TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

THE CONTEXT: There have been numerous scientific discoveries on the ISS that have had a direct impact on our everyday lives on Earth.

EXPLANATION

• More than 140,000 Earth orbits and a quarter century on, the ISS is still a place of peaceful collaboration for science.
• ISS is one of the world’s most successful locations for international diplomacy, peace and collaboration, even in times of war. It’s literally been a safe space for 25 years.
• It passes over our heads 16 times every 24 hours — traveling through 16 sunrises and sunsets — at an altitude of a mere 430 kilometers (267 miles).

WHEN WAS THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION LAUNCHED?

• The first segment of the ISS was the Zarya Control Module.
  • It was Russian and launched November 20, 1998.
  • Zarya supplied fuel storage and battery power and served as a docking zone for other space vehicles arriving at the ISS.
• On December 4, 1998, the US launched the Unity Node 1 module. Together, the two modules were the start of a functioning space laboratory.
• The large modules and other pieces of the station were delivered on 42 assembly flights, 37 on the U.S. space shuttles and five on Russian Proton/Soyuz rockets.
• First “live-in” astronauts were Bill Shepherd of NASA and Roscosmos cosmonauts Yuri Gidzenko and Sergei Krikalev.

HOW BIG IS THE ISS?:

• The ISS is split into various spaces for living and working.
• It has six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym, and a 360-degree view bay window.
• The space station is 356 feet (109 meters) end-to-end, one yard shy of the full length of an American football field including the end zones.
• The ISS is shorter than SpaceX’s Starship by 12 meters.
• Its solar array wingspan is also 109 m.
• The largest commercial aircraft, the Airbus A380, has a wingspan of 79.8 meters. And about 13 kilometers of electrical wires run through the space station.

WHAT IS THE ISS’s AVERAGE SPEED?

• At 17100 miles per hour, the International Space Station (ISS) orbits the earth every 90 minutes.
  • It is a staggering speed, but those inside the ISS get to witness 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets each day.

WHAT DO ASTRONAUTS DO ONBOARD THE ISS?

• When they’re not conducting scientific experiments (ones that can’t be done on Earth), ISS astronauts go on regular spacewalks to add new components to the station, such as robotic arms, or run maintenance.
• There have been times when astronauts have had to inspect or fix holes that were created by space debris.
• The astronauts are also on a strict health regimen.
• They have to mitigate the loss of muscle and bone mass, which is caused by microgravity in space.
  • That includes working out on specially designed machines, including treadmills, for at least two hours a day.
• But as researchers focus more and more on humans living in space.
  • For example, on the moon or Mars, the astronauts’ daily exercise is also used to improve our scientific understanding of the effects of space on our bodies.

WHAT SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES ON THE BENEFITED LIFE ON EARTH?

• Astronauts have conducted hundreds of scientific experiments on the ISS.
  • Sometimes they experiment on themselves.
  • Monitoring their general health, Nutrition or the effects of solar radiation.
  • And sometimes they conduct experiments for scientists on Earth.
  • These experiments have led to numerous scientific breakthroughs.
• From Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease to cancer, asthma and heart disease — it’s all been studied in space.
• According to the scientists, some medical experiments are best done in space because cells behave in microgravity more like they do inside the human body, but it’s difficult to recreate such conditions on Earth.
• There have been discoveries to benefit drug development, new water purification systems, methods to mitigate muscle and bone atrophy and those that have led innovations in food production.

HOW LONG WILL IT REMAIN OPERATIONAL?

• Plans for the future operation of the ISS were thrown into uncertainty with the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
  • Both the European Space Agency(ESA) and national bodies withdrew from international collaborations with Russia, and Russia said it was leaving the ISS to build its own space station.
  • It’s not just the war, though — old and new spacefaring nations want to make an independent mark on space. They include Japan, China, India, the United Arab Emirates and others.
• The US and Europe have said they remain committed to the International Space Station through 2030.
• But plans are afoot for a post-ISS world, as well:
  • NASA is almost entirely focused on its Artemis program and plans to populate the moon.
  • And ESA is working toward a new space station, which it is calling Starlab.

Source: 25 years of the International Space Station: Why it was launched, what it does (indianexpress.com)

TAG: GS 2: POLITY

THE CONTEXT: The Supreme Court has laid down the law that a Governor, in case he withholds assent, should send back a Bill forwarded to him by a State Legislature “as soon as possible” with a message to reconsider the proposed law.

