9 PM Daily Current Affairs Brief – August 12th, 2023
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GS PAPER - 2
On Digital Personal Data Protection Bill
Source: The post is based on the article “Digital Personal Data Protection Bill: Spectre of a Barbenheimer future” published in “The Indian express” on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
News: In this article author discusses two possible futures for India’s digital landscape that is “Barbenheimer” future and an equitable digital future India’s current decisions will determine its path.
What are the potential digital futures of India?
Potential Digital Futures of India
The “Barbenheimer” Future:
This is named after an internet phenomenon combining “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer.”In this scenario sees India heavily leaning on technology.
In this future, an elite group dominates the tech decisions. Privacy might often be compromised for perceived national benefits.
For escape, citizens could immerse themselves in virtual worlds, like a Barbie-themed metaverse, where tech corporations dictate experiences.
Equitable Digital Future:
Here, the emphasis is on citizen rights and privacy. Strong data protection laws would be the foundation. Instead of broad exceptions in the name of security, there would be robust checks on surveillance, with judicial oversight ensuring citizen privacy.
This future envisions universal digital access, clear rules for AI, and encrypted data processing. It’s a world where digital rights are central, and open engagements prioritize human rights, accountability, and trust.
Why are these futures important?
Decision Making Impact: The choices India makes now in digital governance will shape its digital landscape for the next 25 years. Opting for one future over the other can drastically change societal structures and individual freedoms.
Citizen Rights: The “Barbenheimer” future could see reduced individual rights, with elites and tech giants dictating terms.
National Interests: Balancing privacy with perceived national benefits is critical, especially in a tech-dominated future.
Public Engagement: An equitable digital future emphasizes open engagements, prioritizing human rights and accountability.
Technological Trajectory: These futures determine India’s tech direction, impacting areas like AI governance and data protection.
Economic & Social Implications: The direction India takes will influence its global tech position, economic prospects, and the well-being of its citizens. Ensuring an equitable future means prioritizing societal welfare and progress.
India’s TB problem and the right to treatment
Source: The post is based on the article “India’s TB problem and the right to treatment” published in “The Indian express” on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health.
News: The author highlights the challenge of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in India. While new diagnostic tools and treatments exist, India often relies on outdated methods. The WHO recommends modern solutions that are more effective and cost-saving. The author urges India to adopt these to prevent DR-TB deaths and suffering.
What are India’s achievements in relation to drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB)?
Detection: India identified 64,000 MDR/RR-TB cases in 2022, a significant number though below WHO estimates.
Molecular Tests: Several Indian companies manufacture advanced molecular tests for DR-TB detection.
Investment: India heavily invested in molecular platforms during the Covid-19 pandemic, which can be repurposed for TB.
Cost-effective PCR: Many Indian companies made affordable PCR (polymerase chain reaction) components during the Covid-19 crisis.
Treatment Time: India has treatments that reduce DR-TB treatment duration from 24 months to 6 months.
Drug Supply: India is the global supplier of pretomanid, a crucial drug in the BPaL(Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, and Linezolid)regimen for DR-TB.
What are the challenges of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) in India?
High Cases: India accounts for a quarter of the world’s DR-TB cases, with 119,000 new cases estimated yearly by WHO.
Underreporting: Only 64,000 MDR/RR-TB cases were reported in 2022, missing a substantial number.
Delayed Diagnosis: Rapid diagnosis of DR-TB is limited, leading to treatment delays.
Old Diagnostic Methods: 77% of suspected TB patients were diagnosed using traditional sputum smear microscopy, an outdated method.
Treatment Adherence: India uses a mix of DR-TB treatments, many of which are hard to follow.
Reliance on Injectables: Over 22,000 MDR/RR-TB patients in 2021 received treatments with injections, despite WHO’s recommendation against it.
Incomplete Treatment: Only 68% of the MDR/RR-TB patients initiated on treatment in 2020 completed it.
Limited Access: Only 53% of MDR/RR-TB patients in 2022 received the WHO-recommended shorter bedaquiline regimen.
