Population Stabilisation- The Way Ahead

India’s population as per 2011 census was 1.21 billion, second only to China in the world. India accounts for 2.4% of the world’s surface area yet it supports more than 17.5% of the world’s population.

Population Stabilization has always been one of the priority agenda and Family Planning as one of the key intervention for the Government. In 1952, India was the first country in the world to launch a national programme, emphasizing family planning to the extent necessary for reducing birth rates “to stabilize the population at a level consistent with the requirement of national economy”. The program has come a long way and currently Family Planning Program is being repositioned to not only achieve population stabilization but also to reduce maternal mortality and infant and child mortality.

National Population Policy, 2000

The National Population Policy, 2000 (NPP 2000) provides a policy framework for advancing goals and prioritizing strategies to meet the reproductive and child health needs of the people of India, and to achieve net replacement levels of fertility (i.e. TFR 2.1) by 2010. National Socio-Demographic Goals formulated to achieve the objectives of NPP, envisaged to –

·    Address the unmet needs for basic reproductive and child health services, supplies and infrastructure and to promote vigorously the small family norm to achieve replacement levels of TFR.

·    Achieve 80 percent institutional deliveries and 100 percent deliveries by trained persons.

·    Reduce infant mortality rate to below 30 per 1000 live births, maternal mortality ratio to below 100 per 100,000 live births, 100% registration of all births, deaths and pregnancies and achieve universal immunization of children against all vaccine preventable diseases.

·    Promote delayed marriage for girls, not earlier than age 18 and preferably after 20 years of age.

·    Achieve universal access to information/counselling, and services for fertility regulation and contraception with a wide basket of choices.

·    Bring about convergence in implementation of related social sector programs so that family welfare becomes a people centred programme.

Total Fertility Rate is still 2.6 at National level and scenario is diverse across states. Nine states are well above the replacement level fertility (TFR >3); twelve states/UTs are at threshold of achieving the replacement level of fertility (TFR – 2.1-3) while 11 state and 3 UTs have already achieved the replacement level of fertility i.e. <2.1.

The States also differ widely in terms of health indicators, nutritional status and socio-economic situation. Practice of Family planning is also low in the states where the other indicators are poor. Therefore, addressing population growth in the states with high fertility require a comprehensive approach to population stabilization based on social and economic development and improvements in the quality of life of people.

Renewed Thrust

Currently the Government follows High-focus district approach (264 such districts have been selected) and support these districts (and states) for better implementation of Family Planning programmes (and other programmes as well).

The Government is committed to reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to 100/100,000 live births, Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) to 30/1000 live births and to achieve the replacement level of fertility (Total Fertility Rate - 2.1) by 2012.

Strategic Options For Population Stabilization

States with TFR >3.0 (U.P. Bihar, M.P., Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Meghalaya): These States will account for almost 50% of the increase in India’s Population in coming years. In these States, the immediate concern is to address the unmet need and focus upon socio economic development to reduce the wanted fertility (desire for more than two children). At the same time the momentum for future population growth is to be checked by delaying age at marriage and ensuring adequate spacing between births.

States with TFR between 2.1 to <3 (Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Haryana, J&K, Orissa): The immediate concern in these states is to assist the couples to achieve their fertility goals by strengthening the family planning programme.

For States with TFR <2.1 (Delhi and Himachal Pradesh): The immediate concern in these States is to check the population momentum by delaying the age at marriage and ensuring adequate spacing between births.

Key Thrust Areas – 12^th Five Year Plan : Family Planning

·    Addressing the unmet need in contraception through introduction of newer contraceptives.

·    Strengthening family planning service delivery, especially Post-Partum Sterilisation in high case load facilities.

·    Enlisting private/NGO facilities to improve the provider base for family planning services.

·    Community based distribution of contraceptives through ASHAs.

·    Vigorous advocacy of family planning at all levels specially at the highest political level.

Strategies to Achieve Thrust Areas:

·   Strengthening human resource structures (for programme management) at all levels (national, state and district).

·    Introduction of a dedicated counsellor for family planning at district hospitals and high case load facilities.

·    Marketing of contraceptives at households through ASHAs at nominal charges.

·    Improving compensation package (both for providers and acceptors) for sterilisation services.

·    Introducing Multi –load IUD (375) as a short term spacing method to improve IUD acceptance.

