HPAS Mains 2023 (General Studies Paper III ): Questions and Model Answers

December 20, 2023

Attempt all questions. Answer to Question No. 1 to 15 should not exceed 60 words in each case. Contents of the answers are more important than their length. Each question carries 4 marks.

Question: 1 Explain two monetary measures to curb rising inflation.

Answer:

Inflation is the sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services . Inflation demands effective monetary measures. Two key strategies are:

Interest Rate Hikes:
- Central banks raise interest rates to deter borrowing, curbing excess demand and controlling inflation.
Open Market Operations:
- Selling government securities reduces the money supply, limiting spending and helping mitigate inflation.

Implementing these measures ensures central banks can manage inflation, fostering economic stability and sustainable growth.

Question: 2 Write about the unemployment rate in India in recent years.

Answer:

The unemployment rate is a percentage that represents the proportion of the labor force that is unemployed and actively seeking employment within an economy.

Unemployment Rate = (Number of Unemployed Individuals/ Labour force ) ×100

Recent unemployment rates (PLFS-2022-23) :

Decreasing Trend in Unemployment Rate (UR) for persons of age 15 years and above:
- In rural areas, UR decreased from 3% in 2017-18 to 2.4% in 2022-23 while for urban areas it decreased from 7.7% to 5.4%.
Increasing Trend in Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for persons of age 15 years and above
- In rural areas, LFPR increased from 7% in 2017-18 to 60.8% in 2022-23 while for urban areas it increased from 47.6% to 50.4%.
Increasing Trend in Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for persons of age 15 years and above:
- In rural areas, WPR increased from 1% in 2017-18 to 59.4% in 2022-23 while for urban areas it increased from 43.9% to 47.7%

Note :

There are different methods to measure the unemployment rate.
For example, The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy classifies individuals based on their activity in the day preceding the interview. They, therefore, estimate a higher unemployment rate, but lower labour force participation rates. This is because in an informal economy, there is a lower chance of an individual having work on any given day as compared to longer periods of a week or a year.

Question: 3 What is Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB)? Who is the issuer?

Answer:

A Sovereign Gold Bond (SGB) is a financial instrument issued by the Government of India, allowing investors to invest in gold without the need for physical ownership.

When investors buy Sovereign Gold Bonds, they need to pay the government the specified price in cash. These bonds represent a certain amount of gold.
When the bonds reach maturity, the government will give investors back the equivalent value of that gold in cash, based on the prevailing market price at that time. So, it’s like buying a piece of gold, but instead of getting the actual gold, one receives the equivalent value in cash when the investment matures.

Issuer:

The Bond is issued by the Reserve Bank on behalf of the Government of India.
Bonds are sold through offices or branches of Nationalised Banks, Scheduled Private Banks, Scheduled Foreign Banks, designated Post Offices, Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL) and the authorised stock exchanges either directly or through their agents.

Question: 4 How has protectionism affected the world trade?

Answer:

Protectionism in trade refers to government policies and measures that are designed to shield domestic industries from foreign competition.

Tariff Barriers	: Example: The recent U.S.-China tariff war
Non-tariff barriers	: Example : Rules of origin, quotas ,subsidies
Economic Nationalism	:Example: Brexit, US leaving Trans Pacific Partnership
Retaliation and Trade Wars	:Example: The recent U.S.-China trade war involved tit-for-tat tariffs .

Effect of protectionism on world trade :

Protectionism could make world trade less resilient, more unequal, and more conflict-prone.
There is still no conclusive evidence that international trade has been impacted by protectionist policies of few Nations.
- For example: When measured in US dollars, global trade growth slowed after the global financial crisis in 2008–09 and declined sharply at the onset of the pandemic in 2020. But since then trade has rebounded to the highest value ever.
- The value of international trade is expected to reach around US$ 32 trillion by the end of 2022, an increase of roughly 26 per cent relative to the levels of 2019[UNCTAD].
Global trade, as a percentage of GDP, has slightly decreased, primarily influenced by China’s “dual circulation” approach focusing on domestic consumption alongside openness to international trade and investment, along with a similar trend in India.
The tariffs imposed by the S. and China in 2018 didn’t diminish overall global trade. While they impacted trade between the two nations, the products most affected by tariffs experienced growth in trade among other regions. In essence, trade was redistributed rather than decreased.
Tariff war has not stopped other countries—such as members of the African Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership—from pursuing regional or plurilateral trade agreements.

There is widespread consensus among economists on both the overall net benefits of trade openness and the need to cushion the negative impacts. Long term effects of protectionism are yet to be seen.

Question: 5 Describe four interplanetary missions of Indian Space Research Organisation.

Answer:

Since its inception, ISRO has made significant strides in the field of space exploration and technology. It has demonstrated its capability to undertake complex space missions with remarkable efficiency and cost-effectiveness, making India a prominent player in the global space community.

Interplanetary missions of Indian Space Research organization

Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan): Mangalyaan was India’s first interplanetary mission, aimed at exploring Mars. The primary objectives included studying Martian surface, morphology, atmosphere, and mineralogy.

Venus Orbiter Mission- Venus’s orbiter The Indian Venus orbiter mission is a planned orbiter to Venus by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to study the atmosphere of Venus.

Chandrayaan-3 is India’s third lunar mission and second attempt at achieving a soft landing on the moon’s surface.

To demonstrate Safe and Soft Landing on Lunar Surface
To demonstrate Rover roving on the moon and
To conduct in-situ scientific experiments.

Aditya-L1 -The mission aims to provide valuable insights into the solar corona, photosphere, chromosphere, and solar wind.

The primary objective of Aditya-L1 is to gain a deeper understanding of the Sun’s behavior, including its radiation, heat, particle flow, and magnetic fields, and how they impact Earth.

Question: 6 Describe major benefits of Geothermal Energy.

Answer:

Geothermal energy is natural heat from the interior of the earth that can be used to generate electricity as well as to heat up buildings.

HOW IS IT CAPTURED:

Geothermal systems can be found in regions with a normal or slightly above normal geothermal gradient and especially in regions around plate margins where the geothermal gradients may be significantly higher than the average value.

The most common current way of capturing the energy from geothermal sources is to tap into naturally occurring “hydrothermal convection” systems where cooler water seeps into the earth’s crust, is heated up, and then rises to the surface. When heated water is forced to the surface, it is relatively easy to capture that steam and use it to drive electric generators.

STATUS OF GEOTHERMAL ENERGY IN INDIA

Geological Survey of India has found around 350 geothermal energy locations in the country. The most promising of these is in the Puga valley of Ladakh.
India has 7 geothermal provinces [viz. Himalayas, Sohana, West Coast, Cambay (Gujarat), Godavari, Mahanadi and Son-Narmada-Tapi (SONATA)] and a number of geothermal springs.
Geothermal resources in India have been mapped by GSI and a broad estimate suggests that there could be 10 gigawatts (GW) geothermal power potential, as per the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
In 2013, the Chhattisgarh government has decided to establish the Geothermal Power Plant in the country at Tattapani in the Balrampur district.
In 2021, an agreement was signed to establishing the first geothermal Power Project in Ladakh.

POTENTIAL SITES IN INDIA

Puga and Chumathang in eastern Ladakh are said to be the most promising geothermal fields in India, with the potential to generate about 50 MW of power.
Cambay Basin in western India would be the next targeted region as it has several abandoned oil wells which are “non-flowing” for oil and gas but have rocks and sands that can sustain heat for at least 25 years.
Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh, Surajkund in Jharkhand, Beas valley, Satluj and spiti valley of Himachal Pradesh, Tapoban geothermal field, Chamoli, and Alaknanda Valley in Uttarakhand etc. are some other sites.

