The NGT has ordered the UP government to remove water hyacinth from “Dhanauri wetlands” and questioned its failure to designate the wetland as a Ramsar site.
AboutDhanauri Wetland
Details
Location
Dhanauri village near Dankaur, Uttar Pradesh;
Floodplains of Yamuna.
Key Species
Home to over 120 Sarus Cranes (state bird of Uttar Pradesh) and 217 bird species
Ecological Significance
Important birding and nesting site; recognized as an Important Bird Area by Bird Life International
Bird Population
Hosts over 50,000 waterfowls during migratory seasons (November to March)
Ramsar Criteria
Fulfills 2 Ramsar criteria:
1. Hosts over 1% of biogeographic Sarus Crane population
2. Congregation site for 20,000+ waterfowls
Conservation Status
Documented by BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society); crucial for supporting endangered species
Ramsar Wetlands
The Ramsar Convention, also known as the ‘Convention on Wetlands,’ is an intergovernmental environmental treaty founded by UNESCO in 1971.
It derives its name from the city of Ramsar in Iran, where it was initially signed.
Ramsar sites are wetlands of global significance recognized under this treaty.
The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the brink of ecological changes and in need of close monitoring under the Ramsar Convention.
Ramsar Site Designation Criteria:
Ramsar site designation hinges on several factors:
Representing rare or unique natural wetland types.
Supporting endangered species or threatened ecological communities.
Maintaining biodiversity in specific biogeographic regions.
Offering refuge during adverse conditions.
Regularly accommodating 20,000 or more waterbirds.
Sustaining 1% of a population of a single water-bird species.
Serving as a critical source of food, spawning grounds, nurseries, and migration paths for fish.
Regularly supporting 1% of a population of non-avian wetland-dependent animal species.
September 28th marks 117th birth anniversary of the legendary freedom fighter “Bhagat Singh”.
Who wasBhagat Singh?
Details
Birth
September 28, 1907; Banga, Punjab (now in Pakistan)
Family
Came from a family involved in anticolonial activities; his father Kishan Singh and uncle Ajit Singh were active freedom fighters.
Affiliations
• Hindustan Republican Association (1924)
• Hindustan Socialist Republican Association (1928)
• Naujawan Bharat Sabha (1926)
Revolutionary Actions
• Played a key role in the Lahore Conspiracy Case (1928) by avenging Lala Lajpat Rai’s death and mistakenly killing J.P. Saunders
• Threw a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly on April 8, 1929, with B.K. Dutt, to protest oppressive British laws.
Ideologies and Principles
• Advocated Marxist and socialist ideologies
• Rejected religion in his essay Why I Am an Atheist
• Emphasized rationalism, equality, and justice.
Arrest and Trial
Arrested in 1929 for throwing a bomb in the Central Legislative Assembly; later rearrested for the Lahore Conspiracy Case (murder of J.P. Saunders).
Jinnah opposed a 1929 Bill allowing trials in absentia, delivering a strong speech in the Central Assembly.
Execution
Hanged on March 23, 1931, along with Sukhdev and Rajguru, in Lahore for his revolutionary activities.
Nehru and Subhash Chandra Bose visited Bhagat Singh in prison.
Literary Works
Bhagat Singh was fluent in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, and English, and familiar with Sanskrit.
His jail notebook referenced thinkers like Karl Marx, Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain, and others, reflecting his intellectual diversity.
At 17, he wrote Vishwa Prem (Universal Love), advocating for universal brotherhood and equality.
He urged the oppressed classes to rebel against the social order and spoke about the philosophy of revolution in his writings, such as What is Revolution? (1929).
In his series What is Anarchism? he described organized religion and the state as forms of mental and physical slavery.
He wrote about the power of love in a 1929 letter to Sukhdev, emphasizing its role in personal and political strength.
PYQ:
[2020] Since the decade of the 1920s, the national movement acquired various ideological strands and thereby expanded its social base. Discuss.
