Today's Brief 17/08/2024

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1. The Ramsar Convention, formally known as the "Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat," is an international treaty adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar on February 2, 1971. The primary objective of the convention is to conserve and sustainably use wetlands, recognizing their ecological importance, particularly as habitats for waterfowl and other wildlife.

   
   

   • Key Points about the Ramsar Convention:

     
     

   1. Wetland Sites (Ramsar Sites): Under the convention, member countries designate wetlands of international importance, known as Ramsar Sites. These sites are selected based on their ecological, botanical, zoological, limnological, or hydrological significance.

   2. Conservation and Wise Use: The convention promotes the "wise use" of all wetlands in the territory of the signatories, meaning their sustainable use for the benefit of humanity while maintaining their ecological character.

   3. International Cooperation: The Ramsar Convention encourages international cooperation on transboundary wetlands, shared wetland systems, and shared species.

   4. COP (Conference of the Contracting Parties): The Conference of the Contracting Parties is the decision-making body of the Ramsar Convention. It meets every three years to assess progress, share knowledge, and decide on future actions.

   5. Ramsar List: The Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance is a critical tool under the convention. As of the latest data, there are over 2,400 Ramsar Sites covering more than 250 million hectares globally.

   6. Montreux Record: The Montreux Record is a register of Ramsar Sites where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution, or other human interference.

      
      

   • Significance:

   The Ramsar Convention is crucial in the global effort to preserve wetlands, which are vital for biodiversity, climate regulation, water purification, and flood control. It is one of the oldest global environmental agreements, and its principles have influenced many other environmental treaties and conservation efforts

2.ASEAN-India Fellowship: he “ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF)” is a fellowship scheme initiated by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India. The scheme is launched as an initiative under the ASEAN-India Science & Technology Development Fund (AISTDF) to support young talented researchers/scientists of ASEAN member countries (namely Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) to carry out research at any of the Indian research/academic Institution.

Objectives:

The AI-RTF scheme is a fellowship scheme with the following objectives:

• To promote the mobility of scientists and researchers from the ASEAN-Member Countries to India and provide them the opportunity to work at Indian R&D/ academic institutions to upgrade their research skills and expertise.

• To facilitate the exchange of information and contacts between the scientists and researchers of India and ASEAN Countries and create a network for building research collaborations.

As a spin-off, the Fellowship awardees may also have the opportunity to get co-supervisors from India for their research projects for Ph.D. or Master’s degrees on their return to their home countries.

Number of fellowships:

Fifty (50) fellowships per year shall be awarded to young scientists and researchers from ASEAN-Member States to get affiliated with Indian academic and R&D institutions.

Duration of fellowships:

The duration of the Fellowship will be for a period of two to six months. No request for extension \ reduction in the duration period shall be entertained after the award of the fellowship.

Management & execution:

ASEAN-India Research Training Fellowship (AI-RTF) program shall be managed and coordinated by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI), New Delhi.

Areas in which fellowships are available-

The area/topic of research for availing AI-RTF must be ASEAN-centric and must be aligned with the ASEAN Plan of Action on Science, Technology, and Innovation (APASTI)

. The fellowship is offered for working on research topics under any of the following broad disciplines:

• Agricultural Sciences

• Biological and Medical Sciences

• Chemical Sciences & Engineering

• Computer Science & Engineering

• Physical Sciences and Mathematics

• Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

• Engineering Sciences

• Materials, Minerals and Metallurgy

• Science Policy/IPR Management/Technology Transfer & Commercialization

• Other multi-disciplinary areas of Science, Technology and Innovation in alignment with APASTI.

Note: The fellowship is available in all fields of natural & engineering sciences, including mathematics & statistics, except humanities and behavioral sciences.

3.India shines at 17th International Earth Sciences Olympiad: A team of Indian students has secured three gold, two silver and three bronze medals at the 17th International Earth Sciences Olympiad held in China’s Beijing. The event took place from 8th to 16th August.

The four-member Indian team comprising students from Gujarat, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan have won these medals in three different categories including Earth System Project, and International Team Filed Investigation.

Minister of State of Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh congratulated the Indian team and expressed appreciation for bringing the coveted academic laurel to the country.

The International Earth Science Olympiad is a student-centric program facilitated under the REACHOUT (Research, Education, Training, and Outreach) scheme of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

4.Geneva Conventions: The Geneva Conventions were adopted in 1949 and are now universally ratified, representing a universal acknowledgement that war needs rules to limit its devastating impact on humanity.

They form the core of international humanitarian law (IHL), which protects people who are not, or are no longer, taking part in the fighting. IHL also regulates the conduct of armed conflict by limiting the means and methods of warfare to maintain some humanity in armed conflicts, save lives and reduce suffering.

The Geneva Conventions – and IHL in general – safeguard the rights of everybody affected by armed conflict and ensure that everyone, even an enemy, is seen as a human being.

