,
2008 (NAPCC)
1. National Solar Mis-
sion – to significantly in-
crease the share of solar
energy in the total energy
mix while recognizing the
need to expand the
scope of other renewable
and non-fossil options
such as nuclear energy,
wind energy and biomass.
2. National Mission for
Enhanced Energy Effi-
ciency – to enhance en-
ergy efficiency, four new
initiatives will be put in place.
3. National Mission on
Sustainable Habitat – to
make human habitats
sustainable through in-
volvements in energy ef-
ficiency in buildings,
management of solid
waste and model shift to
public transport.
4. National Water Mis-
sion – to ensure inte-
grated water resource
management helping to
conserve water, minimize
wastage and ensure
more equitable distribu-
tion both across and
within states.
5. Nation Mission on
Sustaining Himalayan
Habitats – to evolve
management measures
for sustaining and safe-
guarding the Himalayan
glaciers and mountain
eco-system.
6. National Mission for
Green India – to en-
hance ecosystem ser-
vices including carbon
sinks and will be taken up
on degraded land
through direct action by
communities, organized
through JFMCs and
guided by the SFDs.
7. National Mission on
Sustainable Agriculture
- to make Indian agricul-
ture more resilient to cli-
mate change.
8. National Mission on
Strategic Knowledge
for Climate Change – to
enlist the global commu-
nity in research and tech-
nology development and
collaboration through
mechanisms including
open source platforms.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
Agenda 21
Most important outcome of the Earth Summit
was adoption of Agenda 21– a comprehensive
blueprint for global sustainable development.
The agenda made detailed recommendations
for changing patterns of behaviour which cause
ill-health in humans and stress to the environ-
ment.
Commission on
Sustainable Development
It was set up by the General Assembly of the
United Nations at the request of the Earth Sum-
mit. The Commission works as a subsidiary of
the Economic and Social Council. Purpose: To
monitor the implementation of Agenda by gov-
ernments, business houses, NGOs and others.
One UNEP problem which attracted the atten-
tion of the Commission is how to promote the
transfer of environmentally sound technology
to the developing countries and provide them
with financial assistance they need to put
Agenda 21 into action.
The 17th Session (being the Policy Session) of
the Commission on Sustainable Development
(CSD), was held from 4-15 May, 2009 in New
York, which considered the thematic areas of
agriculture, rural development, land, drought,
desertification and Africa.
Global Environment Facility (GEF): It was
established in 1991, as an independent finan-
cial mechanism provides grants to developing
countries and economies in transition for
projects that benefit the global environment and
promote sustainable livelihoods. India is a
founder member of GEF. India is both a donor
and recipient of GEF funds. India represents
GEF South Asia Constituency (including
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal and Sri
Lanka) in GEF Council.
– GEF projects address six focal areas –
biodiversity, climate change, land degradation,
international waters, ozone layer depletion and
persistent organic pollutants. They also address
two crosscutting issues viz., sustainable forest
management and sound chemical manage-
ment. The GEF is a project cofinancer provid-
ing “new and additional” funds to address the
global environmental issues. GEF projects are
implemented through its 10 agencies includ-
ing UNDP, WB, UNEP, UNIDO, FAO, IFAD,
ADB, AfDB, EBRD and IDB.
91
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Small Grant Programme (SGP):
Launched in 1992, GEF Small Grants Program
(SGP) complements GEF full- and medium-
sized project funding, by providing a window
for the direct participation of NGOs, local com-
munities, and other grassroots organizations.
SGP is a country wide, focus on the tribal, re-
mote, inaccessible areas and with Indigenous
tribal people.
SGP India has funded more than 300 projects
worth USD 5.2 million of grant and co-finance
leveraged is USD 6.2 million from communi-
ties and other stakeholders like Govt., local ad-
ministration and private sector
Kyoto Protocol
A Kyoto Protocol to the Climate Convention
was adopted in December 1997. The protocol
is yet to come into force. The aim of the Cli-
mate Change is to stabilise atmospheric con-
centration of greenhouse gases (GHGs) at a safe
level. States are required to give periodic re-
ports of their level of emissions and the mea-
sures adopted to check it.

By 2012, developed countries would reduce
their collective emissions by 5.2 per cent from
1990 levels, with each country being commit-
ted to a particular figure.

The emissions covered by the Protocol are
not only carbon dioxide, but also methane, ni-
trous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluoro-car-
bons and sulphur hexafluoride.

These commitments would be reckoned on
a net basis, considering sinks as well as sources,
and each country must credibly measure its
contribution and meet its commitment.

Countries may fulfill their commitments
jointly (such as with regional agreements) and
they may improve the efficiency of compliance
through “flexibility mechanisms”.
Montreal Protocol
The international community has taken unprec-
edented steps to control and ultimately ban the
production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and
other ozone depleting substances (ODS) such
as halons and carbon tetrachloride by the year
2000. The Vienna Convention on the Ozone
Layer and the subsequent Montreal Protocol
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

AOSIS
The Alliance of Small Is-
land States (AOSIS) is a
coalition of small island
and low-lying coastal
countries that share
similar development
challenges and con-
cerns about the environ-
ment, especially their
vulnerability to the ad-
verse effects of global
climate change. It func-
tions primarily as an ad
hoc lobby and negotiat-
ing voice for small island
developing States
(SIDS) within the United
Nations system.
AOSIS has a member-
ship of 42 States and ob-
servers, drawn from all
oceans and regions of
the world: Africa, Carib-
bean, Indian Ocean,
Mediterranean, Pacific
and South China Sea.
Thirty-seven are mem-
bers of the United Na-
tions, close to 28 per
cent of developing coun-
tries, and 20 percent of
the UN's total member-
ship. Together, SIDS
communities constitute
some five percent of the
global population.
The present chairman is
Ambassador Dessima
Williams of Grenada.
Against the G-77 view
that CO2 (carbon diox-
ide) levels be limited to
450 parts per million
(ppm), Aosis wants this
set at 350 ppm. the Alli-
ance of Small Island
States (AOSIS) released
a proposal for a two-pro-
tocol, legally binding out-
come for the
Copenhagen climate
summit. In their press re-
lease, the group de-
scribed the proposal as
“designed to safeguard
the Earth’s climate sys-
tem and to secure the fu-
ture survival of its 43
members.”
What the AOSIS pro-
posal would do is essen-
tially two things: amend
the Kyoto Protocol to ex-
tend it until 2017 (it cur-
rently is set to expire in
2012) and set new emis-
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
on Substances that depleted the ozone layer,
adopted in 1987 and derived strength in 1990.
The protocol stipulated a strict timetable for
phasing out CFCs and other ODS and prod-
ucts based on these materials. The developing
countries face a formidable challenge in reform-
ing their CFC use, as they lack the financial and
technological means available to be developed
nations, they have been allowed a 10-year grace
period before full compliance is required of
them to the Montreal Protocol. The Protocol
provided for a multilateral fund to assist de-
veloping countries cover their incremental costs
in eliminating CFCs or ODS.
Outcome of
the Montreal Summit
1. The agreement set no deadline for
completing that work, except to say it should
be done early enough to ensure that no gap
develops after 2012. Nevertheless, the summit
further cemented the commitments on targeted
emission reductions beyond 2012 by those
developed countries.
2. The European Union will meet its Kyoto
Protocol obligations to cut greenhouse gas
emissions by 2010, two years before the global
environment treaty’s final deadline.
3. US favoured and called for voluntary efforts
and bilateral and regional arrangements to
tackle climate change. A better scientific and
research oriented approach is needed to tackle
this problem. China, one of the world’s worst
polluters, urged the United States to join the
Kyoto treaty.
4. The Montreal conference brought US and
other dissent members of the UNFCC into the
international climate change agenda by
initiating what is called a “dialogue process”.
USA seems to agree to pursue the non-binding
dialogue process. At the same time, USA has
realised that further pursuance of anti-Kyoto
policy may isolate them.
5. Businesses and poorer nations will gain more
than 10 billion euro by 2012 from the
international effort to combat climate change
under a significant reform agreed to the Kyoto
protocol.
Annex I Parties
The industrialized countries listed in this annex
to the Convention sought to return their
greenhouse-gas emissions to 1990 levels by the
year 2000 as per Article 4.2 (a) and (b). They
have also accepted emissions targets for the
period 2008-12 as per Article 3 and Annex B of
the Kyoto Protocol. Annex I countries
(industrialized countries): Australia, Austria,
Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
92
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands,
New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Russian Federation, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey,
Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States of
America.
Annex II Parties
The wealthy countries listed in this annex to
the Convention have a special obligation to help
developing countries with financial and
technological resources. They include
(developed countries which pay for costs of
developing countries)
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Nether-
lands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Spain,
Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United
States of America.
(23 countries and separately the European
Union; Turkey was removed from the annex II
list in 2001 at its request to recognize its
economy as a transition economy.)
Bonn Agreements
Political deal reached at COP-6 in Bonn,
Germany, in 2001, by which governments
signed off on the most politically controversial
issues under the Buenos Aires Plan of Action.
Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
The atmospheric gases responsible for causing
global warming
and climate
change. The
major GHGs are
carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane
(CH4) and
nitrous oxide
(N2O). Less
prevalent but
very powerful –
green-house gases are hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), perfluo-rocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur
hexafluoride (SF6).
Entry into Force
The point at which an inter-governmental
agreement becomes legally binding-occurring
at a pre-stated interval after a pre-stated and
required number of ratifications by countries
has been achieved. The Climate Change
Convention required 50 ratifications to enter
into force. It now enters into force for each new
Party 90 days after that Party ratifies the
Convention.
Carbon Market
A popular but misleading term for a trading
system through which countries may buy or
sell units of greenhouse-gas emissions in an
effort to meet their national limits on emissions,
either under the Kyoto Protocol or under other
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TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

