Mrunal (Current) April-Week1 P2 Environment, Polity, Culture - IPCC Latest Report, Cess On Diesel Cars, Sahara Dust Storm, IPC 376-E Death Penalty For Rape, Anavaal Pidi, Gangaur, Angkor Wat

4/15/2014 Mrunal [Current] April-Week1-P2: Environment, Polity, Culture: IPCC Latest Report,Cess on Diesel Cars,Sahara Dust Storm, IPC
376-E Death Penalty fo

http://mrunal.org/2014/04/current-april-week1-p3-environment-polity-culture-ipcc-latest-reportcess-diesel-carssahara-dust-storm-ipc-376-e-death-penalty-rape 1/16
[Current] April-Week1-P2: Environment, Polity, Culture: IPCC Latest
Report,Cess on Diesel Cars,Sahara Dust Storm, IPC 376-E Death Penalty for
Rape, Anavaal Pidi, Gangaur, Angkor Wat
1. Prologue
2. [Act 2] Environment and biodiversity (EnB)
1. B1: Robber crab-Habitat destruction
2. B2: Long billed Vultures
3. B3: Olive Ridley Mass Hatching lights OFF!
4. B4: Moving Gir Lions to Madhya Pradesh: pros and cons
5. B5: Cess on Diesel Cars to fight pollution?
6. B6: Sahara Dust Storm in London
7. B7: IPCC latest report
8. B8: is it the time to close Digboi refinery?
3. [Act 3] Polity related Current Affairs
1. P1: Section 376/E of IPC: Death Penalty in Shaktimill
2. P2: Relevance of NIA? (federalism/internal security)
4. [Act 4] Culture related Current Affairs
1. C1: Anavaal pidi Ritual
2. C2: Gangaur festival
3. C3: Angkor Vat Google Street view
Prologue
Current Affairs for April week 1 (1
st
to 7
th
April). Total three parts
1. Part 1/3: Economy= coming soon
2. Part 2/3: Environment, Biodiversity, Polity and Culture= Youre here.
3. Part 3/3: Diplomacy-international relations (click me)
Before reading further, think about these interview questions:
1. From zoology/environment point of view, is this viable to move lions away
from their natural habitat in Gir?
2. We should impose Cess on Diesel Cars, and use that money to fight pollution.
Do you agree?
3. Given its low output and low profitability, dont you think Digboi refinery
should be closed down, And instead put focus on hydro-electrical potential of
4/15/2014 Mrunal [Current] April-Week1-P2: Environment, Polity, Culture: IPCC Latest Report,Cess on Diesel Cars,Sahara Dust Storm, IPC 376-E Death Penalty fo
North East?
4. What do you know about section 376/E in the IPC? Do you agree with the
demands by certain (jholachhap) activists that it is retributive in nature and
therefore should be repealed?
5. Recently Delhi HC rapped both NIA and Delhi police for giving conflicting
versions on IM blast case. Do you think the whole setting NIA is flawed? If not,
then what corrective measures are necessary?
[Act 2] Environment and biodiversity (EnB)
B1: Robber crab-Habitat destruction
IUCN status: DATA DEFICIENT.
Where? only in the forest of Andaman and Nicobar
it is the largest land crab [adult can be as long as 1 meter and weigh 4.5 kilos]
Also called coconut crabs, because they climb trees, cut coconuts and descend
to eat it.
Threats Protection status
habitat destruction post
Tsunami
Nicobar folks dont eat them
due to social taboo but the
youth of Andaman eats
them.
IUCN- its under list of DATA DEFICIENT.
Wildlife protection Act= under Schedule
I. Meaning it is illegal to hunt them. But
juntaa of Andaman Nicobar unaware.
B2: Long billed Vultures
IUCN status: Critically Endangered
Where? only in Nilgiri hills [North-Eastern slops]
other vulture species in Nilgiris=White-backed vulture, King vulture and
Egyptian vulture
Threat: anti-inflammatory drug (Diclofenac) used in cattle. When vultures eat
such dead cattle, it causes renal (kidney) failure in the vulture => death.
Solution? = educate farmers to use another drug called Meloxicam
B3: Olive Ridley Mass Hatching lights OFF!
IUCN status: endangered
Found in warm waters of Indian, Pacific and Atlantic ocean.
