Yojana Magazine April 2024 - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

 Page 1


April 2024 A development monthly 
OUR ECOSYSTEM
Page 2


April 2024 A development monthly 
OUR ECOSYSTEM
SACRED GROVES 
Dr Sankararao Mudadla
BluE ECOnOmy 
Dr R Venkatesan
ThE RAmSAR COnVEnTiOn  
On WETlAnDS
SunDARBAn BiOSphERE
April 2024
YOJANA
Volume-68
No. 04
A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.
Rig Veda
www.publicationsdivision.nic.in @DPD_India I @YojanaJournal @publicationsdivision @dpd_india
In ThIs Issue
number of pages: 60
Details of the Sales Outlets of the Publications Division on Page 55
YOJANA is published in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, 
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Since 1957
Chief editor 
KulShRESThA KAmAl editor 
ShuChiTA ChATuRVEDi our represent Atives 
Ahmedabad: JS Patel, Bengaluru: Shahid T Komath, 
Bhubaneswar: Manoj Kumar Jali, Chennai: Sanjay 
Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam, Hyderabad: 
Krishna Vandana P , Jalandhar: Gagandeep Kaur 
Devgan, Kolkata: Sumita Chakraborty, Mumbai: 
Sangeeta Godbole, Thiruvananthapuram: Sudha S 
Namboothiry.
Joint Director, ProDuction 
D K C hruDhaIna Th c over Design
BInDu Verma
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan, 
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.  
E-mail (Editorial): sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
YOJANA, a development monthly published since 
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth 
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in 
the broader framework of government policies. 
Although published by the Ministry of Information 
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to 
expressing the official point of view.
DIsCLaImer
l 	 The 	 vie ws 	 e xpre sse d 	 in 	 various 	 articles 	 are	
those 	 of 	 the 	 authors 	 and 	 the y 	 do 	 not 	 ne c essarily	
re flect 	 the 	 vie ws 	 of 	 the 	 Go vernme n t 	 or 	 the	
organisation/ s 	 the y 	 work 	 f or .
l Map s/flags 	 use d 	 in 	 the 	 article s 	 are 	 only 	 indic ative 	
and 	 the y 	 do 	 not 	 re flect 	 the 	 politic al 	 map 	 or 	 le gal	
re presen t ation 	 of 	 the 	 flag 	 of 	 India/an y 	 othe r	
c oun try .
l The 	 inf ographics/figure s 	 are 	 pro vide d 	 b y 	 the	
authors 	 through 	 the ir 	 re liable 	 sourc e s 	 and	
YOJANA 	 claims 	 no 	 re sponsibility 	 f or 	 the 	 same.
l Image s, 	 graphics 	 and 	 illus trations, 	 whe re ve r	
use d, 	 are 	 mos tly 	 sourc ed 	 from 	 go vernme n t	
channels 	 and 	 are 	 indic ative 	 in 	 nature .
l YOJANA 	does 	not 	o wn 	re sponsibility 	re garding	
the 	 c on t e n ts 	 of 	 the 	 adve rtise men ts. 	 The 	 re aders	
are 	 re que s t e d 	 t o 	 ve rify 	 the 	 claims 	 made 	 in 	 the	
adve rtise men ts 	 re garding 	 c ourse s, 	 c are e r -
guidanc e 	 book s 	 or 	 ins titutions.
l YOJANA doesn't 	 e ndorse 	 or 	 promot e 	 an y 	 brands	
or 	 privat e 	 e n titie s 	 prese n t ed 	 as 	 c ase 	 s tudie s 	 in 	 an y	 
of 	 the 	 article s.
suBsCrIPTIOn/GrIeV anCes
Email: pdjucir@gmail.com 
Phone: 011-24367453  
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 am- 6:00 pm)
Postal Address: Abhishek Chaturvedi, Editor, 
Journals Unit, Publications Division, Room No. 
779, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi 
Road, New Delhi-110 003.
Please	 not e	 that	 it	 will	 t ak e	 atleas t	 eigh t	 week s	 t o	
s t art	 your	 sub scrip tion.	 Kindly	 raise	 your	 queries/
grie vanc es	 about	 non	 rec eip t	 of	 the	 journals	 only	
aft er	this	period.
