PM-PRANAM Scheme and Increased FRP

For Prelims: Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP), Sugarcane, PM-PRANAM Scheme

For Mains: Agricultural Pricing, Sugar production in the Indian Economy, Challenges faced by sugarcane industry.

Why in News?

Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), approved the PM-PRANAM scheme, aimed at restoring and nurturing Mother Earth through the use of biofertilizers.

• Furthermore, the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) for sugarcane has been increased by Rs 10 to Rs 315 per quintal for the 2023-24 season starting from October.
• Additionally, the government has extended the urea subsidy scheme until March 2025 with an allocation of ₹3.68 lakh crore. Alongside, a nutrient-based subsidy of ₹38,000 crore has been sanctioned for the Kharif season of 2023-24.

What is PM-PRANAM Scheme?

• About:
  • PM-PRANAM stands for PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth.
  • PM-PRANAM was first announced in the 2023-24 Budget by the Union government.
  • The scheme aims to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers by incentivizing states to adopt alternative fertilizers.
• Objective:
  • Encourage the balanced use of fertilizers in conjunction with biofertilizers and organic fertilizers.
  • Reduce the subsidy burden on chemical fertilizers, which was around Rs 2.25 lakh crores in 2022-2023.
• Key Features of the Scheme:
  • Financing:
    • The scheme will be financed by the savings of existing fertilizer subsidies under schemes run by the Department of Fertilizers, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers.
    • There will be no separate budget for the PM-PRANAM scheme.
  • Subsidy Savings and Grants:
    • The Centre will provide 50% of the subsidy savings to the states as a grant.
    • Out of the grant, 70% can be used to create assets related to the technological adoption of alternative fertilizers and production units at various levels.
    • The remaining 30% can be used to reward and encourage farmers, panchayats, and other stakeholders involved in fertilizer reduction and awareness generation.
  • Calculation of Fertilizer Reduction:
    • The reduction in urea consumption by a state will be compared to its average consumption of urea over the previous three years.
    • This calculation will determine the eligibility for subsidy savings and grants.
  • Promotion of Sustainable Agriculture:
    • Encouraging the use of biofertilizers and organic fertilizers will promote sustainable agricultural practices.
    • This will enhance soil fertility, reduce environmental pollution, and support long-term agricultural productivity.

What is Biofertilizer?

• About:
  • It consists of a carrier medium rich in live microorganisms. When applied to seed, soil or living plants, it increases soil nutrients or makes them biologically available.
  • Biofertilizers contain different types of fungi, root bacteria or other microorganisms. They form a mutually beneficial or symbiotic relationship with host plants as they grow in the soil.
• Classification of Biofertilizers Based on Microorganism:
  • Bacterial Biofertilizers: Rhizobium, Azospirilium, Azotobacter, Phosphobacteria, Nostoc, etc.
  • Fungal Biofertilizers: Mycorrhiza.
  • Algal Biofertilizers: Blue Green Algae (BGA) and Azolla.
  • Actinomycetes Biofertilizer: Frankia.

What are the Recent Changes Made in FRP for Sugarcane?

• The Cabinet has also decided that there shall not be any deduction in the case of sugar mills where recovery is below 9.5%. Such farmers will get Rs 291.975 per quintal for sugarcane in the ensuing sugar season instead of Rs 282.125 per quintal in the current sugar season.

What is the FRP?

• About:
  • FRP is the price set by the government that sugar mills are obligated to pay to farmers for the sugarcane procured from them.
• Payment and Agreement:
  • Mills are legally required to pay the FRP to farmers for their cane.
  • Mills can choose to sign agreements with farmers, allowing them to pay the FRP in installments.
  • Delayed payments can attract interest charges of up to 15% per annum, and the sugar commissioner can recover unpaid FRP by attaching properties of the mills.
• Governing Regulations:
  • The pricing of sugarcane is governed by the statutory provisions of the Sugarcane (Control) Order, 1966 issued under the Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955.
  • According to the regulations, the FRP must be paid within 14 days of cane delivery.
• Determination and Announcement:
  • The FRP is determined based on the recommendations of the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP).
  • The CCEA announces the FRP.
• Factors Considered:
  • The FRP takes into account various factors, including the cost of sugarcane production, returns from alternative crops, trends in agricultural commodity prices, availability of sugar to consumers, selling price of sugar, sugar recovery from cane, and income margins for cane growers.

