1.Civil War in Myanmar.

Why in News?

Recently, due to the ongoing Civil War in Myanmar, 1,500 nationals of Myanmar took refuge in Mizoram’s Champhai district following an intense gunfight between the Myanmar Army, and pro-democracy militias in the country’s western Chin State abutting Mizoram.

What is Background of the Current Civil War in Myanmar?

2020 Elections and Military Coup:
- In the November 2020 elections, Aung San Suu Kyi’s party National League for Democracy (NLD) won the election. However, the military junta, known as the Tatmadaw, claimed electoral fraud without substantial evidence and rejected the election results.
- In February, 2021, the military staged a coup, detaining Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected leaders, declaring a state of emergency, and seizing control of the government.
Protests and Resistance:
- The coup triggered widespread protests across Myanmar, with citizens demanding the restoration of democracy and the release of detained leaders.
- Civil servants, activists, and various groups joined the civil disobedience movement, staging strikes and demonstrations.
Formation of Resistance Forces:
- As the Tatmadaw intensified its crackdown on dissent, opposition groups, including Ethnic Armed Organizations (EAOs) and armed civilians, formed the People’s Defence Forces (PDFs) to resist the military junta.
- These groups aligned themselves with the National Unity Government (NUG), established by ousted lawmakers, aiming to challenge the military’s authority.
Current Scenario:
- Fighting has also broken out elsewhere in the country, led by various local resistance forces — in the Rakhine State, Kayin State, Sagaing region bordering Manipur, and Chin State bordering Mizoram.

What does Ongoing Civil War in Myanmar Mean for India?

Balanced Stance:
- India has so far walked a fine line between expressing concern at the “interruption” of democracy in Myanmar, and engaging with the junta to protect its “vital interests”.
Immediate Concern for India:
- The influx of Myanmarese nationals in the border states of the Northeast.
- This too at a time when the situation in Manipur remains volatile.
Capturing of Two Important Towns by Rebels:
- The anti-junta forces have captured two important towns close to the only two border crossing points between Myanmar and India. These are:
  - Rikhawdar, close to Zokhawthar in Mizoram, and
  - Khampat in Sagaing region, around 60 km from Moreh in Manipur.
- The latter (Khampat in Sagaing region) is also part of the proposed India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral highway project

Separatist groups

Kachin Independence Army (KIA):

Representing the Kachin ethnicgroup in northern Myanmar, the KIA has been fighting for autonomysince the 1960s. The conflict in Kachin State has been particularlyintense, with allegations of human rights abuses and significanthumanitarian concerns.

Karen National Union (KNU) and Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA)

:The Karen people are one of the largest ethnic groups in Myanmar, and the KNU has been fighting for autonomy for over six decades. The KNLA is the armed wing of the KNU. The Karen conflict has led to significant displacement and suffering among the Karen population.

● Shan State Army (SSA): The Shan people are another major ethnicgroup in Myanmar, and various factions of the SSA have beeninvolved in armed conflict against the central government. TheShan States are rich in natural resources, and the conflict is alsoinfluenced by the control over these resources.

● Arakan Army (AA): Representing the Rakhine ethnic group, the AAhas been involved in a conflict with the Myanmar military since2018. The conflict has led to a large-scale humanitarian crisis inRakhine State.

● United Wa State Army (UWSA): The Wa are one of the largest ethnicgroups in Myanmar’s Shan State. The UWSA is considered one of thestrongest ethnic armed groups in Myanmar, controlling a large areaand engaging in ceasefire negotiations with the government.

● New Mon State Party (NMSP): Representing the Mon people, the NMSPhas been involved in a long-standing conflict for autonomy in MonState. The Mon conflict has seen periods of ceasefire and tension,with the NMSP seeking a political solution to achieveself-determination for the Mon people.

Chinaʼs influence

China has responded to the fluid political process by engaging with multiple actors. Given its massive investments and economic interests in the region, China has often extended support to the Myanmar military on various international platforms. Simultaneously, it has also kept substantive relations with many armed groups, including the Brotherhood Alliance and the United Wa State Army (UWSA). It was Beijing which facilitated some ceasefires between the military and the EAOs, such as the Haigeng ceasere agreement in January this year, which proved to be temporary.

● Beijingʼs policy towards Myanmar is also guided by emerging security threats, such as the activities of online criminal syndicates operating near the China-Myanmar border, which are targeting Chinese citizens.

● Over the years, the UWSA was purportedly the conduit through which some of the armed groups received Chinese weapons. The EAOs reportedly procured commercial drones from the Chinese market and used them in their operations against the military

● If India, despite a lack of geographic contiguity, could construct massive infrastructure projects amidst the civil war in Afghanistan, there is no reason why it could not do more in neighbouring Myanmar for regional peace and prosperity

2.Pangong Lake

Key points about Pangong Lake include

Geography:

Pangong Lake is approximately 134 kilometers(83 miles) long and varies in width from 1 to 5 kilometers (0.6to 3.1 miles). It is one of the highest lakes in the world.

