The Only 5 Marine National Park and Water Sanctuaries of India

India boasts of several marine national parks which are hotspots of bio-diversity and
home to a number of marine creatures including Olive Ridley sea turtles, saltwater
crocodile and a medium-sized marine mammal known as Dugong. Water sanctuaries
of India include Bhitarkanika National Park, Sundarbans National Park and Rani
Jhansi Marine National Park. These are swamp or large mangroves forests in India.

Gulf of Kutch Marine National Park

Marine National Park in Gulf of Kutch
is situated on the southern shore of the
Gulf of Kutch in Jamnagar, Gujarat. It
is the first national marine park of
India with 42 islands on Jamnagar
coast in the Marine National Park.

Some popular islands:-

Poshitra, Pirotan, Karubhar and

This is a fragile Ecosystem. Narara.

Flora/Fauna:-Coral Lichen, Sea Slug,

Painted Storks, Shelled Mollusks,
Octopus.

This national park is the 1stmarine

wildlife sanctuary and the 1st marine
national park in India.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park Mahatma Gandhi Marine National

Park is a national park of India on the
Andaman Islands, situated 29 kms.
from Port Blair. Most of the coral
reefs in the park are fringing reefs and
the park is an important breeding
ground for turtles.

It is also Known as WandoorNational

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Established in 1983
Jolly Buoy and Red Skin Islands: Open Jolly Buoy and Red skin Islands are
for tourists.
Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary
It is the biggest nesting ground for olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
Ridley Turtles in the world.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
Malvan Marine Wildlife Sanctuary
Rich in Salt that is why named as Malvan.
Park.
famous islands out of the 15 islands in
this national park.
This National park is covered with
Tropical Forest.
Gahirmatha is the first and the only
marine sanctuary of Orissa, number of
marvellous creatures including Olive
Ridley sea turtles migrate here in huge
numbers. Gahirmatha Beach separates
the Bhitarkanika Mangroves from the
Bay of Bengal and is the world’s most
important nesting beach for Olive
In 1997:- Govt declared Gahirmatha as
marine sanctuary to save turtles.
Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park
consists of 21 small islands and coral
reefs in the Gulf of Mannar in the
Indian Ocean of Tamil Nadu. The park
has a high diversity of plants and
animals in its marine and shore
habitats. Dugong (Sea Cow), a
vulnerable marine mammal is also
found here.
Malvan Marine Sanctuary is the only
marine sanctuary located in Malvan
Taluka of Sindhudurg district in
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 Konkan region of Maharashtra. The
Malvan Wildlife Sanctuary includes
Padamged Island and other submerged
rocky structures.

Note:-Maharashtra government last

year has declared the area along Thane
Creek as Flamingo Sanctuary. It
should be noted that this Sanctuary is
Maharashtra’s second marine
sanctuary after Malvan (Marine)
Wildlife Sanctuary which was
declared in 1987.

Ramsar Partner Organizations:

Motto Partnership for Nature and

People

Formation 1922

Type NGO
is a global partnership of
conservation organisations that
Purpose Conservation
strives to conserve birds,
their habitats and
Headquarters Cambridge, United
global biodiversity, working
Kingdom
with people towards
sustainability in the use of
Regions Africa, Americas, Asia,
natural resources. It is the
served Europe and Central Asia,
world's largest partnership of
Pacific
conservation organisations,
with over 120 partner It is widely recognized as the world leader in Bird
organisations. Conservation.

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 International organisation working in the field
of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural
resources. It is involved in data gathering and
analysis, research, field projects, advocacy, lobbying
and education. IUCN's mission is to "influence,
encourage and assist societies throughout the world
to conserve nature and to ensure that any use of
natural resources is equitable and ecologically
International Union for sustainable."
Conservation of Nature It was created in 1948, and is world’s largest and
H.Q.-Switzerland most diverse environmental network.

Formation 1985

Type Non profit research organisation

Location  Sri Lanka (Colombo -

Headquarters); India (Hyderabad,
It is a nonprofit research
New Delhi); Pakistan (Lahore);
organisation with headquarters
Laos (Vientiane); Nepal
inColombo, Sri Lanka, and
(Kathmandu); Uzbekistan
offices across Africa and Asia.
(Tashkent); South Africa
Research at the Institute
(Pretoria); Ghana (Accra);
focuses on improving how
Ethiopia (Addis Ababa)
water and land resources are
managed, with the aim of Vision:- “A water-secure world”
underpinning food security and
reducing poverty while
safeguarding vital
environmental processes.

International non-governmental
organisation founded in 1961, working in the field
of the wilderness preservation, and the reduction of
humanity's footprint on the environment. It was
formerly named the World Wildlife Fund, which
remains its official name in Canada and the United
States.
It is the world's largest conservation
World Wide Fund for Nature

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H.Q.- Morges, Switzerland organisation with over 5 million supporters
worldwide, working in more than 100 countries,
supporting around 1,300conservation and
environmental projects.

Global organisation that works to sustain and

restore wetlands and their resources for people
and biodiversity. It is an independent, not-for-profit,
global organisation, supported by government and
NGO membership from around the world.
Based mostly in the developing world, it has 20
regional, national or project offices in all continents
and a head office in Ede, the Netherlands.

The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) is a

conservation charity that saves wetlands, which are
essential for life itself. Wetlands are the primary
source of drinking water for people and wildlife.
The WWT was founded in 1946 by
the ornithologist and artist Sir Peter Scott as
the Severn Wildfowl Trust. The WWT was
instrumental in saving the nēnē from the brink of
extinction in the 1950s.
IUCN Red list was also created by Sir peter Scott
Wildfowl and Wetland Trust

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

 International treaty for “the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands”.

 It is also known as the Convention on Wetlands.
 It is named after the city of Ramsar in Iran.
 The Convention was signed on 2nd of February, 1971.
 The 2nd of February each year is World Wetlands Day.
 Number of parties to the convention (COP) is169.
 At the centre of the Ramsar philosophy is the “wise use” of wetlands.
 Wise use: maintenance of ecological character within the context of sustainable
development.

The Montreux Record

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  The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of
International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred,
are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments,
pollution or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar
List.

International Organisation Partners

 The Ramsar Convention works closely with six other organizations known as
International Organisation Partners (IOPs). These are:

1. Birdlife International
2. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
3. International Water Management Institute (IWMI)
4. Wetlands International
5. WWF
6. International Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT)

Other Partners

 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

 Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD),
 Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals
 Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),
 World Heritage Convention (WHC) and
 Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Jammu And Kashmir  The largest freshwater lake in India.

1. Wular Lake  Situated on the Jhelum River.
 Lake basin was formed as a result of tectonic
activity.

2. Tsomoriri  A freshwater to brackish lake lying at 4,595m

above sea level. The site is said to represent the
only breeding ground outside of China for one of
the most endangered cranes, the Black-necked
crane (Grus nigricollis), and the only breeding
ground for Bar-headed geese in India.
 The Great Tibetan Sheep or Argali

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 (Ovisammonhodgsoni) and Tibetan Wild Ass
(Equus kiang) are endemic to the Tibetan plateau,
of which the Changthang is the westernmost part.
 Largest of the high altitude lake which is entirely
within India.
3. Surinsar-Mansar  Located in Jammu, Holy site.
Lakes  Surinsar and Mansar lakes are reffered as twin
lakes.
4. Hokersar Wetland  Hokersar wetland is only 10 km away from
Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar.

