INSIGHTS

DAILY
CURRENT
AFFAIRS + PIB
SUMMARY

7 SEPTEMBER 2023

www.insightsonindia.com
 GS1
Table Of Contents
FIRMS ARE MOVING AWAY FROM
GS1
• Firms are moving away from metro campuses to METRO CAMPUSES TO SMALLER
smaller towns  2 TOWNS
GS2 Syllabus: Geography: Location of Industries
• Dire conditions faced by women prisoners in India
3 Context: The IT industry association Nasscom and Deloitte
released a report highlighting that there are now 26 emerg-
GS3 ing destinations in India, beyond the 7 metro hubs, which
• Forest Restoration  4 offer promising opportunities for investments.

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME) Reasons for Migration of Firms to Smaller Cities:
• Enhancing AI and creativity skills among students Reasons Example
and teachers  6 Remote and hybrid Companies like Cognizant al-
• Bamboo-based Reusable Straw  6 work models lowed employees to work from
anywhere (during the pandemic),
Facts for Prelims (FFP) leading to a shift away from major
• Heat index  6 cities.
• G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard  7 Companies can establish satellite
• Malaviya Mission - Teachers Training Programme offices in smaller cities, support-
7 ing remote and hybrid work mod-
• UPI QR Code-Central Bank Digital Currency interop- els.
erability  7 Cost savings Moving to smaller cities allows
• Battery energy storage system  7 companies to reduce real estate
• Missing green growth  8 costs and invest more in people
and R&D.
Mapping Employees can save more in
• Nairobi (Kenya)  8 terms of rental costs and expe-
rience social benefits in smaller
towns.
Rich talent pool Smaller cities have untapped tal-
ent with a potential talent drain to
larger metros, providing opportu-
nities.
Higher retention rates Employees prefer to stay in their
hometowns, leading to higher re-
tention rates in smaller cities.
Availability of office Smaller cities like Coimbatore
space offer quality office spaces with
amenities at lower costs com-
pared to metros.
Rise of co-working Co-working spaces provide ac-
spaces in smaller cit- cess to high-quality office space
ies at a fraction of the cost in larger
cities.
Counter-magnet dy- Surat and Pune have started act-
namics ing as a counter-magnet region
to Mumbai and attract migrants
from the neighboring districts of
Maharashtra.

2 www.insightsonindia.com
Implications of this shift: GS2
Actors in- Positive Implica- Challenges
volved tions DIRE CONDITIONS FACED BY
Companies Cost savings in real Infrastructure lim-
estate. itations. WOMEN PRISONERS IN INDIA
Access to untapped Investment in em-
talent pools. ployee amenities. Syllabus: Governance/ Prison Reforms
Employees Lower living costs. Adapting to differ- Context: A Supreme Court-appointed committee (Justice
ent living environ- Amitava Roy Committee ) report on prison reforms has high-
ments. lighted the dire conditions faced by women prisoners in In-
Reduced commute Limited access to dia.
times. certain urban ame-
nities. Key observations:
Local Com- Economic growth The strain on local • The correctional justice system is “evidently gender
munities and Increased job resources and infra- exclusionary”.
opportunities. structure. • Increase in population of female prisoners by over
Real Estate Increased demand Potential oversup- 11% between 2014-19
Sector for office spaces. ply.
Key findings of the report:
Potential for real es- Infrastructure plan-
tate development. ning challenges. Aspect Key Findings
Government Regional develop- Infrastructure in- Access to basic facil- Women prisoners face more sig-
ment. vestment is re- ities nificant challenges than men in
quired. accessing basic facilities such as
medical care, legal aid, paid labour,
Reduced pressure on Addressing dispari-
and recreational activities.
major metros. ties in development.
Meeting children Only jails in Goa, Delhi, and
Large Met- Reduced congestion. Reduced demand
Puducherry allow female prisoners
ros for office space.
to meet their children without any
Potential cost of liv- Potential economic bars or glass separation.
ing reduction. shifts.
Sanitary napkins Less than 40% of prisons in India
provide sanitary napkins for fe-
Conclusion: male inmates.
This development favours that now the people from smaller
towns in India might enjoy better lifestyles and ample em- Sharing facilities Approximately 75% of female
ployment opportunities in their own regions compared to wards in prisons have to share
20 years ago. kitchens and common facilities
with male wards.
Insta Links: Exclusive women’s Only 18% of women prisoners are
Human Migration prisons allotted exclusive women’s prison
facilities.
Mains Links: Lodging together All categories of female prisoners,
Q. What are the main socio-economic implications arising including undertrials and convicts,
out of the development of IT industries in major cities of In- are lodged in the same wards and
dia? ( UPSC 2021) barracks.
G e n d e r - s p e c i f i c Lack of gender-specific training for
Q. Discuss the changes in the trends of labour migration training matrons on how to search women
within and outside India in the last four decades. ( UPSC inmates.
2015) Complaints against Women inmates can file com-
abuse or harassment plaints against jail staff for abuse or
harassment only in 10 states and 1
union territory.
Medical and psychi- Lack of separate medical and psy-
atric wards chiatric wards for women inmates.

3 www.insightsonindia.com
 Child delivery facili- Inadequate “basic minimum facil- Drivers of Deforestation in Tropical Areas:
ties ities” for child delivery in prisons. Drivers Examples
Gender-specific Shortage of healthcare profession- Economic Drivers Amazon rainforest in Brazil: Threat-
healthcare profes- als to address the gender-specific ened by logging, mining, and agricul-
sionals health needs of female inmates. ture due to economic incentives.
Infrastructure De- Trans-Amazonian Highway, Brazil: Fa-
To know about Model Prisons Act 2023: Click Here velopment cilitated access to remote areas, lead-
ing to deforestation.
Recommendations: Global Demand Palm Oil Predicament, Malaysia & In-
for Commodities donesia: High palm oil demand drives
extensive deforestation.
Climate Change Amazon’s Tipping Point: Increased
Pressures climate stress risks forest dieback and
widespread deforestation.
Policy and Gover- Congo Basin Crisis: Weak governance
nance contributes to extensive deforesta-
tion in the Congo Basin.
Sociocultural Fac- Indonesia’s Indigenous Communi-
tors ties: Displacement for palm oil plan-
tations leads to deforestation.
The demise of the Adivasis, India:
Displacement and loss of traditional
Conclusion: forest management knowledge cause
The report underscores the need for significant improve- deforestation.
ments in the treatment and facilities for women in Indian
prisons, calling attention to the gender-specific challenges What is Forest Restoration?
they face. Forest restoration involves the deliberate and planned pro-
cess of restoring and regenerating forests that have been
Insta Links: degraded, damaged, or lost due to various human activi-
Prison Reforms in India ties or natural causes. This process aims to return a forest
ecosystem to a healthier and more natural state, often in-
volving tree planting, habitat restoration, and sustainable
Mains Links:
management practices to improve biodiversity, ecosystem
Q.Instances of the President’s delay in commuting death
services, and overall forest health.
sentences have come under public debate as a denial of
justice. Should there be a time specified for the President
to accept/reject such petitions? Analyse. ( UPSC 2014) India’s Pledge:
India aims to restore 21 million hectares of forest by 2030
through the Bonn Challenge. In 2018, a report by the gov-
ernment and the IUCN indicated 10 million hectares were
under restoration. India’s national forest policy targets 33%
GS3
tree coverage.

FOREST RESTORATION Status of forest restoration:

• According to the International Union for Conserva-
Context: For over two centuries, India has been a laborato- tion of Nature (IUCN), deforestation and forest deg-
ry for tree planting experiments, offering valuable insights radation contribute to around 12% of global green-
into the consequences of various approaches to forest res- house gas emissions.
toration. • 30% of forestland is degraded in India. The total
area occupied by primary forests in India has de-
What is Deforestation? creased by 3.6%.
Deforestation is the process of clearing or removing a large
area of forests or trees, typically due to human activities Current Approach to Restoration:
such as logging, agriculture, urban development, or infra- The current global focus on tree planting has often led to
structure expansion. the rapid establishment of fast-growing tree plantations

