CURRENTAFFAIRS- MARCH 16th-31st BYJU’s CLASSES (GIST of THE HINDU, INDIAN EXPRESS, BUSINESS STANDARD, YOJNA, SCIENCE REPORTER, DOWN TO EARTH)

POLITY & GOVERNANCE 2. Uttarakhand HC orders floor test, allows 1. Constitution Bench to decide on “National Court disqualified MLAs to take part: of Appeal”: The Uttarakhand High Court has ordered a floor test in The Supreme Court recently decided to set up a the Vidhan Sabha and has also allowed disqualified Constitution Bench to debate the establishment of a MLAs to take part in it. National Court of Appeal (NCA) with regional benches to Harish Rawat, the chief minister, has been asked by the act as final courts of justice in criminal and civil cases. Court to test his majority on the floor of the House in a Background: copybook interpretation of the S R Bommai judgment The Supreme Court, in February 2016, admitted a that for the first time permitted judicial review of the Chennai lawyer’s petition for setting up a National imposition of President’s rule. Court of Appeal with regional benches to act as the final How would this order affect President’s rule in the courts of justice in criminal and civil cases. state? Way ahead: Since the high court did not pass any order on 1. The apex court would judicially pronounce on whether President’s rule, legal experts say the central rule in there is a need to bifurcate the higher judiciary, with the Uttarakhand would continue. Supreme Court exclusively hearing constitutional and This is only an interim order. The final decision of the public law cases. high court would come only after the disposal of the 2. Secondly, the apex court seems to introspect on its petition by rebel MLAs challenging their disqualification own role as the single, final court situated in the by Speaker. national capital dealing with an increasing load of cases However, according to few others, the order temporarily from criminal and civil appeal to constitutional questions revives the Assembly for one day for the sole purpose of of law. conducting the trust vote, and may even appear to be a About National Court of Appeal: partial stay on the Proclamation imposing President’s A National Court of Appeal, with benches in Chennai, rule — to the extent that it orders the convening of a Mumbai and Kolkata, is meant to act as final courts of suspended House. justice in dealing with appeals from decisions of the High Can the assembly function when President’s rule is Courts and tribunals within their region in civil, in force? criminal, labor and revenue matters. According to clauses in Article 356 after the imposition However, the centre has been opposing this move. of President’s Rule, the State legislature cannot Why? function and all its functions can only be discharged by The government cites three grounds for rejecting the or under the authority of Parliament. idea: 3. Ethics panel to probe bribery charges against TMC 1. The Supreme Court always sits in Delhi as per the MPs: Constitution. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan has referred the 2. The Chief Justices of India in the past have issue of alleged unethical conduct of some Trinamool consistently opposed the idea of a National Court of Congress members to the Ethics Committee of the Lok Appeal or regional Benches to the Supreme Court. Sabha. 3. A National Court of Appeal would require an About Ethics Committee: amendment in Article 130 of the Constitution of India 1. It is a permanent Standing Committee. which is impermissible as this would change the 2. Both Lok Sabha &Rajyasabha have separate Ethics Constitution of the Supreme Court completely. committees. What the petitioner says? 3. Total number of Members= 15 1. National Court of Appeal would have benches in all 4. It is also free to take up suomotu investigation into possible regions of the country. This would also matters relating to ethics, including matters relating to considerably reduce the cost of litigation and would unethical conduct by a member wherever felt necessary enable the litigants to have the services of the lawyer and make such recommendations as it may deem fit. who appeared for them before the High Court. Currently, the ethics committee in the Lok Sabha has 15 2. The petitioner also argues that the Supreme Court members chaired by LK Advani was never intended to be a regular court of appeal 4. Supreme Court allows pictures of Governors, Chief against orders made by the high court or the session Ministers and ministers in Govt advertisements: court or the magistrates. It was created as an apex Modifying its earlier order, the Supreme Court, in its court for the purpose of laying down the law for the new verdict, has allowed photographs of Chief Ministers, entire country. Governors and Ministers to be carried in public Criticism: However, legal experts feel that setting up of advertisements. regional benches will dilute the constitutional superiority Details: of the Supreme Court.  However, the court has granted permission to publish Minister’s photo only in place of photos of Prime Minister or Chief Minister.  The order effectively means that the government would have to choose either photo of PM/CM or 1 CURRENT AFFAIRS- MARCH(16th-31th) Byju’s Classes:9873643487

minister to ensure that only one picture of political Background: person from a government would find place in the Population ageing is taking place in nearly all the advertisements. countries of the world. The global share of older people Background: aged 60 years or over increased from 9.2% in 1990 to The court, in its previous verdict, had held that only the 11.7% in 2013 and will continue to grow as a proportion President, the Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of of the world population, reaching 21.1% by 2050. India could feature in government advertisements. Presently, about two thirds of the world’s older persons The order put to an end the practise of splashing photos live in developing countries. By 2050, nearly 8 in 10 of of Chief Minister, Union and state ministers and political the world’s older population will live in the less leaders of ruling parties in government advertisements, developed regions. compelling the Centre and state governments to rush to While global ageing can be seen as a symbol of medical, Supreme Court to get the order modified. social, and economic advances and also has major Chief Ministers and Ministers both at Centre and states health, social and economic consequences over the past had become “nameless and faceless” in government half century, it also represents a significant policy advertisements after this verdict. challenge. The court had held that tax-payers money were being Indian scenario: misused by ruling party for political gains and According to the 2011 census, the 60+ population publishing photographs of politicians associating them accounted for 8.6% of India’s total population. With with the government policy and its achievement could currently 1.3 billion people, India is projected to become develop the personality cult which was a direct the world’s most populous country within a decade. antithesis of democratic functioning and should not be There are several forces driving India’s population allowed. growth and changing age structure, including an upward Arguments against the previous order: trend in life expectancy. 1. Seeking review of its order, the Centre had argued An Indian born in 1950 could expect to live for 37 years, that PM was one among the Ministers and hence, whereas today India’s life expectancy at birth nearly ministers’ pictures must also be shown in doubled to 68 years, by 2050, it is projected to increase advertisements to make people aware about their works. to 76 years. 2. Publishing picture of only PM would lead to As a result, India’s population will rise from 1.3 billion personality cult which was against the very spirit of its today to an estimated 1.7 billion by 2050, with a much judgement. larger elderly share of around 340 million. Including the 3. The state governments also pleaded that the pre-retirement phase (i.e., population age 45+), the judgement was against the federal structure as Chief proportion will rise to over 30%, or almost 600 million Minister was as important in a state as the PM and a CM persons. could not denied opportunity to tell his people about the 2. Supreme Court’s ordered Status Quo on Land work done by the state government through levelling of Punjab Govt for Sutlej-Yamuna Link advertisements. Canal (SYL): NATIONAL The Supreme Court has ordered status quo on the land 1. Health Ministry launches Longitudinal Ageing meant for the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal after Haryana Study in India: alleged attempts by Punjab to alter its use by levelling it. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare recently Background: launched the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India (LASI). This issue escalated when, earlier the Punjab assembly This is the largest survey of its kind. passed the Punjab Sutlej Yamuna Link Canal It will survey more than 60,000 elderly. (Rehabilitation and Re-vesting of proprietary Rights) Bill, About LASI: 2016 to de-notify the land acquired to build the canal in LASI is the largest study on older population in the Punjab. country. Upset with this, Haryana sought early hearing in the The International Institute for Population Sciences Supreme Court on the Presidential reference that has (IIPS), Mumbai in collaboration with Harvard School of been pending for around 12 years now. Public Health (HSPH) and University of Southern Haryana argued the Bill, awaiting the Governor’s assent, California (USC), USA is undertaking this study under would negate the Supreme Court’s 2004 decree calling the aegis of the Ministry of Union Health and Family for unhindered construction of the canal which will give Welfare. Haryana its share of water. LASI is jointly funded by the Union Ministry of Health What is the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal, and the and Family Welfare, the United States’ National Institute controversy over it? on Ageing, and the United Nations Population Fund-  The creation of Haryana from the old (undivided) India. Punjab in 1966 threw up the problem of giving Significance of this study: Haryana its share of river waters. The importance of the study derives from the increasing  Punjab was opposed to sharing waters of the Ravi portion of elderly population in the country. and Beas with Haryana, citing riparian principles, 1. The study will provide valuable data on their health and arguing that it had no water to spare. needs, and issues faced by them given the changing  However, Centre issued a notification allocating to social structures, and helps policymakers to draw policy Haryana 3.5 million acre feet (MAF) out of undivided tools to address their issues. Punjab’s 7.2 MAF. 2. This study will help design policies to mainstream the  To enable Haryana to use its share of the waters of elderly, to reduce their vulnerabilities and enhance the Sutlej and its tributary Beas, a canal linking the access to various services. 2 CURRENT AFFAIRS- MARCH(16th-31th) Byju’s Classes:9873643487

Sutlej with the Yamuna, cutting across the state, 2. An additional tab directly connects the farmer with was planned. the Kisan call centre where technical graduates answer  A tripartite agreement was also negotiated between their queries. Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan in this regard. 3. The app was developed by the agriculture ministry.  However, following the protests in Punjab, the 4. To begin with, a farmer has to register the mobile Punjab Assembly passed The Punjab Termination of number, choose a language at present limited to Hindi Agreements Act, 2004, terminating its water-sharing and English and enter details of the state, district and agreements, and thus jeopardizing the construction block or sub-district. of SYL in Punjab. 3. World Bank to fund Swachh Bharat Mission: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS The government has approved 1.5 billion dollar (about 1. Nepal, China sign Transit treaty: Rs 9,000 crore) World Bank support for the Swachh Nepal and China have signed Memorandums of Bharat Mission (SBM) in rural areas. Understanding (MoU), including the transit and The project basically provides for incentivizing states on transportation treaty. the basis of their performance in the existing Swachh New Rail and Port link: Bharat Mission- Gramin. New Rail link: China has agreed to Nepal Prime Minister The end-use of the incentive grants will be limited to K P Oli’s request to build a strategic railway link between activities pertaining to the sanitation sector. the two countries through Tibet to reduce land-locked 4. Project Depot Online of FCI: Nepal’s total dependence on India. The Centre has launched an online System to Port: automate all the operations of FCI depots. With the latest agreement, Nepal will be able to use the It is an important project under Digital India initiative of Chinese sea port for third-country trade through the Government. nearest Tianjin port from Nepal border. This will end the Benefits: Himalayan nation’s total dependency on an Indian sea  Facilitate the depot management for FCI, helps in port for third-country trade links. speeding up operations, Free up manpower from Background: laborious data collation and report preparation thus, Oli’s visit comes as Nepal seeks to open more supply saving operational costs routes from China amid fears of a repeat of recent nearly  Integrated view of end to end processes, use of six-month long crippling blockadewhen the Indian-origin workflow, notification and alerts and seamless Madhesis blocked Nepal’s trade-routes with India, connection between depots and district/regional throwing normal life out of gear. offices of FCI. India at present has two rail lines under construction  Capture data at source and in real time through and three more are being planned to increase Nepal’s Handheld Devices, reduce redundancy. trade ties.  SMS alerts will help field staff to take timely action. 2. India to accede to the “Ashgabat Agreement”: Will help save costs and prevent leakages. The Union Cabinet has given its approval for India to 5. India ranked 118th in UN’s world happiness index; accede to the Ashgabat Agreement, an international behind Pakistan, China: (Not much Important) transport and transit corridor facilitating transportation India has been placed at 118th position out of 156 of goods between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf. countries in a global list of the happiest nations. Benefits for India: This was revealed by The World Happiness Report  Accession to the Agreement would enable India to 2016, published by the Sustainable Development utilize this existing transport and transit corridor to Solutions Network (SDSN), a global initiative for the facilitate trade and commercial interaction with the United Nations. Eurasian region. How Happiness is measured?  Further, this would synchronize with our efforts to The report takes into account GDP per capita, life implement the International North South Transport expectancy, social support and freedom to make life Corridor (INSTC) for enhanced connectivity. choices as indicators of happiness. Background: Highlights of the report: Ashgabat is the capital and the largest city of 1. Denmark takes the top spot as the happiest country Turkmenistan in Central Asia. in the world. About The Ashgabat Agreement: 2. India ranked 118th, down from 117th in 2015.  It aims to develop a shortest trade route between India’s position has been sliding down. Central Asian countries and Iranian and Omani 3. India comes below nations like Somalia, China, ports Pakistan, Iran, and Bangladesh.  The Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan (ITK) railway 4. The report notes that Rwanda, Afghanistan, Togo, line will be the major route according to the Syria and Burundi are the least happiest countries. Ashgabat Agreement and was also included as part 6. Kisan Suvidha App: of India-funded North-South international transport KisaanSuvidha is a mobile app developed to help farmers corridor (NSITC). by providing relevant information to them quickly. UPSC sample question: (Try to frame questions on your Key Features: own by playing with the Key words. 1. The app has a simple interface and provides 1. a. Ashgabat Agreement is International tourism information on five critical parameters: weather, input agreement which facilitates seamless transit facility to dealers, market price, plant protection and expert visitors. advisories. b. Ashgabat Agreement aims to connect East Asia with the other parts of Asia. 3 CURRENT AFFAIRS- MARCH(16th-31th) Byju’s Classes:9873643487

c. Ashgabat is located in Turkmentstan, which is the 2. The project is expected to deliver key results in terms farthest Central Asian Repubic from India. of improving access to services and citizen outreach, Which of the following statements are true? simplification of Government services, performance i. only a management and strengthening the capacity of ii. Only c implementing agencies iii. Only b, c 2. Punjab notifies swine flu under Epidemic Disease iv. Only a, c Act: v. None of the above The Punjab government has notified swine flu (H1N1) 2. Locate Ashgabat & other capitals of Central Asian under the Epidemic Disease Act. Republics in the World map. Arrange these capitals in Background: North-south & East-West manner. The notification has been issued by the state health department based on the recommendations of an 3. India-UAE agreement for $75 billion investment in advisory committee. NIIF gets clearance: It had observed that swine flu patients, who suffered The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval from other chronic diseases, had a high mortality rate as for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between compared to patients who did not have chronic diseases. India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to mobilize up Swine Flu: to $75 billion long-term investment in the National  Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF). of pigs. Details:  H1N1 is a flu virus. The MoU will help establish a transparent and high-level Transmission from Pigs to Humans: platform under which both countries intend to explore  The H1N1 virus is currently a seasonal flu virus ways to facilitate and expand the participation of UAE’s found in humans. investment institutions in appropriate infrastructure  Although it also circulates in pigs, one cannot get it projects and institutions in India including NIIF. by eating properly handled and cooked pork or pork About National Investment and Infrastructure Fund products. (NIIF):  In 2009, the World Health Organization called it a  The Fund aims to attract investment from both pandemic. domestic and international sources. 3. Fiber Grid Project was launched by AP govt:  The government’s contribution would be limited to Andhra Pradesh government has launched AP Fiber Grid 49% of the subscribed capital. project in partnership with CISCO.  The government will seek participation from strategic About the Fiber Grid Project: investors such as sovereign fund, quasi sovereign The project aims to set up State-wide high-speed optical funds and multilateral or bilateral investors, which fiber infrastructure leveraging the existing assets of the can help leverage this fund to many times. Cash-rich electricity transmission/distribution companies such as PSUs, pension funds, provident funds, National electric poles and sub-stations to provide last mile Small Saving Fund will be able to pick up stake in connectivity to 1.3 crore households. the fund. 4. Gujarat has been named the most film-friendly  The objective of NIIF is to maximize economic state in the country for its effort to ease the shooting of impact mainly through infrastructure development films. in commercially viable projects, both Greenfield This was announced at the recently concluded 63rd and brown field, including stalled projects. National Film Awards. Framing Questions on this: The ‘Most Film-Friendly State’ award was introduced 1. Recently India & UAE signed an agreement with $75 this year. billioninvestment (Clue: That’s a huge sum) on which sector: ECONOMY a. Renewable Energy b. Space Technology c. Human Topic: Economy Resource Development d. Infrastructure 1. Centre gives nod for 100% FDI in e-commerce 2. NIIF finances retail a. Only Greenfield projects b. Brownfield projects c. The government has allowed 100% foreign direct Both d. None investment (FDI) through the automatic route in the 3. What are the different types of Green-field projects? marketplace model of e-commerce retailing. Give some example. Details: 4. What is a Brownfield project? Name different types of 1. However, as per the guidelines issued by the Brownfield projects. Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) on FDI in e-commerce, foreign direct investment has not STATES been permitted in inventory-based model. 2. According to the guidelines, the e-commerce 1. Loan agreement with World Bank: marketplace may provide support services to sellers in India has signed a loan agreement of 35 million dollars warehousing, and logistics, order fulfilment, call centre, with World Bank for “Madhya Pradesh Citizen Access payment collection and other services. to Responsive Services Project”. 3. However, such entities will not exercise ownership About the Project: over the inventory. According to the guidelines, any 1. The objective of the project is to improve access and warranty/guarantee on goods and services sold will be quality of public services in Madhya Pradesh. responsibility of the seller, not the market place operator. 4 CURRENT AFFAIRS- MARCH(16th-31th) Byju’s Classes:9873643487

4. Also, an e-commerce firm will not be permitted to sell Some B2B services comes under this: more than 25% of total sales from one vendor or its  Online advertising or any services group companies.  Designing, creating, hosting or maintenance of These guidelines are expected to bring in more FDI into website the sector that attracted maximum inflow of such  E-mails investments in 2015.  Online computing, blogs, online content What is Marketplace Model?  Online data or any other online facility The marketplace model has been defined as providing an 3. Government Unveils New “Defence Procurement “information technology platform by an e-commerce Policy”: entity on a digital and electronic network to act as a New defence procurement policy was recently unveiled facilitator between buyer and seller.” Example – by the government with an aim to ensure transparency, Amazon, Flipkart fast track acquisition process and give a push to ‘Make Inventory-based model or Brick-Mortar Model: in India’ initiative. An inventory-led model is defined as one where the e- Key facts: commerce entity owns the inventory of goods and 1. The procurement policy lays the roadmap on how services and sells directly to consumers. Earlier Flipkart India, the world’s largest arms importer, will acquire used to be inventory based e-commerce venture. defence equipment in the future. Implications: 2. The new DPP has included a new category to 1. This move could potentially end the discount wars, acquire weapons: IDDM (Indigenously Designed, much to the disappointment of consumers. This is Developed and Manufactured). The IDDM will be the first because the rules now prohibit marketplaces from preferred category of preference. offering discounts and capping total sales originating 3. The new policy also allows the Defence Acquisition from a group company or one vendor at 25%. Council to take a “fast-track” route to acquire weapons. 2. With this, online marketplaces will now not be allowed 4. In a bid to cut down on the time taken for acquisition to directly or indirectly influence pricing of products and process, it mandates that all AONs (Acceptance of services on the platform. Necessity) of a particular platform will be valid for only 3. This could, however, level the playing field with six months as against the 12-month deadline now. offline stores, which have witnessed a slump in footfalls 5. Defence export clearances will now be granted online. corresponding to the increase in e-commerce. Topic-1: Industry & Trade: Analysis: 1. Voluntary Certification for Domestically produced The press note issued by the department of industrial Medical Devices: Push to Pharmacy Sector: policy and promotion (DIPP) said 100% FDI via the Quality Council of India (QCI) had recently organized automatic route would be allowed only for e-commerce an event to introduce a voluntary certification process players under the marketplace model, and not under the for domestically-produced medical devices. inventory led model. This was an attempt by the centre to create confidence This means that companies such as Amazon and among doctors and Consumers about availability of Alibaba can set up an online marketplace legally now locally produced medical devices. where sellers can hawk their products. But the policy The produces were also asked to adopt WHO standards does not allow Amazon or Flipkart to become a seller. to reassure the world that Indian drug are not only cost- What necessitated this policy? effective but are also of good quality. So far, India has allowed 100% foreign investment in Background: business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce but none in While India is known as pharmacy of the world it is retail e- commercei.e. Business-to-consumer or B2C. lagging behind in producing medical devices. Even so, Indian e-commerce companies such as Flipkart Hence, it was recently decided by the government to and Snapdeal have been following the marketplace increase import duties on medical devices imported from model which was not defined and attracting large foreign other countries as a corrective step to create an investments. Marketplaces essentially act as a platform ecosystem for manufacturing them locally. connecting sellers and buyers. Pharmaceutical sector in India: This had led to allegations from time to time by brick- 1. Pharmaceutical industry in India is also expected to and-mortar stores that Indian e-commerce companies outperform the Global pharmaceutical industry in the were flouting existing policy norms to gain an unfair next five years. advantage, given that the government does not allow FDI 2. Presently the market size of the pharmaceutical in multi-brand retail companies. industry in India stands at $20 billion. Besides, by 2020 2. Govt panel for levy on e-commerce through India is likely to be on the top 3 pharmaceutical markets emails, blogs: by incremental growth and sixth largest Market globally A committee on e-commerce has recommended a tax on in absolute size. digital transactions such as emails, blogs and 3. India’s cost of production is also significantly lower downloads. than that of the US and almost half of that of Europe. 1. The committee has recommended a tax of 6-8% on 13 This gives India a competitive edge over other countries. services, in a bid to prevent tax avoidance by About Quality Council of India (QCI) multinationals. 1. It is an autonomous body jointly by the Government 2. The recommendations are based on Base Erosion and of India and the Indian Industry represented by the Profit Shifting guidelines of The Organization for three premier industry associations i.e. ASSOCHAM, CII Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) which and FICCI, to establish and operate national provides economic solutions to member nations. accreditation structure and promote quality through National Quality Campaign. 5 CURRENT AFFAIRS- MARCH(16th-31th) Byju’s Classes:9873643487

2. The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, Key facts: Ministry of Commerce Industry, is the nodal ministry  Out of 18 biosphere reserves in India, Agasthyamala for QCI. Biosphere Reserve is the tenth one to be included 2. Thermal Power Plant in Singreni: in the prestigious UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve State-run power equipment maker BHEL recently Network. commissioned a 500 MW coal-based unit at Singareni The others are Nilgiri, Gulf of Mannar, Sunderban, Thermal Power Project in Adilabad District of Telangana. Nanda Devi, Nokrek, Pachmarh, Similipal, Achanakmar- UPSC Sample Question: Amarkantak and Great Nicobar. 1. What is the most likeliest factor that may have The area falls in the Malabar rainforests and is one of contributed to the commissioning of Singareni plant? the noted hotspot areas because of its position in the a. Huge demand of Electricity from nearby cities like Western Ghats. Hyderbaaad  Many plants are considered endangered too. b. Availability of plenty of water from Krishna river Researchers have noted that about 400 Red Listed c. Availability of low grade lignite coal Plants have been recorded from this region. d. Availability of Transportation facility  About 125 species of orchids and rare, endemic and e. Abundance of cheap labour force. threatened plants have been recorded from the i. a ii. C iii. D iv. B v. E reserve. There are three wildlife sanctuaries within Topic-3: Business: the reserve, Shendurney, Peppara, and Neyyar. 1. FDI limit insurance sector raised to 49 %: The KalakkadMundanthurai Tiger Reserve was Seeking to attract more foreign investment, the recently included as part of the biosphere reserve. government has relaxed FDI norms for the insurance  It is also one of the most diverse ecosystems in the sector by permitting overseas companies to buy 49% country. stake in domestic insurers without prior approval. Biosphere reserves: Currently, up to 26% FDI is permitted through the The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves are automatic approval route. For FDI up to 49%, the exemplary of biospheres where people and nature have approval of the Foreign Investment Promotion Board a harmonious relationship. (FIPB) is required. Biosphere reserves in India protect larger areas of UPSC sample Question: natural habitat and often include one or more 1. Write the recent changes in FDI cap quota that have National Parks and/or preserves, along with buffer been drafted for various sectors. zones that are open to some economic uses. For example: Sectors like Defense, Insurance, Multi- The first of India’s reserves to make it to UNESCO’s brand retail. list was Tamil Nadu’s Niligiri Biosphere Reserve. 2. What are the different routes for FDI approval? Key Features: 3. Who heads Foreign Investment Promotion Board  Protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna (FIPB)? of the protected region, but also to the human a. The Prime Minister b. The Finance Minister c. The communities who inhabit these regions, and their Finance Secretary d. The commerce & Industry ways of life. Secretary Key Points: Biosphere Reserve, UNESCO’s World Topic-4: Financial Sector Network of Biosphere Reserves, National park, 1. Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs): Agasthyamala Biosphere reserve, India’s biosphere As per SEBI norms, Indian firms can raise funds by reserves. issuance of non- convertible debentures (NCDs) Home work: (UPSC Prelims & Mains Sample What are NCDs? Questions) The debentures which can’t be converted into shares or 1. Try to locate Agasthyamala Biosphere reserve in equities are called non-convertible debentures (or NCDs). india’s map. Non-convertible debentures are used as tools to raise 2. Find out other Biosphere reserves in India’s map. long-term funds by companies through a public issue. (Search either in Google or NCERT Geography book) Besides, NCDs offer various other benefits to the owner 3. Locate other prominent Biosphere reserves, national such as high liquidity through stock market listing, tax parks and Sanctuaries in the Western Gahat& Eastern exemptions at sourceand safety since they can be issued Ghat near Agasthyamala Biosphere reserve. by companies which have a good credit rating as 4. Find out the endemic species (both flora & fauna) specified in the norms laid down by RBI for the issue of found in the Biosphere reserve. Find out the endangered NCDs. species and the rare species found here. (Take help of Debentures: Google) Debentures are long-term financial instruments 2. Kakrapara Nuclear mishap: which acknowledge a debt obligation towards the India’s atomic energy regulatory body, AERB, has issuer. classified recent nuclear reactor leak at the Kakrapur atomic power station (KAPS) as a Level-1, or the lowest ENVIRONMENT in seven-rung classification scheme internationally 1. UNESCO adds India’s Agasthyamala Biosphere used to rate the severity of nuclear mishaps. Reserve to its list of perfect biospheres: Background: Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve has been included in A power generation unit at Kakrapar Atomic Power UNESCO’s list of World Biosphere Reserve Network. Station was recently shut down after leakage of heavy water. The power station is located in Gujarat.

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How the leak was measured? 5. New standards for Gensets: It was measured on the International Nuclear and The Centre has notified stringent environment standards Radiological Event (INES) scale, developed by the to make cities and towns shift to less polluting and International Atomic Energy Authority. quieter Gensets to prevent both Air & Noise pollution. About AERB: Key facts: The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) was  This the first time such mandated certifications constituted to carry out certain regulatory and safety have been notified for gensets running on LPG or functions under the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the natural gas or in combination with diesel and Environmental (Protection) Act, 1986. petrol. The headquarters is in Mumbai.  The primary aim is to control air and noise Questions: pollution emanating from the gensets. 1. Locate other Nuclear reactors (which are prominent or Background: recently in news) in India’s map. These standards were recommended by the Central For example: Tarapore plant, Jaitapur plant, Kalpakam Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after consultations Nuclear plant. with industries and other stakeholders. Find the reasons why they are in news recently. Recently, the ministry had also notified improved 2. What is the unit of measurement of nuclear radiation? environmental standards for thermal power plants, 3. AERB comes under which ministry or is it an common effluent treatment plants and cement and sugar Autonomous body? industries. New stringent environmental standards for 3. Centre bans plastic bags below 50 microns: all these industries will go a long way in reducing air The Centre has notified new plastic waste management pollution. rules for the country which are more stringent than the 6. World Water Day: previous rules. World Water Day is being observed globally today (22nd Details: March). It is to mark the importance of water to human  Under the new rules the government banned the civilization and nature. manufacturing of plastic bags of below 50 microns It is part of Decade for Water (2005-2015) activity by the as thinner bags currently pose a major threat to United Nations. environment due to its non-disposability. 2016 Theme: “Water and Jobs”.  Manufacturers of plastic bags will have to make certain payments to states for its post-use disposal. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY  Rural areas have also been brought in the ambit of TOPIC-1: Recent Discoveries & Achievements in S&T these rules since plastic has reached to villages. 1. Google’s Project Loon: Responsibility for implementation of the rules is Project Loon is a research and development project given to Gram Panchayats. being developed by Google X with the mission of  The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has providing Internet access to rural and remote areas. been mandated to formulate guidelines for thermoset The project uses high-altitude balloons placed in the plastic (the plastic difficult to recycle). stratosphere at an altitude of about 32 km to create an 4. Project NoyyalaiNokki: aerial wireless network with up to 3G-like speeds. NoyyalaiNokki project, a project to restore Noyyal River It has already tested this technology in New Zealand, and its tributaries, has been launched. California (in the US), and Brazil. Details: How it operates?  The restoration project includes installation of The balloons are maneuvered by adjusting their altitude decentralised sewage treatment plants, developing to float to a wind layer after identifying the wind layer parks where space is available and laying walking with the desired speed and direction using wind data. paths along the river. Users of the service connect to the balloon network using  The project will be implemented on divide- a special Internet antenna attached to their building. distribute-develop model by forming committees The signal travels through the balloon network from for every 500 metres of the river. The initiative will balloon to balloon,then to a ground-based station involve educational institutions, businesses, the connected to an Internet service provider (ISP), then public and the Government. onto the global Internet.  To begin with, a survey of the river would be taken Why stratosphere was chosen? up and an estimate of the project would be prepared. Google asserts that the stratosphere is About The Noyyal River: advantageousbecause of its relatively low wind 1. It rises from the Vellingiri hills in the Western speeds and minimal turbulence. Google also claims Ghatsin Tamil Nadu that it can model, with reasonable accuracy, the 2. It passes through the cotton belt of Coimbatore, seasonal, longitudinal, and latitudinal variations in wind Tirupur, Erode and Karurto join the Cauvery or it’s a speeds within the 18–25 km stratospheric layer. tributary of Cauvery river. Significance of this project: Note: 1. The technology designed in the project could allow Tirpur, Coimbatore are the major cotton producing areas countries to avoid using expensive fiber cable that in Tamil Nadu. Number of textile mills are there. would have to be installed underground to allow users This textile mills and other industries discharge to connect to the Internet. pollutants into nearby rivers that has led huge 2. This will also greatly increase Internet usage in contamination of river water in this region. developing countries in regions such as Africa and

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Southeast Asia that can’t afford to lay underground fiber power supplies, but also affect Earth’s ability to support cable. life. 3. The project also brings Internet access to remote Background: and rural areas poorly served by existing provisions, Superflares or the largest observed eruption from the and improves communication during natural Sun consist of energetic particles that are hurled away disasters to affected regions. from the Sun into space. But, when the Sun pours out 2. Tool to check Solar plant parts: gigantic amounts of hot plasma during large solar Solar Mango, a solar energy consulting firm, has come eruptions, it may have severe consequences. out with a web-based tool ‘PV SAVVY’ to help people Effects of superflares: choose key components of the right quality required for  Damage to or loss of all artificial satellites. solar power plants.  Airline passengers on trans-polar flights would In the absence of a mechanism to evaluate solar power receive high radiation doses from the energetic system parts, PV SAVVY aims to provide a checklist of particles (as would any astronauts or the crew of the green practices and assist people in selecting better International Space Station). quality components.  Significant depletion of the ozone layer with UPSC sample question: increased risk of cataracts, sunburn and skin What is PV savvy? cancer, as well as damage to growing plants. a. A new defense technology to check infiltration b. A  Severe damage to the biosphere, especially to new Space tool to check Space phenomena primary photosynthesis in the oceans. c. A new Web tool to check the functioning of Solar  Failure of the electricity distribution system, Plant. possibly with damage to transformers and switching Topic-2: Climate Change & Clean Technology equipment. 1. Solar for Refrigerator and air conditioner:  Loss of power to the cooling systems of spent fuel A Chennai-based company has showed that solar power rods stored at nuclear power stations. can be used to power air conditioner and refrigerator.  Loss of most radio communication because of The company has replaced the conventional silicon increased ionisation in the atmosphere. crystalline panels with thin film solar panels. Though UPSC Sample questions: efficiency of thin film panel is the same as silicon panel, 1. What is Super-flare? the energy yield of thin film is higher than silicon panel. 2. How it affects the Planet Earth & everyday human This is because power rating is done at 25 degree C. activities? Advantages: 3. Cabinet approves procurement of launch services 1. 5% more energy output is achieved by thin film for GSAT-11: panels. The union cabinet has given its approval for the 2. The thin film panel is that unlike silicon panels where procurement of launch services and realization of ground power production gets completely cut off even if a small segment for GSAT-11 spacecraft. part of the panel is covered by shade, only that part of The ground segment is being realized to address the the thin film panel that is not exposed to sunlight stops rural communication requirements. producing power. About GSAT-11: Topic -3: Space Science:  To be one of the largest Indian communication 1. Detailed gravity map gives best view yet of Mars satellite. Scientists have created the most detailed map of Mars’  GSAT-11 is a geostationary communications gravity to date using data from three NASA spacecraft. satellite The map was derived using data collected by NASA’s  The GSAT-11 will not only link all the towns and Deep Space Network from three spacecraft in orbit villages in this country with quality high-speed Wi-Fi around Mars: Mars Global Surveyor (MGS), Mars service, it will also integrate internet and television Odyssey (ODY), and the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter services. (MRO). What has been found out? Homework: (UPSC sample questions) Using this data, scientists have found out that Mars has 1. What is a Geo-stationary Satellite? Write five a liquid outer core of molten rock. prominent features about it. Benefits of Gravity Map: Ans: Geo-stationary satellite: Provides a glimpse into the hidden interior of the red i. It has a time period of rotation equal to that of the planet. Earth It will be helpful for future Mars exploration because ii. It lies 36,000 km above the Earth’s surface. (It’s a better knowledge of the planet’s gravity anomalies helps Standard data: 36000 Kms.) mission controllers insert spacecraft more precisely into iii. It lies above the Equator. orbit. 2. What is a Polar Satellite? Differentiate between Polar The improved resolution of the gravity map suggests a satellite & Geo-synchronous satellite in terms of their new explanation for how some features formed across basic features & functions. the boundary that divides the relatively smooth northern 3. True/ False type question: lowlands from heavily cratered southern highlands. i. A Geosynchronous satellite is a special type of Geo- 2. Sun may produce devastating ‘superflares’ stationary satellite. Scientists have indicated that the Sun is capable of ii. A Geo-stationary satellite is a special type of Geo- producing monstrous eruptions or ‘superflares‘ that synchronous satellite. can not only break down radio communication and Which of the above statement(s) is/are true? a. only I b. only ii c. Both d. None 8 CURRENT AFFAIRS- MARCH(16th-31th) Byju’s Classes:9873643487

4. Highest peak on the Saturn: About Abel prize: Scientists working on NASA’s Cassini mission have The award is given by the Norwegian Academy of identified the highest point on Saturn’s largest moon Science and Letters. Titan. Sir Andrew was awarded the prize for his stunning Titan’s highest peak is 10, 948 feet high. It is found proof of Fermat’s Last Theorem, opening a new era in within a mountainous ridges called the Mithrim number theory. Montes. 2. Indian appointed UN adviser on Human rights and About Cassini Mission: businesses: 1. Cassini–Huygens is an unmanned spacecraft of India-born academician, Surya Deva has been appointed NASA sent to the planet Saturn. by the Geneva-based UNHRC as the Asia-Pacific 2. Cassini is the fourth space probe to visit Saturn and representative of the UN Working Group on the issue of the first to enter Saturn’s orbit. human rights and transnational corporations and other UPSC Sample Question: business enterprises. 1. Match the following: (Planet & her moon) United Nations Human Rights Council (NHRC): Planet Moon 1. It is an inter-governmental body within the United a. Jupiter 1. Titan Nations system responsible for strengthening the b. Mars 2. Phobos promotion and protection of human rights around the c. Saturn 3. Titron globe. d. Uranus 4. Titania 2. It has headquarter at Geneva. Take the help of Google & NCERT. 3. The Council is made up of 47 United Nations Member 2. Go through the following aspects of a celestial object; States which are elected by the UN General Assembly. For a planet: Any special feature like Highest time The term of each seat is three years, and no member period of rotation or Anti-clockwise revolution may occupy a seat for more than two consecutive terms. For a moon: Is it the largest moon of the Planet? Does it 3. DefExpo India: have any special feature?  It’s a biennial exhibition of land, naval and Example: Titan’s atmosphere is filled with toxic gases. internal homeland security systems Topic –4: Defense Technology  It was organized by the Defence Ministry, kicked off in Goa. 1. British troops test ‘invisibility cloak’: 4. New National emergency Number: British troops recently tested a “invisibility cloak”. This  India has decided to adopt ‘112’ as the national cloak allows them to hide from the enemy. emergency number similar to ‘911’ in the US and The cloak is known as “Vatec” and allows soldiers to ‘999’ in the UK hide even from infrared and heat-searching devices.  The roll-out of ‘112’ may see a gradual phase out of Background: existing emergency numbers like 100 (for police),  This cloak attempts to replicate the special ability of 101 (fire), 102 (ambulance) and 108 (disaster cephalopods such as the octopus and squid to blend management. in with the environment to evade their predators. These creatures’ skin has pigment-rich cells EDITORIAL/OPINION called chromatophores that change colour in 1. Did climate change cause those floods? response to external factors such as the presence A lot has been discussed about weather-related extreme of a predator. events and their impact on day-to-day activities. Events  Researchers have developed a process that mimics such as heavy downpours followed by floods, droughts, this ability with a technology known as visual storms, heat and cold waves, and wild fires often destroy appearance modulation. lives, property and ecosystems. At the same time such How it operates? events also stretch the capacities of disaster Using a technology known as visual appearance management departments and coffers for emergency modulation, the material they developed has one side funds in various parts of the world. that contains tiny light-sensitive cells that are sensitive However, such events are often thought to be caused by to the colours of the environment. Once colours are climate change. One of the main impacts anticipated detected, electrical signals trigger the top layer to imitate from climate change is an increase in the intensity, those colours using heat-sensitive dyes, a process that frequency or duration of extreme events. takes place in as fast as two to three seconds. Is climate change behind all these extreme events? Advantages of The cloak: No. It is because most extreme events have one or more The flexible fabric has a crinkly texture so that even components that are not related to climate change. For when it is laid out flat it has some depth, i.e. a multi- example, incompetent forest management practices level aspect. The material can be formed into many contribute to fires. Poor land use planning contributed to different complex shapes, and keep those shapes heavy downpours and floods in Chennai last year. mimicking all types of man-made or natural terrains. Also, we can attribute such extreme events to climate change only when there is reliable data, based on sound MISCELLANEOUS: AWARDS, PIN&EVENTS physical principles, consistent evidence from 1. Abel Prize to Sir Andrew Wiles: observations, and numerical models that can replicate Sir Andrews Wiles an Oxford University professor has the event, available. But, all these conditions are not won the Abel prize for cracking a 300-year old satisfied for every type of extreme weather event. mystery mathematical theorem. Besides, contribution from non-climactic factors such as human activity is often not considered when attributing such events to climate change. Another confounding 9 CURRENT AFFAIRS- MARCH(16th-31th) Byju’s Classes:9873643487

issue is that there is a natural variability in the At the global level too, efforts to boost urban resilience occurrence of weather events in any case. For these are gaining momentum. In 2014, nine institutions, reason, it is difficult for a scientist to be absolutely sure including the World Bank and the Global Facility for that a particular singular event has been caused by Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR), the climate change. world’s largest fund for disaster prevention and What should be done? recovery announced the Resilient Cities Initiative, a To understand the real consequences, it is necessary to worldwide collaboration to make cities safer. separate the climate signal from everything else. What else can be done reduce the impact? Two approaches in this regard are helpful: 1. To increase resilience, critical infrastructure and 1. Climate models, which help simulate an event. services: schools, hospitals, water, electricity, 2. Observational record which are helpful in estimating communications systems, transportation, etcwill need to the statistical chance and magnitude of an extreme be built or retrofitted to withstand multiple hazards so event. that they continue to function in an emergency. Why scientific study in this regard is necessary? 2. Preventing urban flooding will be equally critical. Scientific studies of extreme weather events and their Similarly, it will be important to upgrade waste collection attribution to global warming may help various groups as carelessly handled garbage and construction debris such as planners, emergency responders, policymakers are a major cause of clogged water outlets. and insurance companies. 3. While modern technology can help forecast floods Also, better knowledge of the risk contributes to how and cyclones, no precise methods exist to predict communities, governments, investors and others prepare earthquakes. Enforcing building codes will therefore be for the future, with regard to planning cities, proposed imperative, especially in India where almost 60% of the infrastructure, natural resources or food security. landmass is seismically vulnerable. Conclusion: 4. Timely data availability has to be ensured. All towns As efforts to improve our understanding of extreme and cities will benefit by collecting and sharing data on events improve, the ability for attribution is expected to population densities, critical infrastructure, buildings, improve. As in any other kinds of scientific studies, the etc, enabling them to direct urban growth to safer accuracy improves with various advances including places. validation across different approaches, advances in 5. A swift response can keep casualties low. On the modelling methods, and the accuracy of historical lines of Gujarat, emergency response centres should be records of such events. established across India. Such centres should also be However, it is necessary to address anticipated risks provided with specialised search and rescue equipment, even before all our models become accurate enough to and outfitted emergency vehicles so that they could estimate every detail of climate extremes. Otherwise, we navigate narrow city lanes expeditiously. will reach thresholds beyond which making corrective 6.Involving local communities is also critically improvements to deal with climate change may not yield important. In Odisha, for example, local volunteers have the protection we need. been trained as first responders and equipped to provide 2. When nature strikes: first-aid and conduct search and rescue operations, with Unusually heavy rains in densely populated areas can special evacuation procedures to be followed for the brew a deadly cocktail for disaster. And recent Chennai disabled and elderly. floods have made us realize that proper planning is a In Gujarat, all schools, including rural ones, conduct must for any city in the 21st century. exhaustive earthquake and fire drills that instil a Therefore, today, as India massively ramps up deeprooted culture of safety and preparedness. infrastructure and promotes smart cities, it’s time to 7. Also needed is the reduction in the multiplicity of build resilience into the blueprint for the future, urban authorities and their alignment with disaster- strengthen cities’ ability to respond to a disaster, as well conscious ways of thinking. There should also be as to recover rapidly if it does occur. disaster drills conducted to educate the public on what What’s been done so far? to do during an earthquake. From the time a super-cyclone hit Odisha in 1999, and a Conclusion: devastating earthquake shook Gujarat in 2001, India Natural disasters are, of course, beyond human control. has sought to build a safer, disaster-resilient nation. But human action and inaction can profoundly affect Odisha and Gujarat were among the first states to set up their outcome, exacerbating or mitigating their effects on institutions to deal specifically with disasters. people. Preparedness is the key to managing any more Then, in the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, and such disasters. following legislation in 2005, the National Disaster 3. Making India GI brand conscious: Management Authority (NDMA) was established. Geographical indications (GIs) right is often described as India’s coastal areas are also making a beginning with a “sleeping beauty”. Also, of all the Intellectual Rights, it is number of projects, including the Union government’s the least discussed right. National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP), What is GI status? building the resilience of power infrastructure by placing GI status is an indication that identifies goods as electrical cables underground, among other measures. produced from a particular area, which has special The NCRMP, being implemented by the NDMA, is quality or reputation attributable to its geographical developing a digital platform that will help determine origin. vulnerabilities to weather-related events along India’s GI branded goods possess a recall value amongst coastline. This will help define land use along the 7,500- consumers who essentially attribute these km coast: 3/4th of which is cyclone-prone & determine characteristics, qualities or reputation to such how strong we need to build to save lives. geographical origin. 10 CURRENT AFFAIRS- MARCH(16th-31th) Byju’s Classes:9873643487

GI registration confers: 1. First of all, quality of such products has to be 1. Legal protection to the products. ensured. It is necessary to preserve and maintain high 2. Prevents unauthorised use of a GI by others. quality in such origin-specific goods. Just like the 3. Helps consumers get quality products of desired European law on the protection of names relating to traits. agricultural goods and foodstuffs, India too should enact 4. Promotes economic prosperity of producers of goods a law in this regard. Such a law gives a competitive by enhancing demand in national and international advantage to producers and enables consumers to make markets. more informed choices by providing clear information on Significance of GIs: origin-specific products and their characteristics. GIs support and protect local production, generate local 2. To preserve the consumer trust, the law should employment and are mostly untouched by mandate: industrialization, originating in villages or small towns. (i) effective verification and controls at multiple levels in They are also popular for their unique production the supply chain, ensuring compliance with product methods. specification before placing it in the market and Since consistent quality is a must in GI-branded goods, (ii) market monitoring of the use of the names to ensure and often cements itself as a consumer recollection legal compliance. Besides, the current Indian legal point, producers are expected to diligently follow specific framework for GIs needs to be strengthened to address production methods. quality control and consumer expectations by insisting They also make way for the construction of ancillary on multi-layered quality control systems as a industries like tourism and lodging in the respective precondition for registration. regions, enabling visitors to get a first-hand experience 3. Still a greenhorn in GI protection, India must hand- of the manufacturing process and absorb the history hold producer bodies, look at successful models thereof. Such ancillary industries also create local elsewhere and mould these to suit the ground realities of employment and aid in the socio-economic development protection and enforcement in a developing country. of the region in the long run. GIs status also boosts Other important issues faced by GI producer bodies are exports. market access and funding for enforcement and GI Act in India: marketing. Complying with World Trade Organisation obligations, Conclusion: India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods GI Act, with a few amendments to fill the serious missing (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 (GI Act) and has set gaps described above, coupled with diligent up a registry in Chennai to register such names. implementation can turn into a magic wand for the Make The act is administered by the Controller General of in India programme. Patents, Designs and Trade Marks. 4. Decline of pollinators threatens food supply: Covering agricultural goods, manufactured and The wild pollinators are declining, and their loss will natural goods, textiles, handicrafts and foodstuffs, imperil our food supply, warns a recent United Nations the GI Registry’s website lists 238 registered names as of report, based on the global assessment of pollinators by March 2016. While the list has popular GIs like Basmati an international team. rice, Darjeeling tea and Pashmina shawls, many The large scientific panel was brought together by the names on the list are lesser known or never heard of, Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and despite being in existence for decades. Ecosystems Services (IPBES). Problems with the present GI Act: What are Pollinators? India’s GI Act does not lay much emphasis on inspection Pollinators are biotic agents that move pollen from and monitoring mechanisms for GI protection. Also, the male anthers of a flower to the female stigma of quality associated with geographical origin is the a flower to accomplish fertilization or ‘syngamy’ of the hallmark of a GI and the current legal framework female gametes in the ovule of the flower by the male evidently lacks teeth to ensure it. gametes from the pollen grain. GIs and Make in India: Examples: One of the objectives of the “Make in India” programme 1. Insect pollinators include bees, (honey bees, solitary is to improve and protect the Indian intellectual property species, bumble-bees); (IP) regime. 2. Pollen wasps (Masarinae); Ants; a variety of flies The steps envisaged to achieve this objective include including bee flies and hoverflies; lepidopterans, both increased posts in IP offices, e-filing facilities, major fee butterflies and moths; and flower beetles. reduction for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, 3. Vertebrates, mainly bats and birds, but also some holding awareness programmes etc. However, a less non-bat mammals (monkeys, lemurs, possums, discussed IP right in this context is ‘geographical rodents) and some reptiles (lizards and snakes) indications’ (GIs). pollinate certain plants. Despite the gradual rise in GI registrations, the role and Importance of Pollinators: scope of GIs in the Make in India programme has Most of our staple food crops such as wheat, rice, perhaps remained unnoticed in discussions. sorghum, barley and maize do not require animals for Considering that GI-branded goods can be made 100% their pollination. However, wild pollinators play a very in India without the need for any foreign direct important role in the production of other crops such as investment (FDI) and that they can promote socio- some pulses, sunflower seeds, cardamom, coffee, cashew economic development of the respective regions, GIs are nuts, oranges, mangoes and apples. perhaps the most ideal IP rights to foster and realise a Pollinators also provide a key ecosystem service vital to programme like Make in India. the maintenance of both wild and agricultural plant What needs to be done now? communities. 11 CURRENT AFFAIRS- MARCH(16th-31th) Byju’s Classes:9873643487

Besides, the annual economic value of the crops Government agencies must rethink conventional sectoral pollinated by animals worldwide is estimated to be approaches and narrow disciplinary perspectives. There between $235 billion and $577 billion (in 2015). are many factors involved in the complex environmental Declines in the health and population of pollinators pose challenges threatening human security today. Only well- what could be a significant threat to the integrity of integrated approaches can successfully address them. biodiversity, to global food webs, and to human health. At least 80% of our world’s crop species require pollination to set seed. Indian context: According to the IPBES report, the pollinator declines are well-documented in North America and Europe but have not yet been well-researched in other parts of the world including India. In India, the important pollinators of food crops are various species of honeybee, Apis. However, the both pollinators and the quality of pollinator service has declined over time. Various researchers have reported a decline in the number of honeybee colonies in India. Its negative effects are increasingly being observed. For example, in the Himalayas, apple yields in recent years have decreased. However the picture in the Indian context, about the exact causes of low yields, is still unclear. That is to say, we have a very poor knowledge of the pollination systems of our animal pollinated crops, and how best we can manage the pollinators for optimal yields. This knowledge gap and lack of expertise have further aggravated this problem. Why more research in this field is necessary? Lack of data and expertise in this field is a potential crisis not only for biodiversity but also for our agricultural economy. The economic stakes are huge. The value of animal-pollinated crops in India is in the tens of billions of dollars. Poor management of our pollinator species may be leading to lower crop yields and to losses of hundreds or thousands of crores annually. Recommendations of The IPBES report to restore the integrity of pollinators:  Improvements in the science of pollination.  Better land management.  Strong regulations underlying pesticide use.  Restoration and protection of habitats for wild pollinators.  Better monitoring of wild pollinators.  Strengthening the governance of natural assets. What can the government do? 1. The Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change has recently launched a programme to establish a network of Indian Long Term Ecological Observatories to monitor the country’s ecosystems. 2. The I- LTEO network offers tremendous opportunities to monitor wild pollinators and the government should make use of it. 3. Pollinators in urban areas can service and enhance food production in peri-urban areas. Wild biodiversity, including pollinators, must become a significant component of future ‘smart cities’. 4. Also, it is necessary to increase the level of investment in research on pollinators. Conclusion: It is not only the science that requires attention. Policies and governance for managing landscapes: natural, agricultural, urban are equally important.

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