1. TRANSFER OF CAPTIVE ELEPHANTS (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: The Centre has notified a set of rules called the Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024 that liberalise the conditions under which elephants may be transferred within or between states.

Captive Elephants

• About: Elephants are housed in diverse environments like zoos, sanctuaries, circuses, or camps, typically overseen by veterinarians.
• Multifaceted Utility: These captive elephants serve various purposes including education, entertainment, and labor.

Transfer of Captive Elephants

• Transfer Criteria: Circumstances for transfer include the owner's inability to maintain the elephant or when better upkeep is anticipated.
• Intra-state Transfer Procedures: Health confirmation by a veterinarian and habitat suitability assessment by Deputy Conservator of Forests are prerequisites.

oChief Wildlife Warden decides upon approval or rejection based on provided documents.

• Inter-state Transfer Regulations: Registration of the elephant's genetic profile with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change is obligatory before transfer.

Transfer of Elephants

• Accompaniment Requirement: The elephant being transferred must be accompanied by a mahout and an elephant assistant.
• Health Certification: A health certificate from a veterinary practitioner is necessary, affirming the elephant's fitness for transport and absence of musth or infectious diseases.
• Wild Life (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022: Until August 2022, the Wildlife Protection Act explicitly prohibited the trade in wildlife including both wild and captive elephants. However amendments to the Act brought in an exemption that for the first time allowed captive elephants to be transferred.

oSurrender of captive animals: The Act provides for any person to voluntarily surrender any captive animals or animal products to the Chief Wild Life Warden.  

oNo compensation will be paid to the person for surrendering such items.  

oThe surrendered items become property of the state government.  

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2. FOREST FIRES IN INDIA (Syllabus GS Paper 3 – Env and Eco)

Context: Forest fires have recently been raging in the Coonoor forest range in the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu.

Forest Fires in India

• Seasonal Trend: Forest fires in India are most common from November to June, with a significant surge from February onwards as summer approaches, witnessing hundreds of thousands of fires annually.
• Worst Months: April-May emerge as the peak months for forest fires nationwide, marked by a heightened frequency and severity across the country.
• Extent of Vulnerability: The 2019 India State of Forest Report (ISFR) reveals that over 36% of India’s forest cover is prone to frequent fires, with approximately 4% classified as 'extremely prone' and 6% as 'very highly' fire prone.
• Global Perspective: Globally, about 3% of the total forest area, roughly 98 million hectares, experienced fires in 2015, with a significant concentration in tropical regions.

Regional Distribution of Forest Fires

• Vulnerable Ecosystems: Severe fires primarily afflict dry deciduous forests, with comparatively lower incidence in evergreen, semi-evergreen, and montane temperate forests.
• Hotspots: Northeast India, Odisha, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Uttarakhand are identified as hotspots for forest fires, especially during the November to June period.
• Recent Incidents: Notable instances include large bushfires in Goa in March 2023, prompting investigations into their origins, and a series of forest fires in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland-Manipur border, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat in 2021, encompassing wildlife sanctuaries.
• Frequency of Forest Fires in South India: Forest fires in South India are not uncommon, especially in fire-prone areas like Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.
• Vulnerability of Southern Indian Forests: It characterized by evergreen or semi-evergreen vegetation, are comparatively less vulnerable to fires, as per the Forest Survey of India (FSI).

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3. SNAKE VENOM ADDICTION (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: A well-known television personality was recently arrested in connection with the snake venom-rave party case and remanded to 14-day judicial custody. He is facing charges under the Wildlife Act in Noida for orchestrating snake venom at rave gatherings.

Background of the Case

• About: The case surrounds the alleged use of snake venom as a recreational drug at rave parties in Noida last year. A person is accused of arranging the snake venom at his parties and using snakes in his video shoots.

Snake Venom Addiction

• Unusual Substance Abuse: Snake venom addiction is a peculiar form of substance abuse wherein individuals deliberately expose themselves to snake venom for its intoxicating effects.
• Neurotoxic Intoxication: The venom induces symptoms akin to intoxication due to the neurotoxins it contains, leading to altered mental states and physical sensations.
• Extreme Danger and Uncommon Practice: This addiction, also termed ophidism, poses severe risks to life and health and is not commonly observed in India, highlighting its unusual nature.
• Deadly Effects: The effects of snake venom can be highly unpredictable and potentially fatal, lasting for days and leading to various medical complications.
• Risk of Dependency: Prolonged exposure to snake venom may result in physical and psychological dependence among users, exacerbating the dangers associated with this form of addiction.
• Legal Framework: The use and possession of drugs, including those derived from snake venom, are regulated by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985, underlining the legal ramifications of such practices.

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4. NABARD (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) will launch a ₹1,000-crore fund to bolster technology-driven agri-startups and rural enterprises.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development

• About: It is an apex regulatory agency for Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Finance.
• Established: 12 July 1982 on the recommendations of B.Sivaraman Committee
• Headquarters: Mumbai
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Finance
• It replaced: The Agricultural Credit Department (ACD) and Rural Planning and Credit Cell (RPCC) of Reserve Bank of India, and Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC).
• Structure of Governance of NABARD: Board of Directors (BOD), chairperson, deputy, managing directors, and directors, appointed by Government of India in consultation with Reserve Bank of India.
• Objective: To empower and economically integrate rural India through specialized, goal-oriented departments, which can be categorized into three distinct groups: financial, developmental, and supervisory.
• Vision: Development Bank of the Nation for Fostering Rural Prosperity
• Mission: Promote sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural development through participative financial and non-financial interventions, innovations, technology and institutional development for securing prosperity.

Functions of NABARD

• Non-credit related: Credit Planning and Monitoring, Coordination with various agencies and institutions.

oSupporting the financial inclusion efforts of Regional Rural Banks and Cooperative Banks.

• Credit related: Refinance to Rural Financial Institutions for investment credit (long term loan) and production and marketing credit (short term loan) purposes for farm and off-farm activities in rural areas.

oPass through agency of select Government of India Capital Investment Subsidy Schemes.

• Offering advice to RBI regarding the granting of licenses to Cooperative Banks and the expansion of branch networks for State Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks (RRBs).

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5. TIGER TRIUMPH – 24 (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Tiger Triumph – 24 exercise is slated to take place on the Eastern Seaboard from March 18th to March 31st, 2024.

Tiger Triumph – 24

• About: It is a bilateral tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise between India-USA.
• India represented by: Indian Navy Ships with integral helicopters and landing crafts embarked, Indian Navy aircraft, Indian Army personnel and vehicles and Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters along with the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT).
• US represented by: US Navy Ships with embarked troops of the US Marine Corps and US Army.
• Aim: The exercise is aimed at developing interoperability for conducting HADR operations and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enable rapid and smooth coordination between forces of both countries.
• First tri-services exercise held: 2019.
• Phases of Exercise:

oHarbour Phase: This phase involves Training Visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, Sports Events, and Social Interactions among personnel from both navies.

oSea Phase: Participating ships, with embarked troops, will undertake Maritime, Amphibious, and HADR operations based on simulated scenarios.

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6. RUSSIA (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Geography)

Context: Prime Minister of India  has congratulated Vladimir Putin on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation.

Russia

• About: Russia is a vast country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia, extending across eleven time zones.
• Bordering Nations: It shares land boundaries with fourteen countries, making it a pivotal player in Eurasian geopolitics.

oPoland and Lithuania (both via Kaliningrad Oblast), Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea.

• Population: Russia ranks as the ninth-most populous country globally and is the most populous in Europe.
• Capital: Moscow 
• Time Zone: 11
• Ecological Diversity: With its expansive territory, Russia encompasses diverse environments, from deserts to Arctic tundra.
• River: The country boasts Europe's longest river, the Volga, 
• Lake: Ladoga and it houses the world's deepest lake, Baikal.
• Climate: Russia holds records for extreme weather, with the world's lowest temperature outside the polar regions recorded within its borders.
• Permanent member: United Nations Security Council; a member state of the G20, SCO, BRICS, APEC, OSCE, and WTO; and the leading member state of post-Soviet organisations such as CIS, CSTO, and EAEU/EEU. Russia is home to 30 UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

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7. REVENUE-BASED FINANCING (RBF) (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Economy)

Context: Revenue-based financing (RBF) is gaining traction amongst statups and digital SMEs, as venture capital flow continues to be dry and traditional credit remains out of reach for many.

Revenue-based financing (RBF)

• About: It is a non-collateralized debt against a percentage of gross revenue.
• Alternative: This financing model allows digitally-enabled businesses to raise capital by offering a portion of their gross revenue as monthly repayments.
• Preferential Choice for Companies: Businesses with consistent revenue streams, such as cloud kitchens, e-commerce merchants, and software-as-a-service firms, often opt for this financing solution.
• Regular Share of Business Income: Investors in this type of investment receive a regular share of the business's income until a predetermined amount is reached.
• Predetermined Payback Multiple: The repayment typically consists of a multiple of the principal investment, often ranging between three to five times the original amount invested.

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8. WAQF ACT (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Gov. Initiative)

Context: Recently, following a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) investigation revealing that approximately 70 percent of the four lakh acres of land under Wakf administration had either been encroached upon or sold at nominal prices.

