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  • 17 May 2021 | Nikaalo Prelims Quiz- TS 15- History Test 2: Revolt of 1857; Socio-Religious Reform Movements; Various Rebellions; Indian National Movement; Important congress sessions

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  • Laws Related To Environment Conservantion In India

     
    15th May 2021

    1.Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act of 1981

    • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 an Act of the Parliament of India to control and prevent air pollution in India
    • It was amended in 1987
    • The Government passed this Act in 1981 to clean up our air by controlling pollution.
    • It states that sources of air pollution such as industry, vehicles, power plants, etc., are not permitted to release particulate matter, lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other toxic substances beyond a prescribed level

    Key Features

    The Act specifically empowers State Government to designate air pollution areas and to prescribe the type of fuel to be used in these designated areas.

    According to this Act, no person can operate certain types of industries including the asbestos, cement, fertilizer and petroleum industries without consent of the State Board.

    The main objectives of the Act are as follows:

    (a) To provide for the prevention, control and abatement of air pollution

    (b) To provide for the establishment of central and State Boards with a view to implement the Act(Central Pollution Control Board and State Pollution Control Board)

    (c) To confer on the Boards the powers to implement the provisions of the Act and assign to the Boards functions relating to pollution

     

    2.Environmental (Protection) Act of 1986

    • Environment Protection Act, 1986 is an Act of the Parliament of India
    • In the wake of the Bhopal Tragedy, the Government of India enacted the Environment Protection Act of 1986 under Article 253 of the Constitution
    • Passed in March 1986, it came into force on 19 November 1986
    • The Act is an “umbrella” for legislations designed to provide a framework for Central Government, coordination of the activities of various central and state authorities established under previous Acts, such as the Water Act and the Air Act.
    • In this Act, main emphasis is given to “Environment”, defined to include water, air and land and the inter-relationships which exist among water, air and land and human beings and other

    Objective of the Act

    The purpose of the Act is to implement the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment of 1972, in so far as they relate to the protection and improvement of the human environment and the prevention of hazards to human beings, other living creatures, plants and property.

     

    3.The Ozone Depleting Substances (Regulation and Control) Rules, 17 July 2000

    The rules are framed under the jurisdiction of Environment (Protection) Act.

    Objectives and Key Features

    • These Rules set the deadlines for phasing out of various ODSs, besides regulating production, trade import and export of ODSs and the product containing ODS.
    • These Rules prohibit the use of CFCs in manufacturing various products beyond 1st January 2003 except in metered dose inhaler and for other medical purposes.
    • Similarly, use of halons is prohibited after 1st January 2001 except for essential use.
    • Other ODSs such as carbon tetrachloride and methylchoroform and CFC for metered dose inhalers can be used upto 1st January 2010.
    • Since HCFCs are used as interim substitute to replace CFC, these are allowed up to 1st January 2040.

     

    4.The Energy Conservation Act of 2001

    As a step towards improving energy efficiency, the Government of India has enacted the Energy Conservation Act in 2001.

    Objective

    The Energy Conservation Act, 2001 is the most important multi-sectoral legislation in India and is intended to promote efficient use of energy in India.

    Key Features

    The Act specifies energy consumption standards for equipment and appliances, prescribes energy consumption norms and standards for consumers, prescribes energy conservation building codes for commercial buildings and establishes a compliance mechanism for energy consumption norms and standards.

     

    5.Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)

    • In order to implement the various provisions of the EC Act, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) was operationalised with effect from 1st March, 2002. The EC Act provides a legal framework for energy efficiency initiatives in the country. The Act has mandatory as well as promotional initiatives.
    • The Bureau is spearheading the task of improving the energy efficiency in various sectors of the economy through the regulatory and promotional mechanism. The primary objective of BEE is to reduce energy intensity in the Indian economy.
    • This is to be demonstrated by providing policy framework as well as through public-private partnership.

     

    6.Forest Conservation Act of 1980

    Background

    First Forest Act was enacted in 1927.

    Alarmed at India’s rapid deforestation and resulting environmental degradation, Centre Government enacted the Forest (Conservation) Act in1980.

    Objective

    It was enacted to consolidate the law related to forest, the transit of forest produce and the duty livable on timber and other forest produce.

    Key Features

    • Under the provisions of this Act, prior approval of the Central Government is required for diversion of forestlands for non-forest purposes.
    • Forest officers and their staff administer the Forest Act.
    • An Advisory Committee constituted under the Act advises the Centre on these approvals.
    • The Act deals with the four categories of the forests, namely reserved forests, village forests, protected forests and private forests.

     

    7.The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010

    Background

    During the Rio de Janeiro summit of United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in June 1992, India vowed the participating states to provide judicial and administrative remedies for the victims of the pollutants and other environmental damage.

    Key Features

    It was enacted under India’s constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.

    The specialized architecture of the NGT will facilitate fast track resolution of environmental cases and provide a boost to the implementation of many sustainable development measures.

    NGT is mandated to dispose the cases within six months of their respective appeals.

    Enabling Provision

    It is an Act of the Parliament of India which enable the creation of NGT to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues.

    Members

    The sanctioned strength of the tribunal is currently 10 expert members and 10 judicial members although the act allows for up to 20 of each.

    The Chairman of the tribunal who is the administrative head of the tribunal also serves as a judicial member.

    Every bench of the tribunal must consist of at least one expert member and one judicial member.

    The Chairman of the tribunal is required to be a serving or retired Chief Justice of a High Court or a judge of the Supreme Court of India.

    Jurisdiction

    The Tribunal has Original Jurisdiction on matters of “substantial question relating to environment” (i.e. a community at large is affected, damage to public health at broader level) & “damage to environment due to specific activity” (such as pollution).

    The term “substantial” is not clearly defined in the act.