What should be done to address these challenges?
Enhance Reporting: Increase efforts to identify and report all MDR/RR-TB cases.
Adopt Rapid Tests: Embrace rapid molecular diagnostics as the initial test for suspected patients.
Increase Molecular Testing: Aim for all suspected TB patients to undergo the recommended molecular tests.
Update Treatment Protocols: Adopt WHO’s recommendation of the BPaL regimen for DR-TB.
Phase Out Injectables: Heed WHO’s advice to stop using injectable treatments from 2019.
Expand Access: Increase the number of patients receiving the bedaquiline-containing regimen and BPaL regimen.
Utilize Resources: Repurpose molecular platforms from the Covid-19 era for TB testing.
The rise of bulldozer governance
Source: The post is based on the article “Suhas Palshikar writes: The rise of bulldozer governance” published in “The Indian express” on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability.
News: In this article author discusses how India’s democracy is shifting, with governments using more forceful methods like bulldozers and police encounters. These actions often target the poor and marginalized. The government is also bypassing standard democratic procedures in the legislature. The author suggests this trend is worrisome and challenges the true essence of democracy.
How is India’s democracy shifting?
India’s democracy is shifting in the following ways:
Bulldozer Governance: Governments are using force, symbolized by bulldozers, to assert their power. Examples include demolitions in Haryana following communal violence.
Decreased Regulation: Despite the ideal of minimal government intervention, there’s an increased use of physical coercion to maintain law and order.
Surveillance: Governments are using advanced techniques like drone surveillance and facial recognition without much legislative oversight.
Police Power: States are increasingly giving the police a “free hand,” resulting in encounter killings, like the Telangana police incident in 2019 (killing suspected rapists)
Legislative Functioning: There’s less discussion and vetting of bills, with some being pushed through as Money Bills, limiting proper democratic debate.
Executive Dominance: The executive branch is gaining more control, even intervening in state matters, challenging the federal principle.
This shift, seems to be moving away from democratic ideals.
What are the major concerns of this shift?
Citizen Concerns:
The use of force, like the bulldozer incidents in Haryana, affects the marginalized the most.
Advanced surveillance techniques such as facial recognition threaten citizen privacy.
Governance Concerns:
The government’s assertive actions, like not properly vetting bills, reduce transparency.
Leaders assert dominance, sometimes bypassing federal principles to intervene in state matters.
Judicial Concerns:
The judiciary often remains a silent observer, not intervening in cases of potential overreach.
The direction of governance primarily targets less privileged sections, without adequate checks.
Social Concerns:
Media might not consistently challenge high-handed governance.
Terms like “bulldozer baba” highlight societal acceptance of forceful governance.
Idea of Democracy:
Bypassing democratic procedures in the legislature erodes democratic norms.
The rising belief in a leader’s ultimate wisdom weakens the need for democratic checks and balances.
What should be done about it?
Strengthen Oversight: Enhance judicial involvement to ensure government actions align with democratic principles, as seen with the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s intervention in Nuh.
Legislative Reforms: Encourage thorough vetting of bills and promote discussions to avoid bypassing democratic procedures.
Enhance Accountability: Ensure surveillance techniques, such as facial recognition and drones, are used with proper legislative oversight.
Promote Media Vigilance: Media should consistently highlight and critique instances of high-handed governance.
Public Awareness: Educate the public about the importance of checks and balances in a democracy.
Emphasize Federalism: Respect the federal principle to maintain the balance of power between the central and state governments.
Restore Democratic Ideals: Prioritize citizens’ rights and well-being over forceful measures, ensuring democracy serves all.
Think, Then Act – Proposed criminal codes need serious deliberation
Source: The post is based on the article “Think, Then Act – Proposed criminal codes need serious deliberation” published in The Times of India on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS 2 – Government Policies and Interventions for Development in various sectors and Issues arising out of their Design and Implementation.
Relevance: Issues with three bills that aim to replace IPC, CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act.
