NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same
General Studies – 1
Topic: population and associated issues
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about impact of ageing population in the society and ways to overcome them.
Directive word:
Examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we must investigate the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define ageism and its associated features.
Body:
In the first part, write about various issues with elderly population – elder generation is often seen as slower, change-resistant, expensive, and ultimately even useless. Mention about the elderly being neglected in many aspects including in their own families and in public policies.
In the next part, write about the steps and policies that are needed in this regard.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Ageism is stereotyping and/or discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age. This may be casual or systemic. Every second person in the world is believed to hold ageist attitudes – leading to poorer physical and mental health and reduced quality of life for older persons, costing societies billions of dollars each year, according to a new United Nations report on ageism.
Body
Background
- Ageism continues as an insidious and an often-unaddressed issue in health, human rights and development, and has bearings on both older and younger populations around the world.
- In addition, it regularly intersects with other forms of bias (such as racism, sexism, ableism, mentalism) and impacts people in ways that prevent them from reaching their full potential and comprehensively contributing to their community.
- The recent Global Report on Ageism launched by the United Nations and World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2021 highlights the alarming scenario.
- Every second person in the world is believed to hold ageist attitudes—leading to poorer physical and mental health and reduced quality of life for older persons, costing societies billions of dollars each year.
- In sheer numbers, this data amounts to billions of “stereotyped thoughts towards ageing” that creates a global environment unsafe for older people.
Issues/concerns related to ageism
- Ageism has become a universal phenomenon: from our institutions and relationships to ourselves.
- Examples of institutional ageism include discriminatory hiring practices or mandatory retirement ages
- Ageism is in policies that support healthcare rationing by age, practices that limit younger people’s opportunities to contribute to decision-making in the workplace, patronizing behaviour used in interactions with older and younger people, and in self-limiting behaviour, which can stem from internalized stereotypes about what a person of a given age can be or do.
- Half the world’s population is ageist against older
- Ageism can change how we view ourselves, can erode solidarity between generations, can devalue or limit our ability to benefit from what younger and older populations can contribute, and can impact our health, longevity and well-being while also having far-reaching economic consequences.
- Ageism also increases risky health behaviours, such as eating an unhealthy diet, drinking excessively or smoking, and reduces our quality of life.
- Ageism in India needs to be addressed especially because of its youthful workforce profile.
- The pandemic has been a pretext for many employers bent on payroll reduction to ease out older employees.
- In an AARP survey of adults over 45, 61% of respondents said that they had seen or personally experienced age discrimination.
- A review of academic studies of age bias in hiring and promotion shows that employers may not objectively evaluate job candidates’ potential productivity.
Measures needed to combat ageism
- Bringing children or young adults and seniors together through planned, mutually beneficial activities and programs is one way to help seniors feel connected to others and provide much-needed stimulation.
- Examples include older adults serving the young through mentorship programs—seniors volunteering in schools as reading assistants, tutors and resources for career and parenting guidance.
- There are also examples of programs where younger generations visit senior centers and communities for service learning projects; elementary schools may encourage young students to become pen pals with a local senior, or visit a senior community to hear their stories and learn from them.
- There are even examples of older adults and the young sharing settings: day care centers that house both adult care and childcare programs are a growing trend.
Conclusion
These narratives need to change early and the youth can be the flag-bearers for the same. Intergenerational bonding can go a long way in creating ties within families and respect for values and opinions, thereby fostering age-friendly societies. This will be in line with the ongoing United Nations Decade of Healthy Ageing 2021–2030. The Decade calls for a global battle against ageism and integrated care for older people. International Youth Day every year is thus an occasion and an important reminder to protect the human rights and dignity of older people in our country. Solidarity across generations is key for sustainable development.
Topic: urbanization, their problems and their remedies.
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: Insights on India
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 1 and mentioned as part of Mission-2024 Secure timetable.
Key Demand of the question:
To understand the main issues in the urban areas as well as mention the necessary steps through planning and administration to boost the quality of life in urban areas.
Directive:
Analyse – When asked to analyse, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary.
Introduction:
Begin by giving an account on how rapidly Indian Urban spaces are growing both in terms of population density as well as growing urban spills.
Body:
First, mention the various issues plaguing urban areas such as a need for affordable housing, issues of urban slums, waste management, poor drainage etc.
Next, mention about the important factors on which policy deliberation needs to take place such as balance of urban population density with economies of scale and infrastructural facilities among others.
Next discuss the importance of mobilising funds other than public funds and also some of the essential components of urban planning to include sustainability, improved mobility etc for a well functioning urban space.
