China tests air defence system HQ-17A (GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- Recently, China's People's Liberation Army(PLA) tested its new surface-to-air defence missile HQ-17A in the high-altitude region ahead of India, US military exercise near the Line of Actual Control(LAC).
- Earlier India and the US were set to conduct military exercises in Uttarakhand near the China border.
- China had conducted large-scale military exercise near Taiwan after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island nation.
What is the HQ-17A short-range air defence?
- PLA's Xinjiang Military Command had commissioned the HQ-17 air defence missile systemin 2022 after it first appeared during the National Day military parade in October 2019.
- The HQ-17A air defence missile system is an integrated "search radar, guidance radar, air defence radar and command system".
- It is hosted on a vehicle and can conduct long-range detection and launch missiles while on the move.
- The missile is based on the Russian Tor-M1 surface-to-air missile defence system. HQ-17 can also data-link with other Chinese systems.
- The missile weighs 165 kg and can intercept flying objects at a distance of 1.5 km to 15 km.
Xinjiang Military Command:
- The Xinjiang Military command is responsible for the India-China border area.
- Tensions between the two countries had peaked in June 2020 along the LAC as soldiers from both sides clashed leading to the deaths of 20 Indian soldiers and 4 PLA fighters. However, reports claimed the casualties among the PLA were much higher.
- It also received artillery and multiple rocket launch systems in January. The arsenal included self-propelled howitzer and multiple rocket launcher systems.
Unauthorised use of4 highly hazardous pesticides
(GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Why in news?
Safety of agricultural produce and environmental contamination is at risk due to the rampant use of four highly hazardous pesticides (HHP), according to a recent report.
Details:
- Unapproved and unauthorised use of the agrochemicals; chlorpyrifos, fipronil, atrazine and paraquat was found across the country.
- The report, titled ‘State Of Chlorpyrifos, Fipronil, Atrazine and Paraquat Dichloride in India’, was developed by Pesticide Action Network (PAN), a non-profit that works on eliminating human and environmental hazards caused by pesticides.
- Central Insecticides Board and Registration Committee, India's pesticides regulator, has approved specific uses of agrochemicals. But state agriculture departments and industries recommended the four chemicals for more crops than their approved use.
Focus area:
- Recommendation of these four chemicals for more crops indicates non-compliance with national regulation and promotion of illegal uses.
- A field study was conducted in seven states: Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal. Pesticide usage and its health effects were studied on 300 respondents, including farmers, farm workers and pesticide retailers.
- The HHPs are approved for use in the country for only specific crop-pest combinations. However, they are being used for several food and non-food crops without approval.
Key Findings:
- Agriculture departments and universities and the pesticide industry also recommended unapproved uses. These high numbers of non-approved uses pose serious questions on the safety of agricultural produce and environmental contamination.
- The maximum residue level (MRL) of agricultural produce is monitored based on approved uses. Non-approved uses largely remain unmonitored for MRLs, a serious food safety concern domestically that also poses a threat to international trade of agriculture commodities.
- About 40 per cent of total registered pesticides in India qualify to be categorised as highly hazardous pesticides owing to their potential for environmental health damages.
- Pesticide use and practices documented in this study indicate serious lacuna in regulation and accountability.
Recommendations:
- The “inherent toxicity, as well as the widespread unsafe and non-approved use” of the four pesticides, should be considered and banned.
- Monitoring pesticide residues in farm produce and environmental samples to understand the level and extent of contamination.
- Fostering a paradigm shift with policy support to boost wider adoption of agroecology-based farming practices in India.
Way Forward:
- This report will help state level and national authorities in India to come up with stringent regulatory measures including banning of pesticides to protect farming communities, consumers and the environment from harmful effects of toxic agrochemicals.
Paalan 1000 campaign
(GS Paper 2, Social Justice)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar virtually launched a new campaign, Paalan 1000 National Campaign and parenting application in Mumbai.
The mobile application focuses on the development of children in the first two years.
Key Highlights;
- The app, which will provide caregivers with practical advice on what they can do in their everyday routine and will help resolve various doubts of parents, was launched at the Early Childhood Development Conclave.
- First thousand days encompasses the conception as well as the first two years of a child’s life and during this period, the growing child needs right nutrition, stimulation, love and support.
- The ‘Paalan 1000 Journey of the First 1000 Days’ combines early years coaching for parents, families and other caregivers with services designed to meet families’ basic needs.
Way Forward:
- India has taken rapid strides in reducing child mortality since 2014 from 45 per 1000 live births to 35 per 1000 live births in 2019.
- The child survival cannot be addressed in isolation as it is intricately linked to the health of the mother. Therefore, the concept of ‘Continuum of Care’, that emphasises care during critical life stages in order to improve child survival, is being followed under the national programme.
Principal Scientific Adviser to the GoI unveils Manthan
(GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Why in news?
- The Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India (GoI) recently, announced the launch of the Manthan platform.
- The launch commemorates India’s 75 years of independence – AzadikaAmritMahotsav and presents an opportunity to bring national and global communities closer to India’s technology revolution.
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Aim:
- It aims to promote collaboration at scale between industry and the scientific research and development ecosystem to help meet India’s sustainability goals in alignment with the UN defined Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) charter.
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Key Highlights:
- Led by the Office of PSA, Manthan can potentially change the landscape of science and technology-based social impact innovation and solutions in India.
- The platform will facilitate knowledge transfers and interactions through Information Exchange Sessions, Exhibitions, and Events to develop a framework for future science, innovation, and technology-led growth.
- Powered by NSEIT, this platform will empower to scale up the interactions among stakeholders, facilitate research and innovation, and share challenges in various emerging technologies and scientific interventions, including those that make a Social Impact.
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Way Forward:
- Manthan will help new concepts, science-led ideas, and new technology outcomes find swifter adoption across the country.
