PM-PRANAM Scheme and Increased FRP

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.

Source: TH

Green Credit Programme

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.

Source: DTE

Mahalanobis's Approach: Addressing 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 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. 

Source: TH  

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.

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

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).

• 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.

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