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GS Paper: GS3

  • National Council for Agriculture and Rural Transformation (NCART): A New Vision for Agriculture Sector

    Why in the news?

    The Centre is contemplating the establishment of the National Council for Agriculture and Rural Transformation (NCART), envisioned as a federal body to formulate policies and programs for the agricultural sector.

    What is NCART?

    • The NCART is a proposed federal body aimed at coordinating and driving actions in the agriculture sector in India.
    • It would have representation of both the Centre and States.
    • The idea for NCART has been proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare as part of its 100-day action plan for the new government.
    • It draws inspiration from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council.

    Terms of Reference of NCART:

    • Policy Formulation: NCART is envisioned as an overarching federal body responsible for devising policies and programs to promote agricultural and rural development.
    • Coordination: One of the key objectives of NCART is to ensure coordinated actions across various stakeholders involved in the agriculture sector, including the central government, state governments, and other relevant entities.
    • Consultative Body: NCART is expected to include representation from both the central and state governments, similar to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, to ensure a consultative approach in decision-making.
    • Legal Status: While the GST Council is a constitutional body, the exact status of NCART is yet to be finalized.

    India’s Agriculture Expenses:

    • Despite agriculture being a state subject, the Centre has significantly increased budgetary allocations for the Agriculture Ministry.
    • Budgetary allocation for the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare surged from Rs. 27,662.67 crore in 2013-14 to Rs. 1,25,035.79 crore in 2023-24 BE.

  • Why are Indian spices facing the heat? | Explained

    Why in the News?

    Many have announced an investigation into possible contamination of spice mixes sold by top Indian brands like MDH and Everest Masalas.

    • Delhi-based think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) in a recent note held, “With nearly $700 million worth of exports to critical markets at stake.”

    What is Ethylene Oxide (ETO)?

    • Ethylene oxide is a flammable, colorless gas at temperature above 51.3 F (10.7 C). When used directly in the gaseous form or in non-explosive gaseous mixtures with nitrogen or carbon dioxide, ETO serves as a disinfectant, fumigant, sterilizing agent, and insecticide.
    • ETO has also been reported to be produced from natural sources. In certain plants, ethylene (a natural plant growth regulator) is degraded to ethylene oxide. ETO ia also generated from water – logged soil, manure and sewage sludge.

    What are the health concerns?

    • ETO Usage and Contamination: ETO is a prohibited pesticide that is used as a sterilizing agent in the food industry, including spices.
    • Toxicity and Carcinogenicity: Residues of ETO can lead to the formation of toxic and carcinogenic compounds, such as ethylene glycol. Long-term exposure to ethylene oxide is associated with various health risks, including cancers like lymphoma and leukemia.
    • Previous Incidents: Indian-made products, including cough syrups, have been linked to incidents where ethylene glycol contamination resulted in fatalities, particularly among children in countries like Cameroon, Gambia, Indonesia, and Uzbekistan.
    • Regulatory Response: The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has banned the use of ETO and has flagged contamination issues in Indian spices in the past. A recent EFSA report highlighted carcinogenic chemicals found in numerous products linked to India.

    Which countries have flagged safety of Indian spices?

    • Hong Kong: Suspended the sale of three MDH spice blends and Everest fish curry masala due to high levels of ethylene oxide (ETO).
    • Singapore: Ordered a recall of Everest spice mix, stating that ethylene oxide makes the spices unfit for human consumption and poses a cancer risk.
    • United States: The FDA is aware of the reports and is gathering additional information about the situation.
    • Maldives: The Maldives FDA has suspended the sale of spices produced by Everest and MDH.
    • Australia: Food Standards of Australia and New Zealand is working with international counterparts to understand the issue and determine if further action is required.
    • Bangladesh: Gathering information on companies importing possibly contaminated products and plans to carry out examinations if necessary.

    What are the operational challenges faced by the Indian government?

    • Lack of Standardized Protocol System: India’s diverse food landscape, the lack of standardised monitoring and intentional food fraud may prevent manufacturers from efficiently tracing ingredients and assessing potential risks.
    • Lack of Database: Many companies struggle to trace ingredients, especially raw agricultural commodities, due to the lack of standardised recordkeeping and intentional food fraud. This prevents manufacturers from assessing potential risks, compromising the safety of the entire food supply chain.
    • Traceability is particularly challenging for small and medium sized businesses with limited resources.

    What steps is Food and Drug Administration (FDA) taking to improve the safety of spices?

    • Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA): The FSMA rules address both domestically produced and imported foods.
      • For example, the preventive controls rule requires food facilities, including those that manufacture spices, to conduct a hazard analysis, identify hazards reasonably likely to occur, and establish preventive controls for such hazards.
    • Spices Board and its Measures: The Spices Board announced mandatory testing of consignments shipped to Singapore and Hong Kong, and gathering technical details and analytical reports from relevant food and drug agencies.
    • Issuance of Guidelines: A circular dated April 30 contains guidelines to exporters on preventing ETO contamination, developed after discussions with the Indian spice industry.
      • Measures include voluntary testing of ETO during raw and final stages, storing ETO treated products separately, and incorporating critical control points in hazard analysis.

    Way forward:

    • Enhanced Regulatory Oversight: Strengthen regulatory bodies such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) to ensure strict adherence to food safety standards and regulations. Implement regular inspections, audits, and enforcement actions to monitor compliance with safety guidelines.
    • Improved Traceability Systems: Develop and implement robust traceability systems across the food supply chain to track the origin and movement of ingredients and products. Utilize technology such as blockchain and RFID tagging to enhance transparency and accountability.

    Mains question for practice 

    Q Explain the health risks associated with ethylene oxide (ETO) contamination in spices.

    Mains PYQ

    Q Elaborate the policy taken by the Government of India to meet the challenges of the food processing sector. (UPSC IAS/2019)

  • A computer science conundrum that could transform healthcare

    Why in the News? 

    Indian Health Care system faces a new set of complex problems that seem to be harder to solve because of their inherent complexity and the constraints they threaten to impose on resources.

    Quick Problems versus Complex Problems in Health Care:

    • Healthcare is filled with complex problems. Consider scheduling in a hospital: assigning doctors and nurses to shifts, booking operating theatres for surgeries, and organizing patient appointments.
    • It is an intricate puzzle that requires considering various factors — staff availability, urgency of medical cases, etc. — and potential changes such as emergency cases and cancellations.
    • The Quick Problems vs Complex Problems in Health Care question is this: there can be a shortcut to solve ‘Complex Problems’ problems as quickly as ‘Quick Problems’ problems.
    • The implication is that if Quick Problems equals Complex Problems, we could quickly find the optimal solution to these scheduling problems, thus significantly improving patient care.

    Implications for the Healthcare System:

    • Impact on Antibiotic Resistance: Quick analysis of bacterial genomes and prediction of resistance patterns could lead to more effective antibiotic prescriptions, improving patient outcomes and combating antibiotic resistance.
    • Advancement in Cancer Treatment: Swift identification of the optimal treatment for individual cancer patients could save lives by effectively tackling the complexity of cancer mutations and treatment options.
    • Optimization of Insurance Decision-Making: Insurance companies grappling with ‘NP’ problems in determining premiums and packages could benefit from a shortcut provided by solving the P versus NP problem. This could lead to fairer and more accurate premiums and conditions for customers.
    • Better utilization of Government health sector funding: Efficiently solving complex problems could lead to better utilization of government spending on healthcare, minimizing leakage and contributing to achieving universal health coverage.
    • Resource Constraint Reduction and Improved Health Outcomes: By solving complex healthcare problems more efficiently, there is the potential to dramatically reduce resource constraints and improve health outcomes broadly.

    Way Forward: Governments can enact policies and regulations that promote the responsible use of technology in healthcare and incentivize the adoption of evidence-based practices. This includes establishing standards for data privacy and security, fostering transparency in algorithmic decision-making, and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services.

    Mains PYQ 

    Q Public health system has limitation in providing universal health coverage. Do you think that private sector can help in bridging the gap? What other viable alternatives do you suggest? (UPSC IAS/2015)

  • Moon occulting the Antares (Jyeshtha)

    Why in the news?

    • The Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) captured the moon passing in front of Antares, a bright red star.
    • Moon occasionally occults bright stars such as Antares and planets as it orbits the Earth once a month.

    About Antares (Jyeshtha)

    • Antares is a red supergiant star also called ‘Alpha Scorpii,’ located in the constellation of Scorpius.
    • It is visible in the southern sky during the summer months in the northern hemisphere.
    • It is often referred to as the “heart of the scorpion” due to its location within the Scorpius constellation and its striking red color.
    • It is a massive star, with a diameter estimated to be around 700 times that of the Sun.
    • It has a relatively low surface temperature compared to other stars, which gives it its distinctive red color.
    • The distance to Antares from Earth is approximately 550 light-years, making it one of the closest red supergiant stars to our solar system.

