sankhyasagar.com

Author: NILIMA CHATURVEDI

  • India’s Climate Reality — Flash Floods, Avalanches & the Call for Resilience

    India’s Climate Reality — Flash Floods, Avalanches & the Call for Resilience

    A Wake-Up Call from the Himalayas

    On 5 August 2025, a sudden cloudburst—or possibly a glacial lake outburst flood—triggered massive flash floods in Dharali village, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Torrents of water, debris, and mud swept away homes, roads, shops, and at least four to five lives, with more than 50 people initially reported missing.

    Rescue efforts were hampered by landslides, blocked roads, and relentless rain. The Army, NDRF, SDRF, drones, tracker dogs, earth-moving equipment, and even makeshift ziplines were deployed to evacuate survivors. Over 130 to 200 individuals were rescued despite extreme challenges.

    This calamity is not isolated—Uttarakhand remains highly susceptible to ecological disasters due to its fragile terrain, rapid unplanned development, and an accelerating climate crisis.

     Flash Floods, Landslides & Avalanches: A Pattern Repeats

    Avalanche in February 2025

    Earlier this year, an avalanche near Mana village buried 54 Border Roads Organisation workers, resulting in eight fatalities. This tragedy underscores the volatility of high-altitude environments now increasingly destabilized by warming temperatures.

    Landslides & Monsoon Swells

    In 2024, Uttarakhand recorded over 1,800 landslides, double that of the previous year, due to intense rain, deforestation, and unsafe construction practices. These incidents claimed 82 lives, with many still missing.

    Events like the 2013 Kedarnath disaster—a deadly combination of cloudburst and glacial lake outburst—serve as haunting reminders of what unchecked development and changing climate can cause.

    Climate Change: What the Data Shows

    India’s climate is changing at a rapid pace. Warmer air holds more moisture, leading to heavier rainfall events. Over the past few decades:

    • Pre-monsoon extreme rainfall events have doubled
    • There’s been a 56% increase in monsoon rainfall and 40% in post-monsoon
    • Flash floods are rising notably across the Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Krishna river basins

    In the Himalayas, studies have shown rising maximum temperatures, fewer cold days, more intense precipitation, and accelerated warming in higher elevations. These trends contribute to glacier retreat and slope instability—key factors in landslides and avalanches.

    Infrastructure Gaps Worsen Flood Risks

    India’s urban infrastructure struggles to cope with extreme weather. Cities like Mumbai have outdated drainage systems, designed for 25 mm/hour of rainfall, but recent events have brought over 50 mm/hour. Meanwhile, Chennai has lost much of its natural wetland buffers due to unchecked urbanization, worsening flood vulnerability.

    In mountain regions like Uttarakhand, lack of early warning systems, poor land-use planning, and unsafe construction aggravate the damage caused by natural disasters.

    Sustainable Solutions: From Planning to Community Action

    Urban & Watershed Resilience

    • Implement integrated watershed management across river basins
    • Adopt Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS), sponge cities, and restore wetlands
    • Improve urban flood preparedness and revise infrastructure capacity

    Mountain-Specific Measures

    • Enforce stricter land-use policies and sustainable infrastructure norms in ecologically fragile zones
    • Strengthen early warning systems with real-time data, community engagement, and local emergency plans

    Climate Adaptation & Governance

    • Retrofit buildings and invest in climate-resilient infrastructure
    • Promote decentralized planning that includes local voices and long-term risk reduction
    • Shift disaster response from reactive to proactive, with strong coordination among agencies

    Conclusion: A Call for Climate Resilience

    From Uttarakhand’s flash floods and avalanches to devastating floods in Vijayawada (2024) and Sikkim (2023), India’s climate reality is stark. Extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, and the cost—in lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems—is growing.

    But nature’s fury needs not be fatal. With science-driven planning, community-based action, and forward-thinking governance, India can build a future that’s not only safer but also more sustainable and climate-resilient.

  • Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 – A Milestone in Agricultural Legislation

    Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001 – A Milestone in Agricultural Legislation

    In a country like India where agriculture has been the cornerstone of civilization for centuries, farmers have traditionally played a critical role in the conservation and development of plant varieties. Recognizing their invaluable contribution, the Government of India enacted the Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act in 2001. This landmark legislation strikes a unique balance between the rights of plant breeders and those of farmers, an approach not seen in many other countries.

    What is the PPVFR Act, 2001

    The Plant Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act 2001 was enacted to provide for the establishment of an effective system for the protection of plant varieties. It encourages the development of new varieties of plants and recognizes and protects the rights of farmers in respect of their contributions made in conserving, improving and making available plant genetic resources. India is one of the few countries in the world to recognize farmers as not just cultivators but also as breeders and conservers.

