General Studies-III
Topic- Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
13th COP on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
Context
Prime Minister inaugurated the 13th Conference of Parties on Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals at Gandhinagar.
About
- The 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is being hosted by India at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
- The 13th COP of the CMS is an environmental treaty under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme.
Presidency of CMS
- India today assumed COP Presidency for the next three years with a focus on Collaborative Approach to tackle Biodiversity Issues.
Theme of CMS COP13
- The theme of CMS COP13 in India is, ‘Migratory species connect the planet and we welcome them home’.
- The CMS COP 13 logo is inspired by ‘Kolam’, a traditional artform from southern India.
- In the logo of CMS COP-13, Kolam art form is used to depict key migratory species in India like Amur falcon, humpback whale and marine turtles.
The mascot for CMS COP13
- The mascot for CMS COP13 is “Gibi – The Great Indian Bustard”.
- ‘Gibi’ is a critically endangered species which has been accorded the highest protection status under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)
- CMS is an environmental treaty of the United Nations Signed in 1979.
- It provides a global platform for the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats.
- CMS is the only global and UN-based intergovernmental organisation established exclusively for the conservation and management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
What are Migratory species?
- Migratory species are those animals that move from one habitat to another during different times of the year, due to various factors such as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc.
- The movement between habitats, can sometimes exceed thousands of miles/kilometres for some migratory birds and mammals.
- A migratory route can involve nesting and also requires the availability of habitats before and after each migration.
- Migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I of the Convention.
- Migratory species that need or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are listed in Appendix II of the Convention.
Functions of CMS Parties
- CMS Parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live.
- They mitigate obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them.
- CMS establish obligations for each State joining the Convention.
- CMS promotes concerted action among the Range States of many of these species.
- CMS acts as a framework Convention.
- The agreements may range from legally binding treaties (called Agreements) to less formal instruments, and can be adapted to the requirements of particular regions.
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) and India
- Hosting CMS COP-13 is a significant step towards wildlife conservation in India.
- As the host, India shall be designated the President for the next three years.
- The Government of India is Signatory to the Convention on Conservation of Migratory wild Animals (CMS) since 1983.
- The Government of India has been taking necessary actions to protect and conserve migratory marine species.
- Seven species that include Dugong, Whale Shark, Marine Turtle (two species), have been identified for preparation of Conservation and Recovery Action Plan.
Key Note
The Indian sub-continent is also part of the major bird flyway network, i.e, the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) that covers areas between the Arctic and Indian Oceans, and covers at least 279 populations of 182 migratory water bird species, including 29 globally threatened species.
General Studies- II
Topic- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) – National Groundwater Management Improvement Programme
Context
New World Bank Project to Improve Groundwater Management in Select States of India
About
- The Government of India and the World Bank signed a $450 million loan agreement to support the national programme.
- It aims to arrest the country’s depleting groundwater levels and strengthen groundwater institutions.
- The World Bank-supported Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) – National Groundwater Management Improvement Programme.
Groundwater Management in Select States
It will be implemented in the states of:
- Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh and cover 78 districts.
- These states span both the hard rock aquifers of peninsular India and the alluvial aquifers of the Indo-Gangetic plains.
Selection criteria
They were selected based on several criteria, including:
- degree of groundwater exploitation and degradation,
- established legal and regulatory instruments,
- institutional readiness, and
- experience in implementing initiatives related to groundwater management.
Atal Bhujal Yojana
- Atal Bhujal Yojana (ATAL JAL), is a Central Sector Scheme with a total outlay of Rs.6000 cror
- It has to be implemented over a period of 5 years (2020-21 to 2024-25).
- The scheme envisages undertaking this through various interventions, including awareness programmes, capacity building, convergence of ongoing/new schemes and improved agricultural practices etc.
Objective
- The scheme aims to improve ground water management through community participation in identified priority areas in seven States.
- These States are-
- Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
- ATAL JAL will promote panchayat led ground water management and behavioural change with primary focus on demand side management.
- ATAL JAL has been designed with the principal objective of strengthening the institutional framework for participatory ground water management and bringing about behavioral changes at the community level for sustainable ground water resource management.
Funds
- Out of the total outlay of Rs. 6000 crore, 50% shall be in the form of World Bank loan, and be repaid by the Central Government.
- The remaining 50% shall be through Central Assistance from regular budgetary support.
- The entire World Bank’s loan component and Central Assistance shall be passed on to the States as Grants.
Components of Atal Jal Scheme
ATAL JAL has two major components-
- Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building Component –
For strengthening institutional arrangements for sustainable ground water management in the States including improving monitoring networks, capacity building, strengthening of Water User Associations, etc.
- Incentive Component for incentivising the States –
For achievements in improved groundwater management practices namely, data dissemination, preparation of water security plans, implementation of management interventions through convergence of ongoing schemes, adopting demand side management practices etc.
Impact of the Scheme
- Source sustainability for Jal Jeevan Mission in the project area with active participation of local communities.
- Will contribute towards the goal of doubling the farmers’ income.
- Will promote participatory ground water management.
- Improved water use efficiency on a mass scale and improved cropping pattern;
- Promotion of efficient and equitable use of ground water resources and behavioural change at the community level;
Expected Outcomes of ATAL JAL
- Institutional strengthening for improving ground water monitoring networks and capacity building of stakeholders at different levels which will enhance ground water data storage, exchange, analysis and dissemination.
- Improved and realistic water budgeting based on an improved database and preparation of community-led Water Security Plans at Panchayat level
- Implementation of Water Security Plans through convergence of various ongoing/new schemes of the Government of India and State Governments to facilitate judicious and effective utilization of funds for sustainable ground water management.
- Efficient use of available ground water resources with emphasis on demand side measures such as micro-irrigation, crop diversification, electricity feeder separation etc.
Background
- Ground water contributes to nearly 65% of total irrigated area of the country and nearly 85% of the rural drinking water supply.
- The limited ground water resources in the country are under threat due to the increasing demands of growing population, urbanization and industrialization.
- Intensive, and unregulated ground water pumping in many areas has caused rapid and widespread decline in ground water levels as well as reduction in the sustainability of ground water abstraction structures.
- The problem of reduction in ground water availability is further compounded by deteriorating ground water quality in some parts of the country.
- The increasing stress on ground water due to over- exploitation, contamination and associated environmental impacts threaten to endanger the food security of the nation, unless necessary preventive / remedial measures are taken on priority.
For Prelims
Global Conference on Road Safety
Highlights
- 3rd High Level Global Conference on Road Safety for Achieving Global Goals 2030 is being held in Stockholm.
- The objective of the two-day conference is to bring road safety on the global agenda and renew the world community’s commitment to safer roads.
- Leaders from participating countries will draw up a road-map for reaching the United Nation’s goal set under the UN Decade of Action of reducing road crashes by 2030.
Organiser
- The conference is a follow up of the 2nd High Level Global Conference on “Traffic Safety-Time of Results” in 2015 in Brazil.
- It is being organised in active collaboration with World Bank, World Health Organisation (WHO) and other agencies.
- The other agencies are assisting it by way of strengthening the capabilities of various institutions, enhancing awareness and improving engineering designs for safer roads.
