[Mission 2024] Insights SECURE SYNOPSIS: 2 September 2023

 

NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same

Answer the following questions in 150 words:

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General Studies – 1

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1. There is a need for sustainable management practices and community involvement to ensure the long-term preservation of UNESCOs World Heritage Sites. Elaborate.

Reference: Down to Earth , Insights on India

Introduction

A World Heritage site is classified as a natural or man-made area or a structure that is of international importance, and a space which requires special protection. These sites are officially recognised by the UN and the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation, also known as UNESCO. UNESCO believes that the sites classified as World Heritage are important for humanity, and they hold cultural and physical significance. They are protected under a international treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.

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Types:

1. Cultural heritage sitesinclude historic buildings and town sites, important archaeological sites, and works of monumental sculpture or painting.
2. Natural heritage sitesare restricted to natural areas.
3. Mixed heritage sitescontain elements of both natural and cultural significance.

Role of UNESCO in context of World Heritage Sites

• It seeks to encourage theidentification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.
• This is embodied in aninternational treaty called the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, adopted by UNESCO in 1972.
• The most significant feature of the 1972 World Heritage Conventionis that it links together the concepts of nature conservation and the preservation of cultural properties in a single document.
• The Convention recognizes the way in which people interact with nature, and the fundamental need to preserve the balance between the two.

Threats to Indian Art Heritage:

• Theft: The incidents of thefts have been observed usually from unprotected monuments, ancient temples. The thefts cases have also been seen in the protected monuments and museums as well. It is due to negligence of security guards in museums, monuments etc.
• Smuggling: illicit traffic and smuggling in antiquities. Illicit traffic is motivated often by profit and sometimes by the demand for luxuries.
• Tourism: Unregulated tourism, tourist activities run by touts, private agents have affected the art heritage places. For instance, the Culture Ministry of India has reported that up to 24 Indian monuments have been declared “untraceable” or “missing” by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• Issues with security of museums: Most of the museums are poorly guarded due to shortage of manpower leading to theft of artefacts, fire accidents etc.
• Lack of public awareness: This leads to poor maintenance, vandalism, spoiling the monuments artefacts. Replacing the structures or building structures close to the monuments leading to
• Duplication: Fakes of paintings and art forms leading to threat to livelihoods of artists.
• Poor Maintenance: The state of the wall paintings in Ajanta caves is continuously getting worse, which can be attributed to humidity as well as to a lack of care.
• Encroachment of monuments: Another miss from the ministry has been encroachments of monuments. For instance in India, over 278 centrally protected monuments have been encroached upon or have illegal occupants, as per government data.

Way forward

• Cultural awareness:
  • Curriculum modification – Identification and inclusion of heritage as an asset in school, Open departments of Heritage management on the lines of Ahmedabad University
  • Introduction of a compulsory offline and online training for tourism purposes willing to undertake ventures.
  • Heritage depiction and promotion through immersive technology & augmented reality
  • Re-Classify heritage and announce awards for people with exceptional heritage sense.
  • Greater involvement of universities in schemes promoting arts and culture as well as inclusion of Fine Arts as a subject in universities.
• Adaptive reuse of heritage sites:
  • Restoring the historical sites in the form of festivals and inducing festivity link perceptions.
  • Recognizing ‘cultural heritage tourism’ as an upcoming industry by building cultural resources with an adaptation of scientific and technological knowledge to local circumstances as well as forming partnerships between local and global bodies.
• Strengthening Legislations and Initiatives:
  • The Antiquity Act of 1947, Antiquities and Art Treasures Act of 1972 particularly provide for the prevention of smuggling and illegally dealing in antiques.
  • Recent bill to amend The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act which allowed construction within 100m of the protected monuments should be avoided.
  • In 2015, the ministry launched an initiative of e-ticketing services in over 116 monuments under the ASI and launched an initiative to digitise cultural resources.
• Strengthening institutions:
  • The CAG report on Preservation and Conservation of Monuments and Antiques clearly indicates that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) for this purpose needs to be more proactive and vigilant in its efforts and the ministry needs to develop an aggressive strategy for the same
  • Tapping of the Public —Private Partnership models for sustenance of Arts and Crafts.
  • Setting up at least one museum in each district with different chambers for visual and other forms of art, architecture, science, history and geography with regional flavour.
  • Artistes from the field of architecture, sculpture, painting, handicrafts, puppetry, music, dance, theatre, and literature will be graded by the Centre on the basis of their performance.

Conclusion

It is the duty of every citizen to value and preserve the rich heritage of our composite culture. The art and culture of our nation are a vast continuum, evolving incessantly since time immemorial. Naturally, preservation and conservation of India’s rich cultural heritage and promotion of all forms of art and culture, both tangible and intangible, including monuments and archaeological sites, anthropology and ethnology, folk and tribal arts, literature and handicrafts, performing art of music-dance-drama and visual arts of paintings-sculpture-graphics is essential and assumes a lot of importance.

 

2. El Niño weather phenomenon has become a significant economic and political risk for India. Examine.

Reference: Indian Express , Insights on India

Introduction

El Niño is a naturally occurring phenomenon that is linked to a periodic warming in sea surface temperatures across the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific. El Niño is Spanish for “the boy child,” which is often used to refer to Jesus Christ, and the phenomenon earned this name because it typically occurs in December around Christmas. El Niño occurs every 2-7 years, and can last anywhere between nine months and two years.

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Mechanism

During El Niño, the trade winds weaken or even reverse: Instead of blowing from east (South America) to west (Indonesia), they could turn into westerlies. As the winds blow from the west to east, they cause the masses of warm water to move into the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean. The rise in SSTs there, thus, produces increased rainfall along western Latin America, the Caribbean and US Gulf Coast, while depriving Southeast Asia, Australia and India of convective currents.

The causes for El Niña are:

The two opposite phases, “El Niño” and “La Niña,” require certain changes in both the ocean and the atmosphere because ENSO is a coupled climate phenomenon.  “Neutral” is in the middle of the continuum.

