Current Affairs 04 October 2024

CONTENTS

1. Caste-Based Segregation in India’s Manual Scavenging Workforce
2. Inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution
3. Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP)
4. Regulatory Oversight in India’s Food Service Sector
5. Annular Solar Eclipse
6. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans Tracker

Caste-Based Segregation in India’s Manual Scavenging Workforce

Context:

Recent data from the NAMASTE scheme involving over 3,000 Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) shows that 92% of the 38,000 workers engaged in manual scavenging and hazardous cleaning tasks in India’s cities are from Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Class (OBC) communities. This significant statistic not only underscores the prevalence of caste-based occupational segregation but also highlights the ongoing risks and challenges faced by these communities in such dangerous professions

Relevance:

GS II- Government policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. NAMASTE Scheme
2. NAMASTE Initiative’s Key Outcomes
3. Manual Scavenging in India
4. Existing provisions regarding Manual Labour

NAMASTE Scheme

• Namaste is a Central Sector Scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) as a joint initiative of the MoSJE and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
• NAMASTE envisages safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India by creating an enabling ecosystem that recognizes sanitation workers as one of the key contributors in operations and maintenance of sanitation infrastructure thereby providing sustainable livelihood and enhancing their occupational safety through capacity building and improved access to safety gear and machines.
• Ensure safety and dignity of sanitation workers in urban India and providing sustainable livelihood and enhancing their occupational safety through capacity building and improved access to safety gear and machines.
  • NAMASTE would also aim at providing access to alternative livelihoods support  and entitlements to reduce the vulnerabilities of sanitation workers and enable them to access self-employment and skilled wage employment opportunities and break the intergenerationality in sanitation work.
  • In addition, NAMASTE would bring about a behavior change amongst citizens towards sanitation workers and enhance demand for safe sanitation services.

Five hundred cities (converging with AMRUT cities) will be taken up under this phase of NAMASTE. The list of cities will be notified at an appropriate time. The category of cities that will be eligible are given below:

• All Cities and Towns with a population of over one lakh with notified Municipalities, including Cantonment Boards (Civilian areas),
• All Capital Cities/Towns of States/ Union Territories (UTs), not covered in 4(i),
• Ten Cities from hill states, islands and tourist destinations (not more than one from each State).

NAMASTE Initiative’s Key Outcomes:

• Zero Fatalities: Achieving no deaths during sanitation work across India.
• Skilled Workforce: Ensuring all sanitation tasks are handled by properly trained workers.
• Safety Measures: Eliminating direct contact between sanitation workers and human waste.
• Empowerment of Workers: Organizing sanitation workers into Self-Help Groups (SHGs), equipping them to manage their own sanitation enterprises.
• Alternative Livelihoods: Providing sewer and septic tank sanitation workers with access to different livelihood options.
• Enhanced Oversight: Strengthening monitoring and supervisory systems across national, state, and local urban bodies to ensure the enforcement of safe sanitation practices.
• Awareness Building: Promoting increased awareness among sanitation service users, encouraging them to engage certified and skilled sanitation workers.

Manual Scavenging in India

• Manual scavenging is defined as “the removal of human excrement from public streets and dry latrines, cleaning septic tanks, gutters and sewers”.
• In 1993, India banned the employment of people as manual scavengers (The Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993), however, the stigma and discrimination associated with it still linger on.
• In 2013, the definition of manual scavengers was also broadened to include people employed to clean septic tanks, ditches, or railway tracks. The Act recognizes manual scavenging as a “dehumanizing practice,” and cites a need to “correct the historical injustice and indignity suffered by the manual scavengers.”

Prevalence of Manual Scavenging in India

• As per the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis (NCSK), a total of 631 people have died in the country while cleaning sewers and septic tanks in the last 10 years.
• 2019 saw the highest number of manual scavenging deaths in the past five years. 110 workers were killed while cleaning sewers and septic tanks.
• This is a 61% increase as compared to 2018, which saw 68 cases of such similar deaths.
• Despite the introduction of several mechanised systems for sewage cleaning, human intervention in the process still continues.
• As per data collected in 2018, 29,923 people are engaged in manual scavenging in Uttar Pradesh, making it the highest in any State in India.

Why is manual scavenging still a concern after so many years?

• A number of independent surveys have talked about the continued reluctance on the part of state governments to admit that the practice prevails under their watch.
• Many times, local bodies outsource sewer cleaning tasks to private contractors. However, many of them fly-by-night operators, do not maintain proper rolls of sanitation workers. In case after case of workers being asphyxiated to death, these contractors have denied any association with the deceased.
• The practice is also driven by caste, class and income divides. It is linked to India’s caste system where so-called lower castes are expected to perform this job. It is linked to India’s caste system where so-called lower castes are expected to perform this job.

Existing provisions regarding Manual Labour

• Prevention of Atrocities Act: In 1989, the Prevention of Atrocities Act became an integrated guard for sanitation workers; more than 90% people employed as manual scavengers belonged to the Scheduled Caste. This became an important landmark to free manual scavengers from designated traditional occupations.
• The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013: Superseding the 1993 Act, the 2013 Act goes beyond prohibitions on dry latrines, and outlaws all manual excrement cleaning of insanitary latrines, open drains, or pits.
• Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees ‘Right to Life’ and that also with dignity. This right is available to both citizens and non-citizens.

-Source: The Hindu

Inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution

Context:

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk was detained on the Delhi border on Monday night while leading a protest. The demonstration aimed to petition the Central government for the inclusion of Ladakh in the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution, along with other autonomy-related demands for the region. Similar autonomy demands have also been voiced in Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, highlighting a broader discourse on constitutional provisions and special rights for various ethnic groups within India.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Asymmetrical Federalism in India
2. Historical Context of the Fifth and Sixth Schedules
3. Special Provisions for Northeastern States:
4. Need for Further Reforms

Asymmetrical Federalism in India

• Asymmetrical Federalism refers to granting some states/areas more autonomy compared to others.
• Unlike classical federalism (e.g., the U.S. or Australia), where all states enjoy equal powers, certain Indian states have special provisions under the Constitution.
• These special regions have more autonomy and constitutional privileges.

Historical Context of the Fifth and Sixth Schedules

• Tribal Autonomy: Before British rule, tribal communities governed their own lands and customs.
• British Impact:
  • The British introduced forest laws and restricted tribal movements, affecting tribal rights and lands.
  • Led to tribal revolts, such as:
    • Kol rebellion (1831-32)
    • Santhal revolt (1855-56)
    • Munda Rebellion (1899-1900)
    • Bastar rebellion (1910)
• British Policy of Isolation:
  • Introduced excluded and partially excluded areas under the Government of India Act, 1935.
  • In excluded areas (mainly northeastern hilly regions), governors held legislative authority.
  • Partially excluded areas (tribal areas in Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, etc.) had legislative powers but with modifications/exceptions as decided by governors.

Fifth Schedule: “Scheduled Areas”

• The Fifth Schedule focuses on “scheduled areas” in India, which are areas with high tribal populations, economic backwardness, and administrative feasibility.
• These areas are declared by the President and currently exist in 10 states.
• Tribes Advisory Councils (TACs) are established in these regions to ensure the welfare of Scheduled Tribes (STs). These councils consist of up to 20 members, with three-fourths being tribal MLAs.
• Governors have the authority to regulate land transfers, manage business activities, and oversee specific acts of Parliament or State legislatures in these areas.

Sixth Schedule: “Tribal Areas”

• The Sixth Schedule applies to “tribal areas” in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura.
• There are currently 10 tribal areas across these states, governed by Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), which consist of 30 members. These councils can enact laws related to land management, property, marriage, divorce, and customs, subject to the approval of the Governor.
• Additionally, ADCs can manage essential services such as schools, healthcare, and infrastructure, and have the authority to collect land revenue and grant licenses for mining and other economic activities.
• They also have judicial powers, overseeing disputes involving STs within the region.

Comparing Fifth and Sixth Schedules

• While both the Fifth and Sixth Schedules aim to protect the rights and interests of Scheduled Tribes, the Sixth Schedule provides greater autonomy to tribal areas through the establishment of ADCs, which enjoy more executive, legislative, judicial, and financial powers.
• Both schedules, however, work to ensure the integration of tribal communities with the rest of the country while safeguarding their unique cultural identity.

