In News:   The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently declared Census and National Population Registry (NPR) database as critical information infrastructure under the Information Technology Act(amendment), 2008.

Critical information infrastructure (CIIs):

• About: The Information Technology Act of 2000 defines “Critical Information Infrastructure” as a “computer resource, the incapacitation or destruction of which shall have a debilitating impact on national security, economy, public health or safety”.
• Regulation: The government, under the Act, has the power to declare any data, database, IT network or communications infrastructure as CII to protect that digital asset.
• Provision: Any person who secures access or attempts to secure access to a protected system in violation of the law can be punished with a jail term of up to 10 years.

Need for classification and protection:

• Critical infrastructure: IT resources form the backbone of countless critical operations in a country’s infrastructure.
• Cascading effect: Given their interconnectedness, any disruptions in CIIs can have a cascading effect across sectors. E.g., IT failure at a power grid can lead to prolonged outages crippling other sectors like healthcare, and banking services.
• Cyber-security: In the event of cyber-attacks major banks, government bodies – ministries and parliament, and media outlets can be hit hard and be at peril without any protection.
• Tool of modern warfare: Attacks on others CIIs in recent years have underlined the possibility of hostile state and non-state actors probing internet-dependent critical systems in other countries, and the necessity to fortify such assets.

National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC):

• About: In an attempt to provide CII protection in India, the government in 2014 created NCIIPC to act as the nodal agency for taking all measures to protect the nation’s critical information infrastructure.
• Objective: It is mandated to guard CIIs from “unauthorized access, modification, use, disclosure, disruption, incapacitation or distraction”.
• Working: It monitors and forecast national-level threats to CII for policy guidance, expertise sharing and situational awareness for early warning or alerts.
• Emergency: In the event of any threat to critical information infrastructure the NCIIPC may call for information and give directions to the critical sectors or persons serving or having a critical impact on Critical Information Infrastructure.

Source:

• https://indianexpress.com/article/india/census-npr-database-critical-information-infrastructure-8257516/lite/

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Why in news?

• The Union Minister for Environment Forest and Climate Change addressed the Launch of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC).

Beyond News:

What is the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC)?

• It is an alliance led by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in partnership with Indonesia.
• MAC was launched at the COP27 Summit in Egypt to scale up and accelerate the conservation and restoration of the mangrove forests.
• The alliance will raise awareness about the role of mangroves as a "nature-based solution to climate change".

• The MAC seeks to scale up, accelerate conservation, restoration and growing plantation efforts of mangrove ecosystems for the benefit of communities globally, and recognize the importance of these ecosystems for climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Threats to Mangroves

• Primary Threat: Coastal development, including the construction of shrimp farms, hotels, and other structures.
• Clearing forests for agricultural land and human settlements.
• Using them for firewood, construction wood, charcoal production, and animal fodder.
• Other Threats: Overfishing, pollution, and rising sea levels.

Initiatives for protection of mangroves:

• Central Sector Scheme under National Coastal Mission Programme on ‘Conservation and Management of Mangroves and Coral Reefs.’
• Regulatory measures are implemented through Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
• Integrated Coastal Zone Management Project in Coastal stretches of Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal.

Content Source Link:

• https://wap.business-standard.com/article-amp/current-affairs/india-joins-mangrove-alliance-for-climate-at-cop27-in-egypt-122110801519_1.html,

Image Source Link:

• https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Fscience%2Farticle%2Fpii%2FB9780128195321000159&psig=AOvVaw3OGwuoCYlBz9nk_TIUtxZu&ust=1668142958523000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CBEQjhxqFwoTCIiIgvbqovsCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAv

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In News:

The 14^th Conference of Parties (CoP 14) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has adopted Wuhan Declaration.