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES FOR DEVELOPMENT

For Industrial Projects, the government has planned to provide a capital subsidy of up to 30%.
First Geothermal power plant to come in Chhattisgarh by joint cooperation of NTPC and Chhattisgarh Renewable Energy Development Agency (CREDA). Tattapani geothermal field in SONATA geothermal province.
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) provides large incentives and subsidies for Research, Design, Development and Demonstration (RDD&D) for harnessing geothermal energy in India.
Ministry of renewable energy has planned to generate geothermal energy up to 1000 MW by 2022.

Question: 7 Discuss the applications of remote sensing and GIS in mitigating flood risk.

Answer:

Remote sensing is the process of detecting and monitoring the physical characteristics of an area by measuring its reflected and emitted radiation. Special cameras collect remotely sensed images, which help researchers “sense” things about the Earth.

Application of Remote Sensing In Flood Management

1. Flood Mapping and Monitoring

Accurate flood mapping and real-time monitoring are crucial for effective flood management. Remote sensing platforms such as satellites, aerial imagery, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) enable the collection of high-resolution data over large areas. These maps serve as a valuable resource for emergency response planning, evacuation strategies, and resource allocation.

2. Early Warning Systems

With the help of remote sensing, advanced early warning systems can be developed to alert communities about impending floods. By analyzing precipitation patterns, river levels, and soil moisture content, remote sensing technologies can provide valuable data for flood forecasting models.

3. Flood Damage Assessment

After a flood event, assessing the extent of damage is crucial for effective response and recovery efforts. Remote sensing techniques enable rapid and comprehensive damage assessment. High-resolution satellite imagery and aerial surveys provide detailed information about infrastructure damage, changes in land cover, and the impact on ecosystems.

4. Rainfall Estimation and Prediction

Accurate estimation and prediction of rainfall are essential for flood forecasting. Remote sensing technologies provide valuable insights into precipitation patterns by analyzing cloud cover, atmospheric conditions, and temperature gradients. This data helps meteorologists and hydrologists improve rainfall prediction models, enhancing the accuracy of flood forecasts and enabling better preparation and response to potential flood events.

5. River and Stream Monitoring

Monitoring the flow and behaviour of rivers and streams is essential in flood management. Remote sensing platforms offer valuable tools for monitoring water levels, flow rates, and sediment transport. Satellite altimetry and radar sensors provide continuous monitoring of river height changes, enabling the detection of floods and the assessment of river dynamics. This information aids in flood forecasting, infrastructure planning, and the identification of flood-prone areas.

Conclusion

The application of remote sensing in flood management has revolutionized our ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to floods. By harnessing the power of remote sensing, policymakers, scientists, and communities can work together to minimize the impacts of floods, protect lives and property, and build resilient societies in the face of increasing flood risks.

Question: 8 Explain the role of integrated community service centres in Himachal Pradesh.

Answer:

Lok Mitra Kendra also known as Integrated Community Centres (ICS) aims to establish self-sustaining network at Gram Panchayat (GP) level with an objective to deliver various citizen centric services.

The objective of the Lok Mitra Kendras is to provide e-services in the locality of citizens, by creating the physical service delivery infrastructure for accessing various e-services.

The project envisages various direct/indirect social as well as economic benefits to the rural masses:

Better dissemination of government information at the remotest corner, resulting in better awareness among rural masses about various Govt. Schemes and bringing in transparency.
Saving the time & cost of people visiting District headquarters time and again for getting information, lodging complaints & inquiring their status etc.
Employment generation by opening up of Lok Mitra Kendras throughout the State in the private sector.
Facilitating the growth of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) throughout the State.

At present, there are 3800 CSCs in the State while 2400 out of these are LMKs. The aim of this policy is to ensure last mile services delivery through LMKs in the State of Himachal Pradesh.

Question: 9 Explain the vision and objectives of Eco-village scheme in Himachal Pradesh.

Answer:

Tourism is a means of providing new employment opportunities in rural, tribal and remote areas. The private sector participation in tourism, both as a means of generating employment and providing new infrastructure could be harnessed. Adventure tourism could be developed by providing facilities and safety standards at internationally required levels. Moreover, religious and spiritual tourism could be promoted and government could act as a facilitator.

NAI RAAHEIN NAI MANZILEIN – There being many hidden gems lying undiscovered by the wandering tribe, the government of Himachal Pradesh has put the spotlight on ‘Nai Raahein Nai Mazilein’, a new initiative to bring attention to new destinations in this Himalayan state. For a start, the destinations of Bir-Billing – a globally famous site on the paragliders circuit in Kangra, Janjehli – a hidden rural charm in Mandi district and Chanshal with its alpine meadows that turn into pristine ski slopes in the winter in Shimla hills, are being developed by putting in place adequate infrastructure for tourist comfort.
HIMACHAL PRADESH HOME STAY SCHEME, 2008 – With the aim of providing comfortable Home Stay facilities of standardized world class services to the tourists, and to supplement the availability of accommodation in the rural tourist destinations, State Government introduces Home Stay Facilities on the basis of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India “Incredible India Bed and Breakfast scheme. The basic idea is to provide a clean and affordable place for foreigners and domestic tourists alike including an opportunity for foreign tourists to stay with Himachali families to experience Himachali customs and traditions and relish authentic Indian/Himachali cuisine.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT POLICY 2019

In the year 2013, the State had come up with the Sustainable Tourism Development Policy to use sustainable tourism as a means to provide better employment and greater business opportunities for residents, to contribute to the protection of the state’s unique natural and cultural heritage and to ensure the long-term prosperity and good quality of life to future generations of Himachal Pradesh.

The Sustainable Tourism Development Policy, 2019 is an attempt in this regard. This policy has been framed to achieve sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly SDGs 8 and 12 through various objectives directed towards the socio-economic growth of host communities, offering quality experience to travellers, protection of the natural-cultural environment and state’s destinations, and creating an investment friendly environment for private investors. Strategies framed under each objective have been broken down into short term, medium term &long-term action points. The New Policy shall act as a guide for the State to ensure sustainable development and inclusive green growth of the tourism sector in Himachal Pradesh.

Question: 10 Describe the objectives of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2021 Himachal Pradesh.

Answer:

Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology & Environment (HIMCOSTE) has framed this Science Technology & Innovation (STIP) Policy 2021 for the State on the lines of the National Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy 2020.

The STI Policy has a vision of Strengthening and promoting STI in the State by providing the environment and opportunity to the innovators and stake holders for overall sustainable development of the mountain regions and the upliftment and betterment of the society by taking technology from lab to land in an eco-friendly manner with a decentralized and bottom-up approach.

Considering the peculiarity of the hilly terrain, living conditions, difficult livelihood, development needs and environment conservation, the following objectives have been set forth.

To strengthen the Research and Development (R&D) Institutions and Innovation centers.
Promotion and development of appropriate ecosystem for innovation and documentation of innovations in the form of reports, Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs), publications
To supplement and complement the national objectives of self-reliance, technological competence and the maximum use of indigenous resources for the socio-economic development.
To promote sustainable development of Himalayan natural resources and to leverage Traditional Knowledge System (TKS) including ‘vocal for local’ philosophy.
To promote an environment for the enhanced public-private participation in the R&D activities.
To popularize Science and Technology among school and college students and developing scientific temper amongst the different sections of the society.

Question: 11 Describe objectives and location of major Hi-tech Habitats of Himachal Pradesh.

Answer:

In order to promote the growth of IT all over the State, the efforts have been made to build hi-tech habitats in and around all major towns.

The State Government has set up hi-tech habitats at Shimla, Solan, Hamirpur, Baddi, Parwanoo, Kullu, Mandi and Dharamshala in a phased manner.
By setting up of these IT parks, the State Government intends to actively encourage and support manufacturing of IT hardware, software and software by prospective entrepreneurs.g IT Park waknaghat Solan.
This park would offer the necessary infrastructure in terms of approach road, power and water and high-tech infrastructure to facilitate communication and connectivity.

