Context

China launched its second mission to the far side of the Moon. If successful, it will be the world’s first mission to bring back samples from the far side of the Moon.

• China’s Exclusive Far Side Moon Exploration: China is the only country to achieve a soft-landing on the far side of the Moon. 
  • In 2019, its Chang’e-4 mission landed on the region and explored the Moon’s Von Karman crater with the help of a rover.

Chang’e-6 Mission

Chang’e-6 mission is a 53-day-long mission. After reaching the Moon’s orbit, the mission’s orbiter will circle the natural satellite while its lander will descend into the 2,500-kilometer-wide South Pole-Aitken basin on the lunar surface.

• Sample Collection: After collecting samples through scooping and drilling, the lander will launch an ascent vehicle, which will transfer the samples to the orbiter’s service module. 
  • This module will then return to the Earth.
• Significance: The impact that formed the basin is believed to have excavated material from the lunar mantle. If scientists can retrieve this material, they can gain valuable insights into the Moon’s internal history.

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Significance of the Far Side of the Moon

The Moon’s far side is often referred to as the dark side because it cannot be seen from the Earth. Due to tidal locking with Earth, only one side of the Moon, known as the near side, is observable from our planet.

• Objective: To land on the far side of the moon, collect up to 2000 grams of lunar material, and return to Earth, marking a first-of-its-kind mission.
• Features: It features a thicker crust, an abundance of craters, and a scarcity of maria, which are the plains formed by ancient lava flows.
• Significance: Free from exposure to Earth and other interference, the moon’s far side is ideal for radio astronomy and other scientific work.
• Insights into Lunar Origins: Examining the samples from the far side can help scientists solve mysteries about the origin and evolution of the Moon.
  • Till now, scientists have only been able to analyze samples from the near side. 

Moon Mission of India/Chandrayaan-4 Mission

Chandrayaan-4 is the first step towards achieving the goal of India landing an astronaut on the moon in 2040.

• Objective: It will collect samples and bring it back to Earth demonstrating the full cycle of going to the moon and coming back to Earth.
• Difference with Chang’e 6 Mission: While Chang’e 6 mission aims to bring back samples from the Moon’s far side, India’s Chandrayaan 4 mission is being built to bring samples from the Moon’s south pole region. It is expected to be launched in 2027

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Context

A male orangutan, on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, has been recorded by German and Indonesian scientists using a medicinal plant Akar Kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria), or yellow root to treat a wound on his face.

Orangutan Self-Medicates Wound Using Medicinal Leaves, In First For Wild Animals

A male Sumatran orangutan named Rakus sustained a face injury.

• • Three days following the injury, Rakus selectively plucked leaves of Akar Kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria), chewed them, and applied the resulting juice onto the facial wound for several minutes. 
  • Finally, he fully covered the wound with the chewed leaves. 
• Significance: The observation suggests that the cognitive capacities that are needed for the active wound treatment with plants may be as old as the last common ancestor of orangutans and humans.

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Self-medication in Non-humans

• Natural Remedies Among Great Apes: The great apes are known to ingest specific plants to treat parasite infection and to rub plant material on their skin to treat sore muscles. 
  • Ex- a chimpanzee group in Gabon was observed applying insects to wounds.
  • However, the treatment of a wound with a biologically active substance has so far not been documented.

Akar Kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria)

• Habitat: It is indigenous to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. 
• This plant, widely distributed across China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia.
• Medicinal Properties: This plant along with others in its family is recognized for its analgesic and antipyretic properties. 
  • Local communities indeed employ these plants in traditional medicine to address various ailments, including malaria.
• Wound Healing Properties: It has furanoditerpenoids and protoberberine alkaloids, which possess antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antioxidant, and other biological properties pertinent to wound healing.

Orangutans (‘Man of the forest’)

They are one of the extant species of great apes. The others are the Common Chimpanzee, Gorilla and the Chimpanzee or Bonobo.

