Monsoon Flora In Western Ghats
- Annual ephemerals are a type of monsoon flora that form new individuals each year. They only appear for a short period and produce seeds that lie dormant until the next year.
- Perennial ephemerals, on the other hand, are the same individuals that reappear as they have a source like a tuber or a bulb in the soil.
- The International Union for Conservation of Natural Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) is an organisation that, among other goals, focuses on studying and preserving the monsoon flora in the Western Ghats region.
- Monsoon ephemerals bloom from the end of May through September. The onset and progression of the monsoon season brings a variety of flowers such as ground orchids, lilies, wild yam, Indian squill, and many more.
- These flowers serve an important ecological role by providing nectar and pollen for native pollinators.
- They also help maintain the plateau’s microhabitats by ensuring the existence of soil and water.
- However, many monsoon ephemerals are under threat due to changes in land use and infrastructure expansion, including roadway construction.
Source: The Hindu (Maharashtra’s ephemerals: Plants that wait for monsoon to bloom)
Seed Lady Receives 2023 Norman Borlaug Award
- Swati Nayak, an agricultural scientist from Odisha, is fondly called “Bihana Didi” or “Seed Lady” by locals.
- She has recently won the prestigious Norman E. Borlaug Award for 2023.
- She is only the third Indian agricultural scientist to have achieved this honor.
- Nayak works with the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI).
- She has been recognised for her “Field Research and Application,” a rare achievement as breeders usually gain such awards.
- Nayak and her team have made significant strides by developing a drought-tolerant rice variety, Shahabhagi Dhan, in Odisha.
- This innovation had a profound impact on rain-fed areas and became essential to the diet and crop rotation of farmers.
Norman E. Borlaug Award
The Norman E. Borlaug Award, funded by the Rockefeller Foundation, recognises outstanding scientists under the age of 40 who contribute to the fields of food and nutrition security and the eradication of hunger. This prestigious award honours the memory of Dr. Norman Borlaug, the Nobel laureate and primary architect of the Green Revolution.
Source: The Hindu
Joint Effort To Survey Nilgiri Tahr Population
- Tamil Nadu and Kerala are joining forces to count the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a unique mountain ungulate found only in specific habitats within these states. This decision follows the launch of Project Nilgiri Tahr in 2022, aimed at conserving this species.
- This census may, for the first time, use drone technology due to the tahrs’ preference for steep, rocky mountain grasslands situated 300 to 2,600 metres above sea level.
- Current estimates, based on a 2015 study by WWF-India, put the Nilgiri Tahr population at just over 3,100 individuals. These tahrs are spread across fragmented habitats in the Western Ghats, from the Nilgiris in the north to the Kanniyakumari hills in the south.
- The tahrs’ habitats are under threat from both human pressures and invasive plant species such as wattles, pines, and eucalyptus. Additionally, Project Nilgiri Tahr includes an investigation into the potential causes of a lumpy skin disease observed in these animals, with the aim of finding a solution.
Source: The Hindu
Moody’s Report On Aadhaar Biometric System
- Moody’s Investors Service recently published a report highlighting the issues with India’s Aadhaar system, administered by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
- The UIDAI’s aim is to use Aadhaar to incorporate marginalised groups and broaden access to welfare benefits.
- The report pointed out frequent occurrences of service denial caused by the Aadhaar system.
- The reliability of Aadhaar’s biometric technologies is questionable, particularly for manual labourers in hot and humid climates.
- Despite being the world’s largest digital ID program, Aadhaar faces numerous challenges such as establishing authorization and ensuring biometric reliability.
- The report also raised concerns about the increased vulnerability of data collected by a centralised system and the lack of control given to users.
- In a centralised system, a single entity controls and manages a user’s identifying credentials and their access to online resources, and can use the user’s identity data for internal or third-party profiling purposes.
- Additionally, the report suggested that digital IDs can intensify group identities and political divides, which can lead to negative social consequences.
Source: The Hindu (Aadhar Unreliable In ‘Hot, Humid’ India)
Fukushima N-Wastewater Controversy
Amidst widespread public backlash and concerns from neighbouring countries, Japan has initiated the discharge of contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.
Key Facts
- On April 13, 2021, the Japanese government revealed plans to discharge over one million tonnes of Fukushima nuclear plant’s contaminated water into the sea.
- The scheduled release will span over the next three decades.
- The wastewater is a result of the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami which incapacitated the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station, causing a radioactive materials leak.
- Japan has been storing this wastewater for over ten years, but now faces a storage capacity issue.
- The government states that the water, after treatment, is safe to let out.
- However, post the 2021 announcement, there has been widespread public opposition to this proposal, both locally and internationally.
