Professional Documents
Culture Documents
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Yojana&Kurukshetra-July,2016-IASbaba
Preface
This is our 16th edition of Yojana Gist and the 7th edition of Kurukshetra Gist, released for the
month of July, 2016. Both the magazines are increasingly finding a place in the questions of
both UPSC Prelims and Mains and therefore, weve come up with this initiative to equip you
with knowledge thatll help you in your preparation for the CSE.
Every issue deals with a single topic comprehensively sharing views from a wide spectrum
ranging from academicians to policy makers to scholars. The magazine is essential to build
an in-depth understanding of various socio-economic issues.
From the exam point of view, however, not all articles are important. Some go into scholarly
depths and others discuss agendas that are not relevant for your preparation. Added to this
is the difficulty of going through a large volume of information, facts and analysis to finally
extract their essence that may be useful for the exam.
We are not discouraging from reading the magazine itself. So, do not take this as a
document which you take read, remember and reproduce in the examination. Its only
purpose is to equip you with the right understanding. But, if you do not have enough time to
go through the magazines, you can rely on the content provided here for it sums up the
most essential points from all the articles.
You need not put hours and hours in reading and making its notes in pages. We believe, a
smart study, rather than hard study, can improve your preparation levels.
Think, learn, practice and keep improving! That is the key to success
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COMBINING TRADITIONAL WISDOM WITH MODERN RESEARCH
The central idea to the approaches of increasing productivity for a secured and healthy
society is strong conviction that knowledge must be brought to people and places where it
is needed the most. Here comes the need of combining conventional and contemporary
science with local wisdom.
The researchers and technical experts who create new methods have to execute their
findings via local farmers. Thus, maximum collaboration between these two stakeholders to
bridge the theories and practices is of paramount importance
Food and Agricultural Organisation
Good food is first defence against disease
Inadequate food production accompanied with nutritional deficiency is affecting the
younger generationlowers their learning capacity and thereby, compromises their
bright future
Thus, right to adequate and nutritious food is essential for all
Key facts
793 million people suffer from chronic hunger
161 million children under age of 5 are stunted
3.4 million people die each year due to overweight and malnutrition
Cost of malnutrition= USD 3.5 trillion every year
Integrating modern technology with local wisdom
The need is to increase the agricultural productivity without compromising the
nutrient values, soil fertility and environmental issue.
Motto should be Sustainable harvesting & peaceful, equitable and profitable
increase in agricultural productivity
Hence, practicable collaborative works which can fuel the growth of modern
research must be based on local centric objectives and resources
Some of the interesting scientific techniques which can revolutionise agriculture are:
Vermi-culture
It is the use of earthworms for composting residues
Here, organic farm waste is converted to nutrient rich fertilisers which can be later
applied to crop fields and horticulture establishments
Benefits
Produces natural organic fertilisers
Simple activity that can be done by anyone
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How to support?
Research centers to work on better earthworm varieties
Universities must be centres of training
Spreading awareness of producing organic manures in cost effective and successful
manner
The central and state governments should make earthworms available through
providing infrastructure at subsidised rates to research work
Seed Banks
It stores seeds to keep them viable
Helps to preserve genetic diversity which plant breeders need to increase yield,
disease resistance, draught tolerance, nutritional quality etc.
It maintains stocks of foundation and certified seeds of different crops and varieties
which can be utilised for such contingent requirements such as natural calamities
like floods, draughts etc.
The seed banks have to be made accessible apart from providing awareness to local
farmers.
New varieties as well as traditional varieties will help in conserving the biodiversity
of areas and also help them to adapt to change which is brought in by the global
climate change.
Today, more than 7 million samples of seeds, tissues and other plant propagating
materials from food crops are safeguarded in 1750 gene banks
Need of hour is Upgrading farmer-saved seed + Financial assistance for
distribution of certified seed + Training on seed production and technology to
farmers
Traditional knowledge is product of biocultural adaptation of local and indigenous people.
Farmers have wealth of knowledge; rather than imposing or dictating methods, it is
important to learn from them and find ways to communicate new researches and
technology to them. Incorporating biodiversity and local increase in organic bio-fertiliser is
sure way to achieve sustainable developmental goals.
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ROLE OF ICT IN RURAL INDIA
In October 2013, when Phailin hit Odisha coast, people did not face the wrath of nature for
the first time. This was possible due to ICT as well as meticulous planning on part of
government with effective evacuation and relief measures. The ICT tools enabled the IMD to
know the precise location of cyclone in Bay of Bengal and gave accurate forecast. This
information was disseminated by radio and mobile messages to public in real time. Thus,
people were able to prepare for cyclone beforehand and gave distress call when needed.
