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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary proposed as Ramsar Site

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    The Mumbai Metropolitan Region is likely to get its first Ramsar site at the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary.

    Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary

    • The Maharashtra Government has declared the area along the western bank of Thane Creek as the “Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary” since 2015.
    • It is Maharashtra’s second marine sanctuary after the Malvan sanctuary.
    • It is recognized as an “Important Bird Area” by the Bombay Natural History Society.

    About Ramsar Convention

    • The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (better known as the Ramsar Convention) is an international agreement promoting the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
    • It is the only global treaty to focus on a single ecosystem.
    • The convention was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
    • Traditionally viewed as a wasteland or breeding ground of disease, wetlands actually provide fresh water and food and serve as nature’s shock absorber.
    • Wetlands, critical for biodiversity, are disappearing rapidly, with recent estimates showing that 64% or more of the world’s wetlands have vanished since 1900.
    • Major changes in land use for agriculture and grazing, water diversion for dams and canals, and infrastructure development are considered to be some of the main causes of loss and degradation of wetlands.

    What does one mean by Ramsar Site?

    • A Ramsar Site is a wetland area designated to be of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
    • It provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.

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  • Coal and Mining Sector

    [pib] Gold Reserves in India

    Prelims Only | Economics | Mains Paper 1: Distribution Of Key Natural Resources Across The World

    The Minister of Mines and Coal has provided useful information regarding gold reserves in India.

    Gold Reserves in India

    • As per National Mineral Inventory data, the total reserves/resources of gold ore (primary) in the country have been estimated at 501.83 million tonnes as of 2015.
    • Out of these, 17.22 million tonnes were placed under the reserves category and the remaining 484.61 million tonnes were under the remaining resources category.
    • In India, the largest resources of gold ore (primary) are located in Bihar (44%) followed by Rajasthan (25%), Karnataka (21%), West Bengal (3%), Andhra Pradesh (3% ), Jharkhand (2 %).
    • The remaining 2% resources of ore are located in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu.

    Who takes up their mapping?

    • Geological Survey of India (GSI) is actively engaged in geological mapping followed by mineral exploration (survey) for various mineral commodities including gold.
    • GSI aims to identify potential mineral-rich zones and establish resources.
    • Every year, as per the approved annual Field Season Program, GSI takes up mineral exploration projects in various parts of the country for augmenting mineral resources.
    • Recently, GoI has amended the MEMC Rules to allow auction of composite license at G4 level for deep-seated minerals including Gold.

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Consider the following statements:

    1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non -coal mines.
    2. Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have goldmines.
    3. Rajasthan has iron ore mines.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 3 only

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  • Indian Navy Updates

    [pib] Exercise Cutlass Express 2021

    PIB | Trivia | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

    Indian Naval Ship Talwar is participating in Exercise Cutlass Express 2021, being conducted along the East Coast of Africa.

    Exercise Cutlass Express

    • The exercise is an annual maritime exercise conducted to promote national and regional maritime security in East Africa and the Western Indian Ocean.
    • Indian Navy is participating in the exercise in a ‘trainer role’.

    The 2021 edition of the exercise involves the participation of:

    • 12 Eastern African countries, US, UK, India
    • Various international organizations like International Maritime Organization (IMO), United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Interpol, European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR), Critical Maritime Routes Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO), and EUCAP Somalia

    Focus of the exercise

    • The exercise focuses on East Africa’s coastal regions.
    • It is designed to assess and improve combined maritime law enforcement capacity, promote national and regional security and increase interoperability between the regional navies.
    • As part of the exercise, the Indian Navy, together with other partners, shall undertake the training of contingents from various participating countries in various fields across the spectrum of maritime security operations.

    Must read:

    [Prelims Spotlight] Defence Exercises

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  • Getting India’s military jointness formula right

    op-ed snap | Security Issues | Mains Paper 3: Various Security Forces, Agencies & Their Mandates

    Context

    The Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat’s recent description of the Indian Air Force (IAF) as a supporting arm and the IAF chief Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria’s rebuttal highlights turbulent journey marking the reorganisation process of the armed forces.

    Issues before IAF

    • The IAF is warning against splitting it into packets.
    • Reports suggest that counting even ageing aircraft, the IAF is 25% short on fighter squadrons.
    • A pan service shortage of about 400 pilots, almost 10% of their authorised strength, further aggravates this.
    • Therefore, the IAF has a point when it warns against splitting assets, for, there may be nothing much to split.