4 www.insightsonindia.com
e.g. Miyawaki Method; fast-growing single species like eu- • Diverse Tree Species: Prioritize planting diverse na-
calyptus or bamboo to quickly increase tree cover. This ap- tive tree species in reforestation efforts. Natural for-
proach can yield quick results but also poses risks, including ests with varied species are more effective at carbon
invasive species and land dispossession. sequestration than monoculture plantations.
o For instance, in Punjab, native species like
India’s Tree Planting Experiments: Jhand, Desi Kikar, and Pharwan have high
India has conducted tree planting experiments for over 200 survival rates.
years, offering valuable lessons about different approaches • Promote Agroforestry: Encourage sustainable forest
to forest restoration and their consequences on local com- crops through agroforestry, which enhances food
munities and the environment. security, empowers women, and boosts household
income, reducing rural-to-urban migration.
Lessons from India: • Holistic Well-being: Recognize that tree planting
Lessons Examples from India’s Experience contributes to the holistic well-being of individuals,
communities, and the planet.
The Importance of Positive Case: The Forest Rights
Diverse Restoration Act of 2006 empowered village
Key Government Initiatives:
Approaches assemblies (Gram Sabhas) in cen-
International Initiatives:
tral India’s Gadchiroli district to
• UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021-2030):
restore degraded forests, sustain-
Focuses on restoring degraded terrestrial ecosys-
ably utilizing tendu leaves for bidi
tems, including forests.
(Indian tobacco).
• Bonn Challenge: Aims to restore 350 million hect-
In western India’s Kachchh grass- ares of landscapes by 2030. India pledged to restore
lands, communities successfully 26 million hectares and create a carbon sink of 2.5-3
restored the ecosystem by remov- billion tonnes by 2030.
ing the invasive “gando bawal”
tree, introduced by British forest- Indian Programs:
ers in the late 19th century. • Compensatory Afforestation
Balancing Tree Plant- Negative Case: The introduction • National Afforestation Programme
ing with Ecosystem of non-native species like wattle, • National Mission for a Green India (Green India Mis-
Impact pine, and acacia disrupted ecosys- sion)
tems, leading to resource loss and • Nagar Van Scheme
community hardships. • Hariyali Mahotsav and Van Mahotsav
Considering the Im- Negative Case: British colonial re- • Forest Fire Prevention and Management Scheme
pact on Local Com- strictions on local forest use led to • Green Skill Development Programme for youth in
munities conflicts, including communities the environment and forest sectors.
burning down forests in retalia- • State Initiatives (Telangana): ‘Telanganaku Haritha
tion. Haram’ large-scale tree planting program, utilizing
drones for efficient implementation.
Measuring Success Positive Case: Measuring success
Beyond Tree Quanti- by the well-being of people and
Conclusion:
ty ecosystems, rather than just tree
Successful forest restoration must consider its impact on for-
quantity, ensures a more compre-
est rights, local livelihoods, biodiversity, and carbon storage.
hensive view of restoration out-
The choice of plantation species should prevent invasive-
comes.
ness, and a broader view of success is needed beyond tree
Sustainable Manage- Positive Case: Communities man- cover alone.
ment for Long-Term aging forests sustainably, like in
Benefits Gadchiroli and Kachchh, demon-
Insta Links
strate the long-term benefits of
The baton of forest restoration in the net-zero race
responsible forest restoration.
Mains Links:
Further Actions Needed:
Q. Forest restoration is one of the key elements of climate
• Forest Landscape Restoration: Implement forest
mitigation strategies. In this context, examine the mea-
landscape restoration to restore ecological function-
sures taken in restoring the degraded forest landscape in
ality and enhance human welfare in deforested or
India. (250 words)
degraded forest landscapes, involving communities,
governments, and vulnerable forest-dependent indi-
viduals.

5 www.insightsonindia.com
 Prelims Links: using a variety of templates, fonts, filters, stickers, and icons.

