Environment and Ecology: July 2023 UPSC Current Affairs | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

Rising Water Levels in the Yamuna River

Central Idea

• The Yamuna River in Delhi is experiencing it’s highest-ever water levels, causing concerns and necessitating emergency actions.
• Heavy rainfall in northwest India, including the Yamuna basin states, and increased water release from the upstream Hathnikund Barrage in Haryana are contributing to the unprecedented water levels.

Unprecedented Water Levels and Emergency Response

• Delhi’s Yamuna River is currently flowing at the highest-ever recorded level in the city.
• Delhi CM has written to Union Home Minister, requesting controlled water release from the Hathnikund Barrage to manage the situation.
• The water release from the barrage, typically around 352 cusecs during non-monsoon months, reached a peak of 3.59 lakh cusecs due to heavy rainfall in northwest India.

Importance of Water Release

• Impact of Upstream Water Release: The water level in the Yamuna River in Delhi is determined by the release of water upstream from the Hathnikund Barrage.
• Regulation of Water Flow: The barrage acts as a regulator and can only control the amount of water released downstream and to canals.
• Flooding Concerns: Failure to release water from the upstream can lead to increased flooding in areas upstream, including Haryana.

Potential Consequences of Water Accumulation

• Increased Flooding: Failure to regulate the water levels in the Yamuna River can result in severe flooding in Delhi and surrounding areas.
• Infrastructure Damage: High water levels pose a risk to infrastructure, including roads, buildings, and public utilities.
• Displacement of Residents: Excessive flooding can force people to evacuate their homes, leading to displacement and potential humanitarian challenges.

Addressing the Emergency

• Controlled Water Release: Controlled water release from the Hathnikund Barrage can mitigate the flooding risks.
• Collaboration and Coordination: Cooperation between Delhi and Haryana authorities, as well as with central government agencies, is essential to manage the situation effectively.
• Monitoring and Emergency Preparedness: Continuous monitoring of water levels, timely communication, and preparedness to handle any evacuation or relief efforts are crucial during this emergency situation.

Conclusion

The unprecedented water levels in the Yamuna River in Delhi demand immediate attention and coordinated efforts to prevent further damage and protect affected communities.

Impact of Microplastics on Gut Microbiomes

Why in News?

Recently, the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) in its report “Impact of Microplastics and Nanoplastics on Human Health” highlighted that the Microplastics and nano plastics considerably impact human and animal gut microbiomes as well as the environment.

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Intestinal Inflammation and Dysbiosis:
  • Exposure to plastic has led to intestinal inflammation and gut dysbiosis — changes in the gut microbiome and microbiota.
  • Microplastics act as stressors and cause inflammatory responses in the host, affecting certain microorganisms and resulting in microbial dysbiosis.
  • Dysbiosis is defined by an imbalance in bacterial composition, changes in bacterial metabolic activities, or changes in bacterial distribution within the gut.
• Deposition in Human Body:
  • Microplastics found in water bottles and food items such as sugar, honey, sea salt, tea and others have eventually deposited in human lung tissue, placenta, stool, blood and meconium.
• Plastics' Interaction with the Environment:
  • Plastics of hydrophobic nature can adsorb hydrophobic chemicals or persistent organic pollutants from the environment (for example, polychlorinated biphenyls, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dichloro diphenyl trichloroethane).
• Impact on Organism and Metabolism:
  • Accumulation of microplastic in the gut, changes in the mucus layer and gut permeability, alterations of the mucosal structure, oxidative stress and immune response.
  • Physical abrasion of microplastic and its accumulation in the gut can lead to satiety in the organism and even reduce food consumption.
  • It may eventually lead to weight loss and metabolic changes and can also affect liver function and metabolism.
  • The severity of the impact is proportional to the concentration and particle shape of microplastics.

What is the Significance of the Findings?

• The FAO report emphasizes the significant impact of microplastics and nanoplastics on gut microbiomes and human health.
• Understanding the effects of plastic exposure on gut microbiomes and the environment is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies.

Deep Sea Mining

Why in news?

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is preparing to resume negotiations that could open the international seabed for mining, including for materials critical for the green energy transition.

What is Deep Sea Mining?

