SECURE SYNOPSIS: 18 DECEMBER 2018
NOTE: Please remember that following ‘answers’ are NOT ‘model answers’. They are NOT synopsis too if we go by definition of the term. What we are providing is content that both meets demand of the question and at the same time gives you extra points in the form of background information.
General Studies – 2
Topic– Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of these vulnerable sections. Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Why this question
The bill had been pending since a long time and was recently passed by the Lok Sabha. The provisions of the bill have been criticized on various fronts. It is essential to analyze the bill in detail and bring out its shortcomings.
Directive word :
Critically examine- here we have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any. based on our discussion we have to form a concluding opinion on the issue.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to dig deep into the issue and bring out as the reasons as to why the recently passed Transgender bill has failed to address the issues regarding discrimination faced by the transgenders in India.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the Transgender people passed by the LS recently. E.g the objectives of the bill includes protecting interests of transgenders, defining of the term ‘transgender’, to give them recognition and setting up of a national transgender council.
Body-
Discuss the pros/ positive points about the bill. E.g The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 seeks to empower the transgender community by providing them a separate identity; The bill proposes to setup a National Transgender Council to look after the interests and grievances of the transgender community etc.
Discuss the limitations/ deficiencies of the bill. E.g there are several laws in the country and it is not clear how these laws including the Companies Act would be applied to transgenders;Adequate attention has not been given in drafting this bill;the definition of transgenders is not complete and that other terms such as transmen and transwomen are not defined.The bill fails to define discrimination against transgenders;there is no clarity on the term “self perceived gender identity” and “how it will be enforced” etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Background:-
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) conducted the first-ever nationwide survey of the transgender community in India and found that 92% of the people belonging to the community are subjected to economic exclusion.
- The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Bill, 2016 aims at defining the transgender people and prohibiting discrimination against them. This bill was passed with 27 amendments in the Lok Sabha recently.
Transgender bill :-
- Definition of transgender :-
- The new definition terms a transgender person as one whose gender does not match the gender assigned to that person at birth and includes trans-men or trans-women, persons with intersex variations, gender-queers, and persons having socio-cultural identities.
- The Bill aims to stop discrimination against a transgender personin various sectors such as education, employment, and healthcare. It also directs the central and state governments to provide welfare schemes for them.
- The Bill states that a person will be recognised as transgender on the basis of a certificate of identity issued through the district screening committee. This certificate will be a proof of identity as transgender and confer rights under this Bill.
Constraints in the bill :-
- Government, however, has refused to address two major issues – decriminalising homosexuality under Section 377 that directly concerns transgenders and reservation for transgender community in educational institutions and government organisations.
- The right to self-determination of a transgender has been rightly recognized by the Supreme Court under right to life in Article 21 of the Constitution of India, but the objective means to achieve this has not been focused upon.
- The appointment of the District Screening Committee is also against the NALSA judgement which recognized right to self-identity as an inalienable right under Article 21 of the Constitution of India
- Similarly, the bill is silent in areas of health, affirmative action,and decriminalising activities that marginalised trans communities are compelled to undertake to eke out a living. There are also no penal provisions in the law to guard against the trans community being subjected to atrocities and to protect its members in prisons and juvenile homes.
- Another shortcoming in the implementation which the Bill will face is lack of mechanism for representation of the transgenders. For example, as we have a National Commission for Women and for lower castes, a similar type of provision ought to be made here too.
- Although the Bill may come into force, it may still not be effective due to lag in the authorities to act for the rights of the transgenders.
- Further, some provisions of the Bill are also in conflict with the international conventions on transgenders.
- Activists had objected to transgender persons not being defined properly and the Bill not having any provision for self-determination of gender.
- The right of transgender persons to self-identification, instead of being certified by a district screening committee is demanded by activists.
- The Bill has prescribed punishments for organised begging. Trans community isn’t begging because that’s what they want to do. Trans youth who don’t find jobs join begging due to systematic discrimination in education, job, and healthcare.
- The Transgender Bill does not mention any punishments for rape or sexual assault of transgender personsas according to Sections 375 and 376 of the Indian Penal Code, rape is only when a man forcefully enters a woman.
