Context:

• Yemen’s Houthis have entered into the ongoing conflict, declaring that they had fired drones and missiles at Israel to help the Palestinians to victory.

About Houthis

• The Houthis are a large clan belonging to the Zaidi Shia sect, with roots in Yemen’s northwestern Sa’dah province. 
• Houthi Movement: It began in the 1990s against the dictatorship of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
• Yemen Civil War: Houthis are one faction in a civil war and control territory in the west and northwest of Yemen, including the capital Sana.
• • Other Factions: Yemeni government, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Ansar al-Sharia, etc.
• Anti-Israel: Houthis, backed by Iran, are a part of “The Axis of Resistance” which is an informal anti-Israel and anti-West political and military coalition that it leads.

About Yemen:

• Border: Saudi Arabia bounds it to the north and Oman to the east. 
• Coastline: It has the Red Sea to the west. The Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea, and Guardafui Channel bound it to the south. 
• Strategic Importance:  Located at the entrance of the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait which links the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aden.

News Source: The Indian Express

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Context:

• India Bangladesh launched three India-assisted development projects, two of which are expected to boost trade and improve connectivity with the Northeastern states. 

India Bangladesh Open Rail Link, Power, Port Projects

• The three projects are the Akhaura Agartala Rail Link,  Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line; and Unit 2 of the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant.
• Akhaura Agartala Rail Link Project: This is the first rail link from India’s northeastern states to Bangladesh.
  • It has been executed under Government of India grant assistance of Rs 392.52 crores extended to Bangladesh. 
  • The length of the rail link is 12.24 km with a 6.78 km dual gauge rail line in Bangladesh and 5.46 km in Tripura. 

• • Significance: Lesser travel time. The travel time will be cut to 12 hours from the earlier, much longer 38 hours. 
  • With the Akhaura- Agartala cross-border rail link operational, trains can run from Kolkata to Agartala via Bangladesh.
    • The neighbouring country is located in the middle of the land mass between India’s northeast and the rest of the country, connected only by a small corridor in Bengal’s Siliguri popularly known as the “Chicken’s Neck.
• The Khulna-Mongla Port Rail Line Project:  It has been implemented under Government of India concessional line of credit with a total project cost of $388.92 million. 
  • The project entails construction of approximately 65 km of broad gauge rail route between Mongla Port and the existing rail network in Khulna. 
  • With this, Mongla, the second largest port of Bangladesh, gets connected with the broad gauge railway network.
  • Significance:  It will boost the connectivity of Bangladesh with its three neighbours – India, Nepal and Bhutan. 
  • The rail link will establish a connection between Mongla Port and Siliguri in India through Panchagarh and Banglabandha in the north.
• Maitree Super Thermal Power Project
  • Location: Rampal, Bangladesh, developed on the bank of Passur River.
  • Capacity: 1320 MW
  • Financing: Concessional funding from India
  • Project Cost: The $2 billion
  • Built by: Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited and the Bangladesh Power Development Board.  

News Source: Live Mint

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Context:

• According to revised guidelines released by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), only Police officers with at least six months of service left before retirement will be given consideration for selection as a state’s director general of police (DGP).

More About the Guidelines: The police is a State subject, the IPS officers who are constituents of the All India Services are appointed by the UPSC on behalf of the Union government, and their services are placed under State cadres.

• The guidelines have been revised to discourage States from appointing “favourite officers” about to retire, in a bid to extend their tenure.
• The Empanelment Committee constituted by the UPSC will not assess Indian Police Service (IPS) officers on central deputation for a State Director General of Police’s post if the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informs the State government that “it will not be possible to relieve the officers.”
• The guidelines allow officers with 25 years experience to be appointed as a DGP, against the earlier requirement of a minimum 30 years of service. 
• The number of shortlisted officers cannot exceed three, but may consist of less than three officers in “exceptional circumstances”.
• Officers will not be included in the panel unless they themselves are willing, 

Need of Guidelines

• The amended UPSC guidelines come in the wake of several States choosing to appoint acting DGPs instead of regular DGPs, bypassing the requirement to go through the UPSC-selected panel of eligible officers. 
• For example: States such as Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana have appointed “in-charge” DGPs, or DGPs with “full additional charge”.

