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World Migratory Bird Day and Flamingos

Context: 30 flamingos fall dead, rammed by jet on glide path to Mumbai airport.

World Migratory Bird Day

World Migratory Bird Day is an awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
It aims to draw attention to the threats faced by migratory birds, their ecological importance, and the need for international cooperation to conserve them.
The Day is celebrated biannually on the second Saturday in May and in October, reflecting the cyclical nature of bird migration with varying migration periods in the northern and southern hemispheres.

World Migratory Bird Day campaign in 2024 will focus on the importance of insects for migratory birds, and highlight concerns related to decreasing populations of insects.
- Insects are essential sources of energy for many migratory bird species, not only during the breeding seasons but also during their extensive journeys and greatly affect the timing, duration, and overall success of bird migrations.
Along their migration routes, birds actively seek out insects in fields, forests, wetlands, and various habitats during stopovers. The timing of bird migration often coincides with peak insect abundance at stopover locations, supplying nourishment for birds to replenish their energy reserves before continuing their journeys.
The loss and disturbance of insect populations at breeding sites and along avian migration routes threaten bird survival and well-being.
Natural spaces like forests and grasslands that have been transformed or endangered by intensive agriculture and urban development and its effects such as light pollution can result in a decline in insect populations.
Pesticides and herbicides are designed to protect crops and harm insects that birds rely on for food.
A scarcity of energy- and protein-rich insects can hinder bird migration and breeding, leading to weakened immune systems, reduced reproductive success, and increased mortality rates for both adult birds and their offspring.
Birds play crucial roles in pollination and pest control, and a lack of insects disrupts these ecosystem functions. Overpopulation of certain insects, without natural predators from birds, can also cause outbreaks that damage plant health and agriculture.
The World Migratory Bird Day campaign in 2024 will stress the need for proactive conservation measures.
- This includes reducing the use of pesticides and fertilizers, and where possible, switching to organic farming.
- Other measures include maintaining and connecting areas of natural vegetation which provide food and shelter for birds and other species, in agricultural landscapes.
In 2024, World Migratory Bird Day will be celebrated on two days, 11 May, and 12 October, aligning with the cyclic nature of bird migration in different hemispheres.

How is World Migratory Bird Day Celebrated?

The World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD) is celebrated by various organizations including government, NGOs, educational institutions and communities and also by different organizations in the world. The main aim for these celebrations is to raise awareness about them and promote their conservation while at the same time creating more understanding about avian migration wonders:

Bird watching activities and guided tours:

Besides the commonly observed and the involvement in the bird watching events and guided tours, the other widely liked way of celebrating the World Migratory Bird Day is through the mentioned activities. They are the opportunities for people to see and love the beauty and the variety of the birds in their home habitats and, thus, to raise their bond with nature.

Educational Programs and Workshops:

Schools, nature centers, and environmental organizations are in the habit of conducting educational programs, workshops, and seminars for children to teach them the importance, the migratory route and the challenges of migratory birds. The primary aim of this is to motivate the youth to take part in the conservation movement and thus, society will be able to say that the youth are concerned about the environment.

Awareness Campaigns and Social Media Initiatives:

Social media sites are key when it comes to dissemination of information on World Migratory Bird Day. Organizations employ hashtags, videos with interactive content among others to share information about their work as well as promote efforts for conservation thereby encouraging local participation in events or activities.

Exhibitions and Cultural Celebrations:

Community members celebrate World Migratory Bird Day by having art expositions, cultural performances, and traditional ceremonies that emphasize the role of migratory birds in local legends and customs. Through these festivities, people will feel closer to nature as well as assume the responsibility of being custodians of this earth for these flying envoys.

Conservation Projects and Habitat Restoration:

On World Migratory Bird Day, different organizations and communities implement measures aimed at conservation and restoration of habitats. They strive to protect bird species’ habitats/migration routes through actions such as tree planting, wetland rehabilitation and invasive species removal among others creating sanctuaries for them hence protection from danger.

Policy Advocacy and International Cooperation:

The world’s main migratory bird conservation forum is also an avenue for policy advocacy as well international cooperation. During the celebration date, governments together with environmentalists come together in signing treaties or engaging in dialogue that would lead to drafting policies or even forming partnerships meant for preserving boundaries between countries at which both birds migrate.

