Daily Prelims Notes 11 December 2022

December 11, 2022
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Daily Prelims Notes

11 December 2022

Table Of Contents

1. Three Himalayan medicinal plants enter IUCN list

Subject: Environment

Three medicinal plant species found in the Himalayas have made it to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species following a recent assessment.
The details of the medicinal plants are given below:

Meizotropis pellita:

Meizotropis pellita, commonly known as Patwa, is a perennial shrub with restricted distribution that is endemic to Uttarakhand.
“The species is listed as ‘critically endangered’ based on its limited area of occupancy (less than 10 sq. km),” the study stated.
The species is threatened by deforestation, habitat fragmentation and forest fires.
The essential oil extracted from the leaves possesses strong antioxidants and can be a promising natural substitute for synthetic antioxidants in pharmaceutical industries.

Fritillaria cirrhosa:

Fritillaria cirrhosa (Himalayan fritillary) is a perennial bulbous herb.
According to the study, a decline of at least 30% of its population over the assessment period (22 to 26 years).
Considering the rate of decline, long generation length, poor germination potential, high trade value, extensive harvesting pressure and illegal trade, the species is listed as ‘vulnerable’.
In China, the species is used for the treatment of bronchial disorders and pneumonia.
The plant is also a strong cough suppressant.

Dactylorhiza hatagirea:

The species is commonly known as Salampanja and is a species of orchid generally found in the Himalayas.
The species listed as Endangered in the IUCN list.
It is threatened by habitat loss, livestock grazing, deforestation, and climate change.
It is extensively used in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and other alternative systems of medicine to cure dysentery, gastritis, chronic fever, cough and stomach aches.

IUCN Redlist of threatened species

Established in 1964, the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global extinction risk status of animal, fungus and plant species.
The IUCN Red List is a critical indicator of the health of the world’s biodiversity.
The IUCN Red List is used by government agencies, wildlife departments, conservation-related non-governmental organizations (NGOs), according to the list, biodiversity is declining.
Currently, there are more than 138,300 species on The IUCN Red List, with more than 38,500 species threatened with extinction, including 41% of amphibians, 37% of sharks and rays, 34% of conifers, 33% of reef building corals, 26% of mammals and 14% of birds.

2. Air-Breathing Scramjet Engine

Subject: Science and Technology

The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) successfully conducted the hot test of scramjet engine.
In an air-breathing scramjet engine, air from the atmosphere is rammed into the engine’s combustion chamber at a supersonic speed of more than Mach two.

ScramJet Engine

A scramjet is a supersonic-combustion ramjet engine in which the airflow through the engine remains supersonic (greater than the speed of sound).
Scramjet-powered vehicles can operate at speeds up to Mach 15.
Scramjet engines facilitate supersonic combustion by breathing oxygen from the atmosphere during flight.
It then allows the oxygen to mix with hydrogen already stored in the vehicle, triggering combustion, and producing the required thrust to lift the satellite to its designated orbit.
Such engines that can breathe oxygen from the atmosphere play a significant role in space technologies as they help reduce the need for propellants by about 70%.
Benefits:
- Mastering the air-breathing scramjet technology will lead to the development of hypersonic missiles, faster civilian air transportation and facilities for putting satellites into orbit at a low cost.

Ramjet Engine

A ramjet engine operates by the combustion of fuel in a stream of air compressed by the forward speed of the aircraft itself, as compared to normal jet engines where the compressor section compresses the air.
The airflow through a ramjet engine is at a subsonic speed (less than the speed of sound).
Ramjet engines can operate from Mach 3 to Mach 6.
Mach number is the ratio of the speed of an aircraft (vehicle) to the speed of sound.

3. Centre introduces Bills to modify ST list in four States

Subject : Polity

The Union government has introduced four bills that propose to make changes to the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST) in four States namely Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in Lok Sabha by making amendments to the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950.

About the bill

The Bill proposes to add the Narikoravan and Kuruvikkaran hill tribes to the ST list of Tamil Nadu.
The government through another Bill sought to introduce Betta-Kuruba as a synonym for the already categorised Kadu Kuruba in the ST list of Karnataka.
A Bill was also moved to add a number of synonyms in the Devanagari script for the already categorised Bhariya Bhumia tribe in the ST list of Chhattisgarh.
Further, the Hattee community of the Trans-Giri region in the Sirmaur district was added to the ST list of Himachal Pradesh.

Definition of STs:

The Constitution does not define the criteria for recognition of Scheduled Tribes.
However, Article 366(25) of the Constitution only provides process to define Scheduled Tribes: “Scheduled Tribes means such tribes or tribal communities or parts of or groups within such tribes or tribal communities as are deemed under Article 342 to be Scheduled Tribes for the purposes of this Constitution.”
Article 342(1): The President may with respect to any State or Union Territory, and where it is a State, after consultation with the Governor, by a public notification, specify the tribes or tribal communities or part of or groups within tribes or tribal communities as Scheduled Tribe in relation to that State or Union Territory.

Process for inclusion in the ST List

Under article 341 (2) of the Constitution the power to make changes to the SC and ST list lies with the Parliament and not state legislatures. Any change in the lists of the Scheduled Castes and Tribes requires a constitutional amendment.
In the case of STs, the community must be shown to be a tribe which is isolated, and lives in vulnerable conditions. This has to be proved anthropologically.
The process to include tribes in the ST list begins with the recommendation from the respective State governments, which are then sent to the Tribal Affairs Ministry, which reviews and sends them to the Registrar General of India for approval.
This is followed by the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes’ approval before the list is sent to the Cabinet for a final decision.

4. Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre gets new trisonic wind tunnel

Subject: Science and Technology

The new trisonic wind tunnel at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) was inaugurated recently by conducting the first blow-down test successfully.
The massive structure, which can perform tests in three speed regimes, equips the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with a robust in-house support system for space missions.

Trisonic Wind Tunnel

Trisonic Wind Tunnel is a system to aid aerodynamic design of rockets and re-entry spacecrafts by characterising a scaled model by evaluating forces, moments, load distribution, unsteady pressures, acoustic levels etc.
The tunnel has an overall length of about 160m and has a maximum cross section of 5.4m.
The tunnel can be used for testing various space vehicles in three flight regimes —
below the speed of sound (subsonic),
at the speed of sound (transonic) and
above the speed of sound (supersonic),
The tunnel can simulate flight conditions from 0.2 times the speed of sound (68 m/s) to 4 times the speed of sound (1360 m/s).
Its parts include air storage vessels, a settling chamber where the airflow is ‘smoothened’ out, and nozzles for releasing the air into the test section.
Implementation: The trisonic wind tunnel was implemented through M/s Tata Projects India Ltd with the assistance of industries across the country.
For years, ISRO had depended on the trisonic wind tunnel at the National Aerospace Laboratory (NAL), Bengaluru.

Hypersonic wind tunnel:

The VSSC is already equipped with a hypersonic wind tunnel for testing parameters of re-entry missions.
Commissioned in 2017, this tunnel can simulate flow speeds up to Mach 12.

5. Nod to appoint 3 additional judges as permanent judges

Subject : Polity

The Supreme Court Collegium headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud y approved the proposal for appointment of three Additional Judges as Permanent Judges in the Kerala High Court.

Appointment of High Court Judges

Article 217 of the Constitution: It states that the Judge of a High Court shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), the Governor of the State.
In the case of appointment of a Judge other than the Chief Justice, the Chief Justice of the High Court is consulted.

Consultation Process:

High Court judges are recommended by a Collegium comprising the CJI and two senior-most judges.
The proposal, however, is initiated by the Chief Justice of the High Court concerned in consultation with two senior-most colleagues.
The recommendation is sent to the Chief Minister, who advises the Governor to send the proposal to the Union Law Minister.
The Collegium takes the call on the elevation.

Additional Judges:

The appointment of retired judges was provided for in the Constitution under Article 224.
Constitution provides that if by reason of any temporary increase in the business of a High Court or by reason of arrears of work therein, it appears to the President that the number of the Judges of that Court should be for the time being increased, the President may appoint duly qualified persons to be additional Judges of the Court for such period not exceeding two years as he may specify.

Ad-hoc Judges:

The appointment of retired judges was provided for in the Constitution under Article 224A.
Under the Article, the Chief Justice of a High Court for any State may at any time, with the previous consent of the President, request any person who has held the office of judge of that court or of any other High Court to sit and act as a judge of the High Court for that State.
Recently, the Supreme Court pushed for the appointment of retired judges to battle the pendency of cases in High Courts.
It orally outlined prospective guidelines for the appointment and functioning of an ad-hoc judge.

6. Bill seeks setting up of Commission to curb medical costs

Subject :Governance

Private member bill to set up commission to regulate medical costs was introduced in Rajya Sabha.
CPI Rajya Sabha MP P. Santhosh Kumar names the Bill as ‘The National Commission for Controlling Medical Inflation Act, 2022’.

About the bill

The bill seeks to set up a the National Commission for Controlling Medical Inflation, with a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and five other members.
It shall have the powers of a civil court.
The government shall consult the commission on all policies related to the control and monitoring of medical inflation.
The proposed Commission should also be tasked with standardising the prices of essential medicines, medical diagnostic tests, pathological tests and all other relevant medical and allied services across the country in order to reduce out-of-pocket expenditure.
It should determine an upper limit for the fee to be charged for every procedure and test, draft a national policy for the standardisation of medical expenses and design a quality assurance framework.