     

    8.The Coastal Regulation Zone Notifications

    Background

    The coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and back waters which are influenced by tidal action are declared “Coastal Regulation Zone” (CRZ) in 1991.

    CRZ notifications

    India has created institutional mechanisms such as National Coastal Zone Management Authority (NCZMA) and State Coastal Zone Management Authority (SCZMA) for enforcement and monitoring of the CRZ Notification.

    These authorities have been delegated powers under Section 5 of the Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986 to take various measures for protecting and improving the quality of the coastal environment and preventing, abating and controlling environmental pollution in coastal areas.

    Key Features

    Under this coastal areas have been classified as CRZ-1, CRZ-2, CRZ-3, CRZ-4. And the same they retained for CRZ in 2003 notifications as well.

    CRZ-1: these are ecologically sensitive areas these are essential in maintaining the ecosystem of the coast. They lie between low and high tide line. Exploration of natural gas and extraction of salt are permitted

    CRZ-2: these areas form up to the shoreline of the coast. Unauthorised structures are not allowed to construct in this zone.

    CRZ-3: rural and urban localities which fall outside the 1 and 2. Only certain activities related to agriculture even some public facilities are allowed in this zone

    CRZ-4: this lies in the aquatic area up to territorial limits. Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone. Solid waste should be let off in this zone.

     

    9.Wildlife Protection Act, 1972

    Background

    In 1972, Parliament enacted the Wild Life Act (Protection) Act.

    Objective

    The Wild Life Act provides for

    1. state wildlife advisory boards,
    2. regulations for hunting wild animals and birds,
    3. establishment of sanctuaries and national parks, tiger reserves
    4. regulations for trade in wild animals, animal products and trophies, and
    5. judicially imposed penalties for violating the Act.

    Key Features

    • Harming endangered species listed in Schedule 1 of the Act is prohibited throughout India.
    • Hunting species, like those requiring special protection (Schedule II), big game (Schedule III), and small game (Schedule IV), is regulated through licensing.
    • A few species classified as vermin (Schedule V), may be hunted without restrictions.
    • Wildlife wardens and their staff administer the act.
    • An amendment to the Act in 1982, introduced a provision permitting the capture and transportation of wild animals for the scientific management of animal population.

     

    10.Biological Diversity Act, 2002

    Background

    The Biological Diversity Bill was introduced in the Parliament in 2000 and was passed in 2002.

    Objective:

    India’s richness in biological resources and indigenous knowledge relating to them is well recognized

    The legislation aims at regulating access to biological resources so as to ensure equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use

    Key Features

    • The main intent of this legislation is to protect India’s rich biodiversity and associated knowledge against their use by foreign individuals and organizations without sharing the benefits arising out of such use, and to check biopiracy.
    • This bill seeks to check biopiracy, protect biological diversity and local growers through a three-tier structure of central and state boards and local committees.
    • The Act provides for setting up of a National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) and Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) in local bodies. The NBA will enjoy the power of a civil court.
    • BMCs promote conservation, sustainable use and documentation of biodiversity.
    • NBA and SBB are required to consult BMCs in decisions relating to use of biological resources.
    • All foreign nationals or organizations require prior approval of NBA for obtaining biological resources and associated knowledge for any use.
    • Indian individuals/entities require approval of NBA for transferring results of research with respect to any biological resources to foreign nationals/organizations.

    11.Recycled Plastics Manufacture and Usage Rules, 1999

    Objective

    A rule notified in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (viii) of Sub Section (2) of Section 3 read with Section 25 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 (29 of 1986) with the objective to regulate the manufacture and use of recycled plastics, carry bags and containers;

    Key Features

    1. Thickness of the carry bags made of virgin plastics or recycled plastics shall not be less than 20 microns.
    2. Carry bags and containers made of virgin plastic shall be in natural shade or white.
    3. Carry bags and containers made of recycled plastic and used for purposes other than storing and packaging food stuffs shall be manufactured using pigments and colorants as per IS:9833:1981 entitled “List of Pigments and Colorants” for use in Plastics in contact with food stuffs, pharmaceuticals and drinking water.
    4. Recycling of plastics shall be under taken strictly in accordance with the Bureau of Indian Standards specifications IS:14534:1988 entitled “The Guidelines for Recycling of Plastics”.
     

     

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  • Important Rebellion

     
    14th May 2021

    Important Rebellions

    Causes of the rebellions

    • After seizing the power and starting their rule the British caused dislocation in ways Indian were used to. The areas in which the change was felt the most were viz. economy, administration and land revenue system.
    • The British rule which adversely affected the interests of all sections of society had intensified the land revenue. The only interest of the company was the realization of maximum revenue with minimum effort. Consequently, settlements were hurriedly undertaken, often without any regard for the resources of the land.
    • Traditional landed aristocracy suffered no less. Their estates were confiscated and they suddenly found themselves without a source of income, unable to work, ashamed to beg, condemned to penury.
    • British rule also meant misery to artisans and handicraftsmen. The annexation of Indian states by the Company cut off their major source of patronage. Also, the British policy discouraged Indian handicraft and promoted British goods.
    • The new courts and legal system gave a further fillip to the dispossessors of land and encouraged the rich to oppress the poor. Flogging, torture and jailing of the cultivators for arrears of rent or land revenue or interest on debt were quite common. The ordinary people were also hard hit by the prevalence of corruption at the lower levels of the police, judiciary and general administration.

    Sanyasi Uprising, Bengal- (1770-1820s)

    • At least three separate events are called the Sannyasi Rebellion. One refers to a large body of Hindu sannyasis who travelled from North India to different parts of Bengal to visit shrines. En route to the shrines, it was customary for many of these ascetics to exact a religious tax from the headmen and zamindars or regional landlords
    • However, since the East India Company had received the Diwani or right to collect the tax, many of the tax demands increased and the local landlords and headmen were unable to pay both the ascetics and the English.
    • The other two movements involved a sect of Hindu ascetics, the Dasnami naga sannyasis who likewise visited Bengal on pilgrimage mixed with moneylending opportunities.
    • To the British, these ascetics were looters and must be stopped from collecting money that belonged to the Company and possibly from even entering the province. It was felt that a large body of people on the move was a possible threat.
    • The sanyasis retaliated by organising raids on the Company’s factories and state treasuries. Only after prolonged military action could Warren Hastings contain the raids by the sanyasis.

    Chuar uprising

    • Towards the end of the 18th century, certain portions of the district around Raipur was affected by the Chuar rebellion.
    • The leader of the rebels was Durjan Singha, a former zamindar of Raipur. He had a following of about 1,500 men and created havoc in certain areas.
    • The uprising lasted from 1766 to 1772 and then, again surfaced between 1795 and 1816.

    Moplah Rebellions, Malabar (1835-1921)

    • The Moplah rebellions of Malabar, South India, were not only directed against British but also the Hindu Landlords.
    • The relations of the Arabs traders with the Malayali society can be traced back to the ninth century. The traders helped the local Hindu chieftains and were granted concessions.
    • Many of the Arab traders settled in Malabar marrying mostly Nayar and Tiyar women, and the subsequent descendants came to be known as Moplahs.
    • In the traditional Malabar land system, the Jenmi held land by birthright and were mostly highcaste Hindus, and let it out to others for cultivation.
    • The other main sections of the Malabar society were the Kanamdar, who were mostly Moplahs, the verumpattamdar (cultivators) and agricultural labourers. The peasants were mostly the Muslim Moplahs.
    • The land was given by the ruling raja to Namboodiri Brahmins whose obligation was to look after the temple and related institutions, and to the chieftains (mostly Nayars), who provided martial aid when needed.
    • Traditionally, the net produce of the land was shared equally between the three.
    • But during the reign of Haider Ali and Tipu Sultan, Namboodiri Brahmins and Nayar Chiefs fled and the subsequent vacuum was filled by the Moplahs.
    • The conflict arose when after Malabar’s cession to the British in 1792 and the return of the exiled Namboodiri Brahmins and Nayars, the government re-established and acknowledged their landlord rights.
    • The British by recognizing the Jenmis as the absolute owners of the land gave them the right to evict the tenants at will.
    • This reduced the other two to the status of tenants and leaseholders.
    • The courts and the law officers sided with the Jenmis. Once the Jenmi landlords, who had the backing of the revenue officials, the law court and the police started tightening their hold and demands on the subordinate classes, the Moplah peasantry rose up in revolt.
    • The first outbreak occurred in 1836 and during the period of 1834-54, there were 22 uprisings, with the ones in 1841 and 1849 being quite serious.
    • The second phase of the revolt was recorded in 1882-85, while another spate of outburst in 1876 was also there.

    Poligar Rebellions, Kurnool (1799-1805)

    • The Poligars of Dindigal and Malabar rose up against the oppressive land revenue system under the British during 1801-06.
    • The sporadic rising of the Poligars in Madras Presidency continued till 1856.
    • In September 1799, in the first Polygar War, the poligars of Tirunelveli District rose up in open rebellion.
    • Kattabomma Nayak of Panchalamkurichi was considered as the main leader of the rebellion. Though he managed to escape initially, he was later captured in Pudukottai, and publicly hanged in front of other Polygars as a warning.
    • The Second Polygar war of 1800-01, given the magnitude of participation, is also known as the “South Indian Rebellion”.
    • The rebellion broke out when a band of Polygar armies bombed the British barracks in Coimbatore.
    • The suppression was followed by signing of the Carnatic Treaty on July 31, 1801, whereby the British assumed direct control over Tamil Nadu.
    • The Polygar system, which had flourished for two and half centuries, came to a violent end and the company introduced the Zamindari settlement in its place.

    Ramosi Risings (1822, 1825-26)

    • The Ramosis, the hill tribes of the Western Ghats, had not reconciled to British rule and the British pattern of administration.
    • They rose under Chittur Singh in 1822 and plundered the country around Satara. Again, there were eruptions in 1825-26 and the disturbances continued till 1829.
    • The disturbance occurred again in 1839 over deposition and banishment of Raja Pratap Singh of Satara, and disturbances erupted in 1840-41 also. Finally, a superior British force restored order in the area.

    Kolhapur and Savantvadi Revolts (1844)

    • The Gadkaris were a hereditary military class which was garrisoned in the Maratha forts.
    • These garrisons were disbanded during an administrative reorganisation in Kolhapur state after 1844. Facing the spectre of unemployment, the Gadkaris rose in revolt and occupied the Samangarh and Bhudargarh forts.
    • Similarly, the simmering discontent caused a revolt in Savantvadi areas.
    • A number of Sawantwadi rebels were tried for treason and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
    • Ultimately, after the imposition of martial law and meting out brutal punishment to the rebels, the order could be restored in Sawantwadi region.

    Santhal Rebellion

    • The Santhals of Rajmahal Hills resented the oppression by revenue officials, police, money-lenders, landlords—in general, by the “outsiders’ (whom they called diku).
    • The Santhals under Sido and Kanhu rose up against their oppressors, declared the end of the Company’s rule and asserted themselves independent in 1854.
    • It was only in 1856 after extensive military operations that the situation was brought under control. Sido died in 1855, while Kanhu was arrested in 1866.
    • A separate district of Santhal Parganas was created by the Government to pacify the Santhals.

    Khond Uprising

    • The Khonds lived in vast hill tracts stretching from Tamil-nadu to Bengal, covering central provinces, and in virtual independence due to the inaccessible mountainous terrain.
    • Their uprisings from 1837 to 1856 were directed against the British, in which the tribals of Ghumsar, china-ki-medi, Kalahandi and Patna actively participated.
    • The movement was led by Chakra Bisoi in the name of the young Raja.
    • The main issue was the attempt by the government to suppress human sacrifice (Mariah), the introduction of new taxes by the British and the influx of Zamindars and sahookars (money-lenders) into their areas which was causing the tribals untold misery.
    • The British formed a Maria agency, against which the Khonds fought with Tangi, a king of battle-axe, bows-arrows and even swords.
    • Latter Savaras and some local militia clans also joined in, led by Radha Krishna Dand Sena. Chakra Bisoi disappeared in 1855 after which the movement petered out.

    Early Munda Uprising (1789-1832)

    • In the period of 1789-1832, the Munda rose up in rebellion seven times against the landlords, dikhus, money-lenders and the British, who instead of protesting them sided with the oppressors.
    • In the post-1857 period with a hope of a better future, many Mundas turned to the Evangelical Lutheran mission, which was overseeing mission work in Chhotanagpur.
    • However, many apostates became more militant and broke away, spearheading the cause of seeking redressal of their grievances once they realized that the missionaries could not provide the solution to them.
    • Their movement identified as ‘sardariladai’ or ‘war of the leaders’ was fought with the aim of expelling dikhus; and restoration of the Munda domination over their homeland.
    • The tribal chiefs rose up against the erosion of Khuntkatti System or Joint tenures.
    • While it failed it did not peter out but remained dormant and in need of a charismatic leader. It was given a new life by Birsa Munda in 1899.

    Bhils and Kolis Uprisings:

    • The Bhils were concentrated in the hill ranges of Khandesh in the previous Maratha territory. The British occupation of this region in 1818 brought in the outsiders and accompanying dislocations in their community life.
    • A general Bhil insurrection in 1817-19 was crushed by the British Military forces and though some conciliatory measures were taken to pacify them, they again revolted under the leadership of Seva Ram in 1825 and the situation remained unsettled until 1831 when the Ramosi Leader Umaji Raje of Purandhar was finally captured and executed.
    • Minor revolts again took place in 1836 and 1846 as well.
    • The Bhils’ local rivals for power, the Kolis of Ahmednagar district, also challenged the British in 1829 but were quickly subdued by a large army contingent.
    • The seeds of rebellion, however, persisted, to erupt again in 1844-46, when a local Koli leader successfully defied the British government for two years.

    Prelims Spotlight is a part of “Nikaalo Prelims 2020” module. This open crash course for Prelims 2020 has a private telegram group where PDFs and DDS (Daily Doubt Sessions) are being held. Please click here to register.

    Important List

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  • (3 pm,today) Webinar by Sudhanshu sir | How to crack UPSC IAS exam in the very first attempt?

    (3 pm,today) Webinar by Sudhanshu sir | How to crack UPSC IAS exam in the very first attempt?

    Register here for the webinar (click here)

    Those who have registered will get the Zoom link at 2 pm.

    Webinar Date: 16th May 2021

    Timings: 3 PM

    As complicated as it may appear, the UPSC Civil services exam is more about carrying nerves. It’s also about maintaining discipline for the time being and till you succeed. Nor the subjects are esoteric or unheard of. But the character for one to be able to sacrifice the beauty called life and family is rare. Your stay in the game with the zeal to come out winning is very important.

    Philosophy aside, but keeping the practical elements in mind, let’s dig a little deeper.  Also, find out what it takes for one to jump that threshold and what our toppers have said. Why have they not been able to clear earlier and what changes they made to succeed?. These are the most sought-after info and are available on the internet. But from an individual’s perspective, one can not ignore his/her inconclusiveness due to lack of a distinct plan or direction.

    Hence, we are coming up with an open session. To counter myths and give some facts which will help you see the light on the other side of the tunnel about the exam.

    In this open session, we are going to give a clear insight which is important for one to save time, energy, and effort. Which might otherwise be getting wasted in the wrong direction? This is important because for an individual the first year is the year with maximum energy, expectation from self, go-getter attitude, etc..

    Register here for the webinar (click here)

    We tend to get lost in the sea of advice and sources of studies. To save one from such torrents of information, it’s sometimes said that we need to better know “what not to follow than what to follow”.

    Anyways such hypotheses aside, your time in this open session is going to be full of interaction. Some previous year aspirants are also expected to be present. We do expect that all your confusion about the exam will get clear.

    Attendees can expect some takeaways too in the form of softcopies relevant to the exam. They will be available to you via email once you have done the registration for the open session.

    In this webinar, Sudhanshu Mishra, Core-Faculty@Civilsdaily will give you an overview:

    – What UPSC expects out of you?

    – Avoiding Mistakes which can cost you an attempt?

    – What to do to master the IAS-Exam?

    – How to clear the exam -Step-by-Step learning plan?

    – An interactive Q&A session with an experienced audience?

    – How to clear the exam in the very first attempt?

    – Important Civilsdaily softcopies takeaway for exam preparation.

    A quick bit about Sudhanshu Sir :

    Sudhanshu Sir has firsthand experience of 3 mains and two interviews of UPSC. He has served in the defence ministry for 10 years with keen interests in regional and global geopolitics and has ample experience of various other competitive exams as well. 

    Register here for the webinar (click here)

  • Indo-Japan Relations

    Context

    India’s growing economic strength in recent years has seen it adapting its foreign policy to increase its global influence and status and to meet the challenges of the 21st century. In the past few years, New Delhi has expanded its strategic vision, most noticeably in Asia, and has broadened the definition of its security interests. As a result, India-Japan relations have undergone a paradigmatic shift which has seen an attempt to build a strategic and global partnership between the two countries.

    Background

    Prehistoric relations

    India’s earliest documented direct contact with Japan was with the Todai-ji Temple in Nara, where the consecration or eye-opening of the towering statue of Lord Buddha was performed by an Indian monk, Bodhisena, in 752 AD.

    Hinduism In Japan

    • Japan has indirect connection with Hinduism as four of the seven gods of fortune originated from Hindu deities named:
      a) Benzaiten Sama (Sarasvati).
      b) Bishamon (Vaiśravaṇa or Kubera).
      c)  Daikokuten (Mahākāla/Shiva).
      d)  Kichijōten (Lakshmi)
      Other examples of Hindu influence on Japan include the belief of “six schools” or “six doctrines” as well as use of Yoga and pagodas.

    Buddhism

    • Buddhism has been practiced in Japan since its official introduction in 552 CE.
    • The Indian monk Bodhisena arrived in Japan in 736 to spread Buddhism and performed eye-opening of the Great Buddha built in Tōdai-ji.
    • Ancient records from the now-destroyed library at Nalanda University in India describe scholars and pupils who attended the school from Japan. One of the most famous Japanese travellers to the Indian subcontinent was Tenjiku Tokubei (1612–1692).

    Pre-World War-2 era – Rising Japan and Admiring India

    • In the rise of Japan from the late 19th century onwards, other Asian nations including India saw the promise of their own revival, hailing both the speed as well as content of Japan’s transformation.
    • The victory of Japan over Czarist Russia in 1904 and its skill in modern warfare stimulated nationalist movements in Asia against the colonial powers.
    • It put new confidence in the Indian National Congress of being able to wage and win the struggle against British rule in India.
    • When the Indian freedom struggle entered the swadeshi phase, Japan was seen as a source of new equipment and machines to increase the supply of home-made goods and displace foreign, mostly British, goods.
    • Trade links have existed between the two countries for more than a century. India replaced China as Japan’s main market in 1915, and retained that position until 1925 with cotton goods contributing the most to Japanese exports to India.

    Independent India and Japan

    • Following WWII, during which Indian troops under the British Empire fought Japanese troops and Indians under the Indian National Army, fought the British with Japanese support.
    • India played a limited role in the Allied Occupation of Japan from 1945 to 1952.
    • Justice Radha Binod Pal was the lone dissenting voice on the war crimes tribunal set up to try Japanese war criminals, including Prime Minister Hideki Tojo.
    • Once India became independent, it expressed support for Japanese interests; its delegation at the Far Eastern Commission, for example, was sympathetic to Japanese concerns about rebuilding their nation and to encouraging Japanese industry and finance.
    • In 1949, the Indian delegation stopped pressing the question in the Commission regarding its share of reparations from Japan and proposed halting the reparations altogether, noting that the burden of making such payments told heavily on the living standards of the Japanese people.
    • India welcomed the relaxation of controls on Japan because of the flow of Japanese technical expertise to the rest of Asia.
    • Although 52 nations assembled to sign a peace treaty with Japan at San Francisco in September 1951, India did not participate because of its belief that the Japanese Peace settlement was part of the Cold War and the principal parties to it were more interested in enlisting support for their respective positions than to bringing peace to Asia.
    • The Japanese public responded favourably to India’s stand, particularly its opposition to linking the peace treaty with a bilateral security arrangement.
    • Given the high esteem in which India, and particularly Nehru, was held by most Japanese in those years, there was an appreciation that India had raised its voice and expressed dissatisfaction with the terms of the treaty in so far as they concerned the prospects for peace in Asia.

    (Monument honouring Radhabinod Pal, at Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine, Japan)

    The cold war and Indo-Japan Relations

    • Indo-Japanese political connections remained weak despite the exchange of ambassadors, mutual visits by goodwill groups and parliamentary delegations. India received its first Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) in 1958.
    • On specific international questions such as the Sino-Indian border conflict and the India-Pakistan wars, Japan showed no overt interest either in lending support to India or in opposing it.
    • The Japanese consciously treated India and Pakistan evenhandedly, participating in their economic development programmes without getting drawn into their disputes.
    • During the India-Pakistan conflict, Japan’s diplomatic moves in the UN were not necessarily hostile to India, but its action on the aid front could be interpreted thus.
    • Soon after the US suspended its aid to India, Japan also enforced an embargo on flow of credits and all fresh loans.
    • Despite the initial enthusiasm and high hopes of the 1950s, the Indo-Japan relationship failed to take off politically and the relationship was essentially dormant from the 1960s to the 1980s.
    • Nevertheless, during the Cold War period Japan became the largest bilateral donor to India. Thus, the relationship was primarily sustained by Japanese ODA.

    Post cold war relations

    • The end of cold war and the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the inauguration of economic reforms in India seemed to mark the beginning of a new era in Indo-Japanese relationship.
    • India’s “Look East Policy” posited Japan as a key partner.
    • Japan being the only victim of nuclear holocaust, Pokhran –II tests of India in May 1998 brought bitterness in the bilateral relations where Japan asked India to sign NNPT.
    • Tokyo’s relation with India showed signs of an upswing when Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori came on an official 5 day visit to India in August 2000.
    • Keeping aside the sanctions due to nuclear tests a new global partnership over issues of worldwide importance was envisaged.