What is Sugarcane?

• Temperature: Between 21-27°C with hot and humid climate.
• Rainfall: Around 75-100 cm.
• Soil Type: Deep rich loamy soil.
• Top Sugarcane Producing States: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Bihar.
• India is the second largest producer of sugarcane after Brazil.
• It can be grown on all varieties of soils ranging from sandy loam to clay loam given these soils should be well drained.
• It needs manual labour from sowing to harvesting.
• It is the main source of sugar, gur (jaggery), khandsari and molasses.
• Scheme for Extending Financial Assistance to Sugar Undertakings (SEFASU) and National Policy on Biofuels are two of the government initiatives to support sugarcane production and the sugar industry.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims

Consider the following organisms: (2013)

1. Agaricus

2. Nostoc

3. Spirogyra

Which of the above is/are used as biofertilizer/

biofertilizers?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 3 only

Ans: (b)

Q.1 The Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) of sugarcane is approved by the (2015)

(a) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
(b) Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices
(c) Directorate of Marketing and Inspection, Ministry of Agriculture
(d) Agricultural Produce Market Committee

Ans: (a)

Q.2 With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements: (2020)

1. A substantial saving in seed material is made when ‘bud chip settlings’ are raised in a nurse, and transplanted in the main field.
2. When direct planting of setts is done, the germination percentage is better with single budded setts as compared to setts with many buds.
3. If bad weather conditions prevail when setts are directly planted, single-budded setts have better survival as compared to large setts
4. Sugarcane can be cultivated using settlings prepared from tissue culture.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 4 only
(d) 2, 3 and 4 only

Ans: (c)

Exp:

• Tissue Culture Technology
  • Tissue culture is a technique in which fragments of plants are cultured and grown in a laboratory.
  • It provides a new way to rapidly produce and supply disease-free seed cane of existing commercial varieties.
  • It uses meristem to clone the mother plant.
  • It also preserves genetic identity.
  • The tissue culture technique, owing to its cumbersome outfit and physical limitation, is turning out to be uneconomical.
• Bud Chip Technology
  • As a viable alternative of tissue culture, it reduces the mass and enables quick multiplication of seeds.
  • This method has proved to be more economical and convenient than the traditional method of planting two to three bud setts.
  • The returns are relatively better, with substantial savings on the seed material used for planting. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
  • The researchers have found that the setts having two buds are giving germination about 65 to 70% with better yield. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
  • Large setts have better survival under bad weather but single budded setts also give 70% germination if protected with chemical treatment. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
  • Tissue culture can be used to germinate and grow sugarcane settlings which can be transplanted later in the field. Hence, statement 4 is correct. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

Source: TH

Green Credit Programme

For Prelims: Green Credit Programme, 2023-24 Union Budget, Carbon Market, CO2 Emission, Regenerative Agriculture, ICFRE, Greenwashing.

For Mains: Green Credit Programme, its significance and Related Concerns.

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India has notified the draft ‘Green Credit Programme (GCP)’ implementation rules for 2023.

• It was first announced in the 2023-24 Union Budget with a view to leverage a competitive market-based approach and incentivize voluntary environmental actions of various stakeholders.

What is the Green Credit Programme?

• About:
  • The ‘Green Credit’ means a singular unit of an incentive provided for a specified activity, delivering a positive impact on the environment.
  • The Green Credit Programme as a mechanism that complements the domestic Carbon Market.
  • While the domestic carbon market focuses solely on CO2 Emission reductions, the Green Credit System aims to meet other environmental obligations as well, incentivizing sustainable actions by companies, individuals, and local bodies.
  • The green credits will be tradable and those earning it will be able to put these credits up for sale on a proposed domestic market platform.
• Green Credit Activities:
  • Tree Plantation-Based Green Credit: To promote activities for increasing the green cover across the country through tree plantation and related activities.
  • Water-Based Green Credit: To promote water conservation, water harvesting and water use efficiency / savings, including treatment and reuse of wastewater.
  • Sustainable Agriculture-Based Green Credit: To promote natural and Regenerative Agricultural practices and land restoration to improve productivity, soil health and nutritional value of food produced.
  • Waste Management-Based Green Credit: To promote sustainable and improved practices for waste management, including collection, segregation and treatment.
  • Air Pollution Reduction-Based Green Credit: To promote measures for reducing air pollution and other pollution abatement activities.
  • Mangrove conservation and restoration-based green credit: To promote measures for conservation and restoration of mangroves.
  • Ecomark-based Green Credit: To encourage manufacturers to obtain ‘Ecomark’ label for their goods and services.
  • Sustainable Building and Infrastructure-based Green Credit: To encourage the construction of buildings and other infrastructure using sustainable technologies and materials.
  • Through the programme, thresholds and benchmarks will be developed for each Green Credit activity.
• Administration:
  • The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) shall be the administrator of the programme which will develop guidelines, processes and procedures for implementation of the programme.
• Significance:
  • The Green Credit Programme will also encourage private sector industries and companies as well as other entities to meet their existing obligations, stemming from other legal frameworks, by taking actions which are able to converge with activities relevant for generating or buying green credits.
  • The guidelines bring together mechanisms to quantify and support ecosystem services together and would be of great help for organic farmers and FPOs.
  • It’s a first of its kind instrument that seeks to value and reward multiple ecosystem services to allow green projects to achieve optimal returns beyond just carbon.

