[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 30 March 2024
Kartavya Desk Staff
NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same
Answer the following questions in 150 words:
General Studies – 1
1. Carnatic music, one of the two main traditions of Indian classical music, is characterized by several distinguishing features that contribute to its rich heritage and unique identity. Discuss.
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Introduction
Music has always been an important part of Indian life. The range of musical phenomenon in India extends from simple melodies to what is one of the most well- developed “systems” of classical music in the world.
Carnatic music owes its name to the Sanskrit term Karnâtaka Sangîtam which denotes “traditional” or “codified” music. Composed of a system of Ragam (Raga) and Thalam (Tala), it has a rich history and tradition. Carnatic Sangeet has developed in the south Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. These states are known for their strong presentation of Dravidian culture.
T.M. Krishna, the stormy petrel of Carnatic music, and this year’s winner of The Music Academy, Madras’s prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi award, is an ardent artiste and an avid activist.
Carnatic music: Features
• It is an indigenously developed style of classical music
• The Melakarta scheme is a highly comprehensive and systematic formula which includes within its fold all the modes used in ancient as well as modern systems of music of the different parts of the world.
• It is strongly Kriti-based
• Unity ofraga, tala and shruti in every piece
• The system gives equal importance to melody and rhythm.
• Mixing the three degrees of speeds
• Fewer instruments are used in Karnataka than in northern Indian music, and there are no exclusively instrumental forms.
• There is an even balance between re-creativity (soulful interpretation of the compositions of great masters) and creativity (on the spot improvisations).
• Some of the important Carnatic music compositions are- Gitam, suladi, svarajati, Jatisvaram, varnam, kritanam, kriti, pada, javali, pallavi etc
Conclusion
Carnatic music played an important role in uniting Indians by generating the feeling of oneness and nationalism during national movement. Even today it is practiced during festivals, as a stage performance, in cinema’s and bringing fame for Indian culture by reaching wider in western world.
2. Mangroves hold crucial resources that can help protect the rich and diverse biosphere. Nature-based solutions offer a holistic and sustainable approach to protect mangroves in India. Analyse.
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Introduction
Mangroves are the characteristic littoral plant formation of tropical and subtropical sheltered coastlines. They exhibit remarkable capacity for salt water tolerance, strong wind velocity, varying tides and high temperature. E.g.: Rhizophora, Avicenia, Bruguiera etc. Total cover of Mangroves in India is about 4,975 sq km as per latest State of Forest Report 2019.
According to the environmental study report, four million tonnes of microplastics are released into the Bay of Bengal and the Sundarbans each year from various rivers in Bangladesh and India.
Ecological Services by Mangroves:
• Mangrove plants have (additional) special roots such as prop roots, pneumatophoreswhich help to impede water flow and thereby enhance the deposition of sediment in areas (where it is already occurring), stabilize the coastal shores, provide breeding ground for fishes.
• Mangroves moderate monsoonal tidal floods and reduce inundation of coastal lowlands.
• They prevent coastal soil erosion.
• They protect coastal lands from tsunami, hurricanes and floods.
• Mangroves enhance natural recycling of nutrients.
• Mangrove supports numerous flora, avifauna and wild life.
• Provide a safe and favourable environment for breeding, spawning, rearing of several fishes.
• They supply woods, fire wood, medicinal plants and edible plants to local people.
• They provide numerous employment opportunities to local communities and augments their livelihood.
Threats to Mangroves:
A scientific study reported that 100 per cent of mangrove species, 92 per cent of mangrove associates, 60.8 per cent of algae, 23.8 per cent of invertebrates and 21.1 per cent of fish are under threat.
Natural forces due to climate change:
• Sea-level rise: Mangrove systems do not keep pace with changing sea-level and fall
• Extreme high-water events: affect the position and health including through altered sediment elevation and sulphide soil toxicity
• Storms: increase damage to mangroves through defoliation and tree mortality and they collapse
• Precipitation: decreased rainfall and increased evaporation will increase salinity, decreasing net primary productivity, growth
• Temperature: Changing species composition, Changing phenological patterns (e.g., timing of flowering and fruiting)
• Ocean circulation patterns: affect mangrove propagule dispersal and the genetic structure of mangrove populations, with concomitant effects on mangrove community structure.
Anthropogenic activities:
• Mangroves are being destroyed and facing severe threats due to urbanization, industrialization, and discharge of domestic sewage, industrial effluents and pesticides.
• Saltpans and aquaculture also pose major threat to the mangroves.
• 40% of mangrove forests in West Coast of India have been converted into farmlands and housing colonies over the last three decades.
• Some of the mangrove species like Bruguiera cylindrica and Sonneratia acida are at the verge of extinction.
• Due to shrimp farming, about 35,000 ha of mangroves have been lost in India.
Scientific Management of Mangroves
• Nationwide mapping of the mangrove areas, by remote sensing techniques coupled with land surveys, and time series to assess the rate of degradation of the ecosystems.
• Quantitative surveys of area, climatic regime, rate of growth of forest trees and seasonal variations of environmental parameters.
• Inclusion of mangrove species under threat in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red list. Sonneratia griffithii in India
• Assessment of suitable sites for reserve forests. : Artificial regeneration through mangrove nurseries or aerial seeding.
• Joint management of mangroves with local community participation.
• Disease and pest control. :Crab cuts are prevented by painting hypocotyls in yellow or Placing seedlings inside bamboo containers.
• Afforestation of degraded mangrove areas;
• Study of management methods, the ecology of mangroves, their flora and fauna, their microbiology and the biochemistry of organic matter and sediments.
• Mangroves for Future is a unique partner-led initiative for coastal ecosystem conservation. This project is being coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) covering, initially, eight countries (including India) in South Asia, South East Asia and Western Indian Ocean, for the protection of the mangroves.
• The mangroves have been afforded protection under Category I (ecologically sensitive) of the CRZ.
Conclusion:
An increase of 54 sq. km in mangrove cover has been observed as notes in SFR 2019. There is a need to build on this progress for stabilization of low-lying coastal lands. Mangroves being natural filters of pollutants from water, it becomes even more necessary to conserve them.
*Value addition*
*Characteristics:*
• Mangroves are salt tolerant trees, also called halophytes, which survive high salinity, tidal regimes, strong wind velocity, high temperature and muddy anaerobic soil – a combination of conditions hostile for other plants.
• The mangrove ecosystems constitute a symbiotic link or bridge between terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
• They are found in the inter-tidal zones of sheltered shore, estuaries, creeks, backwaters, lagoons, marshes and mud-flats.
General Studies – 2
3. The question of whether India should restart trade with Pakistan is complex and influenced by various factors, including political, economic, and security considerations. Analyse.
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Introduction
India and Pakistan’s relationship is a complex web of historical baggage, territorial disputes, and deep-rooted mistrust. Pakistan will “seriously examine” whether to restart trade with India, said its newly appointed Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.
India-Pakistan Trade Relations: A Historical Overview
• Post-Independence to Partition Impact (1947-1965) The partition of British India in 1947 led to significant political and social upheaval, impacting trade relations. Initial trade agreements were overshadowed by territorial disputes, notably over Jammu and Kashmir. Trade fluctuated with political relations, often coming to a halt during conflicts.
• The partition of British India in 1947 led to significant political and social upheaval, impacting trade relations.
• Initial trade agreements were overshadowed by territorial disputes, notably over Jammu and Kashmir.
• Trade fluctuated with political relations, often coming to a halt during conflicts.
• Period of Minimal Engagement (1965-1990s) Following the 1965 war, trade relations were minimal, with both nations imposing restrictions. The “Enemy Property” legislation further formalized the adversarial relationship, impacting economic ties.
• Following the 1965 war, trade relations were minimal, with both nations imposing restrictions.
• The “Enemy Property” legislation further formalized the adversarial relationship, impacting economic ties.
• Attempts at Normalization (1990s-2010s) Efforts like the Shimla and Lahore summits aimed to improve relations, with some success in trade cooperation.
• Efforts like the Shimla and Lahore summits aimed to improve relations, with some success in trade cooperation.
Current Impasse and Impact
• Suspension of Bilateral Trade (2019-Present) Bilateral trade was suspended by Pakistan in 2019 following India’s constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir. The move was also influenced by India’s imposition of a 200% tariff on Pakistani imports earlier that year.
• Bilateral trade was suspended by Pakistan in 2019 following India’s constitutional changes in Jammu and Kashmir.
• The move was also influenced by India’s imposition of a 200% tariff on Pakistani imports earlier that year.
• Economic Impact The suspension has led to increased costs for traders, as goods are routed through third countries like Dubai or Singapore.
• The suspension has led to increased costs for traders, as goods are routed through third countries like Dubai or Singapore.
Pros and Cons of Normalizing Trade Relations
• Pros Economic Benefits: Enhanced trade could lead to economic growth and stability in the region. Political Stability: Improved trade relations could foster better political ties and peace prospects.
• Economic Benefits: Enhanced trade could lead to economic growth and stability in the region.
• Political Stability: Improved trade relations could foster better political ties and peace prospects.
• Cons Security Concerns: India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism could hinder normalization efforts. Political Resistance: Domestic political narratives in both countries may resist normalization due to historical tensions.
• Security Concerns: India’s concerns about cross-border terrorism could hinder normalization efforts.
• Political Resistance: Domestic political narratives in both countries may resist normalization due to historical tensions.
Balanced Opinion
• Economic vs. Political Realities: While the economic benefits of normalized trade are clear, political and security concerns remain significant obstacles7.
• Incremental Approach: A gradual, step-by-step approach to building trust and addressing concerns could pave the way for improved trade relations7.
• Regional Stability: Ultimately, the normalization of trade could contribute to a more stable and prosperous South Asia, but it requires careful navigation of the complex political landscape7.
Conclusion
The history of India-Pakistan trade relations reflects the broader political dynamics between the two nations. The current impasse presents challenges but also opportunities for economic cooperation. A balanced approach that considers both the potential benefits and the existing concerns could lead to a more peaceful and prosperous future for both countries.
General Studies – 3
4. What are ecotones? Ecotones deserve high conservation investment, potentially serving as speciation and biodiversity centres. Elaborate on their importance.
Reference: Insights on India
Introduction
The transition zone between two ecosystems is called an ecotone. It is an area that represents the boundary between two ecosystems. This area is of high environmental and scientific importance. Marshy land, grassland ecosystem are few examples of Ecotones.
Significance of Ecotones
• Ecotones, in simple terms, are transitional lands, which is why they provide such valuable insights and information regarding the evolution of the topography.
• Ecotones are also very special when it comes to species diversity.
• The transitioning region boasts species richnessand elaborate biodiversity.
• This is because they contain animal and plant species from both the adjacent ecosystems.
• This phenomenon is formally referred to as the edge effect.
• Ecotones act as biodiversity hotspotsbetween two ecosystems.
• Because this region borders two well-defined ecosystems, it promotes gene flowfrom one community to another, thereby giving rise to interesting variations.
• As such, ecotones hold evolutionary significance for researchers.
• Ecotones are the biological analogues of buffer states. They act as buffer regions when catastrophic conditions strike and protect the adjacent ecosystem from any prospective dangers.
• For instance, if a tsunami hits a coast, it’s usually the mangrove vegetation that acts as the shock absorbers. It prevents a massive amount of danger from infiltrating the terrestrial region.
