Detailed Analysis of Fire in Amazon. Amazon will be disappeared in next 40 years.

The Amazon rain forest is the world's largest tropical forest. It is about half the size of United States of America. But for several weeks now the forest also describe as "The Lungs of the Earth has been on fire. The fire has been raising across the range of States in Brazil section of the Amazon forest that broke out in early August. More than 9500 new forest fires have been spotted by Brazil's National Institute for space research in just the last 2 weeks. According to forest experts, Amazon almost never burns of its own and the increase in fire this year is quite more. So, the majority of fire is believed to be caused by humans. The concern worldwide now is at present the world needs billions of more trees to absorb carbon and stabilize the climate but the planet is loosing its biggest rain forest. Brazil has declared the state of emergency in the region.

Amazon on Fire.

The lungs of the Earth are on Fire. It has been several months that the World's largest tropical forest "The Amazon" has been ablaze. The raising fire has spelt Environmental Catastrophe consuming trees, brushes, vegetation and killing animals and birds. The alarming extent of the raising fire is even visible from space. Since January this year 74,000 fires have been detected in Brazil's Amazon rain forest and increase of 84% as compared to the same time last year as per Brazil's National Institute of Space Research. While fires often occur in the dry season, the Amazon's wing spreading fire in larger areas. However, a number of factors have contributed to the current crisis like deforestation for agriculture and cattle rearing being the biggest driver. The Amazon spreads over 2.1 Million square miles across 9 countries including Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guinea. The borders are also not enough to contain the wild fires, the blaze has spread to hilly tropical forest near Bolivia's border with Brazil. At leat 1 million hectares of forest land has been impacted. The Amazon fire issue dominated the climate change session at the recently concluded G7 summit in France. The French President Emmanuel Macron organizing 22 Million Dollar fund to fight the crisis.

Effects of Fire on Biodiversity of Amazon

The Amazon rain forest holds at least 10% of the world's biodiversity. As per latest news report at least 9000 wildfires are raising simultaneously across the vast rain forest of Brazil and spreading into Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador. Experts worried that the fire has catastrophic consequences on the thousands of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and bird species that line in the Amazon forest. Forest fires have multiple implications on biological diversity. At the global scale they are significant source of emitted carbon contributing to global warming which could lead to biodiversity changes. At the regional and local level they lead to change in biomass stocks, alter the hydrological cycle with subsequent effects for marine system like coral reefs and impact functioning of plants and animal species. Further, smoke from fire can significantly reduce photosynthetic activity and can be detrimental to the health of humans and animals. As per the study conducted by the Centre for International Research in Indonesia on the most important ecological effects of raising forest fires is the increased probability of further burning in subsequent years as dead trees topple to the ground, open up forests to drying by sunlight and building up the fuel load with an increase in fire pro species. Fires are taking massive toll on wildlife such as flames, heat, smoke in inhalation having devastating impacts on vertebrates and invertebrates. Fire has indirect effects also like loss of habitat, territories, shelter and food. The loss of key organism in forest ecosystem can slow forest recovery rate.

Interesting Facts of Amazon

The Amazon rain forest also known as Amazonia is the greatest forest on earth. Located in South America the world's largest tropical rain forest covers 2.1 Million Square miles of land spreading across north-western Brazil and extending into Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guinea. Of the total area of the forest, Brazil has 60%. In terms of size if the Amazon would be country it would be 9th largest in the world. In existence for at least 55 Million years, Amazonia is a world in its own. It is home to 10% of the known species in the world, more than 1500 bird species, over 40,000 different plant species and 2.5 million insect species. Around 80% of the food consumed by humans like coffee, chocolate, rice, tomato, potato, banana, black paper, pine apple, and corn came from Amazon. 25% of all western pharmaceuticals ingredients came from Amazon. Yet less than 1% of trees and plants have ever being tested. Only 6% of our planet surface area is covered by rain forest and almost half belongs to Amazon. Every day the Amazon releases approximately 20 billion tones of moisture into the atmosphere. The Amazon rain forest is also responsible for creating 50-70% of precipitation.

