Roadmap for Answer Writing 1. Introduction (50-75 words) Begin by briefly acknowledging the importance of river water quality and the efforts made to improve it in India. Mention the primary objective of these efforts, such as reducing pollution and conserving water resources, specifically ...
Model Answer Causes of Growing Human-Wildlife Conflict in India-wildlife conflict (HWC) in India is escalating due to several interrelated factors: Habitat Depletion and Fragmentation: Rapid urbanization, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development have led to significant habitat loss forRead more
Model Answer
Causes of Growing Human-Wildlife Conflict in India-wildlife conflict (HWC) in India is escalating due to several interrelated factors:
- Habitat Depletion and Fragmentation: Rapid urbanization, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development have led to significant habitat loss for wildlife. This forces animals to venture into human settlements in search of food and water.
- Movement of Livestock and Humans: Economic pressures compel marginalized communities to exploit resources within protected areas, increasing encounters with wildlife.
- Invasive Alien Species: The introduction of non-native species can disrupt local ecosystems, reducing food and water availability for native wildlife, which in turn leads to competition with humans.
- Climatic Factors: Climate change alters vegetation patterns and affects the foraging behavior of species like lions and leopards, increasing the likelihood of conflict with humans.
- Increase in Wildlife Populations: Conservation efforts have successfully increased the populations of certain species, which can exceed the carrying capacity of their habitats, leading to “spillover” into human areas.
- Stochastic Events: Natural disasters such as floods and forest fires can displace wildlife, forcing them into populated areas in search of food and shelter.
Government Measures to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict
The Indian government has implemented several strategies to address HWC:
- National Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Strategy: This framework aims to tackle the root causes of conflict through a structured approach focusing on drivers, pressures, and responses.
- Standing Committee of National Board of Wildlife Guidelines: These guidelines promote community involvement, provide crop loss insurance, and establish early warning systems to mitigate conflict.
- Legislative Framework: Laws such as the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 and the National Biodiversity Act of 2002 protect wildlife and their habitats, facilitating the creation of protected areas.
- State-Level Initiatives: States like Kerala and Uttarakhand have formed committees to address HWC and implement localized solutions.
- Creation of Wildlife Corridors: States including Kerala and Madhya Pradesh have developed corridors to allow the safe movement of wildlife between habitats, reducing encounters with humans.
- Funding and International Cooperation: The central government provides financial support for wildlife conservation, and projects like the Indo-German Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation Project aim to establish best practices for coexistence.
While completely eradicating human-wildlife conflict is challenging, these integrated approaches can foster coexistence between humans and wildlife.
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Model Answer Why Has the Quality of River Water in India Shown Little Improvement? Despite extensive efforts by various stakeholders, the quality of river water in India has shown little improvement. Several factors contribute to this ongoing challenge: 1. Ineffective Sewage Treatment InfrastructureRead more
Model Answer
Why Has the Quality of River Water in India Shown Little Improvement?
Despite extensive efforts by various stakeholders, the quality of river water in India has shown little improvement. Several factors contribute to this ongoing challenge:
1. Ineffective Sewage Treatment Infrastructure
One of the major obstacles to improving river water quality is the lack of adequate sewage treatment facilities. For example, while the five states through which the Ganga flows generate around 10,000 million liters of sewage daily, their combined treatment capacity is only about 4,000 million liters, or just 40% of the required capacity. This imbalance leads to untreated sewage being discharged into rivers, contributing to pollution.
2. Inadequate Monitoring and Data Collection
Effective monitoring of water quality remains a challenge in India. Although the National Mission for Clean Ganga intends to monitor water quality at 134 stations, it is currently only being conducted at 97 stations. This insufficient data collection hampers efforts to understand the extent of pollution and take appropriate corrective measures.
3. Uncontrolled Waste Discharge
Untreated waste continues to flow into rivers, further exacerbating pollution. According to the National Green Tribunal (NGT), untreated sewage is discharged into 60% of the Ganga, making it one of the most polluted rivers in the country. Similarly, untreated waste from textile and chemical manufacturing units contributes to the pollution of rivers like the Sabarmati.
4. Impact of Unplanned Tourism and Agricultural Run-off
Unregulated tourism activities have also emerged as a threat to water bodies, particularly through increased plastic waste, as seen near the Indus River in Ladakh. Additionally, agricultural run-off, especially from excessive use of fertilizers and pesticides, contaminates river water and groundwater. The CPCB has reported the presence of harmful metals like manganese and copper in rivers such as the Yamuna, further degrading water quality.
Conclusion
Despite measures like the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and programs like the Namami Gange and National River Conservation Plan, significant improvements in river water quality are hindered by factors such as inadequate infrastructure, lax monitoring, and unregulated waste discharge. Addressing these challenges requires concerted efforts from both the central and state governments, including better waste management infrastructure, stricter law enforcement, and active public participation.
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