·    Performance Linked Payment Plan to ASHAs for improving retention and usage of IUDs.

·    Enlisting more number of private providers/ NGOs for provision of services.

·    Ensuring vigorous advocacy.

*Inputs from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare

**July 11 is celebrated as World Population Day

FACT SHEET

·               By the close of 2011, the global population would have reached 7 Billion. (That’s more than double the number of people living just 50 years ago.) About half of them are women and girls.

·               1.2 Billion people are  living in poverty

70% of them are women and children.

·               Over 1 Billion Adults are  illiterate 

66% of them being women.

·               27 Million are refugees

80%  of them are women and children.

Everyday ….

v  1 Billion of us go hungry

v  2 Billion of us are surviving on less than $ 1 per day.

v  1 Billion of us don’t have access to clean water

v  More than 1 Thousand women die in pregnancy or during childbirth.

A single person can...

Ø  ..teach a child to read

Ø  ..plant a tree

Ø  ..visit a senior citizen

Ø  ..find a cure

Ø  ..stand up for others

Ø  ..make someone smile

*July 11 is World Population Day

**Source : United Nations

Desertification, land Degradation and Drought in India

Poverty and environmental degradation are major problems in dry lands, where forests and trees contribute significantly to rural livelihoods. In order to eradicate poverty in the dry lands, it is important to protect the land from deforestation, fragmentation, degradation and drought. About 228 mha (69%) of India's total geographical area (about 328 mha) is under dry lands (arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid). These areas incidentally are highly populated which makes the people vulnerable to environmental stress and impacts livelihoods directly.

In order to tackle the issues of desertification, land degradation and droughts, 22 major programmes are being implemented in the country, including, the “Mission for Green India”, one of the Missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, which will address dry land forests, in addition to other ecosystems.

4th national report submitted to United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Secretariat  not only encompasses the Government of India's initiatives but also Civil Society's contribution in addressing the issues of desertification, land degradation and drought.

Highlights of the Report

_ About 69 percent of India is dry land – arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid

        o These areas are heavily populated

        o Degradation has severe implications for livelihood and food security for millions of people living in these areas

  _ An estimated 32 percent of India’s total land area is affected by land degradation (of which desertification is a major component)

_ 81.45 million hectares, or 24.8 percent of the country’s geographic area is undergoing desertification

_ Water and soil erosion are major causes of land degradation; water erosion is most prominent in agricultural regions

_ The key anthropogenic factors resulting in degradation are unsustainable agricultural practices; diversion of land to development programmes; industrial effluents; mining and deforestation

_ Unsustainable resource management practices drive desertification, and accentuate the poverty of people affected by desertification

_ Land rehabilitation has been a major priority since Independence, and several policies and government agencies address desertification and degradation. These include various programmes namely  Desert Development Programme; Integrated Wasteland Development; National Watershed, Development Project for Rainfed Areas; Soil Conservation in the Catchment of River Valley Projects; National Afforestation Programme; Arid Zone Research; Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme; National Rural Drinking Water Programme etc.

Organic Farming

India is bestowed with considerable potential for organic farming due to prevailing trend of integrated farming systems of crops and live stocks, high bio-diversity on account of diverse agro-climatic conditions and large number of small and marginal farmers. Besides, inherited tradition of low input agriculture in many parts of the country, particularly in hilly and rain-fed areas too, is an added advantage and augurs well for the farmers to shift to organic farming and tap the steadily growing domestic as well as overseas markets.

In rain-fed areas of the country, where usage of chemicals in agriculture is relatively low, there is vast scope for the promotion of organic farming.   In the intensively cultivated irrigated areas too, where usage of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is considerably high, organic farming practices can help in arresting the decline of organic matter in soil.  Application of organic manure and inter-cropping with legume crops can improve the soil  quality and future agricultural productivity.  In fact, future of sustainable development of agriculture, next to water, depends on preventing the decline in organic matter in soil. Organic farming has an important role to play in ensuring sustainability of agriculture. 

