9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Articles 20 February, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 1

On the Impact of La Nina on Air Quality in India

Source: This post on the Impact of La Nina on Air Quality in India has been created based on the article “La Nina impacted air quality in India: what a new study says” published in “Indian Express” on 20^th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 1 Geography – Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc.

News: The article discusses the impact of La Nina on Air Quality in India.

A detailed article on El Nino can be read here.

Read more about La Nina here.

Background:

Monsoon rainfall over India is known to be strongly influenced by El Nino and La Nina events (the alternating warming and cooling of the eastern Pacific Ocean that impacts weather across the world). A new study by Indian researchers has now suggested that even air quality could be influenced by the two weather events. Impact of La Nina on Air Quality in India

What does the study say?

It has argued that the unusual air quality in some Indian cities in the winter of 2022 could be attributed to the record-breaking spell of La Nina prevailing at that time.

This also links the air quality in Indian cities indirectly to climate change, which is making El Nino and La Nina more severe.

What are the reasons for bad air quality in Indian cities?

Various meteorological factors play a role in trapping pollutants in the lower atmosphere levels. These include:

1. Temperature.
2. Moisture.
3. Heaviness in air.
4. Wind speed and direction.

Situation in North Indian cities: During October to January, northern Indian cities, particularly Delhi, experience very high concentrations of PM2.5.

Situation in South Indian cities: The western and southern parts of the country usually have relatively lower levels of pollution, because of their proximity to oceans.

What was the change in the air pollution trend noticed in the winter of 2022?

Northern Indian cities, including Delhi, were cleaner than usual, while cities in the west and the south, like Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai, experienced worse-than-usual air quality. It was this unusual behavior that the researchers wanted to study.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

Decentralization in India-Federalism for development

Human-animal conflict in Kerala-Why are human-wildlife conflicts escalating in Kerala?

 

What is the explanation given for this?

1) Change in Wind Direction: During winter, wind usually blows in the northwesterly direction: for example, from Punjab towards Delhi and further into the Gangetic plains. In the winter of 2022, however, the wind circulation was in the north-south direction. The pollutants being carried from Punjab and Haryana bypassed Delhi and surrounding areas and flew over Rajasthan and Gujarat to southern regions.

Source: Indian Express.

2) Changed Behavior of Local Circulation near Mumbai: The local circulation of wind currents near Mumbai alternate between blowing from the land to the sea every few days. In 2022, however, instead of changing direction every 4-5 days, the winds persisted in one direction for more than 7-10 days, leading to greater accumulation of pollutants in Mumbai.

The study says that the wind behavior in both cases was related to the extended La Nina which, by the winter of 2022, had been persisting for an unusually long 3 years.

Question for practice:

In what ways can La Nina effect Indian weather? Discuss in the context of changing wind patterns and air quality in India.

GS PAPER - 2

Decentralization in India-Federalism for development

Source: The post decentralization in India has been created, based on the article “Federalism for development” published in “Business standard” on 20th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 – Polity- issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

News: The article discusses how giving more power to local governments in India, similar to what China did, can improve economic growth and political harmony. It emphasizes the need for local control over development strategies and better financial resources for states and local bodies. Fiscal Decentralization in Indian Federalism

Why does decentralization matter?

Decentralization is important because it allows local governments to create development plans that suit their specific needs. This approach can lead to more effective economic development compared to centralized planning, especially in diverse countries like India and China.

For more information on decentralization read here

What are the challenges of decentralization in India?

Political Discrimination: Different political parties ruling at the state and central levels can lead to unfair treatment of states. For instance, allegations of favoritism in Mumbai’s municipal corporation towards ruling party MLAs.

Risk of Inter-State Rivalry: As India moves towards a national market economy, decentralization should not result in trade barriers between states.

Fiscal Constraints: States accounted for about 55% of government expenditure but only 38% of tax revenue in 2022-23. Central tax collection practices limit states’ share, affecting their financial autonomy.

Centralized Development Schemes: Centrally-sponsored schemes often dictate state development strategies, reducing local autonomy. In the 2022-23 budget, these grants were about half as large as tax devolution to states.

