‘Save Wetlands Campaign’ launched as a “whole of society” approach for wetlands conservation (GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched the ‘Save Wetlands Campaign’.
Details:
- This campaign is structured on a “whole of society” approach for wetlands conservation, enabling affirmative actions for wetlands conservation at all levels of the society and involving all strata of the society.
- This campaign over next one year will include sensitizing people of the value of wetlands, increasing the coverage of wetland mitras and building citizen partnerships for wetlands conservation.
Publications:
- Two publications were also released during the occasion, ‘India’s 75 Amrit Dharohar- India’s Ramsar Sites Factbook’ and ‘ Managing Climate Risks in Wetlands - A Practitioner’s Guide.
- The factbook is a one-stop resource of information on our 75 Ramsar Sites, including their values, threats they face and management arrangements.
- The practitioner’s Guide on Climate Risk Assessment provides step-wise guidance on assessing the site-level climate risks and integration of adaptation and mitigation responses into the wetland management plan.
About World Wetlands Day:
- World Wetlands Day is observed on 2nd February every year worldwide to commemorate the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance in 1971.
- India is a party to the Convention since 1982 and has so far declared 75 wetlands as Ramsar sites covering 23 states and Union Territories.
- India has the largest network of Ramsar Sites in Asia, making these sites a critical ecological network for the conservation of global biological diversity and supporting human well-being.
Theme 2023:
- The 2023 theme for World Wetlands Day is ‘Wetland Restoration’ which highlights the urgent need to prioritize wetland restoration.
- It is a call on an entire generation to take proactive action for wetlands, by investing financial, human and political capital to save the wetlands from disappearing and to revive and restore those that have been degraded.
Mission Sahbhagita:
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) launched Mission Sahbhagita in 2022 with a mission of ‘a healthy and effectively managed network of 75 wetlands of national and international significance which support
- water and food security;
- buffer from floods, droughts, cyclones and other extreme events;
- employment generation;
- conservation of species of local, national and international significance;
- climate change mitigation and adaptation actions; and
- recognition, conservation and celebration of cultural heritage.'
India joins UAE, France for trilateral on clean energy, counter-pandemic steps
(GS Paper 2, International Relation)
Why in news?
- India, France and the United Arab Emirates recently declared their common intent to formalise a “trilateral cooperation initiative” to collaborate on nuclear energy and explore opportunities in the Indian Ocean region.
- The Foreign Ministers of the three countries held a telephonic conversation in this regard and agreed to work together in the field of solar and nuclear energy, climate change and biodiversity.
Towards ‘One Health’:
- In this regard, cooperation in multilateral organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi-the Vaccine Alliance, the Global Fund, and Unitaid will be encouraged.
- Further, the three countries will attempt to identify tangible cooperation on implementing the “One Health” approach, and support the development of local capacities in biomedical innovation and production within developing countries.
Background:
- The trilateral was first discussed when the three Ministers had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September 2022.
- It was further agreed that “a range of trilateral events will be held in the backdrop of the Indian Presidency of the G-20 here and COP28 to be held in UAE in November-December 2023”.
- The countries have also agreed to cooperate in defence preparation and in countering infectious diseases.
IIT-R develops air nano bubble tech to reduce water usage in textile sector
(GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar has developed an innovative green technology air nano bubble that can reduce the usage of water in the textile sector by up to 90 per cent.
- Textile is one of the most water-intensive industries and there is an escalating need to address the problem of managing water usage in the textile industry associated with contamination of water.
Water consumption in textile industry:
- As per rough estimate, 200-250 litres of water is required to process one kg of cotton fabric.
- The laboratory reports suggest that the air nano bubble dispersed in water can reduce the water consumption and chemical dosage by 90-95 per cent which ultimately saves 90 per cent of the energy consumption as well.
- In the textile industry, water is used at many steps required for fabric preparation, including for dyeing, finishing chemicals in textile substrates, desizing (process of removal of sizing material from yarn), scouring, bleaching, and mercerising (chemical treatment of fabric to enhance affinity towards dye.
- At the same time, the textile industry also produces the highest volume of waste water. The major source of water pollution is pre-treatment, dyeing, printing, and finishing of textile materials.
Nano bubble technology:
- The technology is based on nano bubbles of air and ozone. The bubbles are hydrophobic in nature therefore, interact better than water with the fabric and distribute chemicals and dyes in the fabric much more efficiently than just water.
- These bubbles are of a size equivalent to 1/10000th times of human hair. Ozone nano bubbles efficiently remove extra dye during fabric wash and degrade the dye in the water.
- Besides saving water consumption, water after processing with a nano bubble machine can be reused. Nano bubble serves as a carrier for the processing chemical and reduces the extra chemical required.
- Treatment of garment through this patented technology helps in maintaining its real colour for outdoor usage. It helps in obtaining 2-D effects, easy care, water repelling, and softening of fabric.
Way Forward:
- IIT Ropar has developed the eco-friendly technology under a start-up named NanoKriti Pvt Limited, which is also working towards cleaning environment and is expanding in developing new applications ranging from water treatment to healthcare.