SUBSCRIPTION-RELATED DETAILS : Page 57
GEOlOGiCAl ECOSySTEm 
Abhinav Om Kinker
FROm pEAKS TO VAllEyS 
A hOliSTiC ExplORATiOn OF  
ThE WESTERn GhATS 
RK Sugoor, Lopamudra Das
SOil ECOSySTEm  
A COmplEx WEB OF liFE 
Prof Subhash Chand
7
12
23
27
37
45
54
nExT iSSuE : WEAVES OF inDiA
Page 3


April 2024 A development monthly 
OUR ECOSYSTEM
SACRED GROVES 
Dr Sankararao Mudadla
BluE ECOnOmy 
Dr R Venkatesan
ThE RAmSAR COnVEnTiOn  
On WETlAnDS
SunDARBAn BiOSphERE
April 2024
YOJANA
Volume-68
No. 04
A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.
Rig Veda
www.publicationsdivision.nic.in @DPD_India I @YojanaJournal @publicationsdivision @dpd_india
In ThIs Issue
number of pages: 60
Details of the Sales Outlets of the Publications Division on Page 55
YOJANA is published in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, 
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Since 1957
Chief editor 
KulShRESThA KAmAl editor 
ShuChiTA ChATuRVEDi our represent Atives 
Ahmedabad: JS Patel, Bengaluru: Shahid T Komath, 
Bhubaneswar: Manoj Kumar Jali, Chennai: Sanjay 
Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam, Hyderabad: 
Krishna Vandana P , Jalandhar: Gagandeep Kaur 
Devgan, Kolkata: Sumita Chakraborty, Mumbai: 
Sangeeta Godbole, Thiruvananthapuram: Sudha S 
Namboothiry.
Joint Director, ProDuction 
D K C hruDhaIna Th c over Design
BInDu Verma
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan, 
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.  
E-mail (Editorial): sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
YOJANA, a development monthly published since 
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth 
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in 
the broader framework of government policies. 
Although published by the Ministry of Information 
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to 
expressing the official point of view.
DIsCLaImer
l 	 The 	 vie ws 	 e xpre sse d 	 in 	 various 	 articles 	 are	
those 	 of 	 the 	 authors 	 and 	 the y 	 do 	 not 	 ne c essarily	
re flect 	 the 	 vie ws 	 of 	 the 	 Go vernme n t 	 or 	 the	
organisation/ s 	 the y 	 work 	 f or .
l Map s/flags 	 use d 	 in 	 the 	 article s 	 are 	 only 	 indic ative 	
and 	 the y 	 do 	 not 	 re flect 	 the 	 politic al 	 map 	 or 	 le gal	
re presen t ation 	 of 	 the 	 flag 	 of 	 India/an y 	 othe r	
c oun try .
l The 	 inf ographics/figure s 	 are 	 pro vide d 	 b y 	 the	
authors 	 through 	 the ir 	 re liable 	 sourc e s 	 and	
YOJANA 	 claims 	 no 	 re sponsibility 	 f or 	 the 	 same.
l Image s, 	 graphics 	 and 	 illus trations, 	 whe re ve r	
use d, 	 are 	 mos tly 	 sourc ed 	 from 	 go vernme n t	
channels 	 and 	 are 	 indic ative 	 in 	 nature .
l YOJANA 	does 	not 	o wn 	re sponsibility 	re garding	
the 	 c on t e n ts 	 of 	 the 	 adve rtise men ts. 	 The 	 re aders	
are 	 re que s t e d 	 t o 	 ve rify 	 the 	 claims 	 made 	 in 	 the	
adve rtise men ts 	 re garding 	 c ourse s, 	 c are e r -
guidanc e 	 book s 	 or 	 ins titutions.
l YOJANA doesn't 	 e ndorse 	 or 	 promot e 	 an y 	 brands	
or 	 privat e 	 e n titie s 	 prese n t ed 	 as 	 c ase 	 s tudie s 	 in 	 an y	 
of 	 the 	 article s.
suBsCrIPTIOn/GrIeV anCes
Email: pdjucir@gmail.com 
Phone: 011-24367453  
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 am- 6:00 pm)
Postal Address: Abhishek Chaturvedi, Editor, 
Journals Unit, Publications Division, Room No. 
779, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi 
Road, New Delhi-110 003.
Please	 not e	 that	 it	 will	 t ak e	 atleas t	 eigh t	 week s	 t o	
s t art	 your	 sub scrip tion.	 Kindly	 raise	 your	 queries/
grie vanc es	 about	 non	 rec eip t	 of	 the	 journals	 only	
aft er	this	period.
