Introduction Air pollution in India has become one of the gravest environmental challenges confronting India. The deteriorating air quality in both urban and rural areas is contributing significantly to respiratory diseases, environmental degradation, and reduced quality of life. Rapid industrialization,…
Air pollution refers specifically to the degradation of air quality within the troposphere, the lowest layer of Earth’s atmosphere where weather phenomena occur and where all terrestrial life interacts with the gaseous envelope. Pollution in this layer is mainly anthropogenic…
Introduction Climate change is an existential crisis that is already reshaping ecosystems, economies, and human survival. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) defines climate change as: “A significant variation in the mean state of climate (temperature, winds, precipitation, etc.) for an…
Introduction The Forest Conservation & Augmentation Act, 2023 (Van Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan Adhiniyam) is a major amendment to the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. This new law aims to streamline forest conservation efforts while facilitating infrastructure development, particularly in strategic and…
Introduction to Mangrove Ecosystem The mangrove ecosystem is one of the most vital coastal ecosystems, offering a unique blend of terrestrial and marine biodiversity. Found in tropical and subtropical regions, mangroves serve as natural buffers against coastal erosion, sequester carbon,…
Introduction The wetland ecosystem is one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically important ecosystems on the planet. Often referred to as “the kidneys of the Earth”, wetlands play a crucial role in water purification, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and…
As a party to the CBD, India enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, which serves as a comprehensive legal framework to protect biological resources and regulate their use. Objectives of the Act More Useful Links: Definition of Biological Resources Regulatory…
Introduction The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international legally binding treaty aimed at promoting sustainable development while ensuring the conservation of biological diversity. Signed at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the CBD entered into force…
Introduction In an era marked by climate change and escalating environmental challenges, sustainable land-use options have become a necessity to safeguard livelihoods and promote ecological balance. Agroforestry stands out as a transformative practice that not only increases livelihood security but…
Environmental Impact Assessment Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a crucial topic under environmental governance and sustainable development, making it highly significant for UPSC aspirants. As part of the UPSC syllabus for both Prelims and Mains (GS Paper III: Environment and…
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a systematic and formal process designed to evaluate the potential environmental, social, and health-related impacts of proposed projects or activities before they are implemented. The primary objective is to ensure that development is sustainable and…
Introduction Adopted by all 193 United Nations Member States in September 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development serves as a global blueprint to achieve peace, prosperity, and sustainability for people and the planet. This transformative agenda builds on the…
Introduction to the SDGs The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals established by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They serve as a universal call to action…
Introduction Water security is crucial for India’s economic development, public health, and ecological balance. As the second most populous country, India faces a growing demand for water amid limited resources, mismanagement, and climate change. With 4% of the world’s freshwater…
Introduction Climate change is one of the most pressing global challenges of the 21st century, with far-reaching consequences for economies, ecosystems, and human life. For India, climate change poses significant challenges due to its diverse geography, high population, and dependence…
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. These goals aim to address a broad spectrum of global challenges, including…
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The agreement was signed on December 12, 2015, in Paris, France, and entered…
The Kyoto Protocol is one of the most significant international agreements aimed at combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Adopted on December 11, 1997, in Kyoto, Japan, the protocol entered into force on February 16, 2005, after meeting…
Terrestrial ecosystems encompass the interactions between organisms and their environment on land, collectively known as terrestrial ecology. These interactions are heavily influenced by variations in topography, including valleys, mountains, and slopes, which cause differences in both material and biotic diversities.…
Functions of an Ecosystem Ecosystems are incredibly complex, encompassing various processes that sustain life on Earth. Understanding these processes provides insight into how ecosystems maintain their stability and balance. The primary functions of an ecosystem can be divided into three…
Definition of Ecology: More Useful Links: 1.1 Historical Context of Ecology 1.2 Environment and Its Components Components of the Environment: Example: The Environment of a Fish in a Pond 1.3 Levels of Organization in Ecology 1.3.1 Individual 1.3.2 Population 1.3.3…
Subject: EnvironmentSection: PollutionTopic: Air Pollution Control in Indian Megacities The recently released Swachh Vayu Survekshan (SVS) 2024 report by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change paints a grim picture of air pollution control in India’s major cities.…
Subject: Environment, geographySection: Environmental Legislation, Human geographyTopic: Mankidia Community and Forest Rights On September 22, 2024, the Mankidia community was officially granted habitat rights under the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006. This milestone ensures that the Mankidia, a semi-nomadic and…
Subject: EnvironmentSection: Climate ChangeTopic: Growth in India’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions India’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have shown a steady increase over the past decade, reaching concerning levels despite global efforts to reduce emissions. From 2014 to 2023, emissions in India…
Subject: EnvironmentSection: Climate ChangeTopic: China’s Carbon Market and Emissions Trading Mechanisms China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG), is ramping up its efforts to curb emissions by expanding its Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The expansion includes high-emission industries…
Subject: EnvironmentSection: Climate ChangeTopic: Reducing CO2 Emissions in India’s Transport Sector India’s transport sector, a significant contributor to carbon emissions, stands at a crossroads. According to a recent study by the World Resources Institute (WRI) India, there is a tremendous…
Introduction The Amazon Rainforest, often referred to as the “lungs of the Earth,” plays an irreplaceable role in regulating our planet’s climate. Covering a staggering 5.5 million square kilometers across nine South American countries, the Amazon is home to an…
Sub: Environment | Section: Species in News Context:The vaquita porpoise (Phocoena sinus), the world’s most endangered marine mammal, is on the verge of extinction, with fewer than 10 individuals remaining. Conservationists and governments are making last-ditch efforts to save this…
The Chipko Movement stands as a powerful symbol of grassroots environmental activism, showcasing how ordinary people, armed with determination and unity, can challenge powerful systems to protect their natural heritage. Born in the 1970s in the Himalayan region of Uttarakhand…
Introduction The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were a set of eight global objectives established in 2000 by the United Nations (UN) to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. Adopted as part of the Millennium Declaration, the MDGs aimed to…
