1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The recently adopted Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) marks a significant milestone for the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) as it enters its 31st year.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

• About: It was opened for signature on 5 June 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (the Rio "Earth Summit") and entered into force in 1993. 
• Members: 196 Parties 
• India is a party to the convention.
• The USA is the only UN member state which has not ratified the Convention.
• Secretariat: Montreal, Canada. 
• It is an international legally binding treaty with three main goals:
• Conservation of biological diversity.
• Sustainable use of the components of the Biodiversity.
• The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)

• Adoption of the KMGBF: The 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity adopted the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" (GBF).
• Four Goals & 23 Targets: The GBF comprises four overarching goals and 23 specific targets to be achieved by 2030.
• Location: COP15 took place in Montreal, Canada.
• Protecting 30% of the Planet: Through the KMGBF, participating countries committed to safeguarding 30 percent of the planet's biodiversity by 2030.
• Ecosystem Restoration; Countries vowed to attain the 23 GBF targets aimed at reversing ecosystem degradation, and securing the survival of the natural world.
• Subsidy Reduction: Under the GBF, countries also agreed to reduce harmful government subsidies by 2025 and to increase international financial flows from developed to developing countries, aiming for at least $20 billion by 2025 and $30 billion by 2030.

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2. SUB-CATEGORIZATION OF SCs (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Polity)

Context: The Prime Minister of India recently announced in Hyderabad that his government will be establishing a committee to assess the sub-categorization of the Madiga community in Telangana within the Scheduled Castes category.

Background

• Historical Struggle: The Madiga community initiated the quest for sub-categorization in 1994 through the Madiga Dandora movement.
• Persistent Advocacy (MRPS): Over the years, the movement continued with the formation of the Madiga Reservation Porata Samiti (MRPS) to advocate for sub-categorization.
• Commission Inquiries: In 1996, Justice P. Ramachandra Raju led a commission to examine the demands of sub-categorization put forth by the Madiga community.

Sub-Categorisation of Scheduled Caste

• Under-representation among SCs: States argue that certain Scheduled Castes (SCs) remain under-represented despite existing reservation policies.
• Need: Many reports underline the inequality within the SCs, drawing attention to the need for addressing the disparities.
• Special Quotas: To address the under-representation, special quotas have been framed and implemented in various states.
• Initiatives in Specific States: Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar have introduced special quotas specifically targeting the most vulnerable Dalits.

Rohini Commission

• It was set up by the President under Article 340 of the Indian Constitution on October 2, 2017.
• Objectives: It was appointed to examine the issues on sub-categorization of Other Backward Castes.

Madiga Community

• About: Madiga is a Telugu caste from southern India.
• Majority: They mainly live in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Karnataka, with a small minority in Tamil Nadu.
• Occupation: Work of tannery, leatherwork and small handicrafts.
• Population: The Madiga community constitutes at least 50% of the total Scheduled Castes in Telangana.

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3. RED SANDERS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change informed that India has been removed from the Review of Significant Trade (RST) for Red Sanders, under Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).

Red Sanders

• About: The Red Sanders is a tree of significant market value, primarily found in specific districts of Andhra Pradesh.
• Distribution: Usually growing in the rocky, degraded and fallow lands with Red Soil and a hot and dry climate. It is an Indian endemic tree species, with a restricted geographical range in the Eastern Ghats.
• Scientific name: Pterocarpus santalinus.
• CITES Status: Appendix II.
• IUCN Status: Endangered.

• Threats from Illegal Harvesting: The Red sanders face severe threats from illegal harvesting and smuggling, resulting in their depletion from natural forest ecosystems.
• Legal Export from Plantations: Despite the challenges, a substantial portion of legally exported red sanders wood is sourced from artificially propagated plantations, contributing to the legal market.
• Review of Significant Trade (RST): The Red sanders species has been under the scrutiny of the Review of Significant Trade process, with the assessment initiated around 2004 to address concerns related to its trade and conservation.

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4. CYCLONE IN BAY OF BENGAL (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Recently, experts have warned that two back-to-back low-pressure areas are potentially forming in the Bay of Bengal, with the possibility of both intensifying into cyclones and one of them may even develop into a severe cyclone.

Cyclone

• About: A cyclone is a large, rotating storm system with low pressure at its center. Cyclones can form in any ocean basin, but they are most common in the tropics. 
• Cyclones can cause a variety of hazards, including strong winds, storm surges, and heavy rainfall.

Types of Cyclones

• Tropical cyclones: These are the most common type of cyclones. They form over warm, tropical oceans and are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges.
• Extratropical cyclones: These cyclones form over cooler waters and are not as strong as tropical cyclones. They are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow.
• Mid-latitude cyclones: These cyclones form in the midlatitudes and are characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and snow.

Formation of Cyclones

• Warm ocean temperatures: Cyclones thrive on warm waters with temperatures above 26.5°C (80°F) as they serve as a primary source of energy for their formation and intensification.
• Favorable Atmospheric Conditions: The presence of a pre-existing weather disturbance, such as a tropical wave or low-pressure system, can provide the initial trigger for cyclone development. 
• Moisture and instability: Sufficient moisture in the lower atmosphere and unstable atmospheric conditions contribute to the development of thunderstorms, which are the building blocks of a cyclone.

Recent Cyclones

• Cyclone Biparjoy: Gujarat's coastal area
• Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan (2020): India and Bangladesh.
• Cyclone Hamoon: Deep depression over the west-central Bay of Bengal
• Cyclone Tej: Arabian Sea

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5. INDIA-UK PACT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: The external affairs minister of India, recently on a trip to the UK, has emphasized the joint commitment of India and the UK to a free trade agreement (FTA), expressing optimism that the two nations will soon find a "landing point" beneficial for both parties.

Key Points

• In 2022, India and the UK had launched the formal Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. Until then, both countries are contemplating an interim free trade area, which will result in reducing tariffs on most of the items.
• Both countries agreed to an early harvest scheme or a limited trade agreement to lower tariffs on a small set of goods apart from easing rules for select services.
• Further, they agreed to avoid “sensitive issues” and focus on areas where there is more complementarity.
• The agriculture and dairy sectors are considered sensitive sectors for India in trade talks.
• Also, a target of doubling the trade between India and the United Kingdom (UK) by 2030 was also set.

India-UK Relationship

• Political Relationship: India’s political system influenced by UK. – Shared democratic values. – Collaboration on global issues. – Support for UN Security Council seat and NSG membership. – Joint declaration for annual Summits and meetings.
• Defence Collaboration: Strategic partnership since 2004. – Joint military exercises. – Cooperation in cyber security and maritime security. – “Make in India” campaign involvement. – Carrier Strike Group deployment in Indian Ocean.
• Economic Relations: The Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) was established in 2005. – India-UK Free Trade Agreement talks. – Bilateral trade and investment growth.

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6. AAINA DASHBOARD (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Government Schemes)

Context: Recently, the ‘AAINA Dashboard for Cities’ portal has been made live by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

AAINA Dashboard for Cities

• Launched by: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
• Aim: To create a robust database of the key performance metrics of Urban Local Bodies
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
• Objectives: To help cities to

oSee how they are faring vis-à-vis other cities

oInspire them by pointing to possibilities and areas of improvement

oProvide an opportunity to learn and engage with frontrunners.

• Will it rank ULBs: The AAINA dashboard will not rank ULBs. It would serve as a tool for comparing similarly placed cities and promoting peer learning among cities.

• Pillars: The dashboard will provide information on the status and progress of the ULBs on five pillars:

oPolitical & Administrative Structure

oFinance

oPlanning

oCitizen-Centric Governance

oDelivery of Basic Services.

• Significance: This dashboard will inspire the ULBs by pointing to possibilities and areas of improvement and providing them the opportunity to learn and engage with frontrunners.

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7. NEW GECKO SPECIES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, the scientific community officially introduced the newly discovered species, 'Cyrtodactylus vairengtensis,' named after the town in Mizoram where it was found, and proposed the common name 'Vairengte bent-toed gecko.'

New Gecko Species

• Name of Species: ‘Cyrtodactylus vairengtensis
• Found in: Mizoram
• Suggested Common Name: Vairengte bent-toed gecko
• Features: Number of femoral pores that distinguishes it from other members of the Cyrtodactylus family.
• Femoral pores, found on the underside of the hind legs in lizards, secrete a mixture of lipids and proteins, believed to be used for attracting mates and marking territories.
• Endemic to Mizoram, the new species increases the count of geckos native to the state to 6 and 22 across northeast India.
• Across the world, there are 335 gecko species, with 42 of them being found in India.

