Context

The Annual Report, Conducted by American Rivers, classed the Rio Grande River as America’s ‘most endangered river.

• American Rivers focuses on protecting and promoting the health of rivers in the US.

Endangered Rio Grande River: Water Issues and Migration Hotspot

Endangered Rivers: The Rio Grande, along with the San Juan, Gila, and Pecos rivers flowing through the US state of New Mexico, is endangered due to the loss of clean water protections.

• The Rio Grande River is in decline as its waters have been diverted and overutilised by both the US and Mexico. 

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Hotspot of Migration: In recent years, the Rio Grande has become a hotspot of migration into the US from the rest of the Americas as well as around the world.

• Many migrants across South America cross the Darien Gap in Panama and travel through Mexico to arrive at the Mexican-American border on the Rio Grande.

Rio Grande River

The Rio Grande river is one of the longest rivers in North America, running around 1,900 miles (3,060 kilometres) from the Colorado Rockies southeast to the Gulf of Mexico. 

• Etymology: The river’s English and Spanish names mean, respectively, “large” and “rough.” 
• Bordering Countries: Rio Grande River forms the border between the United States state of Texas and Mexico and Mexico.
  • It provides fresh water for seven United States and Mexican states.
• River Course: The San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado are its sources, and the river flows into the Gulf of Mexico.
• Principal Tributaries:  Pecos, Devils, Chama, and Puerco rivers in the United States and the Conchos, Salado, and San Juan in Mexico. 

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Context

The Finance Ministry notified amended rules under the Foreign Exchange Management Act to allow up to 100 percent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) for the Indian space sector through three categories of liberalised entry routes.

100% FDI in Indian Space Sector: Key Highlights of the Notfication

100% FDI for Manufacturing, Operation of Satellites: 100 per cent FDI has been allowed for the Indian space sector category of manufacturing and operation of satellites, satellite data products, and ground segment and user segment.

• In this,  up to 74 per cent would be through the automatic route and a government nod would be required for investment beyond 74 per cent. 
• Under the earlier policy, any foreign investment in manufacturing and operating satellites is allowed only with government approval.

49% FDI for Launch Vehicles: Automatic FDI has also been permitted up to 49 per cent for launch vehicles and associated systems or subsystems and the creation of spaceports for launching and receiving Spacecraft. 

• Government approval would be required for investments beyond 49 per cent.

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Definition of Key Terms in the Notification

• Satellites – manufacturing and operation: It has been defined as end-to-end manufacturing and supply of satellite or payload, establishing the satellite systems including control of in-orbit operations of the satellite and payloads. 
• Satellite Data Products: These have been defined as reception, generation or dissemination of earth observation or remote sensing satellite data and data products including Application Interfaces (API).
• Ground segment: It refers to supply of satellite transmit or receive earth stations including earth observation data receive station, gateway, teleports, satellite telemetry, Tracking and Command (TTC) station, and Satellite Control Centre (SCC) etc.
• User Segment: It refers to supply of user ground terminals for communicating with the satellite, which are not covered under the ground segment.
• Launch vehicles and associated systems or sub-systems: It is defined as a vehicle and its stages or components that is designed to operate in or place spacecraft with payloads or persons, in a sub-orbital trajectory, or earth orbit or outer space.
• Spaceport: It refers to the base from which spacecraft are launched, and consists of facilities involving devices for transportation to, from and via outer space.
• Space Activities: They largely encompass the launch vehicle and launch service, the satellite, ground stations that can detect the signals, and user products where the data from satellites is utilised.

Strengthening Indian Space Sector: FDI Policy and Future Investment Plans

Enabling Power Indian Space Sector: Currently, ISRO operates spaceports in the country. By allowing 49 per cent FDI in the segment, the government aims to make the ecosystem more enabling for private companies.

Increasing share in Global Space Economy: Indian space sector’s share of the global space economy is between 2 and 3 percent. 