Introduction of a private member bill

Any Member of Parliament (MP) who is not a minister is referred to as a private member.
The purpose of private member’s bill is to draw the government’s attention to what individual MPs see as issues and gaps in the existing legal framework, which require legislative intervention.
Thus it reflects the stand of the opposition party on public matters.
Also, the MP can be from any party or an independent MP.
Its drafting is the responsibility of the member concerned.
Its introduction in the House requires one month’s notice.
The government bills can be introduced and discussed on any day, private member’s bills can be introduced and discussed only on Fridays.
Its rejection by the House has no implication on the parliamentary confidence in the government or its resignation.
Upon conclusion of the discussion, the member piloting the bill can either withdraw it on the request of the minister concerned, or he may choose to press ahead with its passage.
The last time a private member’s bill was passed by both Houses was in 1970.
It was the Supreme Court (Enlargement of Criminal Appellate Jurisdiction) Bill, 1968.
14 private member’s bills — five of which were introduced in Rajya Sabha — have become law so far.Some other private member bills that have become laws include-
Proceedings of Legislature (Protection of Publication) Bill, 1956, in the Lok Sabha;
The Salaries and Allowances of Members of Parliament (Amendment) Bill, 1964, introduced by in the Lok Sabha and
The Indian Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 1967 introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

7. Age of Consent Issue

Subject :Polity

Context: Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on December 10, 2022 appealed to Parliament to have a relook at the issue of age of consent.

Introduction:

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud appealed to Parliament to have a relook at the issue of age of consent under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 as it posed difficulties for judges examining cases of consensual sex involving adolescents.
In 2012, the POCSO Act raised the age of consent to 18 years, which had been at 16 years since 1940.
A national stakeholders’ consultation on the POCSO Act is being conducted by the Supreme Court’s Committee on Juvenile Justice and is part of its annual stakeholders’ meet.

Case for reducing age of consent:

A study carried out by Enfold Proactive Health Trust, Bengaluru found that 93.8% of “romantic cases” tried under POCSO ended in acquittal after consuming a median time of 1.4 to 2.3 years from the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) to disposal by courts.
The Madras High Court recently said that it was “eagerly” waiting for the legislature to reduce the age of consent under the POCSO Act from the current 18 years.
In Sabari Vs. Inspector of Police case, the Madras High Court recommended that the age of consent be revised to 16 years.

8. Is anaemia seen in three in rural men due to iron deficiency?

Subject : Science and Technology

Context:

Prevalence of anaemia among men in rural areas was lowest in the southern States (18.5%) and highest in the eastern region (34.1%)

In 2019, a paper published in The Lancet Global Health highlighted that nearly one in four men (23.2%) in the age group 15-54 years in India were anaemic (mild, moderate, or severe).
The conclusion was based on the analysis of over 1,06,000 men from the fourth round of the National Family Health Survey carried out from January 2015 to December 2016.

What is anaemia ? when a men is called anaemic :

Men are considered to have anaemia if haemoglobin concentration is less than 13.0 g/dL. While iron deficiency is the main cause of anaemia, particularly in women, other causes of anaemia are deficiency in folate, vitamin B12, or vitamin A.

Report :

(NFHS-5) three out of ten men in rural areas were anaemic;
prevalence of anaemia was more in rural areas than in urban areas — one of five urban men are anaemic, while three out of every ten rural men are anaemic.
Prevalence of anaemia was found to be higher (34.7%) among men who were underweight compared with men who were overweight (19.3%).
Men who consumed alcohol and smoked had “slightly higher” occurrences of anaemia, and older men were found to be more vulnerable.
Men in the southern States had lower anaemia prevalence (18.5%), while prevalence was highest in the eastern region (34.1%).
Anaemia prevalence was 27.2% in the north region, 28.9% in west, 26.9% in northwest and 25% in the central region.

What is Anaemia?

It is a condition in which the number of red blood cells or their oxygen-carrying capacity is insufficient to meet physiologic needs, which vary by age, sex, altitude, smoking, and pregnancy status.
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anaemia, although other conditions, such asfolate, vitamin B12 and vitamin A deficiencies, chronic inflammation, parasitic infections, and inherited disorders can all cause anaemia.
In its severe form, it is associated with fatigue, weakness, dizziness and drowsiness.Pregnant women and children are particularly vulnerable.
According to theNational Family Health Survey 2019-20, Indian women and children are overwhelmingly anaemic.
- Under phase I, 22 states and UTs were surveyed and in a majority of these states and UTs, more than half the children and women were found to be anaemic.
According to theWorld Health Organization (WHO), women in the reproductive age group and having haemoglobin levels lower than 12 grams per decilitre (g / dL), as well as children under five with haemoglobin levels lower than 0 g / dL are considered anaemic.

What are the Highlights of AMB Strategy?

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan (PMSMA): It has been launched to focus on conducting special ANC check up on 9th of every month with the help of Medical officers to detect and treat cases of anaemia.

