Daily Current Affairs October 19, 2024

1. DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS 19 October, 2024 Mains - General Studies III - Environment Climate Change Impacting Poorer Farmers More in India Context Recently, A report released by the Food And Agriculture Organization (FAO) suggest- ed that Climate change impact is harsher on poorer farmers in India. Mains Question 1. “There is a variable impact of climate-induced impacts on different sections of society and regions.’ Discuss. Approach 1. Introduce the recent report published by the Food and Agriculture Organization on variable impacts of climate change. 2. Discuss in detail gender and regional bias due to climate change-induced disasters. 3. Conclude with the need to strengthen the policy framework as suggested by the report. About ● The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) released a report titled “The unjust climate. Measuring the impacts of climate change on rural poor, women, and youth” in New Delhi. ● The report highlighted the socio-economic impact of climate change on vulnerable sections of the Indian population. Highlights Of The Report Variable Impact of Climate Change ● The report highlighted that it was observed that there was a variable impact of climate change on the rich and poor. ● According to the report, poor households globally lost 5% of their total income in an average year from heat stress and 4.4% from floods as compared with households that are relatively better off. ● The report also warned about the negative impacts of climate change on the farming population in India. 3rd Floor, 36 Pusa Road, Above Kalyan Jewellers, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 +91 96676 61547, +91 96676 68174 www.avadhojhaclasses.com

2. Impacting Rural Population ● The report further stated that on-farm income sources of the rural poor in India were affected in different ways depending on the type of climate stress. ● It further elaborated that in case of climate change-induced disasters such as droughts and floods, poor households dedicate more time and resources to agricultural production to sustain them. ● It was only due to the paucity and reduction of off-farm employment opportunities. Rich Poor Divide Reflected in Vulnerability Towards Climate Change ● According to the report, the total incomes of poor households were reduced compared with those of families that have not been exposed to a significant climate stressor. ● It was because the vulnerability of poor households to climate stressors is likely to be rooted in structural inequalities prevailing in society. Suggestions Provided by The Report ● The report suggested formulating better policies and scaling up social protection programmes. ● Livelihood Support: It wanted the government to provide effective livelihood support ahead of extreme weather events to counter their impact. ● It would help reduce reliance on adverse coping strategies and limit the number of people pushed into poverty because of these events. ● Workforce Diversification: The report recommended improving workforce diversification and enhancing off-farm employment opportunities. ● Address Gender Barriers: The report also urged policymakers to address “gendered barriers” in non-farm employment. Variable Impact of ‘Climate Change’ 3rd Floor, 36 Pusa Road, Above Kalyan Jewellers, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 +91 96676 61547, +91 96676 68174 www.avadhojhaclasses.com

3. Gender Bias: Men Vs Women ● The climate change impacts women more than men in rural areas. As the men leave their houses to work, women have to take care of their children, arrange water from far-flung areas during drought and rear cattle. ● Further, during floods and food shortages due to climate change-induced disasters, rural women are more vulnerable than men. Coastal Regions VS Continental Regions ● Coastal cities are more vulnerable to climate change-induced migration. The rising sea level has led to the shrinking of the coastal regions, leading to the displacement of the population. ● It has also led to shortages of livelihood opportunities and the destruction of biodiversity in coastal regions. ● Agriculture farms near sea coasts have been devastated by soil salinity due to the seawater intrusion in the aquifers. Rural Population Vs Urban Population ● Rural Populations are more dependent on primary activities such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, etc., while urban populations are dependent more on tertiary and secondary activities. ● Climate change has increased the intensity and frequency of natural disasters due to which agriculture productivity has decreased significantly. ● Sea level rise has impacted the productivity of estuaries which are considered as one of most productive ecosystems. ● Further, frequent floods, erratic rainfall patterns and droughts have caused more damage to rural populations as compared to urban ones. 3rd Floor, 36 Pusa Road, Above Kalyan Jewellers, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 +91 96676 61547, +91 96676 68174 www.avadhojhaclasses.com

4. Conclusion As stated in the report, there is an invariable impact of natural disasters on the livelihood of different sections of society. It impacts vulnerable sections, especially the poor, women and children. Hence, the policymakers must strengthen the social security net as suggested in the report. They must diversify the employment opportunities depicted in the report to reduce climate-induced stress. Sources: The Hindu Prelims - General Studies I - History and Art and Culture Battle of Walong Context Recently, the Indian Army will organize a month-long series of commemorative events to mark the 62nd anniversary of ‘Battle of Walong’ About ● The Indian army will celebrate the 62nd anniversary of the Battle of Walong with a series of events. ● Along with the commemoration of the event, the army will also inaugurate a series of activities, including the newly renovated Walong War Memorial, Shaurya Sthal at Lama Spur and other key infrastructure projects. About The Battle ● The Battle of Walong is remembered for the bravery of the Indian Army, which halted the advancing People’s Liberation Army soldiers for 27 days. ● The defence of the Indian army was so strong that it forced the Chinese to commit their reserve Division from Tawang Sector to Walong. ● These battles were fought in the unforgiving terrain of Kibithu, Namti Tri Junction (famously 3rd Floor, 36 Pusa Road, Above Kalyan Jewellers, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 +91 96676 61547, +91 96676 68174 www.avadhojhaclasses.com

5. known as Tiger’s Mouth), Walong, and adjoining features. ● The Chinese side had more than 4,000 soldiers, which could not breach the forward defences held by 800 men of the Indian army for over 27 days. ● It led the Chinese Army to employ an additional division of approximately 15,000 soldiers. ● The Indian side was outnumbered and was left with little ammunition and no resources. ● Despite this, the Indian soldiers fought till the last man and last round. ● While explaining the situation, Time magazine wrote in January 1963, “At Walong, Indian troops lacked everything. The only thing they did not lack was guts.” Source: The Hindu Prelims - General Studies II - International Relations Five Eyes Alliance Context Recently, the member countries of the Five Eyes Alliance supported Canada in a spat with India on the killing of pro-Khalistan preacher Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Prelims Question 2. Consider the following statements with reference to the Five Eyes Alliance: 1) India is an active member of the Alliance. 2) The alliance membership is open to all ‘Commonwealth Nations’. Which of the following statement (s) is/are correct? A. 1 only B. 2 Only C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: D About ● The member countries of the Five Eyes Alliance univocally supported Canada in a spat with India on the killing of pro-Khalistan preacher Hardeep Singh Nijjar. ● Canada had accused Indian officials of the Indian Embassy as ‘Person of Interest’ in the assassination of the separatist. ● It led to an escalation of diplomatic tensions between India and Canada, leading to the expulsion of six members of the Canadian mission, including the Canadian High Commissioner from India. India also called its High Commissioner from Canada. 3rd Floor, 36 Pusa Road, Above Kalyan Jewellers, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 +91 96676 61547, +91 96676 68174 www.avadhojhaclasses.com

6. ● There is an allegation by Canada that the pro-Khalistan separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar was killed by Indian agents. It further stated that the information on the killing of Nijjar was provided by the member countries of the Five Eyes alliance. What is the Five Eyes Alliance? ● The ‘Five Eyes Alliance is a multilateral intelligence-sharing network which is shared by over 20 different agencies in five English-speaking countries. ● These are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. ● The alliance was formed during World War II, but it remained unanimous until 1973. ● The alliance is both surveillance-based and signals intelligence referred to as ‘SIGINT’. ● The Intelligence documents which are shared between the member countries are classified as ‘Secret—AUS/CAN/NZ/UK/US Eyes Only’. It has given the group its title ‘Five Eyes.’ Historical Perspective: Formation of the Alliance ● The alliance between the U.S. and the U.K. evolved around the Second World War to counter the Cold War Soviet threat. ● The alliance successfully deciphered German and Japanese codes during the World War. ● The alliance was later formalized from the treaty called the British-U.S. Communication Intelligence Agreement, or BRUSA. Now, it is known as the UKUSA Agreement. ● This agreement was signed between the State-Army-Navy Communication Intelligence Board (STANCIB) of the U.S. and the London Signal Intelligence Board (SIGINT) of Britain. ● Canada joined the alliance in 1948, while Australia and New Zealand became part of the alliance in 1956. Source: The Hindu 3rd Floor, 36 Pusa Road, Above Kalyan Jewellers, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 +91 96676 61547, +91 96676 68174 www.avadhojhaclasses.com

7. Prelims - General Studies I - History and Art and Culture Mera Hou Chongba Context Recently, Manipur celebrated the Mera Hou Chongba festival to mark the unity between the people residing in hilly areas and valleys. About ● The Mera Hou Chongba festival is an annual festival celebrated in Manipur. The celebrated to strengthen the cordial bond between the indigenous communities living in the hills and valley people. ● The festival is celebrated at Manipur Royal Palace and a sacred holy site called ‘Kangla’. ● Village chiefs of indigenous communities from hills districts come to Imphal to celebrate the festival along with the valley people. ● The titular King of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba, hosted a reception ceremony for village chiefs, participants and cultural troupes at Manipur Royal Palace. ● The festival starts with the rituals of Men Tongba and Yenkhong Tamba at Kangla Uttra in the morning. ● The event is followed by Thang Ta Salutation and Invocation by Maiba. ● The ceremony is also marked by an exchange of gifts and cultural programs among the indigenous communities. Significance of the Event ● Manipur has seen a series of riots and violence in the last year due to ethnic conflict between the valley-dwelling Meity community and the hill-dwelling Kuki-Zo community. ● The event can lead to peace and prosperity in the state following the meeting and cultural exchange between the valley and hill people. Source: All India Radio festival is 3rd Floor, 36 Pusa Road, Above Kalyan Jewellers, Karol Bagh, New Delhi - 110005 +91 96676 61547, +91 96676 68174 www.avadhojhaclasses.com