sions targets for all par-
ties; and simultaneously
create a new
“Copenhagen Protocol,”
a legally binding agree-
ment that would “en-
hance implementation
of the [United Nations
Framework Convention
on Climate Change
(UNFCCC)] in a bal-
anced and comprehen-
sive manner by ad-
dressing mitigation, ad-
aptation, technology, fi-
nancing and capacity-
building support.”
Bishnoi Tribe
The Bishnoi tribe of
Western Rajasthan has,
over the centuries, pro-
tected the trees and wild
animals in and around
their villages. Bishnois
do not cut trees for fuel
and timber; they remove
only the dead trunks and
twigs. Spotted deer,
black buck and blue bull
can be seen foraging
fearlessly in their fields.
Even if the crop is con-
sumed by herds of deer,
the Bishnois do not
chase away the ani-
mals.
The Bishnois worship
nature in all its manifes-
tations, conserve trees
and medicinal plants,
provide food and water
to animals, and are veg-
etarians in their diet, as
advocated by their Guru
Jambaji.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
agreements, such as that among member states
of the European Union. The term comes from
the fact that carbon dioxide is the predominant
greenhouse gas and other gases are measured
in units called “carbon-dioxide equivalents.”
Quantified Emissions Limitation and
Reduction Commitments (QELROs)
Legally binding targets and timetables under
the Kyoto Protocol for the limitation or
reduction of greenhouse-gas emissions by
developed countries.
India and Montreal Protocol
As per Montreal Protocol, the Ministry of En-
vironment and Forest has drafted regulations
in 1998 with the objective of phasing out CFCs
and other ODS. According to the regulations,
before March 1, 2003 following products were
to be phased out:
(a) Manufacturing of aerosol products exclud-
ing metered dose inhalers; (b) Manufacturing
of foam products including foam product of do-
mestic refrigerators; and (c) Manufacturing of
mobile air conditioners.
India was mainly producing and using nine of
the ninety five substances controlled under the
Montreal Protocol. These are CFC-11, CFC-12,
CFC-113, Carbontetrachloride (CTC),
Hydrochlorofluorocarbons-22 (HCFC-22),
Halon-1211, Halon-1301, Methyl Chloroform
and Methyl Bromide. These Ozone Depleting
Substances (ODS) are used in refrigeration and
air conditioning,
foams, fire fighting, aerosol, fumigation and
cleaning applications etc.
As per Montreal Protocol, India will phase out
all other ODS by 2010.
India has taken a series of fiscal and regulatory
measures to facilitate ODS phaseout in the
country. Among fiscal measures taken, Gov-
ernment has accorded customs and excise duty
exemptions on goods required for ODS phase-
out projects and new investment and expan-
sion of established industries with non-ODS
technology. In the current financial year i.e.
2009-10 only
93
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
benefit of customs duty has been given for the
above purpose.
IPCC
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change (IPCC) is the leading international body
for the assessment of climate change. It was es-
tablished by the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteoro-
logical Organization (WMO) to provide the
world with a clear scientific view on the cur-
rent state of knowledge in climate change and
its potential environmental and socio-economic
impacts. The Inter-Governmental Panel on Cli-
mate Change (IPCC) has emphasised that if the
concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere are to
be stabilised the global emission of carbon di-
oxide will have to be reduced by 60-80 per cent.
Some of the important findings of this panel
are:

Carbon dioxide has now increased by 31 per
cent since 1750.

Methane concentration in the atmosphere has
increased by 150 per cent since 1750 and con-
tributes a fifth of the warming effect.

Since 1950s, the lower part of the atmosphere
has warmed at about 0.1 0C per decade.

Over the last century, the global average sur-
face temperature has increased by about 0.6 0C.
United Air Fund: This model was propounded
by a number of groups in the Netherlands and
reflects the criteria of ecological effectiveness,
equity responsibility and economic efficiency.
The fund has estimated that the long term sus-
tainable level of carbon dioxide emission will
be about 2 tonnes per person per year. The
United Air Fund is a voluntary fund.
IPCC REPORT 2008
Observed changes in climate and their effects:
The report says that warming of the climate is
unequivocal and is evident from observations
of increases in global average air and ocean tem-
peratures, widespread melting of snow and ice,
and rising global average sea level. Eleven of
the last twelve years (1995-2006) rank among
the twelve warmest years in the instrumental
record of global surface temperatures; that is,
since 1850. The temperature increase is world-
wide, being greater at higher northern latitudes.
Land masses have
warmed faster than
oceans.
The global average
sea level has risen
since 1961 at an av-
erage rate of 1.8 (1.3
to 2.3) mm/yr and
since 1993 at 3.1 (2.4
to 3.8) mm/yr. The
rising see level is due to thermal expansion,
melting of glaciers and ice caps and polar ice
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Cobalt 60
Identifying the radionu-
clide responsible for
high-level radiation wit-
nessed in Mayapuri lo-
cality in New Delhi as
Cobalt-60, Cobalt-60
(60Co) is a radioactive
isotope of cobalt. Due to
its short half life of 5.27
years 60Co is not found
in nature. It is produced
artificially by neutron ac-
tivation of 59Co. 60Co
decays by negative beta
decay to the stable iso-
tope nickel-60 (60Ni).
The activated Ni-atom
emits two gamma rays
with energies of 1.17
and 1.33 MeV. Cobalt-
60 is a hard, lustrous,
grey metal. Cobalt-
based colours and pig-
ments have been used
since ancient times for
jewellery and paints.
“Cobalt-60 is used in
fabrication work, espe-
cially for welding steel
which has higher thick-
ness, though normally
Iridium-192 is used for
welding of less thick
steel. It is also used for
the treatment of cancer.
Umbrella Group
The ten-nation Umbrella
Group countries
pledged to act on cli-
mate change.
The Umbrella Group,
which consists of
Canada, Iceland, Ja-
pan, Kazakhstan, New
Zealand, Norway, Rus-
sia, Ukraine, the United
States and Australia.
Umbrella Group be-
lieved that the increase
in global average tem-
perature above pre-in-
dustrialized levels ought
not exceed two degrees
Celsius and the group
sought a global out-
come that put the world
on a path to a 50 per-
cent reduction in CO2
emissions by 2050.
But the Umbrella Group
did not give the details
of the reduction targets.
One can recall that the
Umbrella Group has
long been criticized for
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
sheets. Whether the faster increase from 1993
to 2003 is a decadal phenomenon or a long-term
trend is so for unclear.
Satellite data since 1978 has shown that annual
average Arctic sea ice extent has shrunk by 2.7
(2.1 to 3.3) per cent per decade with greater
shrinkages in summer. Mountain glaciers and
show cover have declined in both hemispheres.
From 1900 to 2005 there was significant increase
of precipitation in eastern parts of North and
South America, northern Europe and northern
and Central Asia. However, precipitation de-
creased in the Sahel, the Mediterranean, south-
ern Africa and parts of southern Asia. The area
under drought has likely increased globally
since the 1970s. It is very likely that over the
last 50 years, cold days, cold nights and frosts
have become less frequent over most land ar-
eas, whereas frequency of hot days and hot
nights have increased. It is likely that heat
waves have become more frequent over most
land areas, frequency of precipitation events
have increased and since 1975, incidence of
extreme high sea level have increased. It has
been observed that intense tropical cyclone ac-
tivity in North Atlantic has increased since
about 1979. Average Northern Hemisphere
temperatures during the second half of the 20th
century were very likely higher than during any
other 50 year period over the past 500 years
and likely the highest in at least the past 1300
years.
Also, effects of regional climate change on natu-
ral and human environments are emerging al-
though they are difficult to understand due to
adaptation and non-climatic factors. These in-
clude effects of temperature increases on:-
i) agriculture and forestry management at
Northern Hemisphere higher latitudes, such as
earlier spring planting of crops, and alterations
in disturbance regimes of forests due to fire and
pests.
ii) some health aspects, like heat related mor-
tality in Europe, changes in infectious disease
vectors in some areas, and allergenic pollen in
Northern Hemisphere high and mid-latitudes.
iii) Some human activities in the Arctic, such
as hunting, and in lower-elevation alpine ar-
eas like mountain sports.
Causes of change: Changes in atmospheric
concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs)
and aerosols, land cover and solar radiation
change the energy balance of the climate sys-
tem. Globally, GHG emissions due to human
activity have increased since pre-industrial
times. They have increased by 70 per cent be-
tween 1970 and 2004. Carbon dioxide (CO2),
the most important GHG has seen emission in-
creases by 80 per cent between 1970 and 2004.
The long-term trend of declining CO2 emissions
94
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
per unit of energy supplied reversed after 2000.
Atmospheric concentrations of CO2, Methane
(CH4) and Nitrous oxide (N2O) have increased
sharply since 1750 due to human activities and
are now far above pre-industrial values, which
were determined from ice cores spanning thou-
sands of years. In facts the atmospheric con-
centrations of CO2 (379 ppm) and CH4
(1774ppb) in 2005 by far exceed their natural
range over the last 6,50,000 years. Main reason
for CO2 increase is fossil fuel use, with land-
use change playing a relatively minor role. CH4
increases are very likely due to agriculture and
fossil fuel use. CH4 growth rates have declined
since early 1990s. N2O increase is primarily due
to agriculture.
Most of the observed increase in average glo-
bal temperatures since the mid-20th century is
very likely due to observed increase in GHG
concentrations. It is likely that warming has
occurred over the past 50 years over each con-
tinent except Antarctica.
The net effect of human activities since 1750 has
been one of warming. Human influences have
resulted in:-
i) very likely increase in sea level during the
second half of 20th c.
ii) likely changes in wind patterns, affecting
extra-tropical storm tracks and temperature
patterns.
iii) likely increase of temperatures of extremely
hot nights, cold nights and cold days.
iv) more likely than not increase in the risk of
heat waves, heavy precipitation events and the
area affected by droughts since the 1970s.
Global warming over the last three decades has
influenced many physical and biological sys-
tems.
IPCC: 32nd Plenary Session
14 October 2010, Busan, Republic of Korea
At its 32nd session, the Panel agreed to imme-
diately implement many of the recommenda-
tions. These include guidance on uncertainty,
non-peer-reviewed literature and addressing
potential errors. In addition, the Panel agreed
to set up a task group which will address the
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TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

