Day-299 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY

[WpProQuiz 344]




TOPIC : THE LESSON FROM COVID 19- INDIA NEEDS STATE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLAN

THE CONTEXT: The spike in recent years in extreme calamities, topped by the Covid outbreak, spotlights the urgency of better disaster preparedness in Indian states and the Centre. Health pandemics like Covid and climate hazards like the Uttarakhand floods or Delhi heat waves have differing origins, but they spotlight common gaps in readiness. With extreme health and climate disasters set to continue, these events must be seen as regular occurrences rather than one-off acts of nature. Ranked by HSBC as the most vulnerable to climate change among 67 nations, India needs to make a paradigm shift to prioritize preparedness and not just recovery. This preparedness plan must be tailor made to the unique requirements of the states.

WHAT IS A DISASTER?

  • As per Disaster Management Act, 2005 disaster is defined as “A catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence in any area, arising from natural or manmade causes, or by accident or negligence which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damage to, and destruction of property, or damage to, or degradation of environment and is of such a nature or magnitude as to be beyond the coping capacity of the community of the affected area.”
  • The United Nations defines disaster as “the occurrence of sudden or major misfortune which disrupts the basic fabric and normal functioning of the society or community”.

UNDERSTANDING DISASTER MANAGEMENT

  • As per Disaster Management Act, 2005, “disaster management” means a continuous and integrated process of planning, organising, coordinating and implementing measures to deal with disasters.
  • In other words, Disaster Management is the organization and management of resources and responsibilities for dealing with all humanitarian aspects of emergencies, in particular preparedness, response and recovery in order to lessen the impact of disasters.
  • Disaster management includes administrative decisions and operational activities that involve Prevention · Mitigation · Preparedness · Response · Recovery · Rehabilitation
  • Key Phases of Disaster Management There are three key phases of activity within disaster management:
  1. Pre – Disaster: Before a disaster to reduce the potential for human, material or environmental losses caused by hazards and to ensure that these losses are minimized when the disaster actually strikes.
  2. During Disaster: It is to ensure that the needs and provisions of victims are met to alleviate and minimize suffering.
  3. Post Disaster: After a disaster to achieve rapid and durable recovery which does not reproduce the original vulnerable conditions

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: CONCEPT

  • The focus of this write up is on the necessity of state specific Pre disaster preparedness/readiness plans.
  • Hitherto, the approach towards coping with the effects of natural disasters has been post disaster management, limited to problems such as law and order, evacuation and warnings, communications, search and rescue, fire-fighting, medical and psychiatric assistance, provision of relief and sheltering, etc
  • It is not possible to do away with the devastation of natural hazards completely. However, experience has shown that destruction from natural hazards can be minimised by a well-functioning warning system, combined with preparedness on the part of the vulnerable community.
  • Warning systems and preparedness measures reduce/ modify the scale of disasters
  • It is becoming increasingly evident now that a relatively smaller investment in disaster preparedness can save thousands of lives and vital economic assets, as well as reduce the cost of overall relief assistance.
  • This preparedness process embraces measures that enables governments, communities and individuals to respond rapidly to disaster situations to cope with them effectively.
  • Preparedness includes for example, the formulation of viable emergency plans, the development of warning systems, the maintenance of inventories, public awareness and education and the training of personnel.
  • It may also embrace search and rescue measures as well as evacuation plans for areas that may be „at risk‟ from a recurring disaster.
  • All preparedness planning needs to be supported by appropriate rules and regulations with clear all allocation of responsibilities and budgetary provision.
  • According to Sendai Framework (2015-2030), one of the priorities of action is enhancing disaster preparedness for effective response.

BENEFITS OF DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLANS: CASE STUDY FROM STATES

STATE

MEASURES TAKEN

KERALA

  • Kerala stands out for its handling of recent catastrophes.
  • Despite high levels of recorded infection rates, Kerala has a 0.3% death rate from Covid, the same as Singapore’s, which has the world’s lowest death rate.
  • Early detection, swift isolation and speedy contact-tracing have been responsible.
  • The use of frugal innovative methods as platforms for decision-making has been effective, as has been Kerala’s oxygen management, direct procurement of vaccines and a policy of zero vaccine wastage.
  • The state has effectively used the E-E Sanjeevani telemedicine portal, offering psycho-social support for the sick.
  • The needs of frontline workers, the elderly living alone and of migrant labourers—challenges in other Indian states too—have been a priority for Kerala’s government.

ODISHA

  • Odisha has a great community outreach system through which people are being reached on time.
  • It now has a network of 450 cyclone shelters and there is a robust mechanism for the maintenance of the cyclone shelters—each cyclone shelter has a maintenance committee where youth have been involved and trained for search and rescue, first aid medical attention, and for providing cyclone warnings.
  • Through a network of these shelters and committees and training, the state has involved the entire community; it is now fairly easy to disseminate warnings and move people into safe cyclone shelters.
  • The state’s disaster management systems are monitored twice each year, given the propensity of natural disasters in the state.
  • This is not the first time that a poor state like Odisha has managed to successfully evacuate millions of people during a natural disaster; it also did so during Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
  • Odisha has managed to create a sense of community during such disasters that other states can also emulate.
  • This disaster readiness was evident when Cyclone Fani hit Odisha in May 2021.
  • The Odisha government showed a high degree of preparedness and effectively managed to evacuate about 1.2 million people based on these predictions.
  • The government of Odisha successfully managed to minimize the loss of life; this itself was not a small exercise and required tremendous effort.

WHY INDIA NEEDS STATE SPECIFIC DISASTER PREPAREDNESS PLANS?

REASON

EXPLANATION

LEGAL REQUIREMENT

  • According to Section 23 of DMA Act, there shall be a plan for disaster management for every State called as State Disaster Management Plan.

SPECIFIC VULNERABILITIES

  • Vulnerability is the inability to resist a hazard or to respond when a disaster has occurred. For instance, people who live on plains are more vulnerable to floods than people who live higher up. The vulnerability of states and the different parts of the State vary to different forms of disasters. For instance, coastal areas are vulnerable to cyclones while mountain regions to landslides.

ADMINISTRATIVE SET UP

  • The administrative arrangements in the states differ on multiple counts. For instance, the number of departments, the human, physical, financial resources available, their roles and responsibilities etc vary considerably. Thus a specific disaster preparedness plans can account for these diverse factors.

DISASTER RISK ASSESSMENT AND REDUCTION

  • India has a Protocol for Disaster Risk Assessment and Reduction, based on composite methods of states and the experience of the National Disaster Management Authority in disaster management. But a vast gap remains from the parts of states in implementing vital investments in infrastructure, education and health needed for disaster mitigation.

SUCCESS STORIES

  • The Kerala and Odisha success stories provide a strong and compelling case for tailor made state disaster preparedness plans to be formulated by other states.

COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP

  • In Gorakhpur, local communities are using nature-based solutions to build resilience against frequent floods. Gorakhpur Environmental Action Group has come up with climate resilient methods for vulnerable communities. For example, farmers switched from mono-cropping to rotating multiple crops to improve soil health and drainage. Several adopted organic practices, which reduce harmful run-off in nearby rivers. A weather advisory group helps farmers use a text message-based early warning system to schedule irrigation and harvesting.

CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES

  • Climate change can increase disaster risk in a variety of ways – by altering the frequency and intensity of hazard events, affecting vulnerability to hazards, and changing exposure patterns. Climate change is already modifying the frequency and intensity of many weather-related hazards as well as steadily increasing the vulnerability and eroding the resilience of exposed populations that depend arable land, access to water, and stable mean temperatures and rainfall. States face unique challenges of climate change related disasters.

CAPACITY BUILDING

  • The resource endowments of states in India vary considerably. For instance, State investments in health differ enormously. Kerala’s per capita public health expenditure, for example, is about twice that of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Thus, states’ preparedness plans can provide for a streamlined strategy for acquisition, organisation, training and coordination of all relevant stakeholders.

WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS IN STATE DISASTER PREPAREDNESS?

The problem areas in preparedness are organisational and planning related issues, like inadequate policy direction, outdated plans and over concentration on recovery and response activities, which leads to low preparedness.

Lack of resources or resource organisations and unclear allocation of these resources is also likely to create gaps or overlaps in the preparedness arrangements.

Other problems like inadequate coordination and lack of cooperation at the policy making and implementation level, public awareness and suitable training for the disaster managers usually contribute significantly to poor disaster preparedness activities. The problems in state disaster preparedness are summarized below

FRAGILE INSTITUTIONS

  • Disaster Management Act 2005, provides for institutional mechanisms like, State Disaster Management Authorities (SDMAs), District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs).  However, in many cases, these institutions are not active and operational except a few exceptions.
  •  Recently, In its performance audit report on the disaster management mechanism in the country, submitted to Parliament, CAG had highlighted that the Uttarakhand disaster management authority (SDMA), constituted in 2007, had not formulated any rules, regulations, policies or guidelines for disaster management in the state.
  • One of the major reasons why the Uttarakhand government was unable to contain the scale of the devastation that has taken place in the state because of flash floods was its lack of preparedness to deal with such disasters.
  • The Second wave of Corona pandemic saw a near total collapse of health systems in the States. The total lack of disaster preparedness despite warnings has proved very costly in terms of human lives.

POOR  COMPLIANCE OF POLICIES

  • Even though the Disaster Management Act 2005 stipulated the setting up of the Disaster Response Fund and the Disaster Mitigation Fund at national, state and district levels, only the National and State Disaster Response Funds have become operational till now.
  • The increasing frequency and damage to property, assets and infrastructure caused by recurring disasters makes it imperative that the provisions of the Disaster Management Act 2005 are enforced in letter and spirit

HAZARD RISK AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS

  • Identifying the characteristics, frequency and potential severity of the hazards a community faces are crucial. Also it is vital to Identify the particular geographical areas and communities that are most susceptible and vulnerable to those hazards and to anticipate how they might be affected. Every state’s hazard risk and vulnerability profile is unique.

