Current Affairs – July 19, 2024

{GS1 – Geo – HG} Mashco Piro tribe *

Context (IE): The world’s largest isolated tribe makes a rare appearance in new footage.

The Mashco Piro, possibly more than 750, are believed to be the largest uncontacted tribe on Earth.
These nomadic hunter-gatherers live in the Amazon jungles of the Madre de Dios Region, close to Peru’s border with Brazil and Bolivia.
Peru’s government has forbidden all contact with the Mashco Piro, fearing the spread of disease among the population to which it has no immunity.
The tribe is very reclusive, only occasionally contacting the natives but contacting Yine people.
In 2002, the Peru government created the Madre de Dios Territorial Reserve to protect the territory of the Mashco Piro. But large parts of their traditional ground lie outside the reserve.

Credits: Peru Explorer

Swathes of land in the forests of Madre de Dios have since been sold off as logging concessions to extract cedar and mahogany.
In the 1880s, during Peru’s rubber boom, the Mashco Piro were among the many tribes who were forcibly displaced from their land, enslaved, and killed en masse.
The survivors moved upstream on the Manu river, where they have lived in isolation ever since.

{GS2 – Governance – Laws} Enemy Property Act, 1968

Context (TH): The Indian government has begun to auction benami properties belonging to erstwhile citizens of the country who now hold Pakistani and Chinese passports.

The Enemy Property Act of 1968 came into effect in the aftermath of the Indo-China and Indo-Pak wars in 1962 and 1965.
The ‘enemy properties’ could be “any property that belongs to, is held or managed on behalf of an enemy, an enemy subject, or an enemy firm”.
The word “enemy” signifies any country that has committed an act of aggression or declared war against the Union of India, and “property” is immovable assets and all negotiable instruments such as shares, debentures, and other commerce.
The Act ruled that the heirs of people who migrated to Pakistan and China would not have any right to succession over the property left by their ancestors.
It includes property left behind by those who went to China after the 1962 Sino-Indian war and to Pakistan after the India-Pakistan wars of 1965 and 1971.
After the Act, the Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI) took over the enemy properties and has been managing them since then.
CEPI may sell or lease the properties to the state government for public use.

The Enemy Property (Amendment and Validation) Act, 2017.

It expanded the meaning of the terms “enemy subject” and “enemy firm” to include an enemy’s legal heir and successor irrespective of nationality.
Once a property is declared ‘enemy property’, it remains so even if the enemy/enemy subject/enemy firm/heir ceases to be an enemy due to death, extinction, winding up of business or change of nationality.

SC ruling : Union not the owner of enemy properties

On an appeal of the Lucknow Municipal Corporation against an Allahabad HC judgement holding that the civic body cannot seek property taxes from the assesses who are in occupation of enemy property, the SC ruled:
1. The CEPI does not acquire ownership of the properties. The enemy properties vest in the Custodian as a trustee only for managing and administrating such properties.
2. Union of India has no ownership rights of such properties.

Custodian of Enemy Property for India (CEPI)

It works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
It is a statutory authority under the Enemy Property Act of 1968 provisions.
It has the same powers as those vested in a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure,1908.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Parliament} Defection in Indian Politics

Context (TH): Many party-hopping defectors won in subsequent elections and got ministerial berths.

Impacts of Defection

Government Instability: Defections can topple governments, especially coalitions. For example, the 2019 Karnataka government collapsed, disrupted policies and created uncertainty.
Eroded Public Trust: Voters lose faith in representatives who switch parties. This could be a factor in the record-low voter turnout of 67.4% in the 2019 Loksabha elections.
Weakened Ideologies: Defections prioritise personal gain over party principles. Many leaders defect, citing “differences in ideology,” but many believe it is a strategic move to improve their political position.
Horse-Trading and Corruption: Defections can be driven by money and promises, fostering corruption. For example, The 2020 Madhya Pradesh MLA bribery accusations.

Read more > Anti-Defection law.

Criticisms of the Anti-Defection Law

Resignation loophole: Legislators can resign from their party and join another, bypassing disqualification. This facilitates engineered government collapses and the formation of new alliances.
Speaker’s bias: Disqualification decisions are made by the Speaker (Lok Sabha) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha), who may exhibit bias.
Merger exception misuse: The law allows entire parties to merge without individual members facing disqualification. Smaller parties abuse this loophole by merging for personal gains.
Excessive party control: Legislators may be coerced into voting along party lines, stifling healthy debate and representation of constituents’ views.
Weak enforcement: Defection cases often face slow, opaque processes allowing manipulation.
Erosion of political morality: The focus on controlling legislators may overshadow the development of robust public policy platforms, harming political discourse.

