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Type: PIB

  • [pib] Cabinet approves the Clean Plant Programme

    Why in the News?

    The Union Cabinet has approved the Clean Plant Programme (CPP) proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

    What is the Clean Plant Programme (CPP)?

    Details
    Objective
    • To provide virus-free, high-quality planting material to farmers, enhancing the quality, productivity, and sustainability of fruit crops across India.
    • Aligns with Mission LiFE and One Health initiatives, promoting sustainable practices and reducing dependence on imported planting materials.
    Key Features
    • Virus-Free Planting Material: Ensures availability of high-quality, virus-free planting material.
    • All-inclusivity: Accessible to all farmers, with emphasis on women’s participation.
    • Region-Specific Approaches: Tailored strategies for diverse agro-climatic conditions across India.
    Core

    Components
    • Clean Plant Centers (CPCs): Nine state-of-the-art CPCs equipped with advanced diagnostics and tissue culture labs will be established across India. These include:
    1. Grapes (NRC, Pune)
    2. Temperate Fruits (Apple, Almond, Walnuts, etc.): CITH, Srinagar & Mukteshwar
    3. Citrus Fruits (CCRI, Nagpur & CIAH, Bikaner)
    4. Mango/Guava/Avocado: IIHR, Bengaluru
    5. Mango/Guava/Litchi: CISH, Lucknow
    6. Pomegranate: NRC, Sholapur
    7. Tropical/Sub-Tropical Fruits: Eastern India.

    These centers will produce and maintain virus-free planting material for large-scale propagation.

    • Certification and Legal Framework: Under the Seeds Act of 1966.
    • Nursery Infrastructure: Support for large-scale nurseries to multiply clean planting materials.
    Key Benefits
    • For Farmers: Increased crop yields, improved income opportunities, and economic stability through access to virus-free, high-quality planting materials.
    • For Consumers: Access to superior quality, virus-free fruits, resulting in better taste, appearance, and nutritional value.
    • For nation: Strengthened position in global fruit trade through the production of higher-quality, disease-free fruits.

     

    PYQ:

    [2013] Fruits stored in a cold chamber exhibit longer storage life because:

    (a) Exposure to sunlight is prevented

    (b) Concentration of carbon dioxide in the environment is increased

    (c) Rate of respiration is decreased

    (d) There is an increase in humidity

    [2018] Assess the role of National Horticulture Mission (NHM) in boosting the production, productivity and income of horticulture farms. How far has it succeeded in increasing the income of farmers?

  • [pib] Update on Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

    Why in the News?

    • An Extended Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (E-PMSMA) strategy was launched to ensure quality Antenatal Care (ANC) for pregnant women.
      • The strategy focuses on individual tracking of high-risk pregnancies (HRP) and provision of additional PMSMA sessions beyond the 9th of every month.

    About High-Risk Pregnancy: 

    • A high-risk pregnancy involves greater risk of health complications for the mother, the foetus, or both, due to pre-existing medical conditions, conditions that develop during pregnancy, or foetal issues.
    • Common Factors:
      • Maternal Health Conditions: Pre-existing diabetes, hypertension, HIV, kidney disease, or conditions arising during pregnancy like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
      • Obstetric Factors: Previous caesarean section, history of preterm labor, multiple pregnancies, and congenital malformations.

    About Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA)

