Current Affairs 21 July 2025

Content

1. Human-Wildlife Conflict in Chandrapur
2. EU’s Age Verification Plan for Minors
3. Impact of Screens on Children
4. Relaxation of SO₂ Norms for Coal Plants
5. Alien Plant Species Invading Indian Forests

Human-Wildlife Conflict in Chandrapur: A Crisis of Coexistence

Introduction

• Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) refers to interactions between humans and wildlife that result in negative impacts on livelihoods, safety, or animal conservation.
• The Chandrapur tiger attacks (2024–25) highlight the intensifying nature of such conflicts amid rising tiger populations and shrinking natural habitats.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)

Dimensions of the Conflict

1. Ecological Dimension

• Shrinking habitats and fragmented corridors due to mining, roads, and agriculture.
• Breach of carrying capacity in tiger reserves (e.g., Tadoba has ~3X optimal density).
• Depletion of prey base forces predators to seek cattle or humans.

2. Socio-Economic Dimension

• Local dependence on forest for firewood, fodder, and non-timber forest produce.
• Death or injury causes income shock and mental trauma.
• Cultural tolerance in regions like Chandrapur: Tiger viewed as a deity, death accepted as fate.

3. Governance & Policy Dimension

• Poor conflict-prevention infrastructure (fencing, trenching).
• Delayed or inadequate compensation under state schemes.
• CAMPA funds underutilised for mitigation, mostly spent on afforestation.

4. Legal Framework Limitations

• Wildlife Protection Act (1972) prioritises species protection over human safety.
• No statutory conflict-management body exists.
• Tourism models often ignore ecological stress and proximity to human settlements.

5. Technological & Administrative Interventions

• Chandrapur Forest Division: 982 camera traps, AI alerts, 181 Rapid Response Teams.
• Drones used for night-time surveillance.
• Awareness campaigns in villages; forest patrolling during peak conflict months.

6. Ethical and Cultural Dimension

• Cultural acceptance vs. policy expectations – villagers worship tigers but seek protection.
• Raises debate: Ecocentric vs. Anthropocentric approaches to conservation.

Case Studies

Chandrapur, Maharashtra (2024–25)

• Over 25 deaths in 5 months.
• Tiger density far exceeds sustainable levels.
• Forest dept. launched awareness drives, patrolling, and AI tracking.

Sundarbans, West Bengal

• Use of traditional mask method on the back of head to reduce tiger attacks.
• Rising sea levels and cyclones (e.g., Amphan) increased tiger movement inland.

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh

• Won TX2 Award for doubling tigers while minimizing conflict via village relocation and buffer development.

Wayanad, Kerala

• Farmer protests demanding declaration of wild boar as vermin to protect crops.

Way Forward

• Institutional Reforms: Set up Human-Wildlife Conflict Management Authority under MoEFCC.
• Decentralised Response: Empower Gram Panchayats and Forest Rights Committees for quick mitigation.
• Community Incentives: Eco-tourism revenue sharing; insurance for crops/livestock.
• Data-Driven Tracking: AI-based early warning systems + real-time alerts.
• Compensation Reforms: Timely and adequate monetary relief via DBT.
• Corridor Restoration: Link fragmented habitats and avoid infrastructure through wildlife zones.

Useful Data Points

• 35% of world’s tigers in India; only 3% of global tiger habitat.
• 1,000+ human deaths due to wildlife (2018–2022) – MoEFCC.
• Over 60% of India’s forests are inhabited by forest-dependent people – FSI.

European Commission’s Age Verification Plan: Balancing Child Safety and Digital Privacy

Context and Purpose

The European Commission is piloting a digital age verification app under the Digital Services Act (DSA) to prevent children from accessing harmful online content. The system is designed to maintain user privacy while ensuring platforms (especially adult content providers) comply with EU safety standards.

Relevance : GS 2(Rights ,Social Issues )

Why This Move?

Children face multiple online threats:

• Exposure to pornography and violence
• Unwanted contact, grooming, cyberbullying
• Addictive design features of social media
• Lack of default privacy settings

The EU’s approach mandates that platforms tailor content and settings based on the user’s verified age—especially on high-risk sites.

Key Features of the Plan

• Based on the EU Digital Identity Wallet (eID) framework.
• Claims to use zero-knowledge proof (ZKP): lets users prove they’re 18+ without revealing personal data.
• No data on browsing history, age, or identity is stored or traceable.
• Countries like France, Spain, Denmark, and Greece are early adopters of the system.
• Will be open-source and interoperable across EU platforms.

