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CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS - 11/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/12/2023

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  1. CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/12/2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 11/12/2023

Europe agrees landmark AI regulation deal

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Indian Express

Europe reaches a provisional deal on landmark European Union rules governing the use of artificial intelligence (AI).

  • The EU aims to become the first major world power to enact comprehensive laws governing AI, covering aspects like government biometric surveillance and regulations for AI systems, including models like ChatGPT.
  • The proposed AI Act is set for a vote in the European Parliament in early 2024, with potential enforcement by 2025.
  • The EU’s legislation holds significance as global leaders, including the US, UK, and China, are also working on AI regulations.

Key Highlights

  • The political agreement between EU countries and European Parliament members follows nearly 15 hours of negotiations, preceded by an almost 24-hour debate.
  • Further discussions in the coming days will refine details, potentially shaping the final legislation.
  • European Commissioner Thierry Breton emphasizes Europe’s pioneering role, positioning itself as a global standard setter in AI regulation.
  • Obligations for Foundation Models and GPAIs:
    • Foundation models like ChatGPT and general-purpose AI systems (GPAIs) must comply with transparency obligations before market entry.
    • Requirements include technical documentation, adherence to EU copyright law, and detailed summaries about training content.
    • High-impact foundation models with systemic risk face additional obligations, including model evaluations, systemic risk assessment, adversarial testing, reporting on incidents, cybersecurity measures, and energy efficiency reporting.
  • Risk Classes and Applications:
    • AI applications are classified into four risk classes.
    • Some applications, like mass-scale facial recognition and those focused on behavioural control, will be largely banned.
    • High-risk applications, such as AI tools for self-driving cars, will be allowed but subject to certification and transparency obligations.
    • Medium-risk applications, like generative AI chatbots, can be deployed without restrictions but require detailed documentation and transparency for users.
    • Developers must comply with transparency obligations before releasing AI applications into the market, providing details about training data and making users aware they are interacting with AI.
  • Limits on Government Biometric Surveillance:
    • Governments can use real-time biometric surveillance in public spaces only under specific conditions, such as addressing certain crimes, preventing threats like terrorist attacks, and searching for individuals suspected of serious crimes.
  • Prohibited Practices:
    • The agreement prohibits cognitive behavioural manipulation, untargeted scraping of facial images from the internet or CCTV footage, social scoring, and biometric categorization systems inferring sensitive personal information.
  • Consumer Rights and Fines for Violations:
    • Consumers have the right to launch complaints and receive meaningful explanations regarding AI-related concerns.
    • Fines for violations range from 7.5 million euros or 1.5% of turnover to 35 million euros or 7% of global turnover.

Leadership in Tech Regulation:

  • Europe has taken a lead over the US in tech regulation, with laws focusing on online privacy, curbing tech giants’ dominance, and safeguarding citizens from harmful online content.
  • The US, historically slower in passing major tech regulations, has made attempts through recent executive orders, including the White House Executive Order on AI.
  • The US has proposed a blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights and issued a White House Executive Order on AI, positioning itself as a guide for global AI regulation.
  • Notably, the US Congress has struggled to pass significant regulations for Big Tech, except for legislation on child privacy and blocking trafficking content.
  • EU’s Robust Regulatory Framework:
    • The EU has been proactive in tech regulation, enforcing GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) since May 2018 and introducing sub-legislations like the Digital Services Act (DSA) and Digital Markets Act (DMA).
    • GDPR, focused on privacy, has become a template for over 100 countries.
    • DSA addresses issues like hate speech, while DMA targets dominant gatekeeper platforms and non-competitive practices.
  • Global Regulatory Scrutiny of AI:
    • Policymakers globally are intensifying scrutiny of generative AI tools, driven by concerns related to privacy, system bias, and intellectual property rights.
    • Approaches to AI regulation vary, with the EU adopting a stringent, use-case-based stance, the UK favouring a ‘light-touch’ approach to foster innovation, and the US falling in between.
    • China has also introduced its own AI regulations.
  • India’s Sovereign AI Ambitions:
    • India, known for leveraging technology for governance solutions, particularly emphasizes its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model.
    • New Delhi aims to apply the DPI approach to AI, focusing on sovereign AI and an AI computing infrastructure.
    • Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, stresses the importance of developing a sovereign AI ecosystem for real-life applications in healthcare, agriculture, governance, language translation, etc., to drive economic development.