PREPAREDNESS PLANNING

  • Disaster preparedness planning involves identifying organisational resources, determining roles and responsibilities, developing policies and procedures and planning preparedness activities aimed at ensuring timely disaster preparation and effective emergency response. However, the preparedness planning of the states, wherever they exist, have been largely affected by adhocism, duplication and overlapping of roles, and poor policy coherence.

COORDINATION

  •  Coordination between Various levels of governments, agencies and departments, civil defence,  fire brigades, health departments and clinics, international agencies, NGOs and others etc are very important. The poor state of coordination has been visible when the oxygen crisis in the National Capital lead to death of scores of Covid positive patients for want of timely supply of oxygen. A visibly angry Supreme Court had to intervene to remedy the situation by setting up a National Task Force on medical oxygen allocation.

PUBLIC EDUCATION, TRAINING AND REHEARSALS.

  • Public education campaigns, training of response teams and rehearsals of emergency response scenarios must be an integral part of state’s disaster preparedness. Hardly any concrete steps being taken by the states to mainstream this aspect in its governance process. An example to be emulated is that of Kerala. In order to assess the preparedness of the district in mitigating the impact of monsoon -related calamities, the district administration conducted a mock drill in line with the action plan of the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
  • It  tested  the efficiency of the rescue operations and relief activities in case of a major landslide in the high ranges and the consequent rush of floodwaters

COMMUNITY BASED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

  • Local populations in disaster-stricken areas are the first to respond to a disaster.
  • They also have keen awareness of unique challenges of the area in terms of vulnerability etc.
  • They are usually involved in search and rescue activities as well as in providing emergency treatment and relief to their families, friends and neighbours. Thus, making community a vital part of disaster preparedness rather than seeing them as ‘victims of disaster who must be helped” should be on the agenda of disaster readiness planning.

WHAT MUST BE DONE?

  • In dealing with covid, local efforts have also played a critical role, be it citizens’ responses in such cities as Delhi, Guwahati and Jaipur, or those of gram panchayats in rural areas.
  • But across the country, covid has revealed glaring gaps in health systems, and, in many instances, poor governance and often a lack of trust in governments.
  • In Australia, following its deadly bushfires of 2018 and 2019, Insurance Australia Group recommended that government funding prioritize risk reduction, lessening the need for spending on disaster recovery. To aid in better preparedness, the Australian Natural Disaster Resilience Index now assesses the risk profiles and resilience of communities faced with bushfires.
  • In a similar vein, an audit of how the central and state governments have handled covid will offer valuable lessons that can guide them to upgrade hospitals, increase medical inventories and create/update crisis response plans, for example.
  • Every state should conduct a ‘stress test’ of how well it can cope in the event of even more frequent and intense calamities. These results should be published transparently
  • In India, it would pay to establish inter-state pooling of technical capabilities, supplies and staff power to manage deficits and gaps.
  • The overarching lesson for the Indian states and the Centre is to make more and better investments in health, education and social safety nets.
  • Local initiatives will continue to aid disaster preparedness, but governments must act in anticipation of emerging calamities rather than scramble to respond after they strike.

INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCe: SINGAPORE

Bloomberg ranks Singapore highest in Covid resilience, based on fatality rates, test rates and vaccination rates. Drawing on its experience with Sars and Influenza A, the Singapore government has prioritized disaster preparedness in its investments. One indication of this priority is that the government has built up digital infrastructure and engineering capabilities that can be deployed before, during and after calamities strike. For example, tools for contact tracing, like Safe Entry and Trace Together, are enabling Singapore to respond swiftly to the spread of Covid. A suite of digital tools is helping disseminate information and enabling government agencies to better coordinate and manage the crisis.

THE WAY FORWARD

  • Section 10 and 11 of the DM Act 2005 provides for a national plan to be formulated under the direction of the NDMA to deal with However, the Central Government and the NDMA has not formulated it despite the ravages of the pandemic. This has set a poor example for states’ covid/disaster preparedness. Leadership role by the Union can nudge and inspire the states to be proactive in disaster readiness.
  • The Fifteenth Finance Commission in its first report covering the financial year 2020-21 has recommended 10 percent of the SDRF allocation  for Preparedness and Capacity-building. The states must utilise this fund for conceiving and operationalizing and upgrading the whole gamut of disaster readiness.
  • The Second Administrative Reforms Commission, in its report on “Crisis Management” made a strong pitch for enhanced role of local self-governments in entire disaster management cycle with special focus on pre disaster stage and preparedness. States must empower and build local bodies capacities in this regard.
  • Excessive focus on Post disaster cycle that rely on relief, recovery, reconstruction etc have led to neglect of disaster preparedness. It is imperative for states to concentrate on equal measures and evaluate the preparedness at all governmental and non-governmental (schools, hospitals, business, NGOs etc) for the purpose of responding to any threatening disaster situation or disaster and give directions, where necessary, for enhancing such preparedness.

CONCLUSION: Disaster Preparedness” means the state of readiness to deal with a threatening disaster situation or disaster and their effects. It deals with measures to be taken for preparedness and capacity building to effectively respond to any threatening disaster situations or disaster. India’s unique geo climatic vulnerabilities and poor socio economic infrastructural base have made it quite vulnerable to disasters. The Covid pandemic has exposed the countries’ lack of preparedness for meeting the challenges. Although, almost all states bore the brunt of the Virus, some better prepared states could come out stronger. For instance, while Uttar Pradesh and Delhi reeled under oxygen shortage, Kerala was well prepared. This and other evidence makes a strong case for state specific disaster preparedness plans which can be a game changer in India’s disaster management strategy.




DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (SEPTEMBER 29, 2022)

INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. THE LIVESTREAMING OF CONSTITUTIONAL BENCH PROCEEDINGS

THE CONTEXT: For the first time, India’s apex court livestreamed the three separate constitutional bench proceedings simultaneously in YouTube.
THE EXPLANATION:
• There are more than 8 lakh people viewed the proceedings before the three Constitution Benches.
• The livestreaming was closely monitored by technical support teams of the court to ensure the smooth proceedings.
• The cases heard by these benches are the challenge to 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections of the society, the scuffle between Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde’s faction and the Uddhav Thackeray camp over who was the “real” Shiv Sena Party and the challenge to the All India Bar Examination post enrollment for lawyers.
• This initiative aims to bring the judiciary close to the citizens living across India, especially the important hearings having constitutional significance.
• The initiative was result of the meeting of the Supreme Court Judges on September 20.
• In the future, the apex court would use a dedicated platform for livestreaming the hearings.
Background
• Swapnil Tripathi judgment of September 2018 upheld the plea demanding livestreaming of the Supreme Court proceedings. In this judgement, the apex court held that livestreaming provides the opportunity of the general public to witness the live proceedings, which is otherwise difficult due to logistical challenges and infrastructural restrictions.
• The court held that livestreaming of court proceedings was part of the right to access justice under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Article 21 provides the right to life and personal liberty. Live telecast of court proceedings will help realize the “open court system” which envisages a universally accessible judiciary.
• In the 2018 judgement, several conditions were laid out by the Supreme Court for livestreaming. The livestreaming of apex court proceedings happened for the first time in August 2022, when a ceremonial bench said farewell to the outgoing Chief Justice of India N V Ramana. The High Courts of Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Patna and Madhya Pradesh have been livestreaming their proceedings through their own YouTube channels since the early 2020.

2. THE KANNADA LANGUAGE COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT BILL

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Bill was tabled at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Bill gives preference to Kannadigas in government jobs and provides reservations to locals in private jobs generated in the state.
• The Bill defines Kannadigas as individuals whose parents have resided in Karnataka for a minimum of 15 years with the knowledge of reading and writing Kannada.
• Under this Bill, practical and functional knowledge of Kannada will be taught in higher, technical and professional education courses.
• Students who have studies in Kannada Medium schools will get reservations in higher education.
• It will deny land concession, tax rebates and other incentives to private companies that do not recruit at least a minimum percentage of Kannadigas.
• Government jobs in the state will be provided only if a Kannada language exam is passed. This exam is not required for individuals who have passed Class 10 with Kannada as first or second language.
• The Bill proposes the use of Kannada language for all official and administrative correspondences in the state and by local authorities. Earlier, the state government was criticised for using only English language for correspondence.
• Kannada is also made mandatory in subordinate courts, tribunals, banks and other financial institutions.
• Shops, industries and commercial establishments who violate this proposed legislation will incur a fine of Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000, including suspension of license.
VALUE ADDITION:
Sarojini Mahishi Committee
The Sarojini Mahishi Committee had provided 58 recommendations to provide job security for Kannadigas in Karnataka. However, these recommendations were not adopted because they were highly stringent. Among them are the 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in all public sector units, 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in group C and D jobs in central government departments and PSUs in Karnataka and minimum 80 per cent and 65 per cent reservation in Group B and A jobs respectively. These recommendations were not adopted as they may cause several constitutional challenges and violate fundamental rights.

ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

3. REPORT ON THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF MIGRATORY WATERBIRDS IN THE AGREEMENT AREA

THE CONTEXT: Recently, according to the report most of the waterbird populations protected under the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) are now facing serious threats.
The EXPLANATION:
The report was released at the Eighth Session of the Meeting of the Parties to AEWA opened in Budapest September 27, 2022.

MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
Decline in population:
• Some 41 percent of all waterbird populations protected under AEWA are now declining.
• The decline in waterbird populations in the short and long term is 40 percent higher than the increase. This proportion has not changed substantially over the last 15 years.
• Some 29 per cent are stable and 30 per cent are increasing.
Major threats:
• The species are impacted by the 38 threats including shifting and alteration of habitat, invasive alien species, unsustainable harvest and poaching, dams and water management.
Region based assessment:
• The proportion of decrease in AEWA waterbird population is higher in central and southwest Asia and eastern and southern Africa.
IUCN Status:
• Some 13 percent of the AEWA species are globally threatened.
• Four are critically endangered.
• Nine are endangered and 20 are vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Major challenges faced by the Migratory Waterbirds
Changes in range and distribution: It is well known that temperature is one of the primary determinants of the location of biomes and habitats. It is therefore logical that species ranges also depend on temperature.
Changes in breeding range: The periods of the two BTO Breeding Bird Atlases, bird species (including some waterbird species) extended their breeding ranges northwards by an average of 18.9 km, a trend that they attributed to warming temperatures.
Habitat Loss: One of the main threats facing endangered migratory animals is habitat loss.
Turbines: The Bern Convention (the Council of Europe) commissioned a report from BirdLife International on how wind turbines affect birds and how to minimize the risks.
Oil Spills: Of all man-made disasters, oil spills are among the most common and can, over localized areas, be one of the most destructive to wildlife, killing the animals and poisoning their habitats.
Climate Change: The Earth‘s temperature and sea levels are rising, rain patterns are altering, and extreme weather is occurring more often.
Electrocution: Birds are threatened due to power poles that have yet to be fitted with the latest safety devices.
Unsustainable Hunting and Poaching: Poaching, illegal trade and unsustainable hunting are among the most serious threats to the survival of wild species (migratory and sedentary) alongside habitat loss and degradation.
Wildlife Crime: Wildlife crime ranks alongside drug smuggling, human trafficking and illegal arms trade as one of the most lucrative activities funding organized crime and terrorism.
Recommendations of the report
• The development of schemes to monitor the breeding of migratory waterbirds in Africa, central and southwest Asia and Russia.
• Recruitment of additional Parties to join the agreement
• Intensifying the assistance to AEWA parties in Africa and central and southwest Asia
• Filling the gaps in implementing the AEWA Strategic Plan 2019 – 2027.

4. NEW TARGET UNDER NATIONAL CLEAN AIR PROGRAMME

THE CONTEXT: The Centre has set a new target of a 40% reduction in particulate matter concentration in cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) by 2026, updating the earlier goal of 20 to 30% reduction by 2024.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The Indian Government has set a new target of 40 per cent reduction in the particulate matter concentration by 2026 in cities under the NCAP.
• This is an update of the earlier goal of 20 to 30 per cent reduction of particulate matter concentration by 2024.
• The city-specific plans under NCAP are being upgraded to make them on par with the new goals.
• According to the Environment Ministry, 95 of the 131 non-attainment cities covered under the NCAP have reduced their PM10 levels in 2021 when compared with the 2017 levels.
• Non-attainment cities are those that have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for over 5 years from 2011 to 2015.
• 20 cities have met the national standards for annual average PM10 concentration, which is 60 micrograms per cubic meters.
• Cities that showed an overall improvement in PM10 concentration since 2017 are Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Patna, Nagpur, Pune, Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Firozabad, Moradabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Raipur and others.
VALUE ADDITION:
NCAP
• The NCAP was launched in 2019 as the first-ever national framework for air quality management with time-bound reduction target. It aims to bring down the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 across India with 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration of the pollutants.
• Under NCAP, city-specific action plans have been created to include measures to strengthen the monitoring network, reduce pollution from industries and vehicles etc. It also aims to improve capacity to management air pollution and raise public awareness about the harms caused by the air pollution.

SECURITY AFFAIRS

5. MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS BANS PFI AND ITS ASSOCIATES FOR FIVE YEARS

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates were banned by the Centre for a period of five years, days after law enforcement agents tried in a campaign to suppress the activities of the group.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The Ministry of Home Affairs used the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to enact the ban, claiming that the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates pose a “major threat to internal security of the country” and are connected to terrorist organisations like the ISIS.
• Centre also mentioned, they also promote “anti-national sentiments… radicalise a particular section of society with the intention of creating disaffection.”
• The MHA designated the Popular Front of India (PFI) as a “unlawful association” along with “its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation, and Rehab Foundation, Kerala,” claiming that it was “necessary to curb the nefarious activities” of the organisation.
• The SDPI, the PFI’s political wing, was excluded from the ban.
• After the ban, the Popular Front of India (PFI) made an announcement that it was breaking apart.
• The PFI and its affiliates’ designation as “unlawful associations” gives law enforcement organisations the right to detain PFI members, freeze their accounts, and seize their assets.
Section 10 of the UAPA:
• According to Section 10 of the UAPA, membership in a banned organisation is illegal.
• According to the Section 10 of the UAPA, belonging to an organisation that is prohibited carries a minimum two-year sentence and, in some cases, a life sentence or even the death penalty.
• According to Section 10, anyone who “is and continues to be a member of such association; participates in such association’s meetings; contributes to, receives, or solicits any contribution for the benefit of such association; or in any other manner assists the operations of such association shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, and shall also be liable to fine.”
• Anyone who supports the goals of the prohibited organisation is likewise subject to it.
• Section 7 of the UAPA’s grants the government the authority to “prohibit use of funds” by an “illegal group.”
Power of the Central Government as per the law:
• According to the law, if the Central Government is satisfied following an investigation that “any person has custody of any moneys, securities, or credits which are being used or are intended to be used for the purpose of the unlawful association, the Central Government may, by order in writing, prohibit such person from paying, delivering, transferring, or otherwise dealing in any manner.”
• Centre has the power as per the law to ban the person if found with such moneys, securities, or credits or with any other moneys, securities, or credits.
• It also grant law enforcement organisations the authority to conduct searches of these organisations’ offices and inspect their financial records.
• The Center is authorised to “notify any place which in its opinion is used for the purpose of such unlawful organisation” under Section 8 of the UAPA.
• The term “place” in this context refers to a home, a building, or a portion of one, as well as to a tent or a vessel.

GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

6. THE JALDOOT APP

THE CONTEXT: The Indian government recently launched the JALDOOT App and JALDOOT App e-brochure.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The JALDOOT application was jointly developed by union ministries of Panchayat and Rural Development.
• This app can be used by Gram Rojgar Sahayak to measure the water level in a well twice a year before and after monsoon.
• It enables the systematic collection of data on ground water levels and storing them in central digital database for analysis.
• This data can be used for the implementation of Gram Panchayat Development Plan and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
• Using this app, water levels of 2 to 3 wells in a village will be captured.
• The water levels in open wells will be measured twice a year – from May 1 to 31 as pre-monsoon water level and again from October 1 to 31 as post-monsoon level.
• Jaldoots (officers involved in measuring the water levels), will upload the geo-tagged photograph through the app on every occasion of measurement.
• The application would work both online and offline mode. In the offline mode, Jaldoots will be able to capture the water level even without internet connections and the captured date will be stored in the mobile. When the app comes online, the data will be uploaded and synchronized with the central server.
• The data in this application will be stored in the National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC), which will help in the creation of various reports through comprehensive assessment and analysis.
VALUE ADDITION:
About National Water Informatics Centre
National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) is the central repository that stores data regarding the availability of water resource across India. Set up in 2018, it comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources. This central repository enables the data-based sustainable development and management of water resources in India.




Ethics Through Current Development (29-09-2022)

  1. FREE WILL IS the ABILITY TO choose READ MORE
  2. Saying sorry READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Geography (29-09-2022)

  1. Bengaluru, Lucknow flooding: What do we mean by water-sensitive cities? READ MORE  
  2. In nature’s warning signs, a nudge to riparian states READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (29-09-2022)

  1. The future of old times READ MORE
  2. SPOTLIGHT – ON THE HIJAB READ MORE
  3. PM SHRI schools reimagine education in India READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (29-09-2022)

  1. Appealing the PFI ban: How UAPA tribunal works READ MORE
  2. Jurisprudence Shifts from the Rights Regime READ MORE
  3. The need for revising the age of consent under the POCSO Act READ MORE



WSDP Bulletin (29-09-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

  1. Centre extends free ration scheme by three months READ MORE
  2. Lt Gen Anil Chauhan appointed Chief of Defence Staff READ MORE
  3. Saudi Arabia’s powerful crown prince is named prime minister READ MORE
  4. ASI discovers 26 ancient caves in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve READ MORE
  5. Uttar Pradesh plans its 4th tiger reserve in Bundelkhand READ MORE
  6. Handful of agrifood giants control global food markets, warns report READ MORE
  7. Methane emission to rise 13% by 2030 without global pledge, claims Kerry READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

  1. Bengaluru, Lucknow flooding: What do we mean by water-sensitive cities? READ MORE  
  2. The future of old times READ MORE
  3. SPOTLIGHT – ON THE HIJAB READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

  1. Appealing the PFI ban: How UAPA tribunal works READ MORE
  2. Jurisprudence Shifts from the Rights Regime READ MORE
  3. The need for revising the age of consent under the POCSO Act READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

  1. PM SHRI schools reimagine education in India READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

  1. Rediscovering the Bay of Bengal: The Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies will strengthen India’s overall framework for maritime engagement READ MORE
  2.  G-20 presidency is an opportunity to position India as the voice of the Global South READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  1. Automation has impacted lower-level jobs in banks READ MORE
  2. What the draft telecom policy intends to regulate READ MORE
  3. Simple GST structure can check tax evasion READ MORE
  4. Foreign trade: Going beyond a phrase READ MORE
  5. It is time to make employment benefits more inclusive READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT

  1. In nature’s warning signs, a nudge to riparian states READ MORE

SECURITY

  1. National security must be priority READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

  1. How this cyclone intensity estimation technique saved millions of lives across continents READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

  1. FREE WILL IS the ABILITY TO choose READ MORE
  2. Saying sorry READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

  1. Regional marine entities should strive to balance opportunities and goals on a national, regional, and international scale. Discuss why Rediscovering of the Bay of Bengal is vital to strengthen India’s overall framework for maritime engagement?
  2. In recent times, the issue of climate refuges has become a major challenge against the world community. Discuss the issues associated with this challenge and how the international communities can address them?