Procedure for Appointment of Director General of Police 

• The UPSC had first framed guidelines for the preparation of a panel for appointment to the post of State DGPs in 2009, after the Supreme Court verdict in the police reforms case (Prakash Singh V/S Union of India) of 2006. 
• According to the guidelines, the DGP is to be selected by the State government from amongst the three senior-most officers of the department.
• They have to be empanelled for promotion to that rank by the UPSC on the basis of their length of service, very good service record, and range of experience for heading the police force.
• The committee to appoint the State DGP is headed by the UPSC Chairman and includes the Union Home Secretary, the State’s Chief Secretary and DGP, and one of the heads of the Central Armed Police Forces nominated by the MHA who is not from the same State cadre.

News Source: The Hindu

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Context:

• The Centre has decided to deploy National Level Monitors (NLMs) to oversee the implementation of its livestock schemes including the National Livestock Mission, National Programme for Dairy Development and Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme and Rashtriya Gokul Mission. 

What are the National Level Monitors (NLMs)?

• The NLMs will be third-party independent monitors — individuals and institutions deployed by the government. 
• Individual NLMs will be selected from among retired Civil/Defence Services Officers, and academia.

Terms of Reference for NLMs:

• The objectives of this monitoring include ascertaining whether the programmes of the Ministry are implemented according to guidelines prescribed by the Ministry and if prescribed implementation processes are being followed. 
• This monitoring will determine villagers’ views on the programmes, consider their suggestions for improvement and whether the selection of beneficiaries under a programme has been transparent, unbiased and fair.
• The terms of reference state that the monitoring will determine if incentives to paravets/technicians/ farmers have been distributed as envisaged under the scheme.
• It will monitor whether data generated on vaccination, disease monitoring and artificial insemination has been uploaded on the National Digital Livestock Mission on a real time basis.

Present Mechanism of Monitoring

• At present, the department monitors the schemes’ implementation through “monthly, quarterly and yearly progress reports, management information system, regional review meetings and video conferencing sessions with participating states.”

What is the National Livestock Mission?

• The National Livestock Mission was implemented as a sub scheme of White Revolution – Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana.
• The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India is implementing the scheme of National Livestock Mission since the financial year 2014-15.
• It aims towards employment generation, entrepreneurship development, increase in per animal productivity and thus targeting increased production of meat, goat milk, egg, and wool.
• The concept of the NLM Scheme is to develop the entrepreneur in order to create the forward and backward linkage for the produce available in the unorganized sector and to link with the organized sector.
• Sub-Missions of National Livestock Mission:
  • Sub-mission on Breed Development of Livestock and Poultry
  • Sub-mission on Feed and Fodder Development
  • Sub Mission on Innovation and Extension

National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)

• It was launched in February 2014 by merging three existing schemes i.e. 
  • Intensive Dairy Development Programme
  • Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality
  • Clean Milk Production and Assistance to Cooperatives. 
• In July 2021, NPDD has been restructured with the aim of enhancing the quality of milk and milk products and increasing the share of organized procurement, processing, value addition and marketing; for implementation from 2021-22 to 2025-26. 

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• It has been implemented for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds since December 2014. 

To read more about the mission, refer Rashtriya Gokul Mission

News Source: Indian Express

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Context:

• The Centre has set an ambitious target of installing 250 million smart meters nationwide by 2025. Currently, 7 million smart-meters are installed across the country. 

A Closer Look at the RDSS Scheme – Latest Update

• After experiencing sluggish growth, the smart meter network is set to grow significantly this year, with around 150 million meters in various stages of the bidding process.
• The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) allocates Rs 10,000 crore for smart prepaid metering infrastructure across the country.  
• Government estimates indicate the deployment of 250 million smart-meters for domestic consumers under this. 

What is the RDSS Scheme? 

