Securing India's Digital Future

Why in News?

Gujarat Police recently uncovered a large-scale cyber fraud operation, who were running a nationwide “digital arrest” scam.

What is the need for cyber financial security?

• Digital India -  India is one of the largest global consumer markets, with shoppers going more digital every single day.
• Expanding FinTech Inclusion - India is leading in fintech inclusion, with an fintech adoption rate of 87%, significantly higher than the global average of 64%.
• Growing Digital Lending - Digital lending market valued at $270 billion in 2022, expected to grow at a CAGR of 22% to reach $1.3 trillion by 2030.
• Increasing Digital Payments - India currently leads the world in digital payments with more than 40% of payments made digitally amounting to Rs.10 billion in January 2023.
• Digital Shift - The affinity to shop and pay online has created an immense shift in Indian retail, most noticeable with the rise of D2C businesses nationwide.
• Cyber Fraud - Digital payment frauds in India saw a more than fivefold jump to Rs 14.57 billion (Rs 1,457 crore) in the year that ended in March 2024.
• Public Trust – Increased cyber fraud could lead to an erosion of public trust in digital businesses.

What are the types of cyber financial fraud?

• As the Financial Services sector continues to advance technological innovations, scammers employ various deceptive tactics to obtain sensitive information and money from individuals.
• KYC Fraud - Scammers impersonate as Bank officials or government representatives, target customers through deceptive text messages or calls to lure into providing personal / sensitive / financial information.
• Customer Care Fraud - Scammers manipulate search engine results to display fake customer care numbers or call as customer care representatives and ask sensitive information.
• Lottery Fraud - Victims receive Fake notifications claiming they've won a lottery, but they need to pay fees or provide personal details to claim the prize, resulting in financial loss.
• Card Fraud - Fraudster posing as Bank representative, may call & ask for sharing Card Number, Expiry Date, CVV, PIN, OTP etc. under false pretext or fabricated scenarios.
• UPI Fraud - Fraudsters persuade users to make fund transfers or payments to unknown UPI IDs or disclose sensitive UPI credentials such as UPI ID, PIN, OTP, etc., enabling them to carry out fraudulent transactions.
• Electricity Bill Scam - Fraudster sends fake message threatening disconnection of services due to unpaid bills.
• Task Based Job Fraud - Scammers approach individuals, with lucrative work-from-home opportunities and convince them to invest.
• Digital Arrest Fraud - Cybercriminals coerce victims into paying large sums to avoid fake criminal charges investigation for money laundering or drug smuggling.

How fintech can make businesses safer?

Fintech refers to the integration of information communication technology into financial services to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services.

• Identity verification - Fintech is leveraging advancements in biometric security, such as face recognition software, to make the opening of digital accounts safer through accurate identity verification.
• Risk Management - By leveraging AI-backed algorithms, fintech products can scan thousands of transactions in real time to identify payments and accounts linked to fraudulent activities.
• Proactive Risk Profiling - Fintech products can create risk profiles for accounts with a high chance of fraudulent activity.
• Data Encryption - Fintech companies use advanced encryption techniques to protect sensitive financial data, ensuring that information is secure during transmission and storage.
• Secure Payment Processing - Fintech companies provide secure and efficient payment processing solutions, reducing the risk of payment fraud and ensuring that transactions are processed safely.
• Compliance and Regulatory Support - Fintech firms help businesses stay compliant with regulatory requirements, ensuring that they adhere to industry standards and best practices for security

What are the government initiatives to counter cybersecurity in Indian financial services sector?

• National Cyber Security Policy - Established in 2013, this policy provides a framework for protecting critical information infrastructure and enhancing cybersecurity awareness.
• CERT-Fin (Computer Emergency Response Team for Financial Sector) -  Launched in 2017, this specialized unit works towards strengthening cyber security in the financial sector.
• RBI Cybersecurity Framework - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued comprehensive guidelines for financial institutions to enhance their cybersecurity posture.
• Cyber Swachhta Kendra: A botnet cleaning and malware analysis centre that provides free tools to citizens and organizations to secure their systems.
• National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) - Established to protect critical information infrastructure in various sectors, including banking and finance.
• Information Technology Act, 2000 -  Provides legal framework for addressing cybercrime and electronic commerce.
• Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative -  A programme to educate & enable the Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) & broader IT community to address the challenge of cybersecurity.
• Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) -The national agency for responding to computer security incidents.
• Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023 - The DPDP Act provides for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the rights of the individuals to protect their personal data.
• National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) - To facilitate victims/ complainants to report cybercrime complaints online.
• Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi portal - It facilitates citizens to report the suspected fraud communications with the intention of defrauding telecom service users.

