Current Affairs 11 October 2023

CONTENTS

1. China-Tibet Issue
2. Israel-Palestine Conflict
3. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)
4. Ganges River Dolphins
5. Mount Kun
6. Hemochromatosis
7. Phonotaxis

China-Tibet Issue

Context:

During a recent discussion with reporters in Dharamshala, the Dalai Lama reaffirmed his stance that Tibetans seek greater autonomy within China, emphasizing their desire for self-governance while remaining part of the People’s Republic of China.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. The China-Tibet Issue: Historical Overview
2. Tibet and the Dalai Lama’s Impact on India-China Relations
3. Recent Developments

The China-Tibet Issue: Historical Overview

Tibet’s Quest for Independence:

• Tibet is a vast region in Asia, covering about 2.4 million square kilometers, roughly a quarter of China’s territory.
• It serves as the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people and other ethnic groups.
• Tibet is renowned for its high elevation, with an average of 4,900 meters, including Mount Everest, Earth’s highest peak.
• Tibet declared de facto independence under the 13th Dalai Lama, Thubten Gyatso, in 1913, a move not recognized by China.

Chinese Occupation and the Seventeen Point Agreement:

• From 1912 until the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, Tibet was not governed by any Chinese authority, and the Dalai Lama’s government administered the region.
• In 1951, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) entered Tibet, leading to a forced treaty known as the “Seventeen Point Agreement.” This agreement claims to guarantee Tibetan autonomy and religious freedom but permits the establishment of Chinese offices in Lhasa, Tibet’s capital.
• The treaty is widely regarded as invalid by Tibetans and third-party observers, often termed a “cultural genocide.”

1959 Tibetan Uprising:

• Escalating tensions between Tibet and China reached a climax in 1959 when the Dalai Lama and his supporters sought asylum in India.

Aftermath of the 1959 Tibetan Uprising:

• Since 1959, China has increasingly tightened its control over Tibet, resulting in a lack of freedom of speech, religion, and press.
• Tibetans have faced forced abortion, sterilization, and an influx of low-income Han Chinese residents, which threatens Tibetan culture.
• Although China has improved infrastructure in Tibet, such as Lhasa, it has also encouraged a demographic shift by relocating Han Chinese citizens to the region.

Tibet and the Dalai Lama’s Impact on India-China Relations

Historical Neighbors:

• Tibet historically shared its boundaries with India, and the Line of Actual Control (LAC) stretches for 3,500 kilometers in the Tibetan Autonomous Region.
• The 1914 Simla Convention, which delineated boundaries, was signed by Tibetan representatives alongside Chinese officials and British India.
• However, China’s full annexation of Tibet in 1950 led to a repudiation of the Simla Convention and the McMahon Line, which separated the two countries.

Recognition of Tibet:

• In 1954, India signed an agreement recognizing Tibet as a “Tibet region of China,” reflecting the changing dynamics of the region.
• The presence of the Dalai Lama in India remains a persistent issue in India-China relations, as China views him as a separatist figure.

Tibet’s Geopolitical Significance:

• The Tibetan plateau holds strategic importance in terms of water resources and geopolitical considerations, further complicating India-China-Tibet relations.

Recent Developments:

• China has been investing in advanced infrastructure in Tibet, including border defense villages, dams, an all-weather oil pipeline, and internet connectivity projects.
• China is attempting to control the selection of the next Dalai Lama by asserting that Tibetan Buddhism is an integral part of Chinese culture.
• India’s policy of not granting citizenship to Tibetans born in India after 1987 has generated discontent among Tibetan youth, contributing to ongoing challenges in the region.

-Source: The Hindu

Israel-Palestine Conflict

Context:

Recently, the Hamas, the militant group ruling the Gaza Strip, have mounted a scathing attack on Israel from the land, air and water leading to multiple casualties. This has revived the century-old dispute between Israel-Palestine Conflict once again, necessitating the intervention by global and regional powers.

Relevance:

GS II: International Relations

Dimensions of the Article:

1. The Israel-Palestine Conflict
2. Emergence of Hamas and the Oslo Accords
3. Territorial Disputes of Israel with Neighboring Countries
4. Evolution of India’s Relationship with Israel
5. Impact of Assault on Israel-Saudi Arabia Ties
6. Way Forward

The Israel-Palestine Conflict

Origins of Conflict:

• The conflict traces its roots back to the 1917 Balfour Declaration, where the British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour expressed official support for the establishment of a Jewish “national home” in Palestine.

