2nd November 2024
Article: 2nd November, 2024
Topic: World Cities Day 2024
Relevance: GS Paper: 1 – Urbanization
Source: who.int
Context
- World Cities Day is celebrated annually on October 31.
About
- An estimated 4.7 billion people live in cities worldwide, making up 57.5% of the global population, and by 2050, that number is expected to quadruple.
- “Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalyzing Local Action for Urban Sustainability” is the theme for this year’s World Cities Day.
India’s urbanization
- In Western nations, industrialization led to urbanization, which in turn generated occupations that took labor from rural areas.
- Large-scale economic transfers from colonies also contributed to their continued urbanization.
- On the other hand, poverty-driven urbanization, which includes both rural-to-urban and urban-to-urban migration, is mostly caused by economic hardship in India.
- India’s urban population grew at a pace of 2.76% annually, from 27.7% in 2001 to 31.1% in 2011, according to the 2011 Census.
- According to World Bank estimates, about 40% of Indians reside in urban areas, specifically in the 9,000 statutory and census towns.
- India’s goal to become a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of independence, would rest heavily on how well it handles this urban transition.
India’s urban challenges:
- Older Plans: Plans for time and space are frequently out of date and do not account for population expansion.
- Unplanned, Overcrowded Areas: Cities like Ahmedabad, Delhi, Surat, and Mumbai have seen job losses as a result of deindustrialization since the 1980s.
- Numerous workers who were displaced by this trend relocated to densely populated peri-urban areas.
- Slums currently house 40% of India’s urban population.
- Climate Change: Indian cities are significantly impacted by climate change.
- Developmental inequality is growing as a result of upscale developments that serve the wealthy while millions of others lack access to basic housing.
- Trash Management: As a result of increased trash output brought on by rapid urbanization, many cities face challenges in efficiently collecting and disposing of waste, which degrades the environment.
- Transportation and Traffic Congestion: Severe traffic congestion and pollution are caused by inadequate public transportation networks and an increase in private automobile ownership.
The Indian Government’s Measures to Address the Issues of Urbanization
- Urban planning is a state subject in accordance with the 12th Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- The Indian government offers the state’s financial and technical assistance.
- Urban anchors at the city and state levels are State Town Planning Departments and Urban Development Authorities.
- The mission of the Smart Cities Mission, which was started in 2015, is to use smart technology to improve infrastructure, transportation, and services in order to create inclusive and sustainable communities.
- The goal of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) is to improve the quality of life in cities, especially for the urban poor, by guaranteeing essential facilities including water supply, sewerage, and urban transportation.
- The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a housing program designed to give the urban poor access to affordable housing.
- The goal of the 2014-launched Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) is to promote sanitation and cleanliness in urban areas.
- The ministry introduced the PM SVANidhi plan, a unique microcredit program, to give street sellers access to reasonably priced loans.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Prelims Practice Questions
Q. Consider the following statements regarding World Cities Day
1. Every year on October 31, the United Nations observes World Cities Day.
2. “Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalyzing Local Action for Urban Sustainability” is the theme for 2024 World Cities Day.
Which of the above statements are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Explanation
Every year on October 31, the United Nations observes World Cities Day. The United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat) is in charge of organizing it.
“Youth Climate Changemakers: Catalyzing Local Action for Urban Sustainability” is the subject for World Cities Day in 2024. Goal 11 of the Sustainable Development Agenda, which calls for “inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable” cities, falls on the same day.
Mains Model Questions
Q. “Urban centers should be seen as growth engines and urbanization as an opportunity.” Discuss about urbanization and the need to build sustainable cities in India in light of this assertion.
