National Current Affairs – UPSC/KAS Exams- 29th October 2018

Moths are key to pollination in Himalayan ecosystem

Topic: Environment and Ecology

IN NEWS:Moths are widely considered as pests, but a recent study by scientists of Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has revealed that these group of insects are pollinators to a number of flowering plants in the Himalayan ecosystem.

More on the Topic

• Under the project titled “Assessment of Moths (Lepidoptera) As Significant Pollinators in the Himalayan Ecosystem of North Eastern India”, scientists collected moth samples from different ecosystem. The analysis of proboscis, a long and thread-like organ used to suck flower sap, of a dozen moth species’ revealed the presence of pollen grains.
• Most of the studies on plant pollinators or plant- pollinator network are focused on diurnal interactions between the insects and plants. This particular study is based on plant- moth interactions, as a nocturnal phenomenon.
• The study was carried out in states such as Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and West Bengal. According to the researchers, proboscis of different moths belonging to families of moths, such as Erebidae and Sphingidae, were found to contain pollen of several flowering plants, including Rhododendron.

Significance of the Study:

• The study was unique, as scientist are looking at a new group of insects (moths) as pollinators. Usually bees, wasps and butterflies are considered as prominent pollinators.
• About 90% of the world’s flowering plants are pollinated by animals. Therefore, pollinators are essential for the genetic exchange among flowering plants and the biodiversity among plants.
• Researchers have pointed out that almost two-thirds of common large moth species have declined over the last 40 years in some parts of world. One of main reasons for the decline is light pollution (an increase in artificial light in moth habitats).

Source:The Hindu

Vishakha guidelines against sexual harassment

Topic: Social Justice

In news: The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a PIL petition to extend the Vishakha guidelines against sexual harassment in workplace to ashrams, madrasas and Catholic institutions.

More on the topic:

• The petition filed by advocate Maneesh Pathak said religious institutions also have women employed there other than those working on a voluntary basis. “If the Vishakha Guidelines are extended to these religious institutions, it would assist a lot in reducing sexually related crimes against women at religious places by gurus or leaders of that particular institution.

About Vishaka Guidelines:

• The Vishakha Guidelines were a set of procedural guidelines for use in India in cases of sexual harassment. They were promulgated by the Indian Supreme Court in 1997 and were superseded in 2013 by the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013.

Background:

• Before 1997, a person facing sexual harassment at workplace had to lodge a complaint under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 that deals with the ‘criminal assault of women to outrage women’s modesty’, and Section 509 that punishes an individual/individuals for using a ‘word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman.
• During the 1990s, Rajasthan state government employee who tried to prevent child marriage as part of her duties as a worker of the Women Development Programme was raped by the landlords of the community. The feudal patriarchs who were enraged by her (in their words: “a lowly woman from a poor and potter community”) ‘guts’ decided to teach her a lesson and raped her repeatedly.
• The rape survivor did not get justice from Rajasthan High Court and the rapists were allowed to go free. This enraged a women’s rights group called Vishaka that filed a public interest litigation in the Supreme Court of India.
• This case brought to the attention of the Supreme Court of India, “the absence of domestic law occupying the field, to formulate effective measures to check the evil of sexual harassment of working women at all work places.”
• In 1997, the Supreme Court passed a landmark judgment in the same Vishaka case laying down guidelines to be followed by establishments in dealing with complaints about sexual harassment.
• Vishaka Guidelines were stipulated by the Supreme Court of India, in Vishakha and others v State of Rajasthan case in 1997, regarding sexual harassment at workplace. The court stated that these guidelines were to be implemented until legislation is passed to deal with the issue.
• The Sexual Harassment at workplace Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on September 2012.It is now The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013. It defines sexual harassment as laid down by the Supreme Court in the Vishakha and others v State of Rajasthan (1997) case.

Odisha struggling to overcome excess rain, drought at same time

Topic: Environment and Ecology

In news: Odisha is struggling to overcome the challenge of both excess rain and drought at the same time in the ongoing crop season.

 More on the Topic:

• Paddy crops in several rain-fed pockets of western Odisha have suffered moisture-stress due to deficient rain.
• Coastal Odisha, which had received heavy rain during second week of October under the impact of severe cyclonic storm ‘Titli’, is staring at a deluge in the face of heavy rain forecast by the India Meteorological Department.

