Mrunal - Environment and Biodiversity
Mrunal - Environment and Biodiversity
Mrunal - Environment and Biodiversity
Ecological Pyramids
• You already know about the food chain: grass –> Grasshoppers –>birds –>hawk.
• Each step or level is known as Trophic level.
• If we draw these trophic levels in a verticle fashion, a pyramid is created. This pyramid is
known as Ecological pyramid.
• The Autotrophs (green plants) = base of the pyramid
• The top carnivores (lion tigers) = tip (apex) of this pyramid.
Types of Pyramids
1. Pyramid of numbers,
2. Pyramid of biomass
3. Pyramid of energy or productivity
Food Web
• Food Chain:–> Grass> grasshopper >frog > fish > man
• Food chain assume the isolated linear line. But in real life, frog could be eating other
insects apart from grasshopper. Fish could be eating smaller fishes apart from frog. So
there exists an interconnected Network of (Food Chain + Food Chain + Food chain…).
• This interconnected network of food chains = food web.
Why?
1. Because some energy is wasted as body heat.
2. No herbivore (deer, cow) can entirely digest and absorb the plant nutrients.
3. Some energy is wasted while capturing the prey. (e.g. Tiger chasing a deer.)
4. Some energy remains trapped e.g. Tiger only eats the flash of a deer. He doesn’t eat the
skin, hair, bone and teeth of a deer.
• So the energy stored in the skin, hair, bone and teeth of a deer =not moved up in the food
chain.
• However this energy is later utilized when scavenger (hyena) comes into picture. Because
Hyena’s stomach acid is so powerful, it can digest the skin, hair, bone, teeth and other
remnants of a deer corpse.
• When energy changes from one form to another, some of the energy is Lost. Suppose a
jungle receives 1000 calories worth Sunlight everyday.
• Most of the sunlight is not absorbed; some is reflected back to space.
• Out of the sunlight that is absorbed, only a small portion is utilized by green plants
• Out of which the plant uses up some for respiration, therefore only 100 calories are stored
as energy rich materials.
• Now a deer, eats the green plant containing 100 cal of food energy.
• The deer uses some of it for its own metabolism and stores only 10 cal as food energy.
• A tiger eats the deer gets an even smaller amount of energy.
• Thus usable energy decreases from sunlight to producer(green plant) to herbivore(deer)
to carnivore(tiger).
• Therefore, the energy pyramid will always be upright.
Energy=Unidirectional
Entry of DDT and other pesticides, damages this smooth cycle of nutrient movement. Let’s
check how:
To sum up
• Biomagnification is a man-induced process.
• Biomagnification occurs with non-degradable chemicals/substances/pollutants only.
• For example Pesticides, anti-knocking agents used in internal combustion engines, paints,
artificial perfumes etc.
• Biomagnification doesn’t occur with degradable chemicals/substances for example sugar,
tea, cheese, milk etc. because they can be digested by (some) living organisms.
Biotic Potential.
• Unlimited food + ideal environmental conditions =a species can produce offspring @
maximum rate. This is known as Biotic potential.
• It can be high or low, depending on how many offspring (children) can a species produce
in ideal conditions.
Biotic
Example Why?
potential
Bacteria, insects, mice,
High produce a large number of offspring in a short time.
rabbits
larger species like Gestation period is long. So they produce only a few
low elephants, tigers and offspring species during their lifetime, even if ideal food and
humans environment conditions are given.
Carrying Capacity
• It means the maximum population that an environment can support and sustain.
• When the carrying capacity is reached, birth rates equal death rates and the population
should maintain a steady state equilibrium.
Interspecies relations
Species Species
Interaction Example
A B
1. Mutualism
Enjoys Enjoys Bees and flowers (pollination)
2. Commensalism
Enjoys Neutral Orchid plant growing on a mango tree.
3. Predation
Enjoys Harmed Tiger eating deer.
4. Parasitism
Enjoys Harmed Tapeworm in human digestive tract.
5. Competition Jungle Deers vs domestic goats grazing in same
Harmed Harmed
area.
6. Amensalism bread mold Penicillium secretes penicillin and it
Neutral Harmed
destroys other bacteria.
Predation vs Parasitism
Predation Parasitism
Tiger killing deer. Tapeworm in human digestive tract.
done only for food. Done for food + shelter.
Prey (deer) killed immediately Host not killed immediately
Predator is (usually) big in size. Smaller.
Predator’s biotic potential is usually very low. (tiger, Parasite’s biotic potential is usually
lion etc.) higher.
Mock questions
Q1. Correct statements about Bio magnification
a. Only 1 and 2
b. Only 2 and 3
c. Only 1 and 3
d. None.
In an ecosystem,
a. Only 1 and 2
b. Only 1 and 3
c. Only 1, 2 and 3
d. Only 1
1. Tiger kills a cow. A (Human) poacher poisons the corpse of cow. Tiger comes back and
eats it. Tiger dies.
2. A factory discharges untreated chemical affluent into a pond. A Man regularly eats fishes
caught from the pond. Man gets cancer after some years.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Q6. The usable energy decreases as we move up in the food chain. Which among the following
explains this phenomenon?
a. Only 2 and 3
b. Only 1 and 4
c. Only 1, 2 and 4
d. Only 1
1. Parasitism
2. Predation
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Either 1 or 2
d. None.
Biodiversity: Meaning and Types of Species+
Mock Questions for CSAT Environment and
Biodiversity topic
What the hell is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity = biological diversity.
It means number and variety of plants and animals.
Here jungle c has the most biodiversity. [jungle b also has 220 animals but ‘variety’ is less.]
• Isolated islands have limited number of variety in plants and animals compared to
tropical rainforest or coral reefs. Because number of competitors and predators are
limited.
• In the subtropical and polar regions of Northern Hemisphere, the climate is very cold, the
region had gone through ice-ages = less population =less competition =less predators
=less evolution= less biodiversity of plants and animals (compared to African or
Brazilian jungle)
• In general, you will find less variety in plant and animal species in some European
country (Ukraine) compared to a tropical country like Vietnam.
• So, As you move from equator towards the poles, biodiversity decreases. (latitudes)
Talking about Europe, almost all plans eaten today in Europe have originated in the developing
countries around the equator.
• Coffee: Ethiopia
• Rice: India
• Wheat: turkey and Afghanistan
• Soya, cucumber, orange: china
Actual UPSC question from csat -2011.
(81.) Consider the following statements (csat 2011 gs paper 1)
1. Biodiversity is normally greater in the lower latitudes as compared to the higher latitudes.
2. Along the mountain gradients, biodiversity is normally greater in the lower altitudes as
compared to the higher altitudes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a.) 1 only
(b.) 2 only
(c.) Both 1 and 2
(d.) Neither 1 nor 2
ans. 1st statement is true. (europe vs africa). Second is true. Higher you go= colder atmosphere
= less biodiversity.
