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GS Paper: GS3

  • Radioactive Pollution in Water

    Radioactive pollution of water is newly emerging but is of grave concern for water pollution and human health.

    Quick recap: Radioactivity

    • Radioactivity is the phenomenon of spontaneous emission of particles or waves from the unstable nuclei of some elements.
    • There are three types of radioactive emissions: Alpha, Beta and Gamma.
    • Alpha particles are positively charged He atoms, beta particles are negatively charged electrons and gamma rays are neutral electromagnetic radiations.
    • Radioactive elements are naturally found in the earth’s crust.

    Radioactive contamination of Water

    • Natural: Percolation of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) from the soil sediments to the aquifer causes groundwater contamination.
    • Man-made: Anthropogenic sources of such pollution include- nuclear weapon investigation, nuclear calamities, nuclear powerhouses and dumping of radioactive waste.

    Various contaminant elements

    • Uranium, thorium and actinium are three NORM series that contaminate water resources.
    • A number of radionuclides are found in surface and subsurface waters, among which 3H, 14C, 40K, 210Pb, 210Po, 222Rn, 226Ra, 228Ra, 232Th and 234,235,238U are common.
    • Strontium-90, Caesium-137, etc are also formed by nuclear reactors, along with numerous unnecessary radioisotopes wastes.
    • 40K and 7Be are the most commonly found radioactive elements in the sludge generated in sewage treatment plants.
    • Nuclear reactors produce radioisotopes (Cobalt-60, Iridium-192, etc) that hand out as sources of gamma radiation in radiotherapy and numerous industrial appliances.

    Oceanic sources

    • Oceans and seas are the natural repositories of naturally occurring uranium. It is found in the form of uranyl carbonate ion.
    • A significant concentration of uranium is supposed to be found in the greater salinity of the marine water.
    • 40K (Radioactive Potassium) is also found in considerable concentration in the marine environment.

    Measuring radioactive pollution

    • Radioactivity is measured in Becquerel (SI unit) or in Curie.
    • Energy absorbed per unit mass is measured by Gray, while the unit Sievert measures the quantity of radiation absorbed by human tissues.
    • A small amount of radiation is found in all types of water but the extended amount of radiation is harmful to human health.
    • Radioactivity in drinking water can be determined by a gross alpha test.

    Hazards of such pollution

    • Radioactive elements have an effect on the environment and can cause a risk to human healthiness if inhaled, injected or exposed.
    • Human tissues absorb radiation through polluted water and foodstuff, which can cause serious health risks.
    • High doses of radiation can cause acute radiation syndrome or cutaneous radiation injury.
    • Exposure to radiation causes various disorders in human physiology, including cancer, leukaemia, genetic mutations, osteonecrosis, cataracts and chromosomal disruption.

     

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  • NASA’s Imaging X-Ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE) Mission

    NASA has launched a new mission named Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer or IXPE.

    About IXPE

    • IXPE observatory is a joint effort of NASA and the Italian Space Agency.
    • The mission will study “the most extreme and mysterious objects in the universe – supernova remnants, supermassive black holes, and dozens of other high-energy objects.”
    • The mission’s primary length is two years and the observatory will be at 600 kilometers altitude, orbiting around Earth’s equator.
    • IXPE is expected to study about 40 celestial objects in its first year in space.

    What are the instruments onboard?

    • IXPE carries three state-of-the-art space telescopes.
    • Each of the three identical telescopes hosts one light-weight X-ray mirror and one detector unit.
    • These will help observe polarized X-rays from neutron stars and supermassive black holes.
    • By measuring the polarization of these X-rays, we can study where the light came from and understand the geometry and inner workings of the light source.
    • This new mission will complement other X-ray telescopes such as the Chandra X-ray Observatory and the European Space Agency’s X-ray observatory, XMM-Newton.

    Why is it important?

    The mission will help scientists answer questions such as:

    • How do black holes spin?
    • Was the black hole at the center of the Milky Way actively feeding on surrounding material in the past?
    • How do pulsars shine so brightly in X-rays?
    • What powers the jets of energetic particles that are ejected from the region around the supermassive black holes at the centers of galaxies?

