The daily news update for October 6, 2024, brings forth a diverse range of topics crucial for UPSC and State PCS aspirants, spanning environmental conservation, tribal rights, infrastructure development, and economic geography. From the ecological concerns surrounding the Shompen tribe in the Nicobar Islands to the revitalization of the Hirakud Dam's canal system, these developments highlight India's ongoing challenges and progress in various sectors.

Shompen Tribe of Nicobar: Development vs. Conservation

The Shompen tribe of the Nicobar Islands has recently come into the spotlight due to concerns over a major infrastructure project on Great Nicobar Island. This project, which includes a transshipment container terminal, port, and solar power plant, threatens their forest home and raises significant environmental and anthropological concerns.

About the Shompen Tribe

The Shompen are a semi-nomadic, forest-dwelling community that has inhabited the Great Nicobar Island for over 60,000 years. Unlike the coastal Nicobarese tribe, the Shompen live in the island’s interior, relying heavily on the forest for their sustenance.

• They are one of the most isolated Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India.
• As semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers, they rely on hunting, gathering, fishing, and rudimentary horticulture.
• Their staple food is the pandanus fruit, and they speak their own language, which is often unintelligible even between different bands.
• The Shompen tribe is one of the least studied tribes in India, with much of their population still uncontacted by the outside world.
• The exact population of the Shompen is unknown, although the 2011 Census estimates it to be around 229 individuals.

Salt Pan Land for Housing: Ecological and Urban Planning Concerns in Mumbai

The Maharashtra government has allocated 255.9 acres of salt pan land in Mumbai’s eastern suburbs for the construction of rental housing as part of the Dharavi Redevelopment Project. This decision has sparked concerns among environmentalists regarding the impact of converting these lands, which serve as natural flood defenses for the city.

What are Salt Pan Lands?

Salt pans are low-lying coastal lands where seawater flows in and evaporates, leaving behind salt and minerals. They play an essential role in the ecosystem by acting as natural flood buffers, protecting coastal areas from inundation.

• Mumbai has approximately 5,378 acres of salt pan land.
• Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) laws restrict development on salt pans, classifying them as ecologically sensitive areas under CRZ-1B regulations.
• Salt pans, along with mangroves, serve as critical natural flood barriers for coastal cities like Mumbai.
• Across India, about 60,000 acres of land are classified as salt pans, with Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu holding the largest shares.

Halari Donkeys: Conservation Efforts for an Endangered Breed

The Halari donkey, an endangered breed found in the Halar region of Gujarat, has become a key focus for conservation efforts. With fewer than 500 Halari donkeys remaining, they are prized for their strength, intelligence, and economic value, including their highly sought-after milk.

Uses and Economic Value of Halari Donkeys

The Halari donkey has historically been used to carry heavy loads in building dams, forts, and hilltop temples, as well as for pottery work. The price of a Halari donkey now exceeds ₹1 lakh due to rising demand for its milk, which is used in cosmetics and sold for over ₹7,000 per kg in powdered form.

• Halari donkey milk is prized for its sweetness and is in high demand in cosmetic industries, both domestically and internationally.
• The Sahjeevan Trust is collaborating with Gujarat’s Animal Husbandry Department to conserve the breed through selective breeding programs.
• Halari donkeys have been used for centuries by the Bharwad and Rabari pastoralists during their seasonal migrations.

Revitalization of the Six-Decade-Old Canal System of Hirakud Dam

The Odisha government has allocated ₹855 crore for the renovation of the six-decade-old canal system of the Hirakud Dam. This significant project aims to benefit farmers in Sambalpur, Subarnapur, Bargarh, and Balangir districts by improving irrigation efficiency and reducing water wastage.

About Hirakud Dam

Located across the Mahanadi River, Hirakud Dam is the world’s longest earthen dam and was one of India’s first post-independence multipurpose river projects. It was designed to regulate flooding and provide irrigation to vast agricultural lands.

• The dam spans 26 km, creating Asia’s largest man-made lake, the Hirakud Reservoir.
• It provides irrigation to 436,000 hectares of agricultural land and generates 359.8 MW of power.
• The Hirakud Dam was built to manage the seasonal flooding of the Mahanadi River and is crucial for agriculture in the delta region.

UPSC/State PCS Relevance

These topics are highly relevant for the UPSC Civil Services Exam and various State PCS examinations, covering multiple General Studies papers:

• GS Paper I (Geography & Society): Human Geography (Shompen tribe, urbanization), Physical Geography (Salt pan lands, Hirakud Dam, Mahanadi River), Indian Society (Tribal issues, development challenges).
• GS Paper II (Governance & Social Justice): Government policies and interventions (Dharavi Redevelopment, infrastructure projects), issues relating to development and management of social sectors (tribal welfare).
• GS Paper III (Economy, Environment & Disaster Management): Indian Economy (Infrastructure, rural livelihoods), Environment and Ecology (Biodiversity conservation, coastal ecosystems, PVTGs), Disaster Management (Flood control, climate change impact on coastal areas).
• GS Paper IV (Ethics): Ethical dilemmas in development versus conservation, tribal rights, environmental ethics.

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