India - Singapore Joint Military Training-2022 (GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- Recently, the 11th edition of the annual Joint Military Training (JMT) between the Indian Air Force (lAF) and the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) commenced at Air Force Station, Kalaikunda.
Background:
- The two Air Forces have resumed this training after a gap of two years.
- The training could not be carried out in the intervening two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key Highlights:
- This edition of JMT would be conducted over a period of six weeks.
- The bilateral phase of the exercise will see the two Air Forces engage in advanced air combat simulations.
- The RSAF is participating in JMT-2022 with F-16 aircraft, while the IAF would field the Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, MiG-29 and LCA Tejas aircraft.
Way Forward:
- The exercise underscores the strong and longstanding relationship between India and Singapore in the domain of defence cooperation.
- It seeks to provide the participating contingents with an opportunity to share valuable operational knowledge, experiences and best practices, while strengthening the professional bonds between the two Air Forces.
‘IIPDF Scheme’ (India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme)
(GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance, notified Scheme for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects – India Infrastructure Project Development Fund Scheme (IIPDF Scheme).
PPP in infrastructure projects:
- The DEA has been actively engaged in developing the appropriate policy framework for private investment in infrastructure development.
- Besides, new schemes and initiatives are being introduced to provide financial and technical support to the private sector, wherever necessary.
IIPDF Scheme:
- The IFS, DEA has come out with Scheme for Financial Support for Project Development Expenses of PPP Projects – ‘IIPDF Scheme’ for providing necessary support to the PSAs, both in the Central and State Governments, by extending financial assistance in meeting the cost of transaction advisors and consultants engaged in the development of PPP projects.
- As a Central Sector Scheme, IIPDF Scheme will aid development of quality PPP projects by providing necessary funding support to the project sponsoring authorities, both in the Central and State Governments, for creating a shelf of bankable viable PPP projects for achieving the vision of modern infrastructure for the country.
- Funding under IIPDF Scheme is in addition to the already operational Scheme for Financial Support to PPPs in Infrastructure (VGF Scheme) notified in December2020, through which infrastructure projects undertaken through PPP mode that are economically justified but commercially unviable are supported.
IFS initiatives:
- The Infrastructure Finance Secretariat (IFS), DEA, has undertaken several deep dive initiatives for boosting PPP ecosystem in the country covering the entire gamut of PPP Life-cycle.
- A key step in structuring quality PPP projects is to provide quality advisory/ consultancy services to the Project Sponsoring Authorities (PSAs).
- However, procurement of such services is a time consuming and difficult process often resulting into delays in onboarding of the appropriate Transaction Advisers (TAs) or non-optimal structuring of PPP projects.
- To address these issues, the Department of Economic Affairs has notified a panel of pre-qualified TAs and developed a Manual for utilisation of this panel.
Way Forward:
- Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) are being encouraged to bring private capital and efficiency in execution and operation of infrastructure projects.
Aibawk cluster under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission
(GS Paper 3, Government Scheme)
Why in news?
- Recently, Aibawk cluster in the Aizwal district of Mizoram has become the first cluster to be completed under the Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission (SPMRM).
About SPMRM:
- SPMRM was launched by the Prime Minister in February 2016 with a vision to provide amenities to rural areas which are perceived to be urban and have the potential to stimulate local economic development.
- Such clusters were selected for well-planned and holistic development.
Holistic development:
- The AibawkRurban cluster completed all the 48 projects planned under SPMRM. Spread over an area of 522 sq. km across 11 villages and covering a population of 10,963, the Aibawk cluster has the locational advantage due to its proximity to Aizwal City.
- Focussed efforts to improve the value chain and develop market access have been made under the Mission. Works undertaken to improve market access includes the construction of agri-link road, pedestrian footpaths, and inter-village road connectivity projects etc.
- Other interventions include the promotion of agriculture & allied activities and eco-tourism.
- Special efforts were made to conserve the local environment and sites of historical importance to encourage tourism.
Economic development:
- The interventions undertaken to improve livelihood are making an impact on the economic well-being of the local populace.
- Some of these include Dragon fruit cultivation, piggery and poultry activities, nature trail projects, Rurban Eco Estate Phulpui and Nature Park.
- The Wholesale Market Sateek project has helped the local population within and around the cluster to market their Agri -products.
Way Forward:
- The joint efforts made by the Centre and State with the involvement of the local community have proved a stepping-stone to the second stage of rural development which goes beyond poverty alleviation and tries to meet the aspirations of the people.
A third of glaciers on UNESCO World Heritage list under threat: Study
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- A third of the glaciers on the UNESCO World Heritage list are under threat, regardless of efforts to limit temperature increases, as per a study by UNESCO.
- However, it was still possible to save the other two-thirds, if the rise in global temperatures did not exceed 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to the pre-industrial era.
Why glaciers matter?
- Half of humanity depends directly or indirectly on glaciers as their water source for domestic use, agriculture, and power. Glaciers are also pillars of biodiversity, feeding many ecosystems.
- When glaciers melt rapidly, millions of people face water scarcity and the increased risk of natural disasters such as flooding, and millions more may be displaced by the resulting rise in sea levels.
Threat to Glaciers:
- Fifty UNESCO World Heritage sites are home to glaciers, representing almost 10 per cent of the Earth's total glacierised area. They include the highest (next to Mt Everest), the longest (in Alaska), and the last remaining glaciers in Africa.
- The UNESCO study, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), showed that these glaciers have been retreating at an accelerated rate since 2000 due to CO2 emissions, which are warming temperatures.
- They are currently losing 58 billion tons of ice every year equivalent to the combined annual water use of France and Spain and are responsible for nearly five per cent of observed global sea-level rise.
Funding:
- In addition to drastically reduced carbon emissions, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is advocating for the creation of a new international fund for glacier monitoring and preservation.
- Such a fund would support comprehensive research, promote exchange networks between all stakeholders and implement early warning and disaster risk reduction measures.
- The glaciers under threat are in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, North America and Oceania.
Way Forward:
- This study highlights the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and invest in nature-based solutions, which can help mitigate climate change and allow people to better adapt to its impacts.
- UNESCO said this would be a major challenge facing delegates at the upcoming COP27.
- The 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, more commonly referred to as Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, or COP27, will be the 27th United Nations Climate Change conference.
- It will be held from November 6-18, 2022 in Egypt's Sharm El Sheikh.
