Question Q.17GS3GS3

Mangroves contribute significantly to the coastal economy and ecology, but they are threatened by numerous factors. Elaborate. Also, state the measures taken by the government for mangrove conservation and restoration.

Main Body

Mangroves are ecotone rare vegetation known as the kidney of earth. India has 3% of land under mangroves (Forest Survey) Contribut to coastal economy: (1) Provide timber - softwood trees such as Sundry (2) Boat handicraft, wood industries - tourism (3) Support livelihood - e.g. coastal populations depend on collecting fruit etc (4) Nurseries Support - they provide breeding ground for fishes (5) Preserve chicks from natural disaster act as 1st line of defence Concerns (Causes of decline): (1) Water filtration - acts as sediment and pollutant absorber (2) Regulatory services - provide micro climate control (3) Biodiversity support - e Birds, vegetation diversity etc (4) Preserve ecosystem as keystone as foodweb dependent on them (5) Provisioning services such as floor faunal support Threats: a) Degradation e Dredging, Fishing, Agricultural expansion, Population pressure and air exploitation b) River pollution - heavy pollutant load c) Agricultural expansion d) Population pressure and air exploitation

Coastal ecology: (1) Water filtration - acts as sediment and pollutant absorber (2) Regulatory services - provide micro climate control (3) Biodiversity support - e Birds, vegetation diversity etc (4) Preserve ecosystem as keystone as foodweb dependent on them (5) Provisioning services such as floor faunal support Threats/Concerns (causes of decline): (1) Degradation e Dredging, Fishing, Agricultural expansion, Population pressure and air exploitation b) River pollution - heavy pollutant load c) Agricultural expansion d) Population pressure and air exploitation Government measures: (1) MISHTI - protected, preserve and promote mangroves by support state govt. (2) Mangrove alliance - ICIMOD cooperation for preserving mangroves (3) Mangrove drivers - e.g. EK Red hatstth SIAMF ke naam (4) Coastal Zone Regulation - based on Saulash Nayak Committee (5) Strict measures to prevent unauthorized cutting of mangroves (6) River pollution control measures such as Narmada gauge (7) Setting NGOs such as Green India for civil society led preservation (8) Hands under National mission for Green India (9) Restoration efforts by afforestation promotion e Ujjat Initiative What most is needed: a) Strict regulation of illegal expansion & afforestation b) Awareness among locals c) Innovative solutions for restoration

— ASTHA JAIN · AIR 9

343 words1 paragraphs

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Map showing mangrove regions across Indian coast with labels for Sundarbans, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Andhra, Michawaram

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ASTHA JAIN

AIR 92025

Subject & Paper

GS3GS3

Topic

Biodiversity and Environment

Coastal Ecosystem

Mangroves

Writing Stats

343

Total words

Paragraphs

formal_academic

Tone

Linked PYQ

As a senior officer in the Ministry, you have access to important policy decisions and upcoming big announcements such as road construction projects before they are notified in the public domain. The Ministry is about to announce a mega road project for which the drawings are already in place. Sufficient care was taken by the planners to make use of the government land with the minimum land acquisition from private parties. The compensation rate for private parties was also finalized as per government rules. Care was also taken to minimize deforestation. Once the project is announced, it is expected that there will be a huge spurt in real estate prices in and around that area. Meanwhile, the Minister concerned insists that you realign the road in such a way that it comes closer to his 20-acre farmhouse. He also suggests that he would facilitate the purchase of a big plot of land in your wife’s name at the prevailing rate which is very nominal, in and around the proposed mega road project. He also tries to convince you by saying that there is no harm in it as he is buying the land legally. He even promises to supplement your savings in case you do not have sufficient funds to buy the land. However, by the act of realignment, a lot of agricultural lands has to be acquired, thereby causing a considerable financial burden on the government, and also the displacement of the farmers. As if this is not enough, it will involve cutting down of a large number of trees denuding the area of its green cover. Faced with this situation, what will you do? Critically examine various conflicts of interest and explain what your responsibilities are as a public servant.

20M2018Critically examine