     

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  • [pib] Saryu Nahar National Project

     

    PM will inaugurate the Saryu Nahar National Project.

    Saryu Nahar National Project

    • The Project involves the interlinking of five rivers – Ghaghara, Saryu, Rapti, Banganga and Rohini to ensure optimum usage of water resources of the region.
    • It will benefit nine districts of Eastern Uttar Pradesh namely – Bahraich, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Siddharthnagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Gorakhpur and Maharajganj.
    • The sub canals with a length of 6,600km have been linked to the 318km main canal.
    • The work on the project started in 1978 but due to lack of continuity, it got delayed and was not completed even after nearly four decades.

    Benefits offered

    • The project will provide assured water for irrigation of over 14 lakh hectares of land and benefit about 29 lakh farmers of over 6200 villages.
    • The farmers of the region, who were the worst sufferers of the inordinate delay in the project, will now immensely benefit from the upgraded irrigation potential.
    • They will now be able to grow crops on a larger scale and maximize the agri-potential of the region.

    Back2Basics: Sarayu River

    • The Sarayu is a river that originates at a ridge south of Nanda Kot mountain in Bageshwar district in Uttarakhand.
    • It flows through Kapkot, Bageshwar, and Seraghat towns before discharging into the Sharda River at Pancheshwar at the India—Nepal border.
    • Lower Ghaghara is also popularly known as Sarayu in India.
    • Especially while it flows through the city of Ayodhya, the birthplace of legendary Rama.

     

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  • What are Non-convertible Debentures?

    Several companies have announced public issues to raise funds through non-convertible debentures.

    What are Debentures?

    • Debentures are long-term financial instruments issued by a company for specified tenure with a promise to pay fixed interest to the investor.
    • They can be held by individuals, banking companies, primary dealers other corporate bodies registered or incorporated in India and unincorporated bodies.
    • Their types include:
    1. Convertible debentures (CDs): They are a type of debentures that can be converted into equity shares of the company.
    2. Non-convertible debentures (NCDs): They are defined as the type of debentures that cannot be converted into equity shares of the company.

    What are NCDs?

    • Some debentures have a feature of convertibility into shares after a certain point of time at the discretion of the owner.
    • The debentures which can’t be converted into shares or equities are called non-convertible debentures (or NCDs).
    • They are debt financial instruments that companies use to raise medium- to long-term capital.

    Benefits offered by NCDs

    • At a time when fixed deposit rates are in low single digits, these NCD offerings look lucrative.
    • NCDs offer interest rates between 8.25–9.7%.

    Risks posed

    • Although NCDs are generally considered safe fixed-income instruments, some recent defaults have made investors cautious.
    • NCDs can be either secured by the issuer company’s assets, or unsecured.
    • Certain issuers, with credit rating below investment grade, had in the past issued both a secured NCD and another unsecured one through the same offer document, with different credit ratings.
    • The risk is high in the case of unsecured NCDs, even though they offer high-interest rates.
    • Credit rating of the issuer is a key factor to consider before investing in any NCD.

     

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  • RBI must tackle surplus liquidity on way to policy normalisation

    Context

    Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) voted to maintain status quo on policy rates, with one member continuing to dissent on the “accommodative” stance of policy.

    What is accommodative stance of policy?

    Accommodative monetary policy is when central banks expand the money supply to boost the economy. Monetary policies that are considered accommodative include lowering the Federal funds rate. These measures are meant to make money less expensive to borrow and encourage more spending.

    Overview of RBI policy measures during Covid-related lockdown

    • Cut in policy rates and injection of liquidity: The RBI had moved proactively to cut the repo and reverse repo rate and inject unprecedented amounts of funds into banks and other intermediaries.
    • The short-term interest rate at reverse repo level: a combination of the lower reverse repo rate and the large liquidity injection had resulted in a drop in various short-term rates down to (and occasionally below) the reverse repo rate, making it the effective operating rate of monetary policy.
    • Gap between repo and reverse repo increased to 65 bps: In addition, both the repo and reverse repo rates had been cut to 4.0 and 3.35 per cent, respectively, with the gap – the “corridor” – between the rates widening from the usual 25 basis points to 65 bps.