Conclusion:
Conclude by summarising the key components for a functional and effective urban city.
Introduction
Currently, India’s nearly 30% population lives in urban areas and it is expected to rise upto 50% by 2050. Being a developing country with a huge population pressure India is facing many challenges due to rural to urban migration. To contain these challenges and to make a proper trajectory towards new India, Sustainable urban planning is an important aspect.
Body:
Significance of sustainable urbanization:
- Safe drinking water: According to a report by NITI Aayog, 21 cities will run out of groundwater by 2020. To avoid further worsening of such crisis we need careful urban planning.
- Affordable housing: One of the largest government programmes is to provide affordable housing to citizens. Sustainable urban planning will help to manage land resources in equitable way.
- Urban sewage and solid waste management: In India less than quarter of the waste generated gets proper treatment. For rapidly growing urban agglomerations we need planning to manage this rising challenge.
- Transportation and communication: Sustainable urban planning will provide efficient and eco-friendly public transport facilities to overpopulated urban cities of India.
- Sustainable urban planning will also help in equitable resources distribution and affordable service delivery.
- It will also help in creating sustainable environment and disaster management.
In absence of sustainable urban planning India is facing manifold challenges:
- Rise in Slums:Few of the Asia’s largest slums are in Delhi and Mumbai where unplanned urbanisation led to polluted water, health issues and rising rate of crimes.
- Urban flooding:Floods in Mumbai and Chennai are examples of urban flooding. These are results of unsustainable urbanisation.
- Rising number of accidents:Fires in buildings and deaths in various urban accidents are daily routine in Indian cities.
- Degrading environment:According to WHO report, out of 20 most polluted cities, 14 are in India.
Challenges in sustainable urbanization:
- Economic Sustainability
- Lack of Investments
- Poor technology
- Ecological Sustainability
- Dependence on fossil fuels and coal energy
- Poor Waste management process and technologies
- Vehicular pollution and Climate Change
- Social Sustainability
- Building society based on constitutional principles
- Increasing Population and Proliferation of Slums
- Lack of public awareness
- Weak gender perspective in development
Government efforts towards sustainable urbanization:
- Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) as a step towards harnessing the agglomeration economies of the urban centres and making cities engines of growth.
- It envisages convergence across various initiatives such as Amrut, Smart Cities, Hriday (National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Swachh Bharat.
- Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana for affordable housing with credit linked subsidy.
- Smart cities Mission- It is an urban development programme launched by the government of India with the mission to develop 100 cities across the country and making them citizen friendly and sustainable.
Way forward:
- India needs to work on achieving the goals set by United Nations under SDG-11 to be achieved by 2030.
- Need for Comprehensive National urban plan for effective and timely implementation of policies and schemes
- Ensure access for all through adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums, transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport.
- Give special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women and children, persons with disabilities and older persons.
- Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management.
- Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.
- Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning
- Substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Conclusion:
Cities are living ecosystems. They need to be managed accordingly. Rather than going by populist measures or sticking to the original master plans, local solutions to local problems, innovative, in situ and tailor made solutions should be evolved, adapted and adhered to. Authorities need to be willing to learn, evolve and discard if necessary. We need to empower our cities, with a focus on land policy reforms, granting urban local bodies the autonomy to raise funds and enforce local land usage norms.
General Studies – 2
Topic: India and its neighbourhood- relations.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
Three years after an illegal military coup deprived Myanmar of limited democracy, the nation continues to fight its inner demons.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the constraints faced by India, importance of Myanmar to India’s foreign policy and steps needed put Myanmar back on a democratic path.
Directive word:
Critically examine – When asked to ‘Examine’, we have to look into the topic (content words) in detail, inspect it, investigate it and establish the key facts and issues related to the topic in question. While doing so we should explain why these facts and issues are important and their implications. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a fair judgment.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin giving context regarding Indo-Myanmar relations.
Body:
In the first part, mention about the importance of Myanmar to India’s foreign policy. Throw light on economic and strategic significance, act east policy of India etc.
Next, write the various options to ensure the return of democracy in Myanmar. Using U.N and ASEAN, Bilateral diplomacy etc.
Next, write about the other measures of outreach that must be explored by India for a successful Act east policy.
Conclusion:
Conclude with a way forward.
Introduction
Myanmar (formerly called Burma) military grabbed power in a coup, third time in the nation’s history since its independence from British rule in 1948. Military (also called Junta and Tatmadaw) has alleged that the general elections held in November 2020 were full of irregularities and that therefore, the results are not valid. This marked the end of Myanmar’s short-lived experience with democracy which began in 2011, when military implemented parliamentary elections and other reforms.