Conclusion
Moreover, such a region is also very susceptible to climate- and human-induced changes. These changes result in modifications related to the biodiversity, structure, and functioning of the thriving flora and fauna.
5. Water pollution in India arises from various sources, each contributing to the deterioration of water quality with a plethora of short term and long-term consequences. Examine. (250 words)
Reference: Insights on India.
Introduction
Water Pollution refers to the deterioration of physical (such as colour, odour, turbidity, taste, temperature), chemical (such as acidity, alkalinity, salinity, etc.), and biological (presence of bacteria, coliform MPN, algae, etc.) characteristics of water through natural and anthropogenic processes to such an extent that it becomes harmful to human beings, plants, and animal communities.
NITI Aayog and WaterAid, amongst others, have found that over 70% of India’s surface and groundwater is contaminated by human and other waste and is likely to carry viruses. According to a World Bank Report – Quality Unknown: The Invisible Water Crisis in 2019, heavily polluted water is reducing economic growth by up to a third in some countries.
Extent of pollution of water sources across Globe:
• There are two unpolluted fresh water sources left in India. The first is the water lying below our forests; the second is the aquifers that lie below the floodplains of rivers.
• India’s 14 major, 55 minor and several hundred small rivers receive millions of liters of sewage, industrial and agricultural wastes.
• The most polluting source for rivers is the city sewage and industrial waste discharge. Presently, a very small portion of the wastewater generated is treated; the rest is discharged as it is into our water bodies. Due to this, pollutants enter rivers, lakes, and groundwater.
• Such water, which ultimately ends up in our households, is often highly contaminated and carries disease-causing microbes.
• Agricultural run-off, or the water from the fields that drains into rivers, is another major water pollutant as it contains fertilizers and pesticides.
• In England, Wales and Scotland, several wastewater samples were tested and were found to carry traces of SARS-CoV-2.
• Remnants of the virus have also been detected in raw sewage across Sydney.
• Research at the University of Stirling in Scotland indicates that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can spread through sewage water.
Causes of water pollution:
• Sewage and wastewater Inadequate sewage collection and treatment are sources of water pollution. According to the United Nations, more than 80% of the worldwide wastewater goes back in the environment without being treated or reused.
• Inadequate sewage collection and treatment are sources of water pollution.
• According to the United Nations, more than 80% of the worldwide wastewater goes back in the environment without being treated or reused.
• Urbanization and deforestation Even though it does not have a direct impact on water quality, urbanization and deforestation have a lot of indirect effects. For instance, cutting down trees and concreting over large areas generates an acceleration of flows which does not give enough time for water to infiltrate and be purified by the ground.
• Even though it does not have a direct impact on water quality, urbanization and deforestation have a lot of indirect effects.
• For instance, cutting down trees and concreting over large areas generates an acceleration of flows which does not give enough time for water to infiltrate and be purified by the ground.
• Agriculture Agriculture has an impact on water pollution due to the use of chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or insecticides running off in the water, as well as livestock excrement, manure and methane (greenhouse effect). Regarding aquaculture, pollution is directly in the water, as excess food and fertilizers are causing dystrophication.
• Agriculture has an impact on water pollution due to the use of chemicals such as fertilizers, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides or insecticides running off in the water, as well as livestock excrement, manure and methane (greenhouse effect).
• Regarding aquaculture, pollution is directly in the water, as excess food and fertilizers are causing dystrophication.
• Industries Industries produce a lot of waste containing toxic chemicals and pollutants. A huge amount of the industrial waste is drained in the fresh water which then flows into canals, rivers and eventually in the sea. Another source of water pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, causing air pollution like acid rain which then flows to streams, lakes, and other stretches of water.
• Industries produce a lot of waste containing toxic chemicals and pollutants.
• A huge amount of the industrial waste is drained in the fresh water which then flows into canals, rivers and eventually in the sea.
• Another source of water pollution is the burning of fossil fuels, causing air pollution like acid rain which then flows to streams, lakes, and other stretches of water.
• Marine dumping Every day, garbage such as plastic, paper, aluminium, food, glass, or rubber are deposited into the sea. These items take weeks to hundreds of years to decompose, and thus they are a major cause for water pollution.
• Every day, garbage such as plastic, paper, aluminium, food, glass, or rubber are deposited into the sea.
• These items take weeks to hundreds of years to decompose, and thus they are a major cause for water pollution.
• Radioactive waste Generated – among others – by power plants and uranium mining, radioactive waste can linger in the environment for thousands of years. When these substances are released accidentally or disposed improperly, they threaten groundwater, surface water, as well as marine resources.
• Generated – among others – by power plants and uranium mining, radioactive waste can linger in the environment for thousands of years.
• When these substances are released accidentally or disposed improperly, they threaten groundwater, surface water, as well as marine resources.
Threats posed by water pollution:
• On Human health:
• Domestic and hospital sewage contain many undesirable pathogenic microorganisms, and its disposal into water without proper treatment may cause an outbreak of serious diseases, such as typhoid, cholera, etc.
• Metals like lead, zinc, arsenic, copper, mercury and cadmium in industrial wastewaters adversely affect humans and other animals.
• Consumption of such arsenic polluted water leads to accumulation of arsenic in the body parts like blood, nails and hairs causing skin lesions, rough skin, dry and thickening of the skin and ultimately skin cancer.
• Mercury compounds in wastewater are converted by bacterial action into extremely toxic methyl mercury, which can cause numbness of limbs, lips and tongue, deafness, blurring of vision and mental derangement.
• Pollution of water bodies by mercury causes Minamata (neurological syndrome) disease in humans.
• Lead causes lead poisoning (Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues).
