In News:

Europe is grappling with drought that is projected as the worst in the last 500 years.

About the News:

• Europe has been facing one of the worst droughts in years with some of its biggest rivers Rhine, Po, Loire, and Danube which are usually formidable waterways being unable to support even mid-sized boats.
• As water levels have fallen, remains of sunken ships and ominously named hunger stones — rocks engraved by previous generations during earlier periods of extraordinary dryness have come out of erstwhile depths.

• The drought has been billed as the worst in 500 years with a dry spell this year following a record-breaking heatwave that saw temperatures in many countries rise to historic highs.
• Besides Europe, China and USA are also headed towards a serious drought condition which is expected to affect more than 300 million people in these countries.

Major highlights:

About:

• Background: Europe has been facing large-scale climatic anomalies for over six months — precipitation has been far less than usual, while temperatures have soared to unprecedented levels.

• • Compared to earlier European droughts of those in 2003, 2010, and 2018, this year’s drought is projected to be worse since the great drought of 1540.
• Debilitating impacts:
  • Transport: Water transport has suffered badly, and is having cascading effects as Europe depends heavily on its rivers to move cargo in an economical manner, including coal to power plants.
  • Power: Electricity production has been hit, leading to electricity shortages and a further increase in energy prices already pushed high by the war in Ukraine.
  • Food security: Commodities have been sharply more expensive in many countries, and drinking water is being rationed in some regions.
• Grim outlook:
  • Stern reports: As per report of the Global Drought Observatory (GDO), an agency of the European Commission, about 64% of the continent’s landmass was experiencing drought conditions and the situation was only “worsening” with each passing date.
  • Distribution: Nearly 90% of the geographical area in Switzerland and France, about 83% in Germany, and close to 75% in Italy, was facing agricultural drought. Some areas, especially the UK, have received rain in the last one week, but it has made only a marginal difference to the overall situation.
  • Scope: The situation is unlikely to improve substantially in the coming months as the GDO’s report suggests that the prevailing conditions could extend up to November.

Factors leading to drought in Europe:

• About: Droughts are part of the natural climate system, and are not uncommon in Europe however, the extraordinary dry spell has led to the severity of this drought and thus making it stand out.
• High rate of evaporation: Unusually high temperatures have led to increased evaporation of surface water and soil moisture. The severity of the current drought has been attributed to the fact that it appeared so soon after the 2018 event.
• Prolonged absence of precipitation: Many areas in Europe were still to recover from the drought since 2018 and the Soil moisture had not been restored to normal, and the current dry spell has sapped it further of moisture.

Source:

• https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/explained-europes-great-drought-8107833/

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In news

The Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) digital rupee-the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is expected to be introduced in phases beginning with wholesale businesses in the current financial year.

Types of Central bank Currency

• Physical cash
• Reserves kept with the central bank by commercial banks. Banks employ these reserves, which are in digital form, to control interbank transfers.

Need for Digital Currency

• The surge in Digital Transactions: India is a global pioneer in digital payments, but for low-value transactions, cash still reigns supreme.
  • The total value of digital transactions was ₹2,953 lakh crore (FY2019-20); ₹3,000 lakh crore (FY2020-21), and ₹3,021 lakh crore (FY2021-22), respectively.

• The total value of digital transactions was ₹2,953 lakh crore (FY2019-20); ₹3,000 lakh crore (FY2020-21), and ₹3,021 lakh crore (FY2021-22), respectively.
• High level of circulating cash: The currency to GDP ratio in India is relatively high.
• Currency Management Costs: A government-issued digital currency would make real-time payments possible without incurring any interbank settlement fees.

Why CBDC is preferred over Cryptocurrency?

• Lack of Government Backing: Cryptocurrencies put customers in danger. They lack a governmental guarantee and are not accepted as legal currency.
• High Volatility Risk: They are extremely volatile due to their speculative character. The price of Bitcoin, for instance, dropped from USD 20,000 in December 2017 to USD 3,800 in November 2018.

• Security Issues: If a user misplaces their private key, they can no longer access their cryptocurrency (unlike traditional digital banking accounts, this password cannot be reset).
• Threats posed by malware: Sometimes, technical service providers (like bitcoin exchanges or wallets) who are vulnerable to viruses or hacking keep these private keys.
• Susceptible to Money laundering: The use of cryptocurrencies makes them more susceptible to fraud and money laundering. Since no personal information can be associated with the public keys used in a transaction, they offer better anonymity than traditional payment options.
• Regulatory Evasion: A central bank is unable to control the number of cryptocurrencies available in the market. If its use spreads widely, it might put the country's financial stability in jeopardy.
• Affects Energy Security: Since transaction validation consumes a lot of energy, it might negatively affect the nation's energy security (the total electricity use of bitcoin mining, in 2018, was equivalent to that of mid-sized economies such as Switzerland).

