Search

Search list matched with tags “class”

Melting of the Arctic

This article is based on “When the Arctic warms, it will affect sea levels and precipitation patterns globally” which was published in...

02 Jan 2021 News Editorials
Water, Sanitation & Women’s Rights

This article is based on “Women must be centre-stage in water and sanitation” which was published in The Hindustan Times on 31/12/2020....

01 Jan 2021 News Editorials
Moringa Powder

Why in News The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has been supporting private entities in creating...

01 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Covid Deaths: Developed Versus Developing Countries

Why in News As per a new study, better hygiene and sanitation in the rich and developed countries could, paradoxically, be one of the reasons for...

01 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav Programme: ICAR

Why in News Recently, under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)s initiative ‘Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav’, cleanliness drive...

01 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Revival of Monpa Handmade Paper

Why in News Recently, the Monpa Handmade Paper (1000-year old heritage art) of Arunachal Pradesh has been revived by Khadi and Village Industries...

01 Jan 2021 News Analysis
Protecting the Sentinelese

Why in News Recently, the Anthropological Survey of India (ANSI) policy document warned of threat to the Sentinelese from commercial...

01 Jan 2021 News Analysis
New Industrial Infrastructure Projects

Why in News Recently, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved three infrastructure proposals worth Rs 7,725 crore for setting...

01 Jan 2021 News Analysis
EVs: Dream Or Nightmare

This article is based on “Powering up” which was published in The Indian Express on 30/12/2020. It talks about the impact of the pros...

31 Dec 2020 News Editorials
Protests Against Eco-sensitive Zones in Narmada District

Why in News Recently, tribal communities in Gujarat have been protesting against the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)...

31 Dec 2020 News Analysis
Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic

Why in News The Union Cabinet has approved the opening of 3 Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic in 2021. Key...

31 Dec 2020 News Analysis
India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries

Why in News Recently, the Fourth Meeting of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries was held through virtual mode. Palk Strait...

31 Dec 2020 News Analysis
TiHAN-IIT: Testbed for Autonomous Navigation Systems

Why in News The foundation stone of ‘TiHAN-IIT Hyderabad’, India’s first Testbed for Autonomous Navigation Systems (Terrestrial...

31 Dec 2020 News Analysis
Yamuna’s High Ammonia Level

Why in News High levels of ammonia in Yamuna is resulting in frequent disruption to Delhi’s water supply. Key Points Recently, ammonia...

31 Dec 2020 News Analysis
Biodiversity Conservation and Indigenous People

This article is based upon “The Tragedy of Conservation'' which was published in The Hindu on 30 December 2020. It focuses upon the plight of...

30 Dec 2020 News Editorials
Digital Ocean

Why in News Recently, the Ministry of Earth Sciences inaugurated the web-based application DigitalOcean developed by Indian National Centre for...

30 Dec 2020 News Analysis
Mission Sagar-III

Why in News Recently, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan has arrived at Sihanoukville Port, Cambodia as part of ongoing Mission Sagar-III. Key...

30 Dec 2020 News Analysis
Data on Police Organisations: BPRD

Why in News Recently, the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPRD) has released data on police organisations. It shows different aspects...

30 Dec 2020 News Analysis
Dedicated Freight Corridor

Why in News Recently, the Prime Minister of India has inaugurated a 351-km section of the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC) and an Operation...

30 Dec 2020 News Analysis
Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat

Why in News The Karnataka Forest Department, along with the Bat Conservation India Trust (BCIT), is getting prepared to save the Kolar leaf-nosed...