• The compounds of lead cause anaemia, headache, loss of muscle power and bluish line around the gum.
• Water contaminated with cadmium can cause itai disease also called ouch-ouch disease (a painful disease of bones and joints) and cancer of lungs and liver.
• On the Environment
• Micro-organisms involved in biodegradation of organic matter in sewage waste consume a lot of oxygen and make water oxygen deficient killing fish and other aquatic creatures.
• Presence of large amounts of nutrients in water results in algal bloom(excessive growth of planktonic algae. This leads to ageing of lakes.
• A few toxic substances, often present in industrial wastewaters, can undergo biological magnification (Biomagnification) in the aquatic food chain. This phenomenon is well-known for mercury and DDT.
• High concentrations of DDT disturb calcium metabolism in birds, which causes thinning of eggshell and their premature breaking, eventually causing a decline in bird populations.
• New species invasion: Eutrophication may cause the ecosystem competitive by transforming the normal limiting nutrient to abundant level. This cause shifting in species composition of the ecosystem.
• Loss of coral reefs: Occurs due to decrease in water transparency (increased turbidity).
• Affects navigation due to increased turbidity; creates colour (yellow, green, red), smell and water treatment problems; increases biomass of inedible toxic phytoplankton, benthic and epiphytic algae and bloom of gelatinous zooplankton.
• On Aquatic Ecosystem
• Polluted water reduces Dissolved Oxygen (DO) content, thereby, eliminates sensitive organisms like plankton, molluscs and fish etc.
• However, a few tolerant species like Tubifex (annelid worm)and some insect larvae may survive in highly polluted water with low DO content. Such species are recognized as indicator species for polluted water.
• Biocides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)and heavy metals directly eliminate sensitive aquatic organisms.
• Hot waters discharged from industries, when added to water bodies, lowers its DO content.
Measures needed:
• Treatment of sewage water and industrial effluents should be done before releasing them into water bodies.
• Hot water should be left to cool off before its release from the power plants.
• Domestic cleaning (of clothes and utensils) should be prohibited in water bodies which supply drinking water such as tanks, streams, and rivers
• Excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides should be avoided.
• Organic farming and efficient use of animal residues as fertilizers should be encouraged.
• Water hyacinth (an aquatic weed) can purify water by absorbing toxic materials and a number of heavy metals from water.
• Oil spills in water can be cleaned with the help of bigoli – a byproduct of paper industry resembling sawdust, oil zapper microorganisms.
Way forward:
• Tapping and Recycling waste water resources
• Need of national Water policy, on lines of Rajasthan – 1st state to implement sewage water policy
• Extraction of by-products: such as salt, nitrogen, phosphorous will be useful for local businesses.
• Industrial applications: for cooling purposes in power stations, industrial machinery etc; Singapore uses reclaimed water called ‘NEWater’ to serve 30% of its needs.
• Role of government, municipalities: need to enforce stricter norms regarding dumping of wastewater, improve process for treatment of wastewater.
• Improve infrastructure: setting up more wastewater treatment plants in every municipality funding them through municipality bonds.
• Cultural change: the culture of wasting water needs to be changed through educational campaigns.
• New technology: like sequencing batch reactor – C-TECH technology that was adopted in Navi Mumbai, meets the standards of EUROPEAN UNION in terms of treated water quality.
• A paradigm shift from “use and throw – linear” to a “use, treat, and reuse – circular” approach is needed to manage wastewater.
• Investment in wastewater treatment has associated risks as well. It is therefore important to understand the underlying social, political, technical, and financial factors that will drive, facilitate, and sustain wastewater management interventions in India.
Conclusion:
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 specifically focuses on water and sanitation, with Target 3 addressing water quality, but the availability of water is a cross-cutting issue upon which every aspect of development hinges. Put simply, water is life, and without a sustained commitment to improving and benefiting from effective wastewater management, that precious resource, and the billions of lives it nourishes, is in peril.
Answer the following questions in 250 words(15 marks each):
General Studies – 1
6. The Quit India Movement marked a shift in the Indian nationalist movement towards more aggressive and direct action against British colonialism. One of the key figures who played a pivotal role in the Quit India Movement was Usha Mehta, a prominent freedom fighter and a staunch Gandhian. Discuss.
Reference: Indian Express. , Insights on India
Introduction
The failure of the Cripps Mission in April 1942 made it clear that Britain was unwilling to offer an honourable settlement and a real constitutional advance during the War. Consequently, Gandhiji drafted a resolution for the Congress Working Committee calling for Britain’s withdrawal and nation edged towards Quit India Movement or August Kranti. Mahatma Gandhi’s clarion call of ‘Do or Die’ inspired thousands of party workers but also created frenzy among the British who rushed to imprison the entire Congress leadership.
Quit India Movement stands apart:
• Social radicalism of Gandhi: In a sharp contrast to Non-cooperation movement, where Gandhi withdrew after Chauri Chaura incident, in Quit India movement he not only refused to condemn the people’s resort to violence but unequivocally held government responsible for it. Though the need for non-violence was always reiterated, Gandhi’s mantra of Do or Die represents the militant mood of Gandhi. Gandhi also gave a call to all sections of the people, the princes, the Jagirdars, the Zamindars, the propertied and moneyed classes, who derive their wealth and property from the workers in the fields and factories and elsewhere, to whom eventually power and authority belong. This indicates Gandhi’s social radicalism and shift in the philosophy of the Congress, by now people with the goals of socialism and communism have become a part of the broad-based Congress organization.
• In a sharp contrast to Non-cooperation movement, where Gandhi withdrew after Chauri Chaura incident, in Quit India movement he not only refused to condemn the people’s resort to violence but unequivocally held government responsible for it.