Inadequate Local Governance Resources: Municipalities and panchayats lack sufficient access to fiscal resources, hindering their ability to effectively manage local development.

How can Indian states benefit from decentralization?

Tailored Development Strategies: States can develop strategies based on their unique resources, climate, and demographics, leading to more effective economic growth.

Reduced Economic Disparities: By focusing on local strengths, like specific crops or industries, states can bridge the economic gap. Decentralization allows for diverse approaches, potentially reducing disparities.

Greater Financial Autonomy: With more control over financial resources, states can better fund their development projects. Currently, states generate 38% of tax revenues but are responsible for 55% of government expenditure.

Local Political Harmony: Decentralization can reduce political conflicts by allowing states more freedom from central government’s influence, leading to more harmonious state-central relations.

Empowerment of Local Bodies: Municipalities and panchayats can have more control over local development, addressing specific community needs and attracting employment opportunities.

 

Read More UPSC Topics-

Factors are responsible for strengthening the relationship between Greece and India

On the Impact of La Nina on Air Quality in India

 

What can India learn from China’s growth?

Regional Competition as a Growth Catalyst: Post-1992, Chinese provinces, municipalities, and towns independently pursued development, fostering a market economy through regional competition.

Balancing National Market with Local Autonomy: China’s success also involved reform measures to create a common national market. This approach demonstrates how regional competition can benefit national development.

Importance of Localized Economic Experiments: China’s varied economic experiments at regional levels were instrumental in its transformation, suggesting that India could benefit from allowing states to innovate and experiment with development models.

Learning from China’s Unified Political System: Despite China being a totalitarian state, India can adopt its economic decentralization model while respecting its democratic and diverse political framework.

Question for practice:

Discuss the potential benefits and challenges of decentralization in India, drawing comparisons to China’s approach to regional autonomy and economic growth.

Factors are responsible for strengthening the relationship between Greece and India

Source: The post factors are responsible for strengthening the relationship between Greece and India has been created, based on the article “Greece’s gateway to Asia, India’s gateway to Europe” published in “The Hindu” on 20th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-International Relations-Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

News: The article discusses the strengthening relationship between Greece and India. Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis is visiting India to deepen ties in various areas. Both countries see each other as important strategic partners, with cooperation in business, military, and culture. This partnership is becoming increasingly important globally. Relationship between India and Greece

What factors are responsible for strengthening the relationship between Greece and India?

Strategic Geographic Positions: Both India and Greece are situated in key geopolitical locations, making each country an important strategic partner for the other in their respective regions.

Military Cooperation: Joint military exercises between the Indian Navy and Air Force and the Greek armed forces demonstrate growing strategic and defense collaboration.

Economic and Infrastructure Development: Economic reforms in Greece, combined with the potential India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), open new avenues for business collaborations.

For information on IMEC read here

Advocacy for Broader Relations: Greece’s support for the EU-India Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement and its role as a reliable partner in the EU and NATO, strengthen its relationship with India.

Interconnected Regional Stability: The security of the East Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean regions are interlinked, emphasizing the importance of the Greece-India partnership in global stability.

Cultural and Educational Exchanges: Efforts to enhance people-to-people ties through student exchange programs, cultural events, and media cooperation play a vital role in deepening mutual understanding and respect.

What business opportunities are emerging?

Infrastructure Projects: An Indian construction company is collaborating with a Greek firm to build a new airport on the island of Crete, showcasing cross-border infrastructure cooperation.

Banking and Finance: A major systemic bank in Greece has partnered with a prominent Indian financial institution to sell mutual fund products globally, indicating a growing financial relationship.

Investment by Business Leaders: Notable investments include those by an Indian business family in the Greek food industry, demonstrating the potential for cross-industry investment.

Shipping Industry Expansion: An Indian shipping company has opened a brokerage firm in Athens, aiming to become a key player in the trans-Atlantic shipping market, highlighting opportunities in maritime trade.

Support from Influential Investors: Indian-Canadian billionaire Prem Watsa, a major foreign investor in Greece, endorses the potential of Greek-Indian business cooperation, emphasizing the investment appeal of both countries.

