Context:

Recently, the retired chairperson of National Green Tribunal (NGT) said that compliance of NGT orders by governments continues to be a serious issue.

About National Green Tribunal:

• The NGT was established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 as a statutory and quasi-judicial body.
• It is also known  as the ‘Green Court of India’.
• It is not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 rather guided by principles of natural justice.
• Composition:
  • The act allows for up to 40 members (20 expert members and 20 judicial members).
  • Chairman is the administrative head of the tribunal, also serves as a judicial member and is required to be a serving or retired Chief Justice of a High Court or a judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• Purpose: 
  1. Effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
  2. To ensure enforcement of any legal right relating to the environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property.
• Time Limit to Dispose of applications or appeals:  Within 6 months of filing.
• Principal Place of Sitting: New Delhi
  • Regional Benches:  Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai
• Deals with cases under: 
  • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
  • Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
  • Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
  • Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

News Source: The Hindu

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

Ozempic, a diabetes drug, is increasingly becoming popular due to its advantage of  weight- loss potential.

About the Ozempic Drug:

• Ozempic is a brand name for the generic drug semaglutide, which is FDA-approved to treat Type-2 Diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels.
• It is administered by injection or can be taken orally. 
• Ozempic works by mimicking the effects of a hormone- called GLP-1, which is naturally produced in the body. 
  • GLP1 helps to regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating the release of insulin, slowing down the release of glucose from the liver.
• Concern: Ozempic face is the side effect of the drug that causes facial ageing, skin sagging.

News Source: The Hindu

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

Recently, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) published its World Investment Report 2023.

Key Findings of the World Investment Report 2023:

About India:

• India was the third largest recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) in greenfield projects in the world in 2022.
• The FDI flows into India rose 10 percent from $44.7 billion in 2021 to $49.3 billion in 2022. This is lower only than the FDI flows into the US and the UK.
• India was the second-largest recipient of international project finance in the world in 2022.
• The inflows into India in 2022 were, however, significantly lower than what was seen in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Global Trends:

• Top 5 Destinations for investment in Greenfield Projects: United States, United Kingdom, India, the United Arab Emirates and Germany 
• Top 5 Destinations for Project Finance Deals: USA, India, the United Kingdom, Spain and Brazil
• Widening Annual Investment Deficit: Developing countries face an annual gap of about $4 trillion per year as they work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. It is up from $2.5 trillion in 2015 when the SDGs were adopted.
• Investments in Renewables: 
  • Developing countries need renewable energy investments of about $1.7 trillion each year but attracted only $544 billion in clean energy FDI in 2022.
  • Although investments in renewables have nearly tripled since 2015, most of the money has gone to developed countries.
• India and ASEAN were the most buoyant recipients, with increases of 10 and 5 per cent, respectively, and strong growth in project announcements.
• China, the second largest FDI host country in the world, saw a 5% increase in FDI.

News Source: the print

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

The first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) campus outside the country will be set up in Tanzania.

More on News:

• The memorandum of understanding (MoU) for setting up the campus of IIT-Madras in Zanzibar was signed between India and Zanzibar.
• The admission criteria will be decided by IIT-Madras, and degrees will be conferred by the institute. 
• IIT-Madras will be responsible for planning pedagogical strategies for the offshore campus.
• The move is also in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which recommends that “high-performing Indian universities will be encouraged to set up campuses in other countries”.

About Zanzibar

• Zanzibar is an archipelago off the coast of East Africa that united with Tanganyika in 1964 to form the United Republic of Tanzania. 
• It is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania.

News Source: Hindustan Times 

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

The Prime Minister has paid tributes to Dr Syama Prasad Mukherjee on his birth anniversary (6th July)

Few facts about Syama Prasad Mukherjee:

• Birth: July 6, 1901 in Calcutta. 
• Political Career and Leadership Roles:
  • 1929: Mukherjee became a member of the Bengal Legislative Council. 
  • 1938: He was the youngest Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calcutta from 1934 to 1938
  • 1944: He became president of Hindu Mahasabha in 1944.
  • 1951: In 1951, Mukherjee founded the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
• Books Written: 
  1. A Phase of the Indian Struggle
  2. Pledge for an Integrated India
  3. Sane Advice to Save India
  4. Awake Hindusthan
• Resignation from the Union Cabinet: 
  • He was the Minister for Industry and supply in independent India.
  • He resigned from the Union cabinet due to differences over Liaquat-Nehru pact also known as the Delhi Pact, which was a bilateral agreement signed between India and Pakistan in order to provide a framework for the treatment of minorities in the two countries.

