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  • Why do so many Waste-to-Energy Plants fail?

    waste

    The Kerala government has announced its first waste-to-energy project in Kozhikode, which is expected to be built in two years and generate about 6 MW of power.

    What are Waste-to-Energy Plants?

    • Waste-to-energy plants are facilities that use non-recyclable dry waste to generate electricity.
    • The process involves combusting the non-recyclable dry waste, which generates heat that is then converted into electricity.
    • These plants are used to increase a state’s power generation capacity while also easing the burden of solid waste management.

    Feasibility of such plants

    • Waste-to-energy plants consume a portion of the non-recyclable dry waste generated in urban local bodies (ULBs) nearby.
    • These plants can be a good way to deal with the mountains of waste that Indian cities produce but require the unwavering support of the municipality, its residents, and the State to succeed.

    Operational status in India

    • In India, solid waste is generally composed of 55-60% biodegradable organic waste, 25-30% non-biodegradable dry waste, and around 15% silt, stones, and drain waste.
    • However, despite there being around 100 waste-to-energy projects around the country, only a handful of them are operational, thanks to various production and operation challenges.

    Why do such projects often fail?

    • Waste-to-energy projects often fail because of improper assessments, high expectations, improper characterisation studies, and other on-ground conditions.
    • They faces several challenges, such as-
    1. Low calorific value of solid waste in India due to improper segregation
    2. High costs of energy production, and
    3. Variable quantity of waste generated by cities due to multiple factors.

    Various challenges

    • Improper segregation: The calorific value of mixed Indian waste is about 1,500 kcal/kg, which is not suitable for power generation. Waste-to-energy plants require segregated and dried non-recyclable dry waste, which has a calorific value of 2,800-3,000 kcal/kg. However, segregation of waste is often not done properly, which can lead to low-quality feedstock and reduced power generation.
    • High costs: The cost of generating power from waste is around Rs 7-8/unit, while the cost at which the States’ electricity boards buy power from coal, hydroelectric, and solar power plants is around Rs 3-4/unit. This high cost of energy production can make waste-to-energy projects less attractive compared to other sources of energy.
    • Low efficiency: Such projects have low efficiency due to the low calorific value of mixed waste, which reduces the amount of energy that can be generated. This can make it difficult to generate sufficient power to make the project financially viable.
    • Operational challenges: Such projects are often subject to operational challenges, such as improper assessments, high expectations, improper characterisation studies, and other on-ground conditions. The quantity of waste generated by cities varies due to multiple factors, including season, rainfall, and the floating population, which can make it difficult to get a consistent supply of feedstock.
    • Environmental concerns: Such plants can generate emissions, such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter, which can be harmful to the environment and human health. Therefore, it is important to ensure that these plants operate with proper environmental controls in place.

    Way forward

    • Proper segregation: To overcome these challenges, the municipality must ensure that only non-biodegradable dry waste is sent to the plant and separately manage the other kinds of waste.
    • Public awareness: The full support of the municipality, the State, and the people is crucial for the success of the project.
    • Extensive field studies: It is also necessary to conduct field studies and learn from the experience of other projects.
    • All-stakeholders collaboration: There should be a tripartite agreement between the municipality, the plant operator, and the power distribution agency to optimise cost per unit of power.

     

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  • SC asks govt. for data on Death by Hanging

    death

    The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to provide data which may point to a more dignified, less painful and socially acceptable method of executing prisoners other than death by hanging.

    Central idea

    • The Supreme Court is hearing a petition challenging the constitutionality of death by hanging as a mode of execution.
    • The petition argued that there is a need to evolve a “humane, quick and decent alternative” to hanging, which he termed as “cruel and barbarous” compared to lethal injection used in the United States.

    Quest for painless execution

    • Justice Narasimha noted that there was literature suggesting that “hanging is closest to painless”.
    • In 2018, the Centre filed an affidavit supporting death by hanging and stated that it had found the method of firing squads and lethal injections as “barbaric, inhuman and cruel”.
    • The government traced statistics of “botched-up” administration of lethal injections to condemned prisoners in the United States for 110 years to prove its point.

