1 March 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis

1. The necessity of mainstreaming wetland conservation

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Focus on Wetland Conservation

• A recent legal initiative has been undertaken to monitor the conservation of wetlands in a northeastern state of India.
• Every year, February 2 is observed as ‘World Wetlands Day’ to mark the adoption of the Ramsar Convention in 1971.
• The 2023 theme, ‘Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future,’ highlights their role in sustainable development.

Threats to Wetlands

• Wetlands are one of the most biologically productive ecosystems, covering 12.1 million km² globally and providing 40.6% of ecosystem services.
• Rapid urbanization, population growth, industrialization, and climate change have put wetlands under severe stress.
• Studies indicate that since 1900, 50% of wetlands have been lost. From 1970 to 2015, wetland surface areas declined by 35%.
• Inland wetland species populations have declined by 81%, and coastal/marine species by 36% since 1970.

Challenges in Conservation

• Wetlands are essential for water management, climate change mitigation, and urban infrastructure.
• The 2022 Ramsar Convention stressed that wetland conservation must be linked with broader global environmental initiatives.
• The Convention’s Strategic Plan aims to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), global biodiversity targets, and climate agreements.
• The urgency to protect wetlands has increased due to biodiversity loss, climate change, and global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wetland Conservation in India

• India is a signatory to the Ramsar Convention and has designated 75 Ramsar sites as of 2023.
• These wetlands cover 1.33 million hectares, around 8% of India’s total wetland area of 15.98 million hectares.
• According to the 2017-18 National Wetland Decadal Change Atlas, 66.6% of wetlands in India are natural, with 43.9% inland and 22.7% coastal.
• The data indicate a decline in natural wetlands, particularly along the coast, while man-made wetlands are increasing.
• A study by a regional wetland research organization found that 30% of India’s natural wetlands have been lost in the past four decades due to urban expansion, infrastructure projects, and pollution.
• Urban wetlands are under significant threat, with major cities experiencing severe losses:
  • Mumbai lost 71% of its wetlands from 1970 to 2014.
  • Kolkata’s wetlands shrank by 36% between 1991 and 2021.
  • Chennai lost 85% of its wetlands, as per a recent study.

Economic Impact of Wetland Loss

• The loss of wetlands reduces ecosystem services, affecting economic and social well-being.
• A study in Colombia estimated that the loss of urban wetlands leads to an annual economic impact of $76,827 per hectare.
• The economic loss in peri-urban areas due to wetland degradation is estimated at $30,354 per hectare per year.

 Conclusion

• Wetlands are vital for ecological balance, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
• Strengthening conservation efforts through integrated policies, sustainable management, and community participation is essential to prevent their further degradation and ensure long-term environmental sustainability.

2. The steps that will shape India’s AI ambition

(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 6)

Challenges Faced by Indian Software Developers

• Indian software developers in Bengaluru are facing intense competition from Chinese rivals for AI-driven projects with international clients.
• Despite having a highly skilled workforce, Indian firms often lose deals due to technological capabilities that they struggle to match.
• The challenge is not just about preferring local or foreign AI platforms but about ensuring that market regulations do not slow down India’s progress in AI.

India’s Competition in AI Development

• India is engaged in a three-way race:
  • Catching up with Silicon Valley.
  • Competing with China.
  • Facing emerging competition from Southeast Asia.
• To remain at the forefront of AI, Indian businesses must integrate AI technologies into their operations.

Balancing Regulation and Growth

• India has already developed a significant portion of the AI value chain.
• Additional compliance costs could put India at a disadvantage against China and the U.S., which are opting for minimal AI regulations.
• Over-regulation may force businesses to relocate IT development and research to more AI-friendly nations.

Global Approaches to AI Regulation

• Different countries are adopting varied approaches:
  • European Union (EU): Implements strict regulations to address risks and social impacts of AI.
  • United States: Follows a more relaxed approach, prioritizing AI innovation over regulation.
  • India: Faces a challenge in deciding between these two paths while protecting its industrial and technological growth.

Lessons for India in AI Policy

• Unlike the EU, India does not face structural challenges like fragmented governance across member states.
• AI regulation should not disrupt India’s export capabilities, especially when China already dominates AI-related hardware and cloud technologies.
• India should develop policies that align with its strengths in the IT services sector rather than blindly following Western AI regulations.

The Need for a Clear AI Policy in India

• India’s AI policy is currently fragmented due to conflicting regulations from different agencies.
• Instead of creating new laws, India should strengthen and adapt its existing legal frameworks on:
  • Antitrust and corporate liability.
  • Free speech and public order.
• The current IT Act may already provide enough guidelines for AI without requiring a separate AI-specific law.

The Way Forward

• India must define its own AI regulatory strategy based on national interests.
• The focus should be on:
  • Encouraging AI adoption at scale.
  • Supporting open-source AI models.
  • Facilitating knowledge transfer in India’s IT sector.
• Government efforts should also ensure that AI remains open, accessible, and commercially viable through international collaborations.

Read more – 28 February 2025 : The Hindu Editorial Analysis