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Arka Shubha: New Marigold Variety

Why in News The Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR) has developed a new marigold variety named Arka Shubha. Key...

10 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Sedition Law

Why in News Recently, the Supreme Court protected a political leader and six senior journalists from arrest in multiple sedition FIRs registered...

10 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Eco-Sensitive Zone Around Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News The draft notification of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC) on an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) which runs...

10 Feb 2021 News Analysis
NDMA Guidelines to Tackle Glacial Bursts

Why in News A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) is suspected to have caused the flash floods in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. In October...

10 Feb 2021 News Analysis
South China Sea Dispute

Why in News Recently, China warned off a USA warship sailing near contested Paracel islands in the South China Sea (SCS). Key...

10 Feb 2021 News Analysis
India-Myanmar Relations

This article is based on “The long and the short of India’s Naypyitaw dilemma” which was published in The Hindu on 09/02/2021. It...

09 Feb 2021 News Editorials
Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News Over a lakh migratory water birds arrived at the Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh in winter 2020-21. Key...

09 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Mission Innovation 2.0

Why in News Recently, the Union Minister of Science & Technology addressed the Mission Innovation (MI) to mark the beginning of phase-2 of the...

09 Feb 2021 News Analysis
The Big Picture: Budget 2021 for Green Energy

Why in News? The Union Budget for FY 2021-22 presented by the Union Minister of India, has exclusively focussed on Green Energy...

09 Feb 2021 Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions
Mapping Seismic Hazard of Eastern Himalaya

Why in News Recently, scientists have found the first geological evidence of an earthquake on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, documented...

09 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Hunter Syndrome: MPS II

Why in News Two brothers suffering from Mucopolysaccharidosis II or MPS II (Hunter Syndrome, Attenuated Type) have approached the Delhi High Court...

09 Feb 2021 News Analysis
China’s New Project in Sri Lanka

Why in News Recently, a Chinese company has won a contract to set up hybrid wind and solar energy projects on three Sri Lankan islands off the...

09 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Kuruba Community: Karnataka

Why in News A massive rally was organised by the Kuruba community to urge the state government of Karnataka to recommend the Centre inclusion of the...

09 Feb 2021 News Analysis
India - Ukraine

Why in News Recently, Ukraine has shown interest to procure some military hardware from India in addition to efforts to deepen its presence in the...

09 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Infrastructure Push

This article is based on “Infrastructure push now, fiscal consolidation later” which was published in The Hindu on 08/02/2021. It talks...

08 Feb 2021 News Editorials
Economic Impact of Judicial Decisions

Why in News Recently, the NITI Aayog has asked research organisation ‘Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International’ to conduct...

08 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Uttarakhand Flash Flood

Why in News Recently, a glacial break in the Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand led to massive Flash Flood in Dhauli Ganga and...

08 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Clean Fuel Hydrogen

Why in News Recently, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D) have come up with a way to generate clean fuel hydrogen from...

08 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Odisha’s Border Disputes

Why In News Recently, a border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh once again resurfaced when Andhra Pradesh announced panchayat polls in...

08 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Pacific Ring of Fire

The Ring of Fire, also referred to as the Circum-Pacific Belt, is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent...