its reluctance to reduce
carbon emissions,
though they have much
higher capabilities com-
pared with many other
countries.
BASIC Countries
1. BASIC countries
(Brazil, South Africa, In-
dia and China) have
favoured to remain
within the parameters of
the UN framework con-
vention on the climate
change and it also wants
the Kyoto Protocol, a le-
gally valid instrument,
must remain effective
and operative as it takes
the process forward post
Copenhagen.
2. BASIC recognised
that there are certain
outstanding issues
which remain to be ad-
dressed but in address-
ing those issues the
mandate must be the
Bali Mandate.
3. The Kyoto Protocol is
the legally valid instru-
ment and it must remain
effective, operative as
we take this process for-
ward post Copenhagen.
4. BASIC adopted the
strategy to announce
their individual, volun-
tary targets for reducing
the energy intensities of
their economic growth.
In this process, China
announced a target of
40-45 per cent reduction
in emission intensity
compared to 2005 levels
by 2020, and India 20-
25 per cent. Like China,
India wants rich nations
to cut emissions by at
least 40 per cent by 2020.
5. But at that same time,
BASIC aptly believed
that they would not like
to have any restrictions
on when they would
reach the peak of their
emissions, definitely not
by 2015 or 2020 as de-
manded by the Intergov-
ernmental Panel on Cli-
mate Change (IPCC).
What they needed was
a recognition of their im-
perative of economic
growth with passable
concern for climate.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
establishment of an Executive Committee, re-
view the key responsibilities of the Secretariat,
as well as the terms of reference of Chair and
Co-chairs of the Working Groups. The IPCC
also decided to implement a rigorous conflict
of interest policy and established a task group
to propose options.
The Panel accepted the recommendation to
develop a communication strategy. It also
formed task groups to address other IAC rec-
ommendations related to IPCC procedures for
the preparation of the assessment reports.
The work to prepare the Fifth Assessment Re-
port (AR5), which will be published in 2014,
remains on course and will benefit from the
Panel’s decisions. In comparison to the Fourth
Assessment Report (AR4), participation from
developing countries has been increased reflect-
ing the on-going efforts to improve regional
coverage in the AR5. About 30% of authors will
come from developing countries or economies
in transition. The proportion of female experts,
has significantly increased since the AR4, reach-
ing approximately 25% of the selected authors.
More than 60% of the experts chosen are new
to the IPCC process, which will bring in new
knowledge and perspectives.
World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD)
The UN organised a 10-day World Summit on
Sustainable Development (WSSD) in
Johannesburg in 2002. It was attended by rep-
resentatives of over 180 countries.
The WSSD came out with a highly compro-
mised Plan of Action, a largely rhetorical Po-
litical Declaration (Type I) and a non-binding
Type II partnership between businesses, NGOs
and governments.
The declaration affirmed the participants’ com-
mitment to haul the world’s two billion poor-
est out of misery, and to restore and nurture
the damaged environmental web that sustains
all life. The failure of Johannesburg clearly dem-
onstrates that a sustainable development can-
not be sustained easily.
Achievements
1. A Plan of Action has been formulated to
make available drinking water to two billion
people by 2015.
2. For preservation of biodiversity, the species
loss has to be stopped by 2010.
3. Renewable source of energy has to be em-
phasized. But there is absence of target dates
for increasing the use of renewable energy.
4. Agenda 21 was more emphasized.
5. Commitment that by 2020, chemicals should
be used and produced in ways that do not harm
human health and environment.
6. To reduce biodiversity loss by 2004; to re-
store fisheries to the maximum sustainable
95
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
yields by 2015; to improve the developing coun-
tries’ access to environmentally sound alterna-
tives to ozone-depleting chemicals by 2010; and
to undertake initiatives to implement the Glo-
bal Programme of Action for the Protection of
the Marine Environment from Land-Based
Sources.
7. The Global Environment Facility (GEF) will
consider including the Convention to Combat
Desertification as a focal area for funding.
8. Russia, China and Canada have agreed to
ratify the Kyoto Protocol. This is the only big
achievement.
Causes of Failure
1. They wanted to cover broadest aspects of
the issue. This gave rise to incoherent, disor-
derly agenda, resulting in non-binding, debili-
tated commitments to promote the sustainable
development.
2. Growing tendencies to neglect the environ-
ment in current spate of accelerated
globalisation;
3. The negative attitude of USA towards the
Kyoto Protocol;
4. Absence of the country heads.
5. A last minute disagreement over controver-
sial clause on access to health services being
bracketed with cultural and religious values.
India’s Stand: India did not demonstrate any
warm enthusiasm in the meet. India empha-
sized about the unsustainable consumption pat-
tern of the developed countries and the conse-
quent ethical responsibilities of the developed
countries to ‘clean-up’ the environment. But, if
we meticulously examine the tune of the dia-
logue per se, it merely sounds ritualistic.
Nairobi Summit on Climate Change
The 12th Conference of the parties of the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (COP12) held at Nairobi. The 189-mem-
ber conference ended without major break-
throughs. The next round of talks will be at Bali
in December 2007.
Nairobi Outcomes
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

The international
political response to
climate change began
with the adoption of
the UNFCCC in 1992.
The UN Framework
Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC)
sets out a framework
for action aimed at
stabilizing atmospheric
concentrations of
greenhouse gases to
avoid “dangerous
anthropogenic
interference” with the
climate system

The United Nations
Climate Change
Conference in Poznañ,
Poland, was held from
1-12 December 2008.
The fourteenth
Conference of the 192
Parties to the United
Nations Framework
Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC)
and the fourth meeting
of the 183 Parties to
the Kyoto Protocol, is
the half-way mark in
the negotiations on an
ambitious and effective
international response
to climate change. ther
experts.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
1. A new fund to be created to help poor coun-
tries adapt to climate change.
2. Belarus has been allowed into a club of 35
industrialised countries that face binding lim-
its on their emissions of greenhouse gases from
2008-12.
Bali Roadmap 2007
1. A preamble notes the "urgency" of scientific
evidence that warming of the climate system is
unequivocal and that delay in reducing emis-
sions increases the risk that the impacts of cli-
mate change will worsen.
2. The Roadmap sets the framework for nego-
tiations for a long-term agreement on emissions
cuts, including the United States, the only in-
dustrial power to remain outside the UN's
Kyoto Protocol.
3. The negotiations are to wrap up in
Copenhagen at the end of 2009, to give parties
time to ratify the treaty so that it takes effect at
the end of 2012, following on from current com-
mitments under Kyoto. Four meetings are
scheduled in 2008: in March/April, June, Au-
gust/September and finally in December, in
Poznan, Poland.
4. The Roadmap does not specify any clear
emissions goal, nor does it suggest which coun-
tries should make emissions cuts or how deep
these cuts should be. But in a footnote in the
preamble, it refers to scenarios by the UN's
Nobel-winning scientists, the Intergovernmen-
tal Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which in-
clude a goal of halving global emissions by
2050, compared with the level for 2000.
5. Developing countries will be urged to meet
"measurable, reportable and verifiable" actions
for tackling their emissions, supported by
cleaner technology, financing and skills-build-
ing.
6. The Roadmap includes possible financial
support to halt deforestation and forest degra-
dation, which account for roughly a fifth of glo-
bal greenhouse-gas emissions today.
OTHER DECISIONS
1. The conference agreed on the mechanism for
governing and administering the Adaptation
Fund, set up under the Kyoto Protocol to help
poor countries cope with climate change. The
Fund will be sourced by a levy of two percent
on projects under Kyoto's carbon-market inno-
vation, the Clean Development Mechanism
(CDM). (2) The conference took steps for set-
ting up mechanisms to encourage the transfer
of cleaner technology to countries to help them
reduce or avoid carbon pollution. (3) Carbon
capture and sequestration (CSS), a prototype
method of piping off carbon dioxide (CO2)
from fossil-fuel-burning power plants and
pumping it into geological storage chambers
underground, also gets a small boost. The con-
96
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
ference asked its scientific and technical body
to report back to Poznan on the possibility of
integrating CCS schemes in the CDM after 2012.
Poznan Summit 2008
on Climate Change
The international political response to climate
change began with the adoption of the
UNFCCC in 1992. The UN Framework Conven-
tion on Climate Change (UNFCCC) sets out a
framework for action aimed at stabilizing at-
mospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases
to avoid “dangerous anthropogenic interfer-
ence” with the climate system. The UNFCCC
entered into force on 21 March 1994, and now
has 192 parties.
The United Nations Climate Change Confer-
ence in Poznañ, Poland, was held from 1-12 De-
cember 2008. The fourteenth Conference of the
192 Parties to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and
the fourth meeting of the 183 Parties to the
Kyoto Protocol, is the half-way mark in the ne-
gotiations on an ambitious and effective inter-
national response to climate change. The deal
is to be clinched in Copenhagen at the end of
2009 and will take effect in 2013, the year after
the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol expires.
Outcomes:
1. Adoption of COP decisions, COP/MOP de-
cisions and a number of conclusions by the sub-
sidiary bodies. These outcomes covered a wide
range of topics, including the Adaptation Fund
under the Kyoto Protocol, the 2009 work
programmes of the AWG-LCA and AWG-KP,
and outcomes on technology transfer, the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM), capacity
building, national communications, financial
and administrative matters, and various meth-
odological issues.
2. The main focus in Poznañ, however, was on
long-term cooperation and the post-2012 pe-
riod, when the Kyoto Protocol’s first commit-
ment period expires. In December 2007, nego-
tiators meeting in Bali had approved the Bali
Action Plan and Roadmap setting COP 15 in
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TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

Along with the
Poznañ work
programme on
technology transfer,
the only concrete
outcome of the
Poznañ conference
was the
operationalization of
the Adaptation Fund.
The COP/MOP
adopted several
decisions to make the
Fund operational,
including on arrange-
ments with the Global
Environment Facility
and World Bank.

