Edition: International Table of Contents
Page 01 Syllabus : GS 1 : Indian Society | 92% of workers cleaning urban sewers, septic tanks from SC, ST, OBC groups survey |
Page 01 Syllabus : Prelims Fact | Israel pounds Lebanon, 2 more Hezbollah leaders among dead |
Page 03 Syllabus : GS 3 : Environment | Glaciologist digs deep into permafrost to gauge future climate change disasters |
Page 07 Syllabus : GS 3 : Science and Technology | Not just nothing, dark matter quests close in on dire ‘neutrino fog’ |
Country In News | Jordan |
Page 08 : Editorial Analysis: Syllabus : GS 3 : Indian Economy : Agriculture | Common Practice Standards must have India outlook |
Page 01 : GS 1 : Indian Society : Social Empowerment
Government data from over 3,000 urban local bodies across 29 States and Union Territories shows that 91.9% of the 38,000 sewer and septic tank cleaners profiles belong to SC, ST, or OBC communities.
What are the socio-economic conditions of workers engaged in sewer and septic tank cleaning?
- Demographics: A significant majority (91.9%) of the 38,000 profiled workers belong to marginalized communities: 68.9% Scheduled Castes (SC), 14.7% Other Backward Classes (OBC), 8.3% Scheduled Tribes (ST), and 8% from the general category.
- Employment Status: The workforce largely comprises low-income individuals engaged in hazardous, low-status jobs, reflecting persistent caste-based disparities.
- Capital Subsidies support: Since the launch of the NAMASTE program, ₹2.26 crore in capital subsidies have been distributed to 191 beneficiaries, indicating some financial support for transitioning into self-employment.
How effective are current policies and rehabilitation schemes for sanitation workers?
- NAMASTE Programme: Aimed at mechanizing sewer cleaning and providing safety training and equipment, the program is a replacement for the Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS).
- Enumeration Process: Over 3,326 urban local bodies (ULBs) are involved, with 38,000 workers profiled so far. However, 283 ULBs reported zero workers, suggesting that the profiling might not be comprehensive or that many workers are unrecognized.
- Rehabilitation Success: Out of 58,098 identified manual scavengers under the previous SRMS scheme, 97.2% were from SC communities. While cash transfers of ₹40,000 were provided, only a fraction pursued skills training or loans for alternative livelihoods.
What are the challenges?
- Social Stigma: Predominantly from marginalized communities (SC, ST, OBC), these workers face discrimination, limiting their access to better job opportunities and social mobility.
- Health Risks: Exposure to hazardous working conditions leads to significant health risks, with a high mortality rate (377 deaths from 2019 to 2023) due to unsafe practices.
- Ineffective Rehabilitation: Current policies and support programs lack comprehensive coverage, leaving many workers unrecognized and limiting the effectiveness of financial assistance and training initiatives.
What are the health risks and safety measures for workers in hazardous cleaning roles?
- Hazardous Working Conditions: Between 2019 and 2023, 377 workers died from hazardous cleaning activities, highlighting the extreme risks associated with sewer and septic tank cleaning.
- Safety Training: The NAMASTE program aims to provide safety training for workers to minimize health risks, but the effectiveness of such training needs further evaluation.
- Equipment and Mechanization: The goal is to transition workers from manual cleaning to mechanized processes, reducing their exposure to dangerous conditions and improving overall safety.
Way forward:
- Comprehensive Training and Support Programs: Enhance the effectiveness of the NAMASTE program by providing robust safety training and resources for workers, coupled with extensive outreach to ensure all workers are identified and supported, including those currently unrecognized.
- Promotion of Mechanization and Safety Standards: Accelerate the mechanization of sewer cleaning operations to reduce health risks, and establish strict safety standards and regulations to protect workers, ensuring regular monitoring and enforcement of these standards.
UPSC Mians PYQ: 2018
Ques : Whether the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) can enforce the implementation of constitutional reservation for the Scheduled Castes in the religious minority institutions? Examine. (200 words/10m)
Page 01 : Prelims Fact
The recent escalation in conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has resulted in significant casualties, with targeted airstrikes leading to the deaths of key Hezbollah leaders.
