PRELIMS 2021 KEYS RAJA sir cracking IAS Academy

Latest News

CURRENT AFFAIRS, WHATS NEW

May 21, 2025 Current Affairs

Kurma mela: The science of the mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles

  • The Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), a vulnerable sea turtle species, made headlines earlier this year: a record-breaking seven lakh turtles had nested at Odisha’s Rushikulya beach alone in March.
  • These turtles are renowned for their synchronised mass nesting events called arribada, a Spanish word that means “arrival”. For many people, the Rushikulya arribada signalled hope — but for conservation biologists, it raised critical questions about the future of these vulnerable animals and whether human interventions, even well-meaning ones, could change the course of nature itself.
  • While some localised populations of Olive Ridley turtles have expanded, the IUCN Red List has estimated that the number of Olive Ridleys worldwide has dropped by 30-50% since 1960. The Olive Ridleys’ primary nesting sites are along the Pacific coasts of Mexico and Central America, although Odisha is also a particularly critical location.
  • The State’s 480-km-long coastline hosts three major nesting beaches: Gahirmatha, between the Brahmani and Baitarani river mouths; Devi, 100 km south of Gahirmatha; and Rushikulya, 320 km further south.

The where of it

  • Research has found that Olive Ridley turtles that hatch at a nesting site are ‘imprinted’ with a map of the local magnetic field. Decades later they return with remarkable precision to the site by following this map.
  •  The phenomenon is called philopatry: a blend of memory, environmental factors, and the earth’s geomagnetic cues. Philopatry is reinforced by a multiplier effect: as females with strong philopatric tendencies increase in number, they reinforce site fidelity across generations.
  • There are other ecological factors too. Studies on the Loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) have also revealed that their nesting zones are near free swirls of cold water in the seas — called cold-core eddies — that move nutrients up from the deep sea to the surface, including those rich in chlorophyll. Other factors that affect their choice of nesting sites include salinity, land slope, risk of predation, and rainfall.
  • Nesting sites are considered more suitable if more turtles have nested there before — but as turtle populations swell whereas the size of the most favourable nesting grounds doesn’t, beaches often become battlegrounds.
  •  A population that arrives after another has already nested at a beach might dig up existing nests — female turtles are guided by olfactory cues and female urine — and break the eggs. This happened earlier this year during the second mass-nesting event at Rushikulya.
  • Eggs that are broken and displaced attract predators. Experts previously believed predators used visual cues to detect turtle nests. More recent research has found that olfactory cues, especially the scent of disturbed soil and broken eggs, are more significant. Thus, a species’ most successful survival strategy may also sow the seeds of its decline.
  • In sea turtles, temperature determines the sex of hatchlings. Studies of Loggerhead turtles have found that their populations are more female when they nest on warmer beaches.
  • Researchers are still collecting similar data pertaining to Olive Ridley turtles. With rising temperatures shifting the sex ratio more towards females, the multiplier effect is expected to get reinforced as more females return to mass-nesting beaches in the coming years.

How mass nesting begins

  • For their first arribadas, female sea turtles pick their nesting sites without any discernible pattern and use them irregularly. If a female turtle reaches the reproductive stage of its life before it is able to reach the beach where it hatched, it may establish a new nesting site closer to its foraging grounds. Its hatchlings will be imprinted with this location and they will attempt to return to it later.
  • Put another way, for a sea turtle population to thrive, it needs strays and wanderers like these turtles, which establish new places for the arribada. If they had been forced to stick to one site over millions of years, they would likely have become extinct due to overcrowding in the mass nesting beaches.
  • Modern conservation has helped boost turtle populations, especially by artificially incubating eggs and protecting beaches. The question naturally arises: could these measures be too successful? Because if weaker individuals that would have perished in the wild are now able to survive and reproduce, the population’s genetic resilience will drop.

