UPSC Daily Current Affairs- 6th July 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly PDF Download

GS-I

Orkney Islands

Why in News?

An iconic Orkney Islands is looking at ways to split off from the U.K. and potentially become a self-governing territory of Norway.

About Orkney Islands:

• It is an archipelago consisting of 70 individual islands, of which only 20 are inhabited.
• The Orkney Islands can be found roughly 10 miles off the north coast of Scotland. 
• The islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times and are home to numerous archaeological sites, including Neolithic stone circles, chambered tombs (such as Maeshowe).
• The four monuments that make up the Heart of Neolithic Orkney are unquestionably among the most important Neolithic sites in Western Europe.
• These are the Ring of Brodgar, Stones of Stenness, Maeshowe and Skara Brae.
• Heart of Neolithic Orkney is designated as UNESCO world Heritage site.

What is archipelago?

• An archipelago is a term used to describe a group or chain of islands that are closely scattered in a body of water, such as a sea, ocean, lake, or river.
• These islands are typically formed through geological processes such as volcanic activity, tectonic movements, or the accumulation of sediment.

Source: The Hindu

Gutti Koya Tribe

Why in News?

Gutti Koya tribes people erect stone memorials in the event of death of their three most important service providers namely physician, priest and village leader.

About Gutti Koya Tribe:

• The Koya population is concentrated in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.
• They speak Koya, which is a Dravidian language.
• The most important fair celebrated by Koyas is the Sammakka Saralamma Jatra once in two years on full moon day of the Magha Masam (January or February) at Medaram village in Mulug taluk of Warangal district.
• They practice Podu form of shifting cultivation, as practiced by various tribal groups in forest areas has for long been an economic survival versus environmental sustenance issue.
• The held ST status in Chattisgarh but they were not granted ST status in their migrated states such as Telangana.
• They earn a living through animal husbandry and minor forest produce.

GS-II

Jal Jeevan Mission (Har Ghar Jal)

Why in News?

 In August 2019, Prime Minister launched Har Ghar Jal Mission and promised that rural households would be assured of piped, potable water by 2024.

• Since 2019, about nine crore households have their own exclusive access to piped water. Yet, for all this scale, it is unlikely that all of rural India will be connected by April 2023.

About Jal Jeevan Mission (Har Ghar Jal):

• One of the largest Welfare Programs: According to a statement by the Ministry of Jal Shakti, the overall financial commitment for the Jal Jeevan Mission is ₹ 3,600 billion (US$ 43.80 billion), which makes it one of the largest welfare programmes in the world.
• Important Component of Sustainable Development Goals: It is a part of India’s progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
  1. SDGs are a set of global goals announced in 2015 that countries across the world have to work towards to improve peoples’ quality of life and protect the planet.
• According to the Jal Shakti ministry, the Har Ghar Jal program’s components align with the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (JMP) to monitor progress on SDG 6.1 for safely managed drinking water services.

Significances of JJM:

• Improve the quality of life: JJM is a transformative programme that aims to improve the quality of life and socio-economic development of rural India by ensuring a safe and adequate drinking water supply to every household.
  • According to JJM, access to safe drinking water will reduce the burden of water-borne diseases, improve hygiene and sanitation practices, enhance human dignity and empower women and girls.
  • It will also save time and energy spent on fetching water from distant sources, which can be used for productive purposes such as education, employment, agriculture, etc.
• Aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): JJM is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation, as well as the National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) guidelines and the National Water Policy (2012).
  • JJM follows a demand-driven approach that respects the preferences and choices of rural communities.
  • It also adopts a service delivery model that ensures a regular and reliable supply of potable water at adequate quantity and pressure.
• Participatory and inclusive programme: JJM is a participatory and inclusive programme that involves all stakeholders, especially women, children, marginalized groups, etc., in the planning, implementation and management of water supply systems at the village level.
  • JJM promotes community ownership and collective responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the water infrastructure.
  • It also encourages convergence with other schemes and programmes such as Swachh Bharat Mission, MGNREGA, Jal Shakti Abhiyan, etc., for creating synergies and maximizing outcomes.
• Climate-resilient programme: JJM is a climate-resilient programme that addresses the challenges of water scarcity, droughts, floods, contamination, etc., by promoting source sustainability and greywater management measures.
  • JJM emphasizes rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, watershed development, water conservation, reuse and recycling of wastewater, etc., to augment and protect water resources.
  • It also supports water quality monitoring and surveillance activities to ensure compliance with the prescribed standards.
• Catalytic programme: JJM is a catalytic programme that creates opportunities for livelihoods, employment, entrepreneurship, innovation, etc., in the rural water sector.
  • It leverages the potential of local skilled and unskilled workers, self-help groups, village organizations, etc., for providing various services such as plumbing, masonry, electrical works, water testing, etc.
  • It also fosters a culture of innovation and technology adoption by supporting research and development initiatives, start-ups, incubators, etc., in the field of water supply.

Concerns about JJM:

• Lacking Target: Before implementation of this scheme only about 3.2 crore, or about 16% of rural households, were connected with piped, potable water.
  • Today, those figures stand at 64%, a substantial increase but still below the target.
  • It is unlikely that even 75% of households will be connected by this time.
• Unfortunate Incidents: The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war reportedly caused the mission to slow down considerably.
• Data Discrepancy: In recent years, the Jal Shakti Ministry has labelled the plan of providing piped water connections as the ‘Har Ghar Jal’ missions, and has consistently underlined the scale of the exercise.
  • Since 2019, about nine crore households have their own exclusive access to piped water.

Way Forward:

• Need of Reliable Data: The above mentioned data, by no means, is an insignificant achievement, but the challenge is the reliability of these numbers, which need to be rectified.
• Need to Expand its Reach: Few states like Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab achieved 100% compliance. The Centre must put in place a mechanism that discloses the scheme’s performance on the ground in a transparent way and far reaching with each and every corner of India.
• Skilled Manpower: There is a need to skill manpower to make acceptable quality tanks, cisterns and water connections.

JJM is a game-changer for rural water supply in India. It has the potential to improve the health, hygiene and socio-economic status of millions of rural households. It also has the potential to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to water, sanitation, health, education, gender equality, etc.

However, JJM also faces several challenges such as behavioural change, institutional coordination, technical complexity, social inclusion, etc. that need to be addressed through collective action and collaborative efforts of all the stakeholders. JJM is not just a government programme. It is a people’s movement. It is a mission for Jal Jeevan.

Source: The Hindu

Why in News?

According to recent data, water levels in 110 out of the 146 reservoirs that are monitored by the Central Water Commission (CWC) are 40% or below their capacities.

Key findings:

• Till July 4, around 33% of 717 districts for which data are available received deficient rains, while for another 10%, it was even worse, according to  India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• As on June 30, water levels in the reservoirs of 10 states are lower than the normal levels based on their 30-year average.
• The deficiency ranges from 11% to 80% in Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala, Karnataka, Tripura and Nagaland.
• However, the water level was better than the last 10-year average.

About Central Water Commission: 

• It is a premier Technical Organization of India in the field of Water Resources.
• It is presently functioning as an attached office of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Government of India.
• Functions
  • The Commission is entrusted with the general responsibilities of initiating, coordinating and furthering in consultation of the State Governments concerned, schemes for control, conservation and utilization of water resources throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and Water Power Development.
  • It also undertakes the investigations, construction and execution of any such schemes as required.
• It is headed by a Chairman, with the status of Ex-Officio Secretary to the Government of India.
• The work of the Commission is divided among 3 wings namely, Designs and Research (D&R) Wing, River Management (RM) Wing and Water Planning and Projects (WP&P) Wing.
• Each wing is placed under the charge of a full-time Member with the status of Ex-Officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India.