Way Forward

Addressing the resignation loophole: Introduce a “cooling-off” period after resignation, during which legislators cannot join another party without facing disqualification.
Ensuring impartial adjudication: Shift the authority to decide defection cases from the Speaker/Chairman to an independent body like a strengthened Election Commission.
Reforming the merger exception: Establish stricter criteria for party mergers, ensuring they are based on ideological alignment rather than mere survival.
Balancing party discipline & individual conscience: Promote intra-party democracy to empower legislators in policy decisions and reduce coercion to vote along party lines by introducing coercion votes.
Strengthening enforcement mechanisms: Ensure swift and transparent judgments and impose stricter penalties on legislators and parties found guilty to enhance the deterrent effect.
Fostering political morality: Encourage internal reforms within political parties to strengthen ideological platforms and attract candidates with genuine convictions.

{GS2 – Polity – IC – Reservation} Inclusions and exclusions in the SC List

Context (TH): The Supreme Court has held that States cannot tinker with the Scheduled Castes List notified under Article 341 of the Constitution.

Inclusion and exclusion of Scheduled Castes List

Criteria

Extreme social, educational & economic backwardness arising out of the practice of untouchability.

Procedure

State Governments/Union Territory Administrations initiate a proposal for the changes. The Registrar General of India (RGI) and the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) must agree to it.
It is further processed under provisions of clause (2) of Article 341. i.e., Parliament made a law to include or exclude the SC from the list.

SC Ruling

Any inclusion or exclusion of any caste, race or tribe or part of or group within the castes, races or tribes has to be, by law, made by the Parliament, and not by any other mode or manner.
The State government had no such competence/authority/power.

Context (IE): The Centre halts Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds to Delhi, Punjab, and Bengal over their refusal of the Pradhan Mantri Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI) scheme.

It is a centrally sponsored scheme announced in 2022 to develop more than 14500 schools across India.
A budget of Rs 27,000 crores for five years is divided in a 60:40 ratio between the Centre and the States.
States must sign a MoU with the Ministry of Education to join the program.

Features

The selected schools will act as exemplary schools that showcase all components of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) and offer mentorship to other schools nearby.
Green Schools: Incorporates environment-friendly aspects.
Teaching methods: Experiential, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centric & discussion-based.
Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local industry to enhance employability.
A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is developed to measure outcomes.

Samagra Shiksha Scheme

It is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Ministry of Education in 2018 to deliver inclusive, equitable, and affordable school education from preschool to class XII.
It involves a 60:40 split in funding between the Centre and most States.
It subsumes the Schemes of:
1. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) – Launched in 2001 to provide elementary education to all children aged 6 to 14 years by 2010.
2. Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) – Launched in March 2009 to improve access to and quality of secondary education in public schools.
3. Teacher Education (TE) – To strengthen teacher education institutions like SCERTs and DIETs to improve the quality of prospective teachers.

{GS2 – Vulnerable Sections – Children} Operation Nanhe Farishtey

Context (PIB): RPF runs ‘Operation Nanhe Farishtey’ to rescue children needing care and protection across various Indian Railway zones.
- The Indian Railways, in association with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, has set up ‘Track Child Portal—3.0’ dedicated to tracking missing children rescued by the RPF.

Railway Protection Force (RPF)

It is an armed force of the Union under the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
The force was established by the RPF Act, 1957, enacted by Parliament for “the better protection and security of railway property and passenger area”.
It can search, arrest, enquire, and prosecute offences committed under the Railway Property (Unlawful Possession) Act 1966 and the Railways Act, 1989.

{GS3 – Envi – CC} UNEP’s Navigating New Horizons: A Global Foresight Report

Context (DTE I DTE I DTE): The report underscores the profound impact of climate change and socioeconomic practices on global well-being and environmental sustainability.

Key Findings

Eco-anxiety

The report forecasts that the eco-anxiety crisis will worsen significantly by 2030. 59% of young people from the Philippines, Brazil, Nigeria, and India are extremely worried about climate change.
Negative emotional responses like climate grief due to the threat of environmental and climate crisis particularly affect children, youth, and climate researchers.

Displacement

The report forecasts that 1.5% of the world’s population, or approximately one in every 69 people, is forcibly displaced mainly due to climate change.
Ineffective implementation of climate mitigation measures can cause 25 million to 1 billion people to become environmental migrants by 2050.
The number of internally displaced persons due to climate change has increased by 340% in two decades, surpassing conflict and violence as the main cause of displacement.

Private Micro-environmentalism

Private Micro-environmentalism refers to creating exclusive, artificial habitats that provide stable ecosystems to wealthy individuals.

The report forecasts that by 2050, less than 10% of terrestrial areas may remain untouched by human activity due to private micro-environmentalism.

Solar Radiation Management (SRM)

The report predicts SRM deployment could pose environmental and social risks within seven years.
It may exacerbate geopolitical tensions (benefiting developed nations, leaving developing countries vulnerable) and environmental issues (altered precipitation, delayed ozone recovery, polar warming, tropical cooling).
Opting against SRM risks ill-preparedness for climate challenges and termination shock (rapid temperature rise if abruptly halted).

SRM is designed to cool the Earth by reflecting sunlight into space. It mimics natural processes such as volcanic eruptions and cloud whitening to achieve this effect.

Spatial Activity Acceleration

Accelerated anthropogenic space activity anticipates disruptions to the global environment.
This risks include critical communication and observation infrastructure, undermining national security and geopolitical stability.
Rocket launches and re-entries emit harmful substances (CO₂, water vapour, nitrogen oxide, black carbon, and gaseous chlorine), contributing to pollution and ozone depletion.
Debris re-entering the atmosphere generates shock waves and alumina particles, affecting atmospheric chemistry. It also contributes to light pollution, and satellite collisions generate space debris.
Could affect sustainable development goals. (SDG 3, SDG 13, and SDG 16).

The global space industry is projected to grow from $630 billion in 2023 to $3.7 trillion by 2040. The number of satellites launched annually has increased by 50. (World Economic Forum report, 2024)

AI-based autonomous weapons

The report forecasts that increased use of AI-based weapons in warfare (Israel’s Lavender, Ukrainian AI drones) could lead to global disruptions in 4-6 years.
AI systems might recommend pro-escalation tactics, intensifying conflicts without logic and causing long-term environmental harm.
Synthetic biology (science for redesigning organisms) & AI could create new biological weapons.

{GS3 – Envi – Conservation} GearShift Challenge

Context (PIB): NITI Aayog with IIM Bangalore, Smart Freight Centre India, CALSTART/Drive to Zero, and WRI India, launched the NITI GearShift Challenge under the e-FAST India initiative.

Aims to develop innovative business models for adopting zero-emission trucks (ZETs) and address economic and environmental challenges.

The e-FAST India stands for “Electric Freight Aggregation and Sustainable Transportation.” It promotes the adoption of electric and sustainable solutions in the freight transportation sector across India.

Key Objectives

Encouraging the transition from diesel to electric trucks and identifying viable financing options for it.
Developing solutions for performance, reliability, and infrastructure requirements of e-trucks.
Ensuring seamless integration of e-trucks into existing logistics and supply chains.
Encouraging Collaboration to work on common goals.
Inspiring creative approaches to the challenges faced by the freight sector in adopting e-vehicles.
Reducing CO2 emissions and improving air quality.
Supporting the growth of the electric vehicle market.
Reducing emissions to improve air quality and public health outcomes.
Developing feasible and scalable business models for the real world.

India’s logistics sector delivers goods to over 1.4 billion people. The road freight:
- Accounts for 55% of India’s annual diesel consumption.
- Contributes nearly 40% of CO2 emissions from road transport.

More info > Logistics Sector in India

Benefits of Electrification

Emission Reduction: Significant decrease in CO2 emissions from road transport.
- Norway’s adoption of EVs, with nearly 80% of new cars sold in 2023 being electric, supports its goal of carbon neutrality by 2030.
Improved Air Quality: Cleaner air resulting from reduced diesel consumption.
- The introduction of London’s Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) has encouraged the adoption of EVs, leading to a nearly 44% reduction in nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels.
Enhanced Energy Security: Less reliance on diesel, contributing to energy independence.
- Germany’s Energiewende policy promotes electric mobility, enhancing energy security by reducing reliance on imported oil and diesel.

{GS3 – Envi – Plastic Pollution} EPR Certificates

Context (TH): 6 lakh fake pollution-trading certificates unearthed in three States.