• The government plans to increase it to more than 10 percent by 2030. 
• According to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), this scale-up will require an investment of $22 billion in the next 10 years.

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Context

US officials have warned that North Korea has been developing ‘poison pens’ and sprays as a part of their biological weapon (BW) programme. 

About North Korea’s Biological Weapons Programme

• Biological Weapon (BW) program: The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) has a dedicated, national-level offensive BW program with capability to:

• • Produce biological agents for military purposes
  • Weaponizing Biological Weapon agents with unconventional systems such as sprayers and poison pen injection devices. 
  • Genetically engineer biological products with technologies such as CRISPR.

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What are Biological Weapons (BW)?

• About: BW are used to release disease causing organisms or toxins and to harm and kill humans, animals, and trees. 
• Weaponized Agents: Almost any disease-causing organism (such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, prions or rickettsiae) or toxin (poisons derived from animals, plants or microorganisms, or similar substances produced synthetically) can be used in BW.
  • Agents such as anthrax can be used to cause widespread disease leading to large scale deaths. 

Biological Weapons and International Laws

Geneva Protocol (1925): It banned the use of asphyxiating, poisonous, or other gases, usually referred to as chemical weapons, as well as the use of bacteriological methods of warfare. 

Biological Weapons Convention (1975): It is also known as Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and their Destruction.

• It is a legally binding multilateral disarmament treaty banning an entire category of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).
• Genesis: The Convention entered into force on 26 March 1975. 
  • The BWC supplements the 1925 Geneva Protocol, which prohibited only the use of biological weapons.
• Mandate: The BWC effectively prohibits the development, production, acquisition, transfer, stockpiling and use of biological and toxin weapons. 
• Signatories: India ratified the treaty on July 15, 1974.
  • Ten states have neither signed nor ratified the BWC (Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Israel, Kiribati, Micronesia, Namibia, South Sudan and Tuvalu).

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Context

Recently, the Bihar government took an initiative to promote the Kesariya Stupa, as a major tourist attraction worldwide.

About Kesariya Stupa

The Kesariya Stupa is a significant Buddhist monument. It is also a pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide.

• Location: Kesariya village, Patna,  Bihar
• Significance: 
  • It’s known for being the largest and tallest Buddhist stupa in the world.

• • The Kesariya Stupa is a testament to India’s rich culture and religion.
    • It is a symbol of Buddhism, its values, and teachings.
• Construction Period: This Stupa was Built in the 3rd century BCE under the Mauryan Empire by the legendary emperor Ashoka.
• Construction Belief: The stupa was constructed to commemorate the spot where Lord Buddha delivered his 22nd sermon and also to mark the place where he announced his impending death.

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Discovery of Kesariya Stupa in British Era:

• Colonel Colin Mackenzie’s Visit: Colonel Colin Mackenzie, who later became India’s first surveyor-general, visited Kesariya Stupa in 1814.
• Excavation by Alexander Cunningham: Alexander Cunningham, the first head of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), conducted a small-scale excavation near the site in 1861. 
• ASI Excavation: The ASI excavated significantly at Kesariya Stupa in 1998.

Features of Kesariya Stupa:

• Impressive Height: This Stupa is 104 feet tall, making it the world’s tallest Buddhist monument.
  • It is of a circular base with a diameter of 123 metres.
• Circular Design: Built in a circular shape using bricks, mud, and lime mortar.
• Outer Surface: Covered with white plaster, enhancing its visual appeal.

Architectural Features of Kesariya Stupa:

• Dome and Chamber: The Kesariya Stupa has a solid hemispherical dome with a small chamber.
  • It is believed to have held relics of Lord Buddha.
• Harmika: It is Crowned by an umbrella-like structure called Harmika.
  • The crown is adorned with intricate stone carvings.
• Terrace: The stupa has six terraces or layers with small rooms for Buddha statues.
  • On the top of the structure, there is a huge cylindrical drum.
• Balustrade and Gateways: The stupa is enclosed by a balustrade with four gateways. 
  • These gateways are decorated with carvings of Buddha’s life scenes.
• Helical Staircase:  In Stupa, there is a helical staircase that leads to the top of the stupa.
  • The staircase has 80 steps, and is thought to have been utilized by monks for circling around the stupa.