Content Source link:

• https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/cbdc-the-digital-rupee-that-rbi-could-introduce-this-year-8105208/,
• https://www.business-standard.com/article/economy-policy/india-s-cbdc-roll-out-likely-this-fiscal-with-wholesale-businesses-122082200008_1.html#:~:text=It%20is%2C%20therefore%2C%20proposed%20to,is%20preparing%20its%20roll%2Dout

Image Link:

• https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/story/explained-the-difference-between-cryptocurrency-and-digital-currency-321216-2022-02-02,

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In news

The Government has planned to organize a series of events across the country in collaboration with state governments and farmers to harness the export potential of honey in line with India’s vision of a ‘sweet revolution’ through the promotion of beekeeping and allied activities.

• • The honey consumption across the globe has risen manifold, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic due to its natural immunity booster characteristics and a healthier alternative to sugar.

Role of APEDA in Export Promotion of Honey

• APEDA, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, will organize export promotion of honey involving exporters, stakeholders and government officials where focus would be to encourage farmers towards honey farming by ensuring quality production.

• APEDA is aiming is to boost honey exports through ensuring quality production and market expansion to new countries as at present, India’s natural honey exports are majorly dependent on one market the United States – that account for more than 80% of the exports.
• APEDA has been facilitating honey producers in accessing export markets besides availing government assistance under different schemes, quality certification and lab testing.

 Apiculture in India

• Apiculture is the science and culture of honeybees and their management.
• Beekeeping is the practice of intentional maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in hives, by humans.
• A beekeeper may keep bees in order to collect honey and beeswax, or for the purpose of pollinating crops, or to produce bees for sale to other beekeeper. A location where bees are kept is called an
• Beekeeping (or apiculture, from Latin: apis “bee”) is the maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in hives, by humans.
• In India beekeeping has been mainly forest based.Several natural plant species provide nectar and pollen to honey bees.

Utility of honey

• Honey is a nutritious food, rich in energy and vitamins. Our body readily absorbs sugar, minerals, vitamins, and other materials from honey. The various uses of honey are:
  • It is used in the formation of candles cakes and bread.
  • It is a laxative, antiseptic, and sedative and used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal systems. It Acts as a curative of ulcers on the tongue and alimentary canal. Typhoid germs are killed by it.
  • It is used as a preservative, in the brewing industry, in poultry, and fishing industries.
  • It is used to stimulate the growth of plants, the bacterial culture, in insect diet.

Production of Honey in World

• China is the largest honey producer in the world and exporting the largest amount of honey to other countries.
• After China, Turkey, USA, Iran, Russia, Ukraine, India, Mexico, are also known as the biggest honey producer countries in the world.

Production of Honey in India

• The establishment of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission to revitalize the traditional village industries hastened the development of beekeeping in 1980s.
• The production of honey in India increased significantly towards the late 1990s. 70% of honey production comes from informal segments. As a major exporter of honey, India falls behind China, Argentina, Germany, Hungary, Mexico, and Spain.
• In 2020, the total honey production was pegged at 1.62 million metric tonnes, which included honey extracted from all nectar sources, agricultural plants, wild flowers and forest trees.
• In India, North East Region and Maharashtra are the major natural honey producing areas in the country and around 50% of the honey produced in India is consumed domestically, while the rest is exported across the globe.
• In 2020, the global honey export was recorded at 7.36 lakh MT and India ranked 8th and 9thin the world in honey producing and exporting countries, respectively.
• India has a potential of about 200 million bee colonies as against 3.4 million bee colonies today.
• Increasing the number of bee colonies will not only increase the production of bee-related products but will boost overall agricultural and horticultural productivity.

Government Initiatives:

• The Government of India approved allocation of Rs 500 crore for the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) for three years (2020-21 to 2022-23).

