Mrunal (Current) April-Week3-P2 - Geography, Enviornment - El Nino 2014, Its Impact On Indian Monsoon, Agriculture & Economy, Biodiversity Management Committees, Critically Endangered Indian Birds

5/22/2014
Mrunal [Current] April-Week3-P2: Geography, Enviornment: El Nino 2014, its impact on Indian Monsoon, Agriculture & Economy, Biodiversity Manag
[Current] April-Week3-P2: Geography, Enviornment: El Nino 2014, its

impact on Indian Monsoon, Agriculture & Economy, Biodiversity
Management Committees, Critically Endangered Indian Birds
1. Prologue
2. E1: El Nino, its impact on Indian Monsoon
1. What happens in a Normal Year?
2. What happens in La Nina Year?
3. What happens in an El Nino year?
4. What is Southern Oscillation?
5. How does El Nino affect Indian Monsoon?
6. El Nino 2014 and India
7. Will El Nino 2014 hurt Indian GDP?
8. Do we really need to fear El Nino 2014?
1. Arguments: why we dont need to fear El Nino?
2. Arguments: why we should worry about El Nino?
3. E2: 15 Indian birds globally endangered
4. E3: Biodiversity Management Committees
Prologue
Current Affairs from April Week3 (16th to 22nd). Total three parts
1. History, Polity, Economy: Coming soon
2. Geography, Environment, Biodiversity (Youre here)
3. International Relations (IR)/ Diplomacy. Done click me
before reading further, practice following questions:
UPSC General Studies (Mains) Answer following in 200 words each.
1. (GS1) What is El Nino? How does it affect India and World?
2. (GS1) Explain in brief, the impact of La Nina on Indian monsoon
3. (GS3) Discuss the structure and functions of Biodiversity Management
Committees under Biodiversity Act 2002? Evaluate their success in India.
Interview
1. The fear about El Nino on Indian Economy is overhyped. Do you agree?
E1: El Nino, its impact on Indian Monsoon

El Nino has been in news for long time because IMD, RBI and Economists warning
about its negative impact on Indian agriculture and Indian Economy.
http://mrunal.org/2014/05/current-april-week3-p2-geography-enviornment-el-nino-2014-impact-indian-monsoon-agriculture-economy-biodiversity-manage
1/13
5/22/2014
What happens in a Normal Year?

Peru Current = Humboldt Current = Cold Current.
During normal year two things are STRONG
Cold Peru Current
Trade Winds
As a result, cold water is dragged from Peru towards Australia. (observe
following image)
Result of this exchange?

In above image, the red (warm) water region around Australia is called Western
Pacific Pool (WPP)
WPP = low pressure = warm air ascends = cloud formation = rain over North
Australia
This air also joins walker cell and begins descending near Peru.
Descending air = anti-cyclonic condition = high pressure = stability = no
2/13
5/22/2014
cloud/rain = Drought in Atacama Desert.

So in a way two cycles are created
below Moving of water
the
from Peru to
water Australia.
Moving of air
above
from Australia
water
towards Peru.
@Peru cold water upwelling brings nutrient to surface=

more lunch for Plankton= more fishes = good for Peru
fishermen.
Warm water + low atmospheric pressure = good
rainfall over Australia & Indonesia.
Ok, we learned what happens in Normal year. Now lets check
What happens in La Nina Year?

same things as in a normal year, but those two things become even stronger
1. Cold Peru Current
2. Trade Winds
Result?
Too many fishes @Peru coast, oversupply of fishes= prices become dirt cheap
Too much rain / flood over Australia and Indonesia.
Now coming to the main topic:
What happens in an El Nino year?

