In News:

The Ministry of Tourism has issued operational guidelines for the SASCI Scheme – Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale – aiming to comprehensively upgrade iconic tourist destinations across India.

About the SASCI Scheme

• Objective: To develop iconic tourist centres into world-class destinations, ensuring global branding and promotion, and enhancing the overall tourist experience.
• Ministry in Charge: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
• Nature of Assistance: Central Government provides financial support to State Governments for selected tourism projects under capital investment mode.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Integrated Development:
  • Creation of end-to-end tourist experiences, including infrastructure, amenities, and accessibility.
  • Strengthening all points of the tourist value chain – from entry to exit.
• Proposal-Based Implementation:
  • Projects are selected based on proposals submitted by State Governments.
  • These proposals are evaluated based on several prescribed parameters.
• Evaluation Parameters Include:
  • Connectivity to the site
  • Existing tourism ecosystem
  • Carrying capacity of the site
  • Sustainability measures (environmental, social)
  • Operation and maintenance mechanisms
  • Project impact and value creation
  • Tourism marketing strategies
• Design & Sustainability:
  • Projects to leverage high-quality expertise for planning, design, and execution.
  • Emphasis on sustainable development and maintenance of tourist centres.

Implementation Timeline & Funding

• Timeline:
  • Projects to be completed within a maximum of 2 years from sanction.
  • Deadline for Central funding: 31st March 2026.
• Execution Responsibility: Entirely with the respective State Governments under the guidance of the Ministry of Tourism.

Promotional Strategy

• The Ministry promotes these destinations through:
  • International and domestic events
  • Social media campaigns
  • Dedicated tourism websites
  • Other promotional and branding platforms

In News:

Rubber plantations in Kerala, the heart of India’s natural rubber production, are under significant threat due to an invasive insect-fungal association. A mutualistic relationship between the ambrosia beetle (Euplatypus parallelus) and two fungal species (Fusarium ambrosia and Fusarium solani) has caused widespread tree damage, including leaf fall, trunk drying, and reduction in latex yield. This development poses a serious risk to India's rubber economy, biodiversity, and public health.

Key Highlights:

Ambrosia Beetle

• Origin: Native to Central and South America.
• First reported in India: In 2012, from cashew trees in Ponda, Goa.
• Current host: Rubber trees in Kerala, especially in Irrity-Kannur region.

Fungal Partners

• Fusarium ambrosia
• Fusarium solani — first time reported in association with adult ambrosia beetles in India.

Mutualistic Relationship

• The beetles do not feed on wood, but carry fungi into tunnels (galleries) bored into the tree bark.
• The fungi feed on wood, releasing enzymes that degrade plant tissue.
• Beetles and their larvae then feed on the nutrient-rich fungal mycelia.
• This association causes systemic infections in trees, often leading to their death.

Impact on Rubber Trees

• Weakens wood structure
• Causes severe leaf fall and drying of trunks
• Blocks xylem vessels, reducing water transport
• Leads to reduced latex production
• Long recovery time and high tree mortality
• The infection is hard to treat, as fungi lodge deep in plant tissues where fungicides and insecticides are ineffective.

Wider Implications

Scientific Concerns

• Fungi like Fusarium solani can evolve to associate with other beetles, expanding the range of infection to cashew, coconut, coffee, mango, and teak.
• These fungi can spread through soil or be carried by insect vectors, making containment difficult.

Health Hazards

• Fusarium species are opportunistic pathogens in humans.
• Workers in plantations may be exposed to these fungi, especially those with compromised immunity.

India’s Rubber Sector at Risk

• India is the 6th largest producer of rubber globally.
• Kerala accounts for 90% of national production and 72% of cultivation area.
• The economic stakes are high, as the beetle-fungi threat endangers not only latex yields but also the livelihoods of thousands of smallholder farmers.

Response Measures and Strategies

Current Management Practices

• Use of antifungal agents
• Pruning or burning infected parts
• Installation of ambrosia beetle traps
• Chipping infected wood to prevent spread

Challenges

• No mycangia (fungal sacs) found in beetles in India — raises questions on fungal transmission mechanisms.
• Soil- and insect-mediated spread of fungi makes conventional phytosanitary measures ineffective for broadleaf trees like rubber.