• Deep sea mining involves removing mineral deposits and metals from the ocean’s seabed.
• Types - There are 3 types of such mining:
  • Taking deposit-rich polymetallic nodules off the ocean floor
  • Mining massive seafloor sulphide deposits
  • Stripping cobalt crusts from rock
• These nodules, deposits and crusts contain materials, such as nickel, rare earths, cobalt and more.
• Significance - These minerals are needed for batteries and other materials used in tapping renewable energy and also for everyday technology like mobiles and computers.
• These are strategically important resources as onshore reserves are depleted and demand continues to rise.
• Mining technology - Engineering and technology used for deep sea mining are still evolving.
• Vacuum materials from seafloor using massive pumps, AI-based technology to teach deep sea robots to pluck nodules off the floor, advanced machinery to mine underwater, etc. are being considered.

How is deep sea mining regulated now?

• The high seas and the international ocean floor are governed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Seas (UNCLOS).
• It is considered to apply to states disregard of signing and ratification.
• Under the treaty, the seabed and its mineral resources are considered the ‘common heritage of mankind’.
• They must be managed in a way that protects the interests of humanity through the sharing of economic benefits, support for marine scientific research, and protecting marine environments.
• License - More than 30 exploration licenses have been issued so far by ISA.
• The Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone between Hawaii and Mexico is the most focused area of exploration.

Why is there pressure on the ISA to establish regulations now?

• In 2021 the Pacific island nation of Nauru applied to the ISA to exploit minerals in a specified deep sea area that triggered a clause of the U.N. treaty.
• Two-year rule - The clause requires the ISA to complete regulations governing deep sea exploitation by July 2023 (2 years from date of application).
• If ISA fails to approve a set of rules and regulations by July 9, Nauru can submit an application to conduct the mining without any governing regulations.
• Other countries and private companies can start applying for provisional licenses.

What are the environmental concerns?

• The full extent of implications for deep sea ecosystems is unclear, as only a small part of the deep seabed has been explored.
• But scientists have warned that biodiversity loss due to mining is inevitable and potentially irreversible.
• Damage from mining - Can include noise, vibration and light pollution.
• There is a possibility for leaks and spills of fuels and other chemicals used in the mining process.
• Sediment plumes from the some mining processes are a major concern as it can harm filter feeding species like corals and sponges.
• Need for regulation - Without any environmental protocols, the damages and their implications might be huge.
• Countries including France, Germany and several Pacific Island nations have officially called for a ban, pause or moratorium on deep sea mining at least until environmental safeguards are in place.
• Against - Some companies such as Google, Samsung, BMW and others have backed the WWF’s call to pledge to avoid using deep sea mined minerals.
• For - Many countries view deep sea minerals as a strategic source to energy transition.
• Countries such as Norway, are also proposing to open their waters to mining.

What is next?

• The earliest that mining under ISA regulations could begin is 2026.
• Applications for mining must be considered and environmental impact assessments need to be carried out.
• The ISA’s Legal and Technical Commission oversees the development of deep sea mining regulations.
• The Commission is about to meet in early July to discuss the yet-to-be mining code draft.

International Seabed Authority

• An autonomous UN body established in 1994 under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
• International Seabed Authority (ISA) regulates the world’s ocean floor and control all mineral-resources-related activities in the area
• Headquarters - Kingston, Jamaica
• Members - 168 Members which includes 167 Member States and the European Union

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea

• UNCLOS is an international agreement adopted in 1982.
• It lays down a comprehensive law and order in the world's oceans and seas establishing rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources.
• India ratified UNCLOS in 1995.

The Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ)

• It spans between Hawaii and Mexico, an abyssal plain as wide as the continental United States and punctuated by seamounts.
• Lying atop the muddy bottom or embedded just beneath it are trillions of potato-size polymetallic nodules.
• These rocklike deposits contain nickel, manganese, copper, zinc, cobalt, and other minerals.

Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021

Biological Diversity Act, 2002

The Biodiversity Act of 2002, officially known as the Biological Diversity Act, of 2002, is an important environmental legislation enacted by the Government of India to conserve and protect the country’s rich biodiversity.
It aims to regulate access to biological resources, protect traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity, and ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising from using such resources and knowledge.
The primary objectives of the Act are to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable use of biological resources, regulate access to genetic resources and traditional knowledge, and ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilization.

