Context:

• The majority of Himalayan birds migrate downslope during the winter, while a small proportion of species in low elevations migrate upslope, a study published in the journal Global Ecology and Biogeography. 

Key Findings of Study

• Himalayan birds show the greatest elevational shifts remain within the narrowest thermal regimes.
  • The data of 37,944 Himalayan birds from the western Himalayas and 9,992 from the eastern regions, totalling 47,936 were examined.
  • In the eastern Himalayas, the elevational distribution among 198 species showed that 55 per cent of the birds had significant lower shifts while 59 per cent reflected median shifts and 56 per cent recorded upper elevations limits.
  • The study examined seasonal elevational shifts among 302 Himalayan bird species using eBird, a community science dataset, for the years 2011 through 2022. 
• Factors influencing Elevational Shift
  • Availability of food: The availability of food was a deciding factor for the birds to determine the elevational shift. 
    • In the eastern Himalayas, granivores (species eating grain and seeds) shifted further downslope which was significant at their lower limit while omnivores shifted shorter distances downslope which was significant at their upper limit.
  • Dispersal Availability: As for dispersal ability or the ability of the species to establish itself in that area, fruit-eating species (frugivores) shifted shorter distances compared to invertivores, that feed on invertebrates.
  • Land use & Climate Change: Change in land use and climate change can have a combined effect of elevational migration migrating birds in the future.
  • Thermal Regime: Urocissa flavirostris, Dendrocopos darjellensis, Garrulax ocellatus, and Alcippe vinipectus are four of 37 species known to have a summer median elevational limit of over 2,500 meters. 
    • Temperate mountains, especially at high altitudes with cold winters and warm summers, experience a significant shift in seasonality.

News Source: Down to Earth

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Context:

• The Nobel Prize 2023 for Physics was shared by three scientists—Pierre Agostini, Ferenc Krausz and Anne L’Huillier.

Nobel Prize 2023 for Physics

• Nobel Prize 2023 for Physics has been awarded for “experimental methods that generate attosecond pulses for the study of electron dynamics in matter.
• The laureates have been awarded the Prize for experiments that have allowed scientists to produce ultra-short pulses of light, with which they can finally ‘see’ directly into the super-fast world of electrons.
• The short pulses are generated on a timescale that is known as attosecond.

What is Attosecond ?

• Attosecond is an infinitesimally brief unit of time that could enhance our understanding of the fundamental forces and processes that govern the universe.
• It is equivalent to one quintillionth of a second, or 10 to the power of 18 seconds.

Significance of attoseconds

• Attosecond physics gives the opportunity to understand mechanisms that are governed by electrons.
• Attosecond pulses allow scientists to capture ‘images’ of activities that happen in incredibly short time spans. 
  • As a result, scientists can use such pulses to explore short-lived atomic and molecular processes implicated in fields like materials science, electronics, and catalysis.
• Attoseconds create and manipulate extreme ultraviolet (XUV) and X-ray pulses, which are vital for imaging ultrafast processes at the atomic and molecular scale.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context:

• Recently, a devastating glacial lake outburst occurred upstream of Chungthang in the Mangan district, Sikkim resulting in a sudden and alarming rise in the water level of the Teesta River.

What are Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)?

• It is the term scientists use to describe the incident when the water levels of glacial lakes breach their boundaries, causing large amounts of water to flow into nearby streams and rivers resulting in flash floods.
• • For Example: In 2013, in Uttarakhand’s Kedarnath when the region witnessed flash floods along with a GLOF caused by the Chorabari Tal glacial lake.
• An “Inventory and Monitoring of Glacial Lakes / Water Bodies in the Himalayan Region of Indian River Basins”, sponsored by Climate Change Directorate, Central Water Commission, and done by National Remote Sensing Centre during 2011-15, found that there are 352, 283 and 1,393 glacial lakes and water bodies in the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra basins respectively.
• GLOFs are recognized in the National Disaster Management Plan (NDMP) 2019 of India as a potential climatological disaster.

