National Current Affairs – UPSC/IAS Exams- 23rd October 2019

Stubble Burning

Topic: Environment and Ecology

In News: As paddy harvesting has gathered momentum in Punjab, the key grain producing State, as many as 3,307 cases of stubble fire incidents have been reported till October 21, as against 2,564 incidents in the corresponding period last year.

More on the Topic:

• Stubble burning is a common practice followed by farmers to prepare fields for sowing of wheat in November as there is little time left between the harvesting of paddy and sowing of wheat.
• Stubble burning results in emission of harmful gases such carbon diaoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide along with particulate matter.
• Stubble burning is adversely affecting environment and public health. The problem has not been fully tackled and the adverse impacts on the air quality and consequent impacts on the citizens’ health and lives are undisputed.

Concern of the Farmers:

• Even though farmers are aware that the burning of straw is harmful to health, they do not have alternatives for utilising them effectively.
• The farmers are ill-equipped to deal with waste because they cannot afford the new technologythat is available to handle the waste material.
• Experts say that with less income due to crop damage, farmers are likely to be inclined to light up their fields to cut costs and not spend on scientific ways of stubble management.

Advantages of stubble burning:

• It quickly clears the field and is the cheapest alternative.
• Kills weeds, including those resistant to herbicide.
• Kills slugs and other pests.
• Can reduce nitrogen tie-up.

Alternative solutions that can avoid Stubble Burning:

• There is great potential for making investments in paddy straw-based power plants which can help avoid stubble burning to a large extent and also create employment opportunities.
• Incorporation of crop residues in the soil can improve soil moisture and help activate the growth of soil microorganisms for better plant growth.
• Convert the removed residues into enriched organic manure through composting.
• New opportunities for industrial use such as extraction of yeast protein can be explored through scientific research.
• Unless Financial assistance is to be provided by the Centre for boosting farm mechanisation, it is difficult to completely stop stubble burning.
• States needs to make alternative arrangements for consumption of paddy straw into the soil as per the directions of the NGT.

Supreme Court’s observations:

• The problem is required to be resolved by taking all such measures as are possible in the interest of public health and environment protection.
• Incentives could be provided to those who are not burning the stubble and disincentives for those who continue the practice.
• The existing Minimum Support Price (MSP) Scheme must be so interpreted as to enable the States concerned to wholly or partly deny the benefit of MSP to those who continue to burn the crop residue.
• Secretary, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has also been directed to be present to “find a lasting solution.”
• The Central government should convene a meeting with the States and find solutions amicably.

Source: Hindu

Hunar Haat

Topic: Government Schemes

In News: The Ministry of Union Minority Affairs organized “Hunar Haat” recently.

More on the Topic:

• The event intends to provide employment opportunities to traditional culinary experts, artisans and craftsmen. The theme of the events to be organized between 2019 and 2020 will be based on the theme Ek Bharat Shresth Bharat
• Hunar Haat is an exhibition of handicrafts and traditional products made by artisans from the Minority communities.
• The scheme aims to establish Hunar Hub in all the states where programs like Hunar Haati and other cultural events are to be organized.
• Hunar Haat is organized under USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) scheme.

Source: PIB

World Food Programme (WFP) – Feed our Future

Topic: International Organisation

In News: United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has launched its cinema ad campaign ‘Feed Our Future’ against hunger and malnutrition in India.

More on the Topic:

• It has been launched by WFP in collaboration with various private stake holoders like UFO Moviez and SAWA -the Global Cinema Advertising Association,Red FM 93.5.etc
• It will help drive the message of zero hunger deeper into the hearts & minds of India.
• This is for second time WFP has launched this campaign in India to raise awareness on hunger and malnutrition, a reality facing millions of people around the world. It is based on success of previous campaign.
• The campaign highlights potential loss to the world when children’s voices are silenced due to hunger.
• Last year’s global results of UNWFP’s 2018 campaign had showed that the advertisement helped to double awareness of WFP among those who saw it.
• It also had helped to raise more than half a million dollars through online giving and in 38% increase in downloads of WFP’s Share the Meal donation App.
• World Food Programme (WFP) is the food-assistance branch of United Nations. It is a member of UN Development Group (UNDG) and part of its Executive Committee. It was established in 1961 after Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) Conference 1960.

Source: Hindu

Taanaji Malusare and the Battle of Singhagad

Topic: History

In News: A Bollywood movie is being made based on Subedar Taanaji Malusare.

More on the Topic:

• He was a Maratha military leader and a close aide of Chhatrapati Shivaji.
• Hailing from the Malusare clan, Taanaji is popularly remembered for the Battle of Singhagad that took place in the year 1670.
• In the battle, Taanaji fought against Udaybhan Rathore, a formidable Rajput warrior, who was put in charge of Fort Kandhana (later named Singhagad) by Jai Singh.

About Battle of Singhagad, 1670:

• In the year 1665, the Treaty of Purandar was signed between Jai Singh and Shivaji.
• Amongst several demands, the treaty had required the Maratha ruler to give up Fort Kandhana to the Mughals.
• After it was taken over by the Mughals, the fort was guarded by Rajput, Pathan and Arab troop guards and was said to be impenetrable.
• Shivaji entrusted Taanaji, for reconquering the fort Kondhana.
• Even though the attack by Taanaji took the Mughals by surprise, the latter nonetheless outnumbered the Marathas.
• The two clashed for long. Malusare was gravely wounded in the fight and died.
• Enraged by the death of their general, the Marathas fought under the leadership of his brother, Suryaji Malusare, and eventually vanquished the enemy.
• The fort was renamed as Singhagad (lion’s fort) by Shivaji to honour Tanaji.

Source: Hindu

The Siachen glacier

Topic: Geography

In News: The Siachen glacier is “now open” for tourists and tourism, after government inaugurated a strategically important bridge on theShyok river in Eastern Ladakh.

More on the Topic:

• The ‘Col. Chewang Rinchen Setu’ was constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at an altitude of 14,650 feet in the forward area of Ladakh region
• This bridge has been completed in record time. It will not only provide all-weather connectivity in the region but also be a strategic asset in the border areas,
• From Siachen Base Camp to Kumar Post, the entire area has been opened for tourism purposes.
• There is already an army-facilitated civilian trek from the Siachen Base Camp to the Kumar post located at about 15,500 feet. While it was supposed to be annual, it was cancelled on several occasions due to weather and border tensions.

About Siachen Glacier:

• The entire Siachen Glacier, with all major passes, is currently under the administration of India since 1984 (Operation Meghdoot).
• The Siachen Glacier is located in the Eastern Karakoram range in the Himalayas, just northeast of Point NJ9842 where the Line of Control between India and Pakistan ends.
• It is the Second-Longest glacier in the World’s Non-Polar areas.
• The Siachen Glacier lies immediately south of the great drainage divide that separates the Eurasian Plate from the Indian subcontinent in the extensively glaciated portion of the Karakoram sometimes called the “Third Pole”.
• The Siachen Glacier is part of Ladakh which has now been converted into a Union Territory.

Source: PIB

Naga Peace Accord

Topic: Internal Security

In News: Four years after the government inked the Naga peace accord in 2015, the Centre has now said that the process had almost concluded.

More on the Topic:

• The real fact is that the talks had hit a roadblock in its final stages.
• It is mainly because of unrealistic demands. NSCN I-M has issued statements in the past claiming that it wanted a separate Constitution, flag and integration of all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas under Nagalim (Greater Nagaland).
• GOI tries for a mutually agreed draft comprehensive settlement, including all the substantive issues and competencies and is ready for inking the final agreement. Respecting the Naga people’s wishes, the Government of India is determined to conclude the peace process without delay.

Back ground:

• The British annexed Assam in 1826, and in 1881, the Naga Hills too became part of British India. The first sign of Naga resistance was seen in the formation of the Naga Club in 1918, which told the Simon Commission in 1929 “to leave us alone to determine for ourselves as in ancient times”.
• In 1946 came the Naga National Council (NNC), which declared Nagaland an independent state on August 14, 1947.
• The NNC resolved to establish a “sovereign Naga state” and conducted a “referendum” in 1951, in which “99 per cent” supported an “independent” Nagaland.
• On March 22, 1952, underground Naga Federal Government (NFG) and the Naga Federal Army (NFA) were formed. The Government of India sent in the Army to crush the insurgency and, in 1958, enacted the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
• A group of about 140 members led by Thuingaleng Muivah, who were at that time in China, refused to accept the Shillong Accord, and formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland in 1980.
• As per the accord, NNC and NFG agreed to give up arms.
• In 1988, the NSCN split into NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) after a violent clash.
• A “Greater Nagalim” comprising “all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas”, along with Nagaland. That included several districts of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur, as also a large tract of Myanmar.
• The Nagaland Assembly has endorsed the ‘Greater Nagalim’ demand — “Integration of all Naga-inhabited contiguous areas under one administrative umbrella” — as many as five times: in December 1964, August 1970, September 1994, December 2003 and as recently as on July 27, 2015.
• The Government of India signed a ceasefire agreement with NSCN (IM) on July 25, 1997, which came into effect on August 1, 1997.

What’s in peace accord?

• NSCN – IM has been derecognized as a militant organization and talks have been initiated with the government.
• GOI is open to discuss the Naga territorial issue within the existing boundaries of the neighboring states of Manipur, Assasm etc which are being claimed as part of Greater Nagalim.
• Key issues that have been put under consideration includes AFSPA, demographic changes due to cross border migrations and other tribals like Meitei who are diluting the local populations in the Naga areas.

Source: PIB