Daily Answer Writing

Model Answer

Introduction

The practice of crop residue and stubble burning in North India, particularly in states like Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan, continues to pose a significant threat to the environment, public health, and agricultural productivity. Despite government efforts to curb this practice, it remains a prevalent issue due to the short window between harvesting paddy and sowing wheat. Addressing this problem requires comprehensive and sustainable solutions.

Environmental and Health Hazards

Stubble burning results in the emission of harmful pollutants such as methane (CH4), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These pollutants contribute to severe air pollution, notably in Delhi, where smog has become a recurring problem. The toxic emissions from stubble burning directly affect human health, causing respiratory problems and increasing the incidence of various diseases.

Impact on Soil and Agriculture

Burning stubble also has a detrimental effect on soil fertility. The fire destroys essential nutrients in the soil, leading to reduced fertility and increased soil erosion. Additionally, the heat generated by the fires causes moisture loss and kills beneficial soil microbes, further reducing agricultural productivity.

Holistic Solutions

1. Enzyme-Based Decomposition: Spraying enzymes to break down the stubble into bio-fertilizer is an effective way to recycle the residue, reducing air pollution and enriching the soil.
2. Utilization of Crop Residue: Instead of burning, stubble can be used in various ways, including cattle feed, mushroom cultivation, and even bioethanol production. The establishment of “Rice Bio Parks,” as suggested by M.S. Swaminathan, can help promote these alternatives.
3. Biogas Plants: Setting up biogas plants that run on stubble could provide an environmentally friendly alternative to burning, while also generating renewable energy. Demonstrating the benefits of stubble incorporation in fields could further encourage adoption.
4. Government Incentives and Awareness: Programs like the Balloh village initiative, which offered subsidies for not burning stubble, can be expanded across North India. A coordinated approach involving local panchayats, NGOs, and government agencies is essential to drive long-term change.

Conclusion

To effectively address the problem of stubble burning, a multi-faceted approach is required. It must include technological interventions, government support, and farmer participation. By promoting sustainable alternatives, offering incentives, and raising awareness, it is possible to mitigate the adverse effects of this practice on the environment and public health.

Model Answer

Introduction

After being declared extinct in 1952, cheetahs are being reintroduced in India under Project Cheetah, the world’s first inter-continental large wild carnivore translocation project. This effort aims to restore the presence of cheetahs, a top predator that plays a vital role in maintaining ecological balance.

Significance of Identifying Potential Sites

Identifying appropriate sites for reintroduction is crucial for ensuring the long-term survival of cheetahs in India. Ten potential sites across Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh have been identified, including Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserve, Kuno-Palpur, and Shahgarh Landscape in Jaisalmer. Each site offers unique advantages, such as habitat suitability and prey availability, contributing to a sustainable cheetah population.

1. Restoring Ecological Balance: Cheetahs, as top predators, help regulate prey populations and maintain biodiversity in grassland and open forest ecosystems.
2. Conservation of Other Species: By protecting cheetah habitats, India can conserve other endangered species like the Great Indian Bustard and cheetah prey.
3. Boosting Local Economy: Cheetah conservation may enhance eco-tourism and support livelihoods in nearby communities through eco-development projects.

Challenges in Reintroduction

1. Low Prey Density: Some potential sites, such as Sanjay-Dubri and Kuno-Palpur, need more prey development to support cheetahs.
2. Human-Wildlife Conflict: Cheetahs require large territories, and their tendency to roam outside protected areas may bring them into conflict with humans and livestock.
3. Predator Competition: Cheetahs may face threats from larger predators like tigers and leopards, which could limit their survival.
4. Climate Adaptation: African cheetahs might struggle to adapt to India’s unique climate and landscapes.
5. Community Displacement: The relocation of local villages for habitat creation presents socio-economic challenges and could lead to opposition.

In summary, while reintroducing cheetahs is significant for ecosystem conservation, challenges like prey scarcity, competition, and human interactions must be addressed for the project’s success.

Model Answer

Gandhiji’s Initiatives in Champaran

Gandhiji’s initiatives in Champaran, Ahmedabad, and Kheda profoundly established him as a nationalist with deep sympathy for the underprivileged. These movements not only highlighted his commitment to social justice but also demonstrated his unique approach to leadership through Satyagraha.

Champaran Satyagraha (1917)

In Champaran, the exploitation of indigo farmers by European planters under the tinkathia system compelled Gandhiji to act. The planters forced farmers to grow indigo on a substantial portion of their land, despite the emergence of synthetic dyes threatening the indigo market. Gandhiji’s intervention led to the formation of an Enquiry Committee, resulting in the Champaran Agrarian Act, which abolished the tinkathia system and addressed tenant grievances (Source: National Archives of India).

Ahmedabad Mill Strike (1918)

In Ahmedabad, Gandhiji advocated for better working conditions for textile mill workers. When mill owners breached an agreement for wage increases, Gandhiji organized a strike and undertook a fast to unite the workers. This effort resulted in a 35% wage increase, showcasing his dedication to labor rights and his ability to rally marginalized communities (Source: “Gandhi: A Biography” by Indian author, Joseph Lelyveld).

Kheda Tax Resistance (1918)

In Kheda, after crop failures, Gandhiji joined farmers in demanding tax remission. Leading the Gujarat Sabha, he encouraged peasants to withhold tax payments, prompting the government to allow tax recovery only from those who could afford it. This action demonstrated his profound empathy for the agrarian community and his commitment to their welfare (Source: “The Story of My Experiments with Truth” by Mahatma Gandhi).

Conclusion

Through these initiatives, Gandhiji connected deeply with the common people, employing vernacular language and embodying their struggles. His actions consolidated a powerful following, establishing him as a compassionate leader who prioritized the welfare of the poor, thus setting the stage for future national movements against British oppression

Model Answer

Capital account convertibility (CAC) refers to the ability to convert local currency into foreign currency freely for investment transactions. It allows for unrestricted capital inflows and outflows, making it a form of Capital Asset Liberalisation. Currently, India practices full convertibility in the current account but maintains partial convertibility in the capital account. The Tarapore Committee Reports of 1997 and 2006 outlined a gradual approach toward achieving full CAC.

Advantages of Full Capital Account Convertibility

1. Improved Access to International Markets: Full CAC encourages foreign investment, leading to enhanced economic growth and liberalization. This would attract global investors looking for opportunities in India.
2. Financial Efficiency: An open capital account exposes the financial sector to global competition, fostering specialization and innovation. This can potentially reduce the cost of capital for businesses.
3. Increased Investment Choices: Indian residents would have the flexibility to base their investment decisions on global interest rates, allowing them to invest in foreign securities and assets, thereby enhancing their financial well-being.
4. Risk Hedging: Full CAC enables diversification of investment portfolios, allowing investors to protect the real value of their assets against domestic economic fluctuations.

Disadvantages of Full Capital Account Convertibility

1. Outflow of Domestic Savings: The risk of capital flight increases, as seen during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, when speculative activities led to significant capital outflows from several countries.
2. Tax Evasion: Full CAC could diminish the government’s ability to effectively tax domestic financial activities, thereby reducing public revenue.
3. Cost-Push Inflation: Market-determined exchange rates may exceed official rates, potentially raising import prices and contributing to inflation.
4. Economic Disruptions: Poor management of CAC could result in currency depreciation, affecting trade and capital flows negatively.

Preconditions for Full Convertibility

The Tarapore Committee set preconditions for full CAC, such as maintaining a fiscal deficit below 3.5% of GDP and an inflation rate between 3-5% over three years. These conditions need to be met for the potential benefits of CAC to be realized.

Conclusion

While full capital account convertibility presents significant advantages in terms of financial access and efficiency, it also poses substantial risks that must be managed carefully. India must address the outlined preconditions to harness the benefits of CAC effectively.

Model Answer

Geomorphic processes shape the Earth’s surface through both internal and external forces. These processes are categorized as endogenic and exogenic, each with distinct characteristics.

Endogenic Processes

Location and Driving Forces

Endogenic processes occur within the Earth’s crust. They are driven by internal energy sources such as radioactivity, primordial heat, and tidal friction (Source: Geomorphology Texts).

Effects and Nature

These processes are primarily constructive, creating new landforms like mountains and volcanic islands through mechanisms such as diastrophism and volcanism. For example, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions exemplify endogenic activity, leading to significant geological changes (Source: Geoscience Literature).

Exogenic Processes

Location and Driving Forces

In contrast, exogenic processes take place on the Earth’s surface and are powered by external forces, particularly solar energy and atmospheric conditions (Source: Earth Science Resources).

Effects and Nature
Exogenic processes, including weathering, erosion, and mass wasting, are generally destructive. They break down and transport materials, reshaping landscapes through natural forces like wind, water, and ice (Source: Environmental Geology Studies).

Importance of Weathering

Weathering is a critical exogenic process involving the breakdown of rocks due to atmospheric and climatic conditions. It prepares materials for erosion and mass movements by fragmenting rocks into smaller pieces, which are essential for soil formation (Source: Soil Science Journals).

Additionally, weathering significantly influences biodiversity as it affects soil depth and quality, which in turn supports vegetation. The process also plays a vital role in altering landforms and enriching ore deposits of valuable minerals such as iron and copper, contributing to the economy (Source: Economic Geology Reports).

In summary, while endogenic processes build the Earth’s surface from within, exogenic processes, particularly weathering, are essential for breaking down materials and shaping the environment.