UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 1 May 2024

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Conservation of Environment

Source: TH

Context:  In compliance with a Supreme Court order (in Feb 2024), the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) uploaded the various State Expert Committee (SEC) reports on the status of unclassed forests.

• The SC order was in response to a PIL challenging the constitutionality of the Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA) 2023.

What are Unclassed forests (also called ‘Deemed Forests’)?

Unclassed forests are areas of land that exhibit forest-like characteristics but have not been officially classified or designated as forests by authorities. Despite lacking formal recognition, these areas often possess vegetation and ecosystem features typical of forests. They may be owned by various entities, including government bodies, communities, or private individuals. Varying state definitions of forests result in estimates of deemed forests ranging from 1% to 28% of India’s official forest area.

Despite their unclassified status, these forests were afforded legal protection under the SC order (in Godavarman case, 1996). As per this landmark case and the subsequent Forest (Conservation) Act of 1980, all types of forests, regardless of ownership or notification status, were to be included under forest conservation laws.

Why were SECs formed?

In pursuance of the SC order in the Godavarman case, State Expert Committees were formed to identify and assess unclassified forests across the country. However, a significant delay of 27 years in submitting these reports left the status of unclassed forests ambiguous.

Status of SECs Report:

Despite the SC order, seven states and UTs, including Goa and Tamil Nadu, did not establish SECs. Many states relied on existing data or quoted figures from the Forest Survey of India (FSI), raising doubts about accuracy. For instance, Gujarat’s SEC report conflicts with FSI data, highlighting inconsistencies. Almost, no states/UTs have provided geographical Indication (GI) for the deemed forest.

What did FCAA do with respect to ‘Unclassed Forest’?

The Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA) 2023 stipulates those certain types of land, including those notified as forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or in government records post the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, require Central Government permission for various activities like dereservation, non-forest use, or leasing to private entities.

However, the FCAA excludes land recorded as forest before October 25, 1980, and land converted from forest-use to non-forest-use before December 12, 1996, from its purview. This exclusion may contradict the 1996 SC Godavarman judgment on preventing deforestation, potentially exposing unclassed forests to diversion without protection.

Way forward:

To resolve the issue of unclassified forests in India, the following steps can be taken:

1. SC direction (in its interim order of Feb 2024):
   1. States and UTs must adhere to the definition of forests outlined in the Godavarman Judgement until comprehensive records on forest land are prepared.
   2. The Centre must submit a comprehensive record of land identified as ‘forest’ by expert committees within two weeks, as per the guidelines of the TN Godavarman judgement.
   3. Final approval for the establishment of zoos/safaris requires permission from the Supreme Court.
2. Comprehensive Survey: Conduct a nationwide survey to identify and classify all unclassified forests, utilizing modern technology and satellite imagery for accurate mapping.
3. Formation of State Expert Committees (SECs): Ensure that all states and Union Territories form SECs tasked with identifying unclassified forests and preparing detailed reports.
4. Legal Protection: Strengthen legal provisions to protect unclassified forests, ensuring that they receive the same level of protection as classified forests under relevant forest conservation laws.
5. Community Engagement: Involve local communities and indigenous peoples in the identification and conservation of unclassified forests, recognizing their traditional knowledge and rights.
6. Public Awareness and Education: Raise public awareness about the importance of unclassified forests for biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem services through education and outreach programs.

About the Forest Conservation Act of 1980:

It regulates deforestation, and forest product transportation, and imposes duties on timber. It mandates prior Central Government approval for forest land diversion for non-forest purposes. The 1996 Godavarman judgment by the Supreme Court mandates forest protection, introducing deemed forests—areas resembling forests but not officially classified as such.

Key Provisions of FRA Amendment 2023:

Status of Forests in India:

Definition of Forest: 1996 Godavarman Judgement defines “forest” as any land recorded as such in government records or meeting the dictionary definition, which describes a forest as “a large area covered with trees and undergrowth” according to the Oxford Dictionary.

As per, the India State of Forest Report 2021:

1. India’s forest and tree cover constitutes 24.62% of its geographical area, with forests covering 21.71% and tree cover 2.91%.
2. Madhya Pradesh has the largest forest cover by area, followed by Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra.
3. Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Nagaland have the highest forest cover as a percentage of the total geographical area.
4. States like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Karnataka, and Jharkhand have shown a positive change in forest cover, while others like Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya have experienced a decline.
5. India ranks third globally for net gain in average annual forest area between 2010 and 2020, with more than half of the world’s forests located in Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and China.

Insta Links:

• Forest Conservation Amendment Act 2023: Impact on Indigenous Communities

Mains Links:

“The most significant achievement of modern law in India is the constitutionalization of environmental problems by the Supreme Court.” Discuss this statement with the help of relevant case laws. (UPSC 2022)

Q.“Policy contradictions among various competing sectors and stakeholders have resulted in inadequate ‘protection and prevention of degradation’ to the environment.” Comment with relevant illustrations. (UPSC 2018)

Prelims Links:

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE

Context: A recent study (on six major river basins: Narmada, Tapi, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, and Cauvery) delving into heavy rainfall, baseflow, and river floods in Peninsular India sheds light on the factors driving flooding in the region.

What is Baseflow?

Baseflow refers to the sustained flow of water in a river that originates from groundwater seepage into the river channel. It represents the portion of river discharge that is sustained between rainfall events and is typically fed by groundwater stored in the saturated zone.

Co-relation between baseflow and river flood:

During flood events, when rainfall increases river flow, the presence of high baseflow levels can amplify flood magnitudes. This is because higher baseflow indicates wetter conditions, making the catchment more prone to rapid runoff during heavy rainfall.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: BS

Context: The RBI released a draft Master Direction for Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs), seeking feedback from stakeholders by May 31.

