Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty

In News

• The Indian Ministry of Earth Science urges United Nations (UN) member nations to remain dedicated to the conservation and preservation of oceans and their biodiversity.

About

• India urges UN Member Nations to support conservation and sustainable economic development under UNCLOS.
• There is a need for determination among states to support global organizations for effective agreement on protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.
• There is a need to resolve challenges including focus on funding, intellectual property rights, and institutional mechanisms.
• Member states can work  on Capacity building, transfer of marine technology and Environmental Impact Assessment.
• It has also asked to support sustainable economic development and the well-being of coastal people under the United Nation’s Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS).
• India has also voiced its support for the high ambition coalition for the early conclusion of the International Legally Binding Instrument – Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) under UNCLOS.
• Adoption of the BBNJ agreement signals international commitment to conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity.
• Need for a legal framework aimed at conservation for Vital resources for global seas with more than 60% yet to be managed and regulated. 

Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ)

• It refers to the marine biodiversity found in areas beyond national jurisdiction, which accounts for more than 60% of the world’s oceans.
• It is not regulated by any legal framework aimed at conservation, making it vulnerable to over-exploitation and degradation.

Importance of biodiversity conservation:

• Ecosystem services: Biodiversity provides a range of ecosystem services, such as air and water purification, climate regulation, pollination, and soil fertility, which are essential for human well-being.
• Economic benefits: Biodiversity supports economic activities such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism, which generate livelihoods and income for millions of people around the world.
• Medical advances: Many of the medicines used to treat illnesses and diseases are derived from plants and animals found in nature.
• Cultural and spiritual values: It is an integral part of many cultures and religions, and is valued for its aesthetic, recreational, and spiritual benefits.
• Conservation of endangered species: Biodiversity conservation helps to protect endangered species and prevent their extinction, which can have far-reaching ecological and social impacts.

Challenges of Biodiversity conservation:

• Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Human activities such as deforestation, mining, and land-use change have led to the loss and fragmentation of habitats, which in turn have caused a decline in biodiversity.
• Climate Change: Climate change is causing significant changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, leading to alterations in ecosystems, shifts in species’ ranges, and changes in the timing of life cycle events.
• Overexploitation: Overfishing, hunting, and harvesting of natural resources have resulted in the depletion of many species, with some facing the threat of extinction.
• Pollution: Pollution from industrial activities, agriculture, and urbanization has led to the contamination of soil, water, and air, which has adversely affected biodiversity.
• Invasive Species: Invasive species, introduced intentionally or unintentionally by humans, can outcompete native species for resources and lead to their decline.
• Lack of Political Will: Despite the importance of biodiversity conservation, many governments have not made it a priority, and international efforts have not always been effective due to a lack of political will.
• Limited Resources: Conservation efforts require significant financial resources, which may not always be available or allocated adequately.

India’s Approach to Biodiversity Management:

• India has been actively involved in the negotiations for the development of an international legally binding instrument for the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ under the United Nation’s Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS).
• India’s legislative framework, the “Biodiversity Act of 2002,” reflects the country’s commitment to conservation, sustainable usage, and equitable benefit sharing.
• India supports the establishment of new institutions or the strengthening of existing ones with a robust democratic way of functioning.
• India has been focusing on capacity building and transfer of marine technology, and Environmental Impact Assessment.

United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS)

It is an international treaty that was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994.It provides a comprehensive framework for the use and conservation of the world’s oceans, including guidelines for maritime boundaries, navigation, resource management, and environmental protection.It has been ratified by 168 countries, including India, making it one of the most widely accepted treaties in the world.It recognizes the rights and responsibilities of coastal states in their respective maritime zones, including the exclusive economic zone (EEZ), which extends 200 nautical miles from a country’s coast.UNCLOS has also provided the legal basis for many international agreements related to the oceans, including:Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD)International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.

Way ahead

• There is a need for the international community to come together and reach a consensus on a legally binding instrument that addresses the conservation and sustainable use of BBNJ.
• The instrument must also address issues such as equitable benefit sharing, capacity building, and transfer of marine technology.
• There is a need to enhance scientific knowledge about marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
• Overall, the conservation of biodiversity is essential for ensuring a healthy planet and a sustainable future for all living beings.

Source: DTE

Activation of the WMCC on India-China Border Affairs

In News

• Indian and Chinese officials hold talks on border standoff in Beijing.

