Archives
(PRELIMS Focus)
Subject: Economy – IT Sector; AI Disruption; Stock Market; Corporate Earnings; Deflationary Pressures.
Why in News?
The Nifty IT Index fell 3.9% as HCL Technologies shares dropped ~11% after weak Q4 results, amid concerns over AI-driven cost deflation.
What is AI Deflation?
Definition
- Reduced cost of providing a service because of efficiencies from artificial intelligence
- Results in smaller deal sizes – clients pay less for same output
- Leads to revenue impact for IT services companies
Industry-Wise Impact (Motilal Oswal estimate)
- HCL Technologies expects a 2–3% revenue drag (vs. 3–5% industry-wide), with 15–20% revenues at risk over 4–5 years as AI increasingly absorbs a larger share of the services stack.
Market Impact
- Amid declines in Infosys, Tech Mahindra, TCS, and Persistent Systems, the Nifty IT Index has fallen ~20% in three months, dragging the broader market lower with the Nifty 50 and Sensex also declining, highlighting the IT sector’s heavy weight on benchmark indices.
Additional Concern: GenAI Competition
Background (February 2026)
- Nifty IT index slide in early February following release of Anthropic’s Claude Cowork agent
- Fears over loss of business from AI models sparked stock declines
Static-Dynamic Linkage
Static (Economy Syllabus)
- IT sector in India: Contributes ~7.5% to GDP; largest private sector employer
- Nifty 50 composition: Banking (highest weight), Oil & Gas, IT (third highest)
- IT exports: India’s IT services exports ~$200 billion annually
Dynamic (Current Affairs – April 2026)
- AI deflation – new concern for IT industry beyond traditional competition
- HCLTech 11% crash – biggest drop in over a decade
- Industry revenue at risk: 15-20% over 4-5 years (Motilal Oswal estimate)
- Claude Cowork agent (Feb 2026) – earlier trigger for AI fears
- Engineering R&D as resilience – HCLTech’s positioning as “AI solutions company”
Source/Reference:
Subject: Sports – Anti-Doping; WADA; NADA; Doping Crisis; India’s Category A downgrade; Olympic aspirations.
Why in News?
- The Athletics Integrity Unit has downgraded India to Category A (highest doping risk) from Category B after it ranked among the top two globally in ADRVs for four straight years (2022–2025).
Overall Doping Cases (All Sports – 2024)
- India recorded 260 athletes testing positive for banned substances in 2024 – highest in the world
- No other country reported triple-digit violations
- Positivity rate: 3.6% – significantly higher than China despite fewer tests
Sport-wise Breakup (2024)
- Athletics: 76 cases (highest)
- Weightlifting: 43 cases
- Wrestling: 29 cases
Source: WADA Annual Report
What Does ‘Category A’ Mean?