India’s current spend on adaptation to Climate Change is 5.6% of GDP

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Indian Express

India spent approximately Rs 13.35 lakh crore (5.6% of GDP) in the fiscal year 2021-22 on climate adaptation efforts.

  • New Delhi expects to allocate an additional Rs 57 lakh crore over the next seven years for climate adaptation, based on the current business-as-usual scenario.

Key Highlights

  • The mentioned spending is contingent on a business-as-usual scenario, assuming climate vulnerability does not worsen.
  • Climate-induced damage could potentially increase this amount by an additional Rs 15.5 lakh crore.
  • Purpose of Adaptation Efforts:
    • Adaptation efforts aim to reduce the impacts of climate change, complementing global climate action alongside mitigation (greenhouse gas emissions reduction).
    • Examples of adaptation activities include building sea-walls, developing temperature-resilient crops, implementing heat-action plans, and creating disaster-resilient infrastructure.
  • Economic Benefits of Timely Adaptation:
    • Timely adaptation efforts can prevent climate disasters and economic losses.
    • Investing in protecting infrastructure (e.g., airports or power stations) against climate-related risks is considered more cost-effective than dealing with disruptions caused by extreme weather events.
  • Reporting Mechanisms Under Global Climate Change Framework:
    • Countries, including India, are required to measure their annual greenhouse gas emissions and submit reports to the UN Framework for Climate Change Convention (UNFCCC).
    • India submitted its third National Communication (NATCOM) under the Kyoto Protocol, fulfilling obligations under that agreement.
    • India has also submitted three Biennial Update Reports (BURs) under the Paris Agreement, continuing its commitment to maintaining a global inventory of emissions.
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory for 2019:
    • India’s third National Communication provides a detailed inventory of greenhouse gas emissions for the year 2019.
    • Total emissions in 2019 were 3.13 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, with net emissions of 2.64 billion tonnes after accounting for absorptions by the forestry sector.
    • The energy sector, including electricity production and road transport, contributed over 75% of India’s total emissions, followed by agriculture (13%) and industry (8%).
    • India’s total emissions are less than half of the United States and less than one-fourth of China, showcasing its comparatively lower carbon footprint.
  • As per the Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit and periodically update an Adaptation Communication outlining their climate change vulnerabilities, adaptation priorities, and actions taken.
  • India submitted its first Adaptation Communication along with its third National Communication (NATCOM) recently.
  • Adaptation Priorities and Actions:
    • India’s Adaptation Communication details its vulnerability to climate change, adaptation requirements, and actions taken or planned.
    • Various government plans and policies, such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, PM AwasYojana, Swachhta Mission, Ganga cleaning, heat action plans, and cyclone warning systems, contribute to adaptation co-benefits.
  • Economic Impact and Crop Loss:
    • India assesses the total economic value of crop loss (food and non-food) due to climate impacts, projecting a range between USD 28.6 and 54.8 billion from 2030 to 2050 (2015 prices).
    • Over the next 50 years, these losses could escalate to USD 612 to 1,014 billion.
    • Uttar Pradesh is projected to suffer the highest economic loss in agriculture, followed by Maharashtra.
  • India states that its expenditure on adaptation-related activities has risen, from about Rs 5 lakh crore and 3.7% of GDP in 2015-16 to Rs 13.35 lakh crore and 5.6% of GDP in 2021-22.
    • The country anticipates a continued need for international financial support for increasing adaptation efforts.
  • India emphasizes the importance of international climate finance, stating that increased spending on adaptation is crucial for the country’s economy and developmental gains.