Way forward :-
- The Bill must recognise that gender identity must go beyond biological. Gender identity is an individual’s deep and personal experience. It need not correspond to the sex assigned at birth. It includes the personal sense of the body and other expressions such as one’s own personal inducing proceeds.
- Sensitising the workforcein protecting the rights and dignity of the community.
- Leading voices from the community have called for vocational programmes in creative fields, a recommendation made by the Standing Committee too.
- There is need for a comprehensive surveyon the socio-economic status of the community.
- Transgender welfare boardsare needed in different States.
- Transgender persons should take part in the national Census to generate accurate data.
- Explicit policies on transgender-friendly registration and non-discriminationand healthcare workers need to be trained to provide non-judgmental care.
- Standing committee recommendations :-
- Recommended re-drafting the definition of a ‘transgender person’ to make it inclusive and accurate; providing for the definition of discrimination and setting up a grievance redress mechanism to address cases of discrimination and granting reservations to transgender persons.
- There is a requirement of special courts which can deal with the offences against transgenders speedily and effectively.
- The Supreme Court has held that the right to self-identification of gender is part of the right to dignity and autonomy under Article 21 of the Constitution. However, objective criteria may be required to determine one’s gender in order to be eligible for entitlements.
General Studies – 3
Topic – Indian Economy and issues relating to employment.
Why this question
The article analyses the issues or the advantages faced by workers of gig economy versus how they compare to workers of formal economy. At a time when gig economy has become the new fad, and issues with respect to social protection for workers of gig economy remains, the question becomes important.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to compare and contrast the issues faced by workers of gig economy versus workers of the formal economy. Thereafter, we need to analyze whether any step needs to be taken for securing rights of those working in gig economy.
Directive word
Examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any .
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain what is meant by gig economy – labour market characterised by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs
Body
- Discuss the issues faced by workers of gig economy – no law governing their employments conditions such as working hours, working conditions etc
- Compare and contrast the issue faced by workers of gig economy and formal economy with respect to various parameters such as social security benefits , minimum wages etc
- Discuss what steps must be taken to improve the conditions of workers of gig economy, whether they need rights equivalent to workers in formal economy.
Conclusion – emphasize that gig economy is here to stay and the need of the hour is to protect the basic rights of these workers too.
Background :-
- The ‘gig economy’, also described as the ‘sharing economy’, ‘collaborative economy’ or ‘on-demand economy’, has been growing rapidly around the world.
- A 2016 McKinsey report found that up to 162 million people in Europe and the US 20-30% of the working-age population engage in some form of independent work, whether out of choice or necessity.
Gig economy :-
- The gig economy is a labour market characterised by the prevalence of short-term contracts or freelance work as opposed to permanent jobs and is ubiquitous globally, and India is no stranger to it.
- This is the economy where instead of full-time employment, organisations contract with independent workers for short-term engagements.
- In a gig economy, temporary, flexible jobs are commonplace and companies tend toward hiring independent contractorsand freelancers instead of full-time employees. A gig economy undermines the traditional economy of full-time workers who rarely change positions and instead focus on a lifetime career.
- Some of the examples of gig economy comprises enterprises are Uber, the driver hire app, Airbnb, the accommodation-sharing platform, and Deliveroo, the online food delivery company.
Issues faced by workers of gig economy:-
- Minimum wages in India are woefully low. Earning an ‘employee’ status may not entitle them to more than what they currently make.
- Outside social security:-
- Social security laws like the EPF and ESI currently only cover employees earning below Rs 15,000 and Rs 21,000 per month, respectively. If drivers earn more, they may not be entitled to these benefits, even after they get employment status, leaving them in a position that isn’t significantly better than before.
- Most Indian employment laws expressly prohibit dual employment, i.e. individuals cannot carry out two jobs if the total working hours exceed 8-9 hours a day based on location. Many gig workers work with multiple apps at the same time to supplement their income, which may become harder or illegal to do if they attain employment status with app operators.
Advantages :-
- Best talent:-
- In the digital age, the worker need not sit at a fixed location the job can be done from anywhere, so employers can select the best talent available for a project without being bound by geography.
- Flexible work:-
- Supporters of the gig economy argue that it enables more people to participate in the labour market by providing flexible working, provides opportunities for the unemployed and could increase productivity.
- Indeed, flexible working has proven very popular among the working population as more seek to achieve the perfect work-life balance.