    Key Features of the Act

    Farmers’ Rights
    Farmers have the right to save, use, sow, resow, exchange, share or sell their farm produce including seeds of protected varieties except branded seeds. If a registered variety fails to perform as promised under given conditions, farmers can claim compensation.

    Breeders’ Rights
    Plant breeders can register their new plant varieties and have exclusive rights to produce, sell, market, distribute, import or export them. These rights are granted after evaluation of novelty, distinctiveness, uniformity and stability.

    Registration System
    Both new and extant already existing plant varieties can be registered under the Act. Registration is done through the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority.

    Benefit Sharing
    When a new variety is developed using traditional varieties, the local communities or individuals responsible for conserving the traditional varieties are entitled to a share in benefits monetary or otherwise.

    Protection Against Infringement
    The Act includes strict provisions to safeguard registered varieties against unauthorized use and infringement while still protecting the traditional rights of farmers.

    Why is the Act Significant

    It bridges the gap between modern agricultural science and traditional knowledge.
    It complies with the WTO’s TRIPS agreement while safeguarding Indian farmers’ interests.
    It encourages public private partnerships in agricultural innovation.
    It gives formal recognition to informal innovation by farmers.

    Challenges and the Road Ahead

    Despite its progressive features, the Act faces some implementation challenges such as lack of awareness among farmers, complex application procedures and the need for greater institutional support for registration and benefit sharing. However, with ongoing efforts by the government and NGOs, more farmers are becoming aware of their rights and the Act continues to serve as a strong model for farmer-centric legislation globally.

    Conclusion

    The PPVFR Act 2001 is more than just a piece of legislation. It is a recognition of the role farmers play as guardians of biodiversity. By giving legal strength to their age-old practices and knowledge, this Act ensures that innovation, equity and sustainability go hand in hand in Indian agriculture.

  • Invent. Protect. Profit: The Role of Patents in Today’s World

    Invent. Protect. Profit: The Role of Patents in Today’s World

    In the world of innovation and creativity, protecting your original ideas is crucial. Whether you’re an individual inventor, a startup, or a research organization, understanding what a patent is and how it works can empower you to safeguard your innovations and benefit from your hard work.

    Let’s explore everything you need to know about patents—from definition to types, eligibility, and why they matter.

    What Is a Patent?

    A patent is a legal right granted by the government to an inventor. It gives the inventor exclusive rights to make, use, sell, or distribute the invention for a limited period—usually 20 years from the filing date.

    In simple terms, a patent prevents others from copying or using your invention without your permission. It acts like a property right over your idea.

    Why Is a Patent Important?

    Patents are more than just paperwork—they offer strategic, legal, and financial benefits:

    •  Protects your idea from being stolen or copied
    •  Increases commercial value—you can sell or license your patent
    • Gives competitive edge in the market
    •  Encourages innovation by rewarding inventors
    • Attracts investors and boosts credibility

    Types of Patents

    Patents can be broadly classified into three main types:

    1. Utility Patent

    • Covers: New and useful inventions or discoveries (e.g., machines, processes, compositions of matter)
    • Most common type
    • Duration: 20 years from date of filing

    2. Design Patent

    • Covers: New, original, and ornamental design of a functional item (e.g., the shape of a bottle, the look of a phone)
    • Focuses on how something looks and not how it works
    • Duration: 15 years (in the US) from grant date

    3. Plant Patent

    • Covers: New and distinct plant varieties that are asexually reproduced (e.g., hybrid plants)
    • Less common
    • Duration: 20 years

    Note: New plant varieties can be protected under “Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act, 2001” and not under patents.

    What Can Be Patented?

    To qualify for a patent, your invention must meet three main criteria:

    1. Novelty – It must be new, not disclosed publicly anywhere in the world before.
    2. Inventive Step / Non-obviousness – It must be not obvious to someone skilled in the field.
    3. Industrial Applicability – It should be useful and applicable in some industry.

    What Cannot Be Patented?

    Not everything can be patented. Common exclusions include:

    • Abstract ideas or theories
    • Mathematical methods
    • Business models (in some jurisdictions)
    • Medical treatment procedures
    • Natural substances (as they exist in nature)
    • Algorithms (unless tied to a technical solution)

    Who Can Apply for a Patent?

    Anyone can apply for a patent, including:

    • Individual inventors
    • Startups and companies
    • Research institutes or universities
    • Government bodies

    However, only the true inventor or the assignee (e.g., employer or sponsor) can file the application.

