In News:

A recent scientific study has identified a bacterial strain, Labrys portucalensis F11 (commonly referred to as F11), capable of degrading per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — popularly known as “forever chemicals” — by breaking their strong carbon-fluorine (C-F) bonds.

About F11 Bacteria:

• Scientific Name: Labrys portucalensis F11
• Family: Xanthobacteraceae
• Nature: Aerobic and pollutant-resistant bacterium
• Origin: Isolated from industrially contaminated soil in Portugal
• Significance:
  • Adapted to thrive in toxic environments
  • Uses environmental contaminants as an energy source
  • Capable of degrading at least three types of PFAS and certain toxic byproducts

What Are Forever Chemicals (PFAS)?

• Definition: A group of synthetic, man-made chemicals known for their extremely strong C-F bonds, making them persistent and non-biodegradable.
• Why Called 'Forever':
  • Resistant to natural breakdown
  • Found in air, rainwater, and soil for decades or longer
• Health & Environmental Hazards:
  • Linked to cancer, hormonal disorders, immune dysfunction, and environmental toxicity
  • Migrate into soil, water, and air during production and use
• Regulation: Certain PFAS are listed under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants

Relevance for India and the World:

• Global Impact:
  • PFAS are used in a wide range of consumer products such as non-stick cookware, firefighting foams, and food packaging.
  • Their persistence poses long-term risks to public health, groundwater contamination, and biodiversity.
• India's Concern:
  • Increasing industrialization and waste mismanagement heighten PFAS exposure risks.
  • No comprehensive PFAS regulation in place yet; calls for adopting stringent environmental safety norms.

In News:

Recently, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued new guidelines promoting the use of Lower-Sodium Salt Substitutes (LSSS) to tackle the global burden of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), and stroke, which are largely driven by excessive sodium consumption. This is especially relevant for countries like India, with a high prevalence of high blood pressure and salt consumption.

What Are Lower-Sodium Salt Substitutes (LSSS)?

• LSSS are alternatives to regular table salt, where sodium chloride (NaCl) is partially replaced by potassium chloride (KCl), magnesium sulphate, or calcium chloride.
• They are designed to retain the taste of regular salt while significantly reducing sodium intake and improving heart health.
• LSSS can help lower blood pressure, thanks to the potassium content, which helps balance fluid levels and offset sodium’s harmful effects.

Key WHO Recommendations:

• Daily sodium intake should be restricted to less than 2 grams per day, equivalent to about 5 grams of salt.
• Avoid regular table salt, and replace it, wherever safe, with LSSS for household use.
• LSSS use is not recommended for:
  1. Pregnant women
  2. Children
  3. Individuals with kidney impairments or those requiring low-potassium diets
• The guidelines do not apply to packaged or restaurant foods, which are major contributors to overall sodium intake.

Why Is This Important or India?

• Salt Intake in India: Average salt consumption is 10.4 grams/day, over double the WHO recommendation.
• Hypertension Prevalence: Over 35.5% of India’s population (approx. 315 million people) suffers from hypertension (INDIAB Study).
• CVD Burden: Cardiovascular diseases accounted for 28.1% of all deaths in India (2016) – Global Burden of Disease Study.
• Dietary Impact: Globally, 8 million deaths annually are diet-related, with 1.9 million directly linked to high sodium intake.

Implementation and Policy Measures:

• India’s Response:
  • The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has initiated sodium reduction policies.
  • Edible salt must contain 97% sodium chloride, with anticaking agents limited to 2.2%.
  • New labelling norms enforce accurate “low sodium” and “sodium-free” claims.

Public Health and Safety Considerations:

• While LSSS are safe and beneficial for most adults, excess potassium can cause hyperkalemia, especially dangerous for those with kidney disease.
• WHO guidelines aim to maximize benefits and minimize risks by promoting regulated, evidence-based usage.
• Governments, policymakers, and health professionals are urged to integrate LSSS into public health strategies, especially in high-risk populations.

About WHO:

• Established in 1948, the World Health Organization is the UN agency dedicated to promoting global health, preventing disease, and coordinating international health responses.
• It leads efforts for universal health coverage and responds to global health emergencies.

