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Here are the topics covered for 01 Feb 2024:
GS-1: Maratha Military Landscapes
GS-3: Food System Economics Commission (FSEC), Minor Forest Produce
Facts For Prelims: StartupShala, Corruption Perception Index
Maratha Military Landscapes
Context
- India has nominated the \”Maratha Military Landscapes,\” showcasing the strategic forts of Maratha rule, for UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2024-25.
Maratha Military Landscapes
- The \”Maratha Military Landscapes\” date from the 17th to 19th centuries, showcasing an exceptional fortification system.
- These forts integrate unique features of the Sahyadri mountain ranges, Konkan Coast, Deccan Plateau, and Eastern Ghats.
- Out of Maharashtra\’s 390 forts, 12 are nominated for UNESCO World Heritage, with eight protected by ASI and four by the Directorate of Archaeology.
- The nomination underscores the historical and strategic significance of these forts within the Maratha rule\’s legacy.
World Heritage Sites
- World Heritage sites are landmarks recognized by UNESCO for their cultural, historical, scientific, or outstanding value.
- Established under the 1972 World Heritage Convention, nominations are assessed by the World Heritage Committee based on criteria including cultural significance, architectural uniqueness, historical importance, and ecological diversity.
- Only those deemed to possess exceptional universal value are added to the prestigious World Heritage List.
Food System Economics Commission (FSEC)
Context
- The FSEC has released the ‘The Economics of the Food System Transformation’ report, calling for a sustainable global food system.
Highlights of the Report
- Current food systems incur significant costs, exceeding their global contributions.
- Health costs related to non-communicable diseases are estimated at a minimum of 11 trillion USD annually.
- Environmental costs, including greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and biodiversity loss, amount to around 3 trillion USD annually.
- The global food system is on an unsustainable trajectory, with policies lacking the strength to redirect it.
- By 2050, the food system is projected to be responsible for about 1/3rd of future global emissions.
- Implementing Food System Transformation (FST) incurs costs of 200-500 billion USD annually, while the benefits are estimated at 5-10 trillion USD annually.
- FST can address health issues, and environmental concerns, ensure income for farmers, and develop food systems as a net carbon sink.
- It provides a comprehensive solution, contributing to the elimination of undernutrition.
Minor Forest Produce (MFP)
Context
- The Odisha government has recently launched the LABHA (Laghu Bana Jatya Drabya Kraya) scheme for MFP.
What is MFP?
- Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) encompasses all non-timber forest products derived from plants, such as bamboo, brushwood, stumps, cane, tussar, cocoons, honey, wax, lac, tendu/kendu leaves, etc.
- This classification also extends to bamboo and cane, thus altering the designation of bamboo and cane as \”trees\” under the Indian Forest Act, of 1927.
About LABHA
- The program will be coordinated with Women Self-Help Groups, as a significant proportion of primary collectors of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs) are women.
- Minimum Support Price (MSP) serves as a mechanism of state intervention to shield producers from the price fluctuations of their produce.
- MFP serves as a significant source of subsistence and cash income for tribal communities.
- Additionally, it constitutes a substantial part of their diet, providing essential items such as food, fruits, medicines, and other consumables.
Facts For Prelims
StartupShala
- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has introduced \’StartupShala,\’ a flagship accelerator program under Startup India.
- Startup India, initiated in 2016 by DPIIT, aims to foster entrepreneurship and strengthen the startup ecosystem in India.
- StartupShala is a sector-specific initiative designed for existing entrepreneurs, offering access to knowledge, networks, funds, and guidance essential for scaling up.
- The accelerator program spans three months and includes two cohorts focused on Clean Technology and Deep Technology.
- Each cohort will select 20 startups for participation.
Corruption Perception Index
- India is ranked 93 out of 180 countries on the Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) for 2023.
- This marks a slight decline from the 85th position in the 2022 ranking.
- The CPI is released by Transparency International and assesses perceived levels of public sector corruption, using a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean).
- In the 2023 CPI, Denmark secured the top position, followed by Finland, New Zealand, and Norway.