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  • Earth Hour

    The Earth Hour, observed annually on the last Saturday of March, was recently celebrated.

    Earth Hour

    • Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
    • It is held annually encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights, for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on a specific day towards the end of March as a symbol of commitment to the planet.
    • It was started as a lights-off event in Sydney, Australia, in 2007.

  • [Prelims Spotlight] National Parks and Wildlife sanctuaries in India/ Soils and Crops in India

     

    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.

    31 March 2020

    NATIONAL PARKS AND WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES IN INDIA

            NATIONAL PARKS                                                           STATES

    Papikonda National Park — Andhra Pradesh
    Rajiv Gandhi National Park — Andhra Pradesh
    Lanjamadugu Wildlife Sanctuary — Andhra Pradesh
    Namdapha National Park — Arunachal Pradesh
    Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary — Arunachal Pradesh
    Manas National Park (UNESCO) — Assam
    Nameri National Park — Assam
    Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park — Assam
    Kaziranga National Park (UNESCO) — Assam
    Dibru Sai Khowa National Park — Assam
    Gautam Budha Wildlife Sanctuary — Bihar
    Valmild National Park — Bihar
    Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary — Bihar
    Indravati National Park — Chhattisgarh
    Achanakmar Wildlife Sanctuary — Chhattisgarh
    Kanger Valley National Park — Chhattisgarh
    Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary — Chhattisgarh
    Guru Ghasi Das (Sanjay) National Park — Chhattisgarh
    Gomarda Wildlife Sanctuary — Chhattisgarh
    Bhagwan Mahavir National Park — Goa
    Vansda National Park — Gujarat
    Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary — Gujarat
    Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary — Gujarat
    Marine National Park (First Marine National Park) — Gujarat
    Black Buck National Park — Gujarat
    Gir Forest National Park — Gujarat
    Kalesar National Park — Haryana
    Sultanpur National Park — Haryana
    Lippa Asrang Wildlife Sanctuary — Himachal Pradesh
    Tundah Wildlife Sanctuary — Himachal Pradesh
    Inderkilla National Park — Himachal Pradesh
    Great Himalayan National Park — Himachal Pradesh
    Pin Valley National Park — Himachal Pradesh
    Khirganga National Park — Himachal Pradesh
    Simbalbara National Park — Himachal Pradesh
    Sechu Tuan Nala Wildlife Sanctuary — Himachal Pradesh
    Salim All National Park — Jammu & Kashmir
    Kishtwar National Park — Jammu & Kashmir
    Hemis National Park (Largest in Area) — Jammu & Kashmir
    Changtang Wildlife Sanctuary — Jammu & Kashmir
    Dachigam National Park — Jammu & Kashmir
    Kara Koram Wildlife Sanctuary — Jammu & Kashmir
    Hirpora Wildlife Sanctuary — Jammu & Kashmir
    Lachipora Wildlife Sanctuary — Jammu & Kashmir
    Betla National Park — Jharkhand
    Hazaribagh National Park — Jharkhand
    Lawalong Wildlife Sanctuary — Jharkhand
    Nagarhole National Park — Karnataka
    Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary — Karnataka
    Kudremukh National Park — Karnataka
    Bannerghatta National Park — Karnataka
    Bandipur National Park — Karnataka
    Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary — Karnataka
    Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary — Karnataka
    Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary — Karnataka
    Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary — Kerala
    Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary — Kerala
    Periyar National Park — Kerala
    Silent Valley National Park — Kerala
    Eravikulam National Park — Kerala
    Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary — Kerala
    Malabar Wildlife Sanctuary — Kerala
    Anamudi Shola National Park — Kerala
    Pampadum Shola National Park — Kerala
    Pench National Park — Madhya Pradesh
    Bandhavgarh National Park (Highest Numbers of Tigers) — Madhya Pradesh
    Kanha National Park — Madhya Pradesh
    Madhav National Park — Madhya Pradesh
    Panna National Park — Madhya Pradesh
    Satpura National Park — Madhya Pradesh
    Van Vihar National Park — Madhya Pradesh
    Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary — Madhya Pradesh
    National Chambal Sanctuary — Madhya Pradesh
    Mandla Plant Fossils National Park — Madhya Pradesh
    Pachmari Wildlife Sanctuary — Madhya Pradesh
    Phen Wildlife Sanctuary — Madhya Pradesh
    Ratapani Tiger Reserve — Madhya Pradesh
    Sanjay National Park — Madhya Pradesh
    Chandoli National Park — Maharashtra
    Gugamal National Park — Maharashtra
    Sanjay Gandhi (Borivilli) National Park — Maharashtra
    Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary — Maharashtra
    Navegaon National Park — Maharashtra
    Tadoba National Park — Maharashtra
    Dhakna Kolkaz Wildlife Sanctuary — Maharashtra
    Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary — Maharashtra
    Wain Ganga Wildlife Sanctuary — Maharashtra
    Keibul Lamjao National Park — Manipur
    Yagoupokpi Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary — Manipur
    Nokrek National Park — Meghalaya
    Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary — Meghalaya
    Balphakram National Park — Meghalaya
    Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary — Mizoram
    Murlen National Park — Mizoram
    Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary — Mizoram
    Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park — Mizoram
    Pulebarze Wildlife Sanctuary — Nagaland
    Intanki National Park — Nagaland
    Simplipal National Park — Orissa
    Chilka Wild Life Sanctuary — Orissa
    Baisipalli Wildlife Sanctuary — Orissa
    Bhitarkanika National Park — Orissa
    Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary — Orissa
    Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary — Orissa
    Ranthambore National Park — Rajasthan
    Sariska National Park — Rajasthan
    First National Park in the world, which was successfully adapted by Royal Bengal Tiger]
    Darrah National Park — Rajasthan
    Desert National Park — Rajasthan
    Keoladeo National Park (UNESCO) — Rajasthan
    Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary — Rajasthan
    Jawaharsagar Wildlife Sanctuary — Rajasthan
    Phulwari Wildlife Sanctuary — Rajasthan
     Keladevi Wildlife Sanctuary — Rajasthan
    Fambonglho Wildlife Sanctuary — Sikkim
    Khangchendzonga National Park — Sikkim
    Kyongnosla Alpine Sanctuary — Sikkim
    Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary — Sikkim
    Shingba Rhododendron Sanctuary — Sikkim
    Mukurthi National Park — Tamilnadu
    Shenbagathoppu Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary — Tamilnadu
    Satyamanglam wild Life Sanctuary — Tamilnadu
    Indira Gandhi (Annamalai) National Park — Tamilnadu
    Guindy National Park — Tamilnadu
    Mudumalai National Park — Tamilnadu
    Vettangundi Wildlife Sanctuary — Tamilnadu
    Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park — Tamilnadu
    Mrugavani National Park — Telangana
    Sipahijola Wildlife Sanctuary — Tripura
    Bisan (Rajbari) National Park — Tripura
    Gumti Wildlife Sanctuary — Tripura
    Clouded Leopard National Park — Tripura
    Chandra Prabha Wildlife Sanctuary — Uttar Pradesh
    Dudhwa National Park — Uttar Pradesh
    Ranipur Sanctuary — Uttar Pradesh
    Rajaji National Park — Uttarakhand
    Gangotri National Park — Uttarakhand
    Nanda Devi National Park (UNESCO) — Uttarakhand
    Jim Corbett National Park (Oldest Park) — Uttarakhand
    Valley of Flowers National Park (UNESCO) — Uttarakhand
    Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary — Uttarakhand
    Govind Pashu Vihar — Uttarakhand
    Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary — Uttarakhand
    Sundarbans National Park — West Bengal
    Gorumara National Park — West Bengal
    Buxa National Park — West Bengal
    Jaldapara National Park — West Bengal
    Neora Valley National Park — . West Bengal
    Singalila National Park — West Bengal
    Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park — Andaman & Nicobar Islands
    Rani Jhansi Marine National Park — Andaman & Nicobar Islands
    Saddle Peak National Park — Andaman & Nicobar Islands
    Middle Button Island National Park — Andaman & Nicobar Islands
    South Button Island National Park — Andaman &Nicobar Islands
    Mount Harriet National Park — Andaman &Nicobar Islands
    North Button Island National Park — Andaman & Nicobar Islands
    Campbell Bay National Park — Andaman & Nicobar Islands
    Galathea National Park — Andaman & Nicobar Islands