Major Cause

• Glacial Retreat: According to NDMA, glacial retreat due to climate change occurring in most parts of the Hindu Kush Himalaya has given rise to the formation of numerous new glacial lakes, which are the major cause of GLOFs.
• Landslides: Since glacial lakes are found in mountainous regions, which means landslides or ice avalanches can sometimes fall directly into the lakes and displace the water, causing it to over-top the natural dam and flood downstream.
• Extreme Weather Events: Excessive rainfall, heatwaves that result in rapid snow melting, or other disastrous but natural weather events like earthquakes may also become the reason for a glacial lake outburst that can further lead to flooding..
• Slope Failure: Rapid slope movement into the lake which involves melting ice can accumulate overtime behind dams or any other structure and suddenly be released without any warning. This also leads to GLOFs.

NDMA Guidelines

• Key Strategies for Glacial Lake Risk Reduction:  Risk reduction has to begin with identifying and mapping such lakes, taking structural measures to prevent their sudden breach, and establishing mechanisms to save lives and property in times of a breach.
• Methods for Identifying Potentially Dangerous Glacial Lakes: Potentially dangerous lakes can be identified based on field observations, records of past events, geomorphologic and geotechnical characteristics of the lake/dam and surroundings, and other physical conditions.
•  Use of Synthetic-Aperture Radar imagery: NDMA has recommended use of Synthetic-Aperture Radar imagery to automatically detect changes in water bodies, including new lake formations, during the monsoon months.
• Structural Lake Management Strategies: To manage lakes structurally, the NDMA recommends reducing the volume of water with methods such as controlled breaching, pumping or siphoning out water, and making a tunnel through the moraine barrier or under an ice dam.

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• This article is based on a news “Bihar caste survey data released: A look at the complicated history of caste census” which was published in the Indian Express. The Bihar government recently released the findings of the caste survey conducted earlier this year.

Caste Survey in Bihar

• The Bihar caste-based survey is the first such exercise since India became independent in 1947. 
• The share of Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) is more than 63%.
• The combined population share of the reserved categories in Bihar—OBC, EBC, SC, ST is more than 84 per cent. 
• The Hindus are the majority community in the state comprising 81.99 per cent of the total population, followed by Muslims 17.70%.
  • Christians, Sikhs, Jains constitute less than 1 percent.

Controversy/Challenges with the survey:

• Demand for National level survey: With the caste survey in Bihar, the demand for a caste survey at the national level has gained momentum. 
• Demand for increased reservation: It is likely to intensify calls for an increase in the OBC quota beyond the current 27% and for the implementation of a sub-quota for the EBCs. 
  • It is expected to reignite the longstanding debate surrounding the 50% cap on reservations, which was established by the Supreme Court in the case of Indra Sawhney v Union of India (1992). 
• Lack of Economic data: Unless the caste data is interpreted with the economic figures, the government won’t be able to frame policies and target schemes at the most-deprived sections of the society. 
  • There is a possibility that the creamy layer might end up cornering all the benefits.
• Debunking myths of classless Muslim population:The survey has highlighted the existence of social divisions in muslim population based on birth, similar to the majority community.
• Stabilization of Muslim population: Within the 17.7% of the state’s population represented by Muslims, the growth rate of the Muslim population is approximately 0.8%. 
  • These findings contradict the general narrative that the Muslim population is growing at a faster pace and will surpass the Hindu population in the near future.
• Fear of religious reservation: If the 50% reservation limit is exceeded in Bihar, it would result in a significant increase in reservation for Muslim population in government jobs and college seats.
  • This situation would bear a resemblance to religious reservation under the guise of securing quotas for the backward classes.

Also read: NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR SCHEDULED CASTES

Benefits of Caste Based Survey

• Accurate estimate of OBCs: There is no one estimate for the OBCs as different figures have come from different government institutions.
  • The Mandal Commission estimated the OBC population at 52 per cent.
  • The NSSO (National Sample Survey Organisation) surveys: Variation in population from about 36 per cent to 45 percent.
  • The UDISE+ [United District Information System for Education  Plus] data: OBC children comprise 45 per cent students in primary schools.
• Development policies: Accurate assessment of the OBC population is needed to accordingly draft policies for their betterment, which may cover education, employment, and other development metrics. 
• Proportional representation: The backward communities have a higher share in the population but fewer representation in public institutions and politics. 
  • 15 per cent reservation exists for the scheduled castes (SCs) in government jobs and higher educational institutions
  • 7 per cent for the scheduled tribes (STs)
  • 22 per cent for the other backward classes (OBCs).
• Dataset for crucial studies: The census also provides the data set from which the National Sample Survey and National Family Health Survey draw their samples.

