Daily Current Affairs - May 30th, 2025
Dugongs in India: Guardians of Seagrass Meadows Facing Existential Threats
Introduction:
Dugongs (Dugong dugon), often referred to as “sea cows,” are the only herbivorous marine mammals found in Indian waters. Once widespread, their populations have now dwindled drastically, making them a focus of marine biodiversity conservation. Observed annually on May 28 as World Dugong Day, the species serves as a keystone species for coastal ecosystem health.
Ecological Role and Habitat:
Dugongs inhabit shallow coastal waters, primarily feeding on seagrass meadows. They are found along the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, and Gulf of Kachchh. With a preference for seagrass genera like Halophila and Cymodocea, they play a vital ecological role by trimming seagrasses, promoting growth, and increasing nutrient cycling—thus earning the moniker “gardeners of the sea.”
Conservation Concerns:
Despite being listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, dugongs face multiple threats:
- Habitat lossdue to coastal development, land reclamation, and port construction.
- Pollutionfrom agriculture and industry has degraded water quality, directly impacting seagrass health.
- Fishing gear entanglement, especially from trawl nets and gillnets, often leads to fatal injuries.
- Climate change, including rising sea temperatures and cyclones, threatens seagrass beds and dugong breeding grounds.
- Illegal huntingand low public awareness, particularly in remote islands, compound conservation challenges.
Conservation Efforts:
India’s declaration of the first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay (2022) covering 448.3 sq km is a critical step. Long-term collaborations with NGOs like OMCAR Foundation, Wildlife Institute of India, and local communities aim to restore seagrass beds and monitor dugong populations.
Policy Recommendations:
- Rigorous mapping and monitoringof seagrass ecosystems.
- Community-led stewardship, especially among fisherfolk.
- Ban on harmful fishing practicesin dugong habitats.
- Promotion of eco-tourismand alternative livelihoods.
- Integration of citizen scienceand traditional ecological knowledge in research.
Conclusion:
Dugongs symbolize the fragile link between biodiversity and human activity in coastal India. Protecting them requires immediate, multi-stakeholder action focused on habitat restoration, public awareness, and policy enforcement. Their survival is intertwined with the health of India’s marine ecosystems.
Energy and Efficiency: A Path Towards Sustainable Development
Introduction
Energy efficiency has emerged as a vital solution to address India’s rising power demand, climate change challenges, and energy security concerns. Despite rapid progress in electricity generation, including renewable energy, India continues to face a growing deficit in meeting peak energy demand.
Challenges in India’s Power Sector
- Energy Deficit:
- The energy deficit widened from 0.69% in FY20 to approximately 5% in FY24.
- New power production, especially from fossil fuels, is time-intensive and insufficient to meet demand.
- High Dependency on Coal:
- 70% of India’s energy output is coal-based.
- Plans to add another 90 GW of coal capacity by 2032 further deepen environmental concerns.
- Rising Energy Consumption:
- Rapid urbanization and per capita energy consumption, particularly for cooling, contribute significantly to energy demand.
- Peak power demand reached 250 GW in 2024, making India the third-largest global energy consumer.
Key Energy Efficiency Initiatives
- UJALA Scheme:
- Distribution of 37 crore LED bulbs reduced energy demand and household costs.
- LED bulbs helped India avoid building over 9,500 MW of new generation capacity, equivalent to 19 new coal-fired power plants.
- Saved over $10 billion in energy costs.
- Street Lighting National Programme:
- Installation of 1.34 crore LED streetlights reduced peak energy demand by 1,500 MW across urban and rural areas.
- Energy Conservation Act, 2001:
- Enabled a 15% reduction in energy demand and avoided 300 million tons of CO2 emissions between 2000 and 2018.
- Global Context and Comparison:
- India ranks as the third-largest energy consumer globally, following China and the United States.
- The International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights the need for further investments in energy efficiency to address urbanization and climate challenges effectively.
Future Roadmap for India
- Enhanced Energy Efficiency:
- Expand measures to sectors like housing, MSMEs, and manufacturing.
- Focus on energy-efficient appliances and building codes.
- Reduce Dependency on Fossil Fuels:
- Transition to renewable energy sources to lower carbon emissions.
- Policy Implementation:
- Strengthen regulatory frameworks and incentivize energy efficiency technologies.
- Public Awareness Campaigns:
- Promote behavioral changes and adoption of efficient technologies at the grassroots level.
Conclusion
Energy efficiency is not just a necessity but an opportunity for India to reduce its carbon footprint, ensure energy security, and achieve sustainable development goals. By scaling up initiatives like UJALA and focusing on long-term policy frameworks, India can address its power challenges and emerge as a global leader in energy efficiency.
Shipwreck off Kerala coast declared a State-Specific Disaster: Environmental and Disaster Management Implications
Introduction
On May 24, 2024, the Kerala government officially declared the shipwreck of MSC Elsa 3, 14.6 nautical miles off the Kochi coast, as a “State-specific disaster”. The incident highlights critical vulnerabilities in India’s coastal and marine disaster preparedness, with potential environmental, economic, and social repercussions.
Nature of the Incident: The container vessel MSC Elsa 3, en route from Vizhinjam to Kochi, sank approximately 38 km southwest of its destination.
The Indian Coast Guard successfully rescued all 21 crew members, including nationals from Russia and the Philippines.
Disaster Declaration and Government Response
- The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) was authorized to utilize the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)for relief and mitigation.
- Floating boomswere deployed to prevent the spread of any potential oil spill.
Environmental and Social Impacts
- Plastic pellet contaminationand container debris have begun washing ashore in:
- Kerala(Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha)
- Tamil Nadu
- Risks include:
- Marine biodiversity lossdue to hazardous chemical spillage
- Plastic pollutionfrom microplastic-forming pellets
- Livelihood disruptionfor coastal communities dependent on fishing and tourism
The Revenue Minister confirmed ongoing containment and recovery efforts, including the deployment of emergency response ships and clearing operations.
Disaster Management Dimensions
Dimension | Implication |
Environmental | Threat to marine ecosystems, risk of oil spill, plastic contamination |
Social | Livelihood insecurity for coastal fishers and tourism operators |
Economic | Damage to local fishing industries and port operations |
Disaster Preparedness | Highlights gaps in marine hazard early warning systems |
Institutional Response | Role of SDMA, SDRF, Coast Guard, and inter-state coordination (Kerala & Tamil Nadu) |
Way Forward
Strengthening Marine Disaster Management:
- Institutionalizing protocols for hazardous cargo tracking
- Enhancing real-time weather and ocean current monitoring
Coastal Environmental Safeguards:
- Rapid plastic and oil containment frameworks
- Involvement of local communitiesin clean-up operations
Legal and International Cooperation:
- Enforcing IMO guidelineson maritime safety
- Accountability of shipping companies under international maritime laws
Conclusion
The MSC Elsa 3 incident underscores the intersection of climate-induced extreme events, marine transportation vulnerabilities, and ecological fragility along India’s coasts. It serves as a wake-up call to integrate marine disaster management more comprehensively into India’s disaster risk reduction strategy under the Sendai Framework and India’s National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP).
Prelims Pointers
- SDRF– Established under Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- Floating Booms– Oil containment technology.
- Sendai Framework– 2015–2030 UN agreement for disaster risk reduction.
- Microplastics– Category of marine pollution from plastic pellets.