- Both consumers and organisations can benefit through greater availability and accessibility of services and improved matching that better fulfils their needs.
- There is also the benefit of minimal cost:-
- Digital business models have lower transaction costs for consumers, and organisations can keep costs down by using independent service providers only when they need them.
- Profitability
- A clear advantage was profitability for businesses where employers who used these workers reported that they were important to the company’s overall profitability and efficiency.
- Skill development:-
- The people who want to learn new skills and explore new avenues can find great new opportunities in the gig economy. Apart from independence, the gig economy provides variety where you find options to try new jobs and juggle between several roles.
How these people stand in comparison to workers of formal Economy:-
- In the recent spate of strikes by app drivers and delivery persons and none of them seem to be expressly seeking employment status from these companies. Most demands relate to improvement in incentives not permanent employee status
- They have little by way of a safety net to fall back on as there are no mandatory PF savings, no access to ESI hospitals, no workman compensation for accidents, etc, as these benefits are targeted primarily towards the organised sector.
- Concerns over job insecurity and low income.
- Security
- A big drawback for a gig economy system was the lack of security for workers.
- Those working in the gig economy do not enjoy the same rights and protections as employed workers, such as health benefits, overtime pay and sick leave pay.
- Motivation
- Many businesses were concerned that a gig economy would decrease productivity as employers thought it make workers less dedicated and said that they would create a less motivated workforce.
- Compliance issues:
- Gig economy has created jobs that do not fall in the traditional category and it is why it has also given rise to controversies and legal tussles. The rights of the gig workers are not as well defined as the traditional employees.
- Lack of training and skill development opportunities:
- Inside the organizations, training and skill development models are available only to the regular employees. The gig workers do not have such resources available to them.
- Career management issues:
- The gig workers are in short term relationships with the employers and therefore do not have a definite career. While the highly skilled workers may find better security because of high demand and low availability, the less skilled workers may often find it difficult to obtain suitable gigs and consistent employment.
Way forward:-
- Minimum wages need to be improved drastically, and social security laws need to apply to everyone, ideally without wage barriers.
- The proposed Code on Wages and the Labour Code on Social Security are steps in the right direction.
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Why this question
Agriculture is increasingly becoming susceptible to climate change and dependence of around half of India’s population on agriculture exhorts us to pursue climate adaptation and response at both micro as well as macro levels. The article provides a scientific discussion of the issue and suggests several solutions in this regard.
Directive word
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to write in detail about the need to foster process of climate adaptation in agriculture at both micro and macro level, what it means and how to do it.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the need to adopt climate resilient agriculture. E.g Climate adaptation actions in agriculture are closely intertwined with rural developmental interventions, calling for a holistic new paradigm etc.
Body-
Discuss about the need for climate adaptation in agriculture and discuss what needs to be done at the micro level as well as the macro level. E.g India, with its diverse agro-climatic settings, is one of the most vulnerable countries. Its agriculture ecosystem, distinguished by high monsoon dependence, and with 85% small and marginal landholdings, is highly sensitive to weather abnormalities; There has been less than normal rainfall during the last four years, with 2014 and 2015 declared as drought years;. Research is also confirming an escalation in heat waves, in turn affecting crops, aquatic systems and livestock; The Economic Survey 2017-18 has estimated farm income losses between 15% and 18% on average, which could rise to 20%-25% for unirrigated areas without any policy interventions;
At the micro-level, Need for Corroborating traditional wisdom and various age-old notions about weather variations with climate assessments and effective extension and promoting climate resilient technologies will enhance; Climate exposure can be reduced through agronomic management practices such as inter and multiple cropping and crop-rotation; shift to non-farm activities; insurance covers; up-scaling techniques such as solar pumps, drip irrigation and sprinklers etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Background:-
- The Sixth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on Global Warming at 1.5°C distinctly propagates the need to strengthen and enhance existing coping capacity and to remain committed to the objectives of the Paris Agreement
Why climate adaptation to agriculture is necessary :-
- India, with its diverse agro-climatic settings, is one of the most vulnerable countries.
- India’s agriculture ecosystem is distinguished by high monsoon dependence.Even the recent monsoon season (June-September) ended with a rainfall deficit of 9%, which was just short of drought conditions.
