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Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme

For Prelims: Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme, Conservation, Forest Resources, Deforestation, Green Credit Program (GCP) and Ecomark Scheme

For Mains: Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme, Forest Resource, Conservation

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has launched the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS), offering voluntary third-party certification designed to promote sustainable forest management and agroforestry in the country.

What is the Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS)?

• Objective:
  • IFWCS aims to offer an alternative to private foreign certification agencies that have been operating in India. It seeks to ensure greater integrity, transparency, and credibility in certifying sustainable forest management and wood-based products.
• Certification Scope:
  • The scheme covers three main areas for certification:
    • Sustainable forest management.
    • Sustainable management of trees outside forests (like plantations).
    • Chain of custody, which guarantees the traceability of forest products throughout their supply chain, ensuring ethical sourcing and handling.
• Nodal Agencies:
  • The scheme will be overseen by the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council, which will act as a multistakeholder advisory body.
  • Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal will act as the scheme operating agency and will be responsible for overall management of the Scheme.
  • The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under the Quality Council of India will accredit the certification bodies which will carry out independent audits and assess adherence of various entities on the standards prescribed under the scheme.
• Trees Outside Forests Standard:
  • A separate Trees Outside Forests Standard is now introduced as a part of the Scheme.
    • ‘Trees outside Forests’ means trees growing outside recorded and notified forests, in farm lands of an individual farmers or group of small farmers or plantation area on private land of institutions and industries, etc. and include all trees on the hedges and bunds, trees in different models of agroforestry, silvo-pastoralism, urban and rural forestry systems and block plantations.
• Benefits:
  • The certification is expected to enhance trust and transparency in processes related to forest management and wood-based products.
  • The IFWCS can provide market incentives to various entities that adhere to responsible forest management and agroforestry practices in their operations.
  • This includes state forest departments, individual farmers, or Farmer Producer Organizations engaged in agroforestry and farm forestry, as well as other wood-based industries in the value chain.
• Global Context:
  • The launch of IFWCS aligns with global efforts to address deforestation concerns. The scheme's objective resonates with the pledge made by over 100 countries at the Glasgow climate change conference in 2021 to halt and reverse Deforestation by 2030.

What are the Other Recent Announcements Related to Forest Management?

• National Working Plan Code 2023:
  • The MoEFCC has released the “National Working Plan Code-2023” for scientific management of forests and evolving new approaches in July 2023.
    • National Working Plan Code which was first adopted in 2004 with a subsequent amendment in 2014 brought uniformity and acted as the guiding principle for the preparation of the working plan for scientific management of different forest divisions of our country.
    • The “Indian Forest Management Standard (IFMS)” which is a part of this code, takes into account the diverse forest ecosystem in our country, while trying to bring in uniformity in management.
• Green Credit Program (GCP) and Ecomark Scheme:
  • The MoEFCC under LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment’ movement), has introduced the GCP and the Ecomark Scheme in October 2023.
    • GCP is an innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across diverse sectors, by various stakeholders like individuals, communities, private sector industries. The Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) serves as the GCP Administrator, responsible for program implementation, management, monitoring, and operation.
    • Ecomark Scheme provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality standards as per Indian norms.
      • The Central Pollution Control Board administers the Ecomark Scheme in partnership with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the national body for standards and certification.

Noma as a Neglected Tropical Disease

For Prelims: Neglected Tropical disease, Cancrum oris, Gangrenous stomatitis, Noma

For Mains: Neglected Tropical Diseases, Impacts of NTDs, Initiatives for NTDs.

Source: DTE

Why in News?

Recently, World Health Organization (WHO) added noma to its list of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) underscoring the urgent need to address this health challenge and allocate resources for prevention and treatment.

• Noma, also known as cancrum oris or gangrenous stomatitis, is a severe gangrenous disease affecting children aged 3-10 in poor communities.
  • Gangrene is a dangerous and potentially fatal condition that happens when the blood flow to a large area of tissue is cut off.

What is Noma?

• About:
  • Noma, derived from the Greek "nomē" meaning "to devour," manifests as severe gangrene of the mouth and face.
  • Evidence indicates that noma is caused by bacteria found in the mouth.
  • This non contagious disease, exploits weakened defense with a mortality rate of around 90% and poses a significant threat to marginalized children in extreme poverty and malnutrition.
  • Risk factors include poor oral hygiene, malnutrition, weakened immune systems, poverty.
• Geographic Distribution and Historical Context:
  • Noma is prevalent in developing countries, especially sub-Saharan Africa, affecting poor children aged 3-10.
  • Historical records show noma was reported in concentration camps during World War II and disappeared in the Western world with economic progress, emphasizing its link to poverty.
• Consequences and Treatment Challenges:
  • Survivors face severe consequences like facial disfigurement, jaw muscle spasms, oral incontinence, and speech problems.
  • Early detection is crucial, with therapy most effective in the disease's initial stages.

