Search

Search list matched with tags “class”

Brexit Deal: What Lies Ahead?

After months of negotiation, the United Kingdom(UK) and European Union(EU) have come up with a draft withdrawal agreement. To buy more time, both...

27 Nov 2018 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms

Why in News? The National Legal Services Day is celebrated on 9th November to spread awareness for ensuring reasonable fair and justice procedure...

26 Nov 2018 Paper 2
Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ Rich Faunal Diversity

A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) titled Faunal Diversity of Biogeographic Zones: Islands of India, has for the first time...

26 Nov 2018 News Analysis
RIMES Terms Titli Cyclone ‘Rarest of Rare’

The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES) for Africa and Asia, has termed ‘Titli’, the severe cyclonic storm...

26 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Important Facts for Prelims (26th November 2018)

SSB to Patrol Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Sashastra Seema Bal have joined hands to provide security to Dudhwa forests and its...

26 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Intensified Mission Indradhanush Best Practice in the World: BMJ

Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) is listed as one of 12 best practices from around the world and will be featured in a special issue of the...

26 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Leave Them Alone: On The Sentinelese

(The editorial is based on the article “Leave them alone: on the Sentinelese” which appears in The Hindu for 26th November 2018.) In...

26 Nov 2018 News Editorials
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms

26 Nov 2018 Paper 2
Data Localization

24 Nov 2018 Paper 3
The Big Picture- Regulating Private Hospitals

The Delhi government’s Health Department will re-examine the draft policy framed by a committee to regularize the functioning of private...

24 Nov 2018 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Greenhouse Gas Levels Reach Record Highs: UN Report

Levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have reached another new record high, according to the United Nations weather agency,...

24 Nov 2018 News Analysis
APEC Fails to Reach Consensus

30th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit took place in Papua New Guinea. For the first time since its inception APEC has failed to...

24 Nov 2018 News Analysis
India to Study Marijuana-Derived Drugs

Three major science administrators in India — The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Indian Council for Medical Research...

24 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Atmospheric Geoengineering Experiment to Curb Global Warming

The research by scientists at Harvard and Yale universities, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, proposed using a technique...

24 Nov 2018 News Analysis
The Post And The Person: On Strengthening The EC

(The editorial is based on the article “The post and the person: on strengthening the EC” which appears in The Hindu for 22nd November...

24 Nov 2018 News Editorials
Important Facts for Prelims (24th November 2018)

IMD Can Forecast Rise in the Water Level Against the backdrop Kerala floods, a new technology has been developed by India Meteorological...

24 Nov 2018 News Analysis
Data Localisation

Why in News? The RBI gave October 15 as the deadline for global financial technology companies to comply with its data localization norms in India...

24 Nov 2018 Paper 3
Case Study — 11 : Selection Committee's Dilemma in Sports

Q. You have recently become part of the selection committee of three people, which oversees the final selection of the players for a team at the...

23 Nov 2018 Ethics Case Studies
City Gas Distribution Scheme

Prime Minister laid the foundation stone to mark the commencement of work for 9th round of City Gas Distribution(CGD). Government of India is...

23 Nov 2018 News Analysis
UN Environment Award for India

Nine institutions and individuals from across Asia have been recognized by the United Nations, USAID, Interpol, and the Freeland Foundation for...

23 Nov 2018 News Analysis

Warning (2): count(): Parameter must be an array or an object that implements Countable [ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100]

Code Context


<?php if(count($updates)>0){?>
  <div class="updates">

$viewFile = '/var/www/drishtiias.com/public_html/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp'
$dataForView = [
	'progress' => [],
	'bookmarks' => [],
	'notes' => [],
	'mynote' => [],
	'topdata' => [
		(int) 0 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {},
		(int) 1 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {},
		(int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {},
		(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {}
	],
	'searchdata' => [],
	'searchlist' => [
		(int) 0 => [
			'title' => 'Brexit Deal: What Lies Ahead?',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: left;">After months of negotiation,<strong> the United Kingdom(UK) and European Union(EU) have come up with a draft withdrawal agreement.</strong> To buy more time, both have agreed on a <strong>21-month "transition" period to smooth the way towards post-Brexit relations.</strong> However, Eurosceptics in Theresa May's (British P.M) own Conservative Party and opposition lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction over the way deal has evolved. It is now up to the UK parliament and EU member states to each <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="92" data-gr-id="92">ratify</g> the agreement, before Brexit day next March.</p>
<h3>Withdrawal Agreement and Transition Period</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The UK and EU are currently finalizing a withdrawal agreement&mdash;</strong>the draft text was agreed by UK and EU negotiators in November 2018.</li>
<li>A key part of the withdrawal agreement is, <strong>there will be a transition period, until the end of 2020.</strong></li>
<li>This agreement sets out the exact terms of the UK and EU relationship immediately after exit-<strong> but it is not clear, on what terms the UK and EU&rsquo;s future relationship will be.</strong></li>
<li>Rather, it is a transitional arrangement, designed to make the separation process smoother.<strong> It covers things like trade, law, and immigration.</strong></li>
<li><strong>During the transition, the UK will be officially out of the EU and not be represented on EU bodies, but would still have the same obligations as an EU member.</strong> That includes remaining in the EU customs union and the single market, contributing to the EU&rsquo;s budget, and following EU law.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why Transition Period?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The main reason for the transition period is that the UK and EU don&rsquo;t think they have enough time to agree to all the terms of their future relationship by 29 March 2019.</li>
<li>The transition period is designed to give them more time to iron out all the details of their future relationship, including a possible free trade deal.</li>
<li><strong>So, withdrawal agreement could be signed soon and will come into effect on 29 March 2019. That leads to a transition period until the end of 2020, and from 2021 the UK and EU enter a new relationship, possibly underpinned by a free trade deal.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Present Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After a long arduous journey, <strong>the UK Cabinet has accepted the draft withdrawal agreement along with EU. Now the UK Parliament would vote on the contents of the agreement.</strong></li>
<li>It was a difficult agreement, nonetheless, a middle ground was found to appease some of the stakeholders in the deal. However, the deal has faced criticism in the UK.</li>
<li><strong>The ruling government may even have to face no-confidence motion over this.</strong> The opposition has called the draft a huge and a damaging failure.</li>
<li>There are many elements in the draft that have raised many eyebrows. However, the most contentious of them is the border settlement between the Northern Ireland and Ireland.</li>
<li>Besides the UK parliament, the draft deal has to be finalized by the EU Parliament before it is finalized. In the negotiation process, the EU would engage in a hard bargain so as to minimize the aftershocks of Brexit.</li>
<li><strong>The EU members have denied renegotiating the draft Brexit deal.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Effect of BREXIT on the EU</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Brexit will weaken those forces in the EU that </strong><g class="gr_ gr_74 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="74" data-gr-id="74">favour</g><strong> greater integration.</strong> It has been a long difficult task to bring together warring nations who were up against each other&rsquo;s throat in not one but two world wars. Brexit will strengthen the claim of countries like Greece and Spain which want greater autonomy in their internal functioning.</li>
<li><strong>An impending fear of greater German dominance would be a reality.</strong> Britain&rsquo;s presence somewhat balanced the power of Germany. With Brexit, Germany would become the vortex around whom everything would revolve.</li>
<li><strong>The Brexit is termed as a major ideological shift, characterized by strong immigration laws, strict borders, and inward-looking economy.</strong> This is against the major strain of globalization. Its effect might be far-reaching.</li>
<li>While the trade impact of Brexit on the UK is likely to be significantly negative, its impact on the EU is also expected to be negative, but small. The UK and the EU would become each other's biggest trading partner but some member states, notably Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands, are more exposed to a Brexit-induced economic shock.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Experts believe that if the draft gets turned down by the UK parliament, then it would pose a huge economic burden on the UK. A stopgap approach would disturb the fabric that has stood strong since the Second World War.</li>
<li><strong>Most experts believe that there should be a second referendum. The first referendum was based on lies, deceit, and misinformation.</strong></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/brexit-deal-what-lies-ahead'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Legal Services Day is celebrated on 9th November to spread awareness for ensuring reasonable fair and justice procedure for all citizens.</li>
<li>One of the objectives of Legal Services Authorities is to promote settlements of disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ADR is a mechanism of dispute resolution that is non adversarial, i.e. working together co-operatively to reach the best resolution for everyone.</li>
<li>ADR can be instrumental in reducing the burden of litigation on courts, while delivering a well-rounded and satisfying experience for the parties involved.</li>
<li>It provides the opportunity to "expand the pie" through creative, collaborative bargaining, and fulfill the interests driving their demands.</li>
<li>ADR is generally classified into the following types:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Arbitration:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The dispute is submitted to an arbitral tribunal which makes a decision (an "award") on the dispute that is mostly binding on the parties.</li>
<li>It is less formal than a trial, and the rules of evidence are often relaxed.</li>
<li>Generally, there is no right to appeal an arbitrator's decision.</li>
<li>Except for some interim measures, there is very little scope for judicial intervention in the arbitration process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conciliation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A non-binding procedure in which an impartial third party, the conciliator, assists the parties to a dispute in reaching a mutually satisfactory agreed settlement of the dispute.</li>
<li>Conciliation is a less formal form of arbitration.</li>
<li>The parties are free to accept or reject the recommendations of the conciliator.</li>
<li>However, if both parties accept the settlement document drawn by the conciliator, it shall be final and binding on both.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mediation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In mediation, an impartial person called a "mediator" helps the parties try to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute.</li>
<li>The mediator does not decide the dispute but helps the parties communicate so they can try to settle the dispute themselves.</li>
<li>Mediation leaves control of the outcome with the parties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Negotiation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A non-binding procedure in which discussions between the parties are initiated without the intervention of any third party with the object of arriving at a negotiated settlement to the dispute</li>
<li>It is the most common method of alternative dispute resolution.</li>
<li>Negotiation occurs in business, non-profit organizations, government branches, legal proceedings, among nations and in personal situations such as marriage, divorce, parenting, and everyday life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages of ADRs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The resolution of disputes takes place usually in private &ndash; helping maintain confidentiality.</li>
<li>It is more viable, economic, and efficient.</li>
<li>Procedural flexibility saves valuable time and money and absence of stress of a conventional trial.</li>
<li>This often results in creative solutions, sustainable outcomes, greater satisfaction, and improved relationships.</li>
<li>The possibility of ensuring that specialized expertise is available on the tribunal in the person of the arbitrator, mediator, conciliator or neutral adviser.</li>
<li>Further, it offers greater direct control over the outcome. Personal relationships may also suffer less.</li>
</ul>
<h3>ADR in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Legal Services Authorities Act was passed in 1987 to encourage out-of-court settlements, and the new Arbitration and Conciliation Act was enacted in 1996.</li>
<li>Procedure for plea-bargaining was included in the Code of Criminal Procedure in 2005. {Plea-bargaining is best described as a <em>"pre-trial negotiation between the accused and the prosecution during which the accused agrees to plead guilty in exchange for certain concessions by the prosecution."</em>}</li>
<li>Lok Adalat or "people's court" comprises an informal setting which facilitates negotiations in the presence of a judicial officer wherein cases are dispensed without undue emphasis on legal technicalities. The order of the Lok-Adalat is final and binding on the parties, and is not appealable in a court of law.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ADR has proven successful in clearing the backlog of cases in various levels of the judiciary &ndash; Lok Adalats alone have disposed more than 50 lakh cases every year on average in the last three years.</li>
<li>But there seems to be a lack of awareness about the availability of these mechanisms.</li>
<li>The National and State Legal Services Authorities should disseminate more information regarding these, so they become the first option explored by potential litigants.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper2/alternative-dispute-resolution-adr-mechanisms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For Mind Map</a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/alternative-dispute-resolution-adr-mechanisms-paper-2'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ Rich Faunal Diversity',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) titled <strong>Faunal Diversity of Biogeographic Zones: Islands of India</strong>, has for the first time come up with a database of all faunal species found on the Andaman and Nicobar (A&amp;N) islands.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the publication, A&amp;N islands which comprise only <strong>0.25% of India&rsquo;s geographical area</strong>, <g class="gr_ gr_79 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="79" data-gr-id="79">are</g> home to more than <strong>10% of the country&rsquo;s fauna species</strong>.</li>
<li>The presence of a large number of species in such a small area makes the A&amp;N islands one of the richest ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in India.</li>
<li>A long period of isolation from the mainland made the islands hotspots for speciation (the formation of new and distinct species) resulting in hundreds of endemic species and subspecies.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Zoological Survey of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a subordinate organization of the <strong>Ministry of Environment and Forests</strong> was <strong>established in 1916</strong>.</li>
<li>It is a national centre for<strong> faunistic survey</strong> and exploration of the resources leading to the <strong>advancement of knowledge</strong> on the exceptionally <strong>rich faunal diversity of the country</strong>.</li>
<li>It has its headquarters at <strong>Kolkata</strong> and 16 regional stations located in different geographic locations of the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Faunal Diversity</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Major <strong>endemic faunal species</strong> found only on the A&amp;N Islands and nowhere else are <strong>Narcondam hornbill</strong>, <strong>Nicobar megapode</strong> (a bird that builds nests on the ground); <strong>Nicobar treeshrew</strong> (a small mole-like mammal), <strong>Long-tailed Nicobar macaque</strong>, and the <strong>Andaman day gecko</strong>.</li>
<li>Among <strong>marine fauna</strong> found on the islands, the <strong>Dugong (sea cow)</strong>, and the <strong>Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin</strong> are classified as <strong>Vulnerable</strong> under the <strong>IUCN</strong> (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species.</li>
<li>Among the <strong>terrestrial mammalian species</strong> found, three species have been categorised as <strong>Critically Endangered</strong> under <strong>IUCN Red List</strong> &mdash; <strong>Andaman shrew</strong> (<em>Crocidura <g class="gr_ gr_83 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="83" data-gr-id="83">andamanensis</g></em>), <strong>Jenkin&rsquo;s shrew</strong> (<em>C. <g class="gr_ gr_82 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="82" data-gr-id="82">jenkinsi</g></em>) and <strong>Nicobar shrew</strong> (<em>C. <g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="84" data-gr-id="84">nicobarica</g></em>).</li>
<li>Another unique feature of the islands&rsquo; ecosystem is its <strong>marine faunal diversity</strong>, which includes <strong>coral reefs</strong> and its associated fauna.</li>
<li><strong> More than 500 species of scleractinian corals</strong> (hard or stony corals) are found in the island ecosystem which <g class="gr_ gr_69 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="69" data-gr-id="69">have</g> been protected under <strong>Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings: Causes &amp; Consequences</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Anthropogenic threats-<strong>tourism</strong>,<strong> illegal construction</strong> and <strong>mining</strong> are posing a threat to the islands&rsquo; biodiversity, which is already vulnerable to <strong>volatile climatic factors</strong>.</li>
<li>The development paradigm that is being pushed such as tourism, construction and development of military, is not taking in account three factors &mdash; <strong><g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="78" data-gr-id="78">ecological</g> fragility</strong> of the area (the endemism), <strong>geological volatility</strong> (earthquakes and tsunamis), and the<strong> impact they will have on local communities</strong>.</li>
<li>Any stress can have a long-lasting impact on the A&amp;N islands&rsquo; biodiversity, devastating the population size of any endemic fauna, followed by extinction within a limited span of time.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Andaman and Nicobar islands ( A&amp;N islands), popularly known as &lsquo;<strong>Bay Islands</strong>&rsquo;, are situated in the Bay of Bengal, midway between peninsular India and Myanmar, spreading like a broken necklace in the North-south direction.</li>
<li>The total geographic area of A&amp;N islands is 8249 sq km, of which Andaman group of islands cover 6408 sq km while Nicobar group cover 1841 sq km.</li>
<li>A&amp;N islands represent a <strong>typical tropical ecosystem</strong> that includes an endless stretch of <strong>tropical rainforests</strong> bordered by <strong>mangrove swamps</strong> and unspoilt fragile marine biota exhibiting an extreme degree of endemism.</li>
<li>The <strong>maximum altitude</strong> of these islands is 730 m at <strong>Saddle Peak</strong> in <strong>North Andaman</strong>, formed mainly of <strong>limestone, sandstone, and clay</strong>.</li>
<li>Two islands of<strong> volcanic origin</strong> are found, namely the <strong>Narcondam</strong> and the <strong>Barren islands</strong>. The former is now apparently extinct while the <strong>latter is still active</strong>.</li>
<li>The Andaman and Nicobars are separated by the<strong> Ten Degree Channel</strong> which is 150 Kms. wide.</li>
<li>The population of the islands is about 4 lakh, which includes <strong>six particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs)</strong>.</li>
<li>The indigenous people of <strong>Andamans</strong> are the <strong>Great Andamanese</strong>, the <strong>Jarawa</strong>; the <strong>Onge</strong>; and the <strong>Sentinelese (the most isolated of all the groups)</strong>.</li>
<li>The indigenous peoples of the <strong>Nicobars</strong> (unrelated to the Andamanese) are the <strong>Nicobarese</strong>; and the<strong> Shompen</strong>.</li>
<li>The <strong>Andaman Wood Pigeon</strong>, <strong>Andaman Padauk</strong> and <strong>Dugong</strong> are declared as <strong>State Bird</strong>, <strong>State Tree</strong> and <strong>State Animal</strong> respectively.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Biodiversity Hotspots of India</strong></p>
<p>There are <strong>four biodiversity</strong> <strong>hotspots</strong> in India:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Himalaya</strong>: Includes the <strong>entire Indian Himalayan region</strong> (and that falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar)</li>
<li><strong>Indo-Burma</strong>: Includes<strong> entire North-eastern India</strong>, <strong>except Assam and Andaman group of Islands</strong> (and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and southern China)</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_77 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="77" data-gr-id="77">Sundalands</g></strong>: Includes <strong>Nicobar group of Islands</strong> (and Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines)</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_86 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="86" data-gr-id="86">Western</g> Ghats</strong> <strong>and Sri Lanka</strong>: Includes <strong>entire Western Ghats</strong> (and Sri Lanka)</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/andaman-nicobar-islands-rich-faunal-diversity'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'RIMES Terms Titli Cyclone ‘Rarest of Rare’',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System <strong>(RIMES)</strong> for Africa and Asia, has termed<strong> &lsquo;Titli&rsquo;</strong>, the severe cyclonic storm that hit Odisha as <strong>&lsquo;rarest cyclone&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Titli cyclone was the rarest of rare in terms of its following characteristics:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Recurvature</strong> after landfall.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When the <strong>eye of the storm passes over land</strong>, it is classified as making landfall.</li>
<li>The eye of a hurricane has <strong>comparatively light winds and mild weather,</strong> while the eyewall is a ring of thunderstorms surrounding the eye.</li>
<li>The eyewall can actually <strong>hit land without the cyclone "making landfall"</strong>. E.g.: Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Cuba and Jamaica, but it was Haiti that was hit hardest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Retaining its <strong>destructive potential after landfall,</strong></li>
<li><strong>Recurvature away from the coastal areas</strong> for more than two days,</li>
<li><strong>No synthetic track projection</strong> available to capture the Titli type of cyclones,</li>
<li>Damage to both life and property caused in <strong>interior districts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Earlier, India Meteorological Department had also called the formation of Titli as a &lsquo;rarest of rare&rsquo; occurrence.</li>
<li>Usually, cyclone-risk management are<strong> heavily focused on the coastal areas</strong> where cyclones cross at their peak intensities. Therefore, coastal areas now have been largely well managed through evacuations and other protocols, leading to zero casualties. However, this is not true for the interior regions since a Cyclone&rsquo;s intensity weakens as it moves away from coastal areas.</li>
<li>The RIMES has recommended that a <strong>detailed risk assessment</strong> be carried out for Odisha to understand the risks in the light of the Titli devastation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Movement of Cyclone</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cyclones that typically strike the Indian neighbourhood in the northern hemisphere <strong>rotate anticlockwise.</strong></li>
<li>Their normal behaviour is to <strong>derive strength from the moisture in waters</strong> such as the Bay of Bengal, move west, incline in a northerly direction and peter out into the sea or land, depending on their origin.</li>
<li>In a re-curving cyclone, the cyclone gets a sort of second wind when it is on the wane.</li>
<li>It is <strong>deflected right or eastwards.</strong> This is due to <strong>air currents in the local atmosphere that push cold air from the poles</strong> towards the equator and interfere with cyclone formation. That is what make them &lsquo;re-curving.&rsquo;</li>
<li>In the southern hemisphere, the <strong>cyclones spin clockwise and therefore also re-curve in the opposite direction.</strong></li>
<li>A challenge with re-curving cyclones is that<strong> it is hard for weather models to pick them early on</strong> &mdash; as was the case with Ockhi &mdash; and so they pose unique challenges in terms of hazard preparedness and disaster management.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RIMES is an<strong> international and intergovernmental institution,</strong> owned and managed by its Member States, for the generation and application of early warning information.</li>
<li>It was established after the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami <strong>on 30 April 2009</strong>, and was <strong>registered with the United Nations on 1 July 2009.</strong></li>
<li>RIMES operates from its regional early warning center located at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, <strong>Thailand.</strong></li>
<li>It is owned and managed by a <strong>Council</strong> comprising of 48 Members and Collaborating States. Currently, the <strong>Government of India serves as RIMES Council Chair.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-titli" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read more about Cyclones</a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rimes-terms-titli-cyclone-rarest-of-rare'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (26th November 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>SSB to Patrol Dudhwa Tiger Reserve</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Sashastra Seema Bal</strong> have joined hands to provide security to Dudhwa forests and its rich wildlife.</li>
<li>Apart from joint patrolling, intelligence and information sharing among various security agencies about activities of wildlife and forest criminals will also be undertaken.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dudhwa Tiger Reserve</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is a protected area in <strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong> that stretches mainly across the <strong>Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts.</strong></li>
<li>It comprises of the <strong>Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Sharda River flows by the Kishanpur WL Sanctuary</strong>, the <strong>Geruwa River flows through the Katerniaghat WL Sanctuary</strong> and the <strong>Suheli and Mohana streams flow in the Dudhwa National Park</strong>, all of which are <strong>tributaries of the Ghagra River.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>northern boundary</strong> of the park is being constituted by the<strong> Mohana River</strong> flowing along the Indo-Nepal border whilst the <strong>southern boundary</strong> is formed by the<strong> river Suheli.</strong></li>
<li>It includes three large forest fragments - marshes, grasslands and dense forests, amidst the matrix dominated by agriculture.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sashastra Seema Bal&nbsp;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established as <strong>Special Service Bureau in May 1963</strong>, in the aftermath of the<strong> Chinese aggression in 1962.</strong></li>
<li>Sashastra Seema Bal came under aegis of the<strong> Ministry of Home Affairs from 2001.</strong></li>
<li>SSB was declared a Lead Intelligence Agency for Indo Nepal (June 2001) and assigned the <strong>Indo Nepal border.</strong> Later, SSB was also assigned <strong>Indo Bhutan border</strong> (March 2004).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Vetiver Grass</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Vetiver Grass ( <em>Vetiveria zizanioides</em>) which has a wide range of applications is becoming popular in state of Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>Vetiver Grass commonly known as Khus grass is a perennial grass of Indian origin.</li>
<li><strong>In India, there are two types of vetiver namely &lsquo;South Indian&rsquo; and &lsquo;North Indian&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Vetiver can be grown on almost every kind of soil. But, well drained sandy loam and red lateritic soils rich in organic matter are considered to be ideal for its cultivation.</li>
<li>In India it is cultivated in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, TamilNadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.</li>
<li>Vetiver is indigenous to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Its main producers are Tropical Asia, Africa, Australia, Haiti, Indonesia, Guatemala, India, China and Brazil.</li>
<li>The Vetiver System (VS), which is based on the application of vetiver grass, was first<strong> introduced by the World Bank for soil and water conservation in India in the mid-1980s.</strong></li>
<li>The Vetiver System (VS), used in more than 100 countries, is a system of soil and water conservation, whose main component is the use of the vetiver plant.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Uses and Application of Vetiver Grass</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This grass helps in<strong> combating soil erosion</strong> especially on hilly slopes.</li>
<li>It also <strong>absorbs carbon dioxide</strong>, thus erasing carbon footprints.</li>
<li>The grass can be used to<strong> purify polluted water bodies</strong> through phyto-remediation.</li>
<li>It has <strong>moisture retention property,</strong> which makes vetiver ideal for soil conservation and replenishment of ground-water.</li>
<li>It is also used in <strong>ethanol extraction</strong>,<strong> as cattle feed and for making handicrafts</strong>. It is also an <strong>antidepressant</strong>.</li>
<li>Roots of this grass<strong> can be used to produce oil,</strong> one kg of oil fetches between ₹30,000 and ₹58,000 to farmers.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Saltwater crocodile sighted in AP</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At least two saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) were sighted in Andhra Pradesh Coast.</li>
<li>Salt-water crocodiles are usually found around Odisha Coast. Their presence in Andhra indicates migration of the species from the Odisha coast.</li>
<li>The two crocodiles will be shifted to the Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP), Odisha.</li>
<li><strong>In India, the BNP, the Sundarbans and the Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands are the prime habitats of the saltwater crocodile.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Crocodile Conservation Project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crocodilians were threatened in India due to indiscriminate killing for commercial purpose and severe habitat loss until enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.1972.</li>
<li><strong>Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in 1975 in different States.</strong></li>
<li>The Gharial and Saltwater crocodile conservation programme was first implemented in Odisha in early 1975 and subsequently the Mugger conservation programme was initiated.</li>
<li>The estimated number of the saltwater crocodiles increased from 96 in 1976 to 1,640 in 2012 in India due to rear and release programme established under the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Crocodiles in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has three species of crocodilians namely
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gharial <em>(Gavialis gangeticus</em>) (IUCN: Critically Endangered)</li>
<li>Mugger crocodile (<em>Crocodylus palustris</em>) (IUCN: Vulnerable)</li>
<li>Saltwater crocodile (<em>Crocodylus porosus</em>) (IUCN: Least Concern)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bhitarkanika National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bhitarkanika National Park is one of Odisha&rsquo;s</strong> finest biodiversity hotspots and is famous for its green mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles and countless creeks.</li>
<li>The wetland is represented by 3 protected Areas, the Bhitarkanika National Park, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.</li>
<li><strong>Bhitarkanika is located in the estuary of Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Mahanadi river systems.</strong></li>
<li>It is said to<strong> house 70% of the country&rsquo;s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>United Nations Shortlists Noida, Greater Noida for &lsquo;Global Cities&rsquo; Initiative</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations officially invited Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Noida and Greater Noida to become a member of its <strong>Global Sustainable Cities 2025 initiative</strong> which aims to create 25 model cities across the world that will be fully compliant with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2025.</li>
<li>The twin-cities in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, have been selected in the<strong> &ldquo;University City&rdquo;</strong> category ahead of Mumbai and Bengaluru, which were also under UN consideration for the initiative, as the only invitee from India.</li>
<li>Cities are selected from each of the following<strong> six categories</strong>: <strong>University, UN city, Medium (Approx. 500K population), Large (Approx. 1 million population), Mega(5 million+ population), Indigenous Communities.</strong></li>
<li>As part of this initiative, the UN will enter into an agreement with the city administration to <strong>provide multi-million dollar funding</strong> to work towards realising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN will also sponsor the <strong>PHDs of 51 students</strong> in Noida who contribute to the programme via research.</li>
<li>Cities selected under the &ldquo;University City&rdquo; category will be judged on the basis of<strong> how educated its population is, its economy, a high rate of entrepreneurship, and art and culture that &ldquo;indicate a vibrant civil society&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The project is conducted by the <strong>UN Global Sustainability Impact Institute (UNGSII)</strong>. UNGSII was founded in May of 2014.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-26th-november-2018'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Intensified Mission Indradhanush Best Practice in the World: BMJ',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) is listed as one of 12 best practices from around the world and will be featured in a special issue of the British Medical Journal (BMJ).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The special issue will be brought out on the occasion of the fourth Partners Forum conference organised by the Government of India in New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Partners&rsquo; Forum is short for the meeting of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn &amp; Child Health (The Partnership, PMNCH).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Partnership, PMNCH is an <strong>alliance of more than 1,000 organisations in 192 countries.</strong> The organisations work in the sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health communities, as well as health influencing sectors.</li>
<li>The Partnership is governed by a Board, and administered by a Secretariat hosted at the <strong>World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>IMR and MMR data</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India's infant mortality rate (<strong>IMR</strong> 2016) is<strong> 34 deaths per 1,000 live births.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s maternal mortality rate (<strong>MMR</strong> 2016) is <strong>130 per 100,000 live births.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the <strong>government in 1985,</strong> UIP prevents mortality and morbidity in<strong> children and pregnant women</strong> against 12 vaccine preventable diseases.</li>
<li>Under UIP free of cost vaccination is provided against twelve vaccine preventable diseases i.e.<strong> Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia and Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Rotavirus diarrhoea.</strong></li>
<li>The programme was the one of largest health programme in the world. Despite being operational for many years, <strong>UIP has been able to fully immunize only 65% children under 1 year of age.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mission Indradhanush</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To give maximum protection to the children against Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs). The government has launched &lsquo;Mission Indradhanush&rsquo; in December 2014 to fully immunize more than 89 lakh children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated under UIP.</li>
<li><strong>The mission was launched in 2014 and targets children under 2 years of age and pregnant women for immunization.</strong></li>
<li>Mission Indradhanush provides vaccination against<strong> 7 diseases diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.</strong></li>
<li>In addition, <strong>vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis and Haemophilus influenzae type B is being provided in selected districts of the country. Vaccination against tetanus is also provided to the pregnant women.</strong></li>
<li>Mission Indradhanush aims to increase full immunization coverage in India to at least 90% children by December 2018.</li>
<li>No separate funds are allocated for Mission Indradhanush. Funds allocated for Routine Immunization are being utilized by the states to carry out activities under Mission Indradhanush.</li>
<li>Mission Indradhanush does not targets to reduce postnatal death rate but targets to reduce diseases and death due to vaccine preventable diseases.</li>
<li><strong>Earlier the increase in full immunization coverage was 1% per year which has increased to 6.7% per year through the first two phases of &lsquo;Mission Indradhanush&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Intensified Mission Indradhanush</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) has been launched by government of India in 2017</strong> to reach each and every child under two years of age and all those pregnant women who have been left uncovered under the routine immunisation programme.</li>
<li>The target under IMI is to increase the full immunization coverage to 90% by December 2018.</li>
<li><strong>Under Intensified Mission Indradhanush, greater focus was given on urban areas which was one of the gaps of Mission Indradhanush.</strong></li>
<li>These areas have been selected through data available under national surveys, Health Management Information System data and World Health Organization concurrent monitoring data.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-best-practice-in-the-world-bmj'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Leave Them Alone: On The Sentinelese',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Leave them alone: on the Sentinelese&rdquo; which appears in The Hindu for 26th November 2018.)</p>
</div>
<p>In context please refer:<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-citizen-killed-by-tribals-in-andaman" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> US Citizen killed by Tribals in Andaman</a></p>
<p>The death of a young American man at the hands of the tribes of North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has led to dangerous lines of debate. <strong>Some have called for the Sentinelese to be convicted and punished and others have urged that they are integrated into modern society.</strong> But both of these debates can only result in the extinction of these unique people.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Sentinelese, a negrito tribe</strong> that lives on the North Sentinel Island of the Andamans,<strong> remains hostile to outsiders.</strong></li>
<li>Based on <strong>carbon dating by the Anthropological Survey of India,</strong> Sentinelese presence <strong>was confirmed in the islands to 2,000 years ago</strong>.</li>
<li>The Sentinelese have been fiercely hostile to outside contact. <strong>But in 1991 they accepted some coconuts from a team of Indian anthropologists and administrators.</strong></li>
<li>Some researchers argue that the Sentinelese have been mostly left alone even from colonial times, unlike other tribes such as the <strong>Onges, Jarawas and Great Andamanese, because the land the Sentinelese occupy has little commercial attraction.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>How Sentinelese are Protected?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Govt. of India issued the <strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956</strong> to declare the traditional areas occupied by the tribes as reserves, and prohibited entry of all persons except those with <g class="gr_ gr_156 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="156" data-gr-id="156">authorisation</g>.</li>
<li>Photographing or filming the tribe members is also an <g class="gr_ gr_155 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="155" data-gr-id="155">offence</g>. The rules were amended later to enhance penalties. <strong>But restricted area permits were relaxed for some islands recently.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Why No One is Allowed To Enter?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>No one - whether missionary, scholar, adventurer is allowed to venture near North Sentinel Island without permission.</li>
<li><strong>Permission is granted only in the rarest of circumstances</strong> and with meticulous precautions in place to ensure that the Sentinelese are not disturbed.</li>
<li>Having lived in isolation on an island in the Bay of Bengal for thousands of years, the <strong>Sentinelese have no immunity or resistance to even the commonest of infections.</strong></li>
<li>A large chunk of the population of the 10 Great Andamanese tribes was wiped out after the indigenous peoples caught syphilis, measles, and influenza on an epidemic scale following contact with the early settlers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tribal Rights in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian Constitution, the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 or PESA, and the Panchsheel Principles of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, all guarantee protection to indigenous people.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Jawaharlal Nehru formulated the following five principles for the policy to be pursued vis-a-vis the tribals </strong><g class="gr_ gr_161 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="161" data-gr-id="161">also known</g><strong> as Tribal Panchsheel</strong>:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>People should develop along the lines of their own genius, and the imposition of alien values should be avoided.</li>
<li>Tribal rights in land and forest should be respected.</li>
<li>Teams of tribals should be trained in the work of administration and development.</li>
<li>Tribal&nbsp;areas should not be over-administered or overwhelmed with a multiplicity of schemes.</li>
<li>Results should be judged not by statistics or the amount of money spent, but by the human character that is evolved.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>North Sentinel Island and its buffer zone are strictly restricted under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribe (Regulation), 1956 and Regulations under Indian Forest Act, 1927.</li>
<li>The Indian Constitution protects tribal interests, especially tribal autonomy and their rights over land, through the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.</li>
<li><strong>In India, most of the tribes are collectively identified under Article 342 (1&amp;2) as &ldquo;Scheduled Tribes&rdquo;</strong> and their right to self-determination is guaranteed by Part X: The Scheduled and Tribal Areas &ndash; Article 244: Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas.</li>
<li>India is a signatory to<strong> International Labour Organisation Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Populations</strong> and voted in <g class="gr_ gr_150 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="150" data-gr-id="150">favour</g> of The <strong>United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)</strong>, but has adamantly insisted that its own indigenous peoples cannot claim status or protection under these laws.<br />
<h3></h3>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why They Should be Contacted?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sentinelese are perhaps the <strong>most reclusive community in the world today.</strong> Their language is so far understood by no other group and they have traditionally guarded their island fiercely, attacking most intruders with spears and arrow. I<strong>f they are left uncontacted, there is fear of their losing unique culture, language and ways of life.</strong></li>
<li>At the heart of the issue is the survival of the Sentinelese. <strong>According to the 2011 Census, their population was just 15. So, there is also a fear of their extinction.</strong></li>
<li>Tribal Below Poverty Line rate is twice the national average.<strong> They are far behind in education and malnutrition is highly prevalent.</strong> Although in the past 10-12 years, PESA and the Forest Rights Act have made a difference but tribals are largely not aware of their rights. They continue to remain marginalized in Indian society.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Is It Ethical to Leave Uncontacted Tribes Alone?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>They are also human beings, they don&rsquo;t just exist to be left mostly in ignorance of the rest of the world. They at the least need to be aware of the outside world.</strong></li>
<li>Tribes living in isolation, have chosen to do so for a variety of reasons, some of which we know and others we do not, and they should be the ones to choose when and if that isolation ends.</li>
<li>History has taught that when outsiders - and their food, textiles, commodities, and germs &ndash; are introduced into indigenous communities that have not built up immunities to foreign life, whole societies have been wiped out.</li>
<li>While a state certainly has a duty to advance its citizens&rsquo; human condition. Alternate methods of improving the human condition without disturbing their ingeniousness should be developed.</li>
<li><strong>Lastly, since indigenous people have the right to determine their own futures and associated needs, then, therefore, they have the freedom to decide their own future.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>T<strong>hese tribes provide an occasion for the country to embrace its human heritage in all its diversity and to empathetically try to see the world from the eyes of its most vulnerable inhabitants.</strong></li>
<li>Tribes like the Sentinelese face catastrophe unless their land is protected. <strong>The recent tragedy acts as a wake-up call to the Indian government to avert another disaster</strong> and properly protect the lands of both the Sentinelese, and the other Andaman tribes, from further invaders. Indian government should, therefore, enforce the protection of the Sentinelese and their island for the safety of both the tribe and outsiders.</li>
<li><strong>Governments in post-Independent India have made the mistake of painting every tribe with the same brush</strong>. Each tribe has a different typology and character and has to be treated differently. The condition of indigenous people in Central India is very different from that in the Northeast and the Andamans.</li>
<li><strong>So, different policies should be tailored to suit the requirements of different tribes to achieve the dream of inclusiveness. Currently, there is a one-size-fits-all policy.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Adverse effects of a one-size-fits-all policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to official policy, in a hospital for the Onge, milk powder had been given to them, which they were not able to digest.</li>
<li>In another case, a Jarawa boy who was sent to a local school by his parents was sent back by the school authorities, who said they could not even touch him since official policy stated that he had to be left alone.</li>
<li>Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle have also set in among them. Some tribes have even taken up smoking and drinking.</li>
</ul>
<p>These are the flaws we must address and for that scientific evaluations (for development) should be done for each tribe separately before proposing any policy.</p>
</div>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Tribes</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>Population</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Sentinelese</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>15</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 35px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Andamanese, Chariar, Chari, Kora, Tabo, Bo, Yere, Kede, Bea, Balawa, Bojigiyad, Juwai, Kol</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 35px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>44</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Onges</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>101</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Shompens</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>229</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Jarawas</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>380</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Nicobarese</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>27,168</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td colspan="2" width="576" style="height: 19px; width: 99.896%;">
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=136700" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source PIB</a></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/leave-them-alone-on-the-sentinelese'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms',
			'catname' => 'Paper 2',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/428Alternative%20Dispute Resolution.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/428Alternative Dispute Resolution.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper2/alternative-dispute-resolution-adr-mechanisms'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'Data Localization',
			'catname' => 'Paper 3',
			'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/773Data%20Localisation.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/773Data Localisation.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper3/data-localization'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture- Regulating Private Hospitals',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GOcp2zvxLrQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Delhi government&rsquo;s Health Department will re-examine the draft policy framed by a committee to regularize the functioning of private hospitals in the capital, to understand the &lsquo;rationale&rsquo; behind some of the suggestions. The draft advisory was prepared on the basis of recommendations by a nine-member expert panel, headed by Director-General of Health Services Kirti Bhushan.</p>
<p><strong>The panel was formed in 2017</strong> after a family alleged medical negligence at a private hospital for wrongly declaring a baby dead. But senior officials in the department are not satisfied with the draft policy and want the committee to work again on the entire report. The draft was ideally to be submitted by the end of June. It is already delayed by four months now.</p>
<p><strong>Why there is no policy to regulate private hospitals?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the biggest hurdles faced by the administration in drafting regulatory policy is the fact that<strong> health is a state subject.</strong> Each state has its own priorities to settle. The <g class="gr_ gr_111 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="111" data-gr-id="111">centre</g> cannot intervene in the issues of states, consequently giving the state administration leeway, which in turn is proving detrimental.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><em>DRISHTI INPUT</em></p>
<p><strong>Recommendations of the draft policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Delhi government had proposed regulations restricting private hospitals and nursing homes from <strong>marking the prices of medicines and consumables over 50% of their procurement price.</strong></li>
<li><strong>They should preferably prescribe drugs from the NLEM</strong> (National List of Essential Medicines) and patients should be consulted before administering drugs from the <g class="gr_ gr_90 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="90" data-gr-id="90">non</g>-NLEM category. (NLEM 2011 is a list of medicines prepared by the Union Ministry of Health.)</li>
<li>Private hospitals<strong> can charge the patients, the maximum retail price for medicines under the National List of Essential Medicines,</strong> 2015, as their prices have already been capped.</li>
<li>Hospitals should ensure that <strong>rates of surgery packages are &ldquo;transparent</strong>, and should disclose if it covers any complications during the procedure.&rdquo; Any charges paid to doctors without the consent of the patient would be considered as a malpractice.</li>
<li>Hospitals <strong>shall not detain a dead body for non-payment of dues.</strong></li>
<li>The patient's family would be given a<strong> 50 percent waiver on the bill if the patient dies within six hours of being brought to the hospital.</strong> 20 percent waiver would be given if the patient dies within six to 24 hours of being brought to the hospital.</li>
<li><strong>Patients should not be compelled to buy drugs from the hospital's in-house pharmacy</strong>, and be allowed to purchase medicines from outside the hospital.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>How would the draft policy help to deal with the problem?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>At present, private hospitals have their own protocol</strong> to manage the day to day affair. If there is a single draft policy listing the <strong>standard operating procedure (SOP) it would create a single SOP for all the hospitals.</strong></li>
<li>In the private sector, doctors are pressurized to meet targets. <g class="gr_ gr_95 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="95" data-gr-id="95">A SOP</g> would regulate activities like cuts and commissions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Drawbacks in the Draft Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>policy is silent on any penalties levied on hospitals in case of malpractice</strong>. Very recently, there have been many cases of death because of hospitals careless attitude.</li>
<li><strong>It does not provide for any grievance redressal mechanism.</strong> If a patient has a complaint, then there is no way to list the grievances.</li>
<li>Many experts believe that the <strong>recommendations given are not justifiable.</strong> It is anticipated that there will be many cases of litigation involving private hospitals.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Delhi is one of the<strong> several states that have still not ratified or implemented the Clinical Establishments</strong> (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010. Few other states such as West Bengal, Karnataka, and Kerala have passed their own version of the central law to regulate the private healthcare sector.</li>
<li><strong>The government has not yet focused on the primary health care setup or on the preventive care.</strong> There is a lack of sufficient doctors in primary and community health <g class="gr_ gr_85 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="85" data-gr-id="85">centres</g> in the villages.</li>
<li>Due to the huge demand for doctors in rural areas, <strong>there is an increasing proliferation of fraudsters.</strong> Identification of these ill-trained medical practitioners is one of the main challenges ahead.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Just after independence, the ratio of the government sector to the private sector in health service was 75:25. Presently, the ratio has reversed. Consequently,<strong> it is important for the government sector to take initiation.</strong></li>
<li>Around 60% of the income of a poor household is spent as health care expenditure. In such a scenario, a resilient government support is very essential.</li>
<li>The cost of treatment is directly related to the cost of medical education. A medical student spending lakhs of rupees on his/her education would want to recover it from the patient. <strong>Hence, there should be a delicate balance maintained between public and private medical education cost.</strong></li>
<li>Consequently,<strong> strengthening of public medical college</strong> and capping of private medical college fees is imperative.</li>
<li>T<strong>here should be a statutory body</strong> to take action against any unethical practices.</li>
<li>The law to address dishonest practices has to be made stringent. <strong>Unregistered practitioners should be trained</strong> through a bridge course and then allowed to dispense medicine.</li>
<li>All the states, along with the <g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="84" data-gr-id="84">centre</g>,<strong> have to work in unison by implementing all the necessary law appropriately.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The Primary Health Care Centres</strong> and the <strong>Community Health Care Centre</strong>s have<strong> to be manned</strong> adequately with well-trained medical personnel.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-regulating-private-hospitals'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Greenhouse Gas Levels Reach Record Highs: UN Report',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have reached another new record high, according to <strong>the United Nations weather agency, World Meteorological Organization (WMO).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In its annual greenhouse gas bulletin, WMO reveals that there is <strong>no sign of a reversal of the upward trend,</strong> responsible for climate change, sea level rise, ocean acidification <g class="gr_ gr_87 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="87" data-gr-id="87">and</g> extreme weather.</li>
<li>It can be noted that <g class="gr_ gr_101 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="101" data-gr-id="101">report</g> <strong>talks about concentrations and not emissions</strong>. The concentrations differ from emissions in that they represent what <strong>remains in the atmosphere after some of the gases are absorbed by the seas, land <g class="gr_ gr_102 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="102" data-gr-id="102">and</g> trees.</strong> Since 1990 the warming impact of these <g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="76" data-gr-id="76">long lived</g> gases on the climate has increased by 41%.</li>
<li>Atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> reached 146% of the pre-industrial level in 2017, primarily because of emissions from combustion of fossil fuels and cement production, deforestation <g class="gr_ gr_96 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="96" data-gr-id="96">and</g> other land-use change. Levels of other key greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere also rose.</li>