    Areas of cooperation

    Economic

    • Special economic partnership initiative (SEPI) was signed during PM Manmohan Singh’s visit in 2006.
    • The main elements of SEPI include Dedicated Freight Corridor-West (DFC-W) project, Delhi- Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) project, setting up of multi-product special economic zones/cluster, free trade and warehousing zones at select locations, and encouraging investment by Japanese companies in India, including through assistance in development of infrastructure relating to SEZs and industrial estates, etc.
    • ODA is being provided to infrastructural sectors like telecommunication, transport, Yamuna action plan and other projects in the power sector.
    • India and Japan has formed the Act East Forum wherein ODA is being provided for the development of north eastern states.
    • India and Japan are cooperating in smart community projects such as seawater desalinization project in Gujarat (Dahej), the model solar project in Rajasthan (Neemrana) and the gas fired independent power producer (IPP) project in Maharashtra.
    • The 1st India-Japan Ministerial-level Economic Dialogue was held at New Delhi on 30 April 2012. Economic interaction is the fundamental driver of the India- Japan relationship. India continues to be the largest recipient of Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). Disbursement of ODA in FY 2011-12 reached a record high of Yen 139.22 billion (approx. Rs 8497 crores). This is being utilized in several important projects across India, largely in infrastructure projects such as Metro rail projects in different metropolitan cities.
    • Japan also announced ODA loans totalling Yen 184.81 billion (approx. Rs 11,000 crores) to two projects, namely the Dedicated Freight Corridor Western Project Phase II and the Chennai Metro Rail Project.
    • The flagship India-Japan infrastructure projects made steady progress in 2012. The Dedicated Freight Corridor (West) between Mumbai and Delhi is on track for completion in 2017, during the current Plan Period. The Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC) Project has moved ahead with the Cabinet approving a 26% equity stake in the Special Purpose Vehicle DMIC Development Corporation (DMICDC) by the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) on 23 August 2012.

    Trade

    • There is Japan India strategic dialogue on economic issues which reviews the current status of bilateral economic issues from time to time.
    • CEPA being one of the most comprehensive of all such agreements concluded by India as it covers more than 90% of the trade , vast gamut of services, rules of origin, investment, intellectual property rights, customs and other trade related issues.
    • In 2012-2013 India-Japan bilateral trade touched US$ 18.6 billion.
    • RBI and Bank of Japan signed a 3 year bilateral swap agreement (BSA) amounting to USD 50 Billion for addressing short term liquidity issues, financial market stability as well as supporting bilateral trade.
    • The two countries have reaffirmed their commitment to cooperate in the commercial production of the rare earths by the Indian and Japanese enterprises.
    • Avoidance of double taxation and the prevention of physical evasion with respect to taxes on income were signed between India and Japan.

    Investment

    • Japan is currently ranked sixth in the foreign direct investment (FDI) flows to India.
    • A total of US$ 4.63 billion was invested by Japanese companies in India between 2000-2010.
    • Japan Plus was established by the government of India in October 2014 to further enhance the investment and assist Japanese companies in India.
    • 3.5 trillion Yen of public and private financing to India in 5 years under the Japan-India Investment Promotion Partnership.
    • Japan is also financing bullet train project between Mumbai and Ahemdabad.

    Security and Defense

    • The two nations have frequently held joint military exercises and co-operate on technology. India and Japan concluded a security pact on 22 October 2008.
    • Formed in 2007 and revived in 2017 The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QSD, also known as the Quad) is an informal strategic dialogue between the United States, Japan, Australia and India.
    • The dialogue was paralleled by joint military exercises of an unprecedented scale, titled Exercise Malabar. The diplomatic and military arrangement was widely viewed as a response to increased Chinese economic and military power.
    • Japan India maritime exercise (JIMEX) was conducted off Japanese coast in January 2012.
    • Indian Navy participated in the JMSDF fleet review 2015.

    Strategic

    • After the cold war Japan looked out to extend its diplomatic options beyond US and India became the best option possible.
    • In addition being a big economic giant, there similar democratic political systems, non western societies, desire to gain permanent seats in the UN Security Council and security environments are all the factors two countries can use to build a strong strategic alliance.
    • 2+2 dialogue is taking place between the foreign and defense ministers of the two countries to deepen the global partnership.
    • It is also agreed to establish the INDIA –JAPAN – UNITED STATES trilateral dialogue on regional and global issues of shared interest.
    • Both countries also reiterated their determination to work together under the United Nations framework convention on climate change (UNFCCC), WTO.
    • Japan and India are working together to realize the reform of Security Council at the earliest.
    • There is a beginning of India-Japan-Australia trilateral dialogue to evolve an open, inclusive, stable and transparent economic, political and security architecture in the indo-pacific region.

    Cultural

    • The two nations announced 2007, the 50th anniversary year of Indo-Japan Cultural Agreement, as the Indo-Japan Friendship and Tourism-Promotion Year, holding cultural events in both the countries.
    • One such cultural event is the annual Namaste India Festival, which started in Japan over twenty years ago and is now the largest festival of its kind in the world.
    • At the 2016 festival, representatives from Onagawa town performed, as a sign of appreciation for the support the town received from the Indian Government during the Great East Japan Earthquake.
    • On 10 April 2006, a Japanese delegation proposed to raise funds and provide other support for rebuilding the world-famous ancient Nalanda University, an ancient Buddhist centre of learning in Bihar, into a major international institution of education.

    Energy

    • The two sides in 2015 reached an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of Nuclear energy. India became the first Non proliferation country to do so.
    • India rare Earths Limited (IREL) and the Toyotsu Rare Earths India (TREI) a subsidiary of Toyota-Tsusho Corporation (TTC) , Japan has an agreement of supply of mixed rare earth chloride.

    Issues

    1. Hindrances in trade/ Investment relations

    • Though India and Japan have come a long way in their economic cooperation, that still is a penny when compared to the China-Japan economic ties.
    • Compared to the US$ 300 billion trade with China, India-Japan trade still languishes at mere US$15 billion.
    • Japanese investors lament lack of clarity in the policy guidelines, labor laws, tax laws, legal and regulatory framework.
    • For Japanese corporations some other inhibiting factors are differences in business practices, environment and culture etc.

