Current Affairs 16 July 2024

CONTENTS

1. NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24 Highlights Progress
2. Bihar Government’s Request for Makhana MSP
3. Climate Resilient Agriculture
4. SIM Swapping Scam
5. Rosewood Tree
6. Indian Flapshell Turtle

NITI Aayog’s SDG India Index 2023-24 Highlights Progress

Context:

The NITI (National Institution for Transforming India) Aayog has released its latest Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) India Index for 2023-24, showing significant progress in sustainable development across states and union territories of India.

Relevance:

GS II: Government policies and Interventions

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Sustainable Development Goal
2. Understanding the SDG India Index
3. Key Highlights of the SDG India Index 2023-24

Sustainable Development Goals Analysis

Overview of Goal Progress

• High Increases: Goals like “No Poverty”, “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, and “Life on Land” showed significant increases in scores across states from 2020-21.
• Low Increases: “Gender Equality” and “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions” had the smallest increases in points, indicating slower progress compared to other goals.

Reduced Inequalities

• Decrease in Points: “Reduced Inequalities” saw a decrease from 67 in 2020-21 to 65 in 2023-24, highlighting persistent challenges in wealth distribution and socioeconomic opportunities.
• Challenges: High levels of inequality, especially in employment opportunities at the lower socioeconomic strata, continue to pose significant hurdles in many parts of India.
• Gender Inequality: Addressing gender inequality in workforce participation remains a critical aspect of reducing inequalities across states.

Gender Equality

• Lowest Score: “Gender Equality” received the lowest score among all goals, indicating ongoing challenges.
• Incremental Progress: Marginal increase in scores from the previous year suggests slow improvement in areas such as sex ratio at birth, women’s land and asset ownership, employment, and labour force participation rates.
• Concern Areas: States with sex ratios below 900 at birth face particular challenges in achieving gender equality goals.

Quality of Education

• Score Increase: “Quality of Education” goal improved by 4 points to 61, indicating progress in some states, particularly in central India.
• Challenges Remain: Despite improved access, the quality of education remains a significant issue impacting employment opportunities across the country.

Understanding the SDG India Index

What is the SDG India Index?

• Purpose: Developed by NITI Aayog, the SDG India Index tracks India’s progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Localization Effort: Encourages states to integrate SDGs into their development plans for effective local implementation.
• Benchmarking Tool: Provides policymakers with a benchmark to identify gaps and prioritize actions towards achieving sustainable development by 2030.
• Measurement Criteria: Assesses states and union territories (UTs) across 16 SDGs using 113 indicators aligned with national priorities.
• National Alignment: Scores are computed using the National Indicator Framework, evaluating goal-wise and composite scores.
• Goal Exclusion: Goal 14 (Life Below Water) is excluded from the composite score calculation as it applies solely to coastal states.
• Scoring System: Scores range from 0 to 100, where higher scores indicate greater progress towards SDG targets.
• Categorization: States/UTs are categorized as Aspirant, Performer, Front-Runner, or Achiever based on their SDG India Index score.

Key Highlights of the SDG India Index 2023-24

Overall Progress

• Improvement: India’s overall SDG score rose to 71 in 2023-24, up from 66 in 2020-21 and 57 in 2018.
• State Progress: All states demonstrated improvement in their overall scores, driven by targeted government interventions in poverty reduction, economic growth, and climate action.

Top Performers

• Leading States: Kerala and Uttarakhand emerged as top-performing states, each achieving a score of 79 points.

Challenges and Developments

• Lowest Performer: Bihar recorded the lowest score at 57 points, with Jharkhand following at 62 points.
• New Entrants: 32 states and UTs entered the front-runner category, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Uttar Pradesh, highlighting progress across various regions.

-Source: The Hindu

Bihar Government’s Request for Makhana MSP

Context:

The Bihar government has urged the Centre to declare a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for makhana, an aquatic crop. Additionally, the state has highlighted the lack of manpower at the Darbhanga-based Indian Council of Agricultural Research — National Research Centre (ICAR-NRC) for Makhana.

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Makhana (Fox Nuts) Overview:
2. What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)?
3. Why is there a need for MSP?
4. What are the issues related to MSP?