Myanmar today remains pessimistic about its future. Exactly two years ago, the military staged yet another coup, snatching power from the elected leaders. It derailed the limited democracy of the previous decade, violating the 2008 constitution which the generals had given to the people.
There seems to be a rejuvenation in the hopes for a return to democracy in Myanmar if recent events in the civil war are anything to go by. The Tatmadaw (the junta) has never had a bigger challenge until now since its February 2021 coup that ousted the National League for Democracy-led government.
Body
Geo-strategic significance of Myanmar for India
- Geopolitical interests:Myanmar sits at the intersection of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ and ‘Act East’ policies, and therefore is an essential element in India’s practice of regional diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific, and serves as a land bridge to connect South Asia and Southeast Asia.
- Strategic location:It serves as a buffer between India and China. Myanmar has coastal access to the Bay of Bengal. It connects Bangladesh, China and the restive North-eastern states of India. It is also close to India’s Nicobar archipelago.
- National security:Myanmar-China border has become the epicentre of local armed separatist groups operating on Myanmar soil, and Indian groups, ranging from ULFA in Assam to the NSCN (IM) in Nagaland.
- Economic interests: India has interests in natural resources of Myanmar and also developing certain projects like India–Myanmar–Thailand trilateral highway and Kaladan multi-modal project which is to link India’s landlocked north-eastern States to the Myanmar Port of Sittwe, located in the Bay of Bengal. Instability in Myanmar will be a roadblock to these ambitions.
- Countering China:A weakened Myanmar falling into the clutches of China as a satellite state will pressurize India to do Beijing’s bidding in regional affairs.
Various options to ensure the return of democracy in Myanmar
- International efforts should provide strong incentives and support for critical democracies in the region such as India, Japan and Indonesia to increase dialogue with and assistance for pro-democracy political parties and non-state ethnic nationalities authorities in Myanmar.
- The United States should increase high-level diplomatic engagement with ASEAN to enhance that organization’s resilience to attempts by China to undermine the role the bloc may play in putting the country back on a path toward democracy.
- Despite the military’s best effort to quash it, civil society in Myanmar persists and serves an increasingly important role providing essential services to vulnerable communities and by organizing anti-coup activities.
- The United States and other democracies should continue to provide financial and technical support to civil society.
- Support political dialogues across Myanmar’s diverse, anti-coup movement. These include dialogues under the People’s Representative Committee for Federalism and the National Unity Consultative Council.
- Where possible, the United States should support solidarity and trust-building within the anti-coup movement.
- Dialogues should aim to sincerely address past discrimination and abuses, including those by the NLD and others who have held positions of power.
Approach to be taken by India
- India faces the most challenging dilemma on how to respond to the military coup in Myanmar. India supports the process of democratic transition in Myanmar.
- Though India has expressed deep concern over recent developments in Myanmar, cutting off from the Myanmar military is not a viable option as India has significant economic and strategic interests in Myanmar and its neighbourhood.
- The dual power centres of the military and the civilian government that existed in Naypyitaw until recently, suited India.
- While India’s national interests clearly lie in dealing with whoever is in power in Myanmar, India would find it difficult to openly support the junta given the strong western and American stance.
- On the other hand, it can ill-afford to offend the junta by actively seeking a restoration of democracy there.
- India should continue to engage with the present regime in Myanmar working towards mutual development of people of both the countries while it should support sharing experiences in constitutionalism and federalism to assist Myanmar in resolving the prevailing stalemate.
Conclusion
India is left with very few clear policy options. And yet, it must continue to maintain relations with the government in power in Myanmar while discreetly pushing for political reconciliation in the country. In the meantime, the focus must be on improving trade, connectivity, and security links between the two sides.
General Studies – 3
Topic: Government Budgeting.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Indian Express.
Why the question:
The budget will need to focus on fiscal consolidation while maintaining capex and welfare spending.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the concept of Fiscal consolidation and discuss the steps that the government needs to take in order to achieve it.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Define the concept of Fiscal Consolidation.
Body:
In the first part, discuss the importance of fiscal consolidation through the past experiences in the country.
Next write about the various measures already in place to achieve fiscal consolidation – FRBM Act, the government has initiated an institutional mechanism of implementing fiscal consolidation. Elaborate on other measures or steps taken by the government in this direction like reducing fiscal deficit to less than 3.5% of GDP, keeping debt to GDP ratio around 60% and others.
