6th June 2022 | Global Environment Issues: Sustainable Development | Laex Secure

Syllabus- Global Environment Issues: Sustainable Development.

Number of questions- Mains: 02, Prelims – 10

Mains Questions of the day-

1.Despite rising economic power, India is struggling to feed its population. India’s food system faces severe sustainability challenges. Creating a sustainable and equitable food system is a major challenge to India. Analyse the statement with regard to agriculture sector.

Introduction:

Write briefly about sustainable food system and mention statics related to the food system in India.

Body:

Mention the challenges in agriculture sector for creating sustainable food system in India.

Conclusion:

Creating a sustainable food system is a difficult task but not impossible task, this is possible by creating awareness and involving each stakeholder such as Government, civil society, private player, community and individual for creating sustainable life-style practices.

Content:

• The 2016 Food Sustainability Index scores India last out of 25 countries, largely because of challenges regarding nutrition and agricultural sustainability.
• The country’s approach to food loss and waste is not adequate.
• Nutrition continues to be the main challenge.
• India has a very high prevalence of undernourishment and micronutrient deficiency.
• India’s biggest agricultural challenge is water.
• Crops and livestock are taking a heavy toll on the water system relative to other countries in the index, and the country lacks initiatives to promote water recycling or water management.
• The lack of water management in agriculture will impact the food security and environment as well.

Sustainable Food Systems:

• Food systems encompass the entire range of actors and their interlinked value-adding activities involved in the production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products that originate from agriculture, forestry or fisheries.
• It also involves economic, societal and natural environments.
• Food system is composed of subsystems such as farming system, waste management system, input supply system, etc. and interacts with other key systems such as energy system, trade system, health system, etc.
• A structural change in one of the food system can impact the other systems as well such as a policy promoting more biofuels will have a significant impact on the food security.
• A sustainable food system (SFS) is a food system that delivers food security and nutrition for all in such a way that:
• Throughout, it is profitable (economic sustainability)
• It has brought broad-base benefits to a society (social sustainability)
• It has a positive or neutral impact on the environment (environmental sustainability)
• Need for future generations but not compromising the present needs.

Challenges in Agriculture sector for creating Sustainable Food Systems in India:

• High wastage:

Due to lack of Cold storage units, poor road connectivity, low value addition, lack of postharvest technologies etc. leading to high wastage in Agri-sector.

• Scarcity of Land:

Scarcity of land combined with poverty and inability to take risks, lack of availability and accessibility of modern technology, lack of access to credit and inputs and poor market access, severely limit the sustainability of food and agriculture systems.

• Capital formation in Agriculture or investments in Agriculture:

Capital formation in the agriculture sector is low in comparison with other sectors.

• Green House Gas Emissions from agriculture:

Majority of agricultural GHG emissions occur at the primary production stage and are generated through the production and use of agricultural inputs – water, fertilisers, and pesticides.

• Stubble Burning:
• Burning of crop residue causes damage to micro-organisms present in the upper layer of the soil as well as its organic quality.
• It also contributes to environmental pollution.
• Low water use efficiency and lack of adequate water management policies:

The overall irrigation project efficiency in developed countries is 50 – 60% as compared to only 38% in India.

• Outdated incentives and policy support:
• Subsidies on irrigation water and power have led to overexploitation of groundwater.
• Fertiliser subsidies, particularly urea, have led to imbalanced application of nutrients in the crop cycle, besides degrading the soil.
• Policy biased in favour of rice and wheat, at the opportunity cost of many nutritious and climate-resilient crops.

The following are the measures to overcome above challenges:

• Sustainable farming practices: A crop management system that promotes the use of organic manures, bio-fertilizers and bio-pesticides and judicious use of agrochemicals.
• Effective implementation of land use policy measures:

Revisiting the legislation on the ceiling on land holdings, tenancy etc. from the perspective of livelihood and sustainable food and nutrition security is necessary.

• Adoption of modern irrigation methods:

Promotion of water efficient technologies such as sprinkler and drip irrigation can increase the efficiency of surface water use in agriculture.