Question: 12 Discuss domain of services of Aryabhatta Geo-Informatics Space Application Centre (AGISAC).

Answer:

The Aryabhatta Geo-Informatics & Space Application Centre (AGiSAC) has been established to facilitate de-centralised planning, real time monitoring of schemes including health care facilities, beside surveillance and evaluation of field works.

The centre has been set up in technological collaboration with Gujarat-based Bhaskaracharya Institute for Space Applications and Geo-Informatics (BISAG).

Domain of Services

Geo-Informatics

AGiSAC shall endeavour for conceptualization, creation and organization of multi-purpose common digital database for sectoral/integrated decision support systems.

Remote Sensing

For Inventorization, Mapping, Developmental Planning and Monitoring of Natural & Man-made Resources.

Global Navigation Satellite System

For Location based services, Geo-referencing, Engineering Application and Research.

Cartography

For Thematic Mapping and Value added maps.

Photogrammetry

For creation of Digital Elevation Models, Terrain Characteristics & Resource Planning.

Software Development

For wider usage of Geo-spatial applications, Decision Support Systems (Desktop as well as Web based).

Mapping services

Mapping services to the Governments and Non-Governments Organizations for planning, documentation and other purposes. Mapping services for Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment Management Plan (EMP). Mapping solutions to the Governments and Non-Governments Organizations for the purpose of EIA and EMP preparation and implementation monitoring.

Question: 13 What are the main features of National Action Plan on Climate Change?

Answer:

National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) is a Government of India’s programme launched in 2008 to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impact of climate change. The action plan was launched in 2008 with 8 sub-missions. The plan aims at fulfilling India’s developmental objectives with focus on reducing emission intensity of its economy.

It aims at creating awareness among the representatives of the public, different agencies of the government, scientists, industry and the communities on the threat posed by climate change and the steps to counter it.

NAPCC IS GUIDED BY FOLLOWING PRINCIPLES –

Protection of poor and vulnerable sections of society through inclusive and sustainable development strategy, sensitive to climate change.
Achievements of national growth through qualitative changes enhancing ecological sustainability.
Deployment of appropriate technologies for both adaptation and mitigation of Green House Gases emissions extensively and at an accelerated pace.
Regulatory and voluntary mechanisms to promote sustainable development and engineering new and innovative forms of market.
Effective implementation of plans using unique linkages like civil society and local governments through public-private partnership.
Invite international cooperation for research, development, sharing and transfer of data and technologies enabled by sufficient funding and backed up by a global IPR regime under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

The 8 missions under NAPCC are as follows:-

National Solar Mission.
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency.
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat.
National Water Mission.
National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem.
Green India Mission.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture.
National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change

Question: 14. Describe the concept of Biosphere Reserve in context of biodiversity conservation.

Answer:

Biosphere Reserve (BR) is an international designation by UNESCO for representative parts of natural and cultural landscapes extending over large area of terrestrial or coastal/marine ecosystems or a combination thereof. BRs are designated to deal with one of the most important questions of reconciling the conservation of biodiversity, the quest for economic and social development and maintenance of associated cultural values. BRs are thus special environments for both people and the nature and are living examples of how human beings and nature can co-exist while respecting each others’ needs.

BIOSPHERE RESERVES ARE DEMARCATED INTO FOLLOWING 3 INTER-RELATED ZONES:

CORE ZONE : Core zone must contain suitable habitat for numerous plant and animal species, including higher order predators and may contain centres of endemism. Core areas often conserve the wild relatives of economic species and also represent important genetic reservoirs having exceptional scientific interest.

BUFFER ZONE : The buffer zone, adjoins or surrounds core zone, uses and activities are managed in this area in the ways that help in protection of core zone in its natural condition. These uses and activities include restoration, demonstration sites for enhancing value addition to the resources, limited recreation, tourism, fishing, grazing, etc; which are permitted to reduce its effect on core zone.

TRANSITION ZONE : The transition area is the outermost part of a biosphere reserve. This is usually not delimited one and is a zone of cooperation where conservation knowledge and management skills are applied and uses are managed in harmony with the purpose of the biosphere reserve. This includes settlements, crop lands, managed forests and area for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region.

Question: 15 Enlist various promotional themes of tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

Answer:

NAI RAAHEIN NAI MANZILEIN – There being many hidden gems lying undiscovered by the wandering tribe, the government of Himachal Pradesh has put the spotlight on ‘Nai Raahein Nai Mazilein’, a new initiative to bring attention to new destinations in this Himalayan state. For a start, the destinations of Bir-Billing – a globally famous site on the paragliders circuit in Kangra, Janjehli – a hidden rural charm in Mandi district and Chanshal with its alpine meadows that turn into pristine ski slopes in the winter in Shimla hills, are being developed by putting in place adequate infrastructure for tourist comfort.
HIMACHAL PRADESH HOME STAY SCHEME, 2008 – With the aim of providing comfortable Home Stay facilities of standardized world class services to the tourists, and to supplement the availability of accommodation in the rural tourist destinations, State Government introduces Home Stay Facilities on the basis of Ministry of Tourism, Government of India “Incredible India Bed and Breakfast scheme. The basic idea is to provide a clean and affordable place for foreigners and domestic tourists alike including an opportunity for foreign tourists to stay with Himachali families to experience Himachali customs and traditions and relish authentic Indian/Himachali cuisine.
SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT POLICY 2019

Attempt all questions. Answer to Question No. 16 to 25 should not exceed to 120 words in each case. Contents of the answers are more important than their length. Each question carries 8 marks.

Question: 16 Discuss the latest trends in economic inequalities in India.

Answer:

Income inequality refers to the unequal distribution of income among individuals or households within a specific population or society. It is often measured using metrics such as the Gini coefficient, which quantifies the disparity in income distribution.

Measurement :

Popular discussions on inequality in India receive periodic attention with the annual publication of reports by the World Inequalities Database (WID), Oxfam, as well as the global rich lists published by Forbes and Hurun. These tend to focus on income and wealth, while discussions about consumption levels (or to be more precise, consumer expenditure) are less frequent mainly because of paucity of data.
The National Statistical Organization (NSO), earlier called the National Sample Survey Organization (NSSO) used to publish countrywide consumer expenditure surveys every five years from 1972-73 onward, but since 2011-12 it has not published a survey.

Latest trends :

While India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world, it is also one of the most unequal countries.
- The Gini coefficient of wealth in India in 2017 is at 83, which puts India among the countries with highest inequality countries.
They are getting richer at a much faster pace while the poor are still struggling to earn a minimum wage and access quality education and healthcare services, which continue to suffer from chronic under-investment.
- The top 1% [of the population hold more than one-fifth of the total national income in 2021 and the bottom half just 13% [World inequality report 2022].
- Octopus Class depicts 2 lakh families or around 1 million people in India who control 80% of India’s wealth. This class has consolidated financial, social and political power and has continuously pushed its ‘tentacles’ in every profitable activity they are interested in.
In the pandemic, billionaires in India have seen their wealth surge by 121% [Survival of richest 2023 report, OXFAM ].
Gender inequality: These widening gaps and rising inequalities affect women and children the most.
- The female labour income share is equal to 18% which is significantly lower than the average in Asia [21%, excluding China] and this value is one of the lowest in the world. [World Inequality Report 2022] .