08 Feb 2021 Paper 1

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			'title' => 'Arka Shubha: New Marigold Variety',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR)</strong> has developed a new marigold variety named <strong>Arka Shubha.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>High Carotene Content:</strong> Arka Shubha has carotene content of around 2.8% (for all marigolds, it's maximum upto 1.4%) which is the highest among all plant sources.</li>
<li><strong>Used after Spoiled:</strong> This new variety of marigold can be used for extraction of crude carotene even if spoiled after full bloom, unlike that of other varieties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ornamental &amp; Carotene Extraction:</strong> This new variety not only has ornamental purpose but is also a good source of crude carotene.</li>
<li><strong>Poultry Feed:</strong> Its petals could be used as poultry feed to get quality yolk.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce Import Dependency:</strong> India imports most of its carotene from other countries, including China. This development can significantly reduce import dependency. Therefore, both cultivation area and investment on carotene extraction should be increased.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Carotene</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Carotenes are carotenoid pigments that are oxygen-free. Mostly they are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain only carbon and hydrogen.</li>
<li>Their color varies from yellow to orange to red. The color is attributed to the chain of alternating single and double bonds.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Carotene is responsible for the orange colour of carrots.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>&alpha;-carotene, &beta;-carotene, and lycopene are examples of carotenes.</li>
<li>Carotene is used in the pharmaceutical sector, there is always a high demand for it.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Institute of Horticultural Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Institute of Horticultural Research <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)</strong></a> is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers Welfare.</li>
<li>IIHR has a<strong> main research station at Bengaluru</strong> and regional experiment stations at Bhubaneswar in Orissa and Chettalli in Karnataka with two Krishi Vigyan Kendras.</li>
<li>The institute's main research agenda was to increase the yields of horticultural crop varieties by developing high yielding varieties in fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and medicinal products.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/bengaluru-scientists-develop-new-marigold-variety/article33795721.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source :TH</strong></a></p>',
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		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Sedition Law',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong> </a>protected a political leader and six senior journalists from arrest in multiple <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sedition-law-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sedition</strong></a> FIRs registered against them.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Background of Sedition Law:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sedition laws were <strong>enacted in 17<sup>th</sup> century England</strong> when lawmakers believed that <strong>only good opinions of the government should survive,</strong> as bad opinions were detrimental to the government and monarchy.</li>
<li>The law was originally drafted<strong> in 1837 by Thomas Macaulay, the British historian-politician,</strong> but was <strong>inexplicably omitted when the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-road-map-for-criminal-justice-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Penal Code (IPC)</a> was enacted in 1860.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/why-indias-sedition-law-needs-to-be-buried" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Section 124A</a> was inserted in 1870</strong> by an amendment introduced <strong>by Sir James Stephen</strong> when it felt the need for a specific section to deal with the offence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was one of the many draconian laws enacted to stifle any voices of dissent at that time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612950997_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612950997_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="617" height="353" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sedition Law Today:</strong> Sedition is <strong>a crime under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code</strong> (IPC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Section 124A IPC:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It defines sedition as an offence committed when <strong>"any person by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred</strong> or contempt, or excites or attempts to <strong>excite disaffection towards the government</strong> established by law in India".</li>
<li>Disaffection includes <strong>disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.</strong> However, comments without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, will not constitute an offence under this section.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishment for the Offence of Sedition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sedition is a <strong>non-bailable offence.</strong> Punishment under the Section 124A ranges from <strong>imprisonment up to three years to a life term,</strong> to which fine may be added.</li>
<li>A person charged under this law is<strong> barred from a government job.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They have to live without their passport and must produce themselves in the court at all times as and when required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Supreme Court Decisions on Sedition Law:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SC highlighted debates over sedition in<strong> 1950</strong> in its decisions in <em><strong>Brij Bhushan vs the State of Delhi</strong> </em>and <strong><em>Romesh Thappar vs the State of Madras.</em></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In these cases, the court held that a law which <strong>restricted speech on the ground that it would disturb public order was unconstitutional.</strong></li>
<li>It also held that <strong>disturbing the public order will mean nothing less than endangering the foundations of the State</strong> or threatening its overthrow.</li>
<li>Thus, these decisions prompted the <strong>First Constitution Amendment, where <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/supreme-court-on-right-to-protest#:~:text=Article%2019%20confers%20upon%20citizens,or%20inaction%20of%20the%20State." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 19</a> (2) was rewritten to replace &ldquo;undermining the security of the State&rdquo; with &ldquo;in the interest of public order&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>1962,</strong> the SC decided on the constitutionality of Section 124A in <em><strong>Kedar Nath Singh vs State of Bihar.</strong></em><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It upheld the constitutionality of sedition, but <strong>limited its application</strong> to &ldquo;acts involving intention or tendency to create disorder, or disturbance of law and order, or incitement to violence&rdquo;.</li>
<li>It<strong> distinguished these</strong> from &ldquo;very strong speech&rdquo; or the use of &ldquo;vigorous words&rdquo; strongly critical of the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>1995,</strong> the SC, in <em><strong>Balwant Singh vs State of Punjab</strong></em>, held that mere sloganeering which evoked no public response did not amount to sedition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments in Support of Section 124A:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Section 124A of the IPC has its utility in <strong>combating anti-national, secessionist and terrorist elements.</strong></li>
<li>It<strong> protects the elected government from attempts to overthrow</strong> the government with violence and illegal means. The continued existence of the government established by law is an essential condition of the <strong>stability of the State.</strong></li>
<li>If <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/contempt-of-court-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>contempt of court</strong></a> invites penal action, contempt of government should also attract punishment.</li>
<li>Many districts in different states face a <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/naxalism-left-wing-extremism-internal-security-threat-vulnerabilities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">maoist insurgency</a> and rebel groups virtually run a parallel administration.</strong> These groups openly advocate the overthrow of the state government by revolution.</li>
<li>Against this backdrop, the abolition of Section 124A would be ill-advised merely because it has been wrongly invoked in some highly publicized cases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments against Section 124A:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Section 124A is a<strong> relic of colonial legacy</strong> and unsuited in a democracy. It is a constraint on the legitimate exercise of<strong> constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and expression.</strong></li>
<li>Dissent and criticism of the government are essential ingredients of robust public debate in a vibrant democracy. They should not be constructed as sedition. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Right to question, criticize and change rulers is very fundamental to the idea of democracy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>British, who introduced sedition to oppress Indians,</strong> have themselves abolished the law in their country. There is no reason why India should not abolish this section.</li>
<li>The<strong> terms used</strong> under Section 124A like 'disaffection' are<strong> vague and subject to different interpretations to the whims and fancies</strong> of the investigating officers.</li>
<li>IPC and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unlawful-activities-prevention-act-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 2019</strong></a> have provisions that penalize "disrupting the public order" or "overthrowing the government with violence and illegal means". These are sufficient for protecting national integrity. There is no need for Section 124A.</li>
<li>The sedition law is <strong>being misused as a tool to persecute political dissent.</strong> A wide and concentrated executive discretion is inbuilt into it which permits the blatant abuse.</li>
<li>In 1979, India<strong> ratified the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protesting-is-a-fundamental-right-un#:~:text=The%20ICCPR%20is%20a%20key,International%20Bill%20of%20Human%20Rights." target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)</a>,</strong> which sets forth internationally recognized standards for the protection of freedom of expression. However, misuse of sedition and arbitrary slapping of charges are inconsistent with India's international commitments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is the largest democracy of the world and the <strong>right to free speech and expression is an essential ingredient of democracy.</strong> The expression or thought that is not in consonance with the policy of the government of the day should not be considered as sedition.</li>
<li><strong>Section 124A should not be misused</strong> as a tool to curb free speech. The SC caveat, given in Kedar Nath case, on prosecution under the law can check its misuse. It needs to be <strong>examined under the changed facts and circumstances</strong> and also on the anvil of ever-evolving tests of <strong>necessity, proportionality and arbitrariness.</strong></li>
<li>The higher judiciary should use its supervisory powers to <strong>sensitize the magistracy and police to the constitutional provisions protecting free speech.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>definition of sedition should be narrowed down,</strong> to include only the issues pertaining to the territorial integrity of India as well as the sovereignty of the country.</li>
<li>The<strong> word &lsquo;sedition&rsquo; is extremely nuanced and needs to be applied with caution.</strong> It is like a cannon that ought not to be used to shoot a mouse; but the arsenal also demands possession of cannons, mostly as a deterrent, and on occasion for shooting.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/republic-day-violence-sc-stays-arrest-of-shashi-tharoor-rajdeep-sardesai-and-five-journalists/article33789972.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sedition-law-2'
		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Eco-Sensitive Zone Around Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>draft notification of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC)</strong> on an<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/eco-sensitive-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)</strong> </a>which runs around the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wayanad-wildlife-sanctuary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS)</strong> </a>has triggered protests in Wayanad (Kerala).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Draft Notification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 118.5 sq km area has been earmarked as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), of which 99.5 sq km is outside the sanctuary and the remaining 19 sq km comprises revenue villages within the sanctuary.</li>
<li>There will be<strong> restrictions on several human activities in ESZ,</strong> including a ban on all new and existing mining, stone quarrying and crushing units and new industries causing pollution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>also includes a ban on establishment of major hydroelectric projects</strong> and setting up of new sawmills, brick kilns and commercial use of firewood within ESZ.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Besides,<strong> no new commercial hotels and resorts shall be permitted</strong> within 1km of the boundary of the protected area or up to the extent of ESZ, whichever is nearer.</li>
<li>It also <strong>bars felling of trees in private lands without prior permission of the competent authority</strong> in the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Purpose of the Notification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>an important step towards ensuring the safety of people</strong> around the Wildlife Sanctuary, because the lives of farmers on the forest fringes is miserable owing to the <strong>increasing incidents of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/man-animal-conflict-to-be-listed-as-disaster-by-up-govt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wild animal attacks</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As many as 147 persons were killed in wildlife attacks in the district in the past 38 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As many as 57 enclosure villages situated inside WWS fall within the eco-sensitive zone.</li>
<li>Critics have argued that the draft notification <strong>would cripple both agriculture and business sectors</strong> and will deal a blow to the district as the notification imposes curbs on vehicular traffic.</li>
<li>It will <strong>badly affect the lives of thousands of farmers</strong> on the fringes of the sanctuary.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As much as 29,291 acres of private land on the fringes of the sanctuary would come under the zone and the development of this area would stop for ever.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612948691_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612948691_image6.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="358" height="501" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Located in Kerala, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) is an<strong> integral part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nilgiri-elephant-corridor-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve</a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Spread over 344.44 sq km, WWS is contiguous to the tiger reserves of Nagerhole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li><strong>Kabini river (a tributary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/godavari-and-cauvery-river-interlinking-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cauvery river</a>)</strong> flows through the sanctuary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> It was declared a Sanctuary in the year 1973.</li>
<li><strong>Biodiversity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> forest types</strong> include South Indian Moist Deciduous forests, West coast semi-evergreen forests and plantations of teak, eucalyptus and Grewelia.</li>
<li>Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Common langur, Wild dog, common otter, Malabar giant squirrel etc. are the major mammals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Eco-Sensitive Zones</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas are <strong>areas within 10 kms around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In case of places with sensitive corridors, connectivity and ecologically important patches, crucial for landscape linkage, <strong>even areas beyond 10 km width can be included</strong> in the eco-sensitive zone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ESZs are<strong> notified by MoEFCC,</strong> under <strong>Environment Protection Act, 1986.</strong></li>
<li>The basic aim is <strong>to regulate certain activities</strong> around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries so as to minimise the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need for rethinking on the impacts of the environmental policies at the local level, the type and prospects of local participation and most importantly the prospects of alternative income generating opportunities for successful conservation initiatives.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-cm-takes-up-sanctuary-zone-issue/article33785872.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/eco-sensitive-zone-around-wayanad-wildlife-sanctuary'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'NDMA Guidelines to Tackle Glacial Bursts',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A <strong>Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)</strong> is suspected to have <strong>caused the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uttarakhand-flash-flood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flash floods</a>&nbsp;</strong>in <strong>Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In October 2020, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)</strong></a> had issued detailed guidelines on how to reduce and deal with disasters caused by GLOFs/Glacial Bursts.</li>
<li>The NDMA guidelines suggest that risk reduction can be done by<strong> identifying and mapping potentially dangerous lakes, taking structural measures to prevent their sudden breach,</strong> and establishing mechanisms to save lives and property in times of a breach.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF): </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A GLOF refers to the flooding that occurs <strong>when the water dammed by a glacier or a moraine</strong> (accumulations of dirt and rocks fallen onto the glacier surface) <strong>is released suddenly.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When glaciers melt, the water in glacial lakes accumulates behind loose, natural &ldquo;glacial/moraine dams&rdquo; made of ice, sand, pebbles and ice residue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Unlike earthen dams, the weak structure of the moraine dam<strong> leads to the abrupt breach of the dam on top of the glacial lake</strong> which could cause flash floods in the downstream areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to NDMA, <strong>glacial retreat due to climate change</strong> occurring in most parts of the <strong>Hindu Kush Himalaya</strong> has given rise to the <strong>formation of numerous new glacial lakes,</strong> which are the <strong>major cause of GLOFs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Glacial Lakes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Glacial lakes are <strong>typically formed at the foot of a glacier.</strong></li>
<li>As glaciers move and flow, they erode the soil and sediment around them, leaving depressions and grooves on the land. Meltwater from the glacier fills up the hole, making a lake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Lakes form when meltwater ponds, and this can happen on the ice surface <strong>(supraglacial lakes),</strong> in front of the ice<strong> (proglacial lakes),</strong> or even underneath the ice <strong>(subglacial lakes).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Glacier lakes can <strong>affect ice flow</strong> by reducing friction at the ice-bed interface, encouraging basal sliding.</li>
<li>They can <strong>change the albedo of the ice surface,</strong> encouraging more surface melt.</li>
<li>Proglacial lakes <strong>cause <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iceberg-a68a#:~:text=Calving%20of%20Glaciers&amp;text=Calving%20is%20the%20glaciological%20term,is%20known%20as%20dry%20calving." target="_blank" rel="noopener">calving</a>,</strong> which affects mass balance and can decouple mountain glaciers from climate.</li>
<li>Glacier lakes can be hazardous; moraine and ice dams can fail, <strong>causing catastrophic glacier lake outburst floods</strong> or jokulhlaups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase in Number of Glacial Lakes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to recent studies, <strong>there has been a rapid increase in the number of glacial lakes due to a retreat in the glaciers</strong> caused by warming temperatures (due to global warming), and their potential to cause large scale flooding and destruction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Kedarnath tragedy in 2013,</strong> for example, had involved a breach in a large glacial lake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to a study sponsored by the <a href="/daily-news-analysis/central-water-commission-on-kerala-floods#:~:text=of%20a%20reservoir.-,Central%20Water%20Commission%20(CWC),the%20Ministry%20of%20Water%20Resources." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Water Commission (CWC)</strong></a>, conducted during 2011-15, there are 352, 283 and 1,393 glacial lakes and water bodies in the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra basins respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Guidelines on Risk Reduction: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Identifying Potentially Dangerous Lakes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Potentially dangerous lakes <strong>can be identified</strong> based on field observations, records of past events, geomorphologic and geotechnical characteristics of the lake/dam and surroundings, and other physical conditions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Promoting use of <strong>Synthetic-Aperture Radar imagery</strong> (a form of radar that is used to create two-dimensional images) <strong>to automatically detect changes in water bodies,</strong> including new lake formations, during the monsoon months.</li>
<li>Methods and protocols could also be developed to<strong> allow remote monitoring of lake bodies from space.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Channeling Potential Floods:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To manage lakes structurally, the NDMA recommends <strong>reducing the volume of water with methods such as controlled breaching,</strong> pumping or siphoning out water, and making a tunnel through the moraine barrier or under an ice dam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uniform Codes for Construction Activity:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Developing a broad framework for <strong>infrastructure development, construction and excavation</strong> in vulnerable zones.</li>
<li>There is a need to accept<strong> procedures for land use planning</strong> in the GLOF prone areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhancing Early Warning Systems (EWS):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The number of implemented and operational GLOF EWS is very small, even at the global scale.</li>
<li>In the Himalayan region, there are at<strong> three reported instances</strong> (two in Nepal and one in China) of implementation of sensor- and monitoring-based technical systems for GLOF early warning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Training Local Manpower:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Apart from pressing specialised forces such as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/59th-raising-day-of-the-itbp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ITBP</strong> </a>and the Army, NDMA has emphasised the need for <strong>trained local manpower.</strong></li>
<li>It has been observed that over <strong>80% of search and rescue is carried out by the local community</strong> before the intervention of the state machinery and specialised search and rescue teams.</li>
<li><strong>The local teams could also assist in planning</strong> and setting up emergency shelters, distributing relief packages, identifying missing people, and addressing the needs for food, healthcare, water supply etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive Alarm Systems:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Besides classical alarming infrastructure consisting of acoustic alarms by sirens, modern communication technology using cell and smartphones can complement or even replace traditional alarming infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/uttarakhand-glacier-flash-flood-rishiganga-death-toll-7180258/" 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/ndma-guidelines-to-tackle-glacial-bursts'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'South China Sea Dispute',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>China warned off a USA warship</strong> sailing near contested <strong>Paracel islands in the South China Sea (SCS).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><strong>About</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Claim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China lays claim to nearly all of the South China Sea,</strong> including the Paracel Islands.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, Taiwan, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam also claim parts of the region,<strong> believed to hold valuable oil and gas deposits.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has alleged that the USA warship broke into China&rsquo;s <em>Xisha</em> (Paracel) island&rsquo;s territorial waters without the permission of the Chinese government and <strong>accused USA for &ldquo;seriously violating China&rsquo;s sovereignty&rdquo; and &ldquo;harming regional peace.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USA&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The USA has argued that such exercises are in line with international law and help <strong>defend the right of passage</strong> through the region amid competing claims by China and other governments.</li>
<li>It is in sync with the USA's continuous efforts to counter China&rsquo;s assertion in SCS. Recently the USA Navy sent an aircraft carrier group into the South China Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>South China Sea</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> South China Sea is<strong> an arm of western Pacific Ocean</strong> in Southeast Asia. It is south of China, east &amp; south of Vietnam, west of the Philippines and north of the island of Borneo.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is<strong> connected by Taiwan Strait</strong> with the East China Sea and by <strong>Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bordering states &amp; territories (clockwise from north):</strong> the People&rsquo;s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Importance:&nbsp;</strong>This sea holds tremendous strategic importance for its location as it is the <strong>connecting link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean (Strait of Malacca).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-investment-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD)</strong></a> one-third of the global shipping passes through it, carrying trillions of trade which makes it a significant geopolitical water body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612942060_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612942060_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons For Dispute in the South China Sea:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Contesting Claims Over Islands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The Paracel Islands</strong> are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.</li>
<li><strong>The Spratly Islands</strong> are claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Philippines.</li>
<li><strong>The Scarborough Shoal</strong> is claimed by Philippines, China and Taiwan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Assertion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since 2010, <strong>China has been converting uninhabited islets into artificial islets</strong> to bring it under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNCLOS</strong></a> (examples would include Haven Reef, Johnson South Reef and Fiery Cross Reef).</li>
<li><strong>China has been changing the size and structure of the reefs</strong> by modifying their physical land features. <strong>It has also established airstrips on Parcel and Spratly.</strong></li>
<li>Chinese fishing fleets are engaged in paramilitary work on behalf of the state rather than the commercial enterprise of fishing.</li>
<li>The US is very critical of this building of artificial islands and terms these actions of China as building a <strong>&lsquo;great wall of sand&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Undefined geographic scope</strong> of the South China Sea.</li>
<li><strong>Disagreement over dispute settlement</strong> mechanisms.</li>
<li>Undefined legal status of the <strong>Code of Conduct (COC)</strong> add to it.</li>
<li>The different histories of distant, largely uninhabited archipelagos of the sea make the matter more complicated and multifaceted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612942392_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612942392_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India's Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has maintained that it is not a party to the SCS dispute and its presence in the SCS is not to contain China but to <strong>secure its own economic interests, especially that of its energy security needs.</strong></li>
<li>However, China&rsquo;s increasing ability to decide and expand its role in the South China Sea has compelled India to reevaluate its approach on the issue.</li>
<li>As a key element of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East Policy</strong></a>, India has started<strong> internationalizing disputes</strong> in the <strong>Indo-Pacific region</strong> to oppose China&rsquo;s threatening tactics in SCS.</li>
<li>Further, India is using its Buddhist legacy to make a strong bond with the Southeast Asian region.</li>
<li>India has also deployed its navy with Vietnam in the South China <strong>Sea for protection of sea lanes of communication (SLOC),</strong> denying China any space for assertion.</li>
<li>Also, India is part of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quad initiative</a> (India, US, Japan, Australia)</strong> and lynchpin of Indo-Pacific narrative. These initiatives are viewed as a containment strategy by China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/beijing-warns-off-us-warship-in-s-china-sea/article33762768.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/south-china-sea-dispute'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'India-Myanmar Relations',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-long-and-the-short-of-indias-naypyitaw-dilemma/article33785809.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The long and the short of India&rsquo;s Naypyitaw dilemma&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 09/02/2021. It talks about the strategic importance of Myanmar and the implications of the recent Coup D&rsquo;etat.</p>
</div>
<p>The long-lingering power struggle in Myanmar has finally ended. The Myanmar junta or Myanmar&rsquo;s military has toppled the democratically elected government in a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/coup-d-etat-in-myanmar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Coup D&rsquo;etat.</strong> </a>This has smashed decade-long hopes for a truly democratic Myanmar.</p>
<p>As the future of Myanmar&rsquo;s democracy is now uncertain and given its strategic importance, this Coup D&rsquo;etat will have geopolitical implications for the region and India.</p>
<h3>Strategic Importance of Myanmar for India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> India and Myanmar relationship officially got underway after the Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1951, after which the foundation for a more meaningful relationship was established during Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s visit in 1987.</li>
<li><strong>Muti-faceted Relationship:</strong> India and Myanmar have traditionally had much in common, with cultural, historical, ethnic, and religious ties, in addition to sharing a long geographical land border and maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.</li>
<li><strong>Geo-Strategic Location of Myanmar:</strong> Myanmar is geopolitically significant to India as it stands at the center of the India-Southeast Asia geography.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Myanmar is the only Southeast Asian country that shares a land border with northeastern India, stretching some 1,624 kilometers.</li>
<li>The two countries also share a 725-km maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Confluence of Two Foreign policy Doctrines:</strong> Myanmar is the only country that sits at the intersection of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-neighbourhood-diplomacy#:~:text=Policy%20of%20the%20Government%20of,other%20countries%20in%20the%20neighborhood." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s &ldquo;Neighborhood First&rdquo; policy</strong></a> and its<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Act East&rdquo; policy.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Myanmar is an essential element in India&rsquo;s practice of regional diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific and serves as a land bridge to connect South Asia and Southeast Asia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Competition With China:</strong> If India is to become an assertive regional player in Asia, it has to work toward developing policies that would improve and strengthen its relationship with neighboring countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in pursuance of this, China is a big roadblock, as it aims to diminish India&rsquo;s influence in its neighborhood. Therefore, both India and China are fighting for gaining influence in Myanmar.</li>
<li>For example, as part of its policy for the Indian Ocean called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)</strong></a>, India developed the Sittwe port in Myanmar&rsquo;s Rakhine state.</li>
<li>The Sittwe port is meant to be India&rsquo;s answer to the Chinese-fronted Kyaukpyu port, which is intended to cement China&rsquo;s geostrategic footprint in Rakhine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Critical For India&rsquo;s National Security Interests:</strong> North-eastern states in India are affected by left-wing extremism and narcotics trade routes (golden triangle).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To counter these threats, the Indian and Myanmar armies have carried out many joint military operations like Operation Sunshine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong> Many Indian companies made significant economic and trade agreements in infrastructure and other areas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some other Indian companies such as Essar, GAIL, and ONGC Videsh Ltd. have invested in Myanmar&rsquo;s energy sector.</li>
<li>To elevate its &ldquo;Made in India&rdquo; arms industry, India has identified Myanmar as key to increasing its military exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Implications of Coup on India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political Realignments:</strong> The coup has attracted strong reactions and the threat of sanctions from the United States and the West. This could lead to unique political realignments in Myanmar.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These decisive western sanctions may force Myanmar&rsquo;s military to get closer to China, which may not be in the interest of India.</li>
<li>Moreover, a failed Myanmar state at India&rsquo;s doorstep and a weakened Myanmar falling into the clutches of China as a satellite state may increase China&rsquo;s bidding in regional affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rohingya Issue on Back Burner:</strong> Any effort to restore democracy in Myanmar will require supporting Aung San Suu Kyi. However, due to her silence on the Rohingya crisis, the plight of the hapless Rohingya may take a backseat or be conveniently forgotten.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is not in India&rsquo;s national security interest in the north-east.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Catch-22 Condition:</strong> While India&rsquo;s national interests, under the new circumstances, would clearly lie in dealing with whoever is in power in Myanmar, India would find it difficult to openly support the junta given the strong western and American stance.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Cultural Diplomacy:</strong> Myanmar&rsquo;s importance to India&rsquo;s conduct of cultural diplomacy through the lens of Buddhism for tourism purposes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s &ldquo;Buddhist Circuit&rdquo; initiative, which seeks to double foreign tourist arrivals and revenue by connecting ancient Buddhist heritage sites across different states in India, should resonate with Buddhist-majority Myanmar.</li>
<li>This could also build up India&rsquo;s diplomatic reservoir of goodwill and trust with Buddhist-majority countries such as Myanmar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improving Connectivity:</strong> India should realize that Myanmar is vital to fulfilling its ambition to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, facilitating connectivity is central to improving India-Myanmar economic relations.</li>
<li>In this context, Infrastructure projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport (KMMTT) should be financed into fruition expeditiously.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Resolving Rohingyas Issue:</strong> The quicker the Rohingya issue is resolved, the easier it will be for India to manage its relations with Myanmar and Bangladesh, focusing instead more on bilateral and subregional economic cooperation.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation at Multilateral Forums:</strong> Finally, cooperation in different multilateral forums such as ASEAN and BIMSTEC strengthens the relationship between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Given the strategic importance of Myanmar, it is therefore in India&rsquo;s geostrategic interest to see Myanmar prevail as a stable and autonomous country, thereby making possible greater bilateral engagement in India-Myanmar relations.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f7fff0;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Given the strategic importance of Myanmar, the recent Coup D&rsquo;etat will have geopolitical implications for the region and India. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P3N0wjvIqCk" 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.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/staying-watchful-the-hindu-editorial-on-rbi-and-prices/article33776392.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Staying watchful: On RBI and prices&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Hindu on February 8<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/india-myanmar-relations-2'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'title' => 'Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Over a lakh migratory water birds arrived at the <strong>Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh</strong> in winter 2020-21.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh.</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1975, Pong dam was <strong>built across the Beas River.</strong> It is also called the <strong>Pong reservoir</strong> or the<strong> Maharana Pratap Sagar.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>1983,</strong> the <strong>entire reservoir was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary</strong> by the Himachal Pradesh government.</li>
