Latest news with #NatureRestorationPlan
Agriland
3 days ago
- General
- Agriland
‘Bigger package' needed for landowners to conserve nature
Agri-environmental schemes should be expanded to provide a 'bigger package' to landowners to prioritise conserving nature, according to Dr. Rebecca Jeffrey of the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Dr. Jeffrey spoke at the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Water Conference in Co. Galway today (Wednesday, June 11) about the ongoing process to develop a Nature Restoration Plan for Ireland. Addressing a concern raised at the event that land has been devalued in areas as a result of designations for protecting habitats – hen harriers for example – Dr. Jeffrey said that there will be 'socioeconomic value analysis done when we're setting targets' as part of the plan. 'But, I would like to think we are working to change the value of the natural capital. 'We're increasing the value of natural heritage so that you will have a value from the natural capital of land. Farmers will be paid for the natural capital that they are holding on their land, Dr. Jeffrey said.' She told the event that Ireland has been to the 'forefront' in Europe in developing results-based schemes, whereby farmers are 'paid for the ecological and natural heritage of their land'. 'It's turning that value from the traditional livestock values to natural capital values so that you can be paid for delivering carbon, delivering hen harrier habitats, delivering a clean river. That should be recognised, that's really key,' she added. There are still 'issues and blockages' to work through in relation to agri-environmental schemes, and Dr. Jeffrey said that these schemes need to be lengthened, and merged with woodland schemes. 'There has to be a bigger package for landowners, to make it worth their while to conserve nature rather than anything else,' she added. Nature Restoration Regulation The Nature Restoration Regulation came into force in August 2024. This regulation is the first continent-wide, comprehensive law of its kind, and sets binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems. The National Parks and Wildlife Service has been appointed by the government to coordinate the development of a national Nature Restoration Plan arising from the regulation, to be submitted to the EU Commission by September 1, 2026. Dr. Jeffrey said that this plan will set out restoration targets up to 2030 and measures required to achieve them; mapping indicating areas where measures will be established; and monitoirng regimes required to determine the effectiveness of the restoration measures. Significant pressures The two-day EPA event is host to a range of speakers sharing knowledge on protecting and improving water quality in Ireland. Addressing the event, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Christopher O'Sullivan, said that agriculture has been identified as one of the most significant pressures affecting water quality. Addressing this will 'bring benefits to the quality of our waters, biodiversity and to climate change adaptation', Minister O'Sullivan said. 'The agricultural sector will also benefit by becoming more resilient. 'The approach to addressing agricultural pressures is to balance enhanced inspection and enforcement alongside the implementation of additional targeted support measures, education and knowledge,' the minister said. The 'cornerstone measure' for addressing the pressure on water quality for agriculture remains the Nitrates Action Programme. Additional measures as part of the interim review of the fifth Nitrates Action Plan were introduced in February. Officials from Minister O'Sullivan's department are currently preparing the sixth nitrates programme, which will need to be in place from January 2026. The minister said: 'There is a lot of focus on the retention of Ireland's nitrates derogation and the newly-formed Cabinet Committee on Water Quality is specifically focused on this, 'This is underpinned by an unprecedented level of cooperation across government, state agencies and the agricultural sector in general. 'It is government policy to make an application to retain the derogation, and I know that doesn't get widespread support. But if we're to make it work, cooperation is key.'
Indian Express
09-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
Daily subject-wise quiz : Environment and Geography MCQs on Marine Protected Areas, Miombo woodland and more (Week 109)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative of subject-wise quizzes. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Attempt today's subject quiz on Environment and Geography to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for April 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Consider the following statements about Nature Restoration Law: 1. It is the first continent-wide, comprehensive law of its kind released by Europe. 2. It sets non-binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems. 3. It is part of the EU's European Green Deal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 2 and 3 only Explanation — European Union countries gave final approval to a major and long-awaited plan to better protect nature in the 27-nation bloc. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — The Nature Restoration Plan, which aims to restore ecosystems, species, and habitats in the EU, was finally adopted at a meeting of environment ministers in Luxembourg after receiving support from a qualified majority of 15 of the 27 member states and 65% of the EU population. — The Nature Restoration Law is the first law of its sort to apply to the entire continent. It is an important component of the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which establishes binding targets for restoring damaged ecosystems, particularly those with the greatest potential to collect and store carbon, as well as preventing and mitigating the effects of natural disasters. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. — The Nature Restoration Plan is part of the EU's European Green Deal, which aims to establish the world's most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets while also positioning the bloc as the global point of reference on all climate concerns. Hence, statement 3 is correct. — The plan requires member states to reach restoration targets for various habitats and species, with the goal of covering at least 20 per cent of the region's land and sea regions by 2030. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. (Other Source: Consider the following pairs with reference to Marine Protected Areas and their region: 1. Dugong Conservation Reserve – Tamil Nadu 2. Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary – Kerala 3. Gahirmatha – Andhra Pradesh 4. Haliday Island – Maharashtra How many of the pairs given above are correct? (a) Only one pair (b) Only two pairs (c) Only three pairs (d) All four pairs Explanation — A marine protected area (MPA) is essentially a zone in the ocean where human activities are more rigorously regulated than the surrounding waterways, akin to land-based parks. — Local, state, territorial, native, regional, or national authorities have designated these areas as special protection zones for natural or historic marine resources. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. (Source: Salal and Baglihar Dams were in the news. These dams are both constructed on: (a) Jhelum (b) Chenab (c) Sutlej (d) Beas Explanation — The Chenab River nearly dried up in Jammu and Kashmir's Akhnoor sector near the Line of Control when the sluice gates of two big dams, Salal and Baglihar, were closed. — According to the IWT, the Chenab is one of three 'Western Rivers' that Pakistan controls, along with the Indus and Jhelum. — However, India has restricted access to the waters of the three Western Rivers for residential, non-consumptive, agricultural, and hydroelectric power generation purposes. — India is permitted to construct run-of-river facilities on the three Western Rivers in order to create hydroelectric power. A run-of-the-river plant generates electricity from the natural flow of water. Salal and Baglihar on the Chenab are run-of-the-river projects. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. With reference to the slender loris, consider the following statements: 1. They are nocturnal mammals. 2. They act as a biological predator to pests of agricultural crops. 3. It is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) All three (d) None Explanation — Slender lorises are small nocturnal mammals and are arboreal in nature, as they spend most of their life on trees. Hence, statement 1 is correct. — They are commonly found in the tropical scrub and deciduous forests as well as the dense hedgerow plantations bordering farmlands of Southern India. — These species are listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Hence, statement 3 is not correct. — They act as a biological predator to pests of agricultural crops and benefit farmers. Hence, statement 2 is correct. — The sanctuary would play an important role in conservation of slender loris and yet another milestone in conservation efforts. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. Miombo woodland is a 1. Dryland forest ecosystem 2. It comprises tropical and subtropical grasslands, bushlands, and savannahs. 3. found in Northern Africa Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 2 only (d) 1 and 2 only Explanation — The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) have signed two agreements to conduct initiatives aimed at safeguarding the miombo forest and enabling trade along Mozambique's border with Zimbabwe. — The Miombo biome comprises tropical and subtropical grasslands, bushlands, and savannahs. — Miombo woodland is a huge African dryland forest ecosystem spanning almost 2.7 million square kilometres in southern Africa, encompassing Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. 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