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Cse In News

Regenerative agriculture: A step towards water conservation

GS Paper 3 Syllabus: Agriculture and Conservation Source: DTE Direction: The article tries to establish the relationship between regenerative agriculture, soil health and conservation. Context: Farmers, activists and agricultural research organisations across the world are developing methods of regenerative agriculture, going a step ahead of sustainable agriculture, not only to maintain the resources like soil and water but also to improve them. Background: The Green Revolution in the 1960s saved India from starvation and transformed it into not only a self-sufficient but also a major food exporter country. But the revolution also made India the world’s biggest extractor of groundwater. According to the UN’s World Water Development Report, 2022, the country extracts 251 cubic km or more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater each year and 90% of this is used for agriculture. Agriculture must operate in unison with nature, not against it, if it is to continue feeding the country’s undernourished population and driving the economy. In India, the Union and state governments (UK, HP, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Gujarat) are promoting regenerative agriculture with an aim to reduce application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and to lower input costs. The regenerative agriculture: About: It is a system of farming principles and practices that seeks to rehabilitate and enhance the entire ecosystem of the farm by placing a heavy premium on soil health with attention also paid to water management, fertiliser use, etc. It is a method of farming, under which emphasis is placed on looking holistically at the agro-ecosystem, improving the resources it uses, rather than destroying or depleting them. Key techniques include: Benefits: Links between regenerative agriculture, soil health and water saving – Maintaining soil health: Chemical-less farming and cultivation practices such as crop rotation and diversification help improve soil structure and its organic carbon content. Water conservation: Healthy soil helps in improving water-use efficiency by better water storage, transmission, filtering and reduces agricultural run-off. Efforts in India to promote regenerative agriculture: The National Project on Organic Farming. Systematic rice intensification, a method in which seeds are spaced at wider distances and organic manure is applied to improve yields. Zero-budget natural farming, now known as Subhash Palekar Natural Farming, emphasises on preparing and using inputs made from crop residue, cow dung and urine, fruits, among other things. Challenges: There are no structured studies available on the water-saving potential of regenerative agriculture. Way ahead: As civil society organisations and farmers do not have the capacity to conduct long-term studies, scientific bodies are best equipped to do such trials and calculations. Such research will go a long way in promoting regenerative agriculture.

Yearender 2022: Major natural disasters that struck India in 2022

Anatural disaster is a natural event that causes great damage to property or loss of human life. While India was already battling with the Covid-19 pandemic this year, climate change-induced natural disasters like floods, and cyclones have also been making lives miserable for people in India. Some of them have even been life-threatening. ndia recorded an extreme weather event on almost 90 per cent of the days in the first nine months this year, according to a report of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). This means that "India has seen close to a disaster every day in the nine months of this year – from heat and cold waves, cyclones and lightning to heavy rains, floods and landslides," the report, `Extreme Weather Report 2022`, stated. These disasters have claimed 2,755 lives, affected 1.8 million hectare of crop area, destroyed over 416,667 houses and killed close to 70,000 livestock. With an event every second day, Madhya Pradesh saw the highest number of days with extreme weather events, but Himachal Pradesh saw the highest number of human fatalities -- 359 deaths. Madhya Pradesh and Assam witnessed 301 human deaths each. Assam reported the highest number of damaged houses and animal deaths. Here`s a look at the natural disasters that took place this year in India. Amarnath floods Security officials at Amarnath cave area. Pic/Pallav Paliwal In one of the deadliest monsoon-related incidents this year, at least 16 people lost their lives and several were injured in a cloudburst near the Amarnath cave in Jammu and Kashmir on July 8, 2022.

Trams complete 150 years in Calcutta, Money Anniversary; Emphasis should be placed on environment-friendly transport systems

In Calcutta the tram 150 years of service has been completed. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Calcutta Tramways, Calcutta Tram Association there is Switchon Foundation Organized an important conference on the theme “Recognizing Sustainable Mobility and Coexistence with Nature” in association with it. The primary objective of organizing this conference was to increase public awareness of the value and benefits of sustainable transportation by promoting trams over other green and sustainable modes of transportation including bicycles, solar powered vehicles and electric cars. The conference started with the inaugural address by MD, WBTC Ranjanveer Singh Kapur, IAS. Debashish Kumar, MMIC, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and former minister and MP Mohammad Saleem, who were the guests of honour, then delivered their speeches. Dr. Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director, Researcher and Advocate, Center for Science and Environment, New Delhi delivered the keynote address on the occasion. Demands to revive transport networks such as trams Revival of existing networks like trams is also important, said Shri Mahadev Shi, General Secretary of CTUA. Decarbonising transport and bringing back the wonderful tramways of yesteryear must be a top priority.” CTUA President Shri Debashish Bhattacharya said, “Although Kolkata has a rich tram infrastructure, it is surprising why the city avoids utilizing its potential services. This seminar seeks answers. Dr Arup Halder, senior pulmonologist at The Woodlands Hospital, said, “India ranks first in global asthma deaths and second in COPD deaths.” Emphasis on developing transport systems with zero emission modes Dr. Anumita Roy Chowdhury, Executive Director, Researcher and Advocate, Center for Science and Environment said that to be able to meet clean air targets and achieve a low carbon development path, integrated public transport based on zero emission mode will change this. Trams are not only known for their heritage and iconic value, they also constitute an emission-free public transport system, says Kendra Vinay Jaju, MD, SwitchOn Foundation. Hence there is a need to integrate modern tram systems and sustainable transport methods into the mobility system.” Also read this Kolkata’s tram line network is the city’s greatest asset. Kolkata’s tram line network is one of the city’s biggest assets in fighting air pollution,” said Mr. Ritvik Dutta, Managing Trustee, Founder, Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment. Bicycle Mayor of Kolkata (BYCS) Satanjib Gupta said that around 80 percent of Kolkata’s citizens depend on public transport, walking and cycling. But in reality, the city’s transport infrastructure is still car-centric.” Dr. Bhargava Maitra, Ph.D. (IIT Bombay) Professor, Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur, said, “Enhancing service along with network expansion to make tram an effective demand management tool and promote sustainability “Battery-powered trams can revolutionize sustainable green mobility services within cities,” says alternative energy expert Somendra Mohan Ghosh.

