Kunming-Montreal GBF Implications for India's Indigenous Tribes

Source: TH

Why in News?

A recent symposium organised by the University of Arizona highlighted concerns about the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and its potential impact, particularly on India's indigenous tribes.

What is the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?

• About: The Kunming-Montreal GBF was adopted during the 15^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022.
  • It aims to support the achievement of sustainable development goals and build on previous strategic plans.
  • The framework sets four goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030, covering planning, monitoring, reporting, finance, and capacity development.
    • Target 3 of the GBF aims to increase protected areas to at least 30% of the world’s terrestrial area by 2030, compared to the current 16%.
  • All parties (including India) are committed to setting national targets to implement the GBF.

• India's Progress:
  • Target 3 - 30x30: India reports bringing 22% of its terrestrial area and 5% of marine and coastal areas under the Protected Area Network.
    • While India shows progress in expanding protected areas, concerns arise over legal definitions and diversions of these areas for non-conservation purposes.
    • India's Forest (Conservation) Amendment Act of 2023 expanded the definition of forest activities to include commercial ventures such as zoos and ecotourism, reflecting a commitment to sustainable development.
      • However, the Supreme Court has issued directives that require any proposal for establishing zoos and safaris within forest areas(excluding protected areas) to receive prior approval from the court.
  • Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs): India identifies 14 categories of OECMs, including citizen-led initiatives, but the voluntary nature of their declaration raises questions about legal protection.

What Could be the Implication of Forest Expansion on India's Indigenous Tribes?

• Implication: Forest Expansion under GBF targets may restrict traditional land use practices and livelihoods of indigenous communities relying on natural resources, leading to increased poverty and food insecurity among indigenous populations.
  • About 84% of India’s national parks were established in areas inhabited by the indigenous peoples and meeting the GBF targets will threaten their existence.
• Related Recent Instances: Upgrading initiatives such as the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajasthan to a tiger reserve could displace 162 tribal villages.
  • Expansion plans for the Nauradehi Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh may affect 62 predominantly tribal villages.
  • The notification for the Barak Bhuban Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam poses risks to Khasis, Dimasas, and other indigenous groups.

How India can Utilise Indigenous Tribes in Biodiversity Conservation?

• Preserving Cultural Heritage through Ecotourism: Supporting ecotourism initiatives led by indigenous communities, fostering cultural preservation and generating income.
  • A standout example is the Wayanad tribal heritage villages in Kerala, where community-led eco-tourism projects have not only boosted income but also safeguarded wildlife and empowered local communities.
• Integrating Traditional and Professional Knowledge: Government can leverage traditional knowledge of indigenous tribes like the Khasi and Jaintia tribes of Meghalaya have a rich tradition of protecting "sacred groves( areas of natural vegetation that are preserved through local taboos and sanctions)."
  • Integrating this knowledge with scientific surveys by institutions like the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) can create comprehensive conservation plans.
• Promoting Co-Management Models: Expanding co-management models like the West Bengal Joint Forest Management (JFM) program where indigenous communities work alongside forest departments to manage protected areas. This leverages their knowledge and fosters a sense of ownership.

Way Forward

• Free, Prior, and Informed Consent: The Indian government uphold Upholding Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) which is a mandatory requirement before establishing protected areas on tribal lands under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act,1996 .
• Social Impact Assessment: Conducting social impact assessments to understand the potential impact of protected area expansion on existing livelihoods.
  • Following the example of Namibia's Communal Conservancy program, co-management models can be established for protected areas.
  • These models grant indigenous communities a stake in wildlife management, incentivizing sustainable practices.
• Aligning Policies with International Standards: India must align its national policies with United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) principles ensuring that indigenous rights and knowledge systems are respected along with sincere conservation efforts.

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Assess the potential threats posed by Kunming-Montreal GBF Implications for India's Indigenous Tribes.

Solar Waste Management

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, a report titled 'Enabling a Circular Economy in India’s Solar Industry – Assessing the Solar Waste Quantum' shed light on India's escalating solar waste crisis.

• The study was conducted by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) in collaboration with experts from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (a leading not-for-profit policy research institution in Asia)

What are the Key Highlights of the Report?