- Critics argue that introducing radioactive substances into the ocean could pose significant health threats, particularly given the heavy reliance on seafood in these regions.
Tritium Levels In Wastewater Treatment
- Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO), Japan’s most prominent electricity provider, has been managing waste and decommissioning the Fukushima Daiichi power plant since 2011.
- Various techniques, including the Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS), are used in the treatment of water. This system successfully eliminates 62 radioactive materials.
- Tritium, however, cannot be treated or removed by these techniques.
- Both TEPCO and the Japanese government assert that tritium concentration complies with international standards, especially the ones set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear agency.
- TEPCO’s official website states that the radiation produced by tritium is incredibly weak and can be blocked by a single piece of paper.
- The tritium concentration is, in fact, six times lower than the World Health Organization’s tritium limit in drinking water.
- Tritium’s removal is challenging because it shares a chemical identity with hydrogen.
Assessing Water Safety
- Scientifically, radiation levels in the wastewater are not alarmingly high.
- However, even low-level radiation exposure can potentially affect human health and the environment.
- Tritium, found in tritiated water, is quickly absorbed and dispersed throughout the body via the bloodstream.
- Tritiated water is chemically identical to regular water, making it easily absorbed.
- When consumed by pregnant women, tritiated water can cross the placenta, potentially causing developmental effects in unborn babies.
Source: The Hindu
Indian Standards On Biofuel To Aid GBA’s Clean Energy Goals
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is dedicated to advancing India’s green initiatives by creating pertinent standards. In a recent statement, BIS has stated that these Indian Standards will aid the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) in achieving its objectives. GBA is a multilateral forum that was introduced by India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, at the G20 leaders’ summit in New Delhi.
- According to the BIS, there is also ongoing progress in developing a standard for paraffinic (green) diesel derived from 2G feedstock.
- By adhering to these standards, BIS is confident that India can enhance biofuel production capacity, leading to numerous benefits across multiple fronts.
- Furthermore, it was emphasised that this initiative will not only aid in achieving the goal of net zero emissions by 2070 and sourcing 50% of energy from renewable sources, but also play a crucial role in accomplishing several other objectives. These include fostering the Make in India campaign, promoting self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat), converting waste to wealth, and enhancing farmers’ income, among others.
- The G20 leaders introduced the Global Biofuel Alliance (GBA) during the 18th G20 Summit under India’s presidency in New Delhi. The GBA serves as a multilateral forum to facilitate biofuel adoption.
- The GBA, an initiative led by India, targets sustainable and clean energy. It aims to promote the worldwide development and deployment of sustainable biofuels.
- The GBA’s objectives include the formulation of national policy, development of marketplace, evolution of technological competency, and the implementation of internationally recognized standards and codes of practice.
- The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has noted progress in developing a standard for paraffinic (green) diesel derived from second-generation (2G) feedstock.
Also Read | Potential Trade-offs And Risks In Scaling up Ethanol Production
- BIS believes that adhering to these standards can boost India’s biofuel production capacity, resulting in numerous benefits.
- This initiative aligns with India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070 and sourcing 50% of energy from renewable sources.
- Additionally, it supports various other objectives like the Make in India campaign, the self-reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) initiative, waste to wealth conversion, and enhancing farmers’ income.
- The USA, Brazil, and India are recognized as major contributors to both the production and consumption of biofuels.
- Their collective contribution equates to 85% of global ethanol production and 81% of consumption.
- As of 2022, the global market valuation of ethanol stood at 99 billion USD.
- By 2032, this market is projected to grow at a compounded annual growth rate of 5%.
- This growth presents significant opportunities for Indian industries.
- The anticipated benefits for India include an increase in farmers’ income, job creation, and overall ecosystem development.
- Current statistics indicate approximately 98% of India’s transportation sector fuel needs are supplied by fossil fuels, with the remaining 2% coming from biofuels.
- In the fiscal year 2020-2021, India’s petroleum imports were a major hit to the economy, costing around 55 billion dollars.
- The recent rise in global oil prices, triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has increased the financial impact of oil and gas imports on the Indian economy.
- The adoption of an ethanol-gasoline blend of up to 20% is projected to result in savings of approximately 4 billion dollars.
- To meet these targets, Indian Oil Manufacturing Companies (OMCs) are investing in new distilleries for production of both 1G and 2G ethanol.
- Concurrently, Indian vehicle manufacturers are designing engines capable of using ethanol blended fuel.
- The government has implemented an interest subvention scheme aimed at molasses and grain-based distilleries, stimulating ethanol production.
- Anticipated soon is the introduction of flex fuel vehicles in India, mirroring similar strides in the USA and Brazil. These vehicles can efficiently use ethanol blended gasoline up to 85%.
Source: PIB