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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on October 04, 2024
Daily Insights and Initiatives for UPSC Exam Notes: Comprehensive explanations and high-quality material provided regularly for students
What is the status of the Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0?
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS II - Indian Polity & Governance
Context:
India has more than 3,000 legacy waste dumpsites, with 2,424 of them having a waste load of more than 1,000 tonnes. The Central government launched the legacy waste management project as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0 in October 2021, for a period of five years till 2026. However, more than halfway through the time period, only 471 out of the 2,424, that is 19.43% of dumpsites have been completely remediated
Read about:
Swach bharat Mission
Swachh bharat Mission 2.0
Key takeaways:
India has over 3,000 old waste dumpsites, with 2,424 of them holding more than 1,000 tonnes of waste. In October 2021, the central government introduced the legacy waste management initiative under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 2.0, scheduled to run for five years until 2026. Despite being past the halfway point of the timeline, only 471 of the 2,424 dumpsites—19.43%—have been fully cleared.
What are legacy waste dumpsites?
- Legacy waste dumpsites consist of solid waste that has been accumulated and stored over years without proper scientific or controlled management. According to the 2023 State of India’s Environment report, India generates approximately 1,50,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste daily. Due to a lack of infrastructure for waste management, municipal bodies have traditionally resorted to creating massive piles of garbage.
- Initially situated on the outskirts, these dumpsites have ended up in city centers due to urban expansion, often occupying barren land or landfills. Estimates from the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry indicate that around 15,000 acres of valuable real estate are buried under nearly 160 million tonnes of legacy waste nationwide.
What are the health risks?
- Legacy dumpsites pose significant health risks. Exposure to hazardous emissions from these sites can cause irritation in the mouth and throat. Inhaling methane from these landfills may lead to nausea, vomiting, and loss of coordination.
- Ragpickers, who frequently work in these areas, often suffer from skin allergies due to long-term exposure to waste.
- People living near landfills are at higher risk of contracting tuberculosis, asthma, diabetes, depression, and diseases like cholera and malaria. Additionally, these sites contribute to greenhouse gas emissions such as methane and carbon dioxide.
What is the Swachh Bharat Mission?
- The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), launched by the central government on October 2, 2014, aimed to eradicate open defecation and achieve "open-defecation free" status by October 2, 2019, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi through the construction of toilets.
- In 2021, SBM-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) was launched as a five-year program with the goal of making cities "garbage-free" by 2026 and maintaining ODF status in 4,372 urban local bodies (ULBs). The mission also aims for 100% waste segregation, door-to-door collection, and scientific waste management, including the safe disposal of inert waste in scientific landfills. SBM 2.0 seeks to transform legacy dumpsites into green zones and includes provisions to prevent new dumpsites by processing untreated waste.
- So far, action plans worth ₹3,226 crore from the central government’s share have been approved for the remediation of legacy dumpsites. State and Union Territory administrations have been given guidance on reclaiming landfills, and matching funds from these governments are required to complement the central assistance.
Progress so far
According to the Swachh Bharat Mission dashboard as of September 24, 471 of the 2,424 dumpsites have been remediated, with work approved or ongoing at 1,226 sites, and 727 sites still untouched. Of the total 17,039.71 acres covered by these dumpsites, 27% has been reclaimed, leaving 73% yet to be restored.
Among states, Tamil Nadu has reclaimed the most land from dumpsites, with 837 acres (42%) cleared. Gujarat has achieved the highest percentage of area reclaimed, with 75% of its landfill space (698 out of 938 acres) restored
Follow Up Question
1.Which of the following statements regarding the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0 (SBM-U 2.0) is/are correct?
- It was launched in 2021 with the objective of making all cities "garbage-free" by 2026.
- SBM-U 2.0 aims to achieve 100% source segregation and scientific management of all waste fractions.
- The mission includes provisions for scientific landfills to prevent the creation of new dumpsites.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 2, and 3
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Answer (D)
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The history of life on Earth spans approximately 4.5 billion years and is marked by significant evolutionary milestones:
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Origin of Life (Around 3.8 billion years ago): Life is believed to have originated in the oceans, with the first organisms being simple, single-celled prokaryotes, such as bacteria. These early life forms thrived in extreme environments.