News Source: pib

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

Recently, ambergris, also known as floating gold, was found in the carcass of a sperm whale washed up on a shore of the Canary Island .

About Ambergris:

• Ambergris, which means grey amber in French, is a waxy substance that originates from the digestive system of protected sperm whales. 
• It is incorrectly referred to as whale vomit.
• One of the theories about its formation suggests that it is produced in the gastrointestinal tract of some sperm whales for the passage of hard, sharp objects that are ingested when the whale eats large quantities of marine animals.
• The ambergris is said to be passed like faeces and has a very strong faecal odour combined with a strong marine odour. 
• The freshly passed ambergris is a light yellowish substance and is fatty.
• As it ages it turns waxy and gets red-brownish, sometimes with shades of grey and black in colour and attains a mild, earthy, sweet smell but still with notes of mild marine odour.

Uses of Ambergris:

• Ambergris is a rare substance, which contributes to its high demand and high price in the international market. 
• Traditionally, it is used to produce perfumes which have notes of musk. 
• While there are records of it being used to flavour food, alcoholic beverages and tobacco in some cultures in the past, it is rarely used for these purposes presently.

Legalities in India:

• There is a ban on the possession and trade of ambergris in India.
• sperm whales:
• Habitat: It is found in temperate and tropical waters throughout the world.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • CITES : Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: schedule 2

News Source: Indian Express 

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context:

The Seventh edition of Indian Navy – US Navy (IN – USN) Salvage and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exercise, SALVEX was conducted recently at Kochi. 

About SALVEX:

• IN and USN have been participating in joint Salvage and EOD exercises since 2005. 
• Objective: 
  1. To share experiences on Maritime Salvage
  2. Joint training in various facets of EOD Operations on land as well at sea. 
  3. To enhance interoperability, cohesiveness and gaining from best practices mutually in Maritime Salvage and EOD operations.
• Participating ships:  INS Nireekshak of the Indian Navy and USNS Salvor of the US Navy.

News Source: pib

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has recently developed a new app called Threads to compete with Twitter. 

• Threads is a spin-off app from Instagram that focuses on conversations rather than visual content.

Potential Twitter Alternatives:

• Bluesky: This is a Twitter clone backed by Jack Dorsey, the co-founder and former CEO of Twitter.
• Mastodon: Known as an “anti-Twitter” platform, Mastodon offers a decentralized social networking experience.
• Substack Notes: Substack, a popular newsletter platform, has introduced Substack Notes as a potential alternative to Twitter.

News Source: The Hindu

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context:

Recently, Pakistan has expressed optimism that India will adhere to the Indus Waters Treaty in a sincere manner. 

More on News:

• India has outlined that it cannot be compelled to participate in “illegal” proceedings at the Permanent Court of Arbitration over the Kishenganga and Ratle hydropower projects in Kashmir.
• India’s response came after the  tribunal ruled that it has the “competence” to consider the dispute between the countries on the matter.

Background:

• At the time of independence, the boundary line between Pakistan and India was drawn right across the Indus Basin, leaving Pakistan as the lower riparian. 
• A dispute thus arose between two countries regarding the utilisation of irrigation water from existing facilities. 
• After eight years of negotiations under the aegis of the World Bank, the Indus Water Treaty was signed at Karachi on 19 September 1960.

About Indus Waters Treaty:

• The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was signed by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then President of Pakistan, Ayub Khan in 1960.
• The treaty sets out a mechanism for cooperation between India-Pakistan over the Indus System of Rivers.

Salient Provisions of The Indus Water Treaty:

• Water Allocation: 
  • The three ‘western rivers’ (Indus, Jhelum and Chenab) went to Pakistan and the three ‘eastern rivers’ (Sutlej, Ravi and Beas) were portioned to India.
  • However, India is permitted to use the waters of the Western Rivers for:  Domestic Use,  Non-consumptive use,  Agricultural use as specified, Generation of hydro-electric power. 

Image Source: The Indian Express

• Establishment of Permanent Indus Commission: It established a Permanent Indus Commission which served as a forum for exchange of information on the rivers, for continued cooperation and as a first stop for resolution of conflicts.
• India’s Storage Right Over Western Rivers: India is allowed to have a minimum storage level on the western rivers – meaning it can store up to 3.75 MAF of water for conservation and flood storage purposes.
• Exit Provision: IWT does not have a unilateral exit provision and is supposed to remain in force unless both countries ratify another mutually agreed pact.
• A transition period of 10 years was permitted in which India was bound to supply water to Pakistan from Eastern Rivers. During this period Pakistan was required to build the necessary canal system for the utilisation of the waters of Jhelum, Chenab and the Indus itself, as allocated to it under the Treaty.

