Constituent Assembly of India met for the First Time on Dec 9 ,1946.

• Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar highlighted that the Constituent Assembly’s first session was held on December 9, 1946 and sought to remind the members that they should lay very high standards in parliamentary proceedings.
• Dhankar described it as the beginning of the monumental task of drafting the Constitution of India.

Constituent Assembly

• The evolution of the Constituent Assembly of India is rooted in a series of historical developments:
•  M.N. Roy’s Proposal: The idea of a constituent assembly was first proposed by M.N. Roy in 1934. He argued for the need for a body to draft a constitution that truly reflected the aspirations of Indians.
•  INC’s Official Demand: The Indian National Congress officially demanded the establishment of a constituent assembly in 1935, emphasizing the need for Indians to frame their own constitution.
•  Jawaharlal Nehru’s Statement (1938): In a defining moment, Jawaharlal Nehru declared that “The constitution of free India must be framed, without outside interference, by a constituent assembly elected on the basis of adult franchise.” This set the tone for India’s constitutional development.
• The August Offer (1940): For the first time, the British government acknowledged the possibility of a constituent assembly through the August Offer, although it did not provide immediate action.
•  Cabinet Mission Plan (1946): The establishment of the Constituent Assembly was finally formalised under the provisions of the Cabinet Mission Plan, marking the transition toward drafting the Constitution of independent India.
•  The first sitting of the Constituent Assembly was held on December 9, 1946, after its constitution on December 6, 1946. 

Composition

•  The Constituent Assembly was a partly elected and a partly nominated body. 
•  The members were elected indirectly by people in the provincial assemblies, who in turn had been elected on the basis of a limited franchise (on the basis of tax, property and education).
•  It was an indirectly elected body and comprised representatives of all sections of Indian society. Further, the Constituent Assembly included all leading personalities of India of the time, with the exception of Mahatma Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
•  The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was chaired by Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha, who was then the oldest Member and also the oldest parliamentarian in India, having served as a Member of the Imperial Legislative Council from the year 1910 and also in the Central Legislative Assembly from 1921.
•  Under the leadership of stalwarts such as Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Assembly undertook the monumental task of debating and drafting provisions that would guide the destiny of an independent India.

Important Committees of Constituent Assembly and Their Chairmen:

•  Committee on the Rules of Procedure: Rajendra Prasad
• Steering Committee: Rajendra Prasad
• Finance and Staff Committee: Rajendra Prasad
•  Credential Committee: Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar
• House Committee: B. Pattabhi Sitaramayya
•  Ad hoc Committee on the National Flag: Rajendra Prasad
• Committee on the Functions of the Constituent Assembly: G.V. Mavalankar
• Order of Business Committee : K.M. Munsi.

Genetic Study Reveals Strong Connections Between Nicobarese and Austro-Asiatic Population.

  A recent genetic study has found out that the 25,000-strong Nicobarese population has considerable ancestral connections with Austroasiatic populations of South and Southeast Asia

 Key Findings of the Study

·         Austroasiatic Connection: The study revealed that the Nicobarese population shares genetic affinity with the ‘Htin Mal’ population in mainland Southeast Asia, who speak an Austroasiatic language.

·         The Htin Mal network has remained ethnically distinct while displaying a suggested genetic drift from the Nicobarese.

·         Timeframe of Migration: Earlier theories placed the migration of the Nicobarese linguistic ancestors to the early Holocene period (about 11,700 years ago).

·         The new study dates the Nicobarese migration to about 4,500–five,000 years ago.

·         Genetic Drift and Isolation: The Nicobarese show distinct genetic signatures, which replicate long-term isolation at the islands.

Major Ethnic and Linguistic Groups in the World

·         Austroasiatic Group: One of the oldest linguistic families in Asia, believed to have originated in southern China.

·         Examples: Khmer in Cambodia, Vietnamese in Vietnam, Htin Mal in Thailand and Santhal, Ho, and Munda tribes in eastern India.

·         Indo-European Group: The biggest linguistic family globally, originating from the Pontic-Caspian Steppe (Eurasia) about 6,000–8,000 years in the past.

·         Indo-Aryan: Hindi, Bengali, and Punjabi language in South Asia.

·         Iranian: Persians in Iran and Pashtuns in Afghanistan.

·         European: English, German, Spanish, French and Dutch.

·         Niger-Congo Group: The biggest language family in Africa, overlaying a substantial part of the continent.

