General Knowledge IAS Help - Part 2

8/10/2019 General Knowledge IAS Help - Part 2

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POSTAL SERVICES IN INDIAOverview

India Post is the brand name of the Department of Posts, Minis try of Communications and Information TechnologyWith over 150,000 post offices, the Indian postal system is the largest postal services system in the worldIn terms of postal volume, India ranks sixth, behind the UK, Germany, Japan, France and RussiaPostal services in India were introduced in 1837 in principal towns in each Presidency

Keywords:India,ias,upsc,civil services,exam,study material,general studies,general knowledge,free

History of postal services

Postal services were introduced in 1837The Indian Postal Act 1854 established a separate postal departmentThe first postage stamp, called Scinde Dawk, was introduced in 1852 in SindThe first Postal Circle was the North West Province Circle in 1839The post card was introduced in 1879, money order system was introduced in 1880, Post Office Savings Bank in 1882, Railway MailService in 1907, Airmail Service in 1911Postal services today are governed by the Indian Post Office Act 1898

Keywords:India,ias,upsc,civil services,exam,study material,g eneral studies,general knowledge,free

Organization of postal ser vices

Postal s ervices in In dia are impl emented by the Depart ment of Pos ts, Ministry of Communic ations and Information TechnologyIndia has been divided into 22 Postal Circles. Each Circle is headed by a Chief Postmaster GeneralEach circle is further divided into Postal Divisions, headed by a Postmaster GeneralIn addition to the 22 Postal Circles, there is a special Circle called the Base Circle to cater to the armed forces. It falls under thepurview of the Army Postal Service and is headed by an Additional Director General holding the rank of Major General


Postal Index Number (PIN)

The PIN is the post office identification system used in IndiaIt was introduced in 1972There are 9 PIN zones in India and one functional zoneThe first digit of the PIN indicates the region, second digit indicates sub-region and third digit indicates sorting districtThe nine PIN zones covering India are

1 Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, J & K, Chandigarh2 UP, Uttarakhand

3 Rajasthan, Gujarat, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli4 Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh5 Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka6 Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry7 Orissa, West Bengal, all N.E. states, Andaman & Nicobar 8 Bihar, Jharkhand9 Army Post Office


IMPORTANT SERVICES OF THE POSTAL SYSTEM IN INDIA1. Speed Post

1. Introduced in 19862. Provides express service for letters and documents3. Offers a money-back guarantee under which the postal fee will be refunded in case of delay in delivery

2. Logistics Post

1. Introduced in 20082. Applicable for sending parcels and large consignments3. No weight limit

3. Postal Life Insurance1. Launched in 18842. Initially conceived as a welfare measure for the employees of the Post & Telegraph Department3. Currently open to Central, state and local government employees, banks, PSUs and government-aided educational ins titutions

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4. Savings Bank1. Launched in 18822. Interest is completely tax free


TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN INDIAOverview

The Indian telecommunication industry is the third largest in the worldIt is the second largest in terms of wireless connectionsIndia is the fastest growing mobile phone market in the worldTele-density in India is around 45%In Sep 2009, Government announced the availability of Mobile Number Portability from Dec 2009. MNP would allow users to retaintheir phone number even if they changed service providers


History of telecommunications in India

Telegraph facilities in India were first introduced between Calcutta and Diamond Harbour in 1850In 1953, work was started on telegraph lines connecting Calcutta, Agra, Peshawar, Bombay and MadrasThe first Telegraph Act was enacted in 1854Telegraph facilities were opened to the public in 1855The first telephone exchange in India was opened in Calcutta in Jan 1882. Exchanges were also established in Bombay andMadras in the same year The pioneer of telegraph and telephones in India was Dr. William OShaugnessy from the Calcutta Medical CollegeTelecommunications in India today is governed by the Indian Telegraph Act 1885


Further development of telecommunications

1902: first wireless telegraph between Saugor Islands and Sandheads (West Bengal)

1913-1914: first automatic telephone exchange established in Simla1927: first radio telegraph system between India and UK with beam stations at Khadki and Daund (Maharashtra)1960: first subscriber trunk dialing (STD) introduced between Kanpur and Lucknow1979: first optical fibre system commissioned at Pune1980: first satellite earth station for domestic communications established at Secunderabad (Andhra Pradesh)1985: first mobile telephone service started on non-commercial basis in Delhi