What are the Concerns Regarding Greed Credit Mechanism?

• Experts are concerned that the market-based mechanism of green credits may lead to Greenwashing.
  • Greenwashing refers to the practice of making false or exaggerated claims about environmental sustainability or achievements to create a positive image while not actually delivering significant environmental benefits.
• The fear is that companies or entities may engage in tokenistic or superficial activities to generate green credits without making substantial efforts to address environmental issues.
• There are also concerns about the effectiveness of these mechanisms in achieving urgent emissions reductions and the allocation of resources for monitoring and fraud prevention instead of more transformative efforts directed by the government.

Way Forward

• It will be crucial to ensure that the methodology and the standards are robust and additional strategies that would create enough demand for the green credits for the viability and stability of the market.
• There is a need for a careful assessment and implementation of the Green Credit System, particularly its focus on tree plantation and afforestation.
• It is important to consider unresolved forest ownership and governance rights, ecological and biodiversity challenges, and global critiques of carbon credit schemes.
• Internal discussions and public consultations are important to address these aspects.

UPSC Civil Services Examination Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. Regarding “carbon credits”, which one of the following statements is not correct? (2011)

(a) The carbon credit system was ratified in conjunction with the Kyoto Protocol

(b) Carbon credits are awarded to countries or groups that have reduced greenhouse gases below their emission quota

(c) The goal of the carbon credit system is to limit the increase of carbon dioxide emission

(d) Carbon credits are traded at a price fixed from time to time by the United Nations Environment Programme.

Ans: (d)

Exp:

• Emissions trading, as set out in Article 17 of the Kyoto Protocol, allows countries that have carbon emission units to spare (i.e., the difference between total emission cap and emission done) – emissions permitted to them, but not “used” – to sell this excess capacity to countries that are over their targets.
• If a country emits less than its target amount of hydrocarbons, it can sell its surplus credits to countries that does not achieve their Kyoto level goals, through an Emission Reduction Purchase Agreement (ERPA).
• Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) are a type of emission units (or carbon credits) issued by the Executive Board of Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) for emission reductions achieved by CDM projects.
• It is verified by a DOE (Designated Operational Entity) under the rules of the Kyoto Protocol.
• The Sustainable practices and application of eco friendly technologies produce carbon-credits that could be traded. Thus, it leads to reduction in GHGs emission as it creates a competitive and remunerative market. The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) developed the carbon credit regime as a “market-oriented mechanism”.
• Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

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Mains

Q. Should the pursuit of carbon credits and clean development mechanisms set up under UNFCCC be maintained even though there has been a massive slide in the value of a carbon credit? Discuss with respect to India’s energy needs for economic growth. (2014)

Source: DTE

Mahalanobis's Approach: Addressing India's Big Data and AI Challenges

For Prelims: National Statistics Day, Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, Big Data, Artificial intelligence, Padma Awards, Second Five-Year Plan, Digital India, Kautilya's Arthashastra.  

For Mains: Insights from Mahalanobis's  to Tackle India's Big Data and AI Challenges 

Why in News? 

India celebrated National Statistics Day on June 29^th, commemorating the birthday of Prof. Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, renowned as the 'Plan Man' of India. 

• As India grapples with the challenges of Big Data and the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI), reflecting on Mahalanobis's approach can offer insights into addressing these issues effectively. 

What are the Major Contributions of PC Mahalanobis? 