• Crop diversification:

To tackle the twin challenges of climate change and malnutrition, diversifying existing cropping systems to more nutritious and environment-friendly crops is need of the hour.

• Adoption of technology:

E.g., Turbo Happy Seeder (THS) machine can uproot the stubble and also sow seeds in the area cleared. The stubble can then be used as mulch for the field.

• Research and Innovation:

It will play a key role in achieving the goal of sustainable and nutritious food systems by development of suitable crop varieties with desired traits like yield, climate-resilience and nutritional qualities.

• Consumer Behaviour:

For crop diversification to succeed, healthy and diversified diets need to be incorporated and promoted in the menu of Indian consumer. Post-COVID-19, this positive trend for healthier foods is expected to further rise.

2.Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals is the need of the hour. Discuss.

Introduction:

Mention the importance of localizing the Sustainable Development Goals

Body:

Mention the advantage and disadvantages of localising the sustainable Development Goals

Conclusion:

Adapting traditional indigenous knowledge with the local contexts, linking sustainability with community practices and sharing best practices with the world is the way forward to build momentum for a Lifestyle for Environment.

Content:

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global effort that has one major objective is achieving a better future for all.
• To achieve these global and national targets, localisation is a crucial lever.
• Local and State governments can support the accomplishments of the SDGs through bottom-up action.
• If India is to achieve its goals by 2030, it must build a mechanism for effectively localising the SDGs. One that leverages and integrates the social capital with the local self-governance of the Panchayati Raj system.

Advantage of Localising sustainable development goals:

• Rich indigenous knowledge:
• Local people know their environment better than the outsiders. By building the environmental literacy within communities thus we can effectively implement the sustainable Development Goals at local level.
• India has diversified geographical conditions and social conditions so one size fit for all concept is not suitable for present circumstances such as Meghalaya will significantly differ from Kerala’s.
• Traditional knowledge can build resilience ecosystem and aid climate adaptation efforts:
• In 2021, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation recognised eight sustainable food systems worldwide, out of which two are from Meghalaya and Uttarakhand in India.
• The Khasi tribes in Meghalaya received global attention for their diverse traditional food systems like Jhum supported by livestock farming and other practices with respect to local agro-biodiversity conditions.
• This enabled the village to produce and consume quality yield even with supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19.
• Similarly, the Bhotias and Anwals of Uttrakhand follow ancestral nomadism and agro-pastoralism, which helps them meet 60% of the community’s food consumption needs.
• This shows how traditional practices can build resilience ecosystem in communities and aid climate adaptation efforts.
• Regional based traditional architecture with minimal disturbance to topography:
• Example of Indian architecture: The country is now pitching of green building consultants, but historically, every part of the country had its locally suited green buildings.
• Dhajji Dewri in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu, and Kashmir are traditional structures built by partially cutting mountain slopes.
• It is best suited for the region’s climatic variations while causing minimal disturbance to the topography. 
• This shows India’s need for traditional knowledge for sustainability.
• strengthening the grassroot ecosystem and make environment movement as people movement:
• Finally, the only way to build a long-standing climate policy is by tapping into the strength of the grassroots and understanding the extent to which environmental movements can empower individuals.
• Chipko movement received global attention and is a landmark in the Indian environmental movement, the starting point of this process was at the community level.
• The history of environmental movements in India, be it Narmada Bachao Andolan or the Niyamgiri movement, the first call for action always comes from the grassroot level.
• Governance support with right policy ecosystem:
• India has the right policy ecosystem and governance support for reinventing its sustainability movement.
• With increasing mobility and interconnectedness, one must know the extent it can affect neighbouring states and communities.
• All Indian states incentivise eco-friendly practices like organic farming, electric mobility, and renewable energy infrastructure.
• Adapting them to local contexts, linking sustainability with community practices and sharing best practices with the world.

