GS Paper 3

Cuttack Rupa Tarakasi, Banglar muslin get GI tag

Context: Recently, the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai, Tamil Nadu has given the Geographical Indication (GI) tags to a number of products from various states. 

Rupa Tarakasi (Silver Filigree), Cuttack, Odisha

image 15
  • Filigree has been traditionally associated with fine craftsmanship and luxurious design in classical jewellery.
  • Archaeological evidence suggests that filigree was incorporated into jewellery as early as 3500 BCE in Mesopotamia (historical region of West Asia in present day Iran) where it is practiced even today as Telkari work.
  • As per the historians, Tarakasi work reached Cuttack from Persia through Indonesia some 500 years ago by sea trade. This is based on the evidence that similar workmanship is seen in both Cuttack and Indonesia.
  • In this work of craft, silver bricks are transformed into thin fine wires (tara) or foils, from which silver filigree is made with all designs (kasi).
  • The filigree artists are called ‘Roupyakaras’. For Tarakasi, silversmiths use an alloy of 90% or more pure silver.
  • The jewellery worn in Odissi, one of the classical dances of India originating from Odisha, are made from Tarakasi work.

Banglar Muslin, Bengal

image 16
  • The Banglar muslin is one of the popular traditional handloom craft of Bengal.
  • This finest sort of muslin is made of cotton, which are spun to create threads that maintain tensile strength at counts higher than any other cotton products.
  • Original muslin was produced solely from a cotton plant called, Phuti Karpas, that grew exclusively along the banks of a certain stretch of the Brahmaputra River. 
  • Tragically, the industry was deliberately erased by past colonial rulers, especially the East India Company and replaced with their machine-made fabrics in the 19th century.

Narsapur Crochet Lac, Andhra Pradesh

image 17
  • Narsapur in West Godavari region is known for crochet skills.
  • Crochets are beautifully crafted with cotton thread and it is believed that the women of the farming community of this region started creating highly attractive artefacts from colourful lace, about 150 years ago.

Kutch Rogan Craft and Ambaji White Marble, Gujarat

image 18
  • The Rogan Art, an ancient textile art, with its origins in Persia, came to Nirona Village Kutch Gujarat around 400 years ago.
  • Rogan art is produced by boiling castor oil or linseed oil for about two days and then adding Pigments Mineral Colour (vegetable dyes) and a binding agent (the resulting paint is thick and shiny). 
  • Yellow, White and red and Blue, green are the most frequently used colours.
  • Rogan art is very well known for its ‘Tree of life’.
  • This craft began among the Muslim Khatris community in Gujarat.

Riyawan Lahsun (Garlic), Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh: The GI tag opens up new opportunities in international markets, complementing the state government's efforts to promote Ratlam's garlic as a district product.

Risa Textiles, Tripura

image 19
  • One of the garments worn by tribal women in Tripura is called Risa.
  • It is usually five feet in length and is wrapped around the upper body.
  • Some of the designs are called ‘kosom pali’, ‘khamjang’ etc.
  • To weave a risa, weavers require cotton yarn in different colours, especially in the colour red, which is most commonly used.
  • The Reang community usually weave Risa primarily in black yarns, whereas the Debbarma community uses red yarns.

Lac Bangles, Hyderabad, Telangana

  • Lad bazaar is the main production centre for lac bangles.
  • The craft originated over 500 years ago during the Mughal period.
  • The craft flourished over the decades and was patronized by many royal families.
  • The artisan skilfully embellishes the bangle with precious and semi-precious stones.
  • This recognition promises to enhance the livelihood of over 6000 artisan families.

Majuli Mask and Majuli Manuscript Painting, Assam

  • Majuli Mask of Assam:
image 20
  • It developed in response to Neo-Vaishnavism, initiated by Srimanta Sankardeva in the 15th century.
  • These masks were developed for it to be used in the Bhaona's (Traditional drama of Assam).
  • The art of making masks was prevalent in Satra community for centuries.
  • Made in different varieties and sizes as they are mainly divided into different categories: ‘Mukha bhaona’ (covers the face); ‘Lotokoi’ (extends to the chest) and, ‘Cho Mukha’ (head and body mask). 
  • Majuli Manuscript Paintings:
image 21
  • The manuscripts are painted on handmade paper, which is treated with a mixture of cow dung and earth to create a smooth surface.
  • The paintings are usually done in black and white, although some may have small areas of colour.
  • The artists who create these paintings are known as Sattriya artists, and they are members of the Neo-Vaishnavite monasteries of Majuli.
  • Illustrate stories from Hindu epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata, and the Bhagavata Purana.
  • Three distinct styles of manuscript painting: Gargayan script, Kaithall, and Bamunia, flourish in this region. 

What is a GI tag?

  • Geographical Indications of goods refer to the place of origin of a product.
  • GI tags are a form of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) that convey an assurance of quality and distinctiveness, attributable to the fact of its origin in a specific geographical locality, region or country.
  • The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry awards GI Tag in India. 
  • A GI registration is given to an area, not a trader, but once a product gets the registration, traders dealing in the product can apply to sell it with the GI logo.
  • Any trader’s body, association, or organisation can apply for a GI tag. 
  • The applicants need to prove the uniqueness of the item with historical records and a complete breakdown of how the product is made.
  • Authorised traders are each assigned a unique GI number. 
  • The raw materials for such products do not have to come from that region (unless it is an agricultural tag). E.g., Leaf in Banarasi paan is not grown in Varanasi; it comes from Bihar, West Bengal, or Odisha.
  • If any unauthorised trader tries selling the product under that name, they can be prosecuted under the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
  • India, as a member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force in 2003.
  • Under Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property, geographical indications are covered as an element of IPRs.
image 22

Categories of GI products

  • There are over 500 GI tags as of January 7, 2023. There are 34 classes of products that can get GI tags, ranging from chemicals and paint to foodstuff, handicrafts, musical instruments, firearms, locomotives etc. 
  • The products in the GI registry fall under five major categories Handicrafts dominate the list, with over half the GI tags being given to products crafted by skilled artisans.

