GK Express of 27/02/2026

By Nikhil Dasari - February 27, 2026

🧠 Thought of the Day

“The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's needs, but not every man's greed.”

— Mahatma Gandhi

📰 Current Affairs

Carbon Capture wnd Utilization: Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) is an emerging climate mitigation technology that captures industrial CO₂ emissions and can help power India's journey toward a circular economy and net-zero by 2070.
VD Savarkar Death Anniversary: The Prime Minister paid tributes to Vinayak Damodar Savarkar (Veer Savarkar) on his 60th death anniversary (26th February, 2026). He passed away in Mumbai on 26th February, 1966.
National Counter-terrorism Policy: MHA released 'PRAHAAR', India's first comprehensive national strategy to combat evolving internal and external security threats.

📘 Concept of the Day

Industrial Pollution Affecting Rivers in India

Why is this Topic Important?

Industrial pollution is one of the major environmental problems in India. Important rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari and Krishna are polluted due to untreated industrial waste. This topic is important for Environment and Governance sections of UPSC.

What is Industrial Pollution?

Industrial pollution means release of harmful chemicals and wastewater from factories into rivers.

Effluents – liquid waste released from industries.
Toxic substances – poisonous materials harmful to living beings.

Main Sources

Textile and dye industries
Tanneries (leather processing units)
Paper and chemical industries
Sugar mills and distilleries
Pharmaceutical industries

Major Polluted Rivers

Ganga – Tanneries at Kanpur
Yamuna – Industrial waste near Delhi
Sabarmati – Chemical industries
Damodar – Coal and steel industries
Godavari & Krishna – Pharma industries

Effects on Rivers

Decrease in dissolved oxygen (oxygen available for fish)
Death of aquatic life
Water-borne diseases
Unsafe drinking and irrigation water
Bioaccumulation (slow buildup of toxins in organisms)

Simple Example

When factories release coloured chemicals into rivers, sunlight cannot reach underwater plants. Plants die → oxygen reduces → fish die → water becomes unsafe.

Government Measures

Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Namami Gange Programme
Zero Liquid Discharge policy

Challenges

Weak monitoring
Illegal discharge of waste
Lack of treatment plants
Rapid industrial growth

🤔 Think About This

Tap a question to reveal the answer

1. What are the factors responsible for depleting groundwater in India. What are the steps taken by the government to mitigate such depletion of groundwater?

Introduction:
Groundwater is the primary source of drinking water and irrigation in India, supporting nearly two-thirds of irrigation needs. However, excessive extraction and poor water management have led to rapid groundwater depletion, making it a serious environmental and developmental concern.

Factors Responsible for Groundwater Depletion:

1. Overdependence on Agriculture: Water-intensive crops such as paddy and sugarcane, especially in semi-arid regions, lead to excessive groundwater extraction.

2. Free or Subsidized Electricity: Cheap power for irrigation pumps encourages uncontrolled groundwater pumping.

3. Urbanization and Industrialization: Rapid urban growth increases groundwater demand while reducing recharge areas due to concretization.

4. Inefficient Irrigation Practices: Flood irrigation results in large-scale water wastage.

5. Climate Change and Irregular Rainfall: Erratic monsoons reduce natural recharge of aquifers.

6. Weak Regulation: Groundwater extraction is often treated as a private right linked to land ownership, leading to overuse.

Government Measures to Mitigate Groundwater Depletion:

• Atal Bhujal Yojana: Community-based groundwater management in water-stressed states.

• Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Promotes rainwater harvesting, water conservation, and recharge structures.

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Encourages micro-irrigation methods like drip and sprinkler systems.

• Aquifer Mapping Programme (NAQUIM): Scientific mapping for sustainable groundwater management.

• Promotion of Crop Diversification: Encouraging less water-intensive crops in stressed regions.

• Regulatory Framework: Model Groundwater Bill and state-level groundwater authorities to control extraction.

Conclusion:
Groundwater depletion threatens India’s water, food, and ecological security. Sustainable management requires integrated policies combining efficient irrigation, community participation, regulation, and behavioural change toward water conservation.

2. How does the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 help in protecting India's traditional knowledge?

Introduction:
India has a large amount of traditional knowledge passed from elders to younger generations. For example, using turmeric for healing wounds, neem for medicines, or tribal knowledge about forest plants. Earlier, foreign companies tried to take patents on such knowledge. To prevent this misuse, India passed the Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

How the Act protects traditional knowledge:

1. Permission before using resources: Foreign companies or researchers must take government approval before using Indian plants or traditional knowledge. Example: A foreign pharma company cannot freely use tribal medicinal plants without permission.

2. Benefit sharing with local people: If a company earns profit using local knowledge, part of the profit must be shared with the community. Example: If a medicine is made using tribal herbal knowledge, villagers should also receive benefits.

3. Recording local knowledge: Villages prepare People’s Biodiversity Registers to document plants and traditional practices so others cannot falsely claim ownership.

4. Preventing bio-piracy: The Act stops outsiders from taking patents on Indian traditional practices. Example: Earlier attempts to patent neem and turmeric were challenged using such protections.

5. Role of local communities: Local bodies and tribal people are recognized as protectors of biodiversity and their knowledge is respected legally.

Conclusion:
Thus, the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 protects India’s traditional knowledge by giving legal protection, ensuring fair benefits to communities, and preventing misuse of indigenous wisdom while promoting conservation.

📝 Let’s Write an Exam

Q.1 Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986? (UPSC PYQ)

Central Water Commission

Central Pollution Control Board

Central Ground Water Authority

National Biodiversity Authority

The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to regulate and control groundwater development and management in the country.

Q.2 If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants naturally growing there? (UPSC PYQ)

1. Oak | 2. Rhododendron | 3. Sandalwood

1 and 3 only

2 only

1 and 2 only

1, 2 and 3

Oak and Rhododendron are characteristic trees of the Himalayan temperate forests. Sandalwood (Santalum album) is primarily found in the dry deciduous forests of South India (Western Ghats).

✍️ Answer These Questions

1. What do you mean by Ex-situ conservation?

2. Name the project launched by India for the conservation of its national aquatic animal.

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