Daily Current Affairs 18 February 2020 | UPSC

Current Affairs Of Today Are

1) Women Army officers eligible for permanent commission

• The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed the Union government’s submissions that women are physiologically weaker than men as a “sex stereotype” and declared that Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers are eligible for permanent commission and command posts in the Army irrespective of their years of service.
• The order castigated the government for submitting a note containing written submissions portraying women as physiologically unfit for answering the “call beyond duty” of the Army. The note had shown women officers in a poor light, saying isolation and hardships would eat into their resolve and they would have to heed to the call of pregnancy, childbirth, and family. The note had mentioned that women ran the risk of capture by the enemy and being taken prisoner of war
• The judgment recorded that the policy statement had endorsed permanent commission for SSC women officers in 10 streams of the ‘Combat Support Arms’ and ‘Services’ sections. These are Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Army Air Defence, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Army Service Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, and Intelligence, in addition to the existing streams of Judge Advocate General ( JAG) and Army Education Corps
• The policy decision of the Union government is a recognition of the right of women officers to equality of opportunity
• SSC for women is available only in the ‘Combat Support Arms’ and ‘Services’ wings of the Army.
• The court dismissed the government’s stand that only women officers with less than 14 years of service ought to be considered for permanent commission, and those with over 20 years of service should be pensioned immediately.

Source: The Hindu

2) The State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) 

• The State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) assessment raises the alarm that several spectacular birds, many of them endemic to the subcontinent, face a growing threat from loss of habitat due to human activity, the widespread presence of toxins, including pesticides; hunting and trapping for the pet trade. Diminishing population sizes of many birds because of one factor brings them closer to extinction because of the accelerated effects of others, the report warned. For every bird species that were found to be increasing in numbers over the long term, 11 have suffered losses, some catastrophically.
• Over a fifth of India’s bird diversity, ranging from the Short­toed Snake Eagle to the Sirkeer Malkoha has suffered strong long­term declines over a 25­year period, while more recent annual trends point to a drastic 80% loss among several common birds
• Of 101 species categorized as being of High Conservation Concern — 59 based on range and abundance and the rest included from high­risk birds on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List — endemics such as the Rufous­fronted Prinia, Nilgiri Thrush, Nilgiri Pipit and Indian vulture were confirmed as suffering current decline, and all except 13 had a restricted or highly restricted range, indicating greater vulnerability to manmade threats.
• Among widely known species, the common sparrow, long seen as declining in urban spaces, has a stable population overall, although the data from major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Chennai confirm the view that they have become rare in cities and urban areas. Among the possible reasons for this is a decrease in insect populations as well as nesting places, but there is no conclusive evidence in the scientific literature on radiation from mobile phone towers playing a part
• The severe long­term decline of vultures, recorded and analyzed for years now, is underscored by the report. 
• Migratory shorebirds, along with gulls and terns, seem to have declined the most among waterbirds, the report states, consistent with population trends among Arctic­breeding shorebirds based on independent assessments. 

About SoIB Report

• The SoIB was produced using a base of 867 species and analyzed with the help of data uploaded by birdwatchers to the online platform, eBird. Adequate data on how birds fared over 25 years (longterm trend) are available only for 261 species. Current annual trends are calculated over a five­year period.
• Looking at the health of avifauna based on scientific groupings such as raptors (birds of prey), habitat, diet, migratory status and endemicity (exclusively found in an area), the analysis concludes that raptors overall are in decline, with ‘open country’ species such as the Pallid and Montagu Harriers, White-bellied Sea Eagle and Red-necked Falcon suffering the most. 

Forward-­looking actions suggested

• Forward­looking actions suggested by the report include an update to the Red List of endangered species published by IUCN using the SoIB, collaborative research by scientists and citizens and urgent emphasis on habitats of species of high concern, notably grasslands, scrublands, wetlands, and the Western Ghats. 
• Habitat loss and fragmentation are known causes of species declines, but targeted research
• is needed to pinpoint causes of decline

Source: The Hindu

3) Peninsular command

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat spelled out a road map for restructuring the Armed Forces that would holistically counter threats along the borders with China and Pakistan as well as in the Indian Ocean, backed by logistical agreements with other countries.
• An Indian Ocean­c-entered Peninsular Command, possibly formed by merging the Eastern and Western Naval Commands should start shaping up by the end of next year
• “Security of peninsular
• India should be the responsibility of one Commander.
• Can we integrate the Eastern and Western Naval Commands and call it Peninsular Command? We will be issuing study directives for the Peninsular Command by March 31,” Gen. Rawat said
• The study will look at earmarking some assets of the Army and the IAF for deployment under the Peninsular Command.

Source: The Hindu

4) Treating a Child Witness

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Karnataka High Court, asking for guidelines to be issued to police regarding the interrogation of minors in criminal proceedings by the Juvenile Justice Act and United Nations (UN) resolutions.

Relevant UN Resolutions

• Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989: It states that ‘in all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration’.
• India has been a signatory to this Convention since 1992.
• Guidelines concerning Child Witnesses (2009)
• Authorities should treat children in a caring and sensitive manner, with interview techniques that “minimize distress or trauma to children”.
• An investigator specially trained in dealing with children be appointed to guide the interview of the child, using a child-sensitive approach.
• The investigator shall, to the extent possible, avoid repetition of the interview during the justice process to prevent secondary victimization of the child.
• Secondary victimization is defined as victimization that occurs not as a direct result of a criminal act, but through the response of institutions and individuals to the victim.

Age of Witnesses in India

• Definition: Any person who appears before a court or tribunal to give evidence or testimony, for or against any person involved is called a witness.
• Age: Under Section 118 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, there is no minimum age for a witness. Children as young as three years old have been witnesses before trial courts in cases of sexual abuse.
• Any person may be a witness who can understand the questions put to him and rationally answer them.
• The nature of the section is disqulificatory in nature, meaning, that it disqualifies any person from testifying if a person is unable to comprehend or rationally respond to the questions put to them.
• Usually during a trial, the court, before recording the testimony of a child witness, determines his or her competence based on their ability to give rational answers.

Relevant Indian Laws Related to Children

• Article 39 (f) of the Constitution: The State shall, in particular, direct its policy towards securing that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.
• Juvenile Justice (JJ) Act: The primary legislation in the country about children is the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. The Act does not provide guidelines specifically relating to questioning or interviewing children as witnesses. However, it advocates the following:
• The child-friendly approach in the adjudication and disposal of matters. This implies, for the police to not be in their uniform while dealing with children.
• Special Juvenile Police Unit: Interviews of children are done by specialized units of police who are trained to sensitively deal with them.
• Provides for a Child Welfare Committee in every district to take cognizance of any violations by the authorities in their handling of children.
• POCSO Act: The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 has specific guidelines regarding interviewing children as witnesses, though the guidelines about child sexual abuse victims.
• Interviews should be conducted in a safe, neutral, child-friendly environment, including allowing for them to be done at home.
• It says a child should not be made to recount the incident in question multiple times.
• The Act also allows for a support person, who could be trained in counseling, to be present with the child to reduce stress and trauma.

Way Forward

• The Delhi High Court has come up with guidelines for recording evidence of vulnerable witnesses in criminal matters. A vulnerable witness is defined as anyone who has not completed 18 years of age.
• The guidelines underline the importance of the criminal justice system needing to respond proactively, sensitively, and in an age-appropriate manner when dealing with children.

Source: Indian Express

5) Visit of Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff to Myanmar

• Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy is visiting Myanmar from 17 to 20 February 2020. The visit is intended to consolidate and enhance the bilateral maritime relations between India and Myanmar.
• During his visit, the CNS will hold bilateral discussions with Admiral Tin Aung San, C-in-C Myanmar Navy and also call on H.E. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, C-in-C Defence Services, and other senior Government officials.
• CNS will interact with the trainees of National Defence College in Nay Pyi Taw, and also visit the Naval Dockyard and Training Command of the Myanmar Navy in Yangon.
• Myanmar Navy is a member of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) and participates in the activities conducted under the IONS construct.
• Indian Navy regularly interacts with Myanmar Navy through the medium of Staff Talks, Joint Working Group Meeting on Maritime Cooperation and other operational interactions which include Port visits, Coordinated Patrols, Bilateral Exercises, Training, and Hydrography, etc.
• Also, both the Navies interact during maritime activities such as Admiral's Cup, Goa Maritime Conclave and Exercise MILAN.

Source: PIB

6) Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)

• The annual All India Conference of the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) was held in New Delhi on 16th February 2020.
• The Conference was presided over by the Union Minister for Law and Justice.
• Apart from central services issues, the CAT will soon have jurisdiction to handle disputes and other issues related to the non-central services in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

Central Administrative Tribunal

• Article 323 - A: The Central Administrative Tribunal had been established under Article 323 - A of the Constitution for adjudication of disputes and complaints concerning recruitment and conditions of service of persons appointed to public services and posts in connection with the affairs of the Union or other authorities under the control of the Government.
• In pursuance of Article 323-A, the Parliament has passed the Administrative Tribunals Act in 1985. The act authorizes the Central government to establish one Central Administrative Tribunal and the state administrative tribunals. This act opened a new chapter in the sphere of providing speedy and inexpensive justice to the aggrieved public servants.
• Benches: There are 17 Benches and 21 Circuit Benches in the Central Administrative Tribunal all over India.
• Objective and Composition: The CAT is a specialist body consisting of Administrative Members and Judicial Members who by their specialized knowledge are better equipped to dispense speedy and effective justice. It was established in 1985.
• A Chairman who has been a sitting or retired Judge of a High Court heads the Central Administrative Tribunal.
• Operating Principles:
• It exercises jurisdiction only about the service matters of the parties covered by the Administrative Tribunals Act, 1985.
• The Tribunal is guided by the principles of natural justice in deciding cases and is not bound by the procedure, prescribed by the Civil Procedure Code.
• Under Section 17 of the Administrative Tribunal Act, 1985, the Tribunal has been conferred with the power to exercise the same jurisdiction and authority in respect of contempt of itself as a High Court.
• Independence: The conditions of service of the Chairman and Members are the same applies to a Judge of High Court as per the Administrative Tribunals (Amendment) Act, 2006.
• Appeals against Orders: The orders of Central Administrative Tribunal are challenged by way of Writ Petition under Article 226/227 of the Constitution before respective High Court in whose territorial jurisdiction the Bench of the Tribunal is situated.

Source: PIB

7) Wildfires in the Mukurthi National Park

Ahead of summer and peak fire season, ‘fire lines’ or ‘fire breaks’, in the Mukurthi National Park (MNP) are being constructed by the Tamil Nadu government.

Key Points

• Fireline is an artificially formed break in foliage or forest cover to control the spread of wildfires by limiting the amount of combustible vegetation available.
• Other Measures Being Taken to Control Wildfires in the Park :
• Cool Burning: Cool burning is done in a controlled manner by artificially creating small, localized fires to limit the amount of vegetation available in any given area. It means that any fires will not have any build-up of “vegetative fuel” to use to become a large, uncontrollable fire.
• Removal of invasive trees such as wattle is also being done in the Park to reduce the fuel for wildfires.

Wildfires

• Wildfire is a general term that includes any uncontrolled, unplanned forest fires, grassland fires, bushfires, brush fires and any other vegetation fire in countryside areas.
• Wildfires occur in every continent except Antarctica.

Mukurthi National Park

• Extent: Mukurthi National Park (MNP) is located in the northwest corner of Tamil Nadu in the Western Ghats.
• It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (UNESCO World Heritage Site) along with Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and Silent Valley.
• Keystone Species: The park was created to protect its keystone species, the Nilgiri Tahr.
• There has been almost a 27% increase in the population of the Tahr in the Nilgiris over the last few years.
• Forest Type: The park is characterized by montane grasslands and shrublands interspersed with sholas in a high altitude area of high rainfall, near-freezing temperatures, and high winds.
• Peaks: The Park is also home to Mukurthi Peak, one of the highest peaks in the Nilgiri Hills.
• Tribes Living Inside: Todas
• Todas are a pastoral tribe of the Nīlgiri Hills.

Source: The Hindu

8) New World Bank Project to Improve Groundwater Management in the Select States of India

