India’s climate policy, Green Credit Program, Illegal mining and more

🚨 The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings to you the May edition of its monthly magazine. Click Here to read. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨

Explained

Consistent, coordinated: Evolution & essentials of India’s climate policy

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology.

Mains Examination: GS-III: Environment, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story- J R Bhatt writes- “The 1990s were a time of great change in India and the world, which led to the forging of new policies in many areas, including on the environment.”

Prerequisites: 

— What is UNFCCC?  

— Organisations to look for: International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).

Key takeaways: 

—  “The Rio Summit of 1992 saw the emergence of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity and Forest Principles. After Rio, the divisions of climate change and biodiversity in India’s then Ministry of Environment and Forests came to life slowly and steadily.”

— “India’s climate policy is based on five major determinants: geography, population, impacts, worldview, and actions.”

— “India’s climate policy is informed by its vision of inclusive growth for all-round economic and social development, the eradication of poverty, declining carbon budget, firm adherence to the foundational principles of the UNFCCC, and climate-friendly lifestyles. India’s climate policy has always been clear, consistent, and coordinated.”

— “India has been a consistently strong voice of the Global South: the CBDR-RC (Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities) principle was developed largely through Indian interventions at the Rio Summit, 1992.”

— “India recognises that development and environment are two sides of the same coin, and must be taken together for all-round holistic development. India’s model of sustainable development must act as a rallying cry for developing countries to counter the narratives presented by the developed world, bringing science and evidence to the forefront of policy-making.”

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the initiatives taken by India to tackle climate change?

— What is Gandhian idea of trusteeship ?

— What do you understand by the trem ‘Global South’?

— What is National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) 2008?

— What is climate finance and why do developing countries need it?

— What is LiFE Movement?

Post Read Question:

With reference to ‘Global Climate Change Alliance’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (UPSC CSE 2017)

1. It is an initiative of the European Union.

2. It provides technical and financial support to targeted developing countries to integrate climate change into their development policies and budgets.

3. It is coordinated by World Resources Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only 

(b) 3 only 

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

On climate change, India’s challenges leading the Global South

Cereal saviours: Punjab-Haryana and India’s food security

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economy

Mains Examination: GS-III: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System, Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers.

What’s the ongoing story- Harish Damodaran writes-” An El Niño-induced agricultural output decline has underscored, yet again, the importance of Punjab and Haryana to India’s food security.”

Prerequisites: 

— What is Food Security? 

— Know about the Green Revolution,  Public Distribution System and National Food Security Act, 2013. 

— What is El Nino? How does it affect Indian agriculture? 

Key takeaways: 

— “Government agencies have so far bought about 25.5 million tonnes (mt) of the 2023-24 winter-sown crop harvested from late-March. Out of that, 12.2 mt has come from Punjab and over 7 mt from Haryana.”

— “Punjab and Haryana have played saviour at a time when wheat stocks in government godowns, at 7.502 mt on April 1, were the lowest since the 5.803 mt on the same date of 2008. The stocks were also only a shade above the minimum operational-cum-strategic reserve of 7.46 mt necessary at the start of the marketing season.”

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the top wheat and rice-producing states in India?

— What are the challenges related to food security in India? 

— What is the difference Between Food Security and Nutritional Security.

— Why is Monsoon called the finance minister of India? 

— What are the major government initiatives in the food sector?

Post Read Question:

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2018)

1. The families coming under the category of ‘below poverty line (BPL)’ only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.

2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.

3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a ‘take-home ration’ of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 3 only

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Food for reform

Illegal mining in Sariska

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance, General issues on Environmental Ecology.

Mains Examination: GS-II, GS-III: Government policies and interventions, Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story- The Supreme Court has ordered the Rajasthan government to shutter 68 mines operating within a 1-kilometre periphery of the critical tiger habitat (CTH) of the Sariska reserve. The order, passed on May 15, is the latest of many attempts by the country’s top court since the 1990s to halt the mining of marble, dolomite, and limestone in Sariska in violation of laws.

Prerequisites: 

— What is illegal mining?

— What is the Critical Tiger Habitat?

— Know key facts related to the Sariska tiger reserve, Tiger reserves in India.