EXPLANATION

• In case, the State Assembly reiterates the Bill “with or without amendments”, the Governor has no choice or discretion, and has to give his assent to it.
• The substantive part of Article 200 empowers the Governor to withhold assent to the Bill.
  • In such an event, the Governor must mandatorily follow the course of action which is indicated in the first proviso of communicating to the State Legislature ‘as soon as possible’ a message warranting the reconsideration of the Bill.
• The ultimate decision on whether or not to accept the advice of the Governor as contained in the message belongs to the legislature alone.
• That the message of the Governor does not bind the legislature is evident from the use of the expression ‘if the Bill is passed again, with or without amendments’, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has held.
• The court held that a Governor who chooses to withhold a Bill without doing anything further would be acting in contravention of the Constitution.

PROCESS OF GRANTING ASSENT

• Article 200 of the constitution:
  • When a Bill has been passed by the Legislative Assembly of a State or, in the case of a State having a Legislative Council, has been passed by both Houses of the Legislature of the State, it shall be presented to the Governor.
  • Governor shall declare either that he assents to the Bill or withholds assent or reserves the Bill for the consideration of the President.
  • Governor may also return the Bill if it is not a Money Bill with a message requesting reconsideration by the house or houses.
• Article 201 of the constitution:
  • When a Bill is reserved by a Governor for the consideration of the President, the President shall declare either assents to the Bill or withholds assent from the bill.
  • President may also direct the Governor to return the Bill to the House or houses of the legislature of the state for reconsideration.
• In case the Governor chooses to withhold assent, he should return the Bill as soon as possible with a message requesting the Legislative Assembly to reconsider the proposed law or any specified provisions or suggest amendments.
• The Assembly would reconsider and pass the Bill, and this time, the Governor should not withhold his assent.
• In short, the constitutional head of the State would bow to the considered decision of the elected representatives of the people.

Source: Governor holds no veto power over Bills, says Supreme Court – The Hindu

TAG: GS 2: SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE CONTEXT: Out of the 34 States and union territories only six have completed social audit of works done under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in more than 50% of gram panchayats.

EXPLANATION

• Kerala is the only State to cover 100%-gram panchayats.
• High rate of corruption is one of the primary complaints against the scheme and social audit is the inbuilt anti-corruption mechanism in the Act.
• These statistics are sourced from the Management Information System (MIS) on Social Audit maintained by the Union Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) as on November 10.
• Section 17 of the MGNREGA says the Gram Sabha “shall monitor the execution of works”.
• Each State has social audit units which are supposed to work independent of the implementing authorities.
• The auditing standards laid down by the Comptroller and Auditor General were issued only on December 19, 2016.
  • According to them, every Social Audit Unit is entitled to funds equivalent to 0.5% of the MGNREGA  expenditure incurred by the State in the previous year.
  • The audit involves quality checks of infrastructure created under the MGNREGA, financial misappropriation in wages, and checking for any procedural deviations.

UNIFORM PROBLEM

• The problem is uniform irrespective of the party in power across the country.
• The Centre has, multiple times, reminded the States that if the social audits are not conducted regularly, then the funds under the MGNREGS will be withheld.
• The States complain that the audit is delayed because the Centre does not release the funds for the social audit units, which work independent of the State governments, in time.
• There are recurrent complaints of delayed salaries for the village-level auditors.

States:

• Other than Kerala the only States to cross the 50% mark are Bihar (64.4%), Gujarat (58.8%), Jammu and Kashmir (64.1%), Odisha (60.42%) and Uttar Pradesh (54.97%).
• Only three States have covered 40% or more villages.
  • Telangana (40.5%), Himachal Pradesh (45.32%) and Andhra Pradesh (49.7%).
  • Other than Telangana, among the poll-bound States, the numbers are really low, Madhya Pradesh (1.73%), Mizoram (17.5%) Chhattisgarh (25.06%), and Rajasthan (34.74%).
• Kerala’s Rural Development Minister said theirs was the only State that also holds periodic Social Audit Public Hearings (Janakeeya Sabhas) at the panchayat level to subject the audit reports to close public scrutiny.
• In the other States, such public scrutiny is done only at the block level.

MEASURES

• According to the Kerala’s Rural Development Minister, they have taken a host of measures to make their social auditing mechanism robust.
  • Including holding periodic panchayat-level public hearings where all stakeholders participate.
  • Kerala has a healthy culture of people’s participation in governance.

