27 January 2023

• Environment: Green India Mission, running from 2015 to 2025, achieved only 26,287 hectares of new forest cover against a 5 million hectare target: 8 per cent of goal in 8 years.
• Energy: ONGC was assigned to map India's geothermal resources. The country has 10 GW potential; the first project is at Puga, Ladakh.
• International: Fukushima wastewater discharge: Japan plans to release 1.25 million tonnes of treated water into the Pacific Ocean over 30 years.
• Defence: Republic Day tableau and parade analysis; the event was the first on the renamed Kartavya Path.

GS area: Environment (forest policy, climate change)

A progress review of the Green India Mission showed that by December 2022, the programme had added only 26,287 hectares of new forest cover against its 10-year target of 5 million hectares.

• Green India Mission: One of eight missions under India's National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC, 2008). Targets adding 5 million hectares of forest cover and improving quality of another 5 million hectares over 2015-2025.
• Achievement: 26,287 hectares of new forest cover (8 per cent of target). Forest quality improvement: 1,02,096 hectares against a target of 1,66,656 hectares. Funds allocated: 681 crore rupees. Funds utilised: 525 crore rupees.
• India's forest cover status: Total forest cover is 80.9 million hectares (24.62 per cent of geographical area). National Forest Policy, 1988 target: 33 per cent.
• State performance: Top three states by percentage of geographical area under forest: Mizoram (84.53 per cent), Arunachal Pradesh (79.33 per cent), Meghalaya (76 per cent).
• Implementation challenge: The mission is implemented through state forest departments with variable capacity. Land availability for new plantations in densely populated India is limited.

Static linkage: Environment, climate policy (GS Paper 3).

GS area: Economy (energy), Environment

ONGC was tasked with mapping India's geothermal energy resources in January 2023. India has an estimated 10 GW of exploitable geothermal potential.

• Geothermal basics: Heat from the Earth's interior used to generate electricity (via steam turbines) or for direct heating. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, unlike solar or wind.
• India's first project: At Puga Valley, Ladakh. ONGC is the lead agency. This is the first serious attempt at commercial geothermal development in India.
• Other projects: Tata Power developing a 5 MW plant in Madhya Pradesh. NTPC planning a 300 MW plant in Chhattisgarh.
• Challenges: High upfront drilling costs (geothermal wells are expensive). Location-specific (active geothermal zones are concentrated in certain areas). Lower installed capacity potential than solar or wind.
• India's renewables targets: 500 GW renewable capacity by 2030; net zero by 2070.

Static linkage: Energy policy, science and technology (GS Paper 3).

GS area: Environment, International Relations

Japan announced plans to discharge approximately 1.25 million tonnes of treated wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean, phased over 30 years.

• Background: The 2011 earthquake and tsunami caused meltdowns in three reactors at Fukushima. Groundwater that flowed through the damaged reactor buildings has accumulated in storage tanks. By 2023 the tanks were nearing capacity.
• Treatment: Advanced Liquid Processing System (ALPS) removes most radioactive materials from the water. The remaining contaminant is tritium, which is difficult to separate from water molecules.
• Tritium levels: Japan planned to dilute the water to 1/40th of the permitted tritium level before release.
• Tritium: A radioactive isotope of hydrogen. Half-life 12 to 13 years. Absorbed by living organisms. Japan and the IAEA argue the release is safe at planned concentrations; China, South Korea and Pacific island nations raised concerns.
• Indian angle: India joined other nations in monitoring the IAEA review of Japan's plan.

Static linkage: Nuclear energy, international environment, science and technology (GS Paper 3).

GS area: Art and Culture, Economy

Etikoppaka toys, a traditional craft from Andhra Pradesh, are among India's Geographical Indication-tagged handicraft products featured in the Republic Day coverage.

• Origin: Made in Etikoppaka village on the banks of the Vamsadhara River in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh. The craft is over 400 years old.
• Material: Turned on a lathe from the Ankudu wood (Wrightia tinctoria), a locally available soft wood.
• Colours: Natural dyes derived from seeds, bark, leaves and lac. No synthetic colours used.
• GI tag: The Geographical Indication tag protects the product's identity and prevents imitation from other regions.
• Economic significance: Supports hundreds of artisan families. Has seen revival through e-commerce and craft promotion initiatives.

Static linkage: Art and culture, traditional crafts (GS Paper 1).

GS area: Economy (financial markets)

India completed the full transition to T+1 (trade plus one day) settlement for all equity shares on stock exchanges from 27 January 2023.

• T+1 mechanism: Shares are credited to the buyer's demat account and funds are credited to the seller's account one trading day after the transaction.
• Previous system: T+2 settlement was the global standard.
• India's distinction: India and China were the only countries with T+1 at the time. The US was planning a move to T+1 in 2024.
• Benefits: Reduces counterparty risk (the risk that the other party defaults between trade and settlement). Reduces the amount of collateral that brokers must post as margin.
• Implementation: SEBI phased in T+1 over 2022-23, starting with the least liquid stocks and completing the transition with large-cap stocks.

Static linkage: Financial markets, SEBI (GS Paper 3).

• Great Nicobar Island Project: A 130 square kilometre forest diversion approved for a transhipment port, airport, power plant and township on Great Nicobar Island. Threatens endemic species and the Shompen tribe (particularly vulnerable tribal group).
• Olive Ridley Turtles: Smallest sea turtles. IUCN: Vulnerable. Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule I. Mass mortality was reported in the Godavari river estuary in Andhra Pradesh in January 2023.
• Methanol blend (MD15): A blend of 15 per cent methanol in high-speed diesel. Reduces imports by 15 per cent, greenhouse gas emissions by 20 per cent, and is projected to create roughly 5 million jobs.