    Way forward

    • Confidence building: A common understanding of the nuances of military airpower is the key.
    • With the experience of operating almost every kind of aircraft the IAF operates, the naval leadership understands air power.
    • This applies to the Indian Army too, in its own way.
    • Confidence needs to be developed that rightly staffed apex joint organisations can draw up professional operational plans for air power.
    • Enhancing military education: Confidence building will need some effort in the short term towards enhancing professional military education though, at the staff level.
    • Analysis before implementation: Major reorganisations must strictly follow the sequence of written concepts, their refinement through consultation, simulation or table top war gaming, field evaluation and final analysis before implementation.
    • This would help address command and control, asset adequacy, individual service roles, operational planning under new circumstances and the adequacy of joint structures.
    • Who gets to lead what also matters.
    • The Western Command between the Indian Army and the IAF, the Northern Command with the Indian Army, Maritime Command with the Indian Navy and the Air Defence Command with the IAF may be an acceptable formula.

    Why jointness?

    • With dwindling budgets, a steadily deteriorating security situation and the march of technology, the armed forces understand the need to synergise.

    Challenges

    • Challenges in co-existence: Different services do not co-exist well where they are colocated.
    • Bitter fights over land, buildings, facilities, etc. harms optimal operational synergising.
    • Allocation challenge: Then there is the issue of giving each other the best, or of wanting to be with each other.
    • Lack of operational charter: The Andaman and Nicobar Command suffered from the lack of a substantial operational charter, and the services not positioning appropriate personnel or resources there.
    • Lack of interest in joint tenure: As a joint tenure did not benefit career, no one strove for it.
    • The U.S., when faced with the same problem, made joint tenures mandatory for promotions.

    Steps to be taken

    • Security strategy: We need a comprehensive National Security Strategy to guide the services develop capacities required in their respective domains.
    • Professional education: We need to transform professional education and inter-service employment to nurture genuine respect for others.
    • Mutual resolution of difference: The armed forces must resolve their differences among themselves, as the politicians or bureaucrats cannot do it.
    • Quality staff: Good quality staff, in adequate numbers, at apex joint organisations, will help to reassure individual services and those in the field that they are in safe hands.
    • Tailored approach: There is need for the acceptance of the fact that what works for other countries need not work for us.

    Conclusion

    We may need tailor-made solutions which may need more genuine thinking. For genuine military jointness, a genuine convergence of minds is critical.

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  • Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

    Implications of EU’s new GHG emissions law for Indian industry

    op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Context

    On July 14, the European Union introduced new legislation, Fit for 55, to cut its GHG emissions by 55 per cent by 2030 and to net-zero by 2050.

    Implications of Fit for 55

    • Legal backing: It turns the EU’s announcement into law, protecting it from the winds of political change.
    • Opportunity for India: It opens new markets for Indian industry, for example for electric vehicles.
    • CBAM: However, it also introduces a potentially adverse policy called the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM).
    • CBAM is meant to discourage consumers from buying carbon-intensive products and encourage producers to invest in cleaner technologies.

    What is CBAM?

    • The EU has had a carbon emission trading system since 2005.
    • With Fit for 55, the EU’s carbon price is likely to go up.
    • High carbon price will make the EU’s domestic products more expensive than imports from countries that do not have such rules.
    • The new CBAM is meant to level the playing field between domestic and imported products.
    • CBAM will require foreign producers to pay for the carbon emitted while manufacturing their products.
    • The adjustment will be applied to energy-intensive products that are widely traded by the EU, such as iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertiliser, and electricity.

    Why CBAM is a cause for concern for India?

    • India is Europe’s third-largest trading partner, and it does not have its own carbon tax or cap.
    • So, CBAM should be a cause for concern for it.
    • A UNCTAD study predicts that India will lose $1-1.7 billion in exports of energy-intensive products such as steel and aluminium.
    • India’s goods trade with the EU was $74 billion in 2020.

    Way forward for Indian Industry

    • Clean technology partnerships: Indian Industry should enter clean technology partnerships with European industry.
    • Invest in renewables:  Indian companies should invest in more renewable electricity and energy efficiency.
    • Incentivise low-carbon choices: They can adopt science-based targets for emission reduction and internal carbon pricing to incentivise low-carbon choices.
    • Schemes and Government financing: The government can extend the perform-achieve-trade scheme to more industries and provide finance to MSMEs to upgrade to clean technologies.
    • WRI India’s analysis shows that carbon dioxide emissions from the iron and steel industry can be reduced from 900 million tonnes to 500 million tonnes in 2035 through greater electrification, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, and material efficiency.
    • Diversify export: India can try to diversify its exports to other markets and products.

