India’s first national water-body census.

Topic: GS3.

Context:

• The primary aim of the inaugural water-body census was to establish a comprehensive nationwide database containing details regarding the size, purpose, ownership, status, and condition of water bodies.
• This census encompassed all types of naturally occurring and man-made units enclosed on all sides and utilised for water storage, regardless of their state or purpose.

Issue: Significance of water bodies census:

• India faces a water crisis due to various factors such as groundwater decline, biodiversity loss, and climate change.
• Water bodies are essential in buffering against climate variability, contributing to food and water security, and providing cultural and ecological significance.
• However, water bodies are increasingly threatened by pollution, encroachment, urbanisation, and drying.
• To conserve and manage water bodies effectively, baseline data is needed, which should be uniform and easily accessible across different agencies.
• Traditional knowledge of communities must be integrated with formal data to manage water bodies effectively.
• While data on reservoirs and rivers have been available, there needs to be data on smaller water bodies critical in rural India and cities for flood control, recreation, and culture.

How was the census conducted:

• First-ever water body census in India aimed to develop a national database on water bodies’ size, ownership, purpose, condition, and status.
• Software and mobile app were developed for data entry and capturing the location and visual of the water bodies.
• Data-processing workshops were conducted to train the surveyors across all States and Union territories.
• The census was built on existing satellite-derived datasets but extended to include social characteristics like ownership, use, and condition of water bodies.

Analysis of information generated:

• The national effort to track water bodies allows for spatial and temporal comparisons across the country.
• Most of India’s water bodies are less than one hectare in size, making them challenging to locate and track using satellite imagery.
• Regional patterns in water body characteristics correlate with rainfall, with larger publicly-held bodies in drier states and privately-owned bodies in wetter conditions.
• Most water bodies have never been repaired or rejuvenated, with many classified as “not in use”.

How can it be improved further?

• The latest water body census in India has apparent gaps in addressing the role of water bodies in supporting biodiversity.
• The census focused exclusively on human use, particularly fish farming, which does not reflect natural biodiversity.
• The classification of water bodies into five types in the census needs to be more consistent, with many tanks serving as irrigation and recharge structures.
• The data needed to be standardised across states, and the enumerators’ interpretation differences suggest inconsistencies.
• The census indicates how to restore water bodies, strengthen agency capacities, and allocate funds.
• Conducting such censuses every five or ten years will accurately represent emerging trends and the state of water in the country.
  

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Revised data has caused a downward adjustment of $3 billion to India’s export-import figures for 2022-23.

Topic: GS3.

Context:

• Revised figures for February and March exceeded $10 billion, resulting in a 40.8% increase in the trade deficit for the year to $267.45 billion, which slightly exceeded the previous estimate of 40%.
• Experts have observed that revisions of over $500 million monthly are unusual.

Issue:

• India’s goods trade numbers for February and March have been revised by over $10 billion from initial estimates, with petroleum shipments as the main driver for the extraordinarily high revisions of recent export data.
• While exports were estimated to have grown 6% in 2022-23 to hit $447.46 billion, that number has now pared to $444.4 billion.
• The trade deficit for the year has risen 40.8% to $267.45 billion, with experts flagging uncertainty on the outlook for India’s current account deficit and rupee due to the sharp revisions on the petroleum exports front.
  

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Election Commission issues advisory for advertisements during Karnataka polls.

Topic: GS2.

Context:

• The Election Commission has instructed political parties contesting in the Karnataka Assembly election on May 10 to refrain from publishing any print media advertisements on the day of the election and the day before it without obtaining prior certification.

Issue:

• The poll body has advised all national and state political parties that advertisements during the “silence period” must be pre-certified by the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee (MCMC).

Influence of advertisements on elections:

• Advertisements play a significant role in election campaigns, especially in reaching out to voters who may not actively follow the candidates’ campaigns or need a stronger opinion about them.
• Advertisements can help candidates to build a brand and create a favourable image among voters.
• Political parties and candidates use advertisements to showcase their achievements, highlight their agenda, and criticise their opponents.
• Advertisements can sway voters’ opinions by appealing to their emotions, such as fear, anger, or hope.
• Advertisements can also help political parties to target specific demographics, such as age groups or communities, and tailor their messages accordingly.
• However, advertisements can also be misleading or inaccurate; voters may need access to the facts to make informed decisions.

Ways to reduce the influence of advertisements on elections:

• Regulating political advertising: Election commissions can regulate political advertising by imposing spending limits, restricting the timing and content of political ads, and ensuring that they are truthful.
• Encouraging transparency: Political parties and candidates should be required to disclose their funding sources and the amount spent on advertising to promote transparency.
• Promoting public funding: Public funding of political campaigns can help reduce the influence of wealthy donors and corporations on elections.
• Strengthening media ethics: Media outlets should adhere to journalistic ethics and standards to prevent the spread of fake news and misinformation during elections.
• Educating voters: Educating voters about the importance of critical thinking and media literacy can help them make informed decisions and reduce the influence of advertising on their voting behaviour.
• Encouraging grassroots campaigning: Emphasising door-to-door campaigning, public meetings, and rallies can shift the focus away from advertising and direct interaction with voters.
• Using social media responsibly: Social media platforms should prevent the spread of misinformation and fake news and ensure that political advertising is truthful and transparent.
  

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ISRO to start an online training programme for college students.

Topic: GS3.

Context:

• ISRO has unveiled a new online training program named space science and technology awareness training (START) aimed at providing an introduction to the subject.

Issue:

• ISRO has launched a new online training program called Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START) for final-year undergraduate and postgraduate physical sciences and technology students.
• Interested academic institutions can apply for the program through the Jigyasa portal until May 20. ISRO Centre scientists and Indian academia will deliver the training and cover various space science domains, including instrumentation, aeronomy, astronomy, astrophysics, and heliophysics.
• The goal of the START program is to provide an introduction to space science and technology to students, including research opportunities and career prospects in the field.
• It is part of ISRO’s initiative to develop space science and technology professionals.
  

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Japan and South Korea have agreed to advance their relationship in a significant shift for the region.

Topic: GS2.

Context:

• Japan and South Korea have agreed to move past historical disputes and transform their relationship, which could have significant regional implications.

Issue:

• Both sides have been united by shared concerns over North Korea’s nuclear program and China’s regional muscle-flexing.
• The visit by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is part of shuttle diplomacy, with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol having visited Japan in March.
• While historical issues continue to be resolved, both sides have agreed to develop a fund to compensate South Koreans who suffered under Japanese forced labour programs.
• Despite this progress, hurdles remain due to the weight of history, with some Japanese conservatives denying wartime crimes against Koreans.