• • Orangutans are the least closely related to humans but still share approximately 97% of our DNA.
• Arboreal Mammals: Orangutan means “person of the forest” in the Indonesian and Malay languages, and these apes are the world’s biggest arboreal mammal.
• Social structure: Orangutans, adapted to living in trees, live more solitary lives than other great apes, sleeping and eating fruit in the forest canopy and swinging from branch to branch.
  • They make nests in trees of vegetation to sleep at night and rest during the day. 
• Cognitive Abilities: Orangutans have high cognitive abilities and are known to be excellent problem-solvers. 
  • Wild orangutans acquire their skill sets via observational social learning, and skills get passed on from generation to generation. 
• Types of Male Orangutan:  There are two different types of adult male orangutan- flanged and unflanged. 
  • Flanged Males: They have prominent cheek pads called flanges and a throat sac used to make loud verbalizations called ‘long calls’. They also have a long coat of dark hair on their back.
  • Unflanged Males: They look like an adult female. Both reproduce and an unflanged male can change to a flanged male for reasons that are not yet fully understood.  
    • Orang-utans are the only primate in which this biological phenomenon occurs.
• Life cycle:  Orang-utans can live up to 50 years in the wild. Females first reproduce between 10-15 years of age. 
  • They give birth at most once every 5 years, and the interval between babies can be as long as 10 years.
• Reproduction and Development: Gestation is seven-and-a-half to eight-and-a-half months. 
  • The orangutan has the longest period of dependence on the mother of any other land-dwelling animal, including humans.
• Distribution: The orangutans are found on the islands of Sumatra in Indonesia and Borneo, which is divided between Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.

• Types of Orangutans: There are three types of orangutans taxonomically — the Sumatran, the Bornean and the Tapanuli.
  • Sumatran Orangutans: Sumatran orangutans have longer facial hair. The Bornean and Sumatran species have shaggy reddish fur.
    • They are reported to have closer social bonds than their Bornean cousins.
    • The Sumatran orangutan is almost exclusively arboreal. 
    • Females virtually never travel on the ground and adult males do so only rarely. This is in contrast to Bornean orang-utans, especially adult males, which more often descend to the ground.
  • Bornean orangutan: It differs in appearance from the Sumatran orangutan, with a broader face and shorter beard and also slightly darker in color. 
  • Tapanuli Orangutan: The third species of orangutan was announced in November, 2017. 
    • With no more than 800 individuals in existence, it is the most endangered of all great apes. 
    • Habitat: It lives in North Sumatra, but is genetically and behaviorally distinct from the two other species.
• IUCN Status: Critically Endangered:

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CEO of OpenAI expressed a commitment towards the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). 

What is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)?

In ‘Computing Machinery and Intelligence’ (1950), Alan Turing introduced the Turing test, a benchmark for machine intelligence. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) refers to a machine or a software that can perform any intellectual task that a human can do. This includes reasoning, common sense, abstract thinking, background knowledge, transfer learning, ability to differentiate between cause and effect, etc.

• Objective:  To emulate human cognitive abilities such that it allows it to do unfamiliar tasks, learn from new experiences, and apply its knowledge in new ways.
  • With AGI, researchers aim to build a software or computer that can do everything that a human computer does.
  • It will work like a super-intelligent robot capable of comprehending everything humans say, acquiring new knowledge akin to human learning, and generating solutions for complex problems.
• Difference between AGI and Artificial Intelligence/Narrow AI: Narrow AI is designed to perform specific tasks such as image recognition, translation, but it remains limited to its set parameters. 
  • On the other hand, AGI envisions a broader, more generalized form of intelligence, not confined to any particular task (like humans).

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Significance of Artificial General Intelligence

• Healthcare:  It can redefine diagnostics, treatment planning, and personalized medicine by integrating and analyzing vast datasets, far beyond the capabilities of humans.
• Finance and business: AGI could automate various processes and enhance the overall decision-making, offering real-time analytics and market predictions with accuracy.
• Education: AGI could transform adaptive learning systems that work towards the unique needs of students. This could potentially democratize access to personalized education worldwide.
• Economy: AGI will lead to a lot of productivity and economic value promising unprecedented problem-solving capabilities and creative expression.