GOVERNMENT ENTITIES IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS

1. Telephone Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)1. TRAI is an independent regulator established in 1997 to regulate the communications sector in India2. It consis ts of a Chairperson and two members3. Objectives of TRAI include

1. To provide policies on communications in India2. Manage licenses for telecommunications3. Efficiently manage available spectrum4. Ensure compliance with provisions

2. Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL)1. It is government-owned service provider operating in New Delhi, Bombay, Thane2. It was established in 19863. Headquarters in New Delhi4. MTNL launched Indias first 3G mobile services in 20085. In 2004, MTNL established a fully owned subsidiary Mahanagar Telephones Mauritius Limited (MTML) for providing basic,

mobile and long-distance operations in Mauritius6. MTNL functions under the Department of Telecom, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology

3. Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL)1. Established in 19862. It is Indias largest telecommunications company in long-distance, enterprise data and internet services3. Headquarters in Bombay4. It has the worlds largest network of submarine cables, by means of its subsidiary Tyco Global Network

5. VSNL was renamed as Tata Communications in 20084. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL)

1. Established in 2000 by corporatization of the commercial services of the Department of Telecom2. Headquarters in New Delhi3. It is Indias oldest and largest communications service provider 4. It operates in every major city except Bombay and New Delhi, which are run by the MTNL5. Functions under the Department of Telecom, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology


IMPORTANT PLAYERS IN TELECOMMUNICATIONS IN INDIA

Company Headquarters Key people Notes

Bharti Airtel New Delhi Sunil Mittal Larges t mobile phone company in India

Reliancecommunications

Bombay Anil Ambani Largest optical fibre network in India

Vodafone Essar Bombay

(Global HQ:London)

MartenPieters

Vodafone is the largest mobile phonecompany in the world

BSNL New DelhiKuldeepGoyal Indias largest telecommunications company

Idea Cellular BombayKumar

Mangalam Birla




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12 December 2009 | Tags: postal services, telecommunicati ons| No Comments

Tata Teleservices Bombay Ratan TataTata Indicom, Tata Docomo (with NTT

Docomo of Japan) and Virgin Mobile (VirginGroup, UK)

Aircel MadrasGurdeepSingh

Venture between Maxis Communications(Malaysia) and Apollo Hospi tals

MTNL New Delhi RSP Sinha

Loop Mobile (formerlyBPL Mobile)

Bombay Sandip Basu

Sistema Shyam New Delhi

VsevolodRosanov

VitalySavelyev

Venture between Sistema (Russia) andShyam Telelink

Keywords: India, ias, upsc, civil services, exam, study material, general studies, general knowledge, free

PREVIOUS WEEK: EDUCATION IN INDIA~~~~~~~~~~~~

NEXT WEEK: RADIO AND TV IN INDIA


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EDUCATION IN INDIA

OverviewOverall literacy rate of 66%Education is a concurrent subjectPrivate education market in India valued at $40 bnIndias first education Minister was Maulana Abul Kalam AzadThe nodal agency for education in India is the Ministry of Human Resource DevelopmentIndia has 22 Central Universities

Keywords:ias,upsc, civil service,India,study material,general studies,general knowledge,education

Modern education in India

First IIT was established at Kharagpur (1950). Currently there are 15 IITs, with plans to add 3 moreThe Calcutta Madrasah College (1780) is the oldest continuously running Islamic seminary in India. It achieved Universitystatus in 2008Serampore College, West Bengal was the first institution to grant degrees in theology (1818)Thomason College of Civil Engineering (1847) is the oldest autonomous engineering school in Asia. It is now known asthe IIT RoorkeeThe University of Calcutta (1857) was the first full-fledged multi-disciplinary university in IndiaThe College of Engineering, Guindy (Madras) is the oldest technical institute in India and one of the oldest in the world(1794)


Achievements

India has the third largest higher education system in the world, after China and the USThree Indian universities lis ted in the Times Higher Education list: IITs, IIMs and JNUSix IITs and BITS (Pilani) lis ted among the top 20 science and technology schools in Asia by AsiaweekIndian School of Business ranked 15 in global MBA rankings by the Financial Times of LondonErnakulam District in Kerala was the first District in India to be declared 100%literate (1990)


Challenges

40% of population is illiterate and only 15% reach high school25% of teaching positions vacant and 57% of college professors lack mas ters or doctorate degrees