    Status of death penalty in India

    • Section 354 (5) of the Code of Criminal Procedure mandates that a person sentenced to death shall “be hanged by the neck till he is dead”.
    • In India, The Air Force Act, 1950, The Army Act 1950, and The Navy Act 1957 say that execution has to be carried out either by hanging by the neck until death or by being shot to death.

    Why in news now?

    • The court clarified that it was not questioning the constitutionality of the death penalty, which was well-settled in Deena versus Union of India judgment and the Bachan Singh case reported in 1980.
    • The government argued that the mode of execution is a “matter of legislative policy” and the death penalty is awarded only in the rarest of rare cases, with only three executions between 2012 and 2015.

    Debate over Death Penalty

    Arguments in favor:

    • Forfeiture of life: Supporters of the death penalty believe that those who commit murder, because they have taken the life of another, have forfeited their own right to life.
    • Moral indignation of the victim: It is a just form of retribution, expressing and reinforcing the moral indignation not only of the victim’s relatives but of law-abiding citizens in general.
    • Highest form of Justice: For heinous crimes such as the Nirbhaya Gangrape Case, no other punishment could have deterred the will of the convicts.
    • Deterrent against crime: Capital punishment is often justified with the argument that by executing convicted murderers, we will deter would-be murderers from killing people.
    • Proportional punishment: The guilty people deserve to be punished in proportion to the severity of their crime.
    • Prevailing lawlessness: The crimes we are now witnessing cannot be addressed by simple punishments. We are seeing horrific attacks on women, young girls, minority communities and Dalits etc.
    • Prevention of crime is non-existent: Despite of stringent regulations, it is certainly visible that some crimes can never be prevented in our society.

    Arguments against:

    • Eye for an eye: Reformative justice is more productive, that innocent people are often killed in the search for retribution, and that “an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.
    • Deterrence is a myth: Death penalty is not a deterrent to capital crimes state that there is no evidence to support the claim that the penalty is a deterrent.
    • Political tool of suppression: The authorities in some countries, for example Iran and Sudan, use the death penalty to punish political opponents.
    • Reverence for life’ principle: Death penalty is an immoral punishment since humans should not kill other humans, no matter the reasons, because killing is killing.
    • Stigma against killing: With the introduction of lethal injection as execution method, medical professionals participate in executions. Many professionals have now refused to administer such deaths.
    • Skewed justice systems: In many cases recorded by Amnesty International, people were executed after being convicted in grossly unfair trials, on the basis of torture-tainted evidence and with inadequate legal representation.
    • Discriminatory nature: The weight of the death penalty is disproportionally carried by those with less advantaged socio-economic backgrounds or belonging to a racial, ethnic or religious minority.
    • Penalizing the innocents: The risk of executing the innocent precludes the use of the death penalty. Our colonial history has witnessed many such executions.

    Other issues with such executions

    (a) Socio-Economic Factors

    • The recent statistics shows that the death row prisoners in India are more from the backward classes of the society.
    • The death row prisoners belong to backward classes and religious minorities and the majority of convicts’ families are living in adjunct poverty.
    • These people who are backward both in economic and social respects, are not in a position to here expensive lawyers and get proper representation in the Court.

    (b) Delayed Execution

    • The law provides for a long process before the execution of the convicts actually takes place.
    • The unexplained delay in execution can be a ground for commutation of death penalty, and an inmate, his or her kin, or even a public-spirited citizen could file a writ petition seeking such commutation.
    • Their trials are often cruelly forced to endure long periods of uncertainty about their fate.

    Way forward: Law Commission recommendations on death penalty

    The Law Commission of India in its 262nd Report (August 2015) recommended that:

    • Death penalty be abolished for all crimes other than terrorism-related offences and waging war.
    • Measures such as police reforms, witness protection scheme and victim compensation scheme should be taken up expeditiously by the government.
    • It felt that time has come for India to move towards abolition of the death penalty. However the concern is often raised that abolition of death penalty for terrorism-related offences and waging war, will affect national security.

