GRIP

Political Triangle🔺...

•Types of Forest ecosystems in India

•Forests Ecosystem in India

In India, the Himalaya mountains are known for its temperate vegetation; Western Ghats and the Andaman Nicobar Islands have dense tropical rainforests, while the delta regions are famous for their tropical forests and mangroves; the desert and semi desert areas of Rajasthan have cactus, a wide range of bushes & thorny vegetation etc.

•What is Natural Vegetation?
It stands for a plant community that has been left undisturbed over a long time, which allows the individual species to adjust themselves to climate and soil conditions.

•Types of Forests
•Tropical Evergreen and Semi Evergreen forests
•Tropical Deciduous forests
•Tropical Thorn forests
•Montane forests

•Tropical Evergreen and Semi Evergreen Forests

Areas- These forests can be found in Western Ghats, hilly regions of the northeastern part & Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Natural Conditions- These forests are found in warm and humid areas with an annual precipitation of over 200 cm and mean annual temperature above 22oC.

In this category, the height of trees can be reached upto 60 m or above. However, there is no definite time for trees to shed their leaves, flowering and fruition.

Species- Rosewood, Mahogony, Aini, Ebony, etc.
They represent a mixture of evergreen and moist deciduous trees.

•Tropical Deciduous Forests
They are also called monsoon forests and are the most widespread forests in India.

Conditions- These forests are spread in those regions which receive rainfall between 70-200 cm.

These forests can be divided into two categories namely, moist and dry deciduous on the basis of the availability of water

The Moist deciduous forests can be found in those regions which have rainfall between 100-200 cm.

They are found in the northeastern states, foothills of Himalaya mountain, Western Ghats and Odisha. Main species- Teak, sal, shisham, hurra, mahua, amla, semul, kusum, and sandalwood etc.
Dry deciduous forest can be found in regions where the rainfall ranges between 70 -100 cm. These forests are found in rainier areas of the Peninsula and the plains of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

•Tropical Thorn Forests
These forests are found in those areas which have rainfall less than 50 cm. Generally, it consists of a variety of grasses and shrubs.
Aras- Semi-arid areas of south west Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Under this category, plants remain leafless for most part of the year and gives an expression of scrub vegetation.

Main Species- Babool, ber, and wild date palm, khair, neem, khejri, palas, etc.

•Montane Forests
The Montane Forests are also known as coniferous trees.
Important Species- Chir, Pine and Deodar etc.

•Forest Conservation
In 1952, the Government of India adopted forest policy which was further modified in 1988.

The forest policy was aimed at :
(i) to bring 33 percent of the geographical areas of country under forest cover;

(ii) in those areas where ecological balance go disturbed maintain environmental stability and restore forests;

(iii) conserve the natural heritage of the country, its biological diversity and genetic pool;

(iv) check anc control soil erosion, extension of the desert lands and reduction of floods and droughts;

(v) focus on increasing the forest cover through social forestry and afforestation on degraded land;

(vi) increase the productivity of forests to make timber, fuel, fodder and food available to rural populations which are heavily dependent on forests, and encourage the substitution of wood.

(vii) creating of a massive peoples movement involving women to encourage planting of trees, stop felling of trees and thus, reduce pressure on the existing forest.

Source: Gradeup

Happy National Teachers day.
Note: World Teachers day is celebrated on 05 october.

•UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India

What is a World Heritage site?

The World Heritage Sites are listed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for their special cultural or physical significance.
The list of sites is maintained by the international 'World Heritage Programme', which is administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

The objective of UNESCO behind the identification of World Heritage sites is to encourage the protection, identification and preservation of cultural & natural heritage, which is considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
The list is maintained under an international treaty known as Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

•World Heritage Sites in India

India has 38 world heritage sites that comprises 30 Cultural properties, 7 Natural properties and 1 mixed site.