Flamingos

Greater Flamingo-Least concern in IUCN red list.

Cites: Appendix II

Flamingos, also known as flamingoes, are captivating wading birds.
They belong to the family Phoenicopteridae and are the only extant family in the order Phoenicopteriformes.
There are four species of flamingos distributed throughout the Americas (including the Caribbean), and two species native to Afro-Eurasia.

Physical Characteristics:

These tall, elegant birds are renowned for their striking pink coloration. Their plumage gets its hue from carotenoid pigments in their diet.
Flamingos have thick, downturned bills that they use to filter food from water and mud.

Feeding and Behavior:

Flamingos primarily feed on algae, crustaceans, and small fish. Their specialized bills allow them to extract food efficiently.
They often stand on one leg, which is not only a characteristic pose but also helps conserve body heat and energy.

Breeding and Flight:

Flamingos form large colonies during breeding season. They build mud nests in shallow water.
When in flight, their long necks and legs stretch out, creating a graceful silhouette against the sky.

Colorful and Iconic:

The vibrant pink color of flamingos is a result of their diet rich in carotenoids.
These birds are a symbol of grace, beauty, and resilience.

Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline) Act, 2023

Context: Ministry of Defence has notified the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act, 2023. To address the multi-faceted security threats by India there has been emphasis towards increasing jointness and integration of armed forces.

Some efforts towards this include Andaman & Nicobar Command, Strategic Forces Command, Office of Chief of Defence Staff and plans to create five theatre commands. Inter-Services Organisation bill is being enacted to enable joint-services command to function with greater efficiency, expeditious disposal of cases, avoid multiple proceedings and will be a step towards greater integration & jointness among the Armed Forces personnel.

Current challenges to creation of theatre commands and jointness

Currently, there was no legal framework for creation of the Inter-Services Organisation.
In exigencies, allows personnel from CAPFs work with Inter-Services Organisation.
Commander-in-Chief or Officer-in-Command of inter-service organisations cannot exercise disciplinary /administrative powers over personnel who come from Army, Navy and Airforce and are regulated by these respective acts like Army Act, Navy Act, Air Force Act.
Officers serving in ISOs need to be reverted to their respective parent service units for disciplinary or administrative actions leading to delays in justice and administering justice.

The Act will promote theaterisation and jointness by:

Pave way for much greater integration & jointness amongst the three Services, lay strong foundation for creation of Joint Structures and further improve the functioning of the Armed Forces.
Empowers central government to constitute an inter-services organisation by notification leading to greater integration and jointness in ISOs.
Applies to other personnel apart from Armed Forces like CAPFs.
The Act will allow tangible benefits such as maintenance of effective discipline in inter-services establishments by the Heads of Inter-Services Organisations by:
- Empowers Commander-in-chief or Officer-in-Command of ISO with all disciplinary and administrative powers on personnel serving in ISOs.
- Ensures effective discipline and efficiency in ISOs by heads of ISOs.
- No requirement of reverting personnel under disciplinary proceedings to their parent service units.
- Expeditious disposal of cases of misdemeanour or indiscipline.
Saving public money & time by avoiding multiple proceedings.
This Act further enhances India's movement towards defence theaterisation and further dialogue. and planning is required to further boost India's security.

Salient Feature of Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control & Discipline)

Empowers the Central Government to constitute an Inter- Services Organisation.
ISO Act is an enabling act. It does not propose any change in the existing Service Act/Rules/Regulations which are time tested and withstood judicial scrutiny. Service personnel when serving in or attached to an Inter-Services Organisation will continue to be governed by their respective Service Acts. What it does is to empower Heads of Inter-Services Organisations to exercise all the disciplinary and administrative powers as per the existing Service Acts/Rules/Regulations, irrespective of the service they belong to.
The ‘ISO Act - 2023’ shall be applicable to all personnel of regular Army, Navy, and Air force, and to persons of other forces as notified by the Central Government, who are serving in or attached to an Inter-Services Organisation.
Empowers the Commander-in-Chief, Officer-in-Command or any other officer specially empowered in this behalf by the Central Government with all the disciplinary and administrative powers in respect of personnel serving in or attached to their Inter-Services Organisations for the maintenance of discipline and proper discharge of their duties, irrespective of the service to which they belong.
The Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command means General Officer/Flag Officer/Air Officer who has been appointed as Commander-in-Chief of Officer-in-Command an Inter-Services Organisation.
To maintain Command and Control in absence of the Commander-in-Chief or the Officer-in-Command, the officiating incumbent or the officer on whom the command develops in absence of a Commander-in-Chief or Officer in Charge, will also be empowered to initiate all disciplinary or administrative actions overs the service personnel, appointed, deputed, posted or attached to an Inter-Services organisation.
Empowers the Commanding Officer of an Inter-Services organisation to initiate all disciplinary or administrative actions over the personnel appointed, deputed, posted, or attached to that Inter-Services Organisation. For this Act, Commanding Officer means the officer in actual command of the unit, ship or establishment.

