Content:
- Seaweed: A Nutritional Powerhouse From The Ocean
- WASTE TO ENERGY PROJECTS
Seaweed: A Nutritional Powerhouse From The Ocean
Seaweed is a Marine macroalgae rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids—used in food, pharma, cosmetics, fertilizers.Used since 4th century Japan, 6th century China.
Long ignored in India despite a 7,500 km coastline.
Relevance : GS Paper 3 – Economy, Environment, Agriculture, Science & Tech
Nutritional & Medicinal Value
- Natural superfood: Seaweed is rich in essential amino acids, vitamins (A, B12, C, E), omega-3 fatty acids, and 54 trace elements including iodine, calcium, magnesium, and iron.
- Health benefits: Helps combat chronic illnesses like:
- Cancer & diabetes (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties).
- Cardiovascular diseases (lowers cholesterol and blood pressure).
- Arthritis (anti-inflammatory agents).
- Traditional use: Historically consumed in China (6th century) and Japan (4th century)—example of ancient nutrition wisdom now entering mainstream diets.
Sustainability & Climate Resilience
- Low resource input: Grows in seawater—no need for:
- Land (helps reduce agri-pressure).
- Freshwater (vital amid water scarcity).
- Pesticides or fertilizers (eco-friendly).
- Carbon sink: Absorbs CO₂, mitigating climate change—aligns with India’s climate goals
- Improves marine ecosystems: Provides habitats, enhances biodiversity, and filters pollutants.
Agricultural Applications
- Biostimulants are natural substances or microorganisms that enhance plant growth, nutrient uptake, and stress tolerance, without being fertilizers or pesticides.
- Seaweed-derived inputs enhance:
- Soil fertility.
- Crop resilience to droughts/diseases.
- Nutrient uptake efficiency.
- Organic farming boost: Supported under schemes like:
- Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY).
- MOVCD-NER—particularly impactful in NE India.
Economic & Livelihood Dimensions
- High-income potential:
- Kappaphycus alvarezii farming yields ₹13,28,000/ha/year.
- Income diversification for small fishers.
- Empowerment model:
- Women-led initiatives in Tamil Nadu created jobs & community entrepreneurship.
- Financial inclusion through SHGs and cooperatives (e.g., TAFCOFED).
- Post-harvest industrial value chains:
- Production of alginate, agar, carrageenan (used in food, pharma, cosmetics).
- Integration with cosmetics, biofuel, nutraceuticals, fertilizers—high-value verticals.
Global Market Potential
- US$ 5.6 billion global industry, projected to double by 2030 (US$ 11.8 billion).
- Export potential: India’s untapped coastline can position it as a major player—aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat and Blue Economy vision.
- Technology transfer opportunity: Collaboration with leading seaweed countries (Japan, South Korea) to scale production and processing.
Science, R&D, and Innovation
- CSIR-CSMCRI tissue culture for high-yielding Kappaphycus:
- Ensures disease-free planting material.
- Increases productivity by 20-30%.
- Seed banks & Seaweed Park:
- Tamil Nadu Seaweed Park: First of its kind for integrated seaweed value chain development.
- Brood Bank in Daman & Diu: Ensures quality seed supply.
Policy Push & Institutional Support
- PMMSY:
- ₹640 crore allocated for seaweed sector (2020–25).
- Targets: 1.12 million tonnes seaweed production.
- Support infrastructure: 46,095 rafts, 65,330 tube nets approved.
- Fertilizer (Control) Order, 1985 amended to regulate seaweed-based biostimulants.
Challenges
- Climate risk & cyclones affecting marine farms.
- Lack of cold chain/logistics & processing units near coastal belts.
- Poor market access & price fluctuations—need for MSP-like mechanisms or cooperatives.
- R&D-Industry disconnect—technology innovations not always reaching farmers.
Way Forward
- Cluster-based seaweed farming models for economies of scale.
- Skill development & training for women/youth in coastal areas.
- Digital traceability for quality assurance in exports.
- PPP models for investment in processing infrastructure.
- Integration into food security & nutrition policies (e.g., Mid-day meals, ICDS).