Odisha coast= largest mass hatching site.
Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary along the coastline of Kendrapara district.
Arribada = mass nesting of female olive ridley turtles
Breeding season: November to May. After ~50 days, the eggs hatch and baby
turtles move towards the beach.
But only 1/1000 survive and reach adulthood.
Yes, but why in news? Because
Officials have ordered the people to turn off their lights during hatching. Why?
Once Baby turtles (Hatchlings) come out of the sand nest, they move towards
sea.
BUT if they see bright light (coming from those houses), they move towards
houses instead of diving into the sea.
Thats why civilians ordered to turn off the lights during night.
Additionally, officials have also installed nets surrounding these nests to
prevent the babies from moving towards land.
B4: Moving Gir Lions to Madhya Pradesh: pros and cons
IUCN Status: Endangered.
Why in news?
Last year, the Uttar Pradesh government received the approval of the Central
Zoo Authority to set up a lion safari in 50 acres of forestland, just 5 km from
Etawah town.
Follow-up to that event, recently Modi vs Akhilesh verbal spat about lions vs
hyenas during election campaign.
(Interview Q) From zoology/environment point of view, is it viable to move lions
away from their natural habitat?
yes because no because
Gujarats lions come from a very narrow
genetic base of about 25 animals.
smaller area= more chances of in-breeding
= genetic disorders=species becomes
extinct.
Gir has been traditional
habitat of lions since
centuries.
Rampant poaching and
gun culture of MP. More
than 450 tigers killed in
last decade.
With rise of lion population in Gir, man-
animal conflict are increasing, there is
need to shift some of the population
elsewhere.
MPs main agenda is
tourism promotion rather
than wildlife conservation.
If all of them concentrated in one place,
risk of extinction increases, in the case of
natural disaster or epidemic in Gir.
In MP- Tiger and Lion co-
existence risky.
National Wildlife board
had formed a panel to
decide about translocation
of lions.
But their panel members
were mostly Tiger experts,
not lion.
No study about how lions
react to trans-location.
Sequence of events:
1. National Board of Wild Life took decision to translocate Gir lions.
2. War of words between Gujarat and MP.
3. Supreme Court PIL, court says yes shift Gir lions to MP. (2013) this is one
example of wildlife judicial activism.
The action plan of Lion translocation:
1. From Gir Sanctuary Gujarat to Kuno Sanctuary Madhya Pradesh.
2. 25-year-long translocation programme.
3. In next two years, 5-10 lions will be sent to MP. (60-70% of them will be
females)
4. Then every 3-5 years, a few more males would be sent.
5. Sophisticated radio collars for all lions, constant surveillance by forest officials.
B5: Cess on Diesel Cars to fight pollution?
First whats the difference between Cess and Surcharge?
surcharge cess
tax on tax same
calculated only on tax liability
taken on tax liability + surcharge. and
for a specific purpose e.g highway
renovation, higher education or xyz.
suppose youve to pay Rs.1 lakh as income
tax and government demands 10%
surcharge then total tax to paid = 1.10 lakh
Suppose education cess is 3%. Cess is
calculated on tax + surcharge.= 3% of
Rs.1.10 lakhs.=3300 rupees.
meaning finally youll have to pay
income tax + surcharge (on IT) + Cess (on IT+Surcharge)
=113300
Anyways, coming to the main topic, why in news?
Famous advocate Harish Salve assists Forest bench of Supreme court as
Amicus curiae. He presents a report- that
Every year 3000 kids die in Delhi alone because of air pollution.
Diesel is main culprit- produces 10x times more carcinogenic particles than
petrol.
diesel consumption is high because its cheaper than petrol (due to subsidies).
Therefore, 30% cess should be levied on private diesel vehicles.
and this money should be used for three things:
1. producing clean diesel [that has only 10ppm sulphur]
2. Introduce Euro V and Euro VI norms.
3. strengthen public transport system (buses and metros)
Supreme Court panel forwards this recommendation to Finance ministry. But
Chindu says no,we cannot levy any environmental cess on diesel cars. because..
1. Barely 13% of total automobiles in India are private diesel vehicleS = hardly
any cess money will come.
