Global Nature Conservation Index, Digital Arrest, Carbon Credits

(General Studies III – Environment section – Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.)

• Delhi consistently ranks among the most polluted cities globally. There is an estimated loss of 9.5 years in life expectancy due to prolonged exposure to air pollution, according to studies by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC).
• The air quality index (AQI) in Delhi often crosses 300, reaching “very poor” or “severe” categories, which poses immediate health risks and long-term implications for respiratory and cardiovascular health.

Government Measures:

1. Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP): Implemented since 2017, GRAP prescribes specific actions, such as halting construction activities and restricting vehicle movement, based on AQI levels.
2. Promotion of Cleaner Fuels: The switch to BS-VI fuel standards and the promotion of electric vehicles (EVs) aim to curb vehicular emissions.
3. Incentives for Crop Management: Initiatives to provide subsidies for crop residue management machinery help reduce reliance on stubble burning.
4. Odd-Even Scheme for Vehicles: The temporary odd-even road rationing scheme is enforced when pollution levels peak, aimed at reducing vehicular emissions.

Way Forward:

• Airshed Management: Coordinated action involving neighboring states to address transboundary pollution.
• Investment in Green Infrastructure: Expanding urban green spaces and promoting vertical gardens to absorb pollutants.
• Advanced Monitoring and Enforcement: Utilizing satellite data and IoT-based air quality monitoring for real-time data and stricter enforcement of industrial and vehicular norms.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating the public on reducing emissions and adopting practices like carpooling can aid in long-term behavior change.

Delhi’s air quality crisis demands collective, sustained actions that include regulatory policies, technological innovation, and public participation. By addressing pollution sources within and outside Delhi and implementing a coordinated response across states, there is potential to safeguard the health of millions and improve quality of life.

• India ranks 176th out of 180 countries in the first-ever Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI) 2024, abysmal scoring 45.5/100, placing it among the five worst performers.
• The NCI is developed by Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and BioDB.com, a non-profit website dedicated to maintaining biodiversity data.
• Inefficient land management and rapid land conversion (53%) for urban, industrial, and agricultural purposes have led to biodiversity challenges.
• Soil pollution is highlighted, with India scoring 0.77 on the sustainable nitrogen index due to high pesticide use.
• Between 2001-2019, 23,300 sq. km of tree cover was lost due to deforestation mostly for Agriculture and Urbanisation.
• India is the fourth-largest illegal wildlife trader, valued at £15 billion annually.

Dig Deeper: Read about species richness and species evenness.

• The Prime Minister of India has warned citizens about the “digital arrest” scam, urging vigilance and proactive reporting to prevent fraud.
• PM advised citizens to report cyber scams to the national cyber helpline (1930) and the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
• Fraudsters impersonate officials from law enforcement or the Reserve Bank of India, creating fear by collecting personal information and using official backgrounds in video calls.
• Victims receive a phone call, email, or message claiming they are under investigation for illegal activities, such as identity theft or money laundering.
• Threats and Pressure: The scammer threatens the victim with arrest or legal consequences unless they take immediate action. They often create a sense of panic to prevent rational thinking.
• Demands for Payment: Under the guise of “clearing their name”, “assisting with the investigation,” or “Refundable security deposit/Escrow account” the individuals are coerced into transferring large sums of money to specified Bank Accounts or UPI IDs.

Dig Deeper: Read about the National Cyber Coordination Centre’s role and recent cyber-attacks on Indian power infrastructure.

• The Centre has launched a $25 million G-20 pandemic fund project to enhance animal health in India, aiming to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response systems.
• It aims to improve “animal health security” by upgrading and expanding animal health laboratories and developing laboratory networks to curb zoonotic diseases.
• To enhance disease surveillance, including genomic and environmental monitoring, for early warning systems.
• The project is in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), World Bank, and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and is set to be completed by August 2026.
• India, with a low score (42.8) on the Global Health Security Index, is at high risk for emerging infectious diseases, with 60% of human pathogens originating from domestic animals or wildlife.
• Climate change exacerbates risks of zoonotic diseases, including those from mosquito-borne vectors.

Dig Deeper: Read about prominent zoonotic diseases in India.

• The Space Commission approved LUPEX as a joint mission of India-Japan focusing on lunar exploration, especially the moon’s polar regions.
• ISRO is creating a specialized lunar lander for LUPEX, distinct from the one used in Chandrayaan-3, with future crewed mission potential.
• LUPEX will involve landing near Chandrayaan-3’s location and exploring lunar soil and rock, aiming to further India’s moon exploration capabilities.

LEAP-3

• LEAP-3 (Launching Expeditions for Aspiring Payloads) will carry payloads for various companies.
• Manastu Space and Dhruva Space will collaborate, using green propulsion technology for LEAP-3, scheduled for 2025.
• Manastu Space is developing hydrogen-peroxide-based fuel, offering eco-friendly solutions for the mission’s propulsion needs.

Proba-3

• Proba-3, a European mission, will study the Sun’s corona through precise satellite formation.
• In this mission, one satellite will block the Sun’s core, creating an eclipse effect to capture corona images.
• Scheduled for launch in November, Proba-3 will fly aboard ISRO’s PSLV-XL, marking continued Indo-European collaboration in space science.

Project 200

• Initiated by Bellatrix Aerospace, Project 200 is designed to operate in ultra-low Earth orbit at 200 km altitude.
• This satellite prototype emphasizes high-altitude performance, contributing to advancements in Earth observation and communications from lower orbital ranges.

Dig Deeper: Read about the joint project NISAR.