In News:

Estonia recently accused Russia of violating its airspace when three Russian MiG-31 fighter jets entered Estonian airspace over the Gulf of Finland, remaining there for approximately 12 minutes. The incident has heightened tensions between NATO and Russia, as Estonia is a NATO member and takes airspace security seriously in the strategically sensitive region.

About the Gulf of Finland

• Geography: The Gulf of Finland is the easternmost extension of the Baltic Sea, covering an area of 30,000 sq.km. It stretches 400 km from east to west and 19–130 km from north to south.
• Borders:
  • North: Finland (including the capital, Helsinki)
  • South: Estonia (including the capital, Tallinn)
  • East: Russia (including St. Petersburg at the eastern tip)
• Physical Features:
  • Average depth: 38 m
  • Brackish water with low salinity (~6 ppt)
  • Freezes over 3–5 months in winter
  • Receives inflows from the Neva and Narva rivers and the Saimaa Canal
  • Contains numerous banks, skerries, and islands, including Kotlin Island (Kronstadt), Beryozovye Islands, Lisiy Island, MalyVysotsky Island, among others.
• Climate: Humid continental, characterized by hot summers and relatively harsh winters.

Strategic Significance

The Gulf of Finland is strategically vital due to its location at the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea, proximity to major cities such as Helsinki, Tallinn, and St. Petersburg, and its role as a maritime and military corridor. The airspace and naval routes over the gulf are closely monitored by NATO and Russia, making any unauthorized incursion a serious geopolitical concern.

Implications

• For Estonia: The violation underscores the need for heightened air defense readiness along its borders.
• For NATO: The incident exemplifies the ongoing airspace tensions with Russia, reflecting broader geopolitical frictions in Northern Europe.
• For Russia: Demonstrates strategic airpower projection and interest in asserting influence over the Baltic region.

In News:

Critically endangered yellow-crested cockatoos (Cacatuasulphurea) have established an unexpected refuge among Hong Kong’s urban landscape, including its parks and university campuses. Once native to Indonesia and East Timor, these snow-white birds with striking yellow crests now face multiple survival challenges, both globally and locally.

Population and Distribution

• The global wild population of yellow-crested cockatoos is estimated at up to 2,000 mature individuals, with around 10% residing in Hong Kong, largely as descendants of released or escaped caged birds.
• Historically, the species was widespread across central and eastern Indonesia and East Timor, but habitat loss has led to dramatic declines on many islands.
• In Hong Kong, they have adapted to urban life but depend on tree cavities for nesting, similar to their natural habitats.

Ecology and Behavior

• Appearance: Medium-sized cockatoo, predominantly white plumage, with a yellow or orange retractable crest.
• Habitat: Forests, forest edges, scrublands, and cultivated areas from sea level up to 1,500 meters.
• Diet: Omnivorous—seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, occasionally insects, small reptiles, and roots.
• Social Behavior: Monogamous, gregarious, and capable of mimicking sounds.
• Breeding Season: September to May.

Threats to Survival

• Habitat Loss: Typhoons, deforestation, and government-led tree trimming in urban areas reduce natural nesting sites.
• Illegal Pet Trade: Poaching continues to threaten wild populations in native habitats.
• Climate Change: Rising temperatures dry out forests, increasing susceptibility to fires and other environmental stresses.

Conservation Initiatives

To counter declining nesting opportunities, Hong Kong conservationists have implemented a practical solution: artificial nest boxes that replicate natural tree cavities.

In News:

Indian exporters have expressed concerns regarding delays by Indonesia in notifying aflatoxin contamination detected in groundnut shipments from India. This has raised issues about trade compliance and the need for timely communication in international agricultural trade.

Understanding Aflatoxins

• Aflatoxins are highly toxic substances classified as mycotoxins, produced by certain species of fungi. The main fungi responsible are Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, which belong to the broader Aspergillus group.
• These fungi primarily thrive on agricultural crops, but can also be found in soil, decaying food, and compost. They develop as spores and form networks of microscopic filaments capable of growing on products such as grains, nuts, and other food items.

Sources and Conditions of Contamination

• Aflatoxin contamination commonly occurs in groundnuts, tree nuts, maize, rice, figs, spices, crude vegetable oils, and cocoa beans.
• Contamination can happen before harvest or during storage, especially in warm and humid conditions, which favor fungal growth.

Health Implications

Aflatoxins are genotoxic and carcinogenic, posing serious health risks to both humans and animals. Long-term exposure may lead to liver damage, immunosuppression, and increased cancer risk.

Modes of Human Exposure

• Dietary Intake: Consuming contaminated plant products like peanuts or animal products (meat, milk) from animals fed contaminated feed.
• Occupational Exposure: Farmers, processors, and other agricultural workers may inhale dust containing fungal spores during handling, harvesting, or processing contaminated crops.

This incident underscores the importance of stringent quality control and timely international reporting to prevent health risks and maintain confidence in agricultural trade.

In News:

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has de-listed 474 Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) for failing to comply with statutory norms, including not contesting elections in the last six years, as part of its ongoing efforts to clean up the electoral system. This move follows the first phase of de-listing, which removed 334 RUPPs.

About Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs)

RUPPs are political entities that are registered with the ECI under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act (RPA), 1951 but do not yet qualify as state or national parties. They may fall into the following categories:

• Newly registered parties.
• Parties that have not secured sufficient votes to gain state-level recognition.
• Parties that have never contested elections since registration.

Benefits for RUPPs include:

• Tax exemptions under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
• Eligibility for common poll symbols, subject to fielding at least 5% of candidates in state assembly elections.
• Permission to nominate up to 20 ‘star campaigners’ for election canvassing.

Obligations include:

• Contesting elections periodically.
• Filing annual audited accounts and contribution reports.
• Disclosing donations exceeding Rs. 20,000 and restricting cash donations above Rs. 2,000.

Failure to meet these obligations can result in de-listing, as seen in the recent action by the ECI.

Registration and Recognition of Political Parties

Political parties in India are registered with the ECI to avail legal and electoral benefits, including:

• Acceptance of voluntary contributions from individuals and private entities (except government companies).
• Preference in allotment of election symbols to candidates.
• Tax exemptions on donations under Section 13A of the Income Tax Act.

Registered parties that meet additional criteria may gain recognition as State or National Parties, with exclusive privileges:

• Reservation of a unique election symbol.
• Access to free broadcast facilities on Doordarshan and All India Radio.
• Higher campaign expenditure allowances.
• Free copies of electoral rolls before elections.

Criteria for Recognition

State Party: A political party is recognized as a state party if it meets any of the following conditions:

1. Wins 3% of seats in the Legislative Assembly in general elections.
2. Wins one Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats allotted to the state.
3. Secures at least 6% of votes in a state and wins one Lok Sabha or two Legislative Assembly seats.
4. Secures 8% of votes in a state in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections.

National Party: A political party is recognized as a national party if it satisfies any of the following:

1. Secures 6% of votes in four or more states in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections and has at least four Lok Sabha members.
2. Holds 2% of total Lok Sabha seats with candidates from at least three states.
3. Recognized as a state party in at least four states.

Recognition is subject to continuous compliance in subsequent elections; failure to meet the criteria can lead to loss of status.

Significance of De-listing

The de-listing of 474 RUPPs strengthens the electoral system by:

• Ensuring active participation of political parties in the democratic process.
• Promoting transparency in funding and campaign practices.
• Reducing the clutter of inactive or non-compliant parties, thereby making election management more efficient.

This move reflects the ECI’s proactive approach in maintaining a robust and credible electoral framework, which is essential for a healthy democracy in India.

In News:

The Indian Navy’s Eastern Naval Command hosted a two-day seminar on Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance (LRMR) at INS Rajali, Arakkonam. The event underscored India’s growing maritime responsibilities, technological advancements, and strategic commitment to ensuring security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Objectives and Key Outcomes

The seminar brought together senior naval commanders, operational experts, and industry representatives, including from Boeing Ltd, to deliberate on the evolving role of LRMR platforms in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

Key highlights included:

• Release of a compendium of scholarly papers on maritime domain awareness and surveillance.
• Discussions on the operational roles of Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft and High-Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones, such as the MQ-9B Sea Guardian, in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), multi-domain reconnaissance, and long-range surveillance.
• Recognition of the Navy’s drive to build indigenous capacity while maintaining strategic partnerships with global defence leaders to enhance maritime security cooperation.

INS Rajali: Strategic Maritime Aviation Base

INS Rajali, commissioned on March 11, 1992, is a premier Naval Air Station located near Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu, about 80 km west of Chennai.

• It is spread across 2,200 acres and houses over 4,700 personnel.
• Named after ‘Rajali’, a hawk native to Tamil Nadu’s coast, symbolizing vigilance and speed.
• It operates under the Eastern Naval Command and has the longest military runway in Asia, enabling operations of long-range aircraft.
• The station performs dual roles in operations and training, including hosting the Helicopter Training School (HTS).

INS Rajali has emerged as the hub of India’s maritime reconnaissance and surveillance operations, crucial for maintaining real-time situational awareness over the IOR.

INAS 312: A Milestone Achievement

The seminar also celebrated a historic milestone — the completion of 50,000 flying hours by INAS 312, the Navy’s premier Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Squadron based at INS Rajali.

• INAS 312 operates the Boeing P-8I Poseidon aircraft, a state-of-the-art platform known for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, and maritime strike missions.
• The squadron’s operations have enhanced India’s ability to monitor sea lanes, detect hostile submarines, and secure trade routes across the Indo-Pacific.
• This achievement marks a first in Indian Naval Aviation history, reflecting the squadron’s professionalism and pivotal contribution to national security.

Technological Edge: Integration of LRMR Platforms

The integration of P-8I aircraft with MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones represents a transformative leap in India’s maritime surveillance ecosystem.

• These systems enable persistent intelligence gathering, real-time situational awareness, and high-endurance operations across vast oceanic stretches.
• The synergy between manned and unmanned assets significantly enhances Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), ensuring rapid response to traditional and non-traditional threats, including piracy, smuggling, and humanitarian emergencies.

Strategic Significance

The LRMR initiative aligns with India’s vision of being a “Net Security Provider” in the Indo-Pacific.
By strengthening reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities, India is:

• Expanding its operational reach and deterrence posture.
• Enhancing interoperability with partner navies.
• Supporting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions.
• Contributing to a Free, Open, and Rules-Based Indo-Pacific order.