    Patent Filing: National vs International

    You can file a patent:

    • Nationally – in a specific country (e.g., India Patent Office, USPTO in the U.S.)
    • Internationally – under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) or Convention Application (application claiming the priority of a country which is a member to Paris Convention which lets you seek protection in multiple countries with a single application

    Conclusion: Patents Empower Innovation

    Patents are a cornerstone of innovation. They encourage creativity, provide monetary rewards, and help build a robust ecosystem for invention. Whether you’re working on a new technology, a clever product design, or a biological breakthrough, securing a patent ensures that your hard work is protected and profitable.

    So, the next time you come up with a groundbreaking idea, remember: a patent could be your best friend.

  • “Wasted Harvest: The Silent Catastrophe on Our Plates”

    “Wasted Harvest: The Silent Catastrophe on Our Plates”

    Imagine this: a farmer in Punjab carefully tends to rows of golden wheat. After months of toil, he finally harvests a bumper crop—but before it ever reaches a plate, a third of it is lost in transport, spoiled by heat and poor storage. Meanwhile, in a high-rise kitchen thousands of miles away, perfectly good spinach wilts in the fridge before it’s tossed in the bin. In another scenario somewhere in an urban India, quintals of onion produce gets destroyed in the hope of good price while people in metropolis buying onions costing more than Rs 100 per kg. These two moments—one rural, one urban—are worlds apart, yet stitched together by a shared thread: food loss and waste, one of the planet’s most overlooked environmental emergencies.

     The Scale of the Problem: A Global Gluttony of Waste

    According to the UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024 in 2022 alone, the world wasted 1.05 billion tons of food, precisely about 132 kg per person per year or about one-fifth of all food available to consumers (UNEP, 2024).
    • Households generated 60% of the total food waste, followed by food services (28%) and retail (12%).
    • This translates to over 1 billion meals wasted every single day, while 783 million people globally go hungry (UN News, 2024).

    The Environmental Toll: Wasting More Than Just Food

    Food waste is not just about what’s scraped off our plates—it’s about everything that went into producing it:

    • Water: Agriculture consumes 70% of global freshwater. Wasting food wastes the water used to grow it (FAO, 2013).
    • Energy: Food production and transport require large amounts of fossil fuels and electricity.
    • Land: Nearly 30% of global agricultural land is used to produce food that is never eaten (FAO, 2013).
    • Climate: Decomposing food in landfills emits methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period (IPCC, 2014). Food waste contributes to 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which is nearly five times more than the entire aviation industry (UNEP, 2024).With a growing global population and rising demand for food, reducing waste is not just a choice—it’s a climate imperative. If food waste were a country, it would be the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, after China and the United States (FAO, 2013).

     Behind the Scenes: The Science of Spoilage and Loss

    Food waste is generally classified into two categories:

    1. Food Loss (Pre-consumer)

    Occurs during production, harvest, storage, and transport—especially in low and middle-income countries. For example, India loses up to 30-40% of fruits and vegetables post-harvest, largely due to poor cold storage infrastructure (FSSAI, 2021).

    2. Food Waste (Post-consumer)

    Happens at retail and consumer levels, driven by:

    • Overbuying and poor planning
    • Misunderstood expiry labels
    • Aesthetic standards that reject “ugly” produce

    In richer countries, per capita waste at household level is as high as 80–110 kg/year, compared to 6–11 kg/year in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (FAO, 2011).

     From Waste to Wisdom: What Can Be Done?

    For Governments & Industries:

    • Invest in cold chains, silos, and rural roads to reduce pre-consumer loss.
    • Enforce “ugly produce” acceptance in supermarkets.
    • Scale digital solutions for inventory management and food redistribution (e.g., Zomato Feeding India, OLIO app).
    • Launch public-private partnerships for measurement and reporting, as seen in the UK and Japan (UNEP, 2024).

    For Individuals:

    • Learn the difference between “best before” and “use by” dates.
    • Plan meals and buy only what you need.
    • Store food properly and use leftovers creatively.
    • Compost kitchen waste instead of sending it to landfills.
    • Support food banks and rescue organizations.

    A Future Where Every Grain Counts

    The challenge of food waste may seem massive, but it’s one of the few global crises that is entirely preventable. The UNEP emphasizes that with just moderate effort, countries can cut food waste in half by 2030, fulfilling UN SDG 12.3 (UNEP, 2024). It will take a recalibration of our relationship with food—from something cheap and disposable to something deeply valuable. Because when we waste food, we’re not just throwing away calories.
    We’re throwing away land, labor, water, hope and the Earth’s future.

    For more information

    UNEP Food Waste Index Report 2024: https://www.unep.org/resources/publication/food-waste-index-report-2024.

    FAO (2013). Food Wastage Footprint: Impacts on Natural Resources https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/1694038d-98f7-40f6-be4b-98782544b9f9/content.

    IPCC (2014). AR5 Climate Change Report: IPCC Summary. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/