SUBSCRIPTION-RELATED DETAILS : Page 57
GEOlOGiCAl ECOSySTEm 
Abhinav Om Kinker
FROm pEAKS TO VAllEyS 
A hOliSTiC ExplORATiOn OF  
ThE WESTERn GhATS 
RK Sugoor, Lopamudra Das
SOil ECOSySTEm  
A COmplEx WEB OF liFE 
Prof Subhash Chand
7
12
23
27
37
45
54
nExT iSSuE : WEAVES OF inDiA
5 April 2024
Let’s Nurture Together
Editorial
YOJANA
F
rom the majestic Himalayan mountains to the expansive seacoasts; 
from the dense green forests of the northeast to the scorching 
deserts of the northwest; to various kinds of woods, marshes, islands, 
and oceans; india has a great diversity of natural ecosystems. With 80 
r amsar wetlands and over 40 unesco World Heritage sites, towering 
plateaus, lush river plains, and numerous large rivers, india has 
incredibly versatile topography and is a traveller’s delight. 
t he Himalayas’ lofty valleys, diverse array of flora and fauna, and 
high peaks have long drawn travellers, adventurers, and spiritual 
seekers, which ultimately impact the country’s spiritual, artistic, and 
cultural fabric. some of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mount 
everest, Kanchenjunga, nanga Parbat, and others, are found in the 
great Himalayas. even if we are in awe of their grandeur, it is important 
to protect and preserve this natural wonder so that future generations 
might likewise be enthralled by the breathtaking splendour of the Himalayas.
t he largest desert in india, the t har Desert is situated in the northwest and is distinguished by its arid 
terrain and shifting sand dunes. t he Aravalli r ange’s rain-shadow effect is what caused it to form. t he t har 
Desert is home to a wide range of desert-adapted wildlife, such as indian gazelles, blackbuck antelopes, 
and desert foxes, despite its severe climate.
spanning from the foothills of the Himalayas to the t har Desert, the indo-gangetic Plain is a fertile 
alluvial plain formed by the deposition of sediments from the Himalayan r ivers. t he indian portion of the 
majestic sundarban region is situated at the lowest point of the g anga delta. t he region with mangrove 
forests is renowned for its diverse array of wildlife, which includes several bird species, the Bengal tiger, and 
other endangered species like the indian python and estuary crocodile.
the peninsular plateau, which stretches from india’s centre to its south, covers the majority of the 
country’s land area. it is a vast, rough, and high region crisscrossed by many major rivers, including the 
narmada, g odavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, all of which are far older than the Himalayan rivers. t he Western 
and eastern ghats, renowned for their exceptional biodiversity and stunning scenery, border the peninsular 
plateau and run parallel to india’s western and eastern coasts. t he Deccan Plateau is a large elevated region 
that spans a large chunk of central and southern india. it is distinguished by its fertile plains, volcanic 
structures, and flat-topped hills. the gulf of Mannar, the Andaman and n icobar islands, and coral reefs 
themselves are hotspots for biodiversity that are home to an incredible array of marine life, including sea 
turtles, colourful fish, and coral polyps.
india’s geological diversity is the foundation of its remarkable ecological richness. ecosystem 
conservation and human well-being are closely interlinked. ecosystems’ long-term resilience and health 
is paramount for future generations because they uphold the values of sustainability, conservation, and 
respect for the natural world. t he need to comprehend and protect our ecosystems is greater than ever 
as we work through the challenges of the 21
st
 century. in this issue of Yojana, we delve into the diversity, 
resilience, and pressing need for conservation of ecosystem. Hope the insights from this issue will not only 
help our readers to explore the rich tapestry of india’s ecosystem but also remind them of our collective 
responsibility to nurture and sustain the ecosystems that sustain us.                                                                        ?
Page 4


April 2024 A development monthly 
OUR ECOSYSTEM
SACRED GROVES 
Dr Sankararao Mudadla
BluE ECOnOmy 
Dr R Venkatesan
ThE RAmSAR COnVEnTiOn  
On WETlAnDS
SunDARBAn BiOSphERE
April 2024
YOJANA
Volume-68
No. 04
A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.
