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  • Issues related to Economic growth

    India’s Population Growth: Dividend or a Disaster?

    op-ed snap | Indian Society | Mains Paper 1: Population & Associated Issues

    growth

    Central Idea

    • India’s projected transition as the most populous country from China by mid-2023 presents opportunities for demographic advantage, but also requires focusing on the available demographic dividend. The population growth, size, and composition must be viewed from an empirical and scientific perspective to understand whether it is a dividend or a disaster.

    growth

    India’s Population Projection

    • A UN report released on recently has provided the first official confirmation that India’s population is expected to surpass that of China by the middle of this year at the latest.
    • The annual State of World Population report by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has pegged India’s mid-2023 population at 142.86 crore, marginally ahead of China’s 142.57 crore, which is 2.9 million higher than China’s population

    What is State of World Population Report?

    • The report is an annual report published by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), which provides a global overview of population trends and issues.
    • The report covers a wide range of topics related to the population, such as fertility, mortality, migration, family planning, and gender equality.
    • It also includes analysis and recommendations for policymakers and governments to address population challenges and promote sustainable development.
    • The report is widely regarded as a key reference for researchers, policymakers, and international organizations working on population and development issues.

    growth

    How India’s Population growth can be a resource?

    • A larger workforce: A growing population means a larger workforce, which, if trained and employed, can contribute to economic growth and development.
    • Domestic market: A larger population can create a larger domestic market, which can drive economic growth by increasing demand for goods and services.
    • Innovation and technological advancements: A larger population can provide a greater pool of knowledge and expertise, and a more diverse range of perspectives and ideas, which can lead to innovation and technological advancements.
    • Investment in infrastructure: Population growth can create opportunities for investment in infrastructure, education, and health, which can further stimulate economic development.
    • Cultural richness: A larger population can lead to cultural richness and diversity. With a diverse population comes a range of languages, traditions, and cultural practices, which can contribute to a vibrant and dynamic society.
    • Diplomatic influence: A larger population can give a country greater diplomatic influence on the world stage. As one of the world’s most populous countries, India has significant diplomatic influence and can use its demographic size as a bargaining tool in international negotiations.

    How India’s Population growth can be a Burden?

    • Strain on resources: A growing population can put a strain on natural resources, such as water, food, and energy. This can lead to environmental degradation, scarcity, and conflict.
    • Unemployment: A larger population can create a mismatch between the supply and demand of jobs, leading to high unemployment rates, particularly among young people
    • Poverty: Population growth can exacerbate poverty, particularly in rural areas and among marginalized communities. This can create social and economic inequality and limit access to education, healthcare, and other basic needs.
    • Overcrowding: A larger population can lead to overcrowding, particularly in urban areas. This can create poor living conditions, increased pollution, and health hazards.
    • Infrastructure: A growing population can put a strain on infrastructure, such as transportation, housing, and sanitation. This can lead to inadequate services and poor living conditions.
    • Health: A larger population can increase the spread of disease and illness, particularly in areas with poor healthcare infrastructure. This can lead to public health crises and decreased life expectancy.
    • Education: Population growth can put a strain on education systems, particularly in terms of providing quality education to all. This can limit social and economic mobility and contribute to inequality.
    • Migration: A larger population can lead to migration, particularly to urban areas, which can create social and economic challenges, such as increased crime rates and inequality.

    Deeper outlook: Trends of population growth, size and composition

    • Replacement level fertility: With total fertility rate of 2.0 in 2023, India is already at replacement level fertility, meaning two children replacing their parents. This indicates that the population is on a path toward stabilisation.
    • Negative growth: India continues to experience positive growth, but in a decelerated mode until 2064, from which point it will become negative growth. The peak of India’s population size will be around 169.6 crore in 2063.
    • Working age population: Looking at the population composition of India, there are greater prospects for demographic dividend than a disaster. With 68% of the working age population in 2023, the country continues to have a demographic window of opportunity for the next 35 years to reap an economic dividend

    Facts for prelims

    Fertility Decline

    • According to National Family Health Survey (NFHS), fertility rate falling below the replacement level for the first time to 2.0 in 2021.dropped from 2.2 to 2.0.
    • Only five States have a fertility rate above the replacement rate: Bihar (3), Meghalaya (2.9), Uttar Pradesh (2.4), Jharkhand (2.3), and Manipur (2.2)
    • At the time of Independence, India’s fertility rate was six per woman, and it had taken 25 years to reach five, with the government launching the first ever family planning program in the world in 1952.
    • India’s fertility further declined to four in the 1990s when Kerala became the first State in India to have a fertility rate below replacement l
    • Increased use of contraception, more years of average schooling, better health care, and an increase in the mean marriage age of women are of the reasons behind the steady dip in fertility rate.

    growth

    Mechanism to translate a demographic bonus to economic dividend

    • There are four key mechanisms that translate a demographic bonus to economic dividend:
    • Employment, 2. Education and skills, 3. Health conditions, and 4. Governance.
    • Job creation, education, skills generation, and ensuring a healthy lifespan are important channels that translate demographic opportunity into economic gains.
    • Good governance, reflected through conscientious policies, is another essential aspect for reaping demographic dividend.

    Way ahead: India’s Demographic opportunity

    • India’s relatively younger population provides higher support ratios, with lesser disease, disability, and caring burden.
    • India has the potential to become a worldwide market for both production and consumption, with lower manufacturing costs due to a relatively cheaper workforce.
    • Available demographic opportunity in the form of a greater share of the working age population has the potential to boost per capita GDP by an additional 43% by 2061.
    • However, a total fertility rate of less than 1.8 may not be economically beneficial for India, and population control methods run the risk of inducing forced population aging.

    Conclusion

    • While India’s demographic transition presents opportunities for demographic advantage, it must focus on reaping the available demographic dividend. The composition of India’s population presents prospects for demographic dividends, but certain mechanisms must be employed to translate demographic opportunity into economic gains. Policies that support an enabling environment that can provide high-quality education, good healthcare, respectable employment opportunities, good infrastructure, and gender empowerment are essential.

    Mains Question

    Q. India is set to surpass China as the most populous country in the mid 2023. This presents India an opportunity and a challenge of population growth. Analyze and suggest a way ahead to harness the potential of its working age population.

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  • Food Procurement and Distribution – PDS & NFSA, Shanta Kumar Committee, FCI restructuring, Buffer stock, etc.