    Soils and Crops of India

    We learnt about the various ways to classify soils. In this article, we will look at the various types of Indian soils in detail (According to ICAR’s classification). Let’s begin!
    Source

    1. Alluvial Soils

    • Formation: They are mainly derived from the debris brought down from the Himalayas or the silt left out by the retreating sea. Thus they are azonal soils.
    • Areas: Alluvial soils are widespread in the northern plains and the river valleys. Through a narrow corridor in Rajasthan, they extend into the plains of Gujarat. In the Peninsular region, they are found in deltas of the east coast and in the river valleys.
    • Soil texture: The alluvial soils vary in nature from sandy loam to clay. These soils are more loamy and clayey in the lower and middle Ganga plain and the Brahmaputra valley. The sand content decreases from the west to east.
    • Soil Colour: The colour of the alluvial soils varies from the light grey to ash grey depending on the depth of the deposition, the texture of the materials, and the time taken for attaining maturity.
    • Other Characteristic Features:
      • In the Upper and Middle Ganga plain, two different types of alluvial soils have developed, viz. Khadar and Bhangar.
    Khadar and Bhangar
      • Khadar: the newer alluvium deposited by floods annually, enriches the soil by depositing fine silts, light colour, found near river beds, porous in nature. Bhangar: older alluvium, clayey, darker, has lime nodules called Kankars, found in doabs (inter-fluve areas).
      • Alluvial soils of the northern plains —> transported soils —>, therefore, lack humus —> lack nitrogen [That is why we need to use nitrogenous fertilisers in the northern plains!]. Exception: the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta region is rich in humus.
      • These soils lack in nitrogen, phosphorus and humus. However, they are generally rich in potash and lime.
      • The soil profile has no stratification.
      • Alluvial soils are intensively cultivated.
      • In certain areas, these soils are covered with unproductive wind-borne soil called Loess.
    • Limitations:
      • Allow water to sink into lower strata, and
      • Lack nitrogen (But these soils are capable of fixing nitrogen very rapidly through leguminous crops (peas, beans, cloves etc.)
    • Suitable Crops: Wheat, rice, maize, sugarcane, pulses, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, leguminous crops.

