TheHindu June-July-Aug Part 2 of 3

6/13/2014 Mrunal [Science-Tech] TheHindu June-July-Aug: (Part 2 of 3) Agriculture, Environment Biodiversity (EnB), Economics of Animal rearing, Uttarakhand Tr
http://mrunal.org/2013/09/science-tech-thehindu-june-july-aug-part-1-of-3-agriculture-environment-biodiversity-enb-economics-of-animal-rearing-uttarakhand-t 1/17
[Science-Tech] TheHindu June-July-Aug: (Part 2 of 3) Agriculture, Environment Biodiversity
(EnB), Economics of Animal rearing, Uttarakhand Tragedy, Runaway Greenhouse, Bio
Refinary
1. Prologue
2. [Agro]: Economics of Animal Rearing
1. #1: Fowl Breeding & Tribal Development (MP)
2. #2: Goats rearing, Small Marginal Farmers (Kerala)
3. [Agro] Research: New Varieties
1. Himalayan Wonder
2. Yamuna Safed-5
3. Onion Bulbets
4. [Agro]:Fertilizer/Manure related
1. #1: Liquid Manure
2. #2: Vermicompost
3. #3: Organic cultivation
5. [Agro]: Misc.
1. #1: Fungus as Bio-control Agent
2. #2: Fruit Ripening
6. [EnB] Flora-Fauna
1. #1: Giant Clams
2. #2: House-Sparrow: official bird of Delhi
3. #3: Forest Corridors for Tiger breeding
4. #4: Antarctic Conservation
7. [EnB] Clean Energy Related
1. #1: Bio-refinery: Bioplastics, BioHydrogen
2. #2: Biofuel: Anti-Arguments
3. #3: Nuke Energy post Fukushima
4. #4: Lumos: Solar Backpack
5. #5: Flow Batteries
6. #6: Electricity from cattle waste
8. [EnB] Climate Change related
1. #1: Runaway Greenhouse effect
2. #2: Ocean Acidification
3. #3: Dimethylsulphide
4. #4: Climate Change and Apple Taste
9. [EnB] Disaster Management Related
1. Himalayan Tsunami
2. Why is it called Man-Made Disaster?
3. Can we Predict Cloudbursts?
4. Doppler Weather Radar (DWR)
5. Crisis Mapping
6. Google Person Finder
10. [EnB] Misc.
1. Dinosaurs
2. #1: Nasutoceratops: New Vegetarian Dinosaur
3. #2: T-rex was indeed the Villain Dinosaur
11. Mock Questions
Prologue
In the part 1 of Hindu Sci-tech compilation, we saw the Medical / Healthcare research related coverage from
June-July-August 2013. Click me
In this Part two, we see topics related to Agriculture + Environment and Biodiversity (EnB)
UPSC Syllabus topics in this article
CSAT Prelims
giant clams
[EnB] theoretic stuff related to fruit runaway
greenhouse effect, ocean acidification
Fruit ripening etc.
(GS1) changes in water-bodies and the effects of such
changes.
Ocean Acidification, Dimethylsulphide
(GS3) economics of animal-rearing.
Kalamasi fowls breeding and Tribal
development.
Goat rearing by small farmers using
scientific methods.
(GS3) Achievements of Indians in science &
technology
Solar Backpack Lumos designed by an Indian
Couple.
(GS3) Conservation House-sparrow, Tiger corridors.
(GS3) Science and Technology- developments and
their applications and effects in everyday life
flow batteries.
(GS3) indigenization of technology and developing
new Technology.
bio refinery in Hyderabad
(GS3) environmental pollution and degradation runaway greenhouse effect, ocean acidification
(GS3) Disaster and disaster management.
Uttarakhand Tragedy
Dopplar Radar
Crisis Mapping
Google person finder
Note: topics related to IT, Space and Nano-tech will be covered the part 3 of 3,
[Agro]: Economics of Animal Rearing
#1: Fowl Breeding & Tribal Development (MP)
Indian farmers doing backyard poultry for many years.
The birds grow by scavenging on kitchen and other waste. They help in
egg sale=side income
Cheap source of protein for farmers family.
Then what is the problem?
Poultry sector is focusing more on commercial poultry rearing like broilers for meat and eggs.
As a result, many indigenous species about to become extinct.
One such breed is the Kalamasi or Kadaknath fowl breed: found in Bhil and Bhila tribal regions of
Madhya Pradesh.