F’iT Nutrition promotes wellness with healthy food choices

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be quite straightforward. Eat well, exercise regularly, and sleep enough. Despite the importance of eating 'right,’ the diet of an average Indian does not contain enough protein, micronutrients, and whole grains, according to the report published by the Centre for Science and Environment and Down to Earth magazine, State of India’s Environment 2022: In Figures. In fact, India has witnessed a dramatic rise in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among its adult population driven by the consumption of low nutrient-rich, ultra-processed foods. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the rise in income levels, Indians have become more focused on personal wellness. We have witnessed the market for nutrition products, such as protein bars and powders, sports drinks, and other products, proliferate over the past several years and expect this trend to continue. Many people are now focused on exercising effectively and consuming the proper nutrition under the direction of experts and dieticians. One platform that seriously takes health and wellness is F’iT Nutrition. This top-notch food brand breaks the barriers and creates something new for health aficionados. Recently, F’iT Nutrition, a nutrition company focused on offering India healthy snacks, launched its Nutrition Bars, Premium Energy Bars, and Flavored Nut Butters. Founded in 2020 by an alumnus of IIT Bombay and Kellogg School of Management, USA, F’iT Nutrition aims to give everyday people, like you and me, a range of nutritiously-packed snacks. Supported by a strong community, the company has scaled rapidly through partnerships with significant health and wellness marketplaces and offline retail stores. Currently, F’iT Nutrition offers more than 10 products, serving a wide variety of consumer preferences. When developing these power-packed snacks, F’iT Nutrition was meticulous about each ingredients that go in the bar and where these ingredients are sourced from. Each snack contains ingredients like berries, nuts, and seeds, which aim to help protect against immune diseases and health issues. With an emphasis on providing the right amount of protein, F’iT’s Nutrition Bars are filled with whey protein to ensure optimal body performance. Not to mention that the variety of snacks are also delicious. “The vision of the team at F’iT Nutrition is to make healthy and protein-packed food convenient without risking quality and taste. The team at F’iT Nutrition is obsessed with quality and has come up with many innovative products that promote healthy eating habits,” the co-founder of F’iT Nutrition, Piyush Gupta, said. “We are here to support those who want to adopt a healthy lifestyle in today’s unpredictable world,” conveyed Kunal Khandelwal, the platform's co-founder. By exercising regularly and eating the right balance of foods, people have witnessed increased training results, quick healing times, maintenance of healthy body weight and physique, consistency in their performance report, and much more. Diet and nutrition are essential for maintaining good health, and F’iT Nutrition is one of those prevailing brands for healthy living that are engraving their names in the nutrition domain.

West Bengal’s bio-shield unlikely to stop air pollution, feel experts

Experts have raised questions over the West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB)’s decision to plant trees to create a bio-shield along the western fringe to stop air pollutants from entering the state. The project may cost several crores of rupees and it will take several years to yield desired results. The West Bengal Biodiversity Board has been entrusted to execute the project. West Bengal also claims that pollution from neighbouring states is responsible for close to half of the state’s pollution load. West Bengal’s environment minister, Manas Bhunia, recently said that air pollution in southern districts of the state was increasing due to transboundary pollution from the neighbouring Jharkhand and Bihar. Addressing a press conference, he had said the state was planning to plant "tall trees" along the border to prevent the incoming pollution. Even as the detailed project report is yet to be finalised, the project may cover around 800 km across districts like Purulia, Birbhum, Paschim Bardhaman and Jhargram. “WBPCB has come up with a unique plan of putting up a bio-shield, a massive plantation, along the borders of our state to prevent the incoming air pollutants. We have already cleared the proposal that may take a few years to give dividends as the trees will take some time to attain maturity,” Bhunia told The Plurals. “We expect to curb the inflow of transboundary air pollution in Bengal, which is about 50 per cent of our overall load from the adjoining states through the bio-shield,” said PCB chairman Kalyan Rudra. Experts sceptic Experts are, however, sceptical about the proposal. Transboundary movement of pollution can be curbed only with a regional clean action strategy to cut emissions from a large number of pollution sources spread across the region. Green walling with plantations can only filter dust to some extent and that too if it is hugely extensive,” said Anumita Roy Chowdhury, executive director, research and advocacy, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi. "The transboundary pollution travels around 500 meter or more above the land and hence any bio-shield at the border will be ineffective to stop the inflow of transboundary air pollution. Rather than having a bio-shield, perhaps West Bengal requires a treaty and coordinated programme with adjoining states and places like Bangladesh to minimise the impact," said professor S.N. Triphathi, an air pollution expert from IIT Kanpur. Asked whether there is any instance in the country or even globally where there has been an attempt to curb transboundary pollution through green walling, professor Tripathi said, “At least, I am not aware." “I do not know the details of this proposal but our research findings show that transboundary air pollutants, especially most toxic PM2.5, normally moves at least 500 metre above the surface especially during winter and hence is unlikely to be arrested by bio-shield,” said Abhijit Chatterjee, an air pollution scientist associated with the Bose Institute. Gufran Beig, an air pollution expert and director of System of Air Quality Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) network set up by the government of India, said the green wall is not likely to have any effective role in countering the flow of transboundary pollution. “Transboundary pollution flows in between 500 metres and 2 km beyond the boundary of inversion layer with local pollutants based on the season and climatic condition; and hence bio-shield or green wall has no direct relation in countering any pollution flowing within Bengal from beyond its border,” Beig told The Plurals. However, both Beig and Chatterjee accepted that massive plantations may play a limited role in arresting the pollutants while part of which get landed once mixed with local pollutants; or to address locally generated pollutants. Costly project According to organisations with expertise in mega tree plantation, such an exercise will cost several crores of rupees. “Even if we consider trees to be planted at a distance of two metres from each other, we are looking at planting 400,000 trees for an area of 800 km in one row and the total cost of the project was likely to be Rs 12 crore considering the mortality and maintenance of planted trees over the period. If multiple rows of plants are erected; the cost will increase manifold,” said wildlife expert Biswajit Roy Choudhury, who heads a non-profit that has planted millions of trees in West Bengal and elsewhere in India. “We are not against tree plantation. But we would like to know based on what scientific evidence, the WBPCB has taken such a costly decision. If it is so useful, why are regions like Delhi and the National Capital Region, which are so much affected by transboundary pollution, not doing the same? We feel that it will lead to nothing but a waste of money,” said an environmentalist associated with the environment platform Sabuj Mancha. “We do not have any evidence (that such an initiative will succeed); you may say we are building up the evidence,” said a senior WBPCB official.