 Waterfowl species like Large Egret, Great Crested

Grebe, Little Cormorant, Common Shelduck,
Tufted Duck and endangered White-eyed Pochard,
coming from Siberia, China, Central Asia, and
Northern Europe.

Himachal Pradesh  A water storage reservoir created in 1975 on the

1. Pong Dam Lake Beas River in the low foothills of the Himalaya on
the northern edge of the Indo-Gangetic plain.
2. Renuka Lake  A natural wetland with freshwater springs and
inland subterranean karst formations, fed by a
small stream flowing from the lower Himalayan
out to the Giri River.
 Crimson-breasted barbet, Mayna, Bulbul,
Pheasants, Egrets, Herons, Mallards and Lapwing.
 Among ungulates Sambhar, Barking deer and
Ghorals are also abundant in the area.
 Named after Goddess Renuka the mother of Hindu
sage Parshuram.
 Largest natural Lake of Himachal Pradesh.

3. Chandra Tal  Located in Spiti part of Lahaul- Spitidistrict of

Himachal Pradesh.
Punjab  An important site for breeding, wintering and
1. Harike staging birds, supporting over 200,000 Anatidae
(ducks, geese, swans, etc.) during migration.
 Also known as Hari-Ke-Pattan
 At Harike Beas River meets Satluz.
 Largest Wetland in Northern India.

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 2. Ropar Wetland  A human made wetland of lake and river formed
by the 1952 construction of a barrage for diversion
of water from the Sutlej River for drinking and
irrigation supplies.
 The site is an important breeding place for the
nationally protected Smooth Indian Otter, Hog
Deer, Sambar, and several reptiles, and the
endangered Indian Pangolin (Maniscrassicaudata)
is thought to be present.

3. Kanjali  Man-made wetland and was created in 1870.

Kerala  It is the largest freshwater lake in Kerala, situated
1. Sasthamkotta Lake in Kollam district.
 Named after ancient Sastha Temple.
2. VembanadKayal  Largest Lake of Kerala.
 Famous tourist locations like Alappuzha and
Kumarakom, known for house boats falls here.
 River mouths of Pamba-AchenkovilRivers in
Vembanad forms one of the most unique wetland
topography of Kerala, the Kuttanad. It is below the
sea level and is famous for exotic fish varieties and
paddy fields that are below the sea level.

3. Ashtamudi  A natural backwater in Kollam district.

 RiversKallada and Pallichal drain into it.
 It forms an estuary with the sea at Neendakara
which is a famous fishing harbour in Kerala
 National Waterway 3 passes through it.

Rajasthan  Largest inland salt lake of India

1. Sambhar Lake  Sambhar has been designated as a Ramsar site
(recognized wetland of international importance)
because the wetland is a key wintering area for tens
of thousands of flamingos and other birds that
migrate from northern Asia.
 Waterfowl, Nilgai,deer, foxes.
 Example of centripetal drainage, Megha and
Khandel Streams drain in it.

2. Keoladeo Ghana  A complex of ten artificial, seasonal lagoons,

National Park varying in size, situated in a densely populated

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 Or Bharatpur Bird region.
Sanctuary  Placed on the Montreux Record in 1990 due to
“water shortage and an unbalanced grazing
regime”.
 Moreover, invasive growth of the grass
Paspalumdistichum has changed the ecological
character of large areas of the site, reducing its
suitability for certain waterbird species, notably the
Siberian crane.

Odisha  Chilika Lake is a brackish water lagoon at the

1. Chilika Lake mouth of the Daya River
 It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the
second largest lagoon in the world.
 Birds from as far as the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal,
Aral Sea and other remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz
steppes of Mongolia, Central and Southeast Asia,
Ladakh and Himalayas come here.
 In 1981, Chilika Lake was designated the first
Indian wetland of international importance under
the Ramsar Convention.
 Birds: White Bellied Sea Eagles, Greylag Geese,
Purple Moorhen, Jacana, flamingos, egrets, gray
and purple herons, Indian Roller, Storks, White
Ibis, Spoonbills, Brahminy Ducks, Shovellers,
Pintails, and more.
 Nalbana Island is the core area of the Ramsar
designated wetlands of Chilika Lake. Nalbana was
notified in 1987 and declared a bird sanctuary in
1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act.
 The Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaellabrevirostris) is
the flagship species of Chilika Lake. It is classified
as critically endangered, in five of the six other
places it is known to live.

2. Bhitarkanika  The core area of Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary

Mangroves was declared Bhitarkanika National Park.
 Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary includes
It was under the control of Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary.
a zamindar until 1952.  Bhitarkanika Mangroves were designated a Ramsar

Page 9 of 45
In 2006 park was Wetland of International Importance in 2002.
recognized by the  It is famous for its salt water crocodiles and Olive
Guinness book of world Ridley sea turtles.
record for the largest  Brahmani and Baitrani River Delta.
White Crocodile.
Remaining North to  The river provides habitat for IUCN Red listed
South Ganges River Dolphin, gharial, crocodile, 6
1. Uttar Pradesh species of turtles, otters, 82 species of fish and
Upper Ganga River more than a hundred species of birds.
(Brijghat to Narora
Stretch)
2. Madhya Pradesh  The Bhoj Wetland consists of two lakes located in
Bhoj Wetland the city of Bhopal.
 The two lakes are the Bhojtal and the Lower Lake.
 It is a manmade reservoir.
 The largest bird of India, the SarusCrane (Grus
Antigone) is found here.

3. Gujarat  A natural freshwater lake (a relict sea) that is the

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary largest natural wetland in the Thar Desert
[Declared as aRamsar site Biogeographic Province and represents a dynamic
in 2012. Most recent environment with salinity and depth varying
Ramsarsite in India] depending on rainfall.
 Besides a few mammalian species including the
endangered wild ass and the black buck, its
migratory bird population includes Rosy
Pelicans, flamingos, white
storks, BrahminyDucks and herons. Thousands of
migratory waterfowl flock to this sanctuary just
after the Indian monsoon season.
 The wetland is also a lifeline for a satellite
population of the endangered Indian wild ass
(Equushemionuskhur) which uses this area in the
dry season.

4. West Bengal  The wetland forms an urban facility for treating the
East Calcutta Wetlands city’s waste water
 It includes salt marshes, salt meadows as well as
sewage farms and settling ponds.

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 5. Andhra Pradesh  Bird sanctuary
Kolleru Lake  Located between Godavari and Krishna River
delta.
 Freshwater lake.

6. Tamil Nadu  The sanctuary was created in 1967 for

Point Calimere conservation of the near threatened Blackbuck
Wildlife and Bird Antelope, an endemic mammal species of India.
Sanctuary  One of the last remnants of Dry Evergreen Forests.
 Habitat:Dry Evergreen Forests, Mangrove &
Wetlands.
 Winter Migrants : Spoon Billed Sandpiper, Greater
Flamingos.

North East India  Freshwater Lake

1. Assam
DeeporBeel

2. Manipur  Loktak Lake is the largest freshwater lake in the

Loktak Lake north-eastern region.
 KeibulLamjao the only floating national park in the
world due to the floating phumdis (Heterogenous
mass of vegetation, soil and organic matter)
 Example of centripetal drainage

3. Tripura  It is an important bird area in Tripura and attracts

Rudrasagar Lake a large number of waterfowl in winter.
 Endangered Boer’s Pochard near threatened
Ferruginous Duck recorded here.

