DAILY ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME (DEP _ 021023)
Today’s Topics List
The Protected Monuments – Needs Protection
Gandhi on Indian Bank Notes: Why it took years?
The Vachathi Judgement
Moody’s report on concern over centralised ID system like Aadhar
India – Maldives relations
India’s Statistical Performance on Global Stage
Oil Marketing Companies: Price rise and its mechanism
The TB Drug Shortage
Importance of the Asteroid Sample
Conocarpus : Faulty policies on Invasive species
INDIAN HISTORY HERITAGE & CULTURE
The Protected Monuments – Needs Protection
News:
- A recent parliamentary committee report proposed a significant revision of the list of protected monuments in India, potentially leading to the removal of monuments from this prestigious list for the first time in India’s 75-year Independent history.
- The report, focuses on the functioning of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), provides recommendations for rationalizing and categorizing protected monuments based on their significance and architectural value.
Key Recommendations and Insights:
- Rationalization of Protected Monuments: The report suggests that the list of centrally protected monuments (CPMs), currently totalling 3,691, should be rationalized and categorized.
- This action is deemed necessary because many CPMs are considered “minor” and lack national significance or architectural heritage value.
- Potential Monuments for Exclusion: Although a specific list of monuments to be excluded has not been provided by the ASI or the Ministry of Culture, the report illustrates examples of monuments that may be dropped.
- One such example cited is a brick wall enclosure containing the graves of two British officials in Karnataka, which lacks architectural significance and historical importance.
- Legal Framework: Removing monuments from the protected list is not straightforward, as it involves amending the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Rules, 1959 (AMASR Act, 1959).
- This Act safeguards monuments and sites older than 100 years, including temples, cemeteries, inscriptions, forts, and more.
- De-notification can only occur if a monument ceases to be of national importance.
- Alternative Management: One proposed solution is to transfer the upkeep of de-notified monuments to state governments or district administrations while continuing to preserve their historical value, rather than abandoning them entirely.
- Concerns About ASI’s Functioning: The committee’s report questions the effectiveness of ASI’s administration, security, restoration work, and site maintenance.
- It highlights concerns about encroachments on protected monuments and recommends support for affected families transitioning to alternative livelihoods.
- Technological Advancements: The report suggests using advanced technologies like LiDAR, ground-penetrating radar, and 3D scanning for excavations and site analysis, improving accuracy and efficiency.
- Bifurcation of ASI: The report proposes the bifurcation of ASI’s responsibilities, with a focus on core functions (exploration, excavation, and conservation) while creating a separate entity, the India Heritage Development Corporation (IHDC), to handle revenue-related aspects.
- Relaxation of Monument Restrictions: The report addresses concerns related to the 100-meter prohibited area and 300-meter regulated area around protected monuments, suggesting that these rules may be relaxed for smaller monuments while remaining applicable to UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
- Monument Mitra Program: The report raises questions about the effectiveness of the Monument Mitra program (Adopt a Heritage scheme) and highlights concerns about the experience of private firms involved in restoration and conservation.
Way forward:
- The parliamentary committee’s report underscores the need to reevaluate the list of protected monuments in India to prioritize those with national significance and architectural heritage value.
- While this initiative presents challenges, it also aims to streamline the preservation of India’s rich cultural heritage while addressing concerns about the functioning of the ASI and monument management.
The Gandhi Series
Gandhi on Indian Bank Notes: Why it took years?
- News: Today i.e., 2nd October 2023 marks the 154th Birth Anniversary of the Mahatma Gandhi
- When did Gandhi first featured on India Currency note?
- In 1996, a new ‘Mahatma Gandhi Series’ was launched by the RBI to replace the former Ashoka Pillar bank notes.
- Several security features were also introduced, including a windowed security thread, latent image and intaglio features for the visually impaired.
- History of bank notes in India:
- Who has the authority to design a currency note?
- The RBI’s Department of Currency Management is responsible for designing the rupee notes.
- According to Section 25 of the RBI Act, 1934, “the design, form and material of banknotes” shall be such as may be approved by the central government after consideration of the recommendations made by the central board.