Applications of ICT
Resource mapping for fisheries
Remote sensing technology can be used for effective management of vital resources
like water. Using data from satellites, government agencies and institutions can plan
effective utilisation such as watershed management and development of fisheries
The chlorophyll image of Indian coastline helps to increase the fish catch by 2-3
times
GPS devices in boats have helped fishermen to navigate in the seas and prevent
them from getting lost or crossing international borders.
An app Fisher Friend gives fishermen alerts on weather, potential fishing zones and
maritime boundaries
Agriculture
One of the challenges for farmers is lack of access to market information. This
creates an imbalance in bargaining power with urban buyers.
Also, a farmer needs to know about weather on day-to-day basis, new technologies,
and government schemes for farmer welfare.
Instruments like media, radio, TV, literature and newspapers were used to transfer
agricultural technology to illiterate as well as literate segments of rural populace.
Drawback: Not demand driven and limited scope to get feedback from farmers
Thus, a two-way interactive ICT tools can be used in knowing farmers opinions and
queries and also giving them required information.
Some ICT tools are
1. Kisan Vikas Kendras
backbone of information and technology dissemination
link between scientific community and Indian farmers
2. Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav
Agri-scientists would go to villages to help farmers adopt new
technologies
Scientists form whatsapp, facebook groups with rural youths and interact
with them frequently
3. Interlinking of agricultural colleges
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Rural Education and Skill Training
Though enrolment of children in primary education is appreciable, the learning outcomes
are not encouraging. Using ICT tools in education can improve learning Use of projectors and computers to easily understand complex things
The need is to train the teachers to use ICT effectively
Government is promoting ICT use though Rashtriya Madhyaik Shiksha Abhiyan by
establishment of smart schools, exclusive teacher for ICT, development of e-content
etc.
E-Basta is conceived where school books are accessible in digital forms as e-books
Promotion of skills in youth through schemes like Skill India, PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana
Rural Health Sector
There is lack of quality infrastructure, dearth of qualified medical practitioners and
non-access to basic medicines in rural areas.
Use of Telemedicine in which doctor in city can interact with patient in remote
village and prescribe medication- cheap, convenient and less time consuming
Apps like Mera Doctor launched by private sector which offers WhatsApp like
sessions between patients and licensed doctors to ask questions
Marketing Needs
ICT will provide unique opportunities to producers of rural products,
agriculture/agro-processing products, rural handicrafts etc. to have direct market
access.
National Agriculture Market in field of agri-marketing which integrates mandis
through internet.
ICT has immense potential. If this potential is leveraged effectively, it can uplift the lives of
rural masses.
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RENEWABLE ENERGY: MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Target: Achieve 1.75GW of renewable power by 2022; of this, 1 GW through solar power.
Out of it, 40000 MW through rooftop solar panels
Smart cities have made harnessing renewable energy as one of important factors in
selecting cities for retrofitting them into urban centres. Government has taken steps like
replacing old ACs with more energy efficient machinery and mandatory rooftop panels over
all government buildings. However, more than urban areas, rural areas can be transformed
through renewable energy
Solar power
Being a tropical country, India can use solar power in off-grid to light up villages in
remote interiors and islands.
Many government schools and hostels in rural areas are making efficient use of solar
power
Even healthcare is provided in some areas through solar power. However, all medical
instruments run on AC power, hence no operation is performed.
In Sundarbans, solar powered vehicles on pilot basis are used instead of rickety gas
spewing rickshaws. It has been well received.
Wind power
In states like Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, wind farms dot the rural landscape and
produce enough power in decentralised power to be fed in power grid.
In high altitude regions like Himachal Pradesh, during heavy snowfall, there is
constant power outs. However, the skies remain bright and clear and steady wind is
generally guaranteed. Thus, hybrid solar-cum wind power have been a boon in such
areas.
However, those displaced from lands on which such farms are built, are deprived off
their livelihoods , identity and homes
Other renewable sources of energy
Agricultural waste like risk husk and biomass have proved to be useful sources of
renewable energy
Recent focus on bio-methanation from organic wastes- particularly animal waste is a
welcome step
Treating organic and animal waste to generate electricity will help in bringing down
GHGs and also meet energy needs in sustainable manner.
Suitability of small hydro, biofuels and biogas
Hydro projects, whether big or small, are no more a reliable source of energy in era
of climate change. Years of draught and erratic rains have left nearly all reservoirs
empty
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India can never become self-sufficient in energy unless new and efficient technologies are
adopted. Instead of old energy inefficient coal plants, it needs to be replaced by newer ones
with better technology. Power guzzling electronic goods have to be replaced by efficient BEE
certified models. Then only there is a chance for garnering benefits from renewable energy
sources.
