Current Affairs 28 November 2024

CONTENTS

1. Supreme Court Questions Accuracy of Satellite Data on Farm Fires
2. WIPO Member States, Including India, Adopt Design Law Treaty in Riyadh
3. Sambhal Mosque Dispute
4. Global Matchmaking Platform
5. Black Thrips
6. Sjögren’s disease

 Supreme Court Questions Accuracy of Satellite Data on Farm Fires

Context:

The Supreme Court of India has recently raised concerns about the discrepancies in satellite data concerning farm fires, provided by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). This data is essential for monitoring air quality in regions such as Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana, where stubble burning significantly impacts air pollution levels.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Challenges with Current Satellite Data on Farm Fires
2. Need for Accurate Farm Fire Data
3. Definition and Types of Farm Fires
4. Crop Residue Management (CRM) Strategies

Challenges with Current Satellite Data on Farm Fires

• Observation Limitations: The data from satellites like NASA’s polar-orbiting types offer a limited observation window, which restricts their effectiveness in capturing farm fire activities in regions like Punjab and Haryana.
• Resolution Issues: Satellites such as India’s INSAT-3DR provide images of low resolution, which are not detailed enough to accurately count or monitor farm fires.
• Data Calibration: There is a significant gap in the calibration and validation of satellite data for the specific conditions prevailing over India, affecting the accuracy of the data.
• Environmental Interference: Cloud cover and atmospheric water vapor can block the sensors on satellites, leading to incomplete or inaccurate data collection.
• Adaptation by Farmers: Farmers in the affected regions have reportedly adjusted their stubble burning schedules to evade detection by satellites, further complicating data accuracy.
• Regulatory Challenges: Despite recognition of data inadequacies by authorities like the Supreme Court and the CAQM, there has been a lack of public disclosure on data adjustments, raising transparency issues.

Need for Accurate Farm Fire Data

• Air Quality Management: Precise data on farm fires is crucial for managing air quality, particularly in the NCR, where stubble burning significantly contributes to air pollution during the colder months.
• Policy Implementation: Reliable farm fire data aids in the formulation and execution of effective agricultural and environmental policies, including crop residue management and pollution control measures.
• Health Impact Mitigation: Accurate data is essential for health officials to forecast pollution spikes and coordinate health advisories and interventions to protect public health against the effects of PM2.5 and other pollutants.
• Resource Allocation: With better data, government agencies can more effectively allocate resources and support to regions that are most impacted by stubble burning.
• Technological Improvements: ISRO’s efforts to refine data processing algorithms and enhance satellite capabilities (e.g., INSAT-3DS improvements and the launch of GISAT-1) aim to overcome existing limitations and provide more reliable fire detection in critical regions.

Definition and Types of Farm Fires

• Purposeful Burning: Farm fires generally involve the intentional setting of fires on agricultural fields to clear leftover crop residue, such as straw and stubble, after harvest. This practice, known as stubble burning, is common in agriculture to prepare fields quickly for the next planting cycle.
• Accidental Fires: Occasionally, farm fires can occur accidentally due to mechanical failures or other unexpected incidents during farming operations.

Concerns Associated with Farm Fires

• Environmental Impact: While being a quick and cost-effective method for field clearing, farm fires significantly contribute to environmental pollution by releasing smoke, particulate matter, and greenhouse gases.
• Soil Health Degradation: The practice leads to the loss of crucial soil nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur, which are essential for maintaining soil fertility.

Crop Residue Management (CRM) Strategies

In-Situ Management:

• Mulching: This technique involves leaving the crop residue on the soil surface, which helps protect the soil from erosion and retains moisture.
• No-Till Farming: Seeds are directly sown into the soil without plowing, allowing the residue to cover the soil, which conserves moisture and prevents erosion.
• Strip-Till Farming: Involves tilling narrow strips for planting while leaving the surrounding area undisturbed, helping to maintain soil structure and moisture.
• Crop Rotation: Rotating different crops each season to prevent soil depletion and promote better soil health.

Ex-Situ Management:

• Biomass Power Generation: Crop residues are burned in a controlled environment to generate electricity or heat, offering an alternative energy source and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
• Animal Feed: Baling residues, particularly from cereal crops, to be used as fodder for livestock.
• Composting: Mixing crop residues with other organic materials to produce compost that enriches the soil with nutrients.
• Industrial Applications: Utilizing crop residues in the manufacturing of various products such as paper, textiles, and building materials.

-Source: The Hindu

WIPO Member States, Including India, Adopt Design Law Treaty in Riyadh

Context:

Member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), including India, recently adopted the Design Law Treaty (DLT) during the Diplomatic Conference held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Relevance:

GS III: Indian Economy

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Design Law Treaty
2. Key Provisions of the Design Law Treaty
3. What is an Industrial Design?

Design Law Treaty

The Design Law Treaty (DLT) is an international legal framework proposed to standardize and simplify the procedures for registering industrial designs globally. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its purpose and provisions:

Purpose of the Design Law Treaty

• Objective: To establish a harmonized, user-friendly system that facilitates the protection of industrial designs worldwide, removing bureaucratic obstacles and creating a more predictable environment for designers to safeguard their intellectual properties.

Key Provisions of the Design Law Treaty

Streamlining Design Application Procedures:

• Uniform Application Guidelines: Sets standard, clear criteria for design applications across participating jurisdictions, reducing complexity.
• Flexible Representation Options: Allows designers to represent their designs in various formats such as drawings, photographs, or even videos, offering versatility in how designs are presented to patent offices.
• Multiple Designs Per Application: Enables the submission of multiple designs under a single application, maintaining the initial filing date even if some designs are subsequently excluded.

Enhancing the Filing Process:

• Simplified Filing Date Requirements: Designers can secure a filing date with the submission of minimal initial documentation, with the opportunity to complete the application later.
• Grace Period for Disclosure: Offers a grace period of six to twelve months to protect the novelty of designs that have been publicly disclosed prior to filing, safeguarding against potential pre-filing public exposure.

Post-Registration Procedures and Protections:

• Control Over Publication Timing: Designers can delay the publication of their design up to six months after filing, helping to maintain secrecy and a competitive edge.
• Relief for Missed Deadlines: Provides remedies for applicants who fail to meet certain deadlines, ensuring they do not lose their rights due to procedural delays.
• Clarity in Post-Grant Activities: Specifies procedures for actions post-registration, such as transfers and licensing, to facilitate smoother legal and commercial transactions.

Structural Framework of the Treaty:

• Two-Tier System: The DLT is structured into articles (core provisions) and rules (detailed operational guidelines), providing a clear legal framework.
• Adaptive Governance: An Assembly of Contracting Parties will have the authority to amend rules, allowing the treaty to evolve in response to new legal and technological developments in design law.

What is an Industrial Design?

• Definition: It is a creation concerning the ornamental or aesthetic aspect of an article, making it visually distinctive.
• Characteristics: These can include the product’s shape, patterns, colors, texture, or material composition.
• Form: Designs can be three-dimensional (e.g., the shape of a car or furniture) or two-dimensional (e.g., graphical interfaces or textile patterns).

Application and Importance

• Widespread Use: Industrial designs are applied to a diverse array of products including consumer electronics, apparel, furniture, and more, enhancing product appeal and functionality.
• Business Value: They are crucial business assets that can boost market visibility and consumer preference, thereby providing a competitive market edge.
• Consumer Attraction: Effective designs influence consumer choices and can dramatically increase a product’s attractiveness and sales.

Protection of Industrial Designs

• Legal Procedures: Protection is obtained through registration at national intellectual property offices, which grants the designer exclusive rights to use the design.
• Territorial Rights: Design rights are territorial, meaning that rights are only applicable in the country or region where protection has been obtained.
• Design Act in India: In India, industrial designs are protected under the Designs Act, 2000, which has seen significant growth in registrations, particularly from domestic filings.

Recent Trends in India

• Growth in Registrations: From 2014 to 2024, the number of design registrations in India has tripled, highlighting an increased focus on safeguarding creative assets.
• Increase in Applications: There has been a substantial increase in design applications, with a 25% rise in 2023, reflecting a growing recognition of the value of design in business and innovation.