• Solar Waste Projection: The current solar capacity of India, as of FY23, has generated about 100 kilotonnes (kt) of cumulative waste, which will increase to 340 kt by 2030.
  • This volume will increase 32 times by 2050 resulting in about 19000 kt of cumulative waste.
  • 77% of the cumulative waste generated by 2050 will be due to new capacities.
• State-wise Contribution: Around 67% of the projected waste by 2030 is expected to be produced by five states: Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
  • Rajasthan will account for 24% of the waste generated by 2030, followed by Gujarat accounting for 16%, and Karnataka accounting for 12%.
• Critical Minerals Content: Discarded solar modules contain critical minerals essential for India's economic development and national security, including silicon, copper, tellurium, and cadmium.
  • The projected 340 kt of waste by 2030 is estimated to comprise 10 kt of silicon, 12-18 tonnes of silver, and 16 tonnes of cadmium and tellurium.
• Recommendations:
  • The MNRE should maintain and periodically update a database of the installed solar capacity (containing details such as module technology, manufacturer, commissioning date, etc.) for accurate mapping of plausible waste generation centres.
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change should issue guidelines for collecting and storing solar waste.
    • Furthermore, it should promote the safe and efficient processing of stored waste.
  • Solar cell and module producers should start developing waste collection and storage centres to adhere to the responsibilities assigned in the Electronic Waste Management Rules 2022.

What is Solar Waste?

• About: Solar waste is any waste generated during the manufacturing of solar modules, or discarded modules and scrap from manufacturing processes.
  • Modules are discarded at the end of their functional life or due to damages from transportation, handling, and installation.
  • Improper handling and landfilling of solar waste should be avoided. Proper treatment is necessary to reclaim valuable minerals and prevent the leaching of toxic materials like lead and cadmium.
• Potential Recyclability of Solar Waste: Approximately 80% of solar panel components, including glass and metal frames, are recyclable, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
  • Solar waste can be recycled to recover materials like glass, aluminium, copper, silicon and silver.
  • Recycling can be broadly categorised into mechanical, thermal and chemical processes.
    • Each process helps in the recovery of specific minerals of varying purity grades.
• Challenges of Solar Waste Recycling in India:
  • Lack of Policy Framework: The absence of specific comprehensive laws governing solar waste management hinders the establishment of standardised recycling practices and may contribute to inconsistent recycling efforts.
  • Complex Composition & Difficulty in Separation: Solar panels contain various materials like silicon, glass, aluminium, and toxic elements like lead and cadmium.
    • Separating these components for effective recycling requires specialised technology, which is often expensive and not widely available in India.
  • Informal Sector Involvement: A large portion of solar waste ends up with informal recyclers who lack proper safety measures and often resort to environmentally harmful practices.
  • Limited Market for Recycled Materials: In India, lack of adequate demand for materials such as silicon wafers or glass cullet from recycled panels undermines the economic feasibility of recycling efforts.

How can India Manage Solar Waste Effectively ?

• Stringent Regulatory Framework: India can create a comprehensive regulatory framework to guide collection, recycling, and material-specific recovery targets for solar waste.
  • The framework can also encourage incentives like green certificates to encourage recycling and mineral recovery.
  • It should also include developing and implementing comprehensive policies to promote circular economy principles within the solar industry, encouraging resource efficiency, recycling, and reuse.
• Formalisation of Informal Recyclers: Integrating informal recyclers into the formal system through training programs and providing them with proper equipment. This ensures safe, environmentally sound practices and also provides them a secured employment.
• Solar Panel Refurbishment and Second Life: . By establishing dedicated refurbishment facilities, India can clean, repair, and retest slightly damaged panels, diverting them from the waste stream and providing affordable options for consumers.
• Solar-waste Entrepreneurship: Encouraging and incentivising green innovators to design and prototype new sustainable products using recycled solar materials, thereby fostering creativity and effective utilisation.

Drishti Mains Question: Assess the consequences of limited recycling infrastructure on India's renewable energy objectives and sustainable development goals especially considering the increasing amount of solar waste.

UP Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004

Source: IE

Why in News?

The Allahabad High Court (HC) has struck down the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004, as unconstitutional.

What is the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004?

• Overview of the Act:
  • The Act aimed to regulate and govern the functioning of madrasas (Islamic educational institutions) in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
    • It provided a framework for the establishment, recognition, curriculum, and administration of madrasas across Uttar Pradesh.
    • Under this Act, the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education was established to oversee and supervise the activities of madrasas in the state.
• Concerns Regarding the Act:
  • Constitutional Violation:
    • The act has been deemed unconstitutional by the Allahabad HC, as it promotes education segregated along religious lines, contradicting the principle of secularism enshrined in the Indian Constitution and fundamental rights.
    • The Act's provisions were criticised for failing to ensure quality compulsory education up to the age of 14 years, as mandated by Article 21 A of the Constitution.
    • Concerns were raised regarding the exclusion of madrasas from the Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009 potentially depriving students of universal and quality school education.
  • Limited Curriculum:
    • Upon examination of madrasa syllabi, the court noted a curriculum heavily focused on Islamic studies, with limited emphasis on modern subjects.
    • Students were required to study Islam and its doctrines to progress, with modern subjects often included as optional or offered minimally.
  • Conflict with Higher Education Standards:
    • The Act was deemed to conflict with Section 22 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956, raising questions about its compatibility with higher education standards.
• High Court Ruling:
  • The Allahabad HC declared the Uttar Pradesh Board of Madarsa Education Act, 2004 unconstitutional due to violations of secular principles and fundamental rights.
    • It directed the state government to accommodate madrasa students in recognised regular schools and raised concerns about the limited curriculum focused on Islamic studies.
  • The ruling highlighted potential adverse effects on students' access to quality education and prompted legal arguments regarding constitutional violations.