Next, suggest further steps apart from the above which are needed for fiscal consolidation in the current macro-economic scenario.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
Fiscal consolidation refers to ways and means of narrowing the fiscal deficit. Fiscal Consolidation refers to the policies undertaken by Governments (national and sub-national levels) to reduce their deficits and accumulation of debt stock. Thus, it is a process where government’s fiscal health is getting improved and is indicated by reduced fiscal deficit. Improved tax revenue realization and better aligned expenditure are the components of fiscal consolidation as the fiscal deficit reaches at a manageable level.
Body
Background
- The government is on the path of fiscal consolidation, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in her interim budget speech.
- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced during her Budget speech that the Centre would reduce its fiscal deficit to 5.1% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024-25.
- She further added that the fiscal deficit would be pared to below 4.5% of GDP by 2025-26.
- The FM’s projections surprised most analysts who expected the government’s fiscal deficit target would be slightly higher, at about 5.3% or 5.4% of GDP.
- The government’s revised estimates also lowered the fiscal deficit projection for 2023-24 to 5.8% of GDP.
Importance of fiscal consolidation
- Rise in fiscal deficit: The overall fiscal deficit of the government has soared and we believe the next few years will be all about getting it back on track.
- Debt is one liability that is difficult to defer and, at the end of day, the government struggles to find more resources not just for capital expenditure but also revenue expenditure.
- In the long run, uncontrolled fiscal deficit will hurt economic growth.
- Rising interest payments: This is important because interest payments on past debt make up a whopping 50 per cent of net tax revenues for the central government, leaving very little room for other spending.
- Less room for social spending: Given the needs of the economy on various fronts like health, education and capex, it is important to lower the interest burden over time. That can only be achieved by fiscal consolidation.
- Less consolidation by states: The states have less fiscal consolidation to do than the central government.
- High quality spending: Both have a common challenge to commit to more capex, which is considered high quality spending as it “crowds in” private investment if done responsibly. And we believe investment is the only sustainable way to increase the capacity of the economy to grow and create jobs.
- Balancing the capex and fiscal consolidation: For the central government, the challenge is to hold on to its capex push at a time of fiscal consolidation. For the states, the challenge is to start doing more.
Measures for fiscal consolidation
- FRBM Act was enacted in August 2003. It aims to make the Central government responsible for ensuring inter-generational equity in fiscal management and long-term macro-economic stability.
- The Act envisages the setting of limits on the Central government’s debt and deficits.
- It limited the fiscal deficit to 3% of the GDP. For states it is 3% of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) cap on their annual budget deficits.
- Lowering the fiscal deficit: The central government’s aim is to lower the fiscal deficit by about 2 per cent of GDP over the next three years. About half of this consolidation can come from lowering current expenditure to pre-pandemic levels.
- Raising the tax revenue through formalization: Continued formalisation of the economy that raises tax revenues (though “organic” formalisation will likely be more sustainable than “forced” formalisation).
- Disinvestment of PSUs: A bigger push for disinvestment by selling stakes in public-owned companies, and further tax reforms (in terms of direct taxes and the GST).
- Capex cut is the last option: If these don’t work, the default option will be to cut capex, which is a concern as it has implications for medium-term growth.
Conclusion
Fiscal consolidation and capital expenditure should go hand in hand. More government spending means more infrastructure building and more chances of growth and employment. However, this spending should be done with sound fiscal base.
Topic: Effects of liberalization on the economy, changes in industrial policy and their effects on industrial growth.
Difficulty level: Tough
Reference: Live Mint , Insights on India
Why the question:
The government’s programme to offload equity stakes and other assets has shown paltry progress.
Key Demand of the question:
To understand why Governments go for sale of government owned businesses, including transfer of management and control and the economic repercussions of the move.
Directive word:
Critically analyze – When asked to analyze, you must examine methodically the structure or nature of the topic by separating it into component parts and present them in a summary. When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, one needs to look at the good and bad of the topic and give a balanced judgment on the topic.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining divestment
Body:
First, mention the intent behind divestment/strategic sale such as greater administrative efficiency of private management, getting rid of loss-making units, rationalisation of resources and manpower etc. On the contrast also bring out the reasons for low performance of PSUs such as lack of commercial autonomy, lower pecuniary benefits etc.
Next, highlight the macroeconomic impacts of divestment – such as fiscal stimulus in the economy, more resources with the Government for investment in infrastructure projects, loss of jobs etc
Conclusion:
Conclude by giving a balanced opinion.
Introduction
Disinvestment, or divestment, refers to the act of a business or government selling or liquidating an asset or subsidiary or the process of dilution of a government’s stake in a PSU (Public Sector Undertaking).
India’s market-embracing effort to disinvest in non-strategic sectors of the economy seems to have dropped down the government’s list of policy priorities. It has only raised ₹12,504 crore by way of stake sales so far in 2023-24, as against the budgeted ₹51,000 crore.
After climbing at first under the Narendra Modi government until 2020-21, the targets set for offloading stakes dropped for three years in a row—a trend marker. And barring 2017-18 and 2018-19, in all years, actual mop-ups from stake sales fell short of their budget estimates by large margins. This is at odds with the stance of the government having ‘no business doing business.’
Body
Background
- The government unveiled a bold new disinvestment policy that envisages a bare minimum presence of government-owned businesses even in the strategic sectors.
- The government is also pursuing the sale of its entire stake in public sector firms such as BPCL, Shipping Corporation of India, IDBI Bank, two other public sector banks and one general insurance company this financial year alone.
- As part of the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ package, the government in May 2020 had announced that there will be a maximum of four public sector companies in the strategic sectors, and state-owned firms in other segments will eventually be privatised.
Concerns associated with divestment strategy
- Government has mostly used disinvestment for fiscal reasons rather than growth objectives.
- Process of disinvestment is not favoured socially as it is against the interests of socially disadvantaged people.
- Over the years the policy of divestment has increasingly become a tool to raise resources to cover the fiscal deficit with little focus on market discipline or strategic objective.
- Sometimes with the emergence of private monopolies consumer welfare will be reduced.
- Mere change of ownership from public to private does not ensure higher efficiency and productivity.
- It may lead to retrenchment of workers who will be deprived of the means of their livelihood.
- Private sector governed as they are by profit motive has a tendency to use capital intensive techniques which will worsen unemployment problem in India.
- Loss making units don’t attract investment so easily.
Rationale behind divestment and strategic sale of PSU’s
- Financing economic recovery: There is a pressure on the government to raise resources to support the economic recovery and meet expectations of higher outlays for healthcare.
- The increase in public spending in the upcoming Budget will have to be financed to a large extent by garnering disinvestment proceeds and monetising assets.
- Minimum government Maximum governance: To eliminate the need for the government’s involvement in non-strategic areas.
- Government must not to business, is the rationale behind the divestment.
- Government presence distorts competitive dynamics for private players.
- Raising efficiency: To diversify the ownership of PSU for enhancing efficiency of individual enterprise. Eg Hindustan Zinc is the world’s second-largest zinc-lead miner and one of the top 10 silver producers. It benefitted from the privatisation.
- Better economic potential under private players: Economic potential of such entities may be better discovered in the hands of the strategic investors due to various factors,g. infusion of capital, technology up-gradation and efficient management practices
- Better utilization of tax payer money: Loss making PSU’s results in consumers and taxpayers bearing the brunt of inefficient PSU operations. Instead government can use the same resources into areas that directly benefit people.
Way Forward
- Monetization of PSU assets instead of disinvestment which yield more.
- Define the priority sectors for the government based on its strategic interests.
- Investment in PSUs has to be in terms of generation of adequate social and strategic returns.
- It should be time bound programme.
- The government ownership is required for sectors with strategic relevance such as defence, natural resources, etc. The government should, exit non-strategic sectors such as hotels, soaps, airlines, travel agencies and the manufacture and sale of alcohol.
- The government should look into strengthening the regulatory framework that ensures efficient market conditions.
- Instead of creating PSUs, the government should create regulations that would ease the entry of new players. The regulations should also ensure that the basic necessities of the consumers are met.
- Allowing both domestic and foreign buyers to bid freely for stakes.
Value Addition
Types of Disinvestments
- Minority Disinvestment: A minority disinvestment is one such that, at the end of it, the government retains a majority stake in the company, typically greater than 51%, thus ensuring management control.
- Majority Disinvestment: A majority disinvestment is one in which the government, post disinvestment, retains a minority stake in the company i.e. it sells off a majority stake.
- Complete Privatisation: Complete privatisation is a form of majority disinvestment wherein 100% control of the company is passed on to a buyer. Examples of this include 18 hotel properties of ITDC and 3 hotel properties of HCI.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Difficulty level: Easy
Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India
Why the question:
Five more Indian wetlands have been added to the global list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar Convention, taking the total number of such highly recognised waterlogged ecosystems in the country to 80.
Key Demand of the question:
To write about the importance of wetland ecosystem.
Elucidate – Give a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining aims of Ramsar convention.