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • Most great learning happens in groups. Collaboration is the stuff of growth.
  • With the devastating effects of climate change visible, riparian states across the world must comply with all the procedural duties pursuant to the ‘no harm rule’.
  • Working together is important due to shared nautical concerns and the complexity of the marine environment.
  • Regional marine entities should strive to balance opportunities and goals on a national, regional, and international scale.
  • The Indian elite and foreign policy commentariat, influenced heavily by Western thinking on world affairs, have acquired an exaggerated view of Indian global influence, hitching their wagons to the West rather than stay the course with the South.
  • The Centre gave strong reasons in its order banning PFI. Now, all governments need to ensure vigilance.
  • India must establish that it can create and consolidate economic, human and strategic security, maintain social harmony and bestow more largesse on neighbours compared to China.
  • A politically and socially harmonious India could set an example to its neighbours; a divided and high-handed one raises concerns about their own security.
  • The existing GST structures, along with the prevailing income tax slabs and exemptions, need urgent revision to rid our nation’s tax system of anomalies.

50-WORD TALK

  • No amount of obfuscation in the alleged Uttarakhand blackmail, murder of Ankita Bhandari can hide what is undoubtedly a high-power sleaze racket at the resort. It’ll be a shame if political connections protect the guilty. PM Modi campaigned on women’s safety issues, he must ensure BJP members abide by it.
  • The ban on Popular Front of India will choke global networks recruiting Indians into jihad. PFI should never have been allowed to grow this strong in the first place. Extremist groups like PFI, SIMI flourish primarily because of the vacuum in political leadership, not just because of poverty or unemployment.

Things to Remember:

  • For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
  • Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
  • For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
  • For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
  • Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.



Day-298 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | ECONOMY

[WpProQuiz 343]




TOPIC : THE ISSUE OF ILLEGAL MINING IN INDIA

THE CONTEXT: Recently, in an unfortunate incident, an office of Haryana police was mowed down by a dumper as he was trying to stop illegal mining. His death again highlighted the issue of illegal mining in the country and started a debate about the same. In this article, we will analyze the issue in detail and will try to give way forward to stop such activities.

HOW DEEP THE ILLEGAL MINING IN INDIA

  • Haryana officer murder is only the latest in a string of killings of activists, journalists, law enforcers and whistle-blowers trying to uncover the menace of illegal mining in India.
  • Stones, coal, iron, and other minerals and more frequently, and are illegally mined in India. The murders are usually carried out by the mafia, which in turn, are connected to powerful political leaders.
  • According to data collected by SANDRP — South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, five journalists/activists, 11 government officials, and 23 citizens/villages / farmers have been killed since January 2019 due to illegal sand mining in India.
  • According to the last report of the National Crime Records Bureau released in 2020, 61,767 environment-related offences were committed in India.
  • Of these, 199 offences related to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) were committed across the 29 states of the country. Maharashtra (33 offences), Meghalaya (93) and Uttar Pradesh (68) recorded the highest number of NGT-related offences.

Death toll in India due to illegal sand mining since January 2019 

Zone

The killing of Citizens/Villagers/Farmers The killing of Reporters/Activists The killing of Govt. officials Total

North

6 1 5

12

West & Central

3 NA 2

5

East

4 3 4

11

South

5 (+5*) 1 NA

11

Total

23 5 11

39

WHY ILLEGAL MINING IN INDIA

India has grossly underestimated the issue of illegal mining, which damages the environment and causes revenue loss

  • With the increase in the pace of development, the demand for minor minerals such as sand and gravel has crossed 60 million metric tons in India. This also makes it the second largest extractive industry on the planet, after water.
  • However, while laws and monitoring have been made stringent for the mining of major minerals consequent to the unearthing of several related scams across the country, the fact is that rampant and illegal mining of minor minerals continues unabated.
  • In many instances, one comes across gravel being removed from agricultural lands or fallow lands of the government near major highways or construction projects, as the contractor finds it easier and cheaper to do so even though the estimates for such work include the distance (called ‘lead’) to transport such gravel from authorised quarries.

Issue of regulation

  • Unlike major minerals, the regulatory and administrative powers to frame rules, prescribe rates of royalty, mineral concessions, enforcement, etc., are entrusted exclusively to the State governments.
  • The Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notifications of 1994 and 2006 made environmental clearance compulsory for mining in areas more than or equal to five hectares.
  • However, the Supreme Court of India, after taking cognisance of a report by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Environmental Aspects of Quarrying of Minor Minerals (2010) directed all State governments to make the requisite changes in the regulatory framework of minor minerals, requiring environmental clearance for mining in areas less than five hectares.
  • Consequently, the EIA was amended in 2016, which made environmental clearance mandatory for mining in areas less than five hectares, including minor minerals.
  • The amendment also provided for the setting up of a District Environment Impact Assessment Authority (EIAA) and a District Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC).
  • However, a State-wise review of EACs and EIAAs in key industrial States such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu shows that these authorities review over 50 project proposals in a day and the rejection rate at the State level has been a mere 1%.
  • This raises a pertinent question on whether introducing clearances alone can help eliminate irregularities in the illegal mining of minor minerals. The situation now indicates that the problem is even more complex and widespread and that a robust technology-driven enforcement approach is required.

The problem has not been taken seriously

  • The problem of illegal mining of minor minerals is often under-estimated, thus accentuating undesired environmental consequences. There have been numerous cases of the illegal mining of dolomite, marble and sand across the States. For example, in Andhra Pradesh’s Konanki limestone quarries alone, 28.92 lakh metric tonnes of limestone have been illegally quarried. However, the relentless pace of sand mining.

Apart from the above, there are many other reasons for such activities

  • There is a lack of coordination within the Ministry of Environment and forests which led to illegalities and consequential ecological damage.
  • There is also a lack of timely checks by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).
  • The boundary markings of the leased-out area are not clearly defined.
  • One of the reasons that illegal mining thrives is the lack of timely renewals for mining.
  • The responsibility is on the mine owners, who do not apply in time, and also on the various regulatory authorities where the applications are not processed in time.

WHAT ARE THE OBSERVATIONS BY AGENCIES?

  • The United Nations Environment Programme, in 2019, ranked India and China as the top two countries where illegal sand mining has led to sweeping environmental degradation. Despite this, there is no comprehensive assessment available to evaluate the scale of sand mining in India.
  • Nevertheless, regional studies such as those by the Centre for Science and Environment of the Yamuna riverbed in Uttar Pradesh have observed that increasing demand for soil has severely affected soil formation and the soil holding ability of the land, leading to a loss in marine life, an increase in flood frequency, droughts, and also degradation of water quality.
  • Such effects can also be seen in the beds of the Godavari, the Narmada and the Mahanadi basins. As has been pointed out in a study of the Narmada basin, sand mining has reduced the population of Mahseer fish from 76% between 1963 and 2015.

IMPACTS OF ILLEGAL MINING

  • Economic loss to the state exchequer as there is no royalty to be paid.
  • Excessive sand mining can alter the riverbed, force the river to change course, erode banks and lead to flooding. It also destroys the habitat of aquatic animals and micro-organisms, besides affecting groundwater recharge.
  • Illegal mining activities were identified as the cause of environmental problems such as water pollution, deforestation, poor soil fertility and limited access to land for agriculture productivity.
  • It is not just damaging to the environment. Illegal mining causes copious losses to the state exchequer.
  • As per an estimate, U.P. is losing revenue from 70% of mining activities as only 30% area is legally mined.
  • Similarly, the absence of royalty has caused a loss of ₹700 crore in Bihar, while non-payment of various cesses due to unregulated mining resulted in a loss of ₹100 crore to Karnataka and ₹600 crore to Madhya Pradesh in 2016-17.
  • Aravalli and Western Ghat are the two examples of illegal mining:
  • Aravalli Hills:Illegal mining in Aravalli hills is rampant because it has a rich reserve of copper, lead, zinc, rock phosphate, soapstone, silica sand, limestone, marble and gypsum.The water ecology has been changing due to the illegal mining activities. Although many lakes in the Aravalli hills skirting south Delhi may be disappearing, but some new water bodies are popping up in the region that has been ravaged by mining in recent years. These water bodies have filled the depressions left by mine contractors.
  • Western Ghat: Reports indicate that at least 5,000 quarries, both legal and illegal, operate in the Western Ghats. It appears 60 percent of them are illegal. Some of them are run by politicians, a few them members of the Legislative assembly, or their friends and relatives.Heavy rains flooded river basins and its impact was compounded by reckless construction along riverbanks. Watersheds, ponds and farmlands were flattened for construction activities.

WHAT ARE THE JUDICIAL INTERVENTIONS, AND WHAT WAS THE STATE RESPONSE?

  • Judicial orders are often neglected by State governments.
  • For instance, as in the report of the Oversight Committee by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Uttar Pradesh (where illegal sand mining has created a severe hazard) has either failed or only partially complied with orders issued regarding compensation for illegal sand mining. Such lax compliance can be seen in States such as West Bengal, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh too.
  • A State-wide review of the reasons behind non-compliance suggests a malfunction of governance due to weak institutions, a scarcity of state resources to ensure enforcement, poorly drafted regulatory provisions, inadequate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms, and excessive litigation that dampens state administrative capacity.