Creation of Palestine:

• In 1948, Britain, unable to quell Arab-Jewish violence, withdrew its forces from Palestine, leaving the responsibility of resolving competing claims to the newly formed United Nations.
• The UN proposed a partition plan to establish independent Jewish and Arab states in Palestine, but it was not accepted by most Arab nations.

Arab-Israel War (1948):

• Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948 led to attacks by surrounding Arab states. Israel ended up controlling about 50% more territory than originally envisioned by the UN partition plan.

UN Partition Plan:

• The UN partition plan saw Jordan control the West Bank and Jerusalem’s holy sites, while Egypt controlled the Gaza Strip. However, it didn’t resolve the Palestinian crisis, resulting in the formation of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) in 1964.

Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO):

• Founded with the goal of freeing Palestine from Israeli rule and Jewish dominance, establishing Muslim Brotherhood dominance in the Arab world.
• The United Nations granted PLO observer status in 1975, recognizing Palestinians’ right to self-determination.

Six-Day War (1967):

• Israeli forces seized the Golan Heights from Syria, the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan, and the Sinai Peninsula and Gaza Strip from Egypt.

Camp David Accords (1978):

• The “Framework for Peace in the Middle East,” brokered by the U.S., laid the groundwork for peace talks between Israel and its neighbors and a resolution to the “Palestinian problem,” although this remained unfulfilled.

Emergence of Hamas and the Oslo Accords

Founding of Hamas (1987):

• In 1987, Hamas, a violent offshoot of Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, was founded. It sought to fulfill its agenda through violent jihad and is regarded as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
• In 2006, Hamas won the Palestinian Authority’s legislative elections, leading to its control of Gaza and the expulsion of Fatah in 2007, resulting in a geographical split in the Palestinian movement.

First Intifada (1987):

• The First Intifada (Palestinian Uprising) began in 1987 as tensions in the occupied territories of the West Bank and Gaza reached a boiling point.
• This uprising evolved into a small war between Palestinian militants and the Israeli army.

Oslo Accords (1993):

• In 1993, Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) signed the Oslo Accords. The agreements led to both parties officially recognizing each other and renouncing the use of violence.
• The Oslo Accords also established the Palestinian Authority, which was granted limited autonomy in the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.

Israeli Withdrawal from Gaza (2005):

• In 2005, Israel initiated a unilateral withdrawal of Jewish settlements from Gaza, while maintaining tight control over all border crossings, effectively imposing a blockade on the region.

UN Recognition (2012):

• In 2012, the United Nations upgraded Palestinian representation to that of a “non-member observer state.”

Territorial Disputes of Israel with Neighboring Countries

West Bank:

• The West Bank is situated between Israel and Jordan, with its major city being Ramallah, the de facto administrative capital of Palestine.
• Israel took control of the West Bank during the 1967 war and has since established settlements in the region.

Gaza:

• The Gaza Strip is located between Israel and Egypt.
• Israel occupied Gaza after the 1967 war but transferred control of Gaza City and day-to-day administration in most of the territory during the Oslo peace process.
• In 2005, Israel unilaterally removed Jewish settlements from Gaza, although it retains control over international access to the territory.

Golan Heights:

• The Golan Heights is a strategically important plateau captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 war.
• Israel effectively annexed the territory in 1981.
• The USA has officially recognized Jerusalem and the Golan Heights as part of Israel in recent developments.

Evolution of India’s Relationship with Israel

India’s Stand on the Israel-Palestine Conflict:

• India initially opposed the UN’s partition plan in 1947, reflecting its own recent experience of independence.
• India recognized Israel in 1950 but was also the first non-Arab country to recognize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole representative of the Palestinians.
• India recognized the statehood of Palestine in 1988.
• In recent times, India’s policy has shifted toward dehyphenation, maintaining a balancing act between its historical support for Palestine and its friendly ties with Israel.
• India advocates a Two-State Solution and the right to self-determination for both Israel and Palestine.

Impact of Assault on Israel-Saudi Arabia Ties:

• Hamas’ assault on Israel may have disrupted efforts to bring Saudi Arabia and Israel closer, along with other countries interested in normalizing relations.
• Hamas emphasized threats to Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, the Israeli blockade on Gaza, and Israeli normalization with regional countries.
• Dehyphening Saudi Arabia from Israel could promote the Muslim Brotherhood’s agenda and territorial sovereignty in the Arab and Middle East region.
• The normalization of ties between regional powers and Israel may strengthen Israel’s position regarding Palestinian territories.
• Ties with UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, etc., could facilitate infrastructure development and create inter-dependence among these countries, affecting the Palestinians.