30 Dec 2020 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' => 'Melting of the Arctic',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p style="text-align: justify;">This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/global-warming-arctic-region-warms-climatic-changes-7129249/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;When the Arctic warms, it will affect sea levels and precipitation patterns globally&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 02/01/2021. It talks about the <strong>melting arctic ice and its global impact.</strong></p>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In the Arctic region, the effects of global warming can be seen most dramatically, as the area is warming up twice as fast as the worldwide average. The ice cap in the Arctic is shrinking fast, and the volume of Arctic sea ice has declined by as much as 75%.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As the Arctic ice melts into the sea, it brings global challenges in nature. On the flip side, it opens up the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-maritime-route-through-arctic-ice" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Northern Sea Route (NSR)</strong></a>, connecting the North Atlantic to the North Pacific through a short polar arc. Various earth observation studies predict that this route could be ice-free in summer by 2050, if not earlier.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">However, before fully commercialising the NSR, the global community must access the critical impact of melting arctic and associated challenges.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609829264_03.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609829264_03.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Impact of Melting Arctic Ice</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Global Climate:</strong> The Arctic and Antarctic act like the world&rsquo;s refrigerator. Since they are covered in white snow and ice that reflect heat back into space <strong>(Albedo effect)</strong>, they balance out other parts of the world that absorb heat.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">The loss of ice and the warming waters will affect sea levels, salinity levels, and current and precipitation patterns.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Further, less ice means less reflected heat, meaning more intense heat waves worldwide.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">It will also mean more extreme winters, as the polar jet stream&mdash;a high-pressure wind that circles the Arctic region&mdash;is destabilised by warmer air, it can dip south, bringing the bitter cold with it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Coastal Communities:</strong> Global average sea level has risen by about 7&ndash;8 inches since 1900, and it&rsquo;s getting worse.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Rising seas endanger coastal cities and small island nations by exacerbating coastal flooding and storm surge.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Greenland ice sheet&rsquo;s glacial melt is a significant predictor of future sea-level rise; if it melts entirely, global sea levels could rise 20 feet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Food Security:</strong> Polar vortexes, increased heat waves, and unpredictability of weather caused by ice loss are already causing significant damage to crops on which global food systems depend.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">This instability will continue to mean higher prices and a growing crisis for the world&rsquo;s most vulnerable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Permafrost &amp; Global Warming:</strong> Permafrost in the Arctic region (ground that is permanently frozen) stores large amounts of methane, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">When it gets melted, that methane is released, which in turn will increase the rate of global warming.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">As more quickly the arctic ice is lost, more rapidly permafrost will melt. This will result in a <strong>vicious cycle</strong> that may result in a climate catastrophe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Biodiversity Threat:</strong> Melting of the Arctic ice puts the Arctic region&rsquo;s vibrant biodiversity under serious threat.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Habitat loss and degradation, the absence of year-long ice and higher temperatures, are making Arctic marine life&rsquo;s survival, plants and birds difficult while encouraging species from lower latitudes to move north.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Loss of ice and melting permafrost spells trouble for polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, snowy owls, reindeer, and many other species.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Tundra is already returning to the swamp; the permafrost is thawing, sudden storms are ravaging coastlines, and wildfires are devastating interior Canada and Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Flip-side &amp; NSR</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">The opening of the Arctic, through NSR, presents substantial <strong>commercial and economic opportunities</strong>, particularly in shipping, energy, fisheries and mineral resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">The distance from Rotterdam to Yokohama will be cut by 40% compared to the Suez route.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Oil and natural gas deposits, estimated to be 22% of the world&rsquo;s new resources, mostly in the Arctic ocean, will be open to access and mineral deposits including 25% of the global reserves of rare earth, buried in Greenland.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>NSR, Not So Environmentally &amp; Economically Viable:</strong> Lack of deep-water ports, a need for ice-breakers, shortage of workers trained for polar conditions, and high insurance costs add to the difficulties of exploiting the resources of the Arctic.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Further, mining and deep-sea drilling carry massive costs and environmental risks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Arctic, Not A Global Common:</strong> Unlike Antarctica, the <strong>Arctic is not a global common</strong>, and there is no overarching treaty that governs it, only the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones#:~:text=United%20Nations%20Convention%20on%20the,EEZ)%20and%20the%20High%20Seas.&amp;text=It%20provides%20a%20different%20legal%20status%20to%20different%20maritime%20zones." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Convention of Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Large parts of it are under the sovereignty of the five littoral states &mdash; Russia, Canada, Norway, Denmark (Greenland) and the US &mdash; and exploitation of the new resources is well within their rights.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, the <strong>national economic interest may supersede</strong> the global conservation efforts of the Arctic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Great Game Geo-Politics:</strong> Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark have overlapped claims for extended continental shelves, and the right to sea-bed resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">However, Russia is the dominant power, with the longest Arctic coastline, half the Arctic population, and a full-fledged strategic policy. It claims that the NSR falls within its territorial waters.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">On the contrary, the US believes the passage lies in international waters.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">China, playing for economic advantage, has projected the Polar Silk Road as an extension of the BRI, and has invested heavily in ports, energy, undersea infrastructure and mining projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Role of India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>India&rsquo;s Interest:</strong> India&rsquo;s interests in these developments, though distant, are not peripheral.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>India&rsquo;s Climate:</strong> India&rsquo;s extensive coastline makes us vulnerable to the impact of Arctic warming on ocean currents, weather patterns, fisheries and most importantly, monsoon.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Monitoring of Third Pole:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-in-antarctica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scientific research in Arctic developments</strong></a>, in which India has a good record, will contribute to the understanding of climatic changes in the Third Pole &mdash; the Himalayas.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Strategic Need:</strong> The strategic implications of an active China in the Arctic, and it&rsquo;s growing economic and strategic relationship with Russia are self-evident and need close monitoring.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Step To Be Taken:</strong> India has <strong>observer status in the</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/arctic-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Arctic Council</strong></a>, which is the predominant inter-governmental forum for cooperation on the Arctic environment and development aspects.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">It is high time that India&rsquo;s presence on the Arctic Council should be underpinned by a strategic policy that encompassed economic, environmental, scientific and political aspects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Conclusion</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Arctic is an essential system in the global climate system. So just like the Amazon forest is the lungs of the world, the Arctic is like our circulation system and feeds into global climate change everywhere.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, it is in humanity&rsquo;s interest to treat the Arctic melting as a severe global issue and act accordingly.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffef2;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The global community must access the critical impact of melting arctic and associated challenges. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify;"></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/melting-of-the-arctic'
		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Water, Sanitation & Women’s Rights',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/women-must-be-centre-stage-in-water-and-sanitation/story-rpOxhFPp8A1IEeA9ucjR2J.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <strong>&ldquo;Women must be centre-stage in water and sanitation&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 31/12/2020. It talks about the interlinkages between water, sanitation &amp; women&rsquo;s rights.</p>
</div>
<p>The right to water and sanitation is recognised as fundamental to attaining all other human rights. However, globally, 2.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water at home, and 2.3 billion do not have basic sanitation and 1 billion still practice open defecation.</p>
<p>Amongst this, women are the most vulnerable section. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to essential water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.</p>
<p>Women are largely responsible for household water, sanitation and hygiene management; they bear a disproportionate burden when these basic services are lacking, and face health, security and psychological vulnerabilities due to inadequate access and decision-making control.</p>
<p>Therefore, access to water and sanitation, if delivered well, empowers women economically and socially. Done poorly, it may undermine women&rsquo;s position at home and in the community.</p>
<h3>Interconnection: Water, Sanitation &amp; Hygiene With Women&rsquo;s Rights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Women&rsquo;s Water-Fetching Responsibility:</strong> Women and girls are responsible for fetching water in most households where a drinking water source is off-premises.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This practice has implications for women&rsquo;s health, workloads, and caloric expenditure.</li>
<li>When girls carry water over long distances, the time available to them to pursue education is reduced.</li>
<li>Water-fetching responsibilities also add to the burden of <strong>unpaid domestic work,</strong> decrease time towards other income-generating activities, and affect leisure and nonessential activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanitation Access and Gender-Based Violence:</strong> There is enough evidence of sanitation-related gender-based violence, highlighting a range of vulnerabilities women and girls face who are forced to defecate openly.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This leads to the fear of sexual violence that can restrict freedom of movement and affect equal opportunities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Women&rsquo;s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Needs:</strong> Women have an increased need for water for hydration, sanitation and hygiene during menstruation, pregnancy, the postnatal period, and caring for sick family members or young children. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When these basic needs are not met, women and girls are unable to participate equally in society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linkage With SDGs:</strong> The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</strong> </a>make an essential initial step in connecting water, sanitation and hygiene (SDG 6) and gender equality and empowerment (SDG 5) through target 6.2.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Target 6.2 of SDG emphasises<strong> &lsquo;access to equitable sanitation and hygiene and women and girls&rsquo;</strong> needs.</li>
<li>Further, SDG 10 aims to<strong> reduce inequalities within and between countries.</strong> Equal access to clean water and sanitation is critical to reducing overall disparities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Women&rsquo;s Participation in Decision-making:</strong> The central role of women and girls in the procurement and management of water, sanitation and hygiene at the household level is recognised. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, women&rsquo;s water, sanitation &amp; hygiene governance and household decision-making control over such resources are scarce.</li>
<li>For example, women not being consulted in decisions taken on sanitation-related matters such as the building and using toilets. It also fails to take into account the prevalent socio-cultural norms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Data:</strong> Measurement of the burden placed on women and girls, the opportunity costs of these burdens, and female empowerment related to water, sanitation and hygiene decision-making and autonomy are limited.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Adequate Infrastructure:</strong> In many parts of India (especially in rural India) water, sanitation and hygiene in health-care facilities are far from adequate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In schools, the lack of necessary infrastructure, privacy, spaces, materials and guidance to manage menstruation has been associated with harassment, sexual exploitation, psychosocial impacts, decreased school attendance rates and drop-out for girls.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gender-Neutral Approach:</strong> There is a need for the political imperative to recognise that both women and men&rsquo;s involvement are integral to sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene management.</li>
<li><strong>Policy Framework for Women Leadership:</strong> Women&rsquo;s leadership and decision making power in water and sanitation is critical. Therefore, enabling policy frameworks backed by resources, training and political will, are vital to developing and sustaining women&rsquo;s leadership in the water sector at the local, national and global level.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, there is a need to invest in developing the next generation of water, sanitation and hygiene leaders, by collaborating with colleges, water utilities and districts, using experiential learning, internships and interacting with experts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustained Focus on Swachh Bharat Mission:</strong> The rallying call of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) campaign of &ldquo;Satyagraha se Swachhagraha&rdquo; has led to the significant change in sanitation habits in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The next SBM phase should envisage finding solutions for sustained behaviour change, addressing women and their hygiene needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of Society:</strong> As the women already spend 2.6 times more hours than men on unpaid activities, including caregiving and domestic work. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Citizenry as a part of society to ensure their involvement in water and sanitation services does not further contribute to the burden of unpaid work, or decrease the ability to earn an income.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of SHGs:</strong> There are rapidly increasing examples throughout the country, with women being able to push through reforms through the help of support groups or community-led efforts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, women SHG should be promoted to take up the cause of water, sanitation and Hygiene.</li>
<li>In this context, Jharkhand&rsquo;s example is worth emulating. Trained women masons built over 15 lakh toilets in one year and the state was declared open defecation free (rural) much ahead of the national cut-off date of October 2, 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>As countries work to achieve SDG 10, access to clean water and sanitation can be a game-changer for prosperity and transformation. Policies on water and sanitation need to keep women centre-stage needs and enable them to be agents of change.</p>
<p>This is the time for governments, businesses, NGOs and academic institutions to look at how they are investing in women&rsquo;s leadership in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector, from local committees to the international stage.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609763730_1st%20image.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609763730_1st image.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Access to water and sanitation, if delivered well, empowers women economically and socially. Done poorly, it may undermine women&rsquo;s position at home and in the community. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OeCEiqjJ47c" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<strong><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/himalayan-manoeuvres-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-and-the-nepal-political-crisis/article33457054.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;Himalayan manoeuvres&rdquo;</a></strong> which was published in The Hindu on December 31<sup>st</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/water-sanitation-women-s-rights'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Moringa Powder',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)</strong> </a>has been supporting private entities in creating necessary infrastructure to promote <strong>Moringa products exports</strong> from India.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Globally, the demand for Moringa products, such as <strong>Moringa Leaf Powder and Moringa Oil, Moringa as a nutritional supplement and in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extension-of-food-fortification-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">food fortification</a></strong> has been witnessing healthy growth.</li>
<li>Its usage has been well received among the global consumers for its nutritional, medicinal, culinary uses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Moringa</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Botanical name:<em><strong> Moringa oleifera</strong></em></li>
<li>It is a <strong>fast-growing, drought-resistant tree native to the Indian subcontinent.</strong></li>
<li>Common names include moringa, drumstick tree, horseradish tree etc.</li>
<li>It is widely cultivated for its <strong>young seed pods and leaves,</strong> used as vegetables and <strong>for traditional herbal medicine.</strong> It is also used for <strong>water purification.</strong></li>
<li>It has various healthy compounds such as <strong>various vitamins,</strong> important elements such as <strong>Iron, Magnesium</strong> etc. and is extremely low on fats and contains<strong> no cholesterol.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the <strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.</strong></li>
<li>It functions under the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>The Authority has its <strong>headquarters in New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>APEDA is mandated with the<strong> responsibility of export promotion and development</strong> of the scheduled products like fruits, vegetables and their products, meat and meat products, etc.</li>
<li>APEDA has been entrusted with the<strong> responsibility to monitor import of sugar.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1685065" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/moringa-powder'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Covid Deaths: Developed Versus Developing Countries',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per a new study, <strong>better hygiene and sanitation</strong> in the rich and developed countries could, paradoxically, be<strong> one of the reasons for the high rates of <a href="/printpdf/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coronavirus</a>-related deaths</strong> lending credence to what is known as the<strong> &lsquo;hygiene hypothesis&rsquo;</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The study is based on analysis of data until 29<sup>th</sup> June 2020, by which time more than 5 lakh deaths had been reported with 70% of it in <strong>high-income countries.</strong></li>
<li>It correlated coronavirus deaths in several countries with indicators such as <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-decreases-to-11-year-low" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product</a>, population density, human development index rating, demography, sanitation and hygiene, and prevalence of autoimmune diseases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Case of Developed Countries:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Among countries with the <strong>highest rates of death per million of population are Belgium, Italy and Spain,</strong> where more than <strong>1,200 have died per million.</strong> The US and the UK have more than 1,000 deaths per million of population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India Specific Findings:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In contrast, India has seen just about <strong>110 deaths per million,</strong> less than half the world average of about 233. Most other South Asian countries, as also in rest of Asia and Africa, have <strong>much lower death rates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Paradox:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The lower-income countries, with <strong>higher population densities and much lower sanitation standards,</strong> seem to have recorded much fewer coronavirus-related deaths compared to richer and more developed countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exceptions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Countries such as<strong> Japan, Finland, Norway, Monaco</strong> or <strong>Australia</strong> have also recorded very low death rates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other factors Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Stage of the epidemic,</li>
<li><strong>Lower reporting/testing</strong> in less developed countries that could also affect the mortality numbers.</li>
<li>It found that <strong>&lsquo;hygiene hypothesis&rsquo;</strong> could be one of the reasons for the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hygiene Hypothesis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the Hygiene hypothesis&rsquo;, people in countries with <strong>low sanitation standards </strong>get exposed to <strong>communicable diseases</strong> at an early age and <strong>develop stronger immunity,</strong> helping them to ward off diseases later in life, a phenomenon called<strong> &lsquo;immune training&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Conversely, people in richer countries have <strong>better access to healthcare and vaccines,</strong> and things like clean drinking water, due to which they remain safer from such infectious diseases. Paradoxically, this also means that<strong> their immune system remains unexposed to such dangers.</strong></li>
<li>This hypothesis is also sometimes used to explain the prevalence of <strong>auto-immune diseases,</strong> in which the immune system sometimes<strong> &lsquo;overreacts&rsquo; and starts attacking the body&rsquo;s own cells,</strong> leading to disorders like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-injection-for-type-2-diabetes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>type-1 diabetes mellitus</strong></a> or<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/drdo-s-herbal-drug-for-leucoderma" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> multiple sclerosis.</strong></a></li>
<li>However, few suggest that it would be better if the hypothesis were renamed, e.g. as the &lsquo;microbial exposure&rsquo; hypothesis, or &lsquo;microbial deprivation&rsquo; hypothesis. Avoiding the term &lsquo;hygiene&rsquo; would help <strong>focus attention on determining the true impact of microbes, </strong>while<strong> minimizing risks of discouraging good hygiene practice.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/immunity-low-due-to-better-hygiene-rich-nations-see-more-covid-deaths-study-7128197/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-deaths-developed-versus-developing-countries'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav Programme: ICAR',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)</strong></a>s initiative <strong>&lsquo;Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav&rsquo;,</strong> cleanliness drive was carried out in few villages of Goa along with guidance to village panchayats on waste disposal.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ICAR</strong> is an autonomous organisation under the <strong>Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE),</strong> Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme was<strong> launched in 2015.</strong></li>
<li>The scheme envisages <strong>scientists to select villages as per their convenience</strong> and <strong>remain in touch with the selected villages</strong> and <strong>provide information to the farmers on technical and other related aspects of agriculture</strong> in a time frame <strong>through personal visits or on telephone.</strong></li>
<li>They may function with the help of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/krishi-vigyan-kendra-kvk-conference-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)</strong></a> and <strong>Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To promote the <strong>direct interface of scientists</strong> with the farmers to hasten the <strong>&ldquo;lab to land&rdquo;</strong> process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Agriculture Technology Management Agency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>registered society responsible for technology dissemination at the district level.</strong> It is a focal point for integrating research extension and marketing.</li>
<li><strong>Launch:</strong> It was <strong>launched during 2005-06.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Funding:</strong> The funding pattern is <strong>90% by the central Government and 10% by the state government.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To strengthen<strong> research &ndash; extension &ndash; farmer linkages.</strong></li>
<li>To provide an <strong>effective mechanism for coordination and management of activities of different agencies</strong> involved in technology adoption/validation and dissemination at the district level and below.</li>
<li>To<strong> increase the quality and type of technologies</strong> being disseminated.</li>
<li>To move towards <strong>shared ownership of the agricultural technology</strong> system by key shareholders.</li>
<li>To <strong>develop new partnerships</strong> with private institutions including NGOs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong> Individual, Community, Women, Farmers/Farm Women groups.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1685062#:~:text=Under%20the%20ICAR's%20initiative%20'Mera,in%20producing%20compost%20from%20waste." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mera-gaon-mera-gaurav-programme-icar'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'Revival of Monpa Handmade Paper',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>the Monpa Handmade Paper</strong> (1000-year old heritage art) of Arunachal Pradesh has been revived by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609918083_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609918083_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Monpa Handmade Paper:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The fine-textured handmade paper, which is called <strong>Mon Shugu</strong> in the local dialect, is <strong>integral to the vibrant culture</strong> of the local tribes in Tawang.</li>
<li>The paper has great historic and religious significance as it is the paper <strong>used for writing Buddhist scriptures and hymns in monasteries.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Monpa handmade paper</strong> is made from the <strong>bark of a local tree called Shugu Sheng,</strong> which has medicinal values too.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monpa Handmade Paper Industry:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The art of making <strong>Monpa handmade paper</strong> originated over <strong>1000 years ago.</strong> Gradually the art became an <strong>integral part of local custom and culture</strong> in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>Once produced in every household in Tawang, this <strong>handmade paper was a major source of livelihood for the locals.</strong></li>
<li>The handmade paper industry almost disappeared in the last 100 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Revival Program:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An<strong> attempt</strong> for the revival of this handmade paper industry was made <strong>in 1994</strong> but <strong>failed.</strong></li>
<li>KVIC commissioned a Monpa handmade paper making unit in Tawang which not only aimed at reviving the art but also <strong>engaging the local youths with this art professionally and earn.</strong></li>
<li>The revival is aligned with the Prime Ministers Mantra of <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-06-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vocal for Local</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Future Programs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tawang is also known for <strong>two other local</strong> crafts:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Handmade pottery</strong></li>
<li><strong>Handmade furniture</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>KVIC announced that within six months <strong>plans will be rolled out for revival of these two local arts.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Revival of <strong>handmade pottery</strong> will be taken up on priority under<a href="/pdf/1605666266-kumhar-sashaktikaran-yojana.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana</strong> </a>very soon.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY): I</strong>t was launched in 2018 to strengthen and improve the living of potters in the country by making them self reliant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>KVIC is a statutory body established under the <strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956.</strong></li>
<li>The KVIC is charged with the <strong>planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries</strong> in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.</li>
<li>It functions under the <strong>Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1683797" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revival-of-monpa-handmade-paper'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Protecting the Sentinelese',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/xaxa-committee-on-tribal-communities-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthropological Survey of India</a> (ANSI)</strong> policy document warned of threat to the Sentinelese from commercial activity.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The policy document comes almost two years after American national John Allen Chau was allegedly <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-citizen-killed-by-tribals-in-andaman" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>killed by the Sentinelese on the North Sentinel Island.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609916905_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609916905_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ANSI Guidelines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any <strong>exploitation</strong> of the<strong> North Sentinel Island of the Andamans</strong> for commercial and strategic gain would be <strong>dangerous for its occupants, the Sentinelese. </strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Right of the people</strong> to the island is <strong>non-negotiable, unassailable and uninfringeable.</strong> The prime duty of the state is to protect these rights as eternal and sacrosanct.</li>
<li>Their <strong>island should not be eyed</strong> for any commercial or strategic gain.</li>
<li>The document also calls for <strong>building a knowledge bank on the Sentinelese.</strong></li>
<li>Since &lsquo;on-the-spot study&rsquo; is not possible for the tribal community, anthropologists suggest the<strong> &lsquo;study of a culture from distance&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Sentinelese:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Sentinelese are a <strong>pre-neolithic, negrito tribe</strong> who live in North Sentinel Island of the Andamans.</li>
<li>They are<strong> completely isolated with no contact to the outside world.</strong> The first time they were contacted by a team of Indian anthropologists in 1991.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to no contact, the census of Sentinelese is taken through photographing the island individuals from distance.</li>