People, turtles, popularity

  • No conservation story is complete without acknowledging the role of local communities. In Odisha, fisherfolk and villagers are vital allies: they guard nests, curb egg poaching, and guide conservationists. But not all human interactions are benign.
  • Turtle tourism has surged in recent years. The influx of visitors creates opportunities to raise awareness but it also stresses these gentle creatures.
  • Crowds gather to watch nesting turtles at night, using bright lights, clicking selfies, and — in some disturbing cases — scooping sand out of the ground to watch the egg-laying or even sitting on turtles for photographs.
  • Such acts disturb nesting behaviour and may have a lasting impact on the turtles’ memory, discouraging them from returning to the site.
  • Scientists are also just beginning to understand the cognitive and emotional inner lives of turtles. It’s entirely possible that what we think of as harmlessly marvelling at them could be disrupting the ancient rhythms of these mariners.
  • In other words, it’s no longer about numbers or rescue operations. The priority is to ensure the longevity of these nesting beaches and to balance tourism with ethical responsibility.
  • Olive Ridley turtles have endured mass extinctions, shifting continents, and rising seas. Their resilience is remarkable — but not limitless. Regardless of whether turtles continue to return to nesting sites despite these disturbances, humans’ ethical responsibility is clear: to safeguard the ecological balance that keeps sea turtles going

US farmers can offer non-GM soybean products to India: USSEC chief Jim Sutter

  • US-India trade deal could resolve several trade issues between the two countries, helping the Indian poultry industry gain access to ‘sustainably verified’ US soybean feed products, while allowing the US to partially offset potential losses arising from trade tensions with China, CEO of the US Soybean Export Council (USSEC), Jim Sutter.
  • Sutter said he does not view regulatory challenges in India around genetically modified (GM) products as a non-tariff barrier, as US soy farmers have both GM and non-GM products to supply to India and elsewhere.
  • This comes amid regulatory restrictions in India concerning GM seeds and products, which have been described by the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as barriers to trade.
  • “China began importing soybeans from the US in 1995. Within 10 years, China became the largest importer, but its total [soybean oil] exports also doubled, benefiting from US soybean imports,” Sutter noted.
  • Highlighting the need for sustainable choices, USSEC said in a statement that customers are willing to pay 9.7 per cent more for sustainable or sustainably sourced goods. This market shift proves that sustainability is here to stay, and corporations that adapt will increase market share, mitigate risks, and continue to build brand preference.

Do You Know:

  • Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are organisms that have altered DNA to change their properties. Genetically modified crops can improve yield, build resistances to pests, frost or drought, or add nutrients. Crops can also be modified to reduce carbon emissions and boost the sustainability of food production.
  • While widespread, GM crop production uses only about 10% of the land non-GM crop production uses.
  • “GM is nothing more than a breeding technique, much like crossing that we’ve been doing for thousands of years. But it’s more sophisticated, so we can make very precise changes, very rapidly,” said David Spencer, a phytopathologist and spokesperson for Replanet, an alliance of NGOs advocating for science-based solutions to climate change and the loos of biodiversity. It’s campaign Reboot Foodfocuses on sustainable food production.
  • GMOs were first introduced in the US in 1994, with modified tomato plants that ripened more slowly to prolong their shelf life. Since then, a wide range of crops, such as soybeans, wheat and rice have been approved for agricultural use, along with GM bacteria grown to produce large amounts of protein.
  • Scientists in India have also developed strains of Sub-1 rice, which are much more resistant to flooding. Flooding is a major issue in rice-growing regions of northern India and Bangladesh, set to become worse as the climate crises develops, and now 6 million farmers in the region are using Sub-1 rice to safeguard their crops against inundation.
  • Golden rice, on the other hand, is a GM strain modified to contain vitamin A, designed to combat the shortage of dietary vitamin A in parts of Asia and Africa.

Jarosite: a natural clock on Mars

  • Jarosite is a yellow-brown mineral that contains potassium, iron, and sulphate — and researchers have found it could serve as a natural geological clock on Mars.
  • Recently, a team of researchers from around India sampled six jarosite veins from Kachchh in Gujarat, whose arid, salty terrain is similar to that of Mars.
  • In the lab, the team analysed how much light the mineral emitted due to the energy it had stored from natural radiation, a phenomenon called luminescence. First, they washed the grains in weak acid to roughly double their brightness, then zapped them with radiation, heated them, cooled them, and repeated the cycle many times.
  • This way, they revealed four clear emissions at about 100° C, 150° C, 300° C, and 350° C, even after baking the grains to 450 °C. This meant jarosite could survive being heated by a rover’s drill without losing its ability to luminesce.
  • When the team measured how the glow grew with extra radiation, they found the grains became saturated between 590 and 2,600 gray (the SI unit of absorbed radiation dose). On Mars, natural radiation is roughly 65 milligray/year, so jarosite can record events that happened within the last 25,000 years.
  • Because jarosite is common on Mars, tough, and easy to read with small heaters and LEDs, the researchers have suggested future rovers could use it to date dust storms, ancient flood deposits, and volcanic ash.