EDUCATION BOARDS AND SYSTEMS IN INDIAThe apex body for curriculum-related matters is the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT). The first

education Board set up in India was the United Provinces Board of High School and Intermediate Education. Currently, the variouscurriculum governing bodies are

1. Various State Education Boards1. The State Education Boards enroll the largest number of students in India2. The first State Education Board was established in Madras Presidency in 1908

2. Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)1. Established in 1952, as the evolution of the UP Education Board. Headquarters in New Delhi2. CBSE affiliates all Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Vidyalayas and all schools in NCT Delhi, Chandigarh, Andaman &

Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh and Uttaranchal. It also affiliates Indian schools inforeign countries

3. Conducts the All India Secondary School Examination (AISSE) for class X, the All India Senior School CertificateExamination (AISSCE) for class XII and the All India Engineering Entrance Exam (AIEEE)

3. Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CISCE)1. Established in 1956. Headquarters in New Delhi2. Private, not affiliated to the government3. Conducts the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education (ICSE) examination for class X and the Indian School Certificate

(ISC) examination for class XII

1. National Institute of Open Schooling1. Established by the Union Government in 1989. Headquarters in Noida


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2. Largest open school system in the world3. Examinations are held twice a year in April-May and October-November. Students can also appear for On-Demand

Examinations at the Secondary (class X) and Senior Secondary (class XII) levels4. Has established the International Centre for Training in Open Schooling and Open Schooling Association of the Commonwealth

in association with UNESCO and the Commonwealth of Learning

2. Other Systems1. Darul Uloom Deoband

1. Established in 1866 in Deoband (Uttar Pradesh)2. The syllabus is known as Dars-e-Nizami3. Curriculum includes Islamic law, Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic spiri tuality and other Islamic studies4. Affiliates numerous madrassas in India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and other parts of the world

2. International schools affiliated to the International Baccalaureate Programme and the Cambridge International Examinations3. Autonomous schools l ike the Woodstock School, Auroville, Patha Bhavan and Ananda Marga Gurukula


EDUCATIONAL POLICY AND CONSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORKConstitutional Provisions

The Constitution of India provides for free and compulsory education for all children up to the age of 14Education is listed as a Concurrent Subject , with joint jurisdiction of the Central and state governments. However, the UnionGovernment exclusively determines the standards in higher and technical educationLocal authorities (such as Panchayats and Municipalities) to be assigned suitable roles through legislations at the state levelState governments and local authorities to provide instruction in the mother tongue at the primary education level

The 86 th Constitutional Amendment to Article 21A made education a fundamental rightKeywords:ias,upsc, civil service,India,study material,general studies,general knowledge,education

National Policy on Education

First National Policy on Education was formulated in 1968Second National Policy on Education was formulated in 1986The second Policy was further modified in 1992Major highlights of the Policy include

National system of education: established a nationwide-standard for various education systems and imposed minimumlearning requirementsEducation for equality: Policy emphasizes removal of social disparities by promoting education of women, backwardcommunities and the disabledTechnical and management education: encourage the adoption of technology and management best practices


Right to Education Bill

The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act was passed by Parliament in Aug 2009The Act describes the modalities for providing free and compulsory elementary and secondary education for children between theages of 6 and 14The Act was enacted in pursuance of Article 21A of the Constitution, which made education a fundamental rightAs per the Act, government schools shall provide free education to all children, and private schools shall admit at least 25%of their students without any fee. No donation or capitation fee may be charged either The Act also provides for a School Monitoring Committee a body of elected representatives from the community to ensure proper functioningThe Act also provides for a school in every neighbourhoodThe Act does not establish a uniform standard of education quality. However, it does recommend the constitution of a NationalCommission of Elementary Education to address this issue


SCHEMES AND PROGRAMMES All schemes and programmes under the purview of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (unless otherwise noted)

1. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All)1. Launched in 20042. SSA is the Governments flagship programme for achievement of universalization of elementary education of satisfactory

quality by 20103. Emphasizes community participation through decentralized planning and implementation4. Aims to see all children complete five years of primary schooling by 2007 and eight years of elementary schooling by 2010.