• Though the need for non-violence was always reiterated, Gandhi’s mantra of Do or Die represents the militant mood of Gandhi.
• Gandhi also gave a call to all sections of the people, the princes, the Jagirdars, the Zamindars, the propertied and moneyed classes, who derive their wealth and property from the workers in the fields and factories and elsewhere, to whom eventually power and authority belong.
• This indicates Gandhi’s social radicalism and shift in the philosophy of the Congress, by now people with the goals of socialism and communism have become a part of the broad-based Congress organization.
• Violent at some places: The Quit India Movement was mainly a non-violent movement. However, it became violent at some places.Rails were uprooted, post offices were set on fire and offices were destroyed.
• The Quit India Movement was mainly a non-violent movement. However, it became violent at some places.Rails were uprooted, post offices were set on fire and offices were destroyed.
• Leaderless movement: Even before the formal launching of the movement, the government in a single sweep arrested all the top leaders of the Congress. This led to spontaneous outburst of mass anger against the arrest of leaders. The spontaneous participation of the massesin the Quit India movement made it one of the most popular mass movements.
• Even before the formal launching of the movement, the government in a single sweep arrested all the top leaders of the Congress. This led to spontaneous outburst of mass anger against the arrest of leaders.
• The spontaneous participation of the massesin the Quit India movement made it one of the most popular mass movements.
• Demand for independence: This historic movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agendaof the national movement. The spirit unleashed was carried further by Indian National Army of Subhas Chandra Bose. After ‘Quit India’ there could be no retreat. Independence was no longer a matter of bargain. It accelerated and sustained the urge for freedom and enabled India to achieve freedom in 1947.
• This historic movement placed the demand for independence on the immediate agendaof the national movement.
• The spirit unleashed was carried further by Indian National Army of Subhas Chandra Bose. After ‘Quit India’ there could be no retreat. Independence was no longer a matter of bargain.
• It accelerated and sustained the urge for freedom and enabled India to achieve freedom in 1947.
• Establishment of Parallel Governments: Parallel governments were established at many places. Balliaunder Chittu Pandey, got many Congress leaders released. In Tamluk and Contai subdivisions of Midnaporein West Bengal, the local populace were successful in establishing Jatiya Sarkar, which undertook cyclone relief work, sanctioned grants to schools, supplied paddy from the rich to the poor, organised Vidyut Vahinis, etc. In Satara (Maharashtra), “Prati Sarkar”,was organised under leaders like Y.B. Chavan, Nana Patil, etc. Village libraries and Nyayadan Mandals were organised
• Parallel governments were established at many places.
• Balliaunder Chittu Pandey, got many Congress leaders released.
• In Tamluk and Contai subdivisions of Midnaporein West Bengal, the local populace were successful in establishing Jatiya Sarkar, which undertook cyclone relief work, sanctioned grants to schools, supplied paddy from the rich to the poor, organised Vidyut Vahinis, etc.
• In Satara (Maharashtra), “Prati Sarkar”,was organised under leaders like Y.B. Chavan, Nana Patil, etc. Village libraries and Nyayadan Mandals were organised
• Underground Activity: Many nationalists went underground and took to subversive activities. The participants in these activities were the Socialists, Forward Bloc members, Gandhi ashramites, revolutionary nationalists and local organisations in Bombay, Poona, Satara, Baroda and other parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra, United Provinces, Bihar and Delhi. The main personalities taking up underground activity were Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kripalani and R.P. Goenka. Usha Mehtastarted an underground radio in Bombay. This phase of underground activity was meant to keep up popular morale by continuing to provide a line of command and guidance to distribute arms and ammunition
• Many nationalists went underground and took to subversive activities.
• The participants in these activities were the Socialists, Forward Bloc members, Gandhi ashramites, revolutionary nationalists and local organisations in Bombay, Poona, Satara, Baroda and other parts of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra, United Provinces, Bihar and Delhi.
• The main personalities taking up underground activity were Rammanohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, Aruna Asaf Ali, Usha Mehta, Biju Patnaik, Chhotubhai Puranik, Achyut Patwardhan, Sucheta Kripalani and R.P. Goenka.
• Usha Mehtastarted an underground radio in Bombay.
• This phase of underground activity was meant to keep up popular morale by continuing to provide a line of command and guidance to distribute arms and ammunition
• Strong women participation: Quit India movement was unique in the sense that it saw women participation where they not only participated as equals but also led the movement. Women, especially school and college girls, actively participated, and included Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani and Usha Mehta. There was Matangini Hazra, who lead a procession of 6,000 people, mostly women, to ransack a local police station.
• Quit India movement was unique in the sense that it saw women participation where they not only participated as equals but also led the movement.
• Women, especially school and college girls, actively participated, and included Aruna Asaf Ali, Sucheta Kripalani and Usha Mehta.
• There was Matangini Hazra, who lead a procession of 6,000 people, mostly women, to ransack a local police station.
• Extent of Mass Participation The participation was on many levels. Youth, especially the students of schools and colleges, remained in the forefront. Workerswent on strikes and faced repression. Peasantsof all strata were at the heart of the movement. Even some zamindars Government officials, especially those belonging to lower levels in police and administration, participated resulting in erosion of government loyalty. Muslimshelped by giving shelter to underground activists. There were no communal clashes during the movement.
• The participation was on many levels.
• Youth, especially the students of schools and colleges, remained in the forefront.
• Workerswent on strikes and faced repression.
• Peasantsof all strata were at the heart of the movement.
• Even some zamindars
• Government officials, especially those belonging to lower levels in police and administration, participated resulting in erosion of government loyalty.
• Muslimshelped by giving shelter to underground activists. There were no communal clashes during the movement.
