Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NATO
Mains level: NATO expansion, and its implications
Central Idea
- The induction of Finland into NATO is a significant setback for Russia and President Vladimir Putin, as it has long been neutral in Moscow’s conflict with the West. The move has doubled Finland’s frontier with Russia and has implications for global governance of the Arctic region.
- The recent induction of Finland into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a significant development that has strategic implications for Russia and the Arctic region.
- Finland has traditionally been neutral in the prolonged conflict between Moscow and the West.
- Its inclusion in NATO is seen as a major setback for Russia and President Vladimir Putin, who has cited NATO’s expansion closer to Russia’s borders as a justification for aggression against Ukraine.
What is the North Atlantic Treaty?
- North Atlantic Treaty, often referred to as the Washington Treaty, states the parties to the treaty seek to promote stability and well-being in the North Atlantic area.
- The signatories affirm their faith in the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and express their desire to live in peace with all people and governments, the treaty states.
Background
- Finlandisation: Finland’s neutrality during the Cold War made Finlandisation a part of the global diplomatic lexicon, referring to a small nation’s political deference to its larger neighbor.
- Russia’s policies in the neighbourhood: Many of Finland’s small European neighbors have been at the receiving end of Russia’s muscular regional policies over the past decade.
- Ukraine invasion: The Ukraine invasion has confirmed their worst fears, and they are seeking protection from the US and NATO.
Russia’s Response
- Countermeasures: Unsurprisingly, Moscow has responded to Finland’s inclusion in NATO by promising countermeasures.
- Encroachment on national interest: Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, called NATO’s inclusion of Finland an encroachment on our security and on Russia’s national interests.
- Monitoring: Moscow will be watching for any NATO military deployments in Finland.
Why does Russia fume over NATO?
- NATO’s expansion: Russia views NATO’s expansion into Eastern Europe as a threat to its security and influence in the region. The alliance’s decision to accept former Soviet republics and Warsaw Pact members as members is seen by Russia as a direct challenge to its strategic interests.
- Military exercises: Russia has also expressed concern over NATO military exercises in the region, which it sees as a provocation and a show of force. NATO’s decision to station troops and equipment in Eastern Europe has also been criticized by Russia.
- Missile defense system: Russia has been particularly critical of NATO’s missile defense system, which it sees as a threat to its own nuclear deterrence capabilities. Russia argues that the system is designed to neutralize its strategic weapons and that it undermines global strategic stability.
- Ukraine and Georgia: Russia has accused NATO of interfering in the affairs of Ukraine and Georgia, two former Soviet republics that are seeking closer ties with the West. Russia sees NATO’s support for these countries as an attempt to encircle and contain Russia.
Implications for India and the Arctic region
- Real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region: Finland has maintained a small but capable armed force that is well-trained and resilient, and its inclusion in NATO adds real punch to the Western alliance in the Nordic region.
- High north is commercial attraction: As the Arctic ice cap melts amidst global warming, the high north has become attractive commercially and contested geopolitically.
- India is an observer of the Arctic Council: India is an observer of the Arctic Council that seeks to promote wide-ranging cooperation in the polar north.
- China raising profile in the Arctic: The militarisation of the high north appears inevitable as Finland and Sweden turn from neutrals to Western allies and China raises its profile in the Arctic in partnership with Russia.
- Global governance: This might make global governance of the Arctic region increasingly problematic
Conclusion
- The induction of Finland into NATO is a significant development in the ongoing conflict between Russia and the West. The move has implications for the Arctic region, which is attracting global attention due to the melting of the Arctic ice cap. As a stakeholder in the region, India must closely monitor developments and prepare for any geopolitical consequences.
Mains Question
Q. In light of Finland’s recent inclusion in NATO, discuss the strategic implications for the Arctic region and India. India as a stakeholder in the region and what steps can India take to prepare for potential geopolitical consequences?
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: NA
Mains level: Police Excesses, Factors, challenges and solutions
Central Idea
- The recent case of human rights violation against an IPS officer in Ambasamudram highlights the need for humane policing in India. The history of police brutality across the globe, including in the US, reveals the need for change in the policing system. The pressure to produce results, coupled with corruption and lack of ethics training, contributes to police excesses, which must be curbed.
History of Policing Excesses
- Policing Excesses in U.S: The history of policing in many countries is pockmarked by episodes of excesses, and the U.S. is one such country which has had far too many instances of police torture.
- For example: The Rodney King incident of 1991 in Los Angeles and the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020 are some examples of police brutality.