    India-UAE Food Security Partnership Stands to Benefit From Multiple Points of Convergence

    op-ed snap | Economics | Mains Paper 3: PDS, Buffer Stock & Food Security,Transport & Marketing Of Agricultural Produce

    Food Security

    Central Idea

    • The UAE, heavily dependent on food imports, has set the goal of achieving food access and supply chain crisis readiness. India is a key partner in the UAE’s efforts to strengthen food security, given India’s status as the world’s second-largest food producer. The India-UAE food security partnership stands to benefit from multiple points of convergence.

    India’s Capabilities in the Global Agri-Export Market

    • Global agri-export powerhouse: India has become a global agri-export powerhouse thanks to its vast arable land, favourable climate, and growing food production and processing sector
    • India’s role in global food security: India has demonstrated its evolving role in advancing regional and global food security by serving as a humanitarian provider of food to developing countries
    • Global food marketplace: India has invested in massive food parks and placed its food sector to benefit from bilateral trade agreements, reflecting a strong and sustained intent to make the most of its agri-capabilities in the global food marketplace

    India’s Domestic Food Security Measures

    • World’s largest food subsidy programme: India runs the world’s largest food subsidy programme, the Public Distribution System, providing nearly 800 million citizens with subsidised grains for daily, affordable meals
    • POSHAN Abhiyaan: India’s Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN) Abhiyaan is the world’s largest nutrition programme for children and women
    • 3 C’s for instance: India promotes the consumption and farming of millets as part of its G-20 presidency, demonstrating its resilience focus to address the three Cs of Covid, Conflict, and Climate issues pernicious to food security in India and across the globe

    Facts for prelims: Food security measures

    Scheme Description Target Beneficiaries
    Public Distribution System (PDS) World’s largest food subsidy program providing subsidized grains to nearly 800 million citizens BPL (Below Poverty Line) and APL (Above Poverty Line) families
    National Food Security Act (NFSA) Provides legal entitlement to subsidized food grains to two-thirds of India’s population Priority households and Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households
    Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) Provides cooked meals to children in primary and upper primary schools Children in primary and upper primary schools
    Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme Provides supplementary nutrition to children under six years of age, pregnant women, and lactating mothers Children under six years of age, pregnant women, and lactating mothers
    Annapurna Scheme Provides 10 kg of food grains per month free of cost to senior citizens who are not covered under the NFSA or PDS Senior citizens who are not covered under the NFSA or PDS
    Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition (POSHAN) Abhiyaan World’s largest nutrition program for children and women Children under six years of age, pregnant women, and lactating mothers
    Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) Provides free food grains to around 80 crore beneficiaries for a period of 8 months to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 Migrant workers, urban and rural poor, and other vulnerable groups
    Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) Provides highly subsidized food grains to the poorest of the poor families identified by the government Poorest of the poor families identified by the government

    Food Security

    The India-UAE Food Security Partnership

    • UAE’s Commitment to Food Security: The UAE is focusing on the twin objectives of food access and readiness to confront supply chain crises
    • Food corridor: The food corridor could potentially commence a route for foods made and processed in India, beginning their outbound journey on the Indian coast of the Arabian Sea, passing through the UAE, and towards major international markets
    • Agri-trade for India: The corridor stands to emerge as a world-class template of successful agri-trade for India, while also unlocking greater productivity, efficiency, and growth for its millions of workers and employees
    • Boost to food processing sector: The UAE’s private sector projects spanning its agricultural and food processing sector will generate lakhs of non-farm agri-jobs while enabling farmers to discover better prices for their products.
    • Diversified pathways to the global marketplace: Bolstered by the UAE’s infrastructural capabilities, India’s agricultural products will have more resilient and diversified pathways to the global marketplace

    Food Security

    Facts for prelims

    Millet production and food security

    • Largest producer: India is the largest producer of millet in the world with a share of 41% in 2020, as per FAO. Nine types are grown as kharif crops in over 20 States in the country.
    • Major millets include: finger millet (ragi or mandua), pearl millet (bajra) and sorghum (jowar) and minor millets include foxtail millet (kangani or kakun), barnyard millet (sawa or sanwa, jhangora), little millet (kutki), kodo millet (kodon), proso millet (cheena) and browntop millet.
    • Leading producers: Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh are leading producers.
    • India is also among the top five exporters: India exported millets worth $64.28 million in 2021-22 and $59.75 million in 2020-21, according to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority.

    In depth: The Benefits of India-UAE food security partnership for India and the UAE

    For India

    • Investment in Food Parks: During the I2U2 summit in July 2020, the UAE committed $2 billion in investment towards constructing food parks in India. This investment will generate lakhs of non-farm agri-jobs, while enabling farmers to discover better prices for their products.
    • Access to Global Markets: The food security corridor established on the sidelines of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with logistics partner DP World takes forward India’s envisioned presence on the global food value chain, beyond the UAE. The corridor has the potential to establish a route for foods made and processed in India, beginning their outbound journey on the Indian coast of the Arabian Sea, passing through the UAE, and towards major international markets.
    • Direct Access to UAE’s Food Ecosystem: The Dubai Multi Commodities Centre, the UAE’s largest free trade zone, launched Agriota, an agri-trading and commodity platform to link Indian farmers to food companies in the UAE. This platform will give millions of Indian farmers the opportunity to directly reach out to the entirety of the UAE’s food ecosystem (processing companies, traders, wholesalers) and stock their products in Emirati stores.
    • Infrastructure Development: Several UAE-based companies have expressed interest in constructing a supporting logistics and infrastructure pipeline to accelerate trade and reinforce the food corridor. A consortium of UAE-based entities are investing up to $7 billion in mega food parks, contract farming, and the sourcing of agro-commodities in India. This initiative will include mega food parks, logistics and warehouse hubs, and fruits and vegetable hubs, which will bolster India’s agricultural products’ resilient and diversified pathways to the global marketplace.

    For UAE

    • Diversification of food reserves: UAE heavily relies on food imports to feed its population. The partnership with India will help UAE diversify its food reserves and reduce its dependence on a few countries for its food security.
    • Strategic location: UAE’s strategic location between Asia and Europe can be leveraged to serve as India’s food export gateway to West Asia and Africa region, and beyond. This could enhance the UAE’s position as a hub for food trade in the region.
    • Investment opportunities: The partnership could open up investment opportunities for UAE-based companies to invest in India’s food and agriculture sector, including mega food parks, contract farming, and sourcing of agro-commodities.
    • Better access to Indian products: The partnership could give UAE better access to India’s diversified agri-produce, enabling them to benefit from India’s large and growing food production and processing sector.
    • Infrastructural capabilities: The UAE’s infrastructural capabilities could strengthen India’s agricultural products’ pathways to the global marketplace, providing more resilient and diversified routes to the global food value chain.