<li>The increase in <strong>CO<sub>2</sub> concentration</strong> from 2016 to 2017 was <strong>smaller than the rise</strong> from 2015 to 2016<strong> because of the impact of El Ni&ntilde;o,</strong>&nbsp;which peaked in 2015 and 2016. This triggered droughts in some parts of the world, which in turn<strong> reduced the ability of forests and vegetation in these areas to soak up CO<sub>2</sub></strong>, hence more of it stayed in the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>El Nino</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>El Ni&ntilde;o means <strong>The Little <g class="gr_ gr_85 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="85" data-gr-id="85">Boy,</g></strong> or <strong>Christ Child in Spanish.</strong> It is a<strong> periodic climate event</strong> that causes waters to <strong>warm up in <g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="84" data-gr-id="84">east-central</g> Pacific Ocean,</strong> which in turn causes huge changes in wind directions bringing less rain to Southeast Asia and the Indian <g class="gr_ gr_86 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="86" data-gr-id="86">subcontinent,</g> while increasing rain in other parts of the world.</li>
<li>There is also an <strong>opposite of an El Ni&ntilde;o,</strong> called <strong>La Ni&ntilde;a means The Little Girl in Spanish.</strong> This refers to times when waters of the tropical eastern Pacific are <strong>colder than normal</strong> and trade winds blow more strongly than usual.</li>
<li>Collectively, El Ni&ntilde;o and La Ni&ntilde;a are parts of an oscillation in the ocean-atmosphere system called<strong> the El Ni&ntilde;o-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO cycle.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Meteorological Organization (WMO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>specialized agency of the United Nations</strong>, which is dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The state and behaviour of the <strong>Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere,</strong></li>
<li>The atmosphere&rsquo;s <strong>interaction with the land and oceans, </strong></li>
<li>The<strong> weather and climate it produces,</strong> and</li>
<li>The resulting <strong>distribution of water resources.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Secretariat,<strong> headquartered in Geneva,</strong> is headed by the <strong>Secretary-General</strong> (appointed by the <strong>World Meteorological Congress for a four-year term)</strong>. Its supreme body is the World Meteorological Congress.</li>
<li>WMO originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873 to facilitate the exchange of weather information across national borders. <strong>WMO became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1951.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Methane is the second most</strong> important greenhouse gas, and about 60% of it in the atmosphere comes from human activities like cattle farming, rice cultivation and fossil fuel extraction. Levels in the atmosphere are now about 257% of what they were before the industrial revolution, and the rate of increase is very much constant over the last decade.</li>
<li><strong>Nitrous oxide comes</strong> from natural and human sources including <g class="gr_ gr_106 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="106" data-gr-id="106">fertiliser</g> use and industry. It's now about 122% of pre-industrial levels. N<sub>2</sub>O is emitted into the atmosphere from <strong>both natural (about 60%) and anthropogenic sources (approximately 40%),</strong> including oceans, soils, biomass burning, fertilizer use <g class="gr_ gr_105 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="105" data-gr-id="105">and</g> various industrial processes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The likely causes of N<sub>2</sub>O increase in the atmosphere are an <strong>increased use of fertilizers in agriculture and increased <g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="78" data-gr-id="78">release</g> of N<sub>2</sub>O from soils due to an excess of atmospheric nitrogen deposition related to air pollution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_80 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="80" data-gr-id="80">Sulphur</g> hexafluoride (SF<sub>6</sub>)</strong> is a potent<strong> <g class="gr_ gr_74 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="74" data-gr-id="74">long lived</g> Green House Gas (GHG).</strong> It is produced by the <strong>chemical industry</strong>, mainly as an electrical insulator in power distribution equipment.</li>
<li>While Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and most halons are decreasing, some hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are also potent GHGs, are increasing at relatively rapid rates, although they are still low in abundance.</li>
<li>The WMO also highlighted the <strong>discovery of <g class="gr_ gr_97 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="97" data-gr-id="97">illicit</g> production of CFC-11,</strong> a banned chemical that both <g class="gr_ gr_98 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="98" data-gr-id="98">warms</g> the planet and destroys ozone. Investigations indicate that at least some of the production is in China.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the <strong>Montreal Protocol, CFC-11 was supposed to be phased out</strong> of production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Montreal Protocol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Adopted on<strong> 16 September 1987, </strong>the Montreal Protocol on <strong>substances that deplete the ozone layer</strong> regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 <g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="75" data-gr-id="75"><g class="gr_ gr_99 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="99" data-gr-id="99">man</g> made</g> chemicals referred to as Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).</li>
<li>The protocol provides for <strong>phasing out halogenated hydrocarbons like tetrachloride, CFCs used in aerosols, halons</strong> used in fire extinguishers,<strong> HydroChloroFluoroCarbons (HCFCs)</strong> used in refrigeration and foams, and <strong>methyl</strong> used in fumigation activity of agriculture.</li>
<li>Since its adoption, it has undergone<strong> eight revisions</strong>, the latest and the<strong> ninth being the Kigali agreement.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2016, Kigali amendment</strong> was made to the protocol to <strong>phase out HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC),</strong> a set of 19 gases in the hydrofluorocarbon family used extensively in the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry. Though <strong>HFCs are not ozone-depleting</strong> but are thousand times more dangerous than carbon dioxide in <strong>causing global warming.</strong></li>
<li>Under the amendment, developed nations will begin phasing down HFC gases by 2019, while developing countries will follow suit by 2024.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This report by WMO needs to be seen alongside the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent IPCC 1.5C</a> report which warned that the world needed to be essentially carbon neutral by 2050.</li>
<li>The WMO bulletin comes out <strong>before climate negotiators begin at the Conference of Parties (COP24) meeting in Katowice, Poland,</strong> where countries will discuss putting the Paris climate agreement into practice and increasing their ambitions when it comes to cutting warming gases.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenhouse-gas-levels-reach-record-highs-un-report'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'APEC Fails to Reach Consensus',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>30th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit took place in Papua New Guinea.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the first time since its inception APEC has failed to release a joint communique due to lack of consensus among the members over trade and security issues.</li>
<li>All 20 countries except China agreed to the joint statement.</li>
</ul>
<h3>US-China Targeted Each Other at APEC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>US targeted China&rsquo;s<strong> Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong> and called it as <strong>&ldquo;constricting belt&rdquo;</strong> and a <strong>&ldquo;One-way Road&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>While urging the nations to support it, US also warned smaller countries to be cautious of <strong>&ldquo;debt-trap&rdquo;</strong> by China and said not to accept debt which compromise sovereignty.</li>
<li>China defended BRI and said that there is <strong>no geo-political agenda behind it</strong> and it is<strong> not an exclusive club closed to non-members</strong>, nor is it a trap.</li>
<li>China targeted US policy of<strong> &ldquo;America First&rdquo;</strong> and said that erecting barriers and cutting ties is a <strong>short-sighted approach doomed t</strong>o fail.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Consequences</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>On Global Economy</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The U.S.-China discord at APEC highlights the dangers of their trade war, trade war between the US and China could cripple the Pacific Rim economy.</li>
<li>Due to the tariff war International Monetary Fund has downgraded its global growth outlook for 2018 and 2019.</li>
<li>If this continues, global supply chains will be impacted, and shrinking trade volumes may cause companies to seek out new trading routes and partners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Global Institutions</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Multilateral rule-making bodies such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and APEC may lose their authority, and an interlocking system of bilateral trade treaties may substitute the consensus-based approach which came into existence after World War 2.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established: 1989</li>
<li><strong>Members: 21</strong></li>
<li><strong>India is not a Member.</strong></li>
<li>Member Nations:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The founding members were Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; New Zealand; the Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; and the United States.</li>
<li>China; Hong Kong, China; and Chinese Taipei joined in 1991.</li>
<li>Mexico and Papua New Guinea in 1993.</li>
<li>Chile joined in 1994. And in 1998, Peru Russia and Vietnam joined.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>APEC is the premier Asia-Pacific economic forum. Primary goal of APEC is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.</li>
<li>Its 21 member economies are home to around 2.8 billion people and represent approximately 59% of world GDP and 49% of world trade in 2015.</li>
<li>In <strong>1994</strong> during Bogor, Indonesia summit, APEC sets the <strong>Bogor Goals</strong> of <strong>&ldquo;free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific by 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing economies.&rdquo;</strong></li>
<li>India has requested membership in APEC, and received initial support from the United States, Japan, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Officials have decided not to allow India to join as India does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do.</li>
<li><strong>India was invited to be an observer for the first time in November 2011.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/apec-fails-to-reach-consensus'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'India to Study Marijuana-Derived Drugs',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Three major science administrators in India &mdash;<strong> The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Biotechnology</strong> &mdash; are getting together to promote research in <strong>herbal drugs</strong>, some of which involve deriving new drugs from marijuana.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientists are preparing for India&rsquo;s first human clinical trials to test cannabis-based compounds on select diseases.</li>
<li>Researchers will test whether strains of marijuana could be effective in the treatment of breast cancer, sickle-cell anaemia as well as for &ldquo;bioequivalent&rdquo; (similar in make-up and effect) to marijuana-derived drugs already approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA).</li>
<li>The studies into the therapeutic potential of marijuana is part of a governmental thrust to produce new drugs derived from herbs and plants that find mention in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine knowledge systems.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s move towards clinical trials of cannabis derivatives comes amid growing evidence of the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabis in the treatment of cancer, multiple sclerosis and a rare but severe form of epilepsy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Marijuana or Hemp</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Marijuana (or hemp), part of the cannabis super-family, is illegal for commercial cultivation though it grows as weed in several parts of the country. Uttarakhand, Jammu and &mdash; recently Uttar Pradesh &mdash; have allowed restricted cultivation of the plant for medical research.</li>
<li>The Marijuana has two components <strong>CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol ).</strong></li>
<li><strong>CBD does not cause intoxication or euphoria</strong> and has been successfully proven to provide relief to chronic pain without causing psychoactive side effects.</li>
<li>It is <strong>THC</strong> which <strong>is the primary psychoactive components</strong> of Marijuana.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The 1985 Narcotic Drugs and Psychoactive Substances Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NDPS Act 1985 <strong>bans commercial cultivation of cannabis.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>bar does not apply to an edible preparation called bhang,</strong> which is allowed in some States.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 is an international treaty to prohibit production and supply of specific (nominally narcotic) drugs and of drugs with similar effects except under licence for specific purposes, such as medical treatment and research.</li>
<li>The Single Convention refers to drug addiction as <strong>&ldquo;a serious evil for the individual [that] is fraught with social and economic danger to mankind&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Marijuana Legalisation Debate</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cannabis has been recognised for its medical use in 29 out of 51 US States, Canada, Australia and a significant number of another 20-odd countries across the world. In India, however, cannabis-derived drugs are unavailable, illegal and cannot be prescribed by doctors.</li>
<li>Apart from medical purposes, the cultural and economic significance have been used as an argument in the favour of cannabis legalization.</li>
<li><strong>Marijuana Should Be Legalized</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Legalisation will curb crime</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Evidence suggests that strict enforcement of the narcotics law based on <strong>prohibition tends to target the most defenceless members</strong> along the drug smuggling chain.</li>
<li>Prohibition strengthens the cartels they should be targeting. The big cartels and traffickers remain out of reach of the regular law enforcement machinery.</li>
<li>Filling jails with drug users and street-level suppliers only <strong>stresses the criminal justice system.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Legalization</strong> will also enhances security for all of society, as<strong> it helps undermine criminal markets.</strong></li>
<li>Due to the drug&rsquo;s illegality, cannabis are sold underground and is a source of revenue for criminal gangs and terrorist organizations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural and Historical Significance</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>documented use of cannabis in India dates back to the Vedic period.</strong> In the Atharva-veda, the &lsquo;bhang&rsquo; plant finds a notable mention as one of nature&rsquo;s five sacred, distress-relieving plants. During the festival of Holi, the consumption of bhang is an integral part of the celebrations even today.</li>
<li><strong>Indian Hemp Drugs Commission in 1894</strong> found consumption of cannabis in colonial India extensive and determined that its use was very ancient, had some religious sanction, and was harmless in moderation.</li>
<li>The <strong>commission recommended against complete ban</strong> on its consumption as it can push consumer towards other hard drugs.</li>
<li>Until 1985, when NDPS Act was enacted, cannabis derivatives &mdash; bhang, charas and ganja &mdash; were regulated by the various state excise departments and legally sold by licensed shops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Less Health Risk when compared to Alcohol</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>WHO study concluded that the public health risks from cannabis use were likely less severe than those posed by alcohol and tobacco, which are legal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Business and Economic Possibilities</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The legal <strong>marijuana market</strong> is currently worth<strong> more than $7 billion globally,</strong> and is expected to hit $31 billion by 2021.</li>
<li>The <strong>fabric produced from hemp is of very high quality.</strong> Hemp is also highly suitable as a technical fibre. India also has many startups working in this field like The mumbai-based The Bombay Hemp Co. (BOHECO).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marijuana Should Remain Illegal</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Marijuana Causes Psychosis</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Marijuana can trigger mental health related issues in its users. THC in marijuana has been proved to cause psychosis.</li>
<li>Those who use it as adolescents or younger may be more likely to<strong> develop mental health problems later in life.</strong> In some cases, it can also make people feel<strong> nauseous, lethargic, forgetful, anxious, or confused.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marijuana is a gateway drug</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Cannabis has been engineered to become much more potent an addictive.</strong> Growers has decreased level of CBD and increased level of THC.</li>
<li>A vulnerable person who will abuse it as a gateway drug before moving to more dangerous substances.<strong> In a study it was found that 45% who used marijuana also used other &lsquo;Hard&rsquo; drugs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marijuana damages organs</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The World Health Organization has listed a number of diseases associated with the consumption of marijuana, including<strong> impairment in cognitive functioning, airway injury, bronchitis and lung inflammation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulations difficult to enforce</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If marijuana will be available at a pharmacy with a prescription (like in the US) how government will ensure that it&rsquo;s not bought for recreational purpose. Considering, cough syrups and inhalants are freely accessible and brought incessantly by addicts.<strong></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Prohibiting and making it illegal has not prevented the availability of marijuana in the market nor its use by people.</li>
<li>The <strong>potential risks that cannabis poses illustrate why it is necessary to legally regulate this drug.</strong> Rather than leaving the trade of cannabis in the hands of an unregulated criminal market, the drug should be safely produced by competent farmers, packaged and tested in suitable facilities, and sold by reputable and licensed vendors.</li>
<li><strong>Regulation allows cannabis buyers to know what they are consuming and moderate their intake in accordance with the THC level in the marketed marijuana.</strong></li>
<li>Imposing tax on cannabis sales can create revenue for the state.<strong> Tax collected could be spent on educating people about the risks of cannabis use, like public service information on alcohol and tobacco.</strong></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-study-marijuana-derived-drugs'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Atmospheric Geoengineering Experiment to Curb Global Warming',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>The research by scientists at Harvard and Yale universities, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, proposed using a technique known as <strong>stratospheric aerosol injection,</strong> which could cut the rate of global warming in half.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The technique would involve <strong>spraying large amounts of sulfate particles</strong> into the Earth's lower stratosphere at altitudes as high as 12 mile (around 20 kilometre). The sulfates will be delivered with specially designed high-altitude aircraft, balloons or large naval-style guns.</li>
<li>The idea is to <strong>help shield the Earth from just enough sunlight</strong> to help keep temperatures low, i.e.<strong> increasing the planet&rsquo;s albedo,</strong> or reflective power. This method would <strong>mimic what large volcanoes do.</strong> E.g.:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1991, <strong>Mount Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines.</strong> It was the second largest eruption of the 20th century. In total, the eruption injected 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide aerosols into the stratosphere which <strong>lowered atmospheric temperature by approximately 1-degree Fahrenheit.</strong> However, it&rsquo;s effect only lasted a couple of years because the sulfates eventually fell to Earth. Moreover, it <strong>affected precipitation</strong> in many parts of the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The report does, however, acknowledge that the technique is <strong>purely hypothetical</strong> and would involve developing a new, purpose built tanker with substantial payload capabilities that may take around 15 years' of time.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Geoengineering</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Geoengineering is the technique designed to <strong>tackle the effects of climate change directly,</strong> usually by <strong>removing carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) from the air</strong> or <strong>limiting the amount of sunlight reaching</strong> the planet's surface.</li>
<li>It involves deliberate planet-scale interventions to counteract global warming.</li>
<li><strong>Methods to remove CO<sub>2</sub> from the air:</strong> Increasing the <strong>capacity of trees and plants to absorb CO<sub>2</sub></strong> from the air, burning large quantities of wood in power plants with <strong>carbon-capture technology,</strong>&nbsp;making and burying <strong>large amounts of charcoal to lock carbon</strong> into the soils, grazing cattle in a way designed to<strong> turn grasslands into giant carbon sinks</strong>, fertilising the <strong>oceans with iron</strong> to encourage the growth of <strong>algae that can soak up atmospheric carbon dioxide,</strong> etc.</li>
<li><strong>Methods to limit amount of sunlight:</strong> Placing <strong>mirrors in space that reflect sunlight</strong> away from the Earth, firing<strong> sulphate aerosols into the stratosphere,</strong> using unmanned ships to increase above-ocean cloud cover by<strong> spraying sea water into the air,&nbsp;</strong>etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The technique could result in<strong> reduced precipitation, soil moisture and river flow in many regions.</strong></li>
<li>Injection of sulphur compounds into the stratosphere is likely to<strong> increase acid deposition</strong> on the ground and also contribute to <strong>ozone layer depletion.</strong></li>
<li>Once the aerosol has been injected into the atmosphere, it<strong> cannot be removed.</strong></li>
<li>Stratospheric aerosol injection techniques could jeopardize<strong> crop yields, lead to droughts or cause extreme weather.</strong></li>
<li>The proposals also don't address the issue of rising greenhouse gas emissions, which are a leading cause of global warming. Few argue that it's only a <strong>temporary Band-Aid covering</strong> a problem.</li>
<li>Solar radiation management is still a much worse solution than greenhouse gas emissions: it is <strong>more costly and much more risky over the long run.</strong></li>
<li>There are the <strong>ethical and governance issues</strong> that surround geoengineering as well, questions about who should be allowed to do what and when.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The buildup of greenhouse gases is <strong>already altering the atmosphere and climate in an unprecedented and uncontrolled manner.</strong> Climate researchers should <strong>explore solar geoengineering</strong> to determine whether it would actually work and how safe it would be.</li>
<li>Along with this political scientists also need to start thinking about how to implement such an unprecedented planetary project. All that will be left then is <strong>for society and governments to face the impossibly difficult task of deciding whether to do it.</strong></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmospheric-geoengineering-experiment-to-curb-global-warming'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'The Post And The Person: On Strengthening The EC',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;The post and the person: on strengthening the EC&rdquo; which appears in The Hindu for 22nd November 2018. It evaluates Election Commission.)</p>
</div>
<p>When India adopted democracy, the path to democracy was rough, as democratic institutions in pre-independent India were not allowed to be functioned democratically. <strong>Competitive nature of election is an essential requirement for a functioning democracy.</strong></p>
<p>That electoral democracy became a reality in India owes a great deal to the foresight of the Constituent Assembly. The Constitution of India provides for periodic elections, which ensure democratic transfer of political power from one set of representatives to other. <strong>The Election Commission of India, a non-partisan constitutional body, conducts the largest electoral exercise in the world.</strong></p>
<p><strong>The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court is examining a public interest litigation (PIL) which seeks the strengthening of the Election Commission of India (ECI), includes a proposal to create an independent mechanism to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (</strong><g class="gr_ gr_114 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="114" data-gr-id="114">ECs</g><strong>).</strong></p>
<p>The petitioner has filed this<strong> PIL under the Article 32</strong> (guarantees the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of all or any of the fundamental rights)<strong> to provide same and similar protection to both the Election Commissioners</strong> so that they shall not be removed from their office except in the like manner and on the like grounds as the Chief Election Commissioner.</p>
<h3>Appointment</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The appointment of the chief election commissioner (Article 324(2)) and other election commissioners are made by the president.</strong> When any other election commissioner is so appointed, the chief election commissioner shall act as the chairman of the election commission.</li>
<li>The president may also appoint after consultation with the election commission such regional commissioners as he may consider necessary to assist the election commission.</li>
<li>T<strong>he conditions of service and tenure</strong> of office of the election commissioners and the regional commissioners shall be <strong>determined by the president.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Problems with the appointment of CECs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>Supreme Court bench pointed out that there is a &ldquo;gap&rdquo; due to the lack of a parliamentary law</strong> which transparently spells out the eligibility criteria required for a person to be an election commissioner.</li>
<li>Even the <strong>selection procedure</strong> of the CBI Director is <g class="gr_ gr_107 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="107" data-gr-id="107">formalised</g> by a written law, bu<strong>t not that of Election Commissioners.</strong></li>
<li>It said the appointments were made by the President solely on the basis of the advice given by the political-executive at the Centre. This <strong>situation allegedly gives &ldquo;ample room for the ruling party to choose someone</strong> whose loyalty is ensured and renders the selection process vulnerable to manipulations and partisanship which is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When the Constituent Assembly debated how to ensure free and fair elections, three important questions arose.</li>
<li>The first was whether free and fair elections should be made a part of fundamental rights or an independent institution, outside the executive, should be established to conduct the elections. The Assembly opted for the latter and created the ECI.</li>
<li>The second critical decision was to have a single, <g class="gr_ gr_126 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="126" data-gr-id="126">centralised</g> body for elections to the Lok Sabha and State legislatures. One proposal was that the ECI be confined to federal elections, and separate institutions <g class="gr_ gr_124 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="124" data-gr-id="124">be</g> set up to conduct elections to State legislatures. However, with increasing tension among communities, the Assembly feared partisan action in the States and opted for a single national institution, the ECI.</li>
<li>Constitution provided simply for the CEC to be appointed by the President, leaving it to the legislature to enact a suitable law, which never happened. The Constituent Assembly did provide, though, that the CEC could only be removed through impeachment. For the ECs, even this safeguard was not provided, which is also a subject of the above-mentioned PIL.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>T<strong>he Election Commission(EC) of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Election Commission of India is a permanent Constitutional Body, which was</li>
<li>established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950.</li>
<li>The Commission conducts elections in accordance with the constitutional provisions, supplemented by laws made by Parliament.</li>
<li>The major laws include Representation of the People Act, 1950, which mainly deals with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls, the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which deals, in detail, with all aspects of the conduct of elections and post-election disputes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>The Role of Election Commission in Strengthening the Democracy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ECI has been successfully conducting national as well as state elections since 1952. In recent years, however, the Commission has started to <strong>play the more active role to ensure greater participation of people.</strong></li>
<li>The Commission had <strong>gone to the extent of disciplining the political parties</strong> with a threat of derecognition if the parties failed in maintaining inner-party democracy.</li>
<li>It <strong>upheld the values enshrined in the Constitution</strong> viz, equality, equity, impartiality, independence; and rule of law in superintendence, direction, and control over the electoral governance.</li>
<li>It conducts elections with the highest standard of <strong>credibility, freeness, fairness, transparency, integrity, accountability, autonomy</strong> and professionalism.</li>
<li>It ensures participation of all <strong>eligible citizens in the electoral process in an inclusive voter-centric and voter-friendly environment.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>engages with political parties</strong> and all stakeholders in the interest of the electoral process.</li>
<li><strong>It creates awareness</strong> about the electoral process and electoral governance amongst stakeholders namely, voters, political parties, election functionaries, candidates and people at large; and to enhance and strengthen confidence and trust in the electoral system of this country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Major Shortcomings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The election process has deteriorated, political competition has intensified, and political actors have stepped up violence and electoral malpractices. T<strong>he ECI has been unable to arrest this deterioration.</strong></li>
<li>Several State governments make large-scale transfers on the eve of elections and posted pliable officials in key positions, who sometimes flout the ECI&rsquo;s orders.</li>
<li>In response, ECI has reprimanded the politicians for violating the Model Code of Conduct, postponed/ canceled elections if their credibility was compromised, intensified supervision of elections, and insisted on action against errant officials.</li>
<li>The ECI is not adequately equipped to regulate the political parties. The ECI has no power in enforcing inner-party democracy and regulation of party finances.</li>
<li>In the recent years, an impression is gaining ground that the <strong>Election Commission is becoming less and less independent of the Executive</strong> than in the earlier years of Independence because the choice of the Chief Election Commissioner has not always been based on criteria, which would command the confidence of all sections of public opinion.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As history shows, inadequate leadership is the bane of our public institutions. Safeguards to ensure that ethical and capable people head them are crucial.</li>
<li>2nd ARC report recommended that collegium headed by the Prime Minister with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Law Minister and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha as members should make recommendations for the consideration of the President for appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>DRISHTI INPUT</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Law Commission of India submitted its Report on &ldquo;Electoral Reforms&rdquo; to the Union Law and Justice Ministry:</li>
<li>The ECI should be strengthened by first, giving equal constitutional protection to all members of the Commission in matters of removability; second, making the appointment process of the Election Commissioners and the CEC consultative; and third, creating a permanent, independent Secretariat for the ECI.</li>
<li>Article 324(5) of the Constitution should be amended to equate the removal procedures of the two Election Commissioners with that of the Chief Election Commissioner. Thus, equal constitutional protection should be given to all members of the ECI in matters of removability from office.</li>
<li>The appointment of all the Election Commissioners, including the CEC, should be made by the President in consultation with a three-member collegium or selection committee, consisting of the Prime Minister; the Leader of the Opposition of the Lok Sabha (or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha in terms of numerical strength); and the Chief Justice of India. Elevation of an Election Commissioner should be on the basis of seniority, unless the <g class="gr_ gr_131 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="131" data-gr-id="131">three <g class="gr_ gr_132 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="132" data-gr-id="132">member</g></g> collegium/committee, for reasons to be recorded in writing, finds such Commissioner unfit. Amendments should be made in the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991 to reflect this.</li>
<li>A new sub-clause (2A) should be added to Article 324 of the Constitution to provide for a separate independent and permanent Secretariat for the ECI along the lines of the Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha Secretariats under Article 98 of the Constitution. This will further improve the independence of the ECI.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-post-and-the-person-on-strengthening-the-ec'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (24th November 2018)',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>IMD Can Forecast Rise in the Water Level<span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Against the backdrop Kerala floods, a <strong>new technology</strong> has been developed by <strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong> to assess the <strong>rise in water level in rivers and reservoirs due to rain</strong> which can help State governments to minutely monitor the impact of rainfall.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The technology called the </span><b>&lsquo;Impact Based Forecasting Approach</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">&rsquo; which shows &ldquo;pre-event scenario&rdquo; can help authorities in taking proactive and real-time decisions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Impact-based forecasting and warning services aim to improve the synergy between stakeholders and citizens that play a role in <g class="gr_ gr_44 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="44" data-gr-id="44">a (</g>e.g. flood) crisis, by bridging the gaps between the four components for an effective early warning system:</span>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">risk knowledge, </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">monitoring and warning service, </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dissemination and communication and </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">response capability</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">IMD was established in 1875.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is an agency of the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences</strong> of the Government of India. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Constitution in Braille</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Constitution of India will be made available in Braille for the first time ahead of the <strong>Constitution Day on November 26</strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a joint project undertaken by The Buddhist Association for the blind along with Saavi Foundation and Swagat Thorat, the Constitution will be made available in five parts in Braille for the benefit of visually challenged individuals.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">A book in Braille script cannot cross more than 150 pages due to its limitations. So the constitution will be published in five parts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Swagat Thorat has been running <strong>India's first Braille newspaper</strong> &lsquo;<strong>Sparshdnyan</strong>&rsquo; since 2008.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Vaccine for Goat Plague</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Researchers from the UK and India have jointly developed a<strong> &lsquo;smart&rsquo; vaccine</strong> which has the potential to help eradicate goat plague. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The major contribution from British scientists <g class="gr_ gr_40 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="40" data-gr-id="40">was</g> providing a template for developing the smart vaccine, which is also called <strong>DIVA vaccine</strong>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Goat plague, or <g class="gr_ gr_39 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="39" data-gr-id="39">peste</g> des <g class="gr_ gr_41 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="41" data-gr-id="41">petits</g> ruminants (PPR), is a highly contagious <strong>viral disease</strong> that afflicts goats and sheep in many parts of the country. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The disease kills small ruminants in large numbers unless they are vaccinated. Apart from India, goat plague is prevalent in many African countries, West Asia, China and Mongolia.</span></li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-24th-november-2018'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Data Localisation',
			'catname' => 'Paper 3',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The RBI gave October 15 as the deadline for global financial technology companies to comply with its data localization norms in India and to store transaction data of Indian customers within India.</li>
<li>In a circular in April 2018, RBI had said that all system providers shall ensure that the entire data relating to payment systems operated by them are stored in a system only in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Srikrishna Committee Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="76" data-gr-id="76">Atleast</g> one copy of personal data will need to be stored on servers located within India.</li>
<li>Transfers outside the country will need to be subject to safeguards.</li>
<li>Critical personal data will only be stored and processed in India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Data Protection Bill 2018</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The right to privacy is a fundamental right which necessitates <g class="gr_ gr_97 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="97" data-gr-id="97">protection</g> of personal data as an essential facet of informational privacy.</li>
<li>Establishment of a Data Protection Authority to take steps to protect <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="91" data-gr-id="91">interests</g> of individuals, prevent misuse of personal data and to lay down norms for cross-border transfer of personal data.</li>
<li>The Central Government shall notify categories of personal data as critical personal data that shall only be processed in a server or data centre located in India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Draft National E-Commerce Policy Framework</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recommended data localisation and suggested a two-year sunset period for the industry to adjust before localization rules <g class="gr_ gr_93 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="93" data-gr-id="93">becomes</g> mandatory.</li>
<li>Proposes incentives to encourage data localization and grant infrastructure status to data centres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Is Data Localisation?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Data localisation is the practice of storing data on any device that is physically present within the borders of the country where the data is generated. As of now, most of these data are stored, in a cloud, outside India.</li>
<li>Localisation mandates that companies collecting critical data about consumers must store and process them within the borders of the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages of Data Localisation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Secures citizen&rsquo;s data and provides data privacy and data sovereignty from foreign surveillance. Example - Facebook shared user data with Cambridge Analytica to influence voting.</li>
<li>Unfettered supervisory access to data will help Indian law enforcement ensure better monitoring.</li>
<li>Ensures National Security by providing ease of investigation to Indian Law Enforcement agencies as they currently need to rely on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) to obtain access to data.</li>
<li>It will give local governments and regulators the jurisdiction to call for the data when required.</li>
<li>Data centre industries are expected to benefit due to the data localisation which will further create employment in India.</li>
<li>Greater accountability from firms like Google, Facebook etc. about the end use of data.</li>
<li>Minimises conflict of jurisdiction due to <g class="gr_ gr_77 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="77" data-gr-id="77">cross border</g> data sharing and delay in justice delivery in case of <g class="gr_ gr_87 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="87" data-gr-id="87">data</g> breach.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> <strong>Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs)</strong> are agreements between governments that facilitate the exchange of information relevant to an investigation happening in at least one of those countries<g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="75" data-gr-id="75">.India</g> has signed Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with U.S. and 39 other countries.</p>
</div>
<h3></h3>
<h3>Challenges of Data Localisation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Maintaining multiple local data centres may lead to significant investments in infrastructure and higher costs for global companies.</li>
<li>Infrastructure in India for efficient data collection and management is lacking.</li>
<li>Splinternet or &lsquo;fractured internet&rsquo; where the domino effect of protectionist policy can lead to other countries following suit.</li>
<li>Even if the data is stored in the country, the encryption keys may still remain out of the reach of national agencies.</li>
<li>Forced data localisation can create inefficiencies for both businesses and consumers. It can also increase the cost and reduce the availability of data-dependent services.</li>
</ul>
<h3>International Practices</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Many countries have implemented or are in the process of implementing data localisation laws, including &mdash; China, United States, Brazil, Indonesia and Russia.</li>
<li>Europe&rsquo;s new data protection regime puts limits on cross-border data flows to countries that don&rsquo;t have data protection laws.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="92" data-gr-id="92">need</g> to have an integrated long-term strategy for policy creation for data localisation.</li>
<li>Adequate infrastructure and adequate attention need to be given to the interests of India&rsquo;s Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industries, which are thriving on <g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="78" data-gr-id="78">cross border</g> data flow.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/Data-Localisation'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Case Study — 11 : Selection Committee's Dilemma in Sports',
			'catname' => 'Ethics Case Studies',
			'desc' => '<p>Q. You have recently become part of the selection committee of three people, which oversees the final selection of the players for a team at the state level. The sponsorship of the tournament as well as of your team is largely dependent on a business house as the game played by your team has not been a very popular one and doles from the government and support from very few reluctant private business groups has kept the things going. Now, in the meeting of the selection committee, you realize that many of the players who have performed well in the local circuits are missing from the list of players selected for the nationals. Also, few players in the tentative playing list seem to be there only on account of the backing of some senior executives of that business house which is the main sponsor of the team as well as of the tournament to be held.</p>
<p>You are told by your colleagues that this is the accepted practice and any resistance to it will risk the very possibility of participation of the team in the tournament as the business house can delay necessary funds or even withdraw its sponsorship. This will ruin the chances of the team members &ndash; most of whom are there on the basis of their merit, to stake <g class="gr_ gr_20 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="20" data-gr-id="20">claim</g> for selection in the national team. There is not enough time to manage funds from alternative sources or look for new sponsors.</p>
<p>What would you do under these circumstances:</p>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>You will allow the status-quo keeping in mind the larger interests of your team and practicality of the situation.</li>
<li>You will take a vocal stand against the malpractice in spite of the risk of jeopardizing the participation of your team in the present tournament.</li>
<li>Any other course of action.</li>
</ol>
<p>Discuss the merits and demerits of each of the options available before you and rationalize your course of action in such a scenario.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/ethics/case-studies/selection-committees-dilemma-in-sports'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'City Gas Distribution Scheme',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Prime Minister laid the foundation stone to mark the commencement of work for 9th round of City Gas Distribution(CGD).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Government of India is pushing to promote the usage of environment friendly clean fuel i.e. natural gas as a fuel/feedstock across the country to move towards a <strong>gas based economy.</strong></li>
<li>Presently the <strong>share of gas in the country&rsquo;s energy mix is just over 6%</strong> and the aim is to reach the 15% figure, while the<strong> world average is 24%.</strong></li>
<li>Purpose for development of CGD networks is to<strong> increase the availability of cleaner cooking fuel</strong> (i.e. Piped Natural Gas) and<strong> transportation fuel</strong> (i.e. Compressed Natural Gas) in the country.</li>
<li>The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has also initiated the process of new CGD bidding round covering 124 districts in 14 States to increase the potential coverage to about 53% of the country&rsquo;s area covering 70% of country&rsquo;s population.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government's clean energy initiatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CGD will help in supporting governments various clean energy initiatives of the Union Government like <strong>Ethanol Blending, Compressed Biogas plants, increased LPG coverage and introduction of BS-6 fuels for automobiles.</strong></li>
<li>CGD will support<strong> Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana</strong> as number of cylinders will be vacated for delivery in rural areas, from the cities which will get piped gas deliveries</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Significance of the Scheme</h3>
<p>Being an environment friendly, safer and cheaper, natural gas is a superior fuel as compared with coal and other liquid fuels.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reducing Air Pollution:</strong> India made a commitment in COP21 Paris Convention in December 2015 that by 2030 that it<strong> would reduce carbon emission by 33% of 2005 levels.</strong> Natural gas, as domestic kitchen fuel, as fuel for transport sector as well as a fuel for industries and commercial units, can play a significant role in reducing carbon emission.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per WHO database released in May 2018, India has 14 out of 15 world&rsquo;s most polluted cities in terms of PM 2.5 concentration. Large number of industries also consume polluting fuels like pet coke and furnace oil which emit polluting CO2. Natural Gas is most viable alternative to coal and other liquid fuels in order to curb air pollution.</li>
<li>The expansion of CGD network will also benefit to industrial and commercial units by ensuring the uninterrupted supply of natural gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Natural Gas is cheaper:&nbsp;</strong>Natural Gas in the form of CNG is 60% cheaper as compared to petrol and 45% cheaper as compared to diesel.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, natural gas in the form of PNG is 40% cheaper as compared with market price LPG and price of PNG almost matches with that of subsidised LPG based on prices in Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Employment Generation:&nbsp;</strong>Gas networks in cities will create a new ecosystem which will enable gas based industries, generates employment to youth.</li>
<li><strong>Address constraints of cylindered gas supply:&nbsp;</strong>Natural Gas supplied through pipelines is just like water from the tap. There is no need to store cylinders in the kitchen and thus saves space.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, delivering gas through cylinders is energy intensive exercise have many layers including gas agency, distributors. Piped supply is more efficient and helps in maintaining continuous supply.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Meeting Demands of Gas:&nbsp;</strong>Transition towards a gas based economy can suffer due to supply-side constraints.</li>
<li><strong>Pricing Issue:&nbsp;</strong>Imported gas should be available at affordable prices to all category of consumers be it domestic, commercial or industrial. Price should not be a hurdle in creating a gas-based economy.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure:&nbsp;</strong>Infrastructure requirement is a challenge as it requires both funding and acquisition of land.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong></strong>Creating a gas-based economy will require infrastructure at various levels like LNG terminals at port, technology for re-gasification of LNG, right of way for pipelines on land and CNG stations to distribute gas to consumers in cities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reasonable long term contract for LNG with natural gas exporting nations can help in addressing the issue of demand-supply constraints.</li>
<li>The government should <strong>enhance the LNG terminal capacity, renegotiate Indo-Qatar Gas</strong> <strong>deal</strong> to increase the supply of Gas.</li>
<li>It is also necessary to promote production of gas through domestic ways <strong>through agro-wastes and other products</strong> and including the same into the CGD network.</li>
<li>100% electrification, making efficient cook stoves, relying on other renewable sources like solar can help in reducing dependence on imported gas and also save on foreign exchange.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was constituted under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 .</li>
<li>The objective of PNGRB is to protect the interests of consumers and entities engaged in specified activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas and to promote competitive markets and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.</li>
<li>PNGRB authorises the CGD networks, natural gas and petroleum product pipelines, determines tariff, lays down the technical and safety standards etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/city-gas-distribution-scheme'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'UN Environment Award for India',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<p>Nine institutions and individuals from across Asia have been recognized by the United Nations, USAID, Interpol, and the Freeland Foundation for outstanding work in preventing transboundary environmental crime in an annual award ceremony in Bangkok.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>United Nation Environment has awarded <strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> with <strong>Asia Environment Enforcement Awards, 2018 f</strong>or excellent work done by the Bureau in combating <strong>transboundary environmental crime.</strong></li>
<li>The Asia Environment Enforcement Awards publicly recognize and celebrate excellence in enforcement by government officials and institutions/teams combating transboundary environmental crime in Asia.</li>
<li>The awards are given to outstanding individuals and/or government organizations/teams that demonstrate excellence and leadership in enforcement of national laws to combat transboundary environmental crime in one of the following eligibility criteria areas: <strong>collaboration; impact; innovation; integrity and gender leadership.</strong></li>
<li><strong>WCCB has been conferred this award in Innovation category.</strong></li>
<li>WCCB has adopted innovative enforcement techniques like an online Wildlife Crime Database Management System to get real time data in order to help analyze trends in crime and devise effective measures to prevent and detect wildlife crimes across India.</li>
<li>This system has been successfully used to analyse trends and for successfully carrying out operations such as:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Operation SAVE KURMA:</strong> species specific operation on turtles</li>
<li><strong>THUNDERBIRD:</strong> it is code-name for INTERPOL&rsquo;s multi-national and multi-species enforcement operation</li>
<li><strong>WILDNET:</strong> to curb illegal trade of wild animals and parts through online platforms</li>
<li><strong>LESKNOW:</strong>&nbsp;to check illegal trade of lesser-known species of animals</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Environmental crimes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Environmental crimes, which include<strong> illegal trade in wildlife, illicit trade in forests and forestry products, illegal dumping of waste including chemicals, smuggling of ozone depleting substances and illegal mining,</strong>&nbsp;estimated at up to $258 billion per year.</li>
<li>It is now the fourth largest illegal crime after drug smuggling, counterfeiting and human trafficking.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-environment-award-for-india'
		]
	],
	'updates' => object(Cake\ORM\Query) {