What are the implications of using jarosite for Mars exploration?

  • Using jarosite as a natural clock on Mars could revolutionize our ability to decode the planet’s recent geological and environmental history.
  • Here are the key implications:
  • In-Situ Dating of Geological Events: Jarosite retains a record of its exposure to natural radiation through a luminescence signal. This quality means that it can effectively “timestamp” events such as dust storms, flood deposits, or volcanic ash falls, allowing rovers to date phenomena that occurred as far back as 25,000 years. This is especially significant given the challenges involved in traditional dating methods on Mars.
  • Robustness Under Harsh Conditions: The experiments showed that jarosite’s luminescent properties survive even after being heated to 450°C—a temperature that might be encountered during drilling or other rover activities. This thermal resilience ensures that jarosite remains a reliable marker even when subjected to the harsh conditions of Martian exploration, ultimately making it a practical tool for on-site analysis.
  • Simplified Instrumentation Requirements: Because jarosite’s luminescence can be stimulated with relatively modest heating elements and LEDs, it permits the design of more compact, low-power instruments tailored for Mars rovers. This opens up the possibility for more streamlined missions where the dating of surface events becomes an integrated part of rover investigations without needing bulky, heavy laboratory equipment.
  • Enhanced Understanding of Mars’ Evolution: By providing a method to accurately time recent events, jarosite can enrich our understanding of Mars’ climatic and environmental evolution. Detailed timelines reconstructed from jarosite data could reveal how factors such as dust storms, water activity, or volcanic eruptions have shaped the Martian landscape, thereby offering clues about its potential habitability and future resource utilization.
  • Overall, the use of jarosite promises to be a cost-effective, resilient, and efficient way to unlock Mars’ recent past, offering a new avenue to study not just the planet’s surface but also the dynamic processes that continuously mold its environment.
  • Beyond these points, one might consider how integrating such mineral-based dating systems could affect mission design. For instance, future rover missions could incorporate dedicated instruments to measure luminescence, thereby quickly identifying key regions of interest based on a timeline of events.
  •  Furthermore, studying similar natural chronometers on Earth could refine our techniques and perhaps reveal new minerals suitable for extraterrestrial dating, thus broadening our toolbox for planetary exploration.

What are other uses of jarosite on Earth?

  • Jarosite isn’t just valuable for planetary exploration—it also has a range of noteworthy applications here on Earth:
  • Industrial and Hydrometallurgical Applications: Jarosite is often found as a byproduct in processes like zinc refining, where its precipitation helps remove excess iron from acidic solutions. In hydrometallurgy, managing jarosite formation is key to controlling impurities during metal extraction.
  •  Additionally, engineered jarosite “seeds” are sometimes introduced to regulate crystallization conditions, thereby enhancing the overall efficiency of extraction processes2.
  • Environmental Remediation and Heavy Metal Immobilization: The mineral’s structure enables it to immobilize toxic elements such as arsenic and lead. In wastewater treatment and remediation of acid mine drainage areas, jarosite can bind these heavy metals, preventing them from leaching into the environment.
  • Its natural formation in acid sulfate soils also provides geochemists with important clues about environmental conditions and contaminant pathways, making it a useful indicator in environmental monitoring and cleanup strategies2.
  • Materials Science and Nanotechnology: With its distinct yellow-brown hue and unique crystalline structure, jarosite has attracted attention as a potential pigment and as a precursor in the synthesis of nanomaterials.
  •  Researchers are exploring its catalytic properties and its use in producing functional nanoparticles that could find applications in sensors, catalysis, or even energy storage devices.
  • Collectively, these uses illustrate jarosite’s versatility across industries—from optimizing metal extraction and mitigating environmental pollution to inspiring new materials for advanced technologies