Concerns Related to Artificial General Intelligence

• Environmental Implications: The immense computational power needed raises environmental concerns, stemming from both energy consumption and the generation of electronic waste.
• Job Losses: AGI could lead to a significant loss of employment, and widespread socio-economic disparity, where power would be concentrated in the hands of those who control the AGI.
• Security Concerns:  It could introduce new security vulnerabilities creating challenges for the governments in the absence of adequate regulations. 
• Loss of Human Skills: If humans become too much dependent on AGI, it might lead to the loss of basic human skills and capabilities.
• AGI Autonomy: Its capabilities could surpass those of human beings, rendering its actions challenging to comprehend and forecast. 
  • This could potentially result in a scenario where it attains an excessive level of autonomy, to the extent that humans lose control and take actions detrimental to human welfare.

Conclusion

Stringent regulations are needed to ensure that the development of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is in line with human values and safety standards

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Context

A Blue Corner notice is likely to be issued against an absconding MP from Karnataka by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

• The MP fled to Germany on a diplomatic passport. He is accused of sexual harassment and abuse of  party workers and other women.

A Blue Corner notice

Blue Corner notice is a part of Interpol’s elaborate system of color-coded notices which  enable countries to share alerts and requests for information on wanted criminals across the globe.

• A Blue Notice is issued to collect additional information about a person’s identity, location or activities in relation to a criminal investigation.
• As enquiry notices: They are issued for identity verification; to obtain particulars of a person’s criminal record; to locate someone who is missing or is an identified or unidentified international criminal or is wanted for a violation of ordinary criminal law and whose extradition may be requested.
• Blue notices are issued prior to or immediately after the filing of criminal charges.

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The International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL)

It was founded in 1923 as the International Criminal Police Commission (ICPC). In 1956, the ICPC adopted a new constitution and was thus  named INTERPOL.

• Objective: INTERPOL facilitates worldwide police cooperation and crime control and is the world’s largest international police organisation.
• Membership: 196 as on 2023 including India
• Headquarters:  Lyon, France.
• Official Languages: Arabic, French, English and Spanish 
• Organization: It has seven regional bureaus worldwide and a National Central Bureau (NCB) in all its member states which acts as a central point of contact for the general Secretariat of Interpol and other NCBs
  • Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is designated as National Central Bureau of India.
• INTERPOL notices: These notices are issued by the Interpol’s General Secretariat at the request of a member country’s Interpol National Central Bureau, and are made available for all member countries.

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Context

The Geographical Indication (GI) certificate was awarded to the traditional artisans of ‘Kutch Ajrakh from the Kutch region in Gujarat.

Ajrakh Gets GI tag

For the artisans of Kutch Ajrakh, this certification validates their craftsmanship and safeguards their traditional knowledge and techniques from exploitation or misappropriation.

• It will provide a platform for artisans to showcase their craftsmanship on a global stage while fostering sustainable livelihoods within the community. 

Ajrakh

It is a time-honored textile craft in the Sindh, Barmer, and Kutch region of Gujrat. In Kutch, the villages of Dhamadka and Ajrakhpur serve as strongholds of the Ajrakh tradition, where artisans persist in employing time-honored techniques inherited through generations. 

• Origin: Its origin dates back 400 years to the introduction of the craft by Sind Muslims to the region. 
• Ajrakh Art: The art of Ajrakh involves hand-block printing on treated cotton fabric, resulting in elaborate designs infused with deep symbolism and historical significance. 
• It involves acquiring natural vegetable and mineral dyes and employing intricate resist printing and dyeing methods.

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About Geographical Indication (GI)

• Meaning: A GI tag is a sign that identifies a product as originating from a specific geographical region and having a distinctive quality or reputation.
• Prohibition: It prevents its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable standards. 
  • However, it does not enable the holder to prevent someone from making a product using the same techniques as those set out in the standards for that indication. 
• Applicability: It is used for Agricultural products, foodstuffs, wine and spirit drinks, handicrafts, and industrial products.
• Nodal Agency:  Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Validity: 10 years
• Granted by: Geographical Indication Registry in Chennai.
• Legal Framework:  Agreement on TRIPS at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) governs GI.
• The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999 seeks to provide for the registration and better protection of geographical indications relating to goods in India.
• Significance of GI Tag: The GI tag, a mark of authenticity and origin, provides legal protection to products, services, or arts originating from specific geographical regions.

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Context

For the first time, researchers have made a super thin sheet of gold that is only one atom thick. 

