The Hindu Editorial

28-August-2023

Daily Current Affairs For UPSC ,The Hindu Editorial Summary

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1. Himalayan blunders that are ravaging the Himalayas.

Topic: GS3 – ecology and climate change

Context:

• The Himalayas, renowned for their beauty, face environmental degradation.
• This degradation is evident through frequent natural disasters and deforestation.
• The flawed developmental paradigm in eco-fragile regions is responsible.

Tragedies in Hill States:

• Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh witness tragedies like bridges and buildings swept by rivers.
• These events reflect a flawed developmental approach in environmentally sensitive areas.

Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna:

• Implemented in 2016, it involved massive infrastructure development, including road widening.
• The project led to the loss of trees, forest land, lives, and fertile topsoil.
• Challenges arise due to environmental impact assessment (EIA) requirements and project ambitions.

Manipulation of Laws:

• The project divided into smaller segments to bypass EIA requirements for projects >100 km.
• Ambitious projects for tourism and election agendas often disregard laws.

Bhagirathi Eco Sensitive Zone (BESZ):

• A protected area under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
• Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna avoided BESZ with quick approval of zonal master plan.
• Detailed EIA and proper approval were overlooked.

Reassessing Carrying Capacity:

• Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh governments reassess carrying capacity after disasters.
• Need for careful regulation to protect ecologically sensitive areas.

Conservation Challenges:

• Gangotri glacier faces challenges due to vehicular movement and black carbon deposits.
• Increase in black carbon accelerates glacier melting.

Importance of Regulation:

• Greed and lobbies damaging Himalayan environment and local lives.
• Regulation is the sustainable solution to balance development and environment.
• Suggestions to reduce road width to conserve the pristine Ganga stretch and the Himalayas have been given by many scholars.

Conclusion:

• Climate change and unpredictable events call for prevention and conservation.
• Sustainable development should not jeopardize future generations and the environment.

Mains question:  Examine the environmental impact of projects like the Chardham Mahamarg Vikas Pariyojna on the Himalayan region. How can regulatory measures ensure both development and ecological conservation in such ecologically fragile areas?

2. India’s Rohingya refugee children are not criminals

Topic: GS2 – governance.

Context:

• A Rohingya refugee infant died in a detention center in Jammu, India in July.
• Viral video shows police using tear gas in an enclosed area with women and children refugees.
• Rohingya refugees in India face challenges as one of the most persecuted populations.

Rohingyas refugee influx in India:

• Rohingya refugee influx in India due to persecution in Myanmar.
• Over 770,000 Rohingya fled Myanmar since 2017.
• About 20,000 Rohingya refugees in India.
• Rohingya refugees facing challenges and vulnerabilities.
• Many detained in holding centers in India.
• Lack of consistent refugee policy in India.
• Refugees treated as illegal immigrants under Foreigners Act.
• UNHCR-recognized refugees at risk of detention, deportation.
• Rohingya children also detained, separated from parents.
• Violation of UN Convention on Rights of the Child.
• Urgent actions needed for humane treatment and protection.

Issues faced by refugees in India:

• Lack of comprehensive refugee policy.
• Refugees treated as illegal immigrants.
• Detention in holding centers or jails.
• Limited access to basic services.
• Vulnerability to exploitation and discrimination.
• Limited employment opportunities.
• Separation of families.
• Challenges in documentation and recognition.
• Inconsistent humanitarian support.
• Integration difficulties.
• Limited legal aid

Need for comprehensive refugee policy for India:

• Address legal and protection gaps for refugees.
• Provide clear guidelines for asylum seekers.
• Ensure humane treatment and rights protection.
• Define pathways for integration and resettlement.
• Establish consistent procedures for refugee status determination.
• Enhance access to education, healthcare, and basic services.
• Prevent arbitrary detention and deportation.
• Align with international refugee protection standards.
• Facilitate legal employment opportunities.
• Ensure the best interests of refugee children.
• Strengthen cooperation with UNHCR and international partners.
• Mitigate risks of exploitation and discrimination.
• Uphold India’s humanitarian values and global commitments.

