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| Exclusive for Subscribers Daily: State of Forest Report (SFR) for the UPSC Exam? Why are topics like Rupee Exchange rate and Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) and Worker Population Ratio (WPR) important for both preliminary and main exams? Discover more insights in the UPSC Exam Notes for January 06, 2025 |
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Critical Topics and Their Significance for the UPSC CSE Examination on January 06, 2025
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Is India’s forest cover growing enough?
For Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
For Mains Examination: GS III - Environment & Ecology
Context:
The State of Forest Report (SFR), 2023 was released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav at the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, on December 21, 2024. The SFR is a biennial exercise the Government of India undertakes to track tree and forest cover, carbon stock, forest fires, and other parameters related to the country’s green cover
Read about:
State of Forest Report (SFR)
Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (WGESA)
Key takeaways:
Findings of SFR 2023
- The SFR 2023 revealed that 25.17% of India’s land area is covered by forests and trees, with forests accounting for 21.76% and tree cover contributing 3.41%. Compared to SFR 2021, these figures show slight increases from 21.71% and 2.91%, respectively, amounting to an absolute growth of 1,445 sq. km.
- The National Forest Policy, 1988 mandates that 33% of India’s geographical area should be under forest or tree cover. States such as Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha recorded the highest gains in forest and tree cover, whereas regions like Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Ladakh (UT), and Nagaland experienced declines.
Understanding Green Cover
- As per the report, forest cover refers to areas of at least one hectare with a tree canopy density of 10% or more, regardless of ownership or legal status. Tree cover, on the other hand, encompasses smaller tree patches outside forested areas, including dispersed trees in urban and rural settings, spanning areas less than one hectare.
- The SFR employs satellite imagery alongside data from the National Forest Inventory (NFI) and ground verification for accuracy. Forest cover data derives from satellite analysis, while the growing and carbon stock figures rely on NFI data collected between 2017 and 2022. The 2023 report specifically used satellite imagery from October to December 2021.
Performance of Sensitive Areas
- The Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (WGESA), designated under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 for special protection, has seen a reduction of 58.22 sq. km in forest cover over the last decade, as per SFR 2023. While “very dense” forests increased, the “moderately dense” and “open” forests experienced declines. Forest canopy densities are classified as follows: “very dense” (≥70%), “moderately dense” (40-70%), and “open” (10-40%).
- In the Nilgiris, part of the WGESA and a UNESCO biosphere, forest cover reduced by 123.44 sq. km between 2013 and 2023. Alarmingly, forest fires in the Nilgiris increased fourfold from 2022-23 to 2023-24.
- Mangrove ecosystems, critical for stabilizing coastlines and supporting biodiversity, have also suffered losses. India’s mangrove cover, comprising 0.15% of its total geographical area, decreased by 7.43 sq. km between 2021 and 2023. While Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra expanded their mangrove cover, Gujarat’s Kutch region recorded significant declines.
- The northeastern region, though covering less than 8% of India’s landmass, contributes over 21% to its forest and tree cover. However, the SFR 2023 reported a decline of 327.3 sq. km in the region, attributed partly to forest-to-agriculture conversion.
Implications and Critiques of SFR
Although SFR definitions of forests and tree cover appear straightforward, they have drawn criticism for conflating natural forests with plantations, orchards, and monocultures, potentially misrepresenting forest health and masking deforestation. Critics argue this aggregation provides a distorted understanding of forest priorities and minimal actual gains in forest cover compared to the reported 1,445 sq. km increase.
Relation to Climate Action
Carbon stock, a measure of the total carbon stored in ecosystems, is a critical metric for climate action. Mature forests store carbon in tree biomass, deadwood, and leaf litter. India has pledged to increase its carbon stock by 2.5-3 billion tonnes by 2030 through additional forest and tree cover. Currently, the carbon stock stands at 30.4 billion tonnes. Between 2021 and 2023, SFR 2023 reports an increase of 81.5 million tonnes in carbon stock and a 4.25% rise in growing stock, reflecting all live trees in forests
Follow Up Question
1.Which of the following statements regarding the State of Forest Report (SFR) 2023 is/are correct?