What lies ahead?

• With better security products, fintech can enhance public trust in digital India to catalyse the country’s economic growth further.
• By building on this foundation, fintech has the potential to emerge as the anchor of India’s digital safety.

References

Business Today | Securing India's Digital Future

Common Property Resources (CPR)

Why in News?

Declining area and quality of  community property resources highlight the need for Mission Govardhan.

What are Common Property Resources?

• Common Property Resources - CPRs are community-owned lands consisting of local natural resources like forests, pastures, and water bodies.
• Types of CPRs
  • Land Resources - Panchayat lands, Government revenue lands, Village common lands, Village thrashing lands
  • Forest Resources-Unclassified Forest lands, woodlands and wastelands
  • Water Resources - River banks, Tanks and Natural lakes, Groundwater, Wetland and mangrove areas
• Ownership – Government land under the ownership of  local bodies or Community.
• Collective Usage – It is accessible to all community members for grazing, collecting fodder, fuelwood, and other minor forest products.
• Common Property Land Resources in total geographical area - 15 %.

What are the significances of CPR?

• Economic Security - For landless and marginal farmers, CPRs are a lifeline, providing resources to support their livestock, upon which they heavily rely for income.
• Food Security – They provide uncultivated food to the community, bio resources to the local people.
• Tribal Livelihood Security - Tribals, particularly vulnerable tribal groups and other traditional forest dwellers  rely on forests and common resources for their livelihoods.
• Ecological Benefit – They hold significant bio diversity by supporting wild animals, birds and flora.
• Knowledge Management – They act as preserver of  traditional knowledge on natural resources.
• Livestock Management – 40 to 70 % of the green fodder consumed by animals in the country comes from CPR such as non-cultivated land, pastures, public land, barren land, fallow land and forests.

India currently faces a 35-40 %  deficit in dry and green fodder.

• Resource for Households -  CPRs offer materials like fuelwood and medicinal plants, reducing household expenses and promoting well-being.

What are the threats faced by CPR?

• Encroachment –Privatization of CPR lands by allotting to housing and other non-agricultural uses or by formalizing illegal encroachments.
• Population Growth - Rapid population growth increases the demand for resources, often leading to unsustainable exploitation.
• Degradation – Changes in the character of the CPR due to over unsustainable use , natural disasters and climate change.
• Invasive Species - Invasive shrubs such as Lantana camara  hinder fodder production in CPR lands.
• Legal and Management Issues - Ambiguities in legal frameworks and management practices often hinder the effective conservation and use of CPRs.
• Development Activities – CPR lands are often diverted for development needs like roads, bridges and industrial establishments.
• Cultural Changes - Shifts in cultural practices and values can impact how communities manage and use common resources

What can be done to conserve CPR?

• A mission mode approach “Mission Govardhan” can be implemented for the conservation and management of CPR.
• Grant villagers right to use, manage and protect the resources under the Community Forest Resource Rights.
• Strengthening the Public Land Protection Cell (PLPC) to protect and free the land from encroachment.
• Eradicate invasive species from CPR lands to restore its effective usage.
• Create an ecological register to document the available resources, trees, plants, uncultivated food, forest produce, herbs, birds and other wildlife.
• Empower gram sabhas to reclaim community forest resource rights for forest land and approach the District PLPC to take appropriate action on the encroached areas.
• Use of schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the protection and development of CPR lands.

Reference

Down To Earth | Mission Govardhan

Securing India's Digital Future

Why in News?

Gujarat Police recently uncovered a large-scale cyber fraud operation, who were running a nationwide “digital arrest” scam.

What is the need for cyber financial security?

• Digital India -  India is one of the largest global consumer markets, with shoppers going more digital every single day.
• Expanding FinTech Inclusion - India is leading in fintech inclusion, with an fintech adoption rate of 87%, significantly higher than the global average of 64%.
• Growing Digital Lending - Digital lending market valued at $270 billion in 2022, expected to grow at a CAGR of 22% to reach $1.3 trillion by 2030.
• Increasing Digital Payments - India currently leads the world in digital payments with more than 40% of payments made digitally amounting to Rs.10 billion in January 2023.
• Digital Shift - The affinity to shop and pay online has created an immense shift in Indian retail, most noticeable with the rise of D2C businesses nationwide.
• Cyber Fraud - Digital payment frauds in India saw a more than fivefold jump to Rs 14.57 billion (Rs 1,457 crore) in the year that ended in March 2024.
• Public Trust – Increased cyber fraud could lead to an erosion of public trust in digital businesses.

What are the types of cyber financial fraud?

• As the Financial Services sector continues to advance technological innovations, scammers employ various deceptive tactics to obtain sensitive information and money from individuals.
• KYC Fraud - Scammers impersonate as Bank officials or government representatives, target customers through deceptive text messages or calls to lure into providing personal / sensitive / financial information.
• Customer Care Fraud - Scammers manipulate search engine results to display fake customer care numbers or call as customer care representatives and ask sensitive information.
• Lottery Fraud - Victims receive Fake notifications claiming they've won a lottery, but they need to pay fees or provide personal details to claim the prize, resulting in financial loss.
• Card Fraud - Fraudster posing as Bank representative, may call & ask for sharing Card Number, Expiry Date, CVV, PIN, OTP etc. under false pretext or fabricated scenarios.
• UPI Fraud - Fraudsters persuade users to make fund transfers or payments to unknown UPI IDs or disclose sensitive UPI credentials such as UPI ID, PIN, OTP, etc., enabling them to carry out fraudulent transactions.
• Electricity Bill Scam - Fraudster sends fake message threatening disconnection of services due to unpaid bills.
• Task Based Job Fraud - Scammers approach individuals, with lucrative work-from-home opportunities and convince them to invest.
• Digital Arrest Fraud - Cybercriminals coerce victims into paying large sums to avoid fake criminal charges investigation for money laundering or drug smuggling.

How fintech can make businesses safer?

Fintech refers to the integration of information communication technology into financial services to improve and automate the delivery and use of financial services.

• Identity verification - Fintech is leveraging advancements in biometric security, such as face recognition software, to make the opening of digital accounts safer through accurate identity verification.
• Risk Management - By leveraging AI-backed algorithms, fintech products can scan thousands of transactions in real time to identify payments and accounts linked to fraudulent activities.
• Proactive Risk Profiling - Fintech products can create risk profiles for accounts with a high chance of fraudulent activity.
• Data Encryption - Fintech companies use advanced encryption techniques to protect sensitive financial data, ensuring that information is secure during transmission and storage.
• Secure Payment Processing - Fintech companies provide secure and efficient payment processing solutions, reducing the risk of payment fraud and ensuring that transactions are processed safely.
• Compliance and Regulatory Support - Fintech firms help businesses stay compliant with regulatory requirements, ensuring that they adhere to industry standards and best practices for security

What are the government initiatives to counter cybersecurity in Indian financial services sector?

• National Cyber Security Policy - Established in 2013, this policy provides a framework for protecting critical information infrastructure and enhancing cybersecurity awareness.
• CERT-Fin (Computer Emergency Response Team for Financial Sector) -  Launched in 2017, this specialized unit works towards strengthening cyber security in the financial sector.
• RBI Cybersecurity Framework - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued comprehensive guidelines for financial institutions to enhance their cybersecurity posture.
• Cyber Swachhta Kendra: A botnet cleaning and malware analysis centre that provides free tools to citizens and organizations to secure their systems.
• National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC) - Established to protect critical information infrastructure in various sectors, including banking and finance.
• Information Technology Act, 2000 -  Provides legal framework for addressing cybercrime and electronic commerce.
• Cyber Surakshit Bharat Initiative -  A programme to educate & enable the Chief Information Security Officers (CISO) & broader IT community to address the challenge of cybersecurity.
• Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) -The national agency for responding to computer security incidents.
• Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act 2023 - The DPDP Act provides for the processing of digital personal data in a manner that recognizes both the rights of the individuals to protect their personal data.
• National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) - To facilitate victims/ complainants to report cybercrime complaints online.
• Chakshu facility on Sanchar Saathi portal - It facilitates citizens to report the suspected fraud communications with the intention of defrauding telecom service users.

What lies ahead?

• With better security products, fintech can enhance public trust in digital India to catalyse the country’s economic growth further.
• By building on this foundation, fintech has the potential to emerge as the anchor of India’s digital safety.

References

Business Today | Securing India's Digital Future

Common Property Resources (CPR)

Why in News?

Declining area and quality of  community property resources highlight the need for Mission Govardhan.

What are Common Property Resources?

• Common Property Resources - CPRs are community-owned lands consisting of local natural resources like forests, pastures, and water bodies.
• Types of CPRs
  • Land Resources - Panchayat lands, Government revenue lands, Village common lands, Village thrashing lands
  • Forest Resources-Unclassified Forest lands, woodlands and wastelands
  • Water Resources - River banks, Tanks and Natural lakes, Groundwater, Wetland and mangrove areas
• Ownership – Government land under the ownership of  local bodies or Community.
• Collective Usage – It is accessible to all community members for grazing, collecting fodder, fuelwood, and other minor forest products.
• Common Property Land Resources in total geographical area - 15 %.

What are the significances of CPR?

• Economic Security - For landless and marginal farmers, CPRs are a lifeline, providing resources to support their livestock, upon which they heavily rely for income.
• Food Security – They provide uncultivated food to the community, bio resources to the local people.
• Tribal Livelihood Security - Tribals, particularly vulnerable tribal groups and other traditional forest dwellers  rely on forests and common resources for their livelihoods.
• Ecological Benefit – They hold significant bio diversity by supporting wild animals, birds and flora.
• Knowledge Management – They act as preserver of  traditional knowledge on natural resources.
• Livestock Management – 40 to 70 % of the green fodder consumed by animals in the country comes from CPR such as non-cultivated land, pastures, public land, barren land, fallow land and forests.

India currently faces a 35-40 %  deficit in dry and green fodder.

• Resource for Households -  CPRs offer materials like fuelwood and medicinal plants, reducing household expenses and promoting well-being.

What are the threats faced by CPR?

• Encroachment –Privatization of CPR lands by allotting to housing and other non-agricultural uses or by formalizing illegal encroachments.
• Population Growth - Rapid population growth increases the demand for resources, often leading to unsustainable exploitation.
• Degradation – Changes in the character of the CPR due to over unsustainable use , natural disasters and climate change.
• Invasive Species - Invasive shrubs such as Lantana camara  hinder fodder production in CPR lands.
• Legal and Management Issues - Ambiguities in legal frameworks and management practices often hinder the effective conservation and use of CPRs.
• Development Activities – CPR lands are often diverted for development needs like roads, bridges and industrial establishments.
• Cultural Changes - Shifts in cultural practices and values can impact how communities manage and use common resources

What can be done to conserve CPR?

• A mission mode approach “Mission Govardhan” can be implemented for the conservation and management of CPR.
• Grant villagers right to use, manage and protect the resources under the Community Forest Resource Rights.
• Strengthening the Public Land Protection Cell (PLPC) to protect and free the land from encroachment.
• Eradicate invasive species from CPR lands to restore its effective usage.
• Create an ecological register to document the available resources, trees, plants, uncultivated food, forest produce, herbs, birds and other wildlife.
• Empower gram sabhas to reclaim community forest resource rights for forest land and approach the District PLPC to take appropriate action on the encroached areas.
• Use of schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the protection and development of CPR lands.

Reference

Down To Earth | Mission Govardhan

Common Property Resources (CPR)

Why in News?

Declining area and quality of  community property resources highlight the need for Mission Govardhan.

What are Common Property Resources?