Side effects of Deforestation on the Amazon

In the last half century nearly 20% of the Amazon's forest has disappeared. It is estimated that more than 137 species are getting extinct every day. The Amazon rain forest is disappearing at the alarming rate of  1.5 acres per second. It will be completely destroyed in next 40 years if deforestation continues.

By 2025, Scientists will create Miniature Sun on Earth. India has given 17,500 Crore Rupees.

Rapid population growth and urbanization has multiplied the demand of energy worldwide. Electricity demand is increasing twice as far as overall energy use. In the coming decades, World will need a lot of energy especially clean energy. To answer this demand the World's best scientists are trying to create Miniature sun on the Earth. This is Plasma based fusion reactor that will cost 25 Billion US Dollars. It will be the costliest mega science project on the Earth in the 21st century. India is one of the Seven partners in this Global Collaborations. India has already committed about 17,500 Crore Rupees. In the recent trip to France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi commended the joint partnership in the International Thermo Nuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). There is need of this project because people have been trying to harness the energy of the Sun since Centuries. Today Solar Energy has become the need of the hour in the aim to achieve Sustainable Development. Scientists have started looking beyond our natural star to generate solar energy. Scientists are working on unique way to generate Solar Energy without Sun by building a Miniature Sun.

What is Miniature Sun Project ?

The scientific name of the project is International Thermo Nuclear Experimental Reactor(ITER). In 1988, the ITER project was officially initiated. In 2005, India officially became part of ITER. The construction of ITER Tokamark Complex started in 2013. The construction of facility is expected to be completed by 2025. Initial Plasma experiments are scheduled to begin in 2025. However, bringing the Sun to the Earth is not without its challenges especially managing the massive temperature varient in the reactor but with the World's best Scientists on job, once operational the Miniature Sun may provide the ultimate solution to all our energy needs.

Being termed as new and carbon free energy, ITER is the most ambitious project on the Earth today. Thousands of engineers and scientists from as many as 35 Countries have contributed to its design since its inception back in 1985. 66% work of the project is completed so far with operation expected to start in 2025.

The ITER project is cooperation of 35 Countries represented by Seven main members. They are China, European Union, Japan, South Korea, Russia, India and USA. The seven members nations will share the costs of project including construction and operation. They will also share expenses of experiment and intellectual property. The total cost of the project is estimated 25 Billion US Dollars. In this Europe is responsible for 45.6% expenditure.

What is India's Role in Miniature Sun Project ?

India has committed 10% of the Project's cost i.e., 17,500 Crore Rupees. A team of over 100 Indian Scientists is trying to do what was once unthinkable. They are trying to tap Sun's real energy source to give world an unlimited supply of clean energy.

India has also contributed one of the biggest components of the project. That is World's Largest Refrigerator which houses this unique reactor. The refrigerator is weighing around 3800 tones. It was made in Gujarat.

What is Tokamak Reactor ?

It is magnetic fusion device designed to harness fusion energy based on the same principles that powers the Sun and the Stars in the Universe. Inside the Tokamark the Energy produced through fusion of atoms is absorbed as heat in the walls of the vessel just like conventional power plant. The fusion power plant will use the heat to produce steam and electricity by way of Turbines and Generators. 

Challenges: There are few challenges in this mega project. Like the meltdown of nuclear reactor, harmful effects on human health and effective disposal of radioactive wastes. 

India-Pakistan and Donald Trump

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rejected any scope for third party mediation between India and Pakistan, saying both nations can discuss and resolve issues bilaterally. He made during his meeting with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of G7 Summit in France. President Trump also concurred with Prime Minister Modi referring to Kashmir issue, and he said" He is confident that both India and  Pakistan can resolve their issue". In the run up of this meeting there was lot of anticipation and expectations but several anxieties and concerns were also there like the relation between India and Pakistan, and issue of Kashmir. On July 22, when President Trump met Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, he said "He has been contacted by PM Modi, Modi has asked his to mediate over Kashmir issue".

However, this statement of Trump has been completely denied by India. India's stand is very clear that no third party interference is required between India and Pakistan. India once again through Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphatically reiterated its stand on Kashmir issue.

Why US President is constantly making statements on Kashmir ?

Donald Trump has been hyperactive. It seems he has taken the whole event since 22 July when he met Imran Khan. If we look the time period between January 2017 to December 2018, there has been consistent pressure on Pakistan by the whole world  to stop terror activity, terrorist funding etc. USA was also one of them to put pressure on Pakistan.

As far as India and Afghanistan is concerned, if we recall the South Asia strategy of August 2017, National Security Strategy of 2018, all these events have put pressure on Pakistan. But more recently the 2nd Electoral cycle which comes into position, Mr. Trump is keen that he should withdraw Troops from Afghanistan and in that context he needs the support of Pakistan to bring the Taliban on negotiating table. This is the reason that US is constantly trying to please Pakistan.

However, the Kabul Government and the Taliban leadership have said that Pakistan should not try to confuse the Kashmir and the Afghan issue.

The whole story of Money Laundering and P. Chidambaram

We have been listening the term money laundering since many years. It is a process to convert black money into white money and to hide the source of illegal earning. In recent years many big faces are accused of this charge. Money laundering a complete fake process where fake company, documents and even transactions are shown to the Government in order to save tax. Recent news is related to Former Home Minister P. Chidambaram who has been accused of INX media corruption case. CBI has arrested P. Chidambaram on Wednesday night.

What are allegations on P. Chidambaram ?

CBI has filed FIR against INX Media Group on 15 May 2017. It was allegation that INX Media Group was facing problem in clearance of Foreign Investment by Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB). When the company was allowed to invest in 2007, Chidambaram was Finance Minister. The Investigating Agencies named Chidambaram when the promoter of INX Media Indrani Mukharjee and her husband Peter Mukharjee were questioned by Enforcement Directorate. 

Enforcement Directorate (ED) said: Indrani Mukharjee has said that P. Chidambaram had put condition for FIPB's clearance. The condition was, they have to favour Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram in his Foreign Investment. 

According to media report: P. Chidambaram and his son had got 305 Crore Rupees as commission by INX Media promoters. 

The Enforcement Directorate had loged the case of Money Laundering in 2018.

CBI is also investigating the deal of 3500 crore Rupees between Aircle and Maxis. In 2006, Malaysian company Maxis has bought 100% shares of Aircel. In this case, the clearance of merging of the two companies were questioned. It is because at that time Finance Minister could give clearance of Foreign Investment only upto 600 Crore Rupees. The meeting of Cabinet Committee related to Finance was required for the clearance of more than 600 Crore Rupees of Foreign Investment.

What is Money Laundering ?

Money Laundering word was originated in America by local Mafia Groups. These groups used to collect money forcefully by Gambling etc. In 1980, Money Laundering was matter of serious concern in America. Through money laundering black money is invested in a way that Investigating Agencies could not find the real source of income. This way black money is converted into white money. The Government has no record of this money and hence taxes are not paid by the Launderers. In money laundering, fake companies, document and transactions are shown.

There are 3 stages of Money Laundering:

1) Placement 

2) Layering

3) Consolidation

Placement: It means money comes into market. In this process the Launderer invest money in Banks or other Formal and Informal sectors.

Layering: It is the process of hiding source of money and tax. In this, Launderers shows some difference in his transactions and invest in Bonds, Stocks and Foreign Banks.

Consolidation: In this process, the investment in various things at different places comes back to the Launderer in form of white money.

PNB Scam, Sandesara Brother's Scam, Commonwealth Games Scam, 2G Scam, these are few examples of money laundering.

Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002.

              

When Stock market scam was done, Harshad Mehta case comes into picture. That time Kirit Somaiya was Member of Parliament from Mumbai. He moved resolution that Money Laundering is very serious issue. Then the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 was passed by Atal Ji's Government.

Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Launderers can be punished with 3 to 7 years of imprisonment with fine. The property can be attatched as well. The power of investigation is given to Enforcement Directorate (ED). For the trials, Special Courts has been set up. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act has been amended 3 times in 2005, 2009 and 2012.