     

  • Key takeaway of the IPCC Synthesis Report

    ipcc

    The IPCC Synthesis Report warns that the world is on track to breach the 1.5-degree Celsius global warming limit by the 2030s, which would cause irrevocable damage to the planet’s ecosystem and severely impact humans and other living beings.

    What is IPCC Synthesis Report?

    • The IPCC Synthesis Report is a summary report produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) that presents key findings and policy recommendations from the group’s previous assessment reports.
    • It aims to provide policymakers with a concise overview of the current state of knowledge on climate change, its impacts, and options for mitigation and adaptation.
    • The Synthesis Report is released at the end of each assessment cycle, which typically takes six to seven years, and is approved by representatives from the IPCC’s member governments.

    Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

    • The IPCC, an intergovernmental body was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
    • It was later endorsed by the UN General Assembly. Membership is open to all members of the WMO and UN.
    • The IPCC produces reports that contribute to the work of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the main international treaty on climate change.

     

    Key highlights of the synthesis report

    • Climate extremes on rise: Due to the current global warming levels, almost every region across the planet is already experiencing climate extremes, an uptick in deaths due to heatwaves, reduced food and water security, and damage to ecosystems, causing mass extinction of species on land and in the ocean.
    • High vulnerability: More than three billion people live in areas that are “highly vulnerable” to climate change.
    • Boost up climate finance: The largest gaps in climate finance are in the developing world, but so too are the largest opportunities.

    Key concerns raised

    The report highlights the urgent need for-

    • Limiting the use of fossil fuels
    • Increasing finance to climate investments
    • Expanding the clean energy infrastructure,
    • Reducing nitrogen pollution from agriculture, curtail food waste, and
    • Adopting measures to make it easier for people to lead low-carbon lifestyles

    Conclusion

    • The report adds that there is still a chance to avert this mass-scale destruction, but it would require an enormous global effort to slash greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and completely phase them out by 2050.
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  • What is the Interpol, and what is a Red Notice?

    interpol

     

    In a major setback to Indian agencies, Interpol has taken down from its website the Red Notice against a fugitive who is wanted in connection with the ₹13,578-crore Punjab National Bank fraud cases.

    What is the news?

    • The person whom the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has listed as a “terrorist” under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

    Why has Interpol rejected India’s request?

    • The Interpol has said that India has failed to provide sufficient information to support its case.
    • It criticized the UAPA for being misused to target minority groups and human rights activists without “respecting” their right to due process and a fair trial.
    • While acknowledging the separatists leader, the Interpol has said that his activities have a “clear political dimension”, which cannot be the subject of a Red Corner Notice.

    What is the Interpol?

    • The Interpol, or International Criminal Police Organization, is an inter-governmental organization comprising 195 member countries, which helps police forces in all these countries to better coordinate their actions.
    • It enables member countries to share and access data on crimes and criminals and offers a range of technical and operational support.
    • It is run by a secretary general with its headquarters in Lyon, France, with a global complex for innovation in Singapore, and several satellite offices in different regions.
    • India accepted Interpol membership in June 1956.

    How does it function in member countries?

    • Interpol has a National Central Bureau (NCB) in each member country, which is the central point of contact for both the general secretariat and the other NCBs around the world.
    • Each NCB is run by police officials of that country, and usually sits in the government ministry responsible for policing. (MHA in case of India.)
    • Interpol manages 19 police databases with information on crimes and criminals (from names and fingerprints to stolen passports), accessible in real-time to countries.
    • It also offers investigative support such as forensics, analysis, and assistance in locating fugitives around the world.

    What is a Red Notice?

    • Criminals or suspects often flee to other countries to evade facing justice.
    • A Red Corner Notice, or Red Notice (RN) alerts police forces across the world about fugitives who are wanted internationally.
    • Red Notices are issued for fugitives wanted either for prosecution or to serve a sentence.
    • A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest a person pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action.
    • An RN is published by Interpol at the request of a member country.

    Indian fugitives on this RN

    • Among the most popular Indians on this list are jeweller Mehul Choksi and diamantaire Nirav Modi.