<li>It has a population of about <strong>50 to 100 on the North Sentinel Island.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Surveys of North Sentinel Island have <strong>not found any evidence of agriculture.</strong> Instead, the community seems to be <strong>hunter-gatherers, getting food through fishing, hunting, and collecting wild plants living on the island.</strong></li>
<li>Sentinelese are also listed under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups#:~:text=Particularly%20Vulnerable%20Tribal%20Groups%20(PVTGs),-In%20India%2C%20tribal&amp;text=In%201973%2C%20the%20Dhebar%20Commission,renamed%20the%20PTGs%20as%20PVTGs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)</strong> </a>by the government of India. The <strong>other four PVTGs</strong> of the islands are <a href="/pdf/1606019199-leave-them-alone-on-the-sentinelese.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and Shompens.</strong></a></li>
<li>They are protected under the <strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It declares traditional areas occupied by the tribes as reserves, and prohibits entry of all except those with authorization.</li>
<li>Photographing or filming tribe members is also an offense..</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Anthropological Survey of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>premier research institute for anthropological research in bio-cultural studies.</strong></li>
<li>It was established in <strong>1945.</strong> It is one of the many organizations under <strong>the Ministry of Culture.</strong> It has <strong>headquarters at Kolkata</strong> and<strong> branches</strong> in <strong>Port Blair, Shillong, DehraDun, Udaipur, Nagpur, and Mysore</strong> in addition to two <strong>field stations at Jagdalpur and Ranchi.</strong></li>
<li>The Survey through its anthropological research <strong>contributes in respect of the biological, social and cultural heritage of the country.</strong></li>
<li>It is also recognised as one of the most advanced centres <strong>for research and training in anthropology and allied disciplines.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To<strong> study the tribes and other communities</strong> that form the population of India both from the biological and cultural point of view</li>
<li>To<strong> study and preserve the human skeletal remains,</strong> both from modern and Archaeological.</li>
<li>To <strong>collect samples of arts and crafts</strong> of the tribes of India.</li>
<li>To function as a<strong> training center for advanced students in anthropology</strong> and for administration.</li>
<li>To<strong> publish</strong> the results of the research.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The academics have suggested that the <strong>best path forward is a policy of "controlled contact"</strong> with these communities instead of a policy of no contact.</li>
<li>Carefully managed contact to avoid the spread of disease, but <strong>also enable the building of trust and providing aid and medical help if needed is the best way.</strong></li>
<li>Establishing contact with the outside world can also <strong>help governments to document their way of life, preserve their culture and their holistic development.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/any-exploitation-of-sentinel-island-will-wipe-out-tribals/article33374892.ece#:~:text=Any%20exploitation%20of%20the%20North,of%20India%20(AnSI)%20has%20said" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protecting-the-sentinelese'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'New Industrial Infrastructure Projects',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-committees-formed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)</strong></a> has approved three infrastructure proposals worth <strong>Rs 7,725 crore</strong> for setting up <strong>greenfield industrial cities</strong> with<strong> connectivity to major transportation corridors.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cabinet also approved a modified scheme for<strong> interest subvention for <a href="/pdf/Government-Allows-Ethanol-Extraction-for-Blending-from-Foodgrains..pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethanol</a> production</strong> expanding the scheme to <strong>include grain based distilleries and not just molasses based ones.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme would <strong>encourage ethanol production</strong> from grains like barley, maize, corn and rice and<strong> boost production and distillation capacity</strong> to 1,000 crore litres and help in meeting the <strong>goal of 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These projects are based on major transportation corridors like <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dedicated-freight-corridor-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eastern &amp; Western Dedicated Freight Corridors</a>, Expressways and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-highways-authority-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Highways</a>, proximity to ports, airports.</strong></li>
<li>This will <strong>attract investments into manufacturing and position India as a strong player in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-localising-globalisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global value chain</a>.</strong></li>
<li>These projects will generate <strong>ample employment opportunities through</strong> development of Industrial Corridors.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Industrial Corridors</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/industrial-corridors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial corridors</strong></a> offer <strong>effective integration between industry and infrastructure,</strong> leading to overall <strong>economic and social development.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Economic Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Avenues for Exports:</strong> The Industrial Corridors are likely to lower the cost of logistics thereby increasing the efficiency of industrial production structure. Such an <strong>efficiency lowers the cost of production which makes the Indian made products more competitive in international markets.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Job Opportunities:</strong> Development of Industrial Corridors would attract investments for the development of Industries which is likely to<strong> create more jobs in the market.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Logistics:</strong> These corridors would <strong>provide necessary logistics infrastructure needed to reap economies of scale,</strong> thus enabling firms to focus on their areas of core competence.</li>
<li><strong>Investment Opportunities:</strong> Industrial corridor <strong>provides opportunities for private sector investment</strong> in the provision of various infrastructure projects associated with the exploitation of industrial opportunity.</li>
<li><strong>Improved Functioning:</strong> Apart from the <strong>development of infrastructure,</strong> long-term advantages to business and industry along the corridor include benefits arising from smooth access to the industrial production units, <strong>decreased transportation and communications costs, improved delivery time and reduction in inventory cost.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environmental Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The establishment of Industrial Units in a scattered manner along the industrial corridor across the length of the state will <strong>prevent concentration of industries in one particular location which exploited the environment beyond its carrying capacity</strong> and caused environmental degradation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Socio-Economic Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cascading effect of industrial corridors in socio-economic terms are many such as setting up of industrial townships, educational institutions, hospitals. These will further <strong>raise the standards of human development.</strong></li>
<li>Moreover, people would find job opportunities close to their homes and would not have to migrate to far-off places (would prevent distress migration).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Industrial Corridor Development Programme:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609915159_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609915159_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> The Government of India is developing various Industrial Corridor Projects as part of the <strong>National Industrial Corridor programme</strong> which is aimed at development of futuristic industrial cities in India which can compete with the best manufacturing and investment destinations in the world.</li>
<li><strong>Administration: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT)</strong> is under the administrative control of <strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)</strong> for coordinated and unified development of all the industrial corridors which are at various stages of development and implementation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is India's most ambitious infrastructure programme aiming to develop new industrial cities as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-cities-command-centres#:~:text=Smart%20City%20Mission,create%20smart%20outcomes%20for%20citizens." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>"Smart Cities"</strong></a> and <strong>converging next generation technologies</strong> across infrastructure sectors.</li>
<li>11 Industrial Corridors Projects are being taken up for development with 30 Projects to be developed in <strong>04 phases up to 2024-25:</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To make the corridors successful, India has to be part of the <strong>Industrial Revolution 4.0,</strong> which will be <strong>shaped by a fresh wave of innovation</strong> in areas such as smart robotics, materials that are lighter and tougher, and a manufacturing process built around 3D printing and analytics.</li>
<li><strong>Industrial corridors will help India&rsquo;s efforts to lead the world in the fourth wave of industrial revolution.</strong> Effective execution of this plan could make India take a major leap in the race of development</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-approves-multi-modal-logistics-and-transport-hub-at-greater-noida/article33453779.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-industrial-infrastructure-projects'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'EVs: Dream Or Nightmare',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/electric-vehicles-market-india-tesla-7125381/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Powering up&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 30/12/2020. It talks about the impact of the pros and cons of electric vehicle development in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India&rsquo;s government has allowed the<a href="/pdf/1594054203-challenges-to-electric-vehicle-adoption-in-india.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Electric Vehicle</strong></a> (EV) significant Tesla to launch its India operations, which are expected to start early next year. This move could revolutionise India&rsquo;s automobile sector.</p>
<p>With Tesla entering into the Indian market, in due course of time, it will lead to more money flowing into research into EVs and India could emerge as the prominent manufacturer of electric vehicles like cars, bikes, and tractors.</p>
<p>The arguments favouring a shift towards electric vehicles are straightforward, arising mainly as a response to pollution and energy security challenges.</p>
<p>However, the shift in favour of EVs has its roadblocks, and therefore, the government&rsquo;s support will be needed to incentivise a change to electric vehicles.</p>
<h3>Advantages of EVs</h3>
<p>An analysis by TERI suggests that shifting towards EVs would reduce pollution, lower oil imports, and cut carbon emissions and road congestion.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Curbing Pollution:</strong> India has 21 of the world&rsquo;s 30 cities with the worst air pollution as per data from IQAir AirVisual&rsquo;s 2019 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-air-quality-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Air Quality Report.</strong></a> Much of the pollution load can be traced to vehicular emissions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, electric vehicles&rsquo; adoption will reduce overall emissions and meet the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris agreement targets.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Energy Security:</strong> Such a shift would also help lower the country&rsquo;s dependence on oil imports. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the fuel cost has increased across households as the number of people with vehicles is rising.</li>
<li>As there is further up and down in petrol and diesel costs due to fluctuations in the international market price, the electric vehicles come across as a suitable way to save money.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Related to EVs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Charging Infrastructure:</strong> Electric Vehicles are fixed for a specific range; they can&rsquo;t go beyond that. Thus, the biggest problem is the lack of an adequate number of recharge points. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the charging activity itself consumes a lot of time. So it poses a big question mark over the quick adoption by the buyers keeping in mind the convenience of fuel stations which can be found easily.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High Cost Associated With EVs:</strong> The cost of EVs is still pretty high compared to conventional fuel vehicles. The primary reason behind it is the use of Li-ion batteries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, most reserves are located in a few countries. For example, 65% of lithium reserves are in Bolivia and Chile, while 60% of cobalt reserves are in Congo.</li>
<li>The short supply of these essentials metals has made EVs expensive.</li>
<li>Moreover, the world&rsquo;s problem does not have enough lithium or cobalt reserves to replace current automobiles with EVs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dependence on China:</strong> India imports 90% of electric scooter components from China. Currently, an Indian car uses 10-15% imported parts. EVs will increase import dependence to 70% or more.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, setting up domestic battery manufacturing units would have its problems, as it would be difficult to match the prices of subsidised imported batteries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disruption to the Automobile Sector:</strong> For switching to EVs, India first needs to prepare for the coming upheaval in the automobile industry.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>EV has 20 moving parts, while regular petrol or diesel vehicles have more than 2,000.</li>
<li>For this reason, when fully adopted, EVs will kill most auto component firms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enabling Charging Infrastructure:</strong> Government&rsquo;s intervention in creating the charging infrastructure is required to facilitate its large-scale adoption. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Affordable and convenient charging will, after all, increase the segment&rsquo;s attractiveness for consumers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Switching Batteries System:</strong> There is a need to design interchangeable batteries and switching stations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Charging is one of the major concerns for batteries as it takes quite some time to get fully charged. Designing a system where empty batteries of electric cars will replace a fully charged battery in a few minutes, will solve the time and charging point constraint.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>R &amp; D in Breakthrough Battery Technology: Investment in</strong> Research &amp; development for quick-charging batteries is required.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the use of fuel cells is another big idea. Fuel cell EVs powered by hydrogen emit only water vapour and warm air.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Securing Supply of Essential Metals:</strong> India can sign various deals and ensure a supply of essential metals with purchases of mines in Congo, Bolivia, Chile and Australia so that it doesn&rsquo;t fall short of raw material in the EVs segment.</li>
<li><strong>Need for Reskilling:</strong> India would also need to reskill many motor mechanics in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/frontier-technologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industry 4.0 technologies.</strong> </a>They need to learn how to repair EVs which have sophisticated electronics.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Future of electric cars looks bright as it certainly can reduce our dependence on oil and fossil fuel, which can significantly bring down global pollution and help control climate change.</p>
<p>The biggest challenge with electric cars is their energy (or electricity) storage capacity. This was one of the main reasons gasoline (or petrol) cars got prominence in the early 1900s.</p>
<p>Therefore, EVs are the future of mobility, but the end will happen only when an inexpensive next-gen battery is in the market.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>EVs are the future of mobility, but the end will happen only when an inexpensive next-gen battery is in the market. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S9bay0K1i0E" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/air-pollution-caqm-s-role-is-still-hazy/story-GTGeiondguWuogDlBEHwsN.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Air pollution: CAQM&rsquo;s role is still hazy&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on December 29<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/evs-dream-or-nightmare'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Protests Against Eco-sensitive Zones in Narmada District',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> tribal communities in Gujarat have been protesting</strong> against the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> (MoEFCC) order classifying 121 villages around the <strong>Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary</strong> in <strong>Narmada district as <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/eco-sensitive-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eco-sensitive zones.</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They have appealed to the centre to withdraw the notification to mitigate the protests.</li>
<li>Tribes like <strong>Tadvi and Vasava</strong> have been concerned ever since <strong>Kevadia village</strong> of Narmada district was developed into a<strong> tourism circuit around the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statue-of-unity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Statue of Unity</a></strong> (SoU).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons Behind Protests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Land falling in the eco-sensitive zone,</strong> including land used for agricultural use and plots reserved for parks, <strong>cannot be transferred for non-agricultural use</strong> for commercial, industrial or residential purposes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any land that needs to be transferred can be done so <strong>only after approval from the state government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A process has been initiated to include the <strong>state government as the co-owner</strong> of the land in the 121 villages.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Tribals are apprehensive of the order as they <strong>were not taken into confidence.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The notification, combined with the formation of the <strong>SoU Tourism Authority</strong> (SoUTA or also known as the <strong>SoU Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority</strong>), has <strong>increased administrative needs owing to the booming tourism</strong> and has <strong>left tribals in a state of mistrust and fear.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They feel the simultaneous implementation of the two government decisions <strong>could dilute the &ldquo;power&rdquo; vested with villagers under the Panchayat (Extension of Scheduled Areas) Act</strong> (PESA Act), <strong>1996,</strong> implemented in areas notified under <strong>Schedule V</strong> of the Constitution.</li>
<li><strong>Fifth and Sixth Schedules</strong> provide for <strong>alternate or special governance mechanisms for certain schedule areas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Panchayat (Extension of Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gujarat notified the <strong>State PESA Rules in January 2017,</strong> applicable in 4,503 gram sabhas in eight districts of the state.</li>
<li>The Act promised a<strong> separate security force for the gram sabhas</strong> that would have complete power to decide their issues.</li>
<li>The provisions of the law deem the<strong> gram sabhas as &ldquo;most competent&rdquo; to deal with matters related to their territories</strong> for safeguarding their customs, traditions as well as the natural resources in the tribal areas.</li>
<li>However, the<strong> Act has not been enforced in letter and spirit,</strong> according to legal experts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Statue of Unity Tourism Authority</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government passed the <strong>SoU Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority or the SoU Tourism Authority</strong> (SoUTA) <strong>Bill in 2019.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill<strong> sets aside Rs. 10 crore</strong> from the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-utilisation-of-cesses-levies#:~:text=States%20as%20devolution.-,Consolidated%20Fund%20of%20India,and%20all%20non%2Dtax%20revenues." target="_blank" rel="noopener">consolidated fund</a> of the state</strong> for the discharge of functions and duties by SoUTA.</li>
<li>While activists and legal experts feel the Act will overpower the provisions of PESA, officials say rules of SoUTA are yet to be clarified.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>largely work as a local body that will prepare and execute a development plan</strong> or a town planning scheme, remove encroachments and provide civic amenities like water supply, transportation, power supply, drainage, hospitals, medical services, schools, public parks, markets, shopping places, and disposal of waste, among others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Acquiring immovable property</strong> under the <strong>Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Taking punitive action</strong> against those violating/encroaching it.</li>
<li><strong>Defining the limits</strong> of the tourism development area.</li>
<li><strong>Persons authorised can enter any land or building</strong> between sunrise and sunset by giving its occupant a notice of at least 24 hours.</li>
<li><strong>Shields the authority and its members from any legal proceeding or prosecution</strong> for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Police can assist the authority in prohibiting any nuisance</strong> being caused or prevent any such activity, process, the operation being carried out, if it opines that it will damage or deteriorate the &ldquo;tourism potentiality&rdquo; of the area.</li>
<li><strong>Expenses and costs incurred,</strong> if any, in removing or abating such nuisance, shall be<strong> recovered as an arrear of land revenue from the person who has caused such nuisance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Persons who fail to comply with directions given by the authority shall be <strong>punishable with imprisonment for up to a month</strong> or with a <strong>fine up to Rs. 50,000, or both.</strong> The offence will also be treated as <strong>&ldquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/re-imagining-cognizable-offences#:~:text=In%20cognisable%20offences%2C%20an%20officer,necessary%20on%20certain%20enumerated%20bases." target="_blank" rel="noopener">cognisable</a> and non-bailable&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was first declared a<strong> protected area in 1982.</strong></li>
<li>An area of 150.87 sq. km was called the <strong>&lsquo;Dumkhal Sanctuary&rsquo;,</strong> specifically created for the<strong> protection of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nandankanan-zoological-park-odisha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sloth bears</a>.</strong></li>
<li>In the years <strong>1987 and 1989, more land was attributed</strong> to conservation and the area of the sanctuary enlarged to 607.70 sq km. It was then <strong>renamed</strong> &lsquo;Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary&rsquo;.</li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong> It is made up of a mixed forest of teak, riverine forest and deciduous dry jungles.</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong> Sloth bear, Leopard, Rhesus macaque, Four Horned antelope, Barking deer, Pangolin, Herpetofauna, birds including Alexandrine parakeet.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/gujarat-narmada-district-eco-sensitive-zone-protests-7125774/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: IE</a></strong></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protests-against-eco-sensitive-zones-in-narmada-district'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet has approved the<strong> opening of 3 Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic in 2021.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>build a conducive environment for India&rsquo;s growth and development</strong> through partnerships with friendly countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expected Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Opening of Indian Missions in these countries will help<strong> expand India&rsquo;s diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations,</strong> enable growth of<strong> bilateral trade, investment</strong> and economic engagements, facilitate stronger <strong>people-to-people contacts,</strong> bolster political outreach in multilateral fora and help garner support for India&rsquo;s foreign policy objectives.</li>
<li>Indian missions in these countries will also better <strong>assist the Indian community and protect their interests.</strong></li>
<li>Enhancement of India&rsquo;s diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide<strong> market access for Indian companies</strong> and <strong>bolster Indian exports</strong> of goods and services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This would have a direct impact in <strong>augmenting domestic production and employment</strong> in line with the goal of a self-reliant India or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measures-on-atmanirbhar-bharat-3-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Atmanirbhar Bharat&rsquo;</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Relations with the 3 Countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Estonia:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755338_image8.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755338_image8.jpg" width="600" caption="false" style="float: right;" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the <strong>northernmost of the three<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Baltic states.</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Baltic states, northeastern region of Europe containing the countries of<strong> Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania,</strong> on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea.</li>
<li>The Baltic region is not rich in natural resources. Though<strong> Estonia is an important producer of oil shale,</strong> a large share of mineral and energy resources is imported.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It <strong>welcomed the decision</strong> saying it would strengthen ties in trade and cybersecurity in particular. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The decision had been awaited since 2013, when Estonia set up its embassy in Delhi, while India has dealt with it through its embassy in neighbouring Finland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India and Estonia will also <strong>serve together in the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Security Council</a> next year.</strong></li>
<li>There is <strong>significant room for enhanced economic engagement</strong> in information technology, cyber security, e-governance and block chain.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Total bilateral trade in 2018-19 was 172.53 USD million, an increase of 22.5% from 2017-18.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paraguay:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755350_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755350_image5.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="273" height="265" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-visit-to-paraguay-and-costa-rica" target="_blank" rel="noopener">landlocked country</a> in south-central South America.</strong></li>
<li>Rivers provide access to the Atlantic Ocean and serve as sites for the hydroelectric power plants that have made Paraguay<strong> one of the world&rsquo;s largest exporters of hydropower.</strong></li>
<li>Paraguay is a <strong>member of MERCOSUR.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR for its Spanish initials)</strong> is a regional integration process, initially established by <strong>Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay,</strong> and subsequently joined by<strong> Venezuela and Bolivia.</strong></li>
<li>India has a preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It had set up its <strong>mission in Delhi in 2006.</strong></li>
<li>For the fiscal year 2018-19, India&rsquo;s exports to Paraguay were valued at USD 161 million, while Paraguay&rsquo;s exports to India were valued at USD 21 million. <strong>Soybean oil accounts for over 90% of Paraguay&rsquo;s exports to India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dominican Republic:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755371_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755371_image2.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a<strong> country of the West Indies</strong> that occupies the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola, the second largest island of the Greater Antilles chain in the <strong>Caribbean Sea.</strong></li>
<li>It had set up its mission in Delhi in 2006.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s exports to the Dominican Republic are small but growing.</strong> Bilateral two way trade stands at around <strong>USD 120 million.</strong></li>
<li>Main items of<strong> India&rsquo;s exports are</strong> cotton textiles and readymade garments, drugs and pharmaceuticals, furniture, transport equipment, manufactures of metals, chemicals, plastic and linoleum products, tea, processed foods and marine products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-open-missions-in-estonia-paraguay-and-the-dominican-republic/article33456636.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-missions-in-estonia-paraguay-and-the-dominican-republic'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Fourth Meeting of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-sri-lanka-security-and-geopolitics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Sri Lanka</strong> </a><strong>Joint Working Group (JWG) on <a href="/pdf/1605966939-world-fisheries-day-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fisheries</a></strong> was held through virtual mode.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Palk Strait</strong> and <strong>Gulf of Mannar</strong> are major fishing grounds for both the countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609753743_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609753743_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Fourth Meeting:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two sides exchanged views on the status of<strong> cooperation between Navy &amp; Coast Guard</strong> of both countries in patrolling, existing hotline between the Coast Guards and related operational matters, cooperation in <strong>preservation of marine environment as well as the schedule for the fifth meeting of the JWG.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sri Lanka also sought a <strong>safe passage for Sri Lankan fishermen to enter the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India <strong>reiterated</strong> the<strong> need for releasing all fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody</strong> in line with the <strong>commitment given by the Sri Lankan President</strong> during his state visit to India in <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-12-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>November 2019.</strong></a></li>
<li>India highlighted the initiatives being taken under the new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-matsya-sampada-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana</strong> </a>and<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-fisheries-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> other schemes</a> of Government of India and governments of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to diversify and reduce fishing pressure in the Palk Bay.</strong></li>
<li>India also informed of<strong> initiatives taken for diversification into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deep-sea fishing</a></strong> especially by fishermen of the Palk Bay area,<strong> infrastructure</strong> created to <strong>facilitate deep-sea fishing,</strong> promotion of <strong>alternative livelihood</strong> through <strong><a href="/printpdf/pegasus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seaweed</a> cultivation</strong>, <strong>mariculture and varieties of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aquaculture</a> activities.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mariculture</strong> is the <strong>farming of marine organisms</strong> for food and other products such as pharmaceuticals, food additives, jewelry etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Working Group:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Sri Lanka agreed to set up a <strong>Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries </strong>in <strong>2016</strong> between the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India</strong> and <strong>Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka</strong> as the <strong>mechanism to help find a permanent solution</strong> to the fishermen issue.</li>