• Common Property Resources - CPRs are community-owned lands consisting of local natural resources like forests, pastures, and water bodies.
• Types of CPRs
  • Land Resources - Panchayat lands, Government revenue lands, Village common lands, Village thrashing lands
  • Forest Resources-Unclassified Forest lands, woodlands and wastelands
  • Water Resources - River banks, Tanks and Natural lakes, Groundwater, Wetland and mangrove areas
• Ownership – Government land under the ownership of  local bodies or Community.
• Collective Usage – It is accessible to all community members for grazing, collecting fodder, fuelwood, and other minor forest products.
• Common Property Land Resources in total geographical area - 15 %.

What are the significances of CPR?

• Economic Security - For landless and marginal farmers, CPRs are a lifeline, providing resources to support their livestock, upon which they heavily rely for income.
• Food Security – They provide uncultivated food to the community, bio resources to the local people.
• Tribal Livelihood Security - Tribals, particularly vulnerable tribal groups and other traditional forest dwellers  rely on forests and common resources for their livelihoods.
• Ecological Benefit – They hold significant bio diversity by supporting wild animals, birds and flora.
• Knowledge Management – They act as preserver of  traditional knowledge on natural resources.
• Livestock Management – 40 to 70 % of the green fodder consumed by animals in the country comes from CPR such as non-cultivated land, pastures, public land, barren land, fallow land and forests.

India currently faces a 35-40 %  deficit in dry and green fodder.

• Resource for Households -  CPRs offer materials like fuelwood and medicinal plants, reducing household expenses and promoting well-being.

What are the threats faced by CPR?

• Encroachment –Privatization of CPR lands by allotting to housing and other non-agricultural uses or by formalizing illegal encroachments.
• Population Growth - Rapid population growth increases the demand for resources, often leading to unsustainable exploitation.
• Degradation – Changes in the character of the CPR due to over unsustainable use , natural disasters and climate change.
• Invasive Species - Invasive shrubs such as Lantana camara  hinder fodder production in CPR lands.
• Legal and Management Issues - Ambiguities in legal frameworks and management practices often hinder the effective conservation and use of CPRs.
• Development Activities – CPR lands are often diverted for development needs like roads, bridges and industrial establishments.
• Cultural Changes - Shifts in cultural practices and values can impact how communities manage and use common resources

What can be done to conserve CPR?

• A mission mode approach “Mission Govardhan” can be implemented for the conservation and management of CPR.
• Grant villagers right to use, manage and protect the resources under the Community Forest Resource Rights.
• Strengthening the Public Land Protection Cell (PLPC) to protect and free the land from encroachment.
• Eradicate invasive species from CPR lands to restore its effective usage.
• Create an ecological register to document the available resources, trees, plants, uncultivated food, forest produce, herbs, birds and other wildlife.
• Empower gram sabhas to reclaim community forest resource rights for forest land and approach the District PLPC to take appropriate action on the encroached areas.
• Use of schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the protection and development of CPR lands.

Reference

Down To Earth | Mission Govardhan

Common Property Resources (CPR)

Why in News?

Declining area and quality of  community property resources highlight the need for Mission Govardhan.

What are Common Property Resources?

• Common Property Resources - CPRs are community-owned lands consisting of local natural resources like forests, pastures, and water bodies.
• Types of CPRs
  • Land Resources - Panchayat lands, Government revenue lands, Village common lands, Village thrashing lands
  • Forest Resources-Unclassified Forest lands, woodlands and wastelands
  • Water Resources - River banks, Tanks and Natural lakes, Groundwater, Wetland and mangrove areas
• Ownership – Government land under the ownership of  local bodies or Community.
• Collective Usage – It is accessible to all community members for grazing, collecting fodder, fuelwood, and other minor forest products.
• Common Property Land Resources in total geographical area - 15 %.

What are the significances of CPR?

• Economic Security - For landless and marginal farmers, CPRs are a lifeline, providing resources to support their livestock, upon which they heavily rely for income.
• Food Security – They provide uncultivated food to the community, bio resources to the local people.
• Tribal Livelihood Security - Tribals, particularly vulnerable tribal groups and other traditional forest dwellers  rely on forests and common resources for their livelihoods.
• Ecological Benefit – They hold significant bio diversity by supporting wild animals, birds and flora.
• Knowledge Management – They act as preserver of  traditional knowledge on natural resources.
• Livestock Management – 40 to 70 % of the green fodder consumed by animals in the country comes from CPR such as non-cultivated land, pastures, public land, barren land, fallow land and forests.

India currently faces a 35-40 %  deficit in dry and green fodder.

• Resource for Households -  CPRs offer materials like fuelwood and medicinal plants, reducing household expenses and promoting well-being.

What are the threats faced by CPR?

• Encroachment –Privatization of CPR lands by allotting to housing and other non-agricultural uses or by formalizing illegal encroachments.
• Population Growth - Rapid population growth increases the demand for resources, often leading to unsustainable exploitation.
• Degradation – Changes in the character of the CPR due to over unsustainable use , natural disasters and climate change.
• Invasive Species - Invasive shrubs such as Lantana camara  hinder fodder production in CPR lands.
• Legal and Management Issues - Ambiguities in legal frameworks and management practices often hinder the effective conservation and use of CPRs.
• Development Activities – CPR lands are often diverted for development needs like roads, bridges and industrial establishments.
• Cultural Changes - Shifts in cultural practices and values can impact how communities manage and use common resources

What can be done to conserve CPR?

• A mission mode approach “Mission Govardhan” can be implemented for the conservation and management of CPR.
• Grant villagers right to use, manage and protect the resources under the Community Forest Resource Rights.
• Strengthening the Public Land Protection Cell (PLPC) to protect and free the land from encroachment.
• Eradicate invasive species from CPR lands to restore its effective usage.
• Create an ecological register to document the available resources, trees, plants, uncultivated food, forest produce, herbs, birds and other wildlife.
• Empower gram sabhas to reclaim community forest resource rights for forest land and approach the District PLPC to take appropriate action on the encroached areas.
• Use of schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the protection and development of CPR lands.

Reference

Down To Earth | Mission Govardhan

Common Property Resources (CPR)

Why in News?

Declining area and quality of  community property resources highlight the need for Mission Govardhan.

What are Common Property Resources?

• Common Property Resources - CPRs are community-owned lands consisting of local natural resources like forests, pastures, and water bodies.
• Types of CPRs
  • Land Resources - Panchayat lands, Government revenue lands, Village common lands, Village thrashing lands
  • Forest Resources-Unclassified Forest lands, woodlands and wastelands
  • Water Resources - River banks, Tanks and Natural lakes, Groundwater, Wetland and mangrove areas
• Ownership – Government land under the ownership of  local bodies or Community.
• Collective Usage – It is accessible to all community members for grazing, collecting fodder, fuelwood, and other minor forest products.
• Common Property Land Resources in total geographical area - 15 %.

What are the significances of CPR?

• Economic Security - For landless and marginal farmers, CPRs are a lifeline, providing resources to support their livestock, upon which they heavily rely for income.
• Food Security – They provide uncultivated food to the community, bio resources to the local people.
• Tribal Livelihood Security - Tribals, particularly vulnerable tribal groups and other traditional forest dwellers  rely on forests and common resources for their livelihoods.
• Ecological Benefit – They hold significant bio diversity by supporting wild animals, birds and flora.
• Knowledge Management – They act as preserver of  traditional knowledge on natural resources.
• Livestock Management – 40 to 70 % of the green fodder consumed by animals in the country comes from CPR such as non-cultivated land, pastures, public land, barren land, fallow land and forests.

India currently faces a 35-40 %  deficit in dry and green fodder.

• Resource for Households -  CPRs offer materials like fuelwood and medicinal plants, reducing household expenses and promoting well-being.

What are the threats faced by CPR?

• Encroachment –Privatization of CPR lands by allotting to housing and other non-agricultural uses or by formalizing illegal encroachments.
• Population Growth - Rapid population growth increases the demand for resources, often leading to unsustainable exploitation.
• Degradation – Changes in the character of the CPR due to over unsustainable use , natural disasters and climate change.
• Invasive Species - Invasive shrubs such as Lantana camara  hinder fodder production in CPR lands.
• Legal and Management Issues - Ambiguities in legal frameworks and management practices often hinder the effective conservation and use of CPRs.
• Development Activities – CPR lands are often diverted for development needs like roads, bridges and industrial establishments.
• Cultural Changes - Shifts in cultural practices and values can impact how communities manage and use common resources

What can be done to conserve CPR?

