+91 83196 18002
office@raosacademy.in
Pre Booking Open For UPSC Civil Services Coaching 2024-2025.

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/04/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS - 30/04/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/04/2024

admin
Contents
  1. CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/04/2024

CURRENT AFFAIRS – 30/04/2024

Expert panel favours reopening elephant corridor

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

An expert panel, commissioned by the Kerala High Court, has recently proposed measures to address the escalating human-elephant conflict in Chinnakanal, emphasizing the urgent need for connectivity between Anayirankal and Old Devikulam in Munnar.

Key Highlights

  • Reopening of Elephant Corridor:
    • The panel advocates for the reopening of the elephant corridor spanning from Anayirankal to Old Devikulam, covering a 60-acre shola forest.
    • This initiative aims to restore the connectivity crucial for the free movement of wild elephants.
    • By facilitating access to a vast 4,500 sq. km area within the Munnar landscape, this measure could mitigate the isolation of the elephant population in Chinnakanal.
    • Conservation Reserve:
      • In addition to corridor restoration, the panel proposes the voluntary relocation of the 301 Acre and 80 Acre colonies in Chinnakanal, prioritizing the former.
      • This relocation effort seeks to reduce human encroachment in critical elephant habitats.
      • Moreover, the panel suggests considering the declaration of the area as a conservation reserve to discourage illegal activities detrimental to wildlife.
    • Immediate Action Against Attacks:
      • To address immediate threats, the panel recommends installing solar fencing around ration shops to deter wild elephant attacks.
      • Furthermore, it suggests adopting a staggered distribution system for ration items during daylight hours to minimize human-elephant conflicts.
    • Regulating Tourism and Night Traffic:
      • In terms of tourism management, the panel proposes banning night traffic on internal roads, excluding National Highways, in the Munnar-Anayirangal area.
      • Additionally, penalties are suggested for individuals who provoke or tease wild elephants, aiming to foster a safer environment for both humans and wildlife.
    • Concerns Over Safari Operations in Kolukkumala:
      • The panel highlighted concerns regarding the disturbance caused by the operation of over 187 jeeps conducting safaris in the Kolukkumala area near Suryanelly.
      • It stressed the need for a comprehensive study by an accredited agency to assess the situation and propose appropriate measures, including potential restrictions or a complete ban on jeep trips, to mitigate the negative impact on the environment and wildlife.
    • Management of Elephant Population:
      • In terms of elephant management, the panel emphasized the importance of closely monitoring tuskers like ‘Padayappa’ to prevent them from approaching human habitations.
      • It cautioned against the capture of these animals solely based on property damage, noting that their presence is crucial for maintaining genetic diversity within the elephant population.
      • Additionally, Padayappa’s role as a tourist attraction in Munnar was acknowledged, highlighting the potential consequences of its removal and the subsequent filling of the vacuum by other tuskers or herds.
    • Mitigation Measures for Waste Management:
      • The panel recommended the removal of illegal roadside shops in Munnar and emphasized the urgent need to fence the waste dumping yard at Kallar using stronger steel wires supported by solar-powered fences.
      • It urged the respective panchayats to implement waste management programs within a six-month timeframe, with stringent monitoring by relevant authorities.
      • Additionally, prompt removal of waste dumped at various locations by the concerned panchayats was deemed essential to mitigate environmental degradation and wildlife hazards in the area.

