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Privatisation of Banks

Why in News The Union Budget 2021 has announced the privatisation of two public sector banks and one general insurance company in the upcoming...

11 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Impact of Crude Oil Price Hike

Why in News Recently, the price of Brent crude crossed the USD 60 per barrel mark after over a year. The rise in prices is because of production...

11 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Climate Change Report on Hindukush Karakoram Ranges

Why in News According to the 'Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region' report, snowfall over the higher reaches of the Hindukush...

11 Feb 2021 News Analysis
Digital Health Services

This article is based on “The salience of digital medical services was highlighted during the pandemic” which was published in The...

10 Feb 2021 News Editorials
UAE’s Hope Mars Mission

Why in News Recently, the United Arab Emirates' (UAE’s) first-ever interplanetary Hope Probe mission has successfully entered orbit around...

10 Feb 2021 News Analysis
India-Poland Relations

Why in News Recently, Poland has invited India’s Prime Minister while he will be visiting Portugal for the European Union-India summit (May...

10 Feb 2021 News Analysis
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

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			'title' => 'Privatisation of Banks',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-02-2021#:~:text=Key%20Points,(BE)%202021%2D22." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Union Budget 2021</strong></a> has announced the <strong>privatisation of two public sector banks and one general insurance company</strong> in the upcoming fiscal 2021-22.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move, coming after 51 years of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/50-years-of-nationalization-of-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> nationalisation of government-owned banks in 1969</strong></a>, will give the private sector a key role in the banking sector.</li>
<li>Presently, India has <strong>22 private banks </strong>and<strong> 10 <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/small-finance-bank-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">small finance banks.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government decided to nationalise the <strong>14 largest private banks</strong> in 1969. The idea was to<strong> align the banking sector with the socialistic approach</strong> of the then government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>State Bank of India (SBI) had been nationalised in 1955 itself, and the insurance sector in 1956.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Various governments in the last 20 years were for and against privatisation of Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) banks. In 2015, the government had suggested privatisation but the then <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> Governor did not favour the idea.</li>
<li>The current steps of privatisation, along with setting up an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bad-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asset Reconstruction Company (Bad Bank)</strong></a> entirely owned by banks, underline an<strong> approach of finding market-led solutions to challenges in the financial sector.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Privatisation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Degrading Financial Position of Public Sector Banks:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Years of capital injections and <strong>governance reforms have not been able to improve the financial position of public sector banks significantly.</strong></li>
<li>Many of them have <strong>higher levels of stressed assets</strong> than private banks, and also lag the latter on profitability, market capitalisation and dividend payment record.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613032203_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613032203_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="697" height="310" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Part of a Long-Term Project:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Privatisation of two public sector banks will set the ball rolling for a <strong>long-term project that envisages only a handful of state-owned banks,</strong> with the rest either consolidated with strong banks or privatised. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>initial plan of the government was to privatise four.</strong> Depending on the success with the first two, the government is likely to go for divestment in another two or three banks in the next financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This will free up the government, the majority owner, from continuing to provide equity support to the banks year after year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through a series of moves over the last few years, the government is now left with <strong>12 state-owned banks, from 28 earlier.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government is trying to<strong> strengthen the strong banks</strong> and also minimise their numbers through privatisation to reduce its burden of support.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations of Different Committees:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Many committees had proposed bringing down the government stake in public banks below 51%:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amalgamation-of-three-public-sector-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Narasimham Committee</a> proposed 33%.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/merger-of-psbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> P J Nayak Committee</a> suggested below 50%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/internal-working-group-recommendations-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> RBI Working Group</strong></a> recently suggested the entry of business houses into the banking sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Selection of Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two banks that will be privatised will be selected through a process in which <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> will make recommendations, which will be considered by a core group of secretaries on disinvestment and then the<strong> Alternative Mechanism (or Group of Ministers).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with PSU Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>High Non-Performing Assets (NPAs):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>After a series of mergers and equity injections by the government, the performance of public sector banks has shown improvement over the last couple of years. However, compared with private banks, they continue to have <strong>high <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/lessons-from-npa-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NPAs</a> and stressed assets</strong> although this has started declining.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>After the Covid-related regulatory relaxations are lifted, banks are expected to report higher NPAs and loan losses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per the RBI&rsquo;s recent <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-stability-report-rbi-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Financial Stability Report</a>,</strong> gross NPA ratio of all commercial banks may increase from 7.5% in September 2020 to 13.5% by September 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This would mean the government would again need to inject equity into weak public sector banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance of Private Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rising Market Share:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Private banks&rsquo; market share in loans has risen to 36% in 2020 from 21.26% in 2015, while public sector banks&rsquo; share has fallen to 59.8% from 74.28%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Better Products and Services:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Competition heated up after the RBI allowed more private banks since the 1990s. They have expanded the market share through <strong>new products, technology, and better services,</strong> and also attracted better valuations in stock markets.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>HDFC Bank (set up in 1994) has a market capitalisation of Rs. 8.80 lakh crore while SBI commands just Rs. 3.50 lakh crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with Private Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Governance Issues:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rediscovering-development-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Bank</strong></a> MD and CEO was sacked for allegedly extending dubious loans.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-yes-bank-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Yes Bank</strong></a> CEO was not given extension by the RBI and now faces investigations by various agencies.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lakshmi-vilas-bank-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lakshmi Vilas Bank faced operational issues</strong></a> and was recently merged with DBS Bank of Singapore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Under-reported NPAs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When the RBI ordered an asset quality review of banks in 2015, many private sector banks, including Yes Bank, were found <strong>under-reporting NPAs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order to improve the governance and management of PSBs, there is a need to implement the recommendations of the<strong> PJ Nayak committee.</strong></li>
<li>Rather than blind privatisation, PSBs can be made into a corporation like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initial-public-offer-lic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Life Insurance Corporation (LIC)</strong></a>. While maintaining government ownership, this will give more autonomy to PSBs.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/privatisation-of-public-sector-banks-union-budget-npas-psu-7183446/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 1 => [
			'title' => 'Impact of Crude Oil Price Hike',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> price of Brent crude crossed the USD 60 per barrel mark after over a year.</strong> The rise in prices is<strong> because of production cuts</strong> by oil-producing countries and<strong> expectations of improvements in global demand</strong> as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccine-distribution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 vaccine</strong></a> is rolled out across the world.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In April 2020, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oil-prices-below-zero" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped below zero</strong></a> for the first time in history, to a negative USD 40.32 per barrel.</li>
<li><strong>Two crude oils</strong> which are either traded themselves or whose prices are reflected in other types of crude oil include <strong>West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Oil Pricing:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Generally, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/talks-on-oil-cut-deal-at-g-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries</a> (OPEC)</strong> used to<strong> work as a cartel</strong> and fix prices in a favourable band.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>OPEC is led by Saudi Arabia,</strong> which is the<strong> largest exporter of crude oil</strong> in the world (single-handedly exporting 10% of the global demand).</li>
<li>OPEC has a <strong>total of 13 Member Countries</strong> viz. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Angola, and Venezuela.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>OPEC <strong>could bring down prices by increasing oil production</strong> and raise prices by cutting production.</li>
<li>The global oil pricing mainly <strong>depends upon the partnership between the global oil exporters instead of a well-functioning competition.</strong></li>
