1. India’s Treatment of Rohingya Detainees: A Human Rights Concern

Context: A recent report has highlighted serious violations of constitutional and human rights regarding the treatment of Rohingya refugees detained in India. This raises concerns about India’s adherence to its international human rights obligations.

Who are the Rohingya?

• The Rohingya are a predominantly Muslim ethnic group originating from Rakhine State in Myanmar.
• They speak a Bengali dialect rather than Myanmar’s primary language, Burmese.
• Despite living in Myanmar for generations, the government classifies them as “resident foreigners” or “associate citizens”, denying them full citizenship rights.
• The Rohingya have faced decades of systemic discrimination, violence, and persecution in Myanmar, forcing many to flee to neighboring countries, including India.

India’s Refugee Policy: Key Features:

• No Refugee Convention: India is not a signatory to the 1951 UN Refugee Convention or its 1967 Protocol and lacks a formal refugee law.
• Classification as Illegal Immigrants: The Indian government often labels groups like the Rohingya as illegal immigrants, even when verified as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
• Legal Frameworks: Undocumented foreign nationals in India are governed under laws such as:
  • The Foreigners Act, 1946
  • The Registration of Foreigners Act, 1939
  • The Passport (Entry into India) Act, 1920
  • The Citizenship Act, 1955

Why India Maintains Its Current Refugee Policy:

1. Strain on Resources: Refugees place a significant burden on limited resources, particularly in regions with scarce infrastructure.
2. Social Tensions: Large refugee influxes often lead to conflicts with local communities over access to jobs, housing, and resources.
3. Security Risks: Concerns about extremist infiltration and managing movements across porous borders are key factors.
4. Diplomatic Relations: Refugee policies can complicate relations with neighboring countries, especially during geopolitical disputes.
5. Economic Competition: Refugees often compete for low-skilled jobs, impacting the local workforce and economic stability.

Path Forward: Addressing the Refugee Challenge:

1. Enact a National Refugee Law: Establishing a dedicated refugee law would ensure legal protection for refugees, guaranteeing their rights to basic services like healthcare, education, and employment.
2. Strengthen International Collaboration: India should actively engage with organizations like the UNHCR to develop policies aligned with global human rights standards.
3. Promote Diplomatic Efforts: Working with neighboring nations, India can address the root causes of crises, such as the persecution of Rohingya in Myanmar, through regional cooperation and diplomatic dialogue.

Conclusion: India’s approach to the Rohingya crisis reflects broader challenges in balancing security, resource management, and human rights commitments. Adopting a comprehensive refugee policy will not only safeguard human dignity but also enhance India’s reputation as a responsible global actor in addressing humanitarian crises.

2. India Tags Ganges River Dolphin for the First Time

Context: For the first time in India, a Ganges River Dolphin has been successfully tagged with a satellite device by a team of wildlife conservationists. This marks a milestone in understanding and conserving this endangered species.

About the Ganges River Dolphin:

India’s National Aquatic Animal:

Declared as India’s National Aquatic Animal in 2009, the Ganges River Dolphin is an endangered freshwater species found primarily in the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna river systems.

Key Features:

• Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica gangetica
• Physical Traits: Nearly blind, it relies on echolocation for navigation and hunting.
• Habitat: Prefers slow-moving, deep waters with an abundance of prey.
• Diet: Primarily carnivorous, feeding on fish and invertebrates.

Geographical Range:

• Distributed across the Ganga, Brahmaputra-Meghna, and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
• Historically widespread, the population is now fragmented due to human-induced pressures.

Ecological Importance:

• Acts as a keystone species, crucial for maintaining the riverine ecosystem balance.
• Serves as an indicator species, reflecting the health of freshwater ecosystems.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Endangered
• CITES Listing: Appendix I
• Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Major Threats to the Ganges River Dolphin:

1. Habitat Degradation:
   • Pollution from industries, agriculture, and urban runoff.
   • Dams and barrages disrupt connectivity between dolphin habitats.
2. Bycatch and Hunting:
   • Dolphins get accidentally caught in fishing nets.
   • Targeted for their oil and meat in some regions.
3. Water Abstraction: Excessive water withdrawal for agriculture and industries reduces river flow.

4. Riverbed Alteration:
   • Sand mining and dredging activities destroy dolphin habitats.

Government’s Conservation Efforts:

1. Project Dolphin (2020): Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protect both river and marine dolphins.
2. Protected Areas: Sanctuaries like the Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar.
3. Community Awareness: Programs to educate locals about sustainable fishing and the importance of conservation.
4. Technological Interventions: Use of satellite tagging to study dolphin behaviour and habitat requirements.
5. Legislative Actions: Strict enforcement of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and bans on destructive practices like sand mining.

News Highlights:

First Satellite Tagging of Ganges River Dolphin in Assam:

• Executed by: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Objective:
  • To study the habitat needs, migration patterns, and range of the species.
  • To create a detailed conservation action plan for protecting this apex predator.

Technological Innovations: Use of lightweight satellite tags compatible with Argos systems, ensuring minimal disturbance to the dolphins.

Broader Implications of This Initiative:

• Strengthening Conservation Efforts: Provides critical data for developing targeted strategies to protect endangered species.
• Advancing Technology in Wildlife Research: Showcases India’s ability to integrate cutting-edge technology with conservation science.
• Global Benchmark: Reflects India’s commitment to aquatic biodiversity and sets a global example for sustainable practices.

Conclusion:

The first-ever tagging of the Ganges River Dolphin is a pivotal step toward conserving India’s aquatic heritage. By integrating science, technology, and community involvement, this initiative underscores the importance of safeguarding endangered species for the health of our ecosystems and future generations.

3. Why India Might Discontinue the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme: Key Takeaways

Context: The Indian government is reassessing the future of the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme (SGB) amidst growing concerns about its effectiveness and cost. Introduced as a way to reduce dependence on physical gold, the scheme now faces scrutiny over its utility and fiscal implications.

What is the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme?

Overview:

• Launched in 2015 under the Gold Monetization Scheme, SGBs are government-backed securities issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
• Each bond is linked to the value of gold, offering an alternative to physical gold investments.
• Investors pay for the bonds in cash, and the bonds are redeemed in cash upon maturity.

Key Features:

• Each unit of the bond represents one gram of gold.
• Offers a fixed interest rate of 2.5% per annum, paid semi-annually.
• Tradable in secondary markets and redeemable in Indian Rupees based on the gold price of 999 purity.

Benefits of SGBs:

• Hedge Against Price Volatility: Protection from market price fluctuations of gold.
• Flexibility in Redemption: Early redemption allowed after five years, with a total tenure of eight years.
• Cost-Effective: Lower risks and expenses compared to storing physical gold.

Why is the SGB Scheme Under Review?

1. High Costs of Financing the Fiscal Deficit:

• The government incurs significant costs in issuing SGBs, with limited returns in terms of actual gold collection.
• Issuance frequency has been scaled back from 10 tranches per year to just two, signaling a reduced focus on the scheme.

2. Impact of Lowered Customs Duty on Gold:

• In July 2024, the government reduced customs duty on gold from 15% to 6%, leading to a drop in gold prices and a spike in demand.
• This move aligns with the government’s aim to stimulate gold demand, reducing the relevance of SGBs as an investment tool.

3. Decline in SGB Issuances and Borrowing Targets:

• The gross issuance target for FY 2024-25 was slashed to 18,500 crore, down from 29,638 crore in the interim budget.
• Net borrowing was also cut to 15,000 crore, compared to the earlier target of 26,138 crore.
• Notably, no new SGB issuances have been announced so far in FY 2024-25.

4. Performance of SGB Redemptions:

• SGB Series I (2016-17): Matured in August 2024, yielding over 120% returns, with redemption prices rising from 3,119 to 6,938 per unit.
• SGB Series II (2016-17): Redeemed in March 2024, delivering 126.4% returns on initial investment (excluding interest).
• Premature Redemptions: Scheduled for bonds issued between May 2017 and March 2020, from October 2024 to March 2025.

Conclusion: Is the End Near for SGBs?

While the Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme has provided attractive returns for investors, its high financing costs and limited utility in curbing physical gold demand have raised concerns. The government is now reevaluating the scheme’s future, with a possibility of discontinuation if deemed financially unsustainable.

This reassessment reflects India’s broader strategy to streamline fiscal measures and optimize gold-related policies for better economic outcomes.

4. Kisan Kavach: A Game-Changing Shield Against Pesticide Exposure for Farmers

Context: The Union Minister of State for Science and Technology recently introduced Kisan Kavach, an innovative solution to protect farmers from harmful pesticide exposure. This anti-pesticide bodysuit aims to safeguard the health of farmers and farm workers during pesticide spraying operations.

5. Myanmar Rebels Reclaim Historic Stronghold After 30 Years

Context: The Karen National Union (KNU), an ethnic rebel group in Myanmar, has successfully recaptured its former headquarters, Manerplaw, from the Myanmar military junta. This victory comes nearly three decades after the group lost control of the area.

About Manerplaw:

• Manerplaw is a village located in Kayin State, Myanmar, situated along the Moei River.
• It was once envisioned as the capital of an independent Karen state, locally referred to as Kawthoolei.

Historical Significance of Manerplaw:

1. Resistance Symbol:
   • The base served as the stronghold and headquarters of the KNU, symbolizing their long-standing struggle against Myanmar’s military regime.
   • It was the strategic hub for coordinating the Karen people’s fight for autonomy and minority rights.
2. Fall of Manerplaw in 1995:
   • Internal divisions within the Christian-majority KNU led to the Myanmar junta, supported by a breakaway Buddhist faction, capturing the base.
   • Following its fall, the KNU retreated to Thailand, and the junta renamed the area under its control as Kayin State.
   • The Democratic Kayin Buddhist Organization, a military ally of the junta, subsequently took over the region.

The Karen People:

Who are the Karen?

• The Karen people, also known as Kayin, Kariang, or Kawthoolese, are an ethnolinguistic group that speaks Tibeto-Burman languages.
• They predominantly reside in the Kayin State of southern and southeastern Myanmar.

Population and Cultural Diversity:

• The Karen make up around 69% of Myanmar’s population, comprising both Christian and Buddhist communities.
• They have historically advocated for autonomy, driven by their unique cultural and linguistic identity.

Significance of the Victory:

The recapture of Manerplaw represents a symbolic and strategic milestone for the KNU, reigniting hope for the Karen people’s long-standing quest for self-determination. This development also underscores the continued resistance against Myanmar’s military rule, highlighting the resilience of ethnic minority groups in the region.

6. Japan, India Collaborate on Laser-Equipped Satellite to Tackle Space Debris

Context: Japan’s Orbital Lasers and India’s InspeCity have announced a collaborative study to develop a laser-equipped satellite aimed at tackling space debris. This initiative will explore opportunities for services such as de-orbiting defunct satellites and extending the life of operational spacecraft.

About Space Debris:

• Definition: Space debris consists of all non-functional, artificial objects—including fragments and elements—orbiting Earth or re-entering its atmosphere.
• Statistics: Of the 35,150 tracked objects in orbit, only about 25% are working satellites.
• Concerns:
  • Threat to Space Exploration: Collisions with debris can disable operational spacecraft and damage vital components like optics and solar panels. For instance, a collision with a 10-cm object can cause catastrophic fragmentation of a satellite.
  • Kessler Syndrome: The uncontrolled growth of debris can lead to a self-sustained cascading series of collisions, creating a chain reaction.
  • Risk to Life on Earth: Large debris reentering the atmosphere in an uncontrolled manner can pose risks to populations on the ground.

Initiatives to Address Space Debris:

Global Efforts:

1. RemoveDEBRIS Mission: Demonstrates active debris removal (ADR) technologies.
2. LignoSat: A unique initiative featuring a wooden satellite crafted from magnolia wood to combat space debris.
3. UN Liability Convention (Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Object), 1972
4. UN Registration Convention (Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space), 1976

India’s Role:

1. Project NETRA (Network for Space Objects Tracking and Analysis)
2. Debris-Free Space Missions: Aiming for cleaner space operations by 2030 through initiatives by Indian space actors.

Japan and India’s Collaboration:

The partnership between Orbital Lasers and InspeCity signifies a significant step towards innovative solutions for managing space debris. The laser technology under development will vaporize debris, thereby stopping its rotation and making it easier for servicing spacecraft to perform orbital maneuvers. This collaborative effort is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of space activities and protecting our future in space exploration.