Miniature Replicas of Bihar’s Iconic Tourist Attractions Surrounding Kesariya Stupa

Eight smaller replicas of famous tourist attractions will encircle the Kesariya Stupa. These tourist points are the Mahabodhi Temple, ancient Nalanda and Vikramshila universities, Ashokan Pillar of Vaishali, Vikramshila University, Barabar Caves, Sujata Stupa, Gurpa Hills Buddhist site, and the Vishva Shanti Stupa.

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Context

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight test of a  long-range Nirbhay cruise missile also known as Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

India Tests Nirbhay Cruise Missile with Indigenous Propulsion System

The Nirbhay cruise missile demonstrated very low altitude sea-skimming flight and followed the intended route using waypoint navigation.

• Missile Performance: The performance of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) was monitored by several range sensors like radar, Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS) to ensure complete coverage of the flight path. 

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Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM)

Development: The Nirbhay Cruise Missile is developed by Bengaluru-based DRDO laboratory Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) along with contributions from other laboratories and domestic industries.

Missile Specifications: The two-stage ICTM is six-metre long and weighs around 1.5 tonne. It can cruise at a speed of 0.9 Mach and strike targets at up to 1,000 km. 

• It is equipped with an indigenous propulsion system and the Manik turbofan engine.

Significance: This successful flight test has established the reliable performance of the indigenous propulsion system developed by Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), Bengaluru.

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Context

The Indian economy has faced significant challenges due to a lack of acceleration in private investment.

Stagnant Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) and Decline in Private Investment in India

Stagnant Growth of GFCF: This is indicated by the stagnant growth of private Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) at current prices.

Decline in Private Investment: Private investment in India has steadily declined since 2011-12. In 2019, the government reduced corporate taxes from 30% to 22% to encourage private investment.

Significance of Private Investment: Private investors are often regarded as more efficient capital allocators than public officials as it avoid wasteful spending. 

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What is Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF)?

Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) refers to the growth in the size of fixed capital in an economy. Fixed capital refers to assets like buildings and machinery that require investment to be created. 

• Government GFCF includes capital formation as a result of government investment.

Significance of Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF):

• Boost Economic Growth: GFCF matters because fixed capital helps to boost economic growth and improve living standards by helping workers produce a greater amount of goods and services each year. 
• Driving Economic Output and Consumer Purchasing Power: Fixed capital determines the overall output of an economy and, hence what consumers can actually purchase in the market. 

Trend of Private Investment in India

Trend of Private Investment: In India, private investment began to increase after the economic reforms of the late-1980s and the, early-1990s that improved private sector confidence. 

• From independence to economic liberalisation, private investment largely remained either slightly below or above 10% of the GDP. 

Trend of Public investment: Public investment as a percentage of GDP increased steadily from less than 3% of GDP in 1950-51 to overtake private investment as a percentage of GDP in the early 1980s. 

• However, post-liberalization, there was a decline in public investment with private investment assuming a leading role in fixed capital formation.

Pre and Post-Global Financial Crisis: The increase in private investment persisted until the global financial crisis of 2007-08, surging from approximately 10% of GDP in the 1980s to around 27% by 2007-08. 

• However, starting from 2011-12, private investment started to decline, reaching a low point of 19.6% of GDP in 2020-21.

Reasons for Decline in Private Investment in India

Low Private Consumption Expenditure: The failure of private investment to pick up over the last decade has been attributed to low private consumption expenditure. 

Structural Issues: Unfavourable government policy and policy uncertainty may likely be the  reason behind fall in private investment as a percentage of GDP over the last decade or so. 