    Is an RN a warrant of arrest?

    • An RN is only an international wanted persons’ notice; it is not an international arrest warrant.
    • Interpol itself does not want individuals; they are wanted by a country or an international tribunal.
    • This means the Interpol cannot compel law enforcement authorities in any country to arrest the subject of an RN.
    • It is up to individual member countries to decide what legal value to give to an RN, and the authority of their national law enforcement officers to make arrests.
    • Interpol says that an RN must comply with its constitution and rules.
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  • What is the National Security Act, 1980?

    Punjab Advocate General has confirmed the invocation of National Security Act (NSA) to Amritpal Singh’s case.

    National Security Act, 1980

    • The NSA was passed by the Parliament in 1980 and has been amended several times since then.
    • It empowers the state to detain a person without a formal charge and without trial.
    • It is invoked when a person is taken into custody to prevent them from acting in any manner prejudicial to “the security of the state” or for “maintenance of the public order”.
    • It is an administrative order passed either by the Divisional Commissioner or the District Magistrate.

    Grounds for detention under NSA

    • NSA can be invoked to prevent a person from acting in any manner prejudicial to the defence of India, relations of India with foreign powers or the security of India.
    • Among others, it can also be applied to prevent a person from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supply and services essential to the community.
    • An individual can be detained without a charge for a maximum period of 12 months.
    • The detained person can be held for 10 to 12 days in special circumstances without being told the charges against them.

    Protection available under the Act

    • One crucial procedural safeguard under the NSA is granted under Article 22(5).
    • All the detained persons have the right to make an effective representation before an independent advisory board.
    • The board is chaired by a member who is, or has been, a judge of a high court.
    • The DM who passes the detention order is protected under the Act and no prosecution or any legal proceeding can be initiated against the official who carries out the orders.

    Cases for misuse

    • The Supreme Court in earlier cases had held that to prevent “misuse of this potentially dangerous power, the law of preventive detention has to be strictly construed”.
    • “Meticulous compliance with the procedural safeguards” has to be ensured.

    Criticism of NSA

    • Human rights groups have said in the past that the Act vitiates Article 22 of the Constitution and various provisions under the CrPC that safeguard the interest of an arrested person.
    • Under the CrPC, the arrested person has to be produced before the nearest Magistrate within 24 hours, but the NSA carves out an exception.
    • Some human rights groups argue that it is often misused by authorities to silence political opponents or those who are critical of the government.
    • There have been calls for the Act to be repealed or amended to prevent its abuse.
    • However, there is an opposing view that the Act cannot be construed to be a draconian law as it protects the larger interest of the state and is therefore likely to stay.

    Try this MCQ:

    Which of the following is a true statement about the National Security Act, 1980?

    A) The Act allows preventive detention only for specific violations of the law.

    B) The detained person has the right to move a bail application before a criminal court.

    C) A person can be detained under the Act only if he/she has been charged with a crime.

    D) The Act can be invoked to prevent a person from acting in any manner prejudicial to the defence of India, relations of India with foreign powers or the security of India.

     

    Post your answers here.

     

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  • 21st Mar 23 | Nikaalo Prelims- Mini Test 13 (National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries in India) 

    21st Mar 23 | Nikaalo Prelims- Mini Test 13 (National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries in India) 

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  • 21st Mar 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

    21st Mar 23 | Prelims Daily with Previous Year Questions

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  • HDI: Addressing India’s Subnational Human Development

    Central Idea

    • India is now one of the fastest-growing economies globally. However, this growth has not resulted in a corresponding increase in its Human Development Index (HDI). According to the Human Development Report of 2021-22, India ranks 132 out of 191 countries, behind Bangladesh (129) and Sri Lanka (73).