    2. Black Soil

    • These soils are locally known as the ‘Regur Soil’ or the ‘Black Cotton Soil’. Internationally, these are known as ‘tropical chernozems’. These soils are famous for the cultivation of cotton.
    • Formation: These have mainly formed from the Deccan Trap rocks —> Zonal Soils
    • Areas: These are found in the Deccan trap region. Black soil covers most of the Deccan Plateau which include parts of:
      • Maharashtra,
      • Madhya Pradesh,
      • Gujarat,
      • Andhra Pradesh and some parts of
      • Tamil Nadu.
    • Soil Texture: Black cotton soil (regur soil) is highly argillaceous i.e. clayey. It is deep and impermeable and thus has high water retention capacity.
    • Soil Colour: These soils are black in colour due to the presence of iron, aluminium compounds and humus.
    • Other Characteristic Features:
      • These soils are rich in minerals and known for their fertility.
      • The soil depth varies from place to place. It is very thick in lowlands but very thin on highlands. Also, in the upper reaches of the Godavari and the Krishna, and the northwestern part of the Deccan Plateau, the black soil is very deep.
      • These soils swell and become sticky when wet and develop deep wide cracks when dry. This helps in self-aeration, which leads to the absorption of nitrogen from the atmosphere. Thus, there occurs a kind of ‘self ploughing’. This aeration and oxidisation to deep levels contribute to the maintenance of the fertility of these soils. This continued fertility is favourable in the area of low rainfall for cotton cultivation even without irrigation.
      • Due to slow absorption and loss of moisture, the black soil retains the moisture for a very long time, which helps the crops, especially, the rain-fed ones, to sustain even during the dry season.
      • Chemically, the black soils are rich in lime, iron, magnesia and alumina. They also contain potash. But they lack in phosphorous, nitrogen and organic matter.
    • Suitable Crops: These soils are highly productive and well suited to the cultivation of cotton, pulses, millets, linseed, tobacco, sugarcane, vegetables and citrus fruits.

    Note: In the southern and eastern parts of the country where rainfall is heavy, black soils often occur in close proximity to red soils. Black soils occupy valleys and low-level areas whereas the red soils occur on higher slopes and hilltops. Mixed black and red soils occur in Coimbatore, Madurai, Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu) and Bundelkhand region.

    3. Red and Yellow Soils

    • Locally called ‘Chalka’ in Andhra Pradesh.
    • Formation: These are derived from granites, gneisses and other metamorphic rocks —> Zonal Soils. These are formed under well-drained conditions.
    • Areas: Along the piedmont zone of the Western Ghat, a long stretch of area is occupied by red loamy soil. Yellow and red soils are also found in parts of Orissa and Chattisgarh and in the southern parts of the middle Ganga plain. They encircle the black cotton soil zone.
    • Soil Colour: The soil develops a reddish colour due to a wide diffusion of iron in crystalline and metamorphic rocks. It looks yellow when it occurs in a hydrated form. Often, their upper layer is red and the lower layer is yellow.
    • Soil Texture: Varies from sand to clay and loam.
    • Other Characteristic Features:
      • The fine-grained red and yellow soils are normally fertile, whereas coarse-grained soils found in dry upland areas are poor in fertility.
      • Have a porous and friable structure.
      • They are generally poor in nitrogen, phosphorous and humus.
      • These soils are airy and need irrigation for cultivation.
      • Intense leaching is a menace in these soil areas.
    • Suitable Crops: In places where irrigation facilities are available, the crops cultivated are wheat, cotton, pulses, tobacco, millets, oilseeds, potato, maize, groundnut and orchards.

    4. Laterite Soil

    • The word laterite has been derived from the Latin word ‘Later’ which means brick. These soils when wet are as soft as butter but become hard and cloddy on drying. Therefore, these are widely cut as bricks for use in house construction.
    • Formation: The lateritic soils are particularly found on high flat erosion surfaces in areas of high(>200cm) and seasonal rainfall. The alternating wet and dry seasons lead to the leaching away of the siliceous matter of the rocks leaving behind the compounds of iron and aluminium. These are zonal soils.
    • Areas: These soils have mainly developed in the higher areas of the Peninsular plateau. The laterite soils are commonly found in Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and the hilly areas of Orissa and Assam.
    • Soil Colour: Reddish-brown in colour due to the presence of iron oxide.
    • Other characteristic features:
      • With rain, lime and silica are leached away, and soils rich in iron oxide and aluminium compound are left behind(thus the reddish-brown colour). Also, the humus content of the soil is removed fast by bacteria that thrive well in high temperature.
      • These soils represent the end product of decomposition and are generally low in fertility.
      • The pebbly crust is the important feature of laterites which is formed due to alteration of wet and dry periods.
      • These soils are acidic in character due to leaching. Application of manures and fertilisers is required for making these soils fertile for cultivation.
      • These soils are poor in organic matter, nitrogen, phosphate and calcium, while iron oxide and potash are in excess.
    • Suitable crops: Red laterite soils in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala are more suitable for tree crops like cashew nut. These soils are also suitable for tea plantations.

    We discussed in detail alluvial, black, red and laterite soils. Let’s continue the discussion and move on to the next soil types!

    Source

    5. Arid Soils

    • Formation: These are derived from the disintegration of adjacent rocks and are largely blown from coastal regions and Indus valley.
    • Areas: Arid soils are characteristically developed in western Rajasthan, which exhibits characteristic arid topography.
    • Soil Colour: Arid soils range from red to brown in colour.
    • Soil Texture: They are generally sandy to gravelly in texture and have a high percentage of soluble salts.
    • Other characteristic features:
      • These are saline in nature. In some areas, the salt content is so high that common salt is obtained by evaporating the saline water.
      • Due to the dry climate, high temperature and accelerated evaporation, they lack moisture and humus.
      • These soils are deficient in nitrogen and humus. The phosphate and iron content is normal. These soils are rich in minerals but the main limitation is the lack of water.
      • The soils exhibit poorly developed horizons.
      • Plants are widely spaced.
      • Chemical weathering is limited.
      • Lower horizons of the soil are occupied by ‘kankar’ layers because of the increasing calcium content downwards. The ‘Kankar’ layer formation in the bottom horizons restricts the infiltration of water, and as such when irrigation is made available, the soil moisture is readily available for sustainable plant growth.
    • Suitable crops: If irrigated these soils give high agricultural returns. The availability of water from the Indira Gandhi canal has transformed the agricultural landscape of desert soils of western Rajasthan. These soils are mainly devoted to bajra, pulses, guar, fodder and less water requiring crops.

