Daily Prelims Notes 23 July 2022

Daily Prelims Notes

23 July 2022

Table Of Contents

1. Din in RS over private member’s Bill
2. Strengthen ‘Har GharTiranga’ movement, PM Modi urges people
3. The container terminal that could sink the Great Nicobar Island
4. Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has taken a number of steps to deal with the extreme weather situation
5. Research and Development for traditional system of medicines
6. Maharaja Ranjit Singh
7. Abuse of Dominant Position
8. ‘A Disaster for the Basic Sciences’: KVPY Fellows React to the Scheme’s End
9. African Cheetahs to be moved around for healthy gene flow: Expert
10. Antarctic Bill passed in LS
11. India and Clean Sea Campaign

1. Din in RS over private member’s Bill

Subject: Polity

Section: Parliament

• Opposition stages protest against Bills on Uniform Civil Code, repeal of the Places of Worship Act
• The Places of Worship Act
  • The 1991 law was enacted to freeze the status of all places of worship in the country as on August 15, 1947 but an exception was made to keep the Babri Masjid-Ramjanma bhoomi dispute out of its ambit.

Private Members Bill

• Any Member of Parliament (MP) who is not a minister is referred to as a private member.
• Its drafting is the responsibility of the member concerned. Its introduction in the House requires one month’s notice. Whereas government bill require 7 days notice.
• The government bills/public bills can be introduced and discussed on any day, private member’s bills can be introduced and discussed only on Fridays.
• In case of multiple Bills, a ballot system is used to decide the sequence of bills for introduction.
• The Parliamentary Committee on Private Member’s Bills and Resolutions goes through all such Bills and classifies them based on their urgency and importance.
• Its rejection by the House has no implication on the parliamentary confidence in the government or its resignation.
• 14 private member’s bills — five of which were introduced in Rajya Sabha — have become law so far.

2. Strengthen ‘Har GharTiranga’ movement, PM Modi urges people

Subject: History

Section: Art and Culture

• In a tweet, Modi said the movement, an initiative of the ministry of culture to mark ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations for India’s 75th year of Independence, will help “deepen our connect with the national flag”.
• The Constituent Assembly adopted the motion of national flag on 22nd July 1947 which was moved by our first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
• The motion proposed that “the National Flag of India shall be horizontal tricolour of deep saffron (kesari), white and dark green in equal proportion.” The white band was to have a wheel in navy blue (the charkha being replaced by the chakra), which appears on the abacus of the Sarnath Lion Capital of Ashoka
• The National Flag of India was designed by PingaliVenkayya. He was an Indian freedom fighter from Andhra Pradesh.
• One of the minor committees of the Constituent Assembly, the Ad-hoc Committee on the National Flag was headed by Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
• The Part IV-A of the Constitution (Article 51-A) specifies the eleven Fundamental Duties. According to Article 51A (a), it shall be the duty of every citizen of India to abide by the Constitution and respect its ideals and institutions, the National Flag and the National Anthem.
• A person who is convicted for the following offences under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act of 1971 is disqualified to contest in the elections to the Parliament and state legislature for 6 years.
  • Offence of insulting the National Flag,
  • Offence of insulting the Constitution of India,
  • Offence of preventing the singing of the National Anthem.

3. The container terminal that could sink the Great Nicobar Island

Subject :Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context:

• The government of India is pursuing a massive development project involving a container terminal, airport, township, and a power plant on the Great Nicobar Island in the strategically important Andaman and Nicobar Islands region.
• Those opposing the project also highlight that it would adversely impact primitive tribal groups and wildlife including species such as leatherback turtles, saltwater crocodiles, Nicobar crab-eating macaque and migratory birds.
• Civil society organisations have called for a revaluation of the project as they noted it falls in an active high-risk seismic zone.
• Great Nicobar Island
  • It is the southernmost part of the Indian territory, is one of the most strategically important areas, in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands region. In fact, it is closer to Myanmar and Sumatra than to the Indian mainland, and, in 2013, it was included in UNESCO’s biosphere programme.
  • It has “one of the best-preserved tropical rain forests in the world.”.
  • It also has Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve .
• PVTG
  • 75 tribal groups have been categorised by the Ministry of Home Affairs as PVTGs.
  • The Ministry of Tribal Affairs implements the Scheme of ‘Development of PVTGs’ exclusively for them.
  • Article 366 (25) of the Constitution provides a process to define Scheduled Tribes.
  • In 1973, the Dhebar Commission created Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) as a separate category, who are less developed among the tribal groups. In 2006, the Government of India renamed the PTGs as PVTGs.
  • Among the 75 listed PVTG’s the highest number are found in Odisha.
  • There are five PVTGs in the Andaman islands such as Great Andamanese, Jarawas, Onges, Sentineles and Shom Pens.

4. Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has taken a number of steps to deal with the extreme weather situation

Subject : Government Schemes

Section :Agriculture

• The DA&FW issues advisories to the States through the Crop Development Directorates (CDDs) in consultation with State Agricultural Universities (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs) for creating an awareness campaign and to implement contingency plans as per local need.

Other Steps taken –

• Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS) Scheme.
  • It is implemented jointly by the India Meteorological Department under the Ministry of Earth Science and ICAR and SAUs
  • It issues weather based operational agro-meteorological advisories
• ‘Meghdoot’
  • A mobile App has been launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • It will help farmers to obtain weather information including alerts and related agromet advisories specific to their districts.
• ‘National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture’ (NICRA)
  • It was launched by ICAR in 2011
  • The project aims to develop and promote climate resilient technologies that help the districts and regions prone to extreme weather conditions like droughts, floods, frost, heat waves, etc., to cope with such extremes.
• National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
  • It is one of the Missions within the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
  • The mission aims to evolve and implement strategies to make Indian agriculture more resilient to the changing climate.

5. Research and Development for traditional system of medicines

Subject: Government Schemes

Section: Health

Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Co-operation in Ayush (IC Scheme), Ministry of Ayush

• It supports Ayush drug manufacturers, entrepreneurs, Ayush institutions and Hospitals etc. for international propagation of Ayush by participating in international exhibitions, trade fairs, road shows etc. to display their products and services.
• Support for international market development and AYUSH promotion-related activities.
• Translation and publication of AYUSH literature/books in foreign languages.
• Establishment of AYUSH Information Cells and strengthening of Health Centre/ Institution in foreign countries with AYUSH equipments, etc.
• International Fellowship/ scholarship Programme for foreign nationals for undertaking AYUSH courses in premier institutions in India.

AyushOushadhiGunvattaevamUttpadanSamvardhan Yojana (AOGUSY) of Ministry of Ayush

• It has been initiated for augmenting quality of Ayush drugs during the 15th Finance Cycle (2021-22 to 2025-26) by merging the existing Central Sector Schemes of Pharmacovigilance initiative, Central Drug Controller of Ayush and Quality Control of ASU&H drugs {Component of National Ayush Mission (NAM)} and inclusion of certain new elements to facilitate standardization, effective enforcement of rules/regulations, technology up-gradation for manufacturing and analytical testing, certification/accreditation, training and capacity building activities intended towards quality assurance of Ayush drugs.

Ayush Mark Certification Scheme

Ayush Mark Certification Scheme is operated by Quality Council of India (QCI) since 2009. The salient features of the scheme are as follows: 

• It is a voluntary certification scheme for ASU&H products having two levels: Ayush Standard Mark and Ayush Premium Mark.
• The Ayush Standard Mark is based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for Ayurvedic, Siddha and Unani medicines (ScheduleT) as per Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945. AYUSH Premium Mark is based on WHO’s GMP guidelines covering herbal medicines.
• For any manufacturer to qualify for AYUSH Mark Certification, compliance to the domestic regulations is a pre-requisite. The products are certified post regulatory approval given by State Licensing Authority of the state government concerned.