What are the Constitutional Provisions Regarding Education in India?

Provisions	Article
The State shall endeavour to provide early childhood care and education for all children until they complete the age of six years	Article 45
The 86th Constitutional Amendment Act of 2002, provided the Right to Education as a fundamental right in Part III of the Constitution and made education a fundamental right for children between the ages of six and fourteen.	Article 21A
Promotion of education and economic interests of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and other weaker sections of the people.	Article 46
Freedom to attend religious education in certain educational institutions established under an endowment or trust and administered by the state.	Article 28
Education of minorities, protection of interests of minorities	Article 29
Right of minorities to establish and administer educational institutions	Article 30
Parents and guardians must provide educational opportunities for their children between the ages of 6 and 14.	Article 51A(k)

What are the Initiatives Related to Education?

• Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)
• Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan.
• Rashtriya Uchhattar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA)
• National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning.
• PRAGYATA
• Mid-Day Meal Scheme
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
• PM SHRI Schools

Drishti Mains Question: Q. Analyse the challenges arising from the design and implementation of government policies in the education sector.

Kallakkadal

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, hundreds of houses have been flooded in several coastal areas of Kerala due to high sea waves named Kallakkadal.

• Lakshadweep and Tamil Nadu coast are other areas often affected by Kallakkadal.

What is Kallakkadal?

• About:
  • Kallakkadal refers to coastal flooding caused by swell waves during the pre-monsoon season (April-May) and sometimes during post monsoon along the southwest coast of India.
  • The term Kallakkadal, used by local fishermen, is a combination of two Malayalam words, including Kallan and Kadal. “Kallan means thief and Kadal means sea, meaning “ocean that arrives as a thief.
• Causes:
  • It is caused by waves formed by ocean swells, which originate from distant storms such as hurricanes or prolonged periods of intense gale winds (usually in the southern part of the Indian Ocean).
  • These storms transfer significant energy from the air into the water, resulting in the formation of extremely high waves.
    • These waves can travel vast distances from the storm center until they reach the shoreline.
  • Kallakkadal occurs without precursors or any kind of local wind activity and as a result, it has been very difficult for the coastal population to get an advance warning.
  • However, early warning systems like the Swell Surge Forecast System —launched by the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in 2020 gives forewarning seven days in advance.

Why is Kallakkadal Different from Tsunami?

• Kallakkadal came under the spotlight after the 2004 tsunami and is often mistaken for a tsunami. However, a tsunami is a series of enormous waves created by an underwater disturbance, usually associated with earthquakes occurring below or near the ocean.
  • Ocean waves (like Kallakkadal) have a wavelength of only 30 or 40 meters, tsunamis have a very long wavelength often hundreds of kilometers long.

Hurun Global Rich List, 2024

Source: IE

Why in News?

Recently, the Hurun Global Rich List, 2024 is released by the Hurun Research Institute. This is the 13^th year of the ranking.

What are the Key findings of Hurun Global Rich List, 2024?

• According to the List, Mumbai became the fastest-growing billionaire capital in the world with 92 billionaires, adding 26 since the previous year, taking it third in the world.
  • Mumbai has now surpassed Beijing as Asia's billionaire capital.
• India witnessed the addition of 94 new billionaires in 2023, second only to the US, bringing the total to 271 individuals with a net worth of at least USD 1 billion.
  • The report indicates India's growing economic prominence in the recent past.
• Collectively, these Indian billionaires possess wealth amounting to USD 1 trillion, constituting 7% of the total global billionaire wealth, underscoring India's significant economic impact.
• The prominent industries among India's billionaires are pharmaceuticals with 39 individuals, followed by automobile & auto components with 27, and chemicals with 24 individuals.

Read More: Inclusive Growth

Islamic State-Khorasan

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, a terror attack at Moscow's Crocus City Hall claimed over 137 lives, reigniting concerns about the resurgence of the Islamic State (IS) and its growing terror capabilities.

• Experts believe the attack was likely carried out by IS Khorasan (IS-K), the group's Afghanistan-Pakistan branch.