In News:

The Aroma Mission, also known as the Lavender Revolution, is emerging as a transformative initiative for regions like Jammu & Kashmir and the North East, prioritised under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for inclusive development.

It aims to harness the untapped potential of India’s biodiverse regions through the scientific cultivation of aromatic crops and production of essential oils, with the dual goals of economic upliftment and sustainable innovation.

Key Objectives and Features:

• Launched By: Ministry of Science & Technology
• Nodal Agency: CSIR-Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (CIMAP), Lucknow
• Started In: Jammu & Kashmir, now extended to the North East
• Known As: Lavender Revolution
• Purpose: Boost India’s aroma industry by promoting the cultivation of high-value aromatic crops and increasing the production of essential oils.

Major Focus Areas:

• Crops Cultivated: Lavender, lemongrass, citronella, palmarosa, vetiver, patchouli, rose, peppermint, and chamomile
• Target Sectors: Cosmetics, aromatherapy, pharmaceuticals, and food flavouring industries

Impact and Achievements:

• Over 5,000 hectares brought under aromatic crop cultivation in the North East.
• Establishment of 39 essential oil distillation units.
• Distribution of 1 lakh agarwood saplings planned to boost the region's share in global aromatic plant trade.
• Expected annual essential oil production: 2,000 tonnes, valued at over ?300 crores.
• Estimated to generate 60 lakh man-days of rural employment.
• Projected increase in farmers’ income by ?60,000–?70,000 per hectare annually.

Institutional Support: IICON – Incubation and Innovation Complex

• Location: CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology (CSIR-NEIST), Jorhat, Assam
• Launched By: Dr. Jitendra Singh (Minister of Science & Technology)
• Purpose: Provide technical assistance, advanced facilities, and business incubation support for startups, MSMEs, and SHGs.
• Facilities: Access to 27 cutting-edge technologies for up to two years to help refine production and marketing strategies.

Integrated Development Approach:

The Aroma Mission exemplifies the “whole-of-government” approach, aligning with various flagship programmes such as:

• Start-Up India
• MSME Development
• Doubling Farmers’ Income
• Women Empowerment (e.g., through Rural Women Technology Parks)
• Act East Policy (enhancing North East's connectivity and trade potential)

Over 25 startups and self-help groups have already been empowered through access to facilities and entrepreneurial training at IICON, contributing to local innovation ecosystems.

Strategic Significance:

• Regional Empowerment: Converts underutilised natural resources into economic assets, especially in remote regions like J&K and the North East.
• Environmental Sustainability: Encourages eco-friendly cultivation and reduces pressure on traditional farming.
• Economic Diversification: Supports India’s transition to a bio-economy, with aromatic plant industries offering export potential and rural employment.
• Vision India@2047: Positions the North East as a hub for biotechnology, essential oils, innovation, and trade, aligning with long-term national growth goals.

In News:

The Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha is witnessing the anticipated mass nesting of Olive Ridley turtles — a critical event for the survival of this vulnerable marine species. This phenomenon, known as arribada, highlights the ecological significance of India’s coastal biodiversity and the urgent need for marine conservation.

About Olive Ridley Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea)

• Taxonomy:
  • Scientific Name: Lepidochelys olivacea
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Family: Cheloniidae
• Physical Features: These turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtle species. They are recognized by their olive or grayish-green heart-shaped carapace. Males and females are similar in size, though females have slightly rounder shells.
• Habitat and Distribution: Olive Ridleys are found in warm, tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans, inhabiting both open ocean (pelagic) and coastal waters.

Mass Nesting: The Arribada Phenomenon

• Arribada (Spanish for "arrival") refers to the synchronized mass nesting behavior where thousands of females gather on a single beach to lay eggs.
• Nesting occurs annually between December and March, after long migrations of up to 9,000 km. Each female may lay 90–120 eggs, 1 to 3 times per season.
• Temperature-dependent sex determination influences hatchling sex ratios.
• After nesting, females return to the sea, leaving eggs buried in sand.

Major Nesting Sites in India

• Odisha Coast is the most significant nesting ground in India and globally:
  • Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary: World’s largest mass nesting site.
  • Rushikulya River Mouth: Second-largest nesting beach in India.
  • Devi River Mouth: Another key nesting site in Odisha.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands have recently emerged as a new mass nesting area, with over 5,000 nests reported in one season.

