Silica mining: NGT asks CPCB to prepare pan-India guidelines

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to prepare detailed pan-India guidelines for silica sand mining and silica washing plants within three months.
• A silica sand washing plant is used to remove impurities and contaminants from silica sand. Both mining and washing pose health risks to people working in the plants or residing nearby. They also cause silicosis, an occupational lung disease caused by prolonged inhalation of silica dust.

Central Pollution Control Board

• It is a statutory organisation, constituted in September, 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
• It serves as a field formation and also provides technical services to the Ministry of Environment and Forests of the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981,
• to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution, and
• to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country.

What is a Silica?

• Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is an oxide of silicon with the chemical formula SiO2, commonly found in nature as quartz.  In many parts of the world, silica is the major constituent of sand. Silica is one of the most complex and abundant families of materials, existing as a compound of several minerals and as a synthetic product.
• Examples include fused quartz, fumed silica, opal, and aerogels. It is used in structural materials, microelectronics, and as components in the food and pharmaceutical industries. All forms are white or colorless, although impure samples can be colored.
• Silica has three main crystalline varieties: quartz (by far the most abundant), tridymite, and cristobalite. Other varieties include coesite, keatite, and lechatelierite.

What is  Silica Sand Mining:

• Sand mining is the extraction of sand, mainly through an open pit but sometimes mined from beaches and inland dunes or dredged from ocean and river beds.
• Sand is often used in manufacturing, for example as an abrasive or in concrete. It is also used on icy and snowy roads usually mixed with salt, to lower the melting point temperature, on the road surface. Sand can replace eroded coastline.
• Some uses require higher purity than others; for example sand used in concrete must be free of seashell fragments.
• Sand mining presents opportunities to extract rutile, ilmenite, and zircon, which contain the industrially useful elements titanium and zirconium. Besides these minerals, beach sand may also contain garnet, leucoxene, sillimanite, and monazite.
• Sand mining refers to the process of extraction of sand usually from an open pit. It is an activity in which sand is removed from the rivers, streams, and lakes. Beaches all over the world are being mined for sand for a variety of uses. Sand mining has tripled in the last two decades because of the increase in demand as reported by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

Impacts of Silica Sand Mining

 Details on Sand Mining in India:

 Practices in other countries:

• Sand mining in India, regulated as a minor mineral, suffers from poor enforcement despite a strong legal framework, leading to environmental degradation and illegal practices.
• Overextraction deepens rivers, destroys aquatic life, and destabilizes riverbanks. Effective regulation, leveraging technological advancements like remote monitoring, is essential to curb illegal activities and protect biodiversity. Governments must prioritize environmental sustainability in framing sand mining policies.

 Why is US dollar the global currency and why did Trump threaten the BRICS nations?

•  Fears of a global trade war have risen after Donald Trump threatened to impose 100% tariffs on countries in the Brics group if they create a new currency to rival the US dollar. The warning came less than a week after Trump declared he would impose tariffs on Canada, Mexico and China once he was inaugurated as president.
• BRICS, the nine-country group championed by heavyweights Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, includes Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. Formed in 2009 as a bloc to encourage cross-country investments between the members, it soon evolved into a geopolitical group with annual summits and foreign policy.
• Back in 2023, at the South Africa summit, the BRICS bloc mused at a feasibility study for a new common currency, following a proposal by the Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva.

Where BRICS’s ‘de-dollarisation’ call is leading?

• The Brics group was originally made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa and has been joined by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia and Iran.
• Turkey, Azerbaijan and Malaysia have applied to become members, and several other countries have expressed interest in joining.
• Some Brics members have shown interest in de-dollarising the world economy. In October, Vladimir Putin called for an alternative international payments systemthat could prevent the US from using the dollar as a political weapon. Others, though, fear the consequences of severing relations with the US and other western countries by breaking away from the dollar, which underpins world finance.
• While the U.S. dollar is by far the most-used currency in global business and has survived past challenges to its pre-eminence, members of the alliance and other developing nations say they are fed up with America’s dominance of the global financial system.

What gives the US dollar the power in international trade?

