Current Affairs 21st December

Attacks on the Red Sea

GS Paper 1 and 2: Geography; Important trade Routes, International Relations: Policy and Politics Affecting India and its Interest.

Context:
Red Sea, one of the most significant shipping routes in the world, is seeing tensions rise as a spillover of the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Details-:
Yemen is located close to the narrow Bab el-Mandeb strait, which leads into the Red Sea.
In the last four weeks, Houthi militants from Yemen have attacked or seized commercial ships 12 times.
Prominent shipping fleet operator AP Møller-Maersk and oil and gas giant British Petroleum are some of the companies that have paused their movements through this route in light of the attacks.
Earlier in November, Houthi militants also hijacked an India-bound ship named Galaxy Leader.

Reason-:
The Houthis say they have been attacking vessels in the Red Sea with links to Israel.
They say this is in protest of Israel’s military offensive in Gaza after the Palestinian militant group Hamas launched an attack against Israel on October 7.

Houthis linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict-:

The Houthis have been embroiled in a civil war with the Yemen government for almost a decade.
They are in power in northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. The official government now operates out of Aden.
Named after the Houthi tribe, they are Zaydi Shias.
Zayadism is a sub-sect of Shia Islam and it believes in following the lineage of the Prophet Muhammad’s family, as the political leader of the state.
They also see launching battles as an acceptable way of usurping power from an unfit or unjust ruler.
They have attempted to revive Zayadism amid the growing influence of Sunni Salafist thought, which is inspired by the hadith or the sayings of the Prophet.
Iran, a Shia-majority country, is believed to back the Houthis, even as it has denied the charge.
Its regional rival, the Sunni-majority Saudia Arabia (along with Western allies like the US) backs the Yemen government.
Houthis’ support for Palestine is, therefore, also a manifestation of existing regional rivalries.

Significance of Red Sea-:
The nearly 2,000-km Red Sea connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean via the narrow Suez Canal.
Before the Suez Canal’s construction in 1869, ships had to go around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to travel between Europe and Asia.
The Suez Canal cut the time and resources it took to cover that distance considerably, by providing a direct route.
The Suez Canal accounted for 9.2 million barrels per day of total oil flows in the first half of 2023.
About 12% of global trade depends on the Suez Canal, compared to 5% on the Panama Canal.

Impact on Economy-:
Oil prices rose on Tuesday, as fears rose about the problems that could confront global shipping and logistics.
The attack increased the journeys by two weeks because of the re-routing through Africa.
Freight forwarders, or the middlemen involved in the transportation industry, are also increasing rates on shipments.
Now a container bound for the Middle East will now attract a war risk surcharge.

Operation Prosperity Guardian-:
The US announced the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a multinational security initiative, under which joint patrols of the Red Sea will be conducted.
The initiative is under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces and the leadership of its Task Force 153, which focuses on security in the Red Sea.”
This will not necessarily escort a specific vessel, they will provide umbrella protection to as many as possible.
The Combined Maritime Forces is a multi-naval taskforce that has 39 members – including India, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Egypt, France, Germany, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Yemen.
The United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain have joined the operation.

Related Search-:
Geographic Location of Middle East
Sea, Gulf, and Strait (Map)
Israel-Hamas conflict

Prelims Specific-:
Operation Prosperity Guardian
About the Red Sea
Its Significance
Suez Canal, Panama Canal
Bab al Mandab

Child Labour in India

GS Paper 2: Social justice- Issues related to children

Context:
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour, tabled a detailed report on the implementation of the Centre’s policy on child labour in Parliament.

The report, titled ‘National Policy on Child Labour - An Assessment’, states the country has a long way to go in eliminating child labour, and requires changes to the policies and laws that govern the issue.

Major findings of the report:
The number of working children has decreased from 1.26 crore (as per the 2001 census) to 1.01 crore (as per the 2011 census).
The number of working children in the age group of five to 14 years has also decreased from 57.79 lakh (as per the 2001 census) to 43.53 lakh (as per the 2011 census).
The Ministry of Labour does not conduct any survey to ascertain the number of child laborers across the country and considers this data as child labor data.
No proposal is under their consideration to develop a mechanism to maintain child labor data except depending on census data.
It is practically not possible to meet the international commitment to eliminate child labor by 2025.

Panel recommendation:
Examine and address the discrepancies in age determination criteria across Acts related to child welfare to prevent ambiguity or delays in justice for affected children.
Review the provisions of offense categorization (cognizable/non-cognizable) in the Child and Adolescent Labour Act (1986) and the Juvenile Justice Act (2015) for clarity and efficiency in legal proceedings involving children.
Consider a three to fourfold increase in fines and introduce stricter punishments such as license cancellation and property attachment to enhance child protection measures.
Advocate for amendments in relevant Acts through the Union Labour Ministry to establish zero tolerance for child labor and ensure the safeguarding of children's interests.
Asked the Centre to direct States to conduct surveys to identify child labour, and collect and furnish enforcement data, along with their suggestions to address the problem.

About Child labor:
Child labor refers to the employment of children in any form of work that deprives them of their childhood, potential, dignity and is harmful to their physical and mental development.
It often interferes with their schooling and social development, putting them at risk of exploitation, abuse, and long-term physical or psychological damage.
Child labor typically means the employment of children in any manual work with or without payment.

Reasons of Child Labour in India:-

Poverty: One of the primary reasons is poverty. Families living in poverty may compel children to work to contribute to household income.
Lack of Education: Limited access to quality education or the inability to afford schooling can push children into the workforce.
Cultural Norms: Societal acceptance of child labor, especially in traditional or informal sectors, perpetuates the cycle of exploitation.
Demand in Informal Sectors: Industries such as agriculture, domestic work, and small-scale manufacturing often rely on cheap labor, leading to the exploitation of children.
Urbanization and Migration: Rural-to-urban migration exposes vulnerable children to labor exploitation as they seek livelihoods in unfamiliar urban settings.
Lack of Enforcement of Laws: Weak implementation and enforcement of child labor laws contribute to the persistence of this issue.
Trafficking and Bonded Labor: Children are sometimes trafficked or forced into bonded labor due to various reasons, including debt bondage or coercion.

Socio-Economic Impact of Child Labour:-

Education and Development:- Child labor deprives children of their right to education and hampers their intellectual and emotional development. Lack of education perpetuates the cycle of poverty as these children grow into adults with limited skills and opportunities.
Health and Well-being:- Working in hazardous conditions exposes children to physical and psychological risks, leading to injuries, health issues, and long-term consequences on their well-being. They often face malnutrition, exhaustion, and even mental health problems due to exploitation and abuse.
Economic Impact:- While children working may contribute to their family income, it's often at the cost of their future prospects. They grow into adults with limited skills, leading to a less productive workforce and perpetuating the cycle of poverty.
Social Development:- Child labor can hinder the social development of communities as it deprives children of the chance to learn and develop social skills. This, in turn, affects the overall social fabric of society.
Human Rights:- Child labor violates the fundamental human rights of children, denying them the right to a childhood, education, and protection from exploitation.
Economic Inequality:- Child labor exacerbates economic inequality as children from poorer backgrounds are often compelled to work, limiting their chances to escape poverty in the future.

Government initiatives:-
The Factories Act (1948):- The law bans employing children under 14 in hazardous settings and regulates the work hours and conditions for adolescents aged 14 to 18, limiting them to non-hazardous tasks.
Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act (1986):- The law prohibits children under 14 and adolescents under 18 from working in hazardous jobs or processes.
National Policy on Child Labour (1987):- Strives to eliminate child labor by enforcing bans and regulations, offering welfare programs for children and families, and guaranteeing education and rehabilitation for working children.
National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme:- It aims to offer rescued children non-formal education, vocational training, mid-day meals, stipends, and healthcare, transitioning them into the formal schooling system.

Related Search:
The Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention
Pencil Portal
Right to education

Prelims Specific:
Panel recommendation
About Child labour
Reasons of Child Labour in India
Socio-Economic Impact of Child Labour
Government initiatives

The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS)

GS Paper 3: Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Conservation, Government policies and implementation.

Context-:
The Indian government has introduced the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) to address concerns about deforestation and illicit timber trade.

Background-:
Many private foreign certification agencies have been operating in the Indian market for the last two decades.
A global investigation on deforestation and greenwashing raised doubts about the integrity of these certifications, affecting Indian product acceptance and resulting in high dropout rates among certified entities.
Since then the government has been planning to start its certification scheme for improved regulation of the market.

About IFWCS-:

IFWCS is a government-backed certification scheme, that will bring greater trust and transparency into the processes, and grant greater acceptability to Indian forest-based products in international markets.
It is designed to validate entities adhering to sustainable forest management practices, providing an alternative to foreign certification agencies.
IFWCS offers certification for sustainable forest management, management of trees outside forests, and chain of custody, ensuring traceability throughout the supply chain.
The certification is relevant for various stakeholders, including forest management units, corporations, wood-based industries, tree growers, traders, saw millers, exporters, and importers.
Right now, it is a government-initiated and government-backed scheme, but eventually, it is likely to evolve into an independent entity like the Bureau of Indian Standards or Quality Council of India

Need for -:
Europe and the United States happen to be the largest export markets for India’s forest-based products, particularly handicrafts and furniture.
These markets have been tightening the rules for the import of forest products because of greater sensitivity around deforestation on climate change concerns.
At the Glasgow climate change conference in 2021, over 100 countries had come together in a pledge to halt, and reverse, deforestation by 2030.

Greenwashing-:
Greenwashing refers to the deceptive or misleading marketing practices used by companies to present a false or exaggerated image of environmental responsibility.

Purpose:-
Companies engage in greenwashing to attract environmentally conscious consumers, enhance their public image, and create the perception of sustainability without substantial environmental efforts.

Common Tactics:-
Misleading labels or certifications.
Highlighting minor environmentally friendly aspects while downplaying overall negative impacts.
Emphasizing unverified or vague environmental claims.