Beyond News:

• Wuhan Declaration calls for practical actions to promote the conservation, restoration, management and sustainable use of wetlands worldwide.
• Objectives of the Declaration:
  1. Take measures to halt and reverse wetland loss globally.
  2. Incorporate wetlands into national actions to contribute to domestic legislation, plans and implementation of SDGs.
  3. Define strategic goals and priority areas for wetlands in partnership with civil society stakeholders, academia and the private sector.
  4. Importance of healthy wetland ecosystems as nature-based solutions for climate mitigation, adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
• Another report submitted at the CoP 14 mandated the requirement of the parties to update the Ramsar Information Sheets (RIS) for their Ramsar Sites at least once every six years.
• Six Sites in India (including Keoladeo National Park, Loktak lake etc) are also required to provide updates.
• This includes information about the human-induced negative changes on the water bodies.

Sites negatively impacted by human activities:

• Sambhar lake (India's largest inland salt lake at Jaipur): Affected by unauthorised salt extraction and excess pumping of groundwater.
• The Ramsar Secretariat had also sought information on eight wetlands and lakes in India, to confirm about the negative impact of human activities on the water bodies.

Content Source Link:

• https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/cop14-information-on-75-of-wetlands-included-in-the-list-of-ramsar-sites-is-outdated-85853

Image Source Link:

• https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/climate-change/cop14-information-on-75-of-wetlands-included-in-the-list-of-ramsar-sites-is-outdated-85853

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In news

The United Nations Secretary-General at the COP27 summit has said that Commitments towards net-zero carbon emission cannot be a mere public relations exercise and if one wants to win the fight against climate change it is imperative to have zero tolerance for greenwashing.

About COP27

• The 27th session of the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC or COP 27 is being held at Sharm El-Sheikh in Egypt.
• The conference is an effort to build on previous successes and pave the way for effectively tackling global climate change.
• COP27 will focus on three main areas:
  • Reducing emissions
  • Helping countries to prepare for and deal with climate change
  • Securing technical support and funding for developing countries for the above

About Greenwashing

• Greenwashing is the process of conveying a false impression or misleading information about how a company's products are environmentally sound.
• It involves making an unsubstantiated claim to deceive consumers into believing that a company's products are environmentally friendly or have a greater positive environmental impact than is true.
• Examples:
  • The Volkswagen scandal, in which the German car company was found to have been cheating in emissions testing of its supposedly green diesel vehicles, was a case of greenwashing.
• Implications include presenting a false picture of the progress being made on the climate change front, thereby pushing the world towards disaster, while at the same time rewarding entities for irresponsible behaviour.

• The Carbon credit targets, to adhere the 'Climate Change' protocols have now been flagged for lack of integrity and double counting, in wake of Greenwashing

Way forward

• An expert group at the UN has recommended the following:
  • Corporations pursuing net zero targets must not be allowed to make fresh investments in fossil fuels, and must be asked to present short-term emission reduction goals on the path to achieving net zero.
  • Corporations have been advised not to use offset mechanisms at the start of their journey to net-zero status.
  • Creation of regulatory structures and standards.
• While the measures are likely to curb Greenwashing to some extent, it is imperative to create an entire architecture of the global fight against climate change based on trust.

Source:

• Red flags over ‘greenwashing’ at COP27 — what is it?

Image source:

• https://theolivetreeproject.com/what-is-greenwashing/

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Context: Electoral Bonds Scheme has been amended to allow Sale for Additional 15 Days in Assembly Election Years.

• Electoral bonds are an instrument through which money may be donated to political parties, and the process ensures that the donor remains anonymous.
• It was introduced to bring transparency to electoral funding in India and can be bought from branches of the State Bank of India.
• The government amended the Companies Act to remove the limit of donation: 7.5 per cent of the average net profits of a company in the preceding three years, thus opening the doors to unlimited funding by corporate India.
• The 2018 scheme allowed for the sale of electoral bonds in 4 tranches annually: during a 10-day period in January, April, July and October each, with an additional 30 days allowed in the year of Lok Sabha elections.
• AMENDMENT: The Finance Ministry on 7^th Nov 2022, notified an amendment to allow additional 15 days for the sale of electoral bonds in an election (Assembly) year.