    What is Occultation?

    • An occultation is a total or a partial cut-off of the light of a celestial body due to its passage behind another body.
    • The finest example of an occultation is the solar eclipse.
    • Strictly speaking, it is not an eclipse, but a lunar occultation of the sun.

     

    PYQ:

    [2012] A person stood alone in a desert on a dark night and wanted to reach his village, which was situated 5 km East of the point where he was standing. He had no instruments to find the direction, but he located the pole-star. The most convenient way now to reach his village is to walk in the _______.

    (a) Direction facing the pole-star

    (b) Direction opposite to the pole-star

    (c) Direction keeping the pole-star to his left

    (d) Direction keeping the pole-star to his right

  • An Animal Protection Bill that must be moved in June

    Why in the News? 

    Presently, Croatia has imposed stricter penalties for acts of cruelty, especially the abandonment of domestic pets. Countries across the world are reforming their animal cruelty laws and enhancing punishments for animal cruelty.

    On punishment theories:

    • Inadequacies in the PCA Act (1960): The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (PCA Act) is the primary legislation criminalizing various forms of cruelty towards animals in India.
    • Failure to Achieve Objectives: Despite being in place for several decades, the PCA Act has failed to achieve its main objective of preventing cruelty to animals effectively.

    Theories of punishment suggest that punishment serves three main goals:

    • Retribution: Retribution refers to punishment imposed to avenge the crime committed.In the context of animal cruelty, retribution could involve imposing punishment on perpetrators to seek justice for the harm inflicted on animals.
    • Deterrence: It aims to prevent future crimes by imposing punishment that dissuades both the perpetrator and the general public from engaging in similar behavior.
    • Reformation or Rehabilitation: It focuses on reforming the behavior of the perpetrator to prevent future offenses.

    Issues in PCA 1960 : 

    • Bail and Non-Cognisable Offences: Many offences under the PCA Act are bailable and non-cognisable, allowing accused individuals to seek bail easily and preventing immediate police action without court permission. This delays justice and hampers effective enforcement.
    • Inadequate Fines: The fines prescribed under the PCA Act have remained unchanged for over 130 years, rendering them insignificant and failing to act as a deterrent against animal cruelty. In many cases, fines are as low as ₹10, which does not reflect the seriousness of the offenses.
    • Discretionary Sentencing: The law grants courts discretion to choose between imposing imprisonment or a fine on offenders, even for severe cases of animal cruelty. This leniency allows perpetrators to evade appropriate punishment, undermining the deterrent effect of the law.
    • Lack of Rehabilitation Measures: The PCA Act lacks provisions for alternative forms of punishment such as community service, which could help reform perpetrators and address the root causes of animal cruelty.

    Steps taken by Government:

    • In November 2022, the Draft PCA (Amendment) Bill, 2022 was published by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying for public comments. Despite widespread public support for the Draft Bill, it was not tabled in Parliament.
    • The Draft Bill includes significant amendments to the 1960 Act such as the inclusion of the five fundamental freedoms for animals, enhancement of the punishments and the amounts of money to be paid as fines for various offences, and addition of new cognisable offences.

    Way forward 

    • Legislative Reforms: Need to table the Draft PCA (Amendment) Bill, 2022 in Parliament for consideration and enactment.Enhance penalties and fines for animal cruelty to reflect the seriousness of the offenses and act as a deterrent.
    • Promotion of Public Awareness: Launch campaigns and awareness programs to educate the public about animal welfare and the consequences of cruelty.

    Mains PYQ 

    Q Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture. (UPSC IAS/2022)

  • [pib] 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46)

    Why in the news?

    The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) will host the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46) in Kochi, Kerala.

    About Antarctic Treaty

    Details
    Signing and Entry into Force
    • Signed on December 1, 1959 at Washington DC.
    • Entered into force on June 23, 1961.
    • 12 Initial Countries: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, the USSR, the UK, and the US.
    Objective Ensure Antarctica remains exclusively for peaceful purposes, free from international discord.
    Key Provisions
    • Art. I: Antarctica shall be used for peaceful purposes only
    • Art. II: Freedom of scientific investigation in Antarctica and cooperation
    • Art. III:  Scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available

     
    Territorial Claims
    • Prohibits new territorial claims.
    • Preserves existing territorial sovereignty claims.
    Disarmament
    • Prohibits testing of nuclear weapons.
    • Prohibits disposal of radioactive waste
    Consultative Meetings Annual Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCM) where member states discuss treaty implementation and cooperation
    Environmental Protection
    • Promotes protection of Antarctic environment.
    • Prohibits activities causing pollution or environmental damage
    Mineral Resource Exploitation
    • Bans mining activities until at least 2048.
    • Requires consensus for any review or modification
    Membership
      • 54 parties as of 2024.
      • 29 Consultative Parties actively participate in decision-making.
      • 25 Non-Consultative Parties.
    • India ratified the treaty in 1983.
    Madrid Protocol
    • Adopted in 1991.
    • Entered into force in 1998.
    • Strengthens environmental protection measures in Antarctic.