Q). Suppose you are an officer in charge of implementing a social service scheme to provide support to old and destitute women. An old and illiterate woman comes to you to avail the benefits of the scheme. However, she needs documents to show that she fulfils the eligibility criteria. But after meeting her and listening to her you feel that she certainly needs support. Your inquiries also show that she is destitute and living in a pitiable condition. You are in a dilemma as to what to do. Putting her under the scheme without the necessary documents would be a violation of the rules. But denying her the support would be cruel. (UPSC CSE 2016)
Prelims: Who among the following can join the National Pension System (NPS)? (UPSC CSE 2017) (a) Resident Indian citizens only (b) Persons of age from 21 to 55 only (c) All State Government employees joining the services after the date of notification by the respective State Governments (d) All Central Government employees including those of Armed Forces joining the services on or after 1st April, 2004
Mentor’s Comment: There is an ongoing discussion about the need for a stronger welfare system because many countries are moving away from neoliberal policies. This has brought back conversations about government support for people in need. The proposed Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) aims to offer pensions to everyone, but it has been criticized for needing major changes to truly help retirees. These potential reforms are important as they relate to larger social support and financial security trends, making the editorial very relevant right now.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
The Indian pension system has evolved through various schemes, notably the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), the New Pension Scheme (NPS), and the proposed Unified Pension Scheme (UPS).
There are ongoing discussions about reforming India’s pension framework amidst significant socio-economic changes.
Previous Pension Schemes in India:
Old Pension Scheme (OPS): Implemented before 2004, it guaranteed a defined benefit pension based on the last drawn salary.
The government was solely responsible for pension disbursement and provided stability and protection from financial market risks. It allowed employees to plan their retirements with financial security.
Transition to New Pension Scheme (NPS): Introduced in 2004 replacing the OPS, it shifted from a defined-benefit model to a defined-contribution model.
Both employees and the government contribute to a pension fund invested in financial markets. Pension payouts are linked to market performance, exposing retirees to market volatility.
What are the criticisms faced by the NPS?
It represents a neoliberal shift reducing state involvement in welfare. It leaves retirees vulnerable to economic downturns and market fluctuations.
The market-driven model raises worries about the commercialization of public welfare programs. It highlights the weakening of the state’s social responsibility towards its citizens.
A return to Welfarism
• Global Context: The era of neoliberalism is declining, prompting calls for stronger social safety nets. The 2008 financial crisis highlighted the risks of over-reliance on markets. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified demands for government intervention to protect citizens. • Indian Context: India is experiencing a similar push for state-backed welfare provisions. The proposed Unified Pension Scheme (UPS) aims to provide universal pensions while balancing state involvement and market participation.
About the newly proposed – Unified Pension Scheme (UPS):
• It was introduced by the government in August 2024, replacing the 21-year-old National Pension System (NPS) with a structure closely resembling the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). • The UPS promises government employees a lifelong monthly pension of 50%oftheirlastdrawn pay.In the event of a government employee’s death, the family is assured a pension equivalent to 60% of the employee’s pension. • A minimum pension of ₹10,000 per month is assured for those who complete at least 10 years of central government service. • The scheme is contributory, requiring employees to contribute 10% of their salary. The government is to contribute 18.5% of the salary.
Criticism faced by the Unified Pension Scheme:
Limited access to the Beneficiaries: UPS promises retirement payouts but offers lower returns than the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), which exposes retirees to market risks.
A requirement of 25 years of service for full pension disadvantages the late joiners, and concerns about potential underfunding could lead to pension delays.
Coverage Limitations: Currently, the UPS only covers Union government employees, excluding many public sector workers like teachers.
Need for State Intervention:
Greater state involvement is necessary to protect retirees from market fluctuations.
The UPS should consider safeguards, such as a minimum guaranteed pension similar to the OPS, to enhance its viability as a welfare scheme.
Conclusion: The UPS, if properly restructured, could become an important tool in protecting the financial security of retirees and addressing the shortcomings of the NPS, ensuring that India’s retirees are not left to the mercy of market forces but are supported by a robust welfare system.
Q). ‘China is using its economic relations and positive trade surplus as tools to develop potential military power status in Asia’, In the light of this statement, discuss its impact on India as her neighbor. (UPSC CSE 2017) Q). With respect to the South China Sea, maritime territorial disputes and rising tension affaire the need for safeguarding maritime security to ensure freedom of navigation and every flight throughout the region. In this context, discuss the bilateral issues between India and China. (UPSC CSE 2014) Q). The time has come for India and Japan to build a strong contemporary relationship, one involving global and strategic partnership that will have a great significance for Asia and the world as a whole. Comment. (UPSC CSE 2019) Q). Critically examine the aims and objectives of SCO. What importance does it hold for India? (UPSC CSE 2021)
Mentor’s Comment: China views its strength and diplomacy in critical minerals strategically, emphasizing its dominance and leveraging its resources as a political tool. China controls approximately 60% of global rare earth production and 80% of processing, positioning itself as a critical player in the mineral supply chain. This dominance allows China to exert significant influence over global markets. China perceives U.S.-led initiatives to diversify critical mineral supply chains as a containment strategy.
