Current Affairs 26 August 2024

Contents:

1. India’s first civilian space tourist returns
2. Low Adoption rate of children with special needs
3. Urban flood
4. Kuno Cheetahs to be released into the wild
5. Great Nicobar infrastructure project granted statutory environmental clearance
6. Government to adopt Ruthless strategy to deal with Naxalism

India’s first civilian space tourist returns

Context:

India’s first civilian space tourist Gopichand Thotakura returned to the country.

• He has set the record of being the second-ever Indian citizen to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, who travelled to space in 1984.
• He was one of the six crew members ofNew Shephard-25 (NS-25) mission by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin.

Relevance:

GS III: Space

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Space Tourism

Space Tourism

Definition:

• A sector of the aviation industry offering tourists the chance to experience space travel for leisure, recreation, or business.

Market Growth:

• Valued at $848.28 million in 2023.
• Expected to reach $27,861.99 million by 2032.

Types of Space Tourism:

• Sub-orbital spaceflight:
  • Takes passengers just beyond the Kármán line (100 km above sea level).
  • Offers a few minutes in outer space before returning to Earth.
  • Example: Blue Origin’s New Shepherd mission.
• Orbital spaceflight:
  • Takes passengers to an altitude of nearly 1.3 million feet.
  • Passengers can spend from a few days to over a week in space.
  • Example: SpaceX’s Falcon 9 mission in September 2021 took four passengers to an altitude of 160 km for three days in orbit.

Challenges:

• Cost:
  • Typically, a passenger must pay at least a million dollars for the trip.
• Environmental Concerns:
  • Rockets emit gaseous and solid chemicals into the upper atmosphere.
  • A 2022 study by UCL, University of Cambridge, and MIT found rocket soot emissions significantly warm the atmosphere.
• Safety:
  • As of 2023, 676 people have flown into space with 19 fatalities, resulting in an approximate 3% fatality rate.

-Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express       

Low Adoption rate of children with special needs

Context:

Despite the rise of the number of children with special needs for adoption, the adoption rate is still significantly low.

• As per the official date, over 18,179 adoptions recorded since 2019, only 1,404 involved children with special needs find homes.
• Children with special needs require additional support due to physical, developmental, behavioural or emotional challenges.
• It is significant to note that the adoptions of children with special needs have shown a marked increase over the past five years except for a slight dip in 2023-2024.

Relevance:

GS II: Polity and Governance

Dimensions of the Article:

1. About the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)
2. Benefits of Adoption for Children and Society
3. Adoption Trends and Statistics in India
4. Challenges Related to Adoption in India

About the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA):

• CARA is a statutory body under the Ministry of Women & Child Development, Government of India.

Role as Central Authority:

• Designated as the Central Authority for handling inter-country adoptions in line with the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by India in 2003.

Functions:

• Nodal body regulating the adoption of “orphaned, surrendered, and abandoned children” in India.
• Monitors and regulates entities such as State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs), Specialized Adoption Agencies (SAAs), Authorized Foreign Adoption Agencies (AFAAs), Child Welfare Committees (CWCs), and District Child Protective Units (DPUs).

Legal Framework in India:

• Child placement with a family is governed by the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956; the Guardians and Wards Act, 1890; and the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000.
• Mandatory registration of Child Care Institutions (CCIs) and linking to CARA is outlined in the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption:

• The Convention establishes safeguards for children and families involved in inter-country adoptions.
• Aims to prevent the illegal abduction, sale, or trafficking of children during adoptions.
• Objectives:
• Protect children and families from illegal or ill-prepared inter-country adoptions.
• Prevent abduction, sale, or trafficking of children.
• Establish minimum standards while recognizing that it does not serve as a uniform law of adoption.

Benefits of Adoption for Children and Society

• Loving and Stable Family Environment:
  • Adoption provides children deprived of parental care with a loving and stable family environment.
• Holistic Development and Well-being:
  • Ensures the holistic development and well-being of adopted children, addressing their physical, mental, emotional, social, and educational needs.
• Social and Economic Contribution:
  • Contributes to the social and economic development of the country by:
    • Reducing the burden on the state and society in caring for orphaned, abandoned, or surrendered children.
    • Empowering adopted children to become productive and responsible citizens.
• Positive Adoption Culture:
  • Cultivates a positive adoption culture in society by:
    • Breaking down social stigmas associated with adoption.
    • Raising awareness about the numerous benefits of adoption.
• Empowerment of Children:
  • Empowers children through adoption, providing them with opportunities for growth, education, and a brighter future.
• Family and Community Support:
  • Strengthens the fabric of families and communities by fostering support networks around adopted children.
• Diversity and Inclusion:
  • Promotes diversity and inclusion by creating families that embrace children from different backgrounds, cultures, and communities.
• Fulfillment of Parental Desires:
  • Allows prospective adoptive parents to fulfill their desires of parenthood, creating a positive impact on their lives.
• Humanitarian and Compassionate Act:
  • Reflects a humanitarian and compassionate act, demonstrating the potential for positive change through acts of care and kindness.
• Lifetime Bonds and Relationships:
  • Builds lifetime bonds and relationships between adoptive parents and children, fostering love, support, and a sense of belonging.