• About:  
  • Professor P.C. Mahalanobis, a prominent scientist and statistical pioneer, contributed significantly in the field of data collection, analysis, and planning for national development. 
  • He was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata). His grandfather Gurucharan was a social reformer and a follower of Debendranath Tagore, the father of Rabindranath Tagore.  
• Major Contributions:  
  • In 1931, he founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Calcutta, with the aim of promoting research and education in statistics and related disciplines.  
    • He also founded Sankhya, the first Indian statistical journal, in 1933. 
  • In 1955, he was appointed as a member of the Planning Commission of India by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.  
    • He played a key role in designing India’s strategy for industrialisation and economic development in the Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61), also known as Mahalanobis Plan based on his own mathematical model that emphasized heavy industries and capital goods. 
  • Also, his involvement in the establishment and shaping of Rabindranath Tagore's Visva Bharati University highlights his significant contributions beyond statistics 
    • In 1968, he was honoured with the Padma Vibhushan. 

What Insights Does Mahalanobis's Approach Provide for Tackling India's Big Data and AI Challenges?  

• Regulating AI and Mahalanobis's Influence: 
  • As AI poses challenges such as job displacement, spread of disinformation and other ethical concers, there is a global push for its regulation. 
  • Mahalanobis's introduction of built-in cross-checks in his surveys, inspired by Kautilya's Arthashastra, demonstrates his foresight in ensuring data integrity. 
  • Mahalanobis's approach reminds us of the importance of rigorous data preprocessing, ensuring fairness and transparency in AI algorithms.  
    • For instance, when deploying AI in hiring processes, it is crucial to assess and mitigate biases to ensure equal opportunities for all candidates.  
  • Mahalanobis's approach emphasizes the need to confront and address such challenges to build responsible and inclusive AI systems. 
• Integration of Multiple Data Sources: 
  • Mahalanobis advocated for integrating diverse data sources to capture a holistic view of the economy and society.  
  • In the context of Big Data and AI, this implies incorporating various data streams, including structured and unstructured data, social media feeds, satellite imagery, and sensor data.  
    • Such integration can facilitate comprehensive analysis and enable innovative applications.  
    • For example, in agriculture, combining meteorological data, satellite imagery, and farmer-generated data can provide valuable insights on crop health, pest outbreaks, and optimal irrigation practices.  
  • This approach enables the development of AI-driven solutions like precision agriculture, improving crop yields and farmers' livelihoods. 
• Importance of Statistical Models: 
  • Mahalanobis stressed the importance of statistical models to derive meaningful inferences and predictions. 
  • In the era of Big Data and AI, advanced machine learning algorithms and predictive modeling techniques play a pivotal role in analyzing vast datasets.  
  • These models can be employed in various domains, such as healthcare, finance, and urban planning.  
  • For instance, by applying predictive models to healthcare data, policymakers can identify population health trends, forecast disease outbreaks, and allocate resources effectively.  
  • This approach facilitates evidence-based decision-making and proactive interventions. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Q. With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following? (2020) 

1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units 
2. Create meaningful short stories and songs 
3. Disease diagnosis 
4. Text-to-Speech Conversion 
5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy 

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only 

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only  

(c) 2, 4 and 5 only  

(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 

Ans: (b)

Q. In the context of India’s Five-Year Plans, a shift in the pattern of industrialization, with lower emphasis on heavy industries and more on infrastructure begins in (2010)

(a) Fourth Plan

(b) Sixth Plan 

(c) Eighth Plan  

(d) Tenth Plan 

Ans: (b)

Source: TH  

National Research Foundation

For Prelims: National Research Foundation, NEP, SERB, Sign Language AstroLab, CSIR-NPL.

For Mains: National Research Foundation.

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, has approved the introduction of the National Research Foundation (NRF) Bill, 2023 in Parliament.

What are the Features of the NRF Bill 2023?

• Establishment of NRF:
  • The bill, after approval in the Parliament, will establish NRF, an apex body to provide high-level strategic direction of scientific research in India as per recommendations of the National Education Policy (NEP), at a total estimated cost of Rs. 50,000 crores during five years (2023-28).
• Subsumption of SERB:
  • The bill will repeal the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) established by an act of Parliament in 2008 and subsume it into NRF which has an expanded mandate and covers activities over and above the activities of SERB.
• Administration and Governance:
  • The Department of Science and Technology (DST) will be the administrative Department of NRF which will be governed by a Governing Board consisting of eminent researchers and professionals across disciplines.
  • The Prime Minister will be the ex-officio President of the Board and the Union Minister of Science & Technology & Union Minister of Education will be the ex-officio Vice-Presidents.
  • NRF’s functioning will be governed by an Executive Council chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

What is the National Research Foundation?