Standing Committee on External Affairs

  • Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri briefed the Standing Committee on External Affairs regarding the India-Pakistan military conflict following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

Key points included:

  • The confrontation remained strictly conventional, with no nuclear signaling from Pakistan.
  • The ceasefire decision was reached bilaterally between India and Pakistan, without external mediation.
  • The meeting was chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor.
  • India and Pakistan agreed to halt all military actions on May 10.
  • This briefing underscores India’s strategic approach in handling conflicts and maintaining diplomatic stability.
  • The Standing Committee on External Affairs is one of the 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) in the Indian Parliament. It is responsible for examining matters related to the Ministry of External Affairs, including foreign policy, diplomatic relations, and international security

Parliament Committees

  • The work done by the Parliament in modern times is not only varied and complex in nature, but also considerable in volume. The time at its disposal is limited. 
  • It cannot, therefore, give close consideration to all the legislative and other matters that come up before it. A good deal of its business is, therefore, transacted in Committees of the House, known as Parliamentary Committees. 
  • Parliamentary Committee means a committee which is appointed or elected by the House or nominated by the Speaker and which works under the direction of the Speaker and presents its report to the House or to the Speaker and the Secretariat for which is provided by the Lok Sabha Secretariat.
  • By their nature, Parliamentary Committees are of two kinds: Standing Committees and Ad hoc Committees. 
  • 1Standing Committees are permanent and regular committees which are constituted from time to time in pursuance of the provisions of an Act of Parliament or Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. 
  • The work of these Committees is of continuous nature. The Financial Committees, Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) and some other Committees come under the category of Standing Committees. 
  • Ad hoc Committees are appointed for a specific purpose and they cease to exist when they finish the task assigned to them and submit a report. The principal Ad hoc Committees are the Select and Joint Committees on Bills. Railway Convention Committee, Joint Committee on Food Management in Parliament House Complex etc also come under the category of ad hoc Committees.

Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs)

  • In 1989, three Standing Committees were constituted which dealt with Agriculture, Science and Technology and Environment and Forests. 
  • In 1993, it was finally decided to set up 17 Departmentally Related Standing Committees (DRSCs) each consisting of 15 members of Rajya Sabha and 30 from Lok Sabha to cover various ministries/departments of the Union government. 
  • With the addition of seven more Committees in July 2004 and reduced membership of 10 from Rajya Sabha and 21 from Lok Sabha, the number of DRSCs was raised to 24. 
  • Out of these 24, eight were placed within the jurisdiction of the Rajya Sabha Chairman and 16 within the jurisdiction of Lok Sabha Speaker.
  • Rules 268 to 277 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Conduct of States and Rules 331 C to 331 N of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha govern the Constitution and functioning of these Committees.
  •  The term of Office of these Committees does not exceed one year. 
  • A minister is not eligible to be nominated as a member of any of the Committees. If a member, after nomination to any of the Standing Committee, is appointed a minister, such member ceases to be a member of the Committee from the date of such appointment.

These 24 Committees are:

  • 1) Committee on Commerce
  • 2) Committee on Home Affairs
  • 3) Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth and Sports
  • 4) Committee on Industry
  • 5) Committee on Science & Technology, Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • 6) Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture
  • 7) Committee on Health and Family Welfare
  • 8) Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice
  • 9) Committee on Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Food Processing
  • 10) Committee on Communications and Information Technology
  • 11) Committee on Defence
  • 12) Committee on Energy
  • 13) Committee on External Affairs
  • 14) Committee on Finance
  • 15) Committee on Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution
  • 16) Committee on Labour, Textiles and Skill Development
  • 17) Committee on Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • 18) Committee on Railways
  • 19) Committee on Housing and Urban Affairs
  • 20) Committee on Water Resources
  • 21) Committee on Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • 22) Committee on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj
  • 23) Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel
  • 24) Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment.