• Assistance for Setting up of Processing Units:
  • India is also providing assistance to the beekeepers for setting up of Processing Units.
  • More than 1.25 lakh metric tonnes of honey is being produced in the country, out of which more than 60 thousand metric tonnes of natural honey is exported.
• Adopting Scientific Techniques:
  • In order to bring qualitative upgradation of domestic honey to attract the world market, the Government of India and the State Governments are making concerted efforts and focusing on capacity building of beekeepers for production of honey by adopting scientific techniques.
• Beekeeping Development Committee
  • Bibek Debroy led the beekeeping development committee has made recommendations to enhance the contribution of the beekeeping sector for achieving the target of doubling of farmer incomes by 2022.
  • The committee was set up to identify ways of advancing beekeeping in India that can help in improving:
    • Agricultural productivity.
    • Enhancing employment generation.
    • Augmenting nutritional security.
    • Sustaining biodiversity.

Content Source link:

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1851288

Image Source Link:

• https://ccbs.news/ 

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• Context: WHO has recently released updated guidance on national strategic planning (NSP) for tuberculosis (TB).
• NSP for TB is a key document that guides national authorities and stakeholders on how to comprehensively address the TB epidemic through interventions within health sector and across other sectors.
• The current document is an update to 2015 Toolkit to develop a NSP for TB prevention, care and control.

• TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis,belonging to the Mycobacteriaceae family.
• In humans, the disease commonly affects the lungs-pulmonary TB, but it can also affect other organs- extra-pulmonary TB.
• TB isa treatable and curable disease.
• It is spread from person to person through the air.
• India has a vision to eliminate TB by 2025, which is 5 years ahead of the global target of 2030 set by WHO.
• As per Global TB Report 2021, India has reduced incidence of TB from 217/lakh population in 2015 to 188/lakh population in 2020 which is a 13% decline.
• National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Elimination 2017-2025 by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Nikshay Poshan Yojana for nutritional support to TB patients National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) and TB Harega Desh Jeetega Campaign are the steps taken by India to check TB.

Source:

• https://www.who.int/news/item/16-08-2022-who-releases-updated-guidance-on-national-strategic-planning-for-tuberculosis

Image source:

• https://tbcindia.gov.in/WriteReadData/NSP%20Draft%2020.02.2017%201.pdf

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• Context: Bhitarkanika National Park has reached a saturation point for its estuarine crocodiles.
• Bhitarkanika National Park, is the second-largest mangrove forest in India after the Sundarbans and is located in Kendrapara district of Odisha.
• It is one of Odisha’s finest biodiversity hotspotsand is famous for its mangroves, migratory birds, turtles, estuarine crocodiles, and countless creeks.

• It is known for a successful saltwater crocodile conservation programme.
• It has the second-largest mangrove forest in India and is a Ramsar site. It was declared as a Bhitarkanika National Parkin 1988.
• Bhitarkanika is located in the estuary of Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra, and Mahanadi river
• It is said to house 70% of the country’s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which was started in 1975.
• The Bhitarkanika is represented by 3 Protected Areaswhich are: Bhitarkanika National Park, Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.

Source:

• https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/wildlife-biodiversity/has-odisha-s-bhitarkanika-reached-a-saturation-point-for-its-estuarine-crocodiles-experts-say-yes-84242#:~:text=%E2%80%9CThe%20crocodile%20population%20has%20reached,crocodile%20rearing%20programme%20in%20Bhitarkanika.

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• Context: Tripartite MoU has been signed recently for swift development of modern Multi Modal Logistics Parks under Bharatmala project.
• The tripartite agreement was signed by National Highways Logistics Management Limited NHLML, Inland Waterways Authority of India IWAI, and Rail Vikas Nigam Limited RVNL.

• The objective of the agreement is to centralize freight consolidation and reduce logistics costs from 14% to less than 10% of GDP at par with International Standards.
• MMLP is an inter-modal freight-handling facility with mechanised material handling provisions, warehouses, specialised cold chain facilities etc.
• Developed under ‘Hub and Spoke Model’, it integrates multiple freight transport modes for seamless modal shift ensuring economic growth and environmental friendly logistics.
• MMLPs help in the reduction of transportation cost, pollution, road congestion, warehousing cost etc.
• The MMLP will build the Nation through Gati Shakti.
• Bharatmala Pariyojana was launched in 2017 under Ministry of Road Transport & Highways.
• It is a new umbrella program for the highways sector that focuses on optimizing the efficiency of road traffic movement across the country by bridging critical infrastructure gaps by developing Economic Corridors, Inter Corridors, Feeder Routes, etc.

