<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1590751325913" alt="Sundarbans – The first line of defence worst-hit by Amphan" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

Cyclone Amphan was one of the worst storms to hit the West Bengal Coastline in decades. Both, West Bengal which saw over 70 deaths, and Bangladesh have been ravaged by the storm. All of us had probably come across pictures and videos of the havoc the cyclone has caused in the cities and urban areas on social media or news reports, but very little is reported on the devastation Amphan left behind in Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans has always been Bengal’s first line of defence in the event of any cyclone hitting its coastline. This has caused the people of the region to be the most affected and at the mercy of the nature. Days after Amphan ravaged the entire state, the lives in Sundarbans have gone into a state of shock. Overnight thousands of people have been left homeless and without a livelihood. Power systems dislocated and mobile networks blacked out have rendered these people helpless. Yet, these are not even close to the long term problem that will continue to exist.
Winds blowing at speeds of 150kmph battered the coastal region of South Bengal at the time of landfall, wrecking the entire ecosystem. It was feared that the direction of the wind has caused more harm than the heavy wind itself.

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1590751461757" alt="Wind blew from south-southwest to the north northeast direction during Amphan." style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

South to north winds generally trigger a surge and movement of water from the sea to land. While cyclones like Alia in 2009, and Bulbul in November 2019, have caused a lot of damage in the region, due to the north to south direction of the wind, the inundation of water into landmass was little. Amphan, on the other hand, was a larger wind system which slightly changed the direction of the wind, causing it to blow from south-southwest to the north northeast. This slight change in direction was all it took to cause havoc, according to many researchers.
A bulk of embankments in the Sundarbans were also damaged which aggravated the ingress of seawater into the land. With such infrastructure heavily breached, it affected the livelihoods of many in the area, most of them who work in the primary sector.&nbsp;

The saline water in farmland not only destroyed the lush green paddy, which was the only source of income for many for the coming months, but also poisoned the soil, and it is believed that it will take many showers of monsoon rain before the soil is again cultivable. Saltwater has also mixed with freshwater bodies of the area which has left people without water that is suitable for irrigation. In these areas of freshwater, fishery was a source of income for many, but the saline water has killed thousands of fishes, which now float lifelessly in these still lakes.&nbsp;
The battle against saline water in the past has proved to be a herculean task. In 2009, after Cyclone Alia, forest officials spent a long time pumping out the water from the farmland.
Even resident farmers living in the area recognise the problem. They have grown accustomed to rebuilding houses, but saline water is a slow poison for their lands as some farmers claim that the farmland took 3 years to recover after Alia.
The people of Sundarbans are struggling to find even the basic necessities. Water is scarce, as saline water has also poisoned other water sources rendering them useless. As the high-speed winds destroyed the roofs of many houses in the area, water flooded into the house, destroying the little food grains and water people had. Hungry and homeless, the people in Sundarbans continue trying to survive the super cyclone, even today.
While livelihood and homes have been lost, observers feel that the ecologically-fragile region will see an emigration surge in the time to come. Most working in the primary sector have lost their source of income to the storm and migration to the city is the only hope.
When paddy fields were flooded with saline water during Alia in 2009, thousands of youth and male members of the families were forced out of the region in order to find better opportunities. The rising sea-level in the delta which is much higher than the global average has also contributed to the migration. About 40 lakh people of the Sundarbans have migrated to areas in North 24 Parganas, and South 24 Parganas of West Bengal in recent times.
Amphan has destroyed whatever was rebuilt after cyclone Alia struck, so experts and NGOs predict another wave of mass migration towards the cities. This is a huge problem, especially when the world is fighting a pandemic. It is also difficult for many migrant workers who are on their way back, coming home to another crisis.