• Objective:
  • To ensure that scientific research was conducted and funded equitably and greater participation from the private sector was forthcoming.
  • It will focus on creating a policy framework and putting in place regulatory processes that can encourage collaboration and increased spending by the industry on R&D.
  • The NRF aims to involve colleges and universities in scientific research, as currently, less than 1% of the nearly 40,000 higher learning institutions in India are engaged in research.
  • The NRF plans to build research capacities in universities by encouraging active researchers to take up NRF professorships, regardless of age, and collaborate with existing faculty.
• Significance:
  • Promoting Research other than Natural Science:
    • The NRF will fund and promote research not only in natural sciences but also in humanities, social sciences, and art.
    • This integration is crucial for fostering creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills.
    • Currently, research in these areas has limited funding sources. Establishing directorates for social sciences, Indian languages and knowledge systems, arts, and humanities is among the NRF's goals.
  • National Priorities:
    • It seeks to identify priority areas where science and technology interventions can contribute to national objectives such as clean energy, climate change, sustainable infrastructure, improved transportation, and accessible and affordable healthcare.
  • Enhanced Funding:
    • It seeks to increase funding for scientific research in India, both from government and private sources.
      • Currently, India's spending on research and development is below 0.7 % of its GDP, when even countries like Egypt or Brazil spend more.
      • US, China, Israel, Japan, and South Korea spend anywhere between 2 to 5% of their respective GDPs on scientific research.
    • Insufficient funding has directly affected the quality and quantity of research output in India. The initial allocation of Rs 50,000 crore over five years for the NRF does not represent a substantial increase but is expected to grow as the NRF gains recognition and demonstrates progress.

What are the Initiatives to Foster R&D and Innovation in India?

• Sign Language AstroLab
• Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)- National Physical Laboratory
• One Week - One Lab
• Science and Heritage Research Initiative
• Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST)
• National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations
• Mission on Advanced and High-Impact Research

Way Forward

• The establishment of the NRF in India holds immense potential to revolutionize the scientific research landscape. By broadening research participation, including social sciences, focusing on national priorities, and increasing funding, the NRF can address critical challenges, enhance research output, and foster innovation.
• With the NRF's effective implementation, India's scientific research ecosystem is poised for significant improvement, leading to transformative outcomes for the nation.

Source: PIB

Feminist Approach to International Relations

For Prelims: World War 2, Cold War

For Mains: Feminist Approaches to International Relations.

Why in News?

After World War 2, the changing global order witnessed the rise of non-state actors, ethnic tensions, and the Cold War. This necessitated alternative approaches to International Relations (IR), including the Feminist Perspective that views the international arena through a gendered lens.

What is the Origin of Feminist Perspective of International Relations?

• Positivists and Post-Positivists:
  • The feminist perspective in IR emerged from the "Third Debate" between positivists and post-positivist scholars in the 1980s.
    • Positivists believed that IR is a value-neutral field with definitions and structures such as anarchy and nation state are fixed.
    • Post-positivists challenged this view and called for critical analysis, pluralism, and diversity in IR (which till then was dominated by realist and liberal perspectives).

Note:

• Realists believe the international arena is in a state of anarchy (there is no overarching sovereign power to govern nation states and tell them what to do).
  • Therefore, states are constantly involved in ‘power politics’, trying to safeguard their own interests and security.
• Liberal scholars on the other hand prioritize cooperation. While they agree on the premise of the global order being anarchic, they contend that instead of power, nation states actively seek alliances in order to safeguard their interests.

• Feminists:
  • Feminist challenged the masculine assumption of human nature inherent in these perspectives, arguing that it neglected social reproduction and development as integral aspects of human nature.
  • They view the global order as a socially constructed hierarchy that perpetuated gender subordination.
  • Feminist criticize the marginalization of women's experiences in war, conflict, and diplomacy. They argued that women's voices, knowledge, perspectives, and experiences were often overlooked or subsumed under a male-centric "universal" experience.

How has Women’s Participation in Discussing War and Conflicts been?