Annex I Parties
commit to implement
individually or jointly
the quantified
economy-wide
emissions targets for
2020, to be submitted
in the format given in
Appendix I by Annex I
Parties to the
secretariat by 31
January 2010 for
compilation in an INF
document.

The Copenhagen
Green Climate Fund
shall be established as
an operating entity of
the financial mecha-
nism of the Convention
to support projects,
programme, policies
and other activities in
developing countries
related to mitigation
including REDD-plus,
adaptation, capacity-
building, technology
development and
transfer.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
December 2009 as MONTREAL PROTOCOL 1987
the deadline for CFC production and consumption to be frozen at 1986 levels by 1990;
agreeing on a frame- that of Halons by 1994; developing countries with consumption of CFC
work for action after less than 0.3 kg to delay compliance.
CONVENTONS
ONS
2012. Poznañ there- HELSINKI DECLARATION 1989
fore marked the On protection of Ozone layer; phasing out CFC production and con-
halfway mark to- sumption by 2000.
CONVENT
wards the December LONDON CONFERENCE 1990
2009 deadline. CFC production and consumption to be phasing out by 2000 (devel-
3. Along with the oped countries) and by 2010 (developing countries).
Poznañ work COPENHAGEN CONFERENCE 1992
programme on tech- Phase out CFC by 1996, Halons by 2000, CCl4 by 1996, HCFC by 2030.
nology transfer, the RIO-EARTH SUMMIT 1992
only concrete out- Agenda 21 to prevent environmental degradation.
come of the Poznañ KYOTO CONFERENCE 1997
To cut GHG by 5.2 per cent to 1990 levels by 2008-12.
conference was the
operationalization
of the Adaptation Fund. The COP/MOP 31 January 2010, for compilation in an INF
adopted several decisions to make the Fund op- document, consistent with Article 4.1 and
erational, including on arrangements with the Article 4.7 and in the context of sustainable
Global Environment Facility and World Bank. development.
4. Progress was also made on a number of im- 4. Least developed countries and Small Island
portant ongoing issues that are particularly im- developing States may undertake actions
portant for developing countries, including: ad- voluntarily and on the basis of support.
aptation; finance; technology; reducing emis- Mitigation actions subsequently taken and
sions from deforestation and forest degrada- envisaged by Non-Annex I Parties, including
tion (REDD); and disaster management. national inventory reports, shall be
5. Progress was made in the area of technol- communicated through national communi-
ogy with the endorsement of the Global Envi- cations consistent with Article 12.1(b) every two
ronment Facility’s “Poznañ Strategic years on the basis of guidelines to be adopted
Programme on Technology Transfer”. The aim by the Conference of the Parties.
of this programme is to scale up the level of 5. Mitigation actions taken by Non-Annex I
investment by levering private investments that Parties will be subject to their domestic
developing countries require both for mitiga- measurement, reporting and verification the
tion and adaptation technologies. result of which will be reported through their
Copenhagen Accord 2009 national communications every two years.
1. To achieve the ultimate objective of the 6. The crucial role of reducing emission from
Convention to stabilize greenhouse gas deforestation and forest degradation and the
concentration in the atmosphere at a level that need to enhance removals of greenhouse gas
would prevent dangerous anthropogenic emission by forests and agreeing on the need
interference with the climate system, the to provide positive incentives to such actions
platform shall, recognizing the scientific view through the immediate establishment of a
that the increase in global temperature should mechanism including REDD-plus, to enable the
be below two degrees Celsius, on the basis of mobilization of financial resources from
equity and in the context of sustain-able developed countries has been recognised.
development, enhance convention’s long-term 7. The Copenhagen Green Climate Fund shall
cooperative action to combat climate change. be established as an operating entity of the
2. Annex I Parties commit to implement financial mechanism of the Convention to
individually or jointly the quantified economy- support projects, programme, policies and
wide emissions targets for 2020, to be submitted other activities in developing countries related
in the format given in Appendix I by Annex I to mitigation including REDD-plus, adaptation,
Parties to the secretariat by 31 January 2010 for capacity-building, technology development
compilation in an INF document. Annex I and transfer.
Parties that are Party to the Kyoto Protocol will 8. In order to enhance action on developm-ent
thereby further strengthen the emissions and transfer of technology it was decided to
reductions initiated by the Kyoto Protocol. establish a Technology Mecha-nism to
3. Non-Annex I Parties to the Convention will accelerate technology
implement mitigation actions, including those development and transfer in support of action
to be submitted to the secretariat by non-Annex on adaptation and mitigation that will be
I Parties in the format given in Appendix II by guided by a country-driven approach and be
97 Civil Services
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Climate
Change

The XXX Antarctic
Treaty Consultative
Meeting (ATCM) was
concluded. The
Committee for
Environmental
Protection (CEP) after
reviewing the revised
draft Management
Plans for two Antarctic
Specially Managed
Area (ASMA) of
Larsemann Hills and
Amundsen-Scott South
Pole Station, referred
them to ATCM, which
were finally adopted by
ATCM.

This year more than
37000 tourists entered
the Antarctic Treaty
Area - an increase of
about 14 per cent over
the last season. The
meeting adopted a
Resolution for
regulation of ship-
based tourism in the
Antarctic waters. It also
decided to address the
safety issues in a more
cohesive way.

Ozone is an
allotropic form of
oxygen. It is a kind of
super- charged
oxygen, bluish in
colour with distinctive,
penetrating odour.
Ozone in Greek means
‘to smell’ Ozone is
also known as tri-
atomic oxygen (O3)
and is chemically very
active.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
based on national circumstances and priorities.
9. It called for an assessment of the
implementation of this Accord to be completed
by 2015, including in light of the Conventions
ultimate objective. This would include
consideration of strengthening the long-term
goal referencing various matters presented by
the science, including in relation to temperature
rise of 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Major outcome:
1. A global goal to reduce worldwide emissions
by 50 per cent by mid-century;
2. Developed countries to set their emission
targets by February 2010 and developing
countries to list their actions;
3. Adherence to targets by developed countries
would be subject to international monitoring;
4. Actions of developing countries supported
by external assistance would be subject to
external monitoring and verification;
5. Actions of developing countries supported
locally shall be monitored and verified locally
in accordance with international consultations
and analysis without impinging on the
sovereignty of nations;
6. Long-term funding to the tune of $100
million per year by 2020 and making available
$10 million per year for short-term funding
from 2010 to the poorest and most vulnerable
to climate change; and
7. A review of the overall agreement in 2016.
In 2010 - COP 16/MOP 6, would be held in
Cancun, Mexico from 29 November to 10 De-
cember 2010. In 2011 - COP 17/MOP 7, is to be
hosted by South Africa from 28 November to 9
December 2011.
In 2012 - COP 18/MOP 8: Two countries, Qatar
and South Korea, are currently bidding to host
the 2012 COP 18.
Antarctic Treaty
Consultative Meeting (ATCM)
The XXX Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meet-
ing (ATCM) was concluded. The Committee
for Environmental Protection (CEP) after re-
viewing the revised draft Management Plans
for two Antarctic Specially Managed Area
(ASMA) of Larsemann Hills and Amundsen-
Scott South Pole Station, referred them to
ATCM, which were finally adopted by ATCM.
The CEP, after reviewing, advised the ATCM
that the draft Comprehensive Environmental
Evaluation (CEE) of the new Indian Research
Base at Larsemann Hills adequately meets the
requirement, which was subsequently en-
dorsed by ATCM. This clears the way for In-
dia to go ahead with development of a detailed
plan of the Research Base at the site selected by
India. In that direction, India will be finalizing
the CEE of the new Base in next few months.
This year more than 37000 tourists entered the
98
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Antarctic Treaty Area - an increase of about 14
per cent over the last season. The meeting
adopted a Resolution for regulation of ship-
based tourism in the Antarctic waters. It also
decided to address the safety issues in a more
cohesive way. The issue of land-based tourism
was discussed at length which if not regulated
may lead to more than a minor or transitory
impact on Antarctica. Some parties have raised
concern about this and urged concrete steps
need to be taken as limiting possible future de-
velopment of tourist infrastructure in Antarc-
tica. The Resolutions taken in this ATCM will
be a valuable first step, which are as follows:
Parties consistent with their National Laws,
should: Discourage or decline to authorize tour
operators that use vessels carrying more than
500 passengers from making any landings in
Antarctica; and Encourage or require tour op-
erators to:a) Coordinate with each other such
that not more than one tourist vessel is at a land-
ing site at any one time; b) Restrict the number
of passengers on shore at any one time to 100
or fewer, unless otherwise specified in appli-
cable ATCM Measures or Resolutions; and c)
Maintain a minimum 1:20 guide-to-passenger
ratio while ashore, unless otherwise specified
in applicable Measures or Resolutions.
Ozone layer and its depletion
Ozone is an allotropic form of oxygen. It is a
kind of super- charged oxygen, bluish in colour
with distinctive, penetrating odour. Ozone in
Greek means ‘to smell’ Ozone is also known
as tri-atomic oxygen (O3) and is chemically very
active. It destroys bacteria in water and is so
used in treating drinking water. A layer of O3
is spread like an invisible canopy over the
earth’s atmosphere to a variable extent. High-
est concentration is found between 15-35 km.
in stratosphere. It also found in troposphere.
Ozone causes respiratory problems, stunts the
growth of plants and lowers the immune level.
Therefore, the presence of Ozone in atmosphere
is preferred.
It is formed due to the action of the sunlight
over the atomic and molecular oxygen. It is
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Climate
Change

With 17 per cent of
the world’s population,
India contributes only 4
per cent of the total
global greenhouse gas
emissions. In terms of
per capita GHG
emissions, it is about
23 per cent of the
global average.