Body:
Write about the various functions performed by a wetland- water-related ecosystem services, productive areas for plant life and animals, major habitat for most of the world’s waterbirds and key habitat for migratory species, important source of food and high recreational, historical, scientific, and cultural values.
Next, write about Ramsar convention, its achievements in protecting wetlands – biodiversity conservation, sustainable use promotion, and fostering international cooperation.
Next, write about its limitations – enforcement and compliance, varying monitoring standards, human pressures and development, climate change impacts, and limited financial resources etc.
Conclusion:
Conclude by writing a way forward.
Introduction
The Ramsar Convention on wetlands defines wetland as including a wide variety of habitats such as marshes, peatlands, floodplains, rivers and lakes, and coastal areas such as salt-marshes, mangroves, and seagrass beds, also coral reefs and other marine areas no deeper than six metres at low tide. Wetland also includes human-made wetlands such as waste-water treatment ponds and reservoirs.
Wetlands are ecotones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. They get periodically get inundated with water. They support a flourishing community of aquatic organisms including frogs and other amphibians. Swamps, marshes and mangroves are examples of wetlands.
Body
Background
Five more wetlands in India have been added to the Ramsar list of wetlands of international importance, bringing the total number to 80.
| Wetland | Biodiversity and Features |
| Aghanashini Estuary (Karnataka) | Supports 84 species of fish, five species of bivalves, 45 species of mangroves, and 117 bird species. Important breeding ground for threatened bird species, including the black-necked stork and the Indian skimmer. |
| Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
(Karnataka) |
Human-made wetland with over 166 species of birds, including 130 migratory species. One of the largest wintering grounds for the bar-headed goose in southern India. Important Bird Area. |
| Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
(Karnataka) |
Important habitat for resident and migratory birds, housing over 200 species, including the painted stork, Asian openbill, and spot-billed pelican. |
| Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary
(Tamil Nadu) |
Bird sanctuary spanning 453 hectares with over 200 species, including the painted stork, spot-billed pelican, and black-headed ibis. Significant breeding ground for threatened bird species like the grey-headed lapwing and the Indian skimmer. |
| Longwood Shola Reserve Forest
(Tamil Nadu) |
Reserve forest covering 1223 hectares with diverse habitats, including shola grasslands, evergreen forests, and wetlands. Important for threatened species like the Nilgiri tahr, Nilgiri langur, and Nilgiri wood pigeon. |
Critical role played by Wetlands in the Ecological conservation of Earth:
- Carbon Sequestration:Swamps, mangroves, peat lands, mires and marshes play an important role in carbon cycle. Wetland soils may contain as much as 200 times more carbon than its vegetation.
- : In India, coastal wetlands are playing a major role in carbon sequestration. The total extent of coastal ecosystems (including mangroves) in India is around 43000 km. Overall, mangroves are able to sequester about 1.5 metric tonne of carbon per hectare per year and the upper layers of mangrove sediments have high carbon content, with conservative estimates indicating the levels of 10 percent.
- Flood attenuation: Wetlands function as natural sponges that trap and slowly release surface water, rain, snowmelt, groundwater and flood waters. Many water-stressed regions in South Africa are subject to high intensity rainfall over very short periods, often resulting in flash floods. Wetlands are effective in spreading out and slowing down floodwaters, thereby reducing the severity of floods downstream.
- :A large network of lakes and ponds in major cities like Srinagar, Bhopal, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad were constructed with the objective of flood control
- Regulation of stream flow & groundwater recharge:wetlands are often compared to sponges, in their ability to absorb water in wet periods, and release it during dry periods. The absorption thus helps in groundwater recharging too.
- :floodplains of rivers like Ganga and Brahmaputra
- Nutrient assimilation & recycling: removal by the wetland of phosphates and nitrates carried by runoff water. This takes place through the presence of wetland vegetation and the action of anaerobic bacteria (which would otherwise not exist in fast-flowing, energized streams or rivers). Thus, they help in nutrients recyclingand they carry out water purification by filtration of sediments and nutrients from surface water.
- Erosion control:wetlands can limit the extent of erosion, predominantly through the protection provided by vegetation, and through their ability to reduce stream flow velocity. Buffer (act as a riparian buffer) shorelines against erosion and pollutants.
- : the mangroves along the sea shores, especially on the western coast in West Bengal and Odisha have been playing a major role in protecting the coastal environment from the destruction of cyclones that frequently emanate in the Bay of Bengal.
- Microclimate regulation: Wetland ecosystems play an important role in regulating local and regional climates through evaporative cooling effects that affect the exchange of energy and water with atmosphere.