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Energy from Waste technologies
Thermal conversion
Involves thermal degradation of waste under high temperature
Complete oxidation of waste occurs at high temperature
Technology: Incineration
But, it is losing attention because of emission characteristics
Thermo-chemical conversion
Involves high temperature driven decomposition of organic matter to produce
heat/energy/fuel/gas
Useful for wastes that contain high percentage of organic non-biodegradable matter
and low moisture content
Technology: Pyrolysis and gasification
The products of these processes can be used purely as heat energy or further
processed chemically, to produce a range of end products
Bio-chemical conversion
Involves enzymatic decomposition of organic matter by microbial action to produce
methane gas and alcohol etc.
Used for wastes having high percentage of organic biodegradable matter high level
moisture/water content
Technology: Anaerobic digestion (biomethanation) and fermentation
Electrochemical conversion
Refers to microbial fuel cells
System is developed to trap energy from wastes where reduction-oxidation
machinery of immobilised microbial cells is catalytically exploited for accelerated
transfer of electrons from organic wastes to generate electricity and bio-hydrogen
gas
Constraints
WtE still a new concept
Most proven and commercial technologies are imported
Cost of projects are high, especially projects like biomethanation which is exclusively
imported
Low level of compliance to MSW rules, thus, segregated solid waste is generally not
available at plant sites.
Lack of financial resources with urban bodies/municipal corporations
Lack of conducive policy guidelines from central and state governments
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Support of Indian government
Recognised waste to energy as renewable technology and supports through various
subsidies and incentives
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy actively promoting all technology
options available for energy recovery from urban and industrial wastes
Promoting research, providing financial support for R&D projects on cost-sharing
basis. Key stats such as value of recyclables, amount of environmental pollution from
waste resources and quantity of industrial waste generated need to be computed to
gain better understanding.
Solid waste management is as crucial component of Swachh Bharat Mission
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The use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley
or
The interpretation of the terms of any agreement relating to the use, distribution or
control of such waters or the implementation of such agreement or
The levy of any water rate in contravention of the prohibition contained in section 7
Constitution of Tribunal
a) When any request under section 3 is received from any State Government in respect of
any water dispute and the Central Government is of opinion that the water dispute
cannot be settled by negotiations, the Central Government shall, within a period not
exceeding one year from the date of receipt of such request, constitute a Water
Disputes Tribunal for the adjudication of the water dispute
b) The Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and two other members nominated by the Chief
Justice of India from among persons who at the time of such nomination are Judges of
the Supreme Court or of a High Court.
c) The Central Government may, in consultation with the Tribunal, appoint two or more
persons as assessors to advise the Tribunal in the proceedings before it.
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d) The Tribunal shall investigate the matters referred to it and forward to the Central
Government a report setting out the facts as found by it and giving its decision on the
matters referred to it within a period of three years.
Powers of Tribunal
a) The Tribunal shall have the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of
Civil Procedure, 1908, in respect of the following matters, namely :
Summoning and enforcing the attendance of any person and examining him on oath;
Requiring the discovery and production of documents and material objectsrequisitioning of any data, as may be required by it.
Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses or for local investigation;
Any other matter which may be prescribed
b) The Tribunal may require any State Government to carry out, or permit to be carried
out, such surveys and investigation as may be considered necessary for the adjudication
of any water dispute pending before it.
c) The Tribunal may, regulate its practice and procedure.
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Water CrisisLargest global risk in terms of potential impact
One-third: Of Indias districts affected by severe drought (33 crore people in 256 districts in
10 states)
March, 2016: Only 24% water left in 91 key reservoirs
Main Issue: Water mismanagement and not its actual scarcity
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Leading to:
Crop failure
Shutting down of industries
Mass forced migration
Suicides and deaths
Reduced medical facilities
Spread of diseases
Deterioration of health of women and children
Data
Average rainfall: 1100 mm.; huge regional and temporal variation
80% of rainfall during June to September
Unequal spatial distribution: Brahmaputra and Barak basin are 7.3% of geographical
area and have 4.2% of countrys population but have 31% of annual water resources.
Utilisable water is 28% of total available 4000 billion cubic metre water resources
Per capita water storage is 209 cubic metre. USA (2192 cubic metre) and Australia
(3233 cubic metre)
Other water storage structures are comparatively small and dispersed- ponds, lakes,
tanks.
