Environment and Ecology — Miscellaneous
1. Brumation
Context: Reptiles going into a state of brumation (survival technique) to conserve energy to survive harsh environmental conditions.
- Process: A dormant period for reptiles, similar to hibernation in mammals. During brumation, reptiles slow down to conserve energy, eat and defecate less, move infrequently, stay in darkest, coldest areas, and may occasionally drink water.
- Reason: Reptiles brumate during the cold season to endure low temperatures and food or water scarcity, as they cannot regulate their body temperature.
- Timing: Males tend to awaken from their dormant state earlier than females.
| Feature | Hibernation | Brumation | Aestivation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animals | Endothermic (warm-blooded) | Ectothermic (cold-blooded) | Cold-blooded |
| Examples | Bears, bats, groundhogs | Snakes, lizards, turtles | Snails, lungfish, desert tortoises |
| Activity Level | Completely inactive | May become partially active | Inactive in summer |
2. India's Deep Sea Mission
Context: India to become the sixth country to launch a deep-sea mission focusing on a resilient blue economy. Initial five countries: France, U.S., China, Russia, and Japan.
- Deep Ocean Mission (DOM): One of 9 missions under the Prime Minister's Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PMSTIAC); approved by the Union Cabinet in 2021 over a 5-year period.
- Implemented by: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
- Key development: National Institute of Ocean Technology's Matsyayaan 6000.
About Matsyayaan 6000
- Deep-sea vehicle capable of diving 6,000 meters deep.
- India's first manned submersible.
- Developed by: National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
- Collaboration: ISRO helping create a titanium hull to withstand extreme oceanic pressure.
- Vessel Testing: First stage harbor trial expected by January 2025; subsequent trials by 2026.
- Self-flotation systems: Vessel can remain submerged for 72 hours during emergencies.
Six Pillars of DOM:
- Technological Development
- Ocean Climate Change Research
- Deep-Sea Biodiversity Innovation
- Deep-Ocean Survey
- Ocean Energy & Freshwater
- Marine Station for Ocean Biology
3. Fourth Global Mass Coral Bleaching
Context: Aerial surveys observed widespread coral bleaching across two-thirds of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, Australia.
- Current event: Fifth coral bleaching event in the past eight years.
- Past mass bleaching events: 1998, 2002, 2016, 2017, 2020, 2022, and 2024.
- Worst event: 2014-2017 — longest, most widespread, and most damaging on record (NOAA).
About Great Barrier Reef
- Location: Northeast coast of Australia.
- Stretches across 2,300 km; made up of around 3,000 individual reefs; contains world's largest collection of coral reefs with 400 types of coral.
- Inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
Coral Bleaching
- Happens when coral polyps expel symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) from their tissues, losing colour and nutrients.
- Causes: Rising sea surface temperature, subaerial exposure, water pollution, sedimentation.
Benefits of Coral Reefs:
- Coastal protection (natural barriers against storms and erosion)
- Employment and tourism
- Food and medicines
- Cultural significance
4. Megafauna
Context: Archaeologists in Andhra Pradesh discovered a 41,000-year-old ostrich nest, offering insights into the extinction of megafauna in the Indian subcontinent.
- Definition: Animals exceeding a certain weight threshold, typically >50 kg.
Classification
- Megaherbivores: Plant-eating species
- Megacarnivores: Meat-eating species
- Megaomnivores: Species consuming both plants and meat
Key Findings
- 81% of terrestrial megafauna weighing over 1,000 kg went extinct (including several elephant and rhinoceros species).
- Extinctions followed the emergence of modern Homo sapiens and their hunting practices.
- Climate change was NOT the primary cause — extinctions coincided with the spread of Homo sapiens.
- Species with long gestation periods and slow reproduction rates were especially vulnerable.
Trophic Rewilding: Reintroducing large herbivores and predators can restore biodiversity and ecosystem functions lost due to megafauna extinctions.
5. Kisan Kavach
Context: An anti-pesticide body suit called Kisan Kavach has been developed by scientists affiliated to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
- About: India's first indigenous built 'anti-pesticide' body suit to protect farm labourers from ingesting and accumulating pesticides.
- Developed By: DBT-affiliated organisation, inStem, Bangalore.
- Components: Trouser, pullover, and face-cover.
- Fabric Technology: Oxime-treated fabric chemically breaks down pesticides on contact; nucleophile-based fabric technology deactivates pesticides.
- Features: Washable and reusable; protective even after 150 washes; retains potency in wide temperature range and under UV-light exposure.
6. Operation Bhediya
Context: The Uttar Pradesh government launched 'Operation Bhediya'.