• In international conflict, women are often portrayed as vulnerable and in need of protection, but this perspective has marginalized them from participating in discussions and processes of war.
• There is a masculinisation of the sphere of war and conflict, where women are made completely invisible in spite of their active role during war and conflicts such as taking care of wounded persons and becoming prostitutes to support their war torn families.
• Even within the discourse of protection, the exclusive targeting of women through rape and sexual violence is seen as an effect of war and not as a key military strategy used by nations for ethnic cleansing and genocide.

How do Different Feminist theories contribute to the Understanding of Existing Challenges in IR?

• Liberal Feminist:
  • While liberal feminist theory does not fundamentally challenge the traditional ideas of IR, it questions the content. Liberal feminists look on the role of the gender gap in global politics and the disproportionate effect of war on women in the form of sexual violence and trafficking.
  • They call for more female participation in high-level politics and contend that the presence of more women leaders would facilitate peaceful and humanitarian policies.
• Constructivist Feminist:
  • Constructivist feminist theory looks at how gendered identities play a role in global politics. It looks at gender as the core component which influences structures and personal relationships.
    • It places emphasis on the idea of gender and how it upholds unequal global material conditions.
  • While liberal feminism focuses on achieving formal equality and individual rights for women within existing structures, constructivist feminism examines how gender is socially constructed and seeks to transform societal norms and power relations for true equality.
• Feminist Post Structuralist:
  • A feminist post structuralist approach talks about binary linguistic oppositions in IR like order/anarchy, developed/underdeveloped, national/international etc, which perpetuate and seek to empower the masculine over the feminine.
  • They are highly critical of the assertion that more women in high-level diplomatic positions would lead to pacifist policies as it seeks to further essentialise and reinforce certain characteristics as feminine.
• Postcolonial Feminist:
  • It seeks to challenge the assumption of universality of women’s experience across regions and cultures.
  • It is especially critical of liberal feminists’ approach of looking at women in the Global South as powerless, lacking agency and helpless or as one homogenous category.

How is the Feminist Approach to IR Relevant in Present Times?

• Gender Inequality:
  • The feminist approach highlights the need to address gender disparities and challenges traditional power structures that perpetuate inequality.
  • It sheds light on how gender shapes global politics, including issues related to security, development, and human rights.
• Peace and Security:
  • Feminist scholars and activists have challenged traditional notions of security and broadened the concept to include human security, which encompasses the well-being and rights of individuals and communities.
  • They have highlighted the disproportionate impact of conflicts on women, advocated for women's inclusion in peace processes, and emphasized the importance of addressing gender-based violence as a security issue.
• Global Governance:
  • The feminist approach to IR challenges the male-centric nature of global governance and institutions.
  • It calls for greater gender equality in decision-making bodies and promotes the inclusion of women's perspectives and voices in shaping global policies and agendas.
  • It also pushes for the recognition of care work and the redistribution of resources and power in more equitable ways.
• Transnational Feminism:
  • The feminist approach to IR recognizes the importance of transnational feminist networks and movements. It acknowledges the interconnectedness of women's struggles globally and the need for collective action to address common challenges.
  • It highlights the significance of cross-border solidarity and cooperation in promoting gender equality and social justice.

Conclusion

• While feminist IR theories have gained traction, they still remain marginal within the discipline. With environmental policies and non-state actors playing an even bigger role in the global arena, feminist theories have much potential in analysing and offering real world solutions.

Source: TH

Tam Pà Ling Cave

Why in News?

Tam Pà Ling Cave in the Annamite Mountain range in Northern Laos has recently provided groundbreaking insights into the timeline of human arrival in Southeast Asia.

• Tam Pà Ling Cave features a sloping structure formed by periodic slope wash deposition.

What are the Key Findings in Tam Pa Ling Cave?

• Prolonged Human Presence: The excavation revealed evidence suggesting that humans have inhabited the vicinity of Tam Pà Ling Cave for approximately 56,000 years, challenging previous assumptions.
• Steady Sediment Accumulation: Contrary to earlier beliefs, the site's sediment layers accumulated steadily over an estimated period of 86,000 years, rather than through rapid sedimentation events.
• Arrival Timeline: The discovery of a leg bone fragment, found seven meters deep, indicates that modern humans arrived in the region between 86,000 and 68,000 years ago.
  • The evidence from Tam Pà Ling has pushed back the timing of Homo sapiens' arrival in Southeast Asia.
• Denisovan Connection: Remarkably, a tooth, estimated to be 150,000 years old, was found in the Cave, linking it to the presence of Denisovans, an extinct human relative.