<li>Cutting oil production or <strong>completely shutting down an oil well is a difficult decision,</strong> because restarting it is immensely costly and complicated.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Moreover, if a country cuts production, it risks losing market share if other countries do not follow the suit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, OPEC has been working with Russia, as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>OPEC+</strong> </a>to fix the global prices and supply.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2016,<strong> OPEC allied with other top non-OPEC oil-exporting nations</strong> to form an even more powerful entity named OPEC+ or OPEC Plus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Present Price Hike:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Limited Supply:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Major oil-producing countries <strong>had cut oil production last year</strong> amid a sharp fall in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Saudi Arabia pledged extra supply cuts in February and March 2020 following reductions by other members of the<strong> Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)</strong> and its allies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In early January 2021, the <strong>OPEC and Russia</strong> (as OPEC+) agreed to <strong>cut back on oil production to increase prices.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rising Demand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> production and rollout of vaccines</strong> for Covid-19 and the <strong>rising consumption post the Covid lockdowns</strong> last year have both led to a revival in international crude oil prices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Current Account Deficit:</strong> The increase in oil prices will <strong>increase the country&rsquo;s import bill,</strong> and further <strong>disturb its current account deficit</strong> (excess of imports of goods and services over exports).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to estimates, a one-dollar increase in crude oil price increases the oil bill by around USD 1.6 billion per year.</li>
<li><strong>India imports 80% of its crude oil requirements</strong> and the average price of Indian basket of crude oil has already risen to USD 54.8 barrel for January 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inflation:</strong> The increase in crude prices could also also further increase <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inflation-data-august-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>inflationary pressures</strong></a> that have been building up over the past few months.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will <strong>decrease the space for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/repo-rate-unchanged-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">monetary policy committee</a> to ease policy rates</strong> further.</li>
<li>The government <strong>had hiked central taxes on petrol and diesel</strong> by Rs. 13 per litre and Rs. 11 per litre in 2020 to boost revenues amid lower economic activity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal Health:</strong> If oil prices continue to increase, the government shall be forced to cut taxes on petroleum and diesel which may cause loss of revenue and deteriorate its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-fiscal-deficit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fiscal balance.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The growth slowdown in the last two years has already resulted in a precarious fiscal situation because of tax revenue shortfalls.</li>
<li>The revenue lost will erode the government&rsquo;s ability to spend or meet its fiscal commitments in the form of budgetary transfers to states, payment of dues and compensation for revenue shortfalls to state governments under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>goods and services tax (GST)</strong></a> framework.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Positive Outcomes:</strong> However, there could be a positive side for India too from the oil price hike.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The value of Indian oil and gas companies could be positively impacted. The government could get greater value from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-s-disinvestment-plans" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disinvestment</strong></a> in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.</li>
<li><strong>Remittances</strong> from the Persian Gulf could <strong>increase.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Difference between Brent and WTI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origin:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Brent</strong> crude oil <strong>originates from oil fields in the North Sea</strong> between the Shetland Islands and Norway.</li>
<li><strong>West Texas Intermediate (WTI)</strong> is sourced from<strong> US oil fields,</strong> primarily in Texas, Louisiana, and North Dakota.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Light and Sweet:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both oils are relatively light, but<strong> Brent has a slightly higher API gravity,</strong> making WTI the lighter of the two.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity</strong> is an indicator of the density of crude oil or refined products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WTI with a lower sulphur content</strong> (0.24%) than Brent (0.37%), is <strong>considered "sweeter".</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benchmark Prices:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Brent crude price</strong> is the international benchmark price <strong>used by the OPEC</strong> while <strong>WTI crude price</strong> is a benchmark for<strong> US oil prices.</strong></li>
<li>Since India imports primarily from OPEC countries, <strong>Brent is the benchmark for oil prices in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cost of Shipping:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cost of shipping <strong>for Brent crude is typically lower,</strong> since it is produced near the sea and it can be put on ships immediately.</li>
<li><strong>Shipping of WTI is priced higher</strong> since it is produced in landlocked areas like Cushing, Oklahoma where the storage facilities are limited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/crude-oil-price-rise-explained-7181078/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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		],
		(int) 2 => [
			'title' => 'Climate Change Report on Hindukush Karakoram Ranges',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assessment-of-climate-change-over-the-indian-region-moes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 'Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region'</strong></a> report, <strong>snowfall</strong> over the higher reaches of the <strong>Hindukush Himalayan mountain ranges</strong> has been <strong>increasing</strong> in recent decades, which has <strong>shielded the region from glacier shrinkage.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recent<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uttarakhand-flash-flood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> massive flooding in the Alaknanda river</strong></a>, probably due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ndma-guidelines-to-tackle-glacial-bursts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>glacial bursts</strong></a> has highlighted the issue of higher<strong> glacier retreat in recent decades due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global warming</a></strong>, however, the report indicates a contrasting picture of the Hindukush Himalayas.</li>
<li>Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region Report has been<strong> published by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).</strong> It is <strong>India&rsquo;s first-ever national forecast on the impact of global warming</strong> on the subcontinent in the coming century.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>HinduKush Himalayan (HKH) Region</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The HKH region spans Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.</li>
<li>It traverses about 5 million square kilometres and hosts a large and culturally diverse population.</li>
<li>It is <strong>considered the Third Pole</strong> (after the North and South Poles), and has significant implications for climate.</li>
<li>It contains <strong>vast cryospheric zones</strong> (frozen water parts) and is also the world&rsquo;s largest store of snow and ice outside the polar region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613027791_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613027791_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="480" height="370" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings of the Report:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Several areas of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hindu-kush-himalayan-region#:~:text=research%20and%20development.-,Hindu%2DKush%2DHimalayan%20(HKH)%20Region,large%20and%20culturally%20diverse%20population." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hindukush Karakoram Himalayas</strong></a> have experienced a <strong>declining trend in snowfall</strong> and also <strong>retreat of glaciers</strong> in recent decades.</li>
<li><strong>In contrast,</strong> the <strong>high-elevation Karakoram Himalayas</strong> have experienced <strong>higher winter snowfall</strong> that has shielded the region from glacier shrinkage.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Karakorams are part of a complex of mountain ranges</strong> at the centre of Asia, including the HinduKush to the west, the Pamirs to the northwest, the Kunlun Mountains to the northeast, and the Himalayas to the southeast.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Even when the<strong> winter snowfall has increased over the high-elevation Karakoram Himalayas,</strong> the <strong>overall climate along the Hindukush Karakoram region is undergoing warming</strong> at a higher rate during the winter season as compared to other seasons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Faster Heating of Himalayas:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Weather dynamics is intricate in the Himalayan region, arising due to <strong>extensive interactions of tropical and extratropical weather systems.</strong></li>
<li>The Himalayas have been<strong> warming at a faster rate</strong> than the rest of Indian landmass during 1951 - 2018.</li>
<li>Besides, the warming reported from this region is <strong>higher than global mean temperatures.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Warming:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The decadal warming trend recorded over these ranges from 1951 to 2014 was <strong>1.3 degree Celsius.</strong> This is a rise from 0.16 degree Celsius recorded from 1900 to 1950, when global warming was less pronounced.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effect: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Increasing Annual Mean Surface Temperature:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Report has forecast an increase in annual mean surface temperature by 2.2 degree Celsius during 2040 - 2069 and a further increase by 3.3 degree Celsius during 2070 &ndash; 2099, along these ranges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extreme Precipitation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to this warming trend, there is<strong> an expected increase in the precipitation</strong> projected over the region. It is predicted that there will be a significant increase in extreme precipitation over the Hindukush Karakoram region, with maximum consecutive five-day precipitation events.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Driver of Monsoon:</strong> The Hindukush Karakoram ranges, along with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/60-years-of-1959-tibetan-uprising" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tibetan Plateau</strong></a>, are the <strong>main drivers of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Summer Monsoon</a>. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Source of Subsistence:</strong> These ranges form the source to 10 major river systems in Asia, supporting drinking water, irrigation and power supply to 1.3 billion people in the continent. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Major Indian rivers which replenish due to the melted snow are <strong>Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra.</strong></li>
<li>After the North and the South poles, the Hindukush &ndash; Karakoram ranges, along with the Tibetan Plateau, hold the largest reserves of freshwater.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hindukush-karakoram-ranges-climate-change-7181701/" 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/climate-change-report-on-hindukush-karakoram-ranges'