		'(help)' => 'This is a Query object, to get the results execute or iterate it.',
		'sql' => 'SELECT articles.article_id AS `articles__article_id`, articles.category_id AS `articles__category_id`, articles.title AS `articles__title`, articles.description AS `articles__description`, articles.shortdescription AS `articles__shortdescription`, articles.featuredimage AS `articles__featuredimage`, articles.tag_id AS `articles__tag_id`, articles.secondary_tag AS `articles__secondary_tag`, articles.type AS `articles__type`, articles.publishon AS `articles__publishon`, articles.posturl AS `articles__posturl`, articles.metatitle AS `articles__metatitle`, articles.metadescription AS `articles__metadescription`, articles.metakeyword AS `articles__metakeyword`, articles.status AS `articles__status`, articles.sort_order AS `articles__sort_order`, articles.addedby AS `articles__addedby`, articles.updatedby AS `articles__updatedby`, articles.added AS `articles__added`, articles.modified AS `articles__modified`, articles.whatsnewid AS `articles__whatsnewid`, articles.display_printpdf AS `articles__display_printpdf`, articles.display_comments AS `articles__display_comments`, articles.pdf_name AS `articles__pdf_name`, articles.display_archive AS `articles__display_archive` FROM articles articles WHERE status = :c0 ORDER BY publishon desc LIMIT 10',
		'params' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'defaultTypes' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'decorators' => (int) 0,
		'executed' => false,
		'hydrate' => true,
		'buffered' => true,
		'formatters' => (int) 0,
		'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
		'contain' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'matching' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'extraOptions' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}
	
	},
	'page' => (int) 236,
	'search' => 'class',
	'totalPages' => (float) 277,
	'title' => 'Search'
]
$progress = []
$bookmarks = []
$notes = []
$mynote = []
$topdata = [
	(int) 0 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/estore/test-series-en/upsc-mains-english/sociology-optional-mains-online-en',
		'title' => 'Sociology Mains Test Series 2020 - Join Now',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	},
	(int) 1 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/estore/test-series-en/upsc-prelims-english/prelims-test-series-2021-online',
		'title' => 'Prelims Test Series 2021 (Online) - Join Now',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	},
	(int) 2 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://bit.ly/drishtibooks',
		'title' => 'Get Drishti Publications books & magazines on Amazon - click here!',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	},
	(int) 3 => object(Cake\ORM\Entity) {

		'url' => 'https://bit.ly/joindrishti',
		'title' => 'Click here for Online Inquiry form to join Drishti IAS programmes',
		'type' => (int) 1,
		'date' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenDate) {},
		'[new]' => false,
		'[accessible]' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		],
		'[dirty]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[original]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[virtual]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[errors]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[invalid]' => [[maximum depth reached]],
		'[repository]' => 'news'
	