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1590751644110" alt="Devastation caused by Amphan" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

<ins>The Mangrove shield and effect on wildlife</ins>
The world largest Mangrove forest time and again in history has protected the area. Acting like a shield, the mangrove ecosystem is quite resilient against momentary disturbances. The forest serves both direct and indirect measures to moderate the effects of strong winds and powerful storm surges. Directly, the mangrove provides additional drag during a storm surge, and thick canopy reduces the speed of the winds. Indirectly, the roots aid sedimentation and counteract erosional forces increasing the coastline which becomes a buffer for cyclones.
This protective work of the mangrove ecosystem has largely been overlooked. The forests have faced deforestation and overexploitation by human activities. Climate change which has caused the sea level to rise has also played a huge detrimental role. The rise sea level in the delta is higher than the global average at 3cms per year, and in the last 20 years, the Sundarbans has faced the highest rate of sea encroachment in the world.
The ignorance towards its reconstruction means that the forest’s protective mechanism has deteriorated over the years, along with its ability to sustain life, which include some of India’s most endangered species like the Royal Bengal Tiger, the Gangetic Dolphins, and Olive Ridley Turtles.
The fate of the wild animals in the aftermath of Cyclone Amphan also remains uncertain. Authorities say they probably have been affected the most.
Since the government imposed a countrywide lockdown, on March 25th, no motorboats have been allowed to maintain the forest tranquility. The Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) explained that it was done so that the wildlife would get a congenial breeding ground.
Although vulnerable people were removed before the cyclone hit, from the coastal and forest area, there is very little information about how the wildlife has been affected.
The forest department, before the cyclone made landfall, formed rapid response teams and set up two control rooms. The DFO explained that this will allow the forest department to track any movement of tigers from the core reserve area to contagious villages.
Cyclones are a common occurrence in the area, and thus it becomes a necessity for the rebuilding of the mangrove ecosystem, so in the future cyclones of such measure don't cause similar or more devastating effects.
Relief work has already started with the Chief Minister of Bengal announcing a Rs 1000 crore fund for the rehabilitation and restoration of the area. However, in the long run, the development of the region should be attuned to ensure the protection of the mangrove ecosystem. Moreover, proactive work by both the Centre and State Governments along with the international community is required to systematically rebuild the Sundarbans. The mangrove system that continues to take the pounding of incoming cyclones can only reciprocate if the existing anthropogenic threats are mitigated.
It is only recently that the people from this area have received some relief from NGOs and the State Government. During the lockdown, it has become extremely difficult to mobilize and coordinate concentrated relief work. The lockdown also means that the families without income have to wait until the country is opened up to go out and find other sources of income. Till then, the survivability of the people is at the hands of the State, NGOs, and even the citizens of the country who can contribute to various fundraisers which have been set to help the people affected.

<ins>Fundraisers</ins> :-
<ol>
<li><a href="http://wbfin.gov.in/New_Fin/HomePage.aspx?fbclid=IwAR2bofEy_c67LV15Lt5ZIEqUmAkDgqHUtIJAYn8OGGIu1H5MaLN2FMcil6o" target="_blank">West Bengal State Emergency Relief Fund - The State Government’s official relief fund</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="http://ssdcindia.org.in/donate.php" target="_blank">Sundarban Social Development Centre - Non-Profit NGO working in the Sunderbans</a></li>
</ol>

Sundarbans – The first line of defence worst-hit by Amphan

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1587825132347" alt="Bio-medical waste" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