<li>The JWG also <strong>includes representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Coast Guards and Navies</strong> of both countries.</li>
<li><strong>Terms of reference of the JWG:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Expediting the transition towards <strong>ending the practice of bottom trawling</strong> at the earliest.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bottom trawling</strong> is an industrial fishing method where a large net with heavy weights is dragged across the seafloor.</li>
<li>When the weighted nets and trawl doors are dragged along the seafloor, <strong>everything in their path is disturbed or destroyed,</strong> including seagrasses, coral reefs or rock gardens where fish hide from predators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Framing <strong>procedures for returning fishermen</strong> arrested by both sides.</li>
<li>Possibility of <strong>joint patrolling.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Fisherman Issue</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given the <strong>proximity of the territorial waters of both countries,</strong> especially in the <strong>Palk Strait</strong> and the <strong>Gulf of Mannar,</strong> incidents of straying of fishermen are common.</li>
<li><strong>Indian boats</strong> have been fishing in the troubled waters for centuries and<strong> had a free run of the Bay of Bengal, Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar</strong> until 1974 and 1976 when treaties were signed between the two countries to demarcate <strong>International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, <strong>the treaties failed</strong> to factor in the hardship of thousands of traditional fishermen who were forced to restrict themselves to a meagre area in their fishing forays.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609754513_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609754513_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>The <strong>small islet of Katchatheevu,</strong> hitherto used by the Indian fishermen for sorting their catch and drying their nets, <strong>fell on the other side of the IMBL.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fishermen often risk their lives and cross the IMBL rather than return empty-handed, but the <strong>Sri Lankan Navy</strong> is on alert, and <strong>have either arrested or destroyed fishing nets and vessels of those who have crossed the line.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The IMBL is<strong> imaginary,</strong> but it was <strong>geo-tagged</strong> and is visible to the fishermen, due to G<strong>lobal Positioning System (GPS) sets. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Deep Sea Fishing Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Promoted as <strong>an alternative to bottom trawling by Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s fishermen</strong> off the Palk Bay, the scheme envisages the provision of 2,000 deep sea fishing boats in place of trawlers by 2019-20, which will be the third and final year of implementation of the scheme.</li>
<li>It aims to put an end to disputes arising between the two countries.</li>
<li>It has been taken up under the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Blue Revolution&rsquo;</strong> </a>scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to <strong>focus more on its traditional and cultural ties</strong> to improve relations with Sri Lanka.</li>
<li><strong>Starting ferry services between India and Sri Lanka</strong> can improve people to people linkages.</li>
<li><strong>Mutual recognition of each other's concerns and interests</strong> can improve the relationship between both countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684807#:~:text=The%20Fourth%20Meeting%20of%20the,Fisheries%2C%20Animal%20Husbandry%20and%20Dairying." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-joint-working-group-on-fisheries'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'TiHAN-IIT: Testbed for Autonomous Navigation Systems',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The foundation stone of<strong> &lsquo;TiHAN-IIT Hyderabad&rsquo;,</strong> India&rsquo;s <strong>first Testbed for Autonomous Navigation Systems</strong> (Terrestrial and Aerial) has been laid recently.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Department of Science and Technology (DST) had sanctioned<strong> Rs. 135 crores</strong> to <strong>IIT Hyderabad</strong> (IIT-H) under the <a href="/printpdf/national-mission-on-interdisciplinary-cyber-physical-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems</strong></a> (NM-ICPS) to set up a <strong>Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation and Data Acquisition Systems</strong> (UAVs, RoVs, etc.)</li>
<li>The Technology Innovation Hub for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-sky-platform-drone-regulation-1-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unmanned Aerial Vehicles</strong></a> (UAVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (RoVs) at IIT Hyderabad, known as <strong>'TiHAN Foundation'</strong> was incorporated as a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-the-companies-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Section-8 company</strong></a> by the institute in June 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a multi-departmental initiative including researchers from electrical, computer science, mechanical and aerospace, civil, mathematics, and design at IIT-H with collaboration and support from reputed institutions and industry.</li>
<li>It is a great step towards<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Atmanibhar Bharat&rsquo;</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-problem-of-skilling-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Skill India&rsquo;</strong></a> and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india#:~:text=Initiatives%20launched%20by%20the%20Government,need%20to%20carry%20physical%20documents." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Digital India&rsquo;</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TiHAN-IIT:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>facilitate research grounds</strong> to investigate the <strong>functioning of unmanned and connected vehicles</strong> in a controlled environment by replicating different scenarios, ranging from frequently occurring to extreme cases that may ensue in real-life traffic operations.</li>
<li>At present, there is<strong> no such testbed facility in India</strong> to evaluate the autonomous navigation of vehicles. Therefore, it is envisioned to address this gap by developing a fully functional and exemplary testbed facility dedicated to <strong>connected autonomous vehicles</strong> (CAVs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Connected vehicles</strong> use<strong> technology to either communicate with each other,</strong> connect with <strong>traffic signals, signs, and other road items, or obtain data from a cloud.</strong> This information exchange helps with <strong>safety and improves traffic flow.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This hub focuses on addressing various challenges hindering the<strong> real-time adoption of unmanned autonomous vehicles</strong> for both<strong> terrestrial and aerial applications.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Primary focus includes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Research &amp; Technology development</strong> in the area of Autonomous Navigation and Data Acquisition Systems (UAVs, RoVs).</li>
<li><strong>Industry Collaborations :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Joint R&amp;D Initiatives, Consultancy, Technology Outreach Schemes, Training of Industry Personnel, Continuing Education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Human resource &amp; Skill development.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Innovation, Entrepreneurship &amp; Start-up Ecosystem:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Start-ups and Incubation in the Technology Vertical, Attracting Private Funding (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/injeti-srinivas-committee-report-on-csr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong></a>, Voluntary Contributions and equity based), Technology Commercialization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Collaborations :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Academia &amp; Industry, Faculty/Student Exchange Programs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features of TiHAN-IIT:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Total Area:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>2 Acres of land</strong> has already been allocated in the IIT Hyderabad campus and the facilities are planned in phases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Facilities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Test Tracks, Emulation of Real-World Scenarios, State of the Art Simulation Technologies, Road Infrastructure, Drone Runways and Landing Area, Mechanical Integration Facility, Centralized Control Room/Ground Control Station, Smart Poles etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promotion to research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The developed test bed will be available for use<strong> by all the industries, R&amp;D labs, academia conducting research and development</strong> in the broad areas of <strong>autonomous navigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609752721_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609752721_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NM-ICPS is a comprehensive Mission aimed at <strong>complete convergence with all stakeholders by establishing strong linkages between academia, industry, Government and International Organizations.</strong> The Mission will work with all the concerned Ministries/Departments to identify their technology needs, develop solutions and technical support in CPS implementation.</li>
<li>It will secure India's future by creation of a<strong> Cyber-Physical System</strong> ecosystem.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cyber-Physical System (CPS)<strong> combines digital/cyber elements with physical objects</strong> (e.g. machines, autonomous vehicles) and data with capabilities of communication, data collection &amp; processing, computing, decision making and action.</li>
<li>CPS is an integrated system involving <strong>Sensors, Communication, Actuators, Control, interconnected computing networks and data analytics.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Few Potential applications:</strong> Driverless cars that communicate securely with each other on smart roads, Sensors in the home to detect changing health conditions, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Mission has four major activities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Technology Development,</li>
<li>Human Resource &amp; Skill Development,</li>
<li>Innovation, Entrepreneurship &amp; Start-Up Ecosystem and</li>
<li>International Collaborations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1684372" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tihan-iit-testbed-for-autonomous-navigation-systems'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'Yamuna’s High Ammonia Level',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>High levels of <a href="/printpdf/high-level-of-ammonia-in-yamuna" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ammonia</a> in Yamuna</strong> is resulting in <strong>frequent disruption</strong> to <strong>Delhi&rsquo;s water supply.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, ammonia levels shot up to<strong> 7.3 parts per million</strong> (ppm) at some places.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When the concentration rises beyond the Delhi Jal Board&rsquo;s (DJB&rsquo;s) <strong>treatment capacity of 0.9 ppm,</strong> water production has to be stopped or reduced in water treatment plants.</li>
<li>As per the <a href="/printpdf/high-level-of-ammonia-in-yamuna" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards</strong></a> (BIS), the<strong> acceptable maximum limit of ammonia</strong> in<strong> drinking water </strong>is<strong> 0.5 ppm.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes of Pollution in Yamuna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Industrial Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Yamuna flows into Delhi from Haryana and the state has <strong>industrial units in Sonipat</strong> (on the banks of Yamuna). Ammonia is used as an industrial chemical in the production of fertilisers, <strong>plastics and dyes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mixing of drains:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mixing of two drains carrying drinking water and sewage or industrial waste, or both, in Sonipat. The two drains often <strong>mix due to overflow or damage to the wall</strong> that separates them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effects of Rising Ammonia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ammonia reduces the amount of oxygen in water as it is <strong>transformed to oxidised forms of nitrogen.</strong> Hence, it also increases <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-improvement-in-ganga-water-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biochemical oxygen demand</strong> </a>(BOD).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Water pollution by organic wastes is measured in terms of BOD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If the concentration of ammonia in water is <strong>above 1 ppm,</strong> it is <strong>toxic to fishes.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>humans,</strong> long term ingestion of water having ammonia levels of <strong>1 ppm or above may cause damage to internal organs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ozone-based units</strong> to treat ammonia levels up to 4 ppm should be installed at Water Treatment Plants.</li>
<li>The laying of a <strong>conduit pipeline to separate drain carrying potable water and sewage water.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/pdf/national-green-tribunal-ngt.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Green Tribunal</a>-appointed Yamuna Monitoring Committee</strong> has also said that fast-track approvals should be given to build a conduit.</li>
<li>The Committee had also recommended to the Ministry of Jal Shakti earlier this year to rework the 1994<strong> water sharing pact</strong> between <strong>Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and UP</strong> to revive the river by releasing <strong>more fresh water into it.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ammonia</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Its chemical formula is <strong>NH<sub>3</sub>.</strong></li>
<li>It is a<strong> colourless gas</strong> and is used as an<strong> industrial chemical</strong> in the <strong>production of fertilisers, plastics, synthetic fibres, dyes and other products.</strong></li>
<li>It occurs naturally in the environment from the breakdown of<strong> organic waste matter,</strong> and may also find its way to ground and surface water sources through <strong>industrial effluents, contamination by sewage or through agricultural runoff.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Yamuna</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The river Yamuna, a major<strong> tributary of river Ganges,</strong> originates from the<strong> Yamunotri glacier near Bandarpoonch peaks</strong> in the Mussoorie range of the lower Himalayas in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.</li>
<li>It meets the <strong>Ganges at the Sangam in Prayagraj,</strong> Uttar Pradesh after flowing through <strong>Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Length:</strong> 1376 km</li>
<li><strong>Important Dam:</strong> Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc.</li>
<li><strong>Important Tributaries:</strong> Chambal, Sindh, Betwa, Ken, Tons, Hindon.</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609751983_image6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/dirty-water-wars-why-its-delhi-versus-haryana-on-yamunas-ammonia-levels-7125420/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yamuna-s-high-ammonia-level'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Biodiversity Conservation and Indigenous People',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based upon <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-tragedy-of-conservation/article33447813.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The Tragedy of Conservation''</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 30 December 2020. It focuses upon the plight of the indigenous people of the Western Ghats and the poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.</p>
</div>
<p>India has managed to conserve such a diversity of wildlife despite its large population and development challenges. The reverence that local communities have for Nature has been vital for the government&rsquo;s sustained success and other agencies&rsquo; conservation efforts.</p>
<p>However, the government&rsquo;s conservation activities have created fear amongst the indigenous people for losing their existence in lands that they had inhabited for decades.</p>
<p>In this context, proper implementation of the Forests Rights Act, 2006 is required, as the Act envisages protecting the indigenous people&rsquo;s interests and balancing the right to the environment with their right to life and livelihood.</p>
<h3>Role of the Indigenous People In Conservation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Conserving Natural Flora:</strong> The magico-religious belief of plants&rsquo; tribal communities as a god and goddess habitat leads to their conservation in their natural habitat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, a wide variety of plants such as crop plants, wild fruits, seeds, bulb, roots and tubers are conserved by the ethnic and indigenous people as they have to depend on these sources for edible purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Application of Traditional Knowledge:</strong> Indigenous people and biodiversity complement each other.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over time, the rural communities have gathered a pool of indigenous knowledge for the cultivation of the medicinal plants and their propagation.</li>
<li>These plants conserved are antidotes to snake bites and scorpion bites or even for broken bones or orthopaedic treatments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conserving the Sacred Groves:</strong> India&rsquo;s ethnic people have played a vital role in preserving the biodiversity of several virgin forests and have conserved flora and fauna in sacred groves of tribals. Otherwise, these flora and fauna might have disappeared from the natural ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Plight of the Indigenous People</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Disruption After Designation of the Status of World Heritage Site:</strong> The approach adopted to isolate the indigenous people from their natural habitats to protect biodiversity is the root cause of conflict between them and conservationists. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the announcement of natural habitat as a <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Heritage Site</a></strong>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO</strong></a> takes charge of the region&rsquo;s conservation.</li>
<li>This leads to an infusion of many outside people and technological equipment, which in turn disrupt the lives of the Indigenous people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lax implementation of the Forest Rights Act:</strong> Many states in India have a dismal record in implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be reflected with the fact that states like Karnataka had recognised only 5.7% of the total claims made.</li>
<li>Further, the FRA&rsquo;s constitutionality has been challenged in the Supreme Court several times by various conservation organisations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One of the petitioners&rsquo; key arguments has been that it is beyond the legislative competence of Parliament to enact the FRA as &lsquo;land&rsquo; is a state subject.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Development vs Conservation:</strong> Often, the combined stretch of land claimed by Indigenous people has been taken away for building dams, mining, laying railway lines and roads, power plants, etc. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, forcibly removing tribal peoples from their land will only result in environmental damage and violate human rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Illegal Encroachment of Land:</strong> The government records also reveal that 43 lakh hectares of forest land encroached legally and illegally until 1980 when the Forest Conservation Act came into force.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Forest Rights Act (FRA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A dramatic shift in the Indian conservation paradigm came in 2006 through the Forest Rights Act that went beyond sanctioning local usage, to conferring local communities&rsquo; rights over forest land and produce. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was mandated to operationalise the Act, while conservation remained under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Forest Rights Act (FRA) is legislation which aims to address the historical injustice that our forest-dwelling communities have had to face for nearly 150 years by providing them with the security of tenure over land for cultivation and habitation through individual rights. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also provides access to various resources through more than a dozen types of community forest rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The FRA also empowers forest-dwelling communities to protect, regenerate, conserve and manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting and preserving for sustainable use.</li>
<li>It has the provision for creating critical wildlife habitats within protected areas which currently is the most robust conservation provision among existing laws of the country.</li>
<li>The FRA does not sanction any fresh clearance of forest, as individual rights over land will only be granted if the forest dweller owned that parcel of land on December 13, 2005.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Recognition of the Rights of the Indigenous People:</strong> For preserving the rich biodiversity of the region, the recognition of the rights of the forest dwellers who depend on the forests is as important as the declaration of natural habitat as a World Heritage Site.</li>
<li><strong>Effective Implementation of the FRA:</strong> The government must make an effort to build trust between its agencies in the area and the people who depend on these forests by treating them as equal citizens like everyone else in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FRA&rsquo;s loopholes have already been identified; all it needs is to work on amending it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Traditional Knowledge of the Tribal People for Conservation:</strong> The Biodiversity Act, 2002 mentions about the equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use and knowledge of biological resources with the local communities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, all the stakeholders should realise that indigenous people&rsquo;s traditional knowledge is a way forward for more effective conservation of biodiversity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tribals, The Forest Scientists:</strong> Tribal peoples are generally regarded as the best conservationists, as they connect with nature more spiritually. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cheapest and quickest way to conserve areas of high biodiversity is to respect tribal peoples&rsquo; rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>As the indigenous people are integral to conservation as they relate with it in a more integrated and spiritual way, a sense of respect needs to be developed for the indigenous people; their presence helps in the conservation of biodiversity.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fefff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the role and challenges of the Indigenous People in the conservation of environment and biodiversity.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/biodiversity-conservation-and-indigenous-people'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Digital Ocean',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences</strong> inaugurated the<strong> web-based application DigitalOcean</strong> developed by <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-national-centre-for-ocean-information-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)</a></strong> in a Virtual Meeting held in New Delhi.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Digital Ocean:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Digital Ocean</strong> is a new state of the art <strong>data platform</strong> for <strong>Ocean Data Management.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>first such platform to provide ocean data related services at one place.</strong></li>
<li>It includes a set of<strong> applications</strong> developed to<strong> organize and present heterogeneous oceanographic data</strong> by <strong>adopting rapid advancements in geospatial technology.</strong></li>
<li>It facilitates an online interactive web-based environment for <strong>data integration, 3D and 4D (3D inspace with time animation) data visualization,</strong> data analysis to assess the evolution of oceanographic features, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Digital Ocean is a big <strong>step towards</strong> Prime Minister&rsquo;s vision of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India</strong></a> that is to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.</li>
<li>It will serve as a one stop-solution for all the data related needs of a wide range of users including<strong> research institutions, operational agencies, strategic users, academic community, maritime industry, policy makers and the public.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will also contribute to the vision of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharathttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will play a <strong>central role in sustainable management of the oceans</strong> and expanding the government&rsquo;s <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blue Economy</strong></a> initiatives.</li>
<li>It will be promoted as a<strong> platform for capacity building</strong> on Ocean Data Management for all <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim countries.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Deep Ocean Mission:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Launched in <strong>2018.</strong></li>
<li>The mission proposes to<strong> explore the deep ocean.</strong></li>
<li>The focus of the mission is on <strong>deep-sea mining, ocean climate change advisory services, underwater vehicles and underwater robotics related technologies.</strong></li>
<li>Two key projects planned in the Mission are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong><a href="/printpdf/desalination-plants-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">desalination plant</a></strong> powered by <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ocean-energy#:~:text=Total%20identified%20potential%20of%20Tidal,barrage%20technology%20could%20be%20used.&amp;text=OTEC%20has%20a%20theoretical%20potential,subject%20to%20suitable%20technological%20evolution." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tidal energy.</strong></a></li>
<li>A<strong> submersible vehicle</strong> that can explore depths of at least 6,000 metres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> It will enable India to <strong>develop capabilities to exploit resources in the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/2020-07-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Indian Ocean Basin</a> (CIOB).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).</strong></li>
<li>It is located in Hyderabad &amp; was <strong>established in 1999.</strong></li>
<li>It is a<strong> unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO),</strong> New Delhi.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> ESSO</strong> operates as <strong>an executive arm of the Ministry of Earth Sciences</strong> (MoES) for its policies and programmes.</li>
<li><strong>ESSO&rsquo;s</strong> aim is to <strong>develop and improve capability to forecast weather, climate and hazard related phenomena</strong> for social, economic and environmental benefits including addressing aspects relating to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a> science, and climate services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is mandated to <strong>provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services</strong> to society, industry, government agencies and the scientific community through sustained ocean observations and constant improvement through systematic and focused research.</li>
<li>It has adopted and developed various state-of-the-art technologies and tools that includes<a href="/printpdf/isro-s-assistance-in-fishing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ)</strong></a> advisories, <a href="/pdf/1585108199-gemini-device.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ocean State Forecast (OSF)</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/printpdf/heat-wave-warning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High Wave</a> Alerts</strong>, <a href="/printpdf/tsunami-early-warning-system-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tsunami early warnings</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/pdf/1593999528-cyclone-19.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Storm Surge</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oil-spill-in-siberia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oil-Spill</a> advisories, etc.</strong></li>
<li>It has been serving as the National Argo Data Centre and Regional Argo Data Centre of the <strong>International Argo Programme.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684418" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-ocean'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Mission Sagar-III',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Indian Naval Ship (INS) <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samudra-laksamana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kiltan</a></strong> has arrived at <strong>Sihanoukville Port, Cambodia</strong> as part of ongoing <strong>Mission Sagar-III.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ship will deliver 15 tons of <strong>Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief</strong> (HADR) stores for the flood-affected people of Cambodia, which will be handed over to Cambodia&rsquo;s <strong>National Disaster Management Committee</strong> (NDMC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, the ship delivered 15 Tons of HADR Stores for the flood-affected people of Central <strong>Vietnam.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Mission Sagar-III is part of <strong>India&rsquo;s HADR assistance to friendly foreign countries</strong> during the ongoing<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>November 2020,</strong> as part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission Sagar-II</strong></a>, <strong>INS Airavat</strong> delivered food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.</li>
<li>Launched in May 2020, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'Mission Sagar&rsquo;</strong></a> was India&rsquo;s initiative to deliver Covid-19 related assistance to the countries in the Indian Ocean Littoral states. The countries included were Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This Mission is being undertaken in accordance with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Security And Growth for All in the Region</strong> </a>(SAGAR) vision and reiterates India&rsquo;s position as a dependable partner, and the <strong>Indian Navy as the Preferred Security Partner and First Responder.</strong></li>
<li>The Mission also highlights the <strong>importance accorded to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Association of Southeast Asian Nations</a></strong> (ASEAN) countries and further <strong>strengthens the existing bonds.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cambodia and Vietnam </strong>are<strong> member nations of the ASEAN.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>INS Kiltan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette.</strong></li>
<li>It is part of the <strong>Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command,</strong> based at <strong>Visakhapatnam.</strong></li>
<li>INS Kiltan, along with the <strong>INS Sahyadri,</strong> is the latest, <strong>indigenously designed and built multi-role ships</strong> of the Indian Navy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two ships are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors and can carry multi-role helicopters representing the &lsquo;coming of age&rsquo; of India&rsquo;s warship building capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched in <strong>2015,</strong> it is India&rsquo;s strategic vision for the <strong>Indian Ocean Region</strong> (IOR).</li>
<li>Through SAGAR, India seeks to <strong>deepen economic and security cooperation</strong> with its maritime neighbours and assist in building its maritime security capabilities.</li>
<li>Further, India seeks to safeguard its national interests and ensure the IOR to become inclusive, collaborative and respect international law.</li>
<li>The key relevance of SAGAR emerges when seen in conjunction with India&rsquo;s other policies impacting the maritime domain like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East Policy</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-09th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Sagarmala</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Mausam</strong></a>, focus on <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blue Economy</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684365" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar-iii'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Data on Police Organisations: BPRD',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-conference-on-women-in-police-and-capfs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Bureau of Police Research and Development</strong></a> (BPRD) has released <strong>data on police organisations.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It shows <strong>different aspects of policing</strong> in the country like woman police, police expenditure, constabulary ratio, transport facilities, communication facilities, representation of various castes and police training centres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>General Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government has spent<strong> Rs. 1,566.85 crore</strong> in <strong>2019-20</strong> for expenditure and police training.</li>