<li>In <strong>1994,</strong> the Government of India declared it a<strong> &ldquo;Wetland of National Importance&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Pong Dam Lake was <strong>declared as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/addition-to-ramsar-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ramsar Site</a> in November 2002.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612868297_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612868297_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="567" height="294" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Destination for Migratory Birds:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sanctuary plays host to around 220 species of birds belonging to 54 families. Migratory birds from all over Hindukush Himalayas and also as far as Siberia come here during winter.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rivers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The lake is <strong>fed by Beas River and its numerous perennial tributaries</strong> such as Gaj, Neogal, Binwa, Uhl, Bangana, and Baner.</li>
<li>The lake <strong>harbours around 22 species of fish,</strong> including rare fish like sal and gad. The adequate water level of the lake makes it an ideal destination to indulge in water sports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vegetation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sanctuary area is covered with <strong>tropical and subtropical forests,</strong> which shelters a great number of Indian Wildlife animals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Eucalyptus, acacia, jamun, shisham, mango, mulberry, ficus, kachnar, amla and prunus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Barking deer, sambar, wild boars, nilgai, leopards and oriental small-clawed otters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Avian-Fauna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Black-headed gulls, Red necked grebes, plovers, terns, ducks, water-fowl egrets, and more.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Parks in Himachal Pradesh</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Great Himalayan National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Great Himalayan National Park, located in the Banjaar sub-division of Kullu district, was officially declared as a National Park in 1999.</li>
<li>In 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park received the status of being a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong></a> for its wonderful contribution towards biodiversity conservation.</li>
<li>Species which are found here are like Greater Blue Sheep, Indian Pika, Rhesus monkey, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, Red fox, Mongoose.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pin Valley National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pin Valley National Park, located in Lahaul and Spiti District, was established in 1987.</li>
<li>Various endangered species including the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-snow-leopard-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> snow leopard</strong></a> and <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-snow-leopard-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Siberian ibex</a></strong> find their natural habitat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inderkilla National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inderkilla National Park is located in the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh and established in 2010.</li>
<li>Animals of the Himalayan region like leopards, deers and, birds which even include the rare birds of the summer season, and insect species are varied and can be seen from time to time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Khirganga National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Khirganga National Park is located in Kullu and was established in 2010.</li>
<li>The national park is situated at a height of around 5,500 meters and is spread across an area of about 710 square kilometers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simbalbara National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Simbalbara National Park is located in the Paonta Valley of Sirmour District.</li>
<li>The national park was established in 1958 as the Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 19.03 square kilometers.</li>
<li>In 2010, it was turned into a national park by merging an additional 8.88 square kilometers of the area to its boundaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/over-1-lakh-migratory-water-birds-visited-himachal-pradeshs-pong-dam-lake-sanctuary-this-winter-7180140/" 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/pong-dam-lake-wildlife-sanctuary'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'title' => 'Mission Innovation 2.0',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of Science &amp; Technology addressed the<strong> Mission Innovation (MI)</strong> to mark the beginning of phase-2 of the mission or Mission Innovation 2.0.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India played a leadership role</strong> in MI Steering Committee and is a member of the Analysis and Joint Research and Business &amp; Investor Engagement sub-groups.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mission Innovation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mission Innovation was<strong> announced on 30<sup>th</sup> November 2015,</strong> on the sidelines of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Climate Agreement</strong></a> to undertake ambitious measures to combat <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Membership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a global initiative of <strong>24 countries and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> to accelerate global clean energy innovation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Principle:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Commitment by all members to seek to <strong>double their clean energy innovation investments over five years</strong> in selected priority areas.</li>
<li>Each <strong>member according to its own priorities, policies, processes, and laws independently determines the best use of its funding</strong> and defines its own Research &amp; Development priorities and path to reach the doubling goal.</li>
<li>In many cases, MI members prioritise parts of their whole energy innovation budget within their baseline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Enhance the <strong>public sector investment</strong> to a substantial level.</li>
<li>Increased <strong>private sector engagement</strong> and investment.</li>
<li>Increase <strong>international collaboration.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Raising awareness</strong> of the transformational potential of innovation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Innovation Challenges (IC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Innovation challenges are a<strong> major part of the mission innovation</strong> that is aimed at leveraging research, development, and demonstration (RD&amp;D) in technology areas that could ultimately result in <strong>effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy security, and creating new opportunities for clean economic growth.</strong></li>
<li>There are <strong>8 innovation challenges</strong> under the mission innovation:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IC1 &ndash; <strong>smart grids,</strong> IC2 &ndash; <strong>Off-grid access to electricity,</strong> IC3 &ndash; <strong>Carbon capture</strong>, IC4 &ndash; <strong>Sustainable biofuels</strong>, IC5 &ndash; <strong>Converting sunlight</strong>, IC6 &ndash; <strong>Clean energy materials</strong>, IC7 &ndash; <strong>Affordable cooling and heating of buildings</strong>, IC8 &ndash; <strong>Renewable and clean hydrogen.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The first phase has shown that work done under ICs have mobilized in a relatively short period, relying on members' leadership and voluntary efforts to advance IC objectives.</li>
<li>These resources have dramatically accelerated the availability of the advanced technologies that will define a future global energy mix which is clean, affordable, and reliable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mission Innovation 2.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To achieve the shared goal of accelerating innovation, all the members have agreed to develop a <strong>second phase (2.0)</strong> that includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>enhanced Innovation Platform</strong> building on current activities to strengthen the global clean energy innovation ecosystem and to accelerate learning.</li>
<li><strong>New public-private innovation alliances &ndash;</strong> Missions &ndash; built around ambitious and inspirational goals backed by voluntary commitments that can lead to tipping points in the cost, scale, availability, and attractiveness of clean energy solutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives Aligned with the Mission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Clean Energy International Incubation Centre:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To support the start-up innovation ecosystem, the <strong>Clean Energy International Incubation Centre</strong> established by the Department of Biotechnology, India under a Public Private Partnership model has played a crucial role.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Solar Capacity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>increased solar installed capacity</strong> </a>by 13 times and expanded its non-fossil fuel-based power generation to 134 Gigawatts, about 35% of total power generation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/mind-map/gs-paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change-mind-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Solar Mission</strong></a> (a part of the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change#:~:text=It%20was%20launched%20in%202010,energy%20in%20India's%20energy%20mix.&amp;text=Emphasis%20on%20manufacturing%20solar%20panels,local%20research%20with%20international%20efforts." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Action Plan on Climate Change</strong></a>) helped India to increase its solar capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has embarked on an <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-renewable-energy-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ambitious target of having 450 Gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biofuels:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is also working to considerably increase the proportion of the<strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> biofuel</a> blend in petrol and diesel:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/printpdf/world-biofuel-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP)</strong></a>: It aims at<strong> blending ethanol with petrol,</strong> thereby bringing it under the category of biofuels and saving millions of dollars by cutting fuel imports.</li>
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2018 Biofuel Policy</strong></a> has the objective of reaching 20% ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending by the year 2030.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Five Centres of excellence in Bioenergy supported by Department of Biotechnology in India are <strong>working on both fundamental and translational research for advanced bio-fuels like biobutanol, biohydrogen and biojet fuels.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ujjwala Yojana:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)</strong> </a>which is the<strong> world&rsquo;s most extensive clean cooking fuel programme</strong> was launched in <strong>2016</strong> and is implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas through its Oil Marketing Companies.</li>
<li>Through PMUY, initially, 5 crores below poverty line (BPL) households were targeted for providing deposit free LPG connections to BPL households by 31<sup>st</sup> March, 2019. This target has been achieved.</li>
<li>India has released around <strong>150 million connections so far.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Avoided Emission Framework for a sustainable future:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India and Sweden under a partnership</strong> have developed an Avoided Emission Framework for a sustainable future.</li>
<li>Under this partnership,<strong> eight companies have been selected to demonstrate an initial 100 million tons of potential CO<sub>2</sub> emission reduction by 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612865823_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612865823_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="656" height="842" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1696298" 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-innovation-2-0'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'title' => 'The Big Picture: Budget 2021 for Green Energy',
			'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
			'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n739bdyShz0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Union Budget for FY 2021-22</strong> </a>presented by the Union Minister of India, has exclusively focussed on <strong>Green Energy initiatives.</strong></li>
<li>Budget 2021 has proposed the launch of the <strong>Hydrogen Energy Mission</strong> in this fiscal year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Additional capital infusion for solar energy and renewable energy aspects has also been proposed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The reforms in the budget have particularly focussed on <strong>green-growth.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative is expected to enhance the uptake of cleaner fuels in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Budget 2021-22 talks about <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/expansion-of-production-linked-incentive-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PLI scheme</strong></a> in Solar Manufacturing, <strong>Vehicle Scrappage Policy</strong> and the <strong>Hydrogen Energy Mission.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The PLI scheme has also been extended to the <strong>ACCs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The emphasis on <strong>green <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-hydrogen-fuel-cell-for-vehicles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hydrogen</a></strong> in the budget was in line with technological development and with a long-term vision towards <strong>reduced dependency on minerals and rare-earth element</strong>-based batteries as energy storage.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen is the key clean fuel for the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For the first time there is<strong> private financing of ₹18,000 crore for 20,000 buses</strong> and innovative financing with <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model#:~:text=Public%2DPrivate%20Partnership%20Model%3A%20PPP,be%20completed%20with%20private%20funding" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Private Partnerships</strong> </a>which would revolutionise the way public transport systems and buses function in India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative is to promote<strong> less dependency on personal vehicles</strong> and eventually <strong>bring down the carbon footprints.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hydrogen Energy Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Hydrogen Energy Mission <strong>aims to reduce petroleum use, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution,</strong> and contribute to more diverse and <strong>efficient energy infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li>It is now proposed to launch a Hydrogen Energy Mission in 2021-22 for generating <strong>hydrogen from green power sources.</strong></li>
<li>Green Hydrogen Mission is not only<strong> essential to decarbonise heavy industries</strong> like steel and cement, it also <strong>holds the key to clean electric mobility</strong> that doesn&rsquo;t depend on rare minerals.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Vehicle Scrappage Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The policy will be launched to <strong>phase out old and unfit vehicles.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the scheme <strong>private vehicles older than 20 years and commercial vehicles older than 15 years</strong> will be eligible to be scrapped.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This will help in<strong> encouraging fuel efficient, environment friendly vehicles</strong> thereby reducing vehicular pollution and oil import bill.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vehicles would undergo<strong> fitness tests in automated fitness centres</strong> after their defined period is over.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Green Energy and Government</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India in leading countries:</strong> India comes in the list of the leading countries in terms of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/power-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Power Sector</strong> </a>or the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-renewable-energy-plan#:~:text=The%20renewable%20energy%20capacity%20in,year%20as%20we%20move%20forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Renewable Energy</strong></a> sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India ranks at the<strong> fifth position among the countries of the world</strong> when it comes to the size of its <strong>energy economy.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>fourth largest solar installed capacity country</strong> in the world and<strong> third largest renewable energy installed capacity</strong> country in the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solar energy:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-may-miss-100-gw-solar-power-target-by-2022-crisil-report#:~:text=Jawaharlal%20Nehru%20National%20Solar%20Mission,of%2020%2C000%20MW%20by%202022.&amp;text=The%20target%20will%20principally%20comprise,Grid%20Connected%20Solar%20Power%20Projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM)</strong> </a>aimed to achieve<strong> 20 GW</strong> solar capacity by the year <strong>2022.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the target was increased from <strong>20 GW to 100 GW by 2022</strong> in the 2015 Union Budget of India.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s total solar power capacity alone has increased by more than 11 times since 2014 to June 2020, from <strong>2.6 GigaWatts (GW) to 38 GW.</strong></li>
<li>To encourage domestic production, the duties on <strong>solar inverters</strong> have been increased from <strong>5% to 20%,</strong> and on<strong> solar lanterns</strong> from<strong> 5% to 15%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Renewable energy:</strong> The Government of India had set a target of <strong>175 GW</strong> renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes <strong>60 GW from wind power, 100 GW from solar power, 10 GW from biomass power</strong> and<strong> 5 GW from small hydro power.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The renewable energy capacity in India is <strong>currently 136 Giga Watts,</strong> which is about <strong>36%</strong> of its total energy capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>2030 renewable targets</strong> were announced to be<strong> 450 gigawatt.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Green energy and infrastructure development:</strong> The budget primarily focuses on spending on infrastructure development and no infrastructure project can be completed without energy involved in it
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in the present context, the energy involved has to be<strong> clean energy.</strong></li>
<li>The solar energy at present is<strong> available at 2 rs/unit</strong> which is even cheaper than the energy generated from a new coal power plant.</li>
<li>The domestic manufacturing capacity has been enhanced by the PLI schemes for manufacturing solar panels.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through the 2021-22 budget, the PLI scheme has been extended to the 10 sectors including <strong>automobile, pharma,</strong> electronic/<strong>technology</strong> products and manufacturing of <strong>advanced chemical cells battery</strong> (for electric vehicles).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACCs)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ACCs are the new generation advanced storage technologies that can store electric energy either as electrochemical or as chemical energy and convert it back to electric energy as and when required.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Green Hydrogen</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Hydrogen Energy Mission is one of the biggest announcements in the union budget 2021-22, specifying the<strong> hydrogen as green hydrogen.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When hydrogen is extracted from water using electrolysis powered by renewable energy, it is called green hydrogen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Green hydrogen energy is vital for India to meet its <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/11-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) Targets</strong> </a>and ensure regional and national energy security, access and availability.</li>
<li>Currently, about<strong> 6 tonnes of hydrogen is produced</strong> in the country which will go up by <strong>5 times in 2050.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Why Green Hydrogen?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hydrogen can act as an<strong> energy storage option,</strong> which would be essential to meet intermittencies (of renewable energy) in the future.</li>
<li>In terms of mobility, for long distance mobilisations for either urban freight movement within cities and states or for passengers, it is a very promising initiative.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen can be used in railways, large ships, buses or trucks where electric-vehicles have a limitation for not having enough capacity for long distance travels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hydrogen has the potential to be the key renewable target in supporting infrastructure as well.</li>
<li>Hydrogen can be used:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As a carrier</li>
<li>As a fuel cum energy storage alternative for petrol and diesel</li>
<li>Directly as a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/clean-fuel-hydrogen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fuel</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Countries across the world such as <strong>Japan</strong> are banging on hydrogen as a future energy media.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Germany</strong> and many other <strong>EU countries</strong> have already set an<strong> ambitious green hydrogen policy.</strong></li>
<li>Even countries like<strong> UAE</strong> and <strong>Australia</strong> that are traditionally considered as the laggards of climate action have moved towards green hydrogen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In terms of challenges the <strong>cost of renewable electricity from</strong> hydrogen specifically, is the major problem. Public investments need to strategize and channel well.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, currently hydrogen is around <strong>$6- $8/kg</strong> which is a price too high to bring it into conventional use.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The other main hurdle is <strong>transporting hydrogen</strong> to long distances.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen in gaseous form is highly inflammable.</li>
<li>To ship liquid hydrogen, it needs to be chilled to -253&deg;C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Compared to other gases (or fuels),<strong> hydrogen lacks smell,</strong> which makes any<strong> leak detection almost impossible</strong> thus increasing the potential dangers.</li>
<li>To succeed as a renewable energy based economy, it is <strong>not just the manufacturing sector</strong> where India would want to excel but the<strong> entire supply chain.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, India is at about <strong>2-3 gw of solar photovoltaic</strong> module manufacturing capacity.</li>
<li>For the given 450 gw renewable targets for 2030, India needs <strong>30-40 gw of capacity addition</strong> of renewables per year which requires having:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Maximum domestic manufacturing capability</li>
<li>Increasing the custom duty on solar panels as it will incentivise domestic players in india to set up manufacturing of solar panels and making the entire supply chain robust.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pilot initiatives:</strong> India needs a strategy in place to launch such a big mission, such as a <strong>few pilot initiatives.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen is one of the alternative sources of energy that India really needs to consider from its energy security perspective and transportation or mobilisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Efforts at all levels:</strong> The budget perspective presses that a lot more needs to be done <strong>not only at center but at state level too.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More than 11 states in India now have rolled out their own electric mobility plans and are focussing not only at manufacturing or job but also in <strong>demand creation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exploring &ldquo;All&rdquo;ternatives:</strong> Not sticking to just one alternate resource but exploring other sources too.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For either intra or inter-city movements, different technologies can co-exist and can give different contributions.</li>
<li>1 kg of hydrogen can work about 100 km but roughly it would take 7-8 litres of petrol for the same distance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incentivising the concept of green and clean energy: Green labelling of products</strong> needs to be in place so that consumers are aware that what they are consuming is environment friendly.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to push them into using green energy, they must be<strong> made aware of the benefits</strong> of the energy they are consuming. Also, there can be<strong> extensive marketing and awareness campaigns.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building:</strong> It should not only be about awareness but also about building the capacity of the industries so that we have manufacturing in place and eventually more job opportunities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Planning a road map where we generate employment while setting up green energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusive expenditure on R&amp;D:</strong> There should be a good spending on R&amp;D and technology adoption in hydrogen energy and e-Vehicles because that is one area where India had a setback in Solar Photovoltaics.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More capital infusion in R&amp;D and infrastructure is needed to reap the benefits of various geographical locations in terms of solar energy and an emerging untapped option of hydrogen energy to replace conventional energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Moving towards Green Energy is indeed a win-win situation; it will lead to not only the usage of cleaner energy for a cleaner environment but also it will boost various sectors of manufacturing and employment.</li>
</ul>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-budget-2021-for-green-energy'
		],
		(int) 9 => [
			'title' => 'Mapping Seismic Hazard of Eastern Himalaya',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists have found the <strong>first geological evidence of an earthquake on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,</strong> documented as the <strong>Sadiya earthquake in history.</strong> This finding could contribute to a seismic hazard map of the eastern Himalaya, which can facilitate construction and planning in the region.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This site is near the <strong>Tuting-Tidding Suture Zone-</strong> a major part of the Eastern Himalaya, where the Himalaya takes a sharp southward bend and connects with the Indo-Burma Range.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists from <strong>Wadia Institute of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tectonically-active-zone-of-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Himalayan Geology</a> (WIHG)</strong> carried out a mega trench excavation at <strong>Himebasti village, Arunachal Pradesh</strong> where the most recent event records the imprints of the<strong> 1697 Sadiya earthquake</strong> and analysed it with modern geological techniques.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>WIHG is an<strong> autonomous institute</strong> under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Scientists found large tree trunks embedded in the<strong> youngest flood deposits at the exit of the Subansiri River</strong> (Sadiya town is located roughly 145 km southeast of Subansiri river), suggesting the <strong>post-seismic aggradation of the river</strong> following an array of<strong> aftershocks</strong> till six months.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Aggradation</strong> is the term used in geology for the increase in land elevation due to deposition of sediment.</li>
<li><strong>Aftershocks</strong> are earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are smaller than the mainshock and within 1-2 rupture lengths distance from the mainshock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Studying the past earthquakes help to <strong>determine the seismic potential</strong> of the region. This helps in mapping the earthquake hazard of the region and enables syncing the development activities accordingly.</li>
<li>Arunachal Pradesh, being near the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-China Border</strong></a>, and sometimes centre of dispute regarding its ownership, is strategically important. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A number of development initiatives like constructing roads, bridges and hydropower projects are being undertaken, therefore there is an urgent need for understanding the pattern of seismicity in this region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Hazard Map of India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is one of the highly earthquake affected countries<strong> because of the presence of tectonically active young fold mountains, Himalayas.</strong></li>
<li>India has been divided into <strong>four seismic zones (II, III, IV, and V)</strong> based on scientific inputs relating to seismicity, earthquakes occurred in the past and tectonic setup of the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Previously, earthquake zones were divided into five zones with respect to the severity of the earthquakes but the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bureau of Indian Standards</a> (BIS)</strong> grouped the country into four seismic zones by unifying the first two zones.</li>
<li>BIS is the official agency for publishing the seismic hazard maps and codes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612859443_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612859443_image5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seismic Zone II:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Area with minor damage earthquakes</strong> corresponding to intensities V to VI of MM scale (MM-Modified Mercalli Intensity scale).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone III:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Moderate damage</strong> corresponding to intensity VII of MM scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone IV:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Major damage</strong> corresponding to intensity VII and higher of MM scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone V:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Area determined by pro seismically of certain major fault systems and is seismically the most active region.</li>
<li><strong>Earthquake zone V is the most vulnerable to earthquakes,</strong> where historically some of the country&rsquo;s most powerful shocks have occurred.</li>
<li>Earthquakes with magnitudes in excess of 7.0 have occured in these areas, and have had intensities <strong>higher than IX.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Waves, Richter Scale and Mercalli scale:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seismic waves are the vibrations from earthquakes that travel through the Earth and are recorded on instruments called <strong>seismographs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Seismographs record a zigzag trace that shows the varying amplitude of ground oscillations beneath the instrument.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The earthquake events are scaled either according to the magnitude or intensity of the shock.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The magnitude scale is known as the<strong> Richter scale.</strong> The magnitude relates to the energy released during the earthquake which is expressed in absolute numbers, 0-10.</li>
<li>The intensity scale or <strong>Mercalli scale</strong> takes into account the visible damage caused by the event. The range of intensity scale is from 1-12.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1696073#:~:text=Scientists%20have%20found%20the%20first,the%20town%20in%201697%20CE." 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/mapping-seismic-hazard-of-eastern-himalaya'
		],
		(int) 10 => [
			'title' => 'Hunter Syndrome: MPS II',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Two brothers suffering from<strong> Mucopolysaccharidosis II or MPS II (Hunter Syndrome, Attenuated Type)</strong> have approached the Delhi High Court seeking direction to the Centre and AIIMS to provide them free treatment.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MPS II is a rare disease</strong> that is passed on in families.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> MPS II mostly <strong>affects boys</strong> and their bodies<strong> cannot break down a kind of sugar </strong>that <strong>builds bones, skin, tendons and other tissues.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cause:</strong> It is <strong>caused by changes (mutations) of the<em> IDS</em> gene</strong> that regulates the production of the iduronate 2-sulfatase (I2S) enzyme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This enzyme is <strong>needed to break-down complex sugars,</strong> known as <strong>glycosaminoglycans (GAGs),</strong> produced in the body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> Lack of I2S enzyme activity<strong> leads to the accumulation of GAGs within cells,</strong> specifically inside the <strong>lysosomes.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lysosomes are compartments in the cell that <strong>digest and recycle different types of molecules.</strong></li>
<li>Conditions that cause molecules to build up inside the lysosomes, including MPS II, are called <strong>lysosomal storage disorders.</strong></li>
<li>The accumulation of GAGs increases the size of the lysosomes, which is why <strong>many tissues and organs are enlarged in this disorder. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Symptoms:</strong> It is characterized by <strong>distinctive facial features, a large head, enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly),</strong> hearing loss, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Inheritance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>MPS II is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern, which means that this condition occurs almost exclusively in males. <strong>Females are generally unaffected carriers of this condition.</strong></li>
<li>In a family with more than one affected individual, the mother of the affected males must be a carrier. When a carrier female has a child, there is a 25% (1 in 4) chance that she will have an affected son.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rare Diseases</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A rare disease is a <strong>health condition of low prevalence</strong> that affects a small number of people compared with other prevalent diseases in the general population.</li>
<li>Though rare diseases are of low prevalence and individually rare, collectively they <strong>affect a considerable proportion of the population.</strong></li>
<li><strong>80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin</strong> and hence disproportionately impact children.</li>
<li>Recently, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to <strong>finalise the National Health Policy for Rare Diseases of 2020</strong> by March 2021 and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crowdfunding-for-rare-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>make operational provision of crowdfunding</strong></a> envisaged under the law for treatment of high-cost rare diseases.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hc-asks-govt-aiims-to-facilitate-free-treatment-of-children-with-rare-diseases/article33777103.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/hunter-syndrome-mps-ii'
		],
		(int) 11 => [
			'title' => 'China’s New Project in Sri Lanka',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a Chinese company has won a contract to set up <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential#:~:text=A%20Solar%2DWind%20Hybrid%20policy,resources%2C%20transmission%20infrastructure%20and%20land." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>hybrid wind and solar energy</strong> </a><strong>projects on three Sri Lankan islands</strong> off the northern Jaffna peninsula <strong>45 km from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asian-development-outlook-2019-strengthening-disaster-resilience-adb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asian Development Bank</a> (ADB)</strong> will fund the project, which will come up on <strong>Delft, Nainativu and Analativu,</strong> three islands in the <strong>Palk Strait off Jaffna peninsula.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612856515_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612856515_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Islands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delft, the largest of the three islands, is the <strong>closest to Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu,</strong> which lies to the island&rsquo;s south west.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Between the two is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fishermen-issue-with-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kachchativu</strong></a>, the tiny island that <strong>India ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974.</strong></li>
<li>The waters around these islands are an area of contest and<strong> rivalry between Tamil Nadu and Jaffna fishers.</strong></li>
<li>The matter has been on the bilateral agenda for decades.</li>
<li>India and Sri Lanka agreed to set up a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-joint-working-group-on-fisheries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries</a> in 2016</strong> between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India and Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka as the mechanism to help find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sri Lanka&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It cannot be blamed for this decision, because the<strong> project is backed by the ADB, which has its &ldquo;own procurement guidelines</strong> that should be followed by the borrower&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>project site&rsquo;s proximity to the Indian coastline.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chinese presence in the vicinity is not welcomed especially when India already has many unresolved issues with China.</li>
<li>This deal came at a time when <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s confrontation with China in Ladakh</strong></a> is yet to be resolved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, the Sri Lankan government cancelled the contract with India and Japan for the <strong>Eastern Container Terminal (ECT).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The tripartite agreement, signed by India, Sri Lanka and Japan, proposed to develop the ECT, which is located at the newly expanded southern part of the Colombo Port.</li>