About the Asian elephant

  • Elephants, particularly the Asian elephant, are a species of high conservation concern globally due to habitat loss, human-elephant conflict, and poaching.
  • Global Protection Status
    • Globally, there are approximately 45,000 wild Asian elephants, with over 29, 000 in India alone.
    • The current population of elephants in India is approximately 29,964, according to the most recent elephant census conducted in 2017.
    • India is home to more than 60% of the world’s wild Asiatic elephant population, with 31 elephant reserves spanning 14 states and covering 76,508 square kilometers.
    • This makes India a critical stronghold for the survival of the species.
    • The Asian elephant is highly threatened by habitat fragmentation, leading to human-elephant conflict and a skewed sex ratio due to poaching for ivory.
    • The loss of habitat pushes elephants out of forests, increasing conflict and resulting in unnecessary deaths of both humans and elephants.
  • Indian Protection Laws
    • In India, the Asian elephant is granted the highest level of protection as a Schedule I protected species under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
    • This legal status prohibits poaching, trafficking, and trading of elephants, with penalties including hefty fines and imprisonment of up to 7 years.
    • The State Forest Departments actively work to protect elephants and their habitats, ensuring their welfare and conservation.
  • Project Elephant
    • India has established Project Elephant under the Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change to monitor and regulate the welfare of both wild and captive elephants.
    • This initiative, launched in 1992, aims to provide technical assistance for elephant protection and conservation.
    • Project Elephant focuses on managing human-elephant conflicts and has released reports detailing best practices for conflict management in India.
  • Elephant Conservation Efforts
    • India has made significant efforts in elephant conservation, establishing Elephant Reserves and implementing programs like the Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants (MIKE) under CITES.
    • These initiatives aim to protect elephant populations, address human-elephant conflicts, and improve the welfare of domesticated elephants.
    • Despite challenges and ongoing issues, conservation efforts are showing positive results in safeguarding India’s wild elephant populations.

Court’s nudge on hospital charges, a reform opportunity

(General Studies- Paper II, Page 6, the Hindu)

In February this year, the Supreme Court of India, responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), directed the central government to explore methods to regulate the rates of hospital procedures in the private sector.

  • The PIL was prompted by the significant disparities and high rates observed in hospital procedure costs, exemplified by cataract surgeries priced at around ₹10,000 in government setups but ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹1, 40,000 in private hospitals.
  • The Court invoked Rule 9 of the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010, emphasizing the need for clinical establishments to adhere to rates determined by the Central Government in consultation with State Governments.

Key Highlights

  • Challenges in India’s Healthcare Market:
    • India’s healthcare delivery system is predominantly driven by private providers operating in a market-driven environment with prices determined by market forces.
    • However, this market-driven approach often leads to inefficiencies and inequities, necessitating regulatory intervention.
    • While the Court’s directive acknowledges the existing problem, the proposed solution, though a step in the right direction, oversimplifies the complex issue at hand.
  • Considerations for Addressing Challenges:
    • Benchmark for Pricing:
      • One proposed solution is “yardstick competition,” where regulatory authorities establish benchmark prices based on market observations.
      • However, implementing this approach in India faces challenges due to diverse patient profiles, unreliable price data, and weak regulatory frameworks.
      • Relying solely on competition from government hospitals is insufficient, given long wait times, perceived service quality issues, and gaps in patient information, potentially leading to supplier-induced demand.
    • Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs):
      • The Court’s directive emphasizes the importance of establishing a benchmark for price determination, highlighting the role of Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs).
      • STGs help define clinical needs, the extent of care required, and the total inputs necessary for various procedures, addressing confounders that contribute to variations in care levels.
      • By valuing healthcare resources consumed, STGs enable a more precise cost estimation for multiple procedures while preserving clinical autonomy to tailor care to individual patient needs.
    • Challenges in STG Formulation and Adoption:
      • Limited regulatory capacity poses challenges to the formulation and adoption of Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs) in healthcare.
      • For effective implementation, providers’ revenues need to be linked to fewer payers, relying on reimbursements from pooled payments with low out-of-pocket (OOP) payment levels.
      • This necessitates agreements between payers and providers on pricing that ensures a sustainable surplus over input costs.
      • The efficacy of this approach is hindered if providers have access to markets where OOP payments are an alternative or add-on to reimbursement payments.
    • Healthcare Financing Landscape in India:
      • In India, over half of the total health expenditure is comprised of OOP payments, indicating a significant reliance on individual payments for healthcare services.
      • The remaining funding comes from a mix of publicly and privately pooled resources.
      • Moreover, the private sector primarily consists of small-scale providers, complicating the standardization and implementation of rates even if they were established.
      • Uncertainty in Implementation and Enforcement:
        • Even if rates are standardized, uncertainty surrounds their implementation, particularly in the private healthcare sector.
        • The lack of clear enforcement mechanisms raises questions about the feasibility of regulatory measures aimed at ensuring adherence to prescribed procedure rates.
        • Providers’ resistance to rates, as observed in various health schemes, further complicates enforcement efforts and underscores the challenges in achieving compliance with regulatory measures.
      • Challenges of Weak Implementation:
        • Enforcement challenges undermine the effectiveness of command-and-control regulations, such as price caps, in influencing stakeholders’ behavior in the healthcare sector.
        • Despite the potential for immediate impact, weak enforcement mechanisms result in temporary effects, as the underlying environment remains unchanged.
        • The implementation of regulatory measures, including the Clinical Establishment Act and directives on generic medicines, faces significant hurdles, with only a fraction of states and union territories having notified the Act.
        • Weak implementation limits evidence on the impact of such regulations on affordability, care quality, and provider behavior.
      • Limitations of Rate Standardization:
        • While rate standardization through price caps may seem like a solution, it may not address the fundamental issue of misaligned incentives among stakeholders.
        • Without a comprehensive health financing reform strategy informed by robust research on formulating and adopting Standard Treatment Guidelines (STGs), pricing manipulation remains a concern.
        • Hospitals may justify higher rates based on perceived superior care quality, making it difficult to objectively verify claims without STGs in place.
      • Data Limitations and Reform Efforts:
        • Limited data availability poses a challenge to health system reforms, including the development and adoption of STGs and Diagnostics-Related Groups (DRGs).
        • While efforts by initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan ArogyaYojana and the Department of Health Research are underway to address this issue, progress has been hindered by insufficient and inaccurate costing data, particularly from private hospitals.
        • Previous attempts by the insurance industry to establish STGs for hospitals have also faced setbacks due to limited participation from private healthcare providers.
      • Opportunities for Effective Reform:
        • The Supreme Court judgment presents an opportunity to address critical health system challenges through effective processes.
        • Any rate standardization policies must be feasible, easily implementable, and adhere to established price discovery practices.
        • Future reform efforts should build upon existing health financing reforms, anticipate and tackle challenges, and ensure broader stakeholder engagement to achieve lasting impact and sustainability.