Recommendation of joint parliamentary committee (JPC)

• Current Scenario: Under the Wakf Act, encroachers are currently evicted without facing any legal consequences.
• Proposed Amendment: Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khursheed advocates for applying the provisions of the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Persons) Act (1971) to Wakf encroachers.
• Penalties: Encroachers could face imprisonment for up to 25 years under the proposed amendment.
• Proposed Accountability Measures: The proposed amendment suggests that officials involved in illegal activities will lose their jobs and could be imprisoned for a maximum of 7 years.
• Deterrent Effect: The aim is to create a deterrent against encroachment, which has persisted over the last two decades.
• Nationwide Implementation: Efforts are underway to extend the application of the Public Premises Act to Wakf properties nationwide, building upon successful implementations in states like Karnataka.

Waqf Act

• About: The Waqf Act, 1995, replaced the earlier Waqf (Amendment) Act, 1984, and became effective on January 1, 1996.
• Objectives: The Act aims to enhance the administration of auqaf (charitable properties) and related matters.
• Challenges in Effectiveness: Despite its implementation, there is a prevalent perception that the Act has fallen short in significantly improving the administration of auqaf.

Joint Parliamentary Committee

• About: The committee is established when a motion is adopted by one house and receives support or agreement from the other house.
• Presiding Chiefs' Communication: Alternatively, the two presiding chiefs of both houses can correspond, communicate, and jointly establish the parliamentary committee.

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9. UNESCO TENTATIVE LISR (Syllabus: GS Paper 1 – Art and Culture)

Context: Six heritage sites from Madhya Pradesh earn a spot on UNESCO's tentative list.

Sites included in UNESCO Tentative List

• The sites included in the new list: Gwalior Fort, Historical Group of Dhamnar, Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple, Rock Art Sites of Chambal Valley, Khooni Bhandara, God Memorial of Ramnagar.
• Gwalior Fort: It constructed in the 8th century, is rooted in the legacy of the Tomar dynasty.

oStrategic Location: Positioned atop a steep sandstone hill, the fort boasts a naturally fortified position, enhancing its defensive capabilities.

oArchitectural Diversity: The fort stands as a testament to a rich blend of architectural styles, featuring influences from Rajput, Mughal, and Hindu design elements.

• Group of Dhamnar: These caves are situated on a hill close to the village of Dhamnar.

oComposition: This rock-cut complex comprises 51 caves of various sizes, all carved into the laterite hill.

• Bhojeshwar Mahadev Temple: Founded by Raja Bhoj, Bhojpur owes its existence to the same visionary who established Bhopal in the 11th century AD.

oArchitecture: The Bhojeshwar Temple, erected in the 12th century, stands as a pinnacle of architectural brilliance in the vicinity.

• Rock Art Sites of Chambal Valley: A hidden gem nestled in the Chambal basin, located in Madhya Pradesh, is the Daraki-Chattan cave situated within the quartzite buttresses of Indragarh hill.

oAbundance of Cupules: Within the cave's vertical walls, over 500 cupules adorn the surface, revealing a rich artistic tradition.

• Khooni Bhandara: It stands as an impressive testament to the engineering prowess of the Mughal era, showcasing intricate underground water management techniques.
• Historical Significance: The eight waterworks within Khooni Bhandara, dating back to the Mughal period, hold immense historical importance, contributing to India's rich cultural heritage.

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10. FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Sci and Tech)

Context: The Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) has affected around 60% of milch cattle in Pilibhit district, Uttar Pradesh.

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)

• About: FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting livestock, leading to significant economic impacts.
• Causal Agent and Strains: FMD is caused by an aphthovirus of the Picornaviridae family, with seven endemic strains worldwide (A, O, C, SAT1, SAT2, SAT3, and Asia1).
• Susceptibility in Intensively Reared Animals: Intensively reared animals are more susceptible to FMD compared to traditional breeds due to various factors.
• Symptoms: Characterized by fever and blister-like sores in the mouth, on the tongue, lips, teats, and between the hooves.
• Cause: Ilness in cows, pigs, sheep, goats, deer, and other animals with divided hooves. It does not affect horses, dogs, or cats. 
• Transmitted: Air particles between animals housed closely together.
• Limited Cross-Immunity: Immunity to one strain of FMD does not protect animals against other strains or subtypes, necessitating tailored vaccination strategies.
• Impact on Mortality and Production: While rarely fatal in adult animals, FMD can cause high mortality in young animals and severe production losses, leaving survivors debilitated.
• Recognition by International Organizations: FMD was the first disease recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), indicating its global significance in animal health and trade.

Government Initiatives:

• National Animal Disease Control Programme for foot-and-mouth disease and Brucellosis: It is a 100% centrally funded programme with a total outlay of Rs 12,600 crore from 2019 to 2024.

oAim: To control Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by 2025 with vaccination and eventual eradication by 2030.

• Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control programme: It envisages 100% vaccination coverage of cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs at six-month interval.

oObjective : To control FMD by 2025 with vaccination and its eventual eradication by 2030.

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