04th AUG, 2022

S
INDIA RAISED CONCERN OVER NOT BEING PART OF THE US-LED MINERALS
SECURITY PARTNERSHIP (MSP)

A
MSP is an international partnership for stable and diverse mineral

I
supply chain.
MSP ensures that critical minerals are produced, processed, and
recycled to support the ability of countries to realize full economic
development benefit of their geological endowments.
It involves 11-members i.e. Korea, US, Canada, Japan, Germany,
CRITICAL MINERALS
Critical minerals are elements that are building blocks
of essential modern-day technologies, and are at risk
of supply chain disruptions.
The critical metals include the rare earth group: this is a

N
UK, EU Commission, Finland, France, Australia, and Norway.
Alliance will focus on supply chains of minerals such as Cobalt,
Nickel, Lithium and also 17 “rare earth” minerals.
Why is joining the group is critical for India?
Reduce dependency on China for critical minerals.
group of 17 metals exhibiting similar chemical properties.
They are chemically fairly reactive and have
electromagnetic properties that make them essential
for the manufacture of high tech.
India has set up KABIL or the Khanij Bidesh India

O
Presently, China is world’s largest producer of 16 critical Limited, to ensure a consistent supply of critical and
minerals. strategic minerals to the Indian domestic market.

I
Vital for electronics development which secures India’s military interests.
Example, Neodymium in guidance systems and lasers.
Critical elements are crucial components in mobility space as lithium and Nickle are key components in battery technology.
India had set a target of EV sales penetration of 30% of private cars by 2030.

S
To reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Major producers of Critical minerals are: Chile, Indonesia, Congo, China, Australia, and South Africa.

I
ENERGY CONSERVATION (AMENDMENT) BILL, 2022 INTRODUCED IN LOK SABHA
Bill seeks to amend Energy Conservation Act, 2001 to provide for
efficient use of energy and its conservation and for other such matters. Facilitate achievement Promote renewable

V
It provides for the regulation of energy consumption by equipment, of Panchamrit (five energy and
appliances, buildings, and industries. nectar elements) development of
presented by India in domestic Carbon
Key provisions of the Bill
COP-26 in Glasgow market to fight climate
Obligation to use non-fossil sources of energy: Bill adds that the 2021. change.
government may require the designated consumers to meet a minimum
share of energy consumption from non-fossil sources. Significance
of the Bill
Carbon trading: Bill empowers the central government to specify a
carbon credit trading scheme.
Introduce new concepts Reduce about 550
Energy conservation code for buildings: Bill provides for an ‘energy
i.e. Carbon trading. tonnes of carbon
conservation and sustainable building code’ for green buildings.
dioxide equivalent by
Applicability to residential buildings: Bill provides the new energy 2030.
conservation and sustainable building code which will apply to the
office and residential buildings.
Under earlier Act, the energy conservation code applies to commercial buildings with certain criteria.
Standards for vehicles and vessels: Bill expands the scope to include vehicles (as defined under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988), and
vessels (includes ships and boats).
Other Features
Increase members in Governing Council of Bureau of Energy Efficiency;
Empower State Electricity Regulatory Commissions to make regulations for smooth discharge of its functions.

DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW | CHANDIGARH | GUWAHATI 1/4

 8468022022 www.visionias.in

INDIA ADDS 10 MORE WETLANDS DESIGNATED AS RAMSAR SITES TO MAKE TOTAL

64 SITES
The new sites include 6 wetlands from Tamil Nadu and 1 each from Goa, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
India is one of the Contracting Parties to Ramsar Convention, signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971.
So far, 64 wetlands have been designated as Ramsar Sites of International Importance from India.
Wetlands are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where water table is usually at or near surface, or land is

S
covered by shallow water.
10 new wetlands designated as Ramsar sites

Name State Details

A
Koonthankulam Bird Tamil Nadu Man-made wetland.
Sanctuary An important Bird and Biodiversity Area forming part of Central Asian Flyway.

I
Important species: Flamingos, painted stork, Bar-headed goose etc.

Satkosia Gorge Odisha Spreads along magnificent gorge over mighty river Mahanadi.
Satkosia is meeting point of two biogeographic regions of Deccan Peninsula and
Eastern Ghats.

N
Important species: Gharial, Great Egret, Indian Skimmer etc.

Nanda Lake Goa Majority of area is intermittent freshwater marshes that lie adjacent to one of the
major rivulets of Zuari River.

O
Important species: Black-headed ibis, Wire-tailed swallow, Common kingfisher
etc.

I
Gulf of Mannar Marine Tamil Nadu First Marine Biosphere Reserve in South & South -East Asia.
Biosphere Reserve Located in the south-eastern coastline of India.
Important species: Dugong, whale shark, sea horses, Hawksbill turtle etc.

S
Ranganathittu Bird Karnataka Enlisted as one of Important Bird Areas by Bombay Natural History Society.
Sanctuary

I
Important species: Mugger crocodiles, smooth-coated otter, hump-backed
masheer etc.

Vembannur Wetland Tamil Nadu Human-made inland tank.

Complex Forms part of Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).

V
Believed to have been constructed in regime of Pandyan king Veeranarayana.
Important species: Intermediate egret, Indian Pond Heron etc.

Vellode Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu Provincially known as Periyakulam Yeri.

Forms part of Central Asian Flyway.
Important species: Vibrant Winged, pintail ducks, pelicans etc.

Sirpur Wetland Madhya Pradesh An important nesting place for terrestrial and aquatic migratory & residential
birds.
Important species: Rock Pigeon, Laughing Dove, Cattle Egret etc.

Vedanthangal Bird Tamil Nadu Recognized internationally as IBA.

Sanctuary Local people have been benefited by manure-rich water from lake that increases
agriculture yield multi-fold–Liquid Guano Effect.
Important species: Cormorants, egrets, grey heron, open-billed stork, darter,
spoonbill etc.

Udhayamarthandapuram Tamil Nadu Important staging and breeding ground for several species of waterbirds.
Bird Sanctuary Important species: Oriental darter, glossy ibis, grey Heron etc.

DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW | CHANDIGARH | GUWAHATI 2/4

 8468022022 www.visionias.in

UNION CABINET APPROVES INDIA’S UPDATED NATIONALLY DETERMINED

CONTRIBUTION (NDC)
Updated NDC will be communicated to United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC).
It seeks to enhance India’s contributions towards achievement of strengthening
of global response to the threat of climate change, as agreed under Paris

S
Agreement.
This update to India’s existing NDC translates the ‘Panchamrit’ announced at COP 26
(held in Glasgow, United Kingdom) into enhanced climate targets.
It promotes healthy and sustainable way of living through mass movement called
LIFE ( Lifestyle for Environment).

A
These commitments are a step towards achieving India’s long- term goal of
reaching net-zero by 2070.

I
India’s updated NDC will be implemented over the period 2021-2030 through
programs and schemes of relevant Ministries /departments and with due support
from States and UTs.
India’s climate targets: Existing and New

N
Target for 2030 Existing NDC, 2015 Updated NDC, 2022 Progress

Emission intensity 33 to 35% from 2005 24% reduction achieved in 2016 itself.
45% from 2005 levels
reduction levels Estimated to have reached 30%.

O
Share of non-fossil
fuels in installed 40% 50% 41.5% achieved by end of June, 2022
electricity capacity

I
Creation of 2.5 to 3
billion tonnes of Not clear
Carbon sink additional sink through Same as earlier
afforestation

I S
PARLIAMENTARY PANEL CRITICISES GOVERNMENT FOR ABSENCE OF POLICY ON INDIAN
DIASPORA
Committee on Ministry of External Affairs has presented report on ‘Welfare of Indian
KEY FACTS

V
Diaspora: Policies/Schemes’.
Key observations of committee Indian diaspora comprising over 18
million PIOs (persons of Indian
Absence of a “clear-cut” policy on engaging with the Indian diaspora. origin) and 13 million NRIs is one of
Authentic data of the Indian diaspora is not available in Ministry. largest overseas communities
globally.
Lack of implementation of welfare schemes to address the challenges being faced
As per World Bank report on
by them.
remittances, India is largest recipient
Adequate steps have not been taken so far to tap the skills and competencies country of world in 2021 and its
acquired by Indian workers abroad. remittances is expected to grow by
2.6% in 2022.
Recommendations of the committee
Bring out a document to serve as a guiding principle for deeper and wider connection with community.
Indian missions abroad should play a more proactive role in developing closer contact with community.
Establish Community Welfare Wing in all important Indian Missions/Posts on a priority basis.
One Stop Centres for helping distressed Indian women abroad should be launched immediately.
Comprehensive rehabilitation scheme for those workers who lost their jobs due to pandemics or other disasters to secure
means of livelihood for them and their families.
Various initiatives taken includes Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojana, Community Welfare Funds etc.

DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW | CHANDIGARH | GUWAHATI 3/4

 8468022022 www.visionias.in

ALSO IN NEWS
Suresh Patel recently took the charge as new CVC.
CVC is a statutory body set up in 1964 on recommendations of Committee on Prevention of
Corruption, to advise and guide Central Government agencies in field of vigilance.
CV Commissioner consist of a chairperson and not more than two Vigilance Commissioners as
Members.

S
Appointment of CVC and its Members:
Central Vigilance
They are recommended by a three-member committee consisting of the Prime Minister, the
Commission (CVC)
Union Minister of Home Affairs, and the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.
They are appointed by the President by warrant under her hand and seal.

A
Ministry of State for Home inform Rajya Sabha about low conviction rate under UAPA act.
Only 2.2 % of cases registered between 2016-2019.

I
As per 2019 Crime in India Report by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), total number of
persons arrested under Act is 1,948.
Unlawful Activities UAPA was enacted for prevention of certain unlawful activities of individuals and associations,
(Prevention) Act, 1967 and for dealing with terrorist activities, and related matters.
(UAPA Act) Both Indian nationals and foreign nationals can be charged under Act.

N
LIBOR recently rose to highest since 2008.
LIBOR is the global reference rate for unsecured short-term borrowing in interbank market.
It acts as benchmark for short-term interest rates and used for currency rate swaps and
mortgages.

O
It is administered by Intercontinental Exchange.
It is computed for five currencies: Swiss franc, euro, pound sterling, Japanese yen and US dollar.

London Interbank Offerred
Rate (LIBOR)
I
It is an indicator of health of financial system and provides an idea of trajectory of impending
policy rates of central banks.
Indian equivalent is known as Mumbai Inter-Bank Offer Rate (MIBOR) calculated by National
Stock Exchange of India.

S
According to recent report, at Ghazipur dumpsite (Delhi), legacy waste that is bio-mined is only
6.86% of the total.

I
About Biomining:
It is a process by which garbage is treated with bio-organisms or natural elements like air and
sunlight so that the biodegradable elements in the waste break down over time.
Biomining Metals extracted from bioleaching include: Gold, Copper, Silver, Cobalt, Uranium, Zinc, Nickel etc.

V
A 100% bio-mining of legacy waste is the solution to the problem of frequent fires at dumpsites.

India currently chairs the UN Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee for 2022 and will
host diplomats of the 15-nation Security Council, including US, China and Russia, for the CTC’s
special meeting.
About Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC):
It was established in 2001 in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Counter-Terrorism CTC is tasked with monitoring implementation of UNSC Resolution 1373 (2001), which
Committee (CTC) requested countries to implement a number of measures intended to enhance their legal and
institutional ability to counter terrorist activities at home, in their regions and around the world.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has launched SACRED for purpose of bringing the
Senior Able Citizen
employment seeker senior citizens through SACRED portal.
for Re-employment
Portal act as employment marketplace, to bring together both Job providers & Job seekers
in Dignity (SACRED)
that will help Senior citizen to get themselves registered for emerging workplace demands.

SERB-SURE is a new innovative scheme of Science and Engineering Research Board, statutory
State University body of Department of Science and Technology.
Research Excellence It’ll provide research support to active researchers’ private universities, etc. to undertake
(SERB-SURE) research and development in frontier areas of science, engineering, and quantitative social
science.

DELHI | JAIPUR | PUNE | HYDERABAD | AHMEDABAD | LUCKNOW | CHANDIGARH | GUWAHATI 4/4