Wetlands must form part of biodiversity framework

 I n August 2022, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) added ten wetlands to the List of Wetlands of International Importance (also called Ramsar Sites) within the framework of the Ramsar Convention. The number of Ramsar Sites in India is now an incredible 64, equal to that of China and the highest in Asia. With additional sites under consideration, the network is likely to increase to 75 sites in the 75th year of our Independence. India ratified the Ramsar Convention in 1982. Keoladeo National Park (in Rajasthan) and Chilika (in Odisha) were the first two sites to be placed on the Ramsar List by the Government of India. Till 1990, only four more sites were added to the list, and another 19 over the following two decades. Since 2012, Ramsar Site designation has received a significant policy push from the MoEFCC, and 38 wetlands have been added to the list since.

The network of Indian Ramsar Sites currently covers 1.25 million ha, which is approximately 8 per cent of the known wetland extent of the country. The Ramsar sites in India are highly diverse. The sites range from Himalayan high-altitude wetlands (Tso-Moriri, Tso kar complex and Chandertal), to lakes and marshes (Wular, Hokera, Renuka, Keoladeo, Kabartal, Nawabganj, Loktak, Deepor, Rudrasagar, Sandi, Saman, Keshopur-Miani, Sultanpur, Nalsarovar, Sasthamkotta, Pala, NandurMadhmeswar, Kanwartal and Pallikarnai), river stretches (Upper Ganga River stretch, Beas Conservation Reserve, Kanjili and Satkosia), crater lake (Lonar), salinas (Sambhar), mangrove swamps (Sunderbans, Bhitarkanika, Pichavaram and Point Calimere) and lagoons, estuaries, and near-shore marine areas (Chilika, Ashtamudi, Vembanad-Kol and the Gulf of Mannar). Water storage areas (Pong, Harike, Bhoj, Surinsar-Mansar, Bhindawas, Sur Sarovar, Asan, Wadhvana, Thol, Ranganthittu, Udhayamarthandapuram, Vedanthangal, Nanda, Sirpur and Vellode) and assemblages of sewage-fed fish farms (East Kolkata Wetlands) have also been included in the list by the Government of India.

While the smallest Ramsar Site is just 19.75 ha in area (Vembannur), the largest, the Sunderbans, spans 0.42 million ha. Ramsar Sites are one of the three pillars of the Ramsar Convention (the other two being working towards the wise use of wetlands and cooperating internationally on transboundary wetlands, shared wetlands and shared species). Ramsar Sites form ‘an international network of wetlands which are important for conserving global biological diversity and sustaining human life through the maintenance of their ecosystem components, processes and services. The international significance of these sites is indicated by their fulfilling at least one of the nine criteria set by the Convention. With 2,455 sites spanning 255.8 million ha, the Ramsar sites represent the world’s largest protected area network. The contribution that Ramsar sites make to biological diversity can hardly be overemphasised. A recent compilation of faunal diversity of 42 Indian Ramsar Sites by the Zoological Survey of India enlists 6200 species.

For several of the faunal groups, these wetlands represent a significant share of the known diversity (for example, over one-third of recorded mammalian species, one-fifth of reptiles, and about two-thirds of known bird species). Chilika is known to support a population of over 1 per cent of the known biogeographical population of over 40 waterbird species. The lagoon also maintains a healthy population and, is one of the only two lagoons in the world inhabited by the Irrawaddy Dolphin. KeibulLamjao, a floating national park south of Loktak, is the only known natural habitat of globally endangered swamp deer. The globally vulnerable Black-necked crane breeds in the region around Tso-Moriri. The Sunderbans are famed as the world’s largest single chunk of contiguous mangroves and an abode of the globally endangered Bengal Tiger. Spectacular flocks of flamingos can be seen at Sambhar and Point Calimere, whereas hordes of Bar-Headed Goose regularly visit Pong. The diversity of waterbirds visiting Keoladeo and Harike during migration often crosses over 100 species.