On August 15, 2024, China announced restrictions on antimony exports effective September 15, citing national security concerns. In today’s editorial, we will observe how China aims to remind the West of its dependency on Chinese minerals, particularly for high-tech applications.
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
On August 15, 2024, China announced it would restrict the export of antimony, a key mineral used in military equipment like missiles and ammunition.
The Chinese government cited national security as the reason for this decision. This follows earlier curbs on gallium and germanium.
China’s Dominance in Critical Minerals
• China is a key player in the critical minerals market, controlling 60% of rare earth production and 80% of processing globally. • China dominates all supply chain segments, including mining, extraction, refining, and processing.
How do these export controls reflect China’s response to geopolitical tensions?
Response to U.S. Actions: China’s recent export controls are seen as retaliatory measures against U.S. restrictions on Chinese technology and trade practices. This reflects a broader geopolitical struggle between the two nations.
Strategic Leverage: By controlling the supply, China is asserting its influence and demonstrating its willingness to use economic tools as leverage in geopolitical conflicts.
Japan Precedent: The 2010 halt of rare earth exports to Japan following a maritime incident illustrates China’s readiness to employ export controls as a means of exerting pressure during diplomatic disputes.
Regional Security Dynamics: China’s export restrictions highlight the vulnerabilities of countries like the U.S., EU, India, and Japan, which rely heavily on Chinese minerals for their defense and technology sectors, prompting these nations to reconsider their supply chain dependencies.
What was the objective behind this move?
Military Assertiveness: Alongside economic measures, China has increased military drills and assertive posturing in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly concerning Taiwan.
This dual approach of economic control and military readiness signals a comprehensive strategy to counter perceived threats from the U.S. and its allies.
Multipolarity Advocacy: China’s actions are part of a broader narrative promoting a multipolar world order that challenges U.S. hegemony.
By using export controls strategically, China aims to reinforce its position as a dominant power in global affairs while advocating for regional cooperation free from external interference.
How China is turning its Foreign Policy Posture?
Future Ambitions: According to China’s Natural Resource Minister Wang Guanghua, China plans to enhance its mineral exploration and capacity over the next five years, signaling ongoing ambitions to consolidate its resource dominance.
Strategic Dependency Reminder: Restricting access to strategic resources is a traditional tactic in statecraft, similar to the U.S. oil embargo against Japan in 1940.
Weaponization of Resources: China has transitioned from politicizing critical minerals to weaponizing them, using export controls as a political tool against the West.
Targeting Dual-Use Applications: Critical minerals used in military applications, such as those needed for submarines and fighter jets, are prioritized in China’s export controls.
Shift from Cooperation to Coercion: The approach has shifted from cooperative strategies to aggressive and coercive tactics, indicating that export restrictions will likely increase as relations with the West deteriorate.
India’s Vulnerability due to dependence on China
Strategic Dependence: India relies heavily on imports of critical minerals like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and copper from China, resulting in high costs.
The U.S. is actively seeking to reduce its dependence on Chinese minerals and is exploring domestic production options.
Call to Action: The situation serves as a wake-up call for Indian policymakers to take proactive measures, such as forming partnerships with allied countries and investing in alternative supply chains to reduce dependency on China.
Conclusion: The ongoing geopolitical tensions suggest that China may continue to leverage its control over critical minerals as a tool for both economic gain and political influence, potentially escalating conflicts with Western powers if tensions persist.
The record warming of 2023-2024 is offering a clearer view of the impacts of global warming. The range of extreme events experienced globally has spanned from deadly heatwaves to devastating cyclones and floods, as well as droughts and wildfires.
Impact of Warming on Predictability:
Increased Variability: The record warming of 2023-2024 highlights the unpredictability of climate systems under global warming, complicating forecasts for natural phenomena like El Niño, monsoons, and hurricanes.