 Neutral phase:

• In the neutral state (neither El Niño nor La Niña) trade winds blow east to west across the surface of the tropical Pacific Ocean, bringing warm moist air and warmer surface waters towards the western Pacific and keeping the central Pacific Ocean relatively cool. The thermo cline is deeper in the west than the east.
• This means that under “normal” conditions the western tropical Pacific is 8 to 10°C warmer than the eastern tropical Pacific. This warmer area of ocean is a source for convection and is associated with cloudiness and rainfall.

El Nino:

• The trade winds push warm water on the surface of the ocean from east to west (westerly). This causes the warm water to build up on the western side of the ocean near Asia. Meanwhile, on the eastern side of the ocean, near Central and South America, cold waters are pushed up towards the surface.
• Because of this, there is a difference in temperature across the equatorial pacific, with warm water to the west and cold water to the east. The warm water in the west heats the air, making the warm air rise and leading to drastic weather, including rain and thunderstorms.
• The rising warm air causes a circulation between east and west in the Pacific, with the warm, moist air rising in the west, and cool, dry air descending in the east. All of these natural occurrences lead to a reinforcement of the easterly winds, and cause a self-perpetuating motion in the air in the Pacific.

 

 

Impacts

• El-Nino impact on Indian monsoon:

• El Nino, characterized by warming of surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean, is associated with lower than normal monsoon rainfall in India.
• El Nino has been found to impact almost half the world triggering droughtsin Australia, India, southern Africa and floods in Peru, Ecuador, the United States, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Colorado River basin.
• El Nino affects the flow of moisture-bearing windsfrom the cooler oceans towards India, negatively impact the summer (south-west) monsoon.
• After all, the south-west monsoon (June-September) accounts for over 70% of the country’s annual rainfall and irrigates over half of the crop land.
• The rain-fed kharif crops are heavily dependent on the monsoon and the quantity of rainfall determines agricultural production.
• El Niño years tend to be drier than average, but one of the strongest El Nino of the century (1997-98) produced a monsoon season with above-average rainfall for India.
• Researchers also believe that even the location of the warming in the Pacific may possibly have an influence on the monsoon.

• Disasters:
  • Heat-waves in India leading to deaths of people and fauna.
  • Water sources dry up leading to increased distress migration and climate refugees.
• Economic impacts:
  • India is the second-biggest grower of wheat, rice, sugar and cotton, and the largest buyer of palm, soybean and sunflower oils.
  • The livelihood of millions of farmers in the country of about 1.4 billion people depends on rains brought by the winds from the Indian Ocean.
  • The farm sector is the main source of income for 60% of its population and accounts for 18% of the economy.
  • The monsoon is critical to India’s farm output and economic growth at a time when the country, where man-made systems like canals and tube wells irrigate only a part of the land, is battling soaring food prices.
  • Timely and normal rains are set to boost production outlook for monsoon-sown crops such as rice, soybeans and pulses and help in softening soaring inflation.
  • Bountiful rains would also fill reservoirs, which in turn would brighten prospects for winter crops, usually planted during October and November.
  • The early arrival of the south-west monsoon comes at a time when parts of Northwest India were experiencing extremely high maximum temperatures.
• Social Impacts:
  • A WHO Paper said that El Niño 2015-2016 is affecting more than 60 million people.
  • Rising temperatures and more variable rainfall patterns can often reduce crop yields, compromising food security.
  • This can lead to social unrest, civil wars, increased inequality between people.
  • El Niño conditions can cause a wide range of health problems, including disease outbreaks, malnutrition, heat stress, and respiratory diseases.
• Environmental impacts:
  • Effect on aquatic species and sea birds: fish either migrate to other regions or die during an El Niño because they lack adequate food for growth and survival.

Way Forward:

• The government must expand the farm insurance cover and advice banks and financial institutions to settle crop insurance claims in the drought-hit areas without delay.
• High quality seeds of alternative crops must be distributed among farmers in the drought-affected areas.
• Technologies like drip and sprinkler irrigation, precision agriculture.
• Monetary Control measures to tackle inflationary trends in country.
• Financial support from global organizations for rehabilitation and rebuilding.
• Disaster Response Forcesto tackle floods and droughts.
• Developing early warning systemsand alerting the people much in advance.
• Global co-operationto tackle the climate change which can further aggravate El- Niño and La- Niña conditions.

 

 

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General Studies – 2

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3. The role of the president as a defender of the constitution is a significant aspect of a democratic system of government. Discuss.

Reference: Insights on India

Introduction

Article 53 reads as ‘The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers’ subordinate to him’. In spite of the expression ‘directly’ in Article 53 of the Constitution, India’s President merely ‘reigns and does not rule’. The role of president is largely ceremonial in nature. This was the consequence of 42^nd Constitutional Amendment that drastically curtailed the President’s powers with respect to the Council of Ministers. Article 74 (1) now mandates the President to act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers. This prevents the president becoming a power center rivalling that of prime minister.

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President’s role in Indian political setup:

• The President of India is the Head of State and the Chief Executive. The executive powers of the Union are in the hands of the President.
• The President of India is vested with Legislative, Executive and Judicial powers. But as the advice given by CoM is binding on Indian President, in reality, most of these powers rest with the COM; but decisions are taken in the name of President of India.
• He exercises these either directly or through officers subordinate to him. However, being the head of a parliamentary system, he is only a constitutional/titular head and exercises nominal power.
• The President always acts in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministersand the Prime Minister. All his powers are really used by the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers.
• The President holds the highest office in India, represents the sovereignty of India, enjoys the highest position and plays a valuable part in the working of the Indian Constitutional system.
• President is also the supreme commander of armed forces and has powers to prorogue or dissolve the Parliament.
• He/She further makes appointments to important posts including the PM, state governors and Supreme Court and High Court judges.

By looking at the powers of the President, it becomes quite easy to evaluate the position of the President. At the face value, the powers of the President appear to be very big and formidable. A close review, however, reveals that President of India is a nominal and constitutional executive head who exercises all his powers on the advice of the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers. The President is always bound to accept the advice of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers. However, despite such a provision, the President is neither merely a figure head nor a rubber stamp in the hands of the Ministry.

