Content:
- Is establishing the truth a problem during a conflict?
- Why India needs stable urban forests
- What is the need of the hour in autism care?
- SC indicates mandatory registration of Waqfs began in 1923, not in 2025
- Report on adolescent health records calls for more investments and laws
- New drugs arrive on the block, but AMR threats continue
Is establishing the truth a problem during a conflict?
Complex Information Environment
- Conflicts often create fast-moving and emotionally charged environments.
- Information flows rapidly across media and social media, making verification harder.
- Differing versions of events may emerge due to lack of access or real-time reporting challenges.
Relevance : GS 4(Ethics and Integrity)
Challenge of Verification
- Journalists may lack access to conflict zones, making independent verification difficult.
- Official sources might be the only available information, which may not always be complete.
- In such scenarios, misreporting or reliance on unverified sources may unintentionally occur.
National Security Considerations
- Governments may limit certain information (e.g., troop movements) to protect national security.
- This is a legitimate concern during active military operations.
- However, such restrictions must be balanced with the public’s right to information.
Media Responsibility
- Media outlets have a responsibility to report accurately and avoid sensationalism.
- The pressure to generate viewership can sometimes lead to dramatic coverage, which may overshadow nuanced reporting.
- Upholding journalistic ethics, such as cross-checking and source verification, is crucial during such times.
Role of Social Media
- Social media platforms can amplify both authentic information and misinformation.
- While it provides real-time updates, it can also lead to the spread of unverified or misleading content.
- Efforts to improve digital literacy and fact-checking can help mitigate these risks.
Public Trust and Transparency
- Transparent communication by authorities fosters trust and public understanding.
- A clear and consistent information strategy can reduce speculation and confusion.
- Over-restriction of information, however, can lead to rumours and public distrust.
Conclusion
- Establishing the truth during conflict is undeniably challenging, but not impossible.
- It requires a careful balance between national interest, journalistic integrity, and the public’s right to know.
- Strengthening media guidelines, promoting ethical reporting, and encouraging responsible information sharing are key to navigating the truth in times of conflict.
Why India needs stable urban forests
What is an Urban Forest?
- An urban forest refers to trees, vegetation, and wooded areas located within and around cities and towns.
- Includes parks, avenues, gardens, institutional greens, wooded public land, and natural forest patches like Kancha Gachibowli (Hyderabad), Aarey (Mumbai), and Delhi Ridge.
- Functions as the “green lungs” of urban areas, providing ecological, social, and health benefits.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
Importance of Urban Forests
- Act as natural air purifiers by absorbing pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10.
- Help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon.
- Reduce urban heat island effect, bringing down temperatures in cities.
- Control stormwater runoff, soil erosion, and flooding risks.
- Provide habitats for endangered birds and animals, sustaining urban biodiversity.
- Enhance mental health, offer recreational spaces, and improve quality of life.
- Provide a cultural and emotional connection to nature in urban settings.
Impact of Urbanisation on Forests
- Urban forests like Kancha Gachibowli in Hyderabad are threatened by industrial and real estate expansion.
- Over 100 acres of tree cover lost due to government-sanctioned development.
- Similar threats faced by other urban forests: Aarey (Mumbai), Turahalli (Bengaluru), Delhi Ridge, etc.
- Deteriorating air quality in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad worsened by deforestation.
Areas of Concern
- Lack of coordination between urban planning and environmental protection.
- Encroachments and land-use changes favoring short-term economic gain over sustainability.
- Weak implementation of existing green policies.
- Neglect of ecological value in Smart City and infrastructure projects.
- Inadequate community involvement and awareness.
Judicial Interventions & Legal Safeguards
- Supreme Court (2024) rebuked Telangana govt; ordered restoration of Kancha Gachibowli forest.
- Godavarman Case (1996): Broadened forest definition to include urban forests.
- Delhi HC (2015): Directed protection of the Delhi Ridge.
- SC Stay (2020): Halted tree felling in Aarey, Mumbai.
- Courts invoking Article 21 (Right to Life) to ensure a healthy environment.
- Support from Articles 48A & 51A(g) for environmental protection as a duty.
Nagar Van Yojana (Urban Forest Scheme)
- Launched by MoEF&CC in 2020.
- Goal: 1,000 urban forests by 2027.
- Encourages community participation in creating and maintaining green urban spaces.
- India State of Forest Report 2023 shows 1,445.81 km² increase in urban green cover due to this scheme.
Why the Threat is Alarming
- Urban forest loss equals public health crisis — rising respiratory issues and heat stress.
- Loss of green spaces diminishes social cohesion, cultural life, and mental well-being.
- Signals a broader failure in sustainable urban governance.
- Undermines India’s climate commitments and biodiversity goals.
Conclusion
India urgently needs stable urban forests not just as green patches but as critical urban infrastructure. They are indispensable for:
- Environmental balance
- Climate resilience
- Public health
- Biodiversity
- Cultural and civic identity
Policy commitment, legal protection, and citizen activism must converge to safeguard these urban lungs.