·         Bantu Subgroup: Swahili, Zulu, and Xhosa speakers throughout Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa.

·         Other Groups: Yoruba and Igbo in Nigeria, Wolof in Senegal.

·         Dravidian Group: An historical linguistic family in the Indian subcontinent.

·         Examples: Tamil (Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka), Telugu (Andhra Pradesh), Kannada (Karnataka), and Malayalam (Kerala).

Significance of the observe

·         The research provides new insights into the timeline of Nicobarese population agreement, revising previous assumptions. 

·         It also highlights the interplay among migration, isolation, and cultural evolution that has formed the unique identification of the Nicobarese tribe in the Nicobar archipelago.

·         Nicobar Islands 

·         The Nicobar Islands, part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory, are situated inside the eastern Indian Ocean, south of the Andaman Islands.

·         The Nicobar archipelago accommodates seven large islands and several smaller ones. These islands are classified into 3 essential sub-groups:

·         Northern Group: Includes Car Nicobar, the administrative capital of the Nicobar Islands.

·         Central Group: Consists of islands like Nancowry, Kamorta, Katchal, and Teressa.

·         Southern Group: Includes Great Nicobar, the most important and southernmost island of the Nicobar archipelago

Details of Nicobarese Population:

·         The Nicobarese people are an Austroasiatic-speaking people of the Nicobar Islands, a chain of islands in the Bay of Bengal north of Sumatra, forming part of the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands/

·         The Nicobar Archipelago consists of 19 islands and only 12 of them are inhabited.

·         The term "Nicobarese" refers to the dominant tribes of the Nicobar Islands and are most significant tribal population in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands due to their large numbers and the very wide area they occupy as compared to all the Andaman tribes put together.

·         These inhabited islands are Car Nicobar, Chowra, Bompoka, Teressa, Nancowry, Pullomillow, Great Nicobar, Camorta, Katchal, Trinket, Kondul, and Little Nicobar.

History:

·         The Nicobarese may not have been the last people to live on the islands; they appear to have shared the islands with Shompen.

Language:

·         The Nicobarese language is part of the Austroasiatic language family.

·         All of the different islands speak different dialects of the Nicobarese language.

·         The separate islands are categorized into four groups, although most of the people understand the Car Nicobar dialect.

·         Car

·         Chaura–Teressa

·         Central: Nancowry, Camorta, Katchal

·         Southern: Southern Nicobarese

Religion and society:

·         Most of the people of the islands are of the Christian religion. The Nicobarese are headed by a matriarchal chief.

Economy:

·         The Nicobarese have a traditionally horticultural economy; they base their monetary existence on the growing of coconuts, pandanus, areca nut palms, bananas, mangoes and other fruits.

Details of  the tribes of Andaman and Nicobar

C-PACE

·           The Centre for Processing Accelerated Corporate Exit (C-PACE) has been launched to facilitate and speed up voluntary winding-up of companies. 

·          C-PACE was established in March 2023.  It is situated in Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Gurgaon.The setting up of the C-PACE is part of the several measures taken by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs  towards Ease of Doing Business and ease of exit for the Companies 

·         The C-PACE was established to centralise and speed up the voluntary strike off process of companies of the Companies Act, 2013.

·         Subsequently, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs has centralised the striking off of Limited  Liability Partnerships (LLPs) as well by empowering the C-PACE for processing of e-Forms related to striking off of LLPs of the Limited Liability Partnership Act, 2008 under Rule 37 of the Limited Liability  Partnership Rules, 2009.

·          Since its inception 13,560 companies have been struck off through C-PACE in the financial year 2023-24 and 11,855 companies in the current financial year 2024-25 up to November 15, 2024. The average time taken for processing such applications has come down to between 70-90 days. 

·         As far as LLPs are concerned, 3,264 LLPs have been struck off as on November 15, 2024. 

·          After centralisation of the voluntary strike off process of companies under C-PACE, procedures have been standardised leading to reduction in processing time as well as transparency in the system. The working of C-PACE is monitored on a regular basis by the Ministry

In a first, India to chair 68th Session of UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs

This is the first time that India has been named to Chair this important UN body

·          India has been chosen to Chair the 68th Session of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND).The CND is the principal policy-making body of the United Nations on drug-related matters. It is mandated to monitor global drug trends, support Member States in formulating balanced policies, and oversee the implementation of the major international drug conventions.