Natural Variability: Warming may extend the timescale of natural decadal variability, making it harder to distinguish between short-term fluctuations and long-term trends in climate behaviour.
Model Limitations: Despite advances, climate models are imperfect in capturing changes in dominant climate modes due to warming, leading to inconsistencies in predicting events like monsoon trends.
Types of Climate Models to forecast the weather:
General Circulation Models (GCMs): These models simulate the physics of the climate system by representing the interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, land, and ice. They divide the Earth into a three-dimensional grid and calculate climate variables like temperature and humidity in each grid cell.
Earth System Models (ESMs): An advanced subset of GCMs that includes biogeochemical cycles, allowing them to simulate interactions between climate and ecological processes, such as carbon and nitrogen cycles.
Regional Climate Models (RCMs): These focus on smaller geographic areas to provide more detailed climate projections by using outputs from GCMs as inputs for localized simulations.
Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs): These combine climate science with socioeconomic factors to analyze how human activities influence climate change and to project future emissions scenarios.
Challenges in Forecasting Extreme Weather:
Inconsistent Predictions: Predictions for extreme weather events in 2023, such as the monsoon and hurricane seasons, were less accurate, revealing the limitations of current models and observational networks.
Unforeseen Factors: Unanticipated contributions, like the impact of the Hunga Tonga volcano or wildfire-induced CO2 emissions, exacerbated warming in ways models failed to predict, illustrating the unpredictability of new factors.
Censorship Concerns: The rapid response required from social media platforms to act on content flagged as misleading within 36 hours created concerns about censorship and freedom of expression.
Future of Weather Prediction Models:
Need for Model Improvements: There is ongoing work to refine models and incorporate the latest technologies, including AI and machine learning, to improve weather prediction accuracy at hyperlocal scales.
Natural Modes and Uncertainty: The predictability of natural modes (El Niño, La Niña, IOD) may decrease with relentless warming, making future climate forecasts increasingly uncertain.
Short-Term Focus: A shift toward short-term predictions (up to a decade or two) may offer more reliable projections due to the inherent difficulty in predicting long-term scenarios under continuous global warming.
Way forward:
Enhanced Climate Models: Invest in improving climate models with cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, and advanced sensors to increase the accuracy of short-term forecasts and better capture the impact of natural variability under warming.
Localized Early Warning Systems: Develop robust, hyperlocal early warning systems to better prepare for extreme weather events, focusing on disaster management and reducing vulnerabilities in high-risk communities.
September 26 is recognized on the United Nations calendar as the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons.
What is the current state of global nuclear disarmament efforts?
Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW): The TPNW, in force since 2021, is the first legally binding international agreement that comprehensively bans nuclear weapons. As of July 2024, it has 70 states parties and 27 signatories yet to ratify, covering nearly 50% of the world’s states.
Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): The NPT, in effect since 1970, remains the foundational treaty aimed at preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and promoting eventual disarmament. However, it has been criticized for its limited focus on actual disarmament.
Persistent Objectors: Nuclear-armed states (such as the U.S., Russia, China, India, and Pakistan) and their allies have consistently opposed the TPNW, refusing to be bound by its provisions.
What are the key obstacles hindering further nuclear disarmament?
Nuclear Deterrence Doctrine: The belief in nuclear deterrence — the idea that possessing nuclear weapons prevents attacks — is a central justification for continued nuclear armament.
Nuclear-Weapon States’ Resistance: The nuclear-armed states, including the U.S., Russia, China, India, and others, continue to view nuclear weapons as essential to their security strategies, despite claims of disarmament commitments under the NPT.
Geopolitical Conflicts: Ongoing geopolitical tensions, such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s rising military power, North Korea’s nuclear tests, and Iran’s uranium enrichment, have exacerbated the global nuclear threat, further impeding disarmament efforts.
Lack of Enforcement Mechanisms: The TPNW, while normatively important, lacks robust enforcement mechanisms. It depends on the voluntary commitment of states, and nuclear possessors do not face direct penalties for non-compliance.
What steps can be taken to reinvigorate the nuclear disarmament agenda? (Way forward)
Strengthening International Advocacy: Civil society, former political leaders (including NATO officials), and international organizations should continue advocating for disarmament and urging nuclear-armed states and their allies to reconsider their stance. Public pressure could create the political will for further disarmament steps.