    Facts for Prelims: Human Development Index (HDI)

    • Composite statistical measure by UNDP: The HDI is a composite statistical measure created by the United Nations Development Programme to evaluate and compare the level of human development in different regions around the world.
    • As an alternative with broader aspects: It was introduced in 1990 as an alternative to conventional economic measures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which do not consider the broader aspects of human development.
    • Aspects: The HDI assesses a country’s average accomplishment in three aspects 1. A long and healthy life, 2, knowledge, and 3. A decent standard of living.
    • India ranks 132 out of 191 countries in the HDI 2021.

    The subnational HDI: A new index

    • Given India’s large size and population, it’s critical to address subnational or state-wise disparities in human development.
    • A new index has developed by using the methodology suggested by the UNDP and the National Statistical Office (NSO), which measures human development on a subnational level for 2019-20.

    HDI Calculation

    • The HDI is calculated using four indicators: life expectancy at birth, mean years of schooling, expected years of schooling, and Gross National Income (GNI) per capita.
    • The subnational HDI uses GSDP per capita as a proxy indicator for GNI since GNI per capita estimates are unavailable at the subnational level.
    • The methodology involves calculating the geometric mean of the normalised indices for the three dimensions of human development while applying the maximum and minimum values recommended by the UNDP and NSO.

    Subnational HDI Findings

    • The subnational HDI shows that while some states have made considerable progress, others continue to struggle. Delhi occupies the top spot and Bihar occupies the bottom spot.
    • The five states with the highest HDI scores are Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Sikkim, and Chandigarh. Nineteen states, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Haryana, Punjab, Telangana, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, have scores ranging between 0.7 and 0.799 and are classified as high human development states.
    • The bottom five states are Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Assam, with medium levels of human development.

    Reasons for Discrepancies

    1. The economic growth has been unevenly distributed, with the top 10% of the Indian population holding over 77% of the wealth. This has resulted in significant disparities in access to basic amenities, healthcare, and education.
    2. While India has made significant progress in reducing poverty and increasing access to healthcare and education, the quality of such services remains a concern.

    Conclusion

    • The government needs to prioritize human development alongside economic growth to ensure that the benefits of growth are more evenly distributed, and it requires a multi-faceted approach to address various issues such as income inequality, gender inequality, access to quality social services, environmental challenges, and social infrastructure investment. India must prioritize investments in human development and job creation, particularly for its youth, to realize its demographic dividend.

    Mains Question

    Q. Analyze the performance of different states in terms of their Human Development Index (HDI) and suggest measures that could be taken to address the disparities in human development in the country

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  • Nikaalo Prelims Spotlight || National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

    Dear Aspirants,

    This Spotlight is a part of our Mission Nikaalo Prelims-2023.

    You can check the broad timetable of Nikaalo Prelims here

    Session Details

    YouTube LIVE with Parth sir – 1 PM  – Prelims Spotlight Session

    Evening 04 PM  – Daily Mini Tests

    Telegram LIVE with Sukanya ma’am – 06 PM  – Current Affairs Session

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    21st Mar 2023

    National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Wildlife Sanctuaries in India

    National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, 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

     

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  • UNSC: India’s Remarkable Tenure

    Central idea

    • India’s two-year stint in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) was unprecedented, with a focus on maritime security, terrorism, UN peacekeeping, reformed multilateralism, and the Global South. India served as the Chair of three important UNSC Committees, made efforts to bring conflicting parties on the same page, and raised important issues like religiophobia.

    India’s tenure in the UNSC from 2020 to 2022

    1. Focus on Priorities:
    • Clear priorities upon entering the Council in January 2021
    • Priorities include maritime security, terrorism, UN peacekeeping, reformed multilateralism, and the Global South
    • India elected Chair of three important UNSC Committees
    1. India’s Role in Maritime Security:
    • Prime Minister of India chaired a UNSC meeting on maritime security
    • Presidential Statement issued was the first comprehensive document on maritime security
    • Document referenced UN Convention on the Law of the Sea as international law setting out the legal framework
    • Statement called for freedom of navigation, anti-piracy measures, and combating terror and transnational crime at sea
    1. Conflicts on the Agenda:
    • Old conflicts festered and new conflicts arose, including Myanmar, Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Mali, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, Haiti, Libya, and the Sahel, as well as Ukraine
    • The Council stood polarised and unable to act decisively
    • India attempted to bring the Council together on these issues
    1. India’s Involvement in Myanmar:
    • Military takeover in Myanmar occurred in February 2021
    • Permanent-5 were pulling in opposing directions while ASEAN counselled caution
    • India shares a nearly 1,700 kilometre-long border with Myanmar and it was crucial to stop violence, bring in stability and ensure democratic processes went forward
    • India ensured balanced and comprehensive Council pronouncements, which culminated in a resolution on Myanmar (adopted under India’s presidency) in December 2022.