Definition (Rule 15, World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules)
- Category ‘A’ represents the highest doping risk
- Subject to more stringent anti-doping requirements, including:
- Minimum testing requirements for national team athletes
- In-competition and out-of-competition testing
- Pre-competition blood testing for Athlete Biological Passport (ABP)
- Samples must be analysed by WADA-accredited laboratories
Other Countries in Category A
- Russia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Belarus, Bahrain, Nigeria, Ukraine
Government and Institutional Response
National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA)
- Primary body implementing anti-doping rules in India
- Increased testing from ~4,000 samples (2019) to ~8,000 (2025)
- However, testing volume remains low compared to China (15,000+ annually)
Legal Framework
- National Anti-Doping Act, 2022 – provides statutory backing
- National Anti-Doping (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – introduced in Lok Sabha (July 23, 2025)
- Seeks to incorporate Article 2 of World Anti-Doping Code into domestic law
- Strengthens institutional independence of NADA and Appeal Panel
- Allows appeals to Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS)
Criminalisation of Doping (Proposed)
- Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced government working towards introducing criminal provisions against those involved in administering or trafficking banned substances
- Aims to target suppliers, coaches, and networks – not just athletes
Implications for Indian Sports
Athletes
- Indian track and field athletes will now face stricter testing protocols for international events
- Mandatory testing for all national team athletes competing in World Athletics Series Events, Olympics, or World Athletics Ultimate Championship
Olympic and Commonwealth Games Aspirations
- India is set to host 2030 Commonwealth Games and aiming to host 2036 Olympics
- Doping issue has been flagged by IOC as a key area of improvement
- WADA compliance is essential for hosting major international events
International Standing
- India has surpassed Kenya to top AIU’s list of ineligible persons due to doping violations with 148 suspended athletes
- The downgrade is a “red flag” for India’s sporting ambitions
Static-Dynamic Linkage
Static (Sports / Polity Syllabus)
- WADA – established 1999; World Anti-Doping Code first adopted 2003
- UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport (2005) – India ratified
- NADA India – established 2005 under Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
- Prohibited substances – anabolic steroids, stimulants, hormones, masking agents
- Prohibited methods – blood doping, gene doping
Dynamic (Current Affairs – April 2026)
- India moved to Category A (April 20, 2026) – highest doping risk
- 71 ADRVs in 2024 – worst globally
- 260 positive tests in 2024 – highest in world
- NADA (Amendment) Bill, 2025 – aligns India with global code
- Criminalisation of doping – proposed by Sports Minister
- WADA-CBI collaboration – targeting supply chains
- 2030 CWG and 2036 Olympics – doping crisis threatens hosting ambitions
Source/Reference:
Subject: Science & Tech – Gene Therapy; GM Crops; Synthetic Biology; Biotechnology Regulation; Societal Acceptance.
Why in News?
- Debate on genetic engineering highlights a paradox: gene therapy for human diseases is widely welcomed, while genetically modified (GM) crops face strong resistance
The Two Horses of Future Technology
AI and Biotechnology
- AI dominates current technology discussions
- Biotechnology is galloping at the same speed but remains puzzlingly not central enough to public discourse
Humanity’s Long History of Engineering Life
- For over 10,000 years – breeding and domestication of plants, animals, microbes
- Most food in India today is from non-native plants and animals – including aloo paratha ingredients
- Our own genes have been “engineered” through migrations, mixing, isolation, and endogamy
Three Compartments of Genome Engineering
Human Engineering
- Germ-line engineering: Modifying sperm or egg cells – changes passed to next generation – not legally permitted in most countries
- Somatic cell engineering: Modifying body cells – changes not passed to offspring – regulated and allowed
Plant Engineering
- GM crops for pest resistance and herbicide resistance
- High acceptance in Americas (US, Canada); strong resistance in Europe and India
Microbial Engineering
- Synthetic biology for drugs, vaccines, diagnostics
- High acceptance globally
Gene Therapy for Human Diseases – Widely Embraced
Somatic Cell Engineering in Practice
- Cells of patients engineered to modify immune system (e.g., to attack cancer cells)
- Risks outweighed by potential benefits for severely ill patients
- Patient groups drive demand for treatments for: sickle-cell disease, thalassemias, muscular dystrophies, Huntington’s disease
Genetically Modified Crops – Strong Resistance
Global Adoption Reality
- US and Canada: Almost all maize, soybean, cotton, canola are GM
- Europe: GM products imported as animal feed but not allowed to be grown
- India: GM products imported but not allowed to be cultivated
Arguments Against GM Food
- Safety concerns and environmental release consequences
- Promote monoculture and reduce diversity
- Result in domination of big seed companies holding key patents
Counter-arguments
- GM crops have been grown and consumed safely for decades
- Seed company dominance exists independent of GM
- Monoculture and marketable varieties happened without GM (e.g., Green Revolution)
Synthetic Biology – Rapidly Growing, Widely Accepted
Examples of Success
- Insulin – made by recombinant DNA technology; injected directly into humans
- Artemisinin (anti-malarial) – now made by microbes in lab, no longer extracted from plants
- Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) – synthetic version grown in baker’s yeast; natural equivalent decays in minutes, synthetic lasts weeks
- Vaccines – prevented millions of deaths
- Biologics – genetically engineered antibodies for cancer treatment
Static-Dynamic Linkage
Static (Science & Technology / Ethics Syllabus)
- Somatic vs. Germ-line gene therapy – ethical distinction; germ-line affects future generations
- GM crops debate – environmental release, biodiversity, corporate control, food safety
- Recombinant DNA technology – discovered 1973 (Cohen and Boyer)
- CRISPR-Cas9 – gene-editing tool (Nobel Prize 2020)
- Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (2000) – international treaty on GMO movement
Dynamic (Current Affairs – 2026)
- Semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) – synthetic biology success story
- Gene therapy for sickle-cell disease – approved in multiple countries
- GM crop regulations in India – GM mustard (DMH-11) approval pending
- India’s biotechnology policy – draft National Biotechnology Development Strategy 2025-30
Source/Reference:
Subject: Geography – River Godavari; Irrigation Projects; Polity – Commission of Inquiry; Federalism; Water Disputes.