Rig Veda
www.publicationsdivision.nic.in @DPD_India I @YojanaJournal @publicationsdivision @dpd_india
In ThIs Issue
number of pages: 60
Details of the Sales Outlets of the Publications Division on Page 55
YOJANA is published in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, 
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Since 1957
Chief editor 
KulShRESThA KAmAl editor 
ShuChiTA ChATuRVEDi our represent Atives 
Ahmedabad: JS Patel, Bengaluru: Shahid T Komath, 
Bhubaneswar: Manoj Kumar Jali, Chennai: Sanjay 
Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam, Hyderabad: 
Krishna Vandana P , Jalandhar: Gagandeep Kaur 
Devgan, Kolkata: Sumita Chakraborty, Mumbai: 
Sangeeta Godbole, Thiruvananthapuram: Sudha S 
Namboothiry.
Joint Director, ProDuction 
D K C hruDhaIna Th c over Design
BInDu Verma
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan, 
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.  
E-mail (Editorial): sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
YOJANA, a development monthly published since 
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth 
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in 
the broader framework of government policies. 
Although published by the Ministry of Information 
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to 
expressing the official point of view.
DIsCLaImer
l 	 The 	 vie ws 	 e xpre sse d 	 in 	 various 	 articles 	 are	
those 	 of 	 the 	 authors 	 and 	 the y 	 do 	 not 	 ne c essarily	
re flect 	 the 	 vie ws 	 of 	 the 	 Go vernme n t 	 or 	 the	
organisation/ s 	 the y 	 work 	 f or .
l Map s/flags 	 use d 	 in 	 the 	 article s 	 are 	 only 	 indic ative 	
and 	 the y 	 do 	 not 	 re flect 	 the 	 politic al 	 map 	 or 	 le gal	
re presen t ation 	 of 	 the 	 flag 	 of 	 India/an y 	 othe r	
c oun try .
l The 	 inf ographics/figure s 	 are 	 pro vide d 	 b y 	 the	
authors 	 through 	 the ir 	 re liable 	 sourc e s 	 and	
YOJANA 	 claims 	 no 	 re sponsibility 	 f or 	 the 	 same.
l Image s, 	 graphics 	 and 	 illus trations, 	 whe re ve r	
use d, 	 are 	 mos tly 	 sourc ed 	 from 	 go vernme n t	
channels 	 and 	 are 	 indic ative 	 in 	 nature .
l YOJANA 	does 	not 	o wn 	re sponsibility 	re garding	
the 	 c on t e n ts 	 of 	 the 	 adve rtise men ts. 	 The 	 re aders	
are 	 re que s t e d 	 t o 	 ve rify 	 the 	 claims 	 made 	 in 	 the	
adve rtise men ts 	 re garding 	 c ourse s, 	 c are e r -
guidanc e 	 book s 	 or 	 ins titutions.
l YOJANA doesn't 	 e ndorse 	 or 	 promot e 	 an y 	 brands	
or 	 privat e 	 e n titie s 	 prese n t ed 	 as 	 c ase 	 s tudie s 	 in 	 an y	 
of 	 the 	 article s.
suBsCrIPTIOn/GrIeV anCes
Email: pdjucir@gmail.com 
Phone: 011-24367453  
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 am- 6:00 pm)
Postal Address: Abhishek Chaturvedi, Editor, 
Journals Unit, Publications Division, Room No. 
779, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi 
Road, New Delhi-110 003.
Please	 not e	 that	 it	 will	 t ak e	 atleas t	 eigh t	 week s	 t o	
s t art	 your	 sub scrip tion.	 Kindly	 raise	 your	 queries/
grie vanc es	 about	 non	 rec eip t	 of	 the	 journals	 only	
aft er	this	period.
SUBSCRIPTION-RELATED DETAILS : Page 57
GEOlOGiCAl ECOSySTEm 
Abhinav Om Kinker
FROm pEAKS TO VAllEyS 
A hOliSTiC ExplORATiOn OF  
ThE WESTERn GhATS 
RK Sugoor, Lopamudra Das
SOil ECOSySTEm  
A COmplEx WEB OF liFE 
Prof Subhash Chand
7
12
23
27
37
45
54
nExT iSSuE : WEAVES OF inDiA
5 April 2024
Let’s Nurture Together
Editorial
YOJANA
F
rom the majestic Himalayan mountains to the expansive seacoasts; 
from the dense green forests of the northeast to the scorching 
deserts of the northwest; to various kinds of woods, marshes, islands, 
and oceans; india has a great diversity of natural ecosystems. With 80 
r amsar wetlands and over 40 unesco World Heritage sites, towering 
plateaus, lush river plains, and numerous large rivers, india has 
incredibly versatile topography and is a traveller’s delight. 