News: Recently, three bills, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 have been introduced in the Parliament that aim to replace IPC, CrPC and the Indian Evidence Act.
What are the concerns with the Bill?
- Despite claims of repeal, offences like sedition still persist under a different chapter.
- The inclusion of a separate provision for mob lynching where the punishment for a mob could involve death, creates a perplex situation.
- Marital rape is still not criminalized.
- Criminal defamation still remains in the Bill.
- Requiring forensic teams to visit crime scenes for serious offenses seems unrealistic due to the existing backlogs even in metropolitan labs.
What can be the way ahead?
No drafts were released in the public domain before the Union home minister introduced the bills in Lok Sabha. The reforms committee which worked on these bills also lacked transparency.
Hence, instead of rushing there are various shortcomings that need to be addressed. The parliamentary standing committee, to which the bills have now been sent, must look into these issues.
In ‘demolition raj’, the High Courts as beacons
Contents
Source– The post is based on the article “In ‘demolition raj’, the High Courts as beacons” published in “The Hindu” on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Judiciary
Relevance: Issues related functioning of higher courts in protecting the vulnerable sections
News– In the districts of Gurugram and Nuh in Haryana, there have been clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities. The Haryana government has taken to demolishing the houses of persons suspected to be involved in the violence without notice.
What are issues with the demolition drive by the Haryana government?
It’s evident that only the homes belonging to a particular section of population are singled out for demolition. This targeting is both deliberate and exclusive in nature.
The principle of rule of law which guarantees legal equality and equal protection has been disregarded.
Why is SC being questioned for its silence on demolition drive?
When the bulldozers were causing destruction in Uttar Pradesh, the matter was brought before the Supreme Court of India. The court’s reaction was lukewarm.
It heard the government’s assertion that these constructions were unauthorized and legal procedures were being followed. The court’s response observed that proper protocols must be adhered to.
Court should have asked stringent questions about targeting a specific community and the reason behind the swift and abrupt demolitions.
The Supreme Court could have taken suo motu action.
What are criticisms against the working of SC in recent times?
The Supreme Court appears to be yielding more ground. This is evident in the repeated extensions granted to the Director of the Enforcement Directorate.
The SC has not established clear boundaries and administered consequences for each violation. The established boundaries will be breached continuously with impunity without these types of actions.
The examples of prolonged delays in hearing cases are the modification of Article 370, electoral bonds, demonetization, legislative immunity under Article 194, the validity of the Assam Accords, and amendments to the Citizenship Act.
These situations have led to the emergence of an adjudication doctrine where the alleged illegality has persisted for such an extensive period.
Furthermore, notable legal practitioners have been nominated by the collegium for positions as High Court judges. However, the government’s inertia in processing these appointments remains. The Court does not assertively address this issue.
Why is the Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling being appreciated in this case?
The Punjab and Haryana High Court questioned whether it is an act of ethnic cleansing. It is a scathing indictment of the prevailing authorities.
The court went beyond mere inquiry and promptly halted the demolitions. It confronted the State Home Minister’s rationale for the demolitions and promptly reminded him of Lord Acton’s dictum that power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Significantly, this course of action was undertaken suo motu, initiated by the court itself. Kudos to the esteemed Justices for their praiseworthy action.
Way forward-
The actions of a former Chief Justice of India have triggered significant concerns due to his newfound uncertainties about the basic structure of the Constitution following his appointment to the Rajya Sabha.
This is a moment for us to revisit the wisdom of our legal luminaries, internalize their insights, and live by the principles they advocated.
It’s an opportune time for the High Courts to rise to their vital role, as conferred by Article 226 of the Constitution.
Error On Commission – on appointment of election commisioners
Source– The post is based on the article “Error On Commission” published in “The Times of India” on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS2- Appointment to various constitutional posts
Relevance: Issues related to appointment of Election Commissioners
News– Recently, GOI tabled a bill governing the appointment of election commissioners in Rajya Sabha.
Why is the SC ruling on appointment of Election Commissioners significant?
