Sundarbans: Challenges and Nature-based Solutions

Introduction

• The Sundarbans faces freshwater scarcity, pollution from microplastics and chemicals, and coastal erosion, underscoring the need for sustainable, nature-based solutions to protect this ecosystem.
• Subtopic: Why in news?
• Escalating environmental pressures in the Sundarbans make sustainable responses urgent.
• Integrating nature-based approaches into development plans and policies is essential to safeguard the ecosystem and its communities.

Background

• The Sundarbans hosts the largest mangrove forests in the world on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal; a specialised mangrove ecosystem between land and sea in tropical and subtropical regions.
• 40% of the Sundarbans lies in India and the rest in Bangladesh.
• Recognitions: UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 (India) and 1997 (Bangladesh); Sundarban Wetland (India) recognised as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in January 2019.
• Conservation frameworks: Project Tiger protects the forest by preserving the Royal Bengal Tiger population; 2011 India–Bangladesh MoU on Conservation of the Sundarbans.
• Biosphere Reserve with protected areas: Sundarbans National Park (India); Sundarbans East Wildlife Sanctuary (India); Sundarbans South Wildlife Sanctuary (India); Sundarbans West Wildlife Sanctuary (India); Sundarbans Reserve Forest (Bangladesh).

Significance

• Biodiversity: 84 species of flora (including 26 mangrove species); 453 species of fauna; 120 species of fish; 290 species of birds; 42 species of mammals; 35 reptiles; eight amphibians; a natural abode where many species feed, breed and take shelter.
• Rare and globally threatened wildlife: estuarine crocodile, water monitor lizard, Gangetic dolphin and olive ridley turtle.
• Human and ecological value: more than 12 million people (4.5 million in India and 7.5 million in Bangladesh) depend on this estuarine ecosystem; mangroves are climate protectors and sources of livelihood; carbon sequestration and other ecosystem services are significant but threatened.

Facts/General knowledge

• Key challenges: Freshwater scarcity due to predominantly saline rivers; fresh groundwater may be deeper than 250 metres and may be saline in places.

• Pollution and erosion from microplastics, chemicals from industrial activities and waste disposal; about four million tonnes of microplastics are released into the Bay of Bengal and the Sundarbans each year from rivers in Bangladesh and India.
• Very little fresh water enters the mangrove system; river erosion, exploitation of forest resources and use of non-forest land for mangrove forestation exacerbate impacts.
• Sea level rise nearly double that of other coastal regions; increasing frequency and intensity of cyclones; rising temperatures, sea levels and biodiversity changes due to climate change.
• Human–wildlife conflict, particularly involving tigers, affecting conservation and community safety.
• Contamination from hydrocarbons and marine paints linked to Bangladesh’s Mongla Port and India’s Leather Estate.
• Nature-based and collaborative responses: Protect streambanks by cultivating native, salt-tolerant grasses — wild rice (Porteresia coarctata), Myriostachya wightiana, biscuit grass (Paspalum vaginatum) and salt couch grass (Sporobolus virginicus) — instead of non-local, non–salt-tolerant vetiver.

• Promote sustainable agriculture with soil-tolerant paddy varieties such as Darsal, Nona Bokra and Talmugur; adopt organic agriculture; implement rainwater harvesting and watershed development to enhance production.
• Utilise non-timber forest resources for livelihoods and conservation: mangroves such as Bayen, Garjan, Golpata, Hogla, Hetal, Kankra, Kumbhi, Kayora, Nona Jhau, Posur, Goran, Gewoya and Sundari; marketable fruits of Hetal, Kayora and Golpata; Hogla flowers for the food industry; ropes from dry leaves.
• Treat wastewater using natural processes and microorganisms, including lactic acid bacteria and photosynthetic bacteria, to maintain water quality and ecosystem health.
• Conserve biodiversity, including indigenous fish species like major carp, to restore and maintain ecosystem health.
• Strengthen India–Bangladesh collaboration by converting the Joint Working Group into a joint high-powered board with interdisciplinary experts; blend institutional mechanisms with flexibility to work across sectors and engage local communities; learn from the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation and the Senegal River Basin Development Organisation.
• Work with nature to address complex challenges, integrating nature-based approaches into development plans and policies to promote the long-term health and sustainability of the Sundarbans and its inhabitants.

Cyclone Ditwah and Southern India Rainfall Alerts

Introduction

• Cyclone Ditwah is moving over the southwest Bay of Bengal near the Sri Lanka coast.
• It is expected to track towards north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and south Andhra Pradesh.
• Subtopic: Why in news?
• At least 56 deaths have been reported in Sri Lanka due to Cyclone Ditwah.
• The system is advancing towards Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Background

• Ditwah originated from a deep depression near Sri Lanka’s coastline.
• A remnant depression of cyclone Senyar over the Strait of Malacca is contributing to enhanced rainfall activity.
• The system is causing widespread rainfall and strong winds across Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and coastal regions of the Bay of Bengal.
• Subtopic: Significance
• Heavy rainfall alerts are in place across southern India as Ditwah approaches.
• The IMD has classified Ditwah as a cyclonic storm, with no forecast upgrade to a severe cyclone so far.
• Subtopic: Facts/General knowledge
• Cyclone name origin: “Ditwah” was suggested by Yemen.
• Likely inspired by Detwah Lagoon on Yemen’s Socotra Island.
• IMD rainfall forecast (29 November – 1 December):
• Rayalaseema and South Coastal Andhra Pradesh: Very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall.
• Tamil Nadu (north coastal districts): Widespread moderate to heavy rainfall, with isolated extremely heavy falls.
• Puducherry and Karaikal: Heavy rainfall with an orange alert.
• Expected wind speeds:
• Near the core: 60–80 kmph, gusting to 90 kmph.
• Outer bands: 35–45 kmph, gusting to 55 kmph.
• Similar wind conditions are expected near Kerala, Lakshadweep, and the Maldives on the Arabian Sea side.

Cheetah Translocation from Botswana to Bharat

Introduction

• The translocation of cheetahs from Botswana to Bharat forms part of India’s effort to reintroduce the species after its extinction in 1952.
• This initiative advances Project Cheetah’s goals through collaboration between Indian agencies and partners in Botswana.
• Subtopic: Why in news?
• During the 1st-ever Presidential visit from India to Botswana, the President of India announced the translocation of 8 cheetahs to India, marking a major milestone in Project Cheetah.
• Botswana symbolically handed over the cheetahs, with 5 quarantined at the Mokolodi Nature Reserve in Botswana.

Background

• Project Cheetah, launched in 2022 under Project Tiger, aims to reintroduce cheetahs extinct in India since 1952, as the world’s 1st intercontinental wild carnivore translocation.
• Governance: Implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) along with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII); a Steering Committee was formed in 2023 to oversee implementation.
• Status: India currently has 27 cheetahs, including 16 born in the country.
• Habitats: Kuno National Park, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary, and the proposed Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary serve as sites for translocated cheetahs.
• Community engagement: Over 350 ‘Cheetah Mitras’ support local awareness and help reduce human–wildlife conflict.

Significance

• Represents a major milestone in Project Cheetah through the handover from Botswana.
• Seeks to restore cheetah populations and revive savanna ecosystems.
• Promotes ecotourism and livelihoods.
• Aims to reduce human–wildlife conflict through community awareness.

Facts/General knowledge

• Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by South Africa (south and east), Namibia (west), and Zimbabwe (east).
• The Kalahari Desert covers over 70% of its landmass; despite the name, it receives moderate rainfall and supports vegetation.
• The landscape is dominated by savanna grasslands, with baobab trees, some over 2,000 years old.
• Major natural attractions include the Okavango Delta (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Chobe National Park, famous for having over 50,000 elephants.
• About 17% of Botswana’s land is reserved for national parks and game preserves.
• Botswana is one of the world’s biggest producers of diamonds, accounting for about 20% of global production.