Adoption Trends and Statistics in India

• Annual Adoption Figures:
  • Approximately 4,000 child adoptions occur annually in India, according to the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA).
• Orphan Population:
  • As of 2021, there are over 3 Crore orphans in the country.
• Adoption Mismatch:
  • There is a significant mismatch between the number of children available for legal adoption and prospective adoptive parents (PAPs).
• CARA’s Data (October 2023):
  • 2,146 children were available for adoption.
  • 30,669 PAPs have been registered for in-country adoption.
• Waiting Period for PAPs:
  • PAPs face a waiting period of three to four years to adopt a healthy and young child due to the imbalance between registered PAPs and available children.
• Age Preferences of PAPs:
  • 69.4% of registered PAPs prefer children aged zero to two years.
  • 10.3% prefer children aged two to four years.
  • 14.8% prefer children aged four to six years.
• Specialised Adoption Agencies (SAAs):
  • Out of 760 districts in India, only 390 districts have Specialised Adoption Agencies.

Challenges Related to Adoption in India

Complex Adoption Process:

• Adoption in India, governed by multiple laws, involves intricate steps, including registration, home study, child referral, matching, acceptance, pre-adoption foster care, court order, and follow-up.

Extended Timeline:

• Factors like child availability, parental preferences, administrative efficiency, and legal formalities contribute to the prolonged duration of the adoption process.

Child Returns and Challenges:

• An unusual upsurge in child returns, particularly affecting girls, those with special needs, and older children, raises concerns.
• Disabled and older children face extended adjustment periods, compounded by inadequate preparation and counselling during the transition.

Decline in Adoption of Special Needs Children:

• Only 40 children with disabilities were adopted between 2018 and 2019, representing approximately 1% of total adoptions.
• Annual trends indicate a decline in domestic adoptions of children with special needs, revealing a disparity in adoption patterns.

Illegal Adoption Activities:

• The diminishing pool of adoptable children contributes to an increase in illegal adoption activities.
• Threats of child trafficking, especially during the pandemic, raise ethical and legal concerns, impacting poor or marginalized families.

Legal Recognition for LGBTQ+ Families:

• Legal challenges for LGBTQ+ families seeking adoption hinder their ability to become adoptive parents, leading to an increase in illegal adoptions within the queer community.

Social Stigma and Limited Awareness:

• Social stigma surrounding adoption, particularly for certain demographics, affects adoption rates.
• Limited awareness about the adoption process contributes to misconceptions and creates barriers for prospective adoptive parents.

Corruption and Legal Disputes:

• Instances of corruption within the adoption process compromise its integrity.
• Legal disputes and litigation further slow down adoption proceedings, adding to the complexities of the overall process.

-Source: The Hindu

Urban flood

Context:

Several part of the Gujarat received  heavy to very heavy rains in the last 24 hours (on August 26, 2024).

• The Government shifted hundreds of people to safe places after low-lying areas in Navsari and Valsad districts were inundated due to a rise in the water level of monsoon rivers.
• The Union Home Minister assured Central assistance to State.

Relevance:

GS Paper 3 – Disaster and disaster management

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Urban Flooding Events
2. Understanding the Problem of Urban Flooding

Urban Flooding Events:

• This situation is not new; similar flooding caused by heavy rains has already occurred in cities like Hyderabad (2000), Srinagar (2014), Chennai (2021), and Bengaluru (2022). Due to causes including unplanned urbanisation, population expansion, and the destruction of water bodies due to construction operations, the frequency and severity of these events have increased.
• Flooding’s aftereffects, such as water logging and traffic congestion, have a big effect on urban dwellers’ life. A comprehensive strategy that includes increased understanding, infrastructure renovation, and improved urban planning is essential to overcoming this difficulty.

