Context: 

Researchers have recorded the first instance of captive breeding of the Himalayan vulture (Gyps himalayensis) in India at the Assam State Zoo.

About Vultures: 

• Vultures are sociable creatures and are often seen as a collective unit. Out of 23 species of vultures in the world, nine are found in India.
• Vultures are slow breeders and so the survival of every individual is very crucial.
• Generally, vultures rely on other carnivores to open carcasses.
• Vultures have a highly acidic stomach that helps them digest rotting carcasses and kill disease-causing bacteria.

Species of Vultures found in India and their Conservation Status:

1. Indian Vulture or Long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus): Critically Endangered
2. Indian White-backed Vulture (Gyps bengalensis): Critically Endangered
3. Red-headed Vulture (Sarcogypscalvus): Critically Endangered
4. Slender-billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris): Critically Endangered
5. Egyptian Vulture (Neophronpercnopterus): Endangered
6. Cincerous Vulture (Aegypiusmonachus): Near Threatened
7. Bearded Vulture (Gypaetusbarbatus): Near Threatened
8. Himalayan Vulture (Gyps himalayansis): Near Threatened
9. Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus): Least Concern

• CITES: Appendix II
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Image Credit: WWF

Factors responsible for decline in future population

• Use of diclofenac: It relieves cattle of pain, but is toxic to vultures even in small doses and causes kidney failure and death.
• Hunting: Myths about the medicinal healing powers of vultures’ body parts have led to the hunting of vultures.
• Quarrying: Quarrying and blasting of stones where vultures nest have also caused their decline.

Conservative Steps for Vulture:

• Captive Breeding Centres: Union government in collaboration with the forest departments and the Bombay Natural History Society has established the captive breading centre in Haryana, Assam, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal.
• Vulture Restaurants: vulture restaurants was created in certain of Maharashtra where carcasses free of diclofenac are provided.
• National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved an Action Plan for Vulture Conservation 2020-25: Key Highlights
  • Ban on Toxic Drugs: The Drugs Controller General of India will ban drugs, including diclofenac, that are used to treat cattle and known to poison vultures.
  • Vulture Safe Zone: At least one “Vulture Safe Zone” in every State for the conservation of the remnant populations
  • Establishment Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres: Vulture Conservation Breeding Centres will be set up in Uttar Pradesh, Tripura, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. 

News Source: The Hindu

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas has given information about the Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN scheme in the Lok Sabha.

About Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan- Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana:

• It was notified in March 2019. 
• Aims: To provide financial support to integrated bio-ethanol projects for setting up Second Generation (2G) ethanol projects by using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstocks.
• Financial Outlay: Rs. 1969.50 crore for the period 2018-19 to 2023-24.
• Financial Assistance: Rs. 150 crore per project for commercial projects and Rs. 15 crore per project for demonstration projects.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

What is Biofuels:

• Biofuels are renewable fuels derived from organic sources, such as plants, agricultural and forest residues, algae, and animal waste.

Other Steps to Promote 2G Ethanol Plants:

• Imposition of additional excise duty on non-blended fuels to encourage ethanol blending.
• Off-take assurance by Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) for 15 years to private stakeholders through Ethanol Purchase Agreements (EPA).
• Diversification of feedstock for 2G ethanol production.
• Separate price for 2G ethanol 
• A reduced GST rate of 5% on ethanol for the Ethanol Blending Programme (EBP).

News Source: PIB

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

NASA detected a signal from its Voyager 2 spacecraft on August 1, after losing communication for over a week.

About Voyager Mission:

• It is a space exploration program conducted by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) that launched two spacecraft, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2, in 1977.
  • Voyager 1: Sept 5, 1977
  • Voyager 2: August 20, 1977
• Objective: To study the outer planets of our solar system, including Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. 

Key features of the Voyager Mission:

• Exploration of Outer Planets: Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 conducted flybys of Jupiter and Saturn. 
  • Voyager 2 was then directed to continue its mission to Uranus and Neptune, becoming the only spacecraft to visit these distant ice giant planets.
• Interstellar Mission: After completing their primary planetary missions, both spacecraft continued to travel outward from the solar system into interstellar space. 
  • Voyager 1 crossed the heliopause (the boundary between the solar system and interstellar space) in 2012, becoming the first human-made object to enter interstellar space. 
• Discoveries: The Voyager missions provided significant scientific discoveries, including detailed images and data on the planets’ atmospheres, magnetic fields, and moons. 
  • Voyager 1 discovered active volcanoes on Jupiter’s moon Io and the intricate ring structure around Saturn.
  • Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 discovered three new moons of Jupiter: Thebe, Metis and Adrastea.
• Longevity: The spacecraft have been operational for decades, both spacecraft are still functional making them some of the most enduring and successful space missions in history.

