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Environmental Ecology: Current corner by Dr. Ravi P. Agrahari

Dr. Ravi P. Agrahari (PhD IIT Delhi) working as a scientist in IIT Delhi

with the association of Department of Science & Technology (GOI)

GS-III Module

Environmental Ecology

Prelims-cum-Mains-2016

Current Affairs

VOLUME –

4

(January – 2016)By

Dr. Ravi P. Agrahari(Scientist in IIT Delhi)

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1. Zero liquid discharge norms may result into a large scale unemployment.

Comment.

Answer: The Environment Ministry’s proposal, to hastily implement a

‘stringent’ norm mandating nearly all textile processing units to eliminate liquid

discharges, can result in closure of many small and medium enterprises (SMEs)

and trigger large-scale job losses.

As per the proposed standards of Ministry of Environment — mandating ‘Zero

Liquid Discharge’ (ZLD) for textile processing units where waste water discharge is

over 25 kilo litres a day — will be “too stringent” for the domestic textile

processing industry that is largely unorganised and comprising of SMEs.

Around 94 per cent of India’s apparel workers are employed in firms with 50

workers or less, and less than six firms have over 2,000 workers. Setting up ZLD-

effluent treatment plants will need huge initial capital investment as well as high

recurring expenditure making it commercially non-viable. ZLD could in turn result

in closure of several units and unemployment for workers in those units.

The environment ministry should consider implementing the ZLD only in a phased

manner and should keep in view the larger interest of the textiles sector as well as

the country’s economic development, and implement the ZLD only in a phased

manner.

The Textiles Ministry should, as a short-term measure, adopt the best available

technology, but in the long-term, research and development should also be

pursued for developing cleaner and more cost-effective options.

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One of the alternatives being tried out is marine discharge, where waste is

recycled and the residue (which is substantially salt, and therefore considered

safe) is discharged into the sea. But for that, the units will have to be located near

the coastal region as setting up long pipelines from inland units to the sea will be

non-viable.

2. The Indian large cities shows its pollution condition fouler than Beijing.

Comment.

Answer: All six north Indian cities for which data was available had worse air

quality than Beijing in 2015, as the official data shows. However the south’s

comparatively better air quality levels hide some lethal truths.

Launched in April 2015, India’s National Air Quality Index portal produces an Air

Quality Index (AQI) value for around 15 cities based on the most prominent

pollutant at that time for that city. Pollution monitoring stations measure the

concentration of six different pollutants – PM2.5 (particulate matter of diameter

less than 2.5 micrometres), PM10, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, carbon

monoxide and ozone.

Analysing AQI data for 2015, it was found that Anand Vihar in east Delhi

measured the worst air quality of any of the 25 monitoring stations for which

adequate data was available, with just 15 per cent of its days being good,

satisfactory or moderate.

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Airoli in Navi Mumbai, on the other hand, had the best air quality – all of the days

for which it recorded data were of good to moderate air quality. Averaging for

multiple stations across cities, Varanasi had the fewest clean air days (52 per

cent), followed by Delhi, Faridabad, Agra, Kanpur and Lucknow.

However, the index numbers might not capture the actual magnitude of pollution

cities occasionally experience. BTM Layout in Bengaluru had the highest annual

average concentration of PM2.5. CPCB officials in Bengaluru claimed that the

spikes, however, are not due to construction or the increasing vehicular

movement, but due to erratic power supply.

The north has higher concentration of particulate matter due to dust and biomass

burning, while the impact of combustion sources would be higher in the south.

Particulate matter is the dominant pollutant in Indian cities, followed by carbon

monoxide.

On PM2.5, tiny particulate matter which is highly damaging to the lungs, the six

north Indian cities were far worse off than Beijing was in 2015, a comparison with

US Department of State data for China showed.