Growth of organic farming

            According to one estimate, about 1.4 million producers are engaged in organic farming in 35 million hectares of agricultural land worldwide. Almost two-thirds of the agricultural land under organic management is grass land.  The cropped area constitutes 8.2 million hectares which is a quarter of total organic agricultural land.  Asia, Latin America and Australasia are important producers and exporters of organic foods. Global sales of organic produce have reached  $ 50.9 billion  in 2008, doubling in value from  $ 25 billion  in 2003.  Consumer demand for organic products is mainly from North America and Europe. 

            In India, from 42,000 hectare under organic certification in 2003-04, organic agriculture has grown many-fold. As on March 2010, more than 4.4 million hectare area was under organic certification in the country.  For quality assurance, India has internationally acclaimed certification process in place for export, import and domestic markets. The National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP) notified under Foreign Trade Development and Regulation Act looks after the country’s export of certified organic produce.  Certification of organic produce under NPOP has already been granted equivalence by European Union and Sweden.      

            During 2008-09, India produced about 18.78 lakh tonnes of certified organic products.  Out of this, nearly 54,000 tonne food items worth Rs. 591 crore were exported.  With more than 77,000 tonnes of organic cotton link production, India became the largest organic cotton grower in the world a year ago.  

Indian organic exports include cereals, pulses, honey, tea, spices, oil seeds, fruits, vegetables, cotton fibre, cosmetics and body care products.    

Government Support to Organic Farming

            The Ministry of Agriculture is promoting organic farming in the country under these schemes: National Project on Organic Farming, National Horticulture Mission, Technology Mission for North East and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana.   The National Project on Organic Farming is being implemented since October 2004 through a National Centre of Organic Farming at Ghaziabad and six Regional Centres located at Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Hissar, Imphal, Jabalpur, and Nagpur.  The project supports organic input production infrastructure, technical capacity building of stake holders, human resource development through training, statutory quality control of organic inputs, technology development and dissemination, market development  and awareness.    Two new innovative components were added in the project  from the last financial year.  These were:

            1. Biological Soil Health Assessment: Traditionally, soil health is assessed through physio-chemical soil test and addressed mainly through chemical nutrient supplementation.   It is now proposed to assess the soils also form biological health angle for making appropriate interventions to restore the fertility through organic and biological means.

            2. PGS (Participatory Guarantee System) Certification:  For quality assurance of organically grown crops so far the available system is third party certification which is not only cumbersome but also very costly.  To address the issue, a new system is being introduced.  In this method, farmers in a group collectively pledge for adopting organic farming, maintain necessary records and have inspection by each other.  PGS will also serve as preparation to third party certification and farmers can easily switch over from PGS to the other form of certification.

            Under the National Horticulture Mission and Technology Mission for North East, assistance is provided @ 50 per cent of cost subject to a maximum of Rs. 10,000 per hectare (upto 4 hectares per beneficiary) for organic horticulture cultivation.  Assistance is also provided for setting up vermi-compost units @ 50 per cent of cost upto Rs.30,000 per beneficiary.  Assistance of Rs.5 lakh is provided to a group of farmers covering an area of 50 hectares for organic farming certification. 

Under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, States are being assisted for area expansion of organic food crops, capacity building of farmers and organic input production.

            Besides the efforts of Central Government, Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram and Uttarakhand have already drafted policies for promotion of organic farming. Nagaland, Sikkim, Mizoram and Uttarakhand have decided to go 100 per cent organic in due course of time. 

 Network Project on Organic Farming

            The Indian Council of Agricultural  Research (ICAR) took an initiative during 10^th Plan in the form of  Network Project on Organic Farming to study productivity, profitability, sustainability, quality and input use efficiency of different crops and cropping systems in different agro-ecological regions and to develop efficient crop and soil management options, and need-based cost effective new techniques for farm waste recycling.

            The project came into existence in 2004 with  main centre at project directorate for farming  systems research, Modipuram.  It comprises 13 cooperating centres spread over 12 States.  Based on results of past years, several significant achievements have been made and good yields/profits have been achieved in many crops at some of the centres under the organic farming system.  Since these results are only indicative and need a mid-term and long-term validation, their response to new environment would take some time to stabilise.  The ICAR has continued the project during 11^th Plan also with 13 centres and the budgetary provision of  Rs.5.34  crore for five years.

National Centre for Marine Biodiversity

National Centre for Marine Biodiversity (NCMB) is coming up at Jamnagar for safeguarding the biodiversity of the coastal areas. This is country’s first research institute established in public private partnership (PPP) mode in the country.

With a growing emphasis on coastal and marine area management, it has now become inevitable to institutionalize a process for greater and in-depth research in the marine environment, to ensure that measured steps are taken in the direction for better and efficient management of the fast depleting marine resource. With this objective, the Ministry of Environment and Forests, in collaboration with the Gujarat Ecology Commission, launched the NCMB in Jamnagar. Jamnagar, a port town, was selected for the centre because of its proximity to India's only National Marine Park — spread over some 200 sq.km. in the Gulf of Kutch.

The Centre envisions a long-term conservation and better management of coastal and marine biodiversity in India. Its overall mission is to support integrated management of coastal and marine biodiversity and ensure sustainable development and hazard risk management. The Centre aims at developing a repository of information on marine life to facilitate marine biodiversity conservation and management in India. The Centre will also be instrumental in promoting world class research activity in respect of the coastal and marine eco-systems, and would impart training and education to the youth for maintaining the ecological balance in the fragile coastal areas, awareness with respect to marine biodiversity conservation and ecological literacy.

By inculcating aspects of research and development into conservation process, this facility is likely to mitigate the severe rise in number of endangered biodiversity. It has been noted that over the years, marine biodiversity has been readily ignored in India’s conservation programs. So far, around 25 species of fish and amphibians have been listed as critically endangered species in India, and without proper conservational and research programs, much of marine biodiversity may face the brunt extinction. All the marine species listed as critically endangered do not have protected habitats and hence there is a need to expand the network of marine national parks to begin addressing this important issue.

The centre is a part of an Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project launched recently by the Ministry with World Bank assistance through the Society for Integrated Coastal Management, to be managed in the State by the Gujarat Ecology Commission. It will be the first marine national park of India located under the Reliance turf of Jamnagar.The RIL has committed an initial contribution of Rs. 10 Crore to the centre. A total of Rs 20 crore has been earmarked for the next two to three years .More financial resources would be required.

Achievements of Indian Polar Program

National Center for Antarctica and Ocean Research (NCAOR) launched and led India’s first ever National scientific Expedition to South Pole. They participated in the international celebration of centenary of man’s reaching South Pole in 1911 and unfurled the Indian Flag on Geographical South Pole on 20^th November, 2010. The 8 member team of expert in the field of specific scientific activity carried out many experiments and collected many specimens.         

Scientific highlights

 The team conducted scientific experiments enroute. A number of new species of bacteria have been identified from cold habitats. In Antarctica 30 out of 240 new species discovered so far have been from India. 12 new species of bacteria have been reported from the Polar regions during 2008-2011.

Two genes namely t-RNA modification GTPase and aspratate aminotransferase have been identified as genes required for survival of bacteria at low temperature.  A number of cold active and heat labile enzymes (protease, RNAase, Time GTPase etc) with application in biotechnology have been purified to homogeneity.

Using meta-genome analysis, bacterial diversity has been found to be extremely diverse and a few of them have been implicated in hydrocarbon remediation.

 Biological samples which include soil samples from Antarctica have indicated Leads for some pharmaceutical uses. These are being developed in association  with  Piramal Life Sciences, to take it further.

 Scientific Publications

·         A Special Issue in the Indian Journal of Marine Sciences entitled “Antarctic and Southern ocean physical processes, published in March 2008, vol. 37(1), p.1-110, ISSN:0379-5136

·         A Special Issue in the   Indian Journal of Marine Sciences entitled “International Polar Year – Studies on Antarctic and Southern Ocean” published in

December 2008, vol. 37(4), p.1-110, ISSN: 0379-5136

·         A Special Issue in the Indian Journal of Geosciences entitled “Antarctica Special”, brought out in the Journal from Geological Survey of India.

 Vol.63, No.2, 2009, ISSN 0019-5936

·         Three Technical Reports comprising of  Scientific Report of the Indian Antarctic Programme has been published

a.       Technical Publication No.19 – Scientific Report of the

 XXI Indian Expedition to Antarctica

b.      Technical Publication No.20 – Scientific Report of the

XXII Indian Expedition to Antarctica

c.       Technical Publication No.21 – Scientific Report of the

 XXIII Indian Expedition to Antarctica

·         A Monograph on Lichens from Antarctic published by NCAOR in 2010 April.

