The NEXUS Report: Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss

GS 3: Environment and Biodiversity: Biodiversity Conservation

Why is it in the news?

• A recent scientific report highlights the interconnectedness of major global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and food insecurity. It stresses the importance of adopting an integrated approach to address these issues, warning that tackling them separately, without considering their interdependencies, could be ineffective or even counterproductive.
• The report, produced by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), is the first to explore how these crises are interlinked, identifying five major challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, water scarcity, and health risks.
• The report draws attention to the negative effects of current economic activities on biodiversity, climate, food production, water, and health.
• These impacts, often unaccounted for, are estimated to cost the global economy between $10-25 trillion annually. It warns that these interconnected challenges, if not addressed, will lead to a more unsustainable future.

What is IPBES?

• The IPBES functions similarly to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) but focuses on biodiversity. Established in 2012, it evaluates existing scientific knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystems, contributing to international environmental processes such as the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention, and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
• In its 2019 report, IPBES highlighted the threat to one million species due to human activities, more than any previous time in history. This report also laid the foundation for the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which set targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

Key Takeaways from the Nexus Report

• The latest IPBES report, the Nexus Report, emphasizes the interconnectedness of climate change, biodiversity loss, food insecurity, water scarcity, and health risks. It stresses that addressing these challenges requires harmonized efforts to avoid negative impacts across sectors.
• For example, scaling up food production might strain land and water resources, while focusing exclusively on climate change could undermine food security and biodiversity. The report advocates for synergistic approaches that produce positive outcomes across these interconnected challenges.
• The Nexus Report identifies over 70 response options that can generate benefits across the five challenges. Examples include restoring carbon-rich ecosystems such as forests and mangroves, managing biodiversity to reduce disease risks, promoting sustainable diets, and using nature-based solutions.
• While some actions may benefit only one or two challenges, they must be implemented carefully to avoid unintended negative consequences.
• The report highlights the economic significance of biodiversity. Over half of global GDP, approximately $58 trillion in annual economic activity, is moderately to highly dependent on nature. Deterioration of ecosystems directly impacts productivity and economic output.
• The report also notes that biodiversity has been declining at a rate of 2-6% per decade over the last 50 years, and current economic systems continue to provide incentives that harm biodiversity and ecosystems.

A Call for Transformative Change

• In a concurrent report, IPBES calls for a fundamental shift in how humanity interacts with nature. It argues that previous approaches to address ecological decline have failed, and transformative new strategies are needed.
• These strategies must be based on principles of equity, justice, pluralism, inclusion, and reciprocal human-nature relationships. Immediate action is essential, as delaying these efforts would substantially increase the cost of addressing ecological decline.
• The report suggests that adopting nature-positive economic models could generate over $10 trillion in business opportunities and create 400 million jobs by 2030.

Maharashtra’s Proposed Law Against ‘Urban Naxalism’

GS 2: Polity and Governance: Addressing Naxalism in urban areas

Why is it in the news?

• On December 18, 2024, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis introduced the Maharashtra Special Public Security Act, 2024, in the state assembly during the ongoing winter session.
• The bill, aimed at addressing the growing presence of Naxalism in urban areas, was referred to a joint select committee for further consideration. This process allows for the gathering of opinions from various organizations and stakeholders.
• The bill was initially introduced in the previous monsoon session but was not passed. It has sparked significant debate due to concerns over its broad and potentially draconian provisions, which many critics believe could stifle protests and dissent.

Government’s Rationale for the Bill

• The Maharashtra government justifies the bill by citing the increasing influence of Naxalism in urban areas, particularly through “front organizations” that offer logistical support to armed Naxal cadres.
• These groups are said to provide refuge and assist in facilitating unlawful activities. The government argues that existing laws are inadequate to address this growing issue.
• Similar laws have been enacted in other states such as Chhattisgarh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha to combat Naxalism and its associated activities, including the banning of 48 Naxal front organizations.

Key Provisions of the Proposed Law

• The proposed Maharashtra Special Public Security Act grants the government the authority to designate any group or individual as an “unlawful organization.”
• It outlines four primary offenses, which include being a member of such an organization, raising funds for it, managing or assisting in its management, and engaging in unlawful activities.
• Penalties for these offenses range from 2 to 7 years of imprisonment, with fines ranging from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. The offense related to committing unlawful activities carries the heaviest penalty—7 years of imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
• Offenses under the bill are cognizable, meaning arrests can be made without a warrant, and non-bailable, which enhances the state’s powers.

Comparison with UAPA

• While the Maharashtra bill shares similarities with the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), India’s primary anti-terror law, there are key differences. Like the UAPA, the MSPC Bill allows the government to designate groups as unlawful.
• However, while the UAPA requires a tribunal headed by a High Court judge to confirm such declarations, the Maharashtra bill proposes an advisory board of three individuals qualified to be High Court judges.
• This process aims to expedite decisions and avoid delays associated with the UAPA, where sanctions must be obtained from a competent authority before prosecution can begin.