Biosphere Reserve

Cold desert  Western Himachal Pradesh

2009 Under UNESCO MAB
Famous for: Snow Leopard
Nanda Devi
Inscribed as World Heritage site by
 Pin Valley National Park
 Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
 Sarchu Wildlife Sanctuary
 Nanda Devi peak 7817, and
drained by the Rishi Ganga

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UNESCO in 1988  Himalayan Tahr. Gorals Snow
Leopard, Himalayan Black
Bear, Rhesus Macaque

Great Rann of Kutch  Thar Desert in the Kutch

Famous for: Indian Wild Ass District of Gujarat
Tropic of Cancer Passes through it.  Luni River, which originates
in Rajasthan, drains into it
 Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, Kutch
Desert Wildlife
Sanctuary, Narayan Sarovar
Sanctuary, Kutch Bustard
Sanctuary
 Banni Grasslands
Reserve and Chari-Dhand Wetland
Conservation Reserve
Khanchenzonga  musk deer, snow
The park gets its name from the leopard, Himalayan Tahr, wild
mountain Kanchenjunga (alternative dog, sloth bear, civet, Himalayan
spellingKhangchendzonga) which is black bear, red panda, Tibetan wild
8,586 metres (28,169 ft) tall, the third- ass,Himalayan blue
highest peak in the world. There are many sheep, serow, goral ,Russell's
glaciers in the park famous one viper.
is ZemuGlacier
Manas  Manas river is the main river
Manas have the largest population of  Assam Roofed Turtle, Hispid
endangered Bengal Florican Hare, Golden Langur and Pygmy
Hog.
DibruSaikhowa  BhrahamputraRiver
 LohitRiver
 DibruRiver
Dihang-Dibang  Mouling National Park, Dibang
Wildlife Sanctuary
 Mishmi takin, red goral, musk
deer, red panda, Asiatic black
bearMechuka giant flying squirrel
Mishmi Hills giant flying squirrel.
Nokrek  Tura Peak in West Garo Hills
Along with Balpakram, Nokrek is a district of Meghalaya

Page 12 of 45
hotspot of biodiversity in Meghalaya.
Panna
Ken River passes through it.
 Nokrek is also an important habitat
of the Asian elephants, Red Panda
Panna was given the Award of
Excellence in 2007 as the Best
Maintained National Park of India by
the Ministry of Tourism

Pachmari Satpura National Park, Bori Sanctuary,

Pachmari Sanctuary
The endemic fauna
includes chinkara, nilgai, barking
deer, cheetal, leopards, wild dogs
and wolves
Achanakamar –Amarkantak 2005 The Narmada, the Johilla and the Son
River. Maikal hill ranges together
with Vindhya and Satpura lie within the
Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere
Reserve.
Simlipal Waterfalls like Joranda and Barehipani
Santhal tribal settlements, Meghasani, the
highest peak in the national park
Simlipal is famous
for Gaurs (Indian Bisons), Chausingha, as
well as Anorchidarium
The "Mugger Crocodile Management
Programme" has helped the Mugger
crocodile (Crocodyluspalustris) to
survive and flourish on the banks
of Khairi River
Sundarban  Brown-winged Kingfishers
It is the largest single block of Adjutants, Masked Finfoots
tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the  White-bellied Sea
world Eagles and Grey-headed Fish-
To the east it is bordered by the Baleswar eagles , Great Bengal Civets
River
Nilgiri: It has largest population of two Mukurthi National Park, Bandipur
endangered species Lion-tailed National Park, Nagarhole National
macaque and Nilgiri tahr ParkSilent Valley National Park
 UNESCO world Heritage site Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary
Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary

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Agastyamalai Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
(TN)Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary Peppara
Wildlife Sanctuary,Shenduruny Wildlife
Sanctuary.
lion-tailed macaques, NilgiriTahr and
the vulnerable Gaur, Sloth Bear, Malabar
Spiny Dormouse and Nilgiri Marten
Sashachalam Rayalseema Upland
Nandayal Valley
globally threatened yellow-throated
Bulbul Pcynonotus, Xantholaemus,
Pompadour Green Pigeon,
TerronPompadore
Gulf of Mannar The estuaries of Thamirabarani River of
south India
Critically endangered species
including Humpback whale, Fin whale
Dugong, a vulnerable marine mammal is
the flagship mammal of the park
Great Nicobar Cambell Bay National park, Galathea
This biosphere reserve has 12 km wide National Park
buffer zone. Nicobar
scrubfowl (Megapodiusnicobariensis,
a megapode bird), theEdible-nest
Swiftlet (Aerodramusfuciphagus),
the Nicobar Long-tailed Macaque
Leatherback Sea Turtle

Groupings

SAARC Members:
HQ Kathmandu Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal,
Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
States with observer status:
Australia, China, the European Union, Iran, Japan, Mauritius,
Myanmar, South Korea and the United States
ASEAN Members:
HQ Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia,
Jakarta(Indonesia) Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Philippines
BIMSTEC(Bay of Members:

Page 14 of 45
Bengal Initiative for India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
Multi sectoral Thailand
Technical and
Economic
Cooperation)
HQ Dhaka
Chairmanship-
Bangladesh
SCO Shangai Shanghai Five, founded in 1996 Members:
Cooperation China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan
Organisation after the inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001, the members
HQ: Beijing renamed the organisation as SCO
At present members:
China,Russia,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,Tajikistan,Uzbekistan,
India,Pakistan.
Observer states:
Belarus, Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia
Dialogue partners:
Turkey,Armenia, Azerbaijan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cambodia
CIS(Commonwealth Members:
of Independent Russia,Kazakhstan,Kyrgyzstan,
States) Tajikistan,Turkmenistan,Uzbekistan,
HQ Minsk(Belarus) Georgia,Armenia,Azerbaijan, Belarus, Ukraine,Moldova
OPEC Members:
HQ Vienna Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,Qatar,UAE, Algeria, Libya,
Nigeria,Angola,Gabon(July 2016), Venezuela, Ecuador, Iran,
Iraq, Indonesia
GCC(Gulf Members:
Cooperation Council) Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman
HQ Riyadh
BRICS Members:
Brazil,Russia,India,China,South Africa
G7 Members:
Canada,USA,UK,France,Germany,Italy,Japan
D8 Organization for Members:
Economic Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Malaysia,
Cooperation Indonesia
MERCOUSER Members:
Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina
Associate members:

Page 15 of 45
 Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Chile
Observer status:
Mexico, New Zealand
ARCTIC Members:
COUNCIL(establishe Canada, USA, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland,
d in Ottawa in 1996, Russia
with Ottawa
Declaration)
Mekong-Ganga Members:
Cooperation India,Myanmar, Thailand,Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Indian Ocean Rim Members:
Association Australia, Bangladesh, Comoros,India, Indonesia, Iran,Kenya
, Madagascar, Malaysia, MauritiusSomalia, Mozambique,
Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri
Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, United Arab Emirates,Yemen

East Asia Summit Membership of EAS consists of ten ASEAN Member States
Established in 2005 (i.e. Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and
Vietnam), Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand,
Republic of Korea, Russian Federation and the USA