Kalamasi/Kadaknath Fowls
black in color. Meat is softer than that of other desi birds, contains less fat and more protein,
Because of these qualities, Kalamasi fowls commend good prices. 1 year old bird sells for >Rs.600
(while other desi varieties fetch barely Rs.100-150)
But this breed is slowly becoming extinct.
Economics:
1. These fowls can be reared quite easily. Dont need any special attention or round the clock caretaking.
2. Theyre good scavengers= feed cost gets considerably reduced. (in each bird sells for more than
Rs.600 after one year)
3. They can be housed in large bamboo baskets or inside store rooms. Dont need elaborate shelter like in
professional broilers.
4. Their hens grow fast, start laying eggs from sixth month of age onwards. In a year a single hen lays 80-
120 eggs.
Benefits to Tribal of Madhya Pradesh
1. Government provides vaccination, training for feed-marketing.
2. The tribal beneficiaries rearing this breed are today able to get an income of Rs.80,000-90,000 a year.
3. Less rural-urban migration. Encourages people to stay in villages, continue farming operations along
with fowl rearing.
#2: Goats rearing, Small Marginal Farmers (Kerala)
From time immemorial Indian peasants have always been rearing animals for extra income. But there are
challenges:
1. Pasture lands shrinking=> Less green fodder
2. Rich farmers with pumpsets and borewells so grow green fodder but it is not possible for small and
marginal farmers.
3. Lack of veterinary services in remote areas.
Case study: Goat rearing in Kozhikode District of Kerala
Government support: Krishi Vigyan Kendra of the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR)
Aim: help small farmers and landless laborers to do goat rearing with minimum cost.
How?
1. Farmers given Breeding charts: to fully exploit the reproductive efficiency of female goats.
2. In a large herd, synchronization of estrus cycle by administering PGF2 alpha injection.
Careful rearing of baby goats for 120 days after birth. Theyre given concentrated feed prepared
specifically by the institutes experts. Farmers can also make them by mixing rice, wheat, maize,
horsegram etc.
3. + Baby goats are given liver tonics mixed with fish oil => increase appetite and aid good healthy
growth, goad quickly fattens for slaughtering.
Economics/benefits
DESI METHOD OF
REARING
NOW WITH SCIENTIFIC REARING
Animal will weigh 10 kg in 6
months
within 4 months the goat will weigh 25+ kg =provides big returns in
quick time.
Farmers with only few cents of land can also grow goats.
They dont need not spent much time grazing them out in the open.
expense of feeding one baby goat
Rs.1200 per month x 4 months = 3600
Income from selling that goat after 4 months. close to Rs.7000
profit You calculate for the aptitude practice.
[Agro] Research: New Varieties
Himalayan
Wonder
Indias first throneless rose plant variety.
by a research institute in Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
Regions around Pune-Banglore= known for commercial rose cultivation. Theyre
interested in this new throneless variety of rose.
Yamuna
Safed-5
New garlic variety
by National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation (NHRDF) in
Nasik,
suitable for growing in Northen states such as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana,
Bihar, Punjab, Rajasthan.
These Garlic Bulbs are white and big in size, matures quickly and and shelf life
is also good.
Onion
Bulbets
By National Horticultural Research and Development Foundation, Nashik
Theyve devised new technique for successful Kharif onion nursery
production, during heavy rains.
Jan-Feb: Onion bulbets raised in nursey beds
July-Aug- theyre transplanted to the farm
This method increases the yield of onion.
[Agro]:Fertilizer/Manure related
#1: Liquid Manure
Present day farming require external inputs such as fertiliser and pesticides.
but theyre expensive + harmful to soil and environment.
Now a new technology developed to produce liquid manure from cow dung and cow urine, by a farmer
in TN.
How?
The basic principles= Fermentation + Sedimentation.
Cow dung + cow urine +10 parts of water=>mix in barrel, let it ferment for a day.
Next day add one kg of jiggery, along with decomposed fruits, vegetables or practically any vegetative
matter available in the farm.
Only indigenous cow dung and urine must be used because the microbial activity in local cow waste
is more than in other cross bred animals.
After a week farmers can use this liquid solution as manure via drip irrigation. Hence it is called
Liquid Manure.
Benefits?
1. increases the water holding capacity of the soil
2. Improves the beneficial micro organisms present in the soil.
3. Only Rs.800 investment to buy a plastic barrel.Rest of the inputs can be easily sourced from the farm
itself. Hence even small and marginal farmers can do it.