• The Government of India and the World Bank today signed a $450 million loan agreement to support the national program to arrest the country’s depleting groundwater levels and strengthen groundwater institutions.
• The World Bank-supported Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) – National Groundwater Management Improvement Programme will be implemented in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Haryana, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh and cover 78 districts. These states span both the hard rock aquifers of peninsular India and the alluvial aquifers of the Indo-Gangetic plains. They were selected based on several criteria, including the degree of groundwater exploitation and degradation, established legal and regulatory instruments, institutional readiness, and experience in implementing initiatives related to groundwater management.
• The program will, among others, enhance the recharge of aquifers and introduce water conservation practices; promote activities related to water harvesting, water management, and crop alignment; create an institutional structure for sustainable groundwater management, and equip communities and stakeholders to sustainably manage groundwater.
• The last few decades saw exponential growth in the exploitation of groundwater through the construction of millions of private wells. Between 1950 and 2010, the number of drilled tube wells increased from 1 million to nearly 30 million. This allowed the area irrigated by groundwater to increase from approximately 3 million ha to more than 35 million ha. Groundwater currently provides approximately 60 percent of irrigation water. Over 80 percent of the rural and urban domestic water supplies in India are served by groundwater making India the world’s largest user of groundwater.
• If the current trends persist, 60 percent of districts are likely to reach a critical level of groundwater depletion within two decades, which in turn will render at least 25 percent of the agriculture production at risk. Climate change will likely exacerbate current pressures on groundwater resources.
• The program will introduce a bottom-up planning process for community-driven development of water budgets and Water Security Plans (WSPs). Water budgets will assess surface and groundwater conditions (both quantity and quality) and identify current and future needs. The WSP, on the other hand, will focus on improving groundwater quantity and incentivize selected states to implement the actions proposed. Such community-led management measures will make users aware of consumption patterns and pave the way for economic measures that reduce groundwater consumption.
• Crop management and diversification will be the other focus areas. Studies indicate that a one percent increase in the area irrigated with groundwater leads to a 2.2 percent increase in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Also, a one percent increase in irrigation efficiency will reduce GHG emissions by 20 percent. The program will support the adoption of micro-irrigation systems, including sprinkler and drip irrigation to increase productivity and support farmers to shift to low water-intensive crops.

Source: PIB

9) India assumes presidency of UN body on Migratory Species for 3 years

• The Thirteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species kicked off in Gandhinagar today in the presence of senior government officials, environment advocates, activists, researchers and biodiversity leaders from as many as 130 countries.
• “India has four biodiversity hotspots – Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo Myanmar landscape and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands and home to as many as 500 species of migratory birds from across the globe”
• The Conference kicks off ‘“Super Year for Environment”, which will include a UN Summit in September and culminate in the UN Biodiversity Conference at the end of 2020, when a new global biodiversity strategy for the next decade will be adopted - the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
• The Convention on Migratory Species is the only multilateral treaty dedicated to addressing the needs of migratory species and their habitats on a global scale. The conference will set in motion actions needed to better protect migratory species that rely on multilateral cooperation for their survival.”
• Migratory species of wild animals move from one habitat to another during different times of the year, due to various factors such as food, sunlight, temperature, climate, etc. The movement between habitats can sometimes exceed thousands of kilometers/miles for some migratory birds and mammals. A migratory route will typically have nesting sites, breeding sites, availability of preferred food and requires the availability of suitable habitat before and after each migration.
• India is home to several migratory species of wildlife including snow leopard, Amur falcons, bar-headed Geese, black-necked cranes, marine turtles, dugongs, humpbacked whales, etc.

Source: PIB

10) Madhav National Park

• Location: Madhav National Park is situated in Shivpuri District, Madhya Pradesh.
• It is a part of the upper Vindhyan hills.
• History: The Park was the hunting ground of Mughal emperors and Maharaja of Gwalior. It got the status of a National Park in 1959.
• Ecosystem: It has a diverse ecosystem consisting of lakes, dry deciduous & dry thorn forests.
• The forest is home to tigers, leopards, Nilgai, and Chinkara (Gazella bennettii) and Chousingha (Tetracerus quadricornis) and Deers (Chital, Sambar, and Barking Deer) among others.
• Tiger Corridor: The Park falls within one of the 32 major Tiger Corridors of the country, which are operationalized through the Tiger Conservation Plan. Tiger Conservation Plan is implemented under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Madhav National Park is a part of the Ranthambhore-Kuno-Madhav (Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan) Tiger Corridor of Central India & Eastern Ghats landscape.
• India’s tiger landscapes are Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains, Central Indian Landscape and Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats, and North-East.
• Conservation Issues: The Park is currently facing displacement and rehabilitation issues as it is home to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG)s like Saharia.
• PVTGs have some basic characteristics - they are mostly homogenous, with a small population, relatively physically isolated, absence of written language, relatively simple technology and a slower rate of change, etc.
• Other National Parks in Madhya Pradesh: Bandhavgarh, Kanha NP, Pench (Priyadarshini) NP, Panna NP, Mandla Plant Fossils NP, Sanjay NP, Satpura NP, Van Vihar NP

Source: The Hindu