9. Assam movement example of unity efforts: Sonowal

Subject : Modern History

Talukdar was the first person to be killed in the movement in 1979. The programme was organised by the Assam Society of Goa .

The Assam Movement (also Anti-Foreigners Agitation) (1979–1985) was a popular uprising in Assam, India, that demanded the Government of India to detect, disenfranchise and deport illegal aliens. Led by All Assam Students Union (AASU) and All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP) the movement defined a six-year period of sustained civil disobedience campaigns, political instability and widespread ethnic violence (Nellie massacre, 1983). The movement ended in 1985 with the Assam Accord.

Assam Accord:
- It was a tripartite accord signed between the Government of India, State Government of Assam and the leaders of the Assam Movement in 1985.
- The signing of the Accord led to the conclusion of a six-year agitation that was launched by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) in 1979, demanding the identification and deportation of illegal immigrants from Assam.
- It sets a cut-off of midnight of 24^th March 1971, for the detection of illegal foreigners in Assam.
  - However, the demand was for detection and deportation of migrants who had illegally entered Assam after 1951.
Clause 6 of the Accord:
- It says that constitutional, legislative and administrative safeguards, as may be appropriate, shall be provided to protect, preserve and promote the cultural, social, linguistic identity and heritage of the Assamese people.
- The committee chaired by Biplab Kumar Sarma was constituted to define ‘Assamese People’ and institute safeguards for them.
Recommendation of the Committee:
- Definition of Assamese: The report proposes January 1951 as the cut-off date for any Indian citizen residing in Assam to be defined as an Assamese for the purpose of implementing Clause 6.
- Reservation for Assamese: The report seeks reservation for Assamese in Parliament, state assembly, local bodies. It recommended creating an Upper House (Legislative Council of Assam) whose seats will be reserved for the ‘Assamese people’.
  - The report also seeks quotas in government jobs.
- Regulation of Outsiders: The report recommends regulation of entry of people from other states into Assam, which include the implementation of an Inner Line Permit (ILP) regime in the state.
  - The ILP is a system in which a special permit is required by people from other regions of India to visit the state.
  - Currently the ILP is applicable in Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram.
- Other Rights: The report also talks about issues related to land and land rights, linguistic, cultural and social rights and protection of the state’s resources and biodiversity.

10. Chief Ministers must be consulted for appointing or removing Governors, says DMK Rajya Sabha member

Subject :Polity

Wilson brings Constitutional Amendment Bill as a private Bill in Upper House meant to clear certain grey areas in the Constitution regarding the powers of Governors, including the provisions of gubernatorial pleasure

Appointment and Removal of Governors

Context: Rajya Sabha MP P. Wilson has brought a Constitutional Amendment Bill seeking to set guidelines regarding Governors.

Introduction:

Member of the Rajya Sabha P. Wilson has brought a Constitutional Amendment Bill in Parliament as a private Bill seeking to set guidelines for the appointment and removal of Governors.
The Bill is meant to clear certain grey areas in the Constitution regarding the powers of Governors.
Wilson opined that the Centre should consult the respective Chief Ministers of a State before appointing a Governor.
Recently, several states such as West Bengal, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, have raised concerns over the powers of the Governors.

Key Details of the bill:

According to the bill, if a person has even been a Governor of a State, he or she shall be disqualified from becoming a member of either House of Parliament.
It says that the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal, after obtaining the concurrence of the Chief Minister of the State.
It also adds that a Governor may be removed from office before the expiry of his term by the President on the recommendation of the Chief Minister.
The Bill suggests amendments to Article 157 so that no person shall be eligible for appointment as Governor unless they are an eminent personality in some walk of life.
The person shall be disqualified if they have attained the age of 75 years or have been in the employment of the Union or State governments or any local authority in the preceding 10 years.
It also blocks a person who has served as a Minister in the Union, any State or Union Territory government, or a Member of Parliament or Assemblies, or judges in higher courts, or members of local governments in the preceding 10 years from becoming a Governor.
It is proposed that this Bill prohibits people from serving as governors if they have held office in a registered or recognised political party within the previous ten years, have been accused by a court of a crime involving moral turpitude, have been found guilty of a crime punishable by a year in prison, or have been determined to be mentally unfit as determined by a competent court.

How can the Governor be Removed?

Under Article 155 and 156 of the Constitution, a Governor is appointed by the President and holds office “during the pleasure of the President”.
- If this pleasure is withdrawn before completion of the five-year term, the Governor has to step down.
As the President works on the aid and advice of the Prime Minister and the council of ministers, in effect, the Governor can be appointed and removed by the central government.

What Happens in case of Disagreements between the States and Governor?

Constitutional Provisions:
- There are no provisions laid down in the Constitution for the manner in which the Governor and the state must engage publicly when there is a difference of opinion.
- The management of differences has traditionally been guided by respect for each other’s boundaries.
Rulings by the Courts:
- Surya Narain Choudhary vs Union of India (1981): The Rajasthan High Court held that the pleasure of the President was not justiciable as the Governor had no security of tenure and can be removed at any time by the President withdrawing pleasure.
- BP Singhal vs Union of India (2010): The Supreme Court elaborated on the pleasure doctrine. It upheld that “no limitations or restrictions are placed on the ‘at pleasure’ doctrine”, but that “does not dispense with the need for a cause for withdrawal of the pleasure”.
  - The Bench held that the court will presume that the President had “compelling and valid” reasons for the removal but if a sacked Governor comes to the court, the Centre will have to justify its decision.
Recommendations by Various Commissions:
- Over the years, several panels and commissions have recommended reforms in how Governors are appointed and how they function. However, they were never made into law by Parliament.
  - Sarkaria Commission (1988):
    - It recommended that Governors are not sacked before completing their five-year tenure, except in “rare and compelling” circumstances.
    - The procedure of removal must allow the Governors an opportunity to explain their conduct, and the central government must give fair consideration to such explanation.
    - It was further recommended that Governors should be informed of the grounds of their removal.
  - Venkatachaliah Commission (2002):
    - It recommended that ordinarily Governors should be allowed to complete their five-year term.
    - If they have to be removed before completion of their term, the central government should do so only after consultation with the Chief Minister.
  - The Punchhi Commission (2010):
    - It suggested the deletion of the phrase “during the pleasure of the President” from the Constitution, because a Governor should not be removed at the will of the central government.
      - Instead, he or she should be removed only by a resolution of the state legislature.

11. ‘Delay in hazardous waste disposal abuse of right to health of Bhopal gas tragedy survivors,’ says NHRC chief

Subject : Environment

‘For calamities caused by industrial disasters, transnational enterprises’ responsibilities have to be well defined,’ the NHRC chief asserted.

Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016

Salient features of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Amendment Rules, 2019:
- Solid plastic waste has been prohibited from import into the country including in Special Economic Zones (SEZ) and by Export Oriented Units (EOU).
- Exporters of silk waste have now been given exemption from requiring permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Electrical and electronic assemblies and components manufactured in and exported from India, if found defective can now be imported back into the country, within a year of export, without obtaining permission from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Industries which do not require consent under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974 and Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981, are now exempted from requiring authorization also under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management & Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, provided that hazardous and other wastes generated by such industries are handed over to the authorized actual users, waste collectors or disposal facilities.

Domestic Hazardous Waste

About:
- Domestic Hazardous Waste is any chemical or product that can cause serious illness or pose an environmental or health threat if improperly stored, transported or disposed of.
- When hazardous waste is disposed of in the trash, down the drain, or on the ground, our water and soils can be contaminated or trash collectors can be harmed.
- Most products labeled dangerous, flammable, poison, combustible and corrosive are considered hazardous waste.
- Examples: Auto batteries, Fertilizers, Batteries (non-alkaline), Paint.

Governing Household Waste:
- Household waste is governed by the rules outlined in the Solid Waste Management Rules 2016.
- These rules divide household waste into dry and wet waste.
  - Wet waste is categorised as any waste that decomposes or degrades by itself.
  - All other waste falls into dry waste according to the rules.

Bhopal Gas Tragedy

Background

Post-midnight on December 3, 1984, Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) (Chemical formula- CH3NCO or C2H3NO) leaked from the pesticide plant of Union Carbide (now Dow Chemicals), an MNC, in Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal.
- It is estimated that about 40 tonnes of gas and other chemicals leaked from the Union Carbide factory.
- Methyl isocyanate is extremely toxic gas and if its concentration in the air touches 21ppm (parts per million), it can cause death within minutes of inhaling the gas.
- After the tragedy, the government of India enacted a Public Liability Insurance Act (1991), making it mandatory for industries to get insurance the premium for this insurance would contribute to an Environment Relief Fund to provide compensation to victims of a Bhopal-like disaster.

12. ‘Salaam Aarati’ soon to be renamed as ‘Aarati Namaskara’ in Karnataka

Subject : Modern History

The decision comes after Hindutva outfits urged the State government to abolish the rituals “performed in the name of Tipu Sultan” at some temples.

The ‘Salaam Aarati’ ritual is practised in some temples in Karnataka
it is believed that the ritual was named by 18th century Mysore king Tipu Sultan during his visits to those temples.
The State government will soon issue a circular renaming ‘Salaam Aarati’ ritual followed in some temples in Karnataka as ‘Aarati Namaskara’
Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple, Sri Mahalingeshwara Temple at Puttur, Mookambika Temple at Kollur – all in karnatka
Now the question arises as to who will decide if the name is to be changed. Does Dharmika Parishat have the right to do so?