What is the need of the hour in autism care?
What is Autism?
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition affecting communication, social interaction, and behavior.
- It includes a range of symptoms from mild to severe; often visible in early childhood but sometimes diagnosed later.
- Classified by the WHO as a diverse set of conditions, not a single disorder.
Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Social Issues)
Is Autism on the Rise?
- Prevalence of autism has increased:
- 1 in 36 (2020) → 1 in 31 (2022) in the U.S. (CDC data).
- In India, an estimated 1 in 68 children are affected by autism. This translates to approximately 18 million individuals on the autism spectrum in the country.
- Reasons:
- Better recognition and broader diagnostic criteria.
- Increased awareness and access to healthcare.
- Mild cases now included in diagnosis which were earlier missed.
What Causes Autism?
- No single cause — it’s a complex interplay of genetics and environment.
- Genetic factors: High heritability (up to 91% in some studies – JAMA 2016).
- Environmental factors (limited evidence, still under research):
- Advanced parental age.
- Prenatal exposure to air pollution.
- Vaccines do NOT cause autism – the MMR vaccine link has been debunked.
Is Autism Preventable?
- Not fully preventable due to complex etiology.
- Primary prevention is difficult with current knowledge.
- Focus should be on:
- Secondary prevention – early detection and screening.
- Tertiary prevention – targeted intervention and support.
Misinformation Risks
- Claims linking vaccines to autism have caused:
- Reduced vaccination rates.
- Increased public health risk (measles outbreaks, etc.).
- Such narratives blame parents (especially mothers) and increase stigma.
What is the Need of the Hour in Autism Care?
Early Diagnosis
- Many children are still not diagnosed early, especially in rural and underserved areas.
- Early detection is crucial for effective intervention.
Accessible Interventions
- Need for individualised, evidence–basedtherapies (speech, behavioral, occupational).
- Tailored interventions based on each child’s needs.
Psycho-education for Families
- Families need support and realistic guidance, not false promises or shame.
Maternal and Child Health
- Greater focus on maternalmental and physicalhealth during pregnancy.
- Move beyond communicable diseases to include mental and neurodevelopmental health in prenatal care.
Awareness and Sensitisation
- Combat myths and stigma around ASD.
- Promote inclusion and rights-based approach for individuals with autism.
Research and Data
- Continued, rigorous research on genetic and environmental factors.
- Avoid politicised or oversimplified narratives (e.g. blaming toxins or single causes).
SC indicates mandatory registration of Waqfs began in 1923, not in 2025
Historical Context and Legal Continuity
- Mandatory registration of Waqfs dates back to the Mussalman Wakf Act, 1923.
- This requirement was retained in the Waqf Act, 1954, and further reiterated in the Waqf Act, 1995.
- The 2025 Amendment Act does not introduce mandatory registration; it merely reinforces an existing legal requirement.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance , Polity and Constitution)
Issue of Non-compliance
- The Supreme Court questioned why Waqfs have remained unregistered for decades despite clear legal mandates.
- Only one State has completed the mandatory survey of Waqf properties under Section 4 of the Waqf Act, 1995.
- Petitioners argue the fault lies with State governments, not the Waqf community.
Waqf by User and Its Recognition
- “Waqf by user” refers to properties used by the public over time for religious purposes (e.g., mosques, graveyards) without formal registration.
- Earlier Waqf laws statutorily recognized such waqfs, acknowledging a deep-rooted Islamic practice.
- Petitioners argue the 2025 Act would strip these waqfs of legal status, which is arbitrary and regressive.
Religious Freedom and Constitutional Rights
- Waqf is tied to Islamic charity (zakat), one of the five pillars of Islam.
- Arguing it is non-essential to Islam, as the government claims, would deny protection under Article 25 (freedom of religion).
- Article 26(d) provides religious denominations the right to manage their own affairs and properties—petitioners argue this includes waqfs.
Concerns over State Interference
- Inclusion of non-Muslims on Waqf Boards and Central Waqf Council is seen as intrusion into community-specific religious administration.
- Petitioners argue this amounts to undue state control over religious endowments, violating minority rights.
New Requirements Under the 2025 Amendment
- The 2025 law now requires that a person must prove five years of practising Islam before creating a waqf.
- This is viewed by petitioners as burdensome, exclusionary, and discriminatory, especially for converts and marginalised groups.
Summary of Petitioners’ Objections
- Historical recognition of waqfs, especially waqfs by user, is being undermined.
- Community penalized for administrative failure of the State.
- The law is violating religious freedom and minority rights under Articles 25 and 26.
- The State’s regulatory reach is extending into core religious functions.
Need for Reform: Balanced Approach
- Any reform of Waqf laws should ensure:
- Administrative efficiency and transparency.
- Protection of religious rights and community autonomy.
- Avoiding overreach and excessive secular regulation.
Report on adolescent health records calls for more investments and laws
Scale and Demographics
- Adolescents account for 24% of the global population, i.e., around 2 billion individuals.