WHAT SHOULD BE THE WAY FORWARD?

  • Protecting minor minerals requires investment in production and consumption measurement and also monitoring and planning tools. To this end, technology has to be used to provide a sustainable solution.
  • Satellite imagery can be used to monitor the volume of extraction and also check the mining process. Even for past infractions, the NGT and administrative authorities can obtain satellite pictures for the past 10 to 15 years and uncontrovertibly show how small hillocks of earth, gravel or small stone dunes have disappeared in an area. Recently, the NGT directed some States to use satellite imagery to monitor the volume of sand extraction and transportation from the riverbeds. Well-planned execution of these directions increased revenue from minor minerals mining in all these States.
  • Additionally, drones, the internet of things (IoT) and blockchain technology can be leveraged to monitor mechanisms by using the Global Positioning System, radar and Radio Frequency (RF) Locator. State governments such as Gujarat and judicial directions such as the High Court of Madras have employed some of these technologies to check illegal sand mining.
  • The state governments and the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) should coordinate better to see that the mine production sums up with the mining plan.
  • Protecting minor minerals requires investment in production and consumption measurement and also monitoring and planning tools.

THE CONCLUSION: Illegal mining has become a serious issue in India. The incidents related to illegal mining, like the death of officers and tragedies, are daily events. Apart from it, impacts on the environment and   Economic loss to the state exchequer are some other negatives of such activities. Government should come up with strong regulations to stop it, and technology should be used to monitor these activities.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

Discuss how the use of technology can be a game changer in stopping illegal mining in India.

Why the issue of illegal mining persists in India? What should be the way forward to stop such activities?




DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (SEPTEMBER 28, 2022)

INDIAN POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. THE CASE OF NIKAH HALALA IN INDIA, AND A LONG COURT BATTLE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, Public interest litigation (PIL) was filed seeking the annulment of halala marriage and polygamy.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The PIL was regarding the annulment of Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, to be declared arbitrary and in violation of Articles 14, 15, 21 and 25 of the Constitution.
• The litigant requested the court to ensure that provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, apply to all Indian citizens.
• She contended that nikah halala is rape under IPC Section 375.

What is Nikah halala?
• Nikah halala is a law that requires a woman to marry and sleep with another man in order to return to her first husband.
• In Islam, ‘halala’ is a term that finds its roots in ‘halal’ that translates to something that is permissible, and therefore ‘lawful’.
• In the context of marriage then, it means that a divorced woman can become ‘halal’ (lawful) for her husband again after nikah halala is complete.

What is the procedure?
• Islam dictates that a Muslim man has the liberty to divorce and remarry the same woman twice.
• However, if he decides to dissolve the marriage for the third time, he can only remarry the same woman if she first marries another man, consummates the marriage, and only if the man dies or willingly asks for divorce, can the woman go back to her first husband and remarry him.
• Usually, nikah halala stems from instant triple talaq and ends with it.

Quranic justification:
• Halala, the way the Koran speaks of it, empowers women to take independent decisions.
• It saves women from temperamental husbands who divorce in a fit of anger, then cancel it, then divorce again, unleashing an endless cycle of marriage and divorce.

Global scenario:
• In Saudi Arabia, where divorces are on the rise, no cases of halala have been reported.
• No case has been reported from the UAE, Kuwait and Yemen either.

Indian Law on Nikah Halala:
• In India, the Muslim Women’s Protection of Rights on Marriage, passed after invalidation of triple talaq by the Supreme Court, is silent on nikah halala.
• The Act made instant triple talaq a criminal offence but steered clear of halala which takes place as a consequence of triple talaq.
Issues:

In modern India, nikah halala has been manipulated and misused.
Rapes: There are cases of rapes on women by keens on the name of Halala.
Websites offering halala marriage: In the midst of this, several websites and social media pages have emerged offering halala marriage services to women who’ve been divorced by their first husbands.
Blackmailing and extortion: Many women who approach these services are either blackmailed or taken advantage of. Many are asked to pay large sums of money.

HEALTH ISSUES

2. KHOSTA-2: NEW VARIANT OF CORONAVIRUS

THE CONTEXT: Recently,Khosta-2 variant of coronavirus found in Russian bats in Sochi National Park.
THE EXPLANATION:
• A team of American researchers have found the Khosta-2 in Russian bats.The zoonotic virus is capable of infecting humans.
• This is unlike the Khosta-1, which is also found in Russian bats but cannot easily spread to humans.Khosta-2 has been classified as sarbecovirus, a member of the coronavirus family.
• It is related to SARS-CoV-2, which is causing a worldwide pandemic.Khosta-2 was discovered in bat samples obtained from Sochi National Park between March and October 2020, when the world was struggling to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2.
• The pathogen is capable of infecting human cells similar to SARS-CoV-2. It attaches to the ACE-2 entrance enzyme, which is located on the surface of the human cells with a spike-like protein on the surface.
• While its method of infection is similar to SARS-CoV-2, Koshta-2 is not effective.
• Scientists have combined the Khosta-2 with serum obtained from individuals vaccinated against COVID-19. They found that the antibodies in the serum were not able to neutralize the pathogen.
• Similar results were found when the virus was combined with the serum from people who have recently recovered from Omicron infection.It is also found to be completely resistant to all coronavirus vaccines currently available on the market.
• It does not have the genes that can increase the severity of the disease like the Omicron Variant. However, this can eventually change if it mixes with the genes of the SARS-CoV-2.
About sarbecovirus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus or sarbecovirus is an enveloped positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that enters the host cells by latching on to the ACE2 receptor. It is capable of infecting humans, bats and other mammals.

VALUE ADDITION:
About Sochi National Park
Sochi National Park is UNESCO world heritage site in Russia. Established in 1983, it is the oldest national park in Russia. It is situated in Western Caucasus, close to the city of Sochi. It is bounded by rivers Shepsi and Magri in the northwest, Abkhazia in the southeast, Black sea coast and Main Caucasian ridge in the north and south.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

3. ADB TO PROVIDE 14 BILLION USD AID FOR FOOD SECURITY IN ASIA PACIFIC

THE CONTEXT: The Asian Development Bank announced a $14 billion assistance to fight food insecurity in Asia Pacific.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The funding to address food insecurity in Asia Pacific was announced as part of the 55th ADB annual meeting.
• It will be used to combat food crisis caused by climate change and Russian war in Ukraine.
• The financial aid will be provided for the period of 2022-2025.
• While 3.3 billion USD will be spent in 2022, 10.7 billion USD will be used from 2023 to 2025.
• In 2022, USD 2.5 billion of this assistance will be used to repurpose and strengthen the existing projects and launch new projects in agriculture, natural resources and rural development.
• 800 million USD will be used by private sector for finance operations of trade and supply chain, direct agribusiness lending, micro financing programmes and lending to financial institutions.
• This comprehensive initiative will ensure long-term food security in Asia and Pacific by strengthening food systems and making them resilient to climate crisis and biodiversity degradation.
• The latest funding would complement the existing aids targeting food security in the region.
Food security situation in Asia Pacific
• The food insecurity in the region is being exacerbated by floods, droughts, global warming, diseases and other factors that are adversely impacting the food production. Currently, around 1.1 billion people do not have access to healthy diets because of scarcity and food inflation in the region.
• Some countries in Asia Pacific are vulnerable to food shocks because of their high dependence on imported staples and fertilizers. This makes nutritious food unaffordable in several of low-income countries in the region. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has disrupted the supply of these vAital goods and worsened the situation.

About Asian Development Bank
Asian Development Bank is a Manila-based regional development bank established in 1966. Its aim is to promote the social and economic development of Asia and the Pacific. It is owned by 68 members, of which 49 are from Asia Pacific region.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

4. NASA’S DOUBLE ASTEROID REDIRECTION TEST (DART)

THE CONTEXT: Recently, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) successfully crashed into Dimorphous.
THE EXPLANATION:
The Humanity’s first planetary defence test:
• With the collision, the test has been completed successfully in a mission that went exactly as planned without any hitches.
Reason for test:
• The impact should have nudged the asteroid slightly and subtly changed its orbit around Didymos, the larger asteroid.
• Telescopes on Earth and in space are going to take measurements of this change to see how the change measures up to computer-generated simulations.

Why Dimorphos?
• Didymos is a perfect system for the test mission because it is an eclipsing binary which means it has a moonlet that regularly orbits the asteroid and it can be seen when it passes in front of the main asteroid.
• The Didymos system is not an Earth-crossing asteroid, and there is no possibility that the deflection experiment could create an impact hazard.
• Earth-based telescopes can study this variation in brightness to understand how long it takes Dimorphos to orbit Didymos.
About the DART Mission
It is a planetary defence-driven test of technologies for preventing an impact on Earth by a hazardous asteroid.
Objectives:
• DART is the first technology demonstration of the kinetic impactor technique that could be used to mitigate the threat of an asteroid hitting Earth.
• The kinetic impactor mitigation technique is the impulsive deflection of the asteroid through the sudden addition of momentum. In simpler terms, DART is being sent to collide with an asteroid to change its orbital period.

VALUE ADDITION:
ABOUT ASTEROIDS
• Asteroids, sometimes called minor planets, are rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of the solar system about 4.6 billion years ago.
• Most of this ancient space rubble can be found orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter within the main asteroid belt.
o Some asteroids go in front of and behind Jupiter, which are called Trojans.
o Asteroids that come close to Earth are called Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) for short. NASA keeps close watch on these asteroids.
• Asteroids range in size from Vesta (the largest at about 329 miles in diameter) to bodies that are less than 33 feet across. The total mass of all the asteroids combined is less than that of Earth’s Moon.
• Asteroids are not all round like planets. They have jagged and irregular shapes.