Why in News?
- The Telangana High Court barred action against K. Chandrashekar Rao over the Justice PC Ghose Commission report citing procedural lapses, though it upheld the panel’s formation.
What is the Kaleshwaram Project?
Overview
- The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project—the world’s largest multi-stage lift irrigation scheme—was conceived by K. Chandrashekar Rao, began in 2016, inaugurated in 2019, and cost about ₹94,000 crore.
Key Components
- Three barrages: Medigadda, Annaram, and Sundilla (on Godavari river), 15 reservoirs, 19 substations, 21 pump houses, 203 km of tunnels, Over 1,500 km of canals, Storage capacity: 141 TMC ft
Geographical Context
- Located in Jayashankar Bhupalapally district of Telangana, the project draws water from the Godavari River to provide irrigation and drinking water across multiple districts.
Significance for Telangana
Irrigation Impact
- Transformed Telangana into the leading paddy-producing state in India, surpassing Punjab and Haryana
- Provides irrigation support even during drought years
- “permanent solution” to Telangana’s decades-long struggle for drinking and irrigation water
Scale
- claim it is the largest irrigation project in India’s history
- Each component is critical to ensuring irrigation support across Telangana
Static-Dynamic Linkage
Static (Geography / Polity Syllabus)
- Godavari River: Second longest river in India (after Ganga); flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh
- Lift irrigation: Water lifted from lower level to higher level using pumps (used when gravity flow not possible)
- Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952: Central law for appointing commissions of inquiry; findings are recommendatory, not binding
- National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA): Established under Dam Safety Act, 2021; oversees dam safety across India
Dynamic (Current Affairs – April 2026)
- High Court stays action on Ghose Commission report (April 22, 2026) – major relief to BRS leaders
- Project cost: ₹94,000 crore – one of India’s most expensive irrigation projects
- Political battle between Congress (in power) and BRS (opposition) over project legitimacy
- Repair work pending – scientific surveys ongoing before restoration
- Kaleshwaram temple development – ₹198 crore initiative to promote tourism
Source/Reference:
Subject: Defence – Bilateral Naval Exercise; International Relations – India-Sri Lanka; Maritime Security – MAHASAGAR.
Why in News?
- INS Nireekshak, the Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of the Indian Navy, arrived at Colombo, Sri Lanka on April 21, 2026 to participate in the 4th edition of IN-SLN DIVEX 2026
- The bilateral diving exercise is scheduled from April 21 to 27, 2026
About INS Nireekshak
- A Diving Support and Submarine Rescue Vessel of the Indian Navy, equipped with recompression chambers and a diving bell for submarine rescue and saturation diver training.
- Has undertaken multiple training deployments to Sri Lanka (2019, 2022, 2023).
Exercise Objectives and Activities
- Joint diving operations and training to boost interoperability and share best practices.
