The Prayas ePathshala

Exams आसान है !

Q1. What do you understand by Friendshoring? Explain about it in detail.

Paper & Topic: GS II – International Relations

Introduction:

India was requested to support US foreign policy during the recent visit by Janet Yellen, the US Treasury Secretary. This notion has gained popularity as a result of the epidemic and the escalating hostilities between the USA, on the one hand, and China and Russia, on the other.

What does “friendshoring” truly mean?

Friendshoring, also known as allyshoring, is the practise of obtaining raw materials, components, and completed goods from nations who are regarded as “allies.” There has been a gradual decrease in the reliance on those nations’ commodities since they are seen as a danger to the stability of the supply chain.
The following two crucial elements are included in this tried-and-true company plan:
relocating companies to friendly nations and restricting commerce to a small number of reliable partners

Regarding the nations that the US believes pose a threat:

Yellen cited Russia as an example of a nation that was formerly seen as a stable source of energy but has since weaponized natural gas “against the people of Europe” in order to obtain “geopolitical advantage” or obstruct commerce for its own benefit.
She also brought up China’s use of forced labour to maintain control over the production of solar panels in Xinjiang. Keep in mind that China produces more than 80% of the world’s solar panels.
Yellen listed a few US initiatives that fit into this conciliatory approach:
For the construction of a facility in Tamil Nadu, solar producers would get up to $500 million in loan funding from US development finance organisations.
Apple claims that it will move iPhone production from China to India.

The US employs this tactic for four main reasons:

In order to protect its supply networks, reduce its financial risks, and broaden its market exposure
Russia and China must be resisted.
This tactic may make it possible to adhere to a unified set of rules for the environment, privacy laws, labour laws, digital business and service agreements, etc.
What flaws are there?
Some critics worry that this approach will isolate foreign trade and undo the positive effects of globalisation. It might start the “de-globalization” process, to put it another way.
In its July report on semiconductor supply chains, the Center for Strategic & International Studies noted that, while moving supply chains away from east Asia would boost security, a badly managed implementation of the strategy might increase prices and, as a result, strengthen China’s dominance.

Way Forward:

In her speech, Yellen made it very apparent that the US foreign policy will not result in “an exclusive club of countries” or closed groups, but only plurilateral groups.
During the tour, Yellen discussed the need to push a number of nations to enact the necessary reforms since they endanger supply networks and have a dismal history of protecting human rights.
Yellen also emphasised the difficulties and possibilities in the bilateral economic connections between the US and India, particularly in light of the tensions brought on by the Trump administration (removal of GSP benefits, inclusion of India on the US Treasury’s Monitoring List, etc.).

Q2. What are the features and significance of shallow water bodies? Explain.

Paper & Topic: GS I – Geography

Introduction:

The Features of Shallow Water Bodies:

If a body of water has a minimum depth of 3 metres, a surface area of at least 10 hectares, and some aquatic vegetation, the National Lake Conservation Program qualifies it as a lake.
Lakes that are only three metres deep are considered shallow lakes. These water basins can get as deep as 7 metres in temperate areas. These are mainly found in lowland areas, especially when seasonal riverine changes are occurring.
Geological processes including glacier movement and other elements that cause terrain depressions led to the formation of several of these lakes. Some of them are the result of human activity, such as river redirection, sand mining, and fish pond construction.
Because they are shallow, light can enter them. Compared to deep water bodies, they hold more of the littoral zone. As a result, extensive freshwater macrophyte development is encouraged (i.e. higher aquatic plants).
These bodies of water are isothermal, thus the temperature doesn’t change over time. Summer is when this absence of constant temperature stratification is most apparent.
Because they are “polymictic,” especially when found in tropical areas, they constantly mix their water column.

Importance:

One of the most common forms of lakes on the earth are shallow-water lakes.
They provide a vast array of social and even ecological services. For instance, they are crucial to maintaining populations of migratory birds.
Because more fertiliser is recycled in these shallow lakes than in their deeper counterparts, they are frequently more productive. Many of these lakes frequently experience an increased influx of fertilisers because of their close proximity to farms. They have more species per unit of area than deeper lakes because of this.
Despite being small and shallow, it is believed that these water bodies make up the majority of the planet’s lacustrine area. These aquatic entities number in the millions and range in size from 0.001 to 0.01 square kilometers. Furthermore, the size of these water bodies had likely been greatly overestimated due to the undercounting of these water bodies in the past.
Wetlands generally offer significant ecological advantages. They have names like “Nature’s kidneys” and “Nature’s supermarket,” which are even more creative.

Way Forward:

Freshwater habitats need to be specifically studied, especially those found in urban and peri-urban areas. If we are to have a future that is sustainable, these resources that support life must be managed carefully.
The Delhi Wetland Authority estimates that there are more than a thousand different bodies of water in Delhi. The majority of these, however, are in danger as a result of pollution, planned and unplanned encroachments, solid waste dumping, etc.
The aesthetics and environmental quality of the city would improve as a result of the eco-restoration of these water bodies.