Firstly, there is a conflict of interest, if the political executives manage the selection of Election Commissioners. Because, these Commissioners are responsible for supervising elections.
Secondly, it’s crucial for the Election Commission to maintain an impartial image in the eyes of all parties involved. Hence, it’s imperative that the procedure for appointing Election Commissioners doesn’t undermine the trustworthiness of the Commission’s rulings.
Way forward
In practical terms, the significance of the Leader of the Opposition can be negated. It is undesirable as it can lead to accusations of favoritism in appointment process
There is a need to ensure unanimous decisions by the selection committee. Providing the LOP with a substantive role will ensure that the Commission’s credibility is upheld.
For more reading- https://forumias.com/blog/s-y-quraishi-on-the-collegium-bill-how-to-make-election-commission-credible/
GS PAPER - 3
A cycle of Reversal – on India’s Protectionist Policies
Source– The post is based on the article “A cycle of Reversal” published in “Business Standard” on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Effects of Liberalization on the Economy
Relevance: Issues related to protectionist policies
News– The article explains the significance of competition for businesses. It also explains the impact of protectionist policies on Indian consumers in the pre-liberalisation era.
What is the impact of competition on businesses?
In the absence of competition, businesses tend to become complacent. Service providers often lower their standards, and manufacturers may compromise on quality.
Businesses charge higher prices than warranted, and take advantage of guaranteed markets and the lack of competition.
How protectionist policies in the pre-liberalisation era impacted Indian consumers?
Between 1947 and 1991, the country’s economic policy exhibited a distinct trend toward isolationism. The introduction of red tape through licensing increased, import tariffs rose, and the prohibition of various imported goods was common practice.
During this period, only a handful of companies held manufacturing licenses, and innovation was stifled.
Even minor inventions, like a new design for a bicycle lamp, required licensing. Additionally, major sectors like banking, aviation, mining, and telecommunications were nationalized and transformed into government monopolies. This further restricted competition.
Indian consumers had just two car models to choose from. Potential car buyers were obliged to place a deposit and endure months of waiting for delivery. Obtaining a new telephone connection took up to three years to become operational
In case of air travel, Indian Airlines was the sole option. It imposed higher fares compared to other prominent global airlines.
The telephone service was expensive, was also of poor quality and one of the priciest globally. Almost everything manufactured in India exhibited subpar quality. Plugs wouldn’t fit into outlets correctly.
Most household appliances were absent. Microwaves, washing machines, dishwashers, high-performance bicycles, fashionable designer attire were non-existent.
Importing goods posed considerable challenges. Stringent controls were imposed on foreign exchange, and a significant number of items were prohibited. Indians traveling abroad were only allowed an annual allowance of $50.
Even individuals who earned scholarships to pursue education abroad struggled with obtaining foreign exchange for their studies.
How things changed after liberalization?
Remarkably, quality improvements were noted in various sectors as competition was permitted. New players differentiated themselves by offering higher quality products at lower prices.
Telecom market, swiftly transformed into the most affordable. Consumers gained access to over 100 models from numerous automobile companies.
Students could secure loans from private banks to pursue education abroad, even if they didn’t come from affluent backgrounds.
PM Modi reopens security debate
Source: The post is based on the article “PM Modi reopens security debate” published in “ Business standard” on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Security challenges and their management in border areas.
News: In this article author discusses the challenges faced by India during the 1960s. He consider 1960s the most tumultuous decade post-independence due to multiple internal insurgencies, wars with neighbors, political instability, and economic hardships. He also touch upon the 1980s for comparison.
What challenges did India face from its early post-independence years until the end of the 1960s?
Pakistan as an Adversary (1947-1952): Soon after gaining independence, India confronts Pakistan as a military threat.
Naga Insurgency:
Starts in the late 1940s.
Intensifies by the mid-1950s with China’s support.
Military operations and resettlement initiatives like “Protected and Progressive Villages” lead to human rights issues.