• It aims to improve the operational efficiencies and financial sustainability of state-owned distribution companies (discoms)/power departments by providing conditional financial assistance. 
• RDSS envisions smart metering in operational expenditure mode and provides financial support to discoms opting for prepaid smart-metering.  
• The scheme requires the projects to be executed on Totex mode which means execution through a combination of Capex and Opex mode.
  • Capital expenditure is a company’s major, long-term expense while operating expenses is its day-to-day expense.
• Nodal Agencies: Rural Electrification Corporation and Power Finance Corporation
• Implementation cost: The scheme’s cost is borne by the Centre and state governments in a 3:2 ratio.

Objectives of the RDSS Scheme

• Reduction of Aggregate Technical and commercial (AT&C) losses to pan-India levels of 12-15% by 2024-25.
• Reduction of Average Cost of Supply (ACS)-Average Revenue Realised (ARR) gap to zero by 2024-25.
• Improve the quality, reliability and affordability of power supply to consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient distribution sector.

Components of the RDSS Scheme:

• Part A: Financial support for Prepaid Smart Metering & System Metering and up-gradation of the Distribution Infrastructure.
• Part B: Training & Capacity Building and other Enabling & Supporting 

Eligibility Criteria for RDSS:

• All State-owned Distribution companies and State /UT Power Departments (referred to as DISCOMS collectively) excluding private Sector power companies will be eligible for financial assistance under the revamped scheme. 
• The scheme would be optional to DISCOMs and will be implemented in urban and rural areas of all States/UTs except private DISCOMS.

News Source: Business Standard

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Context:

• 19 out of 20 large states recorded a drop in their 2023 scores from 2019 in the state-wise food safety index published by Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

State Food Safety Index 2023 – Key Highlights

• 15 out of 20 states recorded lower 2023 scores compared to 2019.
• In 2020, the average of total scores given to all large states improved marginally to 56 points out of 100 from 52 points in 2019, when the State Food Safety Index was first published. In 2021 and 2022, however, the average score dropped to 51 points for both years. 
• The steepest fall was observed in the State Food Safety Index 2023 when the average score dropped to 40 points.

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State Food Safety Index 2023 – Performance Over Various Indicators

• Food Testing Infrastructure: It measures the availability of adequate testing infrastructure with trained personnel in each state for testing food samples. 
  • Over five years, it recorded the worst drop in the average score in all large states which dropped to 7 points out of 17 in 2023 from 13 points out of 20 in 2019. 
  • The average score for all large states for this parameter dropped to 7 points out of 17 in 2023 from 13 points out of 20 in 2019.
  • Both Gujarat and Kerala were the best performers in 2023 with 13.5 points out of 17 while Andhra Pradesh performed the worst.
• Compliance:  It measures licensing and registration of food businesses, inspections conducted, special drives and camps organised, and other such compliance-related tasks carried out by each state’s food safety authority. 
  • It was given the highest weightage of 28 per cent in 2023 (30 per cent in previous years).
  • In 2023, Jharkhand received 4 points out of 28, the lowest score for compliance, whereas Punjab and Himachal Pradesh received 18 points each, the highest score. 
  • The 2023 average compliance score for all large states stood at 11 points out of 28 compared to 16 points out of 30 in 2019.
• Consumer Empowerment:  It measures a state’s performance in various consumer empowering initiatives of FSSAI including participation in Food Fortification, Eat Right Campus, BHOG (Blissful Hygienic Offering to God), Hygiene Rating of Restaurants, and Clean Street Food Hubs.
  • It was given the second highest weightage of 19 per cent in 2023 (20 per cent in previous years), Bihar’s score in this parameter dropped to 1 point out of 19 in 2023 from 7 points out of 20 in 2019. 
  • The top performer for this parameter in 2023 was Tamil Nadu with 17 points out of 19, followed by Kerala and Madhya Pradesh with 16 points each. 
  • Overall, there has been little change in this parameter in the last five years, with the average score in 2023 being 8 points out of 19 compared to 2019 when it was 7.6 points out of 20.
• Human Resources and Institutional Data: It measures availability of human resources including number of Food Safety Officers, Designated Officers, and facility of adjudications and appellate tribunals in each state.
  • It was given the third highest weightage of 18 per cent in 2023 (20 per cent in previous years).
  • Top performers in 2019 like Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh, with each receiving 17 points out of 20, got merely 10.5 and 9.5 points respectively in 2023.
• Training and Capacity Building’: it recorded significant improvement and was given the least weightage of 8 per cent in 2023 (10 per cent in previous years). 
• The average score for this parameter improved to 5 points out of 8 in 2023 from 3.5 points out of 10 in 2019.
• Improvement in State Food Safety Index (SFSI) Rank:  The new parameter carried a weightage of 10 per cent in 2023 in which 14 out of 20 large states received 0 points.

What is the State Food Safety Index?

• Since 2019, FSSAI has released the State Food Safety Index (SFSI) each year on June 7 on the occasion of World Food Safety Day. 
• It aims to foster healthy competition and catalyze positive change in the food safety ecosystem throughout the country, ultimately ensuring the provision of safe and wholesome food to all residents.

News Source: Indian Express

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Context:

• This article is based on the news “Wildlife trafficking, organised crime linked: Nonprofit’s report sheds new light” Which was published in the DownToEarth. The Wildlife Justice Commission (WJC) has released a new report on the convergence of wildlife crime with other forms of organized crime.

Key Highlights of WJC Report – Convergence of Wildlife Crime and Other Forms of Organized Crime

• The report reveals close connections between wildlife trade and various criminal activities, including protection rackets, extortion, murder, money laundering, illicit drugs, tax evasion, and corruption.
• This report, titled “Convergence of wildlife crime with other forms of organized crime: A 2023 Review,” is a follow-up to the 2021 report, which highlighted 12 case studies demonstrating links between wildlife trafficking and human trafficking, fraud, migrant smuggling, illicit drugs, corruption, and money laundering.
• However, it is the first time that it noted sand-mining as a form of environmental crime.

Wildlife Trade and Wildlife Crime

• Wildlife Trade:
  • It Involves the sale and exchange of wild animals and plants, including live specimens, parts, derivatives, or transformed products.
  • Occurs at various levels, from local to global.
  • Regulated internationally by CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). 
  • Wildlife Trade in India: International wildlife trafficking into and out of India mainly occurs through either the Northeast or through airports. Chennai and Mumbai airports are major hubs for this illegal activity.
  • Major Trafficking Routes (The 2018 TRAFFIC report In Plane Sight):
    • Northeastern Borders: Rhino horns, tiger parts, and pangolin scales are trafficked extensively across the borders with Nepal, Myanmar, and China, with transit sites in cities like Dimapur, Guwahati, and Imphal.
    • India-Bangladesh Border: The trafficking of birds and reptiles is prevalent along the India-Bangladesh border.
• Wildlife Crime:
  • A significant environmental crime encompassing violations of national, regional, or international laws protecting wildlife species (Refer Image).

Status of Wildlife 

• According to WWF’s “Living Planet Report, 2020,” monitored population sizes of various species have declined by an average of 68% between 1970 and 2016.
• A United Nations-backed panel, Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), reported in 2019 that up to one million plant and animal species face extinction, with many at risk within decades.
• IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species indicates that over 41,000 species, or 28% of all assessed species, are threatened with extinction.
• Convergence of Wildlife Crime with Other CrimesReports and analyses highlight the convergence of wildlife crime with various serious crimes:
  • A 2018 U.S. Intelligence Community analysis found substantial overlap between wildlife crime and drug trafficking, terrorism, and nuclear-related materials proliferation.
  • INTERPOL’s 2015 report identifies links to crimes such as terrorist activities, human trafficking, firearms trafficking, and more.
  • The “Shared Skies” report identifies levels of convergence in which trafficking activities occur, from shipment to jurisdiction-level convergence.
  • The Wildlife Justice Commission’s 2021 report discusses 12 case studies showing the convergence of wildlife crime with corruption, money laundering, drug trafficking, and more.