    6. Saline and Alkaline Soils

    • They are also known as Usara soils. Various local names for saline soils are Reh, Kallar, and Chopan, Rakar, Thur, Karl etc.
    • Formation:
      • These soils have developed in areas with dry climatic conditions (in areas having a little more rainfall than the areas of desert soils) accompanied by lack of proper drainage. In this situation, salts of sodium, calcium and magnesium are deposited on the upper layer of the soil by capillary action.

        Source

      • In the Rann of Kuchchh, the Southwest Monsoon brings salt particles and deposits there as a crust.
      • These soils are also formed when saline water spreads on the land at the time of high tide in coastal areas. Also, seawater intrusions in the deltas promote the occurrence of saline soils.
      • Salinization also occurs because of over-irrigation (canal irrigation/groundwater use) and in areas of the high water table (as in the coastal areas of Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu). Salinity from irrigation can occur over time wherever irrigation occurs. This is because almost all water (even natural rainfall) contains some dissolved salts. When the plants use the water, the salts are left behind in the soil and eventually begin to accumulate. Also, excessive irrigation with dry climatic conditions promotes capillary action, which results in the deposition of salt on the top layer of the soil (See the following figure).

        Source

      • These are thus, intrazonal soils.
    • Areas: They occur in arid and semi-arid regions, and in waterlogged and swampy areas. These are more widespread in western Gujarat, deltas of the eastern coast and in Sunderban areas of West Bengal.
    • Soil Texture: Their texture ranges from sandy to loamy.
    • Other characteristic features:
      • Because of capillary action, the salts are sucked up in solution to the surface and form white encrustations on the surface (See the picture below).

        Source

      • The salt efflorescence of calcium, magnesium and sodium makes these soils infertile.
      • Saline soils contain an excess of neutral soluble salts of chlorides and sulphates whereas sodic or alkali soils contain sodium carbonates/ sodium bicarbonates.
      • They lack in nitrogen and calcium and have low water-bearing capacity.
      • These soils can be reclaimed by improving drainage, by applying gypsum and/or lime, and by cultivating salt-resistant crops like barseem, dhaincha and other leguminous crops.
      • The saline and alkaline soils may occur in any group of soils.
    • Crops grown: In coastal areas, coconut trees are found in plenty in these soils. As discussed above, cultivating salt-resistant crops like bar seem, dhaincha and other leguminous crops can help in reclaiming these soils.
    • Note: In the areas of intensive cultivation with excessive use of irrigation, especially in areas of green revolution, the fertile alluvial soils are becoming saline. In such areas, especially in Punjab and Haryana, farmers are advised to add gypsum to solve the problem of salinity in the soil.

    7. Peaty Soils

    • These soils are locally called Kari in Kottayam and Alleppey districts of Kerala.
    • Formation: These are marshy soils and are a result of waterlogging and anaerobic conditions (which leads to partial decomposition of organic matter).
    • Areas: They are found in the areas of heavy rainfall and high humidity, where there is a good growth of vegetation. It occurs widely in the northern part of Bihar, the southern part of Uttaranchal and the coastal areas of West Bengal, Orissa and Tamil Nadu.
    • Soil Colour and Texture: These soils are normally heavy and black in colour
    • Other characteristic features:
      • These soils are characterised by a rich humus and organic content.
      • There is a presence of iron and varying amounts of organic matter (10-40%). The organic matter in these soils may go even up to 40-50 per cent.
      • These soils are generally acidic in nature. But at many places, they are alkaline also.
    • Suitable crops: These are generally submerged during the rainy season and utilised for the cultivation of rice.

    8. Forest Soils

    • Formation: As the name suggests, forest soils are formed in the forest areas where sufficient rainfall is available.
    • Areas: These are found in the forest areas of Himalayas, Sahyadris, Eastern Ghats and terai region.
    • Soil colour and texture: The soils vary in structure and texture depending on the mountain environment where they are formed. They are loamy and silty on valley sides and coarse-grained in the upper slopes. Their colour is dark brown.
    • Other Characteristics:
      • In the snow-bound areas of the Himalayas, they are acidic with low humus content. This is because humus is rawer at higher levels. Also, these soils are subjected to denudation due to landslides and snowfall.
      • The soils found in the lower valleys are fertile and rich in organic content.
      • Owing to sharp differences of hill slopes and climates, these soils may differ greatly even when in proximity. [Recall here the discussion on the impact of topography on soils!]
      • Also, these soils exist in thin layers because of their development on the mountain slopes.
      • These soils are poor in potash, phosphorus and lime.
      • Soil erosion is a major problem in these areas.
    • Crops grown: The slopes are used for horticulture and plantations crops like tea, coffee, spices, apple, peach etc. Rice and wheat are grown in valleys. Potatoes are grown in mostly all areas.

    Now that we are done with all the soil types, expand the following image for a quick revision!

    Major Soil Types of India (Classification by ICAR)

     

  • The deep void in global leadership

    Context

    The coronavirus’s flight across the world at lightning speed has exposed the total void in collective leadership at the global level.

    No global plan of action to combat the virus

    • No plan of action: Three months into the catastrophic war declared by an invisible virus, there is as yet no comprehensive, concerted plan of action, orchestrated by global leaders.
    • The G20 meeting: The G20 has just had a virtual meeting, at the prodding of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
    • $ 5-trillion into the world economy: It is encouraging to learn that the G20 leaders have agreed to inject $5-trillion into the world economy to partially counter the devastating economic impact of the pandemic. This is indeed good news.
    • Need to do more: But taking collective ownership to fight a global war against the virus will require a lot more than writing cheques.