Other key features of the Act are:

• Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs): The Act mandates the establishment of Biodiversity Management Committees at the local level, such as in villages and urban areas. BMCs are responsible for promoting conservation, sustainable use, and documentation of biodiversity within their jurisdiction.
• Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS): The Act provides for the identification and notification of Biodiversity Heritage Sites, which are areas of significant biodiversity value, including sacred groves, community conserved areas, and other important ecosystems.
• Access and Benefit Sharing: The Act introduces a framework for regulating access to biological resources and associated traditional knowledge. Prior approval is required for accessing genetic resources for research or commercial purposes. Benefit-sharing mechanisms ensure that local communities and indigenous people receive fair and equitable benefits from the commercial use of resources and knowledge associated with biodiversity.
• National Biodiversity Authority (NBA): The Act establishes the National Biodiversity Authority, which is responsible for implementing the Act at the national level. It oversees issues related to access and benefit sharing, conservation, and sustainable use of biodiversity.
• State Biodiversity Boards: Each state in India has a State Biodiversity Board, responsible for implementing the Act within its respective state or union territory.
• Biodiversity Fund: The Act provides for the establishment of a Biodiversity Fund at both the national and state levels to support conservation and sustainable use initiatives and promote benefit-sharing mechanisms.
• Protection of Indigenous Knowledge: The Act recognizes the rights of local communities and indigenous people over their traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity and prohibits the unauthorized use of such knowledge.
• Penalties and Offenses: The Act includes provisions for fines and punishments for offenses related to the unauthorized collection, export, and use of biological resources and traditional knowledge without prior approval.

The Biological Diversity Act, of 2002, plays a crucial role in the conservation and sustainable use of India’s biodiversity and in safeguarding the rights of local communities and indigenous people.
It aligns with the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and contributes to India’s commitment to global biodiversity conservation efforts.

Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021

The Bill amends the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 to simplify compliance requirements for domestic companies.

• Users of codified traditional knowledge and AYUSH practitioners will be exempted from sharing benefits with local communities.
• The Bill removes research and bio-survey activities from the purview of benefit-sharing requirements.
• Benefit sharing will be based on terms agreed between the user and the local management committee represented by the National Authority.
• The Bill decriminalizes all offenses under the Act.

The key changes through the amendment are:

• Access to biological resources: The Bill modifies the classification of entities and activities requiring intimation while introducing exemptions to certain cases.
• IPR: The Bill suggests that approval will be required before the actual grant of the IPR, not during the application process.
• Exemption to AYUSH practitioners: It seeks to exempt registered AYUSH medical practitioners and people accessing codified traditional knowledge, among others, from giving prior intimation to State biodiversity boards for accessing biological resources for certain purposes.
• Benefit sharing: The Bill removes the applicability of benefit-sharing requirements from research, bio-survey, and bio-utilization.
• Penalties: The Bill decriminalizes the offenses in the Act and introduces fines ranging from one lakh to fifty lakh rupees instead.

Significance

• The bill aims to reduce pressure on wild medicinal plants by encouraging the cultivation of medicinal plants.
• It is trying to encourage the Indian system of traditional medicine.
• The bill seeks to facilitate the fast-tracking of research, the patent application process, etc., without compromising the objectives of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and its Nagoya Protocol.
• It decriminalizes offenses and encourages foreign investment in the sector.
• The Bill also amends the Act to include references to the Nagoya Protocol.

Concerns about Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021

• The Bill has not defined the term ‘codified traditional knowledge’.  The Convention on Biological Diversity and Nagoya and Cartagena protocols under it also do not define this term.  A broad interpretation of this term might exempt almost all traditional knowledge from benefit-sharing requirements.
• The Bill removes the direct role of local bodies and benefits claimers in determining mutually agreed terms.
• There is no provision for a mechanism for obtaining prior informed consent from the local and indigenous communities.  This may be in contrast with the framework under Nagoya Protocol.
• There is a lack of substantive legislative process for declaring the penalty and the Bill has not made any differentiation based on the type of offense.
• The Bill changes the adjudicating authority from a Judge to a government official.  The penalty decisions will be based on an inquiry instead of a judgment after arguments in an open court.

The modifications, according to critics, appear to prioritize industrial interests over biodiversity protection, which is contrary to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)’s goals.
The CBD places a strong emphasis on providing communities that have preserved biodiversity for centuries with benefits from its utilization.
The framework for benefit-sharing and community participation may be weakened by the modifications.

Forest Conservation Amendment Bill 2023

Why in News?

