UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on impact of glacier melting and India’s strategy to eliminate tuberculosis (Week 95)

QUESTION 1

Examine the impact of accelerated glacier melting on the hydrology and ecology of mountain regions. Discuss the implications for downstream communities.

QUESTION 2

Critically analyse India’s strategy to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025. What are the major challenges in achieving this goal, and what measures can be taken to overcome them?

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 the impact of accelerated glacier melting on the hydrology and ecology of mountain regions. Discuss the implications for downstream communities.

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

Introduction:

— Rising temperatures are causing rapid and largely irreversible changes in the world’s mountain ranges, according to a new UNESCO assessment.

— In numerous areas, higher elevations appear to be warming faster than lower elevations; glaciers are melting at a quicker rate; permafrost is thawing faster; snow cover has decreased; and precipitation patterns have become more unpredictable.

Body:

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

— Glaciers are melting at a quicker rate than ever before, with the previous three years seeing the worst glacier mass loss ever recorded.

— Warmer temperatures aren’t the sole factor driving glacier melting. More frequent and intense wildfires and dust storms are causing increased deposition of black carbon and other particle matter on glacier surfaces and perennial snowpacks.

— Impurities discolour snow and ice surfaces, leading to increased absorption of solar energy. This can have a major impact on the surface energy balance, boosting melt rates, particularly during periods and at sites with strong incoming solar radiation.

— Permafrost is defined as ground that has been frozen for at least two years at temperatures of 0 degrees Celsius or colder. Permafrost can cover a large portion of the terrain in high-altitude areas. However, rising temperatures are gradually melting the permafrost in many locations. This is an issue since permafrost contains a large amount of organic carbon and other nutrients. As the permafrost thaws, organic carbon is released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change.

— Permafrost in mountainous areas also stabilises rock slopes, moraines (material left behind by a moving glacier), and debris-covered slopes. However, as permafrost melts, slopes become more susceptible to erosion, raising the danger of landslides and other hazards.

— According to the UNESCO report, snow cover in nearly all mountain regions has decreased, particularly in the spring and summer, with additional reductions projected in the future decades.

— Because of atmospheric warming, the elevation at which rainfall transitions to snowfall is migrating upwards in some locations, causing lower elevations and warmer climates to see bigger losses in snow cover depth and duration.

— It has also been noticed that some mountain ranges receive a higher proportion of precipitation falling as rain rather than snow. The snowfall duration has decreased, snowmelt is occurring sooner than usual, and the snow-covered area has shrunk.

Conclusion:

— Mountains, which occupy 33 million square kilometres of the Earth’s surface, are critical to sustaining life on the planet. For example, almost 2 billion people downstream rely on mountains for freshwater resources derived from melting glaciers. If climate change-induced glacier melting continues at its current rate, it might have disastrous consequences for these people.

— The United Nations World Water Development Report 2025 – Mountains and glaciers: Water towers’ was released on March 21, the first World Day for Glaciers.

(Source: How global warming is affecting the world’s mountain ranges by Alind Chauhan)

Points to Ponder

Read more about first World Day for Glaciers

Countries affected by the rise in sea levels

Related Previous Year Questions

Flooding in urban areas is an emerging climate-induced disaster. Discuss the causes of this disaster. Mention the features of two major floods in the last two decades in India. Describe the policies and frameworks in India that aim at tackling such floods. (2024)

Discuss global warming and mention its effects on the global climate. Explain the control measures to bring down the level of greenhouse gases which cause global warming, in the light of the Kyoto Protocol, 1997. (2022)

QUESTION 2: Critically analyse India’s strategy to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) by 2025. What are the major challenges in achieving this goal, and what measures can be taken to overcome them?

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

Introduction:

— Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, the spine, etc.

— Most people today discover they are infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) when they seek medical attention for coughing and dyspnoea. It is typically transmitted through the air from infected people to others as a respiratory pathogen. Most tuberculosis patients recover after using a combination of antibiotics, such as rifampicin and isoniazid, for at least six months.

Body:

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

— The 100-day Intensified TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan implemented cutting-edge tactics for early detection of tuberculosis, guaranteeing that even those without symptoms, who would otherwise go undetected, were found and treated. Portable X-ray equipment were delivered directly to high-risk persons, such as diabetics, smokers, alcohol consumers, HIV patients, the elderly, those with a low BMI, and TB patients’ household contacts.

— Artificial intelligence-powered X-rays detected suspected tuberculosis cases immediately, and confirmation was performed using gold-standard Nucleic Acid Amplification Tests (NAAT). These efforts meant that contagious cases were recognised and treated promptly, reducing transmission and saving lives.

— TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan is currently a mass movement driven by jan bhagidari (public engagement). Over 13.46 lakh nikshay shivirs were organised across India, with more than 30,000 elected representatives, including MPs, MLAs, and members from Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies, rallying in support of the 100-day TB-mukt Bharat Abhiyaan.

— Our honourable Prime Minister’s vision, which created the groundwork for Jan Bhagidari, galvanised widespread social support for patient adoption, not only for nourishment, but also for psychosocial and vocational support. Support for tuberculosis patients is no longer limited to hospitals; it is now available at homes, villages, and workplaces. Individuals and organisations are delivering thousands of food baskets to TB-affected families as part of the Ni-kshay Mitra campaign.

Conclusion:

— The momentum of the 100-day campaign has also shown how a whole-of-society and whole-of-government strategy may result in dramatic change.

— India has previously witnessed the power of community-driven action, whether through the Swachh Bharat Mission or our polio eradication efforts. Similarly, TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan is becoming another people-led campaign. When innovation meets access, and governments, communities, and individuals work together, the impossible becomes a reality.

(Source: From vision to victory: How India is winning the fight against TB, tbcindia.mohfw.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

Read more about 100-day campaign

What is Ni-kshay Mitra campaign?

Related Previous Year Questions

What is the basic principle behind vaccine development? How do vaccines work? What approaches were adopted by the Indian vaccine manufacturers to produce COVID-19 vaccines? (2022)

What do you understand by Fixed Dose Drug Combinations (FDCs)? Discuss their merits and demerits. (2013)

Previous Mains Answer Practice

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 94)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 94)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 93)

UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 94)

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