Observe following image:
3/13
5/22/2014
two things become WEAK

1. Cold Peru Current
2. Trade Winds
As result, cold water is not dragged from Peru to Australia.
But reverse happens warm water is dragged from Australia towards Peru.
Consequently, warm water + low pressure condition develops in the Eastern
Pacific (Peru) and Cold condition + high pressure in Western Pacific
(Australia).
Since Pressure is inversely related with amount of rainfall, the results are following
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Rain & Floods @Peru, Atkama and even Southern USA

Drought @Northern Australia, Indonesia- even bushfires.
Storms and Hurricanes in East Pacific.
Coral bleaching (high temperature coral dies)
(for MCQ) El Nino decreases earths rotation rate, decreases Coriolis force and
4/13
5/22/2014
increases length of day. (La Nina creates opposite). How? Because El Nino
changes the wind pattern, hence Earth needs change speed to conserve its
angular momentum of Earth-Atmospheric system.
What is El Nino?
Warming of Pacific Ocean
Near Western coast of Peru and Ecuador.
Occurs @every 3-4 years; [In theory, it should occur @every 12 years].
Its impact usually lasts for 9-12-18-24 months.
It weakens the trade winds and changes in Southern Oscillation, thereby affects
the rainfall pattern across the world.
What is Southern Oscillation?

Alternating of (tropical) sea level pressure
Between the eastern and western hemispheres.
We measure Southern Oscillation by observing the pressure difference between
1. Tahiti (French Polynesia) and
2. Darwin (Australia).
Impact of Southern Oscillation (SO)?
High SO Index
large pressure difference between (tropical) oceans
of Eastern vs. Western Hemisphere
associated with El Nino hence the name ENSO = El NinoSothern Oscillation
Weak trade winds
poor monsoon
Low SO
smaller pressure
difference
La Nina
Strong trade winds
good monsoon
How does El Nino affect Indian Monsoon?

El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) water circulation happens between
Australia and Peru
But the wind movement is part of larger atmospheric circulation hence affects
the rainfaill over India. But how?
We learned that El Nino = warm water moves towards Australia, this pool of warm
water is called Western Pacific Pool (WPP). From WPP air rises above and moves
towards two walker cells
1. Towards Peru coast = this affects rainfall in South America.
2. Towards Mascarene High Pressure zone near East Africa. = This affect Indian
monsoon.
5/13
5/22/2014
DURING NORMAL YEAR
DURING EL NINO YEAR
strong WPP
strong trade winds
weak WPP
weak trade winds
6/13
5/22/2014
strong Mascarene High

Strong push for moisture
laden winds towards India
good rain
During La Nina years, this push
is even stronger = heavy rain
and floods.
El Nino= Little boy in Spanish.
Hence its opposite is called
La Nina (little girl)
El Vejo= old man, but La
Nina more popular term
nowadays.
weakening of winds flowing towards

Mascarene high
weak push to Monsoon winds towards India
Less rainfall / weak monsoon.
El Nino caused severe drought in India
(2009-10). Sugar price were highest in 30
year history.
Similar drought situation in Australia,

Southeast Asia and Africa. (And floods in
Brazil and USA Midwest.)
Such condition prevails for 9-24 months.
El Nino 2014 and India

India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted below normal monsoon
for 2014.
RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan too has warned about the negative impact of El
Nino (in his last monetary policy press conference.)
Poor monsoon / drought like condition = commodities prices will rise
especially sugar, pulses and edible oil. Government needs to stock them up, put
restriction on exports, before black marketers start hoarding.
Farmers need to device alternate farming strategy, change the seeds and
irrigation strategy for the drought like situation.
NEED TO WORRY
DONT NEED TO WORRY
Area without irrigation, and totally

dependent on monsoon.
Western India region especially oilseeds,
pulses and cotton=> high cost of raw
material will have negative impact on their
manufacturing sectors also.
Area depending on Ganga

for irrigation. Because so
far Gangas water is above
its 10 year average.
Area with alternative
irrigation solutions (bore
well, watersheds, drip
irrigation)
Oilseed and pulses- will have to import

them.
wheat price, because FCI

has more than sufficient
stock
Will El Nino 2014 hurt Indian GDP?

