Daily Prelims Notes 9 December 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

9 December 2024

Table Of Contents

1. Why a Free Fall in the Rupee Seems Unlikely
2. Militants in Syria capture Damascus as Assad flees
3. Fall of Damascus appears to align with long-time goals of neighbour Turkiye
4. Israeli PM orders military to ‘seize’ Syria buffer zone
5. Preserving India’s sacred groves can help the country achieve its conservation & climate goals: Experts
6. India’s MGNREGS major contributor to global Nature-based Solutions, says report released at COP16 in Riyadh
7. Kerala’s Fund Utilization for Disaster Relief under Scrutiny
8. Evidence-Based Conservation of the Indian Star Tortoise
9. Comprehensive Anti-Drone Unit

1. Why a Free Fall in the Rupee Seems Unlikely

Sub: Eco

Sec: External sector

India’s economic resilience provides key reasons why the rupee is unlikely to experience a free fall despite recent challenges like capital outflows and a dip in foreign exchange reserves.

Robust Balance of Payments (BoP):

• Current Account Deficit (CAD):
  • India’s CAD for 2023-24 is $23.29 billion, significantly lower than past highs like $78 billion in 2011-12.
  • This manageable CAD is supported by strong surpluses in the invisibles account, primarily from:
• IT and software services exports: $142.07 billion in 2023-24.
• Remittances: A record $106.63 billion in 2023-24.
• Goods Trade Deficit:
  • While the merchandise trade deficit remains high ($242 billion in 2023-24), the invisibles surplus offsets much of its impact.

Stable Foreign Exchange Reserves:

• India’s forex reserves, at $658.09 billion (as of November 29, 2024), are among the world’s highest.
• Despite a dip from the peak of $704.89 billion in September 2024 due to FPI outflows, these reserves still provide a significant buffer against external shocks.

Nature of Capital Flows:

• Foreign Direct Investment (FDI):
  • FDI, which represents long-term investment, has declined to $26.47 billion in 2023-24, but it remains a stable source of capital inflow.
  • FDI’s stability contrasts with more volatile sources like FPIs.
• Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs):
  • FPIs pulled out $11.47 billion in October 2024 and $2.54 billion in November 2024, causing temporary rupee depreciation. However, such outflows are cyclical and not indicative of structural issues.

Comparatively Favorable Position:

• During the 2011-12 and 2012-13 crises, India faced:
  • High CADs (~$78 billion).
  • Drying up of capital flows triggered by the US Federal Reserve’s tapering policy.
  • Dwindling forex reserves, leading to rupee depreciation.
• Current Scenario:
  • A much smaller CAD, combined with significant forex reserves, offers a buffer against sudden shocks.
  • Even if capital flows tighten, the reserves can help stabilize the rupee.

Global Dynamics and India’s Preparedness:

• India’s exports have been boosted by post-pandemic digitization and the rise of Global Capability Centres, enhancing invisibles revenue.
• Policies to attract stable FDI and manage external commercial borrowings (ECBs) contribute to a more robust BoP.

Balance of Payments (BoP) and Its Components

The Balance of Payments (BoP) is a systematic record of all economic transactions between a country and the rest of the world. It reflects the flow of goods, services, and capital, helping to measure a nation’s economic stability and international economic standing.

Components of BoP

• Current Account:
  • Tracks the flow of goods, services, income, and transfers.
  • Trade in Goods: Exports minus imports of tangible products.
  • Trade in Services: Includes IT services, tourism, financial services, and transportation.
  • Income: Earnings from foreign investments minus payments to foreign investors.
  • Current Transfers: Includes remittances, gifts, and foreign aid.
• Capital Account:
  • Focuses on capital transfers and acquisitions or disposals of non-financial, non-produced assets.
  • Capital Transfers: Includes grants for infrastructure projects or debt forgiveness.
  • Acquisition/Disposal of Assets: Involves items like patents or trademarks.
• Financial Account:
  • Records financial transactions involving foreign investments.
  • Foreign Direct Investment (FDI): Investments in businesses or real estate abroad.
  • Portfolio Investment: Investments in equities and debt securities.
  • Reserve Assets: Changes in foreign currency reserves held by the central bank.
  • Loans and Banking Capital: Borrowings and deposits in foreign banks.