What are Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs)?

• NTDs are communicable diseases in tropical regions, thriving in conditions of poverty and poor healthcare access.
• They are caused by a variety of pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa and parasitic worms.
• The term "neglected" reflects the lack of attention and resources despite significant impact on vulnerable communities.
• These diseases generally receive less funding for research and treatment than malaises like tuberculosis, HIV-AIDS and malaria.
  • Examples of NTDs are: snakebite envenomation, scabies, yaws, trachoma, Leishmaniasis and Chagas disease etc.

What is the Impact of NTDs?

• Global Scenario:
  • NTDs affect more than a billion people globally. They are preventable and treatable.
  • There are 20 NTDs that impact over 1.7 billion people worldwide.
• Indian Scenario:
  • India carries the largest burden of at least 11 of these diseases, with parasitic illnesses like kala-azar and lymphatic filariasis affecting millions of people throughout the country – often the poorest and most vulnerable.
  • India is at the cusp of eliminating Kala-Azar, with 99% Kala-Azar endemic blocks having achieved the elimination target.

What are the Initiatives for NTDs?

• Global Initiatives:
  • WHO’s New Roadmap for 2021–2030:
    • It is WHO’s blueprint to drive global efforts in the fight against NTDs in the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
    • The Blueprint recommends measuring impact and to promote disease-specific planning and programming
  • London Declaration on NTDs: It was adopted on 30th January, 2012 to recognise the global burden of NTDs.
• Indian Initiatives:
  • The Accelerated Plan for Elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis (APELF) was launched in 2018, as part of intensifying efforts towards the elimination of NTDs.
  • A WHO-supported regional alliance established by the governments of India, Bangladesh, and Nepal in 2005 to expedite early diagnosis and treatment of the most vulnerable populations and improve disease surveillance and control of sandfly populations (Kala-azar).
    • India has already eliminated several other NTDs, including guinea worm, trachoma, and yaws.
  • Preventive methods like Mass Drug Administration (MDA) rounds are periodically deployed in endemic areas during which anti-filarial medicines are provided free-of-cost to at-risk communities.
  • Vector-control measures like Indoor Residual Spraying rounds are undertaken in endemic areas to prevent sandfly breeding.
  • State and central governments have also introduced wage compensation schemes for those suffering from Kala-Azar and its sequela (a condition which is the consequence of a previous disease or injury) known as Post-Kala Azar Dermal Leishmaniasis.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Space Sector

For Prelims: Indian Space Research Organisation, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Gaganyaan, NISAR, SPADEX Experiment, Bharatiya Antariksh Station.

For Mains: Role of AI and ML in Diverse Space Applications, ISRO’s Future Endeavors

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Recently, the Government of India highlighted the substantial strides made by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) within the realm of space exploration.

• This transformation has been a strategic response to the rapid technological advancements in these domains over the past few years.
• ISRO's ongoing projects, including the Gaganyaan Program have integrated AI solutions.

How AI and ML Assist in Diverse Space Applications?

• Space Exploration and Robotics: AI-driven robots and rovers can navigate, make decisions, and explore distant planets or asteroids without constant human intervention.
  • ML helps in identifying celestial objects, terrain, and hazards in images captured by space probes or satellites.
• Satellite Operations: ML algorithms analyze satellite images to monitor changes in Earth's surface, weather patterns, and environmental changes.
  • AI helps anticipate satellite component failures by analyzing telemetry data, enhancing maintenance scheduling and reducing downtime.
• Spacecraft Systems: AI systems monitor the health of spacecraft components, predicting potential failures and allowing proactive maintenance.
  • ML algorithms optimize power, fuel, and other resources for spacecraft operations during missions.
• Data Analysis and Pattern Recognition: AI analyzes vast amounts of astronomical data to discover new celestial bodies, understand cosmic phenomena and identify space debris in space.
  • ML helps in processing signals from deep space, distinguishing between noise and potential communication or scientific data.
• Mission Planning and Decision Making: AI models assess mission risks, aiding in decision-making processes by considering various factors and scenarios.
  • ML enables spacecraft to adapt to changing environments or unexpected situations in real-time.
• Optical Communications Optimization: AI and ML models refine optical communication systems, adapting to changing space conditions and maximizing data transmission rates, crucial for interplanetary missions.
• Quantum Computing for Space Challenges: AI has the potential to harness quantum computing's potential to tackle complex calculations and cryptography, enhancing security and computational capabilities for space missions requiring high-level encryption or intricate simulations.

