1. The Dhansiri River: Lifeline of Northeast India

Context: The Dhansiri River serves as a crucial watercourse in the Golaghat District of Assam and the Dimapur District of Nagaland. Known for its rich biodiversity and cultural significance, this river is an essential tributary to the Brahmaputra River. However, recent environmental concerns have emerged, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable management.

Recent Environmental Concerns:

Environmentalists have raised alarms over alleged hazardous effluent discharge from Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) into the Dhansiri River. Complaints submitted to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) emphasize the potential for severe ecological damage, particularly affecting aquatic life, forest ecosystems, and communities reliant on the river.

Course and Flow of the Dhansiri River:

• Origin: The river originates from Laisang Peak in Nagaland, known for its lush forests and diverse wildlife.
• Initial Flow: For the first 40 km, the river flows in a northwesterly direction.
• Mid-Course: After this, it changes course to flow northeast for about 76 km until reaching Dimapur, the largest city in Nagaland.
• Later Course: Beyond Dimapur, the river adopts a generally northerly flow until it reaches Golaghat in Assam. Here, it takes a dramatic turn northwest and finally merges with the Brahmaputra River at Dhansirimukh, Assam.

Vital Statistics:

• Total Length: Approximately 352 km from source to outfall.
• Catchment Area: Spans around 1,220 sq. km.
• Flora and Fauna: Flows through the Nagaland-Assam border, sheltering diverse ecosystems, including:
  • Dhansiri Reserved Forest (Assam): Renowned for its rare and endangered species.
  • Intanki National Park (Nagaland): A haven for wildlife, including elephants, tigers, and various bird species.

Ecological and Cultural Significance:

The Dhansiri River not only supports a variety of flora and fauna but also plays a pivotal role in the livelihoods of local communities. From agriculture to fishing, its waters are integral to the socio-economic fabric of the region.

Additionally, the river is part of the Brahmaputra Basin, which contributes significantly to the hydrological and agricultural landscape of Northeast India. Its natural corridors are essential for maintaining biodiversity connectivity between Assam and Nagaland.

Interesting Fact:

The Dhansiri River Basin is home to several ethnic communities whose cultures and traditions are intricately linked to the river. Festivals and rituals celebrating the river’s bounty are commonplace, underscoring its deep cultural significance.

Call for Conservation:

Amid increasing industrialization and pollution, the Dhansiri River faces unprecedented threats. Sustainable policies, stricter regulations, and community-based conservation efforts are essential to preserve its ecological balance for future generations.

2. Artificial Rain: Engineering Rainfall to Tackle Environmental Challenges

Context: Artificial rain, a cutting-edge weather modification technique, is gaining attention as a potential solution for mitigating drought, air pollution, and climate change. Governments worldwide, including India’s capital Delhi, are exploring this technology to address pressing environmental concerns.

Latest Development:

Delhi’s Environment Minister recently held discussions with key government agencies to assess the feasibility of implementing artificial rain through cloud seeding as a measure to reduce air pollution and combat extreme weather conditions.

What is Artificial Rain?

Artificial rain refers to the induced precipitation process achieved through cloud seeding. It involves dispersing specific chemicals into clouds to enhance rainfall and influence weather patterns.

How Does It Work?

The process of cloud seeding involves:

1. Chemical Dispersion: Chemicals such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice are released into clouds via aircraft or helicopters.
2. Nuclei Formation: These substances act as condensation nuclei, around which water vapor condenses to form larger droplets.
3. Rainfall Production: As droplets combine and grow, they eventually become heavy enough to fall as rain.

Success Factors:

• Presence of Moisture: Cloud seeding is only effective when adequate moisture is already present in the atmosphere.
• Suitable Atmospheric Conditions: Optimal temperature and humidity levels are crucial for inducing precipitation.

Types of Cloud Seeding:

1. Hygroscopic Cloud Seeding:
   • Involves the dispersion of salt particles to accelerate the coalescence of droplets within liquid clouds.
   • Particularly effective in tropical regions where warm clouds dominate.
2. Glaciogenic Cloud Seeding:
   • Utilizes ice-forming agents like silver iodide to target supercooled clouds.
   • Converts water vapor into ice crystals, which later melt into rain.
   • More suitable for cold or mixed-phase clouds found in higher altitudes.

Alternative Technologies:

1. Static Artificial Rain-Inducing System:
   • Utilizes natural ionization technology to stimulate precipitation.
   • This method enhances rainfall by generating charged particles that attract moisture-laden clouds.
2. Stratospheric Aerosol Injection (SAI):
   • A form of solar geoengineering inspired by volcanic eruptions.
   • Involves injecting sulphur dioxide or reflective particles into the atmosphere to cool the planet and reduce smog.
   • Highly controversial due to potential adverse effects on weather patterns and ecosystems.
3. Diamond Dust Experiment:
   • A futuristic approach that proposes using diamond dust as a non-toxic, long-lasting alternative to traditional aerosols for climate cooling.
   • Estimated cost: A staggering $175 trillion, making it economically unfeasible.

Benefits of Artificial Rain:

• Drought Mitigation: Provides relief to agriculture and water-scarce regions.
• Air Pollution Reduction: Artificial rain can wash away pollutants and particulate matter, improving air quality.
• Climate Regulation: Can be part of broader strategies to combat global warming and mitigate extreme weather conditions.

Challenges and Concerns:

• Environmental Impact: Prolonged use of chemicals like silver iodide may have adverse effects on soil and water bodies.
• Cost and Efficiency: High operational costs and variable success rates make cloud seeding an expensive proposition.
• Ethical Considerations: Concerns over altering natural weather systems and potential misuse for geo-political purposes.

Interesting Fact:

The concept of artificial rain dates back to 1946, when Vincent Schaefer, an American chemist, successfully conducted the first cloud seeding experiment using dry ice over New York’s Mount Greylock. Since then, over 50 countries have adopted cloud seeding technologies for various purposes.

3. Bolstering India’s Undersea Cable Infrastructure: Importance, Risks, and Growth Measures

Context: India’s rapidly expanding internet economy demands robust and resilient undersea cable infrastructure. As the country enhances its connectivity with new cable systems, addressing risks and ensuring streamlined growth is essential for national security and economic prosperity.

India’s Subsea Cable Infrastructure: Latest Developments:

India is expanding its international internet bandwidth with new cable landing systems:

• Airtel’s 2Africa Pearls System (backed by Meta) – Adds a massive 100 terabits per second of capacity.
• SEA-ME-WE-6 Cable System – Landed in Chennai and Mumbai earlier this year, further enhancing connectivity.

Understanding Undersea Cables:

What Are Undersea Cables?

Undersea cables are the backbone of global internet connectivity, linking internet service providers (ISPs) and telecom operators across continents. They provide the foundation for fast and reliable data transmission worldwide.

Structure and Functionality:

• These cables, though only a few inches thick, are heavily protected to withstand harsh underwater environments.
• Inside, they contain fiber optic strands that transmit data at lightning-fast speeds.

Landing Points and Stations:

• Landing Points: Coastal entry points where cables reach land, typically protected in manholes buried under sand.
• Landing Stations: Inland facilities where undersea cables integrate with terrestrial networks, ensuring seamless internet connectivity.

Critical Role in the Modern World:

According to experts, undersea cables are responsible for:

• 90% of Global Data Transmission
• 80% of World Trade
• $10 Trillion in Financial Transactions
• Secure Government Communications

Data Capacity:

Modern cables offer several hundred gigabits per second of capacity, serving millions of users globally.

Connection to Terrestrial Networks:

After reaching land, undersea cables connect to terrestrial networks, comprising towers, buried cables, and data centers that deliver internet services to homes and businesses.

India’s Undersea Cable Hubs:

Major Hubs:

India’s undersea cable infrastructure revolves around two main landing hubs:

1. Mumbai: Handles 95% of subsea cable traffic, with a significant portion concentrated along a six-kilometre stretch in Versova.
2. Chennai: Serves as a critical connectivity point, especially for cables connecting to Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Current Infrastructure:

• 17 International Cable Systems currently land in India.
• Two Domestic Projects:
  • CANI (Chennai–Andaman and Nicobar Islands)
  • Kochi–Lakshadweep Islands Project

Planning and Cost:

Undersea cable projects are capital-intensive, involving:

• Months or years of planning and execution.
• Costs ranging from millions to billions of dollars.

India’s Capacity:

• India accounts for 1% of global cable landing stations and 3% of subsea cable systems.
• While current infrastructure meets existing demand, experts warn of future shortfalls due to rapidly increasing data usage.

Risks Surrounding Undersea Cable Deployment in India:

Vulnerability to Cable Cuts at Sea:

• India’s internet infrastructure is heavily dependent on undersea cables, with more cables landing in Singapore than in India.
• Disruption in areas like the Red Sea could result in a loss of 25% of India’s internet connectivity.

Impact of Cable Cuts in the Red Sea:

• In 2024, cable cuts in the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait (caused by Houthi rebel strikes) led to temporary issues.
• While alternative networks provided stability, a larger-scale disruption could have catastrophic impacts on connectivity.

Historical Dependence on Shipping Routes:

• Subsea cables traditionally follow shipping trade routes for easier deployment.
• This alignment exposes them to risks from maritime activities and geopolitical conflicts.

Measures to Strengthen India’s Subsea Cable Infrastructure:

1. Streamlining Regulatory Processes:

• Companies currently face delays due to the need for 51 different approvals from agencies like:
  • Department of Telecom
  • Home Ministry
  • Environment Ministry
  • Local Municipalities
• Simplifying these processes would reduce project timelines and costs, promoting faster deployment.

2. Enhancing Cable Security:

• Physical damage from fishing trawlers and ships poses a significant threat.
• Implementing monitoring systems and surveillance technologies could prevent accidental damage and enhance protection.

3. Building Domestic Repair Capabilities:

• India relies on foreign repair vessels, causing delays due to lengthy approval processes.
• Investing in domestic repair vessels and cable storage depots would:
  • Speed up repair work.
  • Reduce dependency on external resources.
  • Strengthen national security and economic resilience.

Interesting Fact: The world’s longest undersea cable, SEA-ME-WE 3, spans over 39,000 km and connects Europe, Asia, and Australia. It plays a vital role in ensuring global connectivity, just as India’s expanding infrastructure aims to do for the subcontinent.

4. India-Thailand Strategic Partnership: Reinforcing ‘Act East–Act West’ Synergy

5. Parliamentary Committee Report on Welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs)

Context: The Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) recently submitted its comprehensive report to the Eighteenth Lok Sabha, addressing critical issues surrounding the Creamy Layer (CL) status among OBCs and recommending significant policy changes.

About the Creamy Layer Concept:

The concept of the Creamy Layer refers to the more socio-economically advanced members among OBCs, who are excluded from reservation benefits to ensure affirmative action reaches the genuinely disadvantaged sections. This concept emerged from the landmark Indra Sawhney Case (1992).

Key Highlights from Indra Sawhney Case (1992):

• The Supreme Court upheld the 27% reservation for OBCs in civil posts and services under the Government of India.
• However, it mandated the exclusion of the Creamy Layer to ensure equitable distribution of benefits.
• Following the judgment, the Ram Nandan Prasad Committee was constituted to identify criteria for determining the Creamy Layer.

Criteria for Creamy Layer (Based on Ram Nandan Prasad Committee Report):

The Creamy Layer was defined based on two categories:

1. Occupational Criteria: Individuals whose parents are or were employed in specific categories of government services.
2. Economic Criteria: Individuals with an annual income above a prescribed threshold.

The threshold income limit was last revised to 8 lakh in 2017.

Key Observations by the Committee:

1. Lack of Uniformity in Creamy Layer Criteria:

• The Committee observed that uniform yardsticks are not being followed across various states when applying the income/wealth test to determine Creamy Layer status.
• Recommendation: States should adopt a uniform formula to ensure consistency and fairness in the application of Creamy Layer criteria.

2. Review of the Existing Income Limit:

• The Committee noted that the current income limit of 8 lakh is inadequate, depriving a significant segment of the OBC population from reservation benefits.
• Recommendation: The income limit should be substantially raised after consulting with relevant stakeholders to better reflect the present socio-economic realities.

Additional Facts & Knowledge:

Impact of Inconsistencies: Due to disparities in applying the Creamy Layer criterion, genuine beneficiaries in some states remain excluded from reservation benefits.

6. Supreme Court Directs States to Follow Established Norms for Arrests

Context: The Supreme Court of India has recently reaffirmed the necessity for law enforcement agencies across all states to adhere strictly to constitutional and statutory safeguards during arrests and custodial procedures. The directive was emphasized during a ruling related to Somnath Vs. State of Maharashtra (2023), where the Court reiterated its earlier guidelines from the landmark D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal case (1997).

Background & Context:

The Somnath Case (2023):

In this case, the Supreme Court restated principles laid down in the D.K. Basu case (1997), emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and protection of individual rights during arrests. The Court expressed concern over persistent non-compliance by police forces and issued directives to all states to ensure adherence to established norms.

The D.K. Basu Case (1997):

The D.K. Basu v. State of West Bengal case was a landmark judgment that laid down comprehensive guidelines to prevent custodial violence and protect fundamental rights. It established safeguards aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in the arrest process.

Supreme Court Guidelines in D.K. Basu Case (1997):

1. Proper Identification:

• Officers making an arrest must clearly display identification badges and name tags with their designation.
• This is essential for accountability and transparency during the arrest process.

2. Mandatory Arrest Memo:

• A memo of arrest must be prepared at the time of arrest, including the exact time and date of the arrest.
• The memo must be attested by at least one witness (preferably a family member or a respectable person from the locality) and countersigned by the arrestee.

3. Informing Relatives/Friends:

• Immediate intimation of the arrest must be given to a relative or friend of the arrestee as soon as practicable.
• This notification ensures transparency and prevents wrongful detention.

4. Inspection Memo:

• Upon request, the arrested person must undergo a medical examination at the time of arrest, and any injuries must be recorded in an Inspection Memo.
• This memo should be signed by both the arrestee and the arresting officer to maintain transparency.

5. Medical Examination During Detention:

• The arrestee must undergo a medical examination every 48 hours during detention by a certified doctor.
• This safeguard is essential to prevent custodial torture and ensure physical well-being.

6. Right to Consult a Lawyer:

• During interrogation, the arrestee must be allowed to consult with their lawyer, ensuring adherence to Article 22(1) of the Indian Constitution.

Additional Facts & Knowledge:

1. Constitutional Safeguards: Articles 20 and 22 of the Indian Constitution provide protection against arbitrary arrest and detention.
2. Custodial Deaths: Despite guidelines, India continues to report cases of custodial deaths and police brutality, making adherence to these norms even more crucial.
3. UN Guidelines: India is a signatory to the United Nations Convention against Torture (UNCAT), although the convention has not yet been ratified. Adherence to Supreme Court guidelines is crucial for upholding international human rights standards.
4. Technological Solutions: The use of Body Cameras, CCTV Monitoring, and Digital Documentation of arrests is being promoted to enhance accountability.