		],
		(int) 3 => [
			'title' => 'Digital Health Services',
			'catname' => 'News Editorials',
			'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/healthcare-technology-telemedicine-7181551/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The salience of digital medical services was highlighted during the pandemic&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 09/02/2021. It talks about the benefits and challenges associated with Digital Health Services.</p>
</div>
<p>In the last few years, it&rsquo;s been extremely encouraging to see how integrating technology and new innovative tools can improve public service delivery. For example, the development of IndiaStack and the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile) trinity.</p>
<p>Similarly, the Covid-19 pandemic re-emphasized the need to reimagine the health system in the digital space. The recent launch of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Health Mission</strong></a> highlights the use of digital technology in the health sector.</p>
<p>Further, as the cost of treating chronic conditions is increasing and doctor shortages are imminent worldwide, digital health can provide much-needed transformation in pursuit of realizing the goal of the health of all.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Digital Health Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order to realize the vision for universal health coverage, the Government of India launched the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) in 2020.</li>
<li>The NDHM is a complete digital health ecosystem. The digital platform will be launched with four key features &mdash; health ID, personal health records, Digi Doctor, and health facility registry.</li>
<li>The NDHM is implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
<li>NDHM is a manifestation of one of the guidelines of the National Health Policy 2017 that had envisaged the creation of a digital health technology eco-system aiming at developing an integrated health information system.</li>
<li>It is a landmark move that is based on the principles of the India health stack and aims to connect the different touch-points of the health ecosystem, such as Health Information Provider to Health Information User to Consent Manager, through digital tools to provide affordable access to quality healthcare.</li>
<li>The NDHM also aims to ensure that preventive and assistive healthcare come under the same broader umbrella.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Benefits of Digital Health Services</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Tackling the Spread of a Pandemic:</strong> Once data is recorded and available for analysis, it can help the systems determine both prevalence and genomic data to provide information on disease transmission and geospatial coverage.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Innovative use of digital tools such as deep learning and cloud emergency response algorithms has significantly aided emergency room workers during the pandemic to reduce response time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Patient-Friendly Health:</strong> The deployment of artificial intelligence tools for all aspects of the health system, including triaging, diagnostics, among others, will substantially reduce delays, and, therefore, the costs associated with healthcare.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Digital transformation of healthcare is at the core of addressing issues such as resource limitations, a varied population mix, and an urgent need to increase medical reach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preventive Care:</strong> Emerging technologies not only expedite the development of new drugs but also introduce a completely new class of therapies, such as digital therapeutics (DTx).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>DTx are software-based solutions that can treat disease or disorder which are linked to lifestyle issues.</li>
<li>Thus, digital health has a growing impact on the delivery of care and provides the opportunity to tackle the next frontier in healthcare by shifting the focus from treatment to prevention.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Helps in Clinical Trials:</strong> Digital health can harness the power of data that can aid in the analysis of samples and images to diagnose as well as drive better clinical decision-making.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Risk of Online Fraud:</strong> The lack of access to care and diminishing trust towards the healthcare system can make patients turning to inefficient therapies and online medical quackery.</li>
<li><strong>Issue of Health Literacy:</strong> Despite the use of digital technologies, the development of health status is also dependent on health literacy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Those with lower health literacy levels are generally in a worse state of health, visit the doctor more often, use fewer prevention techniques, and on the whole, are more costly for the healthcare system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Addressing Out-of-pocket Expenditure:</strong> Before the transition from traditional health care to digital healthcare, there is a need to protect the poor from the uncertainties of doctor hunting, receiving irrational treatment from unqualified medical practitioners, provide drugs and address the inability to pay for high-end diagnostics.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unless the costs of outpatient treatment are catered, out-of-pocket expenditure will continue before a patient needs hospitalization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Misuse of Data:</strong> Before embracing digital healthcare, there is a need for certain checks and balances to ensure there is no misuse of the data.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the government should expedite enacting the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, which will ensure that consent for use of data can only be sought with the defined purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The concept of digital health is the cultural transformation of how disruptive technologies that provide digital and objective data accessible to both caregivers and patients leads to an equal level doctor-patient relationship with shared decision-making and the democratization of care.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfff5;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss how the concept of digital health can lead to the democratization of care.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ppdST2F4hZM" 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://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/take-nature-for-granted-at-your-own-peril/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Take Nature for granted at your own peril&rdquo;</strong> </a>published in The Economic Times on February 9<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/digital-health-services'
		],
		(int) 4 => [
			'title' => 'UAE’s Hope Mars Mission',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>United Arab Emirates' (UAE&rsquo;s) first-ever interplanetary Hope Probe mission</strong> has successfully <strong>entered orbit around <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tianwen-1-china-s-mars-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mars</a>.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hope Probe Mission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The UAE&rsquo;s Mars Mission called &lsquo;Hope&rsquo; was announced in 2015 with the aim of creating mankind&rsquo;s first integrated model of the Red planet&rsquo;s (Mars) atmosphere.</li>
<li>&lsquo;Hope&rsquo; was developed by UAE scientists in the USA and was launched in July 2020 from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Specification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Mars Hope Probe <strong>weights just 1.5 tonnes,</strong> about the same size as an SUV. It is <strong>expected to complete one orbit around the planet every 55 hours.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>overall life of UAE&rsquo;s Mars mission is around one Martian year,</strong> which is about 687 days on Earth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scientific Instruments:</strong> The Probe carries three scientific instruments:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Emirates eXploration Imager (EXI):</strong> A high-resolution camera.</li>
<li><strong>Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS):</strong> A far-UV imaging spectrograph.</li>
<li><strong>Emirates Mars InfraRed Spectrometer (EMIRS):</strong> It will examine temperature profiles, ice, water vapor and dust in the atmosphere of Mars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expected Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>UAE&rsquo;s mission will collect data on Martian climate dynamics and help scientists understand why Mars' atmosphere is decaying into space.</li>
<li>The instruments will collect different data points on the atmosphere to also gauge seasonal and daily changes.</li>
<li>Together, this will shed light on how energy and particles, like oxygen and hydrogen, move through the atmosphere of Mars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the successful Mars orbit insertion, the <strong>UAE becomes the fifth entity to reach the Red Planet, joining NASA,</strong> the Soviet Union, the European Space Agency and India.</li>
<li>Success of this mission will help UAE in building a knowledge-based economy, leading to <strong>more investment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)</strong> for young Emiratis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The probe reached Mars in the year the <strong>UAE celebrates its 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>&lsquo;Hope&rsquo; mission is not only important for UAE, but also for the whole of Arab world, as it is the<strong> Arab world's first interplanetary mission. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Missions to Mars:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from the UAE&rsquo;s &lsquo;Hope Probe&rsquo;, two more unmanned spacecrafts from the USA and China are set to arrive at Mars over the next several days.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>All three missions <strong>were launched in July to take advantage of the close alignment of Earth and Mars.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>combination orbiter and lander from China</strong> is scheduled to reach Mars, which will circle Mars until the rover separates and attempts to land in order to look for signs of ancient life.</li>
<li>A <strong>rover from the USA named &lsquo;Perseverance&rsquo;</strong> is also set to reach Mars soon. It will be the <strong>first leg in a decade-long USA-European project</strong> to bring Mars rocks back to Earth to be examined for evidence the planet once harbored microscopic life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives Behind Mars Exploration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists and researchers around the world are pretty much curious about Mars because of the possibility that the planet was once warm enough to allow water to flow through it, which means life could have existed there too.</li>
<li>Despite being starkly different in many ways, the Red Planet has several<strong> Earth-like features&ndash;</strong> such as clouds, polar ice caps, volcanoes, and seasonal weather patterns.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, no human has set foot on Mars yet because the atmosphere on Mars is very thin, consisting of mostly carbon dioxide with no breathable oxygen, making it difficult for astronauts to survive there.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Mars Orbiter Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Also known as Mangalyaan, it was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong> </a>(ISRO) in November 2013.</li>
<li>It was launched on board a PSLV C25 rocket with aim of studying Martian surface and mineral composition as well as scan its atmosphere for methane (an indicator of life on Mars).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-uaes-hope-probe-is-set-to-enter-mars-orbit-what-happens-next-7181137/" 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/uae-s-hope-mars-mission'
		],
		(int) 5 => [
			'title' => 'India-Poland Relations',
			'catname' => 'News Analysis',
