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  • Water Management – Institutional Reforms, Conservation Efforts, etc.

    10th World Water Forum

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

    Why in the News?

    • The World Bank report, titled “Water for Shared Prosperity,” was released at the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, Indonesia.
      • It underscores the widening gap in access to water resources and services, exacerbated by factors like population growth, urbanization, and climate change.

    Water for Shared Prosperity: Key Highlights of the Report

    • In 2022, 2.2 billion people lacked access to safely managed drinking water services, while 3.5 billion lacked access to safely managed sanitation.
    • Over 800 million people globally are at high risk of drought, with double that number living in flood-prone areas.
    • Low-income countries have seen a regression in access to safe drinking water, with an additional 197 million people lacking access since 2000.
    • Rural-urban access gaps in low-income countries have remained largely unchanged over the last two decades.
    • Hotspots in regions like the Sahel, Southeastern Africa, and South and Central Asia experience the highest water stress.
    • The Democratic Republic of the Congo holds over half of Africa’s total water resources.

    About World Water Forum:

    • It is a large-scale international event that focuses on the discussion and development of solutions to global water-related challenges. 
    • It is held every three years. The first forum took place in took place in Marrakesh, Morocco in March 1997.
    • It is organized by the World Water Council, an international organization.
    • It brings together stakeholders from various sectors including governments, organizations, businesses, and academia to promote awareness, build political commitment, and trigger action on critical water issues at all levels.

    What is the World Water Council (WWC)?

    • The World Water Council was founded in 1996.
    • The idea for the WWC emerged from discussions during the International Water and Sanitation Congress & Exhibition in 1994 and the subsequent Ministerial Conference on Drinking Water and Environmental Sanitation in 1996.
    • WWC’s activities focus on targets related to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), among others.
    • The Council was established by renowned water specialists and international organizations, including academic institutions, private companies, governments, and NGOs etc.
    • Objective: The primary aim of the Council is to raise awareness about critical water issues at all levels, including the highest decision-making levels, to facilitate efficient conservation, protection, development, planning, management, and use of water resources globally.
    • Membership: The WWC boasts a diverse membership base comprising over 300 member organizations in approximately 50 countries.

    Key Functions and Contributions:

    • World Water Forums:  It is the world’s largest event on water and gathers participants from various sectors to discuss and collaborate on water issues.
    • Policy Influence: The WWC works to influence policy by facilitating discussions among political and economic decision-makers.
    • Research and Advocacy: Through its publications, policy papers, and strategic projects, the WWC fosters greater understanding and awareness of water issues.

    PYQ:

    [2016] The effective management of land and water resources will drastically reduce the human miseries. Explain.

    [2012] If National Water Mission is properly and completely implemented, how will it impact the country?

    1. Part of the water needs of urban areas will be met through recycling of waste water.
    2. The water requirement of coastal cities with inadequate alternative sources of water will be met by adopting appropriate technologies that allow for use of ocean water.
    3. All the rivers of Himalayan origin will be linked to the rivers of peninsular India.
    4. The expenses incurred by farmers for digging bore wells and for installing motors and pump sets to draw groundwater will be completely reimbursed by the Government.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 1 and 2 only

    (c) 3 and 4 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

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  • Key Highlights of World Migration Report, 2024

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

    Why in the News?

    The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recently launched the World Migration Report 2024.

    Back2Basics: International Organization for Migration (IOM)
    Details
    About
    • Originated in 1951 as the Provisional Intergovernmental Committee for the Movement of Migrants from Europe (PICMME) after World War II’s upheavals.
    • In 2016, IOM agreed with the United Nations, becoming a related organization.
    Headquarters Geneva, Switzerland
    Members
    • Currently has 175 Member States and 8 states with Observer status.
    • India became an IOM Member State on 18th June 2008.

    Key Highlights of the Report:

    • Climate Change Impacts on Migration
    • The report highlights a significant increase in global migration due to environmental impacts and climate change, with more than 216 million people projected to be on the move within their countries by 2050.
    • Migration is being used as a strategy to cope with and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change, although its effectiveness varies based on individual circumstances and active involvement of migrants.

