Mains Practice Questions for the Day
Q. Forest fires in India, especially in the Himalayan region, require a shift from reactive response to technology-enabled and community-based prevention. Discuss.
(GS Paper III – Disaster Management / Environment)
Introduction:
Forest fires are uncontrolled fires that consume vegetation, litter and organic matter. They have become a serious environmental and disaster-management challenge, especially in the Himalayan region. A Parliamentary Standing Committee recently flagged gaps in monitoring and recommended a geostationary satellite, dedicated NDRF response centres, and a National Pine-Needle Utilisation Policy for forest fire management.
Body
1. Forest Fire Vulnerability in India
- India’s forest and tree cover is around 24% of its geographical area.
- About 54.40% of India’s forest area is vulnerable to occasional fires.
- The forest fire season generally extends from November to June.
- Fire incidents rise during March, April and May due to dry biomass and high temperatures.
- Western and Eastern Himalayas form around 17% of India’s landmass, but account for nearly 57% of forest fire incidents.
2. Major Causes
- Human activities: Burning for fresh grass, poaching, illegal tree cutting and shifting cultivation.
- Fuel load: Accumulation of dry leaves, branches and pine needles.
- Chir pine risk: Resin-rich pine needles, locally called Pirul, are highly inflammable.
- Climate stress: Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, dry spells and lightning increase fire intensity.
- Local practices: Mohua/tendu leaf collection and jhum cultivation can trigger fires in some regions.
3. Impacts
- Loss of vegetation, wildlife habitats and biodiversity.
- Release of greenhouse gases such as CO₂, methane and nitrous oxide.
- Forests may shift from carbon sinks to carbon sources, called carbon flipping.
- Soil degradation and erosion, especially on Himalayan slopes.
- Damage to agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and local livelihoods.
- Smoke causes respiratory problems and air-quality deterioration.
4. Present Monitoring and Management
- Forest Survey of India issues satellite-based forest fire alerts to State Forest Departments.
- Current monitoring uses foreign satellites such as AQUA and Suomi-NPP.
- States are primarily responsible for forest fire prevention and control.
- Methods include watch towers, fire watchers, fire lines, water structures, remote sensing and community involvement.
5. Way Forward
- Launch a geostationary satellite for continuous monitoring.
- Set up dedicated NDRF regional response centres in the Himalayan region.
- Implement a National Pine-Needle Utilisation Policy to reduce fuel load and create livelihoods.
- Strengthen the National Action Plan on Forest Fire through community incentives.
- Use GIS, MODIS data, early-warning systems and climate-risk mapping.
- Train forest staff and forest-fringe communities for prevention and rapid response.
Conclusion:
Forest fires must be treated as a climate-linked disaster, not merely a seasonal forest issue. India needs a combined strategy of technology, community participation, fuel-load management, legal enforcement and ecological restoration. A preventive and region-specific approach is essential to protect forests, biodiversity, livelihoods and climate resilience.
Q. Bharat Taxi represents an attempt to make India’s platform economy more inclusive through cooperative ownership. Discuss.
(GS Paper III – Economy / Employment / Digital Economy)
Introduction:
India’s platform economy has grown rapidly, especially in urban mobility. However, it has also raised concerns related to driver earnings, commission-based dependence, weak social security and limited worker participation in governance. Bharat Taxi, India’s first cooperative-led ride-hailing platform, seeks to address these issues through a driver-owned cooperative model.
Body
1. Cooperative Ownership Model
- Bharat Taxi is registered under the Multi-State Cooperative Societies Act, 2002.
- Drivers are called Sarathis and can become member-owners of the platform.
- The model follows the idea of “Saarthi Hi Maalik”, meaning the driver is also the owner.
- Sarathis can participate in decision-making through cooperative governance and representation in the Board of Directors.
2. Fairer Earnings for Drivers
- Bharat Taxi follows a zero-commission model.
- Drivers retain full fare earnings instead of paying ride-based commission.
- The platform also follows a surge-free pricing model, making fares more transparent for passengers.
- This can reduce income uncertainty among platform workers.
3. Social Security Support
- Sarathis are facilitated to register on the e-Shram portal.
- They may access welfare benefits such as Ayushman Bharat–PMJAY health cover.
- Additional support includes accident insurance and group health insurance through institutional partnerships.
- This is important because gig workers often remain outside formal labour protection.
4. Inclusive Mobility
- Sarathi Didi allows women passengers to choose women drivers.
- Bike Didi encourages women to participate as bike taxi drivers.
- These initiatives support women’s safety and livelihood generation.
5. Role of Digital Public Infrastructure
- Bharat Taxi is integrated with DigiLocker, UMANG and API Setu.
- This supports paperless onboarding, digital verification, cashless payments and efficient service delivery.
- It shows how Digital India infrastructure can support cooperative enterprises.
Challenges
- Competition from established private ride-hailing platforms.
- Need to maintain service reliability and app quality.
- Financial sustainability of the zero-commission model.
- Ensuring transparent cooperative governance as the platform expands.
- Maintaining safety, grievance redressal and social security delivery.
Way Forward
- Strengthen Sarathi participation in governance.
- Expand city-level partnerships with metros, airports and traffic police.
- Ensure universal e-Shram and insurance coverage for Sarathis.
- Improve digital training, app performance and customer grievance systems.
- Scale women-led mobility initiatives with safety and financial support.
Conclusion:
Bharat Taxi is more than a ride-hailing application; it is a cooperative experiment in India’s platform economy. By combining worker ownership, zero-commission earnings, digital public infrastructure, social security and inclusive mobility, it can offer a more equitable model of urban transport. Its success will depend on transparent governance, service quality and sustained welfare support for Sarathis.