In 2008, Dr Asad Rahmani and Dr Zafar-ul Islam identified 160 wetlands which met at least one of the nine designation criteria of the Convention. The Ramsar Sites make vital contributions to lives and livelihoods. Deepor, Pallikarnai, Bhiatrkanika and Point Calimere provide critical flood and storm buffers, whereas Bhoj and Sasthamcotta are principal water sources. The backwaters of Kerala, of which Vembanad is famed, are the state’s prized tourist destination. Over 260 shallow fish ponds in the EKW receive over 900 MLD pre-settled sewage from the Kolkata Metropolitan region through a network of locally excavated secondary and tertiary canals, used to produce annually 20,000 MT of fish, 50,000 MT of vegetables and irrigate 4700 ha of paddy lands.

The rich fisheries and tourism in Chilika form the livelihoods of 0.2 million fishers. Designating wetlands to the Ramsar Site network affirms a national government’s commitment to wise use. While the Ramsar site designation is a much-celebrated event, what happens after the designation holds the key to whether the very purpose of the designation is fulfilled. Delivery of Ramsar commitments is predicated on designing and implementing effective management actions that can secure the global values of the sites. Since 1986, the MoEFCC has been implementing a national scheme (presently known as the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems) to assist state governments in preparing and implementing integrated management plans for Ramsar sites and other priority wetlands. Ramsar sites receive legal protection under Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017. Each Ramsar site needs to have a management plan which outlines the pathway to wise use.

A diagnostic approach for developing such management plans has been prescribed by the Ministry. In June 2022, the Ministry also formulated the ‘Sahbhagita Guidelines’ outlining an “all of society” approach and governance framework for wetlands conservation in the country. Several Ramsar sites are reeling under immense development pressure. Active waste dumping continues in Deepor Beel, East Kolkata Wetlands, and Pallikarnai marshes. Changes in water regimes due to the construction of Ithai Barrage have threatened the habitat of globally endangered Sangai deer. Illegal salt mining in and around Sambhar has led to a drastic reduction in inundation regimes. Pollution is rampant in several sites, with extremes in Harike, Kanjili, Vembanad-Kol Ashtamudi and others. Of the existing list of Ramsar Sites, a majority are designated Protected Areas. The management of these sites is largely governed by the needs of species and habitats and does not leave much space for accommodating wise use. However, there is much scope for augmenting the current management by taking into basin-scale land and water use change and risks induced by climate change.

Ramsar sites need to be accorded a special status in the national wetlands programme so as to ensure that their management meets international standards, financing is embedded within the state budgets as well leveraged by building convergence with ongoing conservation and development sector programmes, and systematic monitoring enables capturing status and trends in ecological conditions. In November this year, countries will convene in Montreal Canada, to set the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework under the aegis of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The draft, unfortunately has clubbed wetlands within the terrestrial for land and sea, a trend which has continued since the previous Aichi Targets.

This does not augur well for wetlands as these vital parts of landscapes are left at the margins of policy making and programming. The Global Biodiversity Framework is a vital window for the global community to set a nature positive path – with significant impacts on plans, programmes and investments at all levels. Putting wetlands within this framework would be an important policy signal from decision-makers that they recognise the criticality of wetlands in halting and reversing biodiversity loss and are prepared to act on it. We must therefore do everything in our power to make sure the importance of wetlands is recognised in Montreal later this year and beyond.

RITESH KUMAR

Source: The Statesman, 11/08/22

Change is constant

 The mobile phone wins hands down — from communication to storage, from entertainment to learning, it is all on your phone

Some of us were more disturbed than impressed when we read a poem in The New Yorker written by an Artificial Intelligence bot. The last two lines of the poem on cryptocurrency are chilling: “Of inventing money, just like that,/ I ask you, is nothing sacred?” The AI, code-davinci-002, had been ordered to write the poem in the style of Philip Larkin and it was written in less than a second. “We are being replaced by a button,” a friend remarked ominously. Is the time imminent then that our students will produce an essay or a poem with a quick ‘command’ and we teachers will be reduced to teaching them how to give the right prompts? We don’t really know, but we can certainly try to understand the implications of the signs of the times. 

The toddler rushes to the door every time the bell rings, hoping it is ‘Amazon Uncle’. He has never been taken shopping because of the pandemic, not even to a glittering mall. No worries. All his toys and clothes are delivered to the door.

Attendance in some schools is through biometric devices. I doubt that we will see the old school register with students’ names laboriously handwritten in alphabetical order very much longer and the familiar response, ‘Present, Sir’, will not be heard. I also see the disappearance of the greetings ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good evening’. It is being gradually replaced with ‘Hi’ or ‘Hello Ma’am’ — the teachers’ responses to this are mixed. Talking about forms of address, first names are used these days without so much as a ‘by your leave’ but caution is exercised where gender is involved. No longer is one limited to ‘he’ or ‘she’ as some prefer the inclusive word ‘they’. The Bengali term, ‘aapni’, is hardly used by young people — the informal, ‘tumi’ or ‘tui’ are far more prevalent. I think that this indicates a preference for an informal conversational style rather than a lack of respect.  

How do the young of today relate to books? Many kindergarteners would much rather look at their tablets than go through their static but colourful books. Even senior students admit that they find it difficult to ‘process’ their text or reference books or type-written documents. According to them, moving images, sounds, animation, and movie clips, along with bulleted points and handy notes (as seen in many YouTube lessons) make studying much easier. School libraries have begun to house digital material in the form of audio books, films, podcasts, and video lessons. Recently, I happened to view the digital collections in a public library exhibition entitled Treasures and indeed they seemed as valuable as the old manuscripts on display.

Tasks are executed differently too, with Siri or Alexa serving as a useful helpmate. (Worryingly, they even serve as companions to some lonesome youngsters.) For various assignments, screenshots of the design or plan are prepared in advance and then the finished product is presented. Practice sessions of programmes are video-filmed and played back for comments and advice. Students in drama and elocution classes not only learn to throw their voices but are also taught how to modulate them while using microphones. Sport is becoming increasingly fine tuned and those inclined towards games and athletics select their respective areas of specialisation early in life. Sadly, we hardly find children playing a sport for sheer pleasure.

The late Sir Ken Robinson, one of the greats in education, once stated that the young don’t wear watches any longer as they are ‘single-function’ devices. This is not true now: we find more and more young people sporting Fitbit watches to keep track of their fitness regimen — incidentally, these watches tell the time too. But as the most useful device, it is the mobile phone that wins hands down — from communication to storage, from entertainment to learning, it is all on your phone. These are some of the signs of our times. Whether we like them or not, changes will keep coming fast and furious. I have had to adapt to these changes so rapidly in recent years that there was no time to ponder on the good old days. But if I live a little longer, I hope to dwell deliciously on a slower and more intelligible time.

Devi Kar

Source: The Telegraph, 11/08/22

Earth is spinning faster and this can be harmful for us

 On July 29, the earth completed its rotation in less than 24 hours. In fact, the earth broke its own record for the shortest day, as it completed an entire spin in lesser than 1.59 milliseconds. The day was shorter than the usual 24-hour day by 1.59 milliseconds

For busy people scurrying around the clock, the earth seems to be moving fast. This is, however, not just a feeling, the earth is indeed spinning faster.

According to news reports, the earth is rotating faster, and on July 29, the earth completed its rotation in less than 24 hours. In fact, the earth broke its own record for the shortest day, as it completed an entire spin in lesser than 1.59 milliseconds. The day was shorter than the usual 24-hour day by 1.59 milliseconds.

The earlier shortest day on the planet since the 1960s was recorded on July 19, 2020. This time, it was shorter than a usual 24-hour day by 1.47 milliseconds.

In 2021, the globe continued to spin faster but it did not set any new records. But Interesting Engineering (IE), a leading community designed for all lovers of engineering, technology and science, seemed to suggest a 50-year era of shorter days may become a norm and has already flagged off.

Nobody has the answers as yet, as to why the earth is spinning at a differing speed. Some scientists have postulated that less weight on the poles results from the melting of the glaciers; others noted that the molten core of our planet’s interior is moving over time; seismic activity could be another related cause.

Some other scientists have suggested that this is due to the Chandler wobble, which is a little change or departure in the earth’s axis of rotation. ( Think of the wobble you see in a toy top when it first starts spinning or slows down. Its “poles” do not spin in a perfectly straight line) Scientists Leonid Zotov, Christian Bizouard, and Nikolay Sidorenkov have described it as being similar to the quiver one sees when a spinning top starts gaining velocity or slows down.

