Current Affairs Questions

Explanation :

Context: As per the 2019 Crime in India Report by the National Crime Records Bureau, only 2.2 % of cases registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act between the years 2016 and 2019 ended in convictions by court.

• Passed in 1967, Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) aims at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India.
• The Act assigns absolute power to the central government, by way of which if the Centre deems an activity as unlawful then it may, by way of an Official Gazette, declare it so.
• It has death penalty and life imprisonment as highest punishments.
• Under UAPA, both Indian and foreign nationals can be charged. It will be applicable to the offenders in the same manner, even if crime is committed on a foreign land, outside India.
• Under the UAPA, the investigating agency can file a charge sheet in maximum 180 days after the arrests and the duration can be extended further after intimating the court.
• The 2004 amendment, added “terrorist act" to the list of offences to ban organisations for terrorist activities, under which 34 outfits were banned.Till 2004, “unlawful" activities referred to actions related to secession and cession of territory.

As per 2019 amendments -

• The Act empowers the Director General of National Investigation Agency (NIA) to grant approval of seizure or attachment of property when the case is investigated by the said agency.
• The Act empowers the officers of the NIA, of the rank of Inspector or above, to investigate cases of terrorism in addition to those conducted by the DSP or ACP or above rank officer in the state.
• It also includes the provision of designating an individual as a terrorist.

Explanation :

Context: Recently, Stardust 1.0 has been launched from USA, which became the first commercial space launch powered by biofuel.

Explanation:

Biofuels

• Any hydrocarbon fuel that is produced from an organic matter (living or once living material) in a short period of time is considered a biofuel.
• Biofuels may be solid, liquid or gaseous in nature.

First Generation Biofuels

• Fuels produced from sugar, starch, vegetable oil, or animal fats utilizing conventional technology.
• Examples: Bioalcohols, Biodiesel, Vegetable Oil, Bioethers, Biogas.

Second Generation Biofuels

• Fuels made from non-food crops such as cellulosic biofuels and waste biomass i.e. stalks of wheat and corn, and wood).
• Example: cellulose ethanol

Third Generation Biofuels

• Fuels made from micro-organisms such as algae.
• It doesn’t require cultivable/arable land for production.
• Example: Butanol

Fourth Generation Biofuels

• In the production of these fuels, crops that are genetically engineered to take in high amounts of carbon are grown and harvested as biomass.
• The crops are then converted into fuel using second generation techniques.
• Like the third generation, fourth-generation biofuels are made using non-arable land. However, unlike the third, they do not need the destruction of biomass.
• Examples: electrofuels and photo-biological solar fuels

Explanation :

Context: Recently, Kerala government has sought Centre intervention on notification regarding eco-sensitive zone around Wayanad sanctuary.

• Located in Kerala, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) is an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. It was established in 1973.
• Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is contiguous to the tiger reserves of Nagerhole and Bandipur of Karnataka and Mudumalai of Tamil Nadu.
• It is the only sanctuary of Kerala where sighting of four-horned antelope has been reported.
• The forests of the wildlife division form the major catchments for the tributaries of the Kabani river system.
• It includes South Indian Moist Deciduous forests, West coast semi-evergreen forests and plantations of teak, eucalyptus and Grewelia.

Explanation :

Context: Recently, the U.S. has announced plans to reengage with the UN Human Rights Council that former President Donald Trump withdrew from almost three years ago.

Explanation:

• The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) was established by the UN General Assembly on 15 March, 2006 to replace the UN Commission on Human Rights.
• Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the Council is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the UN General Assembly.
• These members are elected yearly by the General Assembly for staggered three-year terms. Members are selected via the basis of equitable geographic rotation using the United Nations regional grouping system. Members are eligible for re-election for one additional term, after which they must relinquish their seat.
• The seats are distributed along the following lines:
  • 13 for the African Group
  • 13 for the Asia-Pacific Group
  • 6 for the Eastern European Group
  • 8 for the Latin American and Caribbean Group
  • 7 for the Western European and Others Group
• The UNHRC holds regular sessions three times a year, in March, June, and September.
• The UNHRC passes non-binding resolutions on human rights issues through a periodic review of all 193 UN member states called the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).
• The new mechanism is based on reports coming from different sources, one of them being contributions from non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
• The first cycle of the UPR took place between 2008 and 2011,[42] the second cycle between 2012 and 2016, and the third cycle began in 2017 and is expected to be completed in 2021.

Explanation :

Context: Prime Minister during Mann Ki Baat address made a mention of the garbage-to-power plant being commissioned inside the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Agriculture Market in Bowenpally. Vegetable and fruit waste is used to generate power to the extent of 500 units a day and 30 kilos of green manure at the plant.

• Biomethanation is a process by which organic material is microbiologically converted under anaerobic conditions to biogas.
• Three main physiological groups of microorganisms are involved: fermenting bacteria, organic acid oxidizing bacteria, and methanogenic archaea.
• Unlike other kinds of waste treatment processes, this process is completely self-sufficient and doesn’t require an external power source.
• The system is completely sealed and enclosed and collects every bit of the gas for utilization. This includes a whole host of harmful greenhouse gases.

Benefits

• Generation of gaseous fuel;
• Can be done on a small-scale;
• Enclosed system enables all the gas produced to be collected for use. Green house gases emission to the atmosphere is avoided;
• Free from bad odour, rodent and fly menace, visible pollution and social resistance;
• Modular construction of plant and closed treatment needs less land area; and
• Production of biogas and high grade soil conditioner.

Explanation :

Context: On 4th February, 2021, 100th year of Chauri Chaura — event that led to Gandhi calling off Non-Cooperation Movement was commemorated.

