What’s in today’s article?

• Why in the News?
• About Ganges River Dolphin
• Conservation Efforts by the Government
• News Summary

Why in the News?

• A team of wildlife conservationists tagged the Ganges river dolphin for the first time.

About Ganges River Dolphin

• The Ganges River Dolphin, declared as India's National Aquatic Animal in 2009, is an endangered freshwater dolphin species primarily found in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna river systems.
• Known locally as Susu, it serves as an indicator of the health of river ecosystems due to its apex predator role.
• Key Features:
  • Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica gangetica
  • Physical Characteristics: Nearly blind, it uses echolocation to navigate and hunt.
  • Habitat: Prefers slow-moving waters with adequate depth and prey availability.
  • Diet: Carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish and invertebrates.
• Geographical Distribution:
  • Found in the Ganga, Brahmaputra-Meghna, and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
  • Historically widespread, but populations are now fragmented due to anthropogenic pressures.
• Ecological Significance:
  • Keystone Species: Plays a crucial role in maintaining riverine ecosystem balance.
  • Indicator Species: Reflects the overall health of freshwater ecosystems.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Status: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
• Major Threats:
  • Habitat Degradation:
    • Pollution from industries, agriculture, and urban runoff.
    • Dams and barrages fragment habitats, reducing population connectivity.
  • Bycatch and Hunting:
    • Accidental entanglement in fishing nets.
    • Targeted for oil and meat in some areas.
  • Water Abstraction:
    • Excessive withdrawal of water for agriculture and industry impacts river flow.
  • Riverbed Alteration:
    • Sand mining and dredging disrupt habitats.

Conservation Efforts by the Government

• Project Dolphin (2020):
  • Announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on the conservation of both river and marine dolphins.
• Protected Areas:
  • Designated dolphin sanctuaries like Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar.
• Community Awareness:
  • Initiatives to educate local communities about sustainable fishing and conservation.
• Technological Interventions:
  • Satellite tagging projects for studying migration and habitat needs.
• Legislative Measures:
  • Strict enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act and bans on harmful practices like sand mining.

News Summary

• India marked a significant milestone in wildlife conservation with the first-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin in Assam.
• This initiative, spearheaded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), was executed by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
• The project is part of the larger Project Dolphin.
• Objectives and Significance:
  • Understanding Habitat Needs: The tagging aims to fill knowledge gaps regarding the Ganges River Dolphin's habitat requirements, migratory patterns, and range distribution.
  • Conservation Efforts: By studying their behaviour and movement, the project seeks to develop a conservation action plan for protecting this apex predator, which plays a vital role in maintaining the health of river ecosystems.
  • Technological Advancement: Lightweight satellite tags compatible with Argos systems were used, ensuring minimal interference with the dolphins' movement.
• Broader Implications:
  • The project underscores India’s commitment to wildlife conservation and sets a benchmark for protecting endangered species globally.
  • It also highlights the need for continued technological advancements and comprehensive research to ensure the sustainability of river ecosystems.
  • This landmark effort reflects the growing awareness and proactive measures toward conserving India's rich aquatic biodiversity.

Q1. What is the definition of an Ecotone?

Ecotone, a transitional area of vegetation between two different plant communities, such as forest and grassland. It has some of the characteristics of each bordering biological community and often contains species not found in the overlapping communities.

Q2. What is the main mission of IUCN?

IUCN works to develop best practices and approaches that enable effective conservation and help sites achieve high standards, while also informing professional capacity development and influencing national and global policy. IUCN is at the forefront of the global fight to save species from extinction.

News: Ganges river dolphin tagged for the first time in India

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)?
• What Are Hydrothermal Vents?
• Imaging of underwater hot spring

Why in News?

Indian oceanographers have achieved a historic feat by capturing an image of an active hydrothermal vent located 4,500 meters below the Indian Ocean. 

This discovery, made under the Ministry of Earth Sciences' Rs 4,000-crore Deep Ocean Mission, holds immense potential for mineral exploration.

What is Deep Ocean Mission (DOM)?

• About
  • DOM is a program to explore the deep ocean and develop technologies to use its resource.
  • The mission, estimated at Rs. 4,077 crore over five years, will be implemented in phases. 
    • The first phase (2021-2024) has an allocation of Rs. 2,823.4 crore.
  • This mission-mode project supports India's Blue Economy initiatives, with MoES serving as the nodal ministry to coordinate this multi-institutional effort.
• Goal
  • To develop technologies to use the ocean's living and non-living resources, and to improve understanding of the ocean's role in climate change 
• Components
  • The mission has six main components, including:
    • Manned submersible: A submersible to carry three people to depths of 6,000 meters, equipped with scientific tools and sensors 
    • Ocean climate change advisory services: To develop models and observations to understand and predict climate variables 
    • Deep-sea biodiversity: To study the flora and fauna of the deep sea, including microbes, and to develop ways to use the ocean's bio-resources sustainably 
    • Deep ocean survey and exploration: To identify potential sites for multi-metal hydrothermal sulfide mineralization in the Indian Ocean 
    • Energy and freshwater: To develop ways to use the ocean for energy and freshwater 
    • Advanced marine station: To establish a station for ocean biology 
• Lead agencies
  • The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), the Department of Space (DoS/ISRO), the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and other organizations.