About the Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010

  • The Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) Act, 2010 is a legislation enacted by the Parliament of India to regulate all clinical establishments in the country.
  • Purpose and Scope
    • The Act aims to provide for the registration and regulation of clinical establishments, ensuring the standardization of healthcare services across the country.
    • It covers a wide range of clinical establishments, including hospitals, maternity homes, nursing homes, dispensaries, clinics, and sanatoriums, offering services for the diagnosis, care, or treatment of patients.
  • Registration and Regulation
    • Under this Act, all clinical establishments are required to register themselves to ensure compliance with the set standards and guidelines.
    • The Act mandates the formation of a National Council for Clinical Establishments and State Councils to oversee the registration process and implementation of standards.
    • It also outlines the registration procedure, classification of establishments, and the creation of state and national registers of medical establishments.
  • Provisions and Penalties
    • The Act sets out conditions for registration, including minimum personnel requirements, maintenance of records, and reporting standards.
    • It establishes penalties for non-compliance, such as fines for running unregistered establishments, working in unregistered establishments, and obstructing investigations.
    • The Act also details various offences and penalties to ensure adherence to the regulations and standards.
  • Implementation and Adoption
    • The Act has been adopted by several states in India, including Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Sikkim, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, and Assam.
    • However, the implementation of the Act varies across states, with some facing challenges in fully enforcing its provisions.
    • The Act is applicable to all recognized systems of medicine, including AYUSH establishments, except those run by the Armed forces.

The poultry industry needs urgent reforms

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

The current outbreak of H5N1 highlights the urgent need to address unsafe conditions in industrial livestock production, underscoring the interconnection between animal welfare, public health, ecosystem health, and biodiversity conservation.

  • India’s environmental laws and regulations must align with the One Health principle, recognizing the intricate relationship between these domains.

