PIB Summary- 15th March, 2021 | PIB (Press Information Bureau) Summary - UPSC PDF Download

National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP)

Context: The Government of India has initiated the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP) with a view to address cyclone risks in the country.

About NCRMP

• The overall objective of the Project is to undertake suitable structural and non-structural measures to mitigate the effects of cyclones in the coastal states and UTs of India.
• It is being implemented by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the aegis of the Ministry of Home Affairs, along with coordination from the respective state governments and the National Institute for Disaster Management (NIDM).
• The Project has identified 13 cyclone prone States and Union Territories (UTs), with varying levels of vulnerability.
• These States/UT have further been classified into two categories, based on the frequency of occurrence of cyclone, size of population and the existing institutional mechanism for disaster management.
  • Category I: Higher vulnerability States i.e. Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
  • Category II: Lower vulnerability States i.e. Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Goa, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep, Daman and Diu, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• The main objective of the NCRMP is to reduce vulnerability of coastal communities to cyclones and other hydro-meteorological hazards through:
  • Improved early warning dissemination systems
  • Enhanced capacity of local communities to respond to disasters
  • Improved access to emergency shelter, evacuation, and protection against wind storms, flooding and storm surge in high areas
  • Strengthening DRM capacity at central, state and local levels in order to enable mainstreaming of risk mitigation measures into the overall development agenda
• The World Bank is assisting with the funding for this Project.

Background

• Of India’s 7500 km coastline, almost 5700 km are highly vulnerable to the impacts of tropical cyclones and related hydro-meteorological hazards and consequently to recurrent loss of life and properties.

Tele-Law Initiative

Context: Justice Department releases 2nd edition of Voice of Beneficiaries on Tele-Law.

What is the Tele Law Initiative?

• It is a program by the government where people can seek legal advice from lawyers through video conferencing available at the Common Service Centers, on the ‘Tele Law’ portal – a technology-enabled platform. The legal services would be provided at the Panchayat levels across the country through the Common Service Centers.

Tele-Law initiative – Overview

• The Non-government organizations, hospitals, law school clinics, district legal services authorities, voluntary service providers can also be connected through the Common Service Centers. This is done with a view to improving access to justice for those who find it difficult to afford or get such services.
• The Paralegal Volunteer would be the initial point of contact. He/she would be involved in helping people from the rural areas understand legal matters, elaborately explaining the lawyer’s advice and also in providing assistance in further actions as per the lawyer’s advice.
• In order to encourage women entrepreneurship and empowerment, Women Paralegal volunteers would also be given the training to provide legal services through the Common Service Centres.
• A panel of lawyers will be provided by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in every state capital to advise the applicants through video conferencing.
• To assess the quality of legal services being provided to the marginalized sections, robust evaluation and monitoring system will be put in place by the government.
• The first phase will be implemented across 1800 panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir, North Eastern States, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

Objectives of Tele-Law initiative

• The main objective of the Tele-law initiative is to provide a planned delivery of legal advice through a panel of lawyers stationed at the State Legal Services Authorities (SALSA) and CSC.
• The project aims to connect citizens with lawyers through video conferencing facilities by the Para-Legal Volunteers stationed at identified 1800 panchayat.

The entire process(working model) of the Tele-Law initiative is demonstrated below:
Breakdown of the 1800 total CSCs:

List of States with Respective Number of CSCs

Project RE-HAB

Context: KVIC rolls out Project RE-HAB to prevent elephant-human conflict using honey bees.

About Project RE-HAB

• Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) launched a unique project of creating “bee-fences” to mitigate human – elephant conflicts.
• The pilot project RE-HAB was launched at four locations around village Chelur in Kodagu district of Karnataka.
• These spots are located on the periphery of Nagarhole National Park and Tiger Reserve and prone to human-elephant conflicts.
• The total cost of the RE-HAB project is just Rs. 15 lakh.
• Objective:
  • To thwart elephant attacks in human habitations using honey bees and thus reducing loss of lives of both, humans as well as elephants.
• RE-HAB is an acronym for Reducing Elephant – Human Attacks using Bees.
• Project RE-HAB is a sub-mission under KVIC’s National Honey Mission.
  • While the Honey Mission is a programme to increase the bee population, honey production and beekeepers’ income by setting up apiaries, Project RE-HAB uses bee boxes as a fence to prevent the attack of elephants.
• How it works?
  • KVIC has set up 15-20 interspersed bee boxes at each of the four locations in the passage ways of elephant-human conflict zones to block the entrance of elephants to human habitations.
  • The boxes are connected with a string so that when elephants attempt to pass through, a tug or pull causes the bees to swarm the elephant herds and dissuade them from progressing further.
  • Bee boxes have been placed on the ground as well as hung from the trees to block the passage of elephants.
  • High resolution, night vision cameras have been installed at strategic points to record the impact of bees on elephants and their behaviour in these zones.

