Mains Exam
1.India Tackles Plastic Waste Pollution
Context
- The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) amended the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2024.
New Definition of Biodegradable Plastic
- Biodegradable plastic must:
- Degrade by biological processes in specific environments (soil, landfill).
- Not leave behind microplastics.
- This clarifies ambiguity around labeling disposable plastic ware as “biodegradable.”
Need for the Amendment
- The 2022 single-use plastic ban led to confusion about what constitutes “biodegradable plastic.”
- The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) refused to certify some products due to strict degradation time requirements.
Biodegradable vs. Compostable Plastics
- Biodegradable plastic:
- Treated before being sold.
- Expected to decompose naturally, but complete degradation is unproven.
- Compostable plastic:
- Requires industrial facilities for breakdown.
- Both are seen as solutions to India’s plastic waste problem.
Understanding Plastics and Microplastics
- Plastic: Synthetic or semi-synthetic materials using polymers as a main ingredient.
- Key characteristic: plasticity (ability to be shaped).
- Made from monomers that join to form long chains (polymers).
- Microplastics: Plastic pieces less than 5 millimeters in diameter.
- Found everywhere, from oceans to mountains.
- Humans consume an estimated 50,000 microplastic particles annually.
Environmental Concerns of Microplastics
- Marine Pollution: Microplastics harm marine life through ingestion and potential toxin transfer.
- Freshwater Contamination: Microplastics pollute rivers, lakes, and streams.
- Bioaccumulation and Biomagnification: Microplastics accumulate in organisms and magnify in the food chain, reaching humans.
- Habitat Degradation: Microplastics disrupt ecosystems by affecting nutrient cycling, sediment stability, and organism behavior.
- Global Distribution: Microplastics are found worldwide, highlighting the need for global solutions.
India’s Efforts to Address Plastic Waste
- Ban on single-use plastics in many states.
- Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Makes plastic manufacturers responsible for waste management.
- Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016 & 2022): Provide a framework for managing plastic waste through recycling and waste-to-energy initiatives.
- Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: A national cleanliness campaign that includes plastic waste collection and disposal.
- Plastic Parks: Specialised industrial zones for plastic waste recycling and processing.
- Beach clean-up drives.
- Signatory to MARPOL (International Convention for the Prevention of Marine Pollution).
- India Plastic Challenge – Hackathon 2021: Encourages innovation for solutions to plastic pollution
2.Managing Indus, Ganga & Brahmaputra Rivers: Need for Multilateral Treaties
Context
- A new report by ICIMOD and Australian Water Partnership highlights the need for integrated management of Indus, Ganga & Brahmaputra rivers.
Challenges
- These rivers are lifelines for millions in South Asia. (Indus – 268 million, Brahmaputra – 114 million, Ganga – 629 million)
- Erratic rainfall and flooding pose threats to water security in the region.
- No multilateral treaties exist for managing these rivers.
- Bilateral agreements exist (e.g., Indus Water Treaty between India & Pakistan) but lack regional cooperation.
- Substantial data gaps exist on water usage, socio-economic realities, and environmental factors across the Ganga basin.
Recommendations
- Plug data gaps: Better data is needed for informed water management, early warnings, and disaster preparedness.
- Whole basin research: Collaborative research across the entire basin is crucial for:
- Reliable water accounting
- Strategic basin planning
- Understanding long-term climate impacts
- Securing water supplies under uncertain conditions
- Hydro-solidarity and climate diplomacy: Building trust and promoting dialogue among countries for better water management.
- Utilize indigenous knowledge: Local communities often have valuable insights for crisis management. Empowering them with knowledge and technology can strengthen resilience.
- Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM): A holistic approach for managing water resources, sustainable development, and basin-wide strategies.
What is IRBM?
- IRBM coordinates the conservation, management, and development of water, land, and related resources across a river basin.
- It integrates ecological, social, and economic aspects for sustainable water use.
- Examples: EU’s Water Framework Directive and Flood Risk Management Directive.
Challenges of IRBM
- Cross-sectoral coordination: Balancing competing interests (agriculture, industry, environment) can be difficult.
- Data and knowledge gaps: Adequate data is essential for informed decision-making.
- Legal and institutional frameworks: Harmonizing policies and regulations across borders is crucial.
- Climate change: Adapting IRBM strategies to a changing climate is a challenge.
- Public participation: Engaging communities in decision-making processes is important.
Measures for Effective IRBM
- Holistic planning: Develop comprehensive river basin plans that consider environmental, social, and economic factors.
- Stakeholder engagement: Involve local communities, NGOs, and industry representatives in decision-making.
- Ecosystem-based approaches: Prioritize ecosystem health and resilience.
- Monitoring and assessment: Regularly assess water quality, quantity, and ecosystem status.
- Adaptive management: Continuously adjust strategies based on new information and changing circumstances.
Conclusion
- Promoting IRBM at all levels of planning is essential for managing water resources in the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river basins.
- Multilateral treaties can facilitate cooperation and ensure sustainable water management in the region
3.Nuclear Energy: A Low-Carbon Energy Source for Climate Change Goals
Nuclear Energy Summit
- First ever Nuclear Energy Summit held in Brussels to highlight nuclear energy’s role in reducing fossil fuel dependence.
