As the paddy harvest season begins in northern India, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has ramped up its efforts to curb stubble burning. This agricultural practice is one of the key contributors to winter air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR), particularly affecting Delhi and its surrounding areas.
The CAQM was established as a statutory body under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021. Its primary purpose is to address and manage the air quality issues in the Delhi-NCR region, which is often grappling with high levels of air pollution, especially in the winter months.
Coordination: The CAQM is responsible for better coordination between the central and state governments in the Delhi-NCR region to tackle air pollution.
Research and Identification: It focuses on research to identify the causes of air pollution and works on finding solutions to improve air quality.
Resolution of Air Quality Issues: The Commission is dedicated to resolving the problems surrounding the air quality index and taking preventive actions related to air pollution in the region.
Collaborative Effort: It works closely with state governments of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, which contribute to the region's air pollution, especially due to practices like stubble burning and industrial emissions.
The CAQM has wide-ranging powers to act on air quality issues, which include:
Restricting Activities: The Commission has the authority to restrict activities that influence air quality, such as stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution.
Investigation and Research: It can conduct investigations and research related to environmental pollution that impacts air quality, which informs its recommendations and actions.
Regulations and Guidelines: The CAQM is empowered to issue regulations, guidelines, and codes of practice for the prevention and control of air pollution. These are binding on all concerned authorities.
Issuing Directions: The Commission can issue directions to various authorities, organizations, and individuals to ensure compliance with air quality standards. These directions must be followed by the concerned parties.
The CAQM's directions and orders are legally binding, and any violation can result in penalties or legal action. The Commission is directly accountable to the Parliament, ensuring transparency and accountability in its actions.
The CAQM is designed to be a multi-faceted body, with representation from government officials, technical experts, and non-government organizations:
Chairperson: The Commission is headed by a government official of the rank of Secretary or Chief Secretary, who holds the post for three years or until the age of 70.
Ex-Officio Members: The Commission includes five ex-officio members who are Chief Secretaries or Secretaries of the departments handling environmental protection in the states of Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
Technical Members: The Commission also includes three full-time technical members with expertise in environmental science and air quality management.
Members from NGOs: There are three members from non-governmental organizations (NGOs), providing civil society perspectives on air quality and pollution control.
Other Key Members: It also has representatives from:
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
NITI Aayog.
The paddy harvest season is a critical period when stubble burning in states like Punjab and Haryana contributes significantly to the air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region. To mitigate this, the CAQM has intensified its monitoring and enforcement measures during this time. Some of the steps include:
Increased Enforcement: Monitoring and inspection teams are being deployed to check stubble burning activities and impose penalties for violations.
Promoting Alternatives: The CAQM is actively promoting alternatives to stubble burning, such as the use of biomass for power generation or composting the stubble.
Public Awareness: The Commission is working with local authorities to raise awareness about the harmful effects of stubble burning on both air quality and health.
The Commission for Air Quality Management plays a pivotal role in addressing air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, one of the most polluted areas in the world. With its comprehensive powers to monitor, regulate, and enforce actions against air pollution, the CAQM is instrumental in tackling challenges such as stubble burning and other sources of pollution in the region.
Recently, fishermen around Pulicat Lake have raised concerns over siltation in the lake, demanding a long-term solution as the growing silting threatens their livelihoods. This issue is significantly impacting the local economy, especially for communities dependent on fishing, which has been their traditional way of life for generations.
Pulicat Lake is a vast coastal lagoon located along the Bay of Bengal, straddling the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is the second largest brackish water lagoon in India, after Chilika Lake. Here's a detailed overview:
Size and Location: Spanning across both Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, the lagoon is separated from the Bay of Bengal by Sriharikota Island.
Rivers and Waterways: The lake receives freshwater input primarily from the Aarani River (at the southern tip) and the Kalangi River (from the northwest). Additionally, the Buckingham Canal, a navigation channel, also passes through the lagoon, contributing to its water system.
Designation: Pulicat Lake was designated as a Ramsar site in 2002, recognizing its importance as a wetland of international significance.
Pulicat Lake is an ecologically rich area, supporting a variety of species and ecosystems, making it a vital environmental resource:
Flora: The lagoon is home to over 132 plant species, including Walsura piscida, Manilkara elengi, and Spinifex littoreus (a species of grass common along coasts). These plants play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of the lagoon and its surroundings.
Fauna:
Marine Life: Pulicat Lake hosts an array of aquatic life, including mudskippers, seagrass beds, and oyster reefs.
Birdlife: The lake serves as an important habitat for migratory birds, including Eurasian curlews, oystercatchers, bar-tailed godwits, and greater flamingos. The lake's rich avian diversity makes it a key site for birdwatchers and ecotourism.
Ecotone: Pulicat Lake functions as an ecotone (a transition area between two ecosystems), where freshwater from rivers meets saltwater from the sea, creating a unique environment for various species of plants and animals.
The fishermen community around Pulicat Lake is facing an ongoing challenge due to the increasing levels of siltation in the lagoon. The accumulation of silt in the lagoon is reducing the depth of the water, making it difficult for fishing boats to navigate and impacting the fishing grounds. As a result, the livelihoods of thousands of families who rely on the lake for fishing are being directly affected.
The demand from local fishermen is for a long-term solution to this issue, which may involve:
Dredging the lagoon to remove excess silt.
Implementing better management practices to prevent further siltation, including the control of agricultural runoff and improved river management.
Ensuring sustainable fishing practices to preserve the biodiversity of the lagoon and avoid overfishing.
Pulicat Lake is a crucial ecological resource, supporting a wide range of biodiversity and providing livelihoods for thousands of people. However, the growing issue of siltation is threatening both the health of the ecosystem and the livelihoods of local fishermen.
A pair of painted storks has recently been spotted in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) after a four-year hiatus.
The painted stork (scientific name: Mycteria leucocephala) is a large wading bird belonging to the stork family
Distribution: Painted storks are commonly found across the Indian Subcontinent, extending into Southeast Asia. They are typically seen in the plains, especially in freshwater wetlands, but can also be found in irrigation canals and agricultural fields.
Habitat: They primarily inhabit freshwater wetlands such as lakes, ponds, and marshes. During the monsoon season, they are often found in flooded rice fields, which provide ample food sources.
Movement: The painted stork is not migratory. It makes short-distance movements, typically related to changes in food availability or weather, and sometimes for breeding.
Diet: The painted stork is carnivorous and primarily feeds on small fish. However, it also consumes crustaceans, amphibians, insects, and reptiles. Their feeding behavior typically involves wading through shallow waters and using their long bills to forage.
Appearance: Painted storks are easily identifiable by their distinctive features. They are the only storks within the genus Mycteria that have a black pectoral band across their chest.
Sexual Dimorphism: There is little to no sexual dimorphism in painted storks. Males are generally slightly larger than females, but both sexes share similar physical traits.
The painted stork is currently listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, meaning that while they are not immediately at risk of extinction, they face threats from habitat loss, human disturbance, and climate change, which could affect their populations in the future.
Efforts to conserve their habitats, such as protecting wetlands and ensuring sustainable agricultural practices, are vital to preventing further decline in their numbers.
The return of the painted stork to Kaziranga National Park after four years highlights the dynamic nature of bird populations and the importance of conserving wetlands.
The textile industry in India has recently appealed to the government to not levy an anti-dumping duty on Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG). MEG is one of the primary raw materials used in the production of polyester fibre and filament, which are essential for textile manufacturing. The textile sector has raised concerns that the imposition of such duties may lead to higher costs for manufacturers and hinder the growth of the industry.
Chemical Formula: MEG is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₂H₆O₂. It is also known by other names, such as ethylene glycol or simply glycol.
Physical Properties:
MEG is a slightly viscous, clear, and colourless liquid.
It has a sweet taste and virtually no odor.
The compound is miscible with water, alcohols, and many other organic compounds.
Production: MEG is produced through the reaction of ethylene oxide with water.
Hygroscopic Nature: MEG has the ability to absorb water from its surroundings, making it a useful dehydrating agent in various applications.
Toxicity: It has relatively low toxicity, making it safe for many industrial uses.
MEG plays a significant role in several industries, particularly in the textile and plastic sectors:
Polyester Production:
The most significant use of MEG is in the production of polyester fibre and filament. It is one of the key raw materials used in making polyester, which is a major component in clothing fabrics.
PET Resin:
MEG is also crucial in the production of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin, which is used for manufacturing plastic bottles and containers.
Coolants and Antifreeze:
MEG is used as a coolant, heat transfer agent, and antifreeze in automotive systems and other industrial applications.
Gas Pipelines:
It is used as a hydrate inhibitor in gas pipelines, preventing the formation of ice-like crystals in natural gas lines.
Other Applications:
MEG is also used in various other industrial processes such as in the manufacture of solvents, paints, adhesives, and cosmetics.
The textile industry has expressed concern that the government's proposed anti-dumping duty on MEG imports could lead to:
Higher raw material costs, affecting production costs for polyester-based products, which would ultimately raise prices for consumers and reduce the industry's competitiveness.
Impact on exports, as Indian textile products could become more expensive compared to those from countries not facing such duties.
Given that India imports a significant amount of MEG, the potential duty would impact the entire polyester supply chain, from fibre production to the manufacturing of plastic bottles.
MEG is an indispensable industrial chemical with a wide array of applications, particularly in the textile and plastic industries. While the Indian textile industry is concerned about the anti-dumping duty on MEG, the outcome of these discussions will likely influence the cost structure and competitiveness of polyester-based goods in the domestic and global markets.
The tragic stampede at the Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam (TVK) rally in Velusamypuram has claimed 41 lives, with doctors attributing most fatalities to compressive asphyxia caused by the crowd crush.
Asphyxia, or asphyxiation, refers to a condition where the body does not get enough oxygen to function properly. Respiration is the process through which we breathe in oxygen, which is then circulated to all cells via the blood, and carbon dioxide is expelled from the body.
When asphyxia occurs, the body is deprived of oxygen, leading to serious consequences, such as unconsciousness and, in severe cases, death.
Compressive asphyxia is a form of physical asphyxia that happens when external pressure prevents the expansion of the chest, making it impossible to breathe properly. Essentially, the lungs get "crushed," and the person is unable to take in air.
This can occur in various scenarios:
Crowd Crush: In tightly packed crowds, people can be pushed or compressed by the weight of others, restricting their ability to expand their chest. This is the most common cause of compressive asphyxia during stampedes or large-scale gatherings.
Physical Weight: It can also occur when a heavy object or person presses down on the chest, restricting breathing.
When a person's chest is compressed, it makes breathing impossible, and oxygen intake becomes limited. Without enough oxygen, the body’s vital organs, including the brain, cannot function properly, which can lead to unconsciousness and ultimately death.
In the case of a stampede, the sheer force and pressure from the crowd, coupled with limited mobility, can cause people to become trapped and unable to breathe, leading to asphyxiation.
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In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
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