Daily Prelims Notes 31 December 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

31 December 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Army installs Shivaji statue on Pangong Lake bank; Ladakh councillor, others question its relevance
2. The Importance of Elders in Wildlife Conservation
3. On India’s obligations towards the Rohingya

1. Army installs Shivaji statue on Pangong Lake bank; Ladakh councillor, others question its relevance

Sub: History

Sec: Personality

Context:

• A statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was recently installed by the Indian Army on the banks of Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh. This installation has sparked controversy due to its perceived irrelevance to the local environment and history.

About the controversy:

• Critics argue that the statue’s placement is unrelated to the local history and culture, as Shivaji’s legacy is not connected to Ladakh.
• Some suggest that Zorawar Singh, a figure with historical ties to the region, would have been a more appropriate choice.
• Other local historical figures like Khree Sultan Cho, Ali Sher Khan Anchen and Seenge Namgyal have also been recommended.

About Pangong Tso:

• Pangong Tso is a high-altitude endorheic lake located in the Himalayan region, spanning across the India-China border.
• Pangong Tso sits at an altitude of about 4,350 meters above sea level.
• Nearly two-thirds of the lake is controlled by China, with just about 45 km under Indian control. The LAC, running north-south, cuts the western part of the lake.
• The lake’s water, while crystal clear, is brackish, making it undrinkable. It is the world’s highest saltwater lake.
• It is also known to change colours, appearing blue, green, and red at different times.

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj:

• Shivaji was born in 1630, in Shivneri Fort near Pune, Maharashtra, to Shahaji Bhosale (a Maratha general) and Jijabai.
• Shivaji established the Maratha Empire in the 17th century and focused on self-rule (Swarajya) and resistance to Mughal rule.
• Renowned for his use of guerrilla warfare and building a strong navy to defend the coastline.
• Constructed or captured over 300 forts, including Raigad and Sindhudurg.
• Developed an efficient revenue system and justice system and promoted secularism, employing people of all religions in his administration.

Zorawar Singh:

• Zorawar Singh Kahluria was a Dogra military general in the 19th century, often regarded as one of the greatest figures in the history of Ladakh and the Jammu & Kashmir region.
• Zorawar Singh is remembered as a symbol of bravery and military prowess as he successfully annexed Ladakh to the Jammu and Kashmir Kingdom.

2. The Importance of Elders in Wildlife Conservation

Sub: Env

Sec: Species in news

Why in News

• Recent studies emphasize the detrimental impact of human-induced factors such as climate extremes, habitat destruction, and overexploitation on the elders of various species. The loss of these experienced individuals disrupts population stability and poses severe challenges to biodiversity conservation.

Key Points:

• Elder animals, such as elephant matriarchs and shark grandmothers, accumulate invaluable knowledge over their lifetimes. They guide their groups in foraging, migration, and survival during adverse conditions.
• Older individuals often hold dominant positions in social hierarchies, stabilizing group dynamics and preventing conflicts.
• Elephants: Matriarchs lead defensive formations against predators.
• Orcas: Older females guide younger generations to food sources and protect calves, often ceasing reproduction to focus on caregiving (Grandmother Hypothesis).
• Fish and Reptiles: Larger, older individuals produce more resilient offspring, better equipped for environmental fluctuations.
• Threats to Elder Animals:
  • Habitat loss, climate change, and hunting significantly hasten the disappearance of elder animals.
  • For example, young elephants without matriarchs exhibit increased stress and vulnerability to predators.
  • Loss of elders disrupts social learning, migration patterns, and reproductive success.
  • Younger animals struggle to survive without the guidance of experienced leaders.

Elephants:

• Asian Elephants: Found in South and Southeast Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia.
• African Elephants: Native to sub-Saharan Africa, found in savannahs, forests, and deserts.
• Asian Elephant: Endangered (IUCN Red List).

Special Features:

• Largest land mammal.
• Known for their intelligence, memory, and strong social bonds.
• Matriarchal Society: Herds are led by the oldest and most experienced female (matriarch).
• Key ecological role as “ecosystem engineers” (seed dispersers, creating waterholes).
• Unique communication through low-frequency rumbles and seismic signals.
• Project Elephant (1992): A Government of India initiative for elephant conservation and welfare.
• Elephant Reserves: 30+ reserves across India, including Mysuru, Nilgiri, and Kameng.
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Elephants are listed under Schedule I.

About Orcas (Killer Whales):

• Found in all oceans, from the Arctic and Antarctic regions to tropical seas.
• Prefer colder coastal waters but are highly adaptable to various marine environments.
• Data Deficient (IUCN Red List): Due to a lack of global population data. Specific populations, such as the Southern Resident Orcas, are critically endangered.

Special Features:

• Apex predators with no natural enemies.
• Complex social structures, often living in pods led by females.
• Known for their intelligence, hunting techniques, and use of echolocation for communication.
• Female orcas undergo menopause (rare in animals) and play a “grandmother role” in helping rear calves.

Major Places Found Globally:

• Arctic and Antarctic Waters: High concentrations near Norway, Canada, and Antarctica.
• Pacific Northwest (USA): Especially Puget Sound and surrounding areas.

3. On India’s obligations towards the Rohingya

Sub : IR

Sec: Int Conventions

Context:

• A recent study examining the plight of Rohingya refugees detained in India, conducted jointly by The Azadi Project and Refugees International has highlighted “gross violations of constitutional and human rights” and criticised India’s failure to uphold its obligations under international human rights treaties.

Protection for Rohingya refugees under international law:

• 1951 Refugee Convention and 1967 Protocol:
  • Enshrine the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits states from expelling individuals under their jurisdiction when substantial evidence suggests they would face persecution, torture, or other severe human rights violations upon return.
  • Recognized as customary international law, binding on all states irrespective of formal assent.
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR): Article 7 prohibits refoulement to places of torture or inhuman treatment.
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination: Implicitly incorporates the principle of non-refoulement as part of its commitment to combat racial discrimination and ensure the protection of individuals at risk of harm due to racial or ethnic grounds.
• Convention on the Rights of the Child: The convention, ratified by nearly all countries including India, incorporates the principle of non-refoulement to protect children from being returned to situations where their fundamental rights would be at risk.
• Convention Against Torture:
  • Non-refoulement explicitly mentioned under Article 3.
  • India is a signatory but has not ratified.
• International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance: Article 16 explicitly prohibits states from expelling, returning, surrendering, or extraditing individuals to another state where there are substantial grounds to believe they would face the risk of enforced disappearance.

India’s stand:

• India, not a party to the Refugee Convention or other key treaties like the Convention Against Torture, argues it is under no legal obligation to provide asylum or adhere to non-refoulement.