Context:
India’s 1st ‘teal carbon’ study, undertaken at Keoladeo National Park (KNP)
Teal Carbon and Climate Change Mitigation
- Teal Carbon: Carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands.
- Includes carbon in vegetation, microbial biomass, dissolved and particulate organic matter.
- Color-based terminology: Reflects classification based on functions and location, not physical properties.
- Significance: Increases groundwater levels, aids flood mitigation, reduces heat islands, supports sustainable urban adaptation.
- Recent Study: India’s first study on teal carbon at Keoladeo National Park highlights its role in climate resilience and adaptation.
- Methane Emissions: Elevated emissions can be reduced using specialized biochar (a form of charcoal).
- Vulnerability: Wetlands are susceptible to degradation from pollution, land use changes, and water extraction.
- Black and Brown Carbon: Produced by incomplete combustion of organic matter.
Keoladeo National Park
- State – Rajasthan
- National Park: Declared in 1982.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site: Designated in 1985.
- Biodiversity: Home to over 370 species of birds and animals (e.g., pythons, Siberian cranes).
- Montreux Record: Listed in 1990 due to water shortage and unbalanced grazing regime (Ramsar Convention).
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.
2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.
3. Nanoparticles of same commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 2
(d) 2 and 3
Answer: (d)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct:
A nanoparticle is a small particle that ranges between 1 to 100 nanometres in size. They could be generated by natural processes or could be made artificially and released into the environment.