    Value addition box

    India’s efforts to promote millet:

    • The Union government promoted millets under the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP), as a sub-scheme of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) between 2011 and 2014.
    • In the following years, NITI Aayog worked on a framework to introduce millets under the public distribution system for nutritional support.
    • The government declared 2018 as the ‘national year of millets’ to trigger an increase in demand.
    • The programme under INSIMP was merged with the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) as NFSM-Coarse Cereals and implemented in 14 States. Several States led separate missions to promote millets.
    • In 2021, the Centre approved the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) and advised State governments to include millets in the midday meal menu to enhance the nutritional outcome.
    • India’s efforts to promote the consumption and production of millet got a boost when the UNGA accepted the country’s proposal and dedicated 2023 to spreading awareness about these grains. It is instrumental for PM’s vision to make IYM 2023 a people’s movement and positioning India as the ‘global hub for millets’.

    Conclusion

    • The India-UAE food security partnership stands to benefit both countries, and the collaboration between the two nations can offer solutions to address food security issues in the Global South. With the UAE’s infrastructural capabilities and India’s agricultural capabilities, the partnership can create diversified pathways to the global marketplace, generate non-farm agri-jobs, and enable farmers to receive better prices for their products.

    Mains Question

    Q. Explain the India-UAE food security partnership and enumerate the mutual benefit of the food security partnership.

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  • Parliament – Sessions, Procedures, Motions, Committees etc

    50 years of Kesavananda Bharati Case

    | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Indian Constitution – historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure

    kesav

    Fifty years ago, on April 24, 1973, the Supreme Court delivered its judgment in Kesavananda Bharati Sripadagalvaru and Ors vs. State of Kerala and Anr, the landmark case that redefined the relationship between Parliament and the Constitution.

    Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)

    • The Kesavananda Bharati judgement, was a landmark decision of the Supreme Court that outlined the basic structure doctrine of the Indian Constitution.
    • The case is also known as the Fundamental Rights Case.
    • The SC in a 7-6 decision asserted its right to strike down amendments to the constitution that were in violation of the fundamental architecture of the constitution.
    • The Court asserted through the Basic Structure doctrine that the constitution possesses a basic structure of constitutional principles and values.
    • Key outcomes were:
    1. Basic Structure Doctrine: It is a principle that limits Parliament’s power to amend the Indian Constitution. It holds that certain fundamental features of the Constitution, such as the principle of separation of powers, cannot be amended by Parliament.
    2. Judicial Review: The Court partially cemented the prior precedent Golaknath v. State of Punjab, which held that constitutional amendments through Article 368 were subject to fundamental rights review, but only if they could affect the ‘basic structure of the Constitution’.
    3. Exceptions to Judicial Review: At the same time, the Court also upheld the constitutionality of the first provision of Article 31-C, which implied that amendments seeking to implement the Directive Principles, which do not affect the ‘Basic Structure,’ shall not be subjected to judicial review.

    Criticism of the doctrine

    • Dilution of powers: The basic structure doctrine has been criticized for diluting the principle of separation of powers and undermining the sovereignty of Parliament.
    • Ambiguous nature: It has also been criticized as a vague and subjective form of judicial review.

    Landmark cases of the doctrine

    • Indira Gandhi v Raj Narain (1975): The Supreme Court applied the principle laid down in the Kesavananda ruling for the first time in this case. It struck down The Constitution (39th Amendment) Act, 1975, which barred the Supreme Court from hearing a challenge to the election of President, Prime Minister, Vice-President, and Speaker of Lok Sabha.
    • Minerva Mills Ltd vs. Union of India (1980): The Supreme Court struck down a clause inserted in Article 368, which said “there shall be no limitation whatever on the constituent power of Parliament to amend by way of addition, variation or repeal the provisions of this Constitution.”
    • P Sambamurthy v State of Andhra Pradesh (1986): The Supreme Court struck down a portion of the 32nd Amendment (1973), which constituted an Administrative Tribunal for Andhra Pradesh for service matters, taking away the P jurisdiction of the High Court.
    • L Chandra Kumar v Union of India (1997): The Supreme Court struck down a portion of the 42nd Amendment, which set up administrative tribunals excluding judicial review by High Courts.

    Significance of the Judgment and the doctrine

    • Strengthen judicial review: The doctrine forms the basis of the power of the Indian judiciary to review and override amendments to the Constitution of India enacted by the Parliament.
    • Clarification about Article 368: Article 368 postulates only a ‘procedure’ for amendment of the Constitution. The same could not be treated as a ‘power’ vested in the Parliament to amend the Constitution to alter the ‘core’ of the Constitution, which has also been described as the ‘basic structure’ of the Constitution.
    • Not antithetical to legislative authority: Justice Shastri said Judicial Review was undertaken by the courts “not out of any desire to tilt at legislative authority in a crusader’s spirit, but in the discharge of a duty laid down upon them by the Constitution”.
    • A system of checks and balances: The Kesavananda Bharati verdict (1973) made it clear that judicial review is not a means to usurp parliamentary sovereignty. It is a “system of checks and balances” to ensure constitutional functionaries do not exceed their limits.

     

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  • Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act

    How can a Juvenile be tried as an Adult in Court?

    | Governance | Mains Paper 2: Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted For The Vulnerable Sections

    Central idea: In this article, we will discuss the process of trying juveniles in the age group of 16-18 as adults in court and the responsibilities of the Juvenile Justice Board.

    About Juvenile Justice Act, 2015

    Description
    Purpose To provide for the care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection, and for the adjudication of delinquent juveniles accused of committing an offence.
    Age group covered Act covers children up to the age of 18 years.
    Categories of offences Offences committed by children are categorised into petty offences, serious offences, and heinous offences.
    Trial of children as adults For the first time, the Act provided for trying juveniles in the age group of 16-18 as adults in cases of heinous offences.
    Role of Juvenile Justice Board The Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) is responsible for the care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection, and for the adjudication of delinquent juveniles accused of committing an offence.
    Role of Child Welfare Committee Child Welfare Committee (CWC) is responsible for the care, protection, and rehabilitation of children in need of care and protection.
    Prohibition of disclosing identity Act prohibits the disclosure of the identity of a child in conflict with the law and mandates that the child be dealt with in a child-friendly manner.
    Monitoring and review National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is responsible for monitoring the proper implementation of the provisions of the Act, and conducting reviews and evaluations.