National Green Tribunal has expressed concern about the handling of bio-medical waste disposal in the wake of COVID-19 and directed the Central Pollution Control Board to mitigate the possible risk of unscientific disposal of the same. Pointing out that only 1.1 lakh out of 2.7 lakh healthcare facilities are authorised under Bio-medical Waste Management Rules 2016 so far, NGT has raised the issue of unscientific disposal of bio-medical waste by unauthorised healthcare facilities. The Green Bench has maintained that CPCB is a part of the essential health service providers.
A bench lead by Chairperson Justice Adarsh Goel through video conferencing questioned the gaps in compliance of the Bio Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, which are applicable to the disposal of the bio-medical waste generated out of handling a viral disease to ensure protection of the environment and public health. The bench comprising Justice S.P Wangdi, and Justice Nagin Nanda stated, “the State PCBs have to take serious efforts to bridge gap to mitigate possible risk in terms of unscientific disposal of bio-medical waste and enforce rule of law.”
The bench also reviewed the guidelines for ‘handling, treatment, and disposal of waste generated during treatment, diagnosis, quarantine of COVID-19 patients’ issued by Central Pollution Control Board published on April 19. It suggested the need for scrutinizing the guidelines for the best practice and experience in all the aspects of scientific disposal of liquid and solid waste management are taken care at the institutional as well as individual level.
Further, the bench addressed the need to re-examine the effectiveness of the monitoring mechanism, including securing information by way of electronic means from the handlers by the state PCBs and Pollution Control Committees by developing necessary software.
They also raised the concern over the requirement of growing awareness by special awareness programmes like organising training in concerned local bodies, health departments, providing workers handling COVID-19 waste with adequate protective gear, adequate coordination with media, and other concerned regulatory authorities.

NGT bids to reinforce bio-waste management

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1585915221806" alt="Mother nature" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

With over 50,000 death globally, more than a million positive cases, and hundreds of million in a lockdown, the COVID-19 has indeed taken the world at its helm. Uncountable job losses, livelihoods crushed, business’ premature death, and economies under a gloomy sky; there is no quantification of how much loss the mankind will have to bear, but there is someone, who, in the meantime, is reaping benefits even in a time like this, and that is – the Mother Nature.
From clean water sources to dramatic fall in pollution level, Coronavirus pandemic has impacted environment positively. The UN’s Environment Programme Chief, Inger Andersen said, “Nature is sending us a message with the coronavirus pandemic and the ongoing climatic cries.”
Global industrial activities are ramping down due to the ongoing lockdown faced by various countries of the world. This has led to manufacturing sites, mines and various industries being shut, and vehicles and transportation system to come to a halt as if on-a-strike. Consequently, the graph of the emission level of harmful Hydrocarbons, Oxocarbons (CO2 and CO), and Nitrous oxides have dipped considerably.
According to the revelations by China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Wuhan - from where the virus had originated and which is also a major industrial hub - has recorded a 21.5% decline in the city’s air pollution levels amidst the lockdown.&nbsp;
A report in Carbon Brief stated that key industries in China were operating at much lower levels than during the lockdown. The oil refinery in Shandong province was operating at the lowest level since 2015, also average coal consumption at power plants reached a four-year low accounting for a 36% drop in consumption. As a result carbon dioxide emissions were reduced to 25%, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air, an independent air pollution research organisation.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Many other regions are also observing significant environmental benefits as a consequence of the coronavirus outbreak.
Italy, after shutting down a huge portion of its economy, has seen a reduction in industrial activity across the economically vibrant northern swathe which has resulted in a decline in nitrogen dioxide emissions over the Po valley. Meanwhile, because of the shutdown of cruise and cargo ship traffic around Italy’s canal city Venice, the schools of fish are returning to the Venice lagoon and canals for the first time in decades.&nbsp;
New York also registered a 50% decline in carbon monoxide level which is primarily caused due to car emissions. The researchers at Columbia University also established that traffic level has reduced to 35% as compared to the data a year ago.
In the case of India, which has 6 of its cities ranked among the 10 most polluted cities of the world according to World Air Quality Report from IQAir, the Air Quality Index is shifting down from the red mark to green.&nbsp;
In Delhi, particulate matter (PM2.5) dropped by 30% from 165ug/m3 on March 21, a level considered as unhealthy, to 64ug/m3 on March 29, a level considered as moderate. The decreasing pattern of pollution is the same in 90 other cities where the air quality levels range from ‘good’ to ‘satisfactory’ currently. India also recorded for the lowest average level of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution in this spring season.&nbsp;
Welcoming reductions in pollution, environmentalists have asked the Government to accept it as a ‘wake-up call’ and stop its ‘obsession’ with ‘development’ at the cost of the environment.
The manifestation of positive impacts of Coronavirus on our environment is proving that nature really needed a break from us and since we were not ready to cooperate, nature took it itself.