— Read about the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Environment Protection Act, 1986.

Key takeaways: 

— Both the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and Environment Protection Act, 1986 prohibit quarrying in and around a tiger reserve.

— A decade after Sariska became a tiger reserve in 1978, Rajasthan issued mining leases inside the reserve to many who had obtained no-objection certificates (NOCs) from the then field director of Sariska, even though he did not have any authority to issue such NOCs.

— A senior official in the Rajasthan Forest Department said the latest SC order was yet another opportunity to thwart illegal mining in the state. “Whatever mistakes were made in the past can be set right by demarcating the no-go zones around Sariska and also other mining-affected reserves of the state,” he said.

Points to Ponder: 

— What are Eco-Sensitive Zones?

— How illegal mining harms the country be it economically, politically and administratively?

— How environment is affected by the illegal mining?

— What are India’s mining laws?

— How can the issue of illegal mining be addressed?

Post Read Question:

In which one among the following categories of protected areas in India are local people not allowed to collect and use the biomass? (UPSC CSE 2012)

(a) Biosphere Reserves

(b) National Parks

(c) Wetlands declared under Ramsar Convention

(d) Wildlife Sanctuaries

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

In a first, board set up to crack down on mining in Aravallis

The Express Network

Green credits: Govt nod to 12 projects, 24 under consideration

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General issues on Environmental Ecology, Biodiversity and Climate Change- that do not require subject specialization.

Mains Examination: GS-II, GS-III: Government policies and interventions,  Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

What’s the ongoing story- The Centre has approved 12 greening projects under the Green Credit Program (GCP), which was notified last year as a market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across diverse sectors, officials aware of the development said.

Prerequisites: 

— What is the Green Credits Programme (GCP)?

—What are the objectives of GCP?

— What do you understand by the term “carbon credit”?

Key takeaways: 

— The GCP, notified on October 13, 2023, seeks voluntary participation in “environmental positive actions” such as afforestation, water conservation, waste management among others from PSUs, private industries, non-profits and individuals. The GCP’s governance framework is supported by an inter-ministerial Steering Committee, and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun, which serves as GCP administrator, responsible for program implementation, management, monitoring, and operation.

— Those investing in these initiatives will earn green credits that they can trade on a platform. The greening activities will happen on degraded land parcels and state forest departments have identified over 10,000 hectares of degraded land so far. 

— The GCP has provided for exchanging the credits meeting compliance of compensatory afforestation. This refers to the legally mandated afforestation that industries and government agencies have to undertake on non-forest land equivalent to the size of forests that are felled

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the environmental and socio-economic impacts of the GCP?

— What are the challenges with the GCP? 

— What measures should be taken to achieve a balance between environmental conservation and socioeconomic development?

— What is the Loss and Damage Fund?

Post Read Question:

Prelims

Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct? (2011)

(a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol

(b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota

(c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission

(d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

What is the Green Credits scheme, which PM Modi mentioned at COP28 by Amitabh Sinha

The Editorial Page

Putin and Xi

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.

Mains Examination: GS-II: India and its Neighbourhood, Bilateral Groupings & Agreements Affecting India’s Interests, Effect of Policies & Politics of Countries on India’s Interests.

What’s the ongoing story- The 43rd meeting between the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, and the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, last week in Beijing underlines the growing anti-Western convergence of strategic interests between two of the world’s longest serving leaders.

Prerequisites: 

— What is Quadrilateral Forum?

— Know about the: India-China Relations, India -Russia Relations, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation,  RIC trilateral forum, Eurasian Economic Union. 

— Map work: Location of Russia, China, Indo-Pacific region, Important places in news in Russia, Bordering countries of Russia and China.

Key takeaways: 

— The expansive agenda outlined by the two leaders demands that Delhi carefully recalibrates its own great power relations and compensates wherever necessary to blunt the negative consequences of the Sino-Russian entente.

— As their contradictions with the US began to deepen over the last decade, both Putin and Xi have elevated their bilateral collaboration into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

— The latest summit has highlighted their efforts at political coordination and mutual support on their respective national priorities — Ukraine for Russia and Taiwan for China.

