30-October-2024-Daily-Current-Affairs

GENDER REPRESENTATION IN THE INDIAN JUDICIARY

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU

The representation of women in the Indian judiciary remains low, especially in higher courts such as the High Courts and the Supreme Court. Although entry-level recruitment of women has improved, female judges still face numerous obstacles at senior levels.

Current Statistics:

• According to the “State of the Judiciary” report (2023), women constitute only 13.4% of High Court judges and 9.3% of Supreme Court judges.
• Some states have no women judges in their High Courts.
• In lower courts, women make up 36.3% of district judges, showing better entry-level representation.

Challenges Faced by Women in the Legal Profession

Barriers to Advancement

• Only 15.31% of practicing advocates are women.
• Few women are represented as senior advocates or in Bar Councils, reducing their chances of selection for higher judicial positions.

“Funnel Effect”

• This limited representation at entry levels creates a bottleneck, restricting the number of qualified female candidates for senior judicial roles.

Policy and Systemic Issues

• Entry-Level Hurdles: Some states require continuous practice as an advocate for judicial roles, which can be challenging for women who take career breaks for family responsibilities.
• Retention Challenges: Transfer policies and lack of support services discourage women from advancing, worsening the gender imbalance in senior judicial roles.
• Infrastructural Gaps: Many district courts lack women-friendly amenities like separate washrooms, childcare facilities, and nursing rooms, which are essential for work-life balance.
• Societal and Cultural Expectations: Women often bear primary family responsibilities, which can make it challenging to pursue demanding legal careers with limited flexibility.
• Economic Challenges Starting incomes for women lawyers are often low, which can deter them from continuing their studies or establishing their practice. Lack of institutional support, like maternity benefits, further adds to their economic burden.

Public-Private Divide in Judiciary and Gender Needs

Theory of Public-Private Divide:

• According to Carole Pateman, women face additional challenges when transitioning from private (family) roles to public (professional) ones.
• The judiciary, largely structured for men, lacks policies tailored to support women, reinforcing gendered barriers.

Impact on Justice and Society

• Gendered Perspective in Judgments: Limited female representation in the judiciary means that important gender perspectives are often absent, especially in cases concerning women’s rights.
• Public Confidence: A more gender-diverse judiciary can increase public trust by reflecting a representative and fair justice system.
• Role Model Effect: More women in the judiciary can inspire young women to consider legal careers, creating a ripple effect that promotes gender inclusivity.

Incorporating a “Female Gaze” in Judicial Policies

• Gender-Centric Policy Approach: A “female gaze” in policy-making would involve addressing the unique needs of women, eliminating biases, and promoting a supportive environment for career advancement.

International Comparisons and Best Practices

• Global Benchmarks: Countries like the U.K. and Canada have adopted gender-friendly policies such as flexible hours, gender-sensitization, and balanced representation mandates.
• Best Practices: Establishing gender-balanced committees, mentorship programs, and women’s legal associations can help support women in the judiciary.

Addressing Women’s Needs in the Judiciary

Infrastructural Support

• Ensuring female representation in judicial infrastructure planning can lead to better amenities for women, such as washrooms, crèches, and nursing rooms.

Policy Reforms

• Introducing gender-sensitive transfer policies and reducing practice requirements for women can create a more inclusive judicial environment.

Training and Awareness

• Gender-sensitization training for all judicial staff and greater female representation in training academies can reduce bias.

Family-Friendly Workspaces

• Childcare and nursing facilities in courts could make the judiciary more accessible for women balancing family duties.

Conclusion

Achieving gender parity in the judiciary requires reforming entry, retention, and advancement policies to address the unique challenges faced by women. By building a judiciary that supports women’s needs, India can foster greater diversity, fairness, and inclusivity in its legal system.

CYCLONE DANA

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY: OUTLOOK INDIA

Cyclone Dana, a severe cyclonic storm, recently made landfall along the Odisha coast near Bhitarkanika and Dhamara. The storm brought heavy rainfall and strong winds, significantly impacting coastal areas and prompting a large-scale evacuation by the Odisha government.

Key Points on Cyclone Dana

Landfall and Impact:

• Six hours before landfall, the cyclone’s outer bands caused heavy rainfall and strong winds along Odisha’s coast.
• Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts saw uprooted trees and power disruptions, while disaster teams worked to clear blocked roads.
• Approximately 5.84 lakh people were evacuated to cyclone shelters where essential supplies were provided as a precautionary measure.