| Introduction: The movement of people from rural to urban regions is known as urbanization. It is the rise in the percentage of people who reside in cities. Over the past few decades, India’s rate of urbanization has been gradually rising. Although only 11.4% of Indians resided in urban areas in 1901, UNDESA estimates that by 2025, 40% of the country’s population will do so. Body: Urbanization presents opportunities as hubs for growth engines. Economic growth: With a concentration of companies, employment, and industries, urban areas are frequently hubs of economic activity. For the city and its citizens, this may result in wealth and economic progress.Better access to healthcare and education: Compared to rural areas, urban areas frequently offer better access to these services. This is due to the fact that hospitals and schools are more prevalent and frequently have greater funding in metropolitan regions. Wide variety of employment options: Compared to rural areas, urban locations have a wider variety of employment options. This is because urban areas have more industries and enterprises, which translates into more work opportunities.Better access to leisure and culture: There are frequently more cultural and entertainment establishments concentrated in urban regions than rural areas. There are drawbacks to urbanization as well, which emphasizes the necessity of creating sustainable cities: Traffic congestion: The transportation infrastructure in Indian cities is under stress due to the country’s rapidly growing population. Congestion is becoming a bigger threat as a result of poor planning and overcrowding. Pollution: Because of the concentration of companies and industries, urban areas are becoming more and more polluted. For those who live in cities, this may result in health issues. For instance, Delhi’s air quality has been a serious issue. Rapid urbanization has the potential to worsen socioeconomic inequality. Slums and informal settlements coexist amid gated neighborhoods and opulent residences, underscoring the glaring disparity between the rich and the destitute in the same metropolis. Crimes: Compared to rural areas, urban places may have higher crime rates. They are frequently impacted by elements including social dynamics, economic inequality, and population density. The way ahead: Compact and Effective Design: Encourage high-density construction to reduce urban sprawl, protect green areas, and promote bicycling and walking. The AMRUT Mission is one example. Green building practices include enforcing energy-efficient building regulations and promoting the use of sustainable building materials, such as solar panels. Eco-Niwas, for instance. Waste Management and Recycling: Encourage the decrease of waste by implementing programs for composting, recycling, and source separation. Investigate waste-to-energy conversion technology to help manage garbage and produce electricity. Swacch Bharat Mission-Urban is one example.Effective Transportation: Establish secure, interconnected networks for bicyclists and pedestrians to promote environmentally friendly modes of transportation. For instance, the BRTS corridor Using technology to optimize energy use, monitor air quality, control traffic flow, and improve overall urban efficiency is known as smart infrastructure. Conclusion: All things considered, urbanization can present both individuals and companies with a variety of options. It’s crucial to recognize the potential drawbacks of urbanization, though. We can minimize the problems and optimize the opportunities by carefully regulating and planning urbanization. |
Article: 2nd November, 2024
Topic: Zeroing in on methane diplomacy, at COP29
Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Environment
Source: The Hindu
Context
- The 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from November 11 to 22, 2024.
Conference of Parties (COP)
- It is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) highest decision-making body.
- At the COP, all of the Convention’s Parties are represented and discuss how the Convention is being implemented.
- In order to stabilize atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs), the Convention lays out the fundamental legal framework and guiding principles for international climate change cooperation.
COP29’s main focus
- The focus is on finance since wealthy countries are supposed to support developing countries financially and technologically in order to help reduce carbon emissions.
- NCQG, or the New Collective Quantified Goal: This is referred to as NCQG.
- In other words, establishing a new yearly climate finance mobilization target, or the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), is a key agenda item for the next COP29 meeting.
- The amount of climate funding given to poor nations will be determined by this goal.
- Azerbaijan’s agenda: The action plan put forth by the host nation, Azerbaijan, includes pledges to cut methane emissions from organic waste, greatly extend electrical networks, and enhance battery storage capacity six times.
Emissions of Methane
- Methane has a major impact on the climate; since pre-industrial times, it has contributed around 30% to global warming, and its atmospheric concentrations are rapidly rising.
- Notably, methane has a 28-fold greater ability to cause global warming over a 100-year period than carbon dioxide, and it is 84 times more effective during a 20-year period.
- This suggests that one of the best ways to slow down short-term temperature increases is to reduce methane emissions. This will buy time to accomplish the longer-term CO2 reductions required to stabilize climate change.
China and the United States Have Common Ground
- China and the United States have joined together to combat methane emissions despite their tense relationship.
- COP 28: They collaborated with the United Arab Emirates to host a meeting on methane and other non-CO2 emissions at COP28 in Dubai, which will take place from November to December 2023.
- China’s National Methane Emission Plan: China also presented its first national methane emission management plan in November 2023.
Methane Emissions in India
- After the United States and China, India is the third-largest emitter of anthropogenic methane.
- Through sector-specific funding, infrastructure assistance, and capacity-building support, India can gain from the U.S.-China methane relationship.
- Methane Emission by Sector: 74 percent of methane emissions came from agriculture, 14 percent from waste, 11 percent from energy, and 1 percent from industrial activities.
Methane Emissions’ Effects:
- Methane’s negative impacts go beyond climate change; for example, trash dump fires can dramatically raise air pollution levels.
- Particulate matter levels at adjacent air quality monitoring stations increased by 30% to 70% above normal in 2022 as a result of a two-week fire at Delhi’s Bhalswa dumpsite.
India’s Reluctance to Sign the Global Methane Pledge: Why?
- India is hesitant to sign the Global Methane Pledge (GMP) or commit to economy-wide methane reduction objectives because of its strong reliance on agriculture, particularly rice and cattle farming.