Keystone species
• These species determine the ability of a large number of other species to survive.
• When the keystone species becomes extinct. It has snowballing (=cascading) effect on
extinction of other species (just like increase in petrol price on inflation)
• Examples of keystone species
o Bees : pollination of fruits and flowers. Albert Einstein once said, “if the
honeybee goes extinct, we have four more years on earth”.
o Plankton : food of many fishes
birds and mammals maintain body temperatures well above the surrounding, cooler air temperature. Cold-blooded creatures take
on the temperature of their surroundings. They are hot when their environment is hot and cold when their environment is cold.
Warm-blooded animals keep thermal homeostasis; that is, they keep their core body temperature at a nearly consistent level no
matter the temperature level of the surrounding environment.
A list of warm-blooded pets would certainly include all animals and also birds (with very few exceptions), such as apes, monkeys,
whales, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, pets, felines, pigs and humans.
cold-blooded animals have a variable body temperature level, which mirrors the ecological temperature level. Invertebrates, fish,
amphibians, and reptiles are taken into consideration to be cold-blooded.
Blue whales
• Largest mammals on Earth. Elephents are the largest mammals on land only.
• International whaling commission (IWC) was set up in 1946 to fix anyone hunting quotas
for the countries. Since 1980s IWC called for a halt on whale poaching
• But Japan, Norway and Ireland are major countries that still continue to indulge in whale
hunting, they are unhappy with IWC and cites restrictions.
• For example, in the 18th century, rabbits introduced in Australia for sport shooting.
• Since they were a non-native species in Australia, it meant they had no predators or
competitors to control their population. They destroyed a vast range of plants and reduced
the forest area.
• Rats of several species were unintended stowaways* on oceanic voyages, and thus spread
around the world.
• Infected humans took the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which caused aids from
Africa to the rest of the world.
• Stowaways= a person who hides aboard a ship or plane in the hope of getting free
passage
Biomagnification
• When Animals are treated with Diclofenac, this drug keeps accumulating in their body.
When these animals die, Vultures eat them = kidney failure =death of vulture.
• Hence Government of India banned Veternary Diclofenac. Now farmers have to use
other expensive drugs instead of Diclofenac.
• Bigger Why should we care? Let the vultures die! What difference does it make to us or
to the environment ?
• Well, Less vultures= more dead animals for dogs to eat = dog population increases =
more problem of rabies.
• Secondly, vulture’s digestive system can destroy many parasites, but dog’s digestive
system cannot. Hence dogs who eat dead animals are more disease carriers than vultures.
• (a.)Biosphere Reserve
• (b.) Botanical Garden
• (c.) National Park
• (d.) Wildlife Sanctuary
Seed Banks
• They store seeds at extremely low temperature and humidity.
• Advantage: can save large variety of plant species in a very small space.
• They have no interest in protecting some unknown grass or fruit of jungle on the verge of
extinction, this duty falls on the (inefficient) government agencies.
Zoos
• You can bring some endangered species in zoo, try to breed them, and reintroduce their
offsprings in the jungle. (done in case of pandas, orangutans etc.)
Zoo Problems
• Not all species can breed in captivity. Life expectancy of Caged Ex-situ animal is less
compared to its in-situ cousin.
• Offsprings born in captivity, have problems in adjusting and surviving in jungles.
• Tiger cub born in zoo, feeding on readymade meat, living in a small area, cannot easily
survive in a jungle. It doesn’t know how to efficiently move in a jungle and hunt animals.
• Zoos require huge land, lot of funds, trained personnel.
• Zoos concentrate on protection and breeding of big and popular species such as Tiger,
Panda, orangutans, etc. as it brings more public support and funds.
• But small and unknown species such as frogs and birds get neglected.
There is a sharp decline in number of zoo visitors, we hardly get any money from ticket sales and
mostly relying on Government funds (just like AirIndia) so Better purchase popular animals.
Currently Panda and Tigress are hot favorite among kids after the movie “Kung Fu Panda #2”.
Kids will beg their parents to visit our zoo every weekend, we will also sell stuffed toys and
souvenirs of those animals for extra-income.
Buy a pair of African Lions because it is our party’s election symbol. In return I’ll see to it that
your zoo gets more fund allocations in next year’s budget.
Demand by Local Civil Society and NGO lobby→
Buy certain small frogs, birds and snakes from Brazilian Rainforest, because they’re on verge of
extinction, they cannot survive in the natural habitat given the tree-cutting and pollution and
must be protected in an Ex-situ habitat. They’ll require less space and expenditure than typical
big animal such as Lion or Panda.
• A. For African Elephants: Only males have tusks but females don’t.
• B. For Indian Elephants: Only females have tusks but males don’t.
Only male Asian elephants grow tusks and even then,
not all males will have them.
Continuing the discussion further, another ex-situ method In African elephants, both sexes generally (but not
always) exhibit tusks.
1. ‘Wonder Plant’,
2. ‘Ladakh Gold’,
3. ‘Golden Bush’ or
4. ‘Gold Mine’.
What is National Seabuckthorn Initiative?
• India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change
• It has a key Mission called “Green India Mission”
• Under this Green India Mission, there is a Sub-Mission on Cold Desert Ecosystems
• This Sub-Mission will include the National Seabuckthorn Initiative.
• In 2010, Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) and the Defense Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) have jointly launched a major new national initiative
for seabuckthorn cultivation in the high altitude, cold desert ecosystems of the country.
Explanation#1
• It is a shrub and not a tree, so you cannot take “timber” (wood) of ‘great commericial
value’ out of it! So, Eliminate Options involving Statement #4.
• Both Statement #1 and Statement #3 are correct from above article.
• Therefore, Final answer (C)
Source:
Press Note by Ministry of Environment and Forest.
Explanation#2
• According to some websites, Seabuck has potential as biodiesel provider [although
commercial extraction is yet to be started in India]
• According to some other websites,Local people use it as timber [although the phrase
"great commercial value" is debatable]
• So All Statements are correct.
Verdict
Wait for UPSC to give official answerkey in RTI reply next year (2013)
Classification of Himalayas
Method #1
• Himalayas are classified, from west to east, into four regions:
Method#2
• three regions: the Western, Central and Eastern Himalaya
• Nepal Himalaya constitutes the Central Himalaya and the mountainous area to its west
and east are known as Western and Eastern Himalaya respectively
1. earthquakes,
2. landslides,
3. avalanches,
4. flash floods
5. forest fires
6. soil erosion
Landslides: Reasons
1. indiscriminate chopping down of trees.