About Tropical Cyclones

• A tropical cyclone is a rotating storm system originating over warm, tropical, or subtropical waters. It is characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and a low-pressure center.
• Names vary by region: these storms are called hurricanes in the Atlantic, typhoons in the northwest Pacific, and cyclones in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific.

Conditions for Formation:

• Warm Water: Surface temperatures of at least 26.5°C provide the energy for cyclones to form and intensify.
• Moist Air: Moisture in the air is essential, fueling thunderstorms that make up the storm.
• Low Wind Shear: Wind shear (changes in wind direction or speed with height) must be low for a cyclone to maintain structure; high wind shear weakens the storm by disrupting its organization.
• Pre-existing Disturbance: A starting point, such as a tropical wave or low-pressure area, is needed to initiate rotation and storm formation.
• Converging Winds: Convergence allows rising air, creating thunderstorms and the cyclone’s low-pressure center.
• Coriolis Effect: This effect enables cyclonic rotation; cyclones do not form at the Equator due to the lack of Coriolis force.

IMD’s Cyclone Warning System

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) employs a color-coded warning system to indicate cyclone severity, helping communities prepare and take action.

• Green: Minimal impact expected, with light to moderate rain and winds up to 40 km/h.
• Yellow: Moderate impact expected, with heavy rain and winds of 40-60 km/h.
• Orange: Significant damage likely, with very heavy to extremely heavy rain and winds of 60-100 km/h.
• Red: Severe impact expected, with extremely heavy rain and winds above 100 km/h.

This system is based on forecasted wind speed, rainfall, and storm surge levels, guiding residents to take protective measures against the storm’s effects.

DHANTERAS AND NATIONAL AYURVEDA DAY 2024

TOPIC: (GS1) HISTORY: INDIAN EXPRESS

Dhanteras, celebrated two days before Diwali, coincides with National Ayurveda Day in India. This day also commemorates the birth anniversary of Lord Dhanvantari, considered the “Father of Ayurveda.” The dual celebration highlights Dhanvantari’s contributions to health and wellness in Ayurveda, marking his divine connection to healing and prosperity.

What is Ayurveda Day?

Ayurveda, an ancient Indian medical science, focuses on holistic wellness and the harmony of body, mind, and spirit.

The word “Ayurveda” translates to the “knowledge of life.”

Origins of Ayurveda Day:

• The Indian government established Ayurveda Day in 2016, aligning it with Dhanvantari Jayanti (Dhanteras) to raise awareness about Ayurveda.
• Celebrations promote Ayurvedic practices, medicinal herbs, and lifestyle approaches rooted in ancient wisdom.
• The 2024 theme is “Ayurveda Innovation for Global Health,” focusing on women’s health, workplace wellness, school wellness, and food innovation.

Who is Dhanvantari, and Why is He Worshipped?

Dhanvantari’s Divine Role:

• Known as the “Physician of the Gods,” Dhanvantari is believed to be an avatar of Lord Vishnu and the bearer of Ayurveda.
• During the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean), Dhanvantari emerged holding a pot of amrita (nectar of immortality).

Symbolism and Worship on Dhanteras:

• Dhanvantari is worshipped on Dhanteras to seek health, prosperity, and well-being.
• He is often depicted with four hands, holding items like the amrita, a discus, a conch, and sometimes medicinal herbs, symbolizing his role in healing.
• Alongside Dhanvantari, Goddess Lakshmi (for wealth) and Kubera (God of wealth) are also worshipped on Dhanteras.

Legacy in Ayurveda:

• Another belief is that Dhanvantari incarnated as Divodasa, King of Kashi, teaching Ayurveda to sages like Sushruta, an esteemed ancient surgeon.

“IT’S TIME TO JUNK THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT,”

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: INDIAN EXPRESS

The Election Commission (EC) struggles to enforce the MCC, leading to persistent electoral malpractice.

Why is the MCC Criticized?

• Lack of Enforcement: Violations of the MCC are frequent, with minimal repercussions. For instance, Himanta Biswa Sarma’s communal speech in Jamshedpur breached MCC’s guidelines, but no action was taken against him.
• Selective Enforcement: The Election Commission of India (ECI) often inconsistently enforces the MCC. Despite obvious violations—such as derogatory remarks from politicians in Maharashtra and Jharkhand—the ECI’s response is often delayed or ineffective.
• Failure to Prevent Voter Bribery: The Maharashtra government’s announcement of schemes worth Rs 1 lakh crore just before elections is seen as an attempt at voter bribery, which the MCC is meant to prevent but fails to do.
• MCC as a Distraction: During elections, the MCC is used as a reason to halt regular governance activities, disrupting routine administration and decision-making.

