• 22 Jul 2024

Tribal Communities Solutions to Global Challenges

Why in News?

The High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development held at the United Nations headquarters in New York, highlighted the solutions and policy involvement of indigenous tribal communities in Rajasthan to address global challenges.

• A State representative discussed how the traditional practices of the tribal communities have contributed to the preservation of their rich natural heritage.

Key Points

• The forum was held under the auspices of the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
  • Its theme was ‘Reinforcing the 2030 agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: The effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions’.
• A ministerial declaration adopted at the forum called for renewed impetus to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • According to ECOSOC president Paula Narvaez, the ministerial declaration had reinforced the urgency of implementing the 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
• Experts at the forum emphasized the importance of recognizing indigenous communities for their contributions to biodiversity and ecosystems. 
  • They advocated for global involvement of these communities in strategy formulation, highlighting that their traditional practices provide essential insights for sustainable development.
• The indigenous practices, rooted in reverence for natural and community-centric approaches, could promote sustainability and resilience, which were essential for reinforcing the 2030 agenda amid the crisis.
• Inspired by the principles of swaraj (sovereignty), the tribal communities' lifestyle and cultural values have fostered self-sufficiency, reduced reliance on external sources, and improved agricultural practices, ensuring food, nutrition, and livelihood security for their families.
  • The best practices of tribals highlighted at the forum included the production of local seeds, water conservation at source, use of animals in agriculture, checking soil erosion through mixed cropping, and the use of uncultivated food for nutritional security. 
  • These practices have helped tribal communities reduce their dependence on the market and survive during the difficult phases, including the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020-21.
• The traditional practices of tribal communities would not only fulfill their own aspirations, providing them with sustainable and resilient solutions, but would also help address the issues of poverty, inequality and vulnerability, in order to potentially advance the 2030 agenda for SDGs.

UN Economic and Social Council(ECOSOC)

• Established by the UN Charter in 1945, it is the principal body for coordination, policy review, policy dialogue and recommendations on economic, social and environmental issues, as well as implementation of internationally agreed development goals.
• It has 54 members, elected by the UN General Assembly for overlapping three-year terms.
• It is the UN's central platform for reflection, debate and innovative thinking on sustainable development.
  • Each year, ECOSOC structures its work around an annual theme of global importance to sustainable development.
• It coordinates the work of the 14 UN specialized agencies, ten functional commissions and five regional commissions, receives reports from nine UN funds and programmes and issues policy recommendations to the UN system and to member states.

Mining in Kete Extension Coal Block

Why in News?

The Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board (CECB) has issued a circular to organize a public consultation for the Parsa East-Kente Basan (PEKB), Parsa and Kete Extension coal block projects in the Hasdeo Arand region.

Key Points

• While some villagers support the project, citing potential development benefits, others have raised concerns.
  • The Lemru elephant reserve, established in 2021, has a mining project area within a 10-kilometre radius of the reserve. With mining, the region will witness increased human-elephant conflict.
• According to the sources, the public hearing will proceed on 2nd August 2024, as it is a mandatory process for securing environmental clearance.

Hasdeo Arand Forest

• Hasdeo Arand, a sprawling forest in the northern part of Chhattisgarh is known for its biodiversity and its coal deposits.
• The forest falls under Korba, Sujapur and Surguja districts with significant tribal population.
• The Hasdeo river, a tributary of Mahanadi, flows through it.
• Hasdeo Arand is the largest un-fragmented forest in Central India consisting of pristine Sal (Shorea robusta) and teak forests.
• It is a noted migratory corridor and has a significant presence of elephants.

Lemru Elephant Reserve

• The reserve is located in the Korba district of Chhattisgarh.
• The reserve is aiming at reducing human-animal conflict and destruction of property in addition to providing a permanent habitat to the elephants.
• Earlier, the state government notified the reserve (Conservation Reserve) in October 2020 under Section 36A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA).
  • Section 36A has a special provision that gives the Union government a say in the process of notification in case the land to be notified as conservation reserve has areas belonging to the Centre.
  • Elephant reserves are not recognised under the WLPA.

Chandipura Virus

Why in News?

According to the Madhya Pradesh Health Minister, no case of Chandipura virus has been reported in the state.

• Earlier, the Union Health Ministry and experts reviewed cases of the viral infection and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• According to the sources, Madhya Pradesh health department possesses all the necessary equipment and facilities to identify the virus, which is one of the causes of AES.
• Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) is a group of clinically similar neurologic manifestations caused by several different viruses, bacteria, fungus, parasites, spirochetes, chemicals/ toxins, etc. 
  • The known viral causes of AES include Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Dengue, Herpes simplex virus, and West Nile etc.