<li>It highlights that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/constitutional-status-for-national-commission-for-backward-classes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Backward Classes</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reimagining-the-national-commission-for-scheduled-castes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dalits</strong></a> <strong>and <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/xaxa-committee-on-tribal-communities-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tribals</a> constitute almost 67%</strong> of India&rsquo;s population, but their<strong> representation in police forces</strong> in the country is <strong>only at 51%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The goal of <strong>proportionate representation has remained unfulfilled despite</strong> all state governments providing <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/reservation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reservation</strong></a> to these categories.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vacant Posts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over 5.31 lakh posts in police forces of different states and 1.27 lakh posts in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-armed-police-force-capf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Central Armed Police Forces</strong></a> (CAPF) are lying vacant. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The figures include civil police, district armed police, special armed police and India Reserve Battalions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scheduled Tribes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They form 8.6% of the population and have 12% representation in the police forces, placing them at a comparatively better position.</li>
<li>Only <strong>STs have better representation</strong> in police forces in comparison to their share in population while all other backward classes fare poorly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dalits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>14% of all positions in police forces across the country were represented by Dalits at the end of 2019.</li>
<li>According to<strong> Census 2011,</strong> Dalits make up 16.6% of India&rsquo;s population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Backward Classes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>OBCs fare the <strong>worst on the representation front</strong> as, despite their 41% share in the population, they constitute only 25% of the police forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Women:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Women are <strong>highly under-represented</strong> with 10% share in the actual strength of the police in the country, even though their share in population is 48%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, their situation has improved considerably over the past years as the actual strength of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-model-policy-for-women-in-the-police" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>women in police forces</strong></a> has almost doubled since 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Women population per woman police ratio</strong> stands at 3,026 nationally which is very low.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Poor representation of women in the police is posing <strong>serious challenges in dealing with crimes against women and women criminals.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Ratios:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sanctioned <strong>Population Per Police Person</strong> (PPP) is 511.81.</li>
<li>Sanctioned <strong>Police Population Ratio</strong> (PPR) is 195.39.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the number of police personnel per one lakh of the population which has declined from 198 in 2018.</li>
<li>The<strong> UN-mandated police-population ratio</strong> is over 220.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sanctioned<strong> Police Area Ratio</strong> (PAR) per 100 sq km is 79.80.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609322056_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609322056_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bureau of Police Research and Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government of India established it <strong>under the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1970.</strong></li>
<li>It replaced the<strong> Police Research and Advisory Council</strong> (1966), with the primary <strong>objective of modernization of the police force.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>1995,</strong> the Government<strong> decided to entrust issues relating to Correctional Administration Work</strong> to the BPR&amp;D.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thereby BPRD has to <strong>ensure the implementation of prison reforms</strong> as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government of India decided to create a <strong>National Police Mission</strong> under the administrative control of BPR&amp;D to transform the police forces in the country.</li>
<li>In<strong> August 2020,</strong> it observed its <strong>50<sup>th</sup> foundation day.</strong></li>
<li>It has been<strong> publishing the data on police organisations since 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/obcs-constitute-25-of-police-sts-get-better-representation-data-7125536/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/data-on-police-organisations-bprd'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Dedicated Freight Corridor',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister of India has inaugurated a<strong> 351-km</strong> section of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eastern-dedicated-freight-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC)</strong> </a>and an <strong>Operation Control Centre (OCC)</strong> between<strong> Khurja and Bhaupur</strong> in Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>EDFC</strong> is a <strong>1,839-km</strong> project billed as the <strong>largest rail infrastructure</strong> being built in independent India and has been in the making since<strong> 2006.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> high speed and high capacity railway corridor that is exclusively meant for the transportation of freight,</strong> or in other words, goods and commodities.</li>
<li>DFC involves the <strong>seamless integration of better infrastructure</strong> and state of the art technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>DFC</strong> consists of<strong> two arms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It starts at <strong>Sahnewal (Ludhiana) in Punjab </strong>and ends at<strong> Dankuni in West Bengal.</strong></li>
<li>The EDFC route has<strong> coal mines, thermal power plants and industrial cities.</strong> Feeder routes are also being made for these.</li>
<li>The EDFC route covers Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The World Bank</strong></a> is <strong>funding</strong> a majority of the EDFC.</li>
<li>The <strong>351-km-long &lsquo;New Bhaupur-New Khurja section&rsquo;</strong> will decongest the existing Kanpur-Delhi main line and double the speed of freight trains from 25 kmph to 75 kmph.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The other arm is the around <strong>1,500-km WDFC from Dadri in Uttar Pradesh</strong> to <a href="/printpdf/kolkata-port-trust" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust</strong> </a><strong>in Mumbai,</strong> touching all <strong>major ports</strong> along the way.</li>
<li>The WDFC covers Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>It is <strong>being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connecting Link for Eastern and Western Arm:</strong> It is under construction between <strong>Dadri and Khurja.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/delhi-mumbai-industrial-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">industrial corridor of Delhi-Mumbai</a> and Amritsar-Kolkata</strong> are also being developed around both these DFCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609321200_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609321200_image6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Increased Capacity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The DFC shall reform the transportation sector and will <strong>create more capacity on trunk routes of Indian Railways</strong> as goods trains shall be able to run freely on DFC without any restrictions imposed by movement of passenger trains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Decongestion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Around<strong> 70% of the freight trains</strong> currently running on the Indian Railway network are slated to <strong>shift to the freight corridors,</strong> leaving the<strong> paths open for more passenger trains.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Business Generation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Tracks on DFC are designed to carry heavier loads than most of Indian Railways. DFC will get track access charge from the parent Indian Railways, and also <strong>generate its own freight business.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punctuality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The new section means on the Indian Railway main line,<strong> more passenger trains</strong> can be pumped in and those trains can, in turn, achieve <strong>better punctuality.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Logistics costs will be reduced.</li>
<li>Higher energy efficiency.</li>
<li>Faster movement of goods.</li>
<li>It is environmentally friendly.</li>
<li>It will provide <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-makes-doing-business-easier#:~:text=In%20the%20latest%20ranking%20for,77th%20position%20last%20year.&amp;text=India's%20score%20improved%20from%2067.23,)%20to%2071.0%20(2020)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ease of doing business.</strong></a></li>
<li>Helps in generating more employment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DFCCIL under the <strong>Ministry of Railways</strong> is a <strong>special purpose vehicle tasked with planning and completion of 3,306 kms of DFCs.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in New Delhi</strong> and is a <strong>Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).</strong></li>
<li>It engages in the <strong>planning and development, deployment of monetary resources, building, upkeep, and the operation</strong> of the DFCs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-dedicated-freight-corridor-matters-for-railways-the-country-7125450/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dedicated-freight-corridor-1'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Karnataka</strong> Forest Department, along with the <strong>Bat Conservation India Trust (BCIT),</strong> is getting prepared <strong>to save the Kolar leaf-nosed bat from extinction.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BCIT is a <strong>non-profit organization</strong> which was conceived for the protection of bat species in India by protecting their habitat. It is <strong>headquartered in Bengaluru,</strong> Karnataka.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609316776_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609316776_image4.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Hipposideros hypophyllus</em></li>
<li><strong>Geographic Range:</strong> It is<strong> endemic to India.</strong> It is<strong> presently known only from one cave in Hanumanahalli village in Kolar district, Karnataka. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Habitat loss from<strong> land use change, hunting, and stone quarrying</strong> in the region.</li>
<li>Till several years ago, the Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat<strong> was found in only two caves in the village of Hanumanahalli.</strong> For <strong>reasons that are still unknown,</strong> the bat <strong>became locally extinct in one of the two caves. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IUCN Red List</a>: Critically Endangered</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/printpdf/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wildlife Protection Act, 1972</a>: </strong>It <strong>has not been accorded legal protection</strong> under the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government had <strong>notified the 30 acres around the caves as a protected area.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any development work here, including construction of new infrastructure, will <strong>need the permission of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wildlife-panel-holds-virtual-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Board for Wildlife.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Bat Conservation Indian Trust</strong> has been <strong>awarded a grant</strong> to conduct further research on this species of bats.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is running<strong> an intensive awareness campaign</strong> in the nearby communities and they have come to understand the threat to the species and have started guarding this area from encroachers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bats are<strong> one of the least studied mammals in the country,</strong> though there are <strong>130 species in India.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bats are <strong>vital for the ecology as they are pollinators,</strong> their main diet being nectar.</li>
<li>Bats also <strong>help in insect control</strong> and therefore, <strong>help in the protection of crops.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are <strong>very adaptable creatures</strong> and therefore can often be found<strong> near human habitation</strong> or even in urban settlements, which <strong>makes them vulnerable.</strong></li>
<li>They also have<strong> a bad image</strong> in the public eye, as <strong>carriers of diseases. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is an urgent need to<strong> curb illegal granite mining and quarrying</strong> within five to ten kilometre radius of the roost (resting-place) to ensure the quality of other subterranean caves in the area.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, <strong>widespread cave explorations and acoustic sampling</strong> are recommended to understand the distribution of the species.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/conservation-plan-on-table-to-save-bat-species-in-kolar-caves-7125529/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kolar-leaf-nosed-bat'
		]
	],
	'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) 5,
	'search' => 'class',
	'totalPages' => (float) 274,
	'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' => 'Melting of the Arctic',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p style="text-align: justify;">This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/global-warming-arctic-region-warms-climatic-changes-7129249/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;When the Arctic warms, it will affect sea levels and precipitation patterns globally&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 02/01/2021. It talks about the <strong>melting arctic ice and its global impact.</strong></p>
</div>
<p style="text-align: justify;">In the Arctic region, the effects of global warming can be seen most dramatically, as the area is warming up twice as fast as the worldwide average. The ice cap in the Arctic is shrinking fast, and the volume of Arctic sea ice has declined by as much as 75%.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">As the Arctic ice melts into the sea, it brings global challenges in nature. On the flip side, it opens up the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-maritime-route-through-arctic-ice" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Northern Sea Route (NSR)</strong></a>, connecting the North Atlantic to the North Pacific through a short polar arc. Various earth observation studies predict that this route could be ice-free in summer by 2050, if not earlier.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">However, before fully commercialising the NSR, the global community must access the critical impact of melting arctic and associated challenges.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609829264_03.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609829264_03.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Impact of Melting Arctic Ice</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Global Climate:</strong> The Arctic and Antarctic act like the world&rsquo;s refrigerator. Since they are covered in white snow and ice that reflect heat back into space <strong>(Albedo effect)</strong>, they balance out other parts of the world that absorb heat.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">The loss of ice and the warming waters will affect sea levels, salinity levels, and current and precipitation patterns.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Further, less ice means less reflected heat, meaning more intense heat waves worldwide.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">It will also mean more extreme winters, as the polar jet stream&mdash;a high-pressure wind that circles the Arctic region&mdash;is destabilised by warmer air, it can dip south, bringing the bitter cold with it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Coastal Communities:</strong> Global average sea level has risen by about 7&ndash;8 inches since 1900, and it&rsquo;s getting worse.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Rising seas endanger coastal cities and small island nations by exacerbating coastal flooding and storm surge.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Greenland ice sheet&rsquo;s glacial melt is a significant predictor of future sea-level rise; if it melts entirely, global sea levels could rise 20 feet.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Food Security:</strong> Polar vortexes, increased heat waves, and unpredictability of weather caused by ice loss are already causing significant damage to crops on which global food systems depend.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">This instability will continue to mean higher prices and a growing crisis for the world&rsquo;s most vulnerable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Permafrost &amp; Global Warming:</strong> Permafrost in the Arctic region (ground that is permanently frozen) stores large amounts of methane, which is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">When it gets melted, that methane is released, which in turn will increase the rate of global warming.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">As more quickly the arctic ice is lost, more rapidly permafrost will melt. This will result in a <strong>vicious cycle</strong> that may result in a climate catastrophe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Biodiversity Threat:</strong> Melting of the Arctic ice puts the Arctic region&rsquo;s vibrant biodiversity under serious threat.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Habitat loss and degradation, the absence of year-long ice and higher temperatures, are making Arctic marine life&rsquo;s survival, plants and birds difficult while encouraging species from lower latitudes to move north.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Loss of ice and melting permafrost spells trouble for polar bears, walruses, arctic foxes, snowy owls, reindeer, and many other species.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">The Tundra is already returning to the swamp; the permafrost is thawing, sudden storms are ravaging coastlines, and wildfires are devastating interior Canada and Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Flip-side &amp; NSR</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">The opening of the Arctic, through NSR, presents substantial <strong>commercial and economic opportunities</strong>, particularly in shipping, energy, fisheries and mineral resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">The distance from Rotterdam to Yokohama will be cut by 40% compared to the Suez route.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Oil and natural gas deposits, estimated to be 22% of the world&rsquo;s new resources, mostly in the Arctic ocean, will be open to access and mineral deposits including 25% of the global reserves of rare earth, buried in Greenland.</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>NSR, Not So Environmentally &amp; Economically Viable:</strong> Lack of deep-water ports, a need for ice-breakers, shortage of workers trained for polar conditions, and high insurance costs add to the difficulties of exploiting the resources of the Arctic.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Further, mining and deep-sea drilling carry massive costs and environmental risks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>The Arctic, Not A Global Common:</strong> Unlike Antarctica, the <strong>Arctic is not a global common</strong>, and there is no overarching treaty that governs it, only the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones#:~:text=United%20Nations%20Convention%20on%20the,EEZ)%20and%20the%20High%20Seas.&amp;text=It%20provides%20a%20different%20legal%20status%20to%20different%20maritime%20zones." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UN Convention of Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)</strong></a>.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">Large parts of it are under the sovereignty of the five littoral states &mdash; Russia, Canada, Norway, Denmark (Greenland) and the US &mdash; and exploitation of the new resources is well within their rights.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, the <strong>national economic interest may supersede</strong> the global conservation efforts of the Arctic.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Great Game Geo-Politics:</strong> Russia, Canada, Norway and Denmark have overlapped claims for extended continental shelves, and the right to sea-bed resources.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">However, Russia is the dominant power, with the longest Arctic coastline, half the Arctic population, and a full-fledged strategic policy. It claims that the NSR falls within its territorial waters.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">On the contrary, the US believes the passage lies in international waters.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;">China, playing for economic advantage, has projected the Polar Silk Road as an extension of the BRI, and has invested heavily in ports, energy, undersea infrastructure and mining projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Role of India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>India&rsquo;s Interest:</strong> India&rsquo;s interests in these developments, though distant, are not peripheral.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>India&rsquo;s Climate:</strong> India&rsquo;s extensive coastline makes us vulnerable to the impact of Arctic warming on ocean currents, weather patterns, fisheries and most importantly, monsoon.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Monitoring of Third Pole:</strong> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-in-antarctica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scientific research in Arctic developments</strong></a>, in which India has a good record, will contribute to the understanding of climatic changes in the Third Pole &mdash; the Himalayas.</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Strategic Need:</strong> The strategic implications of an active China in the Arctic, and it&rsquo;s growing economic and strategic relationship with Russia are self-evident and need close monitoring.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li style="text-align: justify;"><strong>Step To Be Taken:</strong> India has <strong>observer status in the</strong> <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/arctic-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Arctic Council</strong></a>, which is the predominant inter-governmental forum for cooperation on the Arctic environment and development aspects.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li style="text-align: justify;">It is high time that India&rsquo;s presence on the Arctic Council should be underpinned by a strategic policy that encompassed economic, environmental, scientific and political aspects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3 style="text-align: justify;">Conclusion</h3>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The Arctic is an essential system in the global climate system. So just like the Amazon forest is the lungs of the world, the Arctic is like our circulation system and feeds into global climate change everywhere.</p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">Therefore, it is in humanity&rsquo;s interest to treat the Arctic melting as a severe global issue and act accordingly.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffef2;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;">The global community must access the critical impact of melting arctic and associated challenges. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: justify;"></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/melting-of-the-arctic'
	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Water, Sanitation & Women’s Rights',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/analysis/women-must-be-centre-stage-in-water-and-sanitation/story-rpOxhFPp8A1IEeA9ucjR2J.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <strong>&ldquo;Women must be centre-stage in water and sanitation&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on 31/12/2020. It talks about the interlinkages between water, sanitation &amp; women&rsquo;s rights.</p>
</div>
<p>The right to water and sanitation is recognised as fundamental to attaining all other human rights. However, globally, 2.1 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water at home, and 2.3 billion do not have basic sanitation and 1 billion still practice open defecation.</p>
<p>Amongst this, women are the most vulnerable section. Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the lack of access to essential water, sanitation and hygiene facilities.</p>
<p>Women are largely responsible for household water, sanitation and hygiene management; they bear a disproportionate burden when these basic services are lacking, and face health, security and psychological vulnerabilities due to inadequate access and decision-making control.</p>
<p>Therefore, access to water and sanitation, if delivered well, empowers women economically and socially. Done poorly, it may undermine women&rsquo;s position at home and in the community.</p>
<h3>Interconnection: Water, Sanitation &amp; Hygiene With Women&rsquo;s Rights</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Women&rsquo;s Water-Fetching Responsibility:</strong> Women and girls are responsible for fetching water in most households where a drinking water source is off-premises.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This practice has implications for women&rsquo;s health, workloads, and caloric expenditure.</li>
<li>When girls carry water over long distances, the time available to them to pursue education is reduced.</li>
<li>Water-fetching responsibilities also add to the burden of <strong>unpaid domestic work,</strong> decrease time towards other income-generating activities, and affect leisure and nonessential activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sanitation Access and Gender-Based Violence:</strong> There is enough evidence of sanitation-related gender-based violence, highlighting a range of vulnerabilities women and girls face who are forced to defecate openly.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This leads to the fear of sexual violence that can restrict freedom of movement and affect equal opportunities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Women&rsquo;s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Needs:</strong> Women have an increased need for water for hydration, sanitation and hygiene during menstruation, pregnancy, the postnatal period, and caring for sick family members or young children. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When these basic needs are not met, women and girls are unable to participate equally in society.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Linkage With SDGs:</strong> The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/sustainable-development-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)</strong> </a>make an essential initial step in connecting water, sanitation and hygiene (SDG 6) and gender equality and empowerment (SDG 5) through target 6.2.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Target 6.2 of SDG emphasises<strong> &lsquo;access to equitable sanitation and hygiene and women and girls&rsquo;</strong> needs.</li>
<li>Further, SDG 10 aims to<strong> reduce inequalities within and between countries.</strong> Equal access to clean water and sanitation is critical to reducing overall disparities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Women&rsquo;s Participation in Decision-making:</strong> The central role of women and girls in the procurement and management of water, sanitation and hygiene at the household level is recognised. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, women&rsquo;s water, sanitation &amp; hygiene governance and household decision-making control over such resources are scarce.</li>
<li>For example, women not being consulted in decisions taken on sanitation-related matters such as the building and using toilets. It also fails to take into account the prevalent socio-cultural norms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Data:</strong> Measurement of the burden placed on women and girls, the opportunity costs of these burdens, and female empowerment related to water, sanitation and hygiene decision-making and autonomy are limited.</li>
<li><strong>Lack of Adequate Infrastructure:</strong> In many parts of India (especially in rural India) water, sanitation and hygiene in health-care facilities are far from adequate.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In schools, the lack of necessary infrastructure, privacy, spaces, materials and guidance to manage menstruation has been associated with harassment, sexual exploitation, psychosocial impacts, decreased school attendance rates and drop-out for girls.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Gender-Neutral Approach:</strong> There is a need for the political imperative to recognise that both women and men&rsquo;s involvement are integral to sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene management.</li>
<li><strong>Policy Framework for Women Leadership:</strong> Women&rsquo;s leadership and decision making power in water and sanitation is critical. Therefore, enabling policy frameworks backed by resources, training and political will, are vital to developing and sustaining women&rsquo;s leadership in the water sector at the local, national and global level.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, there is a need to invest in developing the next generation of water, sanitation and hygiene leaders, by collaborating with colleges, water utilities and districts, using experiential learning, internships and interacting with experts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sustained Focus on Swachh Bharat Mission:</strong> The rallying call of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) campaign of &ldquo;Satyagraha se Swachhagraha&rdquo; has led to the significant change in sanitation habits in India.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The next SBM phase should envisage finding solutions for sustained behaviour change, addressing women and their hygiene needs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of Society:</strong> As the women already spend 2.6 times more hours than men on unpaid activities, including caregiving and domestic work. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Citizenry as a part of society to ensure their involvement in water and sanitation services does not further contribute to the burden of unpaid work, or decrease the ability to earn an income.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Role of SHGs:</strong> There are rapidly increasing examples throughout the country, with women being able to push through reforms through the help of support groups or community-led efforts.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, women SHG should be promoted to take up the cause of water, sanitation and Hygiene.</li>
<li>In this context, Jharkhand&rsquo;s example is worth emulating. Trained women masons built over 15 lakh toilets in one year and the state was declared open defecation free (rural) much ahead of the national cut-off date of October 2, 2019.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>As countries work to achieve SDG 10, access to clean water and sanitation can be a game-changer for prosperity and transformation. Policies on water and sanitation need to keep women centre-stage needs and enable them to be agents of change.</p>
<p>This is the time for governments, businesses, NGOs and academic institutions to look at how they are investing in women&rsquo;s leadership in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector, from local committees to the international stage.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609763730_1st%20image.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609763730_1st image.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffdf7;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Access to water and sanitation, if delivered well, empowers women economically and socially. Done poorly, it may undermine women&rsquo;s position at home and in the community. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OeCEiqjJ47c" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on<strong><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/himalayan-manoeuvres-the-hindu-editorial-on-india-and-the-nepal-political-crisis/article33457054.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> &ldquo;Himalayan manoeuvres&rdquo;</a></strong> which was published in The Hindu on December 31<sup>st</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/water-sanitation-women-s-rights'
	],
	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Moringa Powder',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/apeda-trifed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)</strong> </a>has been supporting private entities in creating necessary infrastructure to promote <strong>Moringa products exports</strong> from India.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Globally, the demand for Moringa products, such as <strong>Moringa Leaf Powder and Moringa Oil, Moringa as a nutritional supplement and in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/extension-of-food-fortification-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener">food fortification</a></strong> has been witnessing healthy growth.</li>