2. We already have started reducing diesel subsidies in phased manners.
3. Soon there wont be a big difference between the prices of diesel vs petrol.
4. Desi automobile sector already facing slowdown and negative growth. if we
impose 30% cess, itd hurt the sales of diesel cars and SUVs.
Side note: What is Euro V and Euro VI norms?
These norms define the maximum limit of pollutant that a vehicle can emit.
(CO2, nitrogen oxide, sulfer and suspended particulate matter)
If vehicle emits more than this limit, it cannot be sold in Europe.
In Euro norms, as we move higher, the limits become stricter. Observe
Euro norm limit of respirable suspended particulate matter (RSPM)
Euro I 0.14
Euro II 0.08
Euro III 0.05
Euro IV 0.025
Euro V 0.005
Euro IV 0.0025
What about India?
We follow Euro norms under the lable Bharat stage norms.
13 major cities of India Bharat stage 4 norms
rest of India Bharat Stage 3 norms.
B6: Sahara Dust Storm in London
Sahara Desert dust brings smog to UK
During summer, the Sahara desert undergoes low pressure depression => dust
lifted upwards and flies towards Europe and America
locally this is called Simoom or poison wind, because it causes heat strokes.
In April 2014: a large mass of this dust storm fell over London, hence in news.
good bad
Provides phosphate nutrients to
Amazon soil.
Continuous and large scale dust storm
decreases total soil fertility=forcing
villagers to migrate to cities. This
happened in USA during 40s, more than
2.5 million people migrated to California.
Provides nutrients to plankton in
Mediterranean sea.
Poor visibility, smog like situation.
reduces the surface temperature sea
and lowers the possibilities of
hurricane
Dirt accumulation on vehicles,
windows, houses =millions cost
every year.
Harmattan wind carries this dust in
Niger- brining soil nutrients K, Mg and
Ca.
Allergic reaction in people suffering
from asthama= loss of productive
man-hours
dust particles directly reflect sunlight
backinto space, thus reducing amount
of heat coming to Earths surface- this
has both positive and negative
impacts on long term climate.
Carries pathogens that destroy coral
reefs.
Brings iron minerals into sea water =
causes algal blooms.
B7: IPCC latest report
Assessment Report (AR) Year
1st 1990
2nd 1995
3rd 2001
4th 2007
5th Yet To Publish Entirely. (Only 2/3 Parts Published)
IPCC 5
th
Assessment Report (AR5)
Three groups working to prepare this report
group
No.
working on Published?
1 On physical science and climate change September, 2013
2
Adaption measures [Impact, Adaption
and vulnerability]
March 2014 (hence in news
during April 2014)
3 Mitigation measures yet to be published
So now we come to the report that is making news=> Report on Adaptation
measures under 5th assessment report. Since this is only a small part of the big
report yet to come => so, dont waste time doing lot of Ph.D majoori (labour) in this
report.
Overall it says following:
1. Soil moisture will decline globally => dry regions will become even more drier
=> global drought =>food shortage.
2. Temperature has risen 0.2 cel since Industrial revolution.
3. Climate change is inevitable challenge, but if we understand the challenge
correctly then we can better tackle it.
4. But, Science can help in adaptation and risk reduction. for example:
Problem SCIENTIFIC SOLUTION
Sea Level
Rise
Build coastal barriers and plant mangroves
Agriculture climate resilient seeds and agri-technology
Water Water-conservation, desalination.
Natural
Disaster
Invest in technology for early detection of cyclones, flood and
droughts=> training of personnel, take precautionary measures.
Impact on India?
1. The poor and developing countries of tropical regions are the most vulnerable
of the climate change.
2. Small island countries of Indian Ocean, like, Maldives, Mauritius and Shri
Lanka, will migrate to India as climate refugee. (India has made such
agreements with these countries)
3. Indian coastal cities will face danger of submergence.
4. Erratic Rainfall, melting of Himalayan glaciers, frequent flooding, draughts,
storms and cyclones.
5. Food insecurity for large population.
6. New diseases and weather patterns.
B8: is it the time to close Digboi refinery?
Digboi refinery is in news because of election- the politicians make claims and
counter-claim on how UPA/Assam government has slowly destroyed the
profitability of this refinery.
First the theory
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/current-april-week1-p3-environment-polity-culture-ipcc-latest-reportcess-diesel-carssahara-dust-storm-ipc-376-e-death-penalty-rap 10/16
Petroleum reserves form in sedimentary basins.
The flora and fauna decompose under heavy pressure and temperature =>
crude oil + natural gas.
Digboi oil field = Sedimentary rocks of Brahmputra valley in Assam.
Digboi refinery = First oil well of India. oldest and (perhaps) lowest output in
world.
Refinery hasnt been upgraded, on a verge of financial-collapse due to shortage
of man and raw material (crude oil)
if refinery closes=> unemployment to the surrounding area (those rickshaw-
walla, tea-vendors and so on)
(Interview Q.) Given its low output and low profitability, dont you think Digboi
refinery should be closed down, And instead put focus on hydro-electrical potential
of North East?
Points to consider:
1. First, make a fresh assessment- whether it is feasible to continue running this
refinery.
2. If the technological upgrades can solve the man-power crunch and increase the
production levels, then no need to close down the refinery.
3. It is true that North-East region has high potential for development of Hydro-
electric power station,
4. But we need to be cautious while exploiting this potential.
5. We shouldnt forget that Hydro-electricity has long gestation period and
damaging effect on surrounding environment and leads to forcible
migration/rehabilitation of hundreds of families.
6. Hydro-electric plants interfere with the natural flow of the river drainage
7. Haphazard development of the dams on the upper course of river had
catalysed the Uttrakhand flood disaster.
8. Besides, North Eastern region is home of many pristine forest tracts, national
parks and rare flora and fauna. The forests have spiritual value for indigenous
tribal people.
[Act 3] Polity related Current Affairs
Ive skipped two topics related Supreme Court judgements: mercy petition and Jat
reservation. Both quite lengthy, require standalone articles later on. So here only
two topics covered (i) section 376E and (ii) NIA.
P1: Section 376/E of IPC: Death Penalty in Shaktimill
(Interview) What do you know about section 376/E in the IPC? Do you agree with
the demands by certain (jholachhap) activists that it is retributive in nature and
therefore should be repealed?
Background:
After the Nirbhaya case in Dec 2012, government forms Justice Verma
Committee.
Based on his recommendation, Criminal laws amendment bill 2013 tabled in
parliament and passed by both houses.
April 2013: President signed.
According to these amendments,
Certain new offenses included. you can read list on PRSIndia click me
Penalties increased in existing laws (IPC, SC-ST, IT act etc.) you can read the list
on PRSIndia: click me
One of them is IPC Section 376(E). It provides maximum death penalty for
repeat offence of rape.
Present controversy:
July 2013: A call centre employee raped in Shakti mills.
August 2013: photojournalist raped in Shakti mills by the same criminals.
April 2014: Mumbai session courts awards death penalty to the three rapists-
because they were repeat offenders under 376/E.
pro 376-E argument anti (=no death penalty)
Death penalty prevent
recidivism (=when criminal
repeats offense after coming
out of jail)
(Mrunal this is height of stupidity but have
to write).The Jholachhap NGOs argue that
376-E applies only after rapist is convicted in
one offense, spends 7-10 years in jail, then
comes out rapes again.only then he can be
called repeat offender under 376E and get
death penalty.
Hence 376/E is wrongly applied in this case
because both crimes were done in same year.
The three men have already
been sentenced to life
imprisonment in the
telephone operators gang
rape case. after that judge
heart the photojournalist
case=>376E applies.
Rather than 376/E, these criminals should be
given life sentence for gang rape under 376D.
Shakti mills criminals were
emboldened since police did
not catch them in previous
call-center case. This case
definitely deserves
application of 376/E.
Originally, Justice JS Verma Committee had
recommended only maximum life
imprisonment in Section 376E amendment.
But succumbing to public and media
pressure, government replaced it with death
penalty.
The repetition of crime by
accused itself can be seen as
repetition of defying law, if he
would not been caught, he
would have continue with his
heinous acts.
Death sentence is not going to diminish violence
against women which is deeply rooted in unequal
and discriminatory practices.
There is no certainty that an
accused will be reformed
after passing sentence.
376E prevents any possibility of improvement
/reform of the accused.
Death penalty is meant to
show that respect of women
is important in our society,
where rape is not just
another crime in the law-
book.
P2: Relevance of NIA? (federalism/internal security)
(Interview Q) Recently Delhi HC rapped both NIA and Delhi police for giving
conflicting versions on IM blast case. Do you think the whole setting NIA is flawed?
