ISRO Puts 36 OneWeb Satellites In Orbit

• OneWeb successfully deployed and contacted 36 satellites launched by NewSpace India Limited from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, on March 26, 2023.
• This was OneWeb’s 18th launch and third this year, bringing the total of OneWeb’s constellation to 618 satellites, with 588 satellites designed for global coverage and additional satellites planned for resiliency and redundancy.
• OneWeb plans to roll out global coverage by the year-end, enhancing its existing connectivity solutions already live in regions north of 50-degrees latitude and bringing new areas online by partnering with leading providers.
• Once activated, OneWeb’s coverage solutions will bring secured connectivity to enterprises, towns, villages, municipalities, and schools, including the most remote areas across India.
• OneWeb’s global constellation aims to play a pivotal role in closing the digital divide and providing high-speed, low-latency connectivity around the world.
• The successful launch marks a significant milestone for OneWeb and the UK’s wider sector, and ISRO is confident of handling many more such launches on demand for both LEO and GEO missions in the future.

On March 20, the IPCC released its Synthesis Report for the Sixth Assessment Cycle in Interlaken, Switzerland, which highlighted the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The report recommended several goals to help countries adapt to climate change, including improving air quality, increasing employment opportunities, delivering equity, and accessing clean energy. To minimize the loss and damage of lives, livelihoods, and biodiversity, India should prioritize equitable action and adaptation. Additionally, accelerating efforts to address climate change can help boost healthcare through technology.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stressed the urgent need for climate action, as evidenced by its recent release of the Synthesis Report for the Sixth Assessment Cycle on March 20 in Interlaken, Switzerland. The report underscores the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change caused by human activities through effective and equitable action. The report highlights the need for a sustainable future that is livable for all, which can only be achieved by mainstreaming climate action.

The Synthesis Report consolidates the key discoveries of the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, which draws on research from three Working Groups (WGs). WG I examined the fundamental science behind climate change; WG II assessed the impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability, and WG III analyzed the mitigation.

The report emphasizes the critical need to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as mandated by the Paris Agreement. Despite the IPCC’s cautionary advice in 2018, greenhouse gas emissions have continued to increase, resulting in a global surface temperature rise of 1.1°C above pre-industrial levels. This has caused extreme and unforeseeable weather events, endangering human lives, economic prosperity, and the environment.

The report observes that the rise in temperature has had significant repercussions, rendering individuals more vulnerable to food scarcity and water deficits. Climate change has disproportionately impacted vulnerable populations, exacerbating their challenges. The report also underlines the economic losses and damages caused by climate change, emphasizing the need for financial remedies to foster a fairer world. Aditi Mukherji, one of the report’s 93 authors, stressed the importance of climate justice in a press release, highlighting the fact that those who have contributed the least to climate change are bearing the brunt of its consequences.

The report recommends climate-resilient development that would not only counteract the effects of climate change but also have far-reaching advantages. The report emphasizes objectives such as providing clean energy, enhancing air quality, generating employment opportunities, advancing healthcare through technology, and promoting equity as ways to adapt to climate change. Additionally, the report underscores the significance of financial investments in achieving climate goals, calling for public funding from central banks, governments, and financial regulators to reduce emissions, increase climate resilience, and safeguard marginalized communities.

Horseshoe Crab: Tachypleus tridentatus

IUCN status Endangered (IUCN 3.1)

The population of horseshoe crabs along the Odisha coast, one of the few places in India where the species is found, is declining due to unregulated fishing, raising concerns among conservationists. Two of the four global varieties of horseshoe crabs are located in Odisha, specifically along the northeast coast of Balasore and Kendrapara districts, where the crabs used to migrate in large numbers to breed. 

However, the lack of awareness among local fishermen about the economic importance of horseshoe crabs and unregulated fishing activities along the coast are leading to the decline in their population. Although the crabs are known for their medicinal properties and are in high demand among biomedical companies, little effort is made by the government to conserve them.