Gecko

• About: These are reptiles and are found on all the continents except Antarctica.
• Adapted to a range of environments, from rainforests to deserts and cold mountain slopes, these colorful lizards showcase remarkable versatility.
• Generally small and primarily nocturnal, these reptiles form a diverse group.
• Spread across 6 families: Carphodactylidae, Diplodactylidae, Eublepharidae, Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae, and Sphaerodactylidae.

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8. INDIA- BRAZIL TIE UP (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Brazil has recently initiated a collaborative effort with India, sharing technology to support its goal of achieving 20% ethanol blending for petrol by 2025-2026, and concurrently providing indigenous breeds to enhance productivity in the livestock and poultry sector.

Key Points

• Brazil will also take measures to correct some of the imbalance in the agricultural trade relationship by improving market access for Indian agriculture exports, including urea, to Brazil. 
• As India produces a lot of sugarcane, it’s easy for them to reach up to 30% because both countries already have technologies with a capacity of 27.5 that can go up to 30%.

Ethanol Blending Programme

• About: The Centre had “launched pilot projects wherein 5% ethanol-blended petrol was supplied to retail outlets”.
• Launched: In 2003 on a pilot basis and has been subsequently extended to 21 states and 4 Union Territories.
• Implemented by: Ministry or Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).
• Aim: Reducing the country’s dependence on crude oil imports, cutting carbon emissions and boosting farmers’ incomes. 
• Targets: 10 percent ethanol blending in petrol by the end of 2022 and 20 percent blending by 2030.

Ethanol

• About: It is also known as ethyl alcohol or grain alcohol, is a clear, colourless, and flammable liquid. It is a type of alcohol.
• Produced by: Molasses, a byproduct of sugar manufacture.
• Uses: Production of solvents, cleaning agents, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and chemicals.

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9. AUCTIONING OF CRITICAL MINERALS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Amendment) Act, 2023, opened up six more critical minerals –beryllium, lithium, niobium, titanium, tantallium, and zirconium — to the private sector for exploration and mining.

Key Points

• Critical minerals have gained significance in view of India’s commitment towards energy transition and achieving net-zero emission by 2070. 
• The idea is to reduce the country’s import dependence for lithium, the key element for the manufacturing of EV batteries, to the extent possible.
• India meets about 70% of its lithium requirement via imports, even as it seeks to increase the EV penetration from 1% now to 30% by 2030.
• The current share of deep-seated minerals like copper, zinc, lead, gold, silver, diamond, nickel, cobalt and platinum group of minerals in total mineral production of India is insignificant. 

Critical Minerals

• About: Critical minerals are a group of minerals that are essential for various industrial sectors and have strategic importance for a country’s economy and security. 
• Scarcity, Economic Value, and Criticality: These minerals are distinguished by their rarity, high economic value, and crucial role in the production of advanced technologies and defense systems.
• Priority in Industrial Sectors: The Critical Minerals List prioritizes minerals that are indispensable for industrial sectors such as high-tech electronics, telecommunications, transport, and defense.
• India's Membership in Mineral Security Partnership (MSP): India has recently become the newest partner in the MSP, a collaboration aimed at enhancing the resilience of critical mineral supply chains.

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10. CLEAN AIR STRATEGIES (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Recently, Delhi experienced a setback in air quality as the Air Quality Index (AQI) re-entered the "severe" category in various areas.

Key Point to tackle Air Pollution

• Emission: limiting emissions from coal-fired power plants, polluting industries and brick kilns as well as limiting wood, cow dung and garbage burning
• Renewable Power: The shift of many metro systems in India to renewable power is a step forward in the right direction.
• Electrification: Fuel switching to renewables can both curb pollution and meet climate goals.
• Airshed Approach: adopting a regional or airshed approach is crucial to address pollution sources and impacts across an entire region rather than individual cities and towns.
• Waste Management: End-to-End construction and waste management is pivotal to reducing tonnes of dust and waste released in the air and water bodies.
• Lifestyle: There must be wide-scale citizen mobilization for awareness and education, which can influence lifestyle choices over decades.
• Funds: The amount of funds needed to implement these coordinated actions and to strengthen the local government’s capacity to deliver them is not trivial.
• Technology: There is a need to deploy the best science and technology available to establish real-time monitoring systems that can even provide advanced weekly forecasts.

Air Pollution

• About: Air pollution is the contamination of the atmosphere by harmful substances, such as gases, particulates, and biological molecules, which can cause detrimental effects on human health, ecosystems, and the Earth's climate.

Types of Air Pollutants: Particulate Matter (PM), Nitrogen Oxides (NOx), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3).

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