Also aims to achieve universal retention by 20105. Provides for a school in every 1 km radius6. Focuses alternative schooling methodologies, children with special needs, girls education and computer education7. SSA contains components such as National Program for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL) and Education

Guarantee Scheme (EGS) / Alternative & Innovative Education (AIE)8. Jointly sponsored by the Union and state governments9. Under the purview of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of HRD

2. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RSMA)1. Launched in 20092. Set up following the success of SSA, to provide secondary and higher education for those who have completed elementary

education3. Provides for a s econdary school every 5 km and a higher s econdary school every 7-10 km4. Aims to ensure universal access to quality secondary education by 2017 with universal retention by 20205. Provides special support to economically weaker sections, girls , students with disabilities6. Jointly sponsored by the Union and state governments

7. Implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy, Minis try of HRD3. Information and Communication Technology in Schools (ICT)

1. Launched in 20042. Aims to help secondary school students develop ICT skills3. Aims to set up IT-based Smart Schools in Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodya Vidyalayas4. Fully sponsored by the Union government5. Implemented by the Department of Higher Education, Minis try of HRD




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5 December 2009 | Tags: education| No Comments

4. Mahila Samakhya Programme1. Launched in 19892. Aims to provide women and girls with education as a tool for empowerment3. Implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy

5. Mid Day Meal Scheme1. Largest school feeding programme in the world, serving over 120 million children every day2. Mid day meal concept was first introduced by the Madras Municipal Corporation for disadvantaged children in 19253. First large scale implementation was by the Tamil Nadu government in 19824. Covers all children in primary and upper primary Government, Local Body and Government-aided schools in the entire country

6. Scheme for Providing Quality Education in Madrassas1. Launched in 2007

2. Scheme has two main components: infrastructure support and introduction of modern subjects3. Sponsored by the Union government

7. Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)1. Launched in 20042. Provides for setting up residential s chools at elementary level for girls belonging to backward communities in difficult areas3. Aims to address low literacy levels and large gender gaps in educationally backward areas4. Sponsored jointly by the Union and state governments5. Implemented by concerned state education departments


EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS1. Central Scheme of Scholarship for College and University Students

1. Launched in 20072. Provides financial assis tance to meritorious students from low-income families3. Scholarship awarded on the basis of senior secondary examination (class XII)4. Fully sponsored by the Union government5. Implemented by the Department of Higher Education, Minis try of HRD

2. Scheme of Scholarship to Students from Non-Hindi Speaking States for Post-Matric Studies in Hindi1. Launched in 1955, revised in 20042. Scholarship available to students at post-matric to PhD level3. Sponsored by the Union government4. Implemented by state education departments

3. Scheme of National Scholarship for Persons with Disabilities1. Launched in 20092. Scholarship available for post-matric professional and technical courses. However, for severely disabled students scholarship

is available from class IX onwards3. Sponsored by the Union Government4. Implemented by the Minis try of Social Justice and Empowerment

Sources: Wikipedia, Ministry of HRD, India Development GatewayKeywords: ias, upsc, civil service, India, study material, general studies, general knowledge, education

Previous Week: Wildlife Conservation in India


WILDLIFE CONSERVATION IN INDIAOverview of wildlife in India

India is home to about 60-70% of the worldsbiodiversityIndia has about 7.6% of all mammalian, 12.6% of avian, 6.2% of reptilian and 6.0% of flowering

plant speciesIndia contains 172 (around 2.9%) of the worldsthreatened speciesFamous mammals in Indian wildlife: AsianElephant, Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Lion, Leopard,Sloth Bear, Indian Rhinoceros, Wild Asian Water Buffalo etcLarge-scale conservation efforts now underwayProtected areas in India cover 4.5% of territory

Keywords:ias,study material,general studies,general k nowledge,wildlife conservation

Recent extinctions

Indian/Asian CheetahJavan RhinocerosSumatran RhinocerosPink-headed duck

Himalayan QuailKeywords:ias,study material,general studies,general k nowledge,wildlife conservation

PROTECTED AREAS IN INDIA

1. National Parks1. India currently has 96 national parks, with plans to expand it to 1662. Oldest National Park: Jim Corbett National Park (1935)3. Newest National Park: Chandoli National Park, Maharashtra (2004). Part of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve


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2. Wildlife Sanctuary1. India has over 500 wildlife sanctuaries2. Among these are 28 Tiger Reserves governed by Project Tiger

3. Biosphere Reserves1. Protect larger areas of natural habitat than National Parks or Wildlife Sanctuaries2. Often include one or more National Parks inside the Reserve3. Includes buffer zone that are open for nominal economic use4. Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna in the Reserve but also to habiting human communities and their ways

of life5. There are 15 Biosphere Reserves in India6. 7 of the 15 are part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves

4. Reserved Forests and Protected Forests1. Declared by the state governments (unlike Wildlife Sanctuaries or National Parks)2. These are forested lands where human activity (like hunting, logging, grazing etc) may be permitted on a sustainable basis3. The key difference between Reserved Forests and Protected Forests is that in Reserved Forests explicit permission is

required for such activities whereas in Protected Forests such activities are permitted unless explicitly prohibited

5. Village Forests and Panchayat Forests1. Forested lands administered by a village or a panchayat on a sustainable basis2. The flora, fauna and habitat are accorded some degree of protection by the community

6. Private Protected Areas1. Regions owned by an individual or an organization not affiliated to the government2. Not legally protected by the government; however, NGOs and land trust help in conservation3. Most private protected areas before Independence were used as royal hunting grounds by the Princely States; they were

absorbed as Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks following Independence4. Prominent Private Protected Areas managed by the Wildlife Trust of India include

1. Siju-Rewak Corridor (Garo Hills, Meghalaya): a protected migration corridor between the Siju Wildlife Sanctuary and the

Rewak Reserved Forest. Caters to Bengal Tiger, Clouded Leopard and Himalayan Black Bear 2. Tirunelli-Kudrakote Corridor (Kerala): a protected migration corridor for Indias largest elephant population between theTirunelli Reserved Forest and the Kudrakote Reserved Forest

7. Conservation Areas1. Large, well-designated areas where landscape conservation is undergoing, and contains different kinds of constituent protected

lands as well as privately owned lands2. These were primarily part of a joint Indo-US project on landscape management and protection. The project ran from 1996 to

2002Keywords:ias,study material,general studies,general k nowledge,wildlife conservation

BIOSPHERE RESERVES IN INDIA

S.No.

Reserve Established State Notes

1Gyan BhartiReserve 2008 Gujarat Largest Biosphere Reserve in India

2 Amarkantak 2005Madhya

Pradesh,Chattisgarh

3 Agasthyamalai 2001Kerala, Tamil

Nadu

UNESCO World Heritage SiteProtects the tiger, Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr

Home of the Kanikaran, one of the oldestsurviving ancient tribes in the world

4 Kanchanjunga 2000 Sikkim

5 Pachmarhi 1999Madhya

Pradesh

Notified in the World Network of BiosphereReserves

Leopard, wild boar, muntjac deer, gaur, chitaldeer, sambar, Rhesus Macaques

6 Dehang-Debang 1998 ArunachalPradesh

7 Dibru-Saikhowa 1997 Assam

8 Simlipal 1994 OrissaNotified in the World Network of Biosphere

Reserves

9 Gulf of Mannar 1989 Tamil NaduWorld Network of Biosphere Reserves

Coral ReefsSharks, Dugongs, Dolphins, Sea Turtles

10 Sunderbans 1989 West Bengal

World Network of Biosphere ReservesUNESCO World Heritage Site (1997)Largest Mangrove forest in the world

Home of the Royal Bengal Tiger

11Great Nicobar

Biosphere Reserve 1989 Andaman &

Nicobar Islands

Nicobar scrubfowl, Nicobar long-tailedMacaque, Saltwater crocodile, Giant

Leatherback Sea Turtle, Reticulated Python,Giant Robber Crab

12 Manas 1989 Assam

13 Nanda Devi 1988 UttarakhandWorld Network of Biosphere Reserves

UNESCO World Heritage Site

14 Norkek 1988 Meghalaya World Network of Biosphere Reserves




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Now the world's rarest monkey, the endangeredGolden Langur, is found in the Chakrashila Wildlife

Sanctuary in Assam

28 November 2009 | Tags: envi ronment| 5 Comments

15 Nilgiri 1986Tamil Nadu,

Kerala, Karnataka

World Network of Biosphere ReservesTiger, Asian Elephant, Nilgiri Tahr

Under consideration for UNESCO WorldHeritage Site


ENDANGERED SPECIES IN INDIACritically Endangered

Jenkins ShrewMalabar Large-spotted Civet: Kerala, KarnatkaNamdapha Flying Squirrel: NE IndiaPygmy Hog (wild pig): Assam

Salim Alis fruit bat: Tamil NaduWroughtons Free-tailed Bat: Karnataka, AssamSumatran Rhinoceros: NE India