THE MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE SCHEME (MGNREGS)

• The Government of India passed the MGNREGA, September in 2005.
• The Act gives legal guarantee of a 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to adult members of a rural household who demand employment and are willing to do unskilled manual work.
• The Act will be applicable to areas notified by the Central Government.

Launching of Scheme:

• MGNREGS was launched by Govt. of India in all Gram Panchayats of districts Mahendergarh and Sirsa on 2nd February 2006 and this scheme was also extended in two more districts namely Ambala & Mewat on 1^st April 2007.
• The remaining districts of the State have been covered under the scheme in April 2008.

Objective:

• The objective of the Act is to enhance the livelihood security of the people in the rural areas by generating wage employment through works that develop the infrastructure base of that area.

Cost Sharing:

• Financial assistance shall be provided by Central and State Governments in the ratio of 90:10 respectively.

Source: MGNREGS audit crosses 50% local bodies in just six States – The Hindu

TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Continuous warm temperatures for prolonged periods may have led to the serious pest infestation in Assam that damaged around 28,000 hectares of paddy crop in at least 15 districts.

EXPLANATION

• The crop was nearing maturity and about to be harvested when the pests attacked it.
• The pest (Mythimna separata) is known as the ear head cutting caterpillar, rice ear-cutting caterpillar, or armyworm.
• It feeds on leaves and can cut off panicles from the base of a crop plant, frequently leaving the field looking like it has been grazed by cattle.
• During an outbreak, the pest multiplies in large numbers and moves in swarms from field to field, like an army, to feed and attack the crops.
• This is the first time that the attack has happened on such a large scale.
  • Experts told that, this was partly due to continuous warm temperatures for prolonged periods.
• Assam Chief Minister on November 19 said the government was constantly monitoring the infestation and has instructed officers to ensure that affected farmers get benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, the national crop insurance policy.
• The biggest problem was that this time the attack happened at the last stage of the crop when there was absolutely no chance of crop recovery.

REASONS

• An increase in temperatures with dryness creates a favourable condition for the pest population to increase.
• In a warming world, changes in both temperature and rainfall are the two big drivers of shifts in how and where pests and diseases spread.
• A 2017 study published in the book Climate Change and Sustainable Agriculture said that every small rise in global temperatures will reduce the lifecycle of insects, resulting in a higher population of pests, increasing generations, an extension of geographical range and development season, high risks of invasion by migrant pests and overwintering.

States:

• The pest was first reported as a sporadic pest from Tamil Nadu during 1937 and Kerala and Odisha in 1957.
• On November 22, both the maximum and minimum temperatures were above normal in at least seven districts in the state, for which data was available at the Regional Meteorological Centre.
• In Guwahati, the maximum temperature was 31.4 degrees Celsius, 4.5 degrees above normal for this part of the year.
• Damage to crops by the ear head cutting caterpillar was reported in 2016 too.
  • However, the damage was restricted to a few areas, unlike this year, when farmers from half of the state have faced a total wipeout of their crops.

In India:

• In India, which is home to 6.83 per cent of the world’s insect species, a degree Celsius rise in temperature would enable them to expand in presence about 200 km northwards and 40m upward in terms of altitude.

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/warm-temperatures-for-prolonged-periods-may-have-led-to-massive-pest-attack-in-assam-9294

TAG: GS 3: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

THE CONTEXT: The government is likely to ask the next Finance Commission to consider a higher weight for the human development index (HDI) and sustainable development goals (SDGs) while recommending the distribution of resources among states.

EXPLANATION

• The government is currently finalizing the terms of reference for the 16th Finance Commission, which is likely to be set up shortly.
• According to the senior official, the commission may also be asked to look at the conditions attached to fiscal transfers to urban and rural local bodies, to ensure that the funds are effectively utilised.
• The 15th Finance Commission gave 12.5% weight to demographic performance, 45% to income, 15% each to population and area, 10% to forest and ecology, and 2.5% to tax and fiscal efforts.

ABOUT FINANCE COMMISSION

• The Finance Commission is a constitutional body that determines the method and formula for distributing tax proceeds among the Centre and states.
• It suggests distribution of taxes and grants and works based on the terms of reference set by the finance ministry for a five-year period.
• The recommendation of the 16th Finance Commission will be applicable for the period from April 2026 to March 2031.
• Ritwik Pandey, a 1998 batch IAS officer of the Karnataka cadre, appointed as an officer on special duty at the advance cell of the Finance Commission.