- The ongoing violence underscores the heightened tensions and deteriorating security situation in Lebanon.
Places In News:
- Sidon: A southern city where airstrikes resulted in significant casualties, including the deaths of at least 24 people from strikes on two adjacent buildings.
- Baalbek-Hermel: A region where 21 people were killed, with at least 47 injured.
- Bekaa Valley: Specifically, the Joub Jenin area saw additional fatalities in targeted raids.
- These areas are crucial for Hezbollah’s operations and have faced intensified military actions.
UPSC Prelims PYQ : 2018
Ques : The term “two-state solution” is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of (2018)
(a) China (b) Israel (c) Iraq (d) Yemen
Ans: (b)
Page 03 : GS 3 : Environment – Environmental pollution and degradation
Glaciologist S.N. Remya is conducting research on permafrost collapse in the Himalayas as part of India’s Arctic Expedition, focusing on its potential role in natural disasters.
- Her work aims to address data gaps and improve early warning systems for vulnerable communities.
What Is Permafrost?
- Permafrost is a layer of soil or rock that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years, typically found in polar and high-altitude regions.
- It often contains ice and organic materials trapped beneath the surface.
- As global temperatures rise, permafrost thaws, which can lead to ground instability, erosion, and the release of greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change.
- Its degradation poses significant risks to ecosystems, infrastructure, and local communities.
Key Findings Of The Research:
- Impact on Infrastructure: The thawing of permafrost poses serious risks to infrastructure, with potential for buildings and roads to collapse, as evidenced by similar occurrences in other parts of the world, such as Canada.
- Link to Natural Disasters: There is an emerging correlation between permafrost thaw and recent natural disasters in the Himalayas, such as the bursting of the South Lhonak glacial lake in Sikkim, indicating that permafrost dynamics could be a contributing factor.
- Insufficient Data: The study highlights significant data gaps regarding permafrost conditions in the Indian Himalayas, necessitating more detailed research to understand its characteristics and behaviour.
Thawing of Permafrost
- Hazards Associated with Thawing of Permafrost Infrastructure Damage: Thawing can destabilise buildings, roads, and pipelines, leading to structural failures and costly repairs.
- Erosion and Land Subsidence: As permafrost melts, the ground can collapse, causing erosion and loss of land, especially near coastlines and riverbanks.
- Release of Greenhouse Gases: Thawing permafrost can release stored carbon dioxide and methane, exacerbating global warming.
- Disruption of Ecosystems: Changes in soil composition and moisture levels can alter habitats, affecting local flora and fauna.
- Increased Flooding Risk: Melting ice can lead to the formation of new water bodies, increasing the risk of flooding in low-lying areas.
- Ways Forward for Addressing Thawing Permafrost Smart Sensors and IoT Integration: Deploy advanced sensors for real-time monitoring of temperature, moisture, and ground movement for data collection.
- Sustainable Infrastructure Planning: Implementing resilient construction practices to adapt to changing ground conditions.
- Climate Mitigation Efforts: Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit global warming and its impact on permafrost.
- Bioengineering Solutions: Plant native vegetation and use microbial treatments to stabilise permafrost.
- Climate Resilient Urban Planning: Design urban areas with green spaces and natural drainage systems.
- Community-Based Monitoring Programs: Involve local communities in environmental monitoring and data collection.
UPSC Prelims PYQ : 2019
Ques : Which of the following statements is/are correct about the deposits of ‘methane hydrate’?
- Global warming might trigger the release of methane gas from these deposits.
- Large deposits of ‘methane hydrate’ are found in Arctic Tundra and under the sea floor.
- Methane in atmosphere oxidizes to carbon dioxide after a decade or two.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Page 07 : GS 3 : Science and Technology
The LUX-ZEPLIN experiment has made significant advancements in understanding dark matter by placing stringent limits on its possible identities.
- Despite ongoing challenges and null results, the scientific community remains dedicated to uncovering the nature of this elusive substance.