    2. Limited Defense cooperation

    • India and Japan defense relations after multiple defense exercises and agreements are primarily focused and revolve around China.
    • Japan does not give major importance to India when it comes to Indo-China border issues or Indo-Pak border conflicts.
    • There is hardly any exchange or procurement of defense equipment or technology from Japan.

    3. Balancing between Quad and Brics:

    • India is a member of groups like the BRICS, which brings together Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
    • In addition, though New Delhi has not joined the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), it is a member of the AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank).So India has to do a balancing act between Quad and Brics.
    • India has long adopted a non-aligned approach as opposed to the stauncher, pro-US foreign policy stances of Japan and Australia.
    • The failure of these nations to come up with a joint statement points to an inherent struggle to reconcile their competing views on how best to counter the rise of China.

    4. Asia-Africa Growth Corridor (AAGC) project

    • There is a great deal of scepticism on the feasibility of the AAGC itself as well as the nature of the projects embedded in it.

    Way Forward

    1) Continuation of balancing security policy

    • First, one can expect a continuation of the balancing security policy against China that began in 2014.
    • Crucially, India’s clashes with China in Galwan have turned public opinion in favour of a more confrontational China policy.
    • In just a decade, both countries have expanded high-level ministerial and bureaucratic contacts, conducted joint military exercises and concluded military pacts such as the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) logistics agreement.
    • Both countries need to affirm support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific and continued willingness to work with the Quad.
    • Both countries need to take stock of the state of play in the security relationship while also pushing the envelope on the still nascent cooperation on defence technology and exports.

    2) Expanding cooperation in various sectors

    • The two powers will look to expand cooperation in sectors such as cybersecurity and emerging technologies.
    • Digital research and innovation partnership in technologies from AI and 5G to the Internet of Things and space research has increased between the two countries in the recent past.
    • There is a need to deepen cooperation between research institutes and expand funding in light of China’s aforementioned technology investment programme.
    • Issues of India’s insistence on data localisation and reluctance to accede to global cybersecurity agreements such as the Budapest Convention needs to be discussed.
    • Defense ties need to be made more stable. There should be more exchange of defense equipment and technologies.
    • Focus must just not be on countering China but helping each other in every state and frame.

    3) Economic ties

    • Economic ties and infrastructure development are likely to be top drawer items on the agendas of New Delhi and Tokyo.
    • Though Japan has poured in around $34 billion in investments into the Indian economy, Japan is only India’s 12th largest trading partner.
    • Trade volumes between the two stand at just a fifth of the value of India-China bilateral trade.
    • India-Japan summit will likely reaffirm Japan’s support for key manufacturing initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and the Japan Industrial Townships.
    • Further, India will be keen to secure continued infrastructure investments in the strategically vital connectivity projects currently under way in the Northeast and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

    4) Joint strategy toward key third countries

    • In years past, India and Japan have collaborated to build infrastructure in Iran and Africa.
    • Both countries have provided vital aid to Myanmar and Sri Lanka and hammer out a common Association of Southeast Asian Nations outreach policy in an attempt to counter China’s growing influence in these corners of the globe.
    • However, unlike previous summits, the time has come for India and Japan to take a hard look at reports suggesting that joint infrastructure projects in Africa and Iran have stalled with substantial cost overruns.
    • Tokyo will also likely try to get New Delhi to reverse its decision not to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

    5) Nuclear cooperation

    • Both the countries must work to begin the exchange of nuclear fuel for the energy sector that has been stopped after the Fukushima incident.
    • And not just that, other energy cooperation and agreements must be signed to increase the flow of fuel and equipment for the benefit of the energy and other sectors related to nuclear energy.

    References

    • The mint
    • Mea.gov.in
    • Orfonline.org
    • www.wikipedia.com
    • The global post
    • Rajya sabha Tv
    • Official Japan archives

  • 15th May 2021 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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  • Important reports and Indices

     
    13th May 2021

    Category

    Name of the report

    Published by

             




            Global Economy

    Asian Development Outlook

    Asian Development Bank

    World Economic Outlook

    International Monetary Fund

    Global Economic Prospects

    World Bank










              Development

    World Development Report

    IBRD (World Bank)

    Ease of Doing Business

    IBRD (World Bank)

    Industrial Development Report

    UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)

    World Investment Report

    UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development)

    Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report

    WEF (World Economic Forum)

    World Cities Report

    UN-Habitat

    Logistics Performance Index

    World Bank




    Global Financial System

    Global Financial Stability Report

    International Monetary Fund

    Global Financial System Report

    BIS (Bank for International Settlements)

    Global Money Laundering Report

    FATF (Financial Action Task Force)








               Environment

    India State of Forest Report

    Forest Survey of India

    Actions on Air Quality

    UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)

    Global Environment Outlook

    UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)

    The Rise of Environmental Crime

    UNEP & INTERPOL

    Global Assessment Report

    UNISDR (United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction)

    The Living Planet Report

    WWF (World Wildlife Fund)

     












    Technology and Energy Security

    Technical Cooperation Report

    `IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)

    Nuclear Technology Review

    IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)

    Safety Reports

    ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization)

    Global Innovation Index

    Cornell University INSEAD and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

    World Energy Outlook (WEO)

    International Energy Agency

    Southeast Asia Energy Outlook

    International Energy Agency

    OPEC Monthly Oil Market Report

    OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries )

    World Oil Outlook

    OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries)

    World Intellectual Property Report (WIPR)

    WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)

    Global Information Technology Report

    WEF (World Economic Forum)

    The Energy Report

    WWF (World Wildlife Fund)


















        Social development

    Global Wage Report

    ILO (International Labour Organization)

    World Social Protection Report

    ILO (International Labour Organization)

    Global Hunger Index

    Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide

    World Happiness Report

    Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN)

    Global Corruption Report (GCR)

    Transparency International

    Levels and Trends in Child Mortality Report

    UN Inter-agency Group

    The State of the World’s Children reports

    UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund )

    Report on Regular Resources

    UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund )

    The Global Report

    UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees).

