Water wisdom during a pandemic
Syllabus: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management
Sub-topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Context:
- World Water Day was observed more online than in person this year on March 22,given the guidelines notified by the WHO in the light of the ongoing COVID19 pandemic.
- Theme for the event this year, “Water and Climate Change”.
Climate change and its impact on water:
- Water is the primary medium through which climate change impacts trickle down to the community and individual levels, primarily through reduced predictability of water availability.
- Growing populations and their demand for water increases the need for energy intensive water pumping, transportation, and treatment.
- Growing populations contributes to the degradation of critical water dependent carbon sinks such as peatlands.
- Due to climate change, water cycles experience significant change, which reflects in water availability and quality.
- A warmer climate causes more water to evaporate from both land and oceans; in turn, a warmer atmosphere can hold more water, roughly 4% more water for every 1deg F rise in temperature.
Mitigation strategies by India:
The Government of India implemented the ‘National Action Plan on Climate Change’ through eight National Missions, including the Water Mission.
Various states have come up by their own programmes like:
- In Rajasthan, there is a scheme called ‘Mukhya Mantri Jal Swavlamban Abhiyan’.
- Maharashtrahas launched a project called ‘Jalyukt-Shivar’, which aims to make 5000 villages free of water scarcity every year.
- Telanganagovernment has launched a mission called Mission Kakatiya, the objective of which is to enhance the development of agriculture-based income.
- In-situ water conservation techniqueslike rain water harvesting, check dams are coming up.
Way Forward:
- The effective policies need the support of the local governments, corporates and NGOs.
- Water resources planning must be given due consideration while dealing with climate impacts.
- Need to revisit our rich tradition and culture of water like Johad, sarai etc. wisdom in water resources management.
Disaster and disaster management
Context:
- The lockdown in India has helped contain community spread of the disease, but there is lack in a legal and legislative audit of this exercise.
- Since India is now in the seventh week of the lockdown, it is imperative and timely that an assessment should be made for its underlying legislative soundness.
What are the Laws that governs the lockdown?
- The lockdown is carried out by State governments and district authorities on the directions of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs under the Disaster Management Act of 2005.
- Disaster Management Act of 2005 intended “to provide for the effective management of disasters and for matters connected there with or incidental thereto”.
- Under the Act, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was set up under the leadership of the Prime Minister, and the National Executive Committee (NEC) was chaired by the Home Secretary.
- On March 24, 2020, the NDMA and NEC issued orders directing the Union Ministries, State governments and authorities to take effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID19.
- it laid out guidelines illustrating which establishments would be closed and which services suspended during the lockdown period.
- the State governments and authorities exercised powers under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 to issue further directions.
- The invoking of the Disaster Management Act has allowed the Union government to communicate seamlessly with the States.
Issues
- Whether the disaster management Act of 2005 which was originally intended to or is sufficiently capable of addressing the threat of a pandemic?
- The use of the archaic Epidemic Diseases Act 1897 reveals the lack of requisite diligence and responsiveness of government authorities in providing novel and innovative policy solutions to address current pandemic crisis.
- Another serious issue is that any violation of the orders passed would be prosecutable under Section 188 of Indian Penal Code which is ineffectivein today’s crisis.
What should be the course of action next?
- Taking cue from international best practices like the U.K. who enacted the Coronavirus Act, 2020, which is a comprehensive legislation dealing with all issues connected with COVID19.
- Singapore’s Infectious Diseases Regulations, 2020, which provides for issuance of stay orders which can send ‘at risk individuals’ to a government specified accommodation facility.
- In India, a consolidated, proactive policy approach is absent. These circumstances call out for legislative leadership, to assist and empower States to overcome COVID19 and to revive their economic, education and public health sectors.
India needs to enact a COVID-19 law
Syllabus Linkages: General Studies- II and General Studies-III
Sub-topics:
Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Toxic disaster
Syllabus Linkages: General Studies-III: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management.
Sub-Topic: Disaster and disaster management
Why in News:
- The toxic gas is reported to be leaked in LG Polymer Plant at Gopalapatnam on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam around 02:30 am on 7th may 2020 when the workers were preparing to reopen the plant.
- The whole incident has affected the radius of 3 K.M. covering 5 nearby villages affecting thousands of people.
What caused the leakage?
- On 7th May 2020 morning around 2:30 AM, when the workers of LG Polymer Plant were preparing to reopen the plant, they felt the presence of Styrene in the atmosphere.
- Gas is reported to be leaked from two big tanks of 5000 ton kept inside. Chemical reaction and production of heat inside the tank caused the leakage of the toxic gas.
Styrene Gas explained:
Styrene, the chemical involved in the disaster struck plant that produces polystyrene products, is included in the schedule of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989. The rules lay down strict norms on how it should be handled and stored.
- Also known as ethenyl benzene, vinylbenzene, and phenyl ethene, Styrene is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5CH=CH2. It is colorless, highly flammable, toxic gas used in the production of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex.
- When exposed to humans for a short duration the toxic material can result in various respiratory problems, irritation in the eyes, irritation of the mucous membrane, and gastrointestinal problems. Whereas, when exposed for a longer duration, it can adversely affect the central nervous system and lead to other related problems like peripheral neuropathy.
- It could also lead to cancer and depression in some cases. Its Symptoms include hearing loss, headache, weakness, difficulty in concentrating, fatigue, etc.
Way Forward:
- What happened in Gopalapatnam is also a warning for industries across India.
- The Andhra Pradesh government must focus immediately on the medical needs of those who have been grievously affected by the gas leak.
- Solatium payments and compensation for the victims and families are important, but so is access to the highest quality of health care for the victims.
- the States have the authority under the Central government’s orders to exempt process industries. It needs no special emphasis that safety of industrial chemicals requires continuous watch, with no scope for waivers.