Functions of DRSCs are:

  • i) To consider the Demands for Grants of the concerned ministries/departments and make a report on the same to the Houses. The report shall not suggest anything of the nature of cut motions.
  • ii) To examine such Bills pertaining to the concerned ministries/departments as are referred to the Committee by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha or the Speaker, as the case may be, and make a report thereon.
  • iii) To consider annual reports of ministries/departments and make a report thereon.
  • iv) To consider national basic long term policy documents presented to the House, if referred to the Committee by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha or Speaker, as the case may be, and make reports thereon

In conflict-scorched Manipur, Shirui Lily festival kicks off: All you need to know, about the festival and the flower

  • The Shirui Lily festival returns to Manipur on Tuesday (May 20) after a two-year pause because of the long-drawn conflict in the state. This will be the first major tourism festival to be hosted by the state since the start of the conflict in May 2023, making safety concerns and elaborate security arrangements an integral part of the preparations this year.
  • What is the festival, what makes the Shirui Lily special, and what are the threats both the festival and the flower are facing?

What is the Shirui Lily festival?

  • The Shirui Lily Festival is organised by the Manipur government’s Department of Tourism. First held in 2017, it is one of two major tourism festivals organised by the state government. While it is named after the Shirui Lily, or the Lilium mackliniae, recognised as the state flower of Manipur, the other major festival is named after the Sangai, or the Manipur brow-antlered deer, recognised as its state animal.
  • The Shirui Lily festival coincides with the blooming season of this rare flower. Held in Manipur’s Ukhrul district, which is home to the Tangkhul Naga community, the event is designed as an eco-tourism festival to raise awareness about the Shirui Lily and to promote tourism to the hills of Ukhrul.
  • The festival includes cultural performances, music concerts, a beauty pageant, a trash collection marathon, and a cooking competition. This year, it will be held from May 20 to May 25.

What is special about the Shirui Lily?

  • The Shirui Lily is endemic to the upper reaches of the Shirui Hill range in Ukhrul district at an elevation of 2,673 m above sea level. While locals had long been familiar with the plant — calling it the ‘Kashsong Timrawon’ after Timrawon, the daughter of mythical goddess Philava who resides and protects the hills of Shirui — in 1946, botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward identified it and gave it its scientific name. The name, Lilium mackliniae, draws from his wife Jean Macklin’s name.
  • Over the years, this already endangered species has faced further threats to its habitat. A 2015 paper led by scientists from the ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region, Manipur Centre, lists changing climatic conditions, human encroachment and exploitation of natural resources as factors that have “driven the lily population to the verge of extinction.” They also observed that its habitat had been invaded by the dense root system of a wild dwarf bamboo species.
  • The team, led by Dr Manas Sahoo, had in 2015 transplanted 375 in vitro-generated plantlets of the Shirui Lily at Shirui hill peak as part of an effort at lab-to-land genetic micropropagation and genetic conservation of the plant. Dr Sahoo later said the plantlets had grown and bloomed and the protocol was found to be valid.

What are the conditions under which the festival is being held this year?

  • The festival is being held just a couple of weeks after the conflict in the state crossed the two-year mark. It is also being held three months into President’s Rule in the state, and the organising coordinating meetings have been led by Governor Ajay Bhalla.
  • While the state has not seen active violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities since a massive cycle of violence in November last year, and the festival is being held in “neutral” Naga territory, there are still concerns surrounding it.
  • Travelling from the state capital of Imphal in the Meitei-majority valley – where the bulk of festival goers have been from in past years – to the festival site requires passing through three Kuki-Zo settlements.
  • Given that neither warring community has been able to safely move in areas dominated by the other since the start of the conflict, this will be the first such major movement of people from the valley to hill areas of the state in two years.
  • There have been stray instances of threats against Meiteis travelling through these parts, but the Manipur police have repeatedly assured the public that they will ensure safe transit, with significant security deployment