Traditional medical tourism

GOI is committed to make India a Global Medical Value Hub by further strengthening our traditional medicine industry and boosting ‘Heal in India’ & ‘Heal by India’ initiatives

Heal in India and Heal by India.

Heal in India: to promote India’s medical facilities and infrastructure packages for foreign nationals.

Heal by India: India medical professionals can be used to serve not just our country but at the global level.

6. Maharaja Ranjit Singh

Subject: History

Context – Sikh emperor’s statue vandalised in Pakistan.

Concept –

• He was born on November 13, 1780 in Gujranwala, now in Pakistan.
• At that time, Punjab was ruled by powerful chieftains who had divided the territory into Misls (refers to the sovereign states of the Sikh Confederacy, that rose during the 18th century in the Punjab region in the northern part of the Indian subcontinent after the collapse of the Mughal Empire).
• Ranjit Singh overthrew the warring Misls and established a unified Sikh empire.
• He was given the title Lion of Punjab (Sher-e-Punjab) for his success in freeing Lahore (his capital) from the Afghan invaders.
• Modernization of Army
  • He combined the strong points of the traditional Khalsa army with western advances in warfare to raise Asia’s most powerful indigenous army of that time.
  • He also employed a large number of European officers, especially French, to train his troops.
  • He appointed French General Jean Franquis Allard to modernize his army.
• Wide Empire
  • Ranjit Singh’s trans-regional empire(spread over several states) included the former Mughal provinces of Lahore and Multan besides part of Kabul and the entire Peshawar.
  • The boundaries of his state went up to Ladakh— in the northeast, Khyber pass (route the foreign rulers took to invade India) in the northwest, and up to Panjnad in the south where the five rivers of Punjab fell into the Indus.
• The Maharaja was known for his just and secular rule. Both Hindus and Muslims were given powerful positions in his darbar.
• He turned Harimandir Sahib at Amritsar into the Golden Temple by covering it with gold.
• He is also credited with funding Hazoor Sahib gurudwara at the final resting place of Guru Gobind Singh in Nanded, Maharashtra.
• His throne is displayed prominently at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

7. Abuse of Dominant Position

Subject: Economy

Section: Regulation

• The Competition Commission of India has since its inception dealt with as many as 846 cases (till June 2022) as regards abuse of dominant position.
• Of these 846 cases, one was initiated suo motu by the Commission, 794 were admitted on receipt of complaints by the consumers or their associations or trade associations and 8 cases were referred by the Central or State government
• Of these 846 cases, one was initiated suo motu by the Commission, 794 were admitted on receipt of complaints by the consumers or their associations or trade associations and 8 cases were referred by the Central or State governments
• As per the Competition law, enacted in 2002, dominance is not bad per se, but its abuse is prohibited.
• A firm is said to be in a dominant position if it enjoys a position of strength in the relevant market in India, which enables it to operate independently of the competitive forces prevailing in the relevant market, or affects its competitors or consumers or the relevant market in its favour. Verma said that a firm may achieve a dominant position in the market legitimately through innovation, entrepreneurial efforts, etc.
• But abuse of its dominant position is stated to occur when an enterprise (or a group of enterprises) uses its leading position in the relevant market in an exclusionary or exploitative manner.
• The exploitative manner could include excessive or discriminatory pricing, excessive sale/purchase conditions etc, and exclusionary manner of abusing dominant position could be denial of the market access, refusal to deal etc.