    India’s Impact on the UNSC: Steadfast Diplomacy in the Face of Global Challenges

    1. India’s role in Afghanistan Crisis:
    • India steered negotiations resulting in UNSC Resolution 2593 for benchmarks in Afghanistan, including stopping cross-border terrorism, protecting rights of women and minorities, ensuring an inclusive government, and providing humanitarian assistance.
    • India maintains a firm position on the Taliban upholding these benchmarks.
    1. India’s stance on Ukraine Conflict:
    • India’s independent stand calling for dialogue and peace during the Ukraine conflict resonated with many developing countries.
    • India spoke out against unilateral sanctions on oil, food, and fertilizers.
    • As the conflict spilled over into India’s G-20 Presidency, India is now launching an initiative to convert its proactive position into action.
    1. India’s focus on counter-terrorism:
    • As Chair of the UNSC Counter-terrorism Committee (CTC), India brought the CTC meeting to India in October 2022.
    • India attempted to list terrorists under UNSC Resolution 1267 sanctions but was thwarted, however, the proposal to list Abdul Rehman Makki, Deputy Amir/Chief of the Lashkar-e-Taiba was approved by the UNSC, with India as a proposer.

    India on peacekeeping

    • Largest contributor including women: India has been the largest contributor of UN peacekeepers, including as a pioneer in women peacekeeping.
    • UNITE Aware technology platform: Its launching of the UNITE Aware technology platform to strengthen real-time protection of peacekeepers is to be noted.
    • Calling for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers: In August 2021, India piloted the first UNSC resolution by India in more than five decades, calling for accountability for crimes against peacekeepers. India also gifted two lakh vaccines to all UN peacekeepers.

    Facts for Prelims: The UNITE Aware technology platform

    • Developed by India: The UNITE Aware technology platform is a system developed by India in collaboration with the United Nations to enhance the safety and security of peacekeepers deployed in conflict zones.
    • Real time ground situation: It is a real-time situational awareness system that uses advanced technologies such as satellites, drones, and geospatial tools to provide up-to-date information on the ground situation to peacekeeping forces.
    • Mobile app: The system also includes a mobile app that allows peacekeepers to report incidents and receive alerts in real-time.
    • Help to make informed decisions: The platform is designed to help peacekeepers make informed decisions and respond effectively to emerging threats, thereby reducing the risks to their safety and security.

    On other important issue

    1. Climate change:
    • India’s focus on the developing world, especially Africa and West Asia, was enhanced, given their close historical relations.
    • In December 2021, India thwarted a move by the West to wrest climate change from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change-led process and bring it under the ambit of the UNSC, where the P-5 are also major historical polluters.
    • The draft resolution was defeated in the Council when India and Russia voted against.
    • A change in the climate change architecture would have shut out the voice of the Global South, especially Small Island Developing States.
    1. Contemporary issues:
    • India also raised the issue of a contemporary form of religiophobia in the Council when, while condemning phobia against Abrahamic religions, it forcefully put forth the need to combat rising hate crimes and phobias against non-Abrahamic religions as well.
    • With hate crimes being fuelled abroad by vested interests, India’s stand needs to be robustly taken forward.

    Conclusion

    • India’s Presidency led to a discussion on urgent Council reform, highlighting India’s strong performance and the need for its permanent presence at the horseshoe table.

    Mains Question

    Q. India’s tenure in the United Nations Security Council from 2020 to 2022 was marked by its focus on several important priorities and its involvement in various global issues. Evaluate India’s performance.

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