•Significance of Heritage Sites

The heritage sites are significant in regeneration, housing, education, economic growth and community engagement etc of a country and also make a very positive contribution to community life.
The historic perspective is a proven source of benefit to local economies, particularly through tourism.
These sites assist the government and local authorities in attracting external investment as well as maintaining existing businesses of all types, not just tourism-related.
The adaptive reuse of heritage buildings is significant in the creation of sustainable communities.
These heritage sites are an excellent local educational resource for people of all ages.
Indeed learning about the history of a place is a good way of bringing communities together through a shared understanding of the unique cultural identity heritage places give to an area.
When heritage sites get recognised at international level, it is hoped that the like- minded people will come forward to preserve them.

Some Prominent World Heritage Sites in India

•Agra Fort

In 1565 AD, the Agra Fort was built Mughal emperor Akbar, it is a majestic sandstone building which mentions the magnificence of the Mughal empire.
It is simple, elegant and home to a large stone bowl upon which are carved Persian verses.

•Ahmedabad

This Gujarat’s city was Declared as India's first UNESCO World Heritage City for its magnificent history and tradition.
This city is divided into two parts, cut into distinct sections by the Sabarmati river.

•Ajanta Caves

This site is located about 107 km from Aurangabad and home of a famous cluster of 32 Buddhist caves.
The rock-hewn caves at Ajanta are either chaityas (shrine), chapels or prayer halls, or viharas (monasteries) or residential cells.

•Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus

This monument is of significant historical importance and houses one of the finest railway stations in the world, situated in Mumbai (Maharashtra).
This railway terminus was named British Queen Victoria, on Golden Jubilee Day (1887) to mark fifty years of her reign.

•Bhimbetka Rock Shelters

This site comprises 500 or so paintings that have a resemblance to the ones found in Australia’s Kakadu National Park, cave paintings of Kalahari Desert’s Bushmen tribe and France’s Upper Palaeolithic Lascaux etc.

•Bodh Gaya

According to Buddhist tradition, Prince Siddhartha (later became Lord Buddha) who had meditated till the attainment of enlightenment has found a quiet retreat under the most hallowed spot here, the Bodhi tree.

•Elephanta Caves

This site was included into the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in the early 1980s.
The walls of the caves are lined with rock art which was built around the mid- 5th and 6th century.
There are two main hills namely, Gun Hill and Stupa Hill on the island.

•Fatehpur Sikri

It was built by mughal emperor Akbar somewhere between 1572 and 1585 AD.
The red sandstone was used in the construction.

•The Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park is one of the most protected areas in the Himalayas.
At this place, around 350 species of flora and 800 species of fauna are found and some of which are endangered.

•Thanjavur

Also known as Tanjore, this city is famous for its gorgeous monuments, a legacy of the Cholas.

•Humayun’s Tomb

This tomb was built by Mughal emperor Humayun's first wife Haji Begum and designed by Persian architect Mirak Mirza Ghiyas.
The garden is further divided into four main sections by walkways and water channels.
The design of tomb get synonymous with the Paradise Garden mentioned in the holy book of Islam, the Quran.

•Jantar Mantar

It is situated in Jaipur (Rajasthan), and is considered to be one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world.
Jantar Mantar houses the world's largest stone sundial.

•Kaziranga National Park

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kaziranga National Park, is famed as a home to two-thirds of the world's population of the rare one-horned rhinoceros.

•Keoladeo National Park

This national park was recognised as one of the most important breeding and feeding ground for birds.
This site was incorporated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
It was formerly known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

•Mountain Railways of India

It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999.
The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), also betterly known as the toy train.
It was started in 1881, so that transportation of rice and other commodities became easier and more cost-efficient.

•Qutub Minar

It is as old as the history of the Delhi Sultanate.
It is the world's tallest brick minaret, which dominates the skyline of the city.
It is around 73 foot tall, this five-storeyed tower, remains one of the most magnificent buildings of India from the medieval era.

•Rani Ki Vav

It is situated in the state of Gujarat.
Rani Ki Vav is situated on the banks of Saraswati river.
It was built by Rani Udayamati in the memory of her husband, king Bhima I, of the Chalukya or Solanki dynasty (950-1300 CE).

•Sanchi

Sanchi has been bestowed a rich legacy of Buddhist monuments - from the Sanchi Stupa to the Ashoka Pillar.

•Red Fort

It is situated in Delhi, which is made up of fine red sandstone, and represents the architectural legacy of the Mughals.
It is one of the most beautiful monuments in the world, and also known as qila-e-mubarak, is replete with palaces, pavilions and mosques.

•Khangchendzonga National Park

It was designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016, situated in the state of Sikkim.
It is famous for its spectacular wildlife like snow leopard, red panda, great Tibetan sheep, musk deer etc.

Source: Gradeup

Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Priyojana (PMBJP):
Why in News?

8 immunity boosting products launched under Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Priyojana (PMBJP) for sale through Janaushadhi Kendras across country.

About PMBJP:

It is a campaign launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals of the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses through special kendra’s known as Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra.

Initially launched in 2008, the scheme was rechristened in 2015.
Implementation:

Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI) is the implementing agency of PMBJP.

BPPI (Bureau of Pharma Public Sector Undertakings of India) has been established under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. of India, with the support of all the CPSUs.
SALIENT FEATURES OF THE SCHEME:

•Ensure access to quality medicines.

•Extend coverage of quality generic medicines so as to reduce the out of pocket expenditure on medicines and thereby redefine the unit cost of treatment per person.

•Create awareness about generic medicines through education and publicity so that quality is not synonymous with only high price.

•A public programme involving Government, PSUs, Private Sector, NGO, Societies, Co-operative Bodies and other Institutions.

•Create demand for generic medicines by improving access to better healthcare through low treatment cost and easy availability wherever needed in all therapeutic categories.

Sources: The Hindu, Insightsias

Which movement is known as August Movement ??

The cost of a cure for COVID-19 If Gilead’s drug is successful, the Indian government should issue a compulsory licence under the Patents Act

How can India contain the economic impact of COVID-19? The government must focus on health and livelihood issues at the same time

Timeline of Historical Pandemics.

World Wildlife Day



What to study?

For Prelims: Significance of World Wildlife Day, themes, CITES.
For Mains: Significance, performance and potential of these conventions.


Context: World Wildlife Day was celebrated on March 3rd.

Theme: ‘Life below Water: for People and Planet’.

The theme aligns with goal 14 of UN Sustainable Development Goals.



Relevance of theme:

Significance of oceans:

The ocean contains nearly 200,000 identified species, but actual numbers may be in the millions.
Globally, the market value of marine and coastal resources and industries is estimated at US$3 trillion per year, about 5% of global GDP.
Over three billion people depend on marine and coastal biodiversity for their livelihoods. Marine wildlife has sustained human civilization and development for millennia, from providing food and nourishment, to material for handicraft and construction. It has also enriched our lives culturally, spiritually, and recreationally in different ways.


Concerns and the need for conservation:

The capacity of life below water to provide these services is severely impacted, as our planet’s oceans and the species that live within it are under assault from an onslaught of threats.
As much as 40% of the ocean is now heavily affected by the most significant and direct threat of over exploitation of marine species as well as other threats such as pollution, loss of coastal habitats and climate change.
These threats have a strong impact on the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on marine ecosystem services, particularly women and men in coastal communities.


Background:

On 20 December 2013, at its 68th session, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 3 March, the day of signature of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), as UN World Wildlife Day to celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild animals and plants.



About CITES:

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international regulatory treaty between 183 party states.

It was formed in 1973 and regulates the international trade in over 35,000 wild species of plants and animals.

The focus of the convention is not solely on the protection of species. It also promotes controlled trade that is not detrimental to the sustainability of wild species.



How does CITES work?

The convention works primarily through a system of classification and licensing.

Wild species are categorised in Appendices I to III. This often reflects species’ threat status on the Red List of the IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species first created in 1964.

Appendix I prohibits trade in species classified as highly endangered.
Appendix II allows trade under very specific conditions. This requires exporting countries obtain a permit, but not the importing country.
Appendix III species require only a certificate of origin to be traded.
National CITES management authorities may issue permits once scientific authorities show non-detriment findings. In other words, scientific evidence must demonstrate that species sustainability will not be adversely affected by trade. Where data is lacking, the precautionary principle applies.

CITES is legally binding on state parties to the convention, which are obliged to adopt their own domestic legislation to implement its goals.