    State of the World Population

    UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)

    Global education monitoring Report

    UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)

    Human Capital Report 2016

    World Economic Forum







            Security Issues

    World Wildlife Crime Report

    UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

    World Drug Report

    UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

    Global Report on Trafficking in Persons

    UNODC (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime)

    Reports on Counterfeiting and Organized Crime

    UNICRI (United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute)

    Global Money Laundering Report

    FATF (Financial Action Task Force)

     

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  • 15 May 2021 | Nikaalo Prelims Quiz- TS 14- Current Affairs Test 5: November 2020

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  • Lend a helping hand to children the right way

    The article highlights the need to be aware of the legal provisions while helping a orphan child.

    Helping orphaned children

    • Social media is flooded with requests to adopt children who have lost their parents in the pandemic.
    • However, before handing over an orphan child to any agency, family or person, it is important to be aware of the laws.
    • If an orphan child is kept by someone without lawful authority, he or she may land themselves in trouble.
    • According to the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, the father, and in his absence the mother, is the natural guardian.
    • Not even a close relative can look after the child without authorisation.

    What are the options to help

    • First option is any individual who finds an orphan child or even any child who needs care and protection under the circumstances, should immediately call the toll free Childline number 1098.
    • It is an emergency phone outreach service managed by the Women and Child Development department’s nodal agency, the Childline India Foundation.
    • The second option is to intimate the district protection officer concerned whose contact details can be found on the National Tracking System for Missing and Vulnerable Children portal.
    • The third alternative is to approach the nearest police station or its child welfare police officer who is specially trained to exclusively deal with children.
    •  jOne can always dial the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) which is a pan-India single number (112) based emergency response system for citizens in emergencies and seek the necessary help.
    • The non-reporting of such children is also a punishable offence under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJA).

    Procedure after a child reaches outreach agency

    • Once an orphan child is recovered by the outreach agency, it is the duty of the said agency to produce the child within 24 hours before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of the district.
    • The CWC, after an inquiry, decides whether to send the child to a children’s home or a fit facility or fit person.
    • If the child is below six years, he or she shall be placed in a specialised adoption agency.
    • The State thus takes care of all such children who are in need of care and protection, till they turn 18 years.
    • In Sampurna Behrua vs Union of India (2018), the Supreme Court of India directed States and Union Territories to ensure that all child care institutions are registered.

    Procedure for adoption

    • Once a child is declared legally free for adoption by the CWC, adoption can be done either by Indian prospective adoptive parents or non-resident Indians or foreigners, in that order.
    • Another important feature of the JJA is that it is secular in nature and simple in procedure.
    • While the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 is religion specific but also relatively cumbersome in procedure.
    • Second, the procedure of adoption is totally transparent and its progress can be monitored from the portal of the statutory body, the Central Adoption Resource Authority.

    Directives to the police

    • The Supreme Court in Bachpan Bachao Andolan vs Union of India directed all Directors General of Police, in May 2013, to register a first information report as a case of trafficking or abduction in every case of a missing child.
    • At least one police officer not below the rank of assistant sub-inspector in each police station is mandatorily required to undergo training to deal with children in conflict with the law and in need of care and protection.
    • They are not required to wear a uniform and need to be child-friendly.
    • Similarly, each district is supposed to have its special juvenile police unit, headed by an officer not below the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
    • The Supreme Court in Re: Exploitation of children in Orphanages in the State of Tamil Nadu (2017) inter alia, specifically asked the National Police Academy, Hyderabad and police training academies in every State to prepare training courses on the JJA and provide regular training to police officers in terms of sensitisation.
    • The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) recently wrote to the Chief Secretaries of all States and Union Territories on the issue of children orphaned due to COVID-19.

    Conclusion

    Following the Covid surge and subsequent increase in request for adoption of children, the laws and procedure for the protection of children must be noted.

  • Native Indian turtles face U.S. slider threat across Northeast

    About red-eared slider

    • The red-eared slider (Trachemys scripta elegans) derives its name from red stripes around the part where its ears would be and from its ability to slide quickly off any surface into the water.
    • Native to the U.S. and northern Mexico, this turtle is an extremely popular pet due to its small size, easy maintenance, and relatively low cost.

    Reports about threat

    • Between August 2018 and June 2019, a team of herpetologists from NGO Help Earth published the finding in ‘Reptiles & Amphibians’, journal of the U.S.-based International Reptile Conservation Foundation in August 2020.
    • But the alarm was raised experts from Mizoram University’s Department of Zoology published another report in the same journal in April this year.

    How is it a threat?

    • They grow fast and virtually leaves nothing for the native species to eat.
    •  People who keep it as pets become sensitive about turtle conservation but endanger the local ecosystem, probably unknowingly, by releasing them in natural water bodies after they outgrow an aquarium, tank or pool at home.
    • Much like the Burmese python that went to the U.S. as a pet to damage the South Florida Everglades ecosystem, the red-eared slider has already affected States such as Karnataka and Gujarat, where it has been found in 33 natural water bodies.
    • Preventing this invasive species from overtaking the Brahmaputra and other river ecosystems in the Northeast is crucial because the Northeast is home to more than 72% of the turtle and tortoise species in the country, all of them very rare.

    Way forward

    • Although the red-eared slider is traded legally, the time has come for the government to come up with regulations against keeping invasive as pets.
    • There is a need to create awareness among pet traders for maintaining a database of red-eared slider buyers.
    • They can be contacted to hand over the turtles to the repository insulated from any wetland or natural water body.

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