Introduction to LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment
- Scientists involved in the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment, located 1.5 km underground in South Dakota, announced that they placed the tightest limits on the possible identities of dark matter particles.
- Although this result was a null outcome, meaning it did not identify dark matter, it clarified what dark matter could not be.
Understanding Dark Matter
- Dark matter makes up most of the universe’s mass, with visible matter like stars and planets contributing only 15% but it does not emit, absorb, or reflect light, making it invisible to direct observation.
- It is thought to interact with ordinary matter through gravity, influencing the structure and behaviour of galaxies and cosmic phenomena.
- Despite extensive research, its exact composition remains unknown, with various theories proposing unknown particles as potential candidates for dark matter.
Detecting Dark Matter
- The challenge is to detect whether dark matter interacts with atomic nuclei and electrons.
- Some theories suggest that dark matter can “touch” visible matter, but detecting this interaction is complicated.
Advancements in Detection
- Today’s experiments use tonnes of liquid xenon and argon to capture dark matter.
- Recent findings have ruled out dark matter-nucleus interactions at even smaller scales than previously thought.
Challenges Ahead
- Future experiments face increased noise from neutrinos, complicating the search for dark matter.
- Scientists are exploring ways to detect lighter dark particles that would scatter even less off nuclei.
Conclusion
- The hunt for dark matter continues to unite diverse talents in science, reflecting humanity’s relentless quest to understand the universe.
UPSC Prelims PYQ : 2015
Ques : In the context of modern scientific research, consider the following statements about ‘IceCube’, a particle detector located at South Pole, which was recently in the news:
- It is the world’s largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice.
- It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter.
- It is buried deep in the ice
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (d)
Country In News : Jordan
Jordan becomes the first country in the world to eliminate leprosy, receiving official verification from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
About Jordan:
- It is an Arab country of Southwest Asia, in the rocky desert of the northern Arabian Peninsula.
- It is named for the Jordan River, which passes on its western border.
- It occupies an area of around 91,880 sq. km.
- Bordering Countries: It is bounded to the north by Syria, to the east by Iraq, to the southeast and south by Saudi Arabia, and to the west by Israeland the West Bank.
- The capital and largest city in the country is Amman—named for the Ammonites, who made the city their capital in the 13th century BCE.
- Jordan has 16 miles (26 km) of coastline on the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea)in the southwest, where Al-ʿAqabah, it’s only port, is located.
- Jordan has three major physiographic regions (from east to west): the desert, the uplands east of the Jordan River, and the Jordan Valley (the northwest portion of the great East African Rift System).
- The desert region is mostly within the Syrian Desert—an extension of the Arabian Desert—and occupies the eastern and southern parts of the country, comprising more than four-fifths of its territory.
- The Jordan Valley region contains the Dead Sea.
- Language: The official language is Arabic.
- Currency: Jordanian dinar
UPSC Prelims PYQ : 2015
Ques : Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea?
(a) Syria
(b) Jordan
(c) Lebanon
(d) Israel
Ans: (b)
Page : 08 Editorial Analysis
Context :
- India’s agroforestry sector offers significant potential for carbon finance integration through Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation (ARR) initiatives.
- However, existing global carbon standards pose challenges due to their “common practice” criteria, which do not align well with India’s fragmented, small-holder agricultural landscape.
About Agroforestry?
- Agroforestry accounts for 8.65% of India’s total land area and contributes 19.3% of the country’s carbon stocks.
- Thus, agroforestry plays a significant role in environmental sustainability and economic development.
What is the Carbon finance contribution?
- Recent research suggests that if adequate policies, financial support, and incentives are implemented, the sector could contribute an additional carbon sink of over 2.5 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
‘Common Practice’ in Carbon Standards
- In the realm of carbon finance, “common practice” is a key criterion used to assess whether a project is additional — meaning, it goes beyond what is typically done in a given region.
- For ARR projects, this involves determining whether similar activities are commonly practised without the financial incentives provided by carbon credits.
- Current Standards: According to carbon standards such as Verra’s Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) or the Gold Standard, if an activity is deemed “common practice”, it may not qualify for carbon credits, as it is not seen as contributing additional environmental benefits beyond the norm.
- The current definition: of common practice in global carbon standards often reflects the realities of large-scale agricultural practices found in regions such as Latin America, Africa, or the United States, where landholdings are extensive and contiguous.
The Indian Context
- Fragmented land: In contrast, India is characterised by small and fragmented landholdings
- Data inputs: Recent data indicate that 86.1% of Indian farmers are small and marginal, with landholdings of less than two hectares.
- Planting practices: These farmers often engage in agroforestry in a non-systematic, scattered manner, planting trees alongside crops or on small patches of fallow land.
- Need for additional criteria’s: While beneficial, these practices may not meet the additionality criteria set by current carbon standards because they are perceived as “common” within the Indian context.
Need for India-Centric Approaches
- Redefining common practice: Given India’s unique agricultural landscape, there is an urgent need to redefine and consider the common practice criterion to better reflect the specific challenges and opportunities within the Indian agroforestry sector.
- An India-centric approach would recognise that even small, incremental changes in land management practices such as adopting more systematic agroforestry techniques or utilising carbon finance to maintain tree cover can be transformative.
Potential benefits
- Revising and consideration of the common practice standards: to accommodate the fragmented, smallholder model prevalent in India would unlock the vast potential for carbon sequestration.
- Inclusion of farmers: This would enable a greater number of farmers to participate in carbon finance projects, providing them with additional income streams while contributing to India’s climate goals.
- By acknowledging the fragmented nature of Indian agriculture: carbon credit platforms could design incentives that encourage systematic agroforestry, thereby enhancing both environmental sustainability and rural livelihoods.
Challenges and opportunities in agroforestry
- Addressing Agricultural Challenges: Agroforestry, when integrated with ARR initiatives, offers a viable solution to the various challenges faced by India’s agricultural sector.
- By promoting alternative livelihoods and providing additional income streams for farmers, these projects can help address issues such as low productivity, dependence on monsoons, and environmental degradation.
- The carbon finance provided by ARR projects enables a more systematic and sustained approach to agroforestry, which would otherwise be difficult to achieve given the financial pressures and market constraints faced by many Indian farmers.
- Income Diversification: For farmers grappling with unpredictable weather patterns and fluctuating crop yields, participating in ARR projects presents a pathway to income diversification.
- By integrating trees into their agricultural landscapes or restoring degraded forest areas on their land, farmers can tap into additional revenue streams through carbon sequestration.
- Beyond economic gains, ARR projects deliver crucial environmental benefits, such as enhancing soil fertility, improving water retention, and mitigating erosion, thereby bolstering agricultural productivity and ensuring long-term sustainability.
Help small and marginal farmers
- Successful Initiatives: Research institutes such as The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) have already demonstrated the potential of ARR projects in India, spearheading 19 projects across seven States, benefiting over 56,600 farmers.
- However, for such initiatives to scale up, it is imperative that international carbon finance platforms revise their standards to better align with the realities of Indian agriculture.
- Call for Evolving Standards: As India looks to expand its agroforestry sector and leverage the benefits of carbon finance, it is crucial that international standards evolve to reflect the specific conditions of the Indian subcontinent.
- Revising the “Common Practice” guidelines: to be more inclusive of Indian agroforestry practices will enable millions of small and marginal farmers to participate in ARR projects.
- This would not only drive sustainable development but also provide a much-needed boost to the incomes of millions of rural households, ultimately contributing to the overall economic and environmental resilience of the country.
Conclusion
- It is crucial for carbon credit platforms such as Verra and Gold Standard to recognize the need for India-centric standards.
- Only by doing so can the full potential of agroforestry and ARR initiatives be realised, paving the way for a greener, more sustainable, and economically prosperous future for Indian farmers.
What is the Carbon Market?
- About: Carbon markets are market-based mechanisms designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating a financial incentive for individuals and organizations to reduce their carbon footprint.
- They operate on the principle of cap-and-trade, where a government or regulatory body sets a cap on the total amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed within a specific jurisdiction.
Types of Carbon Markets:
- Compliance Markets: These markets are mandatory, requiring regulated entities to purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions. Often, these entities are large industrial polluters.
- Voluntary Markets: These markets are voluntary, allowing individuals, businesses, and organizations to purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions beyond regulatory requirements.
- India is a significant exporter of carbon credits into the decentralized voluntary market, with its credits worth between USD 200-300 billion per year and accounting for 17% of the global supply in 2022.
- Carbon Credits: They represent a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that can be traded. One carbon credit equates to one ton of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e) reduced or avoided.
- Carbon credits can be generated through various activities, such as:
- Implementing energy-efficient technologies, reducing waste, or transitioning to renewable energy sources.
- Preventing deforestation or promoting reforestation.
- Carbon Taxes: They are direct levy on the emission of greenhouse gases. This means that polluters pay a tax based on the amount of greenhouse gases they emit.
- Carbon taxes generate revenue for the government, which can be used to fund climate mitigation and adaptation projects or reduce other taxes.
- Global Trends in Carbon Markets: As of August 2023, 74 carbon pricing mechanisms have been identified worldwide, in either the form of carbon taxes or emissions trading schemes (ETS).
- In 2023, carbon pricing revenues reached a record USD 104 billion, according to the World Bank’s annual “State and Trends of Carbon Pricing 2024” report.
What are the Current Government Initiatives Related to the Carbon Market in India?
- Carbon Credits Trading Scheme (CCTS): Building on the Electricity Conservation Act, 2001, and the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, India launched the CCTS to reduce GHG emissions by trading carbon credit certificates.
- The compliance segment of CCTS will commence in 2025-26, allowing non-obligated entities to participate and trade carbon credit certificates (CCCs).
- Other Existing Schemes: The Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme and the Renewable Energy Certificates (REC) system are existing market-based emission reduction schemes in India.
- Monitoring and Verification: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) and the National Steering Committee for Indian Carbon Market (NSCICM) are responsible for ensuring the integrity of the carbon credits through rigorous monitoring, reporting, and verification processes.
India’s agroforestry sector
India’s agroforestry sector plays a crucial role in the country’s agricultural landscape, combining forestry and agriculture to enhance productivity, sustainability, and biodiversity. Here are some key aspects of this sector:
Definition and Practices
- Agroforestry integrates trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, promoting a diverse range of crops. Common practices include:
- Alley cropping: Planting trees in rows with crops in between.
- Silvopasture: Combining livestock grazing with tree farming.
- Forest farming: Cultivating high-value crops under a forest canopy.
Benefits
- Enhanced Biodiversity: Promotes a diverse ecosystem, benefiting soil health and pest control.
- Soil Conservation: Reduces soil erosion, improves fertility, and enhances water retention.
- Climate Resilience: Provides protection against extreme weather events and improves carbon sequestration.
- Economic Diversification: Offers additional income sources through timber, fruits, nuts, and medicinal plants.
Socioeconomic Impact
- Agroforestry can empower rural communities by providing:
- Employment Opportunities: Jobs in tree planting, maintenance, and harvesting.
- Food Security: Increased crop diversity leads to improved nutrition.
- Livelihood Stability: Diverse income streams reduce vulnerability to market fluctuations.
Government Initiatives
- The Indian government promotes agroforestry through various schemes, such as:
- National Agroforestry Policy: Aims to promote agroforestry practices across the country.
- Financial Support: Subsidies and loans for farmers adopting agroforestry systems.
Challenges
- Despite its benefits, the sector faces challenges, including:
- Lack of Awareness: Many farmers are unaware of agroforestry benefits and practices.
- Land Tenure Issues: Unclear land ownership can hinder investment in agroforestry.
- Market Access: Farmers may struggle to access markets for their agroforestry products.
Future Prospects
- With increasing awareness of sustainable practices and climate change, agroforestry in India is poised for growth. Research and innovation, coupled with supportive policies, can help overcome existing challenges and maximize its potential.
- Overall, the agroforestry sector is vital for enhancing food security, improving livelihoods, and promoting environmental sustainability in India.