India-Maldives Meet

Context: In the recent meeting between Indian and Maldivian foreign ministers in New Delhi, S. Jaishankar reiterated that the development of India-Maldives ties was based on ‘mutual interests’ and ‘reciprocal sensitivity’ given that they are close and proximate neighbours.

More information:

India recently approved the highest-ever export quotas for essential commodities: eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour and pulses, river sand and stone aggregates, to the Maldives for 2024-25 under a unique bilateral mechanism.
The approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981.

India-Maldives relations in recent years:

The relations strained after President Muizzu was elected to the Presidential Office.
President Muizzu immediately demanded the withdrawal of Indian Military personnel keeping with his disinclination to accommodate India.
President Muizzu is following the India-Out and China-In policy.
He pressed for non-renewal of the Hydrology pact with India signed in 2019, but commenced the operationalisation of the FTA signed with China (PRC) in 2017.

Geo-Strategic and Geopolitics importance of Maldives:

Maldives is very important for India due to the existence of India’s Sea lanes of communication(SLOCs) passing around Maldives. Most of India’s trade and energy supplies transit through this route.
Kerala and Lakshadweep security to an extent depends on Maldives’s stability as it forms an outer buffer zone for India.
China’s PLN (People’s Liberation Navy) increasing presence in the Indian Ocean and the (Xiang Yang Hong 03) arrival of research vessels from China in Male has deepened India’s concerns.
China is increasing its power and status by constructing bases in the Indian Ocean Region. China also wants to win mining rights and conduct bathymetric and topographic surveys of the region.
India cannot risk the radicalisation of Maldives which may lead to adverse downstream consequences for regional security in general and Indian security in specific.

India’s options:

The recent push by Muizzu to diversify resources and import partners asks for sustained quiet diplomacy from India.
India needs to consistently use sustained diplomacy as India shares a lot of commons with Maldives which includes geographical access, historical ties, political ties, people to people connectivity etc.
India’s deep political ties are showcased by recent high-level exchanges done by both sides in 2023 and annual joint exercises like Ekuverin.
When Abdulla Shahid became the UNGA President, India has used its instrumental diplomatic clout to ensure its victory.
India can leverage People to people (P2P) relations.
India has always been a first responder like in 2014 incident of acute water supply crisis and even has stood beside Maldivians through Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital(IGMH).
India also sent the highest number of tourists to Maldives from 2020 to 2023.
India has an official policy of not commenting or taking sides in internal elections of other sovereign countries but it can try to use its non-governmental leverage by Track II diplomacy to ensure President Muizzu alone cannot sideline India.
India can rope in other Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) partners. France really wants to make sure International Shipping Lines (ISL) are not compromised and can collaborate with India for Maldives’ security.

Way Forward:

The deep-rooted Chinese investments which come with strings and strategic imperatives is forcing India to quickly adapt to the changing geopolitical situations. India is trying to be accommodative to new realities and Maldives needs to do its bit to ensure it does not use its largely Muslim populace to create rifts in its time-tested partnerships to make the Indian Ocean Region a geopolitical conquest where one wins at the other’s expense.

For more information:

INDIA – MALDIVES Evolution and Contemporary Issues

Polymetallic Nodules

Context: 7 poly-metallic nodules, 3 lime mud blocks identified for first offshore mineral auctions.

What are Polymetallic Nodules (PMN)?