Criticism & Concerns

• Privacy risks: Despite technical safeguards, critics fear centralised age verification could create data honeypots.
• Censorship risks: Could lead to blanket restrictions on borderline content (e.g. sexual health, art, satire).
• Bypassing effect: Users might migrate to less regulated or illegal sites, weakening the original goal.
• Implementation flaws: Most adult content companies argue that device-level verification (by Apple/Google) is more effective than website-level enforcement.

Global Comparisons

Ethical Dimensions

• Children’s Rights vs. Adult Privacy: Striking a balance is key.
• Right to Information vs. Right to Protection: Should children be denied access to certain educational content due to overblocking?
• Digital Autonomy: Should companies or states decide what users can see?

What Critics Propose Instead

• Device-level protections activated by default (age-restricted devices).
• Parental controls with improved digital literacy for guardians.
• Platform-based algorithms to flag and restrict content using AI rather than hard gates.
• Independent oversight bodies to audit enforcement and data protection.

Conclusion

The EU’s age verification plan is a bold attempt to make the internet safer for children, especially in light of increasing online harms. However, unless privacy safeguards are watertight and implementation is inclusive and technically sound, it risks alienating users and failing in its core mission. Global cooperation, transparent standards, and public trust will be essential to its success.

Slipping grades, social withdrawal, aggression: How screens affect children

Introduction: Context & Concern

• Digital addiction among children has become a serious issue post-COVID, with screen time increasing for education, entertainment, and socialization.
• It is now manifesting in academic decline, emotional instability, aggressive behaviour, and physical health disorders.
• Mental health professionals and schools are reporting an alarming rise in screen-induced psychological issues.

Relevance : GS 1(Society) , GS 2(Social Issues , Education)

Psychological and Behavioural Impact

• Children’s behaviour changes include irritability, violent outbursts, and refusal to attend school.
• Emotional dysregulation seen in cases where screen time is restricted.
• Anxiety, depression, and even hallucinations in some extreme cases.
• Screen addiction linked to poor impulse control, especially among adolescents.

Academic and Social Decline

• Teachers observe students being less attentive in class, struggling with concentration and memory.
• Decline in grades, increased absenteeism, and withdrawal from peer activities reported widely.
• Excessive screen use leads to detachment from real-life relationships and preference for virtual interactions.

Physical Health Repercussions

• Digital addiction causing sleep disorders, fatigue, and obesity due to sedentary lifestyle.
• Cases of children delaying bladder control due to long gaming sessions—one 19-year-old needed bladder surgery.
• Insomnia and headaches common, often due to late-night screen use and blue light exposure.

Evidence from Studies

• JAMA Study (2024): Screen time linked to mental distress, particularly among 4,000+ teenagers.
• NIH, USA: High screen usage reduced brain connectivity and cognitive-emotional resilience.
• Studies show that children who use screens excessively perform worse on language and social interaction tests.

Institutional Alarms & Cases

• Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (Delhi): 2–3 new screen addiction cases weekly.
• Manipal Hospital (Bengaluru): Sees 5–6 new digital addiction cases every week.
• A 12-year-old became socially isolated and physically weak due to mobile gaming.
• Children from Class 3 onwards increasingly show signs of aggressive behaviour if devices are taken away.

School and Policy Response

• Some private schools like Springdales, Delhi and Heritage School have banned mobile phones on campus.
• Schools introduce offline etiquette programs and digital hygiene awareness.
• CBSE launched “PLANN” campaign to promote safe online practices and prevent cyberbullying.

Legal and Judicial Interventions

• Delhi HC (2023): Advised regulatory framework for smartphone use in schools.
• PIL in SC (2024): Filed to mandate a national policy to curb screen addiction in children.
• Expert Pavan Duggal warns current cyber laws lack specificity in dealing with child digital addiction.

Parental and Societal Role

• Parental awareness often delayed; action taken only at advanced stages of addiction.
• Experts recommend parent-child screen contracts, scheduled digital detox, and encouraging offline activities.
• Parents urged to set device-free zones and lead by example in reducing screen dependence.

Conclusion & Way Forward

• Issue requires multi-level intervention—legal, educational, parental, and technological.
• Urgent need for a National Digital Wellness Policy with child-centric protections.
• Screen time must be balanced with offline learning, physical activity, and interpersonal relationships to ensure holistic development.

Why 78% coal plants won’t need to add anti-pollution devices

Context

• The Environment Ministry has exempted 78% of India’s coal-based thermal power plants from installing Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) systems that control Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) emissions.
• These systems were earlier mandated in 2015 to control SO2, which contributes significantly to air pollution.

Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)

Why are SO2 emissions from coal plants a concern?

• SO2 reacts with ammonia (NH3) to form ammonium sulfate, which contributes to PM2.5 pollution—affecting lungs and cardiovascular health.
• PM2.5 exposure is linked to asthma, bronchitis, heart attacks, and premature deaths.
• CREA data: 52% of SO2 emissions in India come from coal plants; in 2023, SO2 levels rose compared to 2019, especially near coal-dense regions.