Sources:

• https://m.thewire.in/article/government/electoral-bond-amendment-extend-sale-duration-assembly-elections/amp
• https://indianexpress.com/article/india/electoral-bonds-sale-poll-code-violation-bid-to-legalise-corruption-oppn-govt-8256955/
• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/electoral-bonds-hit-transparency-in-political-funding-says-election-commission/article26656311.ece

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• Context: Recently debate on the age of consent under the POCSO Act has surfaced again.
• What is it?

1. 1. POCSO Act, 2012 deals with sexual offences against persons below 18 years of age (children).
   2. The Act defines “penetrative sexual assault”, “sexual assault” and “sexual harassment”.
   3. Section 39 of the POCSO Act requires the State Governments to prepare guidelines for use of NGOs, professionals and experts or persons to be associated with the pre-trial and trial stage to assist the child.

• POCSO (Amendment) Bill 2019: The Act castigates the storage of pornographic material for commercial purposes with a punishment of up to three years, a fine, or both.
• Nodal Ministry: Union Ministry of Women and Child Development

Sources:

• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/explained-should-the-age-of-consent-be-changed-for-adolescents/article66112727.ece
• https://getlegalindia.com/pocso-act/#POCSO_Act_2019_Amendment_Bill

Image source:

• https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/what-is-pocso-amendment-bill-2019-divd-1595473-2019-09-04

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• Context: New agriculture modelling study shows atmospheric carbon dioxide can be captured, and stored in the soil.
• Carbon sequestration is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide.  
• Types

1. 1. Terrestrial Carbon Sequestration: carbon is absorbed by trees and plants and is stored in soil and biomass.
   2. Geological Carbon Sequestration: The CO2 is usually pressurized until it becomes a liquid, and then it is injected into porous rock formations in geologic basins.
   3. Ocean Carbon Sequestration: A carbon sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs and stores the atmosphere's carbon with physical and biological mechanisms.

• How is it helpful in agriculture?

1. 1. improved nutrients
   2. Better crop variety
   3. Minimum tillage

Source:

• https://ocean-climate.org/en/awareness/the-ocean-a-carbon-sink/
• https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/agriculture/soil-carbon-sequestration-may-help-fight-climate-change-85878

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• Context: The Central Government is requesting the SC the hearing of a plea seeking directions to issue Aadhaar cards to nearly 27 lakh persons who were added to the supplementary list of the Assam National Register of Citizens (NRC) published in August 2019.

• The National Register of Citizens (NRC) is an official record of those who are legal Indian citizens. It includes demographic information of all who qualify as citizens of India as per the Citizenship Act, of 1955.
• NRC for Indian citizens in Assam was first created in 1951. The reason behind the move was to identify Indian citizens in Assam amid "unabated" migration from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh).
• The list comprised those who lived in India
  • on January 26, 1950, or
  • were born in India or
  • had parents who were born in India or
  • had been living in India for at least five years before January 26, 1950, cut-off.
• Nagaland is already creating a similar database known as the Register of Indigenous Inhabitants.
• Apart from Assam, there is a recommendation for nationwide implementation and bringing in a legislation that will enable the government to identify infiltrators who have been living in India illegally, detain them and deport them to where they came from.
• The onus of submitting the documents is placed on people.
• The problem with the NRC, most people lack Aadhaar, passport and ration card will not work.

Sources:

• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/need-to-update-npr-again-to-incorporate-changes-due-to-birth-death-and-migration-mha-annual-report/article66107652.ece#:~:text=There%20is%20a%20need%20to,22%20annual%20report%20published%20on
• https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/what-is-nrc-all-you-need-to-know-about-national-register-of-citizens-1629195-2019-12-18

Image source:

• https://morungexpress.com/assam-nrc-timeline-through-years

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Exam View: 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, Eleventh Schedule, Directive Principles of State Policy Article 40, National Statistical Office (NSO), Consumer price inflation (CPI), Recent Government Initiatives

In News: The lack of political consensus on rural reforms has thwarted the transformation of the farm sector.