Role of Usha Mehta in Quit India Movement
• Usha Mehta, a Gandhianand freedom fighter, played a pivotal role during the Quit India Movement of 1942.
• Usha Mehta is rememberedfor organizing the Congress Radio, also known as the Secret Congress Radio. This underground radio station operated clandestinely during the Quit India Movement.
• On 14 August 1942, Usha and some of her close associates began the Secret Congress Radio, a clandestine radio station. It went air on 27 August. Secret Congress Radio also kept the leaders of the freedom movement in touch with the public
• The Chittagong Bomb Raid, Jamshedpur strike and running of parallel governments in Bihar and Maharashtra were some of the major developments that the secret Radio broadcast to the masses.
• However, the police found them on 12 November 1942 and arrested the organizers, including Usha Mehta.
• When senior leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patelwere arrested by the British colonial authorities, Congress Radio played a crucial role in coordinating protests and disseminating information.
• In March 1946, she was released, the first political prisoner to be released in Bombay, at the orders of Morarji Desai, who was at that time the home minister in the interim government.
• Usha Mehta’s unwavering commitment to the cause of freedom and her innovative use of radio communication left an indelible mark on India’s struggle for independence.
• She continued to spread the Gandhian ideals. In recognition of her significant contributions, the Government of Indiahonored Usha Mehta with the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India.
Conclusion
Despite its failure, the Quit India movement is considered significant as it made the British Government realize that India was ungovernable in the long run. Post the Second World War, the question that was most prominent for the British was on how to exit India peacefully.
General Studies – 2
7. What is New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG)? NCQG is crucial for promoting climate justice and enabling effective global climate action, especially for the most vulnerable nations disproportionately affected by climate change. Discuss.
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India
Introduction
The New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG) is a new global climate finance goal that the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA) shall set from a floor of USD 100 billion per year, prior to 2025. This new goal will be set in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries
About New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG)
• NCQG is a commitment by developed countries to mobilize $100 billion annually to assist developing nations with climate change mitigation and adaptation1.
• It aims to set a new goal prior to 2025, taking into account the needs and priorities of developing countries2.
• The goal is to support meaningful mitigation actions and transparency of implementation.
• It includes an ad hoc work program, submissions by stakeholders, high-level dialogues, and stock-takes by the CMA.
Significance of Climate Finance
• Mitigation and Adaptation Climate finance is crucial for large-scale investments to reduce emissions and for adapting to the adverse effects of climate change.
• Climate finance is crucial for large-scale investments to reduce emissions and for adapting to the adverse effects of climate change.
• Supporting Development It aligns with sustainable development goals and helps eradicate poverty by making finance flows consistent with low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.
• It aligns with sustainable development goals and helps eradicate poverty by making finance flows consistent with low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.
Impediments in Accessing Climate Finance
• Financial Shortfall Developing countries face a significant gap between the estimated costs of adaptation and the available finance.
• Developing countries face a significant gap between the estimated costs of adaptation and the available finance.
• Complexity and Criteria The lack of a clear definition and criteria for climate finance leads to difficulties in accessing funds.
• The lack of a clear definition and criteria for climate finance leads to difficulties in accessing funds.
Way Forward
• Clear Definitions and Criteria Establishing clear definitions and criteria for climate finance can improve transparency and access.
• Establishing clear definitions and criteria for climate finance can improve transparency and access.
• Balanced Support Ensuring a balance between adaptation and mitigation finance is crucial for addressing the comprehensive needs of developing countries.
• Ensuring a balance between adaptation and mitigation finance is crucial for addressing the comprehensive needs of developing countries.
Conclusion
The NCQG represents a pivotal step in climate finance, aiming to address the urgent needs of developing countries. The significance of climate finance cannot be overstated, as it is integral to both mitigation and adaptation efforts. However, the current impediments in accessing climate finance highlight the need for clearer definitions, criteria, and a balanced approach to support. Moving forward, a concerted effort to address these challenges will be essential for the effective implementation of climate action globally.
8. Extending the Sixth Schedule status to Ladakh may offer opportunities for protecting the region’s cultural and social identity, but it also presents significant challenges related to autonomy and development. Examine.
Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India , Insights on India
Introduction
In 2019, the Government revoked Article 370, removing special status from Jammu and Kashmir, dividing it into Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. A year later, Leh and Kargil districts formed the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to address public concerns.
In Ladakh, thousands are protesting in sub-zero temperatures demanding statehood job opportunities, land protection, and parliamentary representation. Environmentalist Sonam Wangchuk, currently on a 21-day fast to demand the implementation of the Indian Constitution’s Sixth Schedule and statehood for the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh.
Demands of Ladakh
• Statehood for Ladakh: Seeking to elevate Ladakh from its current Union Territory status to a full-fledged state, granting it greater political autonomy and decision-making powers
• Reservation of Jobs: The Ladakh administration responded to youth demands by increasing ST reservation in direct recruitment from 10% to 45% in 2023
• Creation of Separate Parliamentary Constituencies: Demanding the establishment of distinct Parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil, reflecting the unique demographic and geographical characteristics of each region.
• Ladakh’s demand for the 6th Schedule: Ever since the separation, organisations like the ABL and the KDA have demanded that Ladakh be included under the Sixth Schedule. This Schedule contains provisions regarding the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
• Last year, in 2023, a high-powered committee was formed in Ladakh to address growing demands for its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule. Civil society groups seek protection of land, resources, and employment after Article 370’s revocation. The National Commission for Scheduled Tribeshad previously recommended Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule due to its tribal majority and unique cultural heritage.
Ladakh and the Sixth schedule of the constitution
• It is estimated that more than 90% of Ladakh’s population is tribal. The primary Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Ladakh are Balti Beda, Bot (or Boto), Brokpa (or Drokpa, Dard, Shin), Changpa, Garra, Mon and Purigpa.