• The Non - Cooperation Movement launched by Mahatma Gandhi on August 1,1920 was the first mass movement organized nationwide during India's struggle for freedom.

Causes of Non-Cooperation Movement

• Jallianwala Bagh Massacre and Resultant Punjab Disturbances
• Dissatisfaction with Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms
• Rowlatt Act
• Khilafat Agitation

Features of the Non-Cooperation Movement

• The movement was essentially a peaceful and non-violent protest against the British government in India.
• Indians were asked to relinquish their titles and resign from nominated seats in the local bodies as a mark of protest.
• People were asked to resign from their government jobs.
• People were asked to withdraw their children from government-controlled or aided schools and colleges.
• People were asked to boycott foreign goods and use only Indian-made goods.
• People were asked to boycott the elections to the legislative councils.
• People were asked not to serve in the British army.
• It was also planned that if the above steps did not bring results, people would refuse to pay their taxes.
• The INC also demanded Swarajya or self-government.
• Only completely non-violent means would be employed to get the demands fulfilled.

Why was the Non-Cooperation Movement suspended?

• Gandhiji called off the movement in February 1922 in the wake of the Chauri Chaura incident.
• In Chauri Chaura, Uttar Pradesh, a violent mob set fire to a police station killing 22 policemen during a clash between the police and protesters of the movement.
• Gandhiji called off the movement saying people were not ready for revolt against the government through ahimsa.
• Several leaders like Motilal Nehru and C R Das were against the suspension of the movement only due to sporadic incidents of violence.

Explanation :

Context: A portion of the Nanda Devi glacier broke off in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district on February 7, 2021,triggering an avalanche and a deluge in the Dhauli Ganga, Rishi Ganga and Alaknanda rivers.

• Dhauliganga, which emerges from Vasudhara Tal, is a left tributary of the Alaknanda.
• The river flows through the Nanda Devi National Park.
• It is joined by the Rishiganga river at Raini.
• It merges with the Alaknanda at Vishnuprayag.

NandadeviNational Park

• The Nanda Devi National Park or Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, established in 1982 is a national park situated around the peak of Nanda Devi (7816 m) in the state of Uttarakhand.
• The Park was established as Sanjay Gandhi National Park by Notification in 1982 but was later renamed Nanda Devi National Park.
• It was inscribed a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1988.

Explanation :

Context:Recently, the Centre has extended the tenure of the Rohini Commission until 31st July, 2021 to submit its report on Sub-categorisation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs).

• The article 340 of the Indian Constitution lays down conditions for the appointment of a Commission to investigate the conditions of backward classes.
• The President may by order appoint a Commission comprising of such persons that he thinks fit to investigate the conditions and background of socially and educationally backward classes that lies within the territory of India.
• 102nd Constitution Amendment Act(2018) granted Constitutional status to National Commission for Backward Classes and inserted new Articles 338 B and 342 A
• Article 338B provides authority to NCBC to examine complaints and welfare measures regarding socially and educationally backward classes.

Explanation :

• Popularly known as Punjab Kesari, Lala Lajpat Rai was one of the three Lal Bal Pal triumvirate.
• He founded the Home Rule League of America in 1917 in New York. In the USA, he worked to get moral support for the Indian independence movement from the international community.
• Servants of the People Society (SOPS) (Lok Sevak Mandal) is a non-profit social service organization founded by Lala Lajpat Rai, a prominent leader in the Indian Independence movement, in 1921 in Lahore. The society is devoted to "enlist and train national missionaries for the service of the motherland". It was shifted to India, following the partition of India in 1947.
• Young India: An Interpretation and a History of the Nationalist Movement from Within, book was By Lala Lajpat Rai written shortly after World War I broke out in Europe. In this book he describes the political situation of the country as it was in 1915 and a history of freedom struggle before 1915.

Explanation :

Context: Review petition of over 1,000 tribals from Mysore District, Karnataka for recognition of their claims over forest land under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, has been rejected by the local authorities.

Forest Rights Act

• The Act passed in 2006 grants legal recognition to the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities.
• It recognize and vest the forest rights and occupation in Forest land in forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribes (FDST) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFD)who have been residing in such forests for generations.
• The Act also establishes the responsibilities and authority for sustainable use, conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of ecological balance of FDST and OTFD.

Rights under the Act

• Title Rights – i.e. ownership – to land that is being farmed by tribals or forest dwellers as on 13 December 2005, subject to a maximum of 4 hectares; ownership is only for land that is actually being cultivated by the concerned family as on that date, meaning that no new lands are granted.
• Use Rights – to minor forest produce (also including ownership), to grazing areas, to pastoralist routes, etc.
• Relief and Development Rights – to rehabilitation in case of illegal eviction or forced displacement; and to basic amenities, subject to restrictions for forest protection.
• Forest Management Rights – to protect forests and wildlife.

Eligibility Criteria

According to Section 2(c) of Forest Rights Act (FRA), to qualify as Forest Dwelling Scheduled Tribe (FDST) and be eligible for recognition of rights under FRA, three conditions must be satisfied by the applicant/s, who could be “members or community”:

• (i)Must be a Scheduled Tribe in the area where the right is claimed; and
• (ii)Primarily resided in forest or forests land prior to 13-12-2005; and
• (iii) Depend on the forest or forests land for bona fide livelihood needs.

And to qualify as Other Traditional Forest Dweller (OTFD) and be eligible for recognition of rights under FRA, two conditions need to be fulfilled:

• (i)Primarily resided in forest or forests land for three generations (75 years) prior to 13-12-2005.