2. slash and burn cultivation technique called ‘JHUM,’
3. Road construction and mining.
4. Every increasing population, grazing, urbanization etc. has destroyed the dense natural
evergreen forest cover.
Such activities have disrupted the ecological balance, thereby resulting in loosening of the soil.
During the heavy rain, this leads to soil erosion and frequent landslides
Landslides: Damage
• Every year, landslides in the region kill dozens of people and cause widespread damage
to several villages such that they have now become almost unfit for habitation.
• They create blockades in the road network and river system, which in turn, cause floods.
• The terraced farm fields have been destroyed that cannot be easily renovated or made
productive again.
• The road network remains closed for long periods causing indescribable hardship to the
villagers who get their basic supplies and provisions from the neighbouring areas.
• Water source is also disrupted due to landslides as they are breached from several places
and are choked by the debris.
• The sediment load of rivers has also increased considerably, causing problems like
irregular courses and frequent breaching of the banks, which create uncertainty regarding
the river course and unexpected floods.
• The water channels are affected from the up hillside due to which the villagers are devoid
of water for irrigation purposes. This adversely affects agriculture production in the
region.
Ref
IGNOU MPA 018/Chapter 3.
Globally Important Agricultural Heritage
Systems (GIAHS)
What is GIAHS?
• Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)
• Purpose of GIAHS is to create public awareness, safeguard world agricultural heritage
sites.
• It was started in 2002 by FAO (Food and agricultural organization).
What is FAO?
• FAO an intergovernmental organization, headquartered at Rome with 191 member
nations. Aims at helping world population get ensured food security, eliminate hunger,
poverty.
Why is it done?
• Globalization, increasing population pressure, environment degradation putting food
production under stress.
• Loss of Biodiversity, loss of livelihood and economic returns for marginalized and poor-
major impacts.
• To overcome all these, combat climate change, move towards MDGs, eradicate poverty
this initiative undertaken.
• Grains such as maize, rice, rajmah/lentils, fruit and vegetable crops and pulses.
Problems
1. Loss of productivity due to the lack of agricultural management practices
2. Climate change vulnerabilities, water scarcity and weather vagaries
3. Efforts from the younger generation to appreciate and conserve heritage systems absent.
Kuttanad:
• Kuttanad is a delta region of about 900 sq. km situated in the west coast of Kerala State,
India.
• Unique feature: Below sea level rice cultivation site, only such system in India.
• Farmers of Kuttanad have developed and mastered the spectacular technique of below sea
level cultivation over 150 year ago.
• They made this system unique as it contributes remarkably well to the conservation of
biodiversity and ecosystem services including several livelihood services for local
communities.
What will GIAHS do in Indian Sites?
• Contribute to awareness-raising
• promote use of modern technologies to conserve the heritage systems.
• Documenting the traditional knowledge.
• Provide capacity building training for farmers to increase productivity and marketing
practices.
• Modernization, commercialization strategies establishing standards, eco labeling.
• Establishing sustainable practices amongst the tribals utilizing their knowledge, modern
technologies.
Raikas:
• The Raikas are a pastoral caste Camel herding is their heritage. They live in groups of 4-
20 families on the outskirts of villages and combine crop production during the summer
rains with pastoralism during the autumn-spring dry season.
• The Raikas face several threats: Camel herding is no longer profitable, Droughts,
Decrease in common pasture lands, disease and fodder scarcity, privatization of land
• Government support, help to withstand climate change, drought conditions need to be
provided to preserve this heritage group.
Korangadu:
• The Korangadu silvo-pastoral system exists in the semiarid tract of the Erode,
Coimbatore, Karur, Dindigul districts of Tamil Nadu.
• Innovative fencing mechanism of land by live “mullukiluvai” (Commiphora berryi), a
thorny drought resistant shrub.
• No fertilizer or nutrients, use of natural animal droppings, use of Phaseolus trilobus, a
crop which provides a very nutritious feed. The leaves and pods of Albizia amara serve as
a natural hair conditioner.
• Now monocropping, horticulture, tube wells haunt the natural heritage of this area.
Deficient monsoon, water scarcity have also changed the cultivation patterns.
• The Korangadu pastureland shows people how to live with nature, while conserving it ,
utilizing it and this needs to be preserved, propagated.
Annex
Annex means some elaboration/detail given at the end of a book/treaty.
They include
the 24
original Annex What?
OECD • List of industrialized countries and economies in transition: US, France, Japan
members, the
European etc.
Union, and Annex I • These countries had pledged to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to 1990
14 countries
with levels by the year 2000.
economies in
transition.
(Croatia, • A sub-group of Annex 1 Countries, these Annex II countries are required to
Liechtenstein Annex give financial assistance and technology to the developing countries (non-Annex
, Monaco, and
Slovenia II countries). Annex II Parties include the 24 original OECD members plus the
joined Annex European Union.
1 at COP-3,
and the Czech • Developing countries like India, Brazil, China.
Republic and Non • They donot have compulsory binding targets to reduce green house gas
Slovakia
replaced Annex emission, although they are encouraged to do it.
Czechoslovak
ia.)
It gives the list of 6 Green House gases that are responsible for the whole problem
AIR QUALITY INDEX:
It is determined on the
1. Carbon dioxide (CO2); basis of concentration of
2. Methane (CH4); 8 pollutants, including
Annex Particulate Matter (PM
3. Nitrous oxide (N2O); 2.5, PM 10), sulphur
A
4. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs); dioxide (SO2), nitrogen
5. Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and dioxide (NO2), carbon
monoxide (CO), ozone
6. Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) (O3), ammonia (NH3)
and lead (Pb).
United States
• China is the world leader in total annual Green House Gas emissions
• U.S. is second.
• EU is third.
• United States is the only Annex I country that has not ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
• In line with the Copenhagen Accord, the U.S. has pledged a 17% reduction in GHG
emissions, against a 2005 baseline, by 2020. (but this is not legally binding).
• As we saw earlier, US is not in favour of any legally binding commitments. Besides,
Obama has to face election in November.
BASIC Countries
• Brazil, South Africa, India and China,
• this group includes the world’s major emerging economies and some of its largest
emitters
• together, the group accounts for around 30% of global GHG emissions.
• BASIC countries, along with the US, were the authors of the Copenhagen Accord and
will continue to be some of the most influential players in the negotiations.
• All of the BASIC countries have ratified the Kyoto Protocol.
• But they’re not under any binding obligation to meet a specified target. (because these
countries are not part of Annex B countries of Kyoto Protocol).
COP-15, 2009 • Under the Copenhagen Accord, China and India have pledged to reduce their carbon
intensity—the amount of GHG emissions per unit GDP—by 40-45% and 20-25%,
respectively, against 2005 levels by 2020. (again not legally binding).