Q. With reference to the ‘New York Declaration on For- Training and certification in creativity and digital literacy
ests’. Which of the following statements are correct? will be provided to about 20 million students and 5,00,000
(UPSC 2021) teachers by 2027 using an Adobe Express-based curriculum.
1. It was first endorsed at the United Nations Climate
Summit in 2014. Usage: The example can be used in Governance/Questions
2. It endorses a global timeline to end the loss of forests. on Education/ social partnership with private companies
3. It is a legally binding international declaration.
4. It is endorsed by governments, big companies and in-
digenous communities. BAMBOO-BASED REUSABLE
5. India was one of the signatories at its inception.
Select the Correct answer using the code given below. STRAW
(a) 1,2 and 4
(b) 1,3 and 5 The Botanical Survey of India has obtained a patent for a
(c) 3 and 4 bamboo-based reusable straw, developed from the bam-
(d) 2 and 5 boo species Schizostachyum andamanicum found in the An-
daman and Nicobar Islands.
Answer: A
The bamboo’s morpho-anatomical structure resembled
Q. Which of the following best describes/describe the modern synthetic drinking straws, inspiring this eco-friend-
aim of the ‘Green India Mission’ of the Government of ly invention.
India?
1. Incorporating environmental benefits and costs into Usage: The example highlights the economic potential of
the Union and State Budgets thereby implementing bamboo to replace plastic straws with an organic alternative.
the ‘green accounting’
2. Launching the second green revolution to enhance ag- About Botanical Survey of India
ricultural output so as to ensure food security for one
and all in the future The Botanical Survey of India (est. 1890; under MoEFCC;
3. Restoring and enhancing forest cover and responding HQ: Kolkata) is a premier organization in India responsible
to climate change by a combination of adaptation and for undertaking scientific research and documentation of
mitigation measures the country’s plant diversity.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only Facts for Prelims (FFP)
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
HEAT INDEX
Answer: C
Context: Recently, Iran recorded a scorching heat index of
70 degrees Celsius (°C) in the coastal part of the country.
Content for Mains Enrichment (CME) • The heat index, also known as apparent tempera-
ture, is a crucial indicator that measures how the
temperature feels to humans based on a combina-
ENHANCING AI AND CREATIVITY tion of air temperature and relative humidity.
• It provides a more accurate representation of how
SKILLS AMONG STUDENTS AND hot the weather actually feels compared to just the
air temperature.
TEACHERS
About Heat Index:
Context: Recently, the Union Ministry of Education and Ado-
be signed an agreement to help children develop creative ex- The heat index is calculated using a complex formula that
pression in classrooms using the application Adobe Express. considers factors such as air temperature, relative humid-
What is Adobe Express? ity, and dew point. The dew point, the temperature at
Adobe Express is a user-friendly content creation applica- which air becomes saturated with moisture and forms
tion with generative AI capabilities. It allows users to create dew, is a critical component in this calculation.
stunning graphics, videos, collages, flyers, logos, and more

6 www.insightsonindia.com
Various countries have their own heat index measurement cation at higher educational institutions (HEIs).
systems. For instance, Canada uses the Humidex, and the • The program will capacitate 15 lakh teachers across
U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) has its own heat in- India through 111 Malaviya Mission centres, for-
dex chart. merly known as Human Resource Development
Centers (HRDCs).
Why measure the Heat Index? • It seeks to make educators future-ready, improve
• The importance of measuring the heat index lies in training quality, build leadership skills, and align
its ability to assess the impact of heat on human with the goals of the National Education Policy
health and well-being. High humidity during heat- (NEP).
waves can make the apparent temperature signifi-
cantly higher than the actual air temperature, mak-
ing it feel much hotter to people. Themes: The program’s themes include multidisciplinary
• High heat index values can lead to heat stress, education, Indian knowledge systems, academic leadership,
heat exhaustion, and even heatstroke, posing se- and more, fostering holistic development. Lifelong learning
rious health risks. Monitoring the heat index is vital is emphasized.
for public safety, especially during extreme heat
events.
• It helps authorities issue heat wave alerts, imple-
ment necessary precautions, and adapt to extreme UPI QR CODE-CENTRAL BANK
heat conditions by adjusting work schedules and
providing cooling solutions to protect public health DIGITAL CURRENCY INTEROPERA-
and safety.
BILITY
Context: Several Indian banks, have initiated interoperabil-
G20 TOURISM AND SDG DASH- ity between the Unified Payments Interface’s (UPI) Quick
Response (QR) codes and their central bank digital currency
BOARD (CBDC) or e₹ applications.
• This integration allows users of the retail digital ru-
Context: The Ministry of Tourism in partnership with the pee to perform transactions by scanning any UPI
United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has QR code at a merchant outlet, simplifying payments
introduced the G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard. for customers and merchants.
• Developed under India’s G20 Presidency and with
the expertise of UNWTO, the dashboard emphasiz- The digital rupee, issued by the RBI, is a tokenized digital ver-
es India’s dedication to sustainable tourism. sion of the rupee, stored in a digital wallet linked to a cus-
• The G20 Tourism and SDG Dashboard is a compre- tomer’s savings bank account.
hensive platform that consolidates insights, case
studies, and best practices from G20 countries This move aims to increase the adoption of the digital rupee
to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
by leveraging the widespread use of UPI.
(SDGs). It serves as a knowledge hub for sustain-
able tourism practices, fostering collaboration and
growth within the global tourism industry. About Interoperability:

As defined by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), it enables a

payment system to work seamlessly with other payment
MALAVIYA MISSION - TEACHERS systems. In this context, it means that all UPI QR codes
are compatible with CBDC apps, eliminating the need for
TRAINING PROGRAMME separate QR codes for transactions.