• It may be the consequence of a slowdown in the pace of reforms in the last two decades.
• Moreover, the policy uncertainty can discourage private investment as investors expect stability to carry out risky long-term projects.

Relationship between Consumption and Investment

Inverse Relationship: Historically, there has been no direct correlation between an increase in private consumption and a rise in private investment in India. In fact, a decrease in consumption spending has often boosted private investment rather than suppressing it.

• Private final consumption expenditure (PFCE) dropped steadily from nearly 90% of GDP in 1950-51 to hit a low of 54.7% of GDP in 2010-11, which was a year preceding the peak of private investment and began its long decline. 
• And since 2011-12, private consumption has risen while private investment witnessed a decline as a percentage of GDP. 

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Reasons for Inverse Relationship: It may be likely because the money that is allocated towards savings and investment, either by the government or by private businesses, comes at the cost of lower consumption expenditure.

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Context:

According to the recent reports of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), India’s population is estimated to have reached 1.44 billion, with 24 percent in the 0-14 age bracket.

More on News: 

• The UNFPA’s State of World Population report 2024 “Interwoven Lives, Threads of Hope: Ending Inequalities in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights” revealed that India’s population is estimated to double in 77 years.

Key Highlights of the Report: 

• Population: India leads globally with an estimated population of 1.44 billion, followed by China at 1.425 billion, according to the report.
  • India’s population was recorded at 1.21 billion during the last census, conducted in 2011.
• Demographic Profile: The report provided a demographic breakdown that shows around 24% of the population is aged 0-14, 17% are aged 10-19, and 26% fall in the 10-24 age range. 
  • The largest demographic, 68%, is the working-age group of 15-64, while seniors aged 65 and above constitute 7% of the population.
  • Life expectancy at birth is 71 years for men and 74 years for women.
• Social Issues: The prevalence of child marriage remains high with 23% of marriages involving underage individuals between 2006-2023.
• Health Issues: The report highlights health issues, specifically of women
  • Maternal Health: Maternal mortality rates have significantly decreased but still present vast inequities across different regions. 
    • The report highlighted that out of India’s 640 districts nearly a third achieved the sustainable development goal of reducing maternal mortality ratio below 70 per 100,000 live births, however 114 districts still have ratios of 210 or more.
    • The highest MMR of 1,671 per 100,000 births is seen in Tirap district of Arunachal Pradesh, a rural area with a high proportion of indigenous peoples.
  • Healthcare Access: Marginalized groups, including women with disabilities, migrants and refugees, ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA+ and those from lower castes like Dalits, often have limited access to necessary health services. 
    • For instance, nearly half of Dalit women do not receive antenatal care.
• Socioeconomic Challenges
  • Gender-Based Violence: Women with disabilities are significantly more likely to experience gender-based violence, up to 10 times more than those without disabilities.
    • Furthermore, the violence is aggravated by caste based discrimination. Dalit women, have high rates of gender-based violence are considered a means of oppression and control.
  • Economic Dependency: Economic constraints force many women into cycles of poverty, exacerbating poor health outcomes and continued reliance on inadequate healthcare.
  • Increased Vulnerability: The vulnerability of women is further compounded by climate change, humanitarian crises, wards and mass migration, which have a disproportionate impact on women.
• Legal and Social Protections: The report advocates for legal protections to combat caste-based discrimination in workplaces and educational institutions, highlighting the need for policies that specifically protect vulnerable women from systemic injustices.
• Global Health Trends: Globally, progress on key health measures for women is slowing or completely stalled, with 800 women still dying daily from childbirth-related causes and many lacking autonomy over their sexual and reproductive decisions.
• • In 40 percent of countries with data, the report said women’s bodily autonomy is diminishing.
• Inequitable health benefits in India: India has made progress in healthcare accessibility and quality. However these benefits have been cornered by wealthier women and those belonging to ethnic groups that already had better access to health care.

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Context:

Under the new terminology by the World Health Organization(WHO), airborne viruses will be called “pathogens that transmit through the air”.

