UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 1 : Questions on tiger reserve and global plastic treaty (Week 79)

QUESTION 2

The adoption of a global plastic treaty is being hailed as a significant step in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis. How can India contribute to the success of this treaty in the context of its national plastic waste management policies?

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

QUESTION 1: How are tiger reserves notified? Discuss the significance of forming a new tiger reserve in the context of India’s tiger conservation efforts. Highlight the ecological and socio-economic benefits that such initiatives bring to local communities.

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— Tiger Reserves are notified by State Governments as per provisions of Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 on advice of the National Tiger Conservation Authority.

— The following steps are involved in the notification:

(a) The proposal is obtained from the state.

(b) The National Tiger Conservation Authority communicates in-principle approval and solicits detailed ideas under Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.

(c) The National Tiger Conservation Authority proposes the proposal to the State following due diligence.

(d) The state government designates the land as a Tiger Reserve.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

Significance of forming a new tiger reserve

— The Chhattisgarh government recently designated the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla area in the state as India’s 56th Tiger Reserve. The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla falls between two other notable tiger reserves: Bandhavgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Palamau, Jharkhand.

— Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla is Chhattisgarh’s fourth tiger reserve, after Achanakmar, Indravati, and Udanti Sitanadi. The new tiger reserve covers a total size of 2,829.387 square kilometres, making it India’s third largest.

— The reserve is anticipated to help Chhattisgarh increase its tiger population, which has been declining in recent years.

— The state’s tiger population decreased from 46 in 2014 to 17 in 2022, according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) most recent official tiger status report, which was released in 2023.

— Other measures are being implemented, such as forming rapid response teams, establishing strong rapport with villages, developing informer-based animal protection/prevention strategies, and employing full-time guards.

Ecological and socio-economic benefits

— Building a strong road and wireless communication to aid in patrolling the reserve’s rugged terrain, which accounts for more than half of the total area.

— Increasing tiger prey base. To that end, officials have been building grasslands and bodies of water in recent years.

— Strengthening wildlife corridors with MP, where tiger populations have recently increased. Saurabh Singh Thakur, director of Guru Ghasidas National Park, told The Indian Express, “As the tiger population in MP grows, young and subadult tigers will seek new territory, and we have already seen tiger migration from MP.”

— The forest department’s measures will focus on grassland expansion, water resource availability, prey base management, and reducing human-wildlife conflict in the two corridors connecting the Sanjay and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves, allowing for a smooth transition.

— Raising awareness among villagers to prevent potential animal-human conflict. The reserve comprises 42 sparsely populated communities, and people will be given the choice to relocate voluntarily.

Conclusion:

— The Tiger Conservation Plan is a document required by Section 38 V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 for each tiger reserve that outlines management measures for that reserve.

— A Tiger Conservation Plan is made up of three parts: a core plan, a buffer plan, and an adjoining area or corridor plan.

— The government is focused on developing a comprehensive eco-tourism circuit and obtaining a heritage site designation for the reserve. Aside from the jungle safari, infrastructure is being built for eight historic cave painting sites, religious sites, river walks, vulture sightings, the origin of the Hasdeo river, a 360-degree view of Balam Ghat, and waterfalls.

(Source: Everything you need to know about Chhattisgarh’s newest tiger reserve by Jayprakash S Naidu, ntca.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

What steps have been taken to control poaching?

What is Conservation Assured | Tiger Standards?

What is India’s international engagement for tiger conservation?

Related Previous Year Question

Identify and discuss the factors responsible for diversity of natural vegetation in India. Assess the significance of wildlife sanctuaries in rain forest regions of India. (2023)

QUESTION 2: The adoption of a global plastic treaty is being hailed as a significant step in addressing the global plastic pollution crisis. How can India contribute to the success of this treaty in the context of its national plastic waste management policies?

Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers.

Introduction:

— More than 170 countries will meet in Busan, Republic of Korea, to discuss a new legally binding worldwide pact to combat plastic pollution, especially marine pollution. This is the fifth (and final) round of negotiations since 2022, when the UN Environmental Assembly (UNEA) resolved to create one by the end of 2024.

— Plastic has become almost vital to humans because of its adaptability and versatility. As a result, plastic production has increased dramatically over the world in recent decades.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer:

— The yearly global production of plastic has doubled from 234 million tonnes (mt) in 2000 to 460 million tonnes in 2019. Asia produced about half of this, followed by North America (19%) and Europe (15%). According to an OECD report, plastic manufacturing is anticipated to reach 700 million tonnes by 2040.

— This has created a crisis because plastic takes anywhere from 20 to 500 years to degrade, and less than 10% has been recycled to date, according to a 2023 study published in The Lancet. Plastic garbage is generated at a rate of around 400 mt per year, with a 62% increase projected between 2024 and 2050.

— According to scientific studies submitted to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), exposure to chemicals in plastic can lead to endocrine disruption and a variety of human ailments such as cancer, diabetes, reproductive disorders, and neurodevelopmental damage. Plastic also impacts wildlife in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial habitats.

— Plastics also contribute to climate change. In 2020, it contributed 3.6% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with 90% of those measurable emissions originating from plastic manufacture, which requires fossil fuels as raw material. The remaining 10% of emissions were caused by plastic trash management and treatment. If current trends continue, industrial emissions might increase by 20% by 2050, according to a recent analysis from the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the United States.

— A research published in the journal Nature in September found that India accounts for one-fifth of worldwide plastic pollution. It accounts for 20% of the world’s global plastic pollution, with emissions of 9.3 mt, which is much more than the countries next on the list — Nigeria (3.5 mt) and Indonesia (3.4 mt) and China (2.8 mt), the study said.

India’s role

— India has made it clear that it does not support any restrictions on the production of polymers. Any restrictions are beyond the mandate of the UNEA’s resolution adopted at Nairobi in 2022, according to India.

— The country has also requested that financial and technical support, as well as technology transfer, be included in any final treaty’s substantive terms.

— Regarding the exclusion of dangerous chemicals used in plastic production, India has stated that any decision should be based on scientific investigations, and that such substances should be regulated domestically.

— India will prohibit the use of single-use plastics in 19 categories by 2022. However, the country has stated that a decision on whether to include some plastic items for phase-out in the final treaty should be “pragmatic” and that “regulation should be nationally driven taking into account national circumstances.”

(Source: Why the world needs a global plastic treaty by Nikhil Ghanekar)

Points to Ponder

Harmful effects of plastic pollution

International treaties related to combatting plastic pollution

Related Previous Year Questions

Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government’s initiatives in this regard. (2024)

Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three mega cities of the country but air pollution is a much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (2015)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 77)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 78)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 78)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 79)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 78)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 79)

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