The Prayas ePathshala

Exams आसान है !

22 October 2024

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MAINS DAILY QUESTIONS & MODEL ANSWERS:

 Q1. Interstate water disputes continue to impede federal water control in India. Discuss the reasons behind the many interstate water disputes that have lasted so long in the country. What actions are necessary to successfully resolve these disputes?

GS II Interstate River water disputes

Introduction:

  • There are 25 major river basins in India, the majority of which cross several states. In India, there have been many interstate river-water conflicts (ISWDs), such as the Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal, the Krishna water dispute, the Cauvery conflict, and others. Due to the fact that rivers cross state boundaries, the creation of efficient and fair methods for allocating river flows has long been an important legal and constitutional concern in India.

The ongoing interstate water disputes have the following causes:

  • Federal jurisdiction is unclear because Schedule 7 gives the Union Parliament the power to enact rules and regulations for controlling interstate rivers. When it comes to items like water distribution, irrigation, canals, drainage, and embankments, as well as for water storage and water power, the states preserve their independence. This method of developing the legislative and constitutional process addressing ISWDs has resulted in a hazy division of authority between the federal government and the states, which has led to federal-jurisdictional ambiguity.
  • Historical-geographical ambiguities: The boundaries of Indian states have changed over time depending on cultural and political factors, without much regard for the historical and ecological dynamics of these places. There is currently historical and geographic uncertainty in the interstate river water governance due to the complex jurisdictional and resource-sharing arrangements brought on by the shifting borders.
  • Political factors: Interstate water disputes in India now go beyond simple water allocation. They have become very politicised as a result of local and electoral considerations. For instance, the Cauvery conflict has occasionally been framed as a conflict between Tamil and Kannadiga ethnic identity.
  • Uneven water distribution throughout the country and changing monsoon rainfall patterns are to blame for the country’s water crisis. Growing water shortages and a dramatic rise in freshwater demands in both urban and rural regions have made the problem worse recently.
  • Institutional opacity: There are too many options and too much discretion throughout the process of settling interstate water issues. This is in part because there have been procedural issues involving several parties, including state and federal governments, courts, water tribunals, and other governmental organisations.
  • Delays in dispute resolution: The nation’s drawn-out legal procedures contribute to delays in the resolution of water concerns. For example, the Godavari and Cauvery River water disputes have been pushed off for a very long period.

The following actions can be done to effectively settle conflicts regarding interstate river water:

  • Institutional mechanisms for mediation: It’s important to put up an institutional environment for interstate mediation. In this case, bringing river water disputes within the jurisdiction of the interstate council may help to resolve the dispute between the states.
  • The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) campaigned for a comprehensive national law to regulate, develop, and manage interstate rivers.
  • It is necessary to have a strong and flexible institutional framework for interstate collaboration, coordination, and compliance.
  • The establishment of a national data bank and information system has been recommended by the Sarkaria Commission for the effective management of interstate rivers.
  • The organisations and processes in place to settle disputes over interstate rivers are not precise or specified enough. Conflicts with a combative nature are more likely to occur if water is used more widely. The mechanisms for resolving conflicts must therefore be well defined.
  • It is crucial to educate the people about the damaging impacts of protracted conflict on the environment, the economy, and development.
  • In view of the nation’s increasing water stress, states within the basin should consider lowering their water demands by implementing water-efficient agriculture patterns and techniques, such as drip irrigation.
  • The preservation, equitable distribution, and sustainable use of river water depend on a coordinated plan between the states because river basins are common resources. The focus should be on enhancing the existing and developing institutional mechanisms and taking into account political sensitivities in order to determine a long-term and peaceful course for the control of interstate river water.

Q2. Describe the challenges the country has faced converting to green energy and implementing clean technologies. Give advice on the steps that should be made to fix these issues.

GS III Environmental Conservation

Introduction:

  • Clean technologies play a significant role in the transition to environmental sustainability. They refer to various strategies like wastewater treatment systems and renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy that are aimed at protecting the environment or abiding by regulatory regulations. An immediate transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a green one through the adoption of clean technology is required in light of India’s promise that it will attain net zero emissions by 2070 and meet 50% of its electricity demands from renewable sources by 2030.

However, the nation faces a number of challenges in the adoption of clean technologies and the switch to green energy, including:

  • One of the greatest barriers to the adoption of clean technology is the high initial cost of installation. The cost of projects is increased by factors including rising GST rates and import levies on solar equipment. The issue is further exacerbated by the scarcity of green financing and the high risk associated with green projects.
  • Planning and implementation difficulties: Proper system planning and integration is another essential element. Because renewable energy projects are decentralised, the capacity and type of project must be chosen where the availability of the energy source can be guaranteed. The feasibility of the system depends on factors such as the number of sunny days, wind speed and direction, monsoon season, tide level, biomass availability, etc. since the majority of renewable energy systems are weather-dependent.
  • Dependence on fossil fuels: The India Energy Outlook 2021 states that coal, oil, and solid biomass supply about 80% of India’s energy needs. Despite recent successes in expanding LPG penetration in rural areas, 660 million Indians have not totally transitioned to modern, ecologically friendly cooking fuels or technology.
  • Energy storage: The fact that the supply of energy from renewable sources is far more unpredictable than that from traditional sources is one of the key problems in producing energy from these sources. Due to changes in the amount of sunlight and wind, the supply is less reliable than that supplied by fossil fuel facilities. Since storage infrastructure serves to balance out changes in the energy supply, it is essential for a seamless transition to renewable energy.
  • Infrastructure problems: The majority of the current infrastructure consists on nuclear and fossil fuel plants. The resulting infrastructure problems hinder the adoption of clean technologies. For instance, the growing use of electric vehicles makes it necessary to build a nationwide network of charging stations.

To address the aforementioned problems and guarantee the adoption of clean technology, the following steps should be taken:

  • It is possible to encourage the use of clean technology by utilising currently active government programmes like the Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana, which offers microbusinesses collateral-free financing. Similar to this, the Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Microfood Processing firms (PM-FME) scheme, which promotes the use of technology among micro food firms, can support solutions like a solar dryer, an energy-efficient multipurpose food processor, or a solar grain mill.
  • Increasing funding: More funding must be made available for the advancement of clean technology. The top priorities should be redistributing funding and creating new financing sources.
  • To enable an ecosystem as a whole, multi-actor cooperation comprising financiers and market-linkage players, as well as technological developers, manufacturers, distributors, and service providers, are required.
  • The challenges that must be overcome for the power sector to enjoy a green rebirth include short-term liquidity and medium- to long-term structural improvements. In order to do this, renewable energy costs per unit must be reduced, clean technology R&D must be increased, and the deployment of energy storage, smart metres, and distribution automation systems (DAS) must be scaled up.
  • A thriving ecosystem for clean technologies needs to be established, one in which service providers ensure after-sales support, market-linkage players ease access to the market, and distributors work with manufacturers to enable technology access at the last mile.
  • Integrating clean technologies with a circular economy: In order to create a circular economy in the clean technology industry as well as other enterprises, policies, financial incentives, and educational practises should be implemented. This can have important social, economic, and environmental advantages by reestablishing industrial hubs in specific regions, encouraging economic growth, and creating jobs.
  • Due to its improvements in the production of renewable energy, as well as its potential in sustainable energy storage and the battery recycling & reuse business, India is well-positioned to help the world transition to a Net Zero CO2 future. By focusing on clean technologies, India can also ensure increased employment opportunities and a more inclusive green future.

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