External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs)

ECBs refer to loans or funding obtained by an Indian entity from non-resident lenders in foreign currencies. These borrowings are typically used for financing specific projects, infrastructure development, or expanding business operations.

2. Militants in Syria capture Damascus as Assad flees

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Syrians flooded the streets in celebration as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a militant group, seized control of Syrian capital Damascus, leading to the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, marking the end of his family’s 50-year rule.
• This marks a dramatic turning point in the Syrian civil war that has lasted over 13 years.
• However, the fall of the Assad regime raises significant questions about Syria’s future and the broader regional stability.

Impact on the region:

• The capture of Damascus dealt a severe blow to the influence of Russia and Iran, Assad’s main international allies. Both countries had supported Assad militarily and politically throughout the conflict.
• HTS militants stormed Iran’s embassy in Damascus, signalling a significant shift in regional power dynamics.
• Some regional powers, including the UAE and Egypt, view Islamist militant groups like HTS as a major threat and may resist their growing influence in Syria.
• The rise of HTS could lead to the imposition of Islamist rule, which may be resisted by regional powers such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

Impact on Syria:

• Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali called for free elections, allowing the Syrian people to decide their political future.
• The potential for a smooth political transition remains uncertain, as multiple factions with varying interests including Islamists, U.S.-backed forces, and Russian and Turkish-backed groups are vying for influence.

Role of US in Syria:

• The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a presence in eastern Syria and will take necessary steps to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State (ISIS).
• HTS militants have also initiated attacks on US-backed Kurdish-led forces in northern Syria, particularly in the town of Manbij. This represents a direct challenge to US interests.

About HTS:

• HTS was initially formed as an al-Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front.
• In 2016, its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, severed ties with al-Qaeda, positioning the group as a more independent Islamist force.
• It is designated a terrorist organization by both the United States and the United Nations.

Sednaya prison:

• HTS claims to have freed prisoners from the notorious Sednaya prison, known for human rights abuses.
• Sednaya Prison, nicknamed the Human Slaughterhouse, was a military prison near Damascus in Syria operated by the Syrian government.

3. Fall of Damascus appears to align with long-time goals of neighbour Turkiye

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Syrian refugees in Turkey celebrated the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government, with many expressing a desire to return home after years of living in exile. Turkey, which hosts around 3 million Syrian refugees, has long supported opposition groups fighting Assad.
• Large crowds gathered in border cities like Kilis and Hatay, waving Syrian and Turkish flags.

Turkey’s Role in the Syrian Conflict:

• Turkey, which shares a long border with Syria, has backed Syrian opposition groups since the civil war began in 2011. It has provided military and logistical assistance to these factions.
• Through its proxy group, the Syrian National Army, Turkey has fought Kurdish forces in northern Syria, primarily targeting Kurdish militias linked to the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party), which Turkey considers a terrorist group.
• While Turkey has denied direct involvement in the recent HTS-led offensive, analysts suggest that the operation could not have occurred without Turkey’s approval.

Turkey’s Strategic concerns:

• Turkey’s concern is to secure its southern border, especially against Kurdish militias like the YPG, which it links to the PKK.
• Turkey fears that instability in Syria could lead to a new wave of refugees and increased activity from Kurdish militias.

Hatay province:

• Hatay is situated in southern Turkey and is bordered by Syria to the south and east, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and other Turkish provinces to the north.
• The capital of the province is Antakya (historically known as Antioch)

Kilis:

• Kilis is a city in southern Turkey, near the border with Syria, and the administrative centre of Kilis Province and Kilis District.
• Kilis province is located to the east of Hatay province.

4. Israeli PM orders military to ‘seize’ Syria buffer zone

Sub : IR

Sec: Places in news

Context:

• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to seize the demilitarized buffer zone along the border with Syria following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government.
• This move follows the collapse of the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria, which had previously governed the security arrangements in the region.
• With the collapse of Assad’s regime and the shifting balance of power in Syria, Israel is particularly concerned about militant activity and the potential for Iranian expansion in the region.

