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16th February 2025-Current Affairs

by | Feb 18, 2025 | Current Affairs

1. Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDKY) – Economy

PMDKY

Why in News?

The Finance Minister announced the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDKY) during the Union Budget, highlighting its role in boosting agricultural productivity and crop diversification. The scheme targets 100 underperforming districts with a focus on infrastructure, irrigation, and credit access.

Key Objectives of PMDKY:

  • Improve Agricultural Productivity: Increase crop yields through better infrastructure and irrigation.
  • Crop Diversification: Encourage farmers to grow a variety of crops to enhance income.
  • Strengthen Storage & Credit Facilities: Build local storage solutions and ensure easy loan access.
  • Focus on Underperforming Districts: Specifically support regions with low productivity and poor credit access.

Major Development Initiatives under PMDKY:

  1. Storage Infrastructure Development:
    • Construction of warehouses at Panchayat and Block levels.
    • Reduces post-harvest losses and ensures better prices for farmers.
  2. Irrigation Expansion:
    • Increase irrigation coverage in low-yield areas.
    • Promotes efficient water use techniques like micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler systems).
  3. Financial Support for Farmers:
    • Affordable loans for short-term needs (e.g., seeds, fertilizers) and long-term needs (e.g., machinery, land development).
    • Subsidized credit schemes through Kisan Credit Cards (KCC).
  4. Data-Driven Governance:
    • Use of digital tools and district rankings to monitor performance.
    • Real-time tracking of crop yields, water usage, and credit disbursement.

Funding and Implementation:

  • Collaborative Approach: Joint implementation by Central and State Governments.
  • Funding Sources:
    • Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare.
    • Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.
  • Uses existing scheme frameworks to avoid duplication and ensure efficient resource use.

Evaluation Criteria for Success:

  • Increase in Crop Yield: Measured through productivity data.
  • Improvement in Credit Flow: Growth in the number of farmers accessing institutional credit.
  • Expansion of Irrigation Facilities: Increase in the area under irrigation.

Relevance for Himachal Pradesh:

  • Focus on Hill Agriculture: Himachal Pradesh has similar challenges with low cropping intensity and limited irrigation coverage.
  • Irrigation Improvement: The scheme’s irrigation component could benefit regions dependent on seasonal rainfall.
  • Empowering Small Farmers: Supports small and marginal farmers who form the backbone of Himachal’s agrarian economy.
  • Animal Husbandry & Horticulture: Himachal has a significant livestock and horticulture sector that can benefit from the integrated funding approach.

Exam Tip:

  • Link the scheme to Himachal Pradesh’s agricultural policies like the Jal Se Krishi Ko Bal Yojana.
  • Be ready to discuss how crop diversification can boost apple, pulses, and off-season vegetable production in Himachal.
  • Connect with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in implementation, which is important for Himachal’s local self-governance.

2. Panchayat Devolution Index Report Released – Polity

Panchayat Devolution Index Report Released

Why in News?

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj recently released the Panchayat Devolution Index Report in Delhi, evaluating how states and Union Territories (UTs) distribute powers to Panchayats. The report ranks states based on their performance across six key dimensions of devolution.

Key Highlights from the Report:

  • Overall Devolution Increased: From 39.9% (2013-14) to 43.9% (2021-22).
  • Top 5 States:
    1. Karnataka
    2. Kerala
    3. Tamil Nadu
    4. Maharashtra
    5. Uttar Pradesh (remarkably improved from 15th to 5th place)
  • Uttar Pradesh’s Rise: Due to enhanced accountability measures, including real-time financial monitoring.

Six Dimensions of Devolution Evaluated:

  1. Framework: Legal and policy support for Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
  2. Functions: Transfer of subjects listed in the 11th Schedule (e.g., health, education, sanitation).
  3. Finances: Financial autonomy and revenue generation powers.
  4. Functionaries: Availability of staff and officials for service delivery.
  5. Capacity Enhancement: Training, digitalization, and skill-building for PRI members.
  6. Accountability: Mechanisms for transparency, audits, and grievance redressal.

