Environment and Ecology: August 2024 - 1 - UPSC PDF Download (2024)

Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme

Why in News?

The Central government is leading a major initiative in wetland tourism with the introduction of the 'Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme'. This program, initiated in June 2023, is designed to transform tourism practices at ecologically-sensitive wetlands, particularly in Ramsar sites such as Odisha's Chilika Lake and Haryana's Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary.

What is Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme?

About: The 'Amrit Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme' represents a joint effort by the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. It is set to be executed over the next three years (from 2023 onwards) with the goal of promoting the sustainable use of wetlands, bolstering biodiversity, increasing carbon stock, and enhancing eco-tourism opportunities while generating income for local communities.

Aim: The primary objective is to improve livelihood opportunities for local communities by leveraging the nature-tourism potential of Ramsar Sites throughout India.

Implementation: The scheme's implementation involves collaboration with various Central Government ministries, state wetland authorities, and a network of both formal and informal institutions and individuals, all working together towards a unified goal.

Pilot Projects and Skill Development:

Of the 16 identified Ramsar sites, five have been chosen for pilot projects under this scheme. These sites include:

• Sultanpur National Park (Haryana)
• Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha)
• Chilika Lake (Odisha)
• Sirpur (Madhya Pradesh)
• Yashwant Sagar (Madhya Pradesh)
• Training programs are offered under the Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP), which includes a comprehensive 30-hour training course over 15 days, along with the Paryatan Navik Certificate for boatmen involved in tourism.

What is a Ramsar Site?

A Ramsar site is a wetland that has been designated as being of international importance, as per an environmental treaty signed in February 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, under the auspices of UNESCO. The Ramsar Convention promotes national action and international cooperation for the conservation of wetlands and the sustainable use of their resources. India is home to 75 Ramsar sites.

The Kairali AI Chip

Why in news?

The Kairali AI Chip is the first silicon-proven AI chip developed by Digital University Kerala. It is designed to offer remarkable speed, power efficiency, and scalability suitable for various applications.

What is a Kairali AI Chip?

• This innovative chip employs edge intelligence, allowing it to deliver high performance while minimizing power consumption across multiple applications.

Faster Loading Operations:

• It supports complete storage and processing of data from sensory circuits, achieving this with minimal power usage and latency, which effectively reduces reliance on cloud computations.

Potential Applications of Kairali AI Chip

Agriculture Sector:

• The chip has the potential to transform precision farming by enabling real-time monitoring of crop health, soil conditions, and environmental factors.
• This will lead to more efficient resource usage and improved crop yields.

Communication and IT Sector:

• It will enhance the efficiency and performance of smartphones.
• Advanced features such as real-time language translation, enhanced image processing, and AI-powered personal assistants can be enabled.

Aerospace Industry:

• The chip can improve the functionality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and satellites by offering advanced processing capabilities for navigation, data collection, and real-time decision-making, all while consuming minimal power.
• It will also enhance drones' navigation and autonomous decision-making, making it beneficial for delivery services and environmental monitoring.

Automobile Industry:

• This chip can revolutionize autonomous vehicles by providing the essential computing power needed for real-time processing of sensory data, crucial for safe and efficient autonomous driving.

Security and Surveillance:

• The chip enables faster and more efficient facial recognition algorithms, threat detection, and real-time analytics through its edge computing capabilities.

About Edge Intelligence

• Edge intelligence combines AI and edge computing, deploying machine learning algorithms directly on the edge device where data is generated, reducing the need for cloud computing.
• This approach provides faster and more efficient data processing while ensuring the privacy and security of user data.

Golden Tiger in Kaziranga National Park

Why in News?

Recently, a wildlife photographer captured a rare golden tiger in Kaziranga National Park (KNP).

What are the Key Facts About the Golden Tiger?

• Golden tigers, also referred to as golden tabby tigers, represent a unique color variation rather than a distinct subspecies, similar to the cases of white and black tigers.
• These tigers are extremely rare in natural habitats and even scarcer when found in zoos or wildlife sanctuaries.
• The golden tiger spotted in KNP is a variant of the Bengal tiger, resulting from the presence of a recessive gene known as "wideband."
• This wideband gene significantly decreases melanin production throughout the hair growth cycle, leading to a lighter coloration.
• The agouti mutation is responsible for producing the proteins that result in the golden or blond fur, while the distinct orange stripes are attributed to a mutation commonly referred to as the 'tabby' mutation.
• The tabby gene is primarily responsible for the coat patterns observed in domestic cats.
• Both black and golden tigers possess a recessive gene that becomes visible when the dominant gene, which typically suppresses these traits, is absent.
• When two individuals with dominant traits mate, recessive traits are concealed; however, if two individuals with recessive traits breed, the recessive traits are expressed, leading to the occurrence of black and golden tigers as a result of this genetic interaction.

Forest Fires in the Himalayas

Why in News?

The Himalayan region, particularly Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, has witnessed a significant surge in forest fire incidents this winter due to insufficient precipitation. According to the Forest Survey of India (FSI), there were 2,050 forest fire incidents reported from October 16, 2023, to January 16, 2024, compared to just 296 incidents during the same timeframe last year.

What is Forest Fire?

Definition: A forest fire, also recognized as a bush or vegetation fire, refers to any uncontrolled and unplanned combustion of plants in natural environments like forests, grasslands, or tundras. These fires consume natural fuels and spread based on various environmental factors such as wind and terrain.