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE 16^th FINANCE COMMISSION

According to the official, the terms of reference could include consideration of climate issues while deciding distribution of funds among states keeping in view India’s commitment to climate financing and to prepare states and cities to tackle future adverse weather conditions and natural disasters.

THE 15^th FINANCE COMMISSION

• The 15th Finance Commission had allocated ₹54,770 crore under the National Disaster Relief Fund and ₹1.28 lakh crore for state disaster relief funds.
• The Centre’s share in state disaster relief funds was ₹98,080 crore.
• Improving the financial health of municipal bodies is part of the government’s pending agenda.

INEFFICIENT FUND UTILISATION

• The Reserve Bank of India, the Department of Expenditure and state finance commissions have repeatedly flagged inefficient fund utilization as well as poor accounts and record keeping by some municipal bodies.
• According to the official, the commission could be asked to look at conditions-based transfer to make fund utilization by local bodies effective and transparent.
• The total central grant to local governments is estimated to be ₹4.36 lakh crore for the 15th Finance Commission period (FY22-FY26), of which ₹2.36 lakh crore is earmarked for rural local bodies and ₹1.21 lakh crore for urban local bodies.
  • Another ₹70,051 crore is for health grants through local governments.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT INDEX(HDI)

• The Human Development Index (HDI) is a statistical tool used to measure a country’s overall achievement in its social and economic dimensions.
• Every year United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ranks countries based on the HDI report released in their annual report.
• HDI is one of the best tools to keep track of the level of development of a country.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS(SDGs)

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.
• The 17 SDGs are integrated.
  • They recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability.

Source: finance commission: New Finance Commission may tweak formula; SDGs, climate could get more weight – The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT:  Indian officials are certain that the benefits of participating in the trade negotiations in IPEF are insignificant, as there are no clarity regarding the tangible benefits vis a vis the Trade Pillar.

 EXPLANATION:

• IPEF was launched jointly by the US and other partner countries of the Indo-Pacific region on May 23, 2022, in Tokyo and is structured around four key negotiating subjects or pillars.
  1. Relating to trade,
  2. supply chains,
  3. clean economy and
  4. fair economy (issues like tax and anti-corruption).
• IPEF does not deal with market access.
• The trade pillar is one of the most crucial parts of IPEF that seeks commitment on sensitive areas as agriculture, digital trade and labour and could require changes in domestic regulation.
• However, in a setback to the Washington-driven IPEF that seeks to counter China’s dominance in the region, an agreement on the trade pillar was not reached in the last round in San Francisco.
• On pillar 2,3,4(supply chains, clean economy, fair economy), there was a positive intent from all member countries because supply chain resilience and green energy transition is a common endeavor.

Benefits are not clear:

• There are questions on the trade pillar. Benefits are not clear and that is probably why the trade pillar has not been closed. Because members are finding it difficult to take commitments without any clear tangible benefit.
• The official said, seven rounds were scheduled to take place to complete talks on all four pillars.
• Trade pillar is a significant and aspiration pillar and has as many as 10 chapters.
• There has been progress, but members could not announce the closure of the trade pillar.

ABOUT IPEF AGREEMENT:

• This framework will advance resilience, sustainability, inclusiveness, economic growth, fairness, and competitiveness for our economies.
• Through this initiative, the IPEF partners aim to contribute to cooperation, stability, prosperity, development, and peace within the region.
• This framework will offer tangible benefits that fuel economic activity and investment, promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth, and benefit workers and consumers across the region.
• The 14 IPEF partners represent 40 percent of global GDP and 28 percent of global goods and services trade.
  • Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the US and Vietnam are members of the IPEF .
• The IPEF agreement refers to avoiding restrictions on food and agriculture imports or exports.

India: India has been extensively using such restrictions to arrest food prices.

• • India has banned wheat exports, imposed restrictions on rice and sugar exports in the run up to the general elections next year.
  • For instance, phase down of coal power. It was something that developed countries wanted but it is a sensitivity for India, and it was finally dropped.
  • Co-founder global trade research initiative (GTRI), said that India’s decision to stay out of the Trade pillar, which focuses on digital trade, labor, and other sectors, aligns with its broader strategy of retaining regulatory autonomy.
  • The standards under discussion, primarily aligned with Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) economies, pose a challenge for India in terms of domestic rule alignment.