Emergence of China as a Threat:
By the mid-1950s, China’s looming presence becomes concerning.
The Dalai Lama’s escape to India in 1959 strains relations.
Indian and Chinese forces clash in Hot Springs, Eastern Ladakh in 1959.
Liberation of Goa (1961):
India launches a military operation against Portuguese-controlled Goa.
War with China (1962): India faces a major military conflict with China.
Kashmir Tensions (1963): The Hazratbal incident sparks unrest in the region.
Political Transitions:
Nehru’s death in 1964 creates a leadership vacuum.
Lal Bahadur Shastri takes over, facing multiple no-confidence motions before his sudden death in 1966.
India-Pakistan War (1965): A significant military conflict between the two nations erupts.
Rise of Mizo Insurgency (1966): Following Shastri’s demise, the Mizo National Front proclaims sovereignty, leading to internal strife.
Political and Economic Challenges:
Punjabi Suba movement and Dravidian secessionist impulses emerge.
India grapples with famines, economic downturns, and food aid dependencies.
These challenges highlight India’s tumultuous journey from its early post-independence years through the 1960s.
What challenges did India face during 1980s?
Punjab Insurgency:
Radical insurgency emerges in Punjab.
Operation Blue Star takes place in 1984, targeting Sikh militants inside the Golden Temple complex.
Kashmir Unrest:
Return of terrorism in Kashmir.
Hindus face targeted killings.
Mutinies in the Army: Sikh units in the Indian Army revolt after Operation Blue Star.
Massacres: Mass killings of Sikhs in Delhi and other regions following the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy (1984): A deadly gas leak in Bhopal causes thousands of deaths.
Border Tensions:
Near-war situation with Pakistan over Exercise Brasstacks.
Stand-off with China over the Sumdorong Chu region.
IPKF Operations in Sri Lanka: Indian Peace Keeping Force sent to Sri Lanka faces challenges.
Internal Political Instability:
Turbulence in politics, especially post-Bofors scandal.
These events marked India’s challenges and struggles during the 1980s.
What lessons should India learn from these challenges?
Negotiation over Force: Nehru’s delay in military intervention, hoping talks would resolve the Naga insurgency, emphasizes the importance of early dialogue and negotiations.
Internal Stability and National Security: The political transitions of the 1960s and the 1980s, like Nehru’s death without a clear successor and the challenges faced by Shastri and Indira Gandhi, underscore the interconnectedness of internal politics and national security.
Human Rights Concerns: The “Protected and Progressive Villages” initiative, which led to significant rights abuses, teaches the need for oversight and ethical considerations in security operations.
Vigilance with Neighbors: The Chinese threat in the late 1950s and early 1960s reminds India to maintain vigilance and regular diplomatic engagement with neighboring countries.
Preparedness and Resilience: The sudden Mizo insurgency at a time of national crises emphasizes the importance of always being prepared for unforeseen challenges.
National Unity during Crises: The diverse challenges faced, from the Punjab insurgency to the Kashmir unrest, highlight the need for promoting national unity and harmony.
Incorporating these lessons can provide India a holistic approach to handle current and future national security challenges.
India needs a new economic policy
Source: The post is based on the article “India needs a new economic policy” published in The Hindu on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS 3 – Indian Economy – Growth & Development
Relevance: measures needed to boost GDP growth rate
News: The National Statistical Office (NSO) has released the fourth-quarter GDP growth rate figures for 2022-23. The current NSO data, when compared to the previous year, present a more pessimistic outlook.
Further, analyzing NSO data since 2014-2015 yields three important conclusions.
What conclusions can be made after analyzing NSO data since 2014-2015?
First, the GDP growth rate has been decreasing each year since 2015-16, and it has now dropped in the fourth quarter to a level of 3.5%.
Second, this growth is similar to the Hindu Rate of Growth observed during the 1950-77 socialism era.
Third, the economic reforms taken under the leadership of P.V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh led to increase in GDP growth to 6% to 8% annually, from 1991 to 1996 and 2004 to 2014.
