{"id":2887,"date":"2026-02-04T12:47:47","date_gmt":"2026-02-04T12:47:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iasquest.com\/?p=2887"},"modified":"2026-02-04T12:47:48","modified_gmt":"2026-02-04T12:47:48","slug":"wetlands-are-not-wastelands-thorium-based-nuclear-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kingmakersiasacademy.com\/current-affairs\/wetlands-are-not-wastelands-thorium-based-nuclear-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Wetlands are not wastelands &amp; Thorium-based nuclear power"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-1\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>1. \u201cWetlands are not wastelands but working ecosystems that underpin India\u2019s water security, disaster resilience and cultural heritage.\u201d Discuss<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#f8d68b96\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong><br><strong>General Studies \u2013 III: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS:<\/strong> Wetlands as a national public good<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3 wp-block-paragraph\">Wetlands in India have often been misclassified as wastelands, resulting in their encroachment and degradation. However, wetlands are <strong>working ecosystems<\/strong> that deliver vital ecological services, support livelihoods and preserve cultural traditions, making them integral to India\u2019s sustainable development and resilience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Wetlands and Water Security<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-5\">\n<li><strong>Hydrological regulation<\/strong>:<ul><li>Recharge groundwater aquifers<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Maintain base flows in rivers<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Store and slowly release surface water<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-6\">\n<li><strong>Water quality improvement<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Natural filtration of pollutants and sediments<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-7\">\n<li><strong>Traditional water systems<\/strong>:<ul><li>Cascading tank (<em>kulam<\/em>) systems of Tamil Nadu<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Kenis<\/em> of Wayanad for drinking water and irrigation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-8 wp-block-paragraph\">Their degradation has contributed to <strong>urban flooding, groundwater depletion and water scarcity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Wetlands and Disaster Resilience<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-10\">\n<li><strong>Flood mitigation<\/strong>: Floodplains and urban wetlands absorb excess rainfall<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coastal protection<\/strong>: Mangroves and mudflats reduce storm surge and wave energy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Climate change adaptation<\/strong>: Act as nature-based solutions against extreme weather events<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Treating wetlands as vacant land increases <strong>disaster vulnerability<\/strong>, especially under climate change.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-11 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Wetlands as Cultural Heritage and Livelihood Systems<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-12\">\n<li><strong>Livelihood support<\/strong>:<ul><li>Inland and coastal fisheries<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Paddy cultivation<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Grazing and ecotourism<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cultural significance<\/strong>:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Rituals, festivals and community identity linked to wetlands<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Traditional knowledge<\/strong>:<ul><li>Community-managed fishing practices in Andhra Pradesh<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sustainable water-sharing norms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-13 wp-block-paragraph\">These systems ensured <strong>wise use and long-term sustainability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-14 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Governance Gaps and Current Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-15\">\n<li>Nearly <strong>40% of wetlands lost<\/strong> in the last three decades<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drivers:<ul><li>Urbanisation and infrastructure expansion<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Hydrological disruption (dams, embankments, sand mining)<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Pollution from untreated sewage and industrial effluents<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Weak implementation of:<ul><li>Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Catchment-level and participatory planning<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-16 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Way Forward<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-17\">\n<li>Treat wetlands as <strong>national public goods<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure:<ul><li>Proper notification and boundary demarcation<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Catchment-based management<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Treated wastewater inflows<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Capacity building of wetland authorities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Integrate <strong>traditional knowledge with scientific management<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-18 wp-block-paragraph\">Wetlands are not wastelands but <strong>living infrastructure<\/strong> critical to India\u2019s water security, disaster risk reduction and cultural continuity. Protecting them requires aligning <strong>science, policy and people<\/strong> to ensure resilient and sustainable ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#f8d68b96\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE<\/strong> <br>Q. Comment on the National Wetland Conservation Programme initiated by the Government of India and name a few India\u2019s wetlands of international importance included in the Ramsar Sites. (2023)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-19 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#0800ff\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/wetlands-as-a-national-public-good\/article70584287.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/opinion\/lead\/wetlands-as-a-national-public-good\/article70584287.ece<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-20 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#ff0000\"><strong>2. Thorium-based nuclear power is central to India\u2019s long-term energy independence. Discuss the strategic rationale behind India\u2019s three-stage nuclear programme and examine how the expansion of PHWR capacity can accelerate the transition to the thorium cycle.