Makhana (Fox Nuts) Overview:

Makhana, also known as fox nuts or lotus seeds, is an aquatic crop belonging to the family Nympheaceae. Here are some key points about makhana:

• Botanical Name: Euryale ferox Salisb.
• Habitat: It grows in stagnant water bodies like ponds, swamps, and oxbow lakes, typically in warm, tropical, and subtropical climates.
• Cultivation and Harvesting: Farmers sow the seeds in shallow water, allowing the plants to grow until they flower and produce seeds. Harvesting usually occurs during the summer months. Mature seeds are collected, dried in the sun, and then roasted to remove the hard outer shell.
• Distribution: Native to Southeast Asia and China, makhana is now distributed and exported globally, including to countries like Japan, Korea, Russia, North America, Nepal, and Bangladesh. In India, commercial cultivation is prominent in states such as Bihar, Manipur, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
• Major Cultivation Areas in India: Bihar is traditionally the hub of makhana cultivation, with major production districts including Madhubani, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, Supaul, Araria, Kishanganj, Purnia, and Katihar. Approximately 80% of processed makhana seeds come from districts like Madhubani, Darbhanga, Purnia, and Saharsa in Bihar.
• Nutritional Value: Makhana is valued for its nutritional benefits:
  • Low Glycemic Index (GI): Slowly absorbed by the body, making it suitable for diabetic individuals.
  • High Fiber: Helps in digestion, heart management, and overall body fitness.
  • Rich in Potassium: Contains Vitamin B1, carotene, iodine, iron, phosphorous, and calcium.
  • Low Sodium: Helps in managing blood pressure.

What is Minimum Support Price (MSP)?

• Minimum Support Price is the price at which government purchases crops from the farmers, whatever may be the price for the crops.
• MSPs have no statutory backing — a farmer cannot demand MSP as a matter of right.
• Commission for Agricultural Costs & Prices (CACP) in the Ministry of Agriculture recommends MSPs for 23 crops.
• CACP consider various factors while recommending the MSP for a commodity like cost of cultivation, supply and demand situation for the commodity; market price trends (domestic and global) and parity vis-à-vis other crops etc.
• MSP seeks to:
  • Assured Value: To give guaranteed prices and assured market to the farmers and save them from the price fluctuations (National or International).
  • Improving Productivity: By encouraging higher investment and adoption of modern technologies in agricultural activities.
  • Consumer Interest: To safeguard the interests of consumers by making available supplies at reasonable prices.

While recommending MSPs, the CACP looks at the following factors:

•  the demand and supply of a commodity;
•  its cost of production;
•  the market price trends (both domestic and international);
• inter-crop price parity;
• the terms of trade between agriculture and non-agriculture (that is, the ratio of prices of farm inputs and farm outputs);
• a minimum of 50 per cent as the margin over the cost of production; and
• the likely implications of an MSP on consumers of that product.

Crops covered

Crops covered by MSPs include:

• 7 types of cereals (paddy, wheat, maize, bajra, jowar, ragi and barley),
•  5 types of pulses (chana, arhar/tur, urad, moong and masur),
• 7 oilseeds (rapeseed-mustard, groundnut, soyabean, sunflower, sesamum, safflower, nigerseed),
• 4 commercial crops (cotton, sugarcane, copra, raw jute)

Why is there a need for MSP?

• The MSP is a minimum price guarantee that acts as a safety net or insurance for farmers when they sell particular crops.
• The guaranteed price and assured market are expected to encourage higher investment and in adoption of modern technologies in agricultural activities.
• With globalization resulting in freer trade in agricultural commodities, it is very important to protect farmers from the unwarranted fluctuation in prices.

What are the issues related to MSP?

• Low accessibility and awareness of the MSP regime: A survey highlighted that, 81% of the cultivators were aware of MSP fixed by the Government for different crops and out of them only 10% knew about MSP before the sowing season.
• Arrears in payments: More than 50% of the farmers receive their payments of MSP after one week.
• Poor marketing arrangements: Almost 67% of the farmers sell their produce at MSP rate through their own arrangement and 21% through brokers.
• According to NITI Aayog report on MSP, 21% of the farmers of the sample States expressed their satisfaction about MSP declared by the Government whereas 79% expressed their dissatisfaction due to various reasons. Although, majority of the farmers of the sample States were dissatisfied on MSP rates, still 94% of them desired that the MSP rates should be continued.

-Source: The Hindu

Climate Resilient Agriculture

Context:

Recently, the Union government is planning to unveil a framework to promote climate-resilient agriculture in 50,000 villages located in climatically-vulnerable districts.

Relevance:

GS III: Agriculture

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA): Overview and Practices
2. Key Challenges Related to Climate Resilient Agriculture
3. Steps Taken by the Government for Climate Resilient Agriculture

Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA): Overview and Practices

Definition

• Climate Resilient Agriculture (CRA) is defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) as the ability of agricultural systems to anticipate, prepare for, adapt to, absorb, and recover from the impacts of climate change and extreme weather events.

