Contents

1. GI Tagging of tribal Products
2. Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (STIP)
3. Flash Flood Guidance Services
4. Central Consumer Protection Authority

GI TAGGING OF TRIBAL PRODIUCTS 

Focus: GS 1;Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Why in News?

TRIFED to Collaborate with Various Ministries and Departments for GI Tagging of tribal Products

About GI Tagging of Tribal Products

• In the light of the Covid-19 pandemic that has thrown unprecedented challenges, the focus has shifted towards “Vocal for Local” and building an “AatmanirbharBharat”.
• India has a rich legacy of indigenous products, be it handicrafts, handlooms, and other produce.
• As the national nodal agency, TRIFED has been working extensively to help market and promote the indigenous products that tribal groups across the country have been producing since centuries.
• It is in this context that Geographical Indication or GI tagging has acquired even more of an importance.
• In consultation with Ministry of Culture, TRIFED has identified 8 heritage locations across the country, where GI specific Tribes India stores will be set up.
• Among these 8 heritage places, work is shortly expected to commence in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, Hampi, Karnataka, Golconda Fort, Telangana.
• In close collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, it has been planned to develop a designer’s lab at Lal Qila (Red Fort), Delhi, wherein select tribal artisans will give live demonstrations of their rich craft traditions.
• The Aadi Mahotsav festival, an initiative commenced in 2017, is TRIFED’s attempt to familiarize the people  with the rich and diverse craft, culture and cuisine of tribal communities across the country in one place. 

About GI Tag

• Geographical Indications of Goods are defined as that aspect of industrial property which refer to the geographical indication referring to a country or to a place situated therein as being the country or place of origin of that product.
• Typically, such a name conveys an assurance of quality and distinctiveness which is essentially attributable to the fact of its origin in that defined geographical locality, region or country.

• Geographical Indications are covered as a component of intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the Paris Convention for the
• Protection of Industrial Property.
• GI is also governed by the World Trade Organization’s (WTO’s) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS).
• In India, Geographical Indications registration is administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 which came into force with effect from September 2003, this tag is issued by the Geographical Indication Registry under the Department of Industry Promotion and Internal Trade (DIPIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• The first product in India to be accorded with GI tag was Darjeeling tea in the year 2004-05.
• The registration of a geographical indication is valid for a period of 10 years.
• It can be renewed from time to time for further period of 10 years each.
• The Geographical Indications Registry would be located at Chennai.
• Any association of persons, producers, organisation or authority established by or under the law can be a registered proprietor.
• Their name should be entered in the Register of Geographical Indication as registered proprietor for the Geographical Indication applied for.
• Karnataka has the highest number of GI tags i.e. 47 products followed by Tamil Nadu (39).
• The GI Tag’s of some of the India states shown in below image, till now more than 360+ products have been added to the GI list, recently Kashmir saffron and black rice of Manipur got the GI tag.

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION POLICY (STIP)

Focus: GS 3;Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

Why in News?

DST releases Draft 5th National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy for public consultation

The new policy, STIP, revolves around the core principles of being decentralized, evidence-informed, bottom-up, experts-driven, and inclusive

Please click on this link and Refer detailed Explanation about STIP 2020.

FLASH FLOOD GUIDANCE SERVICES

Focus: GS 1;Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclone etc., geographical features and their location-changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.

Focus: GS 3; Disaster and disaster management.

Why in News?

Flash Flood Guidance Services launched; the first of its kind for South Asian countries namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka

About Flash Flood Guidance

• The Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched the flash flood guidance services system, first of its kind for South Asian countries namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
• This will enable all the member countries to issue impact-based forecasting at watershed and also city level, of floods which are very sudden and of short duration.
• The observational network for rainfall and soil moisture will improve its performance.
• An automated mode of dissemination is to be established with the stakeholders along with the use of social media, so that the information reaches concerned disaster authorities in a timely manner.
• Regional and international coordination with member countries, Hydrologic Research Center & World Meteorological Organization must be strengthened for exchange of data, expertise, development and sustaining the services in the region
• The collaborative work has enabled the capacity building for forecasting hydro-meteorological hazards
• The member nations that the guidance for flash floods in the form of threats (6 hours in advance) and risks (24 hours in advance) will be provided by Regional Centre to National Meteorological & Hydrological Services, National and State Disaster Management Authorities and all other stakeholders for taking necessary mitigation measures to reduce the loss of life and property in the South Asian region countries.
• WMO has entrusted India with the responsibility of Regional Centre of South Asia Flash Flood Guidance System for coordination, development and its implementation.
• India Meteorological Department has tested the performance of the system during recent monsoon seasons in the preoperational mode and the flash flood bulletins were issued to National Hydrological and Meteorological Services in the Region for its validation.
• The system has in-depth science, dynamics and diagnostics to provide guidance for the possible occurrences of flash floods at local level.

About Flash Floods

• Flash floods are highly localized events of short duration with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood.
• There is a general lack of flash flood warning capabilities and capacities of the nations across the world. 
• Most flash flooding is caused by slow-moving thunderstorms, thunderstorms repeatedly moving over the same area, or heavy rains from hurricanes and tropical storms.
• Water moving at 9 feet per second (2.7 meters per second), a common speed for flash floods, can move rocks weighing almost a hundred pounds.
• Flash floods carry debris that elevate their potential to damage structures and injure people.
• Flash flood waters move at very fast speeds and can roll boulders, tear out trees, destroy buildings, and obliterate bridges. Walls of water can reach heights of 10 to 20 feet and generally are accompanied by a deadly cargo of debris.
• Some methods of flood control have been practiced since ancient times. These methods include planting vegetation to retain extra water, terracing hillsides to slow flow downhill, and the construction of floodways (man-made channels to divert floodwater).

Please click on this link and Refer detailed Explanation about Floods.

CENTRAL CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITY (CCPA)

Focus: GS 2;Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies.

Why in News?

Central Consumer Protection Authority continues to work towards the protection of the interest and rights consumers

Please click on this link and Refer detailed Explanation about Consumer Protection Act 2019.