Polymetallic nodules, also called manganese nodules, are rock concretions formed of concentric layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a core.
Deep-ocean polymetallic nodules form on or just below the vast, sediment-covered, abyssal plains of the global ocean.
Abundance: They can occur at any depth, but the highest concentrations have been found between 4,000 and 6,000m.
Size: Nodules vary in size from tiny particles visible only under a microscope to large pellets more than 20 centimetres across. However most nodules are between 5 and 10 cm in diameter, about the size of potatoes.
Significance: These nodules primarily consist of precipitated iron oxyhydroxides and manganese oxides, onto which metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, titanium and rare earth elements sorb.

Note –

International Seabed Authority is an autonomous organization within the United Nations common system, with headquarters located in Kingston, Jamaica. All States parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are members of the Authority, amounting to 168 members, including the European Union. The Authority is one of the three international institutions established by UNCLOS; the other two are the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Its primary function is to regulate exploration for, and exploitation of deep seabed minerals found in 'the Area', which is defined by the Convention as the seabed and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, that is, beyond the outer limits of the continental shelf.

Why is Exploration of PMN Important for India?

India has been allotted a site of 75,000 sq. km. in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the UN International SeaBed Authority (ISA) for the exploitation of polymetallic nodules (PMN).
Preliminary estimates indicate that 380 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of Polymetallic Nodules comprising Copper, Nickel, Cobalt and Manganese are available within an allocated area of 75000 sq. km for exploration of PMN in the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
The estimated value of these metals is about 110 billion US$. The polymetallic sulphides are expected to contain rare earth minerals including gold and silver.
Just utilising 10% of the PMN reserve available in the area, the country can meet its energy requirements for the next 100 years.

India and PMN

India is implementing a long-term programme on exploration and utilisation of Polymetallic Nodules through the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
This includes survey and exploration, environmental studies, technology development in mining and extractive metallurgy, in which significant contributions have been made.
The Government extends composite licences for determination of mineral resource quantity, exploration and commercial production and off-take through the auctions under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002.
- This will enable India to tap into offshore mineral resources, particularly cobalt and nickel, and will support clean energy and steel manufacturing.

Further, the Budget has also enhanced allocations for the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) to bolster exploration, sustainable mining practices, and comprehensive exploration projects.

Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)

Context: The Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has recently published a working paper on the share of religious minorities in 167 countries, including India.

What is the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM)?

EAC-PM is a body constituted to give advice on economic and related issues to the Government of India, specifically to the Prime Minister (PM).
Nature of the Body: Non-constitutional, non-statutory, non-permanent and independent body.
Membership: It consists of a chairperson, and several full-time and part-time members.
Term of Reference of the EAC-PM:
- Analyse any issue, economic or otherwise, referred to it by the PM and advising him thereon.
- Addressing issues of macroeconomic importance and presenting views thereon to the PM. This could be either suo-motu or on reference from the PM or anyone else.
- Attending any other task as may be desired by the Prime Minister from time to time.

International Criminal Police Organisation (Interpol)

Context: The Interpol has issued a blue corner notice against the Prajwal Revanna, a member of Parliament, over the allegations of sexual abuse.

About Interpol:

The International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC) was the predecessor to INTERPOL which was created during the 2nd International Police Congress in Vienna in 1923.
Interpol as an inter-governmental organization established by the adoption of our Constitution in 1956 at the 25th General Assembly in Vienna, to facilitate worldwide police cooperation and crime control. India was one of its founding members. (#PrelimsFact)
The General Assembly is Interpol’s supreme governing body, comprising representatives from each of our member countries. It meets once a year and each session lasts around four days. It brings all countries together once a year to take decisions.
Each member country represented has one vote. The decision-making process is made by either a simple or two-thirds majority, depending on the subject matter. (#PrelimsFact)
The General Secretariat (staffed by both police and civilians) coordinates its day-to-day activities to fight a range of crimes.
In each country, an Interpol National Central Bureau (NCB) provides the central point of contact for the General Secretariat and other NCBs. An NCB is run by national police officials and usually sits in the government ministry responsible for policing.
Interpol NCBs do not respond to requests from the general public.
It is the only organization with the mandate and technical infrastructure to share police information globally.
Interpol issues eight types of Interpol notices, seven of which are: red, blue, green, yellow, black, orange, and purple. An eighth special notice (for groups and individuals under UN sanctions) is issued at the special request of the United Nations Security Council. (#PrelimsFact)

The Commission for the Control of INTERPOL’s Files (CCF) is an independent, impartial body, officially responsible for ensuring that the processing of personal data by INTERPOL complies with the applicable rules. The Commission members are elected by the General Assembly. The terms of office of the members of the Commission shall be five years, renewable once for an additional term of three years.
I-CORE is a 10-year programme to reinforce INTERPOL’s function as a global police information hub. (#PrelimsFact)
It is headquartered in Lyon, France.
Process of membership:

Funding mechanism: It has two main sources of income: statutory contributions from our membership, and voluntary funding for our activities.
Each of the member countries pays a statutory contribution to INTERPOL each year; it is an obligatory payment. The amount paid by each country is agreed by the General Assembly each year and is essentially based on economic weight of the country.