India is predominantly a rural country. As per the 2011 Census, 68.8 per cent of the country's population and 72.4 per cent of the workforce resided in rural areas. The rural economy constitutes 46 per cent of the national income. Despite the rise of urbanisation more than half of India's population is projected to be rural by 2050. Thus, the growth and development of the rural economy and population are key to the overall growth and inclusive development of the country.

Rural agriculture is the main source of livelihood in India. It gives livelihood to about 48% of people in India contributing only about 17.5% to the GDP.

Rural area and development would not only boost agricultural productivity but would also help in achieving inclusive growth and thus would ensure the $5 trillion goal of the Indian economy.

Major Issues Related to rural India

• Lack of access to advanced learning tools: Students from rural schools either have no access or lack access to advanced learning tools such as digital learning, computer education, and non-academic books. They are mostly dependent on Government and Government aided schools.
• Lack of political awareness: In Rural areas, corruption thrives due to a lack of political awareness. The accountability mismatch between special purpose agencies and panchayats also contributes towards ineffective Administration.
• Lack of investment: The lack of investment in cold-chain capacity, transportation, storage, and food processing results in almost 30% spoilage of agricultural products.
• Unplanned Migration: Unplanned rural-to-urban migration, particularly in search of better economic opportunities, is putting severe pressure on urban amenities and forcing a large number of low-wage migrants from rural areas to live in unhygienic and deprived conditions.
• Poor transportation: Poor transportation in rural areas will result in low productivity, low income, and a fall in the standard of living.
• Higher Inflation than Urban area: Consumer price inflation (CPI) has grown at a higher rate in rural areas compared with urban areas. The inflation rate for cereals in rural areas increased to 10.08% during August 2022, compared to 8.65% for urban areas.

With active collaboration between the public and private sectors, a rural knowledge platform can be built that will bring cutting-edge technology deeper into villages and create jobs. Empowering and mainstreaming rural women will enhance food and nutrition security and also be a win-win strategy for achieving Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Artificial Intelligence can be used to facilitate smart and precise agriculture.

Many such changes are being implemented at the grassroots level. As a part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the government has committed large investments in supply chain infrastructure for agriculture and allied activities. There is an urgent need for various regulatory and administrative overhauls to foster the emergence of a new rural India. The growth of rural India through agriculture, cottage industries, and other rural industries is necessary for the faster growth of the economy. It hence needs special attention from the central and state governments.

https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/fostering-rural-indias-growth/2793333/

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Why in news? Recently, Blood Moon was witnessed in different parts of India.

About:

• Blood Moon, commonly known as a total lunar eclipse, occurs when the moon passes through the darkest part of Earth’s shadow, known as the umbra.
• During the total lunar eclipse, Earth must be directly between the Sun and the Moon.
• A lunar eclipse can only take place during a full Moon.
• Red light has a longer wavelength than blue light, which gives the lunar eclipse its characteristic reddish colour.

Other Types are:

• Penumbral Lunar Eclipse - Moon becomes completely immersed in the penumbral cone of the Earth.
• Partial Lunar Eclipse - Only a part of the moon enters the umbra of the earth.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/festivals/lunar-eclipse-2022-live-updates-when-and-where-to-watch-the-last-total-chandra-grahan-of-2022-101667890964837-amp.html

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Why in news? Recently, Saudi Arabia launched Middle East Green Initiative to combat the threat of climate change.

About:

• It is a Saudi Arabia-led regional dialogue on climate launched in 2021 to bring together leaders from across the Middle East/North Africa region and beyond.
• It represents 5% of the global target of planting one trillion trees.

Objectives of MGI

• Reducing carbon emissions from regional hydrocarbon production by more than 60%.
• Plant 50 billion trees across the Middle East and restore an area equivalent to 200 million hectares of degraded land.
• It can help in reducing global carbon levels by 2.5%.

https://www.arabnews.com/node/2195206/amp

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Why in news? Recently, PM Modi unveiled the logo, theme, and website of the G20 presidency.