4. farmer can save Rs.4,000-20,000 per hectare in fertilizer
#2: Vermicompost
Chemical fertilizers=decrease soil fertility after prolonged use.
Vermicompost is an organic manure (bio-fertilizer) by earth worm
Earthworm can be grown on animal dung, poultry droppings, vegetable and other kinds of biodegradable
wastes. They feed on such items, produce a compost.
Benefits of Vermicompost?
1. odorless, clean, organic material
2. contains adequate quantities of N, P, K (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) and several micronutrients
that are essential for plant growth.
3. Contains organic matter= makes the soil productive.
4. Eco-friendly, non-toxic, consumes low energy input for composting.
#3:Organic cultivation
Case study: Enabavi, a small village in Warangal district, Andhra
The farmers grow paddy, pulses, millets, cotton, chilli, tobacco and vegetables.
BEFORE AFTER
In the 1970s, like many other Indian villages, they
also went through the same process of using more
and more chemicals to increase the productivity.
By 1995 problems started showing up. Even though
they increased Investments on seeds-fertilizers-
pesticides, the returns were not good.
The village started shifting to non-
chemical farming about a decade ago.
By 2006, entire area was converted to
organic farming.
There is strong social regulation within
the community towards organic
cultivation.
average spending on chemical fertilizers and pesticides:
~Rs.3,500 per crop per acre
They started using tank silt, poultry
manure, vermicompost and farm yard
manure.
They set up their own compost
manufacturing units in their fields and
started following various ecological
practices
Seeds: ~ Rs. 500 per acre for seeds
depend on their own seed for many crops,
except for cotton
The traders would dictate the price for the produce in
addition to charging interest for the inputs supplied
The farmers do not spend a single rupee
anymore for buying all the inputs.
Sale of agro-produce through Middlemen @APMC
They process their paddy and sell directly to
consumers and also through a marketing
channel called Sahaja Aharam in Hyderabad.
Lessons from this village:
Environment--giant clam
1. Sustainable farming can be profitable.
2. social regulation, learning from each other.
3. the benefits of conviction born out of experience and most importantly, the way out of agricultural
distress by taking control over ones own farming,
[Agro]: Misc.
#1: Fungus as Bio-control Agent
Trichoderma viride (Tv), a soil fungus =bio control agent
controls diseases in trees such as root rot, leaf blight etc.
Good alternative for chemical based fungicides
Farmers can make it by themselves using agricultural wastes to reduce cost
#2: Fruit Ripening
Fruits are classified into two groups
CLIMACTERIC NON- CLIMACTERIC
ripen even after harvest do not ripen after harvest
Banana, apple, avocado, banana, g, mango, papaya, passionfruit,
pear and tomato
Grapes, blueberry, cherry, citrus,
cucumber, pineapple and strawberry.
ethylene gas is used in godowns to hasten the ripening (e.g. for
Banana). Similarly Calcium carbide is used to ripen Mangoes.
not needed / wont work.
Q. It is impossible to peel the skin of a plantain fruit when it is raw but the same can be done very
easily when fully ripe. Why?
Raw banana fruit is firm and not peelable since the cell cementing material is made of non-soluble
calcium pectin.
But On ripening the non-soluble pectin will become soluble and hence the softness.
Enough of Agro related, now moving on to Environment and Biodiversity [EnB]
[EnB] Flora-Fauna
#1: Giant Clams
Clam = one type of mollusk. (Octopus, Squid-fish are other examples of mollusk)
Giant Clam= an endangered species of clam (although IUCN red list puts it
in Vulnerable category but Thehindu says its an endangered species). Then
who is right? That well know once CSAT-2013 official answer key comes
out and we find whether Swamp Deer was endangered or not! If UPSC
answerkey says Swamp deer was endangered thatd mean UPSC had setup
question from IUCN list.
Anyways back to topic: Giant Clams are found in the tropical coral reefs,
including Andaman Nicobar.
All the species of Giant Clam are protected under Schedule 1 of the
Wildlife Protection Act.
But Why in News?
UK based charity organization gave money to Bombay Natural History
Society (BNHS).
Money will be used create database of Giant clams in Andaman-Nicobar.
#2: House-Sparrow: official bird of Delhi
STATE OFFICIAL STATE BIRD
Jammu and Kashmir Black Necked Crane
Haryana Black Francolin
Gujarat Greater Flamingo
Maharashtra Yellow Footed Green Pigeon.