- By 2030, GMP wants to reduce emissions by 30% from 2020 levels.
India’s Programs for Waste Management
- Although the Indian government has put in place a strong legal framework for waste management, its successful execution is hampered by a lack of local ability.
- Case Study (Indore): A sizable biomethane facility that produces fuel for buses is combined with citywide organic waste sorting in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
- GOBARdhan Scheme: The Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) scheme is being promoted by the government to promote the use of cow manure and the generation of clean energy in rural areas.
- NMSA: Through the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), the government is encouraging climate-resilient agricultural practices, such as methane reduction methods in rice farming that can result in notable emissions reductions.
- National Livestock Mission (NLM): To help lower methane emissions from livestock, the NLM also promotes techniques including silage production, chaff cutting, green fodder production, and total mixed ration feeding.
Conclusion
- India’s programs and initiatives have already established the foundation. But it’s time for India to take the initiative in methane diplomacy and ask the U.S.-China methane cooperation for tangible support for its methane mitigation initiatives.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Prelims Practice Questions
Q. Consider the following statements regarding Global Methane Pledge
1. It is an agreement to reduce methane emissions by almost 30% worldwide over the course of the next ten years.
2. The US and the EU jointly made the commitment.
Which of the above statements are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Explanation
The goal is to reduce methane emissions worldwide by around 30% over the course of the next ten years.
The European Union (EU) and the United States jointly made the commitment.
Mains Model Questions
Q. Reducing methane is essential to reducing short-term global warming. Analyze the statement in light of the main methane emission sources in India as well as possible mitigation strategies for each sector.
| Introduction: With a warming potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period, methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that plays a major role in global warming. Reducing methane emissions from fossil fuels by 75% by 2030 is essential to keeping global warming to 1.5 °C, according to the International Energy Agency’s Global Methane Tracker 2024. The energy, waste management, and agriculture sectors in India are the main producers of methane emissions, therefore short-term climate change mitigation requires focused reduction measures. Body: Methane Reduction’s Significance in India for Delaying Global Warming Agricultural Emissions: Anaerobic decomposition of India’s paddy fields, particularly in flooded areas, produces a considerable amount of methane. lowering India’s methane footprint requires lowering emissions from rice paddies. Livestock Management: India’s sizable livestock population is associated with enteric fermentation in cattle, which is a major producer of methane. For methane reduction to be effective, livestock emissions must be addressed. Garbage Management: Methane is released in landfills when organic garbage breaks down. Emissions from this sector can be considerably reduced by better trash segregation and recycling. Oil and Gas Sector: One important source of methane is the extraction, processing, and transportation of oil and gas. For India to meet its energy transition targets, these emissions must be controlled. Important Obstacles to Methane Emissions Reduction: Financial Limitations It can be difficult for industries reliant on conventional techniques to make the large investments necessary to switch to methane-reducing technologies. Technical Restrictions: Advanced technology is necessary for the efficient capture and use of methane, but it is frequently unavailable in isolated or resource-constrained locations. Regulatory Omissions: It is difficult to enforce emission reduction across industries due to the absence of stringent methane-specific legislation. Public Knowledge: The widespread adoption of methane-reducing methods is hampered by a lack of knowledge on methane’s role in climate change. Possible Steps to Reduce Methane in Important Sectors Agriculture: Methane emissions from rice paddies can be significantly decreased by using AWD and encouraging low-methane rice types. Livestock: Methane emissions in the livestock industry can be reduced by encouraging improved manure management techniques and using feed additives that lessen enteric fermentation.Waste Management: Methane from organic waste can be decreased by improving waste segregation, composting, and biomethanation technology. Oil and Gas: Methane leaks can be avoided in oil and gas operations by utilizing leak detection and repair (LDAR) technology. Coal Mining: Methane can be transformed into a useful energy source by using methane capture and storage in coal mining operations. Conclusion: India must reduce methane if it is to meet short-term climate targets and mitigate global warming. Methane mitigation efforts can be strengthened by putting effective methods into place through regulation, technology, and awareness, even though problems still exist in sectors including coal mining, waste management, oil and gas, agriculture, and animal management. An all-encompassing strategy for methane reduction across industries is crucial for sustainable development and environmental resilience as India moves closer to its climate obligations. |
Article: 2nd November, 2024
Topic: SC ruling on Child Marriage
Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Polity
Source: Indian Express
Context
- A comprehensive strategy that goes beyond punishment is required to address child marriage, as demonstrated by the recent Supreme Court decision in the Society for Enlightenment and Voluntary Action v. Union of India case.
