- CHANGES IN MONSSON AFFECT MARINE PRODUCTIVITY IN BAY OF BENGAL
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHY
- Published in Nature Geoscience; analyzed 22,000 years of climate data in the Bay of Bengal.
- Strong/weak Indian summer monsoons disrupt nutrient mixing, reducing marine productivity by 50%.
- Reduced plankton growth affects fish stocks, threatening food security for coastal communities.
- Effects: Rising sea temperatures, altered ocean currents, reduced nutrient mixing.
- India’s Vulnerability: 7,500 km coastline; 14% of population in coastal areas; fisheries contribute 1% to GDP.
- Initiatives: National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), Sagarmala (port-led development), Blue Economy focus
2. STARLIN’S INDIA STRUGGLE : SPECTRUM, SURVEILLANCE AND CONNECTIVITY
SUBJECT: DEFENCE
- Starlink (SpaceX’s satellite internet service) faces regulatory hurdles in India due to complex laws governing spectrum use,data security, and national sovereignty concerns.
- India’s rural digital divide necessitates satellite-based broadband, but Starlink’s rollout is delayed due to spectrum allocation,surveillance requirements, and compliance with Indian laws.
- Regulatory Roadblocks:
- Starlink must obtain a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) license under the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
- Must align with: Satellite Communication Policy (2000)
- IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre)regulations
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
- Spectrum use:Requires auction and alignment with Indian allocation rules.
- National Security:Starlink must fulfill surveillance and real-time tracking conditions as mandated by Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Infrastructure compliance:Must coordinate with Indian satellite ground infra.
- Data localization and user verification are additional concerns under India’s evolving digital laws.
3. EXPANDING TREE COVER IS CRUCIAL
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- India’s forest and tree cover is25.17%, significantly below the33% target set by the National Forest Policy, 1988.
- Tree plantations are critical to mitigating climate change, enhancing carbon sequestration, improving soil health, and supporting rural livelihoods.
- Industrial growth,rapid urbanisation, and deforestation are major contributors to ecological degradation
- National Programs for Afforestation: Policies like National Afforestation Policy (2014)and Trees Outside Forests in India (TOFI)aim to mobilize landowners, farmers, and industries.
- Green India Mission(GIM), under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, targets revival of degraded forests.
- Private Sector and CSR Involvement:
- Corporates from sectors like cement, energy, and automotive engage in afforestation to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance)goals and offset emissions.
- Companies leverage carbon credits and participate in carbon offset markets.
4. INDIA’S INDUSTRIAL SECTOR REQUIRES POLICY INTERVENTION AMID GLOBAL TURBULENCE
SUBJECT: ECONOMY
- India’s IIP growth in FY25averaged4%, the lowest in four years, indicating an industrial slowdown.
- Contributing factors:global economic uncertainty, low exports, weak domestic consumption, and declining private capital expenditure.
- Sharp decline seen in mining (2.9%),manufacturing (4%), and electricity (5.1%).
- Consumer non-durables contracted by-1.6%, reflecting stressed rural demand; whereas durables grew from 3.6% to 8%, hinting at urban consumption resilience.
5. HIGH TEMPERATURE AND MANGO PRODUCTION
SUBJECT: AGRICULTURE
- India’s mango productivity has shown inconsistent trends, impacted by rising temperatures and climate variability.
- According to IMD,2024 was the warmest year since 1901, with a temperature rise of0.65°C above normal.
- Mango flowering and fruit setting are now affected by unseasonal heat, altering budding and ripening patterns.
- Indian productivity (7.9 MT/Ha) still lags behind China (8.74 MT/Ha) and Thailand (8.36 MT/Ha).
- Higher temperatures and erratic rainfall are causing early flowering, shorter fruiting periods, and yield decline.
- Key physiological stages (bud development, fruit setting, and ripening) are disrupted by heatwaves and humidity fluctuations.
- Area under mango cultivation in India rose by2.34%in 2023–24 to24.81 lakh hectares.
- Production increased2.43%to202.72 lakh tonnes, but yield remains inconsistent year-to-year due to climate stress.