5. HONEYBEES CAPABLE OF PARITY CATEGORIZATION

THE CONTEXT: A new study has shown that honeybees can learn odd and even number categorisation — also called parity classification.
THE EXPLANATION:
• Parity classification is the categorization of numbers as either odd or even.
• It is used when dealing with real-world objects that can be paired. If an element cannot be paired in a group, then the number of objects are odd.
• Previous studies have shown that honeybees are capable of learning the order of quantities, performing simple addition and subtraction, matching symbols with quantities and relate size and number concepts.
• A new research has found that they were also capable of parity classification.
• Till date, only humans were found to be capable of this task.
• Honeybees were successfully trained to undertake this task as part of an experiment.
• The scientists separated honeybees into two groups.
• One group trained to associate even numbers with sugar water and odd numbers with quinine (bitter-tasting liquid).
• Another group was trained to associate odd numbers with sugar water and even number with quinine.
• The training was given using comparisons of odd versus even numbers with cards presenting 1 to 10 printed shapes.
• The group that associated odd number with sugar water learned more quickly than the other group.
• This shows that honeybees’ learning bias is different from humans, who categorize even numbers more quickly.
• The bees were then tested with new numbers that were not shown during the training.
• They were able to categorize the new numbers of 11 or 12 elements as odd or even with 70 per cent accuracy.
• They may have been able to achieve this feat either by finding unpaired element, performing division calculations or counted each element and applied odd or even categorization rule to the total number of elements.
• This novel experiment, if used in other animal species, would help improve the understanding on how mathematics and abstract thoughts emerged in humans.

PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

6. BATHUKAMMA: STATE FESTIVAL OF TELANGANA

THE CONTEXT: Bathukamma is being celebrated in Telangana from September 25 to October 3 this year.
THE EXPLANATION:
• Bathukamma is observed as the state festival of Telangana since the state’s inception in 2014.It is a flower festival celebrated mainly in Telangana and several parts of Andhra Pradesh.
• This 9-day festival is celebrated based on Sathavahana calendar and it usually falls on September or October, during the latter half of monsoon, before the onset of winter.
• This festival begins with Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as Engili Poola Bathukamma.
• Bathukamma means ‘Goddess of Life’. It is a collection of flowers stacked one layer at a time and rising in a series of concentric circles like the gopuram in South Indian temples.
• It is made using locally grown flowers like Gunugu puvvu (Celosia), Thangedu puvvulu (Cassia auriculata), Gummadi puvvulu (Cucurbita), Vaama puvvulu (Ajwain), Banthi puvvu (Marigold), Chamanthi puvvulu (Chrysanthemum) etc.
• During the first seven days of this festival, women make symbolic images of Bodemma (Goddess Gauri) using clay and small Bathukamma.
• The final day of this festival, called Saddula Bathukamma, involves the preparation of huge Bathukamma on a special plate and womenfolk singing and dancing around it.
• Bathukamma are then taken out in a procession to be immersed a river or any nearby waterbody.
• The flowers used in Bathukamma are capable of purifying water in ponds and tanks.
• The festival concludes a day before the Dasara Festival.
• The Union Ministry of Culture has announced that this festival would be celebrated at the India Gate for the first time.
• The celebrations will be in line with the Telangana/Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations that were organized earlier this month, when the national flag was hoisted in Hyderabad by Home Minister.
• Meanwhile, the Telangana government has started the distribution of 1 crore Bathukamma sarees for this festive occasion.The initiative was started by the Telangana government in 2017 to support weavers in the state.




Ethics Through Current Development (28-09-2022)

  1. Nine nights to transcend the interplay of gunas READ MORE
  2. Meditation as medication READ MORE
  3. Facts, factoids and their interpretation READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Geography (28-09-2022)

  1. Bengaluru, Lucknow flooding: What do we mean by water-sensitive cities? READ MORE  
  2. Nigeria’s sacred Osun River supports millions of people — but pollution is making it unsafe READ MORE
  3. What is the solution to India’s garbage disposal problem? READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Sociology (28-09-2022)

  1. The future of old times READ MORE
  2. SPOTLIGHT – ON THE HIJAB READ MORE
  3. The lack of quality engineering education READ MORE



Today’s Important Articles for Pub Ad (28-09-2022)

  1. Power imbalance: The governance shift in the power sector needs centre-state cooperation READ MORE
  2. Supreme Court goes live: Thousands watch proceedings of Constitution Benches READ MORE
  3. The National Logistics Policy can help India achieve its economic growth vision READ MORE



WSDP Bulletin (28-09-2022)

(Newspapers, PIB and other important sources)

Prelim and Main

  1. Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system may be produced in India, says Sweden’s SAAB READ MORE
  2. Dadasaheb Phalke award for Asha Parekh READ MORE
  3. NASA is about to crash a spacecraft into an asteroid. Here’s why the mission could one day save humanity. READ MORE
  4. EWS quota will not cut into existing quotas, Govt tells Supreme Court READ MORE
  5. Multiple threats cause huge decline in migratory waterbirds in Africa, Eurasia READ MORE
  6. Nigeria’s sacred Osun River supports millions of people — but pollution is making it unsafe READ MORE
  7. Union Culture Ministry organizes Bathukamma festival in New Delhi READ MORE
  8. Honeybees can tell difference between odd & even numbers READ MORE

Main Exam

GS Paper- 1

  1. Bengaluru, Lucknow flooding: What do we mean by water-sensitive cities? READ MORE  
  2. The future of old times READ MORE
  3. SPOTLIGHT – ON THE HIJAB READ MORE

GS Paper- 2

POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

  1. Power imbalance: The governance shift in the power sector needs centre-state cooperation READ MORE
  2. Supreme Court goes live: Thousands watch proceedings of Constitution Benches READ MORE

SOCIAL ISSUES

  1. The lack of quality engineering education READ MORE

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

  1. Energising India-Nepal ties, the hydropower way READ MORE
  2. Permanent membership of the UNSC is another story READ MORE
  3. India-US relations are stable and thriving READ MORE

GS Paper- 3

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

  1. Paving the way to sustainable energy generation with microgrids READ MORE
  2. Currency manipulation: Note for the future READ MORE
  3. Money matters RBI has a grip on inflation READ MORE
  4. The National Logistics Policy can help India achieve its economic growth vision READ MORE
  5. Why India’s Growing Current Account Deficit Could Prove to Be the Achilles’ Heel for RBI READ MORE
  6. Free fertiliser industry by removing controls READ MORE

ENVIRONMENT

  1. What is the solution to India’s garbage disposal problem? READ MORE
  2. How the wildlife bill is a step backwards for elephants and will enable greater exploitation READ MORE

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

  1. How this cyclone intensity estimation technique saved millions of lives across continents READ MORE

GS Paper- 4

ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY

  1. Nine nights to transcend the interplay of gunas READ MORE
  2. Meditation as medication READ MORE
  3. Facts, factoids and their interpretation READ MORE

Questions for the MAIN exam

  1. ‘The governance shift in the power sector needs centre-state cooperation’. Comment on the statement in the light of recent electricity bill introduces by the government.
  2. By correcting the multi-modal connectivity mix and digitisation, the National Logistics Policy will help India achieve its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals. Analyse.

QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS

  • An efficient telecommunication network is the foundation upon which an information society is built.
  • Given the growing energy demand, the West Seti Hydroelectric Project can provide an added alternative and viable way to address power deficits.
  • There should be no illusion about how states view membership in the United Nations Security Council — India must realise that it is all about national interest.
  • A consumption tax based on concrete aspects of sustainability, and its local devolution, would create the right incentives for a scientific analysis of garbage and the logistics of its disposal.
  • By focusing on correcting the multi-modal connectivity mix and digitisation, the National Logistics Policy will help reduce costs in the logistics sector, power the country’s economic growth, and help it achieve its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals.
  • Live-streaming of key Supreme Court cases is welcome; safeguards may be needed for it to expand.
  • Controlling CAD is important as it has an implication on growth because of its close ties to national investment and saving. It also affects exchange rates and thus influences the export competitiveness of an economy.

50-WORD TALK

  • The Supreme Court has finally opened its proceedings to the public by implementing the four-year-old judgement on live-streaming. It will improve legal literacy among citizens, help them differentiate between oral remarks and written orders, and bring discipline to courtroom proceedings. If only judges don’t use it for grandstanding and pontification.
  • Like much good advice, Antony Blinken’s call for Pakistan to build “a responsible relationship with India” will be ignored. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif knows trade with India will help Pakistan, but Kashmir ranting won’t. Imran Khan’s anti-India posturing has seduced economically-battered Pakistanis. So PM Sharif can’t do the sane thing.

Things to Remember:

  • For prelims-related news try to understand the context of the news and relate with its concepts so that it will be easier for you to answer (or eliminate) from given options.
  • Whenever any international place will be in news, you should do map work (marking those areas in maps and exploring other geographical locations nearby including mountains, rivers, etc. same applies to the national places.)
  • For economy-related news (banking, agriculture, etc.) you should focus on terms and how these are related to various economic aspects, for example, if inflation has been mentioned, try to relate with prevailing price rises, shortage of essential supplies, banking rates, etc.
  • For main exam-related topics, you should focus on the various dimensions of the given topic, the most important topics which occur frequently and are important from the mains point of view will be covered in ED.
  • Try to use the given content in your answer. Regular use of this content will bring more enrichment to your writing.