Positive Developments Identified:

  • Capacity Building & Infrastructure Growth:
    • The Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) boosted capacity enhancement from 44% to 54.6%.
    • Functionaries in Panchayats increased from 39.6% to 50.9%, showing improvement in staffing.
  • Uttar Pradesh’s Improvement (15th to 5th Place):
    • Introduced real-time financial monitoring and anti-corruption measures.
    • Improved grievance redressal systems.

Key Concerns Regarding Effective Devolution:

  1. Election Management Issues:
    • State Election Commissions (SECs) face political interference.
    • Example: Maharashtra Panchayat elections (2022) postponed due to state government intervention.
  2. Non-centrality of Panchayats:
    • PRIs often lack authority over subjects from the 11th Schedule (e.g., health, education).
    • Jharkhand and Odisha: Limited control over health and education schemes despite legal provisions.
  3. Inadequate Devolution of Powers:
    • Limited transfer of functions, funds, and functionaries (3Fs) to PRIs.
    • Impacts their ability to deliver services effectively.
  4. Lack of Financial Autonomy:
    • PRIs rely heavily on state grants, which are inconsistent.
    • Example: In Uttar Pradesh, Gram Panchayats primarily depend on state grants for local projects.
  5. Shortage of Staff:
    • Severe understaffing in many states.
    • Example: In Bihar, some Gram Panchayats have only one secretary covering multiple villages, hampering service delivery.

Key Recommendations from the Report:

  1. Educational Reforms for Panchayat Functionaries:
    • Introduce a two-year course in Local Public Service Management, covering:
      • Public Systems and Financial Management
      • E-governance Practices
    • Goal: Professionalize local governance.
  2. Capacity Building & Digital Governance:
    • Expand digital infrastructure for PRIs.
    • Regular training on e-governance tools.
    • Telangana cited as a model for digital governance success.
  3. Transparency & Accountability:
    • Implement real-time financial monitoring systems.
    • Introduce grievance redressal platforms.
    • Follow Uttar Pradesh’s anti-corruption measures as a best practice.

Relevance for Exam:

  1. Strengthening Institutional Autonomy:
    • Legally ensure the full devolution of Functions, Funds, and Functionaries (3Fs) to PRIs.
    • Reduce state interference in local governance.
  2. Capacity Building and Technology Integration:
    • Expand digital connectivity to Panchayats (e.g., via BharatNet project).
    • Provide regular training programs to PRI members.
    • Adopt real-time monitoring for transparency.
  3. Financial Reforms and Revenue Generation:
    • Promote self-revenue generation through:
      • Local taxes (e.g., property tax, user fees)
      • Community contributions
      • Partnerships with NGOs for developmental projects.

Relevance for Himachal Pradesh:

  • Role of PRIs in Hill Governance: Himachal Pradesh has a strong Panchayati Raj system but faces issues like limited financial autonomy and staff shortages, especially in remote areas.
  • Implementation of RGSA: Himachal Pradesh has adopted Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA), which aligns with national efforts to enhance capacity.
  • Digital Integration in PRIs: Leveraging e-Gram Swaraj Portal for transparency in Himachal Pradesh Panchayats.
  • Capacity Building: Promoting Panchayat training centers in districts like Kangra and Shimla.

Exam Tip:

  • In Prelims: Focus on top-ranked states, dimensions of devolution, and key schemes like RGSA.
  • In Mains (GS – Polity & Governance):
    • Discuss challenges in local governance using examples from Bihar, Jharkhand, and Maharashtra.
    • Suggest solutions like digital monitoring, capacity building, and financial autonomy.
  • For Himachal Pradesh-specific papers: Connect with local initiatives in PRIs and Gram Panchayats.

3. The Teesta Dam and the Long Shadow of Climate Change – Environment

The Teesta Dam and the Long Shadow of Climate Change

Why in News?