- India’s total forest and tree cover is 33% of its geographical area, as mandated by the National Forest Policy, 1988.
- The SFR 2023 used satellite data from 2021 and National Forest Inventory (NFI) data collected between 2017 and 2022.
- The Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Area (WGESA) experienced an increase in "very dense" forests but a decline in "moderately dense" and "open" forests over the last decade.
- Mangrove cover in India has increased significantly since the last SFR report.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A. 1 and 4 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1, 2, and 4 only
D. 2, 3, and 4 only
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Answer (B)
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What Leads to Currency Depreciation?
- The value of a currency in the foreign exchange market is influenced by the interplay of its demand and supply. This is analogous to how prices for goods are determined in a marketplace.
- If the demand for a product increases while its supply remains unchanged, its price rises to manage the available supply. Conversely, if demand decreases while supply remains constant, sellers lower prices to attract buyers.
- The primary difference between the goods market and the forex market is that in the latter, currencies are traded against other currencies instead of goods.
- A currency depreciates when its demand falls relative to its supply in the market. This depreciation simultaneously causes the foreign currency’s value to appreciate. This relationship mirrors how the purchasing power of money fluctuates with changes in the prices of goods in the market.
- Several factors influence the demand and supply of a currency in the forex market.
- One critical factor affecting the supply of a currency is the monetary policy of its central bank.
- If a central bank adopts a loose monetary policy compared to others, it increases the currency's supply in the market (for trade and investment), leading to its depreciation. In contrast, tighter monetary policies tend to appreciate a currency's value.
- The demand for a currency is closely tied to the demand for a country's goods and assets by foreign buyers. Foreigners must first acquire the local currency to purchase a country's goods or assets, so high demand for these translates into higher demand for the currency, appreciating its value. Conversely, a decline in demand for a country’s goods or assets reduces the value of its currency
Why is the Rupee Depreciating?
- The recent decline in the value of the rupee has been largely attributed to foreign investors withdrawing their funds from India, creating downward pressure on the currency.
- Global investors have been reallocating investments as central banks worldwide adjust their monetary policies in response to economic conditions. Following the pandemic, high inflation prompted monetary tightening by central banks.
- However, as inflation begins to stabilize, these policies are being relaxed, prompting investors to pull out of emerging markets like India in favor of advanced economies.
- The longer-term depreciation of the rupee against the dollar is linked to higher inflation in India compared to the U.S., driven by the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) relatively loose monetary policies compared to the tighter stance of the U.S. Federal Reserve.
- Additionally, India's reliance on importing high-value goods like crude oil and gold (which increases demand for dollars and weakens the rupee) and its limited export growth (which could bolster demand for the rupee) further contribute to its weakening performance.
- To stabilize the rupee, the RBI has been utilizing its dollar reserves to artificially boost the supply of dollars in the forex market, thereby increasing dollar demand for the rupee.
- However, this intervention has led to a decline in India’s foreign exchange reserves, which fell to $640 billion in December from over $700 billion in September, marking an eight-month low
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Answer (B)
India's foreign exchange reserves consist of the following components:
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- The Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC), also known as the Harappan Civilisation, was one of the world's earliest urban cultures, flourishing around 2500 BCE to 1900 BCE in the northwestern regions of the Indian subcontinent. Spanning modern-day Pakistan, northwest India, and parts of Afghanistan, it covered an extensive area, making it one of the largest ancient civilisations.
- The IVC is renowned for its advanced urban planning and sophisticated infrastructure. Cities like Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Dholavira, and Lothal were meticulously planned, with a grid-like layout, well-defined streets, and impressive drainage systems.
- The civilisation's architecture included residential buildings, granaries, public baths, and possibly administrative or religious structures, such as the Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro. The use of baked bricks in construction demonstrates their technological advancement and attention to durability.
- The economy of the Indus Valley Civilisation was primarily agrarian but also supported thriving trade networks. Agriculture relied on the fertile floodplains of the Indus River and its tributaries, with crops like wheat, barley, and peas being cultivated.
- The people were skilled artisans, producing high-quality pottery, beadwork, seals, and metalwork. Trade extended beyond the subcontinent, with evidence of exchange with Mesopotamia and Central Asia. The seals, often engraved with animal motifs and an undeciphered script, are believed to have been used in trade and communication.