Significance of GI tags

  • After a product receives this designation, no one or business may sell a similar product under that name. 
  • A product’s GI registration gives it legal protection and safeguards against unauthorised use by others.
  • The GI tag aids in marketing the product’s exports and gives customers confidence in the product’s legitimacy.

Financial Intelligence Unit

Context: Financial Intelligence Unit imposes ₹5.49 crores fine on Paytm bank for PMLA lapses.

About: Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

image 14
  • Established in 2004 by Government Order. (Not a statutory body).
  • Under the administrative control of Department of Revenue, Ministry of Finance.
  • Acts as the central, national agency responsible for receiving, processing, analysing, and disseminating information relating to suspect financial transactions to enforcement agencies and foreign FIUs.
  • Responsible for coordinating and strengthening efforts of national and international intelligence, investigation, and enforcement agencies in pursuing the global efforts against money laundering and financing of terrorism.
  • Acts as the intelligence arm in the implementation of PMLA, 2002.
  • Reports directly to Economic Intelligence Council (EIC) headed by the finance minister.
  • Headed by Director and is manned by officers inducted from organisations such as CBDT, CBEC, RBI, SEBI and Department of Legal Affairs and Intelligence Agencies.

Functions of FIU-IND

  • Collection of Information: Act as the central reception point for receiving Cash Transaction reports (CTRs), Non-Profit Organisation Transaction Report (NTRs), Cross Border Wire Transfer Reports (CBWTRs), Reports on Purchase or Sale of Immovable Property (IPRs) and Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) from various reporting entities.
  • Analysis of Information: Analyse received information to uncover patterns of transactions suggesting suspicion of money laundering and related crimes.
  • Sharing of Information: Share information with national intelligence/law enforcement agencies, national regulatory authorities and foreign Financial Intelligence Units.
  • Act as Central Repository: Establish and maintain national database based on reports received from reporting entities.
  • Coordination: Coordinate, strengthen collection and sharing of financial intelligence through an effective national, regional and global network to combat money laundering and related crimes.
  • Research and Analysis: Monitor and identify strategic key areas on money laundering trends, typologies and developments.

Obligations of Reporting Entity

  • Under PMLA, every reporting entity is required to appoint a Principal Officer and a Designated Director and communicate their names, designations and addresses to FIU-IND. 
  • The reporting entity is also obligated to client due diligence, maintain record of specified transactions for the prescribed period and furnish report of the prescribed transactions to FIU-IND.
  • Reporting entity means a banking company, financial institution, intermediary or a person carrying on a designated business or profession.

Furnishing of reports to FIU

  • Following transactions have been specified under the PML Rules for which records have to be maintained and reports are to be furnished to FIU-IND:

(a) All cash transactions of the value of more than rupees 10 lakh or its equivalent in foreign currency.

(b) All series of cash transactions integrally connected to each other which have been individually valued below rupees ten lakhs or its equivalent in foreign currency where such series of transactions have taken place within a month and the monthly aggregate exceeds an amount of ten lakh rupees or its equivalent in foreign currency.

(c) All transactions involving receipts by non - profit organisations of value more than rupees ten lakh, or its equivalent in foreign currency.

(d) All cash transactions where forged or counterfeit currency notes or bank notes have been used as genuine or where any forgery of a valuable security or a document has taken place facilitating the transactions.

(e) All suspicious transactions, whether or not made in cash, including attempted transactions. Suspicious Transaction Report should be furnished within seven working days on being satisfied that the transaction is suspicious.

(f) All cross-border wire transfers of the value of more than five lakh rupees or its equivalent in foreign currency where either the origin or destination of fund is in India.

(g) All purchase and sale by any person of immovable property valued at fifty lakh rupees or more that is registered by the reporting entity.

  • The information in respect of immoveable property transactions referred above should be furnished to FIU-IND every quarter by the 15th day of the month succeeding the quarter.
  • All other reports need to be furnished monthly by the 15th day of the succeeding month.

Powers of Director, FIU-IND

  • Section 13 of Prevention of Money Laundering act, 2002 empowers Director of  FIU-IND to make enquiry and impose fine in required cases. For the purposes of section 13, Director, FIU-IND has the same powers as are vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

Technological Network of FIU_IND:

  • FINnet- Enables the reporting entities to furnish reports online using its FINgate portal. 
  • FINcore portal of FINnet processes the reports received from the reporting entity and links all relevant reports in the database using rules of identity and relationship resolution (IRR). 
  • FINex portal- Disseminating information to the agencies for investigation. FINex is the primary platform for two-way electronic exchange of information with the domestic agencies.
  • FINnet 2.0- Conceptualized to accommodate complete technology of the existing FINnet system followed by augmentation with new components and functionalities to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the FINnet ecosystem. 

International Collaboration of FIU-IND:

  • Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Recommendation 29: "Countries should establish a financial intelligence unit (FIU) that serves as a national Centre for the receipt and analysis of:

(a) suspicious transaction reports; and

(b) other information relevant to money laundering, associated predicate offences and terrorist financing, and for the dissemination of the results of that analysis. 

Egmont Group: 

  • It is an international organisation with a membership of 174 FIUs. It provides FIUs with a platform to securely exchange expertise and financial intelligence to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and associated offences. 
  • Member FIUs of EGMONT Group have to abide by the principle laid in the Charter of Egmont group, which is binding.
  • Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada. 
  • FIU-India has been a member of the Egmont Group of FIUs since 2007. 

Commodity Derivatives Market

Context: The Indian government has permitted derivatives trading in 11 more commodities including skimmed milk powder, cement, apple, bamboo and timber based on a recommendation from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

A Derivative is a financial instrument whose value is based upon the value of an underlying asset like equities, currency or commodities or other financial assets. A derivative contract, which has a commodity as its underlying, is known as a ‘commodity derivative’ contract. Most common types of derivative instruments are forwards, futures, options, and swaps.