    Central bank’s role in modern monetary policy

    • Determining basic overnight interest rate: A central bank’s main role in modern monetary policy operating procedures is to determine the basic overnight interest rate, deemed to be consistent with prevailing macroeconomic conditions and their economic policy objectives, in balancing the ecosystem for sustained growth together with moderate inflation.
    • This is achieved through buying and selling very short-term (predominantly overnight) funds (mainly) from banks to keep a specified operating rate (the weighted average call rate in our case) very close to the policy rate.

    Liquidity management: Key pillar of monetary policy normalisation

    • Liquidity management: Liquidity management in the extended banking and financial system (which includes non-banking intermediaries like NBFCs, mutual funds and others) will now be the key pillar of normalisation.
    • This process is the domain of RBI and not MPC.
    • These operations will be conducted within RBI’s liquidity management framework.
    •  There are two sources of liquidity additions:
    • (i) Exogenous: which are largely due to inflows of foreign currency funds and outflows of currency in circulation (cash) from the banking sector.
    • (ii) Voluntary or endogenous: which is the result of the creation of base money by RBI through buying and selling of bonds, thereby injecting or extracting rupee funds.

    How RBI is managing liquidity surplus?

    • Stopped GSAP and OMOs: Post the October review, RBI had stopped buying bonds under the Govt Securities Asset Purchase (GSAP) and done negligible Open Market Operations (OMOs), thereby stopping addition of voluntary liquidity injection into the system, our own version of “tapering”.
    • Union government balances with RBI, arising from cash flow mismatches between receipts and expenditures, has hybrid characteristics and also impacts liquidity.
    • Use of reverse repo window: RBI has used the reverse repo window to absorb almost all this liquidity surplus from banks.
    • Allowed repaying TLRTOs: It has again allowed banks the option to prepay the outstanding borrowings from the Targeted Long Term Repo Operations (TLTROs), thereby potentially extracting another Rs 70,000 crores.

    How RBI is managing interest rate in the policy normalisation process

    • Increased rates and closed the gap between repo and reverse repo: RBI – post the October review – has gradually guided short-term rates up with a sure hand from near the reverse repo rate to close to the repo rate.
    • It has shifted its liquidity absorption operations from the predominant use of fixed rate reverse repos (FRRR) into (largely) 14-day variable rate reverse repo (VRRR) auctions to guide a rise in interest rates.
    • Since early October, these rates had steadily moved up in a smooth and orderly fashion up to 3.75-3.9 per cent.
    • The VRRR rates moving up have also resulted in various short-term funding interest rates like 90-day Treasury Bills, Commercial Papers (CP) and banks’ Certificates of Deposits (CD) moving up from the reverse repo rate or below in September to 3.5 per cent and higher since December.
    • The OMO and GSAP operations have also helped in managing medium- and longer-term interest rates in the yield curve.

    Way forward

    • There is a likelihood of further additions to exogenous system liquidity.
    • Other instruments to absorb surpluses: There might consequently be a need for other instruments to absorb these surpluses apart from VRRR auctions.
    • Liquidity surplus of non-banking intermediaries: Managing liquidity surpluses of the non-banking intermediaries, especially mutual funds, will be another challenge since they do not have direct access to VRRR operations.

    Consider the question “Since the onset of the Covid-related lockdowns, RBI had moved proactively to cut the repo and reverse repo rate and inject unprecedented amounts of funds into banks and other intermediaries. In this context, what are the challenges in monetary policy normalisation as RBI plans to absorb the excess liquidity and increase the interest rates ?”

    Conclusion

    The shift to the tightening phase, with hikes in the repo rate, is likely towards the late months of FY23, with shifts “if warranted by changes in the economic outlook”.

