Current Affairs – December 27, 2024

{GS1 – Geo – EG – Water Resources} Ken – Betwa River Linking Project

• Context (IE): PM laid the foundation for the Ken – Betwa River Linking Project (KBLP).

Project Overview

• Objective: Transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River via a 221-km canal with a 2-km tunnel.
• Key Components: Includes Daudhan Dam (73.8 m high) in Madhya Pradesh, tunnels, the Ken-Betwa Link Canal and powerhouses.
• Timeline: Expected completion by 2032.

Source: BS

Benefits

• Irrigation: Annual irrigation for 10.62 lakh hectares (8.11 lakh ha in MP and 2.51 lakh ha in UP).
• Drinking Water: Supply to 62 lakh people in water-scarce regions.
• Power Generation: 103 MW hydropower and 27 MW solar power generation.
• The project aims to address drought and water scarcity, fostering regional development.

Regions Benefiting

• Bundelkhand Region: Affected areas in Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
  • Madhya Pradesh: Panna, Tikamgarh, Chhatarpur, Sagar, Damoh, Datia, Vidisha, Shivpuri, Raisen.
  • Uttar Pradesh: Banda, Mahoba, Jhansi, Lalitpur.

Controversies and Criticism

• Environmental Clearance: The project has faced scrutiny over its approval inside the Panna Tiger Reserve, violating precedents of such infrastructure in protected areas.
• Economic Viability: SC’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) raised questions about the economic feasibility and wildlife clearance.
• Unresolved Hydrological Concerns: Experts demand a thorough review of the hydrological data to assess potential long-term effects.

Environmental Concerns

• Deforestation: 98 sq km of Panna National Park submerged, resulting in the felling of 2-3 million trees.
• Wildlife Threats: Potential harm to the tiger reintroduction program, Ken Gharial Sanctuary population and vulture nesting sites.
• Hydrological Impact: The IIT-Bombay study predicts a 12% reduction in September rainfall due to the project’s effect on land-atmosphere interaction.
• Data Transparency: Experts demand transparency in the hydrological data of the Ken River.

Social Impacts

• Displacement: Thousands of families in the Chhatarpur and Panna districts will be displaced due to submergence and land acquisition.
• Compensation Issues: Protests over inadequate compensation & minimal benefits, espl. in Panna district.

Way Forward

• Sustainable Implementation: Ensure the preservation of biodiversity and consider alternative irrigation measures to mitigate environmental impact.
• Community Welfare: Address compensation issues and ensure that displaced families receive fair rehabilitation benefits.
• Transparency: Make hydrological data publicly available for independent review and monitor the environmental impact on protected areas.

Also, refer to River Interlinking.

{GS2 – Governance – Initiatives} ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi’ Initiative

• Context (PIB): Union Minister launched the ‘Viksit Panchayat Karmayogi‘ initiative on Good Governance Day, marking the 100^th birth anniversary of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

• The initiative aligns with the government’s mission to decentralise governance and foster participatory decision-making at the grassroots level.
• It is part of the broader ‘Prashasan Gaon Ki Aur’ campaign, which aims to enhance the capacity and competence of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) by equipping elected representatives and officials with the tools and knowledge required for effective governance and participatory planning.
• Pilot States: Odisha, Assam, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Technological Integration: It Utilises e-learning platforms, AI-powered chatbots, and mobile apps to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance service delivery.

{GS2 – Social Sector – Education} Scrapping the No-Detention Policy

• Context (IE): The no-detention policy under the RTE Act (2009) has been abolished for Classes 5 and 8 to improve accountability and learning outcomes.
• The RTE Act promoted students till Class 8 without detention, aiming to reduce dropouts and fear of failure through Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE).

Reasons for Scrapping the Policy

• Declining Learning Outcomes: Students are promoted without achieving basic skills.
• NEP 2020 Alignment: Emphasizes quality education with accountability.
• State Advocacy: Majority of states supported abolishment during Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) consultations.

Key Provisions of the New Policy

• Annual Exams: Mandatory for Classes 5 and 8 with re-examination provisions.
• Detention Clause: Failure in re-exam may result in detention.
• Competency Focus: Assessments based on skills and understanding.
• Remedial Support: Targeted help for struggling students.

Issues

• Dropout Risks: Possible increase in dropouts due to detention.
• Implementation Gaps: Need for better teacher training and resources.
• Teacher Accountability: Greater responsibility to address individual learning needs.

Benefits of the Policy Change

• Enhanced Learning: Promotes seriousness in academics.
• Accountability: Improves teacher and school accountability.
• Parental Support: Widely accepted by parents for academic discipline.

Way Forward

• Strengthen CCE: Address learning gaps and promote holistic growth.
• Teacher Training: Improve teaching methods and assessment skills.
• Remedial Programs: Provide tailored support to struggling students.
• Monitoring Systems: Track student progress and policy impact.
• Community Involvement: Engage parents and communities in student education.

{GS3 – Agri – Fisheries} Strengthening Fisheries Extension Services in India

• Context (TH): India, the second-largest fish producer globally, with a record 175 lakh tons production in 2022-23, necessitating robust fisheries extension services for sustained growth.

Need for Fisheries Extension Services

• Sustainability: Ensures eco-friendly practices to mitigate overfishing and environmental degradation.
• Livelihood Support: Supports three crore livelihoods and enhances income for fishers through better resources and market access.
• Climate Adaptation: Resilience to climate change in marine and inland fisheries.
• Capacity Building: Training for advanced techniques like seed production and disease management.