One-Atom Gold Sheet Created with ‘Murakami Method’

• This discovery means that gold can now be made into flat, two-dimensional sheets
• To get a free-standing, one-atom thick gold layer, scientists used “Murakami method” inspired by Japanese technique 
  • They used a special chemical called Murakami’s reagent, similar to how traditional Japanese swords are made.

What is Goldene?

Goldene is a special form of gold called a 2-dimensional allotrope. It shows that it’s a different arrangement of gold atoms.

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• Thickness: It is 400 times thinner than gold leaf
• Structure: It has a unique quality where its structure is 9% smaller compared to regular gold. 
• Properties: New gold form has unique traits like graphene.
  • Gold is typically a metal, but a single-atom thick layer can transform it into a semiconductor.
  • Just like how graphene behaves differently from regular carbon, this new gold behaves differently from standard gold.

• Future Applications of Goldene:

  • Carbon dioxide conversion
  • Hydrogen-generating catalysis
  • Selective production of value-added chemicals
  • Hydrogen production
  • Water purification
  • Telecommunications

Process of Creating Goldene

• Initial Steps: Researchers started by layering a single sheet of silicon atoms between titanium carbide layers.
• Deposition of Gold: Gold was deposited on top of this structure.
  • The gold atoms replaced the silicon atoms and formed a monolayer of gold atoms trapped within.
• Etching Process: The titanium carbide layers were then etched away using an age-old Japanese technique involving Murakami’s reagent.  

Challenges in making Goldene

• Traditional obstacle: Gold tends to cluster together which makes it difficult to create single-atom sheets.
  • Previous 2D Materials: Two-dimensional (2D) materials have been created since the discovery of graphene in 2004 but  producing thin metallic sheets created difficulties due to metals’ tendency to form nanoparticles.
    • Innovative Solution: Researchers from LiU used Murakami’s reagent. 
      • Murakami’s reagent is an ancient Japanese technique, to address this challenge.
    • Murakami’s Reagent in Action
      • Process Complexity: Precision in the etching process was crucial to ensure the successful creation of Goldene.
      • Absence of light: Operations had to be conducted in the absence of light.
        • It added another layer of complexity to the process.

About Gold (Au)

Gold (Au) is a chemical element. It is renowned for its dense, lustrous, and yellow appearance. It Belongs to Group 11 (Ib) and Period 6 of the periodic table.

Physical Properties of Gold (Au):

Here are the physical properties of gold are as follows;

• Appearance: Soft yellow metal.
• Ductility and Malleability: Highest among metals.
• Crystal Structure: Cubic system.
• Conductivity: High thermal and electrical.
• Isotopes: 197Au natural; 19 artificial (185Au to 203Au).
• Radioactivity: Artificial isotopes have half-lives from seconds to 199 days.
• Magnetism: Pure gold and most alloys are nonmagnetic.
• Gold Alloys: Commonly with silver and copper.
• Carat Golds: Expresses gold content (e.g., 24 carats is pure gold).
• Alloying Metals: Forms alloys with many metals like silver and copper.
• Mercury and Gold: Mercury forms amalgams with gold, useful for extraction.

Chemical Properties of Gold (Au):

Here is a summary of the chemical properties of gold:

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As per a study by the Kerala State Forest Protective Staff Organisation (KSFPSO), removing exotic plants from forest areas will help ensure food for wild elephants at Chinnakkanal in Munnar.

• KSFPSO is an association of frontline forest officers,

Exotic Plant Species in Kerala State

• Exotic Species Invasion in Forestland: Exotic plant species have been found in nearly 4,000 hectares of forestland in the district. 
  • The Chinnakkanal landscape is dominated by West Indian Lantana (known locally as kongini), hindering other plant species’ growth and impeding animal access.
• Absence of Prey in Exotic Plant-Filled Forests: The presence of wild animals, including tiger and leopard has been detected in the adjacent areas due to the absence of prey in forests filled with exotic plant species.
  • In forested areas abundant with exotic trees, the absence of other vegetation prevents the movement of wild animals, including elephants. 
• Critical Measures: Removing exotic species such as Acacia mearnsii (black wattle) and eucalyptus from forests is vital to addressing the problems.
• Transitioning these regions into natural grasslands would ensure food and water sources for wild elephants in Chinnakkanal, including the landscape. 