·         Bi-Annual Polar News is being publishes , bilingually, since last three years.

Capacity Building

·         A total of 106 scientific members have participated in the last three years from 2007-08, 2008-09, 2009-10 respectively representing different organizations and institutions.

·         Under Student Participation Scheme in the Indian Antarctic Program to develop human resource in the field of polar regions, 05 students have participated in the last three expeditions and two have joined NCAOR as Junior Research Fellows for furtherance of the scientific research.

·         Universities have been encouraged to participate and the participants include members from Barkatullah University- Bhopal, Dr.R.M.L.Avadh University, Faizabad, Allahabad University [KBCAOS], Visva Bharati Santiniketan

Antarctica linked to Goa by IT Connectivity

·         NCAOR is now linked with Maitri – Antarctica 24 X 7 by a Satellite connectivity. This was made operational by installing 3.2 meters C-band antenna enclosed in a RAYDOME at Maitri and a corresponding facility at NCAOR Campus.

International recognition

Ø India is represented in the international bodies linked to Polar activity by NCAOR.

Ø India  elected as Vice Chair of Council of Managers of Antarctic Program (COMNAP) 2008-10

Ø India elected as Vice Chair of Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) 2008-10, 2010-12.

Ø India  is currently the Chair of  the Asian Forum for Polar Sciences (AFoPS)  for the term  2010-12

Ø India was a member of Selection Committee of Martha Muse Award of US $100, 00 for outstanding contributions in Antarctic science and policy matters.

Ø  Two SCAR fellowships, in the years 2009-10 and 2010-11 were bagged by NCAOR researchers namely:  Nuncio Murukesh  and

Dr. Sunil Kumar Shukla

NCAOR scientist continues to represent India in UNCLOS, a UN body to oversee the claims of nations pertaining to legal continental shelf.

Front Ranking Research in Antarctica Programme

The first Indian expedition landed in Antarctica in January 1982 and ever since India has been in forefront of the polar science. The infrastructure available at the Indian Research Station Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri enabled the scientists to conduct front-ranking research in disciplines such as Atmospheric Sciences Biological Sciences, & environmental sciences. Several of these research programs have contributed directly to global experiments mounted under the aegis of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR).

         Antarctic atmospheric science programme has seen participation of many cientific organizations, notably the India Meteorological Department (IMD), National Physical Laboratory (NPL), Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), Calcutta University, Physical Research laboratory (PRL) and Barkattulah University etc. essentially in the areas of Solar Terrestrial Physics (Upper Atmosphere and Geomagnetism), Middle Atmospheric Studies and Lower Atmospheric Studies (weather, climate and boundary layer). Radiation balance studies are being carried out to understand the total global solar radiation and diffused solar radiation. This measurement helps in deciphering the energy transfer that drives the global atmospheric engine with continued data collection. Regular ozone measurements at Maitri using Ozonesonde augment the international efforts for study of ozone-hole phenomenon over Antarctica and effect of depletion of ozone in global climate change. Ionospheric studies have formed an important part of the Antarctic scientific experiments. A digital ionosonde (CADI – Canadian Advanced Digital Ionosonde) has been installed during the 2008-09 expedition. This gives us the details of the space weather events. Global Ionospheric Scintillation & Total Electron Content Monitoring System (GISTM) has been installed at Maitri to look into the Total Electron Content (ITEC) and occurrences characteristics of polar ionospheric scintillation and its dependence on space weather events. The GISTM data will help us in understanding the macro and mesoscale plasma structure and its movement.

     The Polar Regions and its fragile ecosystem play a key role in the operation of various global systems. Such ecosystems are intrinsically unstable, as slight changes in the environs may considerably damage them. It is known that the growth rate of the polar organisms is slow and it takes quite a long time to recover from the damage. Biological Studies in Antarctica by Indian scientists focus on sea ice micro-organisms, living benthic communities, fresh water and terrestrial ecosystems, biodiversity and other related phenomena. Cryobiology Studies - Cryobiology Laboratory was inaugurated on the 15th February 2010 to bring together researchers from biological and chemical sciences who have a common interest in the field of low temperature biological systems. The laboratory is currently engaged in study of cold adapted microbes from Polar habitats. The major interests lie in Culture dependent and Culture independent polar microbial diversity by RFLP analysis of whole 16s rDNA amplicon (ARDRA); retrieval of latent microbial community from ice core and revealing their ecological and biogeochemical role; molecular level study on the physiology of cold adapted microbes; expression-based study of heat and cold shock proteins and revealing functional importance of the stress proteins; and establishment of the identity of stress-proteins from polar microbes. The work on the taxonomy, biochemistry and molecular biology of bacteria, yeast, microalgae and microfauna of the Schirmacher Oasis are being conducted by CCMB, NCAOR, NIO, NBRI, ZSI and BHU. Some of the accomplishments of the biological programs are: a number of new species of bacteria have been identified from cold habitats.