• BASIC countries recently met in Brazil in September 2012, and declared their intentions
(what they want in COP meeting @Doha, Qatar in Nov.2012): COP-18, 2012
1. rich countries should take on more of a burden to reduce emissions because of
their historical contribution to global warming.
2. new agreement should “respect the principles of equity and common but
differentiated responsibilities,”
3. new Kyoto commitment period should start on January 1, 2013
Each group assess the report in their respective proficiency and then a succinct conclusion can be
configured out.
IPCC reports: how are they prepared?
Why important?
The fourth Assessment Report (AR4) of the intergovernmental panel on climate change (IPCC)
said that most of the warming that has taken place since the middle of the last century is very
likely the result of increase in the concentration of human-induced greenhouse gases. A hot
topic.
Fodder material can be mug up through the Yojana – Disaster Management in India, comprising
• Harnessing technology to employ systems which can efficiently predict monsoon, Early
Warning System and bla.. bla.
• Formulating a National Action Plan.
• Implementation and regular assessment
• Ascertaining the post disaster effects which are generally not counted in monetary terms
as well as social terms.
• Encourage the people to emit less and to plant more and all that.
• Formulating the new policies like Carbon Trading, whose target is to ultimately bring
down the concentration of GHG irrespective of the nations.
SC Ban on Tiger Tourism, Core and Buffer
Areas, Project Tiger, NTCA Guidelines
explained
Before discussing Supreme Court’s ban on Tiger Tourism, Let us go through some basics.
What is NTCA?
• National Tiger Conservation Authority
• It is a provided in the Wildlife Protection Act (Ameneded in 2006).
• Therefore NTCA is a statutory body. The Minister of Environment and Forest, is the
chairman of this NTCA. (Jayanthi Natarajan right now).
• It coordinates, implements and monitors Project Tiger.
• It prepares annual reports, which are laid down in the parliament.
Timeline of Events
July 2012: SC bans tourism
One Mr.Ajay Dubey (NGO named “Prayatna”) filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in Supreme
court.
He argued that
1. Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 implies that tourism to all “core” tiger habitats in India
should be banned.
2. But yet, Several state Governments have allowed the construction of hotels, resorts and
shops inside the core areas of tiger reserves.
So, Supreme court looked into the matter and imposed a temporary ban on all tourism in the core
areas of tiger reserves.
Pro-Tourism Arguments
Misleading information by Media
• Consider this- Supreme Court has only banned tourism activity in the “CORE” zone and
not in the “buffer” zone.
• Yet the media covered the whole news in such a sensationalized manner that potential
tourists thought SC has completely banned tourism in tiger reserves. Hence they
cancelled their trips.
• The truth is, the tourism was still permitted in buffer zones and many a times, tourists can
get a glimpse of tigers and other wildlife, while touring in the buffer zones.
• For example, in Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett National Park and Assam’s Kaziranga
Wildlife Reserve, nobody is allowed to go into 95% of the core area. So even before the
SC ban, for all these years, tourists were seeing the buffer area only.
Employment
1. Tiger tourism is an 18 million dollar$ industry.
2. In Madhya Pradesh Alone, more than 20,000 people earn their livelihood through tiger-
tourism activities related activities.
3. There are entire towns that rely on tourism. Ranthambhore [a National Park in Jaipur]
alone gets 2 lakh tourists per year and provides employment to almost 4,000 local people
directly (from hotel managers, travel guide, waiters, cooks etc) and perhaps 10 times that
amount indirectly (rickshaw drivers, fruit-vegetable-milk suppliers etc.)
4. Tourist season is October to March. And generally they get huge bookings during Diwali
Season. But if tourism activities are banned then all those potential customers might
prefer to go vacation elsewhere. Thus severely affecting the livelihood of so many
people.
Anti-Tourism Arguments
1. The tour operators run ‘wildlife safaris’ day and night. All the vehicle movement,
honking, shouting, camera flashes disturb the tigers.
2. Construction of hotels, shops etc = deforestation.
3. The garbage created by tourists, hotels = not good.
Union Government >> Ministry of Environment and Forest >> National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA). This NTCA framed new guideline for State Governments regarding the
Tiger Tourism.
Now, Union Government filed an affidavit in the Supreme court and said “Please see this list of
guidelines framed by NTCA. We’ll make sure that tourism doesn’t harm the tigers. Now please
lift the ban.”
Q. The issue of tourism in core areas of tiger reserve forests in the country is a subject matter of
debate. Critically examine various aspects of this issue, keeping in view relevant recent judicial
pronouncements. (250 words, 25 marks)
Conclusion
• In last century, there were more than 40,000 tigers in India, now barely 1700 left.
• Tiger protection is not the job of Forest Department alone. It requires coordination
between and stakeholders, including the departments forestry, agriculture, social welfare,
tourism, fisheries, tea -coffee estates, road and rail transport, mining, thermal power
plants, irrigation projects, temples, tour operators, tourists, Gram Sabha, local villagers.
• Unless each and every one of them is sensitized about the issue, tiger may not survive to
see the next century.
Roleplaying question for interview.
Suppose you’re the administrator of a tiger reserve. Give us a list of essential men and material
requirements to run the organization.
Cheetah
A side note for for GK
• Ministry of Environment and Forests has decided to take up reint roduction of cheetah in
the States of Rajasthan (Shahgarh area) and Madhya Pradesh (Kuno- Palpur and
Noradehi Wildlife Sanctuaries).
• The said States would receive 100 % support towards village relocation.
Name State
Kawal Telengana
Andhra Pradesh
largest tiger
Nagarjunsagar -Sri Salaim Andhra Pradesh reserve in
india
Namdapha Arunachal Pradesh
Pakke Arunachal Pradesh
Manas Assam
Nameri Assam
Kaziranga Assam
Valmiki Bihar
Achanakmar Chattisgarh
Udanti-Sitanadi Chattisgarh
Indravati Chhattisgarh
Palamau Jharkhand
Biligiri Ranganatha Temple Karnataka
Bandipur Karnataka
Bhadra Karnataka
Dandeli-Anshi Karnataka
Nagarahole Karnataka
Periyar Kerala
Parambikulam Kerala
Kanha Madhya Pradesh
Pench Madhya Pradesh
Bandhavgarh Madhya Pradesh
Panna Madhya Pradesh
Satpura Madhya Pradesh
Sanjay-Dubri Madhya Pradesh
Sahyadri Maharashtra
Melghat Maharashtra
Tadoba-Andhari Maharashtra
Pench Maharashtra
Dampa Mizoram
Similipal Odisha
Satkosia Odisha
Ranthambore Rajasthan
Sariska Rajasthan
Anamalai Tamil Nadu
Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tamil Nadu
Mudumalai Tamil Nadu
Dudhwa Uttar Pradesh
Corbett Uttarakhand
Sunderbans West Bengal
Buxa West Bengal
1. Pilibhit –UP
2. Ratapani –MP
3. Sunabeda –Odisha
4. Mukundara Hills –Raj.
5. Satyamangalm TN
And, Final approval has also been accorded to Kudremukh (Karnataka) for declaring as a tiger
reserve.