Merrill Lynch predicated following:
7/13
5/22/2014
2014 (without El Nino)

good rainfall
inflation declines to ~7%
if inflation declines=> RBI
will reduce repo
rate=>cheaper loans=>more
business expansion =>more
GDP.
GDP growth rate will increase
2013 = 4.7%
2014 = 5.4%
2014 with El Nino

poor rainfaill / drought like condition
inflation raises to ~10%
To combat inflation, RBI will further increase
REPO rate (OR RBI will not decrease REPO Rate)
=> either way expensive loans => less business
expansion => low GDP growth.
low GDP growth rate
2013 = 4.7%
2014 = ~3.95%
Do we really need to fear El Nino 2014?

answer is both YES and NO.
Arguments: why we dont need to fear El Nino:

1. Only Strong El Nino affects India negatively. But this time WMO predicted
Weak El Nino.
2. Private Weather Agencies predict only 30% chance of El nino.
3. Not Every El Nino year caused drought in India in the past.
4. Under British Raj and even in 50s era, a drought under El Nino = Millions would
die in starvation and suicide because of moneylenders.
5. But thats not the same India we live in today. ~40% of the farmlands are
irrigated; FCI has large buffer stock of foodgrains; Government has sufficient
money to announce financial packages to drought hit farmers; RBI has sufficient
Forex reserve to finance any emergency food imports; we enjoy goodwill among
all developed countries for even food-aid free of cost.
6. Only IF terrorists blowup all FCI godowns, Black maketeers hoard every last
gram of remaining onions and foodgrains, RBIs forex reserve gets completely
empty because of Fed Tapering..THEN and only THEN El Nino can create
havoc on India.
7. El Nino Southern Oscillation = natural phenomenon for redistribution of excess
heat. Humans cannot control or modify this cycle. In theory we can stop El Nino
by dropping 10m thick iceberg size of a United States, into the Peru coast- but
thats impractical. So, Instead of fearing El Nino, we must learn to predict and
adapt to its consequences.
Arguments: why we should worry about El Nino 2014

Even if El Nino doesnt happen, the mere rumor of El Nino drives up the prices
in commodity market because of the speculative investors. For example, global
prices of Cocoa are high right now- not because of less production but because
of El Nino speculation.
It is true we enjoy good will among developed countries for getting free food
aid. But this time,
Australia- second largest export of wheat theyre already facing drought
8/13
5/22/2014
because of Pre-El Nino type condition.

US Midwest =called Granary of the world for wheat and corn. But they
too face flood danger from El Nino.
India is second largest producer of sugar, rice and wheat in the world. 90% of
Rice comes from Asia.
Combine all these isolated facts with IPCCs latest report on climate change
Erratic Rainfall, melting of Himalayan glaciers, frequent flooding, draughts, storms
and cyclones => Food insecurity for large population.
United Nations World Meteorological Organization predicted a weak El Nino
by the middle of 2014.
It depends on when exactly during mid 2014 this happens because
IF El Nio happens by fall
season (August to October.)
Then India will be worst affected because of low Then India will escape without
monsoon during June- September.
injuries.
IF El Nino happens by summer
Mock question
Q1. What is El Nino? How does it affect India and World? (200 words)
El Nino is an Oceanic and Atmospheric phenomenon that leads to unusual

warming of water in the Peru coast.
9/13
5/22/2014
Consequently, warm water + low pressure condition develops in the Eastern

Pacific (Peru) and Cold condition + high pressure in Western Pacific
(Australia).
Since Pressure is inversely related with amount of rainfall, El Nino causes
draught situation in Australia and South East Asia.
El Nino also leads to reversal of pressure difference between Indian and Pacific
Ocean- known as Southern Oscillation.
El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) weakens the Trade winds, consequently
less push to the South Western Monsoon Winds from Mascarene High to India,
and therefore poor monsoon.
To India
Drought condition decreases the agriculture output, leads to food inflation.
Declined supply of cotton, oilseeds and sugarcane negatively affects the textile,
edible oil and food processing industries respectively.
To World
Drought situation over South East Asia and Australia hurts rice and wheat
cultivation respectively.
Warm condition over Peru coast: unsuitable for Plankton population, thus bad
for fishing industry. Birds migrate in search of fishes, thus less guano dropping
for Fertilizer industry in Peru and Ecuador.
Flood situation in South America & US Midwest lead to decline in coffee-cocoa
and corn-wheat production respectively.
~220 words
Q2. Explain in brief, the impact of La Nina on Indian monsoon (200 words)
Thats your homework.
E2: 15 Indian birds globally endangered