              In Antarctica 30 out of 240 new species discovered so far have been from India; Twelve new species of bacteria have been reported from the Polar regions during 2008-2011; two genes namely t- RNA modification GTPase and aspratate aminotransferase have been identified as genes required for survival of bacteria at low temperature; a number of lipases and proteases active at low temperatures and useful for the biotechnology industry have been identified; using metagenome analysis bacterial diversity has been found to be extremely diverse and a few of them have been implicated in hydrocarbon remediation; a number of cold active and heat labile enzymes (protease, RNAase, Time GTPase etc) with application in biotechnology have been purified to homogeneiry; biological samples which include soil samples from Antarctica have been collected and Compound PM181108 has been selected as a lead compound and is under precilinical studies with NCAOR and Piramal Life Sciences.

The environmental parameters are monitored at Maitri, as per the norms set by the Committee on Environmental Protection (CEP) on Antarctica. India has also initiated studies on base line data collection on environmental aspects at Larsemann Hills, the site of India’s new Research Station. Salient accomplishments include: preparation of Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation (CEE) report (prepared in accordance with Annex I of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty) on the basis of the work done at the environmental laboratories and the base line data collected on environmental parameters from the Larsemann Hills area. India has also been successfully in establishing a protected site encircling Dakshin Gangotri Glacier within the ambits of Antarctic Treaty System.

Indian Glaciers Covers an area of 40, 563 Sq. KM

The Himalayan glaciers are a valuable national and global resource- largest concentration of ice outside of the Polar Regions; regulate global climate; feed most of northern India’s perennial rivers; and are an important indicator of climate change. However, this source of water is not permanent, as glacial dimensional changes with the climate. It therefore becomes imperative to use rigorous science to understand future changes in the extent of Himalayan snow and glacier cover.

So far, studies on Himalayan Glaciers have been scanty, and limited to a few glaciers. Bridging this gap in mapping and inventorying is essential for the planning and management of water resources, and space viable and useful alternative. Towards this, an extensive study on ‘Snow and Glaciers of the Himalayas’, and a study on “Snow and Glaciers of the Himalayas: Inventory and Monitoring” - Discussion Paper II, carried out under the joint project of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Department of Space, were released recently.

This is the most imagery based glacier study ever done in the Himalayas. 75% of these glaciers have shown retreat at an average rate of 3.75%; 8% have shown an advance and another 17% have exhibited stability. Also, for the first time, an inventory of glaciers in the extended Indus-Ganga-Brahmaputra Basins has been attempted: the total count is now around 33,000. Of these, anywhere between 10,000 and 15,000 glaciers would be glaciers within India’s geographical boundaries.

Major findings show that snow cover and glacier extent has been monitored regularly for the entire Indian Himalaya, from 2004-05 to 2007-08.An extensive inventory, using satellite-based mapping was conducted across glaciated regions across the Indus, Ganga and Bramhaputra river basins. A total of 32392 glaciers were mapped in the three basins where total glaciated area is estimated at 71182.08 km2. India alone has 16,627 glaciers covering an area of 40, 563km2. Over 2700 glaciers were monitored. Out of 2767 glaciers, 2184 are retreating, 435 are advancing, and 148 glaciers show no change.

This study has been the culmination of four years of work done by the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Indian Space Research Organisation, Ahmedabad. The SAC has been instrumental in developing remote sensing-based techniques and models to understand the state of the Himalayan glaciers and cryosphere.