Every year, many horseshoe crabs die after getting entangled in fishing nets. The presence of horseshoe crabs is now limited to specific areas like Balaramgadi, Chandipur beach, Khandia estuary of Balasore district, Eakakula, Madali, and Hukitola beach in Kendrapara district, whereas three decades back, they were found in large numbers across the coast. 

The Association of Biodiversity and Conservation, with the help of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), is involved in horseshoe crab conservation and research work in Odisha. Horseshoe crab blood contains a chemical that makes its blood clot in the presence of even the most minute trace of bacteria, and as a result, many biomedical companies worldwide use the crab’s blood to make vaccines.

The horseshoe crab is a fascinating and ancient marine species that has been around for over 450 million years. These crabs are not true crabs, but instead, they belong to the class of arthropods, which also includes spiders and scorpions. There are four species of horseshoe crabs found around the world, two of which are found along the north-east coast of Balasore and Kendrapara districts of Odisha, India.

The horseshoe crab’s appearance is unique and unlike any other marine creature. They have a hard, domed shell that is shaped like a horseshoe, which gives them their name. Their body is divided into three parts – the cephalothorax, abdomen, and tail. They have ten legs and two large compound eyes that are very sensitive to light.

One of the most unique features of horseshoe crabs is their blue blood. The blood contains a chemical called limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL), which is used to detect bacterial toxins in medical equipment, vaccines, and other pharmaceutical products. Due to their importance in the biomedical industry, horseshoe crabs are often harvested for their blood, which has led to their decline in population.

Unregulated fishing activities and lack of awareness about the economic importance of horseshoe crabs have also contributed to their population decline. Horseshoe crabs used to migrate in large numbers regularly to breed, but they now face the threat of getting entangled in fishing nets, leading to their death. In recent times, scientists have found hundreds of horseshoe crab carcasses along the Odisha coast, raising concern among conservationists.

The horseshoe crab plays an important role in the marine ecosystem, and their decline could have severe consequences. They are often referred to as “living fossils” because of their ancient lineage and are considered a keystone species in the ecosystem. They are a primary food source for shorebirds, and their eggs provide essential nutrients to migratory birds, which rely on them during their long-distance travels.

Conservation efforts for horseshoe crabs in Odisha are limited, with little effort made by the government to protect this unique species. The Association of Bio-diversity and Conservation, with the help of Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), has been involved in horseshoe crab conservation and research work in the region. The government must take steps to regulate fishing activities and raise awareness about the economic and ecological importance of horseshoe crabs.

In conclusion, the horseshoe crab is a unique and ancient marine species that is in danger of extinction due to unregulated fishing activities, lack of awareness, and exploitation for their blood. Their population decline could have severe consequences for the marine ecosystem and migratory birds that rely on them for food. It is essential to protect this species and its habitat through conservation efforts and government intervention.

Shaktikanta Das, the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, emphasized the significance of maintaining sound asset liability management and strong risk management in the banking sector to uphold financial stability in the economy. He made these remarks during the K.P Hormis commemorative lecture, which was organized by the Federal Bank. Mr. Das pointed out that recent events in the U.S. banking system underscore the crucial role of banking sector regulation and supervision, which have a significant impact on preserving financial stability worldwide. He further highlighted the need for prudent asset liability management, robust risk management, sustainable growth in liabilities and assets, periodic stress tests, and the creation of critical buffers to prepare for any unforeseen future stress.

            In addition, Mr. Das expressed concerns about the potential threat that cryptocurrencies or similar assets could pose to banks, citing recent developments in the U.S. banking system. However, he reassured that the Indian banking system remains robust and stable, and that the Reserve Bank of India has been engaging with banks to address this issue in recent years. He also emphasized the importance of assessing interest rate risks and conducting appropriate stress tests, especially in light of potential rate hikes due to inflation. The RBI has been urging all banks to prioritize this assessment and stress testing.

Ring Fencing Banks

1. Developments in the U.S. drive home importance of ensuring prudent asset liability management, sustainable growth in liability and assets.
2. 2. Banks must undertake periodic stress tests, build up critical buffer for any unanticipated future stress
3. 3. stress arising out of interest rate risks need to be properly assessed.