कोलकाता में ट्राम ने पूरे किए 150 साल, मनी एनिवर्सरी; इको फ्रेंडली ट्रांसपोर्ट सिस्टम पर जोर

कोलकाता में ट्राम सेवा ने 150 साल पूरे कर लिये हैं. कोलकाता ट्रामवे की 150वीं वर्षगांठ को मनाने के लिए, कलकत्ता ट्राम एसोसिएशन ने स्विचऑन फाउंडेशन के सहयोग से “सतत गतिशीलता को पहचानना और प्रकृति के साथ सह-अस्तित्व” विषय पर एक महत्वपूर्ण सम्मेलन का आयोजन किया. इस सम्मेलन को आयोजित करने का प्राथमिक उद्देश्य साइकिल, सौर ऊर्जा से चलने वाले वाहनों और इलेक्ट्रिक कारों सहित परिवहन के अन्य हरित और टिकाऊ साधनों के साथ-साथ ट्राम को बढ़ावा देकर स्थायी परिवहन के मूल्य और लाभों के बारे में जनता के बीच जागरूकता बढ़ाना था. सम्मेलन की शुरुआत एमडी, डब्ल्यूबीटीसी रंजनवीर सिंह कपूर, आईएएस के उद्घाटन भाषण से हुई. इसके बाद सम्मानित अतिथि के रूप में उपस्थित देबाशीष कुमार, एमएमआईसी, कोलकाता नगर निगम और मोहम्मद सलीम, पूर्व मंत्री और सांसद अपने भाषण दिए. इस कार्यक्रम में मुख्य भाषण डॉ अनुमिता रॉय चौधरी, कार्यकारी निदेशक, शोधकर्ता और अधिवक्ता, सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट, नई दिल्ली द्वारा दिया गया. ट्राम जैसी परिवहन नेटवर्क को पुनर्जीवित करने की मांग सीटीयूए के महासचिव श्री महादेब शि ने कहा, ट्राम जैसे मौजूदा नेटवर्क को पुनर्जीवित करना भी महत्वपूर्ण है. परिवहन को डीकार्बोनाइज़ करना और पहले के शानदार ट्रामवे को वापस लाना सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता होनी चाहिए.” सीटीयूए अध्यक्ष श्री देबाशीष भट्टाचार्य ने कहा, ” हालांकि कोलकाता में एक संपन्न ट्राम बुनियादी ढांचा है, फिर भी आश्चर्य होता है कि शहर अपनी संभावित सेवाओं का उपयोग करने से क्यों बचता है। यह सेमिनार एक उत्तर की तलाश में है.” वुडलैंड्स अस्पताल के एक वरिष्ठ पल्मोनोलॉजिस्ट डॉ. अरूप हलदर ने कहा, भारत विश्व स्तर पर अस्थमा से होने वाली मौतों के मामले में पहले स्थान पर है और सीओपीडी से होने वाली मौतों के मामले में दूसरे स्थान पर है.” शून्य उत्सर्जन मोड वाले परिवहन व्यवस्था विकसित करने पर जोर डॉ अनुमिता रॉय चौधरी, कार्यकारी निदेशक, शोधकर्ता और अधिवक्ता, सेंटर फॉर साइंस एंड एनवायरनमेंट ने कहा कि स्वच्छ वायु लक्ष्य को पूरा करने और कम कार्बन विकास पथ को प्राप्त करने में सक्षम होने के लिए, शून्य उत्सर्जन मोड पर आधारित एकीकृत जन परिवहन उस परिवर्तन के केंद्र में होना चाहिए. विनय जाजू, एमडी, स्विचऑन फाउंडेशन ने कहा, ट्राम न केवल अपनी विरासत और प्रतिष्ठित मूल्य के लिए जानी जाती हैं, बल्कि वे एक उत्सर्जन-मुक्त सार्वजनिक परिवहन प्रणाली का भी गठन करती हैं. इसलिए आधुनिक ट्राम प्रणालियों और परिवहन के स्थायी साधनों को गतिशीलता प्रणाली में एकीकृत करने की आवश्यकता है.” कोलकाता में ट्राम लाइन नेटवर्क शहर की है सबसे बड़ी संपत्ति लीगल इनिशिएटिव फॉर फॉरेस्ट एंड एनवायरनमेंट के संस्थापक, मैनेजर ट्रस्टी, श्री रितविक दत्ता ने कहा, कोलकाता में ट्राम लाइन नेटवर्क वायु प्रदूषण से जूझ रहे शहर के लिए सबसे बड़ी संपत्ति है.” कोलकाता के बाइसाइकिल मेयर (बीवाईसीएस) सतनजीब गुप्ता ने कहा, कोलकाता में लगभग 80 प्रतिशत नागरिक सार्वजनिक परिवहन, पैदल चलने और साइकिल चलाने पर निर्भर हैं। लेकिन हकीकत में, शहर का परिवहन बुनियादी ढांचा अभी भी कार केंद्रित है.” डॉ. भार्गब मैत्रा, पीएच.डी. (आईआईटी बॉम्बे) प्रोफेसर, सिविल इंजीनियरिंग, आईआईटी खड़गपुर, ने कहा, “ट्राम को प्रभावी मांग प्रबंधन उपकरण बनाने और स्थिरता को बढ़ावा देने के लिए नेटवर्क के विस्तार के साथ-साथ सेवा को बढ़ावा देने की आवश्यकता है.” सोमेंद्र मोहन घोष, वैकल्पिक ऊर्जा विशेषज्ञ ने कहा, “बैटरी से चलने वाले ट्राम शहरों के भीतर स्थायी हरित गतिशीलता सेवा में क्रांति ला सकते हैं.”