Way Forward:

• A balanced approach is essential to maintain favorable relations with Arab countries and Israel.
• Recent normalization agreements, such as the Abraham Accords, are positive steps, and regional powers should work toward peace.
• India, as a member of multilateral organizations, should cooperate with relevant parties to achieve security and stability in the Middle East and West Asia.
• India’s role as a mediator in the Israel-Palestine issue should be promoted through platforms like the United Nations Security Council and the Human Rights Council.

-Source: Indian Express

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS)

Context:

The recent Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) has reported that the unemployment rate in the country has shown a decrease between April and June 2023.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Key Findings on Labour Force Participation and Worker-Population Ratio:
2. Definition of Unemployment
3. Measurement of Unemployment Rate
4. Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Overview
5. Challenges in Measuring Unemployment in India
6. The Way Ahead for Addressing Unemployment in India

Key Findings on Labour Force Participation and Worker-Population Ratio:

• The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) and the Worker-Population Ratio (WPR) improved during the reported period.
• In urban areas, the LFPR for individuals aged 15 years and above increased from 47.5% in April-June 2022 to 48.8% in the same months of 2023.
• The WPR in urban areas for individuals aged 15 years and above increased from 43.9% in April-June 2022 to 45.5% in April-June 2023.
• Among males, the LFPR increased from 68.3% to 69.2%, and among females, it increased from 18.9% to 21.1% during this period.

Definition of Unemployment:

• ILO’s Perspective: According to the International Labour Organisation (ILO), unemployment refers to the state of being without a job, actively seeking employment opportunities, and being available to engage in work.
• Clarity: Therefore, someone who has lost their job but does not actively seek another job is not considered unemployed. This highlights that joblessness is not equivalent to unemployment.

Measurement of Unemployment Rate:

• Formula: The unemployment rate is calculated as the ratio of the number of unemployed individuals to the total labour force.
• Labour Force: The labour force is defined as the sum of those who are currently employed and those who are actively seeking employment (the unemployed).
• Exclusion: Individuals such as students and those involved in unpaid domestic work who do not fall into either the employed or unemployed categories are considered outside the labour force.
• Factors Affecting the Unemployment Rate: The unemployment rate can decrease if an economy fails to generate enough job opportunities or if individuals decide not to actively search for work.

Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Overview:

• The Periodic Labour Force Survey was launched by the National Statistical Office (NSO) in April 2017.
• The survey was initiated to address the need for more frequent and timely availability of labor force data.

Objectives:

• To estimate key employment and unemployment indicators within a short time interval of three months specifically for urban areas using the “Current Weekly Status” (CWS) approach.
• To estimate employment and unemployment indicators annually using both the “Usual Status” (ps+ss) and CWS approaches for both rural and urban areas.

Indicators:

The PLFS focuses on estimating the following indicators:

• Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): It represents the percentage of individuals in the population who are part of the labor force, which includes those who are employed, seeking work, or available for work.
• Worker Population Ratio (WPR): This indicator represents the percentage of employed individuals in the population.
• Unemployment Rate (UR): The UR indicates the percentage of individuals who are unemployed among those in the labor force.

Current Weekly Status (CWS):

• CWS refers to the activity status of individuals based on their activities during the preceding seven days before the survey.

Conducting Authority:

• The Periodic Labour Force Survey is conducted by the National Sample Survey (NSO), which operates under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

Types of Unemployment in India

• Disguised Unemployment: This is a situation in which more people are employed than are required. It is mostly seen in India’s agricultural and unorganised sectors.
• Seasonal unemployment: Unemployment that happens only during particular seasons of the year. In India, agricultural labourers rarely work throughout the year.
• Structural Unemployment: This is a type of unemployment that occurs when there is a mismatch between the jobs available and the abilities of the available workers.
• Cyclical unemployment: Unemployment that rises during recessions and falls with economic expansion. It is mostly a phenomenon of capitalist economies.
• Frictional Unemployment:  It is also known as Search Unemployment, is the time lag between jobs when someone is looking for a new job or moving jobs.

Causes of Unemployment in India

• Jobs in the capitalist world have become highly specialised but India’s education system does not provide the right training and specialisation needed for these jobs.
• In India nearly half of the workforce is dependent on Agriculture – even though agriculture is underdeveloped in India and only provides seasonal employment.
• Mobility of labour in India is low due to factors like language, religion, and climate.
• The industrial development had adverse effects on cottage and small industries – as the cottage industries fall, many artisans become unemployed.
• Constant increase in population has been a big problem and one of the main causes of unemployment.
• Certain work is prohibited for specific castes in some areas and this also contributes to unemployment.