Key Components of Fisheries Extension Services

Matsya Seva Kendras (MSKs)

• Centralized hubs under PMMSY provide fisheries with support and services.
• Conduct soil, water & disease analysis (e.g., Thrissur MSK) & training in feed/seed technology (e.g., Maharashtra MSKs).
• Offer a 60% subsidy for women and weaker sections to promote inclusivity.
• Mobilize start-ups, cooperatives, and SHGs to share best practices.
• Focus on conservation and regenerative practices to address climate impacts.

Sagar Mitras

• Act as a government-fisher interface in coastal regions.
• Collect data on marine catch, pricing and marketing needs at landing centres.
• Disseminate critical information on fishing zones, weather and safety measures.

Major Gaps in Current Services

• Limited Coverage: Insufficient extension outreach in remote and inland areas.
• Fragmentation: Lack of integration between central, state and local services.
• Digital Divide: Inadequate access to digital platforms for real-time knowledge sharing.
• Resource Constraints: Shortage of trained personnel and infrastructure for testing and training.
• Low Climate Readiness: Limited focus on adaptive strategies for climate-induced challenges.

Way Forward for Sustainable Growth in the Fisheries Sector

• Policy Integration: Develop unified frameworks integrating fisheries, agriculture and climate adaptation policies to ensure holistic growth.
• Infrastructure Expansion: Enhance Matsya Seva Kendras and testing facilities, especially in underserved regions, to improve accessibility.
• Technology Integration: Scale up digital platforms like AquaBazaar for virtual training and leverage World Bank initiatives for creating digital IDs for fishers and farmers.
• Community Empowerment: Strengthen local participation through cooperatives, start-ups & SHGs.
• Inclusive Growth: Increase subsidies for women and weaker sections, ensuring equitable development and opportunities in the sector.
• Climate Resilience: Promote regenerative aquaculture practices and introduce advanced forecasting tools to address climate change impacts effectively.

Also refer to Steps Take To Improve The Fisheries Sector.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNZP)

• Context (IE): West Bengal received two male red pandas from Rotterdam Zoo, Netherlands, for conservation breeding purposes at Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNZP) in Darjeeling.

• This is the first red panda acquisition from a foreign zoo in nearly a decade to enhance genetic diversity in the country’s most successful conservation breeding programme.
• The zoo was established in 1958 at 7000 feet and is the largest high-altitude zoo in India. The park is named after Padmaja Naidu (daughter of Sarojini Naidu), who served as the Governor of West Bengal.
• The zoo is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and serves as the central hub for the Central Zoo Authority of India’s Red Panda program.
• It specialises in breeding animals adapted to alpine conditions and has successful captive breeding programs for the snow leopard and the Himalayan wolf.
• In addition to these species, the zoo is breeding the Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, Himalayan monal, grey peacock pheasant, Himalayan salamander, blood pheasant and satyr tragopan.

Read More > Biodiversity Conservation: In Situ & Ex Situ Conservation.

{GS3 – IE – RBI} Real Effective Exchange Rate (REER)

• Context (IE): The rupee’s real effective exchange rate (REER) index touched a record high of 108.14.

• REER is the nominal effective exchange rate (a measure of the value of a currency against a weighted average of several foreign currencies) divided by a price deflator or index of costs.
• It is an indicator of the international competitiveness of a nation in comparison with its trade partners.
• The formula is weighted to consider the relative importance of each trading partner to the home country.
• An increasing REER indicates that a country is losing its competitive edge. This implies that exports have become more expensive, and imports have become cheaper.
• Nation’s nominal effective exchange rate (NEER), adjusted for inflation in home country, equals its REER.

Difference Between NEER and REER

{Prelims – PIN World – Africa} Lesotho

• Context (TP): India dispatched a consignment of 1000 metric tonnes of rice as part of its humanitarian assistance to Lesotho.

Geography and Culture

• Situated in the Maloti Mountains. It is often called the “Kingdom in the Sky” due to its high elevation.
• Only independent state in the world that lies entirely above 1,000 meters (3,281 feet) in elevation.
• It is an enclaved country completely surrounded by South Africa. This makes it one of the few countries in the world entirely surrounded by another country.
• River: Caledon River, Orange River, and the Tugela River. All these originate from the Lesotho Mountains.
• Capital: Maseru
• Language: The official languages are Sesotho (Widely Spoken) and English.

Economy

• Lesotho is a key water supplier to South Africa through the Lesotho Highlands Water Project.
• The country is known for its high-quality diamond mines.

{Prelims – PIN World – Asia} World’s Largest Dam on Brahmaputra

• Context (TOI): China has approved the construction of the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet near the Indian border.

• It will be built at the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River (the Tibetan name of the Brahmaputra).
• The dam is planned to be constructed at a massive gorge in the Himalayan region, where the Brahmaputra River makes a sharp U-turn before entering Arunachal Pradesh and flowing into Bangladesh.

How will China’s Brahmaputra Dam Impact India?

• Water Flow: The dam could reduce downstream water flow, affecting agriculture, fisheries, and inland transport in northeastern India. Reduced water flow during dry seasons could exacerbate water scarcity.
• Flood Risk: If China releases large volumes of water during hostilities, there is a potential risk of flooding in border areas. This could lead to flash floods and other water-related disasters.
• Geopolitical Tensions: The dam could exacerbate geopolitical tensions between India and China, potentially leading to “water wars” over control of the river’s resources.
• Regional implications: The dam will allow China to control water flow and potentially release large amounts of water to flood border areas during hostilities.
• Dependence on China: India worries that the project could result in the country depending on China for its water supplies, giving China significant leverage.