Weekly Current Affairs (1st to 7th December 2023) Part - 2 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Extending BSF Jurisdiction

Context: The recent Supreme Court clarification on the expansion of the Border Security Force's (BSF) jurisdiction in Punjab has sparked debates regarding the balance between security measures and state rights. The Centre's notification in 2021 extended the BSF's authority from 15 to 50 kilometers within the state, raising concerns about its implications on state police powers.

What Does the Centre's Notification Encompass?

• The 2021 notification under the BSF Act, 1968, broadened the BSF's jurisdiction, not only in Punjab but also in various other regions including Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Assam, West Bengal, and specific northeastern states. It empowered the BSF to tackle offenses like smuggling, illegal entry of foreigners, and violations under different central acts within the specified area.
• However, it's crucial to note that while the BSF can conduct preliminary questioning and detain suspects, it must hand them over to the local police within 24 hours, lacking prosecutorial authority.

Understanding BSF's Special Powers

• Since 1969, various border states have had different extents of BSF jurisdiction. The recent move aims to standardize this to 50 kilometers across all such states, granting the BSF concurrent jurisdiction over specific offenses. Notably, the local police retain their jurisdiction, operating alongside the BSF.

Issues Arising from Jurisdiction Extension

• Larger Constitutional Concerns: The notification blurs the line between state and central authority. While public order falls under state jurisdiction, serious disturbances impacting national security involve the Union government, raising questions about federalism's sanctity.
• Impact on BSF's Role: Shifting the BSF's focus from border guarding to hinterland policing may compromise its primary duty of safeguarding international borders. This shift could dilute its effectiveness in border security operations.
• State-Specific Challenges: Extending jurisdiction in a smaller state like Punjab covers major cities, unlike in states like Gujarat or Rajasthan, where geographical features might justify expanded jurisdiction.

Constitutional Standpoint on Armed Force Deployment

• The Constitution allows the Centre to deploy armed forces to protect states against external aggression or internal disturbances. However, discrepancies in opinion between the Centre and states might lead to directives under Article 355 or, in extreme cases, the application of Article 356 (President’s Rule).

Understanding the Border Security Force (BSF)

• Established post the 1965 India-Pakistan war, the BSF operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs and is one of the seven Central Armed Police Forces. With a force of 2.65 lakhs, it guards India's borders, assists the Army along the LoC, combats Naxalism, and contributes to UN peacekeeping missions.

Path Forward: Striking a Balance

• For a harmonious coexistence, cooperation between Union armed forces and state civil authorities is paramount. Consulting states before deploying armed forces, states enhancing their own armed police forces, and regional cooperation could be pivotal in maintaining security without infringing upon state autonomy.

Conclusion

The extension of BSF's jurisdiction has ignited discussions on the delicate balance between security imperatives and state powers. While security measures are crucial, preserving the essence of federalism and ensuring the BSF's primary role in border security remains vital for the nation's overall well-being. Achieving this balance is key to navigating these complex territorial and constitutional matters.

Gujral Doctrine of Foreign Policy

Context: Marking the 11th death anniversary of Inder Kumar Gujaral, the 12th Prime Minister of India, on November 30, the realm of Indian foreign policy reflects on his enduring legacy - the Gujral Doctrine. This distinctive approach, encapsulated in the doctrine, stands as a testament to Gujaral's profound impact on India's diplomatic stance in the late 20th century.

Unveiling the Gujral Doctrine: Redefining India's Relationship with Neighbors

The Gujral Doctrine, conceived during Gujaral's tenure as the Union Minister of External Affairs from 1996 to 1997, ushered in a novel foreign policy framework. Its essence lies in five fundamental principles that revolutionized India's interaction with its neighboring countries.

Five Pillars of the Gujral Doctrine:

• Non-Reciprocal Assistance: India pledged to provide wholehearted assistance to neighboring nations without seeking reciprocity, fostering goodwill and trust.
• Non-Interference: A commitment to non-interference in each other's internal affairs among South Asian countries.
• Respect for Territorial Integrity: Emphasizing the sanctity of territorial integrity and sovereignty of all nations in the region.
• Peaceful Dispute Resolution: Advocating bilateral negotiations to resolve disputes, promoting peaceful coexistence.
• Non-Dominant Approach: Acknowledging India's size and influence while advocating a non-dominant stance towards smaller neighboring countries, emphasizing friendly relations.

Successes and Challenges of the Gujral Doctrine

• Gujral's diplomatic strategy bore fruits in strengthening regional cooperation. Notable achievements include swift resolution of longstanding issues with Bangladesh on water-sharing, agreements with Bhutan and Nepal, and the initiation of dialogues with Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
• However, the doctrine also faced criticism. Some labeled it as overly lenient towards Pakistan, overlooking security concerns and failing to address historical conflicts and cross-border terrorism adequately.

Charting the Future: Evolving India's Foreign Policy

• To chart a progressive path, future foreign policies must strike a balance between idealism and realism. Addressing security concerns, resolving bilateral issues comprehensively, and countering evolving threats like terrorism are imperative.
• Strengthening regional alliances, promoting public diplomacy, and garnering domestic consensus stand pivotal in crafting effective foreign policies that safeguard national interests while fostering global cooperation.

Linking the Gujral Doctrine to Contemporary Discussions

• These principles are not confined to historical retrospection. They continue to resonate in contemporary discourse and find relevance in various discussions in the field of international relations and diplomacy, as evidenced by past UPSC Civil Services Examination questions.
• As the world navigates complex geopolitical landscapes, the Gujral Doctrine remains a beacon, guiding the formulation of foreign policies that reflect India's values while safeguarding its interests on the global stage.

World Bank’s Plan to Combat Methane Emissions

Context: The menace of methane emissions poses a grave threat to our planet's climate equilibrium, demanding immediate action and strategic interventions. Recently, the World Bank unveiled an ambitious plan aimed at curbing methane emissions on a global scale. 

• This strategic initiative, infused with targeted programs and partnerships, intends to reduce up to 10 million tons of methane during its investment lifespan.

Understanding the Gravity of Methane Emissions

Methane constitutes approximately 19% of global greenhouse gas emissions, a significant contributor to climate change. This gas, sourced primarily from rice production, livestock, and waste, possesses a far higher global warming potential (GWP) than carbon dioxide, yet it has received relatively lesser attention and funding.

World Bank's Multi-Faceted Approach

• The World Bank's blueprint for combatting methane emissions comprises a multi-pronged strategy encapsulated in a "Triple Win Approach." This approach focuses on slashing emissions from diverse sources - rice production, livestock operations, and waste management - with an aim to reduce environmental degradation while bolstering sustainability and livelihoods.

Key Elements of the World Bank's Strategy

• Funding Mechanism: Currently, methane abatement finance amounts to less than 2% of global climate finance. The World Bank is set to substantially increase funding for methane reduction through collaborations with public and private sector entities.
• Partnership Platforms: Launching two distinct partnership platforms, the Global Methane Reduction Platform for Development (CH4D) and the Global Flaring and Methane Reduction Partnership (GFMR), will target methane abatement in agriculture, waste, and the oil and gas sectors.

Global Initiatives & Collaborations

• Complementing the World Bank's efforts, global initiatives like the Global Methane Pledge and the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) have emerged as pivotal commitments to reducing methane emissions on a worldwide scale. These programs and partnerships underscore the urgency of a collective, coordinated approach to tackle this pressing environmental issue.

Localized Efforts and Innovations

• Several countries, including India, have launched pioneering initiatives to combat methane emissions. The development of anti-methanogenic feed supplements, industry-led voluntary frameworks, and transitions to more stringent emission norms, exemplify localized efforts to mitigate methane emissions.

Future Strategies and Potential Interventions

• Further measures to address methane emissions span multiple sectors. In the energy sector, detecting and repairing leaks and adopting efficient technologies are key strategies. In agriculture, promoting nutritious feed for livestock and implementing innovative farming techniques can significantly reduce emissions. Moreover, efficient waste management, including organic separation and landfill gas capture, holds immense potential for emissions reduction while creating new avenues for employment.

Governmental Role and Policy Imperatives

• Governments must play a pivotal role in steering transitions toward sustainable food production systems, divesting subsidies from industrial livestock, and fostering policies that promote ecological balance, job creation, poverty reduction, and public health enhancement.

Closing Remarks

The battle against methane emissions demands a holistic and concerted effort at the global, regional, and local levels. Collaboration, innovation, and policy coherence shall be the guiding pillars in our collective quest for a more sustainable and resilient future.

The Global Climate 2011-2020: WMO

Context: The World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) recently released a comprehensive report titled "The Global Climate 2011-2020: A Decade of Acceleration." This report sheds light on the alarming trends and impacts of climate change worldwide during the past decade. It highlights critical data, emphasizing the urgent need for global action to mitigate these concerning developments.

Key Highlights of the Report

Temperature Trends

• The decade spanning 2011-2020 marked the warmest on record for both land and ocean. Global mean temperature surged to 1.10 ± 0.12 °C above the 1850-1900 average. Notably, each subsequent decade since the 1990s surpassed the last in terms of warmth. Years 2016 and 2020 particularly stood out as the warmest due to specific climate events.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• The report emphasizes a continued rise in atmospheric concentrations of major greenhouse gases, especially CO2, reaching 413.2 ppm in 2020. This surge is predominantly linked to fossil fuel combustion and land-use changes. The decade witnessed an alarming increase in average growth rates of CO2, underscoring the critical need for sustainable emissions reduction to stabilize the climate.

Oceanic Changes

• Ocean warming rates accelerated significantly, with 90% of accumulated heat stored in the ocean. The rates of warming doubled in the upper 2000m depth between 2006-2020, adversely impacting marine ecosystems. Additionally, CO2 absorption led to ocean acidification, posing threats to marine organisms' structural integrity.

Marine Heatwaves and Sea Level Rise

• Marine Heatwaves increased in frequency and intensity, affecting approximately 60% of the ocean's surface. Moreover, the global mean sea level surged to a rate of 4.5mm/yr from 2011-2020, primarily due to ocean warming and ice mass loss.

Glacier and Ice Sheet Loss

• Glaciers globally experienced significant thinning, losing about 1 meter/year between 2011 and 2020. Unprecedented mass loss adversely impacted water supplies. Greenland and Antarctic ice sheets contributed significantly to rising sea levels, losing 38% more ice compared to the previous decade.

Arctic Sea Ice Decline

• The report highlighted the continued decline of Arctic sea ice during the summer melt season, with a mean seasonal minimum extent 30% below the 1981-2010 average.

Ozone Hole and Successes

• However, amidst concerning trends, there were positive notes. The Antarctic ozone hole showed signs of improvement during the 2011-2020 period, a testament to successful international collaboration under the Montreal Protocol. Efforts led to reduced chlorine entering the stratosphere from ozone-depleting substances.

Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

• The report underscored that extreme weather events hindered progress toward SDGs, affecting food security, human mobility, and socioeconomic development. While improved early warning systems reduced casualties, economic losses from extreme events escalated.

WMO’s Recommendations for Action

To combat these challenges, the WMO outlined key recommendations:

• Enhancing collective resilience through collaboration with international organizations.
• Strengthening science-policy-society interaction for cohesive action.
• Promoting institutional capacity-building and cross-sectoral collaboration, especially in the global South.
• Ensuring policy coherence among policymakers across sectors for climate and development synergies.

About WMO

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO), established in 1950, operates as a specialized agency of the United Nations for meteorology, operational hydrology, and related geophysical sciences. With 192 Member States and Territories, including India, it continues to play a pivotal role in global climate and weather-related issues, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

In conclusion, the WMO report presents a stark depiction of the accelerating climate crisis, urging immediate and concerted action from nations worldwide to address these pressing challenges and secure a sustainable future for generations to come.

Coastal Erosion

Context: The Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change recently shed light on the issue of coastal erosion across India's expansive coastline. This analysis, conducted by the National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), employed satellite imagery and field-surveyed data spanning from 1990 to 2016. The findings underscored crucial observations regarding the state of erosion, accretion, and stability along the coast.

Key Observations by NCCR

The analysis revealed a landscape affected by erosion across 34% of the coastline, while 28% showed accretion and 38% remained stable. State-wise assessments highlighted alarming erosion rates exceeding 50% in West Bengal (63%) and Pondicherry (57%), followed by Kerala (45%) and Tamil Nadu (41%). Conversely, Odisha stood out with over 50% accretion. These alterations imperil land, habitats, and the livelihoods of fishermen.

Governmental Initiatives

The government has initiated several measures to combat coastal erosion:

Hazard Line Establishment

• The Ministry delineated a hazard line indicating shoreline changes and sea level rise due to climate change. This line aids in disaster management and guides adaptive and mitigation strategies.

Coastal Zone Management Plans

• The hazard line integrates into the Coastal Zone Management Plans of coastal States/Union territories, as approved by the Ministry.

Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 2019

• Notified by the Ministry, this regulation aims to conserve and protect coastal areas while ensuring the livelihood security of local communities. It allows erosion control measures but designates No Development Zones (NDZ) to safeguard the coastline.

Flood Management Scheme

• Under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, this scheme, inclusive of anti-sea erosion projects, is executed by State Governments. The Union Government offers technical assistance and support to prioritize these endeavors.

Coastal Management Information System (CMIS)

• A data collection initiative aiding in the planning, design, and maintenance of coastal protection structures at vulnerable stretches.

Coastal Erosion Mitigation

• Successful implementation at locations like Puducherry and Chellanam in Kerala, focusing on restoration and protection of coastal areas and fishing villages.

Understanding Soil Erosion

• Additionally, understanding soil erosion is crucial. It's associated with various natural agents like water, winds, coastal waves, and glaciers. In India, deforestation primarily contributes to soil erosion, followed by other factors like extreme rainfall and geomorphic processes.

Conclusion

Coastal erosion is a complex challenge affecting India's vast shoreline, prompting the government to implement multifaceted measures. Understanding the drivers and impact of erosion, along with implementing robust strategies, remains pivotal in safeguarding coastal areas and the livelihoods they support.