    Specific Regional Insights:

    • Africa:
    • Climate change has led to severe weather changes, including decreased rainfall and increased temperatures in North Africa, contributing to migration.
    • Countries like Libya, Algeria, and Morocco have seen migration due to reduced rainfall and increased drought conditions.
    • Asia:
      • In South Asia, particularly Pakistan and Bangladesh, extreme weather events like floods have led to substantial displacement.
      • The 2022 floods in Pakistan resulted in nearly 1.7 million displacements and in Bangladesh, record-breaking floods in 2022 triggered over 1.5 million displacements.
      • In India, strong influence of climate impacts on internal migration from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

    Remittances Inflows in India

    • According to the Report, India has consistently been the top recipient of remittances globally. In 2022, India received a record-breaking $111.22 billion in remittances.

    Remittance Inflows:

    • India is way ahead of its closely ranked peers Mexico ($61.1 billion), China ($51 billion), Philippines ($38.05 billion) and France ($30.04 billion).
    • This is the first time any country has crossed the USD 100 billion mark in remittance inflows.
    • The largest contributions to India’s remittances come from the UAE, USA, and Saudi Arabia, reflecting the extensive Indian diaspora in these regions.

    Migration Statistics:

    • With 18 million international migrants residing primarily in the UAE, USA, and Saudi Arabia, India hosts the world’s largest number of international migrants.
    • This large diaspora plays a crucial role in the economic linkage between India and these countries through remittances.
    • India came in 13th as the destination country for immigrants, with 4.48 million.

    PYQ:

    [2015] Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration within and outside India in the last four decades.

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  • Climate Change Negotiations – UNFCCC, COP, Other Conventions and Protocols

    What is the New Collective Quantitative Goal?

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

    Why in the News?

    At the upcoming COP29 in Baku in November this year, Azerbaijan, the primary discussion will center on the New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance.

    Recent Climate Conferences and Decisions:

    • 2022 Sharm el-Sheikh Conference: A Loss and Damage Fund was established to assist developing countries in recovering from climate disasters.
    • Dubai Conference: The focus was on the Global Stocktake (GST) of climate actions, acknowledging the need to transition away from fossil fuels and tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030.

    What is the New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG)?

        • All the parties of the Paris Agreement participate and review the implementation of the Agreement and make decisions. CMA is held once a year.
    • This goal will start with a target of at least $100 billion per year, focusing on the requirements and priorities of developing countries.
    • It will replace the previous commitment of USD 100 billion per year that developed nations had pledged in 2009 but never delivered.

    NCQG: A timeline

    • In 2009: The developed countries agreed to provide approximately $30 billion in ‘new and additional’ financial resources to developing countries from 2010 to 2012.
        • Additionally, these countries committed to collectively raising $100 billion annually by 2020 to support climate action in developing countries.
    • In 2015: It was decided to continue this collective goal of mobilizing $100 billion yearly by developed countries up to 2025.
    • A new climate finance target is to be set before 2025, maintaining at least $100 billion per year and considering the needs and priorities of developing countries. This is referred to as the NCQG or the new goal for post-2025.

    Financial Requirements for Effective Climate Action:

    • Current Funding Gaps: The scale of annual climate finance has consistently fallen short of the $100 billion promised by developed countries.
    • Projected Needs: Developing countries require about $6 trillion annually until 2030 to implement their climate action plans, according to a 2021 UN Climate Change report. An updated version of this report is expected to raise this figure even higher.
    • Global Transition Costs: A global transition to a low-carbon economy is estimated to require about $4-6 trillion every year until 2050.
    • Renewable Energy Expansion: Tripling renewable energy capacity, as agreed in Dubai, is estimated to cost $30 trillion until 2030, per the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA).

    Prospects for Meeting Financial Targets:

    • Realistic Expectations: Discussions are ongoing, with India suggesting a target of at least $1 trillion per year, primarily through grants and concessional finance.
    • Challenges: Developed countries have historically fallen short of even lesser goals, and achieving trillions in finance is seen as ambitious.