What Are Hydrothermal Vents?

• Hydrothermal vents are underwater springs found near tectonic plate boundaries. 
• They occur when cold water at the seabed (around 2°C) interacts with magma in tectonically active regions, heating up to 370°C. 
• This superhot water emerges as plumes, rich in minerals and gases, through vent chimneys and fissures.

Imaging of underwater hot spring

• The Discovery Process
  • Survey History
    • The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) in Goa has been conducting geophysical surveys in the Central and Southern Indian Ocean Ridges since 2012 to locate hydrothermal vents.
  • Recent Campaign
    • In April 2024, NCPOR and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) conducted high-resolution imaging along the Central Indian Ridge, narrowing their search using an automatic underwater vehicle (AUV).
  • Historic Image captured
    • The Indian AUV launched from the research vessel Sagar Nidhi captured a high-resolution image of the vent during a 12-15 hour observation campaign.
• Significance
• Mineral-Rich Deposits
  • Hydrothermal vents are significant due to their deposits of valuable minerals and metals.
  • These are: Copper, Zinc, Gold, Silver, Platinum, Iron, Cobalt, Nickel etc.
  • These deposits can remain active for hundreds to thousands of years, making them economically and scientifically vital.
• Biological Insights
  • Hydrothermal vents support unique ecosystems. 
  • Chemosynthetic organisms thrive by utilizing chemicals enriched with minerals and metals, similar to how plants use sunlight for photosynthesis.
    • Chemosynthetic organisms are organisms that use chemical reactions to create food, rather than sunlight, and include bacteria and archaea.
• Significance for India's Deep Ocean Mission
  • This discovery boosts India's Deep Ocean Mission, especially the Samudrayaan initiative, focusing on mineral exploration. 
  • The findings confirm earlier surveys and open new opportunities for understanding deep-sea ecosystems and resource potential.
• India as a leading player in deep-sea exploration
  • This milestone positions India as a leading player in deep-sea exploration, with promising implications for scientific and economic advancements.
• Future Exploration Plans
  • NCPOR plans to intensify exploration through TV-guided grab sampling to study the economic and biological potential of these vents further.

Q.1. What is the significance of hydrothermal vent imaging for India's Deep Ocean Mission?

Capturing images of hydrothermal vents boosts India's Deep Ocean Mission by identifying mineral-rich deposits and unique microbial ecosystems. It aids in understanding the deep-sea environment and advancing India's Blue Economy initiatives.

Q.2. What resources are found in hydrothermal vent deposits?

Hydrothermal vents are rich in valuable minerals and metals, including copper, zinc, gold, silver, platinum, iron, cobalt, and nickel. These deposits hold economic and scientific significance for exploration and sustainable resource use.

News: Why imaging of underwater hot spring active with microbial life is significant for India’s Deep Ocean Mission | Ministry of Earth Sciences

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What are Sacred Groves?
• SC’s Directives for the Management and Preservation of Sacred Groves Across India
• Significance of the SC’s Directives and Future Course
• Conclusion

Why in News?

• In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court (hearing applications dealing with the protection of sacred groves of Rajasthan) directed the Union government to develop a comprehensive policy for the management and preservation of sacred groves across India.
• Sacred groves, small patches of forest traditionally protected for their religious and cultural significance, also play a vital role in conserving biodiversity.

What are Sacred Groves?

• Definition: Sacred groves are forest patches safeguarded by local communities due to their spiritual and cultural importance.
• Distribution: These groves are prominent in states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, contributing significantly to local biodiversity.
• Legal framework:
  • The management of wildlife and its habitat is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government.
  • The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 empowers the State Government for declaration of any private or community land, as a community reserve, for protecting -
    • Fauna,
    • Flora and
    • Traditional or cultural conservation values and practices.

SC’s Directives for the Management and Preservation of Sacred Groves Across India:

• Cited a verse from the Bhagavad Gita: “Nature is the source of all material things: the maker, the means of making, and the things made. Spirit is the source of all consciousness which feels pleasure and feels pain.”
• Policy framework: The court emphasised the need for a national policy and instructed Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to:
  • Conduct a nationwide survey to identify and map sacred groves.
  • Clearly mark the boundaries of groves, allowing flexibility for future forest growth.
  • Issue strict guidelines to prevent reduction due to denudation or deforestation.
• Recognition under National Forest Policy:
  • The apex court highlighted the National Forest Policy of 1988, which supports community-led initiatives to protect forest patches.
  • The court encouraged formal recognition of sacred groves as community reserves under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Empowering traditional communities:
  • The court suggested recognising and empowering traditional custodians under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
  • These communities can regulate harmful activities, ensuring sustainable conservation.
• Rajasthan’s Piplantri village success story:
  • The court cited the example of Piplantri village in Rajasthan, where community efforts transformed barren land into thriving groves.
  • Initiatives such as planting 111 trees for every girl child have:
    • Created sustainable livelihoods.
    • Reduced female foeticide.
    • Increased income and educational opportunities.
    • Empowered women’s self-help groups.
• State-specific instructions:
  • The court directed the Rajasthan government to:
    • Conduct detailed on-ground and satellite mapping of sacred groves.
    • Classify sacred groves as forests based on their ecological and cultural value, regardless of size.
    • Provide legal protection and declare groves as community reserves.
  • Formation of a supervisory committee: A five-member committee, led by a retired Rajasthan High Court judge, will oversee the mapping and identification process.

Significance of the SC’s Directives and Future Course:

• Significance:
  • The Union has traditionally viewed wildlife and habitat management as State responsibilities.
  • The SC’s directive marks a shift by aligning sacred groves with the cultural and traditional rights of communities, urging the MoEF&CC to take the lead.
  • This judgment underscores the ecological, cultural, and societal importance of sacred groves, advocating for their preservation as a national priority.
• Future course: The SC has scheduled the case for January 10, 2025, to review compliance reports on the panel’s constitution and survey progress.

Q.1. What is the National Forest Policy of 1988?

The National Forest Policy 1988 envisages that 33% of the geographical area should be under forest or tree cover. Salient features of the policy are: maintenance of environmental stability and restoration of ecological balance, conservation of natural heritage, etc.

Q.2. What is the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA)?

The FRA recognise and vest the forest rights and occupation in forest land in forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers who have been residing in such forests for generations but whose rights could not be recorded.

News: Supreme Court directs Centre to formulate policy to manage sacred groves, cites Gita | TH | PIB

 What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme
• Concerns regarding sovereign gold bonds
• Conclusion

Why in News?

The government introduced two Bills on “One Nation, One Election” in Lok Sabha amid strong objections from the Opposition INDIA bloc.

Voting during the introduction saw 269 members in favor and 198 opposing the Bills.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal assured the House that the Bills would be referred to a joint parliamentary committee for detailed examination.

Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGB)

• About
  • Introduce in 2015 under the Gold Monetization Scheme, SGBs are government securities issued by the RBI on behalf of the Government of India. 
  • These are debt securities linked to the value of gold.
  • SGBs are denominated in grams of gold. They are substitutes for holding physical gold. 
  • Investors have to pay the issue price in cash and the bonds will be redeemed in cash on maturity.
• Features

• Each unit represents one gram of gold and offers a fixed interest rate of 2.5% per annum, credited semi-annually.
• These bonds can be traded in the secondary market and are redeemable in Indian rupees based on the average closing price of 999 purity gold from the last three business days before maturity.
• Benefits
  • Key benefits include protection against market price fluctuations, redemption flexibility after five years (with an eight-year tenor), and lower risks and costs compared to holding physical gold.

Concerns regarding sovereign gold bonds

• High Cost of Financing Fiscal Deficit
  • The government views financing the fiscal deficit through SGBs as costly, with limited benefits in terms of physical gold collection. 
  • The number of SGB tranches has been consciously reduced over time—from 10 per year to just two.
• Impact of Reduced Customs Duty on Gold
  • In July 2024, the government lowered the customs duty on gold from 15% to 6%, leading to a drop in gold prices and a surge in demand. 
  • This aligns with the government's objective to boost gold demand but diminishes the need for SGBs as an investment option.
• Decline in SGB Issuances and Borrowing Targets
  • Gross SGB issuances for FY 2024-25 were reduced to Rs 18,500 crore from Rs 29,638 crore in the interim budget.
  • Net borrowing through SGBs was also cut to Rs 15,000 crore from the earlier Rs 26,138 crore.
  • No new issuances of SGBs have been made so far in FY 2024-25.
• SGB Redemption Performance
  • SGB Series I (2016-17) matured in August 2024, providing a return of over 120% on the initial investment, with redemption prices rising from Rs 3,119 to Rs 6,938.
  • SGB Series II bonds redeemed in March 2024 yielded a 126.4% return over the investment value, excluding interest.
  • Premature redemption for bonds issued between May 2017 and March 2020 has been scheduled from October 2024 to March 2025.

Conclusion

Given the limited benefits of SGBs as an investment option and their high financing costs, the government is reevaluating the scheme's continuation.

Q.1. Why is the government reconsidering the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme?

High financing costs and reduced relevance after the recent import duty cut on gold have led the government to reevaluate the scheme's continuation.

Q.2. What benefits do Sovereign Gold Bonds offer investors?

SGBs provide periodic interest (2.5% per annum), protection against gold price fluctuations, redemption flexibility after five years, and lower risks compared to holding physical gold.

News: Why the government could discontinue the sovereign gold scheme