Invasive Species in India

• About: An invasive species can be any kind of living organism (plant, insect, fish, fungus, bacteria, an amphibian,  that is not native to an ecosystem.
  • For Example: Water hyacinth
• Concerns: They can harm the environment, the economy or even human health by the destruction of native species and local biodiversity.

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Common Exotic Plant Species in India

• Common Lantana: It is an annual or perennial, small, broadleaf evergreen shrub native to the West Indies and Mexico to Tropical America. 
  • Distinctive Trait:  This invasive weed stands out because of its rapid spread, intensity of infestation, allelopathy, opportunistic growth behavior, reproductive biology traits and strong resistance to cutting and burning. 
  • Invasive Impact: In the Indian subcontinent, it has invaded vast tracts of dry-moist forests and other culturable wastelands, and has potentially altered biodiversity, landscape ecology and ecosystem services. 

• • • Its invasion has resulted in the scarcity of native forage plants for wild herbivores and it has invaded more than 40% of India’s tiger range.
  • Eucalyptus: It is a fast-growing evergreen tree native to Australia. The eucalyptus tree oil is used as an antiseptic, a perfume, as Forest Fires In India: Statistics, Causes, Impact, Initiativesan ingredient in cosmetics, as a flavoring, in dental preparations, and in industrial solvents.
    • Distinctive Trait: It is adapted to grow in a wide range of climatic regimes or soil types and grows rapidly and establishes itself easily; etc. With these attributes, it can outcompete/displace native species for space, access to nutrients and water, etc. 
  • Acacia Mearnsii: It is a fast growing leguminous tree native to Australia. It is used as a commercial source of tannin or a source of fire wood for local communities. 
  • Distinctive Trait: It threatens native habitats by competing with indigenous vegetation, replacing grass communities, reducing native biodiversity and increasing water loss from riparian zones.
    • The invasiveness of this species is partly due to its ability to produce large amounts of long-lived seeds and the development of a large crown (which shades other vegetation). 
    • Its leaves and branches may have allelopathic properties. 

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Context

Recently, Supreme Court in Maya Gopinathan v. Anoop S.B. & Anr. reiterates that Stridhan’ Is Wife’s Absolute Property, Husband Holds No Title Over It.

Supreme Court’s Verdict on Stridhan

• Supreme Court’s Verdict on Stridhan: 
  • A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta declared that stridhan is absolute property of a woman, granting her full authority to dispose of it as she sees fit. 
  • while the husband has no control over the same, he can use it in times of distress. 
    • However, he bears a moral responsibility to reimburse its value to his wife. 
• Precedent from Rashmi Kumar v. Mahesh Kumar Bhada (1997): 
  • Citing the precedent set in the case of Rashmi Kumar v. Mahesh Kumar Bhada (1997), the Supreme Court affirmed that stridhan property does not become a joint property of the wife and the husband. 
  • The latter has no title or independent dominion over the property.

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Streedhan 

• The word Stridhan has been derived from the words ‘Stri’ meaning a woman and the word ‘dhana’ meaning property.
• Streedhan refers to gifts, money or property that a woman receives before her marriage, at the time of her marriage, during childbirth or widowhood, primarily from her parents, relatives or in-laws.
• It is considered her exclusive property and is meant to provide her with financial security and independence within her marital relationship.

How is Streedhan acquired ?

Laws relating to Streedhan

• A woman’s right to her Streedhan is protected under law. S. 14 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 read with S. 27 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955,
  • “even if it is placed in the custody of her husband or her in-laws, they would be deemed to be trustees and bound to return the same if and when demanded by her”. 
• Domestic Violence Act, 2005 : 
  • Sec. 12 of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005 provides for women the right to her Streedhan in cases where she is a victim of domestic violence. 
    • The provisions of this law can be easily invoked for recovery of Streedhan.
    • The magistrate may direct the respondent to return to the possession of the aggrieved person her Streedhan or any other property or valuable security to which she is entitled. 
  • Again u/s 18(ii) of the Domestic Violence Act the law says that a woman is entitled to receive the possession of the Streedhan, jewellery, clothes and other necessary items. 
    • The term ‘economic abuse’ has also been provided under the Act. 

Powers Associated with Streedhan to Elevate Women’s Status

Ownership of stridhan has become a symbol of status in society, equating women’s status with that of men. It grants women a sense of authority and ownership over their property, fostering independence and empowerment. 

• Succession Authority: In the event of a Hindu woman dying intestate, her stridhan devolves upon her heirs, granting them succession rights. 
• Management Privileges: Women hold sole authority over the management of their stridhan property, including possession and expenditure, aligned with their preferences. 
• Alienation Rights: Female owners, despite having limited estate rights, possess the power of alienation under certain circumstances, such as legal necessity, estate benefit, or religious duties. 
• Surrender Options: Women can voluntarily surrender their stridhan during their lifetime or through death, transferring it to their nearest successor. However, specific preconditions must be met for a valid surrender. 

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Stridhan Vs Dowry 

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Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) said that India has one of the most stringent standards of maximum residue limits (MRLs) in the world and rejected reports suggesting that food regulator FSSAI allows high levels of residues in spices and herbs.

FSSAI denies claims of high pesticide in Indian herbs, spices

• Reason for Such Clarification: It comes amid a ban imposed by the Hong Kong food regulator on certain spice mix of two leading Indian brands MDH and Everest on alleged presence of pesticide Ethylene Oxide in their samples. 
  • • Ethylene oxide is a cancer-causing agent which raises the risk of breast cancer and lymphoma.
  • The Singapore food regulator ordered a recall of one spice product of the Everest brand.
  • Also, the European Union’s food safety authorities flagged the presence of cancer-causing chemicals in 527 food products originating from India.

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About Pesticides

A pesticide is any substance or mixture of substances intended for preventing, destroying, or controlling any pest.

• Classification: 
  • On the basis of Chemical Classes:
    • Organic Pesticides: They are usually considered as those pesticides that come from natural sources. These natural sources are usually plants, as in the case of pyrethrum, rotenone, or ryania (botanical insecticides).
      • They are classified according to their chemical structure, such as chlorohydrocarbon, insecticides, organophosphorus insecticides, etc
    • Inorganic Pesticides: They do not contain carbon elements in their chemical structure. They are typically derived from mineral ores extracted from the earth.
      • It includes copper sulfate, ferrous sulfate, copper, lime, and sulfur.
  • On the basis of Different Targets of Pests:
    • Fungicides: Fungi, 
    • Insecticides: Insects, 
    • Herbicides: Plants, and 
    • Rodenticides: Rodent (mice and rats)
• Registration: Pesticides in India are registered with the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, an attached office under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

Status of Pesticides In India

• In Production: India is the fourth largest global producer of agrochemicals after the U.S., Japan, and China. 

• • The pesticide market size in India is estimated to be ₹229.4 billion in 2022, and it is expected to reach ₹342.3 billion by 2028, with a projected Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.6% to 4.08%.
  • Favorable Factors: 
    • Low manufacturing cost, low labor cost, technically trained manpower, and high production capacity. 
• In Export: According to the WTO, India has emerged as the second largest exporter of agrochemicals in the world, which was sixth 10 years back. 
  • In the financial year 2022-23, agrochemical exports from India reached US$ 5.4 Billion (Rs. 43,223 crores), up from US$4.9 billion (Rs.36,521 crores) in financial year 2021-2022. 
  • The U.S. is the largest buyer of India-made agrochemicals, followed by Brazil and Japan.
• States Consuming Most Pesticides: Maharashtra has consumed the most chemical pesticides in India in the past five years, followed by Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana.
• In Usage: According to FAO, India used over 61,000 tonnes of pesticides in 2020, which is relatively lower than that of Brazil, China, and Argentina.
  • Currently, 104 pesticides are being manufactured in India among 293 registered pesticides.
• Beginning of Production & Usage in India: The Green Revolution during the mid 1960s led to the use of yield-increasing inputs such as High Yield Variety (HYV) seeds, chemical fertilizers and pesticides, which significantly increased the production of food grains and other crops too.

About Pesticides Regulation in India

Pesticides are regulated under the Insecticides Act, 1968 and the Insecticides Rules, 1971. 

• • Insecticides Act, 1968: The Insecticides Act of 1968 covers the registration, manufacture and sale of pesticides in India.
    • It was brought with a view of regulating the import, manufacturing, sale, transport, distribution, and use of insecticides and pesticides to prevent the risk to human beings and animals.
    • Establishment of the Central Insecticides Board: It was established under Section 4 of the Act and it works under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
      • Mandate: The Central Insecticides Board advises the central government and state governments on technical matters arising out of the administration of the act and to carry out the other functions assigned to it.
• Data Examination: The Scientific Panel on Pesticides Residues of FSSAI examines the data received through Central Insecticide Board and Registration Committee (CIB & RC) and recommends the Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) after performing risk assessment considering the dietary consumption of the Indian population and health concerns in respect of all age groups.
  • The total pesticides registered by CIB & RC in India are more than 295, of which 139 pesticides are registered for use in spices. 

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About Global Pesticides Regulation

• The Codex Alimentarius Commission on Pesticide Residues: It is an international body that has adopted 243 pesticides, of which 75 are applicable for spices. 
  • The Codex Alimentarius is a collection of internationally recognized standards, codes of practice, guidelines, and other recommendations published by the Food and Agriculture Organization relating to food, its production, labeling, and safety.
• Mandate: The Codex panel has been set up to develop food standards under the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
• Accepted MRLs: There are different maximum residue limits of pesticides allowed for many food commodities based on risk assessment data. 
• Example: The use of pesticide monocrotophos is allowed on many crops with different MRLs such as rice at 0.03mg/kg, citrus fruits at 0.2mg/kg, coffee beans at 0.1 mg/kg and cardamom 0.5mg/kg, chilli at 0.2mg/kg. 
  • The FSSAI has clarified that MRL of 0.01mg/kg was applicable in case of pesticides for which MRLs have not been fixed. This limit was increased to 0.1mg/kg only in cases of spices and is applicable only for those pesticides which are not registered in India by CIB & RC.

Benefits of Pesticides

• Boost Yield: By minimizing crop losses, pesticides enable farmers to produce more food on the same amount of land, contributing to global food security and affordability.
  • About one-third of agricultural products are produced using pesticides. 
  • Without the use of pesticides, there would be a 78% loss of fruit production, a 54% loss of vegetable production, and a 32% loss of cereal production.
• Enhance Farmer Income and Guarantee Food Security: 
  • Doubling Farmers Income: India has set a goal to double farmer’s income. 

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• • • Higher incomes are a function of two factors, higher yields and lower costs which can be possible by the use of these 24 pesticides.
  • Improved Crop Quality: By controlling pests that blemish or damage crops, they can help maintain higher quality produce, allowing farmers to command better prices for their crops in the market.
  • Reduction in Losses: Pests can significantly damage crops which can be minimized with pesticides and a larger portion of the harvest will reach the market contributing to farmers’ income.
    • Insect pests can create crop damage between 20-30% including grains stored in the warehouse.
  • Increased Efficiency: By controlling weeds and other pests, they can reduce the need for manual labor in tasks like weeding and pest control. This can not only improve efficiency but also save farmers time and money.
• Expand the Scope of Export Potential:
• • Agri Export Targets: Agriculture accounts for 14% of merchandise exports and the value of India’s agricultural exports was $52 billion in the year 2022-23 according to the Commerce Ministry.
    • The ministry has set a target for commodities exports to cross $100 billion. 
  • Overcoming Export Challenges: To promote agriculture exports the government has already placed curbs on exports of wheat and rice and tightened restrictions on sugar and onion exports.
    • According to the Commerce Ministry’s estimates, the continuity of the pesticides will ensure Rs. 10,000 crores of exports.

Challenges with Pesticides

• Regulatory Concerns: Agriculture is a state subject, however its production, education and research are governed under the Insecticides Act, 1968, a central Act, and hence state governments have no direct role in amending it.
• International Market Dynamics: Exports from India, comprising 55% to the Latin America and United States markets, may face challenges in the immediate term, with struggles likely to persist until the November cropping season. 
  • The threat of potential dumping from China is large, as they continue to increase pesticide manufacturing capacities. If they look to lower prices to expand their market share in India, local markets can potentially be disrupted substantially.
• Increased Risk to Human Health: Inappropriate use of pesticides may lead to increased risks to human health and the environment.
  • Farmers: They are exposed to pesticide-contaminated soils via different pathways such as dermal contact, direct ingestion, and inhalation.