- Objective: To catch wolves targeting children and villagers in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh.
- Innovative Effort: Forest department using "teddy dolls" soaked in children's urine as false bait.
About Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes)
- Description: Intermediate in size, between Tibetan and Arabian wolf.
- Habitat: Scrub, grasslands, and semi-arid pastoral agro-ecosystems.
- Distribution: Indian subcontinent to Israel.
- Protection Status:
- IUCN: Least Concern
- WPA 1972: Schedule I
- CITES: Appendix I
7. Agrivoltaic Farming
Context: At the 7th session of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in New Delhi, a visit was organized to a farm site in Najafgarh to demonstrate the agrivoltaic model in action.
- Definition: Simultaneous use of land for both agricultural activities and solar energy generation.
- Solar panels installed above or near crops, optimizing land use.
- Contributes to rural economic growth and strengthens food and energy security.
8. Geo-Heritage Sites
Pandavula Gutta
- Location: Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana.
- Significance: Telangana's sole geo-heritage site; geological marvel older than the Himalayas.
- Discovery: 1990.
- Features prehistoric habitation from Mesolithic to medieval periods; rock art on cave walls, shelters, and boulders.
Ramgarh Crater
- Location: Ramgarh Village, Mangrol Tehsil, Baran district, Rajasthan.
- Type: Terrestrial meteorite impact crater.
- Discovery: 1869 by Geological Survey of India (GSI).
- Formation: ~165 million years ago due to meteor impact.
- Features circular depression surrounded by hills and forests.
About Geological Survey of India (GSI):
- Designates geo-heritage sites and national geological monuments for protection.
- Recognized over 90 sites, including 34 geo-heritage sites.
9. Kalasa-Banduri Project
Context: Goa and Karnataka are in conflict over the Kalasa-Banduri project as a central body inspects the Mahadayi basin.
- Project: Constructing dams and a canal system to divert water from Goa's Mahadayi River to the Malaprabha River basin in Karnataka (tributary of Krishna River).
- Aim: Supply drinking water to Belagavi, Dharwad, Bagalkot, and Gadag districts in Karnataka.
- Stalled since: Early 1980s due to dispute between Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.
About Mahadayi River
- Origin: Western Ghats, Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary, Khanapur taluk, Belgaum district, Karnataka.
- Known as: Mandovi in Goa.
- Rain-fed river shared by Karnataka and Goa.
- Khazan farming: Popular in Mahadayi basin — elevated farmland protected by bundhs for waterlogged paddy cultivation.
- Waterfalls: Dudhsagar Falls and VajraPoha Falls.
- Protected Areas: Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary, Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary & International Bird Area, Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary, Mollem National Park.
10. Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) Dam
Context: Karnataka High Court suspended all mining licences for stone quarrying within a 20-km radius of the KRS Dam under the Dam Safety Act, 2021.
- Location: Near the confluence of River Kaveri with its tributaries Hemavati and Lakshmana Tirtha, in Karnataka.
- Designed by: Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
Dam Safety Initiatives
- Dam Safety Act 2021: Empowered institutional framework for dam safety at Centre and State.
- Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP): Improves safety and operational performance of existing dams.
- National Hydrological Project: Gathers hydro-meteorological data on a real-time basis.
11. Shipra River
Context: A performance audit by the CAG on the degradation of the Shipra River revealed significant findings.
- Shipra (Kshipra) River: Tributary of the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh; flows across the Malwa Plateau.
- Perennial river considered sacred like the Ganga.
- Origin: Vindhya Range from a hill called Kakri-Tekdi, 11 km from Ujjain.
- Major Tributaries: Khan and Gambhir.
- Cultural Significance:
- Sinhastha fair (Kumbh Mela) held every 12 years in Ujjain.
- Source associated with Varaha (incarnation of Lord Vishnu).
- Associated with Krishna, who visited Sage Sandipani's riverside ashram.
- Referenced in Buddhist and Jain texts.
12. Ratle Hydro Electric Project
Context: Chenab River was successfully diverted for expedited construction of a dam at Ratle Hydro Electric Project in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir.
- Execution: Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL).
- Capacity: 850 MW.
- Nature: Run of the river scheme on River Chenab.
- Dam type: Concrete gravity (133 m tall).
About Chenab River
- Common name: Chandra-Bhaga, Askini.
- Origin: Streams of Chandra and Bhaga from Barelacha pass in Lahaul and Spiti valley, Himachal Pradesh; join at Tandi.
- Course: Himachal Pradesh → Jammu division → enters Pakistan near Akhnoor → joins Sutlej forming the Panjnad river.
