Daily News Analysis Report: 30 December 2024

Natural Farming: Anchoring a Sustainable Way of Farming

Natural farming is emerging as a transformative solution to the challenges faced by modern agriculture. This approach emphasizes working in harmony with nature, minimizing external inputs, and enhancing soil health. In Himachal Pradesh, for instance, apple growers are adopting natural farming to counteract declining productivity caused by chemical overuse and climate change.

Key Practices and Benefits

Natural farming relies on practices such as minimal soil disturbance, organic inputs, biodiversity promotion, and water conservation. Unlike organic farming, which allows some external inputs under certification standards, natural farming aims for self-sustaining ecosystems. Its benefits include:

• Environmental Sustainability: Protects soil health and supports biodiversity.
• Economic Gains: Reduces dependency on costly chemical inputs.
• Healthier Produce: Offers safer and more nutritious food.

Challenges

Despite its promise, natural farming faces hurdles:

• Requires deep understanding of local ecosystems.
• Labor-intensive during the transition period.
• Limited market recognition compared to certified organic products.

Government Initiatives

The Indian government has launched several initiatives to promote natural farming:

• National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aims to reach one crore farmers across 15,000 clusters.
• Soil Health Card Scheme provides detailed soil nutrient data.
• National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) supports sustainable practices.

Natural farming is a promising step toward sustainable agriculture, but widespread adoption requires addressing challenges like market demand and farmer training.

India’s Diplomatic Engagements

India’s diplomacy in 2024 was marked by strategic maneuvers amidst global instability. Key highlights included troop disengagement with China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and strengthening ties with France and neighboring countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

Major Developments

• China: The first Modi-Xi meeting in five years led to troop disengagement at the LAC.
• France: French President Macron’s Republic Day visit reaffirmed strong bilateral ties.
• Bangladesh: Political upheaval strained relations but proactive engagement mitigated fallout.
• Russia-Ukraine Conflict: India maintained a neutral stance while advocating dialogue.

Challenges

India faced diplomatic strains with Canada over allegations of involvement in the Nijjar killing and complexities in U.S. relations due to legal actions against Indian entities.

Future Outlook

India’s focus for 2025 includes strengthening ties with the U.S., Iran, and Russia while navigating global uncertainties. The upcoming Quad Summit and President Trump’s expected visit highlight the importance of Indo-Pacific strategies.

Sea Level Rise

Sea level rise (SLR) poses a significant threat to India’s coastal regions. Driven by global warming-induced glacier melt and ocean expansion, SLR has already doubled its pace since 1993.

Impact on India

India’s 7,500 km coastline is particularly vulnerable:

• Urban centers like Mumbai and Chennai face increased flooding risks.
• The Sundarbans mangrove forest could lose up to 80% of its area by 2100.
• Coastal biodiversity and livelihoods are under severe threat.

Government Efforts

India is combating climate change through:

• Expanding renewable energy capacity to meet 50% of electricity demand by 2030.
• Participating in international initiatives like the International Solar Alliance.
• Implementing coastal regulation policies to protect vulnerable areas.

However, inconsistent enforcement of these regulations highlights the need for stronger adaptation measures such as mangrove restoration and salt-resistant crops.

Challenges of Holding Judges Accountable

Judicial accountability remains a contentious issue in India. The current framework under the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 is criticized for its complexity and inefficiency.

Existing Mechanisms

Judges can only be removed for “proved misbehavior or incapacity,” requiring a rigorous impeachment process involving Parliament. However, only two judges have faced impeachment proceedings since independence.

Challenges

• The impeachment process is politically charged and rarely successful.
• Judges enjoy significant immunity, often resigning before formal proceedings.
• Lack of transparency in judicial appointments undermines public trust.

Proposed Reforms

Experts suggest:

• Establishing independent oversight bodies for initial investigations.
• Reforming the collegium system to ensure transparency in appointments.
• Introducing stricter timelines for impeachment proceedings.

Strengthening judicial accountability without compromising independence is crucial for maintaining public trust in India’s judiciary.

Two Years of India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement

The India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has significantly boosted bilateral trade since its implementation in December 2022.

Achievements

• Bilateral trade surged from $12.2 billion in 2020–21 to $24 billion in 2023–24.
• Indian exports to Australia grew by 14%, driven by textiles, chemicals, and agriculture products.
• Imports from Australia supported Indian industries with raw materials like ores and cotton.

Future Goals

Both nations aim to deepen their partnership through a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), targeting $100 billion in trade by 2030. Collaboration in strategic sectors like renewable energy and critical minerals will further strengthen ties.

Lead Pollution in India Needs Urgent Attention

India faces a severe lead pollution crisis, affecting nearly 275 million children. Lead exposure primarily stems from industrial activities like battery recycling and lead-based paints.

Health Impacts

Lead poisoning causes developmental delays in children and contributes to over 165,000 deaths annually. It also disrupts nutrient absorption essential for brain development.

Government Measures

Programs like the National Health Mission (NHM) and Lead Battery Waste Management Rules aim to mitigate lead exposure. However, enforcement gaps persist.

Way Forward

Awareness campaigns, stricter occupational safety regulations, and periodic soil testing are essential to combat this public health crisis effectively.

Additional Highlights

1. Exercise SURYA KIRAN: The annual India-Nepal joint military exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations and disaster relief training.
2. SpaDEX Mission: ISRO’s Space Docking Experiment aims to develop advanced space technologies critical for future missions like Chandrayaan-4.
3. Parker Solar Probe: NASA’s probe continues groundbreaking research on the Sun’s corona, enhancing our understanding of space weather impacts on Earth.
4. Suez Canal Expansion: Egypt tested a new extension to boost canal capacity by six vessels daily, reinforcing its role as a global trade hub.
5. National Maritime Heritage Complex: Under construction in Gujarat’s Lothal region, this project will showcase India’s rich maritime history while boosting tourism.