Understanding the Problem of Urban Flooding

• Conducting thorough research in all cities to comprehend the catchment areas and flooding dangers connected with urban water bodies and land use patterns is an essential first step in combating urban flooding. This data-driven strategy can help in the creation of short-, medium-, and long-term strategies to rehabilitate water bodies and better control flooding.
• Participatory lake and river management plans are essential to including local residents in the maintenance of water bodies and ensuring their sustainability. In order to better manage flood risk, it is important to emphasise the use of geographic information systems (GIS), which may be used to track encroachments and analyse their seasonality.

Purchasing Reliable Early Warning Systems:

• To offer real-time updates on local weather changes in light of shifting weather patterns, investments in cutting-edge early warning technologies, such as Doppler radar, are required. It can help with prompt reaction and risk assessment to integrate local rainfall data with regional flood control activities.
• As cities get ready for anticipated flooding occurrences, models for flooding hotspots and flood risk maps can direct urban design and insurance product development. Creating extensive databases for the entire city can help with disaster relief and assistance during flooding-related emergencies.

Redesigning Stormwater and Drainage Networks:

• The majority of Indian cities do not have functional sewage networks, which emphasises the need to upgrade and expand stormwater and drainage systems. Achieving effective water management requires the creation of thorough drainage master plans and surveys of existing pipelines.
• It is important to emphasise how water-logging and flooding concerns can be reduced by separating drainage and stormwater networks. Improving the effectiveness of the civic organisations in charge of these networks requires addressing delays and coordination issues.

Planning for Resilient Cities:

• An improved approach to urban planning is necessary for long-term solutions. For successful outcomes, coordination is essential between the various entities and agencies involved in managing waterbodies.
• A well-defined urban water policy can offer direction and a legal framework for protecting water bodies. Successful water body restoration initiatives can be achieved through promoting civic engagement through community-driven strategies, as shown by examples like the wastewater treatment facilities in Mangalore and the Kaikondrahalli Lake in Bengaluru.

Local Success Stories to Be Replicated:

• It is crucial to locate and imitate effective examples of water body restoration and urban resilience. Other cities’ policies can benefit from studying programmes like the wastewater treatment facilities in Mangalore and Bengaluru’s community-driven approach to lake revival.
• Sustainable solutions for the future are ensured by empowering communities to actively participate in conservation initiatives and customising programmes to conserve local ecology.

Promoting widespread rainwater collection in cities

• The broad implementation of rainwater harvesting is essential to easing the burden on drainage systems and promoting sustainable water management.
• Reducing stormwater runoff and replenishing groundwater can be considerably aided by putting rainwater harvesting techniques into place in residential, commercial, and industrial structures.
• Governments can encourage the collection of rainwater through legislative initiatives and public awareness campaigns.

Making Urban Green Infrastructure and Green Spaces

• Urban green space preservation and creation are essential for reducing the effects of flooding. The risk of floods is decreased by the natural absorption of excess rainwater by parks, gardens, and wetlands.
• Stormwater management can be improved and sustainable urban growth can be facilitated by including urban green infrastructure, such as green roofs and permeable pavements.

Building community involvement and awareness

• It is crucial to educate urban dwellers about the value of water management, flood preparedness, and community involvement. Improved disaster response and decreased risk can result from involving local communities in planning for flood response and early warning systems.
• Community-based programmes can foster a sense of responsibility and ownership for water bodies, resulting in their long-term preservation.

-Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express       

Kuno Cheetahs to be released into the wild

Context:

The African Cheetahs that was brought to India as part of the world’s first intercontinental translocation of the wild cats will soon be released into the wild again at Kuno national park.

• After spending over an year in the enclosure, the officials designated the Cheetahs “fit for release” and are able to hunt.
• Currently, there are 25 cheetahs at Kuno — 13 adults and 12 cubs, born at the national park.

Relevance:

GS III: Environment and Ecology

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Details about the Deaths of Cheetahs in India’s Translocation Project
2. About Cheetah

Details about the Deaths of Cheetahs in India’s Translocation Project

• The Cheetah Translocation Project aimed for a 50% survival rate for the first year, which is 10 out of 20 cheetahs.
• Experts suggest that the project overestimated Kuno National Park’s carrying capacity for cheetahs.
• Predation is the biggest killer of cheetahs, accounting for 53.2% of mortality according to a South African study.
• Lions, leopards, hyenas, and jackals are the primary predators responsible for cheetah deaths.
• Cheetahs experience high cub mortality rates of up to 90% in protected areas due to predation.
• In India, leopards are likely to be the chief predator of cheetahs as lions are mostly absent except in Gujarat.
• Other causes of mortality include holding camps, immobilization/transit, tracking devices, and other wildlife killing cheetahs, including cubs.

