5th June 2020 : The Hindu Current Affairs
QUESTION: In current times , man-animal conflict is a reality we have to deal with and thus proactive measures are required for a healthy human animal interface. Examine.
GS-3 Mains
The Hindu Editorial Topic Name – KILLING GAJAH(ELEPHANT)
WHAT?
Killing of a pregnant elephant in Kerala.
WHY IN NEWS?
Number of elephants are killed knowingly or unknowingly every year in India and this pregnant elephant’s death is due to consumption of pineapple laden with fire-crackers.
WHAT IS THE ISSUE ALL ABOUT:
- An elephant wandered out of Silent Valley National Park(SVNP) in Palakkad, Kerala, in search of food and finally killed by the consumption of pineapple.
RISING MAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT:
This tragic accident is a reminder of rising conflicts between humans and animals.
- Reports say that every year about 2% of wild elephant die and a post modem is done.
- Shrinking of natural habitats of wild animals , as farmers extending their cultivation closer to buffer zones.
- Encroachment are increasing.
- Official date show that man-animal conflict increased in Kerala from 6022 to 7229 between 2016 and 2018.
- People are getting into conflicts and they resort to different mitigation methods – they put up electric fences, build trenches, or become more brutal and use of a crude bomb.
SUGGESTED MEASURES:
Better implementation of Gadgil Report 2011 and Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
LOOPHOLES:
- Lack of scientific culture and the readiness to spare forested lands from commercial exploitation that is eviscerating(deprivation) nature.
- Shrinking ranges and feeding grounds for elephants is a cause of worry.
- Human-dominated landscapes.
- Lack of pol. Will to support Gadgil like reports.
- Destructive development.
- Intrusion into protected habitat.
WAY FORWARD:
- Draw up better compensation schemes for farmers who lose crops to animals.
- Ending all intrusions and encroachments into protected wildlife habitats in India.
- We have to find a way to co-exist ,as animals too have a right to live.
- Consideration for wildlife planning and infra. Projects, financial allocations for mitigation measures are needed to address the issue.
CONCLUSION:
There is a need to cultural shift protecting and saving biodiversity and better implementation of available Wildlife Protection laws.
Short Notes
WHAT?
Killing of a pregnant elephant in Kerala.
WHY IN NEWS
Killing number of elephants knowingly or unknowingly.
WHAT IS THE ISSUE ALL ABOUT:
Death of elephant from Silent Valley National Park , Kerala.
RISING MAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT
- As per reports every year about 2% of wild elephant die + Shrinking of natural habitats + cultivation closer to buffer zones + increasing encroachment +man-animal conflict on surge + electric fences, build trenches, or become more brutal and use of a crude bomb.
SUGGESTED MEASURES: Better implementation of Gadgil Report 2011 and Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
LOOPHOLES:
- Lack of scientific culture and readiness regarding these incidents +Shrinking ranges and feeding grounds .
- Human-dominated landscapes + Destructive development + intrusion into habitat.
WAY FORWARD:
- Draw up better compensation schemes for farmers who lose crops to animals + ending all encroachments + animals = right to live.
- wildlife planning and infra. Projects .
CONCLUSION:
Cultural shift protecting and saving biodiversity and better implementation of available Wildlife Protection law.
QUESTION: How will economic nationalism take lead in the post COVID-19 Asia? Discuss in context to the rising tensions between US and China.
The Hindu Editorial Topic Name – SKYROCKETING TENSIONS
WHAT?
Rising tensions between US and China.
WHY IN NEWS?
The US govt’s decision to bar passenger planes from China June 16 onwards.
BONE OF CONTENTION:
- Tensions soar amid coronavirus pandemic.
- The administration of Donald Trump said it would revoke Hongkong’s special trade status under the US law.
- The US govt. has decided to bar passenger planes from China.
- The US has also passed an order limiting the entry of certain Chinese graduate students.
- Financial regulators ordered by US President to closely examine Chinese firms listed in stock markets.
- Trump launched a trade war in 2018 is yet to be resolved completely.
These above retaliatory moves prove that the world’s largest economies have entered into a new cold war era.
BACKGROUND:
- Since 1949 , US-China relations have evolved from tense stand offs to a complex mix of intensifying diplomacy.
- US-China partnership since President Richard Nixon’s reset in 1970 seems to have made a way for an aggressive leadership contest and deepening mutual mistrust.
- After 1980 the economic ties grew rapidly.
- The relationship have been complex, and vary from positive to highly negative.
- As of 2019, US has the world’s largest economy and China has 2nd largest .
- In June 2019, the US increased tariffs furthur , to 25%. China responded by raising the tariffs.
- In Sept. 2019, US imposed 15% tariffs on a large subset of the remaining $300 billion worth of imports from China
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA:
- India may be able to increase its exports in textile, garments, and gems and jewellery to US if Chinese exports to the US slow down.
- India has an increasingly widening trade gap with China. Ongoing trade war may be an opportunity for India to reduce it significantly.
- “Make in India” like start-ups will get some boost and will be encouraged at large.
INDIRECT CONFRONTATION OF CHINA WITH USA:
- China’s own GPS(Beidou);
- Digital payment platforms (we chat Pay and Alipay);
- A multilateral banking system such as AIIB, NDB;
- Alternate Trading System i.e. “One Belt One Road” initiative (OBOR);
- Digital network (Huawei 5G) ; cutting edge technological processes in sunrise industries and modern weapons equipped military froce.
RESPONSE FROM USA:
- US is already at war with China, by few officials from Trump side .
- On the other side, a few have also cautioned that this should not escalate into cold war as USA is still entangled to China’s supply chains.
AMERICA’S INTERESTS IN HONGKONG:
A few days ago, US Secretary Mike Pompeo “slammed” China over the arrest of Hongkong protesters.
- It is true that US holds tremendous interests in Hongkong with different purposes such as – Special trade and economic , financial and commercial ties.
- Hongkong is an active member of global coalition against terrorism and money laundering.
TAKEAWAY:
Unless the leaders of both countries change their course and re-build the lost mutual confidence, a new kind of cold war would be forced upon the world.
Short Notes
WHAT?
Rising tensions between US and China.
WHY IN NEWS?
The US govt’s decision to bar passenger planes from China June 16 onwards.
BONE OF CONTENTION:
- Tensions soar amid coronavirus pandemic + retaliatory moves + financial regulations + special ties with Hongkong + hesitancy to trade entry.
BACKGROUND:
- Since 1949 , both countries facing trade war stand offs + tariffs inrement game = going on since Richard Nexon regime.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIA:
- exports in textile, garments, and gems and jewellery to US + can take advantage from trade widening + Morale boost to “Make in India”
INDIRECT CONFRONTATION OF CHINA WITH USA:
- China’s own GPS + Digital payment platforms + multilateral banking system + “One Belt One Road” initiative (OBOR) + Digital network and cutting edge technological
RESPONSE FROM USA:
- US is already at war with China, by few officials + a few cautioned = escalation of war .
- AMERICA’S INTERESTS IN HONGKONG:
- US = Special trade and economic , financial and commercial ties + Hongkong = active member of global coalition against terrorism and money laundering.
TAKEAWAY:
- Both countries should change their course and re-build the lost mutual confidence avoiding new cold war.
हिन्दी