However, recent years have seen a worrying and ongoing drop-in GDP growth rates since 2016.
What measures can be taken to boost the growth rate of GDP?
First, abolishing personal income tax and eliminating the Goods and Services Tax (GST) are crucial steps to encourage investors and earners.
Second, the government should raise funds through indirect taxes and by printing currency notes, which can be circulated by paying wages to the employment generated in extensive public works.
Third, the government should set fixed-term savings interest at around 9% to boost middle-class purchasing power, and limit loan interest rates for small and medium industries to 6% to increase production and employment.
Fourth, India also requires a comprehensive new economic policy with clear objectives, priorities, a strategic approach to achieving goals, and a transparent resource mobilization plan.
Fifth, in India, the market system operates under rules and isn’t entirely free. However, market capitalism thrives on incentives and capital, driving innovation, factory productivity, and GDP growth. China also embraced this free market approach, despite being a totalitarian.
However, it doesn’t imply full deregulation. Government intervention is needed for safety nets, affirmative action, addressing market failure, and ensuring a level-playing field.
Must Read: India’s GDP Growth for FY2021-22 – Explained
What can be the way ahead?
Balancing public sector and deregulation, along with selling unprofitable units, boosting employment through affirmative action, and ensuring access to social security will help the poor in India.
This will also foster fairness in competition, ensures transparency, accountability, philanthropy, and corporate governance, legitimizing profitable operations that drive the market system.
The Tasks That Will Protect India’s Tuskers
Source– The post is based on the article “The Tasks That Will Protect India’s Tuskers” published in “The Times of India” on 12th August 2023.
Syllabus: GS3- Environment
Relevance: Conservation of animal biodiversity
News– The article explains the steps taken by Indian government for elephant conservation
What are some facts about elephants in India?
India takes great pride in its substantial elephant population. There exist three distinct species of elephants.
While elephants inhabit a total of 13 countries, it is noteworthy that India alone hosts over 60% of the worldwide wild elephant population.
The elephant population within India is spread across various regions including the southern, northeastern, east-central, and northern parts of the country.
What are steps taken by the Indian government for conservation of elephants?
India has declared elephants as the National Heritage Animal. It grants them protection under Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Project Elephant was initiated during 1991-92 as a centrally funded program. It aimed to safeguard and conserve elephants, their natural habitats and corridors.
The elephant population in India has experienced a substantial increase, reaching approximately 30,000 individuals.
Protecting corridors-
Elephant habitats and forests are intersected by roads and railway tracks. It forms obstacles for the movement of elephants and other wildlife. Obstruction caused by railways leads to habitat fragmentation.
The government is consistently collaborating with state governments to mitigate the detrimental effects of existing railway lines on elephants and other wildlife.
Recent developments include the identification of 110 critical sites spanning over 1,800 kilometers along existing railway lines.
The Ministry of Railways has adopted measures such as constructing underpasses, overpasses, enforcing speed limits, establishing level crossings, and building ramps to facilitate elephant movement.
The Ministry of Railways is actively engaged in coordination with the MoEF&CC.
For instance, the Southern Railway has implemented inventive measures like constructing underpasses to reduce elephant fatalities on the Coimbatore-Palakkad route connecting Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Similarly, the Northeast Frontier Railway is in the process of building an elevated corridor in Assam’s Deepor Beel to prevent elephant accidents.
In states like West Bengal and Uttarakhand, pilot projects such as the Intrusion Detection System using optical fiber cables, seismic sensors for animal movement detection, and infrared thermal cameras have been initiated.
Minimising human-animal conflict-
India has established a formalised process known as Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE). It displays proactive engagement in evaluating its national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves.
MEE procedure has been initiated for elephant reserves located in various regions: Uttarakhand’s Shivalik Elephant Reserve, Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiri Elephant Reserve, Odisha’s Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, and Assam’s Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong Elephant Reserve.
The Ministry has enhanced natural habitats through activities like augmenting water sources and planting fodder trees, as well as regenerating bamboo growth.