Key Highlights

  • Scale of Biosecurity Issue:
    • The H5N1 outbreak, with its origins in chickens, has spread globally, demonstrating its ability to cross species barriers and pose significant threats to both wildlife and human populations.
    • The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a high fatality rate for H5N1 (52%), primarily transmitted through close contact with infected birds or contaminated environments.
    • In India, the outbreak has affected multiple states, emphasizing the need for robust biosecurity measures.
  • Impact of Industrial Livestock Production:
    • Industrial livestock production, characterized by practices such as confining chickens in crowded wire cages known as ‘battery cages’, contributes to environmental pollution and public health risks.
    • The resulting air quality issues, waste management challenges, and greenhouse gas emissions have significant implications for human health and ecosystem integrity.
    • The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies large poultry units (units with more than 5,000 birds) as polluting industries, underscoring the need for regulatory compliance and oversight.
  • Challenges Faced by Poultry Farmers:
    • Poultry farmers, often engaged in contract farming, face numerous challenges, including high debts, market volatility, and pressure from industry giants.
    • Practices like the indiscriminate use of antibiotics as growth promoters exacerbate public health concerns, contributing to the rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
    • Despite these challenges, farmers find it difficult to exit the industry, highlighting the need for support mechanisms and sustainable alternatives.
  • Anticipating Future Challenges:
    • Experts predict a surge in antibiotic use in livestock production to meet the rising demand for protein, further exacerbating antibiotic resistance and public health risks.
    • Antibiotic Misuse in Livestock Farming:
      • Antibiotics classified as critically important by the WHO are widely used in livestock farming for preventative purposes, despite concerns about antibiotic resistance.
      • The practice of administering antibiotics to day-old chicks to reduce disease and mortality rates persists, as revealed by an investigation by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism, as reported in The Hindu.
    • Impact on Animal Welfare and Public Health:
      • Livestock are often kept in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, adversely affecting their welfare and posing health risks to consumers of animal-derived food.
      • Additionally, individuals working at these facilities and residing nearby are also susceptible to health hazards caused by emissions, effluents, and solid waste generated by these industries.
    • Environmental Consequences:
      • The emissions, effluents, and solid waste produced by intensive livestock farming have detrimental effects on the environment, affecting humans, animals, and ecosystems.
      • Faecal matter collected from these facilities for use as fertilizer exceeds land carrying capacities, leading to pollution and creating breeding grounds for disease vectors like flies.
    • Legal and Regulatory Enforcement:
      • There is an urgent need for monitoring and enforcement of legal and regulatory mechanisms to address the negative impacts of intensive livestock farming on animal welfare, public health, and the environment.
      • The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960, deems intensive confinement of animals and their ill-treatment as violations, yet such practices persist.
      • Violations of Animal Welfare Laws:
        • Operational activities at industrial livestock facilities, including mutilation, starvation, thirst, and overcrowding, constitute violations of the PCA Act, causing unnecessary pain and suffering to animals.
        • These violations highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of animal welfare laws and regulations to ensure humane treatment of livestock.
      • Law Commission’s Recommendations:
        • The 269th Law Commission of India Report in 2017 highlighted the detrimental effects of non-therapeutic antibiotic use in poultry farming, leading to antibiotic resistance due to unhygienic living conditions.
        • It emphasized that improved living conditions, such as open, cleaner, and ventilated spaces, could reduce the need for constant antibiotic use, resulting in safer eggs and meat for consumption.
        • The report recommended draft rules for the welfare of chickens in the meat and egg industries, aligning with existing laws and international best practices for animal care, waste management, and antibiotic use.
        • Shortcomings of Draft Rules:
          • Despite the Law Commission’s recommendations, the Draft Rules for the egg industry released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare in 2019 were criticized for being weak and tokenistic.
          • They fell short of meeting the standards proposed by the Law Commission, raising concerns about the effectiveness of regulatory measures in ensuring animal welfare and food safety.
        • Need for Strict Oversight and Compliance:
          • Given the reclassification of the poultry industry as a highly polluting ‘orange category’ industry by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), strict oversight and enforcement of environmental regulations are imperative.
          • Ensuring compliance with regulations is crucial to address environmental pollution and mitigate public health risks associated with poultry farming, particularly in the wake of the bird flu crisis and the climate emergency.
          • Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that prioritizes animal welfare, public health, and environmental sustainability, supported by evidence-based policies and regulatory frameworks.

About H5N1

  • H5N1 is a subtype of the influenza A virus, commonly known as avian influenza or bird flu.
  • Origin:
    • H5N1 primarily affects birds, particularly poultry such as chickens and ducks. It was first identified in domestic geese in China in 1996.
    • Since then, H5N1 has spread to poultry populations in many countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
  • Transmission:
    • H5N1 is highly contagious among birds and can spread rapidly within poultry flocks through direct contact with infected birds, contaminated surfaces, or bodily fluids.
    • Humans can contract H5N1 through close contact with infected birds or their droppings, feathers, or respiratory secretions.
    • While human-to-human transmission of H5N1 is rare, it can occur in cases of close and prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly if they exhibit severe symptoms.
  • Symptoms:
    • In birds, H5N1 infection can cause a wide range of symptoms, including respiratory signs (such as coughing and difficulty breathing), decreased egg production, and high mortality rates.
    • In humans, H5N1 infection can cause severe respiratory illness, fever, cough, sore throat, and muscle aches.
    • It can progress rapidly to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), leading to severe complications and death in a significant proportion of cases.
  • Treatment:
    • Antiviral medications such as oseltamivir (Tamiflu) and zanamivir (Relenza) can be effective in treating H5N1 infection if administered early in the course of illness.
    • However, the effectiveness of antiviral drugs may be limited due to the potential development of drug resistance.
    • There is currently no vaccine specifically licensed for the prevention of H5N1 infection in humans, although research into vaccine development continues.
  • Prevention and Control:
    • Control measures to prevent the spread of H5N1 among birds include culling infected poultry, implementing biosecurity measures on farms, and monitoring and surveillance of poultry populations.
    • Public health interventions to prevent human infection with H5N1 include avoiding contact with sick or dead birds, practicing good hygiene (such as handwashing), and avoiding consumption of raw or undercooked poultry products.
    • Health authorities may implement measures such as quarantine, isolation, and contact tracing in the event of human cases to prevent further transmission.
  • Global Concerns:
    • H5N1 is considered a public health threat due to its potential to cause severe illness and death in humans, as well as its pandemic potential if it were to acquire the ability for efficient human-to-human transmission.
    • Efforts to monitor and control H5N1 outbreaks in both birds and humans are ongoing to mitigate the risk of a widespread outbreak and minimize the impact on public health and agriculture.

Why are unclassed forests ‘missing’?

(General Studies- Paper II)

Source : The Hindu

In response to a public interest litigation challenging the constitutionality of the Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA) 2023, the Supreme Court issued an interim order on February 19, 2024.

  • This order mandated the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) to upload various State Expert Committee (SEC) reports on its website.
  • These reports, prepared in compliance with the order, aimed to address concerns regarding the status of unclassed forests, particularly in light of the FCAA amendment.