What is the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K)?

• IS-K:
  • IS-K, the Afghanistan-based arm of the IS, has been responsible for recent attacks, including the twin bombings in Kerman, Iran.
  • Established in Afghanistan's Nangarhar province in 2015, IS-K comprises Central Asian militants and has gained prominence since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021.
  • IS-K targets Afghanistan's Shia minority and seeks to recruit radicalised youths from Central Asia and Afghanistan's Tajik and Uzbek minorities.
  • IS-K utilises anti-Russian and anti-Iranian propaganda to recruit among Central Asians, Afghans, and Pakistanis.
    • Geopolitical instability in Afghanistan and parts of West Asia provides fertile ground for IS-K to regroup and launch attacks.
• Security Challenges for Russia:
  • Russia, hosting thousands of Central Asian migrant labourers, faces a serious security challenge due to IS-K's activities.
  • Russia faces pressure to enhance security measures and address the root causes fueling IS-K's resurgence.

Bima Sugam

Source:ET

Recently, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has approved the setting up of Bima Sugam — an online insurance marketplace (like an e-commerce platform) for buying, selling, and servicing insurance policies as well as settling claims.

• It will onboard all the companies that offer life and non-life insurance products under one roof.
• Bima Sugam will serve as a unified platform, integrating with government databases, insurers, intermediaries, and insurance repositories.
• It will fetch customer details, provide product information, and facilitate the purchase and servicing of insurance policies.
• Acting as a single interface, it will cater to customers, intermediaries, and agents, enabling them to connect and transact across various insurers (life, health, non-life).
• Bnefits for Customers:
  • Insurance policies are available in electronic format, reducing reliance on physical documents.
  • Bima Sugam aims to make life insurance more affordable by streamlining processes and reducing administrative costs.

Read More: Bima Sugam

India’s First Commercial Crude Oil Storage

Source: TH 

India aims to construct its first commercial crude oil strategic storage to bolster reserves as a precaution against potential supply interruptions. 

• Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL) has  invited bids for building 2.5 million tonnes of underground storage at Padur in Karnataka. 
• Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) Programme: 

Phase	Location	Status
Phase I	Visakhapatnam	Filled (Strategic in nature)
Phase I	Mangaluru	Filled (Strategic in nature)
Phase I	Padur	Filled (Strategic in nature)
Phase II	Chandikhol	Approved (PPP basis)
Phase II	Padur	Approved (PPP basis)

• Crude oil storages on India's East and West coasts are constructed in underground rock caverns, known as the safest means for storing hydrocarbons. 
• Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL): 
  • ISPRL, a subsidiary of the Oil Industry Development Board (OIDB) under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, manages Strategic Crude Oil Storage facilities, with Engineers India Limited (EIL) as the Project Management Consultant, overseeing storage operations and coordinating stock release during supply disruptions through a Government Empowered Committee. 

Read more: India's Strategic Petroleum Reserves 

Tornado

Source: DTE

Recently, a deadly tornado struck Mainaguri in Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal, killing five and injuring over a hundred, highlighting the increasing frequency of tornadoes in India.

• Tornado:
  • A tornado is a rotating column of air that forms from a thunderstorm and touches the ground, while over the sea it is known as a waterspout.
    • Any collision of warm, moist air with dry, cool air in the presence of a low-pressure system like a trough causes thunderstorms and tornadoes.
  • Tornadoes can feature wind speeds ranging from 105 to 322 km/h, with the system potentially being stationary or moving at approximately 97 km/h.
• Tornadoes generally occur in middle latitudes.
  • They are most common in the United States, Argentina, and Bangladesh.
• Extreme storms, rare in India, mostly occur in the eastern states of West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand during the pre-monsoon period, with some evidence of them also forming in northwest India.
• In India, there is no official monitoring of tornadoes though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) recorded the recent West Bengal tornado.

Read more: Cyclone

Negative Leap Second

Source: IE

A recent study shows that Climate change is causing glaciers and ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica to melt at an accelerating rate, redistributing weight across the planet and slightly slowing down the Earth's rotation on its axis.

• The Earth has been spinning slightly faster than normal for a few decades.
• Timekeepers have added an extra "leap second" to clocks worldwide to adjust for this increase in speed of Earth’s rotation – they have done this 27 times since the 1970s.
  • The plan was to remove this leap second for the first time in 2026, a change they called the "Negative leap second.".
• According to the recent study, the accelerating melt of ice from Antarctica and Greenland has acted like a brake, slowing the rotation back down, and potentially delaying the need for a "negative leap second" adjustment until 2029 or later.

Read More: IPCC Reports and Equity in Climate Change Mitigation