About

• Indian and Chinese officials have recently held diplomatic talks in Beijing on the standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• The Indian side at the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) meeting was led by the joint secretary (East Asia) from the external affairs ministry.
• India has insisted on disengagement of front-line troops to help restore normalcy in bilateral ties.
• The WMCC on India-China Border Affairs was activated after the face-off on the Line of Actual Control began in May 2020.
• The recent meeting in Beijing is the first in-person meeting of the body since then.
• The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong lake area.
• The talks were held in an “open and constructive manner”, but there was no indication of any breakthrough.
• The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in 2020.
• Previously, the military and diplomatic talks have helped in the disengagement process in 2021 on the north and south banks of the Pangong lake and in the Gogra area.

Major friction points along the India-China border

• Depsang Plains: This area is located in the northernmost part of Ladakh and has seen incursions by Chinese troops in the past.
• Demchok: This area is located in eastern Ladakh and has seen disputes over the boundary between India and China.
• Pangong Lake: This area has been a major flashpoint between the two countries, with Chinese troops attempting to change the status quo on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the region.
• Gogra and Hot Springs: These two areas are located in eastern Ladakh and have seen standoffs between Indian and Chinese troops in recent years.
• Arunachal Pradesh: This northeastern Indian state is claimed by China as part of its territory and has been a major point of contention between the two countries.

Importance of Peace for India and China

• Economic cooperation: India and China are two of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies and improved relations can help to increase trade and investment.
• Regional stability: India and China are two major powers in Asia, and their relations have a significant impact on regional stability.
• Border security: A peaceful relationship between the two countries is essential to maintain border security and avoid any conflicts or misunderstandings along the border.
• Geopolitics: India and China are both major players in the global geopolitical landscape whose peaceful co-existence is essential to create a more stable and predictable international environment.

Challenges of India-China peace process:

• Border Disputes: Despite several rounds of talks, the two sides have not been able to reach a lasting solution to the border dispute especially along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
• Strategic Competition: India and China are both major regional powers and have competing interests in the region which has led to strategic competition in areas such as trade, infrastructure development, and influence in neighbouring countries.
• Differences in Political Systems: India is a democracy, while China is a one-party state this differences in political systems have led to a lack of mutual trust and understanding.
• Military Build-up: The military build-up by both countries along the border has increased tensions and made the peace process more challenging.
• Historical Issues: Historical issues, including the 1962 Sino-Indian War, continue to affect relations between the two countries.
• Geopolitical Factors: Geopolitical factors, such as the increasing role of the United States in the region, have also added to the complexity of the India-China peace process.

Way ahead

• India-China peace process requires sustained efforts from both sides to address these challenges and build mutual trust and understanding.
• There is a need to continue discussions through military and diplomatic channels and to actively implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries to further stabilize the border situation.
• Overall, peace between India and China is essential for the economic, political, and strategic interests of both countries, as well as for regional and global stability.

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy report

In News

• Recently, Chairman, Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has released The Foundational Literacy and Numeracy report. 

About

• This  edition of the report  highlights language as a critical foundational skill and its importance in acquiring early literacy. 
• It was prepared by the Institute for Competitiveness, India at Harvard Business School.
• It captures the fundamental concepts children require to become skilled readers and highlights distinct challenges faced in a multilingual environment
• A section of the report focuses on the numerous initiatives currently implemented at the national and state level for achieving foundational learning goals as outlined in NIPUN. 

Significance of Report:

• The report is a benchmark for states and union territories to track their performance in achieving universal foundational learning by 2026-27. 
• The report’s findings cover multi dimensional factors like the role of nutrition, access to digital technology and language-focused instructional approach.

NIPUN (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) Bharat Scheme:Launched as a part of NEP (National Education Policy) 2020.Aims to cover the learning needs of children in the age group of 3 to 9 years.Focuses on providing access and retaining children in foundational years of schooling; teacher capacity building; development of high quality and diversified Student and Teacher Resources/Learning Materials;tracking the progress of each child in achieving learning outcomes.NIPUN Bharat is implemented by the Department of School Education and Literacy.EAC to PM    It is an independent body to advise the government, especially the Prime Minister, on economic and policy-related matters.  Set up in September 2017 with a term of two years, replacing the erstwhile PMEAC,  Function & Mandate: Analysing any issue, economic or otherwise, referred to it by the Prime Minister and advising him thereon. Addressing issues of macroeconomic importance and presenting views thereon to the Prime Minister”, either on its own or upon reference.Presenting to the PM from time to time reports on “macroeconomic developments and issues with implications for economic policy”.

Asian malaria vector

In Context

• A deadly malaria vector from Asia has recently been detected in Kenya which is likely to stifle Kenya’s massive progress in the fight against malaria.
  • Kenya is now the sixth and latest country in Africa to report an invasion of the deadly malaria species.

Asian malaria vector- Anopheles Stephensi 

• Origin:
  • Anopheles Stephensi originated in Southeast Asia, West Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. 
• Spread:
  • The species has been expanding its geographic range over the last decade, with detections in Africa first reported in Djibouti (2012), Ethiopia and Sudan (2016), Somalia (2019), and Nigeria (2020).
• Characteristic features:
  • The species is reported to spread faster in different climatic conditions, especially in countries experiencing rapid urban development through devolution, like Kenya, with spiralling population growth rates in towns and concentration of malaria control programmes in rural areas.
  • It also poses a significant threat because, unlike other main malaria-causing mosquito vectors that primarily breed in rural areas, Anopheles Stephensi is highly adaptive and can thrive in urban environments. 
• Risk & potential:
  • The deadly vector could also be silently wreaking havoc and killing people in other arid African jurisdictions, especially those with low or zero surveillance.
  • There is a risk of Anopheles Stephensi spreading further south and west from its original foci of detection in the Horn of Africa region.

About Malaria

• About:
  • It is a preventable and treatable disease that continues to have a devastating impact on the health and livelihood of people around the world. 
  • In 2020, there were an estimated 241 million new cases of malaria and 627,000 malaria-related deaths in 85 countries. 
  • More than two-thirds of deaths were among children under the age of 5 living in the WHO African Region.
• Cause: 
  • It is a life threatening disease caused by plasmodium parasites.
• Transmission: 
  • The parasites spread through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
  • In the human body, parasites initially multiply in liver cells and then attack the Red Blood Cells (RBCs).
  • There are 5 parasite species that cause Malaria in humans and 2 of these species (Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax) pose the greatest threat.
• Distribution: 
  • It is predominantly found in the tropical and subtropical areas of Africa, South America and Asia.
• Symptoms: 
  • Fever and flu-like illness, including chills, headache, muscle ache and fatigue.
• Prevention and Cure:
  • It is preventable as well as curable.
  • Vector control is the main way to prevent and reduce malaria transmission.
  • Antimalarial medicines are used to prevent malaria e.g. Chemoprophylaxis, Artemisinin-based Combination Therapy (ACT).
• Vaccine:
  • WHO has recommended the broad use of the RTS,S malaria vaccine for young children living in areas with moderate and high malaria transmission. 

Source: DTE

22nd Law Commission

In News

• The Union Cabinet recently approved extension of the term of 22nd Law Commission up to August 31, 2024.

About the Law Commission of India

• About:
  • Law Commission of India is a non-statutory body 
  • It is constituted by a notification of the Government of India, Ministry of Law & Justice, Department of Legal Affairs. 
• Terms of reference & recommendations:
  • It is constituted with a definite terms of reference to carry out research in the field of law 
  • The Commission makes recommendations to the Government in the form of Reports as per its terms of reference. 
  • The Law Commission until now has taken up various subjects on references made by Department of Legal Affairs, Supreme Court and High Courts.
• Origin:
  • The first Law Commission was established during colonial rule in India by the East India Company under the Charter Act of 1833 and was presided by Lord Macaulay. 
  • After that, three more commissions were established in pre-independent India.
• Post-independence: 
  • The tradition of pursuing law reform through the medium of a law commission was continued in post-independent India. 
  • The first law commission in independent India was established in 1955 and since then twenty more law commissions have been established.
• Constitution of the 22nd Law Commission:
  • Head:
    • The Commission is headed by former Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Rituraj Awasthi.
  • Function:
    • The Commission, among other things, shall “identify laws which are no longer needed or relevant and can be immediately repealed; examine the existing laws in the light of Directive Principles of State Policy and suggest ways of improvement and reform and also suggest such legislations as might be necessary to implement the Directive Principles and to attain the objectives set out in the Preamble of the Constitution”; and “revise the Central Acts of general importance so as to simplify them and remove anomalies, ambiguities and inequities”.
    • The Commission is also looking into several significant issues like
      • Implementation of a Uniform Civil Code (UCC).
    • Holding of simultaneous elections.

Source: TH

Jaipur Declaration

In News

• Recently, “Jaipur Declaration” was adopted at the 18th World Security Congress jointly organized by the Railway Protection Force and the UIC.

About

• The Jaipur declaration” outlines an actionable agenda for UIC to explore innovative approaches that can help global Railway organizations achieve their long-term goal of safety and security.
• It highlighted the commitment of UIC to work towards providing a more safe and secure rail network across the globe, by also fully activating the Asia-Pacific, Latin America and African regional assemblies by 2025.

About UIC

• The UIC (Union International Des Chemins) or International Union of Railways established in 1922 is headquartered in Paris. 
• It is the worldwide professional association representing the railway sector for research, development & promotion of rail transport. 
• Members are invited to take a proactive role in the UIC working groups and assemblies where the railways’ position on regional/worldwide issues is shaped.
  • Active participation in the working groups is a unique opportunity to voice opinions and benefit from the weight of the railway sector at a coordinated worldwide level. 
• The Security Platform of UIC is empowered to develop and formulate analysis and policy positions on behalf of the global rail sector in matters relating to security of persons, property and installations.

18th World Security Congress

• Railway Protection Force India and UIC organised the UIC World Security Congress 2023 which was held in Jaipur on 20-23 February 2023.
• The conference brought together experts, stakeholders, and delegates from around the world to discuss the latest developments and best practices in railway security.
• Theme: ‘Railway Security Strategy: Responses and Vision for Future.’

About Railway Protection Force (RPF)

• RPF is the prime security and law- enforcement organization in the field of Railway Security in India. 
• Constituted as a federal Force in the year 1957, RPF is responsible for security of railway property, passenger and passenger zones. 
• RPF motto: “SEWA HI SANKALP”– “A PROMISE TO SERVE”. 
• It has been implementing innovative solutions suited to the typical needs at the ground-zero level. 
• RPF has the distinction of being the federal force of India with the largest share of women in its ranks.

Comptroller and Auditor General

In News

• Recently India’s Comptroller and Auditor General has been selected as External Auditor of the International Labour Organization(ILO) in Geneva for a four-year term from 2024 to 2027.

About:

• CAG is an independent authority under the Constitution of India.
• Articles 148 – 151 of the Constitution of India deal with the institution of the CAG of India. The CAG enjoys the same status as a sitting judge of the Supreme Court of India in order of precedence.
• He is the head of the Indian audit & account department .
• It is the institution through which the accountability of the government and other public authorities to Parliament and State Legislatures is ensured
• CAG’s appointment as an external auditor is a recognition of its standing among the international community as well as its professionalism, high standards, global audit experience and strong national credentials.

International Labour Organization (ILO)The International Labour Organization was established in 1919 under the League of Nations and was integrated into the United Nations as an exclusive agency in 1946.The ILO brings together governments, employers, and workers of 187 member States, to set labour standards, develop policies and devise programs promoting decent work for all women and men.The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues.India has ratified about six out of the eight core/fundamental ILO conventions. They are:    Forced Labour Convention (No. 29)    Abolition of Forced Labour Convention (No.105)    Equal Remuneration Convention (No.100)    Discrimination (Employment Occupation) Convention (No.111)    Minimum Age Convention (No.138)    Worst forms of Child Labour Convention (No.182) India still needs to ratify the two main core/fundamental conventions:  The protection of the Right and Freedom of Association to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87) The Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98

Comprehensive Group Standard for Millets

In News

• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has specified a comprehensive group standard for millets w.e.f. 1st September 2023.

