The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 1st March 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

The necessity of mainstreaming wetland conservation

Why in News?

• A recent case in Meghalaya has brought attention to the challenges of wetland conservation in India, underscoring the ecological significance of these areas and the need for stronger protective measures.
• Despite being a signatory to the Ramsar Convention, wetlands in India are facing degradation due to factors such as urbanization, pollution, and climate change.

Focus on Wetland Conservation

• A legal initiative has been launched to oversee the conservation of wetlands in a northeastern state of India.
• Every year on February 2, 'World Wetlands Day' is celebrated to commemorate the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in 1971.
• The theme for 2023, 'Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,' emphasizes the importance of wetlands in sustainable development.

Threats to Wetlands

• Wetlands are among the most biologically productive ecosystems, covering 12.1 million km² globally and providing 40.6% of ecosystem services.
• They are under severe threat from rapid urbanization, population growth, industrialization, and climate change.
• Studies show that since 1900, 50% of wetlands have been lost, with a 35% decline in wetland surface areas from 1970 to 2015.
• Populations of inland wetland species have decreased by 81%, and coastal/marine species by 36% since 1970.

Challenges in Conservation

• Wetlands play a crucial role in water management, climate change mitigation, and supporting urban infrastructure.
• The 2022 Ramsar Convention emphasized that wetland conservation should be integrated with broader global environmental initiatives.
• The Convention’s Strategic Plan aims to align wetland conservation with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global biodiversity targets, and climate agreements.
• The urgency for wetland protection has escalated due to biodiversity loss, climate change, and global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wetland Conservation in India

• India is committed to the Ramsar Convention and has designated 75 Ramsar sites covering 1.33 million hectares, which is about 8% of the country’s total wetland area of 15.98 million hectares.
• The 2017-18 National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas indicates that 66.6% of wetlands in India are natural, with 43.9% inland and 22.7% coastal.
• There is a noticeable decline in natural wetlands, especially along the coast, while man-made wetlands are on the rise.
• A study found that 30% of India’s natural wetlands have been lost in the last four decades due to urban expansion, infrastructure projects, and pollution.
• Urban wetlands are particularly vulnerable, with significant losses reported in major cities: Mumbai lost 71% of its wetlands from 1970 to 2014, Kolkata saw a 36% reduction between 1991 and 2021, and Chennai experienced an 85% loss of its wetlands.

Economic Impact of Wetland Loss

• The degradation of wetlands has a direct impact on ecosystem services, which in turn affects economic and social well-being.
• A study in Colombia found that the loss of urban wetlands can lead to an annual economic impact of $76,827 per hectare.
• In peri-urban areas, the economic loss due to wetland degradation is estimated at $30,354 per hectare per year.

Need for a Holistic Conservation Approach

• Current wetland management in India primarily focuses on ecological and environmental aspects, with limited research on human-induced impacts, land-use changes, and governance issues affecting wetlands.
• Wetlands are crucial for ecological, economic, and social security, necessitating an integrated conservation strategy.
• Their role in climate change mitigation, as sources and sinks of carbon, needs to be evaluated and monitored.
• More effective management strategies are required to address the increasing pressures from climate change and human activities.
• Conservation efforts should adopt an ecosystem-based approach and be integrated into broader development plans, as recommended in international conventions.

Conclusion

•  Wetlands are essential for maintaining ecological balance, biodiversity, and resilience to climate change. 
•  It is crucial to strengthen conservation efforts through integrated policies, sustainable management practices, and community participation to prevent further degradation of wetlands and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

The steps that will shape India’s AI ambition

Why in News?

India is in a competitive race with China and the U.S. in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). However, India faces challenges in terms of regulation and innovation. It is important for India to find a balance between governing AI and remaining competitive, especially for its IT industry.

Challenges Faced by Indian Software Developers

• Software developers in Bengaluru, India, are experiencing tough competition from their Chinese counterparts for AI-driven projects with global clients.
• Even though India has a highly skilled workforce, Indian companies often lose contracts because they cannot match the technological capabilities of their rivals.
• The issue goes beyond the choice of local or foreign AI platforms; it is about ensuring that market regulations do not hinder India’s progress in AI development.

India’s Competition in AI Development

 India is in a competitive race on three fronts: 

• Catching up with Silicon Valley. 
• Competing with China.
• Facing emerging competition from Southeast Asia.
• To stay at the leading edge of AI, Indian businesses need to integrate AI technologies into their operations effectively.

Issues Hindering AI Adoption in India

 AI adoption can improve export competitiveness, but it also brings several challenges: 

• Job Displacement. As AI automation increases, routine jobs may be at risk of being eliminated.
• Bias in AI Algorithms. AI decision-making processes could become discriminatory due to inherent biases in algorithms.
• Misinformation through Deepfakes. AI-generated deepfakes have the potential to spread false information, undermining trust in media and affecting political processes.

Intermediary Liability

• Foreign technology companies often dominate the AI ecosystem, controlling market rules and regulations.
• Indian startups face challenges in competing due to a lack of regulatory support and favorable conditions.

Regulatory Challenges

• Indian app developers have raised concerns about monopolistic practices by global tech companies, filing complaints against them.
• However, imposing strict regulations on AI could hinder India’s technological progress and adaptation, making it less competitive globally.

Balancing Regulation and Growth

• India has already established a significant part of the AI value chain.
• Increasing compliance costs could put India at a disadvantage compared to China and the U.S., both of which are opting for minimal AI regulations.
• Over-regulation may drive businesses to relocate their IT development and research activities to countries with more favorable AI regulatory environments.

Global Approaches to AI Regulation

 Different countries are taking various approaches to AI regulation: 

• European Union (EU). Implements stringent regulations to address the risks and social impacts associated with AI technologies.
• United States. Adopts a more relaxed approach, prioritizing AI innovation and development over strict regulatory measures.
• India. Faces the challenge of choosing between these two approaches while ensuring the protection and growth of its industrial and technological sectors.

Lessons for India in AI Policy

• Unlike the EU, India does not encounter structural issues like fragmented governance among different states.
• AI regulation in India should be designed to avoid disrupting its export capabilities, especially considering China’s dominance in AI-related hardware and cloud technologies.
• India should formulate policies that leverage its strengths in the IT services sector, rather than blindly adopting Western AI regulatory frameworks.

The Need for a Clear AI Policy in India

• India’s current AI policy is fragmented due to conflicting regulations from various agencies.
• Instead of creating new laws, India should focus on strengthening and adapting its existing legal frameworks concerning:
  • Antitrust and corporate liability. 
  • Free speech and public order. 
• The existing IT Act may already provide sufficient guidelines for AI governance without the need for a separate AI-specific legislation.

The Way Forward

• India needs to establish its own AI regulatory strategy that aligns with national interests and priorities.

 The focus should be on: 

• Encouraging widespread AI adoption. 
• Supporting open-source AI initiatives.
• Facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity building within India’s IT sector.
• Ensuring that AI remains open, accessible, and commercially viable through international collaborations and partnerships.