Delhi House-sparrow (declared State Bird in 2013)
March 20 = World House Sparrow Day
Why House-sparrow population declining?
1. Less tress=not place to setup nests +increase in air pollution
2. Buildings use glass facades= they show reflection of trees. Birds crash into the glass panel mistaking it
for a tress. They get injured, even die.
3. House sparrows and their chicks need protein, which means they need a lot of insects. But urban junta
uses chemical pesticides in their gardens=> No worms, insects or pests left for the birds to feed. Thus,
use of pesticides invariably affects house sparrow population.
4. Cities have less number of open vegetable markets= lack of waste food for the birds.
5. Earlier Sparrows fed on open bags of rice and cereals in the markets. The traders too didnt try to avoid
them as they consumed only a little and also preyed on small pests in rice bags. But these bags have
now been replaced with sealed plastic bags at many places=no grain leakage=no food for birds.
6. Even in places where grain-bags are kept open, the birds avoid them owing to the use of pesticides. A
house sparrow weighs just a few milligrams and feeding on cereals with pesticides, even in micro
levels, could kill them.
7. Even in Rural areas, reduced grain spillage and improved storage facilities + use of pesticides &
herbicides=sparrow population declined.
#3: Forest Corridors for Tiger breeding
2010 data: 1,700 tigers in 39 tiger reserves.
Nowadays, Tiger reserves are surrounded by farms, villages and towns.
Such small and enclosed tiger reserves=> Habitat fragmentation=>inbreeding among tigers.
Inbreeding=> new generations will have genetic disorders. Theyll be more vulnerable to
environmental changes.
If tiger reserves are connected through forest corridors, then tiger from one region can move to
different area=> decreases inbreeding and promotes gene flow between isolated tiger populations.
Thus forest corridors= imp. for genetic variation among tigers.
Challenge: Tiger corridors in central India face threats from road widening, railway lines construction
and coal mining.
#4: Antarctic Conservation
commission for conservation of Antarctic marine living resources (CCAMLR)
Members: 24 countries and the European Union.
Recent proposals by
1. designate Ross Sea as marine protected area (MPA) in the Antarctic US+NZ
2. designate seven marine protected areas in East Antarctica covering more than
1 million square kilometres
Australia+France+EU
But Russia voted against both proposals during meeting, hence no result.
[EnB] Clean Energy Related
#1: Bio-refinery: Bioplastics, BioHydrogen
Bio-electric Chemical Treatment System=designed by a research organization in Hyderabad, theyve
also filed for Patent.
input affluent/toxic water discharged from chemical factories and households.
output 1. futuristic green fuels
a. bio-hydrogen: This system uses anaerobic reactors to produce the environmentally sustainable bio-
hydrogen instead of methane.
b. bio-electricity: from anaerobic bacterial metabolism, by putting external electrodes in the reactor
bio-plastics: During above anaerobic processing, volatile fatty acids generated. These fatty acids are
used for making bio-plastics. These bio-plastics could replace to some extent synthetic plastics in
future.
Project funded by the Ministry of Non-Renewable Energy.
#2: Biofuel: Anti-Arguments
1. The amount of energy produced by biofuels is only a little more than the amount of energy invested in
growing and manufacturing them.
2. Biofuels are nothing but a byproduct of sunlight. A combination of solar cells, batteries and electric
cars, is 600 times more effective at harnessing suns energy than biofuels.
3. Their energy-efficiency is not so good. Even if all agricultural land in Germany was directed to
biofuels, we will get only enough to replace up to 20% of all fuel consumption in Germany.
4. At present Germany uses only 20% of agricultural land for crops used for biomass production. The
money farmers earn for this is probably double compared to growing wheat. As a result of that
Germany, which was a big exporter of wheat, now imports it. Because farmers decreased wheat
cultivation.
5. Several studies had shown that global crop production needed to double by 2050, to meet demands
from
Increasing human population
Demand from meat-industry (recall geography location factor article: how corn is used to fatten the
cattle in USA. Similarly poultry rearing also need corn, soybean as feed.)
demand from dairy-industry
Therefore it is a bad idea to devote agricultural land for biofuels.
#3: Nuke Energy post Fukushima
2011 Fukushima nuclear plant accident in Japan
2022 Germany plans to shut down all of its Nuclear plants.
IAEA Chief (Yukiya Amano) said following:
After Chernobyl disaster in 1986, there was a period of stagnation in nuclear industry
But, after the Fukushima accident construction of new nuclear plants continued in many countries,
In the next few years five countries Bangladesh, Jordan, Nigeria, Turkey and Vietnam will join
the nuclear energy club
Nuke Energy is safe, reliable, low greenhouse gas emission, gives steady supply of electricity @stable
prices.