— Putin and Xi also denounced the US interventions in Europe and its effort to build new coalitions like the Quadrilateral Forum (in which India is a member along with Australia, Japan and the US). 

— They reaffirmed their ambition to counter American hegemony over the domain of international finance. 

—  Delhi has strong reasons to worry that Putin’s support for China’s positions in the Indo-Pacific, would undermine India’s effort to build a ‘multipolar Asia’ and magnify India’s security vulnerabilities in relation to China. In this context, the time has come for Delhi to reexamine its Russia thesis and its corollary.

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the history of China- Russia Relations?

— What are the points of cooperation and conflict bewteen China and Russia?

— How Sino-Russian alliance is a matter of concern for India? What policy should India follow?

Post Read Question:

At the international level, bilateral relations between most nations are governed on the policy of promoting one’s own national interest without any regard for the interest of other nations. This leads to conflicts and tension between nations. How can ethical consideration help resolve such tensions? Discuss with specific examples. (UPSC CSE 2015)

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Vladimir Putin meets Xi Jinping: With deepening Russia-China ties, what are the concerns for India?

The curse of smallness

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economy.

Mains Examination: GS-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization of resources, growth, development and employment.

What’s the ongoing story- Kinjal Sampat writes- “The recent back and forth over an order demanding timely payments to MSMEs has once again revealed the gaps in knowledge about the structure as well as the everyday functioning of these enterprises. A government order, clearly in the interest of MSMEs, has led to unforeseen repercussions, marginalising smaller enterprises in the short term.”

Prerequisites: 

— What are Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs)? 

— What are new criteria for the classification of MSMEs-know in detail.

Key takeaways: 

— “ A parliamentary panel was looking into separating the category of micro-enterprises from the larger MSME umbrella. For now, the standing committee has recommended a regular revision of the definition every five years.”

— “In 2020, the definition of micro-enterprises was changed to include all under an annual turnover of Rs 5 crore as micro-enterprises, higher than the previous limit of Rs 50 lakh. This was meant to discourage firms from reporting lower revenues to retain the benefits and incentives extended to micro enterprises by the state. The new definition, however, masks a significant skew in the distribution.”

— “According to the National Sample Survey Organisations (NSSO) Unorganised Enterprise Survey 2016, 95 per cent of the enterprises surveyed reported revenues under Rs 50 lakh per annum.”

— “The weakened understanding of how the largest category of enterprises operate in our economy makes it difficult to design effective interventions. Reviewing the category of micro-enterprises and further classifying enterprises within it is needed to reduce the opacity created by new definitions and the lack of systematic data.”

Points to Ponder: 

— What is the status of the MSME sector in India?

— What are the challenges faced by MSMEs in India?

— What is the significance of the MSME sector for India’s economic growth and self-reliance?

— What are the initiatives taken by the government to support the growth of MSMEs?

(Thought Process: Read about the RAMP Scheme, ASPIRE Scheme, Zero Defect and Zero Effect, Credit Guarantee Trust Fund for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE), Credit Linked Capital Subsidy for Technology Upgradation (CLCSS), PLI Scheme, etc.)

Post Read Question:

Consider the following statements with reference to India : (UPSC CSE 2023)

1. According to the ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, the ‘medium enterprises’ are those with investments in plant and machinery between `15 crore and `25 crore.

2. All bank loans to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify under the priority sector.

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

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

I-T clause to ensure MSMEs are paid on time creates hurdle

MSMEs are not paid on time. They need to be

The Ideas Page

The house is the key

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: Economy

Mains Examination: GS-III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilisation of resources, growth, development and employment,  changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.

What’s the ongoing story- Sandeep Bedi, Narayan Ramachandran wrires- “Addressing the issue of workers’ accommodation is crucial, in both a practical and moral sense, to our desire to ignite large-scale manufacturing in India.”

Prerequisites: 

— What is the contribution of the manufacturing sector to India’s GDP?

— What are the Production-Linked Incentives (PLIs) and Make in India schemes?

— What is the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)?