Engagement of Non-Nuclear States: States that are non-nuclear but support the TPNW should work to expand the treaty’s footprint, encouraging more countries to ratify and actively participate in its framework. This could help isolate nuclear possessors diplomatically and morally.
Building Confidence through Arms Control Treaties: Reviving arms control agreements, such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and the New START treaty, would be important milestones in reducing nuclear risks.
About CTBT:
Complete Ban on Nuclear Testing: The CTBT prohibits all forms of nuclear explosions—whether for military or civilian purposes—across all environments, including underground, atmospheric, and underwater.
Robust Verification Mechanism: The treaty includes an International Monitoring System (IMS) of over 300 monitoring stations worldwide, capable of detecting nuclear tests, as well as provisions for on-site inspections to ensure compliance with the treaty’s terms.
India is not a signatory to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Diplomatic Pressure and Dialogue: Encouraging diplomatic dialogue, especially among the major nuclear powers, could help mitigate tensions and create pathways to gradual disarmament. Leaders must explore confidence-building measures, transparency, and mutual reductions in nuclear arsenals.
On September 20, the Bombay High Court declared the amended IT Rules, 2021, unconstitutional for empowering the Centre’s Fact Check Unit to flag “fake or misleading” content about the government, citing vagueness.
Justice Atul Sharachchandra Chandurkar delivered the decisive ruling as the tie-breaker judge, following a split verdict by a division bench of Justices G.S. Patel and Neela Gokhale in January 2024.
Why did the Bombay High Court strike down IT Rules, 2021?
Violation of Constitutional Rights: Justice Atul Chandurkar ruled that the amended rules violated Articles 14 (right to equality) and 19 (freedom of speech and expression) of the Constitution. He characterized the terms “fake, false, or misleading” as vague and overbroad, which could lead to arbitrary enforcement by the government.
Censorship Concerns: The court emphasized that the rules amounted to censorship and lacked necessary procedural safeguards. Justice Patel’s earlier opinion highlighted that they effectively made the government a “judge in its own cause,” undermining free speech.
Chilling Effect on Intermediaries: The requirement for social media intermediaries to act on flagged content within 36 hours to retain their legal protections was seen as creating a chilling effect, discouraging platforms from hosting diverse opinions and criticisms of the government.
About Fact Check Unit:
The Fact Check Unit (FCU) under the Press Information Bureau (PIB) of the Government of India was established to combat misinformation and fake news related to government policies and initiatives.
The PIB’s FCU was established in November 2019 and was formally notified as the central government’s fact-checking body under the amended Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021.
What did the amended rules ask of social media intermediaries?
The amended Rule 3(1)(b)(v) mandated that social media intermediaries must:
Make “reasonable efforts” to prevent users from uploading content flagged by the FCU as misinformation.
Remove such flagged content within 36 hours if they wish to maintain their “safe harbour” protection against liability for third-party content.
Supreme Court’s Intervention
Appointing Justice Chandurkar as a tie-breaker judge to provide a final ruling on the matter after petitions were filed challenging the amended rules.
Initially dismissing applications for an interim stay on the FCU’s establishment but later staying its operation until a final decision was reached regarding the constitutional validity of the rules.
Way forward:
Strengthen Procedural Safeguards: Any fact-checking mechanism should include clear, objective guidelines, and an independent review process to avoid arbitrariness and protect free speech rights under the Constitution.
Promote Transparency and Oversight: Establish a transparent, multi-stakeholder oversight body that includes civil society, legal experts, and technology professionals to ensure fair implementation and avoid misuse of content regulation powers.
India has officially joined the US-led Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN), a global initiative to strengthen cooperation in securing critical mineral supply chains.
What is the Minerals Security Finance Network (MSFN)?
The MSFN is an initiative emerging from the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP), established by the US in 2022.
It aims to promote cooperation, information exchange, and co-financing among countries.
It brings together development finance institutions (DFIs) and export credit agencies (ECAs) from partner nations to facilitate investments in critical mineral supply chains.
It seeks to meet the increasing global demand for critical minerals and reduce dependence on dominant suppliers like China.
AboutMinerals Security Partnership (MSP):
Details
Established
2022, by the United States
Objective
To ensure a stable, diversified, and secure supply of critical minerals essential for the global clean energy transition.