<li>For India, the ECT deal was important as around 70% of transhipment that takes place through it is India-linked. The ECT is also considered more strategic than any other in Colombo Port.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India had lodged a<strong> strong protest</strong> with the Sri Lankan government on the contract to the Chinese company.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2018, <strong>India voiced concern over China&rsquo;s USD 300 million housing project</strong> for war-affected areas, accusing the Resettlement Ministry [of the former government] of holding an &ldquo;opaque&rdquo; bidding process. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The project was <strong>eventually dropped.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>China&rsquo;s Rising Influence in South Asia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Recent Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In January 2021 China held its<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-rising-influence-in-south-asia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> third multilateral dialogue</strong> </a>virtually <strong>with countries from South Asia</strong> to take forward closer cooperation on fighting<strong> Covid-19 and coordinating their economic agendas,</strong> reflecting a new approach in Beijing&rsquo;s outreach to the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the American Enterprise Institute&rsquo;s China Global Investment Tracker, <strong>China has committed around 100 billion USD in the economies of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is now the largest overseas investor in the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Security Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Growing cooperation between Pakistan and China.</li>
<li>Increasing nexus between Nepal and China.</li>
<li>Acceptance to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor by south asian countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leadership Roles in South Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It shows increasing chinese presence in south asia and its acceptance by the countries as a torch bearer for the region which India wants for itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Over the past decade, <strong>China has replaced India as the major trading partner of several South Asian countries.</strong></li>
<li>For instance, the share of India&rsquo;s trade with Maldives was 3.4 times that of China&rsquo;s in 2008. But by 2018, China&rsquo;s total trade with Maldives slightly exceeded that of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s trade with Bangladesh is now about twice that of India. China&rsquo;s trade with Nepal and Sri Lanka still lags India&rsquo;s trade with those countries but the gap has shrunk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India does not have the economic capacity as China. Thus it should<strong> cooperate with China for the development of these countries</strong> such that fruits of development collectively reach South Asia. Further <strong>India should invest in countries where China falls short</strong> and maintain its good will in South Asia and prevent these nations from slipping off from India&rsquo;s Influence.</li>
<li>Along with strongly condemning the plans for extension of the<strong> China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,</strong> India also <strong>needs to focus more on its traditional and cultural ties</strong> to improve relations with its neighbours.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-clears-chinese-energy-project-50-km-off-tamil-nadu/article33785609.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/china-s-new-project-in-sri-lanka'
		],
		(int) 12 => [
			'title' => 'Kuruba Community: Karnataka',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A massive rally was organised by the<strong> Kuruba community</strong> to urge the state government of<strong> Karnataka to recommend the Centre inclusion of the community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From Independence, the <strong>community enjoyed the ST status. </strong>In<strong> 1977,</strong> Justice <strong>LG Havanur,</strong> who headed the backward class commission, <strong>moved the Kurubas to the &lsquo;most backward classes&rsquo; category</strong> from ST list.</li>
<li>However, the Commission brought in an <strong>area restriction</strong> stating that those living in <strong>Bidar, Yadgir, Kalaburagi and Madikeri</strong> with Kuruba synonyms can continue to avail the ST benefits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Kurubas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kurubas of Karnataka are <strong>a traditional sheep rearing community.</strong></li>
<li>Presently, the Kurubas constitute<strong> 9.3% of the state&rsquo;s population</strong> and come under the <strong>backward classes category.</strong></li>
<li>Kurubas are the <strong>fourth largest caste</strong> in Karnataka after the <strong>Lingayats, Vokkaligas and Muslims.</strong></li>
<li>Kurubas in other states are known by different names &ndash; as <strong>Dhangars in Maharashtra, Rabaris or Raikas in Gujarat, Dewasis in Rajasthan and Gadarias in Haryana.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Developments:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Demands by Lingayat Community:</strong> Three years earlier, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/center-refuses-to-recognize-lingayat-as-separate-religion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lingayat community</a> demanded a separate minority religion tag</strong> in Karnataka.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Lingayat sub-sect Panchamasali</strong> has also <strong>demanded its inclusion in the 2A category of backward classes -</strong> which currently provides 15% reservations to backward castes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>J<strong>ustice HN Nagamohan Das Commission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Justice <strong>HN Nagamohan Das Commission</strong> was constituted to look into <strong>increasing the existing reservation for SCs from 15% to 17% and for the STs from 3% to 7%</strong> by not exceeding the overall <strong>50% reservation quota</strong> as mandated by the <strong>Supreme Court's order of 1992.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>If Kurubas</strong> are to be<strong> declared ST</strong> as per their demand, the <strong>quota for STs will have to be proportionally increased.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenge:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The larger issue is that<strong> the State has already hit the apex court set 50% cap on reservation</strong> and any hike poses a challenge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Present Reservation Quota in Karnataka:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Adhering to the Supreme Court&rsquo;s 1992 order, Karnataka has capped the reservation to 50%<strong> where 32% has been earmarked for backward classes,</strong> including Muslims, Christians and Jains, <strong>15% for SCs and 3% for STs.</strong></li>
<li>This reservation quota has been<strong> further pared into categories:</strong> Category 1 (4%), Category 2A (15%), Category 2B (4%), Category 3A (4%), Category 3B (5%), SC (15%) and ST (3%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612855081_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612855081_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="635" height="318" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Scheduled Tribe</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 366 (25) of the Constitution</strong> refers to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes#:~:text=As%20per%20Census%2D1931%2C%20Schedule,backward%20tribes%22%20in%20provincial%20assemblies." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Tribes</strong></a> as those communities, who are <strong>scheduled in accordance with Article 342 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 342</strong> says that only those communities who have been declared as such by the President through an initial public notification or through a subsequent amending Act of Parliament will be considered to be Scheduled Tribes.</li>
<li>The<strong> list of Scheduled Tribes is State/UT specific</strong> and a community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Essential Characteristics:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Constitution is silent about the criteria for specification of a community as a Scheduled Tribe.</strong> However, following are the traits that distinguish Scheduled Tribe communities from other communities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Primitiveness,</li>
<li>Geographical isolation,</li>
<li>Shyness, and</li>
<li>Social, educational and economic backwardness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are certain Scheduled Tribes, 75 in number known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), who are characterised by;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pre-agriculture level of technology,</li>
<li>Stagnant or declining population,</li>
<li>Extremely low literacy, and</li>
<li>Subsistence level of economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/at-massive-rally-kurubas-seek-scheduled-tribe-tag/article33776444.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/kuruba-community-karnataka'
		],
		(int) 13 => [
			'title' => 'India - Ukraine',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Ukraine has shown interest to procure some military hardware from India</strong> in addition to efforts to deepen its presence in the Indian defence market.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is in sync with Indian <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/urgency-of-defence-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>defence sector reforms</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a> which includes making India <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/self-reliance-in-defence-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self reliant in defence manufacturing.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ukraine has signed four agreements worth USD 70 million which includes sale of new weapons as well as maintenance and upgrades of existing ones <strong>(R-27 air-to-air missiles)</strong> in service with the Indian armed forces.</li>
<li>Ukraine also showed its intent to sell India its<strong> AN-178 medium transport aircraft.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ukraine is currently upgrading the AN-32 transport fleet of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-air-force-day#:~:text=India%20Air%20Force%20is%20the,the%20USA%2C%20China%20and%20Russia.&amp;text=Motto%20of%20the%20IAF%20is,chapter%20of%20the%20Bhagavad%20Gita.&amp;text=The%20Chief%20of%20Air%20Staff,command%20of%20the%20air%20force." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Air Force (IAF)</strong></a> under a deal finalised in 2009.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ukraine team also held discussions with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a> and looked at possible collaborations in research and development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-Ukraine Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Diplomatic Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Immediately after the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Government of India <strong>recognized the Republic of Ukraine as a sovereign independent country</strong> in December 1991.</li>
<li>The Embassy of India in Kyiv was established in May 1992 and Ukraine opened its Mission in New Delhi in February 1993.</li>
<li>India and Ukraine enjoy warm and friendly relations and cooperate in areas like Education, Mutual Legal Assistance and Outer Space cooperation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Relations:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ukraine has been a <strong>source of military technology and equipment</strong> for India since its independence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ukraine <strong>manufactures the R-27 air-to-air missiles</strong> which are in use by the IAF on its <strong>SU-30MKI fighters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Now, India is also supplying its weapons to Ukraine to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India is Ukraine&rsquo;s largest export destination in the Asia-Pacific</strong> and the <strong>fifth largest overall export destination. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong> account for the majority of Indian exports to Ukraine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There are more than 30 Ukrainian cultural associations/groups spread across the country, engaged in promoting Indian dances.</li>
<li>There are about 18,000 Indian students studying in Ukraine, mainly in the field of medicine. Indian business professionals work predominantly in the fields of pharmaceuticals, IT, engineering, medicine, education, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> rift between Russia and Ukraine,</strong> which burst out into armed combat when Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, has created a potential dilemma for India.</li>
<li>Recently, a Russian press release has objected to the overhaul in Ukraine of military equipment built and sold by Russia.</li>
<li>Russia has begun <strong>objecting to customers dealing with Ukraine.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The potential for trouble with Russia exists because the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently collaborating with Ukraine to overhaul its fleet of AN-32s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ukraine</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ukraine, a country located in eastern Europe. The capital is<strong> Kyiv (Kiev),</strong> located on the <strong>Dnieper River</strong> in north-central Ukraine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Surrounding Countries and Seas:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ukraine is bordered by Belarus to the north, Russia to the east, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea to the south, Moldova and Romania to the southwest, and Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland to the west.</li>
<li>In the far southeast, Ukraine is separated from Russia by the<strong> Kerch Strait,</strong> which connects the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. (the Soviet Union) in December 1991, Ukraine gained full independence.</li>
<li>The country changed its official name to Ukraine, and it helped to found the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an association of countries that were formerly republics of the Soviet Union.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Issues:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, Ukraine got at<strong> loggerheads with Russia over the occupation of Crimean peninsula</strong> by Russia.</li>
<li>In June 2020, Ukraine became &lsquo;Enhanced Opportunity Partners&rsquo; under the Partnership Interoperability Initiative of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nato-ally-status-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Ukraine is also seeking <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> and NATO membership, a move that could obstruct attempts to resolve other tensions with Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612849681_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612849681_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ukraine-looking-at-defence-purchases-from-india/article33774835.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/india-ukraine'
		],
		(int) 14 => [
			'title' => 'Infrastructure Push',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/infrastructure-push-now-fiscal-consolidation-later/article33776405.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Infrastructure push now, fiscal consolidation later&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 08/02/2021. It talks about the concerns related to infrastructure development in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Presently, the Indian economy is facing an acute economic crisis, triggered Covid-19 pandemic. The National Statistical Office has estimated that the economy would shrink by 7.7%. Against this background, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/budget-2021-highlights-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Budget 2021</strong></a> has provided a reasonable stimulus to infrastructure growth.</p>
<p>However, apart from concerns emanating from the rising fiscal deficit, infrastructure development in India has its own issues. Thus, if the Indian economy wants to reap intended benefits and minimize risks of contemplated fiscal stimulus, there is a need to carry out reforms that impede the development of Infrastructure.</p>
<h3>Some of the Proposed Budget Initiatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Setting up of a Development Finance Institution (DFI) with an initial capital of ₹20,000 crores, to serve as a catalyst for facilitating infrastructure investment.</li>
<li>The budgeted increase in capital outlay would provide the central government&rsquo;s share to the <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-national-infrastructure-pipeline-nip-dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>An important initiative pertains to the launching of a National Monetisation Pipeline. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would be the first practical step towards asset monetization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In order to manage the non-performing assets of public sector banks, there is a proposal to set up a Bad Bank.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related To Infrastructure Development</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Revenue Shortfall:</strong> Slippage in revenue estimates may not be ruled out on account of the realization of lower than anticipated increases in nominal GDP growth, direct tax buoyancy, and disinvestment targets.</li>
<li><strong>Lesser Funds With States:</strong> The Union government has accepted the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission#:~:text=The%2015th%20Finance%20Commission,April%202020%20to%20March%202025." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 15<sup>th</sup> Finance Commission report recommendation</strong></a>, according to which vertical share of tax devolution from the center to states has been reduced 42% to 41%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the central government increasingly resort to the imposition of cesses which are almost permanent have reduced the shareable pool.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Associated With Burgeoning Fiscal Deficit:</strong> Infrastructure development in India will be funded by fiscal stimulus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be reflected as the Centre has indicated taking the fiscal deficit to 4.5% of GDP by 2025-26.</li>
<li>However, the rising fiscal deficit can cause macro-economic stability issues like high inflation, crowding out, a downgrade of international ratings, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Associated With Bad Bank:</strong> Finding buyers for bad assets in a pandemic hit economy will be a challenge, especially when governments are facing the issue of containing the fiscal deficit.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bad-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bad bank idea</strong></a> is like shifting loans from one government pocket (the public sector banks) to another (the bad bank).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Structural Problems:</strong> Due to land acquisition delays and litigation issues, the rate of implementation of projects is very slow on global standards. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, getting approvals are very difficult in terms of land access, environmental clearances, impending litigation in court delays the infrastructure projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Multi-Stakeholder Approach:</strong> The success of the infrastructure expansion plan would depend on other stakeholders of the pipeline playing their due role. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include State governments and their public sector enterprises and the private sector.</li>
<li>In this context, the Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended the setting up of a High-Powered Intergovernmental Group to re-examine the fiscal responsibility legislations of the Centre and States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Infrastructure Pipeline:</strong> The NIP is a step in the right direction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, there is a need to facilitate the assimilation of data and information from all the stakeholders like Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies, Banks and Financial Institution, PE funds, and private investors, both local and foreign on one platform to increase accountability and transparency in the infrastructure sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Banking Reforms:</strong> So long as Public sector bank managements remain beholden to politicians and bureaucrats, their deficit in professionalism will remain and subsequently, prudential norms in lending will continue to suffer. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, the debate regarding setting up a bad bank must be preceded by proper implementation of holistic reforms in the banking sector, as envisaged under the IndraDhanush plan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Huge fiscal stimulus, provided by the government in the Budget 2021 is a step in the right direction. However, it needs to address structural and macroeconomic stability concerns, emanating from high public expenditure.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f8fff7;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>If the Indian economy wants to reap intended benefits and minimize risks of contemplated fiscal stimulus, there is a need to carry out reforms that impede the development of Infrastructure. Analyze.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/infrastructure-push'
		],
		(int) 15 => [
			'title' => 'Economic Impact of Judicial Decisions',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></a> has asked research organisation <strong>&lsquo;Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International&rsquo;</strong> to conduct a study on the<strong> &ldquo;economic impact&rdquo;</strong> <strong>of various judgments delivered by courts and tribunals</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/when-judges-legislate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;judicial activism&rsquo;</strong></a> of such courts and tribunals.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Judicial Activism:</strong> It implies the<strong> assertive role played by the judiciary</strong> to force the other two organs of the government (legislature and executive) to discharge their constitutional duties. It is<strong> also known as &ldquo;judicial dynamism&rdquo;.</strong> It is the<strong> antithesis of &ldquo;judicial restraint&rdquo;,</strong> which means the self-control exercised by the judiciary.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Conducting Organization:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The study is to be undertaken by the Jaipur-headquartered <strong>CUTS (Consumer Unity and Trust Society)</strong> Centre for Competition, Investment and Economic Regulation, that also has an international presence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a<strong> registered, recognised, non-profit, non-partisan, non-government organisation (NGO)</strong> pursuing social justice and economic equity both within and across borders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objective of the study aims a<strong> &ldquo;narrative building for sensitising the judiciary on the economic impact of their decisions&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It is to do an objective <strong>cost-benefit analysis of the economic impact of the decisions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Projects to be Studied:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Study intends to examine<strong> five major projects that have been &ldquo;impacted&rdquo; by judicial decisions of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Supreme Court (SC)</a></strong> or the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Projects to be analysed include the construction of an<strong> airport in Mopa, Goa;</strong> cessation of<strong> iron ore mining in Goa,</strong> and the shutting down of the <strong>Sterlite copper plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
<li>The others are decisions by the NGT involving <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unep-report-on-sand-mining" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sand mining</a>, and construction activities in the National Capital Region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It plans to do this by <strong>interviewing people who have been affected</strong> by the closure of the projects, environmental campaigners, experts and assessing the business impact of closure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The findings will be used as a <strong>training input for judges</strong> of commercial courts, NGT, High Courts and SC.</li>
<li>It would contribute to public discourse among policymakers for promoting an <strong>&ldquo;economically responsible approach by judiciary&rdquo;</strong> in its decisions.</li>
<li>The study is also a <strong>part of the larger umbrella project</strong> undertaken by NITI Aayog under which it wants to establish a<strong> judicial performance index,</strong> which would measure the performance of judges at district courts and subordinate levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2017, the same CUTS International had also conducted an assessment study on the economic impact of the SC&rsquo;s decision to <strong>impose a ban on the presence of liquor shops within 500 m of any highway.</strong></li>
<li>The study showed that <strong>cases which involve substantial social and economic dimensions need to be studied in detail</strong> to assess whether they are implementable in the first place and whether the loss to the economy outweighs the gains envisaged.</li>
<li>This could be done <strong>if Courts set up expert committees</strong> to study these aspects which can also engage economists to analyse the cost/benefits before a judgment is pronounced.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Supreme Court had established such expert group committees for cases in the past like the <strong>Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety</strong> under the Chairmanship of Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan in 2014 and <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-alters-lodhas-bcci-proposals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Justice Lodha Committee</a> set up in 2015</strong> for reforms within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), amongst others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612782274_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612782274_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/niti-aayog-orders-study-on-economic-impact-of-judicial-decisions-7178976/" 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/economic-impact-of-judicial-decisions'
		],
		(int) 16 => [
			'title' => 'Uttarakhand Flash Flood',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a<strong> glacial break</strong> in the <strong>Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand</strong> led to massive <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/south-asian-flash-flood-guidance-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Flash Flood</strong></a> in <strong>Dhauli Ganga</strong> and <strong>Alaknanda Rivers,</strong> damaging houses and the nearby <strong>Rishiganga power project.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In <strong>June 2013,</strong> flash floods in Uttarakhand wiped out settlements and took lives.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Cause of Flash Flood in Uttarakhand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It occurred in river Rishi Ganga due to the falling of a portion of <strong>Nanda Devi glacier</strong> in the river which<strong> exponentially increased the volume of water.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rishiganga meets Dhauli Ganga near Raini. So Dhauli Ganga also got flooded.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Power Projects Affected:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rishi Ganga Power Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a privately owned 130MW project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tapovan Vishnugad Hydropower Project on the Dhauliganga:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was a 520 MW run-of-rive<strong>r hydroelectric project</strong> being constructed on <strong>Dhauliganga River.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Several<strong> other projects on the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins</strong> in northwestern Uttarakhand have also been impacted by the flood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flash Floods:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These are<strong> sudden surges in water levels</strong> generally during or following an <strong>intense spell of rain.</strong></li>
<li>These are<strong> highly localised</strong> events of<strong> short duration</strong> with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood.</li>
<li>The flood situation <strong>worsens in the presence of choked drainage lines or encroachments</strong> obstructing the natural flow of water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a severe <strong>thunderstorm, hurricane, tropical storm, or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields.</strong></li>
<li>Flash Floods can also occur due to <strong>Dam or Levee Breaks, and/or Mudslides (Debris Flow).</strong></li>
<li>In areas on or near <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/pacific-ring-of-fire" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>volcanoes</strong></a>, flash floods have also occurred after eruptions, when glaciers have been melted by the intense heat.</li>
<li>The intensity of the rainfall, the location and distribution of the rainfall, the land use and topography, vegetation types and growth/density, soil type, and soil water- content all determine just how quickly the Flash Flooding may occur, and influence where it may occur.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Glaciers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Glaciers are a bulk of ice moving under its weight. It forms in areas where the amassing of snow goes beyond its ablation over many years.</li>
<li>They are generally seen in the snow-fields.</li>
<li>This largest freshwater basin covers around 10% of the land surface of the Earth.</li>
<li>According to the topography and the location of the glacier, it can be categorized as <strong>Mountain Glacier (Alpine Glaciers) or Continental Glacier (Ice Sheets).</strong></li>
<li>The Continental Glacier moves outward in all directions whereas the Mountain Glacier moves from a higher to a lower altitude.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Glaciers and Floods:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Glacial Lakes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Retreating glaciers, like several in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Himalayas</strong></a>, usually result in the formation of lakes at their tips, called <strong>proglacial lakes,</strong> often bound only by sediments and boulders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flood:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If the<strong> boundaries of these lakes are breached, it can lead to large amounts of water rushing down to nearby streams</strong> and rivers, gathering momentum on the way by picking up sediments, rocks and other material, and <strong>resulting in flooding downstream.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Climate change has driven erratic weather patterns like increased snowfall and rainfall, warmer winters has led to the melting of a lot of snow.</li>
<li>According to the latest assessment reports of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, glacier retreat and permafrost thaw are projected to decrease the stability of mountain slopes and increase the number and area of glacier lakes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dhauliganga</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origination:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It originates from <strong>Vasudhara Tal,</strong> perhaps the <strong>largest glacial lake</strong> in Uttarakhand.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Dhauliganga is one of the <strong>important tributaries of Alaknanda,</strong> the other being the <strong>Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakini and Bhagirathi.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Dhauliganga is joined by the <strong>Rishiganga river at Raini.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>It merges with the Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There it loses its identity and the <strong>Alaknanda flows southwest through Chamoli, Maithana, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag</strong> until it meets the Mandakini river, coming from the north at Rudraprayag.</li>
<li>After subsuming Mandakini, the Alaknanda carries on past Srinagar, before <strong>joining the Ganga at Devprayag.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alaknanda then disappears and the mighty <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ganga-rejuvenation-monitoring" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ganga</a></strong> carries on its journey, first flowing south then west through important pilgrimage centres such as Rishikesh and finally descending into the Indo-Gangetic plains at Haridwar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612781299_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612781299_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Nanda Devi National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is situated around the peak of Nanda Devi (7816 m) in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The park encompasses the <strong>Nanda Devi Sanctuary, a glacial basin</strong> surrounded by a ring of peaks, and drained by the <strong>Rishi Ganga through the Rishi Ganga Gorge.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Established:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Park was established as Sanjay Gandhi National Park by Notification in 1982 but was later renamed Nanda Devi National Park.</li>
<li>It was inscribed a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage Site</strong></a> <strong>by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</a> in 1988.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some 312 floral species that include 17 rare species have been found here. Fir, birch, rhododendron, and juniper are the main flora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Himalayan black bear, Snow leopard , Himalayan Musk Deer etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-glacier-break-flash-flood-rishiganga-7178446/" 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/uttarakhand-flash-flood'
		],
		(int) 17 => [
			'title' => 'Clean Fuel Hydrogen',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, researchers at the <strong>Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D)</strong> have come up with a way to <strong>generate clean fuel hydrogen from water at a low-cost.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a significant step towards efforts across the globe that are being made to look for cleaner and greener energy sources.</li>
<li>Hydrogen gas is a viable choice as<strong> a renewable substitute for fossil fuels,</strong> and can help <strong>mitigate emissions to reduce pollution.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The researchers at IIT-D have successfully split water by a process known as <strong>Sulphur-Iodine (SI) thermochemical hydrogen cycle (SI Cycle)</strong> to<strong> generate low-cost,</strong> clean hydrogen fuel for industrial consumption.</li>
<li>Generally in<strong> SI Cycle, the separation of Hydrogen from oxygen requires a high amount of heat</strong> (generally from non-renewable sources such as coal, oil and natural gas). This makes the large-scale production of hydrogen gas economically non viable and non environment friendly.</li>
<li>The main achievement has been <strong>designing a suitable catalyst</strong> for the energy intensive, corrosive step of sulphuric acid conversion to sulphur-dioxide and oxygen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sulfur-Iodine Cycle</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The sulfur&ndash;iodine cycle <strong>(SI cycle)</strong> is a three-step <strong>thermochemical cycle</strong> used to produce hydrogen. In this cycle, all the chemicals are recycled. The SI process requires an efficient source of heat.</li>
<li>Heat enters the cycle in high-temperature endothermic chemical reactions in the initial process and heat exits the cycle in the low-temperature exothermic reaction in the final stage of obtaining hydrogen gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three-Step Thermochemical Cycle: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Step 1:</strong> Iodide (I<sub>2</sub>) is reacted with Sulphur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) to produce Hydriodic acid (HI) and Sulphuric acid (H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>I<sub>2</sub> + SO<sub>2</sub> + 2 H<sub>2</sub>O &rarr; 2 HI + H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Step 2:</strong> The water, SO<sub>2</sub> and residual H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> is separated from the oxygen byproduct by condensation so as to obtain Hydriodic acid (HI).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>2 H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> &rarr; 2 SO<sub>2</sub> + 2 H<sub>2</sub>O + O<sub>2 </sub></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Step 3:</strong> It is the Hydriodic acid (HI) from which Hydrogen gas (H<sub>2</sub>) is obtained.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>2 HI &rarr; I<sub>2</sub> + H<sub>2</sub></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The difference between the heat entering and leaving the cycle exits the cycle in the form of the heat of combustion of the hydrogen produced.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Major<strong> challenges</strong> of the sulfur&ndash;iodine cycle are to<strong> reduce the surplus of water</strong> and iodine and find separation <strong>processes that consume less energy</strong> than distillation.</li>
<li>Traditionally development of the SI cycle has been pursued by several countries for hydrogen production with the <strong>Generation IV nuclear reactors.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of the Discovery: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enhancing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Enabling availability of of low cost hydrogen through this discovery will enhance and improve the application of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hydrogen-fuel-cell-based-bus-and-car-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hydrogen fuel cell technology</strong></a> which offers the advantages of a clean and reliable alternative energy source to applications such as &ndash; electric vehicles, primary and backup power for a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential buildings; and more futuristic-sounding applications like air taxis.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical power generator</strong> that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as by-products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Help Adhering Emission Targets:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It could help India to adhere to its commitment in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Climate Agreement</strong></a> and its <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/11-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) Targets</strong> </a>and ensure that its mobility in the future is with zero emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complements FAME India Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will complement the implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fame-ii-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FAME India Scheme</strong></a> launched with the objective to support hybrid/electric vehicles market development and manufacturing ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages of Hydrogen as Fuel: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Environment Friendly:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The advantage of using hydrogen as an energy carrier is that when it combines with oxygen<strong> the only byproducts are water and heat.</strong></li>
<li>No greenhouse gasses or other particulates are produced by the use of hydrogen fuel cells.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non Toxic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Hydrogen is a non-toxic substance</strong> that is rare for a fuel source. It is environmentally friendly and does not cause any harm or destruction to human health.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Highly Efficient:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hydrogen is an efficient energy type since it has the ability to convey a lot of energy for every pound of fuel compared to diesel or gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ideal Spaceship Fuel:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hydrogen energy&rsquo;s efficiency and power make it an ideal fuel source for spaceships. Its power is so high that it&rsquo;s able to quickly rocket spaceships to exploration missions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disadvantages of Hydrogen as fuel</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Compared to gas, hydrogen lacks smell, which makes any <strong>leak detection almost impossible.</strong></li>