    Back2Basics: Global Initiatives for Financing Climate Action

    Established Purpose How it Works
    Green Climate Fund (GCF) 2010 To support developing countries in adaptation and mitigation to counter climate change. Mobilizes funding from developed to developing countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience. Operates under the UNFCCC financial mechanism.
    Global Environment Facility (GEF) 1991 To tackle global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development. Provides grants for projects related to environmental conventions (biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, ozone layer, organic pollutants). Functions as a financial mechanism for multiple conventions including the UNFCCC.
    Climate Investment Funds (CIF) 2008 To bridge funding and learning gaps for cleaner technology transformations. Offers scaled-up financing to middle-income countries to initiate cleaner technology transformations. Includes funds like the Clean Technology Fund (CTF) and the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF).
    Adaptation Fund 2001 To finance concrete adaptation projects in developing countries party to the Kyoto Protocol. Financed by a share of proceeds from CDM project activities, it supports concrete adaptation projects in vulnerable communities.
    Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) 2001 To finance projects in adaptation, technology transfer, and various management sectors. Managed by the GEF, supports projects in sectors not directly funded through other funds such as energy, transport, and waste management.
    Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) 2001 To support the least developed countries (LDCs) in their climate change initiatives. Finances the preparation and implementation of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs) which identify priority activities for LDCs to adapt to climate change.
    Carbon Pricing Mechanisms NA To internalize the cost of GHG emissions, incentivizing emission reductions. Involves setting a price on carbon emissions either through carbon taxes or emissions trading schemes (ETS), encouraging businesses to reduce emissions.
    Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Partnership 2016 To enhance cooperation to achieve NDC goals under the Paris Agreement. Facilitates technical and financial support to help countries implement and enhance their NDC commitments for reducing emissions.

     

    PYQ:

    [2016] With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. The Agreement was signed by all the member countries of the UN, and it will go into effect in 2017.
    2. The Agreement aims to limit the greenhouse gas emissions so that the rise in average global temperature by the end of this century does not exceed 2ºC or even 1.5ºC above pre-industrial levels.
    3. Developed countries acknowledged their historical responsibility in global warming and committed to donate $ 1000 billion a year from 2020 to help developing countries to cope with climate change.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1 and 3 only
    (b) 2 only
    (c) 2 and 3 only
    (d) 1, 2 and 3

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  • Health Sector – UHC, National Health Policy, Family Planning, Health Insurance, etc.

    IFPMA Report on Antimicrobial Resistance

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

    Why in the news?

    The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) released a report titled “From Resistance to Resilience: Reinforcing the Response to Antimicrobial Resistance,” emphasizing the urgent need for enhanced Antibiotic development.

    Report Highlights: Current State of Antibiotic Development:

    • Weak Pipeline: The current pipeline for developing new antibiotics is described as weak, fragile, and insufficient against growing antimicrobial resistance.
    • AMR Threat: Recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the greatest global health threats, AMR is linked to around 1.2 million direct deaths and 5 million associated deaths annually.

    What is Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)?

    • Antimicrobials are substances designed to eliminate or suppress the growth of microorganisms.
    • This category encompasses antibiotics, fungicides, antiviral drugs, and agents targeting parasites.
    • AMR occurs when microbes such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi become resistant to antimicrobial treatments to which they were previously susceptible.
    • Microorganisms that develop resistance to antimicrobials are sometimes referred to as “superbugs”.

    Global Status of AMR

    A recent report from the Global Research on Anti-microbial Resistance (GRAM) project found that:

    • In 2019, an estimated 4.95 million people suffered from at least one drug-resistant infection and AMR directly caused 1.27 million deaths.
    • AMR is one of India’s major public health problems, directly contributing to about 30% of deaths due to neonatal sepsis across India.
    • These are due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) hospital-acquired infections in many cases.
    • 30% of the COVID-19 deaths in India could be attributed to our failure to treat the secondary bacterial infections caused by MDR pathogens with the appropriate antibiotics.

    What are the factors that cause AMR? 

    • Over-prescription of Antibiotics: Frequently prescribing antibiotics for conditions that do not require them, such as viral infections, accelerates the emergence of resistance.
    • Incomplete Treatment Courses: Patients not completing their antibiotic courses as prescribed can leave surviving bacteria that adapt to become resistant.
    • Self-Medication: Individuals using antibiotics without a prescription, especially in regions where they are available over the counter, increases misuse and drives resistance.
    • Lack of New Antibiotics: The slow pace of new antibiotic development fails to keep up with the rate of bacterial evolution, reducing effective treatment options.
    • Hospital Settings: Hospitals are critical hotspots for the spread of resistant infections due to the high use of antibiotics and the concentration of vulnerable patients with open wounds, invasive devices, and weakened immune systems.
    • Global Travel: International travel allows for the rapid spread of resistant mutant strains between communities and across borders.