Source: Economic Times

Why in News?

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has approved a scheme that aims to provide financial assistance to states and Union Territories to establish protection and rehabilitation homes for victims of trafficking, particularly in states with international borders.

What are the Major Provisions of the Scheme?

• Financial Assistance for Protection and Rehabilitation Homes: The scheme aims to provide financial aid to states and Union Territories in order to establish protection and rehabilitation homes for victims of trafficking.
  • These homes will cater to the specific needs of victims, particularly minors and young women, by providing shelter, food, clothing, counseling, primary health facilities, and other essential daily needs.
• Strengthening Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs): In addition to the establishment of protection and rehabilitation homes, the government has allocated funds from the Nirbhaya Fund to support the strengthening of anti-human trafficking units in every district across all states and Union Territories.
  • The funding has been extended to all states and Union Territories, including AHTUS in Border Guarding Forces like the BSF (Border Security Force) and SSB (Sashastra Seema Bal).
  • Presently, there are 788 functional AHTUs, including 30 within Border Guarding Forces, across the country.

What is the Status of Human Trafficking in India?

• About:
  • Human trafficking is a global issue that affects numerous countries, and India is no exception.
  • With its large population, economic disparities, and complex social dynamics, India has become a hotspot for various forms of human trafficking.
• Statistics:
  • According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, 2,189 cases of human trafficking were filed in 2022, involving 6,533 victims.
  • Among these victims, 4,062 were female, and 2,471 were male. Notably, 2,877 victims were minors.
  • While more underage boys (1,570) were trafficked in 2021 than girls (1,307), the trend was reversed when considering adult victims, with women outnumbering men.
  • Certain states have reported higher numbers of human trafficking cases, as indicated by AHTUs:
  • Telangana, Maharashtra, and Assam had the highest number of cases registered in their respective AHTUs in 2021.
  • These states, due to their geographical locations and other factors, are particularly vulnerable to cross-border trafficking and require special attention and resources.
  • India’s neighboring countries often serve as sources for traffickers who exploit women and girls by offering false promises of employment or a better standard of living.
• Various Forms of Human Trafficking:
  • Forced Labor: Victims are coerced or deceived into working under exploitative conditions, including industries like agriculture, construction, domestic work, and manufacturing.
  • Sexual Exploitation: Individuals, particularly women and children, are trafficked for commercial sexual exploitation, including prostitution and pornography.
  • Child Trafficking: Children are trafficked for various purposes, including child labor, forced begging, child marriage, adoption scams, and sexual exploitation.
  • Bonded Labor: People are trapped in a cycle of debt bondage, where they are forced to work to repay a debt that often continues to increase due to exploitative practices.
  • Organ Trafficking: Trafficking of organs involves the illegal trade of organs like kidneys, liver, and corneas for transplantation purposes.
• Relevant Laws in India and International Conventions:
  • Article 23 and 24 of the Constitution of India.
    • Article 23 prohibits human trafficking and begar (forced labour without payment).
    • Article 24 forbids employment of children below the age of 14 years in dangerous jobs like factories and mines.
  • Indian Penal Code (IPC) Section:
    • Section 370 and 370A of IPC provide for comprehensive measures to counter the menace of human trafficking including trafficking of children for exploitation in any form including physical exploitation or any form of sexual exploitation, slavery, servitude, or the forced removal of organs.
    • Sections 372 and 373 dealing with selling and buying of girls for the purpose of prostitution.
• Other Legislations:
  • The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) is the premier legislation for prevention of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.
    • There are other specific legislations enacted relating to trafficking in women and children - Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994,
  • Protection of Children from Sexual offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, is a special law to protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation.
  • International Convention:
    • United Nations Convention on Transnational Organised Crime (UNCTOC) has a Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children( India is signatory).
  • SAARC Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and Children for Prostitution( India is signatory).

What are the Major Causes and Impacts of Human Trafficking?