<li>Hydrogen is a highly flammable and volatile substance, its potential dangers make its <strong>transportation and storage very challenging.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/iit-d-finds-way-for-low-cost-cleaner-fuel/article33777101.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/clean-fuel-hydrogen'
		],
		(int) 18 => [
			'title' => 'Odisha’s Border Disputes',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why In News</h3>
<p>Recently, a <strong>border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh</strong> once again resurfaced when Andhra Pradesh announced panchayat polls in three villages of<strong> Kotia panchayat</strong> in Koraput district of Odisha.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Border Disputes of Odisha:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612772987_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612772987_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Odisha was <strong>carved out of the Bengal-Bihar-Odisha province</strong> on 1<sup>st</sup> April, 1936, but the inter-state border disputes continue even today.</li>
<li>Odisha continues to have <strong>unresolved border disputes with four neighbouring States</strong> in its 8 out of 30 districts.</li>
<li>14 of the 30 districts <strong>share borders with Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.</strong> However, the <strong>disputes over Kotia villages in Koraput district bordering Andhra Pradesh</strong> is the <strong>only major border conflict. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Kotia Dispute:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are <strong>locked in a territorial dispute over Kotia gram panchayat since 1960.</strong> Disputes pertain over <strong>21 villages</strong> in Kotia gram panchayat.</li>
<li>Residents of Kotia panchayat<strong> receive benefits from both Pottangi block in Koraput and Salur in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh.</strong> They depend on both the blocks for their day to day activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Water Dispute with Andhra Pradesh:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2006, Odisha sent a complaint to the Central Government under Section 3 of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/call-of-the-river" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956</strong></a> regarding its water disputes with Andhra Pradesh pertaining to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vamsadhara-river-water-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inter-State River Vamsadhara.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disputes with Other States:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>West Bengal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Odisha and West Bengal have disputes over 27 plots in Balasore District and some areas in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.</li>
<li><strong>Mayurbhanj district</strong> is known for its<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/mining-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> iron ore reserves</strong></a> and <strong>Chhau dance</strong> (a tribal dance in which dancers wear colorful masks).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jharkhand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The border dispute between Odisha and Jharkhand arises due to change in course of river <strong>Baitarani.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Baitarani river</strong> originates from the hill ranges of Keonjhar district of Odisha.</li>
<li>It is <strong>an east flowing river</strong> of peninsular India, flowing eastward and joining the Bay of Bengal.</li>
<li>Major portion of its catchment lies in the state of Odisha and a small patch of the upper reach falls in Jharkhand.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chhattisgarh:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With Chhattisgarh, Odisha has disputes relating to villages in Nabarangpur and Jharsuguda district.</li>
<li>The Central Government constituted <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/inter-state-river-water-sharing-disputes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal</strong> </a>in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Inter state dialogues, deliberations in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/western-zonal-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inter State councils</strong> </a>and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/tribunals-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribunals</strong></a> and sticking the spirit of<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/cooperative-and-competitive-federalism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Cooperative federalism</strong> </a>should be adopted to resolve such disputes.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/border-dispute-naveenflayed-over-kotia-polls/article33763898.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/odisha-s-border-disputes'
		],
		(int) 19 => [
			'title' => 'Pacific Ring of Fire',
			'catname' => 'Paper 1',
			'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ring of Fire,</strong> also referred to as the<strong> Circum-Pacific Belt,</strong> is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is largely a result of<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/tectonic-plates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Plate Tectonics</strong></a> where <strong>massive Pacific Plate</strong> interacts with less-dense plates surrounding it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> majority of Earth&rsquo;s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes</strong> take place along the Ring of Fire.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The next most seismically active region (5-6% of earthquakes) is the <strong>Alpide belt</strong> (extends from Mediterranean region, eastward through Turkey, Iran, and northern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Geographical Stretch of Ring of Fire</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ring of Fire is stretched to approximately <strong>40,000 kilometers</strong> (24,900 miles) tracing boundaries between several tectonic plates including the <strong>Pacific, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca, North American, </strong>and <strong>Philippine Plates.</strong></li>
<li>The chain runs up along the<strong> western coast of South and North America,</strong> crosses over the <strong>Aleutian Islands in Alaska,</strong> runs down the <strong>eastern coast of Asia past New Zealand</strong> and into the <strong>northern coast of Antarctica.</strong></li>
<li>Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, United States, Canada, Russia, Japan, Philippines, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Antarctica are some of the<strong> important places located in the ring of the fire.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612769443_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612769443_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Features of Ring of Fire</h3>
<p><strong>Active volcanoes:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ring of Fire is home to<strong> more than 450 active and dormant volcanoes</strong> (75% of Earth&rsquo;s total volcanoes) forming a semicircle or horse shoe around the rim of the Pacific Ocean.</li>
<li>Most of the active volcanoes on the Ring of Fire are found on its<strong> western edge,</strong> from Russia to New Zealand. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Major volcanic events that have occurred within the Ring of Fire since 1800 including the eruptions of Mount Tambora, Indonesia (1815), Mount Ruiz, Columbia (1985), and Mount Pinatubo, Philippines (1991).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Mount Tambora of Indonesia,</strong> which erupted in 1815 was the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is now 2,851 metres (9,354 feet) high after losing much of its top in the 1815 eruption.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand</strong> is one of the more active volcanoes in the Ring of Fire, with<strong> yearly minor eruptions,</strong> and major eruptions occurring about every 50 years.</li>
<li><strong>Krakatoa, an island volcano,</strong> erupts less often than Mount Ruapehu, but<strong> much more spectacularly.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An infamous eruption in <strong>1883</strong> destroyed the entire island, sending volcanic gas, volcanic ash, and rocks as high as <strong>80 kilometers (50 miles) in the air.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mount Fuji,</strong> Japan&rsquo;s tallest and most famous mountain, is an active volcano in the Ring of Fire.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mount Fuji sits at a<strong> &ldquo;triple junction&rdquo;,</strong> where three tectonic plates (the<strong> Amur Plate, Okhotsk Plate,</strong> and <strong>Philippine Plate</strong>) interact.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ring of Fire&rsquo;s <strong>eastern half</strong> also has a number of active volcanic areas, including the<strong> Aleutian Islands, the Cascade Mountains</strong> in the western U.S., the <strong>Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt,</strong> and the<strong> Andes Mountains.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mount St. Helens,</strong> in the U.S. state of Washington, is an<strong> active volcano in the Cascade Mountain.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It lies on a particularly weak section of crust, which makes it more prone to eruptions. Its historic <strong>1980 eruption lasted 9 hours</strong> and covered nearby areas in tons of volcanic ash.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Popocat&eacute;petl</strong> is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the Ring of Fire. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The mountain is one of Mexico&rsquo;s most active volcanoes, with<strong> 15 recorded eruptions since 1519.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Earthquakes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>90%</strong> of earthquakes occur along its path, including the planet&rsquo;s most violent and dramatic seismic events.</li>
<li>The Ring of Fire has been the setting for the <strong>most devastating earthquakes</strong> in recorded history, including the Chile earthquake of 1960 and 2010, the Alaska earthquake of 1964, and the Japan earthquake of 2011 as well as the earthquake that produced the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Valdivia Earthquake of Chile,</strong> occurred in 1960, was the<strong> strongest</strong> recorded earthquake at <strong>9.5 out of 10</strong> on the Richter scale.</li>
<li>The Chile Earthquake is closely followed by the <strong>Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964</strong> (magnitude <strong>9.2</strong>)</li>
<li>The<strong> Northern Sumatra earthquake</strong> (the <strong>Indian Ocean Tsunami</strong>), December 26, 2004 (magnitude 9.1)</li>
<li>The<strong> Earthquake on the East Coast of Honshu,</strong> Japan on March 11, 2011 (magnitude <strong>9.0</strong>) which led to a tsunami and ultimately the <strong>nuclear disaster at Fukushima.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Island Arcs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They are long, curved chains of<strong> oceanic islands</strong> associated with <strong>intense volcanic and seismic activity and orogenic</strong> (mountain-building) processes.</li>
<li>An island arc typically has a<strong> land mass or a partially enclosed, unusually shallow sea</strong> on its concave side.</li>
<li>Along the convex side there almost invariably exists a long, <strong>narrow deep-sea trench.</strong></li>
<li>The greatest ocean depths are found in these depressions of the seafloor, as in the case of the <strong>Mariana (deepest trench in the world) and Tonga trenches.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Prime examples of this form of geologic feature include the <strong>Aleutian-Alaska Arc</strong> and the<strong> Kuril-Kamchatka Arc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Trenches</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ocean trenches are steep depressions in the deepest parts of the ocean where an old ocean crust from one tectonic plate is pushed beneath another plate, raising mountains, causing earthquakes, and forming volcanoes on the seafloor and on land.</li>
<li>The ring of fire is home to the<strong> deepest ocean trench,</strong> called the<strong> Mariana Trench.</strong> It is a 7-mile-deep trench.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Other trenches in the region are: Philippine Trench, Challenger trench, Kuril- Kamchatka Trench, Peru&ndash;Chile Trench and Tonga Trench.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The presence of oceanic trenches indicates tectonic instability extending into the mantle of the earth. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The trench is probably the oldest part of the structure, is the seat of normal-depth earthquake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cause of Frequent Earthquakes and Volcanism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ring of Fire is the result of tectonic plates which are huge slabs of the Earth&rsquo;s crust, fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sometimes these moving plates collide, or move apart, or slide next to each other, which lead to the formation of <strong>convergent, divergent or transform boundaries</strong> (respectively).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This constant <strong>collision, diversion or sliding-past-each-other movement</strong> of tectonic plates results in <strong>deep ocean trenches, volcanic eruptions, and earthquake epicenters</strong> along the boundaries where the plates meet, called<strong> fault lines.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Volcanoes are created through the process of <strong>subduction</strong> and most of the planet's <strong>subduction zones</strong> happen to be located in the Ring of Fire.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A significant&nbsp;<strong>exception</strong> is the border between the<strong> Pacific and North American Plates.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This stretch of the Ring of Fire is a<strong> transform boundary,</strong> where plates move sideways past one another.</li>
<li>This type of boundary <strong>generates a large number of earthquakes</strong> as tension in Earth&rsquo;s crust builds up and is released.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Subduction:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Subduction happens when tectonic plates shift, and one plate is pushed under another. This movement of the ocean floor produces a <strong>"mineral transmutation",</strong> which leads to the melting and solidification of magma i.e., the <strong>formation of volcanoes.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In other words, when a "downgoing" oceanic plate is pushed into a hotter mantle plate, it heats up, volatile elements mix, and this produces the magma. The magma then rises up through the overlying plate and spurts out at the surface.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A subduction zone is the <strong>biggest crash scene on Earth.</strong> These <strong>boundaries mark the collision</strong> between two tectonic plates.</li>
<li>When two tectonic plates meet at a subduction zone, one bends and slides underneath the other, curving down into the mantle, the hotter layer under the crust.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612769526_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612769526_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Source of Geothermal Resources</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World&rsquo;s <strong>largest geothermal energy resources (more than 40%)</strong> are stored in the Pacific Ring of Fire.</li>
<li>Geothermal resources are highly<strong> associated with the active plate boundary</strong> (divergent or convergent plate type) where volcanism or frequent earthquakes have occurred.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The region is tectonically a very much active region, and as a result, it has <strong>stored a lot of heat which can be used as geothermal resources.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Around <strong>13 GW</strong> (till 2015) power generations had been installed on the basis of geothermal resources in the world where more than<strong> 6 GW</strong> have been found in the ring of fire region.</li>
<li>The geothermal energy resources can be utilized both for<strong> electricity generation</strong> and <strong>direct uses.</strong></li>
<li>Roughly estimated <strong>more than 110 GW electricity generation capabilities</strong> of geothermal resources can be found in this region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recent Research</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Pacific Plate,</strong> which drives much of the tectonic activity in the Ring of Fire, is <strong>cooling off.</strong></li>
<li>Scientists have discovered that the <strong>youngest parts of the Pacific Plate</strong> (about 2 million years old) are cooling off and <strong>contracting at a faster rate</strong> than older parts of the plate (about 100 million years old).</li>
<li>The younger parts of the plate are<strong> found in its northern and western parts;</strong> the most active parts of the Ring of Fire.</li>
</ul>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Arka Shubha: New Marigold Variety',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR)</strong> has developed a new marigold variety named <strong>Arka Shubha.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>High Carotene Content:</strong> Arka Shubha has carotene content of around 2.8% (for all marigolds, it's maximum upto 1.4%) which is the highest among all plant sources.</li>
<li><strong>Used after Spoiled:</strong> This new variety of marigold can be used for extraction of crude carotene even if spoiled after full bloom, unlike that of other varieties.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Ornamental &amp; Carotene Extraction:</strong> This new variety not only has ornamental purpose but is also a good source of crude carotene.</li>
<li><strong>Poultry Feed:</strong> Its petals could be used as poultry feed to get quality yolk.</li>
<li><strong>Reduce Import Dependency:</strong> India imports most of its carotene from other countries, including China. This development can significantly reduce import dependency. Therefore, both cultivation area and investment on carotene extraction should be increased.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Carotene</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Carotenes are carotenoid pigments that are oxygen-free. Mostly they are unsaturated hydrocarbons that contain only carbon and hydrogen.</li>
<li>Their color varies from yellow to orange to red. The color is attributed to the chain of alternating single and double bonds.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Carotene is responsible for the orange colour of carrots.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>&alpha;-carotene, &beta;-carotene, and lycopene are examples of carotenes.</li>
<li>Carotene is used in the pharmaceutical sector, there is always a high demand for it.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Indian Institute of Horticultural Research</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Indian Institute of Horticultural Research <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-council-of-agricultural-research" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>(Indian Council of Agricultural Research)</strong></a> is an autonomous organization under the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Ministry of Agriculture &amp; Farmers Welfare.</li>
<li>IIHR has a<strong> main research station at Bengaluru</strong> and regional experiment stations at Bhubaneswar in Orissa and Chettalli in Karnataka with two Krishi Vigyan Kendras.</li>
<li>The institute's main research agenda was to increase the yields of horticultural crop varieties by developing high yielding varieties in fruits, vegetables, ornamentals and medicinal products.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/bengaluru-scientists-develop-new-marigold-variety/article33795721.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source :TH</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Sedition Law',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Supreme Court</strong> </a>protected a political leader and six senior journalists from arrest in multiple <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sedition-law-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>sedition</strong></a> FIRs registered against them.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Historical Background of Sedition Law:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sedition laws were <strong>enacted in 17<sup>th</sup> century England</strong> when lawmakers believed that <strong>only good opinions of the government should survive,</strong> as bad opinions were detrimental to the government and monarchy.</li>
<li>The law was originally drafted<strong> in 1837 by Thomas Macaulay, the British historian-politician,</strong> but was <strong>inexplicably omitted when the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/a-road-map-for-criminal-justice-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Penal Code (IPC)</a> was enacted in 1860.</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/why-indias-sedition-law-needs-to-be-buried" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Section 124A</a> was inserted in 1870</strong> by an amendment introduced <strong>by Sir James Stephen</strong> when it felt the need for a specific section to deal with the offence. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was one of the many draconian laws enacted to stifle any voices of dissent at that time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612950997_image7.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612950997_image7.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="617" height="353" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sedition Law Today:</strong> Sedition is <strong>a crime under Section 124A of the Indian Penal Code</strong> (IPC).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Section 124A IPC:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It defines sedition as an offence committed when <strong>"any person by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred</strong> or contempt, or excites or attempts to <strong>excite disaffection towards the government</strong> established by law in India".</li>
<li>Disaffection includes <strong>disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.</strong> However, comments without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, will not constitute an offence under this section.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Punishment for the Offence of Sedition:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Sedition is a <strong>non-bailable offence.</strong> Punishment under the Section 124A ranges from <strong>imprisonment up to three years to a life term,</strong> to which fine may be added.</li>
<li>A person charged under this law is<strong> barred from a government job.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>They have to live without their passport and must produce themselves in the court at all times as and when required.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Supreme Court Decisions on Sedition Law:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The SC highlighted debates over sedition in<strong> 1950</strong> in its decisions in <em><strong>Brij Bhushan vs the State of Delhi</strong> </em>and <strong><em>Romesh Thappar vs the State of Madras.</em></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In these cases, the court held that a law which <strong>restricted speech on the ground that it would disturb public order was unconstitutional.</strong></li>
<li>It also held that <strong>disturbing the public order will mean nothing less than endangering the foundations of the State</strong> or threatening its overthrow.</li>
<li>Thus, these decisions prompted the <strong>First Constitution Amendment, where <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/supreme-court-on-right-to-protest#:~:text=Article%2019%20confers%20upon%20citizens,or%20inaction%20of%20the%20State." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Article 19</a> (2) was rewritten to replace &ldquo;undermining the security of the State&rdquo; with &ldquo;in the interest of public order&rdquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>1962,</strong> the SC decided on the constitutionality of Section 124A in <em><strong>Kedar Nath Singh vs State of Bihar.</strong></em><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It upheld the constitutionality of sedition, but <strong>limited its application</strong> to &ldquo;acts involving intention or tendency to create disorder, or disturbance of law and order, or incitement to violence&rdquo;.</li>
<li>It<strong> distinguished these</strong> from &ldquo;very strong speech&rdquo; or the use of &ldquo;vigorous words&rdquo; strongly critical of the government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In <strong>1995,</strong> the SC, in <em><strong>Balwant Singh vs State of Punjab</strong></em>, held that mere sloganeering which evoked no public response did not amount to sedition.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments in Support of Section 124A:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Section 124A of the IPC has its utility in <strong>combating anti-national, secessionist and terrorist elements.</strong></li>
<li>It<strong> protects the elected government from attempts to overthrow</strong> the government with violence and illegal means. The continued existence of the government established by law is an essential condition of the <strong>stability of the State.</strong></li>
<li>If <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/contempt-of-court-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>contempt of court</strong></a> invites penal action, contempt of government should also attract punishment.</li>
<li>Many districts in different states face a <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/naxalism-left-wing-extremism-internal-security-threat-vulnerabilities" target="_blank" rel="noopener">maoist insurgency</a> and rebel groups virtually run a parallel administration.</strong> These groups openly advocate the overthrow of the state government by revolution.</li>
<li>Against this backdrop, the abolition of Section 124A would be ill-advised merely because it has been wrongly invoked in some highly publicized cases.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Arguments against Section 124A:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Section 124A is a<strong> relic of colonial legacy</strong> and unsuited in a democracy. It is a constraint on the legitimate exercise of<strong> constitutionally guaranteed freedom of speech and expression.</strong></li>
<li>Dissent and criticism of the government are essential ingredients of robust public debate in a vibrant democracy. They should not be constructed as sedition. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Right to question, criticize and change rulers is very fundamental to the idea of democracy.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>British, who introduced sedition to oppress Indians,</strong> have themselves abolished the law in their country. There is no reason why India should not abolish this section.</li>
<li>The<strong> terms used</strong> under Section 124A like 'disaffection' are<strong> vague and subject to different interpretations to the whims and fancies</strong> of the investigating officers.</li>
<li>IPC and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unlawful-activities-prevention-act-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 2019</strong></a> have provisions that penalize "disrupting the public order" or "overthrowing the government with violence and illegal means". These are sufficient for protecting national integrity. There is no need for Section 124A.</li>
<li>The sedition law is <strong>being misused as a tool to persecute political dissent.</strong> A wide and concentrated executive discretion is inbuilt into it which permits the blatant abuse.</li>
<li>In 1979, India<strong> ratified the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/protesting-is-a-fundamental-right-un#:~:text=The%20ICCPR%20is%20a%20key,International%20Bill%20of%20Human%20Rights." target="_blank" rel="noopener">International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)</a>,</strong> which sets forth internationally recognized standards for the protection of freedom of expression. However, misuse of sedition and arbitrary slapping of charges are inconsistent with India's international commitments.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India is the largest democracy of the world and the <strong>right to free speech and expression is an essential ingredient of democracy.</strong> The expression or thought that is not in consonance with the policy of the government of the day should not be considered as sedition.</li>
<li><strong>Section 124A should not be misused</strong> as a tool to curb free speech. The SC caveat, given in Kedar Nath case, on prosecution under the law can check its misuse. It needs to be <strong>examined under the changed facts and circumstances</strong> and also on the anvil of ever-evolving tests of <strong>necessity, proportionality and arbitrariness.</strong></li>
<li>The higher judiciary should use its supervisory powers to <strong>sensitize the magistracy and police to the constitutional provisions protecting free speech.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>definition of sedition should be narrowed down,</strong> to include only the issues pertaining to the territorial integrity of India as well as the sovereignty of the country.</li>
<li>The<strong> word &lsquo;sedition&rsquo; is extremely nuanced and needs to be applied with caution.</strong> It is like a cannon that ought not to be used to shoot a mouse; but the arsenal also demands possession of cannons, mostly as a deterrent, and on occasion for shooting.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/republic-day-violence-sc-stays-arrest-of-shashi-tharoor-rajdeep-sardesai-and-five-journalists/article33789972.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source: TH</strong></a></p>',
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		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sedition-law-2'
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	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Eco-Sensitive Zone Around Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <strong>draft notification of the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC)</strong> on an<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/eco-sensitive-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ)</strong> </a>which runs around the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/wayanad-wildlife-sanctuary" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS)</strong> </a>has triggered protests in Wayanad (Kerala).</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Draft Notification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The 118.5 sq km area has been earmarked as an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), of which 99.5 sq km is outside the sanctuary and the remaining 19 sq km comprises revenue villages within the sanctuary.</li>
<li>There will be<strong> restrictions on several human activities in ESZ,</strong> including a ban on all new and existing mining, stone quarrying and crushing units and new industries causing pollution.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It <strong>also includes a ban on establishment of major hydroelectric projects</strong> and setting up of new sawmills, brick kilns and commercial use of firewood within ESZ.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Besides,<strong> no new commercial hotels and resorts shall be permitted</strong> within 1km of the boundary of the protected area or up to the extent of ESZ, whichever is nearer.</li>
<li>It also <strong>bars felling of trees in private lands without prior permission of the competent authority</strong> in the state government.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Purpose of the Notification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is <strong>an important step towards ensuring the safety of people</strong> around the Wildlife Sanctuary, because the lives of farmers on the forest fringes is miserable owing to the <strong>increasing incidents of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/man-animal-conflict-to-be-listed-as-disaster-by-up-govt" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wild animal attacks</a>.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As many as 147 persons were killed in wildlife attacks in the district in the past 38 years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As many as 57 enclosure villages situated inside WWS fall within the eco-sensitive zone.</li>
<li>Critics have argued that the draft notification <strong>would cripple both agriculture and business sectors</strong> and will deal a blow to the district as the notification imposes curbs on vehicular traffic.</li>
<li>It will <strong>badly affect the lives of thousands of farmers</strong> on the fringes of the sanctuary.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As much as 29,291 acres of private land on the fringes of the sanctuary would come under the zone and the development of this area would stop for ever.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612948691_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612948691_image6.png" style="float: right;" caption="false" width="358" height="501" /></a></strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Located in Kerala, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) is an<strong> integral part of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nilgiri-elephant-corridor-case" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve</a>.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Spread over 344.44 sq km, WWS is contiguous to the tiger reserves of Nagerhole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu.</li>
<li><strong>Kabini river (a tributary of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/godavari-and-cauvery-river-interlinking-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cauvery river</a>)</strong> flows through the sanctuary.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong> It was declared a Sanctuary in the year 1973.</li>
<li><strong>Biodiversity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> forest types</strong> include South Indian Moist Deciduous forests, West coast semi-evergreen forests and plantations of teak, eucalyptus and Grewelia.</li>
<li>Elephant, Gaur, Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Spotted deer, Barking deer, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Nilgiri langur, Bonnet macaque, Common langur, Wild dog, common otter, Malabar giant squirrel etc. are the major mammals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Eco-Sensitive Zones</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Eco-Sensitive Zones or Ecologically Fragile Areas are <strong>areas within 10 kms around Protected Areas, National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In case of places with sensitive corridors, connectivity and ecologically important patches, crucial for landscape linkage, <strong>even areas beyond 10 km width can be included</strong> in the eco-sensitive zone.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>ESZs are<strong> notified by MoEFCC,</strong> under <strong>Environment Protection Act, 1986.</strong></li>
<li>The basic aim is <strong>to regulate certain activities</strong> around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries so as to minimise the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>There is a need for rethinking on the impacts of the environmental policies at the local level, the type and prospects of local participation and most importantly the prospects of alternative income generating opportunities for successful conservation initiatives.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/kerala-cm-takes-up-sanctuary-zone-issue/article33785872.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/eco-sensitive-zone-around-wayanad-wildlife-sanctuary'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'NDMA Guidelines to Tackle Glacial Bursts',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A <strong>Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)</strong> is suspected to have <strong>caused the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uttarakhand-flash-flood" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flash floods</a>&nbsp;</strong>in <strong>Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In October 2020, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-disaster-management-authority-ndma-" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)</strong></a> had issued detailed guidelines on how to reduce and deal with disasters caused by GLOFs/Glacial Bursts.</li>
<li>The NDMA guidelines suggest that risk reduction can be done by<strong> identifying and mapping potentially dangerous lakes, taking structural measures to prevent their sudden breach,</strong> and establishing mechanisms to save lives and property in times of a breach.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF): </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Meaning:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A GLOF refers to the flooding that occurs <strong>when the water dammed by a glacier or a moraine</strong> (accumulations of dirt and rocks fallen onto the glacier surface) <strong>is released suddenly.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When glaciers melt, the water in glacial lakes accumulates behind loose, natural &ldquo;glacial/moraine dams&rdquo; made of ice, sand, pebbles and ice residue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Unlike earthen dams, the weak structure of the moraine dam<strong> leads to the abrupt breach of the dam on top of the glacial lake</strong> which could cause flash floods in the downstream areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to NDMA, <strong>glacial retreat due to climate change</strong> occurring in most parts of the <strong>Hindu Kush Himalaya</strong> has given rise to the <strong>formation of numerous new glacial lakes,</strong> which are the <strong>major cause of GLOFs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Glacial Lakes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Glacial lakes are <strong>typically formed at the foot of a glacier.</strong></li>
<li>As glaciers move and flow, they erode the soil and sediment around them, leaving depressions and grooves on the land. Meltwater from the glacier fills up the hole, making a lake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Types:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Lakes form when meltwater ponds, and this can happen on the ice surface <strong>(supraglacial lakes),</strong> in front of the ice<strong> (proglacial lakes),</strong> or even underneath the ice <strong>(subglacial lakes).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Glacier lakes can <strong>affect ice flow</strong> by reducing friction at the ice-bed interface, encouraging basal sliding.</li>
<li>They can <strong>change the albedo of the ice surface,</strong> encouraging more surface melt.</li>
<li>Proglacial lakes <strong>cause <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/iceberg-a68a#:~:text=Calving%20of%20Glaciers&amp;text=Calving%20is%20the%20glaciological%20term,is%20known%20as%20dry%20calving." target="_blank" rel="noopener">calving</a>,</strong> which affects mass balance and can decouple mountain glaciers from climate.</li>
<li>Glacier lakes can be hazardous; moraine and ice dams can fail, <strong>causing catastrophic glacier lake outburst floods</strong> or jokulhlaups.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increase in Number of Glacial Lakes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to recent studies, <strong>there has been a rapid increase in the number of glacial lakes due to a retreat in the glaciers</strong> caused by warming temperatures (due to global warming), and their potential to cause large scale flooding and destruction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Kedarnath tragedy in 2013,</strong> for example, had involved a breach in a large glacial lake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>According to a study sponsored by the <a href="/daily-news-analysis/central-water-commission-on-kerala-floods#:~:text=of%20a%20reservoir.-,Central%20Water%20Commission%20(CWC),the%20Ministry%20of%20Water%20Resources." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Central Water Commission (CWC)</strong></a>, conducted during 2011-15, there are 352, 283 and 1,393 glacial lakes and water bodies in the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra basins respectively.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Guidelines on Risk Reduction: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Identifying Potentially Dangerous Lakes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Potentially dangerous lakes <strong>can be identified</strong> based on field observations, records of past events, geomorphologic and geotechnical characteristics of the lake/dam and surroundings, and other physical conditions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Use of Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Promoting use of <strong>Synthetic-Aperture Radar imagery</strong> (a form of radar that is used to create two-dimensional images) <strong>to automatically detect changes in water bodies,</strong> including new lake formations, during the monsoon months.</li>