Departments/Funds/Commissions etc. under the Prime Minister

Departments

1. Department of Space
2. Department of Atomic Energy

Funds

1. Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund
2. Prime Minister’s Fund for Promotion of Folk Art
3. Prime Minister’s Aid to Students Fund
4. National Defence Fund

Chairmanship

1. Planning Commission
2. National Water Resources Council
3. National Development Council

Departments under various Ministries in Government of India

 

Ministry of Agriculture (Krishi Mantralaya)

1. Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (Krishi aur Sahkarita Vibhag)
2. Department of Agricultural Research and Education (Krishi Anusandhan aur Shiksha Vibhag)
3. Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries (Pashupalan, Dairy aur Matsyapalan Vibhag)

Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Rasayan aur Urvarak Mantralaya)

1. Department of Chemicals and Petro-Chemicals (Rasayan aur Petro-Rasayan Vibhag)
2. Department of Fertilizers (Urvarak Vibhag)

Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Vanijya aur Udyog Mantralaya)

1. Department of Commerce (Vanijya Vibhag)
2. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (Audyogik Niti aur Samvardhan Vibhag)

Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (Sanchar aur Soochana Praudyogiki Mantralaya)

1. Department of Telecommunications (Doorsanchar Vibhag)
2. Department of Post (Dak Vibhag)
3. Department of Information Technology (Soochana Praudyogiki Vibhag)

Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (Upbhokta Mamle, Khadya aur Sarvajanik Vitaran Mantralaya)

1. Department of Consumer Affairs (Upbhokta Mamle Vibhag)
2. Department of Food and Public Distribution (Khadya aur Sarvajanik Vitaran Vibhag)

Ministry of Defence (Raksha Mantralaya)

1. Department of Defence (Raksha Vibhag)
2. Department of Defence Production and Supplies (Raksha Utpadan aur Aapoorti Vibhag)
3. Department of Defence Research and Development (Raksha Anusandhan aur Vikas Vibhag)

Ministry of Finance (Vitta Mantralaya)

1. Department of Economic Affairs (Arthik Karya Vibhag)
2. Department of Expenditure (Vyaya Vibhag)
3. Department of Revenue (Rajaswa Vibhag)
4. Department of Disinvestment (Vinivesh Vibhag)
5. Department of Financial Services (Vittiya Sewayen Vibhag)

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Swasthya aur Parivar Kalyan Mantralaya)

1. Department of Health and family welfare (Swasthya aur Parivar Kalyan Mantralaya)
2. Department of Ayurveda, Yoga-Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) (Ayurveda, Yoga-Prakritik Chikitsa Paddhati, Unani, Siddha aur Homoeopathy Vibhag)

Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises (Bhari Udyog aur Lok Udyam Mantralaya)

1. Department of Heavy Industries (Bhari Udyog Vibhag)
2. Department of Public Enterprises (Lok Udyam Vibhag)

Ministry of Home Affairs (Grih Mantralaya)

1. Department of Internal Security (Antarik Suraksha Vibhag)
2. Department of States (Rajya Vibhag)
3. Department of Official Language (Raj Bhasha Vibhag)
4. Department of Home (Grih Vibhag)
5. Department of Jammu and Kashmir Affairs (Jammu tatha Kashmir Vibhag)
6. Department of Border Management (Seema Prabandhan Vibhag)

Ministry of Human Resource Development (Manav Sansadhan Vikas Mantralaya)

1. Department of School Education and Literacy (School Shiksha aur Saksharta Vibhag)
2. Department of Higher Education (Uchchatar Shiksha Vibhag)

Ministry of Law and Justice (Vidhi aur Nyaya Mantralaya)

1. Department of Legal Affairs (Vidhi Karya Vibhag)
2. Legislative Department (Vidhayee Vibhag)
3. Department of Justice (Nyaya Vibhag)

Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions (Karmik Lok Shikayat tatha Pension Mantralaya)

1. Department of Personnel and Training (Karmik aur Prashikshan Vibhag)
2. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (Prashasanik Sudhar aur Lok Shikayat Vibhag)
3. Department of Pensions and Pensioners' Welfare (Pension aur Pension Bhogi Kalyan Vibhag)

Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways (Pot Parivahan, Sarak Parivahan aur Raj Marg Mantralaya)

1. Department of Shipping (Pot Parivahan Vibhag)
2. Department of Road Transport and Highways (Sadak Parivahan Aur Raj Marg Vibhag)