    SAARC meeting stands out in the world

    • Pandemic is not treated as a common enemy: World leaders are obviously overwhelmed with their own national challenges and do not appear inclined to view the pandemic as a common enemy against mankind, which it is.
    • Delay in reporting by China: China delayed reporting the virus to the World Health Organisation (WHO), and perhaps, contributed to the exacerbation of the spread of the virus across the globe.
    • Unilateral suspension of flight by the US: It was reported that the Trump administration did not even inform the European Union before it shut off flights from Europe.
    • Why the SAARC meeting stands out? It must be acknowledged that the initiative taken by Mr Modi in the early days to convene a meeting of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation countries stands out in contrast to the pusillanimous leadership around the world.

    Need for leaders of nations to come together for collective global action.

    • Pandemic to persist: There is no evidence that, at the global level, the pandemic has abated yet and would be brought under control soon.
    • Massive lockdown, not a solution: To imagine that nations would be able to tame the virus soon with massive shutdowns might be just wishful thinking.
    • National shutdowns and physical distancing have been a challenge not only in the United States and some European countries, but it would also be more so in populous countries such as India.
    • At any rate, such lockouts come at enormous economic and social costs.
    • The utility of long suspension of international travel: As long as the virus is alive in some corner of the world, it would resume its travel across the world the moment international travel restrictions are relaxed.
    • Is it realistic to imagine that international travel will remain suspended until the last virus alive on this planet is extinguished?
    • This is a war. A good war against a bad enemy, and a common enemy, that respects no borders.
    • It is a global challenge to be fought by collective global leadership: If this global challenge is not a battle to be fought by a collective global leadership, nothing else is.
    • And yet, the typical response by all affected nations has been to impose ‘National distancing’ by closing borders.
    • While this is no doubt, a most appropriate response, there is a much bigger and emergent need for leaders of nations to come together for collective global action.

    Two reasons for the lack of collective global action

    • 1. Right-wing nationalism: The swing towards right-wing nationalism, as a guiding political ideology, in large swathes of the world, particularly in the U.S.
    • This ideology posits ‘global good’ being in conflict with and inimical to national interests.
    • 2. Ineffectiveness of the multilateral institutions: The United Nations was the outcome of the shared vision of the world leaders after World War II, that collective action is the only way forward to prevent the occurrence of another war.
    • That institution has notoriously failed to live up to its expectations to maintain peace among nations in the nearly 80 years since its formation.
    • Its affiliate organisations have, in several ways, failed to deliver on their lofty missions.
    • In particular WHO has proven to be too lethargic in reacting to pandemics in the past.
    • Its responses to COVID-19 has come under the scanner, not merely for incompetence, but also for lack of intellectual integrity.

    G-20 offers hope

    • A nimble outfit, not burdened with bureaucracy, is required to manage a global crisis of the nature that we are confronted with, today.
    • The G20, with co-option of other affected countries, itself might serve the purpose for the present.
    • What the global leadership must acknowledge: What is important is for the global leaders to acknowledge what every foot soldier knows: winning a war would require the right strategy, rapid mobilisation of relevant resources and, most importantly, timely action.
    • The following actions should come out of such a collective-
    • 1. Dealing with the shortages: The collective should ensure that shortages of drugs, medical equipment and protective gear do not come in the way of any nation’s capacity to contain or fight the pandemic.
    • Assistance from other countries: It is very likely that some nations that have succeeded in bringing the pandemic under control, such as China, Japan or South Korea, might have the capability to step up production at short notice to meet the increasing demand from other countries which are behind the curve.
    •  Development of information exchange: This would typically involve urgent development of information exchange on global production capacity, present and potential, demand and supply.
    • This is not to mean that there should be centralised management, which is not only infeasible but counterproductive, as the attendant bureaucracy will impede quick action.
    • A common information exchange could restrain the richer countries from predatory contracting of global capacities.
    • 2. Protocol among participant countries: Protocols might need to be put in place among participating countries to ensure seamless logistics for the supply chain for essential goods and services to function efficiently.
    • This might be particularly necessary in the context of controls on international traffic and national shutdowns.
    • There would need to be concomitant accord to eliminate all kinds of tariff and non-tariff barriers.
    • 3. Exchange of information: There needs to be an instantaneous exchange of authenticated information on what clinical solutions have succeeded and what has not.
    • A classic example is an issue relating to hydroxychloroquine, which is being used experimentally, bypassing the rigours of randomised clinical trials.
    • While there is no substitute to classic clinical proof, the more field-level information is shared within the medical community, the better will be the success rates of such experimentation.
    • 4.Cross country collaboration on the trials: This is a time to have cross-country collaboration on laboratory trials and clinical validation for vaccines and anti-viral drugs.
    • It must be acknowledged that WHO has already moved on this issue, although, perhaps, belatedly.
    • The best way to ensure speedy research is to pool global resources.
    • This attempt to collaborate might also bring in its wake an acceptable commercial solution that adequately incentivises private research while ensuring benefits being available to the entire world at affordable costs.
    • Such a framework might be necessary for sustained collaborations for future challenges.
    • 5. Easy movement of trained health professionals: There is a need to facilitate easy movement of trained health professionals across the world to train others and augment resources wherever there are shortages.
    • In other words, nations should come together to organise a global army to fight the pandemic, equipped with the best weapons and tools.
    • 6. The anticipation of food shortages: We must anticipate food shortages occurring sooner or later, in some part of the world, consequent to the national shutdowns.
    • Ironically, while we might have saved lives from the assault of the novel coronavirus, we might run the risk of losing lives to starvation and malnutrition, somewhere in the world if we do not take adequate precautions.
    • This requires not only coordinated global action; it would also turn out to be the test of global concern for mankind in general.