News Source: The Indian Express

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced the Vehicle Scrapping Policy to create an ecosystem for the phased-out removal of older, unfit, and polluting vehicles across the country.

Image Source: Busimesstoday

About Vehicle Scrapping Policy:

• It was first announced in the Union Budget for 2021-22
• Aim: To achieve multiple goals like reduction in air pollution, the fulfilment of India’s climate commitments, improving road and vehicle safety, better fuel efficiency, and boosting the availability of low-cost raw materials for auto, steel and electronics industry

Need for Vehicle Scrapping Policy:

• Large Number of Older Vehicles: India has a significant number of old vehicles, with 51 lakh Light Motor Vehicles that are more than 20 years old and 34 lakh over 15 years old. 
  • Additionally, around 17 lakh Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles are older than 15 years without valid fitness certificates.
• Environmental Impact: Older vehicles are often less fuel-efficient and emit higher levels of pollutants, contributing to air pollution and environmental degradation. 
  • Scrapping these vehicles will help reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.

Provisions of the Vehicle Scrapping Policy:

• Fitness Test for Old Vehicles:
  • Old vehicles must undergo a fitness test before re-registration.
  • Automated Fitness Centers will conduct the fitness test according to international standards, evaluating emissions, braking systems, safety components, etc.
  • Vehicles that fail the fitness test will be scrapped.
  • Government commercial vehicles over 15 years old and private vehicles over 20 years old will be scrapped.
• Concession in Motor Vehicle Tax:
  • Non-transport vehicles can receive up to 25% concession, and transport vehicles can receive up to 15% concession when purchased against a Certificate of Deposit.
  • Implementation of this provision falls under the jurisdiction of State/UT Governments.
  • So far, 15 states/UTs have announced concessions in motor vehicle tax based on the Certificate of Deposit
• Vehicle Discount:
  • Vehicle manufacturers will provide a 5% discount to customers who present a ‘Scrapping Certificate’ while purchasing a new vehicle.
  • Additionally, the registration fees will be waived off for those buying a new vehicle with a scrapping certificate.
• Disincentive for Old Vehicles:
  • Vehicles that are 15 years or older from their initial date of registration will face increased re-registration fees.

News Source: PIB

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context:

The Union government’s  Great Nicobar Project may see 9.64 lakh trees felled during its execution phase.

About Great Nicobar Project:

• Origin: The proposal to develop Great Nicobar Island was first introduced in the 1970s, emphasizing its role in national security and consolidating the Indian Ocean Region.
  • However, increasing Chinese assertion in the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific has added great urgency to this imperative in recent years.
• It is a Rs 72,000 crore development project on the strategically important Great Nicobar Island. 
• It has four components:
  •  a ₹35,000 crore transshipment port at Galathea Bay
  •  a dual-use military-civil international airport
  • a power plant
  • A greenfield township
• Implementation Agency: Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation 

Image Credits: The Hindu

Significance of Great Nicobar Project:

• Enhancing Great Nicobar role  in Global Maritime Trade: It will allow Great Nicobar to participate in the regional and global maritime economy by becoming a major player in cargo transshipment.
• Electricity Generation: The project proposes the development of a power plant, with capacity to produce sufficient electrical power to run the new city.
• Employment Creation: More than one lakh new direct jobs and 1.5 lakh indirect jobs can be created on the island during the next 30 years.
• Tri service command: India’s strategic concerns in Southeast Asia and the Malacca Strait region are overseen by the Andaman & Nicobar Command (ANC), located in Port Blair.
• Helpful in Tackling Challenges: The island provides a natural base for India to tackle major challenges in the Indian Ocean region like piracy, smuggling, Sea lines of communication security and most crucially, intrusions by Chinese ships.
• In Sync with Act East Policy: One of the major objectives of the Act East policy is economic cooperation with Indo-Pacific countries, and the location of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a boon for the prospects of economic integration.
• Enhancing the Blue Economy:  It will create an economic hub in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands , thereby  giving a boost to the Blue Economy.
  • Further, it will help in developing a free trade zone, limiting round-tripping and promotion as a Special Economic Zone(SEZ).