COAST of India: Hand-out

Database on Coastal States of India

Coastal data
Length of coastline 7516.6 km
Mainland: 5422.6 km
Island Territories: 2094 km
Total Land Area 3,287,263 km²
Area of continental shelf 372,424 km²
Territorial sea (up to 12 193,834 km²
nautical miles)
Exclusive Economic 2.02 x106 million km²
Zone

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Maritime States and UT
Number of coastal Nine states
States and Union 1. Gujarat
Territories 2. Maharashtra
3. Goa
4. Karnataka
5. Kerala
6. Tamil Nadu
7. Andhra Pradesh
8. Odisha
9. West Bengal
Two Union Territories
1. Daman & Diu
2. Puducherry
Island Territories 1. Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Bay of Bengal)
2. Lakshadweep Islands (Arabian Sea)
Total number of coastal 69 coastal districts in mainland India; 3 in
districts Andaman & Nicobar and 1 in Lakshadweep
Coastal Geomorphology (Mainland)
Sandy Beach 43 %
Rocky Coast 11%
Muddy Flats 36%
Marshy Coast 10%
Coastline affected by 1624.435 km mainland
erosion 132 (islands) (CPDAC)
Coastal Ecosystems
Coastal wetlands 43230 km²
Major 97
estuaries
Major Lagoons 34
Mangrove Areas 31
Area under Mangroves 6740 km² (57% East coast,23% west coast, 20%
Andaman &Nicobar Islands)
Coral Reef Areas 5
Marine Protected Areas 31
Area Covered by MPA 6271.2 km²
Coastal Biodiversity
Marine Algae 217 genera 844 species

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Sea grasses 6 genera 14 species
Mangroves 25 families, 43 genera, 39 species
Associated flora: 420
Associated fauna: 1862
Crustaceans 2934 species
Molluscs 3370 species
Echinoderms 765 species
Hard Corals 218 species
Fishes 2546 species
Reptiles 5 sea turtle species
26 sea snake species
Marine Mammals 25 reported from Indian waters
3 species of cetaceans: Irrawaddy Dolphin, Ganges
River Dolphin and Sperm whale; Dugong listed in
Schedule I of Wildlife Act 1972
Marine Fisheries (Source: CMFRI)
Number of Marine 3288 (CMFRI Census 2010)
Fishing Villages
Fishermen Population about 4 million comprising in 864,550 families
Number of Fishing Major fishing harbours: 6
Harbours Minor fishing harbours: 40
Number of Fish Landing 1511 (CMFRI Census 2010)
Centres
Estimated Marine Fish 3820207 tonnes (2011)
Landing
Fishing Craft 194,490 crafts
mechanized: 37%
motorized: 37%
non-motorized: 26%
Ports and Harbours (Source: Indian Ports Association)
Major Ports 13
State wise number of Gujarat: 40
ports Maharashtra: 53
Goa: 5
Daman & Diu: 2
Karnataka: 10
Kerala: 13
Lakshadweep Islands: 10
Tamil Nadu: 15

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 Puducherry: 1
Andhra Pradesh: 12
Odisha: 2
West Bengal: 1
Andaman & Nicobar Islands: 23

Balkan:- Entirely Within the Balkans:

Balkans, is a peninsula and a cultural  Albania (Tirana)
area in Southeast Europe with  Bulgaria( Sofia)
different and disputed borders.  Bosnia and Herzegovina(Sarajevo)
Balkan Mountains :- East of Serbia to  Kosovo(Pristina)
the Black Sea  Macedonia(Skopje)
 Montenegro(Podgorica)
Bordered by:-
partially within the Balkans:
(a) Adriatic Sea
(b) Ionian Sea
 Croatia
(c) Mediterranean sea
(d) Aegean Sea  Greece
(e) Black Sea  Italy
 Serbia
 Slovenia
 Romania
 Turkey

Nicaragua Canal Nicaragua Grand Interoceanic Canal) is a

planned shipping route through Nicaragua to
connect the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific
Ocean.
Capital of Nicaragua is Managua

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary An estuarine mangrove habitat which is

declared as a bird sanctuary and located on
western tip of the Island of Chorao along the
River Mandovi, Goa, in India. The sanctuary
is named after Salim Ali, the eminent
Indian ornithologist.

Page 19 of 45
 mangroves
of Rhizophoramucronata, Avicenniaofficinali
s
common species include the striated
heron andWestern reef heron
Other species that have been recorded include
the little bittern, black bittern, red knot, Jack
snipe and pied avocet,mudskippers, fiddler
crabs

SagarMala Ports contribute to just 1 % of the entire

Six megaports are planned in GDP, whereas the road sector contributes 6%
Sagarmalaproject. and Railways 9% towards the GDP.
Focus of the SagarmalaYojana:-
 Supporting port-led development with pro-
West
Sagar Island active policy initiatives and providing
Bengal
institutional framework to assist all
stakeholders.
 Modernising port infrastructure.
Tamil
Colachel  Developing integrated transport
Nadu
infrastructure for connecting the coast to
the hinterland.
th
Gujarat Wadhwan  On 25 March 2015 Cabinet gave approval
for this project to develop 12 ports and
1208 islands of India.
Karnataka Tadadi Nodal Ministry: Ministry Of Shipping

Andhra
Machilipatnam
Pradesh

Page 20 of 45
Bharat Mala Project Ambitious road and highways, the
government will fund most of the Bharat
Mala project but some works under it can
also be taken up in the Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) mode. :- The project will
start from Gujarat and Rajasthan, move
to Punjab and then cover the entire string of
Himalayan states -Jammu and
Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand -
and then portions of borders of Uttar
Pradesh andBihar alongside Terai, and move
to Sikkim, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and
right up to the Indo-Myanmar border
in Manipur and Mizoram.

Diamond Quadrilateral Project of the Indian railways to

establish high speed rail network in India.
This quadrilateral will connect the four metro
cities in India,
i.e. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
Golden Quadrilateral The Largest Highway Project in India and 5th
Longest in the world.
Kaladan Project that will connect the eastern Indian
problem:- seaport of Kolkata with Sittwe seaport
Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit in Myanmar by sea; it will then
Transport Project is at present facing link Sittwe Seaport
problems such as underestimation of to Paletwa in Myanmar via KaladanRiver boa
the road length in Myanmar and plans t route and then from Paletwa on
to construct hydro-electric projects — to Mizoram by road transport.
Chimtuipui River and Lungleng The project has several sections/legs:[3]
River — on two tributaries of
the Kaladan River  539 km shipping route from seaport
of Kolkata in India to Sittwe Seaport
in Myanmar via Bay of Bengal
 158 km river boat route
from Sittwe Seaport to Paletwa jetty
via KaladanRiver in Myanmar
 110 km road route from Paletwa jetty to
Indo-Myanmar border in Myanmar
 100 km route from Indo-Myanmar border

Page 21 of 45
 to Lawngtlai in Mizoram in India by road
on National Highway 54 (India) (NH-54),
which then continues further to
Dabaka in Assam via 850 km long NH-54

Rajaji National Park and Kudremukh The National Tiger Conservation Authority
National Park has accorded final approval to
KudremukhNational Park in Karnataka and
Rajaji National Park in Uttarakhand for being
declared as Tiger Reserves.

