1. Coral bleaching poses a dual threat to reef ecosystems, structural degradation and loss of genetic diversity. Analyse this in the context of emerging CryoDiversity Banks.
| Syllabus: General Studies III – : Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation. |
IN NEWS: Scientists are helping corals fight back against warming seas
Coral reefs, often called the rainforests of the sea, host nearly 25% of marine biodiversity and provide vital ecosystem services. However, rising sea surface temperatures due to climate change have intensified coral bleaching events, threatening both the physical integrity and genetic diversity of reefs worldwide.
Dual Threat of Coral Bleaching:
Structural degradation:
- Coral bleaching occurs when symbiotic zooxanthellae (algae) are expelled under heat stress, leading to coral whitening and eventual death.
- Dead corals lose their calcium carbonate structure, resulting in weakened reef frameworks, coastal erosion, and loss of habitat for marine species.
Loss of genetic diversity:
- Repeated bleaching reduces reproductive success and survival of genetically resilient corals.
- It narrows the genetic pool, limiting adaptability to future climate variations and diseases.
Role of CryoDiversity Banks:
- Cryopreservation technology: Initiatives like the Taronga CryoDiversity Bank in Australia preserve coral gametes, larvae, and symbiotic algae at ultra-low temperatures.
- Genetic insurance: These banks act as repositories of coral genetic material, enabling future restoration even if natural populations decline.
- Research and restoration: Preserved material can aid selective breeding of heat-tolerant corals and support assisted regeneration of degraded reefs.
- Global cooperation: They foster collaboration between scientists, conservationists, and nations for long-term marine biodiversity conservation.
- Supporting capacity building and equitable access: They promote training, technology transfer, and shared access to preserved genetic material, empowering developing coastal nations to participate in reef restoration initiatives.
CryoDiversity Banks represent a critical adaptive strategy, safeguarding coral genetic heritage against irreversible bleaching losses. However, they must complement, not replace, urgent climate mitigation and habitat protection efforts to ensure the survival of reef ecosystems.
| PYQ REFERENCE (UPSC 2019) Q. Assess the impact of global warming on the coral life system with examples. |
Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/battle-for-reefs
2. Eradicating extreme poverty remains one of the greatest challenges for India. Examine the role of targeted welfare programs, community participation, and decentralized governance in achieving sustainable poverty alleviation.
| Syllabus: General Studies – II: Issues relating to poverty and hunger. |
IN NEWS: A Kerala story: On eradication of extreme poverty – Eradicating poverty should be seen as a never-ending task
According to the UNDP’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (2022), over 415 million Indians escaped poverty between 2005–06 and 2019–21. Yet, millions continue to face deprivation in nutrition, health, and education. Eradicating extreme poverty, therefore, requires not just economic growth but effective policy interventions that combine targeted welfare delivery, grassroots participation, and empowered local governance for sustainable outcomes.
1. Role of Targeted Welfare Programs
Government welfare programs aim to address the multidimensional nature of poverty—income, nutrition, education, and health.
Key initiatives include:
- Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): Ensures subsidies and pensions reach beneficiaries directly, reducing leakages and corruption.
- Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA): Provides wage employment and strengthens rural livelihoods through asset creation.
- National Food Security Act (NFSA): Ensures food security for over 80 crore people through subsidized grains.
- PM Awas Yojana (Rural & Urban): Provides affordable housing to the poor.
- PM Kisan Samman Nidhi and PM Jan Dhan Yojana: Strengthen financial inclusion and income support for small farmers and informal workers.
Impact:
These programs have significantly reduced income poverty, improved access to basic amenities, and built social safety nets. However, issues like poor targeting, bureaucratic delays, and regional disparities still limit their effectiveness.
2. Role of Community Participation
Community involvement ensures that poverty alleviation measures are context-specific, transparent, and inclusive.
Examples:
- Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under NRLM: Empower women economically and socially through microcredit, skill training, and entrepreneurship.
- Gram Sabhas and social audits: Enhance accountability in MGNREGA and local development works.
- Community-based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM): Involves local communities in managing forests, water, and land resources (e.g., Joint Forest Management).
Benefits:
- Builds local ownership and sustainability of projects.
- Reduces dependency on government handouts.
- Encourages social capital and gender empowerment.
3. Role of Decentralized Governance
Decentralization allows local governments to tailor development initiatives to local needs.
Key mechanisms:
- 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments: Empower Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) to plan and implement poverty reduction programs.
- District Planning Committees (DPCs): Integrate local plans with state and national strategies.
- Local Governance Schemes: Such as Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) link local priorities with national missions like Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Advantages:
- Ensures bottom-up planning.
- Reduces bureaucratic bottlenecks.
- Improves efficiency through better monitoring and accountability.
Challenges
- Persistent inequality and social exclusion (caste, gender, region).
- Leakages and corruption in welfare delivery.
- Limited capacity of local institutions.
- Overdependence on government schemes without fostering self-reliance.
While targeted welfare programs provide immediate relief, sustainable poverty eradication requires a synergistic approach combining efficient welfare delivery, community ownership, and empowered local governance. The focus should be on capacity building, digital inclusion, and convergence of welfare schemes with local development planning — aligning with India’s vision of achieving “Antyodaya” — upliftment of the last person.
| PYQ REFERENCE (UPSC 2019) Q. “Despite various initiatives, the problem of poverty and hunger in India persists. Explain.” |