- Various demands to include others on Bank notes
- In October 2022, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal made an appeal to the Prime Minister and the Union government to put photos of Lord Ganesha and goddess Lakshmi on currency notes.
- In 2014, there were suggestions to include Noble Laureate Rabindranath Tagore and former President APJ Abdul Kalam.
- RBI stand: The Committee (constituted by RBI) decided that no other personality could better represent the ethos of India than Mahatma Gandhi.
Rupees Ten – King’s Portrait Rupees Ten – Ashoka Pillar | Republic of India – Rupees Two – 1950 Rupees One Thousand – Tanjore Temple |
- To see more currency visit – https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/pm_republicindia.aspx
- Source: The story of Mahatma Gandhi’s portrait on Indian Bank Notes : Indian Express Explained
Is it time to articulate new Constitution for India?
Context
- On the Birth Anniversary of Shri. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, this news article appeared on The Hindu Newspaper, providing light on the Gandhian thoughts on the present scenario.
Hind Swaraj by Gandhi:
- In 1908, Mahatma Gandhi presented a remarkably unique and homegrown vision of what the Constitution might encompass.
Gandhi’s view on decolonising constitution:
- Gandhi was in view that without decolonising the Constitution,
- we may become independent but would not have swaraj.
- The English would be driven away and India would get itself a new democratic government, but the nature of government itself would not change.
- It would be “English rule without the Englishman”, “not Hindustan but Englistan”
Gandhiji view on constitution
- For him, a swaraj constitution ought to ideally be based on ancient village republics and not a large government in Delhi.
- The economy would be founded on ordinary Indians producing enough to be self-sufficient and trading the rest at local
- India would be united not because a constitution promised rights, but because Indians themselves considered it their duty to forge a nation out of a people.
Gandhian Constitution
- Shriman Narayan Agarwal, an adherent follower of Gandhi was given the draft of constitution on Gandhian lines to put Hind Swaraj into action
- But Agarwal’s draft of the “Gandhian Constitution for Free India”, first published in 1946, was less of a legal text and more a moral code.
- It got less attention and Gandhi himself distanced from it, by persuading Rajendra Prasad to appoint B.R. Ambedkar as the Chairperson of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution in August 1947
Ambedkar Vs Gandhi on constitution
| Ambedkar | Gandhi |
Powerful State | He believed that India needed a powerful state machinery that could ensure law & order at the margins of the country | Gandhi on the other hand believed that a large state would be too distant from the people |
Self-sustainability | the state would be duty bound to manage the economy & control industries for the common good | self-sustaining villages based on agriculture and cottage industry were the way forward |
Constitution | He believed that Centuries of feudalism, sectarianism and casteism can be eliminated through fundamental rights to life, liberty and equality for individual | He believed that history could not be undone by a policy document such as a constitution. It need individuals to change themselves. |
Do we need a new constitution?
- Today, we are much like India was in 1908 when Gandhi wrote Hind Swaraj
- Experts say that it is time to look for new constitution as the nation undergoing significant change rather than in 1950, when India had just attained newfound independence.
- Unlike names and buildings, constitutions do not, and should not change overnight. But that does not mean that they should not change at all.
- Indian Constitutional provisions that were influenced by Gandhian principles
- Preamble: The Preamble of the Indian Constitution reflects Gandhian values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity, which are essential elements of his vision for a just society.
- Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): Several DPSPs are inspired by Gandhi’s vision, these include Article 40, Article 43, Article 43 B, Article 46, Article 47, and Article 48
- Fundamental Rights: While not directly attributed to Gandhi, fundamental rights such as the right to equality (Article 14), right to freedom (Articles 19-22), and right to life and personal liberty (Article 21) reflect principles of individual freedom and justice that Gandhi advocated.
- Decentralization of Power: Gandhi’s emphasis on decentralized governance is reflected in the inclusion of Part IX of the Constitution, which deals with the Panchayati Raj system (Article 243).