CFCs is a synthetic
gas used in aerosol
spray, as refrigerants
in air conditioners and
refrigerators and
manufacturing of foam.
It is extremely stable
and chemically non-
reacting under normal
conditions. When
CFCs are released into
atmosphere it breaks
into its constituents (Cl,
F and C) chlorine
atoms reacts with O3
and form ClO and O2.
ClO is very unstable
and it breaks down into
Cl and O.

Members of halogen
family namely Cl, F, Br,
I, etc. They are used in
fire extinguisher in
ships aircrafts and
computer control
rooms. Its destructive
effect is 3 to 10 times
than that of CFCs.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
helpful in two ways;
It has a profound impact on the life and cli-
mate of the earth. It protects life by absorbing
the harmful ultra-violet radiations of sun.
It also helps in keeping the troposphere warm
and regulates the jet stream which is found at
the lower part of the stratosphere. Jet stream
influences the climatic conditions in tropo-
sphere.
The 1985 report of the discovery of an “ozone
hole” over Antarctica focused attention on the
idea that humans
can have a signifi-
cant impact on the
global environ-
ment.
This discovery,
along with evi-
dence that ozone
is being lost at
nearly all lati-
tudes outside the
tropics, has prompted much research into the
causes of ozone depletion and the biological ef-
fects of increased ultra-violet radiation expo-
sure. The potential effects on humans and the
environment have led to international resolu-
tions designed to gradually phase-out produc-
tion of ozone-depleting substances.
As a result, the scientific and industrial com-
munities have collaborated to find safe and eco-
nomical replacements for Chloro Fluoro Car-
bons (CFCs), the manmade chemicals impli-
cated in ozone loss.
ODS
CFCs: It is a synthetic gas used in aerosol
spray, as refrigerants in air conditioners and
refrigerators and manufacturing of foam. It is
extremely stable and chemically non-reacting
under normal conditions. When CFCs are re-
leased into atmosphere it breaks into its con-
stituents (Cl, F and C) chlorine atoms reacts
with O3 and form ClO and O2. ClO is very un-
stable and it breaks down into Cl and O. Cl
atom again breaks one O3 molecule. One Cl
atom is sufficient to destroy one lakh O3 mol-
ecule and its destructive effects can persist for
100 years.
 Halogens: Members of halogen family
namely Cl, F, Br, I, etc. They are used in fire
extinguisher in ships aircrafts and computer
control rooms. Its destructive effect is 3 to 10
times than that of CFCs.
Carbon tetra chlorides: It is used in the manu-
facturing of pesticides, paints and solvents in
pharmaceutical industries. Its destructive effect
on O3 is equivalent to that of CFCs.
Methyl chloroform: It is used as a solvent for
precision metal working. Destructive effect is
1/10th than that of CFCs. Nitrous oxide: Gen-
99
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
erated or released by spacecrafts in atmosphere.
Hydrofluorocarbons or 'HFCs' have been in-
creasingly used in the last decade or so as an
alternative to ozone damaging CFCs in refrig-
eration systems. The three main HFCs are HFC-
23, HFC-134a and HFC152a, with HFC-134a
being the most widely used refrigerant. HFC-
23 is a by-product of the production of HCFC-
22, which is used in refrigeration and air con-
ditioning. As of June 2010, almost three quar-
ters of the CDM offset credits issued were
manufactured by large firms making minor
technical adjustments to eliminate the refriger-
ant gas HFC-23 and nitrous oxide (N2O, which
is mainly produced as a by-product of synthetic
fibre production).
Almost 85 per cent of the offset credits surren-
dered within the EU Emissions Trading Sys-
tem (EU ETS) came from these two gases in
2009. HFC-23 credits alone accounted for 59 per
cent.
India and Climate Change
With 17 per cent of the world’s population,
India contributes only 4 per cent of the total
global greenhouse gas emissions. In terms of
per capita GHG emissions, it is about 23 per
cent of the global average. Its per capita con-
sumption of energy is 530 kgoe of primary en-
ergy compared to the world average of 1770
kgoe and its per capita emission of CO2 is
among the lowest in the world. India’s CO2
emissions are approximately 1 tonne per an-
num as against a world average of 4.2 tonnes
per annum, while the average for industrial-
ized countries ranges between 10-20 tonnes per
capita. This is significant in the background of
declining energy intensity of GDP of India; this
is a result of policies, regulations and
programmes set up over the years to address
energy efficiency and energy security concerns.
This has had a positive effect on India’s devel-
opment process.
India is one of the few developing countries
in the world where the forest cover is increas-
ing, despite the pressure of population growth
and rapid economic development. As a result
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TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

Indian Network of
Climate Change
Assessment (INCCA)
programme was
launched on 14th
October 2009. It is a
network based
programme to be
coordinated by this
Ministry to undertake
more ambitious
programme of climate
change assessment.

Prime Minister’s
Council on Climate
Change has approved
the Jawaharlal Nehru
National Solar Mission
that envisages
generation of 20000
mw of solar power by
2020. This Mission
was launched by the
Prime Minister in New
Delhi on 11 January
2010.

India has partici-
pated effectively in the
Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM) of
the Kyoto Protocol.
The National CDM
Authority functions in
the Ministry of
Environment & Forests
to evaluate and
recommend CDM
projects for host
country approval.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
of the policies, deforestation has almost com-
pletely stopped, and afforestation is adding for-
est cover to about 0.25 per cent of India’s land
area every year. More than a fifth of India’s land
area is under forest cover and this serves as a
major carbon sink, with almost 11 per cent of
India’s annual emissions being absorbed by the
forests. The cover is increasing every year @
almost 0.8 mn hectares every year (proposed
to be raised to 2.3 mn hectares p.a. through the
new afforestation initiatives on the norms for
the functioning of the Adaptation Fund to pro-
vide assistance to developing countries to adapt
to the adverse impacts of climate.
National Action Plan on Climate Change: As
a part of voluntary actions to address climate
change related concerns, India launched its
National Action Plan on Climate Change
(NAPCC) on 30th June 2008. The National Ac-
tion Plan stresses that maintaining a high
growth rate is essential for increasing living
standards of the vast majority of people of In-
dia and reducing their vulnerability of the im-
pacts of climate change. The Action Plan out-
lines a national strategy that aims at enabling
the country adapt to climate change and en-
hances the ecological sustainability of India’s
development path.
Eight National Missions (National Solar Mis-
sion, National Mission on Enhanced Energy
Efficiency, National Mission on Sustainable
Habitat, National Water Mission, National Mis-
sion for sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem,
National Mission for a Green India, National
Mission for Sustainable Agriculture and Na-
tional Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Cli-
mate Change) form the core of the National
Action Plan on Climate Change.
Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change
has approved the Jawaharlal Nehru National
Solar Mission that envisages generation of
20000 mw of solar power by 2020. This Mis-
sion was launched by the Prime Minister in
New Delhi on 11 January 2010. The National
Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, coor-
dinated by the Ministry of Power, has also been
approved. Required legislative and administra-
tive measures are being put in place so as to
implement the Mission. Drafts of other Mis-
sions have been prepared and are at various
stages of consideration.
The ‘Green India’ project, launched by the
Ministry with a view to cover six million hect-
ares of degraded forestland through afforesta-
tion measures, is an important contribution to
the objectives of the National Action Plan. It
forms part of ‘a Green India Mission’ an-
nounced under the NAPCC.
Indian Network of Climate Change Assess-
ment (INCCA): This programme was launched
100
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
on 14th October 2009. It is a network based
programme to be coordinated by this Ministry
to undertake more ambitious programme of
climate change assessment. This programme
will cover significant aspect related to climate
change, including, for example, the study of
black carbon and the impact of climate change
on glaciers and on rainfall patterns.
CDM and Carbon trading
The idea of carbon trading emanated after the
signing of the Kyoto Protocol of the United Na-
tions Framework Convention on Climate
Change. It mandates GHG emissions caps on
industrialized nations, which have ratified it,
but also allows them to buy a greener nation's
GHG emission levels.
As a result of this provision, a CER can be
earned by reducing emissions through eco-
friendly practices, or, in other words, a coun-
try with an emission cap can buy a CER from a
developing country that does not face a cap.
And that's where India comes into the picture
as a seller of CERs under the Clean Develop-
ment Mechanism (CDMs) of legal framework
of the protocol. CDM allows for company
projects in developing countries, with no man-
dated emission reduction targets, to trade in
CERs with countries that have such targets. One
CER is equivalent to a reduction of one tonne
of carbon.
India has participated effectively in the Clean
Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto
Protocol. The National CDM Authority func-
tions in the Ministry of Environment & Forests
to evaluate and recommend CDM projects for
host country approval. Host Country Approv-
als have been granted so far (January 2010) to
1551 projects in the sectors of energy efficiency,
fuel switching, industrial processes, municipal
solid waste and renewable energy. If all these
projects get registered by the CDM Executive
Board, they have the potential to generate 627
million Certified Emission Reductions (CERs)
at a conservative price of US$10 per CER, by
the year 2012 and facilitate an investment of
more than Rs. 2,16,349 crores. India’s CDM
potential represents a significant component of
the global CDM market. 478 out of the total 2011
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

Those elements of
the biophysical
environment, which
can be used to satisfy
human needs are
known as natural
resources. They are
physical features like
land, climate, water,
soil, and minerals and
biological like
vegetation, wildlife and
fisheries.