This may be leading to the earth’s accelerated rate of rotation and the shorter days.

The fallout – introduction of negative leap second

The effect of the earth spinning faster, however, can spell doom for us. The increase in the earth’s rotation speed could result in the introduction of the negative leap seconds, which happens to keep the rate that the earth orbits the Sun consistent with the measurement from atomic clocks.

However, the negative leap second would have potentially confusing consequences for smartphones, computers and communications systems. The leap second can be a risky practice that does more harm than good. IT systems will also be impacted by the negative leap second since a clock typically runs from 23:59:59 to 23:59:60 before restarting at 00:00:00.

A time skip like this can potentially crash programmes and corrupt data due to the timestamps on data storage.

The Independent citing Meta blog pointed out the jump second “primarily benefits scientists and astronomers” but is a “risky technique that does more harm than good.” Meta also said that if a negative leap second occurs, the clock will change from 23:59:58 to 00:00:00, and this can have a “devastating effect” on the software, which depends on timers and schedulers. To solve this problem, international timekeepers may need to add a negative leap second – or what is known as a “drop second”.

Source: The federal, 1/08/22

Quote of the Day

 No legacy is so rich as honesty.

William Shakespeare

August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

 International Day of World’s Indigenous Peoples is commemorated on August 9, every year worldwide. It highlights the role of indigenous people and significance of preserving their rights. UNESCO celebrates this day by sharing information on projects and activities in line with the annual theme of the day.

Theme of the Day:

In year 2022, the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is being observed under the theme- “The Role of Indigenous Women in the Preservation and Transmission of Traditional Knowledge.” The theme signifies the importance of indigenous women in preserving the ancestral knowledge, protecting natural resources and indigenous territories.

Condition of indigenous women:

Indigenous women are inadequately represented across the world. They face several discrimination and violence.

Rights of Indigenous people

Rights of the Indigenous people exist to recognise their specific condition. Rights include- the basic human rights of physical survival & integrity, as well as rights on their land, religion, language, and other elements of cultural heritage.

History of the Day:

The United Nations General Assembly has passed the resolution 49/214 on December 23, 1994 to declare August 9 as International Day of the World’s Indigenous People. On August 9, 1982, the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations had the first meeting. Year 1993 was also celebrated as “International Year of the World’s Indigenous People”.

Current Affairs-August 10, 2022

 INDIA

– Nitish Kumar ends alliance with BJP, quits as Bihar CM

– Marathi actor Pradeep Patwardhan passes away at 52

– Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022” starts at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh

ECONOMY & CORPORATE

– 12th edition of Defence Expo to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat in Oct; theme: is ‘Path to Pride’

– Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar lays foundation stone of Indo-Israel Center of Excellence for Vegetables in Chandauli, UP

WORLD

– International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples celebrated on August 9

– Afghan Taliban’s security forces and Pakistani military clash on Durand Line in Dangam district of eastern Kuanr province

– Pakistan: 4 army personnel killed in suicide blast at military convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s North Waziristan district

– US returns 30 stolen works of art and antiquities to Cambodia

SPORTS

– 44th Chess Olympiad held in Chennai: Uzbekistan win gold in open section, Ukraine in women’s; India win bronze in both

– Former South African cricket umpire Rudi Koertzen dies at 73; umpired in 128 Tests, 250 ODIs. 19 T20Is

– Former Indian bowler Manoj Prabhakar takes over as Nepal cricket team coach

Top 5 Institutes offering creative writing courses in India

 Everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. ~ Sylvia Plath

A world of imagination can exist in writing. In this kind of expression, the words you use and the way you use them makes all the difference. The field of writing has only recently grown to be a significant global industry, and as a result, it has also found mentioned in the list of reliable professions. One of the most popular types of writing nowadays is creative writing, with more and more people opting for specialised courses in the domain.

