Daily Prelims Notes 13 February 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

13 February 2024

Table Of Contents

1. NITI Aayog Launches Greening India’s Wastelands with Agroforestry (GROW) Report and Portal
2. Law Commission Report suggests creation of Epidemic Plan and Standard Operation Procedure to deal with future epidemics
3. A Global Alliance to Bridge the Gender Equity Gap
4. Appointing deputy CMs not a breach of Constitution: SC
5. N. Governor Ravi refuses to deliver customary address
6. Earth-wide telescope confirms black hole’s shadow is ‘real’
7. Scientists plan to build even larger atom-smasher by 2040
8. Is the Great Indian Bustard on the verge of local extinction?
9. Migratory species facing peril globally show the report, as CMS COP14 begins in Samarkand
10. Cutting lianas can boost carbon sequestration in forests, finds study

1. NITI Aayog Launches Greening India’s Wastelands with Agroforestry (GROW) Report and Portal

Subject: Schemes

Section: Agriculture

Context:

• Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal was launched today by Prof Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog at NITI Aayog.

More on news:

• This multi-institutional effort led by NITI Aayog utilized remote sensing and GIS to assess agroforestry suitability across all districts in India.
• Using thematic datasets, an Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI) was developed for national-level prioritization.
• The report provides state-wise and district-wise analysis, supporting government departments and industries for greening and restoration projects.
• Current report underscores the potential benefits of converting underutilized areas, especially wastelands, for agroforestry.
• Presently, agroforestry covers 8.65% of India’s total geographical area, encompassing approximately 28.42 million hectares.
• It was shared fallow land and culturable wastelands can be converted to productive use through agroforestry.
• Approximately96% of the Total Geographical Area (TGA) is wasteland, requiring transformation for productive use.
• Geospatial technologies and GIS are employed to map and prioritize these wastelands for agroforestry interventions.

About Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal:

• The GROW initiative includes the launch of the “Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW)-Suitability Mapping” portal on ‘Bhuvan’ ,ensuring universal access to state and district-level data. 
• This portal is expected to significantly boost the promotion of agroforestry initiatives by government bodies.
• The GROW initiative aligns with national commitments, aiming to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

About National Agroforestry Policy in 2014:

• India is the pioneer of the National Agroforestry Policy in 2014 and aims to enhance productivity, profitability, and sustainability through this agro ecological land use system.
• Agroforestry integrates trees, crops, and livestock, addressing food, nutrition, energy, employment, and environmental challenges. 
• This aligns with global commitments like the Paris Agreement, Bonn Challenge, UN Sustainable Development Goals, United Nations Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD), Doubling Farmers Income, Green India Mission.

2. Law Commission Report suggests creation of Epidemic Plan and Standard Operation Procedure to deal with future epidemics

Subject: Polity

Section: Legislation in news

Context:

• The 286th Law Commission Report recommended creation of an Epidemic Plan and Standard Operation Procedure to address future epidemics

More on news:

• After the Covid-19 pandemic, the Law Commission suo moto decided to examine the existing legal framework to tackle what it calls “significant deficiencies in addressing the containment and management of future epidemics in the country”.
• Highlighting the limitations of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 (EDA), the 286th Law Commission Report states “the management, control and prevention of epidemic diseases cannot be restricted to a century-old law.”
• Law commission highlighted that there is no clear demarcation between the powers of the Centre, state, and local authorities during an epidemic, which leads to uncoordinated responses.

Key findings of the report:

• The report notes that the EDA was not designed to combat modern issues with the spread of infectious diseases.
• Globalization and increased connectivity is resulting  in infectious diseases rapidly turning into epidemics or pandemics.
• The report claims that EDA has great potential for abuse.
• The report seeks to make comprehensive recommendations for the amendment of the EDA or the introduction of a new law altogether.
• The most dramatic change suggested is the creation of an Epidemic Plan and a Standard Operating Procedure to address the spread of infectious diseases.