• The U.S. dollar is not forced on anyone to be accepted as a medium of exchange for cross-border transactions.
• It is widely used in international transactions because people actually prefer to use American currency over others for various economic reasons.
• Other currencies that have tried to compete against the U.S. dollar are not as popular as the greenback for carrying out international transactions.
• The global acceptability of the U.S. dollar has primarily been attributed to the
• the popularity of U.S. assets among investors high level of trust of global investors in the US.

India''s Pursuit of De-dollarisation:

• India, as a BRICS member, is challenging traditional financial systems through de-dollarisation efforts.
• Shift in Trade Dynamics:Increased trade in local currencies, like the Indian Rupee, grants India more control over monetary policy and shields it from external shocks.
• Monetary Policy Autonomy:Reduced reliance on the U.S. dollar empowers India to set independent monetary policies, enhancing economic stability.
• Enhanced Trade Relations:Trade in local currencies fosters stronger economic ties, streamlines transactions, and reduces costs.
• Strengthened Indian Rupee: De-dollarisation can lead to a stronger rupee, boosting purchasing power and reducing inflationary pressures.
• Economic Independence: By diversifying away from the dollar, India reduces vulnerability to U.S.-led sanctions, enhancing economic independence.

Impact of 100% tariff:

• A 100% tariff at the US border, if implemented, would drive up sharply the cost of goods from Brics members, fuelling US inflation and destabilising global trade flows.
• This hardline approach on trade reflects Trump’s broader ‘America First’ economic policy, which aims to recalibrate global trade dynamics and reinforce US economic sovereignty.

Auction-only route for dust tea sale against govt.’s ease of doing business policy: NETA

The North East Tea Association voiced their concerns in a letter to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal; they also sought reasonable selling time at auction so that teas do not remain unsold.

What’s the issue?

• The Central government of India has introduced a new policy that mandates 100% of dust-grade tea produced in specific states, including Assam and other northeastern states, to be sold exclusively through public auctions.
• This policy is part of the Tea (Marketing) Control (Amendment) Order, 2024, and is set to come into effect on April 1, 2024.
• The North Eastern Tea Association (NETA), which represents tea producers in the region, has raised concerns about the policy, arguing that it restricts the freedom of producers to choose between public auctions and private sales, both of which have coexisted for over 150 years in the Indian tea industry.

NETA’s Opposition to the Mandate

• Freedom of Choice in Sales Mechanisms: Tea producers should have the autonomy to decide between selling through public auctions or private sales. A one-size-fits-all policy does not suit the diverse business models of tea producers in different regions. Some producers may find private sales more efficient based on their operations, while others may prefer public auctions.

Inefficiencies in the Auction System:

• Extended Printing Times: In Sale No. 48 at the Guwahati auction, the printing time for results was extended to 28 days, instead of the usual 17 days.
• High Unsold Inventory: Around 40% of CTC (crush, tear, curl) teas remained unsold at the Guwahati auction due to factors like lot size and divisibility rules.
• Lot Size and Divisibility: NETA suggested that the minimum lot size for peak production months should be fixed at 20 bags (instead of the current rule of 30), and divisibility for lots exceeding 30 bags should be allowed.
• Impact on Diverse Business Models: There is need for flexibility in the tea sales mechanism, allowing producers to choose the most efficient model based on their unique business needs. Imposing a single, mandatory system would limit operational flexibility and could be detrimental to certain producers.

Counter-insurgency ops in jungle in focus as India, Malaysia begin joint military exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI

·        The India-Malaysia joint military exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI 2024 began in Malaysia, focusing on counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain to enhance interoperability, tactics, and camaraderie between the two armies  

·        The fourth edition of the India-Malaysia Joint Military Exercise, HARIMAU SHAKTI, began at Bentong camp in Pahang district of Malaysia . The event, conducted alternatively in India and Malaysia, will continue till December 15.

·        The exercise aims to boost the joint military capability of both sides to undertake counter-insurgency operations in jungle terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Mandate.

·        Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI, which will focus on operations in the jungle environment, will be conducted in two phases. Cross-training between both armies, including lectures, demonstrations, and practices of various drills in jungle terrain, will form the first phase of the exercise. The second phase will be a simulated exercise, wherein troops will execute various drills, including anti-MT ambush, occupation of harbour, carrying out a recce patrol, ambush and an attack on area taken over by the terrorists.

·         The exercise will foster interoperability, bonhomie, and camaraderie between the two armies, and will help both sides share best practices in tactics, techniques, and procedures of conducting joint operations.

·        The Indian contingent comprising of 78 personnel is represented by a Battalion of Mahar Regiment, while the Malaysian contingent is represented by 123 personnel from The Royal Malaysian Regiment.

·        The last edition was conducted in Nov 2023 at Umroi Cantonment in Meghalaya, India

Counter-terror, cyber, hybrid warfare on agenda as India, Cambodia begin joint military exercise CINBAX

India and Cambodia''s first joint military exercise, CINBAX, in Pune focuses on counter-terror operations, UN peacekeeping, cyber and hybrid warfare, logistics, and showcasing indigenous Indian defense capabilities to enhance military cooperation and interoperability

·        The first edition of CINBAX exercise between the armies of India and Cambodia commenced at Foreign Training Node, Pune on December 1. 

·        The joint table top exercise will conclude on December 8. 

·        Contingents comprising 20 personnel from Cambodian Army and Indian Army’s Infantry Brigade are participating in the exercise.

·        The CINBAX exercise will focus on discussions pertaining to establishment of Joint Training Task Force for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance besides planning of operations in counter-terrorism environment. 

·        CINBAX  is being conducted in three phases.

·        Phase-I focusses on preparations and orientation of participants for counter-terrorism operations during UN peacekeeping missions. 

·        Phase-II will involve conduct of the table top exercises.

·        Phase-III will involve finalisation of plans and summing up. 

·        This will bring out practical aspects of the theme-based training and aims to enable the participants to comprehend the procedures through situation-based discussions and tactical exercises.

India-Cambodia Bilateral Relations

·        Historically, India-Cambodia relations are a product of religious and cultural influences. Though Cambodia, like most of its neighbours, is a Buddhist nation, there is a strong influence of Hindu rituals, idolatry and mythology.

·        There are also strong linguistic connections, with an estimated 3,000 words being common between Sanskrit and Khmer languages. 

 In the 15th century, with the decline of Khmer empire, contacts between India and Cambodia declined under the onslaught of European powers seeking colonies in Asia. 

·        India established diplomatic relations with Cambodia in 1952 even one year before its independence from France. Immediately after the Cambodian independence in 1953, India was seen as a close friend and a source of inspiration by the Cambodian leadership. 

·        Strong personal association between Jawaharlal Nehru and Prince Norodom Sihanouk and their initiatives resulted in strong friendly ties between the two countries during the period 1954-1960. Prime Minister Nehru visited Cambodia in 1954. Nehru and Sihanouk cooperated closely in the process of establishing the Non-Aligned Movement. 

·        From the 1970s, with the brutal regime of Khmer Rouge, Cambodia had a very disturbed and traumatic period lasting a few decades. India was the first democratic nation to recognise the Heng Samrin regime after the collapse of Khmer Rouge and open its diplomatic mission in 1981. 

·        In response to an appeal by the Cambodian government, the government of India deputed a team of experts from the Archaeological Survey of India in 1986 for restoration and conservation of Angkor Wat temple.

 In the 1980s, India played an active role to facilitate dialogues between Cambodian political factions. India’s association in 1980 with the Paris Peace Accord and the intense interaction at high levels for its finalisation in 1991 is fondly remembered with gratitude by the Cambodian leadership. 

·        India contributed military and non-military contingent for the conduct of the UNTAC sponsored elections in 1993. Their non-partisan and fair role  brought the 1993 elections to a successful conclusion.

·        In the context of India’s ‘Act East’ policy and the ASEAN, Cambodia is an important interlocutor and a good partner. 

·        Over the years, there was expansion in cooperation in diverse fields such as institutional capacity building, human resource development and extension of financial assistance in infrastructure projects, social security projects and capacity building in defence.

·        India and Cambodia have signed various agreements and MoUs in the fields of bilateral cooperation, trade & commerce, cultural exchanges, capacity building, concessional loans for developmental projects and restoration and conservation of old temples in Cambodia.

·        The principal commodities exported from India are: pharmaceutical products, bovine meat, motor vehicles (autos, motorcycles and spare parts), raw hides and leather, miscellaneous chemicals, etc. 

·         The main exports from Cambodia are organic chemicals, vegetable oil, articles of apparel and clothing, footwear, etc.

·        Mekong-Ganga Cooperation was established in November 2000 with six member countries — Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and India.

Global interest in India''s BrahMos missile soars; 3 countries could be queuing up to buy the Indo-Russia supersonic weapon

·        The BrahMos missile, a joint venture between Russia and India, renowned for speed and precision, is in talks with three nations for exports, marking its growing global demand in defense markets

·        Three countries could be potential buyers of the cutting-edge, supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos, developed through a joint venture between Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India and Russia''s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.

·         Brahmos Aerospace, confirmed to the Russian news agency TASS that the Indo-Russian venture is in discussions for supplies of the supersonic cruise missiles with Vietnam, Indonesia, and the UAE.

·        The Philippines was the first customer of BrahMos Aerospace.

·        Named after the Brahmaputra River in India and the Moskva River in Russia, the missile, which is in service in the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force, is known for its remarkable speed, precision, and versatility.

·        BrahMos missile, equipped with stealth technology, has a range of between 300-500 km depending on which variant and the platform on which it is mounted.

·        The two countries are also working on a hypersonic variant of the missile, called Brahmos-II, which according to the joint venture company "will fly at screaming velocities over six times the speed of sound on hypersonic scramjet technology."

Nations Fail to Reach an Agreement on Plastic Pollution

·        Countries negotiating a global treaty to curb plastic pollution failed to reach agreement on December 2.

·        Over 3,300 delegates — including Members representing more than 170 nations and Observers from more than 440 organisations — met in Busan, South Korea, for the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5). 

·        The INC-5 meeting, intended to yield a legally binding global treaty, was meant to be the final one. However, countries remained far apart on the basic scope of a treaty and could agree only to postpone key decisions and resume talks, dubbed INC 5.2, to a later date.

·        The most divisive issues included capping plastic production, managing plastic products and chemicals of concern, and financing to help developing countries implement the treaty.

·        An option proposed by Panama, backed by more than 100 countries, would have created a path for a global plastic production reduction target, while another proposal did not include production caps.

·        Negotiators have reached a greater degree of convergence on the structure and elements of the treaty text, as well as a better understanding of country positions and shared challenges. But it is clear there is persisting divergence in critical areas and more time is needed for these areas to be addressed.

Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee

·        The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEP) resolution requested the Executive Director of UNEP to convene an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee, to begin its work during the second half of 2022, with the ambition of completing its work by the end of 2024. 

·        The INC began its work during the second half of 2022, with the ambition to complete the negotiations by the end of 2024. The first session of the INC (INC-1) took place in Punta del Este, Uruguay, from November 28 to December 2, 2022, followed by a second session (INC-2) from May 29 to June 2, 2023 in Paris. The third session (INC-3) marked the process'' midway point from November 13 to 19, 2023 in Nairobi, followed by the fourth session (INC-4) from April 23 to 29, 2024 in Ottawa, Canada. The fifth session (INC-5) was held from November 25 to December 2, 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea.

·        The INC will resume discussions in 2025, with the venue yet to be announced.

Plastic pollution

·        Plastic pollution is a global problem. 

·        Unlike other materials, plastic does not biodegrade. This pollution chokes marine wildlife, damages soil and poisons groundwater, and can cause serious health impacts.

·        More than 400 million tonnes of plastic is produced every year worldwide, half of which is designed to be used only once. Of that, less than 10 per cent is recycled.

·        An estimated 19-23 million tonnes end up in lakes, rivers and seas annually. That is approximately the weight of 2,200 Eiffel Towers all together.

·        It is estimated that each person on the planet consumes more than 50,000 plastic particles per year, and many more if inhalation is considered.

 Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic material typically smaller than five millimetres.

·        From the deepest points of the ocean to the food and water we consume, microplastics are a growing threat to human and planetary health.

·         These tiny plastic particles are present in everyday items, including cigarettes, clothing and cosmetics.

·        Microplastics enter the ocean from marine plastic litter breaking down, run-off from plumbing, leakage from production facilities and other sources.

 When ingested by marine life such as birds, fish, mammals and plants, microplastics have both toxic and mechanical effects, leading to issues including reduced food intake, suffocation, behavioral changes and genetic alteration.

·        In addition to entering the food chain through seafood, people can inhale microplastics from the air, ingest them from water and absorb them through the skin. 

·         Microplastics have been found in various human organs, and even in the placenta of newborn babies.

Space medicine. Here is why ISRO is focusing on microgravity for medical research

• Plans are in motion at ISRO to leverage the knowledge of microgravity in medical research, to better equip astronauts. Speaking at the recently concluded Raksha Summit 2024, ISRO Chairman S Somanath emphasised India’s potential to invest in and explore the field of microgravity research, connecting it to the healthcare domain.
• He highlighted the growing interest in medical research related to space and microgravity. He mentioned that microgravity research, which studies how things behave in extremely low-gravity environments such as space, offers immense opportunities for breakthroughs in medicine, technology, and other fields.
• By fostering such partnerships, India aims to harness the unique advantages of microgravity for scientific and healthcare advancements.

How is this significant for the country and ISRO, in particular?

• Microgravity is a condition where people or objects seem to be weightless. This is why astronauts and items appear to float when they are in space. However, microgravity can also be experienced in other ways beyond space environments. The term’ micro’ means very small, so microgravity refers to a state where gravity feels extremely weak
• In this condition, astronauts can float inside their spacecraft or even during spacewalks. Even heavy objects can move around effortlessly in microgravity. For instance, astronauts can easily move equipment weighing hundreds of kilograms using just their fingertips.
• “Microgravity helps scientists understand how people and equipment behave in space. It has several effects on the human body. For instance, without gravity forcing them to work, muscles and bones can become weaker over time. Astronauts living on the space station spend several months in microgravity.
• Similarly, astronauts travelling to Mars would spend months in microgravity during their journey to and from the planet. It is important to study the effects of microgravity to ensure astronauts stay safe and healthy during these missions.
• According to NASA, many things behave differently in microgravity. For instance, fire burns in a different way, and flames become more rounded without the pull of gravity. Additionally, crystals tend to grow more effectively in microgravity.
• Without gravity, objects can form in more perfect shapes. These experiments allow scientists to discover things that would be difficult—or even impossible—to study on Earth.
• The Department of Biotechnology and the Department of Space have joined forces through an MoU to explore biotechnology research in space. This collaboration aims to support India’s Gaganyaan mission, the country’s ambitious human spaceflight programme.The research could provide valuable insights and solutions to challenges faced during human space missions.
• The ISRO chief added that such research would enhance understanding of how the human body responds to microgravity, particularly the behaviour of body fluids. In microgravity, body fluids tend to move upwards toward the head, which can increase pressure on the eyes and potentially lead to vision problems.
• Without proper precautions or countermeasures, astronauts may face a higher risk of kidney stones. This is due to dehydration and the increased release of calcium from their bones in space.
• Somanath also highlighted a problem with the equipment used in hospitals, noting that much of it was not made in India. Many of these technologies could be designed and manufactured locally, he said, questioning why they were not being produced in larger quantities within the country. He drew a parallel with ISRO’s journey in building rockets and satellites.

ISRO looks to one more ‘made in India’ initiative

• “Initially, ISRO had relied on sourcing components and materials from different suppliers and assembling them in India. Over time, the organisation collaborated with industries to localise production, converting many items such as electronic parts, alloys, materials, connectors, chemicals and adhesives into domestically made products. Today, about 90 per cent of these components are sourced from within India,”.
• The existing ecosystem now supports advanced technology sectors such as defence and aerospace. Somanath emphasised that a similar approach should be applied to healthcare, diagnostics and hospital equipment. These items could be designed and produced in large quantities to meet the demand within the country
• Somanath suggested that companies could collaborate with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to bring manufacturing processes to India. This would enable better innovation and reduce costs, he added. He also noted the growing interest in medical research related to space and microgravity.
•  “Microgravity research is significant because it allows scientists to explore phenomena that are otherwise obscured by gravity. For instance, in materials science, microgravity has been used to study the crystallisation of proteins and alloys, offering insights that could lead to improved drugs and more efficient manufacturing processes.
• In biology, experiments in microgravity can help understand how living organisms respond to weightlessness, which is important for human health during long-term space missions.
• Furthermore, microgravity research has the potential to help develop new technologies for Earth, such as more efficient energy systems and novel drug delivery methods.
• India has been actively pursuing research in microgravity, even though it is still in the early stages of conducting such experiments in space.
• In 2007, ISRO launched its first dedicated microgravity research project aboard the “Shuttle Endeavour,” which took place as part of NASA’s space shuttle mission. This marked an important step for India’s space program in contributing to global research in microgravity.
• Additionally, ISRO has supported various experiments in partnership with universities and research organisations, focusing on topics such as fluid dynamics, combustion, and materials science. These experiments help scientists understand how materials behave in zero gravity, offering potential breakthroughs in technology, healthcare, and industry.
• While ISRO is gradually progressing in its microgravity research, zero-gravity flights conducted in the United States provide a more accessible and economical way for researchers to conduct smaller-scale experiments. These parabolic flights, often referred to as “zero gravity flights,” offer a cost-effective means for scientists to experience weightlessness for short durations.
• By using specially designed aircraft that fly in parabolic arcs, researchers can achieve periods of microgravity for up to 20 to 30 seconds, enabling them to conduct a variety of scientific tests and experiments.
• Many universities and research organisations in the US utilise these flights to explore the effects of zero gravity on biological samples, fluids, and materials.
• “The increasing use of zero gravity flights in the US as a testing ground for space research is an economical way for scientists and organisations worldwide to access the unique environment of microgravity. By utilising such flights, researchers can gather valuable data on how materials, biological organisms, and fluids react to the absence of gravity.
• This research is essential for the future of human spaceflight, as it provides insights into how we can maintain human health and develop new technologies for long-term space exploration.
•  As ISRO continues to expand its space research capabilities, the lessons learned from these smaller experiments conducted on zero gravity flights will undoubtedly inform and enhance future Indian space missions

UN summit puts global spotlight on land degradation – UNEP

• On Dec 2,  in Riyadh under the auspices of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) Countries  to discuss how to turn the corner from degradation to regeneration.
• Three billion people around the world are suffering the impact of poor and degraded land which will “increase levels of migration, stability and insecurity among many communities,” according to the newly-elected President of a UN-backed conference on desertification, drought and land restoration which is taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• The 16th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) of the UNCCD will take place from December 2 to 13 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
•  UNCCD COP16 represents a moonshot moment to raise global ambition and accelerate action on land and drought resilience through a people-centered approach.  
• As the first UNCCD COP to be held in the Middle East and North Africa region, this landmark event will be the largest and most ambitious summit on land and drought resilience, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of UNCCD, one of three Rio Conventions alongside climate and biodiversity.  

What is land degradation?

• Land degradation is caused by multiple forces, including extreme weather conditions, particularly drought. It is also caused by human activities that pollute or degrade the quality of soils and land utility. It negatively affects food production, livelihoods, and the production and provision of other ecosystem goods and services. 

What is desertification?

• Desertification is not the natural expansion of existing deserts but the degradation of land in arid, semi-arid, and dry sub-humid areas. It is a gradual process of soil productivity loss and the thinning out of the vegetative cover because of human activities and climatic variations such as prolonged droughts and floods. What is alarming is that though the land’s topsoil, if mistreated, can be blown and washed away in a few seasons, it takes centuries to build up. Among human causal factors are overcultivation, overgrazing, deforestation, and poor irrigation practices. Such overexploitation is generally caused by economic and social pressure, ignorance, war, and drought. 

No life without land

• It is perhaps to state the obvious, but without healthy land there can be no life. It feeds and shelters humanity.
• It provides jobs, sustains livelihoods and is the bedrock of local, national and global economies. It helps to regulate climate and is essential for biodiversity.
• Despite its importance to life as we know it, up to 40 per cent of the world’s land is degraded, affecting around 3.2 billion people, that is almost half of the global population.
• From deforested mountains in Haiti, to the gradual disappearance of Lake Chad in the Sahel and the drying up of productive lands in Georgia in eastern Europe, land degradation affects all parts of the world.
• About 100 million hectares (or one million square kilometres), that is the size of a country like Egypt, of healthy and productive land is lost each year.
• The soils on these lands which can take hundreds of years to form are being depleted, often by extreme weather.
• Droughts are hitting harder and more often, three out of four people in the world are projected to face water scarcity by 2050.
• Temperatures are increasing due to climate change further driving extreme weather events, including droughts and floods, adding to the challenge of keeping land productive.
• There is clear evidence that land degradation is interconnected with broader environmental challenges like climate change.

 Land ecosystems absorb one-third of human CO2 emissions, the gas that is driving climate change. However, poor land management threatens this critical capacity, further compromising efforts to slow down the release of these harmful gasses.

• Deforestation, which contributes to desertification, is on the rise, with only 60 per cent of the world''s forests still intact, falling below what the UN calls the ‘safe target of 75 per cent’.

India achieves around 80% land restoration target

• • India has already restored 18.94 million hectares of degraded land against the 2030 target of 24 million hectares, Union Minister of State for Environment Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha.
• India has committed to restoring 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 as part of its obligations under the Bonn Challenge and the UNCCD. 
• The country has also committed to creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2030 through enhanced forest and tree cover, as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (or national climate plans) under the Paris Agreement.
• At the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, in October, India launched its updated biodiversity action plan with a goal to protect at least 30 per cent of its terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas by 2030, in line with global biodiversity targets.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

• • The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the sole legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management. The Convention addresses specifically the arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas, known as the drylands, where some of the most vulnerable ecosystems and peoples can be found.
• The Convention was adopted in Paris on June 17, 1994 and entered into force on December 26, 1996 after the 50th ratification was received.
• It is the only legally binding framework set up to address desertification and the effects of drought. 

 There are 197 Parties to the Convention, including 196 country Parties and the European Union.

• The Convention’s 197 Parties work together to improve the living conditions for people in drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of drought. 
• Parties to the Convention meet in Conferences of the Parties (COP) every two years, as well as in technical meetings throughout the year, to advance the aims and ambitions of the Convention and achieve progress in its implementation.
• It unites governments, scientists, policymakers, private sector and communities around a shared vision and global action to restore and manage the world’s land for the sustainability of humanity and the planet.
•  The UNCCD is particularly committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating desertification and land degradation. 
• The UNCCD Secretariat facilitates cooperation between developed and developing countries, particularly around knowledge and technology transfer for sustainable land management.

World AIDS Day: ‘HIV infection in India fell by 44 pc since 2010’

•  On the occasion of World AIDS Day, Union Health Minister said that the HIV infection in India fell by 44 per cent in 2023 compared to the cases in 2010.
• He added that the 44 per cent decrease in new HIV cases in India since 2010 was higher than the global reduction rate of 39 per cent
• The country aims to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of eradicating AIDS by 2030.
• Currently, Phase V of the National AIDS and STD Control Programme is ongoing in India.
• While lauding the efforts of the NACO and State AIDS Control Societies, the health minister said that India has worked out a formula of "95-95-95" in view of the target of eliminating AIDS by 2030. 
• Ninety-five per cent of the patients in the country should know that they are infected with HIV, 95 per cent of the patients should get treatment and the "viral load" of 95 per cent of the patients should be lessened by antiretroviral therapy medicines,.
• Presently, the existing formula is ''81-88-97'', which shows 81 per cent of patients know they are infected with HIV, 88 per cent of patients are being given treatment and the viral load of 97 per cent of patients has reduced. 
• The AIDS-related deaths in the country have reduced to 79 per cent in 2023 when compared to 2010.
• The Centre is providing AIDS medicines to patients free of cost and also awareness classes to those coping with the illness. 
• Indian pharmaceutical companies were shipping the cheapest and most effective AIDS medicines to Africa, South Africa and Latin America.