Rivers of Kerala

Context: Kerala, often referred to as "God's Own Country," is blessed with numerous rivers that crisscross its verdant landscape.

About Rivers of Kerala

Periyar River:
- Origin: The Periyar River originates in the Western Ghats, specifically from the Sivagiri peaks near Peerumedu in the Idukki district of Kerala.
- Course: It flows in a southwest direction through the districts of Idukki, Ernakulam, and Thrissur, covering a total distance of approximately 244 kilometers.
- Tributaries: The major tributaries of the Periyar River include the Mullayar, Cheruthoni, and Perinjankutti Rivers.
- Significance:
  - Water Supply: The Periyar River is a vital source of water for both irrigation and domestic use in the region.
  - Hydroelectric Power Generation: It is the main source of water for the Idukki Dam, one of the largest arch dams in Asia, which generates hydroelectric power.
  - Tourism: The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, situated along the banks of the river, is a major tourist attraction known for its rich biodiversity, including elephants, tigers, and various bird species.
  - Ecosystem: The river and its surrounding areas support a diverse ecosystem and are crucial for the conservation of numerous species of flora and fauna.

Bharathapuzha (River Nila):
- Origin: Bharathapuzha originates from the Anaimalai Hills in the Western Ghats, specifically from the Pothigai hills in Tamil Nadu. It is believed to be one of the oldest rivers in Kerala.
- Course: The river flows in a westward direction, passing through the Palakkad district of Kerala before entering the Malappuram and Thrissur districts. It covers a total distance of about 209 kilometers before draining into the Arabian Sea.
- Tributaries: Bharathapuzha is fed by numerous tributaries, including the Gayathripuzha, Kannadipuzha, Thuthapuzha, and Kalpathipuzha.
- Cultural Significance: Bharathapuzha holds immense cultural significance in Kerala, often referred to as the "River of Bhārata" (India). It has inspired numerous works of literature, art, and music, contributing to Kerala's rich cultural heritage.
- Economic Importance: The river serves as a vital source of water for agriculture, supporting the cultivation of crops such as rice, sugarcane, and coconut in the surrounding areas. However, erratic rainfall patterns and water management issues have posed challenges to agriculture along its banks.
- Tourism: The banks of Bharathapuzha are dotted with temples, ghats, and scenic landscapes, attracting tourists and pilgrims alike. The river also hosts cultural events and festivals, adding to its allure as a tourist destination.
- Challenges: Bharathapuzha faces challenges such as pollution from industrial effluents, agricultural runoff, and solid waste, which threaten its water quality and the health of the ecosystem it supports. Additionally, sand mining along its banks has raised concerns about environmental degradation and erosion.

Pamba River:
- Origin: The Pamba River originates from the Pulachimalai hills in the Peerumedu taluk of the Idukki district in Kerala. It is one of the major rivers in the Western Ghats.
- Course: Flowing in a southerly direction, the Pamba River traverses through the districts of Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha before finally draining into the Vembanad Lake, which is the largest lake in Kerala. The river covers a total distance of approximately 176 kilometers.
- Tributaries: The Pamba River is fed by several tributaries, including the Kakki, Achankovil, and Manimala Rivers.
- Religious Significance: The Pamba River holds immense religious significance, particularly for devotees of Lord Ayyappa, a Hindu deity worshiped at the Sabarimala temple situated along its banks. The river plays a crucial role in the annual pilgrimage to Sabarimala, known as the "Makaravilakku pilgrimage," during which millions of devotees visit the temple.
- Ecological Importance: The Pamba River and its surrounding areas support a diverse ecosystem, including wetlands, marshes, and forests, which are home to various species of flora and fauna. However, like many rivers in Kerala, the Pamba River faces challenges such as pollution from agricultural runoff, industrial effluents, and solid waste, which threaten its water quality and the health of the ecosystem it supports.
- Economic Use: The water of the Pamba River is utilized for irrigation purposes, supporting agriculture in the surrounding regions. Additionally, it serves as a source of drinking water for local communities.
- Hydroelectric Projects: The Pamba River also facilitates hydroelectric power generation through projects like the Sabarigiri Hydroelectric Project, which harnesses the river's water for electricity production.