CCI can direct an investigation by the Director General and upon receipt of such DG report can either:

• direct dominant entity to discontinue abuse of dominant position
• impose penalty of up to 10 per cent of the average of the turnover for the last three preceding financial years
• direct modification of the agreements with abusive clauses
• order division of dominant enterprises to ensure that such enterprises do not abuse their dominant position. Dominant position Verma also highlighted that the concept of ‘dominant position’ is not just limited to India but is an international phenomenon. There are anti-trust laws in two globally prominent markets —the US and the EU. A basic distinction in enforcement approach in the EU and the US is that in the US, there is a criminal enforcement of anti-trust laws, while in the EU, it is administrative

Misuse of monopolistic powers by the big companies and gain large profit share by eliminating competition due to

• Network effect: Due to strong network effects, it is not possible to ban or curtail these services.
• Brand Loyalty: The major players have harnessed technologies that permit synchronicity between devices and people in a manner that is often superficially described as “brand loyalty.”
• Tying or Bundling Certain Products: Big tech firms have pre-loaded certain software with the OS. Due to this, many times, there was no option available to users to use other alternatives.

Concerns?

• Unfair Competition: Innovations and technological advancements have meant that unlikely giants have emerged in an extremely short span of time. To retain their pole position, these firms may resort to anti-competitive behavior. For example:
  • Entry barriers
  • Favouring few sellers on their platforms
  • High advertising revenue and not paying newspapers for their contents
  • Exclusive arrangements and cartelization.
• Privacy Concerns: Big tech firms’ market power is built at individuals’ expense through the unscrupulous collection and processing of user data and forcing certain products on consumers.
• Slow Regulation: Due to rapid innovation and advancement by the Big Tech firms, the regulators are only able to react, not be in readiness.

Monopoly

A monopoly is a market structure that consists of a single seller who has exclusive control over a commodity or service.

The word mono means single or one and the prefix pole in finds its roots in Greek, meaning “to sell”. Hence, the word monopoly literally translates to single seller.

Characteristics 

• Single seller – A single seller has total control over the production, and selling of a specific offering. This also means that the seller has no competition and holds the entire market share of the offering that it deals in.
• No close substitutes – The monopolist produces a product or service that has no similar or close substitute.
• Barriers to entry – In a monopoly market structure, new firms cannot enter the industry due to barriers like government regulations, contracts, insurmountable costs of production, etc.
• Price maker – A monopolist has the power to charge any price for its product of service.

Types

• Private Monopoly – A private monopoly is one that is owned by an individual or a group of individuals. These monopolies mainly aim for profits.
• Public Monopoly – A public monopoly is one that is owned by the government. These monopolies are set up for the welfare of the masses. An example of a public monopoly would be the U. S. Postal Service.
• Pure/ Absolute Monopoly – The monopolist controls the entire market supply for its product without facing any form of competition. This is possible because there is absolutely no close or remote substitute available in the market.
• Imperfect Monopoly – The monopolist controls the entire market supply for its product as there is no close substitute, but there is a remote substitute for the product available in the market.
• Simple Monopoly – A simple monopoly is one in which a single seller sells its product or service for a single price. There is no price discrimination in a simple monopoly.
• Discriminating Monopoly – A discriminating monopoly is one where a single seller does not sell his product or service for a single price. Price discrimination is witnessed wherein prices may vary from region to region, or people coming from different economic backgrounds may be charged a different price, etc.
• Legal Monopoly – A legal monopolist enjoys government approved rights like trademark, patent, copyright, etc.
• Natural Monopoly – A natural monopolist enjoys or benefits from natural factors like locational advantages, locational reputation, natural talents and skill sets of the producers, etc.
• Technological Monopoly – When a firm holds a technologically superior position that other firms cannot compete with, the firm is said to be a technological monopoly.
• Joint Monopoly – When two or more firms join hands in order to form a monopoly, it is referred to as a joint or a shared monopoly.