    Reconstruction of the global economy

    • Devastation no less than after the world war: Eventually, there is no doubt that human talent will triumph over the microscopic virus. But the economic devastation, that would have been caused as a result will be no less than the aftermath of a world war.
    • What should the reconstruction of economy involve? An orderly reconstruction of the global economy, which is equitable and inclusive, will eventually involve renegotiating terms of trade among key trading blocs, concerted action among central bankers to stabilise currencies, and a responsible way to regulate and manage global commodity markets.

    Conclusion

    Does India have the power to awaken the conscience of the Superpowers and catalyse collective global action? Remember, historically, it is always the weakling or the oppressed, who have caused transformational changes in the world order.

  • Amid the Lockdown, How can we efficiently manage our Agriculture and Livestock sector

    Context

    Amid lockdown, we need an action plan to manage our agriculture, livestock sectors.

    Need for an immediate action plan to manage the agriculture and livestock sector

    • The country produces around 52 crore litres of milk daily.
    • There are also 80 crore-odd live poultry, both broilers and layers, at any given time, supplying meat and eggs to consumers.
    • Link with the other producers: These birds and animals, in turn, support the livelihoods of poultry and dairy farmers, as well as those producing maize, soybean, mustard, groundnut, cotton and other coarse grains that are ingredients for livestock feed.
    • It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that farmers are able to keep their animals alive and market the crop that has been, or will be, harvested during the lockdown period.
    • We need an immediate action plan to manage our agriculture and livestock sectors in the interest of both producers and consumers.

    Issue of implementation

    • Ensuring free movements: The first thing is to ensure free movement of farm produce, livestock feed and veterinary medicines.
    • Implementing the already taken decision: It is obvious that not all issues can be addressed overnight. But the minimum the government can do is to ensure ground-level implementation of already-taken decisions.
    • The problem of implementation: Many essential services, for instance, were kept out of the purview of the lockdown. Food, feed and agricultural inputs have been specifically notified as essential services.
    • But there are several problems at the level of implementation that are coming to notice.
    • The Centre has issued various directives/notifications, many of them brief and general in nature.
    • Many of these have either not reached the local authorities and police personnel or are not clearly worded. As a result, the smooth movement of essential items has been affected.
    • There are also reports of conflict between the police and citizens, including people involved in the transportation and delivery of food as well as inputs to farms.
    • Why good food supply line matters? The government must do to ensure that people don’t go hungry and the measures it must take to make sure people don’t crowd a few outlets, increasing the chances of the virus spreading.
    • The government has announced that the beneficiaries of the public distribution system can avail three months’ ration at one go.
    • The challenge of delivery: The challenge is to ensure that fair price shops deliver the provisions in an orderly manner and their supply lines remain intact.

    Issue of poultry and maize farmers

    • Sharp fall in poultry items: In such times, prices of essential food items are known to shoot up. But in India, prices of food items like chicken meat and eggs have registered a sharp fall.
    • In Delhi’s Gazipur Mandi, for example, the price of broiler chicken has fallen from Rs 55/kg in January 2020 to Rs 24/kg in March.
    • This has also pushed the maize prices down as poultry is largely fed packaged maize.
    • The government may have to think of compensating poultry and maize farmers in due course.

    Suggestions for improving the implementation issue

    • Issue a single notification: The Centre must issue a single notification relating to food items in a standard format and uniform language so that all ambiguities are removed.
    • This needs to be finalised after consultations with the stakeholders and the state governments can release it to officials working at the grassroots.
    • The focus should be to address the problems arising from restrictions on the transport — between and within states — of agri-produce and inputs related to them.
    • Invoke the ESMA: Another suggestion is that the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) be invoked for the delivery of all essential services relating to food to prevent disruption of supplies.
    • Home delivery option: Home (street) delivery of these provisions, to avoid crowding, is a good option.
    • Roping in civil society: This is also an occasion to rope in civil society. NGOs, resident welfare associations, religious organisations and paramilitary forces can be engaged for orderly and safe distribution of food — both pre-cooked and fresh.
    • NGOs with experience in food preparation and distribution, such as Akshaya Patra, could guide local authorities.
    • People involved in this endeavour should be provided with safety gears.
    • The challenge of supplying perishables: These perishables-like fruits, vegetables and milk- must be sold in a packaged form in mobile vans. The weekly markets need to be temporarily suspended lest they spread the virus.
    • Vegetable vendors can work with civil society organisations as well as e-commerce players to do this job in a safe manner.
    • Retail distribution lines: Retail distribution lines need to be seamlessly linked to wholesale supply lines.
    • How to manage rabi season procurement? Procurement operations for rabi crops are around the corner.
    • Training and safety measures: The FCI and other procuring agencies need to be trained about safety measures and supplied safety gear.
    • Providing incentives to farmers for staggered selling: Farmers could be given Rs 50/quintal per month as an incentive to stagger bringing their produce to the market — say after May 10.
    • They will also need to be screened, given training and equipped with safety gear.

    Suggestions to prevent post-lockdown chaos

    • What will happen after the lockdown ends? Many plants are now shut or working at low capacity utilisation. Consumption by hotels and other institutions, too, is low. Nor is any export or import happening. But once the lockdown ends, there will be a rush to procure raw material, trucks and rail rakes.
    • Smooth recovery: Smooth recovery from the lockdown is as important as managing supplies during the lockdown.
    • Here are a few suggestions to ensure that the common man does not have to suffer hardships during and after the lockdown:
    • First– Place all food items, agri-inputs, packaging material and transport services under ESMA for a six-month period to prevent profiteering.
    • The MRP that was applicable in February should remain till October.
    • In the case of farm produce, it helps that we are looking at a bumper crop, which makes it all the more necessary to ensure its smooth marketing.
    • Second-Suspend APMC (agricultural produce market committee) laws for the next six months.
    • Traders with APMC licence are bound to act as cartels during rush hour, which will hurt both farmers and consumers.
    • Third-ESMA should apply to all utilities and transport services. State governments can make exemptions on a case to case basis: These exemptions should be subject to public scrutiny under the Right to Information Act.
    • The government should announce the above measures well in advance.