Read More UPSC Topics-

On the Scope of the Horticulture Sector in India – Next step for farmers

The rise of Diplomatic Fora and ‘Intelligence Diplomacy’

 

Way forward

Moving forward, Greece and India should focus on expanding their strategic partnership, emphasizing business collaborations like infrastructure projects and financial sector ties. It’s crucial to boost people-to-people connections through more student exchanges, cultural events, and media collaboration. Think tanks should collaborate for deeper understanding. This approach aligns with the urgency shown by both countries’ leaders, marking 2024 as a pivotal year for their strategic relationship.

Question for practice:

Examine the key factors driving the strengthening relationship between Greece and India, and their significance in enhancing bilateral cooperation.

The rise of Diplomatic Fora and ‘Intelligence Diplomacy’

Source: This post has been created based on the article “C Raja Mohan writes: The rise of ‘intelligence diplomacy’ in a time of global security challenges” published in “Indian Express” on 20^th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 International Relations – Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.

News: The article discusses the expanding Indian diplomatic footprint, and the steps being taken by it in this regard. It also highlights the importance of Intelligence Diplomacy in current times.

What reflects the expanding Indian diplomatic footprint?

1. “Discourse Diplomacy” of the Raisina Dialogue: The annual Raisina Dialogue, hosted by the Observer Research Foundation and the Ministry of External Affairs, brings together ministers, officials, scholars, and policy researchers from across the world to promote an India-centred global agenda.
2. “Naval Diplomacy” of the Milan exercises: The biennial Multilateral Naval Exercise (Milan) in the Bay of Bengal attracts naval leaders from far and wide for professional exchanges on maritime issues. 50 countries are expected to participate this year.
3. “Intelligence Diplomacy”: A gathering of top intelligence officials from like-minded countries on the margins of the Raisina Dialogue.

Why is the importance of these fora rising?

1) Rise in Interest in Geopolitical Affairs: There has been a growth in interest in international commercial, political, technological and military affairs. This has led to the growth of think tanks and media outlets discussing foreign and security outlets.
For example, the Aspen Security Forum, the Munich Security Conference, and the Shangri-La Dialogue focusing on American, European, and Asian security issues.

2) Conflict-ridden World: The deepening military crises worldwide, the issues of the global economic order and the return of great power rivalry have created new risks to global peace and prosperity. These fora facilitate valuable exchange of ideas.

What has India done in this regard?

1. The Foreign Office’s External Publicity (XP) Division and its embassies have pursued outreach activities.
2. Business chambers — CII and FICCI — have been at the forefront of creating networks.
3. Launched in 2016, Raisina Dialogue has become an important event for the global strategic community interested in India.
4. Annual Global Technology Summit organised by Carnegie India is a major international forum to discuss issues at the intersection of technology, policy, and geopolitics.
5. Pune International Centre’s annual Asia Economic Dialogue and the India Foundation’s Indian Ocean Dialogue.

Why is the role of intelligence rising?

The rise of international terrorism, the growth of cross-border criminal networks, renewed economic competition, the increasing need to protect intellectual property, the return of great power rivalry, and the impact of new technologies that are reshaping the domestic and global dynamics of an interconnected international society has led to an increase in the importance of intelligence.

What is Intelligence Diplomacy?

“Intelligence Diplomacy” is about sharing information with allied governments and their security agencies. For example, “Five Eyes”: Anglo-Saxon allies — USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

For India, too, “intelligence diplomacy” has become critical due to its security challenges. The regular exchanges between the Indian agencies and their counterparts from like-minded countries on the margins of the Raisina Dialogue underline India’s efforts in this regard.

Question for practice:

Why is the importance of diplomatic fora rising? What has India done in this regard?

GS PAPER - 3

Status of air travel in India-Aviation casts a K-like shadow on the ground

Source: The post status of air travel in India has been created, based on the article “Aviation casts a K-like shadow on the ground” published in “Live mints” on 20th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- economy-infrastructure- Railways and Airways

News: The article discusses the increase in air travel in India due to factors like ‘revenge travel’ and the ‘wealth effect.’ It notes that while air travel is booming, railway travel is recovering more slowly, reflecting a broader economic situation.

