Naga Ceasefire Agreements Extended

Why in News?

Recently, the centre has extended the ceasefire agreements between the Central government and three Naga groups by a year which was signed on 19th April 2022.

What are the Naga Ceasefire Agreements?

• The Naga groups include National Socialist Council of Nagaland-NK (NSCN-NK), National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Reformation (NSCN-R) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-K-Khango (NSCN-K-Khango).
  • All these groups are breakaway factions of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) and National Socialist Council of Nagaland-Khaplang (NSCN-K).
• This agreement is a significant boost to the Naga peace process and in line with Prime Minister of India's vision of 'insurgency free, prosperous North East'.
• In September 2021, the Centre had entered into a one-year ceasefire agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (K) Niki Group.
• The Centre had earlier signed a “Framework Agreement” with the NSCN (IM) in August 2015.

What is the Naga Peace Process?

• After India became independent in 1947, the Naga territory initially remained a part of Assam.
• In 1957, after an agreement was reached between Naga leaders and the Indian government, the Naga Hills region of Assam and the Tuensang frontier division to the northeast were brought together under a single unit directly administered by the Indian government.
• Nagaland achieved statehood in 1963, however, rebel activity continued.

What is the Vision of Insurgency Free, Prosperous North East?

• Recognises that the North East is very important for the country from the aspects of security.
• Thus, the aim is to end all disputes in the Northeast by 2022 and usher in a new era of peace and development in the Northeast in 2023.
• Under this, the Government is enriching the dignity, culture, language, literature and music of the Northeast.
• Over the years, the government has also signed several peace agreements with military outfits in northeast India. For example,
  • Karbi Anglong Agreement, 2021: It involved a tripartite agreement signed among five insurgent groups of Assam, the Centre and the state government of Assam.
  • Bru Accord, 2020: Under the Bru accord, the permanent settlement of 6959 Bru families in Tripura with a financial package has been agreed between the Government of India, Tripura and Mizoram with representatives of Bru migrants.
  • Bodo Peace Accord, 2020: In 2020, the Government of India, Government of Assam and representatives of Bodo groups signed an agreement, wherein more autonomy is provided to Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), in Assam.
  • Peace agreement with various military outfits which are involved in Naga Insurgency like NSCN(NK), NSCN(R), and NSCN(K)-Khango, NSCN(IM).

What is the Status of Conflicts in Northeast India?

• National Conflicts: Involving the concept of a distinct ‘homeland’ as a separate nation.
  • Nagaland: Naga insurgency originated from the demand of independence.
    • Although the demand for independence has majorly subsided, the lingering issue of a final political settlement including the demand for ‘greater Nagaland’ or ‘Nagalim’ remains.
• Ethnic Conflicts: Involving assertion of numerically smaller and less dominant tribal groups against the political and cultural hold of the dominant tribal group.
  • Tripura: The State’s demographic profile has been altered since 1947 when mass migrations from the newly emerged East Pakistan converted it from a largely tribal area to one with a majority of Bengali speaking people.
    • Tribals were deprived of their agricultural lands at throw-away prices and driven to the forests.
    • The resultant tensions caused major violence and widespread terror.
• Sub-regional Conflicts: Involving movements which ask for recognition of sub-regional aspirations and often come in direct conflict with the State Governments or even the autonomous Councils.
  • Mizoram: The State with its history of violent insurgency and its subsequent return to peace is an example to all other violence affected States.
    • Following an ‘Mizo Peace accord’ between the Union Government and the Mizo National Front in 1986 and conferment of statehood the next year, complete peace and harmony prevails in Mizoram.
  • Further, the boundary issue between Assam and Mizoram has existed since the formation of Mizoram.
• Other Reasons: Sponsored terrorism, conflicts generated as a result of continuous inflow of migrants from across the borders, criminal enterprise aimed at expanding and consolidating control over critical economic resources, have also result into clashes.
  • Assam: The major ethnic conflict in the State is the grievance against the perceived influx of ‘foreigners’ i.e. people with a language and culture substantially different from the Assamese from across the border (i.e. Bangladesh).
    • The recent tension in Assam emanates from the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 and National Register of Citizens debate.

What are the Different Modes of Conflict Resolution?