t he Himalayas’ lofty valleys, diverse array of flora and fauna, and 
high peaks have long drawn travellers, adventurers, and spiritual 
seekers, which ultimately impact the country’s spiritual, artistic, and 
cultural fabric. some of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mount 
everest, Kanchenjunga, nanga Parbat, and others, are found in the 
great Himalayas. even if we are in awe of their grandeur, it is important 
to protect and preserve this natural wonder so that future generations 
might likewise be enthralled by the breathtaking splendour of the Himalayas.
t he largest desert in india, the t har Desert is situated in the northwest and is distinguished by its arid 
terrain and shifting sand dunes. t he Aravalli r ange’s rain-shadow effect is what caused it to form. t he t har 
Desert is home to a wide range of desert-adapted wildlife, such as indian gazelles, blackbuck antelopes, 
and desert foxes, despite its severe climate.
spanning from the foothills of the Himalayas to the t har Desert, the indo-gangetic Plain is a fertile 
alluvial plain formed by the deposition of sediments from the Himalayan r ivers. t he indian portion of the 
majestic sundarban region is situated at the lowest point of the g anga delta. t he region with mangrove 
forests is renowned for its diverse array of wildlife, which includes several bird species, the Bengal tiger, and 
other endangered species like the indian python and estuary crocodile.
the peninsular plateau, which stretches from india’s centre to its south, covers the majority of the 
country’s land area. it is a vast, rough, and high region crisscrossed by many major rivers, including the 
narmada, g odavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, all of which are far older than the Himalayan rivers. t he Western 
and eastern ghats, renowned for their exceptional biodiversity and stunning scenery, border the peninsular 
plateau and run parallel to india’s western and eastern coasts. t he Deccan Plateau is a large elevated region 
that spans a large chunk of central and southern india. it is distinguished by its fertile plains, volcanic 
structures, and flat-topped hills. the gulf of Mannar, the Andaman and n icobar islands, and coral reefs 
themselves are hotspots for biodiversity that are home to an incredible array of marine life, including sea 
turtles, colourful fish, and coral polyps.
india’s geological diversity is the foundation of its remarkable ecological richness. ecosystem 
conservation and human well-being are closely interlinked. ecosystems’ long-term resilience and health 
is paramount for future generations because they uphold the values of sustainability, conservation, and 
respect for the natural world. t he need to comprehend and protect our ecosystems is greater than ever 
as we work through the challenges of the 21
st
 century. in this issue of Yojana, we delve into the diversity, 
resilience, and pressing need for conservation of ecosystem. Hope the insights from this issue will not only 
help our readers to explore the rich tapestry of india’s ecosystem but also remind them of our collective 
responsibility to nurture and sustain the ecosystems that sustain us.                                                                        ?
7 April 2024
he geographical landscape of india is 
marked by the majestic Himalayas in 
the north which has played a significant 
role in the unique cultural evolution 
of the indian subcontinent. to the south of the 
Himalayas, lies the vast alluvial tract formed by 
rivers originating from the Himalayas such as 
ganga, Yamuna, ravi, sutlej, gandak, Kosi, tista, 
Brahmaputra, etc. the ganga and Brahmaputra 
r iver systems are one of the most fertile regions in 
the world and are home to a significant portion of 
india’s population. Most of india’s geographical area 
is covered by peninsular plateau which extends 
from central to southern parts of the country. it 
is a large, elevated, rugged terrain dissected by 
numerous big rivers such as narmada, godavari, 
Krishna, and Kaveri which are much older than the 
Himalayan rivers. Bordering the peninsular plateau 
and running parallel to india’s western and eastern 
coasts are the Western and eastern ghats, which are 
GeoLoGicaL ecosysTem 
India is the fifth largest country in the world and has rich geographical 
and geological diversity, ranging from the mighty Himalayas which are 
one of the highest mountain ranges in the world to low-lying coastal 
plains overseeing the vast Indian Ocean. Its geological terrain has 
rocks, ranging from the Achaean age, formed billions of years ago, at 
the beginning of the formation of Earth, to riverine alluvium deposited 
just a few thousand years back. 