     

    Issues with Juvenile’s trial

    There are several issues with the trial of juveniles as adults. Here are some of them:

    • Latent consequences: Juveniles are generally not mature enough to understand the consequences of their actions fully. Trying them as adults can lead to disproportionate sentences and undue punishment.
    • Losing scope for rehabilitation: Young offenders have a higher potential for rehabilitation and reform than adult offenders. Trying them as adults can limit their chances of being reformed and reintegrated into society.
    • Issue in legal representation: Juveniles may not have access to legal representation or may not understand their rights. Trying them as adults can result in unfair trials and convictions.
    • Impact on mental health: Being tried as an adult can have a severe impact on a juvenile’s mental health and well-being. It can lead to anxiety, depression, and trauma.
    • Stigma and discrimination: Juveniles who are tried as adults may face stigma and discrimination throughout their lives, affecting their ability to secure jobs, education, and housing.

    NCPCR lays guidelines for juvenile’s trial

    • The National Commission for Protection of Children (NCPCR) has issued guidelines for conducting a preliminary assessment by the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB).
    • This has been done under Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, to ascertain whether a juvenile can be tried as an adult.
    • For the first time, the Act has provided for trying juveniles as adults in cases of heinous offences.

    Stipulated categories of offences

    • The Juvenile Justice Act categorizes offences committed by children into three categories –
    1. Petty offences
    2. Serious offences
    3. Heinous offences
    • Section 15 of the Juvenile Justice Act states that a preliminary assessment should be conducted by the Board in cases where a child above the age of 16 is alleged to have committed a heinous offence.
    • The assessment should focus on the child’s mental and physical capacity to commit the offence.
    • It should also consider the child’s ability to understand the consequences of the offence and the circumstances in which it was committed.

    Responsibilities of the Juvenile Justice Board

    • Assessment of the offender child: The Act directs that the Board shall consider the mental and physical capacity of the child for committing the alleged offence, the ability to understand the consequences of the offence, and the circumstances in which the offence was committed.
    • Psychological ‘trial’: It states that the Board can take the assistance of experienced psychologists or psychosocial workers or other experts. The Act also gives a disclaimer that the assessment is not a trial, but is only to assess the capacity of the child to commit and understand the consequences of the alleged offence.
    • Arriving at conclusion: After the assessment, the Board can pass an order saying there is a need to try the said child as an adult and transfer the case to a children’s court with the relevant jurisdiction.
    • Penalty: If tried as a minor, the child could be sent to a special home for a maximum of three years. If tried as an adult, the child can be sentenced to a jail term, except being sentenced to death or life imprisonment without the possibility of release.

    What is the preliminary assessment process?

    • The Social Investigation Report (SIR) is prepared by a probation officer, child welfare officer, or any social worker, and the Social Background Report (SBR) is prepared after interacting with the child or child’s family.
    • During the preliminary assessment, the Board and experts analyze and consider these reports.
    • If the Board decides that a child should be tried as an adult after the preliminary assessment, the case may be transferred to the Children’s Court with jurisdiction to try such offences.

    Issues in implementation

    • The major issue remains the implementation and absorption of these principles in the system, particularly to be followed by the JJB and the Children’s Court.
    • A lot of principles which have been made a part of the Act have not been given due prominence by the Board as well as by the Children’s Court.

    Conclusion

    • The NCPCR is under a statutory obligation under Section 109 of the JJ Act, 2015 to monitor the proper implementation of the provisions of the Act.
    • The guidelines have been made to remove any ambiguity and to clarify the steps that need to be followed while conducting the preliminary assessment.

     

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  • Festivals, Dances, Theatre, Literature, Art in News

    Pushkaralu Festival returns to the Ganga after 12 years

    Prelims Only | History | Mains Paper 1: Arts & Culture

    pushkar

    Central Idea: The 12-day Pushkaralu festival of Telugu-speaking people began on April 22 in Varanasi.

    Pushkaralu Festival

    • Pushkaram is an Indian festival dedicated to worshiping of 12 sacred rivers.
    • The celebration happens annually, once in 12 years along each river.
    • Each river is associated with a zodiac sign, and the river for each year’s festival is based on which sign Bruhaspathi (Jupiter) was in at the time.
    • It is believed that bathing in the sacred river during Pushkaram cleanses the devotees of their sins.
    • This year festival involves worshipping ancestors and the river Ganga and is being organised in Kashi after a gap of 12 years.

    Why is it celebrated once in 12 years?

    • In India, we have 12 major rivers such as Ganga, Yamuna, Narmada, Saraswathi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri, Bhima, Tapati, Tungabhadra, Sindhu, Pranhita for which the Pushkaram festival is celebrated for each river according to the zodiac sign of that river.
    • The 12 days after the Jupiter enters that particular zodiac sign will be the Pushkaram/Pushkaralu which is a 12-day festival for that river.
    • Hence Pushkaralu comes for every 12 years.

    Legend of the Festival

    • According to legend, after severe penance, the devotee Pushkara was blessed by Lord Shiva with the ability to live in water and purify holy rivers
    • On a request from Bruhaspati (Jupiter), Pushkara decided to enter one of the 12 sacred rivers, including Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, and Krishna, among others
    • The river for each year’s festival is decided in accordance with Brihaspati travel from one zodiac sign to another

     

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  • Innovations in Biotechnology and Medical Sciences

    Microbes found near Mt. Everest

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

    Central idea

    • Researchers conducted a genetic analysis of microbial communities on the South Col of Sagarmatha (Mount Everest).
    • The article examines the human microbiota on the inhospitable slopes of Mount Everest esp. the South Col ridge.

    Microbial Communities on the South Col

    • Microbial communities were collected from sediment samples left by human climbers on the South Col, 7,900 meters above sea level (msl).
    • The South Col is inhospitable due to low oxygen, strong winds, high levels of UV radiation, and temperatures below minus 15 degrees Celsius.
    • Visible signs of life are absent above 6,700 msl except for a few species of moss and a jumping spider.
    • Microbes are carried to high altitudes by birds, animals, winds, and dust particles.

    Microbes found

    • Using sophisticated methods such as 16S and 18S rRNA sequencing, the microbe hunters were able to identify the bacteria and other microorganisms found on the South Col.
    • 16s rRNA is a component of the 30S subunit in prokaryotic ribosomes while 18s rRNA is a component of the 40S subunit in eukaryotic ribosomes.
    • 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing is an amplicon sequencing technique used to identify and compare species of bacteria present within a given sample.
    • 16S rRNA gene sequencing is used to study phylogeny and taxonomy of samples from complex microbiomes or environments that are difficult or impossible to study.
    • Microbes like Modestobacter altitudinis and the fungus, naganishia, which are known to be UV-resistant survivors are found there.