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#a4edd3\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Syllabus:<\/strong> <br><strong>General Studies \u2013 III: Infrastructure: Energy<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-21 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>IN NEWS:<\/strong> Why Thorium-based nuclear power generation is key to securing India\u2019s energy independence<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-22 wp-block-paragraph\">India accounts for nearly <strong>18% of the world\u2019s population but holds barely 1\u20132% of global uranium reserves<\/strong>, while possessing <strong>about 25% of the world\u2019s thorium resources<\/strong>, largely in monazite sands along its coasts. This structural mismatch between energy demand and fuel availability compelled India to design a <strong>unique three-stage nuclear programme<\/strong>, with <strong>thorium-based power as the ultimate pillar of long-term energy independence<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-23 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategic Rationale of India\u2019s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-24 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stage I \u2013 Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-25\">\n<li>Use natural or lightly enriched uranium<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Produce electricity and <strong>plutonium-239<\/strong> as a by-product<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Build foundational nuclear capacity with indigenous technology<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-26 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example<\/strong>: 220 MWe and 700 MWe PHWRs operated by NPCIL form the backbone of India\u2019s nuclear fleet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-27 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stage II \u2013 Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-28\">\n<li>Use plutonium to breed additional fissile material<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Multiply fuel resources and support capacity expansion<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Intended to create irradiation platforms for thorium<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-29 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Challenge<\/strong>: Delays in large-scale deployment of FBRs (e.g., PFBR at Kalpakkam) have slowed fissile material accumulation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-30 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stage III \u2013 Thorium-Based Nuclear Power<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-31\">\n<li>Converts thorium into <strong>Uranium-233 (U-233)<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enables <strong>self-sustaining and long-duration nuclear power<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Minimises external fuel dependence and enhances strategic autonomy<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-32 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Technologies envisioned<\/strong>: Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWRs) and Thorium Molten Salt Reactors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-33 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Expansion of PHWR Capacity can accelerates the Thorium Transition<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-34\">\n<li>Post\u2013India-NSG waiver, access to <strong>imported uranium<\/strong> has enabled rapid expansion of PHWR capacity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Government targets <strong>~100 GWe nuclear power<\/strong>, with PHWRs constituting the bulk<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PHWRs can be used to <strong>irradiate thorium alongside advanced fuels such as HALEU<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This enables <strong>early and large-scale production of U-233<\/strong>, without waiting for full FBR deployment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thorium-HALEU fuel combinations:<ul><li>Improve fuel burn-up<\/li><\/ul><ul><li>Reduce overall fuel cycle cost<\/li><\/ul>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Offer safety and non-proliferation advantages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-35 wp-block-paragraph\">PHWRs thus act as a <strong>bridge technology<\/strong> between uranium-based reactors and the thorium phase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Strategic, Economic and Climate Co-benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-block-list wp-elements-37\">\n<li>Enhances <strong>energy sovereignty<\/strong> by relying on domestic fuel<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provides stable baseload power to complement renewables<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supports India\u2019s <strong>net-zero and clean energy commitments<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Aligns with <strong>Viksit Bharat 2047<\/strong> energy goals<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-38 wp-block-paragraph\">Thorium-based nuclear power is not a distant aspiration but a <strong>strategic necessity<\/strong> for India. By leveraging the expanding PHWR fleet as irradiation platforms for thorium conversion, India can overcome delays in fast breeder deployment and decisively move towards a <strong>self-reliant, secure and sustainable nuclear energy future<\/strong>, realising the full promise of its three-stage nuclear vision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-39 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Thorium is India\u2019s pathway from nuclear capability to nuclear sovereignty.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color\" style=\"background-color:#a4edd3\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>PYQ REFERENCE<\/strong> <br>Q. With growing energy needs should India keep on expanding its nuclear energy programme? Discuss the facts and fears associated with nuclear energy. (2018)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-40 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"color:#3300ff\"><strong>Source:<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-sci-tech\/expert-thorium-based-nuclear-power-energy-independence-10502336\/?ref=explained_pg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/explained-sci-tech\/expert-thorium-based-nuclear-power-energy-independence-10502336\/?ref=explained_pg<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cWetlands are not wastelands but working ecosystems that underpin India\u2019s water security, disaster resilience and cultural heritage.\u201d Discuss Syllabus:General [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2888,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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