<li>Its usage has been well received among the global consumers for its nutritional, medicinal, culinary uses.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Moringa</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Botanical name:<em><strong> Moringa oleifera</strong></em></li>
<li>It is a <strong>fast-growing, drought-resistant tree native to the Indian subcontinent.</strong></li>
<li>Common names include moringa, drumstick tree, horseradish tree etc.</li>
<li>It is widely cultivated for its <strong>young seed pods and leaves,</strong> used as vegetables and <strong>for traditional herbal medicine.</strong> It is also used for <strong>water purification.</strong></li>
<li>It has various healthy compounds such as <strong>various vitamins,</strong> important elements such as <strong>Iron, Magnesium</strong> etc. and is extremely low on fats and contains<strong> no cholesterol.</strong></li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the <strong>Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act, 1985.</strong></li>
<li>It functions under the <strong>Ministry of Commerce and Industry.</strong></li>
<li>The Authority has its <strong>headquarters in New Delhi.</strong></li>
<li>APEDA is mandated with the<strong> responsibility of export promotion and development</strong> of the scheduled products like fruits, vegetables and their products, meat and meat products, etc.</li>
<li>APEDA has been entrusted with the<strong> responsibility to monitor import of sugar.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1685065" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/moringa-powder'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Covid Deaths: Developed Versus Developing Countries',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>As per a new study, <strong>better hygiene and sanitation</strong> in the rich and developed countries could, paradoxically, be<strong> one of the reasons for the high rates of <a href="/printpdf/novel-strain-of-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">coronavirus</a>-related deaths</strong> lending credence to what is known as the<strong> &lsquo;hygiene hypothesis&rsquo;</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The study is based on analysis of data until 29<sup>th</sup> June 2020, by which time more than 5 lakh deaths had been reported with 70% of it in <strong>high-income countries.</strong></li>
<li>It correlated coronavirus deaths in several countries with indicators such as <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/gdp-decreases-to-11-year-low" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gross Domestic Product</a>, population density, human development index rating, demography, sanitation and hygiene, and prevalence of autoimmune diseases.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Findings:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Case of Developed Countries:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Among countries with the <strong>highest rates of death per million of population are Belgium, Italy and Spain,</strong> where more than <strong>1,200 have died per million.</strong> The US and the UK have more than 1,000 deaths per million of population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India Specific Findings:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In contrast, India has seen just about <strong>110 deaths per million,</strong> less than half the world average of about 233. Most other South Asian countries, as also in rest of Asia and Africa, have <strong>much lower death rates.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Paradox:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The lower-income countries, with <strong>higher population densities and much lower sanitation standards,</strong> seem to have recorded much fewer coronavirus-related deaths compared to richer and more developed countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exceptions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Countries such as<strong> Japan, Finland, Norway, Monaco</strong> or <strong>Australia</strong> have also recorded very low death rates.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other factors Involved:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Stage of the epidemic,</li>
<li><strong>Lower reporting/testing</strong> in less developed countries that could also affect the mortality numbers.</li>
<li>It found that <strong>&lsquo;hygiene hypothesis&rsquo;</strong> could be one of the reasons for the same.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hygiene Hypothesis</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>According to the Hygiene hypothesis&rsquo;, people in countries with <strong>low sanitation standards </strong>get exposed to <strong>communicable diseases</strong> at an early age and <strong>develop stronger immunity,</strong> helping them to ward off diseases later in life, a phenomenon called<strong> &lsquo;immune training&rsquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Conversely, people in richer countries have <strong>better access to healthcare and vaccines,</strong> and things like clean drinking water, due to which they remain safer from such infectious diseases. Paradoxically, this also means that<strong> their immune system remains unexposed to such dangers.</strong></li>
<li>This hypothesis is also sometimes used to explain the prevalence of <strong>auto-immune diseases,</strong> in which the immune system sometimes<strong> &lsquo;overreacts&rsquo; and starts attacking the body&rsquo;s own cells,</strong> leading to disorders like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-injection-for-type-2-diabetes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>type-1 diabetes mellitus</strong></a> or<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/drdo-s-herbal-drug-for-leucoderma" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> multiple sclerosis.</strong></a></li>
<li>However, few suggest that it would be better if the hypothesis were renamed, e.g. as the &lsquo;microbial exposure&rsquo; hypothesis, or &lsquo;microbial deprivation&rsquo; hypothesis. Avoiding the term &lsquo;hygiene&rsquo; would help <strong>focus attention on determining the true impact of microbes, </strong>while<strong> minimizing risks of discouraging good hygiene practice.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/immunity-low-due-to-better-hygiene-rich-nations-see-more-covid-deaths-study-7128197/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-deaths-developed-versus-developing-countries'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'Mera Gaon, Mera Gaurav Programme: ICAR',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, under the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)</strong></a>s initiative <strong>&lsquo;Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav&rsquo;,</strong> cleanliness drive was carried out in few villages of Goa along with guidance to village panchayats on waste disposal.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ICAR</strong> is an autonomous organisation under the <strong>Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE),</strong> Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme was<strong> launched in 2015.</strong></li>
<li>The scheme envisages <strong>scientists to select villages as per their convenience</strong> and <strong>remain in touch with the selected villages</strong> and <strong>provide information to the farmers on technical and other related aspects of agriculture</strong> in a time frame <strong>through personal visits or on telephone.</strong></li>
<li>They may function with the help of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/krishi-vigyan-kendra-kvk-conference-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)</strong></a> and <strong>Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To promote the <strong>direct interface of scientists</strong> with the farmers to hasten the <strong>&ldquo;lab to land&rdquo;</strong> process.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Agriculture Technology Management Agency</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>registered society responsible for technology dissemination at the district level.</strong> It is a focal point for integrating research extension and marketing.</li>
<li><strong>Launch:</strong> It was <strong>launched during 2005-06.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Funding:</strong> The funding pattern is <strong>90% by the central Government and 10% by the state government.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To strengthen<strong> research &ndash; extension &ndash; farmer linkages.</strong></li>
<li>To provide an <strong>effective mechanism for coordination and management of activities of different agencies</strong> involved in technology adoption/validation and dissemination at the district level and below.</li>
<li>To<strong> increase the quality and type of technologies</strong> being disseminated.</li>
<li>To move towards <strong>shared ownership of the agricultural technology</strong> system by key shareholders.</li>
<li>To <strong>develop new partnerships</strong> with private institutions including NGOs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Beneficiaries:</strong> Individual, Community, Women, Farmers/Farm Women groups.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1685062#:~:text=Under%20the%20ICAR's%20initiative%20'Mera,in%20producing%20compost%20from%20waste." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mera-gaon-mera-gaurav-programme-icar'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'Revival of Monpa Handmade Paper',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>the Monpa Handmade Paper</strong> (1000-year old heritage art) of Arunachal Pradesh has been revived by <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-may-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC).</strong></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609918083_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609918083_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Monpa Handmade Paper:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The fine-textured handmade paper, which is called <strong>Mon Shugu</strong> in the local dialect, is <strong>integral to the vibrant culture</strong> of the local tribes in Tawang.</li>
<li>The paper has great historic and religious significance as it is the paper <strong>used for writing Buddhist scriptures and hymns in monasteries.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>Monpa handmade paper</strong> is made from the <strong>bark of a local tree called Shugu Sheng,</strong> which has medicinal values too.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Monpa Handmade Paper Industry:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The art of making <strong>Monpa handmade paper</strong> originated over <strong>1000 years ago.</strong> Gradually the art became an <strong>integral part of local custom and culture</strong> in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.</li>
<li>Once produced in every household in Tawang, this <strong>handmade paper was a major source of livelihood for the locals.</strong></li>
<li>The handmade paper industry almost disappeared in the last 100 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Revival Program:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An<strong> attempt</strong> for the revival of this handmade paper industry was made <strong>in 1994</strong> but <strong>failed.</strong></li>
<li>KVIC commissioned a Monpa handmade paper making unit in Tawang which not only aimed at reviving the art but also <strong>engaging the local youths with this art professionally and earn.</strong></li>
<li>The revival is aligned with the Prime Ministers Mantra of <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/09-06-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Vocal for Local</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Future Programs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Tawang is also known for <strong>two other local</strong> crafts:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Handmade pottery</strong></li>
<li><strong>Handmade furniture</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>KVIC announced that within six months <strong>plans will be rolled out for revival of these two local arts.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Revival of <strong>handmade pottery</strong> will be taken up on priority under<a href="/pdf/1605666266-kumhar-sashaktikaran-yojana.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana</strong> </a>very soon.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Kumhar Sashaktikaran Yojana (KSY): I</strong>t was launched in 2018 to strengthen and improve the living of potters in the country by making them self reliant.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>KVIC is a statutory body established under the <strong>Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act, 1956.</strong></li>
<li>The KVIC is charged with the <strong>planning, promotion, organisation and implementation of programmes for the development of Khadi and other village industries</strong> in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.</li>
<li>It functions under the <strong>Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1683797" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/revival-of-monpa-handmade-paper'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Protecting the Sentinelese',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong><a href="/summary-of-important-reports/xaxa-committee-on-tribal-communities-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anthropological Survey of India</a> (ANSI)</strong> policy document warned of threat to the Sentinelese from commercial activity.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The policy document comes almost two years after American national John Allen Chau was allegedly <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/us-citizen-killed-by-tribals-in-andaman" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>killed by the Sentinelese on the North Sentinel Island.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609916905_image3.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609916905_image3.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>ANSI Guidelines:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Any <strong>exploitation</strong> of the<strong> North Sentinel Island of the Andamans</strong> for commercial and strategic gain would be <strong>dangerous for its occupants, the Sentinelese. </strong></li>
<li>The<strong> Right of the people</strong> to the island is <strong>non-negotiable, unassailable and uninfringeable.</strong> The prime duty of the state is to protect these rights as eternal and sacrosanct.</li>
<li>Their <strong>island should not be eyed</strong> for any commercial or strategic gain.</li>
<li>The document also calls for <strong>building a knowledge bank on the Sentinelese.</strong></li>
<li>Since &lsquo;on-the-spot study&rsquo; is not possible for the tribal community, anthropologists suggest the<strong> &lsquo;study of a culture from distance&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Sentinelese:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Sentinelese are a <strong>pre-neolithic, negrito tribe</strong> who live in North Sentinel Island of the Andamans.</li>
<li>They are<strong> completely isolated with no contact to the outside world.</strong> The first time they were contacted by a team of Indian anthropologists in 1991.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to no contact, the census of Sentinelese is taken through photographing the island individuals from distance.</li>
<li>It has a population of about <strong>50 to 100 on the North Sentinel Island.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Surveys of North Sentinel Island have <strong>not found any evidence of agriculture.</strong> Instead, the community seems to be <strong>hunter-gatherers, getting food through fishing, hunting, and collecting wild plants living on the island.</strong></li>
<li>Sentinelese are also listed under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/particularly-vulnerable-tribal-groups#:~:text=Particularly%20Vulnerable%20Tribal%20Groups%20(PVTGs),-In%20India%2C%20tribal&amp;text=In%201973%2C%20the%20Dhebar%20Commission,renamed%20the%20PTGs%20as%20PVTGs." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)</strong> </a>by the government of India. The <strong>other four PVTGs</strong> of the islands are <a href="/pdf/1606019199-leave-them-alone-on-the-sentinelese.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Great Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa, and Shompens.</strong></a></li>
<li>They are protected under the <strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Protection of Aboriginal Tribes) Regulation, 1956.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It declares traditional areas occupied by the tribes as reserves, and prohibits entry of all except those with authorization.</li>
<li>Photographing or filming tribe members is also an offense..</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Anthropological Survey of India</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>premier research institute for anthropological research in bio-cultural studies.</strong></li>
<li>It was established in <strong>1945.</strong> It is one of the many organizations under <strong>the Ministry of Culture.</strong> It has <strong>headquarters at Kolkata</strong> and<strong> branches</strong> in <strong>Port Blair, Shillong, DehraDun, Udaipur, Nagpur, and Mysore</strong> in addition to two <strong>field stations at Jagdalpur and Ranchi.</strong></li>
<li>The Survey through its anthropological research <strong>contributes in respect of the biological, social and cultural heritage of the country.</strong></li>
<li>It is also recognised as one of the most advanced centres <strong>for research and training in anthropology and allied disciplines.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To<strong> study the tribes and other communities</strong> that form the population of India both from the biological and cultural point of view</li>
<li>To<strong> study and preserve the human skeletal remains,</strong> both from modern and Archaeological.</li>
<li>To <strong>collect samples of arts and crafts</strong> of the tribes of India.</li>
<li>To function as a<strong> training center for advanced students in anthropology</strong> and for administration.</li>
<li>To<strong> publish</strong> the results of the research.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The academics have suggested that the <strong>best path forward is a policy of "controlled contact"</strong> with these communities instead of a policy of no contact.</li>
<li>Carefully managed contact to avoid the spread of disease, but <strong>also enable the building of trust and providing aid and medical help if needed is the best way.</strong></li>
<li>Establishing contact with the outside world can also <strong>help governments to document their way of life, preserve their culture and their holistic development.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/any-exploitation-of-sentinel-island-will-wipe-out-tribals/article33374892.ece#:~:text=Any%20exploitation%20of%20the%20North,of%20India%20(AnSI)%20has%20said" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protecting-the-sentinelese'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'New Industrial Infrastructure Projects',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cabinet-committees-formed" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA)</strong></a> has approved three infrastructure proposals worth <strong>Rs 7,725 crore</strong> for setting up <strong>greenfield industrial cities</strong> with<strong> connectivity to major transportation corridors.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The cabinet also approved a modified scheme for<strong> interest subvention for <a href="/pdf/Government-Allows-Ethanol-Extraction-for-Blending-from-Foodgrains..pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ethanol</a> production</strong> expanding the scheme to <strong>include grain based distilleries and not just molasses based ones.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The scheme would <strong>encourage ethanol production</strong> from grains like barley, maize, corn and rice and<strong> boost production and distillation capacity</strong> to 1,000 crore litres and help in meeting the <strong>goal of 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>These projects are based on major transportation corridors like <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dedicated-freight-corridor-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eastern &amp; Western Dedicated Freight Corridors</a>, Expressways and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-highways-authority-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Highways</a>, proximity to ports, airports.</strong></li>
<li>This will <strong>attract investments into manufacturing and position India as a strong player in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-localising-globalisation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global value chain</a>.</strong></li>
<li>These projects will generate <strong>ample employment opportunities through</strong> development of Industrial Corridors.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Industrial Corridors</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/industrial-corridors" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial corridors</strong></a> offer <strong>effective integration between industry and infrastructure,</strong> leading to overall <strong>economic and social development.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Economic Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Avenues for Exports:</strong> The Industrial Corridors are likely to lower the cost of logistics thereby increasing the efficiency of industrial production structure. Such an <strong>efficiency lowers the cost of production which makes the Indian made products more competitive in international markets.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Job Opportunities:</strong> Development of Industrial Corridors would attract investments for the development of Industries which is likely to<strong> create more jobs in the market.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Logistics:</strong> These corridors would <strong>provide necessary logistics infrastructure needed to reap economies of scale,</strong> thus enabling firms to focus on their areas of core competence.</li>
<li><strong>Investment Opportunities:</strong> Industrial corridor <strong>provides opportunities for private sector investment</strong> in the provision of various infrastructure projects associated with the exploitation of industrial opportunity.</li>
<li><strong>Improved Functioning:</strong> Apart from the <strong>development of infrastructure,</strong> long-term advantages to business and industry along the corridor include benefits arising from smooth access to the industrial production units, <strong>decreased transportation and communications costs, improved delivery time and reduction in inventory cost.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Environmental Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The establishment of Industrial Units in a scattered manner along the industrial corridor across the length of the state will <strong>prevent concentration of industries in one particular location which exploited the environment beyond its carrying capacity</strong> and caused environmental degradation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Socio-Economic Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cascading effect of industrial corridors in socio-economic terms are many such as setting up of industrial townships, educational institutions, hospitals. These will further <strong>raise the standards of human development.</strong></li>
<li>Moreover, people would find job opportunities close to their homes and would not have to migrate to far-off places (would prevent distress migration).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Industrial Corridor Development Programme:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609915159_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609915159_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="750" caption="false" /></a></strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Aim:</strong> The Government of India is developing various Industrial Corridor Projects as part of the <strong>National Industrial Corridor programme</strong> which is aimed at development of futuristic industrial cities in India which can compete with the best manufacturing and investment destinations in the world.</li>
<li><strong>Administration: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT)</strong> is under the administrative control of <strong>Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)</strong> for coordinated and unified development of all the industrial corridors which are at various stages of development and implementation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is India's most ambitious infrastructure programme aiming to develop new industrial cities as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/smart-cities-command-centres#:~:text=Smart%20City%20Mission,create%20smart%20outcomes%20for%20citizens." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>"Smart Cities"</strong></a> and <strong>converging next generation technologies</strong> across infrastructure sectors.</li>
<li>11 Industrial Corridors Projects are being taken up for development with 30 Projects to be developed in <strong>04 phases up to 2024-25:</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>To make the corridors successful, India has to be part of the <strong>Industrial Revolution 4.0,</strong> which will be <strong>shaped by a fresh wave of innovation</strong> in areas such as smart robotics, materials that are lighter and tougher, and a manufacturing process built around 3D printing and analytics.</li>
<li><strong>Industrial corridors will help India&rsquo;s efforts to lead the world in the fourth wave of industrial revolution.</strong> Effective execution of this plan could make India take a major leap in the race of development</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/government-approves-multi-modal-logistics-and-transport-hub-at-greater-noida/article33453779.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/new-industrial-infrastructure-projects'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'EVs: Dream Or Nightmare',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/editorials/electric-vehicles-market-india-tesla-7125381/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Powering up&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Indian Express on 30/12/2020. It talks about the impact of the pros and cons of electric vehicle development in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Recently, India&rsquo;s government has allowed the<a href="/pdf/1594054203-challenges-to-electric-vehicle-adoption-in-india.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Electric Vehicle</strong></a> (EV) significant Tesla to launch its India operations, which are expected to start early next year. This move could revolutionise India&rsquo;s automobile sector.</p>
<p>With Tesla entering into the Indian market, in due course of time, it will lead to more money flowing into research into EVs and India could emerge as the prominent manufacturer of electric vehicles like cars, bikes, and tractors.</p>
<p>The arguments favouring a shift towards electric vehicles are straightforward, arising mainly as a response to pollution and energy security challenges.</p>
<p>However, the shift in favour of EVs has its roadblocks, and therefore, the government&rsquo;s support will be needed to incentivise a change to electric vehicles.</p>
<h3>Advantages of EVs</h3>
<p>An analysis by TERI suggests that shifting towards EVs would reduce pollution, lower oil imports, and cut carbon emissions and road congestion.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Curbing Pollution:</strong> India has 21 of the world&rsquo;s 30 cities with the worst air pollution as per data from IQAir AirVisual&rsquo;s 2019 <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-air-quality-report-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Air Quality Report.</strong></a> Much of the pollution load can be traced to vehicular emissions. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, electric vehicles&rsquo; adoption will reduce overall emissions and meet the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-renewed-support-for-paris-agreement" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris agreement targets.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Energy Security:</strong> Such a shift would also help lower the country&rsquo;s dependence on oil imports. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the fuel cost has increased across households as the number of people with vehicles is rising.</li>
<li>As there is further up and down in petrol and diesel costs due to fluctuations in the international market price, the electric vehicles come across as a suitable way to save money.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Related to EVs</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Lack of Charging Infrastructure:</strong> Electric Vehicles are fixed for a specific range; they can&rsquo;t go beyond that. Thus, the biggest problem is the lack of an adequate number of recharge points. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the charging activity itself consumes a lot of time. So it poses a big question mark over the quick adoption by the buyers keeping in mind the convenience of fuel stations which can be found easily.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>High Cost Associated With EVs:</strong> The cost of EVs is still pretty high compared to conventional fuel vehicles. The primary reason behind it is the use of Li-ion batteries. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, most reserves are located in a few countries. For example, 65% of lithium reserves are in Bolivia and Chile, while 60% of cobalt reserves are in Congo.</li>
<li>The short supply of these essentials metals has made EVs expensive.</li>
<li>Moreover, the world&rsquo;s problem does not have enough lithium or cobalt reserves to replace current automobiles with EVs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dependence on China:</strong> India imports 90% of electric scooter components from China. Currently, an Indian car uses 10-15% imported parts. EVs will increase import dependence to 70% or more.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, setting up domestic battery manufacturing units would have its problems, as it would be difficult to match the prices of subsidised imported batteries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disruption to the Automobile Sector:</strong> For switching to EVs, India first needs to prepare for the coming upheaval in the automobile industry.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>EV has 20 moving parts, while regular petrol or diesel vehicles have more than 2,000.</li>
<li>For this reason, when fully adopted, EVs will kill most auto component firms.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Enabling Charging Infrastructure:</strong> Government&rsquo;s intervention in creating the charging infrastructure is required to facilitate its large-scale adoption. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Affordable and convenient charging will, after all, increase the segment&rsquo;s attractiveness for consumers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Switching Batteries System:</strong> There is a need to design interchangeable batteries and switching stations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Charging is one of the major concerns for batteries as it takes quite some time to get fully charged. Designing a system where empty batteries of electric cars will replace a fully charged battery in a few minutes, will solve the time and charging point constraint.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>R &amp; D in Breakthrough Battery Technology: Investment in</strong> Research &amp; development for quick-charging batteries is required.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the use of fuel cells is another big idea. Fuel cell EVs powered by hydrogen emit only water vapour and warm air.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Securing Supply of Essential Metals:</strong> India can sign various deals and ensure a supply of essential metals with purchases of mines in Congo, Bolivia, Chile and Australia so that it doesn&rsquo;t fall short of raw material in the EVs segment.</li>
<li><strong>Need for Reskilling:</strong> India would also need to reskill many motor mechanics in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/frontier-technologies" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industry 4.0 technologies.</strong> </a>They need to learn how to repair EVs which have sophisticated electronics.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Future of electric cars looks bright as it certainly can reduce our dependence on oil and fossil fuel, which can significantly bring down global pollution and help control climate change.</p>
<p>The biggest challenge with electric cars is their energy (or electricity) storage capacity. This was one of the main reasons gasoline (or petrol) cars got prominence in the early 1900s.</p>
<p>Therefore, EVs are the future of mobility, but the end will happen only when an inexpensive next-gen battery is in the market.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fffff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>EVs are the future of mobility, but the end will happen only when an inexpensive next-gen battery is in the market. Comment.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S9bay0K1i0E" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>This editorial is based on <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/editorials/air-pollution-caqm-s-role-is-still-hazy/story-GTGeiondguWuogDlBEHwsN.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Air pollution: CAQM&rsquo;s role is still hazy&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindustan Times on December 29<sup>th</sup>, 2020. Now watch this on our Youtube channel.</p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/evs-dream-or-nightmare'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Protests Against Eco-sensitive Zones in Narmada District',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently,<strong> tribal communities in Gujarat have been protesting</strong> against the <strong>Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change</strong> (MoEFCC) order classifying 121 villages around the <strong>Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary</strong> in <strong>Narmada district as <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/eco-sensitive-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener">eco-sensitive zones.</a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They have appealed to the centre to withdraw the notification to mitigate the protests.</li>