	}
]
$searchdata = []
$searchlist = [
	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Brexit Deal: What Lies Ahead?',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: left;">After months of negotiation,<strong> the United Kingdom(UK) and European Union(EU) have come up with a draft withdrawal agreement.</strong> To buy more time, both have agreed on a <strong>21-month "transition" period to smooth the way towards post-Brexit relations.</strong> However, Eurosceptics in Theresa May's (British P.M) own Conservative Party and opposition lawmakers expressed dissatisfaction over the way deal has evolved. It is now up to the UK parliament and EU member states to each <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="92" data-gr-id="92">ratify</g> the agreement, before Brexit day next March.</p>
<h3>Withdrawal Agreement and Transition Period</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The UK and EU are currently finalizing a withdrawal agreement&mdash;</strong>the draft text was agreed by UK and EU negotiators in November 2018.</li>
<li>A key part of the withdrawal agreement is, <strong>there will be a transition period, until the end of 2020.</strong></li>
<li>This agreement sets out the exact terms of the UK and EU relationship immediately after exit-<strong> but it is not clear, on what terms the UK and EU&rsquo;s future relationship will be.</strong></li>
<li>Rather, it is a transitional arrangement, designed to make the separation process smoother.<strong> It covers things like trade, law, and immigration.</strong></li>
<li><strong>During the transition, the UK will be officially out of the EU and not be represented on EU bodies, but would still have the same obligations as an EU member.</strong> That includes remaining in the EU customs union and the single market, contributing to the EU&rsquo;s budget, and following EU law.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why Transition Period?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The main reason for the transition period is that the UK and EU don&rsquo;t think they have enough time to agree to all the terms of their future relationship by 29 March 2019.</li>
<li>The transition period is designed to give them more time to iron out all the details of their future relationship, including a possible free trade deal.</li>
<li><strong>So, withdrawal agreement could be signed soon and will come into effect on 29 March 2019. That leads to a transition period until the end of 2020, and from 2021 the UK and EU enter a new relationship, possibly underpinned by a free trade deal.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Present Scenario</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>After a long arduous journey, <strong>the UK Cabinet has accepted the draft withdrawal agreement along with EU. Now the UK Parliament would vote on the contents of the agreement.</strong></li>
<li>It was a difficult agreement, nonetheless, a middle ground was found to appease some of the stakeholders in the deal. However, the deal has faced criticism in the UK.</li>
<li><strong>The ruling government may even have to face no-confidence motion over this.</strong> The opposition has called the draft a huge and a damaging failure.</li>
<li>There are many elements in the draft that have raised many eyebrows. However, the most contentious of them is the border settlement between the Northern Ireland and Ireland.</li>
<li>Besides the UK parliament, the draft deal has to be finalized by the EU Parliament before it is finalized. In the negotiation process, the EU would engage in a hard bargain so as to minimize the aftershocks of Brexit.</li>
<li><strong>The EU members have denied renegotiating the draft Brexit deal.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Effect of BREXIT on the EU</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Brexit will weaken those forces in the EU that </strong><g class="gr_ gr_74 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="74" data-gr-id="74">favour</g><strong> greater integration.</strong> It has been a long difficult task to bring together warring nations who were up against each other&rsquo;s throat in not one but two world wars. Brexit will strengthen the claim of countries like Greece and Spain which want greater autonomy in their internal functioning.</li>
<li><strong>An impending fear of greater German dominance would be a reality.</strong> Britain&rsquo;s presence somewhat balanced the power of Germany. With Brexit, Germany would become the vortex around whom everything would revolve.</li>
<li><strong>The Brexit is termed as a major ideological shift, characterized by strong immigration laws, strict borders, and inward-looking economy.</strong> This is against the major strain of globalization. Its effect might be far-reaching.</li>
<li>While the trade impact of Brexit on the UK is likely to be significantly negative, its impact on the EU is also expected to be negative, but small. The UK and the EU would become each other's biggest trading partner but some member states, notably Belgium, Cyprus, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands, are more exposed to a Brexit-induced economic shock.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Experts believe that if the draft gets turned down by the UK parliament, then it would pose a huge economic burden on the UK. A stopgap approach would disturb the fabric that has stood strong since the Second World War.</li>
<li><strong>Most experts believe that there should be a second referendum. The first referendum was based on lies, deceit, and misinformation.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/brexit-deal-what-lies-ahead'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Legal Services Day is celebrated on 9th November to spread awareness for ensuring reasonable fair and justice procedure for all citizens.</li>
<li>One of the objectives of Legal Services Authorities is to promote settlements of disputes through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ADR is a mechanism of dispute resolution that is non adversarial, i.e. working together co-operatively to reach the best resolution for everyone.</li>
<li>ADR can be instrumental in reducing the burden of litigation on courts, while delivering a well-rounded and satisfying experience for the parties involved.</li>
<li>It provides the opportunity to "expand the pie" through creative, collaborative bargaining, and fulfill the interests driving their demands.</li>
<li>ADR is generally classified into the following types:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Arbitration:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The dispute is submitted to an arbitral tribunal which makes a decision (an "award") on the dispute that is mostly binding on the parties.</li>
<li>It is less formal than a trial, and the rules of evidence are often relaxed.</li>
<li>Generally, there is no right to appeal an arbitrator's decision.</li>
<li>Except for some interim measures, there is very little scope for judicial intervention in the arbitration process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conciliation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A non-binding procedure in which an impartial third party, the conciliator, assists the parties to a dispute in reaching a mutually satisfactory agreed settlement of the dispute.</li>
<li>Conciliation is a less formal form of arbitration.</li>
<li>The parties are free to accept or reject the recommendations of the conciliator.</li>
<li>However, if both parties accept the settlement document drawn by the conciliator, it shall be final and binding on both.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mediation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In mediation, an impartial person called a "mediator" helps the parties try to reach a mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute.</li>
<li>The mediator does not decide the dispute but helps the parties communicate so they can try to settle the dispute themselves.</li>
<li>Mediation leaves control of the outcome with the parties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Negotiation:</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A non-binding procedure in which discussions between the parties are initiated without the intervention of any third party with the object of arriving at a negotiated settlement to the dispute</li>
<li>It is the most common method of alternative dispute resolution.</li>
<li>Negotiation occurs in business, non-profit organizations, government branches, legal proceedings, among nations and in personal situations such as marriage, divorce, parenting, and everyday life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages of ADRs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The resolution of disputes takes place usually in private &ndash; helping maintain confidentiality.</li>
<li>It is more viable, economic, and efficient.</li>
<li>Procedural flexibility saves valuable time and money and absence of stress of a conventional trial.</li>
<li>This often results in creative solutions, sustainable outcomes, greater satisfaction, and improved relationships.</li>
<li>The possibility of ensuring that specialized expertise is available on the tribunal in the person of the arbitrator, mediator, conciliator or neutral adviser.</li>
<li>Further, it offers greater direct control over the outcome. Personal relationships may also suffer less.</li>
</ul>
<h3>ADR in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Legal Services Authorities Act was passed in 1987 to encourage out-of-court settlements, and the new Arbitration and Conciliation Act was enacted in 1996.</li>
<li>Procedure for plea-bargaining was included in the Code of Criminal Procedure in 2005. {Plea-bargaining is best described as a <em>"pre-trial negotiation between the accused and the prosecution during which the accused agrees to plead guilty in exchange for certain concessions by the prosecution."</em>}</li>
<li>Lok Adalat or "people's court" comprises an informal setting which facilitates negotiations in the presence of a judicial officer wherein cases are dispensed without undue emphasis on legal technicalities. The order of the Lok-Adalat is final and binding on the parties, and is not appealable in a court of law.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ADR has proven successful in clearing the backlog of cases in various levels of the judiciary &ndash; Lok Adalats alone have disposed more than 50 lakh cases every year on average in the last three years.</li>
<li>But there seems to be a lack of awareness about the availability of these mechanisms.</li>
<li>The National and State Legal Services Authorities should disseminate more information regarding these, so they become the first option explored by potential litigants.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="/mind-map/gs-paper2/alternative-dispute-resolution-adr-mechanisms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">For Mind Map</a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/Paper2/alternative-dispute-resolution-adr-mechanisms-paper-2'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Andaman & Nicobar Islands’ Rich Faunal Diversity',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>A recent publication by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) titled <strong>Faunal Diversity of Biogeographic Zones: Islands of India</strong>, has for the first time come up with a database of all faunal species found on the Andaman and Nicobar (A&amp;N) islands.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the publication, A&amp;N islands which comprise only <strong>0.25% of India&rsquo;s geographical area</strong>, <g class="gr_ gr_79 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="79" data-gr-id="79">are</g> home to more than <strong>10% of the country&rsquo;s fauna species</strong>.</li>
<li>The presence of a large number of species in such a small area makes the A&amp;N islands one of the richest ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in India.</li>
<li>A long period of isolation from the mainland made the islands hotspots for speciation (the formation of new and distinct species) resulting in hundreds of endemic species and subspecies.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Zoological Survey of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), a subordinate organization of the <strong>Ministry of Environment and Forests</strong> was <strong>established in 1916</strong>.</li>
<li>It is a national centre for<strong> faunistic survey</strong> and exploration of the resources leading to the <strong>advancement of knowledge</strong> on the exceptionally <strong>rich faunal diversity of the country</strong>.</li>
<li>It has its headquarters at <strong>Kolkata</strong> and 16 regional stations located in different geographic locations of the country.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Faunal Diversity</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Major <strong>endemic faunal species</strong> found only on the A&amp;N Islands and nowhere else are <strong>Narcondam hornbill</strong>, <strong>Nicobar megapode</strong> (a bird that builds nests on the ground); <strong>Nicobar treeshrew</strong> (a small mole-like mammal), <strong>Long-tailed Nicobar macaque</strong>, and the <strong>Andaman day gecko</strong>.</li>
<li>Among <strong>marine fauna</strong> found on the islands, the <strong>Dugong (sea cow)</strong>, and the <strong>Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin</strong> are classified as <strong>Vulnerable</strong> under the <strong>IUCN</strong> (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species.</li>
<li>Among the <strong>terrestrial mammalian species</strong> found, three species have been categorised as <strong>Critically Endangered</strong> under <strong>IUCN Red List</strong> &mdash; <strong>Andaman shrew</strong> (<em>Crocidura <g class="gr_ gr_83 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="83" data-gr-id="83">andamanensis</g></em>), <strong>Jenkin&rsquo;s shrew</strong> (<em>C. <g class="gr_ gr_82 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="82" data-gr-id="82">jenkinsi</g></em>) and <strong>Nicobar shrew</strong> (<em>C. <g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling" id="84" data-gr-id="84">nicobarica</g></em>).</li>
<li>Another unique feature of the islands&rsquo; ecosystem is its <strong>marine faunal diversity</strong>, which includes <strong>coral reefs</strong> and its associated fauna.</li>
<li><strong> More than 500 species of scleractinian corals</strong> (hard or stony corals) are found in the island ecosystem which <g class="gr_ gr_69 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="69" data-gr-id="69">have</g> been protected under <strong>Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Findings: Causes &amp; Consequences</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Anthropogenic threats-<strong>tourism</strong>,<strong> illegal construction</strong> and <strong>mining</strong> are posing a threat to the islands&rsquo; biodiversity, which is already vulnerable to <strong>volatile climatic factors</strong>.</li>
<li>The development paradigm that is being pushed such as tourism, construction and development of military, is not taking in account three factors &mdash; <strong><g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="78" data-gr-id="78">ecological</g> fragility</strong> of the area (the endemism), <strong>geological volatility</strong> (earthquakes and tsunamis), and the<strong> impact they will have on local communities</strong>.</li>
<li>Any stress can have a long-lasting impact on the A&amp;N islands&rsquo; biodiversity, devastating the population size of any endemic fauna, followed by extinction within a limited span of time.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Andaman and Nicobar islands ( A&amp;N islands), popularly known as &lsquo;<strong>Bay Islands</strong>&rsquo;, are situated in the Bay of Bengal, midway between peninsular India and Myanmar, spreading like a broken necklace in the North-south direction.</li>
<li>The total geographic area of A&amp;N islands is 8249 sq km, of which Andaman group of islands cover 6408 sq km while Nicobar group cover 1841 sq km.</li>
<li>A&amp;N islands represent a <strong>typical tropical ecosystem</strong> that includes an endless stretch of <strong>tropical rainforests</strong> bordered by <strong>mangrove swamps</strong> and unspoilt fragile marine biota exhibiting an extreme degree of endemism.</li>
<li>The <strong>maximum altitude</strong> of these islands is 730 m at <strong>Saddle Peak</strong> in <strong>North Andaman</strong>, formed mainly of <strong>limestone, sandstone, and clay</strong>.</li>
<li>Two islands of<strong> volcanic origin</strong> are found, namely the <strong>Narcondam</strong> and the <strong>Barren islands</strong>. The former is now apparently extinct while the <strong>latter is still active</strong>.</li>
<li>The Andaman and Nicobars are separated by the<strong> Ten Degree Channel</strong> which is 150 Kms. wide.</li>
<li>The population of the islands is about 4 lakh, which includes <strong>six particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs)</strong>.</li>
<li>The indigenous people of <strong>Andamans</strong> are the <strong>Great Andamanese</strong>, the <strong>Jarawa</strong>; the <strong>Onge</strong>; and the <strong>Sentinelese (the most isolated of all the groups)</strong>.</li>
<li>The indigenous peoples of the <strong>Nicobars</strong> (unrelated to the Andamanese) are the <strong>Nicobarese</strong>; and the<strong> Shompen</strong>.</li>
<li>The <strong>Andaman Wood Pigeon</strong>, <strong>Andaman Padauk</strong> and <strong>Dugong</strong> are declared as <strong>State Bird</strong>, <strong>State Tree</strong> and <strong>State Animal</strong> respectively.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Biodiversity Hotspots of India</strong></p>
<p>There are <strong>four biodiversity</strong> <strong>hotspots</strong> in India:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Himalaya</strong>: Includes the <strong>entire Indian Himalayan region</strong> (and that falling in Pakistan, Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Myanmar)</li>
<li><strong>Indo-Burma</strong>: Includes<strong> entire North-eastern India</strong>, <strong>except Assam and Andaman group of Islands</strong> (and Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and southern China)</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_77 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="77" data-gr-id="77">Sundalands</g></strong>: Includes <strong>Nicobar group of Islands</strong> (and Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines)</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_86 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="86" data-gr-id="86">Western</g> Ghats</strong> <strong>and Sri Lanka</strong>: Includes <strong>entire Western Ghats</strong> (and Sri Lanka)</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/andaman-nicobar-islands-rich-faunal-diversity'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'RIMES Terms Titli Cyclone ‘Rarest of Rare’',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System <strong>(RIMES)</strong> for Africa and Asia, has termed<strong> &lsquo;Titli&rsquo;</strong>, the severe cyclonic storm that hit Odisha as <strong>&lsquo;rarest cyclone&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Titli cyclone was the rarest of rare in terms of its following characteristics:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Recurvature</strong> after landfall.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When the <strong>eye of the storm passes over land</strong>, it is classified as making landfall.</li>
<li>The eye of a hurricane has <strong>comparatively light winds and mild weather,</strong> while the eyewall is a ring of thunderstorms surrounding the eye.</li>
<li>The eyewall can actually <strong>hit land without the cyclone "making landfall"</strong>. E.g.: Hurricane Sandy made landfall in Cuba and Jamaica, but it was Haiti that was hit hardest.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Retaining its <strong>destructive potential after landfall,</strong></li>
<li><strong>Recurvature away from the coastal areas</strong> for more than two days,</li>
<li><strong>No synthetic track projection</strong> available to capture the Titli type of cyclones,</li>
<li>Damage to both life and property caused in <strong>interior districts.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Earlier, India Meteorological Department had also called the formation of Titli as a &lsquo;rarest of rare&rsquo; occurrence.</li>
<li>Usually, cyclone-risk management are<strong> heavily focused on the coastal areas</strong> where cyclones cross at their peak intensities. Therefore, coastal areas now have been largely well managed through evacuations and other protocols, leading to zero casualties. However, this is not true for the interior regions since a Cyclone&rsquo;s intensity weakens as it moves away from coastal areas.</li>
<li>The RIMES has recommended that a <strong>detailed risk assessment</strong> be carried out for Odisha to understand the risks in the light of the Titli devastation.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Movement of Cyclone</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cyclones that typically strike the Indian neighbourhood in the northern hemisphere <strong>rotate anticlockwise.</strong></li>
<li>Their normal behaviour is to <strong>derive strength from the moisture in waters</strong> such as the Bay of Bengal, move west, incline in a northerly direction and peter out into the sea or land, depending on their origin.</li>
<li>In a re-curving cyclone, the cyclone gets a sort of second wind when it is on the wane.</li>
<li>It is <strong>deflected right or eastwards.</strong> This is due to <strong>air currents in the local atmosphere that push cold air from the poles</strong> towards the equator and interfere with cyclone formation. That is what make them &lsquo;re-curving.&rsquo;</li>
<li>In the southern hemisphere, the <strong>cyclones spin clockwise and therefore also re-curve in the opposite direction.</strong></li>
<li>A challenge with re-curving cyclones is that<strong> it is hard for weather models to pick them early on</strong> &mdash; as was the case with Ockhi &mdash; and so they pose unique challenges in terms of hazard preparedness and disaster management.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>RIMES is an<strong> international and intergovernmental institution,</strong> owned and managed by its Member States, for the generation and application of early warning information.</li>
<li>It was established after the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami <strong>on 30 April 2009</strong>, and was <strong>registered with the United Nations on 1 July 2009.</strong></li>
<li>RIMES operates from its regional early warning center located at the campus of the Asian Institute of Technology in Pathumthani, <strong>Thailand.</strong></li>
<li>It is owned and managed by a <strong>Council</strong> comprising of 48 Members and Collaborating States. Currently, the <strong>Government of India serves as RIMES Council Chair.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cyclone-titli" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Read more about Cyclones</a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/rimes-terms-titli-cyclone-rarest-of-rare'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (26th November 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>SSB to Patrol Dudhwa Tiger Reserve</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Sashastra Seema Bal</strong> have joined hands to provide security to Dudhwa forests and its rich wildlife.</li>
<li>Apart from joint patrolling, intelligence and information sharing among various security agencies about activities of wildlife and forest criminals will also be undertaken.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Dudhwa Tiger Reserve</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is a protected area in <strong>Uttar Pradesh</strong> that stretches mainly across the <strong>Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts.</strong></li>
<li>It comprises of the <strong>Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Sharda River flows by the Kishanpur WL Sanctuary</strong>, the <strong>Geruwa River flows through the Katerniaghat WL Sanctuary</strong> and the <strong>Suheli and Mohana streams flow in the Dudhwa National Park</strong>, all of which are <strong>tributaries of the Ghagra River.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>northern boundary</strong> of the park is being constituted by the<strong> Mohana River</strong> flowing along the Indo-Nepal border whilst the <strong>southern boundary</strong> is formed by the<strong> river Suheli.</strong></li>
<li>It includes three large forest fragments - marshes, grasslands and dense forests, amidst the matrix dominated by agriculture.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Sashastra Seema Bal&nbsp;</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was established as <strong>Special Service Bureau in May 1963</strong>, in the aftermath of the<strong> Chinese aggression in 1962.</strong></li>
<li>Sashastra Seema Bal came under aegis of the<strong> Ministry of Home Affairs from 2001.</strong></li>
<li>SSB was declared a Lead Intelligence Agency for Indo Nepal (June 2001) and assigned the <strong>Indo Nepal border.</strong> Later, SSB was also assigned <strong>Indo Bhutan border</strong> (March 2004).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Vetiver Grass</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Vetiver Grass ( <em>Vetiveria zizanioides</em>) which has a wide range of applications is becoming popular in state of Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li>Vetiver Grass commonly known as Khus grass is a perennial grass of Indian origin.</li>
<li><strong>In India, there are two types of vetiver namely &lsquo;South Indian&rsquo; and &lsquo;North Indian&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Vetiver can be grown on almost every kind of soil. But, well drained sandy loam and red lateritic soils rich in organic matter are considered to be ideal for its cultivation.</li>
<li>In India it is cultivated in the states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, TamilNadu, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.</li>
<li>Vetiver is indigenous to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Its main producers are Tropical Asia, Africa, Australia, Haiti, Indonesia, Guatemala, India, China and Brazil.</li>
<li>The Vetiver System (VS), which is based on the application of vetiver grass, was first<strong> introduced by the World Bank for soil and water conservation in India in the mid-1980s.</strong></li>
<li>The Vetiver System (VS), used in more than 100 countries, is a system of soil and water conservation, whose main component is the use of the vetiver plant.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Uses and Application of Vetiver Grass</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This grass helps in<strong> combating soil erosion</strong> especially on hilly slopes.</li>
<li>It also <strong>absorbs carbon dioxide</strong>, thus erasing carbon footprints.</li>
<li>The grass can be used to<strong> purify polluted water bodies</strong> through phyto-remediation.</li>
<li>It has <strong>moisture retention property,</strong> which makes vetiver ideal for soil conservation and replenishment of ground-water.</li>
<li>It is also used in <strong>ethanol extraction</strong>,<strong> as cattle feed and for making handicrafts</strong>. It is also an <strong>antidepressant</strong>.</li>
<li>Roots of this grass<strong> can be used to produce oil,</strong> one kg of oil fetches between ₹30,000 and ₹58,000 to farmers.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Saltwater crocodile sighted in AP</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>At least two saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) were sighted in Andhra Pradesh Coast.</li>
<li>Salt-water crocodiles are usually found around Odisha Coast. Their presence in Andhra indicates migration of the species from the Odisha coast.</li>
<li>The two crocodiles will be shifted to the Bhitarkanika National Park (BNP), Odisha.</li>
<li><strong>In India, the BNP, the Sundarbans and the Andaman &amp; Nicobar Islands are the prime habitats of the saltwater crocodile.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Crocodile Conservation Project</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Crocodilians were threatened in India due to indiscriminate killing for commercial purpose and severe habitat loss until enactment of the Wildlife (Protection) Act.1972.</li>
<li><strong>Crocodile Conservation Project was launched in 1975 in different States.</strong></li>
<li>The Gharial and Saltwater crocodile conservation programme was first implemented in Odisha in early 1975 and subsequently the Mugger conservation programme was initiated.</li>
<li>The estimated number of the saltwater crocodiles increased from 96 in 1976 to 1,640 in 2012 in India due to rear and release programme established under the Indian Crocodile Conservation Project.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Crocodiles in India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India has three species of crocodilians namely
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gharial <em>(Gavialis gangeticus</em>) (IUCN: Critically Endangered)</li>
<li>Mugger crocodile (<em>Crocodylus palustris</em>) (IUCN: Vulnerable)</li>
<li>Saltwater crocodile (<em>Crocodylus porosus</em>) (IUCN: Least Concern)</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Bhitarkanika National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Bhitarkanika National Park is one of Odisha&rsquo;s</strong> finest biodiversity hotspots and is famous for its green mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles and countless creeks.</li>
<li>The wetland is represented by 3 protected Areas, the Bhitarkanika National Park, the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.</li>
<li><strong>Bhitarkanika is located in the estuary of Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Mahanadi river systems.</strong></li>
<li>It is said to<strong> house 70% of the country&rsquo;s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>United Nations Shortlists Noida, Greater Noida for &lsquo;Global Cities&rsquo; Initiative</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The United Nations officially invited Uttar Pradesh&rsquo;s Noida and Greater Noida to become a member of its <strong>Global Sustainable Cities 2025 initiative</strong> which aims to create 25 model cities across the world that will be fully compliant with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2025.</li>
<li>The twin-cities in Gautam Buddh Nagar district, have been selected in the<strong> &ldquo;University City&rdquo;</strong> category ahead of Mumbai and Bengaluru, which were also under UN consideration for the initiative, as the only invitee from India.</li>
<li>Cities are selected from each of the following<strong> six categories</strong>: <strong>University, UN city, Medium (Approx. 500K population), Large (Approx. 1 million population), Mega(5 million+ population), Indigenous Communities.</strong></li>
<li>As part of this initiative, the UN will enter into an agreement with the city administration to <strong>provide multi-million dollar funding</strong> to work towards realising Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN will also sponsor the <strong>PHDs of 51 students</strong> in Noida who contribute to the programme via research.</li>
<li>Cities selected under the &ldquo;University City&rdquo; category will be judged on the basis of<strong> how educated its population is, its economy, a high rate of entrepreneurship, and art and culture that &ldquo;indicate a vibrant civil society&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>The project is conducted by the <strong>UN Global Sustainability Impact Institute (UNGSII)</strong>. UNGSII was founded in May of 2014.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-26th-november-2018'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Intensified Mission Indradhanush Best Practice in the World: BMJ',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) is listed as one of 12 best practices from around the world and will be featured in a special issue of the British Medical Journal (BMJ).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The special issue will be brought out on the occasion of the fourth Partners Forum conference organised by the Government of India in New Delhi.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Partners&rsquo; Forum is short for the meeting of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn &amp; Child Health (The Partnership, PMNCH).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Partnership, PMNCH is an <strong>alliance of more than 1,000 organisations in 192 countries.</strong> The organisations work in the sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health communities, as well as health influencing sectors.</li>
<li>The Partnership is governed by a Board, and administered by a Secretariat hosted at the <strong>World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>IMR and MMR data</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India's infant mortality rate (<strong>IMR</strong> 2016) is<strong> 34 deaths per 1,000 live births.</strong></li>
<li>India&rsquo;s maternal mortality rate (<strong>MMR</strong> 2016) is <strong>130 per 100,000 live births.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong>Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched by the <strong>government in 1985,</strong> UIP prevents mortality and morbidity in<strong> children and pregnant women</strong> against 12 vaccine preventable diseases.</li>
<li>Under UIP free of cost vaccination is provided against twelve vaccine preventable diseases i.e.<strong> Tuberculosis, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis B, Pneumonia and Meningitis due to Haemophilus Influenzae type b (Hib), Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and Rotavirus diarrhoea.</strong></li>
<li>The programme was the one of largest health programme in the world. Despite being operational for many years, <strong>UIP has been able to fully immunize only 65% children under 1 year of age.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mission Indradhanush</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To give maximum protection to the children against Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs). The government has launched &lsquo;Mission Indradhanush&rsquo; in December 2014 to fully immunize more than 89 lakh children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated under UIP.</li>
<li><strong>The mission was launched in 2014 and targets children under 2 years of age and pregnant women for immunization.</strong></li>
<li>Mission Indradhanush provides vaccination against<strong> 7 diseases diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B.</strong></li>
<li>In addition, <strong>vaccination against Japanese Encephalitis and Haemophilus influenzae type B is being provided in selected districts of the country. Vaccination against tetanus is also provided to the pregnant women.</strong></li>
<li>Mission Indradhanush aims to increase full immunization coverage in India to at least 90% children by December 2018.</li>
<li>No separate funds are allocated for Mission Indradhanush. Funds allocated for Routine Immunization are being utilized by the states to carry out activities under Mission Indradhanush.</li>
<li>Mission Indradhanush does not targets to reduce postnatal death rate but targets to reduce diseases and death due to vaccine preventable diseases.</li>
<li><strong>Earlier the increase in full immunization coverage was 1% per year which has increased to 6.7% per year through the first two phases of &lsquo;Mission Indradhanush&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Intensified Mission Indradhanush</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<strong> Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) has been launched by government of India in 2017</strong> to reach each and every child under two years of age and all those pregnant women who have been left uncovered under the routine immunisation programme.</li>
<li>The target under IMI is to increase the full immunization coverage to 90% by December 2018.</li>
<li><strong>Under Intensified Mission Indradhanush, greater focus was given on urban areas which was one of the gaps of Mission Indradhanush.</strong></li>
<li>These areas have been selected through data available under national surveys, Health Management Information System data and World Health Organization concurrent monitoring data.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/intensified-mission-indradhanush-best-practice-in-the-world-bmj'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Leave Them Alone: On The Sentinelese',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;Leave them alone: on the Sentinelese&rdquo; which appears in The Hindu for 26th November 2018.)</p>
</div>
<p>In context please refer:<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-citizen-killed-by-tribals-in-andaman" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> US Citizen killed by Tribals in Andaman</a></p>
<p>The death of a young American man at the hands of the tribes of North Sentinel Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has led to dangerous lines of debate. <strong>Some have called for the Sentinelese to be convicted and punished and others have urged that they are integrated into modern society.</strong> But both of these debates can only result in the extinction of these unique people.</p>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Sentinelese, a negrito tribe</strong> that lives on the North Sentinel Island of the Andamans,<strong> remains hostile to outsiders.</strong></li>
<li>Based on <strong>carbon dating by the Anthropological Survey of India,</strong> Sentinelese presence <strong>was confirmed in the islands to 2,000 years ago</strong>.</li>
<li>The Sentinelese have been fiercely hostile to outside contact. <strong>But in 1991 they accepted some coconuts from a team of Indian anthropologists and administrators.</strong></li>
<li>Some researchers argue that the Sentinelese have been mostly left alone even from colonial times, unlike other tribes such as the <strong>Onges, Jarawas and Great Andamanese, because the land the Sentinelese occupy has little commercial attraction.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>How Sentinelese are Protected?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Govt. of India issued the <strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956</strong> to declare the traditional areas occupied by the tribes as reserves, and prohibited entry of all persons except those with <g class="gr_ gr_156 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="156" data-gr-id="156">authorisation</g>.</li>
