DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS ANALYSIS
1 – Jallikattu: GS I – Indian Culture:
Context:
- The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act 1960 was amended by TN, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, and these modifications were supported by a five-judge SC bench, enabling bull-taming games like Jallikattu, Kambala, and bullock-car races.
What is eruthazhuvuthal/Jallikattu?
- It is a bull-taming sport that has historically been practised in Tennessee as a celebration of nature and as a part of the Pongal harvest festival, which includes cow worship.
- However, it has long been disputed due to the sport’s brutal and hazardous nature as well as its treatment of animals.
History of the case:
Nagaraja v. Welfare Board of India (2014):
- Such sports, including Jallikattu, were outlawed by a two-judge SC bench.
- The top court ruled that “bovine sports” violated the PCA Act, which establishes the responsibilities of those in charge of animals and defines animal cruelty.
- The PCA Act supersedes alleged traditions and cultural norms, and the Parliament is required to treat animal rights as constitutional rights (in accordance with Articles 14, 21).
2016 MoEFCC notification:
- The “exhibition or training of bulls as performing animals” was forbidden.
- Bulls may still be trained as performance animals at Jallikattu, per an exception, in accordance with the traditions and cultures of various tribes.
In 2017, TN changed the PCA Act:
- This was done to permit Jallikattu in the state, conserve Tennessee’s cultural history, ensure the survival and welfare of native bull breeds, and reduce animal cruelty in the relevant sports.
- Following the filing of a number of petitions contesting the changes and the aforementioned exception, the SC referred the case to the Constitution Bench since it entailed constitutional interpretation.
- Jallikattu’s preservation as a cultural right of TN under Article 29(1) of the Constitution was up for debate in front of the Bench.
The SC’s most recent decision:
- Jallikattu has a significant cultural component, overturning its 2014 decision in Welfare Board of India v. A. Nagaraja.
- The PCA amendments were deemed “valid legislations” since they relate to List III of the 7th Schedule to the Constitution (the prohibition of animal cruelty) and are not a piece of colorable legislative.
The 2017 change, according to the court, does not violate:
- In accordance with Articles 51-A (g) and (h), Indian citizens are required to preserve the environment and foster humanism, science, and other liberal values.
- Constitutional Articles 14 (Right to Equality) and 21 (Right to Life).
- The Jallikattu problem, however, is “debatable” and must eventually be addressed by the Parliament because it calls for a more thorough social and cultural research.
Source The Hindu
2 – Heli Tourism: GS I – Indian Culture:
Context:
- Heli-tourism would be introduced by Kerala Tourism to draw in more expensive visitors. Guidelines for heli-taxi services connecting Kochi with well-known tourist locations including Thekkady, Munnar, and Kumarakom have been created. The department wants to support this endeavour by establishing the required infrastructure through public-private partnerships (PPP).
Source The Hindu
3 – Minimum Import Price of Apples: GS III – Indian Economy
Context:
- The Minimum Import Price (MIP) for apples in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) was established by the Central Government of India to safeguard the local market against predatory pricing and unfair competition.
About MIP:
- MIP is a short-term measure put in place by a government to safeguard domestic businesses from unfair import prices and competition. The MIP establishes a base price below which imports of a specific commodity are prohibited.
Who sets the guidelines?
- The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is the department within the trade ministry in charge of formulating laws governing imports and exports, including MIPs.
Significance:
- By establishing a minimum import price, the government hopes to provide J&K producers an equal playing field and stop apple imports from flooding the market at ridiculously low costs.
About apple farming:
- India’s apple-growing regions include Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, the highlands of Uttar Pradesh, and Uttaranchal. Additionally, it is grown to a smaller amount in Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Punjab. Apple production in the world is dominated by China. India is in fifth place.
Apples’ optimal climatic conditions:
- During the active growing period, the ideal summer temperature for apple cultivation is between 21 and 24 degrees Celsius. In the range of 1500 to 2700 metres above sea level, apple trees can be planted. The best conditions for apple trees to thrive and bear fruit are well-distributed rainfall of 1000–1250 mm during the growing season. Additionally, loamy, well-drained soils are optimal for growing apples.
Source The Hindu
4 – Forest Fires in Uttarakhand: GS III – Environmental Conservation related issues
Context:
- There are substantial issues with forest fires in the chir pine belt in Uttarakhand, India.
Chir Pine Belt: What is it?
- It designates a region where Pinus roxburghii (chir pine) trees predominate. The state of Uttarakhand is where it is most frequently found. This belt’s high concentration of chir pine trees further increases the risk of forest fires there.
About the chir pine:
- The Himalayan region is home to this kind of pine tree. In the subtropical and temperate areas of Uttarakhand, it is an evergreen tree that grows quickly and creates dense forests.
Challenges caused by forest fires in Uttarakhand’s Chir Pine Belt include the following:
High density of forest:
- 6% of the total land area of India is made up by Uttarakhand. However, the state accounts for 45% of the nation’s forest cover, compared to just 21.67% for the state.
Pine trees are widely distributed:
- The predominant type of forest in the area is chir pine. Due to their abundance in organic polymers, pine trees are more susceptible to forest fires.
Inert biomass:
- Litter made by plants, such as pine needles, can start fires. The risk of wildfires spreading is increased by dry biomass.
The vulnerability of plants with narrow leaves:
- Pinus, Picea, and Abies are examples of narrow-leaved species that predominate in the local forest ecology. When exposed to low temperatures and humidity, some species can catch fire.
Fires caused by people:
- Fires are frequently started on purpose by timber smugglers to deflect attention and assist illegal activity. Human-induced fire dangers are a result of land use patterns and development activities that are out of control.
Weather conditions:
- High temperatures and little rainfall are common in Uttarakhand. The summer months present increased fire threats due to the abundance of dry material available. Strong winds are another factor that hastens the spread of forest fires.
Efforts to Put Out Forest Fires in Uttarakhand’s Chir Pine Belt:
Planting of appropriate broad-leaved species:
- Introduce plants that are less prone to fire, such as oak and rhododendron. Increase forest diversity to lower overall fire danger.
Building watchtowers to aid in early detection:
- To catch forest fires early, install watch towers. Encourage quick response and action to manage fire incidents.
Activation of fire watchers:
- Assign people to watch out for fires in sensitive regions. regular observation to find and quickly report fires.
Establishing and maintaining fire lines:
- Cleared vegetation serves as a barrier by forming fire breaks and lines.
Use of satellite data and remote sensing technology:
- Use technologies to locate burning forests from space. Facilitate quick detection and reaction to fire occurrences.
Exclusive hiring of personnel for battling forest fires:
- Employ skilled workers who are outfitted with cutting-edge firefighting equipment. Make sure there are specialised crews accessible to put out fires.
Van panchayats, joint forest management (JFM), and communication:
- Encourage collaboration and community involvement in forest management. Use radio, television, social media, technological devices to raise awareness. Encourage responsible forest practises and raise awareness of them.
- In order to suppress fires in Himalayan regions, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has recommended a number of strategies, including early detection and reporting, fireline establishment, community involvement, training and capacity building, use of technology, and firefighting teams.
A few actions include:
- National Forest Fire Danger Rating System; Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme (FFPMS, 2017); National Plan for Forest Fire Management; Firefighting Tools and Equipment (e.g., Fire Beaters, Pulaskis Tools, Forest Fire Showel, etc.); National Policy on Forest Fire (finalised by the government).
Conclusion:
- A comprehensive strategy that involves early detection, community involvement, capacity building, technology use, and efficient communication between many stakeholders is needed to address and mitigate forest fires in the Himalayan region. By putting these safeguards in place, forest fire risk and damage can be considerably decreased, safeguarding the region’s priceless biodiversity and ecological balance.
Source The Hindu
‘5 – Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojna: GS II – Government Policies and Interventions
Context:
- The National Productivity Council (NPC), an organisation in India, is supporting the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) with the results of seven significant field studies.
Regarding the studies:
- The purpose of these studies is to strengthen the fisheries industry and its contribution to the GDP of the nation.
- Domains covered The research address a range of topics, including infrastructure for fish marketing, innovative fishing methods, storage container upgrades, post-harvest loss minimization, and technology evaluation.
About:
- In order to promote the “Blue Revolution” and the sustainable growth of the fisheries industry, PMMSY (Under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry) was established in 2020.
Implementation:
- From FY 2020–21 to FY 2024–25, it is being implemented across all States and Union Territories. It offers financial support and insurance coverage to fisherman.
Goals and Purpose:
- The modernization of Indian fisheries; strengthening the rural economy; development of core and trunk infrastructure; and the “Reform, Perform, and Transform” motto.
Type of scheme:
- Umbrella programme having Central Sector Scheme and Centrally Sponsored Scheme components, where the Central government pays for the project’s overall costs while the States/UTs pay for its various components and activities.
Targets:
- 22 million metric tonnes more fish produced; a 9% increase in the sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA) contribution to agriculture; double export revenue to almost Rs. 1 trillion; increasing the profits of fish farmers and fishermen by two times while reducing post-harvest losses to roughly 10%.
Success of the scheme:
- The production and export of fish have reached record highs in the fisheries sector, which has experienced outstanding growth of over 14%. Over 31 lakh farmers now have insurance thanks to the programme.
Additional initiatives:
- Kisan Credit Cards for Fishermen; Fisheries & Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF).
- Sector of fishing in IndiaIndia is second in the world for aquaculture production and third for fish production.
About the National Productivity Council (NPC):
- NPC is an independent organisation that falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry’s Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade (est. 1958; HQ: Delhi). It offers training, consultancy, and research services related to productivity to the public, private, and government sectors.
Source The Hindu