About

• Currently, individual standards for only a few millets like Sorghum (Jowar), whole and decorticated Pearl Millet grain (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi) and Amaranth are prescribed by FSSAI in 2011. 
• FSSAI has now framed a comprehensive group standard for 15 types of millets specifying 8 quality parameters i.e., maximum limits for moisture content, uric acid content, extraneous matter, other edible grains, defects, weevilled grains, and immature and shrivelled grains, so as to ensure availability of good quality (standardized) millets in domestic and global markets.
• The group standard is applicable to the following millets.:
  • Amaranthus (Chaulai or Rajgira)
  • Barnyard Millet ((Samakechawal or  Sanwa or Jhangora)
  • Brown top (Korale)
  • Buckwheat (Kuttu)
  • Crab finger (Sikiya)
  • Finger Millet (Ragi or Mandua)
  • Fonio (Acha)
  • Foxtail Millet (Kangni or Kakun)
  • Job’s tears (Adlay)
  • Kodo Millet (Kodo)
  • Little Millet (Kutki)
  • Pearl Millet (Bajra)
  • Proso Millet (Cheena)
  • Sorghum (Jowar)
  • Teff (Lovegrass)

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)FSSAI has been established under Food Safety and Standards , 2006 which consolidates various acts & orders that have hitherto handled food related issues in various Ministries and Departments. It has been created for laying down science based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India is the Administrative Ministry for the implementation of FSSAI.

About Millets 

• Millets are a group of small-grained cereal food crops that are highly tolerant to drought and other extreme weather conditions and require low chemical inputs such as fertilizers and pesticides. 
• Millets are also gluten-free; low in Glycemic Index (GI); and rich in dietary fibre and micronutrients, including calcium, iron, phosphorus etc.
• In order to enhance awareness and promote millets, in 2018, millets were rebranded as “Nutri Cereals” and “2018” was designated as the National Year of Millets. 
• Later, the United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM 2023). 

Supreme Court’s Neutral Citation System

In News

Chief Justice of India (CJI) announced that the Supreme Court will adopt a “neutral citation system” for its judgments.

About

• The Delhi, Kerala, and Madras HCs have already introduced neutral citation.
• First part will be till January 1, 2023, then the other part will be till judgments from 2014 and then finally from 1950. So all judgments will now have neutral citations.

Neutral Citation

• A case citation is an identification tag for a judgment which would contain a reference number, the year of the judgment, the name of the court that delivered that judgment, and a shorthand for the journal publishing the judgment.
• A neutral citation would mean that the court would assign its own citation — distinct from those given by traditional Law Reporters.
  • Law Reporters are annual digests that publish judgments, often with an editorial note to make it accessible for lawyers to refer to precedents.

Need for Neutral Citation

• A few decades ago, the exercise of citing cases was simple because the number of litigation was low, resulting in fewer judicial pronouncements, managed by a handful of official law reporters as the number of litigation escalated numerous law reporters also emerged.
• With artificial intelligence (AI) enabled translation of judgments and transcribing of court proceedings, a uniform citation is necessary.
• For easing the adjudicatory process and to avoid confusion arising out of one case being cited by different people in a number of different ways.

Uttarakhand Signs MOU to build ropeway to Yamunotri temple

In News

• Recently, the Uttarakhand government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) worth ?167 crore for a ropeway to Yamunotri temple from Kharsali.

About

• The Ropeway will reduce the travel time of the temple to 15 minutes from four hours that pilgrims trek to the holy shrine.
• Project Features
  • Estimated cost: Rs.12,000 crores.
  • Length of Ropeway: 3.38-km-long
  • Deadline: three years
  • Type: monocable detachable type
  • It will be able to carry 500 passengers in an hour. 
  • This ropeway will work on the public private partnership (PPE) model.
• Yamunotri temple
  • It is lodged in a narrow gorge close to the source of River Yamuna (the second-most sacred Indian river after River Ganga) in Uttarkashi district and  is dedicated to Goddess Yamuna. 

Chardham Yatra

• The Char Dham (meaning: four abodes) is a set of four pilgrimage sites in India.
• The Char Dham as defined by Adi Shankaracharya consists of four Hindu pilgrimage sites.
• The four Dhams are Badrinath, Dwarka, Puri and Rameswaram. 

Chota Char Dham(Uttarakhand)

• Another small circuit in Uttarakhand of four pilgrimage sites-Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath is referred to as Chota Char Dham which is locally popular in North India.
• This Yatra or pilgrimage is a tour of four holy sites – Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath – nestled high up in the Himalayas.
• The high-altitude shrines remain shut for around six months every year, opening in summers (April or May) and closing with the onset of winter (October or November).

About Chardham project:The project involves developing and widening nearly 900-km of national highways connecting the holy Hindu pilgrimage sites of; Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.The foundation stone for the Char Dham road project was laid by PM Narendra Modi in December 2016.