Challenges in Measuring Unemployment in India:

Social Norms and Job Search:

• In a developing economy like India, social norms and constraints often influence an individual’s decision to actively seek employment.
• This can lead to an underestimation of the true unemployment rate.

Domestic Work Example:

• A survey by the National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) found that a significant percentage of women engaged in domestic work expressed a willingness to work if job opportunities were available within their households.
• However, since they were not actively looking for work, they would not be counted as unemployed.

Informal Nature of Jobs:

• In contrast to developed economies where individuals typically hold year-round jobs, India’s informal economy results in frequent job transitions.
• An individual may be unemployed one week but could have worked as a casual laborer the previous month and as a farmer for most of the year.

Differing Methodologies:

• Various organizations use different methodologies for measuring unemployment.
• For example, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy classifies individuals based on their activity on the day preceding the interview.
• This approach yields a higher unemployment rate but lower labor force participation rates because in an informal economy, there is a lower probability of individuals having work on any given day compared to longer reference periods of a week or a year.

Inaccurate Data Reflection:

• Sometimes, the methodologies in use do not accurately reflect economic disruptions.
• For example, the nationwide lockdown in March 2020 significantly impacted the Indian economy, but this was not immediately reflected in the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) unemployment rates, which cover a period from July of one year to June of the next. Consequently, unemployment rates measured under both UPSS and CWS standards decreased in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

Developing Economy Trade-off:

• Measuring unemployment in a developing economy involves an inherent trade-off. Adopting a very short reference period results in higher unemployment rates but lower employment rates, while a longer reference period yields the opposite.
• Developed nations face less of this dilemma due to their more industrialized economies, where work tends to be consistent throughout the year.

The Way Ahead for Addressing Unemployment in India:

• Election Significance: Unemployment is becoming a crucial issue in upcoming elections. Therefore, it is essential to address it effectively.
• Understanding Definitions and Measurements: To tackle unemployment successfully, it is imperative to have a clear understanding of how it is defined and measured in a developing economy like India. This understanding will aid in crafting more targeted and impactful policies to address the issue.

-Source: The Hindu

Ganges River Dolphins

Context:

A recent scientific publication titled “Rescuing Ganges river dolphins from irrigation canals in Uttar Pradesh, 2013-2020” has elucidated the comprehensive endeavors focused on the rescue and relocation of Gangetic river dolphins from precarious situations within the irrigation canals of the Ganga-Ghagra basin.

Relevance:

Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Species in news, Conservation of Ecology and Environment)

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Ganges River Dolphins
2. Threats to Gangetic River dolphin
3. Steps Taken to conserve and protect dolphins

Ganges River Dolphins

• The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica gangetica) was officially discovered in the 1800s and these Ganges river dolphins once lived in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, and Bangladesh. (But the species is extinct from most of its early distribution ranges.)
• The Ganges river dolphin was recognised as the National Aquatic Animal in 2009, by the Government of India.
• The Ganges river dolphin can only survive in freshwater and is essentially blind.
• They are frequently found alone or in small groups, and generally a mother and calf travel together.
• The Indus and Ganges River dolphins are both classified as ‘Endangered’ species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• The Ganges dolphin is a Schedule I animal under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, and has been included in Annexure – I (most endangered) of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
• The Ganges dolphin is also listed under Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) (migratory species that need conservation and management or would significantly benefit from international co-operation).

Threats to Gangetic River dolphin

• Pollution: It faces a number of threats such as dumping of single-use plastics in water bodies, industrial pollution, and fishing.
• Restrictive Flow of Water: The increase in the number of barrages and dams is also affecting their growth as such structures impede the flow of water.
• Poaching: Dolphins are also poached for their flesh, fat, and oil, which is used as a prey to catch fish, as an ointment and as a supposed aphrodisiac.
• Shipping & Dredging: It is also called a blind dolphin because it doesn’t have an eye lens and uses echolocation to navigate and hunt.

Steps Taken to conserve and protect dolphins

• Project Dolphin: The Prime Minister announced the government’s plan to launch a Project Dolphin in his Independence Day Speech 2020. It will be on the lines of Project Tiger, which has helped increase the tiger population.
• Dolphin Sanctuary: Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary has been established in Bihar.
• Conservation Plan: The Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin 2010-2020, which “identified threats to Gangetic Dolphins and impact of river traffic, irrigation canals and depletion of prey-base on Dolphins populations”.
• National Ganga River Dolphin Day: The National Mission for Clean Ganga celebrates 5th October as National Ganga River Dolphin Day.