- The society of the IVC appeared to be egalitarian, as there is little evidence of marked social stratification or monumental palaces signifying a ruling elite. However, the precise nature of their governance remains a mystery.
- The absence of deciphered written records has left historians and archaeologists relying on material evidence to understand the social, economic, and political systems of the civilisation.
- Religion in the IVC is another subject of speculation, with no definitive evidence of temples or religious texts. Artefacts such as terracotta figurines, seals depicting animals and deities, and evidence of fire altars suggest a spiritual dimension to their lives, possibly involving nature worship or proto-Hindu practices.
- The decline of the Indus Valley Civilisation remains a subject of debate among scholars. Factors such as climate change, shifts in the course of rivers, overuse of resources, and external invasions have been proposed as possible reasons for its gradual disappearance by 1900 BCE. As the civilisation waned, many urban centers were abandoned, and people possibly migrated to other regions.
- The legacy of the Indus Valley Civilisation is profound, influencing subsequent cultures in the Indian subcontinent. Its contributions to urban planning, craftsmanship, and trade networks remain a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of this ancient culture.
- Despite ongoing excavations and research, much about the IVC, particularly its language and governance, remains an enigma, making it an enduring subject of fascination in the study of ancient history
1.Which of the following statements about the Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC) is/are correct?
- The cities of the Indus Valley Civilisation were well-planned with a grid system and advanced drainage facilities.
- The script of the Indus Valley Civilisation has been deciphered and is similar to Sanskrit.
- The Great Bath at Mohenjo-Daro is believed to have had religious or ritualistic significance.
- The economy of the Indus Valley Civilisation was predominantly agrarian with no evidence of trade with other regions.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 1 and 4 only
C) 2 and 3 only
D) 1, 3, and 4
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Answer (A)
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- The Brahmaputra River forms a transboundary Himalayan basin that spans four countries: China, India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. It originates in Tibet, where it is called the Yarlung Zangbo (or Tsangpo), making China the uppermost riparian nation.
- India and Bhutan are situated downstream relative to China, while Bangladesh, at the lowest point of the basin, serves as the final recipient, where the river flows into the Bay of Bengal. All the riparian countries have plans for large-scale water infrastructure projects, including hydropower dams, irrigation systems, and embankments for river control.
- The Brahmaputra River basin is often viewed by the countries in the region as being within their borders, with national control over the river system. These transboundary rivers are commonly compared to ‘taps’ that can be controlled or manipulated through hydraulic measures like dams.
- China, India, and Bhutan have been building significant hydroelectric dams in the basin, which have escalated geopolitical tensions in the region. The construction of mega-dams is seen as an assertion of sovereignty, with nations using them as symbols of their dominance over natural resources.
- Terms like ‘water wars’ have entered the geopolitical lexicon, with upstream countries building hydropower dams, which are sometimes perceived by downstream nations as threats, as seen with China’s Medog Dam project.
- With control over Tibet’s rivers, China has immense power over the region’s water flow and has used its material, technological, and discursive strength to further its unilateral hydropower agenda, including iconic projects such as the Three Gorges Dam and the Zangmu Dam on the Yarlung Zangbo.
- Communities along the Brahmaputra have long adapted to the river’s natural cycles, but the recent large-scale dam projects disrupt their traditional ways of managing and utilizing water systems. As a result, the rapid pace of these interventions has diminished their ability to use traditional knowledge effectively.
- Upstream communities in Tibet and downstream communities in India, Bhutan, and Bangladesh now live under the influence of these mega-dams, which have significantly altered their livelihoods and environments.
- The continuous flow of the Brahmaputra in the downstream areas of India and Bangladesh is heavily reliant on the Yarlung Zangbo’s flow from China. If China’s proposed mega-hydropower dam at the Great Bend disrupts this flow, it could have disastrous consequences, not only on water levels and groundwater systems but also on the monsoon patterns that impact agriculture and ecosystems across the basin.
- The race to build hydropower dams in the Brahmaputra basin is largely driven by competition between China and India, with both countries announcing massive dam projects along the river course.