About:

• G20 was founded in 1999 as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central bank Governors after the Asian financial crisis.
• It aims to secure global financial stability by involving middle-income countries.
• G20 members represent around 85% of the global GDP, over 75% of global trade
• India is hosting the G-20 (Group of 20) leaders’ summit in New Delhi and assuming the Presidency of the G20 for one year (2023).
• The logo, theme and website of India's G20 presidency reflected the country's "message and overarching priorities" to the world.
• The G20 comprises 19 countries and the European Union.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/pm-modi-unveils-logo-theme-website-of-indias-g20-presidency/article66112399.ece/amp/

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Why in news? Recently, Spain and Senegal led 30 countries and 20 organisations to launch the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) at the COP27 to the UNFCCC at Sharm El-Sheikh.

About:

• The IDRA was first announced by Spain at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.
• The alliance will help each other to be better prepared for future droughts.
• The mission of the alliance is to give political impetus to make the land’s resilience to drought and climate change a reality by 2030.
• Droughts have increased in frequency by 29% since 2000, with around 55 million people affected every year.
• India is not a part of IDRA.

https://www.unccd.int/international-drought-resilience-alliance

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Why in news? Recently, the Chairman of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council has stated that India should have a “Single Goods and Services Tax (GST) Rate”.

About:

• GST rates should be the same on all goods as ‘progressive’ rates work best with direct taxes, not indirect taxes.
• When the GST was first announced, the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) estimated that it would lead to a 1.5% to 2% increment in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, the estimate was based on the premise that all goods and services will be part of GST and there would be a single GST.
• The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a value-added tax levied on most goods and services sold for domestic consumption.
• It was introduced through the 101st Constitution Amendment Act, of 2016.
• Currently, there are four major GST slabs: 5%, 12%, 18% and 28%.

https://indianexpress.com/article/business/economy/there-should-be-a-single-gst-rate-bibek-debroy-8255272/

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Why in news? Recently, researchers have discovered a new species of estuarine crab in the mangroves of Parangipettai.

About:

• The species has been named ‘Pseudohelice Annamalai’.
• It has discovered near the Vellar River estuary (an area where the river meets the ocean) in the Cuddalore district, Tamil Nadu.
• It is distributed around the Indian subcontinent and the eastern Indian Ocean.
• It has dark purple to dark grey colour.
• It is small and has a maximum width of up to 20 mm.
• The species inhabits muddy banks of mangroves.

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/tamil-nadu/new-species-of-estuarine-crab-discovered-in-cuddalore-named-after-annamalai-university-centenary/article66110524.ece#:~:text=Researchers%20have%20discovered%20a%20new,River%20estuary%20in%20Cuddalore%20district

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Background

The Report of the Expert Committee on the SVAMITVA Scheme was released during the 'National Conference on SVAMITVA Scheme and Rural Planning.

About SWAMITVA

• SVAMITVA (Survey of villages and mapping with improvised technology in village areas) scheme is the central sector scheme of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• The scheme seeks to achieve the following objectives:
  • Creation of accurate land records for rural planning and reducing property-related disputes.
  • To bring financial stability to the citizens in rural India, by enabling them to use their property as a financial asset for taking loans and other financial benefits.
  • Determination of property tax, which would accrue to the Gram Panchayats directly in States where it is devolved or else, adds to the State exchequer.
  • Creation of survey infrastructure and GIS maps that can be leveraged by any department for their use.
  • To support the preparation of a better-quality Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) by making use of GIS maps.
• Also, under the scheme surveying, the land parcels in rural inhabited areas are being done using Drone technology, in a phase-wise manner over the period 2020 -2025.

                                            Various Stages in SVAMITVA Scheme & its Glimpses

Source:

SVAMITVA scheme

Report of Expert Committee on SVAMITVA Scheme released

Image source:

https://static.vikaspedia.in/mediastorage/image/samvita_flow_2.png

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