NTCA has also requested the State Governments, to file proposals to create Tiger reserves in
following areas.
1. Bor (Maharashtra),
2. Suhelwa (Uttar Pradesh),
3. Nagzira-Navegaon (Maharashtra)
4. Gu ru Ghasidas National Park (Chhattisgarh)
5. Mhadei Sanctuary (Goa)
6. Srivilliputhur Grizzled Giant Squirrel / Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuaries / Varushanadu
Valley (Tamil Nadu).
Appendix 2: Maps of Tiger Reserves in India
Krill-Food chain,Non Native Species,
Nisargruna Biogas
Krill and food chain
• The whale is not a fish but a mammal
• Krill= Shrimp-like planktonic creatures = they’re favorite food of whale.
• Krill eat phytoplankton, which are microscopic plants that live near the surface of oceans
and lakes.
• Phytoplankton are mainly one-celled organisms and are autotrophic.
Planktons
• autotrophic= they depend on the sun for the energy they need to produce their food.
• Thus microscopic phytoplankton are very important to all living organisms in the sea.
• The blue whale feeds throughout the summer on krill that are abundant in the cold, polar
water of both the northern and southern hemisphere.
• In the late fall, the blue whale migrates on the warmer waters of the tropics where the
water is warmer.
• There are no krill in tropical areas of the ocean so the blue whale must live off its blubber
for the entire time it spends there. (Blubber = fat stored in Whale body)
• When there is oil-spill, it reduces the planktonic creature and thus affects the whole food
chain.
Hydrocarbon-eating bugs
• In early 2012, there was an oil spill in Gulf of Mexico- from British Petroleum’s
Deepwater Horizon rig.
• Scientists found growing population of carbon-eating bacteria about six miles from the
leak. (oceanospirillale)
• Each time the scientists got back to the laboratory to test the sea-water samples, the bugs
had already eaten all the oil in them.
Asian Ladybug
New Sperm Freezing method
• Previously, elephant breeders could only use a limited number of elephant bulls living in
zoos, as semen could not be frozen and had to be used within twelve hours. But scientists
have now solved this problem using the new sperm freezing method.
• This new freezing method could also be used with other endangered species like
rhinoceros and gorilla
Agro related
Senescence in fruits
• The non-greening of leaves is called senescence.
• ripening in fruits also involves chlorophyll loss and an increase in production of yellow,
orange, red or purple pigments.
Why Water=Transparent?
• Light is a form of an electromagnetic energy with a wide range of wavelengths.
• If a material absorbs all the visible range of light, then it ‘looks’ black to us because there
is hardly any visible light left from the object to reach our eyes.
• If a material does not absorb any part of the visible range of light, then the object either
appears colourlessly transparent
• Water has molecules that do not have the kind of electrons which absorb any portion of
the visible range (but have electrons that absorb only in the invisible ultraviolet range) of
light
• That is why water appears transparent. Several other liquids, such as benzene, alcohol,
chloroform, coconut oil, etc also look transparent for this reason.
Sapota
• Tropical fruit plant. (chikoo)
• Grown widely in India for its fruit and milky latex which is the source of chicle used to
make chewing gum.
Rice blast
is a fungal infestation known to occur in all the rice growing areas of the county. The disease
attacks all the parts of the crop growing above the soil.
Chawki
• refers to young silk worms reared from hatching to second moult stage. The quality of
these worms forms the crux of successful silkworm rearing.
• If the chawki worms are not reared properly, the later stages will result in crop losses.
Chawki Rearing
PSTOL1
• It is a gene that helps the rice plants to grow in phosphorus-deficient soil.
• The absence of PSTOL1 from modern rice varieties underlines the importance of
conserving and exploring traditional rice varieties.
Disasters
1. Mt Tongariro- Volcano erupted here, in New Zealand
2. L’Aquila quake -
• Occurred in Italy, in 2009.
• The scientists of Italy’s top disaster body had failed to predict it accurately.
• Now Italian court sentenced them to jail.
• This has outraged the international science community
Ref
The Hindu S&T section, Sept-Oct 2012
Amur Falcon Massacre, Nicobar Megapod,
Narcondam Hornbill
Amur Falcon
• A Migratory bird from Russia.
• Every year, in October, they arrive in northeast India from Siberia en route to their final
destination — Africa.
• During their flight, they stop the jungles of Nagaland for a while, for food and rest.
• Why in News? Because some environment activists found that 120,000 to 140,000 birds
are being slaughtered in Nagaland every year during their passage through the state, and
sold for their meat @local markets.
• They’ve requested Environment Ministry to take action.
• India, is a signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), therefore it is
Government’s responsibility to provide safe passage to all migratory birds, turtles etc.
Amur Falcon
Nicobar scrubfowl/Megapod
• A bird, only found in Nicobar island.
• Why in news? Because Navy wanted to setup a missile testing site at Tillanchong
Sanctuary in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Environment Ministry rejected it, missile
testing project would destroy the habitat of this bird.
• This Bird is also called Nicobar megapode —because of its large legs.
• This bird is considered sacred by the Nicobarese people, was hit badly by the Indian
Ocean tsunami that destroyed vast swathes of its habitat and nesting grounds.
• Navy Chief said, “We know that Environment ministry has its reservations. But the fact
is we cannot do without our firing range”
Nicobar scrubfowl/Megapod
Narcondam Hornbill
• Narcondam is an extremely remote, tiny island in the Andaman and Nicobar Island
group, and is home to about 300 Narcondam hornbills, a species that is found nowhere
else in the world.
• Why in news? Because The Coast Guard wanted to set up a surveillance radar here, but
environment ministry rejected the proposal.
Narcondam Hornbill
Andaman Nicobar Map
Mock Questions
MCQs
Q1. Which of the following statements are correct?
Interview
1. With respect to, the tussle between Navy/Coast Guards vs. Environment Ministry, What
is more important: National security or conservation of an endangered species? And
why?
2. What do you know about Migratory Species? Do you know names of any sites your
state/district, that are frequented by migratory species?
3. There are reports of large scale poaching of Migratory birds in your area. This is the only
source of livelihood for many villagers and favorite dish among urban class. Forest
officers are reluctant to detain anyone, fearing possible protests and unrest in the
villages. As the District collector what steps will you take?
IUCN, Red Databook, CITES Agreement :
Meaning, Features, Mock Questions for
CSAT
What is IUCN?
• International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)
• also known as the World Conservation Union.