Recently, the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023 has been passed by the Lok Sabha, and it aims to bring significant changes to the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, which is a crucial central statute for the conservation of forests in India.

What is the Background?

• After Independence, vast areas of forest land were designated as reserved and protected forests.
  • However, many forested areas were left out, and areas without any standing forests were included in 'forest' lands.
• In Godavarman case, 1996, the Supreme Court suspended the felling of trees across the country, and ruled that the FC Act would apply to all land parcels that were either recorded as 'forest' or resembled the dictionary meaning of forest.
• In June 2022, the government amended the Forest Conservation Rules to propose a mechanism to allow developers to raise plantations "over land on which the (FC) Act is not applicable" and to swap such plots against subsequent requirements of compensatory afforestation.

What are the Key Provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill 2023?

• Scope of the Act:
  • The Bill broadens the scope of the Act by inserting a Preamble.
  • The Act's name was changed to Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980 to reflect the potential of its provisions.
• Applicability on Various Lands:
  • The Act, which was initially applied to notified forest land, was later extended to revenue forest land and lands recorded as forest in government records.
  • The amendments seek to streamline the application of the Act to recorded forest lands, private forest lands, plantations, etc.
• Exemptions:
  • The Bill proposes certain exemptions to encourage afforestation and plantation outside forests.
  • 0.10 ha of forest land has been proposed to provide connectivity for habitation and establishments located on the side of roads and railways, up to 10 ha of land proposed for security related infrastructure and up to 5 ha of forest land in Left Wing Extremism Affected Districts for public utility projects.
  • These exemptions include strategic projects related to national security within 100 km of the International Borders, Line of Actual Control (LAC), Line of Control (LoC) etc.
• Provisions for Development:
  • The Bill extends existing provisions of the Principal Act relating to assignment of forest land, on lease to private entities, to Government companies as well.
  • This will facilitate development projects and ensure uniformity in the implementation of the Act.
• New Forestry Activities:
  • The amendments add new activities such as infrastructure for frontline forest staff, ecotourism, zoo, and safari into the array of forestry activities for the conservation of forests. Surveys and investigations in forest areas will not be considered non-forestry activities.
• Climate Change Mitigation and Conservation:
  • It aims to ensure that such areas contribute to India's efforts in combating climate change by being recognized as part of its forest conservation efforts and contribute to India’s international commitments like Net Zero Emission by 2070
• Empowering Local Communities:
  • The Bill encourages activities like establishment of zoos, safaris, and ecotourism, which will be owned by the government and set up in approved plans outside Protected Areas.
  • These activities not only raise awareness about forest conservation and wildlife protection but also create livelihood opportunities for local communities, integrating them with overall development.

What are the Concerns Related to the Bill?

• Objection on Hindi Name:
  • There were objections to the Act’s new name (which is now in hindi) on the grounds that it was “non-inclusive” and left out many among the “(non-Hindi speaking) population both in South India and also in the North-East.
• Impact on Ecologically Sensitive Areas:
  • The proposed exemptions in the Bill, particularly those related to strategic projects near international borders, have raised concerns about the potential clearance of forests in ecologically sensitive areas, such as the Himalayan, trans-Himalayan, and northeastern regions.
  • Bill, 2023 (FCA) will erase the rights of indigenous communities living on India’s borders.
  • Without appropriate "assessment and mitigation plans," such clearances could threaten biodiversity and trigger extreme weather events.
• Limited Applicability:
  • The Bill restricts the legislation's ambit only to areas recorded as forests on or after October1980. This exclusion may result in leaving out significant sections of forest land and biodiversity hot spots from the Act's purview, allowing them to be potentially sold, diverted, cleared, and exploited for non-forestry purposes.
• Concurrent List and Center-State Balance:
  • Some State governments have argued that forest conservation falls under the Concurrent List, which means both the Center and States have a role in the matter.
  • They believe that the proposed amendments could tilt the balance towards the Center and may impact the rights and authority of the State governments in forest conservation matters.

Way Forward

• There is a need to conduct a thorough and comprehensive assessment of the proposed amendments and their potential impacts on forests, biodiversity, and local communities.
• This assessment should consider ecological, social, and environmental factors and involve input from diverse stakeholders, including experts, NGOs, tribal communities, and State governments.
• Continue engaging in meaningful consultation and dialogue with all stakeholders to understand their perspectives and address their concerns. This will promote transparency, inclusivity, and better decision-making.