    Details
    About An initiative to provide quality antenatal care (ANC) to all pregnant women.
    Launch  October 2016
    Target Group All pregnant women, especially those in their second and third trimesters.
    Frequency Services provided on the 9th of every month at government health facilities.
    Objective Ensure safe motherhood by providing comprehensive and quality antenatal care universally.
    Key Functions
    • General Check-Up: Physical and clinical examinations by medical professionals.
    • Laboratory Investigations: Routine blood tests, urine tests, and other necessary laboratory investigations.
    • Ultrasound: Ultrasound examination to monitor foetal growth and development.
    • Counseling: Nutritional and lifestyle counseling to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
    • High-Risk Identification: Screening and identification of high-risk pregnancies and appropriate referrals for specialized care.
    Key Features
    • Free of Cost: All services under PMSMA are provided free of cost.
    • Fixed Day ANC Services: Antenatal care services are provided on a fixed day every month.
    • Lab Investigations: Basic investigations like Hb, urine albumin, RBS, malaria test, VDRL test, blood grouping, CBC, ESR, and USG.
    • Public-Private Partnership: Encourages participation of private sector healthcare providers in providing ANC services.
    • Incentives: Incentives for healthcare providers who participate in the program.
    Categorization of Pregnant Women 
    • Green Sticker – for women with no risk factor detected
    • Red Sticker – for women with high risk pregnancy
    • Blue Sticker – for women with Pregnancy Induced Hypertension
    • Yellow Sticker – pregnancy with co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, STIs
    Benefits
    • Improved Maternal Health: Regular and comprehensive ANC helps in early detection and management of complications, improving maternal health outcomes.
    • Reduced Mortality Rates: Timely and quality care reduces maternal and infant mortality rates.
    • Health Education: Provides health education and counseling to pregnant women, promoting better health practices.
    • High-Risk Management: Identifies and manages high-risk pregnancies effectively, ensuring specialized care for those who need it.

    PYQ:

    [2024]  With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan’, consider the following statements:

    1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.

    2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • [pib] 25th PM-STIAC Meeting

    Why in the News?

    The 25th Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) meeting was recently held at Vigyan Bhawan Annexe in New Delhi.

    Highlights of the 25th PM-STIAC Meet

    • The meeting was aimed to discuss robust policy formulation for effective Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in India.
    • Focus was on India’s carbon market, carbon credit scheme, and strategies to achieve a 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030 and Net Zero by 2070.

    About PM-STIAC

    Details
    Objective Provide advice on STI policies and oversee implementation of the government’s STI vision
    Establishment 2018
    Chairperson Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India
    Composition Eminent scientists, technologists, and innovators from various fields
    Key Roles and Functions
    • Policy Advice
    • Inter-Ministerial Coordination
    • Project Oversight
    • Innovation Ecosystem Promotion
    • Global Collaboration
    • Public Engagement
    • Policy and Program Development
    Major Initiatives and Missions
      1. NM-ICPS: Cyber-Physical Systems Innovation Hubs
      2. Quantum Frontier Mission: Quantum Technologies
      3. AI Mission: AI for Inclusive Growth
      4. Electric Mobility Mission: Promote EVs
      5. Waste to Wealth Mission: Sustainable Waste Management
      6. Health and Well-being Mission: Improve Healthcare Delivery
      7. AGNIi: Accelerating Growth of New India’s Innovations
    • Deep Ocean Exploration

    What is Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)?

    Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is a technology aimed at reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from industrial processes and power generation.

    It involves three main steps:

    1. Capture:
      • CO₂ is separated and captured from industrial emissions or directly from the air.
      • Capture technologies include pre-combustion, post-combustion, and oxy-fuel combustion.
    2. Utilization:
      • Captured CO₂ is converted into useful products such as chemicals, fuels, and building materials.
      • Utilization helps in creating economic value from CO₂ and can support the development of a circular carbon economy.
    3. Storage:
      • CO₂ is transported and stored in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas fields, deep saline aquifers, or basalt formations.
      • This prevents CO₂ from entering the atmosphere, thereby mitigating climate change.

    Significance:

    • Climate Change Mitigation: Reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helping to meet climate targets.
    • Energy Transition: Supports the transition to low-carbon energy systems.
    • Economic Benefits: Generates new economic opportunities through the creation of new markets for CO₂-derived products.

    Policy Initiatives for CCUS in India

    • National Hydrogen Energy Mission (2021):
      • Launched in 2021, the mission aims to promote the production and use of green hydrogen, with CCUS being a crucial component for producing blue hydrogen from natural gas.
    • Department of Science and Technology (DST) Initiatives:
      • DST has funded various research projects focusing on developing CCUS technologies since the early 2000s.
      • Projects include capturing CO₂ from industrial sources and converting it into valuable products like methanol and synthetic fuels.
    • National Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage Policy Framework and Its Deployment Mechanism (2020):
      • Established in 2020, the framework aims to create a roadmap for deploying CCUS technologies across various sectors.
      • It focuses on enhancing research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities and creating enabling regulatory and policy environments.
    • Industry Collaborations:
      • Collaborations with industries such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) for pilot projects on CCUS.
      • Public-private partnerships to foster innovation and scale up CCUS technologies have been ongoing since the 2010s.
    • International Collaborations (CSLF, 2003):
      • India joined the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF) in 2003, which promotes international collaboration on CCUS technology development.
      • Collaborations with countries like the United States and the United Kingdom for knowledge sharing and technical support.
    • Green Energy Corridors (2015):
      • Integration of CCUS with renewable energy initiatives to ensure a sustainable and low-carbon energy mix.
      • Established in 2015, this initiative supports developing infrastructure for transporting and storing captured CO₂.

