Articles Covered:

1. Why the new sanctuary in Erode district has forest-dwellers wary
2. The untapped potential of stem cells in menstrual blood
3. South Africa makes urgent appeal to International Court of Justice over Rafah offensive
4. Why India wants to develop high-altitude pseudo-satellite vehicles, powered by the Sun
5. BAPS Hindu Temple: First Hindu Temple In Abu Dhabi, UAE
6. Cap on net borrowings: As Centre, Kerala agree to talk, SC adjourns hearing
7. National Film Awards: Indira Gandhi, Nargis Dutt names dropped from categories, other changes

Why the new sanctuary in Erode district has forest-dwellers wary

Tamil Nadu has been one of the most laggard States in implementing the Forest Rights Act in the country

• Earlier this month, the notification of the Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Erode district of Tamil Nadu triggered consternation among forest dwellers  around it.
• They have expressed fear that this is a prelude to their rights under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (FRA) being denied.
• They have accused the district and State administrations of violating the relevant laws.

The Tamil Nadu government has declared 80,114.80 hectares of reserve forests in Bargur Hills in Erode district, as the Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Thanthai Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary

1. This region is part of the corridor that connects the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) to the Male Mahadeshwara Hills Tiger Reserve and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, and plays a crucial role in maintaining a viable tiger population.
2. These forests occupy a prominent position in the Eastern Ghats as they merge with the Western Ghat at the Nilgiris.
3. The vast landscape is home to diverse flora and fauna, making it an ideal habitat for various life forms.
4. The landscape is interconnected to the Kollegal forests of Karnataka and the Nilgiris, creating one of the most diverse habitats in the region. 
5. It is one of the tiger corridors identified by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
6. The region is also part of the Nilgiris Elephant Reserve and is home to a healthy population of large herbivores including elephants and the Indian Gaur.
7. Also, the landscape is the catchment of the Palar River that drains into the Cauvery River and is a crucial source of water for agricultural activities.
8. It is also of cultural and historical significance to tribal and local communities who depend on these ecosystems for their livelihoods and traditional practices.

Implementation of the Forest Rights Act 2006 Gram Sabha is the authority to initiate a process to vest rights on marginally and tribal communities after assessment of the extent of their needs from forest lands. Gram Sabha after its assessment, receives claims of the communities, consolidates and verify these to help them exercise their rights Gram Sabha then passes such a resolution to sub-divisional level committee (formed by the state governments.) If one or more communities are not satisfied by such a resolution, may file a petition to sub-divisional level committee Sub-Divisional Level committee after its assessment, passes the resolution to Sub-divisional officer to district level committee for its final decision The district-level committee’s decisions are considered final and binding A state-level monitoring committee is constituted by the state government to monitor the process of recognition of these rights The officers included in the sub-divisional level committee, district-level committee and state-level monitoring committee include: Officers of Department of Revenue of state government Officers of Department of Forests of state government Officers of Department of Tribal Affairs of state government Three members of Panchayati Raj Institutions including two Scheduled Tribes members and at least one woman The Act recognizes and vest the forest rights and occupation in Forest land in Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD) who have been residing in such forests for generations. The Act identifies four types of rights: Title rights: It gives FDST and OTFD the right to ownership to land farmed by tribals or forest dwellers subject to a maximum of 4 hectares. Ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family and no new lands will be granted. Use rights: The rights of the dwellers extend to extracting Minor Forest Produce, grazing areas etc. Relief and development rights: To rehabilitate in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection. Forest management rights: It includes the right to protect, regenerate or conserve or manage any community forest resource which they have been traditionally protecting and conserving for sustainable use.