COP30 Belém outcomes and India’s climate actions

Introduction

• COP30 marked a critical juncture in global climate action, highlighting the power of multilateral cooperation despite geopolitical tensions.
• The summit advanced historic finance commitments, pledged to triple adaptation funding by 2035, and launched initiatives for a just transition and deforestation reversal, while falling short on fossil fuel phase-out language.
• It reinforced the urgent need for ambitious, equity-based strategies that integrate social, economic, and environmental goals within a collaborative global framework.

Why in news?

• COP30 in Belém, Brazil, drew global attention for moving from pledges to implementation, unveiling significant finance commitments and new mechanisms across adaptation, just transition, forests, public health, and climate–trade alignment.
• The conference spotlighted unresolved divisions on fossil fuel phase-out, underscoring ongoing geopolitical and responsibility disputes.

Background

• Adoption of the Belém Package: 29 decisions to accelerate Paris Agreement implementation by strengthening climate finance, adaptation tracking, gender inclusion, and global cooperation, reflecting a shift to actionable implementation.
• Climate finance and adaptation: Commitment to mobilising $1.3 trillion annually by 2035, with a tripling of adaptation finance to support vulnerable nations and close persistent finance gaps.
• Global Implementation Accelerator and Belém Mission to 1.5°C: New platforms to monitor national progress, narrow the emissions gap, and enhance accountability and transparency in NDC tracking.
• Just Transition Mechanism (Belém Action Mechanism): Support for workers and fossil fuel-dependent economies to transition towards sustainable models.
• Roadmaps from Brazil: Strategies to halt and reverse deforestation and to pursue a just, equitable fossil fuel transition tailored to national and regional realities.
• Belém Health Action Plan: First global plan linking climate action and public health, addressing climate-induced health risks, emphasising climate justice, and strengthening resilient health systems.
• Tropical Forests Forever Facility: Performance-based, long-term funding for forest conservation, allocating at least 20% to Indigenous peoples and local communities, aligning biodiversity, livelihoods, and climate goals.
• Equity and inclusive governance: Reinforcement of equity, climate justice, transparency, intergenerational rights, gender-responsive policies, and Indigenous leadership.
• Climate-Trade Dialogue: Effort to harmonise climate goals with international trade, reducing conflicts such as carbon border adjustments, and promoting fair transitions.
• Global Mutirão Agreement: A call for collective action to bolster multilateralism and shared responsibility amid geopolitical divisions.

Significance

• Demonstrated the resilience of multilateralism with record finance signals and practical mechanisms to drive implementation.
• Embedded equity, climate justice, and inclusive governance across decisions, elevating gender and Indigenous leadership.
• Integrated climate action with health, trade, forests, and just transitions to deliver co-benefits across sectors.
• Prioritised transparency and accountability to close the emissions gap through measurable tracking of national actions.
• Exposed persistent contention over fossil fuel phase-out, underscoring the need for greater ambition and consensus.