Other important endangered species

Asiatic lion Asiatic Black bear Desert CatGreat Indian RhinocerosGolden Leaf Monkey (Golden Langur)Kashmir StagLion-tailed MacaqueNilgiri Leaf MonkeyIndian Elephant

Nicobar ShrewNilgiri Tahr Red PandaWild Water BuffaloWoolly Flying Squirrel


SPECIAL CONSERVATION PROJECTS IN INDIA All wildlife conservation efforts are implemented by the Ministry of

Environment and Forests unless otherwise notedProject Tiger

First established in 1972 in the Jim Corbett National ParkFirst tiger census in 1972 reported existence of only 1827 tigers. By the 1990s tiger population rose to 3500; however, by 2008 it haddropped to 1411.By 2005, entire population Sariska Tiger Reserve had been wiped outRe-population of Tiger Reserves started in 2008 when Sariska Tiger Reserve received two tigers via a translocation scheme41 Tiger Reserves covering an area over 37000 sq kmCover the following tiger habitats

Shivalik-Terai Conservation UnitNorth-east Conservation UnitSunderbands Conservation UnitCentral Indian Conservation UnitEastern Ghat Conservation UnitWestern Ghat Conservation Unit

Largest Tiger Reserve is the Nagarjuna-Srisailam Tiger Reserve in Andhra Pradesh. Established in 1982, it suffers from a poor density of tiger population attributed to left-wing extremism


Project Elephant

Launched in 1992Latest Elephant Reserve is Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnatka (2010/11)

Currently there are 25 Elephant Reserves covering a land area 58000 sq kmLargest Elephant Reserve is the Mysore Elephant Reserve in Karnataka (2002)



ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN INDIAMajor Issues

India supports 16% of world population in 2.4% of area60% of cultivable land estimated to suffer soil erosion, waterlogging and salinityFrom 1947 to 2002, average per capita availability of water decreased 70%

Overexploitation of groundwater in Haryana, Punjab and UPNet result: rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, increased frequency of droughtEnvironmental degradation is estimated to cost the equivalent of 4%of Indias GDP. After environmental corrections, Indiaseconomic growth rate falls down to about 4.5%

Water Supply

No city in India with population more than 1m distributes water for more than a few hours a dayLongest duration of supply: Chandigarh (12 hrs/day). Shortest: Rajkot (0.3 hrs/day). Average: 4.3 hrs/day


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Continuous water available in: Jamshedpur (population 570000), Navi Mumbai (for about 50% of its 1m population), Badlapur inGreater Bombay (30% of its population)

Water Degradation

Only 30%of wastewater is treated. Rest flows into rivers or groundwater Of 3119 cities in India, only 209 have partial wastewater treatment facilities , only 8 have full treatment facilities114 cities dump untreated sewage and partially cremated bodies into the GangesFecal bacteria in the Ganges is 3000 over safety limit. In the Yamuna it is 10000 times over safety limit

Around 65% of the rivers had Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) below 3mg/l, while 15% rivers had BOD more than 6mg/l. Thesituation has been improving over the last decade but remains critical.

Atmospheric Degradation

Vehicular emissions cause up to 33% of air pollution in IndiaIn Bangalore, around 50% of children suffer from asthmaConsistent haze and smoke is caused in northwestern India due to the burning of biomass

Land Degradation

Almost 50%of cultivable land affected by soil erosionDeforestation of Shivalik Hills, Himalayas, Western and Eastern Ghats resulting in frequent floodsIncreased sedimentation of rivers and silting of water reservoirsExtensive illegal quarrying and mining

INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION IN INDIAADDRESSING RURAL SANITATIONCommunity-led Total Sanitation

Public-private partnershipIntroduced in Maharashtra in 2002Primarily aims to create Open Defecation Free communities in rural areasCommunities mobilize themselves to construct latrines and achieve total sanitation

Currently active in about 2000 gram panchayats over MaharashtraOnly urban local body where CLTS has been implemented is Kalyani near CalcuttaInitiated by the Ministry of Rural Development

ADDRESSING WATER DEGRADATIONGanga Action Plan

Launched by GoI in 1985 to reduce pollution1.0 MLD of sewage treatment targetedPlan failed to decrease pollution after spending Rs 900 crore over 15 years. Declared closed in 2000Yamuna and Gomati included in GAP Phase IIImplemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests

National River Conservation Plan (NRCP)

Launched in 1993 to clean up major riversInvolves

Interception and diversion of sewage

Sewage treatment plantsConstruction of crematoria and sanitation facilitiesRiver front development