-Source: The Hindu

Sambhal Mosque Dispute

Context:

At least four people have been killed and numerous others injured in the violence that has erupted in Sambhal, western Uttar Pradesh, since a district court ordered a survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Sambhal Mosque Dispute Overview
2. Court-Ordered Surveys and Community Response
3. Historical Context of Jama Masjid
4. Legal Context of Jama Masjid, Sambhal
5. Broader Implications of the Sambhal Mosque Dispute
6. Conclusion

Sambhal Mosque Dispute Overview

Petition and Claims:

• A legal petition asserts that the 16th-century Jama Masjid in Sambhal was originally an ancient Hari Har Mandir.
• The petitioners have called for surveys to establish the site’s historical and religious background, reflecting similar disputes in other Indian cities.

Legal and Cultural Sensitivities:

• The mosque is a protected monument under the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904, and recognized by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a Monument of National Importance.

Court-Ordered Surveys and Community Response

Initial Survey:

• Conducted without incident, involving local officials and mosque committee members.

Second Survey and Conflicts:

• Tensions escalated during a second survey, culminating in violent clashes triggered by the presence of a petitioner and vocal crowds.
• Allegations of police misconduct arose, with accusations of excessive force leading to casualties, which the police contested.

Local Allegations:

• Rapid court action on the survey post-petition, perceived as overlooking procedural checks.
• Concerns about the survey’s timing, suggesting an infringement on the opportunity to appeal.

Historical Context of Jama Masjid

Construction Background:

• Built during Babur’s reign, possibly by Mir Hindu Beg, showcasing early Mughal architectural influences.
• Jama Masjid is one among three mosques erected during this era, alongside those in Panipat and the controversial Babri Masjid.

Architectural Details:

• Positioned centrally in Sambhal on a hill.
• Features include a prominent square mihrab hall with a dome surrounded by arches, constructed from stone masonry and plaster.

Repairs and Historical Debates:

• Repaired during the reigns of Mughal Emperors Jahangir and Shah Jahan.
• Discussions among scholars about potential Tughlaq-era foundations with subsequent modifications by Babur.

Cultural Significance and Controversies:

• Hindu local lore suggests the mosque might include elements from a Vishnu temple, a site prophesied to be linked to the descent of Kalki, Vishnu’s tenth avatar.

Legal Context of Jama Masjid, Sambhal

Application of the Places of Worship Act, 1991:

• This Act is central to the dispute, aiming to maintain the religious character of places of worship as it was on August 15, 1947, except in the Babri Masjid case.
• Section 3 prohibits converting any place of worship from one religious denomination to another, underscoring the law’s role in preserving religious status quo.

Challenges to the Act:

• The Sambhal petition challenging the mosque’s religious character could be seen as contravening the 1991 Act’s stipulations.
• Discussions have arisen around comments made by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud in 2022, which suggest that determining a site’s religious character might not necessarily conflict with the Act’s provisions.

Pending Supreme Court Litigation:

• Several petitions questioning the Act are currently under Supreme Court review. These include other contentious site claims in Varanasi, Mathura, Dhar, and now Sambhal, reflecting a broader legal and social reexamination of the Act.

Broader Implications of the Sambhal Mosque Dispute

Legal Precedents:

• The outcomes of these cases could set significant legal precedents regarding the interpretation of the Places of Worship Act, potentially influencing future religious site disputes.

Historical Accountability and Archaeological Considerations:

• There is a crucial need to balance rigorous archaeological and historical research with the imperative of maintaining communal harmony, ensuring that findings are used to educate and unify rather than divide.

Impact on Communal Peace:

• The dispute underscores the ongoing challenges in fostering peaceful coexistence among diverse religious communities, highlighting the potential for legal resolutions to either soothe or stir communal sentiments.

Conclusion

The Jama Masjid dispute in Sambhal exemplifies the intricate relationship between India’s rich historical heritage, its legal frameworks, and the ongoing endeavor to uphold secular and communal harmony. This case, like others before it, serves as a litmus test for India’s commitment to its constitutional values and the robustness of its legal institutions in navigating highly sensitive and potentially divisive issues.

-Source: Indian Express

Global Matchmaking Platform

Context:

Recently, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and the Climate Club launched the Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP).

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP)

Origin and Purpose:

• The Global Matchmaking Platform (GMP) was initiated during the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in December 2023, coinciding with the introduction of the Climate Club.
• This platform is aimed at accelerating the decarbonization process in heavy-emitting industries within emerging and developing economies.