Zero toleration from volatile or bumpy

The RBI has zero tolerance for volatile and bumpy currency movements and the central bank is engaging with the forex market to ensure that the rupee finds its level in line with its fundamentals,

The Governor observed that recognising the genuine shortfall of supply of forex in the market relative to demand for imports and debt servicing requirements, and portfolio outflows, the RBI has been supplying US dollars to the market to ensure adequate forex liquidity

8. ‘A Disaster for the Basic Sciences’: KVPY Fellows React to the Scheme’s End

Subject :Government Schemes

Section :Science and Technology

Context: On July 19, the Department of Science and Technology announced that it would subsume the Kishor VaigyanikProtsahan Yojana’ (KVPY) scheme under its INSPIRE fellowship

What is Kishor VaigyanikProtsahan Yojana’ (KVPY)?

• It was started in 1999 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to encourage students who are studying Basic Sciences to take up research career in Science.
• The aim of the program is to identify and encourage talented and motivated students to pursue career in research
• It aims to assist the students to realize their potential and to ensure that the best scientific talent is groomed for research and development in the country
• Generous fellowship and contingency grant are provided to the selected KVPY Fellows up to the pre Ph.D. level or 5 years whichever is earlier.
• In addition, summer camps for the KVPY Fellows are organized in prestigious research and educational institutions in the country.
• The Department of Science and Technology, the nodal agency of the Government has entrusted the overall responsibility for organizing and running the KVPY Program to the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore and set up a Management Committee and a National Advisory Committee (NAC) for overseeing its implementation

Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) Scheme:

• To attract talent to the excitement and study of science at an early age
• To help the country build the required critical resource pool for strengthening and expanding the S&T system and R&D base with a long term foresight
• It was launched on 13th December 2008

INSPIRE has three components:

• Scheme for Early Attraction of Talent (SEATS):
• It aims to attract talented youth to study science by providing INSPIRE Awardof Rs 5000 to one million young learners of the age group 10-15 years, ranging from Class VI to Class X standards
• It arranging summer camps for about 50,000 science students of Class XI with global leaders in science to experience the joy of innovations on an annual basis through INSPIRE Internship
• Scholarship for Higher Education (SHE):
• It aims to enhance rates of attachment of talented youth to undertake higher education in science intensive programmes, by providing scholarships and mentorship.
• The scheme offers 10,000 Scholarship every year at Rs 0.80 lakh per year for the talented youth in the age group 17-22 years, for undertaking Bachelor and Masters level education in natural sciences.
• The main feature of the scheme is the mentorship support provided to every scholar.
• Assured Opportunity for Research Careers (AORC)
• It aims to attract, attach, retain and nourish talented young scientific Human Resource for strengthening the R&D foundation and base. It has two sub-components.
• In the first component i.e. INSPIRE Fellowship(age group of 22-27 years), it offers 1000 fellowships every year, for carrying out doctoral degree in both basic and applied sciences including engineering and medicine
• In the second component i.e. INSPIRE Faculty Scheme, it offers assured opportunity every year for 1000 post- doctoral researchers in the age group of 27-32 years, through contractual and tenure track positions for 5 years in both basic and applied sciences area.

Issue with the INSPIRE Scheme:

• INSPIRE, the programme the DST has subsumed KVPY under, arranges camps every year for high-school students and provides scholarships to those who pursue higher-studies in pure sciences after high school.
• It doesn’t have any provisions for students in classes XI and XII as of now.
• The programme also doesn’t conduct any tests of its own and uses pre-existing evaluation mechanisms – board examinations, JEE, NEET — to select INSPIRE scholars
• Its mandate also does not include a summer project like KVPY did.

9. African Cheetahs to be moved around for healthy gene flow: Expert

Subject : Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context: The 12 African cheetahs, which board a flight to India from South Africa next month are being prepared for their transcontinental journey. They are part of the first batch of 20 that India will receive as a part of its cheetah reintroduction plan at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh

Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India:

• Project Cheetah aims to bring back independent India’s only extinct large mammal – the cheetah. As part of the project, 50 cheetahs will be introduced in various National Parks over five years.
• In saving cheetahs, one would have to save not only its prey-base comprising certain threatened species, but also other endangered species of the grasslands and open forest ecosystems, some of which are on the brink of extinction.
• An important consideration during such conservation efforts is that the sourcing of animals should not be detrimental for the survival of the source population.
• Since it is not possible to source the critically endangered Asiatic cheetah from Iran without affecting this sub-species, India will source cheetahs from Southern Africa, which can provide India with substantial numbers of suitable cheetah for several years.
• Cheetahs from Southern Africa have the maximum observed genetic diversity among extant cheetah lineages, an important attribute for a founding population stock
• Moreover, the Southern African cheetahs are found to be ancestral to all the other cheetah lineages including those found in Iran.
• Amongst the 10 surveyed sites of the central Indian states, Kuno Palpur National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh has been rated the highest. This is because of its suitable habitat and adequate prey base.
• KNP is 748 sq. km. in area, devoid of human settlements, forms part of Sheopur-Shivpuri deciduous open forest landscape and is estimated to have a capacity to sustain 21 cheetahs.

The other sites recommended are:

• Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
• Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary – Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
• Shahgarh bulge in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
• Mukundara Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan   

Cheetah:

• Cheetahs live in open plains.
• Their habitat is predominantly where their prey live – grasslands, scrubs and open forest systems, semi-arid environments and temperatures that tend to be hotter compared to cooler regimes.
• The locally extinct cheetah-subspecies of India is found in Iran and is categorized as critically endangered

10. Antarctic Bill passed in LS

Subject: Economy

Context: The Lok Sabha on Friday passed the Indian Antarctic Bill, 2022 amid clamour from the Opposition to have more discussion.

What is the Antarctic Bill?

• It is the first domestic legislation with regard to Antarctica in India
• It seeks to extend the application of domestic laws to research stations set up by India in the Antarctic region.
• India has two active research stations in the Antarctic — Maitri and Bharti — where scientists are involved in research.With Himadri station in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Arctic, India now belongs to the elite group of nations that have multiple research stations within the Polar Regions
• India has been sending expeditions to Antarctica for the past 40 years. However, these expeditions have been circumscribed by international law
• The Bill now puts into place a comprehensive list of regulations related to Antarctica, for such scientific expeditions, as well as for individuals, companies and tourists
• The Bill proposes to prohibit Indian expedition to Antarctica without a permit or written authorisation of another party to the Antarctic Treaty, provide for inspection by an officer appointed by the government and for penalty for contravention of certain provisions of the legislation.
• It also seeks to constitute a fund for the welfare of Antarctic research work and protection of the environment of the icy continent.
• The Antarctic Bill will extend the jurisdiction of Indian courts to Antarctica, for crimes on the continent by Indian citizens, or foreign citizens who are a part of Indian expeditions.
• The Bill prohibits an extensive list of actions on the continent, including drilling, dredging, excavation or collection of mineral resources.
• An exception can be made if it is done for scientific research with a granted permit.
• It also restricts individuals from damaging the environment, including native plants, birds and seals.
• It disallows flying or landing helicopters or operating vessels that can disturb the native animals.
• It prohibits any activity that could harm the habitat of birds and animals, kill, injure or capture any bird or animal.
• Introducing any non-native animals, birds, plants of microscopic organisms is also prohibited under the Bill.
• Violating any of the regulations prescribed by the Bill will attract high penalties.
• The lowest penalty comprises an imprisonment between one-two years and a penalty of Rs 10-50 lakh.
• Extraction of any species native to Antarctica, or introduction of an exotic species to the continent can draw imprisonment of seven years and a fine of Rs 50 lakh.

The Antarctic Treaty:

• Antarctica is defined as all the land and ice shelves south of 60°S latitude.
• The Antarctic Treaty was signed at Washington D.C. on the 1st December, 1959 and was initially signed by 12 countries.
• Since then, 42 other countries have acceded to the Treaty. A total of fifty-four State Parties to the Treaty
• India signed the Antarctic Treaty on the 19th August, 1983 and received the consultative status on the 12th September, 1983.
• The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources was signed at Canberra on the 20th day of May, 1980, for the protection and preservation of the Antarctic environment and, in particular, for the preservation and conservation of marine living resources in Antarctica.
• India ratified the Convention on 17th June, 1985 and is a member of the Commission for Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources under that Convention.