President’s discretionary powers:

• Suspensive Veto:
  • The President has discretionary power when he exercises suspensive veto ie. when he returns a bill (not money bill) for reconsideration of the parliament.
  • However, if the bill is passed again by the Parliament with or without amendments and presented again to the President, it is obligatory for him to give his assent to the bill.
• Pocket Veto:
  • This is not a provision mentioned in the Indian constitution, but this is a possible situation when the President of India can use his discretionary power. In this case, the President neither ratifies nor reject nor return the bill, but simply keeps the bill pending for an indefinite period.
  • As the time limit within which the President has to take the decision with respect to a bill presented to him for assent, has not been mentioned in the constitution, in effect the inaction of the President stops the bill from becoming an act.
• President can seek information from Prime Minister:
  • Under article 78 the President enjoys the right to seek information from the PM regarding the administration of the affairs of the union.
  • Under the established convention, the President has the right to warn or encourage the Council of Minister (CoM) in the exercise of its power.
• Case of no sitting of both houses:
  • Under Article 85, the President can summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, to ensure that six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its sitting in the next session.
• Case of no majority:
  • When no political party or coalition of parties enjoy the majority in Lok Sabha, then the President has discretion in inviting the leader of that party or coalition of parties who in his opinion is able to form a stable government.
• Case of no-confidence with CoM- dissolving Loksabha:
  • It is for the president to decide if he should dissolve Loksabha or not when CoM loses the majority in Lok Sabha. The President can dissolve Lok Sabha only on the advice of CoM but the advice is binding only if the government is a majority government.
• Case of no-confidence with CoM- dissolving CoM:
  • It is for the president to decide if he should dissolve CoM or not when CoM loses the majority in Lok Sabha.
• Case of a caretaker government:
  • A caretaker government does not enjoy the confidence of Lok Sabha and hence it is not expected to take major decisions but only to make the day-to-day administrative decisions. It is for the President to decide the day-to-day decisions.

Indian Presidents are not rubber-stamps:

• While India’s first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad is known to have frequently disagreed with then PM Jawaharlal Nehru, seventh President Giani Zail Singh is known to have a rocky relationship with PM Rajiv Gandhi.
• K R Narayanan, India’s tenth President, famously told the Parliament that he is ‘not a rubber stamp’ while returning a proposal calling for imposition of President’s rule in UP.
• Pranab Mukherjee was more assertive than any of his predecessors. Although he is known to have rejected 28 mercy petitions, a record number, he commuted four sentences, in defiance of the government’s wishes and refrained from sending those back to the government for reconsideration.

President can play an effective role:

The President is not a silent institution and his role stands beyond the constitutional provisions and established conventions. The powers of the President flow from the oath he takes under Article 60 to ‘preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and submit himself to the service and well -being of people of India’. Therefore, new norms can be devised and used to preserve the faith and belief of the common man in the system. These norms can be:

• The Constitution is silent on the limitations on the President’s activities in public affairs. Public speaking of president can initiate the debate in the society.
• Use of pocket veto in the cases which are considered to be undermining the Constitution.
• Reaching out to the people of India.

Conclusion

The office of the President should not be conceived as merely a ceremonial post or a rubber stamp. Within the confines of constitution, a president can redefine the activities of his office. The President can declare Emergency, suspend rights, dissolve state Assemblies and declare the government bankrupt.

 

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General Studies – 3

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4. Fostering an enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) can further enhance their contributions to India’s economic and social development. Discuss.

Reference: The Hindu

Introduction

The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises(MSMEs) sector is an important pillar of the Indian economy as it contributes greatly to growth of the Indian economy with a vast network contributing about 45% to manufacturing output. It is termed as “engine of growth “for India, has played a prominent role in the development of the country in terms of creating employment opportunities.

MSMEs provide about 110 million jobs which is 22-23% of the total employment in India. It is next highest to Agriculture. However, this sector still faces several challenges. Barely 15% of MSME units have registered with the UDYAM Platform. Heterogeneity, fragmentation and informalization highlight the need for reforms in this sector.

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MSMEs and socio-economic development

• Contribution to GDP:The share of MSMEs in the country’s gross value added is estimated to be about 32%.
• Leveraging Exports:It also contributes about 40% to total exports and 45% to manufacturing output.
• Employment Opportunities:It employs 60 million people, creates 1.3 million jobs every year and produces more than 8000 quality products for the Indian and international markets.
• Diversity:There are approximately 30 million MSME Units in India and is quite diverse in terms of its size, level of technology employed, range of products and services provided and target markets.
• Fostering Inclusive Growth:MSME is constructing inclusive growth in numerous ways through promoting non- agricultural livelihood at least cost, unbiased regional development, large female participation, and providing a protection against deflation.
• Boon for Rural Development:Compared with large-scale companies, MSMEs aided in the industrialisation of rural areas at minimal capital cost. The sector has made significant contributions to the country’s rural socio-economic growth and complemented major industries as well.
• Front Runner in Make in India Mission:As India aims that the products that are ‘Make in India’ are also ‘Made for the World,’ adhering to global standards of quality. MSME is acquiring the centre stage in the mission. It is taken as a backbone in making this dream a possibility.
• Simple Management Structure for Enterprises:Considering India’s middle-class economy, MSME offers a flexibility that it can start with limited resources within the control of the owner. From this decision making gets easy and efficient.
  • On the contrary, a large corporation requires a specialist for every departmental functioning as it has a complex organisational structure.
• Economic Growth and Leverage Exports:It is the most significant driver in India contributing to the tune of 8% to GDP.
• Nowadays, Multi National Companiesare buying semi-finished, and auxiliary products from small enterprises. It offers immense potential in creating a linkage between India’s MSME base and big companies.