Agricultural commodity derivatives, have the underlying asset as an agricultural commodity, such as cereals (wheat, rice), pulses (chana, tur), spices (jeera, pepper) and oilseeds (soybean, castor).

Non - Agricultural commodity derivatives, have the underlying asset as a non- agricultural commodity, such crude oil, gold, silver, Aluminium, Iron, etc. The non- agricultural commodities are generally natural resources that are mined, extracted or processed.

image 13

Futures and Options are two important derivative instruments that are traded in the commodity derivative market. In future contract, the buyer has the obligation to buy/sell the assets. Whereas, in option contract, customers have no obligation to buy/sell the assets.

Benefits of commodity derivative markets

  • Hedging:  It is a price risk management tool adopted by actual users such as processors, miners, exporters, importers, manufacturers, etc. Hedging means taking a position in the derivatives market with an objective of reducing or limiting risks associated with price changes.
  • Price discovery: Speculation is the practise of trading in order to profit quickly from price changes. Speculators never use the item for physical purposes because their goal is to benefit quickly from price fluctuations. This contributes to transparent price discovery in the underlying commodity markets.

Commodities that are suitable for derivative trading:

  • The commodity should have relatively large demand and supply.
  • Prices should be adequately volatile.
  • The commodity should be free from substantial control from Govt.
  • Regulations in terms of supply, distribution and prices.
  • The commodity should preferably have a long shelf-life.

The Advanced Oxidation Technology or TADOX®

Context: The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), New Delhi, has developed a technology called The Advanced Oxidation Technology or TADOX® that will ensure affordable and sustainable Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) compliance set by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETP) in industrial clusters. 

The Advanced Oxidation Technology or TADOX®

  • TADOX utilises UV-Photocatalysis as an Advanced Oxidation Process (AOP) during the secondary treatment stage of wastewater treatment leading to oxidative degradation and mineralisation of targeted pollutants.
    • At Secondary Treatment Stage, the wastewater has already undergone some initial treatment, typically involving biological processes that remove organic matter.
  • UV-Photocatalysis:
    • UV Light: TADOX® introduces ultraviolet (UV) light to the wastewater, which has high energy and sanitation potential. 
    • Catalyst: The water also contains a catalyst, most commonly titanium dioxide (TiO2), which helps the UV light to trigger the chemical reaction.
    • Oxidative Degradation: When UV light hits the catalyst, it energises the TiO2 particles. These energised particles then react with water molecules (H2O) to create highly reactive hydroxyl radicals (OH•). These hydroxyl radicals are very powerful oxidisers, meaning they readily attack and break down a wide range of pollutants in wastewater, including organic matter, colour, and micropollutants. 
    • Mineralisation: The breakdown process by hydroxyl radicals does not just break down the pollutants into smaller pieces. It completely mineralises pollutants, often converting them into simple molecules like carbon dioxide (CO2) and water (H2O).
  • TADOX® could be integrated and retrofittable in existing treatment systems making it a viable option as a novel Decentralised Wastewater Treatment Technology (DWTT) applicable in upcoming and existing infrastructural projects, townships, commercial complexes, green buildings, and smart cities.
image 12

Significance:

  • It reduces dependence and load on biological and tertiary treatment systems to achieve Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD).
  • It reduces the production of sludge to 0.5 kg per metre cube (as compared to standard treatments which produce around 30-40 kg per cubic metre, since a lot of chemicals are used in the wastewater treatment). Further, the sludge produced in the process is non-toxic.
  • It can bring down capital expenditure on ZLD by 25-30% and operating expense by 30-40% for industrial wastewater treatment.
  • It can reduce Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), dissolved organics, pathogens, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs), and Micropollutants. 
  • It improves biodegradability, thereby preventing biofouling of membranes and enhancing life span and efficiency of RO systems as also overall load on evaporators like Multiple Effect Evaporators and Mechanical vapour recompression (MVR). 

Status of Leopards in India

Context: Status of Leopards India report released by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEFCC).

Brief About Survey

  • The survey covered 20 States of India and focused on about 70% of the animals’ expected habitat, which are India’s tiger reserves and protected forest areas.
  • Camera traps method was deployed.

Report Highlights

  • India’s leopard numbers rose by 8% from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022.
  • Highest number of leopards were reported in Madhya Pradesh (3,907).
  • Three other States reported over 1,000 animals each — Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879) and Tamil Nadu (1,070).
  • Uttarakhand reported a 22% decline in the Leopard Population.
  • Odisha has witnessed a sharp decline in its leopard population — approximately one-fourth lost — primarily due to poaching between 2018 and 2022.
    • Leopard densities from both the tiger reserves (Similipal and Satkosia tiger reserves) in the State have increased significantly.
  • Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains recorded a 3.4% yearly decline.
  • Central India and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats and hills of the northeast, and Brahmaputra flood plains recorded growth of 1.5%, 1%, and 1.3% per annum respectively.
  • About 65% of leopard population is present outside protected areas in Shivalik landscape. 
  • In Uttar Pradesh, both leopard and tiger numbers have increased.

Causes for Decline

  • According to the report, the biggest threats to the dwindling leopard population are poaching of prey for bush meat, targeted poaching for tiger and leopard skins and body parts.
    • Habitat loss due to mining and other human activities. 
    • Road accidents are also a significant cause of leopard fatalities.

Need for State Action

  • The State should step up efforts towards effective patrolling, prey recovery, and habitat management outside tiger reserves.