What are ETPs?

Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) are electronic systems that facilitate the trading of various financial instruments such as securities, money market instruments, foreign exchange instruments, derivatives, and more. Unlike recognized stock exchanges, ETPs operate as electronic platforms where buyers and sellers can execute trades electronically.

In India, examples of ETPs include: NSE NOW (NSE’s Online Trading System), BSE Bolt, Currency ETPs, MCX (Multi Commodity Exchange) and NCDEX (National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange)

RBI’s Direction:

The RBI issued a Draft Master Direction on Electronic Trading Platforms (ETPs) in 2024, stipulating those entities must obtain prior authorization or registration from the RBI to operate an ETP. To qualify, an entity must be incorporated in India and maintain a minimum net worth of Rs 5 crore

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

 Source: BS

Context: Recently, IREDA (Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency), the financing agency for Renewable projects in India, was conferred with ‘Navratna status’ by the Department of Public Enterprises (Ministry of Finance)

IREDA is under the administrative control of the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. It was established as a Non-Banking Financial Institution in 1987.

This status grants greater autonomy and facilitates quicker decision-making, attracting more investments and skilled talent. As a Navratna PSU, IREDA can operate more efficiently, compete effectively, and achieve sustainable growth.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ET

Context: Recently, CII (Confederation of Indian Industry) introduced a corporate governance charter tailored for startups, featuring a self-evaluative scorecard to assess governance progress.

What is Corporate Governance?

It comprises dynamic principles and measures guiding an organization’s growth. It emphasizes values like transparency, fairness, and accountability. The charter release responds to the erosion of shareholders’ value in Indian startups, prompted by governance failures in notable firms like BharatPe and GoMechanic.

Key Highlights of the Charter:

1. Objective: The charter acts as a self-governing code for startups under the Companies Act, 2013.
2. Benefits: It aids startups in enhancing value, stability, growth, resilience, competitiveness, and long-term success.
3. Guidelines: Tailored for different startup stages: Inception, Progression, Growth, and Going Public, offering clear role definitions.
4. Online Scorecard: Enables startups to assess their governance status and track improvements over time.

Definition of Startups:

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: BS

Context: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced that the Foreign Portfolio Investment (FPI) limits for investment in various securities will remain unchanged for the current fiscal year.

• The limits for FPI investment in government securities (G-sec), state development loans, and corporate bonds will be maintained at 6%, 2%, and 15% respectively, of the outstanding stocks of securities.

About G-sec:

G-Secs, or Government Securities, are tradable instruments issued by governments through auctions conducted by the RBI. They come in two types: short-term, known as treasury bills, with maturities of less than one year, and long-term, known as Government bonds or dated securities, with maturities of one year or more. The Central Government can issue both treasury bills and government bonds, while State Governments issue only government bonds, also known as State Development Loans (SDLs).

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: TOI

 Context: The Railway Ministry plans to expand its Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals initiative, aiming to offer an additional 200 terminals to corporate entities and freight operators.

This expansion follows the success of the initial 100 terminals announced in the Union Budget of 2022-23. With 77 terminals already operational, the initiative aims to boost rail-based supply chains, increase rail freight volumes, and generate additional revenue for the railways.

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: NDTV

 Context: The James Webb Space Telescope is gearing up for a significant mission targeting K2-18b, a distant planet with potential for extra-terrestrial life.

Scientists are focusing on detecting dimethyl sulphide (DMS) in its atmosphere, a gas primarily produced by life on Earth. Preliminary data suggests a high probability of DMS presence.

Why DMS presence is significant?

The presence of dimethyl sulphide (DMS) in the atmosphere of a distant planet, such as K2-18b, could indicate the possibility of extraterrestrial life. On Earth, DMS is primarily produced by marine phytoplankton, making it a potential biological marker. If detected on another planet, it suggests the presence of organic or biological processes similar to those found on Earth.

What is K2-18b Exoplanet?

1. Discovered in 2015 during NASA’s K2 mission, located over 120 light-years away from Earth.
2. Size: Over 8 times larger than Earth.
3. Possibly a “Hycean” world with a hydrogen-rich atmosphere and an ocean-covered surface.

About James Webb Space Telescope:

1. Collaboration between NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency.
2. Launched in December 2021.
3. Currently positioned at the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, around 1.5 million km from Earth’s orbit.
4. Largest and most powerful infrared space telescope.
5. Objectives: To explore cosmic history from the Big Bang to the evolution of galaxies, stars, planets, and our Solar System.

Mapping

Source: India Today

 Context: Large Forest fires are raging with forest fires across Uttarakhand. Nearly a hundred hectares of forest have been destroyed, exacerbated by dry conditions from the prevailing heatwave.

In some regions of Uttarakhand, fires were doused with the help of a Bambi bucket, a specialised aerial fire-fighting tool used to pour water in targeted areas.

Uttarakhand faces frequent forest fires due to adverse climate conditions like heatwaves and dry spells, exacerbated by the presence of dry pine needles and human activities like burning forests for fresh grass and carelessly discarding cigarette butts.

More than 36% of India’s forest cover is estimated to be prone to frequent forest fires.

To address forest fires, initiatives like the National Action Plan on Forest Fires 2018,  State of Forest Report 2021 and the Forest Survey of India’s Van Agni Geo-portal have been implemented. The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibits setting fire in wildlife sanctuaries. Preventive measures include the construction of watch towers for early detection, the involvement of local communities, and the creation and maintenance of fire lines.