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Photosynthesis and Oxygenation (Around 2.7 billion years ago): Cyanobacteria evolved the ability to perform photosynthesis, producing oxygen as a byproduct. This led to the Great Oxidation Event, drastically changing Earth's atmosphere and paving the way for aerobic (oxygen-dependent) life.
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Eukaryotic Life (Around 2 billion years ago): More complex cells called eukaryotes emerged, characterized by a nucleus and organelles. This development set the stage for multicellular organisms.
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Multicellular Life (Around 600 million years ago): The first multicellular organisms appeared, leading to a variety of life forms in the oceans, including early plants and animals.
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Cambrian Explosion (Around 541 million years ago): A rapid diversification of life occurred, with many major animal groups emerging in a relatively short geological period.
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Colonization of Land (Around 450 million years ago): Plants were the first to colonize land, followed by arthropods and eventually vertebrates, leading to the establishment of terrestrial ecosystems.
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Age of Dinosaurs (Around 230 million years ago): Dinosaurs dominated the Earth during the Mesozoic Era. They evolved into a variety of forms, including the ancestors of modern birds.
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Mass Extinction Events: Several mass extinction events occurred throughout history, the most notable being the Permian-Triassic extinction (about 252 million years ago) and the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction (about 66 million years ago), which led to the demise of the dinosaurs.
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Rise of Mammals (After the dinosaurs' extinction): With the dinosaurs gone, mammals began to diversify and occupy various ecological niches. This period saw the emergence of primates, leading to the eventual evolution of humans.
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Human Evolution (Around 6 million years ago): The lineage leading to humans diverged from other primates. Homo sapiens appeared around 300,000 years ago, and since then, humans have significantly impacted the planet through agriculture, urbanization, and technology
Losing biodiversity can have profound and far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, human health, and the overall stability of the planet. Here are some key impacts of biodiversity loss:
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Ecosystem Imbalance: Each species plays a unique role within its ecosystem, contributing to functions like pollination, nutrient cycling, and pest control. The loss of a species can disrupt these functions, leading to an imbalance that can affect the health of the entire ecosystem.
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Decreased Resilience: Biodiverse ecosystems are generally more resilient to environmental changes and stressors, such as climate change, disease, and natural disasters. A reduction in biodiversity can weaken this resilience, making ecosystems more vulnerable to collapse.
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Loss of Ecosystem Services: Biodiversity is vital for providing ecosystem services that humans rely on, including clean air and water, food production, climate regulation, and natural disaster mitigation. The decline of biodiversity threatens these essential services, potentially leading to food insecurity, poor health, and economic challenges.
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Increased Vulnerability to Diseases: Biodiversity can help regulate populations of disease vectors and pathogens. A decline in biodiversity may lead to an increase in diseases, as certain species that keep populations in check may vanish, allowing disease-carrying organisms to thrive.
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Impact on Human Health: Loss of biodiversity can lead to a decrease in the availability of medicinal resources, as many pharmaceuticals are derived from plants and animals. Additionally, a less diverse ecosystem can impact nutrition and food security.
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Economic Consequences: Many industries, including agriculture, fishing, and tourism, rely on healthy ecosystems. Biodiversity loss can disrupt these industries, leading to economic decline and job losses.
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Cultural Loss: Biodiversity is often intertwined with cultural identities and practices. The loss of species can diminish cultural heritage and traditional knowledge tied to natural resources.
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Climate Change Implications: Biodiverse ecosystems, such as forests and wetlands, play a crucial role in sequestering carbon dioxide. The loss of these ecosystems can exacerbate climate change by releasing stored carbon and reducing the planet's capacity to absorb greenhouse gases.
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Extinction of Species: As biodiversity declines, many species face the risk of extinction, leading to irreversible losses in the richness of life on Earth. Each extinction diminishes the genetic diversity that is crucial for adapting to changing environments.
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Interconnectedness of Life: Biodiversity loss highlights the interconnectedness of all living things. The decline of one species can have cascading effects on others, leading to further losses and disrupting food webs
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Answer (C)
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Individuals planning to start a food business must either register or obtain a license from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). This authority was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) to oversee and develop regulations for the processing, distribution, sale, and importation of food to guarantee that it is “safe and wholesome.”