More about Epidemic Plan:

• This would make sure the powers and obligations of different levels of government are clearly demarcated so that there is a coordinated response to any public health emergency.
• The duty to create this Epidemic Plan falls on the Central government and the report recommends doing so in collaboration with state governments and after consulting the ministries concerned, private health institutions, expert bodies and other stakeholders.
• The report recommends that the EDA must include provisions to ensure that the Epidemic Plan is prepared, enforced, and revised at regular intervals.
• The plan should include provisions on quarantine, isolation, and lockdowns, while ensuring that the measures are implemented fairly, without violating the fundamental rights of citizens.
• It should also contain provisions on privacy-friendly disease surveillance, regulating the distribution, availability and transport of medical supplies, proper dissemination of information to the public, medical testing and research for vaccinations and medicines, and the safe disposal of infectious waste among a variety of other subjects.

About Standard Operating Procedure (SOP):

• The report suggests the creation of a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) which will “ensure proper and coordinated response to any epidemic with pre-defined powers and roles in case of a public health emergency”
• The SOP suggested in the report defines three stages of the spread of infectious diseases as well as the responses at each stage. 
• At the first stage, “Outbreaks in the State”, the report recommends giving states the power to take “sufficient measures” that are in line with the Epidemic Plan. 
• It includes empowering local authorities to take preventative measures to contain the disease at a “micro-level”.
• At the second stage, “Inter-State Spread of Epidemic Diseases/Pandemic”, the report suggests that the Central government should have the power to frame regulations on the basis of the Epidemic Plan, and states should act in accordance with these regulations.
• For the third stage, “Extreme Threat from Infectious Diseases”, the recommendations are similar to those provided for the second stage.
• If states are unable to contain the spread of infection and there are conflicting guidelines then, the Central government will step in to impose uniform measures, either by itself or by empowering a central agency.

About Law Commission:

• The Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body constituted by the Government of India from time to time.
• The first Law Commission of independent India was established in 1955 for a three-year term. Since then, twenty one more Commissions have been established.
• The first Law Commission was established during the British Raj era in 1834 by the Charter Act of 1833 and was chaired by Lord Macaulay.
• It works as an advisory body to the Ministry of Law and Justice.
• The Law Commission undertakes research in law and review of existing laws in India for making reforms therein and enacting new legislations on a reference made to it by the Central Government or suo-motu.

3. A Global Alliance to Bridge the Gender Equity Gap

Subject: IR

Section: Msc

Context:

• India launched a landmark Initiative “Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality” at WEF 2024.
• The commitment is underscored by the adoption of the New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration during India’s presidency at the G-20.

About the Alliance 

• The multi-stakeholder initiative positions India at the forefront of accelerating the socio-economic cause with a sustained global impact.
• The Alliance transitions the concepts of equity and equality into actionable agendas for stakeholders worldwide.

Adopted Basic tenets of G-20 Declaration

• The declaration emphasizes prioritizing inclusion in key focus areas such as socioeconomic empowerment, bridging the digital gap, climate action, and ensuring food security, nutrition, health, and well-being.
• It advocates for a growth agenda driven by women-led development.

Government Commitment to Gender Equality

• Mainstreaming gender equality and equity has been a priority for the Government of India for over a decade.
• The passage of the Women’s Reservation Bill last year is a groundbreaking step, ensuring one third of seats for women in Parliament and State Assemblies.
• This legislative measure is seen as a revolutionary tool for women’s empowerment, contributing significantly to enhancing India’s governance processes.

Financial Commitment to Women-Led Development –

• The government’s commitment is evident in the allocation of nearly $27 billion under the gender budget in 2023-24.
• This substantial financial commitment reflects the dedication to advancing women-led development initiatives.

Positive Trends in Female Participation

• India has experienced a notable increase in the female labor force participation rate, rising from 23.3% in 2017-18 to 37% in 2022-23 according to data from the annual Periodic Labour Force Surveys.
• Female enrollment in higher education has witnessed a significant 28% increase over the last decade.

Empowering Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics courses):

• The share of women’s enrollment is an impressive 43%, marking one of the highest rates globally.
• Rural India showcases active participation, with over nine crore women engaged in 83 lakh self-help groups, contributing to the improvement of socio-economic conditions in rural areas.

We-Lead Lounge at Davos:

• The We-Lead Lounge, established by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Davos, generated significant global interest and curiosity.
• It provided a platform for meaningful discussions on how the world can contribute to, join,and drive inclusive development efforts.

Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality

• Anchored by the CII Centre for Women Leadership and guided by the Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India and Supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
• It will establish a global network of experts, thinktanks, industry leaders, and country leadership to drive collective actions for women empowerment.
• The World Economic Forum’s partnership as a network partner underscores the initiative’s global relevance and resolve to promote inclusive and equitable growth.

Its Focus Areas and Objectives

• To foster the sharing and development of scalable and practical solutions to promote women-led development.
• Key areas include ed-tech, medical capacity building, health interventions for women, learning and skill development, agrotech, and women enterprise development.
• To mobilize capital to enhance gender outcomes, capitalizing on India’s reputation as the “pharmacy of the world” and its acknowledged digital expertise.

Opportunities for Global Industry

• This presents an opportunity for industries worldwide to share developed practices aimed at advancing women’s entry and growth in the workplace.
• It offers a chance to invest in proven programs and initiatives, facilitating their scalability, and collaborate to integrate inclusion into business dialogues.

Engagement and Leadership Development

• It also provides an opportunity to collaborate with the global community, including industry, think tanks, and investors, to enhance engagement and leadership of women in the economy.
• The focus lies on increasing access to healthcare, educational opportunities, and economic prospects for women.

India’s Commitment to Global Harmony

• With India’s enduring commitment to ‘VasudhaivaKutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future’ and its ongoing efforts toward ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Prayaas, Sabka Vikaas’, the Alliance for Global Good – Gender Equity and Equality is positioned to significantly impact all gender-related issues.

4. Appointing deputy CMs not a breach of Constitution: SC

Subject: Polity

Section: Executive

Context:

• The Supreme Court dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of Deputy Chief Ministers in States, citing that no such position is outlined in the Constitution.

About Supreme Court Decision:

• Dismissed a petition challenging Deputy Chief Ministers’ appointments in States, citing lack of existence in the Constitution.
• Judicial Reasoning: Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud found no issue with Deputy Chief Ministers being Members of Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and State government Ministers, despite nomenclature.
• Legal Rationale: Chandrachud stated that Deputy Chief Ministers are essentially State Ministers and require MLA status, which doesn’t violate the Constitution.
• Equality Concerns: Petitioner argued appointments were driven by religious and sectarian factors, violating Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution.
• Court Response: Dismissed the petition, deeming it lacking in substance.
• Role Clarification: Chandrachud emphasized that Deputy Chief Ministers function like other Ministers, possibly with seniority, but without higher salaries.

5. T.N. Governor Ravi refuses to deliver customary address

Subject: Polity

Section: Parliament and legislature

Context:

• Mr. Ravi announced his decision after reading the first paragraph of the address prepared by the government that wished “happiness, prosperity and well-being” in the new year and quoted a couplet from Tirukkural.

Constitutional Background:

• The Constitution gives the President (Article 87) and the Governor (Article 176) the power to address a sitting of the legislature.
• The special power is with regard to two occasions.
• The first is to address the opening session of a new legislature after a general election.
• The second is to address the first sitting of the legislature each year.
• Commonly referred to as the President’s or Governor’s Address, they are a constitutional requirement.
• A session of a new or a continuing legislature cannot begin without fulfilling this requirement.

Governor’s Address to the State Legislature:

• Article 176 of the Constitution –
  • At the commencement of the first session after each general election to the Legislative Assembly and at the commencement of the first session of each year, the Governor shall address the Legislative Assembly and inform the Legislature of the causes of its summons.
  • In the case of a State having a Legislative Council, both Houses assembled together.
  • Provision shall be made by the rules regulating the procedure of the House or either House for the allotment of time for discussion of the matters referred to in such address.

What does the Address contain?

• The President’s/Governor’s speech follows the convention of the British system, where it contains legislative and policy proposals that the government intends to initiate.
• The speech also recaps the government’s accomplishments in previous years.
• The contents of the speech are put together by aggregating inputs from various ministries of the government.

Is the Address prepared by the President/Governor themselves?

• The Constitution, under Article 74 and Article 163 respectively, binds the President and the Governor to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers of the Union and state governments respectively, on a majority of issues.
• Therefore, the speech that the President or the Governor reads before the legislature is the viewpoint of the government and is prepared by it.

If the President/Governor disagrees with the text of the speech, are they still bound to read it?