Health care : 63 million people are pushed into poverty because of healthcare costs. [OXFAM]
Rural -City divide : In cities, 44.4% of the money or wealth is held by the richest 20% of people, showing a big difference between the rich and the rest. Meanwhile, in rural areas, only 1% of the wealth is with the top 20%, indicating less wealth concentration and a more even distribution among the people in those areas[‘State of Inequality in India’ -Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)]

India has committed to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, and to end extreme poverty by that year but the growing income inequality in India has negatively impacted poor citizens’ access to education and healthcare. Rising income inequality makes it difficult for the poor to climb up the economic ladder and increases their risk of being victims to poverty trap.

Question: 17 What is Himachal Pradesh Crop Diversification Promotion Project (HPCDP). Discuss its objectives.

Answer:

The objective of the project is to promote sustainable crop diversification in all districts of Himachal Pradesh by development and rehabilitation of minor irrigation facilities and access farm roads, as well as by marketing promotion and improvement of extension services, thereby contributing to improvement of livelihood of farmers in Himachal Pradesh.

JICA EAP: Phase – I

In order to promote sustainable crop diversification in the potential areas, the crop diversification promotion project of Rs. 321crores was sanctioned with the assistance of ‘Japan International Cooperation Agency’ and implemented in the State up to year 2020.

The Objectives of the Project were to increase the area and production of vegetables through crop diversification, to raise income of small and marginal farmers, to create infrastructures for irrigation, to create farm access through roads, to develop marketing linkages, to create postharvest facilities in order to develop value chain, to organize farmers into groups to take over operation and maintenance of irrigation systems, training and capacity building of Department of Agriculture field extension staff. The project was implemented through Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Development Society. Under this project 210 small irrigation schemes, 29.40 km link road & 23 collection centres were constructed. The project area was restricted to 5 districts i.e. Kangra, Mandi, Una, Bilaspur and Hamirpur.

JICA EAP- Phase II

The Phase-II JICA ODA project is being implemented in all the districts of the state with an outlay of Rs. 1010.13 crore during total nine years period of the project. MoU for the implementation of the second phase has been signed between the GOI and Japan International Cooperation Agency on 26th March 2021.

Total amount of Rs. 40.00 crore has been allocated to HPCDP during financial year 2022-23 out of which Rs.34.60 crore has been utilized. The budget provision of 30.00 crores have been made to implement the scheme during the FY 2023-24

The digital transformation / reforms was successfully developed which could embrace the domains of planning and implementation of project and its field, farm and capacity building / skill development activities, particularly relevant to the existing Himachal Pradesh Crop Diversification Promotion Project (HPCDP) which is being implemented by Government of Himachal Pradesh (GoHP) with the collaboration of the Japan International Cooperation Agency-Official Development Assistance (JICA-ODA).

Question: 18 Explain the Skill development allowance scheme in Himachal Pradesh.

Answer:

Introduction:

Skill Development Allowance to the unemployed youth scheme aims at providing allowance to educated unemployed Himachali youth for their skill upgradation. The objective is to enable such youth to develop their skill so as to take up employment or self-employment in the sector of their choice form training institute of their choice.

Body :

Financial Support:
- ₹1,000 per month for youth undergoing skill training.
- ₹1,500 per month for youth with disabilities.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Unemployed youth with family income below ₹2 lakh per annum.
Course Duration:
- Skill development courses range from three months to two years.
Utilization of Allowance:
- Allowance can be used for skill enhancement in any desired sector.
Promoting Self-Employment:
- After training, unemployed youth can apply for a loan for self-employment.
- 4% interest subvention for five years on loans up to ₹50 lakh.
Widened Eligibility:
- Now open to 8th pass Himachali youth aged 16 to 36.
- Waived the condition of two years’ registration in the employment exchange.
- Minimum educational requirement waived for trades like masonry, carpentry, blacksmith, plumbing, etc.
Inclusive Approach:
- Brought B.Sc Nursing courses under the Skill Development Allowance scheme.
- Aiming for maximum inclusivity and flexibility to cater to diverse needs. state..

Conclusion:

The Skill Development Allowance scheme in Himachal Pradesh emerges as a proactive initiative, aiming to empower unemployed youth through skill enhancement.

Overall, this scheme reflects a commitment to inclusive growth and equipping the youth with the tools needed for a dynamic and competitive job market.

Question: 19 Discuss the significant achievements made in the field of industrialization in Himachal Pradesh.

Answer:

Himachal Pradesh has made significant strides in industrialization, shaping its economic landscape. Over the years, the state has strategically focused on diverse sectors, fostering a conducive environment for industrial growth. This has not only contributed to economic development but has also created employment opportunities and enhanced the overall quality of life for its residents.

Significant achievements:

Promotion of MSMEs: Himachal Pradesh has focused on the development of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributing significantly to industrial growth. Various incentives and schemes have been introduced to encourage the establishment and expansion of MSMEs.
- Nearly 80 thousand enterprises have registered on the Udyam portal.
Hydropower Sector: Himachal Pradesh is known for its emphasis on hydropower generation. The state has harnessed its abundant water resources for electricity production, contributing to both industrial and economic development.
Pharmaceutical Industry: The pharmaceutical sector in Himachal Pradesh has seen considerable growth. The state has attracted pharmaceutical companies, benefitting from its conducive business environment and infrastructure.
- HP contributes 35% of Pharma demand in India.
Agro-Based Industries: Given the state’s agrarian base, there has been a focus on developing agro-based This includes food processing units, which add value to agricultural products and provide employment opportunities.
- Fruit bowl of India – ranks 2nd in apple and almond production .
- Presence of world leading food processing players in the state .
Tourism-Linked Industries: With a thriving tourism sector, Himachal Pradesh has seen the growth of industries linked to tourism, such as hospitality, adventure sports, and handicrafts, contributing to economic diversification.
- Ropeway projects , heli taxi services , ski resorts and international level convocation centre.
Skill Development Initiatives: Efforts in skill development have been made to enhance the employability of the local workforce, aligning with the needs of emerging industries.
- Centre of Excellence for skill development in Waknaghat.
- Navdharana scheme for disabled people.

In conclusion, the achievements in industrialization in Himachal Pradesh underscore the state’s commitment to economic diversification and sustainable growth. The successful promotion of MSMEs, emphasis on hydropower, growth in pharmaceutical and agro-based industries, and the development of tourism-linked sectors collectively showcase a dynamic and forward-looking approach

Question: 20 Describe the objectives of the policy on Hydro Power Development which was approved by the Government of India in 1998.

Answer:

Hydropower is called renewable source of energy. Around 26% of Hydropower potential has been exploited in India. India is the 5th globally for installed hydroelectric power capacity. India’s installed utility-scale hydroelectric capacity is 47,000 MW, or 12% of its total utility power generation capacity.

NEED OF HYDRO POWER – Clean, green, renewable, climate friendly, indigenous, sustainable development, climate change, energy diversification, demand of energy as rising economic power and middle class.

OBJECTIVES OF HYDRO POWER DEVELOPMENT POLICY 1998

The object of the Policy is to prevent a decline in hydro share and to undertake measures for the exploitation of vast hydro-electric potential in the country especially in the North and North Eastern Regions.

(I) Ensuring targeted capacity addition during 9th Plan;

(ii) Exploitation of vast hydroelectric potential at a faster pace;

(iii) Promoting small and mini hydel projects;

(iv) Strengthening the role of PSUs/SEBs for taking up new hydel projects;

(v) Increasing private investment.

CONCLUSION:

India’s hydroelectric power potential is estimated at 148,700 MW at 60% load factor. Hydropower potential is located mainly in northern and north-eastern regions. Arunachal Pradesh has the largest unexploited hydropower potential of 47 GW, followed by Uttarakhand with 12 GW.

Question: 21 Describe the objectives and application areas of NISAR satellite jointly developed ISRO and NASA.

