UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions 2024: GS3 Environment & Ecology | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiative in this regard. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans:
Approach

• Give a brief introduction about industrial pollution of river water
• Mention the mitigation measures and government initiatives
• Conclude suitably

Introduction:
Industrial pollution of river water in India severely impacts ecosystems, human health, and livelihoods by degrading water quality through the discharge of untreated effluents.

Body:
Mitigation Measures

• Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs): Mandating the installation of ETPs in industries to treat wastewater before discharge ensuring that harmful pollutants are removed, reducing the toxic load on rivers.
• Strict Monitoring and Regulation: Establishing stringent monitoring systems to regularly inspect industries for compliance with pollution standards.
• Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD): Encouraging industries to adopt ZLD systems that recycle wastewater, thereby preventing discharge into water bodies.
• Public Awareness and Participation: Raising awareness about the impacts of industrial pollution and promoting community involvement in monitoring and protecting water bodies.
• Sustainable Industrial Practices: Encouraging industries to adopt cleaner production methods that minimize waste generation and resource consumption.

Government Initiatives

• Regulatory Framework: Regulation of industrial pollution is enforced through the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• CPCB Directions: CPCB has issued directives regarding non-compliance of Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) to SPCBs/PCCs under Section 18(1)(b) of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• Online Monitoring Systems: Online Continuous Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) are mandated for industrial units to provide real-time effluent quality data.
• Discharge Standards: General and industry-specific effluent discharge standards have been stipulated under the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.
• Conservation Programs:
  • Namami Gange Programme
  • Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
  • Smart Cities Mission

Conclusion:
Addressing industrial pollution of river water in India requires a multi-faceted approach involving stringent regulations, technological advancements, and community participation.

Q2: What role do environmental NGOs and activists play in influencing Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) outcomes for major projects in India? Cite four examples with all important details. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans:
Introduction
Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations (ENGOs) and activists are vital in promoting environmental sustainability, and driving policy change, particularly in influencing Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) for major projects.

Body
Role of ENGOs and Activists in Influencing EIA Outcomes in India

• Raise public awareness of environmental issues and engage local populations in EIA campaigns.
• Use research and the Right to Information Act to gather data on environmental impacts and file Litigations for accountability.
• Promote ethical standards and train communities to participate effectively in EIAs.
• Collaborate with government agencies for transparent EIAs and engage media to highlight environmental issues, pressuring decision-makers.

Examples:

• Save Silent Valley Campaign: The Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad fought against a hydroelectric project in Silent Valley National Park to protect the rainforest, leading to a proposal for the area to be a Biosphere Reserve.
• POSCO Steel Project, Odisha: Greenpeace India and local groups opposed the project over environmental concerns, resulting in its cancellation in 2017 due to flaws in the EIA.
• Narmada Bachao Andolan: The movement opposed the Sardar Sarovar Dam, highlighting environmental and social impacts, which led to improved project assessments.
• Sterlite Copper Case: NGOs protests and the ‘Anti Sterlite Movement’ influenced the Supreme Court's review, resulting in the closure of the plant for pollution issues and emphasising the need for effective EIAs.

Conclusion
ENGOs and activists hold authorities accountable, ensuring development projects prioritize environmental and social impacts. Strengthening ENGOs can promote sustainable practices that benefit communities and ecosystems.

Q3: The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits. (Answer in 250 words)
Ans:
Approach:

• Write in brief about availability of freshwater.
• Mention the current situation of water shortage.
• Write about the available technologies that can help in addressing this situation of water crisis.
• Discuss about any three technologies showing its merits and demerits.
• Conclude by summarising the above mentioned points

Introduction
Freshwater constitutes only 2.5% of the planet's water, with 1% being easily accessible. Most freshwater is trapped in glaciers and snowfields, leaving just 0.007% available for the 8 billion people on Earth.

Body
State of Shortage of Clean and Safe Freshwater:

• Water use has grown at over twice the rate of population increase in the last century.
• By 2025, half of the global population may face water scarcity.
• Intense water scarcity could displace around 700 million people by 2030.
• By 2040, 1 in 4 children worldwide will live in areas of extremely high water stress.

Alternative Technologies:

• Desalination Technologies: Membrane technologies, such as reverse osmosis, help convert seawater into potable water.
• Wastewater Treatment: Technologies like Electrocoagulation and Membrane bioreactor can help treat wastewater for its reuse.
• Role of AI and IoT: They help in identifying leakages and monitoring water distribution networks, preventing water loss.
• Nanotechnology: Carbon Nanotube (CNT) based filtration systems remove organic, inorganic, and biological compounds.
• Photocatalytic Water Purification: It uses photocatalyst and ultraviolet rays to rid water of toxic substances and contaminants.