About the Buffer zone:

• The Golan Heights buffer zone, also referred to as the Area of Separation, is a demilitarized zone established between Israel and Syria under the supervision of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).
• It was created following the 1973 Yom Kippur War, as part of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement brokered by the United States.
• Since then, it has been a point of tension between the two countries and is monitored by UN peacekeepers.

Israeli Occupation of the Golan Heights:

• Israel occupied the Golan Heights in 1967 during the Six-Day War, and annexed the territory in 1981, a move that has not been recognized by the international community.
• Since then, Israel has maintained a military presence in the region.
• The Golan Heights provides Israel with a strategic military advantage, offering a high vantage point.

5. Preserving India’s sacred groves can help the country achieve its conservation & climate goals: Experts

Sub: Env

Sec: Biodiversity

Sacred groves:

• Sacred groves are traditional forest patches revered by tribal communities for cultural and spiritual significance.
• Known by various names: Sarnas in Jharkhand, Devgudis in Chhattisgarh, Orans in Rajasthan
• Sizes vary from a single tree to several acres; e.g., a sacred sal tree in Jharkhand.
• Estimated total area: 33,000 hectares (0.01% of India’s total area).
• Maharashtra leads with nearly 3,000 groves documented.
• Threatened by deforestation, mining, and developmental activities.

Cultural and Ecological Significance:

• They are rich in biodiversity and function as carbon sinks, aiding climate change mitigation.
• Integral to tribal traditions and worship practices, fostering a deep bond with nature.
• Act as small-scale conservation areas, harbouring flora and fauna, including smaller biodiversity.

Sacred Groves as Conservation Areas:

• Sacred groves reflect traditional ecological preservation predating modern conservation concepts.
• Many communities, such as the Thakars, Koknas, and Warlis, worship tiger and leopard deities (e.g., Waghoba).
• Worship rituals promote peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife (e.g., Aarey forest and Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Mumbai).

Key Conservation Examples:

• Maharashtra’s Raigad District:
  • Grove: Taata chi Vanrai dedicated to Waghoba.
  • Leopard sighting after 20 years highlights its ecological value.
  • Managed by the Thakar tribe with support from the Pardhi family and Waghoba Habitat Foundation.
• Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, Chandrapur:
  • Statues of Waghoba erected to honor tiger-related human losses.
  • Active buffer zones provide employment, fostering acceptance of conservation efforts despite conflicts.

Government and Community Initiatives:

• Jharkhand: Gherabandi (boundary walls) was introduced in 2019 for grove conservation.
• Chhattisgarh: The previous government undertook the renovation of groves.
• Criticism: Efforts often exclude tribal voices and overlook sacred groves in favour of reserved forests.

Role of Sacred Groves in Climate Goals:

• Classified as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
  • Governed by communities to conserve biodiversity and ecosystem services.
  • Promote climate change mitigation while preserving cultural and spiritual values.

Challenges and Future Outlook

• The decline of groves threatens tribal cultures and traditions like Waghoba worship.
• Preservation of groves and associated customs is critical for achieving India’s conservation and climate goals.
• Proper management and community inclusion are key to sustaining these unique ecological and cultural systems.

What is an OECM?

• The term ‘other effective area-based conservation measure’ describes a geographic site, which is not within a protected area, that delivers long-term biodiversity conservation under equitable governance and management.
• OECMs can be governed by a variety of rights holders and actors including Indigenous peoples and local communities, government agencies, as well as sectoral actors, private organizations, and individuals.

Origin of the concept of OECMs:

• The term first appeared in 2010 within the Aichi Biodiversity Targets—global conservation goals established by the CBD as part of a strategic plan to conserve biodiversity.
• In 2018, an official definition was adopted.
• OECMs can be found referenced alongside protected areas as a key approach to biodiversity conservation in the draft of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)

• Location: Chandrapur district, Maharashtra.
• Established: 1955.
• Significance:
  • The oldest and largest tiger reserve in Maharashtra.
  • Named after Tadoba Lake and Andhari River.
  • Comprises Tadoba National Park and Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Area: Covers approximately 1,727 sq km, including core and buffer zones.
• Flora and Fauna:
  • Vegetation includes teak, bamboo, and grasslands.
  • Hosts Bengal tigers, Indian leopards, sloth bears, Indian gaur, wild dogs, and over 195 bird species.

Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve:

• Location: Gariaband district, Chhattisgarh.
• Established: 2008.
• Significance:
  • Part of the Eastern Ghats, crucial for central India’s wildlife corridor.
  • Named after the Udanti and Sitanadi rivers.
• Area: Covers approximately 1,845 sq km.
• Flora and Fauna:
  • Dense sal forests and mixed deciduous vegetation.
  • Home to tigers, leopards, wild buffalo (state animal of Chhattisgarh), hyenas, and several bird species.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP):

• Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Established: 1996.
• Significance:
  • One of the most biodiverse urban national parks in the world.
  • Lies adjacent to Aarey Forest and houses the ancient Kanheri Caves.
• Area: Covers approximately 87 sq km.
• Flora and Fauna:
  • Features evergreen and semi-deciduous forests.
  • Home to leopards, rusty-spotted cats, bonnet macaques, sambar deer, and over 250 bird species.

List of Sacred groves and their respective states in India:

Source: DTE

6. India’s MGNREGS major contributor to global Nature-based Solutions, says report released at COP16 in Riyadh

Sub : Env

Sec : Int convention

Report: Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions 2024

• Launch at:  CoP16 of UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
• The report, a joint effort by ILO, UNEP, and IUCN, supports the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The findings aim to inform policies and investments for sustainable, inclusive economies while addressing climate and biodiversity crises.

Report findings:

• 93–95% of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) employment is concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region.
• India’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is a significant contributor.
• Over 59 million people are employed globally through NbS, with more than 50% being women.
• Employment Breakdown:
  • 1.8% of global employment comes from NbS, with India’s MGNREGS contributing 85–87% of full-time equivalents (FTE).
  • Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lead in worker numbers despite limited financial investment.
  • High-income countries account for 57% of global expenditure on NbS.
  • Asia-Pacific contributes 44% of global NbS spending.
• Future Projections:
  • An annual investment increase of $542 billion by 2030 could create 20–32 million jobs in agriculture and forestry.
  • Investing $2.9 trillion in Nature-based Infrastructure (NbI) can significantly boost employment and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS):

• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are actions that leverage natural ecosystems to address societal challenges. These include combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, enhancing human well-being, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
• The UN defines NbS as “actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.”

Key Features:

• Ecosystem-based Approach:
  • Utilizes natural processes to provide solutions to environmental, social, and economic challenges.
  • Examples include afforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Multi-dimensional Benefits:
  • Climate mitigation and adaptation.
  • Conservation of biodiversity.
  • Enhancing community resilience and creating employment.
• Global Policy Integration:
  • Recognized in frameworks like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Importance of NbS:

• Climate and Biodiversity Goals:
  • Scalable solutions to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
  • Delivers economic, environmental, and social benefits, including job creation and improved livelihoods.
• Skills and Workforce Development:
  • Growing demand for skills in geospatial analysis, environmental economics, AI, and indigenous knowledge.
  • Investments in training can reduce gender disparities and foster inclusive decision-making.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS):

• The MGNREGS is a flagship social security and labour law program of the Government of India, introduced in 2005 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
• It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by guaranteeing a minimum of 100 days of wage employment to every rural household annually.

Objectives:

• Ensure a legal right to work and alleviate rural poverty.
• Focus on sustainable development through the creation of productive assets like water conservation structures, roads, and afforestation.
• Address the needs of marginalized groups, including women, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• Empower local governance institutions, particularly Gram Panchayats, to implement projects.

Key Features:

• Legal Entitlement:
  • Any rural household can demand employment under MGNREGS.
  • Work must be provided within 15 days of request; failure to do so requires payment of an unemployment allowance.
• Focus on Women:
  • At least one-third of the workforce is reserved for women.
  • Ensures equal wages for men and women.
• Community Participation:
  • Projects are selected and monitored by the Gram Sabha (village assembly).
  • Encourages transparency and accountability through social audits.
• Environmentally Focused Projects:
  • Includes water conservation, irrigation, afforestation, and other eco-friendly initiatives.
  • Contributes to climate resilience and rural sustainability.