• Causes:
  • Socioeconomic Factors: Poverty, unemployment, and lack of economic opportunities create vulnerability, pushing individuals into desperate situations where they are more likely to be trafficked.
  • Gender Inequality and Discrimination: Deep-rooted gender inequalities, discrimination, and violence against women and girls increase their susceptibility to trafficking.
    • This includes issues such as dowry-related violence, child marriage, and lack of access to education.
  • Political Instability and Conflict: Regions affected by political instability, armed conflict, and displacement provide fertile ground for trafficking, as people are displaced and left vulnerable without protection.
  • Corruption and Organized Crime: Widespread corruption within law enforcement agencies, immigration authorities, and judicial systems enables traffickers to operate with impunity, making it difficult to identify, investigate, and prosecute cases effectively.
• Impacts:
  • Physical and Psychological Trauma: Trafficking victims endure physical and psychological abuse, violence, and trauma.
    • They often suffer from injuries, sexually transmitted infections, malnutrition, and physical exhaustion.
    • Moreover, the psychological impact includes anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and a loss of trust in others.
  • Violation of Human Rights: Human trafficking fundamentally violates the victims' human rights. It deprives them of their freedom, dignity, and security.
  • Economic Exploitation: Trafficked individuals are subjected to harsh working conditions, long hours, and little or no pay.
    • In many cases, victims become trapped in debt bondage, where they are forced to work to repay an ever-increasing debt, making escape from exploitation extremely difficult.
  • Disruption of Social Fabric: Human trafficking disrupts the social fabric of communities and families.
    • It tears apart families as individuals are forcibly separated from their loved ones. This disruption leads to loss of social support networks, and strained relationships within communities.

Way Forward

• Strengthen Legislation and Law Enforcement: There is a need to enact and enforce robust anti-trafficking laws that criminalize all forms of human trafficking and provide adequate penalties for offenders.
  • Also, there is a need to enhance training programs for law enforcement agencies, judiciary, and border control officers to identify and respond to trafficking cases effectively.
• Technological Solutions: There is a need to develop advanced data analytics tools and artificial intelligence algorithms to analyze big data sets, identify trafficking trends, and predict potential hotspots.
• Blockchain technology can also be utilised to enhance transparency in supply chains and prevent the use of forced labor in industries prone to trafficking, such as agriculture and garment manufacturing.
• International Collaboration: India can facilitate international collaboration and knowledge exchange platforms to share innovative approaches, best practices, and success stories in combating human trafficking.
  • There is also a need to foster partnerships between countries, NGOs, academia, and private sectors to jointly develop and implement innovative solutions.

Source: Indian Express

GS-III

Progress of Global Stocktake

Why in News?

The Bonn Climate Change Conference was the last big milestone in climate negotiations before the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement at COP28 （Conference of the Parties 28） in Dubai.

About the Global Stocktake:

• Global Stocktake is essentially a periodic review of global climate action which aims to assess whether current efforts will enable us to reach the objectives set out in the Paris Agreement. This includes
  • Progress on greenhouse gas reduction,
  • Building resilience to climate impacts, and
  • Securing finance to address the climate crisis.
• The Global Stocktake is mandated under Article 14 (1) of the Paris Agreement to assess collective progress towards long-term global goals.
• This is the first Global Stocktake year since the Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 and the report has been underway for the past two years.

Key aspects of the Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement:

• Assessment of Progress: The primary purpose of the Global Stocktake is to assess collective progress made by countries in achieving the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.
  • This includes evaluating the implementation of countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs) and assessing the overall effectiveness of global climate actions.
• Review of Mitigation Efforts: The Stocktake examines the mitigation efforts undertaken by countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • It evaluates the adequacy and ambition of these efforts limiting global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
• Assessment of Adaptation Measures: The Stocktake also considers the progress and effectiveness of adaptation measures implemented by countries to address the impacts of climate change.
  • It assesses the extent to which countries are building resilience and adapting to the changing climate conditions.
• Evaluation of Climate Finance: It examines the mobilization and allocation of financial resources to support climate actions, particularly from developed to developing countries.
  • The Stocktake reviews progress towards the commitment of developed countries to jointly mobilize $100 billion annually by 2020 to support climate mitigation and adaptation efforts in developing nations.
• Technology Transfer and Capacity Building: The Stocktake reviews the efforts made in technology transfer and capacity-building activities to support developing countries in their climate actions.
  • It assesses the provision of technology, knowledge, and technical assistance to enhance the capabilities of developing nations in implementing climate solutions.
• Transparency and Reporting: Transparency and accountability are integral components of the Stocktake process.
  • The Stocktake ensures that countries provide accurate and reliable information to facilitate an objective assessment of global progress.
• Informing Future Climate Action: It provides guidance for countries to set more ambitious targets in their subsequent rounds of NDCs.
  • The Stocktake also identifies areas where additional efforts and support are required to bridge the emissions gap and accelerate progress towards the Paris Agreement goals.

Challenges in GST Discussions:

• Countries can decide their contribution to climate action, but collective efforts are insufficient, necessitating some imposition.
• Faultline’s arise between developed and developing countries regarding apportioning responsibility.
• Developed countries demand more from major emitters like China and India while developing countries highlight unfulfilled commitments.
• The United States Position: The US states that bridging the gap is not solely the developed countries’ responsibility.
  • It opposes including suggestions of ‘closing of pre-2020 gaps’ in GST decisions.
• India’s Response: India rejects ‘prescriptive messages’ from GST on what the content of a country’s climate action plan, (known as Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs) should be.
  • India insists on determining its climate targets in pursuit of national goals and demands the closing of pre-2020 gaps.
• China’s Perspective: China expresses disappointment over the insufficient capture of demands from 134 developing countries regarding pre-2020 gaps in GST discussions so far.
  • It emphasizes the importance of addressing pre-2020 gaps and highlights carbon dioxide emissions generated before 1990.

Suggestive measures: Way Ahead

• Developed countries must honor their commitment to mobilize $100 billion annually for climate finance as agreed upon at the 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference.
• There is a need for improved accounting mechanisms and transparency in climate finance. Focus should be on prioritizing adaptation finance for vulnerable countries.
• Mobilizing public and private finance is crucial, along with facilitating technology transfer.
• Strengthening international cooperation and prioritizing climate finance in global agendas are necessary for effective mobilization.

Thus, to ensure climate finance is in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement, it is crucial to involve and hold the World Bank accountable for its investments in fossil fuels. The pursuit of the Global Stocktake, a review mechanism under the Paris Agreement, should prioritize principles of equity, justice, and fairness.

Source:  The Hindu

CH3+ molecule

Why in News?

Recently, the CH3+ molecule has been detected in space for the first time by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

About CH3+ molecule: 

• It is also known as methyl cation.
• CH3+ is a very simple organic molecule, just one carbon atom and 3 hydrogen atoms.
• It reacts with other molecules to form more complex ones.
• Its presence in space tells us that basic building blocks for life are out there.
• It is an initiator of a lot of very interesting more complex reactions

What is the significance of this discovery?

• The discovery of methyl cation in a region where planets that could eventually host life are forming may help untangle this cosmic riddle and help scientists better understand how and where in the universe life could get started. 

Key facts about the James Webb Space Telescope

• This telescope was built in collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency and was launched in December 2021.
• It is presently at a point in space known as the Sun-Earth L2 Lagrange point, approximately 1.5 million km beyond Earth’s orbit.
• Lagrange Point 2 is one of the five points in the orbital plane of the Earth-Sun system.
• It's the largest, most powerful infrared space telescope ever built.
• Objectives: It will examine every phase of cosmic history; from the Big Bang to the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets to the evolution of our Solar System.

Source: Indian Express