#4: Lumos: Solar Backpack
Environment--lumos solar backpack
Lumos=Solar backpack designed by an Indian couple
It is water-, impact- and shock-proof
allows you to charge your gadgets through solar energy.
These backpacks have a sleek, flexible solar panel, unlike conventional panels (large, rigid plates used
for rooftop installation).
#5: Flow Batteries
Renewable energy problem
wind depends on speed of the wind, not continuous
solar doesnt work on cloudy day
Therefore, such renewable sources cannot be connected directly to the electric grid (Because they
dont work on 24/7).
Instead, youve to store this solar/wind electricity in a battery and use this charged battery to run
electric appliances.
Problem: conventional batteries solution: flow batteries
Conventional batteries include a porous membrane between the
anode and the cathode to prevent short-circuits while facilitating
charge-carrying ions to move between them.
But this membrane increase batterys weight, reduce its efficiency,
bring structural defects and life-cycle limitations.
by MIT, USA.
Theyve membrane-less
hydrogen-bromine fuel
cell.
Using liquid bromine and
hydrogen gas.
It is rechargeable.
doesnt have membrane
like conventional
batteries.
Has more power density
http://mrunal.org/2013/09/science-tech-thehindu-june-july-aug-part-1-of-3-agriculture-environment-biodiversity-enb-economics-of-animal-rearing-uttarakhand 10/17
than conventional
batteries.
#6: Electricity from cattle waste
Project in an Agro-university in Ludhiana.
cattle waste=> bio gas=>generator=>electricity.
The electricity is being used for chaffing green fodder, machine milking, operating the fans, coolers
and foggers installed inside the animal sheds.
waste slurry obtained from the bio gas plant is used as manure for crops.
Their next plan is to separate methane and carbon dioxide from biogas, then bottle the carbon dioxide
for industrial use
Ministry of renewable energy is giving them subsidy.
[EnB] Climate Change related
#1: Runaway Greenhouse effect
In a life sustaining planet e.g. Earth, the Solar absorption and radiation levels are balanced=> life can
exist.
But if the solar radiation absorbed by the planet exceeds the thermal radiation given out by the planet
then result=>
1. uncontrollable heating of planets surface
2. rapid water evaporation from oceans and rivers.
This is known as runaway greenhouse effect. Ultimate result: planet becomes inhospitable, life cannot exist.
It is believed that once Venus planet had ocean but all the water evaporated thanks to runaway greenhouse
effect.
#2: Ocean Acidification
Oceans absorb more 25% carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
this carbon dioxide dissolves in the water =>forms carbonic acid.
This way, the oceans act as a carbon dioxide sink
But when CO
2
increase in atmosphere=>Carbonic acid also increases in sea-water= Ocean
acidification (OA).
Problem? By 2100, the corals and starfishes might become extinct due to this Ocean Acidification.
Corals spend their entire life in one place. They secrete calcium carbonate =>form coral reefs.
These coral reefs provide support to variety of fishes and marine organisms.
But Higher Ocean acidification and warmer climates = less new coral reefs formed + even the existing
coral reefs get damaged.
When Coral reefs are reduced=>indirectly many species will be affected.
Thus Ocean acidification poses grave danger to all marine species.
#3: Dimethylsulphide
It is a volatile organic compound.
Released by certain species of phytoplankton and algae.
When dimethylsulphide mixes with air, it reduces the amount of solar energy reaching Earths surface
Thus, dimethylsulphide cools the atmosphere.
But Ocean Acidification harms the population of phytoplankton + algae=> less dimethylsulphie
emitted =more global warming.
#4: Climate Change and Apple Taste
Factor determines Apples ____
Acid concentration sourness
soluble solids sweetness
As per the Japanese study, when temperature rose during the fruit maturation period, there was a
change in the taste and texture of the fruit.
Meaning, due to climate change in last decades, the taste-texture of apple must have changed. Apples
would have tasted differently 100 years ago.
[EnB] Disaster Management Related
Since the main-subject of this article is Sci-tech compilation, Im only doing basic coverage of
Uttarakhand cloudburst, without going into all details. Otherwise article will become extremely lengthy.
Himalayan Tsunami
What is cloudburst?
Extreme amount of precipitation
in a short span of time.
creates flash-flood conditions.
Often accompanied by thunder and lightning.
Why cloudburst?
A cloudburst can occur anytime and at any place which is affected by convective weather systems.
India surrounded by oceans from three sides. Hence favorable location for convective weather
systems.
Convective weather system in: result
Bay of Bengal rainfall over the Indian subcontinent
Western Pacific Ocean Diverts rain-bearing winds away from the Indian subcontinent.
During Cloudburst, massive coagulated clouds with heavy water content hover, over a very small
location.
The dead weight of the cloud is so massive and unbearable that it simply collapses under its own
weight=>extreme precipitation within a short span of time=>flash flood.
Additional factors
MONTH WHAT HAPPENED?
March April
May 2013
heavy snow in Himalayas
14-16 June
2013
Non-stop Intense rainfall. It helped the snow to melt fast from Chorabari Glarier. but How can water
help ice melt?
Water has a higher heat capacity than air.
The molecules in liquid water are more tightly packed than the molecules in air
Therefore, when water molecules touch snow=> greater rate of heat transfer. (Compared to
when air touches the snow)
This accelerates the process of snow melting. e.g heavy snow melting from Chorabari
glacier=> water level increased in the river Mandakini and Chorabari Lake.
Cloudburst over Chorabari Lake.
16 June
2013
Lake exploded from water. => flash floods.
These flash floods washed the mud, stones and slush (Partially melted snow) from mountains into
rivers.
Bhagirathi, Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers were already flowing with lot of water (due to snow-
melting).
Now imagine two situations:
1. Police uses water cannon on the mob.
2. Police mixes stones, ball bearings and ice cubes into their water tank and then uses water cannon on
the mob. This time, you know the water will hurt a lot more.
Same way, the rivers filled with mud, snow, ice- rushes through the hills and cliffs- they will cause more
erosion, sweep away whatever comes in their way. Thus, all those shops, hotels, apartments were constructed
very close to the river banks got washed away.
Additionally landslides destroyed the road network in the mountains hence relief couldnot reach on time.
Why is it called Man-Made Disaster?
Cloudbursts have happened in past also, but the amount of death and damage in Uttarakhand is unprecedented.
Why?
#1: Roads causing landslides
Himalayan Mountains will remain steady if not tampered with much. But
1. the huge expansion of roads and transport.
2. heavy machines plying the earth everyday.
3. Even dynamites are used to cut the mountains and make roads.
^All these activities had already rendered the mountains unstable. Then rainfall=>landslides. roads
blocked=rescue force cant go in, victims cant go out.
#2: Too much construction
1. In 2012, Ministry of Environment and Forests gives a notification under Environment Protection Act.
This notification declares the region Gaumukh and Uttarakashi, along the Bhagirathi river, as an eco-
sensitive zone. Meaning following activities had to be banned:
a. Hydro project in Bhagirathi = too many hydropower projects, changing river courses, poor
structural safety
b. Mining= use of dynamites, weakened the mountains
c. Construction activities, especially hotels and resorts, guest houses and travel lodges on the river
bed. Everyone trying to make mint money from pilgrims/tourists yet none of them were build
with sound engineering or structural safety.
#3: Fragile Polity of the State
Uttarakhand has seen 6 different Chief Ministers within last 13 years. Meaning average tenure of a CM
is ~2 years.
This has resulted in lack of continuity and failure in getting a firm grip on the issues plaguing the state-
including disaster management.
Successive CAG reports have made scathing remarks on the lack of disaster management preparations
in the Uttarakhand state. Yet no action was taken.
political fragility has resulted in ad-hoc and unplanned development.
Successive governments have failed in creating any sort of medium term or long-term plan or vision
for the state.
To put this in other words, when governments change too quick- the main goal of MLAs and Ministers
is how to extract maximum cash from builders, mining mafias and corrupt bureaucrats who want
transfer-posting in plump position. Hence, Disaster management doesnt even come in their top-100
priority list of such politicians.
#4: Careless organizations
1. IMD
IMD was unable to alert State-authorities in time. It didnt have Doppler radars in the
Himalayan region to predict onset of cloudbursts.
Only after this disaster happened, Dept. of sci.tech now talks about setting up Doppler
radars in the region.
2. NDRF
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was formed after Tsunami in 2003.
but has grossly failed both in planning and implementation.
It didnt even have sufficient life-jackets in Rudraprayag.
Overall, there was no accountability and no coordination.
Can we Predict Cloudbursts?