    PYQ:

    [2020] Which one of the following statements best describes the term ‘Social Cost of Carbon’?

    (a) It is a measure, in monetary value, of the long-term damage done by a tonne of CO2 emissions in a given year.

    (b) Requirement of fossil fuels for a country to provide goods and services to its citizens, based on the burning of those fuels.

    (c) Efforts put in by a climate refugee to adapt to live-in a new place.

    (d) Contribution of an individual person to the carbon footprint on the planet Earth.

  • [pib] National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

    Why in the News?

    The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has advised State Governments/UTs to conduct “Sarv Dharma Meetings”.

    Advisory on “Sarv Dharma Meetings”

    • NCM advised State Governments/UTs to conduct “Sarv Dharma Meetings”:
    1. At Sub-divisional level of States monthly.
    2. At District level half-yearly.
    • It is aimed at curbing attacks and hate crimes against minority communities to prevent communal disharmony.
    • NCM emphasized that hate crimes stem from mental weakness and anger, highlighting citizens’ rights to practice and preach their religion freely.

    Responsibilities and Recommendations

    • Citizens and society urged to disown and condemn hate crimes.
    • Advocated for punitive actions by authorities against anti-social elements.
    • Proposed mechanisms involving civic society to deter anti-social and anti-national forces and prevent societal violence.

     

    About National Commission for Minorities (NCM)

    • It is a statutory body formed on the basis of National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 and replaced an earlier body called Minorities Commission.
    • The Commission consists of a total of 7 persons to be nominated by the Central Government from amongst persons of eminence, ability and integrity.
    • It consists of a Chairperson, a Vice- Chairperson and 5 Members.
    • Each Member holds office for a period of 3 years from the date of assumption of office.

    Functions of NCM:

    1. Evaluate minority development progress.
    2. Monitor constitutional and legal safeguards.
    3. Recommend effective safeguard implementation.
    4. Address complaints regarding deprivation of rights.
    5. Conduct studies on discrimination and recommend measures.
    6. Research socio-economic and educational development.
    7. Suggest measures to Central or State Governments.
    8. Make periodical or special reports to the Central Government.
    9. Address any matter referred by the Central Government.

    Powers of NCM:

    1. Summon and enforce attendance of any person from India.
    2. Require discovery and production of documents.
    3. Receive evidence on affidavit.
    4. Requisition public records from courts or offices.
    5. Issue commissions for examining witnesses and documents.

    Who are Minorities?

    • The Central has notified minority communities at the national level in consultation with various stakeholders under Section 2 (c) of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM), Act, 1992.
    • The six communities notified as minority communities under Section 2(c) of the NCM Act are Christians, Sikhs, Muslims, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains.
      • Jains were notified as minority community in January 2014.
    • Notification of any community-specific to a State as a minority community within a State comes under the purview of the respective State.

    Total Minority Population in India as per 2011 Census: 

    19.3% of the total population (Muslims: 14.2%; Christians: 2.3%; Sikhs: 1.7%; Buddhists: 0.7%; Jains: 0.4%; Parsis: 0.006%)

    Rights & Safeguards for Minorities:

    Under Fundamental Rights (Part III of the Indian Constitution):

    1. Article 29(1): Right to conserve distinct language, script, or culture.
    2. Article 30(1): Right to establish and administer educational institutions.
    3. Article 30(2): Freedom from discrimination in receiving state aid.

    Under Official Language (Part XVII of the Indian Constitution):

    1. Article 347: Rights for language spoken by any section of the population.
    2. Article 350A: Instruction in mother tongue.
    3. Article 350B: Special officer for linguistic minorities.