3. What is snowflake coral? How it is a threat to biodiversity?

Answer: Carijoa riisei, the snowflake coral or branched pipe coral, is a species

of soft coral in the family Clavulariidae. It is native to the tropical western Atlantic

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Ocean and has spread to other areas of the world such as Hawaii, where it is

regarded as an invasive species.

It is a colonial soft coral with a tangled, bushy growth form. It has hollow

branches that may be 30 cm (12 in) long, growing from a creeping stolon. The

branches grow by budding off the stolon and have eight longitudinal furrows and

a prominent polyp at the tip.

A local NGO, has recorded the presence of several colonies of the fast-growing

alien species amid barnacle clusters on the rocky reef off the coast of Kovalam in

Thiruvananthapuram and Enayam, Kanyakumari.

In India, it has been reported from the Gulf of Mannar, the Andaman and Nicobar

Islands, Gulf of Kutch and Goa.

Threat to biodiversity:

The snowflake coral is known to inhabit reefs and underwater structuressuch as shipwrecks and piers, attaching itself to metal, concrete and even

plastic.

It is considered an invasive species because of its capacity to dominate

space and crowd out other marine organisms.

As a highly successful invasive species, Carijoa riisei threatens biodiversity

by monopolizing food & space resources and by displacing native species.

Under favorable conditions, it out competes other organisms and saturates

the available space.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyp

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Observations indicated that four major coral reef zones in the country had been

affected by this soft coral. Studies by the Zoological Survey of India and other

organisations revealed that dispersal of this soft coral was through the ballast

water of ships. Translocation of organisms through ships is considered to be one

of the important issues that threatened the naturally evolved biodiversity.

4. Write a short note on disappearance of Gigantopithecus due to inability

to adopt climate changes.

Answer: The largest ape to roam Earth died out 1,00,000 years ago because it

failed to tuck into savannah grass after climate change hit its preferred diet of

forest fruit, scientists suggest.

Gigantopithecus — the closest Nature ever came to producing a real King Kong —

weighed five times as much as an adult man and probably stood three metres tall,

according to sketchy estimates.

In its heyday a million years ago, it inhabited semi-tropical forests in southern

China and mainland Southeast Asia. Until now, though, almost nothing was

known about the giant’s anatomical shape or habits.

The only fossil records are four partial lower jaws, and perhaps a thousand teeth.

Examining slight variations in carbon isotopes found in tooth enamel, Mr.

Bocherens and an international team of scientists showed that the primordial

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King Kong lived only in the forest, was a strict vegetarian, and probably wasn’t

crazy about bamboo.

These narrow preferences did not pose a problem for Gigantopithecus until Earthwas struck by a massive ice age during the Pleistocene Epoch, which stretched

from about 2.6 million to 12,000 years ago.

That’s when Nature, evolution — and perhaps a refusal to try new foods —

conspired to doom the giant ape. When during the Pleistocene, more and more

forested area turned into savannah landscapes, there was simply an insufficient

food supply.

And yet, according to the study, other apes and early humans in Africa that had

comparable dental gear were able to survive similar transitions by eating the

leaves, grass and roots offered by their new environments.

5. M.M hills and Cauvery wildlife sanctuary sets an example that

endangered species can be enumerated. Comment.

Answer: At one point of time, it was the bullet shots of brigand Veerappan

that rang through the forest ranges of M.M. Hills and Cauvery Wildlife

Sanctuaries. Now, it could finally be the time of the roar of tigers.

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At least 15 tigers are believed to inhabit the vast scathes of the 2,000-sq km area

of the sanctuaries in Chamarajanagar, according to a study by Nature

Conservation Foundation.

It is the first time the population of the endangered species has been enumerated

in the region, and the time is ripe to declare the areas as tiger reserves.

According to the study, 10 to 12 tigers, along with nine cubs below the age of two,

were spotted in M.M. Hills, while Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries had two male

tigers.