M.R. Srinivasan, a key architect of India’s nuclear programme, no more

  • M.R. Srinivasan, the former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, passed away in Udhagamandalam on Tuesday (May 20, 2025). He was 95-years-old.
  • Srinivasan joined the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in September 1955 and began his distinguished career working alongside Dr. Homi Bhabha on the construction of India’s first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality in August 1956.
  • M.R. Srinivasan was a pivotal figure in India''s nuclear energy journey, whose career spanned several key leadership roles that shaped the nation''s atomic landscape:
  • Early Contributions and Engineering Prowess: Beginning his work in 1955 with the Department of Atomic Energy, Srinivasan collaborated closely with Dr. Homi Bhabha on building India''s first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality in 1956. He later became the Principal Project Engineer for the construction of India’s first atomic power station in 1959 and served as the Chief Project Engineer of the Madras Atomic Power Station in 1967. These formative roles established his reputation as a skilled engineer and visionary leader.
  • Leadership in Nuclear Projects: In 1974, he was appointed Director of the Power Projects Engineering Division at DAE, and by 1984, he became the Chairman of the Nuclear Power Board. In these capacities, he played a central role in overseeing the planning, execution, and smooth operation of nuclear power projects across India, ensuring that high standards of safety and efficiency were maintained.
  • Architect of a Nuclear Future: His career reached a pinnacle in 1987 when he was named Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. That same year, as the Founder-Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), he led the development of 18 nuclear power units—with a mix of operational units, projects under construction, and others in the planning phase. His leadership during this period was instrumental in propelling India toward greater energy self-reliance and technological advancement.

Dr. M. R. Srinivasan’s pioneering contributions continue to resonate in today’s nuclear policies in several profound ways:

  • Foundation for Nuclear Self-Reliance: Through his leadership in planning, executing, and managing nuclear power projects, Srinivasan laid the strategic and technical foundations for India’s nuclear energy infrastructure.
  •  His role in establishing institutions like the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and setting up 18 nuclear power units has provided the blueprint for India’s self-reliance in nuclear energy—a core principle that still informs modern policy decisions aimed at reducing dependence on imported technologies and resources 2.
  • Enhanced Safety and Operational Protocols: Srinivasan’s insistence on rigorous engineering standards and safety measures during the development and operation of nuclear facilities set benchmarks that have carried forward into current regulatory frameworks.
  •  Today’s nuclear policies, which emphasize robust safety protocols, efficient project management, and continual technological innovation, trace much of their operational discipline back to the standards he established over decades of service.
  • Catalyst for Policy Reforms and Public-Private Partnerships: His leadership helped shape the strategic landscape of India’s nuclear energy sector, paving the way for subsequent reforms. The emphasis on a strong, state-led nuclear program has gradually opened avenues for modern policy shifts—such as reforms in nuclear liability and regulatory amendments that now consider private sector participation. These evolving policies reflect a legacy that encourages continuous innovation and modernization while ensuring stringent safety and oversight standards.
  • Legacy of Visionary Governance: Beyond technical and operational contributions, Srinivasan’s visionary leadership redefined how nuclear power projects are conceptualized and managed in India. His approach not only boosted infrastructure development but also instilled a culture of scientific rigor and long-term strategic planning. This legacy endures in government policies that now seek to balance rapid technological advancements with detailed regulatory oversight and environmental considerations.

Work beyond nuclear energy

  • Srinivasan’s influence extended beyond nuclear science. From 1990 to 1992, he served as senior advisor at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna. He was a member of India’s Planning Commission from 1996 to 1998, where he handled Energy and Science & Technology portfolios.
  • He served twice as a member of the National Security Advisory Board (2002–2004 and 2006–2008), and was chairman of the Task Force on Higher Education in Karnataka from 2002 to 2004.

Why is there variation in India’s fertility rates?

  • The story so far: The Sample Registration System (SRS) Statistical Report of 2021, released by the Office of the Registrar General of India recently, showed that India has maintained its Total Fertility Rate (TFR) at 2.0 — the same as reported in 2020. While the national average for TFR has remained the same, there is a wide regional variation in TFR data for States and Union Territories (UTs) reported independently.

Which State saw highest TFR?

  • The highest TFR was recorded in Bihar at 3.0 and the lowest was reported for West Bengal and Delhi at 1.4. The data went on to reveal that in the decade between 2009-11 and 2019-21, TFR has been on an overall decline, in States, and nationally, albeit at different rates.

What does TFR measure?