What Was the MCC Originally Meant to Do?

• Purpose of the MCC: The MCC was created to uphold fair and impartial elections. It was intended to maintain a democratic spirit by ensuring a level playing field for all political parties.
• Promoting Decency: It encouraged decency in campaign practices and worked to prevent unfair practices, especially by those in power before elections.
• Quick Violation Redressal: The MCC provided a framework for swift identification and resolution of election-related misconduct, offering a more efficient mechanism than lengthy legal procedures.
• Independent Oversight: The MCC empowered the Election Commission as an impartial body that could manage disputes during elections, supplementing existing electoral laws.

What Should Be Done?

• Abolish the MCC: Given its ineffectiveness, the MCC could be scrapped. Leaders making divisive remarks, such as Himanta Biswa Sarma, violate MCC norms without facing consequences.
• Strengthen Election Laws: Existing laws under the Representation of the People Act, 1951, should be relied upon to curb corrupt practices like voter bribery and misuse of government funds.
• Empower the ECI: Under Article 324, the ECI should shift focus to enforcing statutory laws rather than managing MCC rules.
• Minimize Governance Disruptions: The MCC frequently disrupts governance, as seen with Maharashtra’s Rs 1 lakh crore schemes announcement close to elections, which is perceived as potential voter bribery.

THE UNDER-REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN THE JUDICIARY”

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU

The judiciary in India has a notably low representation of women, who encounter numerous obstacles in entering and advancing within the field.

Current State of Women’s Representation in the Judiciary

• Low Numbers, Especially in Higher Roles: Women are underrepresented, particularly in senior positions.
• District Judiciary: About 36.3% of judges are women, with 14 states having over 50% female junior judges.
• High Court and Supreme Court: Only 13.4% of High Court judges and 9.3% of Supreme Court judges are women (as of January 2024).
• States with Minimal Female Judges: States like Bihar, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand have either no women judges or just one.
• Bar Council Representation: Women account for only 15.31% of registered advocates, with few advancing to senior positions.

Policy Gaps Hindering Women’s Progress in the Judiciary

• Entry Barriers: In many states, rules for judicial appointments require continuous legal practice for those seeking judge positions, which is often challenging for women who balance family duties, as they lack maternity benefits or financial support.
• Restrictive Transfer Policies: Transfer rules do not consider women’s roles as primary caregivers, making career advancement difficult.
• Infrastructural Deficits: Many courts lack basic facilities for women. For example, around 100 district courts do not have dedicated washrooms, and facilities like crèches are scarce; the Delhi High Court’s crèche only accommodates children under six.
• Limited Representation in Decision-Making Roles: Few women are part of High Court committees that make infrastructure decisions, reducing the likelihood of gender-sensitive policies.

Conclusion: The judiciary needs more inclusive policies, better infrastructure, and consideration of women’s unique challenges to create a balanced and fair representation in the legal profession.

 “COMBATING MONEY LAUNDERING IN ONLINE GAMING ECOSYSTEM”

TOPIC: (GS3) ECONOMY: INDIAN EXPRESS

A report from the Digital India Foundation (DIF) has raised concerns over money laundering in India’s online gaming sector. It emphasizes the sector’s vulnerability to misuse for money laundering and terrorist financing, highlighting a need for better regulations and oversight.

Key Points of the Report

• Threat from International Online Betting: Rising use of international online betting sites for laundering money and financing terrorism.
• Sector Growth: India’s online gaming industry is growing quickly, with a 28% CAGR from FY20 to FY23, and revenue expected to hit USD 7.5 billion in the next five years.
• Employment Potential: Currently, 568 million gamers in India drive employment in fintech, cybersecurity, and cloud services. By 2025, the sector could generate 250,000 jobs with 100 million daily users and over 400 startups.
• Risks and Vulnerabilities:
  • Illegal Operators: Many platforms evade regulation by using mirror sites and VPNs.
  • In-Game Currencies and Assets: Used to conduct hidden transactions.
  • Cryptocurrency Use: Allows anonymous transactions, aiding cross-border laundering.
  • Mule Accounts: Facilitate transactions and obscure illegal fund sources.
  • Smurfing and Money Dumping: Small, disguised transactions to evade detection.