What is the current status of air travel in India?

Air travel in India is experiencing significant growth.From April to November, 101 million domestic flights were taken.

Projections indicate over 150 million flyers this fiscal year, surpassing the 2019-20 record of 141.6 million.

Railway travel is recovering slower than air travel. There are projections of carrying 2,94-0 million travelers in 2023-24, still below pre-pandemic levels.

What are the factors responsible for the increasing air travel in India?

Revenge Travel: Post-pandemic, people are traveling more to compensate for the lockdown period. This behavior is significantly boosting air travel numbers.

Wealth Effect: Increased wealth, especially from stock market gains, is leading to more spending on travel. This is evidenced by the tripling of Demat accounts during COVID, indicating more people investing and gaining wealth.

How does this reflect on the overall economy?

Indicator of Economic Behavior: The rise in air travel is a sign of changing economic behavior, driven by factors like ‘revenge travel’ and the ‘wealth effect.’

Impact of the Wealth Effect: The increase in stock portfolio values and the tripling of Demat accounts during COVID suggest that a part of the population has more disposable income, influencing their travel choices.

Air Travel vs Railway Travel: While air travel numbers are booming, the slower recovery in railway travel, with projections of carrying 2,94-0 million travelers in 2023-24, shows an economic divide in travel preferences and capabilities. This contrasting trends in air and railway travel highlight the varying economic realities across different segments of the Indian population.

Question for practice:

Discuss the factors driving the increase in air travel in India and how it reflects on the overall economy, particularly in comparison to railway travel trends.

Human-animal conflict in Kerala-Why are human-wildlife conflicts escalating in Kerala?

Source: The post human-animal conflict in Kerala has been created, based on the article “Why are human-wildlife conflicts escalating in Kerala?” published in “The Hindu” on 20th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3-biodiversity- conservation, environmental impact assessment

News: The article discusses the serious issue of human-animal conflicts in Kerala, India. It highlights the increasing number of incidents, especially involving elephants and wild boars, causing damage and deaths.

What is the current status of human-animal conflict in Kerala?

Kerala faces a significant human-animal conflict, with over 48,000 incidents reported between 2013-14 and 2018-19.

Over 600 people have lost their lives in Kerala since 2015 in conflict with animals.

Elephants are the main culprits, involved in 14,611 incidents.

Wild boars, bonnet macaques, and snakes are also notable for causing conflicts.

Key areas of conflict include Nilambur north, Wayanad south, and Wayanad north forest ranges.

Crop damage and attacks have led to the death or injury of 814 livestock.

Tigers have preyed on 420 of these animals.

What are the reasons for human-animal conflict in Kerala?

Settlements near protected forest: The densely populated human settlements near protected forest regions in Kerala, where forests cover nearly 30% of the geographical area, pose a significant challenge due to the state’s small size, averaging just around 70 km in width, and a population of over 3.46 crore.

Increased Cultivation Near Wildlife Habitats: Expansion of agricultural areas close to wildlife habitats leads to more encounters between humans and animals.

Changing Cropping Patterns: New crop types attract certain wildlife species, increasing conflict incidents.

Population Growth of Protected Animals: Conservation efforts have boosted populations of elephants and tigers, leading to more human-wildlife interactions.

Human and Livestock Movement in Wildlife Areas: Humans and livestock venturing into wildlife habitats, especially at odd hours, increase the chances of encounters.

Habitat Depletion and Fragmentation: Human activities have reduced and fragmented natural habitats, forcing animals like elephants to venture into human settlements.

Invasive Species and Monoculture: The spread of non-native plants and monoculture farming reduces food and water availability for wildlife, pushing them towards inhabited areas.

Prolific Breeders: The rise in numbers of species like wild boars and peacocks contributes to more frequent conflicts.

What should be done?

Implement Effective Fencing: Use elephant-proof trenches and solar-powered fences, ensuring they are well-maintained and cover more regions.  Follow the ₹620-crore masterplan proposed by the Forest department, including hanging power fences unreachable by elephants.