What is National Communication (NATCOM) under the Kyoto Protocol?

  • The National Communication (NATCOM) is a reporting mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol, an international treaty aimed at addressing global climate change.
  • The Kyoto Protocol was adopted in 1997 and entered into force in 2005, with the goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions worldwide.
  • Under the Kyoto Protocol, countries that are Party to the agreement are required to submit periodic reports known as National Communications.
  • These communications provide comprehensive information on the country’s efforts to address climate change, including policies, measures, and outcomes related to GHG emissions and removals.
  • Key components of a National Communication include:
    • Greenhouse Gas Inventory: A detailed inventory of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions and removals, categorized by source and sector.
    • Mitigation Measures: An overview of the policies, programs, and measures implemented by the country to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
    • Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment: An assessment of the country’s vulnerability to the impacts of climate change and the adaptation measures being undertaken.
    • Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: Information on efforts related to the transfer of environmentally sound technologies and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the country’s ability to address climate change.
    • Financial Resources: Details on the financial resources mobilized and received to support climate change activities, including mitigation and adaptation projects.
    • Education and Outreach: Information on public awareness, education, and outreach activities related to climate change.

What is Climate Adaptation and Mitigation?

  • Climate Adaptation:
    • Climate adaptation refers to the process of adjusting to the current or expected climate change and its effects.
    • It involves making adjustments or changes in natural or human systems to minimize harm or take advantage of new opportunities.
    • The primary goal of adaptation is to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience to the impacts of climate change.
    • Adaptation strategies can include changes in policies, practices, and behaviours at various levels, such as individual, community, and governmental.
    • Examples of adaptation measures include building sea walls to protect against rising sea levels, developing drought-resistant crops, implementing early warning systems for extreme weather events, and designing infrastructure that can withstand climate-related risks.
  • Climate Mitigation:
    • Climate mitigation refers to actions and strategies that aim to reduce or prevent the emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere, thereby mitigating the extent of climate change.
    • The focus is on addressing the root causes of climate change by limiting or removing the sources of GHG emissions.
    • Mitigation efforts can include transitioning to renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency, adopting sustainable land-use practices, and implementing policies that promote carbon capture and storage.
    • The objective of climate mitigation is to stabilize or reduce the concentration of GHGs in the atmosphere, thereby limiting global warming and its associated impacts.

India set to eliminate kala azar this year

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Indian Express

India is set to achieve the elimination target for visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala azar, with no block reporting more than one case per 10,000 people.

  • Bangladesh was the first country to be officially validated by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for eliminating kala azar as a public health problem in October.

Key Highlights

  • After missing the deadline multiple times, India is on track to achieve the elimination target this year.
  • The country needs to sustain this momentum for the next three years to receive WHO certification.
  • Recent Cases and Deaths:
    • India recorded 530 kala azar cases and four deaths until October this year, compared to 891 cases and three deaths in 2022 and 1,357 cases with eight deaths in 2021.
    • 286 cases of post-kala azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) were reported until October 2023.
  • Key Interventions for Achievement:
    • Effective indoor residual spraying to prevent sandfly breeding.
    • Reducing crevices in walls using Gerrard soil to minimize breeding areas.
    • ASHA network ensuring completion of PKDL treatment.
  • Challenges and Future Focus:
    • Challenges include ensuring strong surveillance, monitoring new areas, and addressing drug availability.
    • Availability of drugs like paromomycin, especially for HIV patients with kala azar, needs attention.
  • In a recent assessment, the disease was found to be higher than elimination levels in only four districts in Bihar and Jharkhand.
  • India’s initial target years for kala azar elimination were 2010, later extended to 2015, 2017, and 2020.
  • Rigorous efforts post-pandemic led to significant progress, aligning with the upcoming elimination target.