The challenges and concerns associated with the growth of MSME sector:

• Access to Credit:
  • According to Economic Survey (2017-18), MSME sector faces a major problem in terms of getting adequate credit for expansion of business activities.
  • The Survey had pointed out that the MSME received only 17.4 per cent of the total credit outstanding.
  • Most banks are reluctant to lend to MSMEs because from the perspective of bankers, inexperience of these enterprises, poor financials, lack of collaterals and infrastructure.
  • According to a 2018 report by the International Finance Corporation, the formal banking system supplies less than one-third (or about Rs 11 lakh crore) of the credit MSME credit need that it can potentially fund
  • most of the MSME funding comes from informal sources and this fact is crucial because it explains why the Reserve Bank of India’s efforts to push more liquidity towards the MSMEs have had a limited impact.
• Poor Infrastructure:
  • With poor infrastructure, MSMEs’ production capacity is very low while production cost is very high.
• Access to modern Technology:
  • The lack of technological know-how and financial constraints limits the access to modern technology and consequently the technological adoption remains low.
• Access to markets:
  • MSMEs have poor access to markets. Their advertisement and sales promotion are comparatively weaker than that of the multinational companies and other big companies.
  • The ineffective advertisement and poor marketing channels makes it difficult for them to compete with large companies.
• Legal hurdles:
  • Getting statutory clearances related to power, environment, labour are major hurdles.
  • Laws related to the all aspects of manufacturing and service concern are very complex and compliance with these laws are difficult.
• Lack of skilled manpower:
  • The training and development programs in respect of MSME`S development has been. Thus, there has been a constant crunch of skilled manpower in MSMEs

Other issues:

• Low ICT usage.
• Low market penetration.
• Quality assurance/certification.
• IPR related issues.
• Quality assurance/certification.
• Standardization of products and proper marketing channels to penetrate new markets.

Measures needed:

 

• Government of India and banks should design plans and measures to widen easy, hassle-free access to credit.
• The RBI should bring stringent norms for Non-Performing Assets (NPA) and it will help curbing loan defaulters and motivate potential good debts. Further, according to critics, the Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSME (CGTMSE) run by SIDBI is a growing contingent liability and needs to be examined with urgency
• Government should provide enhanced development and upgradation of existing rail & road network and other infrastructure facilities in less developed and rural areas to boost growth and development of MSMEs
• There should proper research and development in respect of innovative method of production and service rendering. Further, the government should promote and subsidise the technical know-how to Micro and small enterprises.
• Government should encourage procurement programme, credit and performance ratings and extensive marketing support to revive the growth of sick units.
• Skill development and imparting training to MSME workers is a crucial step to increase the productivity of the sector. The government should emphasise predominantly on skill development and training programs
• With Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the Centre has taken several steps redefining MSMEs, credit access, subordinate debt, preference in government tenders towards ‘energising the MSME sector’.
• It has also launched the MSME Udyam portal for registration, though this is not mandatory. Information asymmetry on government schemes and incentives on registration must be addressed.
• MSMEs need to be better integrated into the digital economy to expand their market access, diversify their customer base and solidify their supply chain.
• Industry and the Indian economy along with MSMEs would reap the benefits of leveraging technology, that will have positive ripple effects on the nation’s GDP and the creation of more jobs.

Way forward:

• The traditional concept of apprenticeship, which involves part-time work and is a widely accepted skilling practice, especially in weaving, handicraft and manufacturing units, does not find mention in India’s wage-protection rule-books. This oversight can be fixed via coverage by either the wage code or social security code rules, or perhaps the Shops and Establishments Act rules, as deemed appropriate
• Efforts need to focus on quality manufacturing, with the use of automation to enhance operations, and the exploration of new markets through e-commerce.
• This would require a holistic approach of hand-holding existing manufacturers in the sector, equipping both managers and their workforces with appropriate skills, and educating them on new technologies and standardization norms, even as we expose them to new market avenues and instil confidence in them that the country’s ecosystem would assist them in their expansion plans.
• New MSMEs, especially, should be encouraged to start off with this advantage.
• Skilling plans in accordance with sector-wise requirements will enable us to create appropriate job opportunities not just in India but also across the globe, as various developed economies need skilled manpower in a swathe of industries that cover manufacturing, software and healthcare.
• Indian policies need to be revisited so that discrepancies are removed and we encourage small units to take advantage of e-com platforms.

Conclusion:       

Thus, Indian MSME sector is the backbone of the national economic structure and acts as a bulwark for Indian economy, providing resilience to ward off global economic shocks and adversities. Given the important role played by the sector in the economy, issues faced by it must be addressed on an urgent basis to revive the economy battered by the pandemic. Apart from the fiscal stimulus, the sector requires a political-economy approach that prioritizes MSME interests. India needs to ease the regulatory burden of small units and aid their survival through fiscal support. Above all, they need a level-playing field vis-à-vis big businesses.

 

5. Noise pollution is a growing problem which impacts both human health and the environment. Examine. What steps are needed to check noise pollution in India?

Reference: Live Mint

Introduction

Noise pollution is generally defined as regular exposure to elevated sound levels that may lead to adverse effects in humans or other living organisms. According to the World Health Organization, noise above 65 decibels (dB) is defined as noise pollution. To be precise, noise becomes harmful when it exceeds 75 decibels (dB) and is painful above 120 dB.

A recent report commissioned by the United Nations Environment Programme shows that  a subset of 61 cities and the range of dB (decibel) levels that have been measured. Delhi, Jaipur, Kolkata, Asansol and Moradabad are the five Indian cities mentioned in this list and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh was shown as having a dB range from 29 to 114. At a maximum value of 114, it was the second-most-noisiest city in the list.