- Elimination of Untouchability: Article 17 of the Constitution abolishes “untouchability” and forbids its practice in any form, aligning with Gandhi’s lifelong struggle against caste-based discrimination.
- Promotion of Education and Culture: Articles like Article 29 (protection of interests of minorities) and Article 45 (provision for free and compulsory education for children) are in line with Gandhi’s views on education and cultural diversity.
- Promotion of Cottage Industries: Although not explicitly mentioned, the Constitution supports economic activities and the development of cottage industries through various provisions related to economic development (Directive Principles) and freedom of trade and commerce.
SOCIAL ISSUES
The Vachathi Judgement
Background:
- The people of Vachathi in Tamil Nadu’s Dharmapuri district, had for generations lived in the idyllic foothills of Chiteri in the eastern Ghats.
- On June 20, 1992: Police, forest and revenue officials – 269 in number descended upon the village and accused the villagers of hoarding illegally felled sandalwood and allowing a conduit to smuggling.
- The next three days, the villagers, women, the elderly and children included were beaten up, their homes destroyed, wells poisoned.
- 18 women, including a girl were raped.
What happened thereafter?
- The state refused to register a case against its officials. The villagers approached the Madras high Court to seek a CBI inquiry.
- CBI filed its chargesheet in 1996, and the case was tried in sessions court for 15 years.
- The villagers won in the Trial court in 2011 that convicted all the accused on charges ranging from rape to atrocities under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
- This judgement was stayed by Madras High Court on appeals by the bureaucrats.
Current Situation:
- On 29th September, The Madras high Court upheld the verdict of the sessions court in 2011.
Analysis of the verdict:
- At a time when the judiciary has been at odds with the government over attempts to maintain the autonomy of the three branches of the governance, the High court’s judgement upholding the trial court’s conviction, warns an elected government that it cannot rule with impunity.
- While SC/ST law has often been criticised for being ineffective, Vachathi is a rare instance where it has served its purpose.
- It is also a pivotal moment in the long battle for Adivasi rights.
Conclusion:
It will be remembered as a case where despite stark inequities, the convergence of a alert civil society, committed lawyers, an independent judiciary and the resolve of victims seeking justice, could still work a democratic Constitution and the Judicial system to their advantage.
POLITY, GOVERNANCE & LAWS AND SCHEMES
Moody’s report on concern over centralised ID system like Aadhar
News:
- On September 21, credit rating agency Moody’s Investor Service released a report, ‘Decentralised Finance and Digital Assets
- It advocates for decentralised digital identity systems instead of centralised biometric systems like India’s Aadhaar.
- Referring to security and privacy vulnerabilities posed by centralised ID systems like Aadhaar, the report states:
- The Aadhaar system faces hurdles, including the burden of establishing authorisation and concerns about biometric reliability.
Government response:
- Terming Aadhaar as “the most trusted digital ID in the world,” the government stated that
- The seeding of Aadhaar in the MGNREGS database has been done without requiring the worker to authenticate using their biometrics, and that even payment to workers under the scheme is made by directly crediting money in their account and does not require the worker to authenticate using their biometrics.
What is Aadhaar?
- Aadhaar is a unique identification number given to all Indian residents by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI).
- During enrolment for Aadhaar, demographic details of individuals along with their biometric fingerprints and iris scans are collected as they are considered to be unique identifiers of individuals.
- Thesedetails are stored in the Aadhaar
The objectives of UIDAI
- to ensure that all residents have a unique ID
- to curb corruption in accessing welfare programmes by eliminating “ghost” and “fake” individuals.
Aadhaar enabled Payment System (AePS)
- Aadhaar becomes the financial address of the individual and cash transferred by the government gets deposited to the last Aadhaar ¬linked bank account.
- Individuals can withdraw money from their Aadhaar¬ linked bank account from private banking kiosks or through private banking correspondents who use their point of sale (PoS) machines to authenticate individuals using their biometrics.
- This platform is known as the Aadhaar enabled Payment System (AePS).
Concerns in using Aadhaar
- Corruption
- In the case of rations for example, the main type of corruption is quantity fraud,
- which happens when, say the entitlement for a ration card holder is 35 kg of rice
- but the dealer only gives 30 kg.