The proposal to reconstruct the Teesta-3 Dam in Sikkim, which was destroyed by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in October 2023, has sparked intense debate. The disaster caused catastrophic flooding, over 100 fatalities, and extensive damage across four districts. Experts are raising concerns about climate change impacts, inadequate risk assessments, and the sustainability of rebuilding the dam.

What Caused the Destruction of the Teesta-3 Dam?

  • Trigger: Moraine Slope Failure at South Lhonak Lake, releasing approximately 50 billion liters of water into the valley.
  • Multiple Landslides and sediment flows worsened the flood damage.
  • Climate Change: Accelerated glacier melt in the Himalayas has expanded glacial lakes, increasing the risk of GLOFs.

Himalayan Glacier Trends (2011–2024):

  • Number of Glacial Lakes: Increased by 10.8%
  • Surface Area of Glacial Lakes: Expanded by 33.7%

Concerns Over Reconstruction of the Teesta-3 Dam:

  1. Inadequate Risk Models:
    • The proposed reconstruction plan uses rainfall-centric models, which do not account for GLOF dynamics such as:
      • Erosion and sediment transport (highlighted in the 2025 assessment).
      • Impact of sudden glacial bursts.
  2. Increased Climate Risks:
    • Rising Temperatures: Accelerate glacier melt, increasing glacial lake volumes.
    • Unpredictable Weather Patterns: Increased frequency of cloudbursts and extreme rainfall events.
  3. Geological Fragility:
    • The Himalayan region is prone to landslides, earthquakes, and flash floods, making large hydro projects risky.
  4. Socio-Economic Impact:
    • Displacement of Local Communities: Reconstruction could uproot residents already affected by the 2023 disaster.
    • Loss of Livelihoods: Damage to agriculture and tourism, key economic drivers in the region.

Energy Needs vs. Environmental Risks:

  • Energy Demand: India aims to expand renewable energy capacity, and hydropower is a key component of clean energy transition.
  • Risk Management: Critics argue that projects should prioritize community resilience and environmental sustainability over commercial interests.

Lessons for Himachal Pradesh:

Himachal Pradesh, with its numerous hydro projects, faces similar risks:

  • Hydropower Projects: Projects like Bhakra-Nangal, Nathpa Jhakri, and Karcham Wangtoo are vulnerable to flash floods and GLOFs.
  • Glacial Lake Threats: Rising temperatures may increase GLOF risks in regions near Chandra, Bhaga, and Spiti rivers.
  • Extreme Weather Events: Cloudbursts, as seen in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, have caused massive landslides and flooding.

Recommendations for Sustainable Hydropower Projects:

  1. Climate-Resilient Infrastructure:
    • Use GLOF modeling and satellite monitoring to assess risks.
    • Implement early warning systems for flash floods and landslides.
  2. Eco-Sensitive Planning:
    • Avoid construction near vulnerable glacial lakes and seismic zones.
    • Conduct thorough Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs).
  3. Community-Centric Approach:
    • Involve local communities in disaster preparedness.
    • Ensure livelihood restoration plans for displaced residents.
  4. Policy and Legal Framework:
    • Himachal Pradesh Hydropower Policy: Integrate climate risk assessments into project approvals.
    • Strengthen disaster management plans under the Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA).

Exam Tip:

  • In Prelims: Focus on causes of GLOFs, Himalayan glacier trends, and top hydro projects in India and Himachal Pradesh.
  • In Mains (Environment & Disaster Management):
    • Discuss the Teesta Dam issue as a case study of climate risk and development conflict.
    • Provide Himachal Pradesh-specific examples like flash floods in Kinnaur (2021).
  • For HAS Himachal GK Paper: Link with Himachal’s hydro projects and policies.

4. Bhadra Tiger Reserve – Environment

Bhadra Tiger Reserve

Why in News?

Wildlife activists have called for an investigation into the recent death of a leopard in the Bhadra Tiger Reserve, highlighting concerns about wildlife protection and conservation efforts.

Introduction to Bhadra Tiger Reserve:

  • Location: Western Ghats, Karnataka (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
  • Project Tiger Status: Designated as the 25th Tiger Reserve under Project Tiger (1998)
  • Elephant Reserve: Recognized for its significant elephant population.
  • River System: Drained by the Bhadra River and its tributaries.