     

  • Studies Suggest More Water Ice on Moon: ISRO 

    Why in the news?

    A study has revealed evidence for enhanced possibility of sub-surface water ice occurrence in the polar craters of the Moon, according to ISRO.

    Water Ice on Moon: ISRO’s Findings 

    • The research indicates that the amount of sub-surface ice within the first few meters is significantly greater, about 5-8x more, than that found on the lunar surface.
    • Moreover, the study reveals that the Northern Polar region harbors twice as much water ice as the southern polar region.
    • It highlights the necessity of drilling to access this ice for future missions and sustained human presence on the Moon.

    Origin of Water Ice:

    • The study validates the hypothesis that sub-surface water ice in lunar poles originated from out-gassing during volcanic activity in the Imbrian period.
    • It suggests that Lunar Mare Volcanism and preferential impact cratering govern the distribution of water ice on the Moon.

    Methodology:

    • The research team utilized seven instruments aboard the NASA robotic spacecraft Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), including radar, laser, optical, neutron spectrometer, ultra-violet spectrometer, and thermal radiometer. LRO hovers over Lunar South Pole.
    • These instruments provided crucial data to understand the origin and distribution of water ice on the lunar surface.

    Significance of the findings

    • Accurate knowledge of water ice distribution and depth is vital for identifying suitable landing and sampling sites for future lunar missions.
    • The study supports ISRO’s future plans for in-situ volatile exploration on the Moon, aligning with its broader lunar exploration objectives.

    PYQ:

    Q. Discuss India’s achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology helped India in its socio-economic development? (2016)

  • [PREMIUM] Views on inflation: A matter of interest

    Why in the News? 

    AAZData released showed that Retail Inflation had edged marginally upward last month.

    What is Inflation?

    • Inflation, as per the definition provided by the International Monetary Fund, represents the pace at which prices rise within a specified timeframe, covering a comprehensive assessment of general price escalations or those about particular goods and services. To measure the inflation there are different types of inflation index.
    • An Inflation Index is a statistical measure used to track changes in the overall price level of goods and services in an economy over a specific period. It quantifies the rate of inflation by comparing the current prices of a selected basket of goods and services to their prices in a base period.

    In India, there are primarily two types of inflation indices used to measure price changes:

    • Consumer Price Index (CPI): The CPI measures changes in the prices paid by urban and rural consumers for a basket of goods and services. It provides insights into inflation experienced by households and is divided into various sub-indices based on categories such as food, fuel, clothing, housing, transportation, medical care, recreation, and education. The Government of India releases multiple CPI indices, including:
    1. CPI for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW)
    2. CPI for Agricultural Labourers (CPI-AL)
    3. CPI for Rural Labourers (CPI-RL)
    4. CPI for Urban Non-Manual Employees (CPI-UNME)
    5. CPI for Rural (CPI-R)
    6. CPI for Urban (CPI-U)
    • Wholesale Price Index (WPI): The WPI tracks changes in the prices of goods at the wholesale level. It includes the prices of commodities traded in bulk such as agricultural products, minerals, crude oil, manufactured products, and electricity. The Office of the Economic Adviser, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), releases the WPI every month.

    What is Retail Inflation? 

    • Retail inflation, also known as Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, tracks the change in retail prices of goods and services that households purchase for their daily consumption. CPI is calculated for a fixed basket of goods and services that may or may not be altered by the government from time to time.
    • How it is Calculated?
      • A representative basket of goods and services is selected to represent the typical consumption patterns of households
      • The cost of the basket of goods and services is calculated for a base period.
      • The CPI is calculated by dividing the cost of the basket in the current period by the cost of the basket in the base period and multiplying by 100.
      • The inflation rate is calculated by comparing the CPI of the current period with the CPI of the base period.