Mains question:  Explain the need for a comprehensive refugee policy in India. Discuss the challenges faced by refugees due to the absence of a structured policy framework. Highlight the potential benefits of such a policy.

3. The importance of states in space missions.

Topic: GS3 – Science and technology

India’s Lunar Achievement and Lessons for Development:

• Chandrayaan-3’s Milestone: India successfully accomplished a soft landing on the moon with Chandrayaan-3, making it the fourth country to achieve this feat after the Soviet Union, the U.S., and China.
• Remarkable Ingenuity at Low Cost: Indian scientists achieved this milestone at a relatively low cost, showcasing their remarkable ingenuity.
• Late Industrialisers’ Achievement: Among the four countries, three (Soviet Union, China, and India) are late industrialisers, while the U.S. is developed. This raises questions about factors allowing resource-constrained economies to achieve ambitious scientific programs.
• Human Resources and Importance of Science: Populous countries like China, India, and the U.S. have invested in science and technology, building a pool of scientists and engineers that contribute to space achievements.
• UAE’s Success despite Population: UAE’s space program with limited population and Japan’s help achieved Martian orbit entry, demonstrating that population alone isn’t the key.
• Role of the State: A capable and active state, collaborating with the private sector and academics, plays a vital role. The state’s role is not domineering but facilitative in establishing frameworks and overcoming financial constraints.
• Addressing Diversion of Resources: Concerns about resources diverted from development to space programs are valid. However, the knowledge gained from space missions contributes to human progress and attracts private business.
• Partnership between State and Markets: The dichotomy between state and markets is outdated. True partnership between the two is required for innovation to thrive, as seen in successful moon landings by governments.
• Lessons from Mariana Mazzucatto: Economist Mariana Mazzucatto’s work highlights how active state intervention fosters innovation and success in economies, similar to the Apollo moon landings.
• State’s Role in Solving Earthly Concerns: While space achievements differ from addressing issues like climate change and hunger, successes in space demonstrate that an inclusive and capable state is essential for genuine human development.
• Call for Inclusive and Competent State: India’s lunar success emphasizes the need for an inclusive and secular state committed to building capacity for holistic human development.
• Lesson for Navigating Earthly Concerns: The achievements in space provide a roadmap for addressing pressing concerns on Earth through collaboration between state and markets.

Mains question:  Discuss the factors enabling resource-constrained economies like India to achieve significant milestones in space exploration. Highlight the role of an active state and collaborative models in fostering innovation.

4. India’s health research is not aligned with its disease burden

Topic: GS3 – Health sector.

Health Research in India:

• Health Research Mismatch: India’s healthcare research investment is limited, with a disconnect between funded research areas and actual health challenges.
• Disease Burden Indicator: Disease burden, measured as Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), reflects the population’s health and is used to assess health research alignment.
• Research vs. Disease Burden Mismatch: A collaborative study by IISc and Leiden University reveals disparities between India’s health research publications and disease burden (DALYs).
• Regional Disease Burden: Neonatal conditions have higher burden in India and low-income countries but share consistent research effort across regions.
• Cardiovascular Disease Research Disparity: Cardiovascular diseases are under-researched globally, including India, despite forming significant burden.
• Cancer Research Disproportion: Cancers receive substantial research attention despite their limited impact in India, due to effects on high-income countries.
• TB Research Alignment: Tuberculosis (TB) research matches its burden closely, reflecting India’s commitment to tackle the disease, including multidrug-resistant TB.
• Global Health Threats vs. Domestic Impact: India’s significant research focus on diseases like malaria and HIV/AIDS, which have limited domestic impact but have global significance.
• Influence of High-Income Countries: Research priorities often align with high-income countries’ needs, driven by market demand and private investments, leading to a flow of health funding away from the global south’s needs.

Mains question:  Examine the disconnect between India’s health research publications and disease burden measured by DALYs. Discuss its implications and propose strategies for aligning research priorities with public health needs.

 

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