Adverse Possession
Why in News ?
- 22nd Law Commission report opposes changes in adverse possession laws.
- No justification found for introducing amendments in adverse possession laws.
What is adverse possession?
- Adverse possession occurs when a tenant openly possesses the owner’s property without legal entitlement.
- If the tenant holds the property unlawfully for over 12 years and the owner takes no action, they lose the right to claim it.
- The person in possession acquires prescriptive title through adverse possession.
- Adverse possession promotes the judicious use of land and discourages leaving it vacant.
Limitation Act, 1963
- Section 27 of the Limitation Act, 1963 states the 12-year limitation period for filing a suit by the property owner against adverse possession.
- Article 64 and Article 65 place the burden of proof on the tenant to prove the dispossession and on the landlord to prove the period of adverse possession within 12 years.
- For government property, the ownership claim period for the government or public organizations is set at 30 years.
|
Law Commission of India
|
Khap Panchayat
Syllabus: GS2/ Governance, GS1/ Society
Why in News ?
- Khap leaders support protests against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief accused of sexual harassment
Khap Panchayat
- Khaps are social outfits based on gotra (clan) and region.
- Khap Panchayat governs Khaps formed by same gotra families from neighboring villages.
- They settle disputes and enforce social and religious customs.
- They set rules in their area, which may include multiple villages.
- Leadership is not hereditary; the chairman is nominated unanimously for presiding over meetings.
- Khaps have existed since around 600 AD and play a significant role in rural areas in India.
Types of Khaps
- There are around 300 main Khaps in north India, mainly in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Uttarakhand.
- Gotra-based khaps have jurisdiction in villages dominated by specific gotras.
- Region-based khaps, such as Meham chaubisi khap and Rohtak Chaurasi khap, have influence over multiple villages.
- Khaps are independent of formal government bodies and focus on their own affairs.
Influence of Khap Panchayat
- Khaps hold significant influence in rural parts of north India, resolving social disputes and family matters.
- They have the authority to impose penalties like social boycotts and monetary fines.
- In 2020-21, they actively participated in the farmer agitation against the farm laws, which were later repealed.
Where do Khaps draw their power from?
- Khaps derive power from their large membership based on gotra or place of residence.
- They act as pressure groups and mobilize people for political causes.
- Khaps have gained significance in north Indian politics, with parties seeking their support.
Criticism
- Khaps have taken on quasi-judicial roles and imposed severe punishments based on traditional norms.
- They have faced criticism for acting as “kangaroo courts” and disregarding constitutional principles.
- In 2011, the Indian Supreme Court declared these khap panchayats illegal.
Use of AI against Superbugs
Syllabus GS2: Health/GS3: Science & Tech
Why in News ?
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) used to discover a new antibiotic effective against drug-resistant bacteria.
- Major breakthrough in medical AI application.
- Potential solution for combating superbugs.
What are Superbugs?
- Superbugs are drug-resistant bacteria and fungi.
- They evolve over time and become resistant to antibiotics.
- 27 million deaths were attributed to antibiotic resistance in 2019 globally.
Antibiotics
- Antibiotics are drugs used to treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of bacteria.
- Penicillin, the first natural antibiotic, was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928.
- Antibiotics are ineffective against viral infections.
How did researchers use AI to find antibiotics against Superbug?
- Researchers used AI algorithms to identify potential antibacterial chemicals against Acinetobacter baumannii.
- They exposed the bacterium to thousands of chemical compounds and trained a machine-learning model to recognize chemical features associated with growth inhibition.
- The trained model analyzed a set of compounds and identified several potential antibiotics, including one named abaucin.
- Acinetobacter baumannii is a dangerous antibiotic-resistant bacterium that can cause severe infections and is difficult to eradicate.
- It is commonly found in hospital settings and can survive on surfaces for extended periods, posing a significant risk to patients.
Antibiotics Resistance
- Antibiotic resistance is the ability of bacteria to withstand the effects of antibiotics.
- Bacteria naturally develop resistance over time, but the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans and animals accelerate this process.
- Antibiotic-resistant infections are more difficult to treat and can pose serious health risks to individuals and animals.
Concerns Associated with Antibiotics Resistance .
- Antibiotic resistance is a major threat to global health and development.
- Infections like pneumonia, tuberculosis, gonorrhoea, and salmonellosis are becoming harder to treat.
- Resistance to carbapenems, a powerful antibiotic class, has increased by up to 10% in a year.
- Pneumonia treatment effectiveness in India declined from 65% to 43% in five years.
- Antibiotic resistance leads to increased medical costs, longer hospital stays, and higher mortality rates.
Why is the Resistance on rise?
- Inappropriate prescription of antibiotics contributes to antibiotic resistance.
- During the Covid-19 pandemic, antibiotics were sometimes prescribed unnecessarily, leading to adverse effects.
- Misuse can occur when patients do not follow their prescribed antibiotic regimen.
- Lack of awareness about antibiotic resistance affects both rural and urban populations, including the educated and affluent, who may pressure doctors for antibiotic prescriptions.
Preventive Measures
- Finish the full course of antibiotics and avoid sharing medications to prevent antibiotic resistance.
- Only use antibiotics when necessary, as prescribed by a doctor.
- Use the shortest effective treatment duration as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
- Do not use antibiotics for viral infections, as they are ineffective against viruses.
- India needs to invest in diagnostic labs, increase infectious diseases physicians, reduce hospital infections, and train doctors on appropriate antibiotic usage to combat the rising threat of superbugs.
How Genome Sequences tracked down an Ancient Disease?
Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology
Why in News ?
- Scientists traced the prehistoric trail of the ‘Black Death’ bacteria using advanced gene-sequencing techniques.
About
- The Black Death in the 14th century was one of the deadliest epidemics in history, killing millions in Europe.
- Plague epidemics still occur globally and are endemic in certain regions.
- Evidence suggests plague outbreaks were common in Asia and Europe as early as the Late Neolithic-Early Bronze Age, as indicated by genetic material from a Swedish tomb dated to 3000 BC.
How do we study the history of a disease?
- Genome-sequencing technologies enable tracing of infectious diseases in prehistoric times.
- Deep-sequencing of well-preserved human remains and advanced computational analysis help retrieve and analyze small amounts of DNA from degraded material.
- This provides insights into ancient infectious diseases and their impact on human populations.
What has deep-sequencing revealed?
- Scientists have studied the evolution and adaptation of human pathogens by tracing their prehistoric trail.
- For example, researchers analyzed tooth and bone samples to isolate genetic material of Yersinia pestis, constructing the pathogen’s genome.
- They discovered that the reconstructed genomes lacked a crucial gene, yapC, which is associated with the bacteria’s ability to cause infections by binding to mammalian cells and forming biofilms.
What is the ‘black death’?
- The “black death” was caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, which infects mammals, including humans.
- The term “Black Death” is believed to have originated from the black marks that appeared on the bodies of some plague victims.
India’s experience with plague epidemics
- India has a history of plague epidemics, with outbreaks occurring in various regions since 1896.
- Waldemar Haffkine developed the plague vaccine during the Bombay outbreaks in 1897.
- Mass vaccination programs have been implemented in India, with an estimated 20 million doses administered to date.
What is Genome sequencing?
- The human genome is the complete set of DNA in each cell, carrying genetic information for development and function.
- DNA is composed of four bases adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G) and thymine (T) , pairing in a double-stranded molecule.
- The genome, made up of 3.05 billion base pairs, contains all the information for an organism.
- Genome sequencing involves determining the precise order of base pairs in an individual’s DNA.
Significance of Genome Sequencing
- Genome sequencing is transforming outbreak diagnosis and routine clinical settings.
- It provides fast identification and characterization of virulence, antimicrobial resistance, evolution, and species introduction.
- This surpasses traditional microbiology approaches, leading to more efficient and accurate analysis.
Related information to Genome Sequencing
Genome India Project
Indigen Project
|
Evapotranspiration
Syllabus: GS3/ Science & Technology, Environment
Why in News ?
- Evapotranspiration observed in Czech forests near Liberec.
What is Evapotranspiration?
- Evapotranspiration (ET) is the combined process of evaporation and transpiration.
- Evaporation is the conversion of liquid water to water vapor from the soil surface.
- Transpiration is the vaporization of water from plant tissues, primarily through stomata.
- ET is a crucial component of the water cycle and was defined by Thornthwaite in 1944.
Types of Evapotranspiration
- There are two types of evapotranspiration which include:
- Actual evapotranspiration
- Potential evapotranspiration
Actual evapotranspiration (AET) refers to the water consumed by evapotranspiration and used by plants for metabolic activities.
Potential evapotranspiration (PET) represents the water loss from an area covered with a uniform short green crop with sufficient soil moisture.
Importance of evapotranspiration (ET)
- Evapotranspiration is a crucial element of the water cycle and affects agricultural productivity.
- It is used in soil water balance calculations to estimate potential crop yields.
- Knowledge of evapotranspiration helps farmers schedule irrigation effectively, leading to better yields and improved water efficiency.
- ET provides a reliable estimate of water requirements for actively growing plants on a farm.
Factors Affecting Evapotranspiration
- Rate of evapotranspiration is influenced by solar radiation, temperature, soil conditions, wind, and atmospheric vapor pressure.
- Soil moisture, water table depth, vegetation density, and plant morphology affect evapotranspiration.
- Plant cover, crop geometry, and root depth also impact evapotranspiration in plants.
KAVACH
Syllabus: GS 3/Science and Technology
Why in News ?
- KAVACH was in the news after a train collision incident in Balasore district, Odisha.
- The incident resulted in the tragic death of over 288 passengers.
What is KAVACH?
- KAVACH is an indigenous Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed by RDSO and Indian industry.
- It meets SIL-4 safety standards and prevents trains from passing red signals to avoid collisions.
- South Central Railway (SCR) Zone has implemented KAVACH – (TACS) system.
Features
- KAVACH activates automatic braking if the driver doesn’t follow speed restrictions.
- It prevents collisions between equipped locomotives.
- The system relays emergency SoS messages and enables centralized live monitoring of train movements.
- It is a cost-effective SIL-4 certified technology with a low probability of error.
How does it work?
- Traffic collision avoidance system (TCAS) enables two-way communication between station master and loco-pilot via Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)
- Instrument panel provides advance signal information and speed limits.
- Automatic brakes activate in case of signal violation and potential collision.
- Hooter aids loco-pilots in low visibility conditions at level crossings.
Progress and Status
- Kavach deployed in 77 locomotives and 135 stations covering 1,465 kms in SCR.
- Indian Railways Institute of Signal Engineering & Telecommunications (IRISET) in Secunderabad serves as the ‘Centre of Excellence’ for Kavach.
- IRISET responsible for training inservice railway staff on Kavach as mandated by the Railway Board.
Shanan power project
Syllabus: GS 3/Infrastructure
Why in News ?
- Shanan hydropower project lease expires in March 2024, leading to a face-off between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
- Currently under Punjab government control.
About project
• Shanan power project was conceived in 1922 and commissioned in 1932.
• Located in Jogindernagar, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh.
• Allocated to Punjab under the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966.
• Himachal Pradesh wants project handover, Punjab intends to retain it and may pursue legal action.
North Korean Spy Satellites
Syllabus: GS 3/Science and Technology
Why in News ?
- North Korean military satellite Malligyong-1 launched.
- Rocket used: Chollima-1.
- Represents advancements in North Korea’s space program.
More Information
- More Satellite crashed into the Yellow Sea after a 10-minute flight.
- U.S., Japan, and South Korea strongly condemn the launch.
Do you Know?
|
Korea’s space programme
- North Korea’s space program is closely linked to its missile program.
- First successful satellite orbit in 2012 after three failed attempts.
- Unha-3, a variant of Taepodong-2 ICBM, used as launch vehicle.
- Unha-type vehicle also used for the 2016 Earth Observation satellite launch.
Objectives of North Korea
- North Korean spy satellites have significant importance in enhancing surveillance capabilities and target striking ability in the region.
- They provide advanced surveillance technology.
- Coverage spans over a large portion of the area.
- Primarily used for military purposes during conflicts.
Other related developments
- S. Space Forces Korea will offer advanced missile warning and satellite communication capabilities to South Korea and nearby areas.
- South Korea’s Nuri rocket launch supports the development of a space-based surveillance system for enhanced surveillance capabilities.
Repercussions
- East Asia experiences heightened security concerns following the North Korean satellite launch.
- Despite the breach of UN resolutions, it is unlikely that further economic sanctions will be imposed, highlighting the limited effectiveness of existing sanctions.
Indian Scenario
EMISAT
- Launched in 2019 by PSLV-C45, it’s in a sun-synchronous polar orbit at 748 km altitude.
- Developed by DRDO’s Project Kautilya for India’s space surveillance.
- Named after an ancient economist.
- Detects ground electronic signals, including enemy radars.
- Supports surgical warfare against Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.
RISAT-2
- Radar imaging satellite providing all-weather Earth imaging.
- Launched on 20 April 2009 by PSLV-C12.
- India’s first satellite for border surveillance and anti-terrorist operations.
- Enables day-night and all-weather monitoring.
- Enhances India’s disaster management capabilities.
India’s first carbon neutral Village
Syllabus: GS3/ Conservation
Why in News ?
- First carbon-neutral village in India.
- Located in Bhiwandi Taluka, Thane district, Maharashtra.
- Focuses on achieving carbon neutrality.
About
- Carbon neutrality aims to balance emissions and absorption.
- Carbon sequestration removes CO2 from the atmosphere.
- Natural sinks include soil, forests, and oceans.
- Offset involves reducing emissions and investing in clean technologies.
India’s Net Zero Target
- In 2021, at COP-26, India announced an ambitious target for achieving net zero GHG-emission by 2070.
हिन्दी