If not, then what corrective measures are necessary?
Background:
2008: 26/11 Mumbai terror attack
Government enacted National Investigation act 2008
2009: NIA came into existence. (on the lines of FBI)
NIA is a federal agency, can supersede state police in the investigation and
trial. (only for the offenses given in its act- e.g. hijacking, bomb blasts, attacks
on nuclear site etc.
Problem? Law and order is a state subject. Unlike USA, our Constitution
doesnt have the concept of federal crimes.
Relevance of NIA?
Positive:
1. cracked the right wing extremism cases (Samjauta express, mecca masjid, and
ajmer sharif Swami Asimanand). Counter: CBI arrested swami
2. >150 terrorists arrested in last three years by NIA. Counter: NIA itself has
arrested hardly ~45 terrorists. remaining were arrested by state agencies / CBI
then handed over.
3. 2011: NIA successfully arrested master minds of Delhi High Court blasts.
4. Has probed the wider conspiracy behind the 26/11 attacks. Counter: but
interestingly none of the accused are in NIAs custody!
5. 2014: Cracked the Bodh Gaya blast case.
Negative:
Even after its birth in 2009, Majority of terror cases attacks were solved by State
agencies. For example:
Israeli diplomat car blast 2010
Delhi Special cell Shootout near Jama Masjid before
commonwealth games
2010
German Bakery, Pune 2010
Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism
Squad (ATS)
Mumbai serial blasts 2011
Pune blasts 2012
NIA has barely 450 men, hardly any trained investigators in forensic science,
cyber security and bomb blast analysis.
23 out of 48 cases not charge sheeted so far.
Solutions?
1. Increase staff.
2. Hire forensic, anti-bomb squad and cyber-security experts- even from outside.
3. Top officials and chief should be selected in open and transparent manner.
4. Should not be given more powers without amendment of the Constitution.
5. Alternatively, Central government can take the consensus of state
governments and convert NIA into a joint anti-terror agency made-up of best
officers from Union agencies and State agencies.
[Act 4] Culture related Current Affairs
Three topics this time: Anavaal elephant festival Kerala, Gangaur Festival Rajasthan
and Angkor Wat in Cambodia.
C1: Anavaal pidi Ritual
Where? Kerala
What? Catching elephants tail festival.
Elephant is freed of chains, it bought to the temple in Kollam.
Devotees chase it for 100m to catch its tail.
Symbolism: childhood pranks of the Ganesha and Kartikeya.
C2: Gangaur festival
Where? Rajasthan
What? Gana= Shiva, Gauri= Parvati. Festival to celebrate their companionship.
Women carry their idols overhead, procession through the streets, immersed
in waters after three days.
Purpose: unmarried girls for good groom, married women for the well being of
their husband.
C3: Angkor Vat Google Street view
WHERE? Cambodia
WHAT? Angkor (city), Wat (temple ground) = city of temples
WHEN? 12th Centaury
WHO? King Suryavarman II, Khmer dynasty.
FOR
WHOM?
Lord Vishnu. Largest religious complex in the world, dedicated to him.
Influence of Kalinga temple style. Even Kurukshetra battled and
Churning of sea milk depicted here.
Why in news?
Google Street View mapped >90000 images of Angkor vat.
You can view at home, 360 degree tour. (Same available for Mt.Fiji and
Tajhmahal)
So far this is the largest digital capturing of any world heritage site.
for more on google street view trekker- read the old sci-tech compilation click
me
Visit Mrunal.org/CURRENT for entire Archive weekly current affairs compilations
published so far.
URL to article: http://mrunal.org/2014/04/current-april-week1-p3-environment-
polity-culture-ipcc-latest-reportcess-diesel-carssahara-dust-storm-ipc-376-e-death-
penalty-rape-anavaal-pidi-gangaur-angkor-wat.html
Posted By Mrunal On 14/04/2014 @ 22:55 In the category Current Affairs Weekly

Mrunal (Current) April-Week1 P2 Environment, Polity, Culture - IPCC Latest Report, Cess On Diesel Cars, Sahara Dust Storm, IPC 376-E Death Penalty For Rape, Anavaal Pidi, Gangaur, Angkor Wat

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