Key Highlights

  • Concerns Raised by Petitioners:
    • A key concern highlighted in the petition was the uncertainty surrounding the status of unclassed forests, which hold legal protection under the landmark case T.N. GodavarmanThirumalpad (1996).
    • The enactment of the FCAA amendment posed a threat to this protection, potentially leading to the diversion of these forests for non-forest purposes.
    • The petition emphasized the need for clarity on the identification and protection of unclassed forests.
  • Scope of SEC Reports:
    • The SEC reports were tasked with identifying all unclassed forests across the country through various records, including Forest Working Plans, Revenue land records, and physical identification of forested areas.
    • These forests, also known as deemed forests, encompass lands belonging to various government entities, communities, or private ownership, yet remain unnotified.
    • Regardless of ownership, the SECs were mandated to identify any land patch exhibiting forest-like characteristics as per the dictionary meaning of forests.
    • Protection of Unclassed Forests:
      • The Supreme Court order specified that all categories of forests, irrespective of ownership or notification status, would fall under the ambit of the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980.
      • Consequently, unclassed forests would require Central government approval for diversion for non-forest use, subject to rigorous scrutiny.
    • Importance of SEC Reports:
      • The uploading of SEC reports by the MoEFCC provides transparency and access to information regarding the status and identification of unclassed forests.
      • These reports play a crucial role in safeguarding the legal protection and conservation of unclassed forests, ensuring compliance with forest conservation laws and regulations.
    • Obscurity Surrounding SEC Reports:
      • Since 1996, the status of State Expert Committee (SEC) reports, tasked with identifying unclassed forests, remained unknown until resurfacing during discussions by a Joint Parliamentary Committee examining proposed legislation.
      • The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) informed the Committee that SECs had indeed identified unclassed forests, sparking controversy over the proposed law’s compatibility with the Godavarman judgement.
      • Upload of SEC Reports and Persistent Challenges:
        • Following the Supreme Court’s order, the MoEFCC uploaded SEC reports on its website.
        • However, this action failed to address underlying issues, revealing a troubling reality: no state provided verifiable data on the identification, status, or location of unclassed forests within its jurisdiction.
        • Several states and Union Territories, including Goa, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu, and West Bengal, have not constituted SECs, raising doubts about their commitment to addressing forest conservation issues.
        • Even states that submitted reports, such as Puducherry, claimed their reports were “not traceable,” casting further doubt on the process’s transparency and efficacy.
        • Of the states that submitted reports, only 17 out of 23 are deemed to be in line with the Supreme Court’s directives, raising legality concerns for the remaining reports.
        • This lack of compliance and inconsistency in report submissions highlight systemic challenges and underscore the urgent need for enhanced oversight and accountability mechanisms.
      • Disagreement with Forest Survey of India (FSI):
        • Many states have criticized the short timeframe provided by the Supreme Court, stating that one month was insufficient for the voluminous task of ground-truthing, physical cadastral surveys, and demarcation of unclassed forest lands.
        • Consequently, most states have relied on existing forest and revenue department data, with some simply quoting figures from the Forest Survey of India (FSI).
        • However, discrepancies between state reports and FSI data have raised concerns about the accuracy and reliability of the information provided.
        • Only nine states provided the extent of unclassed forests, while others shared information on different types of forest areas specified in the order, without clarity on data sources or dates of creation.
        • Moreover, there is inconsistency in reporting the extent of degraded, cleared, or encroached forests, and no comprehensive data extraction from available records has been conducted.
        • Most states have not provided geographic locations of forests, rendering the information provided insufficient for effective forest management and protection.
      • Impact on Forest Conservation:
        • The lack of on-ground verification by SECs may have led to the large-scale destruction of forests that should have been identified and protected years ago.
        • The failure to include ecologically fragile areas such as the Pallivasalunreserve in Kerala and the Chinnakanalunreserve in Munnar, known as an important elephant corridor, raises concerns about the efficacy of forest conservation efforts and the management of critical habitats.
      • Consequences of Pushing Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA):
        • The hurried implementation of the Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA) without thorough examination of State Expert Committee (SEC) reports is expected to result in significant loss of forest areas across all states.
        • The reports, hastily compiled using incomplete and unverified data, were submitted to the Supreme Court to meet legal obligations, indicating a lack of diligence in their preparation.
        • Failure to Implement Godavarman Order:
          • The failure to implement the Supreme Court’s Godavarman order in letter and spirit, both during and after the submission of SEC reports, represents a missed opportunity to uphold the Indian Forest Policy’s objectives.
          • The policy aims to achieve 33.3% forest cover in plains and 66.6% in hills, emphasizing the importance of forest conservation for ecological security.
        • Disputed Forest Cover Data:
          • The Forest Survey of India’s 2021 report, indicating an overall 21% forest cover in the country and 40% in hills, has been met with skepticism from experts.
          • The loss of approximately 900 sq. km of forest area, equivalent to more than twice the size of Chennai, in the latest survey cycle underscores the urgency of effective forest conservation measures.
        • Call for Remedial Action:
          • Given the gravity of the situation, there is a pressing need for the national government to take remedial action to re-identify, retrieve, and protect forest areas in accordance with the 1996 Supreme Court judgement.
          • Holding accountable those responsible for the oversight and ensuring proactive measures to safeguard forest resources are essential steps towards mitigating the adverse impacts of rushed legislative actions.