<li>Photographing or filming the tribe members is also an <g class="gr_ gr_155 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="155" data-gr-id="155">offence</g>. The rules were amended later to enhance penalties. <strong>But restricted area permits were relaxed for some islands recently.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Why No One is Allowed To Enter?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>No one - whether missionary, scholar, adventurer is allowed to venture near North Sentinel Island without permission.</li>
<li><strong>Permission is granted only in the rarest of circumstances</strong> and with meticulous precautions in place to ensure that the Sentinelese are not disturbed.</li>
<li>Having lived in isolation on an island in the Bay of Bengal for thousands of years, the <strong>Sentinelese have no immunity or resistance to even the commonest of infections.</strong></li>
<li>A large chunk of the population of the 10 Great Andamanese tribes was wiped out after the indigenous peoples caught syphilis, measles, and influenza on an epidemic scale following contact with the early settlers.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Tribal Rights in India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Indian Constitution, the Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 or PESA, and the Panchsheel Principles of India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, all guarantee protection to indigenous people.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Jawaharlal Nehru formulated the following five principles for the policy to be pursued vis-a-vis the tribals </strong><g class="gr_ gr_161 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="161" data-gr-id="161">also known</g><strong> as Tribal Panchsheel</strong>:</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>People should develop along the lines of their own genius, and the imposition of alien values should be avoided.</li>
<li>Tribal rights in land and forest should be respected.</li>
<li>Teams of tribals should be trained in the work of administration and development.</li>
<li>Tribal&nbsp;areas should not be over-administered or overwhelmed with a multiplicity of schemes.</li>
<li>Results should be judged not by statistics or the amount of money spent, but by the human character that is evolved.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>North Sentinel Island and its buffer zone are strictly restricted under the Protection of Aboriginal Tribe (Regulation), 1956 and Regulations under Indian Forest Act, 1927.</li>
<li>The Indian Constitution protects tribal interests, especially tribal autonomy and their rights over land, through the Fifth and Sixth Schedules.</li>
<li><strong>In India, most of the tribes are collectively identified under Article 342 (1&amp;2) as &ldquo;Scheduled Tribes&rdquo;</strong> and their right to self-determination is guaranteed by Part X: The Scheduled and Tribal Areas &ndash; Article 244: Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas.</li>
<li>India is a signatory to<strong> International Labour Organisation Convention on Indigenous and Tribal Populations</strong> and voted in <g class="gr_ gr_150 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="150" data-gr-id="150">favour</g> of The <strong>United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)</strong>, but has adamantly insisted that its own indigenous peoples cannot claim status or protection under these laws.<br />
<h3></h3>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why They Should be Contacted?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Sentinelese are perhaps the <strong>most reclusive community in the world today.</strong> Their language is so far understood by no other group and they have traditionally guarded their island fiercely, attacking most intruders with spears and arrow. I<strong>f they are left uncontacted, there is fear of their losing unique culture, language and ways of life.</strong></li>
<li>At the heart of the issue is the survival of the Sentinelese. <strong>According to the 2011 Census, their population was just 15. So, there is also a fear of their extinction.</strong></li>
<li>Tribal Below Poverty Line rate is twice the national average.<strong> They are far behind in education and malnutrition is highly prevalent.</strong> Although in the past 10-12 years, PESA and the Forest Rights Act have made a difference but tribals are largely not aware of their rights. They continue to remain marginalized in Indian society.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Is It Ethical to Leave Uncontacted Tribes Alone?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>They are also human beings, they don&rsquo;t just exist to be left mostly in ignorance of the rest of the world. They at the least need to be aware of the outside world.</strong></li>
<li>Tribes living in isolation, have chosen to do so for a variety of reasons, some of which we know and others we do not, and they should be the ones to choose when and if that isolation ends.</li>
<li>History has taught that when outsiders - and their food, textiles, commodities, and germs &ndash; are introduced into indigenous communities that have not built up immunities to foreign life, whole societies have been wiped out.</li>
<li>While a state certainly has a duty to advance its citizens&rsquo; human condition. Alternate methods of improving the human condition without disturbing their ingeniousness should be developed.</li>
<li><strong>Lastly, since indigenous people have the right to determine their own futures and associated needs, then, therefore, they have the freedom to decide their own future.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>T<strong>hese tribes provide an occasion for the country to embrace its human heritage in all its diversity and to empathetically try to see the world from the eyes of its most vulnerable inhabitants.</strong></li>
<li>Tribes like the Sentinelese face catastrophe unless their land is protected. <strong>The recent tragedy acts as a wake-up call to the Indian government to avert another disaster</strong> and properly protect the lands of both the Sentinelese, and the other Andaman tribes, from further invaders. Indian government should, therefore, enforce the protection of the Sentinelese and their island for the safety of both the tribe and outsiders.</li>
<li><strong>Governments in post-Independent India have made the mistake of painting every tribe with the same brush</strong>. Each tribe has a different typology and character and has to be treated differently. The condition of indigenous people in Central India is very different from that in the Northeast and the Andamans.</li>
<li><strong>So, different policies should be tailored to suit the requirements of different tribes to achieve the dream of inclusiveness. Currently, there is a one-size-fits-all policy.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Adverse effects of a one-size-fits-all policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Due to official policy, in a hospital for the Onge, milk powder had been given to them, which they were not able to digest.</li>
<li>In another case, a Jarawa boy who was sent to a local school by his parents was sent back by the school authorities, who said they could not even touch him since official policy stated that he had to be left alone.</li>
<li>Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle have also set in among them. Some tribes have even taken up smoking and drinking.</li>
</ul>
<p>These are the flaws we must address and for that scientific evaluations (for development) should be done for each tribe separately before proposing any policy.</p>
</div>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Tribes</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>Population</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Sentinelese</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>15</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 35px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 35px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Andamanese, Chariar, Chari, Kora, Tabo, Bo, Yere, Kede, Bea, Balawa, Bojigiyad, Juwai, Kol</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 35px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>44</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Onges</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>101</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Shompens</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>229</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Jarawas</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>380</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%;">
<p>Nicobarese</p>
</td>
<td width="288" style="height: 19px; width: 49.948%; text-align: center;">
<p>27,168</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 19px;">
<td colspan="2" width="576" style="height: 19px; width: 99.896%;">
<p style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=136700" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source PIB</a></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/leave-them-alone-on-the-sentinelese'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Mechanisms',
		'catname' => 'Paper 2',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/428Alternative%20Dispute Resolution.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/428Alternative Dispute Resolution.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper2/alternative-dispute-resolution-adr-mechanisms'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'Data Localization',
		'catname' => 'Paper 3',
		'desc' => '<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/773Data%20Localisation.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/773Data Localisation.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/mind-map/gs-paper3/data-localization'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture- Regulating Private Hospitals',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GOcp2zvxLrQ" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">The Delhi government&rsquo;s Health Department will re-examine the draft policy framed by a committee to regularize the functioning of private hospitals in the capital, to understand the &lsquo;rationale&rsquo; behind some of the suggestions. The draft advisory was prepared on the basis of recommendations by a nine-member expert panel, headed by Director-General of Health Services Kirti Bhushan.</p>
<p><strong>The panel was formed in 2017</strong> after a family alleged medical negligence at a private hospital for wrongly declaring a baby dead. But senior officials in the department are not satisfied with the draft policy and want the committee to work again on the entire report. The draft was ideally to be submitted by the end of June. It is already delayed by four months now.</p>
<p><strong>Why there is no policy to regulate private hospitals?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>One of the biggest hurdles faced by the administration in drafting regulatory policy is the fact that<strong> health is a state subject.</strong> Each state has its own priorities to settle. The <g class="gr_ gr_111 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="111" data-gr-id="111">centre</g> cannot intervene in the issues of states, consequently giving the state administration leeway, which in turn is proving detrimental.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><em>DRISHTI INPUT</em></p>
<p><strong>Recommendations of the draft policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Delhi government had proposed regulations restricting private hospitals and nursing homes from <strong>marking the prices of medicines and consumables over 50% of their procurement price.</strong></li>
<li><strong>They should preferably prescribe drugs from the NLEM</strong> (National List of Essential Medicines) and patients should be consulted before administering drugs from the <g class="gr_ gr_90 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="90" data-gr-id="90">non</g>-NLEM category. (NLEM 2011 is a list of medicines prepared by the Union Ministry of Health.)</li>
<li>Private hospitals<strong> can charge the patients, the maximum retail price for medicines under the National List of Essential Medicines,</strong> 2015, as their prices have already been capped.</li>
<li>Hospitals should ensure that <strong>rates of surgery packages are &ldquo;transparent</strong>, and should disclose if it covers any complications during the procedure.&rdquo; Any charges paid to doctors without the consent of the patient would be considered as a malpractice.</li>
<li>Hospitals <strong>shall not detain a dead body for non-payment of dues.</strong></li>
<li>The patient's family would be given a<strong> 50 percent waiver on the bill if the patient dies within six hours of being brought to the hospital.</strong> 20 percent waiver would be given if the patient dies within six to 24 hours of being brought to the hospital.</li>
<li><strong>Patients should not be compelled to buy drugs from the hospital's in-house pharmacy</strong>, and be allowed to purchase medicines from outside the hospital.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>How would the draft policy help to deal with the problem?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>At present, private hospitals have their own protocol</strong> to manage the day to day affair. If there is a single draft policy listing the <strong>standard operating procedure (SOP) it would create a single SOP for all the hospitals.</strong></li>
<li>In the private sector, doctors are pressurized to meet targets. <g class="gr_ gr_95 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="95" data-gr-id="95">A SOP</g> would regulate activities like cuts and commissions.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Drawbacks in the Draft Policy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>policy is silent on any penalties levied on hospitals in case of malpractice</strong>. Very recently, there have been many cases of death because of hospitals careless attitude.</li>
<li><strong>It does not provide for any grievance redressal mechanism.</strong> If a patient has a complaint, then there is no way to list the grievances.</li>
<li>Many experts believe that the <strong>recommendations given are not justifiable.</strong> It is anticipated that there will be many cases of litigation involving private hospitals.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Delhi is one of the<strong> several states that have still not ratified or implemented the Clinical Establishments</strong> (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010. Few other states such as West Bengal, Karnataka, and Kerala have passed their own version of the central law to regulate the private healthcare sector.</li>
<li><strong>The government has not yet focused on the primary health care setup or on the preventive care.</strong> There is a lack of sufficient doctors in primary and community health <g class="gr_ gr_85 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="85" data-gr-id="85">centres</g> in the villages.</li>
<li>Due to the huge demand for doctors in rural areas, <strong>there is an increasing proliferation of fraudsters.</strong> Identification of these ill-trained medical practitioners is one of the main challenges ahead.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Just after independence, the ratio of the government sector to the private sector in health service was 75:25. Presently, the ratio has reversed. Consequently,<strong> it is important for the government sector to take initiation.</strong></li>
<li>Around 60% of the income of a poor household is spent as health care expenditure. In such a scenario, a resilient government support is very essential.</li>
<li>The cost of treatment is directly related to the cost of medical education. A medical student spending lakhs of rupees on his/her education would want to recover it from the patient. <strong>Hence, there should be a delicate balance maintained between public and private medical education cost.</strong></li>
<li>Consequently,<strong> strengthening of public medical college</strong> and capping of private medical college fees is imperative.</li>
<li>T<strong>here should be a statutory body</strong> to take action against any unethical practices.</li>
<li>The law to address dishonest practices has to be made stringent. <strong>Unregistered practitioners should be trained</strong> through a bridge course and then allowed to dispense medicine.</li>
<li>All the states, along with the <g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="84" data-gr-id="84">centre</g>,<strong> have to work in unison by implementing all the necessary law appropriately.</strong></li>
<li><strong>The Primary Health Care Centres</strong> and the <strong>Community Health Care Centre</strong>s have<strong> to be manned</strong> adequately with well-trained medical personnel.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-regulating-private-hospitals'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Greenhouse Gas Levels Reach Record Highs: UN Report',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Levels of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have reached another new record high, according to <strong>the United Nations weather agency, World Meteorological Organization (WMO).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Findings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In its annual greenhouse gas bulletin, WMO reveals that there is <strong>no sign of a reversal of the upward trend,</strong> responsible for climate change, sea level rise, ocean acidification <g class="gr_ gr_87 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="87" data-gr-id="87">and</g> extreme weather.</li>
<li>It can be noted that <g class="gr_ gr_101 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="101" data-gr-id="101">report</g> <strong>talks about concentrations and not emissions</strong>. The concentrations differ from emissions in that they represent what <strong>remains in the atmosphere after some of the gases are absorbed by the seas, land <g class="gr_ gr_102 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="102" data-gr-id="102">and</g> trees.</strong> Since 1990 the warming impact of these <g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="76" data-gr-id="76">long lived</g> gases on the climate has increased by 41%.</li>
<li>Atmospheric CO<sub>2</sub> reached 146% of the pre-industrial level in 2017, primarily because of emissions from combustion of fossil fuels and cement production, deforestation <g class="gr_ gr_96 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="96" data-gr-id="96">and</g> other land-use change. Levels of other key greenhouse gases methane and nitrous oxide in the atmosphere also rose.</li>
<li>The increase in <strong>CO<sub>2</sub> concentration</strong> from 2016 to 2017 was <strong>smaller than the rise</strong> from 2015 to 2016<strong> because of the impact of El Ni&ntilde;o,</strong>&nbsp;which peaked in 2015 and 2016. This triggered droughts in some parts of the world, which in turn<strong> reduced the ability of forests and vegetation in these areas to soak up CO<sub>2</sub></strong>, hence more of it stayed in the atmosphere.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>El Nino</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>El Ni&ntilde;o means <strong>The Little <g class="gr_ gr_85 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="85" data-gr-id="85">Boy,</g></strong> or <strong>Christ Child in Spanish.</strong> It is a<strong> periodic climate event</strong> that causes waters to <strong>warm up in <g class="gr_ gr_84 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="84" data-gr-id="84">east-central</g> Pacific Ocean,</strong> which in turn causes huge changes in wind directions bringing less rain to Southeast Asia and the Indian <g class="gr_ gr_86 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-del replaceWithoutSep" id="86" data-gr-id="86">subcontinent,</g> while increasing rain in other parts of the world.</li>
<li>There is also an <strong>opposite of an El Ni&ntilde;o,</strong> called <strong>La Ni&ntilde;a means The Little Girl in Spanish.</strong> This refers to times when waters of the tropical eastern Pacific are <strong>colder than normal</strong> and trade winds blow more strongly than usual.</li>
<li>Collectively, El Ni&ntilde;o and La Ni&ntilde;a are parts of an oscillation in the ocean-atmosphere system called<strong> the El Ni&ntilde;o-Southern Oscillation, or ENSO cycle.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>World Meteorological Organization (WMO)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>specialized agency of the United Nations</strong>, which is dedicated to international cooperation and coordination on:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The state and behaviour of the <strong>Earth&rsquo;s atmosphere,</strong></li>
<li>The atmosphere&rsquo;s <strong>interaction with the land and oceans, </strong></li>
<li>The<strong> weather and climate it produces,</strong> and</li>
<li>The resulting <strong>distribution of water resources.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Secretariat,<strong> headquartered in Geneva,</strong> is headed by the <strong>Secretary-General</strong> (appointed by the <strong>World Meteorological Congress for a four-year term)</strong>. Its supreme body is the World Meteorological Congress.</li>
<li>WMO originated from the International Meteorological Organization (IMO), which was founded in 1873 to facilitate the exchange of weather information across national borders. <strong>WMO became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1951.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Methane is the second most</strong> important greenhouse gas, and about 60% of it in the atmosphere comes from human activities like cattle farming, rice cultivation and fossil fuel extraction. Levels in the atmosphere are now about 257% of what they were before the industrial revolution, and the rate of increase is very much constant over the last decade.</li>
<li><strong>Nitrous oxide comes</strong> from natural and human sources including <g class="gr_ gr_106 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="106" data-gr-id="106">fertiliser</g> use and industry. It's now about 122% of pre-industrial levels. N<sub>2</sub>O is emitted into the atmosphere from <strong>both natural (about 60%) and anthropogenic sources (approximately 40%),</strong> including oceans, soils, biomass burning, fertilizer use <g class="gr_ gr_105 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="105" data-gr-id="105">and</g> various industrial processes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The likely causes of N<sub>2</sub>O increase in the atmosphere are an <strong>increased use of fertilizers in agriculture and increased <g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="78" data-gr-id="78">release</g> of N<sub>2</sub>O from soils due to an excess of atmospheric nitrogen deposition related to air pollution.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong><g class="gr_ gr_80 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="80" data-gr-id="80">Sulphur</g> hexafluoride (SF<sub>6</sub>)</strong> is a potent<strong> <g class="gr_ gr_74 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="74" data-gr-id="74">long lived</g> Green House Gas (GHG).</strong> It is produced by the <strong>chemical industry</strong>, mainly as an electrical insulator in power distribution equipment.</li>
<li>While Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and most halons are decreasing, some hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are also potent GHGs, are increasing at relatively rapid rates, although they are still low in abundance.</li>
<li>The WMO also highlighted the <strong>discovery of <g class="gr_ gr_97 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="97" data-gr-id="97">illicit</g> production of CFC-11,</strong> a banned chemical that both <g class="gr_ gr_98 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="98" data-gr-id="98">warms</g> the planet and destroys ozone. Investigations indicate that at least some of the production is in China.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the <strong>Montreal Protocol, CFC-11 was supposed to be phased out</strong> of production.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Montreal Protocol</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Adopted on<strong> 16 September 1987, </strong>the Montreal Protocol on <strong>substances that deplete the ozone layer</strong> regulates the production and consumption of nearly 100 <g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="75" data-gr-id="75"><g class="gr_ gr_99 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="99" data-gr-id="99">man</g> made</g> chemicals referred to as Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS).</li>
<li>The protocol provides for <strong>phasing out halogenated hydrocarbons like tetrachloride, CFCs used in aerosols, halons</strong> used in fire extinguishers,<strong> HydroChloroFluoroCarbons (HCFCs)</strong> used in refrigeration and foams, and <strong>methyl</strong> used in fumigation activity of agriculture.</li>
<li>Since its adoption, it has undergone<strong> eight revisions</strong>, the latest and the<strong> ninth being the Kigali agreement.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>2016, Kigali amendment</strong> was made to the protocol to <strong>phase out HydroFluoroCarbon (HFC),</strong> a set of 19 gases in the hydrofluorocarbon family used extensively in the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry. Though <strong>HFCs are not ozone-depleting</strong> but are thousand times more dangerous than carbon dioxide in <strong>causing global warming.</strong></li>
<li>Under the amendment, developed nations will begin phasing down HFC gases by 2019, while developing countries will follow suit by 2024.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This report by WMO needs to be seen alongside the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">recent IPCC 1.5C</a> report which warned that the world needed to be essentially carbon neutral by 2050.</li>
<li>The WMO bulletin comes out <strong>before climate negotiators begin at the Conference of Parties (COP24) meeting in Katowice, Poland,</strong> where countries will discuss putting the Paris climate agreement into practice and increasing their ambitions when it comes to cutting warming gases.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/greenhouse-gas-levels-reach-record-highs-un-report'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'APEC Fails to Reach Consensus',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>30th Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit took place in Papua New Guinea.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>For the first time since its inception APEC has failed to release a joint communique due to lack of consensus among the members over trade and security issues.</li>
<li>All 20 countries except China agreed to the joint statement.</li>
</ul>
<h3>US-China Targeted Each Other at APEC</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>US targeted China&rsquo;s<strong> Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)</strong> and called it as <strong>&ldquo;constricting belt&rdquo;</strong> and a <strong>&ldquo;One-way Road&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>While urging the nations to support it, US also warned smaller countries to be cautious of <strong>&ldquo;debt-trap&rdquo;</strong> by China and said not to accept debt which compromise sovereignty.</li>
<li>China defended BRI and said that there is <strong>no geo-political agenda behind it</strong> and it is<strong> not an exclusive club closed to non-members</strong>, nor is it a trap.</li>
<li>China targeted US policy of<strong> &ldquo;America First&rdquo;</strong> and said that erecting barriers and cutting ties is a <strong>short-sighted approach doomed t</strong>o fail.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Consequences</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>On Global Economy</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The U.S.-China discord at APEC highlights the dangers of their trade war, trade war between the US and China could cripple the Pacific Rim economy.</li>
<li>Due to the tariff war International Monetary Fund has downgraded its global growth outlook for 2018 and 2019.</li>
<li>If this continues, global supply chains will be impacted, and shrinking trade volumes may cause companies to seek out new trading routes and partners.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>On Global Institutions</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Multilateral rule-making bodies such as the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and APEC may lose their authority, and an interlocking system of bilateral trade treaties may substitute the consensus-based approach which came into existence after World War 2.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Established: 1989</li>
<li><strong>Members: 21</strong></li>
<li><strong>India is not a Member.</strong></li>
<li>Member Nations:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The founding members were Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; New Zealand; the Philippines; Singapore; Thailand; and the United States.</li>
<li>China; Hong Kong, China; and Chinese Taipei joined in 1991.</li>
<li>Mexico and Papua New Guinea in 1993.</li>
<li>Chile joined in 1994. And in 1998, Peru Russia and Vietnam joined.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>APEC is the premier Asia-Pacific economic forum. Primary goal of APEC is to support sustainable economic growth and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.</li>
<li>Its 21 member economies are home to around 2.8 billion people and represent approximately 59% of world GDP and 49% of world trade in 2015.</li>
<li>In <strong>1994</strong> during Bogor, Indonesia summit, APEC sets the <strong>Bogor Goals</strong> of <strong>&ldquo;free and open trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific by 2010 for industrialized economies and 2020 for developing economies.&rdquo;</strong></li>
<li>India has requested membership in APEC, and received initial support from the United States, Japan, Australia and Papua New Guinea. Officials have decided not to allow India to join as India does not border the Pacific Ocean, which all current members do.</li>
<li><strong>India was invited to be an observer for the first time in November 2011.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/apec-fails-to-reach-consensus'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'India to Study Marijuana-Derived Drugs',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Three major science administrators in India &mdash;<strong> The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) and the Department of Biotechnology</strong> &mdash; are getting together to promote research in <strong>herbal drugs</strong>, some of which involve deriving new drugs from marijuana.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Scientists are preparing for India&rsquo;s first human clinical trials to test cannabis-based compounds on select diseases.</li>
<li>Researchers will test whether strains of marijuana could be effective in the treatment of breast cancer, sickle-cell anaemia as well as for &ldquo;bioequivalent&rdquo; (similar in make-up and effect) to marijuana-derived drugs already approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (U.S. FDA).</li>
<li>The studies into the therapeutic potential of marijuana is part of a governmental thrust to produce new drugs derived from herbs and plants that find mention in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine knowledge systems.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s move towards clinical trials of cannabis derivatives comes amid growing evidence of the safety and efficacy of medicinal cannabis in the treatment of cancer, multiple sclerosis and a rare but severe form of epilepsy.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Marijuana or Hemp</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Marijuana (or hemp), part of the cannabis super-family, is illegal for commercial cultivation though it grows as weed in several parts of the country. Uttarakhand, Jammu and &mdash; recently Uttar Pradesh &mdash; have allowed restricted cultivation of the plant for medical research.</li>
<li>The Marijuana has two components <strong>CBD (cannabidiol) and THC (tetrahydrocannabinol ).</strong></li>
<li><strong>CBD does not cause intoxication or euphoria</strong> and has been successfully proven to provide relief to chronic pain without causing psychoactive side effects.</li>
<li>It is <strong>THC</strong> which <strong>is the primary psychoactive components</strong> of Marijuana.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>The 1985 Narcotic Drugs and Psychoactive Substances Act</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NDPS Act 1985 <strong>bans commercial cultivation of cannabis.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>bar does not apply to an edible preparation called bhang,</strong> which is allowed in some States.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotics Drugs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 is an international treaty to prohibit production and supply of specific (nominally narcotic) drugs and of drugs with similar effects except under licence for specific purposes, such as medical treatment and research.</li>
<li>The Single Convention refers to drug addiction as <strong>&ldquo;a serious evil for the individual [that] is fraught with social and economic danger to mankind&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Marijuana Legalisation Debate</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Cannabis has been recognised for its medical use in 29 out of 51 US States, Canada, Australia and a significant number of another 20-odd countries across the world. In India, however, cannabis-derived drugs are unavailable, illegal and cannot be prescribed by doctors.</li>
<li>Apart from medical purposes, the cultural and economic significance have been used as an argument in the favour of cannabis legalization.</li>
<li><strong>Marijuana Should Be Legalized</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Legalisation will curb crime</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Evidence suggests that strict enforcement of the narcotics law based on <strong>prohibition tends to target the most defenceless members</strong> along the drug smuggling chain.</li>
<li>Prohibition strengthens the cartels they should be targeting. The big cartels and traffickers remain out of reach of the regular law enforcement machinery.</li>
<li>Filling jails with drug users and street-level suppliers only <strong>stresses the criminal justice system.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Legalization</strong> will also enhances security for all of society, as<strong> it helps undermine criminal markets.</strong></li>
<li>Due to the drug&rsquo;s illegality, cannabis are sold underground and is a source of revenue for criminal gangs and terrorist organizations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural and Historical Significance</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>documented use of cannabis in India dates back to the Vedic period.</strong> In the Atharva-veda, the &lsquo;bhang&rsquo; plant finds a notable mention as one of nature&rsquo;s five sacred, distress-relieving plants. During the festival of Holi, the consumption of bhang is an integral part of the celebrations even today.</li>
<li><strong>Indian Hemp Drugs Commission in 1894</strong> found consumption of cannabis in colonial India extensive and determined that its use was very ancient, had some religious sanction, and was harmless in moderation.</li>
<li>The <strong>commission recommended against complete ban</strong> on its consumption as it can push consumer towards other hard drugs.</li>
<li>Until 1985, when NDPS Act was enacted, cannabis derivatives &mdash; bhang, charas and ganja &mdash; were regulated by the various state excise departments and legally sold by licensed shops.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Less Health Risk when compared to Alcohol</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>WHO study concluded that the public health risks from cannabis use were likely less severe than those posed by alcohol and tobacco, which are legal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Business and Economic Possibilities</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The legal <strong>marijuana market</strong> is currently worth<strong> more than $7 billion globally,</strong> and is expected to hit $31 billion by 2021.</li>
<li>The <strong>fabric produced from hemp is of very high quality.</strong> Hemp is also highly suitable as a technical fibre. India also has many startups working in this field like The mumbai-based The Bombay Hemp Co. (BOHECO).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marijuana Should Remain Illegal</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Marijuana Causes Psychosis</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Marijuana can trigger mental health related issues in its users. THC in marijuana has been proved to cause psychosis.</li>
<li>Those who use it as adolescents or younger may be more likely to<strong> develop mental health problems later in life.</strong> In some cases, it can also make people feel<strong> nauseous, lethargic, forgetful, anxious, or confused.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marijuana is a gateway drug</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Cannabis has been engineered to become much more potent an addictive.</strong> Growers has decreased level of CBD and increased level of THC.</li>
<li>A vulnerable person who will abuse it as a gateway drug before moving to more dangerous substances.<strong> In a study it was found that 45% who used marijuana also used other &lsquo;Hard&rsquo; drugs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Marijuana damages organs</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The World Health Organization has listed a number of diseases associated with the consumption of marijuana, including<strong> impairment in cognitive functioning, airway injury, bronchitis and lung inflammation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Regulations difficult to enforce</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>If marijuana will be available at a pharmacy with a prescription (like in the US) how government will ensure that it&rsquo;s not bought for recreational purpose. Considering, cough syrups and inhalants are freely accessible and brought incessantly by addicts.<strong></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Prohibiting and making it illegal has not prevented the availability of marijuana in the market nor its use by people.</li>
<li>The <strong>potential risks that cannabis poses illustrate why it is necessary to legally regulate this drug.</strong> Rather than leaving the trade of cannabis in the hands of an unregulated criminal market, the drug should be safely produced by competent farmers, packaged and tested in suitable facilities, and sold by reputable and licensed vendors.</li>