About Kala Azar

  • Kala Azar, also known as Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), is a parasitic disease caused by the Leishmania parasite.
  • It is transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies, primarily of the genus Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia.
  • The disease is caused by various species of the Leishmania parasite, with Leishmaniadonovani being a common cause of visceral leishmaniasis.
  • Symptoms:
    • Fever: Persistent and irregular fever is a hallmark symptom.
    • Weight Loss: Patients often experience significant weight loss.
    • Enlarged Organs: The parasite infects and multiplies within cells of the immune system, leading to enlargement of the spleen and liver.
    • Anemia: Reduced red blood cell count is common.
  • If left untreated, kala azar can be severe and potentially fatal, with a mortality rate approaching 95%.
  • The disease can progress to a chronic form, known as Post-Kala-Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL), characterized by skin lesions.
  • Geographic Distribution:
    • Kala azar is endemic in certain regions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
    • In India, it is prevalent in states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
  • The Leishmania parasite cycles between humans and sandflies. When an infected sandfly bites a human, it injects the parasite into the bloodstream.
  • Diagnosis:
    • Diagnosis involves laboratory tests, including the examination of tissue samples, blood tests, and serological assays.
    • Molecular techniques such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) can be used for accurate detection.
  • Treatment:
    • The primary treatment for kala azar involves antimonial drugs, such as sodium stibogluconate and meglumineantimoniate.
    • Amphotericin B, a powerful antifungal drug, is used in severe cases.
    • Combination therapies may be employed to reduce the risk of drug resistance.
  • Prevention and Control:
    • Vector Control: Controlling sandfly populations through insecticide spraying and environmental measures.
    • Case Detection and Treatment: Early detection and prompt treatment of cases.
    • Community Education: Raising awareness about preventive measures and symptoms.

Calibrating a strategy for India’s future growth

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) projects India’s growth for 2023-24 at 7%, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank estimate it at 6.3%.

  • Despite recording 7.8% and 7.6% growth in the first two quarters of 2023-24, India faces challenges due to global conditions, including deglobalization, geopolitical conflicts, and reduced world GDP growth.

Key Highlights

  • Export-Led Growth Challenges
    • India’s export-led growth strategy, prominent from 2003-04 to 2013-14, is no longer as viable.
    • The share of exports in GDP declined to 22.8% in 2022-23 from a peak of 25% in 2013-14.
    • Amidst global uncertainties and reduced demand for exports, India needs to evolve a new growth strategy.
  • Domestic Growth Drivers
    • With the shift away from export reliance, India must focus on domestic growth drivers.
    • Achieving sustained 7% real growth requires a reliance on domestic savings, with a nominal saving rate estimated at 29% in 2022-23.
    • However, a concern arises from a fall in household sector savings in financial assets, potentially impacting India’s growth potential.
  • Investment Rate and Savings
    • To maintain a 7% plus growth, India must enhance its investment rate.
    • The nominal investment rate was 29.2% in 2022-23, with adjustments needed due to the deflator of capital goods.
    • The real investment rate, currently at about 33%, needs to be increased by 2% points to provide investible resources amounting to 35% of GDP.
    • This is crucial for achieving the desired growth at the Incremental Capital-Output Ratio (ICOR) of 5.
  • Unique Demographic Challenge
    • India faces a unique challenge in the next three decades with a potentially large employable population seeking jobs amid labour-saving innovations.
    • The United Nations projects India’s working-age population to peak at 68.9% in 2030, presenting an opportunity that demands increased allocation of resources for training and skilling.
    • Employment growth is closely tied to GDP growth and output structure.
    • The working-age population’s growth rate is expected to decline progressively, emphasizing the need for strategies to absorb labour effectively.
    • Non-agricultural growth must rise to absorb labour released from agriculture (45.8% in 2022-23), and it should also accommodate the impact of labour-substituting technologies, including Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Generative AI.
  • Climate-Conscious Growth
    • India is committed to reducing carbon emissions and achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
    • Initiatives like the Green Grids Initiative (GGI), One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG), and emphasis on electric vehicles and alternative fuels are in place.
    • Climate-friendly service sector growth can help mitigate the adverse impact of climate-promoting technological changes on the potential growth rate.
  • Fiscal Responsibility for Sustainable Growth
    • Adhering to fiscal responsibility targets is crucial for sustaining growth.
    • Recent years have seen slippage in achieving fiscal responsibility goals.
    • To maintain growth close to its potential, the combined fiscal deficit and debt to GDP ratios must be brought down to 6% and 60%, respectively.
    • This ensures manageable interest payments relative to revenue receipts, leading to a balance or surplus on the revenue account and an augmented overall savings rate.
  • Growth Outlook
    • In the next two years, a growth rate of 6.5% is deemed feasible, partially representing a recovery from the low growth rate during the COVID-19 period.
    • However, over the medium term, India’s growth faces challenges, both domestic and external.
    • To achieve a growth rate of 7% to 7.5%, the focus must be on raising savings and investment rates, enhancing skill acquisition for the youth entering the labour market, and adopting a technology mix that is employment-friendly.
    • These strategies are vital for India’s sustained and inclusive economic growth.