What AI and ML Projects are Underway in India's Space Sector?

• AI and ML Projects:
  • There are various projects and programmes in the domains of AI and ML being undertaken by the Department of Space are at different stages of feasibility studies and implementation. Major ones include:
    • Launch vehicle and spacecrafts mission trajectory design and autonomous operations;
    • Launch vehicle and satellites health monitoring and prediction from the telemetry data;
    • Satellite Data Processing for Resource mapping, weather prediction, disaster prediction, geo-intelligence (object and change detection), Precision agriculture, Agroforestry etc.
    • Humanoid robots and chatbots
    • Space Robotics and smart manufacturing in space.
• ISRO’s Future Endeavors:
  • Chandrayaan-4 Mission: Planned by ISRO to bring back samples from the Moon within four years.
  • Bharatiya Antariksh Station (India's Space Station): The first module, capable of conducting experiments with robots, will launch by 2028.
  • SPADEX Experiment: Demonstrates autonomous docking capability between two spacecraft.
    • Involves launching connected satellites that separate, travel a distance, and then reconnect.
  • NISAR: NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) is a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) observatory being jointly developed by NASA and ISRO.
  • Gaganyaan: Gaganyaan mission aims to send humans to space and return them safely to Earth. The mission will consist of two unmanned flights and one manned flight, using the GSLV Mk III launch vehicle and a human-rated orbital module.

Note

• During the past 9 months of the financial year 2023-24, the government stated that startups in the space sector within the country have garnered private investments exceeding 1,000 crore rupees.

What are Major Challenges Related to AI and ML in the Space Sector?

• Computational Limitations: Spacecraft have limited computational power and memory, making it challenging to run complex AI algorithms. ML models need to be optimized to run efficiently in these resource-constrained environments.
• Robustness and Reliability: Space environments are harsh, with high levels of radiation and extreme temperatures, which can affect the hardware and software components of AI systems. Ensuring the reliability and robustness of AI algorithms in such conditions is crucial.
• Training Data Limitations: Gathering training data for AI models specific to space missions can be challenging due to the limited number of past missions or situations to learn from.
• Ethical and Legal Considerations: As AI becomes more prevalent in space missions, ethical and legal concerns arise, such as the responsibility for AI decisions, data privacy, and potential conflicts between AI-driven decisions and human judgment.

Way Forward

• Edge Computing and Onboard Processing: Focus on onboard processing and edge computing to minimize data transmission delays and reliance on Earth-based computational resources.
  • This allows spacecraft to process data and make decisions autonomously, reducing dependency on constant communication with Earth.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between space agencies, researchers, and industries to combine expertise from various fields such as astronomy, computer science, materials science, and robotics.
  • This interdisciplinary approach fosters innovation and comprehensive problem-solving.
• Ethical Frameworks and Governance: Developing global ethical frameworks and governance guidelines specific to AI and ML in space that address issues like AI decision-making, accountability, data privacy, and adherence to international space laws.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements: (2016)

The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO

1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission
2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA
3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Ans: (c)

---

Mains

Q. What is India’s plan to have its own space station and how will it benefit our space programme? (2019)

Disqualification of Member of the Legislative Assembly

For Prelims: First Information Report (FIR), Disqualification and Suspension of Member of the Legislative Assembly, Article 191 of the Constitution, Representation of the People Act, 1951

For Mains: Significance Representation of the People Act, 1951, Various grounds for disqualification of MLA

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the Madras High Court convicted the Tamil Nadu Minister in a disproportionate asset case.

• The High Court's decision comes 12 years after the First Information Report (FIR) was first registered in the case in 2011. The minister now faces possible disqualification as a Member of the Legislative Assembly(MLA) due to his conviction, unless the conviction is overturned.

Note

• Disproportionate assets is a term used in India to describe an individual's net economic assets that significantly exceed the assets they should possess.
  • This is after accounting for the assets they previously held and all legal sources of income.

What are the Provisions for Disqualification of a Member of the Legislative Assembly?