    Consider the question “What is carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) introduced by the EU? What are its implications for Indian industry?” 

    Conclusion

    At present, the CBAM may seem obstructionist. But over the long-term, it can provide regulatory certainty to industry by harmonising carbon prices, and Indian industry can position itself as a strong player in the trade landscape of the future.

    Back2Basics: UNCTAD

    • UNCTAD is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964.
    • Its headquarters are located in Geneva, Switzerland, and have offices in New York and Addis Ababa.
    • UNCTAD is part of the UN Secretariat.
    • IT report to the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council but have own membership, leadership, and budget.
    • It is also part of the United Nations Development Group.

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-SAARC Nations

    SAARC

    op-ed snap | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Context

    Despite the framework SAARC provides for cooperation amongst South Asian nations, it has remained sidelined and dormant since its 18th summit of 2014 in Kathmandu. No alternative capable of bringing together South Asian countries for mutually beneficial diplomacy has emerged.

    Common challenges facing South Asia

    • The region is beset with unsettled territorial disputes, as well as trans-border criminal and subversive activities and cross-border terrorism.
    • The region also remains a theatre for ethnic, cultural, and religious tensions and rivalries besides a current rise in ultra-nationalism
    • Nuclear-armed neighbours India and Pakistan are at loggerheads.
    • US military withdrawal from Afghanistan has fuelled fears of intensification of these trends.

    Significance of SAARC

    • As the largest regional cooperation organisation, SAARC’s importance in stabilising and effectively transforming the region is becoming increasingly self-evident.
    • SAARC is needed as institutional scaffolding to allow for the diplomacy and coordination that is needed between member-states in order to adequately address the numerous threats and challenges the region faces.
    • Though SAARC’s charter prohibits bilateral issues at formal forums, SAARC summits provide a unique, informal window — the retreat — for leaders to meet without aides and chart future courses of action.
    • The coming together of leaders, even at the height of tensions, in a region laden with congenital suspicions, misunderstandings, and hostility is a significant strength of SAARC that cannot be overlooked.
    • In March last year, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seized the Covid-19 crisis and utilised SAARC’s seal to convene a video conference of SAARC leaders.
    • Such capacity to bring member-states together shows the potential power of SAARC.

    What role SAARC can play in Afghanistan

    • Commitment to get rid of terrorism: The third SAARC summit in 1987 adopted a Regional Convention on Suppression of Terrorism and updated it in 2004 with the signing of an additional protocol.
    • These instruments demonstrate the collective commitment to rid the region of terror and promote regional peace, stability, and prosperity.
    • Using the network of institutions: In 36 years of existence, SAARC has developed a dense network of institutions, linkages, and mechanisms.
    • SAARC members are among the top troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions.
    • Joint peacekeeping force: With the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, a joint peacekeeping force from the SAARC region under the UN aegis could be explored to fill the power vacuum that would otherwise be filled by terrorist and extremist forces.

    Consider the question “What role SAARC can play in stabilising the region after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan? Is SAARC still relevant for the region?”

    Conclusion

    Allowing SAARC to become dysfunctional and irrelevant greatly distorts our ability to address the realities and mounting challenges facing SAARC nations.

    Back2Basics: About SAARC

    •  In 1985, at the height of the Cold War, leaders of South Asian nations — namely Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka — created a regional forum.
    • The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established with the goal of contributing “to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another’s problems.”
    • Afghanistan was admitted as a member in 2007.

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  • Minority Issues – SC, ST, Dalits, OBC, Reservations, etc.

    The Caste Census Debate

    | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Salient features of Indian Society

    The Ministry of Home Affairs has informed that it was decided as a matter of policy not to enumerate caste-wise population other than SCs and STs in Census.

    What kind of caste data is published in the Census?

    • Every Census in independent India from 1951 to 2011 has published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but not on other castes.
    • Before that, every Census until 1931 had data on caste.
    • However, in 1941, caste-based data was collected but not published.

    Why is there a demand for caste census?

    • In the absence of such a census, there is no proper estimate for the population of OBCs, various groups within the OBCs, and others.
    • The Mandal Commission estimated the OBC population at 52%, some other estimates have been based on National Sample Survey data.
    • Some political parties make their own estimates in states and Lok Sabha and Assembly seats during elections.

    How often has the demand for a caste census been made?