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According to the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Rules, 2011 (established under the FSSA), “Petty Food Manufacturers” such as small-scale food enterprises, hawkers, vendors, and stall operators are mandated to register with the FSSAI.
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Upon successful registration, the Petty Food Manufacturer is issued a registration certificate and a photo identity card, which must be displayed prominently at all times within their premises, vehicle, or cart.
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Additionally, operators of larger food enterprises are required to obtain a license from the food authority. This license must also be displayed prominently at all times within the location where the Food Business Operator conducts their operations. In both instances, the identity of the owner and the establishment's location must be clearly shown (via photo ID and FSSAI license).
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According to Section 63 of the FSSA, any operator running a food business without a license may face up to six months in prison and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh. Section 94(1) of the FSSA states: “Subject to the powers of the Central Government and the Food Authority to make rules and regulations respectively, the State Government may, after prior publication and with the approval of the Food Authority, create rules to fulfill the functions and duties assigned to the State Government and the State Commissioner of Food Safety under this Act and its associated rules and regulations.”
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Section 94(2) outlines the areas on which state governments can establish rules. Under Section 94(2)(a), states can formulate regulations regarding the “other functions of the Commissioner of Food Safety under clause (f) of sub-section (2) of section 30.”
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The Commissioner of Food Safety, appointed by the state government as per Section 30, is responsible for ensuring the “efficient implementation” of the FSSA along with its rules and regulations. Sections 30(2)(a) to (e) detail specific responsibilities of the Commissioner, such as conducting surveys, organizing training programs, and approving prosecutions for violations. Section 30(2)(f) grants the Commissioner a broader mandate for “such other functions as the State Government may, in consultation with the Food Authority, prescribe.”
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Furthermore, Section 94(2)(c) permits the state government to formulate rules for “any other matter which is required to be, or may be prescribed or in respect of which provision is to be made by rules by the State Government.” Section 94(3) mandates that the rule be presented to the state legislature for approval “as soon as possible.”
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Answer (C)
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A tropical cyclone is a powerful storm system characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and a defined circular structure. These cyclones form over warm ocean waters in tropical and subtropical regions and are fueled by heat and moisture from the ocean surface. Here's a breakdown of their key features and formation process:
Key Features:
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Structure: Tropical cyclones typically have a well-defined center called the eye, surrounded by a region of intense winds and precipitation known as the eyewall. The storm also has spiral rainbands extending outward from the eye.
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Categories: They are classified based on their wind speeds:
- Tropical Depression: Winds up to 38 mph (33 knots).
- Tropical Storm: Winds between 39 mph (34 knots) and 73 mph (63 knots).
- Hurricane/Cyclone/Typhoon: Winds of 74 mph (64 knots) or higher, with terminology varying by region (hurricane in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific, typhoon in the Northwest Pacific, and cyclone in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean).
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Formation:
- Extratropical cyclones generally form along fronts, where contrasting air masses (cold and warm) meet.
- The rising of warm air over colder air leads to the development of low-pressure areas.
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Structure:
- These cyclones often have a well-defined cold front and warm front, creating a frontal system.
- The cold front moves faster than the warm front, causing the warm air to be lifted, leading to cloud formation and precipitation.
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Weather Patterns:
- Extratropical cyclones are associated with a variety of weather conditions, including rain, snow, strong winds, and storms.
- They can bring severe weather and are responsible for many winter storms in temperate regions.
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Lifespan and Movement:
- Extratropical cyclones tend to have a longer lifespan than tropical cyclones, often lasting several days to a week.
- They generally move from west to east due to the prevailing westerly winds in the mid-latitudes.
1.Which of the following statements about tropical cyclones is/are correct?
- Tropical cyclones form over warm ocean waters and are fueled by the heat released from moisture during condensation.
- They typically occur in the mid-latitude regions and are associated with frontal systems.
- The most intense tropical cyclones are categorized as Category 5 storms on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 and 3 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3
D. 1 only
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Answer (A)
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| Subject | Topic | Description |
| History | Modern Indian History | Company rule and Crown rule 1773 - 1947 |
| History | Modern Indian History | Fall of Mughals |
| History | Modern Indian History | Establishment of British rule in India |
| History | Modern Indian History | Economic Policies of the British |
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