- Ceremonial welcome with naval honors and official interactions with senior Sri Lankan Navy leadership.
- Social, sports, and yoga engagements to strengthen camaraderie and goodwill between both navies.
Humanitarian and Security Assistance
- Under the Aarogya Maitri initiative, India will provide two BHISM cubes—portable medical units capable of handling ~200 emergencies with essential supplies—to Sri Lanka.
- The Indian Navy will also supply 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition to enhance maritime security cooperation.
Strategic Significance
-
- The exercise supports India’s MAHASAGAR vision, promoting collective growth and security in the Indian Ocean Region.
- It aligns with the Neighbourhood First policy, strengthening ties and capacity-building with Sri Lanka.
- It reflects a deep India–Sri Lanka maritime partnership, reinforcing regional stability and cooperation.
Static-Dynamic Linkage
Static (Defence / International Relations Syllabus)
- India-Sri Lanka maritime boundary: Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay
- INS Nireekshak: Indigenous diving support vessel; part of Indian Navy’s submarine rescue capability
- Neighbourhood First policy: Cornerstone of India’s foreign policy towards neighbouring countries
- Aarogya Maitri: Launched under India’s G20 presidency (2023) as health initiative for Global South
Dynamic (Current Affairs – April 2026)
- 4th edition of DIVEX – regular bilateral engagement since 2021
- First DIVEX held in 2021 – has become annual feature in India-Sri Lanka defence cooperation
- BHISM cubes first delivered to Sri Lanka – expanding India’s humanitarian assistance footprint
- Ammunition supply – reflects growing defence cooperation and security alignment
Source/Reference:
Subject: Polity – Inter-State Water Disputes; Geography – Mahanadi River; ISRWD Act, 1956; Article 262.
Why in News?
- The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal has given Odisha and Chhattisgarh a final deadline (May 2, 2026) to settle the dispute, warning of adjudication if they fail.
- The Centre extended the tribunal’s tenure to Jan 13, 2027, while it criticized repeated delays and lack of concrete settlement proposals.
What is the Dispute About?
Core Issue
- Odisha (downstream state) alleges that Chhattisgarh (upstream state) unilaterally constructed several dams and barrages in the upper catchment between 2004 and 2016
- These constructions allegedly reduce water flow into Odisha, especially during non-monsoon periods, affecting drinking water supply, irrigation for Rabi crops, and hydropower generation
- Odisha also claims Chhattisgarh consumes water far in excess of earlier agreements
Chhattisgarh’s Position
- Odisha advocates a Joint Control Board under the 1983 pact with Madhya Pradesh, arguing no direct water-sharing agreement exists with Chhattisgarh.
Importance of Mahanadi River
Geographical Extent
- Total catchment area: 1,41,600 sq km
- Distribution: 53.9% in Chhattisgarh, 45.73% in Odisha, small patch in Madhya Pradesh
- River flows 857 km before entering Odisha
Significance for Odisha
- Lifeline for over 2 crore people across 15 districts
- Supports irrigation, hydropower, and fisheries across at least 20 of Odisha’s 30 districts
- Hirakud Dam (1953) – 25 km earthen dam, irrigates 2.35 lakh hectares, produces 347.5 MW hydropower
- Six biodiversity hotspots depend on its flows: Bhitarkanika, Chilika, Tikarpada and others
Legal and Institutional Framework
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 262: Parliament may provide for adjudication of inter-state river disputes; can bar Supreme Court jurisdiction
- Entry 17 (State List): Water supply, irrigation, canals, drainage, water storage, hydro power
- Entry 56 (Union List): Regulation and development of inter-state rivers to extent declared by Parliament
Statutory Framework
- Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956 – amended in 2002 (mandates 1 year to set up tribunal, 3 years to give decision)
Static-Dynamic Linkage
Static (Polity/Geography Syllabus)
- Article 262: Inter-state river dispute resolution mechanism
- ISRWD Act, 1956: Amended 2002 – timeline provisions
- Entry 17 (State List) vs Entry 56 (Union List): Division of powers over water
- Article 131: Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction in state disputes
- River basin management: Catchment area distribution
Dynamic (Current Affairs – April 2026)
- Tribunal tenure extended till January 13, 2027
- May 2, 2026 deadline for settlement
- 13 technical meetings since August 2025
- dispute remains politically charged
Source/Reference:
(MAINS Focus)
GS Paper II – Social Justice (Health) | GS Paper II – Governance (Policy Comparison)
Tobacco Control; Preventive Healthcare; Intergenerational Policy; Lessons for India
Introduction
The United Kingdom has passed the Tobacco and Vapes Bill, banning tobacco sales for anyone born after January 1, 2009, with the legal age rising annually from 2027—aiming to create a smoke-free generation and reduce smoking by 1.7 million people by 2075.