Ministry of Rural Development (Gramin Vikas Mantralaya)

1. Department of Rural Development (Gramin Vikas Vibhag)
2. Department of Land Resources (Bhumi Sansadhan Vibhag)
3. Department of Drinking Water Supply (Peya Jal Poorti Vibhag)

Ministry of Science and Technology (Vigyan aur Praudyogiki Mantralaya)

1. Department of Science and Technology (Vigyan aur Praudyogiki Vibhag)
2. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (Vigyan aur Audyogik Anusandhan Vibhag)
3. Department of Bio-Technology (Biotechnology Vibhag)

Constitution Assembly - Facts to remember

Constitution Assembly

The constituent assembly was formed on the recommendation of the Cabinet Mission which visited India in 1946.
The Constituent Assembly met for the first time in New Delhi on 9 December, 1946 in the Constitution Hall which is now known as the Central Hall of Parliament House.
Mr. Sachchidanand Sinha was elected provisional chairman of the assembly.
Dr Rajendra Prasad later became the permanent chairman of the constituent assembly.
Dr. BR Ambedkar was the chairman of the drafting committee of the constituent assembly.
The Constituent Assembly took almost three years (two years, eleven months and seventeen days to be precise) to complete its historic task of drafting the Constitution for Independent India.
India is governed in terms of the Constitution, which was adopted on 26 November, 1949 and the hon'ble members appended their signatures to it on 24 January, 1950.
The Constitution of India came into force on 26 January, 1950. On that day, the Constituent Assembly ceased to exist, transforming itself into the Provisional Parliament of India until a new Parliament was constituted in 1952

 Important Articles of Indian Constitution

Article 12 –35    Specify the Fundamental Rights available
Article 36-50    Specify the Directive Principles of state policy
Article 51A    Specifies the Fundamental Duties of every citizen
Article 80    Specifies the number of seats for the Rajya Sabha
Article 81    Specifies the number of seats for the Lok Sabha
Article 343    Hindi as official language
Article 356    Imposition of President’s Rule in states
Article 370    Special status to Kashmir
Article 395    Repeals India Independence Act and Government of India Act, 1935

 Facts to remember on Indian Constitution

Indian constitution contains 395 articles in Parts I to XXII, 12 schedules and an appendix to Part IX
First schedule contains the list of states and union territories and their territories
Fourth Schedule contains the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha
Fifth Schedule contains provisions about administration and control of scheduled areas and scheduled tribes.
Seventh Schedule contains the Union list, State list and the concurrent list.
Eighth Schedule contains the list of recognised languages.

Important Age Limits

Description                                                                   Age Limit
Minimum age for election to the post of President/Vice-President/Governor    35 years
Minimum age for election as MP (Lok Sabha)/MLA    25 years
Minimum age for election as MP (Rajya Sabha)/MLC    30 years
Upper age limit for appointment as a judge of Supreme Court, Attorney General, Comptroller General    65 years
Upper age limit for appointment as a judge of High court/ Advocate General    62 years
Minimum age limit for employment in a factory    14 years
Minimum marriage for a male    21 years
Minimum marriage for a female    18 years.

 Important Durations in Indian Constitution

Condition     Duration
Maximum interval between two sessions of Parliament    Six months
Maximum life of Presidential Ordinance    Six months
Maximum duration for which President’s rule can be imposed in a state    Six months extendable upto a maximum of three years
Time after which money bill passed by Lok Sabha is deemed to have been passed by Rajya Sabha when no action is taken by it    14 days
The duration for which the term of a Parliament can be extended while a proclamation of emergency is in operation    1 year at a time

 Important Amendments

Amendment     Importance
73    Introduction of Panchayati Raj
74    Introduction of Nagarpalikas and Municipalities
52    Defection to another party after election made illegal
61    Voting age reduced to 18
71    Konkani, Manipuri and Nepali added as languages in the Eighth Schedule
21    Sindhi added as language in the 8th schedule
42    Fundamental Duties prescribed
8,23,45,62 and 79    Extension of reservation of seats
86    Free and compulsory education to children between 6 and 14 years
The 42nd amendment was the most comprehensive amendment which had 59 clauses and carried out so many changes that it has been described as a “Mini Constitution”.
The 52nd amendment was the only amendment to be unanimously adopted by the Parliament.