Impact of Climate Change on Agriculture

• National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA): A network project by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) that studies climate change impacts on agriculture and farmers.
• Projected Impacts: Without adaptation measures, climate change is projected to reduce:
  • Irrigated rice yields by 3%
  • Rainfed rice yields by 7 to 28%
  • Wheat yield by 3.2-5.3%
  • Maize yield by 9-10%
  • Increase soybean yield by 2.5-5.5% from 2020-2039.

Impact of Extreme Events

• Drought: Extreme events like drought can impact food and nutrient consumption, increase poverty, promote outmigration, escalate indebtedness, and diminish farmers’ capacity to adapt to climate change.

Practices to Enhance Climate Resilience

• Agroforestry: Cultivating trees alongside crops improves soil health, reduces erosion, enhances biodiversity, and increases soil moisture retention, offering multiple benefits to farmers.
• Soil and Water Conservation: Techniques such as contour bunding, farm ponds, and check dams help retain soil moisture, reduce erosion, and recharge groundwater, crucial for coping with droughts and water scarcity exacerbated by climate change.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Practices like crop diversification, organic farming, and integrated pest management reduce chemical inputs, enhance soil health, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and bolster farmers’ income and food security.
• Livestock Management: Practices such as stall-feeding and mixed cropping improve livestock productivity and resilience, while easing pressure on natural resources like grazing lands, increasingly scarce due to climate change.

Key Challenges Related to Climate Resilient Agriculture

• Vulnerability of Developing Countries
  • Developing countries like India, heavily reliant on agriculture (65% of population), lack adequate technologies and resources to manage climate risks effectively.
• Cycle of Poverty
  • Poor farmers often trapped in low-income cycles due to inadequate mitigation and adaptation measures, leading to high debt and poverty.
• Limited Crop Diversification
  • MSP regime focuses on few crops, hindering diversification efforts and agricultural resilience against climate change impacts.
• Groundwater Depletion
  • Overreliance on groundwater, especially in northern India, undermines efforts towards sustainable agriculture and water conservation.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Agriculture contributes approximately 14% of India’s greenhouse gas emissions, with synthetic nitrogen fertilizers significantly increasing nitrous oxide emissions.
• Low Agricultural Productivity
  • India’s agricultural productivity is lower compared to major producers, with challenges in achieving higher yields per hectare.
• Local Policy Implementation
  • Inadequate recognition and involvement of village Panchayats and local governing bodies hinder effective policy implementation and grassroots climate action.

Steps Taken by the Government for Climate Resilient Agriculture

• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
  • The government has implemented the NAPCC, providing a policy framework for climate action in India.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
  • Under the NAPCC, NMSA aims to enhance the resilience of Indian agriculture through components like Rainfed Area Development (RAD), On Farm Water Management (OFWM), and Soil Health Management (SHM).
• Flagship Programmes
  • Introduced programmes such as Soil Health Card (SHC), Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY), Mission Organic Value Chain Development in North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER), and Per Drop More Crop to promote sustainable agricultural practices.
• National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
  • Launched the restructured NBM in 2018 to boost bamboo cultivation, supporting climate-resilient practices.
• National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA)
  • ICAR’s flagship project since 2011, focusing on research, demonstrations, and capacity building for climate resilient agriculture. Achievements include developing 1888 climate resilient crop varieties and District Agriculture Contingency Plans (DACPs) for 650 districts.
• Crop Insurance Schemes
  • Implemented the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and Restructured Weather Based Crop Insurance Scheme (RWBCIS) to protect farmers from climate hazards and stabilize their income.

-Source: The Hindu

SIM Swapping Scam

Context:

Google Fi wireless has introduced a security feature called ‘Number Lock’. This new feature empowers users to take control and prevent a growing cybersecurity threat – SIM swapping.

Relevance:

GS III: Security challenges

SIM Swapping Scam

The SIM swapping scam is a sophisticated form of fraud that exploits vulnerabilities in the telecom system to gain unauthorized access to personal information and financial accounts. Here are key aspects of how this scam operates:

• Method: Fraudsters typically start by gathering personal details such as phone numbers, bank account information, and addresses through phishing or vishing (voice phishing) techniques.
• Execution: Armed with this information, they visit the victim’s mobile operator’s retail outlet or contact customer service, pretending to be the victim. They often use forged identification documents and report a fake theft of the victim’s SIM card or mobile phone.
• Obtaining a Duplicate SIM: Using the false report of theft, they convince the mobile operator to issue a duplicate SIM card. This duplicate SIM can function even when the original SIM is still active.
• Minimal Interaction with Victims: Unlike other scams that rely on direct communication with victims to extract OTPs or private information, SIM swapping often doesn’t require such direct interaction. Fraudsters may use missed calls to disrupt network connectivity, prompting victims to temporarily leave their phones unattended.
• Gaining Control: Once the SIM is swapped, all calls, texts, and two-factor authentication codes are routed to the fraudster’s SIM card. This allows them to intercept sensitive information like passwords and OTPs, potentially gaining access to the victim’s bank accounts and other secure accounts.
• Impact: Victims may not immediately realize they have been targeted until they notice unusual activity in their accounts or experience loss of service on their phones. By then, fraudsters may have already accessed and misused sensitive information.

