CNA 02 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related HISTORY AND CULTURE 1. No idols, no arms: the Pattanam mystery B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related ECONOMY 1. Poor testing of pashmina shawls still poses a problem D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY 1. Can countries be sued over climate change? F. Prelims Facts 1. India, Malaysia move beyond dollar to settle trade in rupee 2. India-Romania pact on defence to help in better cooperation G. Tidbits 1. Bandipur completes 50 years as Project Tiger reserve, traces legacy to Maharajas 2. Defence exports have touched all-time high of ₹15,920 cr.: Rajnath H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
1. No idols, no arms: the Pattanam mystery
Syllabus: Indian Culture and Architecture from ancient times.
Mains: Excavations in Pattanam and the observation of its culture.
Prelims: Pattanam.
Details
- Pattanam is a village in central Kerala. It is said to be the only multicultural archaeological site on the southwestern coast of the Indian subcontinent.
- Pattanam is a part of Muziris which is called the ‘first emporium’ of the Indian Ocean.
- The Greco-Roman classical age came into direct contact with an ancient South Indian civilization in Muziris.
Excavations in Pattanam
- The excavations in the region have unearthed less than 1% of the site.
- More than 45 lakh sherds (or ceramic fragments) have been unearthed from the region. These comprise around 1.4 lakh items belonging to regions of the Mediterranean, the River Nile, the Red Sea, the eastern and western Indian Oceans, and the South China Sea.
- The seal of a sphinx was also found, which belongs to the ancient Greek city of Thebes.
- Based on technological, metallurgical, literary, and artistic advances, it is found that there were rigorous cultural and commercial exchanges in Pattanam.
- It is thus inferred that Pattanam was a thriving urban centre that existed from the 5th century B.C. till the 5th century A.D. Moreover, a peak phase was experienced from 100 B.C. to A.D. 300.
- Notably, there is no evidence of the existence of institutionalized religion in ancient Pattanam. Moreover, there are no findings of the graded inequality of the caste system that has described contemporary Kerala and most of India.
- It should be noted that Pattanam lacks sophisticated weaponry. This is in stark contrast to other contemporary sites like Berenike in Egypt and Khor Rori in Oman.
- The fragmentary skeleton remains at graves highlight the “secondary” nature of burial. The dead were first cremated and then osseous remains were ceremoniously buried.
- Furthermore, people of different backgrounds were buried in the same way. Thus suggesting the prevalence of a secular ethos.
- The genotype and ancestry analyses of samples show the link to South Asian, West Asian, and Mediterranean lineages.
- No artefact indicates any religious customs.
- Material evidence highlights that the society lived in harmony with nature, much like the several indigenous societies.
- However, much of the site remains to be unearthed.
Nut graf: The excavations in Pattanam highlight that there was no caste or institutionalized creed and use of weapons. Moreover, it was a thriving urban centre with a secular society. However, much of the region remains to be excavated.
B. GS 2 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
C. GS 3 Related
1. Poor testing of pashmina shawls still poses a problem
Syllabus: Industries- Handicraft industries.
Mains: Concern associated with the pashmina shawl trade.
Prelims: Pashmina
Details
- The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) has raised concerns about the confiscation and poor testing of pashmina shawls.
- KCCI highlights that there is a growing seizure of shawl consignments by the Customs Department at international airports in India.
- It is said that if the hurdles are removed exports of Kashmiri Shawls would reach between ₹1,000 crores and ₹2,000 crores.
- The craft also employs tens of thousands of males and females.
The official figure of exports from Kashmir Handicrafts Department
| Year | Shawl exports |
| 2018-19 | ₹305 crore |
| 2019-20 | ₹272 crore |
| 2020-21 | ₹172 crore |
| 2021-22 | ₹166 crore |
Associated concerns
- Notably, the basic microscopes at the airport detect banned shahtoosh guard hair (wool from the chiru goat or Tibetan antelope) in what are classified as pashmina shawls (wool from the pashmina goat).
- The thread width of pashmina wool is 13 to 16 microns, whereas shahtoosh has a width below 11 microns.
- The shawls are then sent to testing laboratories at Dehradun or Kolkata and the reports are generated after months.
- Moreover, reports are inconclusive in various cases.
- In between the generation of reports, either traders are questioned or CBI raids are carried out on the artisans.
- According to the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), around 537 illegal imports of shahtoosh scarves were reported by Switzerland authorities in the last five years.
- There is a risk of contamination of pashmina shawls with shahtoosh as artisans can’t make out the difference.
Shahtoosh Ban
|
Way Ahead
- The KCCI has demanded the installation of the latest pashmina testing machine in Srinagar and Delhi for simplification of Customs clearance.
- Moreover, instead of basic microscope testing, DNA testing should be adopted.
Nut graf: The poor testing of pashmina has raised various concerns about the exports of pashmina shawls. Its export is witnessing a continuous decline over the last five years. It is suggested that the handicraft should be looked at from a scientific perspective and that the concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Can countries be sued over climate change?
Syllabus: Climate change.
Mains: UNGA resolution on climate change and its implication.
Prelims: ICJ advisory opinion.
Context: The UNGA has passed a resolution about the obligation of countries regarding climate change.
Details:
- The United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution on 29th March 2023 asking the International Court of Justice to(ICJ) provide an opinion about obligations countries have towards climate change reduction, based on the commitments made to the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change (UNFCCC).
- The resolution was moved by the Pacific Island of Vanuatu.
- It is a small island country in the Pacific ocean.
- In 2015, cyclone Pam (spurred by climate change) wiped out 95% of its crops and impacted two-thirds of its population.
For more information, read here: Role of International Courts in Climate Change [UPSC Current Affairs]
Details about Resolution:
- The draft resolution called A/77/L.58 has invoked article 96 of the UN Charter to ask the ICJ to address two questions:
- What are the obligations of states under the international protocol to ensure the protection of the climate system for present and future generations?
- What are the legal consequences under these obligations for states where they, by their acts and omissions, have caused significant harm to the climate system, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and for people who are harmed?
- The resolution also refers to various international protocols like Paris Agreement, UNCLOS, and Human Rights.
- ICJ would take at least 18 months to deliberate and discuss the matter.
- The idea of taking the matter to the highest court was proposed by a group of 27 Pacific Island law students. The issue was raised in Pacific Islands Forum.
- The draft resolution was co-sponsored by 132 countries at the UNGA and was passed through consensus.
- Despite some reservations by the U.S., not a single country opposed the resolution.
- A legal decision by the ICJ would ensure all the countries to work towards mitigating climate change and global warming to the suggested 1.5-2°C limit.
- The decision of the ICJ on contentious matters like climate reparations by the developed world and legal actions against countries that don’t achieve their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) targets will be closely watched.
- The action to raise a resolution is more inclusive and better than the two earlier attempts by the Small Island States to the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (December 2022) and Columbia and Chile at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) (January 2023).
India’s Stand:
- Despite being a supporter of climate justice and holding the developed world accountable for climate change, India remained silent about the resolution.
- India did not join the majority of countries that co-sponsored the resolution. It should be noted that neighboring countries like Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Maldives were co-sponsors.
- New Delhi is closely watching the response of global powers like the U.S. and China.
Advisory Opinion of ICJ:
- The Advisory Opinion of ICJ is not legally binding.
- However, the ICJ judgment would make the environmental laws more streamlined, specifically on issues like climate justice, climate finance, and “loss and damages” agreed in COP 27.
- It should be noted that ICJ’s advisory opinion on matters like the Palestinian issue (Construction of the Wall) and nuclear threats was respected.
Related Link:
UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis. Nov 4th, 2022 CNA
Nut Graf: The United Nations General Assembly has passed a resolution asking International Court of Justice to provide an advisory opinion on the obligations that countries have towards climate change reduction. The resolution was moved by a small island of Vanuatu. The decision is expected to streamline various international environmental laws.
F. Prelims Facts
1. India, Malaysia move beyond dollar to settle trade in rupee
Syllabus: GS2- International Relations.
Prelims: India-Malaysia relations.
Context: India and Malaysia settle Trade Agreement on Indian Rupee.
- The Ministry of External Affairs informed that India and Malaysia have agreed to settle trade in Indian rupees.
- It is a consequence of the efforts made to safeguard Indian trade from the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war.
- The move also indicates that India is willing to take concrete steps towards the de-dollarisation of its international trade and shift away from the U.S. dollar (the dominant reserve currency in the international market).
- The Union Bank of India became the first bank in India to operationalize this option and open a Special Rupee Vostro Account through the India International Bank of Malaysia.
- In July 2022, the Reserve Bank of India allowed the settlement of international trade in the Indian Rupee (INR) to facilitate the growth of global trade and support the interests of the global trading community in Indian rupees.
- As a result of sanctions on Russia, payments in U.S. Dollars have become very difficult. This in turn has triggered de-dollarisation and a search for solutions in national currencies.
- In a response to a question in Rajya Sabha, it was informed that RBI has allowed banks from 18 countries to open Special Rupee Vostro Accounts to settle payments in the rupee.
- The move would help in achieving better prices for goods and services traded. It would benefit traders in both India and Malaysia.
- It should be noted that Malaysia is the third largest trading partner of India in the ASEAN (after Singapore and Indonesia).
- The bilateral trade between the two countries reached $19.4 billion during 2021-22.
Also read: India-Malaysia Relations: Latest Developments [UPSC International Relations Notes]
2. India-Romania pact on defence to help in better cooperation
Syllabus: GS2- International Relations.
Prelims: India-Romania pact.
- India and Romania signed a defence cooperation agreement to strengthen collaboration through knowledge exchange on areas of mutual interest including co-development and co-production of military hardware.
- The agreement will open opportunities in areas of scientific research, defence medicine, cyber defence, technology, and research and development.
- Moreover, issues like the security situation in the Black Sea and Indo-Pacific region and cooperation in the multilateral framework were also covered.
G. Tidbits
1. Bandipur completes 50 years as Project Tiger reserve, traces legacy to Maharajas
- On 1st April 1973, then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi launched the flagship conservation programme called Project Tiger.
- Bandipur has thus completed 50 years of Project Tiger.
- Notably, in 1973 the population of tigers in Bandipur was only 12. It has increased to 173, as pointed out by the ‘Status of Tigers Co-predators and Prey in India, 2018’ published by the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
- It is suggested that much before the introduction of the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1972, the erstwhile rulers of Mysuru realized the importance of the conservation of flora and fauna. For instance,
- According to The Mysore Gazetteer, many forest areas were preserved as Tiger Blocks and shooting was restricted.
- The Venugopal Wildlife Park was constituted in 1941. Nearly, 82 sq. miles of the area within the park was known as Bandipur Sanctuary.
- Venugopal Wildlife park extended from Moyar river to Gundlupet.
- It also includes the 1450m-high Himavad Gopalswamy Betta.
- It is named after the deity, Venugopal, at the temple atop the hill.
Also read: Bandipur Tiger Reserve – Facts, History & Tiger Conservation
2. Defence exports have touched all-time high of ₹15,920 cr.: Rajnath
- India’s defence exports reached an all-time high of ₹15,920 crore in the financial year 2022-23.
- It is almost ₹3000 crores more than 2021-22 and has increased over 10 times since 2016-17.
- India exports defence products/equipment to more than 85 countries.
- It exports Dornier-228, 155 mm Advanced Towed Artillery Guns, BrahMos missiles, Akash surface-to-air missiles, Pinaka rocket launch systems, armoured vehicles, radars, simulators, mine-protected vehicles, ammunition, thermal imagers, body armour, etc.
Also read: India’s Defence Prowess: Sansad TV Perspective Discussion of 14th Feb 2023
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. With respect to Thirra, which of the following statements is/are correct? (Level- Difficult)
- It is a ritual dance performed in temples in Tamil Nadu
- This art form is performed by the artists of the Malaya community.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is not correct: Thirra is a ritual dance performed in the temples of the Malabar region in Kerala.
- Statement 2 is correct: It is performed by the artists of the Malaya community.
Q2. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to Godavari River? (Level- Moderate)
- The Godavari river is the largest river system of Peninsular India.
- The River rises in the Sahyadris, near Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
- Purna, Pranahita, and Indravati are the Right bank Tributaries of Godavari.
Options:
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: In terms of length, catchment area, and discharge, the Godavari is the largest river in peninsular India. It is known as the Dakshina Ganga.
- Statement 2 is correct: The source of the river is in the Sahyadris, near Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
- Statement 3 is not correct: Banganga, Kadva, Shivana, Purna, Kadam, Pranahita, Indravati, Taliperu, and Sabari are the left bank tributaries of Godavari.
Q3.Consider the following statements with respect to Bastille Day:(Level- Difficult)
- It is the national day of France, which is celebrated on 14 July each year.
- It is the anniversary of the Storming of the Versailles palace, a major event of the French Revolution
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Bastille Day is the national day of France. It is celebrated on 14 July each year.
- Statement 2 is not correct: It is the anniversary of the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789.
Q4. With respect to Kala-azar, which of the following statements is/are incorrect? (Level- Moderate)
- It is caused by protozoan parasites which are transmitted by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies.
- In India, Leishmania donovani is the only parasite that causes this disease.
- There are no vaccines available for preventing kala-azar.
Options:
- 1 only
- 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
- None
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 1 is correct: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar is caused by protozoan parasites which are transmitted by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies.
- Statement 2 is correct: The species commonly found in the Indian subcontinent is Leishmania donovani.
- Statement 3 is correct: There are no vaccines for preventing the Kala-azar. However, the vaccines are under development.
Q5. In which one of the following locations is the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) Project to be built? (Level- Easy)
- Northern Spain
- Southern France
- Eastern Germany
- Southern Italy
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) is a collaboration of 35 nations that was launched in 1985. It is located in Southern France.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the need for creating accountability in the climate justice regime of the world. (10 marks, 150 words) [GS-3; Environment and Ecology]
- “The ordeal of the Pashmina shawl traders is indicative of the need for more technological interventions by the state in handicrafts sector”. Comment. (10 marks, 150 words)[GS-3; Economy]
Read the previous CNA here.
CNA 02 April 2023:- Download PDF Here
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