Natural resources by
themselves are not
resources as such
unless human beings
perceive them. The
perception of natural
phenomena as
resources depends on
the cultural heritage –
knowledge, experi-
ence, skills, organiza-
tion, technology, etc.
Thus resources have a
cultural content too.
Resources expand and
contract in response to
human wants and
tastes.

NBPGR is mandated
to plan, conduct,
promote, co-ordinate
and take lead in
activities concerning
collection, character-
ization, evaluation,
conservation,
exchange, documenta-
tion and sustainable
management of
diverse germplasm of
crop plants and their
wild relatives.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
projects registered by the CDM Executive Board
in UNFCCC (Jan 2010) are from India, is the
second highest by any country in the world.
India’s Five Year plans include a strategy for
sustainable growth resulting in low carbon
sustainable development. 11th Five Year Plan
includes an indicative target of increasing
energy efficiency by 20 per cent by 2016-17. As
a part of its ambitious domestic actions,
Government has now declared that it will
reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 20-25
per cent by 2020 in comparison with 2005 level.
The Ministry is engaged in the task of preparing
its second national Communication with the
help of over 120 scientific and research
establishments and 220 scientists from all over
the country. NATCOM II will be finalised in
2010 and furnished to UNFCCC in 2011.
Classification of Resources
Natural Resources: Those elements of the bio-
physical environment, which can be used to
satisfy human needs are known as natural re-
sources. They are physical features like land,
climate, water, soil, and minerals and biologi-
cal like vegetation, wildlife and fisheries.
Human Resources: The number of quality of
people constitute human resources.
Cultural Resources: Natural resources by
themselves are not resources as such unless
human beings perceive them. The perception
of natural phenomena as resources depends on
the cultural heritage – knowledge, experience,
skills, organization, technology, etc. Thus re-
sources have a cultural content too. Resources
expand and contract in response to human
wants and tastes.
These wants and tastes are influenced by the
culture. Culture is the sum total of all ideals,
knowledge and techniques human uses to at-
tain these objectives. To a considerable degree,
the availability, renewability and exploitability
of natural resources depend on scientific dis-
coveries and technological inventions. Science
and technology is the product of culture. As
the attributes of cultural broaden, the supply
base or resources expands.
Inexhaustible and Immutable Resources:
They include the ocean water, solar power,
wind power, climate, clay, air etc.
101
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
Inexhaustible but Misusable Resources:
Quantity and quality of such resources would
deteriorate if used unwisely. They include land,
wild animals, water resources, etc.
Maintainable and Renewable Resources: Re-
newability of these resources depends on the
method of their use. They include timber, hu-
man numbers, land fertility, ground water etc.
Maintainable but Non-renewable Resources:
Such resources cannot be renewed after over
exploitation. They include physical soil mate-
rials, human talent and genius, many fishes,
trees, etc.
Exhaustible but Reusable Resources: Those
minerals, which can be used again and again,
are included in this class. They are minerals
such as iron, tin, copper, gold and silver.
Exhaustible but Non-reusable Resources:
They include coal, petroleum, natural gas, most
non-metallic minerals and metals. They exhaust
as and when they are used.
INSTITUTIONS
National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
NBPGR is mandated to plan, conduct, promote,
co-ordinate and take lead in activities concern-
ing collection, characterization, evaluation, con-
servation, exchange, documentation and sus-
tainable management of diverse germplasm of
crop plants and their wild relatives. The major
contributions of NBPGR include:
i) maintenance of 37,94,000 accessions of
germplasm belonging to 2045 species; ii) DNA
fingerprinting for 33 crops comprising 2,215
varieties of national importance undertaken
and fingerprint database developed; iii) estab-
lishment of 10 regional stations/base centres/
quarantine centres spread over different phy-
togeographic zones of the country; iv) active
collaboration and linkages with over 57 na-
tional active germplasm sites situated at dif-
ferent crop based ICAR centres and SAU; v)
developed four online databases viz., “NORV”
(notified and released varieties of India -
“IINDUS” (Indian Information System), Infor-
mation Sharing Mechanism for the PGR-
”GPVR” (Germplasm and Plant Varieties Reg-
istration); and vi) capacity building on biosafety
and biosecurity issues.
National Bureau of Agriculturally Important
Microorganisms
NBAIM promotes mainstreaming microbial
biodiversity by undertaking projects on i) mo-
lecular and functional diversity of microorgan-
isms isolated from extreme environments; ii)
assessment of genotypic diversity of Bacillus
and Bacillus- derived genera in Indo-Gangetic
plains; iii) germplasm collection and charac-
terization of antagonistic microorganisms of
soil borne fungal pathogens; and iv) microbial
diversity analysis of soils contaminated with
Civil Services
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

A team of Russian
and American
scientists has
discovered a new
element that has long
stood as a missing link
among the heaviest
bits of atomic matter
ever produced. The
team produced six
atoms of the element
by smashing together
isotopes of calcium
and a radioactive
element called
berkelium in a particle
accelerator at the Joint
Institute for Nuclear
Research in Dubna,
Russia.

In a startling
revelation ornitholo-
gists have for the first
time found that
sunbirds in the
tsunami-affected
Nicobar Islands have
adapted to the
devastation by using
live electric wires as
anchors for their nests.

Azo dyes are dye
stuffs used for
colouring textiles and
leather products. Such
dye stuffs have
significance in
production of rubber,
epoxy resins,
polyurethane foam,
fibres and polyamids.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
industrial effluents, etc.
National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources
The major achievements of NBAGR, among
others, include, i) development of conservation
models and performance and economics of
AnGR; ii) molecular characterization of genes
responsible for immune response and milk per-
formance of indigenous AnGR; iii) evaluation
of genetic diversity and characterization of can-
didate genes involved in heat tolerance; and iv)
building DNA fingerprinting profiles.
National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources
Besides establishing live gene banks of fish ge-
netic resources, NBFGR has developed sperm
cryopreservation protocols of prioritized fish
species, prepared national fish seed certifica-
tion document, established IPR and Patents Cell
and is set to further strengthen standardization
of fish database, characterize and sequence pri-
oritized species and develop diagnostic kits for
exotic pathogens.
Electric wires- new home
to Nicobar’s sunbirds
In a startling revelation ornithologists have for
the first time found that sunbirds in the tsu-
nami-affected Nicobar Islands have adapted to
the devastation by using live electric wires as
anchors for their nests.
The Tsunami that struck the Great Nicobar
coastline in December 2004 devastated the
coastal habitat, including the mangroves, the
traditional nesting grounds of Klossi olive
backed sunbirds. Ornithologists say that this
may have prompted the birds to look for alter-
native nesting sites and the use of wires was
their immediate response to the situation.
Iridium and Ruthenium Antarctica gets first
zero-emission polar station
The scientific community has welcomed the
world’s first zero-emission polar research sta-
tion- Belgium’s Princess Elisabeth station in
East Antarctica. It is being hailed as a proof that
alternative energy is viable even in the coldest
regions. Undercutting arguments of the scep-
tics that green power is not reliable, the green
research station will rely on wind and solar
power in Antarctica- mostly a vast, icy empti-
ness. Constructed over two years, the steel-en-
cased bug shaped station uses micro-organisms
102
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
and decomposition to re-use shower and toilet
water up to five times before discarding it down
a crevasse. Wind turbines on the Utsteinen
mountain ridge and solar panels on the bug-
like three storey building ensure uninterrupted
power and hot water supply to the base. The
geometry of the windows even helps conserve
energy.
Element 117: A team of Russian and Ameri-
can scientists has discovered a new element that
has long stood as a missing link among the
heaviest bits of atomic matter ever produced.
The team produced six atoms of the element
by smashing together isotopes of calcium and
a radioactive element called berkelium in a
particle accelerator at the Joint Institute for
Nuclear Research in Dubna, Russia. The
superheavy element 117, which is made of at-
oms containing 117 protons, is roughly 40 per
cent heavier than lead. For the moment, the dis-
covery will be known as ununseptium, a very
unwhimsical Latinate placeholder that refers
to the element’s atomic number, 117. The
achievement fills in the final gap on the list of
observed elements up to element 118.
Iridium and Ruthenium
A new type of adulteration of gold has been
revealed where Iridium and Ruthenium are
used in gold ornaments. They have become
very popular among unscrupulous jewellers as
they easily get away with it because until re-
cently the metals failed to show up on all pu-
rity tests.
Iridium and Ruthenium belong to the platinum
family of metals, and when mixed with gold
do not form an alloy but sit tight in the yellow
metal. Making the adulteration more alarming
is the fact that the two metals do not replace
silver and copper; that are added to the gold
during the jewellery making process to harden
the soft malleable yellow metal.
Azo dyes
Azo dyes are dye stuffs used for colouring tex-
tiles and leather products. Such dye stuffs have
significance in production of rubber, epoxy res-
ins, polyurethane foam, fibres and polyamids.
Seventy azo dyes derived from 20 arylamines,
a number of them confirmed human carcino-
gens, have been prohibited for handling by the
Ministry of Textile and Department of Chemi-
cals and Petrochemicals considering the num-
ber of safe substitutes, both of chemical and
natural origin and also keeping in view nomi-
nal increase in the cost of these substitutes.
The United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change
The UNFCCC was opened for signature on
May 9, 1992, after an Intergovernmental Nego-
tiating Committee produced the text of the
Framework Convention as a report following
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 ADVERTISEMENT