Challenges Associated to the localizing Susutainable development goal:

• Challenges of Limited Resources: 

Undoubtedly, there are inherent challenges associated with involving community institutions in developing the Gram Panchayat Development Plan, including human resources, capacities, and disaggregating department budgets.

• Lack of Prioritization:
• Due to non-availability of technical Knowledge
• Lack of trained professionals and
• Lack of capacity building measures among the locals.

Above conditions lead to lack of prioritizing the plans among the locals. This may lead to wasting of limited available resources.

• Gender discrimination: 

Primitive thinking and social obligations discourage women from participating in women thus limiting their role in environmental perseverance.

• Lack of credit availability Facilities: 

Many public sector banks and micro-finance institutions are unwilling to provide financial services to locals for creating environment sustainable resources.

Prelims Questions of the day:

1.Which of the following program represent the idea of promoting an environment-conscious lifestyle?

1. NCAVES
2. LiFE
3. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
4. FAME

Answer: B

Explanation:

LiFE-Movement:

• Minister launched a global initiative ‘Lifestyle for the Environment – LiFE Movement’.
• The launch of LiFE Movement will initiate ‘LiFE Global Call for Papers’ inviting ideas and suggestions from academics, universities & research institutions etc.
• LiFE Movement will influence and persuade individuals, communities and organisations across the world to adopt an environment-conscious lifestyle.
• The idea of LiFE promotes an environment-conscious lifestyle that focuses on ‘mindful and deliberate utilisation’ instead of ‘mindless and destructive consumption.
• The LiFE Movement is a global initiative for ensuring sustainable lifestyle of human beings and protecting the planet.
• LiFE Movement global initiative was proposed by the Prime Minister of India at COP26, he UN’s climate summit in Glasgow.

2. Which of the following agency organized the NCAVES (Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of the Ecosystem Services) program?

1. NITI Ayog
2. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry
3. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India
4. Ministry of Statics and Programme implementation

Answer: D

Explanation:

• Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of the Ecosystem Services (NCAVES) India Forum was organised by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).
• The MoSPI has taken up several initiatives under the project “Natural Capital Accounting and Valuation of Ecosystem Services (NCAVES)” which aims to advance the theory and practice of ecosystem accounting in India.
• The NCAVES Project, funded by the European Union, has been jointly implemented by the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Secretariat of the Convention of Biological Diversity(CBD)
• India is one of the five countries taking part in this project – the other countries being Brazil, China, South Africa and Mexico.
• In India, the NCAVES project is being implemented by the MoSPI in close collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) under the Department of Space.
• Natural Capital Accounting (NCA): It is an umbrella term covering efforts to make use of an accounting framework to provide a systematic way to measure and report on stocks and flows of natural capital.
• Natural capital is another term for the stock of renewable and non-renewable resources that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people.
• NCA covers accounting for individual environmental assets or resources, both biotic and abiotic (such as water, minerals, energy, timber, fish), as well as accounting for ecosystem assets (e.g. forests; wetlands), biodiversity and ecosystem services, in both physical and monetary terms.

3.Which of the following organization prepared the progress report of global Sustainable Development Goals?

1. WHO
2. United Static Division
3. FAO
4. UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs

Answer: D

Explanation:

SDG Progress Report

They are prepared by the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, with input from international and regional organizations and the United Nations system of agencies, funds and programmes.

4.Which of the following Organisation monitors the Sustainable Development Goals in India?

1. Small Farmer’s Agribusiness Consortium
2. NABARD
3. NITI Aayog
4. Farmers Producer Organisation

Answer: C

Explanation:

• NITI Aayog: The “NITI Aayog” an agency of the Government of India, has been entrusted with the task of implementing and overseeing the Sustainable Development Goals.
• NITI Aayog has identified sustainable development goals and plans related to its objectives.
• The SDG India Index and Dashboard, designed and developed by the Vertical, is the country’s official and principal tool for SDG progress monitoring at the national and sub-national levels.

5.Which of the following terms represents the total value of final ecosystem supplied to human Well-being in a country annually and can be measured in terms of biophysical value and monetary value?

