UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on hydrological cycle and Green India Mission (Week 108)

QUESTION 1

Examine how rising global temperatures are intensifying the hydrological cycle, contributing to both extreme rainfall events and drought situations.

QUESTION 2

Discuss the need for a shift from large-scale monoculture afforestation to diverse ecosystem restoration under the Green India Mission.

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: Examine how rising global temperatures are intensifying the hydrological cycle, contributing to both extreme rainfall events and drought situations.

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

Introduction:

— Climate change is “wreaking havoc” on the Earth’s water cycle, changing how water travels between the ground, oceans, and atmosphere, according to a new analysis. This has resulted in catastrophic precipitation, ferocious floods, and droughts, affecting billions of people worldwide by 2024.

— The researchers conducted their analysis using data from ground stations and satellites to get water variables such as soil moisture and rainfall.

Body:

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

What is the water cycle?

— The water cycle is the continuous movement of water in all of its phases—solid, liquid, and gas—on the ground, within the ground, and in the atmosphere. The majority of water moves around the world as a result of solar radiation and temperature fluctuations. For example, water on the ground or in bodies of water escapes into the atmosphere as water vapour through a process known as evaporation. Plants absorb water from the soil and release it as water vapour through a process called transpiration.

— Water vapour condenses into clouds and then falls as rain or snow. Precipitation enters ice caps, oceans, lakes, rivers, and glaciers, where it can be absorbed by plants or seep deeper into the ground. Following this, the water cycle restarts.

— The water cycle is critical because it not only ensures the supply of water for all living organisms but also regulates weather patterns on the planet. For example, the rate and distribution of water cycling through the planets influence the frequency, intensity, and distribution of precipitation.

How is climate change impacting the water cycle?

— The water cycle comprises water evaporating from the land and sea before returning to the Earth as rain or snow. Climate warming has accelerated this cycle; as air temperatures rise, more water evaporates into the atmosphere. Warmer air can store more water vapour; for every 1°C increase in average temperature, the atmosphere can hold approximately 7% more moisture. This makes storms more dangerous by increasing precipitation intensity, length, and/or frequency, resulting in severe flooding around the planet.

— Some areas are seeing more frequent and strong storms, while others are suffering dry air and drought. Soils dry out when temperatures rise and evaporation increases. When it rains, the majority of the water rushes off the hard ground and into rivers and streams, leaving the soil dry. As a result, more water evaporates from the land, increasing the danger of drought.

Conclusion:

— The new analysis outlined important parts of the water cycle in 2024, the warmest year on record, with average world temperatures rising 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The report revealed that:

(i) In 2024, water-related disasters killed over 8,700 people, displaced 40 million people, and resulted in global economic damages of over $550 billion.

(ii) Drought conditions in northern South America, southern Africa, and parts of Asia may intensify by 2025. Wetter regions, such as the Sahel and Europe, may face greater flood risk.

(iii) Rainfall records are being broken with increasing frequency. For example, monthly rainfall records were broken 27% more frequently in 2024 than in 2000, while daily rainfall records were broken 52% more frequently.

(Source: Extreme rainfall, ferocious floods: How climate change is affecting Earth’s water cycle)

Points to Ponder

Read about other cycles – carbon, sulphur, etc.

Link between climate change and hydrological cycle

Related Previous Year Questions

The world is facing an acute shortage of clean and safe freshwater. What are the alternative technologies which can solve this crisis? Briefly discuss any three such technologies citing their key merits and demerits. (2024)

‘Climate change’ is a global problem. How India will be affected by climate change? How Himalayan and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change? (2017)

QUESTION 2: Discuss the need for a shift from large-scale monoculture afforestation to diverse ecosystem restoration under the Green India Mission.

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

Introduction:

— The National Mission for a Green India, often known as the Green India Mission (GIM), is one of eight Missions established under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).

— It was launched in February 2014 with the goal of protecting our country’s biological resources and associated livelihoods from the threat of adverse climate change, as well as recognising the critical role of forestry in ecological sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and food, water, and livelihood security.

Body:

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

— The Western Ghats, Aravalli range, and Himalayan region face a variety of issues, including deforestation, human-wildlife conflicts, and shifting rainfall patterns.

— Infrastructure development and unregulated tourism have increased their vulnerabilities. Last year’s disastrous landslip in Wayanad demonstrated how the area has become disaster-prone due to a lack of green cover and irregular rainfall.

— The new GIM paper also states that the Western Ghats environment has deteriorated due to tree removal and unlawful mining. Similarly, multiple studies have found that the destruction of huge portions of the Aravalli ecosystem, particularly its hills, has brought the Thar Desert closer to the National Capital Region, exacerbating the area’s pollution problem.

— The restoration of most ecological hotspots in the country has become entangled in the environment-development dichotomy. In 2011, environmentalist Madhav Gadgil convened a panel that emphasised the importance of regulating development activities throughout the Western Ghats’ 1,60,000 square kilometres. Its recommendations were received with opposition from across the political spectrum. The recommendations of the K Kasturirangan panel have likewise remained on paper. Similarly, illegal quarrying in the Aravalli range has continued despite many Supreme Court rulings, including one dated May 29. The difficulty is that green programs have rarely included individuals. The goal for the reformed GIM will be to develop solutions to sustain and improve people’s livelihoods while also boosting environmental security.

Conclusion:

— This project should be linked with another GIM concern that has largely gone unaddressed: developing income-generating options for those who rely on these ecosystems.

— The Mission’s goals include increasing carbon sinks in sustainably managed forests and other ecosystems, adapting fragile species/ecosystems to changing climates, and adapting forest-dependent communities.

— GIM also seeks convergence with complementing schemes and programmes to improve cooperation in developing forests and their peripheral areas in a holistic and sustainable manner, which is essential to solve the difficulties confronting the environment, forest, and wildlife sectors.

(Source: Revamped Green India Mission: A matter of vulnerable ecosystems and livelihoods, http://www.indiascienceandtechnology.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Read more about Green India Mission

Read about Western Ghats and Aravali ranges

Related Previous Year Questions

The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (2023)

How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna? (2018)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 106)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 107)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 106)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 107)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 106)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 107)

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