1. India's Prospects with EFTA States: Exploring Trade and Economic Partnership. 2

2. Cheetah Relocation in India: A Step Towards Conservation. 3

3. India-Sri Lanka Fishermen Issue: A Persistent Challenge. 5

4. Golden Langur: Protecting a Precious Species. 7

5. Penicillin G Manufacturing to Resume in India. 8

6. Majuli Masks Receive GI Tag. 9

1. India's Prospects with EFTA States: Exploring Trade and Economic Partnership

Context:

• The Secretary General of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) highlights the potential benefits of a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) between India and EFTA states.
• Recent high-level meetings in New Delhi reflect a shared commitment to deepen economic partnership and contribute to a more inclusive global trading system.

About EFTA:

• Established in 1960 as an alternative trade bloc for European states not part of the EU.
• Includes Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, accessing the EU's single market through various agreements.

Economic Significance of EFTA States for India:

• Despite a small population, EFTA states boast high innovation, competitiveness, and wealth creation.
• Globally, they rank among the top traders in merchandise and services, with imports and exports close to USD 1.3 trillion in 2021.

Success History of EFTA's Trade Agreements:

• EFTA has negotiated 29 free trade agreements with 40 partner countries, promoting mutually beneficial trade relations.
• Ongoing negotiations with countries like Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam signal a commitment to expanding trade networks.

TEPA: A Gateway to Comprehensive Economic Cooperation:

• TEPA agreements cover trade in goods, services, investment, and other areas such as intellectual property and competition policy.
• Designed to promote mutual benefits, TEPA agreements offer flexibility and stronger provisions on labor and environmental standards.

Potential Benefits of a TEPA:

• Enhanced trade partnership between India and EFTA states, fostering sustainable development and gender equality.
• Improved market access for Indian exports and increased investment flows from EFTA states into India's diverse sectors.

India's Relations with EFTA Countries:

• India shares multifaceted relationships with EFTA countries, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
• Collaborations span various sectors such as blue economy, renewable energy, science, and technology, strengthening bilateral ties.

GS Paper 2 (International Relations) and GS Paper 3 (Economic Development), offering insights into India's efforts to deepen economic engagement with regional partners and its implications for global trade dynamics.

1. Cheetah Relocation in India: A Step Towards Conservation

Context:

• India is set to reintroduce cheetahs into the wild at Kuno Palpur in Madhya Pradesh, marking the country's ambitious plan for transcontinental relocation of cheetahs.
• The last spotted cheetah in India died in 1947, leading to its declaration as extinct in 1952.
• The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has prepared a cheetah reintroduction project to facilitate this endeavor.

About Cheetahs:

• Belonging to one of the oldest big cat species, with ancestors tracing back more than five million years.
• Known as the world’s fastest land mammal, found in Africa and Asia.

African Cheetah (Acinonyx Jubatus):

• Characterized by slightly brownish and golden skin, with prominent spots and lines on their face.
• Found across the African continent, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Asiatic Cheetah (Acinonyx Jubatus Venaticus):

• Slightly smaller than African cheetahs, with pale yellowish fawn-colored skin.
• Found only in Iran, critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List.

Threats to Cheetahs:

• Human-wildlife conflict, habitat loss, and illegal trafficking pose significant threats.
• Deforestation and agriculture have reduced cheetah habitats, exacerbated by climate change and growing human populations.

Indian Conservation Efforts:

• The Wildlife Institute of India formulated a Rs 260-crore cheetah reintroduction project.
• This initiative aims to translocate cheetahs from Africa to India, potentially the world's first inter-continental cheetah relocation project.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) plans to bring 50 African cheetahs from Namibia within the next five years.

Key Points of Kuno National Park:

• Located in Madhya Pradesh, Kuno National Park boasts a diverse wildlife population, including chital, sambar, nilgai, and wild pig.
• Currently inhabited by leopards and striped hyenas, with efforts underway to reintroduce tigers.

