Climate change impact: Sunderbans steadily losing its famed mangroves
- Mangrove Forest Cover Changes in Indian Sundarban (1986-2012) Using Remote Sensing and GIS, a publication by the School of Oceanographic Studies, Jadavpur University, reveals that from1986 to 2012, 124.418 sq. km. mangrove forest cover has been lost
- The loss in the mangrove forest in the Indian Sunderbans is about 5.5 %.
- “The continuation of this process in response to climate change and sea level rise poses a serious threat to the carbon sequestration potential and other ecosystem services of this mangrove forest in future"
- “This is because there is less fresh water flow and sediment supply in the western (Indian) part of the delta, so we have starvation of sediment and the rate of sea level rise is higher than sediment supply. Hence we are losing land, including mangrove forest"
- Other than being home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, also harbours a population of 4.5 million people, this study presents definite proof of the loss of land and mangrove cover.
Keep forces of darkness at bay, says Pranab
“I am not talking of vigilantism,
I am talking of: are
we vigilant enough, pro-actively,
to save the basic tenets
of our country?…We have to
reflect when we read in the papers that someone was
lynched...,” the President
said.
Why Bhutan is special to India
Coordinated actions
- Giving a view of India’s role in Bhutan’s security, the MEA statement said, “In keeping with their tradition of maintaining close consultation on matters of mutual interest, RGOB (Royal Government of Bhutan) and the Government of India have been in continuous contact through the unfolding of these developments.”
- It further said that “in coordination” with the Bhutanese government, “Indian personnel, who were present at general area Doklam, approached the Chinese construction party and urged them to desist from changing the status quo. These efforts continue.
- Under the 2007 IndiaBhutan Friendship Treaty, the two sides have agreed to “cooperate closely with each other on issues relating to their national interests. Neither Government shall allow the use of its territory for activities harmful to the national security and interest of the other.”
- Under the previous treaty, India was to “guide” Bhutan on foreign and defence policies.
- The language of the 2007 treaty is meant to respect the sensitivities of Bhutan regarding its sovereignty. But the reality is that the Indian military is virtually responsible for protecting Bhutan from the kind of external threat that the Chinese military poses
Trump takes aggressive line with friends and foes in Asia
- President Donald Trump hardened his treatment of allies and adversaries in Asia this week, pressing South Korea’s visiting leader to overhaul a landmark trade agreement with the U.S. a day after announcing a series of steps that angered China.
- Meeting on Friday with President Moon Jae-in of South Korea, Mr. Trump demanded more access to Korean markets for American cars and less of what he called “dumped” Korean steel in the U.S. — all part of an overhaul of the five-yearold free trade agreement with South Korea that he derided as “not exactly a great deal.”
- The President reaffirmed the U.S. security alliance with South Korea against the threat of a nuclear-armed North Korea. But he showed little patience for Mr. Moon’s hope for engagement with the North — something analysts said could be a future source of friction between the leaders.
- Mr. Trump’s decision on Thursday to impose sanctions on Chinese entities that do business with North Korea was interpreted by some as a shot across the bow not only to Beijing, but also to Mr. Moon, since it emphasises pressure over diplomacy
- President’s approval of a $1.4 billion weapons sale to Taiwan provoked a sulphurous reaction from China.
- China has punished several South Korean firms in retaliation for Seoul’s decision to deploy a U.S. antimissile system.
- The U.S. says the system is designed to deter missiles fired by the North, but China says its own security is also affected.
- Given that South Korea is under intense pressure from the Chinese, some analysts said the harshness of Mr. Trump’s critique of South Korea on trade had caught them by surprise.
