Biodiversity & Environment

Model Answer

1. Globalization and Trade: Increased international trade, transportation, and tourism have facilitated the movement of non-native species. For example, the Argentine ant has become a significant threat to native Hawaiian arthropods due to global shipping routesIllegal Wildlife Trade: The trade of exotic plants and animals contributes to the spread of IAS. Species such as tree squirrels have been introduced worldwide, mainly through the international pet trade .
2. Natural Predators: When IAS are introduced into new environments, they often lack natural predators, allowing them to proliferate uncontrollably. A case in point is the brown tree snake in Guam, which caused the extinction of several bird species due to the absence of predators .
3. *High Surv: Certain IAS, like the Senna plant, possess high reproductive rates and rapid growth, enabling them to dominate ecosystems and outcompete native species .

Harmful Effects India

1. Threats to Natural Systems: Around 66% of India’s natural ecosystems are threatened by IAS. For instance, the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats is heavily impacted by the invasion of species like Lantana camara, Prosopis juliflora, and Chromolaena odorata .
2. Economic Losses: IAS posecant economic threat. The loss of ecosystem services due to IAS affects forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and other natural systems, costing the Indian economy an estimated $182.6 billion .
3. Biodiversity Threats: IAS suppressodiversity and cause local extinctions. For example, the spread of Prosopis juliflora in Tamil Nadu has altered agricultural lands and grazing commons, forcing local communities to seek new livelihoods .
4. Health Risks: Some IAS, such as the Asian tito, are vectors of diseases like Dengue and Chikungunya, posing significant health threats to humans .

In summary, the spread of IAS is driven by globalizati and a lack of natural predators, which disrupt ecosystems, economies, and human health. Addressing this challenge is crucial for India’s biodiversity conservation and sustainable development efforts.

Model Answer

Rewilding is an innovative approach to environmental conservation aimed at restoring ecosystems that have been altered by human activities to their natural state. It involves allowing wildlife and natural processes to reclaim areas that are no longer under human management, helping to rejuvenate biodiversity and ecosystem functions.

Principles Guiding Rewilding Initiatives

1. Utilization of Wildlife
   Rewilding efforts should include the reintroduction of keystone species that play a critical role in ecological balance. These species help restore trophic interactions and contribute to ecosystem health. For instance, the reintroduction of the rare pygmy hog in Assam’s Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve is an example of this principle in action.
2. Identification of Core Areas
   Rewilding requires securing core areas that support diverse species, restoring connectivity between these regions, and ensuring that humans and wildlife can coexist peacefully. Critical Wildlife Habitats, such as those established in national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, help protect these essential areas.
3. Community Engagement
   Local community support is vital for the success of rewilding projects. In the Western Himalayan region, local communities actively protect snow leopard habitats, showing the importance of involving indigenous knowledge and fostering stewardship.
4. Focus on Ecological Recovery
   Rewilding initiatives should prioritize the recovery of ecological processes and interactions that once existed in healthy ecosystems. These efforts must be based on scientific evidence and local knowledge to guide restoration.
5. Climate Change Mitigation
   Rewilding projects should address the impacts of climate change by incorporating adaptive strategies. For example, the ecological restoration in the Aravali Biodiversity Park uses climate-resilient tree species like babool and ghatbor.
6. Scientific and Local Knowledge
   A successful rewilding approach must integrate both scientific research and local, traditional knowledge. Sacred groves in the Western Ghats, managed with a blend of religious and ecological understanding, exemplify this approach.
7. Adaptive Management
   Continuous monitoring and adaptive management strategies are essential for ensuring rewilding projects remain effective and can evolve based on changing ecological and climatic conditions.

These principles form the foundation for rewilding efforts that aim to restore biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and achieve long-term ecological sustainability.

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.