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1. The steps that will shape India’s AI ambition
India stands at a crucial juncture in the global AI race, competing with Silicon Valley while facing pressure from China and Southeast Asia. To maintain its position as a global IT leader, India must balance AI regulation with innovation and competitiveness.
Challenges in AI Adoption
(i) Export Competitiveness & AI Integration: Indian IT services need AI adoption to sustain their global edge. However, concerns over job losses, algorithmic biases, and deepfake misinformation pose regulatory challenges.
(ii) Regulatory Constraints: Excessive AI regulations may hinder India’s growth, making it difficult to compete with the U.S. and China, where AI remains largely unregulated.
(iii) Startup Disadvantage: Foreign tech giants often dictate market terms, limiting local startups’ ability to compete. Recent complaints against Google highlight concerns over monopolistic practices.
India’s Position in the Global AI Race
(i) Balancing Regulation & Innovation: The European Union has strict AI regulations due to structural and legal limitations, whereas the U.S. prioritizes innovation. India must carve its own path, considering its services-driven economy.
(ii) Risk of Overregulation: AI-related compliance costs could slow India’s momentum, driving businesses to relocate to AI-friendly countries.
(iii) Strategic Partnerships: India should leverage diplomatic ties to ensure open-source AI models remain accessible while securing energy resources and computing capabilities.
Need for Regulatory Clarity
(i) Strengthening Existing Laws: Instead of introducing new AI-specific regulations, India can adapt its existing legal framework on antitrust, corporate liability, free speech, and public order to address AI challenges.
(ii) Encouraging AI Adoption: Policies should focus on facilitating rapid AI adoption, supporting open-source models, and ensuring a competitive IT ecosystem.
Conclusion
India’s AI ambitions must align with its national interests, ensuring a regulatory environment that fosters innovation while addressing ethical and economic concerns. A well-balanced approach will help India maintain its global IT leadership without compromising its AI potential.
2. The necessity of mainstreaming wetland conservation
Wetlands are among the most biologically productive ecosystems, offering essential ecological, economic, and social benefits. However, they face increasing threats from urbanization, industrialization, population growth, and climate change. The Meghalaya High Court’s recent suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on wetland conservation highlights the urgent need to prioritize their protection. Given their significance, wetlands must be integrated into broader development frameworks rather than treated as standalone conservation efforts.
Global Status of Wetlands: A Declining Ecosystem
(i) Wetlands cover 12.1 million km² globally, approximately 6% of the Earth’s surface, and contribute 40.6% of global ecosystem services.
(ii) However, they are under severe stress, both quantitatively and qualitatively:
(a) 50% of wetlands lost since 1900 due to land conversion.
(b) 35% decline in wetland surface area between 1970 and 2015.
(c) The Wetland Extent Trends (WET) Index shows a (-)0.78% annual loss, over three times faster than the rate of natural vegetation loss.
(d) 81% decline in inland wetland species populations and 36% decline in coastal and marine species since 1970.
(e) Increased risk of extinction for wetland-dependent plants and animals.
Global Efforts for Wetland Conservation
Recognizing these threats, the Ramsar Convention (1971) was established as an international treaty for wetland conservation. The 14th Conference of Parties (COP14) in 2022 (held in Wuhan, China, and Geneva, Switzerland) emphasized:
(i) Preparing the Fifth Ramsar Strategic Plan to integrate wetlands into broader development policies.
(ii) Aligning wetland conservation with global frameworks such as:
(a) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(b) Global Biodiversity Targets
(c) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
(d) UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030)
(e) Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
(f) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
(iii) The post-COVID-19 global scenario and increasing climate change impacts further stress the urgency of wetland conservation.
Wetland Conservation in India: Current Status and Challenges
India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention and has 75 Ramsar sites (as of 2023), covering 1.33 million hectares. However, challenges remain:
(i) The Ramsar sites constitute only 8% of the total 15.98 million hectares of mapped wetlands in India.
(ii) Wetlands in India are classified as: (a) Natural Wetlands (66.6%)- Inland Wetlands: 43.9%, Coastal Wetlands: 22.7% (b) Man-made Wetlands (33.4%)
(iii) Reduction in Natural Wetlands: The National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas (2017-18) reports a declining trend in natural wetlands and a rise in man-made wetlands.
(iv) Coastal Wetland Decline: Even in the short span of 2006-07 to 2017-18, natural wetlands along the coastline have decreased significantly.
Alarming Wetland Loss in Indian Cities
Urbanization, infrastructure development, agriculture expansion, and pollution are major drivers of wetland degradation in India. Studies show:
(i) Mumbai lost 71% of its wetlands from 1970 to 2014.
(ii) East Kolkata Wetlands shrank by 36% between 1991 and 2021.
(iii) Chennai lost 85% of its wetlands (WWF study).
Economic Consequences of Wetland Loss
The degradation of wetlands results in a loss of ecosystem services, impacting water retention, flood control, biodiversity, and livelihoods. A case study from Cali, Colombia, estimated that:
(i) Loss of urban wetlands results in an economic loss of $76,827 per hectare per year.
(ii) Loss of peri-urban wetlands leads to $30,354 per hectare per year in lost ecosystem services.
Broader Challenges in Wetland Management
(i) Current policies in India focus primarily on ecological conservation but fail to integrate socioeconomic dimensions.
(ii) Lack of Comprehensive Data: Studies are limited to a few major wetlands, with inadequate monitoring of smaller or seasonal wetlands.
(iii) Insufficient Governance: Conservation efforts often lack coordination between different government agencies.
(iv) Climate Change Impacts: Wetlands act as carbon sinks, but their role in climate change mitigation is not adequately studied.
The Way Forward: Strategies for Effective Wetland Conservation
(i) Mainstream Wetland Conservation in Development Planning: Integrate wetland management into urban planning, agriculture, and climate adaptation policies.
(ii) Strengthen Legal and Institutional Frameworks: Ensure strict implementation of the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
(iii) Improve Scientific Monitoring and Data Collection: (a) Use remote sensing and GIS mapping for real-time wetland monitoring. (b) Conduct periodic nationwide wetland assessments.
(iv) Promote Community Participation and Awareness: (a) Involve local communities in conservation efforts. (b) Promote eco-tourism and sustainable livelihood options around wetlands.
(v) Enhance International Collaboration: Align India’s wetland conservation efforts with global policies, including the Ramsar Convention, IPCC, and UNFCCC.
(vi) Adopt an Ecosystem-Based Approach: Move beyond standalone conservation efforts and integrate wetlands into the larger ecological and economic framework.
Conclusion
Wetlands are critical for ecological balance, climate regulation, and water security. However, their rapid degradation due to urbanization, pollution, and climate change necessitates urgent action. India must adopt a holistic and ecosystem-based approach, integrating wetland conservation into national and international environmental policies. Strengthening legal frameworks, improving scientific research, and enhancing community engagement will be key to safeguarding these invaluable ecosystems for future generations.
Disclaimer:
This analysis is based on the editorial content published in The Hindu and is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. The views, opinions, and interpretations expressed herein are those of the author of original article. Readers are encouraged to refer to the original article for complete context and to exercise their own judgment while interpreting the analysis. The analysis does not constitute professional advice or endorsement of any political, economic, or social perspective.
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