    • It comes up before almost every Census, as records of debates and questions raised in Parliament show.
    • The demand usually come from among those belonging to Other Backward Classes (OBC) and other deprived sections, while sections from the upper castes oppose the idea.
    • On April 1, the constitutional body National Commission for Backward Classes urged the government to collect data on the population of OBCs “as part of Census of India 2021 exercise”.

    Need for caste census

    • There is a central list of OBCs and a State-specific list of OBCs.
    • Some states do not have a list of OBCs; some States have a list of OBCs and a sub-set called Most Backward Classes.
    • There are certain open-ended categories in the lists such as orphans and destitute children.
    • Names of some castes are found in both the list of Scheduled Castes and the list of OBCs.
    • Scheduled Castes converted to Christianity or Islam are also treated differently in different States.
    • The status of a migrant from one State to another and the status of children of inter-caste marriage, in terms of caste classification, are also vexed questions.”

    Back2Basics: Census of India

    • The decennial Census of India has been conducted 15 times, as of 2011.
    • While it has been undertaken every 10 years, beginning in 1872 under British Viceroy Lord Mayo, the first complete census was taken in 1881.
    • Post-1949, it has been conducted by the Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
    • All the censuses since 1951 were conducted under the 1948 Census of India Act.
    • The last census was held in 2011, whilst the next was scheduled to be held in 2021.

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  • Modern Indian History-Events and Personalities

    Telangana’s Rudreswara Temple inscribed as a World Heritage Site

    | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    India’s nomination of Rudreswara Temple, (also known as the Ramappa Temple) at Palampet, Mulugu district, near Warangal in the state of Telangana has been inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. This would be the 39th site in India.

    Also read:

    [pib] Declaration of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO                 

    Rudreswara Temple

    • The Rudreswara temple was constructed in 1213 AD during the reign of the Kakatiya Empire by Recharla Rudra, a general of Kakatiya king Ganapati Deva.
    • It is also known as the Ramappa temple, after the sculptor who executed the work in the temple for 40 years.
    • The main temple is flanked by the collapsed structures of the Kateshwarayya and Kameshwarayya temples in Palampet, about 220 km from Hyderabad.
    • An inscription dates the temple to 1135 Samvat-Saka on the eighth day of Magha (January 12, 1214).

    Its architecture

    • The temple, known for its exquisite craftsmanship and delicate relief work, is a savvy blend of technical know-how and materials of its time.
    • The foundation is built with the “sandbox technique”, the flooring is granite, and the pillars are basalt.
    • The lower part of the temple is red sandstone while the white gopuram is built with light bricks that reportedly float on water.
    • The temple complexes of Kakatiyas have a distinct style, technology, and decoration exhibiting the influence of the Kakatiyan sculptor.
    • The temple stands on a 6 feet high star-shaped platform with walls, pillars, and ceilings adorned with intricate carvings that attest to the unique skill of the Kakatiyan sculptors.
    • European merchants and travelers were mesmerized by the beauty of the temple and one such traveler had remarked that the temple was the “brightest star in the galaxy of medieval temples of the Deccan”.

    Surviving through ages

    • According to the temple priest, some of the iconography on the temple was damaged during the invasion of Malik Kafur in 1310.
    • Treasure hunters vandalized the rest
    • But the biggest test for the temple was an earthquake in the 17th century (one of the biggest was that of 7.7-8.2-magnitude on June 16, 1819).

    Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.Which one of the following was a very important seaport in the Kakatiya kingdom? (CSP 2017)

    (a) Kakinada

    (b) Motupalli

    (c) Machilipatnam (Masulipatnam)

    (d) Nelluru

    Back2Basics: UNESCO World Heritage Sites

    • A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area, selected by the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for having cultural, historical, scientific, or other forms of significance, which is legally protected by international treaties.
    • The sites are judged to be important for the collective and preservative interests of humanity.
    • To be selected, a WHS must be an already-classified landmark, unique in some respect as a geographically and historically identifiable place having special cultural or physical significance (such as an ancient ruin or historical structure, building, city, complex, desert, forest, island, lake, monument, mountain, or wilderness area).
    • It may signify a remarkable accomplishment of humanity, and serve as evidence of our intellectual history on the planet.
    • The sites are intended for practical conservation for posterity, which otherwise would be subject to risk from human or animal trespassing, unmonitored/uncontrolled/unrestricted access, or threat from local administrative negligence.
    • The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Program administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 “states parties” that are elected by their General Assembly.