Members
13 countries and the European Commission, including: United States, Australia, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Norway, Sweden, and the European Union.
Focus Areas
• Securing critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements.
• Reducing dependency on dominant suppliers like China.
• Promoting cooperation between development finance institutions (DFIs) and export credit agencies (ECAs) to finance critical mineral projects.
Significance for India
• India joined in June 2023, aiming to secure minerals for its growing electric vehicle (EV) and electronics sectors.
• India seeks to diversify its supply sources from Argentina, Chile, Australia, and Africa.
Significance of Critical Minerals
Critical minerals are elements essential for the manufacturing of renewable energy technologies, such as electric vehicle (EV) batteries, solar panels, wind turbines, and semiconductors.
Some of the most important critical minerals include:
Lithium: Essential for EV batteries.
Cobalt: Used in batteries and electronics.
Nickel: Key for battery manufacturing.
Rare earth elements (REEs): Used in semiconductors, high-tech electronics, and military applications.
The global demand for these minerals is rapidly rising as countries aim to shift away from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.
China is currently the world leader in both the mining and processing of many of these critical minerals, creating concerns about the concentration and resilience of supply chains.
Securing a reliable, diversified supply of critical minerals is essential for nations looking to achieve their clean energy goals and ensure economic stability in high-tech sectors.
PYQ:
[2012] Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called ‘rare earth metals’. Why?
China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.
Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any country.
Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
27 sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, and services
Government as a facilitator, partnering with industries for economic development
Success of the Project
India is now the second-largestmobile phone producer globally.
The PLI Schemes have attracted ₹1.97 lakh crore in investment across 14 key sectors, generating 8 lakh jobs.
The PM GatiShakti initiative has improved logistics and transport connectivity, while India received $667.41 billion in FDI from 2014-2024.
Indigenous projects like INS Vikrant and Vande Bharat Trains have showcased India’s growth in manufacturing.
India improved its Ease of Doing Business ranking, moving from 142nd to 63rd.
Limitations:
The share of manufacturing in GDP has remained flat at 17.3% in 2023-24, the same level as in 2013-14, despite rising briefly to 18.5% in 2021-22.
Employment has declined, with manufacturing’s share in total employment falling from 11.6% in 2013-14 to 10.6% in 2022-23.
India’s share inglobal exports grew from 1% in 2005-06 to 1.6% by 2015-16, but only increased marginally to 1.8% by 2022-23.
Additionally, imports as a share of GDP have risen back to 25% in 2023-24, similar to 27% in 2013-14, after a dip to 21.2% in 2020-21 during the pandemic.
PYQ:
[2017] “Industrial growth rate has lagged behind in the overall growth of Gross-Domestic-Product (GDP) in the post-reform period.” Give reasons. How far are the recent changes in Industrial-Policy capable of increasing the industrial growth rate?
The Wall Street Journal has highlighted controversies surrounding the Neom Megacity Project, a key project of Saudi Arabia and world’s largest construction real-estate project.
AboutNeom Megacity Project:
Details
Location
Northwestern Tabuk Province, Saudi Arabia, along the Red Sea
Launched
2017 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
Part of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.
Objective
To diversify Saudi Arabia’s economy and reduce its reliance on oil.
Size
26,500 sq km
Initially $500 billion, now estimated at $1.5 trillion
Completion Year
Expected by 2039
Key Projects
The Line: 170-km long linear city for 9 million residents
Oxagon: Octagonal industrial city
Trojena: Mountain resort for 2029 Asian Winter Games
Magna: Luxury coastal city
Sindalah: Luxury island, opening in 2024
Technological Focus
Renewable energy (solar, wind)
AI and robotics
Green hydrogen production
Environmental Goals
Powered by 95% renewable energy
Focus on sustainable development
Controversies surrounding the Project:
Displacement of Indigenous Tribes: The Huwaitat tribe has been forcibly displaced, leading to human rights concerns.
Slow Progress: Construction is behind schedule, with only 1.4 km of The Line expected to be completed by 2030.
Workplace Misconduct: Reports of toxic culture and unethical leadership, including neglect of worker safety.
Surveillance Concerns: Critics worry about the project’s use of real-time monitoring, raising privacy concerns.
Cost Overruns: The project’s budget has ballooned from $500 billion to $1.5 trillion, leading to scaled-down plans.
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