<li>Tribes like <strong>Tadvi and Vasava</strong> have been concerned ever since <strong>Kevadia village</strong> of Narmada district was developed into a<strong> tourism circuit around the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/statue-of-unity" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Statue of Unity</a></strong> (SoU).</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons Behind Protests:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Land falling in the eco-sensitive zone,</strong> including land used for agricultural use and plots reserved for parks, <strong>cannot be transferred for non-agricultural use</strong> for commercial, industrial or residential purposes.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any land that needs to be transferred can be done so <strong>only after approval from the state government.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A process has been initiated to include the <strong>state government as the co-owner</strong> of the land in the 121 villages.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Tribals are apprehensive of the order as they <strong>were not taken into confidence.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The notification, combined with the formation of the <strong>SoU Tourism Authority</strong> (SoUTA or also known as the <strong>SoU Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority</strong>), has <strong>increased administrative needs owing to the booming tourism</strong> and has <strong>left tribals in a state of mistrust and fear.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They feel the simultaneous implementation of the two government decisions <strong>could dilute the &ldquo;power&rdquo; vested with villagers under the Panchayat (Extension of Scheduled Areas) Act</strong> (PESA Act), <strong>1996,</strong> implemented in areas notified under <strong>Schedule V</strong> of the Constitution.</li>
<li><strong>Fifth and Sixth Schedules</strong> provide for <strong>alternate or special governance mechanisms for certain schedule areas.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Panchayat (Extension of Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Gujarat notified the <strong>State PESA Rules in January 2017,</strong> applicable in 4,503 gram sabhas in eight districts of the state.</li>
<li>The Act promised a<strong> separate security force for the gram sabhas</strong> that would have complete power to decide their issues.</li>
<li>The provisions of the law deem the<strong> gram sabhas as &ldquo;most competent&rdquo; to deal with matters related to their territories</strong> for safeguarding their customs, traditions as well as the natural resources in the tribal areas.</li>
<li>However, the<strong> Act has not been enforced in letter and spirit,</strong> according to legal experts.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Statue of Unity Tourism Authority</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The government passed the <strong>SoU Area Development and Tourism Governance Authority or the SoU Tourism Authority</strong> (SoUTA) <strong>Bill in 2019.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Bill<strong> sets aside Rs. 10 crore</strong> from the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/non-utilisation-of-cesses-levies#:~:text=States%20as%20devolution.-,Consolidated%20Fund%20of%20India,and%20all%20non%2Dtax%20revenues." target="_blank" rel="noopener">consolidated fund</a> of the state</strong> for the discharge of functions and duties by SoUTA.</li>
<li>While activists and legal experts feel the Act will overpower the provisions of PESA, officials say rules of SoUTA are yet to be clarified.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Functions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>largely work as a local body that will prepare and execute a development plan</strong> or a town planning scheme, remove encroachments and provide civic amenities like water supply, transportation, power supply, drainage, hospitals, medical services, schools, public parks, markets, shopping places, and disposal of waste, among others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Powers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Acquiring immovable property</strong> under the <strong>Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Taking punitive action</strong> against those violating/encroaching it.</li>
<li><strong>Defining the limits</strong> of the tourism development area.</li>
<li><strong>Persons authorised can enter any land or building</strong> between sunrise and sunset by giving its occupant a notice of at least 24 hours.</li>
<li><strong>Shields the authority and its members from any legal proceeding or prosecution</strong> for anything which is in good faith done or intended to be done in pursuance of the provisions of this Act or any rules or regulations made thereunder.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Assistance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Police can assist the authority in prohibiting any nuisance</strong> being caused or prevent any such activity, process, the operation being carried out, if it opines that it will damage or deteriorate the &ldquo;tourism potentiality&rdquo; of the area.</li>
<li><strong>Expenses and costs incurred,</strong> if any, in removing or abating such nuisance, shall be<strong> recovered as an arrear of land revenue from the person who has caused such nuisance.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishments:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Persons who fail to comply with directions given by the authority shall be <strong>punishable with imprisonment for up to a month</strong> or with a <strong>fine up to Rs. 50,000, or both.</strong> The offence will also be treated as <strong>&ldquo;<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/re-imagining-cognizable-offences#:~:text=In%20cognisable%20offences%2C%20an%20officer,necessary%20on%20certain%20enumerated%20bases." target="_blank" rel="noopener">cognisable</a> and non-bailable&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It was first declared a<strong> protected area in 1982.</strong></li>
<li>An area of 150.87 sq. km was called the <strong>&lsquo;Dumkhal Sanctuary&rsquo;,</strong> specifically created for the<strong> protection of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nandankanan-zoological-park-odisha" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sloth bears</a>.</strong></li>
<li>In the years <strong>1987 and 1989, more land was attributed</strong> to conservation and the area of the sanctuary enlarged to 607.70 sq km. It was then <strong>renamed</strong> &lsquo;Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary&rsquo;.</li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong> It is made up of a mixed forest of teak, riverine forest and deciduous dry jungles.</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong> Sloth bear, Leopard, Rhesus macaque, Four Horned antelope, Barking deer, Pangolin, Herpetofauna, birds including Alexandrine parakeet.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><strong><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/gujarat-narmada-district-eco-sensitive-zone-protests-7125774/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Source: IE</a></strong></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protests-against-eco-sensitive-zones-in-narmada-district'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and the Dominican Republic',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The Union Cabinet has approved the<strong> opening of 3 Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic in 2021.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Objective:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To <strong>build a conducive environment for India&rsquo;s growth and development</strong> through partnerships with friendly countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expected Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Opening of Indian Missions in these countries will help<strong> expand India&rsquo;s diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations,</strong> enable growth of<strong> bilateral trade, investment</strong> and economic engagements, facilitate stronger <strong>people-to-people contacts,</strong> bolster political outreach in multilateral fora and help garner support for India&rsquo;s foreign policy objectives.</li>
<li>Indian missions in these countries will also better <strong>assist the Indian community and protect their interests.</strong></li>
<li>Enhancement of India&rsquo;s diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide<strong> market access for Indian companies</strong> and <strong>bolster Indian exports</strong> of goods and services. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This would have a direct impact in <strong>augmenting domestic production and employment</strong> in line with the goal of a self-reliant India or <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/measures-on-atmanirbhar-bharat-3-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Atmanirbhar Bharat&rsquo;</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Relations with the 3 Countries:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Estonia:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755338_image8.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755338_image8.jpg" width="600" caption="false" style="float: right;" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the <strong>northernmost of the three<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Baltic states.</a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Baltic states, northeastern region of Europe containing the countries of<strong> Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania,</strong> on the eastern shores of the Baltic Sea.</li>
<li>The Baltic region is not rich in natural resources. Though<strong> Estonia is an important producer of oil shale,</strong> a large share of mineral and energy resources is imported.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It <strong>welcomed the decision</strong> saying it would strengthen ties in trade and cybersecurity in particular. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The decision had been awaited since 2013, when Estonia set up its embassy in Delhi, while India has dealt with it through its embassy in neighbouring Finland.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India and Estonia will also <strong>serve together in the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/un-security-council-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Security Council</a> next year.</strong></li>
<li>There is <strong>significant room for enhanced economic engagement</strong> in information technology, cyber security, e-governance and block chain.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Total bilateral trade in 2018-19 was 172.53 USD million, an increase of 22.5% from 2017-18.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Paraguay:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755350_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755350_image5.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="273" height="265" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vice-president-visit-to-paraguay-and-costa-rica" target="_blank" rel="noopener">landlocked country</a> in south-central South America.</strong></li>
<li>Rivers provide access to the Atlantic Ocean and serve as sites for the hydroelectric power plants that have made Paraguay<strong> one of the world&rsquo;s largest exporters of hydropower.</strong></li>
<li>Paraguay is a <strong>member of MERCOSUR.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR for its Spanish initials)</strong> is a regional integration process, initially established by <strong>Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay,</strong> and subsequently joined by<strong> Venezuela and Bolivia.</strong></li>
<li>India has a preferential trade agreement with MERCOSUR.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It had set up its <strong>mission in Delhi in 2006.</strong></li>
<li>For the fiscal year 2018-19, India&rsquo;s exports to Paraguay were valued at USD 161 million, while Paraguay&rsquo;s exports to India were valued at USD 21 million. <strong>Soybean oil accounts for over 90% of Paraguay&rsquo;s exports to India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dominican Republic:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755371_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609755371_image2.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a<strong> country of the West Indies</strong> that occupies the eastern two-thirds of Hispaniola, the second largest island of the Greater Antilles chain in the <strong>Caribbean Sea.</strong></li>
<li>It had set up its mission in Delhi in 2006.</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s exports to the Dominican Republic are small but growing.</strong> Bilateral two way trade stands at around <strong>USD 120 million.</strong></li>
<li>Main items of<strong> India&rsquo;s exports are</strong> cotton textiles and readymade garments, drugs and pharmaceuticals, furniture, transport equipment, manufactures of metals, chemicals, plastic and linoleum products, tea, processed foods and marine products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/india-to-open-missions-in-estonia-paraguay-and-the-dominican-republic/article33456636.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-missions-in-estonia-paraguay-and-the-dominican-republic'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Fourth Meeting of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/india-sri-lanka-security-and-geopolitics" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India-Sri Lanka</strong> </a><strong>Joint Working Group (JWG) on <a href="/pdf/1605966939-world-fisheries-day-1.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Fisheries</a></strong> was held through virtual mode.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Palk Strait</strong> and <strong>Gulf of Mannar</strong> are major fishing grounds for both the countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609753743_image4.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609753743_image4.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>The Fourth Meeting:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two sides exchanged views on the status of<strong> cooperation between Navy &amp; Coast Guard</strong> of both countries in patrolling, existing hotline between the Coast Guards and related operational matters, cooperation in <strong>preservation of marine environment as well as the schedule for the fifth meeting of the JWG.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sri Lanka also sought a <strong>safe passage for Sri Lankan fishermen to enter the Arabian Sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India <strong>reiterated</strong> the<strong> need for releasing all fishing boats in Sri Lankan custody</strong> in line with the <strong>commitment given by the Sri Lankan President</strong> during his state visit to India in <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-12-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>November 2019.</strong></a></li>
<li>India highlighted the initiatives being taken under the new <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/pradhan-mantri-matsya-sampada-yojana" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana</strong> </a>and<strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-fisheries-day-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> other schemes</a> of Government of India and governments of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry to diversify and reduce fishing pressure in the Palk Bay.</strong></li>
<li>India also informed of<strong> initiatives taken for diversification into <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">deep-sea fishing</a></strong> especially by fishermen of the Palk Bay area,<strong> infrastructure</strong> created to <strong>facilitate deep-sea fishing,</strong> promotion of <strong>alternative livelihood</strong> through <strong><a href="/printpdf/pegasus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seaweed</a> cultivation</strong>, <strong>mariculture and varieties of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/blue-revolution-that-will-be" target="_blank" rel="noopener">aquaculture</a> activities.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Mariculture</strong> is the <strong>farming of marine organisms</strong> for food and other products such as pharmaceuticals, food additives, jewelry etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Joint Working Group:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Sri Lanka agreed to set up a <strong>Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries </strong>in <strong>2016</strong> between the <strong>Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India</strong> and <strong>Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka</strong> as the <strong>mechanism to help find a permanent solution</strong> to the fishermen issue.</li>
<li>The JWG also <strong>includes representatives from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the Coast Guards and Navies</strong> of both countries.</li>
<li><strong>Terms of reference of the JWG:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Expediting the transition towards <strong>ending the practice of bottom trawling</strong> at the earliest.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Bottom trawling</strong> is an industrial fishing method where a large net with heavy weights is dragged across the seafloor.</li>
<li>When the weighted nets and trawl doors are dragged along the seafloor, <strong>everything in their path is disturbed or destroyed,</strong> including seagrasses, coral reefs or rock gardens where fish hide from predators.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Framing <strong>procedures for returning fishermen</strong> arrested by both sides.</li>
<li>Possibility of <strong>joint patrolling.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Fisherman Issue</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Given the <strong>proximity of the territorial waters of both countries,</strong> especially in the <strong>Palk Strait</strong> and the <strong>Gulf of Mannar,</strong> incidents of straying of fishermen are common.</li>
<li><strong>Indian boats</strong> have been fishing in the troubled waters for centuries and<strong> had a free run of the Bay of Bengal, Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar</strong> until 1974 and 1976 when treaties were signed between the two countries to demarcate <strong>International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, <strong>the treaties failed</strong> to factor in the hardship of thousands of traditional fishermen who were forced to restrict themselves to a meagre area in their fishing forays.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609754513_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609754513_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></li>
<li>The <strong>small islet of Katchatheevu,</strong> hitherto used by the Indian fishermen for sorting their catch and drying their nets, <strong>fell on the other side of the IMBL.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Fishermen often risk their lives and cross the IMBL rather than return empty-handed, but the <strong>Sri Lankan Navy</strong> is on alert, and <strong>have either arrested or destroyed fishing nets and vessels of those who have crossed the line.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Steps Taken:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The IMBL is<strong> imaginary,</strong> but it was <strong>geo-tagged</strong> and is visible to the fishermen, due to G<strong>lobal Positioning System (GPS) sets. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Deep Sea Fishing Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Promoted as <strong>an alternative to bottom trawling by Tamil Nadu&rsquo;s fishermen</strong> off the Palk Bay, the scheme envisages the provision of 2,000 deep sea fishing boats in place of trawlers by 2019-20, which will be the third and final year of implementation of the scheme.</li>
<li>It aims to put an end to disputes arising between the two countries.</li>
<li>It has been taken up under the<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Blue Revolution&rsquo;</strong> </a>scheme.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India needs to <strong>focus more on its traditional and cultural ties</strong> to improve relations with Sri Lanka.</li>
<li><strong>Starting ferry services between India and Sri Lanka</strong> can improve people to people linkages.</li>
<li><strong>Mutual recognition of each other's concerns and interests</strong> can improve the relationship between both countries.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684807#:~:text=The%20Fourth%20Meeting%20of%20the,Fisheries%2C%20Animal%20Husbandry%20and%20Dairying." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-joint-working-group-on-fisheries'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'TiHAN-IIT: Testbed for Autonomous Navigation Systems',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The foundation stone of<strong> &lsquo;TiHAN-IIT Hyderabad&rsquo;,</strong> India&rsquo;s <strong>first Testbed for Autonomous Navigation Systems</strong> (Terrestrial and Aerial) has been laid recently.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Department of Science and Technology (DST) had sanctioned<strong> Rs. 135 crores</strong> to <strong>IIT Hyderabad</strong> (IIT-H) under the <a href="/printpdf/national-mission-on-interdisciplinary-cyber-physical-systems" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems</strong></a> (NM-ICPS) to set up a <strong>Technology Innovation Hub on Autonomous Navigation and Data Acquisition Systems</strong> (UAVs, RoVs, etc.)</li>
<li>The Technology Innovation Hub for <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-sky-platform-drone-regulation-1-0" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unmanned Aerial Vehicles</strong></a> (UAVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (RoVs) at IIT Hyderabad, known as <strong>'TiHAN Foundation'</strong> was incorporated as a <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-the-companies-amendment-bill-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Section-8 company</strong></a> by the institute in June 2020.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a multi-departmental initiative including researchers from electrical, computer science, mechanical and aerospace, civil, mathematics, and design at IIT-H with collaboration and support from reputed institutions and industry.</li>
<li>It is a great step towards<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/economic-stimulus-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &lsquo;Atmanibhar Bharat&rsquo;</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-problem-of-skilling-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Skill India&rsquo;</strong></a> and <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india#:~:text=Initiatives%20launched%20by%20the%20Government,need%20to%20carry%20physical%20documents." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;Digital India&rsquo;</strong></a>.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>TiHAN-IIT:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It will <strong>facilitate research grounds</strong> to investigate the <strong>functioning of unmanned and connected vehicles</strong> in a controlled environment by replicating different scenarios, ranging from frequently occurring to extreme cases that may ensue in real-life traffic operations.</li>
<li>At present, there is<strong> no such testbed facility in India</strong> to evaluate the autonomous navigation of vehicles. Therefore, it is envisioned to address this gap by developing a fully functional and exemplary testbed facility dedicated to <strong>connected autonomous vehicles</strong> (CAVs).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Connected vehicles</strong> use<strong> technology to either communicate with each other,</strong> connect with <strong>traffic signals, signs, and other road items, or obtain data from a cloud.</strong> This information exchange helps with <strong>safety and improves traffic flow.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This hub focuses on addressing various challenges hindering the<strong> real-time adoption of unmanned autonomous vehicles</strong> for both<strong> terrestrial and aerial applications.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Primary focus includes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Research &amp; Technology development</strong> in the area of Autonomous Navigation and Data Acquisition Systems (UAVs, RoVs).</li>
<li><strong>Industry Collaborations :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Joint R&amp;D Initiatives, Consultancy, Technology Outreach Schemes, Training of Industry Personnel, Continuing Education.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Human resource &amp; Skill development.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Innovation, Entrepreneurship &amp; Start-up Ecosystem:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Start-ups and Incubation in the Technology Vertical, Attracting Private Funding (<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/injeti-srinivas-committee-report-on-csr" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Corporate Social Responsibility</strong></a>, Voluntary Contributions and equity based), Technology Commercialization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>International Collaborations :</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Academia &amp; Industry, Faculty/Student Exchange Programs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Features of TiHAN-IIT:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Total Area:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>2 Acres of land</strong> has already been allocated in the IIT Hyderabad campus and the facilities are planned in phases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Facilities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Test Tracks, Emulation of Real-World Scenarios, State of the Art Simulation Technologies, Road Infrastructure, Drone Runways and Landing Area, Mechanical Integration Facility, Centralized Control Room/Ground Control Station, Smart Poles etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Promotion to research:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The developed test bed will be available for use<strong> by all the industries, R&amp;D labs, academia conducting research and development</strong> in the broad areas of <strong>autonomous navigation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609752721_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609752721_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The NM-ICPS is a comprehensive Mission aimed at <strong>complete convergence with all stakeholders by establishing strong linkages between academia, industry, Government and International Organizations.</strong> The Mission will work with all the concerned Ministries/Departments to identify their technology needs, develop solutions and technical support in CPS implementation.</li>
<li>It will secure India's future by creation of a<strong> Cyber-Physical System</strong> ecosystem.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cyber-Physical System (CPS)<strong> combines digital/cyber elements with physical objects</strong> (e.g. machines, autonomous vehicles) and data with capabilities of communication, data collection &amp; processing, computing, decision making and action.</li>
<li>CPS is an integrated system involving <strong>Sensors, Communication, Actuators, Control, interconnected computing networks and data analytics.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Few Potential applications:</strong> Driverless cars that communicate securely with each other on smart roads, Sensors in the home to detect changing health conditions, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>The Mission has four major activities:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Technology Development,</li>
<li>Human Resource &amp; Skill Development,</li>
<li>Innovation, Entrepreneurship &amp; Start-Up Ecosystem and</li>
<li>International Collaborations.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1684372" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tihan-iit-testbed-for-autonomous-navigation-systems'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'Yamuna’s High Ammonia Level',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p><strong>High levels of <a href="/printpdf/high-level-of-ammonia-in-yamuna" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ammonia</a> in Yamuna</strong> is resulting in <strong>frequent disruption</strong> to <strong>Delhi&rsquo;s water supply.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Recently, ammonia levels shot up to<strong> 7.3 parts per million</strong> (ppm) at some places.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When the concentration rises beyond the Delhi Jal Board&rsquo;s (DJB&rsquo;s) <strong>treatment capacity of 0.9 ppm,</strong> water production has to be stopped or reduced in water treatment plants.</li>
<li>As per the <a href="/printpdf/high-level-of-ammonia-in-yamuna" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Bureau of Indian Standards</strong></a> (BIS), the<strong> acceptable maximum limit of ammonia</strong> in<strong> drinking water </strong>is<strong> 0.5 ppm.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes of Pollution in Yamuna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Industrial Pollution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Yamuna flows into Delhi from Haryana and the state has <strong>industrial units in Sonipat</strong> (on the banks of Yamuna). Ammonia is used as an industrial chemical in the production of fertilisers, <strong>plastics and dyes.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mixing of drains:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mixing of two drains carrying drinking water and sewage or industrial waste, or both, in Sonipat. The two drains often <strong>mix due to overflow or damage to the wall</strong> that separates them.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effects of Rising Ammonia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ammonia reduces the amount of oxygen in water as it is <strong>transformed to oxidised forms of nitrogen.</strong> Hence, it also increases <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/no-improvement-in-ganga-water-quality" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Biochemical oxygen demand</strong> </a>(BOD).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Water pollution by organic wastes is measured in terms of BOD.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>If the concentration of ammonia in water is <strong>above 1 ppm,</strong> it is <strong>toxic to fishes.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>humans,</strong> long term ingestion of water having ammonia levels of <strong>1 ppm or above may cause damage to internal organs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solution:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ozone-based units</strong> to treat ammonia levels up to 4 ppm should be installed at Water Treatment Plants.</li>
<li>The laying of a <strong>conduit pipeline to separate drain carrying potable water and sewage water.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/pdf/national-green-tribunal-ngt.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Green Tribunal</a>-appointed Yamuna Monitoring Committee</strong> has also said that fast-track approvals should be given to build a conduit.</li>
<li>The Committee had also recommended to the Ministry of Jal Shakti earlier this year to rework the 1994<strong> water sharing pact</strong> between <strong>Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Delhi and UP</strong> to revive the river by releasing <strong>more fresh water into it.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ammonia</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Its chemical formula is <strong>NH<sub>3</sub>.</strong></li>
<li>It is a<strong> colourless gas</strong> and is used as an<strong> industrial chemical</strong> in the <strong>production of fertilisers, plastics, synthetic fibres, dyes and other products.</strong></li>
<li>It occurs naturally in the environment from the breakdown of<strong> organic waste matter,</strong> and may also find its way to ground and surface water sources through <strong>industrial effluents, contamination by sewage or through agricultural runoff.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Yamuna</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The river Yamuna, a major<strong> tributary of river Ganges,</strong> originates from the<strong> Yamunotri glacier near Bandarpoonch peaks</strong> in the Mussoorie range of the lower Himalayas in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.</li>
<li>It meets the <strong>Ganges at the Sangam in Prayagraj,</strong> Uttar Pradesh after flowing through <strong>Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Length:</strong> 1376 km</li>
<li><strong>Important Dam:</strong> Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc.</li>
<li><strong>Important Tributaries:</strong> Chambal, Sindh, Betwa, Ken, Tons, Hindon.</li>
</ul>
<p><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609751983_image6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/dirty-water-wars-why-its-delhi-versus-haryana-on-yamunas-ammonia-levels-7125420/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/yamuna-s-high-ammonia-level'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Biodiversity Conservation and Indigenous People',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based upon <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/the-tragedy-of-conservation/article33447813.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The Tragedy of Conservation''</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 30 December 2020. It focuses upon the plight of the indigenous people of the Western Ghats and the poor implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006.</p>
</div>
<p>India has managed to conserve such a diversity of wildlife despite its large population and development challenges. The reverence that local communities have for Nature has been vital for the government&rsquo;s sustained success and other agencies&rsquo; conservation efforts.</p>