The large presence of prey species seen in the camera trap also gives further

credence to the viable tiger habitats of the parks. Sambars, wild pig and gaur were

found in M.M. Hills; while, chital, four-horned antelope and wild pig dotted the

Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuaries, making the landscape suitable for the large cats.

M.M. Hills, which borders BRT Tiger Reserve, can serve as a vital sink to absorb

the populations of endangered creatures in the park, the study says. However,

the migration between the two protected areas is through a narrow 1-km

Doddasampige-Yediyaralli forest patch. It is critical for this patch to be protected

and expanded.

The International Union on Conservation of Nature believes that there is a

noticeable decline in their population due to poaching and habitat loss. The

nocturnal creatures feed on bees as well as small amphibians and rodents.

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6. What are the challenges faced by India in implementing BS Vi norms? And

suggest measures to counter that challenges.

Answer: The government could face two key challenges in implementing the

decision.

First, there are questions about the ability of oil marketing companies to quickly

upgrade fuel quality from BS-III and BS-IV standards to BS-VI, which is likely to

cost upwards of Rs 40,000 crore.

Second, and more challenging, is the task of getting auto firms to make the leap.

Automakers have clearly said that going to BS-VI directly would leave them with

not enough time to design changes in their vehicles, considering that two critical

components — diesel particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction module —

would have to be adapted to India’s peculiar conditions, where running speeds

are much lower than in Europe or the US.

These challenges are very real and couple of suggestions to counter them are:

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At every stage, the technology is getting more complex. To attain the

specified super low emissions, all reactions have to be precise, and

controlled by microprocessors.

Ideally, the technologies must be introduced in series, and then synergised.

So, even if oil companies manage to leap, auto firms claim they need 6-7

years to switch to BS-VI.

Emphasis on rework the existing plan rather working on a new plan.

Testing the vehicles condition before banning rather based on their age.

7. What are BS norms? What is the significance of preponing the adoption of

BS VI norms? What were the issues underscored by Saumitra Chaudhary

Committee and recommendations thereof?

Answer: Bharat Emission Standards (BS) is standard set for automobile

industry which quantifies the emission of pollutants like NO, PM etc. Bharat Stage

norms were adopted in India in 2000 by the then government, based on the

European emission norms.

The Centre’s decision to adopt Bharat Stage VI automotive fuels nationwide by

April 1, 2020 is a key measure that can, if implemented properly, vastly improveair quality. Rolling out the BS VI standard nationally, skipping BS V, has significant

http://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/government-advances-roll-out-of-bsv-and-bsvi-norms-for-4wheelers/article7927756.ece


http://www.thehindu.com/business/india-to-implement-bsvi-norms-from-april-2020/article8072692.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/business/india-to-implement-bsvi-norms-from-april-2020/article8072692.ece


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cost implications for fuel producers and the automobile industry, but its positive

impact on public health would more than compensate for the investment.

Main recommendations of the committee

1.

To maintain national wide fuel standards at BS-IV stage.

2.

It proposed to move from BS-V from 2020 and BS-VI from 2024.

3. Upgrade refineries to produce BS-V petrol and diesel.

4.

Special Fuel Upgradation Cess of 75 paise/litre on fuel to meet the cost of

refineries.

Issues to be underscored:

1.

Large investment required for fuel producers & automobile manufacturers

for implementing BS norms

2. Cautious use of alternative fuels due to toxicity & harmfulness if blended in

excess quantity

3.

Requirement of large infrastructure for CNG, Hydrogen gas pipelines

4. LPG vehicle has no large per km cost difference between petrol & LPG. So

awareness among people to use LPG, hybrid vehicles is required.

Successful implementation of recommendations is possible only by resolving

challenges, so that it facilitate for investors, policy-makers as well as consumers.

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8. What is beaching and trace out the reason why the whales in Tamil Nadu

coast were washed ashore.

Answer: Beaching may refer to Cetacean stranding, when a large sea mammalis beached on land.