			'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Poland</strong> has invited India&rsquo;s Prime Minister while he will be visiting <strong>Portugal</strong> for the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a>-India summit (May 2021),</strong> and<strong> Cornwall, United Kingdom</strong> to attend the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/g-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> G7</strong> </a><strong>grouping where India is a special invitee (June 2021).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Poland is also negotiating with India for a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble#:~:text=Key%20Points,and%20open%20travel%20and%20tourism." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> travel bubble arrangement</strong></a> to resume direct flights suspended due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Creating a travel bubble <strong>involves reconnecting countries or states which have shown a good level of success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic</strong> domestically.</li>
<li>Such a bubble would <strong>allow the members of the group to restart trade ties</strong> with each other and open travel and tourism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612954030_image10.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612954030_image10.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="500" height="384" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Poland <strong>diplomatic relations</strong> were <strong>established in 1954,</strong> leading to the opening of the <strong>Indian Embassy in Warsaw in 1957.</strong></li>
<li>The two countries shared common ideological perceptions, based on their opposition to colonialism, imperialism and racism.</li>
<li>During the<strong> Communist era of Poland (1944 to 1989), bilateral relations were close and cordial,</strong> with regular high level visits, coupled with planned trade and economic interactions by state trading organizations, underpinned by the rupee clearing arrangements.</li>
<li>The <strong>relationship continued to remain close after Poland chose the democratic path in 1989.</strong></li>
<li>A cordial political relationship has emerged in the current century, particularly after Poland joined the<strong> European Union</strong> in 2004, and became one of India&rsquo;s key economic partners in Central Europe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic &amp; Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Export:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Poland is <strong>India&rsquo;s largest trade partner and export destination in the Central European region,</strong> with bilateral trade growing almost seven-fold over the last ten years.</li>
<li>As per Indian statistics, the overall value of <strong>bilateral trade in 2019 was USD 2.36 billion.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s export to Poland contributed to 0.48% of overall India&rsquo;s export. Only 0.15% of India&rsquo;s import was covered by Poland in 2019.</li>
<li>As per the statistics, the increase of bilateral trade by 2.5% was visible in 2019 in comparison with previous years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Indian investments in Poland are valued at over <strong>USD 3 billion.</strong></li>
<li>Total Polish investment in India is estimated at <strong>USD 672 million.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>From April 2000 to March 2019, India recorded over <strong>USD 672 million of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FDI</a> from Poland,</strong> 0.16%of its total FDI inflows in that period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sectoral Collaboration: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Agro and<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Food processing</a> sectors:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Poland possesses world class food processing including preservation/storage technologies while India is one of the largest producers for many fruits, dairy and agro products.</li>
<li>An MoU on agriculture for technical and institutional cooperation was signed between both countries in April 2017.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Information Technology (IT) Sector:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Around <strong>thirteen Indian IT companies, employing more than 10,000 professionals, are currently active in Poland</strong> and are also operating their Europe operation from here.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Textile Sector:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has presently a share of only<strong> 3.73% overall in the Polish Textile and Apparel Imports (valued at USD 400 million).</strong></li>
<li>There is of course, much potential for increase in its exports, provided conducive circumstances are created for Indian Exporters.</li>
<li>Presently, about 30-40% of goods exported by India to Poland are re-exported to other EU Countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mining/Energy Sector:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Poland possesses reputed <strong>clean coal technologies</strong> and Polish public sector companies have played a substantial role in development of mining and power sectors in India.</li>
<li>India and Poland signed a<strong> Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)</strong> in 2019 to enhance <strong>bilateral cooperation in the coal and mining sector.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pharmaceutical and Chemicals Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Given Poland&rsquo;s strategic location, shortages in healthcare personnel and 25% growth in the pharma market in the last 5 years, there are <strong>good opportunities for Indian exporters and investors.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural and Educational Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a strong tradition of Indology studies in<strong> Poland, with Polish scholars having translated Sanskrit into Polish as early as in the 19<sup>th</sup> Century.</strong></li>
<li>Polish Mission organised the <strong>150<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mahatma-gandhi-jayanti" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi</a></strong> in 2019. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Polish Post (Poczta Polska)<strong> issued a Commemorative Stamp on the 150<sup>th</sup> Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi</strong> which was released on the occasion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>On the occasion of 550<sup>th</sup> Prakash Purab of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/guru-nanak-dev-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Guru Nanak Dev ji</strong></a>, Mission and Gurudwara Sahib of Poland <strong>jointly organised functions at Gurudwara Sahib, Poland.</strong></li>
<li>The first <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-of-yoga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day of Yoga</strong></a> was organized in 21 cities in Poland on June 21, 2015. An estimated 11000 people participated in public events.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Estimated at approximately<strong> 10,000, the Indian community in Poland consists of traders (textiles, garments and electronics)</strong> who came after the collapse of communism, and professionals with multinational or Indian companies and software/IT experts, including a rising number of Indian students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/as-pm-plans-two-europe-visits-poland-pitches-for-warsaw-stop/article33792728.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-poland-relations'
		],
		(int) 6 => [
			'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>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/arka-shubha-new-marigold-variety'
		],
		(int) 7 => [
			'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>',
			'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
			'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sedition-law-2'
		],
		(int) 8 => [
			'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) 9 => [
			'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) 10 => [
			'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) 11 => [
			'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) 12 => [
			'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) 13 => [
			'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) 14 => [
			'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) 15 => [
			'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) 16 => [
			'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) 17 => [
			'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) 18 => [
			'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) 19 => [
			'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>',
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	(int) 0 => [
		'title' => 'Privatisation of Banks',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>The <a href="/current-affairs-news-analysis-editorials/news-analysis/03-02-2021#:~:text=Key%20Points,(BE)%202021%2D22." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Union Budget 2021</strong></a> has announced the <strong>privatisation of two public sector banks and one general insurance company</strong> in the upcoming fiscal 2021-22.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The move, coming after 51 years of<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/50-years-of-nationalization-of-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> nationalisation of government-owned banks in 1969</strong></a>, will give the private sector a key role in the banking sector.</li>
<li>Presently, India has <strong>22 private banks </strong>and<strong> 10 <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/small-finance-bank-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">small finance banks.</a></strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The government decided to nationalise the <strong>14 largest private banks</strong> in 1969. The idea was to<strong> align the banking sector with the socialistic approach</strong> of the then government. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>State Bank of India (SBI) had been nationalised in 1955 itself, and the insurance sector in 1956.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Various governments in the last 20 years were for and against privatisation of Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) banks. In 2015, the government had suggested privatisation but the then <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/important-institutions-national-institution-reserve-bank-of-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Reserve Bank of India (RBI)</strong></a> Governor did not favour the idea.</li>
<li>The current steps of privatisation, along with setting up an <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/bad-bank" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Asset Reconstruction Company (Bad Bank)</strong></a> entirely owned by banks, underline an<strong> approach of finding market-led solutions to challenges in the financial sector.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reason for Privatisation:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Degrading Financial Position of Public Sector Banks:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Years of capital injections and <strong>governance reforms have not been able to improve the financial position of public sector banks significantly.</strong></li>
<li>Many of them have <strong>higher levels of stressed assets</strong> than private banks, and also lag the latter on profitability, market capitalisation and dividend payment record.<a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613032203_image1.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613032203_image1.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="697" height="310" /></a></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Part of a Long-Term Project:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Privatisation of two public sector banks will set the ball rolling for a <strong>long-term project that envisages only a handful of state-owned banks,</strong> with the rest either consolidated with strong banks or privatised. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>initial plan of the government was to privatise four.</strong> Depending on the success with the first two, the government is likely to go for divestment in another two or three banks in the next financial year.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This will free up the government, the majority owner, from continuing to provide equity support to the banks year after year. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Through a series of moves over the last few years, the government is now left with <strong>12 state-owned banks, from 28 earlier.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Strengthening Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The government is trying to<strong> strengthen the strong banks</strong> and also minimise their numbers through privatisation to reduce its burden of support.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Recommendations of Different Committees:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Many committees had proposed bringing down the government stake in public banks below 51%:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/amalgamation-of-three-public-sector-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Narasimham Committee</a> proposed 33%.</strong></li>