GS Paper 3 (Environment and Ecology) and GS Paper 1 (Geography), providing insights into India's conservation efforts, wildlife management, and inter-governmental initiatives for biodiversity conservation.

1. India-Sri Lanka Fishermen Issue: A Persistent Challenge

News Summary:The article sheds light on the recurring predicament of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry fishermen facing frequent arrests by the Sri Lankan Navy. These arrests stem from allegations of illegal entry into Sri Lankan waters and the use of detrimental fishing techniques.

Reasons for Arrests:

1. Crossing Borders: Indian fishermen inadvertently stray into Sri Lankan waters due to geographical proximity, resulting in arrests. In 2024 alone, 69 fishermen were apprehended for such violations.
2. Destructive Fishing Practices: Accusations of employing bottom trawling, prohibited in Sri Lanka since July 2017, contribute to the arrests. This method poses threats to marine life and the livelihoods of local Sri Lankan fishermen.
3. Geographical Constraints: Tamil Nadu fishermen, under the Tamil Nadu Marine Fishing Regulation Act 1983, are permitted to operate only beyond three nautical miles from the coast. However, the proximity of the International Maritime Boundary Line, just nine nautical miles away, often leads to inadvertent crossings.

Implications of Arrests:

1. Increased Tensions: The arrests exacerbate existing tensions between India and Sri Lanka, straining diplomatic relations.
2. Humanitarian Concerns: Prolonged detentions of fishermen, some lasting for months, raise humanitarian issues.
3. Financial Losses: Seizure of valuable fishing equipment, such as nets and boats, results in significant financial burdens. In 2024, 10 boats were confiscated.
4. Impact on Diplomatic Relations: Despite concerted diplomatic efforts, including periodic meetings and working groups, the issue remains unresolved, signaling strained relations between the two nations.

Proposed Solutions:

1. Promote Alternative Fishing Methods: India's commitment to phase out bottom trawling and encourage deep-sea fishing under the Blue Revolution Scheme requires intensified efforts for successful transition.
2. Respect Maritime Boundaries: Fishermen should be educated and equipped to avoid inadvertent crossings into Sri Lankan waters, considering the proximity of the Maritime Boundary Line.
3. Regularize Diplomatic Talks: The agreed bi-annual meetings between Fisheries Ministers and periodic convening of the Joint Working Group on Fisheries must be implemented as scheduled.
4. Address Humanitarian Concerns: Prime Minister's emphasis on treating the issue as a humanitarian concern underscores the need to prioritize the well-being of fishermen and their families.

Katchatheevu: A Controversial Island

• Katchatheevu is an uninhabited 285-acre island located on the Sri Lankan side of the maritime boundary.
• It holds a Catholic shrine and has been designated as a sacred area by the Sri Lankan government, attracting devotees from both countries.
• The island was transferred to Sri Lanka by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1974, sparking demands from Tamil Nadu for its return. Sri Lanka asserts ownership since the British era.

 (GS-2) due to its implications on diplomatic relations between India and Sri Lanka. Additionally, it touches upon Conservation and sustainable development (GS-3) concerning marine resource preservation and sustainable fishing practices.

1. Golden Langur: Protecting a Precious Species

Scientific Name:Trachypithecus geei

About:

• Easily identifiable by their golden fur.
• Fur color varies by seasons and geography.
• Young langurs are nearly pure white compared to adults.
• Primarily arboreal, dwelling in the upper canopy of forests, also known as leaf monkeys.

Habitat:

• Endemic to western Assam, India, and southern Bhutan.
• Habitat confined within natural landmarks: Bhutan foothills (North), Manas river (East), Sankosh river (West), and Brahmaputra river (South).

Threats:

• Restricted habitat due to natural boundaries, increasing extinction risk.
• Drastic habitat fragmentation in Assam due to rural electrification and deforestation.

Conservation Efforts/Status:

• Central Zoo Authority entrusted Assam's state zoo with a conservation breeding project in 2011.
• Bhutan observed a 62% decline in golden langur population from 2009 to 2019.
• Assam's 2009 census estimated 5,140 langurs; the 2020 census was disrupted by Covid-19 lockdown.

Protection Status:

• IUCN List of Threatened Species: Endangered.
• CITES: Appendix I.
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I.

The conservation of Golden Langur touches upon critical aspects of environmental conservation, government policies, and interventions, all covered under the GS Paper 3 syllabus.

1. Penicillin G Manufacturing to Resume in India

Why in the News?

India has announced plans to recommence the production of the widely used antibiotic Penicillin G after nearly three decades.

About Penicillin G

1. Penicillin G is a medication effective against a broad spectrum of infections caused by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, particularly in the stomach.
2. It serves as the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) in the production of various common antibiotics.

About Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)

• Description: APIs are the core components of medicines responsible for producing therapeutic effects, such as pain relief in painkillers.
• Quantity: APIs are utilized in small quantities within medicines, ensuring precise dosage levels.
• Largest Production: China stands as a major global producer of Key Starting Material (KSM) and APIs.

Reasons for the Halt in Penicillin Manufacturing in India

1. The discontinuation was driven by the influx of cheaper Chinese products, subsidized to a large extent.
2. Compliance with the Drug Prices Control Order prompted pharmaceutical companies to opt for more affordable imported alternatives. This order regulates the pricing of essential medicines in India.

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme

• Objective: To encourage domestic manufacturing of APIs, drug intermediates, and key starting materials (KSMs).
• Incentives: The scheme offers support of 20% for the first four years, 15% for the fifth year, and 5% for the sixth year on eligible sales of fermentation-based bulk drugs like antibiotics, enzymes, and hormones such as insulin.
• Implementation: The scheme will be overseen by a Project Management Agency (PMA) nominated by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.

Note:Following the implementation of the PLI scheme, there has been a notable decrease in the imports of APIs.

GS Paper - 3, including pharmaceutical industry growth, government incentives for domestic production, and strategies for reducing import dependency in critical sectors.

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1. Majuli Masks Receive GI Tag

What's the News?

Assam's traditional Majuli masks have recently been granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

1. About:
   • These handmade masks are integral to depicting characters in bhaonas, or theatrical performances, within the neo-Vaishnavite tradition.
   • Majuli, the largest river island globally, serves as the epicenter of Assam's neo-Vaishnavite heritage, introduced by the reformer saint Srimanta Sankardeva during the 15th-16th centuries.
2. Characteristics:
   • The masks feature a diverse array of representations, including gods, goddesses, demons, animals, and birds, encompassing figures like Ravana, Garuda, Narasimha, Hanuman, and Varaha Surpanakha.
   • They come in two primary sizes:
     • Mukh mukha: Covering only the face, crafted in approximately five days.
     • Cho mukha: Enveloping the entire head and body of the performer, requiring up to one-and-a-half months for completion.
   • Materials utilized in their creation include bamboo, clay, dung, cloth, cotton, wood, and other local resources found in the riverine surroundings.
3. Contemporary Adaptations:
   • Traditional artisans are endeavoring to transcend the masks' conventional association with sattras, or monasteries, by infusing them with contemporary relevance.

About Majuli Manuscript Painting

1. Origin:
   • This painting form traces its roots back to the 16th century.
2. Medium:
   • Executed on sanchi pat, or manuscripts, crafted from the bark of the sanchi or agar tree, employing homemade ink.
3. Significance:
   • Notably, one of the earliest illustrated manuscripts is believed to be a rendition of the Adya Dasama of the Bhagwat Purana in Assamese by Srimanta Sankardeva.
   • This art form enjoyed patronage from the Ahom kings and persists as a revered practice in every sattra across Majuli.

GS Paper - 1 and 3, particularly in the domains of cultural heritage conservation and the socio-cultural fabric of Northeast India.

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