Issues:

• Biodiversity Threat: The loss of tree cover will not only affect the flora and fauna on the island, it will also lead to increased runoff and sediment deposits in the ocean, impacting the coral reefs in the area.
• Balancing Ecological Fragility and Infrastructure Development: The proposed massive infrastructure development in an ecologically important and fragile region,
  • The northern end of the project falls in the biosphere reserve, which means a part of this protected region will have to be allotted to the project.
• Tribal Rights: This project runs counter to the rights of vulnerable tribal communities and depend on the forests for survival.
  • The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are home to 5 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups: Great Andamanese, Jarwas, Onges, Shompens and North Sentinelese.
•  Far-field afforestation: To recommend afforestation as a compensation for the loss of forest in the Great Nicobar Island is farcical. The EIA report says compensatory afforestation will be carried out in Haryana and Madhya Pradesh. 
  • Far-field afforestation, that too in areas that have no ecological comparison with Nicobar island, makes no sense. 

Way Forward:

• Safeguarding Tribal Rights: Firstly, utmost respect for tribal rights is imperative, aligning with policies like the Shompen Policy of 2015. This policy underscores prioritizing tribal rights over extensive developmental projects.
• Environmental Impact Assessments: All construction activities within the framework of the Great Nicobar Development plan must strictly follow environmental impact assessments, as stipulated by the Environment Protection Act of 1986. 
  • These assessments not only improve the practicality of development but also reduce the possibility of substantial environmental harm.
• Adapting Eco-Friendly Practices: The creation of infrastructure should embrace eco-friendly practices, including strict adherence to the Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) code for building construction. 
• Maintaining Transparency: NITI Aayog and associated planning entities should release comprehensive data on the reasoning, creation process, consulted groups, and related aspects to the public. 
  • This level of openness offers a comprehensive perspective for both critics and advocates.

News Source: The Hindu

DOWNLOAD PDF

Context: 

According to the recently released Arthur D Little (ADL) report, India’s space economy could potentially touch $100 billion by 2040.

More about the News:

• Global space market is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2040.
• Government of India Target: With its current trajectory, India’s space economy could account for 9% of the global space industry by 2030 and reach $40 billion by 2040. 
• However, according to Report, India has the potential to reach $100 billion space economy by 2040.
• Four main factors to create rapid growth in the Indian Space industry: 
  • India’s rising space budget to fund ISRO’s ambitious plans like Chandrayaan-03, Gaganyaan etc. In Budget 2023-24, department of space was allocated Rs 12,543 crore. 
  • India’s advantage as the preferred destination for launch services.
  • Government’s push to the start-up ecosystem with the potential for more private players. adoption of commercial satellite internet operations, as and when they begin.

• • Encouraging private participation has yielded remarkable results, with new-age space start-ups in India securing an impressive USD 112 million in funding in 2022 alone.
• Key Challenges Pointed in Report:  Lack of local manufacturing capabilities for certain components, funding inadequacies, the need for a clear and comprehensive regulatory framework, and increasing competition from foreign players.

Examples of private sector involvement in space programs are:

• SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and Arianespace: Offer launch services and space tourism.
• Starlink, OneWeb, Amazon Kuiper and Telesat: Developing mega-constellations of satellites to provide global broadband internet access.
• Planet Labs, DigitalGlobe, BlackSky and Iceye: Provide Earth observation and remote sensing data and services.
• Astrobotic, Moon Express, iSpace and Blue Moon: Developing lunar landers and rovers for exploration and resource utilization.

About Indian Space Sector:

• Currently, India’s space industry is valued at $8 billion with a 2% share in the global space economy. 
• The government spending on space is around $2 billion and the country has launched 381 foreign satellites since 1999 for 34 countries clocking $279 million in revenues.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is the world’s sixth largest national space agency.

Reason for Growth of Indian Space Industry:

• Cost-effectiveness: ISRO is known for its low-cost and reliable launch vehicles.
  • ISRO charged only $15 million for launching 104 satellites in one go in 2017, while SpaceX charges around $60 million for a single satellite launch.
• Capability: ISRO has proven its capability and expertise in launching various types of satellites, ranging from small and nano satellites to heavy and complex satellites. 
  • ISRO has demonstrated its ability to launch satellites into different orbits, such as polar, sun-synchronous, geostationary, etc.
• Credibility: ISRO has gained an impeccable reputation globally for its high success rate and quality of service. 
  • ISRO has launched more than 300 satellites for various foreign states between 1999-2022, with a success rate of over 90%. 
• Collaboration: ISRO has been supporting the development of space capabilities and applications in other countries, especially developing countries, by providing training, consultancy, technical assistance, etc. 
• ISRO has been encouraging the participation of private players and startups in the Indian space sector by providing guidance, support, authorization and access to its facilities.