Denisovans:

• Extinct Human Relatives: Denisovans represent a distinct human lineage, primarily known from remains discovered in Siberia and Tibet.
• Interbreeding and Coexistence: They lived hundreds of thousands of years ago, overlapped with Neanderthals in some regions, and interbred with early modern humans, leaving traces of their genetic heritage in present-day human populations.
• Denisovan Cave: The identification of Denisovans was made following the discovery of fragmentary finger bone and teeth dating back approximately 40,000 years, found in the Denisovan Cave in Siberia.

What are the Dating Methods Used in Tam Pà Ling Cave?

• Luminescence Dating: Utilizes light-sensitive signals in buried sediment. It relies on minerals like quartz and feldspar.
  • Quartz used to date the younger levels (top three meters of sediment).
  • Feldspar is used for dating the lower levels (four to seven meters) where quartz is limited.
• Uranium Series Dating: Measures uranium and its decay products within a tooth or other samples.
• Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) Dating: Measures the number of electrons in tooth enamel which provides numerical age for the fossil based on the accumulation of trapped electrons over time.
• Sediment Dating: Determines the age of the sediment layers themselves, providing a framework for understanding the fossils found within. It relies on techniques like luminescence dating, uranium series dating, and micromorphology analysis (examines sediments under a microscope to establish the integrity of the layers).

Source: TH

Rapid Fire Current Affairs

World Mining Congress

The India pavilion at the World Mining Congress, held recently in Brisbane, Australia, showcased the country's technological prowess in the mining, energy sector and its commitment to sustainable development practices. practices.

The World Mining Congress (WMC) is the leading international forum for the global mining and resource industries. It promotes and supports scientific and technical cooperation in the sustainable development of natural mineral and energy resources and showcases the latest innovations and best practices in the sector.

The WMC was inaugurated in 1958 by Prof. Bolesław Krupiński, a prominent Polish scientist and mining engineer. It is run by a permanent secretariat seated in Katowice, Poland and is affiliated with the United Nations. The WMC is held triennially across the world.

Read More: Mining Sector in India

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‘Report Fish Disease’ App

The Union Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Dairying has unveiled a new mobile app called 'Report Fish Disease' to help fish farmers and improve disease management in the aquaculture sector. sector.

Fish Diseases are the major constraint to the growth of the aquaculture industry. Surveillance for aquatic animal diseases is essential for early detection of diseases, thereby minimizing their impacts. Early detection of diseases is important for eradication and containment. Many cases of diseases in aquaculture go unreported due to unavailability of the field-level disease reporting mechanism.

The RFD app will help farmers report incidences of diseases in finfish, shrimps, and molluscs on their farms to field-level officers and fish health experts.

Read More: India's Fisheries Sector

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Chennai-Vladivostok Maritime Route

India and Russia are keen to make the Chennai – Vladivostok maritime route operational. The Vladivostok – Chennai route passes through the Sea of Japan, the South China Sea and Malacca Strait. During the 2019 visit, the PM of India signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) on the ‘Development of Maritime Communications between the Port of Vladivostok and the Port of Chennai’ with the Russian President.

The route will bring down transport time to 10-12 days, almost a third of what is taken under the existing popular route that covers from St Petersburg to Mumbai. At the same time, costs are expected to come down significantly by 30%.

It would also give India access to the Far East, including countries like Mongolia, and a significant presence in the Southeast Asian region.

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Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

Debrigarh, a wildlife sanctuary in Odisha’s Bargarh district, has been made completely free from any human settlement. As per the State Forest and Environment department, Debrigarh Sanctuary, which is proposed to be a tiger reserve, has high prey base.

The sanctuary is habitat of animals such as Indian Bison’s, Wild Boars, Sambhar and Peacocks. The four-horned antelope (Chousingha) which is listed as vulnerable in IUCN red list also inhabits this sanctuary.

The Hirakud Reservoir, which is a Ramsar Site and International Bird Area, is also located next to the sanctuary.

The sanctuary also finds a special mention because of noted freedom fighter Veer Surendra Sai who made his base at ‘Barapathara’ located within the sanctuary during his rebellion against the British.

Read More: Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Odisha