In News:

Tribal leaders have raised concerns that the Andaman and Nicobar administration is attempting to bring the Shompen, an isolated indigenous community of Great Nicobar Island, into a “modern lifestyle”, raising questions about tribal autonomy, cultural preservation and development in ecologically sensitive areas.

About the Shompen Tribe

• The Shompen are among the most isolated indigenous communities in the world.
• They are classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
• Location: Dense tropical forests of Great Nicobar Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• Lifestyle: Traditionally nomadic hunter-gatherers, living in small groups.
• Food: Collect a wide variety of forest produce; pandanus fruit (larop) is an important staple.
• Language: Shompen language with several dialects; distinct from the languages of neighbouring communities.
• Social structure: Primarily nuclear families; the eldest male traditionally exercises authority within the family.
• Marriage: Generally monogamous, though polygamy is permitted.
• Belief system: Traditionally associated with the worship of the Moon (Houou), regarded as a goddess and creator of the universe.

Why are they Particularly Vulnerable?

PVTGs are tribal communities identified as facing high vulnerability due to factors such as small population, dependence on traditional livelihoods, geographical isolation and limited access to modern services.

For isolated groups such as the Shompen, sudden external interventions can create risks of:

• Loss of traditional culture and knowledge
• Disruption of customary livelihoods
• Exposure to diseases and outside social pressures
• Ecological degradation of their habitat

Development vs. Tribal Rights

The issue highlights the need to balance infrastructure and development with:

• Protection of indigenous identity and culture
• Habitat and livelihood security
• Community participation and informed decision-making
• Conservation of fragile island ecosystems
• A rights-based rather than assimilationist approach to tribal development.

In News:

Under the Nuclear Energy Mission, the Government of India plans to develop and operationaliseat least five indigenous Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033, supporting the long-term target of 100 GWe nuclear capacity by 2047.

What are SMRs?

• Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are advanced nuclear reactors with relatively lower power output than conventional gigawatt-scale reactors.
• As per the IAEA, an SMR generally has an electrical capacity of up to 300 MWe per unit.
• Like conventional reactors, they generate energy through controlled nuclear fission, primarily involving fuels such as Uranium-235.

Key Features

• Modular construction: Major components can be factory-manufactured and transported to the site, reducing construction time and site-specific engineering.
• Lower land and cooling requirements: Smaller physical footprint and generally lower cooling-water requirements than large reactors.
• Passive safety: Safety systems can rely on natural physical processes such as gravity and convection, reducing dependence on active power or human intervention during emergencies.
• Scalability: Additional reactor modules can be added progressively according to electricity demand.
• Multiple applications: Can provide baseload electricity as well as heat for industrial processes, including potential applications in green hydrogen production.
• Lower financial risk: Incremental deployment and factory production can reduce upfront capital requirements and construction-related risks.

India’s Indigenous SMR Designs

BARC, under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), is developing indigenous designs, including:

• BSMR-200: Around 220 MWe, based on Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) technology.
• SMR-55: Around 55 MWe PWR designed for smaller/regional grids.
• High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor (HTGCR): Up to 5 MW, aimed particularly at supplying high-temperature process heat, including for green hydrogen applications.

Policy & Institutional Framework

• Nodal developer: Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
• International oversight/tracking:IAEA and OECD Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA).
• India’s nuclear expansion is being facilitated by the SHANTI Act, 2025, which provides a framework for greater private-sector participation in nuclear technology manufacturing and deployment.

Significance for India

• Helps achieve the 100 GWe nuclear capacity target by 2047.
• Provides reliable low-carbon baseload power.
• Can support industrial decarbonisation through process heat.
• Smaller and modular units can be suitable for regions with lower electricity demand.
• Factory-based production could promote standardisation, domestic manufacturing and economies of scale.

In News:

On World Elephant Day 2026, celebrated at Visakhapatnam, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) conferred the Gaj Gaurav Awards 2026 for exemplary contributions to Asian elephant conservation and management.

About Gaj Gaurav Awards

• Instituted: 2022 by MoEFCC.
• Introduced during the 30-year celebrations of Project Elephant, launched in 1992.
• Recognises frontline personnel and communities involved in elephant conservation and management.
• Key beneficiaries include mahouts, elephant trackers/caretakers, forest guards, village watchers, conservationists and Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs).
• Focus areas:
  • Mitigation of Human-Elephant Conflict (HEC)
  • Protection of elephant corridors
  • Anti-poaching and rescue operations
  • Prevention of train-elephant collisions
  • Management of crop-raiding herds
  • Welfare and ethical management of captive elephants
• Awards are presented annually around World Elephant Day (12 August).