Facts/General knowledge

• Key barriers preventing countries from meeting global climate commitments:
• Gap between NDC pledges and the 1.5°C pathway: Current NDCs cut emissions by about 15% by 2035 versus a required 45%–60%; only 19 countries align with Paris goals; major emitters plan sectoral expansions; projected warming of 2.3–2.5°C by 2100.
• Implementation gap: Emissions are set to exceed necessary reductions by 29–32 Gt CO₂e in 2030; fossil fuel investments persist and coal phase-outs lag; 2025 EY findings show 64% of companies have net-zero plans but only 12% achieved substantial progress, with nearly two-thirds relying on carbon credits instead of real reductions, notably in transport and financial services.
• Insufficient climate finance: Despite the $1.3 trillion annual pledge by 2035, current flows from developed countries are about $115 billion per year, far below the $300 billion target and future needs; adaptation remains underfunded at less than one-third of required levels.
• Geopolitical tensions and responsibility disputes: No binding fossil fuel phase-out at COP30; disagreements persist over equitable finance and accountability; inconsistent US–China cooperation; India, representing the Global South, calls for a phase down rather than a phase out of fossil fuels.
• Technological and capacity gaps: Uneven access to clean technologies and limited infrastructure/expertise hinder deployment; Africa’s renewable capacity reached only 70 GW in 2024 versus over 800 GW in Europe.
• Data transparency and reporting deficits: Many countries face challenges in comprehensive GHG inventories and uniform reporting; among 133 developing countries (1997–2019), over half made little or no progress, with frequent missed submissions.
• Socioeconomic and just transition challenges: Worker displacement risks and inadequate social protection/reskilling delay policy; the ILO estimates around 24 million green jobs by 2030, while millions in fossil sectors risk loss, especially in coal-reliant regions like Poland, India, and parts of the US.
• Major initiatives undertaken by the Indian Government to meet its climate commitments:
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): Eight missions on solar, energy efficiency, sustainable habitats, water, Himalayan ecosystems, Green India, sustainable agriculture, and climate knowledge.
• National Solar Mission: Expansion of solar capacity to cut fossil fuel dependency.
• National Green Hydrogen Mission: Target of 5 million tonnes annually by 2030 for hard-to-abate sectors.
• Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) Scheme: Market-based industrial energy efficiency with tradable credits.
• Carbon market development: Carbon credit trading scheme expected by 2026 to incentivise reductions.
• Forest conservation and afforestation programmes: Afforestation of 6 million hectares and increasing forest cover from 23% to 33%.
• India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP): Sustainable cooling to cut refrigerants and energy use, with health and equity gains.
• National Bio-Energy Mission: Promotion of bio-energy to diversify the renewable mix.
• National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Pollution reduction measures aligned with climate goals.
• Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI): Coastal ecosystem restoration with livelihood enhancement.
• Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS): Support for industrial decarbonisation through CO₂ capture and reuse/storage.
• Miyawaki urban afforestation technique: Dense native plantations to boost urban green cover and air quality.

COP31 Hosting Compromise: Turkey and Australia

Introduction

• Turkey will host COP31, the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference under the UNFCCC, ensuring continuity in global climate negotiations.
• Subtopic: Why in news?
• During COP30 discussions in Brazil, a diplomatic compromise resolved the prolonged hosting dispute and confirmed Turkey as host of COP31.
• No official statements have been issued yet by Australian or Turkish officials.
• Negotiations are ongoing to finalise procedural details and secure consensus among UNFCCC member states.
• Subtopic: Background
• COP is the most important annual gathering under the UNFCCC.
• In 2022, both Turkey and Australia submitted bids to host COP31; neither withdrew, creating a stalemate and concerns over leadership and coordination during a crucial phase for climate action.
• Compromise framework: Turkey will officially host COP31 and assume the Presidency, overseeing logistical and diplomatic aspects.

• Australia will lead intergovernmental negotiations, shaping climate policy formulation and implementation strategy.
• A pre-COP event is expected in the Pacific region, emphasising the vulnerability of small island states and bolstering regional engagement.

Significance

• COP31 will shape the post-2030 global climate agenda by:
• Finalising pathways for achieving the 1.5°C limit under the Paris Agreement.
• Accelerating access to climate finance for developing nations.
• Expanding adaptation and resilience frameworks, especially for nations facing sea-level rise and extreme weather.
• Strengthening the loss and damage mechanism formalised during COP27.
• The dual arrangement balances regional representation, influence, and leadership in increasingly complex climate negotiations.
• The model could serve as a precedent for future shared hosting when multiple countries seek influence in global climate discussions.
• Subtopic: Facts/General knowledge
• UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, established in 1992.
• COP: Annual conference of member countries to discuss global climate policies.
• COP21 (2015): Held in Paris, resulted in the Paris Agreement.
• COP27 (2022): Established a formal Loss and Damage Fund.
• COP30 (2025): Held in Brazil, focused on accelerating climate finance and adaptation goals.