Significance of Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 The act is significant for the following reasons: Community rights and rights over common property resources (CPR) have been recognized for the first time Individual rights of the tribal and marginal communities have been highlighted by this act along with other rights too The concept of revenue villages have surfaced as the act talks about the conversion of all forest villages, old habitation, un-surveyed villages and other villages into these. It ensures the livelihood and food security of the Forest Dwellers Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers and strengthens the conservation regime of the forest. Community Forest Resources are monitored and managed in a way that protects marginal communities’ traditional linkages with these. it is known how these communities have always traditionally utilized the forest resource for sustainable development. This act in a way protects intellectual property rights and the traditional knowledge related to cultural diversity and biodiversity It expands the mandate of the 5th & 6th Schedules of the Constitution that protect the claims of indigenous communities over tracts of land or forests they inhabit. The displaced communities’ rights are secured by the forest rights act 2006.  The alienation of tribes was one of the factors behind the Naxal movement, which affects states like Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand.The Act through identifying IFR and CFR tries to provide inclusion to tribes. The rights of marginal and tribal communities over developmental activities are also recognized and secured by FRA 2006 Forest rights can also be claimed by any member or community who has for at least three generations (75 years) prior to the 13th day of December, 2005 primarily resided in forest land for bona fide livelihood needs. The act will ensure that people get to manage their forest on their own which will regulate the exploitation of forest resources by officials, improve forest governance and better management of tribal rights. Land and its management fall under the exclusive legislative and administrative jurisdiction of States as provided under the Constitution of India. The land reforms are monitored by the Ministry of Rural Development(MoRD) and Department of Land Resources (DoLR) which is the nodal Ministry at the Centre.

The untapped potential of stem cells in menstrual blood

Stem cells in menstrual blood are found to have thrilling potential for health, including diagnosing endometriosis.

blood cells are present in menstrual blood

1. Endometrial stem cells can be obtained non-invasively from menstrual blood and are referred to as menstrual blood-derived stem cells.
2. MenSC were first identified from menstrual blood in 2007.
3. These menstrual stem cells could offer several advantages.
4. They come from a source that’s easy to obtain from women.
5. They could be used to treat patients without the fear of tissue rejection.

Endometrium Endometrium lines the inside of the uterus. The endometrium has a deeper basal layer that remains intact, and an upper functional layer that sloughs off during menstruation. During a single menstrual cycle, the endometrium thickens as it prepares to nourish a fertilised egg, then shrinks as the upper layer sloughs away. Important Role: It play a vital role in repairing and regenerating the upper layer of tissue that gets shed each month during menstruation. This layer is crucial to pregnancy, providing support and nourishment for a developing embryo. The layer, and the endometrial stem cells that prod its growth. It also appears to play an important role in infertility.

Endometriosis Endometriosis is a disease in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. It can cause severe pain in the pelvis and make it harder to get pregnant. Endometriosis can start at a person’s first menstrual period and last until menopause. With endometriosis, tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. This leads to inflammation and scar tissue forming in the pelvic region and (rarely) elsewhere in the body. The cause of endometriosis is unknown. There is no known way to prevent endometriosis. There is no cure, but its symptoms can be treated with medicines or, in some cases, surgery. Endometriosis affects roughly 10% (190 million) of reproductive age women and girls globally. It is a chronic disease associated with severe, life-impacting pain during periods, sexual intercourse, bowel movements and/or urination, chronic pelvic pain, abdominal bloating, nausea, fatigue, and sometimes depression, anxiety, and infertility.

Stem Cells

1. A stem cell is a cell with the unique ability to developinto specialized cell typesin the body.
2. These cells provide new cells for the bodyas it grows, and replace specialized cells that are damaged or lost.
3. In the future, they will be used to replace cells and tissuesthat have been damaged or lost due to disease.
4. Human body is made up of numerous types of cells.
5. Most cells are specialized for particular functions, like the red blood cells that carry oxygen in our bodies through the blood, but they are unable to divide.
6. All stem cells regardless of their source have three general properties:
7. They are capable of dividing and renewingthemselves for long periods
8. They are unspecialized
9. They can give rise to specialized celltypes

Embryonic stem cells vs Adult stem cells

• Stem cells come from two main sources: embryos or adult tissues.
• Embryonic stem cellscan give rise to virtually any cell type in the body, but they are controversial because conventional procedures for obtaining them involve the destruction of an embryo.
• Adult stem cells,such as those found in bone marrow, do not pose the same ethical concerns, but they have limited powers and collecting them can require invasive procedures.

South Africa makes urgent appeal to International Court of Justice over Rafah offensive

• Johannesburg says an Israeli military assault on the city would be in breach of Genocide Convention and the ICJ’s Jan. 26 ruling on the war in Gaza
• More than half of Gaza’s 2.3m population is now in Rafah; Israeli PM last week said troops were preparing for a ground offensive there

South Africa on Tuesday made an urgent request for the International Court of Justice to consider whether the decision by Israeli authorities to expand their military operations into Rafah requires the court to use its powers to prevent further imminent breaches of the rights of Palestinians in Gaza.

International Court of Justice (ICJ):

1. The ICJ, also known as the World Court, is the principal judicial organ of the UN.
2. It was established in June 1945 by the Charter of the United Nations and began work in April 1946.
3. The seat of the Court is at the Peace Palace in The Hague (Netherlands).
4. Of the six principal organs of the United Nations, it is the only one not located in New York, United States.
5. The hearings of the ICJ are always public.
6. French and English are the official languages of the Court.

Powers and Functions:

1. The Court may entertain two types of cases: legal disputes between States submitted to it by them (contentious cases) and requests for advisory opinions on legal questions referred to it by United Nations organs and specialized agencies (advisory proceedings).
2. Only States (which are members of the United Nations and other States which have become parties to the Statute of the Court or which have accepted its jurisdiction under certain conditions) may be parties to contentious cases.
3. Advisory proceedings before the Court are only open to five organs of the United Nations and 16 specialized agencies of the United Nations family or affiliated organizations.
4. The court’s judgments in contentious cases are final and binding on the parties to a case and without appeal.
5. Unlike the Court’s judgments, advisory opinions are not binding.
6. The ICJ decides disputes in accordance with international lawas reflected in international conventions, international custom, general principles of law recognized by civilized nations, judicial decisions, and writings of the most highly qualified experts on international law.

Composition:

1. The Court is composed of 15 judges, all from different countries, who are elected for terms of office of nine years by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Security Council (UNSC).
2. To be elected, a candidate must receive an absolute majority of the votes in both UNGA and UNSC.
3. One-third of the composition of the Court is renewed every three years.
4. Judges are eligible for re-election.
5. Once elected, a member of the Court is a delegate neither of the government of his own country nor of any other State.
6. Members of the Court are independent judges whose first task, before taking up their duties, is to make a solemn declaration in open court that they will exercise their powers impartially and conscientiously.

Why India wants to develop high-altitude pseudo-satellite vehicles, powered by the Sun

For India, HAPS is another technology area where it is entering the race at a relatively early stage. The kind of jobs that HAPS are meant to do are currently done by UAVs and satellites, but both have certain limitations.

High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS)

• Since the 1990s, a number of initiatives have been launched worldwide to explore the potential applications of High-Altitude Pseudo Satellites, also called High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS).
• HAPS are aircraft positioned above 20 km altitude, in the stratosphere, for very-long-duration flights counted in months and even years.
• These unmanned aircraft may be airplanes, airships or balloons.

INDIA- National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has successfully tested an unmanned aerial vehicle, called High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) at Challakere, Karnataka, earlier this month. The 5-metre-long system, with a wingspan of 11 metres and weighing 23 kg, rose to about 3 km and stayed put for about eight hours. A series of tests have been planned and they are expected to culminate in a full-bodied craft – with a wingspan of 30m (nearly as much as a Boeing 737) – by 2027. It will be able to rise to 23 km and stay airborne for at least 90 days. NAL aims to design and build the HAPS’ propellers, battery management system, carbon-composite airframe, flight-control system, and the high-powered electric motors that can withstand extreme temperature ranges. Last month, in an unrelated project, a Bengaluru-based private company carried out the first test-flight of a solar-powered, long-endurance drone that flew for 21 hours.

Benefits/Advantages of HAPS

• These solar-powered vehicles have been designed to plug the missing link between unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) flying in lower altitudes and conventional satellites in space.
• The use of HAPS is considered for a variety of applications such as:

1. telecommunications,
2. emergency/public safety communications,
3. intelligent transportation systems,
4. maritime surveillance,
5. environmental monitoring,
6. land border control applications, etc.

• Compared to ground-based communication networks, HAPS can cover larger areas with less interference.
• They could also help ease data transfer when used as an intermediate conduit between a satellite and ground-based telecom networks.
• Unlike regular satellites that are expensive to build and launch, HAPS cost far less and are easier to launch.

Significance w.r.t. India In India, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 2022 had announced that it is developing a “futuristic” high altitude pseudo satellite in collaboration with a start-up company. With a long and complex land border of about 15,000 km and a coastline of about 7,500 km, safeguarding the borders is crucial for India and necessitates varied solutions. Hovering at the edge of the Earth’s atmosphere, HAPS can provide services towards efficient border patrolling, tracking movements deep into the enemy territory or in the deep seas with their sharp focus on one area. Equipped with high-definition optical and infra-red cameras, state-of-the-art sensors, these aerial platforms are suitable for round-the-clock missions, border patrolling, target tracking, maritime surveillance and navigation, and even missile detection. China’s state-owned aerospace and defense conglomerate, Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), has been working on varied HAPS platforms for surveillance purposes. In 2018, it successfully tested its solar-powered Morning Star drone which can reportedly stay airborne for months.

BAPS Hindu Temple: First Hindu Temple In Abu Dhabi, UAE

• BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, stands as a testament to cultural harmony, architectural grandeur, and the deepening ties between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

1. Conception of the Temple:It was first envisioned by Pramukh Swami Maharaj, spiritual leader of the BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, in 1997.
2. Land Allocation and Bilateral Ties: Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, donated 13.5 acres of land for the temple’s construction during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit in 2015.
3. UAE Government further allocated an additional 13.5 acres of land in January 2019, bringing the total land gifted for the temple to 27 acres.
4. Foundation Stone: It was laid by Prime Minister Modi in 2017. Formal foundation stone-laying ceremony was held on April 20, 2019.
5. Symbolism:It is not just a place of worship but a beacon of peace, tolerance, and mutual respect among diverse communities.
6. Peaceful Co-existence:A Muslim king donated land for a Hindu Mandir, where the lead architect is a Catholic Christian, the project manager a Sikh, the foundational designer a Buddhist, the construction company a Parsi group, and the director comes from the Jain tradition.

Features Of BAPS Hindu Temple: Architectural Design: Made from Pink Rajasthan Sandstone and White Italian Marble. It involves intricately hand-carved stones, shipped from India for assembly in the UAE. Seven Spires Symbolizing the UAE’s Emirates: Each spire represents seven emirates in the UAE. Seven towers or shikhar narrates the tales from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavatam, and Shiva Purana.  The shikharas are adorned with depictions of deities such as Venkateshwara, Swaminarayan, Jagannath, and Ayyappa. Spiritual Rivers: A ‘holy river’ surrounds the temple, with waters from Ganga and Yamuna brought in. The river Saraswati is depicted in the form of white light. A Varanasi-like ghat has been created where the ‘Ganga’ passes. Intricate Carvings and Artwork: The temple features detailed carvings of deities, animals, and motifs, reflecting Hindu culture and the UAE’s heritage. 96 Bells and Gaumukhs: Installed around the path leading to the temple, these bells pay tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s 96 years of life. Pillars: Various types of pillars, such as circular and hexagonal, are present. Notably, the ‘Pillar of Pillars’ features around 1,400 small pillars carved into it. Surroundings: Surrounding buildings are modern and monolithic, with colors resembling sand dunes. Deities: Deities from all four corners of India are featured, including Lord Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Hanuman, Lord Shiv, Parvati, Ganpati, Kartikeya, Lord Jagannath, Lord Radha-Krishna, Akshar-Purushottam Maharaj (Bhagwan Swaminarayan and Gunatitanand Swami), Tirupati Balaji, Padmavati, and Lord Ayappa. Mosaic of Civilization: Stories from Indian civilization, Maya civilization, Aztec civilization, Egyptian civilization, Arabic civilization, European civilization, Chinese civilization, and African civilization have been depicted. Dome of Harmony: This unique feature represents the balance of the five natural elements – earth, water, fire, air, and space. Recycled Material Usage: The temple integrates sustainable practices, using recycled wooden pallets for furniture in the food court. Advanced Sensor Technology: Equipped with over 100 sensors in its foundation to monitor seismic activity and environmental changes.

Cap on net borrowings: As Centre, Kerala agree to talk, SC adjourns hearing

Justice Surya Kant said, “We leave it to both of you to work out the modalities.”

• WITH THE Centre and the Kerala government agreeing to its suggestion to hold talks over the latter’s borrowing limits, the Supreme Court on Tuesday adjournedhearing on a suit filed by the state against the Centreon the issue till February 19.
• Taking up the matter on Tuesday morning, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan asked Attorney General R Venkataramani, appearing for the Centre, and senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Kerala, why the Union Finance Minister and State Finance Minister could not discuss the issue and sort it out

Indian states borrow-

1. Constitutional provision:Under Article 293 (3) of the India Constitution, state governments are required to take the Centre’s permission for fresh borrowing, if they are indebted to the Government of India.
2. Fixing the ceiling of borrowing:

• A fiscal deficit target is normally recommended by the finance commission (appointed for a five-year term) and accepted or changed by the Centre.
• The base fiscal deficit is typically expressed as a percentage ratethat is uniformly applied to all state governments.
• This is then applied to the Centre’s projection of each state’s gross state domestic product (GSDP) for a given fiscal year to determine the absolute net borrowing ceilingfor that year.
• The borrowing ceiling established in this manner operates as a mild constraint on the state’s fiscal deficit for that year.
• This ceiling is usually disclosed to the states at the beginning of each fiscal year.
• For 2022-23, the cap has been set at 5% of GSDP, with a further 0.5% of borrowings allowed, conditionally connected to each state’s achievement of power sector reforms, bringing total borrowings to 4%.

Central loans to the states: Loans to be provided by the Centre to the states under the special assistance to states for capital investment scheme of Rs 1 lakh crore will be above the budget borrowing ceiling.

National Film Awards: Indira Gandhi, Nargis Dutt names dropped from categories, other changes

The ‘Indira Gandhi award for best debut film of a director’ has been renamed ‘Best debut film of a director’. Similarly, the ‘Nargis Dutt Award for best feature film on national integration’ will now be called the ‘Best feature film promoting national, social and environmental values’.

• The ‘Regulations of 70th National Film Awards 2022’ reflects the changes suggested by a committee set up by the Information and Broadcasting ministry to rationalise the honours given in different categories.
• The changes include an upward revision in the cash rewards, including for the Dadasaheb Phalke award, and several awards being fused.
• “The committee deliberated on the changes during the pandemic. The decision to make these changes was ultimately unanimous,” a member of the committee told PTI on condition of anonymity.

Monetary Rewards:

1. The DADA SAHEB PHALKE AWARDSmoney has been raised from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh.
2. Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) awardeeswill now receive Rs 3 lakh, and Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus) winners Rs 2 lakh, across categories.
3. Swarn Kamal is given in these categories: best film, debut film, film providing wholesome entertainment, direction and children’s film.
4. Rajat Kamal is given to winners of best feature film promoting national, social and environmental values, all the acting categories, best screenplay, music and other such categories.

Category Modifications:

1. Awards for ‘best animation film’ and ‘best special effects’ have been combined into a new category called “best AVGC film”.
2. ‘Best Audiography’ is now ‘best sound design’, with a prize money increase to Rs 2 lakh.

Continuation of Jury Discretion:

1. Special mentions in feature and non-feature film categories remain at the jury’s discretion.
2. Special jury award discontinued,replaced by discretionary special mentions.