Companies must either recycle a prescribed percentage of plastic used annually or purchase certificates (EPR certificates) from registered recyclers to meet their annual targets.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR)

Producers, generators & brand owners are responsible for waste management & collect back systems.
It is implemented under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016 & E-Waste Management Rules, 2016.
Such companies must register with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules 2021 ensures the collection and management of plastic packaging waste through the Extended Producer Responsibility.

Benefits

Reduced Plastic Waste: This leads to an increase in recycling rates & reduces plastic waste in landfills.
Promotes Recycling Industry: EPR stimulates economic activity by encouraging producers to invest in recycling infrastructure or collaborate with Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs).
Environmental benefits: Mitigate health risks associated with living near landfills.
Monitoring and Reporting: Real-time monitoring and system-generated reports ensure effective oversight and reporting through the online portal.

Challenges

Many regions do not have the necessary recycling and waste processing facilities. Out of 1,60,000 MT of waste produced per day, only 50% is treated properly.
Poor enforcement & monitoring lead to the generation of fake pollution-trading certificates.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) in India is not mandatory, reducing its overall effectiveness.

For example, producers and brand owners who fall under the micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) category are exempted from EPR.

Way Forward

Ensure effective implementation of EPR by producers with broader participation and impact.

For example, In Pune, ITC Ltd. and the SWaCH waste picker cooperative successfully implemented a parallel secondary collection system for multi-layered packaging (MLP).
- Build innovative mechanisms for waste management and recycling.
In Japan’s Trash to Cash Model, waste is classified and processed differently based on type, with citizens receiving compensation for their recycling efforts.
- Implement strict monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to prevent fraud and ensure integrity.
For example, SPCB must verify that every plastic recycling company recycles the quantities they claim and that they have the claimed manufacturing capacity.

{GS3 – IS – Initiatives} National Security Doctrine (NSD)

Context (TP): India is developing a national security doctrine (NSD).

It defines a country’s approach to safeguarding its national interests, lists various threats, and lays out strategies for contending with them. Countries like the USA, Pakistan, and China already have NSDs.

Significance

Strategic assessment: Review of the country’s threats and opportunities and an evaluation of India’s interests in the context of our energy and food security needs.
Long-term planning: It acts as a framework for the policies protecting borders and coastlines.
Clarity: It gives the Integrated Defence Staff and future joint organisations a clearer top-down mandate to better align the work of the Indian Forces.
Goal setting: It establishes common goals and plans so that various national security agencies, including the MoD, MEA, MHA, and the IAs, could better coordinate daily at the working level.
Preventing Non-State Aggression: It gives clear signals to non-state actors engaged in terrorism, drug trafficking, cybercrime, and money laundering.
Transparency: by providing awareness about the government’s national security plans to the citizens.

{GS3 – S&T – Space} Detection of Phosphine and Ammonia Gas on Venus

Context (NDTV): Scientists have reported detecting Phosphine and Ammonia gas on Venus pointing towards the presence of life forms lurking in the Venusian clouds.
Phosphine has also been discovered on Jupiter and Saturn.

About Phosphine Gas

Phosphine is a colourless, flammable gas at room temperature with a pungent odour resembling garlic.
A molecule of phosphine gas consists of a phosphorus atom surrounded by three hydrogen atoms, just like ammonia, which consists of a nitrogen atom surrounded by three hydrogen atoms.
It exists in trace amounts in Earth’s atmosphere and plays a role in the phosphorus biochemical cycle.

Phosphine on Earth

On Earth, Phosphine is produced by industrial processes. It is also produced by some anaerobic bacteria, which live in oxygen-sparse environments such as sewers, landfills, or even animal guts.
The reduction of phosphate in decomposing organic matter, possibly via partial reductions and disproportionation, also produces phosphine.
Natural environmental systems typically lack strong reducing agents capable of directly converting phosphate to phosphine.

Impacts of Phosphine on Health

Exposure to phosphine can cause nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, thirst, muscle pain, difficulty breathing, and pulmonary oedema. Higher and prolonged exposures can lead to serious health risks.
Phosphine primarily acts as a redox toxin, damaging cells by inducing oxidative stress and impairing mitochondrial function.

Applications of Phosphine

Industrially, phosphine is utilised for pest control in stored grain and tobacco, effectively eliminating insects and rodents.

{GS3 – S&T – Tech} National Quantum Mission

Context (IE): In 2023, India launched the National Quantum Mission development to develop quantum technologies rapidly, but it is far behind China and the USA.