Setusamudram:

Page 22 of 45
 Kaladan Project:-

Famous Valleys in India:

 Araku Valley, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh

 Betaab Valley, J & K
 Bhagirathi Valley, Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand
 BhakraNangal, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
 Bhilangana Valley, Garhwal Himalayas:
 Barak Valley, Assam

Page 23 of 45
 Chumbi Valley, Tibet, China the intersection of India (Sikkim), Bhutan and China
(Tibet) in the Himalayas.
 Darma Valley, Pithoragarh District, Uttarakhand
 Doon Valley, Lower Himalayas, Uttarakhand
 Dzukou Valley, border of Manipur and Nagaland
 Johar Valley, Uttarakhand
 Jojila Valley, J & K
 Kambam Valley, Tamil Nadu
 Kangra Valley, Himachal Pradesh
 Ketty Valley, Ooty, Tamil Nadu
 Lahaul Valley, Himachal Pradesh
 Lidder Valley J & K
 Lohab Valley, J & K
 Mana Valley, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand
 Mandakini Valley, Kedarnath
 Markha Valley, Ladakh
 Nandayal Valley, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh
 Nelang Valley , Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand

 Niti Valley, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand

 Neora Valley, Kalimpong, Darjeeling
 Nubra Valley, NE of Ladakh Valley
 Pangi Valley, Himachal Pradesh
 Pindar Valley, Uttarakhand
 Parvati Valley, Tosh, Kasol
 Sangla Valley, Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh
 Saur Valley, Pithoragarh District, Uttarakhand
 Silent Valley, Palakkad District,Kerala
 Sind Valley, J & K
 Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh between Tibet and India
 Suru Valley, Ladakh region, J & K
 Tirthan Valley, Banjar District, Himachal Pradesh
 Tons Valley, Garhwal region, Uttarakhand
 Valley of Flowers, West Himalayas, Uttarakhand
 Visalakshi Nagar - Visakhapatnam,A.P (Residential Valley)
 Yumthang Valley, Sikkim
 Zanskar Valley, Ladakh
 Soon Valley NW of Khusab District, Punjab, Pakistan

Page 24 of 45
Hemis National Park, Jammu and Kashmir

Hemis National Park:

 High altitude national park located in eastern Ladakh region of Jammu and
Kashmir.
 On the banks of River Indus.
 Snow leopards Bharal, Argali, Asiatic Ibex, Eurasian Brown Bear, Tibetan
Wolf, Red Fox, etc.
 Arid woods of juniper, birch, fir, and populussalix(it does not receive heavy
amount of precipitation)

 It is the second largest contiguous protected region of the country after Nanda
Devi Biosphere Reserve.
Sundarbans National Park, West Bengal
Sundarbans National Park is a national park, biosphere reserve and tiger reserve
located in West Bengal, India. The park is the part of Sundarban woods extended on
Ganges Delta. The mangrove woods sheet the delta and make it look verdant. The
main attraction of this park is the dense population of tigers. Apart from the tigers, the
park is also home to Fishing Cats, Macaques, Leopards Cats, Indian Grey Mongoose,
Wild Boar, Jungle Cats, Fox, Pangolin, Chital, Flying Fox, etc.
Here is why Sundarbans is considered to be unique:

 Sundarban is one of the largest reserves for tigers.

 It boasts of around 400 tigers.
 In 2012, the camera traps in the park snapped apicture of an unknown animal. It
was a never-seen-before cat in Sundarbans. This cat was smaller than a leopard
and bigger than wild cats.

Page 25 of 45
Photo credit

KeibulLamjao National Park, Manipur

KeibulLamjao National Park

 Stretches over 40 square kilometres of floating vegetation.
 Loktak Lake(major attraction): It is the largest freshwater lake in the country.
 Brow altered deer.
 Only floating sanctuary of the world. The park has a 1.5-meter deep
vegetation, which keeps floating. This floating foliage is known as Phumdi.

Floating phumids on Lake Loktak.

Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh

Page 26 of 45
Namdapha National park:

 It is the largest protected region of the Eastern Himalayan Biodiversity

Hotspot. Area wise, Namdapha is the third largest national park of India.
 The region is famous for its extensive Diterocarp forests.
 Wolves, Dholes, Mongoose, Asiatic Black Bears, Red Panda, Gaur, Sambar,
Takin and many more.
 There is a local tribe called Lisu within the periphery of the park.

 This protected area is India's only national park credited with providing a haven
to all the three top types of cat- The snow leopard, the clouded leopard and the
Bengal tiger.
 It is the only national park that is a preferred habitat for Hoolock Gibbons.

List of 25 cultural Heritage Sites.

Year of
Name of the Site Location
Inscription

Agra Fort Uttar Pradesh 1983

Ajanta Caves Maharashtra 1983

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi Madhya Pradesh 1989

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological
Gujarat 2004
Park

Maharashtra 2004
ChhatrapatiShivaji Terminus (formerly

Page 27 of 45
Victoria Terminus)

Churches and Convents of Goa Goa 1986

Elephanta Caves Maharashtra 1987

Ellora Cave Maharashtra 1983

FatehpurSikri Uttar Pradesh 1986

Great Living Chola Temples Tamil Nadu 1987

Group of Monuments at Hampi Karnataka 1986

Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram Tamil Nadu 1984

Group of Monuments at Pattadakal Karnataka 1987

Hill Forts of Rajasthan Rajasthan 2013

Humayun’s Tomb, Delhi Delhi 1993

Khajuraho Group of Monuments Madhya Pradesh 1986

Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh

Bihar 2002
Gaya

Darjeeling, West Bengal

Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu

Mountain Railways of India 1999
Kalka-Shimla, Himachal
Pradesh

QutabMinar and its Monuments, Delhi Delhi 1993

Rani-ki-Vav (the Queen’s Stepwell) Gujarat 2014

Red Fort Complex Delhi 2007

Page 28 of 45
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Madhya Pradesh 2003

Sun Temple, Konârak Orissa 1984

TajMahal Uttar Pradesh 1983

The JantarMantar, Jaipur Rajasthan 2010

List of Seven Natural Heritage Sites

Year of
Name Of the Site Location
Inscription

Great Himalayan National Park

Himachal Pradesh 2014
Conservation Area

Kaziranga National Park Assam 1985

Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan 1985

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Assam 1985

Nanda Devi and Valley of

Uttarakhand 1988
Flowers National Parks

Sundarbans National Park West Bengal 1987

Covers Four states

Western Ghats (Kerala,Karnataka,Tamil Nadu and 2012

Maharashtra)

Biodiversity Hotspot:

Page 29 of 45
What: - These are certain geographical areas on the earth that are biologically rich but
severely threatened.

Who developed this concept?

Norman Myer, a scientist, was the 1st person who came up with this unique idea in
1988.

Two strict criteria:

1. It must contain at least 1,500 species of vascular plants as endemics(species

found nowhere else on earth)
2. It has to have lost at least 70% of its primary vegetationOriginal Habitat)

Hotspot conservation initiatives:

 Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a global programme that provides

funding and technical assistance to nongovernmental organisations.
 The World Wide Fund for Nature has derived a system called the "Global 200
Ecoregions", the aim of which is to select priority Ecoregions for conservation
 Birdlife International has identified 218 “Endemic Bird Areas” (EBAs)
 Plantlife International coordinates with several parts of the world aiming to
identify important plant areas.
 Alliance for Zero Extinction is an initiative of a large number of scientific
organizations and conservation groups who co-operate to focus on the most
threatened endemic species of the world.
 The National Geographic Society has prepared a world map.