Conclusion
Integrating advanced technologies like desalination, wastewater treatment, and AI provides innovative solutions to freshwater scarcity, enhancing efficiency and water quality for sustainable management and access to clean water for all.

Q4: What is disaster resilience? How is it determined? Describe various elements of a resilience framework. Also, mention the global targets of Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2020-2030). (Answer in 250 words)
Ans:
Approach:
Introduction: Define disaster resilience
Body:

• Mention factors determining Disaster resilience along with elements of a resilience framework.
• Mention 7 Global Targets Of Sendai Framework For Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030) along with Priorities for Action.

Conclusion: Give the Government of India’s initiative to implement the Sendai Framework.

Introduction:
Disaster resilience is the ability to withstand, prevent, and recover from the harmful effects of natural hazards on people, places, and the environment.

Body:
Disaster resilience is determined by several factors, including:

• Adaptive capacity: The ability to adjust to disturbances, moderate damage, and learn from shocks.
• Exposure to risk: The magnitude and frequency of shocks or stress.
• Sensitivity: How much a system is affected by a shock or stress.
• Organisation: The ability to organize oneself to learn from past disasters and reduce future risks.

Four Elements of Resilience Framework:

Global Targets of Sendai Framework For Disaster Risk Reduction (2015-2030):
The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction is a UN General Assembly-endorsed agreement that aims to reduce disaster risk and losses through a combination of global targets and a shared responsibility between governments and other stakeholders.

Priorities for Action:

• Priority 1: Disaster risk management needs to be based on an understanding of disaster risk in all its dimensions of vulnerability, capacity, exposure of persons and assets, hazard characteristics, and the environment.
• Priority 2: Disaster risk governance at the national, regional, and global levels is vital to the management of disaster risk reduction in all sectors.
• Priority 3: Public and private investment in disaster risk prevention and reduction through structural and non-structural measures are essential to enhance the economic, social, health and cultural resilience of persons, communities, countries and their assets, as well as the environment.
• Priority 4: Enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response, and to Build Back Better in recovery, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.

Conclusion:
The Government of India has issued a set of priority actions based on the goals, targets, and priorities of the Sendai Framework 2015-2030. The government of India, during the Asian Ministerial Conference for Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016, has extended the grant of USD 1 million to UNISDR for the effective implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction in the Asian region.

Q5: Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two such major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods. (Answer in 250 words)
Ans:
Approach

• Start the answer by defining urban flooding.
• Discuss key contributors to urban flooding. Highlight significant flood events, noting their causes. Highlight policies and frameworks related to flood management.
• Conclude by emphasising the importance of effective management and sustainable infrastructure to enhance urban resilience against flooding.

Introduction
Urban flooding, a climate-induced disaster, occurs when heavy rainfall overwhelms drainage systems, inundating land or property in densely populated areas like cities.

Body
Causes of Urban Flooding:

• Climate change:Drives urban flooding by increasing rainfall intensity. Warmer air holds more moisture, resulting in heavier precipitation. Rising temperatures, particularly in urban heat islands, further disrupt seasonal weather patterns.
  • Sea-level rise heightens risks for coastal cities, leading to flooding and freshwater contamination.
• Urbanisation: Exacerbates flood risks by increasing impervious surfaces that elevate runoff and reduce water absorption, while encroachments on floodplains disrupt natural water flow due to inadequate regulations.
• Improper Solid Waste Management: Blocks drainage systems, causing overflow during heavy rains and further complicating flooding risks with the mixing of sewage and stormwater.

Major Flood Events:

• Chennai Floods (2015): Heavy rains and poor drainage, along with the destruction of 300 inland water bodies due to urban growth, intensified flooding. Significant reduction of Pallikaranai marshlands undermined natural ecosystems and flood control.
• Mumbai Floods (2005): Triggered by heavy rainfall, overwhelming a century-old drainage system designed to handle only 25 mm of rain per hour. Urbanisation led to a 40% reduction in mangroves and decline in green spaces, further aggravating flooding and preventing effective water absorption.

Policies and Frameworks to Tackle Urban Floods in India

• Guidelines on Management of Urban Flooding (2010): Issued by National Disaster Management Authority, these guidelines promote a multi-disciplinary approach for urban flood management planning.
• Smart Cities Mission (2015): Promotes sustainable urban infrastructure, including smart drainage and flood management systems.
• AMRUT 2.0: Focuses on upgrading stormwater drainage and urban infrastructure to reduce flood vulnerability.
• Storm Water Drainage Manual (2019): Provides guidance on sustainable stormwater management and flood response planning.

Conclusion
Urban flooding driven by climate change poses significant risks to cities. Effective management through sustainable infrastructure and adherence to NDMA guidelines can enhance city resilience.