Indian Leopard

  • Indian leopard is a leopard subspecies widely distributed on the Indian subcontinent.
  • A leopard does not have any stripes. 
  • It has spots peppered on its body. 
  • A leopard can kill for the pleasure of killing by pouncing continuously on its prey.
  • The species Panthera pardus is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List
  • Leopards have survived outside protected areas in many parts of India since historical times.
image 11
CheetahsLeopards
They prefer to hunt in the dayThey usually hunt in nights
Cheetahs are the fastest land animals. They can reach speeds of up to 120 km/h (75 mph) and can accelerate from 0 to 103 km/h (64 mph) in three seconds.Leopards, on the other hand, only reach a top speed of about 58 km/h (37 mph) but they are super climbers (as they have retractable claws) and good swimmers.
Cheetah is much lighter and tallerLeopards are the shortest of the big cats, although they are strong and bulky – strong enough to pull their prey up trees in order to protect their meal.
IUCN – VulnerableIUCN – Vulnerable

See also: List of Tiger Reserves in India

AMUL & India’s Dairy Sector

Context - Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation turns 50.

Brief History in background:

  • Amul Milk Union Limited or  Amul India got established on 19 December 1946 in the town of Anand in Gujarat in India. 
  • It was a move against the brokers and agents who arbitrarily determined the milk prices and exploited the milk producers. Polson, another dairy company, was dominating the business! The government had given the company control in the work of collecting milk from Kaira and supplying it to Mumbai and its sub-areas. Polson brought the milk at low rates from the farmers.
  • These unfair trade practices made the farmers very angry! In the year 1942, Sardar Patel had also pointed out the ulterior motives of Polson and the British government in a letter
  • The angry farmers went to their local leader Shri. Tribhuvandas Patel. Together they approached Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. Sardar Patel advised the farmers to set up a cooperative (Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers Union) and supply milk directly to the Mumbai milk division, not Polson. He asked Morarji Desai, another Congressmen and freedom fighter, to organize the milk farmers. 
  • Pasteurization unit was started at Anand. Kaira district cooperative. Anand milk producer union limited (AMUL) was formed at Anand in 1946. 
  • Union set up milk cooperative societies in every village that would buy milk from farmers twice a day
  • The cooperative was further led by Dr. Verghese Kurien and H.M. Dalaya. Dalaya's ingenuity of creating skimmed milk powder using buffalo's milk, for the very first time and later putting it into commercial scale with Kurien's assistance created an early modern-day dairy in the cooperative in Anand (Gujarat). 
  • National dairy development board was setup and Kurien was appointed as its head. It was the start of white revolution (operation flood).
    • Phase 1 – 1970-1980 – 4 metropolitan cities were connected
    • Phase 2 – 1980 – 1985 – 43000 cooperatives and 4.5 mn farmers joined. Raksha vaccine for cattle health was introduced. 
    • Phase 3 – 1985 – 1990s – 10 mn farm families -> 2.5 crore ltrs of milk per day

Dr Kurien

  • Ramon Magsaysay award
  • Padma shri
  • Padma Vibhushan
  • Krishi ratna award

A three-tier Model of Amul

Amul is an amazing organization that is simple and yet awe. It operates on a three-step method which ensures that each body performs its function efficiently. The three tiers are:

  • Village Dairy Cooperative Society Every manufacturer is a member of the cooperative village which is a manufacturer's community.
  • District Milk Unions -Village Dairy Cooperative Society members elect their representatives which collectively forms the District Milk Union.
  • State Milk Federation-The State Milk Federation is responsible for the distribution and sale of milk products on the market.
image 9
image 10

Snapshot of India’s dairy sector

  • Dairy sector contributes one-fourth of total income generated in agriculture sector and this share has been rising. 
  • Per capita production of milk in India has now exceeded the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). 
  • India is the largest milk producing nation in the world with one-fourth of global production.  
  • Per capita absorption of milk and milk products has almost doubled during the last 20 years. 

Challenges in India’s Dairy sector:

  • International market share: Despite being the top producer, India’s share of milk and dairy products in global dairy export is less than 1% as compared to other exporters such as Germany (14.4%), New Zealand (12.9%), Belgium (7.6%), Netherlands (6.69%) and France (6.65%). India faces tough competition with other global players regarding sanitary standards and certification difficulties, particularly in developed markets. 
  • Low productivity: India’s productivity per animal is very low. The significant reasons are limited availability and affordability of quality feed and fodder, traditional feeding practices, lack of veterinary, limited supply of quality animals, and ineffective cattle and buffalo breeding programs.
  • Production Inefficiency: Inadequate farm management, Inadequate access to finances, lack of affordable technology, and access to information led to low production efficiency in India.
  • Safety and Quality issues: India faces quality issues due to contaminated water, milk adulteration, use of pesticides, mycotoxins, heavy metals, and veterinary drugs.
  • Cold chain infrastructure: –There is a lack of required infrastructure of chilling plants and bulk coolers to prevent contamination and spoilage at village level. 
  • Power availability:- Many chilling plants suffer due to shortage of electricity and do not run optimally leading to poor quality and shelf life of milk. 
  • Quality testing infrastructure and trained work force:- Adequate quality testing infrastructure is not available at milk collection centres. The problem is compounded by the lack of trained manpower to undertake quality testing. 
  • Increased emission of greenhouse gases by ruminants: Doubling population of female bovines means GHG emissions by dairy animals has doubled in the last 50 years. 
  • High antibiotic usage in dairy sector: Chemicals are indiscriminately used in commercial dairy which adversely affects quality of livestock and milk. Urine and dung of animals with chemicals affects soil microbes

Way Ahead?