11. India and Clean Sea Campaign

Subject : Environment

Section: Pollution

• India is committed to protecting at least 30% of “our” lands, waters, and oceans by 2030, as part of its 30X30 commitment.
• India is part of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, which was initiated at the “One Planet Summit” in Paris in January 2021, to promote an international agreement to protect at least 30 per cent of the world’s land and ocean by 2030.
• India also offered to provide science and innovation-based solutions for the implementation of SDG-Goal 14 through partnerships and environmentally-friendly solutions at the World Ocean Summit. Goal 14 calls for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources.

Clean Seas Campaign

• Launched in 2017, the Clean Seas campaign engages governments, the general public, civil society and the private sector to strengthen effective action plans on marine litter and plastic pollution. Currently, 63 countries are Clean Seas signatories.
• Clean Seas 2.0 initial focus on single-use plastics and their elimination, communicating the root causes associated with the production, use and disposal of unnecessary, avoidable and problematic plastics thereby following an evidence-based approach.
• Its topic areas will cover a range of products, including packaging, ghost fishing gear, tyres and textiles.
• 0 leverages two key river-focussed UNEP projects: Counter MEASURE and Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative.
• The “Counter MEASURE”uses cutting-edge technology to identify the source of plastic pollution in river systems in Asia – primarily the Ganges and Mekong. Through a combination of citizen science, drone imaging, machine learning and geographic analyses, the project collects data and identifies plastic waste hotspots and shares it with partner organizations and governments across the region.
• Citizen science is a critical aspect of the “Mississippi River Plastic Pollution Initiative” also led by UNEP in partnership with the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative and the University of Georgia.
• UNEP and the Ellen Mc Arthur Foundation also co-lead the Global Commitment, which has established a common vision of a circular economy for plastics by 2025.
• Through the Global Partnership on Marine Litter, UNEP is developing a Digital Platform to bring together and connect actors and information to catalyse action before plastic pollution ends up in the ocean.

“Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar”

• Globally, “International Coastal Clean Up Day” is celebrated on the third Saturday of September, every year.
• This year on 17th September 2022, the Government of India along with other voluntary organizations, and the local society will run a cleanliness campaign “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” along India’s entire coastline.
• This campaign will include Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Indian Coast Guard, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) along with other social organizations and educational institutions.
• This campaign will see massive public participation both physically and virtually, mainly to make awareness about reducing the marine litter, minimal use of plastics, segregation at source and waste management.
• it will be the first-of-its-kind and longest running coastal clean-up campaign in the world with highest number of people participating in it. The participation of common man will convey the message of “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” for the prosperity of not only coastal areas but also other parts of the country.\
• This year’s event also coincides with the celebrations of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in 75thyear of the country’s independence; The coastal clean-up drive will be carried out at 75 beaches across the country. A 75 days long campaign will be launched from 03^rdJuly 2022 to raise awareness about “Swachh Sagar, Surakshit Sagar” culminating on “International Coastal Cleanup Day” on 17^thSeptember 2022.

A mobile app “Eco Mitram” has been launched to spread awareness about the campaign and also for the common people for voluntary registration for the beach cleaning activity on the 17^thSeptember 2022.

Through this campaign, a mass behavioural change among the masses is intended by raising awareness about how plastic usage is destroying our marine life

Important Initiatives undertaken by UNEP so far:

1. Regional Seas Programme, 1974
2. Clean up the world Campaign, 1993
3. TUNZA, 2003
4. Billion Tree Campaign, 2006
5. Faith for Earth Initiative, 2008
6. World Environment Day (June 5^th)
7. Not all animals migrate by choice campaign, 2019