·         The CND is one of the functional commissions of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and a Governing Body of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) which is headquartered in Vienna. 

·         Shambhu S. Kumaran, India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Vienna, officially assumed the chairmanship of the UN forum.

What is the purpose of Commission on Narcotic Drugs?

·         The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) reviews and analyses the global drug situation, considering supply and demand reduction. It takes action through resolutions and decisions.

·         The CND was established by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in 1946, to assist in supervising the application of the international drug control treaties. 

·          In 1991, the General Assembly further expanded the mandates of CND to enable it to function as the governing body of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

·         The CND’s agenda has two distinct segments: 

·         i) A normative segment for discharging treaty-based and normative functions.

·         ii) An operational segment for exercising the role as the governing body of UNODC.

·         The CND is mandated to decide on the scope of control of substances under the three international drug control conventions: 

·         i) The Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol.

·         ii) The Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971.

·         iii) The United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988.

·          Under the Conventions, CND is mandated to decide, on the basis of the medical and scientific assessment by the World Health Organisation and the International Narcotics Control Board, to place narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and precursor chemicals under international control, to change the level of control or to release substances from control.

Members of CND

·          CND is composed of 53 Member States elected by ECOSOC for a period of four years. 

·         The distribution of seats among the regional groups is as follows:

·         i) Eleven members for African States.

·         ii) Eleven for Asian States.

·         iii) Ten from Latin American and Caribbean States.

·         iv) Six for Eastern European States.

·         v) Fourteen for Western European and other States. 

·         vi) One seat rotates between the Asian and the Latin American and the Caribbean States every four years.

·          The Bureau of CND is composed of the chairperson, three vice-chairpersons and one rapporteur.

·         The Extended Bureau includes the Chairpersons of the five regional groups, the Chair of the Group of 77 and China, and the representative of the State holding the presidency of the European Union. 

·          The CND meets annually and adopts a range of decisions and resolutions. Inter-sessional meetings are convened throughout the year. 

·          Towards the end of each year, the Commission meets at a reconvened session to consider budgetary and administrative matters as the governing body of the United Nations drug programme.

India’s role as Chair of CND

·          As the Chair, India will be expected to articulate the interests of the Global South in line with its role in promoting the interests and perspectives of developing nations in global discussions.

·          India would also strive to build on the ongoing work of the CND to foster dialogue and understanding on drug policy issues and especially to integrate concerns of emerging economies with the priorities of developed nations to promote holistic and balanced approaches to this key issue.

·          Over the coming year, the CND’s agenda is expected to focus on strengthening international collaboration to address critical issues such as illicit drug trafficking, substance abuse, and their associated social and health impacts as well as availability of internationally controlled substances for medical and scientific purposes. 

·          By prioritising multilateral dialogue and evidence-based solutions, India will continue to partner with other member states of the CND to advance equitable, inclusive, and sustainable strategies on all these issues

Drug trafficking in India

·         India’s fight against narcotic substances is complex and multifaceted, involving enforcement actions coupled with advanced detection technologies, international cooperation and robust legal frameworks. Evolving trends in drug trafficking and the emergence of new psychoactive substances necessitate continuous innovation and adaptation in enforcement strategies.

Food security and Energy dependence interconnections.

·         In today’s global landscape, food security and energy dependence are deeply interconnected. The stability and accessibility of food supplies are increasingly influenced by energy costs, availability, and sustainability. 

The Link Between Energy and Food Security

·         Energy for Agriculture: This paper therefore examines energy as an important factor in agricultural production. It provides mechanical energy to operate machinery, to provide water to agriculturists, and for preparing fertilizers and pesticides.

·         The availability and expenses of energy sources play a direct role in influencing establishing profits and efficiency for farming systems. Hiking the cost of energy results in higher production costs, to begin with, which in turn leads to high food prices making food vice versa for most people.

·         Food Processing and Transportation: Thus energy is crucial for processing, storage or transport of food apart from its production.

·         Companies that involve cold storage and food processing as well as the distribution of their products require a stable source of energy. The availability of energy hinders following which food items get spoiled, supply chain may be disturbed, and in turn the food prices also go high hampering food security.

Challenges in an Energy-Dependent Food System

·         Volatile Energy Prices: UnderFSH14, the occurrence of energy price volatility from political risk, market, and climatic events adversely influences the cost of producing food. Self-executed trading causes fluctuation of prices thus leading to uncertainty in costs hence challenging farmers and food producers to forecast their costs.