• Article 191:
  • Article 191 of the Constitution of India deals with disqualifications for membership of the State Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council.
  • A person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, and for being, a member of either house of the State Legislature if:
    • A person holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State specified in the First Schedule unless the office is exempted by the State Legislature by law.
    • A person is declared to be of unsound mind by a competent court.
    • A person is an undischarged insolvent.
    • A person is not a citizen of India, or he has voluntarily acquired the citizenship of a foreign State, or he owes allegiance or adherence to a foreign State.
    • A person is disqualified by or under any law made by Parliament.
    • A person can be disqualified on grounds of defection under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. This includes changing party affiliation before or after an election.
• Representation of the People Act(RPA), 1951:
  • According to Section 8(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, a legislator convicted of an offence under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA), 1988, should be disqualified for six years, from the date of conviction, if the punishment is limited to a fine.
    • However, if a legislator is sentenced to any term of imprisonment under the PCA, 1988, then he or she should be disqualified from the date of conviction till the entire period of imprisonment and also for a further period of six years from the date of release, the Act says.
    • But, the detention of a person under a preventive detention law is not a disqualification.
    • The disqualification can be avoided only if the conviction, and not just the sentence, gets stayed or set aside.
  • The person must not have been found guilty of certain election offences or corrupt practices in the elections.
    • The person must not have been dismissed from government service for corruption or disloyalty to the state.
  • The person must not have been convicted for promoting enmity between different groups or for the offence of bribery.
  • The person must not have failed to lodge an account of his election expenses within the time.
  • The person must not have any interest in government contracts, works or services.
  • The person must not be a director or managing agent nor hold an office of profit in a corporation in which the government has at least 25% share.
  • The person must not have been punished for preaching and practising social crimes such as untouchability, dowry and sati.
  • The Governor's decision on a member's disqualification is final, but they must seek the Election Commission's opinion before taking action.
  • The disqualification can be reversed if a higher court grants a stay on the conviction or decides the appeal in favour of the convicted lawmaker.

How Disqualification is Different from Suspension?

• Suspension means that a person temporarily loses his or her membership due to some misconduct or violation of rules.
• Rules 373, 374, and 374A of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha provide for the withdrawal of a member whose conduct is “grossly disorderly”, and suspension of one who abuses the rules of the House or willfully obstructs its business.
  • The maximum suspension as per these Rules is “for five consecutive sittings or the remainder of the session, whichever is less”.
• The maximum suspension for Rajya Sabha under Rules 255 and 256 also does not exceed the remainder of the session.
• Similarly, each state has its own set of rules governing assembly conduct, including provisions for the suspension of MLAs which prescribe a maximum suspension not exceeding the remainder of the session.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQ)

Prelims

Q. Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? (2014)

1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule
2. Appointing the Ministers
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Ans: (b)

Three New Sub-schemes under RAMP

Source: PIB

Why in News?

Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) has launched three sub-schemes under the RAMP programme, aimed at bolstering the MSME sector in India.

What are the Sub-schemes under RAMP Programme?

• MSME Green Investment and Financing for Transformation Scheme (MSME GIFT Scheme):
  • This scheme intends to help MSMEs adopt green technology with interest subvention and credit guarantee support.
  • Implementing agency is SIDBI.
• MSE Scheme for Promotion and Investment in Circular Economy (MSE SPICE Scheme):
  • It is the first ever scheme in the Government to support circular economy projects which will be done through credit subsidy and will lead to realizing the dream of the MSME sector towards zero emissions by 2070.
  • Implementing agency is SIDBI.
• MSE Scheme on Online Dispute Resolution for Delayed Payments:
  • It is a first-of-its-kind scheme to synergise legal support with modern IT tools and Artificial Intelligence to address the incidences of delayed payments for Micro and Small Enterprises.
  • National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI) is the Implementing Agency.
• Other Initiatives under Existing Schemes:
  • The Support for Commercialisation of IP Programme (MSME – SCIP Programme) will enable the innovators in the MSME sector to commercialize their IPR.
  • In addition, the Zero Defect and Zero Effect (ZED) Scheme of the Ministry has now been made completely free for women led MSMEs. The government guarantees payment of 100 percent financial support for the certification cost.

What is the RAMP Scheme?