About the Forest (Conservation) Act Amendment (FCAA) 2023

  • The Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act, 2023 (FCAA) is a legislation aimed at amending the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 to make it more effective in conserving India’s forests.
  • Key Provisions
    • Extension of Act to Certain Lands:
      • The Act now applies to land notified as a forest under the Indian Forest Act, 1927, or in government records after the 1980 Act came into effect.
    • Exemptions:
      • The Act excludes land converted to non-forest use before December 12, 1996, and land within 100 km of India’s border needed for national security projects, small roadside amenities, and public roads leading to a habitation.
    • Assignment of Forest Land:
      • The state government requires prior approval of the central government to assign any forest land to a private entity.
      • The FCAA extends this to all entities, allowing the assignment to be made on terms and conditions specified by the central government.
    • Activities in Forests:
      • The Act specifies some activities that can be carried out in forests, such as establishing check posts, fencing, and bridges.
      • It also allows running zoos, safaris, and eco-tourism facilities.
    • Compensatory Tree Plantation:
      • The Act introduces guidelines for compensatory tree plantation to offset tree felling arising from relaxations provided in the Act.

The paradox of thrift

(General Studies- Paper III0

Source : The Hindu

The paradox of savings, also known as the paradox of thrift, posits that an increase in individuals’ savings rates can lead to a decrease rather than an increase in overall savings within an economy.

  • This contradicts the common belief that higher savings rates contribute positively to the economy’s overall savings.

Key Highlights

  • Origins of the Theory:
    • The concept gained prominence through the work of British economist John Maynard Keynes in his 1936 book “The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money.”
    • Prior discussions on the topic can be traced back to economists William T. Foster and WaddillCatchings in works such as “Business without a Buyer” and “The Dilemma of Thrift.”
  • Keynesian Perspective:
    • Keynesian economists argue that higher savings rates can have adverse effects on the wider economy.
    • They propose that stimulating consumer spending is essential for economic growth.
    • According to this view, savings are ultimately invested by capitalists to produce goods and services for consumers.
    • If consumers do not spend enough on these goods and services, it can lead to losses for capitalists and deter further investment.
    • Impact on Overall Savings and Investment:
      • In the Keynesian framework, an increase in individual savings can reduce spending on final goods and services, ultimately leading to a decrease in overall savings and investment.
      • This perspective suggests that fluctuations in consumer spending are a primary driver of the business cycle.
    • Policy Recommendations:
      • Keynesian economists advocate for government intervention, such as increasing government spending, to bolster consumer purchasing power during economic downturns.
      • They believe that addressing the challenge of insufficient consumer spending is crucial for sustaining economic activity and justifying the costs incurred by capitalists in production.
    • Critics of the Paradox of Savings:
      • Critics challenge the idea of the paradox of savings, arguing against its premise and implications for the economy.
      • Saving More is Beneficial:
        • Critics contend that saving more is not detrimental to the economy.
        • They reject the notion that a decrease in consumer spending necessarily results in a reduction in investment.
        • Instead, they argue that increased saving leads to higher investment, as the saved funds are ultimately invested in various economic activities.
      • Investment Offset:
        • Critics assert that any reduction in consumer spending is offset by increased demand for factors of production by entrepreneurs.
        • They argue that higher savings stimulate entrepreneurial demand for resources, mitigating any decrease in aggregate demand caused by reduced consumer spending.
      • Change in Investment Allocation:
        • Critics argue that a decline in consumer spending prompts capitalists to reallocate savings towards longer-term investment projects.
        • They suggest that while short-term consumer demand may decrease, investment in long-term projects becomes more attractive, leading to increased economic output over time.
      • Greater Time Allocation for Capitalists:
        • Critics highlight the importance of allowing capitalists greater time to bring products to market, emphasizing that this results in higher economic output in advanced economies.
        • They argue that in a free-market economy, capitalists adjust investment allocation based on consumer preferences for goods in the distant future.

