- BATTLE OVER ADIVASI IDENTITY
- The article discusses several tribal leaders but focuses on two main figures: Govind Guru: A Bhil leader from Rajasthan who fought against British rule and the social hierarchy imposed by upper castes
- The BJP portrays him as a leader within Hinduism
- The BAP (Bharat Adivasi Party) argues his fight was against the caste system and for a separate Adivasi identity
- Birsa Munda: A tribal leader from Jharkhand who led a millenarian movement against the British Raj and the exploitation by Hindu landlords and moneylenders
- Both the BJP and Adivasi groups acknowledge his fight against the British
- But there are differing interpretations of his goals for Adivasi identity and religion
- Sido, Kanhu, Chand, and Bhairav: Leaders of the Hul movement by the Santhal people against British rule, Hindu landlords, and moneylenders
- Alluri Sitarama Raju: A leader who fought against the British in Andhra Pradesh
- BJP Vs BAP – War of Narratives – The central conflict revolves around how to portray these tribal leaders in history
- The BJP aims to integrate them into a nationalistic narrative, highlighting their fight against outsiders (British, Mughals)
- The BAP and Adivasi activists argue that their struggles were also against internal oppression by the caste system and for a distinct Adivasi identity, independent of Hinduism
2. FOSSILS OF HUGE PREHISTORIC SNAKE FOUND IN KUTCH MINE
- Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee have reported the discovery of fossils
- It is one of the largest snakes that ever existed
- It likely lived 47 million years ago during a period called the Middle Eocene
- The fossils were found in Panandhro Lignite Mine in Kutch, Gujarat
- The reptile, named Vasuki Indicus, could have been anywhere between 10 metres and 15 metres long, or as big as a modern-day school bus
- Vasuki Indicus existed at a time when the earth looked quite different from today □ Africa, India and South America were one, conjoined landmass
- It likely had a cylindrical body □ Hinting at a robust and powerful build
- Was as big as Titanoboa □ A massive snake that once roamed the earth and is reportedly the longest ever known
- It belonged to the now-extinct Madtsoiidae snake family but represents a unique lineage from India
3. SHOMPEN TRIBE
- For the first time, members of the Shompen, took part in the election process by casting their votes in the Andaman and Nicobar Lok Sabha constituency
- Shompen are one of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in the country
- They reside in the dense tropical rain forests of the Great Nicobar island
- Seven members of the tribe exercised their franchise
- The estimated population of Shompen was 229, as per the 2011 Census data
4. FOREST A NATIONAL ASSET AND MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO FINANCIAL WEALTH – SC
- Supreme Court Upholds Forests’ Importance, Raises Concerns About New Law The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark judgment highlighting the critical role forests play in the nation’s well-being.
- Forests as National Assets – The court emphasized forests’ value as a national asset contributing significantly to India’s financial wealth
- Concepts like carbon credits and green accounting were highlighted as ways to measure this financial worth
- India’s forests act as a major carbon sink, storing vast amounts of carbon dioxide and mitigating climate change impacts
- Criticism of Forest Act Amendment – The judgment comes amidst criticism of the Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act (FCAA) 2023
- The FCAA is accused of allowing states to freely regularise encroachments and divert protected forest land
- This, the court implies, could pave the way for unsustainable commercial exploitation of forests
- Environmental and Economic Consequences of Deforestation
- The court warned that deforestation leads to extinction of organisms and weakens India’s ability to combat climate change.
- A 2022-2023 RBI report was cited, suggesting climate change could cost India 2.8% of GDP and significantly reduce living standards by 2050
- The court noted further potential GDP losses of 3-10% annually by 2100 due to climate change
- Court’s Actions – The court imposed costs on both the Telangana government and a private individual involved in a forest land dispute
- An inquiry was ordered against Telangana forest officials for filing conflicting affidavits
5. INDIA DELIVERS FIRST BATCH OF BRAHMOS SUPERSONIC MISSILES TO PHILIPPINES
- India delivered the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines
- In January 2022, the Philippines concluded a $375-million deal with India for three batteries of a shore-based, anti-ship variant of the BrahMos
- Becoming the first export customer for the joint venture missile between India and Russia
- The delivery comes amid the showdown between the Philippines and China in the South China Sea ○ This will significantly augment the defensive posture of the Philippines armed forces once the systems are operationalised
ONE LINER
- Nalin Prabhat appointed as Director General of National Security Guard
- National Civil Service day is celebrated on April 21st in India