Groundwater supports more than 60% irrigation and 85% drinking water needs in
rural areas. Hence, it is depleting at an unprecedented level
CPCB Report 2014: 302 river stretches across country has been polluted due to
municipal and industrial waste discharge
Wetlands and traditional water bodies are in abysmal state
Water challenges
Vulnerable agriculture sector + climate change + frequent draughts and high
intensity floods= more complications
IPCCs fifth assessment report: human influence is dominant cause of warning since
mid-20th century
Peak season precipitation has decreased over core monsoon region and daily scale
precipitation variability has increased.
Frequency of dry spells and intensity of wet spells has increased
1981-2011 had more than twice as many years with three or more dry spells as
compared to 1951-1980.
Central Water Commission: in 2016, most reservoirs have lower levels than last 10
years average
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Way Ahead:
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A bucket full of water in the 21st centuryWomen & Water
Cost of fetching water: 150 million women-days and Rs. 10 billion
The importance of involving both women and men in the management of water and
sanitation and access-related questions has been recognized at the global level the
central role of women in the provision, management and safeguarding of water has
been explicitly mentioned
Fetching water is part of the gender inequality
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Economic Dimension: High average annual economic growth of 7.28% since 2002-03
Consumption of fixed and natural capital
Resultant pollution and wastes dangerous for the environment (Acts as sinks and
assimilates the pollution load)
Difficulty in understanding the actual environmental debt* of Indian economy
Contribution of natural resources to the GDP not accounted
Can limit the potential to achieve high economic growth due to constraints on its
availability
Can impose various costs on the society
Public Health costs (Mortality, Morbidity)
Loss of livelihoods (Hampers primary activities)
Solution:
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Agriculture & Water
UN: Food output should grow by 60% to feed a population of 9 billion or more in 2050.
Since January, 2015: Around 1,000 farmers have committed suicide (Karnataka)
Issues
Solution:
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Industries & Water
Manufacturing Sector
Water-intensive industrial activities would lag behind due to water scarcity
Textile bleaching and dyeing
Leather processing
Food processing & beverages
Pulp and paper industries
Disposal of industrial effluents on land and/or on surface water bodies make water resources
unavailable
Service Sector
Maximum impact would be felt by the following sectors
Hospitality
Medical
Construction/Real Estate
Qn: Water is to the 21st century, what oil was to the 20th century. Comment
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Diversions & Withdrawal of Upstream water
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Better data
Basin/ sub-basin level water management
Water source improvement
Open defecation free
Supply and access augmentation
Demand side management
Capacity building
Institutional and legislative reforms
Revival of traditional wisdom
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Water is the primary medium through which climate change influences Earths ecosystem
and thus the livelihood and well-being of societies. Higher temperatures and changes in
extreme weather conditions are projected to affect availability and distribution of rainfall,
snowmelt, river flows and groundwater, and further deteriorate water quality. The poor,
who are the most vulnerable, are likely to be adversely affected.
Water quality could suffer in areas experiencing increases in rainfall. Heavy downpours can
increase the amount of runoff into rivers and lakes, washing sediment, nutrients, pollutants,
trash, animal waste, and other materials into water supplies, making them unusable, unsafe,
or in need of water treatment. Freshwater resources along the coasts face risks from sea
level rise. As the sea rises, salt water moves into freshwater areas. This may force water
managers to seek other sources of fresh water, or increase the need for desalination (or
removal of salt from the water) for some coastal freshwater aquifers used as drinking water
supply.
In addition, as more freshwater is removed from rivers for human use, saltwater will move
farther upstream. Drought can cause coastal water resources to become more saline as
freshwater supplies from rivers are reduced. Water infrastructure in coastal cities, including
sewer systems and wastewater treatment facilities, faces risks from rising sea levels and the
damaging impacts of storm surges.
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Water resources and how they are managed impact almost all aspects of society and the
economy, in particular health, food production and security, domestic water supply and
sanitation, energy, industry, and the functioning of ecosystems. Under present climate
variability, water stress is already high, particularly in many developing countries, and
climate change adds even more urgency for action. Without improved water resources
management, the progress towards poverty reduction targets, the Millennium Development
Goals, and sustainable development in all its economic, social and environmental
dimensions, will be jeopardized.
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State
Ladakh
Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Uttarakhand
Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi (HP)
HP
Nagaland
Nagaland
Assam (Bodo Tribes)
Meghalaya (Khasi & Jaintia)
Arunachal Pradesh (Apatani
tribes of Ziro)
TN
South Travancore
Kerala
MP & Odisha
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Kare
Cheruvu
Kohli, Bhandaras, Phad
Aharpynes
Karnataka
Andhra Pradesh
Maharashtra
Bihar
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Potential contribution of the water sector to attain the Millennium Development Goals
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Please read the following articles:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
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