Tipu sultan – Brief Profile:

- Born in November 1750, Tipu Sultan was Haidar Ali’s son and a great warrior, also known as the Tiger of Mysore.
- He was a well educated man fluent in Arabic, Persian, Kanarese and Urdu.
- Mysore had grown in strength under the leadership of powerful rulers like Haidar Ali (ruled from 1761 to 1782) and his famous son Tipu Sultan (ruled from 1782 to 1799).
  - Tipu introduced a number of administrative innovations during his rule, including his coinage, a new Mauludi lunisolar calendar, and a new land revenue system which initiated the growth of Mysore silk industry.
- Embracing western military methods like artillery and rockets alongside traditional Indian weapons including war elephants, he ensured his forces could overwhelm his Indian rivals and match the British armies sent against him.
Maintenance of Armed Forces:
- He organised his army on the European model with Persian words of command.
  - Though he took the help of the French officers to train his soldiers, he never allowed them (French) to develop into a pressure group.
- He was well aware of the importance of a naval force.
  - In 1796, he set up a Board of Admiralty and planned for a fleet of 22 battleships and 20 large frigates.
  - He established three dockyards at Mangalore, Wajedabad and Molidabad. However, his plans did not fructify.
Fought Against Marathas:
- In 1767, Tipu commanded a corps of cavalry against the Marathas in the Carnatic (Karnataka) region of western India, and he fought against the Marathas on several occasions between 1775 and 1779.
Role in Anglo-Mysore Wars:
- British saw Haidar and Tipu as ambitious, arrogant and dangerous – rulers who had to be controlled and crushed.
- Four wars were fought with Mysore (1767-69, 1780-84, 1790-92 and 1799).
  - 1767-69: Treaty of Madras.
  - 1780-84: Treaty of Mangalore.
  - 1790-92: Treaty of Seringapatam.
  - 1799: Subsidiary Alliance.
- Only in the last – the Battle of Seringapatam – did the Company ultimately win a victory. Tipu Sultan was killed defending his capital Seringapatam.
- Mysore was placed under the former ruling dynasty of the Wodeyars and a subsidiary alliance was imposed on the state.
Other Related Points:
- He was also a patron of science and technology and is credited as the ‘pioneer of rocket technology’ in India.
  - He wrote a military manual (Fathul Mujahidin) explaining the operation of rockets.
- Tipu was a great lover of democracy and a great diplomat who gave his support to the French soldiers at Seringapatam in setting up a Jacobin Club in 1797.
  - Tipu himself became a member of the Jacobin Club and allowed himself to be called Citizen Tipu.
  - He planted the Tree of Liberty at Seringapatam.

Subsidiary Alliance

In 1798, it was introduced by Wellesley in India, the ruler of the allying Indian state was compelled to pay a subsidy for the maintenance of British army in return for getting protection from the British against their enemies.
Those native princes or rulers who would enter into the Subsidiary Alliance were not free to declare war against any other power or enter into negotiations without the consent of the British.
The Subsidiary Alliance was a policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of the allied state, but this was a promise seldom kept by the British.
The payment of the arbitrarily-fixed and artificially-bloated subsidy invariably disrupted the economy of the state and impoverished its people.
On the other hand, the British could now maintain a large army at the cost of the Indian states.
- They controlled the defence and foreign relations of the protected ally, and had a powerful force stationed at the very heart of his lands.
Lord Wellesley signed his first Subsidiary Treaty with the Nizam of Hyderabad in 1798.
The Nawab of Avadh was forced to sign a Subsidiary Treaty in 1801.
Peshwa Baji Rao II (Maratha) signed the Subsidiary Treaty at Bassein in 1802.

13. COP15 Montreal: Abalone, dugong, pillar coral threatened with extinction

Subject : Environment

Context-

A list of threatened species released at the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada has been released.

Global figures for the 2022-2 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species:

TOTAL SPECIES ASSESSED = 150,388
(Total threatened species = 42,108)
Extinct = 902
Extinct in the Wild = 84
Critically Endangered = 9,251
Endangered = 16,364
Vulnerable = 16,493
Near Threatened = 8,816
Lower Risk/conservation dependent = 152 (this is an old category that is gradually being phased out of The IUCN Red List)
Least Concern = 77,491
Data Deficient = 20,835

Major species included in the list are-

Abalone shellfish species
Dugongs
Piller corals

Abalone shellfish-

Abalone is a common name for any of a group of small to very large marine gastropod molluscs in the family Haliotidae.
Other common names are ear shells, sea ears, and, rarely, muttonfish or muttonshells in parts of Australia, ormer in the UK, perlemoen in South Africa, and paua in New Zealand. Abalones are marine snails.
The flesh of abalones is widely considered to be a desirable food and is consumed raw or cooked by a variety of cultures.