Source:

• Tripartite MoU signed for swift development of modern Multi Modal Logistics Parks under Bharatmala project | (newsonair.com)

Image source:

• Tripartite MoU signed for swift development of modern Multi Modal Logistics Parks under Bharatmala project | (newsonair.com)

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• Context: The Supreme Court has asked the Centre to re-determine the coverage under the National Food Security Act, 2013 after considering population increase between 2011-2021.
• To date, beneficiaries in States and UTs are identified on basis of 2011 census population figure.

• Food security is defined as "ensuring that all people have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food at all times in order to live a healthy and active life."
• ‘Right to Food’ is a fundamental right under Article 21of the Constitution.
• Public Distribution System, Targeted PDS, National Food Security Mission, Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, etc are some of the steps undertaken by the government to ensure food security.
• National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013 was enacted to ‘provide for food and nutritional security in human life cycle approach, by ensuring access to adequate quantity of quality food at affordable prices to people to live a life with dignity.
• It entitles up to 75% of rural population and 50% of urban population, to receive subsidised food grains under the Targeted Public Distribution System.

Source:

• https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/expand-food-security-coverage-to-benefit-more-needy-persons-sc-tells-centre/article65806291.ece#:~:text=Shah%20and%20B.%20V.,identified%20way%20back%20in%202011.

Image source:

• https://ravik3.wordpress.com/2013/10/12/national-food-security-act-2013/

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Essence - The article highlights that while the food inflation in India has eased, the risk of inflation and food shortage in near future still lurks. While the retail inflation is low for certain food items, the inflation for wheat is still in double digits.

The wheat production has declined due to heat waves in march and even the paddy cultivation is low compared to normal acreage. There are reports of mysterious dwarfing disease of paddy from states that are the highest producers of rice, which can lead to a decline in crop yield by as much as 15-30% this year.

The Global Drought Observatory predicts that ongoing drought-like conditions are likely to affect 47% of European soil. The same is true for the USA, China, and Brazil. All of these will contribute to decreased food grain in the global supply chain. The condition is further aggravated by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Considering all these India needs to build stock and prepare for any contingency. The best way to ensure this is that the government focuses on higher procurement during the Kharif season. This will ensure that the poor and rural economy is protected not only from the brunt of inflation but also global food crisis. 

Why should you read this editorial?

• The article will help you understand the present scenario of the food crisis and hoe India should prepare for it.
• The article gives an insights into the factors that play important role in global food supply chain and how is it linked to inflation in the country.

Source:

• https://www.livemint.com/opinion/online-views/the-global-food-crisis-is-likely-to-threaten-food-security-in-india/amp-11661450947719.html

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Essence – The editorial discusses the refugee policy of India towards Rohingya. It describes the grim situation of Rohingya community both in India and Myanmar. It mentions that despite not being the signatory of international refugee convention India always had humane approach towards the refugees in contrast to some other countries which had signed the convention. It presents security concern as the justification for differential treatment of Rohingyas. It condemns some of the in humane treatment of Rohingyas by Indian authorities during their deportation.

Towards the end it highlights the consequence of partial treatment of Rohingyas on India stature as the flag bearer of human right. It recommends India to join the convention after all the signatories starts adhering to it in letter and spirit.

Why should you read this editorial?

• To know about the condition of Rohingya refugee
• To ponder about the utility of refugee crisis in handling the refugee crisis.

Source:

• https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/should-india-change-its-policy-on-the-rohingya/article65810554.ece/amp/

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Background 

Singapore has recently decided to repeal colonial-era law to decriminalise gay sex, while not amending the constitution to allow same-sex marriage.

About the news

• Section 377A is a law that was imposed during the colonial era by the British in Singapore, which imposes imprisonment for up to two years for men who engage in “any act of gross indecency with another male person”.
  • The law does not apply to Singapore’s women.

• The Singapore government has now decided to repeal Section 377A, while keeping the policies on family and marriage unchanged, in order to maintain the prevailing norms and social values of our society.
• The Prime Minister has asserted that the constitution will be amended in order to define marriage as only between a man and a woman.
• The Gay rights activists have been fighting hard to repeal the section, and many still contest that the present approach isn't enough to give complete rights to gay people.
• India repealed the similar law in 2018, while many Asian countries have been working towards doing the same.
• Further, Taiwan is the only country across Asia that has legally recognised the right to marriage between same-sex couples.

Source:

• Explained: How Singapore is walking a tight rope decriminalising gay sex

Image source:

• https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/5ebfcc19ac01e2000762ad33/Map-of-where-its-illegal-to-be-gay-in-the-world-based-on-State-Sponsored-Homophobia-/960x0.jpg?format=jpg&width=960

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