What is Investment Rate?

  • The investment rate, often expressed as a percentage, is a measure that represents the level of investment in an economy relative to its total output or Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
  • It reflects the proportion of a country’s economic resources that are devoted to capital formation, which includes expenditures on physical assets such as machinery, buildings, infrastructure, and other productive assets.
  • In other words, the investment rate provides insight into how much of a nation’s economic output is being used to create or expand its capital stock.
  • Nominal Investment Rate:
    • Definition: The nominal investment rate is the percentage of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that represents the total value of investments made in an economy without adjusting for inflation.
    • Calculation: Nominal Investment Rate = (Total Investment / GDP) * 100
    • Example: If the total value of investments in an economy is $29.2 billion, and the GDP is $100 billion, the nominal investment rate would be 29.2%.
  • Real Investment Rate:
    • Definition: The real investment rate, on the other hand, takes into account the impact of inflation by adjusting the nominal investment rate with an appropriate price deflator.
    • Calculation: Real Investment Rate = (Nominal Investment Rate / Price Deflator) * 100
    • Example: If the nominal investment rate is 33%, and the price deflator (a measure of inflation) is 1.02, the real investment rate would be (33 / 1.02) * 100 ≈ 32.35%.

On the listing of cases in the Supreme Court

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : TH

Dushyant Dave, a lawyer, wrote a letter directly to Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, expressing concerns about “irregularities” in the listing of cases in the Supreme Court.

  • Prashant Bhushan, another lawyer, wrote a letter to the Registrar (Listing) of the Supreme Court, focusing on a batch of petitions related to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).