Threat to abalone species-

As many as 44 per cent of all abalone shellfish species are now threatened with extinction.
Abalone species are among the world’s most expensive seafood and are considered a culinary delicacy.
Unsustainable extraction and poaching along with climate change, disease and pollution have put twenty of the world’s 54 abalone species at risk of extinction.

Some important abalone species facing threats of extinction are-

Roe’s abalones in Western Australia (99% were killed during the 2011 marine heatwave off the Australian coast).
Critically Endangered black abalone in California and Mexico
Vulnerable green ormer, ranging from the English Channel to northwest Africa

Major threats to abalones are-

Marine heatwaves
Pollution from agricultural and industrial run-off
Toxins such as antifouling boat paint
Overfishing
Habitat loss
Warming and acidification

Dugongs-

Dugong (Dugong dugon) also called ‘Sea Cow’ is one of the four surviving species in the Order Sirenia and it is the only existing species of herbivorous mammal that lives exclusively in the sea including in India.
Dugongs are an important part of the marine ecosystem and their depletion will have effects all the way up the food chain.
Distribution and Habitat: They are found in over 30 countries and in India are seen in the Gulf of Manner, Gulf of Kutch, Palk Bay, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable
Dugong populations in east Africa and New Caledonia have entered the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered and Endangered respectively; the species remains Vulnerable
Wild (Life) Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
CITES: Appendix I

Threats to Dugong include-

Unintentional capture in fishing gear
Destruction of their food (seagrass) due to chemical pollution,
Oil and gas exploration and production,
Bottom trawling
Unauthorised coastal development.

Piller corals-

Pillar coral is a hard coral (order Scleractinia) found in the western Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
It is the only species in the monotypic genus Dendrogyra.
It is a digitate coral -that is, it resembles fingers (Latin digites) or a cluster of cigars, growing up from the sea floor without any secondary branching.
It is large and can grow on both flat and sloping surfaces at depths down to 20 m (65 ft).
It is one of the few types of hard coral in which the polyps can commonly be seen feeding during the day.
Found throughout the Caribbean from the Yucatan Peninsula and Florida to Trinidad and Tobago, have moved from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Its population shrunk by over 80 per cent across most of its range since 1990.
Threat- They are affected by the contagious Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease and can affect anywhere between 90 and 100 metres of reef per day.

14. Special Relationship: New Anglo-American energy partnership is Western fossil fuel hypocrisy at its best

Subject :Environment

Context-

The United States and the United Kingdom announced an “energy security and affordability partnership” on December 7, 2022.

The energy security and affordability partnership-

The deal was signed between the USA and the UK.
The UK and US will drive work to-
- Reduce global dependence on Russian energy exports,
- Stabilise energy markets
- Step up collaboration on energy efficiency, nuclear and renewables.
The initiative will be steered by a new UK-US Joint Action Group.

What is the issue in this deal-

The amount of liquified natural gas (LNG) being supplied by the US to the UK will now be more than doubled. LNG is a major source of methane emission and carbon emissions.
On the one hand, German and US negotiators are convincing countries like India to come on board and sign JETP deals to phase out coal. On the other, they are signing deals promising huge exports of LNG to the UK.
JETP or Just Energy Transition Partnership is a deal proposed by G7 countries, and signed by South Africa, Indonesia and Vietnam to transition these coal-based economies to renewables.

15. Uttarakhand plans genetic enhancement of its indigenous Badri cow

Subject : Environment

Context-

To increase the productivity of its indigenous petite Badri cow, which grazes on the medicinal herbs of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand is now planning for its genetic enhancement.

About the Badri cow-

The Badri breed derived its name from the holy shrine of Char Dham at Badrinath.
Possessing a balanced gait for the hills, this cattle breed is small in size with long legs and varied body colours – black, brown, red, white or grey.
This breed is comparatively more resistant to diseases, mostly due to its eating habits.
It eats medicinal herbs, and is far away from toxic pollution, polythene and other harmful things that cows in the plains are subject to.
Its milk has rich medicinal content and high organic value.
Badri cow products are being sold online by Hetha Organics and Badri Ghee is sold by the Uttarakhand Cooperative Dairy Federation under their brand name ‘Anchal’.

Need for genetic enhancement-

Badri cow is the first registered cattle breed of Uttarakhand which has been certified by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR).
Its milk production capacity is quite less as it gives one to three litres of milk per day.
To make the farmers of Uttarakhand breed Badri and not shift to other high milk-producing alternative breeds like Jersey cows, genetic enhancement is necessary.
Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET), a conventional embryo flush, which is the most common procedure used in advanced cattle breeding will be used for this purpose.

The technology to be used is-

Sex-sorted semen technology to improve production.
Multiple Ovulation Embryo Transfer (MOET) to produce more cattle of high genetic stock.

