Topics

1. Some caveats to promoting millets (Business Line)
2. Forests and National Security (Indian Express)
3. The anatomy of the Yamuna floodplains (The Hindu)
4. Weighing in on the National Research Foundation Bill (The Hindu)

Some caveats to promoting millets

GS 3: Food Security

Context

• India is promoting nutricereals like bajra, jowar, maize, and other millets to address undernourishment.
• Promotional policies aim to improve conditions for vulnerable small and marginal farmers and less endowed regions.

Food-Nutrition Trade-Off:

• Expansion of nutricereals may improve nutrition security but adversely impact food security by reducing the area under staple cereals (rice and wheat).
• Increase in nutricereal area could push India below self-sufficiency levels for rice and wheat.
• Climate change, natural disasters, and market shocks may further affect food security and hinder hunger reduction goals.

Balancing Food and Nutrition Security:

• Doubling farm income requires high-value crops like horticulture, which may compromise food security in the short to medium term.
• Achieving a balance between diversified production, nutrition security, and food security is a major challenge.

Yield Gap and Low Profitability:

•  Nutricereal yields are significantly lower than rice and wheat, limiting their profitability and farm income.

Reducing the yield gap is crucial for addressing food security.

Resource Trade-Offs:

• Irrigation is linked to yields; increasing nutricereal irrigation may affect staple cereals and overall food production.
• Expansion of nutricereal area may compete for quality soils and resources.
• Small and marginal farmers in less endowed regions lack access to resources, perpetuating yield gaps.

Policy Recommendations:

• Priority should be given to reducing yield gaps through R&D and technology infusion in nutricereals.
• Removing market distortions in output and input markets to provide a level playing field for all crops.
• Identifying suitable agroclimatic regions for nutricereals to minimize trade-offs.
• Promoting better production practices for staple cereals to improve nutritional value and reduce the quantity vs. quality trade-off.

Comprehensive Resource Policies:

• Complementary resource policies related to water, soils, and inputs are essential to support crop diversification and sustainable agriculture.
• Addressing distortions can help achieve the objectives of food and nutrition security.

 Conclusion

Promoting nutricereals in India presents both opportunities and challenges. While it can improve nutrition security and uplift vulnerable farmers and regions, there are trade-offs with food security, farm income doubling goals, and resource allocation.

Reducing the yield gap and addressing market distortions are crucial steps towards achieving a balanced approach for sustainable agriculture and food and nutrition security.

Forests and National Security

GS 3: Environment & Internal Security

Context and Growing Realization:

• Since the 1970s, there has been a growing awareness of environmental damage caused by humans.
• Impact includes wildfires, heatwaves, extreme rainfall, cyclones, biodiversity loss, and more.
• Response includes multilateral environmental agreements and strong policies in countries like India.

Forest Conservation in India

• Only 21% of India’s land area has forest cover, and only 12.37% is intact natural forest.
• The northeastern states show a net decline in forest cover, with marginal increases in commercial plantations and urban parks.

Concerns about the Forest Conservation Amendment Bill, 2023:

1. Reclassification of Forest Areas:

• The amendment applies only to areas recorded as “forest” after October 25, 1980.
• It may invalidate the SC’s 1996 judgment that expanded the purview of the Forest Conservation Act to all forests.
• Potential risk of legal protection loss for 27.62% of total forest cover.

1. Exemptions for Projects Near Border Areas and Security Purposes:

• Proposed removal of forest clearances for security-related infrastructure within 100 km of international borders.
• Ecologically important ecosystems at risk, impacting ecological security.

1. Exemptions for Zoos, Safari Parks, and Ecotourism Activities:

• Building zoos and safari parks in natural ecosystems can lead to destruction and irreparable damage.
• Exempting ecotourism projects may prioritize tourism over nature and negatively impact natural ecosystems.

1. Disempowering Local Communities:
   • A provision allowing the central government to exempt clearance for “any other purposes.”
   • Forest-dwelling people may no longer be consulted, violating their rights and bypassing the need for free, prior, and informed consent.

Conclusion:

• Despite the preamble’s laudable goals, the proposed amendments conflict with the stated objectives.
• Reduction of the geographical scope of the Forest Conservation Act and increased exemptions for projects are concerning.
• Drastic reduction of local communities’ role in decision-making is detrimental to their rights and welfare.

The amendment raises questions about its intent, as it seems to take a step backward in protecting natural ecosystems and empowering local communities. Effective implementation of existing laws and protection of natural ecosystems should be the priority.

The anatomy of the Yamuna floodplains

GS 1: Physical Features of Geography

Importance of the Yamuna River:

• The Yamuna River once played a crucial role in providing water and preventing famine and floods in Delhi.
• However, haphazard construction, urbanization, lax regulations, and lack of proper housing have led to the degradation of the river’s floodplains.

Yamuna’s River System:

• The Yamuna is a lifeline for five states, and its floodplains act as charging points.
• The floodplains slow water runoff during floods, recharge groundwater, and store excess water, ensuring a stable water supply for the city.

The Plight of Floodplain Dwellers:

• Over the years, makeshift settlements have emerged on the floodplains, housing thousands of people who rely on farming, daily wage work, fishing, and other livelihoods.
• Evictions and bans on agriculture activities have disrupted their lives.

Settlements’ Emergence and Eviction:

• Settlements on the floodplains emerged due to factors like migration, lack of formal housing, and rapid urbanization.
• Evictions have led to the construction of capital-intensive projects for infrastructure and elite consumption.

Delhi’s Master Plan:

• The Master Plan of 1962 designated the Yamuna floodplains as protected areas free from construction.
• However, lax implementation and the construction of bridges and embankments have severely affected the floodplains.

Impact of Encroachments:

• Encroachments on the floodplains restrict the river’s natural flow, reducing its ability to handle excess water during floods.
• Intensified rains and climate change have further exacerbated the situation, leading to devastating floods.

The Need for Floodplain Zoning:

• Proper floodplain zoning, climate-resilient infrastructure, and improved drainage systems are necessary to balance development and nature.
• Policymakers must recognize the river’s right to expand and take measures to preserve floodplains’ ecological significance.

Conclusion:

The plight of the Yamuna’s floodplains highlights the struggle between development and nature.

Effective policies and initiatives are essential to protect these vital ecosystems and safeguard the lives and livelihoods of those dependent on them.

 Q: How has climate change contributed to the severity and frequency of floods in the Yamuna River, and what measures can be taken to address this issue?

Research Foundation Bill

GS 2: Education

Introduction of the NRF Bill 2023:

• The Union Cabinet approved the NRF Bill 2023 in June to strengthen the research ecosystem in India.
• The Bill aims to establish an independent apex body for research and development across universities and colleges.
• It will foster a culture of innovation and nurture the research ecosystem.

Repeal of the SERB Act 2008:

• The NRF will replace the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) as the primary funding agency.
• The SERB, previously under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), had similar functions.

Origin of the NRF Idea:

• The Kasturirangan Committee proposed the NRF in 2019, adopted in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• Existing institutions like DST, DAE, DBT, ICAR, ICMR, ICHR, UGC, and others will continue funding research independently.

Financial Outlay of the NRF:

• The Kasturirangan Committee recommended an annual grant of ₹20,000 Crores (0.1% of GDP) for the NRF.
• The NEP 2020 embraced the idea without specific financial commitment.
• The NRF is now allotted ₹10,000 crore for five years, with ₹36,000 crore to be raised from private sources.
• This results in an annual grant of ₹2,800 crore over five years, 14% of the Kasturirangan Committee’s recommendation.

Merger of SERB into NRF:

• The SERB will be incorporated into the NRF after the repeal of its Act.
• The SERB was instrumental in funding basic research in science and engineering.
• Most of SERB’s programs will continue under the NRF with some modifications.

Importance of Enhanced Research Funding:

• The NEP stresses the significance of research and knowledge creation for economic prosperity.
• India’s historical contributions to knowledge in various fields need to be strengthened to lead in the present world.
• A robust research ecosystem is critical due to global challenges and technological advancements.

Need for Adequate Financial Support:

• The success of the NRF’s objectives relies on sufficient financial backing.
• The allocated budget for the NRF is lower than the Kasturirangan Committee’s recommendation.
• Previous experiences of merging schemes indicate a potential reduction in allocation for the new scheme.

Conclusion

The approval of the NRF Bill 2023 marks a significant step towards bolstering India’s research ecosystem and promoting innovation.

However, concerns are raised about the relatively modest budgetary allocation compared to the Kasturirangan Committee’s recommendation.

Adequate financial support is essential to realize the vision of the NRF and to strengthen India’s position as a leader in research and knowledge creation.