  • Investments in milk value chain and tapping markets of high-end developed countries.
  • Milk as a solution for nutritional deficiency: Milk should be promoted as a critical input for addressing nutritional deficiency and improving health outcomes in India, especially in children & women.  
  • Export competitiveness & FTAs involving milk: India’s domestic milk industry is opposed to FTAs that involves liberalisation of trade (import) in dairy products. If India wishes to capture overseas dairy markets than our milk industry needs to export competitive. Thus, India’s dairy industry needs to increase its competitiveness and confidently compete with imports and export markets. 
  • Milk valued added products: Focusing on exports of milk value added and processed products rather than liquid milk alone. 
  • Milk Quality: Compliances with high sanitary & phyto-sanitary standards of countries particularly in developed markets.
  • Livestock health: Steps to promote vaccination and disease free areas like foot mouth disease free areas, as some developed countries require this.
  • Adopting food systems approach: Integrated livestock and crop systems are organised in a complementary and in synergy. India’s agriculture is transitioning to natural & organic farming for this animal dung and urine are critical inputs. Using by-products from dairy to produce organic & bio-inputs is a win-win for both dairy and crop sector. 
  • Dairy pricing: Currently, fat content in milk is the sole criteria for pricing of milk. There is a need to develop measurements and standards around other traits like solid-not-fats in milk. 
  • Sustainability of dairy sector: There is a need to monitor the presence of antibiotics and other chemicals in milk and check it.

Govt raises funding for development of natural rubber sector

Context: The union government has increased the allocation sustainable and inclusive development of the natural rubber sector scheme for the next two financial years (2024-26) by 23 per cent from Rs 576.41 crore to Rs 708.69 crore.

About natural rubber:

  • It is a polymer of isoprene, an organic compound and obtained from the latex of several tropical trees. 
  • Para Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is the most important tropical tree, native to the Amazon River basin, and the first commercial Hevea plantations were established at Thattekadu in Kerala in 1902.

Agro-climatic conditions: 

  • Soil: Well-drained and well-weathered, such as lateritic, alluvial, and sedimentary types.
  • Rainfall: At least 100 rainy days a year.
  • Temperature: Range of about 20 to 34°C.
  • Humidity: Around 80%, with 2000 hours of sunshine 
  • Wind: Absence of strong winds.
  • Natural rubber is preferred over synthetic rubber due to its high tensile strength, vibration dampening properties, and tear resistance.
  • India is the third largest producer, fourth largest consumer of natural rubber and fifth largest consumer of natural rubber and synthetic rubber together in the world.
  • Major rubber producing states include: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Assam.

About Sustainable and Inclusive Development of Natural Rubber Sector: 

  • Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • Implementing agency: Rubber Board
  • Objective: To enhance natural rubber production and productivity.
  • Features of the scheme: To increase the production and productivity through expanding planted area, accelerating rubber plantation development programmes in non-traditional regions including the North-East, intensifying research to evolve appropriate technologies for rubber cultivation, processing and end product manufacturing and transferring technology through training and extension services.
    • Under the scheme, Rubber Board provides subsidy for new planting and replanting (of senile plantations) to growers.
    • Major components of the scheme are: (1) Rubber Plantation Development & Extension; (2) Rubber Research Support for processing & marketing; (3) infrastructure development and specialised services and (4) Human Resources' Development.
    • The Board also provides quality planting material, promotes Rubber producers Societies (RPS), sets up Group Processing Centres, provides training for tapping of rubber trees and processing of field latex, provides assistance for rain guarding to increase number of tapping days and provides assistance for prevention of diseases in rubber plantations.

Newfound ‘obelisks’ join viruses, viroids as third unusual life form

Context: Scientists at Stanford University have reported another extremely simple and unusual form of life using next-generation sequencing. When analysing genetic material from bacteria present in the human gut, the scientists identified a new form of life lying between viruses and viroids on the scale of simplicity. They called them ‘obelisks’.

Viruses:

  • Viruses are the organisms at the boundary between the living and the non-living. Their obligate host dependence, parasitism, and small genome sizes collectively made sure they are not classified as ‘life’ per se.
  • Each virus is composed of a nucleic acid (DNA or RNA) core that serves as the genetic material, surrounded by a protein coat, and, in some cases, a lipid (fat) layer outside that coat. 
  • Viruses’ life cycle is simple: they infect a host cell, use the cell’s machinery to make more copies of themselves, then infect a new cell to repeat the cycle.
image 140

Viroids:

  • In 1971, Theodor Diener, a plant pathologist in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Research Center in Maryland tried to isolate the pathogen that caused potato spindle tuber disease. He discovered Viroids. 
  • Viroids do not contain the lipid layer or the protein coat found in viruses. It appears to be just plain, naked RNA. This viroid would enter a cell as RNA, force the cell to make more copies of itself, and the new RNAs would then infect other cells. These life-forms are called 'viroids’ since they resembled viruses. 
  • However, viroids have one important distinction from Viruses. Usually, genetic material contains a code that tells cells how to make various proteins. This is true of all known organisms, including viruses. But the RNA of viroids do not code for any protein. For the most part, they were just small pieces of RNA that served no function apart from propagating themselves.
  • Viroid RNA was tiny (250-400 base pairs versus a few thousand in RNA viruses). They primarily infect plants, causing a variety of diseases characterised by stunted growth, leaf distortion, and other symptoms. They are transmitted through various means, including mechanical transmission via contaminated tools, seed transmission, pollen, and insect vectors. Examples of viroids include the Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd), the Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd), and the Coconut cadang-cadang viroid (CCCVd).
image 141

Obelisks: 

  • Obelisks and viroids, both have circular RNA for genomes. However, the obelisk RNA was much longer — around a thousand base pairs — and appeared to code for two proteins, neither of which bore any similarity to any known protein from any other life form. 
  • Further research is being continued to answer some questions regarding obelisks. For example, how do they make copies of their genome? How do they transmit? Are they pathogenic to bacteria? How did they evolve? Do they have roles to play in human health and disease?
image 142

Hydrogen Fuel Cell 

Context: The Prime Minister of India virtually launched India’s first indigenously developed hydrogen fuel cell ferry which will be deployed for service at Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. 

