UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2019: GS3 Environment & Ecology | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Coastal sand mining, whether legal or illegal, poses one of the biggest threats to our environment. Analyse the impact of sand mining along the Indian coasts, citing specific examples.(Environment and Ecology)
Ans: Global sand consumption has been on the rise, and a report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) identifies India as a critical hotspot for coastal sand mining.

Concerns Regarding Coastal Sand Mining:

• Coastal sand mining poses a significant threat to the environment:
  • Causing damage to beach fauna, flora, and aesthetics. 
  • Resulting in coastal erosion and environmental harm to associated ecosystems like wetlands.
  • Impacting protection from storm surges linked to tropical cyclones and tsunamis.
• Effects on Indian Coasts:
• Examples from Periyasamypuram in Tamil Nadu illustrate adverse effects:
  • Fish catch reduction, dried palm trees, brackish groundwater, and sea intrusion due to coastal sand mining.
• Observations of seawater intrusion, coastal land inundation, and groundwater salinization in Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, and Ernakulam.

• Social impacts of coastal sand mining include effects on livelihoods, health, scenic beauty, climate, and infrastructure damage.

Addressing Coastal Sand Mining:

• Proposed solutions include:

  • Better spatial planning and reduced unnecessary construction.
  • Use of green infrastructure and alternative materials like oil palm shell and bottom ash.
  • Strict adherence to Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) guidelines.
  • Enforcing standards and best practices to curb irresponsible extraction.
  • Investing in sand production and consumption measurement at the policy level.

Q2: Define the concept of carrying capacity of an ecosystem as relevant to an environment. Explain how understanding this concept is vital while planning for sustainable development of a region.(Environment and Ecology)
Ans: 

Biotechnology's Potential in Indian Agriculture: In India, a significant portion of the population is engaged in agriculture, but the returns, especially in non-green revolution areas, are often insufficient. Biotechnology emerges as a promising solution to transform agriculture, impacting various stages of the production chain, from agrochemical inputs to final food processing.

Within biotechnology, organisms such as plants, bacteria, fungi, and animals with altered genes through manipulation (Recombinant DNA Technology) are termed Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO). GMO technology has introduced notable changes in agriculture and related domains.

Key Aspects and Benefits of Biotechnology in Agriculture:

• Tissue Culture: The science of cultivating animal/plant tissue in a prepared medium, leveraging technologies for crop improvement.
• Abiotic Stress Tolerance: Crops are made more tolerant to environmental stresses like cold, drought, salt, and heat, providing farmers with weather-resilient options.
• Pest Resistance: Development of pest-resistant crops has reduced reliance on chemical pesticides, benefiting farmers economically and consumers environmentally.
• Reduced Post-Harvest Losses: Biotechnology has decreased post-harvest losses by enhancing crops' ability to withstand transportation without perishing.
• Efficient Mineral Usage: Improved efficiency in mineral usage by plants prevents early soil fertility exhaustion, allowing sustained land use for optimal yields.
• Nutritional Enhancement: Biotechnology has increased the nutritional value of food, exemplified by Vitamin A enriched rice, enhancing market value and improving human health.
• Disease Resistance: Plants developed through biotechnology naturally resist specific insects, weed plants, and diseases, ensuring minimal crop loss (e.g., Bt crops).
• Customized Plant Development: Biotechnology facilitates the creation of tailor-made plants for alternative resource supply to industries, such as starches, fuels, and pharmaceuticals, fostering agricultural-industrial relations and uplifting farmers.

The advantages of biotechnology gain significance as the global population grows, and food demand increases, particularly in developing countries. Biotechnology enables farmers to produce more food on less land using environmentally sustainable practices, crucial for achieving better income and living standards. While biotechnology proves to be a powerful tool in feeding a growing world population, careful evaluation of its positive and negative potential is essential.