Answer:

NISAR- The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission is a joint project between NASA and ISRO to co-develop and launch a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar on an Earth observation satellite. The satellite will be the first radar imaging satellite to use dual frequencies. It will be used for remote sensing, to observe and understand natural processes on Earth.

Application area of NISAR Satellite

Earth Science: NISAR will provide a wealth of data and information about the Earth’s surface changes, natural hazards, and ecosystem disturbances, helping to advance our understanding of Earth system processes and climate change.
Disaster Management: The mission will provide critical information to help manage natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, enabling faster response times and better risk assessments.
Agriculture: NISAR data will be used to improve agriculture management and food security by providing information about crop growth, soil moisture, and land-use changes.
Infrastructure Monitoring: The mission will provide data for infrastructure monitoring and management, such as monitoring of oil spills, urbanization, and deforestation.
Climate Change: NISAR will help to monitor and understand the impacts of climate change on the Earth’s land surface, including melting glaciers, sea-level rise, and changes in carbon storage.

It is designed to observe and measure some of the planet’s most complex natural processes, including ecosystem disturbances, ice-sheet collapse, and natural hazards such as earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanoes and landslides.

Question: 22 Discuss the aim and various steps involved in the process of seed certification.

Answer:

Seed certification is a process designed to maintain and make available to the general public continuous supply of high quality seeds and propagating materials of notified kinds and varieties of crops, so grown and distributed to ensure the physical identity and genetic purity. Seed certification is a legally sanctioned system for quality control of seed multiplication and production.

Quality controlled seeds are quintessential in the today’s scenario so that productivity and production of agriculture could be increased under the wake of population surge. Seed certification is a significant step for bringing food security in the nation and domestically meeting the food requirement of the nation.

STEPS INVOLVED IN SEED CERTIFICATION

An Administrative check on the origin of the propagating material: Source seed verification is the first step in Seed Certification Programme. Unless the seed is from approved source and of designated class certification agency will not accept the seed field for certification, thereby ensuring the use of high quality true to type seed for sowing of seed crops.
Field Inspection : Evaluation of the growing crop in the field for varietal purity, isolation of seed crop is to prevent out-cross, physical admixtures, disease dissemination and also ensure crop condition as regards to the spread of designated diseases and the presence of objectionable weed plants etc.
Sample inspection: assessing the planting value of the seeds by laboratory tests. Certification agency draws representative samples from the seeds produced under certification programme and subjects them to germination and other purity tests required for conforming to varietal purity. Bulk Inspection: Under certification programme provision has been made for bulk inspection. Hence, the evaluation of the lot for the purpose of checking homogeneity of the bulk seed produced as compared with the standard sample is carried out. This gives an idea about the genuinity of lot and sample.
Control plot testing: Here the samples drawn from the source and final seed produced are grown side by side along with the standard samples of the variety in question. By comparison it can be determined whether the varietal purity and health of the produced seed are equal to the results based on field inspection.
Grow-out test: Evaluation of the seeds for their genuineness to species or varieties or seed borne infection. Here the samples drawn from the lots are grown in the field along with the standard checks. Growing plants are observed for the varietal purity. Grow-out test helps in the elimination of the sub-standard seed lots.

Question: 23 Describe about various traditional methods of rainwater harvesting in India.

Answer:

India constitutes 16 per cent of the world’s population, but the country has only four per cent of the world’s freshwater resources. With the changing weather patterns and recurring droughts, India is water stressed. As many as 256 of 700 districts have reported ‘critical’ or ‘over-exploited’ groundwater levels.

Rainwater harvesting is the technique of collection and storage of rain into natural reservoirs, tanks, cisterns and other natural and artificial storage units. Rainwater harvesting is also related to the proper management and possible storage of storm water. Rainwater harvesting is also a component of sustainable water management in order to prevent flooding, erosion and other undesirable consequences.

TRADITIONAL RAINWATER HARVESTING IN VARIOUS PARTS OF INDIA

Khadin(Rajasthan) – A Khadin is an ingenious construction designed to harvest surface runoff water for agriculture. It is also called a dhora. The khadin system is based on the principle of harvesting rainwater on farmland and subsequent use of this water-saturated land for crop production.

It is First designed by in western Rajasthan in the 15th century, its main feature is a very long (100-300 m) earthen embankment built across the lower hill slopes lying below gravelly uplands.

Kund (Rajasthan and Gujarat) – A Kund is a saucer-shaped catchment area that gently slope towards the central circular underground well. Its main purpose is to harvest rainwater for drinking. Kunds dot the sandier tracts of western Rajasthan and Gujarat. Traditionally, these well-pits were covered in disinfectant lime and ash.
Taanka – Taanka (small tank) is a traditional rainwater harvesting technique indigenous to the Thar desert region of Rajasthan (Bikaner). A Taanka is a cylindrical paved underground pit into which rainwater from rooftops, courtyards or artificially prepared catchments flows. Once the taanka is completely filled, the water stored in it can last throughout the dry season and is sufficient for a family of 5-6 members for drinking. In this way, the people of Bikaner were able to meet their water requirements.
Jhalara – Jhalaras are typically rectangular-shaped step wells with three or four tiered sides. The steps were constructed in stages. Jhalaras were man-made tanks found in Rajasthan and Gujarat that were built to conserve rainwater and ensure an easy and consistent supply of water for religious rites, royal ceremonies, and community use such as bathing and religious rites.
Eri (Tamil Nadu) – The Eri (tank) system of Tamil Nadu is one of the oldest water management systems in India. It played several important roles in maintaining ecological harmony as flood-control systems, preventing soil erosion and wastage of runoff during periods of heavy rainfall, and recharging the groundwater in the surrounding areas. Without Eris, paddy cultivation of Tamil Nadu would have been impossible. The Eri system is mostly present in all ancient temples of Tamil Nadu.

Question: 24 Explain the role of ecotourism in sustainable development of Himachal Pradesh.

Answer:

All nature-based forms of tourism in which the main motivation of the tourists is the observation and appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures prevailing in the natural areas (UNWTO), having minimized negative impacts comes under eco-tourism. The advantages of promoting ecotourism include: benefits to local communities, generation of revenue, support to local economy and preservation of ecosystem and biodiversity. The varied natural landscape, rolling pastures, mighty Himalayas, vast flowing rivers, pristine lakes, dense pine forests and a vivid variety of flora and fauna makes Himachal Pradesh a must visit ecotourism destination. Bird watching, trekking, eco-trails, nature parks, eco-huts, and camping are some tourism products that shall be developed to promote eco-tourism.

A tourism policy that accelerates economic development, minimizes social inequality, reduces poverty, conserves tangible and intangible heritage (by making use of state of the art technologies) in a sustainable manner is an immediate requirement.

Question: 25 Discuss about main features of Himalayan Ecology in the State of Himachal Pradesh.

Answer:

Himachal Pradesh, situated in the western Himalayas, is renowned for its diverse and unique ecology. The state’s Himalayan ecology is characterized by its stunning landscapes, high-altitude ecosystems, and rich biodiversity. Here are some of the main features of the Himalayan ecology in Himachal Pradesh:

Altitudinal Variation:

Himachal Pradesh exhibits a wide range of altitudinal variations, from the foothills to the towering peaks of the Himalayas. This variation contributes to the presence of diverse ecosystems, each supporting distinct flora and fauna.

Mountain Ranges:

The state is traversed by several prominent mountain ranges, including the Shivalik Range, Dhauladhar Range, Pir Panjal Range, and the Great Himalayas. These ranges not only shape the topography but also influence the climate and ecology of different regions within the state.

Flora and Vegetation:

The state exhibits a rich diversity of flora, ranging from subtropical forests in the lower altitudes to alpine meadows and cold desert vegetation at higher elevations. Coniferous forests dominate the middle-altitude zones, hosting species like pine, deodar, and spruce. Medicinal plants, herbs, and orchids are also abundant.