What is Online Gaming?

• Definition: Online gaming involves connecting and competing with others over the internet, using computers, consoles, or smartphones.
• Categories:
  • Skill-Based Games: Legal in India; rely on skill over chance (e.g., Dream11, MPL).
  • Games of Chance: Usually illegal if primarily chance-based, as with games like roulette.
• Current Scenario:
  • Youth Demographics: With over 600 million people under 35, the youth population is driving the industry’s growth.
  • Smartphone Access: With 75% smartphone penetration, mobile gaming now makes up 90% of total revenue.
  • E-sports Growth: E-sports viewership has surged to over 80 million in India, supported by government initiatives.

Legality of Online Gaming and Gambling in India

• Legal Authority: States control laws on gaming, betting, and gambling under the State List (List II) of the Indian Constitution’s Seventh Schedule.
• Public Gambling Act, 1867: India’s only central law on gambling, outdated for handling today’s digital gaming challenges.
• Recent Developments: The Finance Ministry imposed a 28% GST on online money gaming, casinos, and horse racing.
• Lotteries Regulation Act, 1998: Lotteries are legal if organized by the state government.

Money Laundering

• Definition: Process of concealing origins of illicit money by routing it through legitimate-looking transactions.
• Common Methods:
  • Structuring (Smurfing): Breaking down large amounts into smaller deposits.
  • Trade-Based Laundering: Using trade deals to mask funds’ origins.
  • Shell Companies: Fake companies used to channel illicit funds.
  • Real Estate: Buying property with illegal money to later sell as “clean” assets.
• Prevention Steps in India:
  • Enforcing the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
  • Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) setup.
  • Strict KYC policies for banks and financial entities.
  • Collaborations with global bodies like the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Challenges to the Gaming Sector

• Financial Integrity Issues: India’s illegal betting market sees annual deposits over USD 100 billion, increasing risks of fraud and laundering.
• Cybersecurity Threats: VPN and geo-blocking bypasses expose users to risky gambling sites.
• Misuse of In-Game Assets: Assets and cryptocurrencies complicate regulatory measures.
• Illegal Offshore Platforms: Unregulated offshore betting sites make regulation difficult.
• Regulatory Evasion: Many platforms use mirror sites and deceptive branding, highlighting the need for stricter controls.

Suggested Risk-Mitigation Steps

• Taskforce Creation: Set up a taskforce to recommend policies for regulating gaming.
• Mandatory Registration: Require all online and offshore gaming operators to register under the Central GST Act within 30 days of eligibility.
• Whitelist Creation: Publish a list of legal online gaming operators for regulation purposes.
• Advertising Guidelines: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting should allow only legal operators to advertise.
• Financial Collaboration: Work with banks and payment providers to block payments to known illegal sites.
• International Cooperation: Develop agreements with international bodies and countries to address cross-border online gaming issues.

SOLAR ENERGY

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU

Solar energy is revolutionizing power generation by decentralizing it, benefiting local communities—especially women—through income generation and job opportunities.

This shift has both social and environmental advantages, stressing the need for inclusive energy policies that consider gender perspectives.

Role of Solar Energy in Modern Society

• Solar energy allows direct electricity generation at home, bypassing the need for large infrastructure required by traditional sources like coal and oil.
• Decentralized power helps increase energy access, empowering individuals and communities to become more self-sufficient and lowering environmental impacts.

How Solar Energy Empowers Women

• Income and Health Benefits: Solar energy improves access to income and health services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
• Example from Gujarat: In Gujarat’s Little Rann of Kutch, women salt farmers who switched from diesel to solar pumps saw a 94% income rise and reduced CO2 emissions by 1,15,000 metric tons annually.
• Women as Solar Engineers: Programs like Barefoot College (India), Grameen Shakti (Bangladesh), and Solar Sister (Africa) train women as solar engineers, impacting millions by enhancing community health and safety.
• We Care Solar in Uganda: Solar suitcases from We Care Solar reduced perinatal deaths by 72% in Ugandan health centers.
• Employment in Solar Industry: In 2022, women comprised 40% of the solar photovoltaic workforce, more than in other energy sectors.
• Job Growth in India: India’s renewable energy goals could create three million new jobs by 2030, opening substantial employment avenues for women.