Special Provisions for Northeastern States:

• Part XXI of the Constitution includes specific provisions for northeastern states such as Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Sikkim, Mizoram, and Arunachal Pradesh under Articles 371A to 371H.
• Article 371A (Nagaland) and 371G (Mizoram) safeguard local customary laws and practices.
• Article 371B (Assam) and 371C (Manipur) mandate committees of MLAs from Tribal Areas and Hill Areas.
• Article 371F (Sikkim) and 371H (Arunachal Pradesh) outline the responsibilities of the Governors for ensuring development and law and order.

Need for Further Reforms:

• Limited Autonomy in Practice:
  • Despite constitutional provisions, the autonomy granted to Fifth and Sixth Schedule areas is more symbolic than practical.
  • Regulations by Governors and Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) are subject to central and state approval, limiting their real autonomy.
• Unnotified ST Areas:
  • Many Scheduled Tribe (ST) habitations across the country, especially in non-notified areas, lack constitutional protections.
  • These areas need to be officially notified as scheduled areas to provide full rights and protections.
• 125th Constitutional Amendment Bill (2019):
  • This bill, currently pending in the Rajya Sabha, seeks to grant more financial, executive, and administrative powers to the existing 10 ADCs.
  • The Union Government has formed a committee to address the concerns delaying the bill’s passage, and its resolution is crucial for stakeholders.
• Inclusion of Hill Areas:
  • Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur have passed resolutions to include their Hill Areas in the Sixth Schedule, reflecting a broader demand for increased autonomy.
  • There is a growing demand to include Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule to protect tribal interests in the region.
• Forest Rights:
  • The implementation of the Forest Rights Act (2006), which recognizes the forest rights of tribals, needs to be extended to Fifth and Sixth Schedule areas to ensure complete protection of indigenous rights.

-Source: The Hindu

Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP)

Context:

A significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the states of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh for the implementation of the Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (PKC-ERCP). This river link project forms a part of India’s ambitious National Perspective Plan (NPP), which aims to interlink various rivers to enhance water availability across diverse regions.

Relevance:

GS I: Geography

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Overview of the Modified PKC-ERCP Project
2. Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP)
3. Interlinking of Rivers
4. Importance of River Interlinking Projects
5. Challenges and Concerns

Overview of the Modified PKC-ERCP Project:

The Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) initiative is a river-linking project aimed at diverting surplus water from the Parbati, Newaj, and Kalisindh rivers to the Chambal River. This project is a part of India’s National Perspective Plan (1980), crafted by the Central Water Commission in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Irrigation. It targets optimizing water use in the Chambal basin, benefiting regions in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, primarily for domestic and industrial needs.

Rivers Included in the Project:

• Chambal River:
  • Originates from Singar Chouri Peak in the Vindhya Mountains (Indore, Madhya Pradesh).
  • Major tributaries include the Banas, Kali Sindh, Sipra, and Parbati rivers.
• Parvati River:
  • Begins in the Vindhya Range in Sehore District, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Lacks significant tributaries.
• Kali Sindh River:
  • Starts in Bagli, Dewas District of Madhya Pradesh.
  • Important tributaries are Parwan, Newaj, and Ahu rivers.

Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP):

The ERCP, proposed by the Rajasthan government in 2019, aims to improve water resource management by facilitating intra-basin water transfers within the Chambal Basin. The project’s objective is to utilize surplus monsoon water from the Kalisindh, Parvati, Mej, and Chakan sub-basins, redirecting it to areas with water shortages, such as the Banas, Gambhiri, Banganga, and Parbati sub-basins. This water will serve 13 districts in eastern Rajasthan, including Alwar, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, and Jaipur.

Benefits of the ERCP:

• The ERCP is anticipated to increase irrigation coverage by 4.31 lakh hectares and create an additional command area of 2 lakh hectares.
• This project will contribute to improving groundwater levels in Rajasthan, thus enhancing socio-economic conditions in rural areas.
• It is also designed to support industrial growth, particularly the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor (DMIC), by ensuring sustainable water sources.

Integration of PKC and ERCP:

The Modified Parbati-Kalisindh-Chambal ERCP is a merged project that combines the PKC link with the ERCP. This integrated approach tackles concerns such as water-sharing, fair distribution of costs and benefits, and the exchange of water between different states.

Rationale for the Project:

Rajasthan, despite being India’s largest state in terms of area (10.4% of the total landmass), holds only 1.16% of the country’s surface water and 1.72% of groundwater. The state’s water scarcity emphasizes the need for a comprehensive water management strategy, such as the PKC-ERCP, to ensure a sustainable water supply for both domestic and industrial purposes.