<li>Methods and protocols could also be developed to<strong> allow remote monitoring of lake bodies from space.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Channeling Potential Floods:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To manage lakes structurally, the NDMA recommends <strong>reducing the volume of water with methods such as controlled breaching,</strong> pumping or siphoning out water, and making a tunnel through the moraine barrier or under an ice dam.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Uniform Codes for Construction Activity:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Developing a broad framework for <strong>infrastructure development, construction and excavation</strong> in vulnerable zones.</li>
<li>There is a need to accept<strong> procedures for land use planning</strong> in the GLOF prone areas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Enhancing Early Warning Systems (EWS):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The number of implemented and operational GLOF EWS is very small, even at the global scale.</li>
<li>In the Himalayan region, there are at<strong> three reported instances</strong> (two in Nepal and one in China) of implementation of sensor- and monitoring-based technical systems for GLOF early warning.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Training Local Manpower:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Apart from pressing specialised forces such as National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/59th-raising-day-of-the-itbp" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ITBP</strong> </a>and the Army, NDMA has emphasised the need for <strong>trained local manpower.</strong></li>
<li>It has been observed that over <strong>80% of search and rescue is carried out by the local community</strong> before the intervention of the state machinery and specialised search and rescue teams.</li>
<li><strong>The local teams could also assist in planning</strong> and setting up emergency shelters, distributing relief packages, identifying missing people, and addressing the needs for food, healthcare, water supply etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Comprehensive Alarm Systems:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Besides classical alarming infrastructure consisting of acoustic alarms by sirens, modern communication technology using cell and smartphones can complement or even replace traditional alarming infrastructure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/uttarakhand-glacier-flash-flood-rishiganga-death-toll-7180258/" 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/ndma-guidelines-to-tackle-glacial-bursts'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'South China Sea Dispute',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>China warned off a USA warship</strong> sailing near contested <strong>Paracel islands in the South China Sea (SCS).</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<p><strong>About</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Claim:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>China lays claim to nearly all of the South China Sea,</strong> including the Paracel Islands.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, Taiwan, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam also claim parts of the region,<strong> believed to hold valuable oil and gas deposits.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>It has alleged that the USA warship broke into China&rsquo;s <em>Xisha</em> (Paracel) island&rsquo;s territorial waters without the permission of the Chinese government and <strong>accused USA for &ldquo;seriously violating China&rsquo;s sovereignty&rdquo; and &ldquo;harming regional peace.&rdquo;</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>USA&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The USA has argued that such exercises are in line with international law and help <strong>defend the right of passage</strong> through the region amid competing claims by China and other governments.</li>
<li>It is in sync with the USA's continuous efforts to counter China&rsquo;s assertion in SCS. Recently the USA Navy sent an aircraft carrier group into the South China Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>South China Sea</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> South China Sea is<strong> an arm of western Pacific Ocean</strong> in Southeast Asia. It is south of China, east &amp; south of Vietnam, west of the Philippines and north of the island of Borneo.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is<strong> connected by Taiwan Strait</strong> with the East China Sea and by <strong>Luzon Strait with the Philippine Sea.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Bordering states &amp; territories (clockwise from north):</strong> the People&rsquo;s Republic of China, the Republic of China (Taiwan), the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam.</li>
<li><strong>Strategic Importance:&nbsp;</strong>This sea holds tremendous strategic importance for its location as it is the <strong>connecting link between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean (Strait of Malacca).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/world-investment-report-unctad" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>United Nations Conference on Trade And Development (UNCTAD)</strong></a> one-third of the global shipping passes through it, carrying trillions of trade which makes it a significant geopolitical water body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612942060_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612942060_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="600" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Reasons For Dispute in the South China Sea:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Contesting Claims Over Islands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>The Paracel Islands</strong> are claimed by China, Taiwan and Vietnam.</li>
<li><strong>The Spratly Islands</strong> are claimed by China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Brunei and Philippines.</li>
<li><strong>The Scarborough Shoal</strong> is claimed by Philippines, China and Taiwan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>China&rsquo;s Assertion:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Since 2010, <strong>China has been converting uninhabited islets into artificial islets</strong> to bring it under <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unclos-maritime-zones" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNCLOS</strong></a> (examples would include Haven Reef, Johnson South Reef and Fiery Cross Reef).</li>
<li><strong>China has been changing the size and structure of the reefs</strong> by modifying their physical land features. <strong>It has also established airstrips on Parcel and Spratly.</strong></li>
<li>Chinese fishing fleets are engaged in paramilitary work on behalf of the state rather than the commercial enterprise of fishing.</li>
<li>The US is very critical of this building of artificial islands and terms these actions of China as building a <strong>&lsquo;great wall of sand&rsquo;.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Issues:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Undefined geographic scope</strong> of the South China Sea.</li>
<li><strong>Disagreement over dispute settlement</strong> mechanisms.</li>
<li>Undefined legal status of the <strong>Code of Conduct (COC)</strong> add to it.</li>
<li>The different histories of distant, largely uninhabited archipelagos of the sea make the matter more complicated and multifaceted.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612942392_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612942392_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India's Stand:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India has maintained that it is not a party to the SCS dispute and its presence in the SCS is not to contain China but to <strong>secure its own economic interests, especially that of its energy security needs.</strong></li>
<li>However, China&rsquo;s increasing ability to decide and expand its role in the South China Sea has compelled India to reevaluate its approach on the issue.</li>
<li>As a key element of the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Act East Policy</strong></a>, India has started<strong> internationalizing disputes</strong> in the <strong>Indo-Pacific region</strong> to oppose China&rsquo;s threatening tactics in SCS.</li>
<li>Further, India is using its Buddhist legacy to make a strong bond with the Southeast Asian region.</li>
<li>India has also deployed its navy with Vietnam in the South China <strong>Sea for protection of sea lanes of communication (SLOC),</strong> denying China any space for assertion.</li>
<li>Also, India is part of <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/quad-and-g-4-meet" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Quad initiative</a> (India, US, Japan, Australia)</strong> and lynchpin of Indo-Pacific narrative. These initiatives are viewed as a containment strategy by China.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/beijing-warns-off-us-warship-in-s-china-sea/article33762768.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/south-china-sea-dispute'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'India-Myanmar Relations',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/the-long-and-the-short-of-indias-naypyitaw-dilemma/article33785809.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;The long and the short of India&rsquo;s Naypyitaw dilemma&rdquo;</strong></a> which was published in The Hindu on 09/02/2021. It talks about the strategic importance of Myanmar and the implications of the recent Coup D&rsquo;etat.</p>
</div>
<p>The long-lingering power struggle in Myanmar has finally ended. The Myanmar junta or Myanmar&rsquo;s military has toppled the democratically elected government in a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/coup-d-etat-in-myanmar" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Coup D&rsquo;etat.</strong> </a>This has smashed decade-long hopes for a truly democratic Myanmar.</p>
<p>As the future of Myanmar&rsquo;s democracy is now uncertain and given its strategic importance, this Coup D&rsquo;etat will have geopolitical implications for the region and India.</p>
<h3>Strategic Importance of Myanmar for India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong> India and Myanmar relationship officially got underway after the Treaty of Friendship was signed in 1951, after which the foundation for a more meaningful relationship was established during Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi&rsquo;s visit in 1987.</li>
<li><strong>Muti-faceted Relationship:</strong> India and Myanmar have traditionally had much in common, with cultural, historical, ethnic, and religious ties, in addition to sharing a long geographical land border and maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.</li>
<li><strong>Geo-Strategic Location of Myanmar:</strong> Myanmar is geopolitically significant to India as it stands at the center of the India-Southeast Asia geography.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Myanmar is the only Southeast Asian country that shares a land border with northeastern India, stretching some 1,624 kilometers.</li>
<li>The two countries also share a 725-km maritime boundary in the Bay of Bengal.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Confluence of Two Foreign policy Doctrines:</strong> Myanmar is the only country that sits at the intersection of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/indias-neighbourhood-diplomacy#:~:text=Policy%20of%20the%20Government%20of,other%20countries%20in%20the%20neighborhood." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s &ldquo;Neighborhood First&rdquo; policy</strong></a> and its<a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-act-east-policy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;Act East&rdquo; policy.</strong></a>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Myanmar is an essential element in India&rsquo;s practice of regional diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific and serves as a land bridge to connect South Asia and Southeast Asia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Competition With China:</strong> If India is to become an assertive regional player in Asia, it has to work toward developing policies that would improve and strengthen its relationship with neighboring countries.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in pursuance of this, China is a big roadblock, as it aims to diminish India&rsquo;s influence in its neighborhood. Therefore, both India and China are fighting for gaining influence in Myanmar.</li>
<li>For example, as part of its policy for the Indian Ocean called <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/sagar-vision" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)</strong></a>, India developed the Sittwe port in Myanmar&rsquo;s Rakhine state.</li>
<li>The Sittwe port is meant to be India&rsquo;s answer to the Chinese-fronted Kyaukpyu port, which is intended to cement China&rsquo;s geostrategic footprint in Rakhine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Critical For India&rsquo;s National Security Interests:</strong> North-eastern states in India are affected by left-wing extremism and narcotics trade routes (golden triangle).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To counter these threats, the Indian and Myanmar armies have carried out many joint military operations like Operation Sunshine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Cooperation:</strong> Many Indian companies made significant economic and trade agreements in infrastructure and other areas.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some other Indian companies such as Essar, GAIL, and ONGC Videsh Ltd. have invested in Myanmar&rsquo;s energy sector.</li>
<li>To elevate its &ldquo;Made in India&rdquo; arms industry, India has identified Myanmar as key to increasing its military exports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Implications of Coup on India</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Political Realignments:</strong> The coup has attracted strong reactions and the threat of sanctions from the United States and the West. This could lead to unique political realignments in Myanmar.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These decisive western sanctions may force Myanmar&rsquo;s military to get closer to China, which may not be in the interest of India.</li>
<li>Moreover, a failed Myanmar state at India&rsquo;s doorstep and a weakened Myanmar falling into the clutches of China as a satellite state may increase China&rsquo;s bidding in regional affairs.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rohingya Issue on Back Burner:</strong> Any effort to restore democracy in Myanmar will require supporting Aung San Suu Kyi. However, due to her silence on the Rohingya crisis, the plight of the hapless Rohingya may take a backseat or be conveniently forgotten.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This is not in India&rsquo;s national security interest in the north-east.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Catch-22 Condition:</strong> While India&rsquo;s national interests, under the new circumstances, would clearly lie in dealing with whoever is in power in Myanmar, India would find it difficult to openly support the junta given the strong western and American stance.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Cultural Diplomacy:</strong> Myanmar&rsquo;s importance to India&rsquo;s conduct of cultural diplomacy through the lens of Buddhism for tourism purposes.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India&rsquo;s &ldquo;Buddhist Circuit&rdquo; initiative, which seeks to double foreign tourist arrivals and revenue by connecting ancient Buddhist heritage sites across different states in India, should resonate with Buddhist-majority Myanmar.</li>
<li>This could also build up India&rsquo;s diplomatic reservoir of goodwill and trust with Buddhist-majority countries such as Myanmar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Improving Connectivity:</strong> India should realize that Myanmar is vital to fulfilling its ambition to become a $5 trillion economy by 2024.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, facilitating connectivity is central to improving India-Myanmar economic relations.</li>
<li>In this context, Infrastructure projects such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport (KMMTT) should be financed into fruition expeditiously.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Resolving Rohingyas Issue:</strong> The quicker the Rohingya issue is resolved, the easier it will be for India to manage its relations with Myanmar and Bangladesh, focusing instead more on bilateral and subregional economic cooperation.</li>
<li><strong>Cooperation at Multilateral Forums:</strong> Finally, cooperation in different multilateral forums such as ASEAN and BIMSTEC strengthens the relationship between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Given the strategic importance of Myanmar, it is therefore in India&rsquo;s geostrategic interest to see Myanmar prevail as a stable and autonomous country, thereby making possible greater bilateral engagement in India-Myanmar relations.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f7fff0;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Given the strategic importance of Myanmar, the recent Coup D&rsquo;etat will have geopolitical implications for the region and India. Discuss.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P3N0wjvIqCk" 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.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/staying-watchful-the-hindu-editorial-on-rbi-and-prices/article33776392.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Staying watchful: On RBI and prices&rdquo;</strong></a> published in The Hindu on February 8<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/india-myanmar-relations-2'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'title' => 'Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Over a lakh migratory water birds arrived at the <strong>Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh</strong> in winter 2020-21.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh.</li>
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 1975, Pong dam was <strong>built across the Beas River.</strong> It is also called the <strong>Pong reservoir</strong> or the<strong> Maharana Pratap Sagar.</strong></li>
<li>In <strong>1983,</strong> the <strong>entire reservoir was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary</strong> by the Himachal Pradesh government.</li>
<li>In <strong>1994,</strong> the Government of India declared it a<strong> &ldquo;Wetland of National Importance&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>Pong Dam Lake was <strong>declared as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/addition-to-ramsar-sites" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ramsar Site</a> in November 2002.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612868297_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612868297_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="567" height="294" /></strong></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Destination for Migratory Birds:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sanctuary plays host to around 220 species of birds belonging to 54 families. Migratory birds from all over Hindukush Himalayas and also as far as Siberia come here during winter.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rivers:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The lake is <strong>fed by Beas River and its numerous perennial tributaries</strong> such as Gaj, Neogal, Binwa, Uhl, Bangana, and Baner.</li>
<li>The lake <strong>harbours around 22 species of fish,</strong> including rare fish like sal and gad. The adequate water level of the lake makes it an ideal destination to indulge in water sports.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Vegetation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The sanctuary area is covered with <strong>tropical and subtropical forests,</strong> which shelters a great number of Indian Wildlife animals.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Eucalyptus, acacia, jamun, shisham, mango, mulberry, ficus, kachnar, amla and prunus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Barking deer, sambar, wild boars, nilgai, leopards and oriental small-clawed otters.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Avian-Fauna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Black-headed gulls, Red necked grebes, plovers, terns, ducks, water-fowl egrets, and more.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>National Parks in Himachal Pradesh</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Great Himalayan National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Great Himalayan National Park, located in the Banjaar sub-division of Kullu district, was officially declared as a National Park in 1999.</li>
<li>In 2014, the Great Himalayan National Park received the status of being a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong></a> for its wonderful contribution towards biodiversity conservation.</li>
<li>Species which are found here are like Greater Blue Sheep, Indian Pika, Rhesus monkey, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan brown bear, Red fox, Mongoose.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pin Valley National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Pin Valley National Park, located in Lahaul and Spiti District, was established in 1987.</li>
<li>Various endangered species including the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-snow-leopard-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> snow leopard</strong></a> and <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-snow-leopard-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Siberian ibex</a></strong> find their natural habitat.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inderkilla National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Inderkilla National Park is located in the Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh and established in 2010.</li>
<li>Animals of the Himalayan region like leopards, deers and, birds which even include the rare birds of the summer season, and insect species are varied and can be seen from time to time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Khirganga National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Khirganga National Park is located in Kullu and was established in 2010.</li>
<li>The national park is situated at a height of around 5,500 meters and is spread across an area of about 710 square kilometers.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Simbalbara National Park:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Simbalbara National Park is located in the Paonta Valley of Sirmour District.</li>
<li>The national park was established in 1958 as the Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary covering an area of 19.03 square kilometers.</li>
<li>In 2010, it was turned into a national park by merging an additional 8.88 square kilometers of the area to its boundaries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/over-1-lakh-migratory-water-birds-visited-himachal-pradeshs-pong-dam-lake-sanctuary-this-winter-7180140/" 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/pong-dam-lake-wildlife-sanctuary'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'title' => 'Mission Innovation 2.0',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the Union Minister of Science &amp; Technology addressed the<strong> Mission Innovation (MI)</strong> to mark the beginning of phase-2 of the mission or Mission Innovation 2.0.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India played a leadership role</strong> in MI Steering Committee and is a member of the Analysis and Joint Research and Business &amp; Investor Engagement sub-groups.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Mission Innovation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Formation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Mission Innovation was<strong> announced on 30<sup>th</sup> November 2015,</strong> on the sidelines of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/five-years-of-paris-climate-accord" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Climate Agreement</strong></a> to undertake ambitious measures to combat <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/climate-change-and-development-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>climate change.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Membership:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a global initiative of <strong>24 countries and the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a></strong> to accelerate global clean energy innovation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Principle:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Commitment by all members to seek to <strong>double their clean energy innovation investments over five years</strong> in selected priority areas.</li>
<li>Each <strong>member according to its own priorities, policies, processes, and laws independently determines the best use of its funding</strong> and defines its own Research &amp; Development priorities and path to reach the doubling goal.</li>
<li>In many cases, MI members prioritise parts of their whole energy innovation budget within their baseline.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Enhance the <strong>public sector investment</strong> to a substantial level.</li>
<li>Increased <strong>private sector engagement</strong> and investment.</li>
<li>Increase <strong>international collaboration.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Raising awareness</strong> of the transformational potential of innovation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Innovation Challenges (IC):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Innovation challenges are a<strong> major part of the mission innovation</strong> that is aimed at leveraging research, development, and demonstration (RD&amp;D) in technology areas that could ultimately result in <strong>effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increasing energy security, and creating new opportunities for clean economic growth.</strong></li>
<li>There are <strong>8 innovation challenges</strong> under the mission innovation:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>IC1 &ndash; <strong>smart grids,</strong> IC2 &ndash; <strong>Off-grid access to electricity,</strong> IC3 &ndash; <strong>Carbon capture</strong>, IC4 &ndash; <strong>Sustainable biofuels</strong>, IC5 &ndash; <strong>Converting sunlight</strong>, IC6 &ndash; <strong>Clean energy materials</strong>, IC7 &ndash; <strong>Affordable cooling and heating of buildings</strong>, IC8 &ndash; <strong>Renewable and clean hydrogen.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The first phase has shown that work done under ICs have mobilized in a relatively short period, relying on members' leadership and voluntary efforts to advance IC objectives.</li>
<li>These resources have dramatically accelerated the availability of the advanced technologies that will define a future global energy mix which is clean, affordable, and reliable.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mission Innovation 2.0:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>To achieve the shared goal of accelerating innovation, all the members have agreed to develop a <strong>second phase (2.0)</strong> that includes:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>An <strong>enhanced Innovation Platform</strong> building on current activities to strengthen the global clean energy innovation ecosystem and to accelerate learning.</li>
<li><strong>New public-private innovation alliances &ndash;</strong> Missions &ndash; built around ambitious and inspirational goals backed by voluntary commitments that can lead to tipping points in the cost, scale, availability, and attractiveness of clean energy solutions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Initiatives Aligned with the Mission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Clean Energy International Incubation Centre:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>To support the start-up innovation ecosystem, the <strong>Clean Energy International Incubation Centre</strong> established by the Department of Biotechnology, India under a Public Private Partnership model has played a crucial role.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Increased Solar Capacity:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/solar-energy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>increased solar installed capacity</strong> </a>by 13 times and expanded its non-fossil fuel-based power generation to 134 Gigawatts, about 35% of total power generation. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <a href="/mind-map/gs-paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change-mind-map" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Solar Mission</strong></a> (a part of the<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/national-action-plan-on-climate-change#:~:text=It%20was%20launched%20in%202010,energy%20in%20India's%20energy%20mix.&amp;text=Emphasis%20on%20manufacturing%20solar%20panels,local%20research%20with%20international%20efforts." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> National Action Plan on Climate Change</strong></a>) helped India to increase its solar capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>India has embarked on an <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-renewable-energy-plan" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>ambitious target of having 450 Gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Biofuels:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India is also working to considerably increase the proportion of the<strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> biofuel</a> blend in petrol and diesel:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/printpdf/world-biofuel-day" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP)</strong></a>: It aims at<strong> blending ethanol with petrol,</strong> thereby bringing it under the category of biofuels and saving millions of dollars by cutting fuel imports.</li>
<li>The <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/biofuels-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>2018 Biofuel Policy</strong></a> has the objective of reaching 20% ethanol-blending and 5% biodiesel-blending by the year 2030.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Five Centres of excellence in Bioenergy supported by Department of Biotechnology in India are <strong>working on both fundamental and translational research for advanced bio-fuels like biobutanol, biohydrogen and biojet fuels.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ujjwala Yojana:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/important-facts-for-prelims" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)</strong> </a>which is the<strong> world&rsquo;s most extensive clean cooking fuel programme</strong> was launched in <strong>2016</strong> and is implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas through its Oil Marketing Companies.</li>
<li>Through PMUY, initially, 5 crores below poverty line (BPL) households were targeted for providing deposit free LPG connections to BPL households by 31<sup>st</sup> March, 2019. This target has been achieved.</li>
<li>India has released around <strong>150 million connections so far.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Avoided Emission Framework for a sustainable future:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India and Sweden under a partnership</strong> have developed an Avoided Emission Framework for a sustainable future.</li>
<li>Under this partnership,<strong> eight companies have been selected to demonstrate an initial 100 million tons of potential CO<sub>2</sub> emission reduction by 2030.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612865823_image7.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612865823_image7.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="656" height="842" /></strong></a></p>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1696298" 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-innovation-2-0'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'title' => 'The Big Picture: Budget 2021 for Green Energy',
		'catname' => 'Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha Discussions',
		'desc' => '<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/n739bdyShz0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h3>Why in News?</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/union-budget-2020-21-economy" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Union Budget for FY 2021-22</strong> </a>presented by the Union Minister of India, has exclusively focussed on <strong>Green Energy initiatives.</strong></li>
<li>Budget 2021 has proposed the launch of the <strong>Hydrogen Energy Mission</strong> in this fiscal year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Additional capital infusion for solar energy and renewable energy aspects has also been proposed.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The reforms in the budget have particularly focussed on <strong>green-growth.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative is expected to enhance the uptake of cleaner fuels in India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Budget 2021-22 talks about <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/expansion-of-production-linked-incentive-scheme" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>PLI scheme</strong></a> in Solar Manufacturing, <strong>Vehicle Scrappage Policy</strong> and the <strong>Hydrogen Energy Mission.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The PLI scheme has also been extended to the <strong>ACCs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The emphasis on <strong>green <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-hydrogen-fuel-cell-for-vehicles" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hydrogen</a></strong> in the budget was in line with technological development and with a long-term vision towards <strong>reduced dependency on minerals and rare-earth element</strong>-based batteries as energy storage.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen is the key clean fuel for the future.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>For the first time there is<strong> private financing of ₹18,000 crore for 20,000 buses</strong> and innovative financing with <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/ppp-investment-model#:~:text=Public%2DPrivate%20Partnership%20Model%3A%20PPP,be%20completed%20with%20private%20funding" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Public Private Partnerships</strong> </a>which would revolutionise the way public transport systems and buses function in India.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The initiative is to promote<strong> less dependency on personal vehicles</strong> and eventually <strong>bring down the carbon footprints.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Hydrogen Energy Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The National Hydrogen Energy Mission <strong>aims to reduce petroleum use, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution,</strong> and contribute to more diverse and <strong>efficient energy infrastructure.</strong></li>
<li>It is now proposed to launch a Hydrogen Energy Mission in 2021-22 for generating <strong>hydrogen from green power sources.</strong></li>
<li>Green Hydrogen Mission is not only<strong> essential to decarbonise heavy industries</strong> like steel and cement, it also <strong>holds the key to clean electric mobility</strong> that doesn&rsquo;t depend on rare minerals.</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Vehicle Scrappage Policy</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The policy will be launched to <strong>phase out old and unfit vehicles.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Under the scheme <strong>private vehicles older than 20 years and commercial vehicles older than 15 years</strong> will be eligible to be scrapped.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This will help in<strong> encouraging fuel efficient, environment friendly vehicles</strong> thereby reducing vehicular pollution and oil import bill.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Vehicles would undergo<strong> fitness tests in automated fitness centres</strong> after their defined period is over.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Green Energy and Government</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>India in leading countries:</strong> India comes in the list of the leading countries in terms of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/power-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Power Sector</strong> </a>or the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-india-s-renewable-energy-plan#:~:text=The%20renewable%20energy%20capacity%20in,year%20as%20we%20move%20forward" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Renewable Energy</strong></a> sector.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India ranks at the<strong> fifth position among the countries of the world</strong> when it comes to the size of its <strong>energy economy.</strong></li>
<li>India is the <strong>fourth largest solar installed capacity country</strong> in the world and<strong> third largest renewable energy installed capacity</strong> country in the world.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Solar energy:</strong> The <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-may-miss-100-gw-solar-power-target-by-2022-crisil-report#:~:text=Jawaharlal%20Nehru%20National%20Solar%20Mission,of%2020%2C000%20MW%20by%202022.&amp;text=The%20target%20will%20principally%20comprise,Grid%20Connected%20Solar%20Power%20Projects" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM)</strong> </a>aimed to achieve<strong> 20 GW</strong> solar capacity by the year <strong>2022.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, the target was increased from <strong>20 GW to 100 GW by 2022</strong> in the 2015 Union Budget of India.</li>
<li>India&rsquo;s total solar power capacity alone has increased by more than 11 times since 2014 to June 2020, from <strong>2.6 GigaWatts (GW) to 38 GW.</strong></li>
<li>To encourage domestic production, the duties on <strong>solar inverters</strong> have been increased from <strong>5% to 20%,</strong> and on<strong> solar lanterns</strong> from<strong> 5% to 15%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Renewable energy:</strong> The Government of India had set a target of <strong>175 GW</strong> renewable power installed capacity by the end of 2022.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This includes <strong>60 GW from wind power, 100 GW from solar power, 10 GW from biomass power</strong> and<strong> 5 GW from small hydro power.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The renewable energy capacity in India is <strong>currently 136 Giga Watts,</strong> which is about <strong>36%</strong> of its total energy capacity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>2030 renewable targets</strong> were announced to be<strong> 450 gigawatt.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Green energy and infrastructure development:</strong> The budget primarily focuses on spending on infrastructure development and no infrastructure project can be completed without energy involved in it
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, in the present context, the energy involved has to be<strong> clean energy.</strong></li>
<li>The solar energy at present is<strong> available at 2 rs/unit</strong> which is even cheaper than the energy generated from a new coal power plant.</li>
<li>The domestic manufacturing capacity has been enhanced by the PLI schemes for manufacturing solar panels.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through the 2021-22 budget, the PLI scheme has been extended to the 10 sectors including <strong>automobile, pharma,</strong> electronic/<strong>technology</strong> products and manufacturing of <strong>advanced chemical cells battery</strong> (for electric vehicles).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACCs)</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>ACCs are the new generation advanced storage technologies that can store electric energy either as electrochemical or as chemical energy and convert it back to electric energy as and when required.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Green Hydrogen</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Hydrogen Energy Mission is one of the biggest announcements in the union budget 2021-22, specifying the<strong> hydrogen as green hydrogen.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>When hydrogen is extracted from water using electrolysis powered by renewable energy, it is called green hydrogen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Green hydrogen energy is vital for India to meet its <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/11-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) Targets</strong> </a>and ensure regional and national energy security, access and availability.</li>