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Impact on Human health

• Hypertensionis, in this case, a direct result of noise pollution caused elevated blood levels for a longer period of time.
• Hearing losscan be directly caused by noise pollution, whether listening to loud music in your headphones or being exposed to loud drilling noises at work, heavy air or land traffic, or separate incidents in which noise levels reach dangerous intervals, such as around140 dB for adult or 120 dB for children.
• Sleep disturbancesare usually caused by constant air or land traffic at night, and they are a serious condition in that they can affect everyday performance and lead to serious diseases.
• Child development. Children appear to be more sensitive to noise pollution, and a number of noise-pollution-related diseases and dysfunctions are known to affect children, from hearing impairment to psychological and physical effects. Also, children who regularly use music players at high volumes are at risk of developing hearing dysfunctions. In 2001, it was estimated that 12.5% of American children between the ages of 6 to 19 years had impaired hearing in one or both ears
• Various cardiovascular dysfunctions. Elevated blood pressure caused by noise pollution, especially during the night, can lead to various cardiovascular diseases.
• Dementiaisn’t necessarily caused by noise pollution, but its onset can be favored or compounded by noise pollution.
• Psychological dysfunctionsand noise annoyance. Noise annoyance is, in fact, a recognized name for an emotional reaction that can have an immediate impact.

Impact on Environment

• Our oceans are no longer quiet. Thousands of oil drills, sonars, seismic survey devices, coastal recreational watercraft and shipping vessels are now populating our waters, and that is a serious cause of noise pollution for marine life.
• Whales are among the most affected, as their hearing helps them orient themselves, feed and communicate.
• Noise pollution thus interferes with cetaceans’ (whales and dolphins) feeding habits, reproductive patterns and migration routes, and can even cause hemorrhage and death.
• Other than marine life, land animals are also affected by noise pollution in the form of traffic, firecrackers etc., and birds are especially affected by the increased air traffic.

Steps to check noise pollution

• International bodies like the WHO agree that awareness of noise pollution is essential to beat this invisible enemy.
• For example: avoid very noisy leisure activities, opt for alternatives means of transport such as bicycles or electric vehicles over taking the car, do your housework at recommended times, insulate homes with noise-absorbing materials, etc.
• Educating the younger generation is also an essential aspect of environmental education.
• Governments can also take measures to ensure correct noise managementand reduce noise pollution.
• For example: protecting certain areas — parts of the countryside, areas of natural interest, city parks, etc. — from noise, establishing regulations that include preventive and corrective measures —
• mandatory separation between residential zones and sources of noise like airports, fines for exceeding noise limits, etc.,
• installing noise insulation in new buildings, creating pedestrian areas where traffic is only allowed to enter to offload goods at certain times.
• replacing traditional asphalt with more efficient options that can reduce traffic noise by up to 3 dB, among others.

Conclusion

Although noise pollution may seem harmless, it, in fact, has far-reaching consequences. The adverse effects on the health of the environment are quite severe. Not only is the local wildlife affected by pollution but humans also face a number of problems due to it.

 

Answer the following questions in 250 words(15 marks each):

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General Studies – 1

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6. Floodplain ecosystem are very beneficial. However, rapid urbanization and improper land use in floodplains have led to reduced water retention capacity, increasing the risk of floods. Effective zoning can help minimize the impact of floods and ensure the long-term safety and sustainability of floodplain ecosystem. Analyse.

Reference: Indian Express

Introduction

A floodplain is a generally flat area of land next to a river or stream. It stretches from the banks of the river to the outer edges of the valley. A floodplain consists of two parts. The first is the main channel of the river itself, called the floodway. Beyond the floodway is the flood fringe. The flood fringe extends from the outer banks of the floodway to the bluff lines of a river valley.

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Benefits offered by floodplains of India

• When inundated with water, floodplains act as natural filters, removing excess sediment and nutrients, which can degrade water quality and increase treatment costs.

 

• These sandy floodplains are exceptional aquifers and any withdrawal is compensated by gravity flow from a large surrounding area.
• It can replenish underground water sources (or aquifers), which serve as a primary source of water for many communities and which are critical for irrigation that grows much of the world’s crops.
• Floodplains are home to some of the most biologically rich habitats on Earth. They provide spawning grounds for fish and critical areas of rest and foraging for migrating waterfowl and birds.
• Floodplains of rivers have immense potential for ensuring sustained water supplies for urban settlements if preserved.
• Many outdoor recreational activities – like fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, wildlife watching and boating – are made possible by or greatly enhanced by the natural processes of rivers and healthy floodplains.

various threats to floodplains

• Flood plains are among the most altered landscapes world-
• wide and they continue to disappear at an alarming rate, since
• the ‘reclamation’ rate is much higher than for most other
• landscape types (
• Flood plains are among the most altered landscapes world-
• wide and they continue to disappear at an alarming rate, since
• the ‘reclamation’ rate is much higher than for most other
• landscape types (
• Flood plains are among the most altered landscapes world-
• wide and they continue to disappear at an alarming rate, since
• the ‘reclamation’ rate is much higher than for most other
• landscape types (
• Flood plains are among the most altered landscapes world-
• wide and they continue to disappear at an alarming rate, since
• the ‘reclamation’ rate is much higher than for most other
• landscape types (

• Flood plains are among the most altered landscapes worldwide and they continue to disappear at an alarming rate, since the ‘reclamation’ rate is much higher than for most other landscape types
• For river–floodplain ecosystems, expected impacts vary latitudinally.
• In tropical ecosystems, land use is expected to have the greatest effect, with climate change being minimal.
• In temperate systems, both land-use change and invasion of non-native species can be expected equally to affect biodiversity
• In high latitude/altitude systems climate change is by far the most dominant driver, although region-specific differences exist.
• Species invasion is one of the most important causes of the overall decline in aquatic biodiversity. The higher percentage of exotic plants and animals in flood plains compared to uplands demonstrates the vulnerability of the riparian zone to invasion
• As the human footprint intensified on the floodplains, the landscape was increasingly “developed and engineered”.
• The engineered and planned landscape has affected the floodplains in two ways: It has undermined their ability to store and absorb water and reduced their capacity to transport sediment.

Way forward and conclusion

• Flood Plain Zoning has been recognized as an effective non-structural measure for flood management. Flood-plain zoning measures aim at demarcating zones or areas likely to be affected by floods of different magnitude or frequencies and probability levels, and specify the types of permissible developments in these zones, so that whenever floods actually occur, the damage can be minimised.
• Rejuvenate flood-plain ecosystems
  • Floods cause disruption and damage but they also generate a bounty of fish and rejuvenate flood-plain ecosystems.
  • g: all along the Brahmaputra, including in the Kaziranga; this landscape has been shaped over millions of years with the help of an active monsoonal environment and mighty rivers that carry sediments weathered from the still-rising Himalaya.
• Over millions of years, this depositing of sediment into the floodplains has produced at least two results: Raising the lowlands and regularly adjusting river beds. These ensure that impacts of flooding remained moderate.
• Construction projects that impede the movement of water and sediment across the floodplain must be reconsidered.
• Floodplain management and restoration strategies must also take into account climate change models that predict significant changes to flow regimes in most of the world’s rivers, especially in temperate and arid regions.
• Flood plains are unique and dynamic ecosystems that link rivers with their catchments. They are highly productive environments, supporting a diverse biota, but are also intensively used by humans for agricultural and urban development, resulting in loss of biodiversity and ecological functioning.
• The priority for flood plains is to conserve those that are still intact and to attempt to rehabilitate those that are degraded.
• In both cases, protecting or restoring key components of the natural flow regime is essential, while maintaining sustainable use of floodplain resources by local communities, particularly in developing countries.
• Finding this compromise between conservation and resource use requires a greater understanding of the role of flow relative to other stressors in driving ecological processes in flood plains.

 

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General Studies – 2

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7. Interference in the functioning of Election Commission of India (ECI) or even the perception of bias on its behalf can erode its credibility and weaken democratic institutions. Hence, ECI’s independence is vital to ensuring the integrity of India’s democratic processes. Comment.

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Introduction

The Election Commission of India is an autonomous constitutional authority responsible for administering Union and State election processes in India. Article 324 of the Constitution provides that the power of superintendence, direction and control of elections to parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India shall be vested in the election commission. However, many criticisms have been levelled against the EC alleging partisan behaviour.

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Background

Recently, the government introduced a Bill that seeks to replace the Chief Justice of India with a cabinet minister nominated by the Prime Minister in the committee of selection for the appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners in India.

Previously, The Supreme Court gave a unanimous judgment on March 2 and directed that the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs) should be appointed by the President based on a committee’s advice. This committee would include the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha or the largest Opposition party leader, and the Chief Justice of India (CJI).

Criticisms against Election commission

• The Election Commission is not only responsible for conducting free and fair elections, but it also renders a quasi-judicial function between the various political parties including the ruling government and other parties.
• In such circumstances, the Executive cannot be the sole participant in the appointment of members of the Election Commission as it gives unfettered discretion to the ruling party to choose someone whose loyalty to it is ensured and thereby renders the selection process vulnerable to manipulation.
• Article 324(2) as stated above states that the President shall, with aid and advice of Council of Ministers, appoint CEC and ECs, till Parliament enacts a law fixing the criteria for selection, conditions of service and tenure. But a law has not been enacted for the purpose so far.
• The appointment of members of the Election Commission on the whims and fancies of the Executive violates the very foundation on which it was created, thus, making the Commission a branch of the Executive.
• The recommendation to have a neutral collegium to fill up vacancies in the Election Commission have been given by several expert committees, commissions from 1975.
• The Election Commissioners don’t have the same constitutional protection (of removal by impeachment) as is accorded to the Chief Election Commissioner.
• ECI came under heavy criticism in 2019 Loksabha elections, for its delayed action against the ruling party candidates on account of violation of MCC such as use of Indian Army in political rallies.
• In the West Bengal elections, EC came under fire for 8 phase elections that also contributed to blow out of the pandemic.
• The Election Commission is vested with absolute powers under Article 324, but still has to act according to laws made by Parliament and it cannot transgress the same.
• Despite being the registering authority for political parties under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, it has no power to de-register them even for the gravest of violations. Money power needs to be curbed.
• Opposition leaders also accused EC of being a caged parrot due to its meek response to violations in recent state elections.

Way forward

• In 1990, the Dinesh Goswami Committee recommended effective consultation with neutral authorities like the Chief Justice of India and the Leader of the Opposition for the appointment in the Election Commission.
• In 1975, the Justice Tarkunde Committee recommended that the members of the Election Commission should be appointed by the President on the advice of a committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.
• 2nd ARC report recommended that collegium headed by the Prime Minister with the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Law Minister and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha as members should make recommendations for the consideration of the President for appointment of the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners
• Law Commission 255^thReport on Electoral Reforms: Strengthening the office of the Election Commission of India recommended Making the appointment process of the Election Commissioners and the CEC consultative
• Similar election and removal procedure for CEC and Ecs.
• Expenses of ECI must be charged expenditure on Consolidated Fund of India.
• While the Chief Election Commissioner should be appointed by a collegium, this must apply equally to the Election Commissioners. The collegium should be wide based.
• Strengthened now by a broad-based selection by the top constitutional luminaries of the country, the Election Commission must now equally be protected from arbitrary removal by a constitutional amendment that would ensure a removal process that currently applies only to the Chief Election Commissioner.

Conclusion

Deficiencies in the present system of appointment process needs to be removed. And adequate safeguards must be put into place to ensure that ethical and capable people head the concerned positions. There is a need for debate and discussions in the Parliament on the issue of independence of ECI and consequently passing of required legislation.

 

8. Critics believe that conducting a caste census might reinforce social divisions and caste identities. It could lead to polarization and potentially hinder the progress made in reducing caste-based discrimination. Examine.

Reference: The Hindu , Insights on India

Introduction

Every Census in independent India from 1951 to 2011 has published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, but not on other castes. Caste Has Important Position in Indian Society, while census data has been captured for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, religions and linguistic profiles, there has been no profiling of all castes in India since 1931.

The Indian government has informed the Supreme Court that only the central government has the authority to conduct a census or any similar exercise.

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The 2021 Census of India, the 16th Indian Census, will be taken in 2021. But the growing demands for a caste census from various sections of society have once again surfaced the issue like its immediate need and long-term repercussions.

Merits of Caste Census

• Benefit in Policy Making:The purpose of a caste census is not merely geared to the reservation issue; a caste census would actually bring to the fore the large number of issues that any democratic country needs to attend to, particularly the number of people who are at the margins, or who are deprived, or the kind of occupations they pursue.
  • A caste census, which will generate exhaustive data will allow policymakers to develop better policies, implementation strategies,and will also enable a more rational debate on sensitive issues.
• Enumerating the marginalized:A caste census would actually bring to the particular the number of people who are at the margins, or who are deprived, or the kind of occupations they pursue, or the kind of hold that institutions like caste have on them.
• Also Reveal Privileged Section of Society:Caste is not only a source of disadvantage; it is also a very important source of privilege and advantage in our society.
  • We have to stop thinking of caste as being applicable to only disadvantaged people, poor people, people who are somehow lacking.
  • The opposite is even truer: caste has produced advantages for certain communities, and these also need to be recorded.
• To Address Prevalent Inequalities:Unequal distribution of wealth, resources and education has meant an acute shortage of purchasing power among the majority of Indians.
  • As a democratic nation, we cannot forcibly overthrow the system,but we need to address it in a democratic, scientific and objective manner.
• Constitutional Mandate:Our Constitution too favours conducting a caste census. Article 340 mandates the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of socially and educationally backward classes and make recommendations as to the steps that should be taken by governments.
• Caste doesn’t marginalize:We need to do away with the idea of caste being applicable to only disadvantaged people, poor people, people who are somehow lacking.
• Rids away caste rigidities:Counting of caste doesn’t necessarily perpetuate caste or the caste system. Myths of caste elitisms can be debunked through a caste census.
• To Burst the Myths:There are a lot of myths which actually deprive a large number of people, particularly on the margins.
  • g.: In Karnataka, for a long time, there were claims that among the castes, the Lingayats are the most numerous.
  • But a lot of other studies have brought out that this may not be true, and these kinds of myths lead to the argument that given that this is a caste which is numerous, it has to be constantly placated. These myths can be debunked through a caste census.
• Reduce Inclusion and Exclusion Errors:With accurate data of castes, most backward castes can be identified.
  • Some have benefited so much across the years, while there are people in this country who have not benefited at all.
• The Supreme Court has time and again asked governmentsto provide the data related to castes; however, this has not been possible due to the non-availability of such data.
  • As a result, our national life suffers from mutual mistrust and misconceptions among different castes.
  • All such commissions have had to rely on data from the last caste census (1931).
• Data for Policymaking:This information is absolutely necessary for any democratic policymaking.
• Judicial backing:The courts in India have often emphatically said that it is important to have adequate data with regard to the reservation.

Associated Challenges with Caste Census

• Repercussions of a Caste Census:Caste has an emotive element and thus there exist the political and social repercussions of a caste census.
  • There have been concerns that counting caste may help solidify or harden identities.
  • Due to these repercussions, nearly a decade after the SECC, a sizable amount of its data remains unreleased or released only in parts.
• Caste Is Context-specific:Caste has never been a proxy for class or deprivation in India; it constitutes a distinct kind of embedded discrimination that often transcends class. For example: People with Dalit last names are less likely to be called for job interviews even when their qualifications are better than that of an upper-caste candidate.
  • They are also less likely to be accepted as tenants by landlords. Thus, difficult to measure.
  • Marriage to a well- educated, well-off Dalit man still sparks violent reprisals among the families of upper-caste women every day across the country.
• 50% breach:It is argued that a Socio-Economic Caste Census is the only way to make a case to breach the 50% cap on reservation and rationalize the reservation matrix in the country.
• Rising assertiveness:More the State ignores out caste, the more is the tendency to preserve caste, protect it. This has been observed in many states.
• Chaos:Data gathering itself is a big problem because it can become very, very invasive. But we need to actually balance it with enabling people and asserting citizen equality.
• Social friction:Caste identification can lead to friction amongst various classes.

Way Forward

• India needs to bebold and decisive in tackling caste questions through data and statistics in the way the United States (US) does to tackle race issues, by collecting data around race, class, language, inter-race marriages, among other metrics.
  • This data provides a mirror to the State and society of the US in which they can see themselves and take decisions to do course corrections.
• Creation of National Data Bank:The Sachar Committee Report recommended setting up a national data bank.
  • The Justice Rohini committeewas appointed in 2017 to look into the sub-categorisation of the OBC communities; however, in the absence of data, there can be no databank or any proper sub-categorisation.

Conclusion

With every passing day and increasing social awareness, the urgency to do away with the caste system is being sharply felt. Dr. BR Ambedkar stated that if India had to attain a place of pride among the comity of nations, caste would have to be annihilated first.

The most important thing is improving existing databases is more crucial to this than getting into the debate of whether to do a caste count or not. Accurate and timely data is central to India’s effort to tackle poverty. Poor data diminishes the efforts to design welfare programmes.

The 21^st century is the right time to solve India’s caste question, which would otherwise extract a heavy price, not just sociologically, but also politically and economically, and make us fall behind in the development index.

 

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General Studies – 3

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9. Evaluate the concept of secondary agriculture and its potential to enhance rural livelihoods and contribute to India’s agricultural growth. What are the challenges and opportunities associated with promoting secondary agriculture in the country?

Reference: Indian Express

Introduction

Secondary Agriculture is defined as a production activity and devised a strategy that includes sustainability of production, monetization of farmer’s produce, straightening of extension service, and recognizing agriculture as an enterprise. Any activity on the farm that is done beyond the kharif, rabi and zaid seasons is secondary agriculture i.e. Income-generation activities that use crop residues — paddy straw, fodder blocks and crop residue briquettes.

 

The term ‘secondary’ has a bearing on climate change adaptation and its mitigation, small farm viability and profitability, food security, nutrition, sustainable utilisation of natural resources, and optimal usage of produce from primary agriculture and farm incomes.