Interlinking of Rivers

• In 1858, Arthur Cotton (British general and irrigation Engineer) came up with even more ambitious proposals such as connecting all major rivers of India, and interlinking of canals and rivers. He suggested drought-relief measures for Odisha.
• The National River Linking Project (NRLP) formally known as the National Perspective Plan, envisages the transfer of water from water ‘surplus’ basins where there is flooding, to water ‘deficit’ basins where there is drought/scarcity, through inter-basin water transfer projects.
• The interlinking of river project is a Civil Engineering project, which aims to connect Indian rivers through reservoirs and canals.
• The farmers will not have to depend on the monsoon for cultivation and also the excess or lack of water can be overcome during flood or drought.
• Since the 1980s, the interlinking project has been managed by India’s National Water Development Agency (NWDA) under the Ministry of Water Resources.
• It has been split into three parts as follows:
  • A northern Himalayan river interlink component.
  • A southern peninsular component.
  • An Intra-State river linking component.

Importance of River Interlinking Projects:

• Flood Control: These projects help manage and reduce the risks of flooding, particularly in regions prone to floods like the Ganga-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin.
• Addressing Water Scarcity: They are instrumental in tackling water shortages in drought-affected areas of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
• Boosting Agriculture: By improving irrigation in regions with water scarcity, these projects contribute to enhanced agricultural productivity, which could result in a significant increase in farmers’ incomes.
  • Example: Ken-Betwa link project.
• Supporting Inland Waterways: The projects also enable the development of inland waterways, like National Waterway-1, promoting more efficient transport for goods.
• Water Resource Optimisation: A key goal is to make better use of surface water to prevent groundwater depletion and reduce the amount of freshwater that flows into the sea without being utilised.

Challenges and Concerns:

• Impact on Biodiversity: Redirecting rivers can disturb natural habitats, leading to potential biodiversity loss and environmental changes.
  • Example: The Ken-Betwa link project could submerge areas of the Panna Tiger Reserve, endangering the wildlife there.
• Social and Human Displacement: These projects often lead to the displacement of communities, bringing up major social and humanitarian issues.
• Financial and Technical Obstacles: High costs, coupled with technical challenges and issues related to land acquisition, make these projects difficult to implement effectively.
• Global Comparisons: China’s South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWDP), which aimed to transfer water from the Yangtze River to the Yellow River Basin, encountered many obstacles, serving as a warning for large-scale water diversion projects.
• Water Disputes: The limited availability of water resources can lead to disputes between states, as seen in the Krishna Water Dispute.
• Environmental and Social Consequences: There are concerns about the long-term sustainability of such projects, including the potential for worsening existing social and environmental problems.

-Source: Times of India

Regulatory Oversight in India’s Food Service Sector

Context:

The Uttar Pradesh government mandates that food establishments display the names of key personnel to ensure transparency. Meanwhile, a similar proposal in Himachal Pradesh was rejected by the state government. The Supreme Court has clarified that only authorities under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, are empowered to issue such directives, preventing police from overstepping their jurisdiction in enforcing these regulations.

Relevance:

GS II: Government Policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Food Business Compliance Requirements in India
2. State-Level Authority and FSSA Provisions
3. Legal Controversies around Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Directives

Food Business Compliance Requirements in India

• Mandatory FSSAI Licensing:
  • All businesses involved in food processing, distribution, sale, or import in India must register with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), which was established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSSA) to ensure food safety and standards compliance.
• Small-Scale Operators Registration:
  • According to the FSSAI Licensing and Registration Rules, 2011, small food vendors, petty food manufacturers, hawkers, and stallholders must register with FSSAI.
  • Upon approval, they receive a certificate and photo ID, which must be visibly displayed at their place of business, vehicle, or cart.
• License Requirement for Large-Scale Food Operators:
  • Larger food enterprises must obtain an FSSAI license, which must also be prominently displayed within their premises.
• Display of Business Information:
  • Both small and large food businesses are required to visibly display the owner’s identity and business location through their FSSAI license and photo ID, ensuring transparency.
• Penalties for Non-Compliance:
  • Operating a food business without the appropriate FSSAI license, as per Section 63 of the FSSA, may result in imprisonment for up to six months and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh.
• FSSA Compliance Enforcement:
  • Improvement Notices:
    • In cases where a Food Business Operator (FBO) does not comply with regulations, an Improvement Notice may be issued. This document includes:
      • Reasons for non-compliance.
      • Required corrective measures.
      • A deadline for compliance, typically 14 days.
  • Consequences of Ignoring Notices:
    • Failure to comply with the improvement notice could result in license suspension or cancellation.
  • Fines for General Non-Compliance:
    • For offenses where no specific penalty is mentioned, Section 58 allows for fines up to ₹2 lakh.
  • Repeat Violations:
    • FBOs found guilty of repeating offenses may face:
      • Doubling of penalties.
      • Daily fines of up to ₹1 lakh.
      • Potential cancellation of their license, as per Section 64.