Ecological Role and Behavior

• Diet: Omnivorous — they feed on jellyfish, crabs, snails, prawns, molluscs, algae, and small fish.
• Behavior: These turtles undertake long migrations annually between feeding and breeding grounds, spending most of their lives at sea.

Protection Status

• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• CITES: Appendix I
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (India): Schedule I (highest protection)

Threats to Survival

• Bycatch in Fishing Gear: Accidental entanglement in trawls, gillnets, and longlines.
• Habitat Loss: Coastal development for ports, tourism, and industry disrupts nesting beaches.
• Poaching: Turtles and their eggs are harvested for meat, shell, and leather.
• Pollution: Plastic ingestion and marine debris pose severe health risks.
• Climate Change: Rising sea levels and increased sand temperatures impact nesting and hatchling sex ratios.

Conservation Initiatives

• Operation Olivia: Initiated by the Indian Coast Guard in the 1980s to protect turtles during nesting and prevent illegal fishing.
• Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs): Mandated by the Odisha government in trawl nets; allow turtles to escape while retaining fish catch.
• Tagging Programs: Use of non-corrosive metal tags to study migration patterns and inform conservation strategies.

In News:

The Global Investment Trends Monitor Report 2024, released by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), highlights a concerning decline in international project finance and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), particularly in developing economies. This has significant implications for sustainable development, especially in emerging economies like India.

Key Findings from the UNCTAD Report (2024)

Global FDI Trends:

• Global FDI flows, after adjusting for conduit economies, fell by 8% in 2024, despite a nominal increase to USD 1.4 trillion.
• Developed economies witnessed a 15% drop in FDI (excluding conduit economies like Ireland and Luxembourg), while developing economies saw a 2% decline.
• The decline threatens long-term investment in infrastructure, renewable energy, and other SDG-aligned sectors.

Project Finance and Greenfield Investment:

• International project finance declined by 29% in developed and 23% in developing economies.
• In terms of value, developing economies faced a sharper fall of 33%.
• Key countries like India, China, Brazil, Indonesia, and Mexico reported steeper declines than the global average.
• Greenfield investments fell 6% in developing regions, with Africa and Asia being worst affected.

Sectoral Impacts:

• Investments in SDG-related sectors (e.g., water, sanitation, agrifood systems, and infrastructure) declined by 11%.
• International renewable energy finance fell 16%, with North America (-22%) and developing Asia (-18%) seeing notable contractions.
• Africa was the only region to witness an 8% increase in renewable energy project finance.

India’s FDI Landscape: Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges

Recent Performance:

• Between April 2000 and September 2024, India received over USD 1 trillion in cumulative FDI.
• From 2014 to 2024, India attracted USD 667.4 billion, a 119% increase over the previous decade.
• In 2024, India’s greenfield projects grew, but international project finance fell 23% in number and 33% in value.

Regulatory Framework:

• FDI is regulated under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999, administered by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Prohibited sectors: Atomic energy, betting, lotteries, chit funds, tobacco, and real estate (excluding construction development).

Outlook for 2025 and Strategic Opportunities

Global FDI Projections:

• UNCTAD anticipates moderate global FDI growth in 2025.
• Regions like ASEAN, Eastern Europe, and Central America may benefit from supply chain realignments.
• India is projected to see a moderate rise in FDI, aided by:
  • Improved financing conditions,
  • Mergers and acquisitions,
  • Ongoing policy reforms.

Key Growth Sectors:

• High potential in AI, cloud computing, cybersecurity, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen.
• FDI will be influenced by geopolitical dynamics, interest rates, GDP growth, and technological transitions.

FDI in India: Opportunities and Challenges

Opportunities:

• Large consumer base (1.4 billion population) and young workforce (65% under 35).
• Government schemes like Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat incentivize foreign investment.
• Strategic location positions India as a gateway to South Asia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Challenges:

• Regulatory complexity, including retrospective taxation and bureaucratic delays.
• Infrastructure deficits, particularly outside urban hubs.
• Rigid labour laws and inconsistent policy enforcement.

Investor Expectations:

• Technology transfer in priority sectors.
• Employment generation to absorb India’s growing labor force.
• Sustainable investments in line with India’s climate commitments under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.