GN09 — Environmental & Disaster Management

📖 GN09 · NDA General Ability Test — Geography ★ Moderate Yield + Current Affairs — 1–2 Questions

Environmental geography connects the physical and economic geography you've studied with the pressing challenges of the modern world. For NDA, this chapter has grown in importance as climate change and natural disasters become central to strategic and national security planning — topics directly relevant to an IAF officer's career. Questions from this chapter often connect with current affairs, so follow news about COP summits, major disasters, and government conservation schemes.

🌎 NDA Focus: Montreal Protocol (1987) = ozone; Kyoto Protocol (1997) = climate (first binding); Paris Agreement (2015) = limit to 1.5°C; 2004 Tsunami = Indian Ocean (Sumatra earthquake); India's NDMA established 2005 (after 2004 tsunami); Chipko Movement = Uttarakhand (1973); Silent Valley = Kerala (saved in 1980s); Ramsar Sites = wetlands.

PART 1 — ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

1. Major Environmental Problems and Agreements

Issue	Causes	Effects	Key Agreements/Measures
Global Warming	Greenhouse gases (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, H₂O vapour) from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture	Rising sea levels (threat to Maldives, Bangladesh); extreme weather; ice cap melting; species extinction	Kyoto Protocol (1997); Paris Agreement (2015) — limit warming to 1.5°C; COP summits (UNFCCC)
Ozone Layer Depletion	Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) from ACs, refrigerators, aerosols; destroy stratospheric O₃	Increased UV-B radiation; skin cancer; eye cataracts; damage to phytoplankton	Montreal Protocol (1987) — phased out CFCs; ozone hole over Antarctica is slowly recovering
Acid Rain	SO₂ and NOₓ emissions from power plants and vehicles; react with water to form H₂SO₄ and HNO₃	Damages forests (Germany's Black Forest); corrodes buildings (Taj Mahal — marble turns yellow); kills fish in lakes	Scrubbers in power plants; catalytic converters in vehicles; reducing fossil fuel burning
Deforestation	Clearing forests for agriculture, urbanisation, timber, cattle ranching	Loss of biodiversity; increased CO₂; soil erosion; disruption of water cycle; desertification	REDD+ mechanism (UN); India's National Forest Policy (minimum 33% forest cover); Chipko Movement
Loss of Biodiversity	Habitat loss; pollution; climate change; invasive species; overexploitation	Ecosystem collapse; loss of medicinal plants; reduced genetic diversity; food security threat	CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity); Ramsar Convention (wetlands); CITES (wildlife trade); biosphere reserves

PART 2 — NATURAL DISASTERS

2. Natural Disasters — Causes, Impact and Mitigation

Disaster	Cause	Affected Regions	Mitigation Measures
Earthquakes	Plate tectonics; fault movements; pressure release	Seismically active zones — Himalayas, Ring of Fire, Andaman & Nicobar	Earthquake-resistant buildings; early warning systems; seismic zoning; evacuation drills
Cyclones (Hurricanes/Typhoons)	Warm tropical sea surface (>26°C); Coriolis effect; moisture	Bay of Bengal (India's east coast), Arabian Sea; North Indian Ocean cyclone season: April–December	Cyclone shelters; embankments; early warning (IMD); mangroves reduce storm surge
Tsunamis	Undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions or submarine landslides	Pacific (Ring of Fire); Indian Ocean — 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami (Sumatra earthquake, 9.1M; 2.3 lakh deaths)	Tsunami Early Warning System (ITEWS in India); coastal warning sirens; evacuation to higher ground
Floods	Excessive rainfall; river overflow; dam failure; cyclones; deforestation	Ganga-Brahmaputra basin; Assam, Bihar, Kerala floods are annual; Uttarakhand cloudbursts	Embankments; reservoirs; flood plains zoning; mangrove protection; early warning
Droughts	Deficient monsoon; El Niño; groundwater depletion	Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of Deccan; Bundelkhand, Vidarbha regions are chronic drought zones	Drought-resistant crop varieties; watershed management; rainwater harvesting; crop insurance
Landslides	Heavy rainfall; deforestation; steep slopes; earthquakes; road construction	Himalayan states (Uttarakhand, HP, J&K, NE India); Western Ghats	Afforestation; controlled road construction; slope stabilisation; early warning in monsoon