• About:
  • It is a World Bank assisted Central Sector Scheme, supporting various CoronaVirus Disease 2019 (Covid) Resilience and Recovery Interventions of the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME).
• Aimed at:
  • Improving access to market and credit
  • Strengthening institutions and governance at the Centre and State
  • Improving Centre-State linkages and partnerships
  • Addressing issues of delayed payments and greening of MSMEs
• Components:
  • Important component of RAMP is preparation of Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs), in which all states/UTs will be invited.
    • The SIPs would include an outreach plan for identification and mobilisation of MSMEs under RAMP, identify key constraints and gaps, set milestones and project the required budgets for interventions in priority sectors including renewable energy, rural & non-farm business, wholesale and retail trade, village and cottage industries, women enterprises etc.
  • The overall monitoring and policy overview of RAMP would be done by an apex National MSME Council.
    • The council will be headed by the Minister for MSME, including representation from various Ministries and supported by a secretariat.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question:(PYQ)

Prelims:

Q1. Consider the following statements with reference to India : (2023)

1. According to the ‘Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development (MSMED) Act, 2006, the ‘medium enterprises’ are those with investments in plant and machinery between `15 crore and `25 crore.
2. All bank loans to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises qualify under the priority sector.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (b)

RBI Strengthens Norms for Lenders in AIFs

Source: IE

Why in News?

In a move aimed at curbing evergreening of stressed loans, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) recently directed Regulated entities (REs) like banks, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) and other lenders not to invest in any scheme of alternative investment funds (AIFs) which has downstream investments in a debtor company.

• Regulated entities (REs) make investments in units of AIFs as part of their regular investment operations. RBI, however, stated that certain transactions of REs involving AIFs, raise regulatory concerns.

What are the Recent RBI’s Directives to REs Related to AIFs?

• RBI emphasized “replacing direct loans given to borrowers with investments in AIF units by REs, which indirectly links to the borrowers. This raised concerns about the practice of loan evergreening to avoid marking them as defaults.
  • Evergreening of loans is a process whereby a lender tries to revive a loan that is on the verge of default or in default by extending more loans to the same borrower.
• RBI's directive explicitly prohibits REs from investing in AIFs schemes with downstream investments in debtor companies related to the RE.
  • According to the directive, in instances where an AIF in which an RE is already an investor makes downstream investments in debtor companies, the RE must liquidate its investment within 30 days.
  • In case the REs are not able to liquidate their investments within the prescribed time limit, they will have to make a 100% provision on such investments.
    • A provision is an amount set aside or reserved by a company or financial institution to cover anticipated future expenses or losses.

Note

• Downstream investments refer to the actual investments made by AIFs in companies using raised funds from investors.

What is an Alternative Investment Fund?

• About: An AIF refers to a fund established or formed in India, serving as a privately pooled investment mechanism.
  • It gathers funds from sophisticated investors, whether domestic or international, with the aim of investing according to a specific investment policy, ultimately benefiting its investors.
  • These investment vehicles adhere to the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations, 2012.
    • As of December, 2023, 1,220 AIFs were registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• Types of AIFs in India: SEBI has classified AIFs into three main categories:
  • Category I: AIFs that invest in startups, early-stage ventures, social initiatives, SMEs, infrastructure, or sectors deemed socially and economically beneficial by authorities.
    • This includes venture capital, social venture funds, infrastructure funds, and any other specified Alternative Investment Funds.
  • Category II: AIFs which do not fall in Category I and III and which do not undertake leverage or borrowing other than to meet day-to-day operational requirements.
    • These include real estate funds, private equity funds (PE funds), distressed asset funds, and similar types.
  • Category III: AIFs which employ diverse or complex trading strategies and may employ leverage including through investment in listed or unlisted derivatives.
    • Various types of funds such as hedge funds, PIPE (private investment in public equity) Funds, etc. are registered as Category III AIFs.
• Legal forms: An AIF can be established in the form of a trust or a company or a limited liability partnership or a body corporate.
  • Most of the AIFs registered with SEBI are in trust form.

Dharavi Revamp in Turmoil

Source: TH

Why in News?

Recently, the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP), an initiative to rebuild Asia’s largest slum Dharavi, has sparked heated controversies due to allegations of favoritism towards the winning bidder for the project.

• A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) named Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd (DRPPL) has been established for this project.

What is the Dharavi Redevelopment Project?

• In 2004, the state government formed the Dharavi Redevelopment Authority under the Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) with the goal of making Mumbai a slum-free city.
• The initiative addresses the persistent urban challenge of slum redevelopment in Mumbai, a city with a significant slum population.
• The redevelopment plan aims for an integrated development approach encompassing residential, commercial, and industrial aspects.
• This project highlights the public-private partnership aspect in addressing urban redevelopment challenges.
• The redevelopment plan's floor space index of over 4 indicates a significant intensity of land use, emphasizing the multi-dimensional nature of the project.

