GS Analyst: Daily Current Affairs

The "Great Replacement Theory" has resurfaced in discussions after Vlaardingerbroek, in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Hungary, claimed that white Europeans are being replaced in their own countries, posing a threat to civilization.

What is the Great Replacement Theory?

• The "great replacement theory" is a conspiracy that suggests Jews and some Western elites are plotting to replace white Americans and Europeans with people of non-European descent, particularly Asians and Africans.
• The eugenics movement supported forced sterilization of marginalized groups, adding to the notion of racial superiority.
• Overall, these ideas have fueled white supremacist, xenophobic, and anti-immigration sentiments, contributing to a global movement based on the fear of demographic change and the loss of white dominance.
• Mainstream scholars dismiss the theory as based on a misunderstanding of demographic statistics and rooted in racism. They emphasize the need to address low birth rates as a foundational issue.

Issue of low birth rates

• The theory overlooks the problem of low birth rates, which are causing population decline globally, particularly in Europe and Asia.
• Japan, facing a significant decline in births and marriages, serves as an example of this demographic challenge.
• Population collapse is identified as a major threat to civilization.

Despite an order, none of the 26,000 abandoned rat-hole coal mines in Meghalaya's East Jaintia Hills district have been closed, posing risks to human and animal lives.

About Rat-Hole Mining

• Rat-hole mining, banned by the National Green Tribunal a decade ago, involves narrow tunnels where workers extract coal.
• These tunnels, called "rat-holes," are typically only big enough for one person to enter.
• Banning:
  • The government's control over land in Meghalaya, a Sixth Schedule State exempt from the Coal Mines Nationalisation Act of 1973, is limited.
  • Landowners also own the minerals beneath, fueling a coal mining boom since Meghalaya became a state in 1972.
  • However, the rugged terrain and high costs deterred mine owners from using advanced drilling machines.
  • Instead, they relied on laborers from Assam, Nepal, and Bangladesh for rat-hole mining, a hazardous practice offering higher wages than other jobs.
  • Rat-hole mining risks include poor ventilation leading to asphyxiation, mine collapse due to lack of support, and flooding.
  • The unregulated mining also caused environmental damage, including land degradation, deforestation, and contamination of water sources with sulphates, iron, and toxic heavy metals.
  • Rivers like Lukha and Myntdu became too acidic to support aquatic life. These issues prompted the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to ban rat-hole mining in Meghalaya in 2014.

As board exam results are announced, students can now access their marksheets through the government's DigiLocker platform. This move aims to provide a convenient and secure way for students to access and verify their academic records digitally.

What is DigiLocker and Who Uses It?

• DigiLocker, launched in 2015, is a digital platform for storing users' documents securely.
• It is developed on an Open Source
• It has over 270 million registered users and has retrieved nearly 6.7 billion documents, including Aadhaar, insurance policies, and driving licenses.
• Documents stored in DigiLocker are considered equivalent to original physical documents, according to government rules.

Significance of adopting DigiLocker

• DigiLocker offers a paperless solution for accessing and verifying documents, reducing the reliance on physical copies.
• It helps users carry their documents conveniently on their smartphones and facilitates faster service delivery.
• The platform is a flagship initiative under the Digital India program, ensuring security with encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits.
• Security: DigiLocker follows strict security protocols under the Ministry of Electronics & IT, with measures like SSL encryption and multi-factor authentication. However, like any online database, it faces potential security risks, although vulnerabilities are promptly addressed.

Amid the theaterisation plan, the government has introduced the Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Act.

Key Points:

• Empowerment of Commanders: The Act grants authority to Commanders-in-Chief and Officers-in-Command of Inter-Services Organisations (ISOs) to maintain discipline and administer service personnel under their command This ensures discipline is upheld without disrupting the unique conditions of each service.
• Streamlined Processes: By notifying the Act, it enables heads of ISOs to handle cases promptly, preventing multiple proceedings. This move aims to promote greater integration and cooperation among armed forces personnel.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has released its Global report on neglected tropical diseases 2024.

Global Report on Neglected Tropical Diseases 2024 Highlights:

• Reduction: In 2022, 1.62 billion people needed interventions for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), showing a 26% decrease from 2010. However, this falls short of the 2030 target of a 90% reduction.
• Elimination: Five countries eliminated one NTD, and one country eliminated two NTDs in 2023. A total of 50 countries have eliminated at least one NTD, halfway towards the 2030 goal of 100 countries.
• Treatment Coverage: Approximately 848 million people received treatment for NTDs in 2022, a decrease from 2021 but an increase from 2020.
• Impact of Vector-borne NTDs: Reported deaths from vector-borne NTDs increased by 22% in 2022 compared to 2016.
• Progress and Strategies: Progress includes scaling up integrated skin-NTD strategies, managing NTD-related disabilities, and integrating NTDs into national health plans.
  • Access to water supply, sanitation, and hygiene is at 85.8% in NTD-endemic countries and 63% among those needing NTD interventions.
  • 4% of the population at risk is protected against catastrophic health expenditure due to NTDs.
• India’s case:
  • India was certified free of dracunculiasis and yaws.
  • India, which has the highest disease burden, treated about 117 million fewer people for lymphatic filariasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in 2022 compared to 2021.
• Noma was added to the list of NTDs in 2023.
• Medicine donation programs delivered 2.1 billion tablets and vials in 2023, with 994 million managed by WHO and provided to 112 Member States.

The World’s largest carbon capture plant, called the Mammoth direct air capture and storage (DAC+S) plant, is now operational in Iceland (Hellisheiði geothermal park).