Suggested Solutions

• Genetically modified (GM) rubber plants to resist fungal infection (debated).
• Use of antagonistic fungi or microbial consortia inside plants to outcompete pathogens.
• Location-specific strategies based on geography and host tree characteristics.
• Greater collaboration between researchers and policymakers to monitor and contain the threat.

In News:

The Winter Fog Experiment (WiFEX) has completed ten successful years since its launch in 2015. Initiated at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), New Delhi, WiFEX has emerged as a pioneering long-term scientific initiative aimed at understanding and mitigating the impact of dense winter fog over the Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) — one of the most fog-prone regions in the world.

What is WiFEX?

• Launched in Winter 2015 at IGIA, New Delhi.
• Led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).
• Supported by:
  • India Meteorological Department (IMD)
  • National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
• One of the world’s few open-field long-term experiments exclusively dedicated to studying winter fog.

Objectives of WiFEX

• To develop accurate now-casting (up to 6 hours) and forecasting systems for fog events over North India.
• To reduce the adverse impact of fog on:
  • Aviation (flight delays, diversions, safety).
  • Surface transport (road and rail accidents).
  • Economy and public safety.

How it was Conducted

Observational Framework

WiFEX deployed cutting-edge scientific equipment, including:

• Micrometeorology towers
• Ceilometers
• High-frequency sensors
• Radiometers
• Wind profilers

These were installed at multiple locations including:

• IGIA, Delhi
• Jewar Airport, Noida
• Hisar, Haryana

Key Parameters Studied

• Atmospheric temperature stratification
• Relative humidity and soil heat flux
• Wind speed and turbulence
• Aerosol concentration
• Urban heat island effects
• Land-use changes

This comprehensive data helped scientists decode how dense fog forms, persists, and disperses.

Major Achievements of WiFEX

High-Resolution Forecasting Model

• A 3-km resolution probabilistic fog prediction model was developed.
• Achieved over 85% accuracy in forecasting very dense fog (visibility <200 meters).
• Provides insights on:
  • Onset and dissipation timing
  • Fog density
  • Duration of fog events

Operational Impact

• Significantly reduced flight diversions and delays at IGIA.
• Enhanced airport safety and efficiency in fog conditions.
• Helped airlines and transport authorities activate timely contingency plans.

Scientific Contributions

• Showcased how air pollution, aerosols, urbanization, and land-use changes influence fog behavior.
• Facilitated improvements in early warning systems for North India.
• Informed urban planning and air quality policies for fog-prone areas.

In News:

In a significant development, the United States has announced its decision to withdraw from UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) by December 2026, citing what it perceives as the agency’s anti-Israel bias and its recognition of the State of Palestine as a full member. This marks the third withdrawal of the U.S. from UNESCO and the second under President Donald Trump’s leadership, having previously exited in 2018 and rejoined in 2023 under the Biden administration.

Reasons for U.S. Withdrawal

According to the U.S. State Department, the decision stems from:

• UNESCO’s admission of the State of Palestine as a member state, which contradicts official U.S. policy.
• Allegations that UNESCO promotes divisive social and cultural causes.
• Concerns about the proliferation of anti-Israel rhetoric within the organization.

About UNESCO

Founding and Mandate

• Founded: 16 November 1945 (Constitution in force from 1946).
• Headquarters: Paris, France.
• Parent Body: United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
• Membership: 194 member states and 12 associate members.
• Origin: Born out of post–World War II efforts to foster peace through education, science, and culture.

Objectives

UNESCO aims to build global peace and security by:

• Promoting international cooperation in education, science, culture, and communication.
• Supporting literacy, educational access, and free universal education.
• Acting as a clearinghouse of knowledge, especially in global South nations.

Focus Areas

UNESCO operates in five major sectors:

1. Education
2. Natural Sciences
3. Social and Human Sciences
4. Culture
5. Communication and Information

Key Functions and Initiatives

Flagship Initiatives

• World Heritage Convention (1972): Protects cultural and natural sites of outstanding universal value.
• Man and the Biosphere Programme (1971): Promotes sustainable development through biosphere reserves.
• Convention for Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (2003): Preserves oral traditions, performing arts, and rituals.
• Global Education Coalition (2020): Formed during COVID-19 to ensure education continuity.
• Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (2021): Sets global standards for ethical AI development.