<li><strong>Regulation allows cannabis buyers to know what they are consuming and moderate their intake in accordance with the THC level in the marketed marijuana.</strong></li>
<li>Imposing tax on cannabis sales can create revenue for the state.<strong> Tax collected could be spent on educating people about the risks of cannabis use, like public service information on alcohol and tobacco.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-to-study-marijuana-derived-drugs'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Atmospheric Geoengineering Experiment to Curb Global Warming',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>The research by scientists at Harvard and Yale universities, published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, proposed using a technique known as <strong>stratospheric aerosol injection,</strong> which could cut the rate of global warming in half.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The technique would involve <strong>spraying large amounts of sulfate particles</strong> into the Earth's lower stratosphere at altitudes as high as 12 mile (around 20 kilometre). The sulfates will be delivered with specially designed high-altitude aircraft, balloons or large naval-style guns.</li>
<li>The idea is to <strong>help shield the Earth from just enough sunlight</strong> to help keep temperatures low, i.e.<strong> increasing the planet&rsquo;s albedo,</strong> or reflective power. This method would <strong>mimic what large volcanoes do.</strong> E.g.:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1991, <strong>Mount Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines.</strong> It was the second largest eruption of the 20th century. In total, the eruption injected 20 million tons of sulfur dioxide aerosols into the stratosphere which <strong>lowered atmospheric temperature by approximately 1-degree Fahrenheit.</strong> However, it&rsquo;s effect only lasted a couple of years because the sulfates eventually fell to Earth. Moreover, it <strong>affected precipitation</strong> in many parts of the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The report does, however, acknowledge that the technique is <strong>purely hypothetical</strong> and would involve developing a new, purpose built tanker with substantial payload capabilities that may take around 15 years' of time.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Geoengineering</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Geoengineering is the technique designed to <strong>tackle the effects of climate change directly,</strong> usually by <strong>removing carbon dioxide (CO<sub>2</sub>) from the air</strong> or <strong>limiting the amount of sunlight reaching</strong> the planet's surface.</li>
<li>It involves deliberate planet-scale interventions to counteract global warming.</li>
<li><strong>Methods to remove CO<sub>2</sub> from the air:</strong> Increasing the <strong>capacity of trees and plants to absorb CO<sub>2</sub></strong> from the air, burning large quantities of wood in power plants with <strong>carbon-capture technology,</strong>&nbsp;making and burying <strong>large amounts of charcoal to lock carbon</strong> into the soils, grazing cattle in a way designed to<strong> turn grasslands into giant carbon sinks</strong>, fertilising the <strong>oceans with iron</strong> to encourage the growth of <strong>algae that can soak up atmospheric carbon dioxide,</strong> etc.</li>
<li><strong>Methods to limit amount of sunlight:</strong> Placing <strong>mirrors in space that reflect sunlight</strong> away from the Earth, firing<strong> sulphate aerosols into the stratosphere,</strong> using unmanned ships to increase above-ocean cloud cover by<strong> spraying sea water into the air,&nbsp;</strong>etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Concerns</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The technique could result in<strong> reduced precipitation, soil moisture and river flow in many regions.</strong></li>
<li>Injection of sulphur compounds into the stratosphere is likely to<strong> increase acid deposition</strong> on the ground and also contribute to <strong>ozone layer depletion.</strong></li>
<li>Once the aerosol has been injected into the atmosphere, it<strong> cannot be removed.</strong></li>
<li>Stratospheric aerosol injection techniques could jeopardize<strong> crop yields, lead to droughts or cause extreme weather.</strong></li>
<li>The proposals also don't address the issue of rising greenhouse gas emissions, which are a leading cause of global warming. Few argue that it's only a <strong>temporary Band-Aid covering</strong> a problem.</li>
<li>Solar radiation management is still a much worse solution than greenhouse gas emissions: it is <strong>more costly and much more risky over the long run.</strong></li>
<li>There are the <strong>ethical and governance issues</strong> that surround geoengineering as well, questions about who should be allowed to do what and when.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The buildup of greenhouse gases is <strong>already altering the atmosphere and climate in an unprecedented and uncontrolled manner.</strong> Climate researchers should <strong>explore solar geoengineering</strong> to determine whether it would actually work and how safe it would be.</li>
<li>Along with this political scientists also need to start thinking about how to implement such an unprecedented planetary project. All that will be left then is <strong>for society and governments to face the impossibly difficult task of deciding whether to do it.</strong></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/atmospheric-geoengineering-experiment-to-curb-global-warming'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'The Post And The Person: On Strengthening The EC',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>(The editorial is based on the article &ldquo;The post and the person: on strengthening the EC&rdquo; which appears in The Hindu for 22nd November 2018. It evaluates Election Commission.)</p>
</div>
<p>When India adopted democracy, the path to democracy was rough, as democratic institutions in pre-independent India were not allowed to be functioned democratically. <strong>Competitive nature of election is an essential requirement for a functioning democracy.</strong></p>
<p>That electoral democracy became a reality in India owes a great deal to the foresight of the Constituent Assembly. The Constitution of India provides for periodic elections, which ensure democratic transfer of political power from one set of representatives to other. <strong>The Election Commission of India, a non-partisan constitutional body, conducts the largest electoral exercise in the world.</strong></p>
<p><strong>The Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court is examining a public interest litigation (PIL) which seeks the strengthening of the Election Commission of India (ECI), includes a proposal to create an independent mechanism to appoint the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (</strong><g class="gr_ gr_114 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="114" data-gr-id="114">ECs</g><strong>).</strong></p>
<p>The petitioner has filed this<strong> PIL under the Article 32</strong> (guarantees the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of all or any of the fundamental rights)<strong> to provide same and similar protection to both the Election Commissioners</strong> so that they shall not be removed from their office except in the like manner and on the like grounds as the Chief Election Commissioner.</p>
<h3>Appointment</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The appointment of the chief election commissioner (Article 324(2)) and other election commissioners are made by the president.</strong> When any other election commissioner is so appointed, the chief election commissioner shall act as the chairman of the election commission.</li>
<li>The president may also appoint after consultation with the election commission such regional commissioners as he may consider necessary to assist the election commission.</li>
<li>T<strong>he conditions of service and tenure</strong> of office of the election commissioners and the regional commissioners shall be <strong>determined by the president.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Problems with the appointment of CECs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A <strong>Supreme Court bench pointed out that there is a &ldquo;gap&rdquo; due to the lack of a parliamentary law</strong> which transparently spells out the eligibility criteria required for a person to be an election commissioner.</li>
<li>Even the <strong>selection procedure</strong> of the CBI Director is <g class="gr_ gr_107 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="107" data-gr-id="107">formalised</g> by a written law, bu<strong>t not that of Election Commissioners.</strong></li>
<li>It said the appointments were made by the President solely on the basis of the advice given by the political-executive at the Centre. This <strong>situation allegedly gives &ldquo;ample room for the ruling party to choose someone</strong> whose loyalty is ensured and renders the selection process vulnerable to manipulations and partisanship which is violative of Article 14 of the Constitution&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>When the Constituent Assembly debated how to ensure free and fair elections, three important questions arose.</li>
<li>The first was whether free and fair elections should be made a part of fundamental rights or an independent institution, outside the executive, should be established to conduct the elections. The Assembly opted for the latter and created the ECI.</li>
<li>The second critical decision was to have a single, <g class="gr_ gr_126 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling multiReplace" id="126" data-gr-id="126">centralised</g> body for elections to the Lok Sabha and State legislatures. One proposal was that the ECI be confined to federal elections, and separate institutions <g class="gr_ gr_124 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="124" data-gr-id="124">be</g> set up to conduct elections to State legislatures. However, with increasing tension among communities, the Assembly feared partisan action in the States and opted for a single national institution, the ECI.</li>
<li>Constitution provided simply for the CEC to be appointed by the President, leaving it to the legislature to enact a suitable law, which never happened. The Constituent Assembly did provide, though, that the CEC could only be removed through impeachment. For the ECs, even this safeguard was not provided, which is also a subject of the above-mentioned PIL.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p>T<strong>he Election Commission(EC) of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Election Commission of India is a permanent Constitutional Body, which was</li>
<li>established in accordance with the Constitution on 25th January 1950.</li>
<li>The Commission conducts elections in accordance with the constitutional provisions, supplemented by laws made by Parliament.</li>
<li>The major laws include Representation of the People Act, 1950, which mainly deals with the preparation and revision of electoral rolls, the Representation of the People Act, 1951 which deals, in detail, with all aspects of the conduct of elections and post-election disputes.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>The Role of Election Commission in Strengthening the Democracy</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ECI has been successfully conducting national as well as state elections since 1952. In recent years, however, the Commission has started to <strong>play the more active role to ensure greater participation of people.</strong></li>
<li>The Commission had <strong>gone to the extent of disciplining the political parties</strong> with a threat of derecognition if the parties failed in maintaining inner-party democracy.</li>
<li>It <strong>upheld the values enshrined in the Constitution</strong> viz, equality, equity, impartiality, independence; and rule of law in superintendence, direction, and control over the electoral governance.</li>
<li>It conducts elections with the highest standard of <strong>credibility, freeness, fairness, transparency, integrity, accountability, autonomy</strong> and professionalism.</li>
<li>It ensures participation of all <strong>eligible citizens in the electoral process in an inclusive voter-centric and voter-friendly environment.</strong></li>
<li>It <strong>engages with political parties</strong> and all stakeholders in the interest of the electoral process.</li>
<li><strong>It creates awareness</strong> about the electoral process and electoral governance amongst stakeholders namely, voters, political parties, election functionaries, candidates and people at large; and to enhance and strengthen confidence and trust in the electoral system of this country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Major Shortcomings</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The election process has deteriorated, political competition has intensified, and political actors have stepped up violence and electoral malpractices. T<strong>he ECI has been unable to arrest this deterioration.</strong></li>
<li>Several State governments make large-scale transfers on the eve of elections and posted pliable officials in key positions, who sometimes flout the ECI&rsquo;s orders.</li>
<li>In response, ECI has reprimanded the politicians for violating the Model Code of Conduct, postponed/ canceled elections if their credibility was compromised, intensified supervision of elections, and insisted on action against errant officials.</li>
<li>The ECI is not adequately equipped to regulate the political parties. The ECI has no power in enforcing inner-party democracy and regulation of party finances.</li>
<li>In the recent years, an impression is gaining ground that the <strong>Election Commission is becoming less and less independent of the Executive</strong> than in the earlier years of Independence because the choice of the Chief Election Commissioner has not always been based on criteria, which would command the confidence of all sections of public opinion.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>As history shows, inadequate leadership is the bane of our public institutions. Safeguards to ensure that ethical and capable people head them are crucial.</li>
<li>2nd ARC report recommended that collegium headed by the Prime Minister with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Law Minister and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha as members should make recommendations for the consideration of the President for appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>DRISHTI INPUT</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Law Commission of India submitted its Report on &ldquo;Electoral Reforms&rdquo; to the Union Law and Justice Ministry:</li>
<li>The ECI should be strengthened by first, giving equal constitutional protection to all members of the Commission in matters of removability; second, making the appointment process of the Election Commissioners and the CEC consultative; and third, creating a permanent, independent Secretariat for the ECI.</li>
<li>Article 324(5) of the Constitution should be amended to equate the removal procedures of the two Election Commissioners with that of the Chief Election Commissioner. Thus, equal constitutional protection should be given to all members of the ECI in matters of removability from office.</li>
<li>The appointment of all the Election Commissioners, including the CEC, should be made by the President in consultation with a three-member collegium or selection committee, consisting of the Prime Minister; the Leader of the Opposition of the Lok Sabha (or the leader of the largest opposition party in the Lok Sabha in terms of numerical strength); and the Chief Justice of India. Elevation of an Election Commissioner should be on the basis of seniority, unless the <g class="gr_ gr_131 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="131" data-gr-id="131">three <g class="gr_ gr_132 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="132" data-gr-id="132">member</g></g> collegium/committee, for reasons to be recorded in writing, finds such Commissioner unfit. Amendments should be made in the Election Commission (Conditions of Service of Election Commissioners and Transaction of Business) Act, 1991 to reflect this.</li>
<li>A new sub-clause (2A) should be added to Article 324 of the Constitution to provide for a separate independent and permanent Secretariat for the ECI along the lines of the Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha Secretariats under Article 98 of the Constitution. This will further improve the independence of the ECI.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-post-and-the-person-on-strengthening-the-ec'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Important Facts for Prelims (24th November 2018)',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>IMD Can Forecast Rise in the Water Level<span style="font-weight: 400;"></span></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Against the backdrop Kerala floods, a <strong>new technology</strong> has been developed by <strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong> to assess the <strong>rise in water level in rivers and reservoirs due to rain</strong> which can help State governments to minutely monitor the impact of rainfall.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The technology called the </span><b>&lsquo;Impact Based Forecasting Approach</b><span style="font-weight: 400;">&rsquo; which shows &ldquo;pre-event scenario&rdquo; can help authorities in taking proactive and real-time decisions.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Impact-based forecasting and warning services aim to improve the synergy between stakeholders and citizens that play a role in <g class="gr_ gr_44 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="44" data-gr-id="44">a (</g>e.g. flood) crisis, by bridging the gaps between the four components for an effective early warning system:</span>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">risk knowledge, </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">monitoring and warning service, </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">dissemination and communication and </span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">response capability</span></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India Meteorological Department (IMD)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">IMD was established in 1875.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is an agency of the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences</strong> of the Government of India. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.</span></li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Constitution in Braille</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Constitution of India will be made available in Braille for the first time ahead of the <strong>Constitution Day on November 26</strong>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">In a joint project undertaken by The Buddhist Association for the blind along with Saavi Foundation and Swagat Thorat, the Constitution will be made available in five parts in Braille for the benefit of visually challenged individuals.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">A book in Braille script cannot cross more than 150 pages due to its limitations. So the constitution will be published in five parts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Swagat Thorat has been running <strong>India's first Braille newspaper</strong> &lsquo;<strong>Sparshdnyan</strong>&rsquo; since 2008.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3>Vaccine for Goat Plague</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Researchers from the UK and India have jointly developed a<strong> &lsquo;smart&rsquo; vaccine</strong> which has the potential to help eradicate goat plague. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The major contribution from British scientists <g class="gr_ gr_40 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="40" data-gr-id="40">was</g> providing a template for developing the smart vaccine, which is also called <strong>DIVA vaccine</strong>. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">Goat plague, or <g class="gr_ gr_39 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="39" data-gr-id="39">peste</g> des <g class="gr_ gr_41 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="41" data-gr-id="41">petits</g> ruminants (PPR), is a highly contagious <strong>viral disease</strong> that afflicts goats and sheep in many parts of the country. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-weight: 400;">The disease kills small ruminants in large numbers unless they are vaccinated. Apart from India, goat plague is prevalent in many African countries, West Asia, China and Mongolia.</span></li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-24th-november-2018'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Data Localisation',
		'catname' => 'Paper 3',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The RBI gave October 15 as the deadline for global financial technology companies to comply with its data localization norms in India and to store transaction data of Indian customers within India.</li>
<li>In a circular in April 2018, RBI had said that all system providers shall ensure that the entire data relating to payment systems operated by them are stored in a system only in India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Background</h3>
<p><strong></strong></p>
<p><strong>Srikrishna Committee Report</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><g class="gr_ gr_76 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="76" data-gr-id="76">Atleast</g> one copy of personal data will need to be stored on servers located within India.</li>
<li>Transfers outside the country will need to be subject to safeguards.</li>
<li>Critical personal data will only be stored and processed in India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Data Protection Bill 2018</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The right to privacy is a fundamental right which necessitates <g class="gr_ gr_97 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="97" data-gr-id="97">protection</g> of personal data as an essential facet of informational privacy.</li>
<li>Establishment of a Data Protection Authority to take steps to protect <g class="gr_ gr_91 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="91" data-gr-id="91">interests</g> of individuals, prevent misuse of personal data and to lay down norms for cross-border transfer of personal data.</li>
<li>The Central Government shall notify categories of personal data as critical personal data that shall only be processed in a server or data centre located in India.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Draft National E-Commerce Policy Framework</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recommended data localisation and suggested a two-year sunset period for the industry to adjust before localization rules <g class="gr_ gr_93 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar multiReplace" id="93" data-gr-id="93">becomes</g> mandatory.</li>
<li>Proposes incentives to encourage data localization and grant infrastructure status to data centres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>What Is Data Localisation?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Data localisation is the practice of storing data on any device that is physically present within the borders of the country where the data is generated. As of now, most of these data are stored, in a cloud, outside India.</li>
<li>Localisation mandates that companies collecting critical data about consumers must store and process them within the borders of the country.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Advantages of Data Localisation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Secures citizen&rsquo;s data and provides data privacy and data sovereignty from foreign surveillance. Example - Facebook shared user data with Cambridge Analytica to influence voting.</li>
<li>Unfettered supervisory access to data will help Indian law enforcement ensure better monitoring.</li>
<li>Ensures National Security by providing ease of investigation to Indian Law Enforcement agencies as they currently need to rely on Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs) to obtain access to data.</li>
<li>It will give local governments and regulators the jurisdiction to call for the data when required.</li>
<li>Data centre industries are expected to benefit due to the data localisation which will further create employment in India.</li>
<li>Greater accountability from firms like Google, Facebook etc. about the end use of data.</li>
<li>Minimises conflict of jurisdiction due to <g class="gr_ gr_77 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="77" data-gr-id="77">cross border</g> data sharing and delay in justice delivery in case of <g class="gr_ gr_87 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="87" data-gr-id="87">data</g> breach.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>NOTE:</strong> <strong>Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs)</strong> are agreements between governments that facilitate the exchange of information relevant to an investigation happening in at least one of those countries<g class="gr_ gr_75 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Style replaceWithoutSep" id="75" data-gr-id="75">.India</g> has signed Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) with U.S. and 39 other countries.</p>
</div>
<h3></h3>
<h3>Challenges of Data Localisation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Maintaining multiple local data centres may lead to significant investments in infrastructure and higher costs for global companies.</li>
<li>Infrastructure in India for efficient data collection and management is lacking.</li>
<li>Splinternet or &lsquo;fractured internet&rsquo; where the domino effect of protectionist policy can lead to other countries following suit.</li>
<li>Even if the data is stored in the country, the encryption keys may still remain out of the reach of national agencies.</li>
<li>Forced data localisation can create inefficiencies for both businesses and consumers. It can also increase the cost and reduce the availability of data-dependent services.</li>
</ul>
<h3>International Practices</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Many countries have implemented or are in the process of implementing data localisation laws, including &mdash; China, United States, Brazil, Indonesia and Russia.</li>
<li>Europe&rsquo;s new data protection regime puts limits on cross-border data flows to countries that don&rsquo;t have data protection laws.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is <g class="gr_ gr_92 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="92" data-gr-id="92">need</g> to have an integrated long-term strategy for policy creation for data localisation.</li>
<li>Adequate infrastructure and adequate attention need to be given to the interests of India&rsquo;s Information Technology enabled Services (ITeS) and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) industries, which are thriving on <g class="gr_ gr_78 gr-alert gr_spell gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim ContextualSpelling ins-del multiReplace" id="78" data-gr-id="78">cross border</g> data flow.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/to-the-points/paper3/Data-Localisation'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Case Study — 11 : Selection Committee's Dilemma in Sports',
		'catname' => 'Ethics Case Studies',
		'desc' => '<p>Q. You have recently become part of the selection committee of three people, which oversees the final selection of the players for a team at the state level. The sponsorship of the tournament as well as of your team is largely dependent on a business house as the game played by your team has not been a very popular one and doles from the government and support from very few reluctant private business groups has kept the things going. Now, in the meeting of the selection committee, you realize that many of the players who have performed well in the local circuits are missing from the list of players selected for the nationals. Also, few players in the tentative playing list seem to be there only on account of the backing of some senior executives of that business house which is the main sponsor of the team as well as of the tournament to be held.</p>
<p>You are told by your colleagues that this is the accepted practice and any resistance to it will risk the very possibility of participation of the team in the tournament as the business house can delay necessary funds or even withdraw its sponsorship. This will ruin the chances of the team members &ndash; most of whom are there on the basis of their merit, to stake <g class="gr_ gr_20 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Grammar only-ins doubleReplace replaceWithoutSep" id="20" data-gr-id="20">claim</g> for selection in the national team. There is not enough time to manage funds from alternative sources or look for new sponsors.</p>
<p>What would you do under these circumstances:</p>
<ol style="list-style-type: lower-alpha;">
<li>You will allow the status-quo keeping in mind the larger interests of your team and practicality of the situation.</li>
<li>You will take a vocal stand against the malpractice in spite of the risk of jeopardizing the participation of your team in the present tournament.</li>
<li>Any other course of action.</li>
</ol>
<p>Discuss the merits and demerits of each of the options available before you and rationalize your course of action in such a scenario.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/ethics/case-studies/selection-committees-dilemma-in-sports'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'City Gas Distribution Scheme',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Prime Minister laid the foundation stone to mark the commencement of work for 9th round of City Gas Distribution(CGD).</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Government of India is pushing to promote the usage of environment friendly clean fuel i.e. natural gas as a fuel/feedstock across the country to move towards a <strong>gas based economy.</strong></li>
<li>Presently the <strong>share of gas in the country&rsquo;s energy mix is just over 6%</strong> and the aim is to reach the 15% figure, while the<strong> world average is 24%.</strong></li>
<li>Purpose for development of CGD networks is to<strong> increase the availability of cleaner cooking fuel</strong> (i.e. Piped Natural Gas) and<strong> transportation fuel</strong> (i.e. Compressed Natural Gas) in the country.</li>
<li>The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has also initiated the process of new CGD bidding round covering 124 districts in 14 States to increase the potential coverage to about 53% of the country&rsquo;s area covering 70% of country&rsquo;s population.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Government's clean energy initiatives</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>CGD will help in supporting governments various clean energy initiatives of the Union Government like <strong>Ethanol Blending, Compressed Biogas plants, increased LPG coverage and introduction of BS-6 fuels for automobiles.</strong></li>
<li>CGD will support<strong> Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana</strong> as number of cylinders will be vacated for delivery in rural areas, from the cities which will get piped gas deliveries</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Significance of the Scheme</h3>
<p>Being an environment friendly, safer and cheaper, natural gas is a superior fuel as compared with coal and other liquid fuels.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reducing Air Pollution:</strong> India made a commitment in COP21 Paris Convention in December 2015 that by 2030 that it<strong> would reduce carbon emission by 33% of 2005 levels.</strong> Natural gas, as domestic kitchen fuel, as fuel for transport sector as well as a fuel for industries and commercial units, can play a significant role in reducing carbon emission.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As per WHO database released in May 2018, India has 14 out of 15 world&rsquo;s most polluted cities in terms of PM 2.5 concentration. Large number of industries also consume polluting fuels like pet coke and furnace oil which emit polluting CO2. Natural Gas is most viable alternative to coal and other liquid fuels in order to curb air pollution.</li>
<li>The expansion of CGD network will also benefit to industrial and commercial units by ensuring the uninterrupted supply of natural gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Natural Gas is cheaper:&nbsp;</strong>Natural Gas in the form of CNG is 60% cheaper as compared to petrol and 45% cheaper as compared to diesel.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, natural gas in the form of PNG is 40% cheaper as compared with market price LPG and price of PNG almost matches with that of subsidised LPG based on prices in Delhi.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Employment Generation:&nbsp;</strong>Gas networks in cities will create a new ecosystem which will enable gas based industries, generates employment to youth.</li>
<li><strong>Address constraints of cylindered gas supply:&nbsp;</strong>Natural Gas supplied through pipelines is just like water from the tap. There is no need to store cylinders in the kitchen and thus saves space.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, delivering gas through cylinders is energy intensive exercise have many layers including gas agency, distributors. Piped supply is more efficient and helps in maintaining continuous supply.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Meeting Demands of Gas:&nbsp;</strong>Transition towards a gas based economy can suffer due to supply-side constraints.</li>
<li><strong>Pricing Issue:&nbsp;</strong>Imported gas should be available at affordable prices to all category of consumers be it domestic, commercial or industrial. Price should not be a hurdle in creating a gas-based economy.</li>
<li><strong>Infrastructure:&nbsp;</strong>Infrastructure requirement is a challenge as it requires both funding and acquisition of land.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong></strong>Creating a gas-based economy will require infrastructure at various levels like LNG terminals at port, technology for re-gasification of LNG, right of way for pipelines on land and CNG stations to distribute gas to consumers in cities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Reasonable long term contract for LNG with natural gas exporting nations can help in addressing the issue of demand-supply constraints.</li>
<li>The government should <strong>enhance the LNG terminal capacity, renegotiate Indo-Qatar Gas</strong> <strong>deal</strong> to increase the supply of Gas.</li>
<li>It is also necessary to promote production of gas through domestic ways <strong>through agro-wastes and other products</strong> and including the same into the CGD network.</li>
<li>100% electrification, making efficient cook stoves, relying on other renewable sources like solar can help in reducing dependence on imported gas and also save on foreign exchange.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was constituted under the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board Act, 2006 .</li>
<li>The objective of PNGRB is to protect the interests of consumers and entities engaged in specified activities relating to petroleum, petroleum products and natural gas and to promote competitive markets and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.</li>
<li>PNGRB authorises the CGD networks, natural gas and petroleum product pipelines, determines tariff, lays down the technical and safety standards etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/city-gas-distribution-scheme'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'UN Environment Award for India',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<p>Nine institutions and individuals from across Asia have been recognized by the United Nations, USAID, Interpol, and the Freeland Foundation for outstanding work in preventing transboundary environmental crime in an annual award ceremony in Bangkok.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>United Nation Environment has awarded <strong>Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> with <strong>Asia Environment Enforcement Awards, 2018 f</strong>or excellent work done by the Bureau in combating <strong>transboundary environmental crime.</strong></li>
<li>The Asia Environment Enforcement Awards publicly recognize and celebrate excellence in enforcement by government officials and institutions/teams combating transboundary environmental crime in Asia.</li>
<li>The awards are given to outstanding individuals and/or government organizations/teams that demonstrate excellence and leadership in enforcement of national laws to combat transboundary environmental crime in one of the following eligibility criteria areas: <strong>collaboration; impact; innovation; integrity and gender leadership.</strong></li>
<li><strong>WCCB has been conferred this award in Innovation category.</strong></li>
<li>WCCB has adopted innovative enforcement techniques like an online Wildlife Crime Database Management System to get real time data in order to help analyze trends in crime and devise effective measures to prevent and detect wildlife crimes across India.</li>
<li>This system has been successfully used to analyse trends and for successfully carrying out operations such as:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Operation SAVE KURMA:</strong> species specific operation on turtles</li>
<li><strong>THUNDERBIRD:</strong> it is code-name for INTERPOL&rsquo;s multi-national and multi-species enforcement operation</li>
<li><strong>WILDNET:</strong> to curb illegal trade of wild animals and parts through online platforms</li>
<li><strong>LESKNOW:</strong>&nbsp;to check illegal trade of lesser-known species of animals</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Environmental crimes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Environmental crimes, which include<strong> illegal trade in wildlife, illicit trade in forests and forestry products, illegal dumping of waste including chemicals, smuggling of ozone depleting substances and illegal mining,</strong>&nbsp;estimated at up to $258 billion per year.</li>
<li>It is now the fourth largest illegal crime after drug smuggling, counterfeiting and human trafficking.</li>
</ul>
</div>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-environment-award-for-india'
	]
]
$updates = object(Cake\ORM\Query) {