Biosphere Reserve:-

The idea of ‘biosphere reserve’ was initiated by UNESCO in 1973-74 under its
Man and Biosphere(MAB) programme.

The MAB, launched in 1970 by UNESCO, is a broad based ecological

programme aimed to develop within the natural and social science a basis for the
rational use and conservation of the resource of the biosphere and for the
improvement of the relationship between man and environment.

Primary criteria • A site that must contain an effectively protected and minimally
disturbed core area of value of nature conservation and should include additional land
and water suitable for research and demonstration of sustainable methods of research

Page 30 of 45
and management. • The core area should be typical of a biogeographical unit and large
enough to sustain viable populations representing all tropic levels in the ecosystem.

Secondary criteria • Areas having rare and endangered species • Areas having
diversity of soil and micro-climatic conditions and indigenous varieties of biota. •
Potential of the area for preservation of traditional tribal or rural modes of living for
harmonious use of environment.

Structure and functions of BR:

Biosphere reserves are demarcated into following 3 inter-related zones:

Core Zone

Core zone must contain suitable habitat for numerous plant and animal
species, including higher order predators and may contain centres of endemism. Core
areas often conserve the wild relatives of economic species and also represent
important genetic reservoirs having exceptional scientific interest. A core zone being a
national park or a sanctuary which is protected/regulated mostly under the Wildlife
(Protection) Act, 1972. Whilst realizing that perturbation is an ingredient of ecosystem
functioning, the core zone is to be kept free from human pressures external to the
system.

Buffer Zone

The buffer zone, adjoins or surrounds core zone, uses and activities are
managed in this area in the ways that help in protection of core zone in its natural
condition. These uses and activities include restoration, demonstration sites for
enhancing value addition to the resources, limited recreation, tourism, fishing,
grazing, etc.; which are permitted to reduce its effect on core zone. Research and
educational activities are to be encouraged. Human activities, if natural within BR, are
likely to continue if these do not adversely affect the ecological diversity.

Transition Zone

The transition area is the outermost part of a biosphere reserve. This is usually not
delimited and is a zone of cooperation where conservation knowledge and
management skills are applied and uses are managed in harmony with the purpose of
the biosphere reserve. This includes settlements, crop lands, managed forests and
area for intensive recreation and other economic uses characteristics of the region.

Differences between biosphere reserves and national parks/ sanctuaries

Page 31 of 45
 The key differences are as follows:
While national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, conservation reserves, community reserves
and tiger reserves are established as per provisions of Wildlife Protection Act, there is
no law as such under which biosphere reserves are established.

No grazing or private teneurialrights land rights are allowed in national parks. In

wildlife sanctuaries, they may be provided at the discretion of Chief Wildlife Warden.
However limited economic activity (sand and stone mining) is permitted in biosphere
reserves.

Furthermore, biosphere reserves serve as ‘living laboratories’ for testing out and
demonstrating integrated management of land, water and biodiversity. While wildlife
sanctuaries and national parks are set up for the protection of mammals normally,
biosphere reserves envisage protection of plant species, invertebrates and biotic
community as a whole.

IMPORTANT IMFORMATION FROM GOVERNMENT WEBSITES

Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) is an

autonomous organisation set up in 1988 under the Department of Science &
Technology to look ahead in technologies, assess the technology trajectories, and
support technology innovation by network actions in select technology areas of
national importance.

In 1993, TIFAC embarked upon the major task of formulating a Technology Vision
for the country in various emerging technology areas. The outcome of the Technology
Vision 2020 exercise led to aset of 17 documents, including 16technology areas and
one on services. The effort was a unique and pioneering exercise that involved more
than 5,000 experts including scientists, technologists and corporate managers from
academia, industry and the government.

TIFAC continues to strive for technology development of the country by leveraging

technology innovation through sustained and concerted programmes in close
association with the academia and the industry.

TIFAC Objectives

 To set up specialised sub-groups for examining and evaluating the existing state of the
art of technology and direction of future technological developments in various cross-
sectoral areas as well as in other sectors of the economy, both in India and abroad and

Page 32 of 45
 to prepare technology forecasting reports, covering 10 years or longer periods,
especially in production areas involving:

(a) Substantial investments of financial resources and

(b) A large volume of production.
 To obtain from appropriate sources and project the estimates of the nature and
quantum of the likely demands of goods and services in various sectors of the
economy against 10 and 25 year time-frames on the basis of
a) ‘normative’, and
(b) ‘exploratory’ approaches and to suggest the direction and extent of technological
changes that might be considered necessary in order to fulfil these demands in the
light of the existing or anticipated resource base of the country.
 To prepare Technology Impact Statements, with a view to uncovering the likely
implications and consequences, both desirable and undesirable, of the existing as well
as newly emerging technologies upon society, thereby indicating to decision-makers,
through generation of future-oriented scenarios, their short-term and long-term
implications.
 Based on the T.I.F. & A. Studies and with a view to –
(a) Ensuring timely availability of requisite technologies relevant to the needs of the
country on futuristic basis and minimizing the time gap between the development
of new technologies and their utilization and
(b) Establishing a purposeful linkage between technology development and
technology import policies, to identify priority areas of research in relation to the
socio-economic, environmental and security needs of the country; to evolve and
suggest strategies for technological developments based on such priorities; and to
draw up programmes of purposeful research in various sectors.

 In order to fulfil the above objectives, to devise and set up suitable information
collection, analysis and programming groups.

MIDH (Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture)

A Centrally Sponsored Scheme of MIDH has been launched for the holistic
development of horticulture in the country during XII plan. The scheme, which has
taken take off from 2014-15, integrates the ongoing schemes of National Horticulture
Mission, Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States, National Bamboo
Mission, National Horticulture Board, Coconut Development Board and Central
Institute for Horticulture, Nagaland.

Page 33 of 45
MIDH Schemes:

NHM

National Horticulture Mission (NHM) is one of the sub schemes of Mission for
Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) which is being implemented by
State Horticulture Missions (SHM) in selected districts of 18 States and four
Union Territories.

HMNEH

Horticulture Mission for North East & Himalayan States (HMNEH) is one of the
sub schemes of Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
which is being implemented by State Horticulture Missions (SHM) in the North
Eastern States and Himalayan States.

NBM
National Bamboo Mission (NBM) is one of the sub schemes of Mission for
Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) which is being implemented by
State Bamboo Development Agencies (BDA)/ Forest Development Agency
(FDA) in all the States and UTs.

NHB

National Horticulture Board (NHB) is implementing various schemes under

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in all States and
UTs.

CDB

Coconut Development Board (CDB) is implementing various schemes under

Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH) in all coconut
growing states in the country.

CIH
Central Institute for Horticulture (CIH) was established at Medizipehima,
Nagaland in 2006-07 for providing technical back stopping through capacity
building and training of farmers and Field functionaries in the North Eastern
Region.CIH now one of the sub schemes of MIDH. However, CIH is not
implementing any schemes directly.