PART 3 — BIODIVERSITY & CONSERVATION

3. Biodiversity Conservation in India

🌿 In-situ Conservation (In natural habitat)

National Parks: Strictly protected; no human activity; 106 in India; Jim Corbett (1st, 1936, Uttarakhand)
Wildlife Sanctuaries: Less strict than NPs; some human activity allowed; 553 in India
Biosphere Reserves: Large areas; multiple use zones; 18 in India; Nilgiri (1st BR); UNESCO recognition for some
Tiger Reserves: Project Tiger (1973); 53 tiger reserves; India has 70%+ of world's tigers; Corbett, Ranthambore, Bandhavgarh, Kaziranga
Sacred Groves: Traditional forest patches protected by communities; India has thousands

🏘 Ex-situ Conservation (Outside natural habitat)

Zoological Parks (Zoos): Breed endangered animals in captivity; Delhi Zoo, Mysuru Zoo
Botanical Gardens: Preserve plant species; Indian Botanical Garden (Kolkata) = largest in Asia; Lalbagh (Bengaluru)
Seed Banks: Store seeds of crop varieties; National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), Delhi
Gene Banks: Store genetic material (DNA, embryos) of endangered species
Key Schemes: Project Elephant (1992); Project Tiger (1973); Crocodile Breeding Programme (1975)

4. India's Biodiversity Hotspots & Ramsar Sites

🌿 India's 4 Biodiversity Hotspots (out of 36 global hotspots):
● Western Ghats + Sri Lanka: India's richest biodiversity region; Silent Valley (Kerala); 5,000+ plant species
● Eastern Himalayas: High endemism; Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh; orchids, rhododendrons
● Indo-Burma Region: NE India (Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland); freshwater biodiversity
● Sundaland: Nicobar Islands; part of the larger SE Asian hotspot

Important Ramsar Wetland Sites in India (41 total — most in world):
Chilika Lake (Odisha), Keoladeo Ghana NP (Rajasthan), Wular Lake (J&K), Lonar Lake (Maharashtra), Sundarbans (WB), Loktak Lake (Manipur — India's only floating lake park), Vembanad-Kol (Kerala)

PART 4 — DISASTER MANAGEMENT IN INDIA

5. India's Disaster Management Framework

NDMA (National Disaster Management Authority): Established under Disaster Management Act 2005; headed by Prime Minister; coordinate national disaster response; formed following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
NDRF (National Disaster Response Force): Specialised force for disaster rescue and relief; 16 battalions; deployed during floods, cyclones, earthquakes
SDMA (State Disaster Management Authority): State-level body; headed by Chief Minister
IMD (India Meteorological Department): Issues cyclone warnings, heavy rain alerts; vital for disaster preparedness
INCOIS (Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services): Issues tsunami warnings; operates ITEWS (Indian Tsunami Early Warning System) established 2007 after 2004 disaster

PART 5 — SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

6. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The United Nations adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development — replacing the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). They address the triple challenge of economic development, social inclusion, and environmental sustainability simultaneously.

Key SDGs for NDA: SDG 13 — Climate Action; SDG 14 — Life Below Water; SDG 15 — Life on Land; SDG 7 — Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 11 — Sustainable Cities
Sustainable development defined (Brundtland Report, 1987): "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs"

📝 NDA PYQs — Environment & Disaster Management

Q1. The Montreal Protocol (1987) was signed to address which environmental problem? NDA PYQ

(a) Global warming and CO₂ emissions(b) Depletion of the ozone layer by CFCs(c) Water pollution in international rivers(d) Deforestation in tropical countries

✔ Answer: (b) Ozone layer depletion by CFCs

The Montreal Protocol (1987) is an international treaty to phase out substances that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, primarily CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons) used in refrigerators, air conditioners, and aerosol sprays. It is considered the most successful environmental treaty — the ozone hole over Antarctica is gradually recovering. Contrast: Paris Agreement (2015) = climate change (CO₂); Ramsar Convention = wetland conservation; CITES = wildlife trade.

