In News:

The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) report on groundwater quality reveals alarming levels of contamination in India's groundwater, with a focus on nitrate, fluoride, arsenic, and uranium. The report highlights the impact of agricultural practices, poor waste management, and urbanisation on water quality.

Key Highlights:

Nitrate Contamination:

• 440 districts in India report excessive nitrate levels in groundwater, with 20% of samples exceeding the permissible nitrate limit of 45 mg/L (WHO and BIS standards).
• High-risk regions: Rajasthan (49%), Karnataka (48%), and Tamil Nadu (37%) are the top states with high nitrate levels. Other affected states include Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
• Causes: Nitrate contamination is mainly due to excessive use of nitrogen-based fertilizers, over-irrigation, and poor management of animal waste. Urbanisation and improper sewage systems exacerbate the problem.

Other Groundwater Contaminants:

• Fluoride contamination: A significant concern in Rajasthan, Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
• Arsenic contamination: Elevated arsenic levels found in several states, especially in floodplains of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers (West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Manipur).
• Uranium contamination: 42% of uranium-contaminated samples are from Rajasthan, and 30% from Punjab. Chronic exposure to uranium leads to kidney damage.

Groundwater Extraction and Availability:

• 60.4% of groundwater is being extracted across India.
• 73% of groundwater blocks are classified as in the ‘safe’ zone, an improvement from 67.4% in 2022.

Monsoon Impact:

• Nitrate contamination increases post-monsoon, with 32.66% of samples exceeding safe limits during the rainy season.

Health Implications:

• High nitrate levels, particularly dangerous for infants, can cause blue baby syndrome (methemoglobinemia).
• Long-term exposure to contaminants like fluoride and arsenic can lead to fluorosis and increase the risk of cancers and skin lesions.

Sources of Contamination:

• Agricultural practices: Excessive use of fertilizers, pesticides, and improper irrigation.
• Waste disposal: Leaking septic systems, sewage, and hazardous waste sites contribute to contamination.
• Urbanisation: Increased wastewater and sewage, along with poor waste management, worsen the issue.

Measures to Address Contamination:

• Jal Shakti Abhiyan (JSA) and Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) aim to conserve and manage groundwater resources.
• National Aquifer Mapping and Management Program (NAQUIM) to assess and map aquifer systems.
• Pollution control programs: Under the Water (Prevention & Control) Act, 1974, and initiatives like sewage treatment plants and effluent treatment plants to manage wastewater.
• Public awareness: Campaigns like Swachh Bharat Mission and Catch the Rain educate communities on the importance of groundwater conservation.

Key Statistics:

• 56% of districts in India report groundwater nitrate levels exceeding the safe limit of 45 mg/L.
• Monsoon effects: Post-monsoon data shows a significant increase in contamination levels (32.66% vs. 30.77% pre-monsoon).

Why is it in the News?

In a bid to manage the teeming population of chital (spotted deer) in Ross Island (officially known as the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island), the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration recently sought help from the Wildlife Institute of India.

What are Invasive Alien Species (IAS)?

• According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens, and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health.
• In particular, they impact adversely upon biodiversity, including the decline or elimination of native species - through competition, predation, or transmission of pathogens - and the disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem functions.
• Invasive alien species, introduced and/or spread outside their natural habitats, have affected native biodiversity in almost every ecosystem type on Earth and are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity.
• Since the 17th century, invasive alien species have contributed to nearly 40% of all animal extinctions for which the cause is known (CBD, 2006).
• The problem continues to grow at great socio-economic, health, and ecological costs around the world.
• Invasive alien species exacerbate poverty and threaten development through their impact on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and natural systems, which are an important basis of people’s livelihoods in developing countries.
• This damage is aggravated by climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and human-induced disturbance.

What are Some Examples of Invasive Wildlife in India?

• The list of invasive wildlife in India is dominated by certain species of fish such as the African catfish, Nile tilapia, red-bellied piranha, and alligator gar, and turtle species such as the red-eared slider.
  • The red-eared slider, for instance, is a favorite among India’s exotic pet owners, and many have been abandoned in local water bodies.
  • This turtle, native to North America, notoriously edges out local freshwater species, owing to its fast rates of reproduction, and the following competition for food.
• With regards to species of fish, many were introduced in India to feed the demand for those maintaining aquariums.
  • For instance, the African catfish was brought over from Bangladesh specifically for aquaculture purposes. “
  • The occurrence of C gariepinus (the species’ scientific name) has been reported from several inland systems of India including the mighty rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Sutlej, Godavari, Periyar River, and the lakes like Vembanad Lake.

How do IAS Impact Native Flora and Fauna?

• The invasive species act as disruptors in the food chain and disturb the balance of the ecosystem.
• In habitats where there is no competition, invasive species can dominate the entire ecosystem
  • For instance, “in Keoladeo Park, Bharatpur in Rajasthan, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the African catfish have been known to prey on waterfowls and migratory birds as well.
• Studies have shown that the proliferation of chital in the Andamans has affected the regeneration of native vegetation, as the deer are known to consume seeds and seedlings.

Why is it in the News?

The Centre on Monday introduced a Bill that would enable it to prescribe the norms for nominating chairpersons of State Pollution Control Boards, exempt certain industrial units from restrictions, and decriminalize “minor offenses” related to water pollution.

News Summary:

• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024 has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha.
• It is applicable to Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan, with the potential to extend to other states through resolutions under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
• The Bill empowers the Centre to exempt certain industrial plants from restrictions and issue guidelines related to industry establishment.

About Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Amendment Bill, 2024:

• Enacted in 1974, the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act aimed to prevent and control water pollution, establishing penal provisions for non-compliance.

Rationale for the Amendment:

• The Amendment Bill underscores the importance of democratic governance, emphasizing trust in people and institutions. It addresses the outdated regulations leading to a trust deficit.

Key Amendments Proposed:

• The Amendment Bill seeks to modernize the existing penal provisions, replacing imprisonment with fines for minor violations. This move aligns with the principles of Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business.

Major Features of the Amendment Bill:

• The Bill proposes several key changes, including:
  • Prescribing the process for nominating the chairman of the State Pollution Control Board by the Central Government.
  • Granting the Central government authority to exempt certain industrial plants from restrictions on new outlets and discharges.
  • Issuing guidelines on matters related to the establishment of industries by the Central government.
  • Decriminalizing minor offenses and substituting them with monetary penalties.
  • Specifying the adjudication process for penalties by officers of appropriate rank.
  • Outlining penalties for non-compliance with regulations regarding new outlets, discharges, and sewage.
  • Allocation of penalty amounts to the Environmental Protection Fund established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

What is the News ?

The second session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) concluded with member states instructing the INC secretariat to create an initial draft aimed at putting an end to plastic pollution, including in marine ecosystems.

Facts About:

• This is a globally binding agreement designed to put an end to plastic pollution, especially in marine ecosystems.
• The zero draft consists of ten sections covering topics such as the preamble, definitions, principles, scope, institutional arrangements, and final provisions.
• During INC-2, member states like Saudi Arabia, Iran, China, and India emphasized the significance of clearly defining the scope of this legally binding instrument.