About

• The purpose of this plant is to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air using a process called direct air capture (DAC).
• Large fans pull air into the plant, where chemicals remove the carbon dioxide. Once captured, the CO2 can be stored deep underground, reused, or turned into solid products.
• The Mammoth plant is expected to remove up to 36,000 tonnes of CO2 from the air annually.
• Unlike carbon capture methods that capture emissions at their source, DAC removes CO2 directly from the air.

YouTube's removal of a video featuring Eva Vlaardingerbroek's speech at a conservative conference in Budapest sparks debate over her assertions on demographic shifts in Europe, echoing the "Great Replacement Theory."

Analysis of Demographic Trends:

• Great Replacement Theory: Originating in the late 19th century, the theory posits a conspiracy to replace white Europeans with non-European migrants. Vlaardingerbroek's speech underscores concerns about demographic shifts, citing data on migrant populations in European cities.
• Research on Global Demographic Changes: A study by members of the PM-Economic Advisory Council in India highlights declining majority populations in OECD countries and Africa, attributing India's demographic shifts to the growth of minority communities. The findings challenge narratives of minority oppression in India.
• Impact of Population Trends: Despite concerns, data indicates declining fertility rates across religious groups in India, suggesting a convergence towards healthier population patterns. PMEAC's conclusions suggest that minorities thrive in India, contrary to global demographic trends.

Implications and Controversies:

• Misinterpretation of Data: Despite efforts to debunk narratives of minority oppression, debates often veer towards concerns over majority community displacement, highlighting the complexity of interpreting demographic data.
• Historical Context: Previous studies warned of unbalanced minority population growth in India, sparking debates similar to current discussions. New data on declining fertility rates challenges perceptions of unchecked population growth.
• Future Outlook: If current trends persist, India may witness healthier population patterns in the future. PMEAC's findings underscore the importance of fostering diversity and providing societal support for disadvantaged groups.

Mains Question:

Examine the debate surrounding demographic shifts in Europe and India, focusing on the implications of the "Great Replacement Theory" and recent research findings on minority populations.

Discovery of freshwater sources under the ocean bed raises legal and jurisdictional questions regarding exploration and exploitation, particularly in international waters.

Legal Framework and Jurisdictional Issues:

• UNCLOS and Customary International Law: UNCLOS governs most aspects of the law of the sea, but customary international law remains influential. However, UNCLOS prevails over the Geneva Conventions on the Law of the Sea, creating complexities in legal applicability.
• Definition of Resources and Regulation: UNCLOS defines resources in the "Area" as including minerals, raising questions about whether freshwater qualifies as a mineral. The International Seabed Authority regulates exploration and exploitation in the "Area" but lacks clarity on freshwater extraction.
• Challenges in Enforcement and Regulation: Lack of specific legislation for freshwater extraction beyond national jurisdiction complicates governance. With water scarcity becoming a global concern, addressing legal gaps and harmonizing regulations is imperative.

Implications for International Relations and Sustainable Development:

• Potential Conflict over Resources: As freshwater scarcity intensifies, international disputes over water rights and access may escalate, posing challenges to peace and stability.
• Need for Collaborative Solutions: Addressing freshwater exploration and extraction in international waters requires collaborative efforts among nations to ensure equitable access and sustainable management.
• Role of India in Global Leadership: Given India's commitment to Sustainable Development Goals, it can play a pivotal role in spearheading initiatives for regulating freshwater exploration in international waters, fostering cooperation among nations.

Mains Question:

Examine the legal and jurisdictional challenges associated with the exploration and exploitation of freshwater sources under international waters.

Violation of Model Code of Conduct in Indian Elections.

Role of Election Commission of India (ECI):

• Constitutional Mandate: Constitution grants plenary powers to ECI for ensuring free and fair elections, emphasizing its crucial role in maintaining the purity of the electoral process.
• Framework of Model Code of Conduct: ECI frames the model code of conduct to ensure fairness, prohibiting activities like aggravating communal tensions, making unverified allegations, or appealing to cast or communal feelings.
• Enforcement Mechanisms: While the model code of conduct lacks legal enforceability, ECI has powers, under the Symbols Order, to suspend or withdraw recognition of parties for violations, acting as a deterrent against misconduct.

Challenges and Addressing Electoral Misconduct:

• Politicization of Campaigns: Elections have devolved into highly polarized battlegrounds, with politicians resorting to communal rhetoric and divisive tactics, undermining the democratic ethos envisioned by the Constitution.
• Strengthening Legal Framework: Calls for amending electoral laws to provide clearer provisions for addressing violations of the model code of conduct, ensuring accountability for political leaders' actions.
• Empowering Election Commission: ECI urged to exercise its constitutional powers assertively, initiating criminal proceedings against offenders and ensuring impartiality and integrity in the electoral process.

Mains Question:

Discuss the challenges faced by the Election Commission of India in enforcing the model code of conduct during elections.

Scientists has created a biocontrol agent called Trichoderma asperellum to help Punjab farmers combat the 'foot rot' or 'bakanae' disease, which commonly affects Basmati rice crops. This agent has been registered with the Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee (CIBRC).

Understanding Foot Rot

• Foot rot is a fungal disease that primarily affects Basmati rice crops during the seedling stage but can also infect plants after transplantation.
• It is caused by the Fusarium verticillioides fungus, which spreads through the roots and eventually colonizes the stem base.
• Infected seedlings exhibit symptoms such as turning pale yellow, elongation, drying up, and eventual death.
• Current Management Practices: Currently, farmers treat seedlings with Trichoderma harzianum before sowing and transplantation. Additionally, seeds are treated with chemical fungicides like Sprint 75 WS (carbendazim + mancozeb) before sowing. However, these chemical treatments pose risks to soil health and can leave toxic residues in rice consumed by consumers.