Prosecution Response and Prevention
- The numerous arrests of males in Assam whose wives were minors at the time of marriage serve as an example of how the institutional reaction has mostly focused on prevention and, more recently, prosecution.
Reduction in Child Marriages
- The proportion of women aged 20 to 24 who were married before the age of 18 fell from 47.4 percent in 2005 to 26.8 percent in 2016 and then to 23.3 percent in 2021, according to data from the National Family Health Survey.
– The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) of the UN to end child marriage by 2030, however, seems a bit unrealistic.
Difficulties with Criminal Action in Addressing Child Marriage
- Absence of Support System: The legal system would learn if a child marriage had occurred if a girl attempted to dissolve a marriage.
- The girl may be put in danger since her entire family may be targeted by these criminal rules (POCSO, BNS, and PCMA).
- Conducting and encouraging child marriage are both illegal under the PCMA.
- Impede the availability of healthcare: Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare may also be hampered by this legal context because obtaining such services could unintentionally subject her family to criminal jeopardy.
- Self-Initiated Marriages: Self-initiated marriages occur when girls leave marriages because of pressure or violence from their parents.
Importance of the Supreme Court’s Decision
- Prioritize Victim Support Over Criminal Penalties: The ruling ensures a victim-centered approach by reorienting the focus from just punishing offenders to healing the harm endured by child marriage victims.
- All-encompassing Strategy to Fight Child Marriage: The decision broadens the focus of campaigns against child marriage by supporting policies that offer significant assistance to individuals already involved in such unions.
- Special Plans: According to the Supreme Court’s ruling, a special plan aimed at providing women who escape child marriages with economic stability, skill development, and vocational training must be established.
- Rehabilitation and Compensation: It also highlights the necessity of providing these women with rehabilitation services and taking into account their eligibility for compensation under victim compensation plans.
Conclusion
- A multimodal strategy including education, community involvement, and systemic improvements is needed to address child marriage. Beyond the scope of the law, we can establish a setting that protects children’s rights and advances gender equality, which will ultimately result in a society that is healthier and more just.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Prelims Practice Questions
Q. Consider the following statements
1. According to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2006, child marriages are prohibited but not null and void.
2. Intercourse between a minor and an adult is illegal under the POCSO Act of 2012. A minor’s assent is not regarded as legitimate under the law.
Which of the above statements are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Explanation
Sexual relations between a juvenile and an adult is illegal under the POCSO Act of 2012. A minor’s assent is not regarded as legitimate under the law.
According to POCSO, sexual assault is a crime that carries no bond requirements. This implies that an arrest can be made by the police without a warrant.
Therefore, in cases of child marriage involving young girls under the age of 14, there is a presumption of sexual assault.
According to the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2006, child marriages are prohibited but not null and invalid.
Mains Model Questions
Q. When it comes to ending girl child marriage, social change agents like education, legislation, and awareness-raising campaigns still have a lot to cover. Comment.
| Introduction: Child marriage is a worldwide problem that has disastrous effects everywhere it occurs and is fueled by social conventions, poverty, gender inequity, and instability. High rates of child marriage are a reflection of societal prejudice against and lack of opportunity for women and girls. Body: Child marriage in India Prevalence: According to estimates from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), at least 1.5 million girls under the age of 18 marry in India annually, making it the country with the highest number of child brides worldwide—a third of all child brides worldwide.Data from the National Family Health Survey’s (NFHS4) fourth wave in 2015–16 reveals that, prior to COVID, one in four Indian girls was married before turning 18. Approximately 8% of females between the ages of 15 and 19 were either pregnant or moms at the time of the study. Essential actions Policy Interventions: One crucial component of the strategy to end girl-child marriage in India is legislation.Governmental Initiatives for Social Transformation: Child marriage prohibition officials should be informed of field bureaucrats from many departments that work with rural areas, such as teachers, anganwadi supervisors, panchayat employees, and revenue personnel.The following factors will be crucial in promoting social change: These include extending secondary education, providing safe and reasonably priced public transportation, and encouraging young women to use their education to support themselves.Empowerment strategies, including as community engagement through initiatives like Mahila Samakhya, are also necessary to stop child marriage.Economic Development Is Key to Preventing Child Marriage: India must develop economically and culturally in order to guarantee later marriage for girls. Conclusion: When it comes to ending girl child marriage, social change agents like education, legislation, and awareness-raising campaigns still have a lot to cover. Furthermore, the change must originate within. |
Article: 2nd November, 2024
Topic: The Nilgiris as a shared wilderness
Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Conservation
Source: The Hindu
Context
- Southern India’s environmentally diverse Nilgiris region is essential to its distinctive flora and wildlife. To preserve this delicate ecosystem, cooperation between stakeholders, the government, and local populations is crucial.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
- The Nilgiri biosphere, which covers more than 5,500 square kilometers in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka, is India’s first biosphere to be designated by UNESCO.