Definition of “Unlawful Activity” in the Maharashtra Bill

• A central feature of the Maharashtra bill is its broad and lower threshold for defining “unlawful activity” compared to the UAPA.
• The Maharashtra bill includes a range of actions such as interfering with public order, encouraging disobedience of the law, using criminal force to overawe public servants, inciting violence, vandalism, or promoting the use of weapons and explosives.
• These offenses, either written or spoken, are considered unlawful activities if they generate fear or apprehension in the public.
• Moreover, the bill allows for quicker prosecution, with the district magistrate or police commissioner being authorized to grant the necessary sanction, unlike the UAPA, which requires central or state government approval.

The Political Crisis in South Korea

GS 2: International Relations: S. Korean crisis

Why is it in the news?

• The presidency of Yoon Suk Yeol reached a breaking point on December 3, 2024, when his controversial declaration of martial law was overturned by the National Assembly.
• His impeachment on December 14 has set the stage for a prolonged legal battle in South Korea’s Constitutional Court. Yoon’s rise to prominence and subsequent fall from grace highlights the challenges of a deeply polarized political landscape.

Yoon’s Rise to Prominence

• In May 2017, Democratic Party President Moon Jae-in appointed Yoon Suk Yeol as the Chief of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office. Yoon was instrumental in indicting two former conservative Presidents, Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye, earning him the trust of the Moon administration.
• By June 2019, Yoon was appointed as the Prosecutor General. However, his relationship with the administration soured after the nomination of Cho Guk as Justice Minister in August 2019. Yoon objected to the appointment, but Moon went ahead, resulting in Yoon investigating Cho for corruption.

The Cho Guk Incident

• Yoon’s investigations revealed allegations against Cho, including tax evasion by his family, illicit investments, and academic fraud by his daughter. These revelations led to widespread protests and Cho’s resignation after just 35 days.
• This marked the beginning of a fierce contest between Yoon and the Moon administration. Despite attempts to remove him, Yoon retained his position and became a hero among conservatives, eventually joining the conservative People Power Party (PPP).

Political Polarization in South Korea

• South Korea is sharply divided along ideological, generational, and regional lines. Conservatives, often older and wealthier, support pro-American policies and are confrontational toward North Korea.
• Liberals, usually younger and more educated, advocate for greater autonomy in foreign policy and engagement with North Korea. Social media has exacerbated this divide, leading to frequent street protests and vendetta politics, where each administration seeks to implicate its predecessors.

Yoon’s Presidency and Challenges

• Elected in March 2022, Yoon’s presidency has been marked by controversies and declining popularity. His bold but unpopular policies, such as supporting Japan’s Fukushima water release and adopting confrontational foreign policies, strained relations with key nations.
• Domestically, his governance faced criticism for targeting opposition leaders and mishandling economic challenges. Allegations of corruption involving his wife further dented his image.

The Martial Law Controversy

• Yoon declared martial law on December 3, 2024, in a desperate bid to counter opposition in the National Assembly. However, military and police reluctance, along with a unanimous vote by the Assembly to overturn the decision, forced Yoon to withdraw the declaration by December 4.
• The impeachment motion that followed initially failed due to the PPP’s abstention but succeeded on December 14, with 204 votes in favour.

Legal Battle and Future Implications

• Yoon has vowed to fight the impeachment in the Constitutional Court. With three of the nine court seats vacant, all six current judges must agree for the impeachment to be validated.
• Yoon is banking on conservative-leaning judges to overturn the motion. Meanwhile, opposition leaders face legal battles of their own, further complicating the political scenario.

Conclusion

• The ongoing crisis has exposed the immaturity of South Korea’s political leaders and the fragility of its democratic institutions.
• However, public consensus on the need to preserve democracy offers hope. If unresolved, the crisis could severely damage South Korea’s democratic image and global standing.

First-Ever Satellite Tagging of a Ganges Dolphin

GS 3: Environment and Biodiversity: Conservation of Dolphin

Why is it in the news?

• The first-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges River dolphin (Platanista gangetica) was conducted in Assam on December 18, 2024. This historic achievement is part of Project Dolphin, a movement focused on conserving India’s National Aquatic Animal.
• According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, this tagging will provide crucial insights into the species’ seasonal and migratory patterns, range, distribution, and habitat utilisation, particularly in fragmented river systems.