Eco-restoration Policy: Plant indigenous food plants like wild mango, gooseberry, and jackfruit in forests to reduce animal intrusion into agricultural lands.

Early Warning Systems: Install systems using drones and watchers to track and alert about the movement of dangerous wildlife.

Address Wild Boar Issue: Consider Kerala’s request to declare wild boars as vermin, and explore options like culling, neutering, or relocation.

Question for practice:

Examine the factors contributing to the rising human-animal conflict in Kerala and discuss potential solutions to address this issue.

On the Scope of the Horticulture Sector in India – Next step for farmers

Source: This post on the Scope of the Horticulture Sector in India has been created based on the article “Next step for farmers: Fruits and vegetables can be a gamechanger” published in “Indian Express” on 20^th February 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Agriculture – Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country; Food processing and related industries in India- scope’ and significance, location, upstream and downstream requirements, supply chain management.

News: The article discusses the growing opportunities in the horticultural sector, especially F&V sector in India. It also highlights the steps that should be taken to improve it.

Read more about the Horticulture Sector in India here.

According to the author, India has the potential to transform itself into one of the top fruit and vegetable (F&V) sources for the world.

What are the growing opportunities in the horticultural sector, especially F&V?

1) Scope of Agri Exports: There is a huge opportunity in horticultural exports.

2) Changes in Dietary Habits: The focus of the Indian diet is shifting from mere calorie security to a nutrition-secure mindset, leading to an increase in per capita consumption of F&V.

3) Technological Advancements: Digital and technology advancements and increased focus on bio-based and sustainable solutions can solve the challenges of horticulture value chains.

4) Higher Incomes: Horticulture farming promises higher incomes and offers a steady income stream throughout the year, unlike traditional subsistence farming.

5) Agri-Inputs Sector: Increase in horticulture production will also unlock immense potential for the agri-inputs sector that comprises seeds, agrochemicals, and fertilisers.

What steps should be taken to improve horticultural production in India?

The issues of higher productivity, better price realization, and the affordability and accessibility of agri-inputs are crucial. This can be achieved by:

1) Focusing on value-added, export-led businesses.

2) Integrated value-chain approach from sourcing to processing.

3) Supply of key agri-inputs to the farmer can help improve yield.

4) Innovation in Seeds: Agronomic and genetic seed innovations, including high-quality hybrids, can enhance shelf life and improve access to quality F&V produce. High quality seeds can help extend the geographical footprint for cultivation.

5) 1.0 Hectare Model of Integrated Farming: This cluster-based, whole-farm approach includes multiple interventions such as solar-powered farming equipment, water conservation practices, diversified cropping integrated with livestock, vermicompost, etc., soil health replenishment with natural bio-based agri-inputs, village cluster creation for produce aggregation and exports.
It holds the potential to address the challenges of droughts and erratic weather patterns.

6) Specific Approaches for Diverse Agro-Climatic Zones: A tailored approach to F&V agri-inputs is needed for India’s diverse agro-climatic zones.
Note: An “Agro-climatic zone” is a land unit in terms of major climates, suitable for a certain range of crops.

7) Multi-stakeholder Partnerships: Partnerships among farmers, government, customers, industry, and academia/research need to be strengthened to achieve demand-backed production, high productivity, robust credit and risk management, and market linkages.

Question for practice:

The horticultural sector, especially the fruit and vegetable (F&V) sector looks promising for India. Why? What steps should be taken to improve horticultural production in India?

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Mission Aspides-EU launches Red Sea mission

Source-This post on Mission Aspides-EU launches Red Sea mission is based on the article “EU launches Red Sea mission as U.S. ship attacked twice” published in “The Hindu” on 20th February 2024.

Why in the News?

The European Union has recently launched a Red Sea mission named Mission Aspides, which aims to protect shipping in the Red Sea region from Yemen’s Houthi rebels.

What is the need for a mission in the Red Sea region?

1. The Iran-backed Houthis, who exert control over much of war-torn Yemen, have been disrupting the vital shipping lane in the Red Sea region since November 2023.

2. They claim their actions are in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

3. Recently, a Greek-flagged cargo ship owned by the U.S. was attacked twice in the Gulf of Aden, near the Red Sea.

4. The EU states that the mission Aspides, initially set for one year, is aimed at safeguarding civilian shipping in the Red Sea and assures that no attacks will be conducted on Yemeni soil.

About Red Sea

1. Location:
a. The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean lying between Africa and Asia.
b. It is connected to the Indian Ocean in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden.
c. To the north of the Red Sea lies the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez.

2. Bordering Countries: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea and Djibouti.

Who are Houthis?

1. The Houthis are a rebel group in Yemen. They have been fighting a civil war with the Yemen government for almost a decade.

2. They are named after the Houthi tribe who follow Zaydi Shia beliefs.

3. They are in power in northern Yemen, including the official capital Sanaa. The official government now operates from Aden.

4. They are supported by Iran. On the other hand, the Yemen government is backed by Saudi Arabia and Western countries.

UPSC Syllabus- Geography and Places in news/ International Relations

Char Areas- Riverine Islands of Brahmaputra River

Source-This post on Char Area-Riverine Islands of Brahmaputra River has been created based on the article “Will reclaim ‘char’ areas from encroachers: Assam CM” published in “The Hindu” on 17 February 2024.

Why in the news?

Assam government has recently announced that it would undertake a mission to reclaim the chars from encroachers to safeguard the “ecological integrity” of the Brahmaputra Valley.

About Char Area

Definition– The riverine areas (island) of the river Brahmaputra are locally known as Char.
Chars are island-like silt depositions in the lower parts of river basins. They are made of sand and silt. They are created naturally due to the accumulation of sediment transported in water from melting glaciers and eroding riverbanks.

Geographical features

1) They are subjected to erosion on their upstream and deposition on the downstream.

2) This affects the geometry and location of the chars during floods almost every year.

What are the problems of char areas?

1) Lack of basic infrastructure– These areas lack all weather communication with the main banks and reliable means of intra and inter char mobility. They have inadequate growth of transport and basic infrastructure like surface roads, health and drinking water etc.

2) Regular Flooding– There is constant threat from flood and erosion during the rainy season.

3) Geographical barriers– The land mass is segregated and cut off from each other. This makes it very difficult for taking any major scheme for road communication, irrigation, Power supply or setting of educational institutions.

4) Demographic issues- These chars are inhabited and cultivated by Bengali Muslims. They are often viewed as “illegal immigrants” or “Bangladeshi”.

Read more about- India-Bangladesh relations

UPSC Syllabus- Geography in news.

Melghat Tiger Reserve

Source-This post on Melghat Tiger Reserve has been created based on the article “Forest department’s sporting gesture aims at saving tigers and preventing forest fire” published in “Times of India” on 19 February 2024.

Why in the news?

Melghat Tiger Reserve has recently started Kula mama volleyball tournament to create awarness about significance of protection of tigers.

About Melghat Tiger Reserve

Aspect	Details
Introduction	It was established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1967 and was declared a tiger reserve in 1974. The name ‘Melghat’ means the confluence of various ‘ghats’ or valleys.
Location	It is located on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill Range in Central India, called Gavilgarh Hill in Maharashtra.
Vegetation	The forest is tropical dry deciduous in nature, dominated by teak.
Rivers	The reserve is a catchment area for five major rivers: the Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga, and Dolar. These are tributaries of the river Tapti. The Tapti River and the Gawilgadh ridge of the Satpura Range form the boundaries of the reserve.
Major tribes	The Korkus are the largest tribal community in Melghat. Other communities include the Gawli community, the Gond tribe etc.
Fauna	The prominent animals are Sloth Bear, Indian Gaur, Sambar deer, Leopard, Nilgais, dhole, hyena, jungle cat, langur, etc. It is considered a stronghold of the critically endangered forest owlet.
Some important facts	1) It was among the first nine tiger reserves notified in 1973-74 under Project Tiger. 2) It was the first tiger reserve in Maharashtra. 3) Kula Mama (maternal uncle) is the name affectionately used by Korku tribal people for tigers.

Read more about- Bor Tiger Reserve

UPSC Syllabus-Environment (Species in news)

States/UTs must adhere to the forest definition from the Godavarman judgment-SC

Source-This post on States/UTs must adhere to the forest definition from the Godavarman judgment-SC is based on the article “Go by dictionary definition of forest as per ’96 judgment: SC” published in “Hindustan Times” on 20th February 2024.

Why in the News?

The Supreme Court recently issued an interim order directing States and Union Territories to adhere to the 1996 definition of “forest” from the T.N. Godavarman Thirumalpad vs. Union of India case.
This directive applies while identifying land recorded as forests in Government records under the 2023 amendments to the Forest Conservation Act (1980).

What was the context of the case that led to the issuance of the interim order?

1. A bench led by Chief Justice of India issued the interim order during the hearing of several writ petitions that contested the 2023 amendments to the Forest Conservation Act (1980).

2. The petitioners argued that the broad definition of ‘forest’ established in the Godavarman judgment has been restricted by Section 1A introduced by the 2023 amendment.

3. The Court was informed that the narrowed definition would exclude approximately 1.99 lakh square kilometers of forest land from being considered as ‘forest’.

Read more– Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023

What did the Supreme Court determine in the recent interim order?

1. The court instructed states and Union territories to temporarily apply the dictionary definition of “forest” when evaluating land activities. Under Rule 16, the principles outlined in the TN Godavarman judgment must continue to be followed.

2. The Court instructed the Union of India to request detailed records from all States/UTs regarding lands identified as forests by their respective expert committees, in accordance with the TN Godavarman judgment.

3. The court also prohibited the establishment of zoos or safaris in these areas without prior court approval.

What was TN.Godavarman Thirumulpad v Union of India (1996) judgement?

1. Background:
a. The Forest conservation act 1980 aims to safeguard India’s forests from industrial exploitation and promote reforestation.
b. It grants the Central government authority to regulate the extraction of forest resources, including timber, bamboo, coal, and minerals, by industries and forest-dwelling communities.
c. However, this protection applies only to areas officially designated as ‘forest’ in Central or State government records.

2. The Supreme Court’s ruling in the TN.Godavarman Thirumulpad v Union of India (1996) case broadened the protection of forests.

3.  According to the ruling, areas that meet the ‘dictionary‘ definition of forests are protected, even if they have not been officially notified by the government or recorded in historical documents.

Note– Currently in India, there is no universally accepted definition of ‘forest’. Each state decides its own definition.

Read more– TN. Godavarman Judgement

UPSC Syllabus- Environment/Bills and Acts

Pandaram lands

Source-This post on Pandaram lands has been created based on the article “Lakshadweep residents fume as administration continues to number trees on Pandaram lands” published in “The Indian Express” on 16 February 2024.

Why in the news?

Lakshadweep administration continues to number trees on Pandaram lands, allegedly insisting that such property belongs to the government.

About Pandaram lands

Pandaram lands is a form of land ownership. According to the agreement signed in 1884, the Pandaram land was handed over to them and if they continued to possess them for 40 years, then the ownership of these Pandaram land would pass on to the islanders.

Over 60% of the land in Lakshadweep, falls under the Pandaram lands. This land covers parts of Androth, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Minicoy, and Agatti islands, as well as six uninhabited islands.

What is the recent controversy?

Local people claim that the earlier governments used to pay them compensation for acquiring Pandaram lands in their possession.

However, the current administration is continuing the process of numbering of trees on Pandaram lands, insisting that such property belongs to the government. They fear that the government is displacing them from their native lands in the name of advancing developmental projects.

Read more about-Islands of Lakshadweep.

UPSC syllabus-Geography in news

Ponmudi hills

Source-This post on Ponmudi hills has been created based on the article “New species of damselfly discovered in Kerala’s Ponmudi hills” published in “The Hindu” on 16 February 2024.

Why in the news?

A team of researchers has recently discovered a new species of damselfly at the Ponmudi hills in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala.

About Ponmudi hills

Description– Ponmudi means ‘Golden Hill’ or ‘Golden Peak’.

Location– It is located in the state of Kerala. It is part of the Western Ghats mountain range.

Biosphere reserve– The hills are a part of the Agasthyamalai landscape, at the southernmost tip of the Western Ghats.

Significance– These hills are biodiversity-rich, and recently the third species of damselfly has been discovered from this region.

About new species of damselfly

Aspect	Details
Description	It is named Cliffside Bambootail (Phylloneura rupestris). It belongs to a group called bambootails (Because of their long abdomen that resembles bamboo stalks). There are two types of Bambootails- Cliffside Bambootail and Myristica Bambootail.
Why the species name is Cliffside Bambootail?	Cliffside Bambootail has been named because it lays eggs in the moss beds over rock cliffs. This behaviour is in contrast to that of Myristica Bambootail that lays its eggs on the surface roots of riparian trees.
Habitat	It is endemic to the Western Ghats. It has been recorded only in the area between the Nilgiri Hills and Sharavathi Valley, north of the Palghat Gap.
Significance	The discovery is significant, because for over 160 years, the genus Phylloneura was considered to be monotypic. Monotypic– It is a term used to describe a species that does not have any intra-related species or sub-species within its population. However, this discovery has repudiated the notion of Phylloneura species being monotypic.

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UPSC Syllabus-Environment (Species in news) 

Rip currents

Source-This post on Rip currents is based on the article “INCOIS, ISRO to study rip currents for safer beaches” published in “The Hindu” on 18th February 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have initiated a joint project aimed at the surveillance and issuance of operational forecast alerts regarding rip currents.

What are Rip currents?

1. About– Rip currents are strong currents that flow from the shore back to the open sea or lake. They present a widely recognized coastal hazard on beaches worldwide.

2. Formation:
a. They form due to beach shapes and can happen in rocky or sandy beach areas.
b. Beach topography encompasses land features such as dunes and water features like sandbars, piers, and reefs, where rip currents often form.
c. They may form in spaces between sandbars, piers, or sections of a reef.

3. Hazards for swimmers and beachgoers:
a. Rip currents are one of the most significant hazards for beachgoers and swimmers, as they can swiftly carry people out to sea.
b. However, it’s important to note that rip currents do not pull swimmers underwater; rather, they pull swimmers away from the shore.

What is Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS)?

1. About– INCOIS is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

2. Location & Establishment– It is located in Hyderabad & was established in 1999.

3. Mandate– It is mandated to provide the best possible ocean information and advisory services to society, industry, government agencies and the scientific community.

UPSC Syllabus- Geography

Papua New Guinea

Source-This post on Papua New Guinea is based on the article “Police say 53 men massacred in Papua New Guinea tribal violence” published in “The Hindu” on 19th February 2024.

Why in the News?

Recently, numerous men lost their lives in a fresh outbreak of tribal conflict in the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea.

About Papua New Guinea

Location	1. It is an island country situated in the south-western Pacific. 2. It covers the eastern part of New Guinea, the world’s second-largest island, and many smaller nearby islands.
Neighbours	Indonesia to the west, Australia to the south, and the Solomon Islands to the south-east. Note– It shares its land border only with Indonesia.
Area	It is the world’s third-largest island nation, spanning 462,840 square kilometers.
Capital	Port Moresby
Terrain	It is mostly mountainous but has some low plains in southern New Guinea.
Language	1. English serves as the primary language for government and commerce, while Tok Pisin is the most commonly spoken language in everyday situations. 2. Linguistically, Papua New Guinea is the most diverse country globally, with over 800 languages spoken.
Religion	Majority of the people in Papua New Guinea identify as Christians.
Government	1. Papua New Guinea gained self-government on December 1, 1973, and became independent on September 16, 1975. 2. It is a constitutional monarchy and part of the Commonwealth. 3. The British monarch, represented by a governor-general, serves as the head of state, while the Prime Minister leads the government.
International Affiliation	It is a full-time member of the Commonwealth of Nations, the Pacific Community, and the Pacific Islands Forum.

UPSC Syllabus- Geography and Places in News