WASTE TO ENERGY PROJECTS
Context & Evolution :
- Historical Neglect: Prior to 2016, India lacked a robust and enforceable national framework for decentralized waste segregation, processing, and scientific disposal.
- SC Intervention (Almitra Patel Case): Supreme Court observations on solid waste (since 1996) paved the way for stricter rules in 2016.
- Technological Lag: Pre-2016, most municipalities relied on open dumping and unscientific landfilling due to lack of incentives for adopting technologies like biomethanation or composting.
- Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) – Urban 1.0: Laid the groundwork for infrastructure and public awareness, which SBM 2.0 builds upon with more scientific focus.
- CPCB Reports & Data Gaps: Lack of real-time monitoring and project tracking; this led to initiatives like the https://swachhurban.org dashboard.
Relevance :GS Paper 3 – Environment, Infrastructure, and Governance
Core Provisions of SWM Rules, 2016
- Zero Landfill Principle: Only non-recyclable, non-reactive, and inert waste permitted in landfills.
- Mandatory Processing: All ULBs and panchayats must prioritize recycling, reuse, and waste-to-energy.
- Legacy Waste Management:
- Bio-mining and bio-remediation mandated.
- Legacy sites to be analysed scientifically before action.
- Decentralized Processing: Encourages technologies like:
- Bio-methanation
- Vermi-/microbial composting
- Anaerobic digestion
- Waste-to-Energy (WtE)
- Infrastructure Mandate: ULBs must construct processing units; MoHUA provides model procurement documents.
- Technological Neutrality: Adoption of suitable technologies per local waste profile, guided by CPCB norms.
Implementation Ecosystem
1. Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0
- Launch: October 1, 2021 – aims for scientific waste processing and legacy waste clearance.
- Targets: 100% source segregation, zero landfill, and sustainable waste management systems.
- Progress:
- Waste processing up from 16% (2014) to 80.49% (2023).
- Legacy waste clearance prioritized for first time on national scale.
- Tools:
- City Solid Waste Action Plans (CSWAP)
- Central Financial Assistance (CFA) via project-based funding.
- Dashboard tracking for transparency and real-time monitoring.
2. GOBARdhan Initiative
- Waste-to-Wealth Vision: 500 new plants (200 CBG incl. 75 urban).
- Community Biogas: ₹50 lakh/district under SBM-Grameen Phase II.
- Current Status: 895 functional community plants across 20 states (e.g., Chhattisgarh – 281, MP – 115).
3. Waste to Energy Program – MNRE
- New Guidelines (2022) for biogas, bio-CNG, and biopower plants.
- Excludes MSW-to-Power Projects (focuses on agri/industrial/urban organic waste).
- Performance (2018–2025):
- 50 projects.
- 53.80 MWeq capacity.
- ₹146.34 Cr CFA.
- Leading states: Gujarat, Maharashtra, UP.
Impact & Policy Futures
- Circular Economy Push:
- Resource recovery via RDF, compost, and CBG.
- Alignment with India’s SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) & SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption).
- Carbon Neutrality & Climate Commitments:
- Reduction in methane emissions via biomethanation.
- Avoided emissions through landfill minimization.
- Waste-to-Energy Sector Growth:
- Integration with India’s Bio-Energy Roadmap.
- Opportunity for private investment under PPP models.
- Livelihood Generation:
- Informal waste picker integration.
- Skill development in composting, MRF operation, and CBG plant maintenance.
- Urban Governance Reforms:
- Greater decentralization.
- Financial autonomy via revenue from compost sales, RDF, electricity, and CBG.
- Data-Driven Planning:
- Real-time monitoring to plug leakages in collection, transportation, and processing.
- GIS mapping of dumpsites and processing plants.
Challenges & Way Forward
- Challenges:
- Segregation at source still inconsistent.
- Financial constraints in small ULBs.
- Technical skills for O&M of biogas and WtE plants.
- Land availability for decentralized plants.
- Way Forward:
- Incentivize household-level segregation.
- Up-skill urban workers and ragpickers.
- Enforce Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastic and e-waste.
- Encourage climate financing (e.g., Green Bonds) for WtE projects.
- Promote inter-state collaboration for bulk waste transport and shared infrastructure.