• The IUCN is the world’s oldest global environmental organization. (WWF in 60s, UNEP
in 70s, IPCC in 80s, Kyoto etc in 90s) Observe this Timeline
3. Each year thousands of scientists around the world assess or reassess species. The IUCN
Red List is subsequently updated. Latest updated list was released @RIO +20 summit.
4. This list helps Governments and NGOs prioritize their efforts to save the particular plant,
animal etc. For example more money and manpower should be spent on red species
compared to orange or green species in the list. And the sale of red species products must
be banned under CITES.
5. The IUCN Red List has listed 132 species of plants and animals as Critically Endangered
from India.
Appendix
• There are almost 1000 plant and animal species in this list.
Appendix
• Their trade =totally banned, unless exeptional situation.
I
• Species that are not necessarily threatened, but will get threatened if their
trade is not controlled.
• Businessmen will need to get licence from relevant authorities to export such
Appendix
plants/ animals/their products.
II
• The Government can give licence if it certain that that trade will not be
harmful to the survival of the species in the wild
Appendix
• list of species included at the request of any one nation but needs the
III
cooperation of other countries to prevent unsustainable or illegal exploitation.
These Parties meet @regular interval. Such meetings are called Conference of Parties (COP).
In COP, they contemplate about progress, achievement; need to update the species appendix etc.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
1. It contains provisions to protect wildlife species from illegal trade, habitat destruction and
climate change.
2. It releases Red List of Endangered species with the help of IUCN.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
GS Mains
1. Steps taken by India, to stop illegal trade of wildlife. 10m
2. What do you understand by the term CITES? What steps, apart from those mentioned in
CITES, should be taken to protect the wildlife? 15m
3. Name any three critically endangered species in India, according to the IUCN Red list.
Enumerate the measures taken to protect them. 25m
Convention on Biodiversity (CBD): Prologue
to Cartagena, Nagoya, Aichi, COP-11
What is UNEP?
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• An organization under United Nations. (1972)
• The United Nations General Assembly elects the UNEP governing council members.
• HQ= Nairobi, Kenya
• Two important terms associated with UNEP
Earth Summit?
• Conference held in Rio-De-Janerio, Brazil in 1992
• Formal name: United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED)
As the year progressed, these three kids (CBD, UNFCC, Agenda 21) grew up, had their own
kids.
Earth Summit’s
Mission Their kids
result
1. Aichi Targets
2. Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety
1. Protect Biodiversity
CBD 3. Nagoya Protocol on Genetic
Resources
1. Kyoto Protocol
2. Reverse Climate Change
UNFCCC 2. Copenhagen Accord
3. Promote Sustainable
1. RIO+20
Development Agenda 21
Once ^this is clear, observe the following timeline to see the ‘bigger picture’ of how every piece
fits into the puzzle.
What is CBD?
• Convention =International Agreement.
• Convention on Biodiversity is the brainchild of United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP)
• HQ= Montreal, Canada. It works under UNEP.
What does CBD want?
Convention on Biodiversity wants three things and it leads to three more things.
Wants to Leads to
1. Protect biodiversity
COP meetings, Aichi Targets.
2. Safe use of bio-technology
Cartagena Biosafety Protocol
3. Stop unfair use of Genetic resources
Nagoya Genetic Resources Protocol
Mock Questions
Q. Which of the following statements are correct?
1. Parties of UNFCCC are required to create National Biodiversity Strategies and Action
Plans (NBSAP).
2. Nagoya and Cartagena Protocols are part of Agenda 21.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
1. Nagoya
Genetic Resources
2. CITES
Sustainable Development
3. Copenhagen Accord
Climate Change
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Only 2 and 3
d. Only 1 and 3
1. Agenda 21
Biohazard
2. Cartagena Protocol
Biosafety
3. Aichi Targets
Biodiversity
a. Only 1 and 2
b. Only 2 and 3
c. Only 1 and 3
d. All of them.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Plan Timeframe
Mid/Long term By 2050
Short term By 2020
• This short term plan is officially known as “Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020”.
• It is a a ten-year framework for action by all countries to save biodiversity.
• This short term plan provide a set of 20 ambitious yet achievable targets, collectively
known as the Aichi Targets.
Strategic goal A
Address the causes of biodiversity loss
1. Make people aware about the values of biodiversity
2. Integrated biodiversity values in development + poverty reduction plan
3. Subsidies which are harmful to biodiversity= and eliminate them, phase them out or
reform them
4. Sustainable production and consumption.
Strategic Goal B:
Reduce the direct pressure on biodiversity and promote sustainable use
5. Reduce the rate of natural habitat loss + forest loss by at least 50%
6. Reduce overfishing
7. Agriculture, aquaculture and forestry in sustainable manner
8. Reduce pollution and excessive use of fertiliser
9. Prevent invasive alien species (non-native)
10. Minimise the choral reflow destruction, ocean acidification
Strategic Goal C
Safeguard ecosystems, species and genetic diversity
Strategic Goal D
Biodiversity benefits to all
Strategic Goal E
Participatory planning, capacity building
17. National biodiversity strategy and action plans – update for participation
18. Integrate the knowledge of tribal communities
19. Scientific and technological knowledge sharing application
20. Financial resources mobilisation
Bergmann’s Rule, Migrantwatch,
Seasonwatch, Ross Sea Marine Protected
Zone, Lake Vida, Chromatophores
These terms are from The Hindu S&T, Nov.2012
Migrantwatch Seasonwatch
builds up baseline data about the flowering and
participants in this activity identify migrant
fruiting of trees, to work on climate-season
birds and note down the first sighting and feed it
change from ecological angle.
into the online database: www.migrantwatch.in
www.seasonwatch.in
Chromatophores
• Right now, the lipstick colores are made using artificial chemicals.
• These chemicals can cause allergy and even cancer.
• Scientists have now found reddish-brown spores in squid skin that can be used for
lipstick colors.
• They are screening it for consumer acceptance applying hedonic scale method.
Brevetoxin-2
• compound produced naturally by marine algae, currently under research.
• can be used for Treatment of stroke.
Mock Questions
Q1 Which of the following is incorrectly matched
1. Migrantwatch
UN project of Tracking human migration patterns.
2. Chromatophores
found in Plant leaves, help in photosynthesis.
3. Seasonwatch Project to build database of flowering, fruiting patterns in various
seasons.
a. Only 1
b. Only 1 and 2
c. Only 3
d. All of them
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
1. Hedonic Scale
It stipulates that animals at colder regions have higher bodymass.
2. Bergmann’s Rule
Associated with Marketing research.
a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Western Ghats: Physical Geography,
Biodiversity Overview (Part 1 of 4)
Western Ghats has been in news because of Gadgil controversy.