Key takeaways: 

— “The ambitions are clear — to grow India’s economy to $10 trillion by 2035, and with it, grow manufacturing’s share from 15 per cent of GDP to 25 per cent. The goal of this shift is to increase the employment elasticity of growth, which is to provide greater employment per unit of output. This implies a four-fold growth in manufacturing.”

— “Amidst the fervent debates over fiscal incentives and land-related policies, there exists a narrative often overlooked….. While attention is lavished upon capital and land, his (labour’s) plight remains shrouded in the shadows of neglect. The key to unlocking India’s manufacturing prowess lies not only in setting the right policies but also in the empowerment of its workforce.”

— “One way to enable this empowerment is through safe, on-premises or factory-adjacent workers’ accommodation….It has the power to address other aspects related to skilling, productivity, and attrition as well.”

— “Currently, most of India’s factories are sourcing their workforce from ad hoc accommodation in cities and peripheral areas. This arrangement is fraught with challenges”

— Benefits of on-premises or factory-adjacent workers’ accommodation.: Reduced transportation expenses, heightened productivity, enhanced training capabilities, mitigation in workforce attrition, and lower carbon footprint.

— “This triangular leadership between the Centre, state and the private sector firms can help deliver on this important agenda. The “chhoti chabi” of workers’ accommodation could well be the key that unlocks the bada tala of India’s manufacturing ambitions. It deserves to be a part of the 100-day plan for the new government.”

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the policy implications of adding workers’ accommodation to the policy framework for manufacturing?

— What are the growth drivers for India’s manufacturing sector?
— What are the challenges facing India’s manufacturing sector?
— What are the government’s initiatives aimed at growing India’s manufacturing sector?

Post Read Question:

Prelims

In the ‘Index of Eight Core Industries’, which one of the following is given the highest weight? ( UPSC CSE 2015)

(a) Coal production

(b) Electricity generation

(c) Fertilizer production

(d) Steel production

Mains

“Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product(GDP) in the post-reform period” Give reasons. How far are the recent changes in Industrial Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate? (UPSC CSE 2017)

Idea Exchange 

Idea Exchange with  Former WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan 

UPSC Syllabus:

Preliminary Examination: General Science, Social development. 

Mains Examination: GS-II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.

What’s the ongoing story- Former WHO chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan on countering misinformation on vaccines, decentralising public health systems at the micro level, improving food labelling and tackling environmental pollution.

Prerequisites: 

— What is Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP)?

— What is COVAX (COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access)?

— What is the difference between communicable and non-communicable diseases?

— Read about these diseases: dengue, filariasis, kalazar, and TB. 

Key takeaways: 

— “Vaccine hesitancy or anti-science is not directly linked with the level of education. Countries with high vaccine hesitancy generally have high levels of education — western Europe and US.”

— Takeaways of COVID-19: 

(i) “First, a pandemic is a global issue and needs a global effort, solidarity and cooperation on surveillance, sharing data and R&D.

(ii) Second is the issue of financing for which the World Bank has set up a fund. We have to invest in science, be it to tackle climate change or for pathogen X.

(iii) The third is investing in public health. 

(iv) The fourth is countering misinformation.

(v) The fifth is strengthening frontline workers.”

— “Public health is not just about communicable diseases. The WHO’s SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) target 3.4 aims to reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment by 2030.”

— “The primary focus of regulators in India has to be on public health and safety. Studies have shown how such labelling has helped in significantly reducing serious health outcomes like heart attacks. Strict labelling also compels the food industry into making healthier products.”

— “Dengue is the fastest-growing infection globally as the vector has adapted itself extremely well to living in cities. Genetic manipulation with Wolbachia bacteria can manipulate mosquito populations and reduce disease transmission. We’re very close to eliminating diseases like filariasis and kalazar.”

Points to Ponder: 

— What are the economic and ethical considerations involved in the development of vaccines?

— What do you understand by the term ‘vaccine hesitancy’? 

— What are the reasons for vaccine hesitancy?

— Why is communicating science to the masses a big challenge?

— What is the significance of preventive healthcare?

Post Read Question:

In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2022)

1. The Serum Institute of India produced a COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using an mRNA platform.

2. The Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using a vector-based platform.

3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:

Covid Vaccine link to blood clots: The lawsuit in UK on Covishield

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.