    Key points as per AAZData released by the National Statistical Office:

    • Retail Inflation Data: The National Statistical Office reported that retail inflation in India increased marginally, rising to 5.69% in December from 5.55% in November, primarily driven by higher food inflation
    • Cause of inflation: RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das had anticipated the rise in inflation due to risks in food prices, cautioning about potential second-round effects
    • Food Inflation: The Consumer Food Price Index surged to 9.53% in December, up from 8.7% in November, with notable inflation in cereals, vegetables, pulses, sugar, and spices
    • Industrial Production: The index of industrial production slowed to 2.4% in November, partly due to the base effect, with a 6.4% increase in industrial output for the first eight months of the year (April-November)
    • Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) Actions: The MPC maintained the status quo on rates and stance in the last meeting, focusing on withdrawing accommodation to align inflation with the target of 4%
    • Future Monetary Policy: There are discussions within the MPC about the necessity of an interest rate cut to prevent excessive real interest rates, especially as inflation is projected to moderate in the coming quarters

    Way Forward

    • Monetary Policy Adjustment: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) could consider implementing a cautious monetary policy stance, possibly by tightening monetary policy through measures such as raising the repo rate. This would help curb inflationary pressures by reducing liquidity in the economy and making borrowing more expensive.
    • Supply-Side Interventions: The government could focus on addressing supply-side constraints in the agricultural sector to mitigate food price inflation. This might involve measures such as improving infrastructure, increasing agricultural productivity, reducing post-harvest losses, and enhancing market efficiency through better distribution networks.
    • Fiscal Policy Support: The government could also provide fiscal support to sectors facing supply-side disruptions or demand constraints, which could help stabilize prices and support economic growth. Targeted fiscal measures, such as subsidies for essential commodities or infrastructure investments, could be considered to address specific challenges contributing to inflation.

    Mains PYQ 

    Q Besides the welfare schemes, India needs deft management of inflation and unemployment to serve the poor and the underprivileged sections of the society. Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2022)

    Q Do you agree with the view that steady GDP growth and low inflation have left the Indian economy in good shape? Give reasons in support of your arguments. (UPSC IAS/2019)

    Prelims PYQ 

    Consider the following statements:(UPSC IAS/2020)

    1) The weightage of food in Consumer Price Index (CPI) is higher than that in Wholesale Price Index (WPI).

    2) The WPI does not capture changes in the prices of services, which CPI does.

    3) Reserve Bank of India has now adopted WPI as its key measure of inflation and to decide on changing the key policy rates.

    Which of the statements give above is/are correct?

    a) 1 and 2 only

    b) 2 only

    c) 3 only

    d) 1, 2 and 3

  • SEBI board approves amendment to Mutual Funds rules

    Why in the news?

    • The Securities & Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has recently approved amendments to SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996, aimed at enhancing the regulatory framework for Asset Management Companies (AMCs).
      • These amendments mandate AMCs to establish institutional mechanisms to deter potential market abuse, including front-running, following recent instances observed by the market regulator.

    What are Mutual Funds?

    • A mutual fund is a pool of money managed by a professional Fund Manager.
    • It is a trust that collects money from a number of investors who share a common investment objective and invests the same in equities, bonds, money market instruments and/or other securities.
    • And the income / gains generated from this collective investment is distributed proportionately amongst the investors after deducting applicable expenses and levies, by calculating a scheme’s “Net Asset Value” or NAV.
    • SEBI regulates mutual funds through the SEBI (Mutual Funds) Regulations, 1996.

    Categories of Mutual Funds:

    1. An actively managed fund is a mutual fund scheme in which the fund manager “actively” manages the portfolio and continuously monitors the fund’s portfolio, deciding on which stocks to buy/sell/hold and when, using his/her professional judgement, backed by analytical research.
    2. A passively managed fund, by contrast, simply follows a market index, i.e., in a passive fund , the fund manager remains inactive or passive inasmuch as, he/she does not use his/her judgement or discretion to decide as to which stocks to buy/sell/hold , but simply replicates / tracks the scheme’s benchmark index in exactly the same proportion.

    Fund Structure

    • Mutual funds in India operate under a three-tier structure, comprising the
    1. Asset Management Company (AMC),
    2. Trustees, and
    3. Custodians.
    • The AMC manages the fund’s investments, the Trustees oversee the operations, and the Custodians safeguard the fund’s assets.

    Key highlights of the recent update:

    • Institutional Mechanism: AMCs are required to implement enhanced surveillance systems, internal controls, and escalation processes to identify and address specific types of misconduct, such as front-running, insider trading, and misuse of sensitive information.
    • Whistleblower Mechanism: To foster transparency, AMCs are mandated to have a whistleblower mechanism.
    • Recording of Communication: SEBI has exempted face-to-face interactions during market hours from the requirement of recording all communication by dealers and fund managers. This exemption will be effective upon the implementation of the institutional mechanism by AMCs.
    • Prudential Norms for Passive Schemes: SEBI has streamlined prudential norms for passive schemes, allowing equity passive schemes to invest up to the weightage of constituents in the underlying index, subject to a 35% cap on investment in sponsor group companies.

    PYQ:

    [2014] What does venture capital mean?

    (a) A short-term capital provided to industries

    (b) A long-term start-up capital provided to new entrepreneurs

    (c) Funds provided to industries at times of incurring losses

    (d) Funds provided for replacement and renovation of industries

  • Chunk of India’s forests ‘missing’ after 27-year-delay to file reports | Analysis

    Why in the news?

    SC ordered MoEFCC to upload State Expert Committee reports on unclassed forests due to concerns over the Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment 2023 constitutionality, impacting protection and potential diversion of these forests.

    What are unclassed forests?

    • Unclassed forests, also known as deemed forests, are forest areas that may belong to various entities such as government bodies (forests, revenue departments, railways), communities, or private owners. However, these forest areas have not been officially notified as forests.
    • The State Expert Committees (SECs) were tasked with identifying all such unclassed forests across the country (referring to Forest Working Plans and Land Revenue Records).
    • Additionally, SECs were required to physically identify any land patches that exhibit characteristics of forests, as per the dictionary meaning of forests, irrespective of their ownership status.

    What are the present issues?

    1. The missing forests in SECs 
    • Undermined the previous judgment: MoEFCC informed a Parliamentary Committee that SECs had identified unclassed forests, aligning with the proposed Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment, despite earlier criticism that the law undermined the Godavarman judgment.
      • However, an RTI application revealed that MoEFCC claimed not to have the SEC reports, raising questions about its assurance to the Parliamentary Committee.
    • Lack of verified data: Following a Supreme Court order, MoEFCC uploaded the SEC reports, but they showed a lack of verifiable data on the identification, status, and location of unclassed forests.
    • States not constituted SECs: Seven states and Union Territories, including Goa, Haryana, and Tamil Nadu, hadn’t constituted SECs, while others hadn’t fully complied with Supreme Court directives.
    • Non-traceable Forest: Ladakh formed an SEC only after the dissolution of Jammu & Kashmir, and Puducherry’s report was declared “not traceable”, further highlighting inconsistencies in the process.
    1. Disagreement with FSI data 
    • Insufficient timeline: Many states argue that the one-month timeline provided by the Supreme Court was insufficient for comprehensive work due to the voluminous nature of the task.
    • Relied on Existing data: Instead of conducting ground-truthing, physical cadastral surveys, and demarcation of unclassed forest lands, most states relied on existing data from forest and revenue departments. Some states, like Manipur and Sikkim, simply quoted figures from the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
    • Question on Data: The reliability of data is questioned, with Haryana’s report lacking clarity on data sources and creation dates. Only nine states provided the extent of unclassed forests, while others focused on different types of forest areas specified in the order.
    1. Lack of clarity in the Reports:
    • Failed to specify the geographic locations: Most states and UTs failed to specify the geographic locations of forests in their SEC reports, rendering the information provided largely unhelpful for accurate identification and protection.
      • But Tripura was an exception, providing Khaitan numbers for forest areas beyond those officially recorded, but the classification of land remained unclear.
    • Lack of on-ground verification: SEC is lagging that on-ground verification may have led to the widespread destruction of forests that should have been identified and protected nearly three decades ago.
      • Instances like Kerala’s SEC excluding ecologically significant areas like Pallivasal unreserve and Chinnakanal unreserve, critical for wildlife corridors and conservation, showcase the lack of diligence in identifying and protecting vital forest areas.

    Suggested Measures:

    • Extended Timeline: Provide states with a more realistic timeline to conduct comprehensive surveys and data verification, considering the voluminous nature of the task and the need for accuracy.
    • Ground Truthing and Surveys: Mandate states to conduct ground-truthing, physical cadastral surveys, and demarcation of unclassed forest lands to ensure accurate identification and mapping of forest areas.
    • Data Verification: Implement mechanisms for verifying and cross-referencing data obtained from various sources, such as forest and revenue departments and the Forest Survey of India, to ensure reliability and consistency.

    Main PYQ: 

    Q Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change.(UPSC IAS/2020)