Important Publications

• Global Education Monitoring Report
• World Water Development Report
• World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development

Strategic Importance of UNESCO

• Acts as a platform for intercultural dialogue and peacebuilding.
• Enhances scientific cooperation for issues like climate change and disaster preparedness.
• Supports freedom of expression and combats misinformation globally.
• Promotes equity in global education and digital access.
• Plays a key role in setting ethical standards in science and technology.

U.S. and UNESCO: A Tumultuous Relationship

• The U.S. has historically had a strained relationship with UNESCO:
  • 1984: First withdrawal under Ronald Reagan, citing mismanagement and politicization.
  • 2002: Rejoined under George W. Bush.
  • 2011: Stopped funding after UNESCO admitted Palestine as a member.
  • 2018: Withdrew under Donald Trump.
  • 2023: Rejoined under Joe Biden.
  • 2026: Set to withdraw again.

Implications of U.S. Withdrawal

• Financial Impact: The U.S. has historically contributed around 22% of UNESCO’s budget.
• Geopolitical Signal: Reflects a broader American skepticism towards multilateral institutions.
• Operational Effect: May hamper UNESCO’s work, especially in politically sensitive or conflict regions.
• Diplomatic Fallout: Could weaken the U.S.'s soft power and global cultural influence.

In News:

Vice-President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, resigned from office on health grounds on July 2025, invoking Article 67(a) of the Constitution. This created a rare mid-term vacancy in the Vice-President’s office, necessitating immediate action by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to conduct fresh elections.

Constitutional Provisions and Duties of the Vice-President

Articles Related to Vice-President:

• Article 63: Provides for the post of Vice-President.
• Article 64: Vice-President acts as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
• Article 65: Vice-President acts as President in case of a vacancy in the office of the President.
• Article 66: Deals with election of the Vice-President.
• Article 67(a): Vice-President may resign by writing under his hand addressed to the President.
• Article 68: Covers election in case of a vacancy and mandates that it be filled as soon as possible.
• Article 324: Vests the Election Commission of India (ECI) with the authority to conduct the election.

Resignation of the Vice-President

Key Facts:

• Jagdeep Dhankhar, 74, resigned before completing his 5-year term (2022–2027).
• The resignation was addressed to the President of India as per Article 67(a).
• No formal acceptance is necessary; it becomes effective upon submission.
• Constitutionally, no method of succession is provided other than fresh elections.

Historical Precedents:

• V.V. Giri (1969): Resigned to contest Presidential election.
• Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (2007): Resigned after losing Presidential race.
• Jagdeep Dhankhar (2025): Resigned for health reasons.

Election Process for Vice-President

Electoral College:

• Comprises both elected and nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Unlike the Presidential election, MLAs are not part of the Vice-Presidential electoral college.

Voting System:

• Election is held by proportional representation through single transferable vote (STV).
• Voting is by secret ballot.
• All votes carry equal value, unlike in Presidential elections.

Nomination Procedure:

• Requires at least 20 proposers and 20 seconders, all of whom must be MPs.
• Security deposit: ?15,000.
• Nomination papers must be submitted between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on appointed days.

Returning Officer:

• Typically, the Secretary-General of the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, appointed by rotation.
• Two Assistant Returning Officers from Parliament Secretariat also assist.

Eligibility Criteria for Vice-President

A candidate must:

• Be a citizen of India.
• Have completed 35 years of age.
• Be qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha.
• Not hold any office of profit under the Union or State Government or any subordinate authority.

If an MP is elected Vice-President, they vacate their parliamentary seat on assuming office.

Dispute Resolution

• Supreme Court exclusively handles disputes related to Vice-Presidential elections.
• Cases are heard by a five-judge bench, and its decision is final.

Implications of Vacancy

• The post of Vice-President cannot remain vacant, even temporarily.
• In the interim, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha presides over its proceedings.
• The ECI is mandated to conduct elections immediately after such a vacancy occurs, although no fixed constitutional timeline is prescribed for Vice-Presidential elections (unlike Presidential elections which must occur within six months).

Tenure and Re-election

• The Vice-President holds office for five years but continues until a successor is elected and takes office.
• There is no bar on re-election to the office.