ABhinAV Om KinKER the author is Senior Geologist, Geological Survey of india, State Unit: MP, Jabalpur. email: abhinav.kinker@gsi.gov.in
T
Page 5


April 2024 A development monthly 
OUR ECOSYSTEM
SACRED GROVES 
Dr Sankararao Mudadla
BluE ECOnOmy 
Dr R Venkatesan
ThE RAmSAR COnVEnTiOn  
On WETlAnDS
SunDARBAn BiOSphERE
April 2024
YOJANA
Volume-68
No. 04
A DEVELOPMENT MONTHLY Let noble thoughts come to us from all sides.
Rig Veda
www.publicationsdivision.nic.in @DPD_India I @YojanaJournal @publicationsdivision @dpd_india
In ThIs Issue
number of pages: 60
Details of the Sales Outlets of the Publications Division on Page 55
YOJANA is published in Assamese, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Hindi, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, 
Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu.
Since 1957
Chief editor 
KulShRESThA KAmAl editor 
ShuChiTA ChATuRVEDi our represent Atives 
Ahmedabad: JS Patel, Bengaluru: Shahid T Komath, 
Bhubaneswar: Manoj Kumar Jali, Chennai: Sanjay 
Ghosh, Guwahati: Maruf Alam, Hyderabad: 
Krishna Vandana P , Jalandhar: Gagandeep Kaur 
Devgan, Kolkata: Sumita Chakraborty, Mumbai: 
Sangeeta Godbole, Thiruvananthapuram: Sudha S 
Namboothiry.
Joint Director, ProDuction 
D K C hruDhaIna Th c over Design
BInDu Verma
Yojana (English): Room No. 647, Soochna Bhawan, 
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110 003.  
E-mail (Editorial): sec-yojanaeng-moib@gov.in
YOJANA, a development monthly published since 
1957, is a theme-based journal providing in-depth 
analyses and views on socio-economic issues in 
the broader framework of government policies. 
Although published by the Ministry of Information 
and Broadcasting, YOJANA is not restricted to 
expressing the official point of view.
DIsCLaImer
l 	 The 	 vie ws 	 e xpre sse d 	 in 	 various 	 articles 	 are	
those 	 of 	 the 	 authors 	 and 	 the y 	 do 	 not 	 ne c essarily	
re flect 	 the 	 vie ws 	 of 	 the 	 Go vernme n t 	 or 	 the	
organisation/ s 	 the y 	 work 	 f or .
l Map s/flags 	 use d 	 in 	 the 	 article s 	 are 	 only 	 indic ative 	
and 	 the y 	 do 	 not 	 re flect 	 the 	 politic al 	 map 	 or 	 le gal	
re presen t ation 	 of 	 the 	 flag 	 of 	 India/an y 	 othe r	
c oun try .
l The 	 inf ographics/figure s 	 are 	 pro vide d 	 b y 	 the	
authors 	 through 	 the ir 	 re liable 	 sourc e s 	 and	
YOJANA 	 claims 	 no 	 re sponsibility 	 f or 	 the 	 same.
l Image s, 	 graphics 	 and 	 illus trations, 	 whe re ve r	
use d, 	 are 	 mos tly 	 sourc ed 	 from 	 go vernme n t	
channels 	 and 	 are 	 indic ative 	 in 	 nature .
l YOJANA 	does 	not 	o wn 	re sponsibility 	re garding	
the 	 c on t e n ts 	 of 	 the 	 adve rtise men ts. 	 The 	 re aders	
are 	 re que s t e d 	 t o 	 ve rify 	 the 	 claims 	 made 	 in 	 the	
adve rtise men ts 	 re garding 	 c ourse s, 	 c are e r -
guidanc e 	 book s 	 or 	 ins titutions.
l YOJANA doesn't 	 e ndorse 	 or 	 promot e 	 an y 	 brands	
or 	 privat e 	 e n titie s 	 prese n t ed 	 as 	 c ase 	 s tudie s 	 in 	 an y	 
of 	 the 	 article s.
suBsCrIPTIOn/GrIeV anCes
Email: pdjucir@gmail.com 
Phone: 011-24367453  
(Monday-Friday, 9:30 am- 6:00 pm)
Postal Address: Abhishek Chaturvedi, Editor, 
Journals Unit, Publications Division, Room No. 
779, Soochna Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodhi 
Road, New Delhi-110 003.
Please	 not e	 that	 it	 will	 t ak e	 atleas t	 eigh t	 week s	 t o	
s t art	 your	 sub scrip tion.	 Kindly	 raise	 your	 queries/
grie vanc es	 about	 non	 rec eip t	 of	 the	 journals	 only	
aft er	this	period.