Factors Contributing to Police Excesses in India
- Corruption among public servants: Corruption is rampant in India and is a major factor contributing to police excesses. Bribery and corruption make it easy for criminals to escape the law and for police officers to use violence and coercion to extract money and other benefits.
- The pressure to produce results: Police officers are often under tremendous pressure to produce results and show that they are making progress in solving cases. This pressure can lead to an overzealous approach to policing, with officers resorting to torture and other illegal methods to extract information and solve cases quickly.
- Lack of ethics training: Police officers in India are not given sufficient training in ethics and human rights. This lack of training makes it easier for officers to resort to violence and abuse of power, as they do not understand the consequences of their actions.
- Political interference: In some cases, politicians and other powerful people may interfere in police investigations or use their influence to protect criminals. This interference can undermine the rule of law and make it more difficult for police officers to do their job effectively and without fear or favor.
- Poor working conditions: Police officers in India often work long hours in difficult and dangerous conditions. This can lead to stress and fatigue, which can in turn lead to a higher incidence of police excesses.
- Lack of accountability: There is often little accountability for police officers who commit excesses. In many cases, officers who are found guilty of human rights violations are simply transferred to another location, rather than being punished or dismissed from the force. This lack of accountability sends a message to other officers that they can get away with abuse of power and violence.
Role of Technology and Ethics in Policing
- Both technology and ethics are necessary for effective policing: While technology can help solve crimes and improve policing efficiency, ethics and a commitment to human rights are necessary to ensure that police officers act within the law and respect the rights of all citizens.
- Technology alone is not enough: The technology has played a significant role in improving policing in India, with many officers now trained in the use of modern tools and techniques to solve crimes. However, technology alone is not enough, and that ethics must also be prioritized in policing.
- Training in ethics must be prioritized at all levels of the police force: Many police officers in India lack sufficient training in ethics and human rights, which makes it easier for them to resort to violence and abuse of power. Training in ethics must be prioritized at all levels of the police force, from the highest-ranking officers to those on the front lines.
- Police leaders are crucial players: The police leaders, such as DGPs and IGPs, have a crucial role to play in indoctrinating young recruits on the value of sticking to the law and civilised behaviour.
What is mean by humane policing?
- Humane policing refers to a style of law enforcement that places a greater emphasis on preserving the human rights and dignity of individuals.
- Humane policing recognizes that police officers are entrusted with great power and authority and that they have a duty to exercise this power with respect, compassion, and professionalism.
- It prioritizes building trust and positive relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
- Humane policing It seeks to avoid the use of excessive force, unnecessary aggression, or intimidation in policing activities.
- It recognizes the importance of accountability and transparency in law enforcement.
- It also recognizes the importance of training and education for police officers in areas such as cultural competence, mental health awareness, and conflict resolution.
Conclusion
- It is sad and equally true that many in the political firmament subscribe to the philosophy that without physical force on misbehaving citizens, the quality of policing cannot improve and law and order cannot be maintained. This perception has to be changed. India needs a human policing. Moreover, the authorities must take swift action against offending officials to send a strong message that no illegal physical treatment of crime suspects will be tolerated.
Mains Question
Q. Rising cases of police excesses reveals the need for change in the policing system. In this backdrop highlight the factors behind Policing Excesses in India and what steps can be taken to promote humane policing?
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Aquaculture, Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023
Mains level: Read the attached story
The Coastal Aquaculture Authority (Amendment) Bill 2023 was introduced in the Lok Sabha.
What is Aquaculture?
- Aquaculture essentially means, breeding, raising, and harvesting fish, shellfish, and aquatic plants.
- In a nutshell, it’s farming in water.
- Saline water along the coast has been found to be suitable for practising aquaculture which produces shrimp, majorly.
- If aquaculture is not practised on this land, it will be left idle and uncultivated as it is not suitable for the cultivation of crops.
- Aquaculture can be practised on about 12 lakh hectares in the country along the coast, of which only 14% has been utilized so far.
Key highlights of the amendment
- Decriminalisation of certain offences: The Bill aims to decriminalize the offences under the Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act.
- Fine-tuning operational procedures: It seeks to promote ease of doing business and to fine-tune the operational procedures of the authority.
- Promotion of environment-friendly coastal aquaculture: The Bill also aims to promote newer forms of environment-friendly coastal aquaculture, such as cage culture, seaweed culture, marine ornamental fish culture, and pearl oyster culture.
- Create employment opportunities: These newer forms of coastal aquaculture have the potential to create additional employment opportunities.