its meeting in New York from 30 April to 9 May 1992. It

entered into force on March 21, 1994. As of December 2009,
UNFCCC had 192 parties.
The Convention on Climate Change sets an overall frame-
work for intergovernmental efforts to tackle the challenge
posed by climate change. It recognizes that the climate
system is a shared resource whose stability can be affected
by industrial and other emissions of carbon dioxide and
other greenhouse gases. The Parties to the UNFCCC typi-
cally convene annually in a Conference of the Parties
(COP), and twice a year in meetings of the subsidiary bod-
ies – the Subsidiary Body for Implementation (SBI) and
the Subsidiary Body for Scientific and Technological Ad-
vice (SBSTA).
The Secretariat
The Conference of the Parties (COP), Subsidiary Bodies
and Bureau are serviced by the secretariat, also known as
the Climate Change Secretariat, whose mandate is laid out
in general terms in Article 8 of the Convention. The
UNFCCC is also the name of the United Nations Secre-
tariat charged with supporting the operation of the Con-
vention, with offices in Haus Carstanjen, Bonn, Germany.
Since 2006 the head of the secretariat has been Yvo de Boer.
The Secretariat, augmented through the parallel efforts of
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC),
aims to gain consensus through meetings and the discus-
sion of various strategies.
The function was to mainly coordinate with the secretari-
ats of other relevant international bodies, notably the Glo-
bal Environment Facility (GEF) and its implementing
agencies (UNDP, UNEP and the World Bank), the Inter-
governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and other
relevant conventions.
One of its first tasks was to establish national greenhouse
gas inventories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and
removals, which were used to create the 1990 benchmark
levels for accession of Annex I countries to the Kyoto Pro-
tocol and for the commitment of those countries to GHG
reductions. Updated inventories must be regularly sub-
mitted by Annex I countries.
The parties to the convention have met annually from 1995
in Conferences of the Parties (COP) to assess progress in
dealing with climate change. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol
was concluded and established legally binding obligations
for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas
emissions.
1995 - COP 1, The Berlin Mandate
1996 - COP 2, Geneva, Switzerland
1997 - COP 3, The Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change
1998 - COP 4, Buenos Aires
1999 - COP 5, Bonn, Germany
2000 - COP 6, The Hague, Netherlands
2001 - COP 6, Bonn, Germany
2001 - COP 7, Marrakech, Morocco
2002 - COP 8, New Delhi, India
2003 - COP 9, Milan, Italy
2004 - COP 10, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2005 - COP 11/MOP 1, Montreal, Canada
2006 - COP 12/MOP 2, Nairobi, Kenya
2007 - COP 13/MOP 3, Bali, Indonesia

DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 103 Civil Services

Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
TIMES www.civilservicestimes.com

Climate
Change

On 15th March
2010, at Cartagena,
the Biosafety Protocol
was held which is a
supplementary
agreement to the
Convention on
Biological Diversity
which aims to ensure
the safe handling,
transport and use of
living modified
organisms (LMOs)
resulting from modern
biotechnology that may
have adverse effects
on biodiversity, also
taking into account
risks to human health.

The new supple-
mentary Protocol
provides international
rules and procedure on
liability and redress for
damage to biodiversity
resulting from living
modified organisms
(LMO).

A new international
treaty, “the Nagoya –
Kuala Lumpur
Supplementary
Protocol on Liability
and Redress to the
Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety”, was
adopted at one of the
largest intergovern-
mental meetings ever
held on the safe use of
modern biotechnology.
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
CurrentCurrent
NEWS Covered
NEWS Covered
up to NOVEMBER
up to NOVEMBER
NEW SYLLABUS: General issues on environmental
2008 - COP 14/MOP 4, Poznañ, Poland; 2009 -
COP 15/MOP 5, Copenhagen, Denmark; 2010
- COP 16/MOP 6, Mexico; 2011 - COP 17/
MOP 7, South Africa; 2012 - COP 18/MOP 8,
At present, there are two countries
bidding to host: Qatar and South Korea.
Conference of Parties (CoP)
and Meeting of the Parties (MOP)
On 15th March 2010, at Cartagena, the Biosafety
Protocol was held which is a supplementary
agreement to the Convention on Biological Di-
versity which aims to ensure the safe handling,
transport and use of living modified organisms
(LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology
that may have adverse effects on biodiversity,
also taking into account risks to human health.
The Protocol establishes procedures for regu-
lating the import and export of LMOs from one
country to another.
There are two main procedures, one for
LMOs intended for direct introduction into the
environment, known as the Advance Informed
Agreement (AIA) procedure, and another for
those used for food, feed or processing (LMOs-
FFP). Under the AIA procedure, countries are
required to ensure that a risk assessment of the
LMO is carried out in a scientifically sound and
transparent manner.
The Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to the
Convention on Biological Diversity is an inter-
national agreement which aims to ensure the
safe handling, transport and use of living modi-
fied organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern
biotechnology that may have adverse effects on
biological diversity, taking also into account
risks to human health. It was adopted on 29
January 2000 and entered into force on 11 Sep-
tember 2003.
During the year the eighth meeting of Con-
ference of Parties (CoP) was held in Curitiba,
Brazil from 20-31 March, 2006, in which an In-
dian delegation with representatives from Min-
istry of Environment & Forests, Ministry of
Commerce, Ministry of Agriculture, and Wild-
life Institute of India participated actively.
During the year, a short-term study was com-
missioned to Biotech Consortium India Ltd. to
prepare an approach paper for India’s position
on technology transfer issues under the CBD.
Subsequent to the approval of the National
Environment Policy (NEP) by the Cabinet in
2006, a draft National Biodiversity Action Plan
(NBAP) in consonance with the NEP and us-
ing the final technical report of the UNDP/GEF
project on National Biodiversity Strategy and
Action Plan (NBSAP) as one of the inputs is
being prepared.
India was invited to chair the Group of Like
Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMCs) for
a period of two years from March 2004 to March
104
01, 2010
01, 2010
ecology, bio-diversity and climate change
2006. India steered the development of a com-
mon position of LMMCs for the negotiations
for developing an international regime on ac-
cess and benefit sharing.
The fourth meeting of the Conference of the
Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to
the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP
4) was held at the Maritim Hotel in Bonn, Ger-
many, from 12 to 16 May 2008.
A new international treaty, “the Nagoya –
Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Li-
ability and Redress to the Cartagena Protocol
on Biosafety”, was adopted at one of the larg-
est intergovernmental meetings ever held on
the safe use of modern biotechnology. The
adoption of the new treaty came at the end of
the five-day meeting of the governing body of
the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (known as
the Conference of the Parties serving as the
meeting of the Parties to the Protocol or COP-
MOP 5) and concluded six years of negotia-
tions.
The new supplementary Protocol provides
international rules and procedure on liability
and redress for damage to biodiversity result-
ing from living modified organisms (LMO).
The new treaty shall be open for signature at
the United Nations Headquarters in New York
from 7 March 2011 to 6 March 2012 and will
enter into force 90 days after being ratified by
at least 40 Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on
Biosafety. .
The historic meeting of the Parties to the Pro-
tocol, held in the city of Nagoya, in Aichi pre-
fecture, Japan, adopted seventeen other deci-
sions.
These included adoption of a ten-year Stra-
tegic Plan for the implementation of the Proto-
col, a programme of work on public awareness,
education and participation concerning LMOs,
and further guidance on risk assessment and
risk management.
The Government of Mexico is going to launch
the 16th session of the Conference of the Par-
ties to the UNFCCC (COP 16) and the sixth
Conference of the Parties serving as the meet-
ing of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/
MOP 6), which will be held in Cancun, Mexico,
from 29 November-10 December 2010.
GEI
The Green Economy Initiative (GEI) is de-
signed to assist governments in “greening”
their economies by reshaping and refocusing
policies, investments and spending towards
a range of sectors, such as clean technologies,
renewable energies, water services, green
transportation, waste management, green
buildings and sustainable agriculture and
forests.
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India and Neighbouring India - Austria