Context: The Union Ministry for Education and Skill Devel-

opment & Entrepreneurship launched the Malaviya Mission
- Teachers Training Programme (under the University Grants BATTERY ENERGY STORAGE SYS-
Commission (UGC))
• It is proposed by restructuring of existing schemes
TEM
of capacity building of teachers under the Depart- Context: The Indian government has approved viability gap
ment of Higher Education. funding (VGF) to cover up to 40% of the total capital cost for
the establishment of a 4,000 MWh battery energy storage
Objectives of the Mission: system (BESS) in the country.
• This initiative aims to provide tailored training pro- • This initiative is aligned with India’s renewable
grams for teachers and enhance the quality of edu- energy goals, as the country has seen significant

7 www.insightsonindia.com
 growth in solar and wind energy capacity, meeting
25% of its energy demand from renewables, includ-
MISSING GREEN GROWTH
ing large hydro plants.
• The BESS aims to enable the use of stored renew- Context: A recent analysis indicates that 11 high-income
able energy during peak hours, promoting round- countries, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada,
the-clock renewable energy supply. Denmark, France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands,
• The scheme supports India’s ambition to achieve Sweden, and the United Kingdom, may require over two
50% of its energy requirements through renewable centuries to achieve a 95% reduction in their 2022 green-
and non-fossil energy sources by 2030, while also house gas emissions.
contributing to carbon emissions reduction. • The study, published in The Lancet Planetary Health,
highlights that if current trends persist, these na-
About Battery Energy Storage Systems: tions would emit 27 times their fair share of the 1.5
Term Definition degrees Celsius carbon budget defined by the Paris
Agreement.
Battery Energy A system that stores electrical energy • The researchers found that “green growth” is unat-
Storage System in batteries for later use. tainable for these high-income countries, and their
(BESS) pursuit of economic growth contradicts the climate
Purpose To store surplus electricity when avail- and equity goals of the Paris Agreement.
• The study emphasizes that there is nothing envi-
able and discharge it when demand is
ronmentally friendly about the economic growth
high or during power outages. in these countries, and the term “green growth” is
Components • Batteries (lithium-ion, lead-acid, misleading, akin to greenwashing.
etc.).
• Inverters for converting DC to AC Solution suggested:
power.
• BMS (Battery Management Sys- To achieve emissions reductions in line with the Paris
tem) for monitoring and managing Agreement, these nations should adopt a “post-growth”
battery health and performance. approach, focusing on equitable reductions in carbon-in-
Applications • Grid stabilization and frequency tensive production and consumption while enhancing
regulation. livelihoods and well-being through policies like public job
• Energy shifting to optimize energy guarantees, reduced work hours, living wages, minimum
consumption. income guarantees, and universal access to affordable
• Backup power during outages. housing and quality public services.
• Integration of renewable energy
sources.
Benefits • Smoothing out intermittent re-
newable energy generation Mapping
• Reducing peak demand and asso-
ciated costs
• Enhancing grid reliability NAIROBI (KENYA)
• Supporting renewable energy
adoption. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) has
released a zero draft for an international treaty aimed at
Types • Residential BESS for homes ending plastic pollution.
• Commercial BESS for businesses
• Utility-scale BESS for large-scale It is divided into four parts:
energy storage. • The objectives
Environmental BESS can reduce greenhouse gas emis- • The life cycle of plastics and plastic products
Impact sions by improving energy efficien- • Sustainable production and consumption of plastics
cy and integrating renewable energy • Collectively addressing the implementation of the
sources. instrument
Challenges • High initial costs
• Battery degradation over time The treaty aims to promote sustainable production and
• Recycling and disposal of batteries consumption of plastics and improve waste management.
• Regulatory and grid integration is-
sues. Kenya is a country in East Africa with a coastline on the Indi-
an Ocean. It encompasses savannah, lakelands, the dramat-
ic Great Rift Valley and mountain highlands. It’s also home

8 www.insightsonindia.com
to Maasai Mara Reserve, known for its annual wildebeest
migrations, and Amboseli National Park, offering views of
Tanzania’s 5,895m Mt. Kilimanjaro.

9 www.insightsonindia.com