What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What are Wetlands?
• What are Ramsar sites?
• India adds 3 new Ramsar sites

Why in News?

Three new wetlands have got the Ramsar site tag taking the total tally of Ramsar wetlands to 85 in India. The three new Ramsar sites are Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary and Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu and Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh.

What are Wetlands?

• About
  • Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil or is present at or near the surface, creating unique ecosystems.
  • The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands defines wetlands as areas that can be natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, where water may be static or flowing, and can be fresh, brackish, or salty.
  • This includes marshes, fens, peatlands, and even shallow marine waters up to six meters deep at low tide.
• The definition emphasizes the diversity of wetland types, covering various water conditions and both inland and coastal ecosystems.
• Significance
  • Wetlands help regulate climate conditions through carbon sequestration, that is, carbon storage from the atmosphere.
  • According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems in the world, comparable to rainforests and coral reefs.
  • They play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating water cycles, and acting as natural water purifiers.
  • In India, wetlands like the Sundarbans in West Bengal and Chilika Lake in Odisha provide critical habitats for wildlife, support livelihoods through fishing and agriculture, and help in flood control, making them vital for environmental and economic stability.
• Wetlands in India
  • In India, wetlands are spread over 1,52,600 square kilometres (sq km) which is 4.63 per cent of the total geographical area of the country.
• Of the 1,52,600 sq km, inland-natural wetlands account for 43.4% and coastal-natural wetlands 24.3%.
  • India has 19 types of wetlands. In state-wise distribution of wetlands, Gujarat is at the top with 34,700 sq km (17.56% of total geographical area of the state), or 22.7% of total wetlands areas of the country.
• It is followed by Andhra Pradesh (14,500 sq km), Uttar Pradesh (12,400 sq km) and West Bengal (11,100 sq km).
• Steps taken by India to protect wetlands
  • The Indian government has launched a series of policies and initiatives to protect wetlands, like the National Wetland Conservation Programme of 1986 and the 2015 National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Wetlands.
  • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has also identified over 2,200 wetlands for conservation schemes.

What are Ramsar sites?

• About
  • The Ramsar Convention, formally known as the Convention on Wetlands, is an international treaty established in 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar.
  • Its primary goal is to conserve and sustainably use wetlands, which are vital ecosystems that provide numerous ecological, economic, and cultural benefits.
  • The Convention encourages the designation of "Ramsar sites," which are wetlands of international importance due to their unique ecological characteristics.
  • Member countries are obligated to maintain the ecological character of these sites and promote their sustainable use.
• Members
  • Organisations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature, the World-Wide Fund for Nature, and other environmental agencies are associated with the treaty.
  • It also has 172 signatory countries.
• Criteria
  • The selection of Ramsar sites is based on various criteria defined under the convention.
  • For example, “A wetland should be considered internationally important if it supports plant and/or animal species at a critical stage in their life cycles, or provides refuge during adverse conditions.”
  • It also looks at the sites’ capacity to support fishes and waterbirds.
• Ramsar and India
  • India joined it in 1982, initially designating the Chilika Lake in Orissa and Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan.
  • Today, the country has among the highest number of Ramsar sites in Asia.

India adds 3 new Ramsar sites

• Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary
  • The Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu, located on the banks of the Noyyal River, was initially a water reservoir for irrigation but has evolved into a crucial ecosystem.
  • It supports diverse bird species, including the Eurasian coot, spot-billed duck, and various herons, and attracts migratory birds along the Central Asian Flyway.
  • The wetland is now a biodiversity hotspot and supports local livelihoods through fishing.
• Kazhuveli Sanctuary 
  • The Kazhuveli Sanctuary on the Coromandel Coast is one of the largest brackish water wetlands in south India.
  • The ecosystem i’s mix of salt marshes, mudflats and shallow waters make it a home to many globally endangered species, like the black-headed ibis and greater flamingo.
  • It is also a stopover for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway.
  • In storing water, Kazhuveli also helps with flood control and groundwater recharge, helping maintain the region’s water table.
• Tawa Reservoir
  • The Tawa Reservoir in Madhya Pradesh is also integral in regional water management.
  • Created by damming the Tawa River, the reservoir became a massive wintering ground for migratory birds.
  • Tawa provides irrigation water to farmlands, drinking water to local communities, and sustains the nearby fisheries.

