[Mission 2023] SECURE SYNOPSIS: 22 March 2023 - INSIGHTSIAS (2023)

NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same

General Studies – 1

Topic: geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

1. Groundwater plays an important role in providing water supply for various purposes, including domestic, agricultural, and industrial. However, the overexploitation of groundwater and other factors pose a threat to its sustainability. Evaluate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India

Why the question:

Over the last decade, groundwater plunged by 0.59 m from 6.27 metres below ground level (mbgl) to 6.86 mbgl. According to the latest Central Groundwater Board report, in 2013 the occurrence of fluoride in groundwater was as high as 4.95 milligrams per litre. This is almost four times higher than the permissible limit of fluoride in drinking water as prescribed by the World Health Organization.

Key Demand of the question:

To write importance of ground water, the limitations in the present approach of its utilisation and changes required to it.

Directive word:

Evaluate – When you are asked to evaluate, you have to pass a sound judgement about the truth of the given statement in the question or the topic based on evidence. You must appraise the worth of the statement in question. There is scope for forming an opinion here.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by giving statistic related to the status of ground water in the county.

Body:

First, write about the importance of groundwater.

Next, write about the issues in the present approach towards utilisation of ground water – Overexploitation of groundwater and intensive irrigation in major canal commands has posed serious problems for groundwater managers in India. Depletion of water tables, saltwater encroachment, drying of aquifers, groundwater pollution, water logging and salinity, etc. are major consequences of overexploitation and intensive irrigation.

Next, write about the changes that are needed to be taken in the new approach in order to ensure sustainable use of groundwater.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Today, India is the largest user of thegroundwaterin the world with almost 90% being used for drinking water and around 85% for irrigation. Over the last decade, groundwater plunged by 0.59 m from 6.27 metres below ground level (mbgl) to 6.86 mbgl. According to the latest Central Groundwater Board report, in 2013 the occurrence of fluoride in groundwater was as high as 4.95 milligrams per litre. This is almost four times higher than the permissible limit of fluoride in drinking water as prescribed by the World Health Organization.

Current statistics also show that nearly 50% of urban water supply comes from groundwater. India is the largest groundwater-user globally, at an estimated 251 cubic kilometres per year, followed by China and Pakistan, according to the report. India is on the threshold of a very serious groundwater crisis, which needs mitigation both in the fields and at the policy corridors of the country.

Body

Importance of groundwater

• Groundwater is the backbone of India’s agricultureand drinking water security in rural and urban areas
• It meets nearly 80% of the country’s drinking waterand two-thirds of its irrigation needs.
• Groundwateris pivotal to India’s water security.

Problems with groundwater depletion

• Lowering of the water table
• Reduction of water in streams and lakes
• Land subsidence: A lack of groundwater limits biodiversity and dangerous sinkholes result from depleted aquifers.
• Increased costs for the user
• Deterioration of water quality
• Saltwater contamination can occur.
• Crop production decrease from lack of water availability (40% of global food production relies on groundwater).
• Groundwater depletion interrupts the ‘natural’ water cycle putting disproportionately more water into the sea.
• As large aquifers are depleted, food supply and people will suffer.

Initiatives for the effective management and regulation of groundwater:

• Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY):It looks to inculcate behavioral change made possible by incentivisation.
• National Project on Aquifer Management (NAQUIM):It envisages the mapping of subsurface water bearing geological formations (aquifers) to help gather authentic data and enable informed decision-making.
• There are around 65,025 groundwater monitoring stations in India, which include 7,885 automated stations.
• Samples from fixed locationsare obtained to check for the presence of heavy and trace metals.
• A software,‘India-Groundwater Resource Estimation System (IN-GRES)’,has also been developed.

Measures needed

• The government should develop policies to determine which crops should be grown in which region according to the water availability, which “has not been the focus.” For instance, Punjab has a semi-arid climate but it grows rice, which depletes groundwater and is “highly unsustainable.”
• The traditional flood irrigation in India accounts for huge water loss through evapotranspiration. Drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation must be used for efficient utilisation of water.
• There should be restrictions to cut off the access to groundwater in areas identified as “critical” and “dark zones”, where the water table is overused or very low.
• There is a need to treat water as common resource rather than private property to prevent its overexploitation
• Problems and issues such as water logging, salinity, agricultural toxins, and industrial effluents, all need to be properly looked into.
• Government has initiated schemes like DRIP programme, more drop per crop, Krishi Sinchai Yojana to ensure economical water use practices in agriculture.
• Bottom-up approach by empowering the local community to become active participants in managing groundwater.
• Creating regulatory options at the community level such as panchayat is also one among the feasible solutions.
• Traditional methods of water conservation should be encouraged to minimize the depletion of water resources.
• Artificial recharge of tube wells, water reuse, afforestation, scientific methods of agriculture should also be done.

Way forward

• The Theme of UN World Water Day 2022: ‘Groundwater, Making the Invisible Visible’ is a reflection of the importance given to the resource across the globe.
• A heli-borne based survey (state-of-the-art technology),has also been used along with traditional exploratory methods for rapid and accurate aquifer mapping.
• Region-wise aquifer managementplansare being prepared and shared with States.
• Dynamic groundwater assessmentswill be done annually now and a groundwater estimation committee formed to revise the assessment methodology.
• The positive change in groundwater:It reflects the spirit of cooperative federalism in managing this precious resource.
  • Around37(nine point three seven) BCM of additional groundwater potential was created through artificial water conservation structures
• India will need adequate groundwater resourcesto manage anthropogenic pressures.
• It is important to ensure source sustainabilityto provide safe drinking water to all ruralhouseholds by 2024, under the Jal Jeevan Mission.
• Communities will have to manage their groundwater resourcesbetter with the help of various government agencies and non-governmental organizations.
• Find solutionsthat are essential for sustainable development.
• Steps must be taken to make India a water surplus nation,thus fulfilling the objective of a key United Nations Sustainable Development Goal, of water for all.

Conclusion

Sustainable management of groundwater in India is vital for tackling growing challenges related to water availability. The effective answer to the groundwater crisis is to integrate conservation and development activities, from water extraction to water management, at the local level; making communities aware and involving them fully is therefore critical for success.

Topic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.

2. Extreme heat waves as climate change worsens could adversely impact our economic output unless we adopt mitigative measures. Examine. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Tough

Reference: Live Mint ,Insights on India

Why the question:

The heatwave that rippled across India earlier this month had not just left us sweltering, but also sparked fears that the winter crop could wilt because of rising temperatures.

Directive word:

Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Briefly introduce the issue of increasing heatwaves in India.

See Also

Incredible India: An essential guide for first-time visitorsAssam’s rural solar scheme fails to keep the lights onMarketing strategy for ganga water purifierMekong-Ganga Dialogue: Learning to manage river basins | ORF

Body:

In the first part of the body, examine the impact of heatwaves – high temperatures and humidity can lead to heat exhaustion, dehydration, and other health. Use examples and statistics to support your argument.

In the next part, discuss the measures that can be taken to mitigate the impact of heatwaves – discuss the role of the government, employers, and workers in addressing the impact of heatwaves etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude with a way forward.

Introduction

Heat waveis a period of abnormally high temperatures, more than the normal maximum temperature that occurs during the pre-monsoon (April to June) summer season. According toIndian Meteorological Department, Heat wave is considered if maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40°C or more for Plains, 37°C or more for coastal stations and at least 30°C or more for Hilly regions.

The heatwave that rippled across India earlier this month had not just left us sweltering, but also sparked fears that the winter crop could wilt because of rising temperatures.

Body

Impacts of Heatwaves

Economic:

• TheLancet countdown on health and climatehas reported thatIndia was particularly affectedby therising frequency of heatwave eventsandlost about 75 billion hours of work, a significant part of it in theagricultural sector.
• India lost nearly 75 billion hours of labour in 2017 as a result of rising temperatures.
• This made sustained work increasingly difficult and negatively affecting workers’ output.
• The agriculture sector experienced the largest increase in labour loss.
• Almost 153 billion hours of labour were lost globally in 2017 due to heat, an increase of 62 billion hours from the year 2000.
• Agriculture sector was more vulnerable compared to the industrial and service sectors because workers there were more likely to be exposed to heat.
• Since 1990, every region of the globe has become steadily more vulnerable to extreme increases of heat.

Social:

• Heatwaves are associated with increased rates of heat stress and heat stroke, worsening heart failure and acute kidney injury from dehydration.
• Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing morbidities are particularly vulnerable.
• Promote the spread of diseases like cholera and dengue fever across endemic areas.
• Increased poverty due to failure of crops and reduced economic activities.

On human health:

• Extreme heat can lead to dangerous, even deadly, consequences, including heat stress and heatstroke.
• Severe heat stroke can lead to multiple organ failure, seizures, and death.
• Children, the elderly and those with pre-existing morbidities are particularly vulnerable.
• Heat wave also cause death of cattle and wildlife besides affecting animals in various zoos in India.

Way forward:

• In 2016, the National Disaster Management Agency prepared guidelines for state governments to formulate action plans for the prevention and management of heat waves, outlining four key strategies:
  • Forecasting heat waves and enabling an early warning system
  • Building capacity of healthcare professionals to deal with heat wave-related emergencies
  • Community outreach through various media
  • Inter-agency cooperation as well as engagement with other civil society organizations in the region.
• Scientific Approach:
  • Climate data from the last 15-20 years can be correlated with the mortality and morbidity data to prepare a heat stress index and city-specific threshold.
  • Vulnerable areas and population could be identified by using GIS and satellite imagery for targeted actions.
• Advance implementation oflocal Heat Action Plans, plus effective inter-agency coordination is a vital response which the government can deploy in order to protect vulnerable groups.
• This will require identification of “heat hot spots”, analysis of meteorological data and allocation of resources to crisis-prone areas.
• TheIndia Cooling Action Planmust emphasize the urgency and need for better planning, zoning and building regulations to prevent Urban Heat Islands.
• Provision of public messaging(radio, TV), mobile phone-based text messages, automated phone calls and alerts.
• Promotion of traditional adaptation practices, such as staying indoors and wearing comfortable clothes.
• Popularisation of simple design features such as shaded windows, underground water storage tanks and insulating housing materials.

Value addition

State actions towards Heat waves assessing their geographic variations:

• Key element of many states response strategy has been enhancing health risk communications on the impact of heat waves and how citizens can take simple steps to reduce their exposure and protect their health.
• Andhra Pradesh:
  • Andhra Pradesh has strong inter-agency coordination across multiple departments
  • Andhra Pradesh has also set up 1168 stations approximately one for every hundred square kilometers for weather forecasting and modelling.
  • It has developed a mobile app to disseminate information about heat waves and advice on precautionary steps; the app is available in English and Telugu.
• Telangana:
  • Telangana developed one of the first state-wide heat action plans in 2016.
  • The state is now integrating the heat action plan with its action plan on climate change.
  • The Telangana plan focuses on training district officials and health staff
• Odisha:
  • It has declared heat waves as a state specific disaster.
  • It is developing local thresholds and analyzing vulnerability of communities in different parts of the state.
  • Odisha’s activities focus on awareness raising, capacity building and training of healthcare staff, interagency coordination, and enabling provision of water for vulnerable communities.
• Various states and municipalities have introduced early warning systems, public awareness campaigns and increased training for medical professionals.
• Ahmedabad, Nagpur and Odisha have made pioneering efforts with respect to heat-health warning systems (HHWS).
• Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC)has adopted a heat action plan which necessitates measures such as building heat shelters, ensuring availability of water and removing neonatal ICU from the top floor of hospitals.
• Such warning systems include providing weather forecasts in advance, issuing warnings to people, providing readiness of emergency response systems, and preparing doctors and health facilities to handle a sudden influx of patients. Warnings facilitate people in taking appropriate actions against heat-related harm.
• Access to cool environments remains the mainstay of preventing heat stress:
• In rural areas, where electricity access is a challenge, supplementing power supply of primary health centres with solar-based systems should be undertaken. Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Tripura have already deployed such systems.

General Studies – 2

Topic: India and its neighborhood- relations.

3. The India-Japan relationship is facing challenges due to the changing global geopolitical scenario. Analyse the challenges and suggest measures to address them. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: The Hindu ,Insights on India

Why the question:

The article highlights the challenges in the India-Japan relationship and the need for both countries to address them.

Key Demand of the question:

To analyse the challenges facing the India-Japan relationship and suggest measures to address them.

Directive word:

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

(Video) Core Batch 2023 Orientation Session by Vinay Sir @ Delhi

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Start with a brief overview of the India-Japan relationship and the recent developments that have impacted it.

Body:

First, write about the challenges in the India-Japan relationship, such as the changing geopolitical scenario, China’s increasing assertiveness in the region, the Quad’s emergence, and the impact of the pandemic on the global economy.

Next, suggest measures to address these challenges – deepen their economic ties and work together to address the challenges posed by China’s assertiveness in the region., promote a free and open Indo-Pacific., cooperation in areas such as healthcare, vaccines, and pharmaceuticals etc.

Conclusion:

Conclude by emphasizing the importance of the India-Japan relationship and the need for both countries to address the challenges they are facing.

Introduction

General Studies – 3

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

4. Wetlands are highly diverse ecosystems that provide various benefits to the environment and society. Protecting and restoring wetlands is essential for conservation efforts globally. Elucidate. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Easy

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To write about the importance of wetland ecosystem and need to protect them.

Directive word:

Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by defining a wetland and its types.

Body:

Write about the various functions performed by a wetland- water-related ecosystem services, productive areas for plant life and animals, major habitat for most of the world’s waterbirds and key habitat for migratory species, important source of food and high recreational, historical, scientific, and cultural values.

Next, write about the major threats faced by wetlands and steps that are needed protect and conserve them.

Conclusion:

Conclude by writing a way forward.

Introduction

Wetlandsareecotones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They get periodically get inundated with water. They support a flourishing community of aquatic organisms including frogs and other amphibians. Swamps, marshes and mangroves are examples of wetlands. Wetlands are indispensable for the countless benefits or “ecosystem services” that they provide humanity, ranging from freshwater supply, food and building materials, and biodiversity, to flood control, groundwater recharge, and climate change mitigation.