- Aadhaar has no role in either detecting or preventing this fraud.
- In many rural areas, people have to make multiple trips to ration shops, to authenticate with no guarantee that the authentication will work.
- Lack of reliable internet, fading fingerprints among daily wage workers, lack of phone connectivity to get an OTP etc. led to denials.
- The data on the number of attempts to authenticate and the extent of authentication failures are not public.
- A report by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) from 2022 states
- “UIDAI did not have a system to analyse the factors leading to authentication errors.”
- Most workers are unaware which account their Aadhaar was last linked to as financial institutions in rural areas.
- Thistends to coerce workers to link their Aadhaar with bank accounts without
- Thisleads to wages getting diverted to some account without the worker’s knowledge.
- For example, Aadhaar payments of people got redirected to Airtel wallets causing much havoc.
- Misdirected payments through Aadhaar are difficultto detect and are nearly impossible to resolve.
- These happen when one person’s Aadhaar number gets linked to somebody else’s bank account.
Security concerns:
- Banking correspondents using the AePS operate without any accountability framework.
- Some of them ask individuals to biometrically authenticate multiple times.
- Each authentication gives access to the banking correspondents to operate the individual’s bank account.
- Example: The ₹10crore scholarship scam in Jharkhand from
- Banking correspondents using the AePS operate without any accountability framework.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
India – Maldives relations
News:
- The recent change in leadership in the Maldives, with Mohamed Muizzu replacing President Ibu Solih, has several important implications for regional dynamics, especially in the context of India’s relationships in the Indian Ocean region.
India-Maldives relations:
- India and the Maldives share strong and historically close bilateral relations.
- These ties are characterized by cooperation in various sectors, including defence, trade, and development assistance.
- India has played a vital role in assisting the Maldives during crises and has worked together on regional and maritime security issues.
- While there have been occasional challenges, both countries aim to maintain their strategic partnership in the Indian Ocean region.
Positive aspects of India-Maldives relations:
- Strategic Partnership: India and Maldives share a strategic partnership, collaborating on maritime security and defense.
- Development Assistance: India provides extensive development aid to the Maldives, supporting infrastructure and socio-economic progress.
- Cultural Affinity: Historical and cultural ties strengthen the bond between the two nations, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
Challenges in India-Maldives Relations:
- Sovereignty Concerns: Differences in perceptions of sovereignty and national interest have led to occasional tensions, including sovereignty-related issues and differing foreign policy priorities.
- External Influences: The Maldives’ engagement with external powers, particularly China, has raised concerns in India about increased foreign influence in the region.
- Economic Vulnerabilities: Economic challenges, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on tourism, pose difficulties for both countries’ economic cooperation and the Maldives’ debt sustainability.
The recent political developments and its implications:
- Leadership Change: Mohamed Muizzu, the Mayor of Male and the candidate of the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), has been elected as the new President, replacing Ibu Solih.
- Election Outcome: Muizzu won the presidential runoff with nearly 54% of the vote, while Solih received 46%.
- The electoral loss of Solih, who had a strong “India First” policy, is attributed to anti-incumbency sentiment and economic concerns.
- Sovereignty Concerns: Muizzu’s PPM ran an “India out” campaign, raising concerns over sovereignty and calling for the removal of Indian military personnel.
- This campaign stirred tensions between India and the Maldives.
- China Factor: During former President Abdulla Yameen’s tenure, the Maldives deepened its engagement with China, raising concerns about increased Chinese influence.
- Yameen’s policies led to a free trade agreement and infrastructure loans, which some viewed as a “debt trap.”
- India-Maldives Relations: India has been a significant development partner for the Maldives, providing aid and infrastructure projects.
- However, the change in leadership may impact the direction of bilateral ties.
- Challenges Ahead: President-elect Muizzu faces economic challenges, including managing debt repayments and addressing concerns related to the Maldivian economy.
- He will also preside over a referendum on the country’s governance system.
- Balancing Act: Given its strategic location in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives must balance traditional strategic interests with India, engage with China, and navigate the interests of other major powers like the United States.
- Avoiding Zero-Sum Games: Both India and the Maldives should avoid viewing their strategic interests as zero-sum games, aiming for cooperation and mutually beneficial relationships while avoiding tensions.
Way Forward:
- For a productive way forward, India should maintain open communication with the Maldives, emphasizing bilateral ties and addressing concerns. Economic cooperation should focus on debt management and sustainable development. Regionally, the Maldives should engage with global powers while aligning strategic interests with regional stability, avoiding zero-sum foreign relations.
ECONOMY
India’s Statistical Performance on Global Stage
Context:
- The World bank place India in the 67th position out of 174 countries in it’s Statistical Performance Indicators (SPI) – 2019.
- Its analysis reveals the strengths and weaknesses of India’s Statistical system.
- In the context of India’s election to the United Nations Statistical Commission, India’s own official statistical system has come under scrutiny within the country.
The SPI and its dimensions
- The World Bank compiles SPIs to assess the performance of national statistical systems across 174 countries.
- This assessment is based on the assessment of five dimensions of performance, commonly referred to as “Five pillars” of a national Statistical system.
- Data use
- Data services
- Data products
- Data sources
- Data Infrastructure
Concerns about India’s Statistical System
Strengths of India based on the analysis
- High SPI Rank: India’s overall SPI score of 70.4 in 2019 positioned it at 67th place among 174 countries.
- This suggests a relatively strong statistical performance compared to many other nations.
- Data Services:
- India performed well in the ‘Data services’ pillar, with a score of 88.0, ranking 35th globally. This indicates that India provides robust data services to users.
- Data Sources:
- India also excelled in the ‘Data sources’ pillar, with a score of 68.9 and a rank of 31. This suggests that the country has reliable sources of data, particularly in areas like censuses and surveys.
- Legislation and Governance:
- India received high scores in ‘Legislation and Governance’ within the ‘Data infrastructure’ pillar, indicating that its national statistical legislation aligns well with international standards.
- Data for SDGs: India has taken steps to improve its data collection for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by conducting surveys like the Multiple Indicator Survey and Comprehensive Annual Modular Survey.
Weaknesses of India as per the analysis:
- Data Use: India’s performance in the ‘Data use’ pillar, particularly regarding data usage by international bodies, was weaker. This suggests that there is room for improvement in how different sectors utilize statistics produced by the system.
- Data Products: India faced challenges in the ‘Data Products’ pillar, with a score of 60.0, ranking 105th. This indicates shortcomings in providing essential data required for SDGs.
- Data Infrastructure: India’s score in the ‘Data infrastructure’ pillar was relatively low at 55, with a rank of 73. This suggests issues in terms of data infrastructure, including standards, methods, skills, partnership, and finance.
- Administrative Data: India’s administrative data score was relatively low, mainly due to issues related to the registration of births under the Civil Registration System (CRS).
- Finance and Funding: The ‘Finance’ sub-dimension under ‘Data infrastructure’ received a low score, indicating that India’s national statistical plan lacks full funding.
Way Forward:
- The Indian Statistical System needs to enhance its international competitiveness, which includes addressing its shortcomings in data use, data products, and data infrastructure. It entails engaging with the World bank to strengthen the SPI and utilizing more reliable sources like “Vital statistics of India” for estimating crucial data, by setting attainable goals and pursuing strategic improvements, India can elevate its global rankings and ensure the credibility of its statistical system
Oil Marketing Companies: Price rise and its mechanism
News:
- Oil Marketing companies on Sunday raised the price of commercial cooking gas and also the price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), or jet fuel.
What are the new changes:
- Commercial cooking gas prices were increased by ₹209 per 19-kg cylinder.
- The price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), or jet fuel, saw its fourth consecutive monthly increase, rising by 5%.
- The price of a 14.2-kg domestic LPG cylinder remained unchanged.
What are the impacts of it:
- The cost of a 19-kg commercial LPG cylinder varies, with prices of ₹1,731.50 in Delhi, ₹1,684 in Mumbai, and ₹1,898 in Chennai.