Main Body
How the Law Works: A Rising Age Floor
The Mechanism:
- Currently illegal to sell tobacco to anyone under 18 in the UK
- From 2027, the legal age for sale will increase by one year every year
- Individuals born since January 1, 2009, will never be able to buy tobacco products legally
Enforcement Focus:
- Law applies only to those who sell tobacco products
- People will not be punished for buying, possessing, or using them, regardless of age
Vaping Restrictions:
- Vaping banned in playgrounds, outside schools, in hospitals, and in cars carrying children
- Smoking cigarettes already banned in these areas
- Vaping still allowed at outdoor venues such as pub gardens
- Vaping outside hospitals allowed to help people trying to quit smoking
Other Provisions:
- Bans vapes and nicotine products (pouches) from being branded and advertised to appeal to children
- UK ministers get new powers to regulate tobacco, vaping, and nicotine products (flavours, packaging)
Public Support: Broad Cross-Party Consensus
YouGov Poll for ASH (2024):
- 78% supported creating a smoke-free generation
- 52% of smokers supported raising the age of sale by one year every year
Cross-Party Support:
- 70% of Conservative voters (2019)
- 74% of Labour voters
- 75% of Lib Dem voters
Smokers’ Support:
- Majority of smokers support (more than double the 24% opposed)
Health and Economic Impact: The Case for Prevention
Mortality and Morbidity:
- Smoking responsible for 80,000 deaths a year in the UK
- One in four of all cancer-related deaths
- No other consumer product kills up to two-thirds of its users
Healthcare Burden:
- Almost one hospital admission every minute caused by smoking
- As many as 75,000 GP appointments each month due to smoking-related illnesses
Projected Benefits (ASH):
- Could prevent 115,000 cases of serious illness (stroke, heart disease, lung cancer) annually
- Save billions in health and care costs each year
Fiscal Impact (2023 Data):
- Direct cost of smoking to UK public finances: £21.9 billion ($29.6 billion)
- Includes lost economic productivity, NHS, and social care costs
- More than double the £8.4 billion ($11.3 billion) raised through tobacco tax revenues
- Net drain means less money for vital public services
Criticisms and Unfinished Agenda
Does Not Go Far Enough (Asthma + Lung UK):
- Need new measures to help existing smokers (6 million adults in the UK who already smoke)
- Stop-smoking support currently varies greatly by area—a “postcode lottery”
- Tobacco industry should pay a levy to fund crucial services across the UK
Industry Response:
- Lord Naseby (former Conservative MP): Bill “upsets a great many people in that industry,” including retailers. Need proper education, not just prohibition.
- Dan Marchant (Vape Club): Only 25% of UK authorities on track to meet smoke-free 2030 target. Need fact-based education on relative risks between vaping and smoking.