    Sachar Committee Report (2006):

    Constitution Date: 9 March 2005

    Key Recommendations:

    • Create a National Data Bank (NDB) for socio-religious data.
    • Establish an Equal Opportunity Commission.
    • Provide incentives for a ‘diversity index.’
    • Ensure high-quality education for children aged 0-14.
    • Set up government schools in Muslim-concentrated areas.
    • Increase Muslim employment share in public-facing jobs.
    • Enact state laws for minority representation.
    • Support initiatives in Muslim-concentrated occupations.
    • Improve minority participation in commercial banks.
    • Focus on inclusive development while respecting diversity.

     

    PYQ:

    [2011] In India, if a religious sect/community is given the status of a national minority, what special advantages it is entitled to?

    1. It can establish and administer exclusive educational institutions.
    2. The President of India automatically nominates a representative of the community to Lok Sabha.
    3. It can derive benefits from the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

  • [pib] XVI Finance Commission constitutes Advisory Council

    Why in the News?

    The Sixteenth Finance Commission (chaired by Arvind Panagariya, the former Vice-Chairman of NITI Aayog) has constituted an Advisory Council of five members.

    Role and Functions of the Advisory Council

    • To advise the Commission on any of the Terms of Reference (ToR) or related subjects that may be of relevance.
    • To assist in the preparation of papers or research studies and to monitor or assess studies commissioned by the Finance Commission, thereby enhancing the Commission’s understanding of the issues in its ToR.
    • To help broaden the Commission’s ambit and understanding by seeking the best national and international practices on matters pertaining to fiscal devolution and improving the quality, reach, and enforcement of its recommendations.

    About Finance Commission

    • The Finance Commission is a Constitutional body created every five years to transfer financial resources from the centre to states.
    • It is a quasi-judicial body.
    • The origin of the Finance Commission lies in Article 280 of the Constitution.
    • The President of India shall constitute a Finance Commission every five years to give recommendations about the transfer of central revenues (tax) to the states and its allocation among them (states).
    • The recommendations of the Fifteenth Finance Commission are valid up to the financial year 2025-26.

    Composition of the FC:

    • The Finance Commission consists of a chairman and four other members appointed by the President.
    • They hold office for such a period as specified by the president in his order and are eligible for reappointment.

    Qualifications:

    • Parliament determines the qualifications of members of the commission and the manner in which they should be selected.
      • Chairman should be a person having experience in public affairs, and
      • Four other members should be selected from amongst individuals with specialized knowledge of finance, accounts, economics, or administration.

    Terms of Reference for 16th Finance Commission

    • Division of Tax Proceeds, principles for Grants-in-Aid, enhancing State Funds for Local Bodies and evaluation of Disaster Management Financing

    PYQ:

    [2023] Consider the following:

    1. Demographic performance
    2. Forest and ecology
    3. Governance reforms
    4. Stable government
    5. Tax and fiscal efforts

    For the horizontal tax devolution, the Fifteenth Finance Commission used how many of the above as criteria other than population area and income distance?

    (a) Only two
    (b) Only three
    (c) Only four
    (d) All five

  • [pib] 13th Edition of Exercise MAITREE in Thailand

    Why in the News?

    The Indian Army contingent departed for the 13th edition of the India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE.

    About Exercise Maitree 

    • Maitree is an annual bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Royal Thai Army that has been conducted since 2006.
    • It is conducted alternatively in India and Thailand each year
    • The latest edition in 2019 took place in Umroi, Meghalaya
    • The exercise involves company-level joint training in jungle and urban scenarios
      • Objective: Enhancing combined capabilities in executing joint counter-insurgency and terrorist operations in jungle and urban environments under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

    Training Focus:

    • It focuses on joint planning, tactical drills, physical fitness exercises, and sharing best practices.
    • Key activities include setting up joint operation centres, intelligence gathering, using drones, securing landing zones, and conducting special heliborne operations.

    Significance:

    • Exercise Maitree is significant as both India and Thailand face security challenges from terrorism, especially in southern Thailand which is prone to attacks.
    • It is part of the growing defense cooperation between India and Thailand, which signed an MoU on defense cooperation in 2012.