- The increase in commercial LPG prices may have an impact on the expenses of commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants.
- The latest price increase partially reverses the price cut of ₹5 made on September 1 and the ₹100 cut on August 1.
- The revision in ATF rates is expected to lead to higher airfares ahead of the festive season, as fuel costs contribute significantly to airline ticket prices.
Fuel Prices Mechanism in India: ► The fuel pricing mechanism in India has evolved over the years. ▪ Initially, it operated under the Administered Price Mechanism (APM) from 1975 to 2002, where prices were determined based on cost-plus principles. ▪ The objective was of stabilizing selling prices and insulating consumers from international price fluctuations. ► Effective from April 1, 2002, the APM was dismantled, and the government began providing subsidies on PDS kerosene and domestic LPG at specified flat rates through the budget. ▪ It was planned to phase out these subsidies over 3-5 years. ► Post-2002, sensitive petroleum products such as petrol and diesel were gradually decontrolled. ▪ Petrol was decontrolled from June 26, 2010, and ▪ diesel from October 19, 2014. ▪ This meant that Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) had the flexibility to determine their prices based on market conditions. ► Since their respective decontrol dates, petrol and diesel prices have been market-determined. ▪ Public Sector OMCs, like IOCL, HPCL, and BPCL, make pricing decisions for these fuels based on international market dynamics and domestic factors. ► LPG Price Benchmark: LPG prices in India are linked to the Saudi Contract Price (CP), which serves as the benchmark for international LPG prices. ▪ The government continues to modulate the effective price to consumers to protect them from sharp increases in international prices. Objective behind these changes: The shift from the APM to market-determined pricing and targeted subsidies on specific products has aimed to make the fuel pricing mechanism more efficient and market-oriented, reducing the fiscal burden on the government while safeguarding consumers from abrupt price spikes. Source: https://mopng.gov.in/en/marketing/product-pricing |
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY & HEALTH
The TB Drug Shortage
Context:
- The shortage of essential TB (tuberculosis) drugs in India has raised concerns as it impacts patients’ access to treatment. This issue is a cause for worry, especially concerning drug-resistant TB, where effective medication is crucial. Reports of drug shortages have prompted questions about the government’s procurement and distribution of TB drugs.
Stories on Ground:
- Shortage Details: The shortage of TB drugs began last year when Rifampicin, used to treat drug-sensitive TB, became unavailable in many parts of India. In June this year, three critical drugs for drug-resistant TB—Linezolid, Clofazimine, and Cycloserine—also faced stockouts.
- Mixed Government Response: While the government denied reports of shortages, media outlets quoted TB patients from various states facing drug unavailability. Some reports highlighted that the government requested states to procure these drugs locally without providing additional funding.
- International Concern: The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern over the situation and acknowledged systemic issues contributing to stockouts. WHO officials visited multiple states to evaluate the situation and emphasized the need for urgent action to address these issues.
Government’s Response:
- Government’s Claims: The government issued a press release stating that there were sufficient stocks of drug-sensitive TB drugs for at least six months. For drug-resistant TB drugs, it shared national and Maharashtra stock levels but did not specify how long these stocks would last.
- Local Stock Shortages: Analysis of the Maharashtra stock levels revealed that the state had less than a month’s supply of certain MDR-TB drugs, such as Clofazimine and Linezolid, based on monthly requirements.
- Procurement and Distribution: The procurement of TB drugs by the central government was explained. The drugs are held in a central warehouse and supplied to states when demand arises. At the district level, patient-wise boxes of drugs are prepared for MDR-TB patients.
- Previous Shortages: India has faced TB drug shortages before, including a nationwide stockout of MDR-TB drug Delamanid in September 2021 and shortages of first-line TB drugs and pediatric TB drugs in 2013.
Conclusion:
- The shortage of TB drugs in India, particularly for drug-resistant TB, raises concerns about patients’ access to essential treatment. The government’s procurement and distribution mechanisms have faced scrutiny, and the situation requires immediate attention to ensure uninterrupted availability of TB medications for patients across the country. Addressing systemic issues is vital to prevent future drug shortages and ensure effective TB control programs.