Q2. India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was established under which Act? NDA PYQ

(a) Disaster Management Act, 2001(b) Disaster Management Act, 2005(c) Civil Defence Act, 1968(d) Environmental Protection Act, 1986

✔ Answer: (b) Disaster Management Act, 2005

The NDMA was established under the Disaster Management Act, 2005 — India's response to the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami (December 26, 2004; ~2.3 lakh deaths globally, ~10,000+ in India; triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake off Sumatra). The Act created a three-tier system: NDMA (national, PM chairs), SDMA (state, CM chairs), and DDMA (district, Collector chairs). The NDRF was also created under this Act.

Q3. The Chipko Movement was related to: NDA PYQ

(a) Protest against dam construction in Narmada Valley(b) Forest conservation movement in Uttarakhand (then UP) in 1973(c) Agitation against air pollution in Delhi(d) Movement to save mangrove forests in Kerala

✔ Answer: (b) Forest conservation in Uttarakhand, 1973

The Chipko Movement (1973) began in Mandal village, Chamoli district, Uttarakhand (then UP). Led by Sunderlal Bahuguna and Gaura Devi, villagers (especially women) literally hugged trees ("chipko" = to cling/hug) to prevent commercial logging. It was one of India's first environment movements, inspiring the "tree-hugger" term and influencing India's forest policy. The related Appiko Movement (1983) was in Karnataka's Western Ghats. Narmada Bachao Andolan = movement against Sardar Sarovar Dam.

Q4. Which convention deals with the conservation of wetlands? ⚡ Tricky

(a) CITES(b) CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity)(c) Ramsar Convention(d) Bonn Convention

✔ Answer: (c) Ramsar Convention

The Ramsar Convention (1971; signed in Ramsar, Iran) is the international treaty for the conservation of wetlands. Countries designate important wetland sites as "Ramsar Sites." India has 41 Ramsar sites — the highest number of any country. Key Indian Ramsar sites: Chilika Lake (Odisha, India's 1st Ramsar site), Keoladeo Ghana NP (Rajasthan), Sundarbans, Wular Lake, Loktak Lake. CITES = wildlife trade; CBD = overall biodiversity; Bonn Convention = migratory species.

🧠 Quick Memory Chart — GN09

🌿 Conservation

In-situ: NPs, WLSs, Biosphere Reserves
Ex-situ: Zoo, Botanical garden, Seed bank
Project Tiger (1973); 53 reserves; 70%+ world tigers in India
India's 4 hotspots: W. Ghats, E. Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Sundaland
Ramsar: wetlands; India = most sites (41)

🌟 Key Agreements

Montreal Protocol 1987: ozone/CFCs
Kyoto Protocol 1997: CO₂ (first binding)
Paris Agreement 2015: limit 1.5°C
Ramsar 1971: wetlands
CITES: wildlife trade

🚫 Disasters

NDMA: DM Act 2005; PM chairs
2004 Tsunami: Sumatra earthquake (9.1M)
NDRF: rescue force; 16 battalions
Chipko Movement (1973): Uttarakhand forests
IMD: cyclone, heavy rain warnings

📝 Practice Exercise

E1. The 'carbon footprint' refers to:

(a) The physical mark left by industries on land(b) Total greenhouse gas emissions caused by an individual/organisation/product(c) Carbon dioxide absorbed by forests(d) The amount of coal burned by a country

E2. India's first national park was:

(a) Kanha National Park(b) Gir National Park(c) Jim Corbett National Park(d) Bandipur National Park

E3. Which is known as India's only floating national park?

(a) Chilika Lake, Odisha(b) Loktak Lake, Manipur(c) Wular Lake, J&K(d) Dal Lake, J&K

Answers:
E1 → (b) Total GHG emissions [carbon dioxide equivalent; measured in tonnes CO₂e; individuals, companies, products all have footprints] | E2 → (c) Jim Corbett National Park [established 1936 as Hailey NP; Uttarakhand; named after hunter-turned-conservationist Jim Corbett; also first Project Tiger reserve] | E3 → (b) Loktak Lake, Manipur [famous for Phumdis — floating masses of vegetation and soil; Keibul Lamjao National Park floats on it; habitat of Sangai deer (Manipur's state animal)]

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