- Left bank tributaries: Tawi River, Ravi River.
- Right bank tributaries: Marusudar River, Jhelum River, Neeru river, Kalnai River.
13. Summary: Miscellaneous Topics at a Glance
| Topic | Key Detail |
|---|---|
| Brumation | Reptile dormancy; similar to hibernation |
| Deep Sea Mission | Matsyayaan 6000; 6,000 m depth; 6th country |
| Coral Bleaching | Great Barrier Reef; 5th event in 8 years |
| Megafauna | >50 kg; 81% of >1000 kg extinct; Homo sapiens spread |
| Kisan Kavach | India's first anti-pesticide suit; inStem, Bangalore |
| Operation Bhediya | UP; Indian wolf (Schedule I) |
| Agrivoltaic Farming | Solar + agriculture; ISA demonstration |
| Pandavula Gutta | Telangana's sole geo-heritage site; older than Himalayas |
| Ramgarh Crater | Rajasthan; meteorite impact; 165 million years old |
| Kalasa-Banduri | Mahadayi River dispute; Karnataka-Goa |
| KRS Dam | Sir M. Visvesvaraya; Kaveri + Hemavati + Lakshmana Tirtha |
| Shipra River | Chambal tributary; Malwa Plateau; Kumbh Mela |
| Ratle Hydro Project | 850 MW; Chenab River; J&K |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Brumation: Reptile dormancy during cold season; males awaken earlier
- Deep Sea Mission: 6th country; Matsyayaan 6000 (6,000 m); NIOT + ISRO
- Coral Bleaching: Great Barrier Reef; 5th event in 8 years; 2014-2017 worst
- Megafauna: >50 kg; 81% of >1000 kg extinct; Homo sapiens primary cause
- Kisan Kavach: DBT-inStem; oxime-treated fabric; 150 washes
- Operation Bhediya: Indian wolf (Schedule I, CITES Appendix I)
- Agrivoltaic Farming: Solar + agriculture; ISA demonstration
- Pandavula Gutta: Telangana's sole geo-heritage site; older than Himalayas
- Ramgarh Crater: Rajasthan; meteorite impact; 165 million years old
- Kalasa-Banduri: Mahadayi River; Karnataka-Goa dispute
- KRS Dam: Sir M. Visvesvaraya; Dam Safety Act 2021
- Shipra River: Kumbh Mela; Buddhist and Jain texts
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Environment — Miscellaneous)
Q1. What is brumation?
Correct Answer: B. Brumation is a dormant period for reptiles, similar to hibernation in mammals. Reptiles brumate during the cold season to endure low temperatures and food or water scarcity.
Q2. India's deep-sea mission Matsyayaan 6000 is capable of diving how many meters?
Correct Answer: C. Matsyayaan 6000 is a deep-sea vehicle capable of diving 6,000 meters deep. It is India's first manned submersible.
Q3. The Great Barrier Reef is located off the coast of which country?
Correct Answer: B. The Great Barrier Reef is situated on the northeast coast of Australia. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.
Q4. The Kisan Kavach anti-pesticide body suit was developed by which organisation?
Correct Answer: C. Kisan Kavach was developed by inStem, Bangalore — a DBT-affiliated organisation. It is India's first indigenous anti-pesticide body suit.
Q5. Pandavula Gutta is Telangana's sole geo-heritage site located in which district?
Correct Answer: C. Pandavula Gutta is located in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district, Telangana. It is a geological marvel older than the Himalayas.
Q6. Ramgarh Crater in Rajasthan was formed by:
Correct Answer: B. Ramgarh Crater is a terrestrial meteorite impact crater in Baran district, Rajasthan. It was formed around 165 million years ago due to meteor impact.
Q7. What is the IUCN status of the Indian wolf?
Correct Answer: B. The Indian wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It is also listed in Schedule I of WPA 1972 and CITES Appendix I.
Q8. The Kalasa-Banduri project is associated with which river?
Correct Answer: C. The Kalasa-Banduri project aims to divert water from Goa's Mahadayi River to the Malaprabha River basin in Karnataka. There is a dispute between Karnataka and Goa over the project.
Q9. Shipra River is a tributary of which river?
Correct Answer: C. Shipra (Kshipra) River is a tributary of the Chambal River in Madhya Pradesh. It flows across the Malwa Plateau and is considered sacred.
Q10. The Ratle Hydro Electric Project is located on which river?
Correct Answer: C. The Ratle Hydro Electric Project is a run of the river scheme located on the River Chenab in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, with an installed capacity of 850 MW.