Nephology=study of clouds
But unlike cyclones, forecasting a cloudburst= mission almost impossible.
Cloudburst can occur even outside the monsoon seasons (e.g. March to May, if the weather conditions
are right).
A cloudburst can occur @anytime @anyplace in a short span of time. (but it usually favors
mountainous regions)
The specific location and time of cloud burst can be predicted in NOWCAST mode only, i.e. a few
hours in advance.
To detect these sudden developments, you need a Doppler Weather Radar (DWR).
Doppler Weather Radar (DWR)
By and large, Meteorologists use there are three different types of weather radars:
RADAR UTILITY
1. conventional gives information only about the rainfall estimation
2. Doppler Measuring rainfall, winds and clouds.
3. polarisation radar (or multi-parameter
radar)
measure , winds, rainfall (including shape and number of
raindrops)
One Doppler Weather Radar costs ~10 crore, can cover an area ~400 km.
IMD wants to modernize its Radar system. BHEL is manufacturing S-Band Doppler Radars for IMD.
Theyll be setup a 12 locations across India, including Mumbai.
And since the Uttarakhand Tragedy, now Department of Sci-Tech is setting up Doppler Weather radars
in Himalayas
Benefits of Doppler Weather Radar?
1. Radar uses the Doppler Effect in microwaves. When Microwaves are reflected from objects at
different times, this Radar detects their relative position. Thus Doppler Radar can detect even tiny
water particles in clouds and in which direction theyre moving.
2. Doppler radar has a detection range of ~400 kms. It can transmit information about a cloud, its
distance from land, its composition, which direction it is moving and even minute details like the
number and size of water droplets found in a cloud.
3. We can predict the amount of rainfall to an area, 2-3 hours in advance. Thus, if a flood-like situation is
likely to happen in Mumbai, BMC could be alerted to avert a 2005-like disaster.
4. can predict thunderstorms as well.
Crisis Mapping
Crisis mapping is the real-time data gathering and analysis during natural disaster or riots, elections
etc.
During Uttarakhand tragedy, International Network of Crisis Mappers came to help.
These crisis mappers monitor different channels of information on Uttarakhand. Example
official sources,
blogs, social media, facebook twitter
NGOs
news media
Using such data, the Crisis Mappers generate situation reports
They also update with vital information an online crisis map set up by the Google:
(http://google.org/crisismap/2013-uttrakhand-floods? gl=in)
Environment--crisis-map-google
^That google crisis map has information on rescued people, cleared areas, people stranded, relief
camps, medical centres, road networks and so on.
Thus, crisis mapping helps bridge the gap between
1. information-seekers vs providers
2. government vs public
3. situation on the ground vs action that needs to be taken
Ushahidi = open-source platform for crisis mapping during 2010 Haiti Earthquake. They even had an
international SMS number was created for people to input information relating to the quake.
Google Person Finder
Google Person Finder is a web application available in Hindi and English. (link:
http://google.org/personfinder/)
Allows individuals to post and search for the status of relatives or friends affected by a disaster.
All data entered into Google Person Finder is available to the public and searchable by anyone.
Also lets Press agencies, non-governmental agencies etc. contribute to the database and receive
updates.
[EnB] Misc.
Harithavanam
man-made forest in Kerala. On the banks of the Mangalapuzha river.
The man-made forest renders almost all the functions of a natural forest except that
there are no wild animals.
miniscule
monkeys
Scientists had been studying fossil primate skeleton from China, since 2003
Conclusion: Early ancestors of human beings might be miniscule monkeys smaller
than rats
Sumatra Haze
Fire in Sumatras jungle=> haze=> air pollution in three nations: Singapore, Indonesia
and Malaysia.
Dinosaurs
hardly relevant for UPSC but for the sake of timepass
#1: Nasutoceratops: New Vegetarian Dinosaur
Translates to big-nosed horned face.
New horned dinosaur species discovered in Utah desert of USA.
Belongs to the group of plant-eating, rhinoceros-like dinos.
Nasuceratops used their horns to deter rivals for sexual selection and Deflect predators similar to
modern-day elk or deer.
#2: T-rex was indeed the Villain Dinosaur
Paleontologist Scientist that studies fossil organisms.
Predator Hunts his prey by himself. E.g. Lion, Tiger
Scavenger
Any organism that feeds on dead animals hunted by others + and other decaying organic
matter. Example: Vultures, Hyenas, Raccoons, certain bacteria and insects.