Topic in news because Hindu ran a story and UPSC has a nasty habit of asking MCQs
related to Endangeredness of xyz bird/animal.
1. Bengal
Florican
2. Great
Critically
Endangered
Critically
Himalayan Terai (UP, Assam, Arunachal

Pradesh
farmers destroy Grasslands and scrub forests
few birds in Kutch, Maharashtra, Deccan,
Rajasthan, Andhra, Karnataka.
Almost disappeared from Haryana, Punjab,
Orissa, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
Mine workers lost jobs after closure of
Gwalior mine=> resorted o poaching in
Ghatigaon sanctuary.
http://mrunal.org/2014/05/current-april-week3-p2-geography-enviornment-el-nino-2014-impact-indian-monsoon-agriculture-economy-biodiversity-manag
10/13
5/22/2014
Indian
Bustard
3. Sociable
Lapwing
4. Jerdons
Courser
5. Forest
Owlet
Endangered
Egg collecting in Andhra and Karnataka

Bustards like monsoon crops Sorghum Millet
etc but now farmers grow cash cropssugarcane, cotton etc thanks to irrigation.
mining, quarrying, power projects
Eucalyptus, Juliflora etc exotic tree species by
Forest Department
critically
endangered
Kutch and Rajasthan

Farmers destroy Grasslands and scrub forests =
less moth = less birds.
lay eggs on ground-nests. theyre destroyed by
grazing sheeps and goats.
hunting by nomadic tribes.
critically
endangered
Eastern Ghat Andhra, South MP

Habitat fragmentation by Telugu-Ganga Canal
in Cuddapah District of Andhra
Critically
Endangered
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha.

Central Indias deciduous forest
fuel-fodder collection
tribal use their eggs, feathers, bones for drum
making.
Agro-chemicals reduce insect, rodent
population.
6. SpoonCritically
billed
Endangered
Sandpiper
North East and Bangladesh

wetland destruction due to dams
foxes and dogs destroy their nests
7. Siberian
Crane
Critically
Endangered
Migratory to Keoladeo sanctuary, Rajasthan.

Wetland destruction
Critically
Endangered
North East India, Bhutan, Myanmar

wetland destruction for tea plantations
Poaching in Namdapha National park
forest fires, hydroelectric projects
8. Whitebellied
Heron
9. Redheaded
Critically
Endangered
also called Pondicherry

Gujarat, North East, Himalayan foothills
Diclofenac drug to animals=> dead animal
11/13
5/22/2014
Vulture
eaten by Vulture => vulture kidney fail by

Diclofenac.
10. Christmas
Critically
Island
Endangered
Frigate
originally from Christmas island, Australia.

Andaman and Nicobar islands
overfishing + marine pollution in Andaman sea
Non-Native species yellow ants=> baby crabs
killed => less food for frigate.
11. Lesser
Florican
Endangered
Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra

Endangered
North Western India

electrocution (by powerlines)
collisions with wind turbines,
and ofcourse Diclofenac
Endangered
Assam and Bihar.

Since they eat carcasses and small animalspeople cut the trees to get rid of them from
societies and colonies.
food chemicals in dumpsters
Endangered
North East India

riverine destroyed for tea plantation
illegal felling of trees
dam construction- siltation
hunting eggs and chicks
Vulnerable
Himalayas & North East

Habitat destroyed for tea plantation & jhoom
cultivation
12. Egyptian
Vulture
13. Greater
Adjutant
(stork)
14. Masked
Finfoot
(duck)
15. Wood
Snipe
E3: Biodiversity Management Committees

