UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. Mains Answer Writing covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress. 🚨 The wait is finally over. The Indian Express UPSC Essentials brings to you the first edition of its monthly magazine. Click Here to read. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 QUESTION 1 Discuss how Mangrove forests have played a significant role in providing more valued ecological services. QUESTION 2 The G20 countries promised to work towards tripling the global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Discuss. 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. — Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer. — Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required. Way forward/ Conclusion — The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction. — You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers. Self Evaluation — It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers. THOUGHT PROCESS You may enrich your answers by some of the following points QUESTION 1: Discuss how Mangrove forests have played a significant role in providing more valued ecological services. Introduction: A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about Mangroves. — Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs typical of estuarine and intertidal regions, meaning they grow in areas where freshwater and saltwater meet. Mangroves typically have aerial, breathing roots and waxy, succulent leaves, and are flowering plants. — Mangroves, marshes, and sandy coral islands form in the low-lying areas flooded and drained by tides. — The Sundarbans (spread across India and Bangladesh) is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world. They are also found in tropical regions like in southeast Asia, northern Australia, equatorial Africa and low-latitude Americas. (Source: Mangroves: Ecology, economy, and a boat ride in Pichavaram by Swasti Pachauri) Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer: Role of Mangroves — The mangroves represent a littoral forest ecosystem, which means they thrive in saline or brackish waters in coastal regions. — Mangrove forests are ecologically significant as they act as natural coastal guards and protectors. — They are also known as "bio-shields" because, mostly because of their roots, they protect against coastal and soil erosion while reducing the effects of high winds and waves. — Mangroves act as essential carbon sinks (absorb more carbon than they release), are helpful in mitigating global warming and work as natural water filters. — They also acts as a source of livelihood for coastal communities. — Fish farming, non-timber forest produce, honey collection, and boating are some local occupations on which locals depend. — The World Wildlife Fund’s ‘natural mangrove honey’ project in the Sundarbans has been successful in empowering rural communities in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district. Mangroves also offer tourism opportunities like trekking, nature trails, kayaking, boating, nature walks etc. (Source: Mangroves: Ecology, economy, and a boat ride in Pichavaram by Swasti Pachauri) Conclusion: — According to the State of Forest Report, 2023, the top five states with maximum mangrove cover are as follows — West Bengal (2114 sq km), Gujarat (1175 sq km), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (616 sq km), Andhra Pradesh (405 sq km) and Maharashtra (324 sq km) — MISHTI project: It aims to increase mangrove cover along the coast and to conserve biodiversity supported by mangroves and prevent felling of mangroves. — The UAE and Indonesia launched the alliance on the sidelines of the UN climate summit COP27 which aims to strengthen conservation and restoration of mangrove ecosystems worldwide. India, Australia, Japan, Spain and Sri Lanka have joined it as partners. (Source: Mangroves best option to fight climate change consequences: India) Points to Ponder Mangrove Forest in India Coral Reef Atolls Related Previous Year Questions Explain the causes and effects of coastal erosion in India. What are the available coastal management techniques for combating the hazard? (2022) What is wetland? Explain the Ramsar concept of ‘wise use’ in the context of wetland conservation. Cite two examples of Ramsar sites from India. (2018) QUESTION 2: The G20 countries promised to work towards tripling the global renewable energy capacity by 2030. Discuss. Introduction: A simple introduction to this answer can revolve around a general statement about renewable energy. — Renewable energy is derived from natural sources that replenish themselves faster than they are depleted. The sun and wind are two examples of such constantly replenished sources. — G20 is working towards a commitment to tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030. The tripling of renewable capacities was also among the lowest-hanging fruits available to the G20 grouping on the climate front, despite some initial reservations from traditional fossil fuel-producing countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia. — For countries like India and China, the growth of renewable energy is also the most preferred way to contribute to the global fight against climate change, and bring down the role of fossil fuels in their economies. (Source: G20 meet’s climate action promise of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, explained by Amitabh Sinha) Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer: — To triple the total capacity by 2030, the world would have to add nearly 1,000 GW of new capacity every year. — Tripling renewable capacity by 2030 is an ambitious, yet achievable goal. It can be achieved by the mobilisation of adequate financial resources and creation of opportunities — infrastructure, policy environment, skill development — in countries with low penetration of energy access. — India and China together account for more than 50 per cent of global capacity additions in each of the last five years. In 2022, out of the 295 GW of additional capacity installed throughout the world, China alone added 140 GW, or nearly 48 per cent. — The tripling target cannot be achieved without the rapid growth in demand from other developing countries, mainly in Africa. The addition of the African Union to the G20 is expected to provide the right impetus for this. — There is a need to build the knowledge and capacity of all countries to produce, transport and use low and zero-carbon hydrogen. Conclusion: — According to an IRENA outlook, investments of about 5.3 trillion USD would be required per year, till 2050, to enable the energy transition that will limit the global rise in temperatures to within 1.5 degree Celsius from pre-industrial times. — Even if the doubling aim is met by 2030, it would not be enough to meet the 1.5 degree Celsius goal. Current forecasts indicate that greenhouse gas emissions in 2030 will surpass 1.5 degrees Celsius acceptable levels by around 24 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent. If renewable energy were tripled, it would save just 7 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent, or less than one-third of what is needed. — The G20 meeting skirted most of the contentious issues — greater emission cuts, phase-out of fossil fuels, massive mobilisation of financial resources — and stuck to previously stated positions. (Source: G20 meet’s climate action promise of tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030, explained by Amitabh Sinha) Points to Ponder Hydrogen Fuel Solarization of Stadiums Hybridization of Solar and Wind Power Related Previous Year Question Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November, 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (2021) Previous Mains Answer Practice UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 16) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 17) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 17) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 16) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 17) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 16) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.