Constitute tribunal for Pennaiyar river dispute in three months: SC

The Supreme Court has ordered the union government to establish an inter-state river water disputes tribunal within three months to resolve the Pennaiyar river dispute between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The court declined the government’s request for a six-month extension to complete the process.

The bench comprising Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar has granted the Centre an extension until March 14 to complete the process of setting up the tribunal, taking into account the facts and circumstances of the case.

The government, in its application before the court, informed the bench about the process to be followed for establishing the tribunal and stated that it may not be feasible to do so within four weeks. The government has requested a six-month extension and explained that the cabinet note for the constitution of the tribunal was approved by the Minister of Jal Shakti and circulated to the Ministries of Home Affairs, Law and Justice, and Finance, as well as the Prime Minister’s Office on November 29 of this year for their comments and observations on the matter.Top of Form

On Wednesday, the court issued an order regarding a lawsuit filed by Tamil Nadu on May 18, 2018. The lawsuit requested a permanent injunction on the Pennaiyar river project, and the dispute between the states had been ongoing since 2007.

Tamil Nadu filed a petition stating that the projects undertaken by Karnataka would negatively impact the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of farmers in several districts, including Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Thiruvannamalai, Villupuram, and Cuddalore.

The petition claimed that the river flow would be significantly reduced or disrupted, thereby affecting the drinking water needs of Tamil Nadu. On November 14, 2019, the Supreme Court allowed Tamil Nadu to request the central government’s intervention under the Inter-State River Dispute Act, 1956, and establish an inter-state river water disputes tribunal.

The South Pennar River

South Pennar River is a major river that flows through the southern Indian states of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It is a part of the larger Pennar River system, which originates in the Nandi Hills of Karnataka and flows through the Deccan Plateau before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.

The South Pennar River has a length of approximately 500 kilometers, and its basin covers an area of about 18,250 square kilometers. It passes through several important towns and cities, including Tirupati, Kadapa, and Kurnool.

The river is an important source of water for irrigation and drinking purposes in the region. Several major dams and reservoirs have been built on the South Pennar River, including the Srisailam Dam, the Kandaleru Dam, and the Telugu Ganga Canal. These structures help regulate the flow of the river and provide water for various purposes, including agriculture, industry, and domestic use.

However, the South Pennar River faces several challenges, including pollution, overuse of water resources, and ecological degradation. Industrial activities, agricultural practices, and urbanization have contributed to the pollution of the river, making it unfit for human consumption or for sustaining aquatic life. Climate change and deforestation have also had a significant impact on the river’s flow, with reduced rainfall and increased soil erosion affecting its overall health.

Efforts are being made by the governments of Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to address these challenges and restore the health of the South Pennar River. Several initiatives have been launched to reduce pollution, promote sustainable water use, and improve ecological conservation in the region. These efforts are critical for ensuring the long-term sustainability of the South Pennar River and the communities that depend on it.

February’s sharp foreign trade drop requires nuanced policy attention

During February, India experienced its third decline in goods exports out of the last five months, with shipments totalling $33.8 billion indicating an 8.8% drop from the previous year. In comparison to recent periods of robust export growth, only October 2022 recorded a steeper decline.

 A sharp 29% reduction in oil exports, a 12% decrease in chemical shipments, and a 10% contraction in engineering goods outflows, which accounted for almost half of India’s merchandise exports, contributed to February’s decrease.

Moreover, the effects of weakened global demand extended beyond these sectors, affecting 13 more of India’s top 30 export items. Despite still being 7.3% higher than October’s figures, the immediate outlook for India’s exports is grim due to the possibility of the world slipping into a recession.

Although there had been optimism that the world economy could avoid the worst-case scenario of 2023, the economic data from major markets in March has dispelled such hopes, at least for now.