Provision to Check Wildlife Crime:

• Global Cooperation in Combating Wildlife Crime
  • International Consortium on Combating Wildlife Crime (ICCWC)
    • Collaborative effort of five inter-governmental organizations: CITES Secretariat, INTERPOL, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), World Bank, and World Customs Organization (WCO).
    • Provides coordinated support to national wildlife law enforcement agencies and regional networks.
  • ASEAN Wildlife Enforcement Network (ASEAN-WEN):
    • A regional inter-agency and inter-governmental organization.
    • Combats transnational wildlife trafficking.
    • Supports member countries in real-time information sharing and addressing cross-border wildlife crimes.
    • Member countries: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand.
  • South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN):
    • A regional intergovernmental organization.
    • Fosters cooperation among member countries in South Asia to combat wildlife crimes.
    • Focuses on policy harmonization, institutional capacity strengthening, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with national, regional, and international partners.
    • Member countries: India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives.
  • UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), 2000
    • The main international instrument to combat transnational organized crime.
    • Ratifying states commit to taking various measures against transnational organized crime, including creating domestic criminal offenses (e.g., participation in an organized criminal group, money laundering, corruption, obstruction of justice).
    • Establishes frameworks for extradition, mutual legal assistance, and law enforcement cooperation.
  • TRAFFIC (Trade Records Analysis of Flora and Fauna in Commerce):
    • TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network and a joint program of WWF and IUCN, established in 1976, collaborates with national and state governments and various agencies.Mission: To study, monitor, and influence actions that curb illegal wildlife trade and bring legal wildlife trade within sustainable levels.
• Legal Framework in India:
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: India has a robust legal and policy framework to regulate and restrict wildlife trade. 
    • The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibits trade in over 1800 species of wild animals, plants, and their derivatives.
  • CITES Membership: India has been a member of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora) since 1976. 
    • CITES is an international agreement that ensures international trade in specific species listed on Appendices does not threaten their survival.
  • The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB): It is a statutory multi-disciplinary body under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, to combat organized wildlife crime in the country.

Also Read: Approach to Wildlife Conservation

Common Facilitating Factors for Wildlife Crime: 

• Bribery and Corruption: Corruption is a major driver in terrestrial wildlife crimes, fisheries, and timber. It facilitates illegal activities at every step of the supply chain, including poaching, transportation, processing, and product sales.
  • Examples: In the 12 case studies, bribery, and corruption were overtly present, particularly in timber and fisheries crimes, where corruption can extend to high levels of government, such as providing fishing licenses and logging concessions.
• Money Laundering:
  • Attractiveness to Organized Crime: Wildlife crime is lucrative, attracting organized crime groups due to the potential for large profits with relatively low risk.
  • Laundering of Illicit Financial Flows: High prices for wildlife products like rhino horn and ivory suggest substantial illicit financial flows that may be laundered to conceal their illegal origins.
• Limited Financial Investigations: Many countries do not conduct financial investigations to identify the proceeds of crime or potential money laundering offenses linked to wildlife crime.
  • Examples: The United States is one of the few countries that conducts financial investigations.
• Difference in Legislative Framework: One of the main problems that investigators face worldwide is the difference in the legal status of wild animals in various countries. 
  • For instance, a star tortoise is protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WPA, 1972), in India, it is not considered a protected animal in many countries where it is sold freely and legally.
  • When the trade of an animal, protected in one country, is not restricted under CITES, then it can be sold as a ‘captive-breed’ to avoid any legal wrangles that could arise. 
  • For Example: Every year thousands of star tortoises are smuggled from India to other countries to be sold as pets.
• Factors Driving Wildlife Trafficking in India:
  • Demand for Raw Materials and Animal Parts:
    • High demand for raw materials like red sandalwood and ivory, used in luxury product manufacturing.
    • Demand for animal parts, including rhinoceros horn and tiger parts, for traditional medicine.
  • Demand for Meat: Wildlife trafficking is driven by the demand for meat from animals such as Bengal slow loris, softshell turtles, deer, antelope, wild cattle, and sea cucumbers.
  • Exotic Pets:
    • Growing demand for exotic pets, especially birds like cockatoos, macaws, and gray parrots.
    • Indian birds, fish, and reptiles are also in demand in global pet markets.

Impact of Wildlife Trade on the Environment

• Depletion of Natural Inhabitants: Wildlife trade leads to the depletion of natural habitats and populations of native species, including tigers, elephants, rhinos, pangolins, and star tortoises.
  • Example: In April 2010, the last known Vietnamese Javan rhinoceros. The animal—the final member of the subspecies Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus—was killed by poachers. 
• Spread of Invasive Species: Introduction of invasive species into ecosystems, such as red-eared slider turtles and suckermouth sailfin catfish, due to the pet trade.
  • Example: Burmese  Python Species
  • Native to Africa, Asia, and Australia become problematic in US due to their popularity as pets. 
  • However, by way of an accidental release, one such popular pet snake species, the Burmese python, was introduced in South Florida. 
  • They have since established a breeding population and are now considered to be one of the most concerning invasive species in the Everglades National Park.

• Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases: Close human-wildlife contact in wet markets and wildlife trade can lead to the emergence of zoonotic diseases.
  • Virulent diseases like Ebola, Marburg virus disease, SARS, and COVID-19 have been linked to such interactions, posing threats to human health and ecosystems.

Way Forward for Combating Wildlife Crime:

• Marine Smuggling in Coastal Regions: India’s coastal regions are vulnerable to the smuggling of marine species like sea cucumber, sea horse, shark fins etc. Synergy among the Indian Coast Guard and Forest/Police/Customs is crucial to counter marine wildlife smuggling.
• Cross-Border Wildlife Trafficking: India’s land borders with Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and China are also exploited by wildlife traffickers.
  • Enhanced coordination and cooperation are needed among security forces like Assam Rifles, Border Security Force, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, and Sashastra Seema Bal to counter cross-border wildlife trafficking effectively.
  • For Example: In 2018, Chinese Customs (Xiamen) detected endangered species smuggling involving suspects A and B. They bought pangolin
  • scales from Nigeria to Vietnam and smuggled
  • them into China. 
  • Xiamen Customs informed the Vietnamese Customs authority and started a joint operation
• Addressing Wildlife Crime as Financial Crime:
  • Establish coordination and cooperation between FIU-India, and Forest/Police/Customs/ for sharing financial intelligence related to wildlife trafficking.
  • Use provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) to investigate and curb wildlife crime as a financial crime.
• Recommendation by the WJC Commission:
  • Intelligence Collection and Comprehensive Wildlife Datasets:
    • Emphasize the need for governments to establish comprehensive wildlife datasets.
    • Advocate for better intelligence collection methods.
    • Stress the importance of developing frameworks and protocols for secure and timely intelligence sharing.
  • Organized Crime Group Mapping:
    • Promote the use of organized crime group mapping as an essential tool.
    • Identify points of convergence and focus on tackling wildlife crime from an organized crime perspective.
    • Prioritize law enforcement efforts based on the threat posed by specific organized crime groups and their motivations to commit crimes.
  • Multi-Agency Cooperation and Joint Investigations:
    • Encourage multi-agency cooperation and joint investigations.
  • Alternative Legislation for Convergent Offenses:
    • Suggest considering the use of alternative legislation when relevant.
    • Enable strategic decision-making regarding law enforcement powers and penalties, enhancing the response to convergence.
  • Financial and Corruption Investigations:
    • Advocate for conducting financial and corruption investigations alongside wildlife crime cases.
    • Identify money laundering, corruption offenses, and payment methods.
    • Facilitate asset recovery by tracing the proceeds of crime.
  • Specialized Investigative Techniques:
    • Promote the greater utilization of specialized investigative techniques, including
      • Communications interception
      • Undercover operations
      • Use of listening and tracking devices
      • Controlled deliveries
    • Enhance understanding of potential convergence between wildlife crime and other serious crime types.
    • Develop coordinated law enforcement responses when such convergence is identified.

Also Read: 2023 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 28)

Conclusion:

The report by the Wildlife Justice Commission highlights the urgent need for comprehensive international collaboration, enhanced intelligence sharing, and specialized investigative techniques to address the alarming convergence of wildlife crime with various forms of organized crime, posing a critical threat to both biodiversity and global security.

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Context:

• The Sixth Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) was hosted at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi.

Sixth Assembly of International Solar Alliance – Key Highlights

• The 6th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance has decided to increase viability gap funding(VGF) for projects from 10% up to 35%.
  • VGF aims at supporting infrastructure projects that are economically justified but fall marginally short of financial viability
• India is considering a $25 million investment as a capital contribution to the Global Solar Facility.
• Need of International Solar Alliance: Around 80 percent of the global population, totaling a staggering 6 billion people, reside in countries that depend on fossil fuel imports.

What is the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

• International Solar Alliance was established following the Paris Declaration at the UN Climate Change Conference on November 30, 2015.
• Secretariat: Gurugram, Haryana.
• Objective: To form a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to collaborate on addressing the identified gaps in their energy requirements through a common approach.
• Membership: International Solar Alliance was proposed as a multi-country partnership organization with membership from the ‘sunshine belt’ countries lying fully or partially between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. 
  • However, the ambit has been subsequently expanded to include several European countries and the US as well.

• Governance Structure: The Assembly of the International Solar Alliance is the apex decision-making body which comprises representatives from each Member Nation.

• Target: The International Solar Alliance has set a target of 1 TW of solar energy by 2030, which would require $1 trillion to achieve.
• Observer Status: The United Nations General Assembly granted observer status to the ISA on 9 December 2021. 

• Focus Areas of International Solar Alliance:
  • Promoting solar technologies
  • New business models and investment in the solar sector
  • Formulate projects and programs to promote solar applications
  • Develop innovative financial mechanisms to reduce cost of capital build
  • Common knowledge e-Portal to facilitate capacity building for promotion and absorption of solar technologies.

What are the initiatives of the International Solar Alliance?

• One Sun, One World & One Grid: It aims to connect different regional grids through a common grid that will be used to transfer renewable energy power, especially solar energy. 
  • The idea for the One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative was put forth by India, at the First Assembly of the International Solar Alliance in October 2018.
• ‘Towards 1000’ policy’:  To mobilize 1000 billion USD by 2030 to install 1000 gigawatts (GW) of solar energy capacity to provide energy access for 1000 million people.

• Common Risk Mitigation Mechanism (CRMM):  It aims to act as an insurance pool for financiers. 
  • Significance: The USD1-billion guarantee from this mechanism could attract up to USD15 billion in investments, which could set up 20 GW of solar PV capacity in more than 20 countries.
• Sustainable Renewables Risk Mitigation Initiative (SRMI): It aims to leverage private investments to support governments in developing, financing, and implementing sustainable solar programs and projects.
• The Affordable Finance at Scale and Scaling Solar Applications for Agricultural Use (SSAU) programs were launched together by India and France at a Ministerial side event on International Solar Alliance at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, in 2016.
• Scaling Solar Mini-Grids Programme: It aims to address the energy requirements of International Solar Alliance member nations in specific regions lacking a reliable grid or with no grid access at all.
• ISA’s Solar Facility: The Solar facility aims to catalyze solar investments in the underserved segments and geographies of Africa, thereby unlocking commercial capital. 
  • The facility would focus on investing across solar technologies – off-grid solar, rooftop solar, productive use solar, and utility-scale solar – across Africa through a country-specific intervention approach. The Solar Facility would comprise 2 funds: 
  • Solar Insurance Fund: The Solar Insurance Fund would accelerate solar project development in Africa via offsetting insurance premium-related expenses (during construction and pre-revenue stages).
  • Solar Payment Guarantee Fund:  The Solar Payment Guarantee Fund will support projects at the time of default and reduce the risk of early closures/bankruptcy of solar energy projects.

Also Read: India Records 76% Drop In Solar Module Imports From China

What challenges does the International Solar Alliance face?