DAILY MCQ Day-297 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | HISTORY OF MODERN INDIA

[WpProQuiz 342]




TOPIC : STATES’ BORROWING SPREE A RECIPE FOR DISASTER

THE CONTEXT: Recently, RBI released the report titled ‘State Finances: A Risk Analysis,’ in which the public finances of the 10 most heavily indebted states of India were analysed. This article intends to analyse the key findings of the report and further discuss the implications of unregulated state finances.

STATE BORROWINGS: THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

  • Chapter II of Part XII of the Constitution of India deals with borrowing by the Central Government and State Governments.
  • It comprises two provisions:
    • Article 292 covers borrowing by the Central Government, and Article 293, covers borrowing by State Governments.
    • Article 293 (3) requires State Governments that are indebted to the Central Government to seek the consent of the Central Government before raising further borrowings.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT

  • According to the report, ten states have a significantly high debt burden. These include Punjab, Rajasthan, Kerala, West Bengal, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. These ten states account for around half of the total expenditure by all State governments in India.
  • According to the report, Punjab is anticipated to stay in the worst situation because of continuing worsening in its fiscal situation and a predicted debt-to-GSDP ratio that would reach 45% in 2026–2027. By 2026–2027, it is anticipated that Rajasthan, Kerala, and West Bengal will have debt-to-GSDP ratios higher than 35%. To stabilize their debt levels, these states will need to take major remedial action.
  • The benchmarks for fiscal deficit and debt for the ten states established by the 15th Finance Commission were exceeded by Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Punjab.
  • According to the RBI analysis, Rajasthan, Kerala, and West Bengal are expected to exceed the 15th Finance Commission targets for debt and fiscal deficit in 2022–2023 (BE).

DEBT-TO-GSDP RATIO

The measure used to compare a state’s public debt to its gross state domestic product is called the debt-to-GSDP ratio (GSDP). The debt-to-GSDP ratio accurately predicts a state’s capacity to repay its debts by contrasting what it owes with what it generates.

REASONS FOR EXCEEDING BORROWING LIMITS

IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC

  • The pandemic dried up the revenue streams of all states due to the protracted lockdown and other containment measures, while expenditure went up due to the subsidies that had to be provided to the poor and the vulnerable to survive.
  • As a result, almost all states ended up beaching the FRBM limit, with Bihar’s GFD: GSDP ratio reaching as much as 11.3 per cent, and those of Punjab, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh reaching 4.6, 5.2 and 4.3 per cent, respectively. This led to higher borrowing by states and a swelling of their debt ratios (debt as a percentage of GSDP) much above the safe limits.

ATTENUATING TAX BUOYANCY

  • The own tax revenue of some of these states like Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Kerala has been declining over time, making them fiscally more vulnerable.
  • The Goods and Services tax implementation has been one of the prime causes for this mismatch of funds. For example, the revenue might fall sharply if the GST compensation is stopped from July 2022, primarily as a significant part of guaranteed revenue of states like Punjab was met using compensation (37% in 2018-19, 47% in 2019-20, and 56% in 2020-21).

OVERBURDENED DISCOMS

  • The power sector accounts for much of the financial burden of state governments in India, both in terms of subsidies and contingent liabilities.
  • Illustratively, many state governments provide subsidies, artificially depressing the cost of electricity for the farm sector and a section of the household sector.
  • Despite various financial restructuring measures 17, the performance of the DISCOMs has remained weak, with their losses surpassing the pre-UDAY level of 0.4 percent of GDP.

POLITICS OF ‘FREEBIES’

  • Political parties are outdoing each other promising free electricity and water, laptops, cycles etc.
  • The freebies put a significant strain on the fiscal position of State governments and can’t be easily taken back by succeeding governments.
  • Freebies for Andhra Pradesh and Punjab exceeded two per cent of the GSDP, while for Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal, it was between one and two per cent of GSDP.

LEGAL LOOPHOLES

  • The current FRBM provisions mandate that the Governments disclose their contingent liabilities, but that disclosure is restricted to liabilities for which they have extended an explicit guarantee.
  • In reality, the State governments resort to extra-budgetary borrowings to finance their populist measures. This debt is concealed to circumvent the FRBM targets. Further, there is no comprehensive information in the public domain to assess the size of this off-budget debt.

THE BORROWING SPREE: LOOMING CONCERNS

MENACE OF ‘ESCROW ACCOUNTS

  • The report points out that, unable and unwilling to control expenditure, these states have been borrowing from banks against the collateral of future revenues by creating escrow accounts which is clearly unconstitutional, and by also pledging government assets.
  • An escrow account is one that is kept outside government accounts and managed by the bank till the liability is cleared, and into which future revenues will go directly, instead of going into the consolidated fund of the states as mandated by the constitution.
  • At least five states have escrowed their future revenues in this manner to raise loans.

BY PASSING CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

  • Between 2019-20 and 2021-22, Andhra Pradesh raised Rs 23,899 crore, UP Rs 17,750 crore, Punjab Rs 2,879 crore, MP Rs 2,698 crore, and Himachal Rs 90 crore.
  • By doing so, they were trying to bypass article 293 of the Constitution, which requires the states to take permission from the Centre to raise loans from the market if they are indebted to the Centre, which they are.

AGGRAVATING BANKING SECTOR STRESS

  • Most of these loans have been given by the public sector banks, including the SBI.This could have serious implications for the already significant NPA crisis.
  • RBI has now issued a directive to them to stop this practice forthwith and report compliance within three months.

REPLICATING THE SRI LANKAN CRISIS

  • Taking a cue from what is happening in Sri Lanka as a result of its unsustainable debt and the precarious finances of states, the RBI report has cautioned that the tendency towards handing out cash subsidies, in normal times, provision of free utility services, the revival of the old pension scheme by some states and extension of implicit and explicit guarantees by various state governments in India is a perfect recipe for an economic disaster.

THE BORROWING SPREE: NEED FOR CAREFUL CONTEMPLATION

Considering all possible causes and concerns of unregulated borrowing by states in India, one can opine that while some expenses are inevitable, some can be addressed with more prudence and probity. For instance, one can certainly be in favour of expanding, for example, the MGNREGA type of spending and subsidy in the form of food ration schemes. These go a long way in increasing the productive capacity of the population. So, they’re not just freebies. However, what should be regulated is announcing freebies merely in the name of vote bank politics. For instance, when it comes to simply giving away loan waivers, one cannot go in favour of these because they have undesired consequences such as destroying the whole credit culture.

THE WAY FORWARD

  • RBI has proposed a “triple E framework” to assess expenditure quality, which has constituents of expenditure adequacy, effectiveness and efficiency:
    • Expenditure adequacy is terms of focusing on the government’s primary role;
    • Effectiveness is about assessing performance;
    • Efficiency involves an assessment of the output-input ratio.
  • Other recommendations are given by RBI:
    • Fiscal discipline: The state governments must restrict their revenue expenses by cutting down expenditure on non-merit goods in the near term. In the medium term, these states need to put efforts toward stabilizing debt levels.
    • Power sector reforms: Further, large-scale reforms in the power distribution sector would enable the DISCOMs to reduce losses and make them financially sustainable and operationally efficient.
    • Focus on capital creation: In the long term, increasing the share of capital outlays in the total expenditure will help create long-term assets, generate revenue and boost operational efficiency.
    • Risk testing analysis: State governments need to conduct fiscal risk analyses, and stress test their debt profiles regularly to be able to put in place provisioning to manage fiscal risks efficiently
  • Legal measures: The FRBM Acts need to be amended. Its provisions should be expanded to cover all liabilities of the Government, whether budget borrowing or off-budget borrowing, regardless of any guarantee.

THE CONCLUSION: Given that the Constitution of India provides clear provisions regarding the borrowing by the Central Government and State Governments, both must diligently abide by the constitutional values and limits. State borrowings must be more transparent and prudent. Also, there must be a behavioural change within political parties to participate in elections on their working capabilities rather than hampering state finances in the name of vote bank.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

  • “Taking a cue from what is happening in Sri Lanka as a result of its unsustainable debt and the precarious finances of states, the given status of significant indebtedness of India’s federal units act like swords of Damocles”. Analyse critically in the light of the recent RBI report on State Finances.
  • Discuss the various causes for exceeding off-budget borrowings by state governments in India. Do you think unregulated off-budget borrowings will have economic implications? Justify your views.



DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS (SEPTEMBER 27, 2022)

THE SOCIAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL JUSTICE

1. NEURODIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

THE CONTEXT: Recently, the experts have been talking about the benefits of Neurodiversity in the workplace which can give a competitive edge from increased diversity in skills, ways of thinking, and approaches to problem-solving.

THE EXPLANATION:

What is Neurodiversity?

  • Neurodiversity in the workplace refers to people with neurodivergent conditions such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and Asperger’s Syndrome.

Major Challenges faced by them

Denial in Job

  • It is unjust that even with all the necessary skill sets and degrees, these persons are denied a job because they may react to situations differently from non-neurodiverse persons.

Lack of awareness

  • While part of the problem could be a lack of awareness about neurodivergent conditions, organisations must create a more accommodating environment.

 Discrimination

  • The stigmas attached to cognitive disabilities cloud the judgment of existing employees and lead to direct discrimination.

 Unsuitable work environment

  • Workplaces are typically designed to suit and benefit neurotypical employees without considering the special needs of neurodiverse people. This hinders the productivity of differently-abled staff members.

 The assumption of “one-size-fits-all”

  • Most companies rely on a “one-size-fits-all” mentality regarding neurodiverse employees. However, this approach is ineffective in creating a positive work environment, and it often leads employees to become distressed at work.

 Neurodiversity and mental health

  • There is a prevalent misconception that neurodiverse people are mentally “disabled.” In truth, neurodivergent people simply function, learn and process information differently than others.