1. Gross Environment product
2. Net Environment product
3. Gross Consumption Product
4. Net Consumption Product

Answer: A

Explanation:

Gross Environment Product (GEP):

• It is the total value of final ecosystem services supplied to human well-being in a region annually and can be measured in terms of biophysical value and monetary value.
• It indicates the overall health of the environment as GEP measures prime indicators such as forest cover, soil erosion, air quality and dissolved oxygen in river water.
• Unlike Green GDP which is obtained after deducting the damage to the environment from the total production of the state, GEP will assess the improvement in the environment components in a year.
• Further it will tell how much work the state has done in reducing the loss of the ecosystem in environmental protection and resource use.

6.Which of the following statement is correcting regarding sustainable and equitable food system?

1. It interlinked value-adding activities involved in the production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products that originate from agriculture, forestry or fisheries
2. It is composed of subsystems such as farming system, waste management system, input supply system, etc.)
3. It interacts with other key systems such as energy system, trade system, health system, etc
4. All the above

Answer: D

Explanation:

About Sustainable Food Systems:

• India held the first National Dialogue on agrifood systems (at Delhi) for exploring national pathways towards creating sustainable and equitable food systems.
• Food systems encompass the entire range of actors and their interlinked value-adding activities involved in the production, aggregation, processing, distribution, consumption and disposal of food products that originate from agriculture, forestry or fisheries.
• It also involves economic, societal and natural environments in which they are embedded.  
• Food system is composed of subsystems (e.g., farming system, waste management system, input supply system, etc.) and interacts with other key systems (e.g., energy system, trade system, health system, etc.)

7.Which of the following organization releases the report of State of Food and Agriculture?

1. UNEP
2. UNFCC
3. FAO
4. WHO

Answer: C
Explanation:

Food and Agriculture Organization:  

• Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has released the report State of Food and Agriculture.
• The State of Food and Agriculture, one of FAO’s major annual flagship publications, aims at bringing to a wider audience balanced science-based assessments of important issues in the field of food and agriculture.
• Each edition of the report contains a comprehensive, yet easily accessible, overview of a selected topic of major relevance for rural and agriculture development and for global food security.

8.Which of the following ecosystem was the first to get organic certification under the ‘Large Area Certification’ (LAC) scheme?

1. Andaman and Nicobar
2. the Himalayas
3. the Western Ghats
4. the Indo-Burma region

Answer: A

Explanation:

The Government of India has certified 14,491 ha of Traditional Organic Areas under Car Nicobar and Nancowry group of islands in UT of A&N Islands.

This area becomes the first large contiguous territory to be conferred with organic certification under the ‘Large Area Certification’ (LAC) scheme.

Large Area Certification (LAC) Scheme:

• The organic certification has been given under the Large Area Certification (LAC) Scheme of the PGS-India (Participatory Guarantee System) certification programme.
• Under LAC, each village in the area is considered as one cluster/group.
• All farmers with their farmland and livestock need to adhere to the standard requirements and on being verified get certified enmass without the need to go under conversion period.
• Certification is renewed on annual basis through verification by a process of peer appraisals as per the process of PGS-India.

9.Which of the following year has been approved as International Year of Millets by the United Nations General Assembly?

1. 2022
2. 2024
3. 2025
4. 2023

Answer: D

Explanation:

• India’s proposal to observe an International Year of Millets in 2023 has been approved at the by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
• India is celebrating 2018 as the national year of millets.
• Millet is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.
• Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet).

10.In which of the following seasons maximum millets are cultivated in India?

1. Kharif Season
2. Rabi Season
3. Zaid Season
4. Both A and B

Answer: A

Explanation: 

Millets cultivation:

• In India, the Millet is grown mainly in Kharif. 
• Seed sowing takes place between May and September, and harvesting between September and February.
• The plants are tall, annuals, growing to a height of about 1.8 to 4.5 inches
• Millets are cultivated in low-fertile land, tribal and rain-fed and mountainous areas.
• These areas include Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Telangana.