- With 85% small and marginal landholdings, is highly sensitive to weather abnormalities.
- There has been less than normal rainfall during the last four years, with 2014 and 2015 declared as drought years.
- Research is also confirming an escalation in heat waves, in turn affecting crops, aquatic systems and livestock.
- The Economic Survey 2017-18 has estimated farm income losses between 15% and 18% on average, which could rise to 20%-25% for unirrigated areas without any policy interventions. These projections underline the need for strategic change in dealing with climate change in agriculture.
Way forward:-
- Microlevel :-
- Traditional wisdom, religious epics and various age-old notions about weather variations still guide farmers responses which could be less effective. Corroborating these with climate assessments and effective extension and promoting climate resilient technologies will enhance their pragmatism.
- Climate exposure can be reduced through agronomic management practices such as inter and multiple cropping and crop-rotation, shift to non-farm activities, insurance covers,up-scaling techniques such as solar pumps, drip irrigation and sprinklers.
- There is an urgent need to educate farmers, reorient Krishi Vigyan Kendras and other grass-root organisations with specific and more funds about climate change and risk-coping measures.
- Macro level :-
- Climate adaptations are to be mainstreamed in the current developmental framework. Mainstreaming adaptation into the policy apparatus has the potential to improve the resilience of several development outcomes. The approach demands coherence across multiple policy scales as required for developing possible synergy between micro-macro levels and addressing several cross-cutting issues.
- Expansion of extension facilities, improving irrigation efficiency, promotion of satellite-enabled agriculture risk management, creating micro-level agro-advisories, providing customised real time data, and capacity building of stakeholders are some initiatives towards building greater resilience in agriculture.
- Interventions such as the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, Soil Heath Card, Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana, National Agriculture Market, or e-NAM, and other rural development programmes are positive interventions that can address the vulnerability of farmers and rural households.
- There are also exclusive climate and adaptation schemes being operationalised, such as the National Innovations on Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA), the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), the National Adaptation Fund, and the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). It is desirable to have a cultural change wherein some of the components under these schemes can be converged with major rural developmental programmes, which will further enhance their effectiveness at the grass-root level.
- The SAPCC is an important platform for adaptation planning but it needs to evolve further in terms of climate-oriented regional analysis to capture micro-level sensitivity and constraints.
- Moreover, convergence of climate actions with ongoing efforts and several Central schemes with similar mandates is a must.
- Greater expertise and consultations are required for a systematic prioritisation of actions and fiscal prudence for building climate resilient agriculture.
Topic-Environmental pollution and degradation
Why this question
The article discusses the huge burden of waste management that has fallen upon the cities and our sheer inadequacy in managing this deluge of waste. The article also discusses the scope and limitations of the waste management technologies that are used today. Hence this article provides good resource for dealing with questions related to waste management.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the challenges of waste management being faced by the cities. Thereafter, we need to examine the causes why the issue of waste management is such a problem and critically examine whether incineration is the right way to go forward. Next, we need to discuss the various technologies in use for waste management. Finally, we need to provide a way forward.
Directive word
Examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any .
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Mention that With rapid urbanization, industrialization and an explosion in population in India, solid waste management will be a key challenge for state governments and local municipal bodies in the 21st century.
Body
- Explain the magnitude of the problem – India’s cities already generate over 150,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day, with Mumbai being the world’s fifth most wasteful city. The waste heaps that dot the edges of India’s cities are set to double in size by 2025. Only one-third of the waste undergoes even rudimentary treatment, according to the urban ministry’s optimistic assessment, and hardly any of it is segregated, which would make processing easier. Highlight that According to the Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment, cities are already beginning to run out of land on which to dump their waste and have begun throwing it in the backyards of smaller towns, suburbs and villages
- Explain the reason behind the problem assuming massive proportion – apathy shown by municipal authorities , problems in processing of waste etc. Discuss the debate surrounding Niti ayog’s proposal and evaluate alternate technologies.
- Discuss the scope and limitation of the various technologies in use to deal with solid waste management such as bioremediation, composting etc
Conclusion – Highlight that business as usual approach will not work and new methods have to be tried. Provide a way forward.
Background :-
- Recently the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) took the radical step of issuing notices to a slew of residents who did not segregate their household waste which is perhaps, the first time any civic body in the country has launched an attempt to impose fines on citizens.