- From the 260-meter-deep Moyar gorge to the 2,637-meter-tall Doddabetta summit, it offers a wide variety of vistas.
- The Nilgiri Chilappan, the star-eyed bush frog, and the medicinal Baeolepis nervosa, which is used by the Irula tribe, are among the rare plants and creatures that can only be found in this area.
Human Activity Presenting Novel Difficulties
- Human activity in the Nilgiri biosphere has risen recently. Previously mostly recognized for its tea plantations during the colonial era, it now has a burgeoning agricultural and tourism industry. These sectors offer vital means of subsistence, but they also bring with them new difficulties.
- Tourism: Day visitors add to trash and transportation congestion, making tourism less sustainable than what the government and local people would like.
- Agriculture: Additionally, heavy fertilizers and pesticides are being used by farmers more frequently, contaminating once-clean water supplies.
- Toda Community: The communities of the Toda people, who have inhabited the Blue Mountains for thousands of years, are today well-liked tourist destinations.
- Wildlife Adaptations in Changing Times: As wildlife populations have increased, animals are now dispersing outside of protected zones. The secretive leopard, which has developed a fondness for household dogs, is a perfect example.
Steps Taken
- Local communities have united to save their environment in reaction to these swift changes.
- Through a public-private cooperation that promotes a circular economy for solid waste management, civil society organizations such as “Clean Coonoor” are advancing sustainability.
Way Ahead
- Government: The government cannot bear exclusive responsibility for preserving the planet.
- Market for the Tourism Industry: The travel and tourism sector need to encourage environmentally friendly behavior.
- Society: Individuals must take responsibility for these biospheres and understand that it is their basic obligation to safeguard them as well.
Conclusion
In order to preserve this special environment and guarantee its sustainability for future generations, local communities, the government, and stakeholders must work together immediately to save the Nilgiris.
Also Read Topics & Concepts:
Prelims Practice Questions
Q. Consider the following statements
1. The Nilgiri hills are where the Eastern and Western Ghats converge.
2. The Western Ghats are the source of the majority of the Peninsular Rivers.
Which of the above statements are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c
Explanation
The Western Ghats are the source of the majority of the Peninsular Rivers.
The Nilgiri hills are where the Eastern and Western Ghats converge.
Mains Model Questions
Q. Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (UPSC PYQ 2020)
| Introduction: The India State of Forest Report 2019 states that over 24.56% of India’s land area is covered by forests. Between 1991 and 2019, around 9.38 million hectares of forest cover were lost nationwide. Body: In India, forests are an essential natural resource that offer a host of social, economic, and ecological advantages. They support millions of people’s livelihoods, control regional weather patterns, and are home to a variety of flora and fauna. India’s forest resources are in the following state. Mangrove cover: Mangroves are an essential ecosystem that maintain biodiversity, sequester carbon, and protect coastlines. The total area of mangroves is approximately 4,975 square kilometers.Bamboo Cover: In India’s environment and economy, bamboo is a resource that grows quickly and is renewable. With almost 2 million hectares, India boasts the world’s largest bamboo cultivation area. Increase in forest and tree cover: The 2019 India State of Forest Report states that there has been a 13,000 square km increase in forest and tree cover. A number of afforestation and reforestation projects have been carried out by the government. such as the National Agroforestry Policy and the Green India Mission.Total carbon stock: There are approximately 7,124 million tons of carbon stored in Indian forests. Deforestation and forest degradation contribute to global warming by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Substantial effect on climate change: As carbon sinks, forests take up and hold carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They control regional weather patterns and stop land degradation, desertification, and soil erosion. Deforestation and forest degradation contribute to global warming by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Mitigating climate change requires maintaining and expanding forest cover. India’s sustainable development depends on the management of its forest resources, and measures must be taken to preserve and increase their ability to help combat climate change. India is vulnerable to climate change because- India’s massive population, extensive coastline, and reliance on agriculture make it susceptible to the effects of climate change.Extreme weather events, including heat waves, floods, and droughts, are occurring more frequently across the nation. Rising sea levels endanger coastal regions, while melting Himalayan glaciers imperil millions of people’s access to water. India’s economy, food security, and public health are all predicted to be significantly impacted by climate change. Conclusion: India’s forest resources offer several social, ecological, and economic advantages in addition to being essential in reducing the effects of climate change. The environment is seriously threatened by deforestation and forest degradation, which also intensify the consequences of climate change. |