- Follows the inclusion of nuclear energy in the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) Global Stocktake, calling for its deployment with other low-carbon sources.
- A declaration signed by 22 world leaders aims to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
- The summit is part of a multilateral approach to decarbonization.
What is Nuclear Energy?
- Energy released from the nucleus of atoms through fission (splitting atoms) or fusion (fusing atoms).
- Current nuclear power uses fission, while fusion technology is under development.
Importance of Nuclear Energy
- Low-carbon source of energy: Nuclear power plants don’t produce CO2 during operation.
- Contributes to one-third of the world’s carbon-free electricity.
- Reliable energy source regardless of geographical location.
- Low operating costs, smaller land footprint, and longer life cycle compared to other renewables.
- Boosts energy security and economic development.
Recent Developments
- Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), radiation proofing, and extended fuel cycles aim to reduce nuclear risks.
- IAEA study predicts half of carbon reductions by 2050 will come from currently developing technologies.
- Globally, there are 440 nuclear reactors, accounting for a quarter of low-carbon energy.
- The number of reactors is increasing, with 60 under construction and 110 planned, mostly in Asia (China is a leader).
Challenges and Concerns
- Uncontrolled nuclear reactions can cause widespread contamination.
- Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and private investors haven’t significantly contributed to the industry.
- Radioactive waste generation from nuclear power plant operations.
Nuclear Power in India
- India’s first nuclear power plant offers reliable energy at a lower cost than solar power.
- Newer plants offer electricity comparable to coal-fired plants.
- Nuclear power contributes only 1.6% of India’s total renewable energy mix due to:
- Stigma
- Weaponization risk
- Radiation leak concerns
- Regulations
- High upfront costs
- Long project delays
Conclusion and Way Ahead
- The nuclear industry is undergoing liberalization with ambitious growth plans.
- India aims to triple nuclear capacity by 2031-2032 and has invited private investments.
- The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) marks a significant advancement for India’s nuclear industry.
- MDBs need to reassess nuclear financing policies to enable private capital or blended finance models.
- Financial creativity and market support can unlock nuclear energy’s potential.
- Successful cooperative funding models from France, South Korea, Russia, and the U.K. can be replicated.
Prelims Exam
1.India’s Basmati Rice Cultivated Illegally in Pakistan
- IARI demands legal action against Pakistani seed firms cultivating Indian basmati varieties.
- High-yielding basmati varieties account for 90% of India’s projected $5.5 billion basmati rice exports in 2023-24.
- IARI varieties like Pusa Basmati-1121, PB-6, and PB-1509 are being cultivated illegally in Pakistan.
Legal Protection of Basmati Rice in India
- All Indian basmati varieties are notified under the Seeds Act, 1966, for cultivation in designated areas.
- They are also registered under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001.
- This act restricts sowing, saving, or selling seeds of protected varieties by unauthorized individuals.
Key Facts about Basmati Rice
- India is the world’s leading exporter of Basmati rice.
- Major export destinations (2022-23): Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
- Cultivation areas in India: Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and western Uttar Pradesh.
2.Project Gaia: AI for Analyzing Climate Disclosures
- Project Gaia, launched by European Central Bank and others, uses AI to analyze corporate climate disclosures.
- Large Language Models (LLMs) are integrated into the application to extract data efficiently.
What are Large Language Models (LLMs)?
- LLMs are AI algorithms trained on massive datasets to understand, generate, and predict content.
- Deep learning techniques enable them to analyze unstructured data and recognize patterns without human intervention.
3.Great Indian Bustard: Conservation Efforts
- The Supreme Court formed an expert committee to balance conservation and development for the Great Indian Bustard.
About the Great Indian Bustard
- Scientific Name: Ardeotis nigriceps
- Appearance: Black crown, pale neck and head, brownish body, black, brown, and grey wings.
- Diet: Grass seeds, insects, small rodents, and reptiles.
- Habitat: Flat, open landscapes with minimal obstructions (grasslands).
- Distribution: Mainly Rajasthan and Gujarat, with smaller populations in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
- Threats: Poaching, collisions with power lines, vehicles, and dogs, habitat loss.
- Conservation Status:
- Schedule I of Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Appendix I of CITES
- Critically Endangered on IUCN Red List
4.Sound Laser Developed in China
- Chinese researchers built a device creating a laser beam from sound particles.
- Unlike regular lasers using photons (light particles), this device uses phonons (sound particles).
- Also known as Sound Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (SASER), it produces a focused beam of sound waves on a nanoscale.
Significance of Sound Lasers
- Potential applications in optoelectronics, terahertz-frequency ultrasound, signal modulation, and manipulating nanoparticles.
- Ability to move through liquids without distortion could be useful in biomedicine and underwater imaging.
5.Operation Indravati: Evacuating Indians from Haiti
- India launched Operation Indravati to evacuate Indian nationals due to violence in Haiti.
Background on Haiti
- Located in the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and south of The Bahamas.
- Capital: Port-au-Prince
- Experiencing violence since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.