16. Lending a helping hand to eliminate TB as Ni-kshay Mitra

Subject : Science and Technology

Ni-kshay Poshan Yojana-

Launched in: 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, as part of the National TB Elimination Programme (NTEP).
Under the NTEP, India is committed to eliminating TB by 2025, 5 years ahead of the SDG goal of eliminating TB by 2030.
Under the scheme, every TB patient in India, seeking treatment in both government and private sector hospitals is eligible for a direct benefit transfer(DBT) of Rs 500 per month to support their nutritional needs.
The major risk factor driving TB in India is undernutrition. More than 0.9 million new cases are attributable to undernutrition, accounting for nearly 34% of all cases.

The Ni-kshay Mitras-

Under this, Ni-Akshay Mitras can adopt and care for TB patients.
Ni-kshay Mitras are volunteers who could be individuals, NGOs, cooperative societies, corporates, and even political parties.
They commit to helping TB patients through nutritional support, nutritional supplements, additional investigations and vocational support.
Within three months of its launch, more than 52,000 Ni-Akshay Mitras have registered.

17. Forest department initiative to restore natural vegetation

Subject : Environment

Context-

The Forest department in association with Noolpuzha grama panchayat (Kerala) has launched the ‘Vanikaran’ (afforestation) project to root out invasive plants, especially Senna spectabilis, and restore natural forests.

Details-

The project was being executed on 30 hectares of forestland under the Sulthan Bathery forest range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, where exotic invasive plants, including Senna spectabilis, Eupatorium, Mikania micrantha, and Lantana Camara, were posing a serious threat to the local species of trees.

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary-

Established in 1973, the sanctuary is now an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
It is bounded by the protected area network of Nagarhole National Park and Bandipur National Park in Karnataka in the northeast, and on the southeast by Mudumalai National Park in Tamil Nadu.
It is part of the Deccan Plateau and the vegetation is predominantly of the south Indian moist deciduous teak forests.
Also, the sanctuary has pastures of west-coast semi-evergreen trees.
The wildlife sanctuary comes under Protect Elephant.
Scheduled tribes here include Paniyas, Kurubas, Adiyans, Kurichiyas, Ooralis and Kattunaikkans.

Senna spectabilis

Senna spectabilis is a plant species of the legume family (Fabaceae) native to South and Central America.
They are often grown as ornamental plants due to their bright yellow flowers that bloom during the summer months.
They are also known as golden wonder tree, American cassia, popcorn tree, Cassia excelsa, golden shower tree or Archibald’s cassia.
The plant has become an invasive alien species in parts of Africa such as Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda, and also in South India after it was introduced for resources such as firewood as well as to help combat deteriorating ecosystems affected by deforestation and desertification.
Currently, S. spectabilis is overtaking native tree species of forestry ecosystems worldwide because of its ability to grow quickly.

Uses of S. spectabilis-

It has medicinal properties and is used as a treatment for ringworm and skin diseases.
The plant is effective against food-borne pathogen B.
It is also used as a medicinal plant in Cameroon by traditional healers to treat epilepsy, constipation, insomnia, and anxiety.

Lantana Camara-

It is a species of flowering plant native to the American tropics.
It is a very adaptable species and has spread from its native range to around 50 countries, where it has become an invasive species.

18. Those fascinating hornbills

Subject : Environment

Context-

The logo for India’s upcoming G20 presidency was officially unveiled recently at the Hornbill festival in Nagaland.

About the Hornbill festival-

It is celebrated in Nagaland to encourage inter-tribal interaction.
It is one of the largest indigenous festivals organised by the state government of Nagaland to promote tourism in the state.
The festival is celebrated annually in the first week of December in order to preserve, protect and revive the uniqueness and richness of the Naga heritage.
The festival is considered the “Festival of Festivals” in Nagaland.
The festival is named after the bird – Hornbill which is the most revered and admired bird for the Nagas.
The festival is a tribute to this bird, known for its qualities of grandeur and alertness.

About the great hornbill-

Found in the Himalayan foothills, the Northeast and the Western Ghats.
It is the state bird of Arunachal Pradesh and Kerala.
The wreathed hornbill, the brown hornbill and the rufous-necked hornbill are slightly smaller and only found in Northeast India.
Malabar grey hornbill is found in western ghats.
The Indian grey hornbill is found all over (except the Thar Desert).
Hornbills prefer tall trees for their nests (breast height being 1.5 metres or more). The Tualang trees of Southeast Asia are a preferred habitat for hornbills.
They play a vital role in dispersing the seeds of about 80 rainforest trees.
Some trees, such as the cup-calyx white cedar suffer a 90% decline in seed dispersal.

Threats faced are-

Deforestation and the felling of tall trees
Hunting and poaching
The helmeted hornbill of Sumatra and Borneo is critically endangered because its helmet-like casque called red ivory, is highly prized.

Conservation status-

IUCN Red list- Vulnerable
All species except the Oriental pied hornbill are listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972).
CITES- Appendix l