 

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Potential of secondary agriculture to enhance rural livelihoods

• Secondary agriculture, as is defined, can help drive the growth of primary agriculture, and three avenues have been identified that adequately help utilise capital, human resources, technology, organisational capabilities, and risk management:
• Value-addition to primary agriculture production systems: There is expected to be a surge in demand for processed food in India in the years ahead, which could lead to opportunities for higher value addition, reduced wastage and alternative employment.
  • It can be achieved by improving livelihood enhancement action plans that are implemented by farmer-based/community-based organisations. Linking farmers with the market through aggregation and assaying/grading of agricultural produce can help them in value enhancement and appropriation.
  • Collectivisations, cluster farming, financial literacy, marketing skills are important to build this avenue.
• Alternative enterprises, but linked to rural off-farm activities: It is based on utilisation of alternative enterprises to primary agriculture, but is associated with rural off-farm activities. For example, poultry, bee-keeping, duck farming and livestock management are off-farm enterprises that can be promoted as part of integrated farming system. Integrated farming can hedge farm risk in the period of crop failure, or ease out the seasonality in the stream of cash flows.
• Enterprises that thrive on crop residues and waste materials of primary agriculture: These are such enterprises that strive on crop residues, or by-products of primary agriculture. For example, after recovering sugar from cane, cane can be used as bagasse for molasses production.

 

Challenges wrt secondary agriculture

• In India less than 10% of agricultural and food items are processed despite India being a prominent global producer of these items.
• Based on corporate data analysis, food processing companies have been profitable, but there is a pressing need to increase the value addition component significantly.
• Limited investment in research and development can hinder innovation and the development of new products and processes.
• Finding skilled labor with expertise in agro-processing techniques can be challenging in some regions.
• Competing with larger, more established agro-processing companies can be challenging for smaller players.
• Price volatility in raw materials can also affect competitiveness.

 

Steps to be taken

• The strengthening and expansion of secondary agriculture and its linking to primary agriculture is crucial. The nexus involving research institutes – bio resource industries – financial institutions – farmers’ organisation should be strengthened. The focus of ICAR and SAUs need to be changed to include crop processing and value addition.
• Encourage Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) so that the technology development, commercialisation and transfer and investment requirement for the growth of secondary agriculture are adequately met. In the process, the Government should be the facilitator, rather than a controller with minimum bureaucratic hurdles.
• Enabling rural industrialisation is key to link on farm and off-farm activities. This provides ample opportunities for non-farm employment.
• Capacity building of educated farmers on secondary agriculture through training, vocational programmes, diploma and certificate programmes is essential, so that they acquire the required skills and knowledge for employment in the rural industries.
• Provide technical and financial support to viable farmers’ organisations such as co-operatives, associations and self-help groups to form producer companies so that they can undertake secondary agriculture along with primary agriculture.
• Secondary agriculture related activities are spread over several ministries in central and state Governments. It is necessary to have a nodal agency to coordinate all the activities.
• The curricula at SAUs should include secondary agriculture, bioprocessing technologies and agribusiness courses so that we have the right human resources to manage secondary and primary agriculture. In the process SAUs should offer diploma/certificate programmes as for the demand of secondary agricultural sector.

 

Conclusion

Secondary agriculture has all the potential to drive the growth of primary agricultural sector in the country. We have to take more research in secondary agriculture so that the Indian agriculture moves forward with higher growth rates.

 

10. Climate finance is essential for developing countries to effectively address climate change and promote sustainable development. However, multiple challenges must be addressed to ensure that climate finance contributes meaningfully to the resilience and progress of these nations. Discuss.

Reference: Indian Express

Introduction

Climate finance refers to local, national, or transnational financing—drawn from public, private and alternative sources of financing—that seeks to support mitigation and adaptation actions that will address climate change.

The UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and the Paris Agreement call for financial assistance from Parties with more financial resources (Developed Countries) to those that are less endowed and more vulnerable (Developing Countries).This is in accordance with the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibility and Respective Capabilities” (CBDR).

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Background

• In 2009, at the UNFCCC COP15 (held in Copenhagen), the developed country parties, to achieve meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation, jointly set a target of USD 100 billion a year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries.
• The climate finance goal was then formally recognized by the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties at COP16 in Cancun.
  • At COP21 in Paris, Parties extended the $100 billion goals through 2025.
• After COP26 there was a consensus that developed nations will double their collective provision of adaptation finance from 2019 levels by 2025, in order to achieve this balance between adaptation and mitigation.

Climate finance criticality to climate change mitigation

Despite the G7 having accepted the need for transfer of funds at Rio in 1992, the promise made in 2009 to provide at least 100 billion dollars per year in climate finance remains unfulfilled.

• Climate finance is needed for mitigation because large-scale investments are required to significantly reduce emissions.
• Climate finance is equally important for adaptation, as significant financial resources are needed to adapt to the adverse effects and reduce the impacts of a changing climate.
• Climate Financing recognizes that the contribution of countries to climate change and their capacity to prevent it and cope with its consequences vary enormously.
  • Hence, developed countries should also continue to take the lead in mobilizing climate finance through a variety of actions, including supporting country-driven strategies and taking into account the needs and priorities of developing country Parties.
• Climate finance is critical to tackle the issues posed by climate change and achieve the goal of limiting the rise in the earth’s average temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius over pre-industrial levels, something the 2018 IPCC report has predicted.

Conclusion

Developed countries must assist and work with developing nations to help them make clean energy transitions and get financing for climate resilient infrastructure, thus, ensuring that the former delivered on the $100-billion goal.

Value addition

• National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC):
  • It was established in 2015 to meet the cost of adaptation to climate change for the State and Union Territories of India that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.
• National Clean Energy Fund:
  • The Fund was created to promote clean energy, and funded through an initial carbon tax on the use of coal by industries.
  • It is governed by an Inter-Ministerial Group with the Finance Secretary as the Chairman.
  • Its mandate is to fund research and development of innovative clean energy technology in the fossil and non-fossil fuel-based sectors.
• National Adaptation Fund:
  • The fund was established in 2014 with a corpus of Rs. 100 crores with the aim of bridging the gap between the need and the available funds.
  • The fund is operated under the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC)

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