Fauna Diversity:

Himachal Pradesh is home to a variety of wildlife species adapted to mountainous environments. Endangered species like the snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, and musk deer inhabit the higher reaches, while lower altitudes support species like leopards, bharal (blue sheep), and various pheasants.

Rivers and Watersheds:

The state is crisscrossed by numerous rivers and their tributaries, including the Beas, Sutlej, Chenab, and Yamuna. These rivers play a crucial role in shaping the landscape and providing water for agriculture, hydropower generation, and sustaining diverse ecosystems.

Cultural Significance:

The Himalayan ecology holds immense cultural significance for the people of Himachal Pradesh. The region is dotted with temples, monasteries, and traditional settlements that are intricately connected to the natural surroundings. Local communities often practice sustainable livelihoods based on traditional ecological knowledge.

Tourism and Adventure Sports:

The scenic beauty and diverse landscapes of Himachal Pradesh attract tourists and adventure enthusiasts. Popular activities include trekking, mountaineering, skiing, and wildlife tourism. Sustainable tourism practices are increasingly emphasized to preserve the fragile Himalayan ecosystems.

Climate Variability:

The state experiences diverse climatic conditions, ranging from subtropical in the lower valleys to alpine and tundra climates at higher elevations. This climatic diversity contributes to the range of ecosystems and habitats found in Himachal Pradesh.

Preserving the Himalayan ecology in Himachal Pradesh is essential for maintaining ecological balance, sustaining biodiversity, and ensuring the well-being of both the environment and the communities dependent on it. Conservation efforts, sustainable land-use practices, and community involvement are crucial for the long-term health of the Himalayan ecosystems in the state.

Attempt all questions. Answer to Question No. 26 to 28 should not exceed to 400 words in each case. Contents of the answers are more important than their length. Each question carries 20 marks.

Question: 26 Explain in detail about global warming and different factors contributing for global warming. Also discuss the control measure to reduce global warming.

Answer:

Understanding of question:


Introduction	Define what global warming is with the help of the recent reports.

Main Body	Enlist the Factors responsible Enumerate the consequences The global and Nation solution


Conclusion	Relate it sustainable development that why we need to curb global warming.

Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in the global climate. The temperature of earth and its atmosphere as a whole is determined by the balance between incoming and outgoing energy. Climate change arises largely from changes to the earth’s heat balance. Many factors can influence this—both natural processes and Anthropogenic processes. It is the impacts from anthropogenic processes, through the enhanced greenhouse effect, which are likely to be causing contemporary climate change, which in turn could bring about considerable environmental, social and economic disruption if adequate mitigation and adaptation measures are not implemented. Global warming is the slow increase in the average temperature of the earth’s atmosphere because an increased amount of the energy (heat) striking the earth from the sun is being trapped in the atmosphere and not radiated out into space.

The IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) report provides new estimates of the chances of crossing the global warming level of 1.5°C in the next decades, and finds that unless there are immediate, rapid and large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, limiting warming to close to 1.5°C or even 2°C will be beyond reach.

FACTORS CAUSING CLIMATE CHANGE

NATURAL FACTORS

The Earth’s climate can be affected by a number of natural factors. The prominent ones are continental drift, volcanoes, ocean currents, the earth’s tilt, and comets and meteorites. The natural factors affect the climate change in a long term and persist for thousand to millions of years.

Continental drift – The continents, what we are seeing today, were not alike before 200 million years. It is formed when the landmass began gradually drifting apart millions of years back, due to Plate displacement. This drift also had an impact on the climate because it changed the physical features of the landmass, their position and the position of water bodies like changed the flow of ocean currents and winds, which affected the climate. The drift process is still continued today, the Himalayan range is rising by about 1 mm (millimetre) every year because the Indian land mass is moving towards the Asian land mass, slowly but steadily.
Variation in the earth’s orbit – The seasonal distribution of sunlight reaching the Earth’s surface is directly related to Earth’s Orbit and a slight variation in Earth’s orbit leads to variation in distribution across the globe. There are very little changes to the annually averaged sunshine; but there can be strong changes in the geographical and seasonal distribution. There are three types of orbital variations namely variations in Earth’s eccentricity, changes in the tilt angle of Earth’s axis of rotation and precession of Earth’s axis. Combined together, these produce. Milankovitch cycles which have large impact on climate and are notable for their correlation to glacial and interglacial periods. The IPCC finding shows that Milankovitch cycles drove the ice age cycles.
Plate tectonics – Due to temperature variation in the core of the Earth, the mantle plumes and convection currents force the Plates of the Earth to adjust which causes the reconfiguration of the earth Plate. This can affect both global and local patterns of climate and atmosphere. The position of the continents also influences patterns of ocean circulation as it determines the geometry of the oceans. The locations of the seas are important in controlling the transfer of heat and moisture across the globe, and therefore, in determining global climate. A recent example of tectonic control on ocean circulation is the formation of the Isthmus of Panama about 5 million years ago, which shut off direct mixing between the Atlantic and pacific oceans.
Volcanic activity – When the Volcano erupts, the outburst of gases and dust particles partially block the incoming rays of the Sun which lead to the cooling of the weather. Sulphur dioxide combines with the water to form tiny droplets of Sulphuric acid and these droplets are so small that many of them can stay aloft for several years.

ANTHROPOGENIC (HUMAN CAUSED) FACTORS

Anthropogenic or manmade factors result in short term climatic changes. It involves the changes in the energy balance of the Earth – atmosphere system leading to changes in weather and climate. Scientists have been observing a change in the climate since the beginning of the 20th Century that cannot be attributed to any of the ‘natural’ influences of the past. Global warming has occurred faster than any other climate change recorded by humans and so is of great interest and importance to the human population.

Cause of anthropogenic (human caused) climate change includes greenhouse gases, aerosols and pattern of land use changes.

GREENHOUSE GASES

The Earth is endowed with a natural greenhouse effect where certain gases (known as greenhouse gases) in the atmosphere permit the sunlight to enter but absorb the heat radiation. They keep the average surface temperature on Earth around 14°C. Without the natural greenhouse effect, the Earth’s average surface temperature would be around -19°C. As the human activity has increased due to onset of industrial revolution, the emission of huge amount of Green House Gases is also increased which led to more absorption of heat being retained in the atmosphere thus an increase in global Temperature. Greenhouse gases while largely transparent to incoming solar radiation, absorbs most of the infrared emitted by the earth’s surface.

Water vapor The most abundant greenhouse gas, but importantly, it acts as a feedback to the climate. Water vapor increases as the Earth’s atmosphere warms, but so does the possibility of clouds and precipitation, making these some of the most important feedback mechanisms to the greenhouse effect.

Carbon dioxide (CO2). A minor but very important component of the atmosphere, carbon dioxide is released through natural processes such as respiration and volcano eruptions and through human activities such as deforestation, land use changes, and burning fossil fuels. Humans have increased atmospheric CO2 concentration by 48% since the Industrial Revolution began. This is the most important long-lived “forcing” of climate change.

Methane. A hydrocarbon gas produced both through natural sources and human activities, including the decomposition of wastes in landfills, agriculture, and especially rice cultivation, as well as ruminant digestion and manure management associated with domestic livestock. On a molecule-for-molecule basis, methane is a far more active greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide, but also one which is much less abundant in the atmosphere.

Nitrous oxide. A powerful greenhouse gas produced by soil cultivation practices, especially the use of commercial and organic fertilizers, fossil fuel combustion, nitric acid production, and biomass burning.

