Monday, November 26, 2018

AUG 18 ENV PEST BAN AZIRANGA NPAR

PE STI CI DE S BAN

Why in News?

The Government of India has decided to ban the use of 18 pesticides following the recommendations of the
Anupam Verma Committee.

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More about the news

The complete ban of 12 pesticides would come into effect immediately while the rest 6 would be banned from December 31, 2020.
•    The decision is based on Anupam Verma committee which
was constituted in 2013 to review the use of 66 pesticides (which are either banned or restricted in other countries.) recommended a ban on 13 ‘extremely hazardous’ pesticides
, phasing out of six ‘moderately hazardous’ ones by 2020,
and review of 27 pesticides in 2018.

Significance of the Ban

The pesticides proposed to be banned are harmful not just to humans and animals but also leech into the soil and water bodies and harm the aquatic ecosystem.They also lead to bioaccumulation.
•    India is likely to improve its reputation in countries (where
the concerned pesticides are banned) which imports food
related products (both manufactured and raw) from India.

Concerns surrounding pesticide ban

It is estimated that at least 104 pesticides licenced for use in India have been banned in other parts of the world, whereas Verma Committee only reviewed 66. For example Glyphosate was not among the pesticides reviewed by the Verma committee even though it is banned in several countries.
There are also concerns that Committee left out certain deadly pesticides like Monocrotophos and had asked the industry to come up with safety data on these pesticides.
Once  registered,  safety  information  about  pesticide  molecules  is  not  legally  required  to  be  reviewed periodically to keep pace with toxicological research. Further, only the Centre can ban pesticide molecules. States can only either refuse licences for their sale and manufacture or impose temporary bans no longer than
90 days.
•    This means Indians are regularly exposed to a deadly cocktail of pesticides, through direct application or in
their  food  chain,  with  little  updated  information  about  the  safety  of the  chemicals  to  humans  or  the environment.

Regulations for pesticide in India

Insecticide Act 1968, was enacted to regulate imports, manufacture, storage, transport, sale, distribution and use of insecticides with a view to prevent risk to human beings and animals.
•    The Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC) approves the use of pesticides in India.
The health and family welfare ministry monitors and regulates pesticide levels in food, and sets limits for residues in food commodities.
Department   of   Agriculture,   Co-Operation   &   Farmers   Welfare   (DAC&FW)   has   launched   a   scheme “Strengthening  and Modernization  of Pest Management Approach  in India” to promote Integrated  Pest Management (IPM).
•    “Grow Safe food” Campaign has been initiated to create awareness about the safe and judicious use of
pesticides among the various stakeholders
•    India  is  signatory  to  UNEP  led  Stockholm  Convention  for  persistent  organic  pollutants  and  Rotterdam
convention which promotes open exchange of information and calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to
use proper labelling, include directions on safe handling, and inform purchasers of any known restrictions or
bans.
•    Draft Pesticides Management Bill 2017 aims to regulate the manufacture, imports, storage, transportation,
inspection, testing and distribution of pesticides.





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5.7. K AZI R ANGA N ATI ONA L P AR K

Why in news?

The Kaziranga National Park (KNP) had been split into two divisions — the existing Eastern Assam Wildlife and the new Biswanath Wildlife park with Brahmputra flowing in between.

More on news

The  Kaziranga  South  Division  will  cover  all areas of Kaziranga situated on the south bank of the Brahmaputra with existing four Ranges viz. Kaziranga (Kohora), Eastern Range (Agaratoli), Western Range (Bagori) and Burhapahar Range.
The headquarters of the North division will be at Biswanath with three ranges under this division at Biswanath, Panpur and Gohpur (Gomeri). The Panpur Range and the Gohpur Range (Gomeri) will be newly created under the proposed Kaziranga North division.

Reason for Bifurcation

Due  to  expansion  of  area  under  the  KNP,  it


About the Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga protected    area was   established    in 1904 and is located on    the    edge    of    the Eastern    Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. It is a UNESCO world heritage site.
The    park    is   home    to    large    breeding   populations of elephants, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer other than the one-horned rhino.
Kaziranga  is  recognized  as  an  ‘Important  Bird  Area’  by Birdlife International for the conservation of avifaunal species.
•    There are five ranges in the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division.
These are Kaziranga (Kohora), Eastern Range (Agaratoli), Western Range (Bagori), Burhapahar Range and Northern Range with headquarters at Biswanath. Of these ranges, four are located on the southern bank of the Brahmaputra, while the Northern Range is located on the north bank of the river.
became difficult for one division to manage the National Park and because of this these areas did not get the desired attention. Specific issues faced are-

Poachers remained un-convicted due to large area of the park, which can now be curbed better as it mostly happened in the northern region, and officers from the southern side were unable to prevent it.
The  funds  allocated  were  not  only  under-utilised  but  were  largely  unused,  with  bifurcation  separate authorities will be more accountable.
It will also ease overcoming staff shortage as northern region can now recruit from northern Assam separately and so with the southern region.

Tourism was also suffering largely due to above mentioned reasons, bifurcation will lead to better management and increased visitation and hence, the revenue.

Criticism

It is predicted that this decision may have benefits in the short run, but in the long run it may-

•   come at the cost of the ecology, road and river network.
•   result in increased noise an air pollution due to increased footfall.
•   make the animals more ‘zoo-like’, and hence tamer, taking away the sense of adventure that attracts tourists
to the Kaziranga National Park.

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