EDITORIALS & ARTICLES
27th May 2021
Rights of Van Gujjars
The Uttarakhand High Court has reprimanded the State government for stopping some Van Gujjar families on the way to Govind Pashu Vihar National Park and said their right to life is being violated by the authorities.
-
- The Van Gujjars pursue seasonal migration from the Terai-Bhabar and Siwalik region of Uttarakhand to the higher bugyals in the Western Himalayas in summer and vice versa in winter.
- This phenomenon of transhumance pursued by the community is among the few climate-adaptive and resilience strategies that ensures their pastoral livelihood remains viable and sustainable.
- The Van Gujjars possess legitimate permits across their summer (Govind Pashu Vihar National Park) and winter homesteads. However, they are not permitted by authorities to enter the Park.
- Rights of Pastoralists under Forests Rights Act 2006
- It has ensured that even pastoralists possess rights to access grazing pastures in lieu of the Community Forest Resource right they are eligible for.
- Section 2 (a) prescribes for the rights of pastoral communities on customary common forest land within the traditional or customary boundaries of a village.
- It also prescribes the seasonal use of a landscape in case of pastoral communities, including in unclassed forests, reserve forests, un-demarcated forests, deemed forests, protected forests, sanctuaries and national parks.
- Upholds the right of Van Gujjars to migrate to their summer homesteads in the bugyals (Himalayan alpine meadows)located within the Govind Pashu Vihar National Park.
- The court relied on Article 21 (Protection of Life and Personal Liberty) of the constitution.
Article 21 of the Constitution
- It declares that no person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.
- This right is available to both citizens and non-citizens.
- The right to life is not merely confined to animal existence or survival but also includes the right to live with human dignity and all those aspects of life which go to make a man’s life meaningful, complete and worth living.
Van Gujjars
- Van Gujjars are the forest-dwelling nomadic community inhabiting the foothills of Himalayan States such as Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
- Usually, they migrate to the bugyals (grasslands) located in the upper Himalayas with their buffaloes and return only at the end of monsoons to their makeshift huts, deras, in the foothills.
- They traditionally practice buffalo husbandry; a family owns up to 25 heads of buffaloes. They rely on buffaloes for milk, which gets them a good price in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh markets.
Govind Pashu Vihar National Park
- It is located in the Uttarkashi district of the state of Uttarakhand. The park lies in the higher reaches of the Garhwal Himalayas.
- The park was established as a Wildlife Sanctuary in the year of 1955. It was declared as a National Park in the year of 1990.
- Fauna include the Snow Leopard, Brown Bear, Musk Deer, Western Tragopan etc.
- Some of the noteworthy trees present in the sanctuary include deodar cedar, chir pine, silver fir, blue pine and several deciduous species.
- Within the park is the Har-ki-dun valley which is a known spot for trekking, while the Ruinsara high altitude lake is also popular as a tourist destination.
- The park creates an upper water catchment of River Tons.
- Tons river is a significant tributary of Yamuna River and reaches the upper stretches of Garhwal.
Other Protected Areas in Uttarakhand
- Jim Corbett National Park (first National Park of India).
- Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi National Park which together are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Rajaji National Park.
- Gangotri National Park.
- Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary.
National Award for Recycling Carbon Technology
A Bangalore based startup has received the National Award 2021 from Technology Development Board (TDB) for developing a commercial solution for conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to chemicals and fuels.
- The startup has received funding under the Nano Mission.
- The startup developed efficient catalysts and methodologies for the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to methanol and other chemicals.
- It has led to improvisation of process engineering to enhance the production of chemicals and fuels from anthropogenic CO2 generated from various sources including coal and natural gas power generation sectors, steel industry, cement industry, and chemical industries.
- It has integrated multiple components involved in the CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration) to develop a complete solution for the environmental issues due to global warming.
- The Recycling Carbon Technology will be transferred to Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology.
- Carbon Capture, Utilization and Sequestration (CCUS):
- It is a process that captures carbon dioxide emissions from sources like coal-fired power plants and either reuses or stores it so it will not enter the atmosphere.
- Carbon dioxide storage in geologic formations includes oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams and deep saline reservoirs - structures that have stored crude oil, natural gas, brine and carbon dioxide over millions of years.
Technology Development Board
- TDB is a statutory body established by the Technology Development Board Act, 1995.
- It was established in 1996 and functions under the Department of Science of Technology.
- It provides financial assistance to companies working for commercialization of indigenous technologies and adaptation of imported technologies for domestic applications.
- As part of National Technology Day (11th May), the TDB presents the National Awards, to industrial concerns who have successfully commercialized an indigenous technology.
Nano Mission
- The Government of India launched the Nano Mission in 2007 as an "umbrella capacity-building programme".
- It is being implemented by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Call for Permanent Commission for Israel and Palestinian Areas
Member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are calling on the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to set up a permanent commission to report on human rights violations in Israel, Gaza and the West Bank.
- The move comes in the wake of the latest surge in violence in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
- Proposed Permanent Commission:
- It will be an independent, international commission of inquiry appointed by the UNHRC president to investigate violations of international humanitarian and human rights law in Israel and Palestinian areas.
- A commission of inquiry (COI) is the highest level of scrutiny that the council can authorize.
- Another COI, for example, has been regularly reporting on Syria’s war nearly since its inception a decade ago – partially in hopes of collecting evidence that could be used in court one day.
- The commission would also investigate all underlying root causes of recurrent tensions, instability and protraction of conflict including discrimination and repression.
- Israel, backed at times by the United States, accuses the council of anti-Israel bias and has generally refused to cooperate with its investigators.
- Organisation of Islamic Cooperation:
- OIC is the second-largest intergovernmental organization after the United Nations with a membership of 57 states.
- India is not a member of the OIC. However, India was invited as a guest of honour at the 46th Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers in 2019.
- It represents the collective voice of the Muslim world. It works for the protection of the interests of the Muslim world in the spirit of promoting international peace and harmony among various people of the world.
- It was established upon a decision of the historical summit which took place in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, in 1969.
- Headquarters: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
- UN Human Rights Council:
- An inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
- The Council was created by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 2006. It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
- The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) serves as the Secretariat of the Human Rights Council.
- OHCHR is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
- It is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UNGA on the principle of equitable geographical distribution.
- Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.
- India was elected to the Council for a period of three years beginning 1st January 2019.
- Mechanisms
- Universal Periodic Review: UPR serves to assess the human rights situations in all United Nations Member States.
- UN Special Procedures: These are made up of special rapporteurs, special representatives, independent experts and working groups that monitor, examine, advise and publicly report on thematic issues or human rights situations in specific countries.
- Recent Developments
- The United States has announced that it would rejoin the UNHRC that it left in 2018.
- The Council has adopted a resolution to scrutinise the gross violations of human rights in Sri Lanka.
Sun Halo/Kaleidoscope Effect
Recently, the people of Bangalore witnessed a bright rainbow ring around the sun for a few moments - a rare optical and atmospheric phenomenon called “22 degree circular Halo”.
- The phenomenon popularly known as the 22 degree circular halo of the sun or occasionally the Moon (also called a moon ring or winter halo), occurs when the sun’s or moon’s rays get deflected/refracted through the hexagonal ice crystals present in cirrus clouds.
- This is also called the Kaleidoscopic Effect.
- These halos are called 22-degree halos, as the halo or ring has an apparent radius of 22 degrees around the sun/moon.
- Circular halos specifically are produced by cirrus clouds, which are thin, detached, hair-like clouds. These clouds are formed very high up in the atmosphere, at a height of over 20,000 feet.
- Just like a rainbow, a halo is visible when viewed from the right angle — sometimes appearing just white but often with colours of the spectrum also clearly present.
- The halo is the brightest at the inner edge of the circular disk, with no light inside the disk as no light is refracted at smaller angles.
- Red light is refracted less than other colours of light, so the halo’s inner edge is reddish. Other shades typically tend tooverlap and wash out.
Defining Hate Speech
As there is no clear definition of what constitutes a “Hate Speech” in the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Committee for Reforms in Criminal Laws constituted by the Union Home Ministry to suggest reforms to the British-era IPC, is attempting for the first time to define such speech.
- Hate Speech:
- In general, it refers to words whose intent is to create hatred towards a particular group, that group may be a community, religion or race.This speech may or may not have meaning, but is likely to result in violence.
- The Bureau of Police Research and Development recently published a manual for investigating agencies on cyber harassment cases that defined hate speech as a language that denigrates, insults, threatens or targets an individual based on their identity and other traits (such as sexual orientation or disability or religion etc.).
- In the 267th Report of the Law Commission of India, hate speech is stated as an incitement to hatred primarily against a group of persons defined in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious belief and the like.
- In order to determine whether a particular instance of speech is a hate speech or not, the context of the speech plays an important role.
- Major Reasons of Hate Speech:
- Individuals believe in stereotypes that are ingrained in their minds and these stereotypes lead them to believe that a class or group of persons are inferior to them and as such cannot have the same rights as them.
- The stubbornness to stick to a particular ideology without caring for the right to co-exist peacefully adds further fuel to the fire of hate speech.
- Indian Penal Provisions Related to Hate Speech:
- Under Indian Penal Code:
- Sections 153A and 153B of the IPC: Punishes acts that cause enmity and hatred between two groups.
- Section 295A of the IPC: Deals with punishing acts which deliberately or with malicious intention outrage the religious feelings of a class of persons.
- Sections 505(1) and 505(2): Make the publication and circulation of content which may cause ill-will or hatred between different groups an offence.
- Under Representation of People’s Act:
- Section 8 of the Representation of People’s Act, 1951 (RPA): Prevents a person convicted of the illegal use of the freedom of speech from contesting an election.
- Sections 123(3A) and 125 of the RPA: Bars the promotion of animosity on the grounds of race, religion, community, caste, or language in reference to elections and include it under corrupt electoral practices.
- Suggestion for Changes in IPC:
- Viswanathan Committee 2019:
- It proposed inserting Sections 153 C (b) and Section 505 A in the IPC for incitement to commit an offence on grounds of religion, race, caste or community, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, place of birth, residence, language, disability or tribe.
- It proposed punishment of up to two years along with Rs. 5,000 fine.
- Bezbaruah Committee 2014:
- It proposed amendment to Section 153 C IPC (promoting or attempting to promote acts prejudicial to human dignity), punishable by five years and fine or both and Section 509 A IPC (word, gesture or act intended to insult member of a particular race), punishable by three years or fine or both.
Road ahead
- For a country like India with a massive population of diverse backgrounds and culture, subjects like hate speech become a complex issue to deal with as it is difficult to differentiate between free and hate speech.
- Several factors are to be considered while restraining speeches like the number of strong opinions, offensive to certain communities, the effect on the values of dignity, liberty, and equality. Certainly, there are laws for such atrocities but a major part of work is still left.
- Therefore giving a proper definition to hate speech would be the first step to deal with the menace and other initiatives such as spreading awareness amongst the public is the need of the hour.
Vesak Celebration
The Prime Minister addressed “Virtual Vesak Global Celebrations” on Buddha Purnima.
- The event is being organised by the Ministry of Culture in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation(IBC) and will witness the participation of all the supreme heads of the Buddhist Sanghas from around the world.
- Buddha Purnima
- It is celebrated to mark the birth of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
- It is also known as Vesak. In 1999, it became a UN-designated day, to acknowledge the contribution of Buddhism to society.
- It is considered a 'triple-blessed day' - as Tathagata Gautam Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and Maha Parnirvana.
- Buddha Purnima falls on a full moon night, usually between April and May, and it is a gazetted holiday in India.
- Many devotees visit Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, on this occasion.
- Bodhi Temple is the location where Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
- International Buddhist Confederation (IBC)
- IBC is the biggest religious Buddhist confederation.
- The purpose of this body is to create a role for Buddhism on the global stage so as to help to preserve heritage, share knowledge, and promote values and to represent a united front for Buddhism to enjoy meaningful participation in the global discourse.
- In November 2011, New Delhi was host to Global Buddhist Congregation (GBC), where the attendees unanimously adopted a resolution to form an international umbrella body – the International Buddhist Confederation (IBC).
- HQ: Delhi, India.
Whiteflies: Threat to Agriculture
According to a recent study, exotic invasive whiteflies in India are causing direct and indirect yield losses in agriculture, horticulture and forestry crop plants.
- Whiteflies are tiny, sap-sucking insects that may become abundant in vegetable and ornamental plantings, especially during warm weather. They excrete sticky honeydew and cause yellowing or death of leaves.
- Spread of Whiteflies
- The first reported invasive spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus dispersus) is now distributed throughout India except Jammu & Kashmir.
- Similarly, the rugose spiralling whitefly (Aleurodicus rugioperculatus) which was reported in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu in 2016 has now spread throughout the country including the islands of Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep.
- Aleurodicus dispersus and Aleurodicus rugioperculatus have been reported on over 320 and 40 plant species,respectively.
- Most of the whitefly species are native to the Caribbean islands or Central America.
- Reasons for Spread
- The host range of all of the invasive whiteflies has been increasing due to their polyphagous nature (ability to feed on various kinds of food) and prolific breeding.
- The increasing import of plants and increasing globalization and movement of people has aided the spread of different varieties and their subsequent growth into invasive species.
-
-
-
- Whiteflies reduce the production yield and also damage crops. Approximately 1.35 lakh hectares of coconut and oil palm in India are affected by the rugose spiralling whitefly.
- Other invasive whiteflies were also found to expand their host range on valuable plant species, especially coconut, banana, mango, sapota, guava, cashew, oil palm, and ornamental plants such as bottle palm, false bird of paradise, butterfly palm and important medicinal plants.
- Whiteflies have been difficult to control by using available synthetic insecticides.
- Controlling Whiteflies:
- Biological Control Methods:
- They are currently being controlled by naturally occurring insect predators, parasitoids (natural enemies of pests, provide biological control of pests in greenhouses and crop fields) and entomopathogenic fungi (fungi that can kill insects).
- Entomopathogenic fungi specific to whiteflies are isolated, purified, grown in the lab or mass-produced and applied into the whitefly infested field in combination with the release of lab-reared potential predators and parasitoids.
- They are not just environmentally friendly but also economically feasible.
Other Pests/Insects Attacking Crops
- Fall Armyworm (FAW) Attack:
- It is a dangerous transboundary insect with a high potential to spread rapidly due to its natural distribution capacity and opportunities presented by international trade.
- In 2020, the Directorate of Agriculture reported an armyworm attack on the standing crops in the northeastern Dhemaji district of Assam and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has launched a Global Action for FAW Control as a response to the international threat posed by the armyworms.
- Locust Invasion:
- A locust (Migratory insect also known as tiddi) is a large, mainly tropical grasshopper with strong powers of flight. They differ from ordinary grasshoppers in their ability to change behaviour (gregarize) and form swarms that can migrate over large distances.
- Locust adults can eat their own weight every day, i.e. about two grams of fresh vegetation per day. A very small swarm eats as much in one day as about 35,000 people, posing a devastating threat to crops and food security.
- Pink Bollworm (PBW):
- It (Pectinophora gossypiella), is an insect known for being a pest in cotton farming.
- The pink bollworm is native to Asia, but has become an invasive species in most of the world’s cotton-growing regions.
- Continuous monitoring of the occurrence of invasive species, their host plants and geographical expansion is needed, and if required, import of potential natural enemies for bio-control programmes can also be carried out.
Next
previous
Latest News
General Studies