	'(help)' => 'This is a Query object, to get the results execute or iterate it.',
	'sql' => 'SELECT articles.article_id AS `articles__article_id`, articles.category_id AS `articles__category_id`, articles.title AS `articles__title`, articles.description AS `articles__description`, articles.shortdescription AS `articles__shortdescription`, articles.featuredimage AS `articles__featuredimage`, articles.tag_id AS `articles__tag_id`, articles.secondary_tag AS `articles__secondary_tag`, articles.type AS `articles__type`, articles.publishon AS `articles__publishon`, articles.posturl AS `articles__posturl`, articles.metatitle AS `articles__metatitle`, articles.metadescription AS `articles__metadescription`, articles.metakeyword AS `articles__metakeyword`, articles.status AS `articles__status`, articles.sort_order AS `articles__sort_order`, articles.addedby AS `articles__addedby`, articles.updatedby AS `articles__updatedby`, articles.added AS `articles__added`, articles.modified AS `articles__modified`, articles.whatsnewid AS `articles__whatsnewid`, articles.display_printpdf AS `articles__display_printpdf`, articles.display_comments AS `articles__display_comments`, articles.pdf_name AS `articles__pdf_name`, articles.display_archive AS `articles__display_archive` FROM articles articles WHERE status = :c0 ORDER BY publishon desc LIMIT 10',
	'params' => [
		':c0' => [
			[maximum depth reached]
		]
	],
	'defaultTypes' => [
		'articles__article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.article_id' => 'integer',
		'article_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.category_id' => 'integer',
		'category_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__title' => 'string',
		'articles.title' => 'string',
		'title' => 'string',
		'articles__description' => 'text',
		'articles.description' => 'text',
		'description' => 'text',
		'articles__shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles.shortdescription' => 'string',
		'shortdescription' => 'string',
		'articles__featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles.featuredimage' => 'string',
		'featuredimage' => 'string',
		'articles__tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles.tag_id' => 'integer',
		'tag_id' => 'integer',
		'articles__secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles.secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'secondary_tag' => 'text',
		'articles__type' => 'integer',
		'articles.type' => 'integer',
		'type' => 'integer',
		'articles__publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles.publishon' => 'datetime',
		'publishon' => 'datetime',
		'articles__posturl' => 'string',
		'articles.posturl' => 'string',
		'posturl' => 'string',
		'articles__metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles.metatitle' => 'string',
		'metatitle' => 'string',
		'articles__metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles.metadescription' => 'string',
		'metadescription' => 'string',
		'articles__metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles.metakeyword' => 'text',
		'metakeyword' => 'text',
		'articles__status' => 'integer',
		'articles.status' => 'integer',
		'status' => 'integer',
		'articles__sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles.sort_order' => 'integer',
		'sort_order' => 'integer',
		'articles__addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.addedby' => 'integer',
		'addedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles.updatedby' => 'integer',
		'updatedby' => 'integer',
		'articles__added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.added' => 'timestamp',
		'added' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles.modified' => 'timestamp',
		'modified' => 'timestamp',
		'articles__whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles.whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'whatsnewid' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'display_printpdf' => 'integer',
		'articles__display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_comments' => 'integer',
		'display_comments' => 'integer',
		'articles__pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles.pdf_name' => 'string',
		'pdf_name' => 'string',
		'articles__display_archive' => 'integer',
		'articles.display_archive' => 'integer',
		'display_archive' => 'integer'
	],
	'decorators' => (int) 0,
	'executed' => false,
	'hydrate' => true,
	'buffered' => true,
	'formatters' => (int) 0,
	'mapReducers' => (int) 0,
	'contain' => [],
	'matching' => [],
	'extraOptions' => [],
	'repository' => object(App\Model\Table\ArticlesTable) {}

}
$page = (int) 236
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 277
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
$i = (int) 2017
$selected = ''
$m = (int) 13
$month = 'December'

include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Search/index.ctp, line 85
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

Achievers Corner

Prelims

Mains & Interview

Current Affairs

Drishti Specials

Free Downloads

Test Series

Videos

Search

Search list matched with tags “class”