* India is a significant contributor to global plastic pollution, generating an estimated 9.3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually.
* Official data on waste collection and management is incomplete and unreliable, with one report indicating that 95% of the nation's solid waste is unmanaged.
* India's official per capita plastic waste generation is around 0.12 kg per day, but this figure is likely an underestimate due to data limitations.
* The lack of comprehensive and accurate data hinders effective planning and policy implementation for waste management.
* The existing regulatory framework for solid waste management, including the Plastic Waste Management Rules (2016), suffers from inadequate data reporting by local bodies and pollution control boards.
* This data gap makes it challenging to assess the true scale of the problem and the effectiveness of current measures.
* While some progress has been made in collecting data in certain regions, a unified and robust national system for waste management data is still lacking.
* The judiciary, including the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT), has increasingly intervened to address the issue of unmanaged waste and hold authorities accountable.
* The NGT recently directed the Tamil Nadu government to pay environmental compensation of ₹100 crore for failing to manage waste in Vellore, highlighting the legal consequences of inaction.
* There's a growing recognition that effective waste management requires a multi-pronged approach involving source segregation, proper collection, processing, and the involvement of various stakeholders, including informal waste pickers.
* Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is being emphasized to hold producers accountable for the end-of-life management of their products.
* The focus is shifting towards a circular economy model where waste is viewed as a resource to be recovered and reused, rather than simply discarded.
* Governments at all levels must prioritize the implementation and enforcement of existing waste management rules.
* Integrating the informal sector of waste pickers into the formal waste management system can improve efficiency and provide livelihoods.
* Public awareness campaigns are needed to promote responsible waste management practices at the individual and community levels.
* Ensuring accountability and imposing penalties for non-compliance, as demonstrated by the NGT's actions, can drive better waste management practices.
* A holistic and collaborative approach involving government agencies, local communities, industries, and individuals is necessary to tackle this significant environmental challenge.
The Critical Need for Expanding India's Green Cover
Background:
* Climate change, accelerating tree loss, and carbon sequestration are crucial environmental challenges demanding urgent attention.
* For a rapidly growing economy like India, expanding tree cover is essential for mitigating climate change while supporting sustainable industrial growth and rural livelihoods.
* India's forest and tree cover currently stands at 24.62% of the total geographical area.
* The National Forest Policy of 1988 set a target of 33% forest and tree cover, indicating a significant gap that needs to be addressed.
* Deforestation, rapid urbanization, and serious industrial emissions are contributing to land degradation and accelerating climate change impacts.
The situation now:
* Tree plantations play a vital role in accelerating carbon sinks, absorbing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2), and enhancing water retention, thus combating climate change.
* These initiatives also help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil health, recharging groundwater, retaining water, reducing soil erosion, and enhancing resilience against extreme weather events.
* India has introduced several policies and initiatives to accelerate afforestation efforts, including the National Agroforestry Policy (2014) and the Trees Outside Forests in India Program.
* Programs encourage private landowners, farmers, and industries to participate in large-scale tree planting, aiming to reduce dependence on natural forests for timber and fuelwood, restore degraded ecosystems, and provide additional income sources for rural communities.
* The Green India Mission, part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, has been instrumental in reviving degraded forests and promoting sustainable forest management.
* Government data indicates that India’s forest and tree cover has increased by 0.56% between 2017 and 2021.
* Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives have also contributed to large-scale tree plantation drives, often undertaken by sectors like automobile manufacturing, cement, and energy to offset emissions.
* Many corporations are integrating afforestation projects into their carbon credit strategies, allowing them to claim emission reductions while restoring ecosystems.
* Indian industries face growing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint due to stringent international regulations, such as the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (to be enforced in 2026), which will impose tariffs on carbon-intensive imports.
* As trade between India and the EU (reaching €124 billion in 2023) is significant, these tariffs could greatly impact Indian exporters.
* To remain competitive, Indian markets are increasingly investing in carbon-offset projects, including large-scale tree plantations, often aligning with global sustainability standards and carbon credit frameworks.
* Regulatory compliance is no longer the primary driver; it has become a strategic advantage for companies to integrate sustainability into their operations, including green supply chains and energy-efficient manufacturing processes.
* Tree plantations also offer economic and social benefits, particularly in rural areas, through employment generation, improved livelihoods, and increased community resilience.
* In nursery management, forest conservation, and agroforestry, there are particularly vital roles for rural communities.
* Agroforestry, which integrates trees into agricultural systems, enhances soil fertility, improves nutrient cycling, provides additional income from timber and fruits, and increases resilience to droughts and erratic weather conditions.
* Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) studies suggest that agroforestry can increase farm incomes by 20-30%.
* To support community-led afforestation, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have invested in providing financial incentives, training, and capacity-building programs to educate farmers and rural workers.
Way forward:
* India aims to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by increasing its carbon sink through additional forest and tree cover.
* Afforestation and carbon sequestration will be key pillars of its sustainability strategy.
* Policy recommendations emphasize that despite its benefits, large-scale tree plantation faces several challenges, including the cost of carbon credits (currently around €80 per tonne of CO2 in the EU Emissions Trading System, but only ₹750 per tonne in India).
* For Indian businesses, investing in afforestation offers a more cost-effective solution than purchasing expensive international carbon credits.
* Another challenge is the absence of a global carbon trading policy in India.
* To encourage private-sector investments in afforestation, a globally recognized carbon credit registry and a well-defined regulatory framework are needed.
* Financial incentives and technological interventions are also crucial to accelerate private-sector investments in afforestation.
* The risks of inaction are considered too high, given the escalating impacts of climate change.
* Continued and intensified efforts in promoting tree plantation and sustainable forest management are essential for India's environmental and economic well-being.
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UN Chief Urges India-Pakistan Dialogue
Amid rising tensions following the Pahalgam attack, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for dialogue between India and Pakistan. He offered UN support for de-escalation initiatives and urged both countries to exercise restraint.
PM Modi Grants Forces Freedom to Respond to Terror
Following the Pahalgam attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi affirmed that India's armed forces have complete operational freedom to decide the mode, targets, and timing of their response. This was conveyed at a high-level meeting with the Defence Minister and service chiefs.
SC on Pegasus Use for National Security
The Supreme Court questioned if there was anything wrong with the government using Pegasus spyware for national security against "anti-national elements." Justice Surya Kant, heading the bench, stated that the issue lies in how it's used, emphasizing that national security cannot be compromised, but privacy must also be protected against illegal surveillance.
Modi Signals Reset in India-Canada Ties
Prime Minister Modi conveyed to Canadian PM Justin Trudeau the importance of upholding democratic values and the rule of law for a positive bilateral relationship. This comes after a period of strained ties, with both leaders emphasizing the need to move forward constructively.
India Labels Pakistan a 'Rogue State' at UN
India stated at the UN that Pakistan's Defence Minister's admission of supporting and funding terrorist organizations exposes Pakistan as a "rogue state" fueling terrorism and destabilizing the region. India criticized Pakistan's delegation for its remarks on the Pahalgam terror attack.
Congress Urges India to Oppose IMF Aid to Pakistan
The Congress party has called on India to strongly oppose any fresh financial assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to Pakistan, citing Pakistan's alleged support for terrorism. They also raised concerns about the delay in the return of a missing BSF constable.
Kashmir Tourist Spots Closed After Security Audit
Following a security audit after the Pahalgam terror attack, over half of Kashmir's major tourist destinations have been closed to tourists. The closures are termed a "very short-term measure" and are precautionary, with multi-tier security being implemented for some areas.
Monsoon Changes Impact Bay of Bengal Productivity
A study reveals that strong and weak monsoons significantly influence marine productivity in the Bay of Bengal. Changes in rainfall, ocean temperatures, and marine life, linked to climate change, are impacting plankton growth, which is crucial for the region's fisheries.
Lawsuits Against Trump Policies
More than 200 lawsuits have been filed by various plaintiffs to block policies as he approaches 100 days into his second term. Federal judges have resisted key parts of his agenda.
Fire in China's Liaoyang
A restaurant fire in Liaoyang, China, killed 22 people on Tuesday, with three others injured. The cause of the fire is unknown. The Chinese President urged all-out efforts to treat the injured.
Malta's 'Golden Passport' Program
The European Court of Justice ordered Malta to close its "golden passport" program, criticized for enabling crime and sanctions evasion. Malta stated the program brought €1.4 billion to the nation since 2015.
Countries on US IP Watch List
The US again placed India on its 'priority watch list' for intellectual property (IP) rights, noting challenges in protection and enforcement. Eight countries, including India, are on the list.
Prisoner Release in Vietnam
Vietnam will release more than 8,000 prisoners, including foreigners, ahead of the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Nearly 100,000 prisoners have been freed early since 2009.