·         Climate Change: Climate change increases the problems of energy reliance and food vulnerability.

·         Excess heat and seasonal variations affect distribution of electricity and food stuff due to the effects of climate change. Furthermore, due to climate change effects, there is the need for more energy to be used in technologies such as irrigation and temperature control, adding pressure on energy.

·         Limited Access to Sustainable Energy: There are many places across the world especially the third world countries that have no sustainable and cheap energy supply systems.

·         This constraint affects food production and the processing as well as storage and distribution. Promoting provision of equal access to renewable energy is essential for improving food security across the world.

Strategies for Enhancing Food Security

·         Promoting Renewable Energy in Agriculture: Using Renewable energy; solar energy source, wind energy source and bio energy source can help in decreasing the use of fossil energy in agricultural activities. Renewable electricity can be used to operate irrigation, machinery and processing and improve efficiency and save money. There is merit with efficiency because government incentives and subsidies can suppor this kind of technology.

·         Improving Energy Efficiency: Optimisation of energy in agriculture and food distribution needs to be addressed as a way of cutting cost and the impacts experienced on the natural environment. Measures such as use of energy efficient technologies in the firm, better route networks, and better storage structures help in reducing the energy utilization and wastes.

·         Strengthening Climate Resilience: Therefore, the emergence of climate dependent techniques and structures on agriculture should be adopted as a way of addressing climate change effect on agriculture.

·          This entails use of crops that can survive limited water access, use of water sparingly, and protective structures against climatic hitches. Climate smart agriculture and renewable energy systems could be combined to develop a robust agricultural food system.

·         Ensuring Policy Support and Investment: In particular it has been identified that governments have to take an active part in the attempt to bring energies and food security agendas closer together. There is a need for favourable policies to support the use of sustainable energy in agriculture, support research as well as offer funding to farmers and food producers. It also means that it is possible to receive international grants and cooperation to implement them in particularly susceptible areas.

Conclusion

·         The intricate relationship between energy dependency and food security underscores the need for comprehensive and integrated strategies to ensure a stable and resilient food system. By promoting renewable energy, enhancing energy efficiency, building climate resilience, and supporting policy initiatives, we can address the challenges and create a sustainable future where food security is not compromised by energy constraints. The time to act is now, to safeguard food supplies for future generations in an energy-dependent world

Moths make reproductive choices based on sounds emitted by plants: New Study

• The analysis, ‘Female Moths Incorporate Plant Acoustic Emissions into Their Oviposition Decision-Making Process ,has been carried out by a team of 17 researchers, all based in Israel
• Moths can hear sounds emitted by plants and rely on them to choose on which plant to lay their eggs, according to a new study.

 Plant Acoustic Emissions

• Plants emit sounds that are often inaudible to humans. These sounds can vary based on the plant’s condition. For example, stressed plants may produce ultrasonic clicks or pops. Research indicates that these acoustic emissions serve as signals that can be detected by various animals, including insects.

The Study of Egyptian Cotton Leafworm

• The researchers focused on the Egyptian cotton leafworm. They aimed to determine if these moths used plant sounds to inform their oviposition decisions.
•  The study began after previous findings suggested that moths might respond to plant distress signals.

Experimental Setup

• In their experiment, the team placed two hydrated tomato plants in an arena. One plant emitted recorded sounds of distress, while the other remained silent. This setup was designed to assess whether the moths would prefer the silent plant over the distressed one.

Key Findings

• The results showed that female moths preferred to lay their eggs on the silent plant. This indicates that moths can not only detect plant signals but also interpret them. The choice of a healthy plant is crucial as it ensures sufficient food for the larvae.

Implications of the Research

• The study suggests a sophisticated level of communication between plants and insects. It raises questions about the evolutionary advantages for moths that can discern between healthy and stressed plants. Further research is needed to explore how moths integrate acoustic cues with other sensory information, such as scents.

Future Research Directions

• The researchers plan to investigate how moths combine acoustic signals with olfactory and visual cues from plants. About these interactions may provide deeper vital information about plant-insect relationships and the ecological implications of sound in nature

Sardar Vallabhai Patel

•  Sardar Vallabhai Patel a key figure in India’s independence and unification, continues to inspire the nation. Recent events have brought into light his contributions and the importance of recognising his legacy.
• On December 8, 2024, Union Home Minister Amit Shah revealed an 11-foot statue in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, emphasising Patel’s vital role in shaping modern India. This statue complements the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue, dedicated to Patel in Gujarat.

