Daily Current Affairs 23 May 2020 | UPSC Current Affairs 2020

Current Affairs Of Today Are

1) IMD Weather Services VIA UMANG Mobile App

The UMANG mobile app (Unified Mobile Application for New-age Governance) is a Government of India all-in-one single, unified, secure, multi-channel, multi-platform, multi-lingual, multi-service mobile app, powered by a robust back-end platform providing access to high impact services of various organizations (Central and State). Prime Minister of India launched the UMANG App in 2017 to bring major government services on a single mobile app, with a larger goal to make the government accessible on the mobile phone of our citizens. About 660 services from 127 departments & 25 states and about 180 utility bill payment services are live and more are in pipeline. UMANG user base has crossed 2.1 Crore including Android, iOS, Web, and KaiOS. Citizens can also access their Digilocker from UMANG and give their feedback after availing any service through Rapid Assessment System (RAS) which has been integrated with UMANG.
MeitY has taken various initiatives in the recent past to ease of lives of citizens by facilitating online delivery of Government services. To further enhance the initiatives of Digital India Programme, MeitY has brought the India Meteorological Department (IMD) services on the “UMANG App”.
The following 7 services hosted on http://mausam.imd.gov.in web site of IMD have been on-boarded on UMANG Mobile application:

Current Weather -Current temperature, humidity, wind speed, direction for 150 cities updated 8 times a day. Information on sunrise/ sunset and moonrise/ moonset is also given.
Nowcast- Three hourly warnings of localized weather phenomena and their intensity issued for about 800 stations, and districts of India by State Meteorological Centers of IMD. In case of severe weather, its impact also is included in the warning.
City Forecast – Past 24 hours and a 7-day forecast of weather conditions around 450 cities in India are given.
Rainfall Information- All India district Rainfall information daily, weekly, monthly and cumulative series are available.
Tourism Forecast- Past 24 hours and a 7-day forecast of weather conditions of around 100 Tourist cities in India are provided.
Warnings- The alert issued to warn citizens of approaching dangerous weather. It is color-coded in Red, Orange and Yellow are the alert levels with Red as the most severe category. Issued twice a day for all districts for the coming five days.
Cyclone- Cyclone warnings and alerts provide the track of cyclonic storms along with likely time and point of crossing of the coast. Impact based warnings, area/district wise, are issued so that appropriate preparation including the evacuation of vulnerable areas can be done.

Source: PIB

2) IASST develops electrochemical sensing platform for detecting carcinogenic & mutagenic compounds in food

Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati, has developed an electrochemical sensing platform for detecting carcinogenic or mutagenic compound N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA) sometimes found in food items like cured meat, bacon, some cheese, and low-fat milk. It was achieved by developing a modified electrode by immobilizing carbon nanomaterials (carbon dots) in DNA.
The scientists pointed out that with changing food habits of urban Indians, they are exposed to harmful chemicals belonging to Nitrosamine family in cured meats, bacon, some cheese, low-fat dry milk, and fish. Such chemicals include carcinogenic ones like NDMA and NDEA, which may also alter the chemical composition of our DNA. Hence it is important to develop detection techniques to detect them.
Most of the techniques used for the detection of Nitrosamine have detection limits in μM. This study published in the journal ACS Appl. Bio Mater, the scientists, have fabricated an electrochemical biosensor using DNA immobilized on the surface of carbon dots for sensitive and selective detection of N-nitrosamine. The detection limit was determined to be 9.9×10−9 M and 9.6×10−9 M for NDMA and NDEA, respectively.
The electrochemical biosensor platform was developed using the ability of NDMA and NDEA, to alter the DNA. Carbon dots (CDs), a carbon-based nanomaterial, was used, which is already established as a biocompatible and environmentally friendly material. Naturally derived chitosan, (natural biopolymer obtained from the shells of shrimp, lobster, and crabs) is an environment-friendly sustainable material that was used to synthesize CDs.
As this is an electrochemical sensor, the electrode was developed by depositing carbon dots (carbon nanoparticles) and then immobilizing bacterial DNA on them. This electrode system was used to measure the current peak. Both NDMA and NDEA alters the chemical structure of DNA present in the electrode, making it more conducting, which ultimately results in the increased current peak.
The scientists took advantage of the fact that out of the base pairs A, T, G, C, Guanine (G) is electrochemically active. In the presence of NDMA, guanine is modified to 6-Omethylguanine or 7-methyl guanine and with NDEA guanine changes to 8-oxoguanine to form DNA adducts. The DNA adducts formed are electrochemically active, which ultimately leads to an increase in peak current in electrochemical set-up, helping in the detection of the chemicals.
Some other structurally similar chemical compounds were also added to check if they can interfere with the system. But as these chemicals cannot alter the DNA sequence, hence they do not affect the system.