    History of Mount Everest and Naming

    • Nepal’s eminent historian, late Baburam Acharya, gave the Nepali name Sagarmatha to Mount Everest in the 1960s.
    • Andrew Waugh, British Surveyor General of India, discovered Mount Everest in 1847 and named it after his predecessor, Sir George Everest.
    • Radhanath Sikdar, an Indian mathematician and surveyor, was the first person to show that Mount Everest was the world’s highest peak in 1852, with the help of a special device.

     

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

    Jal Shakti Ministry plans network of Groundwater Sensors

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

    groundwater

    Central Idea: The Jal Shakti Ministry is working on an ambitious plan to deploy a vast network of groundwater sensors to continuously relay information on groundwater levels and contamination.

    What is Groundwater?

    • Groundwater is the water found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand and rock.
    • It is stored in and moves slowly through geologic formations of soil, sand and rocks called aquifers.
    • Aquifers are typically made up of gravel, sand, sandstone, or fractured rock, like limestone.
    • Water can move through these materials because they have large connected spaces that make them permeable.
    • Aquifers, hand-dug wells, and artesian wells are different types of sources of groundwater.

    Sensors-based Groundwater Monitoring

    • Under this new initiative, around 16,000-17,000 digital water level recorders will be connected to piezometers in the wells to transmit information digitally.
    • In the next three years, the CGWB aims to increase its network from the existing 26,000 to about 40,000.
    • When combined with similar networks possessed by other institutions, India will have about 67,000 digitally recordable units to monitor groundwater dynamics.

    Significance of the move

    • This would make groundwater visible much the same way as air quality and meteorological variables
    • The information will be publicly accessible.
    • It will potentially provide groundwater forecasts to farmers that would be useful for sowing and updated advisories that can influence groundwater extraction policies by states

    Why monitor groundwater?

    • Nitrate contamination – a result of the use of nitrogenous fertilizers – has been observed in some regions
    • Groundwater contamination, mostly “geogenic” (natural), hasn’t significantly changed over the years.
    • But nitrate contamination and fluoride and arsenic contamination have been observed in some regions and states.

    Present system of monitoring

    • The Central Groundwater Board currently relies on a network of about 26 thousand groundwater observation wells.
    • It requires technicians to manually measure the state of groundwater in a region.

    Groundwater Extraction in India

    • The total annual groundwater recharge in the country has been assessed as 437.60 billion cubic meters (BCM)
    • The annual extractable groundwater resource has been assessed as 398.08 bcm, with actual extraction of 239.16 bcm
    • The average stage of groundwater extraction for the country as a whole works out to be about 60.08%, and anything above 70% is considered “critical”

    Also read

    Groundwater Extraction Lowest in 18 years

     

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  • LGBT Rights – Transgender Bill, Sec. 377, etc.

    Horizontal Reservation: Movement of Dalit Trans People

    op-ed snap | Polity | Mains Paper 2: Laws, Institutions & Bodies Constituted For The Vulnerable Sections

    Horizontal Reservation

    Central Idea

    • Recently, many trans rights activists from The Trans Rights Now Collective, who were peacefully protesting to demand horizontal reservation for transgender people, were detained by the Tamil Nadu police. In Tamil Nadu and in many states across the country, the movement for horizontal reservation has been shaping up to support Dalit trans people who are struggling with transphobia and casteism in educational institutions, workplaces, and larger ecosystems of education and employability.

    What is vertical reservation?

    • Fixed Percentage reservation: Vertical reservation is a policy of reserving a percentage of government jobs and educational seats for individuals from socially and economically disadvantaged communities or categories such as Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs). It aims to address historical injustices and create equal opportunities for all sections of society.
    • For example: if the Scheduled Caste population in a particular state is 15%, then 15% of the available seats or positions in educational institutions and government jobs in that state will be reserved for SC candidates. This ensures that members of historically oppressed and marginalized communities have greater access to opportunities for education and employment, and helps to address the inequalities that exist due to caste-based discrimination.

    What is Horizontal reservation?

    • Horizontal reservation is a type of affirmative action approach that supplements vertical reservation in India. Horizontal reservation recognizes that individuals from marginalized communities also face multiple layers of discrimination and seeks to provide additional reservation opportunities for them.
    • It involves providing reservations for various intersectional identities such as women, persons with disabilities, and transgender persons within each of the vertical reservation categories.
    • For example, a Dalit woman could access vertical reservation under the SC category, but through horizontal reservation, she could also access reservations for women. Both vertical and horizontal reservations would equally affect her social location.

    Facts for prelims: Horizontal reservation v/s Vertical reservation

    Horizontal Reservation

    Vertical Reservation
    An intersectional approach that is provided for within each vertical reservation category Reservation for specific marginalized communities, such as SC/ST/OBC
    Example: A Dalit woman can access vertical reservation under the SC category, whereas through horizontal reservation she will be able to access reservations for women as well Example: A Dalit person can access reservation under the SC category
    Intended to provide opportunities for people who face multiple forms of marginalization Intended to provide opportunities for specific marginalized communities
    Provides for a more nuanced approach to reservation that takes into account intersectional identities and experiences Provides for reservations for specific communities based on historical injustice and social exclusion
    Allows for better representation of people from diverse backgrounds in public institutions and workplaces Helps to address inequality and improve access to resources and opportunities for specific marginalized communities
    Currently not implemented consistently across all states in India Implemented consistently across all states in India
    Has been demanded for transgender persons in government jobs and education to address caste and gender-based marginalization Has been in place in India since independence and has been expanded over time to include more communities
    Example: Karnataka became the first and only state in India to reserve jobs in public employment for transgender persons through horizontal reservation in 2021 Example: In Tamil Nadu, reservations are provided for SC/ST/OBC communities

    Challenges with Vertical Reservation System?