About the Hydrogen fuel cell ferry: 

  • The Hydrogen fuel cell vessel is 24-metre-long which can carry 50 people in its air-conditioned passenger area. The accommodation area has been constructed with high-quality fiberglass reinforced plastic, similar to metro train coaches.
  • Manufactured by: Cochin Shipyard Limited
  • Built at a cost of Rs 18 crore, the ferry will be handed over to the Inland Waterways Authority of India after rigorous trials. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways met 75 per cent of the project cost. 
  • This vessel uses a 50-kW PEM (Proton-Exchange Membrane/Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Power System) fuel cell, with Lithium-Ion Phosphate batteries.  The vessel has five hydrogen cylinders that can carry 40 kg of hydrogen and support eight hours of operations. The vessel is also fitted with a 3-kW solar panel.
    • PEM fuel cells are popular in automotive applications because they operate at a lower temperature, and are lighter and more compact.
  • The vessel has zero emission, zero noise and is energy-efficient, which makes it more environment-friendly. 

Fuel Cell:

  • A Fuel cell is a device that converts the chemical energy of a fuel directly into electricity by electrochemical reactions.
  • The most common fuel cell is a Hydrogen fuel cell, that combines hydrogen fuel with oxygen, to produce electricity, with water and heat as the byproducts. 
  • The cell consists of a cathode (negative electrode), an anode (negative electrode) and an electrolyte (can be solid, liquid or membrane based). The electrolyte facilitates the movement of ions or charge carriers between the electrodes. 

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell: 

  • Also known as Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells, use a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) as the electrolyte.
    • PEM is a solid polymer electrolyte typically made of a perfluorosulfonic acid material, such as Nafion. 
    • This membrane allows the transport of protons (H+) through the membrane while blocking the passage of electrons. It plays a crucial role in separating the anode and cathode reactions.
  • Fuel: Hydrogen with oxygen as an oxidising agent. 
image 1

Working of PEM Fuel Cell: 

  • Anode and Cathode: At the anode, hydrogen gas is typically supplied, and it undergoes electrochemical oxidation to produce protons (H⁺) and electrons (e⁻). The electrons flow through an external circuit, creating an electric current.
  • Catalysts: Platinum or other platinum-group metals are commonly used as catalysts on the anode and cathode to facilitate the electrochemical reactions.
  • Electrochemical Reactions:
    • At the anode: 2H2→4H+ + 4e-
    • At the cathode: O2 + 4H+ + 4e- →2H2O
  • Proton Exchange: Protons generated at the anode move through the PEM to the cathode, while electrons flow through an external circuit, creating an electrical current.

Characteristics of PEM Fuel cells:

  • Operating Temperature: PEM fuel cells operate at relatively low temperatures (between 60-80 degrees Celsius), allowing for quick start-up times (less warm up time).
  • Catalyst Requirement: To facilitate the separation of electrons and protons in hydrogen, PEM fuel cells use a noble-metal catalyst, typically platinum, leading to high cost.
  • Carbon Monoxide Sensitivity: The platinum catalyst is highly sensitive to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. If the hydrogen used in the fuel cell is derived from a hydrocarbon fuel, it may contain trace amounts of CO. The presence of CO can significantly degrade the performance of the platinum catalyst, leading to a decrease in fuel cell efficiency over time.
  • Carbon Monoxide Reduction Reactor: To address the issue of CO poisoning, an additional reactor is often employed to reduce the levels of CO in the fuel gas before it reaches the fuel cell. This reactor adds complexity and cost to the overall system.
  • Water Management: PEM fuel cells require effective water management to maintain the hydration level of the PEM. Water produced during the electrochemical reactions needs to be removed from the membrane to prevent flooding.

Applications of PEM Fuel Cell:

  • Transportation (such as fuel cell vehicles)
  • Stationary power generation (backup power systems to power buildings)
  • Portable electronic devices (laptops, camera, smartphones)
  • Defence applications (Powering remote surveillance systems, unmanned aerial vehicles)  

Harit Nauka initiative: 

  • The ‘Harit Nauka’(green boat) is an initiative of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways that envisages a green transition of inland vessels.
  • In January 2024, the ministry unveiled the Harit Nauka guidelines for inland vessels. As per the guidelines, all states have to make efforts to use green fuels for 50 per cent of inland waterways-based passenger fleets in the next one decade, and 100 per cent by 2045. This is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as per the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
    • Globally, the shipping industry is increasingly transitioning to green fuels due to environmental regulations, sustainability goals, and advancements in green fuel technologies.
    •  Hydrogen and its derivatives are gaining attention for promising zero-emission fuels for the industry.

National Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks in India (NPOA - SHARKS)

image 143
Whale Shark: Largest Shark Species in the World and also the world's largest living fish

About Sharks

  • 'Shark' is used as an 'envelope term' and comprises true sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras (together comprising the class Chondrichthyes ie cartilaginous fish).
  • Sharks generally live in marine environments. However, species such as Bull Shark and River Shark can be found in both seawater and freshwater.
  • Apex predators: Most sharks are predators and top of the marine food chain and therefore known as tiger of oceans. They feed on wide variety of species. Examples tiger shark, blue shark etc.
  • Habitats: Sharks live fresh and intertidal waters to the open ocean, continental shelf and deep slope to ocean floor at depths of over 4,000 metres. Most shark species are found in temperate and tropical seas, but some species are also found in Arctic and Antarctic waters.
  • Shark landings: Estimated landings of sharks were around 0.69 million tonnes in 2019. Atlantic Ocean and its surrounding seas produce 40% of global shark catches followed by Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. Blue sharks are by far the most common of dozen commercially important shark species captured.
  • Largest Shark: Whale Shark is a slow moving, filter feeding carpet shark and is the largest extant fish species in the world. They inhabit open waters of all tropical oceans. The feed almost exclusively on plankton and small fishes and pose no threat to humans.
  • Smallest Shark: Dwarf Lanternshark is the smallest shark species in the world. It has a maximum known length of around 20 cm. It is found at a depth of around 250-500 m in the Northern tip of South America and Caribbean Sea. Like other lantern sharks, dwarf lantern sharks, dwarf lantern shark has light emitting organs called photophores which help them camouflage and attracts its prey.
  • All species of Sharks were placed under Schedule-I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 (Highest Protection).

