21st October 2024

Article: 21^st October, 2024

Topic: Address ageing population in South

Relevance: GS Paper: 1 – Social Issues

Source: Hindustan Times

Context

• The chief minister of Andhra Pradesh noted that the fertility rate in southern states has decreased to 1.6, significantly lower than the 2.1 national average.

Population Trends in Southern India:

• Falling Fertility Rates Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala are among the southern Indian states that have attained or are approaching replacement-level fertility, which is 2.1 children per woman. For example:

• In 2004, Andhra Pradesh accomplished this.
• This level was attained by Kerala as early as 1988.
• Compared to Northern India, these states have substantially lower fertility rates, which slows population growth.
• Aging Population: Southern India’s population is aging quickly due to declining birth rates and rising life expectancy.
• Kerala’s 60+ population is predicted to climb from 13% in 2011 to 23% by 2036.
• Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu are also undergoing a similar demographic transition, creating a greater share of elderly citizens.

• Contribution to Population increase: From 2011 to 2036, the southern states are expected to account for just 9% of India’s overall population increase. On the other hand, a far greater portion of India’s future population growth will come from northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

• Internal Migration and Workforce: In order to meet labor shortages and sustain economic growth, Southern states are increasingly depending on migrants from Northern India as a result of falling birth rates and a dwindling working-age population.

• Effect on Political Representation: Southern India’s slower rate of population increase presents questions regarding political representation. More populous Northern states like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar may gain representation after constituency delineation, while Southern states may lose some parliamentary seats.
• Economic and Healthcare Strain: As the number of senior citizens in Southern states rises, it is anticipated that healthcare costs will rise as well, putting additional strain on social security systems.

Problems With the Economic Impact of Population Decline:

• The state may need to spend more money on caring for this expanding population if a large portion of the population is getting older.
• Social Security and pension programs are under more strain than ever.
• Need for Caregiver: As the number of old people increases, there is an increasing demand for caretakers.
• Social Isolation: In metropolitan regions where conventional family structures are evolving, older persons frequently experience social isolation.
• Impact on women: Older women are more likely to be widowed, live alone, have no income and few assets of their own, and be totally dependent on family for support, making poverty in old age a gendered phenomenon.
• Policy Development: Comprehensive policies that cover the housing, healthcare, and social welfare needs of older individuals are required.
• North-South Divide: Resource distribution may be impacted by heightened political and economic attention in northern states like Uttar Pradesh, which account for a larger portion of India’s population.
  
  

Way Ahead:

• By attracting people from Northern India, which has a bigger working-age population, Southern states can address their labor shortages.
• Workforce Development: To effectively manage a declining labor force, investments in automation, cutting-edge technology, and skill-retraining initiatives will be crucial. This strategy can lessen the impact of having fewer youthful employees while maintaining productivity.
• Encourage families by emphasizing work, education, and healthcare; this could be a more effective way to promote greater birth rates.
• Balanced Growth: It is essential that both Northern and Southern states place equal attention on economic and social growth in order to reduce regional imbalances. This can lessen socioeconomic disparities between areas and guarantee sustainable internal migration.
  
  
• Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding India Ageing Report, 2023

1. India has the largest elderly population in the world.
2. In India, Kerala has the fewest elderly residents.
3. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Niti Aayog jointly release it.

Which of the above statements are incorrect?

1. 1 and 3
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 2
4. 1, 2, 3

Ans: d

Explanation

The United Nations Population Fund and the International Institute for Population Sciences collaborated to release the India Ageing Report, 2023. The world’s largest concentration of elderly people is found in Monaco. Kerala has the largest population of elderly people in India.

Mains Model Questions Q. By 2050, almost one-fifth of India’s population will be over 60. Discuss about how the elderly might be made more involved in the Indian economy in this environment.

Introduction:

India’s life expectancy is increasing due to better health care facilities and increased awareness of nutrition. As a result, the proportion of old people is gradually rising.

Body:

Challenges to the Elderly’s Advancement

• Adapting Medical Requirements: The difficulty lies in offering senior citizens a variety of high-quality, reasonably priced, and easily accessible health and care options.
• India’s low HAQ score India is ranked 145th out of 195 nations in the 2016 Healthcare Access and Quality Index, with a score of 41.2, well below the worldwide average of 54 points.
• Social Issues: The situation for the elderly is made worse by elements including low educational attainment, sociocultural stigma and attitudes, familial neglect, and a lack of trust in institutionalized health care systems, among others.
  