The Risk:
- Without proper support for existing smokers, people may return to smoking
- Prevention alone insufficient without cessation infrastructure
Lessons for India
India’s Tobacco Burden:
- Tobacco kills over 1.3 million Indians annually (WHO)
- Leading cause of preventable death and disease
- High burden of oral cancer (gutka, pan masala, khaini)
- Second-hand smoke exposure widespread
Policy Gaps in India:
- Cigarettes and other tobacco products regulated under COTPA (2003)
- Legal age to purchase varies (18 in most states; some states 21)
- No “generation ban” proposal currently under serious consideration
- Enforcement weak; gutka and pan masala bans often circumvented
- Vaping and e-cigarettes completely banned (unlike UK’s regulated approach)
What India Can Learn:
- Intergenerational approach: A rising age floor eliminates future addiction rather than just restricting access
- Cross-party consensus: Tobacco control should be non-partisan
- Economic argument: Tobacco costs more to society than it generates in taxes—a powerful fiscal case for reform
- Cessation infrastructure: UK’s lesson—banning sales to youth is insufficient without supporting existing smokers to quit
- Industry levy: Make tobacco industry pay for the harm it causes
Challenges for India:
- Weak enforcement of existing laws (COTPA)
- Powerful tobacco and gutka industry lobby
- Low public awareness of health and fiscal costs
- Federal structure (health is state subject) requires coordinated action
Conclusion
The United Kingdom’s Tobacco and Vapes Bill creates a “smoke-free generation” by steadily raising the legal age from 2027, ensuring those born after 2009 never legally buy tobacco—projected to cut illness and deaths, though critics flag gaps for existing smokers.
For India, where tobacco causes over 1.3 million deaths annually, it highlights the need for stronger enforcement, intergenerational prevention, and better cessation support.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
- Examine the United Kingdom’s ‘smoke-free generation’ policy—its mechanism, benefits, and limits. What lessons can India draw for strengthening its tobacco control framework? (250 words, 15 marks)
GS Paper III – Environment & Ecology (Conservation), GS Paper I – Geography, GS Paper III – Disaster Management
Coastal Ecosystems; Climate Resilience; Biodiversity Conservation; Government Initiatives (MISHTI); Blue Carbon; Community Participation
Introduction
Tamil Nadu’s plantation of 20,000 mangroves along the Buckingham Canal to boost Chennai’s climate resilience comes amid growing concern, as studies show up to 15% of the Sundarbans are losing recovery capacity due to cyclones, rising temperatures, and upstream dams.
Mangroves are salt-tolerant plants found in tropical coastal intertidal zones. As per India State of Forest Report 2023, India’s mangrove cover is 4,991.68 sq. km (0.15% of area), rising steadily since 2001. Despite gains, they face threats from urbanisation, aquaculture, pollution, and climate change, making conservation crucial.
Main Body
State-Wise Distribution of Mangroves in India
The distribution of mangroves is highly concentrated, with three regions accounting for nearly 78% of the total cover:
- West Bengal (42.45%): Holds the largest share—2,119 sq. km—primarily the Sundarbans, the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It acts as a critical bio-shield for Kolkata and surrounding regions.
- Gujarat (23.32%): Ranks second with approximately 1,164 sq. km. The Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat are key zones.
- Andaman & Nicobar Islands (12.19%): Pristine mangroves support rich biodiversity.
- Others: Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Goa comprise the remaining share.
Ecological Importance & Climate Resilience
Mangroves are indispensable for coastal ecology and climate adaptation:
- Natural Coastal Shield: The dense, tangled root systems stabilize shorelines and act as buffers against cyclones, storm surges, and coastal erosion. Case Study: During the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, villages in Tamil Nadu with healthy mangrove belts suffered significantly less damage than those without.
- Blue Carbon Sinks: Mangroves are among the most carbon-rich forests, storing 7.5–10 times more carbon per acre than tropical rainforests. The Sundarbans alone store an estimated 33 million tonnes of carbon.
- Biodiversity Hotspots: They serve as critical breeding and nursery grounds for fish, crabs, and birds, supporting coastal fisheries. Example: Bhitarkanika (Odisha) and Sundarbans support species like the Saltwater Crocodile and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
- Livelihood Support: Millions depend on mangroves for firewood, honey, fishing, and ecotourism, forming a crucial socio-economic safety net.
Major Threats to Mangroves
Despite legal protections, mangroves face severe anthropogenic pressures:
- Urbanization & Reclamation: Infrastructure projects (ports, housing, airports) lead to large-scale clearing. Eg: Mangrove loss in Mumbai due to the Navi Mumbai International Airport.
- Aquaculture Expansion: Conversion into shrimp farms (prawn aquaculture) disrupts hydrology and salinity. Eg: Andhra Pradesh lost significant tracts to aquaculture.
- Pollution: Industrial effluents, oil spills, and plastic waste degrade soil and water quality. Eg: Thane Creek, Mumbai, suffers heavy pollution impacting flamingo habitats.
- Climate Change: Rising sea levels and changing salinity affect regeneration, particularly in low-lying deltas like the Sundarbans.
Government Initiatives & Legal Framework
India has implemented robust regulatory and promotional measures:
- Regulatory Framework:
- Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification, 2019: Categorizes mangroves as Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) , restricting activities within a 50-meter buffer. It mandates compensatory replantation at a 3:1 ratio.
- Wildlife Protection Act (1972) & Indian Forest Act (1927): Provide additional legal backing for protection.
- Promotional Flagship Schemes:
- MISHTI (Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes): Launched on June 5, 2023, it is the central scheme for mangrove restoration across 13 States/UTs. It operates through convergence (CAMPA, MGNREGS). Achievement: Over 22,560 hectares taken up for restoration in 2023-25.
- National Coastal Mission: Provides financial assistance for conservation on a 60:40 cost-sharing model (Centre:State).
- GCF-ECRICC Project (Green Climate Fund): Active in Andhra, Maharashtra, Odisha, focusing on enhancing climate resilience and restoring over 10,000 hectares.
Regional Success Stories & Case Studies
- Gujarat (The Leader): Under MISHTI, Gujarat has acquired 19,220 hectares (85% of the national target), driven by efficient governance and public-private partnerships.
- Tamil Nadu (Community-Led): Under the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, local communities (SHGs) participated in digging tidal canals and removing invasive species (Prosopis). This doubled the state’s mangrove area from 4,500 ha to 9,000 ha (2021–2024).
- Maharashtra (Corporate Partnership): Amazon’s “Right Now Climate Fund” ($1.2 million) supports restoration along Thane Creek, combining trash booms for plastic interception with massive sapling plantations.
Way Forward
Challenges:
- Regional Disparity in Implementation: While Gujarat leads with 85% of MISHTI land, West Bengal (holding 42% of India’s mangroves) has only seen 10 hectares taken up under the scheme.
- Blue Carbon Potential Untapped: India’s blue carbon ecosystems could generate ~$9.6 billion in green payments, but this remains largely unexplored.
- Aquaculture Pressure: Brackish water aquaculture continues to be a significant threat in states like Andhra and West Bengal.
Recommendations:
- Strengthen Community-Based Conservation: Empower Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) and SHGs through training in sustainable harvesting (e.g., honey, crabs) as seen in Navghar, Maharashtra.
- Integrate into Climate Finance: Leverage the “Blue Carbon” market to attract private investment for restoration under the MISHTI framework.
- Focus on the Sundarbans: Address the specific vulnerabilities of the Sundarbans (sea-level rise, freshwater scarcity) through a dedicated climate adaptation fund.
Conclusion
Mangroves are India’s coastal shield, but despite gains through initiatives like MISHTI, uneven restoration and threats from urbanisation and aquaculture persist. A shift to holistic management, blue carbon finance, and community-led conservation is key to safeguarding these “Guardians of the Coast.”
UPSC Mains Practice Question
- Examine the ecological importance of mangroves for India’s climate resilience and coastal livelihoods. Assess the achievements and challenges of the MISHTI scheme. (250 words, 15 marks)