GujaratMaharashtraKarnatakaKerala TN
The Dangs Ahmednagar Belgaum Idukki Coimbatore
Navsari Kolhapur Chamrajnagar Kannur Dindugal
Valsad Nandurbar Chikmagalur Kasaragod Erode
Nashik Dakshin Kannad Kollam Kanyakumari
Pune Davanagere Kottayam Nilgiris
Raigarh Hassan Kozhikode Tirunelveli
Ratnagiri Kodagu Malappuram Tiruppur
Satara Mysore Palakkad Theni
Sindhudurg Shimoga Pattanamtitta Virudunagar
Thane Udupi Thiruvananthapuram
Uttar Kannada Thrissur
Wayanad
1. Surat to Goa
2. Goa to Nilgiris
3. South of Palghat Gap
Agro
Agriculture in Western Ghats
Region Cultivation of
Valleys Paddy
• Earlier slash and burn type agriculture. Nowadays Terrace farming.
• Millets and legumes.
Hill slops • arecanut
Plantation crops
Introduced by Europeans in Western Ghats Native to Western Ghats
1. Tea
2. Coffee
1. Pepper
3. Rubber
2. Cardamom
4. Tapioca
5. Potato
Forest produce
• Pepper, Cardamom,Honey,Wax, Myrobalan (Small Fruit),
• Bamboos + Reeds = For Basket Weaving
• 1980 onwards = explosion of forest-based industries such as paper, plywood, polyfibres,
matchwood, tanning etc.
Western Ghats: Biodiversity
Nasikabactrachus sahyadrensis
• Recently discovered frog species in Western Ghats.
• It proves that Western Ghat was once part of ancient Gondwana region.
Western Ghat: Notable wildlife
1. Tiger
2. Elephant
3. The Indian Bison
4. Lion-Tailed Macaque
5. Wynad Laughing Thrush (Songbirds)
6. Travancore Tortoise
7. Uropeltid Snakes
8. Several Species Of Legless Amphibians.
Western Ghats: Threats to Biodiversity,
Monoculture Plantation, Exotic Species,
Sacred Groves (Part 2 of 4)
British Raj Exploitation
After 1857’s mutiny, the Crown took over Indian administration. Now Britishers took three
major initiatives in Western Ghats
1. Construct Railways
2. Construct Dams
3. Construct Roads.
(usually in this order: Railways > Dams > Roads). Why was it done in this order? Think about it
:)
• Anyways, the British used these three ‘channels’ for resource extraction and exploitation
in Western Ghats.
• Later they started giving away land in the Sahyadri region (Maharashtra) at throwaway
prices, to expand urban and industrial settlements of Mumbai-Thane, Nashik, Pune
region. (And this trend has continued in the present times as well.)
• Nowadays, Whether virgin lands in the Sahyadris, is opened up for development of urban
areas, hill stations, farm house plots or holiday resorts= bad for biodiversity.
Dams
• Britishers build the first dam First dam in the Northern Western Ghats in British India
was built in Mumbai at Vihar in 1860.
• After that, they constructed of over 20 dams till 1947.
Era and Approach
• Shifting cultivation
banned
• Sacred groves and sacred
1. British Raj • State takeover forest lands.
• Species destroyed
• large-scale teak
• plantations
• Biosphere Reserves +
• Land acquisition and
3. 80s onwards Ecologically Sensitive Areas
industrialization
established.
1. between 1920–1990, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have lost about 40% of their
original forest cover.
2. Rise in Population and industrialization.
3. tourism, holiday resorts.
4. River valley projects= forest area is being submerged.
5. Mining mafias encroaching in forest lands
6. soil erosion, land slides
7. Railways, roads and other infra.projects = natural habitats getting fragmented + road / rail
accidents killing wildlife animals.
Fisheries
Fish consumption =traditional source of protein poor people in Western Ghats.
Exotic Species=BAD4Biodiversity?
Exotic species Belong to some other area/ place / region
Endemic species Found in the particular place only.
• Consider this case: Periyar Lake is one of the biodiversity hotspots of Kerala.
• Exotic fish species such as Cyprinus carpio have been introduced here for breeding.
• But their food preference is similar to endemic species= competition for food=endemic
fish population affected.
• Similar case with exotic high-yielding African catfish.
• Alien species such as catla, rohu and mrigal have been cultured in most of the reservoirs
and ponds of Kerala.
• And because of them endemic fish populations=declined.
• Hence (illegal) mining activities have grown rapidly especially in Goa and Karnataka.
• 100% of Goa’s ore is exported of which about 89% is exported to China and about 8% to
Japan
Air quality
• The ores are transported from Karnataka to Goa on a massive scale. But Why?
1. for blending with local ore for its upgrading the quality before export.
2. exporting through Mormugao Port Trust (MPT) in Goa.
Sand Mafias
• During dry season, sand-mafias dig away sand from the river beds.
• Indiscriminate sand mining= water tables lowered.
• River beds in some stretches are lower than the sea level = saline ingress =drinking water
is also salty and unfit for agriculture= crop losses
Gardens
• People also want to have city-like in these resorts/farm houses.
• but these “city-like” gardens use excessive daily watering, fertilizers and pesticides= bad
for local species.
• Many times invasive plant varieties are used that are dangerous to local ecosystems.
• These gardens are overlaid with pathways, paving, steps, etc., consuming a lot of cement.
• To sumup Developmental activities associated with these projects are roads, terracing,
vegetation cutting, construction and landscaping, all proving dangerous to biodiversity.
Monoculture Plantation=Bad?
By Government
• Monoculture plantation means forest department just grows only one type of tree in a
particular area.
• Government usually starts monoculture plantation to reverse the deforestation (caused by
mining, forest-fire, illegal felling of tress etc.)
• It was attempted in India, in the 80s. Large plantations of Eucalyptus tree were setup in
Western Ghats.
• But Monoculture plantation is bad from biodiversity point of view. Why?
• Because in a jungle, the insects, birds, monkeys etc. require multiple species of trees for
their food and survival.
• When Monoculture plantation is introduced, these animals/birds/insects start migrating to
other areas in search of more suitable living conditions.
• Hence Monoculture plantations are sometimes called “Green deserts” (because like
deserts, very few species live here.)
By farmers
• The term Monoculture plantation is also used when big farmer establishes a permanent
tea/coffee/rubber etc. plantation.
• These plantations lead to soil erosion, degradation of river ecosystems and toxic
contamination of the environment.
• The use of pesticides like DDT was started in the tea plantations during the British period
itself.
• The quantity of toxic pesticides being pumped into the plantations is so huge it has
severely affected the biodiversity of Western Ghats.
• Therefore, Instead of monoculture, we should use polyculture/mixed cropping systems.
• It will help to reduce soil erosion, improve water holding capacity of the soil and improve
economic returns from unit area.