Key Highlights

  • Dave highlighted instances where cases, including those involving human rights and constitutional matters, were abruptly moved from one bench to another.
  • He accused the court of violating established rules and procedures, stating that matters were shifted from the presiding judge of the original bench to a puisne judge (second judge) in disregard of norms.
  • Dave appealed to Chief Justice Chandrachud, as the ‘master of the roster,’ to address and rectify the issue.
  • Prashant Bhushan’s Letter to Supreme Court Registry
    • Prashant Bhushan, another lawyer, wrote a letter to the Registrar (Listing) of the Supreme Court, focusing on a batch of petitions related to the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA).
    • Bhushan pointed out that these petitions, initially listed before Justice Chandrachud, were later transferred to a bench led by Justices Aniruddha Bose and Trivedi.
    • Bhushan alleged that the case departed from the normal course of listing and should have been referred back to the Chief Justice for administrative orders.
  • Response from Justice Trivedi’s Bench:
    • When Bhushan raised the issue before Justice Trivedi’s bench, it asserted that the case was listed as per earlier orders, and the petitioners were free to take action.
  • Issues Highlighted in Letters
    • Dushyant Dave and Prashant Bhushan, through their letters, express concerns about the movement of cases, already listed with notices issued, from one Bench to another.
    • The lawyers question the practice of cases departing from the original bench where notices were issued, especially when the senior judge is still available.
    • Both lawyers insist that the Chief Justice of India (CJI), as the master of the roster with administrative control over case allocation, should respond to address the alleged irregularities.
  • Supreme Court Rules and Procedures
    • Powers of the Master of the Roster
      • The Supreme Court Rules of 2013 are silent regarding the powers of the master of the roster to constitute rosters, benches, and allocate cases.
    • Handbook and General Instructions:
      • The Handbook on Practice and Procedure of the Court and Office Procedure clarifies that the Registry operates based on the general and special instructions of the CJI concerning case allocation and bench assignments.
    • Relevant Sections and Clauses
      • Dushyant Dave refers to the section on ‘cases, coram, and listing’ to argue that a case, once listed or with notice issued, should only be heard by the original bench.
      • Prashant Bhushan cites Clause 15 of the ‘Overview of the New Scheme for Automated Listing of Cases’ (2017) and the Handbook’s procedure, claiming that these were arbitrarily breached.
    • Supreme Court’s Response and President of SCBA’s Letter
      • The Supreme Court has not officially responded to the letters from the lawyers regarding the alleged irregularities in case allocation.
      • Supreme Court Bar Association president, Adish C. Aggarwala, wrote to the CJI expressing “shock” about Dushyant Dave’s open letter.
      • Aggarwala asserts that the assignment of cases is not open to questioning on both the judicial and administrative sides.
      • Refers to a Supreme Court judgment stating that the Chief Justice, as the master of the roster, holds a unique position, entrusted with functions to secure the Supreme Court’s independence for the preservation of personal liberty.

What is the controversy over Germany’s debt brake rule?

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

On November 15, Germany’s constitutional court declared the government’s move to reallocate €60 billion, initially designated for the pandemic emergency, to a “climate and transformation fund” as unlawful.

  • The court ruled that Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government, led by the Social Democrats (SPD), violated fiscal deficit limits established in 2009.
  • The breach involved reallocating unused funds across sectors and carrying over debt from one fiscal year to the next.

Key Highlights

  • The Debt Brake Rule
    • The debt brake rule, also known as the balanced budget rule, imposes a cap on government borrowing for financing public projects.
    • It restricts the federal government’s fiscal deficit to 0.35% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and prohibits the country’s 16 regions from engaging in any deficit spending.
    • Enshrined into law in 2009 through a constitutional amendment by the grand coalition government, consisting of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), and the SPD.
  • Legal Challenge Details
    • The opposition CDU and CSU challenged the government’s reallocation.
    • They argued that investments in climate change and energy transition, though important, were long-term financing activities, not covered by the emergency exemption in the debt brake.
  • Government’s Defense
    • The government contended that the diverted funds addressed the economic consequences of the pandemic, linking the investment shortfall to the COVID-19 impact.
    • The court ruling has reignited divisions within Chancellor Scholz’s coalition, particularly within the SPD, where differing opinions on the budget brake rule exist.
    • The legal challenge underscores the significance of adhering to fiscal discipline, as mandated by the debt brake rule, and the complexities of balancing long-term goals like climate investment with immediate fiscal constraints.
  • Post-2009 Economic Performance
    • In the past decade, Germany’s export-oriented economy showed robust growth, consistently running budget surpluses.
    • Germany maintained high levels of employment compared to other Eurozone states, contributing to economic stability.
    • Businesses benefited from cheap borrowing due to the European Central Bank’s ultra-low interest rate policies.
  • Fiscal Discipline and Austerity
    • The government pursued a policy of achieving a zero-deficit budget, emphasizing fiscal discipline and presenting it as an example for the Eurozone grappling with a sovereign debt crisis.
    • Criticisms suggesting Germany adopt expansionary fiscal measures to support struggling Eurozone countries facing severe recessions went largely unnoticed.
  • Economic Challenges Emerged in 2019
    • By 2019, a cooling global economy brought attention to Germany’s underinvestment in critical infrastructure, impacting its competitiveness.
    • Debates arose on the reluctance to leverage the ECB’s low-interest rates and expansive bond buying program.
    • Some suggested higher taxation to boost investment.
    • Chancellor Angela Merkel, citing Germany’s aging population, argued against burdening the younger generation with additional debt.
  • Pandemic Response and Suspension of Debt Brake Rule
    • In 2020, the debt brake rule was temporarily suspended to facilitate record levels of borrowing for pandemic-related measures.
    • The rule was set to be reinstated in 2021, reflecting a commitment to fiscal discipline.
  • Uncertainty and Future Considerations
    • Even after the constitutional court’s verdict, it remains unclear if Germany will adjust its stance on fiscal discipline.
    • EU leaders are discussing new proposals to customize debt and deficit rules based on a country’s macro-economic parameters.
    • Germany’s future fiscal approach is uncertain, with ongoing deliberations at the EU level and considerations of its own economic priorities.