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    Back2Basics: Monetary Policy Corridor

    • The Corridor in monetary policy of the RBI refers to the area between the reverse repo rate and the MSF rate.
    • Reverse repo rate will be the lowest of the policy rates whereas Marginal Standing Facility is something like an upper ceiling with a higher rate than the repo rate.
    • The MSF rate and reverse repo rate determine the corridor for the daily movement in the weighted average call money rate.

  • Cabinet nods for Ken-Betwa Interlinking Project

    The Union Cabinet has approved the funding and implementation of the Ken-Betwa river interlinking project at the 2020-21 price level.

    Ken-Betwa Interlinking Project

    • The Ken-Betwa Link Project is the first project under the National Perspective Plan for the interlinking of rivers.
    • Under this project, water from the Ken River will be transferred to the Betwa River. Both these rivers are tributaries of the river Yamuna.
    • The project is being managed by India’s National Water Development Agency (NWDA), under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
    • Implementation of the project
    1. Phase-I: Daudhan dam complex and its appurtenances like Low Level Tunnel, High Level Tunnel, Ken-Betwa link canal and Power houses
    2. Phase-II: Lower Orr dam, Bina complex project and Kotha Barrage

    Utility of the Project

    • Irrigation: The project is slated to irrigate 10.62 lakh hectares annually, provide drinking water supply to 62 lakh people and generate 103 MW of hydropower and 27 MW of solar power.
    • Water supply: The project will be of immense benefit to the water-starved Bundelkhand region, spread across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
    • Agricultural boost: The project is expected to boost socio-economic prosperity in the backward Bundelkhand region on account of increased agricultural activities and employment generation.
    • Addressing Rural Distress: It would also help in arresting distress migration from this region.

    Many hurdles

    • Submergence of critical wildlife habitat: The project will partly submerge the Panna Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh and affect the habitat of vultures and jackals.
    • Clearance: After years of protests, it was finally cleared by the apex wildlife regulator, the National Board for Wildlife, in 2016.
    • Water sharing disputes: Then UP and MP could not agree on how water would be shared, particularly in the non-monsoonal months.

    Back2Basics: River Interlinking in India

    History

    • The idea of interlinking of rivers in the Indian subcontinent is atleast 150 years old.
    • During the British Raj in India, Sir Arthur Cotton, a British general and irrigation engineer, first suggested linking the Ganga and the Cauvery for navigational purposes.
    • K.L. Rao’s Proposal (1972), which had 2640 km long Ganga – Cauvery link as its main component involved large scale pumping over a head of 550 m.
    • The Central Water Commission, which examined the proposal, found it to be grossly under estimated and economically prohibitive.

    Capt. Dastur Proposal (1977)

    It envisaged the construction of two canals:

    1. 4200 km Himalayan Canal at the foot of Himalayan slopes running from the Ravi in the West to the Brahmaputra and beyond in the east
    2. 9300 km Garland Canal covering the central and southern parts

    Beginning of implementation

    • The Indian Rivers Inter-link aims to link India’s rivers by a network of reservoirs and canals and so reduce persistent floods in some parts and water shortages in other parts of India.
    • The idea to link rivers got a shot in the arm with the establishment of the National Water Development Agency in 1982 by then PM Indira Gandhi.
    • The Inter-link project was split into three parts:
    1. Northern Himalayan rivers inter-link component
    2. Southern Peninsular component
    3. Intrastate rivers linking component

    Objectives of inter-linking

    • Connect the Himalayan and peninsular rivers via a network of canals so that
    • Excess water from one channel can be diverted to another which has an inadequate flow
    • Flood moderation in the Ganga-Brahmaputra system
    • Hydropower generation through excess water

    Prospects of River inter-linking

    • Engineering challenges: This is one of the most daring feats of engineering attempted in the history of mankind.
    • Ecosystem challenges: It is a reimagining of the entire aquatic ecosystem of a country as large and diverse as India.