-Source: The Hindu

Mount Kun

Context:

One soldier died and three are missing after a group of Indian Army mountaineers was recently caught in an avalanche on Mount Kun in Ladakh.

Relevance:

GS Facts for Prelims

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Mount Kun
2. Key Facts about Zanskar Range

About Mount Kun:

• Mount Kun is the second-highest peak of the Nun Kun massif, standing at an elevation of 7077 meters.
• It is located near Sankoo in the Suru valley, Kargil district, Ladakh.
• The Nun Kun massif consists of twin peaks, Nun (7135 meters) and Kun, separated by a 4-kilometer snow plateau.
• These peaks are among the highest in the Zanskar Range on the Indian side of the Line of Control.
• Along with their satellites Barmal, White Needle, and Pinnacle Peak, they form a horseshoe above the Suru River on the border of Kashmir and Zanskar.

Mountaineering:

• The first person to climb Mount Kun was Italian mountaineer Mario Piacenza in 1913.
• It took 58 years for an Indian Army Expedition to successfully climb the mountain again.
• Climbing Mount Kun is technically challenging and requires extensive knowledge of mountaineering techniques such as ice axes, roping up procedures, crampons, and jumar climbing.

Key Facts about Zanskar Range:

• The Zanskar Range is situated in the Ladakh region of northern India.
• It runs parallel to the Great Himalayan Range to the south.
• The range stretches for approximately 400 kilometers from the western end of Himachal Pradesh to the eastern border of Ladakh with Tibet.
• It separates Ladakh from the valleys of Kashmir and the Chenab River to the south and Kinnaur from Spiti in Himachal Pradesh to the north.
• The range has an average height of about 6,000 meters and includes the highest peak, Kamet, at 7,756 meters.
• Important passes in the range include Zojila, Shipki, Lipu Lekh (Lipulieke), and Mana.
• Several rivers originating in the range flow northward and join the Indus River, including the Shingo River, Zanskar River, Hanle River, Suru River, and Khurna River.

-Source: The Hindu

Hemochromatosis

Context:

Recently, health experts revealed all about Hemochromatosis or ‘bronze diabetes’.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

About Hemochromatosis:

• Hemochromatosis is an inherited condition characterized by the slow buildup of iron levels in the body over many years.
• It is primarily classified into two types:

Hereditary Hemochromatosis:

• Hereditary hemochromatosis is driven by a mutation in the HFE gene, resulting in individuals being homozygous for the C282Y variant.
• This genetic anomaly leads to lifelong excessive iron absorption in the intestines.

Secondary Hemochromatosis:

• Secondary hemochromatosis is typically caused by external factors such as frequent blood transfusions, excessive iron supplementation, or certain medical conditions.
• Iron accumulation in secondary hemochromatosis is often more rapid and can have a similar impact on organ function.
• Symptoms of hemochromatosis usually appear between the ages of 30 and 60.
• Common symptoms include fatigue, weight loss, weakness, and joint pain.

Treatment:

• The standard treatment for primary hemochromatosis is phlebotomy.
• Phlebotomy involves removing red blood cells, which are the body’s main mobilizer of iron, to reduce iron toxicity.
• Phlebotomy is usually performed once or twice a week.

-Source: Hindustan Times

Phonotaxis

Context:

Phonotaxis is observed during the evening or in the monsoon season might sound random or even annoying.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

About Phonotaxis:

• Scientists refer to phonotaxis as the movement by an animal in response to a sound.
• This behavior has been observed in various creatures including crickets, moths, frogs, toads, and a few others.
• There are two types of phonotaxis:
  • Positive Phonotaxis: This type is associated with attraction. It occurs when the females of certain species, like crickets and frogs, are drawn to the sounds produced by males of their species.
  • Negative Phonotaxis: This type serves as a repellant or warning. It happens when the sound of a nearby predator signals to an animal that it should move away. For instance, crickets have been found to steer themselves away from low-intensity ultrasound, often associated with bats that use it for echolocation.
• In 1984, scientists discovered that Mediterranean house geckos (Hemidactylus turcicus) utilize positive phonotaxis to their advantage.
• The fields inhabited by these geckos were also home to male decorated crickets (Gryllodes supplicans), which used species-specific sounds to attract the females from their burrows.
• The geckos recognized and followed this call until they reached the burrow, where they consumed the female crickets.

-Source: The Hindu