Chaliyar River:
- Origin: Elambalari Hills (Nilambur, Kerala)
- Flow: Passes through Malappuram and Kozhikode districts
- Significance: Important for agriculture and industrial purposes

Meenachil River:
- Origin: Palai, Kottayam district, Kerala
- Flow: Drains into the Vembanad Lake
- Significance: Provides water for irrigation and supports agriculture

The climate crisis is not gender neutral

Context: According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), women and children are 14 times more likely than men to die in a disaster.

Impact of climate change on vulnerable groups:

‘A gender lens needs to be applied to all State-action plans on climate change’

Disproportionate health risks and mortality: Women and girls, especially in poverty, face significantly high health risks due to societal roles, responsibilities, and cultural norms.
- Prolonged heat is particularly dangerous for pregnant women (increasing the risk of preterm birth and eclampsia), young children, and the elderly.
- Exposure to pollutants in the air (household and outdoor) affects women’s health, causing respiratory and cardiovascular disease, and also the unborn child, impairing its physical and cognitive growth.
Agriculture and livelihood vulnerabilities: Agriculture, a vital livelihood source for women, especially in rural India, is severely affected by climate change. Climate-driven crop yield reductions lead to increased food insecurity, affecting nutritional intake and exacerbating health and domestic challenges for women.
- Within households with small and marginal landholdings, men often face social stigma from unpaid loans, leading to migration, distress, and sometimes suicide, while women bear heavier domestic workloads, worsened health, and more intimate partner violence.
Water and sanitation: Extreme weather events disrupt water cycles, making access to safe drinking water difficult, increasing the burden on women and girls responsible for water collection, thereby reducing their time for productive work and healthcare.
- A report from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) in 2021 found that 75% of Indian districts are vulnerable to hydromet disasters (floods, droughts and cyclones). NFHS 5 data showed that over half of women and children living in these districts were at risk.
Food and nutritional insecurity: Climate change-induced food insecurity leads to poor physical and mental health among women, who bear the brunt of increased domestic workloads and intimate partner violence due to resource scarcity.
- Data from NFHS 4 and 5 indicate that women in drought-prone districts are more likely to be underweight, suffer from intimate partner violence, and experience higher rates of girl marriages. These conditions, stemming from food and nutritional insecurity, increased workloads, and income uncertainty, detrimentally affect women's physical and mental health.

Way Forward

Empowering women in climate solutions: Recognizing and empowering women as key agents in climate solutions can significantly improve outcomes. As tribal and rural women have been key in environmental conservation efforts. Equipping women and their collectives such as Self-help Groups and Farmer Producer Organisations with knowledge, tools, and resources can foster local climate solutions.
Addressing heat waves and water shortages: Immediate actions include protecting priority groups (outdoor workers, pregnant women, infants and young children and the elderly) from heat.
- Urban authorities need to implement heat wave plans(based on local temperature plus humidity), including altering work and school timings, providing cooling facilities, and improving public drinking water access to prevent heat-related deaths.
- Long-term strategies involve improving tree cover, minimising concrete, increasing green-blue spaces and designing housing that is better able to withstand heat are longer-term actions.
- On water scarcity, leveraging India's traditional rainwater harvesting expertise is vital. Work done by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in a few districts of Tamil Nadu showed that using geographic information systems, the panchayat could map key water sources, identify vulnerabilities and climate hazards and develop a local plan to improve water access by directing government schemes and resources.

Case study: On urban planning

The Mahila Housing Trust in Udaipur showed that painting the roofs of low-income houses with reflective white paint reduced indoor temperatures by 3° C to 4° C and improved quality of life.