• A mission mode approach “Mission Govardhan” can be implemented for the conservation and management of CPR.
• Grant villagers right to use, manage and protect the resources under the Community Forest Resource Rights.
• Strengthening the Public Land Protection Cell (PLPC) to protect and free the land from encroachment.
• Eradicate invasive species from CPR lands to restore its effective usage.
• Create an ecological register to document the available resources, trees, plants, uncultivated food, forest produce, herbs, birds and other wildlife.
• Empower gram sabhas to reclaim community forest resource rights for forest land and approach the District PLPC to take appropriate action on the encroached areas.
• Use of schemes like Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for the protection and development of CPR lands.

Reference

Down To Earth | Mission Govardhan

UPSC Daily Current Affairs | Prelim Bits 22-10-2024

Z-Morh tunnel

Seven workers from APCO Infratech were killed in the militant attack on the strategic Z-Morh tunnel on the Srinagar-Sonamarg highway in Jammu and Kashmir recently.

• The Z-Morh tunnel is an all-weather connectivity tunnel connecting the Sonamarg health resort with Kangan town in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
• The tunnel has acquired its name for the Z-shaped road stretch at the place where the tunnel is being constructed.
• Altitude - The stretch where the tunnel is under construction is situated at an altitude of over 8,500 feet, and is prone to snow avalanches in the winter.
• Constructed by - The tunnel project was originally conceived by the Border Roads Organisation in 2012.
• However, the project was later taken over by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).
• The NHIDCL retendered the tunnel project to APCO Infratech, which executed the project through a special purpose vehicle, APCO-Shri Amarnathji Tunnel Private Limited.
• The tunnel project is almost complete, its inauguration was delayed by the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in place because of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections.
• Significance - The Z-Morh tunnel is part of the Zojila tunnel project, which will connect Sonamarg in Kashmir with Drass in Ladakh, is ongoing and expected to finish by December 2026.
• Thus providing all-weather access to Sonamarg, the tunnel is vital for ensuring year-round connectivity to Ladakh.
• This is particularly important for the movement of military personnel to border areas.
• The Z-Morh tunnel is also important for the success of the Zojila tunnel project, which is situated at an altitude of approximately 12,000 ft.

References

1. The Indian Express | Z-Morh project
2. Business Standard | Z-Morh tunnel project

Moonlight program

The European Space Agency (ESA) at the International Astronautical Congress, launched its Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) program recently.

• Moonlight program is the Europe’s first-ever dedicated satellite constellation for telecommunication and navigation services for the Moon.
• Aim - To offer coverage at the Moon’s South Pole, an area suitable for future operations due to its advantageous terrain.
• Agency – Moonlight Lunar Communications and Navigation Services (LCNS) program is a partnership project between
  • ESA and an industry consortium led by space systems developer Telespazio, with support from the UK and Italian Space Agencies.
• Features - The program will have a constellation of about 5 lunar satellites (1 for high data rate communications and 4 for navigation) that allow accurate autonomous landings, high-speed communication, and surface mobility.
• These satellites will reportedly enable data transfer over 2,50,000 miles or 4,00,000 kilometres between the Earth and the Moon.
• Duration - The first step will be the launch of Lunar Pathfinder, a communications relay satellite built by Surrey Satellite Technology LTD, in 2026.
• The initial services of the programme will reportedly begin by the end of 2028, and the system is said to be fully operational by 2030.
• Moonlight will comply with LunaNet’s standards and undergo the first-ever lunar navigation interoperability tests, scheduled for 2029. 

The ESA is working with NASA and the Japanese space Agency JAXA on LunaNet, which is essentially a framework to standardise communication and navigation for the Moon.

References

1. The Indian Express | Moonlight programme
2. ESA | Moonlight programme

Chug Valley

Chug valley, once blanketed by Cosmos flowers, has begun to shrink, and the meadows are no longer as dense as they used to be due to excessive human interference.

• The Chug Valley is in the Dirang region of Arunachal Pradesh, with sprawling green grasslands.
• Vegetation - It encompasses green hills, vast meadows, and towering pine trees amidst majestic Himalayan peaks.
• Community - Duhumbi Monpa community is a community in the Chug village.
• River - The Dihing River, flowing through the region.
• Cosmos flowers - The valley showcases an enchanting beauty with a sea of pink and white Cosmos flowers during September and October months.
• Cosmos flowers act as pests repellant. They repel the corn earworm (Helicoverpa zea), which is a threat to food crops.
• Cosmos are native to Southern and Central America with Asteraceae family.
• These flowers attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators that are essential for a healthy environment besides offering food to birds, freshwater fish and other wildlife.
• They are grown easily from seeds and will even survive in poor soil conditions.
• Cosmos are also tolerant of most soil pH levels but grow best in neutral to alkaline soils (pH of 7.0-7.5).
• Awards - In 2024, Chung Valley was awarded
  • The 2^nd Best Tourism Village Award and
  • Dammu's Heritage Dine of Chug Village was awarded the Responsible Tourism Award by the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

Reference

Arunachal observer | Chug Valley

Nilgiri tit butterfly

Butterfly enthusiasts from the Nilgiris have recorded for the first time in India, the Nilgiri tit (Hypolycaena nilgirica) utilising a large terrestrial orchid plant as a host.

• It is a rare, endemic butterfly an uncommon species of lycaenid or blue butterfly.
• Scientific Name - Hypolycaena nilgirica.
• Appearance - The male has a dark reddish purple-brown upper side with characteristic black spots capped in orange near its tails, while the female is pale brown.
• It has tapering patches of white dustings above the black spots and in the adjacent interspaces.

• Behavior - Males engage in mud sipping. Their flight is moderately fast and they visit flowers in hedges. They bask in the morning, but do not open their wings otherwise.
• Habitat - They inhabit forests and lush home gardens, especially those with orchids.
• Distribution – It is found in Western Ghats and Sri Lanka.
• In India –
  • Tamil Nadu - Geddai slopes of Nilgiris district,
  • Aiyannar Falls of Virudhunagar district,
  • Anamalais of Coimbatore district
  • Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve of Tirunelveli district
  • Kerala- Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary of Idukki district, and
  • Silent Valley National Park of Palakkad district
• The Nilgiri tit was noted to lay its eggs on the inflorescence (complete flower head) of the larval host plant, Eulophia epidendraea, a terrestrial orchid species.
  • This terrestrial orchid was found on rocky slopes in humid areas.
  • Eulophia epidendraea was mainly associated with grasses such as Cymbopogon flexuosus, Chrysopogon nodulibarbis, Melinis repens, among other floral species.
• Conservation status - Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act. It is not listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Reference

The Hindu | Nilgiri tit (Hypolycaena nilgirica)

Clostridioides difficile bacteria

Researchers are developing the 1^st successful vaccine against Clostridioides difficile bacteria, using the technology behind the revolutionary mRNA vaccines that tackled COVID-19.

• It is a bacterium highly contagious and difficult-to-treat and can cause severe diarrhea and even deadly colon damage.
• Symptoms
  • Common - Watery diarrhea, fever, nausea, abdominal pain
  • Severe - Severe cramping, loss of appetite, weight loss, dehydration, rapid heart rate
  • Life-threatening - Pseudomembranous colitis, toxic megacolon with septic shock        

C. diff is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea worldwide.

• Vulnerables - It can affect anyone, but most cases occur after taking antibiotics or shortly after finishing them.
• Transmission - C. diff can also spread from patient to patient, or through contaminated hands or the environment.
• C. diff can live in the intestines of humans and animals, and in the environment, especially where infected people and animals live.
• It can enter the body through the mouth, and reproduce in the small intestine.
• In the colon, the bacteria can release toxins that damage tissues and cause diarrhea.
• Roughly one-third of infected individuals will have recurrent infections.
• Treatment - C. diff can usually be treated with another course of antibiotics.
• Recent advancement in treatment - Like the COVID vaccines, the C. difficile mRNA vaccine uses genetic material from the bacteria to train the immune system to recognize and respond in the event of future infections.
• Immune cell responses increased with vaccine dose and were significantly higher than with more traditional vaccines.
• Mice vaccinated with traditional-style vaccines all died within a day after being infected with the bacteria.
• Adding a booster to the old-style vaccines improved survival by 20%, but immunization with the mRNA vaccine improved survival to 100%.

Reference

DD News | C. difficile