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.