Biodiversity:

The lake is known for its rich biodiversity, including avariety of fish species. However, the biodiversity of the lake isunder threat due to factors such as climate change and humanactivities

● Pangong Lake, also known as Pangong Tso, is a long, narrowendorheic lake located in the Himalayas.

● It is situated at an altitude of approximately 4,350 meters (14,270feet) and is renowned for its scenic beauty and crystal-clearwaters.

● The lake is divided between India and China, with about two-thirdsof its length in the Tibetan Autonomous Region of China and theremaining one-third in India. The Indian portion of the lake lies inthe Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir.

3.Topic -2- The Gadgil Committee Report

● The Gadgil Committee, officially known as the Western Ghats EcologyExpert Panel (WGEEP), was formed in 2010 by the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests (MoEF) of the Government of India.

● The committee was named after its chairman, Madhav Gadgil, arenowned ecologist and environmentalist.

● The primary objective of the committee was to recommend a strategy forthe environmental conservation of the Western Ghats, a mountain rangein the western part of India that is known for its rich biodiversity and is aUNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Gadgil Committee submitted its report in 2011, making severalrecommendations aimed at conserving the ecological integrity of theWestern Ghats.

key recommendations include

Zonation of the Western Ghats: The committee proposed dividingthe Western Ghats into three ecological zones based on theirecological sensitivity:

Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZ),Ecologically Sensitive Sub-Zones (ESSZ), and a zone where development activities are permissible.

● Restrictions on Development Activities: The committee suggested imposingrestrictions on development activities in the ESZ and ESSZ to protect theecology of the region. This included limitations on mining, quarrying,thermal power plants, and other potentially harmful activities

● Involvement of Local Communities: The committee emphasized theimportance of involving local communities in the conservation efforts. Itrecommended the establishment of Community Conservation Committeesand the recognition of traditional rights of local people over forestresources.

Sustainable Development: The committee advocated for the promotion ofsustainable development practices that do not harm the environment. Thisincluded encouraging eco-friendly tourism and the development ofsustainable agriculture.

Compensation and Rehabilitation: The committee proposed acompensation and rehabilitation package for those displaced or affectedby the conservation measures, ensuring their livelihoods are notadversely affected

4.The Mettur Dam

● The Mettur Dam, officially known as Stanley Reservoir, is a largereservoir located in the Salem district of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu.

● It is one of the most important dams in the state, serving multiplepurposes including irrigation, hydroelectricity generation, and watersupply.

● The dam is constructed across the Kaveri River, a major river in SouthIndia that is considered sacred and is an important source of water forirrigation and drinking in the region.

Construction: The construction of the Mettur Dam began in 1924and was completed in 1934 under the British Raj. It was namedafter Sir Arthur Hope, 1st Baronet, who was the Governor ofMadras Presidency at the time.

Purpose: The primary purpose of the dam is to provide irrigationwater for the fertile delta regions of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur,Nagapattinam, and parts of Pudukkottai and Cuddalore districts.It also supports hydroelectric power generation and serves as amajor source of drinking water for several towns and cities downstream.

5.Periyar Tiger Reserve

Periyar Tiger Reserve in Thekkady has become the first in India to install a wind turbine for power generation. This innovation will support real-time monitoring cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity .

In a groundbreaking initiative, Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Thekkady has installed a wind turbine to power real-time monitoring cameras and Wi-Fi connectivity within its expansive forest. This move marks a significant advancement in the reserve’s efforts to enhance conservation technology and communication

Power Generation for Technology

The PTR East Division, encompassing 17 forest sections, previously relied on solar power for wireless communication and operational needs. However, the inefficiencies caused by the foggy climate and heavy rainfall often hindered the effectiveness of solar panels. The newly installed wind turbine aims to address these challenges by providing a more reliable energy source for monitoring and communication systems.

About Periyar Tiger Reserve

Location and Size: Situated in Kerala, India, Periyar Tiger Reserve covers over 925 square kilometers.
Establishment: Founded in 1978 as India’s 10th tiger reserve under Project Tiger.
Biodiversity: Home to over 2,000 plant species, 76 mammal species, and 338 bird species.
Conservation Approach: Engages in participatory conservation with 81 eco-development committees, focusing on providing livelihood opportunities to local communities and converting former poachers into conservationists.
Technological Integration: Employs real-time wildlife monitoring through camera traps and a wireless network to support anti-poaching efforts and research.
Recognition: Recently ranked as the top-performing tiger reserve in India.