Importance of Sharks in Marine Ecosystem

  • One of the oldest living organisms with an evolutionary history of over 400 million years. They predate dinosaurs.
  • Keystone species and apex predators of marine ecosystem
  • Keep prey population healthy by feeding on the sick and week members of their prey population.
  • Keep seagrass beds and other vital habitats healthy

Economic & Commercial importance of sharks

  • Shark meat: Sharks have been traditionally used as food in coastal areas. According to FAO, in 2019
  • Shark fins: Sharks fins are one of the most expensive fish products primarily used in preparing shark fin soup which is primarily consumed by Chinese ethnic groups in South East Asia and China.
  • Shark oil products: Traditionally shark's liver (Known as cod liver oil) was a rich source of Vitamin A. However, Vitamin A is manufactured.

Need for protecting sharks

  • Slow growth
  • Late age at maturity
  • Low fecundity and productivity (small, infrequent litters)
  • Long gestation periods
  • High natural survivorship for all age classes
  • Long life spans

Status of shark fishery in India

  • India is the third largest shark fishing nation after Indonesia accounting for 6% of global shark catches in terms of weight.
  • Andhra Pradesh is the largest producer of sharks, followed by Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
  • Most sharks harvested in India come from non-targeted mixed catch. However, targeted shark fisheries are found among Thoothoor fishermen of Kanyakumari (Tamil Nadu) and Veraval (Gujarat).
  • Shark meat is a local delicacy, especially in south India.

Major issues needing focus for Shark Conservation

  • Indications of decline in shark biomass and species diversity.
    • Sharks are associated fisheries and catch composition.
  • Inadequate monitoring, control and surveillance, including gaps in data collection and identification of species.
  • Fractured view of different stakeholder groups on the status of shark and acceptable conservation measures.
  • Research gaps covering areas of taxonomy, biological aspects, gear targeting sharks, real time data, distribution and socio-economic profit.
  • Lack of a holistic framework to address the above issues.

Purpose and scope of NPOA-SHARKS

  • Conservation and management of sharks and their long-term sustainable use.
  • NPOA Sharks aims to conserve and manage shark populations based on Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries.
  • 'Sharks' are defined as all species in the class Chondrichthyes and includes sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras.
  • Applies to shark species found within India's EEZ and Territorial Sea, migratory species frequenting India's EEZ and Territorial Sea and species taken by India-flagged vessels fishing on the High Seas.
    • Bridge research and information gaps on the status of sharks at species level.
    • Understand socio-economic implications of conservation and management of sharks to design sustainable exploitation policies.
    • Managing negative impacts of shark fishing.

Proposed actions under NPOA-SHARKS

  • Do not promote direct catching of sharks till sufficient scientific evidence is there.
  • Implement comprehensive fisheries MCS plan at the earliest.
  • Identify and ascertain shark breeding grounds and shark breeding period and agree on conservation measures such as seasonal ban or specific area closures.
  • Initiate research to catalogue shark in Indian waters through genetic coding. Develop species specific indicators using fisheries and survey data.
  • Awareness drive among stakeholders, share research findings with fishermen and encourage fishermen and their associations to monitor and report shark catches.
  • Initiate research on value addition for sharks and share findings with the community.
  • Encourage ecotourism and reef shark diving.
  • Ensure effective implementation of fin-attached policy of the Government and initiate research on value addition for sharks and share the findings with the community.
  • Review shark export policy, encourage value addition.
  • Introduce logbook system; develop national shark identification kit; build awareness; mobilize fishermen association and build research skill in taxonomy as well as data collection skills of enumerators from agencies involved in data collection.
  • Review policy on reporting of catch of prohibited species or species protected under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972; and encourage regional integration.

About Bay of Bengal Program - Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOB-IGO)

  • BOB-IGO is a unique regional fisheries body specifically mandated to assist the member countries to enhance cooperation and provide technical and management advisory services for sustainable marine fisheries development.
  • Objectives of the BOBP-IGO are to increase awareness and knowledge of the needs, benefits and practices of marine fisheries management; enhance skills through training and education; transfer appropriate technologies and techniques for development of the small-scale fisheries; establish regional information networking; and promote women's participation in marine fisheries value chain.
  • Member Countries: Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
  • Non-contracting parties: Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand.

Kulasekarapattinam spaceport

Context: The Prime Minister of India laid the foundation stone for India’s new spaceport for small satellite launch vehicles at Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. 

Kulasekarapattinam spaceport: 

  • Location: Kulasekarapattinam in Thoothukudi district, southern Tamil Nadu. The project will come up across 2,233 acres in Padukkapathu, Pallakurichi, and Mathavankurichi villages in Kulasekarapattinam and Sathankulam taluks.
  • Will launch: Smaller payloads like Nano and Microsatellites. 
  • Project cost: ₹950-crores. The construction is expected to take nearly two years to complete. 
  • India has Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh spread over 145 sq km that has two launch pads for PSLV and GSLV flights (heavier satellites). 

Considerations for selecting a rocket launch site in India: 

The primary considerations for selecting a rocket launch site in India are the site’s proximity to the equator and its location on the Eastern coastline. 