<li>The<strong><a href="/to-the-points/paper3/merger-of-psbs" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> P J Nayak Committee</a> suggested below 50%.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>An<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/internal-working-group-recommendations-rbi" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> RBI Working Group</strong></a> recently suggested the entry of business houses into the banking sector.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Selection of Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>The two banks that will be privatised will be selected through a process in which <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> will make recommendations, which will be considered by a core group of secretaries on disinvestment and then the<strong> Alternative Mechanism (or Group of Ministers).</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with PSU Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>High Non-Performing Assets (NPAs):</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>After a series of mergers and equity injections by the government, the performance of public sector banks has shown improvement over the last couple of years. However, compared with private banks, they continue to have <strong>high <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/lessons-from-npa-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NPAs</a> and stressed assets</strong> although this has started declining.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact of Covid:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>After the Covid-related regulatory relaxations are lifted, banks are expected to report higher NPAs and loan losses. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>As per the RBI&rsquo;s recent <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/financial-stability-report-rbi-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Financial Stability Report</a>,</strong> gross NPA ratio of all commercial banks may increase from 7.5% in September 2020 to 13.5% by September 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>This would mean the government would again need to inject equity into weak public sector banks.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Performance of Private Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Rising Market Share:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Private banks&rsquo; market share in loans has risen to 36% in 2020 from 21.26% in 2015, while public sector banks&rsquo; share has fallen to 59.8% from 74.28%.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Better Products and Services:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Competition heated up after the RBI allowed more private banks since the 1990s. They have expanded the market share through <strong>new products, technology, and better services,</strong> and also attracted better valuations in stock markets.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>HDFC Bank (set up in 1994) has a market capitalisation of Rs. 8.80 lakh crore while SBI commands just Rs. 3.50 lakh crore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Issues with Private Banks:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Governance Issues:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/rediscovering-development-banks" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) Bank</strong></a> MD and CEO was sacked for allegedly extending dubious loans.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/the-yes-bank-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Yes Bank</strong></a> CEO was not given extension by the RBI and now faces investigations by various agencies.</li>
<li><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/lakshmi-vilas-bank-crisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Lakshmi Vilas Bank faced operational issues</strong></a> and was recently merged with DBS Bank of Singapore.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Under-reported NPAs:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>When the RBI ordered an asset quality review of banks in 2015, many private sector banks, including Yes Bank, were found <strong>under-reporting NPAs.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Way Forward</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order to improve the governance and management of PSBs, there is a need to implement the recommendations of the<strong> PJ Nayak committee.</strong></li>
<li>Rather than blind privatisation, PSBs can be made into a corporation like <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/initial-public-offer-lic" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Life Insurance Corporation (LIC)</strong></a>. While maintaining government ownership, this will give more autonomy to PSBs.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/privatisation-of-public-sector-banks-union-budget-npas-psu-7183446/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	],
	(int) 1 => [
		'title' => 'Impact of Crude Oil Price Hike',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the<strong> price of Brent crude crossed the USD 60 per barrel mark after over a year.</strong> The rise in prices is<strong> because of production cuts</strong> by oil-producing countries and<strong> expectations of improvements in global demand</strong> as the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/covid-19-vaccine-distribution" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 vaccine</strong></a> is rolled out across the world.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In April 2020, the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/oil-prices-below-zero" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude slipped below zero</strong></a> for the first time in history, to a negative USD 40.32 per barrel.</li>
<li><strong>Two crude oils</strong> which are either traded themselves or whose prices are reflected in other types of crude oil include <strong>West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent.</strong></li>
</ul>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Oil Pricing:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Generally, the <strong><a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/talks-on-oil-cut-deal-at-g-20" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries</a> (OPEC)</strong> used to<strong> work as a cartel</strong> and fix prices in a favourable band.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>OPEC is led by Saudi Arabia,</strong> which is the<strong> largest exporter of crude oil</strong> in the world (single-handedly exporting 10% of the global demand).</li>
<li>OPEC has a <strong>total of 13 Member Countries</strong> viz. Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Libya, Nigeria, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Angola, and Venezuela.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>OPEC <strong>could bring down prices by increasing oil production</strong> and raise prices by cutting production.</li>
<li>The global oil pricing mainly <strong>depends upon the partnership between the global oil exporters instead of a well-functioning competition.</strong></li>
<li>Cutting oil production or <strong>completely shutting down an oil well is a difficult decision,</strong> because restarting it is immensely costly and complicated.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Moreover, if a country cuts production, it risks losing market share if other countries do not follow the suit.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Recently, OPEC has been working with Russia, as <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/opec" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>OPEC+</strong> </a>to fix the global prices and supply.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>In 2016,<strong> OPEC allied with other top non-OPEC oil-exporting nations</strong> to form an even more powerful entity named OPEC+ or OPEC Plus.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons for Present Price Hike:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Limited Supply:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Major oil-producing countries <strong>had cut oil production last year</strong> amid a sharp fall in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Saudi Arabia pledged extra supply cuts in February and March 2020 following reductions by other members of the<strong> Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)</strong> and its allies.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>In early January 2021, the <strong>OPEC and Russia</strong> (as OPEC+) agreed to <strong>cut back on oil production to increase prices.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Rising Demand:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The<strong> production and rollout of vaccines</strong> for Covid-19 and the <strong>rising consumption post the Covid lockdowns</strong> last year have both led to a revival in international crude oil prices.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Impact on India:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Current Account Deficit:</strong> The increase in oil prices will <strong>increase the country&rsquo;s import bill,</strong> and further <strong>disturb its current account deficit</strong> (excess of imports of goods and services over exports).<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>According to estimates, a one-dollar increase in crude oil price increases the oil bill by around USD 1.6 billion per year.</li>
<li><strong>India imports 80% of its crude oil requirements</strong> and the average price of Indian basket of crude oil has already risen to USD 54.8 barrel for January 2021.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Inflation:</strong> The increase in crude prices could also also further increase <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/inflation-data-august-2020" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>inflationary pressures</strong></a> that have been building up over the past few months.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>This will <strong>decrease the space for the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/repo-rate-unchanged-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">monetary policy committee</a> to ease policy rates</strong> further.</li>
<li>The government <strong>had hiked central taxes on petrol and diesel</strong> by Rs. 13 per litre and Rs. 11 per litre in 2020 to boost revenues amid lower economic activity.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Fiscal Health:</strong> If oil prices continue to increase, the government shall be forced to cut taxes on petroleum and diesel which may cause loss of revenue and deteriorate its <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/increased-fiscal-deficit" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>fiscal balance.</strong></a><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The growth slowdown in the last two years has already resulted in a precarious fiscal situation because of tax revenue shortfalls.</li>
<li>The revenue lost will erode the government&rsquo;s ability to spend or meet its fiscal commitments in the form of budgetary transfers to states, payment of dues and compensation for revenue shortfalls to state governments under the <a href="/to-the-points/paper3/goods-and-services-tax-gst-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>goods and services tax (GST)</strong></a> framework.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Positive Outcomes:</strong> However, there could be a positive side for India too from the oil price hike.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The value of Indian oil and gas companies could be positively impacted. The government could get greater value from <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/government-s-disinvestment-plans" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>disinvestment</strong></a> in Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.</li>
<li><strong>Remittances</strong> from the Persian Gulf could <strong>increase.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>Difference between Brent and WTI</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Origin:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Brent</strong> crude oil <strong>originates from oil fields in the North Sea</strong> between the Shetland Islands and Norway.</li>