    Conclusion

    The government must start planning now to prevent post-lockdown chaos, especially profiteering in the event of shortages. Smooth recovery from the lockdown is as important as managing supplies during the lockdown.

     

  • A smarter supply line

    Context

    The government must ensure that people don’t go hungry and take measures to make sure that people don’t crowd a few outlets, increasing the chances of the virus spreading.

    Need for the package to compensate losses

    • Welfare package: The government has announced relief measures. Last week, the Finance Minister announced a welfare package of Rs 1.7 lakh crore.
    • This is too small to cope with the onslaught of the virus.
    • How much a comprehensive package would cost? A package to compensate all losses, including business losses, should amount to at least Rs 5 to 6 lakh crore, if not more.
    • How will the government find funds for this package?
    • Funds accrued as a result of oil price crash: The windfall gains that have accrued to it as a result of the crash in crude oil prices could come in handy.
    • Diver all the subsidies and development funds: The government could divert all subsidies and some development funds to fund this package and ask the country’s corporate leaders to help with funds.
    • Issue clarion call for voluntary donation: The prime minister could even issue a clarion call to those with a fixed income (say above Rs 50,000/month) to voluntarily donate at least 10 per cent of their salaries to fund the battle against the virus.

    Focus on supply lines of food and ways to achieve it

    • Why good food supply line matters? The government must do to ensure that people don’t go hungry and the measures it must take to make sure people don’t crowd a few outlets, increasing the chances of the virus spreading.
    • The government has announced that the beneficiaries of the public distribution system can avail three months’ ration at one go.
    • The challenge of delivery: The challenge is to ensure that fair price shops deliver the provisions in an orderly manner and their supply lines remain intact.
    • Home delivery option: Home (street) delivery of these provisions, to avoid crowding, is a good option.
    • Roping in civil society: This is also an occasion to rope in civil society. NGOs, resident welfare associations, religious organisations and paramilitary forces can be engaged for orderly and safe distribution of food — both pre-cooked and fresh.
    • NGOs with experience in food preparation and distribution, such as Akshaya Patra, could guide local authorities.
    • People involved in this endeavour should be provided with safety gears.
    • The challenge of supplying perishables:  These perishables-like fruits, vegetables and milk- must be sold in a packaged form in mobile vans. The weekly markets need to be temporarily suspended lest they spread the virus.
    • Vegetable vendors can work with civil society organisations as well as e-commerce players to do this job in a safe manner.
    • Retail distribution lines: Retail distribution lines need to be seamlessly linked to wholesale supply lines.
    • Buffer stocks: The government godowns are overflowing with wheat and rice — about 77 million metric tonnes (MMT) on March 1, against a buffer stock norm of 21.4 MMT on April 1.
    • How to manage rabi season procurement? Procurement operations for rabi crops are around the corner.
    • Training and safety measures: The FCI and other procuring agencies need to be trained about safety measures and supplied safety gear.
    • Providing incentives to farmers for staggered selling: Farmers could be given Rs 50/quintal per month as an incentive to stagger bringing their produce to the market — say after May 10.
    • They will also need to be screened, given training and equipped with safety gear.

    Challenge of mandi operations for fresh produce in large mandis

    • This pertains to mandi operations for fresh produce in large APMC mandis like Azadpur in Delhi and Vashi near Mumbai.
    • These mandis are usually overflowing with fruits and vegetables and the labour force at these centres usually handles the produce without safety gears.
    • The challenge of screening and providing safety kits to these workers is doubly daunting. The country is not fully prepared in this respect.
    • The safety of workers in mandis — and other workers who handle agricultural produce — should be accorded as much priority as the safety of frontline health warriors.
    • Suspend the APMC Act: We should also use this opportunity to suspend the APMC Act and encourage NGOs, civil society and corporate houses to directly procure from farmers.

    Issue of poultry and maize farmers

    • Sharp fall in poultry items: In such times, prices of essential food items are known to shoot up. But in India, prices of food items like chicken meat and eggs have registered a sharp fall.
    • In Delhi’s Gazipur Mandi, for example, the price of broiler chicken has fallen from Rs 55/kg in January 2020 to Rs 24/kg in March.
    • This has also pushed the maize prices down as poultry is largely fed packaged maize.
    • The government may have to think of compensating poultry and maize farmers in due course.

    Conclusion

    When things settle, it will be worth knowing how the virus spread from Wuhan to Iran, Italy, Washington, India and other parts of the world. Which organisation or nation failed to blow the whistle and alert the world in time? Was it China’s failure? Or that of WHO? Or was it the failure of all governments around the world to respond quickly to the outbreak? We need better global governance for pandemics to avert the next crisis.

  • Convalescent Plasma Therapy

    With no specific treatment available for novel coronavirus disease and a vaccine at least a year away, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved use of blood plasma from recovered patients to treat severely critical COVID-19 patients.

    Convalescent Plasma Therapy

    • The therapy seeks to make use of the antibodies developed in the recovered patient against the coronavirus.
    • The whole blood or plasma from such people is taken, and the plasma is then injected in critically ill patients so that the antibodies are transferred and boost their fight against the virus.
    • A COVID-19 patient usually develops primary immunity against the virus in 10-14 days.
    • Therefore, if the plasma is injected at an early stage, it can possibly help fight the virus and prevent severe illness.

    How often has it been used in the past?