2026 Awardees

Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal – 7 mahouts

• Recognised for courage during Torsha and Malangi river floods and wildlife protection.
• Awardees include Bikash Kharia, Rajiv (Rajib) Oraon, Ajibul Haque, Ajit Gabur, Mumtaz Alam, AmasurKheriya and Dilip Munda.

Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh – 2 caregivers

• Ganesh Tamang: Senior Elephant Mahout; over 26 years of service.
• Sumit Gogoi: Elephant Attendant; recognised for elephant welfare and management.
• They were the sole recipients from the Northeast in the 2026 awards.

Significance

The awards recognise the frontline workforce and local communities that form the first line of defence in elephant conservation, particularly in areas affected by human-elephant conflict.

In News:

India’s honey production has nearly doubled over the past decade, highlighting the growth of apiculture. However, sustaining the “Sweet Revolution” requires protecting bees, which provide critical pollination services to agriculture.

Bees as Agricultural Pollinators

• According to FAO, pollinators contribute to nearly one-third of global crop production and improve yields in 87 of 115 leading food crops.
• Bees are particularly important for oilseeds, fruits and vegetables.
• Beekeeping supports rural livelihoods, employment diversification and agricultural productivity.

India’s Honey Sector

• India is the world’s second-largest honey producer after China.
• Honey production increased from about 76,000 tonnes (2013–14) to around 1.51 lakh tonnes (2025–26).
• Major honey-producing States: Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Punjab, Bihar and Rajasthan.
• Major export markets include the USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Libya.
• About 70% of Indian honey production is exported, with exports valued at around $208 million in 2025–26.
• India accounts for approximately 8.4% of global honey exports.

National Beekeeping and Honey Mission (NBHM)

• A Central Sector Scheme implemented through the National Bee Board (NBB).
• Focus: promotion of scientific beekeeping, quality honey and other hive products.
• Supports development of the apiculture sector and improvement of beekeeper incomes.

Key Challenges

• Export concentration: Around 76% of India’s honey exports in 2025–26 went to the US, creating vulnerability to tariffs and regulatory changes.
• Low value realisation: Bulk/unbranded exports limit access to premium markets.
• Low domestic consumption: Per-capita honey consumption is only around 37 g/year.
• Bee-health concerns: Indiscriminate pesticide use, especially during flowering, can harm bee populations and pollination.
• Quality infrastructure: Gaps in NMR-based testing, residue testing, certification and traceability restrict access to high-value markets.

Way Forward

• Diversify beyond honey into beeswax, propolis, royal jelly and bee pollen.
• Expand NMR testing laboratories, certification and traceability systems.
• Promote pollinator-friendly agricultural practices and rational pesticide use.
• Treat bee conservation as both an agricultural and environmental priority.

In News:

India has launched its campaign for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC) for 2028–29. The election is scheduled for June 2027.

UNSC: Key Facts

• UNSC: Principal UN organ responsible for maintaining international peace and security.
• Total members:15
  • 5 Permanent Members (P5): USA, Russia, China, France and UK — possess veto power.
  • 10 Non-Permanent Members: Elected by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) for two-year terms.
• Regional distribution:
  • Africa – 3
  • Asia-Pacific – 2
  • Latin America & Caribbean – 2
  • Western Europe & Others – 2
  • Eastern Europe – 1
• Election: Requires a two-thirds majority of members present and voting and is conducted through secret ballot.

Functions of the UNSC

Under the UN Charter, the Council can:

• Maintain international peace and security.
• Investigate disputes and recommend peaceful settlements.
• Impose sanctions.
• Authorisepeacekeeping and enforcement action.
• Recommend the appointment of the UN Secretary-General.
• Recommend admission of new UN members.

India’s UNSC Record

If elected, India will serve its ninth term as a non-permanent member.

Previous terms:1950–51, 1967–68, 1972–73, 1977–78, 1984–85, 1991–92, 2011–12 and 2021–22.

• India's current Asian-group competitor for 2028–29 is Tajikistan.
• India seeks to use its candidature to strengthen its role in Global South diplomacy, counter-terrorism and multilateral reforms.

Why UNSC Membership Matters for India?

1. Global governance: Greater influence over debates on conflicts, terrorism, sanctions and international security.

2. Global South: Platform to articulate concerns of developing countries and push for more representative multilateral institutions.

3. Counter-terrorism: UNSC remains important for international cooperation against terrorism and its financing.

4. Permanent seat: Repeated elected membership can strengthen India's argument for permanent UNSC membership by demonstrating diplomatic support and sustained contribution to the UN system.