About Ganges River Dolphin

• The Ganges River dolphin belongs to the family Platanistidae, which comprises two extant species of Indian river dolphins: the Indus River dolphin and the Ganges River dolphin. Until the 1970s, these were considered the same species.
• Male Gangetic dolphins typically measure 2-2.2 meters, while females are slightly longer at 2.4-2.6 meters. An adult dolphin can weigh between 70 kg and 90 kg. They primarily feed on fish and invertebrates and are known to be solitary or found in small groups. Their shy nature makes them challenging to observe.
• The dolphin is known by various local names, such as susu, soons, soans, or soos in Hindi, shushuk in Bengali, hiho or hihu in Assamese, and bhagirath, shus, or suongsu in Nepali. Culturally, they are associated with the Ganga river and are occasionally depicted as the vahana (vehicle) of Goddess Ganga.

Declining Population and Endangered Status

• Historically, the Ganges River dolphin inhabited the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna, Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Bangladesh and India, and the Sapta Koshi and Karnali rivers in Nepal. They were once spotted as far upstream as the Himalayan foothills.
• However, the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) reports that the species is now extinct in many of its original ranges, with only 3,500 to 5,000 individuals remaining.
• Since the 1990s, both the Indus and Ganges dolphins have been classified as ‘Endangered’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Reasons for Decline

• Construction of Dams and Barrages: These restrict movement, disrupt migration patterns, and affect food supply and breeding behaviours.
• River Pollution: Polluted habitats become unlivable for the dolphins and their prey.
• Poaching and Accidental Entanglement: Dolphins are hunted for their oily blubber or get caught in fishing nets.
• Shrinking Habitats: Rivers are drying up and becoming less navigable.

Conservation Efforts

1) Wildlife Act Protection

• In 1986, following the launch of the Ganga Action Plan in 1985, Gangetic dolphins were included in the First Schedule of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This aimed to prevent hunting and establish sanctuaries like the Vikramshila Ganges Dolphin Sanctuary in Bihar.

2) Conservation Action Plan

• The Conservation Action Plan for the Ganges River Dolphin (2010-2020) identified threats such as river traffic, irrigation canals, and the depletion of the prey base. It aimed to address these issues comprehensively.

3) National Aquatic Animal Status

• In 2009, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the Gangetic River dolphin as India’s National Aquatic Animal. This initiative sought to boost awareness and encourage community participation in conservation efforts.

Project Dolphin

• Launched in 2020 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Project Dolphin aims to conserve the species through initiatives modelled on the successful Project Tiger. The latest tagging exercise is part of this project, which involves systematic monitoring of the species and its threats to develop effective conservation strategies.
• The lightweight tags will emit signals detectable by satellites when the dolphins surface, enabling evidence-based conservation measures.
• Project Dolphin views the Gangetic River dolphin as an “umbrella species.” Conserving this species is expected to benefit its habitat and associated biodiversity, including human communities.

Punjab Govt to Restore Jahaz Haveli

GS 1: Culture and History: Todar Mal Legacy

Why is it in the news?

• As Fatehgarh Sahib district gears up for the annual Shaheedi Jor Mela from December 25 to 27, Punjab Assembly Speaker has announced the government’s full support for the restoration of Jahaz Haveli, the former residence of Diwan Todar Mal.
• This historic project highlights the legacy of Todar Mal and his association with Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh, founder of the Khalsa.

About Diwan Todar Mal

• Diwan Todar Mal was a wealthy merchant from Sirhind and is remembered for his unwavering commitment to Sikh values. Historical records suggest he served as a revenue official under Mughal emperor Shah Jahan but was removed by Aurangzeb.
• Todar Mal was present in Sirhind when Sahibzada Fateh Singh (9) and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh (7) were bricked alive on December 13, 1704, by the orders of Wazir Khan, the Mughal governor of Sirhind. Their grandmother, Mata Gujri, died of shock upon hearing the tragic news.
• Despite the fear of Wazir Khan’s wrath, Todar Mal stepped forward to claim their bodies for proper cremation. Wazir Khan imposed a harsh condition—Todar Mal had to purchase the cremation ground by covering it entirely with gold coins placed vertically.
• Todar Mal met this demand, making one of the most expensive land transactions of the era. He cremated the Sahibzadas and Mata Gujri with full honours, burying their ashes in an urn on the purchased land.
• Maharaja Karam Singh of Patiala (1813–45) later memorialized the site with the construction of a gurdwara and renamed the district from Sirhind to Fatehgarh Sahib after Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib, located near Sirhind. The annual Shaheedi Jor Mela commemorates their sacrifice.

About Jahaz Haveli

• Jahaz Haveli, Todar Mal’s residence in Sirhind, Fatehgarh Sahib district, is a 17th-century structure built with Nanakshahi bricks, resembling a ship. Despite its historical significance, it has suffered neglect.
• The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) took possession of the haveli in 2009. The Diwan Todar Mal Heritage Foundation Punjab has been working toward its restoration, using a 1911 photograph from the British Library for reference.
• In 2022, the Government of India declared December 26 as “Veer Baal Diwas” to honour the courage and sacrifice of Sahibzada Fateh Singh and Sahibzada Zorawar Singh.