India receives maximum rainfall mostly through the southwest (SW) monsoon,
which accounts for about 75% of the total rainfall received by the country. About
11% of rainfall takes place pre monsoon and about 10% post monsoon. Interannual
variability in monsoon onset, seasonal rainfall distribution, and rainfall intensity
impact the agriculture and water resources of the country. The phase of the El Niño
Southern Oscillation (ENSO) often impacts rainfall amount and distribution: the
warm phase (El Niño) tends to result in lower rainfall, both during and beyond the
monsoon period. Variations in the onset, withdrawal, and amount of precipitation
during the monsoon season affect the water resources, agriculture, power generation,
and ecosystems of the country.
Daily rainfall observations during the period 1901–2004 indicate that the frequency of extreme rainfall events (precipitation rate >100 mm/day) has a significant
positive trend of 6% per decade. Frequency and duration of rainstorms (synoptic
weather systems that have the potential for causing the floods) have also increased
during the past 60 years.
Mineral Resources
India is rich in mineral resources. Of these resources, petrochemicals are mainly
responsible for global warming and further influence the rate of climate change.
India fulfills some of its basic requirements for petrochemicals, but a large proportion is imported from the Arabian countries. By combustion, petrochemicals emit a
significant amount of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere. These GHGs are mainly
responsible for global warming and further climate change. Petrochemical products
are used in industrial activities, the energy sector, transportation, and domestic
requirements. The cement industry also emits greenhouse gas, because limestone,
the major raw material of the cement industry, releases CO 2 in calcination during
clinker formation in the rotary kiln.
CaCO3
CaO + CO2
Other metallic, nonmetallic, economic, and strategic minerals produce less GHC.
Hence, those minerals are not discussed in this chapter.
Forest, Food, and Agriculture
As per the State of Forest Report, forest and tree cover in the country has increased
from approximately 14% in 1950–1951 to around 24.01% in the year 2011–2012,
indicating an appreciable approach by India to reduce atmospheric carbon by fixing
CO 2 through afforestation. The State of Forest Report in 2013 showed the forest
cover of the country as approximately 697,898 km
2 , compared to 692,027 km
2 in
1 New Challenges on Natural Resources and their Impact on Climate Change in the. . .
5
which accounts for about 75% of the total rainfall received by the country. About
11% of rainfall takes place pre monsoon and about 10% post monsoon. Interannual
variability in monsoon onset, seasonal rainfall distribution, and rainfall intensity
impact the agriculture and water resources of the country. The phase of the El Niño
Southern Oscillation (ENSO) often impacts rainfall amount and distribution: the
warm phase (El Niño) tends to result in lower rainfall, both during and beyond the
monsoon period. Variations in the onset, withdrawal, and amount of precipitation
during the monsoon season affect the water resources, agriculture, power generation,
and ecosystems of the country.
Daily rainfall observations during the period 1901–2004 indicate that the frequency of extreme rainfall events (precipitation rate >100 mm/day) has a significant
positive trend of 6% per decade. Frequency and duration of rainstorms (synoptic
weather systems that have the potential for causing the floods) have also increased
during the past 60 years.
Mineral Resources
India is rich in mineral resources. Of these resources, petrochemicals are mainly
responsible for global warming and further influence the rate of climate change.
India fulfills some of its basic requirements for petrochemicals, but a large proportion is imported from the Arabian countries. By combustion, petrochemicals emit a
significant amount of greenhouse gas to the atmosphere. These GHGs are mainly
responsible for global warming and further climate change. Petrochemical products
are used in industrial activities, the energy sector, transportation, and domestic
requirements. The cement industry also emits greenhouse gas, because limestone,
the major raw material of the cement industry, releases CO 2 in calcination during
clinker formation in the rotary kiln.
CaCO3
CaO + CO2
Other metallic, nonmetallic, economic, and strategic minerals produce less GHC.
Hence, those minerals are not discussed in this chapter.
Forest, Food, and Agriculture
As per the State of Forest Report, forest and tree cover in the country has increased
from approximately 14% in 1950–1951 to around 24.01% in the year 2011–2012,
indicating an appreciable approach by India to reduce atmospheric carbon by fixing
CO 2 through afforestation. The State of Forest Report in 2013 showed the forest
cover of the country as approximately 697,898 km
2 , compared to 692,027 km
2 in
1 New Challenges on Natural Resources and their Impact on Climate Change in the. . .
5