Source: Benefits of joining IPEF’s trade pillar unclear: Official | Business News – The Indian Express

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: Methane is potent but relatively short-lived. Methane is a key target for countries wanting to slash emissions quickly and slow climate change.

EXPLANATION:

• Climate talks often revolve around reducing the most dangerous greenhouse gas But other powerful heat-trapping emissions of methane.
• Emissions of methane are also likely to be in the crosshairs of negotiators at the crucial COP28 meeting in Dubai next week.
• Large amounts of methane are simply leaking into the atmosphere from fossil fuel infrastructure.

WHAT IS METHANE?

• Methane is a colourless, odourless gas that occurs abundantly in nature and as a product of certain human activities.
• Methane is the simplest member of the paraffin series of hydrocarbons and is among the most potent of the greenhouse gases. Its chemical formula is CH4.
• Atmospheric methane (CH4) occurs abundantly in nature as the primary component of natural gas.
• It is the second largest contributor to climate change, accounting for around 16% of the warming effect.
• Methane remains in the atmosphere for only about 10 years but has a much more powerful warming impact than CO2.
• Its warming effect is 28 times greater than CO2 over a 100-year timescale (and 80 times over 20 years).

SOURCES OF METHANE EMISSIONS:

Human activity: Around 60% of methane emissions are linked to human activity.

Wetlands: While some 40% is from natural sources, mainly wetlands.

Agriculture: Agriculture is the biggest culprit, responsible for roughly a quarter of emissions.

• Most of that is from livestock — cows and sheep release methane during digestion and in their manure.
• Rice cultivation, where flooded fields create ideal conditions for methane-emitting bacteria.

Energy sector: Coal, oil and gas is the second largest source of human caused methane emissions.

Energy infrastructure: Methane leaks from energy infrastructure

• Such as gas pipelines.
• From deliberate releases during maintenance.

Household waste: Also releases large quantities of methane when it decomposes, if left to rot in landfills.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

Rapid cuts in methane emissions:  A recent IEA report estimates that rapid cuts in methane emissions linked to the fossil fuel sector could prevent up to 0.1 degrees Celsius of warming by mid-century.

• Reduction would have an impact greater than immediately taking all cars and trucks in the world off the road.
• According to IEA Executive Director, it is one of the best and most affordable options for reducing global warming.
• It could be achieved by repairing leaky infrastructure and eliminating routine flaring and venting during pipeline maintenance.
• Leakage is far too high in many areas where natural gas is extracted but some countries, notably Norway, have shown that it is possible to extract and supply natural gas with minimal levels of leakage.

Modify animal diets: In the case of agriculture, it is possible to modify animal diets by, for example, adding a compound to improve their health and that of the planet.

Changes to water management: For rice fields, changes to water management are the most promising way to reduce emissions.

BINDING AGREEMENT

Global Methane Pledge: A joint EU-US “Global Methane Pledge” was launched in 2021, aiming to reduce worldwide methane emissions by 30% by 2030, compared to 2020 levels.

• Some 150 countries have signed on, but China, India and Russia were noticeably absent.

COP28: Scientists at EASAC have called for COP28 to agree on a “substantial strengthening” of the methane pledge, with a formalized reduction target of around 60% in the energy sector, in line with recent EU regulations.

Climate action plans: The United States and China have announced they will include methane in their climate action plans, and Beijing has revealed a plan to control its emissions, although without a quantified target.

• China’s plan is a crucial step forward in addressing one of the country’s main greenhouse gases, which accounts for 10% of the country’s total emissions.

Oil and Gas Climate Initiative: Oil and gas giants have also proposed commitments, including the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative, which aims for zero emissions from their activities by 2030.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/cop28-turns-attention-to-potent-methane-emissions/article67557476.ece#:~:text=A%20joint%20EU%2DUS%20%22Global,and%20Russia%20were%20noticeably%20absent.

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT:  According to a new study, the ozone hole over the Antarctic has not only grown larger but also thinner throughout most of the spring.