• The President or a Governor cannot refuse to perform the constitutional duty of delivering an address to the legislature.
• But there can be situations when they deviate from the text of the speech prepared by the government.
• So far, there have been no instances of the President doing so. But there have been multiple occasions when a Governor skipped a portion of the address to the Assembly.

Does such an omission, as happened recently in Tamil Nadu, violate any constitutional convention?

• In Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab, the Supreme Court said that the principle that the President (or the Governor) is guided by the aid and advice of the Cabinet covered every function.
• Whether it relates to addressing the House or returning a Bill for reconsideration, or assenting or withholding assent.
• Many experts believe that it was the intention of the Constitution-makers that the Governor’s speech would be prepared by the Council of Ministers and the Governor would read it.
• Hence, they are of the opinion that if a Governor violates this convention and deletes any para of the address under the cloak of his discretionary power, his action may not be unlawful’ from a rigid legalistic viewpoint.
• However, this will surely strike at the roots of the norms of the parliamentary system of government.

6. Earth-wide telescope confirms black hole’s shadow is ‘real’

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Space tech

Imaging the black hole:

• Scientists have made significant advancements in our understanding of black holes, particularly one located 53 million light-years away, which was first imaged in 2017 by the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT). This imaging feat was groundbreaking as it provided the first visual confirmation of black holes’ existence, supporting a key aspect of general relativity.

Detailed analysis of Black hole’s image:

• Recent enhancements in the EHT’s capabilities have allowed researchers to observe finer details near the black hole’s event horizon, the point beyond which light cannot escape. These observations revealed a distinct ring formation around the event horizon.
• The initial EHT observations had identified the black hole’s “shadow” – an area shaped by the gravitational effects of the event horizon and a critical indicator of the black hole’s presence.
• This evidence was not only a source of amazement but also served to validate the mass, size, and shape of the black hole against predictions made by general relativity.
• The latest findings, resulting from improved telescope resolution and coverage, have reaffirmed the dimensions and characteristics of the black hole’s shadow.
• This outcome helps to assure scientists that their observations are not skewed by biases, further enhancing our comprehension of these mysterious cosmic entities.

Event Horizon Telescope (EHT):

• The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) is a global network of 8 radio telescopes that collaborate to observe celestial bodies, utilizing a method known as very-long baseline interferometry. The 8 radio telescopes are:

1. Atacama Large Millimetre/sub-millimetre Array,
2. Atacama Pathfinder Experiment,
3. IRAM 30-metre telescope,
4. James Clerk Maxwell telescope,
5. Large Millimetre Telescope Alfonso Serrano,
6. Submillimetre Array,
7. UArizona Submillimetre Telescope and
8. South Pole Telescope.

• This technique involves synchronizing the data collected from various telescopes using highly accurate clocks to study specific objects in space.
• The resolution of the network is determined by the maximum distance between these telescopes.
• In 2017, the EHT made a significant discovery, detecting a bright, asymmetric ring of light that aligns with the expected characteristics of a supermassive black hole, a finding further corroborated by independent analyses of EHT data.
• Following these observations, efforts were made to enhance the EHT’s capabilities. These improvements included increasing the rate at which data is recorded, enhancing the ability to capture spatial information, and incorporating the Greenland Telescope into the array.
• The addition of the Greenland Telescope notably enhanced the EHT’s resolution in the north-south direction.

Piecing the data together:

• In a recent observational campaign, the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) involved nine stations to collect data over six days in April 2018, utilizing four different frequencies.
• To delve deeper into the phenomena observed, the research team employed general relativistic magnetohydrodynamic (GRMHD) simulations to model the M87 black hole, taking into account the influence of the black hole’s gravity on the surrounding spacetime, in line with Einstein’s theory of general relativity.

Gravitational lensing:

• ​​The recent findings from the Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) have confirmed the presence of an asymmetric ring structure around a black hole, measuring approximately 42 microarc seconds across.
• Observations made in 2017 and 2018 showed that the diameter of this ring remained relatively constant, demonstrating that the black hole’s gravity consistently bends light over time, forming the observed ring.
• This behaviour is a direct manifestation of gravitational lensing, a phenomenon predicted by the general theory of relativity, where massive objects cause spacetime to bend, affecting the path of light passing near them.