- : For every land cover type in wetlands, vegetation has a better stabilizing effect on temperature, whereas a water body has a better stabilizing effect on wind speed and humidity. Dal lake in Kashmir has a cooling effect on surroundings.
- Promotes Biodiversity: Wetlands are important in supporting species diversity. Because wetlands provide an environment where photosynthesis can occur and where the recycling of nutrients can take place, they play a significant role in the support of food chains.
- : In India lakes, rivers and other freshwater bodies support a large diversity of biota representing almost all taxonomic groups. For example, freshwater ecosystems of Western Ghats alone have 290 species of fish. Similarly, Loktak Lake is famous for being the only refuge of the endangered Sangai (Manipur brow-antlered deer).
- Productive Ecosystem: Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rain forests and coral reefs. An immense variety of species of microbes, plants, insects, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish and mammals can be part of a wetland ecosystem.
- : In many such wetland areas of India, like Bharatpur wild life sanctuary in Rajasthan, and little Rann of Kutch and coastal areas of Saurashtra in Gujarat, many migratory species of birds, including siberian crane, from western and European countries come during winter.
- Promotes Genetic diversity:They act as a genetic reservoir for various species of plants, especially rice.
- Tourism:Wet-lands such as coral reefs, beaches, reservoirs, lakes and rivers are considered to be a significant part of the tourism experience in the country.
- For instance,as per an estimate, every year, around seven million tourist visit Kerala’s backwaters, beaches and wildlife sanctuaries, 3 million visit Uttarakhand’s lakes and other natural wetlands and one million visit Dal lake in Jammu and Kashmir.
- Cultural Significance:Wetlands especially lakes and ponds are intrinsically linked to the local culture. They are revered by the masses in recognition of the fact that they are the means of sustenance of their livelihood.
- Pushkar lake in Rajasthan and Ramappa lake in Telangana
Ramsar “Wise use concept” requires that wetlands’ ecological character should be maintained within the framework of sustainable development. This concept recognizes that:
- Developmental activities are inevitablein wetland areas such as construction of roads, electricity infrastructure, schools and hospitals for poor families.
- Economic activities are also inevitablein wetland areas such as fisheries, farming and tourism.
- Such activities aid in human development and economic developmentin a wetland area.
- And for these activities, wetland’s land, water and bio-resources will have to be used.
- However, these resources should not be used in a manner that wetland’s ecological character is harmed.
The practical applications of “Wise Use” concept are as following:
- Use of Water:Farmers in wetland region require freshwater for cultivation of paddy, fruits and vegetables. But, it should not lead to overexploitation of freshwater else wetland’s regenerative capacity will suffer. Fish, reptiles and amphibians will die. Therefore, Government may impose legal ‘upper limits / ceiling’ on water use.
- Use of Land:Wetlands purify air and water, they moderate adverse weather impacts and thus protect human health. However, mining, infrastructure and transportation services harm wetlands, and thereby indirectly harm human health. Hence, the ‘land’ of wetland should be generally not used for such activities.
- Use of Biomass:Fishing is one of the primary occupations of people in Wetland area. But excessive fishing, especially during reproduction season will harm wetland’s foodweb. Hence, government may impose restriction and encourage aquaculture and ‘rice-fish’ management practices.
Measures needed to protect wetlands
- Protection:The primary necessity today is to protect the existing wetlands. Of the many wetlands in India only around 68 wetlands are protected. But there are thousands of other wetlands that are biologically and economically important but have no legal status.
- Planning, managing and monitoring:Wetlands that come under the Protected area network have management plans but others do not. It is important for various stakeholders along with the local community and corporate sector to come together for an effective management plan. Active monitoring of these wetland systems over a period of time is essential.
- Comprehensive inventory:There has been no comprehensive inventory of all the Indian wetlands despite the efforts by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Asian Wetland Bureau and World Wide Fund for Nature. The inventory should involve the flora, fauna, and biodiversity along with values. It should take into account the various stakeholders in the community too.
- Legislation:Although several laws protect wetlands there is no special legislation pertaining specially to these ecosystems. Environment Impact Assessment needed for major development projects highlighting threats to wetlands need to be formulated.
- Coordinated approach:Since wetlands are common property with multi-purpose utility, their protection and management also need to be a common responsibility.
- Research:There is a necessity for research in the formulation of national strategy to understand the dynamics of these ecosystems. This could be useful for the planners to formulate strategies for the mitigation of pollution.