The Cheetah Translocation Project is considering the following options:

• Preparing Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in the Chambal River valley as the second home for cheetahs.
• Moving a few cheetahs from Kuno to the safety of an 80-sq-km fenced area in Rajasthan’s Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve.
  • However, both options would mean shifting the project’s goal from establishing the cheetah in an open landscape to managing the African imports as a few pocket populations in fenced-in or restricted areas

About Cheetah:

• The cheetah is one of the oldest of the big cat species, with ancestors that can be traced back more than five million years to the Miocene era.
• The cheetah is also the world’s fastest land mammal that lives in Africa and Asia.

African Cheetah

• IUCN status – Vulnerable
• CITES status – Appendix-I of the List. This List comprises of migratory species that have been assessed as being in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of their range.
• Habitat – Around 6,500-7,000 African cheetahs present in the wild.
• Physical Characteristics – Bigger in size as compared to Asiatic Cheetah.

Asian Cheetah

• IUCN Status – Critically Endangered.
• CITES – Appendix 1 of the list
• Habitat – 40-50 found only in Iran.
• Physical Characteristics – Smaller and paler than the African cheetah. Has more fur, a smaller head and a longer neck. Usually have red eyes and they have a more cat-like appearance.

-Source: Indian Express

Great Nicobar infrastructure project granted statutory environmental clearance

Context:

As per the latest declaration by the Union Environment Minister, the Great Nicobar infrastructure project was granted statutory environmental, forest and coastal clearances after observing “meticulous due diligence” and after adhering to all rules and regulations.

• The project involves construction of a transshipment port, an international airport, a power plant, a township and allied infrastructure in the Greater Nicobar island.
• It was given a green signal by the environment ministry in 2022.
• The project invited several criticisms as it could pose grave threat to indigenous tribal groups and flora and fauna.

Relevance:

GS3- Growth and Development, Environmental Conservation

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Great Nicobar Island
2. The Great Nicobar Project
3. Rationale Behind the Project
4. Associated Concerns
5. Conclusion

Great Nicobar Island:

• Great Nicobar Island is the largest and southernmost of the Nicobar Islands, spanning 910 square kilometers in the southeastern Bay of Bengal. It is predominantly covered by tropical rainforest and sparsely inhabited.
• Indira Point, situated on Great Nicobar Island, marks India’s southernmost tip and is approximately 90 nautical miles (less than 170 km) from Sabang at the northern tip of Sumatra, the largest island in the Indonesian archipelago.
• The Andaman and Nicobar Islands comprise 836 islands grouped into the Andaman Islands in the north and the Nicobar Islands in the south. They are separated by the 10° Channel, which spans 150 kilometers wide.
• Great Nicobar Island hosts two national parks, a biosphere reserve, and small communities of the Shompen, Onge, Andamanese, and Nicobarese tribal peoples, alongside a few thousand non-tribal settlers.

The Great Nicobar Project:

• The Great Nicobar Island (GNI) project, initiated in 2021, is a large-scale endeavor planned for the southernmost region of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• It aims to establish a trans-shipment port, an international airport, township infrastructure, and a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant on the island.
• The project was greenlit following a NITI Aayog report that highlighted the island’s strategic location, equidistant from Colombo in Sri Lanka to the southwest, and Port Klang (Malaysia) and Singapore to the southeast.
• Managed by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation (ANIIDCO), the ambitious infrastructure initiative includes an International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) and a greenfield international airport.
• Positioned near the Malacca Strait, a vital route connecting the Indian Ocean with the Pacific, the ICTT is expected to integrate Great Nicobar into the regional and global maritime trade network as a key hub for cargo transshipment.
• The proposed site for the ICTT and power plant is Galathea Bay, located at the southeastern tip of Great Nicobar Island, an area devoid of human settlement.
• The Great Nicobar Project includes plans for a trans-shipment port, an international airport, township development, and a 450 MVA gas and solar-based power plant across an estimated 130 sq. km. of virgin forest.
• It has received stage-1 environmental clearance, a mandatory requirement from an expert committee.
• In August 2023, the government informed Parliament that approximately 9.6 lakh trees could be felled for the project, with compensatory afforestation planned in Haryana, thousands of kilometers away from the unique rainforest ecosystem of Great Nicobar.
• The Galathea Bay in the Nicobar Islands harbors numerous rare species such as the leatherback turtle, whose future is jeopardized by the project’s development plans.