  • The SRS report calculates TFR to measure the number of children each woman in India is expected to have throughout her reproductive age, which the survey defines between 15 and 49 years. According to the report, this value is derived from other indicators for fertility — more specifically age-specific fertility rates put together through a formula. Age-specific fertility rates measure the number of children women of a particular age range are expected to have.
  • This data is gathered as part of the SRS survey, which is the largest demographic survey conducted by India to measure various fertility and mortality indicators annually. The SRS 2021 survey was conducted across 8,842 sample units in all the States and UTs, and compiles data gathered from a sample size of about 84 lakh people.

What do fertility indicators record?

  • Within fertility indicators, the SRS report broadly measures the Crude Birth Rate (CBR), Sex Ratio at Birth, General Fertility Rate, Age-Specific Fertility Rate, and Total Fertility Rate, among other indicators.
  • Crude Birth Rate measures number of live births per 1,000 people in the population, and General Fertility Rate measures live births per 1,000 women of reproductive age (15-49 years).
  •  The surveys also measure another indicator — Gross Reproduction Rate, which reflects the number of daughters a woman is expected to have, and who will, in turn, bear children. The report further notes that the TFR of India at 2.0 has come down below the replacement level of 2.1.
  • The replacement level TFR is measured as the number of children each woman should have for each generation to replace the previous generation’s population. According to the TFR data for 2021, just six States had TFR above the replacement level of 2.1. These were Bihar (3.0), Madhya Pradesh (2.6), Jharkhand (2.3), Uttar Pradesh (2.7), Chhattisgarh (2.2), and Rajasthan (2.4). All other States had reported a TFR at or below the replacement level.
  • According to the SRS report, India’s CBR is at 19.3 for 2021, which has declined at a rate of 1.12% every year from 2016 onwards. While all bigger States and UTs across the country are reporting a declining CBR, Uttarakhand was the only outlier, reporting a slight increase in CBR from 2016.
  • Among the States and UTs, the rate of decline in CBR is highest for Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi, where the CBR is declining at almost twice the rate of the national average.

How do experts read fertility data?

  • Based on a reading of the numbers, Professor Praveen K. Pathak of Jawaharlal Nehru University’s Centre for the Study of Regional Development, explains, “It clearly tells us TFR has come down below replacement levels and there are remarkable differences in data of States.”
  • He says there is a “clear indication” that in southern States and some States in the north, which are doing socio-economically well, the TFR is “far below” the replacement level, whereas States like Bihar, U.P., and M.P. are reporting much higher TFRs. “The reason being that some of these States still need human development policies, greater female education, and improving healthcare policy action. There are about six to seven States, bigger ones, where these issues persist,” he said.
  • But moving on to the States where TFR has come down below the replacement level, Prof. Pathak cautioned that they might have their own set of challenges. He cited Sikkim, for instance, where the TFR is below 1, which is equivalent to South Korea’s. “It is a reality that in many parts, people simply do not want kids.
  • It may be because of changing family structure, opportunity cost for parents, and increasing stresses associated with caregiving.” While the States with higher TFR need to tailor policies on human development that can bring them closer to the replacement level, the States reporting lower TFR have a “different set of challenges altogether”.

16th census confirms 891 Asiatic lions across 11 districts of Gujarat

  • Gujarat has completed its 16th lion population census, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announcing the results on Wednesday.
  • The latest count reveals the presence of 891 lions, a remarkable figure that underscores the state’s success in wildlife conservation, particularly through efforts like Project Lion.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded the ongoing efforts under ‘Project Lion’, highlighting their role in ensuring both the protection and conservation of Asiatic lions in Gujarat.
  • Spanning a vast 35,000 sq km area across 58 talukas in 11 districts, the four-day census held from May 10 to 13 saw the participation of 3,254 personnel.
  • The meticulous operation was conducted in two phases — an initial “direct beat verification” phase on May 10 and 11, followed by the final enumeration on May 12 and 13.
  • The comprehensive survey covered districts including Junagadh, Gir Somnath, Amreli, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Morbi, Surendranagar, Devbhumi Dwarka, Jamnagar, Porbandar, and Botad.
  • Teams worked around the clock in forests, coastal belts, grasslands, and revenue areas to document lion movements and habitat patterns.
  • Unlike their African cousins, Asiatic lions were once found from the Middle East to India — but by the early 20th century, they had almost vanished due to hunting and habitat loss.
  • Today, they survive only in and around the Gir forest.
  • Chief Minister Patel, while presenting the data in Gandhinagar, highlighted the growing population of the Asiatic lion as a testament to Gujarat’s sustained conservation strategy.
  • Project Lion is a dedicated conservation initiative aimed at ensuring the long-term survival of Asiatic lions, primarily found in Gujarat. Launched on August 15, 2020, the project focuses on habitat management, wildlife health monitoring, human-wildlife conflict mitigation, and community involvement