• Strengthening security forces/ ‘police action’.
• More local autonomy through mechanisms such as conferment of Statehood, the Sixth Schedule, Special Provisions under PART XXI of the Constitution.
• Negotiations with insurgent outfits.
• Development activities including special economic packages.

Source: TH

Front of Package Labelling (FOPL) System

Why in News?

Recently, 40 global health experts claimed that the “health star rating” system that the Food Safety Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) plans to adopt to help consumers reduce their intake of unhealthy foods is “not evidence-based” and has failed to alter buyer behavior.

• FSSAI is an autonomous statutory body established under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 (FSS Act).

What is the Background?

• In India, Front of Package Labelling (FOPL) was first recommended in 2014 by an expert committee constituted by FSSAI in 2013.
• In 2019, the FSSAI issued draft notification Food Safety Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations.
  • The draft mandates colour-coded labels on food items.
• In 2019 December, the FSSAI delinked FOPL from general labelling regulations.
• On 15^th February 2022 the FSSAI decided to adopt the “health-star rating system” in its draft regulations for Front of Package Labelling (FOPL).

What is Health Star Rating (HSR) System?

• Health-star rating system gives a product 1/2 a star to 5 stars.
• The HSR format ranks a packaged food item based on salt, sugar, and fat content and the rating will be printed on the front of the package.
• The rating will be the first such in India, a country burdened with lifestyle diseases, and is aimed at guiding consumers to opt for healthy food.

What is a Front-of-Pack (FoP) Labelling System?

• FoP labelling system has long been listed as one of the global best practices to nudge consumers into healthy food choices.
  • It works just the way cigarette packets are labelled with images to discourage consumption.
• As India is experiencing a dietary shift, with people increasingly consuming more processed and ultra-processed foods and a burgeoning market, these factors prompt the need for FoP labelling for India.
  • It will play a handy role in fighting increasing obesity and many non-communicable diseases.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) defines FoP labels as nutrition labelling systems that are presented on the front of food packages in the principal field of vision, and present simple, often graphic information on the nutrient content or nutritional quality of products.
  • To complement the more detailed nutrient declarations provided on the back of food packages.
• The Codex Alimentarius Commission mentions that “FoP labelling is designed to assist in interpreting nutrient declarations”.

What is the Need for Health Rating System for Food?

• Save Healthcare Costs:
  • Most of the countries have started to reap the benefits from positive consumer behaviour since the implementation of the FoPL.
  • It has helped those governments to save money from direct and indirect healthcare costs.
    • Chile and Brazil are among the countries that have adopted 'high-in' warning labels upfront on their food packs, which has succeeded in reducing consumption of unhealthy ultra-processed foods and beverages.
• To Promote a Healthier Lifestyle:
  • In India, front-of-package warning labelling is a major component of a comprehensive strategy to promote a healthier lifestyle, as they enable consumers to identify products high in sugar, sodium, saturated fats, trans fats, and total fats, which are critical nutrients associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

What are the Related Concerns?

• Masking of Positive Nutrients: Most consumer organisations objected as ‘positive nutrients’ will mask the negative impact of high fat, salt and sugar in the food and the industry will use it to mislead the consumer.
• Restricted Target Audience: The labelling format appears to be aimed only at individuals who are literate and nutritionally aware.
  • Further, limited general and nutrition literacy mean understanding of the text-intensive nutrient information is difficult.
• Can Confuse Consumers: HSR system can lead to a “health halo”, which can confuse consumers as stars can be interpreted as an endorsement of a product.

Way Forward

• More Focus on Pictorial Representation:
  • Almost a quarter of the Indian population is illiterate, therefore pictorial representation would allow better engagement and understanding.
  • It might be beneficial for front-of-pack labelling in India to be symbol based, with food images, logos, and health benefits.
• Need for More R&D:
  • Mandatory front of pack labelling must be preceded by strong research and in a format that is understandable and acceptable to all.
• Should be based on Science and Public Health Interest:
  • The decision to choose a label should be kept free from commercial interest to avoid any conflicts of interest.
  • The choice of the label should be based on science and public health interest must be at the centre of debate.

Source: BS

Seaweed Farming

Why in News?

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will set up a seaweed park in Tamil Nadu to improve the livelihood of fishermen.

• Tamil Nadu has been requested to set aside space for a Special Economic Zone for seaweed farming.
• In 2021, the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) had launched a Seaweed Mission.

What is Seaweed?

• About:
  • They are the primitive, marine non-flowering marine algae without root, stem and leaves, play a major role in marine ecosystems.
  • Large seaweeds form dense underwater forests known as kelp forests, which act as underwater nurseries for fish, snails and sea urchins.
  • Some species of seaweeds viz. Gelidiella acerosa, Gracilaria edulis, Gracilaria crassa, Gracilaria verrucosa, Sargassum spp. and Turbinaria spp.
• Benefits:
  • For Nutrition:
    • Seaweed is a source of vitamins, minerals, and fiber, and can be tasty.
  • For Medicinal Purpose:
    • Many seaweeds contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents. Their known medicinal effects have been legion for thousands of years.
    • Certain seaweeds possess powerful cancer-fighting agents that researchers hope will eventually prove effective in the treatment of malignant tumors and leukemia in people.
  • For Economic Growth:
    • Seaweed has also contributed to economic growth. Among their many uses in manufacturing, they are effective binding agents (emulsifiers) in such commercial goods as toothpaste and fruit jelly, and popular softeners (emollients) in organic cosmetics and skin-care products.
  • Bioindicator:
    • When waste from agriculture, industries, aquaculture and households are let into the ocean, it causes nutrient imbalance leading to algal blooming, the sign of marine chemical damage. Seaweeds absorb the excess nutrients and balance out the ecosystem.
  • Iron Sequestrator:
    • These aquatic organisms heavily rely on iron for photosynthesis. When the quantity of this mineral exceeds healthy levels and becomes dangerous to marine life, seaweeds trap it and prevent damage. Similarly, most heavy metals found in marine ecosystems are trapped and removed by seaweeds.
  • Oxygen and Nutrient Supplier:
    • On their part, the seaweeds derive nutrition through photosynthesis of sunlight and nutrients present in seawater. They release oxygen through every part of their bodies. They also supply organic nutrients to other marine life forms.

What is Seaweed Farming and its Significance?

• Seaweed Farming:
  • It is the practice of cultivating and harvesting seaweed.
  • In its simplest form, it consists of the management of naturally found batches.
  • In its most advanced form, it consists of fully controlling the life cycle of the algae.
  • Seaweeds are abundant along the Tamil Nadu and Gujarat coasts and around Lakshadweep and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Significance:
  • By an estimate, if seaweed cultivation is done in 10 million hectares or 5% of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) area of India, it can
    • Provide employment to 50 million people.
    • Set up a new seaweed industry.
    • Contribute to national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
    • Enhance ocean productivity.
    • Abate algal blooms.
    • Sequester millions of tons CO₂.
    • Could produce bioethanol of 6.6 billion litres.

Source: PIB

Blue Blob

Why in News?

According to a recent Research, a region of cooling water in the North Atlantic Ocean near Iceland, nicknamed the "Blue blob" may have helped temporarily stall the melting of Arctic sea ice.

• However, the study has also stated that the effects of climate change will catch up to the massive ice chunks if temperatures are not kept in check.

What is Blue Blob and its role in Slowing Down of Glacier Melting?

• It is a cold patch located south of Iceland and Greenland and little is known about it.
• The cold patch was most prominent during the winter of 2014-2015 when the sea surface temperature was about 1.4 degrees Celsius colder than normal.
• The Arctic region is reportedly warming four times faster than the global average and Iceland’s glaciers steadily shrank from 1995 to 2010, losing an average of 11 billion tons of ice per year.
• Starting in 2011, however, the speed of Iceland’s melting slowed, resulting in about half as much ice loss annually and the Blue Blob has been linked to cooler air temperatures over Iceland's glaciers and cooler waters.
  • This trend was not seen in nearby, larger glaciers across Greenland and Svalbard.
• Before the Blue Blob, a long-term cooling trend in the same region, called the Atlantic Warming Hole, reduced sea surface temperatures by about 0.4 to 0.8 degrees Celsius during the last century and may continue to cool the region in the future.
  • A possible cause of the Warming Hole is a slowdown of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC).
    • AMOC is an ocean current that brings warm water up from the tropics to the Arctic, thus reducing the amount of heat delivered to the region.

What is the Arctic?