Govt wants steel makers to increase use of scrap metal

The steel ministry has also asked the stakeholders of the sector to develop a time-bound action plan to lower emissions in the steel industry. Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste on Thursday directed the domestic steel industry to increase use of scrap in their production, underscoring that carbon emission is a serious concern. India uses 30 million tonne (MT) scrap annually to manufacture steel, out of which 26 MT is generated domestically and remaining through imports. Currently, India's overall steel production stands at around 120 MT. "Carbon emissions are a concern.... the steel sector must increase use of scrap in their steel production," he said at CII Steel Summit 2022 here. The industry must also adopt new-age technologies to lower their carbon emissions, the Minister of State for Steel said. However, he did not speak on the quantum of scrap which steel makers must include in their production. According to a ministry document, the iron and steel industry globally accounts for around 8 per cent of total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on an annual basis, whereas in India, it contributes 12 per cent to the total CO2 emissions. The steel ministry has also asked the stakeholders of the sector to develop a time-bound action plan to lower emissions in the steel industry. "100 per cent scrap using electric arc furnace / induction furnace ( EAF /IF) emit 0.4 to 0.8 tonne of CO2 per tonne of crude steel," Parth Kumar, of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said. On an average, 2.5 tonne of CO2 is emitted on manufacturing of every one tonne of crude steel, he said.

[Commentary] Forestry, people and India’s renewed NDC commitments

India updated its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution targets to add two pledges around reducing emissions intensity of GDP and achieving electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources. One target related to forestry remains unchanged. India’s climate ambitions rely heavily on modifying forestry and land use rather than curbing emissions from large extractive industries. There is a push to increase forest cover through afforestation activities and such land-intensive climate action could further marginalise forest communities. The views in this commentary are that of the author. India is frequently impacted by climate-related disasters and the need for climate adaptation measures is growing. The second biennial update report presented to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) gives a glimpse of the country’s climate-related vulnerabilities. As per the report, 27 of India’s 36 states and union territories are disaster-prone. Also, 12% of the land area is prone to flooding and river erosion, with another 15% prone to landslides; 76% of the approximately 7,500 km coastline of the country is prone to cyclones and 68% of the cultivable land is vulnerable to drought. While promises of developing countries such as India receiving climate finance from the developed world remain vague, there is a need for scrutiny of these countries’ climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. India updated its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) targets in August 2022, seven years since it first submitted its targets to the UNFCCC. This update included two new targets. The first target is to reduce the emissions intensity of the country’s GDP by 45% by 2030 as against the earlier target of 33-35% (compared to 2005 emission levels). The second target is to achieve about 50% cumulative installed electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources (including nuclear) by 2030. Image shows a hut in a forest in the Western Ghats, India A study claims that 12% of the land area in India is prone to flooding and river erosion. Photo by Smitha Krishnan/Wikimedia Commons. On the other hand, one target that remains unchanged is creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover, meaning the LULUCF (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry) sector by 2030. While there have been discussions on what the updated targets mean for India’s climate action plan, the unchanged target merits closer attention. The government’s official stance has been that forests are a net sink of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and positively contribute to climate change mitigation. Forests and other ecosystems are increasingly being seen as part of a broad umbrella of nature-based solutions (NBS). Across the world, nearly an estimated third of greenhouse gas mitigation required to avert a climate crisis will come from these NBS, including protecting and restoring forests, peatlands, afforestation, blue carbon, improving agricultural practices, etc. However, treating forests as sinks are marred by several methodological and technical challenges, such as differential rates of CO2 absorption in different forest biomes, different rates of absorption of growing forests vis-a-vis standing forests, accurate accounting of deforestation, etc. The variations between different types of forests across geographies add to the challenges. A study by Centre for Science and Environment, a Delhi-based non-profit, highlights this aspect of NBS. Researchers reviewed studies estimating the CO2 mitigation potential of land and forests between 2017 and 2022. The studies varied widely in terms of the pathways analysed (reforestation, agroforestry,) the biomes selected (forests, wetlands), and the time horizons that determined the resultant mitigation potential. The study suggested that many of these studies offer ‘overly optimistic’ estimates of the amount of additional CO2 such lands can capture. India’s targets on forestry, by its own admission, are the most ambitious in the forestry sector by any country. The 3rd biennial report that India submitted to the UNFCCC in February 2021 claimed that the LULUCF sector has acted as the carbon sink, sequestering 330.76 million tonnes (Mt) of CO2, which is about 15% of India’s total CO2 emissions from all sectors in 2016. It also said the forest and tree cover has increased to 8,07,276 sq. km. in 2019 from 8,02,088 sq. km. in 2017. The net change in the carbon stocks of forests was +42.6 Mt, as per the report, which cites Forest Survey of India (FSI) data. A point to note here is that many experts and the UNFCCC have questioned FSI’s methodology for calculating forest cover. One of the critical observations about FSI’s methodology is that the increase in forest cover has happened outside the area classified in land records as forests. The increase in forest cover has happened in areas that are defined as open – with canopy cover between 10-40%. This implies that forest cover is increasing because of plantations such as rubber, coconut etc. – all non-forest species. Several studies have speculated about the meaning of the ‘additional’ component of the unchanged target. A report by the Ministry of Finance said that the interpretation of the target posed a challenge mainly about the inclusion or exclusion of options to improve the density of existing forests due to no mention of a base year and the repeated use of the word ‘additional’ used twice in the target. A sub-committee prepared the report to assess the financial requirements for implementing India’s NDC. It says, “The target may have to be achieved only by adding areas to the existing forest and tree cover majorly by afforestation outside forest area, thus by creating new forests and from sequestration of carbon in the increased extent of trees outside forest (TOF) comprising urban forestry, agroforestry, avenue plantation”. The report further states, “But whether the forest enhancement through density improvement in existing forests will be counted toward the target or not, remains uncertain.” While assessing the viability of various forestry-related tools for the fulfillment of climate-related targets, the report noted that the increasing volume of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds would contradict the objective of financing initiatives to meet targets of increasing forest cover. This is important from the point of view that CAMPA is one of the instruments that will contribute towards the achievement of the target. The government has admitted that schemes like CAMPA may have an impact contradictory to the objective of financing initiatives to meet climate mitigation targets. It says that the “achievement of the target depends on the conservation of existing forests.” However, that “increasing volume of CAMPA funds signifies increasing forest land diversion.” It further states that injudicious plantations may exacerbate the environment and ecosystems. This is important as the government admits on its own that there is a possibility of injudicious plantations and that such plantations may end up worsening the situation rather than providing a solution. India also released Forest Conservation Rules in June 2022. The rules will likely promote more forest diversion and have provisions for accredited compensatory afforestation etc. The rules also violates communities’ rights as projects will be given stage-I clearance without following the due diligence to the settlement of the forest dwellers. Forests in India and the people living therein The land and forestry target highly volatile and combined with the recent developments in the FC Rules 2022, it may also involve an increasing number of contradictions, with those most in need of climate adaptation measures suffering the most in the name of mitigation activities. More than 300 million people in India depend on forests for their livelihoods. India’s forests comprised 2% of the world’s forest area in 2020, according to the Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020 published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). Between 2010 and 2020, India ranked third in an average annual net gain in forest area (0.3% annual net change). The government has pursued afforestation and reforestation through several programmes. It includes the National Afforestation Programme, Green India Mission, Compensatory Afforestation (CA), Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), etc. Image shows a group of people carrying saplings Plantation of forest trees with the employment of local people in Rojkund village, Maharashtra. Photo by Lok Sangharash Morcha Jalgaon Maharashtra/Wikimedia Commons. Though India has spent billions of dollars, it is not clear what the country has achieved with afforestation-related activities such as CAMPA. These programmes have often led to distress for communities residing in forested areas, is amply clear. Additional plantations will lead to these communities losing lands further. As elaborated in the table below, these programmes have seen funds flow to over USD 10 billion in the last five years. Several studies have highlighted challenges in making these projects accountable. Officials have raised concerns in the forest bureaucracy about the lack of accuracy of the Compensatory Afforestation data. Earlier, the MoEFCC also said that it did not maintain any data on Compensatory Afforestation beyond the information published on the Ministry’s e-green watch web portal, which includes information about plantation proposals and financing. However, much of the data maintained on the portal does not reflect the progress of several past plantation programmes. But, to push for newer projects and provide forest clearances, Compensatory Afforestation programmes are proposed without adequate review and monitoring. There is also no clarity on how the land for such large-scale afforestation or reforestation will be acquired. Several afforestation programmes, the largest one being the CAMPA or CAF 2016, have further disenfranchised Adivasi communities and other forest dwellers. In several incidents, customary lands and forests of STs or OTFDs – over which forest rights have been claimed or recognised – were diverted for afforestation. Often, local communities are not made aware of programmes taking place in their areas and end up evicted from their traditional homes. While compensatory afforestation requires prioritising non-forest land, land scarcity is increasingly leading to the acquisition of degraded forests – an important source of sustenance and livelihood for STs/OTFDs. Degraded forests constituted more than 75% of the total land taken up for compensatory afforestation from 2016-17 to 2020-21. Contrary to what the name “degraded forests” suggests, these forests are lands surrounded by villages and used for various purposes. When there is uncertainty over the forest-related targets and how new forests will be grown, it is undeniable that the rights of indigenous and forest-dwelling communities over forest land are most important. Any intervention on forest land can’t take place without the intervention and support from these communities. It is unclear, then, why laws such as the Forest Rights Act are not given due consideration in imagining a new forest governance regime. The FRA has provisions for sustainable management and conservation of forests. Instead, there are attempts to dilute the law by bringing in the FC Rules and more such interventions. Despite its own reports highlighting how the afforestation-related activities are contradictory to both, the intention of preserving forests and protecting the rights of communities, it is unclear why there is a newer push to further intensify afforestation as part of India’s climate change mitigation activities. The achievement of the sustainable targets inherently depends on protecting existing forests in a manner that’s amenable and beneficial for communities. Legislation such as FRA incentivises communities to protect and sustainably manage forests. However, some more recent policies, such as the FC Rules 2022, may have an adverse effect on the bigger cause. In a bid to promote faster-paced forest diversions, the rules removed the clause of taking the consent of communities. On the other hand, a push for afforestation to achieve the existing target is likely to impact the environment and people adversely, as has been shown so far. To imagine a more holistic paradigm of climate mitigation, there needs to be an appreciation of communities involved in the historical management of forests. The inclusion and representation of communities that live on these lands are important at this stage.

Regenerative Farming

Context: Recently, the experience of farmers in Madhya Pradesh who follow regenerative farming methods finds the reduced need for frequent irrigation which conserves water and energy. About Regenerative Farming: It is a farming and grazing practices that benefits by reversing climate change, by rebuilding soil organic matter and restoring degraded soil biodiversity. It aims to improve soil and water for better agriculture in future by increasing soil organic matter. It uses methods of chemical-less farming by using natural inputs, manures, mulching and cultivation practices such as crop rotation, diversification, multi-cropping, sowing of diverse and native varieties. Natural inputs help improve soil structure and its organic carbon content. Planting water-guzzling and water-efficient crops together or in alternating cycles reduces the frequency and intensity of irrigation. Need of Regenerative agriculture in India: Soil degradation: Agriculture today, including the use of heavy machinery, fertilizers and pesticides to maximize food production, is contributing to soil degradation and loss. Within 50 years, there may not be enough soil left to feed the world, according to the regenerative farming organization Regeneration International. Climate Change: Intensive farming also churns up CO2 naturally stored in soil and releases it into the atmosphere. This contributes to the global warming that is driving climate change. Agriculture accounts for over a third of greenhouse gas emissions globally, according to the United Nations (UN). Extreme events: Damaged soil and eroded land can make environments more vulnerable to extreme weather events like flooding, which are increasing in frequency and intensity as the Earth warms. Potential Benefits of Regenerative Agriculture Multiple benefits: Regenerative farming can improve: Crop yields Volume of crops produced Health of soil Soil’s ability to retain water Reducing soil erosion. Feeding people: Improved yields will help feed the world as the global population grows. Environmental benefits: Regenerative farming can also reduce emissions from agriculture and turn the croplands and pastures, which cover up to 40% of Earth’s ice-free land area, into carbon sinks. These are environments that naturally absorb CO2 from the atmosphere. Major Challenges associated with Agriculture According to the UN’s World Water Development Report, 2022, the country extracts 251 cubic km or more than a quarter of the world’s groundwater withdrawal each year. 90 per cent of this water is used for agriculture. No gain in production: A study by the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, shows that over 39 million hectares (ha) of area in the country under wheat, rice and maize have not shown improvement in the past decade. Groundwater: The Green Revolution of the 1960s pulled India from the brink of starvation, transformed the country’s ability to feed itself and turned it into a big food exporter. But the revolution also made India the world’s biggest extractor of groundwater. Degrading soil health: A 2022 report by Delhi-based think tank Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), State of Bio Fertilizers and Organic Fertilizers in India, shows the severe and widespread deficiency of organic carbon and micronutrients in Indian soils. Lack of scientific study: Civil society organizations and farmers do not have the capacity to conduct long-term studies. Way Forward: In India, the Union government is promoting regenerative agriculture with an aim to reduce application of chemical fertilisers and pesticides and to lower input costs. States like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Sikkim and Gujarat too have introduced schemes to promote it. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, healthy soil helps in better water storage, transmission, filtering and reduces agricultural run-off. Studies have established that one per cent increase in soil organic matter (an indicator of soil health) per 0.4 ha increases water storage potential by more than 75,000 litres. Thus, the concerted research is required to understand the role of regenerative agriculture in saving water. The scientific findings will further help inform policy measures and future initiatives.

Increase use of scrap in production: Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste to steel makers

Union Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste on Thursday directed the domestic steel industry to increase use of scrap in their production, underscoring that carbon emission is a serious concern. India uses 30 million tonne (MT) scrap annually to manufacture steel, out of which 26 MT is generated domestically and remaining through imports. Currently, India's overall steel production stands at around 120 MT. Click here to get more updates on Stock Market I Zee Business Live "Carbon emissions are a concern.... The steel sector must increase use of scrap in their steel production," he said at CII Steel Summit 2022 here. The industry must also adopt new-age technologies to lower their carbon emissions, the Minister of State for Steel said. However, he did not speak on the quantum of scrap which steel makers must include in their production. According to a ministry document, the iron and steel industry globally accounts for around 8 per cent of total carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions on an annual basis, whereas in India, it contributes 12 per cent to the total CO2 emissions. The steel ministry has also asked the stakeholders of the sector to develop a time-bound action plan to lower emissions in the steel industry. "100 per cent scrap using electric arc furnace / induction furnace ( EAF /IF) emit 0.4 to 0.8 tonne of CO2 per tonne of crude steel," Parth Kumar, of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) said. On an average, 2.5 tonne of CO2 is emitted on manufacturing of every one tonne of crude steel, he said.

Exclusive: This Bengaluru-Based Green Initiative Is Turning Christmas Decorations Into Plants

Maybe Christmas is one of the most wonderful times of the year across the globe, but it is high time that we accept, it is a wasteful one as well. We all know how festive seasons are full of traditions and celebrations and we do break out good cheer with family members and loved ones. However, there is no denying that the activities we engage in can cause serious environmental problems. Around 34.7 lakh tonnes per annum (TPA) of plastic wastes were generated by India during 2019-20, Minister of State in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ashwini Kumar Choubey told the Lok Sabha, mentions a report by LiveMint. From indoor decorations such as tree ornaments, home decor items, and wrapping gifts to throwing parties or going into one- we do end up generating a good amount of trash which ultimately ends up in the landfill. So, instead of becoming a part of the solution, are we becoming part of the pollution? In an exclusive interview with Boldsky, the founder of Seed Paper India, Roshan Ray, reveals how discarded decoration items can be turned into plants with a simple innovative idea so that you can scratch your holiday itch without harming this environment, and most importantly this planet. Even though one skimps out of joy whenever there is a festive season, too much waste is never a good thing. According to a new report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), India's plastic waste nightmare is because the country is not properly collecting and recycling the trash, thus leading to lethal plastic pollution. This is so because the root cause of the plastic problem, which starts from the source to disposal has not been identified yet. Therefore, plastic pollution is not going away anytime soon.

Allergic reaction to fake products — survey finds 1 in 4 households face issues with cosmetics

The nationwide survey by LocalCircles was conducted across 305 districts in India, and received more than 37,000 responses. One in four households in India have faced issues with cosmetics they purchased in the past three years, according to a new survey conducted by community social media platform LocalCircles. Of these, 15 per cent respondents also experienced allergic reaction or severe ailment due to cosmetic use. The results of the survey, which saw the participation of 9,119 respondents, came days after British multinational consumer goods company, Unilever, recalled popular aerosol dry shampoos from brands like Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI and TRESemmé due to the potential presence of cancer causing chemical benzene. A report released by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) earlier had also found that 40 per cent of fairness creams used mercury, while 60 per cent of lipsticks tested had presence of heavy metals, including chromium (toxic) and nickel. The CSE report said 32 fairness creams, 30 lipsticks, a few lip balms and a few anti-aging creams were tested for the presence of harmful chemicals. The LocalCircles survey also found that three out of 10 households faced issues with purchasing ‘authentic’ products. Of these, 12 per cent respondents bought fake cosmetics online, while 22 per cent purchased them in stores. The survey also noted that only 55 per cent of 9,732 respondents who received counterfeit cosmetics online were able to return it. And only 35 per cent of respondents who purchased fake products from stores were able to return it. The Delhi Police had last year busted a factory manufacturing counterfeit Lakmé makeup products in August last year. This nationwide survey, conducted across 305 districts in India, received more than 37,000 responses. Of these, 48 per cent participants were from tier 1 cities, 27 per cent from tier 2 cities and towns, and 25 per cent respondents were from tier 3 and 4 towns and rural districts. Of the respondents, 61 per cent were men and 39 per cent women. LocalCircles helps citizens and small businesses elevate issues for policy and enforce intervention. The group also said it enables the government to make policies surrounding citizens.

Till Nov this year, Kolkata's air quality better than that that of 2019: PCB report

Kolkata: A report published by West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB) recently has made clear how lockdown and some measures taken by the board have done miracle with the air quality of the city. Though the air quality in the month of December raised concerns among environmentalists, it was found to be better till November compared to 2019. The report said that there were 148 good days in 2020 compared to 85 in 2019 in the city. Poor days were reduced to 40 in 2020 from 45 in 2019. In Kolkata, very poor days were reduced from 29 in 2019 to two in 2020. In Howrah, very poor days were reduced from 36 to seven. “Apart from lockdown, some of our measures based on scientific studies, including the source-apportionment study, have started yielding results. Spraying of water to stop road dust resuspension, shifting to cleaner fuel by roadside eateries, action against waste burning have started giving results. But the meteorological factors play a huge role. Cloud cover, low wind velocity and fog in winter can suddenly turn ambient air very foul. However, we need more studies in some unknown areas to understand the transborder flow of pollutants to fight it more effectively,” said WBPCB chairman Kalyan Rudra. The 2019, trend showed that Kolkata and Howrah had faced bigger challenge with more days in very poor category and above. About 10% of days in 2019 (till November) in these two cities were in very poor category. In Kolkata, this includes five severe days as well — the worst category. The transitory improvement in air quality in these cities this year so far is a result of the halting of the economy as well as activities during the summer lockdown. “But this should be taken as an opportunity to push implementation of the clean air action plans to prevent rebound effects and retaliatory emissions that are expected to increase with the reopening of the economy,” said air pollution expert and executive director of Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), Anumita Roychowdhury. In Kolkata, around 45% of days in 2019 (until November) had exceeded the daily standard, whereas in 2020, it is around 35% — both in Kolkata and Howrah, said Roychowdhury.

Strategic ally: How an organic food company expanded farm-to-fork philosophy to promote chemical-free practices