Challenges

Inadequate Fund Allocation: India allocates only around $0.75 billion, while other countries, like America, Germany, China, etc., allocate more than $2 billion.
Poor Research & Development: Indian researchers published few papers on quantum-related science compared to other countries. India ranks 20^th among the 10% of most cited papers.
Patent filing: Indian researchers had only 339 quantum-related patents against 23,335 patents by Chinese researchers. India was ranked ninth by the number of patents obtained.
Skill gap: India had the largest number of graduate students in disciplines aligned to quantum technologies but failed to utilise the potential.

Way forward

Increase investment: Increase funding and investment to develop quantum technologies.
- For example, the National Mission on Quantum Technologies & Applications (NMQTA).
Increase private sector partnership: To enhance standards for quantum technologies.
- For example, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) are developing a 7-qubit quantum computer.
Enhance skill development in quantum technologies: Identify and promote young talent.
- For example, the Quantum Enabled Science & Technology (QuEST) Program.
International collaborations: Facilitate technology transfer and incorporate best practices.
- For example, The India-Australia collaboration on quantum technology.
Promote R&D: Raising a separate cadre of quantum scientists like atomic energy or space science.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Jerdon’s Courser (Rhinoptilus bitorquatus)

Context (TOI): Jerdon’s Courser has not been visually spotted in over a decade.

Credits: TOI

Jerdon’s Courser, a critically endangered species, is exclusively endemic to Andhra Pradesh, specifically within the Sri Lankamalleswara wildlife sanctuary in Kadapa.
It was considered extinct from the beginning of the 20^th century until its rediscovery in 1986.
Physical appearance: It has a yellow base to the black bill, a blackish crown, broad buff supercilium, and an orange-chestnut throat patch. A narrow white crown stripe runs on top of the head.
Habitat: It inhabits open patches within scrub-forest.
It is crepuscular and vocal at dawn and dusk.
Diet: They are insectivorous, hunting invertebrates by sight.
Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered | WPA, 1972: Schedule I.

{Prelims – Envi – Species} Phlogacanthus Sudhansusekharii

Context (NDTV): ‘Phlogacanthus Sudhansusekharii’, a plant species, was recently discovered in Itanagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Papum Pare district.

The plant belongs to the family ‘Acanthaceae’ and the ‘Phlogacanthus’ genus.

The species is named to honour Dr Sudhansu Sekhar Dash, a scientist at the BSI, for his “significant contribution” to plant and ecological research in the Indian Himalayan region.
The Phlogacanthus genus consists of 13 species in India and is mainly found in the northeastern and eastern Himalayan states.

{Prelims – Festivals} Kharchi Puja *

Context (PIB): Kharchi Puja, an ancient traditional Hindu festival, was celebrated in Tripura.

Festival of the 14 Gods: Fourteen gods forming the dynasty deity of the Tripuri people are worshipped.
On the day of the puja, deities are carried by members of Chantai (royal priest) to river Saidra, then bathed in the holy water and brought back to the temple.
It is believed that Tripura Sundari (Mother Goddess), the presiding deity of Tripura, undergoes menstruation during the Ambubachi month in June. This event is believed to have impured the earth.
Kharchi means “cleaning of the sins”, conducted to cleanse the people’s sins and purify the earth after the menstruation period concludes.
Originated as a tribal festival, it is now celebrated in July by both tribal and non-tribal peoples.

{Prelims – Sci – Bio – Diseases} Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses (EEHVs)

Context (IE): Kerala has experienced a significant decline in the population of juvenile elephants due to Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses (EEHVs) over the last year.

Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesviruses (EEHVs) are a class of novel double-stranded DNA herpesviruses that cause acute haemorrhaging in juvenile Asian and African elephants. Severe cases cause death within 24 hours of infection.
The disease has coexisted with elephants for millions of years; however, young elephants are particularly vulnerable because they have lower EEHV-specific antibody levels.
EEHV is not zoonotic and does not pose a risk to public health.

Why are juvenile elephants in Kerala more exposed to EEHVs?

Calves in large herds of elephants benefit from shared immunity through exposure to different EEHV strains, enabling them to develop the antibodies to fight the virus effectively.
Kerala has smaller herds, with most elephant sightings (56%) reported as individuals and pairs.

Reasons for the small size of herds

Decline in forest cover and sub-optimal elephant habitats.
‘Biological invasions,’ mainly the cultivation of alien species of plants like Acacia mangium and eucalyptus in forest tracts.
Lack of fodder attracts herbivores to farmlands around the forest, leading to human-elephant conflict.

Also, read > Borneo Elephant.