State-Level Authority and FSSA Provisions

• State Governments’ Authority under the FSSA:
  • Section 94(1) of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSSA) empowers state governments to formulate rules, subject to the approval of both the Central Government and the Food Authority. This enables them to perform their designated roles under the Act.
• Specific Areas for Rule-Making:
  • Section 94(2)(a): Allows states to establish rules regarding the additional roles of the Commissioner of Food Safety as outlined in Section 30(2)(f), where the Commissioner can be tasked with further duties as determined by the state government, in coordination with the Food Authority.
  • Section 94(2)(c): States have the autonomy to create rules governing any other necessary regulations as deemed appropriate for food safety enforcement.
• Commissioner’s Role:
  • The Commissioner of Food Safety, a state-appointed official under Section 30, is responsible for ensuring the effective implementation of food safety laws, with responsibilities including conducting surveys, training programs, and approving legal actions for violations.
• Approval of State-Made Rules:
  • As stipulated by Section 94(3), rules formulated by state governments must be presented to the state legislature for approval at the earliest opportunity.

Legal Controversies around Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand Directives

• Court Challenges:
  • Directives issued by police in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand were brought before the Supreme Court for allegedly compelling individuals to disclose their caste and religious identities. Petitioners claimed that these directives breached Article 15(1) of the Constitution, which bars discrimination based on religion, race, caste, sex, or place of birth.
• Concerns Raised by Petitioners:
  • Petitioners argued that the directives risked creating an economic boycott of Muslim minorities and infringed upon their rights to practice any profession, violating Article 19(1)(g).
  • They also contended that the directives indirectly endorsed the banned practice of untouchability, contravening Article 17 of the Constitution.
• Government Defense:
  • The Uttar Pradesh government defended the directives, emphasizing their intent to enhance food safety and public health by installing CCTV cameras in food establishments and conducting a statewide verification campaign.
  • In light of numerous food adulteration incidents involving unsanitary materials, the government argued that the measures were necessary to safeguard public health.

-Source: Indian Express

Annular Solar Eclipse

Context:

An annular solar eclipse was visible in parts of South America on October 2 while a partial solar eclipse was visible in parts of South America, Antarctica, North America, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Pacific Ocean.

Relevance:

GS-I Geography

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Solar eclipse
2. Types of Solar Eclipse
3. Significant observations during solar eclipses

Solar eclipse

• A solar eclipse occurs when a portion of the Earth is covered in a shadow cast by the Moon which fully or partially blocks sunlight.
• This occurs when the Sun, Moon and Earth are aligned.
• Such alignment coincides with a new moon (syzygy) indicating the Moon is closest to the ecliptic plane.
• The Sun’s distance from Earth is about 400 times the Moon’s distance, and the Sun’s diameter is about 400 times the Moon’s diameter. Because these ratios are approximately the same, the Sun and the Moon as seen from Earth appear to be approximately the same size: about 0.5 degree of arc in angular measure.

Types of Solar Eclipse

Total Solar Eclipse:

• During a total solar eclipse, the Moon completely covers the Sun from view as seen from a specific location on Earth.
• The sky darkens significantly, and the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the solar corona, becomes visible as a bright halo around the obscured Sun.
• Total solar eclipses are rare and can only be observed from a limited geographic area along the eclipse’s path of totality.

Partial Solar Eclipse:

• In a partial solar eclipse, the Moon partially covers the Sun, obscuring only a portion of the Sun’s disk.
• This type of eclipse is visible over a broader geographic region than a total eclipse since it occurs when the Moon partially passes in front of the Sun.