Topic in news because EPW ran a story about it on 19th April 2014.
Q. Discuss the structure and functions of Biodiversity Management Committees
under Biodiversity Act 2002? Evaluate their success in India. (200 words)
Biological Diversity Act 2002 mandates all local bodies to setup Biodiversity
Management Committees (BMC).
Structure: One Chairperson, Six Members: 1/3rd of nominated should be
women, SC/ST reservation as per state demography.
12/13
5/22/2014
Functions:
1. Preserve and promote local biodiversity- breeds of birds, animals and plants.
2. Prepare Peoples Biodiversity Register (PBR)- an Electronic database with
inputs from locals.
3. Maintain data medicinal plants/resources used by local Vaidhya (traditional
healer).
4. Advice State & National Biodiversity Boards on matters related to local
biodiversity.
5. Under Nagoya Protocol of Convention on Biodiversity (CBD), they can collect
fees for granting access to Biodiversity register to researchers and commercial
companies.
Why limited success:
1. The legal/IPR status of PBR register is in grey area, leading to frivolous
litigations.
2. For example, In Madhya Pradesh, Chindwara BMC filed a case against Coal
India, demanding profit sharing on the premise that coal is a biological resource.
3. In some states, Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) have refused to form BMCs
fearing erosion of their authority over minor forest produce.
4. State Forest departments, Forest traders & mining lobby dont cooperate with
BMC for the similar reason.
5. UNDP and UNEP have allotted separate funding for BMCs but money not
utilized given the administrative red-tapes in India.
Given these limited finance, decision making powers and non-cooperation from
others, the BMCs are reduced to mere data gathering bodies; and have failed to
catalyze Sustainable development in Rural India. (Except a few Cinderella stories and
glorified case studies Yojana and Kurukshetra)
~230 words
Visit Mrunal.org/CURRENT for entire Archive weekly current affairs compilations
published so far.
URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2014/05/current-april-week3-p2-geographyenviornment-el-nino-2014-impact-indian-monsoon-agriculture-economybiodiversity-management-committees-critically-endangered-indian-birds.html

Posted By Mrunal On 05/05/2014 @ 13:53 In the category Current Affairs Weekly
13/13

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5/22/2014

[Current] April-Week3-P2: Geography, Enviornment: El Nino 2014, its

E1: El Nino, its impact on Indian Monsoon

What happens in a Normal Year?

Result of this exchange?

cloud/rain = Drought in Atacama Desert.

@Peru cold water upwelling brings nutrient to surface=

Ok, we learned what happens in Normal year. Now lets check

What happens in La Nina Year?

What happens in an El Nino year?

two things become WEAK

Rain & Floods @Peru, Atkama and even Southern USA

What is Southern Oscillation?

How does El Nino affect Indian Monsoon?

DURING NORMAL YEAR

DURING EL NINO YEAR

strong Mascarene High

weakening of winds flowing towards

Similar drought situation in Australia,

El Nino 2014 and India

DONT NEED TO WORRY

Area without irrigation, and totally

Area depending on Ganga

Oilseed and pulses- will have to import

wheat price, because FCI

Will El Nino 2014 hurt Indian GDP?

2014 (without El Nino)

2014 with El Nino

Do we really need to fear El Nino 2014?

Arguments: why we dont need to fear El Nino:

Arguments: why we should worry about El Nino 2014

because of Pre-El Nino type condition.

El Nino is an Oceanic and Atmospheric phenomenon that leads to unusual

Consequently, warm water + low pressure condition develops in the Eastern

E2: 15 Indian birds globally endangered

Himalayan Terai (UP, Assam, Arunachal

Egg collecting in Andhra and Karnataka

Kutch and Rajasthan

Eastern Ghat Andhra, South MP

Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha.

North East and Bangladesh

Migratory to Keoladeo sanctuary, Rajasthan.

North East India, Bhutan, Myanmar

also called Pondicherry

eaten by Vulture => vulture kidney fail by

originally from Christmas island, Australia.

Gujarat, Rajasthan and Maharashtra

North Western India

Assam and Bihar.

North East India

Himalayas & North East

E3: Biodiversity Management Committees

URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2014/05/current-april-week3-p2-geographyenviornment-el-nino-2014-impact-indian-monsoon-agriculture-economybiodiversity-management-committees-critically-endangered-indian-birds.html

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