• India’s Limited Material Capability: India, being a founder of International Solar Alliance suffers a major drawback as it does not possess significant material capability in the solar sector that can influence other players. 
  • For example,  Dependency on Chinese Equipment, India heavily relies on Chinese solar equipment, with about 70% of the country’s solar capacity being built using Chinese-made solar equipment.
• Diverse Challenges and Perspectives Among ISA Member States: Many member states are developing countries with pressing priorities at home who have not always been able to articulate their solar needs well. 
  • Some member states, such as those in Southeast Asia, are not fully convinced about solar power itself while others are waiting for more successes before embracing solar power fully.
• Limited Global Solar Capacity: The International Solar Alliance was initially designed to cater to 121 countries lying in the sunshine-rich area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. 
  • These countries, most of which are poorer, account for nearly three-quarters of the world’s population but only 23% of global solar capacity.
• Challenges in Solar Markets of Smaller Countries: Solar markets in smaller countries are  fragmented to attract investors, and governments often lack the know-how to differentiate among the various technologies and policies to find the best fit for their own needs. 
• Land Acquisition Challenges: Land and water usage and ensuing ecological considerations have been a major part of solar power production in developing countries. 
  • India could be a case in point in this regard, where out of 57 solar parks commissioned by the government, only about 10 have been operationalized due to land acquisition concerns.
• Differentiating Itself from IRENA: The International Solar Alliance has emerged in what is already a crowded renewables ecosystem of multiple inter-governmental and global actors. Among the most prominent of these is the International Renewable Agency or IRENA.
  • The International Solar Alliance will need to differentiate itself from IRENA, and it is not yet clear it will do so.

India’s Role in International Solar Alliance

• Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre: The International Solar Alliance established the Green Hydrogen Innovation Centre (GHIC) at the initiative of India’s G20 Presidency in July 2023.
• Solarisation of healthcare centers in Africa: In August 2023, India through ISA inaugurated nine projects for the solarisation of healthcare centres and primary schools in Uganda, Comoros, and Mali.
• Capacity Building: The Indian government has backed the International Solar Alliance by offering solar energy training spanning 21 days under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Scheme. 
  • For Example: During 2018–2019, 133 participants from 25 countries received training at the National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurugram, Haryana, India, with assistance from the ITEC scheme. 
• Funding: The Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) has pledged to fund solar initiatives for scaling up affordable finance, totalling USD 1.4 Billion
• Supporting Infrastructure: Being a founding member, the Indian government contributed $27 million to the International Solar Alliance for building infrastructure and recurring expenditure over a 5-year duration from 2016-17 to 2020-21. 
• Research & Development: India will also provide 500 training slots for International Solar Alliance member countries and start a solar tech mission to lead R&D.

Way Forward

• Reduce Dependence on China: With nearly 90% of it being imported from China, India has been in a hurry to build up domestic manufacturing capacity under Make-in-India program and with the ambitious scheme of Production-linked Incentives (PLI).
• Private-Public partnerships: One of the many immediate steps could be to get the private industry players in India in the solar field to visit the countries that have come on board the International Solar Alliance and forge vital international private-public partnerships.
• Fostering Leadership, Innovation, and International Collaboration in Solar Energy: Some of the best-performing states in India can be encouraged to show leadership in forging partnerships with renewable energy partners in the countries that are part of the alliance.  
  • Additionally, international experts in the field of solar energy can also be brought together to understand their case studies.
• Promoting Solar Investment Summits: In all the countries that have signed the International Solar Alliance agreement, renewable energy or specific solar energy investment summits or solar shows have to be organized and anchored by the International Solar Alliance periodically.
• Recognizing Solar Ambassadors: Inspiring Global Solar Advocacy: India could also pick and honor some credible and emerging solar ambassadors across the various countries that have signed the International Solar Alliance framework agreement and honor them annually or when the general assembly of the ISA takes place. 
  • This will showcase positive human stories as driving the global solar movement within the ambit of the International Solar Alliance in the times to come and inspire several others to join the movement

Also Read: Renewable Energy Intermittency – Challenges, Opportunities, and Way Forward

Conclusion:

The India-led International Solar Alliance for an equitable green energy transition for the Global South has taken significant steps towards funding, policy, technology, infrastructure and capacity building. However, success will depend on the commitment of Member Countries and international partners towards consistent efforts and devising practical strategies for addressing any challenges that may arise in its value chains, financing, and technology transfer while capitalizing on the agreed framework.

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