Countries India - Russia Relations
India - Pakistan Relations India’s Economic
India - Sri Lanka Relations Interaction with
India - Bhutan Relations the World
India - China Relations ASEAN and India
India - Afghanistan Relations G-20
India - Bangladesh Relations BIMSTEC
India - Nepal Relations India - BASIC Group
India - Maldives Relations India and ADB
India - Myanmar Relations SAARC Preferential
India and East Asia Arrangement (SAPTA)
India - Japan Relations South Asia Free Trade
India - South Korea Relations Agreement (SAFTA)
India - Mongolia Relations SAARC Cabinet
Look East Asia Policy Mekong-Ganga Cooperation
and South-east Asia (MGC)
India - Cambodia Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
India - Indonesia The Asia-Pacific Economic
India - Philippines Cooperation (APEC)
India - Malaysia IBSA
India - Thailand The Asia-Pacific Trade
India - Vietnam Agreement (APTA)
India - Singapore MERCOSUR
Look West Asia Policy The Asia Cooperation Dialogue
India - Kazakhstan North America Free Trade
India - Tajikistan Agreement (NAFTA)
India - Belarus The European Free Trade
India - Iran Association (EFTA)
India - Saudi Arabia Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) ON STALLS
STALLS
India - Jordan PTA with Chile India -Mexico The 15th ASEAN summit
India - Syria Global System of Trade India - Ecuador “Enhancing
India- Israel Preferences (GSTP) India - Colombia Connectivity, Empowering
India - Kuwait Organisation for European India - Canada Peoples”
India - Oman Economic Co-operation (OEEC) India - Chile
India - Yemen Pittsburgh Summit Declaration
The Commonwealth of India - Argentina For Strong, Sustainable, and
India - Qatar Independent States (CIS) India - Liberia
India - Iraq Balanced Growth
African Union India and Africa Relevance of Territorial
India - United Arab Emirates
CECPA with Mauritius Relations
India and Europe Disputes in a Globalised World
TEAM 9 India - South Africa
Relations - I CHOGM 2009: In search of
World India - Angola
India - European Union relevance
Intellectual Property India - Malawi
EU and India FTA From Prague to Washington: A
The Madrid System and the India - Democratic Republic of
7th ASEM Summit Hague System good start but where the end lies
Sao Tome and Principe
India - United Kingdom The Patent Cooperation Treaty Double-standard Diplomacy of
Relations India - Cape-Verde
Future prospects of WIPO India - Egypt USA
India - France Relations
ISA and IPEA India - Mauritius Politics of Appeasement-
India - Germany Relations US-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue
WIPO, WTO and TRIPS India - Namibia
India and Europe History of WIPO India - Benin Non-Aligned Movement Still
Relations II International Bank India - Congo In Search of a Bigger Role
India – Turkey for Reconstruction India - Mali BRIC Summit, Yekaterinburg
India-Finland and Development India and African Trade Shanghai Cooperation
India-Hungary The International Development Relations Organization and Indian
India-Poland Association (IDA) India and Australia-NZ
India-Bulgaria ICSID Strategic Position
Relations
India-Netherlands The International Finance Diplomatic Terms
India - Australia
India-Switzerland Corporation (IFC) India - New Zealand Propelling Asian cold war
FTA with India India and the World Bank Summits and through ‘string of pearls’
India-Denmark Sustainable Urban Transport their analysis Understanding ‘string of
India-Iceland Project (SUTP) pearls’
9th Trilateral Foreign Ministers
India-Italy MIGA India and Britain: Redefining
Meet
India-Spain MIGA and FDI the traditional ties
The 8th Ministerial Meeting: Asia
India-Greece AD-CVD India-United States of America
Cooperation Dialouge
India-Luxembourg India and Americas Relations
India-Norway Shanghai Cooperation
Relations India-South Africa Relations
India-Cyprus India - The United States Organization at Beijing India and Canada Relations
India - Sweden India - Latin America Nuclear non-proliferation Strengthening and stretching
India - Latvia India- Venezuela without disarmament South-south cooperation

DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12 105 Civil Services

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Social Issues
05. Education Reforms
77. Pains of Transitional Society:
The Curse of a Developing
Nation
150. Media and Democracy:
'Sting' or 'Stink' Operation
156. Corruption In Government
Offices
189. Shrunken World Shrinking
Relations
210. Reservation in Private Sector
250. Growing Fundamentalism in
India
254. Live - In Relationships
258. Section 377: Should it be
wiped out?
286. Sustainability of the Child
Labour Act
303. Right to Negative Voting: An
Evaluation in Indian Context
315. Raghavan Committee on
Ragging
330. Pattern of Voting Behaviour
in India
350. Terrorism: Is It Essentially
Ideological?
354. Women Reservation: Mean-
ingful or Irrelevant
377. Status of Women: An Intro-
spection is needed
437. Role of media: Beyond TRP
and advertisement
456. Trial by media: Looking be-
yond the pale of legality
502. Right to Education reality,
but yet unrealistic
507. Ensure food security: Dis-
mantle middlemen
531. Khap Panchayats: requires
reorientation
535. Consensus on Caste-based
census
540. Opening higher education to
foreign institutions
546. Internal Security: North-east-
ern scenario
549. Nuclear liability bill:
analysing implications
597. Social networking
603. Digital Divide Divides divide
612. From Vedas to Vedanta
Political Issues
11. Good Governance: Tracing
Provenance of ill-Gover-
nance
15. Regional Disparity: A Source
of All Discontent
22. Corruption: Between Needs
and Greeds
31. Define Secularism: To boost
Nationalism
38. On Mumbai Attack: We Can,
but we cannot
53. Good Governance: An Uto-
pian Concept?
58. Internal Security: Streamline
or Perish
63. Parochialization of Politics:
Pains of Coalition Politics
68. Disaster Management: No
Time to Cure, Please
83. Preventive Detention Law
and the Rights of an Indi-
vidual
94. North-east Problems: A Look
into their Grievances
98. ULFA in Retrospect
103. Challenges of Terrorism: A
Collective Responsibility
106. Criminalization of Politics:
Do We Deserve?
DECEMBER 2010, XVI Year, Issue No.12
Current NEWS Covered up to NOVEMBER 01, 2010
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134. Non-Proliferation Treaty
Privilege of 'Haves' don't re-
view, reform and revamp
140. Regionalism Nationalism
and Globalization
116. Democracy Myth or Reality
121. Kashmir in retrospect: Know- On Stalls
ing it Before Egypt Document
126. Governor: His Master’s Voice
170. Challenges Before A Civil
Servant
178. Factors To Make and Feel
Democracy
184. Centre-State Relations More
Grievances Less Commit-
ment
214. Capital Punishment: In Rela-
tions to Article 21
217. Democracy: Maturing or
Withering
222. Students Politics: Desirable
or Undesirable
226. Reservation QUOTA: Pro-
gressive or Regressive
233. Expansion of Article 21: Per-
sonal Reputation
240. Unlawful Activities (Preven-
tion) Act and NIA
262. Coastal Security: Need for a
complete overhaul
267. Police Reforms: A Must For
Good Governance
320. Coalition Politics in India
347. Coalition politics and its im-
pact
368. Abortion Issue and Right to
Die
370. Demands for New States: A without disarmament 423. Fate of FRBMA
Balanced Approach Is 446. Relevance of territorial dis- 425. Goods and Service Tax
Needed putes in a globalised world 466. Tobin Tax: India needs or not
381. New Delhi-Beijing-Moscow 450. Looking beyond 468. Food security or insecurity
axis Copenhagen: The last lost 473. Commission on Insurance
387. Naxalism: A Threat to Inter- opportunity Agents: Swaroop Commis-
nal Security 511. Politics of Appeasement US- sion
396. Pluralism and Federalism: Pakistan Strategic Dialogue 476. Dollar as common currency
Can Go Together? 515. A good start but where the SDRs, Euro or Gold
399. Right to Information end lies 484. Pending Second Generation
405. Presidential v Parliamentary 580. A world of two unequals: Reforms
481. Political Corruption Reform From mindest to machines 486. Dreaded Drought Furious
funding for political parties? Economic Issues Floods
495. Separation of Power: Funda- 88. Agriculture: A Colossal Ne- 490. Land Reforms wisely con-
mentals of Rule of Law glect ceived, poorly executed
504. Role of hostile witnesses in 131. Energy Security: The 21st 522. Learning from Greek crisis
criminal justice Century Challenge fiscal prudence is a must
526. PILs: making more meaning- 145. Challenges in the Light of 557. A painful shift from APM to
ful New Economic Order MDPM
543. Centre-state relations: Madan 163. Tragedy: It’s Not Vidarbha 569. Analysing two decades of re-
Mohan Punchhi Report But For Every Indian forms and impact of global-
552. On Collegium System: Ap- 194. Looking Beyond 9 Per cent A ization
pointment procedure in ret- New Approach is Needed 583. A Budget bye the common
rospect 198. Delinking Nuclear Weapons man; far the common man;
554. Governor’s removal: pre- and Nuclear Energy and off the common man
venting pernicious practice 203. Nano-Technology: The Fu- Judiciary
565. Raising FDI in Defence Sec- ture of All Sciences 111. Judicial Activism or Judicial
tor 281. Global Recession: Impact on Reforms?
590. From selection to retirement India 238. Appointment of Judges: Law
620. Kashmir Crisis: Engineered 298. Corporate Reforms: The Cor- Commission Reports
and re-engineered porate World After Raju 276. Judicial Reforms: The Need
628. MP’s Salary hike 325. Deflation: Is it Good or Bad? of the Hour
633. Voting rights to NRIs 344. RTAs and Multilateralism: 292. Judicial Activism Versus Leg-
Issues related to foreign Promoters or Inhibitors islative Activism
policies 359. Introduction of IT: Advan- 310. Judicial Accountability: Re-
44. Global Recession: Time For tages and Disadvantages garding Declaration of
Introspection 364. E-Governance: Prospects and Judges Assets
134. Non-Proliferation Treaty Problems 335. Contempt of Court: Desirable
Privilege of 'Haves' don't re- 407. Trade Union in IT and BPO or Not desirable
view, reform and revamp 411. FDI in Retail: Analysis and 339. All India Judicial Services:
175. Perils of Unipolar World Implications Creation is Needed or Not
427. Coping with the threat of 415. Disinvestment: Prospects Needed
nuclear menace and new eco- and Prevention 393. Code of Criminal Procedure
nomic order 419. Challenges Before Indian 463. Cr PC Amendments come
440. Nuclear non-proliferation Economy into effect: an analysis
106 Civil Services
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