Essential Conditions: For a wildfire to ignite and spread, three critical elements must be present:

• Fuel
• Oxygen
• Heat Source

Types of Forest Fires:

• Surface Fire: This type of fire primarily spreads along the ground, consuming surface litter like dry leaves, twigs, and grasses.
• Underground Fire: These fires, characterized by low intensity, consume organic matter beneath the forest floor and can be challenging to detect. They may persist for months, damaging the soil's vegetative layer.
• Ground Fire: Occurring in subsurface organic materials, these fires can be particularly destructive as they burn root systems and organic layers, often ignited by surface fires.

What Factors Contributed to Forest Fires in Himalayan Region?

• Lack of Snowfall and Precipitation: The absence of winter snow and rain has dried out the region, which is essential for maintaining soil moisture and preventing excessive dryness of the forest floor.
• Dry Conditions: Insufficient moisture levels in soil and vegetation create conducive environments for forest fires. Dry leaves and soil serve as fuel, while rising temperatures—potentially due to climate change—further exacerbate the situation.
• Human Activities: Reckless human behaviors, such as improperly discarding cigarettes and uncontrolled burning, significantly contribute to the onset of forest fires. Additionally, if controlled burns by forest departments are not managed correctly, they can lead to larger fires.
• Vulnerable Tree Species: Certain tree species, like Chir pine, are more prone to catching fire. Approximately 15% of Himachal Pradesh's forest area is covered by Chir pine, increasing fire risk.
• Long Dry Spell: Extended periods without rain or snow create a prolonged dry environment, making the region increasingly vulnerable to fires.

Way Forward

• Implement advanced fire detection and monitoring systems, including satellite technology, to ensure timely warnings and swift responses to emerging forest fires.
• Involve local communities in forest management and fire prevention initiatives to enhance awareness and participation.
• Conduct educational programs to inform residents about responsible forest practices, fire safety, and the dangers of uncontrolled burning.
• Adopt sustainable forest management strategies that prioritize biodiversity, promote fire-resistant plant species, and minimize the presence of highly flammable trees.

Used Heavy Duty Vehicles and the Environment

Why in news?

Recently, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition released a report titled "Used Heavy-Duty Vehicles and the Environment - A Global Overview of Used Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Flow, Scale and Regulation" in anticipation of the 6th session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6). This assembly, scheduled from February 26 to March 1, 2024, in Nairobi, focuses on "effective, inclusive and sustainable multilateral actions to tackle the triple planetary crisis: climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution and waste."

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

Pollution Escalation:

• There has been a notable rise in pollution levels linked to the increasing use of Heavy-Duty Vehicles (HDVs) since the year 2000.
• Carbon dioxide emissions from HDVs have increased by more than 30%.
• HDVs, which are vehicles designed for heavy tasks such as transporting goods or large groups, weigh over 3.5 tonnes and are significant contributors to global emissions, with trucks being the primary source.
• These vehicles account for over 40% of on-road nitrogen oxides (NOx), over 60% of on-road particulate matter (PM 2.5), and over 20% of black carbon emissions.

Growth Projection:

• The report forecasts a considerable increase in the number of HDVs on the roads, driven by economic development and the demand for transportation.
• Data shows that worldwide truck and bus sales doubled between 2000 and 2015.

Global Trade:

• The analysis emphasizes the flow and scale of global used HDVs, particularly noting the import reliance in developing countries.
• Japan, the European Union, and the Republic of Korea account for nearly 60% of the global market for both new and used HDVs.
• In 2015, approximately 6.3 million new and used HDVs were sold globally, with 3.4 million being newly manufactured, indicating that used HDVs represented about half of total sales.

Regulation and Enforcement:

• Developing countries often rely on importing used HDVs to expand their fleets, yet face challenges due to inadequate regulation and enforcement concerning the quality of these vehicles.
• Many importing nations have weak or virtually non-existent regulations, leading to significant environmental and health repercussions.
• For instance, the Netherlands has been known to remove catalytic converters from various vehicles before exporting them to Africa, and many of these older vehicles lack diesel particulate filters.

What are the Key Recommendations of the Report?

Ensure Cleaner and Safer Used Vehicles:

• The report emphasizes the need for shared responsibility between exporting and importing countries to ensure that used vehicles on the roads in developing nations are cleaner and safer.
• It highlights the necessity for regional cooperation to establish and enforce minimum standards.

Emission Standards and Age Limits:

• The report recommends implementing emission standards and age limits while promoting public awareness and research on environmental and road safety benefits.
• For example, adopting Euro VI equivalent vehicle emission standards and cleaner fuels could prevent approximately 700,000 premature deaths by 2030.
• Currently, 97% of newly registered trucks and 73% of buses in the EU are powered by diesel.

Better Regulations on Used HDVs:

• The report suggests that improved regulations on used HDVs can facilitate the adoption of advanced technologies, such as electric buses and trucks, in developing countries.

International Collaborations for Super Pollutants:

• There is a pressing need for global cooperation to phase out short-lived climate pollutants, also referred to as "super pollutants," which include methane, black carbon, and hydrofluorocarbons.
• These pollutants are termed "super" because they possess a significantly higher global warming potential per unit mass compared to carbon dioxide.
• Addressing these short-lived climate pollutants is essential for achieving climate action and enhancing air quality and public health.

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