Some businesses have shaped our economies and societies more than others, whether by feeding us cheeseburgers or by controlling commodities. Can they also give an impetus to organic farming, which has been progressing at a tardy pace in India? Latest data available with the government for 2018-19 showed that only 2 per cent of the country’s net sown area is under organic farming and 1.3 per cent of the farmers follow the practice. To understand how private players can play their part to encourage farmers as well as influence consumer choices, researchers with Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) analysed the functioning of one of the country’s oldest organic food companies, Sresta Natural Bioproducts Limited. Based in Hyderabad, Telangana, Sresta forayed into the organic food business in 2004. Organic food was just an exotic idea then, with most farmers relying on chemical inputs for improved crop yield; the government introduced schemes to support and promote organic farming only a decade later. So, Rajshekhar Reddy Seelam, who had launched Sresta as a farm-to-fork initiative, decided to follow a two-pronged strategy. On the ground, the company offers constant support to farmers to wean them off chemical inputs and shift to organic farming. To create an assured market, it also procures, processes and markets the produce. At the same time, Sresta invests in massive awareness programmes about organic farming and its benefits for human health and the environment, to create consumer demand for the products. Today, the company’s brand name “24 Mantra” has the largest market share in organic food products, as per the India: Organic Industry Market Report-2021 released by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The company has grown from 40 farmers to 40,000 farmers, covering nearly 81,000 hectares (ha) in 15 states. From procuring wheat, mustard, gram and barley initially, Sresta’s list now includes nearly 200 products, from flour, grains, pulses, millets, dry fruits and spices to flours, cold-pressed oil, pickles, cookies, culinary pastes, jams and ready-to-eat products. Seelam said farmers in the country are hesitant to take up organic farming due to overreliance on chemical inputs and fears of reduced yield. Hence, Sresta tries to eliminate all the steps that make farming a cumbersome venture. Sresta procures its produce from over 80 project areas established across the country. In each project area, which spans 15-20 km radius and comprises 200-300 farmers, Sresta has deployed ground staff for deciding on the procurement targets for the year. “Government mandis do not have a separate procurement system for organic produce, while Sresta allots a time and date for procurement,” said Subhas Chander, an organic farmer from Nawalgarh in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan, where the company first started operations. Chander grows wheat, mustard, gram and pearl millet, which the company procures at a rate 8-12 per cent higher than the minimum support price offered by the government. “I receive Rs 200-300 more per 100 kg for my organic wheat,” Chander said. Karni Ram, another organic farmer from Pillyon ke Daahar village in Rajasthan’s Sikar district also informed CSE researchers that from Sresta, he receives Rs 300 more per 100 kg of wheat; Rs 500 more for mustard and Rs 400 more for fenugreek. Farmers said they also save on cost of loading, unloading produce and mandi tax with Sresta. Sresta’s field staff conduct regular training and awareness programmes for the farmers to improve crop yield and reduce farm input costs. I used to practise organic farming based on my limited understanding of the concept,” said Manoj Kumar, a young farmer from Nawalgarh. “After joining Sresta in 2015, I received training on selection of seeds and planting materials, preparing organic insecticides for pest management and harvest techniques,” he added. Sresta also provides support for organic crops it does not procure. For example, it has developed a package of practices to grow potatoes for farmers in Nawalgarh, which has lowered cultivation costs by 30-40 per cent. In Madhya Pradesh, Om Prakash, an organic farmer from Lasudi village, Mandsaur district, narrated how his association with Sresta has provided him new income opportunities. “Sresta encourages farmers to use their own local seed varieties. So I not only sell my crops as grains but also as seeds, which is more profitable,” added Prakash, who majorly grows wheat, mustard and soybean. Karni Ram said that the company also sends scientists to the field to advise farmers on specific yield issues. To assure the consumers about the quality of the produce, Sresta helps farmers obtain organic certification under the National Programme for Organic Production, which allows for exports and bears the cost of the process. Scientists at Sresta constantly research on improving packaging and quality of the products. They have, for instance, found a way to enhance the shelf life of jaggery-based products by reducing the crystallisation of the raw produce. To increase its consumer base, Sresta has tied up with over 7,500 retail outlets across the globe, which includes modern trade stores, general stores and ethnic stores such as Aditya Birla Retail Limited, Food Bazaar, Hyper City, Walmart Best Price, Spencer’s and Godrej Nature’s Basket. The company also makes its products available over e-commerce platforms, advertises its products through campaigns and through social media, shares recipes that use its products and spreads awareness on the benefits of organic food. In the past three years, the company has made on average a profit of Rs 7.56 crore, with Rs 10.39 crore in 2020-21 despite COVID-19. Some 55 per cent of its sales are from India and 45 per cent from other 34 countries. Some 75 per cent of international sales are from the US, through a wholly owned subsidiary called Fyve Elements. However, there have been some problems. “A few years ago, payment was delayed and I could not meet expenses. I had to discontinue work with Sresta,” said Bapu Lal, a farmer from Jhakeda village in Mandsaur. To overcome this hurdle, Sresta has appointed in certain areas an aggregator-farmer, to procure on its behalf. In such cases, farmers are paid right away, but the rates are slightly lower and the aggregator gets a commission of 1 per cent on the total amount. If the company plans to roll this out on a large-scale, it must ensure farmers’ share is not affected. Some farmers also say that Sresta stops procurement of a particular crop if its target is met, which leaves them with unsold produce. The company can look into raising procurement levels based on the crop grown and the stocks available. Finally, as with most organic players, Sresta’s high prices dissuade consumers. Negotiating pricing policies on e-commerce platforms, and government support for mark-eting will help ease costs, which can lower the final sale prices. Generating demand through awareness on the benefits of organic products will also help both the company and the sector grow. End-to-end support Sresta Natural Bioproducts Limited has expanded the “farm-to-fork” philosophy to boost consumption of organic produce as well as to promote chemical-free practices among farmers Pre-sowing Training on organic practices for each crop and season, which include composting techniques, preparation of organic inputs and support in transition from conventional agriculture Sowing and harvest Sresta’s ground staff, who aid in training and procurement, inform farmers on the annual targets and maintain records of the types of crops sown. They monitor fields, record practices followed for weeding, pest and disease treatment and address farmers’ concerns. Before harvest, they inspects the growth of crops and trains farmers on suitable practices to safeguard the produce Post-harvest Random samples of crops are picked, mixed and sent to Hyderabad for quality tests Procurement Farmers whose samples have passed the quality tests gather for procurement. In some areas, procurement is coordinated by aggregator-farmers. The procurement happens in collection centres 10-15 km from villages. The crops are loaded and unloaded for free, inspected for uniformity, infestation, colour, contamination and moisture. Once the produce is weighed, farmers get a receipt. Crops are stored at local warehouses and transported to processing centres within a week Payment Payment is transferred into the bank accounts of the farmers within 14-21 days. In case the produce has been collected by an aggregator, payment is done right at the time of procurement Processing Produce goes through two rounds of processing wherein it is cleaned, checked and packaged under the brand name “24 Mantra” Marketing The company advertises products through campaigns and through social media, shares recipes that use its products and spreads awareness on the benefits of organic food Sales The products are sold in over 7,500 retail outlets, modern trade stores, general stores, ethnic stores and e-commerce platforms, at prices 40-60 per cent higher than those for conventional products. Some 55 per cent of sales are from India and 45 per cent from 34 other countries Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/strategic-ally-how-an-organic-food-company-expanded-farm-to-form-philosophy-to-promote-chemical-free-practices-85229

Cosmetic products caused allergic reaction in 15% of Indian households: LocalCircles

Around 34% of the respondents said that they received a counterfeit cosmetic product via online platforms in the last three years. 17% of the respondents encountered quality issues in the products they purchased. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) stated in a report that more than 40% of fairness creams use mercury, which is banned in several countries. Fake products are the bane of the online universe, but the problem is bigger when these fake products lead to ailments. A new survey by social network LocalCircles revealed that around 15% of the Indian households in India had an allergic reaction or severe ailment from cosmetic products they purchased in the last three years. Shockingly, 34% of the respondents said that they received a counterfeit cosmetic product via online platforms in the last three years and 45% of them couldn’t return the product. Over 17% of the respondents encountered quality issues in the products they purchased in the last three years, according to the survey report. Overall, 56% have had no issues at all with products purchased. The platform conducted a pan-India survey and got over 37,000 responses from household consumers residing across 305 districts of India, including tier 1,2,3 and 4 cities. “Unfortunately, due to lack of proper regulation, many of the cosmetic products, particularly those promising to make an individual fair and lovely, often contain ingredients that are not advised for use on humans,” the survey says. LocalCircles also shared that as per a 2014 report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), more than 40% of fairness creams use mercury, which is banned in several countries. Similarly, 60% of lipsticks tested had a presence of heavy metals, including chromium (toxic), which is a carcinogenic and nickel. The CSE report said, “It is possible to eliminate these toxins from lipsticks, (but) the industry is not doing it, nor is the government forcing them to adhere to the set norms.” According to LocalCircles, Indians have a greater love for cosmetic and skincare products and some even choose to undergo beauty treatment or therapy using varied products, including herbal and natural produce. The beauty and personal care industry in India, which is said to be the 8th largest market in the world, was valued at $20 billion in 2020 as per LocalCircles report. The market is fuelled by both offline and online sales. In recent years, Nykaa, Mama Earth, Sugar Cosmetics, and others, have emerged as leading e-commerce players in the beauty and cosmetics segment in India.