Indian Space Policy 2023:

• Aim: To encourage and institutionalize private sector participation in India’s space sector, with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) primarily focusing on research and development of advanced space technologies. 
• Entry of the private sector: Private companies will be allowed to build satellites, rockets, and launch vehicles, and engage in data collection and dissemination. 
  • It encourages private companies to invest in creating new infrastructure for the space sector and use ISRO facilities for a small charge, to support their space-related activities.
• Clarity in duties and responsibilities of institutions in India’s space sector: 

Significance of Private Sector Participation in Indian Space Sector:

• Innovation: They bring more innovation and creativity to the space sector, by developing new technologies, products, and services that can cater to the diverse and emerging needs of the customers.
• Competition: They create a healthy and competitive environment in the space sector, by offering more choices and options to the customers at lower costs and better quality.
• Collaboration: They can foster more collaboration and partnership with various stakeholders in the space sector, such as government agencies, academic institutions, research organizations, international entities, etc.
• Commercialization: They can boost the commercialization and monetization of the space assets and services in India, by creating new markets and opportunities for revenue generation and profit making.
• Socio-Economic Development: They can contribute to the social and economic development of the country by providing space-based solutions and services to various sectors, such as education, health care, agriculture, etc.

Private Participation in Indian Space Program:

• Skyroot Aerospace: A Hyderabad-based startup that launched India’s first privately built rocket, Vikram S (Mission Prarambh), on December 11, 2021. 
• Agnikul Cosmos: A Chennai-based startup is developing a small satellite launch vehicle called Agnibaan, which can carry up to 100 kg payload to low earth orbit. 
• Pixxel: A Bengaluru-based startup is building a constellation of high-resolution earth observation satellites that can provide real-time insights for various applications, such as agriculture, forestry, urban planning, disaster management, etc. 
• Bellatrix Aerospace: A Bengaluru-based startup that is developing innovative propulsion systems for satellites and launch vehicles, such as electric thrusters, green propellants, orbital transfer vehicles, etc. 

Key Challenges Faced by Private Sector in Indian Space Sector:

• Lack of Policy Direction: The government has not yet finalized a legislation that can provide a clear and consistent framework for the private players to operate in the space domain.
• Resource constraints: The private sector faces various resource constraints in the space sector, such as funding, infrastructure, human capital, technology, etc.
• Competitive pressures: The private sector faces intense competitive pressures in the space sector, both from domestic and international players.
• Security risks: The private sector involvement in the space sector may pose some security risks for India’s national interests and assets in outer space like protection of sensitive technology. 
• Policy conflicts: The private sector participation in the space sector may create some policy conflicts or dilemmas for India’s strategic objectives.

Way Forward:

• Regulatory Clarity: The government should finalize and enact a comprehensive and consistent space policy and legislation that can provide a clear and conducive framework for the private players to operate in the space domain.
• Incentive: The government should encourage innovation and entrepreneurship in the space sector, by providing incentives, awards, recognition, or challenges to the private players who develop new or improved solutions or services.
  • Use schemes such as production-linked incentives (PLI) to make India a manufacturing hub for satellites.
• Collaboration: The government should foster collaboration and cooperation among the public and private players, as well as with other countries or international organizations, to leverage their respective strengths and capabilities.
• Security measures: The government should ensure the security and safety of India’s national interests and assets in outer space, by implementing appropriate safeguards and mechanisms to prevent or mitigate any threats or risks posed by the private sector involvement in the space sector.
• Establish dedicated research and development centres for emerging themes in space, and accelerate skill development activities to create a ready workforce.
• ADL report also recommends five areas for India to achieve underlying opportunity: 
  • Encouraging mass adoption of satellite internet services to compete with terrestrial communication.
  • Leveraging existing strength in satellite and launch vehicles manufacturing and launch services to become a world leader with end-to-end competence in components manufacturing. 
  • Building capabilities in areas with high commercial potential such as space mining, in-space manufacturing, and in-orbit servicing.
  • Exploring emerging activities such as space tourism and space entertainment to provide cost-effective services in the future.
  • Innovating in ‘green space’ including sustainable fuel, reusable spacecraft, and use of eco-friendly technologies.

Conclusion:

• The future of the Indian space sector looks promising, with several major initiatives and projects underway. 
• With continued support from the government and private sector participation, India is set to leave an indelible mark in the domain of space exploration and technology.

News Source: Livemint

DOWNLOAD PDF