Body

major types of wetlands across the world

• Swamps: A swamp is a wetland permanently saturated with water and dominated by trees, and are of two types
  • Freshwater Swamps
    • Freshwater swamps often form on flat land around lakes or streams, where the water table is high and runoff is slow
    • Water-tolerant plants, such as cattails, lotus, and cypress, grow in the swamp’s wet soil. These plants are key to maintaining the swamp’s ecosystem
    • Freshwater swamps are common in tropical areas near the Equator.
  • Saltwater Swamps
    • Formation of these swamps begins with bare flats of mud or sand that are thinly covered by seawater during high tides.
    • The brackish water of saltwater swamps is not entirely seawater, but not entirely freshwater, either
    • The Sundarbans, a saltwater swamp in India and Bangladesh, has the largest mangrove forest in the world
  • Marshes
    • North and south of the tropics, swamps give way to marshes.
    • These wetlands form a flat, grassy fringe near river mouths, in bays, and along coastlines. Many are alternately flooded and exposed by the movement of tides.
    • Marshes are often divided into
      • Freshwater Marshes
        • Freshwater marshes, often found hundreds of kilometers from the coast, are dominated by grasses and aquatic plants. These marshes often develop around lakes and streams.
        • Many freshwater marshes lie in the prairie pothole region of North America, the heart of which extends from central Canada through the northern Midwest of the United States.
      • Saltwater Marshes
        • Salt marshes are some of the richest ecosystems for biodiversity. Dominated by grasses, they provide food and shelter for algae, fungi, shellfish, fish, amphibians, and reptiles.
        • A few mangrove trees may dot saltwater marshes, but they are dominated by grasses and a layer of algae called an algal mat. This algal mat is home to many insects and amphibians.
      • Bogs
        • Swamps and marshes are generally found in warm climates. Bogs are more common in cold or even Arctic areas in North America, Europe, and Asia.
        • Bogs are often called moors or fens in Europe, and muskegs in Canada.
        • Like many wetlands, bogs develop in areas where the water table, or the upper surface of underground water, is high
        • The oldest, partially decayed vegetation at the bottom of the bog forms a thick, spongy mat calledpeat.
        • Unlike other wetlands, bogs usually are not agriculturally fertile. The amount of acid in the soil and water is generally higher than that in swamps or marshes.
        • Because of the limited species of plants, bogs do not have the biodiversity common in other types of wetlands

Critical role played by Wetlands in the Ecological conservation of Earth:

• Carbon Sequestration:Swamps, mangroves, peat lands, mires and marshes play an important role in carbon cycle. Wetland soils may contain as much as 200 times more carbon than its vegetation.
  • Eg: In India, coastal wetlands are playing a major role in carbon sequestration. The total extent of coastal ecosystems (including mangroves) in India is around 43000 km. Overall, mangroves are able to sequester about 1.5 metric tonne of carbon per hectare per year and the upper layers of mangrove sediments have high carbon content, with conservative estimates indicating the levels of 10 percent.
• Flood attenuation: Wetlands function as natural sponges that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. Many water-stressed regions in South Africa are subject to high intensity rainfall over very short periods, often resulting in flash floods. Wetlands are effective in spreading out and slowing down floodwaters, thereby reducing the severity of floods downstream.
  • Eg: A large network of lakes and ponds in major cities like Srinagar, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad were constructed with the objective of flood control
• Regulation of stream flow & groundwater recharge:wetlands are often compared to sponges, in their ability to absorb water in wet periods, and release it during dry periods. The absorption thus helps in groundwater recharging too.
  • Eg: floodplains of rivers like Ganga and Brahmaputra
• Nutrient assimilation & recycling: removal by the wetland of phosphates and nitrates carried by runoff water. This takes place through the presence of wetland vegetation and the action of anaerobic bacteria (which would otherwise not exist in fast-flowing, energized streams or rivers). Thus, they help innutrients recyclingand they carry outwater purificationby filtration of sediments and nutrients from surface water.
• Erosion control:wetlands can limit the extent of erosion, predominantly through the protection provided by vegetation, and through their ability to reduce stream flow velocity. Buffer (act as a riparian buffer) shorelines against erosion and pollutants.
  • Eg:the mangroves along the sea shores, especially on the western coast in West Bengal and Odisha have been playing a major role in protecting the coastal environment from the destruction of cyclones that frequently emanate in the Bay of Bengal.
• Microclimate regulation:Wetland ecosystems play an important role in regulating local and regional climatesthrough evaporative cooling effectsthat affect the exchange of energy and water with atmosphere.
  • Eg:For every land cover type in wetlands, vegetation has a better stabilizing effect on temperature, whereas a water body has a better stabilizing effect on wind speed and humidity. Dal lake in Kashmir has a cooling effect on surroundings.
• Promotes Biodiversity:Wetlands are important in supporting species diversity. Because wetlands provide an environment where photosynthesis can occur and where the recycling of nutrients can take place, they play a significant role in the support of food chains.
  • Eg: In India lakes, rivers and other freshwater bodies support a large diversity of biota representing almost all taxonomic groups. For example, freshwater ecosystems of Western Ghats alone have 290 species of fish. Similarly, Loktak Lake is famous for being the only refuge of the endangered Sangai (Manipur brow-antlered deer).
• Productive Ecosystem:Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs. An immense variety of species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals can be part of a wetland ecosystem.
  • Eg:In many such wetland areas of India, like Bharatpur wild life sanctuary in Rajasthan, and little Rann of Kutch and coastal areas of Saurashtra in Gujarat, many migratory species of birds, including siberian crane, from western and European countries come during winter.
• Promotes Genetic diversity:They act as a genetic reservoir for various species of plants, especially rice.
• Tourism:Wet-lands such as coral reefs, beaches, reservoirs, lakes and rivers are considered to be a significant part of the tourism experience in the country.
  • For instance, as per an estimate, every year, around seven million tourist visit Kerala’s backwaters, beaches and wildlife sanctuaries, 3 million visit Uttarakhand’s lakes and other natural wetlands and one million visit Dal lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
• Cultural Significance: Wetlands especially lakes and ponds are intrinsically linked to the local culture. They are revered by the masses in recognition of the fact that they are the means of sustenance of their livelihood.
  • Eg: Pushkar lake in Rajasthan and Ramappa lake in Telangana