Significance of Sardar Patel

• Sardar Patel is often called the “Iron Man of India.” He played important role in the integration of over 556 princely states into the Indian Union.
• His vision and leadership were instrumental in creating a unified nation. Patel’s efforts ensured that India remained intact despite the challenges post-independence.

Recent Commemorative Events

• The unveiling of the statue in Jodhpur marks recognition of Patel’s contributions. Amit Shah brought into light that for decades, Patel’s legacy was overshadowed by political narratives focused on a single family.
•  The recent initiatives aim to correct this historical oversight. The statue is made of various metals and stands on an 8-foot pedestal, symbolising strength and resilience.

Achievements Under Modi’s Leadership

• Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several tasks that were left unfinished during Patel’s lifetime have been accomplished.
• These include the abrogation of Article 370, the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, and the abolition of triple talaq. Modi’s government also initiated the construction of the grand Ram Temple in Ayodhya, fulfilling long-standing aspirations.

Historical Context and Recognition

• Historically, Patel’s contributions were not adequately recognised. Amit Shah pointed out that Patel’s legacy was often diminished due to political motivations. However, with the recent commemorations, including the Bharat Ratna award, there is a renewed focus on his virtues and sacrifices.

Impact on National Unity

• Patel’s vision for a unified India remains relevant . His strategies for integrating princely states are essential lessons in nation-building.
• The success of India’s unity, despite past predictions of fragmentation, can be attributed to Patel’s efforts. His legacy serves as a guiding principle for contemporary governance and national integrity.

Inspiration for Future Generations

• The newly revealed statue in Jodhpur is intended to inspire future generations. It serves as a reminder of Patel’s principles and ideals.
• Celebrating his 150th birth anniversary for two years underlines the commitment to honour his contributions to the nation.

COP16: Future of food production uncertain as aridification threatens 40% of Earth’s arable lands, finds UN report

•  The threat of aridity or the lack of water resources on land affects 40 per cent of Earth’s arable lands — or about 5.7 million square kilometres — and another seven per cent, if the effects of soil erosion were added to the total, according to a new research. 
• The research report was published on December 9 and was released by the United Nations (UN) at the Conference of Parties (COP16) as part of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in the Saudi capital of Riyadh. 
• By 2040, it is projected that due to climate-change, there could be an expansion in the global arid area by 3.9 per cent and this would translate as losses of an estimated 20 million tonnes of maize, 19 million tonnes of rice, eight million tonnes of soybeans and 21 million tonnes of wheat. 
• Through these statistics, the report, titled The Global Threat of Drying Lands, highlighted that aridity, not drought, was considered the world’s largest single driver of the  degradation of agricultural systems. 

Distinct from drought

• Aridity differs from drought in its nature and duration.
• While droughts are short-term anomalies characterised by periods of low rainfall, often linked to high temperatures, low precipitation and reduced air humidity, aridity reflects a persistent, long-term lack of available moisture needed to sustain most terrestrial life. 
• “While droughts often attract attention because their dramatic and sudden declines in water availability cause direct losses in food production and spikes in food prices, aridification is subtler, and its direct effects on crop yields are harder to quantify.
• At a global scale, a country’s proportion of hyper-arid, semi-arid and arid land was negatively correlated with its output of major crops, highlighting the fact that, even in regions where precipitation has increased, a higher atmospheric evaporative demand may negatively affect crop yields. 
• As per the landmark report, 77.6 per cent of the Earth’s land became permanently drier in the three decades leading up to 2020, compared to the previous 30-year period (1961-1990).
• This widespread increase in drylands would eventually lead to countries dependent on food imports to ensure food security, further aggravating socioeconomic impacts.
• “These countries face additional food security risks when increases in food prices make imports prohibitive or when food production crises, such as those during severe droughts, make these imports unavailable,” it added. 
• Scientists warned that the problems faced by agricultural systems due to aridity were expected to worsen into the future — especially in sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa and the Middle East and South Asia. 
• In sub-Saharan Africa, for example, between 17 and 22 per cent of current crop production could be lost by mid-century due to the impacts of increasing aridity and temperatures in a moderate emissions scenario. 
• Rainfed agriculture in the region will be specifically affected.
• Yields of millet have been projected to decline by a quarter within the same time frame, if greenhouse gas emissions continued to be high, and in Kenya, maize production was projected to fall by as much as half by 2050, due to increased atmospheric evaporative demand across the country.