• • Consumers: Pesticides go up the food chain by working their way through the environment and into the soil or the water systems after which they are eaten by aquatic animals or plants and ultimately humans (the process is known as Biomagnification).
    • The most widely known organochlorine pesticide has been associated with health effects, such as endocrine disorders, lipid metabolism etc.
• Soil Degradation: They can also harm the microorganisms that live in soil, which are essential for solid health leading to decreased fertility and erosion.
  • From 1990 to 2018, there have been registered amounts of used pesticides by all countries, especially in Asia and America.
  • The world average quantity has increased from 1.55 kg per hectare in 1990 to 2.36 kg per hectare.
  • Agriculture: Continued use of pesticides for decades has impacted the Indian agriculture sector and its production.
• Pesticide Runoff: When pesticides are applied to crops, some of them can wash off the plants and into the soil and water. This can contaminate surface water, groundwater and even drinking water supplies.
  • In 2017, pesticides were found in 80% of groundwater bodies, with approximately a quarter of these exceeding the regulatory threshold of 0.5 μg/L for total detected and quantified pesticides and their metabolites.
• Harmful to Wildlife: They can harm non-target organisms, such as birds, fish, and bees. This can disrupt ecosystems and reduce biodiversity.
  • Recent studies prove that pesticides such as neonicotinoid insecticides and herbicides such as glyphosate play major roles in the decline of insects.

Way Forward

• Technological Advancement: Using drones, satellites, artificial intelligence, and sensor-based Internet of Things (IoT) will help farmers deliver more precise doses of pesticides.
  • These technologies will make it possible for farmers to spray their fields remotely and cut down exposure risks.
    • Drones, especially for nano urea and nano diammonium phosphates, are poised to play a pivotal role in boosting efficiency and sustainability, further supported by the central government’s introduction of the Drone Didi scheme. 
    • The synergy between fertilisers and pesticides is set to optimize drone utilisation, making the Drone-as-a-Service model (DaaS) more economically viable.
    • Precision agriculture, boosted by agritech, could significantly increase farmers’ incomes, reduce costs, and contribute an estimated $95 billion to the economy, as per McKinsey.
    • Example: In addressing the cotton pink bollworm issue, advancements in technology have become imperative. As existing GM technology is losing its effectiveness against pests like pink bollworm, newer agrochemical options are expected to gain traction. 
• Regulatory Support: Faster regulatory approval will support the industry. Regulatory support is crucial for introducing newer products, including herbicides, fungicides, and next-generation pesticides.
  • There is a need for a new, updated and required regulatory framework (implementation of the Pesticides Management Bill, 2020 with required changes).

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• Budgetary Support: To incentivise innovation, the government should consider measures such as tax breaks for agrochemical R&D expenditure, extension activities promoting right stewardship for Good Agricultural Practices at the farmer level, rationalizing GST on agrochemicals to 12% (from current 16%), and allocating sufficient budgetary resources to introduce performance-linked incentives (PLI) for ‘new’ agrochemical manufacturing in the country.
• Education & Awareness: In addition to educating farmers about the protective measures that need to be taken while spraying, special attention is being paid to educate farmers on the quantity and variety of crop protection solutions to be used for a particular crop. 
• Safety Advancements: The Agriculture Ministry mentions that the concerns regarding the safety of pesticide use are addressed through rigorous scientific evaluation, showing a significant reduction in the dosage of pesticides used today compared to the past.
  • The dosage of pesticides used today is 30-40% lower than in the past.
  • Internationally, Indian pesticide products are deemed safe by key export markets like the US, Brazil, Japan, Belgium, Argentina, and Australia.
• Greater Say to State Governments: State governments should have the power to regulate pesticides as they have a better idea about the agro-ecological aspects of their state.
• Green Alternative: They are successful alternative agro-ecological methods for pest management, both in India and globally, without the need for chemical pesticides. Continued research and innovation should accelerate the phase-out of chemicals.
  • The government is actively promoting organic farming through schemes like Paramapragat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
  • There is a need to encourage farmers to adopt fewer pesticides and Organic farming, Zero Budget Natural farming etc.

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