Covid-19 - A break for the Mother Nature

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1584617404679" alt="Contamination of groundwater" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

As per a study conducted by researchers from Duke University, USA in collaboration with the Central Ground Water Board, and various State Ground Water departments, there is widespread contamination of groundwater across the country.
The level of uranium in groundwater exceeds the limit of 30 micrograms per litre established by the World Health Organization’s (WHO) provisional guidelines for safe drinking water standards. This was observed in various locations of the states like Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Jammu &amp; Kashmir.
The researchers have sampled water from 324 wells located in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, analysed the water chemistry, and measured the uranium isotope ratios. They additionally examined data from 68 similar studies undertaken in the past that evaluated the groundwater geochemistry in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and 14 other Indian states.&nbsp;
The condition of aquifers is the major reason for this contamination. Many aquifers in the concerned regions are composed of clay, silt, and gravel which get carried down from the Himalayan mountain ranges, weathered by streams or uranium-rich granitic rocks. When the groundwater levels decline due to over pumping of water for uses such as drinking, irrigation, etc., it induces oxidation conditions that intensify the extracted uranium’s solubility in the water.
Furthermore, when this extracted uranium interacts with other chemicals that can be found in groundwater, such as bicarbonate, it can supplement the solubility of uranium in water, resulting in further contamination.&nbsp;
Many man made factors such as decline in ground water table due to over exploitation of groundwater to support various human activities, and nitrate pollution contribute to the contamination of water in various parts of the country.
Various studies have shown that exposure to high levels of uranium in drinking water leads to chronic kidney diseases. The grave situation brings forward the need to revise the current water quality monitoring programs in the country, and recognise the health risks people are vulnerable to.
Additionally, it is important to develop appropriate remedial technologies to help combat this situation, and undertake preventive management practices to address the problem. It is important to devise procedures to help identify the at-risk areas for such radioactive contamination, and develop strategies to treat the cases of contamination. Most importantly, a standard needs to be established that specifies the permissible levels of uranium in drinking water that take into consideration the health risks of over exposure.
The Indian Standard (IS) for Drinking Water does specify the maximum permissible level for radioactive residues as alpha and beta emitters, and water containing radioactive residue higher than the specified limits is deemed unsuitable for consumption.
These specified limits are established for all radioactive elements clubbed together, including uranium, and there are no specific requirements for individual elements. According to a written reply by Rattan Lal Kataria, Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Social Justice and Empowerment, given to the Rajya Sabha on March 16, 2020, Bureau of Indian Standard is working to include the maximum permissible limit of Uranium at 30 microgram per litre of water, corresponding to WHO provisional guidelines, in all drinking water standards after following the required procedure.

Widespread contamination of groundwater in 16 states

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1582879544960" alt="Great Indian Bustard. Convention on conservation of migratory species of wild animals" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

The 13th Conference of Parties (CoP) to the Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 15th to 22nd February, 2020. India will assume the presidency of the Conference for the next three years after taking charge from its predecessor Philippines.
A total of ten new species were added to the appendices of CMS. Seven new species, namely the Asian Elephant, Jaguar, Bengal Florican, Great Indian Bustard, Little Bustard, Antipodean Albatross, and the Oceanic White-tip Shark, found a place in Appendix I which calls for strict actions to be taken for their conservation. The remaining three were added into the Appendix II which asks for a better international cooperation and conservation actions. The species were the Urial, Smooth Hammerhead Shark, and the Tope Shark.
The theme for the conference was ‘Migratory species connect the planet and together we welcome them home’. The mascot of this convention was the Great Indian Bustard, also known as Gigi, a bird which has been classified as critically endangered. The logo depicting the migratory species was inspired from a traditional South Indian art form known as Kolam.
This year’s convention was attended by 2550 people who were the delegates of member parties and representatives of UN agencies, NGOs, and various media organisations from around the world, thus making it the largest in its history.
After a report on the status of migratory species showed that despite the numerous efforts the number of such species is on the decline, CMS CoP-13 came up with the following measures:-
•	Promoting wildlife-friendly renewable energy
•	Enforcing the prohibition of illegal killing and trading of migratory birds
•	Mitigating the effects of linear infrastructure such as roads and highways on migratory species
•	Addressing the unsustainable use of aquatic wild meat
•	Implementing mitigation measures for sharks and rays in national fishing operations
•	Deepening the understanding related to the animal culture and social complexities for the conservation of endangered species
•	Investigating possible trade of the species included in CMS Appendix I&nbsp;

<ins>What are Migratory Species?</ins>
These are the species - terrestrial, avian, or aquatic - which migrate from one habitat to another in search of food, sunlight, and better climate condition during different times of the year. India is the temporary home to many migratory species such as Amur Falcons, Bar-Headed Geese, Black-necked Cranes, Marine Turtles, Humpbacked Whales, etc.
The subcontinent is also the part of Central Asian Flyway, a major bird flyway network between the Indian Ocean and The Arctic, which covers about 279 populations of 182 water-bird species out of which 29 are globally threatened ones.

<ins>Convention for Conservation of Migratory Species</ins>
Also known as the Bonn Convention (due to its origin in Bonn, Germany), it is an intergovernmental agreement between its 129 member parties who together aim to conserve the listed migratory species and their habitats. This treaty was signed in 1979 in Bonn, Germany and came into force in 1983 under the aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
It is one of its kind global organisation which works towards protection of the migratory species at terrestrial, avian and aquatic level. Under the convention, the species threatened with extinction and require special attention are listed in Appendix I, whereas the species whose status could be enhanced with the better international cooperation and conservation actions fall under Appendix II.

10 new species added to UN’s CMS list as India assumes presidency

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1580488055423" alt="Plastic bottles that need to be processed as garbage." style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>

India is the 5th largest economy in the world. Reading this would make any Indian proud, but it also brings a grim reality to light. India individually generated 62 million tonnes of waste (mixed waste containing both recyclable and non-recyclable waste) in 2016, and according to Press Information Bureau of India, India’s waste generation increases by 4% each year on average. Out of the total waste generated in our country, only 60% waste is collected, out of which only 20% is processed. That amounts to a mere 12% processing rate.
The capital of India, Delhi started popping-up on international news channels for its iconic mountain of garbage in Ghazipur, East Delhi. The permissible height of the landfill is 45-60 feet, and that height limit had already been reached in 2002. Currently, the height of the garbage mountain is estimated to be well over 180 feet and is predicted to surpass the height of The Taj Mahal in 2020.
Given that India is the 7th largest country in the world and have the second largest population, it may not be practical to implement a waste management strategy that is uniform in nature. India is known for its wide variety of social, and topographical variation, so it is safe to say that State Governments in India would have to come up with a solution that works best for their respective states. As quoted by one of the Ex Municipal Commissioners of the city of Surat, Mr. S.R. Rao, “A city is only as clean as its dirtiest areas”. To make a successful waste management strategy, State Governments need to recognize, support, and reward people and municipal workers on their participation and performance actively.
<ins>Some of the steps that can be taken towards a better waste management system all across India could be</ins>:-&nbsp;&nbsp;
· Given present practices in most of the households and commercial places, all of the waste produced is dumped into one waste bin and passed to municipal workers for dumping, making it more difficult and costlier for the municipal workers to segregate dry waste (recyclable waste) from the wet waste. Municipal committees could role out directions for households and commercial holdings to segregate waste at source. This will not only make it easier for municipal workers to collect the waste, but also achieve cost effectiveness.&nbsp;&nbsp;
· Many areas in India are still under slum type construction and don’t have enough space for the pervious method to function properly. Municipal committees could provide a temporary take-away waste bins in slums that could be cleared timely and help in better collection of waste around slums in cities across India.&nbsp;
· Many cities like Nasik, Maharashtra, do not provide public Kuda Ghars (garbage houses) near societies which could be breeding ground for many dangerous diseases and a source of hazardous gases in the environment. Municipal committees could provide daily collection of garbage through garbage trucks near societies at fixed timing every day. This method is effective for cities across India with a population of no more than 15,00,000 as it could become fuel inefficient in bigger cities and hence can pollute the environment instead.&nbsp;
· Given that all the power is concentrated to the higher rank officers in the municipal committee, one way to an effective and efficient waste collection system is to decentralise the power to the ground level. Municipal committee could instill power in every municipal worker working in a particular area and can build a reward system for them on their monthly performance, inculcating a sense of responsibility and reward expectation.&nbsp;&nbsp;
· In countries like Sweden, Denmark, and Finland more than 40% of the waste is incinerated for electricity generation. Similar projects could be pilot tested across cities around India. Giving an alternate source of electricity provision for cities and cutting down on the problem of frequent power cuts around the country.&nbsp;&nbsp;
· Countries like Singapore and Malaysia have inculcated a sense of cleanliness into its citizens, by imposing heavy traffic tickets and default charges on people seen littering in public places. Contrary to that, you would find people driving on Indian roads and pedestrians littering with no regret at all. Central Government could introduce littering fine to curb such practices.&nbsp;&nbsp;
· Educational institutes will also play a vital role in educating students about proper waste management practices. Schools could direct their students to contribute recyclable waste towards the school, while the school can arrange NGO driven classes pertaining to environmental health in exchange of recyclable waste to the NGOs.&nbsp;
· Decentralized composting - Disposal of wet waste and turning it into compost inside household premises, which further could be used to plant new trees and add nutrition to already planted flora in the household is a concept practiced in many economies around the world.
Rather than waste management just being a duty towards the society, it should be perceived more in the lines of a duty towards the future generations to come. Awareness towards waste management and sustainability is the topic of the hour for many economies around the world and it’s high time we turn our heads towards the same before it gets too late.

<ins>About the writer:</ins>
Madhav is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Finance from Stockholm School of Economics

India and its garbage processing

<img src="https://discussion.policharcha.in/1580414370733" alt="10 more Ramsar wetlands from India" style="float:none;height: auto;width: auto"/>
&nbsp;
10 more wetland sites from India have been given a Ramsar tag owing to India’s efforts towards conservation, restoration and rejuvenation of its wetlands. A Ramsar tag means that the wetlands will be identified as sites of international importance. Ramsar Convention, signed on February 2, 1971, is one of the oldest inter-governmental accord signed by member countries to preserve the ecological character of their wetlands of international importance.&nbsp;
The aim of the Ramsar list is to develop and maintain an international network of wetlands which are important for the conservation of global biological diversity and for sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes, and benefits. Wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are protected under strict guidelines of the convention.&nbsp;
The new sites included in the list consists of six wetlands from Uttar Pradesh, 3 from Punjab, and 1 from Maharashtra. The numbers of Ramsar sites in India are now 37 and the surface area covered by these sites is now 1,067,939 hectares. Maharashtra gets its first Ramsar site (Nandur Madhameshwar). Punjab which already had 3 Ramsar sites, adds 3 more to the list (Keshopur-Miani, Beas Conservation Reserve, Nangal), and UP with 1 Ramsar site has added 6 more (Nawabganj, Parvati Agra, Saman, Samaspur, Sandi and Sarsai Nawar).&nbsp;
Wetlands provide a wide range of important resources and ecosystem services such as food, water, fibre, groundwater recharge, water purification, flood moderation, erosion control, and climate regulation. They are, in fact, are a major source of water and our main supply of freshwater comes from an array of wetlands which help soak rainfall and recharge groundwater.

10 more Ramsar wetlands from India

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