<p>However, the government&rsquo;s conservation activities have created fear amongst the indigenous people for losing their existence in lands that they had inhabited for decades.</p>
<p>In this context, proper implementation of the Forests Rights Act, 2006 is required, as the Act envisages protecting the indigenous people&rsquo;s interests and balancing the right to the environment with their right to life and livelihood.</p>
<h3>Role of the Indigenous People In Conservation</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Conserving Natural Flora:</strong> The magico-religious belief of plants&rsquo; tribal communities as a god and goddess habitat leads to their conservation in their natural habitat.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, a wide variety of plants such as crop plants, wild fruits, seeds, bulb, roots and tubers are conserved by the ethnic and indigenous people as they have to depend on these sources for edible purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Application of Traditional Knowledge:</strong> Indigenous people and biodiversity complement each other.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over time, the rural communities have gathered a pool of indigenous knowledge for the cultivation of the medicinal plants and their propagation.</li>
<li>These plants conserved are antidotes to snake bites and scorpion bites or even for broken bones or orthopaedic treatments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conserving the Sacred Groves:</strong> India&rsquo;s ethnic people have played a vital role in preserving the biodiversity of several virgin forests and have conserved flora and fauna in sacred groves of tribals. Otherwise, these flora and fauna might have disappeared from the natural ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Plight of the Indigenous People</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Disruption After Designation of the Status of World Heritage Site:</strong> The approach adopted to isolate the indigenous people from their natural habitats to protect biodiversity is the root cause of conflict between them and conservationists. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the announcement of natural habitat as a <strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">World Heritage Site</a></strong>, <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO</strong></a> takes charge of the region&rsquo;s conservation.</li>
<li>This leads to an infusion of many outside people and technological equipment, which in turn disrupt the lives of the Indigenous people.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Lax implementation of the Forest Rights Act:</strong> Many states in India have a dismal record in implementing the Forest Rights Act (FRA). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be reflected with the fact that states like Karnataka had recognised only 5.7% of the total claims made.</li>
<li>Further, the FRA&rsquo;s constitutionality has been challenged in the Supreme Court several times by various conservation organisations. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>One of the petitioners&rsquo; key arguments has been that it is beyond the legislative competence of Parliament to enact the FRA as &lsquo;land&rsquo; is a state subject.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Development vs Conservation:</strong> Often, the combined stretch of land claimed by Indigenous people has been taken away for building dams, mining, laying railway lines and roads, power plants, etc. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, forcibly removing tribal peoples from their land will only result in environmental damage and violate human rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Illegal Encroachment of Land:</strong> The government records also reveal that 43 lakh hectares of forest land encroached legally and illegally until 1980 when the Forest Conservation Act came into force.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>The Forest Rights Act (FRA)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A dramatic shift in the Indian conservation paradigm came in 2006 through the Forest Rights Act that went beyond sanctioning local usage, to conferring local communities&rsquo; rights over forest land and produce. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Ministry of Tribal Affairs was mandated to operationalise the Act, while conservation remained under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Forest Rights Act (FRA) is legislation which aims to address the historical injustice that our forest-dwelling communities have had to face for nearly 150 years by providing them with the security of tenure over land for cultivation and habitation through individual rights. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It also provides access to various resources through more than a dozen types of community forest rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The FRA also empowers forest-dwelling communities to protect, regenerate, conserve and manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting and preserving for sustainable use.</li>
<li>It has the provision for creating critical wildlife habitats within protected areas which currently is the most robust conservation provision among existing laws of the country.</li>
<li>The FRA does not sanction any fresh clearance of forest, as individual rights over land will only be granted if the forest dweller owned that parcel of land on December 13, 2005.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Recognition of the Rights of the Indigenous People:</strong> For preserving the rich biodiversity of the region, the recognition of the rights of the forest dwellers who depend on the forests is as important as the declaration of natural habitat as a World Heritage Site.</li>
<li><strong>Effective Implementation of the FRA:</strong> The government must make an effort to build trust between its agencies in the area and the people who depend on these forests by treating them as equal citizens like everyone else in the country.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The FRA&rsquo;s loopholes have already been identified; all it needs is to work on amending it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Traditional Knowledge of the Tribal People for Conservation:</strong> The Biodiversity Act, 2002 mentions about the equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the use and knowledge of biological resources with the local communities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, all the stakeholders should realise that indigenous people&rsquo;s traditional knowledge is a way forward for more effective conservation of biodiversity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tribals, The Forest Scientists:</strong> Tribal peoples are generally regarded as the best conservationists, as they connect with nature more spiritually. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The cheapest and quickest way to conserve areas of high biodiversity is to respect tribal peoples&rsquo; rights.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>As the indigenous people are integral to conservation as they relate with it in a more integrated and spiritual way, a sense of respect needs to be developed for the indigenous people; their presence helps in the conservation of biodiversity.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fefff5;">
<p><span style="color: #000080;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss the role and challenges of the Indigenous People in the conservation of environment and biodiversity.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/biodiversity-conservation-and-indigenous-people'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Digital Ocean',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Ministry of Earth Sciences</strong> inaugurated the<strong> web-based application DigitalOcean</strong> developed by <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-national-centre-for-ocean-information-services" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)</a></strong> in a Virtual Meeting held in New Delhi.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About Digital Ocean:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Digital Ocean</strong> is a new state of the art <strong>data platform</strong> for <strong>Ocean Data Management.</strong></li>
<li>It is the <strong>first such platform to provide ocean data related services at one place.</strong></li>
<li>It includes a set of<strong> applications</strong> developed to<strong> organize and present heterogeneous oceanographic data</strong> by <strong>adopting rapid advancements in geospatial technology.</strong></li>
<li>It facilitates an online interactive web-based environment for <strong>data integration, 3D and 4D (3D inspace with time animation) data visualization,</strong> data analysis to assess the evolution of oceanographic features, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Digital Ocean is a big <strong>step towards</strong> Prime Minister&rsquo;s vision of <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-digital-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Digital India</strong></a> that is to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.</li>
<li>It will serve as a one stop-solution for all the data related needs of a wide range of users including<strong> research institutions, operational agencies, strategic users, academic community, maritime industry, policy makers and the public.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will also contribute to the vision of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharathttps://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It will play a <strong>central role in sustainable management of the oceans</strong> and expanding the government&rsquo;s <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blue Economy</strong></a> initiatives.</li>
<li>It will be promoted as a<strong> platform for capacity building</strong> on Ocean Data Management for all <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/19th-iora-council-of-ministers-meeting" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Ocean Rim countries.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Related Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Deep Ocean Mission:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Launched in <strong>2018.</strong></li>
<li>The mission proposes to<strong> explore the deep ocean.</strong></li>
<li>The focus of the mission is on <strong>deep-sea mining, ocean climate change advisory services, underwater vehicles and underwater robotics related technologies.</strong></li>
<li>Two key projects planned in the Mission are:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A <strong><a href="/printpdf/desalination-plants-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">desalination plant</a></strong> powered by <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ocean-energy#:~:text=Total%20identified%20potential%20of%20Tidal,barrage%20technology%20could%20be%20used.&amp;text=OTEC%20has%20a%20theoretical%20potential,subject%20to%20suitable%20technological%20evolution." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>tidal energy.</strong></a></li>
<li>A<strong> submersible vehicle</strong> that can explore depths of at least 6,000 metres.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> It will enable India to <strong>develop capabilities to exploit resources in the <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/2020-07-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Central Indian Ocean Basin</a> (CIOB).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is an <strong>autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).</strong></li>
<li>It is located in Hyderabad &amp; was <strong>established in 1999.</strong></li>
<li>It is a<strong> unit of the Earth System Science Organization (ESSO),</strong> New Delhi.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> ESSO</strong> operates as <strong>an executive arm of the Ministry of Earth Sciences</strong> (MoES) for its policies and programmes.</li>
<li><strong>ESSO&rsquo;s</strong> aim is to <strong>develop and improve capability to forecast weather, climate and hazard related phenomena</strong> for social, economic and environmental benefits including addressing aspects relating to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change</strong></a> science, and climate services.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It is mandated to <strong>provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services</strong> to society, industry, government agencies and the scientific community through sustained ocean observations and constant improvement through systematic and focused research.</li>
<li>It has adopted and developed various state-of-the-art technologies and tools that includes<a href="/printpdf/isro-s-assistance-in-fishing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Potential Fishing Zone (PFZ)</strong></a> advisories, <a href="/pdf/1585108199-gemini-device.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ocean State Forecast (OSF)</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/printpdf/heat-wave-warning" target="_blank" rel="noopener">High Wave</a> Alerts</strong>, <a href="/printpdf/tsunami-early-warning-system-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tsunami early warnings</strong></a>, <strong><a href="/pdf/1593999528-cyclone-19.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Storm Surge</a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oil-spill-in-siberia" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oil-Spill</a> advisories, etc.</strong></li>
<li>It has been serving as the National Argo Data Centre and Regional Argo Data Centre of the <strong>International Argo Programme.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684418" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/digital-ocean'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Mission Sagar-III',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>Indian Naval Ship (INS) <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/samudra-laksamana" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kiltan</a></strong> has arrived at <strong>Sihanoukville Port, Cambodia</strong> as part of ongoing <strong>Mission Sagar-III.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The ship will deliver 15 tons of <strong>Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief</strong> (HADR) stores for the flood-affected people of Cambodia, which will be handed over to Cambodia&rsquo;s <strong>National Disaster Management Committee</strong> (NDMC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Earlier, the ship delivered 15 Tons of HADR Stores for the flood-affected people of Central <strong>Vietnam.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Mission Sagar-III is part of <strong>India&rsquo;s HADR assistance to friendly foreign countries</strong> during the ongoing<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/covid-19-now-pandemic-who" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Covid-19 pandemic.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In <strong>November 2020,</strong> as part of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar-ii" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mission Sagar-II</strong></a>, <strong>INS Airavat</strong> delivered food aid to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.</li>
<li>Launched in May 2020, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>'Mission Sagar&rsquo;</strong></a> was India&rsquo;s initiative to deliver Covid-19 related assistance to the countries in the Indian Ocean Littoral states. The countries included were Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This Mission is being undertaken in accordance with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Security And Growth for All in the Region</strong> </a>(SAGAR) vision and reiterates India&rsquo;s position as a dependable partner, and the <strong>Indian Navy as the Preferred Security Partner and First Responder.</strong></li>
<li>The Mission also highlights the <strong>importance accorded to the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/asean" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Association of Southeast Asian Nations</a></strong> (ASEAN) countries and further <strong>strengthens the existing bonds.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Cambodia and Vietnam </strong>are<strong> member nations of the ASEAN.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>INS Kiltan</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a <strong>Kamorta-class anti-submarine warfare corvette.</strong></li>
<li>It is part of the <strong>Indian Navy's Eastern Naval Command,</strong> based at <strong>Visakhapatnam.</strong></li>
<li>INS Kiltan, along with the <strong>INS Sahyadri,</strong> is the latest, <strong>indigenously designed and built multi-role ships</strong> of the Indian Navy.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two ships are equipped with a versatile array of weapons and sensors and can carry multi-role helicopters representing the &lsquo;coming of age&rsquo; of India&rsquo;s warship building capabilities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Launched in <strong>2015,</strong> it is India&rsquo;s strategic vision for the <strong>Indian Ocean Region</strong> (IOR).</li>
<li>Through SAGAR, India seeks to <strong>deepen economic and security cooperation</strong> with its maritime neighbours and assist in building its maritime security capabilities.</li>
<li>Further, India seeks to safeguard its national interests and ensure the IOR to become inclusive, collaborative and respect international law.</li>
<li>The key relevance of SAGAR emerges when seen in conjunction with India&rsquo;s other policies impacting the maritime domain like <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East Policy</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-09th-october-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Sagarmala</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims-7th-august-2018" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Project Mausam</strong></a>, focus on <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/blue-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Blue Economy</strong></a> etc.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1684365" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: PIB</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mission-sagar-iii'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Data on Police Organisations: BPRD',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-conference-on-women-in-police-and-capfs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Bureau of Police Research and Development</strong></a> (BPRD) has released <strong>data on police organisations.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It shows <strong>different aspects of policing</strong> in the country like woman police, police expenditure, constabulary ratio, transport facilities, communication facilities, representation of various castes and police training centres.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>General Data:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government has spent<strong> Rs. 1,566.85 crore</strong> in <strong>2019-20</strong> for expenditure and police training.</li>
<li>It highlights that <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/constitutional-status-for-national-commission-for-backward-classes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Backward Classes</strong></a>, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/reimagining-the-national-commission-for-scheduled-castes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Dalits</strong></a> <strong>and <a href="/summary-of-important-reports/xaxa-committee-on-tribal-communities-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tribals</a> constitute almost 67%</strong> of India&rsquo;s population, but their<strong> representation in police forces</strong> in the country is <strong>only at 51%.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The goal of <strong>proportionate representation has remained unfulfilled despite</strong> all state governments providing <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/reservation-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>reservation</strong></a> to these categories.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vacant Posts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Over 5.31 lakh posts in police forces of different states and 1.27 lakh posts in<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/central-armed-police-force-capf" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Central Armed Police Forces</strong></a> (CAPF) are lying vacant. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The figures include civil police, district armed police, special armed police and India Reserve Battalions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scheduled Tribes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>They form 8.6% of the population and have 12% representation in the police forces, placing them at a comparatively better position.</li>
<li>Only <strong>STs have better representation</strong> in police forces in comparison to their share in population while all other backward classes fare poorly.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Dalits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>14% of all positions in police forces across the country were represented by Dalits at the end of 2019.</li>
<li>According to<strong> Census 2011,</strong> Dalits make up 16.6% of India&rsquo;s population.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Backward Classes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>OBCs fare the <strong>worst on the representation front</strong> as, despite their 41% share in the population, they constitute only 25% of the police forces.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Women:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Women are <strong>highly under-represented</strong> with 10% share in the actual strength of the police in the country, even though their share in population is 48%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, their situation has improved considerably over the past years as the actual strength of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-model-policy-for-women-in-the-police" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>women in police forces</strong></a> has almost doubled since 2014.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Women population per woman police ratio</strong> stands at 3,026 nationally which is very low.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Poor representation of women in the police is posing <strong>serious challenges in dealing with crimes against women and women criminals.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Ratios:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sanctioned <strong>Population Per Police Person</strong> (PPP) is 511.81.</li>
<li>Sanctioned <strong>Police Population Ratio</strong> (PPR) is 195.39.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is the number of police personnel per one lakh of the population which has declined from 198 in 2018.</li>
<li>The<strong> UN-mandated police-population ratio</strong> is over 220.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Sanctioned<strong> Police Area Ratio</strong> (PAR) per 100 sq km is 79.80.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609322056_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609322056_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="350" caption="false" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Bureau of Police Research and Development</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Government of India established it <strong>under the Ministry of Home Affairs in 1970.</strong></li>
<li>It replaced the<strong> Police Research and Advisory Council</strong> (1966), with the primary <strong>objective of modernization of the police force.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>1995,</strong> the Government<strong> decided to entrust issues relating to Correctional Administration Work</strong> to the BPR&amp;D.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Thereby BPRD has to <strong>ensure the implementation of prison reforms</strong> as well.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Government of India decided to create a <strong>National Police Mission</strong> under the administrative control of BPR&amp;D to transform the police forces in the country.</li>
<li>In<strong> August 2020,</strong> it observed its <strong>50<sup>th</sup> foundation day.</strong></li>
<li>It has been<strong> publishing the data on police organisations since 1986.</strong></li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/obcs-constitute-25-of-police-sts-get-better-representation-data-7125536/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/data-on-police-organisations-bprd'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Dedicated Freight Corridor',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Prime Minister of India has inaugurated a<strong> 351-km</strong> section of the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/eastern-dedicated-freight-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC)</strong> </a>and an <strong>Operation Control Centre (OCC)</strong> between<strong> Khurja and Bhaupur</strong> in Uttar Pradesh.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>EDFC</strong> is a <strong>1,839-km</strong> project billed as the <strong>largest rail infrastructure</strong> being built in independent India and has been in the making since<strong> 2006.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is a<strong> high speed and high capacity railway corridor that is exclusively meant for the transportation of freight,</strong> or in other words, goods and commodities.</li>
<li>DFC involves the <strong>seamless integration of better infrastructure</strong> and state of the art technology.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>DFC</strong> consists of<strong> two arms:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (EDFC):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It starts at <strong>Sahnewal (Ludhiana) in Punjab </strong>and ends at<strong> Dankuni in West Bengal.</strong></li>
<li>The EDFC route has<strong> coal mines, thermal power plants and industrial cities.</strong> Feeder routes are also being made for these.</li>
<li>The EDFC route covers Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal</li>
<li><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/world-bank-group" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>The World Bank</strong></a> is <strong>funding</strong> a majority of the EDFC.</li>
<li>The <strong>351-km-long &lsquo;New Bhaupur-New Khurja section&rsquo;</strong> will decongest the existing Kanpur-Delhi main line and double the speed of freight trains from 25 kmph to 75 kmph.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The other arm is the around <strong>1,500-km WDFC from Dadri in Uttar Pradesh</strong> to <a href="/printpdf/kolkata-port-trust" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust</strong> </a><strong>in Mumbai,</strong> touching all <strong>major ports</strong> along the way.</li>
<li>The WDFC covers Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh.</li>
<li>It is <strong>being funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Connecting Link for Eastern and Western Arm:</strong> It is under construction between <strong>Dadri and Khurja.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/delhi-mumbai-industrial-corridor" target="_blank" rel="noopener">industrial corridor of Delhi-Mumbai</a> and Amritsar-Kolkata</strong> are also being developed around both these DFCs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609321200_image6.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609321200_image6.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Increased Capacity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The DFC shall reform the transportation sector and will <strong>create more capacity on trunk routes of Indian Railways</strong> as goods trains shall be able to run freely on DFC without any restrictions imposed by movement of passenger trains.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Decongestion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Around<strong> 70% of the freight trains</strong> currently running on the Indian Railway network are slated to <strong>shift to the freight corridors,</strong> leaving the<strong> paths open for more passenger trains.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Business Generation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Tracks on DFC are designed to carry heavier loads than most of Indian Railways. DFC will get track access charge from the parent Indian Railways, and also <strong>generate its own freight business.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punctuality:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The new section means on the Indian Railway main line,<strong> more passenger trains</strong> can be pumped in and those trains can, in turn, achieve <strong>better punctuality.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benefits:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Logistics costs will be reduced.</li>
<li>Higher energy efficiency.</li>
<li>Faster movement of goods.</li>
<li>It is environmentally friendly.</li>
<li>It will provide <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/what-makes-doing-business-easier#:~:text=In%20the%20latest%20ranking%20for,77th%20position%20last%20year.&amp;text=India's%20score%20improved%20from%2067.23,)%20to%2071.0%20(2020)." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ease of doing business.</strong></a></li>
<li>Helps in generating more employment.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India Ltd.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>DFCCIL under the <strong>Ministry of Railways</strong> is a <strong>special purpose vehicle tasked with planning and completion of 3,306 kms of DFCs.</strong></li>
<li>It is <strong>headquartered in New Delhi</strong> and is a <strong>Public Sector Undertaking (PSU).</strong></li>
<li>It engages in the <strong>planning and development, deployment of monetary resources, building, upkeep, and the operation</strong> of the DFCs.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-why-dedicated-freight-corridor-matters-for-railways-the-country-7125450/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/dedicated-freight-corridor-1'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Karnataka</strong> Forest Department, along with the <strong>Bat Conservation India Trust (BCIT),</strong> is getting prepared <strong>to save the Kolar leaf-nosed bat from extinction.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>BCIT is a <strong>non-profit organization</strong> which was conceived for the protection of bat species in India by protecting their habitat. It is <strong>headquartered in Bengaluru,</strong> Karnataka.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609316776_image4.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1609316776_image4.png" style="float: right;" width="300" caption="false" /></a></h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Scientific Name:</strong> <em>Hipposideros hypophyllus</em></li>
<li><strong>Geographic Range:</strong> It is<strong> endemic to India.</strong> It is<strong> presently known only from one cave in Hanumanahalli village in Kolar district, Karnataka. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Threats:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Habitat loss from<strong> land use change, hunting, and stone quarrying</strong> in the region.</li>
<li>Till several years ago, the Kolar Leaf-Nosed Bat<strong> was found in only two caves in the village of Hanumanahalli.</strong> For <strong>reasons that are still unknown,</strong> the bat <strong>became locally extinct in one of the two caves. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Protection Status:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iucn-red-list" target="_blank" rel="noopener">IUCN Red List</a>: Critically Endangered</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/printpdf/wild-life-protection-act-implementation-and-failure" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Wildlife Protection Act, 1972</a>: </strong>It <strong>has not been accorded legal protection</strong> under the Act.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Conservation Efforts:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government had <strong>notified the 30 acres around the caves as a protected area.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Any development work here, including construction of new infrastructure, will <strong>need the permission of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wildlife-panel-holds-virtual-conference" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Board for Wildlife.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Bat Conservation Indian Trust</strong> has been <strong>awarded a grant</strong> to conduct further research on this species of bats.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is running<strong> an intensive awareness campaign</strong> in the nearby communities and they have come to understand the threat to the species and have started guarding this area from encroachers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Bats are<strong> one of the least studied mammals in the country,</strong> though there are <strong>130 species in India.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Bats are <strong>vital for the ecology as they are pollinators,</strong> their main diet being nectar.</li>
<li>Bats also <strong>help in insect control</strong> and therefore, <strong>help in the protection of crops.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>They are <strong>very adaptable creatures</strong> and therefore can often be found<strong> near human habitation</strong> or even in urban settlements, which <strong>makes them vulnerable.</strong></li>
<li>They also have<strong> a bad image</strong> in the public eye, as <strong>carriers of diseases. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Suggestions:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is an urgent need to<strong> curb illegal granite mining and quarrying</strong> within five to ten kilometre radius of the roost (resting-place) to ensure the quality of other subterranean caves in the area.</li>
<li>Meanwhile, <strong>widespread cave explorations and acoustic sampling</strong> are recommended to understand the distribution of the species.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/conservation-plan-on-table-to-save-bat-species-in-kolar-caves-7125529/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: IE</strong></a></p>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/kolar-leaf-nosed-bat'
	]
]
$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) 5
$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 274
$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”