<li>Currently, about<strong> 6 tonnes of hydrogen is produced</strong> in the country which will go up by <strong>5 times in 2050.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Why Green Hydrogen?</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Hydrogen can act as an<strong> energy storage option,</strong> which would be essential to meet intermittencies (of renewable energy) in the future.</li>
<li>In terms of mobility, for long distance mobilisations for either urban freight movement within cities and states or for passengers, it is a very promising initiative.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen can be used in railways, large ships, buses or trucks where electric-vehicles have a limitation for not having enough capacity for long distance travels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Hydrogen has the potential to be the key renewable target in supporting infrastructure as well.</li>
<li>Hydrogen can be used:
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>As a carrier</li>
<li>As a fuel cum energy storage alternative for petrol and diesel</li>
<li>Directly as a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/clean-fuel-hydrogen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fuel</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Countries across the world such as <strong>Japan</strong> are banging on hydrogen as a future energy media.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Germany</strong> and many other <strong>EU countries</strong> have already set an<strong> ambitious green hydrogen policy.</strong></li>
<li>Even countries like<strong> UAE</strong> and <strong>Australia</strong> that are traditionally considered as the laggards of climate action have moved towards green hydrogen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Challenges Associated</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In terms of challenges the <strong>cost of renewable electricity from</strong> hydrogen specifically, is the major problem. Public investments need to strategize and channel well.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, currently hydrogen is around <strong>$6- $8/kg</strong> which is a price too high to bring it into conventional use.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The other main hurdle is <strong>transporting hydrogen</strong> to long distances.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen in gaseous form is highly inflammable.</li>
<li>To ship liquid hydrogen, it needs to be chilled to -253&deg;C.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Compared to other gases (or fuels),<strong> hydrogen lacks smell,</strong> which makes any<strong> leak detection almost impossible</strong> thus increasing the potential dangers.</li>
<li>To succeed as a renewable energy based economy, it is <strong>not just the manufacturing sector</strong> where India would want to excel but the<strong> entire supply chain.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Currently, India is at about <strong>2-3 gw of solar photovoltaic</strong> module manufacturing capacity.</li>
<li>For the given 450 gw renewable targets for 2030, India needs <strong>30-40 gw of capacity addition</strong> of renewables per year which requires having:
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Maximum domestic manufacturing capability</li>
<li>Increasing the custom duty on solar panels as it will incentivise domestic players in india to set up manufacturing of solar panels and making the entire supply chain robust.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Pilot initiatives:</strong> India needs a strategy in place to launch such a big mission, such as a <strong>few pilot initiatives.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Hydrogen is one of the alternative sources of energy that India really needs to consider from its energy security perspective and transportation or mobilisation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Efforts at all levels:</strong> The budget perspective presses that a lot more needs to be done <strong>not only at center but at state level too.</strong>
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More than 11 states in India now have rolled out their own electric mobility plans and are focussing not only at manufacturing or job but also in <strong>demand creation.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exploring &ldquo;All&rdquo;ternatives:</strong> Not sticking to just one alternate resource but exploring other sources too.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>For either intra or inter-city movements, different technologies can co-exist and can give different contributions.</li>
<li>1 kg of hydrogen can work about 100 km but roughly it would take 7-8 litres of petrol for the same distance.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Incentivising the concept of green and clean energy: Green labelling of products</strong> needs to be in place so that consumers are aware that what they are consuming is environment friendly.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In order to push them into using green energy, they must be<strong> made aware of the benefits</strong> of the energy they are consuming. Also, there can be<strong> extensive marketing and awareness campaigns.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Capacity building:</strong> It should not only be about awareness but also about building the capacity of the industries so that we have manufacturing in place and eventually more job opportunities.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Planning a road map where we generate employment while setting up green energy infrastructure and reducing carbon emission.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Exclusive expenditure on R&amp;D:</strong> There should be a good spending on R&amp;D and technology adoption in hydrogen energy and e-Vehicles because that is one area where India had a setback in Solar Photovoltaics.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>More capital infusion in R&amp;D and infrastructure is needed to reap the benefits of various geographical locations in terms of solar energy and an emerging untapped option of hydrogen energy to replace conventional energy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Moving towards Green Energy is indeed a win-win situation; it will lead to not only the usage of cleaner energy for a cleaner environment but also it will boost various sectors of manufacturing and employment.</li>
</ul>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-budget-2021-for-green-energy'
	],
	(int) 9 => [
		'title' => 'Mapping Seismic Hazard of Eastern Himalaya',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, scientists have found the <strong>first geological evidence of an earthquake on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh,</strong> documented as the <strong>Sadiya earthquake in history.</strong> This finding could contribute to a seismic hazard map of the eastern Himalaya, which can facilitate construction and planning in the region.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>This site is near the <strong>Tuting-Tidding Suture Zone-</strong> a major part of the Eastern Himalaya, where the Himalaya takes a sharp southward bend and connects with the Indo-Burma Range.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists from <strong>Wadia Institute of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tectonically-active-zone-of-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Himalayan Geology</a> (WIHG)</strong> carried out a mega trench excavation at <strong>Himebasti village, Arunachal Pradesh</strong> where the most recent event records the imprints of the<strong> 1697 Sadiya earthquake</strong> and analysed it with modern geological techniques.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>WIHG is an<strong> autonomous institute</strong> under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Scientists found large tree trunks embedded in the<strong> youngest flood deposits at the exit of the Subansiri River</strong> (Sadiya town is located roughly 145 km southeast of Subansiri river), suggesting the <strong>post-seismic aggradation of the river</strong> following an array of<strong> aftershocks</strong> till six months.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Aggradation</strong> is the term used in geology for the increase in land elevation due to deposition of sediment.</li>
<li><strong>Aftershocks</strong> are earthquakes that follow the largest shock of an earthquake sequence. They are smaller than the mainshock and within 1-2 rupture lengths distance from the mainshock.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Studying the past earthquakes help to <strong>determine the seismic potential</strong> of the region. This helps in mapping the earthquake hazard of the region and enables syncing the development activities accordingly.</li>
<li>Arunachal Pradesh, being near the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indo-China Border</strong></a>, and sometimes centre of dispute regarding its ownership, is strategically important. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>A number of development initiatives like constructing roads, bridges and hydropower projects are being undertaken, therefore there is an urgent need for understanding the pattern of seismicity in this region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Hazard Map of India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India is one of the highly earthquake affected countries<strong> because of the presence of tectonically active young fold mountains, Himalayas.</strong></li>
<li>India has been divided into <strong>four seismic zones (II, III, IV, and V)</strong> based on scientific inputs relating to seismicity, earthquakes occurred in the past and tectonic setup of the region.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Previously, earthquake zones were divided into five zones with respect to the severity of the earthquakes but the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/bureau-of-indian-standards-bis-act-2016" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bureau of Indian Standards</a> (BIS)</strong> grouped the country into four seismic zones by unifying the first two zones.</li>
<li>BIS is the official agency for publishing the seismic hazard maps and codes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612859443_image5.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612859443_image5.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Seismic Zone II:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Area with minor damage earthquakes</strong> corresponding to intensities V to VI of MM scale (MM-Modified Mercalli Intensity scale).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone III:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Moderate damage</strong> corresponding to intensity VII of MM scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone IV:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Major damage</strong> corresponding to intensity VII and higher of MM scale.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Zone V:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Area determined by pro seismically of certain major fault systems and is seismically the most active region.</li>
<li><strong>Earthquake zone V is the most vulnerable to earthquakes,</strong> where historically some of the country&rsquo;s most powerful shocks have occurred.</li>
<li>Earthquakes with magnitudes in excess of 7.0 have occured in these areas, and have had intensities <strong>higher than IX.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Seismic Waves, Richter Scale and Mercalli scale:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Seismic waves are the vibrations from earthquakes that travel through the Earth and are recorded on instruments called <strong>seismographs.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Seismographs record a zigzag trace that shows the varying amplitude of ground oscillations beneath the instrument.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The earthquake events are scaled either according to the magnitude or intensity of the shock.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The magnitude scale is known as the<strong> Richter scale.</strong> The magnitude relates to the energy released during the earthquake which is expressed in absolute numbers, 0-10.</li>
<li>The intensity scale or <strong>Mercalli scale</strong> takes into account the visible damage caused by the event. The range of intensity scale is from 1-12.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1696073#:~:text=Scientists%20have%20found%20the%20first,the%20town%20in%201697%20CE." 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/mapping-seismic-hazard-of-eastern-himalaya'
	],
	(int) 10 => [
		'title' => 'Hunter Syndrome: MPS II',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Two brothers suffering from<strong> Mucopolysaccharidosis II or MPS II (Hunter Syndrome, Attenuated Type)</strong> have approached the Delhi High Court seeking direction to the Centre and AIIMS to provide them free treatment.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>MPS II is a rare disease</strong> that is passed on in families.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> MPS II mostly <strong>affects boys</strong> and their bodies<strong> cannot break down a kind of sugar </strong>that <strong>builds bones, skin, tendons and other tissues.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Cause:</strong> It is <strong>caused by changes (mutations) of the<em> IDS</em> gene</strong> that regulates the production of the iduronate 2-sulfatase (I2S) enzyme.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This enzyme is <strong>needed to break-down complex sugars,</strong> known as <strong>glycosaminoglycans (GAGs),</strong> produced in the body.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact:</strong> Lack of I2S enzyme activity<strong> leads to the accumulation of GAGs within cells,</strong> specifically inside the <strong>lysosomes.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Lysosomes are compartments in the cell that <strong>digest and recycle different types of molecules.</strong></li>
<li>Conditions that cause molecules to build up inside the lysosomes, including MPS II, are called <strong>lysosomal storage disorders.</strong></li>
<li>The accumulation of GAGs increases the size of the lysosomes, which is why <strong>many tissues and organs are enlarged in this disorder. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Symptoms:</strong> It is characterized by <strong>distinctive facial features, a large head, enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly),</strong> hearing loss, etc.</li>
<li><strong>Inheritance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>MPS II is inherited in an X-linked recessive pattern, which means that this condition occurs almost exclusively in males. <strong>Females are generally unaffected carriers of this condition.</strong></li>
<li>In a family with more than one affected individual, the mother of the affected males must be a carrier. When a carrier female has a child, there is a 25% (1 in 4) chance that she will have an affected son.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Rare Diseases</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>A rare disease is a <strong>health condition of low prevalence</strong> that affects a small number of people compared with other prevalent diseases in the general population.</li>
<li>Though rare diseases are of low prevalence and individually rare, collectively they <strong>affect a considerable proportion of the population.</strong></li>
<li><strong>80% of rare diseases are genetic in origin</strong> and hence disproportionately impact children.</li>
<li>Recently, the Delhi High Court has directed the Centre to <strong>finalise the National Health Policy for Rare Diseases of 2020</strong> by March 2021 and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/crowdfunding-for-rare-diseases" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>make operational provision of crowdfunding</strong></a> envisaged under the law for treatment of high-cost rare diseases.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/hc-asks-govt-aiims-to-facilitate-free-treatment-of-children-with-rare-diseases/article33777103.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/hunter-syndrome-mps-ii'
	],
	(int) 11 => [
		'title' => 'China’s New Project in Sri Lanka',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a Chinese company has won a contract to set up <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/policy-watch-indias-wind-energy-potential#:~:text=A%20Solar%2DWind%20Hybrid%20policy,resources%2C%20transmission%20infrastructure%20and%20land." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>hybrid wind and solar energy</strong> </a><strong>projects on three Sri Lankan islands</strong> off the northern Jaffna peninsula <strong>45 km from Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/asian-development-outlook-2019-strengthening-disaster-resilience-adb" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asian Development Bank</a> (ADB)</strong> will fund the project, which will come up on <strong>Delft, Nainativu and Analativu,</strong> three islands in the <strong>Palk Strait off Jaffna peninsula.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612856515_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612856515_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About the Islands:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Delft, the largest of the three islands, is the <strong>closest to Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu,</strong> which lies to the island&rsquo;s south west.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Between the two is <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fishermen-issue-with-sri-lanka" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Kachchativu</strong></a>, the tiny island that <strong>India ceded to Sri Lanka in 1974.</strong></li>
<li>The waters around these islands are an area of contest and<strong> rivalry between Tamil Nadu and Jaffna fishers.</strong></li>
<li>The matter has been on the bilateral agenda for decades.</li>
<li>India and Sri Lanka agreed to set up a <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-sri-lanka-joint-working-group-on-fisheries" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries</a> in 2016</strong> between the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare of India and Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development of Sri Lanka as the mechanism to help find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sri Lanka&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It cannot be blamed for this decision, because the<strong> project is backed by the ADB, which has its &ldquo;own procurement guidelines</strong> that should be followed by the borrower&rdquo;.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Concern:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>project site&rsquo;s proximity to the Indian coastline.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Chinese presence in the vicinity is not welcomed especially when India already has many unresolved issues with China.</li>
<li>This deal came at a time when <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/india-china-conflict" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>India&rsquo;s confrontation with China in Ladakh</strong></a> is yet to be resolved.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, the Sri Lankan government cancelled the contract with India and Japan for the <strong>Eastern Container Terminal (ECT).</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The tripartite agreement, signed by India, Sri Lanka and Japan, proposed to develop the ECT, which is located at the newly expanded southern part of the Colombo Port.</li>
<li>For India, the ECT deal was important as around 70% of transhipment that takes place through it is India-linked. The ECT is also considered more strategic than any other in Colombo Port.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India&rsquo;s Stand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India had lodged a<strong> strong protest</strong> with the Sri Lankan government on the contract to the Chinese company.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2018, <strong>India voiced concern over China&rsquo;s USD 300 million housing project</strong> for war-affected areas, accusing the Resettlement Ministry [of the former government] of holding an &ldquo;opaque&rdquo; bidding process. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The project was <strong>eventually dropped.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>China&rsquo;s Rising Influence in South Asia</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Recent Initiative:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In January 2021 China held its<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/china-s-rising-influence-in-south-asia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> third multilateral dialogue</strong> </a>virtually <strong>with countries from South Asia</strong> to take forward closer cooperation on fighting<strong> Covid-19 and coordinating their economic agendas,</strong> reflecting a new approach in Beijing&rsquo;s outreach to the region.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Initiatives:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>According to the American Enterprise Institute&rsquo;s China Global Investment Tracker, <strong>China has committed around 100 billion USD in the economies of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Maldives, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>China is now the largest overseas investor in the Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Concerns for India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Security Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Growing cooperation between Pakistan and China.</li>
<li>Increasing nexus between Nepal and China.</li>
<li>Acceptance to China-Pakistan Economic Corridor by south asian countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Leadership Roles in South Asia:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It shows increasing chinese presence in south asia and its acceptance by the countries as a torch bearer for the region which India wants for itself.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic Concerns:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Over the past decade, <strong>China has replaced India as the major trading partner of several South Asian countries.</strong></li>
<li>For instance, the share of India&rsquo;s trade with Maldives was 3.4 times that of China&rsquo;s in 2008. But by 2018, China&rsquo;s total trade with Maldives slightly exceeded that of India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>China&rsquo;s trade with Bangladesh is now about twice that of India. China&rsquo;s trade with Nepal and Sri Lanka still lags India&rsquo;s trade with those countries but the gap has shrunk.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>India does not have the economic capacity as China. Thus it should<strong> cooperate with China for the development of these countries</strong> such that fruits of development collectively reach South Asia. Further <strong>India should invest in countries where China falls short</strong> and maintain its good will in South Asia and prevent these nations from slipping off from India&rsquo;s Influence.</li>
<li>Along with strongly condemning the plans for extension of the<strong> China-Pakistan Economic Corridor,</strong> India also <strong>needs to focus more on its traditional and cultural ties</strong> to improve relations with its neighbours.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/sri-lanka-clears-chinese-energy-project-50-km-off-tamil-nadu/article33785609.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/china-s-new-project-in-sri-lanka'
	],
	(int) 12 => [
		'title' => 'Kuruba Community: Karnataka',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>A massive rally was organised by the<strong> Kuruba community</strong> to urge the state government of<strong> Karnataka to recommend the Centre inclusion of the community in the Scheduled Tribe (ST) list.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>From Independence, the <strong>community enjoyed the ST status. </strong>In<strong> 1977,</strong> Justice <strong>LG Havanur,</strong> who headed the backward class commission, <strong>moved the Kurubas to the &lsquo;most backward classes&rsquo; category</strong> from ST list.</li>
<li>However, the Commission brought in an <strong>area restriction</strong> stating that those living in <strong>Bidar, Yadgir, Kalaburagi and Madikeri</strong> with Kuruba synonyms can continue to avail the ST benefits.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About Kurubas:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Kurubas of Karnataka are <strong>a traditional sheep rearing community.</strong></li>
<li>Presently, the Kurubas constitute<strong> 9.3% of the state&rsquo;s population</strong> and come under the <strong>backward classes category.</strong></li>
<li>Kurubas are the <strong>fourth largest caste</strong> in Karnataka after the <strong>Lingayats, Vokkaligas and Muslims.</strong></li>
<li>Kurubas in other states are known by different names &ndash; as <strong>Dhangars in Maharashtra, Rabaris or Raikas in Gujarat, Dewasis in Rajasthan and Gadarias in Haryana.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Related Developments:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Demands by Lingayat Community:</strong> Three years earlier, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/center-refuses-to-recognize-lingayat-as-separate-religion" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lingayat community</a> demanded a separate minority religion tag</strong> in Karnataka.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Lingayat sub-sect Panchamasali</strong> has also <strong>demanded its inclusion in the 2A category of backward classes -</strong> which currently provides 15% reservations to backward castes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>J<strong>ustice HN Nagamohan Das Commission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Justice <strong>HN Nagamohan Das Commission</strong> was constituted to look into <strong>increasing the existing reservation for SCs from 15% to 17% and for the STs from 3% to 7%</strong> by not exceeding the overall <strong>50% reservation quota</strong> as mandated by the <strong>Supreme Court's order of 1992.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>If Kurubas</strong> are to be<strong> declared ST</strong> as per their demand, the <strong>quota for STs will have to be proportionally increased.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenge:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The larger issue is that<strong> the State has already hit the apex court set 50% cap on reservation</strong> and any hike poses a challenge.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Present Reservation Quota in Karnataka:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Adhering to the Supreme Court&rsquo;s 1992 order, Karnataka has capped the reservation to 50%<strong> where 32% has been earmarked for backward classes,</strong> including Muslims, Christians and Jains, <strong>15% for SCs and 3% for STs.</strong></li>
<li>This reservation quota has been<strong> further pared into categories:</strong> Category 1 (4%), Category 2A (15%), Category 2B (4%), Category 3A (4%), Category 3B (5%), SC (15%) and ST (3%).</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612855081_image3.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612855081_image3.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="635" height="318" /></a></p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Scheduled Tribe</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Article 366 (25) of the Constitution</strong> refers to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-commission-for-scheduled-tribes#:~:text=As%20per%20Census%2D1931%2C%20Schedule,backward%20tribes%22%20in%20provincial%20assemblies." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Scheduled Tribes</strong></a> as those communities, who are <strong>scheduled in accordance with Article 342 of the Constitution.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Article 342</strong> says that only those communities who have been declared as such by the President through an initial public notification or through a subsequent amending Act of Parliament will be considered to be Scheduled Tribes.</li>
<li>The<strong> list of Scheduled Tribes is State/UT specific</strong> and a community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Essential Characteristics:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The <strong>Constitution is silent about the criteria for specification of a community as a Scheduled Tribe.</strong> However, following are the traits that distinguish Scheduled Tribe communities from other communities.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Primitiveness,</li>
<li>Geographical isolation,</li>
<li>Shyness, and</li>
<li>Social, educational and economic backwardness.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There are certain Scheduled Tribes, 75 in number known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), who are characterised by;<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Pre-agriculture level of technology,</li>
<li>Stagnant or declining population,</li>
<li>Extremely low literacy, and</li>
<li>Subsistence level of economy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/at-massive-rally-kurubas-seek-scheduled-tribe-tag/article33776444.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/kuruba-community-karnataka'
	],
	(int) 13 => [
		'title' => 'India - Ukraine',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Ukraine has shown interest to procure some military hardware from India</strong> in addition to efforts to deepen its presence in the Indian defence market.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is in sync with Indian <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/urgency-of-defence-reforms" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>defence sector reforms</strong></a> and <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/atma-nirbhar-bharat-abhiyan-challenges" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan</strong></a> which includes making India <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/self-reliance-in-defence-manufacturing" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>self reliant in defence manufacturing.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ukraine has signed four agreements worth USD 70 million which includes sale of new weapons as well as maintenance and upgrades of existing ones <strong>(R-27 air-to-air missiles)</strong> in service with the Indian armed forces.</li>
<li>Ukraine also showed its intent to sell India its<strong> AN-178 medium transport aircraft.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ukraine is currently upgrading the AN-32 transport fleet of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/indian-air-force-day#:~:text=India%20Air%20Force%20is%20the,the%20USA%2C%20China%20and%20Russia.&amp;text=Motto%20of%20the%20IAF%20is,chapter%20of%20the%20Bhagavad%20Gita.&amp;text=The%20Chief%20of%20Air%20Staff,command%20of%20the%20air%20force." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Air Force (IAF)</strong></a> under a deal finalised in 2009.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ukraine team also held discussions with the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/defence-research-and-development-organisation-drdo" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)</strong></a> and looked at possible collaborations in research and development.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>India-Ukraine Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Diplomatic Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Immediately after the breakup of the Soviet Union, the Government of India <strong>recognized the Republic of Ukraine as a sovereign independent country</strong> in December 1991.</li>
<li>The Embassy of India in Kyiv was established in May 1992 and Ukraine opened its Mission in New Delhi in February 1993.</li>
<li>India and Ukraine enjoy warm and friendly relations and cooperate in areas like Education, Mutual Legal Assistance and Outer Space cooperation.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Defence Relations:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ukraine has been a <strong>source of military technology and equipment</strong> for India since its independence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Ukraine <strong>manufactures the R-27 air-to-air missiles</strong> which are in use by the IAF on its <strong>SU-30MKI fighters.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Now, India is also supplying its weapons to Ukraine to enhance defence cooperation between the two countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Trade:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>India is Ukraine&rsquo;s largest export destination in the Asia-Pacific</strong> and the <strong>fifth largest overall export destination. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Pharmaceuticals</strong> account for the majority of Indian exports to Ukraine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Culture:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There are more than 30 Ukrainian cultural associations/groups spread across the country, engaged in promoting Indian dances.</li>
<li>There are about 18,000 Indian students studying in Ukraine, mainly in the field of medicine. Indian business professionals work predominantly in the fields of pharmaceuticals, IT, engineering, medicine, education, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Challenges:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> rift between Russia and Ukraine,</strong> which burst out into armed combat when Moscow annexed the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, has created a potential dilemma for India.</li>
<li>Recently, a Russian press release has objected to the overhaul in Ukraine of military equipment built and sold by Russia.</li>
<li>Russia has begun <strong>objecting to customers dealing with Ukraine.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The potential for trouble with Russia exists because the Indian Air Force (IAF) is currently collaborating with Ukraine to overhaul its fleet of AN-32s.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Ukraine</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ukraine, a country located in eastern Europe. The capital is<strong> Kyiv (Kiev),</strong> located on the <strong>Dnieper River</strong> in north-central Ukraine.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Surrounding Countries and Seas:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Ukraine is bordered by Belarus to the north, Russia to the east, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea to the south, Moldova and Romania to the southwest, and Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland to the west.</li>
<li>In the far southeast, Ukraine is separated from Russia by the<strong> Kerch Strait,</strong> which connects the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>History:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the dissolution of the U.S.S.R. (the Soviet Union) in December 1991, Ukraine gained full independence.</li>
<li>The country changed its official name to Ukraine, and it helped to found the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), an association of countries that were formerly republics of the Soviet Union.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recent Issues:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Recently, Ukraine got at<strong> loggerheads with Russia over the occupation of Crimean peninsula</strong> by Russia.</li>
<li>In June 2020, Ukraine became &lsquo;Enhanced Opportunity Partners&rsquo; under the Partnership Interoperability Initiative of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/nato-ally-status-to-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)</strong></a>.</li>
<li>Ukraine is also seeking <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>European Union</strong></a> and NATO membership, a move that could obstruct attempts to resolve other tensions with Russia.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612849681_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612849681_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ukraine-looking-at-defence-purchases-from-india/article33774835.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/india-ukraine'
	],
	(int) 14 => [
		'title' => 'Infrastructure Push',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/infrastructure-push-now-fiscal-consolidation-later/article33776405.ece" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Infrastructure push now, fiscal consolidation later&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Hindu on 08/02/2021. It talks about the concerns related to infrastructure development in India.</p>
</div>
<p>Presently, the Indian economy is facing an acute economic crisis, triggered Covid-19 pandemic. The National Statistical Office has estimated that the economy would shrink by 7.7%. Against this background, <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/budget-2021-highlights-infrastructure" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Budget 2021</strong></a> has provided a reasonable stimulus to infrastructure growth.</p>
<p>However, apart from concerns emanating from the rising fiscal deficit, infrastructure development in India has its own issues. Thus, if the Indian economy wants to reap intended benefits and minimize risks of contemplated fiscal stimulus, there is a need to carry out reforms that impede the development of Infrastructure.</p>
<h3>Some of the Proposed Budget Initiatives</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Setting up of a Development Finance Institution (DFI) with an initial capital of ₹20,000 crores, to serve as a catalyst for facilitating infrastructure investment.</li>
<li>The budgeted increase in capital outlay would provide the central government&rsquo;s share to the <strong><a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/the-big-picture-national-infrastructure-pipeline-nip-dashboard" target="_blank" rel="noopener">National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP)</a>.</strong></li>
<li>An important initiative pertains to the launching of a National Monetisation Pipeline. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This would be the first practical step towards asset monetization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In order to manage the non-performing assets of public sector banks, there is a proposal to set up a Bad Bank.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Issues Related To Infrastructure Development</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Revenue Shortfall:</strong> Slippage in revenue estimates may not be ruled out on account of the realization of lower than anticipated increases in nominal GDP growth, direct tax buoyancy, and disinvestment targets.</li>
<li><strong>Lesser Funds With States:</strong> The Union government has accepted the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/j-k-and-15th-finance-commission#:~:text=The%2015th%20Finance%20Commission,April%202020%20to%20March%202025." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 15<sup>th</sup> Finance Commission report recommendation</strong></a>, according to which vertical share of tax devolution from the center to states has been reduced 42% to 41%.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Moreover, the central government increasingly resort to the imposition of cesses which are almost permanent have reduced the shareable pool.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Associated With Burgeoning Fiscal Deficit:</strong> Infrastructure development in India will be funded by fiscal stimulus.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This can be reflected as the Centre has indicated taking the fiscal deficit to 4.5% of GDP by 2025-26.</li>
<li>However, the rising fiscal deficit can cause macro-economic stability issues like high inflation, crowding out, a downgrade of international ratings, etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues Associated With Bad Bank:</strong> Finding buyers for bad assets in a pandemic hit economy will be a challenge, especially when governments are facing the issue of containing the fiscal deficit.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Also, the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bad-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>bad bank idea</strong></a> is like shifting loans from one government pocket (the public sector banks) to another (the bad bank).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Structural Problems:</strong> Due to land acquisition delays and litigation issues, the rate of implementation of projects is very slow on global standards. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Further, getting approvals are very difficult in terms of land access, environmental clearances, impending litigation in court delays the infrastructure projects.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Multi-Stakeholder Approach:</strong> The success of the infrastructure expansion plan would depend on other stakeholders of the pipeline playing their due role. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>These include State governments and their public sector enterprises and the private sector.</li>