T.Rex That Non-Vegetarian Villain-Dinosaur, youve seen in Hollywood movies.
What is the issue?
Some paleontologists believe that T. rex was a scavenger, not a predator. Meaning all Hollywood
movies where T-Rex is villain= scientifically bogus. Because T.Rex didnt kill anyone during his time!
He was merely a humble dinosaur who ate dead carcasses left by Predator dinosaurs.
But now Paleontologists found tooth marks of a T.Rex on a vegetarian (herbivore) dinosaurs tail.
From scientific analysis, they found vegetarian dinosaur was alive when it got bitten by T.Rex
Meaning T.Rex was a predator who would hunt in live animals, and NOT a scavenger. It means
Hollywood scriptwriters are indeed correct: T-Rex was indeed the villain dinosaur.
Mock Questions
MCQs
1. Correct Statements about Giant Clams
a. Theyre a variety of earthworms.
b. Found in the black, lava soil of Deccan plateu.
c. Considered Vulnerable as per IUCN database.
d. None of Above
2. Incorrect Match
a. Jammu and Kashmir: Black Francolin
b. Gujarat: Greater Flamingo
c. Delhi : House-sparrow
d. None of Above
3. Correct Statements
a. The use of chemical pesticides in garden has led to decline in Sparrow population, this is an
example of Biomagnification.
b. Habitat fragmentation is undesirable because it leads to inbreeding among a species.
c. Both
d. None
4. Incorrect Match
a. Yukiya Amano: IAEA
b. Thomas Bach: International Olympic Committee
c. Deepak Sandhu: National Green Tribunal
d. None of Above
5. Runaway Greenhouse effect occurs when
a. When the Thermal radiation given out by the planet, exceeds the solar radiation absorbed by the
Planet.
b. When the solar radiation absorbed by the planet exceeds the thermal radiation given out by the
planet.
c. When the solar radiation absorbed by the planet equals the thermal radiation given out by the
planet.
d. When the Thermal radiation given out by the planet, equals the solar radiation absorbed by the
Planet.
6. Find correct statement about Dimethylsulphide
a. It is responsible for the Ocean Acidification.
b. It is responsible for Algae bloom.
c. It is responsible for the runaway greenhouse effect.
d. None of Above
7. Correct Statement about fruits
a. Non- climacteric fruits are those who ripen even after harvest.
b. Climacteric fruits are those who do not ripe under ethylene treatment.
c. Mango is an example of Non-Climacteric fruit
d. None of above.
Descriptive
2 Marks (20 words)
1. Bioplastics
2. BioHydrogen
3. Lumos
4. Flow Batteries
5. Google Person Finder
6. Chorabari glacier
7. Himalayan Wonder
8. Yamuna Safed
5 Marks (50 words)
1. Eco sensitive Zones
2. Tiger Corridor
3. Environment (Protection) Act (EPA)
12 marks (120 words)
1. Suggest the measures to improve population of House sparrows in Urban India.
2. Examine the opportunities and challenges in the use of Biofuels in India.
3. What is Organic farming? How does it help in sustainable rural development?
25 marks (250 words)
1. Eco-development, not zero development, is required for the protection of environment. Evaluate
this stand in context of Uttarakhand Tragedy.
2. With suitable examples, explain how Livestock farming backed by Agricultural Extension
services can help weaker sections of society.
3. What do you understand by Crisis Mapping? Discuss its role in Disaster Management.
4. Uttarakhand tragedy was a man-made disaster. Comment.
200 Marks (essay)
1. Thoughtless conservation and reckless development are destructive to nature as well as
livelihoods.
2. Sometimes it takes a natural disaster to reveal a social disaster.
3. An economy disembodied from society is a disaster waiting to happen.
Next time, in part 3 of 3, well see Space, IT, Electronics, Nano-tech, allied topics of physics/chemistry.
visit Mrunal.org/snt For more on Sci-Tech Current affairs.
URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2013/09/science-tech-thehindu-june-july-aug-part-1-of-3-agriculture-
environment-biodiversity-enb-economics-of-animal-rearing-uttarakhand-tragedy-runaway-
greenhouse-bio-refinary.html
Posted By Mrunal On 11/09/2013 @ 23:06 In the category Science

TheHindu June-July-Aug Part 2 of 3

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6/13/2014 Mrunal [Science-Tech] TheHindu June-July-Aug: (Part 2 of 3) Agriculture, Environment Biodiversity (EnB), Economics of Animal rearing, Uttarakhand Tr

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