Waste problem in India :-
- India’s cities already generate over 150,000 tonnes of municipal solid waste every day, with Mumbai being the world’s fifth most wasteful city.
- The waste heaps that dot the edges of India’s cities are set to double in size by 2025. Only one-third of the waste undergoes even rudimentary treatment, according to the urban ministry’s optimistic assessment, and hardly any of it is segregated, which would make processing easier.
- The volume of waste generated in the cities is projected to reach 125 million tonnes per annum by 2031and the disposal system today focuses on collection and transportation of this waste only.
- Waste segregation being virtually absent has resulted in resource wastage, environmental pollution and health/safety hazards, due to leaching and methane generation from wet solid waste in the landfills.
- Due to unscientific disposal, GHG emissions from solid waste in India increased by 3.1% yearly between 2000 and 2010.
- Unsegregated waste also undermines the waste-to-electricity option of disposal, given high wet waste content pushes the overall calorific value to a level below the required threshold.
- While 95 commercial composting plants exist, only 14% of the capacity is utilised.
- Nearly 75% of the waste generated in India is not treated and openly dumped onto fallow lands, leaching lethal chemicals into the ground, toxic fumes into the air and poison into the water systems. The critical impact on public health is immeasurable and can be witnessed as a rapid rise in pulmonary diseases, cancer occurrences, birth deformities etc.
- According to World Health Organisation, 22 types of diseases can be prevented or controlled by improving solid waste management in India.
NITI Aayog proposal :-
- By burning the waste, a small amount of energy could also be produced Currently, about 3% of urban India’s daily garbage output gets fed into waste-to-energy incinerators. A minuscule amount of energy is generated
- Criticism:-
- Unlike the Western world, a large chunk of India’s waste is still organic kitchen waste almost 40% of the total volume. Since segregation of waste is yet to become a reality, incineration is a highly inefficient solution.
- In the Indian context, there is also very little certainty on whether the harmful gases, which are a byproduct of incineration, are adequately contained and treated.
- India had no operational sanitary landfill though these are mandated by the SWM Rules.
- Solid waste management Rules directs urban local bodies (ULBs) to fix and levy user charges but this is hobbled by the fact that most state governments have not devolved that power to local governments.
- India’s waste predicament presents numerous social and environmental challenges for urban local bodies (ULBs), whose prerogative covers Municipal solid waste management.
Ways to address it :-
- Global practices:-
- Japan:-
- India could learn from Japan that managed to reduce its waste generation by a fifth over 2000-2013 by promoting Extended Producer Responsibility
- Its Containers & Packaging Recycling Act aims at reducing the generation of packaging waste by mandating thinner and lighter packaging, use of returnable containers, and even recycling packaging from imports made by a firm.
- It also places some responsibility on consumers
- The Automobile Recycling Act of 2002 requires automobile buyers to deposit a recycling fee and mandatorily return an end-of-life vehicle to the dealer.
- South Korea:
- Ingenious approaches have been promoted across the world for reducing resource
consumption and increasing resource recovery from waste materials. - The Korean government has promoted the “SSSR Campaign” (Ahnabada Campaign), which stands for “Save, Share, Swap, and Reuse,”to bring the reuse of goods into everyday habits, and has hosted marketplaces for exchanging or trading second-hand goods.
- The pragmatic ‘Zero Waste’ philosophypromotes absolute recycling and reuse of
all products, restricting the amount of dumped waste to near zero. - It emphasises on designing and managing products and processes to reduce the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserving and recovering all resources, and not burning or burying them.
- Implementing Zero Waste would ideally eliminate all discharges to land, water, or air that may be a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health. The philosophy ultimately focuses on eliminating waste.
- Ingenious approaches have been promoted across the world for reducing resource
- An effective waste management strategy must figure waste segregation at source and appropriate treatment of different components.
- The wet solid waste, primarily biodegradable organic waste, can be then processed in a decentralised manner through composting and biomethanation.
- Japan:-
Conclusion:-
- As India’s own economy grows faster and further, the country will face an insurmountable waste crisis, unless the government puts a high priority on waste management. We must demand our right to live in a clean and healthy natural environment.
Topic– Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Why this question
India has less than the desired forest cover and agroforestry provides scope for not only complementing the forest cover but also supplement the farmers’ income. The MoEF & CC has recently issued a policy document in this regard. In this context it is essential to understand the scope of agroforestry in India and hurdles faced by it.
Directive word:
Discuss- this is an all-encompassing directive which mandates us to write in detail about the key demand of the question. we also have to discuss about the related and important aspects of the question in order to bring out a complete picture of the issue in hand.
Key demand of the question:
The question wants us to write in detail about the meaning and scope of agroforestry in India and also the reasons decelerating its growth and development
Structure of the answer
Introduction– write a few introductory lines about the Agroforestry in India. E.g agroforestry system is usually combination of tree crop, food crop, livestock rearing along with land based livelihood practices like bee keeping, pisci-culture in farm ponds, vermicomposting, organic farming of vegetables etc.
Body-
Discuss the potential and scope of agroforestry in India. E.g agroforestry system not only gives a stability to farm income but also enhances it due to cash flow from multiple streams; In such an integrated system, if food crop which is vulnerable to climate get affected, farmers can get assured income from other sources;Other livestock rearing or livelihood means can give him some assured farm income. In India, more than 50% land of its Geographic Area is under cultivation; Agro-Forestry/Farm Forestry, which is a subset of TOF, has the maximum potential in extension of green cover etc.
Discuss the factors impeding growth of agroforestry in India . E.g Inhibition among farmers, especially small and marginal farmers, regarding shade of tree canopies, root competition, birds damage leading to reduced crop production ; Trees as obstacle in mechanized farming; Undue harassment to farmer for obtaining felling permit from competent authorities; Complex procedure for obtaining Transit Pass Non-availabilities of organized trade in wood; Absence of wood processing units in the neighborhood; Lack of proper agro-forestry extension; Getting Quality Planting Material etc.
Conclusion– based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Background:-
- Agro-forestry can be defined as the inclusion of trees in farming systems and their
management in rural landscapes to enhance productivity, profitability, diversity and eco-
system sustainability. It is practiced in India traditionally over thousands of years. - It embraces both disciplines like “agriculture” and “forestry”. Agroforestry is increasingly seen as a bridge and a leader of innovation in both farming and forestry.
Potential of agro forestry:-
- The accurate estimation of agro-forestry area can be done through geo-spatial technology which is an integration of GIS, Remote Sensing and GPS and three are used for different purposes– GIS used for geo-referencing, masking of area and for area estimation, GPS data used for collecting locations of agro-forestry from the ground and Remote Sensing data to create Land Use and Land Cover map and delineation of other features.
- Scientists have projected area of agro-forestry in 2050 as 54 m ha. Even if the projected area of Agro-Forestry after 30 years also considered at 33% of present combined cultivable area, current and old fallow land appears to be grossly underestimated, with proper extension methodologies and relaxation of regulatory regime, Agro-Forestry will be practiced over 70 m ha in next 20 years as only climate resilient farming option.
- Agroforestry system not only gives a stability to farm income but also enhances it due to cash flow from multiple streams
- In such an integrated system, if food crop which is vulnerable to climate get affected, farmers can get assured income from other sources
- Agro-Forestry/Farm Forestry has the maximum potential in extension of green cover etc.
- Agroforestry can be a solution to supplying India with timber and fuel wood without further deforestation or reliance on expensive wood imports.
- Agroforestry can also provide green fodder and supply fruits, oilseeds and other useful commodities important for nutrition and farm incomes.
- There are environmental benefits too from agroforestry, including the ability of trees to sequester carbon dioxide, conserve biodiversity and enhance soil health
Factors impeding the growth of agro forestry :-
- Inhibition among farmers, especially small and marginal farmers, regarding shade of tree canopies, root competition, birds damage leading to reduced crop production
- Trees as obstacle in mechanized farming
- Undue harassment to farmer for obtaining felling permit from competent authorities
- Complex procedure for obtaining Transit Pass Non-availabilities of organized trade in wood
- Absence of wood processing units in the neighborhood
- Lack of proper agro-forestry extension
- Getting Quality Planting Material
- Inadequate network of Forest Nurseries in the region
- Vulnerability of tree saplings from grazing and browsing by stray animals, particularly after crop-harvesting period
- Low survival in tree crops due to pests and diseases
- Absence of Market Information System
- Predominant Buyers Market
- Lack of proper agro-economic model and their proper Demonstration
- No buy back guarantee from wood based Industries
- Lack of entrepreneurship among farmers and their tendency of risk-avoidance
- Heavily dependent on Government subsidies.
- Lack of uniformity in policies and regulations relating to felling and transporting farm-grown timber and other products in different states. Agroforestry ventures are not covered under agricultural insurance schemes or entitled to marketing support, and cannot access the soft bank loans available for crop farming.
Way forward:-
- A national agroforestry policy is needed that should address many of these issues and hopefully “optimize exploitation of the massive socio-economic and environmental potential of agroforestry”.
Topic– Part of static series under the heading – “Conservation”
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to bring out the issues associated with top down approach of managing protected areas and how it causes socio cultural disruptions and how effective such protected areas are in conservation. We need to provide a fair and balanced opinion and discuss the way forward.
Directive word
Discuss – This is an all-encompassing directive – you have to debate on paper by going through the details of the issues concerned by examining each one of them. You have to give reasons for both for and against arguments.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain what are protected areas and highlight that Protected areas (PAs) are the main strategy to face the global deterioration of ecosystem goods and services due to human causes.
Body
- Explain that global agreements are giving PAs a starring role in many aspects other than biodiversity conservation. One extended mission included in its most updated definition is providing while preserving ecosystem goods and services and associated cultural features other than biodiversity.
- Discuss that the socio economic objectives that are expected to be served by legislations related to protected areas are unable to meet the needs of those dependent on it. Bring out the case of top down legislations like forest rights act or the way tribal population are pushed at the margins of protected areas.
- Discuss the results of such protection measures in biodiversity conservation
Conclusion – give your view on the efficacy of such measures and discuss the way forward.
Background :-
- More than half of protected areas the world over are inhabited by local populations, like in India, where human populations live in over two-thirds of protected areas.
- Protected areas (PAs) are the main strategy to face the global deterioration of ecosystem goods and services due to human causes.
Management of protected areas led to socio cultural disruptions:-
- Today Protected Areas are often under threat from ad hoc and heavily intrusive ‘management’ that involves unscientific habitat manipulation, earth moving and construction…
- Conflicts often arise regarding compensation for cattle killed by carnivores in the reserves or for damages caused to crops by wild animals
- The PAs have not been integrated through forested corridors (for maintaining genetic continuity) or establishing complimentary multiple use areas. In many cases the Protected areas remain as isolated islands.
- There is also lack of integration of protected areas with surrounding areas or buffers. Vaccination of local domestic cattle to protect the wildlife is rarely done.
- Insufficiency of funds and facilities, lack of public awareness, limited jurisdiction and training of staff, lack of work force and lack of necessary information base make the functioning of Protected areas a difficult task.
- Environmentally unsustainable activities take place both within and outside forest are Outside Protected areas there is limited recognition of conservation values. For example, widely distributed wetlands outside forests are important for wildlife conservation, but there are no arrangements to manage and provide a safe-shelter for wildlife in such areas.
- Protected areas even failed to conserve biodiversity. This top-down conservation approach has led to management decisions seriously threatening the livelihood and cultural heritage of local people, such as the resettlement programme established to move people from villages inside the park, and the reduction of access to resources and traditional rights.
- Often in protected areas, the lack of guaranteed access to resources is an impediment to a truly participatory approach at the community level .
- The lack of security in land ownership and the erosion of local statute laws have diminished the capacity of communities to stand up to outsiders, like poachers and wood smugglers, and have also contributed to the loss of biodiversity.
- In India, moreover, communal land surrounding villages is being increasingly privatised, which leads to the dwindling of the little parcels of communal land available to farmers.
- In the wake of the creation of protected areas, local communities have frequently been subjected to eviction, often with grave consequences to their identity and future development. Indeed, eviction also creates a kind of ‘socio-cultural stress’ and relocated populations lose not only the economic base of their survival, but also undergo a considerable reduction of their cultural heritage.
- Forest officers are often seen by the local communities as authoritarian individuals who have the arbitrary power to punish and to deny access to resources.
Way forward:-
- The bottom-up management approach will enable communities surrounding protected areas to be actively involved in the management and administration of their regions.