    India’s efforts to combat AMR:

    Description
    National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR)
    • Launched in 2017, this 5-year plan involves multiple ministries to tackle AMR across human, animal, and environmental sectors.
    • Focuses on enhancing awareness, surveillance, infection prevention, optimizing antimicrobial use, promoting research, and fostering international collaborations.
    New Delhi Declaration on AMR
    • Adopted in 2023 at the G20 Summit.
    • It emphasizes strengthening surveillance, regulating antibiotic sales, and boosting research for new treatments and diagnostics in the South-East Asia Region.
    National Anti-Microbial Resistance Research and Surveillance Network
    • Established under the Indian Council of Medical Research to monitor AMR trends through a network of laboratories across India.
    National Programme on Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance
    • Initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to enhance AMR surveillance, infection control, and antimicrobial stewardship in healthcare facilities.
    Red Line Campaign
    • Started in 2016, it raises awareness about the irrational use of antibiotics.
    • Medicines marked with a red line on their packaging are prescription-only, aiming to reduce misuse and over-the-counter sales.
    National One Health Program for Prevention and Control of Zoonoses
    • Launched in 2019, this program uses a multi-sectoral approach to strengthen responses to zoonotic diseases, including those caused by antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    Understanding Water Loss on Venus

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

    Why in the News?

    Over four billion years ago, Venus had enough water to potentially cover its surface with an ocean approximately 3 km deep, but today, it would remain with only 3 cm.

    • A research by US scientists explain the Non-Thermal Dissociative Recombination (DR) responsible for faster loss of water from Venus.

    About Venus

    • Venus is the second planet from the Sun. It is a terrestrial planet and is the closest in mass and size to its orbital neighbour Earth.
    • Venus is notable for having the densest atmosphere of the terrestrial planets, composed mostly of carbon dioxide with a thick, global sulphuric acid cloud cover.
    • At the surface it has a mean temperature of 464 °C (737 K) and a pressure of 92 times that of Earth’s at sea level.
    • These extreme conditions compress carbon dioxide into a supercritical state close to Venus’s surface.
    • Internally, Venus has a core, mantle, and crust. Venus lacks an internal dynamo, and its weak induced magnetosphere is caused by atmospheric interactions with the solar wind.
    • Venus is one of two planets in the Solar System (the other being Mercury), that have no moons.
    • The rotation of Venus has been slowed and turned against its orbital direction (retrograde) by the currents and drag of its atmosphere.
    • It takes 224.7 Earth days for Venus to complete an orbit around the Sun, and a Venusian solar year is just under two Venusian days long.

    Water Loss on Venus:

    • Venus lost its water primarily due to two factors:
        • Evaporation due to Greenhouse Effect: Its dense atmosphere rich in carbon dioxide, creating a strong greenhouse effect and surface temperatures around 450 degrees Celsius, which prevents water from existing in liquid form.
        • Proximity to the Sun: This leads to the disintegration of water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen in the ionosphere under solar heat and ultraviolet radiation.
    • Mechanism of Water Loss:
    1. Thermal Process: Initially, hydrodynamic escape was significant, where solar heating caused the outer atmosphere to expand, allowing hydrogen to escape into space. This process cooled and slowed about 2.5 billion years ago.
    2. Non-Thermal Process: Focus of recent study; involves hydrogen escaping into space, reducing water formation as oxygen atoms lack hydrogen to bond with.

    Key Research Findings: Non-thermal Dissociative Recombination (DR)

    The discrepancy in water loss rates was addressed by identifying a previously overlooked chemical reaction involving the formyl cation (HCO+).

    • HCO+ dissociative recombination (DR) reaction occurs when HCO+ gains an electron and splits into CO and a hydrogen atom, which then escapes into space.
    • This reaction is responsible for losing out water without evaporation.
    • This reaction was modelled to significantly increase the rate of hydrogen escape, potentially doubling the rate at which Venus lost water.
    • The model suggests that water levels on Venus would have been stable from nearly 2 billion years ago due to the ongoing non-thermal HCO+ DR reaction, yet some water remains today.

    Future Research on Venus

    • Existence of HCO+ Ions: Direct evidence of HCO+ ions in Venus’s atmosphere is still missing. Past missions did not focus on this molecule, and its involvement in water loss was not previously considered crucial.
    • Future Missions: The findings underscore the importance of future Venus missions to investigate the presence of HCO+ in the upper atmosphere, similar to the MAVEN mission to Mars.

    PYQ:

    [2011] What is the difference between asteroids and comets?

    1. Asteroids are small rocky planetoids, while comets are made of ice, dust and rocky material.
    2. Asteroids are found mostly between the orbits of Jupiter and Mars, while comets are found mostly between Venus and Mercury.
    3. Comets show a perceptible glowing tail, while asteroids do not.

    Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?

    (a) 1 and 2 only

    (b) 1 and 3 only

    (c) 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

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  • International Space Agencies – Missions and Discoveries

    Speculoos-3b: A New Earth-Sized Exoplanet Discovered

    Prelims Only | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Salient Features Of World’S Physical Geography

    Why in the News?

    • Astronomers have identified a new Earth-sized exoplanet, named Speculoos-3b, orbiting an ultracool red dwarf star.

    Back2Basics: Red Dwarf Star

    • A red dwarf is the most common type of star in the Milky Way galaxy.
    • However, due to their low luminosity, individual red dwarfs cannot be easily observed.
    • Proxima Centauri, the star nearest to the Sun, is a red dwarf, as are fifty of the sixty nearest stars.
    • According to some estimates, red dwarfs make up three-quarters of the fusing stars in the Milky Way.

    About Speculoos-3b

    • Speculoos-3b is an Earth-sized exoplanet recently discovered orbiting an ultracool dwarf star.
    • It was discovered by a team of astronomers led by Michael Gillon from the University of Liege in Belgium.
    • It is located approximately 55 light-years away from Earth.
    • Due to its short orbital period, Speculoos-3b receives almost ten times more energy per second than Earth does from the Sun.

    SPECULOOS Project 

    • Project Overview: The discovery was made under the SPECULOOS project, aimed at exploring exoplanets around ultra-cool dwarf stars.
    • The SPECULOOS Southern Observatory is a project carried out by the University of Liège (Belgium) and the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge (United Kingdom)

    Astrophysical Significance of the Discovery

    • Prevalence of Ultracool Dwarfs: Ultracool dwarf stars, like the host of Speculoos-3b, constitute about 70% of all stars in our galaxy and are known for their longevity, surviving up to 100 billion years.
    • Importance for Life’s Potential: The extended lifespan of these stars provides a stable environment that could potentially support the development of life on orbiting planets.

    PYQ:

    [2015] The term ‘Goldilocks Zone’ is often seen in the news in the context of:

    (a) the limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth

    (b) regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available

    (c) search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

    (d) search for meteorites containing precious metals

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  • New Species of Plants and Animals Discovered

    Phtheirospermum Lushaiorum: Hemiparasite Plant Species named after Lushai Tribe  

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

    Why in the News?

    • A rare hemi-parasitic terrestrial plant has been found in Phawngpui National Park of Mizoram.
      • It has been named ‘Phtheirospermum Lushaiorum’ after the Lushai tribe of Mizoram, honoring their commitment to biodiversity conservation.

    About  Lushai Tribe

      • Lushai is another tribe under the Kuki-chin group (racially from Mongolia) of tribes.
        • They are commonly known as Mizos.
        • In Tripura there are 5,384 persons (as per 2011 Census).
      • Occupation: They mostly reside in the Jampui Hills area of Tripura and have Jhum Cultivation and hunting of wild animals as their main occupation.
    • Culture and belief:
      • converted to Christianity and still follow Christianity as their religion.
      • Their Cheraw Dance (Bamboo Dance) is quiet famous.

    About Phtheirospermum Lushaiorum

    • This plant lacks a fully developed root system and taps into the sap of host plants through specialized structures known as haustoria.
    • Despite its parasitic nature, it contains chlorophyll and can produce its food, showing some independence from its host.
    • It flowers from July to September, with fruit production occurring from August to October.
    • The plant grows near a popular trekking route in Phawngpui National Park, facing threats from both anthropogenic activities and natural factors.

    Back2Basics: Phawngpui National Park

      • Also known as Blue Mountain National Park, it is one of the two national parks in Mizoram (the other being Murlen NP).
    • Geographical location:
        • Close to the border with Burma (Myanmar).
        • The park overlooks the Chhimtuipui River, which flows toward Burma.
        • The geography of Phawngpui is characterized by its cloud-covered mountain area, which gives it a distinctive blue appearance from a distance.
    • Flora and Fauna:
        • Bird species:Blyth’s tragopan, falcons, sunbirds, dark-rumped swifts, and the Mizoram state bird, Mrs. Hume’s pheasant.
        • Mammals: Mountain goat, slow loris, tiger, leopard, leopard cat, serow, goral, Asiatic black bear, stump-tailed macaque, and capped langur. 
    • Flora: Grassy meadows, orchids, rhododendrons, and bamboo groves.

     

    PYQ:

    [2016] Recently, our scientists have discovered a new and distinct species of banana plant which attains a height of about 11 meters and has orange-coloured fruit pulp. In which part of India has it been discovered?

    (a) Andaman Islands

    (b) Anaimalai Forests

    (c) Maikala Hills

    (d) Tropical rain forests of Northeast

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  • The Crisis In The Middle East

    India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Project

    Prelims Only | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Why in the News?

    An Indian inter-ministerial delegation visited the UAE to discuss the operational aspects of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), marking a significant step forward since the signing of the agreement.

    About IMEC Project

    • IMEC is part of the broader Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), which focuses on infrastructure development in economically developing regions.
    • The MoU for IMEC was formally endorsed on September 10, 2023, during the 2023 G20 New Delhi summit.
    • Signatories to this agreement: India, United States, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy, and the European Union.
    • Aim: To integrate Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, enhancing economic cooperation across these regions.
    • Objectives:
      • Improve transportation efficiency, lower costs, and promote economic cohesion among participating nations.
      • Generate employment opportunities and reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions.
      • Facilitate trade and connectivity, thereby reshaping regional integration among Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

    Corridor Configuration:

    IMEC comprises two primary corridors:

    1. East Corridor: Linking India to the Arabian Gulf.
    2. Northern Corridor: Connecting the Gulf region to Europe.

    Key ports integral to the project’s success include:

    • India: Mundra, Kandla, and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Mumbai).
    • Middle East: Fujairah (UAE), Jebel Ali (Dubai, UAE), Abu Dhabi (UAE), Dammam (Saudi Arabia), and Ras Al Khair (Saudi Arabia).
    • Israel: Haifa port.
    • Europe: Piraeus (Greece), Messina (Italy), and Marseille (France).

    Additionally, it encompasses various infrastructure components such as railway networks, ship-to-rail connections, road transport routes, electricity cables, hydrogen pipelines, and high-speed data cables.

    Significance:

    • IMEC, upon completion, will establish a dependable and cost-efficient cross-border ship-to-rail transit network, complementing existing maritime and road transport networks.
    • The IMEC Project holds significant promise in redefining regional trade dynamics and fostering sustainable economic growth and cooperation among the involved countries.

    PYQ:

    [2018] The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is viewed as a cardinal subset of China’s larger ‘One Belt One Road’ initiative. Give a brief description of CPEC and enumerate the reasons why India has distanced itself from the same. (150 Words, 10 Marks)

    [2016] ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of:

    (a) African Union

    (b) Brazil

    (c) European Union

    (d) China

     

    Back2Basics: Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment (PGII)

    • The PGII was first announced in June 2021 during the G7 (or Group of Seven) summit in the UK.
    • The G7 countries include the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the European Union (EU).
    • US President Joe Biden had called it the Build Back Better World (B3W) framework. However, it did not register much progress.
    • In 2022, during the G7 summit in Germany, the PGII was officially launched as a joint initiative to help fund infrastructure projects in developing countries through public and private investments.
      • Objective: To mobilise nearly $600 billion from the G7 by 2027 to invest in critical infrastructure.
      • It is essentially in response to the infrastructure projects being undertaken and funded by China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) at a global level.

     

    Present Maritime Routes between India and Europe

    Trade Route Route Issues Advantages
    Suez Canal Route Indian Ocean -> Arabian Sea -> Red Sea -> Suez Canal -> Mediterranean Sea -> Europe
    • High traffic causing congestion.
    • Potential for piracy, especially near the Horn of Africa.
    • Most efficient and shortest maritime route.
    • Well-established with advanced port facilities.
    Cape of Good Hope Route Indian Ocean -> Arabian Sea -> Indian Ocean (southern tip of Africa) -> Atlantic Ocean -> Europe
    • Longer transit time compared to the Suez Canal.
    • Higher fuel costs and longer journey duration.
    • Avoids congestion and security risks of the Suez Canal.
    • Suitable for large vessels unable to transit the Suez Canal.

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    National Endangered Species Day, 2024

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

    Why in the News?

    • National Endangered Species Day is an annual event that strives to raise awareness about the significance of safeguarding endangered species and their habitats.
    • This year, National Endangered Species Day was celebrated on May 17.

    What is National Endangered Species Day?

    • National Endangered Species Day is observed every year on the 3rd Friday of May.
    • This day was co-founded in 2006 by the Endangered Species Coalition and David Robinson.
    • Robinson defines Endangered Species Day as a “worldwide day of action to rescue species and celebrate conservation triumphs”.
    • Theme for 2024: “Celebrate Saving Species”.
    • According to the IUCN Red List Analysis 2020, over 500 land animal species will likely go extinct in the next two decades if current trends continue.

    Flagship species in India that are Endangered and often seen in the News:

    Species

    Conservation Status

    Key Information
    Asian Elephant

     
    • IUCN: Endangered
    • CITES Appendix I;
    • Schedule I (WPA, 1972)
    • Symbol of Heritage: Plays a key role in forest and grassland ecosystems.
    • Threats: Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching for tusks.
    • Conservation Needs: Sustained efforts are crucial to ensure their survival and maintain biodiversity.
    Ganges River Dolphin
    • IUCN: Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I;
    • Schedule I (WPA, 1972)
    • Critical Habitat: Found in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems.
    • Challenges: Water extraction, pollution, and river traffic.
    • Population Decline: Less than 2,000 individuals remain in India.
    Bengal Tiger
    • IUCN: Endangered
    • CITES Appendix I;
    • Schedule I (WPA, 1972)
    • Iconic Predator: Represents a significant part of India’s wildlife.
    • Current Status: Numbers are increasing, but threats like poaching and habitat loss persist.
    • Habitat: Found across varied ecosystems, from forests to mangroves.
    Red Panda
    • IUCN: Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I
    • Schedule I (WPA, 1972)
    • Status: Significant decline due to habitat loss and poaching.
    • Habitat Zones: Found in the eastern Himalayas and parts of Northeast India.
    • Conservation Importance: Serves as an indicator species for the health of the Himalayan forests.
    Asiatic Lion
    • IUCN: Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I
    • Schedule I (WPA, 1972)
    • Last Refuge: Exclusively found in Gir National Park, Gujarat.
    • Population Challenges: Threats include poaching and accidental deaths from open wells and fences.
    • Conservation Strategies: Involves habitat restoration and stricter anti-poaching laws.
    Nilgiri Tahr
    • IUCN: Endangered
    • Schedule I (WPA, 1972)
    • Mountain Inhabitant: Lives in the mountainous regions of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
    • Population Pressure: Climate change and human interference are major threats.
    • Survival Strategies: Requires focused conservation to stabilise its declining population.
    Lion-tailed Macaque

     

     
    • IUCN: Endangered
    • CITES Appendix I;
    • Schedule I (WPA, 1972)
    • Distinct Appearance: Notable for its silver mane, found in the Western Ghats.
    • Critical Decline: Population affected by habitat fragmentation and human interaction.
    • Behavioural Changes: Adjustments in their natural behaviours due to human activities are concerning.
    Great Indian Bustard (GIB)
    • IUCN: Critically Endangered
    • CITES Appendix I;
    • Schedule I (WPA, 1972)
    • IBs are the largest among India’s four bustard species and are considered flagship birds of grasslands.
    • Habitat reduced to just 10 per cent.
    • Overhead power transmission, poor vision, windmills, noise pollution, landscape changes, and alterations in cultivation patterns pose significant threats to GIBs.
    Golden Langur
    • IUCN: Endangered
    • CITES Appendix I;
    • Schedule I (WPA, 1972)
    • Approximately 7,396 Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) in India as per a census conducted by Assam Forest Department.
    Hangul (Kashmir Stag)
    • IUCN: Critically Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I;
    • Kashmir’s Hangul, a shy and endangered species of deer, has exhibited a robust breeding season, suggesting a hopeful future for its population in the Dachigam National Park.
    • The Hanguls population could surpass 300 this spring, marking the first time in over 30 years.

     

    PYQ:

    [20I2] Which one of the following groups of animals belongs to the category of endangered species?

    (a) Great Indian Bustard, Musk Deer, Red Panda and Asiatic Wild Ass

    (b) Kashmir Stag, Cheetal, Blue Bull and Great Indian Bustard

    (c) Snow Leopard, Swamp Deer, Rhesus Monkey and Saras (Crane)

    (d) Lion-tailed Macaque, Blue Bull, Hanuman Langur and Cheetal

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  • Port Infrastructure and Shipping Industry – Sagarmala Project, SDC, CEZ, etc.

    Renew the Generalized System of Preferences

    Explained | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and agreements involving India

    Why in the News? 

    It is widely believed that renewing the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) program would pave the way for comprehensive U.S.-India trade negotiations, potentially elevating the bilateral trade relationship to new heights.

    What is the ‘Generalised System of Preferences (GSP)’ Program about?

      • The Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) is a trade initiative by developed countries to aid developing countries.
    • Nearly all developed countries have their versions of the GSP, tailored to their economic and policy goals.
        • It involves reducing tariffs on imports from these countries, aiming to stimulate their economic development. (It is not formally part of the World Trade Organization).
    • Origin and its Evolution:
      • During the 1960s: The idea of the GSP emerged during the 1960s as part of broader efforts within the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) to help developing countries gain better access to markets in developed countries.
      • During 1968: UNCTAD proposed the GSP as a mechanism to offer non-reciprocal, non-discriminatory tariff preferences to developing countries, aiming to promote their economic growth and industrialization.
      • During 1974: The US officially established its GSP program under the Trade Act of 1974. This act authorized the U.S. to provide duty-free treatment for selected products imported from designated beneficiary developing countries (BDCs)​.

    The Significance of Renewing the GSP:

    • US Factor:  The GSP program is unique because it requires periodic reauthorization by Congress. This program of the U.S. expired in 2020 and has not yet been renewed, despite bipartisan support.
    • For Stability in the Market: Renewal is challenging in a polarized political environment but is crucial for maintaining stable market access for developing countries.
    • For Diversification: The GSP supports small businesses and women-owned enterprises, encouraging economic empowerment and diversification away from Chinese imports.
    • To bring Reform: It will promote labor and environmental reforms and reduce tariff costs for American businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises.

    Significance of US – India Trade Relationship:

    • Broader the Trade agreement: The U.S. and India have a significant trade relationship, with bilateral trade worth around $200 billion. Renewing the GSP could facilitate further negotiations and potentially lead to a broader trade agreement.
    • Need for GSP renewal: Before the GSP expired, the U.S. and India were close to a trade deal covering various sectors including medical devices, agriculture, ethanol, and IT products.
      • Despite ongoing trade dialogues, the U.S. is currently not negotiating new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), making GSP renewal a key tool for enhancing trade relations.
      • A renewed GSP could cover multiple areas such as labour rights, environmental laws, and regulatory practices, fostering a more robust and ambitious trade partnership.
    • Strategic Importance:
    • In the Indo-Pacific region.
    • It can significantly boost trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.
    • It would signal a mutual commitment to deepening their trade relationship and addressing broader economic and regulatory issues.

    Way forward:

    • Utilize GSP as a Negotiation Tool: Leverage GSP renewal as a platform to initiate broader trade negotiations between the U.S. and India, potentially leading to a more comprehensive trade agreement.
    • Focus on Strategic Sectors: Identify and prioritize sectors such as technology, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture where both countries have mutual interests and complementary strengths.

    Mains PYQ: 

    Q “What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem (UPSC IAS/2019)

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