<li>In this context, the Fifteenth Finance Commission has recommended the setting up of a High-Powered Intergovernmental Group to re-examine the fiscal responsibility legislations of the Centre and States.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>National Infrastructure Pipeline:</strong> The NIP is a step in the right direction. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>However, there is a need to facilitate the assimilation of data and information from all the stakeholders like Central and State Governments, Urban Local Bodies, Banks and Financial Institution, PE funds, and private investors, both local and foreign on one platform to increase accountability and transparency in the infrastructure sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Banking Reforms:</strong> So long as Public sector bank managements remain beholden to politicians and bureaucrats, their deficit in professionalism will remain and subsequently, prudential norms in lending will continue to suffer. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Therefore, the debate regarding setting up a bad bank must be preceded by proper implementation of holistic reforms in the banking sector, as envisaged under the IndraDhanush plan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>Huge fiscal stimulus, provided by the government in the Budget 2021 is a step in the right direction. However, it needs to address structural and macroeconomic stability concerns, emanating from high public expenditure.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #f8fff7;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>If the Indian economy wants to reap intended benefits and minimize risks of contemplated fiscal stimulus, there is a need to carry out reforms that impede the development of Infrastructure. Analyze.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/infrastructure-push'
	],
	(int) 15 => [
		'title' => 'Economic Impact of Judicial Decisions',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/niti-aayog-national-institution-for-transforming-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>NITI Aayog</strong></a> has asked research organisation <strong>&lsquo;Consumer Unity and Trust Society (CUTS) International&rsquo;</strong> to conduct a study on the<strong> &ldquo;economic impact&rdquo;</strong> <strong>of various judgments delivered by courts and tribunals</strong> and the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/when-judges-legislate" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&lsquo;judicial activism&rsquo;</strong></a> of such courts and tribunals.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Judicial Activism:</strong> It implies the<strong> assertive role played by the judiciary</strong> to force the other two organs of the government (legislature and executive) to discharge their constitutional duties. It is<strong> also known as &ldquo;judicial dynamism&rdquo;.</strong> It is the<strong> antithesis of &ldquo;judicial restraint&rdquo;,</strong> which means the self-control exercised by the judiciary.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Conducting Organization:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The study is to be undertaken by the Jaipur-headquartered <strong>CUTS (Consumer Unity and Trust Society)</strong> Centre for Competition, Investment and Economic Regulation, that also has an international presence.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a<strong> registered, recognised, non-profit, non-partisan, non-government organisation (NGO)</strong> pursuing social justice and economic equity both within and across borders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objective:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The objective of the study aims a<strong> &ldquo;narrative building for sensitising the judiciary on the economic impact of their decisions&rdquo;.</strong></li>
<li>It is to do an objective <strong>cost-benefit analysis of the economic impact of the decisions.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Projects to be Studied:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Study intends to examine<strong> five major projects that have been &ldquo;impacted&rdquo; by judicial decisions of the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/supreme-court-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Supreme Court (SC)</a></strong> or the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/national-green-tribunal-ngt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Green Tribunal (NGT).</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Projects to be analysed include the construction of an<strong> airport in Mopa, Goa;</strong> cessation of<strong> iron ore mining in Goa,</strong> and the shutting down of the <strong>Sterlite copper plant in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.</strong></li>
<li>The others are decisions by the NGT involving <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/unep-report-on-sand-mining" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sand mining</a>, and construction activities in the National Capital Region.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It plans to do this by <strong>interviewing people who have been affected</strong> by the closure of the projects, environmental campaigners, experts and assessing the business impact of closure.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The findings will be used as a <strong>training input for judges</strong> of commercial courts, NGT, High Courts and SC.</li>
<li>It would contribute to public discourse among policymakers for promoting an <strong>&ldquo;economically responsible approach by judiciary&rdquo;</strong> in its decisions.</li>
<li>The study is also a <strong>part of the larger umbrella project</strong> undertaken by NITI Aayog under which it wants to establish a<strong> judicial performance index,</strong> which would measure the performance of judges at district courts and subordinate levels.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Previous Study:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2017, the same CUTS International had also conducted an assessment study on the economic impact of the SC&rsquo;s decision to <strong>impose a ban on the presence of liquor shops within 500 m of any highway.</strong></li>
<li>The study showed that <strong>cases which involve substantial social and economic dimensions need to be studied in detail</strong> to assess whether they are implementable in the first place and whether the loss to the economy outweighs the gains envisaged.</li>
<li>This could be done <strong>if Courts set up expert committees</strong> to study these aspects which can also engage economists to analyse the cost/benefits before a judgment is pronounced.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Supreme Court had established such expert group committees for cases in the past like the <strong>Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety</strong> under the Chairmanship of Justice K.S. Radhakrishnan in 2014 and <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sc-alters-lodhas-bcci-proposals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Justice Lodha Committee</a> set up in 2015</strong> for reforms within the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), amongst others.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612782274_image6.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612782274_image6.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/business/niti-aayog-orders-study-on-economic-impact-of-judicial-decisions-7178976/" 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/economic-impact-of-judicial-decisions'
	],
	(int) 16 => [
		'title' => 'Uttarakhand Flash Flood',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, a<strong> glacial break</strong> in the <strong>Tapovan-Reni area of Chamoli District of Uttarakhand</strong> led to massive <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/south-asian-flash-flood-guidance-system" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Flash Flood</strong></a> in <strong>Dhauli Ganga</strong> and <strong>Alaknanda Rivers,</strong> damaging houses and the nearby <strong>Rishiganga power project.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In <strong>June 2013,</strong> flash floods in Uttarakhand wiped out settlements and took lives.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Cause of Flash Flood in Uttarakhand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It occurred in river Rishi Ganga due to the falling of a portion of <strong>Nanda Devi glacier</strong> in the river which<strong> exponentially increased the volume of water.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Rishiganga meets Dhauli Ganga near Raini. So Dhauli Ganga also got flooded.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Major Power Projects Affected:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rishi Ganga Power Project:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It is a privately owned 130MW project.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Tapovan Vishnugad Hydropower Project on the Dhauliganga:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It was a 520 MW run-of-rive<strong>r hydroelectric project</strong> being constructed on <strong>Dhauliganga River.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Several<strong> other projects on the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river basins</strong> in northwestern Uttarakhand have also been impacted by the flood.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flash Floods:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>These are<strong> sudden surges in water levels</strong> generally during or following an <strong>intense spell of rain.</strong></li>
<li>These are<strong> highly localised</strong> events of<strong> short duration</strong> with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood.</li>
<li>The flood situation <strong>worsens in the presence of choked drainage lines or encroachments</strong> obstructing the natural flow of water.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Causes:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It may be caused by heavy rain associated with a severe <strong>thunderstorm, hurricane, tropical storm, or meltwater from ice or snow flowing over ice sheets or snowfields.</strong></li>
<li>Flash Floods can also occur due to <strong>Dam or Levee Breaks, and/or Mudslides (Debris Flow).</strong></li>
<li>In areas on or near <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/pacific-ring-of-fire" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>volcanoes</strong></a>, flash floods have also occurred after eruptions, when glaciers have been melted by the intense heat.</li>
<li>The intensity of the rainfall, the location and distribution of the rainfall, the land use and topography, vegetation types and growth/density, soil type, and soil water- content all determine just how quickly the Flash Flooding may occur, and influence where it may occur.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Glaciers</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Glaciers are a bulk of ice moving under its weight. It forms in areas where the amassing of snow goes beyond its ablation over many years.</li>
<li>They are generally seen in the snow-fields.</li>
<li>This largest freshwater basin covers around 10% of the land surface of the Earth.</li>
<li>According to the topography and the location of the glacier, it can be categorized as <strong>Mountain Glacier (Alpine Glaciers) or Continental Glacier (Ice Sheets).</strong></li>
<li>The Continental Glacier moves outward in all directions whereas the Mountain Glacier moves from a higher to a lower altitude.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Glaciers and Floods:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Glacial Lakes:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Retreating glaciers, like several in the <a href="/loksabha-rajyasabha-discussions/in-depth-melting-himalayas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Himalayas</strong></a>, usually result in the formation of lakes at their tips, called <strong>proglacial lakes,</strong> often bound only by sediments and boulders.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flood:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>If the<strong> boundaries of these lakes are breached, it can lead to large amounts of water rushing down to nearby streams</strong> and rivers, gathering momentum on the way by picking up sediments, rocks and other material, and <strong>resulting in flooding downstream.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Climate Change:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Climate change has driven erratic weather patterns like increased snowfall and rainfall, warmer winters has led to the melting of a lot of snow.</li>
<li>According to the latest assessment reports of the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, glacier retreat and permafrost thaw are projected to decrease the stability of mountain slopes and increase the number and area of glacier lakes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Dhauliganga</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origination:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It originates from <strong>Vasudhara Tal,</strong> perhaps the <strong>largest glacial lake</strong> in Uttarakhand.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Dhauliganga is one of the <strong>important tributaries of Alaknanda,</strong> the other being the <strong>Nandakini, Pindar, Mandakini and Bhagirathi.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Dhauliganga is joined by the <strong>Rishiganga river at Raini.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>It merges with the Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>There it loses its identity and the <strong>Alaknanda flows southwest through Chamoli, Maithana, Nandaprayag, Karnaprayag</strong> until it meets the Mandakini river, coming from the north at Rudraprayag.</li>
<li>After subsuming Mandakini, the Alaknanda carries on past Srinagar, before <strong>joining the Ganga at Devprayag.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Alaknanda then disappears and the mighty <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ganga-rejuvenation-monitoring" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ganga</a></strong> carries on its journey, first flowing south then west through important pilgrimage centres such as Rishikesh and finally descending into the Indo-Gangetic plains at Haridwar.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612781299_image2.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612781299_image2.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="550" caption="false" /></a></p>
<p><strong>Nanda Devi National Park</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Location:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is situated around the peak of Nanda Devi (7816 m) in the state of Uttarakhand in northern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The park encompasses the <strong>Nanda Devi Sanctuary, a glacial basin</strong> surrounded by a ring of peaks, and drained by the <strong>Rishi Ganga through the Rishi Ganga Gorge.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Established:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The Park was established as Sanjay Gandhi National Park by Notification in 1982 but was later renamed Nanda Devi National Park.</li>
<li>It was inscribed a <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/world-heritage-sites-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>World Heritage Site</strong></a> <strong>by the <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/unesco-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)</a> in 1988.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Flora:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Some 312 floral species that include 17 rare species have been found here. Fir, birch, rhododendron, and juniper are the main flora.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fauna:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Himalayan black bear, Snow leopard , Himalayan Musk Deer etc.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/uttarakhand-glacier-break-flash-flood-rishiganga-7178446/" 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/uttarakhand-flash-flood'
	],
	(int) 17 => [
		'title' => 'Clean Fuel Hydrogen',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, researchers at the <strong>Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-D)</strong> have come up with a way to <strong>generate clean fuel hydrogen from water at a low-cost.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>It is a significant step towards efforts across the globe that are being made to look for cleaner and greener energy sources.</li>
<li>Hydrogen gas is a viable choice as<strong> a renewable substitute for fossil fuels,</strong> and can help <strong>mitigate emissions to reduce pollution.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The researchers at IIT-D have successfully split water by a process known as <strong>Sulphur-Iodine (SI) thermochemical hydrogen cycle (SI Cycle)</strong> to<strong> generate low-cost,</strong> clean hydrogen fuel for industrial consumption.</li>
<li>Generally in<strong> SI Cycle, the separation of Hydrogen from oxygen requires a high amount of heat</strong> (generally from non-renewable sources such as coal, oil and natural gas). This makes the large-scale production of hydrogen gas economically non viable and non environment friendly.</li>
<li>The main achievement has been <strong>designing a suitable catalyst</strong> for the energy intensive, corrosive step of sulphuric acid conversion to sulphur-dioxide and oxygen.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Sulfur-Iodine Cycle</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Process:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The sulfur&ndash;iodine cycle <strong>(SI cycle)</strong> is a three-step <strong>thermochemical cycle</strong> used to produce hydrogen. In this cycle, all the chemicals are recycled. The SI process requires an efficient source of heat.</li>
<li>Heat enters the cycle in high-temperature endothermic chemical reactions in the initial process and heat exits the cycle in the low-temperature exothermic reaction in the final stage of obtaining hydrogen gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Three-Step Thermochemical Cycle: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Step 1:</strong> Iodide (I<sub>2</sub>) is reacted with Sulphur dioxide (SO<sub>2</sub>) to produce Hydriodic acid (HI) and Sulphuric acid (H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub>). <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>I<sub>2</sub> + SO<sub>2</sub> + 2 H<sub>2</sub>O &rarr; 2 HI + H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Step 2:</strong> The water, SO<sub>2</sub> and residual H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> is separated from the oxygen byproduct by condensation so as to obtain Hydriodic acid (HI).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>2 H<sub>2</sub>SO<sub>4</sub> &rarr; 2 SO<sub>2</sub> + 2 H<sub>2</sub>O + O<sub>2 </sub></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Step 3:</strong> It is the Hydriodic acid (HI) from which Hydrogen gas (H<sub>2</sub>) is obtained.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>2 HI &rarr; I<sub>2</sub> + H<sub>2</sub></strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The difference between the heat entering and leaving the cycle exits the cycle in the form of the heat of combustion of the hydrogen produced.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Major<strong> challenges</strong> of the sulfur&ndash;iodine cycle are to<strong> reduce the surplus of water</strong> and iodine and find separation <strong>processes that consume less energy</strong> than distillation.</li>
<li>Traditionally development of the SI cycle has been pursued by several countries for hydrogen production with the <strong>Generation IV nuclear reactors.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Significance of the Discovery: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Enhancing Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Enabling availability of of low cost hydrogen through this discovery will enhance and improve the application of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hydrogen-fuel-cell-based-bus-and-car-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hydrogen fuel cell technology</strong></a> which offers the advantages of a clean and reliable alternative energy source to applications such as &ndash; electric vehicles, primary and backup power for a variety of commercial, industrial, and residential buildings; and more futuristic-sounding applications like air taxis.
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>A hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical power generator</strong> that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as by-products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Help Adhering Emission Targets:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It could help India to adhere to its commitment in the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/cop25-climate-summit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Paris Climate Agreement</strong></a> and its <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-editorials/11-07-2019" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) Targets</strong> </a>and ensure that its mobility in the future is with zero emissions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Complements FAME India Scheme:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>It will complement the implementation of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fame-ii-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>FAME India Scheme</strong></a> launched with the objective to support hybrid/electric vehicles market development and manufacturing ecosystem.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Advantages of Hydrogen as Fuel: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Environment Friendly:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The advantage of using hydrogen as an energy carrier is that when it combines with oxygen<strong> the only byproducts are water and heat.</strong></li>
<li>No greenhouse gasses or other particulates are produced by the use of hydrogen fuel cells.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Non Toxic:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Hydrogen is a non-toxic substance</strong> that is rare for a fuel source. It is environmentally friendly and does not cause any harm or destruction to human health.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Highly Efficient:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hydrogen is an efficient energy type since it has the ability to convey a lot of energy for every pound of fuel compared to diesel or gas.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Ideal Spaceship Fuel:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Hydrogen energy&rsquo;s efficiency and power make it an ideal fuel source for spaceships. Its power is so high that it&rsquo;s able to quickly rocket spaceships to exploration missions.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disadvantages of Hydrogen as fuel</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Compared to gas, hydrogen lacks smell, which makes any <strong>leak detection almost impossible.</strong></li>
<li>Hydrogen is a highly flammable and volatile substance, its potential dangers make its <strong>transportation and storage very challenging.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Delhi/iit-d-finds-way-for-low-cost-cleaner-fuel/article33777101.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/clean-fuel-hydrogen'
	],
	(int) 18 => [
		'title' => 'Odisha’s Border Disputes',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why In News</h3>
<p>Recently, a <strong>border dispute between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh</strong> once again resurfaced when Andhra Pradesh announced panchayat polls in three villages of<strong> Kotia panchayat</strong> in Koraput district of Odisha.</p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Border Disputes of Odisha:<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612772987_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612772987_image1.jpg" style="float: right;" width="450" caption="false" /></a></strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Odisha was <strong>carved out of the Bengal-Bihar-Odisha province</strong> on 1<sup>st</sup> April, 1936, but the inter-state border disputes continue even today.</li>
<li>Odisha continues to have <strong>unresolved border disputes with four neighbouring States</strong> in its 8 out of 30 districts.</li>
<li>14 of the 30 districts <strong>share borders with Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.</strong> However, the <strong>disputes over Kotia villages in Koraput district bordering Andhra Pradesh</strong> is the <strong>only major border conflict. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>About the Kotia Dispute:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are <strong>locked in a territorial dispute over Kotia gram panchayat since 1960.</strong> Disputes pertain over <strong>21 villages</strong> in Kotia gram panchayat.</li>
<li>Residents of Kotia panchayat<strong> receive benefits from both Pottangi block in Koraput and Salur in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh.</strong> They depend on both the blocks for their day to day activities.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Water Dispute with Andhra Pradesh:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In 2006, Odisha sent a complaint to the Central Government under Section 3 of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/call-of-the-river" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956</strong></a> regarding its water disputes with Andhra Pradesh pertaining to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/vamsadhara-river-water-dispute" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inter-State River Vamsadhara.</strong></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Disputes with Other States:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>West Bengal:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Odisha and West Bengal have disputes over 27 plots in Balasore District and some areas in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.</li>
<li><strong>Mayurbhanj district</strong> is known for its<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/mining-sector-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> iron ore reserves</strong></a> and <strong>Chhau dance</strong> (a tribal dance in which dancers wear colorful masks).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Jharkhand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The border dispute between Odisha and Jharkhand arises due to change in course of river <strong>Baitarani.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> Baitarani river</strong> originates from the hill ranges of Keonjhar district of Odisha.</li>
<li>It is <strong>an east flowing river</strong> of peninsular India, flowing eastward and joining the Bay of Bengal.</li>
<li>Major portion of its catchment lies in the state of Odisha and a small patch of the upper reach falls in Jharkhand.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Chhattisgarh:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>With Chhattisgarh, Odisha has disputes relating to villages in Nabarangpur and Jharsuguda district.</li>
<li>The Central Government constituted <a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/inter-state-river-water-sharing-disputes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal</strong> </a>in 2018.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Inter state dialogues, deliberations in <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/western-zonal-council" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Inter State councils</strong> </a>and <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/tribunals-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tribunals</strong></a> and sticking the spirit of<a href="/to-the-points/Paper2/cooperative-and-competitive-federalism-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Cooperative federalism</strong> </a>should be adopted to resolve such disputes.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/border-dispute-naveenflayed-over-kotia-polls/article33763898.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/odisha-s-border-disputes'
	],
	(int) 19 => [
		'title' => 'Pacific Ring of Fire',
		'catname' => 'Paper 1',
		'desc' => '<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Ring of Fire,</strong> also referred to as the<strong> Circum-Pacific Belt,</strong> is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is largely a result of<a href="/to-the-points/paper1/tectonic-plates" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> Plate Tectonics</strong></a> where <strong>massive Pacific Plate</strong> interacts with less-dense plates surrounding it.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The<strong> majority of Earth&rsquo;s volcanic eruptions and earthquakes</strong> take place along the Ring of Fire.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The next most seismically active region (5-6% of earthquakes) is the <strong>Alpide belt</strong> (extends from Mediterranean region, eastward through Turkey, Iran, and northern India.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Geographical Stretch of Ring of Fire</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ring of Fire is stretched to approximately <strong>40,000 kilometers</strong> (24,900 miles) tracing boundaries between several tectonic plates including the <strong>Pacific, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca, North American, </strong>and <strong>Philippine Plates.</strong></li>
<li>The chain runs up along the<strong> western coast of South and North America,</strong> crosses over the <strong>Aleutian Islands in Alaska,</strong> runs down the <strong>eastern coast of Asia past New Zealand</strong> and into the <strong>northern coast of Antarctica.</strong></li>
<li>Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, United States, Canada, Russia, Japan, Philippines, Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Antarctica are some of the<strong> important places located in the ring of the fire.</strong></li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612769443_image1.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612769443_image1.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="650" caption="false" /></strong></a></p>
<h3>Features of Ring of Fire</h3>
<p><strong>Active volcanoes:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ring of Fire is home to<strong> more than 450 active and dormant volcanoes</strong> (75% of Earth&rsquo;s total volcanoes) forming a semicircle or horse shoe around the rim of the Pacific Ocean.</li>
<li>Most of the active volcanoes on the Ring of Fire are found on its<strong> western edge,</strong> from Russia to New Zealand. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Major volcanic events that have occurred within the Ring of Fire since 1800 including the eruptions of Mount Tambora, Indonesia (1815), Mount Ruiz, Columbia (1985), and Mount Pinatubo, Philippines (1991).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The <strong>Mount Tambora of Indonesia,</strong> which erupted in 1815 was the largest volcanic eruption in recorded history.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It is now 2,851 metres (9,354 feet) high after losing much of its top in the 1815 eruption.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mount Ruapehu in New Zealand</strong> is one of the more active volcanoes in the Ring of Fire, with<strong> yearly minor eruptions,</strong> and major eruptions occurring about every 50 years.</li>
<li><strong>Krakatoa, an island volcano,</strong> erupts less often than Mount Ruapehu, but<strong> much more spectacularly.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>An infamous eruption in <strong>1883</strong> destroyed the entire island, sending volcanic gas, volcanic ash, and rocks as high as <strong>80 kilometers (50 miles) in the air.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mount Fuji,</strong> Japan&rsquo;s tallest and most famous mountain, is an active volcano in the Ring of Fire.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Mount Fuji sits at a<strong> &ldquo;triple junction&rdquo;,</strong> where three tectonic plates (the<strong> Amur Plate, Okhotsk Plate,</strong> and <strong>Philippine Plate</strong>) interact.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The Ring of Fire&rsquo;s <strong>eastern half</strong> also has a number of active volcanic areas, including the<strong> Aleutian Islands, the Cascade Mountains</strong> in the western U.S., the <strong>Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt,</strong> and the<strong> Andes Mountains.</strong></li>
<li><strong>Mount St. Helens,</strong> in the U.S. state of Washington, is an<strong> active volcano in the Cascade Mountain.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>It lies on a particularly weak section of crust, which makes it more prone to eruptions. Its historic <strong>1980 eruption lasted 9 hours</strong> and covered nearby areas in tons of volcanic ash.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Popocat&eacute;petl</strong> is one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the Ring of Fire. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The mountain is one of Mexico&rsquo;s most active volcanoes, with<strong> 15 recorded eruptions since 1519.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Earthquakes</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>90%</strong> of earthquakes occur along its path, including the planet&rsquo;s most violent and dramatic seismic events.</li>
<li>The Ring of Fire has been the setting for the <strong>most devastating earthquakes</strong> in recorded history, including the Chile earthquake of 1960 and 2010, the Alaska earthquake of 1964, and the Japan earthquake of 2011 as well as the earthquake that produced the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami of 2004.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The<strong> Valdivia Earthquake of Chile,</strong> occurred in 1960, was the<strong> strongest</strong> recorded earthquake at <strong>9.5 out of 10</strong> on the Richter scale.</li>
<li>The Chile Earthquake is closely followed by the <strong>Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964</strong> (magnitude <strong>9.2</strong>)</li>
<li>The<strong> Northern Sumatra earthquake</strong> (the <strong>Indian Ocean Tsunami</strong>), December 26, 2004 (magnitude 9.1)</li>
<li>The<strong> Earthquake on the East Coast of Honshu,</strong> Japan on March 11, 2011 (magnitude <strong>9.0</strong>) which led to a tsunami and ultimately the <strong>nuclear disaster at Fukushima.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Island Arcs</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>They are long, curved chains of<strong> oceanic islands</strong> associated with <strong>intense volcanic and seismic activity and orogenic</strong> (mountain-building) processes.</li>
<li>An island arc typically has a<strong> land mass or a partially enclosed, unusually shallow sea</strong> on its concave side.</li>
<li>Along the convex side there almost invariably exists a long, <strong>narrow deep-sea trench.</strong></li>
<li>The greatest ocean depths are found in these depressions of the seafloor, as in the case of the <strong>Mariana (deepest trench in the world) and Tonga trenches.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Prime examples of this form of geologic feature include the <strong>Aleutian-Alaska Arc</strong> and the<strong> Kuril-Kamchatka Arc.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Trenches</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Ocean trenches are steep depressions in the deepest parts of the ocean where an old ocean crust from one tectonic plate is pushed beneath another plate, raising mountains, causing earthquakes, and forming volcanoes on the seafloor and on land.</li>
<li>The ring of fire is home to the<strong> deepest ocean trench,</strong> called the<strong> Mariana Trench.</strong> It is a 7-mile-deep trench.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Other trenches in the region are: Philippine Trench, Challenger trench, Kuril- Kamchatka Trench, Peru&ndash;Chile Trench and Tonga Trench.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>The presence of oceanic trenches indicates tectonic instability extending into the mantle of the earth. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The trench is probably the oldest part of the structure, is the seat of normal-depth earthquake.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Cause of Frequent Earthquakes and Volcanism</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The Ring of Fire is the result of tectonic plates which are huge slabs of the Earth&rsquo;s crust, fitting together like pieces of a puzzle. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Sometimes these moving plates collide, or move apart, or slide next to each other, which lead to the formation of <strong>convergent, divergent or transform boundaries</strong> (respectively).</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This constant <strong>collision, diversion or sliding-past-each-other movement</strong> of tectonic plates results in <strong>deep ocean trenches, volcanic eruptions, and earthquake epicenters</strong> along the boundaries where the plates meet, called<strong> fault lines.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Volcanoes are created through the process of <strong>subduction</strong> and most of the planet's <strong>subduction zones</strong> happen to be located in the Ring of Fire.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A significant&nbsp;<strong>exception</strong> is the border between the<strong> Pacific and North American Plates.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>This stretch of the Ring of Fire is a<strong> transform boundary,</strong> where plates move sideways past one another.</li>
<li>This type of boundary <strong>generates a large number of earthquakes</strong> as tension in Earth&rsquo;s crust builds up and is released.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Subduction:</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Subduction happens when tectonic plates shift, and one plate is pushed under another. This movement of the ocean floor produces a <strong>"mineral transmutation",</strong> which leads to the melting and solidification of magma i.e., the <strong>formation of volcanoes.</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In other words, when a "downgoing" oceanic plate is pushed into a hotter mantle plate, it heats up, volatile elements mix, and this produces the magma. The magma then rises up through the overlying plate and spurts out at the surface.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>A subduction zone is the <strong>biggest crash scene on Earth.</strong> These <strong>boundaries mark the collision</strong> between two tectonic plates.</li>
<li>When two tectonic plates meet at a subduction zone, one bends and slides underneath the other, curving down into the mantle, the hotter layer under the crust.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612769526_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612769526_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="500" caption="false" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Source of Geothermal Resources</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>World&rsquo;s <strong>largest geothermal energy resources (more than 40%)</strong> are stored in the Pacific Ring of Fire.</li>
<li>Geothermal resources are highly<strong> associated with the active plate boundary</strong> (divergent or convergent plate type) where volcanism or frequent earthquakes have occurred.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The region is tectonically a very much active region, and as a result, it has <strong>stored a lot of heat which can be used as geothermal resources.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Around <strong>13 GW</strong> (till 2015) power generations had been installed on the basis of geothermal resources in the world where more than<strong> 6 GW</strong> have been found in the ring of fire region.</li>
<li>The geothermal energy resources can be utilized both for<strong> electricity generation</strong> and <strong>direct uses.</strong></li>
<li>Roughly estimated <strong>more than 110 GW electricity generation capabilities</strong> of geothermal resources can be found in this region.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Recent Research</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The <strong>Pacific Plate,</strong> which drives much of the tectonic activity in the Ring of Fire, is <strong>cooling off.</strong></li>
<li>Scientists have discovered that the <strong>youngest parts of the Pacific Plate</strong> (about 2 million years old) are cooling off and <strong>contracting at a faster rate</strong> than older parts of the plate (about 100 million years old).</li>
<li>The younger parts of the plate are<strong> found in its northern and western parts;</strong> the most active parts of the Ring of Fire.</li>
</ul>',
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