UPSC Essentialsbrings to you its initiative for the practice ofMains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics ofGS-3to check your progress.
Recent controversies on adding unhealthy amounts of sugar to baby products should lead to tightening rules and plugging regulatory gaps in the food market. Discuss.
QUESTION 2
What are the reasons for the increase in frequency of forest fires in India? Discuss how climate change adds to the risk of forest fire.
General points on the structure of the answers
Introduction
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— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.
— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.
Body
— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.
— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.
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— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.
— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.
— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.
Way forward/ conclusion
— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.
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— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.
Self Evaluation
— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice.UPSC Essentialswill provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.
THOUGHT PROCESS
You may enrich your answers by some of the following points
QUESTION 1: Recent controversies on adding unhealthy amounts of sugar to baby products should lead to tightening rules and plugging regulatory gaps in the food market. Discuss.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:
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— According to a recent report, the babies product of Nestle in Asia, Africa and Latin America were found to contain added sugars, while the same products sold in Europe did not have it.
— Sugar is generally not recommended for infants, although guidelines in several developing countries do not explicitly prohibit it.
— The first two years are critical for the growth and development of children. Breastfed children get sugar from the lactose in their mother’s milk anyway.
— Studies have also shown that children fed a sugar-heavy diet are more likely to develop obesity, cardiovascular diseases and tooth decay compared to children who eat balanced meals.
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— India has the highest number of childhood diabetes cases in the world. In March, a Lancet study revealed that more than 12 million children in India between five and 19 were grossly overweight.
Why are added sugars harmful?
— According to the American Heart Association (AHA), natural sugar is “found in milk (lactose) and fruit (fructose). Any product that contains milk (such as yogurt, milk or cream) or fruit (fresh, dried) contains some natural sugars.”
— Free sugar or added sugar is added separately to a food item during preparation or processing. It can “include natural sugars such as white sugar, brown sugar and honey, as well as other caloric sweeteners that are chemically manufactured (such as high fructose corn syrup).”
— Public Eye reported that Nestlé’s baby food products with added sugars are “permitted under national legislation (of some countries) despite the fact that they go against World Health Organisation guidelines.”
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— Sugar consumption is supposed to be kept limited for health reasons. The risks of contracting non-communicable diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and heart-related ailments, are then increased.
— Low and middle-income countries are increasingly being exposed to free sugars with growing incomes and the proliferation of giant global food brands that mass produce their products.
— A UNICEF-supported study from December 2023 found that of the 1,600 infant cereals, snacks and ready-to-eat meals marketed at young children in Southeast Asia, nearly half of the products (44 per cent) included added sugars and sweeteners.
Conclusion:
— The International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) and the Switzerland-based investigating agency, Public Eye, alleged that the company added 2.7 g of sugar per serving to its baby food brand, Cerelac, destined for developing countries, including India.
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— Nestle has defended itself and said that it has reduced added sugar in its baby food products in India by over 30 per cent over the past five years.
— As the National Commission for the Protection of Child Rights has demanded, the FSSAI probe should cover all baby food manufacturers.
(Source: Nestlé’s baby food sold in Asian, African countries had added sugars: Why is sugar harmful? by Rishika Singh, Express View on Nestle controversy: Check the sugar)
Points to Ponder
Examples of added sugars
Difference between natural sugar and added sugar?
Related Previous Year Questions
Elaborate the scope and significance of the food processing industry in India. (2022)
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What are the impediments in marketing and supply chain management in developing the food processing industry in India? Can e-commerce help in overcoming these bottlenecks? (2015)
QUESTION 2: What are the reasons for the increase in frequency of forest fires in India? Discuss how climate change adds to the risk of forest fire.
Introduction:
— Forest fires are a regular phenomenon in our country often observed during summers.
— Severe fires occur in many forest types particularly dry deciduous forests, while evergreen, semi-evergreen and montane temperate forests are comparatively less prone.
— Precious forest resources including carbon locked in the biomass are lost due to forest fires every year, which adversely impact the flow of goods and services from forests.
— Satellite based remote sensing technology and GIS tools have been effective in better prevention and management of fires through creation of early warning for fire prone areas, monitoring fires on real time basis and estimation of burnt scars.
Body:
You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:
Frequency of forest fires in India
— The forest fire season in India lasts between November to June.
— There are several factors like temperatures, precipitation, vegetation, and moisture contribute to the scale and frequency of these fires. Dry leaves are fuel for forest fires.
— Nearly 4% of the country’s forest cover is extremely prone to fire, whereas 6% of forest cover is found to be very highly fire prone (ISFR 2019).
— As per the ISFR 2021, the states in northeastern India showed the highest tendency for forest fires and parts of western Maharashtra, southern Chhattisgarh, central Odisha and regions in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka also showed patches of extremely and very highly fire-prone zones.
Role of climate change in forest fires
— Most fires are believed to be man-made, due to changes in agriculture and unchecked land-use patterns.
— The forest department has previously cited four causes of wildfires in Uttarakhand –
(a) Deliberate fires by locals,
(b) Carelessness,
(c) Farming-related activities and
(d) Natural reasons.
— The spike in the temperatures has resulted in more frequent and more intense extreme weather events across the world such as heat waves, droughts, floods, hurricanes, and wildfires.
— Climate change like patterns of natural climate variability, such as El Niño and La Niña, that contribute to such events, according to Climate Change: Evidence and Causes, a jointly produced publication of The US National Academy of Sciences and The Royal Society.
— Extreme heat also creates conditions more prone to wildfire and a longer wildfire season by evaporating more and more moisture from land.
Conclusion:
— The helicopter used a “Bambi Bucket”, also known as a helicopter bucket or a helibucket, to collect water from Bhimtal lake, located near Nainital, and poured it over the burning forests.
— According to a government report, locals set forests on fire for the growth of good quality grass, to cover up illegal cutting of trees, for poaching, etc.
(Source: Uttarakhand forest fire: How are forest fires caused and how frequent are they in India?, What is a Bambi Bucket, being used by an IAF helicopter to fight Nainital forest fires? by Alind Chauhan, fsi.nic.in)
Points to Ponder
ISFR 2021
What is a Bambi bucket?
Efforts which can reduce forest fires
Related Previous Year Questions
Explain the mechanism and occurrence of cloudburst in the context of the Indian subcontinent. Discuss two recent examples. (2022)
The frequency of urban floods due to high intensity rainfall is increasing over the years. Discussing the reasons for urban floods, highlight the mechanisms for preparedness to reduce the risk during such events. (2016)
Previous Mains Answer Practice
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 47)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 48)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 48)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 47)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 47)
UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 48)
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