Threats to wetlands

Measures needed

• Protection: The primary necessity today is to protect the existing wetlands. Of the many wetlands in India only around 68 wetlands are protected. But there are thousands of other wetlands that are biologically and economically important but have no legal status.
• Planning, managing and monitoring: Wetlands that come under the Protected area network have management plans but others do not. It is important for various stakeholders along with the local community and corporate sector to come together for an effective management plan. Active monitoring of these wetland systems over a period of time is essential.
• Comprehensive inventory: There has been no comprehensive inventory of all the Indian wetlands despite the efforts by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Asian Wetland Bureau and World Wide Fund for Nature. The inventory should involve the flora, fauna, and biodiversity along with values. It should take into account the various stakeholders in the community too.
• Legislation: Although several laws protect wetlands there is no special legislation pertaining specially to these ecosystems.Environment Impact Assessmentneeded for major development projects highlighting threats to wetlands need to be formulated.
• Coordinated approach: Since wetlands are common property with multi-purpose utility, their protection and management also need to be a common responsibility.
• Research: There is a necessity for research in the formulation of national strategy to understand the dynamics of these ecosystems. This could be useful for the planners to formulate strategies for the mitigation of pollution.
• Building awareness: For achieving any sustainable success in the protection of these wetlands, awareness among the general public, educational and corporate institutions must be created.

Conclusion

Communities engage with wetlands in various ways – from seeking livelihoods to spiritual fulfilment. The values community hold for wetlands are expressed in diverse ways. It is important to integrate community linkages in wetlands management planning, and incentivize community stewardship. This is crucial as over 85% of wetlands in India are in the form of village ponds and tanks.

Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

5. In India, mangroves serve as important habitats for marine life and provide critical ecosystem services but are becoming increasingly vulnerable due to ecological fragility and climate change. Analyse. (250 words)

Difficulty level: Moderate

Reference: Insights on India

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 3 and mentioned as part of Mission-2023 Secure timetable.

Key Demand of the question:

To explain the importance of mangroves and to bring out the various threats faced by them.

Directive:

Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin the answer by briefly writing about mangroves and their ecosystem.

Body:

You can draw simple and illustrative of map showing important mangroves.

Write about the role of mangroves as the first line of defense against erosion and flooding. Also mention about the other ecological benefits of mangroves as well as its unique flora and fauna.

Next, write about the various threats that mangroves are facing which is making them ecologically fragile and climatically vulnerable such as Coastal development, clearing for agriculture, excessive Aquaculture &Salt Production, River changes: Dams and irrigation, Destruction of coral reefs, Pollution and Climate change etc. Cite necessary examples, facts and figures to substantiate your point.

Conclusion:

Write a way forward to protect the Mangrove ecosystem of India.

Introduction

Mangrovesare the characteristic littoral plant formation of tropical and subtropical sheltered coastlines. They exhibit remarkable capacity forsalt water tolerance, strong wind velocity, varying tides and high temperature. E.g.: Rhizophora, Avicenia, Bruguiera etc. Total cover of Mangroves in India is about4,975 sq kmas per latestState of Forest Report 2019.

Body

Ecological Services by Mangroves:

• Mangrove plants have (additional) special roots such asprop roots, pneumatophoreswhich help to impede water flow and thereby enhance the deposition of sediment in areas (where it is already occurring), stabilize the coastal shores, provide breeding ground for fishes.
• Mangroves moderate monsoonal tidal floods and reduce inundation of coastal lowlands.
• They prevent coastal soil erosion.
• They protect coastal lands from tsunami, hurricanes and floods.
• Mangroves enhance natural recycling of nutrients.
• Mangrove supports numerous flora, avifauna and wild life.
• Provide a safe and favourable environment for breeding, spawning, rearing of several fishes.
• They supply woods, fire wood, medicinal plants and edible plants to local people.
• They provide numerous employment opportunities to local communities and augments their livelihood.

Threats to Mangroves:

A scientific study reported that 100 per cent of mangrove species, 92 per cent of mangrove associates, 60.8 per cent of algae, 23.8 per cent of invertebrates and 21.1 per cent of fish are under threat.

Natural forces due to climate change:

• Sea-level rise:Mangrove systems do not keep pace with changing sea-level and fall
• Extreme high-water events: affect the position and health including through altered sediment elevation and sulphide soil toxicity
• Storms:increase damage to mangroves through defoliation and tree mortality and they collapse
• Precipitation:decreased rainfall and increased evaporation will increase salinity, decreasing net primary productivity, growth
• Temperature:Changing species composition, Changing phenological patterns (e.g., timing of flowering and fruiting)
• Ocean circulation patterns:affect mangrove propagule dispersal and the genetic structure of mangrove populations, with concomitant effects on mangrove community structure.

Anthropogenic activities:

• Mangroves are being destroyed and facing severe threats due tourbanization, industrialization, and discharge of domestic sewage, industrial effluents and pesticides.
• Saltpans and aquaculturealso pose major threat to the mangroves.
• 40% of mangrove forests in West Coast of India have been converted intofarmlands and housing coloniesover the last three decades.
• Some of the mangrove species like Bruguiera cylindrica and Sonneratia acida are at theverge of extinction.
• Due to shrimp farming, about35,000 ha of mangroves have been lostin India.

Scientific Management of Mangroves

• Nationwide mapping of the mangrove areas, by remote sensing techniques coupled with land surveys, and time series to assess the rate of degradation of the ecosystems.
• Quantitative surveys of area, climatic regime, rate of growth of forest trees and seasonal variations of environmental parameters.
• Inclusion of mangrove species under threat in theIUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)Red list.Sonneratia griffithii in India
• Assessment of suitable sites for reserve forests.: Artificial regeneration through mangrove nurseries or aerial seeding.
• Joint management of mangroves withlocal community participation.
• Disease and pest control.:Crab cuts are prevented by painting hypocotyls in yellow or Placing seedlings inside bamboo containers.
• Afforestation of degraded mangrove areas;
• Study of management methods, the ecology of mangroves, their flora and fauna, their microbiology and the biochemistry of organic matter and sediments.
• Mangroves for Futureis a unique partner-led initiative for coastal ecosystem conservation. This project is being coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) covering, initially, eight countries (including India) in South Asia, South East Asia and Western Indian Ocean, for the protection of the mangroves.
• The mangroves have been afforded protection underCategory I (ecologically sensitive) of the CRZ.

Conclusion:

Anincrease of 54 sq. kmin mangrove cover has been observed as notes in SFR 2019. There is a need to build on this progress for stabilization of low-lying coastal lands. Mangroves being natural filters of pollutants from water, it becomes even more necessary to conserve them.

Value addition

Characteristics:

• Mangroves are salt tolerant trees, also calledhalophytes, which survive high salinity, tidal regimes, strong wind velocity, high temperature and muddy anaerobic soil – a combination of conditions hostile for other plants.
• The mangrove ecosystems constitute a symbiotic link or bridge between terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
• They are found in the inter-tidal zones of sheltered shore, estuaries, creeks, backwaters, lagoons, marshes and mud-flats.

General Studies – 4

Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;

6. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)

“Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. Compassion becomes real when we recognize our shared humanity.”– Pema Chodron

Difficulty level: Moderate

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by explaining the literal meaning of the quote and the context in which it was said.

Body:

Write about the concept of compassion and its significance in personal and professional life. Discuss how compassion helps in building strong relationships, fostering empathy, improving communication, and resolving conflicts. Cite examples to substantiate.

Conclusion:

Summarise by highlighting the importance of compassion in promoting positive values and creating a more harmonious society.

Introduction

Compassionis a deeper level of empathy, demonstrating an actual desire to help the suffering person. It is a unique feeling of sympathy for the suffering of others that involves emotions and empathy towards others, a sense of understanding, and the drive to protect.

Body

Compassion is a virtue that involvesAcknowledgment, understanding, and emotional resonance linked with action aimed at understanding the person and the amelioration of suffering

Take for instance the example of Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was the epitome of compassion. If ever one would dare to give a core competency to her, it is this single characteristic of being a compassionate person. She radiated this quality, when on earth, in a way, few humans could ever do; her love for the marginalized and the vulnerable and particularly for the poorest of the poor and the dying destitute was boundless.

Our compassion for others can lead to alleviation of great distress of people. For example, during the recent migrant crisis, the Bollywood Actor Sonu Sood became quite well known for his help to them on compassionate grounds. Thousands of poor and vulnerable people were given help through him.

Even at personal level, we have to be compassionate to our friends and family. Only then can we share both happiness and their sufferings together. This is the key to be happy.

On an individual level, one must be compassionate about themselves, to be happy in life. For instance, it is important to acknowledge our abilities and not be hard on ourselves when we encounter a failure. As candidates of UPSC, being demotivated and failure is part of the process. This does not mean; we have to believe ill about our capacity and self-loathe. Rather we must overcome that with compassion, trying to empathise with ourselves.

Conclusion

The world desperately stands in need of compassion today. A compassion, which reaches out to the unloved, the ostracized, the marginalized and the vulnerable. A compassion, that takes a stand for the poor, the victims of injustice, the refugees and the displaced. A compassion, that is able to negate and overcome the hate and divisiveness. The humankind must be compassionate to each other to see the world thrive.

Topic: Human Values – lessons from the lives and teachings of great leaders, reformers and administrators;

7. What does this quote means to you? (150 words)

“The values we live by are worth more when we pass them on.”– Anonymous

Difficulty level: Easy

Why the question:

The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4 and part of ‘Quotes Wednesdays’ in Mission-2023 Secure.

Structure of the answer:

Introduction:

Begin by explaining the literal meaning of the quote and the importance of passing on values to others.

Body:

Write about the significance of values in personal and professional life. Discuss how values such as honesty, integrity, empathy, and respect help in building strong relationships, fostering teamwork, and promoting a positive work culture. Cite examples to substantiate.

Conclusion:

Summarise by highlighting the importance of passing on values to the next generation, as they are the building blocks for a better future.