‘Cauvery basin lost nearly 12,850 sq. km of green cover’

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : TH

A recent paper by scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) reveals that nearly 12,850 sq. km of natural vegetation was lost in the Cauvery basin over the 50-year period from 1965 to 2016.

  • Karnataka accounts for three-fourths of the lost cover, while Tamil Nadu’s share is around one-fifth.
  • The study notes a 46% reduction in natural vegetation cover during this period.

Key Highlights

  • Affected Areas
    • Adverse changes in forest cover include impacts on the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.
    • The moist deciduous forest area in Bannerghatta National Park declined from 50% in 1973 to 28.5% in 2015 due to anthropogenic pressure.
    • Dense vegetation decreased by 35% (6,123 sq. km), and degraded vegetation decreased by 63% (6,727 sq. km).
  • Historical Changes in Cropping Area
    • The irrigated area in Tamil Nadu increased from 6,556 sq. km in 1928 to 20,233 sq. km.
    • In Karnataka, the irrigated area grew from 1,193 sq. km to 8,497 sq. km.
    • The expansion of irrigated areas in both states led to an increased demand for water.
  • Challenges and Problems Identified
    • The paper identifies inappropriate cropping patterns, inefficient water use, and the adoption of multi-season water-intensive crops.
    • “Unsustainable” mining of river sand and a decline in community participation in watershed management are highlighted as problems.
  • Recommendations for Remediation
    • The paper calls for integrated management of the catchment with a linked system of natural resource management.
    • Suggestions include restrictions on large-scale water-intensive cash crops, monoculture, and over-exploitation of groundwater.
    • Enriching the catchment with native species, promoting organic farming, and establishing effluent treatment plants are proposed.
    • Ensuring zero discharge from industries is emphasized to address environmental concerns.

About Cauvery River Basin

  • The Cauvery basin spans across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
  • Encompasses 81,155 sq.km, constituting about 2.7% of the total geographical area of India.
  • The basin has a maximum length of approximately 560 km and a width of about 245 km.
  • Geographical Coordinates
    • Latitude and Longitude: Situated between 10°9’ to 13°30’ north latitudes and 75°27’ to 79°54’ east longitudes.
    • Boundaries: Bounded by the Western Ghats in the west, Eastern Ghats in the east and south, and separated from the Krishna and Pennar basins by ridges to the north.
  • Cauvery River Details
    • Origination: The Cauvery River originates at an elevation of 1,341 m from Talakaveri on the Brahmagiri range near Cherangala village in Kodagu district, Karnataka.
    • Total Length: The river spans a total length of 800 km.
    • Tributaries:
      • Left Bank: Harangi, Hemavati, Shimsha, and Arkavati.
      • Right Bank: Lakshmantirtha, Kabbani, Suvarnavati, Bhavani, Noyil, and Amaravati.
    • Outfall: Drains into the Bay of Bengal.
  • About 66.21% of the basin is covered by agricultural land.
  • Parliamentary Constituencies: The basin spans across 33 parliamentary constituencies (as of 2009), distributed among Tamil Nadu (18), Karnataka (11), Kerala (3), and Puducherry (1).