Aspirant's Corner

  Ways Through which People and Government can Conserve Groundwater   With climate change being a reality, the importance of conserving groundwater has increased manifold as conserving groundwater is crucial for sustaining life on Earth. As a finite resource, groundwater plays a vital role in providing drinking water, supporting agriculture, and maintaining ecosystems. With increasing demands and environmental challenges, understanding the importance of groundwater conservation is essential for ensuring water security, preserving biodiversity, and safeguarding future generations against the threats of water scarcity.  Situation in India :  Groundwater depletion in India is a major concern because it is the primary source of drinking water.  According to the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) of India, approximately 70% of the total water used in India is from groundwater sources. However, the CGWB also estimates that around 25% of the country's total groundwa...

Organic Farming and it's Pros and Cons for a Country's Development   Organic farming, an agricultural approach rooted in sustainable practices, emphasizes natural methods to cultivate crops and raise livestock. By avoiding synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, organic farming contributes to cleaner ecosystems, reduced soil erosion, and protection of water sources. Additionally, organic practices often lead to healthier produce with fewer chemical residues, positively impacting public health. However, organic farming comes with challenges such as lower yields, higher initial costs, and potential market uncertainties. Balancing the advantages and disadvantages requires careful consideration of economic, environmental, and social factors to ensure a resilient and sustainable agricultural system for the country. What is Organic Farming? Organic farming is an agricultural approach that prioritizes environmentally sustainable and natural practices to cultivate crops and raise livest...

  Importance of Controlling Food Wastage: Reasons for Wastage and Ways to Control it The importance of controlling food wastage cannot be overstated in our modern world where resource conservation, environmental sustainability, and global food security are of paramount importantance. Food wastage not only represents a significant economic loss but also has far-reaching implications for the environment and the well-being of communities worldwide. Why Food Waste Management is Important? In a world where resources are finite, controlling food waste becomes an essential component of building a more resilient and equitable food system for present and future generations. Controlling food wastage is crucial for several reasons: 1. Resource Conservation - Producing food requires significant resources such as water, energy, and agricultural land. By minimizing food wastage, we conserve these valuable resources, contributing to environmental sustainability. 2. Reduced Greenhouse Gas ...

  What is Loss and Damage Fund? Associated Challenges and Solutions  To reaffirm their commitment to control climate change and limit global temperature rise, every year COP meetings are held to bring together representatives from the parties to the UNFCCC, as well as observers, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders to negotiate agreements and decisions on various aspects of climate change, including mitigation, adaptation, finance, and technology transfer.  What is COP? "COP" stands for the Conference of the Parties. This refers to the annual meetings held as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). During these conferences, representatives from the countries that are parties to the UNFCCC gather to assess progress in dealing with climate change, negotiate agreements, and discuss various climate-related issues.  In COP 27 , held in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt in 2022, creation of a Loss and Damage Fund was fina...

  Secondary Agriculture: Its Contribution to Country's Growth Secondary agriculture holds significant importance in India as it represents the crucial phase of value addition and processing in the agricultural value chain. This stage not only enhances the economic viability of the agricultural sector by providing additional income sources but also plays a pivotal role in rural development. The growth of agro-processing industries, gives India an opportunity to capitalize on the value inherent in its agricultural output, leading to increased employment opportunities and the development of ancillary services.  What is Secondary Agriculture?   Secondary agriculture refers to the value addition and processing activities that occur after the primary cultivation of crops. In this stage, raw agricultural products undergo various processes to transform into finished goods, creating a diverse range of products such as processed foods, beverages, textiles, biofuels, and more....

  EVs in India: Advantages, Government Schemes, Associated Challenges and Solutions  Faced with growing concerns over air pollution, dependence on fossil fuels, and global climate change the world is undergoing a strategic shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly transportation. Similarly, the Indian government has also embarked on an ambitious journey to promote the adoption of electric vehicles due to its numerous benefits.  Advantages of Electric Vehicles in India  1) Environment Friendly:  Unlike traditional vehicles with internal combustion engines, electric vehicles produce zero tailpipe emissions, thus mitigating air pollution and supporting efforts to combat climate change. Typically, EVs also have a lower overall carbon footprint, especially when charged with electricity generated from renewable sources. This reduces the contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions.  2) Generate Employment Opportunities:  The growth of t...

 Hunger Crisis in India: Causes and Solutions  India is a food surplus country, however India's 111st rank out of 125 countries in Global Hunger Index 2023 highlights that the food resources of this country are not effectively managed and distributed to ensure food security in the country.  Causes for Hunger Crisis in India  1. Errors in Government Policies : Inefficient supply chains, lack of proper storage, and inadequate transportation contribute to food wastage at various stages of the supply chain. While food is wasted, many people still struggle with hunger. Other errors like inefficient targeting, crop monoculture, corruption and limited focus on nutrition can also contribute to hunger crisis. 2. Unequal Distribution of Resources : Disparities in wealth and resources result in unequal access to food. Wealthier regions or communities have better access to food, while marginalized groups may struggle to meet their basic nutritional needs. Overcrowding of citie...

  Negative Impacts of Urbanization in India  With the undergoing economic development, modernization and industrialization in India, there is a shift of population from rural areas to urban cities, leading to urbanization. Urbanization promises many opportunities for human development and progress with wealth and social mobility, good infrastructures, technological advancements, etc.  However due to poor urban planning and unequal distribution of resources, there are some associated issues which needs to be addressed for sustainable and holistic development of urban areas.  Negative Impacts 1. Slum Formation: Income inequality, lack of affordable housing facilities and lack of enough land space to accommodate urban population, are some of the reasons leading to slum formation which further leads to various socio economic and health problems.  2. Unequal Distribution of Resources : The demand and supply mismatch of resources available in an urban setting lea...