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

7/25/2019 Mrunal [Current] April-Week1-P2_ Environment, Polity, Culture_ IPCC Latest Report,Cess on Diesel Cars,Sahara Du

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5/22/2014 Mrunal [Current] April-Week1-P2: Environment, Polity, Culture: IPCC Latest Report,Cess on Diesel Cars,Sahara Dust Storm, IPC 376-E Death Pena

http://mrunal.org/2014/04/current-apri l-week1-p3-environment-polity-culture-ipcc-latest-reportcess-diesel-carssahara-dust-storm-ipc-376-e-death-penalty 1/14

[Current] April-Week1-P2: Environment, Polity, Culture: IPCC LatestReport,Cess on Diesel Cars,Sahara Dust Storm, IPC 376-E Death Penalty forRape, 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 timeto 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 (1stto 7thApril). 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 tomove 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

North East?

4. What do you know about section 376/E in the IPC? Do you agree with thedemands 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therefore should be repealed?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,
http://mrunal.org/2014/04/current-april-week1-p3-diplomacy-international-relations-arms-trade-treaty-indias-standnsa-reforms-snowden-navy-war-room-leakpalestine-un-membershipsino-indian-partnership-afghanistan-wit.htmlhttp://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://mrunal.org/http://mrunal.org/http://mrunal.org/2014/04/current-april-week1-p3-diplomacy-international-relations-arms-trade-treaty-indias-standnsa-reforms-snowden-navy-war-room-leakpalestine-un-membershipsino-indian-partnership-afghanistan-wit.htmlhttp://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://-/?-http://mrunal.org/


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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 descendto 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
https://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13851801323


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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 l ights 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 CentralZoo 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.

Gir has been traditional

habitat of lions since

centuries.


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smaller area= more chances of in-breeding

= genetic disorders=species becomes

extinct.

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 isneed to shift some of the population

elsewhere.

MPs main agenda is

tourism promotion ratherthan wildlife conservation.

If all of them concentrated in one place,

risk of extinction increases, in the case ofnatural 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.


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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 = hardlyany 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 0.025Euro V 0.005

Euro IV 0.0025

What about India?


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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.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13851761125


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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 5thAssessment Report (AR5)

Three groups working to prepare this report

group

No.working on Published?

1 On physical science and climate change September, 2013

2Adaption 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.


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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

RiseBuild 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

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 profitabil ity, dont you think


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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 VermaCommittee.

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 PRSIndiaclick me

Penalties increased in existing laws (IPC, SC-ST, IT act etc.) you can read the

list on PRSIndia: click meOne of them is IPC Section 376(E). It provides maximum death penalty for

repeat offence of rape.

Present controversy:
http://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/Criminal%20Law,%202013/Change%20in%20Punishments_%20Comparison%20of%20existing%20laws%20and%20criminal%20bill.pdfhttp://www.prsindia.org/uploads/media/Criminal%20Law,%202013/New%20offences%20under%20Criminal%20Laws%20Bill%20with%20comparison%20of%20IPC%20provisions.pdf


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http://mrunal.org/2014/04/current-apri l-week1-p3-environment-polity-culture-ipcc-latest-reportcess-diesel-carssahara-dust-storm-ipc-376-e-death-penalt 10/14

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 towrite).TheJholachhapNGOs 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 alreadybeen 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 previouscall-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 pol ice for giving

conflicting versions on IM blast case. Do you think the whole setting NIA is


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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 cellShootout near Jama Masjid before

commonwealth games2010

German Bakery, Pune 2010Maharashtra 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


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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? RajasthanWhat? 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
https://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13851762735https://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13851762735


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http://mrunal .org/2014/04/current-april -week1-p3-environment-polity-culture-ipcc-latest-reportcess-diesel-carssahara-dust-storm-ipc-376-e-death-penalt 13/14
https://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13851762735https://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13851762735https://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13851762735


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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 compilationclick

me

Visit Mrunal.org/CURRENTfor 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
http://mrunal.org/currenthttp://mrunal.org/2013/11/sci-techthehindu-sep-oct-novpart3of4-computeritmobile-tech-gecko-street-view-trekker-param-yuva-emf-radiation.html#116https://www.flickr.com/photos/97816112@N02/13851762735

Documents

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