Related Search-:
Carbon Credits
Net Zero.
COP26 Glasgow on Deforestation
India State of Forest Report 2021

Prelims Specific-:
About IFWCS
Need and Significance
Greenwashing
National Afforestation Programme

Lumpy skin disease

Context-:
A Parliamentary Standing Committee has raised concerns about the accuracy of information regarding cattle deaths due to Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).

Details-:
The committee pointed out a discrepancy between the data provided by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and the actual situation on the ground, suggesting that the reported numbers may not align with reality.
The Department had apprised the Committee that it is dependent on State Governments/UTs for data regarding infected, vaccinated, treated, and dead cattle in the country and they (States/UTs) are following proper mechanisms/systems for ensuring the compilation of accurate data.

Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD)-:
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) is a viral infection that primarily affects cattle, causing characteristic skin lesions and various systemic symptoms.
It is caused by the Lumpy Skin Disease virus (LSDV), a member of the Capripoxvirus genus.
LSDV spreads through blood-sucking vectors like ticks and mites like houseflies, mosquitoes, etc.
It also spreads through contaminated water, fodder, and fee.
Direct contact between infected and susceptible cattle can also contribute to transmission.
LSD can result in significant economic losses due to reduced milk production, weight loss, and trade restrictions on livestock and their products.

Symptoms-:
Characterized by nodules or lumps on the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs of cattle.
Affected animals may experience fever, loss of appetite, and a drop in milk production.

Geographical Spread:-
Historically found in Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) made its entry into India, Bangladesh, and China in July 2019.

Since then, instances of the disease have been documented across 20 states in India.
These states include Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal.
As of October 30, 2023, in India, a total of 2.87 lakh animals have been affected by LSD, and unfortunately, 22,313 animals have succumbed to the disease during the course of the year.

Prevention and Control:-
Vaccination is a key preventive measure, with various vaccines available for use in affected regions.
Quarantine measures and control of insect vectors are also essential components of disease management.

Mullaperiyar dam

Context-:
Tamil Nadu canceled the decision to open the spillway shutters of Mullaperiyar dam on Tuesday after a lull in rainfall and reduced inflow of water to the dam.

About Mullaperiyar Dam-:
The Mullaperiyar Dam is located in the Indian states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
It is located 881 m above sea level, on the Cardamom Hills in the Western Ghats, at the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers.
The dam was completed in 1895 and commissioned in 1896 during British colonial rule.
Although the dam is located in Kerala, it is operated and maintained by the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu.
It was according to a 999-year lease agreement made during British rule that the operational rights were handed over to Tamil Nadu.

Key Features:-
Type: Masonry gravity dam.
Height: The dam stands at a height of about 53.6 meters.
Reservoir: The reservoir created by the dam is known as the Periyar Lake.

About Periyar River-:
The Periyar River originates from the Sivagiri Peaks in the Western Ghats, near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border.
Originating in the Western Ghats, it flows westward and drains into the Arabian Sea.
It flows through the Western Ghats, forming a significant part of the Periyar National Park and Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Mullayar, Cheruthoni, and Perinjankutti are some of the major tributaries that contribute to the flow of the Periyar River.

No use of combination drugs for cold and flu

Context:
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed manufacturers of common cold drug fixed dose combinations (FDC) to carry a warning to not use the combination in children below the age of four years.

The combination is of chlorpheniramine maleate IP 2mg with phenylephrine HCL IP 5 mg per ml drops.

Details:
The decision comes following a recommendation by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC).
The drug makers are now supposed to put the new warning on the label, package insert and promotional literature.
The chlorpheniramine maleate functions as an anti-allergic, and phenylephrine acts as a decongestant narrowing small blood vessels to provide relief from nasal congestion or stuffiness.
Concerns were raised against the use of this combination among infants and children.

“Subsequently, concerns have been raised regarding the promotion of unapproved anti-cold drug formulations for infants.

Drugs Controller General of India:
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) leads the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO).
This organisation comes under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW).
They derive their powers from the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940.
DCGI is responsible for approval of licences of specified categories of drugs such as blood and blood products, IV fluids, vaccines and sera in India.
It comes under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

New COVID Variant ‘JN.1’

Context-:
India has registered a rise in the daily COVID-19 positivity rate in some States, including Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, and Karnataka.

Details-:
The JN.1 variant was identified in Kerala and a traveler from Singapore to Tamil Nadu, with additional cases found in Goa.
JN.1 is a sub-variant of BA.2.86, also known as Pirola, first detected in the United States in September and globally as early as January.
The Union Health Ministry’s alert comes close on the heels of the World Health Organization (WHO) classifying the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI).

Variant of Interest (VOI):-
A variant of interest refers to a specific strain or version of a virus, such as a coronavirus, that has genetic mutations or changes in its characteristics that are being closely monitored by health authorities.
World Health Organization (WHO), classifies variants based on certain criteria like increased transmissibility, impact on disease severity, potential for immune escape, or diagnostic detection failures.

Variants of Concern (VOC):-
Variants of Concern are considered to have more significant implications for public health.
Variants of concern may exhibit increased transmissibility, more severe disease outcomes, reduced effectiveness of treatments or vaccines, or challenges in diagnostic detection.

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