Daily Answer Writing

Model Answer

Reasons Behind Untapped Wind Energy Potential in India

India has a significant wind energy potential, with estimates suggesting up to 302 GW at a hub height of 100 meters, and 174 GW from offshore resources. However, this potential remains largely untapped due to several factors:

1. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic: The pandemic caused delays in project timelines, along with disruptions in supply chains, which slowed wind energy installations.
   • Source: National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) and industry reports.
2. Concentration of Resources: The high wind potential is largely concentrated in specific regions, primarily Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, leading to inflated land prices that make projects more expensive.
3. Cost Gap Between Wind and Solar: The falling cost of solar power has created a wider price disparity between wind and solar, resulting in delayed power supply agreements for wind projects.
4. Land Acquisition Delays: Wind projects require large tracts of land, often facing resistance from local communities, further delaying progress.
5. Offshore Wind Financing: Offshore wind projects are significantly more expensive, making them harder to finance compared to onshore projects.
   • Source: Standing Committee on Energy report.

Suggested Solutions

1. Enhanced Coordination: Strengthen collaboration between central and state governments to streamline project approvals, grid balancing, and land acquisition processes.
2. Technological Innovation: Develop technology exchange programs and improve the alignment of domestic manufacturing with global supply chains to reduce costs.
3. Overcoming Legacy Challenges: Address issues like DISCOM payments, grid infrastructure, and inconsistent state land policies.
4. Offshore Wind Development: Implement the 37 GW offshore wind target, focusing on regions like Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, with dedicated roadmaps for growth.

By tackling these challenges, India can unlock its vast wind energy potential and play a crucial role in its transition to a low-carbon economy.

Model Answer

Mining

Excessive and indiscriminate sand mining, though economically beneficial, carries significant ecological costs that outweigh its financial benefits. Sand, a critical material for construction and manufacturing, is extracted from sources like riverbeds, coastal areas, and lakes. However, the over-exploitation of these resources leads to severe environmental consequences.

According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), sand and gravel account for 69-85% of the minerals mined annually, primarily driven by the rapid growth in construction and infrastructure development. This surge in demand has led to illegal and unsustainable sand mining practices, which result in the depletion of river systems at unsustainable rates.

Environmental Impact

Excessive sand mining causes several adverse effects on ecosystems:

1. Riverbed Depletion: Unregulated sand extraction disrupts the river ecosystem, causing erosion, reduced water quality, and the destabilization of riverbanks, which can damage infrastructure built on them.
2. Ecosystem Damage: The destruction of riparian habitats and increased erosion not only impacts biodiversity but also harms water transport and vital infrastructure like jetties and water intakes.
3. Groundwater Pollution: Mining in sensitive areas, such as fissures, prevents natural filtration, leading to groundwater contamination.
4. Flooding Risks: Mining alters bed elevations, increasing flood heights and the risk of damage to floodplain infrastructure.

Importance of Sustainable Sand Mining

Sustainable sand mining focuses on balancing ecological preservation with economic needs. It ensures:

• River and Ecosystem Conservation: Protects natural river dynamics, ensuring stable water flow and habitat restoration.
• Prevention of Pollution: By prohibiting mining in sensitive areas, it helps maintain groundwater quality and reduces flood risks.
• Government Initiatives: The Indian Government’s Sand Mining Framework promotes responsible practices, and the use of imported sand as an alternative helps reduce pressure on local ecosystems.

Conclusion

While sand mining contributes to the economy, its environmental costs—if not managed sustainably—pose a threat to both ecosystems and human infrastructure. Sustainable sand mining practices are critical to mitigate these adverse effects while still supporting economic growth.

मॉडल उत्तर

औद्योगिक आपदाएं क्या होती हैं?

औद्योगिक आपदाएं वे घटनाएं होती हैं, जो खतरनाक औद्योगिक सामग्री के कारण होती हैं और जिनका प्रभाव न केवल आसपास के लोगों पर, बल्कि पर्यावरण पर भी गंभीर पड़ सकता है। इन्हें तकनीकी आपदाएं भी कहा जाता है, क्योंकि ये प्राकृतिक नहीं, बल्कि मानवजनित होती हैं। इन घटनाओं के उदाहरणों में विस्फोट, रासायनिक रिसाव, और औद्योगिक आग प्रमुख हैं।

औद्योगिक आपदाओं के उदाहरण

1. विस्फोट: विस्फोट से उत्पन्न शॉकवेव, इमारतों के गिरने और कांच के टूटने से लोगों की मौत हो सकती है। उदाहरण के लिए, रूस का चेरनोबिल विस्फोट और कनाडा का हैलिफ़ैक्स विस्फोट।
2. रासायनिक रिसाव: जहरीली गैसों का रिसाव और जल स्रोतों का प्रदूषण गंभीर शारीरिक क्षति और मौत का कारण बन सकता है। 1984 की भोपाल गैस त्रासदी इसका एक प्रमुख उदाहरण है।
3. औद्योगिक आग: आग के कारण होने वाली दुर्घटनाएं बहुत आम हैं और इनसे लोगों को जलने की चोटें आती हैं। इसके अतिरिक्त, आग जहरीले धुएं भी उत्पन्न कर सकती है, जैसे कि नई दिल्ली में मुंडका आग।

औद्योगिक आपदाओं के जोखिम को कम करने के लिए संस्थागत ढांचा

1. रासायनिक जोखिम मूल्यांकन: औद्योगिक प्रक्रियाओं में संभावित खतरों का मूल्यांकन किया जाता है ताकि दुर्घटनाओं से बचा जा सके।
2. राष्ट्रीय आपदा प्रबंधन प्राधिकरण (NDMA): यह प्राधिकरण रासायनिक आपदाओं के लिए दिशानिर्देश और कारखानों के निरीक्षण के लिए सुधार कार्य करता है (स्रोत: NDMA)।
3. रासायनिक औद्योगिक आपदा प्रबंधन पर राष्ट्रीय कार्य योजना: यह योजना रासायनिक आपदाओं के लिए एक रोडमैप के रूप में कार्य करती है (स्रोत: भारत सरकार)।
4. अंतर्राष्ट्रीय दिशानिर्देश: WHO और OECD जैसे अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संगठन औद्योगिक आपदाओं की रोकथाम और प्रभावी प्रतिक्रिया के लिए दिशानिर्देश जारी करते हैं (स्रोत: WHO, OECD)।
5. कानूनी ढांचा: भारत में औद्योगिक आपदाओं से निपटने के लिए फैक्ट्री अधिनियम 1948, पर्यावरण संरक्षण अधिनियम 1986, और विस्फोटक अधिनियम 1884 जैसे विभिन्न अधिनियम मौजूद हैं (स्रोत: भारत सरकार)।

निष्कर्ष

औद्योगिक आपदाओं से बचने के लिए एक मजबूत संस्थागत ढांचे की आवश्यकता है, जिसमें कानूनी ढांचे, उचित प्रबंधन, और आपातकालीन योजनाओं का पालन किया जाए। बहु-हितधारक सहयोग और जागरूकता अभियान इन आपदाओं के जोखिम को कम करने में महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाते हैं।

Model Answer

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are crucial in managing disasters at the grassroots level due to their proximity to the local population. However, they face several challenges in performing effective disaster management:

1. Lack of Clarity in Roles and Responsibilities: According to the National Disaster Management Act (2005), the roles and responsibilities of PRIs in disaster management are not clearly defined. These are often left to the discretion of state governments, causing confusion and inefficiencies.
2. Inadequate Devolution of Powers: Many states fail to devolve sufficient powers to PRIs, which results in a lack of autonomy and resources for disaster management. Without necessary authority, PRIs struggle to execute disaster relief operations effectively.
3. Insufficient Funding: PRIs often face budgetary constraints as they do not receive enough financial resources. They are also bypassed by state-controlled departments during disaster response, limiting their capacity to mobilize resources.
4. Lack of Training and Preparedness: Elected representatives and PRI functionaries often lack training in disaster management techniques, reducing their ability to handle crises efficiently.

How the Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s Disaster Management Plan Can Help

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj’s Disaster Management Plan aims to address these challenges by strengthening the role of PRIs in disaster management:

1. Institutional Arrangements: The plan calls for establishing village committees and Panchayat-level working groups for planning, implementation, and monitoring disaster management activities.
2. Mainstreaming Community-Based Disaster Management Plans: Each village will have its own Village Disaster Management Plan (VDMP), which will be integrated into the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and further linked to Block and District Development Plans.
3. Hazard Risk and Vulnerability Mapping: The plan advocates for mapping vulnerabilities and risks, helping PRIs to prepare for natural disasters like floods, cyclones, and earthquakes in their respective areas.
4. Social Inclusion: The plan emphasizes the inclusion of vulnerable groups, such as children, the disabled, and marginalized communities, ensuring that disaster management strategies are inclusive.
5. Capacity Building: The plan includes competence-based training for PRI members to equip them with disaster management skills and knowledge.
6. Coordination and Convergence: It proposes coordinated efforts with various government agencies and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to ensure a more structured and unified approach to disaster response.

By addressing these issues, the Ministry’s Disaster Management Plan empowers PRIs, enabling them to play a more proactive and efficient role in disaster management at the grassroots level.

Model Answer

What is Land Pooling?

Land pooling is a strategic approach to land acquisition where a single agency or government body consolidates smaller land parcels into a larger one. This process includes developing necessary infrastructure and returning a significant portion of the redeveloped land to the original landowners after deducting costs for the infrastructure development. Currently, this strategy is being implemented in regions like Delhi and Andhra Pradesh.

Advantages of Land Pooling

For Landowners:

1. Increased Land Value: Landowners benefit from substantial increases in land value compared to their original holdings, resulting in better financial returns.
2. Improved Infrastructure: They gain access to enhanced infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals, which improves their quality of life.
3. Regularization of Land: The pooling process transforms irregular land parcels into regular plots, making them suitable for further development.
4. Sense of Belonging: By not displacing original owners, the strategy fosters a sense of attachment to their land.

For the Government:

1. No Initial Cost: The government avoids upfront payments for land acquisition, making the process economically viable.
2. Reduced Resistance: Treating landowners as stakeholders reduces resistance to land acquisition efforts.
3. Faster Development: It accelerates the traditional land acquisition process while addressing social concerns.
4. Higher Tax Revenue: Increased property values lead to a larger tax base for the government.
5. Public-Private Collaboration: The approach enhances cooperation between private developers and the government, benefiting all parties involved.

Challenges of Land Pooling

1. Consent Issues: There are ongoing debates regarding whether proper consent has been obtained from landowners, as development pressures may lead to compulsory pooling.
2. Compensation Gaps: Compensation and resettlement provisions often overlook tenant farmers and agricultural laborers, leaving them inadequately supported.
3. Legal Complexities: Inconsistencies in the legal framework complicate the acquisition process, especially in densely populated urban areas.
4. Restarting Agriculture: High costs are associated with re-establishing farming on reconstituted plots, including the need for new equipment.

Given these challenges, addressing the legal and social implications of land pooling is crucial for its success, especially in light of the provisions set forth in the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 (source: Ministry of Rural Development). This act adds complexity through requirements like social impact assessments and mandatory consents, which must be effectively navigated for successful implementation.