To protect against SIM swapping scams, it’s crucial to:

• Enable PIN/Password Protection: Set up a PIN or password with your mobile carrier to prevent unauthorized SIM swaps.
• Monitor Account Activity: Regularly check your financial accounts and mobile services for any unusual or unauthorized activity.
• Avoid Sharing Personal Information: Be cautious about sharing personal details online or over the phone, especially in response to unsolicited requests.

-Source: The Hindu

Rosewood Tree

Context:

Recently, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has issued guidelines for its members involved in the sustainable harvest and trade of rosewood specimens.

Relevance:

GS III: Species in News

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About Rosewood Tree
2. Key Facts about CITES

About Rosewood Tree:

Rosewood is a commercial term that encompasses various tropical hardwoods within the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family. Here are some key details about rosewood:

• Distribution: Rosewood species are native to Southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Sabah, Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
• Indian Rosewood:
  • Dalbergia sissoo (North Indian Rosewood):
    • Native to the foothills of the Himalayas, ranging from Afghanistan to Bihar, India.
    • It is a fast-growing, deciduous tree known for its hardiness and crooked growth.
    • Features long, leathery leaves and whitish or pink flowers.
    • Typically found along river banks at elevations ranging from 200 m to 1,400 m.
  • Dalbergia latifolia (East Indian Rosewood):
    • Also known as East Indian Rosewood, Black Rosewood, Bombay Blackwood, Indonesian Rosewood, or Malabar Rosewood.
    • Habitat includes tropical dry deciduous forests and tropical moist deciduous forests, as well as plains.
    • Found in India, Nepal, Andaman Islands (India), Malay Peninsula, Indonesia, Himalayas, China, and Malaysia.
• Uses: Rosewood is valued for its use in furniture, musical instruments, decorative items, and veneers due to its attractive grain and durability.
• Conservation Status: Many rosewood species, including Dalbergia sissoo and Dalbergia latifolia, are listed under Appendix II of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) list. This listing means that international trade in these species is regulated to ensure their survival in the wild.

Key Facts about CITES:

• Purpose: CITES is an international agreement among governments aimed at preventing international trade from threatening the survival of wild animals and plants.
• Adoption: CITES was adopted in 1973 and entered into force in 1975.
• Membership: It has 184 member parties (countries), and trade regulations apply to over 38,000 species.
• Legality: While CITES is legally binding on its parties, it complements national laws rather than replacing them.
• Administration: The CITES Secretariat is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

-Source: Down To Earth

Indian Flapshell Turtle

Context:

The scientists at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) on a mission to save an Indian flapshell turtle, whose shell cracked after an accident.

Relevance:

GS III: Species in News

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Indian flapshell turtle

Indian flapshell turtle

The Indian flapshell turtle (Lissemys punctata) is a fascinating freshwater species native to South Asia. Here are some key details about this turtle:

• Physical Characteristics: It is known for the femoral flaps on its plastron, which cover the limbs when retracted into the shell. This feature gives it the “flap-shelled” name. Morphologically, it represents an evolutionary link between softshell and hard shell aquatic turtles.
• Habitat: Indian flapshell turtles inhabit various freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, marshes, ponds, lakes, irrigation canals, and tanks. They prefer shallow, quiet waters with sand or mud bottoms, where they can burrow.
• Distribution: This species is primarily found in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh (Indus and Ganges drainages), and Myanmar (Irrawaddy and Salween Rivers). They are adapted to both stagnant and flowing waters within these regions.
• Lifestyle:
  • Diet: Indian flapshell turtles are omnivores, feeding on a variety of aquatic plants, small invertebrates, and occasionally fish.
  • Behavior: They are typically solitary and active during the day. These turtles are well-adapted to endure drought conditions, both morphologically and behaviorally.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable. The population of Indian flapshell turtles is declining primarily due to habitat loss, pollution, and overexploitation for food and traditional medicine.
  • CITES: Listed in Appendix I, which prohibits international trade except for exceptional circumstances under strict regulations.
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I, providing legal protection within India.

-Source: The Hindu