Global Environment Facility

Genesis of the Global Environment Facility

• The Global Environment Facility (GEF) was established in October 1991 as a pilot program with the World Bank to aid in the protection of the global environment and the promotion of environmental sustainability.
• It was reformed and established as a permanent, distinct organization during the 1992 Rio Earth Summit with the purpose of assisting in the resolution of the world’s most significant environmental concerns.

Basic information about the Global Environment Facility

The GEF is a multilateral financial organization that provides grants and concessional loans to developing countries for projects that protect the global environment.

• The GEF was set up in 1991. It has its headquarters in Washington, D.C.
• The GEF is funded by contributions from 183 member countries.
• The GEF's work is guided by six focal areas:
  • climate change,
  • biodiversity,
  • international waters,
  • land degradation,
  • chemicals and waste, and
  • ozone depletion.
• The GEF has funded over 4,000 projects in 170 countries, with a total value of over $22 billion.
• The GEF's work has helped to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity, improve water quality, and reduce pollution.

Structure of Global Environment Facility

• Assembly
  • The Assembly is the supreme decision-making body of the GEF. It is composed of 185 member countries.
  • The Assembly meets every three to four years. It sets the overall direction of the GEF and approves its work program.
• Council
  • The Council is the governing body of the GEF. It consists of 32 members, who are elected by the Assembly.
  • The Council meets twice a year to approve projects and programs. It also provides guidance to the Secretariat.
• Secretariat
  • The Secretariat is the operational arm of the GEF. It is responsible for implementing the work program of the GEF. It provides technical and financial support to developing countries.
  • The CEO and Chairperson head the Secretariat. They are appointed by the Council.
• Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP)
  • The STAP is an independent body that provides scientific and technical advice to the GEF. It is composed of 20 experts who are appointed by the Council.
  • The STAP reviews the scientific and technical aspects of GEF projects and programs. It provides guidance to the Secretariat.
• Independent Evaluation Office (IEO)
  • The IEO is an independent body that evaluates the performance of the GEF. It is composed of 10 experts who are appointed by the Council.
  • The IEO reviews the effectiveness of GEF projects and programs. It provides recommendations to the Secretariat.

Focus Areas of the GEF

Biodiversity, climate change (mitigation and adaptation), chemicals, international waters, land degradation, sustainable forest management/REDD+, and ozone layer depletion are among the GEF’s main priority areas.

Agencies associated with GEF

• Asian Development Bank
• African Development Bank
• European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
• Food and Agriculture Organization
• Inter American Development Bank
• International Fund for Agricultural Development
• United Nations Development Program
• United Nations Environment Program
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization
• World Bank Group
• Conservation International
• Development Bank of Latin America
• Development Bank of Southern Africa
• Foreign Economic Cooperation Office (Chinese Government)
• Brazilian Biodiversity Fund
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• West Africa

India and the GEF

• India is a member of the GEF and has been involved in the GEF since its start in 1991.
• The GEF has funded over 100 projects in India, with a total value of over $1 billion.
• These projects have focused on a variety of environmental issues. This includes climate change, biodiversity, land degradation, and international waters.
• The GEF has played a significant role in helping India to address its environmental challenges.

Here are some specific examples of GEF-funded projects in India:

• The India Ecodevelopment Project: This supports the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources in seven priority sites in India.
• The Green India Mission:This aims to increase forest cover in India by 5 million hectares by 2030.
• The National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change: This supports adaptation projects to help India cope with the impacts of climate change.

GEF’s Response to the COVID 19 Pandemic

The GEF has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in a number of ways, including:

• Providing funding for projects that address the environmental drivers of the pandemic. The GEF is funding a project to reduce the illegal wildlife trade. Wildlife trade is a major driver of the spread of zoonotic diseases.
• Supporting countries to build resilience to the impacts of the pandemic. This includes projects:
  • to improve water and sanitation infrastructure,
  • to promote sustainable agriculture, and
  • to protect biodiversity.
• Working to prevent future pandemics. The GEF is supporting research on the origins of COVID-19 and ways to prevent the emergence of future pandemics.

Here are some specific examples of GEF-funded projects that are addressing the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Reducing the Risk of Pandemics from Wildlife
• Building Resilience to Climate Change and Pandemics
• Preventing Future Pandemics from Emerging

Saltpan Workers of Little Rann of Kutch

Why In News?