Q.1. What is the significance of the newly added Ramsar sites in India?

The newly added Ramsar sites—Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, and Tawa Reservoir—play a vital role in preserving biodiversity, supporting migratory birds, and sustaining local communities through activities like fishing and flood control.

Q.2. How do Ramsar sites contribute to environmental conservation in India?

Ramsar sites are essential for environmental conservation as they protect unique ecosystems, regulate water cycles, and support wildlife. These wetlands also provide crucial resources for local communities, including livelihoods and flood mitigation.

Source: India adds 3 new Ramsar sites: What are wetlands, why do they matter for the environment? | Indian Wetlands | Indian Express | Hindustan Times

What’s in today’s article?

• Background
• What is Adoption in legal terms?
• Legal Provisions w.r.t Adoption in India
• About Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)
• Who can be Adopted?
• Who can Adopt?
• Reasons Behind Low Level Adoption in India
• Conclusion

Background

• Of the 18,179 adoptions recorded since 2019, only 1,404 involved children with special needs even as the absolute numbers of adoptions saw an increase over the next five years, according to official data.
• Though the number of children with special needs for adoption has risen, the adoption rate is still significantly low, activists pointed out.

What is Adoption in legal terms?

• Adoption is the formal process through which a child is permanently separated from his biological parents to become the lawful child of his adoptive parents.
• The adopted child enjoys all rights, privileges and responsibilities attached to a biological child.

Legal Provisions w.r.t Adoption in India

• In India, two legislations deal with the adoption of a child:
  • The Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956 (HAMA)
  • The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015
• This includes Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Model Rules, 2016 and Adoption Regulations, 2017.
• The fundamental principles that govern adoption state that – 
  • Interests of the child are most important and
  • Preference is to be given to place the child in adoption with Indian citizens with “due regard to the principle of placement of the child in his socio-cultural environment, as far as possible”.
• CARA functions as the nodal agency for adoption in India.
• A database of children and registration of prospective parents is done on a centralised Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System (CARINGS), which is maintained by CARA.

About Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

• CARA is a statutory body established under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
• CARA functions as the nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions.
• It primarily deals with adoption of orphan, abandoned and surrendered children through its associated/recognised adoption agencies.
• CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993.

Who can be Adopted?

• An orphan, abandoned, or surrendered child who has been declared legally free for adoption by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) can be adopted.
  • This only happens under the provisions of the JJ Act 2015.
• A child of a relative — paternal uncle or aunt, a maternal uncle or aunt or paternal and maternal grandparents — can be adopted.
• According to CARA, children of the spouse from earlier marriage surrendered by the biological parent(s) can also be adopted by the step-parent.

Who can Adopt?

• The Ministry of Woman and Child Development states that irrespective of marital status and whether or not they have a biological son or daughter, a person can adopt if:
  • The prospective adoptive parent (PAP) is physically, mentally stable, financially capable and should not have any life-threatening medical condition,
  • In the case of a married couple, two years of stable marital relationship and consent of both spouses are required for adoption.
  • While a single woman can adopt a child of any gender, a single male is not eligible to adopt a girl child.
  • The minimum age difference between the child and either of the prospective adoptive parents should not be less than 25 years.
  • Couples with three or more children are not considered except in the case of adoption of children with special needs or hard-to-place children.

Reasons Behind Low Level Adoption in India

• India has a significant number of orphaned and abandoned children living in Child Care Institutions (CCIs), yet the adoption rates remain low.
• Despite over 28,000 prospective parents registered with the CARA, only about 2,200 children are legally available for adoption. This discrepancy is due to several factors.
• Lengthy and Exhausting Process:
  • Many prospective parents face years of waiting with no assurance of when they will be able to adopt.
  • The process is emotionally draining, with little communication from CARA, leading to frustration and disappointment.
• Systemic Delays:
  • The journey from finding an orphaned child to placing them in an adoptive home involves multiple steps, including legal formalities that can take years to complete.
  • Even after being identified, many children in CCIs do not make it to the adoption pool due to incomplete paperwork or other procedural delays.
• Social and Cultural Barriers:
  • Historically, Indian society has been resistant to adoption due to social issues like caste, class, and genetics.
  • However, the growing number of prospective adoptive parents indicates a shift in societal attitudes, with more people now embracing adoption as a way to build a family.
• Special Needs and Older Children:
  • A significant challenge is the adoption of older children, siblings, and those with disabilities.
  • These categories often remain unadopted in India, although foreign adoptive parents are more open to adopting children with special needs.

Conclusion

• While there is an increasing awareness and acceptance of adoption in India, the process remains fraught with delays and systemic issues that need urgent reforms.

Ensuring timely legal procedures, better communication, and a more inclusive approach to adoption can help address these challenges and provide homes for many more children.

Q1. What was the purpose of Justice Verma committee?

Justice Verma Committee was constituted to recommend amendments to the Criminal Law so as to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for criminals accused of committing sexual assault against women. The Committee submitted its report on January 23, 2013.

Q2. When was Ministry of Child and Women Development established?

The Department of Women and Child Development, Government of India, came into existence as a separate Ministry with effect from 30th January, 2006, earlier since 1985 it was a Department under the Ministry of Human Resources Development.

Source: Child Adoption in India | Hindu

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• What is Lithium Mining?
• Lithium Reserves and Mining in India
• Environmental Challenges Posed by Lithium Mining
• Fallouts of Lithium Mining in Chile

Why in News?

• According to a new study, Chile’s Atacama salt flat (flat expanses of ground covered with salt and other minerals) is sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 cm per year due to lithium brine extraction.
• The process of extracting lithium from brine involves pumping salt-rich water to the top and through a sequence of evaporation ponds in order to recover lithium.

What is Lithium Mining?

• Lithium mining refers to the extraction of lithium primarily from brine water and hard-rock (spodumene) deposits.
• Brine extraction, which accounts for 66% of the total lithium production, involves pumping underground brine to the surface and allowing the water to evaporate, leaving behind lithium carbonate.
• Hard-rock mining involves extracting lithium-bearing minerals from rock through traditional mining techniques.
• Lithium production has dramatically increased over the past decade.
  • The global output surpassed 100,000 tonnes (tonne = metric ton) for the first time in 2021, a fourfold increase from 2010.
  • In 2022, global lithium mines produced an estimated 130,000 metric tons. 

Lithium Reserves and Mining in India:

• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) had for the first time in India's history established Lithium inferred resources of 5.9 million tonnes in Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district.
• Months after India's first lithium reserves, the GSI has found another reserve of the crucial mineral in Degana in Rajasthan's Nagaur district.
  • These reserves are believed to be much bigger in quantity (than found in J&K) and can meet 80% of the total country's demand.
• The Ministry of Mines successfully auctioned off India’s first lithium block in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district (Katghora region) recently.

Environmental Challenges Posed by Lithium Mining:

• Deplete water resources: Extracting one ton of lithium requires approximately 500,000 litres of water, which can deplete water resources in arid regions and impact local communities and ecosystems.
• Contaminate soil and water sources: The chemicals used in lithium extraction, such as sulfuric acid, can contaminate soil and water sources, posing risks to human health and wildlife.
• Carbon emissions:
  • Lithium mining, particularly from hard rock sources, is energy-intensive, requiring substantial electricity for crushing, grinding, and chemical separation processes.
  • This energy often comes from non-renewable sources, exacerbating carbon emissions and the carbon footprint of lithium production.

Fallouts of Lithium Mining in Chile:

• The research has shown that lithium mining (over the years) has had severe environmental fallouts, especially in countries such as Chile.
• The satellite data collected between 2020 and 2023 shows deformations in the Earth’s crust of Atacama salt flat - one of the largest sources of lithium in the world.
• The worst affected areas are those where mining companies are doing most of their pumping of lithium-rich brine.

That is happening because the pumping takes place at a faster rate than the recharge of aquifers, leading to subsidence or the downward vertical movement of the Earth’s surface.

Q.1. Why is lithium called white gold?

Lithium is known as "white gold" because of its soft, silvery-white appearance. It's also a key ingredient in battery storage technology, which powers EVs, stores wind and solar energy, and powers some mobile phones and laptops.

Q.2. What are salt flats and their significance?

Salt flats are large, flat areas of land that are covered in salt and other minerals, usually shining white under the sun. They are natural formations that form when water bodies, like lakes or ponds, evaporate in climates where evaporation is greater than precipitation, such as deserts.

Source: Chile’s Atacama salt flat sinking due to lithium mining: What a new study says

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)
• Drug menace in India - Reasons for Widespread Drug Abuse in India
• Fight against drug menace – India’s regulatory framework

Why in News?

As per the report initiated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), India’s space sector has directly contributed about $24 billion (₹20,000 crore) to India’s Gross Domestic Product over the last decade.

Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)

• About
  • NCB is the apex drug law enforcement and intelligence agency of India, established in 1986 under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), 1985.
  • The NCB is responsible for combating drug trafficking and the abuse of illegal substances.
• Nodal ministry
  • The NCB operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
• Performance of NCB
  • Between 2014 and 2024, 4,150 drug cases were registered, a 230% rise from the 1,250 cases between 2004 and 2014.
  • Arrests surged from 1,360 to 6,300, and drug seizures grew by 257%.
  • The value of drugs seized between 2004 to 2014 was ₹5,900 crore while the value of drugs seized between 2014 to 2024 was ₹22,000 crore.
  • In terms of volume, 5,43,000 kg of drugs were seized between 2014 and 2024.

Drug menace in India - Reasons for Widespread Drug Abuse in India

• To escape from hard realities of life –
  • The disintegration of the old joint family system, decline of old religious and moral values etc. lead to a rise in the number of drug addicts who take drugs to escape hard realities of life.
• Loosening of the traditional methods of social control
  • The loosening of the traditional methods of social control left an individual vulnerable to the stresses and strains of modern life.
• Peers pressure
  • Many youths start using drug under the pressure from their friends, seniors at educational institutions, or by members of their informal groupings.
• Easy Availability
  • India is situated in the sense that on its west is the ‘Golden Crescent’ and on east is the ‘Golden Triangle’.
• Golden Crescent - Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan
• Golden Triangle - Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar
  • The usage of drugs in India is increasing, particularly in the border areas due to their porous nature.
• Economic prosperity
  • The agricultural reforms and other industrial activity have led to increase in income in regions like Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra etc.
  • Increase in disposable money and easy availability of drugs has led to increase in its use.

Fight against drug menace – India’s regulatory framework

• Article 47 of the Indian Constitution
  • The National Policy on Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances is based on the Directive Principles, contained in Article 47 of the Indian Constitution.
  • The Article directs the State to endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption, except for medicinal purposes, of intoxicating drugs injurious to health.
• Signatory to international conventions
  • India is a signatory to:
    • the single Convention on Narcotic Drugs 1961, as amended by the 1972 Protocol,the Conventions on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and
    • the United Nations Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.
• Existing Laws
  • The broad legislative policy is contained in the three Central Acts:
    • Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940,
    • The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985, and
    • The Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1988.
• Institutions involved
  • The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) was created in 1986 as a nodal agency to fight against this menace.
  • Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) are involved with alcohol and drug demand reduction policies and drug de-addiction programme.
  • In order to prevent misuse of dual-use drugs, a permanent inter-ministerial committee has been formed with the ministry of health and family welfare and the ministry of chemicals.
• Technological intervention
  • The NCORD portal has been launched as an effective mechanism for information exchange between various institutions/agencies.
  • A toll-free helpline called MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) with the number 1933 has been launched.
• Other measures
  • The government aims to achieve drug-free India by 2047 through a 3 points strategy - strengthening of institutional structure, coordination among all narco agencies and extensive public awareness campaign.
  • As part of this strategy a number of steps have been taken which includes:
• Establishment of a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in each state/UTs.
• High priority to Drug Disposal drive.
• Launch of NIDAAN Portal for Narco offenders.
• Creation of canine squads for drug detection.
• Strengthening the forensic capabilities.
• Establishment of Special NDPS Courts and Fast Track Courts.

Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan (NMBA) for generating Awareness against drug Abuse.

Q.1. How does drug money impact India's security and economy?

Drug money poses a significant threat to India's security and economy by funding terrorism and left-wing extremism, destabilizing national security, and undermining economic stability through the proliferation of illicit trade.

Q.2. What steps has the NCB taken to combat drug trafficking in the past decade?

The NCB has registered a 230% increase in drug trafficking cases from 2014 to 2024, significantly boosting arrests and drug seizures. This reflects the government's intensified efforts to curb the drug menace in India.

Source: Drug money endangering country’s security, economy: Amit Shah | PIB | NCB