Source: PIB

3) International Day for Biological Diversity 2020

In a virtual celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity 2020, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Prakash Javadekar launched five key initiatives towards conservation of biodiversity.
The year 2020 which is also the “SUPER YEAR FOR BIODIVERSITY”, as the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity with 20 global Aichi targets adopted in 2010 ends in 2020 and all the countries together are in the process of preparation of Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
The Union Environment Minister launched the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) ‘Biodiversity Samrakshan Internship Programme which proposes to engage 20 students with postgraduate degrees for one year through an open, transparent, online competitive process. The program wishes to engage dynamic and creative students, who are willing to learn about natural resource management and biodiversity conservation and to support the projects of NBA in various State and Union Territories and to technically assist the State Biodiversity Boards/UTs Biodiversity Council in the discharge of their mandates. an open, transparent, online competitive process.
The virtual event also saw the Launch of UNEP Campaign on Illegal Trafficking of Endangered Species: ‘Not all Animals Migrate by Choice’. Illegal trade in wildlife carries the risk of spreading dangerous pandemics. The campaign Not all Animals Migrate by Choice, launched by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau, with UNEP, seeks to address these environmental challenges, raise awareness, and to advocate solutions.
A Webinar Series on ‘Biodiversity Conservation and Biological Diversity Act, 2002’ was also launched along with the WWF Model Conference of Parties (MCoP), an initiative which involves the younger generation so they can usher in a new beginning and engage in conversations around the impact of humanity’s footprint on biodiversity and also the importance of sustenance of biodiversity for our own survival. An awareness campaign supported by WWF to highlight the crucial role played by nature through its free ecological services provided for humankind was also launched during the event.

International Day for Biological Diversity

The International Day for Biological Diversity (or World Biodiversity Day) is a United Nations-sanctioned international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues. It is currently held on May 22.
The International Day for Biological Diversity falls within the scope of the UN Post-2015 Development Agenda's Sustainable Development Goals. In this larger initiative of international cooperation, the topic of biodiversity concerns stakeholders in sustainable agriculture; desertification, land degradation, and drought; water and sanitation; health and sustainable development; energy; science, technology and innovation, knowledge-sharing and capacity-building; urban resilience and adaptation; sustainable transport; climate change and disaster risk reduction; oceans and seas; forests; vulnerable groups including indigenous peoples; and food security. The critical role of biodiversity in sustainable development was recognized in a Rio+20 outcome document, "The World We Want: A Future for All".
From its creation by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in 1993 until 2000, it was held on December 29 to celebrate the day the Convention on Biological Diversity went into effect. On December 20, 2000, the date was shifted to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on May 22, 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, and partly to avoid the many other holidays that occur in late December.
This Year theme is Our solutions are in nature

Source: PIB

4) Odisha Pomotes Contract Farming

Recently, the Odisha government has promulgated an ordinance allowing investors and farmers to enter into an agreement for contract farming.

The contract farming has been allowed given the continuing uncertainties due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Key Points

Aim:

The ordinance aims to facilitate both farmers and sponsors to develop mutually beneficial and efficient contract farming systems.
It is also expected to improve the production and marketing of agricultural produce and livestock while promoting farmers’ interest.

Participants in the Contract Farming Agreement:

The agreement will be entered into between the contract farming sponsor (the one who offers to participate in any component) or entire value chain including pre-production, and the contract farming producer (i.e. farmers who agree to produce the crop or rear the livestock).

Involved Loans and Advances:

The loans and advances given by the sponsor to the producer can be recovered from the sale proceeds of the produce.
It cannot be realized by way of sale or mortgage or lease of the land in respect of which the agreement has been entered into.

No transfer of Land Rights:

It also states that notwithstanding anything contained in the agreement, no title, rights, ownership, or possession of land or premises or other such property will be transferred or alienated or vest in the sponsor or its successor or its agent.

Contract Farming and Services Committee:

It also mentions the constitution of a “Contract Farming and Services (Promotion and Facilitation) Committee” to review the performance of the contract farming and to make suggestions to the government for its promotion and efficient performance.

Contract Farming

Description:

Contract farming signifies an agricultural production (including livestock and poultry) based on a pre-harvest agreement between buyers (such as food processing units and exporters), and producers (farmers or farmer organizations).
The producer can sell the agricultural produce at a specific price in the future to the buyer as per the agreement.
Under contract farming, the producer can reduce the risk of fluctuating market price and demand. The buyer can reduce the risk of non-availability of quality produce.

Regulations:

In India, contract farming is regulated under the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
Also, the Model APMC (Agricultural Produce Market Committee) Act, 2003 provides specific provisions for contract farming, like compulsory registration of contract farming sponsors and dispute settlement.
Since agriculture is a state list subject, therefore contract farming is not uniform.

The NITI Aayog observed that market fees and other levies are paid to the APMC for contract framing when no services such as market facilities and infrastructure are rendered by them.
Thus, it has been recommended that contract farming should be out of the ambit of APMCs. Instead, an independent regulatory authority must be brought in to disengage contract farming stakeholders from the existing APMCs.

Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture came out with a draft Model Contract Farming Act, 2018.

The draft Model Act seeks to create a regulatory and policy framework for contract farming. Based on this draft Model Act, the legislatures of states can enact a law on contract farming.

Advantages:

Contract farming addresses the problem of low investment in agriculture and ensures a supply of quality inputs, technical guidance, and management support for farmers.
It provides an assured market and a pre-agreed sale price for produce, makes it easier for farmers to access cheaper institutional credit.

Way Forward

The contract farming seeks to provide alternative marketing channels and better price realization to farmers. It has been observed that if the market price rises higher than the contracted price, the farmers are tempted to sell the product to someone else for a higher price. On the other hand, if market prices were to fall below the contracted rate, the buyer often fails to honor the commitment.
It is also necessary to remember that for growers agriculture is a livelihood issue and for processors and aggregators it is business. Hence the Government should play the role of a facilitator to promote as well as to develop a healthy system of farmer-corporate relationships for mutual benefit and development of the agriculture sector in India.

Source: The Hindu

5) Ecologically Sensitive Areas in the Western Ghats

Recently, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change interacted with Chief Ministers of six states through a video conference to discuss issues relating to notification of Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) about the Western Ghats.

These six states include Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.

Background

The government had constituted a High-Level Working Group under the Chairmanship of Dr. Kasturirangan to conserve and protect the biodiversity of Western Ghats while allowing for sustainable and inclusive development of the region.
The Committee had recommended that identified geographical areas falling in the six States of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu may be declared as Ecologically Sensitive Areas.

The Committee recommended bringing just 37% of the Western Ghats under the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) zones — down from the 64% suggested by the Gadgil Committee report.
The Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel, also known as the Gadgil Committee was an environmental research commission appointed by the government in 2011.

A draft notification related to the same was issued in 2018 mentioning the areas to be notified in the ESA.

Key Points

All the involved States recognized a need to protect the Western Ghats. However, the states expressed their concerns related to the allowed activities and extent of the area mentioned in the draft notification.
Further, it has been also decided that state-specific issues will be discussed and resolved through the consensus.

Eco-Sensitive Areas

Eco-Sensitive Areas (ESAs)are located within 10 km around Protected Areas, National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
ESAs are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment Protection Act 1986.
The basic aim is to regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries to minimize the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas.

Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel

A committee headed by ecologist Madhav Gadgil also known as the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) in 2011 recommended that all of the Western Ghats be declared as the Ecological Sensitive Areas (ESA) with only limited development allowed in graded zones.
The panel had classified the Western Ghats into Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) 1, 2, and 3 of which ESA-1 is a high priority, almost all developmental activities (mining, thermal power plants, etc) were restricted in it.
It specified that the system of governance of the environment should be a bottom to top approach (right from Gram sabhas) rather than a top to bottom approach.
It also recommended the constitution of a Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA), as a statutory authority under the Ministry of Environment and Forests, with the powers under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The report was criticized for being more environment-friendly and not in tune with the ground realities.

Kasturirangan Committee

The Kasturirangan Commission sought to balance the development and environment protection in contrast to the system proposed by the Gadgil report. The committee's major recommendations were:

Instead of the total area of Western Ghats, only 37% of the total area to be brought under ESA.
A complete ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining in ESA.
No thermal power projects to be allowed and hydropower projects are allowed only after detailed study.
Red industries i.e. which are highly polluting to be strictly banned.
The report recommended the exclusion of inhabited regions and plantations from the purview of ESAs making it a pro-farmer approach.

Way Forward

It is a Development vs Conservation debate. Hence, a proper analysis based on scientific study followed by consensus among various stakeholders by addressing respective concerns is required urgently.
The holistic view of threats and demands on the forest land, products, and services, devising strategies to address these with clearly stated objectives for the authorities involved must be taken.
Any further delay in the implementation will only accentuate the degrading of the most prized natural resource of the country.

Source: PIB

6) G-7 Summit

Recently, the President of the USA made an announcement to host the 46th G7 summit in-person instead of remotely by videoconference.

Originally, the annual G7 summit was scheduled to be held on June 10 to June 12, 2020 in Camp David, United States.

Group of Seven (G-7)

Description:

G-7 is a bloc of industrialized democracies i.e. France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, and Canada.

The world's biggest population and second-biggest economy, China has relatively low levels of wealth per head of population. Thus it is not considered as an advanced economy like other G7 members. Hence China is not a member of G7.

It is an intergovernmental organization that was formed in 1975.
The bloc meets annually to discuss issues of common interest like global economic governance, international security, and energy policy.
The G7 was known as the ‘G8’ for several years after the original seven were joined by Russia in 1997.

The Group returned to being called G7 after Russia was expelled as a member in 2014 following the latter’s annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine.

Summit Participation:

Summits are held annually and hosted on a rotation basis by the group's members.
The host country not only holds the G7 presidency but also sets the agenda for the year.
The groundwork for the Summit, including matters to be discussed and follow-up meetings, is done by the Sherpas, who are generally personal representatives or members of diplomatic staff such as ambassadors.
The leaders of important international organizations like the European Union, IMF, World Bank, and the United Nations are also invited.

Challenges and Concerns:

Internally the G7 has several disagreements, e.g. clash of the USA with other members over taxes on imports and action on climate change.
The organization has also been criticized for not reflecting the current state of global politics or economics.
There are no G7 members from Africa, Latin America, or the southern hemisphere.
It is also facing a challenge from fast-growing emerging economies like India and Brazil are not members of the G7.

India and G-7

The participation of India at the 45th summit in Biarritz, France, is a reflection of deepening strategic partnership and recognition of India as a major economic power.
While India has found the European Union a difficult jurisdiction to navigate diplomatically, a better relationship between India and the European Union is emerging as a policy priority under G-7.
India’s ability to safeguard its core sovereign concerns such as trade, Kashmir issue, and India’s relations with Russia and Iran can be discussed with G7 members.
India raised issues on climate change and at meetings which signaled India’s growing willingness to lead on issues that are points of contention for countries like China and the USA.

Way Forward

G-7 must focus on the key international issues like terrorism, climate change, trade, and internal conflicts between the countries.
As a platform it must reflect the solutions for the pressing issues and global concerns like the elimination of poverty and diseases.
It should support the economies at the global level and help to establish equal levels for each country.

Source: The Hindu

7) ‘Honey Mission’ as part of ‘Sweet Revolution’

The Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar has said the Government is promoting Beekeeping as part of its aim to double farmers’ income. Addressing a webinar organized by the National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Shri Tomar said the Government has allocated Rs.500 crore towards Beekeeping under the Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan. He said India is among the world’s top five honey producers. Compared to 2005-06 honey production has risen by 242% and exports shot by 265%.
The rising honey exports, beekeeping will be an important factor in achieving the goal of doubling farmers’ income by 2024. He said the National Bee Board has created four modules to impart training as part of the National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM) and 30 lakh farmers have been trained in beekeeping. They are also being financially supported by the Government.
The Government is implementing the recommendations of the Committee to promote beekeeping. The Government has launched ‘Honey Mission’ as part of the ‘Sweet Revolution’ which has four components. Even small and marginal farmers can adopt beekeeping since investment is low and returns high
Issues before beekeepers such as the promotion of scientific beekeeping, quality assurance, minimum support price, transport of bee colonies, processing, packaging, branding, testing, organic certification of honey, and different beehive products were discussed. Successful beekeepers and entrepreneurs from Kashmir, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Madhya Pradesh shared their experiences and suggested ways forward to bring about the Sweet Revolution.
The webinar was conducted yesterday by the NCDC on the theme "Sweet Revolution and Atma Nirbhar Bharat" in partnership with the National Bee Board, the Government of West Bengal, the Government of Uttarakhand and the Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology, Kashmir. The objective was to popularize scientific beekeeping as a source of livelihood for landless rural poor, small and marginal farmers to supplement agricultural income, as also as a tool to enhance agriculture and horticulture production. It attracted the participation of beekeepers, honey processors, marketing and branding professionals, research scholars, academicians, cooperators from major honey-producing states, representatives of State and Union Governments, international organizations such as FAO, and NEDAC, Bangkok.

Source: PIB

8) General Financial Rules

The government has notified amendments to General Financial Rules (GFR) to ensure that goods and services valued less than Rs 200 crore are being procured from domestic firms, a move that will benefit MSMEs.

Implications:

The amendments ensure that henceforth global tenders will be disallowed in government procurement up to Rs 200 crore, as announced in the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Package.

What are GFRs?

The General Financial Rules (GFRs) are a set of rules that deal with matters that involve public finances. They were first issued in 1947 bringing together all the existing orders. They are instructions that pertain to financial matters.
They lay down the general rules applicable to Ministries / Departments, and detailed instructions relating to the procurement of goods are issued by the procuring departments broadly in conformity with the general rules while maintaining the flexibility to deal with varied situations.

Source: PIB

9) Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

The government of India has disbursed Rs 170 crores to MGNREGA workers. The amounts were disbursed to the beneficiaries through the Department of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

About MGNREGA:

The scheme was introduced as a social measure that guarantees “the right to work”.
The key tenet of this social measure and labor law is that the local government will have to legally provide at least 100 days of wage employment in rural India to enhance their quality of life.

Key objectives:

Generation of paid rural employment of not less than 100 days for each worker who volunteers for unskilled labor.
Proactively ensuring social inclusion by strengthening the livelihood base of the rural poor.
Creation of durable assets in rural areas such as walls, ponds, roads, and canals.
Reduce urban migration from rural areas.
Create rural infrastructure by using untapped rural labor.

The following are the eligibility criteria for receiving the benefits under the MGNREGA scheme:

Must be Citizen of India to seek MGNREGA benefits.
Jobseeker has completed 18 years of age at the time of application.
The applicant must be part of a local household (i.e. application must be made with local Gram Panchayat).
The applicant must volunteer for unskilled labor.

Key facts related to the scheme:

The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD), Govt of India is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments.
Individual beneficiary-oriented works can be taken up on the cards of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, small or marginal farmers, or beneficiaries of land reforms or beneficiaries under the Indira Awaas Yojana of the Government of India.
Within 15 days of submitting the application or from the day work is demanded, wage employment will be provided to the applicant.
The right to get an unemployment allowance in case employment is not provided within fifteen days of submitting the application or from the date when work is sought.
Social Audit of MGNREGA works is mandatory, which lends to accountability and transparency.
The Gram Sabha is the principal forum for wage seekers to raise their voices and make demands.
It is the Gram Sabha and the Gram Panchayat which approves the shelf of works under MGNREGA and fixes their priority.