Fully funded by Central governmentCurrently covers 37 riversCreated sewage treatment capacity of 3070 MLDImplemented by the Ministry of Environment and Forests

ADDRESSING LAND DEGRADATIONProgramme for Reclamation and Development of Alkali & Acid Soils

Aims to reclaim develop lands affected by alkalinity and acidity and to improve soil fertility Area of 0.66 m Ha out of 3.5 m Ha of alkali land reclaimedFinanced by Union (90%) and State (10%) governmentsImpact

pH of reclaimed soil decreased from 10.5 to 9.2

increased paddy yield by two times75% increase in household income

Implemented by the Ministry of AgricultureWatershed Development Project in Shifting Cultivation Areas (WDPSCA)

Launched in 1995Aims to reclaim land used for shifting agriculture and to encourage these farmers to switch to settled agriculturePrimarily implemented in NE states, where shifting agriculture is causing acute deforestationScheme is designed to protect and develop the hill slopes through soi l and water conservation measures in order to prevent further land degradationFully funded by Central governmentImplemented by the Ministry of Agriculture

ADDRESSING INDUSTRIAL POLLUTIONAction plan for the tannery sector

Chrome recovery: All tannery units in the country to have chrome recovery facility, either individually or on a collective basis.Recovered chromium is to be used in the tanning processWaste minimization measures: waste minimization circles to be formed in all tannery clusters. To be made obligatory graduallyReduction of water consumption: All tanneries to install water meters. Water consumptions rates to be lowered using wasteminimization measuresCompliance of standards: Installation of automatic monitoring equipment, open anaerobic lagoons to be converted into closedsystems with gas recovery, all units to take up environmental auditing on an annual basisManagement of Total Dissolved Solids: all units to employ cleaner technology for less use of salt, desalting, effluent treatmentSolid waste management: all units to use process sludge for by-product recovery (esp. biogas), chromium recovery, and safe




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disposal of hazardous waste All units to reuse recovered salts and employ safe disposal measures All units to eliminate use of BoronGround water quality monitoring to be strengthenedImplemented by the CPCB (MoEF)

OTHER INITIATIVESEnvironment Atlas

Scheme called State of Environment Atlas launched by Union Govt. in 2002Streamlines the process of data collection and reporting regarding the environmentObjective: to bring out an overview of the environmental scenario of the states and UTs for policy and decision-makingImplemented by four host institutes: Energy and Resources Inst. New Delhi, Development Alternatives New Delhi, Environment

Protection Training Inst. Hyderabad, and Administrative Staff College of India HyderabadInitiated by the Ministry of Environment and Forests

Global Environment Monitoring Stations (GEMS)

Nationwide network of 1019 monitoring stations in 27 states and 6 UTsCovers rivers, lakes, canals and wellsWater samples are analysed for chemical and bacteriological parameters, trace metals and pesticidesWater quality data is reported in the Water Quality Status Year BookEstablished by the Central Pollution Control Board in tandem with state PCBs . Comes under the Ministry of Environment andForests

National Air Quality Monitoring Programme (NAMP)

Nationwide network 342 monitoring stations covering 26 states and 4 UTs Aims to determine the status and trend of air quality in various cities and to develop measures to correct and prevent air qualitydeteriorationFour air pollutants are monitored regularly: sulphur dioxide, oxides of nitrogen, Suspended Particulate Matter and RespirableSuspended Marticulate Matter

Implemented by the CPCB in association with state PCBs. Comes under the Ministry of Environment and ForestsEcocity Programme

Launched in 2003Created to address unplanned development, poor sanitary conditions and pollution in urban areas

Aims to provide innovative and unconventional solutions that do not require large financial investmentInitiated by the CPCB. Comes under the MoEF

UPSC IAS :: Study Material :: General Studies :: General Knowledge #1

ENVIRONMENT IN INDIA: POLICIES, PROGRAMMES AND IMPLEMENTATIONAdministration

Administered by Ministry of Environment and Forest

Central Pollution Control Board established to assess and control water and air pollutionBotanical Survery of India (BSI): established in 1980 for surveying and identifying plant resourcesZoological Survey of India (ZSI): established in 1916 to survey endangered species and undertake conservation effortsForest Survey of India (FSI): established 1981, to survey forest resources