Achievements:

• Rural Employment Generation:
  • MGNREGS is the world’s largest public works program, providing employment to millions annually.
  • It played a critical role in absorbing migrant labour during the COVID-19
• Empowerment of Women:
  • Significant participation of women, fostering financial independence and decision-making.
• Strengthening Rural Infrastructure:
  • Projects under MGNREGS have improved rural connectivity, irrigation, and water resources.
• Climate Adaptation:
  • Nature-based solutions (NbS) under MGNREGS, such as afforestation and watershed management, contribute to ecological restoration and climate change mitigation.

Challenges

• Implementation Gaps:
  • Delays in wage payments.
  • Poor quality of assets created.
• Corruption and Leakages:
  • Mismanagement and misuse of funds in some states.
• Low Awareness:
  • Many rural households are unaware of their rights under the scheme.
• Inadequate Funding:
  • Budgetary constraints often limit the scope and reach of the program.

Source: DTE

7. Kerala’s Fund Utilization for Disaster Relief under Scrutiny

Sub : Polity

Sec :Msc

Why in News

The Bhartiya Janata Party has alleged that the Kerala government has failed to effectively utilize the funds allocated by the Central government for disaster relief. This issue has drawn attention after the Kerala High Court criticized the State government for lapses in fund management and rehabilitation of landslide survivors in Wayanad.

Background:

• Kerala government of not utilizing the substantial funds allocated by the Centre under:
  • State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)
  • National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)
  • Regular relief packages.
• The Centre claims it has allocated over ₹500 crore through SDRF for disaster relief in the state.

National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF):

• Defined under Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Provides financial assistance for emergency response, relief, and rehabilitation during disasters of severe nature.
• Managed by the Central Government and placed in the Public Account of India under “reserve funds not bearing interest.”
• Usage:
  • Funds are allocated for immediate relief and emergency measures.
  • Not used for disaster preparedness, reconstruction, or mitigation.
  • Activities like preparedness are financed through schemes like NDMF, NCRMP, and NFMP.
• Eligibility:
  • Covers natural calamities (cyclones, floods, earthquakes, etc.) and certain man-made disasters (terrorist attacks, chemical, biological, or nuclear disasters).
  • States must submit a memorandum of damages; funds are allocated based on central assessment.
• Sources of Financing:
  • Financed by a cess on specific items, approved via the Finance Bill.
  • Additional requirements are met through budgetary allocations.
• Administration: Decisions on fund use are made by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
• Audit: Annually audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF):

• Constituted under Section 48 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
• Primary fund available with state governments for disaster response and relief.
• Financing:
  • Funded in a 75:25 ratio by the Centre and States (90:10 for NE and hilly states).
  • Allocations are based on the Finance Commission’s recommendations.
• Usage:
  • Covers natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, and droughts.
  • Can be used for immediate relief and response activities.
  • 10% of the annual allocation is earmarked for local-level disaster preparedness.

8. Evidence-Based Conservation of the Indian Star Tortoise

Sub : Env 

Sec : Species in news

Why in News

• A recent study by researchers from the Wildlife Institute of India and Panjab University has identified two genetically distinct groups of Indian star tortoises. The findings aim to inform strategies for conserving and releasing rescued tortoises, ensuring their long-term survival and genetic diversity.

About Indian Star Tortoise:

• Scientific Name: Geochelone elegans
• Shell Pattern: Yellow, star-like radiating patterns on a high-domed, dark shell provide camouflage.
• Diet: Strictly herbivorous, consuming grasses, fruits, and succulents for high-fibre nutrition.
• Behaviour: Diurnal, active in cooler hours, with increased activity during the rainy season.
• Native to India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, thriving in arid scrublands, grasslands, and semi-deserts.
• Breeds during the monsoon (June–November). Females lay 1–10 eggs, incubating for 50–180 days.
• Listed as Vulnerable (IUCN) and protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Faces threats from habitat loss, poaching, and illegal pet trade, with tens of thousands trafficked annually.
• Critical to arid ecosystems by aiding seed dispersal.
• Threats: Popularity as exotic pets has made them a target for global wildlife trafficking.
  • Illegal ownership and smuggling are rampant, with frequent seizures across airports and borders.
• Listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
• Included in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, offering the highest legal protection.
• Despite these protections, hundreds of tortoises have been rescued from smuggling attempts this year.
• Two genetically distinct groups were identified:
  • Northwestern Group: Genetically stable despite poaching.
  • Southern Group: Exhibits higher genetic diversity.