- Building awareness: For achieving any sustainable success in the protection of these wetlands, awareness among the general public, educational and corporate institutions must be created.
Conclusion
Communities engage with wetlands in various ways – from seeking livelihoods to spiritual fulfilment. The values community hold for wetlands are expressed in diverse ways. It is important to integrate community linkages in wetlands management planning, and incentivize community stewardship. This is crucial as over 85% of wetlands in India are in the form of village ponds and tanks.
General Studies – 4
Topic: Emotional intelligence-concepts, and their utilities and application in administration and governance.
Difficulty level: Moderate
Reference: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude by Lexicon Publications.
Why the question:
The question is part of the static syllabus of General studies paper – 4.
Key Demand of the question:
to develop a link between emotional intelligence and persuasion.
Directive:
Explain – Clarify the topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurred, or what is the context. You must be defining key terms wherever appropriate and substantiate with relevant associated facts.
Structure of the answer:
Introduction:
Begin by defining emotional intelligence (EI).
Body:
First mention the role of EI in – perceiving emotions, using emotions, understanding emotions, and managing emotions.
Next, link the emotional aspect of EI with communication and persuasion – attempting to influence an outcome or followers using – authority, consistency and commitment, liking and reciprocity/reciprocation etc.
Conclusion:
Complete the answer by stressing on the implications for leaders and employers
Introduction
Emotional intelligence or EI is the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, and those of the people around you. EI helps in understanding the emotions, evaluating it and managing it which paves the way for conflict resolution.
Body:
Components of Emotional intelligence:
- Self-awareness:being aware of your reactions and tendencies
- Self-management:staying on top of, and managing your reactions
- Social awareness:being able to perceive what others are feeling and thinking and picking up on the emotions of others
- Relationship management:using your awareness of your emotions and those of others to manage interactions; this includes communicating clearly and handling conflict.
- Stress tolerance:To stay focused, stress should be managed and it involves own reactions to stress or the reactions of others to the stress. Employees with high EQs are more likely to listen, reflect, and respond to constructive criticism
- Impulse control: Independent people evaluate the alternatives and initiate the work by taking appropriate action by executing the right options. People who manage their impulses avoid being distracted and losing control of the situation. Emotionally intelligent employees are more likely to keep their cool under pressure
- Optimism: Optimistic people have a target that they’re aiming toward. These people are confident in their ability to carry out the required actions and meet the target by looking for successful solutions to problems.
- Negotiation: For being able to empathize and be creative in finding win-win solutions will consistently pay off to all the stakeholders involved.
Significance of Emotional Intelligence
- The chances of succeedingare skewed towards people who are better able to manage themselves and others emotionally, one’s who are likeable and trustworthy.
- Research shows that more than80% percent of success is due to skills in “human engineering,” personality and ability to communicate, negotiate, and lead. Only 15 percent is due to technical knowledge.
- Additionally, Nobel Prize winning psychologist, Daniel Kahneman, found that people would rather do business with a person they like and trust rather than someone they don’t, even if the likeable person is offering a lower quality product or service at a higher price.
- Hence, instead of exclusively focusing on conventional intelligence quotient, one shouldmake an investment in strengthening his/her EQ (Emotional Intelligence). The concepts of EQ may be difficult to measure, but their significance is far greater than IQ.
- Simply put, emotional intelligence is that “something” within us that help us to sense how we feel and enables us to truly connect with others and form a bond.
- It gives us the ability tobe present and listen to someone when they most need it. It is that sense of internal balance within us that enables us to keep our composure, make good decisions, communicate successfully, and maintain effective leadership even when under stress.
Developing Emotional Intelligence
- Self-regard: Having high self-regard means that one has a good understanding of his strengths and weaknesses. Acting on this understanding requires that you have good self-knowledge and effectively strike a balance between being confident and being arrogant. People are more comfortable helping others who demonstrate the right amount of humility.
- Optimism:People find optimism and happiness attractive attributes. People are more likely to cooperate with someone who’s optimistic.
- Approachability: Approachability, like optimism, attracts people. When we’re happy others are more pleasant to be around. Being happy add to “likability” factor. It can also be contagious. Everybody likes to be happy, and being around happy people contributes to one’s own happiness.
- Self-evaluation: By self-evaluating oneself, one can know one’s emotions and reactions to different situations. By observing others, one can comprehend feelings of others.
- Communication: By improving one’s expression, one can communicate better.
Conclusion
High-EI individuals, could reduce the effects of negative emotions like anger or rage on their decision-making. Rage and anger are not only removed as hindrances, but also used to enhance the quality of decisions.
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