Tribals
Western Ghats has a large tribal population only in a few pockets such as the
1. Dangs
2. Thane
3. Wynaad
4. Nilgiris
Cholanaikas
• They’re the only truly stone age hunting gathering tribe of Peninsual India.
• They live in Nilgiris.
• The Western Ghats has thousands of endemic species of flowering plants, fish, frogs,
birds and mammals.
• Therefore, entire Western Ghats should be designated as Ecologically sensitive zones.
• Gadgil recommends that entire Western Ghat should be divided into 3 zones (actually 4)
1. Zone 1
Highest protection must be given to them
2. Zone 2
Intermediate
3. Zone 3
Moderate control and protection.
4. PA
Protected Areas= existing Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks.
• final demarcation of the Zones should be done by Western Ghats Ecology Authority
(WGEA).
• And that too, after taking extensive inputs from local communities and local bodies,
namely, Gram Panchayats, Taluka Panchayats, Zilla Parishads, and Nagarpalikas
Hierarchy
Western Ghats Ecology Authority Union
State Western Ghats Ecology Authorities In 6 states
District Ecology Committee In districts under Western Ghat
Structure
1. Chairman – A retired judge of the Supreme Court, preferably from the Western Ghats
region.
2. Experts from biology, law, science, sociology etc.
3. Representative from tribal group.
4. Civil society representatives.
Functions
1. conservation, sustainable development and Eco restoration of the Western Ghats
2. Environmental Impact Analysis and Clearance process in Western Ghats.
3. Its recommendations will be ordinarily binding. (just like National Board of Wildlife
whose decisions are rarely tampered with and by and large have been approved even by
the Supreme Court of India.)
4. WEGA will decide location of industry, land use planning in Western Ghats.
5. Prevent activity having negative environmental, social and ecological impact on Western
Ghats.
6. Can issue directions to the state government or agencies to prevent any negative impacts
on the Western Ghats.
7. Authority shall also be the final authority for demarcating the areas under the
Ecologically Sensitive Zones #1, 2 and 3.
8. Power to levy fines and other punitive measures
9. Right to call for files, records, evidences etc. under Civil Procedure Code.
Zonal recommendations
As we saw earlier: Gadgil recommended Western Ghats to be divided into three ecologically
sensitive zones. Here they’re:
General recommendations
1. Promote organic agricultural practices
2. Give money for sequestration of carbon in soils.
3. Donot allow any Genetically Modified crops in Western Ghats.
4. Phase out use of chemical pesticides/ weedicides in the coming years.
5. Instead of giving subsidies for chemical fertilizers, give the farmers
Agro
subsidies for biogas, organic agriculture etc.
6. Donot allow monoculture plantation of exotic species like eucalyptus.
7. Encourage planting of endemic species;
8. Extraction of medicinal plants with strict regulations
9. Promote cattle breed that can withstand adverse agro climatic conditions
of Western Ghats.
Animal 10. Donot allow weedicides in cash crop areas alongside the roads. Because
husbandary almost all plants coming under the weed category are rich cattle fodder.
11. Donot allow introduction of any invasive alien species.
17. Use them for impact assessment for all new projects such as dams, mines,
Sci-Tech and tourism, and housing.
IT 18. Prepare hydrological data base of rivers
Ok everything sounds well and good with Gadgil’s report, then why is there a controversy? We’ll see
that in fourth and last article of this series:
Gadgil report on Western Ghats: Why
Controversies, Athirappilly, Gundia Projects:
Explained (Part 4 of 4)
• Entire project area falls under the migratory route of elephants, “project
Elephant Elephant”.
• cane turtle, an endemic and endangered species, first reported here, is currently
Turtles the only place where they could be seen in reasonable numbers
• Adar tribe is considered to be the most primitive of the South Indian forest tribes
• They are a primitive hunter and food gatherer tribe originally restricted to the forests and
hill tracts of Chalakudy river basin.
• Their population is fewer than 1500.
• They’ll be affected by the dam.
Given these factors, Madav Gadgil panel has recommended not to construct the Athirappilly
dam.
2. Gundia Project: why problem?
• cuckoo bee : a unique species found in Gundia basin
• Lion-tailed macaque
• Travancore flying squirrel
• Nilgiri marten (cat)
• presence of tiger and elephants sighted.
Therefore Madav Gadgil panel has recommended not to construct dam on Gundia river.
• But Someone from Kerala filled R.T.I in 2012 seeking a copy of this report.
• And Public Information Officer in Environment Ministry said “we cannot disclose Gadgil
report because it is still being analysed and considered.” And more importantly: Section 8
(1) (a) of the RTI Act exempts “information, disclosure of which would affect the
sovereignty and integrity of India, the security, strategic, scientific or economic
interests of the state”.
• The R.T.I applicant went all the way to CIC.
CIC ordered following
• The Supreme Court of India has recognized that the right to information is a fundamental
right of the citizens of India under Article 19 (1) of the Constitution of India.
• The RTI Act has codified this fundamental right 19(1) by stating that every citizen shall
have the right to information.
• The RTI Act recognises that a democracy requires an informed citizenry and
transparency of information,
• Therefore, all agents of Government must be responsible for their conduct.
• The people of this country have a right to know every public act, everything that is done
in a public way by their public functionaries.
• If Gadgil report is disclosed, it’ll enable citizens to debate in an informed manner and
they can provide useful feedback to the government.
• R.T.I Act requires suo moto disclosure by the public authority ‘while’ formulating
important policies and not ‘after’ formulating them.
• Therefore I direct the Ministry of Environment and Forests to publish the report of Gadgil
panel.
And thus, environment ministry had to upload the PDF file on its website, (somewhere in mid-
2012)
• I’ve merely pointed out many inconvenient truths but Government is trying to suppress
my report and evade a democratic debate on its recommendations.
• And this Kasturi Rangan fellow is keeping me completely out of the loop while assessing
my report!
• Gadgil says “NO” to Athirappally hydroproject but it is essential for our state’s energy
security.
• Kerala’s total hydel potential was estimated to be 6,000 MW, only 35 per cent of it had
been harnessed so far.
• But Gadgil has instead suggested decommissioning of dams which were 35 to 40 years
old.
• This would pose a question mark on the existing and proposed power projects and would
plunge our state into darkness.
• Gadgil did not make concrete proposals on Revenue loss suffered by the state
Government while implementing the recommendations (e.g. no mining in zone#1=no
royalties payment from miners.)
• This has greatly upset the mining lobby. Now their agents are provoking the farmers and
tribals in Western ghat region with baseless rumor that “Gadgil has recommend to throw
you out of your villages and make wildlife sanctuaries everywhere!”
• So now some farmers and tribals are protesting against Gagdil’s report.