Rationale Behind the Project:

• The upgrade aims to enhance the capability to deploy additional military forces, larger warships, aircraft, missile batteries, and troops.
• Securing comprehensive surveillance of the archipelago and establishing a robust military deterrent at Great Nicobar Island are crucial for India’s national security strategy.
• Due to its proximity to the Malacca Strait, a critical route linking the Indian Ocean and the Pacific, Great Nicobar Island’s International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) is expected to position it as a significant participant in regional and global maritime trade.
• The Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean regions hold immense strategic importance for India, primarily due to concerns over the increasing presence and influence of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) of China.
• India is particularly wary of China’s efforts to bolster its naval capabilities at strategic chokepoints in the Indo-Pacific, including the Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok Straits.
• Additionally, China’s establishment of a military facility on the Coco Islands, situated just 55 km north of India’s Andaman & Nicobar Islands, underscores India’s concerns. The Andaman & Nicobar Islands play a pivotal role in India’s maritime security architecture in the region.
• The government argues that its intention is to utilize the strategic position of Great Nicobar Island, located just 90 km from the western end of the Malacca Strait, a crucial shipping route connecting the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.
• However, critics and some of the government’s policy advisors believe that promoting tourism is a significant underlying reason for the project.
• The Environment Ministry, responsible for environmental regulations, has chosen not to disclose details about the project. Information regarding the environmental clearance process and the assessment, typically public documents, has been withheld.
• Additionally, there appears to be urgency from the island administration to move forward while disregarding the consent rights of the local tribes, especially the Shompen.
• The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, a constitutional body, has demanded an explanation from the district administration on these issues.

Associated Concerns:

Impact on Indigenous Tribes:

• The Shompen and Nicobarese, identified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) of hunter-gatherers, have a population estimated in the hundreds. They reside within a tribal reserve on Great Nicobar Island.
• There are serious concerns that the proposed infrastructure upgrade could severely affect the Shompen tribe and their traditional lifestyle, closely intertwined with the island’s natural surroundings.

Threat to Island Ecology:

• The project’s implementation is anticipated to significantly impact Great Nicobar Island’s ecology, involving the felling of nearly a million trees.
• There are fears that the construction of the port could devastate coral reefs, affecting the local marine ecosystem, and pose risks to terrestrial species like the Nicobar Megapode bird and leatherback turtles, which nest in the Galathea Bay area.
• This portion of land constitutes approximately 15% of Great Nicobar Island’s total area and represents one of India’s largest forest diversions in a globally and nationally unique rainforest ecosystem.

Seismic Vulnerability:

• The proposed port site is situated in a region prone to seismic activity, which saw permanent subsidence of about 15 feet during the 2004 tsunami.
• This raises concerns about the safety and feasibility of constructing a large-scale infrastructure project in such a high-risk, disaster-prone area.

Lack of Adequate Consultation:

There are allegations that the local administration did not sufficiently consult the Tribal Council of Great and Little Nicobar Islands, as required by law.

Conclusion:

In April 2023, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) declined to intervene in the environmental and forest clearances granted to the project but ordered the formation of a high-power committee to review these clearances. The National Green Tribunal had appointed a committee, led by the Environment Ministry’s Secretary, to submit a report on the approval of forest clearances, yet this report remains undisclosed. Without transparency, the government would be imprudent to undertake such extensive changes to the islands. Given its fresh mandate, it should promptly reassess its approach.

-Source: The Indian Express       

Government to adopt Ruthless strategy to deal with Naxalism

Context:

Recently, the Union Home Minister announced that country will be free of the Left Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 2026.

• The Chhattisgarh government would announce a “new look” surrender policy in 1-2 months.
• Nearly 17,000 people, including Maoists, security forces and civilians, have died in LWE-related incidents in the country.
• There was a 53% decline in Maoist-related cases and 70% drop in deaths due to LWE violence in the past 10 years.

Relevance:

GS III: Security Challenges

Dimensions of the Article:

1. Understanding Naxalism
2. Causes of Naxalism
3. Government Initiatives to Combat Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)

Understanding Naxalism

Origin and Name

• Derives its name from Naxalbari village in West Bengal, where it originated as a rebellion against local landlords over a land dispute.

Spread and Characteristics

• Spread across Eastern India, particularly in less developed areas of states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Left-wing extremists (LWE), also known as Maoists globally and Naxalites in India, lead the movement.