Explanation of Genetic Analysis:

• Mitochondrial Genes: Mitochondrial genes are segments of DNA found in the mitochondria; the cellular structures responsible for energy production.
• Unlike nuclear DNA, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is inherited maternally and remains relatively conserved across generations.
• It is widely used in genetic studies to understand evolutionary relationships and variations within and between species.
• Cytochrome B: This gene is a highly conserved mitochondrial gene that encodes a protein essential for cellular respiration in mitochondria.
  • Used to identify subspecies-level differentiation among Indian star tortoises.
• NADH Dehydrogenase 4: This gene is part of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and is more variable compared to Cytochrome B.
  • Helps detect finer genetic variations within populations of the same species.

9. Comprehensive Anti-Drone Unit

Sub : Schemes

Sec :Msc

Why in News

• Union Home Minister announced that India will soon establish a comprehensive anti-drone unit to bolster border security, addressing the growing threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The announcement was made during the 60th Raising Day event of the Border Security Force (BSF) at a training camp near the India-Pakistan border.

Key Points:

• Drones are increasingly used for smuggling arms, drugs, and other contraband across borders.
• Cases of drone neutralization and detection along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab have surged from 3% to 55% with advanced mechanisms.
• Over 260 drones were downed in 2024, a significant rise from 110 in 2023.
• The majority of drone activity is concentrated in Punjab, with fewer incidents reported in Rajasthan and Jammu.
• Use of DRDO Anti-Drone Systems: These are deployed along the western border to combat UAV infiltration.

Laser-Mounted Anti-Drone Guns:

• Laser-mounted anti-drone guns are designed to detect, track, and neutralize rogue drones using directed energy technology.
• They provide a high-precision, low-collateral damage option for countering aerial threats, including drones and small aircraft.
• Equipped with 360-degree coverage through Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors.
• Ability to engage drones up to 2-5 kilometres depending on the version, with an option for both “soft kill” (jamming signals) and “hard kill” (laser destruction) methods.
• Available in mobile and static configurations, suitable for deployment across naval bases, airfields, and critical infrastructure.
• Can be mounted on indigenous vehicles or integrated into shipborne systems, ensuring high adaptability and mobility.
• Uses radar, RF detectors, and satellite jamming to detect and disrupt drone control systems.
• Advanced systems like DRDO’s laser weapons use a 30-kilowatt laser to neutralize drones and are undergoing enhancements for increased range and capabilities.

About Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System (CIBMS):

• CIBMS is a robust system for managing India’s borders, leveraging advanced technology such as radars, thermal imaging, and ground sensors to enhance surveillance and security.
• The first phase was implemented at riverine borders like Dhubri, located along the India-Bangladesh border.
• It addresses challenges in regions with tough terrain and dynamic river flows.
• Components:
  • Sensors: Includes infrared cameras, radars, and unattended ground sensors.
  • Command & Control: Data from sensors is integrated into a control room to provide real-time information.
  • Communication Network: High-speed data transmission between sensors and the control room ensures prompt responses.
• The system aims to create a seamless, 24/7 monitoring capability, reducing manual patrolling needs and improving border management efficiency.
  • Use of laser-based fencing systems to prevent intrusions in areas difficult to patrol.
  • Advanced drones are deployed for aerial monitoring​.

About Vibrant Village Programme (VVP):

• Focuses on the socio-economic development of villages along India’s northern borders, ensuring their integration into the national mainstream.
• It aims to counteract migration and enhance strategic security by revitalizing border regions.
• The program targets approximately 3,000 villages, with an emphasis on those near the China border.
• Initial implementation focuses on creating essential infrastructure and community facilities.
• Key Features:
  • Improvement of sustainable livelihoods through agriculture, horticulture, and tourism.
  • Strengthening governance through better administrative services and e-governance systems.
  • Establishing schools, skill development centres, and self-help groups.
• Prevents depopulation of critical border villages, ensuring their use as “first responders” to national security challenges​.