A synchronised survey was conducted for the first time along the borders of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka on February 25th and 26th, during which 246 vultures were spotted. The survey was conducted in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve and the surrounding areas, which includes the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, and Nagerhole Tiger Reserve. 

            During the six-hour survey, which was carried out in four sessions, White-rumped vultures (183), Long-billed vultures (30), Red-headed vultures (28), Egyptian vultures (3), Himalayan Griffon (1), and Cinereous vulture (1) were sighted by volunteers from selected vantage points. 

            The vantage point count method was chosen as the survey methodology due to the hilly and undulating terrain, and the survey area was divided into hundred grids with one vantage point selected from each grid based on ease of accessibility. The survey was carried out based on inputs from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Vulture Specialist Group.

Last week, China brokered an agreement between two major powers in West Asia, Saudi Arabia and Iran, to restore diplomatic relations. The rivalry between the two countries has existed for decades, with sectarian and ideological factors adding to the mix after the Iranian revolution in 1979. The conflict had turned into a cold war, with both sides supporting their proxies in the region, and formal ties collapsed in 2016 after the Saudi embassy in Tehran was overrun by protesters. The recent agreement, if it holds, could have significant implications for regional security and geopolitics.

            The two countries started direct talks in 2021 and held several rounds of negotiations in Iraq and Oman without success. However, both sides agreed to keep the diplomatic path open. In December 2021, Chinese President Xi Jinping encouraged a rapprochement between the two countries during his visit to Riyadh. Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan also mentioned in January in Switzerland that they were reaching out to Iran and trying to find a path to dialogue, without mentioning China’s involvement. Last week, after secret talks in Beijing, the reconciliation was announced.

            The finer details of the Saudi Arabia-Iran reconciliation agreement are yet to be disclosed. However, reports suggest that Iran has agreed to prevent further attacks against Saudi Arabia, particularly from the Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen. In return, Saudi Arabia has agreed to rein in Iran International, a Farsi news channel critical of the Iranian regime. The two countries plan to reopen embassies in each other’s capitals in two months, after their Foreign Ministers thrash out the terms of the reconciliation. China is also planning to host a cross-Gulf conference of Iran and the six Gulf monarchies this year to further strengthen peace in the region.

            Saudi Arabia’s decision to reach out to Iran comes amidst strategic realignments in West Asia. In 2020, the UAE became the first Arab country to normalise relations with Israel after a 25-year gap. Following this, Israel and Arab countries deepened their partnerships. In 2021, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and their allies lifted their blockade of Qatar. Meanwhile, the U.S. was trying to broker a normalisation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel. These realignments are a result of the U.S.’s de-prioritisation of West Asia, as it faces bigger foreign policy challenges such as the Russian war in Ukraine and China’s rise in the Indo-Pacific. America’s allies in the region see the power vacuum created by the U.S.’s de-prioritisation and the challenge posed by Iran’s rise. To address these problems, the U.S. aimed to bring Israel and the Arab world together against Iran. While the UAE chose this path through the Abraham Accords, the Saudis decided to go slow on reconciling with Israel, especially due to the violence in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

            The recent reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran has garnered attention worldwide. Iran’s decision to accept the deal may have been motivated by its economic struggles and desire for Chinese investment and support for its currency, as well as the strategic advantage of complicating US efforts to rally Arab countries and Israel against it. Meanwhile, China, as a major buyer of Saudi oil and largest trading partner of Iran, has gained economic, regional, and strategic benefits from playing the role of a peace broker in West Asia. The US has publicly welcomed the reconciliation as a positive development, but it may face challenges in maintaining its influence in the region, particularly with Saudi Arabia drifting further away and Iran making new friends, all while China deepens its presence in a region previously dominated by the US. However, the success of the reconciliation remains uncertain, given the complex and multi-layered Saudi-Iran rivalry and the potential for renewed conflicts.

On Monday, India made history at the Oscars with two wins, one for Naatu Naatu, a lively and enjoyable song from the movie RRR, and the other for the documentary short, The Elephant Whisperers. These wins are significant as they showcase the diversity of Indian cinema beyond Bollywood and the growing strength of the country’s non-feature film industry. It is the first time that two productions made in India have won the most prestigious award in the film industry.