Role of Gram Sabha:

It determines the order of priority of works in the meetings of the Gram Sabha keeping in view the potential of the local area, its needs, and local resources.
Monitor the execution of works within the GP.

Roles of Gram Panchayat:

Receiving applications for registration
Verifying registration applications
Registering households
Issuing Job Cards (JCs)
Receiving applications for work
Issuing dated receipts for these applications for work
Allotting work within fifteen days of submitting the application or from the date when work is sought in the case of an advance application.
Identification and planning of works, developing shelf of projects including determination of the order of their priority.

Responsibilities of State Government in MGNREGA:

Frame Rules on matters about State responsibilities under Section 32 of Act ii) Develop and notify the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the State.
Set up the SEGC.
Set up a State level MGNREGS implementation agency/ mission with an adequate number of high caliber professionals.
Set up a State level MGNREGS social audit agency/directorate with an adequate number of people with knowledge on MGNREGA processes and demonstrated commitment to social audit.
Establish and operate a State Employment Guarantee Fund (SEGF).

Source: PIB

10) Preservation of Eastern, Western Ghats

6 States have expressed a desire to expedite early notification of the Ecologically Sensitive Area of Western Ghats.
These six states include Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu.

Background:

The government had constituted a High-Level Working Group under the Chairmanship of Dr. Kasturirangan to conserve and protect the biodiversity of Western Ghats while allowing for sustainable and inclusive development of the region.
The Committee had recommended that identified geographical areas falling in the six States of Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu may be declared as Ecologically Sensitive Areas.

What are Eco-Sensitive Areas?

They are located within 10 km around Protected Areas, National Parks, and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
ESAs are notified by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Environment Protection Act 1986.
The basic aim is to regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries to minimize the negative impacts of such activities on the fragile ecosystem encompassing the protected areas.

Objectives of declaring areas as ESA:

To manage and regulate the activities around these areas to create some kinds of ‘shock absorbers’.
To provide for a transition zone between the highly protected and relatively less protected areas.
To give effect to Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 which restricts the operation of industries or processes to be carried out in certain areas or to maintain certain safeguards to operate industries.

What did the Gadgil Committee say?

It defined the boundaries of the Western Ghats for the purposes of ecological management.
It proposed that this entire area be designated as an ecologically sensitive area (ESA).
Within this area, smaller regions were to be identified as ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) I, II, or III based on their existing condition and nature of the threat.
It proposed to divide the area into about 2,200 grids, of which 75 percent would fall under ESZ I or II or under already existing protected areas such as wildlife sanctuaries or natural parks.
The committee proposed a Western Ghats Ecology Authority to regulate these activities in the area.

Why was the Kasturirangan Committee setup?

None of the six concerned states agreed with the recommendations of the Gadgil Committee, which submitted its report in August 2011.
In August 2012, then Environment Minister constituted a High-Level Working Group on the Western Ghats under Kasturirangan to “examine” the Gadgil Committee report in a “holistic and multidisciplinary fashion in the light of responses received” from states, central ministries, and others.
The Kasturirangan report seeks to bring just 37% of the Western Ghats under the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) zones — down from the 64% suggested by the Gadgil report.

Recommendations of the Kasturirangan Committee:

A ban on mining, quarrying, and sand mining.
No new thermal power projects, but hydropower projects allowed with restrictions.
A ban on new polluting industries.
Building and construction projects up to 20,000 sq m were to be allowed but townships were to be banned.
Forest diversion could be allowed with extra safeguards.

Importance of western ghats:

The Western Ghats is an extensive region spanning over six States. It is the home of many endangered plants and animals. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
It is one of the eight “hottest hot-spots” of biological diversity in the world.
According to UNESCO, the Western Ghats are older than the Himalayas. They influence Indian monsoon weather patterns by intercepting the rain-laden monsoon winds that sweep in from the south-west during late summer.

Eastern Ghats:

The Eastern Ghats run from northern Odisha through Andhra Pradesh to Tamil Nadu in the south passing some parts of Karnataka.
They are eroded and cut through by four major rivers of peninsular India, viz. Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Kaveri.

Source: PIB