In an unusual phenomenon, 45 dead, short-finned pilot whales were washed

ashore between Kallamozhi and Manapad in Thoothukudi district.

The beaching could be due to climate change or pollution of the waters, the

scientists said the group most probably followed an isolated whale and must have

been stranded.

Assumed are also the following reasons:

1. These whales might have chased the prey in the intertidal areas during last

phase of the high tide period [new moon day period] and later must have

stranded because of the shallow depth created by receding tide.

2.

One of the animals could have been isolated after falling sick or in search of

food. The other whales might have followed it and might have been

stranded as they could not have communicated effectively within the

group.

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9. Write a short note on newly discovered frog species of genus

frankixalous.

Answer: A class of frogs that grow in tree holes and, as tadpoles feed on eggslaid by their mother have been discovered in the north-east region, according to

an international team of researchers led by a Delhi University-based scientist.

In the last two decades, India has reported a rapid rise in the discovery of frog

species from the Western Ghats and, more recently, the north-eastern States. The

new frog, reported in the peer-reviewed journal PLoS One, has been christened

Frankixalus Jerdonii and was once considered a species lost to science.

Frogs of the newly described genus Frankixalus, were relatively large (between

37 –50 mm long) with big, bulging eyes and blunt snouts and are found on forest

canopies and inside bamboos slits. Due to insufficient food resources in tree

holes, the mother exhibits “remarkable parental care” by laying unfertilized eggs

to feed her tadpoles. Tree frogs occur across sub-Saharan Africa, China, much of

tropical Asia, Japan, the Philippines and Sulawesi.

10. Write a short note on solitary bee species 'braunsapis chandrai'.

Answer: A “solitary bee” species was recently discovered in the Sundarbans

Biosphere Reserve.

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The 6.2-mm-long bee, named Braunsapis chandrai , is black in colour and has

punctured legs. What makes it distinct from other species of solitary bees is the

different patterns of the marks on its face and frontal region.

The 96 species of bees of the genus Braunsapis do not make combs as common

honeybees do. Solitary in nature, they nest in stems and twigs independently.

Role in pollination

The new species played a significant role in pollination, though it did not produce

honey. As bees play an important role in the ecosystem as critical pollinators,

scientists believe that without them, the world would face extinction as food

options would become highly limited.

11. Write a short note on Kutch basin's geology richness.

Answer: The archaeological records reveal that the region was first inhabited

by the people of Harappan civilization.

Salt, cement, lignite and bauxite are the main mineral industries in Kutch. The

area is famous for its textiles; fabrics, embroideries and cotton rugs are the major

souvenirs that visitors purchase.

Kutch represents a fossil rift basin (aulacogen) perpendicular to the strike of the

West Indian margin. The oldest sediments in Kutch are late Triassic (Rhaetian)

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sands shed onto Precambrian basement rocks (these sediments were penetrated

in the Banni-2 and Nirona-1 wells). The rifting was part of an initial fragmentation

within Gondwana, a southern supercontinent which encompassed the present

tectonic plates of India, Africa, Antarctica, Australia and South America.

As rifting progressed and Kutch became part of the passive continental margin of

western India, shallow marine sediments were deposited during Early-Middle

Jurassic times, as recorded by the limestone and shale sediments of the Early

Jurassic Jhurio and Middle Jurassic Jumara Formations. These sediments

are overlain by the deltaic sand and mud sediments of the Jhuran Formation (LateJurassic) and fluvial sand-mud sediments of the Early Cretaceous Bhuji Formation.

Mesozoic sediments have a total thickness of over 3 km.

The fault blocks of the Kutch Basin in western India offer to the visitor a unique

opportunity to observe the Jurassic-Cretaceous-Paleogene sediments rarely

outcropping anywhere else on the Western Indian continental margin. A visit to

Kutch also gives an opportunity to view and enjoy the rich cultural traditions and

handicrafts of western India.

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