Significance of observations made by EHT:

• The EHT observations revealed that the southwest portion of the ring appears brighter, which is attributed to the black hole’s rotation affecting the distribution of light due to spacetime being dragged along its rotation direction.
• These observations align with the characteristics expected of a Kerr (rotating) black hole, with a mass about 6.5 billion times that of the Sun.
• Additionally, the study noted a shift in the orientation or position of the black hole’s accretion disk and the jet of high-energy particles it emits by approximately 30 degrees between 2017 and 2018.
• This change is speculated to be related to the black hole’s spin and has implications for understanding the complex dynamics between the accretion disk, the jet, and the surrounding magnetic fields.
• The EHT’s efforts have consistently validated the ring formation process and the black hole’s physical traits across different observations and frequencies.
• The project has also demonstrated improvements in observational techniques, narrowing the gap between image-based studies and direct modelling methods.
• Looking ahead, the EHT team plans a “movie project” in 2026 to observe changes in the black hole’s brightness over a period, offering further insights into the dynamics of black holes and the physics governing their surrounding environments.

Source: TH

7. Scientists plan to build even larger atom-smasher by 2040

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Space tech

Context:

• Scientists at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, are making strides towards initiating a multibillion-euro project for constructing a larger and more potent particle collider, the Future Circular Collider (FCC), aimed at delving deeper into the universe’s mysteries.

About the Future Circular Collider (FCC):

• The project is expected to commence its first phase by 2040, primarily supported by European and Western countries.
• This initiative follows the success of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), notable for its role in confirming the existence of the Higgs boson in 2012, a pivotal discovery in physics.
• FCC will have the potential to significantly advance the understanding of fundamental physics and drive technological innovation in fields like cryogenics and superconducting magnets, with broader socioeconomic benefits.
• The planned collider, with a reduced loop circumference from 100 kilometers to 91 kilometers, aims to achieve particle collision energy levels of 100 TeV, significantly surpassing the LHC’s 13 TeV, and further expanding the frontier of particle physics.

8. Is the Great Indian Bustard on the verge of local extinction?

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

• The Great Indian Bustard (GIB), a critically endangered bird with a global population of fewer than 140 individuals, faces the threat of local extinction in the Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary in Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh, as it has not been spotted in the area for the last couple of years.

Details:

• The majority of the remaining wild population of GIBs, about 120, is found in the arid grasslands of Thar in Rajasthan, specifically within the Desert National Park and the Pokhran Field Firing Range.
• In 2018, a conservation breeding program was initiated through a collaboration between the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Rajasthan Forest Department, and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), with the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC) in Abu Dhabi serving as a technical partner due to their success in breeding other bustard species.
• The GIBs’ low reproduction rate, characterized by laying only a few eggs and requiring nearly a year of parental care for chicks, poses a significant challenge to their conservation.
• The breeding program, which started in 2019, involves collecting eggs from the wild and artificially hatching them at the Sam Forest Chowki in Rajasthan, repurposed as a conservation breeding centre to support the survival and growth of the GIB population.

About Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located in the Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh.
• It lies between the Nallamalai and Yerramalai hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats.
• It was declared a sanctuary in 1988 to protect the dwindling populations of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard.
• It is the only GIB Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh.
• It owes its genesis to the discovery of the endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB).
• Flora: About 32 species of grasses like Aristida funiculata, Chrysopogon fulvus, Heteropogoncontortus, Cassia fistula (Golden shower tree), Butea monosperma (Flame of the forest), Acacia spp, Ziziphus mauritiana, etc.
• Fauna:
  • The grassland Sanctuary is rich in invertebrate fauna particularly the insects that form a major part of the diet of most of the birds.
  • Land monitor lizards, Geckos, Skinks, Saw-scaled viper; etc. So far about 6 species of amphibians have been recorded here.
  • There are about 124 bird species like the Lesser florican, Demoiselle crane, Black stork, White stork, Harriers, etc;
  • These plains are also a home to endangered mammals like the Golden jackal, Indian wolf, Black buck, Chinkara; etc.

Source: TH

9. Migratory species facing peril globally show the report, as CMS COP14 begins in Samarkand

Subject: Environment

Section: International Conventions

Context:

• A report released at the 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) of Wild Animals in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on February 12, 2024, highlights the dire situation facing millions of migratory animal species due to human-induced pressures.

