GS-I: Rethinking water management issues.
News
No new vision:
Who is accountable?
A strategy document must specify who will be responsible and accountable for achieving the specific goals and in what time-frame.
NITI Aayog does not say who will do this encouraging and how? Should the state water Ministries do this by restricting or even withholding recalcitrant industry’s access to fresh water?
However the free electricity provided by solar units further encourage unrestricted pumping of groundwater and will further aggravate the problem of a steady decline of groundwater levels.
Way Forward:
India’s water problems can be solved with existing knowledge technology and available funds. It is unfortunate that NITI Aayog has failed to admit this and has prescribed only a continuation of past failed policies.
Source: THE HINDU
GS-I: Stirring up the truth about ZBNF
News
Zero Budget Natural Farming has no scientific validation and its inclusion into agricultural policy appears unwise. Most criticisms of modern agricultural practices are criticism of post-Liebig developments in agricultural science.
What is Zero Budget Natural Farming?
The key aspects integral to it and which require locally available materials are:
Importance of ZBNF highlighted in Economic Survey 2018-19:
ZBNF success in Southern states:
Conclusion:
Source: THE HINDU
GS-II: A Triangular Affair
News
Delhi will have to accept China’s role in Bangladesh while shaping its ties with Dhaka.
India’s abiding regional strategic objective ought to be one which ensures that Bangladesh does not morph into Pakistan either by way of being compelled into choosing Beijing over Delhi or nurturing radical Islamic ideologies domestically. It is to the credit of both Dhaka and Delhi that despite some missteps the bi-lateral is currently described as the best ever and a template for India’s ties with its other neighbours.
Wuhan Summit:
Historical connect between Mamallapuram with China:
Significance of these informal summits:
Changing relations: Treading with caution:
Conclusions:
India will have to accept this as part of the evolving regional strategic calculus enabled by china’s economic trade fiscal clout and shape its own ties with Dhaka in such amannner that a truly win-win option can emerge.
The maritime domain and the Bay of Bengal in particular with Dhaka as the coxswain ought to be envisioned at Mamallapuram.
Source: Indian Express
GS-III: How plan for clean air works ?
News
Starting October 15, some stricter measures to fight air pollution will come into force in Delhi’s neighbourhood, as part of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). As pollution rises, and it is expected to as winter approaches, more measures will come into play depending on the air quality.
Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP):
How it works?
Severe+ or Emergency
Very Poor
Moderate to poor:
Has GRAP helped?
What measures have been taken in other states?
Source: Indian Express
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