Overview of the Geneva Conventions

1. First Geneva Convention (1864, revised 1949):

   • Focuses on the protection of wounded and sick soldiers on land during war.

   • Establishes that these individuals must be treated humanely, without discrimination, and that medical personnel, hospitals, and ambulances should be protected from attack.

2. Second Geneva Convention (1906, revised 1949):

   • Extends the protections of the First Geneva Convention to wounded, sick, and shipwrecked members of armed forces at sea.

   • It also protects hospital ships and medical personnel at sea.

3. Third Geneva Convention (1929, revised 1949):

   • Deals with the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs).

   • Sets out comprehensive rules for the humane treatment of POWs, including their housing, food, medical care, and communication with their families. It also prohibits torture, inhumane treatment, and acts of violence against POWs.

4. Fourth Geneva Convention (1949):

   • Provides protection to civilians in times of war, particularly in occupied territories.

   • It prohibits violence against civilians, including murder, torture, and degrading treatment. It also includes provisions regarding the treatment of civilians under occupation, such as the prohibition of mass deportations or forced labor.

Additional Protocols:

• Protocols I and II (1977): Supplement the Geneva Conventions by extending protections to victims of international (Protocol I) and non-international (Protocol II) armed conflicts. They address issues such as the protection of civilians from direct attack and the treatment of combatants and prisoners.

• Protocol III (2005): Introduces an additional emblem, the Red Crystal, alongside the Red Cross and Red Crescent, to be used as a protective symbol.

Key Principles of the Geneva Conventions:

1. Humanity: The conventions aim to ensure that individuals who are not participating in hostilities are treated humanely and with dignity.

2. Distinction: Parties to a conflict must distinguish between combatants and non-combatants and direct operations only against military objectives.

3. Proportionality: Any attack must be proportionate, avoiding excessive harm to civilians in relation to the anticipated military advantage.

4. Necessity: The use of force must be necessary to achieve a legitimate military objective.

Significance:

The Geneva Conventions are universally recognized and have been ratified by every country in the world. They form the foundation of modern international humanitarian law and are crucial in ensuring that even in the chaos of war, basic human rights are upheld. Violations of the Geneva Conventions are considered war crimes and can lead to prosecution in international courts, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC).

5.National Pest Surveillance System: The National Pest Surveillance System (NPSS) is typically a government or institutional framework designed to monitor, detect, and manage pest populations across a country. The primary goal of such a system is to protect agriculture, forestry, public health, and biodiversity from the threats posed by invasive and native pest species. While the specific design and operation of an NPSS may vary from country to country,

Key Components of a National Pest Surveillance System:

1. Monitoring Networks:

   • The system typically includes a network of monitoring sites across the country, where data on pest populations are regularly collected.

   • These sites might include agricultural fields, forests, ports of entry, and other critical locations where pests are likely to be introduced or thrive.

2. Data Collection and Analysis:

   • Regular collection of data on pest species, their distribution, and population dynamics.

   • Use of traps, remote sensing, and field inspections to gather information.

   • Data is analyzed to identify trends, emerging threats, and areas of concern.

3. Early Warning Systems:

   • The NPSS usually includes an early warning system to detect and respond to new or emerging pest threats.

   • Early detection is crucial for preventing the spread of invasive species and minimizing damage.

4. Information Sharing and Reporting:

   • Sharing information with relevant stakeholders, including farmers, government agencies, and international partners.

   • Reports and alerts may be issued to inform about current pest threats, recommended management practices, and any quarantine measures.

5. Response and Management Strategies:

   • Developing and implementing strategies for managing pest outbreaks, including the use of pesticides, biological control agents, and other integrated pest management (IPM) techniques.

   • Coordination with local and regional authorities to enforce quarantine measures and control the spread of pests.

6. Research and Development:

   • Continuous research into pest biology, behavior, and control methods to improve the effectiveness of the surveillance system.

   • Development of new technologies and approaches for pest monitoring and management.

7. Training and Capacity Building:

   • Providing training to agricultural workers, inspectors, and other stakeholders on pest identification, monitoring techniques, and management practices.

   • Building capacity at the local and national levels to enhance the effectiveness of the surveillance system.

Importance of a National Pest Surveillance System:

• Agricultural Protection: Helps safeguard crops from pest-related losses, thereby supporting food security and the agricultural economy.

• Environmental Protection: Prevents the spread of invasive species that can harm native ecosystems and biodiversity.

• Public Health: Monitors pests that are vectors for diseases, such as mosquitoes, to protect public health.

• Economic Benefits: Reduces the economic impact of pest infestations by enabling timely interventions and minimizing crop losses.

Examples:

• Australia’s National Plant Biosecurity Surveillance System: This system focuses on protecting Australia’s plant industries from pests through a comprehensive network of surveillance activities.

• India’s National Pest Surveillance and Monitoring System (NPSMS): This system focuses on monitoring pest populations that affect major crops like cotton, wheat, and rice.

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Source : PIB , News on Air , The Hindu, The Indian Express