Geography & Ecosystems:

  • Terrain: Hilly landscape with dense forests and valleys.
  • Rivers: Primarily drained by the Bhadra River, which supports rich biodiversity.
  • Vegetation Types:
    • Dry-Deciduous Forests: Shed leaves seasonally, adapted to dry conditions.
    • Moist-Deciduous Forests: Rich in biodiversity, supporting large mammals.
    • Shola Forests: Montane forests typical of the Western Ghats.
    • Semi-Evergreen Forests: Transition between evergreen and deciduous ecosystems.

Flora (Plant Species):

  • Teak (Tectona grandis) – Valuable timber tree.
  • Rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia) – Hardwood species.
  • Mathi (Terminalia tomentosa) – Important for ecological balance.
  • Honne (Pterocarpus marsupium) – Medicinal and timber value.
  • Nandi (Lagerstroemia lanceolata) – Common in deciduous forests.
  • Medicinal Plants: Rich biodiversity of herbs and shrubs with Ayurvedic importance.

Fauna (Animal Species):

  • Big Cats: Tigers, Leopards, Leopard Cats.
  • Carnivores: Dholes (Indian Wild Dogs), Indian Civets.
  • Ungulates (Hoofed Animals): Gaur, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer.
  • Elephants: Part of the Elephant Reserve Network in Karnataka.

Other Tiger Reserves in Karnataka:

  • Bandipur Tiger Reserve (part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve)
  • Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (rich in flora and fauna)
  • Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve (part of the Kali Tiger Reserve)
  • Biligiriranga (BRT) Tiger Reserve (confluence of Eastern and Western Ghats)

Conservation Issues & Concerns Raised:

  1. Mysterious Leopard Death:
    • Raises concerns over poaching, poisoning, or territorial conflicts.
    • Wildlife activists demand a thorough investigation and post-mortem.
  2. Human-Wildlife Conflict:
    • Encroachments and habitat loss have led to increasing conflicts.
    • Leopards often stray into human settlements, risking retaliatory killings.
  3. Illegal Activities:
    • The Western Ghats region is vulnerable to poaching and illegal logging.
  4. Climate Change Impact:
    • Rising temperatures and erratic rainfall patterns threaten Shola forests and water availability.

Conservation Measures in Bhadra Tiger Reserve:

  1. Eco-Development Programs: Engaging local communities in conservation.
  2. Camera Traps & Patrols: Monitoring tiger and leopard movements.
  3. Anti-Poaching Camps: Established across the reserve to curb illegal activities.
  4. Relocation of Villages: Several villages inside the reserve were voluntarily relocated to reduce human-wildlife conflict.
  5. Afforestation Drives: Promoting the planting of native species.

Relevance for Himachal Pradesh:

Although Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh have different ecosystems, the conservation challenges and lessons from the Bhadra Tiger Reserve are relevant to Himachal Pradesh’s own biodiversity conservation efforts:

  1. Wildlife Protection & Human-Wildlife Conflict:
    • Similar conflicts occur in Himachal with leopards and black bears, especially in districts like Shimla, Solan, and Mandi.
  2. Eco-sensitive Zones:
    • Bhadra is in the Western Ghats, while Himachal has eco-sensitive zones in the Great Himalayan National Park (UNESCO Site) and Pin Valley National Park.
  3. Community Participation:
    • Eco-Development Committees (EDCs) in Bhadra align with Van Panchayats and local conservation groups in Himachal.
  4. Biodiversity Conservation:
    • Bhadra protects tigers and elephants, while Himachal protects species like the Western Tragopan, Snow Leopard, and Himalayan Brown Bear.

Exam Tip:

  • In Prelims: Remember location, year of designation, key flora and fauna, and other tiger reserves in Karnataka.
  • In Mains (GS – Environment): Use the Bhadra Tiger Reserve case study to illustrate human-wildlife conflict and conservation efforts.
  • For HAS Himachal GK: Compare Bhadra’s challenges to Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) and Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary.

5. Scientists Discover ‘Einstein Ring’ – Science and Technology

Einstein Ring

Why in News?

The European Space Agency (ESA), using the Euclid Space Telescope, has captured a rare phenomenon known as an Einstein Ring around the galaxy NGC 6505, located approximately 590 million light-years from Earth. This discovery validates predictions from Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity and highlights the capabilities of the Euclid telescope.

What is an Einstein Ring?

  • Definition: A circular formation of light created by gravitational lensing, where a massive celestial body bends and amplifies light from a more distant object behind it.
  • Discovery Location: Around Galaxy NGC 6505, which acts as a lens for a distant galaxy 4.42 billion light-years away.
  • Cause: The gravity of the foreground galaxy distorts the path of light from the background galaxy, creating a ring-like shape if perfectly aligned.

Features of an Einstein Ring:

  • Perfect Circular Shape: Forms only when the source, lens, and observer are perfectly aligned.
  • Example of Strong Gravitational Lensing: A powerful effect of mass bending space-time, as predicted by Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity.
  • Rarity: Occurs in less than 1% of galaxies.
  • Requires Advanced Telescopes: Such as Euclid, Hubble, or James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

Significance of the Discovery:

  1. Reveals Dark Matter Distribution:
    • Dark matter, which makes up 85% of the universe, cannot be directly observed.
    • Gravitational lensing patterns help map dark matter halos around galaxies.
  2. Magnifies Distant Galaxies:
    • Acts as a natural cosmic telescope, amplifying the light from faraway, faint galaxies.
    • Aids in the study of the early universe and galaxy formation.
  3. Measures the Universe’s Expansion:
    • The bending of light helps scientists measure the redshift and understand the rate of cosmic expansion (Hubble’s Constant).
    • Provides data to refine cosmological models.
  4. Confirms Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity:
    • Demonstrates that gravity bends light, a key prediction of Einstein’s theory.
    • Shows how massive objects curve space-time, affecting the path of light.
  5. Showcases Euclid Telescope’s Capabilities:
    • Highlights the telescope’s ability to produce high-resolution images of distant galaxies.
    • Euclid was launched to study dark matter and dark energy, and this discovery marks a significant success.

Quick Recap: Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity (1915):

  • Space-Time Curvature: Gravity is the warping of space and time by mass.
  • Gravitational Lensing: Light bends when passing near massive objects.
  • Time Dilation: Time slows down in strong gravitational fields.
  • Expansion of the Universe: Predicted the dynamic (expanding) nature of the universe, later confirmed by Edwin Hubble.

Previous Year Question (PYQ) – UPSC 2018:

Q: Consider the following phenomena:

  1. Light is affected by gravity.
  2. The Universe is constantly expanding.
  3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time.

Which of the above is/are predictions of Albert Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity?

Options:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • 1 (Light is affected by gravity): Basis of gravitational lensing and Einstein Rings.
  • 2 (Universe is constantly expanding): Predicted by Einstein, later confirmed by Hubble’s observations.
  • 3 (Matter warps space-time): Core principle of General Relativity, visualized through gravitational lensing.

Relevance for Himachal Pradesh:

  1. Science & Technology: Current affairs in space exploration are frequently asked in HAS General Studies Paper 3 (Science & Technology).
  2. General Knowledge: Questions on Einstein’s Theory, gravitational lensing, and space telescopes can appear in Prelims and Mains.
  3. Indian Contributions to Space Science: Link with India’s efforts in space exploration through ISRO’s Aditya-L1, AstroSat, and upcoming Gaganyaan missions.

Exam Tip:

  • In Prelims: Focus on terms like gravitational lensing, Einstein Ring, Euclid Telescope, and dark matter.
  • In Mains (GS – Science & Technology): Use this as a case study to illustrate the application of scientific theories (General Relativity) in modern astronomy.
  • For HAS Himachal GK Paper: Be prepared for matching questions on famous space telescopes (e.g., Hubble, Euclid, James Webb).