- Prevention of use of harmful substances in coastal aquaculture: The Bill also includes a provision to prevent the use of antibiotics and pharmacologically active substances that are harmful to human health in coastal aquaculture.
About the Coastal Aquaculture Act
- This Act was enacted in the year 2005 for the establishment an authority to regulate activities in this sector.
- It is a parliamentary act that establishes the Coastal Aquaculture Authority (CAA) for the regulation and registration of coastal aquaculture farms in India.
Overview
- The CAA Act, of 2005 mandates the Central Government to take measures to regulate coastal aquaculture and ensure that it does not cause any harm to the coastal environment.
- The guidelines prescribed by the government aim to promote responsible coastal aquaculture practices that protect the livelihood of various coastal communities.
Key features
- The CAA Act, 2005 provides for the establishment of the Coastal Aquaculture Authority to regulate the activities related to coastal aquaculture.
- The Central Government is responsible for prescribing guidelines to regulate coastal aquaculture activities and ensure responsible practices.
- The guidelines aim to protect the livelihood of coastal communities and prevent any harm to the coastal environment.
- The Act also mandates the registration of coastal aquaculture farms to ensure their compliance with the guidelines.
- The CAA is a strong force in enforcing the regulations and registration of coastal aquaculture farms in India.
Significance
- The Coastal Aquaculture Authority Act, of 2005 is significant in promoting responsible coastal aquaculture practices and protecting the livelihood of coastal communities.
- The act ensures that coastal aquaculture activities are regulated and registered, which helps prevent harm to the coastal environment.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Plant Breeders' Rights, Open Source Seeds
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea
- The article discusses the concept of open-source software and its parallels with open-source seeds.
- Richard Stallman pioneered the Free Software Movement and developed the General Public License (GPL) to protect users’ rights and prevent code misappropriation.
- Farmers have been innovating and sharing seeds without intellectual property rights (IPR) claims for centuries.
Backgrounder: Plant Breeders’ Rights
- Plant breeders’ rights (PBR) granted exclusive rights to breeders and developers of new varieties.
- Farmers’ rights were limited under this regime.
- The TRIPS agreement established a global IPR regime over plant varieties.
- The consolidation of the seed sector raised concerns about the freedom to innovate.
Forms of IPR Protection in Agriculture
- There are now two forms of IPR protection in agriculture: PBR and patents.
- Together, they restrict farmers’ rights and the freedom to develop new varieties.
- The use of genetically modified seeds and IP claims triggered many problems, including State intervention on Bt cotton seeds in India.
- The decline of public sector breeding and the dominance of the private sector in the seed sector increased the need for alternatives.
What are Open Source Seeds?
- The success of open-source software inspired a solution for seeds.
- In 1999, a Canadian plant breeder named T.E. Michaels suggested an approach to seeds based on the principles of open-source software.
- In 2012, Jack Kloppenburg launched the Open Source Seeds Initiative (OSSI) in Wisconsin.
- Agrecol launched another initiative in Europe, and similar programs have come up worldwide.
Open Source Seeds Initiatives in India
- In India, the Hyderabad-based Centre for Sustainable Agriculture (CSA), part of the Apna Beej Network, developed a model incorporated into an agreement between CSA and the recipient of the seed/germplasm.
- CSA’s Open Source Seeds Initiative uses a contracts approach similar to Agrecol’s strategy.
- The number of seed firms using open-source models and the crop varieties and seeds made available thereunder is small but growing.
- India is yet to test and adopt it widely.
Potential Applications of Open-Source Seeds
- Open-source principles can help promote farmer-led participatory plant-breeding exercises.
- Traditional varieties often lack uniformity and aren’t of excellent quality, but open-source principles can facilitate testing, improvisation, and adoption.
- Open-source principles can be used in farmer-led seed conservation and distribution systems.
- The government and other stakeholders can consider adopting this approach to more widely adopt traditional varieties.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Dibang WLS, Idu Mishmi
Mains level: Not Much
Central idea
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority has proposed to notify Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh as a tiger reserve, causing concerns among the Idu Mishmi community.
- The Idu Mishmi community has a unique cultural relationship with the forest, particularly with tigers.
- This article explains who the Idu Mishmis are, their relationship with the forest, the move to propose a tiger reserve, and the community’s resistance.
Who are the Idu Mishmis?
- The Idu Mishmi community is a sub-tribe of the larger Mishmi group, primarily living in the Mishmi Hills bordering Tibet in Arunachal Pradesh.
- The tribe has strong ties with the flora and fauna of the region, particularly tigers, which are considered their “elder brothers” in their mythology.