More on News: 

• Terminology by WHO-led Working Group: After two years of consultations involving over 100 scientists, a WHO-led working group agreed to the term to describe diseases caused by infectious particles that typically multiply in the respiratory tract.
  • These spread from the nose and throat of an infected person while they breathe, speak, sing, cough or sneeze. 

• Recognition of Dynamic Spectrum: The WHO’s new terminology acknowledges that infectious respiratory particles exist on a spectrum of sizes.
  • It recommends against applying definitive cut off points to distinguish smaller from larger particles.
  • This aims to resolve a scientific divide that impeded the initial response to Covid-19.
• Criticism of Decision: Prominent scientists have criticized the reluctance to use the term “airborne.”
  • In early 2020, an international group of 36 scientists warned about airborne spread and called on the WHO to change its guidance on Covid-19 transmission.

Need for Change in Terminology:

• Critical Role of Transmission Mode in Preventive Measures: The mode of pathogen transmission dictates the most effective control measures for preventing their spread. 
• Early Covid Response and Delay in Ending Wearing of Mask: In the early stages of the Covid outbreak in 2020, the WHO asserted that the rapidly spreading virus was not airborne. 
  • This delay in endorsing mask-wearing and indoor ventilation recommendations may have resulted in loss of life.
• Misguided Advice: The WHO issued guidance for health workers caring for Covid patients asserting that the virus spread primarily through direct contact and respiratory “droplets” measuring 5-10 micrometres in diameter.
  • It recommended maintaining distancing more than 1 meter within which these droplets were thought to fall to the ground along with hand-washing, surface cleaning and sneezing into elbows. 
  • With personal protective equipment in short supply, people were advised not to wear masks unless they were sick or taking care of covid patients.
  • This advice has since been proved to be misguided as the transmission can occur over far longer distances, and the broad usage of masks among populations helped stem its spread.

Significance of Change in Terminology:

• Unified Terminology: The terminology sets a common language for engineers, physicists, clinicians, and epidemiologists.
  • They will be able to apply this to determine the broad implications of airborne particles and the effectiveness of countermeasures like face masks and respirators.
• Protective Measures for Short-Range Airborne Transmission: Short-range airborne transmission means healthcare workers will need respirator masks when interacting with certain patients.

Government Response to Airborne Diseases:

• Guidelines for Reducing Indoor Respiratory Particle Circulation: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlined actions people can take to reduce the amount of respiratory particles circulating indoors. 
• Guidebook by WHO: An 83-page guide that can be used to evaluate the risk of airborne COVID-19 spread was released by the WHO itself in March.
• Mandating Indoor Air Quality Standards: Some researchers have proposed mandating indoor air quality standards for public buildings. 

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Context:

As per the latest data from the Global Forest Watch monitoring project, India has lost 2.33 million hectares of tree cover since 2000, equivalent to a 6% decrease in tree cover.

More on News:  

• According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the rate of deforestation in India was 668,000 hectares per year between 2015 and 2020, the second highest worldwide.

Crucial Insights on Data Provided by the Global Forest Watch:

• A Huge Loss: India lost 4,14,000 hectares of humid primary forest (4.1%) from 2002 to 2023, making up 18% of its total tree cover loss.
  • The data showed that 95% of the tree cover loss in India from 2013 to 2023 occurred within natural forests.
• On Carbon Emission: Between 2001 and 2022, forests in India emitted 51 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year (in total, 1.12 gigatons) and removed 141 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year. 
  • It represents a net carbon sink of 89.9 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent a year.
• Maximum Loss: In 2017, India faced a maximum tree cover loss of 189,000 hectares. 
  • India lost 175,000 hectares of tree cover in 2016 and 144,000 hectares in 2023.
• On State Data: Five states (all northeastern states) accounted for 60% of all tree cover loss between 2001 and 2023.

• • Assam had the maximum tree cover loss at 324,000 hectares compared to an average of 66,600 hectares. 
  • Mizoram lost 312,000 hectares of tree cover.
  • Arunachal Pradesh lost 262,000 hectares.
  • Nagaland lost 259,000 hectares.
  • Manipur lost 240,000 hectares.
• Tree Cover Loss Due To Fires: India lost 35,900 hectares of tree cover due to fires from 2002 to 2022, with 2008 recording the maximum tree cover loss due to fires (3,000 hectares).
  • Data on States: From 2001 to 2022, Odisha faced the highest loss, an average of 238 hectares lost per year. 
    • Arunachal Pradesh lost 198 hectares, Nagaland 195 hectares, Assam 116 hectares, and Meghalaya 97 hectares.
• Raised Concerns: 
  • Impact on Climate Change: Forests are both a sink and a source for carbon, removing carbon dioxide from the air when standing or regrowing and emitting it when cleared or degraded. Loss of forests, thus, accelerates climate change.
    • Carbon sink refers to any system that absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than it releases, effectively removing this carbon dioxide from the air.
  • Technical & Monitoring Challenges: The existence of tree cover does not always make a forest, tree cover loss does not always imply forest loss or deforestation, and tree cover gain does not always imply forest gain or restoration.
    • Measuring these variables directly poses technical challenges, since most definitions of forest involve a combination of tree cover and land use. 
      • The latter is much more difficult to monitor using satellite imagery.
• Significance of Data: GFW data represents the best available spatial figures on how forests are changing around the world. However, changes have occurred to the data over time due to algorithm adjustments and improved satellite data.
  • Therefore, the GFW cautions users against comparing old and new data, especially before/after 2015.

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Context:

Recently, a report has been published by the Bretton Woods Committee’s Multilateral Reform Working Group (MRWG) on strengthening the Bretton Woods Institutions in order to address the 21st-century global challenges.

More on News:

• This year of 2024 marks the 80th anniversary of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. 
• Both these institutions were born of the Bretton Woods conference, held in 1944 as allied nations sought to regulate the international financial order after World War II.

• The spring meetings of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are being held from April 15-20 in Washington, DC to discuss the progress on issues of international development, debt, economic recovery and climate. 
• The IMF’s mandate is maintaining global economic stability, while the World Bank’s evolved mission is to “create a world free from poverty on a liveable planet”. 

Crucial Insights of the Bretton Woods Committee’s Multilateral Reform Working Group Report:

• Need of Multilateralism: Over the last 80 years, multilateralism led by the international financial institutions (IFIs) has helped in achieving high growth supported by the expansion of globalization in goods, services, information flows, and people-to people exchanges and have benefited large parts of the global population.

• Raised Concerns: 
  • Crises in the Global Commons: These have dominated and had a profoundly negative effect on the world economy. 
    • The effective management of the global commons represents the most significant and pressing challenge facing both national governments and the multilateral institutions.
  • Slow Progress on Challenges Addressal: Despite the agreement that action is needed urgently, substantive progress in addressing these challenges has been slow.
    • Of all the global challenges, climate change is most concerning. 
    • However, technical advances over the past few decades have improved and made more rapid progress to improve the economics of reducing carbon emissions. 
  • Existence of Gaps: There are following substantive gaps that exist in both the public and the private sectors, particularly with respect to climate change:

• Significance of Multilateralism: The World Bank and the IMF, given their global membership, shareholding model, and weighted voting structures are best placed to fill the global leadership role to make progress.
  • Recent global proposals such as the Bridgetown Initiative, G20 multilateral development bank (MDB) reports, and World Bank Evolution Roadmap are evidence that BWIs as well-suited vehicles to address global commons issues. Financial Framework: The World Bank can help with financing adaptation efforts, designing energy strategies, and introducing financial instruments to facilitate climate-change mitigation in coordination with other multilateral bodies and the private sector. 
  • Regional multilateral development banks can expand their role by helping countries de-risk investments in climate-related projects.