About Census

• Census provides detailed and authentic information on demography, economic activity, literacy and education, scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, language, religion, migration and many other socio-cultural and demographic data.

Census in India

• The Indian Census is the largest single source of various statistical information on various characteristics of the people of India. 
  • Nodal Agency: Ministry of Home Affairs
  • Statutory Provision: In 1948, the Census Act was enacted to provide a plan for conducting a population Census along with the duties and responsibilities of Census officers.
  • Union list: It is currently included in the Union list of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. 

Phases of Census Operations in India

• Houselisting and Housing Census: In this, all buildings, Census Houses and Households are identified and systematically listed in the relevant schedules. 
  • It provides comprehensive data on the conditions of human settlements, housing deficit and consequently the housing requirements to be taken care of in the formulation of housing policies.
•  Population Enumeration: It follows the Housing Census within a gap of six to eight months. 
  • Each person is enumerated and her/his individual particulars like Age, Marital status, Religion, Scheduled Caste/Schedule Tribe, Mother tongue, Education level, Disability, Economic activity, Migration, Fertility (for female) are collected.

Difference between Census and Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC)

• The aim of a regular Population Census is to provide an overview but is not concerned with any particular individual / household i.e., personal data given in the Population Census is confidential. 
• On the contrary,  all the personal information given in the Socio Economic Caste Census (SECC) is open for use by Government departments to grant and/ or restrict benefits to households. 

Conclusion

The Caste Survey in Bihar has not only revealed the intricate demographic composition of the state but has also started debates on national caste surveys and reservation policies. An accurate enumeration of OBCs may aid in the formulation and development of affirmative action based programmes of the government. The data can also be used in the debate related to reservation policy, and poverty alleviation schemes targeted towards OBCs. However, it may further perpetuate caste identities. Thus, the caste data will become actionable only when interpreted in conjunction with the economic data and result-oriented schemes are implemented. With the economic data, the politics of caste might be replaced by the politics of economics with the poor among the castes demanding a greater share in electoral politics and government schemes.

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Context:

• This article is based on a news “Change in the Maldives: On the new leader, Mohamed Muizzu” which was published in the Hindu. Mohamed Muizzu of the People’s National Congress (PNC) party got elected in the recently held presidential elections in the Maldives.

India Maldives Relations

• India Maldives relations have been on an upward trajectory ever since Ibrahim Solih (lost in elections) Government came into power in 2018. 
• Increase Chinese Influence: The victory of Muizzu is widely seen as being to China’s benefit as he was the housing minister and undertook infrastructure projects connected to Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• Muizzu continued the “India Out” campaign and questioned bilateral ties in defence and infrastructure investments.

Background: India Maldives Relations

• India and Maldives share ethnic, linguistic, cultural, religious and commercial links and the relations have been close, cordial and multi-dimensional. 
• India was among the first to recognize Maldives after its independence in 1965 and to establish diplomatic relations with the country. 
• The importance of India’s strategic role in Maldives is well-recognized, with India being seen as a net security provider.
  • ‘India First’ has been a stated policy of the Government of Maldives.
• Cooperation Areas: Cybersecurity, Capacity Building, Housing, Disaster Management and Infrastructure Development etc.
  • Bilateral engagements flourished beginning in the late 1980s, when India launched ‘Operation Cactus’ to abort a coup in Maldives.

India Maldives Relations: Significance

• Geographical Proximity: Maldives’ proximity to the west coast of India, around 70 nautical miles away from Minicoy island (separated by 8 degree channel), and its strategic location at the hub of commercial sea-lanes running through Indian Ocean influence its significant strategic importance to India. 
• Convergent Security Interests:  Since 1988, defence and security has been a major area of cooperation and a comprehensive Action Plan for Defence was also signed in April 2016 to consolidate defence partnership. 