SUBSCRIPTION-RELATED DETAILS : Page 57
GEOlOGiCAl ECOSySTEm 
Abhinav Om Kinker
FROm pEAKS TO VAllEyS 
A hOliSTiC ExplORATiOn OF  
ThE WESTERn GhATS 
RK Sugoor, Lopamudra Das
SOil ECOSySTEm  
A COmplEx WEB OF liFE 
Prof Subhash Chand
7
12
23
27
37
45
54
nExT iSSuE : WEAVES OF inDiA
5 April 2024
Let’s Nurture Together
Editorial
YOJANA
F
rom the majestic Himalayan mountains to the expansive seacoasts; 
from the dense green forests of the northeast to the scorching 
deserts of the northwest; to various kinds of woods, marshes, islands, 
and oceans; india has a great diversity of natural ecosystems. With 80 
r amsar wetlands and over 40 unesco World Heritage sites, towering 
plateaus, lush river plains, and numerous large rivers, india has 
incredibly versatile topography and is a traveller’s delight. 
t he Himalayas’ lofty valleys, diverse array of flora and fauna, and 
high peaks have long drawn travellers, adventurers, and spiritual 
seekers, which ultimately impact the country’s spiritual, artistic, and 
cultural fabric. some of the world’s tallest peaks, including Mount 
everest, Kanchenjunga, nanga Parbat, and others, are found in the 
great Himalayas. even if we are in awe of their grandeur, it is important 
to protect and preserve this natural wonder so that future generations 
might likewise be enthralled by the breathtaking splendour of the Himalayas.
t he largest desert in india, the t har Desert is situated in the northwest and is distinguished by its arid 
terrain and shifting sand dunes. t he Aravalli r ange’s rain-shadow effect is what caused it to form. t he t har 
Desert is home to a wide range of desert-adapted wildlife, such as indian gazelles, blackbuck antelopes, 
and desert foxes, despite its severe climate.
spanning from the foothills of the Himalayas to the t har Desert, the indo-gangetic Plain is a fertile 
alluvial plain formed by the deposition of sediments from the Himalayan r ivers. t he indian portion of the 
majestic sundarban region is situated at the lowest point of the g anga delta. t he region with mangrove 
forests is renowned for its diverse array of wildlife, which includes several bird species, the Bengal tiger, and 
other endangered species like the indian python and estuary crocodile.
the peninsular plateau, which stretches from india’s centre to its south, covers the majority of the 
country’s land area. it is a vast, rough, and high region crisscrossed by many major rivers, including the 
narmada, g odavari, Krishna, and Kaveri, all of which are far older than the Himalayan rivers. t he Western 
and eastern ghats, renowned for their exceptional biodiversity and stunning scenery, border the peninsular 
plateau and run parallel to india’s western and eastern coasts. t he Deccan Plateau is a large elevated region 
that spans a large chunk of central and southern india. it is distinguished by its fertile plains, volcanic 
structures, and flat-topped hills. the gulf of Mannar, the Andaman and n icobar islands, and coral reefs 
themselves are hotspots for biodiversity that are home to an incredible array of marine life, including sea 
turtles, colourful fish, and coral polyps.
india’s geological diversity is the foundation of its remarkable ecological richness. ecosystem 
conservation and human well-being are closely interlinked. ecosystems’ long-term resilience and health 
is paramount for future generations because they uphold the values of sustainability, conservation, and 
respect for the natural world. t he need to comprehend and protect our ecosystems is greater than ever 
as we work through the challenges of the 21
st
 century. in this issue of Yojana, we delve into the diversity, 
resilience, and pressing need for conservation of ecosystem. Hope the insights from this issue will not only 
help our readers to explore the rich tapestry of india’s ecosystem but also remind them of our collective 
responsibility to nurture and sustain the ecosystems that sustain us.                                                                        ?