EXPLANATION:

• The study published in Nature Communications noted that despite making a recovery in area and depth since the 2000s, the Antarctic ozone hole has been massive in the last four years.
• There is much less ozone in the centre of the ozone hole compared to 19 years ago.
• Concentration of ozone at the center of the ozone hole has reduced, which means the ozone layer has notably thinned.
• The ozone hole is a region of exceptionally depleted ozone in the stratosphere over the Antarctic. It happens at the beginning of the Southern Hemisphere spring from August through October.
• The ozone layer is on track to recover within four decades, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
• The ozone hole has been remarkably large from 2020-22.
• The extent and duration of the 2022 hole were remarkably similar to the large holes of 2020 and 2021.
• Though the analysis included data till 2022, 2023 is also showing the same trend.
• According to NASA, from September 7 to October 13, the hole averaged 23.1 million square kilometers, approximately the size of North America, making it the 16th largest over this period.
• The ozone layer over the Antarctic is intrinsically linked to the climate and dynamics of the Southern Hemisphere.
• The researchers saw a total reduction of 26 per cent at the core of the ozone hole from 2004 to 2022.
• This reduction is despite the 1987 Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete ozone layer, which regulates the production and consumption of human-generated chemicals known to deplete the ozone.
• The Montreal Protocol on ozone depleting Substances quadrennial assessment report of 2022 confirmed the phase-out of nearly 99 per cent of banned ozone-depleting substances.
• According to the UNEP, Meteorological conditions could have largely driven fluctuations in the size of the Antarctic ozone hole, from 2019 to 2021,
• It is known that other factors such as springtime temperature and wind patterns, aerosols from wildfires and volcanic eruptions, as well as changes in the solar cycle ozone hole development could also be responsible.
• Lead author from the University of Otago, explained that the Antarctic ozone hole sits within the polar vortex, which is a circular pattern of wind in the stratosphere that forms during winter and is maintained until late spring.
  • Within this vortex, the Antarctic air from the mesosphere (the atmospheric layer above the stratosphere) falls into the stratosphere.
  • This intrusion of air brings natural chemicals (nitrogen dioxide, for example) which impact ozone chemistry in October.

WHAT IS OZONE HOLE?

• The ozone hole is not technically a “hole” where no ozone is present but is actually a region of exceptionally depleted ozone in the stratosphere over the Antarctic that happens at the beginning of Southern Hemisphere spring (August–October).

Causes:

• The ozone hole, has developed because people have polluted the atmosphere with chemicals containing chlorine and bromine.
• The primary chemicals involved are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs for short), halons, and carbon tetrachloride.

SOURCE: Antarctic ozone hole now larger, thinner & may take longer to recover. Mesosphere has a role to play: Study (downtoearth.org.in)

TAG: GS 3: ENVIRONMENT

THE CONTEXT: The black-spotted croaker, or the ghol fish, considered a fisherman’s lottery. It was declared the state fish of Gujarat on 21^st November.

ABOUT GHOL FISH:

• Ghol fish, biologically known as ‘Protonibea Diacanthus’ and commonly called the black-spotted croaker fish, is an exotic specimen.
• It is and prized in east Asia for its medicinal properties.
• Ghol fish is loaded with rich nutrients (Iodine, Omega-3, DHA, EPA, Iron, Taurine, magnesium, F0luoride and Selenium).
• Fish has potent medicinal properties and has a high valuation in the overseas market, so it is also called ‘Sea Gold’.
• The fish is usually found in the Indo-Pacific region that stretches from the Persian Gulf to the Pacific Ocean.
• Ghol fish is one of the most expensive marine fish in the world.
• However, the levels of pollution have shifted these fishes from the shore to deep sea.
• The length of the Ghol fish is around one-and-a-half meters.

BENEFITS OF GHOL FISH:

Good for eye health: This fish contains many vitamins, minerals, proteins, which helps in maintaining eyesight.

Prevent ageing and wrinkles: The collagen content in the Ghol fish prevents wrinkles and also keeps the elasticity of the skin intact.

Improves IQ of infants: Omega-3 content in it improves IQ of infants if fed on a regular basis – it stimulates the growth of brain cells.

Toning muscles: The black-spotted croaker is one fish that has tremendous benefits for toning muscles because of various minerals and vitamins. It provides Vitamin C that is required for collagen and elastin synthesis which has helps to supply essentials nutrients to the muscles.

WHY WAS THE GHOL FISH CHOSEN?

• The Gujarat government chose the Ghol Fish because of its economic value and its uniqueness.
• According to officials, the declaration will enable Gujarat to be a part of its conservation efforts.
• There is need to conserve it and prevent it from over-exploitation.

WHICH OTHER SPECIES WERE IN THE FRAY?

• Selecting a state fish is a consultative process with representatives of all the districts.
• Ribbon fish, pomfret, and Bombay Duck were the other species that were considered for designation as state fish.