What is Dharavi?

• Dharavi is the biggest slum cluster of Asia that lies on prime property right in the middle of Mumbai.
• It is spread over 300 hectares, of which the state government has notified 240 hectares for the project.
• It was founded in 1882 at the time of the British Raj.

What is a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV)?

• A special purpose vehicle is a separate legal entity which has all the attributes of a corporation such as owning assets, capacity to and get sued etc.
• A SPV, also known as a special purpose entity (SPE), is like a separate company created by a main company to protect against financial risks.
• Even if the main company faces bankruptcy, the SPV's independent legal status ensures that its obligations remain secure.
  • This is why a SPV is often referred to as a bankruptcy-remote entity.
• A SPV can be employed to take on a risky project, lessening any potential financial harm to the main company and its investors.
• Venture capitalists use SPVs to gather funds and invest in a startup.

What are the Recent Initiatives Related to Urban Development?

• Atal Mission for Urban Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U)
• Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework 2.0
• TULIP-The Urban Learning Internship Program
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (Self-Reliant India)

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Mains

Q. Do government’s schemes for up-lifting vulnerable and backward communities by protecting required social resources for them, lead to their exclusion in establishing businesses in urban economies? (2014)

Night Vision in Animals

Animals navigate darkness using a complex mix of eye structures and light-sensitive cells. Unlike humans, many animals can detect light waves that escape our notice.

• Among vertebrates, there are two key types of light-sensitive cells: rods and cones. Rods work great in low light (like night vision), while cones handle daylight and colors.
• Day-active creatures have more cone cells for sharper images but may struggle in dim light. Whereas, nocturnal animals mainly rely on rod cells in their retinas, packed with a light-sensitive pigment called rhodopsin. This pigment helps them see better in the dark by regenerating slowly when light is scarce.

Kolattam Dance

Recently, Kolattam dance was performed during Balotsav, a children’s festival, in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.

• Kolattam is a folk dance from the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is part of a religious offering, where women dancers pay homage to the temple Goddess in many regions of Andhra Pradesh.
  • The Kolattam dance is predominantly a dance of women, without involving men.
• This form of dance is also called as Kolkollannalu or Kollannalu. This popular form of dance is usually performed together as a group where two artists each are grouped as a pair. Each dancer holds two sticks and moves these sticks in rhythm.
  • The Kolattam Kara is a solid wooden stick made of wood and lacquer is used in Kolattam.

Read more...

FDA Approval to Gene Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency under U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, approved two gene therapies for sickle cell disease: Lyfgenia from bluebird bio and Casgevy by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics.

• Sickle cell disease is a genetic blood disorder characterized by an abnormality in hemoglobin, the protein responsible for carrying oxygen in red blood cells (RBC).
  • It causes RBC to adopt a sickle or crescent shape, hindering their movement through vessels, leading to potential complications like severe pain, infections, anaemia, and strokes.
• These therapies aim to transform treatment by leveraging CRISPR gene editing technology to either insert modified genes or edit stem cells, potentially offering one-time treatments.
• Concerns exist about the therapies' long-term effectiveness and risks, including the need for high-dose chemotherapy, potential infertility, and concerns about unintended genomic alterations.

Read more: CRISPR-Cas9 for Sickle-Cell Anaemia

LIC's Approach to 'Insurance For All by 2047

The Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) of India in alignment with the 'Insurance For All by 2047' initiative, is set to play a pivotal role by introducing tailored products for rural areas and embracing digital transformation.

• The focus is on extending insurance coverage to maximum rural masses, aligning with the vision of making India a developed nation by 2047.
• LIC acknowledges the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) proposed 'Bima Vistar,' a composite product covering life, health, and property insurance.
  • The distribution channel for these products, known as 'Bima Vahak,' will be women-centric, in line with the proposed guidelines for dedicated distribution channels at the Gram Panchayat level.
• LIC has initiated a digital transformation project, Digital Innovation and Value Enhancement (DIVE), with a focus on customer acquisition in the first phase.
  • The digital transformation aims to provide efficient services like claims settlement and loans at the click of a button, reducing the need for customers to visit offices.
• LIC is fully owned by the government. It was set up in 1956. It has the biggest share in India’s insurance business.

Read more: IRDAI Vision 2047, Bima Vahak