SIGNIFICANCE

  • Nearly 2 million people in India suffer from this neurological and developmental disorder and are therefore identified as autistic.
  • A study by Deloitte estimates that nearly 20% of the world is neurodiverse.
  • In the U.S: it is estimated that 85% of people on the autism spectrum are unemployed compared with 4.2% of the overall population.

 2. OPERATION MEGH CHAKRA

THE CONTEXT: The CBI launched Operation Megh Chakra to combat the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Materials online.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched Operation Megh Chakra on September 24, 2022 to conduct searches at 56 locations across India as part of a nationwide drive against the circulation and sharing of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
  • This operation was launched after the CBI received intelligence from Interpol’s Singapore special unit based on the information received from authorities in New Zealand.
  • The CBI has filed two cases accusing that large number of Indian nationals of being involved in online circulation, downloading and transmission of CSAM using cloud-based storage.
  • The searches were conducted in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and others.
  • The raids witnessed the seizure of electronic devices, like mobile phones and laptops, that belonged to suspects.
  • Through these raids, a large quantity of child pornography material was found.
  • 50 suspects are currently being questioned about the identity of child victims and the abusers.
  • Similar exercise was launched by CBI last year under the code name Operation Carbon.
  • 13 states and 1 Union Territory were raided and the CBI filed 24 cases involving more than 80 people.
  • The raids under Operation Carbon was conducted in 76 locations across India.
  • Cases were filed against the suspects under the relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act, for allegedly being part of the syndicate involved in uploading, circulation, selling and viewing of CSAM through various social media platforms and online groups.
  • Based on the investigations under the operation, the CBI has urged countries to share and gather information about these syndicates under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs).
  • Apart from Indian nationals, suspects also included individuals from countries like Pakistan, Canada, US, UK, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Saudi Arabia etc.

 THE ENVIRONMENT, ECOLOGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

3. RHINO MEMORIAL IN KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

THE CONTEXT: A memorial made of ashes collected from rhino horns were unveiled recently at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The memorial having three rhino sculptures was named “Abode of the Unicorns”.
  • It has one male rhino, a female rhino and a calf.
  • It also has three statutes of forest guards, created using different materials.
  • The male rhino is 10.5 feet long and 6 feet tall, the female is 11 feet long and 5.6 feet tall and the calf is 3.5 feet long and 1.5 feet tall.
  • The rhino statues were created using ashes collected from around 2,500 rhino horns that burnt to flames by the Assam Government.
  • On the occasion of World Rhino Day (September 22) last year, rhino horns were burnt cinders remotely using drones at the Kaziranga National Park.
  • They were collected or seized over the past 40 years.
  • The statues were made using around 128 kg of ash obtained from these burnt horns.
  • They were created by sculptors Biju Das.
  • The statues of the forest guards were sculpted by Biren Singha.
  • It took four months to create these statues.
  • The memorial was unveiled by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
  • The estimated cost of this project is Rs.10 to 12 lakh.

About Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park in Assam hosts the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos. It is situated at the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots – Golaghat and Nagaon districts. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1985. According to the latest State of Rhino Report, the national park hosts 2,613 rhinos – the highest in India.

VALUE ADDITION:

State of Rhino Report

According to the State of Rhino Report 2022, released by the International Rhino Foundation, one-horned rhinos’ population in India, Nepal and Bhutan has increased while the population of rhinos in Africa and Indonesia either fell or saw only a slight rise. The estimated population of one-horned rhinos is 4,014. The population is surging mainly because of efforts of governments of India and Nepal towards expanding the natural habitats and anti-poaching activities.

4. NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF ENVIRONMENT MINISTERS

THE CONTEXT: Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the National Conference of Environment Ministers held in Gujarat.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • National Conference of Environment Ministers of all States is a two-day event held at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat on September 23 and 24 this year.
  • This conference aims to promote cooperative federalism through the synergized working of central and state governments on issues pertaining to the environment and climate change.
  • The conference will include 6 thematic sessions with topics focusing on LiFE, Combating Climate Change (Updating State Action Plans on Climate Change for Mitigation of Emissions and Adaptation to Climate Impacts); PARIVESH (Single Window System for Integrated Green Clearances); Forestry Management; Prevention and Control of Pollution; Wildlife Management; Plastics and Waste Management.

What is LiFE?

  • LiFE (Lifestyle for the Environment) was launched on June 5, 2022 on the occasion of World Environment Day to harness the power of individual and collective action to address the global climate crisis. It was introduced by Prime Minister at the COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland. This concept advocates for a mindful and deliberate utilization of resources as opposed to “mindful and wasteful consumption”.
  • It aims to create a global movement towards the adoption of simple and specific climate-friendly behaviours in daily life. The LiFE seeks to make such daily actions an integral part of collective social norms and promote sustainable development of the overall global community. It will deploy behavioural techniques like nudges, social and behaviour change communication to achieve its goals.

What is PARIVESH?

PARIVESH (Pro Active Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single window Hub) is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. It provides a single window clearance mechanism for those seeking Environment, Forest, Wildlife and CRZ Clearances from Central, State and District authorities. It enables citizens to interact with scrutiny officers, generate online clearance letters, online mailers and alerts to state government officials in case of delays in the processing of applications.

Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan

Guidelines for ‘Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan- Ranking of Cities’ was released during the National Conference of Environment Ministers. The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ranks 131 cities across India for the implementation of City Action Plans prepared as part of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for the reduction of air pollution up to 40 per cent by 2025-26. The cities are categorized into three groups based on population. The first group has cities with population more than 10 lakh, the second has population between 3 to 10 lakh and the third has population less than 3 lakh. The ranking is based on the annual self-assessment of the cities based on the framework provided in the government portal.

VALUE ADDITION

About National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)

The NCAP is a long-term strategy that aims to achieve 20-30% reduction in Particulate Matter Concentration by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison of the concentration. Specific plans were created for each city. These plans include strengthening of monitoring network, reducing vehicular/industrial emissions, awareness creation etc. The implementation of these plans are regularly monitored by Committees at Central and State levels.

 THE GOVERNMENT SCHEMES AND INTERVENTIONS

5. MAKE IN INDIA COMPLETES 8 YEARS

THE CONTEXT: Make in India, the flagship program of the Government of India that aspires to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure, completes 8 years of path-breaking reforms.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The government’s flagship initiative has helped 27 sectors to make significant progress, including manufacturing and services sectors.
  • It has doubled the annual foreign direct investment to 83 billion USD. With this, India is expected to attract 100 billion USD in FDI this fiscal. 101 countries have made investments across 31 states and union territories in 57 sectors.
  • With this initiative, the Indian manufacturing sector is witnessing an increase in domestic value addition and local sourcing, increased focus on research and development, innovation and sustainability measures.
  • The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes were launched under the Make in India initiative across 14 key manufacturing sectors. Under these schemes, incentives are provided to strengthen domestic manufacturing sector, improve resilience of supply chains and make Indian companies more competitive and have export potential.
  • The flagship initiative has been complemented with minimising compliance burdens through amendment of laws, liberalization of guidelines and regulations and ensuring ease of doing business in the country.
  • The National Single Window System (NSWS) was launched to provide a single digital platform for investors requiring approvals and clearances. This portal has been integrated with existing clearance systems of various government entities. This has boosted investment inflow into the country.
  • The PM Gati Shakti Programme has improved the logistical efficiency in the country, enabling an increased access to Indian markets, hubs and job opportunities at a reduced logistical cost.
  • The One District One Product initiative, created based on the vision of the Make in India initiative, boosted the production of indigenous products from each district in India, increasing exposure of artisans and manufacturers of handlooms, handicrafts, textiles, agricultural processed products and other products.

About Make in India initiative

The Make in India initiative was launched on September 25, 2014 to make India a global manufacturing hub by promoting investments, innovation, enhanced skill development, intellectual property rights and infrastructure development. It is being implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

 THE PRELIMS PERSPECTIVE

6. WORLD TOURISM DAY: SEPTEMBER 27

THE CONTEXT: The World Tourism Day is observed every year to promote tourism and spread awareness about its importance.

THE EXPLANATION:

  • The theme for this year is “Rethinking Tourism”.
  • It focuses on the post-pandemic initiatives and developments concerning tourism sector.
  • It aims to put people and the planet first and promote the shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient tourism sector.
  • It seeks to make people understand the joy of exploring the world.
  • Indonesia is the host country for the 2022 celebrations. The events were kicked off in Bali and across the globe.

Background

  • The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) initiated the World Tourism Day in the year 1979. The official celebrations of this international day commenced in 1980. It commemorates the adoption of the Statutes of UNWTO. The UNWTO has decided in 1997 that events concerning the World Tourism Day would be celebrated in different host countries each year.
  • The day comes at the end of the high season in the northern hemisphere and the start of the season in the southern hemisphere. The theme for the inaugural edition of the World Tourism Day in 1980 was “Tourism’s contribution to the preservation of cultural heritage and to peace and mutual understanding”. India hosted the 2019 celebrations with the theme “Tourism and Jobs: A better future for all”.

About UNWTO

UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism across the world. Headquartered in Madrid, it acts as a global forum for international collaboration in the tourism sector and a source of knowledge on tourism related topics.

VALUE ADDITION

India’s tourism sector

The latest edition of the Economic Impact Report by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that the tourism sector’s contribution to the overall growth of the Indian economy could be higher than the pre-pandemic levels, with year-on-year growth at 20.7 per cent. The report expects the sector’s contribution to reach around 215 billion USD. This is 1 per cent higher than the 2019 levels. Jobs in this sector is also expected to grow to almost 35 million, which is 8.3 per cent higher than the previous year.

 




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