  

The Way Ahead

• The “Elderly-First” approach in health: By October 2021, over 73% of the older population had received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, and almost 40% had received two doses thanks to the seniors-first approach.
• Government Role: India must quickly raise its public health care budget and make significant investments in building staffed and well-equipped medical facilities as well as home health care and rehabilitation programs.
• Elder Socio-Economic Inclusion: India may create a system of local villages to care for the old and provide them with the amenities they need, much like European nations do.

Conclusion: The way a nation raises its children and treats its seniors equally is evidence of its level of development. To transform elders into a vast resource for sociocultural and economic growth, a number of crucial actions must be made, offering a whole new viewpoint on the “demographic dividend.”

Article: 21^st October, 2024

Topic: Rural Youth Lead India’s Digital Transformation

Relevance: GS Paper: 2 – Governance

Source: PIB

Context

• India’s goals are viewed as being driven by its rural youth, particularly amid the digital transformation.
  
  

About

• India’s rural areas are changing dramatically as more youth adopt technology and engage with the online world.
• Mobile technology is becoming more and more popular, and more young people in rural areas are incorporating digital tools into their everyday lives.
  
  

Analysis of Data

• Use of Mobile Devices: Elevated Adoption: 99.5% of rural adolescents (ages 15 to 24) have 4G coverage, while 95.7% of them use mobile phones.

• Internet Access: 82.1% of young people in rural areas have access to the internet, and this percentage is growing quickly.
• In the three months before the poll, 80.4% of young people in rural areas utilized the internet.

• The rate of internet usage is rising and is now 91.0% lower than in urban regions.

The effects of digitization

• Digital proficiency increases: 74.9% of young people in rural areas are able to send simple texts.
• Data management abilities, such as copying and pasting, are increasing; 67.1% of people can perform these tasks.
  60.4% actively look up information on the internet.

• Rural young are adopting technology with the aid of the digital expansion, which is enhancing financial, educational, and communication activities.
• Particularly in rural regions, the move toward digitalization is empowering people and increasing efficiency.
  
  

Difficulties with Digital Skills

• Only 43.6% of people are proficient in sending emails.
• Only 31% of people are able to perform transactions through online banking.
  
  

Government Programs:

• Through a number of programs (such as TIDE 2.0 and GENESIS), the Digital India Initiative fosters innovation and technology.

• The BharatNet Project seeks to provide broadband access by laying optical fiber across rural areas.
• Initiatives for Public Wi-Fi: PM-WANI offers hotspots for public Wi-Fi around India.
  
  

Future Prospects:

• India’s rural digital development is making it possible for youth to embrace technology, which is changing daily life and reducing the divide between urban and rural communities.
• Rural youth will be able to play a significant part in creating a more inclusive and connected India if digital literacy and infrastructure continue to advance.
• Also Read Topics & Concepts:https://usof.gov.in/en/bharatnet-project

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding “PM-WANI”-PM-Wi-Fi Access Network Interface:

1. The Department of Telecommunication introduced it in 2022.
2. Its goal is to increase the number of public Wi-Fi hotspots in order to build a strong digital communications infrastructure across the nation.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: b

Explanation

The Department of Telecommunication (DoT) introduced the PM-Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) in 2020.
Its goal is to increase the number of public Wi-Fi hotspots in order to build a strong digital communications infrastructure across the nation, particularly in rural areas.

Mains Model Questions Q. Examine how PM-WANI might affect India’s digital public infrastructure. In terms of changing the nation’s digital landscape, how does it stack up against other programs like UPI?

Introduction:

A program called PM-WANI (Prime Minister’s Wi-Fi Access Network Interface) was started in India with the goal of enhancing connectivity and internet access by encouraging public Wi-Fi networks. By enabling more people to have access to high-speed internet, it seeks to revolutionize India’s digital landscape. The plan calls for local Kirana and neighbourhood stores to use public data offices (PDOs), which will be established similarly to public call offices (PCOs), to set up public Wi-Fi networks and access points without the need for a license, payment, or registration.

Body:

PM-WANI’s effects on India’s public internet infrastructure

• Better Internet Access High-speed internet connection is what PM-WANI seeks to offer in public spaces including marketplaces, bus stops, train stations, and rural communities. For a greater number of people, this can greatly improve access to internet services and digital inclusion.
• Decreased Data Costs: PM-WANI can assist users in lowering data costs by providing free or inexpensive public Wi-Fi, making internet access more accessible.
• Enhanced Education and E-Government: Particularly in rural areas, better internet connectivity can help telemedicine, e-governance services, and education. Additionally, it can encourage the development of digital literacy and skills.
• Bridging the Digital Divide: PM-WANI presents a chance to enhance internet access, particularly in underprivileged areas, as India has a low residential broadband penetration rate of about 10%.
• Enhancing the Local Economy: By installing Wi-Fi hotspots, local businesses and homes can turn into PDOs. This increases their income in addition to encouraging reasonably priced internet use.
  
  

A comparison of PM-WANI and UPI

• Goal: Through a network of public Wi-Fi hotspots, PM-WANI aims to enhance internet access and digital connectivity, particularly in underserved and rural areas. In contrast, UPI is a real-time payment system that makes money transfers and digital transactions easier.
• Challenges: Infrastructure, privacy, and security concerns are among the difficulties PM-WANI has in implementing public Wi-Fi networks successfully. Conversely, UPI has difficulties related to security and fraud, as the increased use of digital payments has attracted cybercriminals.
• Economic Impact: By encouraging digital transactions, e-commerce, and fintech innovation, UPI has had a major economic impact. The economic impact of PM-WANI is more indirect because better internet connectivity might make it easier to conduct business online.
• Implementation: While UPI largely uses digital platforms and apps, PM-WANI entails the establishment of physical infrastructure (Wi-Fi hotspots) and may call for greater local-level involvement.

Conclusion: India’s Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) combines scalability, interoperability, innovation, and frugalness to promote a future that is digitally inclusive and the nation’s dedication to using technology for the benefit of everyone.

Article: 21^st October, 2024

Topic: Declaration on Water Security

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Environment

Source: Down To Earth

Context

• The Rome Declaration on Water Scarcity in Agriculture was ratified by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture (WASAG).
  
  

About

• The announcement was made during the High-level Rome Water Dialogue, which was held alongside the FAO’s yearly World Food Forum (WFF).
• Water scarcity, which is being made worse by the climate catastrophe, was the focus of the Declaration.
• In order to assist nations in tackling the problems associated with water scarcity, the WASAG project was introduced during the 2016 United Nations Climate Conference in Marrakech.
  
  

What is Family farming?

• Family farming is the term used to describe agricultural operations that are run and managed by families, mostly using family labor.
• It includes all agricultural pursuits carried out by families, such as farming, forestry, fishing, and pastoralism.

The importance of family farming

• With more than 550 million farms globally, family farming is the foundation of food production, making up more than 90% of all farms. In terms of value, it produces 70–80% of the world’s food.
• Family farmers sustainably manage natural resources, support agricultural biodiversity, and produce a variety of wholesome foods, particularly in low- and middle-income nations.
• On December 20, 2017, the UN General Assembly unanimously accepted the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (UNDFF) 2019–2028, with backing from 104 nations.
  
  

Challenges that Family Farming Faces

• Changes in Climate: It is susceptible to climate change’s effects, which include droughts, floods, and erratic weather patterns that have an impact on food production and crop harvests.
• Access to Resources: The small family farms’ limited access to markets, financial services, land, water, and technology hinders their capacity to boost output and revenue.
• Policy and Institutional Support: Family farmers in many areas do not receive enough government assistance in the form of infrastructure, subsidies, or policies that would enable them to compete in bigger markets.

The Way Ahead

• Encouraging climate-smart farming methods is crucial for assisting family farmers in adjusting to the ever-changing climate.
• The continuation of family farming can be ensured by including the younger generation in farming through education, skill development, and financial incentives.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Global Framework on Water Scarcity in Agriculture

1. In order to improve field capacity for agriculture’s adaptation to water scarcity, WASAG encourages cooperation among its partners in the creation and implementation of policies, plans, and programs.
2. It is an endeavor to work together to support nations and stakeholders in their plans and commitments regarding the Paris Climate Agreement, the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and other plans and programs pertaining to water and agriculture.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans:

Explanation

Governmental bodies, international organizations, research institutes, advocacy groups, and professional/membership organizations make up this partnership, which is hosted by FAO. In order to improve field capacity for agriculture’s adaptation to water scarcity, WASAG encourages cooperation among its partners in the creation and implementation of policies, plans, and programs.
It is an endeavor to work together to support nations and stakeholders in their plans and commitments regarding the Paris Climate Agreement (including the implementation of nationally determined contributions), the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, and other plans and programs pertaining to water and agriculture.

Mains Model Questions Q. Together, overexploitation, legislative changes, and climate change have made India’s economy water-stressed. Discuss.

Introduction:

India is getting closer to the water scarcity tipping point as a result of exploitation of water resources and climate change-related declines in water supply. In addition to this, overuse of water was caused by a number of government measures, particularly those related to agriculture (minimum support price). India’s economy is under water stress as a result of these causes.

Body:

India’s Water Stress Causes

• Overuse of Groundwater: More than two-thirds of India’s irrigation needs are met by groundwater. Nonetheless, groundwater has accounted for around 85% of all irrigation additions during the past 40 years.
• Policy Issues: Indian law gives landowners exclusive rights over groundwater, which exacerbates the issue of overexploitation.
• India is experiencing a rapid urbanization process. This suggests that people, businesses, and agriculture are using more water. Additionally, concretization decreases the supply of groundwater.
• Suboptimal Use of Surface Water: Poor command area development and water distribution via poorly maintained (and unprotected) canals result in suboptimal use of water infrastructure, which frequently causes significant soil erosion and siltation.
  
  

Way Forward

• Policy Intervention: The federal government and state governments should prioritize river revitalization. Irrigation system maintenance and operation must be made more sustainable. For instance, urban planning should include rainwater harvesting.
• Sustainable Agriculture: Conservation agriculture, or farming methods tailored to crop needs and regional conditions, must be practiced.
• Decentralized Approach: Water conservation, sustainable sources, storage, and reuse wherever feasible must be given top priority.
• Citizen Led Solution: To bring about a Jan Andolan, it is important to stress behavioral change. Distinguishing between potable and non-potable water usage by the populace will help a lot.

Conclusion: Under the tenets of cooperative federalism and citizen engagement, follow-through action is required for the sustainable use of the stressed water resource. In this situation, water governance requires a participatory approach.

Article: 21^st October, 2024

Topic: The case for a nature restoration law in India

Relevance: GS Paper: 3 – Environment

Source: The Hindu

Context

• To solve its escalating environmental challenges and land degradation, India requires a comprehensive nature restoration law modelled after the EU’s Nature Restoration Law.
  
  

The Nature Restoration Law

• By 2050, the law seeks to restore the 80% of habitats in Europe that are in poor condition.
• Each Member State will have legally binding targets.
• The goal is to implement nature restoration measures on at least 20% of the EU’s land and sea regions by 2030, with the ultimate goal of extending these efforts to all ecosystems that require restoration by 2050.
  
  

India Needs a Restoration Law

• Degradation of Land: Nearly 97.85 million hectares (29.7%) of India’s total land area experienced land degradation in 2018–19, according to the Desertification and Land Degradation Atlas published by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
• Global Commitments: As part of the UN’s Land Degradation Neutrality objectives and the Bonn Challenge, India has pledged to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030.
• Risk of Climate Change: Degraded terrain makes areas more vulnerable to droughts, floods, and other climate-related calamities, exacerbating the effects of climate change.
  
  

The advantages of restoration

• The World Economic Forum estimates that by 2030, nature restoration might yield up to $10 trillion in yearly economic gains worldwide.
• Restoring degraded lands in India will boost water security, increase agricultural output, and generate millions of employments, especially in rural regions.

• SDG Goal 15: Goal 15 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which calls for the sustainable management of forests and the fight against desertification, may also be achieved by India with the aid of the law.

• Climate resilience: Land degradation is made worse by climate change, which can be lessened by restoring ecosystems.
• Degraded land contributes to global warming by losing its ability to absorb carbon dioxide.
• International agreements: India can improve its carbon sinks and fulfill its obligations under the Paris Agreement by repairing its ecosystems.
  
  

India’s initiatives

• The Green India Mission: It seeks to enhance the quality of forest cover in an additional 5 million hectares and expand the amount of forest and tree cover by 5 million hectares.

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana: It seeks to increase agricultural water use efficiency and irrigation coverage.
  – By using techniques like micro-irrigation, watershed management, and rainwater collection, it aims to produce “more crop per drop.”

• The second-largest watershed initiative globally is the Integrated Watershed Management initiative. By utilizing, protecting, and enhancing deteriorated natural resources like soil, plants, and water, it aims to bring ecological balance back.

• Afforestation, reforestation, and eco-restoration of degraded forests and non-forest areas are all supported under the National Afforestation Program.

• Goals for the future of restoration: By 2030, 20% of India’s degraded land should be restored, and by 2050, all ecosystems should be restored. This includes urban green spaces, wetlands, rivers, woods, and agricultural areas.
• Wetland restoration: Important wetlands that sustain biodiversity and sequester carbon include Chilika Lake and the Sundarbans. By 2030, a law might aim to restore 30% of degraded wetlands.
• Biodiversity in agriculture: Farmlands could be restored by encouraging agroforestry and sustainable methods. Progress could be monitored by indicators like the EU’s butterfly or bird index.
• Urban green spaces: In cities like Bengaluru and Delhi, which have heat islands and deteriorating air quality, India should promote urban forests and guarantee that there is no net loss of green spaces.
  
  

Conclusion

• The Nature Restoration Law of the EU establishes a significant standard for nations all over the world.
• In light of India’s concerning rates of biodiversity loss and land degradation, such a law would support the country’s socioeconomic growth and climate resilience in addition to aiding in the restoration of its damaged ecosystems.

Also Read Topics & Concepts:

Prelims Practice Questions

Q. Consider the following statements regarding Land Degradation and Desertification Atlas of India.

1. The Space Application Center of ISRO prepared it.
2. The study emphasized that compared to irrigated land, rainfed farming area is more vulnerable to erosion.

Which of the above statements are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: c

Explanation

The ISRO Space Application Center has created the Land Degradation and Desertification Atlas of India.
The paper claims that compared to irrigated land, agricultural unirrigated land is more vulnerable to erosion.

Mains Model Questions Q. India’s aspirations for growth are seriously threatened by land degradation. Examine the shortcomings in the current land management framework in light of this and offer recommendations for suitable remedial actions.

Introduction:

India’s aspirations for growth are severely impacted by the serious problems it faces with desertification and land degradation. A thorough approach combining policy reforms, technology advancements, and community involvement is necessary to overcome the deficiencies found in the current land management system.

Body:

Existing Land Management Framework Gaps

• Insufficient Policy Implementation: Although there are policies in place to restore and conserve land, they are frequently not enforced or carried out effectively. There is a disconnect between the creation of policies and their actual implementation on the ground.
• Limited Community Engagement: Local communities must actively participate in land management for it to be effective. However, local people are frequently not involved in the development and implementation of land management projects.
• Insufficient Funding and Resources: Projects involving conservation and land restoration frequently struggle with a lack of funds and resources. This restricts the reach and efficacy of such programs.
• Absence of an Integrated Approach: Desertification and land degradation are complex problems that call for an all-encompassing strategy. Nevertheless, an integrated strategy that takes into account the environmental and socioeconomic aspects of land degradation is frequently absent from present initiatives.

Proposals for Remedial Actions

• Enhance Policy Implementation: It is imperative to enhance the current land management policies’ enforcement mechanisms. This entails setting up transparent accountability procedures and allocating sufficient resources for implementation.
• Boost Community Involvement: More sustainable results may result from promoting local communities’ involvement in land management initiatives. This entails giving communities access to information, assets, and decision-making power.
• Boost Funding and Resources: It’s critical to set aside enough money and resources for conservation and land restoration initiatives. This might entail looking into cutting-edge financing options like green bonds in addition to raising public investment.
• Promote Sustainable Land Management Practices: Degraded lands can be restored and their production increased by promoting the use of sustainable land management techniques such agroforestry, conservation agriculture, and land reclamation.

Conclusion: The government, corporate sector, civil society, and local communities must work together to fill the inadequacies in India’s current land management framework. India can support its developmental goals and ensure the sustainable management of its land resources by putting these recommendations into practice and reducing the risks associated with desertification and land degradation.