To mitigate conflicts, specific areas of significant importance for elephants are designated as Elephant Reserves. Presently, a total of 33 ERs have been established across 14 states where elephants reside.
India has initiated the creation of a genetic database specifically for captive elephants. This comprehensive database encompassing over 326 captive elephants has been developed and documented using the Gaj Soochna App.
This DNA profiling initiative aims to counter the unlawful transfer of elephants between states or individuals.
A comprehensive field manual designed for frontline staff to manage human-elephant conflicts has been introduced in multiple languages.
The Ministry conducts Land Use Land Cover analysis of Elephant Reserves in various states.
Elephant conservation: Explained, pointwise
Contents
- 1 Introduction
- 2 What is the role of elephants in the ecosystem?
- 3 What are the challenges in elephant conservation?
- 4 What are the legal protections given to the Asian elephants?
- 5 What are the steps taken by the government for elephant conservation?
- 6 What should be the way forward for elephant conservation?
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Introduction
As World Elephant Day is celebrated, India takes pride in its significant elephant numbers. Elephant conservation has been largely a success story as India is home to about 30,000 elephants, which is more than 60% of the global wild Asian elephant population. The population in India is distributed across southern, northeastern, east-central and northern regions. While the number of elephants in India has increased in the past few years, the species is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of threatened species. India acknowledges the importance of elephants by recognising them as National Heritage Animal.
What is the role of elephants in the ecosystem?
Elephants serve a critical role in the ecosystem and are therefore known as a keystone species. Keystone species are those that provide vital ecosystem services, many of which are essential for the survival of other species in the community.
Seed dispersal: Elephants consume a wide variety of fruits, nuts, and plants. As they travel, they excrete the undigested seeds along with their dung. This process helps in dispersing seeds over large distances, contributing to plant regeneration and biodiversity.
Water Hole Creation: Elephants dig for water and create new watering holes, which allow them to survive during the dry season. These water sources benefit a wide range of species, including smaller mammals and birds, especially in arid regions.
Nutrient Cycling: Elephants consume a large quantity of vegetation daily, and their dung is rich in nutrients. When elephants move through the landscape, they deposit these nutrients in various areas, contributing to nutrient cycling and enhancing soil fertility.
Create new paths: Elephants are known as “ecosystem engineers” due to their ability to shape their environment. They create pathways through dense vegetation, which benefits other species by providing easier access to resources. Similarly, elephants pull down and uproot thorny bushes, which further helps in clearing safe pathways for smaller animals. The clearance of some thorny bushes also allows more light to reach the ground, which promotes the growth of new plant species and reduces competition.
Finding natural salt licks: Elephants use their sense of smell to detect areas in the ground that have large quantities of minerals. These salt lick sites are not only used by elephants, but also other herbivores who may need to increase their mineral intake.
What are the challenges in elephant conservation?
Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Habitat loss is widely considered a major threat to Indian elephants. From expanding human settlements and mining to converting land to plantations and linear infrastructure, many activities can block migratory elephant routes and drive them into smaller subpopulations. When animals are forced into smaller pockets of populations, they risk losing genetic diversity and have a higher chance of dying from disease and natural disasters. When accounting for climate change projections, scientists predict that the elephant population in the country could lose over 40% of its habitat by 2070.
Elephant corridors: Elephant herds are known to migrate across 350-500 sq. km. annually. As elephant habitats have been fragmented, the pathways connecting them—called corridors—have become increasingly important for allowing elephants to access resource. But anthropogenic pressures have also contributed to extreme degradation of large parts of elephant corridors. As per the latest estimate, 101 elephant corridors exist in the country, with many facing the threat of being cut off.
Human-Elephant Conflict: Increasingly fragmented landscapes are driving the elephants more frequently into human-dominated areas. Elephants raid plantations and crop fields in their quest for food or move between forest patches, giving rise to more man-animal conflicts. They lead to the death and injury of human beings and retaliatory killings of elephants. On average, about 500 humans and 100 elephants are killed every year across the country in such confrontations. This is amongst the biggest threats to the survival of elephants in the wild.