• • Under the Neighbourhood First policy and Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), security cooperation between the two countries has grown.In may 2023, India handed over a Fast Patrol vessel and a Landing Craft Assault ship to the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). Partnership at Security Groupings: India has sought to enhance security cooperation with the Indian Ocean island and littoral nations, through a new ‘minilateral’ group called the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC). 
  • Held at the National Security Advisor (NSA)-level, CSC brings together India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Mauritius, along with Bangladesh and the Seychelles as observers. 
• Economic Assistance: India has been providing economic assistance to support Maldives in times of economic hardship. 
  • In November 2022, India handed over a financial assistance of US$ 100 million in response to a request from Maldives.
• India’s Development-led Approach: India’s outreach has not simply been with the government but aimed at benefiting the people of Maldives. 
  • For example, emphasis on High Impact Community Projects (HICP), financial assistance for the Greater Male Connectivity project. 
  • National College for Police and Law Enforcement (NCPLE) is the single-largest grant project executed by India in the Maldives with grant funding of INR 222.98 Crore.
• Tourism and Connectivity: The Maldivian economy is heavily dependent on its tourism sector, which directly accounts for about a quarter of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Maldives. 
  • In 2023, India with more than 1 lakh tourists arrivals (until June 2023) is the 1st leading source market for Maldives with around 12% market share. 
  • In March 2022, India & Maldives agreed for an open skies arrangement which will further improve connectivity between two countries. 

Also read: India-China Relationship

What are the current challenges in the India Maldives relation?

• India Out Campaign: The campaign accused India of violating Maldivian sovereignty by allowing Indian military presence on the islands. 
  • The government issued a presidential decree banning “Campaigns that Incite Hatred Against Various Countries Under Different Slogans,” as well as specifically mentioning the India-Out protests.
• Increasing Chinese Footprint: China’s ambitions in the Indian Ocean Region have expanded and Maldives welcomed President Xi Jinping for a visit in 2014. The two signed a Free Trade Agreement and negotiated on establishing a Joint Ocean Observation Centre. 
  • China offered Maldives mega-infrastructure projects and loans, most of them under opaque terms and conditions.
• Criminality, Radicalisation and Extremism:  Four sets of factors influence such behaviour including structural factors such as poverty and poor governance, facilitative factors such as news channels and social network platforms, personal factors such as socio-economic conditions and trigger factors.
  • Presence of high unemployment and poverty with politicisation of news media is increasing the vulnerability of citizens of Maldives to extremism leading many towards terrorist groups like ISIS and Al-Qaeda.
• Political Uncertainty: Muizzu focused on the Indian military stationed on an island and alleged it as a threat to the Maldives’ sovereignty. With Muizzu coming to power, India has to go through a hard diplomatic balancing with Maldives government.
• Climate Change: As low-lying island nations, both India and Maldives are vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including rising sea levels and marine heatwaves. 

Way Forward

• Timely Project Completion: India must offer lucrative alternatives that focus on development and ensure early completion of its current projects to maintain its footprint in Maldives. 
  • For example, timely completion of India-funded sea bridge under the Greater Male Connectivity Project (GMCP) meeting an ambitious deadline.
• Targeting Youth Employment:  According to the World Bank, that despite its strong economic growth, Maldives has a high rate of youth unemployment.  Future projects that are targeted at youth employability and entrepreneurship will be extremely beneficial to Maldives.
  • India’s HICPs in Maldives must include projects that aim to improve employability and foster entrepreneurship among the youth.
• Tackling China’s Influence: India can expect that Chinese projects under the BRI will likely increase in the coming years. India must offer credible and lucrative alternatives to Chinese projects.
• Tackling Terrorism and Other Issues: India continues to be Maldives’s strongest defence partner for collaboration and the exchange of best practices in the areas of counter-terrorism, preventing and countering violent extremism. 
• Maneuvering Internal Politics: Constructively engaging with the ruling government and adept navigation of internal politics while balancing competing interests will require the ability to align foreign policy goals with domestic priorities. 

Conclusion

India Maldives relations have a long and friendly history, but there are current problems like the “India Out” campaign, more involvement from China, and internal issues such as political uncertainty and climate change that have made their relationship a bit strained. But building trust, fostering understanding, and finding common ground on regional and global issues will contribute to a stronger and more resilient partnership between the two nations.

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