<li><strong>West Texas Intermediate (WTI)</strong> is sourced from<strong> US oil fields,</strong> primarily in Texas, Louisiana, and North Dakota.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Light and Sweet:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Both oils are relatively light, but<strong> Brent has a slightly higher API gravity,</strong> making WTI the lighter of the two.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>American Petroleum Institute (API) gravity</strong> is an indicator of the density of crude oil or refined products.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>WTI with a lower sulphur content</strong> (0.24%) than Brent (0.37%), is <strong>considered "sweeter".</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Benchmark Prices:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Brent crude price</strong> is the international benchmark price <strong>used by the OPEC</strong> while <strong>WTI crude price</strong> is a benchmark for<strong> US oil prices.</strong></li>
<li>Since India imports primarily from OPEC countries, <strong>Brent is the benchmark for oil prices in India.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cost of Shipping:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Cost of shipping <strong>for Brent crude is typically lower,</strong> since it is produced near the sea and it can be put on ships immediately.</li>
<li><strong>Shipping of WTI is priced higher</strong> since it is produced in landlocked areas like Cushing, Oklahoma where the storage facilities are limited.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/crude-oil-price-rise-explained-7181078/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Source:IE</strong></a></p>',
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	(int) 2 => [
		'title' => 'Climate Change Report on Hindukush Karakoram Ranges',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>According to the<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/assessment-of-climate-change-over-the-indian-region-moes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> 'Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region'</strong></a> report, <strong>snowfall</strong> over the higher reaches of the <strong>Hindukush Himalayan mountain ranges</strong> has been <strong>increasing</strong> in recent decades, which has <strong>shielded the region from glacier shrinkage.</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The recent<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/uttarakhand-flash-flood" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> massive flooding in the Alaknanda river</strong></a>, probably due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/ndma-guidelines-to-tackle-glacial-bursts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>glacial bursts</strong></a> has highlighted the issue of higher<strong> glacier retreat in recent decades due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/global-warming-of-1-5-c-ipcc-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">global warming</a></strong>, however, the report indicates a contrasting picture of the Hindukush Himalayas.</li>
<li>Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region Report has been<strong> published by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).</strong> It is <strong>India&rsquo;s first-ever national forecast on the impact of global warming</strong> on the subcontinent in the coming century.</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>HinduKush Himalayan (HKH) Region</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>The HKH region spans Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.</li>
<li>It traverses about 5 million square kilometres and hosts a large and culturally diverse population.</li>
<li>It is <strong>considered the Third Pole</strong> (after the North and South Poles), and has significant implications for climate.</li>
<li>It contains <strong>vast cryospheric zones</strong> (frozen water parts) and is also the world&rsquo;s largest store of snow and ice outside the polar region.</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613027791_image2.png" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1613027791_image2.png" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="480" height="370" /></a></p>
</div>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Findings of the Report:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Several areas of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/hindu-kush-himalayan-region#:~:text=research%20and%20development.-,Hindu%2DKush%2DHimalayan%20(HKH)%20Region,large%20and%20culturally%20diverse%20population." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Hindukush Karakoram Himalayas</strong></a> have experienced a <strong>declining trend in snowfall</strong> and also <strong>retreat of glaciers</strong> in recent decades.</li>
<li><strong>In contrast,</strong> the <strong>high-elevation Karakoram Himalayas</strong> have experienced <strong>higher winter snowfall</strong> that has shielded the region from glacier shrinkage.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The <strong>Karakorams are part of a complex of mountain ranges</strong> at the centre of Asia, including the HinduKush to the west, the Pamirs to the northwest, the Kunlun Mountains to the northeast, and the Himalayas to the southeast.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Even when the<strong> winter snowfall has increased over the high-elevation Karakoram Himalayas,</strong> the <strong>overall climate along the Hindukush Karakoram region is undergoing warming</strong> at a higher rate during the winter season as compared to other seasons.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Reasons: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Faster Heating of Himalayas:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Weather dynamics is intricate in the Himalayan region, arising due to <strong>extensive interactions of tropical and extratropical weather systems.</strong></li>
<li>The Himalayas have been<strong> warming at a faster rate</strong> than the rest of Indian landmass during 1951 - 2018.</li>
<li>Besides, the warming reported from this region is <strong>higher than global mean temperatures.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Global Warming:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The decadal warming trend recorded over these ranges from 1951 to 2014 was <strong>1.3 degree Celsius.</strong> This is a rise from 0.16 degree Celsius recorded from 1900 to 1950, when global warming was less pronounced.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Effect: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Increasing Annual Mean Surface Temperature:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Report has forecast an increase in annual mean surface temperature by 2.2 degree Celsius during 2040 - 2069 and a further increase by 3.3 degree Celsius during 2070 &ndash; 2099, along these ranges.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Extreme Precipitation:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Due to this warming trend, there is<strong> an expected increase in the precipitation</strong> projected over the region. It is predicted that there will be a significant increase in extreme precipitation over the Hindukush Karakoram region, with maximum consecutive five-day precipitation events.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Driver of Monsoon:</strong> The Hindukush Karakoram ranges, along with the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/60-years-of-1959-tibetan-uprising" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Tibetan Plateau</strong></a>, are the <strong>main drivers of the <a href="/to-the-points/paper1/monsoon-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian Summer Monsoon</a>. </strong></li>
<li><strong>Source of Subsistence:</strong> These ranges form the source to 10 major river systems in Asia, supporting drinking water, irrigation and power supply to 1.3 billion people in the continent. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Major Indian rivers which replenish due to the melted snow are <strong>Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra.</strong></li>
<li>After the North and the South poles, the Hindukush &ndash; Karakoram ranges, along with the Tibetan Plateau, hold the largest reserves of freshwater.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/hindukush-karakoram-ranges-climate-change-7181701/" 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/climate-change-report-on-hindukush-karakoram-ranges'
	],
	(int) 3 => [
		'title' => 'Digital Health Services',
		'catname' => 'News Editorials',
		'desc' => '<div class="border">
<p>This article is based on<a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/healthcare-technology-telemedicine-7181551/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> &ldquo;The salience of digital medical services was highlighted during the pandemic&rdquo;</strong> </a>which was published in The Indian Express on 09/02/2021. It talks about the benefits and challenges associated with Digital Health Services.</p>
</div>
<p>In the last few years, it&rsquo;s been extremely encouraging to see how integrating technology and new innovative tools can improve public service delivery. For example, the development of IndiaStack and the JAM (Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile) trinity.</p>
<p>Similarly, the Covid-19 pandemic re-emphasized the need to reimagine the health system in the digital space. The recent launch of the <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/national-digital-health-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>National Digital Health Mission</strong></a> highlights the use of digital technology in the health sector.</p>
<p>Further, as the cost of treating chronic conditions is increasing and doctor shortages are imminent worldwide, digital health can provide much-needed transformation in pursuit of realizing the goal of the health of all.</p>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>National Digital Health Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>In order to realize the vision for universal health coverage, the Government of India launched the National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) in 2020.</li>
<li>The NDHM is a complete digital health ecosystem. The digital platform will be launched with four key features &mdash; health ID, personal health records, Digi Doctor, and health facility registry.</li>
<li>The NDHM is implemented by the National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.</li>
<li>NDHM is a manifestation of one of the guidelines of the National Health Policy 2017 that had envisaged the creation of a digital health technology eco-system aiming at developing an integrated health information system.</li>
<li>It is a landmark move that is based on the principles of the India health stack and aims to connect the different touch-points of the health ecosystem, such as Health Information Provider to Health Information User to Consent Manager, through digital tools to provide affordable access to quality healthcare.</li>
<li>The NDHM also aims to ensure that preventive and assistive healthcare come under the same broader umbrella.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<h3>Benefits of Digital Health Services</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Tackling the Spread of a Pandemic:</strong> Once data is recorded and available for analysis, it can help the systems determine both prevalence and genomic data to provide information on disease transmission and geospatial coverage.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Innovative use of digital tools such as deep learning and cloud emergency response algorithms has significantly aided emergency room workers during the pandemic to reduce response time.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Patient-Friendly Health:</strong> The deployment of artificial intelligence tools for all aspects of the health system, including triaging, diagnostics, among others, will substantially reduce delays, and, therefore, the costs associated with healthcare.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Digital transformation of healthcare is at the core of addressing issues such as resource limitations, a varied population mix, and an urgent need to increase medical reach.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Preventive Care:</strong> Emerging technologies not only expedite the development of new drugs but also introduce a completely new class of therapies, such as digital therapeutics (DTx).
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>DTx are software-based solutions that can treat disease or disorder which are linked to lifestyle issues.</li>
<li>Thus, digital health has a growing impact on the delivery of care and provides the opportunity to tackle the next frontier in healthcare by shifting the focus from treatment to prevention.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Helps in Clinical Trials:</strong> Digital health can harness the power of data that can aid in the analysis of samples and images to diagnose as well as drive better clinical decision-making.</li>
</ul>
<h3>Associated Challenges</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Risk of Online Fraud:</strong> The lack of access to care and diminishing trust towards the healthcare system can make patients turning to inefficient therapies and online medical quackery.</li>
<li><strong>Issue of Health Literacy:</strong> Despite the use of digital technologies, the development of health status is also dependent on health literacy.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Those with lower health literacy levels are generally in a worse state of health, visit the doctor more often, use fewer prevention techniques, and on the whole, are more costly for the healthcare system.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Addressing Out-of-pocket Expenditure:</strong> Before the transition from traditional health care to digital healthcare, there is a need to protect the poor from the uncertainties of doctor hunting, receiving irrational treatment from unqualified medical practitioners, provide drugs and address the inability to pay for high-end diagnostics.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Unless the costs of outpatient treatment are catered, out-of-pocket expenditure will continue before a patient needs hospitalization.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Misuse of Data:</strong> Before embracing digital healthcare, there is a need for certain checks and balances to ensure there is no misuse of the data.
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>In this context, the government should expedite enacting the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019, which will ensure that consent for use of data can only be sought with the defined purposes.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h3>Conclusion</h3>
<p>The concept of digital health is the cultural transformation of how disruptive technologies that provide digital and objective data accessible to both caregivers and patients leads to an equal level doctor-patient relationship with shared decision-making and the democratization of care.</p>
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; border-style: dotted; border-color: #ff0000; background-color: #fcfff5;">
<p><span style="color: #333399;"><em><strong>Drishti Mains Question</strong></em></span></p>
<p>Discuss how the concept of digital health can lead to the democratization of care.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ppdST2F4hZM" 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://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/et-editorials/take-nature-for-granted-at-your-own-peril/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>&ldquo;Take Nature for granted at your own peril&rdquo;</strong> </a>published in The Economic Times on February 9<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/digital-health-services'
	],
	(int) 4 => [
		'title' => 'UAE’s Hope Mars Mission',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, the <strong>United Arab Emirates' (UAE&rsquo;s) first-ever interplanetary Hope Probe mission</strong> has successfully <strong>entered orbit around <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/tianwen-1-china-s-mars-mission" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mars</a>.</strong></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Hope Probe Mission:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>About:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The UAE&rsquo;s Mars Mission called &lsquo;Hope&rsquo; was announced in 2015 with the aim of creating mankind&rsquo;s first integrated model of the Red planet&rsquo;s (Mars) atmosphere.</li>
<li>&lsquo;Hope&rsquo; was developed by UAE scientists in the USA and was launched in July 2020 from the Tanegashima Space Centre in Japan.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Specification:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The Mars Hope Probe <strong>weights just 1.5 tonnes,</strong> about the same size as an SUV. It is <strong>expected to complete one orbit around the planet every 55 hours.</strong></li>
<li>The <strong>overall life of UAE&rsquo;s Mars mission is around one Martian year,</strong> which is about 687 days on Earth.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Scientific Instruments:</strong> The Probe carries three scientific instruments:<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Emirates eXploration Imager (EXI):</strong> A high-resolution camera.</li>
<li><strong>Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer (EMUS):</strong> A far-UV imaging spectrograph.</li>
<li><strong>Emirates Mars InfraRed Spectrometer (EMIRS):</strong> It will examine temperature profiles, ice, water vapor and dust in the atmosphere of Mars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Expected Benefits:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>UAE&rsquo;s mission will collect data on Martian climate dynamics and help scientists understand why Mars' atmosphere is decaying into space.</li>
<li>The instruments will collect different data points on the atmosphere to also gauge seasonal and daily changes.</li>
<li>Together, this will shed light on how energy and particles, like oxygen and hydrogen, move through the atmosphere of Mars.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Significance:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>With the successful Mars orbit insertion, the <strong>UAE becomes the fifth entity to reach the Red Planet, joining NASA,</strong> the Soviet Union, the European Space Agency and India.</li>
<li>Success of this mission will help UAE in building a knowledge-based economy, leading to <strong>more investment in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)</strong> for young Emiratis.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>The probe reached Mars in the year the <strong>UAE celebrates its 50<sup>th</sup> anniversary.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>&lsquo;Hope&rsquo; mission is not only important for UAE, but also for the whole of Arab world, as it is the<strong> Arab world's first interplanetary mission. </strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Other Missions to Mars:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Apart from the UAE&rsquo;s &lsquo;Hope Probe&rsquo;, two more unmanned spacecrafts from the USA and China are set to arrive at Mars over the next several days.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>All three missions <strong>were launched in July to take advantage of the close alignment of Earth and Mars.</strong></li>
<li>A <strong>combination orbiter and lander from China</strong> is scheduled to reach Mars, which will circle Mars until the rover separates and attempts to land in order to look for signs of ancient life.</li>
<li>A <strong>rover from the USA named &lsquo;Perseverance&rsquo;</strong> is also set to reach Mars soon. It will be the <strong>first leg in a decade-long USA-European project</strong> to bring Mars rocks back to Earth to be examined for evidence the planet once harbored microscopic life.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Objectives Behind Mars Exploration:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Scientists and researchers around the world are pretty much curious about Mars because of the possibility that the planet was once warm enough to allow water to flow through it, which means life could have existed there too.</li>
<li>Despite being starkly different in many ways, the Red Planet has several<strong> Earth-like features&ndash;</strong> such as clouds, polar ice caps, volcanoes, and seasonal weather patterns.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>However, no human has set foot on Mars yet because the atmosphere on Mars is very thin, consisting of mostly carbon dioxide with no breathable oxygen, making it difficult for astronauts to survive there.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="border-bg">
<p><strong>India&rsquo;s Mars Orbiter Mission</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Also known as Mangalyaan, it was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh by <a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-national-institutions/indian-space-research-organisation-isro" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Indian Space Research Organisation</strong> </a>(ISRO) in November 2013.</li>
<li>It was launched on board a PSLV C25 rocket with aim of studying Martian surface and mineral composition as well as scan its atmosphere for methane (an indicator of life on Mars).</li>
</ul>
</div>
<p><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-uaes-hope-probe-is-set-to-enter-mars-orbit-what-happens-next-7181137/" 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/uae-s-hope-mars-mission'
	],
	(int) 5 => [
		'title' => 'India-Poland Relations',
		'catname' => 'News Analysis',
		'desc' => '<h3>Why in News</h3>
<p>Recently, <strong>Poland</strong> has invited India&rsquo;s Prime Minister while he will be visiting <strong>Portugal</strong> for the <strong><a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/european-union" target="_blank" rel="noopener">European Union</a>-India summit (May 2021),</strong> and<strong> Cornwall, United Kingdom</strong> to attend the<a href="/important-institutions/drishti-specials-important-institutions-international-institution/g-7" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> G7</strong> </a><strong>grouping where India is a special invitee (June 2021).</strong></p>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li>Poland is also negotiating with India for a<a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/travel-bubble#:~:text=Key%20Points,and%20open%20travel%20and%20tourism." target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong> travel bubble arrangement</strong></a> to resume direct flights suspended due to <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/comprehensive-action-plan-for-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Covid-19 pandemic</strong></a>.<br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Creating a travel bubble <strong>involves reconnecting countries or states which have shown a good level of success in containing the Covid-19 pandemic</strong> domestically.</li>
<li>Such a bubble would <strong>allow the members of the group to restart trade ties</strong> with each other and open travel and tourism.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612954030_image10.jpg" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="content-img" src="http://www.drishtiias.com/images/uploads/1612954030_image10.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" caption="false" width="500" height="384" /></a></p>
<h3>Key Points</h3>
<ul style="list-style-type: square;">
<li><strong>Background:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>India and Poland <strong>diplomatic relations</strong> were <strong>established in 1954,</strong> leading to the opening of the <strong>Indian Embassy in Warsaw in 1957.</strong></li>
<li>The two countries shared common ideological perceptions, based on their opposition to colonialism, imperialism and racism.</li>
<li>During the<strong> Communist era of Poland (1944 to 1989), bilateral relations were close and cordial,</strong> with regular high level visits, coupled with planned trade and economic interactions by state trading organizations, underpinned by the rupee clearing arrangements.</li>
<li>The <strong>relationship continued to remain close after Poland chose the democratic path in 1989.</strong></li>
<li>A cordial political relationship has emerged in the current century, particularly after Poland joined the<strong> European Union</strong> in 2004, and became one of India&rsquo;s key economic partners in Central Europe.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Economic &amp; Commercial Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li><strong>Export:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Poland is <strong>India&rsquo;s largest trade partner and export destination in the Central European region,</strong> with bilateral trade growing almost seven-fold over the last ten years.</li>
<li>As per Indian statistics, the overall value of <strong>bilateral trade in 2019 was USD 2.36 billion.</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India&rsquo;s export to Poland contributed to 0.48% of overall India&rsquo;s export. Only 0.15% of India&rsquo;s import was covered by Poland in 2019.</li>
<li>As per the statistics, the increase of bilateral trade by 2.5% was visible in 2019 in comparison with previous years.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Investment:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Indian investments in Poland are valued at over <strong>USD 3 billion.</strong></li>
<li>Total Polish investment in India is estimated at <strong>USD 672 million.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>From April 2000 to March 2019, India recorded over <strong>USD 672 million of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/fdi-inflow" target="_blank" rel="noopener">FDI</a> from Poland,</strong> 0.16%of its total FDI inflows in that period.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Sectoral Collaboration: </strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Agro and<a href="/to-the-points/paper3/food-processing-in-india" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Food processing</a> sectors:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Poland possesses world class food processing including preservation/storage technologies while India is one of the largest producers for many fruits, dairy and agro products.</li>
<li>An MoU on agriculture for technical and institutional cooperation was signed between both countries in April 2017.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Information Technology (IT) Sector:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Around <strong>thirteen Indian IT companies, employing more than 10,000 professionals, are currently active in Poland</strong> and are also operating their Europe operation from here.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Textile Sector:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>India has presently a share of only<strong> 3.73% overall in the Polish Textile and Apparel Imports (valued at USD 400 million).</strong></li>
<li>There is of course, much potential for increase in its exports, provided conducive circumstances are created for Indian Exporters.</li>
<li>Presently, about 30-40% of goods exported by India to Poland are re-exported to other EU Countries.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Mining/Energy Sector:</strong> <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Poland possesses reputed <strong>clean coal technologies</strong> and Polish public sector companies have played a substantial role in development of mining and power sectors in India.</li>
<li>India and Poland signed a<strong> Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)</strong> in 2019 to enhance <strong>bilateral cooperation in the coal and mining sector.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Pharmaceutical and Chemicals Sector:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Given Poland&rsquo;s strategic location, shortages in healthcare personnel and 25% growth in the pharma market in the last 5 years, there are <strong>good opportunities for Indian exporters and investors.</strong></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Cultural and Educational Relations:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>There is a strong tradition of Indology studies in<strong> Poland, with Polish scholars having translated Sanskrit into Polish as early as in the 19<sup>th</sup> Century.</strong></li>
<li>Polish Mission organised the <strong>150<sup>th</sup> <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/mahatma-gandhi-jayanti" target="_blank" rel="noopener">anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi</a></strong> in 2019. <br />
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li>Polish Post (Poczta Polska)<strong> issued a Commemorative Stamp on the 150<sup>th</sup> Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi</strong> which was released on the occasion.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>On the occasion of 550<sup>th</sup> Prakash Purab of <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-editorials/guru-nanak-dev-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Guru Nanak Dev ji</strong></a>, Mission and Gurudwara Sahib of Poland <strong>jointly organised functions at Gurudwara Sahib, Poland.</strong></li>
<li>The first <a href="/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/international-day-of-yoga" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>International Day of Yoga</strong></a> was organized in 21 cities in Poland on June 21, 2015. An estimated 11000 people participated in public events.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Indian Community:</strong><br />
<ul style="list-style-type: circle;">
<li>Estimated at approximately<strong> 10,000, the Indian community in Poland consists of traders (textiles, garments and electronics)</strong> who came after the collapse of communism, and professionals with multinational or Indian companies and software/IT experts, including a rising number of Indian students.</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/as-pm-plans-two-europe-visits-poland-pitches-for-warsaw-stop/article33792728.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-poland-relations'
	],
	(int) 6 => [
		'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>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/arka-shubha-new-marigold-variety'
	],
	(int) 7 => [
		'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>',
		'postdate' => object(Cake\I18n\FrozenTime) {},
		'url' => 'https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/sedition-law-2'
	],
	(int) 8 => [
		'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) 9 => [
		'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) 10 => [
		'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) 11 => [
		'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) 12 => [
		'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) 13 => [
		'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) 14 => [
		'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) 15 => [
		'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) 16 => [
		'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) 17 => [
		'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) 18 => [
		'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) 19 => [
		'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'
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$search = 'class'
$totalPages = (float) 336
$title = 'Search'
$lastyear = (int) 2018
$year = '2021'
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$selected = ''
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include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/rightsection.ctp, line 100
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Element/articlebox.ctp, line 5
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::_renderElement() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1554
Cake\View\View::element() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 668
include - ROOT/plugins/Drishti/src/Template/Search/index.ctp, line 85
Cake\View\View::_evaluate() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1196
Cake\View\View::_render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 1157
Cake\View\View::render() - CORE/src/View/View.php, line 765
Cake\Controller\Controller::render() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 623
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 125
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 93

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