Page 34 of 45
Angora Rearing The Angora rabbit is a variety of
domestic rabbit mainly bred for their
long, soft and silky wool
Angora rabbit was obtained from Jammu
and the rearing was started at Bastar
District
Aromatic Crops 1. Lemongrass
2. Citronella
3. Palmorosa
4. Geranium
5. Patchouli

 Micro-hydel Project at Dzuza River near JotsomaVillage in Kohima District

 A 4 kw capacity micro- hydel power plant at Vanachalu Village in Coorg
District has been installed for the supply of power to 8 houses for lighting and
other domestic uses.
 Kedarnath II mini-hydro power generation station withthe capacity of 2× 100
Kw placed at the Kedarnath in Rudraprayag District.
 Nguikimicro-hydelPlant 2×100 Kw will provide electricity for all 730 houses
in the 7 villages.
NguikiRiver is in PerenDistrict of Nagaland.
 Lignocellulosic Ethanol:-
Production of 2nd generation Liquid transportation fuel(bioethanol) utilizes
more abundant biomass such as forestry based Lignocellulosic Residues.
It is a promising development over 1st generation bioethanol which utilizes
starch, corn, wheat and sugarcane molasses for its production.

 BARC TRANSFERS KNOW-HOW OF "NISARGRUNA - A BIOGAS

PLANT" The know-how of NISARGRUNA, a biogas plant, based on
biodegradable waste, has been developed by the NA&BTD (Nuclear
Agriculture & Bio-technology Division), BARC. The process involves
segregating the waste, and turning it into a slurry form in a mixer. The aerobic
digestion of the slurry is carried out in a Predigester tank using thermophilic
bacteria and hot water. This is followed by anaerobic digestion by
methanogenic bacterial consortium in the Main Digester Tank. The
biogas(mainly methane) is tapped from the floating head of the Main Digester
Tank and the residual slurry is sent to manure pits where the nutrient-rich water
from manure separates out. This water can be recycled for gardening purposes.
NISARGRUNA offers a "Zero effluent" method for management of solid
waste. A 5 ton/day plant generates around 10-12 cylinders (14.3 kg gas/cyl.) of
Page 35 of 45
 biogas and around 0.5 ton of high quality organic manure. The gas can be
utilized for cooking, generation of electricity(7-8 KW through a dual-fuel
based 10 KV A generator) or as fuel for vehicles. The manure can be used as
an excellent soil conditioner/fertilizer.

Science Express

 Flagged off on 30 October 2007

 “Science Express” has thus become the largest, the longest running, and the
most visited mobile science exhibition in India and has created six Limca Book
of Records in its journey so far.

 From 2007 to 2011 the train travelled as “Science Express” displaying the
world of micro and macro cosmos, spreading the awareness about strengths of
science in meeting global challenges, including latest discoveries and
innovations in the field of modern science. The coaches of “Science
Express”were thematically represented on the Bing Bang, Nanocosmos,
Building Blocks of Life, From Gene to Organism, Architecture of
Mind, World of Senses, Sensors, From Data to Knowledge, Global
Challenges, Spaceship Earth, Our Home in the Cosmos and The Universe.
After four successful phases, “Science Express” was redesigned on the theme
Biodiversity and from 2012-2014, it travelled as Science Express Biodiversity Special
(SEBS), a unique collaboration between Department of Science & Technology (DST)
and Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change (MoEFCC), Govt. of India.

Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS)

With United Nations declaration of the current decade (2011-2020) as Decade on

Biodiversity and India holding Chair of the Conference of Parties (COP 11) to
Convention of Biological Diversity during 2012, “Science Express” was redesigned
on the theme ‘Biodiversity’. It was a unique collaboration between Department of
Science & Technology (DST) and Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate
Change (MoEFCC), Govt. of India. From 2012-2014, it travelled as Science Express
Biodiversity Special (SEBS).

The coaches were thematically represented on the

Trans-Himalaya & Himalaya, the Gangetic Plain, North-East India, the Western
Ghats, the Indian Desert, the Semi-Arid Zone, the Deccan Peninsula, the Coasts

Page 36 of 45
 and the Islands. In rest of the rake, DST had put up exhibition on the themes
of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Water, Sustainable Environment and Energy
Conservation. In the second part of the coach on Energy Conservation, DST’s
panels on Science Education in India had been placed.
In its three phases, SEBS covered over 54,000 km across India and received over 69
lakh visitors. Besides, the first phase of SEBS (2012) was visited by the highest
number of people amongst all its phases till date.

Science Express Climate Action Special (SECAS)

After 7 successful tours across India, “Science Express” has been redesigned on the
theme ‘Climate Change’ and from 15 October 2015, it is running as 'Science Express
– Climate Action Special (SECAS)'. It is a unique collaborative initiative of
Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate
Change (MoEFCC), and Ministry of Railway, Government of India.

.For Climate Change, 2015 could be a decisive year, with leaders of 190
nations gathering in Paris to discuss a possible new global agreement on Climate
Change during the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 21) to the 1992
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 11th
session of the Meeting of the Parties (CMP 11) to the 1997 Kyoto Protocol. Thus,
“Science Express”, redesigned as SECAS, intends to contribute towards increasing
understanding of the science of climate change, the observed and anticipated impacts,
and different possible responses. The previous 3 phases/runs of “Science Express”
were rolled out as a joint initiative of DST and MoEFCC as Biodiversity Special and
showcased the myriad ‘Biodiversity of India’. Thus it was rational to shift the focus to
the theme ‘Climate Change’ as it will affect the biodiversity of not just India but the
entire globe.

Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre

Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC) established in the 1960s by
eminent space scientistDr. Vikram A. Sarabhai, is working towards popularizing science
and mathematics education among students, teachers and the lay public. Its mandate is to
stimulate interest, encourage and expose the principles of science and scientific method,
and also to improve and find innovative methods of science education.

Centre for Environment Education was established in August 1984 as a Centre of

Excellence supported by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
Government of India. CEE, a national institution with its headquarters in Ahmedabad,

Page 37 of 45
has a mandate to promote environmental awareness nationwide.
CEE is affiliated to the Nehru Foundation for Development

 EPHEDRA is a seed bearing non flowering plant belonging to the highly evolved
order of Gymnosperm, Ephedrales. Ephedra is a medicinal plant.
 The MEIZOTROPIS PELLITA(Vern, Patwa) is endemic but an endangered wild
woolly shrub.
 BUTANOL, Bioethanol and Biodiesel have emerged as an alternative fuels due to
their oxygenated nature.
 SLUDGE GAS:- sewage treatment plants existing in most large cities generate
sludge gas during the treatment process.
This gas is rich in methane and can be used for cooking, heating and even for
generating electricity.

EPON and GPON are popular versions of Passive Optical Networks (PONs). These
short-haul networks of fibre-optical cable are used for internet access, voice over
Internet protocol (VoIP), and digital TV delivery in metropolitan areas. Other uses
include backhaul connections for cellular base stations, Wi-Fi hotspots, and even
distributed antenna systems (DAS). The primary differences between them lie in the
protocols used for downstream and upstream communications.

There are a number of technical, economic, and business drivers that impact the
selection of the right fibreto the home (FTTH) technology for an operator to deploy.
We focus on an optimized Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) network model to evaluate
different technology choices for greenfield and brownfield deployment for both
incumbent telcos and cable operators. In a network model with a large number of
parameters it is often challenging to identify the key parameters that are critical to the
decision making. An operator runs the risk of choosing a less than optimum
technology strategy if any of these key parameters are not identified and cost
optimized. We present the results obtained by network modelling the capital
investments and operations expenses for some typical operator scenarios covering
Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) and point-to-point/active Ethernet
technologies. Our analysis specifically accounts for scenarios with government un-
bundling regulations on fibre. We use sensitivity analysis tools such as Tornado and
Monte Carlo analysis to identify these key parameters and any zones of advantages.