Way Forward:

• Coordinated & Timely Action: The focus needs to shift toward coordinating actions that will help set priorities for mitigation and adaptation, and mobilize the requisite financial resources. 
  • There are also various levels of cooperation with other institutions in the system which are working in their areas of comparative advantage—like the OECD, FSB, IEA, UNFCCC, UN-DESA, FATF and others.
  • Timeliness is of the essence, as delays will lead to a bigger rise in global temperatures, more volatile weather, and greater negative social, environmental, and economic consequences.
• Taking a Gap-Based Approach: It can be usefully applied to challenges of the global commons. 
  • The substantive gaps that exist must be addressed.
  • Filling gaps in the private sector’s current approach will require mandatory global disclosure standards (along the lines of what the International Sustainability Standards Board has proposed) to ensure accurate measures of private entities’ carbon footprints, net-zero goals, and corresponding asset allocations. 
• Strengthening the Roles of the Bank and Fund: There is a need to strengthen these institutions, as themselves they have already made determined progress in integrating climate into their missions (e.g., the World Bank’s new mission statement) and operations (e.g., the IMF’s nascent Resilience and Sustainability Trust and its comprehensive climate strategy).
  • The IMF’s two existing ministerial bodies, the International Monetary and Financial Committee and the Development Committee, are currently advisory; but they could transition to a decision-making role. 
• Public-Private Collaboration: Recognizing that the bulk of financing must come from the private sector, these institutions are also best positioned to help governments bring the private sector together around common standards, practices, and instruments to ensure their alignment with global goals. 
  • Example: Corporate actors have demonstrated commitment through the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) but could be made more effective by being aligned with a global agenda. 
  • To do so effectively, the BWIs’ institutional mandates need to be augmented, not supplanted, and they need strengthened governance structures, operating models, and financial firepower.
• Creation of the Ministerial-level Decision-making Councils: The new councils would be more inclusive, giving more voice to middle- and low-income countries (MLICs). 
  • Member states would vote proportionally according to their quota share, but they would do so individually, rather than by constituency. This would also enable “coalitions of the willing” to form around specific issues.
  • The BWIs must be empowered to support MLICs as they work toward national goals such as expanding green energy, phasing out coal, accelerating climate-adaptation programs, and protecting forests.
• Adequate Financial Framework: The IMF can help shape and assess the fiscal and financial frameworks according to which green policies and investments are adopted and implemented in advanced and developing economies. 
• More Surveillance: The IMF could further incorporate monitoring in its surveillance work. 
  • It can offer objective assessments of the global macroeconomic and trade implications of cross-border carbon-adjustment taxes, the potential international sharing of their proceeds, and how such taxes can complement global carbon markets. 
  • Moreover, together with the World Bank, the IMF can develop tools to help MLICs respond to these regimes.
• Measurement of Accountability: The IMF and the World Bank’s existing evaluation arms start conducting systematic reviews of climate financing and implementation plans.

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Context:

Recently, the Allahabad High Court has observed that UP ‘Anti-Conversion’ law prohibits live-In relation between interfaith.

More on News:  

• The Gujarat government recently clarified that Buddhism and Hinduism must be considered as two separate religions for religious conversions in the state.
• Recently, a UK-based Christian advocacy group has urged India to repeal the anti-conversion laws enacted by about a dozen states after the national polls.

About Religious Conversions: 

• About: Religious conversion involves abandoning adherence to one denomination and affiliating with another. It involves adoption of a set of beliefs identified with one particular religion denomination to the exclusion of the others. 
• Challenge: According to the various Judicial Pronouncements, forceful religious conversion is against the basic Fundamental Rights of the Indian Constitution. 
• • Article 14 (Equality before the Law), 
  • Article 21 (Right to Life), 
  • Article 25 (Freedom of Conscience & Freedom to Profess, Practice & Propagate the Religion) 

Anti-Conversion Laws in India:

• Deals with: Anti-Conversion laws are legislative measures aimed at preventing or prohibiting religious conversions. 
• Background & Status of Anti-Conversion Laws in India:
  • Pre-Independence Era: 
    • Before Independence, several Hindu princely states such as Raigarh, Bikaner, Kota, Jodhpur, Surguja, Patna, Udaipur, and Kalahandi implemented anti-conversion laws to curb missionary activities aimed at spreading Christianity. 
  • Post-Independence Period:
    • Parliamentary Bills: In 1954 and 1960, Parliament took up the Indian Conversion (Regulation and Registration) Bill and the Backward Communities (Religious Protection) Bill for Considerations.
      • Both aimed to halt conversions but were eventually abandoned due to lack of support. 
      • No Central Law: Currently there is no specific law framed by the central government specific to religious conversion.
  • Indian Penal Code, 1860: 
    • Sections 295 A and 298 of the Indian Penal Code criminalize forced conversion, targeting acts intended to hurt religious sentiments maliciously. 

Need for an Anti-Conversion Law in India:

• To Protect Traditions and Beliefs: To prevent conflicts arising from religious conversions while maintaining the influence of specific religions. 
• To Protect Social Conflicts: Anti-Conversion laws are necessary to prevent conflicts within a community that can arise from religious conversions.
• To Address Concerns of Fraudulent Marriages: In the recent past, various cases have come to the notice that whereby people marry persons of other religion by either misrepresentation or concealment of their own religion and after getting married they force such other person to convert to their own religion. 
• Judicial Acknowledgement: The Supreme Court has acknowledged incidents of forced conversion, highlighting their violation of an individual’s right to freedom of religion and impact on the secular society’s foundation.

Concerns Associated with Anti-Conversion Laws in India:

• Violation of Fundamental Rights: The Indian Constitution upholds freedom as a fundamental right, including freedom of religion. However, anti-conversion laws can pose a threat to this foundational principle.

• • Such laws not only violate religious freedom but also infringe upon other constitutional rights, such as the Right to Life and Personal Liberty (Article 21) and the Right to Equality (Article 14). 
• Threat of Discrimination: These anti-conversion laws can be misused to discriminate against certain religious groups, particularly minority religions. 
  • In a secular nation like India, protecting the rights of vulnerable and marginalized communities should take precedence over imposing restrictions on religious conversion.
• Social Circumstances and Wellbeing: Individuals sometimes change their religion due to social pressures or for their own wellbeing. Anti-conversion laws could disproportionately affect these individuals and their freedom to make personal choices. 
• Vague Terminology: Anti-Conversion laws in India contain certain vague terminology like misrepresentation, force, fraud that can be misused.

Way Forward: 

• Reference to International Standards: Article 18 of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights underscores the right to freedom of religion, including the ability to change one’s faith. This international standard highlights the importance of uniformity in addressing religious conversion laws. 
• Proposal for Central Model Law: Given that religious conversion laws fall under state jurisdiction, the central government needs to formulate a model law similar to existing frameworks like the Model Law on Contract Farming. This would promote consistency and clarity across states. 
• Clarity in Legislative Provisions: States should avoid incorporating vague or ambiguous provisions in their anti-conversion laws, particularly regarding the process for voluntary conversions. Clear guidelines ensure protection for individuals wishing to convert of their own choice.
• Inclusion of Minority Community Institutions: Anti-conversion laws should encompass provisions outlining the valid procedures for conversion by minority community institutions. This ensures that such institutions are recognized and empowered within the legal framework. 
• Public Awareness and Education: Efforts are needed to educate the public about the provisions and implications of anti-conversion laws. 
• Need to Maintain a Balance: The Supreme Court of India has upheld the constitutionality of anti-conversion laws as long as they do not interfere with an individual’s right to freedom of religion. 
  • It is therefore important to strike a balance between safeguarding individual freedoms and protecting against forced or fraudulent conversions while ensuring the rights and liberties of all individuals are respected.

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