    UNESCO World Heritage Committee

    • The World Heritage Committee selects the sites to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the World Heritage List and the List of World Heritage in Danger.
    • It monitors the state of conservation of the World Heritage properties, defines the use of the World Heritage Fund, and allocates financial assistance upon requests from States Parties.
    • It is composed of 21 states parties that are elected by the General Assembly of States Parties for a four-year term.
    • India is NOT a member of this Committee.

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  • Defence Sector – DPP, Missions, Schemes, Security Forces, etc.

    Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021

    | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Effects Of Liberalization On The Economy, Changes In Industrial Policy and their effects on Industrial Growth

    The Minister of State for Defence has introduced the Essential Defence Services Bill in the Lok Sabha.

    Essential Defence Services Bill

    • Essentially, the bill is aimed at preventing the staff of the government-owned ordnance factories from going on strike.
    • Around 70,000 people work with the 41 ordnance factories around the country.
    • It is aimed to provide for the maintenance of essential defence services so as to secure the security of the nation and the life and property of the public at large and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

    Why need such a bill?

    • Indian Ordnance Factories is the oldest and largest industrial setup that functions under the Department of Defence Production of the Ministry of Defence.
    • The ordnance factories form an integrated base for indigenous production of defence hardware and equipment, with the primary objective of self-reliance in equipping the armed forces with state-of-the-art battlefield equipment.
    • It is essential that an uninterrupted supply of ordnance items to the armed forces be maintained for the defence preparedness of the country and the ordnance factories continue to function without any disruptions.

    What does it allow the government to do?

    • The Bill empowers the government to declare services mentioned in it as essential defence services the cessation of work of which would prejudicially affect the production of defence equipment or goods.
    • It also prohibits strikes and lockouts in “any industrial establishment or unit engaged in essential defence services”.

    Why does the government feel its need?

    • In June the government announced the corporatization of the Ordnance Factory Board.
    • The OFB was directly under the Department of Defence Production and worked as an arm of the government.
    • The government has claimed that the move is aimed at improving the efficiency and accountability of these factories.
    • The Bill mentioned that there is a threat, though, that the employees of these factories can go on a strike against the decision.

    Also read:

    Ordinance Factory Board corporatization gets Cabinet approval

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    Moon-forming region seen around an exoplanet for the first time

    Prelims Only | Science Tech | Mains Paper 3: Awareness in various sc and tech fields

     

    Scientists for the first time have spotted a Moon-forming region around an exo-planet beyond our solar system.

    What are Exoplanets?

    • More than 4,400 planets have been discovered outside our solar system, called exoplanets.
    • Most orbit other stars, but free-floating exoplanets, called rogue planets, orbit the galactic center and are untethered to any star.
    • No circumplanetary discs had been found until now because all the known exoplanets resided in “mature” – fully developed – solar systems, except the two infant gas planets orbiting PDS 70.

    What is the new finding?

    • The researchers have detected a disc of swirling material accumulating around one of two newborn planets.
    • They were seen orbiting a young star called PDS 70, located a relatively close 370 light-years from Earth.
    • It is called a circumplanetary disc, and it is from these those moons are born.
    • The discovery offers a deeper understanding of the formation of planets and moons.

    Focus of the finding: Formation of disc

    • In our solar system, the impressive rings of Saturn, a planet around which more than 80 moons orbit, represent a relic of a primordial moon-forming disc.
    • The orange-colored star PDS 70, roughly the same mass as our Sun, is about 5 million years old– a blink of the eye in cosmic time.
    • The two planets are even younger. Both planets are similar (although larger) to Jupiter, a gas giant.
    • It was around one of the two planets, called PDS 70c, that a Moon-forming disc was observed.

    Observing birth of a moon: Core Accretion

    • Stars burst to life within clouds of interstellar gas and dust scattered throughout galaxies.
    • Leftover material spinning around a new star then coalesces into planets, and circumplanetary discs surrounding some planets similarly yield moons.
    • The dominant mechanism thought to underpin planet formation is called “core accretion”.
    • In this scenario, small dust grains, coated in ice, gradually grow to larger and larger sizes through successive collisions with other grains.
    • This continues until the grains have grown to a size of a planetary core, at which point the young planet has a strong enough gravitational potential to accrete gas which will form its atmosphere.
    • Some nascent planets attract a disc of material around them, with the same process that gives rise to planets around a star leading to the formation of moons around planets.
    • The disc around PDS 70c, with a diameter about equal to the distance of the Earth to the sun, possesses enough mass to produce up to three moons the size of Earth’s moon.

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