WHAT IS THE COMMERCIAL IMPORTANCE OF THIS FISH SPECIES?

• Being an expensive fish, the local consumption of this variety is not widely heard, But the fish has a huge market in China and other countries.
• The fish is actually a lottery for fishermen who manage to net it.
• The fish is not only tasty, it is considered a delicacy in many countries. In others, it is used for medicinal purposes.
• The meat of the fish is exported as frozen fillet or whole fish to European and Middle Eastern countries.
• Its air bladder — which is cut open from the stomach and dried — is mainly exported to China, Hong Kong and other Asian countries where it is in high demand for its medicinal values.

HOW MUCH FISH DOES GUJARAT EXPORT?

• During the year 2021-22, the total fish production of Gujarat was estimated at 8.74 lakh tonne, worth Rs 11,221 crore.
• Of this, 2.3 lakh tonne of fish and fish products worth Rs 5,233 crore were exported.

SOURCE: Gujarat gets a state fish: Why ghol, the ‘fisherman’s lottery’, was chosen | Explained News – The Indian Express

TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

THE CONTEXT: The  policy of the government of U.K., of creating a mechanism for the transfer of asylum seekers to Rwanda, has been ruled as unlawful by the U.K. Supreme Court.

WHAT IS THE RWANDA DEAL?

• The Migration and Economic Development Partnership (MEDP) was announced in April 2022 by former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
• The objective of the deal is to create a mechanism for the transfer of asylum seekers not considered by the K into Rwanda.
• The inadmissibility clause of the UK’s asylum system plays a key role in categorizing people who enter the U.K. through “irregular journeys” such as the English Channel.
• According to the Memorandum of Understanding between the two nations, the K. will screen asylum seeker applications and arrange for safe transport to  Rwanda.
• On arrival of the refugees, Rwanda is obliged to provide accommodation for every individual and protect them from ill-treatment and refoulement.
• Rwanda will be the sole authority to recognize or not recognize the refugee status of an individual.
• If an individual is not recognized, they will be moved to their country of origin.

WHY DID THE U.K. CHOOSE RWANDA?

• Rwanda offers three solutions for those sent out by the K.
  • It facilitates returning them to their country of origin.
  • Helps in moving them to a third country; or
  • Helps them settle in Rwanda with decent housing, access to universal health insurance and the right to work.
• The K. will bear the accommodation and transit costs. Rwanda was not the first country to be approached.
• Former Prime Minister of U.K. attempted to persuade Tanzania for asylum claims but failed.
• Britain’s colonial history aligns with the current scenario where it used to move particular sections of migrant labour to certain territories.
• The K. has, in the past, moved refugees to colonized countries under the guise of development and economic growth.
• The MEDP arrangement resonates with this colonial scheme of dispersing refugees.

WHY WAS IT RULED UNLAWFUL?

• The ruling was based on two major issues.
  • One, the Court of Appeal’s entitlement to intervene in the High Court’s ruling.
  • Two, if the Court of Appeal had looked into the real risk for asylum seekers when moved to  Rwanda.
• On the first, the Supreme Court found the High Court decision to be “erred,” due to its failure to consider the evidence of the risk of refoulement.
• Second, the Supreme Court found evidence that asylum seekers face a real risk of ill-treatment from refoulement.
  • Rwanda’s track record on human rights and its non-compliance with assurances were taken as instances for considering the real risk of refoulement.
  • While Rwanda has become a key partner of the K., the court highlighted the periods of violence in Rwanda since 1994 and how its human rights record was viewed as critical for the ruling.

WHY ARE DOMESTIC RESPONSES MIXED?

• The reason behind different perceptions is the uncertainty over the legality of the arrangement and treatment of the refugees in Rwanda.
• According to civil society organizations, double voluntarism from the K and to create a Rwanda safe transit or guaranteeing rights is impossible.
• The UNHCR clearly states that once a refugee enters a territory via land or sea it becomes the responsibility of the respective country to ensure the safety of the refugee.
• In this case, the K cannot be relieved from this duty even after the transfer of the refugee to  Rwanda.
• While the K. government argues over simultaneous investment in refugees and Rwanda’s economy for development, the doubts over refoulement and the implications to other EU countries do not seem to end.
• This might trigger other EU nations to consider such deportation schemes leading to a decline in humanitarian standards and creating risks for refugees in third-party countries.

Source: What has the U.K. Supreme Court ruled with respect to the Rwanda deal? | Explained – The Hindu