A Creative Writing course can be defined in a variety of ways, based on what the course aims to teach you. Some courses will cover ways to become a freelance writer and generate income from full-time or part-time work. Other courses will emphasize improving your writing, regardless of whether or not it is intended for publication. But the majority of creative writing classes will teach you how to write across a variety of genres, fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

Remember that while starting a career, it is always best to be fully prepared and trained. However, one big challenge that prospective Creative Writing students face is locating courses that are dependable, affordable, and will give them a sure shot at being successful. Choosing any random Creative Writing programme can sometimes spoil your learning experience, so be very selective in your choices.

We bring you the top 5 institutes and platforms offering creative writing courses in India:

British Council India

In order to help prospective writers, the British Council offers a variety of writing courses. For any and all aspiring writers who wish to start a profession in creative writing, the place is genuinely trustworthy and reputable. The courses are also very well timed, with the 36-hour course wrapping up in 9 weeks according to the schedule. Additionally, they also offer fantastic deals that prospective writers can advantage of since all their courses are very reasonably priced. The course's curriculum encourages students to find their unique writing style and vision, encouraging unconventional thinking, enhancing artistic expression, and helping them to articulate their ideas clearly, and establish a critical understanding of various writing styles. The courses offered are:

• Creative Writing for Adult: 36 hours I 9 weeks I weekend online classes
• Creative Writing for Kids: 18 hours I 6 weeks I weekend online classes

Udemy

Over 15000 people are currently signed up on the online learning and teaching platform, Udemy. In fact, the platform has already seen upwards of 4 million users since its inception. If you're a newbie seeking a Creative Writing Course that can influence your entire career, Udemy is unquestionably the place for you. Udemy certainly has your needs covered, from offering the lowest prices and discounts to giving you lifetime access to the study material you buy. When you search for Creative Writing Courses on Udemy, you'll find plenty of courses taught by a wide range of qualified experts. These will give you a thorough understanding of the topic you want to explore. Some of the courses they offer are:

• Writing Book Creative Writing Skill
• Write a Novel Outline from Scratch
• Creative Writing Non-Fiction

Xavier Institute of Communication

Mumbai's Xavier Institute of Communication, an autonomous university offers a wide range of creative possibilities. The Xavier Institute of Communication's Creative Writing Course consists of 8 sessions or a total of 16 hours of training. You'll be given a variety of writing assignments throughout the course, and you'll get feedback on them from both professionals and fellow writers. After completing the programme, you'll be well-versed in both composing and presenting creative works. A variety of genres will be covered, and you'll learn how to approach each one successfully. You can sign up for the:

• Creative Writing Workshop: 8 sessions of 2 hours each

Henry Harvin Writing Academy

South Asia's first certified creative writing course is offered by Henry Harvin Education, one of India's top edtech firms. The Creative Writing Training teaches writers to express their imagination via language. Both online and offline options are available for the course. In contrast to the Online mode, which provides 50 hours of access to e-Learning material, the Offline mode provides 24 hours of training and 24 hours of study sessions. The instructors are experienced writers and trainers with a combined experience of over ten years, and the students work on actual content writing assignments as part of their training. Some of the courses offered are:

• Articulate Storyline 360 Course
• Creative Writing Course
• Master Creative Writing Course
• Copywriting Course

Coursera

Coursera is a platform you just cannot overlook while looking for the finest creative writing programmes. A 100% online, flexible schedule offering self-paced learning, a shareable certificate, and highly qualified instructors who will successfully direct and supervise you during the duration of the course, as well as peer interaction and review, are all a part of the Coursera package. Through rigorous instruction, students learn the tricks of the trade. Learn the secrets used by experienced writers to craft a moving story, memorable characters, appealing settings or even their just developing their distinctive style. You will also assess and evaluate the writing of others, greatly increasing your exposure to writing styles. Some of the courses offered on Coursera are:

• Creative Writing
• Write Your First Novel
• Creative Writing: The Craft of Plot
• Sharpened Visions: A poetry workshop

Every day youngsters encounter new experiences. They pick up new words which help them expand their vocabulary. All these fresh experiences aid in the development of a creative and inquisitive mind. These new experiences may also spark ideas that the person can develop into stories or creative writing. Emotional skills can also be developed through creative writing - you can channel your emotions and learn how to manage a circumstance by making up a story. And there’s no better time or place to learn the art of storytelling than now and at these institutes.

Source: Telegraph, 8/08/22