    • This therapy is no new wonder. It has been used several times.
    • The US used plasma of recovered patients to treat patients of Spanish flu (1918-1920).
    • In 2014, the WHO released guidelines to treat Ebola patients with convalescent whole blood and plasma.
    • In 2015, plasma was used for treating MERS patients.

    How is it done?

    • The process to infuse plasma in a patient can be completed quickly.
    • It only requires standard blood collection practices, and extraction of plasma.
    • If whole blood is donated (350-450 ml), a blood fractionation process is used to separate the plasma.
    • Otherwise, a special machine called aphaeresis machine can be used to extract the plasma directly from the donor.
    • While blood is indeed extracted from the donor, the aphaeresis machine separates and extracts the plasma using a plasma kit, and the remaining blood components are returned into the donor’s body.

    WHO’s guidelines

    • WHO guidelines in 2014 mandate a donor’s permission before extracting plasma.
    • Plasma from only recovered patients must be taken, and donation must be done from people not infected with HIV, hepatitis, syphilis, or any infectious disease.
    • If whole blood is collected, the plasma is separated by sedimentation or centrifugation, then injected in the patient.
    • If plasma needs to be collected again from the same person, it must be done after 12 weeks of the first donation for males and 16 weeks for females, the WHO guidelines state.

    How optimistic is the latest move?

    • COVID-19 does not have a specific treatment, only supportive care— including antiviral drugs, oxygen supply in mild cases and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
    • Plasma can be infused into two kinds of COVID-19 patients— those with a severe illness, or individuals at a higher risk of getting the virus.
    • However, that while plasma transfers immunity from one person to another, it is not known if it can save lives in COVID-19 infection.
    • The treatment could be effective for patients in the age group 40-60, but may be less effective for people aged beyond 60 years.

    Can it be done in India?

    • India has facilities for removing 500 ml of plasma from a donor using aphaeresis.
    • For this experimental therapy to be tried out, the Drug Controller General of India will first have to grant blood banks approval for removal of plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients.
    • The procedure is simple and can be done in India, but it is important to control the risk of infection during transfusion, and the patient’s acceptance is required.
    • It’s like a vaccine. It will engulf the virus and kill it. But it is easier said than done. We may need a series of approvals which India has never done before.

  • Sections 269 & 270 IPC invoked against those accused of spreading COVID-19

    Sections 269 & 270 IPC invoked are being invoked against persons who malignantly do any act which is likely to spread the infection of any disease dangerous to life.

    Sections 269 and 270 of the IPC

    • Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) come under Chapter XIV of the IPC.
    • The chapter is named ‘Of Offences Affecting The Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency and Morals’.
    • While Section 269 provides for a jail term of six months and/or fine, Section 270 provides for a jail term of two years and/or fine.
    • In Section 270, the word ‘malignantly’ indicates a deliberate intention on the part of the accused.
    • During the coronavirus outbreak, penal provisions, such as Sections 188, 269 and 270 of the IPC, are being invoked to enforce the lockdown orders in various states.

    Earlier instances of invocation

    • Both Sections have been used for over a century to punish those disobeying orders issued for containing epidemics.
    • The Sections were similarly enforced by colonial authorities during outbreaks of diseases such as smallpox and bubonic plague.

  • PM-CARES Fund

    Our PM has called for donations to the newly instituted PM-CARES Fund which has been formed on popular demand to help fight the novel coronavirus.

    PM-CARES Fund

    • The fund will be a public charitable trust under the name of ‘Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund’.
    • The PM is Chairman of this trust and members include the Defence Minister, Home Minister and Finance Minister.
    • Contributions to the fund will qualify as corporate social responsibility (CSR) spending that companies are mandated to make.
    • The Fund accepts micro-donations as well.

  • Species in news: Himalayan Ibex

    A recent study by scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has proved that Himalayan Ibex, distributed in the trans-Himalayan ranges of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, is a distinct species from the Siberian Ibex.

    Himalayan Ibex

    IUCN/WPA Status:    Least Concern / Schedule I

    • Himalayan Ibex (Capra ibex sibirica) is widely found in arid and rocky mountain of Karakoram, Hindukush and Himalayas of Gilgit-Baltistan.
    • The males are characterized by heavy body, large horns, long bears while females have small body small horns.
    • The threats that Himalayan ibex face are the illegal hunting, human disturbance, habitat loss and competition for forage with domestic livestock.

  • [pib] National Teleconsultation Centre (CoNTeC)

    The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has launched the National Teleconsultation Centre (CoNTeC).

     About CoNTeC

    • The CoNTeC is a Telemedicine Hub established by AIIMS, New Delhi, wherein expert doctors from various clinical domains will be available 24×7 to answer the multifaceted questions from specialists from all over the country.
    • It is a multi-modal telecommunications hub through which 2 way audio-video and text communications can be undertaken from any part of the country as well as the world at large.
    • The modes of communication will include simple mobile telephony as well as two way video communications, using WhatsApp, Skype and Google Duo.
    • The CoNTeC is also fully integrated with the National Medical College Network (NMCN) to conduct a full fledged Video Conference (VC) between the 50 Medical Colleges.

    How to Contact the CoNTeC?

    • A single mobile number (+91 9115444155) can be dialled from anywhere in the coutnry/world by COVID-19 treating doctors to reach the CoNTeC which has six lines that can be used simultaneously at present.
    • This number of lines can be increased in future if needed.
    • The incoming calls will be picked up by the CoNTeC Managers, who will then handover the call to the appropriate expert doctors from the clinical domains as desired by the calling specialists managing the COVID-19 cases anywhere in the country.
    • The Managers will guide the callers in establishing a two way video call using the WhatsApp, Skype or Google Duo as preferred by the caller.
    • The callers from the NMCN network can connect anytime using the Telemedicine infrastructure at their end.

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