Extreme weather events In India

• Extreme weather events make us dig deeper into the science of climate change and determine whether these events occurring world over are part of “nature’s fury” or they can be specifically linked to global warming and, consequently, human activities.
• Although no weather extreme can be solely attributed to humans, a growing body of research shows that extreme weather events like floods, droughts and heat waves have increased in frequency.
• According to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), frequency and intensity of such unseasonal and extreme weather events will increase further in coming decades.
• India is among the most vulnerable countries to the impacts of climate change, while developed countries have the highest contributions to the global greenhouse gas emissions. Perhaps, the recent events in southern India will motivate the Indian government to fight hard for an equitable and ambitious deal at the forthcoming Paris climate deal.

Source:The Hindu

Depreciating rupee comes as no solace to exporters

Topic: Indian Economy

In news: Exporters in India are not happy with the current policy and exchange rate situation even though they should be cheering the depreciating rupee. A depreciating rupee should ideally be good for exporters, since it means that India’s exports are relatively cheaper than they were before. However, export bodies such as the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) have said that this benefit is not passing through to exporters.

The issues:

• According to FIEO, the depreciation has resulted in an increase in the cost of imported capital goods, inputs and various services used by exporters paid in foreign currency.
• Apart from this, the exporters say that depreciating currencies in some of their biggest export destinations such as West Asia, Africa, and certain parts of Asia, has meant that buyers in these areas have also begun asking for discounts.
• Further compounding this issue is that there is a complete lack of clarity among exporters on whether India’s exports currently can get the GSP benefits or not.
• The GSP is a system where the U.S. allows certain eligible countries to export about 3,500 commodities to the U.S. on a duty-free basis.
• Earlier this year, the U.S. said it would be reviewing India’s eligibility for this benefit. In the meantime, while the Indian government has maintained that India’s exporters are still eligible for the GSP benefits until the review is completed, major export bodies have said their exporters have not received these benefits since December 2017.Others, however, say that they are receiving the benefits. It is up to the Indian government to clarify this situation with the U.S. government.
• There are issues regarding IGST refunds as well. The Centre argues that since the exporters have been receiving duty drawback on input taxes paid, they are not eligible for IGST refunds. Exporters say this view lack skews the playing field in favour of exporters operating in a single State. An exporter with operations in one State is eligible for Central GST and State GST refunds, but an exporter with operations across States gets no IGST refund.
• Many of the exporter’s bulk of the working capital, in many cases more than 50% is tied up in IGST refunds running into crores of rupees.
• This issues should be addressed so that the exporters can benefit from the depreciation of rupee.

Source:The Hindu

Amur falcons

Topic: Environment and Ecology

In news: Umru village on the Assam-Meghalaya border is going  to celebrate Amur falcon Festival from November 7-8.

More on the Topic:

• The Tyrso Valley Wildlife Protection Society is an NGO formed by the villagers of the eponymous Meghalaya village adjoining Umru. The group has been organising the Amur Falcon Festival since 2015 to celebrate the “birds that have this back-of-beyond area famous”.
• The festival is scheduled on November 7-8, a fortnight before the birds are expected to soar for the next destination on their migration.
• People here have become sensitive about the birds because of our awareness campaigns.
• Communities live here have made common cause in protection of the Amur falcons and have fixed a fine of ₹25,000 for anyone caught ensnaring or killing the birds.

Amur Falcons:

• The Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) is a small raptor of the falcon family. It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China before migrating in large flocks across India and over the Arabian Sea to winter in Southern Africa.

Source:The Hindu

India’s first container movement on inland waterways

Topic: Indian Economy

In news: Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) will transport container cargo belonging to the food and beverage giant PepsiCo (India) from Kolkata to Varanasi on river Ganga (National Waterway-1) tomorrow. This would be the country’s first container movement on inland vessel post-independence, and a milestone moment in the history of India’s IWT sector.

Inland Waterways Authority of India:

• India has an extensive network of inland waterways in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks. The total navigable length is 14,500 km, out of which about 5200 km of the river and 4000 km of canals can be used by mechanised crafts.
• Freight transportation by waterways is highly under-utilised in India compared to other large countries and geographic areas like the United States, China and the European Union.
• The total cargo moved (in tonne kilometres) by the inland waterway was just 0.1% of the total inland traffic in India, compared to the 21% figure for United States.
• Cargo transportation in an organised manner is confined to a few waterways in Goa, West Bengal, Assam, and Kerala. Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) is the statutory authority in charge of the waterways in India.Its headquarters is located in Noida, UP.
• It does the function of building the necessary infrastructure in these waterways, surveying the economic feasibility of new projects and also administration.