- Despite traditional hunting practices, the tribe follows a belief system of myths and taboos that restrict them from hunting many animals, including a complete prohibition on killing tigers.
- This belief system has led to a unique model of wildlife conservation, according to anthropologists and researchers.
Overturning Dibang WLS into Tiger Reserve
- Plans to declare Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary as a tiger reserve have been ongoing for a while now.
- The sanctuary, home to rare Mishmi takin, musk deer, goral, clouded leopards, snow leopards, and tigers, was notified in 1998.
- The Wildlife Institute of India carried out a survey in 2014 to determine the presence of tigers in the area based on photographic evidence via camera trapping.
- The study recorded the presence of tigers in the highest reaches of the Mishmi Hills, forming the basis of the proposal to declare the sanctuary as a tiger reserve.
Why are the Idu Mishmis resisting the move?
- The community’s access to the Dibang forests has not been impacted as a wildlife sanctuary, but many believe a tiger reserve would increasingly restrict access.
- The upgrade to a tiger reserve would feature stricter security measures, such as a ‘Special Tiger Protection Force,’ which would hinder the community’s access to their forest lands.
- The community has declared part of its forest land as a ‘Community Conserved Area,’ governed entirely by local populations, where they ban hunting, felling trees, and implement other conservation measures.
- The community alleges that the Dibang WLS was created without their consent or knowledge.
Back2Basics: Mishmi Tribe
|
Information |
| Name and Location |
Mishmi people, an indigenous group living in the northeastern Indian states of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, as well as parts of Tibet and Myanmar |
| Subgroups |
Idu Mishmi, Digaru Mishmi, and Miju Mishmi |
| Migration and Language |
Believed to have migrated from the Mongoloid race, their languages belong to the Tibeto-Burman family |
| History |
Rich and complex history dating back several centuries, involved in conflicts with neighboring tribes and states, affected by British colonialism and creation of McMahon Line, played important role in Sino-Indian War |
| Culture |
Rich cultural heritage and traditional knowledge, unique customs and practices related to birth, marriage, and death, known for craftsmanship skills in weaving, woodcarving, and metalwork, rich mythology |
| Religion |
Primarily animists, believe in spirits in nature, worship ancestors and spirits of forests and mountains, rich tradition of shamanism |
| Livelihoods |
Primarily agriculturists, with rice as staple crop, engage in animal husbandry, fishing, beekeeping is an important source of income, hunting restricted |
| Challenges |
Struggling to protect ancestral lands from outsiders, culture and way of life threatened by modernization and globalization, vulnerable to effects of climate change |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Dhawan II engine
Mains level: Privatization of space activities
In Telangana, private space vehicle company Skyroot Aerospace has test-fired its 3D-printed Dhawan II engine.
Dhawan II Engine
- The Dhawan II engine is a cryogenic engine developed by Skyroot Aerospace for use as the upper stage of the updated version of their Vikram II rocket.
- The engine was recently test-fired for a duration of 200 seconds and demonstrated impressive performance results.
- Cryogenic engines use extremely cold liquid propellants, which can provide greater thrust and enhance the payload-carrying capacity of a rocket.
- The engine was developed using advanced technologies like 3D printing and green propellants.
- Its successful testing marks a significant milestone for Skyroot Aerospace in their efforts to become the first private launcher from South Asia.
Stipulated use
- The Dhawan II engine will be used as the upper stage of the updated version Vikram-2.
- Using a cryogenic upper stage instead of a solid fuel stage enhances the payload carrying capacity of a rocket.
- The updated Vikram II rocket is scheduled to become launch-ready by next year, making Skyroot the first private launcher from South Asia.
Skyroot’s other sub-orbital and orbital flights
- Skyroot carried out its first sub-orbital flight in November 2021, using a single-stage solid fuel Vikram S rocket.
- The company plans to carry out its first orbital flight by the end of this year using the updated Vikram II rocket.
- The Vikram-1 rocket, the first in the series of rockets being developed by Skyroot, will use three solid-fuel stages to take satellites to orbit.
Impressive performance results and advanced technologies
- The endurance test of Dhawan-II demonstrated impressive performance results.
- The company is proud to be at the forefront of developing cutting-edge cryogenic technologies in the private space sector of India.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: UN Water Action Conference
Mains level: Water agenda, voluntary commitments and challenges
Central Idea
- The International Water Action Conference held by the United Nations in March 2023, which resulted in over 670 commitments from various governments, multilateral institutions, businesses, and non-governmental organizations to address water security issues. There are implications of these commitments which needs to be examined the challenges associated with achieving universal, safe, affordable, and equitable access to water in line with SDG 6.