Dispute Resolution Mechanism under Indus Water Treaty:  

• Article 9 of the treaty outlines a dispute resolution process, breaking it down into three categories: question, differences and disputes.
• Step 1: Under it,  “questions” raised by both sides can be resolved at the Permanent Commission, or can also be taken up at the inter-government level. 
• Step 2: In case of unresolved questions or “differences” between the countries on water-sharing, such as technical differences, either side can approach the World Bank to appoint a Neutral Expert (NE) to come to a decision. 
• Step 3: And eventually, if either party is not satisfied with the NE’s decision or in case of “disputes” in the interpretation and extent of the treaty, matters can be referred to a Court of Arbitration.

Pakistan reservations over IWT:

• Kishenganga Hydro Electricity Project:
  • Under the treaty, India can construct  projects on the western water bodies such as Kishenganga Hydro Electricity Project (KHEP).
  • Pakistan had raised objections regarding the height of the dam, fearing it would mean increased water storage for India. 
• Rattle Hydroelectric Power Project: 
  • It is constructed on Chenab river by India.
  • Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over its design, insisting that India would use the project’s reservoir to create artificial water shortage or cause flooding in Pakistan.

Timeline: Brief Overview of Indus Waters Dispute

• 1948: India temporarily halted the supply of water in several canals that flowed into Pakistan but eventually restored the supply.
• 1951: Pakistan lodged accusations against India, alleging that it had disrupted the water supply of various villages of Pakistan.
• 1954: The World Bank proposed  a water-sharing formula for India- Pakistan. 
• 1960: Indus Waters Treaty Came into existence.
• 1970s: Pakistan expressed concerns after India initiated the construction of hydropower projects in Kashmir.
• 2008: Lashkar-e-Taiba initiated a campaign targeting India, with its leader Hafiz Saeed accusing India of engaging in water-related terrorism.
• 2016:  In the aftermath of the attack on J&K’s Uri army camp in 2016, the Indian Prime Minister had said, “Blood and water cannot flow simultaneously”.

Image Source: PTI

Challenges:

• Growing Demand of Water: As per observers, the Indus Water Treaty,  became a source of dissatisfaction between the two countries with growing demand for water.
• River Basin lies in the Conflicted Region: The western rivers flow through the conflicted region of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Terrorism:  In the aftermath of the attack on J&K’s Uri army camp in 2016, the Indian Prime Minister had said, “Blood and water cannot flow simultaneously”.
• Global Warming: Impact of global warming is impacting availability of water and that is making the ‘Rights versus Needs’ debate shriller. Regional climate change is reducing the flow in the rivers located in the IRB4.
• Credibility crisis for India upon Abrogation of IWT:  The unilateral abrogation of the IWT will definitely have a bearing on the credibility and as such on future negotiations

Implications of  unilateral  altering Status of IWT by India:

• If India started on a programme to hold back the Indus waters, the dams needed to do so would take decades to build.
• If India were to take actions that jeopardise Pakistan’s access to the Indus waters, it would likely face severe criticism from the international community. 
  • This is particularly significant as India presents itself as a responsible state seeking membership in prestigious organisations like the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the United Nations Security Council
• India acting provocatively against Pakistan with regard to the IWT might damage its relationship with other states with which India has signed water treaties, such as Bangladesh and Nepal.

Significance:

• International Recognition: IWT  is often cited as an example of the possibilities of peaceful coexistence that exist despite the troubled relationship. 
• Conflict Prevention: It provides a framework for resolving disputes through arbitration and helps maintain stability in the region by addressing potential sources of tension.

Way Forward:

• Dialogue and Cooperation: India and Pakistan should engage in regular communication and exchanges of information can help build trust and resolve issues amicably.
• Dispute Resolution Mechanism: Both countries should utilise the existing dispute resolution mechanisms outlined in the treaty, such as the Permanent Indus Commission.
• Technical Expertise: Utilising the expertise of water management professionals and experts can aid in effectively managing the shared water resources. 
• Environmental Considerations: Both India and Pakistan should consider sustainable water management practices, including the conservation and restoration of river ecosystems.
• Confidence-Building Measures: Implementing confidence-building measures  such as joint initiatives, information-sharing, and visits between water management officials to promote transparency and collaboration.

News Source: The Hindu

DOWNLOAD PDF