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). Synthetic compounds entirely of industrial origin used in a number of applications, but now largely regulated in production and release to the atmosphere by international agreement for their ability to contribute to destruction of the ozone layer. They are also greenhouse gases.

AEROSOLS

They cause scattering and absorbing the solar and infrared radiation. They change the microphysical and chemical properties of clouds and possibly their lifetime and extent

CHANGE IN LAND USE PATTERN

Half of the land-use change is said to have happened during the industrial era. Most of the forests were replaced by agricultural cropping and grazing of lands. The increased albedo (reflectivity of an object in space) in the snow-covered high altitude regions due to deforestation led to the cooling of the planet’s surface. The lower the albedo, the more of the Sun’s radiation gets absorbed by the planet and the temperatures will rise. If the albedo is higher and the Earth is more reflective, the more of the radiation is returned to space, leading to the cooling of the planet. The tropical deforestation changes the evapotranspiration rates (the amount of water vapour put in the atmosphere through evaporation and transpiration from trees), causes desertification and affects soil moisture characteristics. From the satellite imagery, it is seen that the clearing of forest cover for agriculture and irrigated farming in arid and semi-arid lands can increase solar energy absorption and the amount of moisture evaporated into the atmosphere.

EFFECTS OF GLOBAL WARMING

Sea level rise: This is caused by two factors such as addition of water from melting ice land and expansion of sea waters as it warms. This causes loss of low-lying land, submergence of island states in Indian and Pacific Ocean might disappear completely, loss of valuable habitats and beaches e.g.: nesting beaches of sea turtles get disappeared and this may affect the already endangered sea turtle population.
Warming oceans: Heat is absorbed by the oceans affects the top 700 m of the sea. Since 1969 oceans shows warming of 0.302-degree F.
Shirking ice sheaths: Ice sheaths in Greenland and Antarctica has shown decline in their mass.
Declining Arctic Sea ice: Snow plays a vital role to the environment by reflecting the sunlight back this helps to reduce 12 the warming, in addition, melting seasonal snow provides fresh water for the life and accrued soil moisture helps the growth of vegetation. However, increase melting of ice by global warming leads to spring time floods.
Glacial retreat: Glaciers are retreating almost everywhere such as Alps, Himalayas, Andes, Rockies, Alaska and Africa.
Extreme events: There are various extreme events which take place due to climate change such as

Flood and landslides: Both causes large death and injury in human population such events are increasing with the global climatic change in countries like Bangladesh, Khartoum, Netherlands, Egypt and Sudan.

Hurricanes and Tornadoes: ocean temperatures increasing due to global warming this subsequently increases the wind speed when maximum wind speed exceeds 74 miles per hour this is called hurricanes in Atlantic and typhoons in pacific. Tornadoes are more frequent in USA and it causes mass destruction to lives, properties and crops.

Droughts: there are four types of droughts such as meteorological (low precipitation), agricultural (lack of moisture for crop growth), hydrological (surface & ground water supply below normal) and socioeconomic (effect in the economy due to water scarcity) such events are common in Sahal and East African countries such as Ethiopia and Sudan.

Forest fires: Are more common in Australia and Indonesia during El-nino events. Forest fires can naturally be ignited by lightening, volcanic eruptions, spark from rock falls and spontaneous combustion. Anthropogenic slash and burn agriculture and exotic / invasive oily plants such as eucalyptus and pine trees naturally cause fires.

Heat waves: heat waves killed more than 2500 people in India (by June 2015). Most affected regions are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Bihar. It also severely affected cattle and crop production.

Reduced food security – One of the most striking impacts of rising temperatures is felt in global agriculture, although these impacts are felt very differently in the largely temperate developed world and in the more tropical developing world. Different crops grow best at quite specific temperatures and when those temperatures change, their productivity changes significantly. In North America, for example, rising temperatures may reduce corn and wheat productivity in the US mid-west, but expand production and productivity north of the border in Canada. The productivity of rice, the staple food of more than one third of the world’s population, declines 10% with every 1⁰ C increase in temperature. Past climate induced problems have been offset by major advances in rice technology and ever larger applications of fertilizer; expectations are that in Thailand, the world’s largest exporter of rice, however, future increases in temperatures may reduce production 25% by 2050.
Pestsand Disease –Rising temperatures favour agricultural pests, diseases and disease vectors. Pest populations are on the rise and illnesses once found only in limited, tropical areas are now becoming endemic in much wider zones. In Southeast Asia, for example, where malaria had been reduced to a wet season only disease in most areas, it is again endemic almost everywhere year around. Likewise, dengue fever, once largely confined to tropical areas, has become endemic to the entire region. Increased temperatures also increase the reproduction rates of microbes and insects, speeding up the rate at which they develop resistance to control measures and drugs (a problem already observed with malaria in Southeast Asia).

Way Ahead : Mention the International and Indian government efforts taken so far in this regard

There are multiple international and national efforts taken so far to reverse this climate change and to mitigate its impact. The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the ‘Earth Summit’, was held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. The ‘Earth Summit’ concluded that the concept of sustainable development was an attainable goal for all the people of the world, regardless of whether they were at the local, national, regional or international level.

MITIGATION APPROACHES FOR GLOBAL WARMING

Energy:

Increase energy efficiency in engines and boilers
Switching to low carbon fossil fuels such as natural gas
Introducing carbon sequestration
Increasing the use of nuclear energy and Renewable energy sources
Conserve energy during the usage

Industry:

Reduce greenhouse gas emission such as methane
Switch to energy efficient technology
Transferring and sharing technology mainly from developed to developing countries
Recycle

Transport:

Improving energy efficiency of vehicles
Reducing vehicle emission
Promote public transport option than personal vehicles
Promote greener vehicles such as electric cars

Agriculture:

Develop new management techniques to reduce tillage, recycling of crop residues, mixed cropping and avoid monoculture
Restoration of wetlands
Reduce biomass burning
Manage fertilizer use to reduce nitrous oxide production

Forestry

Substitute burning of fuel wood for fossil fuels
Reduce biomass burning
Conserve CO2 in living trees
Afforestation and reforestation

CO2 Mitigation

There are 3 basic ways suggested to lower the greenhouse effect.
Firstly, stopping or reducing the emission of CO2 into the atmospheres by ways such as use alternative green energy sources or renewable energy sources, upgrading the emission standards of the engine.
Secondly, liquefying the CO2 produced in the combustion and dump into the oceans, though it is a permanent disposal but it will result in ocean acidification which is currently becoming a major threat to aquatic life, thus underground injection or geologic sequestration and transportation/ storage of captured carbon in industries and power plants.
Thirdly, lowering the atmospheric CO2 levels (post emission control) this is done by increasing the sinks such as afforestation, reforestation and prevention of deforestation.

National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) is a Government of India’s programme launched in 2008 to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impact of climate change. The plan was drafted to emphasize the overriding priority of maintaining high economic growth rate to raise living standards; the plan “identifies measures that promote our development objectives while also yielding co-benefits for tackling climate change effectively.” It says these national measures would be more successful with assistance from developed countries, and pledges that India’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions “will at no point exceed that of developed countries even as we pursue our development objectives.”

India is a country which is and will be severely impacted by climate variability and change at a time when she is confronted with huge development imperatives. India has already declared that even as she pursues her social and economic development objectives, she will not allow her per capita emission to exceed that of the developed countries. With an economy closely tied to its natural resource base and high dependence on climate sensitive sectors such as agriculture and forestry, India may face a major threat because of the projected changes in climate.

The action plan was launched in 2008 with 8 sub-missions. The plan aims at fulfilling India’s developmental objectives with focus on reducing emission intensity of its economy. The plan will rely on the support from the developed countries with the prime focus of keeping its carbon emissions below the developed economies at any point of time.