Original plan for pollution control

• 2015: Centre introduced emission norms for SO2 and other pollutants from coal plants; FGD installation was required by 2017.
• Deadline extended four times due to:
  • High costs of FGD devices
  • Risk of electricity shortages due to plant shutdowns for retrofitting

Current classification of plants

Power plants divided into 3 categories (2021 update):

• Category A: Within 10 km of the National Capital Region or non-attainment cities → deadline: Dec 2022
• Category B: Located in populous areas with frequent air violations → deadline: Dec 2023
• Category C: Other remaining plants → deadline: Dec 2024

78% of all coal plants fall under Category C and are now exempted from installing FGDs.

Why this relaxation now?

• Based on studies by:
  • IIT-Delhi
  • IIT-Madras
  • NEERI
• These studies argue:
  • SO2 emissions from most plants are within permissible limits
  • Focus should be on overall particulate matter pollution, not just SO2

Economic argument

• FGDs are expensive and energy-intensive.
• Fears that retrofitting would increase power tariffs, affecting electricity affordability.
• Plants shutting down for installation could create power supply disruptions.

Criticism & Counterviews

• CREA and CSE question validity of studies:
  • Studies don’t track downwind SO2 dispersal.
  • SO2 plumes can travel 300+ km, converting to secondary pollutants mid-air.
  • NEERI’s findings were reportedly commissioned by NITI Aayog, raising concerns of bias.

• Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) says:
  • Real-world atmospheric SO2 remains high around plants.
  • FGDs are necessary to prevent long-term cumulative exposure.

Implications

• Environment: Signals diluted commitment to clean air goals under NCAP.
• Health: May undermine public health protection, especially in coal belt regions.
• Governance: Reflects tension between environment regulation and power sector realities.
• SDGs: Potential setback to SDG 3 (Health), SDG 7 (Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Alien plant species taking over native ecosystems: Study

Context & Key Findings

• A study published in Nature Reviews Biodiversity shows rapid spread of alien plant species, especially in tropical regions.
• These alien species are outcompeting and replacing native flora, leading to irreversible ecosystem changes.
• Human activities and climate change are key drivers accelerating the invasion.

What are Alien Plant Species?

• Non-native plants introduced intentionally or accidentally by humans into new regions.
• Often lack natural predators in the new ecosystem, allowing unchecked proliferation.
• Examples: Prosopis juliflora, Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, Ziziphus mauritiana, Vachellia nilotica.

Impact on Tropical Ecosystems

• Focus is on the Greater Tropics (tropics + subtropics) — 60% of Earth’s land area and home to the majority of biodiversity.
• Over 9,831 alien plant species are now established in the Greater Tropics.
• 26% of islands globally now have more alien than native flora. E.g., Tahiti (73.8%), Guam (66.5%), Hawaii, Madagascar.

Environmental Impacts

• Alien plants are altering fire regimes (increasing fire frequency/intensity).
• Increase in atmospheric CO₂ → higher plant biomass → more invasive woody growth.
• Example: Brachiaria decumbens in Amazon fuels intense fires → forest degradation → feedback loop for more invasions.

Impacts in India

• Around 66% of India’s natural systems (~750,000 km²) already affected by alien plant invasions.
• Land use change (agriculture, settlements) has modified fire and herbivory regimes, making conditions ripe for invasions.
• Example: Prosopis juliflora provides food for blackbuck, which unknowingly disperses alien seeds, harming native plants.
• Forest thickening by alien plants leads to higher wildfire risk in savannas and open forests.

Global Trends & Projections

• Since 1950s: exponential rise in invasions; 13,939–18,543 alien species already outside native ranges.
• By 2050, new invasions expected to rise:
  • 21% in South America
  • 12% in Africa
  • 10% in tropical Asia
• Predicts growing ecosystem homogenization, leading to biodiversity loss.

Drivers of Invasion

• Climate change: Hotter days, extreme heat, droughts, forest diebacks.
• Anthropogenic factors: Agriculture, urban expansion, historical plantations, poor regulation of plant imports.
• Weakening biotic resistance and rising CO₂ levels are creating ideal conditions for invasions.

Policy & Economic Challenges

• Alien species control in India would require US $13.5 billion — 36× its current environmental budget.
• Current responses are fragmented and lack long-term planning.

Way Forward: Recommendations

• Urgent interdisciplinary studies across the Greater Tropics.
• Strengthened regulation, monitoring, and early detection.
• Ecosystem restoration and community awareness, especially in the Global South.
• Emphasis on understanding native invaders and interactions with local fauna.