- By 2030, nearly 1 billion adolescents are projected to live in multi-burden countries facing overlapping health, social, and economic challenges.
- By 2100, an estimated 85% of the world’s adolescents will live in Africa or Asia.
- Adolescents living in conflict-affected areas have doubled since the 1990s, now numbering 340 million.
Relevance : GS 1(Society ) ,GS 2(Health ,Social Issues)
Health Burden Projections
- By 2030:
- 464 million adolescents are projected to be overweight.
- 42 million years of healthy life will be lost to mental health disorders and suicide.
Funding Gaps
- Funding for adolescent health is grossly inadequate:
- Adolescents received only 2.4% of total global health development assistance (2016–21).
- This is disproportionate to their 25.2% share in the global population.
- Current funding is not targeted to areas of greatest need or demographic pressure.
Progress and Gains
- Adolescent mortality has declined by 27% in the past two decades.
- Improvements are largely due to:
- Reductions in malnutrition and communicable diseases.
- Greater access to education, especially for girls.
- These changes contribute to gender equity and better socioeconomic outcomes.
Digital Era and New Challenges
- Adolescents are the first global generation of digital natives:
- 79% of youth aged 15–24 are Internet users globally.
- Over 95% of adolescents in high- and upper-middle-income countries are digitally connected.
- Digital exposure raises new risks and responsibilities, such as:
- Mental health implications.
- Online safety.
- Commercial exploitation via digital platforms.
Legal and Policy Recommendations
- Enabling laws and policies are critical to improving adolescent wellbeing:
- Protect sexual and reproductive health and rights.
- Tackle commercial determinants of health (e.g., junk food, substance marketing).
- Promote healthy and ethical use of social media.
- Emphasis on sustained legal environments over one-time interventions.
Youth Engagement and Participation
- The commission included:
- 44 global commissioners.
- 10 youth commissioners.
- 122 adolescents in Youth Solution Labs — signaling a strong push for youth-led solutions.
New drugs arrive on the block, but AMR threats continue
AMR: An Escalating Global Health Threat
- Definition: AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) occurs when microorganisms resist effects of antimicrobial drugs.
- Global Impact: Contributed to 1.27 million deaths in 2019; projected to directly cause 1.91 million deaths by 2050.
- India’s Burden: 2.97 lakh deaths due to AMR in 2019; India has one of the highest bacterial infection rates globally.
Relevance : GS 2(Health ,Governance)
Key Causes of AMR
- Misuse/Overuse of Antibiotics:
- Only ~30% of antibiotics are used for humans; majority in livestock, aquaculture, and agriculture.
- Widespread over-the-counter (OTC) sales without prescriptions.
- Use of antibiotics like colistin as growth promoters in poultry (recently banned).
- Self-medication and lack of public awareness.
- Inadequate diagnostics: Delays in antibiogram reports lead to delayed/inappropriate treatments.
- Hospital-related challenges:
- Equipment quality issues, high patient load, understaffing, poor infection control.
- Lack of accountability and stewardship in healthcare systems.
Scientific Breakthrough: Nafithromycin
- Developed by: Wockhardt (India) with support from BIRAC.
- Significance: First antibiotic developed globally in 30 years.
- Features: 3-day once-a-day oral treatment for Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP); 97% success rate.
- India’s Milestone: First indigenously developed antibiotic in its class.
Innovation Gaps and Market Challenges
- Antibiotic Innovation Gap:
- Post-1960s “golden era” saw decline in new antibiotics.
- Big pharma exited due to low ROI; chronic diseases more profitable.
- Drug Development Barriers:
- High cost, long timelines, stringent regulatory hurdles.
- Small companies like Wockhardt, Bugworks, Orchid Pharma taking the lead.
- Affordability Strategy: Tiered pricing based on country income level (e.g., India price 80% lower than US).
Challenges in Stewardship and Regulation
- Emerging Resistance to New Drugs:
- E.g., Ceftazidime-avibactam losing efficacy due to irrational use.
- Regulatory Gaps:
- Despite being prescription-only, antibiotics are freely available OTC in India.
- Weak enforcement and lack of pharmacy-level control.
- Public Awareness Deficit:
- Antibiotics taken for viral infections.
- Patient pressure on doctors contributes to overprescription.
Government and Institutional Action
- National Action Plan (2017): Aligns India with global AMR strategy.
- Surveillance Networks & Public Campaigns: Still in nascent stages.
- Need for Holistic Reforms:
- Better diagnostics and equipment quality.
- Healthcare professional training on AMR stewardship.
- Stronger policy and enforcement framework.
Way Forward: Multifaceted, Shared Responsibility
- 3-Pronged Approach:
- Education: For public and practitioners on responsible antibiotic use.
- Innovation: Continued R&D investment in novel antibiotics.
- Regulation: Strict control on antibiotic sales, improved hospital protocols.
- Expert Consensus: Without immediate, cross-sectoral action, AMR will spiral into a larger public health crisis.