75% global population to be affected by drought in 25 years: UNCCD’s ‘Drought Atlas’ provides adaptation guidelines

• Around 75 per cent of the population will be affected by drought by 2050, according to the World Drought Atlas launched by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre on December 2, 2024.
• This publication comes as the UNCCD parties gather for their 16th meeting at Riyadh to build resilience against the harsh droughts in the near future.
• The atlas is co-produced with Cima Research Foundation (Italy), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (The Netherlands) and the UN University Institute for Environment and Human Security (Germany).
• The atlas brings out the effect of droughts on energy, trade and agriculture. “Drought is not just a climate extreme. Human factors associated with the use and management of land and water can exacerbate and amplify droughts and their impacts," said Bernard Magenhann, Acting Director General of the European Commission Joint Research Centre.
• "Unsustainable water use, water competition among different sectors, poor land management and not properly accounting for water resources are some examples of these human factors."
• Data, he added, is essential in building knowledge; managing risks relies upon monitoring and forecasting systems
• Specifically for India, UNCCD advocated for better understanding of drought-related crop failure in the country, as India has the highest number of people (more than 25 million) employed in the agricultural sector.
•  The atlas predicted a huge loss of soybean yield due to droughts in India.
• It reminded of the ''Day Zero'' in Chennai in 2019. A mismanagement of water resources and rampant urbanisation has resulted in water crisis in the city, which receives more than 1,400 millimetres of rainfall annually on an average.
• Although Chennai has several waterbodies and is a pioneer city to make rainwater harvesting mandatory, lack of implementation of the legislation and unplanned growth of the city reduced the groundwater levels in the city, pushing it towards a drought-like situation, according to UNCCD.
• The situation speaks to the fact that drought isn''t always a natural phenomenon, the authors noted.
• Between 2020 and 2023, India has been the hub of riots and tensions due to mismanagement of water, they added. Sub Saharan Africa is next to follow, according to the atlas.
• There is need for an immediate and urgent call for action at the policy level, the experts highlighted. Moreover, participation and commitments at international levels, cutting across different sectors, are important.
• Data sharing will be key in the fight to reduce drought damage. Early warnings for droughts will also play a crucial role in bringing down risks and moving towards resilience, the UNCCD experts underlined.
•  Investment is required to improve on knowledge, forecasting droughts and measuring the risks, they added.
• Appropriate soil and agronomical management practices are powerful tools to reduce the risk of impacts posed by droughts on crops, according to the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA).
• This alliance, formed in 2022, works on mobilising the funds, enhance knowledge innovative ways to mobilise funds, improve the sharing of knowledge and frame sustainable impactful actions.
• IDRA also extended support in developing the atlas. 
• “There is no time to lose. I call on all nations, and in particular the Parties to the UNCCD, to carefully review the findings of this Atlas and take action to help shape a more resilient, more secure and more sustainable future that prioritises the needs of people, society, and the planet," said Ibrahim Thiaw, executive-secretary of UNCCD and Under-Secretary-General of the UN.
• To successfully manage drought risk, communities, regions and countries
  must adopt proactive and prospective approaches to drought risk management and adaptation, the authors of the atlas stressed.
• “By challenging governments, business leaders and decision makers at all levels to radically rethink decision-making processes, and set in motion more effective, whole-of-society strategies to manage and mitigate drought risk, the atlas provides decision makers with a systemic perspective on drought risks and impacts, illustrates how risks are interconnected across sectors and offers guidance on proactive and prospective drought management and adaptation,".

 India needs a heat stress index, even during winters: Experts

• In The lack of a localised heat stress index for India that takes into account both temperatures and relative humidity was highlighted at the International Conference on Lightning and Extreme Weather Events on December 9, 2024. This comes at a time when high wintertime minimum temperatures are being experienced in many places across the country.
• “While heat waves with their temperature thresholds are well defined by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), similar definition for heat stress which combines the impact of temperatures and relative humidity does not exist for India
• High temperatures combined with moisture can be a cause for higher felt temperatures as increased moisture heightens relative humidity which can hamper the human body’s ability to cool itself through perspiration.
•  Research shows that with future warming and increased moisture levels in the atmosphere the coastal areas of the country would be more at risk from heat stress than other areas such as the Indo-Gangetic plains, where heat waves have been a major risk till date.
• According to  analysis, the cities on the eastern coast of India would be impacted more by temperatures and those on the western coast would be impacted by relative humidity.
• Changes in heat stress levels in many Indian coastal cities, especially along the western coast such as Surat and Mumbai, was drastic throughout the daytime hours between 2001 and 2020 as compared to 1981 and 2000, according to research.
• Currently, many areas along the western coast of India have been suffering from much higher-than-normal winter temperatures, especially in terms of minimum or nighttime temperatures.
• In early December when wintertime moderate temperatures should have set in, Mumbai was clocking minimum temperatures in excess of 25°C, Ratnagiri recorded a minimum temperature of 26.6°C and Goa 26°C, as per M Herrera, weather historian and data analyst.
• Mangaluru also broke its minimum temperature record on December 2 with 26°C. Such knowledge of new and compounding risks of extreme weather such as heat stress is lacking in many countries, including in India
• The Early Warnings for All initiative looks to make countries understand the risks they are facing, have the forecasting warnings in place, have mechanisms to get those warnings out to people, building short-term responses and long-term resilience to disasters as they are unfolding.
• “Weather observations from developing countries are essential for long-term global climate modelling.

World Bank announces record $100 billion IDA replenishment

•  The World Bank Group today unveiled a record $100 billion replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA), marking a significant moment for global development. 
•  The World Bank made the announcement in Seoul at a pledging conference for the IDA, which provides grants and very low interest loans to 78 low-income countries.
•  Funding will support 78 countries, enabling investments in health, education, infrastructure, and climate resilience while stabilising economies, creating jobs, and laying the foundation for long-term prosperity.
• Donor countries have pledged the replenishment of the World Bank’s fund for the poorest nations, providing a vital lifeline for their struggles against crushing debts, climate disasters, inflation and conflict.
• Alongside this record-breaking financing, the World Bank is introducing a simpler, faster, and more agile IDA, reducing policy commitments and metrics by half, giving clients more freedom to prioritise and shape their development.
•  The IDA is the World Bank’s fund for 78 low-income countries, by far their largest source of multilateral development finance. 
•  It provides concessional financing for projects that boost economic growth, build resilience, and improve people’s lives across these countries — with more than two-thirds of the financing going to low-income countries in Africa. Resources from IDA bring positive change to the 1.9 billion people who live in IDA countries. 

World Bank

• On July 1, 1944, as the battles of the Second World War raged in Europe and the Pacific, delegates from 44 countries met in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire to participate in what became known as the Bretton Woods Conference. 
• Their purpose was to agree on a system of economic order and international cooperation that would help countries recover from the devastation of the War and foster long-term global growth. 
•  At its conclusion, the conference attendees produced the Articles of Agreement for the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (soon called the World Bank) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
•  The World Bank is like a cooperative, made up of 189 member countries. These member countries, or shareholders, are represented by a Board of Governors, who are the ultimate policymakers at the World Bank. Generally, the governors are member countries’ ministers of finance or ministers of development. They meet once a year at the Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the IMF.
•  The is a unique global partnership with five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.

Five institutions:

i) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development: IBRD is a global development cooperative owned by 189 member countries. As the largest development bank in the world, it supports the World Bank Group’s mission by providing loans, guarantees, risk management products, and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries, as well as by coordinating responses to regional and global challenges. 

ii) The International Development Association: IDA helps the world’s poorest countries. Established in 1960, IDA aims to reduce poverty by providing zero to low-interest loans (called “credits”) and grants for programmes that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve people’s living conditions.Together, IBRD and IDA make up the World Bank.

iii) International Finance Corporation: Established in 1956, IFC is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. It helps developing countries achieve sustainable growth by financing investment, mobilising capital in international financial markets, and providing advisory services to businesses and governments. Although part of the Bank Group, IFC is a separate legal entity with separate Articles of Agreement, share capital, financial structure, management, and staff.

iv) Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency: MIGA was created in 1988 to promote foreign direct investment into developing countries to support economic growth, reduce poverty, and improve people’s lives. MIGA fulfills this mandate by offering political risk insurance (guarantees) to investors and lenders.

v) International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes: ICSID provides international facilities for conciliation and arbitration of investment disputes