International environmental agreements that India is party to

Domain Treaty Enacted Objectives Highlights

AtmosphereUN Framework

Convention on ClimateChange (UNFCCC)

Rio de Janeiro,1992

(Earth Summit)

Stablize greenhousegases levels

Nationalgreenhouse gasinventories

Atmosphere

Kyoto Protocol

(protocol toUNFCCC) Kyoto, 1997Combat global

warming

Carbon creditsCleandevelopmentmechanismU.S.A. onlyprominentcountry to notratify

Atmosphere Vienna Convention Vienna, 1985 Protect ozone layer

AtmosphereMontreal Protocol(protocol to Vienna

Convention)Montreal, 1987 Protect ozone layer Ratified by all

UN members

Hazardoussubstances Basel Convention Basel, 1989

Reduce movement of hazardous wastebetween nations

Does not cover radioactivewasteNot ratified byUSA

Hazardoussubstances

RotterdamConvention Rotterdam, 1998

Procedures for hazardous chemicals in

international trade

Proper labelingof hazardousproducts

Bans DDT for


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Hazardoussubstances

StockholmConvention Stockholm, 2001

production and use of

persistent organicpollutants

agriculture,permits for mosquitocontrol

Marine EnvironmentUN Convention on

the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS)

Jamaica, 1982 Regulations for national use of oceans

Set limits for territorial waters,exclusiveeconomic zoneetcSet economicand militaryrights in these

zones

Marine environment

Convention for theConservation of

Antarctic Marine LivingResources

1982Protect the ecosystem

of the seas surrounding Antarctica

Marine environmentInternational

Convention on theRegulation of Whaling

Washington DC,1946

Protection fromoverhunting, regulation

of whaling industry

Implemented byInternationalWhalingCommissions

Nature conservation Antarctic Treaty Washington DC,1959Regulate international

relations wrt Antarctica

Set aside Antarctica asscientificpreserveEstablishedfreedom of scientificinvestigationBanned militaryactivity

Nature conservation Convention onBiological Diversity

Rio de Janeiro,1992

(Earth Summit)

ConservationSustainable use

CartagenaProtocol

Nature ConservationCartagena Protocol(supplement to CBD)

2000Protect from riskposed by Living

Modified Organisms

Procedures for handling anduse of LMOEstablished Bio-

safety ClearingHouse

Nature Conservation

Convention onInternational Trade inEndangered Species

of Wild Fauna andFlora

Washington DC,1973

Ensure trade inanimals and plantsdoes not threaten

survival

Protects morethan 33000speciesOnly oneprotectedspecies (SpixsMacaw) hasbecome extinct

Nature Conservation

Convention onWetlands of InternationalImportance

Ramsar (Iran),1971

Conservation andsustainable use of

wetlands

Covers over 1.8million sq km

Nature Conservation

UN Convention toCombat

Desertification(UNCCD)

Paris, 1994

CombatdesertificationMitigate effect of

drought

Onlyinternationalframework toaddressdesertification

Nuclear Safety

Treaty BanningNuclear Weapon Testsin the Atmosphere, In

Outer Space andUnderwater (PTBT/LTBT)

Moscow, 1963

Prohibits all testdetonations of nuclear

weapons exceptunderground

Prominent non-signatories:France, China,North Korea

Nuclear SafetyVienna Convention

on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage

Vienna, 1997Defines financial

liability for nuclear mishaps

Defines nuclear

damage toincludeenvironmentLiability not lessthan 300 millionSDRs ($400m)Coastal statescovered for




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damage duringnuclear transport

Programmes

1. National River Conservation PlanPrevent river pollution and improve water qualityLaunched in 1985 with GangesRivers covered: 37Pollution load tackled: 3000 MLD

2. Ecomark Scheme of IndiaLabel environment-friendly products

Launched in 1991Follows a product from raw materials to manufacturing to disposalCovers multiple product categories including soaps, paper, food items, lubricating oil etc

3. National Afforestation ProgrammeObjectives: ecological regeneration, development of water resources, employment generationImplemented by Forest Development Agencies and Joint Forest Management Committees

4. National Action Programme to Combat DesertificationImplements provisions of UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)Improve quality of life of localsDrought preparadness and mitigation

Assessment and mapping of land degradationOverseen by Central Arid Zone Research Institute, Jodhpur India is host country for Agro forestry and soil conservation in arid, semi arid and dry sub humid areas

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General Knowledge IAS Help - Part 2

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