Challenges Faced by Solar Energy

• Geographical Imbalance: Investments heavily favor developed countries, with limited funding for solar projects in regions like Africa.
• Sectoral Imbalance: Large-scale solar farms receive most of the funding, whereas small-scale applications (e.g., solar pumps, cold storage) lack adequate support.
• Manufacturing Concentration: Solar manufacturing is concentrated in two countries, causing supply chain challenges and increasing costs as demand grows.
• End-of-Life Management: Recycling and waste management frameworks for photovoltaic materials are underdeveloped, necessitating sustainable disposal systems.
• Affordability: Making solar energy accessible and affordable requires proactive government and market involvement.

Improving Energy Policies

• Gender Perspective: Incorporating gender considerations can make energy policies more effective and equitable.
• Sectoral Integration: Linking solar initiatives with other fields, like agriculture, can reduce systemic barriers affecting women, fostering an inclusive energy economy.
• Holistic Approach: Embracing solar energy within other development sectors ensures sustainable growth while advancing social and economic goals.

INDIAS FERTILIZERS SITUATION AMID GLOBAL CRISIS

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: INDIAN EXPRESS

Amid global crises, India faces challenges with fertilizer imports due to heavy reliance on external sources for urea, DAP, and MOP. The government has allocated substantial subsidies to support fertilizer affordability, while experts recommend enhancing domestic production and sustainable farming methods.

Current Fertilizer Scenario in India

• Import Dependency: As per an August 2023 report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee:
  • Around 20% of urea, 50-60% of Diammonium Phosphate (DAP), and 100% of Muriate of Potash (MOP) used in India are imported.
  • This reliance makes India susceptible to international supply disruptions.
• Production vs. Consumption Gap: In 2021-22, India produced 435.95 lakh metric tonnes (LMT) of chemical fertilizers, while consumption reached 579.67 LMT, revealing a considerable shortfall.
• Global Crisis Impact: Conflicts, like those in Ukraine and Gaza, could impact fertilizer imports by driving up oil prices and affecting supplies from major exporters (e.g., China, Russia, and the Middle East), potentially disrupting India’s fertilizer supply chain.

Reasons for Rising Fertilizer Demand

• Seasonal Crop Needs: The current sowing season for winter (rabi) crops, especially wheat, has increased fertilizer demand.
  • Fertilizers such as DAP and NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) are vital for crop growth.
  • Some states, like Uttar Pradesh, report critically low fertilizer stocks, with reserves lasting only about 10 days, raising supply concerns.

Government Measures

• Subsidies: For 2023-24, the government has allocated ₹1.79 lakh crore in subsidies:
  • ₹1,04,063.20 crore for local urea production and ₹25,500 crore for indigenous P&K fertilizers.
  • For imported fertilizers, subsidies include ₹31,000 crore for urea and ₹18,500 crore for P&K fertilizers, helping maintain supply and affordability.
• Production Boost Initiatives:
  • The New Investment Policy of 2012 led to six new urea plants, adding 76.2 LMT of production capacity annually.
  • Revival of major urea units in Ramgundam, Gorakhpur, Sindri, and Barauni as gas-based greenfield plants has expanded domestic production.
  • The government encourages public, cooperative, and private investments to boost fertilizer production and distribution.

Way Forward

• India needs to boost domestic fertilizer production to reduce import dependency, especially for MOP (100% imported) and DAP (over 50% imported).
• Promoting sustainable farming practices, including using nano urea, can help lower import reliance and ensure a steady fertilizer supply for crops.

NATIONAL MISSION FOR MANUSCRIPTS (NMM)

TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: THE HINDU

The Union Ministry of Culture is set to revive and relaunch the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM).

What are the Key Points of the Revived NMM?

National Manuscripts Authority:

• The Ministry of Culture plans to establish an autonomous entity named the National Manuscripts Authority.
• Currently, the NMM functions as part of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts (IGNCA).

Achievements of NMM:

• From 2003 to 2024, the NMM has catalogued metadata for approximately 5.2 million manuscripts.
• Over 300,000 titles have been digitized, with about one-third made available online.

Concerns:

• Only around 70,000 of the 130,000 uploaded manuscripts are accessible to the public.
• Many manuscripts are privately owned, with limited incentives for owners to share them publicly.