    India’s Defence Exercises with SE Asian Neighbours:

    India has conducted several joint military exercises with its Southeast Asian neighbors in recent years to strengthen defense cooperation and interoperability:

    • Exercise Garuda Shakti: This is a bilateral exercise between the Indian and Indonesian Special Forces. The latest iteration was held in November 2022 at the Sangga Buana Training Area in Indonesia.
    • Exercise Mitra Shakti: This is a joint exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan armies. The latest edition was conducted in 2022.
    • Exercise VINBAX: This is a joint military exercise between India and Vietnam. The 2022 edition was the 3rd iteration of this exercise.
    • IMBEX: This is a joint military exercise between India and Myanmar. The latest edition was held in 2017-18.
    • EKUVERIN: This is a joint military exercise between the Indian and Maldivian forces. The 11th edition was conducted in 2022.
    • CORPAT: India conducts Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) exercises with maritime neighbors like Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia to enhance maritime cooperation and security in the region.
    • AIME 2023: This was the first ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, held in May 2023 with the participation of navies from India, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

     

    PYQ:

    [2024] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?

    1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
    2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
    3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operation was a goal of this operation.
    4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

    Select the answer using the code given below :

    (a) 1, 2 and 3

    (b) 1, 2 and 4

    (c) 1, 3 and 4

    (d) 2, 3 and 4

  • [pib] Fauna of India Checklist Portal

    Why in the News?

    • The Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched a portal documenting all animal species in India.
      • The Portal was launched on the 109th Foundation Day of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) in Kolkata.

    Back2Basics: Zoological Survey of India

    • The ZSI was set up by British zoologist Thomas Nelson Annandale, in 1916.
    • It is the premier taxonomic research organisation in India based in Kolkata.
    • It was established to promote surveys, exploration and research leading to the advancement of our knowledge of various aspects of the exceptionally rich animal life of India.
    • The ZSI had its genesis as the Zoological Section of the Indian Museum at Calcutta in 1875.
    • Since its inception, the ZSI has been documenting the diversity and distribution of the fauna of India towards carrying out its mandate of conducting exploration-cum-taxonomic-research programmes.
    • The ZSI has published an extremely large amount of information on all animal taxa, from Protozoa to Mammalia.

    About the Fauna of India Checklist Portal

    • The portal consists of records of more than 100,000 animal species, prepared by over 150 scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) over two years.
    • This checklist is the first comprehensive document on faunal species in India, covering 121 checklists of all known taxa across 36 phyla, including endemic, threatened, and scheduled species.
    • It is a compilation of all animal species recorded in India since the 1750s, including endemic, threatened, and scheduled species.
    • It provides essential data for conservation and management efforts, forming the basis for all biological sciences.
    • Significance of Portal: 
      • With this, India has become the first country to prepare a checklist of its entire fauna, covering 104,561 species, positioning itself as a global leader in biodiversity conservation.
      • The comprehensive documentation of India’s fauna aligns with Mission LiFE by providing crucial data for biodiversity conservation.

    Details from the ZSI Report

    • A 2023 ZSI report highlights that India is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse nations, hosting around 7-8% of the world’s documented species and containing four of the 34 globally recognised biodiversity hotspots.
    • The report lists 641 discoveries made by scientists and experts from India during 2023 with Kerala topping the list, followed by West Bengal.
    • It includes 442 new species globally and 199 newly recorded species in India.

    Significant Discoveries in 2023

    • New Species: The 2023 findings include 112 hymenopterans, 86 arachnids, 47 new fishes, 20 reptiles, and two mammals.
    • New Mammals: An ibex species found in Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh, named Capra himalayensis, and a new bat species, Miniopterus srinii, was discovered in Kodagu district, Karnataka.
    • State Rankings: Kerala recorded the highest number of new discoveries with 101, followed by West Bengal with 72, Tamil Nadu with 62, and Arunachal Pradesh and Karnataka with 45 each.

    About Mission LiFE

    • Mission LiFE, or Lifestyle for Environment, is a global mass movement initiated by India to encourage individual and community action towards environmental protection and preservation.
    • It was inaugurated by the PM Modi at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow in November 2021.
    • The program aims to mobilise one billion Indians and individuals worldwide to adopt sustainable lifestyles.
    • It aligns with the P3 model, promoting Pro Planet People and fostering a sense of collective responsibility.
    • It operates based on the principles of ‘Lifestyle of the planet, for the planet, and by the planet’.

     

    PYQ:

    [2020] With reference to India’s Biodiversity, Ceylon frogmouth, Coppersmith barbet, Gray-chinned minivet and White-throated redstart are:

    (a) Birds

    (b) Primates

    (c) Reptiles

    (d) Amphibians

  • [pib] INS Sunayna in Port Victoria, Seychelles

    Why in the News?

    • INS Sunayna, an Offshore Patrol Vessel based at Southern Naval Command, entered Port Victoria, Seychelles.
      • The ship will undertake joint EEZ surveillance with the Seychelles Coast Guard during the deployment.
      • The visit is aimed at further strengthening mutual cooperation in line with the vision of SAGAR (Security & Growth for All in the Region).

    About INS Sunayna

    • INS Sunayna is the second Saryu-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy launched in 2009.
    • It was designed and constructed indigenously by the Goa Shipyard Limited.
    • It is designed to undertake fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance and monitoring of sea lines of communications and offshore assets and escort duties.

    Key operations undertaken

    • In June 2018 she was deployed to Yemen’s Socotra Island as part of “Operation Nistar“, an HADR mission to evacuate around 38 stranded Indian nationals in/around Socotra after a cyclone hit the area.
    • INS Sunayna, along with INS Chennai, was sent to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in June 2019 to protect Indian shipping interests amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

    Back2Basics: SAGAR Strategy

    • SAGAR stands for “Security and Growth for All in the Region.”
    • It is a strategic policy framework initiated by India in 2015, designed to enhance its engagement with countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and neighbouring islands.

    The primary objectives of SAGAR include:

    1. Security: Ensuring the safety and protection of India’s land and maritime territories, as well as its national interests in the IOR.
    2. Economic Growth: Promoting sustainable economic growth and development through collaborative efforts with IOR littoral states. This includes initiatives in marine biotechnology, ocean mineral resources, sustainable fishing practices, and ocean energy.
    3. Disaster Management: Facilitating collective action and providing assistance to IOR countries during natural disasters, thereby fostering regional cooperation and goodwill.
    4. Sustainable Development: Supporting initiatives for sustainable regional development, including marine research, eco-friendly industrial technologies, and the conservation of the maritime environment.

     

    PYQ:

    [2022] What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security.

    [2017] Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):

    1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.

    2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

  • Protecting Mangroves in Tamil Nadu 

    Why in the News?

    The International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) has listed mangroves in coastal regions spanning Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka and Maldives as ‘critically endangered’ in its first global assessment of mangrove ecosystems.

    Red List of Mangrove Ecosystems: Study by IUCN

    • Global assessment reveals a 50% risk of mangrove ecosystem collapse. Without further conservation, by 2050, 7,065 sq km more mangroves will be lost, and 23,672 sq km submerged.

    If we let this happen, the world is at risk of losing:  

    • 1.8B tonnes of carbon stored, costing society $336B (based on the social cost of carbon). Protects 2.1M lives and $36B worth of property from coastal flooding..

    Sea-level rise is the main threat affecting mangrove ecosystems. 

    • 25% of the global mangrove area is predicted to be submerged in the next 50 Years.
    • 1/3 of the world’s mangrove ecosystem provinces will be severely affected by sea-level rise.

    Tamil Nadu’s Efforts for Mangroves Conservation

    • The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has doubled mangrove cover from 23 sq km in 2001 to 45 sq km in 2021, as per the Indian State of Forest Report.
    • Mangrove restoration projects have been undertaken across Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Cuddalore, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Thiruvallur, and Villupuram districts, with plans for an additional 15 sq km restoration under the Tamil Nadu Coastal Restoration Mission funded by the World Bank.

    TN-SHORE: World Bank-funded Coastal Restoration Mission

    • Tamil Nadu’s TN-SHORE initiative, launched in January 2024, aims to address environmental challenges along the coastline. With Rs 1,675 crore funding, including 70% from the World Bank, it focuses on blue carbon sequestration.

    Back2Basics: Mangroves

    • Mangroves constitute a group of trees and shrubs inhabiting the coastal intertidal zone.
    • They are found globally in tropical and subtropical regions, typically between latitudes 25° N and 25° S.
    • Mangroves are predominantly located in tropical regions due to their intolerance to the extreme cold conditions prevalent in temperate zones.

    Features of Mangroves:

    • Adaptation to waterlogged and anoxic soil: Mangroves possess unique characteristics allowing them to survive in waterlogged and oxygen-deficient environments.
    • Halophytes: Mangrove species have the ability to filter out up to 90% of the salt from seawater as it enters their roots, with some species also excreting salt through glands in their leaves.
    • Water retention capacity: Thick succulent leaves store fresh water, while a waxy coating on some species’ leaves minimizes evaporation.
    • Pneumatophores: Certain mangroves develop pencil-like roots that emerge from the ground to absorb oxygen from the air, aiding in coping with tidal flooding.
    • Prop roots: Many mangrove trees possess dense aerial roots descending from their trunks and branches, which stabilize and support them against waves and tides.
    • Lenticellated bark: Oxygen enters mangroves through lenticels, small breathing pores in the bark and roots, enabling them to adapt to low oxygen conditions.
    • Viviparity: Seed pods germinate while still on the tree, facilitating immediate root growth upon dropping.

    Mangroves in India:

    • According to the India State of Forest Report 2021, mangrove cover in India comprises 0.15% of the country’s total geographical area.
    • West Bengal has the highest percentage of area under total mangrove cover among states and union territories, followed by Gujarat and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
    • The Sundarbans, characterized by the dominant mangrove species sundari (Heritiera fomes), is the largest continuous mangrove forest globally.
    • Various mangrove areas in India are protected within reserves and sanctuaries such as the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, Bhitarkanika, Coringa, Nelapattu, Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuaries, Pirotan National Park, among others.

     

    PYQ:

    [2011] The 2004 Tsunami made people realize that mangroves can serve as a reliable safety hedge against coastal calamities. How do mangroves function as a safety hedge?

    (a) The mangrove swamps separate the human settlements from the sea by a wide zone in which people neither live nor venture out

    (b) The mangroves provide both food and medicines which people are in need of after any natural disaster

    (c) The mangrove trees are tall with dense canopies and serve as an excellent shelter during a cyclone or tsunami

    (d) The mangrove trees do not get uprooted by storms and tides because of their extensive roots.

  • [pib] Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative enters Stage I

    Why in the news?

    The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has unveiled the selected participants for Stage I of the ‘Sangam: Digital Twin with AI-Driven Insights Initiative’.

    What is Digital Twin Technology?

    • A digital twin is a digital representation of a physical object, person, or process, contextualized in a digital version of its environment.
    • Digital twins can help an organization simulate real-time situations and their outcomes, ultimately allowing it to make better decisions.

    About Sangam: Digital Twin Initiative

    • Launched in February 2024, it aligns with the past decade’s technological advancements in communication, computation, and sensing, in line with the vision for 2047.
    • Department of Telecommunications (DoT) will begin this with a campaign to engage potential participants, including industry experts, academia, and other relevant stakeholders to spread awareness and interest wide.
    • It is a Two-stage Initiative: It will be distributed in two stages, and conducted in one of India’s major cities.
      1. First Stage: An exploratory phase focusing on clarifying horizons and creative exploration to unleash potential.
      2. Second Stage: A practical demonstration of specific use cases, generating a future blueprint for collaboration and scaling successful strategies in future infrastructure projects.
    • Objectives:
      1. To demonstrate practical implementation of innovative infrastructure planning solutions.
      2. To develop a Model Framework for facilitating faster and more effective collaboration.
      3. To provide a future blueprint for scaling and replicating successful strategies in future infrastructure projects.

    Features: It represents a collaborative leap towards reshaping infrastructure planning and design.

    • It integrates 5G, IoT, AI, AR/VR, AI native 6G, Digital Twin, and next-gen computational technologies, fostering collaboration among public entities, infrastructure planners, tech giants, startups, and academia.
    • Sangam brings all stakeholders together, aiming to translate innovative ideas into tangible solutions, bridging the gap between conceptualization and realization, and paving the way for groundbreaking infrastructure advancements.

    PYQ:

    [2020] In India, the term “Public Key Infrastructure” is used in the context of:

    (a) Digital security infrastructure

    (b) Food security infrastructure

    (c) Health care and education infrastructure

    (d) Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure