Tiger Conservation

Tiger Census in January 2015 : 2226 tigers in 2014
NTCA has approved creation of 3 new tiger reserves in

1. Ratapani in MP
2. Sunabeda in Odisha
3. Guru Ghasidas in Chhattishgarh

also conversion of following NPs into Tiger Reserves

1. Kudremukh NP, Karnataka
2. Rajaji NP, Uttarakhand

Proposals have been invited for

1. Mhadei in Goa
2. Suhelwa in UP
3. Dibang in Arunachal
4. MM hills in Karnataka
5. Srivilliputtur Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary/ Meghamalai Wildlife Sanctuary/ Varushanadu Valley in Tamil Nadu

Punishments for violation of tiger reserve rules and hunting or altering the boundaries of tiger reserves have been enhanced.

Montreal Protocol

A protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone layer
by phasing out the following substances

• CFCs
• HCFCs
• HFCs 
• do not pose threat to Ozone layer, as these do not contain Chlorine
• but are GHGs, with a high global arming potential (GWP)
• Montreal protocol does not address, but these figure as one of the 6 GHGs under Kyoto Protocol (rest are 

Assessment

• It is one of the most successful case of international cooperation -> has led to recovery of Ozone layer over Antarctica

http://www.business-standard.com/article/opinion/india-commits-to-phasing-out-hfcs-115042700975_1.html

India's External Sector in FY2014-15

Export Target : $340 bn
Actual Export : $ 310.5 bn

Actual Import : $447.5 bn

Trade Deficit : $ 137 bn

Reforms undertaken

1. Simplification of labor laws
2. land acquisition

still, exports are not encouraging as

1. global demands are muted
2. volatility in the currency market (value of euro has fallen hurting the exporters)

Share of Europe's in India's export : 18%

IT Act - section 66A

It act was enacted in 2000 to

• provide legal basis to e-commerce transactions
• penalize cyber crimes

amended in 2009 to insert sec 66A which criminalizes the sending of offensive messages through a computer or other communication devices. specific provisions are - 

• messages that are grossly offensive
• false and meant for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred or ill will
• meant to deceive or mislead the recipient about the origin of such messages, etc

Penalty provisions include imprisonment up to three years with fine.

It has been grossly misused in case of comments, sharing info or thought over the internet.

1. Case in Mumbai
2. Case in UP

So, a PIL was filed in SC challenging the constitutionality of this provision against the Freedom of Speech and Expression (Art 19(1))

Apr 2015 : SC struck down the provision

References

1. http://www.prsindia.org/theprsblog/?p=3523

Evacuation of Indian Nationals from Conflict-ridden Countries

Operation Rahat

• currently underway jointly by Army, Navy and Air Force to evacuate Indians from Yemen.
• also nationals from other countries including Pakistan have been evacuated
• Pakistan has also evacuated 12 Indians from Mukalla
• thousands in a matter of days.
• Gen. V.K. Singh (Retd.) is stationed in Djibouti  
• 5 ships and 4 planes to evacuate 4000 Indians

What should be the future strategy?

• despite advisories issued in Jan 2015, Indians chose to stay mainly because of
• economic reasons
• passports and wages held by the employer
• So, India must negotiate better working conditions for expatriates (nearly 6 million Indians in west asia).
• Together with SAARC countries, India can also negotiate
• need for an early warning system
• India need to maintain its neutrality in the region unless there is a UN-led intervention

Reference

1. http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/yemen-crisis-operation-rahat-rescues-indians/article7074434.ece