Function and Connectivity:

• GMP serves as a bridge, linking country-specific decarbonization needs with worldwide technical and financial support, focusing primarily on energy and emissions-intensive industrial sectors.
• It facilitates connections between countries and a network of delivery partners to provide targeted technical and financial assistance for industrial decarbonization projects.

Support and Collaboration:

• Delivery partners on the platform offer support in critical areas such as policy formulation, the introduction of innovative technologies, and securing investments to promote transitions to zero and low-emission industrial practices.
• These collaborations enable countries to customize their decarbonization strategies while efficiently accessing the necessary resources and expertise from partner organizations to significantly reduce emissions.

Organizational Structure and Support:

• The GMP operates under the aegis of the Climate Club, with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) hosting its secretariat.
• Additionally, its operations receive backing from the interim Secretariat of the Climate Club, jointly managed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Significance:

• By providing a structured platform for facilitating necessary adjustments in industrial sectors, the GMP aims to foster a cohesive approach towards achieving substantial emission reductions in line with global climate goals.

-Source: The Hindu

Black Thrips

Context:

After a year’s gap, the dreaded black thrips infestation has surfaced in the chilli crop once again around Ballari in Karnataka.

Relevance:

Facts for Prelims

Black thrips

Black thrips, known for their invasive nature, first appeared in India in 2015 on Papaya crops. Here are some key details about this pest:

• Destructive Feeding Habits: Black thrips inflict damage by lacerating tender leaves and flowers to consume plant tissues. This action is particularly harmful to flowers, disrupting fruit formation.
• Polyphagous Nature: These pests are not restricted to a single host; they can feed on various plant species. They are known to cause significant damage to chilli crops by inducing extensive flower shedding, stunting fruit growth, and causing fruit malformation and drop, which leads to severe yield losses.
• Broad Range of Host Plants: Beyond chilli, black thrips also affect cotton, bell peppers, red and black grams, mangoes, watermelons, and other crops. Their impact extends to ornamental plants as well.
• Widespread Distribution: Since their first detection, black thrips have been found across multiple Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu.
• Challenges in Control: The rise of black thrips in India is attributed to the absence of natural predators that could control their population. Additionally, the excessive use of chemical pesticides and staggered planting practices have contributed to their outbreak.

-Source: The Hindu

Sjögren’s disease

Context:

Experts say that Sjogren’s disease in India is a silent epidemic, underdiagnosed and poorly understood.

Relevance:

GS II: Health

About Sjögren’s disease:

Sjögren’s disease is an autoimmune condition characterized by the immune system’s attack on the body’s moisture-producing glands. Here are some essential details about this disorder:

• Chronic and Autoimmune Nature: Sjögren’s disease is a chronic ailment where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues, specifically the glands that produce moisture, such as tear and salivary glands.
• Demographics and Prevalence: It predominantly affects women, with a ratio of about 10 women for every man affected. The disease often manifests between the ages of 30 and 40 but can occur at any age, including childhood.
• Symptoms:
  • Primary Symptoms: Patients typically suffer from dry eyes and dry mouth.
    • Dry Eyes: Patients may experience a gritty sensation in their eyes, particularly upon waking or after prolonged exposure to screens.
    • Dry Mouth: This can lead to difficulties in swallowing and a higher risk of dental decay and gum disease.
  • Additional Symptoms: The disease can also cause joint pain, fatigue, and swelling of the salivary glands, among other systemic symptoms, making it a complex condition that affects multiple body systems.
• Treatment Options:
  • Managing Dryness: Treatment typically involves the use of salivary stimulants or substitutes to manage dry mouth, and artificial tears or gel-based lubricating drops for dry eyes.
  • Lifestyle Adjustments: Patients are advised to avoid triggers that may exacerbate symptoms, such as air conditioning and extended screen time. Wearing sunglasses that offer UV protection can also be beneficial.
  • Systemic Management: For more severe systemic manifestations, immunosuppressive medications may be necessary.
• Impact on Quality of Life: The persistent dryness associated with Sjögren’s can significantly affect the patient’s quality of life, making daily activities challenging and uncomfortable.

-Source: The Hindu