Annular Solar Eclipse:

• An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon is near its apogee (farthest from Earth) in its elliptical orbit, causing it to appear smaller than the Sun.
• As a result, the Moon does not completely cover the Sun, and a ring of the Sun’s outer edge, known as the “ring of fire” or annulus, remains visible around the Moon.
• Annular eclipses create a unique and visually striking spectacle.

Hybrid Solar Eclipse (Annular-Total Eclipse):

• A hybrid eclipse is a rare event where an eclipse appears as a total eclipse from some locations on Earth’s surface and as an annular eclipse from others.
• The type of eclipse experienced depends on the viewer’s location within the eclipse’s path.

Why does the Solar Eclipse not occur during every new moon?

• If the Moon were in a perfectly circular orbit, a little closer to the Earth, and in the same orbital plane, there would be total solar eclipses every new moon.
• However, since the Moon’s orbit is tilted at more than 5 degrees to the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, its shadow usually misses Earth.

What are the factors that affect the duration of the eclipse?

• The Moon being almost exactly at perigee (making its angular diameter as large as possible).
• The Earth being very near aphelion (furthest away from the Sun in its elliptical orbit, making its angular diameter nearly as small as possible).
• The midpoint of the eclipse being very close to the Earth’s equator, where the rotational velocity is greatest.
• The vector of the eclipse path at the midpoint of the eclipse aligning with the vector of the Earth’s rotation (i.e. not diagonal but due east).
• The midpoint of the eclipse being near the subsolar point (the part of the Earth closest to the Sun).

Significant observations during solar eclipses

• A total solar eclipse provides a rare opportunity to observe the corona (the outer layer of the Sun’s atmosphere). Normally this is not visible because the photosphere is much brighter than the corona.
• Eclipses may cause the temperature to decrease by up to 3 °C.
• There is a long history of observations of gravity-related phenomena during solar eclipses, especially during the period of totality.
• Confirmation of Einstein’s theory: The observation of a total solar eclipse of 1919, helped to confirm Einstein’s theory of general relativity. By comparing the apparent distance between stars in the constellation Taurus, with and without the Sun between them, Arthur Eddington stated that the theoretical predictions about gravitational lenses were confirmed.

Precautions to take while viewing Solar eclipse

• Looking directly at the photosphere of the Sun (the bright disk of the Sun itself), even for just a few seconds, can cause permanent damage to the retina of the eye, because of the intense visible and invisible radiation that the photosphere emits.
• This damage can result in impairment of vision, up to and including blindness.
• The retina has no sensitivity to pain, and the effects of retinal damage may not appear for hours, so there is no warning that injury is occurring.
• Under normal conditions, the Sun is so bright that it is difficult to stare at it directly, however, during an eclipse, with so much of the Sun covered, it is easier and more tempting to stare at it.
• Special eye protection or indirect viewing techniques are used when viewing a solar eclipse.
• It is safe to view only the total phase of a total solar eclipse with the unaided eye and without protection.

-Source: The Hindu

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans Tracker

Context:

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans Tracker revealed that only 10% of nations fulfil their biodiversity commitments ahead of COP16.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAP) Tracker
2. Key Insights on Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAP) Tracker:

• The National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (NBSAP) Tracker is a newly developed tool by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF). This tracker monitors the progress of various countries in developing their biodiversity plans to align with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
• Objective: The tool aims to promote transparency and accountability in biodiversity policies, ensuring these strategies are accessible to all stakeholders, particularly as nations prepare for COP16.
• NBSAPs serve as essential guidelines for countries to combat biodiversity loss, meet global targets, and mobilize necessary actions and funding to safeguard ecosystems.

Key Insights on Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF):

• The framework was adopted during the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) in December 2022, under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
• Its primary goal is to facilitate the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs), building on earlier biodiversity strategies.
• The framework sets a long-term goal to ensure global harmony with nature by the year 2050.
• All participating countries are required to establish national targets based on the framework’s guidelines.

Goals and Targets:

• The GBF sets out 23 targets for 2030 and 4 global goals for 2050, focusing on safeguarding biodiversity for both present and future generations.
• These targets cover:
  • Reducing biodiversity threats
  • Sustainable resource use and equitable benefit-sharing
  • Implementation tools and mainstreaming solutions.

-Source: Down To Earth