Ideology and Objectives

• Advocate for armed revolution to overthrow the Indian government and establish a communist state based on Maoist principles.
• View the state as oppressive and exploitative, seeking to address socio-economic grievances through armed struggle and people’s war.

Activities and Strategies

• Engage in guerrilla warfare, attacks on security forces, extortion, intimidation, and propaganda.
• Aim to capture state power through armed insurgency, mass mobilization, and strategic alliances.
• Target government institutions, infrastructure, economic interests, collaborators, and informants.
• Operate parallel governance structures in certain controlled areas, providing basic services and dispensing justice.

Status of LWE in India

• Trends in Violence
  • 2022 witnessed the lowest number of violent incidents and deaths in Naxal-hit areas in the last four decades.
  • Violent incidents reduced by 77% in 2022 compared to the peak in 2010.
  • Number of affected districts dropped from 90 to 45.
  • Deaths of security forces and civilians in LWE violence decreased by 90% in 2022 compared to 2010.

States Affected by LWE

• Affected States
  • Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Kerala.
• Red Corridor
  • Central, eastern, and southern regions of India experiencing severe Naxalism-Maoist insurgency.

Causes of Naxalism

Economic Factors

• Thrives in underdeveloped regions with high poverty rates.
• Adivasi and Dalit communities face social exclusion and lack access to basic necessities, fostering resentment and receptiveness to Naxalite ideology.
• Displacement of Adivasis from traditional lands due to mining and development projects creates anger and a sense of injustice, exploited by Naxalites.

Exploitation and Marginalization

• Tribal communities vulnerable to exploitation by landlords, moneylenders, and mining companies, positioning Naxalites as protectors against such exploitation.
• Dalits, facing social and economic marginalization, may find Naxalism appealing as it challenges the existing caste hierarchy.

Weak Governance

• Flourishes in areas with weak government presence and poor infrastructure, allowing Naxalites to operate with less interference.
• State governments often neglect addressing Naxalism, considering it a central government issue, leading to a lack of initiatives to combat it.

Perceived Failure of Democratic System

• Naxalites believe the democratic system has failed to address their needs and grievances, offering a violent alternative path to change.

Impact of Globalization

• Discontent with the impact of globalization, particularly displacement due to land acquisition for corporations, can contribute to Naxalite support.

Operational Challenges

• LWE groups operate in remote and inaccessible areas with dense forests and hilly terrains, making it challenging for security forces to track them down.

Government Initiatives to Combat Left-Wing Extremism (LWE):

Operation Octopus:

• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has undertaken a significant operation known as ‘Octopus’ in the heavily mined ‘Burha Pahar’ hilly range within the Garhwa district, bordering Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
• This operation marks a substantial success, marking the first instance where the force successfully eliminated Naxal influence from the area.
• Operation Double Bull: Launched in the dense jungles of the Bulbul area in Lohardaga and neighboring districts of Jharkhand.
• Greyhounds: Established in 1989 as an elite anti-Naxal force.
• Operation Green Hunt: Commenced in 2009-10, entailing a massive deployment of security forces in Naxal-affected regions.
• Aspirational Districts Programme: Introduced in 2018, with the objective of swiftly transforming districts that have exhibited comparatively slower progress in key social indicators.
• SAMADHAN doctrine: A comprehensive strategy for addressing the LWE issue, encompassing short-term and long-term policies formulated at various levels. SAMADHAN stands for:
  • S – Smart Leadership,
  • A – Aggressive Strategy,
  • M – Motivation and Training,
  • A – Actionable Intelligence,
  • D – Dashboard Based KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) and KRAs (Key Result Areas),
  • H – Harnessing Technology,
  • A – Action plan for each Theatre,
  • N – No access to Financing.

ROSHNI:

• A special initiative under the Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (formerly Ajeevika Skills), launched in June 2013.
• ROSHNI focuses on providing training and placement opportunities for rural youth from 27 LWE-affected districts across nine states.
• Additionally, the government has undertaken measures such as intelligence sharing, and the establishment of separate units like the 66 Indian Reserved Battalion (IRBs), as well as specialized CRPF battalions including the COBRA battalion and Bastariya battalion, aimed at curbing the activities of LWE organizations.
• Efforts by civil society and peace activists to broker ceasefires and facilitate dialogue between the Maoists and security forces, advocating for the pursuit of tribal causes through democratic channels, have been met with resistance from the insurgents.

-Source: The Hindu, The Indian Express