24 Nov 2022: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. CITES CoP19
2. Lachit Diwas
3. Exercise Naseem Al Bahr (Sea Breeze), 2022

1. CITES CoP19

(19th Meeting of the Conference of Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)

Syllabus – GS3, Wildlife Conservation. 

Prelims – CITES CoP 19 at Panama City.

Context -India’s conservation efforts lauded in CITES CoP 19 at Panama.

Details –

• At CoP 19 India’s proposal for induction of fresh water turtle- Batagur Kachuga was widely appreciated and well accepted when introduced.
• The resolution documents submitted by the CITES Secretariat on tortoises and freshwater turtles mentioned the noteworthy result achieved by India in operations like Operation Turtshield initiated by the Wildlife Crime Control Bureau which resulted in nabbing of criminals involved in poaching and illegal trade of freshwater turtles.
• At CITES CoP19, India mentioned that many of the species of freshwater turtles and tortoises which are recognised as endangered, critically endangered, near threatened, vulnerable are already included in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 and provided a high degree of protection. India also stressed upon that listing of many such species in CITES Appendix Ⅱ which will further enhance the protection of such species. 
• At CITES CoP19, India’s proposal for transferring Leith’s Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia leithi) from Appendix II to Appendix I has been adopted. The CITES Appendix I listing of this Turtle species would ensure that legal international trade in the species does not take place for commercial purposes. It will ensure better survival of the species.
  • Leith’s Softshell Turtle is a large freshwater soft-shelled turtle which is endemic to peninsular India and it inhabits rivers and reservoirs.

About CITES-

• CITES came into force on 1st July, 1975.
• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is a global policy helping to fight the extinction crisis through wildlife trade regulations. The policy advocates for the sustainable use of wildlife and conservation of wild species.
• CITES has 184 signatories (called Parties) who collectively meet to review the progress of species conservation, amend CITES regulations and review the Challenges and success of implementing the legislation. A CITES COP is usually held every three years and is a critical meeting for wildlife conservation. 52 proposals have been put forward so far that would affect the regulations on international trade for: sharks, reptiles, hippos, songbirds, rhinos, 200 tree species, orchids, elephants, turtles and more.

Related link – International Union for Conservation of Nature, IUCN .

2. Lachit Diwas

Syllabus – GS 1, Important Personalities.

Prelims – Lachit Borphukan (24th November, 1622 — 25th April, 1672)

Context – 400th Birth Anniversary of the great Lachit Borphukan.

Details –

• Shri Amit Shah, the Union Home and Cooperation Minister addressed the function organised to mark the 400th birth anniversary of Shri Lachit Borphukan in New Delhi.
• Lachit Barphukan was General of the Royal Army of the Ahom Kingdom, who inflicted crushing defeat on the Mughals in the Battle of Saraighat in 1671. The heroic fight of Lachit Barphukan and his army remains one of the most inspiring military feats of resistance in the history of our country. He successfully halted the ever expanding ambitions of the Mughals under Aurangzeb.
• The minister said that the nation, civilisation and culture is indebted to the bravery of Lachit Borphukan. The decisions taken by Lachit Borphukan and his courage saved the North East as well as the whole of South Asia from those who conquered in the name of religion.
• Lachit Borphukan fought in the east to defeat the large Mughal army. He united and brought together tribal forces of Assam. Lachit’s army won and saved the sovereignty. Culture and civilisation of the Ahom state despite the disparity in terms of  number, resources and weapons. 
• Since 1999, the Lachit Borphukan Gold Medal is given to the best cadet at the National Defence Academy (NDA).

Read more about Lachit Borphukan in the link – Lachit Borphukan [1622-1672].

3. Exercise Naseem Al Bahr (Sea Breeze), 2022

Syllabus – GS3, Security; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate.

Prelims – 13th Edition of Exercise “Naseem Al Bahr”.

Context – Bilateral Exercise – Naseem Al Bahr conducted off the shore of Oman.

Details –

• Exercise Naseem Al Bahr is a biennial naval exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), being conducted since 1993. This year marks 30 years of IN-RNO bilateral exercise.
• The Indian Navy’s guided missile stealth frigate – INS Trikand, offshore patrol vessel – INS Sumitra, and Maritime Patrol Aircraft – MPA) Dornier participated in the exercise.
• The exercise was conducted in three phases – harbour phase, sea phase and debrief.
  • The harbour phase included professional interactions between IN and RNO operations teams and friendly sports fixtures between the two navies.
  • Indian Navy Ships Trikand and Sumitra, along with Royal Navy of Oman Ships Al Shinas and Al Seeb, sailed for the sea phase. IN – MPA Dornier, RNO MPA and shore based RAFO fighter aircraft Hawks joined the exercise at sea. 
  • Debrief was conducted at the RNO Naval Base at Duqm.

Related link –India-Oman Relations: History, Defence and Cultural Ties.
Read the previous PIB articles here.

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