Weekly Current Affairs (22nd to 31st January 2023) Part - 1 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

China Builds New Dam in Tibet

Context: China is constructing a new dam on the Mabja Zangbo river in Tibet, close to the tri-junction of India, Nepal and Tibet, raising concerns since China has ramped up creation of military and dual use infrastructure and in the eastern and western sectors of the LAC (Line of Actual Control).

What is the Background?

• The development comes in the wake of China unveiling plans in 2021 to build a massive dam on the lower reaches of Yarlung Zangbo to generate up to 70 GW of power, three times that of the country’s Three Gorges dam, which is the world’s largest hydropower plant in terms of installed capacity.
  • The Brahmaputra, known as Yarlung Tsangpo in China, is a 2,880 km long transborder river that originates in the Mansarovar lake and flows 1,700 km within Tibet, 920 km in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and 260 km in Bangladesh. It accounts for nearly 30% of freshwater resources and 40% of India’s hydropower potential.

What is the Location of The Dam?

• The new dam is located around 16 km north of the tri-junction and is opposite the Kalapani area of Uttarakhand.
• The dam is on the Mabja Zangbo river, a tributary of the Ganga.
• Construction activity on the dam has been observed on the northern side of the river in Burang county, Tibet since May 2021.
• The Mabja Zangbo River flows into Nepal’s Ghaghara or the Karnali River before it joins the Ganga River in India.

What are the Concerns?

• Dominance over Water:
  • China is building an embankment type dam with a reservoir, which raises concerns regarding China’s future control on water in the region.
• Likelihood of Military Etablishment:
  • In addition to using water as leverage, the possibility of a military establishment by China near the tri-junction cannot be ruled out as the country had developed the same in the Yarlung Zangbo river near Arunachal Pradesh.
• Water Scarcity:
  • China can use this dam to not only divert but also store water which could lead to a scarcity in the regions dependent on the Mabja Zangbo river and also lead to lower water levels in rivers such as the Ghaghara and the Karnali in Nepal.
• Reinforce Chinese Claims over disputed region:
  • Dams close to the border could be used by China to strengthen its claim on the disputed areas in the region.

How is China aiming at acquiring Hydro Hegemony?

• China has built a large number of dams and dikes to control the flow of rivers on the Indus, Brahmaputra and Mekong.
• With the occupation of Tibet, China has acquired the starting points for rivers that flow into 18 countries.
• China has built several thousand dams, which can cause floods by suddenly releasing water or create droughts by turning off the tap, thus devastating the river’s ecosystem and disrupting normal human life.
• China plans to have four dams on the Brahmaputra River which would affect the river’s flows, India had lodged a complaint with China.
• China refused to share hydrographic data with India while it did so with Bangladesh, which resulted in huge destruction because of floods in Assam subsequently for which India was not prepared.
• China has already built eleven huge dams on the Mekong River, which worries the South-East-Asian countries.

Concerns Over Aravali Safari Park

Context: Recently, some Environmental Activists have raised concerns over the 10,000-acre Aravali safari park Project proposed in Haryana.

What are the Key Points of Safari Park?

• This project will be the largest such project in the world. Currently the largest curated safari park outside Africa is in Sharjah, which opened in February 2022, with an area of about two thousand acres.
• It aims to boost tourism and employment opportunities for the local people.

What are the Concerns?

• The Aravalli safari project is being conceived and designed as a zoo safari and not a natural jungle safari to see native Aravalli wildlife in their natural habitat.
• Conservation of the Aravallis does not even get a mention in the aims of the project mentioned in the Proposition.
• Vehicular traffic and construction in the area, the proposed safari park will also disturb the aquifers under the Aravalli hills that are critical reserves for the water-starved districts.
  • These aquifers are interconnected and any disturbance or alterations in the pattern can significantly alter the groundwater table.
• The group has especially objected to the ‘underwater zone’ envisioned in the park since the site is a “water-scarce region”.
  • In Nuh district, the groundwater table is already below 1,000 feet at many places; the tube wells, borewells and ponds are running dry; Gurugram district has many areas in the ‘red zone’.
• The location falls under the category of ‘forest’, according to many orders by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, and is protected under the Forest Conservation Act 1972. As such, cutting of trees, clearing of land, construction and real estate development is prohibited on this land.
• The group also highlighted that the construction proposed by the Haryana tourism department in May 2022 would be illegal and further damage the already damaged Aravalli ecosystem.

How are Wildlife and Forests Protected in India?

The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972:

• It provides for stringent punishment for violation of its provisions. The Act also provides for forfeiture of any equipment, vehicle or weapon that is used for committing wildlife offence(s).
• Protected Areas, viz National Parks, Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves have been created in the country covering important habitats to provide better protection to wildlife, including threatened species and their habitat.

Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB):

• WCCB coordinates with State/UTs and other enforcement agencies to gather intelligence about poaching and unlawful trade in wild animals and animal articles.
• Alerts and advisories were issued by WCCB on poaching and illegal trade of wildlife to the concerned State and Central agencies for preventive action.

National Green Tribunal:

• It is a specialized judicial body equipped with expertise solely for the purpose of adjudicating environmental cases in the country.

The Indian Forest Act, 1927:

• It seeks to consolidate the law relating to forests, the transit of forest produces and the duty that can be levied on timber and other forest produce.

The Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006:

• The Act provides for creating the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau.

The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980:

• It provides a higher level of protection to the forests and to regulate diversion of forest lands for non-forestry purposes. FC Act, 1980 – Prior approval of the Central Government is essential for DE-reservation of forest lands and / or diversion of forest lands for non-forestry purposes.
• Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006:
• It has been enacted to recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation of forest land in forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and other traditional forest dwellers, who have been residing in such forests for generations.

Measles and Rubella

Context: India had set a target to eliminate Measles and Rubella (MR) by 2023, having missed the earlier deadline of 2020, due to a variety of reasons, exacerbated by disruptions due to the pandemic. 

• In 2019, India adopted the goal of measles and rubella elimination by 2023, anticipating that the 2020 goal could not be reached.

What are Measles and Rubella?

Measles:

• It is a highly contagious viral disease and is a cause of death among young children globally.
• It is caused by a single-stranded, enveloped RNA virus with 1 serotype. It is classified as a member of the genus Morbillivirus in the Paramyxoviridae family.
• It is particularly dangerous for children from the economically weaker background, as it attacks malnourished children and those with reduced immunity.
• It can cause serious complications, including blindness, encephalitis, severe diarrhoea, ear infection and pneumonia.

Rubella:

• It is also called German Measles.
• Rubella is a contagious, generally mild viral infection that occurs most often in children and young adults.
• It is caused by the rubella virus which is an enveloped single-stranded RNA virus.
• Rubella infection in pregnant women may cause death or congenital defects known as Congenital Rubella Syndrome (CRS) which causes irreversible birth defects.
• Rubella isn't the same as measles, but the two illnesses share some signs and symptoms, such as the red rash.
• Rubella is caused by a different virus than measles, and rubella isn't as infectious or as severe as measles.

What is the Global and Indian Scenario of Measles and Rubella?

• The measles virus is one of the world’s most contagious human viruses that kills more than 1,00,000 children every year globally, and rubella is a leading vaccine-preventable cause of birth defects, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). 
• Over the past two decades, the measles vaccine is estimated to have averted more than 30 million deaths globally, as per the WHO’s statistics. 
• During 2010–2013, India conducted a phased measles catch-up immunisation for children aged 9 months–10 years in 14 States, vaccinating approximately 119 million children.
• Mission Indradhanush was launched in 2014 to ramp up vaccinating the unvaccinated population.
• During 2017–2021, India adopted a national strategic plan for measles and rubella elimination.
  • During the same period, the Government introduced rubella-containing vaccine (RCV) into the routine immunisation programme.
• As of December 2021, five countries have been verified and have sustained measles elimination - Bhutan, DPR Korea, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Timor-Leste. In addition, Maldives and Sri Lanka have sustained their rubella elimination status in 2021.

What are Measures to Curb MR?

• Measles-Rubella Vaccination: The MR campaign targets around 41 crore children across the country, the largest ever in any campaign.
  • All children aged between 9 months and less than 15 years are given a single shot of MR vaccination irrespective of their previous measles/rubella vaccination status or measles/rubella disease status.
• Other Initiatives include Universal Immunization Programme (UIP), Mission Indradhanush and Intensified Mission Indradhanush.
• The vaccines for the diseases are provided in the form of measles-rubella (MR), measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) combination.

Parakram Diwas 2023

Context: On the Occasion of Parakram Diwas (23rd January) 2023, 21 unnamed islands of Andaman and Nicobar have been named after Param Veer Chakra awardees.

• Netaji’s Memorial, a National Memorial dedicated to Netaji will be built on Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Dweep.
• Parakram Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the 126th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose.

What is the Purpose of Naming Islands?

• The islands named after Param Vir Chakra awardees will be the site of inspiration for generations to come. People are now visiting Andamans to learn India’s history.
  • Param Vir Chakra is India’s highest military decoration awarded for displaying distinguished acts of valour during wartime whether on land, at sea or in the air.
• It aims to pay tribute to Indian heroes, several of whom had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India.
• The islands have been named after Major Somnath Sharma, Subedar and Hony Captain (then Lance Naik) Karam Singh, Nayak Jadunath Singh, etc.

Note: Besides renaming Ross Islands Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Dweep in 2018, Neil Island and Havelock Island were also renamed Shaheed Dweep and Swaraj Dweep respectively.

Who was Subhash Chandra Bose?

• Birth: Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23rd January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province, to Prabhavati Dutt Bose and Janakinath Bose.
• About: In 1919, he had cleared the Indian Civil Services (ICS) examination. Bose, however, resigned later. He was highly influenced by Vivekananda's teachings and considered him as his spiritual Guru. His political mentor was Chittaranjan Das.
• Association with Congress: He stood for unqualified swaraj (independence), and opposed the Motilal Nehru Report which spoke for dominion status for India. He actively participated in the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and vehemently opposed the suspension of Civil Disobedience Movement and signing of the Gandhi-Irwin Pact in 1931. In the 1930s, he was closely associated with left politics in Congress along with Jawaharlal Nehru and M.N. Roy. Bose won the congress presidential elections at Haripura in 1938. Again in 1939 at Tripuri, he won the presidential elections against Gandhi's candidate Pattabhi Sitarammayya. Due to ideological differences with Gandhi, Bose resigned and left congress. Rajendra Prasad was appointed in his place. He founded a new party, 'the Forward Bloc'. The purpose was to consolidate the political left and major support base in his home state Bengal.
• Indian National Army: He reached Japanese-controlled Singapore from Germany in July 1943, issued from there his famous call, ‘Delhi Chalo’, and announced the formation of the Azad Hind Government and the Indian National Army on 21st October 1943. The INA was first formed under Mohan Singh and Japanese Major Iwaichi Fujiwara and comprised Indian prisoners of war of the British-Indian Army captured by Japan in the Malayan (present-day Malaysia) campaign and at Singapore. The INA included both the Indian prisoners of war from Singapore and Indian civilians in South-East Asia. Its strength grew to 50,000. The INA fought allied forces in 1944 inside the borders of India in Imphal and in Burma. In November 1945, a British move to put the INA men on trial immediately sparked massive demonstrations all over the country.

Risk of Moving from Fossils to Clean Energy

Context: Recently, a study published in the Global Environmental Change journal, which states that India’s financial sector is highly exposed to the risks of the economy transitioning from being largely dependent on fossil fuel to clean energy.

What are the Findings?

Transition can Negatively Impact:

• India’s financial sector is highly exposed to the activities related to fossil fuels and any transition from fossil fuel to clean energy will have a negative impact on this sector.
• 60% of lending to the mining sector is for oil and gas extraction.
• 20% of manufacturing sector debt is for petroleum refining and related industries.
• Electricity production is the largest source of carbon emissions, accounting for 5.2% of outstanding credit.

Shortage of Experts:

• There is a shortage of experts in India’s financial institutions who have the expertise to appropriately advise the institutions on transition from fossil fuel to clean energy.
• Only four of the ten major financial institutions surveyed collect information on environmental, social and governance (ESG) risks and these firms do not systematically incorporate that data into financial planning.

Less Capacity to respond to Shocks and Stresses:

• High-carbon industries - power generation, chemicals, iron and steel, and aviation-account for 10% of outstanding debt to Indian financial institutions.
• However, these industries are also heavily indebted, and therefore have less financial capacity to respond to shocks and stresses.
• This will further expose India’s financial sector to the risk associated with the transition.

More Polluting and More Expensive Energy Supply:

• The financial decisions of Indian banks and institutional investors are locking the country into a more polluting, more expensive energy supply.
• For example, only 17.5% of bank lending to the power sector has been to pure-play renewables.
• Consequently, India has much higher electricity from carbon-sources than the world average.
• Coal currently accounts for 44% of India’s primary energy sources and 70% of its power(electricity).
• The country’s coal-fired power plants have an average age of 13 years and India has 91,000 MW of new proposed coal capacity in the works, second only to China.
• According to the Draft National Electricity Plan 2022, coal’s share in the electricity generation mix will decrease to 50% by 2030.

Potential:

• The current lending and investment patterns reveal that India’s financial sector is heavily exposed to potential transition risks.
• However, the other side of risks is the tremendous opportunity to move finance towards sustainable assets and activities.
• In 2021, India committed to reach net-zero emissions by 2070.
• India has also announced plans to source half of its electricity needs (50%) from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
• This will require financing to the order of at least a trillion dollars to meet these commitments.