Warming of Indian Ocean set to accelerate: study

(General Studies- Paper III)

Source : The Hindu

From 1950-2020, the Indian Ocean experienced a significant increase in temperature, rising by 1.2°C. Climate models project further warming of 1.7°C–3.8°C from 2020–2100.

  • This warming trend is expected to result in a tenfold increase in marine heatwaves, from an average of 20 days per year to 220–250 days per year.
  • These marine heatwaves, akin to land-based heatwaves, are linked to the rapid formation of cyclones.

Key Highlights

  • Impact on Marine Ecosystems:
    • The warming of the Indian Ocean is anticipated to have profound effects on marine ecosystems.
    • Coral bleaching, destruction of seagrass, and loss of kelp forests are likely consequences.
    • These changes will adversely affect the fisheries sector, posing challenges for coastal communities reliant on marine resources.
    • Deep Ocean Heating:
      • The ocean’s warming is not confined to surface temperatures but extends deeper, increasing the overall heat content of the ocean.
      • Currently, the heat content of the Indian Ocean is rising at a rate of 4.5 zetta-joules per decade.
      • This rate is predicted to escalate to 16–22 zetta-joules per decade in the future.
      • Such increases in heat content are comparable to the energy released by a Hiroshima atomic bomb detonation every second, continuously for a decade.
    • Contribution to Sea-Level Rise:
      • Rising heat content contributes significantly to sea-level rise through thermal expansion of water.
      • This phenomenon, where heat causes water volume to increase, accounts for more than half of the sea-level rise in the Indian Ocean, surpassing changes from glacier and sea-ice melting.
    • Impact on Indian Ocean Dipole and Monsoon:
      • The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), characterized by temperature differences between the western and eastern halves of the Indian Ocean, is predicted to change.
      • Positive phases of the IOD, favorable for the summer monsoon, are expected to become more frequent.
      • However, extreme dipole events are forecasted to increase by 66%, while moderate events may decrease by 52% by the end of the 21st century.
    • Response and Mitigation:
      • Addressing the impending challenges in the Indian Ocean requires a multifaceted approach.
      • This includes reducing global carbon emissions and investing in resilient infrastructure to mitigate the impacts of climate change on coastal communities.
      • The focus on sustainable practices and adaptation measures becomes imperative to safeguard ecosystems and livelihoods in the face of warming oceans.

Understanding Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)

  • The Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) is an ocean-atmosphere interaction that occurs in the equatorial Indian Ocean, similar to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the Pacific Ocean.
  • The IOD is characterized by a difference in sea surface temperatures between the western and eastern parts of the Indian Ocean.
  • Impact of IOD on Indian Monsoon
    • Positive IOD:
      • During a positive IOD event, the western Indian Ocean becomes warmer than usual, while the eastern Indian Ocean becomes cooler.
      • This leads to increased rainfall over the Indian subcontinent and parts of East Africa, while suppressing rainfall over Indonesia and Australia.
    • Negative IOD:
      • In a negative IOD event, the opposite occurs, with the eastern Indian Ocean becoming warmer and the western part cooler.
      • This can lead to reduced rainfall over the Indian subcontinent and enhanced rainfall over Indonesia and Australia.
    • Counterbalancing El Niño:
      • A positive IOD event has the potential to offset the negative impacts of an El Niño event on the Indian monsoon.
      • The positive IOD can help maintain or even increase monsoon rainfall, even when an El Niño is present.
    • Variability and Timing:
      • IOD events typically develop during the months of April and May, but there have been instances, such as in 2019, where a strong IOD event developed later in the monsoon season and still had a significant impact.
    • Relative Strength:
      • Compared to ENSO events, the impacts of IOD are generally weaker, but they can still play an important role in modulating the Indian monsoon and weather patterns in the Indian Ocean rim countries.