- China’s largest project is at the Great Bend, while India has initiated its own significant dam project at Upper Siang. Bhutan, too, has been constructing several smaller dams, raising concerns in both India and Bangladesh.
- Despite these competing interests, none of the countries in the basin have signed the United Nations Convention on the Law of Non-navigational Uses of International Watercourses (2014), which would legally enforce fair water-sharing practices.
- While China and India have an Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) in place for sharing hydrological data, there is still no comprehensive treaty governing the shared rivers.
- The ongoing border dispute between China and India further complicates these discussions, adding a layer of security concerns to the already tense geopolitical environment in the Brahmaputra basin.
- A shift towards a bioregional or ecoregional approach to the Himalayas could help reduce the security-driven discourse and encourage cooperative efforts to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Brahmaputra river basin
1.Which of the following statements about the Brahmaputra River are correct?
- The Brahmaputra River originates in Tibet and is known as the Yarlung Zangbo.
- It flows through only India and Bangladesh, without touching Bhutan.
- The river's major tributaries include the Teesta, Lohit, and Subansiri rivers.
- The Brahmaputra River eventually drains into the Arabian Sea.
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(A) 1, 3 only
(B) 1, 2, 3 only
(C) 1, 3, 4 only
(D) 1, 3 only
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Answer (A)
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The unemployment rate for individuals aged 15 and above remained steady at 3.2% from July 2023 to June 2024, according to the annual labour force survey report released on Monday.
Unemployment rate (UR) refers to the percentage of unemployed individuals within the labour force. The report noted a slight drop in the UR for males, from 3.3% in the period July 2022 – June 2023 to 3.2% in July 2023 – June 2024, while for females, the rate rose from 2.9% to 3.2% over the same timeframe.
Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR)
The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for individuals aged 15 years and above was 60.1% in the period July 2023 – June 2024, an increase from 57.9% in the previous year. The LFPR for males and females was 78.8% and 41.7%, respectively.
LFPR refers to the proportion of individuals in the labour force (either working or actively seeking work) within the overall population. For females in the same age group, LFPR rose from 37% in the period July 2022 – June 2023 to 41.7% in July 2023 – June 2024. The male LFPR saw a smaller increase, from 78.5% to 78.8% in the same timeframe.
Worker Population Ratio (WPR)
The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) in usual status stood at 58.2% during July 2023 – June 2024, up from 56% in the previous year. For males, WPR was 76.3%, and for females, it reached 40.3%. The WPR for females aged 15 and above increased from 35.9% during July 2022 – June 2023 to 40.3% in July 2023 – June 2024.
WPR refers to the percentage of employed individuals within the overall population.
Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)
Recognizing the need for frequent labour force data, the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) introduced the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) in April 2017.
Objectives of the PLFS
The PLFS aims to achieve two key goals:
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To estimate key employment and unemployment indicators, such as the Worker Population Ratio, Labour Force Participation Rate, and Unemployment Rate, on a quarterly basis for urban areas using the ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS).
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To provide annual estimates of employment and unemployment indicators in both rural and urban areas using both the ‘Usual Status’ and ‘CWS’ metrics. Six annual reports have already been published, based on data from July 2017 – June 2018 to July 2022 – June 2023.
The seventh annual report, covering July 2023 – June 2024, is now being released by the NSSO based on data from the Periodic Labour Force Survey
Types of LFPR:
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- Overall LFPR: Reflects the total percentage of people working or seeking work in the population.
- Gender-specific LFPR: Differentiates between male and female participation in the workforce.
- Age-specific LFPR: Focuses on particular age groups, such as those 15 years and above
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Answer (B)
However, the drop in female LFPR cannot be fully explained by these factors alone. Other reasons, such as the lack of suitable employment opportunities, social norms, and the burden of unpaid domestic work, also play significant roles. Thus, while both statements are true, (R) does not completely explain (A). |
| Subject | Topic | Description |
| History | Modern Indian History | Important Personalities |
| History | Modern Indian History | Independence and Partition |
| History | Modern Indian History | Constitutional Development in India |
| History | Modern Indian History | Peasants, Tribal and other movements |
|
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