Importance of the Asteroid Sample
Context:
- NASA’s OSIRIS-REx mission successfully returned a sample of rocks and dust from the asteroid Bennu, offering valuable insights into the origins of life, planetary defense against asteroid impacts, and the potential for asteroid mining.
Significance of Studying Asteroids like Bennu:
- Origins of Life: Scientists are interested in studying asteroids like Bennu because they may contain clues about the origins of life on Earth.
- It’s possible that such asteroids, along with comets, carried organic molecules that contributed to the development of life on our planet.
- Planetary Defense: The study of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), including Bennu, is essential for planetary defense.
- Understanding their orbits, compositions, and potential collision risks helps in developing strategies to protect Earth from asteroid impacts.
- Resource Exploration: NEAs, including Bennu, contain valuable resources such as water, minerals, and metals. Mining these asteroids in the future could support space exploration and colonization efforts.
- Extracting water from NEAs is of particular interest for sustaining space missions.
- Scientific Exploration: The surface material collected from Bennu provides a window into the early solar system’s history.
- Scientists hope to find organic molecules and other materials that can shed light on the formation of our solar system and the Earth’s early history.
Way Forward:
- While challenges like low gravity and radiation exposure need to be overcome, the mission’s return of regolith from Bennu marks a critical step in our quest to understand the solar system’s history and explore the possibilities of mining asteroids for valuable resources.
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
Conocarpus : Faulty policies on Invasive species
- Context:
- The management of the invasive Conocarpus species of trees has prompted Gujarat and Telangana to ban their use, raising concerns among horticulturists and nurseries.
- This issue highlights the need for a re-evaluation of the species selection process in urban landscaping, particularly the preference for exotic species.
What are Exotic species.
Exotic species, also known as non-native or alien species, are organisms introduced to regions where they do not naturally occur. These species can have significant ecological, economic, and societal impacts, as they may become invasive and disrupt local ecosystems, harm native biodiversity, and pose health and economic risks.
- Managing exotic species is crucial to mitigate their adverse effects on the environment and human activities.
Concerns Regarding Conocarpus:
- Two Species: Conocarpus erectus and lancifolius, both with several varieties and hybrids, are being used in India. They are easily propagated through stem cuttings.
- Health Issues: Serious pollen allergies and respiratory problems have been reported near Conocarpus plantations, leading to bans in some regions.
- Global Precedents: Similar issues were observed in Kuwait, the Middle East, Karachi, and Faizabad when Conocarpus was introduced in greening projects in India.
- In India, Banning Conocarpus is a necessary step, but it addresses the symptom rather than the root cause of the problem.
- Exponential growth in the use of exotic species can lead to adverse impacts before they become apparent to the public.
Short-Sighted Policies:
- Reasons for Using Exotics: Non-native species often face fewer pests or pathogens in new habitats, making their proliferation easy.
- Some species require minimal aftercare and are not browsed by livestock, making them favorable for landscaping projects.
- Slowly Emerging Issues: Problems with exotics, such as allergen, often surface gradually, and the population adapts to them.
- Exotics are introduced to improve urban air quality and aesthetics, but their unintended consequences become evident over time.
What Can Be Done:
- Informed Species Selection: Landscape managers should choose from native species pools that are ecologically appropriate and meet aesthetic needs.
- Existing research provides valuable information on these species.
- Native Species Promotion: It is recommended by scientists that urban greening projects prioritize native species for long-term sustainability.
- Ecosystem Benefits: Native species contribute to ecosystem services, support native wildlife, and help mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
- Monitoring and Guidelines: Maintain a watch list of plants that harm native species and ecosystems or raise public health concerns.
- Develop clear guidelines for landscape planners and land managers
Way forward:
Addressing the issue of invasive species in urban landscaping requires a shift toward prioritizing native species. This change not only preserves native ecosystems but also contributes to the long-term sustainability and environmental benefits of urban greening.