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May, 14, 2018 Multiple threats to Himalayan biodiversity

Mains Paper 3: Environment | Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

From UPSC perspectives, the following things are important

Prelims Level: Particular details about Himalayan Biogeographic zone, Richness in Fauna and Endemic Species

Mains Level: The newscard talks in general about the biodiversity richness of Himalaya and highlights Threats to it.
Zoological Survey of India Report

1. The Indian Himalayas, which constitute about 12% of the country's landmass, is home to about 30.16% of its fauna, says a new publication from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)

2. The publication, Faunal Diversity of Indian Himalaya, lists 30,377 species/subspecies in the region with the entire identified fauna in the country adding up to 1,00,762

The spread of Himalayan Region

1. Spread across six States - from Jammu and Kashmir in the west through Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and West Bengal's Darjeeling to Arunachal Pradesh in the far east.

2. The Indian Himalayas are divided into two bio-geographic zones - the Trans-Himalaya and the Himalaya, based on physiographic, climatic and eco-biological attributes

Abundance of species

1. The entire region, spread over 3.95 lakh sq. km. is home to 280 species of mammals, 940 species of birds, 316 species of fishes, 200 species of reptiles and 80 species of amphibians

2. This put together accounts for 27.6% of the total vertebrate diversity of the country

Unique Features of the Himalayan region

1. The ZSI publication lists 133 vertebrate species of the region cited as threatened in the IUCN Red List. This includes 43 species of mammals like the critically endangered Pygmy Hog, the Namdapha flying squirrel and the endangered Snow leopard, the Red Panda and the Kashmir Gray Langur

2. Fifty-two species of birds are also in the threatened category like the critically endangered White-Bellied Heron and Siberian crane and vulnerable species like the Black Necked crane and the Indian Spotted Eagle, among others

3. Some of the rare high-altitude butterflies found in the Himalayas are Parnassius stoliczkanus (Ladakh banded Apollo) and Parnassius epaphus (Red Apollo), listed under Schedule I and Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, respectively

Threats

1. Most of the threatened species of vertebrates, particularly mammals, require population assessment and study of the role of climate change on their habitat

2. Climate change is a major threat as far as mammals and birds are concerned

3. The impact is visible in the shifting distribution of sensitive species like the Asiatic Black Bear, the Snow leopard, and the Himalayan Marmot

4. Carnivores and their habitats are threatened by ever-increasing human-wildlife conflict in the region

5. Habitat loss due to land use change, illegal wildlife trade, forest fires and increasing anthropogenic activities pose threats to this Himayalan biodiversity

Jan, 24, 2018 Environment ministry to start 'Himalayan Research Fellowships scheme'

Note4students

Mains Paper 3: Environment | Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

Prelims level: Himalayan Research Fellowships scheme, National Mission on Himalayan Studies

Mains level: Measures being undertaken for preserving Himalayas
Himalayan Research Fellowships scheme

1. The union environment ministry has decided to start a 'Himalayan Research Fellowships scheme' to create a young pool of trained environmental managers, ecologists, and socio-economists

2. This pool will help generate information on physical, biological, managerial and human aspects of Himalayan environment and development

3. This is among the series of programmes that MoEFCC is running for conservation and protection of Himalayas

About the scheme

1. The fellowship scheme will be executed through various universities and Institutions working in the Indian Himalayan Region (IHR)

2. Preference will be given to the Institutions from north-eastern states

3. Fellowships will be awarded for a maximum period of three years

4. The financial support will be provided under the National Mission on Himalayan Studies (NMHS)

Dec, 09, 2015'Green energy targets remain a mirage'

Just about half of that target was met, according to the CAG.

1. An audit report tabled in Parliament showed that government had failed to meet its targets for scaling up use of renewable energy sources under National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

2. The NAPCC had envisaged raising renewable energy sources to 8 per cent of the national energy mix for electricity by 2012-13 and 9 per cent by 2013-14.

3. The national achievement for purchase of electricity from renewable energy sources in those 2 years was only 4.28 per cent and 4.51 per cent, respectively.

4. Except for Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh, none of the 24 States it reviewed had fixed their renewable purchase obligations.

Sep, 15, 2015 Another development task for India

Even with a focused approach, India will face several challenges, external and internal, in implementing selected Sustainable Development Goals.

1. The SDG agenda negotiated by the UN membership over the past three years is, perhaps, the most ambitious roadmap ever drawn up by the world body.

2. It lists 17 goals ranging from "Goal 1 - End poverty in all its forms everywhere" to "Goal 17 - Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development" and a staggering 169 targets that need to be monitored and implemented by 2030.

3. In contrast, the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), adopted by countries in 2000 to reduce extreme poverty by 2015, had a mere eight goals and 18 targets less than half and around one-tenth of the SDG goals and targets respectively.

4. Domestic efforts of a single country China , that pulled more people out of poverty than any other.

5. Today, India is home to more than 30% of the global estimate of over 1 billion people who live in extreme poverty.

6. A single Indian state Uttar Pradesh (UP),accounts for 8% of the world's population living in extreme poverty.

7. Externally, India will have to raise adequate resources and also acquire the necessary technology to help achieve its SDG objectives.

8. In particular, the panchayat, which will be crucial to ensuring inclusion at the local level, remains the weakest link.

9. Finally, NITI Aayog, which also has the task of monitoring progress on implementation of the SDGs, will have to innovate to keep track of all 169 targets.

These formidable challenges notwithstanding, were India to succeed in addressing them, it will not only help achieve the SDGs, but would also put India on the path of becoming a global power.

Sep, 11, 2015 Approval of National Offshore Wind Energy Policy

1. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) authorized as the Nodal Ministry for use of offshore areas within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

2. National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) has been authorized as the Nodal Agency for development of offshore wind energy in the country.

3. Helps in attaining energy security and achievement of the NAPCC targets.

4. Worldwide, wind energy is accepted as one of the most developed, cost-effective and proven renewable energy technologies.

Discuss National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) targets and success?

Mar, 31, 2015 NGT can't settle issues on climate change, says MoEF

1. The NGT has the jurisdiction over all civil cases where a substantial question relating to environment is involved.

2. These cases can arise out of - The Water Act, The Water Cess Act, The Forest (Conservation) Act, The Air Act, The Environment Protection Act, The Public Liability Insurance Act & The Biological Diversity Act.

3. When an environmentalist asked for the records of steps taken by the Govt. on NAPCC, the center replied with this -

4. "India is a signatory to the UNFCC & is not under obligations to NGT on that."

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NAPCC: India's National Action Plan on Climate Change

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May, 14, 2018 Multiple threats to Himalayan biodiversity Mains Paper 3: Environment | Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment From UPSC perspectives, the following things are important Prelims Level: Particular details about Himalayan Biogeographic zone, Richness in Fauna and Endemic Species Mains Level: The newscard talks in general about the biodiversity richness of Himalaya and highlights Threats to it.

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India: National action plan on climate change (NAPCC) - Policy, Plans & Statements - Knowledge Base - PreventionWeb.net

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This document published by the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change (Government of India), aims at creating awareness among the representatives of the public, different agencies of the government, scientists, industry and the community as a whole, on the threat posed by climate change and the steps proposed at the level of India to counter these changes.

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Seeking to broaden India's response to climate change, the government will soon add at least four new 'missions' to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), including one to promote wind energy, and another to build preparedness to deal with impacts on human health.

A programme for more effective management of India's coastal resources and another to harness energy from waste is also slated to be launched.

Currently, eight 'missions' are operational, each of which is a sectoral response to the impacts of climate change. Three of them - on solar energy, afforestation and energy efficiency - seek to slow down the growth of India's emissions. Another three - on agriculture, water and Himalayan eco-systems - are about initiating measures to adapt to the effects of climate change. The remaining two - on sustainable habitat and strategic knowledge - are service missions and seek to create more knowledge on useful climate responses.

The Wind Mission is modelled on the National Solar Mission which seeks to increase the share of renewable energy in India's energy mix. The Solar Mission has been one of the most important components of the NAPCC as it has the maximum impact on slowing down the growth of India's greenhouse gas emissions. The government recently enhanced the target of electricity production under the Solar Mission from the original 20,000 MW by 2022 to 100,000 MW.

The Wind Mission is likely to be given an initial target of producing about 50,000-60,000 MW of power by the year 2022, the year when the 13th five year plan will come to an end. Already, there is about 22,000 MW of installed capacity of wind energy in the country. Like the Solar Mission, the Wind Mission will be serviced by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

The Health Ministry, meanwhile, has been working on finalising a 'mission' on dealing with climate impacts on human health - an area that got overlooked when the original eight missions were being finalised. The 'mission' is likely to carry out a comprehensive assessment of the kind of effects climate change is likely to have on human health in different regions of the country and build up capacities to respond to these and also to health emergencies arising out of natural disasters.

The 'mission' on India's coastal areas will prepare an integrated coastal resource management plan and map vulnerabilities along the entire nearly 7000-km long shoreline. The Environment Ministry, which already regulates activities along India's coasts through the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) rules, is supposed to house and service this mission.

The waste-to-energy mission will incentivise efforts towards harnessing energy from all kinds of waste and is again aimed at lowering India's dependence on coal, oil and gas, for power production.

The four 'missions' have to be put before the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change for the final approval before they can be launched. The PM Council, which gives direction to climate policy, was reconstituted by the new government in the first week of November but is yet to meet. The previous council, during UPA government's time, had not met for more than three years. Sources said a meeting of the PM council is likely to take place before the visit of US President Barack Obama who is coming to attend the Republic Day function.

Apart from launching the new 'missions', the PM Council is also due to review the performance of the existing eight 'missions', many of which have remained mostly ineffective. These 'missions' are likely to be strengthened and given a new direction by the Council with higher performance targets, just like it was done for the Solar Mission some time ago.
THE MISSIONS POSSIBLE: Wind energy

Modelled on National Solar Mission

To be serviced by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

To produce 50,000-60,000 MW of power by 2022

Human health

Assess impact of climate change on human health

Build up capacities to respond to these

Being looked after by Health Ministry

Coastal resources

Prepare integrated coastal resource management plan

Map vulnerabilities along the entire shoreline

Environment Ministry to look after the mission

Waste-to-energy

Incentivise efforts towards harnessing energy from waste

Lower dependence on coal, oil, gas

Make power production a more earth-friendly process

For all the latest India News, download Indian Express App

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Four new missions to boost response to climate change

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Seeking to broaden India's response to climate change, the government will soon add at least four new 'missions' to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), including one to promote wind energy, and another to build preparedness to deal with impacts on human health.

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Thinkers IAS : NAPCC : National Solar Mission : thinkersias.com/environment

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Environment PDF slides download : www.thinkersias.com/environment UPSC IAS 2017 : [Video lectures] Current affairs analysis + Economic survey + Prelims CA revision Click here to subscribe, http://imojo.in/fyr1c8 (May 2016 to June, 2017) Click here to subscribe,http://imojo.in/6xod1q (Nov, 2016 to June, 2017) Visit : www.thinkersias.com/currentaffairs If you have any doubts, Please contact us, upscgeneralstudies1@gmail.com Please like us on https://www.facebook.com/upscgeneralstudies Useful for UPSC Preparation, IAS preparation, KAS, KPSC, MPSC, GPSC, UPPSC, APPSC, TNPSC and all state service examination.

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Abstract

Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our times. Recent events have emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate change. Climate change impacts will range from affecting agriculture - further endangering food security - to sea-level rise and the accelerated erosion of coastal zones, increasing intensity of natural disasters, species extinction, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. India released its much-awaited National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) to mitigate and adapt to climate change on June 30, 2008, almost a year after it was announced. The NAPCC runs through 2017 and directs ministries to submit detailed implementation plans to the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change by December 2008. This article briefly reviews the plan and opinion about it from different experts and organizations.

Keywords: Climate change, India, National Action Plan on Climate Change

INTRODUCTION

Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our times. Recent events have emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate change. Climate change impacts will range from affecting agriculture - further endangering food security - to sea-level rise and the accelerated erosion of coastal zones, increasing intensity of natural disasters, species extinction, and the spread of vector-borne diseases.[ 1]

THE PLAN IN BRIEF

The action plan outlines a number of steps to simultaneously advance India's development and climate change-related objectives. The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) encompasses a range of measures. It focuses on eight missions, which are as follows[ 2]:

1. National Solar Mission: The NAPCC aims to promote the development and use of solar energy for power generation and other uses, with the ultimate objective of making solar competitive with fossil-based energy options. It also includes the establishment of a solar research center, increased international collaboration on technology development, strengthening of domestic manufacturing capacity, and increased government funding and international support.

2. National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency: The NAPCC recommends mandating specific energy consumption decreases in large energy-consuming industries, with a system for companies to trade energy-saving certificates, financing for public-private partnerships to reduce energy consumption through demand-side management programs in the municipal, buildings, and agricultural sectors, and energy incentives, including reduced taxes on energy-efficient appliances.

3. National Mission on Sustainable Habitat: The NAPCC also aims at promoting energy efficiency as a core component of urban planning by extending the existing Energy Conservation Building Code, strengthening the enforcement of automotive fuel economy standards, and using pricing measures to encourage the purchase of efficient vehicles and incentives for the use of public transportation. The NAPCC also emphasizes on waste management and recycling.

4. National Water Mission: The NAPCC sets a goal of a 20% improvement in water use efficiency through pricing and other measures to deal with water scarcity as a result of climate change.

5. National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem: This particular mission sets the goal to prevent melting of the Himalayan glaciers and to protect biodiversity in the Himalayan region.

6. Green India Mission: The NAPCC also aims at afforestation of 6 million hectares of degraded forest lands and expanding forest cover from 23 to 33% of India's territory.

7. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: The NAPCC aims to support climate adaptation in agriculture through the development of climate-resilient crops, expansion of weather insurance mechanisms, and agricultural practices.

8. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change: To gain a better understanding of climate science, impacts, and challenges, the plan envisions a new Climate Science Research Fund, improved climate modeling, and increased international collaboration. It also encourages private sector initiatives to develop adaptation and mitigation technologies through venture capital funds.

The NAPCC also describes other ongoing initiatives that are as follows[ 1]:

1. Power generation: The government is mandating the retirement of inefficient coal-fired power plants and supporting the research and development of Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle IGCC and supercritical technologies.

2. Renewable energy: Under the Electricity Act 2003 and the National Tariff Policy 2006, the central and the state electricity regulatory commissions must purchase a certain percentage of grid-based power from renewable sources.

3. Energy efficiency: Under the Energy Conservation Act 2001, large energy-consuming industries are required to undertake energy audits and an energy-labeling program for appliances has been introduced.

4. Proposals for health sector: The proposed program comprises two main components, namely provision of enhanced public health care services and assessment of increased burden of diseases due to climate change.

5. Implementation: Ministries with lead responsibility for each of the missions are directed to develop objectives, implementation strategies, timelines, and monitoring and evaluation criteria to be submitted to the Prime Minister's Council on Climate Change. The Council will also be responsible for periodically reviewing and reporting on each mission's progress. To be able to quantify progress, appropriate indicators and methodologies will be developed to assess both avoided emissions and adaptation benefits.[ 2]

DIFFERENT OPINIONS ABOUT NAPCC

Mixed opinions were mentioned by the different organizations and experts over the NAPCC.

Sunita Narain, Director of Centre for Science and Environment, in an editorial in Down to Earth (a science and environment fortnightly) mentioned that the plan asserts that India can grow differently because it is in an early stage of development. In other words, it can leapfrog to a low carbon economy using high-end and emerging technologies and by being different. Also, it prioritizes national action by setting out eight missions - ranging from solar to climate research - which will be detailed and then monitored by the PM's council for climate change. But, the plan is weak on how India sees the rest of the world in this extraordinary crisis. Climate change is a global challenge. We did not create it and, till date, we contribute little to global emissions. We are, in fact, climate victims.[ 3]

As per Sudhirendar Sharma, a water expert and Director of the Delhi-based Ecological Foundation, the plan report is a compilation of listless ideas that lack depth, vision, and urgency. Putting economic development ahead of emission reduction targets, the report makes a case for the right of emerging economies to pursue development and growth to alleviate poverty without having to worry about the volume of atmospheric emissions they generate in the process. Consequently, the report makes no commitment to cut the country's carbon emission and thereby leaves it liable to criticism by those who hold worries about global warming close to their chests.[ 4]

Rahul Goswami, an independent journalist and researcher based in Goa, in his article stated that instead of having a strongly articulated, clearly thought-through vision, the NAPCC has a basket of eight "missions" and no durable plan that will include the poorest and most vulnerable A policy that deals with a new set of circumstances and factors needs necessarily to think differently. Climate change is not population control, not poverty, not rural unemployment. It needs to learn differently from the experiences of contemporary Indians.[ 5]

According to an article published in the Indian Express (an English daily), India has decided to stick to the safe path on dealing with climate change. One of the main reasons for taking this safe path is India's stance in multilateral negotiations. India has maintained that it believes in "common and differentiated responsibility" and hence will wait for developed countries to cap their emissions that are several times higher.[ 6]

Greenpeace regarded the focus on solar energy as the highlight of the plan. The solar and renewable programs showed foresight in energy planning and an intention to capitalize on the country's potential for solar energy, said the organization. But Greenpeace, in a press release, also mentioned that on the energy-efficiency front, the plan is both unambitious and vague about what the country is setting out to achieve. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has supported the plan, saying that eight missions will be important to leverage key initiatives that industry and others are undertaking. The market-based mechanism for energy efficiency across industry sectors will be a great driver for energy savings, according to the FICCI.[ 7]

WWF-India feels that the National Action Plan is fairly comprehensive in its coverage and has cross-sectoral links through the eight National Level Missions. At the centerstage of the Action Plan is India's impetus on following on a low carbon energy path without impending economic growth and quality of life of people. WWF-India feels that the Plan brings a balanced perspective on mitigation and adaptation through some new dimensions. Creation of National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change is another good initiative as this would ensure exchange of knowledge and informed research in India.[ 8]

To conclude, it is now clear that initiatives to prevent climate change are started but, most importantly, these initiatives must be continuous and sustainable and every individual of every country will need to contribute to prevent climate change.[ 9] By releasing the NAPCC, the government has shown India's commitment to address climate change issues and also sent a positive message to the public, industries, and civil society about the government's concern to address the climate change issue through concerted action. Issues related to the awareness regarding global warming and climate change among the general population[ 10] and the issue related to agriculture and health hazards due to climate change must be addressed strongly and effectively.

Footnotes

Source of Support: Nil

Conflict of Interest: Nil

Articles from Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine are provided here courtesy of Wolters Kluwer -- Medknow Publications

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India's National Action Plan on Climate Change

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Climate change is one of the most critical global challenges of our times. Recent events have emphatically demonstrated our growing vulnerability to climate change. Climate change impacts will range from affecting agriculture - further endangering ...