Environment
Q1. Outline the key features of European Union’s Nature Restoration Law. What can South Asian countries learn from it. (10M)
Introduction
The European Commission’s proposal for a Nature Restoration Law is the first continent-wide, comprehensive law of its kind. It is a key element of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which calls for binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems, in particular those with the most potential to capture and store carbon and to prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters.
Body:
Key features of European Union’s Nature Restoration Law:
- Setting Ambitious Restoration Targets: The proposal aims to restore nature in the EU’s land and sea areas with binding targets. It seeks to cover at least 20% of these areas by 2030 and eventually restore all ecosystems in need by 2050.
- Implementation: EU countries are expected to submit National Restoration Plans to the Commission within two years of the Regulation coming into force, showing how they will deliver on the targets.
- They will also be required to monitor and report on their progress.
- Promotes Sustainable land use: The proposed law promotes sustainable land use practices by encouraging the restoration of degraded land and the integration of nature conservation into various sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, and urban development.
- International commitments: The ‘Nature restoration law’ aligns with international commitments and agreements, including the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the European Union’s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030.
- Ecosystem services: it acknowledges the significance of ecosystem services and emphasizes the restoration and protection of ecosystems to sustain these benefits for present and future generations.
- Public awareness and engagement: The proposed law encourages the involvement of citizens, local communities, and stakeholders in decision-making processes, promoting a sense of ownership and responsibility towards the environment.
- Learning from failure; nature is dying faster than humans have ever known, a landmark scientific assessment found in 2019, driven by climate change, pollution and the way people exploit the land and sea.
- The restoration law aims to reverse this trend and help the bloc hit biodiversity targets it has previously failed to meet.
Learning for south Asian countries:
- Clear Targets and Strategies: The EU Biodiversity Strategy sets clear targets and objectives for biodiversity conservation and restoration. South Asian countries can develop their own national biodiversity strategies with measurable targets and strategies for nature restoration.
- Ecosystem-based Approach: The EU focuses on an ecosystem-based approach to conservation, considering the interconnectedness of habitats, species, and ecological processes.
- South Asian countries can adopt similar approaches, recognizing the value of intact ecosystems and their role in supporting biodiversity.
- Climate change mitigation: South Asia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.
- Similar law can go a long way in tackling climate associated challenges.
- Legal Frameworks: South Asian countries can develop robust legal frameworks and strengthen existing laws to provide a strong basis for nature conservation and restoration. This may include enacting legislation that protects critical habitats, regulates harmful activities, and establishes mechanisms for ecological restoration.
- International Commitments: Many South Asian countries are signatories to international agreements such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Paris Agreement.
- Implementing a nature restoration law would demonstrate a commitment to these agreements.
Conclusion
The European Union’s proposed ‘Nature restoration law’ holds significance for addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainable development. While a similar law could benefit countries in the South Asian region, its implementation would require customization to suit the specific regional context and challenges.
Q2. Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes) are aimed at reviving and conserving India’s wetlands and mangroves. Elucidate. (15M)
Introduction
Amrit Dharohar and MISHTI are initiatives in India that focus on reviving and conserving the country’s wetlands and mangroves. These initiatives recognize the importance of these ecosystems for biodiversity, climate regulation, and the livelihoods of local communities.
Body:
Amrit Dharohar:
- Optimal use of wetlands: This is a scheme that will be implemented over the next three years to encourage optimal use of wetlands, and enhance bio-diversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.
- Sustainable ecosystem: The launch of Amrit Dharohar Yojana will ensure the conservation of the existing Ramsar sites through public participation, and these sites will become the centre of eco-tourism and a source of green jobs for thousands of people.
- Combat wetland degradation: It aims to combat wetland degradation, guarantee water availability in wetlands during the appropriate season (for migratory birds), encourage intelligent use of wetlands, and expand the number of wetlands with the designation of “Ramsar site.”
- Participatory approach: it is going to be participatory, which is also welcome since the essence of Ramsar site management is wise use.
MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes):
- Mangrove plantation: MISHTI is a new programme that will facilitate mangrove plantation along India’s coastline and on salt pan lands.
- The programme will operate through convergence between MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund and other sources.
- Promotes intensive afforestation: It aims at intensive afforestation of coastal mangrove forests. India has such forests on both its Eastern and Western coasts with the Sundarbans in Bengal being one of the largest mangrove forests on the planet.
- Comprehensive coverage: It envisages to comprehensively explore the possible area for development of Mangroves covering approximately 540 Sq. Kms. spreading across 11 States and 2 Union Territories during five years commencing FY 2023-24 onwards.
- The sharing of best practices on plantation techniques, conservation measures, management practices and resources mobilization through Public Private Partnership are objectives of the MISHTI scheme.
- Sustainable livelihoods: MISHTI recognizes the dependence of local communities on mangroves and aims to promote sustainable livelihood options such as eco-tourism, agroforestry, and alternative livelihood opportunities.
Conclusion
India accounts for about 3% of South Asia’s mangroves. These scheme were required since Wetland and mangroves disappearing mostly as a result of human activity and unauthorised building. These schemes are expected to help conserve wetland and mangrove in sustainable manner.
Ethics
Syllabus: “Ethical issues in international relations and funding Corporate governance”
Q3. Should countries prioritize the protection of their citizens’ rights and security over the preservation of individual privacy in the context of surveillance and counterterrorism operations? Critically analyse (10M)
Introduction:
Governments face the challenge of safeguarding their populations from potential threats, particularly in the context of counterterrorism operations, while also respecting the fundamental human right to privacy and upholding civil liberties.
Body:
Yes, countries should prioritize Security and surveillance:
- Utilitarianism- Enhancing National Security: monitoring activities, collecting intelligence, and analyzing data, surveillance measures contribute to safeguarding the safety and well-being of citizens.
- Social Contract Theory – Prevention and Law Enforcement: Monitoring systems, such as CCTV cameras and sensors, enable quick response. Citizen’s consent give up some privacy in exchange for security
- Emergency Response and Disaster Management: Surveillance technologies can aid by providing real-time information and situational awareness.
Yes, countries should prioritize Privacy:
- Deontological ethics- Personal Autonomy and Dignity: allows individuals to make choices, express themselves freely, and develop their identities without fear of judgment or intrusion. Individual privacy is considered a fundamental right any infringement would need to be justified by morally compelling reasons.
- Rights-Based Ethics- Protection of Personal Information: such as medical records, financial data, and personal communications. Privacy is seen as an inherent right.
- Virtue Ethics- Trust and Relationships: building between individuals, institutions, and governments, contributing to healthy and harmonious interactions. Ensuring a harmonious and just society.
The Integration:
- Ethical Principle of Proportionality: any intrusion on individual privacy must be proportionate to the threat faced and the potential harm it seeks to prevent.
- Example: focus on specific individuals or groups directly linked to potential threats, rather than indiscriminate mass surveillance.
- Prevent Misuse: Facial recognition technology have sparked debates about the ethical implications and appropriate regulation.
- Lack of comprehensive data protection law in India: which makes citizens less secure about sharing their data.
Conclusion:
As Justice Louis Brandeis said “The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well-meaning but without understanding.” Therefore, the intention of surveillance must be protecting rights along with security.
Follow us on our Official TELEGRAM Channel HERE
Subscribe to Our Official YouTube Channel HERE
Please subscribe to Our podcast channel HERE
Official Facebook Page HERE
Follow our Twitter Account HERE
Follow our Instagram Account HERE
Follow us on LinkedIn: HERE
