Critically comment on the performance of NAPCC.

NAPCC was adopted in 2008 by Indian govt. to frame a comprehensive policy framework to deal with climate change. It has 8 mission plans like Green India mission, Solar Energy Mission, Energy Efficiency and others.

1. Though it represents a significant step forward, many believe that it is insufficient and lacking in vision and real measurable targets. The NAPCC just takes the Govt. existing national plans for water, solar, agriculture etc. with few new ones. But it does not formulate a well thought strategy for low carbon pathway for India.
2. NAPCC does not suggest a long term agenda. Integration among missions is lacking. Segregation into missions has led to viewing the problems and solutions with sector specific lenses.
3. NAPCC lays blame on developed countries without taking enough ownership for the problems. It has lack of clear targets and timelines for the actions thereby showing a lack of seriousness in the govt. commitment to dealing with climate change. The only target is vague like India’s per capita emissions will not surpass those of developed world.
4. The focus is on afforestation but not on the forest conservation. The Government has not clearly stated how it will finance the plan, it does not talk of any concrete financial mechanisms nor does it set out a budgetary allocation process.

Keeping the multi-dimensionality of climate impacts in the view, India should adopt an approach that is interdisciplinary in its character, breaks traditional ministerial boundaries, and learns rapidly from the effects of warming and our successes and failures in dealing with them. Further, India should set more clear vision and targets for these missions.

“Mangrove Forests has been one of the potent indicators of climate change and its affects”. Considering its importance, mention its functions and various threats in their survival?

Mangroves are various types of trees up to medium height and shrubs that grow in saline coastal sediment habitats. They are among the most productive and complex ecosystems on the planet, growing under environmental conditions, generally found where oceans, freshwater, and land realms meet. Mangrove forests are particularly found in  in the tropics and subtropics – mainly between latitudes 25°N and 25°S. These tidal areas, such as estuaries and marine shorelines, are frequently inundated with salt water. In india we have mangrove forest on eastern coast near sunderban delta, andaman and nicpbar islands and on western coast near rann of kutch. Mangroves serve important function such as–

1. Act as Buffer Zone between the land and sea.
2. Not only protect the land from erosion but also reclaim land from sea or waterlogged areas.
3. Play as nature’s shield against cyclones, ecological disasters.
4. Breeding and nursery grounds for a variety of marine animals. So help Biodiversity.
5. Good source of timber, fuel and fodder.
6. Main source of livelihood for shoreline communities like fisherfolk.
7. Purify the water by absorbing impurities and harmful heavy metals and help us to breathe a clean air by absorbing pollutants in the air.
8. Tourism- Given the diversity of life inhabiting mangrove systems major cause for tourist attractions

Mangroves under threat

1. Globally, half of all mangrove forests have been lost. 
2. Conversion into shrimp farms alone causes 25% of the total destruction.
3. Rapidly declining mostly in Southeast Asia and Latin America due to wood extraction, climate change and industrial development and unsustainable tourism.
4. Increasing salinity or coastal water due to shrimp farming. They need appropriate mix of saline and freshwater. The mangroves grow on fresh water, but because of lack of fresh water the height of mangroves has come down substantially, reducing its capacity to absorb CO2
5. Reducing mudflats due to climate change and encroachment.
6. Deforestation for making furnitures.
7. Grazing by cattles.
8. Opening of Brick klins.
9. Tourism disturbing the integrity of their ecosystem.
10. Marine pollution by oil leakages, oil spills, disposal of sewerage etc.

Mangrove for future program of IUCN is presently heading the mangroves conservation and rejuvenation program. India being a member of MFF has identified 38 areas spread across 8 states for mangroves conservation program to be monitored by MoE&F.

What is e-waste? Explain its health hazards.

The e-waste refer to the electronic waste. These waste are generated by discarding electronic equipment and devices after the end of their useful value. These include cells, mobile phones, computers etc. These waste have increased tremendously in the modern era of mechanized and digitized world especially in sprawling urban settlements.

1. Household appliances- Fridge, AC
2. Computer and telecommunication- Laptops and Mobile phone
3. Consumer equipment- TV, cameras

The e-waste are the most hazardous among all urban waste. The hazards include:

Environmental Hazards

1.  E-waste are not easily biodegradable. Hence throwing them in open poses many environmental risks.
2.  batteries can lead to explosion if not treated properly

Health Hazards

1. Produce toxic waste like lithium, mercury etc, that can bio accumulate and bio magnify producing carcinogenic diseases like Minimata.
2. Respiration of their suspended particles causes various respiratory diseases and lung cancer.
3. Direct consumption of e-waste by stray animals can cause their death.
4. Surface water and ground water is polluted by runoff and seepage and cause many water borne diseases.
5. e-waste of nano dimensions can enter the plants during nutrient intake. They accumulate and enter the food chain ultimately effecting human health.
6. Mutagenic effect of e-waste are still researched but cant be denied.

Apart from health hazards, e-waste causes multiple environmental damages and urban lanscape is continuously loosing its aesthetical value because of them. An immediate measure like buyer buy back, extended producer warranty and reverse vending should thus be put in place to contain their spread before any sustainable recycling process is devised.

Basel convention on trans-boundary movement of hazardous waste and their disposal. E-waste Law implemented in 2012 is silent on any formal recognition to the sector. However, it highlights extended producer responsibility to ensure collection and scientific recycling of electronic products. It also asks Producers to commit non inclusion of the above stated harmful components in electronic products. This clause was due for implementation starting May 2014. Strict implementation is necessary along with exercise of polluter pays principle. Can connect it with CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility).