19 April 2024

Statecraft IAS www.statecraft.in

1. Introducing the Green Credit Programme (GCP)
2. KAVACH Anti-Collision System
3. Confirmation of the Fourth Global Mass Coral Bleaching Event
4. Heat Action Plans (HAPs)
5. Primary Plastic Polymers: Understanding and Implications
6. Understanding Chagas Disease
7. Tachyons: A Hypothetical Realm Beyond Light Speed

Introducing the Green Credit Programme (GCP)

Context;

The Union Environment Ministry has introduced new guidelines for the Green Credit Programme (GCP), an initiative aimed at incentivizing environmentally positive actions. Established as part of the broader ‘LiFE’ campaign (Lifestyle for Environment), the GCP, unveiled on October 13, 2023, by the Indian government, operates as a market-based mechanism involving various stakeholders such as individuals, farmers, communities, private sector industries, and companies.

Administration and Implementation;

The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), headquartered in Dehradun, oversees the implementation, management, monitoring, and operation of the GCP.

Initial Focus Areas;

• Initially, the GCP focuses on water conservation and afforestation, with each tree planted and assessed by the ICFRE after two years potentially yielding one ‘green credit.’
• These credits serve two primary purposes: facilitating compliance with forest laws requiring compensation for forest land diversion and fulfilling reporting obligations under environmental, social, and governance norms or corporate social responsibility mandates.

Understanding Green Credits;

Green credits, as defined under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986, are single units of incentives provided for specific activities that deliver a positive impact on the environment.

Utilization of Green Credits;

Green credits can be utilized in two ways: facilitating compliance with forest laws necessitating recompense for forest land diversion and reporting under environmental, social, and governance norms or meeting corporate social responsibility requirements.

Development of the Green Credit Registry;

A notable aspect of the GCP is the development of the Green Credit Registry and trading platforms by the ICFRE and experts. These platforms aim to streamline the registration, purchase, and sale of green credits.

Process for Obtaining Green Credits;

• Individuals and entities seeking green credits must register their activities through the central government’s dedicated website.
• The administrator verifies activities through a designated agency, with self-verification available for small projects. Once verified, the administrator issues tradeable green credit certificates.

Future Prospects and Ongoing Deliberations;

Currently in a pilot phase, the GCP is undergoing discussions on several aspects, including quantifying the contributions of shrubs and grasses to green credits, establishing equivalence between green and carbon credits, and determining credit allocation for compensatory afforestation.

KAVACH Anti-Collision System

Introduction;

Initially named Train Collision Avoidance System (TCAS), KAVACH is an automatic train protection (ATP) system developed domestically. Its development commenced in 2011 as a collaborative effort between the Indian Railways and the Research Designs & Standards Organisation (RDSO), with key contributions from B. Rajaram, renowned for his role in developing the Skybus Metro system.

Development and Approval;

Field trials for KAVACH began in 2014 to refine its specifications, leading to its final approval in 2019. The system received certification for compliance with Safety Integrity Level 4 (SIL-4) operations.

Functionality of KAVACH;

• KAVACH consists of trackside Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, onboard locomotive equipment, and radio infrastructure, facilitating real-time train monitoring and communication.
• It alerts drivers of potential hazards and triggers automatic braking to prevent collisions.
• Utilizing various data inputs such as location, direction, and time, KAVACH ensures safety, with event recorders retaining records of interactions and incidents for analysis.

Preventing Collisions with KAVACH;

The system is designed to alert locomotive pilots if they overlook a ‘red signal’ and continue at a speed exceeding the signal. If the pilot fails to reduce speed below 15 kmph, KAVACH automatically applies brakes, bringing the train to a halt.

Challenges and Limitations;

Despite its effectiveness, KAVACH faces challenges:

1.High Deployment Cost: Implementing KAVACH costs ₹50 lakh per kilometer for the Indian Railways.

2. Limited Coverage: Presently, KAVACH covers only 1,500 kilometers of rail routes, a fraction of the total 68,000-kilometer network (as of November 2023). Expanding coverage, particularly on high-density routes, remains a significant challenge.

Confirmation of the Fourth Global Mass Coral Bleaching Event

Overview;

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coral Reef Watch (CRW) of the United States and the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) have confirmed the commencement of the fourth global mass coral bleaching event during 2023-2024.

Extent and Impact of the Bleaching Event;

CRW and ICRI have documented coral bleaching occurrences in 53 countries, territories, and local economies across five ocean/sea basins between February 2023 and April 2024. Widespread bleaching has been observed in parts of the Indian Ocean, including Tanzania, Mauritius, the Seychelles, Tromelin, Mayotte, and off the western coast of Indonesia.

Frequency and Historical Context;

• This event marks the second global bleaching occurrence in the last decade, following the third global bleaching event that persisted from 2014 to 2017.
• Previous global bleaching events occurred in 1998, 2010, and between 2014-2017.
• Climate models project that bleaching events may become annual occurrences for most reefs by 2040-2050.

Coral Bleaching Process;

Coral bleaching occurs when coral polyps expel marine algae (zooxanthellae) from their tissue, disrupting the symbiotic relationship. This results in the loss of color and nutrient source for the corals.

Factors Contributing to Coral Bleaching;

1. Temperature: Rising global sea surface temperatures due to global warming stress coral reefs, as they can only survive within specific temperature ranges.
2. Marine Heatwaves: Extended periods of elevated temperatures during marine heatwaves contribute to coral bleaching events.
3. El Nino Events: Mass coral bleaching is closely associated with El Nino events since 1997, with each El Nino year witnessing significant bleaching.
4. Ocean Warming: General ocean warming poses a serious threat to coral reef ecosystems, leading to more severe and frequent bleaching events.
5. Subaerial Exposure: Sudden exposure of corals to the atmosphere due to low tides, sea level drops, and tectonic uplift can result in bleaching and coral death.
6. Human Activities: Coastal construction, mining, and other human activities increase sedimentation and inorganic nutrient levels, disrupting coral reef ecosystems and increasing susceptibility to bleaching.

Response and Recovery;

Coral reefs may recover from bleaching events depending on the intensity and duration of heat stress, provided that other stressors such as marine pollution and ocean acidification are mitigated and appropriate adaptation measures are implemented.

Heat Action Plans (HAPs)

Context;

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) anticipates an increase in maximum temperatures and heatwave occurrences in the near future, particularly in eastern and southern India.

Definition of Heatwave:

1. The definition of a heatwave varies based on the geographical characteristics of regions, according to the IMD.
2. IMD officially declares a heatwave when the maximum temperature at a station reaches specific thresholds:
3. 40 degrees Celsius or higher in the plains.
4. 37 degrees Celsius or higher in coastal regions.
5. 30 degrees Celsius or higher in hilly areas.
6. The severity of a heatwave is determined by its deviation from normal temperature or the actual recorded maximum temperature.

Addressing Heatwaves:

1. To tackle the escalating severity and frequency of heatwaves, governments at different levels (state, district, and city) have formulated Heat Action Plans (HAPs).
2. These plans aim to bolster preparedness and alleviate the adverse impacts of extreme heat by delineating strategies and measures for prevention, response, and recovery.
3. Collaboration between the National Disaster Management Authority and IMD is essential in this endeavor.
4. Currently, there are approximately 23 HAPs at both state and city levels, focusing on vulnerability assessment and response planning.

Recommendations in HAPs:

1. HAPs typically propose a range of measures, including:
2. Utilizing forecasts and early warning systems to notify the public and relevant authorities.
3. Conducting public awareness campaigns to educate about heatwave risks.
4. Establishing heat shelters and cooling centers to offer relief during extreme heat events.
5. Ensuring access to clean drinking water to prevent dehydration.
6. Equipping hospitals with necessary supplies and trained staff to manage heat-related illnesses.

Primary Plastic Polymers: Understanding and Implications

Introduction;

• Within the ongoing discussions at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) regarding plastic pollution mitigation, the term “primary plastic polymers” has emerged.
• Primary plastic polymers are solid substances comprising one or more high-molecular-mass polymers, which are molded or shaped during manufacturing or fabrication processes using heat and/or pressure.
• These polymers serve as the fundamental components of various plastic products commonly used in everyday life.

Significance:

• Foundational Components: Primary plastic polymers form the essential building blocks of most plastic items used in daily life, underlining their significance in modern manufacturing.
• Addressing Root Causes: Negotiations surrounding primary plastic polymers are pivotal as they target the root causes of plastic pollution, aiming to address specific types of plastics that significantly contribute to environmental degradation and marine litter.

Implications:

• Environmental Impact: Certain types of plastics derived from primary polymers have been identified as major contributors to environmental degradation and marine pollution, necessitating targeted measures for their regulation and management.
• Policy Focus: Policymakers and stakeholders are directing their attention towards identifying and regulating primary polymers to implement targeted measures aimed at reducing plastic production and consumption.

Conclusion:

Understanding the concept of primary plastic polymers is crucial in the broader context of combating plastic pollution. By addressing the root causes of plastic pollution and regulating the production and consumption of primary polymers, policymakers and stakeholders can contribute significantly to environmental conservation efforts.

Understanding Chagas Disease

Introduction:

World Chagas Disease Day, observed annually on April 14, aims to raise awareness about Chagas disease, named after the Brazilian doctor Carlos Ribeiro Justiniano Chagas, who first diagnosed it on April 14, 1909.

Impact and Significance:

• Chagas disease disproportionately affects impoverished populations with limited access to healthcare and political representation.
• While it often progresses slowly and may remain asymptomatic, untreated cases can lead to severe cardiac and digestive complications, resulting in fatalities.

Theme for 2024:

The theme for World Chagas Disease Day 2024 is “Tackling Chagas Disease: Detect Early and Care for Life,” emphasizing the importance of early detection and comprehensive care to mitigate the impact of the disease.

Global Spread:

• Although Chagas disease primarily affects populations in continental Latin America, its prevalence is increasingly being observed in other countries and continents.
• Estimates suggest that 6-7 million people worldwide are infected, with approximately 12,000 deaths reported annually.

Understanding Chagas Disease:

Chagas disease, also known as American trypanosomiasis, is caused by the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. It is primarily transmitted through the bite of infected triatomine bugs, commonly known as “kissing bugs,” or through other means such as blood transfusion, organ transplant, or consumption of contaminated food and bevera

Prevention and Control Measures:

• Prevention efforts focus on vector control to reduce human-vector contact, along with health education initiatives and screening of blood donors and donated organs.
• Treatment involves antiparasitic drugs such as benznidazole and nifurtimox, particularly during the acute and early chronic phases.

Global Initiatives:

• International organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) provide guidance and support for Chagas disease control programs.
• Additionally, collaborative research efforts aim to address knowledge gaps and develop effective interventions.

Conclusion:

Understanding the complexities of Chagas disease, from its transmission to its clinical manifestations and prevention strategies, is crucial for global health efforts. By raising awareness, improving access to healthcare, and implementing comprehensive control measures, stakeholders can work towards reducing the burden of Chagas disease worldwide.

Tachyons: A Hypothetical Realm Beyond Light Speed

Introduction:

Recent discussions among physicists have brought forward a revolutionary concept suggesting the existence of tachyons, theoretical particles believed to surpass the speed of light, shaping our universe in profound ways.

Understanding Tachyons:

• Tachyons represent a theoretical class of subatomic particles theorized to travel faster than the speed of light.
• Coined by physicist Gerald Feinberg in 1967, the term “tachyon” distinguishes these hypothetical entities from bradyons, which include particles moving slower than light.
• Despite extensive study, tachyons remain elusive, eluding direct observation.
• Special relativity dictates that particles with mass cannot achieve or exceed light speed in a vacuum due to infinite energy requirements.
• Tachyons, with their postulated imaginary mass, challenge this notion, suggesting they could traverse space faster than light without violating known physical laws.
• Tachyons are theorized to decelerate with energy gain and accelerate with energy loss.

Experimental Pursuits:

• Efforts to detect tachyons have led to experimental endeavors employing specialized tools such as the Cerenkov detector.
• These experiments aim to measure particle velocity within a medium.
• Although nothing can exceed light speed in a vacuum, certain particles could theoretically outpace light in specific mediums.
• When particles move faster than the speed of light in a medium, they emit Cerenkov radiation, akin to the sonic boom from supersonic aircraft or the bow shockwave of swiftly moving ships.