Chandipura Virus (CHPV) 

• It is a member of the Rhabdoviridae family known to cause sporadic cases and outbreaks in western, central and southern parts of the country, especially during the monsoon season. 
  • It is transmitted by vectors such as sand flies and ticks. It is to be noted that vector control, hygiene and awareness are the only measures available against the disease.
• The infection caused by the virus can then reach the central nervous system which can lead to encephalitis — inflammation of the active tissues of the brain.
• Disease progression can be as rapid as a patient reporting high fever in the morning, and their kidneys or liver being affected by the evening.
• This infection has largely remained limited to children below 15 years.
• Symptoms:
  • The CHPV infection presents initially with flu-like symptoms such as acute onset of fever, body ache, and headache.
  • It may then progress to altered sensorium or seizures and encephalitis.
  • Respiratory distress, bleeding tendencies, or anaemia.
  • The infection often progresses rapidly after encephalitis, which may then lead to mortality within 24-48 hours of hospitalization.
• Treatment:
  • The infection can only be managed symptomatically, as there is currently no specific antiretroviral therapy or vaccine available for treatment.

Jabalpur Investor Summit

Why in News?

According to the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister, the State had received investment proposals worth Rs 17,000 crore at the investor summit in Jabalpur, which was likely to generate over 13,000 employment opportunities.

Key Points

• A modern skill development centre would be established in Jabalpur to attract investment in the textiles and readymade clothing sectors.
  • In the Conclave, Ashok Leyland Limited and Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited signed a Rs 600 crore Memorandum of Understanding in the defence manufacturing sector.
  • The government has also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for several industrial units across the state, with a total investment of Rs 1,500 crore, creating around 4,500 jobs. 
  • Further investment proposals include Rs 1,500 crore from Volvo Eicher in the automobile sector and a Rs 1,500 crore cement unit by HeidelbergCement.
• The Madhya Pradesh government will host similar summits in Rewa, Sagar and Gwalior cities and a larger global investors' summit in Bhopal in February 2025.
  • Earlier in January 2024, a similar summit was organised in Ujjain,  in which the Adani Group announced investments of Rs 75,000 crore in the state.

Jharkhand Offers Aid to Flood-Hit Assam

Why in News?

According to the Chief Minister of Assam, Jharkhand has offered Rs 2 crore as aid to the flood-affected people of this northeastern state.

Key Points

• At least 113 people have been killed in the flood, landslides, lightning and storms due to Assam floods. 

Floods

• About:
  • Floods are the most frequent type of natural disaster and occur when an overflow of water submerges land that is usually dry.
  • Between 1998-2017, 2 Billion people have been affected worldwide due to floods. 
• Causes: 
  • These are often caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt or a storm surge from a tropical cyclone or tsunami in coastal areas.
• Types of Floods: 
  • Flash Floods: These are caused by rapid and excessive rainfall that raises water heights quickly, and rivers, streams, channels or roads may be overtaken.
  • River Floods: These are caused when consistent rain or snow melt forces a river to exceed capacity. 
  • Coastal Floods: These are caused by storm surges associated with tropical cyclones and tsunami.

Uttarakhand To Offer Jobs To Agniveers

Why in News?

According to the Uttarakhand Chief Minister the state government is going to bring a proposal for the reservation of Agniveers.

Key Points

• Agniveeers from the state would be given jobs in the government departments and the Police Department after they serve the nation. 
• On the occasion of Guru Purnima, the Chief Minister along with his mother planted a tree under the campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam'.
  • This campaign symbolises respect for nature as well as for mothers.

Agnipath Scheme

• The term "Agniveer" translates to "Fire-Warriors" and is a new military rank.
• It is a scheme of recruiting army personnel below officer ranks such as soldiers, airmen, and sailors who are not commissioned officers to the Indian Armed Forces.
• They are recruited for a period of 4 years, after which, upto 25% of these recruits (called Agniveers), can join the services on a permanent commission (another 15 years), subject to merit and organisational requirements.
• At present, all sailors, airmen, and soldiers, except the technical cadre of the medical branch, are recruited to the services under this scheme.

Guru Purnima

• According to the Hindu calendar, Guru Purnima generally falls on a full-moon day in the Hindu month of Ashadh.
• It is dedicated to Maharshi Veda Vyasa, the sage who is believed to have edited the sacred Hindu text, the Vedas and created the 18 Puranas, Mahabharata and the Srimad Bhagavatam.
• For Buddhists, the festival marks the first sermon of Lord Buddha, which is said to have been delivered at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, on this very day.
• It is also believed to mark the onset of monsoons.