Indo-Pak Water Treaty

The Indus water treaty between India and Pakistan in 1960 has taken centre stage once again. In line with its plan to fully use its share of water without violating the long-standing treaty, India has started work to rechannel the water into states like Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan instead of letting it flow in Pakistan. A data show that India uses nearly 93% to 94% of its share under its Indus water treaty. The rest of the water is unutilized and flows into Pakistan.

What is Indus water treaty?

The Indus water treaty was signed in 1960 by the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and then Pakistani President Ayub Khan. It was administrated by the World Bank which took 9 years of negotiations. It divided the control of 6 rivers between the two countries. India got control over river Ravi, Beas and Sutlej, While Pakistan got control over Indus, Chenab and Jhelum rivers.

How India has been utilizing its shares of waters from the three rivers in the Indus Basin ?

Three western rivers Indus, Jhelum and Chenab were proposed to flow unrestricted to Pakistan. However, India is being big country is entitled 20% use of waters from Western rivers. But India is not availing even the use of 20% that it is entitled from the Western rivers. In Fact, India is not even fully utilizing water of 3 Eastern Rivers assigned entirely to it. About 2 million acre feet of water annually from Ravi river flowing unutilized to Pakistan.

The BJP led NDA Government has announced that it will stop water from flowing into Pakistan without violating the Indus water treaty. According to Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Sekhawat, the process to secure Eastern river water in the Indus Basin by building a diversion has already started.

Pakistan again lied that India is stealing its water.

The Indus water treaty is considered one of the most successful water sharing endeavours in the world. But this has not prevented Pakistan from drumming up Anti India propaganda on water issues. Pakistan has time and again falsely blamed India for its own water crisis. It has repeatedly made false allegations that India is violating Indus water treaty.

Double Standard of China on Human Rights

China is a country which never rests on its own words. China is being criticized by the whole world because of Xinjiang Problem. It is allegation upon China that it has captured Weger Muslims in Xinjiang region.

What is Xinjiang Problem ?

China has claimed that Xinjiang is its undivided region. It has all the authority to do anything in Xinjiang. China has stated operation against terrorism in Xinjiang region in 2014. On the other hand China has denied the presence of terrorism in Pakistan and refused to accept Masood Azhar as terrorist.

China is saying that those Weger Muslims are in custody for education and everything is done for social and economic development of the region.

But the fact is those Weger Muslims are taught Chinese language, and they are forced to follow the customs and traditions of China. There has been assault on the culture of Weger Muslims, and they are not allowed to follow their own traditions and customs. The Wegers are not allowed to do prayer in Mosque according to their own Islamic traditions.

The World on Xinjiang.

On the assault on Wegers, the wester countries have shown deep concern. In Geneva, Human Rights Watch Commission and 22 Western countries have requested China to remove inhumane restrictions from Weger Muslims and implement Human Rights guidelines.

Britain, France, Germany and 18 European Countries along with Japan, Australia, Canada and New Zealand has also asked China to stop this assault on Weger Muslims.

It is report of various Human Rights Commissions that more than 10 Lakhs Weger Muslims are sent to Camp where they are forced to change their Political Opinion.

History of Violence in Xinjiang Region ?

In Urumqi which is capital of Xinjiang, 200 people were killed in 2008.

In 2009, 156 Weger Muslims were Killed in Urumaqi.

In 2010, Violence with Weger Muslims was reported again.

In 2013, 27 Weger Muslims were killed by Police firing during peaceful protest.

Wing Commander Abhinandan has been conferred the Vir Chakra

Wing Commander Abhinandan VArthaman has been conferrerd the Vir Chakra. It is India's third highest Gallantry Award.On February 27, Abhinandan's MiG-21 Bison Jet was shot down in fight with Pakistan. Before his jet was shot down, he had destroyed F-16 Fighter Jet of Pakistan's Air Force.

On March 1, Abhinandan was released by Pakistan.
On this Independence Day, 180 Gallantry awards have been announced by the Government for Central Armed Police Forces and 132 awards for Paramilitary Forces.
 The Indian Air Force got 13 awards including 5 Yudh Seva Medals and 7 Vayu Sena Medals.