Source:PIB

Experiencing North East festival

Topic: Government Policies

In news: IThe ‘Experiencing North East’ festival is being held. It depicts the uniqueness of North Eastern culture.

More on the Topic:

• The event which is a part of ‘Destination North East’ series aims at showcasing the diverse culture and heritage of North East all under one roof.
• The festival is being organised by North Eastern Council (NEC), Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) in collaboration with India International Centre.
• The festival will showcase the vibrant strengths of North East India and display its art, handicraft, handlooms, tourism, food, culture etc.
• There will be special performances daily by eminent cultural troupes, bands and artistes from North East, including Nise Meruno, classical pianist and vocalist.

Developing North East:

• Destination North East event is one of the steps taken by Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region to bring North East closer and help assimilate the diverse cultural heritage of India while encouraging investment in priority sectors like Tourism, Handloom, Handicrafts, Food Processing etc.
• Other steps taken by Ministry of DoNER towards assimilation of North Eastern Region, are funding Business Summits, Seminars, Buyers & Sellers meets to attract investors in North Eastern Region and supporting participation of weavers/artisans of NER in Craft Bazaars and exhibitions all over India to promote their Handloom and Handicrafts and give them exposure to the National Market.

Source: The Hindu

Electoral Bonds

Topic: Government Policies

In news: The Finance Ministry has authorised the sale of sixth tranche of electoral bonds on Saturday. The State Bank of India, the only institution authorised to deal in electoral bonds, will issue and encash them from November 1 to November 11.

What is electoral bond:

• An electoral bond is designed to be a bearer instrument like a Promissory Note — in effect, it will be similar to a bank note that is payable to the bearer on demand and free of interest. It can be purchased by any citizen of India or a body incorporated in India.

How do you use it?

• The bonds will be issued in multiples of ₹1,000, ₹10,000, ₹1 lakh, ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore and will be available at specified branches of State Bank of India.
• They can be bought by the donor with a KYC-compliant account. Donors can donate the bonds to their party of choice which can then be cashed in via the party’s verified account within 15 days.

What are the other conditions?

• Every party that is registered under section 29A of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951 (43 of 1951) and has secured at least one per cent of the votes polled in the most recent Lok Sabha or State election will be allotted a verified account by the Election Commission of India. Electoral bond transactions can be made only via this account.
• The bonds will be available for purchase for a period of 10 days each in the beginning of every quarter, i.e. in January, April, July and October as specified by the Central Government. An additional period of 30 days shall be specified by the Central Government in the year of Lok Sabha elections.
• The electoral bonds will not bear the name of the donor. In essence, the donor and the party details will be available with the bank, but the political party might not be aware of who the donor is. The intention is to ensure that all the donations made to a party will be accounted for in the balance sheets without exposing the donor details to the public.

India home to two new gecko species

Topic: Environment and Ecology

In news: The spot-necked day gecko and the Anaimudi day gecko, both very distinctly-patterned lizards found only in the higher reaches of the Agasthyamalai and Anamalai hill ranges in the Western Ghats, are the latest additions to India’s reptile fauna.

More on the topic:

• Both these diurnal geckos are currently known only from single localities in high-elevation forests located at more than 1,200 metres above mean sea level in the Ghats. There is a possibility that these day geckos could be present in the surrounding hills but more detailed surveys would be required to confirm this.

Save Bandipur campaign

Topic: Environment and Ecology

In news: Scores of people from all walks of life joined the ‘Save Bandipur’ campaign on  to protest the proposals to construct elevated highways through the national park and lifting the ban on night traffic.

More on the topic:

• The campaign was launched soon after the Ministry of Roads Transport and Highways (MoRTH) submitted before the apex court its plan to construct five elevated highways through the national park, besides opening it up for road traffic 24×7. At present, there is a ban on night traffic through the park from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. as a measure to reduce roadkill and it was upheld by the High Court of Karnataka.
• However, the issue is now embroiled in the Supreme Court, which has ordered a status quo on the subject but has sought views from various stakeholders and is hearing a petition on lifting the night ban.
• They environmentalists argue that lifting the night ban will be detrimental to forests and wildlife, pointing out that there have been innumerable deaths of wild animals owing to traffic accidents.
• The numbers considerably reduced after the night traffic ban was put in place. Lifting the ban will pose grave danger to animals and increase the possibility of accident related deaths of wild animals, especially tigers.