Poaching: Poaching remains a threat to elephants. Since only males have tusks, poaching has resulted in a highly skewed male-female ratio in many areas. In some areas, the normal level of 1:12 (male-female) has been distorted to 1:100. This abnormality seriously affects the genetic viability of the populations. Poaching for meat, skin and other products like tail hair also threatens elephant populations, especially in northeast India.
Insufficient funds: Project Elephant’s budgetary allocation has remained around Rs 30-35 crore on average for several years now. The Rs 35 crore allocated in FY 2022-2023 is effectively just Rs 1.09 crore per year per reserve, whose average size is 2,400 sq.km.
Other challenges: There are 33 elephant reserves in India but they don’t promise greater standards of protection of elephant habitats because they are not recognised under any law. As a result, governments easily divert elephant reserves and corridors for various projects, although mining and linear infra projects are especially destructive.
The environment ministry is yet to implement several expert committees’ recommendations. For example, the elephant task force (ETF) submitted its report in 2010 but the government has implemented none of these recommendations. In 2019, the elephant cell under Project Elephant formed a committee to prepare a ‘National Elephant Action Plan’, to frame time-bound strategies and action plans to manage and conserve elephants. The action plan is still not ready.
What are the legal protections given to the Asian elephants?
The Asian Elephant has been given the highest level of protection in India by its inclusion in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
Asian Elephants are also included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
In 2019, with the efforts put in by the Indian Government, the Indian elephants have now been included in the Appendix I of the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS).
What are the steps taken by the government for elephant conservation?
Project Elephant was launched by the Central Government in 1992 as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with following objectives: 1. To protect elephants, their habitat & corridors 2. To address issues of man-animal conflict 3. Welfare of captive elephants. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change provides the financial and technical support to major elephant range states in the country through Project Elephant.
Note: Recently, Project Elephant has been merged with Project Tiger. A common allocation will fund both. The administrative setup for the two schemes will continue to exist separately.
Various other Centrally Sponsored schemes being implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) contribute to the improvement in the natural habitat of elephants by augmenting water sources, planting of fodder trees, regeneration of bamboo etc.
The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016 and the Rules made there under also provide for use of the fund for development of wildlife habitats, including for elephants, establishment of animal rescue centres, etc.
To reduce human-elephant conflict and to avoid retaliatory killing of elephants, compensation is being provided to local communities for loss of their property and life caused by wild elephants.
The Government also provides crop insurance to the farmers for their crops being damaged by wild animals under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
An advisory on dealing with human-wildlife conflict has been issued by the Ministry in February 2021.
To minimise the adverse impact of existing railway lines on elephants and other wildlife, recently, 110 critical sites over 1,800 km on existing railway lines were identified by MoEF&CC and state forest departments. Mitigation strategies will be undertaken on these sites with the cooperation of railway ministry.
The MoEF&CC‘s Land Use Land Cover analysis of elephant reserves for states will offer a detailed approach towards elephant conservation.
What should be the way forward for elephant conservation?
The Elephant Task Force report laid out an actionable and progressive framework for elephant conservation. Its recommendations are still relevant.
Elephant reserves should be accorded the status of being ‘ecologically sensitive areas’ under the Environmental (Protection) Act 1986.
A statutory body in line with the National Tiger Conservation Authority, named the National Elephant Conservation Authority (NECA) should be formed.
To create a more co-ordinated and science-based mitigation strategy for human-elephant conflict, a permanent Conflict Management Task Force should be formed for the review of existing conflict mitigation strategies and recommend site-specific strategies at the reserve level.
All the elephant corridors should be notified by respective state governments.
Different ‘no-go’ and ‘slow-go’ zones should be created in the elephant reserves for the regulation of developmental activities.
Financial support should be increased considerably for elephant conservation as elephants need large areas to move around and protecting such large landscapes needs money.
Sources: Times of India, The Wire
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