  • Proximity to Equator (Provides initial boost, saves cost): 
    • When seen from the North Pole, the Earth rotates counterclockwise, or from west to east. The surface velocity of rotation varies from point to point on the Earth.
      • It is about 1600 km per hour or about 465 metres in a second near the equator. 
      • The velocity gradually reduces as we move to the poles and it is practically zero at the poles.
    • A satellite launched from the sites near the equator towards the east direction will get an initial boost equal to the velocity of the Earth surface. The initial boost helps in cutting down the cost of rockets used to launch the satellites.
    • However, this benefit can be taken only for such satellites which are placed in geo-stationary orbit or which circle the Earth parallel to the equator. Such satellites are usually communication satellites or satellites used for scientific research such as the International Space Station. Polar satellites (placed in polar orbits moving across the equator in north south direction) are generally launched in southward or northward direction and therefore cannot take advantage of the Earth’s rotation.
  • Location on Eastern coast (Safety considerations): 
    • The launching stations are generally located near the eastern coastline of India so that, just in case of failure of the launch, any debris of the satellite falls harmlessly in Bay of Bengal or Indian Ocean and does not fall on the main hinterland.
image 138

Strategic advantage of Kulasekarapattinam: 

  • The geographic location of the country’s second spaceport to be set up at Kulasekarapattinam in Tamil Nadu has a strategic advantage over launch pads in Sriharikota. 
  • During polar missions, big launch vehicles follow a trajectory where they fly in the southeast direction after lift-off from Sriharikota to avoid flying over Sri Lanka, protecting the landmass from rocket debris. 
  • The rocket then takes a sharp manoeuvre and proceeds towards the south pole. This manoeuvre results in the rocket deviating from a straight flight path requires more fuel that results in loss of rocket’s payload capacity.
    • The payload loss in big launch vehicles is manageable, But for small satellite launch vehicles, such manoeuvres will leave minimal payload capability. 
  • Kulasekarapattinam gives the benefit of launching straight in the southward direction. Hence, when launched from Kulasekarapattinam, the manoeuvre is not required thereby saving the rocket’s fuel as well as improving the payload capability.

Significance: 

  • India, by the establishment of the new spaceport, seeks to leverage the private sector in making it a self-reliant spacefaring nation. The global market for small satellites is projected to have a CAGR of 16.4 per cent — from $3,215.9 million in 2020 to $13,711.7 million by 2030. By allowing easier access to polar orbits, the location will help make launches cheaper for both private players and ISRO. 
    • In 2020, the Centre permitted private companies to enter the space sector, which was hitherto under the complete control of ISRO. The new policy aims to enable ISRO to focus on scientific space missions rather than routine activities like weather and communication satellite launches.
    • The Central Government has allowed 100 per cent FDI in the space sector. The Indian Space Policy 2023 allows satellite launches by non-government entities (NGEs), subject to technical feasibility and range safety.

Use dictionary meaning of forest: SC

Context: The Supreme Court, in a significant order, directed that the expression ‘forest’ will continue to have a “broad and all-encompassing” meaning for the time being, and include 1.97 lakh square km of undeclared forest lands.

Definition of forest

Under Forest Conservation Amendment Act 2023

  • The following land shall be covered under the provisions of this Act, namely: — 
    • the land that has been declared or notified as a forest in accordance with the provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927 or under any other law for the time being in force.
    • the land that is not covered under clause (a), but has been recorded in Government record as forest, as on or after the 25th of October 1980:
  • Provided that the provisions of this clause shall not apply to such land, which has been changed from forest use to use for non-forest purpose on or before the 12th of December 1996 in pursuance of an order, issued by any authority authorized by a State Government or a Union territory Administration in that behalf.
  • Explanation. —For the purposes of this sub-section, the expression
  • "Government record" means record held by Revenue Department or Forest Department of the State Government or Union territory Administration, or any authority, local body, community, or council recognized by the State Government or Union territory Administration.

The following categories of land shall not be covered under the provisions of this Act, namely: —

  • such forest land situated alongside a rail line, or a public road maintained by the Government, which provides access to a habitation, or to a rail, and roadside amenity up to a maximum size of 0.10 hectare in each case.
  • such tree, tree plantation or reafforestation raised on lands that are not specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1); and 
  • such forest land, — 
    • as is situated within a distance of one hundred kilometers along international borders or Line of Control or Line of Actual Control, as the case may be, proposed to be used for construction of strategic linear project of national importance and concerning national security; or
    • up to ten hectares, proposed to be used for construction of security related infrastructure; or
    • as is proposed to be used for construction of defense related project or a camp for paramilitary forces or public utility projects, as may be specified by the Central Government, the extent of which does not exceed five hectares in a Left-Wing Extremism affected area as may be notified by the Central Government.
  • The exemption provided under sub-section (2) shall be subject to such terms and conditions, including the conditions of planting trees to compensate felling of trees undertaken on the lands, as the Central Government may, by guidelines, specify.’

Godavarman case

  • The Supreme Court judgment in TN. Godavarman Thirumulpad v Union of India (1996) case expanded the scope of such protection.
  • Under it, areas conforming to the ‘dictionary’ meaning of forests were protected even if it is not notified by government or in historical records.

Recent judgement

  • The petitions had argued that Section 1A introduced through the amended Act had “circumscribed or substantially diluted” the definition of forest to two categories — declared forests and lands recorded as forests in ‘government records’ after 1980.
  • The Centre, however, denied any attempt to trim the extent of forest coverage. It pointed to the ‘explanation’ to Section 1A, which expanded the term ‘government records’ contained in the provision to include lands recognised as forest by any State or Union Territory, local body, council, or recognised communities.
  • However, the court directed the government to revert to the “dictionary meaning” of ‘forest’ as upheld by it in a 1996 decision in the T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad case.
  • The Bench said that the same dictionary meaning would continue to hold field till the States and Union Territories prepare a “consolidated record” of all the lands recorded as ‘forest’ in government records, including forest-like areas, unclassed and community forest lands.

Trending now

State of India’s Environment 2026: Rising Climate Risks and the Need for Resilience
Karnataka Announces Ban on Social Media for Children Under-16
India–France “Special Global Strategic Partnership”: A New Indo-Pacific Anchor
Front-of-Package Labelling: A Preventive Strategy to Address India’s Rising Lifestyle Diseases