THE 8 MISSIONS UNDER NAPCC ARE AS FOLLOWS:-

National Solar Mission.
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency.
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat.
National Water Mission.
National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem.
Green India Mission.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture.
National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change.

Question: 27 Explain the main features of Indian Foreign Trade Policy 2023 and discuss how it will help in attaining the trade related objectives.

Answer:

A foreign trade policy outlines a country’s strategies and regulations concerning its international trade activities. It is a comprehensive framework that addresses various aspects, including exports, imports, tariffs, trade agreements, and economic relationships with other nations.

Countries periodically review and update their foreign trade policies to adapt to changing global economic conditions and achieve optimal trade outcomes.

Before the introduction of Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023, FTP 2015-20 was functional. The tenure of FTP 2015-20 had been completed on 31st March, 2020, but owing to the COVID-19 scenario, FTP 2015-20 had been extended up to 31st March, 2023. Thus, the new Foreign Trade Policy 2023 was announced on 31st March, 2023 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and Textiles.

Main features:

Key Approach of policy is based on Four Pillars:
- Incentive to Remission,
- Export promotion through collaboration – Exporters, States, Districts, Indian Missions.
- Ease of doing business: reduction in transaction cost and e-initiatives.
- Emerging Areas – E-Commerce Developing Districts as Export Hubs and streamlining Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies (SCOMET)
Principle of FTP 2023: Trust and partnership with exporters.
Goals: The government aims to increase India’s overall exports to USD 2 trillion by 2030, with equal contributions from the merchandise and services sectors.
Internationalisation of Rupee: The government also intends to encourage the use of the Indian currency in cross-border trade, aided by a new payment settlement framework introduced by the RBI in July 2022.
End date: The policy has no end date as it will be updated from time to time .

Boosting trade:

The FTP 2023 aims at process re-engineering and automation to facilitate ease of doing business for exporters. It also focuses on emerging areas like dual use high end technology items under SCOMET, facilitating e-commerce export, collaborating with States and Districts for export promotion.

The new FTP is introducing a one-time Amnesty Scheme for exporters to close the old pending authorizations and start afresh.

The FTP 2023 encourages recognition of new towns through “Towns of Export Excellence Scheme” and exporters through “Status Holder Scheme”. The FTP 2023 is facilitating exports by streamlining the popular Advance Authorization and EPCG schemes, and enabling merchanting trade from India.

Process Re-Engineering and Automation:
- The new FTP emphasizes automated IT systems for exporter approvals, moving towards a facilitative regime based on technology and collaboration principles.
- Existing schemes like Advance Authorisation and EPCG will continue with significant process re-engineering and tech enablement.
- Implementation in a paperless, online environment streamlines processes, reducing fees and enhancing access for MSMEs.
Towns of Export Excellence:
- Four new towns, namely Faridabad, Mirzapur, Moradabad, and Varanasi, have been designated as Towns of Export Excellence (TEE) in addition to the existing 39 towns.
- The TEEs will have priority access to export promotion funds.
- This is expected to boost the exports of handlooms, handicrafts, and carpets.
Recognition of Exporters:
- Exporter firms recognized with ‘status’ based on export performance will now be partners in capacity-building initiatives on a best-endeavor basis.
- Similar to the ‘each one teach one’ initiative, 2-star and above status holders would be encouraged to provide trade-related training based on a model curriculum to interested individuals.
Promoting Export from the Districts:
- The FTP aims at building partnerships with State governments and taking forward the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative to promote exports at the district level and accelerate the development of a grassroots trade ecosystem.
- Efforts to identify export worthy products & services and resolve concerns at the district level will be made through an institutional mechanism – State Export Promotion Committee and District Export Promotion Committee at the State and District level, respectively.
Streamlining SCOMET Policy:
- India is placing more emphasis on the “export control” regime as its integration with export control regime countries strengthens.
- There is a wider outreach and understanding of SCOMET among stakeholders, and the policy regime is being made more robust to implement international treaties and agreements entered into by India.
Facilitating E-Commerce Exports:
- Various estimates suggest e-commerce export potential in the range of USD 200 to USD 300 billion by 2030.
- FTP 2023 outlines the intent and roadmap for establishing e-commerce hubs and related elements such as payment reconciliation, book-keeping, returns policy, and export entitlements.
- As a starting point, the consignment wise cap on E-Commerce exports through courier has been raised from ₹5 Lakh to ₹10 Lakh in the FTP 2023.
Facilitation under (EPCG) Scheme:
- The EPCG Scheme, which allows import of capital goods at zero Customs duty for export production, is being further rationalized.

Amnesty Scheme:
- Under the amnesty scheme, an online portal will be launched for registration and a six-month window will be available to exporters to avail the scheme.
- It will cover all pending cases of default in export obligation of authorisations, these can be regularised on payment of all customs duties exempted in proportion to unfulfilled export obligation.

In conclusion, the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 of India is a comprehensive framework aimed at boosting exports, promoting ease of doing business, and embracing emerging areas like e-commerce and technology.

The policy reflects a commitment to partnership, technology-driven facilitation, and a robust framework for sustainable export growth.

Question: 28 What is the need of IRNSS (NavIC) for India’s defence sector? Describe its evolution and advantage in detail.

Answer:

NavIC is the operational name of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite (IRNSS). It is an autonomous regional navigation system, developed by ISRO.

The Need

“Geopolitical needs teach you that some countries can deny you the service in times of conflict. It’s also a way of arm twisting & a country should protect itself against that”

Kargil war, 1999. At the time, India sought the use of U.S owned GPS. Indian military required vital information regarding positioning, navigation & timing [PNT] of hostile forces in Kargil. However, the U.S denied access to the use of GPS in the region. India,after the war, turned to countries that had their own Global Navigation satellite system (GNSS). India entered into negotiations with European Union (EU) for contributing to development of Galileo Satellite Navigation System(SNS), in exchange for reliable data for military use and defence applications. But the negotiations were fruitless. It was due to concerns like availability of sensitive data to other countries & Chinese funding of the project. At last, Russia agreed to provide the necessary data for military use . But , GLONASS (Russia’s GNSS) was unable to provide precise information for use of missiles and weaponry.

In 2009 and 2012, Brahmos failed to hit targets in trial operations. Why? This happened because U.S shut off the GPS satellites without any warning. Due to this, Brahmos’ guiding system got crippled, failing to fulfill it’s objectives. The agonizing experiences made the need for an Indian Navigation Satellite System indispensable

The Inception

In 2006, Indian government gave assent to the project called “Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System”. In totality, 9 satellites has been launched between 2013-2018. These are IRNSS-1A,IRNSS-1B,IRNSS-1C,IRNSS-1D,IRNSS-E,IRNSS-1F,IRNSS-1G,IRNSS-1H & IRNSS-1I. In fact, only 7 satellites are required to complete NavIC constellation. Due to partial failure of IRNSS-1A(failure of Rubidium atomic clocks onboard ) & failed launch of its replacement i.e IRNSS 1H,led to launching of the extra satellites. IRNSS 1I was launched to finally complete NavIC’s constellation. 2 backup satellites are also maintained . The number of operational satellites will be increased to 11 in the future. This will further expand coverage & accuracy .

Advantage

NavIC would be beneficial for regions surrounding INDIA

Can enhance Multi-GNSS potential for System Independence, Redundancy and Confidence for the users
NavIC enabled hardware is being increasingly available (Compact, LowCost, Power-efficient)
NavIC Single Point Positioning Accuracy in Single Frequency mode is

Conclusion

India has been taking forward leaps in defence manufacturing like Brahmos, LCA, LCH and many more. Navigation is an integral part of such weapon systems. And possessing homemade and reliable satellite navigation system immensely helps Indian Armed forces to become more ‘atmanirbhar’.