On July 18, 2023, saltpan workers (commonly known as agariyas) presented a representation to Gujarat Chief Minister and urged the state to intervene in response to instructions from forest department that restricted their entry into the Little Rann of Kutch.

What is the Order of the Forest Department?

• Little Rann of Kutch declared a wild ass sanctuary in 1972.
  • Settlement survey conducted in 1997, permitting salt cultivation and leasing land to saltpan workers. Traditional agariyas were excluded from the benefits of the settlement survey.
• Legal Implications:
  • Ongoing scrutiny of the 1997 settlement survey is being done by Gujarat High Court and National Green Tribunal involved in the resolution of land-poaching activities.

What are the Arguments Raised by Agariyas in Their Defence?

• Wild Ass Population Growth vs. Man-Animal Conflict: Census data shows a significant rise in the wild ass population in the area from 700 in 1973 to 6,082 in 2019.
  • Census data ruled out the possibility of man-animal conflict in the Wild Ass Sanctury due to work of Saltpan workers.
• Saltpan Workers' Land Use: Saltpan workers use only 6% of the total land area for salt cultivation in Little Rann of Kutch, which is negligible in both quantity and space.
• Concerns against improper Survey: In meetings held at 16 out of 100-125 villages, forest department officials removed the names of 95% of the 8000 families of agariyas (saltpan workers).
  • Most of the agariyas listed in the settlement survey report are not alive.

Who are the Saltpan workers?

• Koli, Sandhi, and Miyana communities residing in 100-125 villages around the Little Rann of Kutch in North Gujarat, Kutch, and Saurashtra regions are dependent on salt cultivation in the area called Saltpan workers.
  • They are engaged in the profession for 600-700 years, dating back to the British rule.

Green Credit Programme

Why in news?

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has notified draft rules for ‘Green Credit Programme’.

What is Green Credit?

• ‘Green credit’ is a singular unit of an incentive provided for a specified activity, delivering a positive impact on the environment.
• It can be earned by individuals, farmer-producer organisations (FPO), industries, rural and urban local bodies, among other stakeholders for their environment positive actions.
• Programme - The Green Credit Programme (GCP) launched, was first announced in the 2023-24 budget under Mission LiFE.
• The Ministry of Environment issued the draft ‘Green Credit Programme Implementation Rules 2023’ under the Environment Protection Act of 1986.

How will the program be implemented?

• The Green Credit Programme (GCP) aims to leverage a competitive market-based approach and incentivise voluntary environmental actions of various stakeholders.
• The environment ministry has identified 8 select activities for which green credit can be earned.
• The 8 sectors
  1. Tree plantation-based green credit
  2. Water-based green credit
  3. Sustainable agriculture-based green credit
  4. Waste management-based green credit
  5. Air pollution reduction-based green credit
  6. Mangrove conservation and restoration-based green credit
  7. Eco mark based green credit
  8. Sustainable building and infrastructure-based green credit
• Thresholds and benchmarks will be developed for each green credit activity under the programme.
• The mechanism will be implemented in a phased manner.
• Trade Market - The green credits will be tradable and be made available for trading on a domestic market platform.
• The Trading Service Provider accredited by the GCP administrator will establish the trading platform for the exchange of Green Credit Certificates.
• Implementation - A steering committee headed by the environment secretary will govern the implementation of GCP.
• The steering committee will not only approve procedures for institutionalising the GCP.
• It also approve its rules and regulations and make recommendations to the central government for issuance of Green Credit Certificate.
• Administrator - The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) will be the administrator of the programme.
• ICFRE will manage, monitor and operate the entire programme.
• The institute will develop guidelines, processes and procedures for implementation of the programme.

What are the advantages of GCP?

• It accounts for and incentivise individual and community actions, besides corporate and businesses.
• The environmental activity generating Green Credits under Green Credit Programme (GCP) may have climate co-benefits such as reduction or removal of carbon emissions.
• Such activity may accrue both green credits as well as carbon credits which may be sold under Green Credit market or carbon market respectively.
• Helps to realise the vision of ‘Mission LiFE’ through pro-planet people and entities.
• The GCP will encourage private sector industries and companies as well as other entities to meet their existing obligations, stemming from other legal frameworks.

What are the concerns around GCP?

• There is a strong risk of greenwashing through such market based mechanisms.
• It also raises serious questions about how rigour of monitoring will be maintained.