7 April 2024
he geographical landscape of india is 
marked by the majestic Himalayas in 
the north which has played a significant 
role in the unique cultural evolution 
of the indian subcontinent. to the south of the 
Himalayas, lies the vast alluvial tract formed by 
rivers originating from the Himalayas such as 
ganga, Yamuna, ravi, sutlej, gandak, Kosi, tista, 
Brahmaputra, etc. the ganga and Brahmaputra 
r iver systems are one of the most fertile regions in 
the world and are home to a significant portion of 
india’s population. Most of india’s geographical area 
is covered by peninsular plateau which extends 
from central to southern parts of the country. it 
is a large, elevated, rugged terrain dissected by 
numerous big rivers such as narmada, godavari, 
Krishna, and Kaveri which are much older than the 
Himalayan rivers. Bordering the peninsular plateau 
and running parallel to india’s western and eastern 
coasts are the Western and eastern ghats, which are 
GeoLoGicaL ecosysTem 
India is the fifth largest country in the world and has rich geographical 
and geological diversity, ranging from the mighty Himalayas which are 
one of the highest mountain ranges in the world to low-lying coastal 
plains overseeing the vast Indian Ocean. Its geological terrain has 
rocks, ranging from the Achaean age, formed billions of years ago, at 
the beginning of the formation of Earth, to riverine alluvium deposited 
just a few thousand years back. 
ABhinAV Om KinKER the author is Senior Geologist, Geological Survey of india, State Unit: MP, Jabalpur. email: abhinav.kinker@gsi.gov.in
T
8 April 2024
known for their rich and unique biodiversity and 
picturesque landscape. india has a long coastline 
of about 7,500 km, bordered by the Arabian sea to 
the west, the indian ocean to the south, and the 
Bay of Bengal to the east. t his coastline has fertile 
coastal plains, sandy beaches, rocky shores, and 
coastal wetlands, occupied by mangrove forests. 
t he t har Desert is located in the northwest part of 
india which is a vast arid region with rolling sand 
dunes, sparse vegetation, and distinctive fauna. 
india also has several island groups, the most 
prominent being the Andaman and n icobar islands 
in the Bay of Bengal and the Lakshadweep islands 
in the Arabian sea. t hese islands have rich marine 
biodiversity and are of great strategic importance 
to the country. 
the himalayas, the highest mountain range 
in the world, separates the indian landmass from 
the tibetan Plateau. it has been formed by the 
collision of the indian plate with the eurasian plate, 
resulting in the formation of a large fold mountain 
system, running along the northern fringes of the 
indian sub-continent. it runs from west-northwest 
to east-southeast direction in the form of an arc for 
about 2,400 km, extending across five southeast 
Asian countries. its width varies from 350 km in the 
west to 150 km in the east. t he Himalayan terrain 
comprises high snow-clad peaks, deep valleys with 
steep-sided slopes, and glaciers. Physiographically, 
the Himalayas consist of four parallel mountain 
ranges namely, the shivalik Hills, the Lower 
Himalayan r ange or Himachal, the great Himalayan 
r ange or Himadri, and the t ibetan Himalayas from 
south to north. the great Himalayas are home 
to some of the highest peaks in the world such 
as Mount everest, Kanchenjunga, nanga Parbat, 
etc. several glaciers are present within the range, 
including gangotri glacier and s atopanth glacier. 
the Himalayan glaciers are the source of fresh 
water for the rivers of northern india, providing 
water to the majority population of the country. 
t he region is still geologically active, with potential 
for geothermal energy resources. Hot springs and 
geothermal anomalies have been identified in 
various areas, indicating the presence of subsurface 
heat sources that could be harnessed for power 
generation.
t he northern plains also referred to as ‘great 
Plains of india’ , is one of the most extensive alluvial 
tracts in the world. it runs for roughly 2400 km from 
west to east and stretches 240 to 320 km from north 
to south. in some parts, the depth of the sediments 
is as much as 2000 to 3000 m. it has formed from 
sediments brought by rivers, originating from 
uplifting Himalayas, and deposited in a foreland 
basin. t hough it has a low elevation with a general 
slope from northeast to southwest and south, there 
are some diverse relief features in the vast northern 
Plains. As the rivers originating from the Himalayas 
descend the hills, their velocity decreases and as a 
result, they dump much of their denser and coarser 
sediment fraction along the foothills in a narrow, 
porous, thin strip called Bhabar which is around 8 
to 16 km wide. t he streams go underground in the 
Bhabar belt because of its porosity. t he terai belt is 
located south of the Bhabar belt where streams go 
underground in the Bhabar belt resurfaces. it is a 
poorly drained, wet, marshy, and densely forested 
narrow track, running parallel to Bhabar stretching 
for roughly 15-30 km. the densely forested terai 
Jim Corbett National Park Kaziranga National Park