Details:

• The State of the World’s Migratory Species report points out that aquatic ecosystems suffer the most, with 97% of migratory fish listed under CMS at risk of extinction, experiencing significant declines in abundance over the past 50 years. Additionally, 28 fish species are classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ according to the IUCN’s Red List.
• The CMS finds that 44% of its listed species are seeing population declines, with one in five at risk of extinction.
• A staggering 82% of Appendix I species are threatened with extinction and 76% show declining population trends.
• Similarly, 18% of Appendix II species are threatened, with almost 42% displaying declining population trends.
• The report bases its findings on data from the IUCN Red List assessment and the Living Planet Index, revealing that out of 4,508 migratory species assessed globally and occurring in multiple range states, 74% are not currently listed in the CMS appendices.
• Of these non-CMS species, 8% are considered ‘Globally Threatened,’ and 4% are ‘Near Threatened.’

What are the causes?

• The extensive threats faced by migratory species due to overexploitation, habitat loss, and other anthropogenic pressures.
• Key findings include that 89% of Appendix I species are affected by overexploitation, while 86% suffer from habitat loss, degradation, and fragmentation.
• Similar pressures impact Appendix II species, albeit at slightly lower percentages.
• Significant threats identified include bycatch, particularly for seabirds like albatrosses and petrels,Illegal killing, and overfishing.
• Habitat encroachment from agriculture, infrastructure development, and pollution from various sources are also major concerns, affecting ecosystems and migratory paths across the globe.
• The report highlights the adverse effects of noise, light, plastic, and chemical pollution on various species, including birds and marine animals.

Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals

• Also known as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention, is an international agreement that aims to conserve migratory species throughout their ranges.
• The Agreement was signed under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme and is concerned with conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.
• Signed in 1979 in Bonn, West Germany, the Convention entered into force in 1983. As of September 2020, there are 131 Member States to the Convention.
• The depositary is the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany.
• The CMS is the only global, and United Nations-based, intergovernmental organization established exclusively for the conservation and management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species.
• Under this convention, migratory species threatened with extinction are listed on Appendix I and Parties strive towards strictly protecting these animals, conserving or restoring the places where they live, mitigating obstacles to migration and controlling other factors that might endanger them.
• Migratory species that need conservation and management or would significantly benefit from international co-operation are listed in Appendix II of the Convention.

Source: DTE

10. Cutting lianas can boost carbon sequestration in forests, finds study

Subject: Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

• A study published in 2023 has shed light on the carbon sequestration and timber production benefits of removing lianas, long-stemmed woody vines, from trees in managed forests.

Details of the study:

• Lianas, which can significantly hinder tree growth by smothering them as they climb to the forest canopy, are more prevalent in areas disturbed by activities such as logging and natural events like wildfires.
• The study suggests that removing lianas from just five trees per hectare across 250 million hectares of degraded managed land could eliminate 800 million tons of CO2 from the atmosphere over 30 years, at a minimal cost of $1.50 per hectare.
• This method, emphasizing selective liana removal rather than a blanket approach, aims to enhance the growth of targeted trees for timber and carbon benefits while maintaining the ecological balance.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is conducting trials, including one in the Belize Maya Forest, to determine the most effective methods of liana removal and its impact on tree species, forest connectivity, and biodiversity.
• The trials also explore the potential of lianas for carbon storage versus the additional growth of trees without lianas.

Probable impact of removing liana:

• Despite the potential benefits, concerns about the impact on biodiversity and the ecological role of lianas, which provide food, medicine, and habitat connectivity for various species, highlight the need for a balanced approach to liana cutting.
• Trials in Gabon and Indonesia are exploring liana cutting alongside technologies like LiDAR and reduced impact logging systems to enhance both carbon sequestration and sustainable timber production.
• The initiative underscores the possibility of harmonizing conservation efforts with timber production, suggesting that liana cutting could be a key strategy in managed forests to improve tree growth, carbon capture, and timber quality while supporting local economies and biodiversity.

Liana trees:

• A liana is a long-stemmed, woody vine that is rooted in the soil at ground level and uses trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy in search of direct sunlight.
• The word liana does not refer to a taxonomic grouping, but rather a habit of plant growth – much like tree or shrub.