    Advantages offered by river inter-linking

    • Flood control and mitigation: Problems related to flood control, irrigation, limiting droughts and boosting farm output—can be sorted out by linking the country’s rivers.
    • Economic boost: Potential benefits to transport infrastructure through navigation, as well as to broadening income sources in rural areas through fish farming.

    Issues with such projects

    • Migration: It will lead to massive displacement of people
    • Topography change: Since the Ganga basin topography is flat, building dams would not substantially add to river flows.
    • Inundation: The transfer of such enormous amounts of water will inundate forests and land for reservoirs.
    • Seismic hazards: The weight of billions of liters of water can have seismic implications in the Himalayan region.
    • Financial expense: River inter-linking is an expensive business from building the link canals to the monitoring and maintenance infrastructure.
    • Political will: Implementation of the project not only needs a huge financial capital but also political support both is scarce commodities as of now.
    • Consensus building for land acquisition: Another important issue is building consensus among states and Land acquisition.
    • Ecological feasibility: Once the project is implemented it would lead to large-scale displacement of people and animals.

    Criticisms of such projects

    • Bad Science: Such projects are built on bad science and an outdated understanding of water systems and water management.
    • Human determinism: Such projects go in contravention with natural process thereby generating more scope for threat than any opportunity.

     

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  • Ambergris: The Floating Gold

    The Crime Branch in Pune and seized 550 grams of ambergris, also known as ‘floating gold’.

    What is Ambergris?

    • Ambergris, which means gray amber in French, is a waxy substance that originates from the digestive system of the protected sperm whales.
    • It is incorrectly referred to as ‘whale vomit’.
    • It is produced in the gastrointestinal tract of some of the sperm whales for the passage of hard, sharp objects that are ingested when the whale eats large quantities of marine animals.

    Why is it so expensive?

    • Investigating agencies from across India who have seized ambergris in the recent past estimate its value to be somewhere between Rs 1 to 2 crores per kilogram, depending on the purity and quality.
    • Being extremely rare contributes to its high demand and high price in the international market.

    Its uses

    • Traditionally, ambergris is used to produce perfumes that have notes of musk.
    • While there are records of it being used to flavor food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco in some cultures in the past, it is rarely used for these purposes presently.

    Legalities and recent cases of seizure in India

    • While there is a ban on possession and trade of ambergris in countries like the USA, Australia and India, in several other countries it is a tradable commodity.
    • In the Indian context, the sperm whales are a protected species under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and possession or trade of any of its by-products, including Ambergris is illegal.
    • It has been observed that the gangs smuggling the ambergris procure it from coastal areas and ship it to destination countries via some other countries with whom India has comparatively less stringent sea trade.

     

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  • To check stubble burning, monitor policy implementation

    Context

    Every October and November, parts of north India are engulfed by a dense fog. Farmers resort to the practice due to the limited time they have between the harvesting of kharif paddy and sowing of the rabi wheat.

    Government initiatives to stop the stubble burning

    • Policy measures: In 2014, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare developed a National Policy for the Management of Crop Residue.
    • Ban by NGT: In 2015, the National Green Tribunal banned stubble burning in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Punjab.
    • Weak enforcement: The enforcement of the ban has, however, been weak, largely due to inadequate political will.
    • Legal measures: Stubble burning was considered an offence under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and in the Air and Pollution Control Act, 1981.
    • However, it has now been decriminalised as per a recent government announcement.
    • The Central Scheme on Promotion of Agricultural Mechanisation for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue was introduced in 2018-19.
    • Over 1.5 lakh crop residue management machineries have been supplied to farmers and custom hiring centres between 2018-19 to 2020-21.

    How successful were the measures?

    • As a result of these efforts, the number of crop residue burning events declined from 2016 to 2019.
    • This year satellite data did show an almost 50 per cent decline in the number of stubble burning events in Punjab, Haryana and UP in October.
    • However, after including burning events till November 21, the decline reduced to about 8 per cent.
    • Experts suggest that the respite in October was temporary as the initial decline can be attributed to the delayed withdrawal of monsoon.
    • It is thus evident that despite various government initiatives, substantial stubble burning continues in several states.