Community-led resilience: Building resilience through community-led initiatives, empowering local bodies like panchayats and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), through devolution of powers and finances and investing in building the capacity of panchayat and SHG members.
Revising policy with a gender perspective: The National and State Action Plans on Climate Change (NAPCC & SAPCC) need to evolve beyond portraying women merely as victims, acknowledging them as vital agents of change. This requires a shift towards gender-transformative strategies and a comprehensive approach to climate adaptation.

Typhoid fever

About Typhoid fever

Caused by Salmonella typhi and related bacteria
Spreads through contaminated food and water
Symptoms: high fever, stomach pain, weakness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, rash
Global burden: 90 lakh cases and 1.1 lakh deaths annually (WHO)

Diagnosis of typhoid fever

Gold standard: isolating bacteria from blood or bone marrow and growing them in a lab
Limitations in smaller clinical settings: time-consuming, skill- and resource-intensive, affected by prior antibiotic treatment
PCR-based molecular methods: better but costly and require specialized infrastructure and personnel

Widal test:

Widely used in India for diagnosing typhoid
Rapid blood test that detects antibodies against the bacteria
Flaws: false positives and false negatives
Requires at least two serum samples taken 7-14 days apart for accurate diagnosis
Baseline cut-off varies in areas with high typhoid burden
Cross-reactivity with antibodies produced against other infections or in vaccinated individuals

Consequences of Widal test usage:

Obscures the actual typhoid burden in India
Lack of awareness and standardization of kits, poor quality control
Financial burden on patients: high costs for tests and antibiotic injections
Contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) due to irrational use of antibiotics
AMR can be transmitted between bacterial strains and species, posing a global threat
Difficulty in controlling the preventable disease and additional financial strain on patients

Evolution of India's Space Program in the last decade

Context: India’s space program has attained new heights in the last decade. This article looks at the evolution of the space sector in the last fifty years, with special focus on the last decade.

Seeding phase (1970-90s):

This period starts with the launch of sounding rockets in the 1970s to the development of PSLV rocket in the early 1990s. Development of PSLV rocket was the only badge of honour during this phase.
PSLV: PSLV has been labelled as the 'workhorse' of ISRO. PSLV is an indigenously developed rocket which can carry payloads up to 3.25 tonne to low earth orbit or 1.75 tonne to geostationary transfer orbit (36,000 km above the earth).

Flowering Phase (1990-2010s):

GSLV: In 2001, India launched its first heavy rocket called the GSLV, with a Russian upper-stage cryogenic engine. After the initial hiccups, this rocket attained maturity.
Chandrayaan-1: India's first moon mission developed by ISRO known as Chandrayaan-1 was a great success which reached the surface of moon and even discovered the presence of water on moon's surface.
Mangalyaan: India became the first country to successfully launch a spacecraft to the Mars Orbit in the first attempt, a feat which no country could achieve.

Fruiting phase (2014-24)

Chandrayaan-3's successful moon landing. This made India only the fourth country in the world to successfully land on moon after the US, Russia and China. (Note. Japan has also successfully landed on the moon's surface).
Aditya L-1 mission placing a space observatory precisely at L-1 point between sun and the Earth. The Aditya L-1 mission is placed 1.5 million km from earth, from where it would constantly observe the sun. India was the fourth country in the world to do so after the US, Europe and China.
Deployment of NaVIC: India has successfully developed and deployed its own regional navigation satellite system, which is a regional version of the USA's Global Positioning System (GPS). Only the USA (GPS), Europe (Galileo), Russia (Glonass) and China (Beidou) has their own global positioning systems, while Japan (Michibiki also known as Quasi Zenith Satellite System).
New Launch Vehicles: ISRO has successfully developed other rockets - a heavier LVM-3 (GSLV Mk III) and a smaller capacity Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) for smaller payloads, which will cater to the large market for small satellite launch vehicles.
Anti-Satellite Capability: In March 2019, India demonstrated its anti-satellite capability which displayed the capacity to chase and hit a defunct Indian satellite in the low-earth orbit. India was only the fourth country to demonstrate this capability after US, Russia and China.
Defence capability: A positive rub-off effect of India's successful space technology has enabled India to develop a bunch of inter-continental ballistic missile that fly to space and come back. These satellites has used technologies which were earlier developed for India's space program.
Pathbreaking policy of allowing private sector participation in space.