            During the awards ceremony at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, dancers performed the popular hook steps from the Telugu song, while actress Deepika Padukone introduced it to the enthusiastic cheers of the audience.

The song Naatu Naatu, from the hit movie RRR directed by S.S. Rajamouli, has made history by becoming the fourth non-English song to win an Academy Award in its category. The song, composed by M.M. Keeravaani and written by Chandrabose, is also the first foreign-language song to win since Jai Ho in 2009.

            In addition, India has also won its first-ever Oscar in the Documentary Short category with The Elephant Whisperers. Created by Kartiki Gonsalves and Guneet Monga, the documentary explores the connection between humans and a forsaken elephant calf in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu.

            Director Kartiki Gonsalves expressed gratitude to Bomman and Bellie, who shared their tribal knowledge to assist in the creation of the movie, during her acceptance speech for The Elephant Whisperers winning the Oscar for Best Documentary Short in Los Angeles. This moment of achievement was a tribute to the Kattunayakar tribe of the Western Ghats and their traditional wisdom.

            The documentary follows a family that adopts two orphaned elephant calves in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu and raises them. While the film’s human protagonists, Bomman and Bellie, were recognized on the global stage, they have since moved on from Theppakadu sanctuary. Mr. Bomman now cares for two elephant calves in Dharmapuri, where he is currently tracking them on the orders of the Madras High Court to unite them with a herd or relocate them to Theppakadu elephant camp in Mudumalai for safety.            Bomman learned about the Oscar win through WhatsApp and expressed his gratitude to the two elephant calves and Kartiki. He identifies as a Kattunayakkan, the king of the forests, and The Elephant Whisperers opens with his profile framed by his curly mane. Although Bellie is no longer a permanent staff member of the Forest Department, she also assisted in raising the elephants.

The recent agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and Iran in Beijing has the potential to have far-reaching impacts worldwide. This agreement, which was negotiated in secret, could signal an easing of tensions between Riyadh and Tehran after many years of proxy battles in Yemen. It could also provide a boost for China’s efforts to project itself as a peacemaker in the region.

While the United Nations, France, Jordan, and other West Asian countries have welcomed the agreement, it is seen by some as a counter to the U.S.-brokered Abraham Accords, which could cause concern in the U.S., Israel, and the UAE.

For India, the agreement is disquieting, given its current tensions with China. While New Delhi has not yet formally reacted to the announcement, experts suggest that it is an opportunity for India to rework its priorities and pay more attention to regional developments. This is particularly important given India’s focus on the I2U2 quadrilateral, which includes Israel, the U.S., and the UAE, and may have taken the spotlight away from its ties with Iran and Saudi Arabia.

The agreement also highlights the strain in Washington’s ties with Saudi Arabia, despite President Joe Biden’s visit to Riyadh last year. The recent breakdown in talks over the Iran nuclear deal has only added to the tensions. In contrast, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Riyadh in December resulted in more than a dozen agreements on energy and infrastructure.

Diplomats suggest that Riyadh’s agreement with Tehran does not signify a rejection of the U.S., but rather that new global players are exerting their influence. 

The chair of the Supreme Audit Institutions-20 (SAI-20) Engagement Group, Girish Chandra Murmu, who is also the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India, will lead brainstorming sessions on responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the blue economy during a three-day event starting on Monday. The blue economy refers to the sustainable utilization of ocean resources to promote economic growth and job creation while preserving the health of marine ecosystems. The CAG emphasized the importance of responsible AI, which involves a governance framework for data collection, model evaluation, deployment, and monitoring, as well as accountability for any adverse consequences. The event will be attended by delegates from G-20 nations, other countries, and international organizations, including representatives from 10 in-person SAIs, such as Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Indonesia, Oman, South Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. The CAG will present concept themes on the blue economy and responsible AI and encourage participants to share their experiences and insights on these issues.