Central Asia Bordering countries:

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Declarations:-

MOSCOW Declaration 2015:

This Declaration reflects BRICS partnership in addressing common global and

regional socio-economic challenges, utilizing such drivers as science, technology and
innovation (STI). BRICS STI Minister agreed on the collaboration for: (i) cooperation
within large research infrastructures, including mega-science projects; coordination of
the existing large-scale national programme of the BRICS countries; (ii) development
and implementation of a BRICS Framework Programme for funding multilateral joint
research projects, technology commercialization and innovation; (iii) establishment of
BRICS Research and Innovation Networking Platform.(Source PTI)

UFA declaration 2015:

7th BRICS Summit

Theme “BRICS Partnership- Apowerful Factor of Global Development”

The OGP Declaration on the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals:

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On Sunday September 27,2015 members of the Open Government Partnership’s
Steering Committee met in New York City on the margins of the United Nations
General Assembly to endorse the Joint Declaration on Open Government for the
Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

MINSK Declaration:

Russia, Ukraine, French, Germany confirm the full respect of the sovereignty
and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

MainauDeclaration 2015 on Climate Change:

On 65th Lindau Nobel Laureate 36 Noble laureates signed the “Mainau Declaration
2015 on Climate Change”

List of extinct animals of India.

 Bharattherium
 Exaeretodon
 Gigantopithecus
 Hyperodapedon
 Indian aurochs (Bosprimigeniusnamadicus)

ULTRA mega Power Project

Capacity
State Plant Status
(MW)

Krishnapatnam Ultra
3960 Deferred or Postpone
Mega Power Project
Andhra
Pradesh
Nayunipalli Ultra
4000 Proposed
Mega Power Project

Surguja Ultra Mega

Chhattisgarh 4000 Uncertain
Power Project

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 Mundra Ultra Mega (5x800 MW). All units are
Gujarat 4000
Power Project fully functional.

Tilaiya Ultra Mega

Jharkhand 3960 Unknown. Reliance quit.
Power Project

Tadri Ultra Mega

Karnataka 4000 Deferred
Power Project

Madhya Sasan Ultra Mega (6x660MW) All units

3960
Pradesh Power Project operational

Girye Ultra Mega

Maharashtra 4000 Deferred
Power Project

Bhedabahal Ultra Bids invited by Government

4000
Mega Power Project of India.

Sakhigopal Ultra
Odisha 4000 Proposed
Mega Power Project

Ghogarpalli Ultra
4000 Proposed
Mega Power Project

The IEEFA found it to be

Cheyyur Ultra Mega
Tamil Nadu 4000 unviable. Bids invited by
Power Project
Government of India.

Uttar Etah Ultra Mega Bids invited by Government

4000
Pradesh Power Project of India.

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 Kakwara(Banka
Bihar ----------- --------------------
Distt)

Nuclear Safety:

1. Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty 1996

2. Convention on assistance in the case of a nuclear accident or radiological
emergency(Assistance Convention) Vienna 1986
3. Convention on early notification of a Nuclear Accident (Notification
Convention), Vienna 1986
4. Convention on nuclear safety Vienna, 1994
5. Treaty Banning Nuclear weapon tests in the atmosphere, in outer space and
under water
6. Vienna convention on civil liability for nuclear damage Vienna 1963.

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 National Action Plan on Climate Change
Government of India.
On June 30, 2008, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh released India’s first National
Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) outlining existing and future policies and
programmes addressing climate mitigation and adaptation. The plan identifiedeight
core “national missions” running through 2017 and directedMinistries to submit
detailed implementation plans to the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change by
December 2008.

Emphasizing the overriding priority of maintaining high economic growth rates to

raise living standards, the plan “identifies measures that promote our development
objectives while also yielding co-benefits for addressing climate change
effectively.” It says these national measures willbe more successful with assistance
from developed countries, and pledges that India’s per capita greenhouse gas
emissions “will at no point exceed that of developed countries even as we pursue our
development objectives.”

The Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science & Technology has
been entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating two out of eight national
missions launched under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
These are:

 National Mission for Sustaining Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE)

 National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC)
The broad objectives of NMSHE include - understanding of the complex processes
affecting the Himalayan Ecosystem and evolving suitable management and policy
measures for sustaining and safeguarding the Himalayan eco-system, creating and
building capacities in different domains, networking of knowledge institutions
engaged in research and development of a coherent data base on Himalayan
ecosystem, detecting and decoupling natural and anthropogenic induced signals of
global environmental changes in mountain ecosystems, studying traditional
knowledge systems for community participation in adaptation, mitigation and coping
mechanisms inclusive of farming and traditional health care systems and developing
regional cooperation with neighbouring countries, to generate a strong data base
through monitoring and analysis, to eventually create a knowledge base for policy
interventions.

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The NMSKCC has been launched with the broad objectives of mapping of the
knowledge and data resources relevant to climate change and positioning of a data
sharing policy framework for building strategic knowledge among the various arms of
the government, identification of knowledge gaps, and formation of global technology
watch groups to help accomplish the task of technology selection and prioritization,
networking of knowledge institutions after investing critical mass of physical,
intellectual and policy infrastructure resources, creation of new dedicated centres
within the existing institutional framework, building international cooperation on S&T
for climate change agenda through strategic alliances and assistance to the formulation
of policies for a sustained developmental agenda within a responsive climate change
framework and inputs to the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Ministry of
External Affairs.

Other six missions are:

National Solar Mission: The NAPCC aims to promote the development and use of
solar energy for power generation and other uses with the ultimate objective of
making solar competitive with fossil-based energy options. The plan includes:
 Specific goals for increasing use of solar thermal technologies in urban areas,
industry, and commercial establishments;
 A goal of increasing production of photovoltaics to 1000 MW/year; and
 A goal of deploying at least 1000 MW of solar thermal power generation.
Other objectives include the establishment of a solar research centre, increased
international collaboration on technology development, strengthening of domestic
manufacturing capacity, and increased government funding and international
support.
National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency: Current initiatives are expected
to yield savings of 10,000 MW by 2012. Building on the Energy Conservation Act
2001, the plan recommends:
 Mandating specific energy consumption decreases in large energy-consuming
industries, with a system for companies to trade energy-savings certificates;
 Energy incentives, including reduced taxes on energy-efficient appliances; and
 Financing for public-private partnerships to reduce energy consumption through
demand-side management programmes in the municipal, buildings and
agricultural sectors.
National Mission on Sustainable Habitat: To promote energy efficiency as a core
component of urban planning, the plan calls for:
 Extending the existing Energy Conservation Building Code;
 A greater emphasis on urban waste management and recycling, including power
production from waste;

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 Strengthening the enforcement of automotive fuel economy standards and using
pricing measures to encourage the purchase of efficient vehicles; and
 Incentives for the use of public transportation.
National Water Mission: With water scarcity projected to worsen as a result of
climate change, the plan sets a goal of a 20% improvement in water use efficiency
through pricing and other measures.
National Mission for a “Green India”: Goals include the afforestation of 6 million
hectares of degraded forest lands and expanding forest cover from 23% to 33% of
India’s territory.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture: The plan aims to support climate
adaptation in agriculture through the development of climate-resilient crops,
expansion of weather insurance mechanisms, and agricultural practices.

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