Background:

• Nearly 500 people die every year due to elephant attacks in India.
• This is nearly 10 times more than the fatalities caused by big cats across the country.
• From 2015 to 2020, nearly 2500 people have lost their lives in elephant attacks.
• Out of this, nearly 170 human fatalities have been reported in Karnataka alone.
• On the contrary, nearly one-fifth of this number, i.e. around 500 elephants have also died in retaliation by humans in the last 5 years.

Conservation of Ancient Folk Cultures

Context: To protect, preserve & promote various forms of folk art and ancient folk cultures throughout the country, GOI has set up seven Zonal Cultural Centres (ZCCs).

Some of the ancient folk cultures in India

• Ancient folk cultures being preserved in Jharkhand are Faguwa Nritya, Turi Nritya, Paika Nritya, Hodopathy, Tribal dance (Karam Nritya).
• Ancient folk cultures being preserved in Bihar are Lok Gatha “Reshma Chuharmal”; Lok Gatha “Bihula Bishari”; Lok Gatha “Naradi”; Bidesia Lok Natya; Godana Painting (Madhubani), Lok Natya “Hirni-Birni”; Panwaria, Domkach & Sohar Khilona folk dance; Domkach folk dance; Jharni & Jhinjhia folk dance; Bihar Ke Paramparik Natya; Drupad Dhamar, Godna Geet, Sikki Kala, Tikuli Art and Madhubani Painting.
• Ancient folk cultures being preserved in Kerala are Poorakali, Malayankettu & Kannerpattu, Daffumuttu, Kanyarkali and Arabanamuttu.
• There is no dedicated scheme to preserve these particular folk art forms. However, these ZCCs organize various cultural activities and programmes all over the country on a regular basis for which annual grant-in-aid is provided to them.

Mission Sagar IV

Context: As part of Mission Sagar-IV, Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa arrived at Port Anjouan, Comoros to deliver 1,000 Metric Tonnes of rice.

Details

• This is the second visit of an Indian Navy ship to the island country within a span of one year.
• Earlier, as part of Mission Sagar-I, in May-June 2020, the Indian Navy had delivered essential medicines to the nation and had also deployed a specialist medical team to work alongside their counterparts and to render assistance for dengue fever related emergencies.
• INS Jalashwa, the largest amphibious ship of the Indian Navy, has been specially sent to Comoros due to its large carrying capacity.

Overview of Mission Sagar

As stated earlier Mission Sagar is in alignment with the SAGAR initiative. The initiative is a vision for economic and security cooperation between India and its maritime neighbours. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of India took the decision to fulfill the vision of the SAGAR initiative by providing essential humanitarian aid to its maritime partners. A series of 3 missions were launched in 2020, which were carried out by the ships of the Indian Navy. These ships bought essential items such as medicines to the ports of India’s maritime partners. We will further discuss the details of all the Mission Sagar’s launched by the government of India.

The First Mission Sagar – I

India sent INS Kesari left port on 10 May 2020 with food items, medicines and medical assistance teams. It would make its way to the Indian Ocean nations of Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros and La Reunion. These nations are part of the Indian Ocean Commission of which India became an observer. It was the first time that a single relief mission was undertaken to cover all the island nations in the Western Indian Ocean. The only notable exception was Sri Lanka where the Indian Air Force airlifted supplies into the country.

Mission Sagar – II
In November 2020, INS Airavat left port. It was delivering food to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea. Along with fulfilling a humanitarian mission, India was also strengthening its strategic position as these countries sat on the major shipping lane between the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Thus they are vital shipping routes and can prove to be a strategic asset in times of conflict.

Mission Sagar – III
In December 2020, INS Kiltan made its way towards Cambodia and Vietnam. The INS Kiltan was carrying 15 tons of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for disaster relief following catastrophic floods in Vietnam and Cambodia. It also highlighted the importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in furthering existing strategic ties.

Mission Sagar – IV
In March 2021, INS Jalashwa reached Port Anjouan, Comoros to deliver 1000 metric tonnes of rice to the island nation. This is the second time an Indian naval ship is arriving at Comoros. Earlier, as part of Mission Sagar I, India had delivered medicines and sent medical assistance teams to Comoros.

Conclusion
In the process of providing much needed humanitarian aid and strengthening relations with its maritime partners, India also aims to counter the Chinese ‘string of pearls’ doctrine and any other instances of its growing clout in the region.

Deep Ocean Mission

Context: The Deep Ocean Mission is proposed as multi-ministerial multi-disciplinary programme with emphasis on development of deep sea technology, exploration of deep sea mineral resources and biodiversity, acquisition of a research vessel for exploration, deep sea observations, and capacity building.

What is India’s Deep Ocean Mission?
The Government of India has decided to launch the Deep Ocean Mission – DOM, with an aim to explore the marine diversity in our country, which is still unexplored. This ambitious project will be managed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
Through this mission, the Government aims to conduct the exploration of the underwater world on similar lines as ISRO does for space. In this article, we shall discuss at length about the Deep Ocean Mission and its significance for the country.

About the Deep Ocean Mission

• The mission has been laid on similar terms as the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) performs space research
• However, India’s Deep Ocean Mission will solely focus on studying and exploring the deepwater bodies in our country for undiscovered minerals, stones, living or non-living entities
• Both, man force and robotic machines will be used for the mission
• Tasks like deep-sea mining, energy exploration, survey of the objects found, and off-shore desalination will be taken up rigorously
• The technological developments done for the Deep Ocean Mission will be funded by the Government scheme “Ocean Services, Technology, Observations, Resources Modelling and Science (O-SMART)”
• Study and research on the climatic changes in the Ocean and other advisory services will be done through this mission
• The focus will also be given on underwater technologies for convenient research
• Two key projects have been included in the Deep Ocean Mission
  • A Desalination Plant
  • Submersible Vehicle, which can explore upto 6000 metres in depth
• The parts of the ocean which are yet to be explored and are hidden and undiscovered will all be covered through this mission.
• It is a central sector scheme.
• The major objectives of the Deep Ocean Mission are as follows:
  • Development of technologies for deep sea mining, underwater vehicles and underwater robotics;
  • Development of ocean climate change advisory services;
  • Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deepsea biodiversity;
  • Deep ocean survey and exploration;
  • Proof of concept studies on energy and freshwater from the ocean; and
  • Establishing advanced marine station for ocean biology

Significance of Deep Ocean Mission

The Deep Ocean Mission plan will enable India to develop capabilities to exploit resources in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB).
One of the major objectives of this project is to mine and extract polymetallic nodules (PMN). The UN International SeaBed Authority has allotted India 75000 sq. kilometers in CIOB for the exploration of these polymetallic nodules.

What are Polymetallic Nodules (PMN)?

• Polymetallic nodules are Fe-Mn oxide deposits
• They are potato shaped and porous
• Appearance wise, they are of a black earthy color
• Size ranges from 2 to 10 cm in diameter
• PMN is considered as the precipitate of hot fluids from upwelling hot magma from the deep interior of the oceanic crust, discharged through mineralized paths
• These Rare earth minerals are considered as a great source of valuable minerals such as gold, silver, and zinc

Where can PMN be mined?
There are specific locations underwater where the mining of polymetallic nodules can be done. Any country which intends to mine PMN needs to get authorization from ISA, which was established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). 

• The underwater 75,000 sq meters of the area which has been assigned to India, is the part where the mining can be done 
• In 1987, India gained the status of a ‘Pioneer Investor’ and was the first country to be acknowledged with this status. It was then given an area of 1.5 lakh sq. kilometer for the mining of PMN
• In 2002, ISA conducted a resources analysis and assigned the 75,000 sq. kilometer area to India 
• As per the research done by the Ministry of Earth Science, the following conclusion can be drawn:
  • Potential polymetallic nodules which can be found – 880 MT (approximately)
  • Nickel – 4.7 MT (approximately)
  • Magnesium – 92.59 MT (approximately)
  • Copper – 4.29 MT (approximately)
  • Cobalt – 0.55 MT (approximately)

What is the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
It is a zone in the sea prescribed by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) over which a country has certain rights for exploration of marine resources. India has an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of about 2.37 million sq. kilometer, and most part of it lies unexplored and undiscovered.

Other Countries Exploring Underwater Elements

Apart from the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB), PMN has also been discovered in the Central Pacific Ocean. This is also known as the Clarion-Clipperton Zone. Major countries including China, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Russia are a part of the list of those countries which have signed a contract with ISA for the exploration of polymetallic nodules.

Impact of Deep Ocean Mission on the Environment

A major concern has been shown by Environmentalists for the Ocean mining that is being conducted in various countries. The biggest concern is that since this field is unexplored, the repercussions cannot be assumed. Another cause of concern is the sediment plumes that may have formed after the mining practice and the oil spills which may be caused.

However, India seems to be positive with their research as major revelations can be done once the mission takes off and the research is started. One of the most important of which is the fact that since the temperature at deep depths of the ocean is very low, a lot of species will be discovered which are capable of surviving in extreme weather conditions. All the activities which shall be performed under the Deep Ocean Mission will be as per the rules prescribed by ISA, ensuring no harm is caused to the biodiversity. 

India’s Preparedness for Ocean Mining

• India’s mining site is at about a depth of 5,500 meters, where there is high pressure and extremely low temperature.
• We have also deployed Remotely Operated Vehicle and In-situ Soil Tester in the depth of 6,000 meters and have a thorough understanding of the mining area at the Central Indian Ocean Basin.
• The mining machine newly developed for 6000 meters depth was able to move about 900 meters and will be deployed soon at 5,500 meters.
• Weather conditions and the availability of ships also play a role.
• More tests are being conducted to understand how to bring the nodules up to the surface. A riser system comprising an umbilical cable or electromechanical cable and a hose is being developed.