News In Shorts 30 September 2026: IWC, Niyamgiri Hills, PRAHAAR & Iraq

International Whaling Commission (IWC)

Context: India has reaffirmed its commitment to whale and cetacean conservation at the 70th meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC-70), being held in Hobart, Australia.

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About International Whaling Commission (IWC)

• IWC is a global intergovernmental body established in 1946 under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling (ICRW) to conserve whale stocks and regulate whaling activities through science-based measures.
• Membership: As of September 2026, the International Whaling Commission (IWC) has 89 member governments 
• Headquarters: Impington, near Cambridge, England, United Kingdom. 
• Key Functions: Sets whaling limits and seasons, establishes whale sanctuaries, protects certain species and regulates the capture of calves and female whales with calves. 
• India: Has been a member of the IWC since 1981.
• Florianópolis Declaration (2018): Members reaffirmed the conservation of whales and their recovery to pre-industrial whaling levels.
• IWC-70: Coincides with the 80th anniversary of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling. 

India’s Cetacean Conservation Measures

• Legal Protection: Cetaceans receive the highest level of protection (Schedule I) under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, prohibiting hunting and providing stringent penalties for violations.
• Marine Protected Areas (MPAs): India has notified several MPAs to conserve marine biodiversity, including whales, dolphins, dugongs, sharks, rays, turtles and corals.
• Project Dolphin: Launched in 2020, it adopts a holistic approach to conserve riverine and marine dolphins, along with other cetaceans and their aquatic ecosystems.
• Arabian Sea Humpback Whale: Identified as one of 25 species for focused conservation efforts due to its conservation significance.

Niyamgiri Hills Bauxite Mining

Context: The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) has cautioned against renewed efforts to revive bauxite mining in Odisha’s Niyamgiri Hills.

About Niyamgiri Hills

• The Niyamgiri Hills are located in southern Odisha, primarily across Rayagada and Kalahandi districts.
• Physiography: They form part of the Eastern Ghats hill system.
• Mineral Resource: The hills are known for substantial bauxite deposits; Odisha itself is one of India’s major mineral-rich states.
• Protected Areas: Niyamgiri Hills are bounded by Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary to the northwest and Kotgarh Wildlife Sanctuary to the northeast.
• Tribal Community: The Dongria Kondh, an Indigenous tribal community and a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), have traditionally inhabited the Niyamgiri region. 

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Mining In Niyamgiri Hills

• Bauxite Mining Proposal: Vedanta Group had proposed bauxite mining in the Niyamgiri Hills.
• Opposition to Mining: The project faced sustained opposition from local tribal communities and environmental groups.
• Supreme Court Involvement: In 2013, the Supreme Court directed that the affected Gram Sabhas should consider the community’s religious and cultural rights under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, before the mining proposal could proceed.
  • 12 Gram Sabhas subsequently rejected the mining proposal, following which the proposed mining project did not receive the required approval.

Legal Safeguards for Tribal Communities in Scheduled Areas

• Fifth Schedule of the Constitution: Provides special provisions for the administration and control of Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes.
• Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA): Strengthens the role of Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas.
• Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA): Recognises the rights of forest-dwelling tribal communities and other traditional forest dwellers.

PRAHAAR

Context: The Union Home Minister inaugurated the Conference on ‘PRAHAAR – CT Policy and Strategy’ in New Delhi.

About PRAHAAR

• PRAHAAR is India’s Counter-Terrorism (CT) Policy and Strategy framework, aimed at strengthening the country’s response to terrorism through a proactive, coordinated and whole-of-society approach.
• Seven Pillars Of PRAHAAR
  • Prevention: Preventing terrorist activities and emerging threats.
  • Response: Ensuring timely and coordinated action against terrorism.
  • Aggregating Internal Capacities: Pooling the capabilities of various security and law-enforcement agencies.
  • Human Rights: Ensuring counter-terrorism measures respect human rights considerations.
  • Attenuating Conditions for Terrorism: Addressing factors and conditions that enable terrorism.
  • Aligning International Efforts: Strengthening international cooperation against terrorism.
  • Recovery & Resilience: Enhancing the ability of institutions and society to recover from terrorist incidents and withstand future threats.

Key Points of The PRAHAAR Conference

• Strengthening Counter-Terrorism Strategy: Focus on continuously analysing terror incidents and strengthening the PRAHAAR framework for the next 10 years.
• Police Station-Level Implementation: Emphasis on implementing the PRAHAAR framework at the Thana/police station level.
• Automated CT Response: Focus on institutionalising an automated counter-terrorism response at every level of the framework.
• Inter-Agency Coordination: Better coordination among central agencies, State Police, CAPFs and other stakeholders to prevent delays and ensure result-oriented action.
• Extradition Portal: A new Extradition Portal was launched to streamline and expedite the process of bringing fugitives back to India.
• Dedicated State Police Teams: States were urged to establish dedicated teams to work with central agencies on bringing fugitives back from abroad.
• Whole-of-Society Approach: The conference emphasized the coordinated participation of security agencies, governments, and other stakeholders in counter-terrorism efforts.

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Mandar GI Tag

Context: The traditional Mandar folk musical instrument of Jharkhand received the Geographical Indication (GI) tag from the GI Registry, Chennai, in September 2026.

About ‘Mandar’

• Mandar is a traditional percussion instrument deeply associated with Jharkhand’s tribal communities, folk music, dance and festivals.
  • The GI application was filed in 2021, documenting its construction, locally sourced materials, traditional techniques and cultural association.
• Key Features
  • Distinctive Construction: Mandar has a distinctive drum-like structure, with its construction incorporating locally available natural materials.
  • Traditional Manufacturing: The instrument is produced using traditional artisan techniques, preserving indigenous knowledge and craftsmanship.
  • Acoustic Characteristics: Its traditional construction gives Mandar a distinctive deep acoustic sound, making it suitable for folk music and dance performances.
  • Historical Documentation: Its association with Jharkhand has been supported by historical records, including works of Sarat Chandra Roy (1915), Tarak Chandra Das (1931) and W.G. Archer (1940).
• Cultural Significance
  • Mandar forms an integral part of the music, dance and social life of indigenous communities in Jharkhand.
  • It is traditionally used during community gatherings, folk dances and festivals, including Sarhul.
  • Its recognition helps preserve the traditional knowledge, cultural identity and livelihood of local artisans.

About Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

• A GI tag identifies goods whose quality, reputation or other characteristics are essentially attributable to their geographical origin.
  • India’s first GI tag was awarded to Darjeeling Tea in 2004–2005.
• Provided By: GI registration in India is administered by the Geographical Indications Registry, headquartered in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
• Legal Provision: GI protection in India is governed by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999.
  • The Act came into force in 2003 and provides for registration and protection of geographical indications.
• Registration: GI registration can protect agricultural, natural, manufactured, handicraft and industrial goods associated with a specific geographical territory.
• Significance of GI Recognition: GI protection helps prevent unauthorised use of the geographical name, strengthens market recognition and supports the economic interests of registered producers.

U.S. Forces Withdrawal From Iraq

Context: U.S. forces are set to leave their last bases in Iraq by September 30, 2026, ending more than two decades of military presence.

Background of U.S. in Iraq

• U.S. Invasion (2003): The United States invaded Iraq in 2003 to topple Saddam Hussein’s regime and subsequently occupied the country.
• Occupation and Counterinsurgency (2003–2011 ): U.S. forces supported the establishment of a Shiite-led government while conducting prolonged counterinsurgency operations against armed groups.
• First U.S. Withdrawal (2011): The United States withdrew its forces from Iraq at the end of 2011 after completing its post-invasion military occupation.
• Fight Against Islamic State (2014–2017): U.S. forces returned in 2014 to assist Iraqi forces in defeating Islamic State (IS), which had captured large areas of Iraq.
• Killing of Qasem Soleimani (2020): The United States killed Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in a strike near Baghdad Airport, intensifying tensions between US and Iran on Iraqi soil.
• Withdrawal Agreement (2024): The withdrawal from Iraq was agreed upon in 2024 under President Joe Biden, with implementation subsequently carried forward by the Donald Trump administration.
• Final Withdrawal (2026): U.S. forces left  their remaining Iraqi bases by September 30, 2026, ending the U.S. military presence in Iraq after more than two decades.

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Potential Implications of U.S. Exit from Iraq

• Greater Iranian Influence: The withdrawal could remove an important military counterweight to Iranian influence in Iraq, potentially strengthening Iran-aligned political and armed groups.
• Security Vacuum: Some Iraqi security figures fear that the withdrawal could create a security gap, particularly if Iraqi forces are not fully prepared to assume the entire security responsibility.
• Islamic State Resurgence: The loss of U.S. intelligence, logistical support and drone capabilities could create opportunities for Islamic State sleeper cells to regroup and exploit security gaps.
• Greater Iraqi Sovereignty: The departure fulfils a long-standing Iraqi aspiration for greater sovereignty and reduced dependence on foreign military forces, although concerns remain over maintaining security and balancing competing external influences

About Iraq

• Iraq is a Middle Eastern country in Southwest Asia, located at the northern end of the Persian Gulf, with as its capital at Baghdad.
• Borders: It is bordered by Turkey to the north, Iran to the east, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to the south, and Jordan and Syria to the west.
• Key Features
• • Climate: The country mostly experiences a hot, arid desert climate with extremely scorching summers and short, cool winters.
  • Vegetation: Plant life is sparse, consisting mainly of desert shrubs, dry grasslands, and date palms clustered near water sources.
  • Rivers: The historic Tigris and Euphrates rivers bisect the region, creating a fertile alluvial plain.

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