Future Roadmap:

• Establish university positions internationally in ancient Indian studies.
• Involve intellectual property and legal experts to address concerns related to the sale and private ownership of manuscripts abroad.
• Focus on preserving manuscripts in non-Brahmi and lesser-known scripts.

Manuscripts

• Manuscripts refer to handwritten works created on materials like paper, bark, cloth, metal, or palm leaf, with an age requirement of at least 75 years.
• Exclusions: Lithographs and printed books are not classified as manuscripts.
• Script Variability: Languages can appear in multiple scripts; for instance, Sanskrit can be written in Oriya, Grantha, and Devanagari.
• Distinction from Historical Records: Unlike records such as epigraphs and firmans, which document historical events, manuscripts focus primarily on knowledge content in fields like philosophy, science, literature, and art.
• Historical Interest: Manuscripts have long attracted interest, with the Nawab of Awadh gifting a Padshahnama manuscript to King George III in the 18th century, and Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang carrying manuscripts back to China in the 7th century.
• British Interest: British scholars like William Jones, C.P. Brown, John Leyden, Colin Mackenzie, Charles Wilkins, H.H. Wilson, and H.T. Colebrooke made notable contributions to the study and preservation of Indian manuscripts.
• Early Efforts in Cataloguing: Cataloguing efforts in India began as early as 1803, led by H.T. Colebrooke, then the fourth president of the Asiatic Society of Bengal.

What are the Key Facts About NMM?

• About: The National Mission for Manuscripts, launched by the Ministry of Culture in 2003, aims to preserve, document, and make accessible India’s extensive manuscript heritage.
• Implementing Bodies: The Department of Culture oversees the mission, with the IGNCA acting as the primary agency.
• Objectives: NMM works toward conserving manuscripts and sharing the knowledge they hold, aligned with its motto, “conserving the past for the future.”
• Scope and Collection: India is estimated to possess around five million manuscripts, potentially the world’s largest collection. Approximately 70% of these manuscripts are in Sanskrit.

CORAL TRIANGLE

TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: DOWN TO EARTH

A recent report at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) highlighted the risks fossil fuel expansion poses to the Coral Triangle, one of the world’s most biodiverse marine areas.

About the Coral Triangle

• Location: Spanning six countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific – Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Timor-Leste.
• High Biodiversity: Known as the “Amazon of the seas,” it has the world’s richest marine biodiversity, including 76% of all coral species and over 2,000 reef fish species.
• Marine Ecosystems: Contains critical marine ecosystems like coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrass beds, which support diverse marine life such as turtles, sharks, and fish.
• Ecological Importance: Essential for global marine biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, supporting marine and coastal ecosystems worldwide.
• Human Dependency: Over 120 million people live in the Coral Triangle region, relying on its resources for food, income, and economic activities, especially through fishing and tourism.
• Threats: Faces threats from overfishing, climate change, pollution, and habitat loss. Coral bleaching due to warmer sea temperatures poses a major risk.
• Conservation Efforts: The Coral Triangle Initiative (CTI) promotes conservation with goals to support sustainable fisheries, marine protection, and climate change adaptation.
• Global Importance: Recognized globally for conservation due to its rich biodiversity and vital role in maintaining ocean health and supporting marine life.

MOUNT FUJI: JAPAN’S ICONIC PEAK

TOPIC: (GS1) GEOGRAPHY: THE HINDU

Mount Fuji, also called Fuji-san, is Japan’s tallest mountain, rising to 3,776 meters. Located on Honshu Island, it lies around 100 km southwest of the Tokyo-Yokohama area, spanning the Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures.

Geological Features:

• Fuji is a stratovolcano with a strikingly smooth slope and wide base, culminating in a beautiful, narrow peak.
• The mountain has been dormant since its last eruption in 1707, but it remains classified as an active volcano.
• The Pacific Plate sinking under the Philippine Plate is thought to drive its volcanic activity.

Unique Landscape:

• Unlike many high mountains, Fuji is not part of a larger mountain range.
• It has a large summit crater and is made of numerous basaltic lava flows.
• On its northern side, the Fuji Five Lakes (Fuji Goko)—Lake Yamanaka, Lake Kawaguchi, Lake Sai, Lake Shōji, and Lake Motosu—were created by historical lava flows.

Cultural Significance:

• Known for its scenic beauty, Mt. Fuji is the centrepiece of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park.
• Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013, it’s typically snow-capped, though recently recorded an unusually snowless period.