• Thereby several distinct cultural heritages of these communities in Ladakh region needs to be preserved and promoted.
• Inclusion under this Schedule would allow Ladakh to create Autonomous District and Regional Councils (ADCs and ARCs) — elected bodies with the power to administrate tribal areas.
• This would include the power to make laws on subjects such as forest management, agriculture, administration of villages and towns, inheritance, marriage, divorce and social customs.
• A majority of the population in Ladakh belongs to Scheduled Tribes.
• The ADCs and ARCs may also constitute village councils or courts to decide disputes between parties from Scheduled Tribes, and appoint officers to oversee the administration of the laws they enact.
• In cases where the offences are punishable with death or more than five years of imprisonment, the Governor of the state can confer upon the ADCs and ARCs the power to try them under the country’s criminal and civil laws.
• The Schedule also gives ARCs and ADCs the power to collect land revenue, impose taxes, regulate money lending and trading, collect royalties from licences or leases for the extraction of minerals in their areas, and establish public facilities such as schools, markets, and roads.
• As of now, 10 autonomous councils exist in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
• Articles 371 and 371-A through J provide “special provisions” for specific states, often to give representation to certain religious and social groups and to allow these groups to exercise autonomy over their affairs without interference from the state and central governments.
Issues with Sixth Schedule
• There are frequent conflicts of interest between the District Councils and the state legislatures. For example, in Meghalaya, despite the formation of the State, the whole of the State continues to be under the Sixth Schedule causing frequent conflicts with the State Government.
• Various tribal communities with different cultures and customs within one autonomous council for example Bodo Council and Chakma Council in Assam.
• Inflow of migrants has caused demographic imbalances and increased social tensions.
• The tribal elite have appropriated all the power and common citizens left helpless.
• Competition among local officials, police and communities has chocked the development and has increased resentment among the people.
• These areas lack political mobilization i.e. Mainstream parties having regionalism, localism and communism as political ideology which has drag down the developmental work. People here have low political participation.
• In case of conflict between the District Councils and the State Legislature, the state enjoys the superiority, but then it is alleged that autonomous councils are mere platform for aspiring politicians who nurture ambitions to contest assembly polls in the future.
• However, there are certain issues due to which the sixth schedule has ended up creating multiple power centers instead of bringing in a genuine process of democratization or autonomy in the region such as Conflict of Power, governor functioning and disparity among autonomous bodies and local bodies.
• Thus, despite autonomy, development benefits have not reached the people and caused isolation in the region.
Conclusion
Though issues persist, the Sixth Schedule mandating the state to devolve certain political, administrative and fiscal powers to local governments elected by the communities due to which, it has been quite successful in countering the so-called Separatist movements, militancy etc, of which some have become active insurgencies, as a key issue in North-East. It ensures the tribal culture is protected upholding diversity.
General Studies – 3
9. In the light of frequent coal shortages, diversifying energy sources, promoting energy efficiency, and increased domestic coal supplies are crucial for a more stable energy future. Examine.
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Introduction
India, along with China, is the world’s largest coal producer, consumer and importer. Its own coal production will surpass a billion tonnes by 2025, the annual report of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted. India’s coal consumption has doubled since 2007 at an annual growth rate of 6 per cent.
With coal use set to be a key topic during the ongoing COP28 summit, India recently said it would continue to rely on coal for electricity generation for the foreseeable future, even as it rapidly expanded its renewable energy sources. In recent years India has steadily increased its coal production. However, it stands in stark contrast to the country’s ambitious plans of achieving net-zero..
The prosperous future of the coal industry in India:
• Increased output: The production in the first 10 months of FY22 reached 25 million tonnes, up 16% over the same period a year ago. It will jump to around 1.4 billion tonnes per annum by 2030 from around 1 billion tonnes currently.
• It will jump to around 1.4 billion tonnes per annum by 2030 from around 1 billion tonnes currently.
• Acceleration in Imports: India’s imports (10.19 mt in February) of seaborne thermal coal are likely to accelerate, especially since the government mandated power plants to operate at full capacity as the summer demand peaks.
• Increased imports of coking coal: It is expected that coking coal imports will rise from around 63 mt a year currently to around 100 mt by 2030, given the expected increase in steel production.
• Increased private participation: Private mining companies are expected to make a bigger contribution to domestic output as they start bringing mines to production.
Extent of India’s Dependence on coal:
• The installed capacity for coal based power generation across the country was 2.04 lakh megawatt (MW). This accounts for about *5% of power from all sources.*
• Coal based power stations are retired periodically which happens all the time. But is not fast enough nor are new additions being halted.
• Coal is still most inexpensive compared with other present sources of energy.
• According to the *IEA’s Coal Report 2021,India’s coal consumption will increase at an average annual rate of 9% to 1.18billon tonnes in 2024.*
Reasons for increasing coal demand:
• Iron and steel production uses coal and there are not many technologies to replace the fuel immediately.
• Continued expansion of India’s economy is expected during 2022-2024, with annual average GDP growth of 7.4%, fuelled at least partially by coal.
• India’s push to domestic coal mining through both Coal India and auction of coal blocks to private companies, coal usage in India will increase as it plateaus in other parts of the world, including China.
• The central government has opened up coal mining for the *private sector*, claiming it as one of its most ambitious coal sector reforms.
• The government anticipates that it will bring efficiency and competition in coal production, attract investments and best-in-class technology, and help create more jobs in the coal sector.
Need to cut coal demand
• The international cost of natural gas has increased in the recent past from a level that was considered already too high to be financially viable.
• Of the *25,000 MWof gas based power plants, about 14,000 MW *remains stranded, or idle, because they are financially unviable.