    Suggestions

    • Subsidise operational cost for crop residue management: To ease farmers’ financial burden, the government could consider subsidising operational costs along with providing farmers capital subsidy on crop residue management equipment.
    • Ex-situ management of crop residue: Ex-situ management of crop residue can also be explored under the schemes covering products such as bales and pellets for biomass power generation and supplementary feedstock in coal-fired power plants.
    • Awareness generation: Awareness generation and trust building exercises should be undertaken with the support of local civil society organisations.
    • Adopt targeted and cluster-based approach: Stubble burning is fairly concentrated in regions within states.
    • A targeted and cluster-based approach can be undertaken by identifying districts with a higher number of stubble burning incidents.
    • Central and state government interventions can then be concentrated in these districts.
    • Monitoring system at local level: To make these interventions effective, there is a requirement for formulating a robust monitoring system at the local level to track the progress of different activities.

    Consider the question “Stubble burning by farmers of the adjacent states contributes significantly to the air pollution in Delhi. In this context, examine the initiatives taken by the government to deal with the problem and suggest the way forward.”

    Conclusion

    Dealing with the practice of stubble burning requires efforts on multiple levels. A combination of these measures can complement the existing initiatives to encourage farmers to adopt zero stubble burning practices.

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  • Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics (RELOS) Agreement with Russia

    India and Russia are set to ink the RELOS logistics exchange pact during the visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin for the Indo-Russia summit.

    What are Logistics Agreements, in general?

    • Logistical exchange agreements are designed so that partner countries can enjoy ease of access to use each other’s military facilities like ports, bases, and military installations.
    • Such agreements save enormous time and also frees up the need for constant paperwork when one military obtains assistance on matters like refuelling, berthing, use of aviation infrastructure, etc.

    RELOS Agreement with Russia

    • RELOS agreement with Russia would grant “access to Russian naval port facilities in the Arctic”, thus enhancing “Indian Navy’s reach and operational experience in Polar waters”.

    Need for RELOS

    • Despite growing engagement with the US on military hardware and tech, Russia remains a partner with whom India has shared traditionally deep defence ties.
    • Russia’s growing proximity to China and Pakistan has of late been seen as casting a shadow on the Moscow-New Delhi engagement.
    • To that extent, RELOS will be an important step forward in the military sphere as it aims at fostering interoperability and sharing of logistics.
    • The “long overdue” agreement was to have come up for signing in 2019 but that was put off pending finalisation of its terms.

    Strategic significance of RELOS Agreement

    • Naval Cooperation: It is usually the Indian Navy, the most outgoing force of the three services, that stands to benefit the most from a logistical exchange agreement.
    • Interoperability: These impart enhanced operational turnaround and strengthened interoperability on the high seas.
    • Military enhancements: Given the percentage of Russian military hardware in the Indian armed forces, the two sides can take advantage, through RELOS, of increased interoperability “in any hostile situation in the future”.
    • Future defence purchases: India has acquired advanced defence systems from Russia, including fighter jets, and is looking to again obtain a nuclear-powered attack submarine on a long-term lease from Moscow.

    Fulfilling Arctic aspirations of India

    • Navigation: From a geostrategic point of view, it would give Indian Navy better access to northern sea routes and Russian ports in the Arctic, where India is looking to set up an Arctic station.
    • Energy cooperation: Russia and India are also exploring enhanced energy cooperation in the Arctic region.
    • Competing China: India’s presence in Arctic will act as a strategic counterweight to China’s strategic posturing with Beijing and Moscow sharing “synergy” in the Arctic.

    Does India have similar arrangements with other Countries?

    • India has logistical exchange agreements with six other countries, including Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, or Quad, partners US (LEMOA), Japan and Australia.
    • Singapore, France and South Korea are the other countries with which similar arrangements have been effected.
    • India has become more comfortable in concluding such arrangements with other countries and is currently pursuing one with the UK while exploring arrangement with other partners like Vietnam.

    Other defence trade between the two countries

    • Russia continues to be among India’s biggest defence suppliers.
    • The two sides are now looking to move from licence manufacture to joint research and co-development of defence equipment.
    • Both nations have agreed for the manufacture of over six lakh AK-203 assault rifles by a Joint Venture, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Ltd, at Korwa, Amethi, in UP.
    • Russia has started deliveries of the S-400 Triumf long-range air defence systems to India. The first division will be delivered by the end of 2021.
    • There are several other big such as procurement of 21 Mig-29s and 12 Su-30MKI fighters, Igla-S short-range air defence systems and the manufacture of 200 K-226T utility helicopters.

    Future trajectory of the defence cooperation

    • Timely supply of spares and support to the large inventory of Russian hardware in service with Indian military has been a major issue from India.
    • To address this, Russia has made legislative changes allowing its companies to set up joint ventures in India to address it following an Inter-Governmental Agreement signed in 2019.
    • This is in the process of being implemented.
    • With increased competition from the U.S., France, Israel and others who have bagged major deals in recent years, Russia is also focusing on timely deliveries and lifetime support.

    Conclusion

    • Russia will remain a key defence partner for India for decades to come.
    • In line with India’s quest for self-sufficiency, such partnerships help curb the reliance of India over other countries.
    • This will thereby curb India’s dependency in near future.

     

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  • Kasturirangan Committee Recommendations for Western Ghats Conservation

    Recently, the Karnataka CM has informed the Centre that the state is opposed to the Kasturirangan Committee report on the Western Ghats.

    What is the issue?

    • The Kasturirangan committee report proposes 37 per cent of the total area of Western Ghats, which is roughly 60,000 square kilometers, to be declared as eco-sensitive area (ESA).
    • Declaring this would adversely affect the livelihood of people in the region, asserted the Karnataka CM.

    Kasturirangan Committee Report

    • The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), also known as the Gadgil Commission after its chairman Madhav Gadgil, was an environmental research commission.
    • It was appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Forests of India. The commission submitted the report in 2011.
    • The WGEEP was succeeded by an eminent scientist K. Kasturirangan.

    Key recommendations

    (1) Declaration of Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA)

    • The committee report proposes 37 per cent of the total area of Western Ghats, which is roughly 60,000 square km, to be declared as eco-sensitive area (ESA).
    • Out of this, 20,668 sq km of the area falls in Karnataka (46.50%) covering 1,576 villages.

    (2) Ban on various activities

    • The report recommended a blanket ban on mining, quarrying, setting up of red category industries and thermal power projects.
    • It also stated that the impact of infrastructural projects on the forest and wildlife should be studied before permission is given for these activities.

    (3) Urging of UNESCO World Heritage tag

    • It has sought for UNESCO Heritage tag as an opportunity to build global and domestic recognition of the enormous natural wealth that exists in the Western Ghats.
    • The 39 sites are located across the Western Ghats and distributed across the states (Kerala 19), Karnataka (10), Tamil Nadu (6) and Maharashtra (4).

    Reasons behind rejection by Karnataka

    • Hitherto conservation measures: Karnataka has the distinction of being one of the states with extensive forest cover and the government has taken care to protect the biodiversity of Western Ghats.
    • Curb over development activities: The state believes that implementation of the report will halt the developmental activities in the region.
    • Issues over satellite observations: The Kasturirangan report has been prepared based on the satellite images, but the ground reality is different.
    • Adaptation by People: People of the region have adopted agriculture and horticultural activities in an eco-friendly manner.

    Significance of the recommendations

    • There have been massive encroachments across the state forest areas and these have been done at the behest of political leaders.
    • We are in the throes of extreme climate events, which are impacting nature and people.
    • Hence it is prudent to conserve the fragile ecosystems as it costs less compared to the situation prone to calamities (with changes in the climate).

     

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