- First UN conference on freshwater: The Water Action Conference held in March 2023 was the first UN conference on freshwater in almost 50 years.
- Aims to advance water agenda and achieve SDG 6: The conference aimed to review the Water Action Decade 2018-2028, which aims to advance the water agenda and achieve SDG 6, sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Themes of the conference
The Conference has five themes that support the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework:
- Water for Health: Access to ‘WASH’ (Global Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene) including the Human Rights to Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation
- Water for Sustainable Development: Valuing water, the water-energy-food nexus and sustainable economic and urban development.
- Water for Climate, Resilience and Environment: Source to sea, biodiversity, climate, resilience and disaster risk reduction.
- Water for Cooperation: Transboundary and international water cooperation, cross sectoral cooperation and water across the 2030 Agenda.
- Water Action Decade: Accelerating the implementation of the objectives of the Decade for Action, including through the UN Secretary-General’s Action Plan.
What is Water Action Decade (2018–2028)?
- In December 2016, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution International Decade (2018–2028) for Action Water for Sustainable Development to help put a greater focus on water during ten years.
- It aims to advance the water agenda by energizing existing programs and projects and inspiring water action to achieve the 2030 Agenda, in particular, Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which envisions the sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
- The initiative focuses on promoting action-oriented partnerships to improve water resources management, water-use efficiency, and access to safe drinking water and sanitation services. The Decade aims to create a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences, promoting innovation, and building capacity for sustainable water management.
The International Water Action Agenda and commitments made
- International Water Action Agenda: The conference resulted in the international Water Action Agenda, to which over 670 commitments were made by governments, multilateral institutions, businesses, and non-governmental organizations to address water security issues.
- Commitments are voluntary: Nearly 164 governments and 75 multilateral organizations made commitments, but these commitments are voluntary and legally non-binding.
Implications of commitments made
- The commitments embodied in the Water Action Agenda must be scrutinized to see whether they will yield universal, safe, affordable, and equitable access to water that is consistent with SDG 6.
- Meeting this target by 2030 will require capital expenditures of $114 billion per year.
- The recurring operations and maintenance for basic water and sanitation service (WASH) costs are estimated to rise from about $4 billion to over $30 billion per year by 2030.
Challenges associated with achieving SDG 6
- Funding: Funding from regional, national, and international sources prioritizes new water infrastructure rather than water maintenance services, resulting in decreased service for water customers.
- Investment: The investment required would require valuing water, which in turn requires robust water measurement and accounting.
- Limitations: There are serious limitations in our knowledge about the volume, flux and quality of water in lakes, rivers, soils and aquifers. There are huge gaps in water usage data.
India’s commitments and challenges
- India made two significant commitments at the conference:
- An investment of $240 billion in the water sector and
- Efforts to restore groundwater levels.
- However, groundwater extraction in India increased from 58% to 63% between 2004-17, further exacerbated by climate change resulting in intermittent rainfall, which further undermines the recharge potential.
- The revised Groundwater Bill 2017 vests State groundwater boards with creating laws, managing water allocation and other relevant issues.
- The State boards are understaffed, and lack in expertise and prioritizing socio-political conflicts over groundwater resources.
Facts for prelims
| Initiative |
Objective |
| Jal Shakti Abhiyan, 2019 |
Ensure water conservation and management in 255 water-stressed districts across India |
| Atal Bhujal Yojana, 2019 |
Improve groundwater management and promote community-based groundwater management |
| Namami Gange Project, 2014 |
Clean and rejuvenate the Ganges river and address pollution through treatment of sewage and industrial effluents |
| Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, 2014 |
Improve sanitation and cleanliness across the country and promote hygiene practices |
| Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana. 2015 |
Improve irrigation efficiency and increase water use efficiency in agriculture |
| National Water Mission, 2011 |
Ensure sustainable water management and water security in the country and improve water use efficiency |
| National Aquifer Mapping and Management Programme (NAQUIM), 2012 |
Map the aquifers across the country and develop a groundwater management plan |
| Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP), 2009 |
Enhance soil and water conservation practices in rainfed areas and promote the development of rainwater harvesting structures to enhance groundwater recharge |
Conclusion
- The international Water Action Conference resulted in over 670 commitments to address water security issues. These commitments are voluntary and legally non-binding, but they are expected to inspire collective political will to address the many water challenges.
Mains Question
Q. What is Water action decade? Discuss the challenges associated with achieving universal, safe, affordable, and equitable access to water in line with SDG 6.
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