    • Dominance of creamy layer: The benefits of reservation are often enjoyed by the creamy layer or the affluent members of reserved categories who are not in need of affirmative action. This leads to further marginalization of the truly underprivileged members of these communities.
    • Limited benefits: Vertical reservation benefits are limited to only a particular category of people, leaving out those who may also be disadvantaged due to other factors such as gender, disability, sexual orientation, etc.
    • Stigmatization: The reservation system has led to stigmatization and discrimination against members of reserved categories, with many being perceived as less competent or deserving of their position.
    • Political exploitation: Reservation policies are often used for political gain rather than social justice, with political parties making false promises and manipulating the system to gain votes.
    • Lack of representation: Reservation policies have not led to adequate representation of marginalized communities in decision-making positions, as many still face discrimination and bias in these spaces.
    • Inadequate infrastructure and resources: Reservation policies have not been accompanied by adequate infrastructure and resources for marginalized communities to access opportunities, leading to further marginalization.
    • Conflict among marginalized communities: The current vertical reservation system creates a hierarchy among marginalized communities, with some having greater access to opportunities than others. This has led to conflict and tension among different communities.

    Challenges with Horizontal reservation System?

    • Opposition from dominant castes: Horizontal reservation is often met with resistance from dominant castes and communities who feel that it is unfair and takes away opportunities from them. This can lead to political backlash and opposition to the implementation of such policies.
    • Identification and classification: Another challenge is the identification and classification of individuals who qualify for horizontal reservation. For example, in the case of transgender individuals, there is a lack of clarity on who qualifies as transgender and how to identify them. This can lead to confusion and disputes over who is eligible for reservation benefits.
    • Administrative challenges: Implementing horizontal reservation policies can be administratively complex, especially in larger organizations and government agencies. There may be challenges in tracking and monitoring the implementation of such policies, and ensuring that they are being applied fairly and consistently.
    • Stigma and discrimination: Horizontal reservation policies may also be stigmatizing for some individuals, as they may feel that they are being singled out or labeled based on their identity. This can create additional barriers to social inclusion and participation, and may make it more difficult for individuals to access opportunities.
    • Limited scope: Horizontal reservation policies are often implemented in specific sectors or areas, such as education or public employment. This means that individuals from marginalized groups may still face discrimination and exclusion in other areas of society, such as housing or healthcare.

    Horizontal Reservation

    Value Addition Box form Civilsdaily

    Did you know: NALSA Judgement?

    • NALSA (National Legal Services Authority) judgment of 2014 is a landmark judgment by the Supreme Court of India that recognized the legal recognition of the third gender in India.
    • It directed the central and state governments to legally recognize the transgender community as a third gender and to ensure that they have access to the same rights and protections as other citizens of the country.
    • The judgment also recognized the right of transgender persons to self-identification and directed the government to provide reservations for transgender people in education and employment.
    • This judgment was a significant step towards ensuring the rights and protections of transgender people in India.

    The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019

    • The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 is a law enacted by the Parliament of India for the protection of rights of transgender persons and their welfare.
    • The Act defines a transgender person as someone whose gender does not match the gender assigned to them at birth.
    • The Act prohibits discrimination against transgender persons in areas such as education, employment, healthcare, and housing, and recognizes their right to self-perceived gender identity.

    Horizontal Reservation

    What are the policy gaps and ambiguities?

    • The policy gaps and ambiguities that exist, which often used by the courts to refuse horizontal reservation for trans people and instead offer vertical reservation.
    • The judiciary’s easy solution of putting all trans people in OBC categories is restrictive and does not allow trans people who belong to SC/ST categories to claim their right to reservation under both categories.
    • The homogenous understanding of the trans community underplays the caste realities and marginalisations that many trans people come from and how it further hinders their social mobility.

    Horizontal Reservation

    Way ahead

    • There is a need to recognize the intersectionality of identities and provide horizontal reservation for marginalized communities, including transgender people of Dalit, Bahujan, and Adivasi (DBA) backgrounds.
    • State governments and the judiciary need to take a more proactive approach to address the policy gaps and ambiguities about the reservation for trans people.
    • More awareness and education are needed to understand the complexities of caste and gender identity and their impact on social mobility.
    • More research and data collection are needed to understand the challenges faced by trans people from DBA backgrounds and to develop effective solutions to address their unique needs.
    • Ultimately, the goal should be to create a more inclusive and equitable society that recognizes and celebrates the diversity of all its citizens, regardless of their gender identity or caste background.

    Conclusion

    • The movement for horizontal reservation is not only about a Dalit-trans issue; it is cross-cutting and a living testimonial of how certain sections of people are repeatedly forced into the margins. There is need for horizontal reservation to assert that transgender people have an equal stake in this nation’s citizenship and public resources.

    Mains question

    Q. In many states across the country, the movement for horizontal reservation has been shaping up to support Dalit trans people. In this light explain what is horizontal reservation system and discuss the challenges associated with its implementation.

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  • Women empowerment issues – Jobs,Reservation and education

    Women and India’s Labour force: Bridging the Gap

    op-ed snap | Governance | Mains Paper 3: Inclusive Growth & Issues

    Labour force

    Central Idea

    • Recent data reveals that despite more Muslim women than men enrolling in higher education courses, the number of Muslims in higher education has decreased. Additionally, Muslim women’s employment rates are still lagging behind, in line with the secular trends of low female labour force participation rates and increasing unpaid labour.

    The Current Scenario: Women’ Labour force participation

    • The PLFS reports show three disturbing secular trends:
    1. The female labour force participation (FLFP) rate has stagnated at very low levels in our country.
    2. Women’s employment is seen as a supplemental source of income, and that is only activated in dire times for the family.
    3. The share of women employed in unpaid labour has increased even for highly educated women. In 2017-18, 6.2 per cent of women (age 15-59) with graduate (or higher) level of education worked as unpaid helpers. By 2021-22, this share had increased to 11.2 per cent.

    Female labour force participation rate of Muslim women

    • The female labour force participation rate of Muslim women in the country is 15 per cent, as compared to 26.1 per cent for Hindu women.
    • Over the past three years, Muslim women have had the lowest LFP rate amongst all religious groups in the country, while the gender gap in participation has also been the widest for the community except for the Sikh community.
    • While salaried work is perhaps the more stable source of income, only 12.4 per cent of working Muslim women the lowest of all communities are salaried as compared to 16.2 per cent of Hindu women.
    • Research shows that Muslim women face significant discrimination in hiring at entry level roles.

    Labour force

    Why women labour force participation is low in India?

    • Cultural and social norms: Traditional gender roles and stereotypes often view women as responsible for domestic work and caregiving. Women are expected to prioritize their role as wives and mothers over their careers.
    • Lack of educational opportunities: Women from rural areas or lower socio-economic backgrounds may not have access to quality education or vocational training, limiting their employment opportunities.
    • Lack of safe and flexible work environments: Many women face challenges in finding safe and secure work environments, especially in fields that require mobility or working late hours. Women with children also face challenges in finding work that accommodates their caregiving responsibilities.
    • Discrimination and bias: Women face discrimination and bias in the workplace, including lower wages and fewer opportunities for advancement. Muslim women may also face additional discrimination based on their religion.
    • Legal barriers: Some laws and policies, such as restrictions on working night shifts, may limit women’s employment opportunities.
    • Patriarchal norms in family and society: Patriarchal norms often limit women’s decision-making power within the family and restrict their mobility outside of the home, further limiting their employment opportunities.

    Labour force

    Why the female labour force participation rate of Muslim women Is low?

    • Educational attainment: Muslim women, particularly those living in rural areas, have lower levels of educational attainment compared to women from other communities. This limits their access to better-paying and more skilled jobs, making it more difficult for them to enter the workforce.
    • Traditional gender roles: Muslim families, particularly those in conservative areas, have traditional gender roles where women are expected to prioritize household work and child-rearing over paid employment. This social norm is a significant barrier to women’s labor force participation.
    • Religious and cultural factors: Some Muslim women may face discrimination in the workplace due to religious and cultural stereotypes, which can limit their opportunities for employment.
    • Lack of safe and accessible transportation: Many women, particularly those from conservative communities, may face safety concerns when traveling alone. This limits their ability to commute to work and makes it difficult for them to access job opportunities outside of their immediate neighbourhoods.
    • Lack of support from family and community: Women may face resistance from their families and communities when they seek employment, particularly if it is seen as a threat to traditional gender roles or cultural norms.

    Women’s low participation in the labour force and impact on society and the economy

    • Economic loss: The low participation of women in the labour force leads to an economic loss for the country. Women’s potential contributions to the economy are not utilized, leading to a loss of output and income.
    • Gender inequality: The low participation of women in the labour force perpetuates gender inequality. It limits women’s access to economic opportunities and reduces their bargaining power, leading to their exclusion from decision-making processes.
    • Social welfare: The low participation of women in the labor force also affects social welfare. It limits the resources available to women and their families, leading to a lack of access to education, healthcare, and other basic services.
    • Demographic imbalance: The low participation of women in the labor force also leads to a demographic imbalance. It limits the number of women in positions of power and decision-making, which affects the representation of women in different sectors of the economy.
    • Poverty: The low participation of women in the labor force also affects poverty reduction efforts. It limits the number of women who are able to earn a living and provide for their families, which affects poverty reduction efforts in the long run.

    Way ahead: To increase inclusive women’s LFP

    • Society and Families must create supportive and sharing ecosystem: Society and families need to prioritize women’s employment as a means of contributing to the economic growth of the country. The stereotype of men being the sole breadwinner of the family puts a lot of pressure on them. Women can and should be brought in to share this burden while men share the burden of housework. It is essential to create a supportive ecosystem for women from all communities.
    • Providing skills training: Women should be provided with skills training and education to improve their employability. This could be achieved through vocational training programs, apprenticeships, and mentorship programs.
    • Employers must take intersectional approach: Employers need to ensure that they incorporate mechanisms to address unconscious biases in hiring. This can be done by designing inclusive networking opportunities and company events, promoting cultural awareness, creating an inclusive schedule for employees with faith-related needs, and offering compassion and support. Employers must work on women’s inclusion in the workplace and take an intersectional approach.
    • Policymakers must enable ecosystem for employment of women: The government and policymakers need to make those jobs available that women want and create ecosystems that are supportive of employed women. This involves creating space for women from all communities in policy conversations. There needs to be an emphasis on women’s employment as a means for them to have agency, express themselves, and expand their sources of happiness.
    • Encouraging entrepreneurship: Women entrepreneurs could be encouraged through access to credit, mentorship programs, and business incubators.

    Labour force

    Conclusion

    • India needs more women in the workforce to increase the size of the economic pie. Addressing the issue of Muslim women’s employment could significantly contribute to India’s economic growth. To bridge the gap, employers, policymakers, families, and society must work together and create a supportive ecosystem for women from all communities.

    Mains Question

    Q. The recent data suggests that Muslim women have had the lowest Labour force participation (LFP) rate amongst all religious groups in the country. Enumerate the reasons and Discuss overall impact of women’s low LFP on society and economy along with suggestions to improve women’s LFP .

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Botanical Gardens Today Represent a Metric of National Success

    op-ed snap | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Botanical Gardens

    Central Idea

    • The establishment of a large botanical garden in Tamil Nadu, the Chengalpattu Botanical Garden, is a welcome piece of news as it has the potential to become a major center for the exploration and discovery of India’s plant wealth, research, education, citizen science, and outreach in plant biology.

    Chengalpattu Botanical Garden (CBG)

    • It will be India’s largest botanical garden: The ₹300 crore Chengalpattu Botanical Garden (CBG), at Kadambur village in Chengalpattu district, is being planned across 138 hectares and will be India’s largest botanical garden.
    • Potential major centre exploration and discovery of our plant wealth: The CBG has the potential to become a major center for the exploration and discovery of our plant wealth, a center of research, education, citizen science, and outreach in plant biology, and be a forceful voice in conservation.

    Background: Historical association of Plants and Gardens

    • Plants have been the foundation of human civilization and the long-standing association of humanity with gardens can be traced back to the dawn of agriculture over 11,000 years ago.
    • The tradition of home gardens, which are planned spaces around homes to grow edible and medicinal plants, has been noted in ancient texts and depicted in cave paintings, demonstrating the antiquity of gardening.
    • Rulers, from ancient to modern civilizations, have owned botanical gardens that are rich in native plants and plants collected from distant places.
    • These patrons of botanical gardens not only funded them but also oversaw botanical collections as a beautiful garden was a metric of one’s prosperity and eclectic administration.

    History of Botanical Gardens

    • European explorations led to the establishment of several academic botanical gardens between the 15th to 17th centuries.
    • The oldest of these, Orto Botanico di Padova in Italy, was founded in 1545, and the most well-known, the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew near London, was formally consolidated in 1840.

    Botanical Gardens in India

    • Oldest garden: The oldest of the Indian academic gardens, the Acharya Jagadish Chandra (AJC) Bose Indian Botanic Garden, in Howrah, Kolkata, was established in 1787.
    • Exact number is not yet known: The exact number of botanical gardens in India is not known, but only a handful of botanical gardens have plant exploration and education programs.
    • India’s flora diversity: India is home to approximately 47,000 plant species, which make up around 6-7% of the world’s total plant species. The Western Ghats and the Eastern Himalayas are two of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots, with a large number of endemic plant species found in these regions.
    • The Importance of Plants: India has a high diversity of plants and animals. Plants are the structural foundations of our diverse ecological communities that feed us, provide us with nutrition and medicine, mitigate climate change, enrich our spirits, and secure us against an uncertain future. Yet, our knowledge of our vast botanical heritage is extremely limited.

    Facts for prelims: Botanical Garden in India

    Botanical Garden Location Established Special Features
    Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden Howrah, West Bengal 1787 Oldest botanical garden in India; over 12,000 specimens of plants
    Lalbagh Botanical Garden Bangalore, Karnataka 1760 Known for its collection of rare plants, Glass House which hosts an annual flower show
    Ooty Botanical Gardens Ooty, Tamil Nadu 1848 Spread over 55 acres, collection of over 650 species of plants and trees, Toda tribal hut
    Jijamata Udyan Botanical Garden Mumbai, Maharashtra 1861 Oldest Botanical Garden in Western India; houses Mumbai’s Byculla Zoo
    Shalimar Bagh Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 1619 Mughal garden, UNESCO World Heritage Site
    Government Botanical Garden Udhagamandalam, Tamil Nadu 1848 Home to over 1000 species of plants including some rare ones, Fossil Tree Trunk
    The National Botanical Research Institute Botanical Garden Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 1953 Over 6000 species of plants including rare medicinal plants
    The Acharya N. G. Ranga Agricultural University Botanical Garden Guntur, Andhra Pradesh 1964 Specializes in medicinal and aromatic plants
    The Calcutta Botanical Garden Kolkata, West Bengal 1786 Has a large collection of plants including rare plants, Cactus House
    The Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park and Botanical Garden Darjeeling, West Bengal 1958 Botanical garden houses a collection of Himalayan plants, zoo has endangered species such as Red Panda

     What are Botanical Gardens?

    • Botanical gardens are institutions that are dedicated to the collection, cultivation, preservation, and display of a wide range of plants, with the aim of promoting public education and awareness of the importance of plants in the ecosystem.
    • These gardens may be associated with universities, museums, or government bodies, and are often open to the public for visitation and education.
    • They are often involved in research, conservation, and horticultural activities, and may collaborate with other botanical gardens around the world to share knowledge and resources.
    • Botanical gardens typically feature a variety of plants from different regions and climates, including rare and endangered species, and may also include features such as greenhouses, herbaria, and educational exhibits.

    Significance of botanical gardens

    • Conservation of plant species: Botanical gardens often maintain collections of rare, threatened, and endangered plant species for conservation purposes. These gardens also serve as a refuge for plants in danger of extinction and work towards their preservation.
    • Scientific research: Botanical gardens play a significant role in scientific research related to plants and their uses. Researchers use the gardens to study the characteristics and behavior of various plant species, their adaptability to different environmental conditions, and their potential uses in medicine, agriculture, and other fields.
    • Education and awareness: Botanical gardens offer an opportunity for the public to learn about plant diversity, conservation, and ecology. They often organize tours, exhibitions, and educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of plants and their role in sustaining life on earth.
    • Recreation and tourism: Botanical gardens are often popular tourist destinations and provide a peaceful and scenic setting for people to relax and enjoy nature. They also offer recreational activities such as hiking, bird watching, and photography.
    • Aesthetic value: Botanical gardens are also valued for their aesthetic beauty and are often designed to showcase different plant species in a visually appealing manner. The gardens often include water features, sculptures, and other artistic elements that enhance their beauty and appeal to visitors.

    Challenges related to botanical gardens in India

    • Maintenance and conservation: Botanical gardens require regular maintenance to ensure that the plants remain healthy and the infrastructure is in good condition. Lack of funding and trained staff can make it difficult to maintain the gardens, leading to deterioration of the plants and infrastructure.
    • Climate change: Climate change is a major challenge for botanical gardens, as it can affect the growth and survival of plants. Changing rainfall patterns, temperature fluctuations, and extreme weather events can all have a negative impact on the plants in the gardens.
    • Invasive species: Invasive species can pose a serious threat to the biodiversity of botanical gardens. These non-native plants can outcompete local species and disrupt the delicate balance of the ecosystem in the garden.
    • Urbanization: Urbanization and the expansion of cities can lead to the destruction of natural habitats and reduce the available space for botanical gardens. It can also lead to increased pollution, which can have negative effects on the plants in the gardens.
    • Lack of public awareness: Many people in India are not aware of the importance of botanical gardens and the role they play in conservation and research. This can make it difficult to raise funds and gain support for the gardens, which can limit their potential impact.

    Way ahead: Steps to conserve botanical gardens in India

    • Conservation measures: The conservation of botanical gardens can be done through various measures, such as preserving rare and endangered plant species, protecting the habitats of various plants, and using sustainable gardening practices.
    • Education and awareness: Education and awareness programs should be conducted to promote the significance of botanical gardens and their role in preserving plant diversity. It can help in spreading the knowledge about the importance of plants, conservation methods, and ecosystem services.
    • Scientific research: Scientific research on plant biology, taxonomy, and ecology can be carried out in botanical gardens. It can help in better understanding the plants and their natural habitat, thus helping in developing better conservation strategies.
    • Sustainable practices: Botanical gardens should adopt sustainable practices, such as the use of eco-friendly materials, rainwater harvesting, and composting, to conserve the environment and reduce carbon footprint.
    • Community participation: Community participation can be encouraged in botanical gardens by organizing various events, such as plant shows, gardening competitions, and nature walks. It can help in creating awareness and generating interest in plant conservation.
    • Collaboration and partnerships: Collaboration and partnerships with various organizations, such as NGOs, research institutions, and government agencies, can help in creating a network for sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise. It can also help in developing new conservation strategies and initiatives.

    Conclusion

    • Given the complex engineering that goes behind the construction and maintenance of a successful garden, botanical gardens today represent a metric of national success, from the perspectives of science, technology, and outreach, just as in the golden ages of this region, dating as far back as the Maurya monarch, Aśoka, when a botanical garden was a display of prosperity, scientific dispositions, and eclectic administration.
    • In this era of climate change and declining biodiversity, we need every inch of our backyards and elsewhere to nurture native plants and associated living organisms, to remind ourselves and the generations to come of the need to heal our earth through the power of plants.

    Mains Question

    Q. Establish historical association of botanical gardens and discuss its significance along with challenges associated with its conservation.

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