• While renewable energy sources are cheaper than coal, their ability to generate power consistently is subject to the whims of nature, the wind and the Sun.
• Storage technologies are still not mature enough to help renewable energy sources become reliable generators of power.
Measures needed to move away from Coal
• India must enhance investments in the deployment of clean coal technologies throughout the coal value chain. Government power utilities must show the way by investing in the deployment of advanced clean coal technologies.
• India should also be very cautious of adding new coal capacity beyond 2030 as it risks locking in resources.
• With government’s efforts to push renewable energy due to international conventions on climate change, increase in carbon cess and other initiatives for lesser use of coal, there is a need for ‘Vision 2030 for the coal sector’, which takes into account the environmental factors such as reduction of carbon footprint, abatement of global warming.
• Strategic Decommissioning of Old and Inefficient Power Plants: It may be prudent to let old capacity fade away in due course and saving some of them as they are efficient, while focusing on such detailed analysis and weeding out the needless capacity in the pipeline, to derive long-term economic and environmental benefits.
• We need an energy transformation through which we would realize the co-benefits of local and global emission reduction. We also need the right to energy for all, as energy poverty and inequity is not acceptable.
Way forward
• Optimal Energy Mix in Power Generation: Power is generated through various sources of energy such as coal, hydro, natural gas, and renewables (solar, wind). This gains tremendous importance as the future generation capacity mix should be cost effective as well as environmentally friendly.
• Cost Effective Solar Plants: The average cost of coal-fired projects is Rs.4 per unit and generally sees an upward escalation, whereas new solar power plants are being bid out at less than Rs.3 per unit.
New Technologies for Coal Based Units: The government has commissioned more efficient supercritical coal based units and old and inefficient coal based capacity is being retired. A range of new technologies (like Coal gasification, Coal beneficiation, etc.) can be deployed to make coal-fired power plants more environmentally compatible.
10. Bioremediation is a promising approach for cleaning up polluted environments, offering several advantages. However, it also has limitations and challenges that need to be considered. Examine.
Reference: investopedia.com
Introduction
Bioremediation is a process where biological organisms are used to remove or neutralize an environmental pollutant by metabolic process. The “biological” organisms include microscopic organisms, such as fungi, algae and bacteria, and the “remediation”—treating the situation. The main principle is degrading and converting pollutants to less toxic forms. Bioremediation is highly involved in degradation, eradication, immobilization, or detoxification diverse chemical wastes and physical hazardous materials from the surrounding through the all-inclusive and action of microorganisms.
Bio-remediation and bio-mining are clearly specified as the first choice under Rule 15 (zj) of The Rules for the Safe Treatment of Legacy Waste in all open dumpsites and existing operational dumpsites in India.
Different types of bio-remediation techniques
Advantages
• The contaminations of soil through heavy metals become a major problem among all other environmental problems.
• These metals can also be removed by the use of various biological agents like yeast, fungi, bacteria, and algae etc. which act as bio sorbent for sequestering the metals.
• In solid waste, about 12% constitute of rubber. A rubber can neither degrade easily nor recycled due to its physical composition. This can be removed due to bioremediation.
• Bioremediation of Agricultural Waste
• Each year, human, livestock, and crops produce approximately 38 billion metric tons of organic waste worldwide. Disposal and environmental friendly management of these wastes has become a global priority.these can be managed through vermicomposting.
• A vermicompostingis nothing but a joint action between the earth warms and microorganism. Here microorganism helps in degradation of organic matter and earth warm drives the process and conditioning to the substrate and altering the biological activity.
• It leads to near-zero emission of harmful gases (such as methane, hydrogen sulphide, and ammonia) and leachate
• Organic fraction of the original waste is degraded biologically by the bioculture. Specific microbes are also used for leachate treatment. Once the waste is stabilised, it is ready for bio-mining, and can be separated into different fractions which can then be used for different purposes — for compost, road subgrade, making RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) pellets, recycling plastics, or inert for landfills etc.
• Once the waste is stabilised, it is ready for bio-mining, and can be separated into different fractions which can then be used for different purposes — for compost, road subgrade, making RDF (Refuse Derived Fuel) pellets, recycling plastics, or inert for landfills etc.
• The major advantage of the bioremediation methods is that it allows for contamination to be treated, neutralized or removed and then produces a waste product itself that is more easily disposed of.
• In some cases, there is no need for disposal at all. In the case of the plants used in phytoremediation and rhizofiltration,the plant is able to do something called bioaccumulation. This means is holds onto the contaminant. As the plant is still growing, there is no need to remove and destroy it.
Disadvantages
• Not applicable to heavy metal contamination or chlorinated hydrocarbons such as trichloroethylene.
• Non-permeable soil requires additional processing.
• The contaminant can be stripped from soil via soil washing or physical extraction before being placed in bioreactor.
• Depending on specific site, some contaminants may not be absolutely transformed to harmless products.
• If transformation stops at an intermediate compound, the intermediate may be more toxic and/or mobile than parent compound some are recalcitrant contaminants cannot be biodegradable.
• When incorrectly applied, injection wells may become blocked by profuse microbial growth due to addition of nutrients, electron donor and electron acceptor.
• Heavy metals and organic compounds concentration inhibit activity of indigenous microorganisms.
• In-situ bioremediation usually required microorganism’s acclimatization, which may not develop for spills and recalcitrant compounds.
Conclusion
Thus, it is not only a process of removing the pollutant from the environment but also it an eco-friendly and more effective process. The purpose of bioremediation is to make environment free from pollution with help of environmentally friendly microbes.
Join our Official Telegram Channel HERE
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Follow our Twitter Account HERE
Follow our Instagram ID HERE