- Conservation policies should shift from the current focus on control and sanction
to a growing emphasis on rural development, an essential component of every conservation programme. A change in the attitude of the conservation authorities vis-à-vis local communities is essential. - There is a need for protected area managers to put in place measures that can aid communities to enhance their living standards for example improved educational and infrastructure facilities.
- Alternative development options (e.g., skills acquisition training in tailoring, sustainable farming, carpentry, etc.) can provide a background for the shift from dependence on the natural environment to sustainable forms of livelihood development.
- Developing skills among forest officers to work with communities, enhancing forms of cooperation and facilitating a learning process in a spirit of mutual trust and respect is very important in order to promote effective conservation measures.
- The promotion of a participatory approach between forest authorities and local communities requires a wider process of reorienting institutional policies, procedures and development practices.
- NGOs and grass root organizations have a greater role to play not only to act as the interface between the forest department and community but actually being a part of monitoring and evaluation process of eco development programmes. Overall increased awareness should be created towards importance of biodiversity conservation and wildlife protection.
General Studies – 4
Topic– Contributions of moral thinkers and philosophers from India and world.
7) “Honesty is for the most part less profitable than dishonesty- Plato”. Comment.(250 words)
Directive word
Comment- here we have to express our knowledge and understanding of the issue and form an overall opinion thereupon.
Key demand of the question.
The question wants us to express our knowledge and understanding about ethics in general and the value of honesty in particular. We have to express our opinion as to why/ why not honesty is less profitable than dishonesty. We have to support our opinion with proper discussion and presentation of valid and proper arguments/ examples.
Structure of the answer
Introduction– Give a simple definition of Honesty. E.g it is the quality or state of being honest; probity; fairness and straightforwardness of conduct, speech, etc.
Body-
Discuss the benefits of dishonesty. E.g dishonesty can be a good strategy for someone who is trying to maximize short-term profits; It helps in material gains sometimes; it helps in avoiding punishment etc.
Discuss the negative implications of dishonesty and bring out the virtues of honesty. E.g Honesty is a fundamental factor, it helps to builds one’s character. A man of dead conscience is a person of bad character. An honest man is always successful in his practical as well as spiritual life; even telling a small lie risks to damage our reputation but also reduce the proclivity of others to trust us; further, one lie often leads to the need to tell another, more significant lie, which risks even greater negative consequences if discovered; finally, we can’t necessarily predict the consequences of telling even a small lie, and if such consequences turn out to be more significantly adverse than we anticipated, our sense of responsibility and therefore guilt could cause us far more distress than we imagine etc.
Conclusion- based on your discussion, form a fair and a balanced conclusion on the given issue.
Answer:-
- Honesty is not just about telling the truth. It’s about being real with yourself and others about who you are, what you want and what you need to live your most authentic life. Honesty promotes openness, empowers us and enables us to develop consistency in how we present the facts. Honesty sharpens our perception and allows us to observe everything around us with clarity.
- Honesty engenders confidence, faith, empowers our willpower and represents us in the best way for others to see and witness our example. Honesty improves our vitality.
- Honesty is one of the key components to character and one of the most admired traits of any successful, responsible person. Honesty is a fundamental factor, it helps to builds one’s character. An honest man is always successful in his practical as well as spiritual life.
- Even telling a small lie risks to damage our reputation but also reduce the proclivity of others to trust us. Further, one lie often leads to the need to tell another, more significant lie, which risks even greater negative consequences if discovered.
- Finally, we can’t necessarily predict the consequences of telling even a small lie, and if such consequences turn out to be more significantly adverse than we anticipated, our sense of responsibility and therefore guilt could cause us far more distress than we imagine etc.
Dishonesty:-
- It allows people to feel better about themselves, to make themselves look better in others’ eyes, and to maintain good relationships.
- Dishonesty is a good strategy for someone who is trying to maximize short term benefits.
- It helps in material gains sometimes; it helps in avoiding punishment etc.
- At the same time, lying can also create problems. Lying can be cognitively depleting, it can increase the risk that people will be punished, it can threaten people’s self-worth by preventing them from seeing themselves as good people, and it can generally erode trust in society.
- When you lie, you delude yourself into believing what you’re saying.