• The Arctic is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth.
• Land within the Arctic region has seasonally varying snow and ice cover.
• It consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Canada, Finland, Greenland (Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.
• Since 2013, India has had observer status in the Arctic Council, which is the predominant inter-governmental forum for cooperation on the environmental and development aspects of the Arctic.
  • The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination and interaction among the Arctic States, Arctic indigenous communities and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues, in particular on issues of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic.
  • Members of the Arctic Council: Ottawa Declaration declares Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the United States of America as a member of the Arctic Council.

What is the Relevance of Arctic for India?

• The Arctic region is significant due to the shipping routes that run through it.
• According to an analysis published by the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, the adverse effects of the Arctic are not just impacting the availability of mineral and hydrocarbon resources, but also transforming global shipping routes.
• According to the Ministry of External Affairs, India can play a constructive role in securing a stable Arctic.
• The region holds immense geopolitical importance as the Arctic is projected to be ice-free by 2050 and world powers making a beeline to exploit the region rich in natural resources.
• In March 2022, India's Arctic Policy, titled 'India and the Arctic: building a partnership for sustainable development' was unveiled.

Source: TH

Pre-Eruption Warning Signals at Volcanoes

Why in News?

Recently, new research detected pre-eruption warning signals at Whakaari White Island and other active volcanoes, majorly from New Zealand.

What is the New Research about?

• Every volcano behaves differently: some have crater lakes while others are "dry", they have diverse magmas and rise to different elevations.
• Despite these differences volcanoes such as Whakaari, Ruapehu and Tongariro in New Zealand could be driven to eruption by common processes in the shallow subsurface below their craters.
• In the new research, machine learning was used to sift through 40 years of seismic data from the New Zealand volcanoes and three others around the world, listening for frequencies that track the depth where gas, magma or water are moving or building up.
• Researchers saw one pattern repeatedly in the days before all the known Whakaari eruptions over the past decade, and most Ruapehu and Tongariro ones.
• This pattern is a slow strengthening of a quantity called Displacement Seismic Amplitude Ratio (DSAR), which peaks a few days before each event.
  • DSAR is a ratio that compares the "activity" of fluids (gas, hot water, steam) at the volcano's surface to those several hundred metres deep. When DSAR increases, surface fluids are quiet, but deep ones are still actively moving and circulating vigorously below ground.
  • Seismic waves are the waves of energy caused by earthquakes or an explosion. They are the energy that travels through the earth and is recorded on seismographs.
• This type of analysis is so new that the researchers have not had many chances to test how reliable the DSAR and other automated measures are for forecasting.

What are Whakaari and Ruapehu?

• Whakaari:
  • Whakaari/White Island is in the Bay of Plenty, 43 miles west of Cape Runaway, eastern North Island, New Zealand is an active volcano. 
  • It is the top of a submarine vent at the northern end of the Taupō-Rotorua Volcanic Zone. With a total land area of about 1,000 acres, it rises to 1,053 feet at Mount Gisborne. Scrub vegetation is common on much of the island.
  • The island was sighted and named by Capt. James Cook in 1769. It has numerous hot springs, geysers, and fumaroles, its last eruption, which took place in December 2019.
• Ruapehu:
  • Mount Ruapehu is 2800m stratovolcano in New Zealand's central North Island.
  • It is also capped by a hydrothermal system and a warm crater lake (Te Wai a Moe).
  • The volcano is forested below its line of permanent snow cover. Above the line, glaciers flow from the peak. Within the crater lies a lake, which is drained by the Whangaehu River.
  • The temperature and level of its lake is known to vary in cycles, responding to changes in gas released into its base, local weather or the occasional formation of a gas seal.
  • The lake is so large it hides the surface activity that is useful for diagnosing volcanoes like Whakaari.

Source: DTE

Central Administrative Tribunal

Why in News?

Recently, Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) conducted a special drive across all the 19 Benches of the Tribunal for disposal of cases of most vulnerable section of applicants like the senior citizens / pensioners.

What is Central Administrative Tribunal?

• About: It had been established under Article 323 - A of the Constitution.
  • It provides for adjudication of disputes and complaints with respect to recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or other authorities under the control of the Government.
• Legal Framework: In pursuance of Article 323-A, Parliament passed the Administrative Tribunals Act in 1985.
  • The act authorizes the Central government to establish one CAT and the state administrative tribunals.
  • This act opened a new chapter in the sphere of providing speedy and inexpensive justice to the aggrieved public servants.
  • CAT was set up during the Prime Ministership of Rajeev Gandhi.
• Benches: There are 19 Benches in the CAT all over India.
• Objective and Composition: The CAT is a specialist body consisting of Administrative Members and Judicial Members who by virtue of their specialized knowledge are better equipped to dispense speedy and effective justice.
  • A Chairman who has been a sitting or retired Judge of a High Court heads the CAT.
• Operating Principles: The Tribunal is guided by the principles of natural justice in deciding cases and is not bound by the procedure prescribed by the Civil Procedure Code.
  • Under Section 17 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985, the Tribunal has been conferred with the power to exercise the same jurisdiction and authority in respect of contempt of itself as a High Court.
• Independence: The conditions of service of the Chairman and Members are the same as applicable to a Judge of High Court as per the Administrative Tribunals (Amendment) Act, 2006.
• Appeals against Orders: The orders of the CAT are challenged by way of a Writ Petition under Article 226/227 of the Constitution before the respective High Court in whose territorial jurisdiction the Bench of the Tribunal is situated.

Source: PIB

Mugger Crocodile

Why in News?

Recently, the Indian Railways has delivered water to Pali district in western Rajasthan to ensure survival of Mugger Crocodile or Marsh Crocodile as the region’s water bodies have dried up due to a hot March.

What is Mugger or Marsh Crocodile?

• Scientific Name: Crocodylus palustris
• Description:
  • An egg-laying and hole-nesting species, also known to be dangerous.
• Habitat:
  • Mainly restricted to the Indian subcontinent where it may be found in a number of freshwater habitat types and also in coastal saltwater lagoons and estuaries. 
  • It is already extinct in Bhutan and Myanmar.
• Threats:
  • Habitat destruction, fragmentation, and transformation, fishing activities and use of crocodile parts for medicinal purposes.
• Protection Status:
  • IUCN List of Threatened Species: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

What are the Other Species of Crocodilian?

• Estuarine or Saltwater Crocodile:
  • Considered as the Earth’s largest living crocodile species, infamous globally as a known maneater.
  • Found in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park, the Sundarbans in West Bengal and the Andamans and Nicobar Islands.
    • Also found across Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
  • Protection Status:
    • IUCN List of Threatened Species: Least Concern
    • CITES : Appendix I (except the populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, which are included in Appendix II).
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 : Schedule I
• Gharial:
  • Sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts which resembles a pot (ghara in Hindi).
  • Mostly found in fresh waters of the himalayan rivers.
  • The Chambal river in the northern slopes of the Vindhya mountains (Madhya Pradesh) is known as the primary habitat of gharials.
  • Other himalayan rivers like Ghagra, Gandak river, Girwa river, Ramganga river and the Sone river are secondary habitats.
  • Protection Status:
    • IUCN List of Threatened Species: Critically Endangered
    • CITES: Appendix I
    • Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
  • Odisha has announced a cash award of Rs. 1,000 to conserve gharials in Mahanadi River Basin.

Source: DTE

Mysterious Liver Disease

Why in News?

Recently, some Cases of a Mysterious Liver Disease have been reported in Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands, besides the US and UK.

What is this Mysterious Disease?

• About:
  • Children between the age of 1 to 6 years old have been the target of the disease.
  • According to reports, the disease might be related to virus usually associated with colds.
  • The disease has been reported to be severe so far. Though no children died so far in the US, UK, six children needed liver transplants.
• Symptoms:
  • The symptoms are general liver diseases like hepatitis or liver inflammation but the cause remains unknown.
  • Jaundice, diarrhoea and abdominal pain has been reported.
• Probable Causes:
  • Laboratory testing has ruled out the hepatitis type A, B, C and E viruses that usually cause such illnesses. The role of international travel, if any, is not yet known.
  • Maybe a group of viruses called adenoviruses, which cause common respiratory illnesses such as the common cold.
    • Some of the European children tested positive for adenovirus, and some tested positive for Covid-19.
    • Adenoviruses are preferred for vaccines because their DNA (DeoxyRiboNucleic Acid) is double stranded which makes them genetically more stable and the chances of them changing after injection are lower.
  • As per their analyses, there could be a possible association of hepatitis with Adenovirus 41.

Source: IE