Challenges faced by ISRO

Technology denial by developed countries such as Cryogenic engine technology under the technology denial regimes.
Delays in continuing in missions and projects such as Gaganyaan and NISAR launch.
Failure to develop new rockets such as semi-cryo engines, electric propulsion etc.
Limited bandwidth to take up multiple missions under both commercial and scientific buckets.

Future of India's Space Program

Future of India's Space Program

Gaganyaan Mission: Sending two or three Indians to space and bring them back.
Sukrayaan Mission: Missions to explore Venus
An Asteroid Mission but for this the timeline has not been replaced.
Chandrayaan series: Plans to send a robotic and manned missions to the moon.
Bharat Antariksh Station: Build and deploy an Indian space station.

Global Collaborations with advanced space faring nations

Increasingly, advanced industrial and space faring countries are willing to collaborate with India over space issues.

NISAR Satellite: Collaboration of NASA & ISRO. NISAR stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar which aims to provide an unprecedented view of the earth.
TRISHNA Satellite: Collaboration between ISRO and French Space Agency CNES. TRISHNA stands for Thermal InfraRed Imaging Satellite for High-resolution Natural resource Assessment. TRISHAN will be deployed for use in climate monitoring and operational applications.

Private Participation in Space Sector

India opened its space sector to private participation. Initiatives taken in this regard are:

Creation of IN-SPACe: IN-SPACe stands for Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre which aims to act as independent space regulator. IN-SPACe has re- ceived about 500 applications for authorisation and has signed over 50 technology transfer agreements.
Unveiling of Indian Space Policy 2023: Earlier, scope of private participation in India's space sector was limited to making small components and equipment's to be used by ISRO. However, the policy and rules under it, expanded the scope of private participation in the space sector providing a broad framework for non-government entities participation in areas like space vehicles, satellites, dissemination of data and setting up ground stations.
Space-startups: There are currently more than 400 private sector space startups in the country, which together have committed to invest $330 million in the space sector.
New spaceport at Kulasekarapatnam: ISRO is building a new spaceport for small rockets launches at Kulasekarapatnam in Tamil Nadu. This spaceport will be principally used by private sector players with assistance from ISRO.

Translocation of Tiger in Maharashtra

Context: The Maharashtra Forest department plans to translocate tigers from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in the state's western region.

About Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is one of only five tiger reserves in the country — Kaval in Telangana, Kamlang in Arunachal Pradesh, Dampa in Mizoram and Satkosia in Odisha being the other four — with zero tigers within the reserve

STR spans Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Ratnagiri districts in western Maharashtra.
The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
These ranges from a common boundary between Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa, and comprise of rich evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
It is the first Tiger Reserve of Western Maharashtra and the fourth Tiger Reserve of the State spreading over two Protected Areas of Koyana Sanctuary (KWLS) and Chandoli National Park (CNP).

Approval and Planning:

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approved the translocation plan in October 2023.
Waiting for final approval from the Union Environment Ministry.
Initially, a male tiger or a pair of male and female tigers will be translocated from TATR to STR.

Logistics and Implementation:

Special vehicle with misting provisions prepared for tiger transportation.
Tranquilization of tigers under Section 12 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
Fieldwork pending final approval.

Significance for Conservation:

Vital for conserving tigers in the forests of the northern Western Ghats, serving as a wildlife corridor between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Enables connectivity between tiger populations in various reserves.
Tiger is keystone species in grassland ecosystems, which helps to maintain ecosystem stability by maintaining the population of herbivorous animals (reduce burden on grassland from intense grazing activity).

Population and Threats:

No tiger evidence captured during 2022 population estimation in STR.
Recent camera trap evidence of a tiger within the reserve in December last year.
Threats to wildlife corridor from mining, road projects, and human settlements highlighted in 2023 tiger population estimation report.

Phase-II of Tiger Recovery Project:

Involves translocation of eight tigers - three males and five females.
Phase-I focused on habitat preparation, prey augmentation, forest protection, and building temporary enclosures for soft release.
Soft release strategy involves close monitoring of tigers in enclosures before releasing them into the reserve habitat.

Prey Augmentation and Sustainability:

Prey base augmented with Chital and Sambar deer from Katraj Zoo.
Prey base studies suggest the reserve can sustain a population of 10-12 tigers.

Senior scientist at Wildlife Institute of India, providing technical support to the Maharashtra Forest department, emphasizes the importance of prey base studies and cautious monitoring during the translocation process.