Key Objectives:

  • Habitat Expansion: Developing Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a second home for lions.
  • Wildlife Health & Monitoring: Establishing a National Referral Center for Wildlife Health to prevent disease outbreaks.
  • Human-Wildlife Conflict Mitigation: Constructing parapet walls around open wells and providing machans (raised platforms) for farmers to reduce conflicts.
  • Community Participation: Encouraging local communities to actively engage in conservation efforts.
  • Eco-Tourism & Scientific Research: Promoting sustainable tourism and conducting research on lion behavior and genetics.

Recent Developments:

  • 237 new beat guards were recruited in 2024 to patrol protected areas.
  • 92 rescue vehicles deployed for swift wildlife emergency response.
  • Drone monitoring and CCTV surveillance introduced for better lion protection.
  • With a budget of ₹2,927.71 crore, Project Lion is a landscape-based conservation effort that integrates scientific research, local community involvement, and advanced technology to safeguard the Asiatic lion population

Census Methodology:

  • Phase 1 (May 10-11): Direct beat verification.
  • Phase 2 (May 12-13): Final enumeration.
  • Personnel Involved: 3,254 forest officials, volunteers, and experts.

Key Findings:

  • 196 adult males, 330 females, 140 sub-adults, and 225 cubs.
  • Lions are expanding beyond Gir National Park, now found in coastal and non-forested areas.
  • Barda Wildlife Sanctuary recorded 17 lions, showing habitat diversification
  • While Asiatic lions and African lions belong to the same species (Panthera leo), they have distinct differences in appearance, behavior, and habitat.

Key Differences:

  • Size & Build
  • African lions are larger, with males weighing 330-500 lbs and females around 345 lbs.
  • Asiatic lions are slightly smaller, with males weighing 350-450 lbs and females 240-360 lbs.

Mane & Physical Features

  • African lions have full, thick manes that cover their heads and shoulders.
  • Asiatic lions have shorter, sparser manes, leaving their ears visible.
  • Asiatic lions also have a distinctive skin fold running along their belly, which African lions lack.

Habitat & Range

  • African lions roam across sub-Saharan Africa, thriving in savannas and grasslands.
  • Asiatic lions are only found in Gujarat, India, primarily in and around Gir Forest.

Social Structure & Behavior

  • African lions live in large prides with multiple males.
  • Asiatic lions form smaller prides, often with just one dominant male.
  • Asiatic lions are more vocal and use a variety of sounds to communicate.

Hunting & Diet

  • Both species hunt buffalo, deer, and wild boar, but their hunting styles differ.
  • Asiatic lions prefer ambush tactics, often hunting in packs.
  • African lions use group hunting strategies, surrounding prey before attacking.

Genetic Differences & Conservation Status

  • Asiatic lions have been genetically isolated for thousands of years, making them distinct from African lions.
  • Asiatic lions are endangered, with only 891 individuals in the wild.
  • African lions have a larger population, but they are also threatened by habitat loss and poaching

 

World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) Pandemic Agreement is a landmark resolution aimed at strengthening global collaboration to prevent and respond to future pandemics. Adopted under Article 19 of the WHO Constitution, the agreement seeks to address gaps and inequities in pandemic preparedness and response2.

Key Components of the Agreement:

Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) System

  • Ensures equitable access to vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturers will provide 20% of their real-time production to WHO for distribution based on public health risk.

Ratification Process

  • The agreement will be open for signature after the World Health Assembly adopts the PABS annex.
  • It will enter into force once 60 countries ratify it.

Coordinating Financial Mechanism

  • A dedicated fund for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
  • Global Supply Chain and Logistics Network (GSCL)
  • Ensures timely, safe, and affordable access to pandemic-related health products, especially for developing countries.

Key Objectives: