Daily News Simplified - DNS

11 10 19
Notes
SL. THE HINDU
TOPICS
NO. PAGE NO.
1 It is still an amber light for road safety 10

2 Invasive weeds threatening tiger habitats in Adilabad 08

3 India slams Turkey for Syria action 01

4 Nobel Prize in Literature 01

5 Annual Ganges river dolphin census begins 02

Dated: 11.Oct.2019 DNS Notes

Title 1. It is still an amber light for road safety (The Hindu, Page 10)
Syllabus Mains: GS Paper II – Polity & Governance
Theme Critique of Motor Vehicles Amendment Act
Highlights Context:
The Parliament has recently passed the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) bill, 2019 with the aim of
reducing road traffic fatalities and injuries in India. Some of the important provisions of the Bill
include higher Compensation for road accident victims, Setting up of Motor Vehicle Accident Fund
for the treatment of accident victims, setting up of the Road Safety Board to advise the government
to improve the road safety, Formulation of National Transportation policy to specify the priorities of
the transport system etc.
One of the most contentious provisions of the amended act has been imposition of higher fines for the
traffic violations in order to reduce the road accidents.
On one hand, it is being argued that the higher penalties acts as a deterrence for the drivers while on
the other hand, based upon the empirical evidence in the advanced economies, the critics have
pointed out that there is no positive correlation between higher fines and reduction in road traffic
accidents.

Status of Road Accidents in India

As per the latest government data in 2017, 1.5 lakh people were killed in road accidents across India.
This is nearly the same as the number of Afghans killed in the ongoing war in Afghanistan that
started after the 9/11 terror attacks. Further, this is 38% per cent more than the total number of people
killed in floods and heavy rains in the last 65 years in India. In the 17 years between 2001 and 2017,
a total of 20.42 lakh people lost their lives in road accidents and 82.30 lakh were injured. On an
average, India witnesses around 9 road accidents every 10 minutes. On the global scale, the World
Health Organisation estimates that 58,00,000 people die every year due some form of injury. Of
these, only 3 per cent are related to war and conflict, while 21 per cent are related to road accidents.
Yet, road accidents and road safety receive a fraction of the attention that is devoted to war and
conflict.

How the Imposition of higher fines can reduce the traffic accidents?
The idea of higher fines as a deterrence is based on an assumption that the driver is careless and the
fear of higher penalty would encourage careful behaviour. Government data on road accidents show
that most accidents take place on national highways. Further, more than 50 per cent road accidents
take place in open areas that are devoid of any human activity and are free from congestion. In fact,
areas which are more prone to accidents such as residential and marketplaces witness only 38 per
cent accidents in India.
Further, almost 65% of all the road accidents in India take place on the straight roads. All these facts
clearly highlight that Indians are reckless road users and have a craze for over-speeding and driving
recklessly. Hence, it is expected that the imposition of higher fines would act as a deterrent and
improve the drivers' behaviour leading to reduction in the number of road accidents.

How the imposition of higher fines may not reduce the traffic accidents?
We have to realise that road accidents are multi-causal and are the result of interplay of various
factors which can broadly be categorized into human errors, road condition/environment and
vehicular condition. The imposition of higher fines as deterrence can only reduce the human errors
leading to road accidents and it does not address other equally critical factors responsible for
accidents. For example, the empirical evidence in the advanced economies shows low positive
correlation between higher fines and reduction in road accidents seems to be quite low. These
economies have been able to cut down on the road accidents through a holistic and comprehensive
approach and not necessarily only through imposition of fines.
Design of the Roads: For instance, the design of the road plays a critical role in influencing the
behaviour of the drivers. Roads which have proper lane width, median barriers, appropriate warning
boards would promote good behaviour. Further, the drivers are more likely to fall asleep or
experience boredom on straight, monotonous roads with little traffic. The roads have to be designed
to reduce the boredom and monotony of the drivers.
Density of Small towns and villages along the National Highways: In case of India, the density of
the small towns and villages on the National Highways is much higher as compared to the advanced
economies. The absence of barricades and compound walls along such stretches lead to different
traffic mix comprising of two-wheelers, tractors, cyclists, pedestrians etc leading to increase in the
road accidents along the National highways.
Dated: 11.Oct.2019 DNS Notes

How to improve the Road Safety in India?

The Road Safety in India should be seen in a more holistic and comprehensive manner by focusing
on orderly development and management of roads, provision of safer vehicles, modern traffic
management systems and practices, improved safety standards in design, construction, operation and
maintenance of roads etc.
The improvement in the road safety would require multipronged approach as highlighted below:
Behavioural Change in Drivers: The imposition of higher fines may not alone be sufficient to
promote good behaviour of the drivers. Apart from this, we must focus on the bringing about the
attitudinal/ behavioural change in the mind set of the people by carrying on wide-spread road safety
awareness campaigns on the lines of Swachch Bharat Abhiyan.
Improvement in Infrastructure: There is a need to adopt effective and safe traffic management
measures while planning and designing infrastructure. For example, government approved road
design, design of overbridges, road signages, identification of black spots etc.
Role of the Government: The Government must focus on improving the design of the roads by
laying down stringent guidelines on the construction and maintenance of the roads. Regular auditing
of the roads must be carried out to improve the road safety. Further, the fear of being penalised act as
a much higher deterrence as compared to increase in the traffic fines and hence the government must
implement the new motor vehicles amendment act in true letter and spirit.
Role of Education Sector: The Road Safety Education must be included in the school curriculum to
enhance the awareness on the road safety. Further, effective driver training should be imparted to
new drivers.
Role of Media: The Media should complement the efforts of the government to enhance the
awareness on the road safety.
Role of Health Sector: The Hospital facilities must be strengthened to provide the necessary support
to the accident victims, especially during the golden hour.
Personal Notes

P
Dated: 11.Oct.2019 DNS Notes

Title 2. Invasive weeds threatening tiger habitats in Adilabad (The Hindu, Page 08)
Syllabus Prelims: Environment & Biodiversity
Theme About Invasive Alien Species
Highlights Invasive alien species
 Invasive alien species (IAS) are animals, plants or other organisms that are introduced into
places outside their natural range, negatively impacting native biodiversity, ecosystem services
or human well-being.
IAS are one of the biggest causes of biodiversity loss and species extinctions, and are also a
global threat to food security and livelihoods.
 IAS are compounded by climate change. Climate change facilitates the spread and
establishment of many alien species and creates new opportunities for them to become invasive.
 IAS can reduce the resilience of natural habitats, agricultural systems and urban areas to climate
change. Conversely, climate change reduces the resilience of habitats to biological invasions.
 It is essential that IAS be incorporated into climate change policies. This includes biosecurity
measures to prevent the introduction of IAS to new regions as a result of climate change, and
rapid response measures to monitor and eradicate alien species that may become invasive due to
climate change.

What is the issue ?

 Over the past few decades globalisation has increased the movement of people and goods
around the world, leading to a rise in the number of species introduced to areas outside their
natural ranges. A 2017 study in the journal Nature Communications found that over one third of
all introductions in the past 200 years occurred after 1970 and the rate of introductions is
showing no sign of slowing down.
An alien species is an animal, plant or other organism that is introduced by humans, either
intentionally or accidentally, into places outside its natural range. Some alien species – classed
as „invasive‟ – become established and negatively impact native biodiversity, as well as
ecosystem services on which humans depend.
 The impacts from invasive alien species (IAS) can be compounded by climate change – the
change in the Earth‟s climate due to rising greenhouse gas emissions.
 Extreme climatic events resulting from climate change, such as hurricanes, floods and droughts
can transport IAS to new areas and decrease the resistance of habitats to invasions. Climate
change is also opening up new pathways of introduction of IAS.

Many IAS have the ability to expand rapidly to higher latitudes and altitudes as the climate warms, out-
pacing native species. Alien species that are regularly introduced by humans but have so far failed to
establish may succeed in doing so thanks to climate change, creating new sets of invaders.
Some habitats, such as temperate forests and freshwater systems that currently have thermal barriers
limiting the establishment of IAS will become more suitable for alien species as the climate changes.

Why is it important?
 The increase and geographic redistribution of IAS will have diverse societal and environmental
impacts. Biological invasions are a major threat to global food security and livelihoods, with
developing countries being the most susceptible. These countries, which have high levels of
subsistence and smallholder farming, often lack the capacity to prevent and manage biological
invasions.
IAS reduce the resilience of natural habitats, making them more vulnerable to the impacts of
climate change. For example, some grasses and trees that have become IAS can significantly
alter fire regimes, especially in areas that are becoming warmer and drier. This increases the
frequency and severity of wildfires and puts habitats, urban areas and human life at risk. IAS
can also impact agricultural systems, by reducing crop and animal health.
 The economic costs of IAS and their management are in the billions of US$ annually, with
invasive alien insects alone estimated to cost the global economy more than US$ 70 billion per
year.
Personal
Notes
Dated: 11.Oct.2019 DNS Notes

Title 3. India slams Turkey for Syria action – (The Hindu, Page 01)
Syllabus Prelims: International Relations
Theme Syrian Kurds
Highlights India slams Turkey for Syria action
Summary
 India has condemned the military attack by Turkey on Kurdish-stronghold of Rojava in the
northeastern region of Syria.
 India has declared Turkey‟s action as blow to territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria.
 Note: India‟s response can be seen as a diplomatic response to Turkey‟s support to Pakistan on
Kashmir issue in UNGA.
Context
 On 6th of October, US announced withdrawal of special troops from Syria.
 In the aftermath, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring, a military offensive on Ras al Ain
and Tal Abyad in the Rojava region in northeast part of Syria.
 Operation Peace Spring was launched targeting the Kurdish-led YPG militia in the region.
About YPG militia
 YPG is a Kurdish militia in Syria and an integral part of SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces)
which was instrumental in defeating ISIS caliphate in Syria.
 YPG is the military arm of semi-autonomous government led by Syrian-Kurds in Rojava, the
north-eastern region of Syria.
 YPG has been controlling Rojava after the fall of ISIS caliphate in Syria including Raqqa, the
de-facto capital of IS.
 However Turkey sees the rising power of Kurdish forces along its southern border as a threat.
(Why? – See below)
 In 2018, Turkey had pushed the YPG out of Afrin, another border town between Turkey and
Syria.
Background: Regional Power Dynamics
 Turkey plans to carve out a „safe zone‟ between its southern border and Rojavan region in
Syria for resettling 2 million Syrian refugees from Turkey.
 Besides, as stated it sees the rise of YPG in the region as threat to the stability of the region.
 On the other hand Kurds see this as an effort towards ethnic cleansing.
Why Turkey is wary of Kurdish rise in Rojava?
 YPG is associated with Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) a banned organization in Turkey.
 In Turkey, Kurdish Workers Party is considered as a separatist organization (demanding
autonomy) fuelling insurgency since 1980s.
 Inspired by the success in creating a „democratic autonomy‟ in Syria by Syrian Kurds, the
Turkish Kurds, Turkey fears, will be emboldened to fight for democratic rights and greater
decentralization.
 Besides the geographical proximity will add strength, military and financial, to Turkish Kurds
fighting for separatist cause.
 Therefore Turkey has a slated goal “to destroy the terror corridor” in its southern border.
Possible impact
 As stated above YPG has been an integral force in the US-backed SDF that has defeated the
ISIS in Syria.
 While ISIS caliphate is defeated, ISIS fighters are still holding ground waiting an opportunity
to strike back in the region.
 Besides Rojava is home to detention centres of ISIL terrorists whose force may be unleashed
in the event of fall of YPG bringing back the war situation in Syria.
Kurds in History
 Kurds are the fourth-largest and the largest state-less ethnic group in the Middle East spread
across Turkey, Iraq, Syria, Iran and Armenia.
Dated: 11.Oct.2019 DNS Notes

 In the aftermath of World War I, the map of oil-rich Middle East was redrawn (Treaty of
Sevres) and Ottoman Empire liquidated among the allies. (Note: Allies led by British, France,
Italy defeated the Axis Powers including Germany, Austro-Hungary and Ottoman Empire)
 Treaty of Sevres failed to carve out a state for Kurds as a result of which they were dispersed.
 Since then there have been varied demands among Kurds in different regions ranging from
„homeland demand‟ of Kurdistan to greater autonomy demands within the countries they
reside. (similar to divergent demands of Naga groups in India)
Important places in the region for Prelims (Match the following questions)
 Ras al Ain
 Raqqa
 Kobane
 Idlib
 Afrin
Dated: 11.Oct.2019 DNS Notes

Personal Notes
Dated: 11.Oct.2019 DNS Notes

Title 4. Nobel Prize in Literature – (The Hindu, Page 01)

Syllabus Prelims: Current Events of International Importance
Theme Nobel Prize in Literature 2019
Highlights Context:
The Swedish Academy based in Stockholm, Sweden has recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature
to Polish Author Olga Tokarczuk and Austrian author Peter Handke for the years 2018 and 2019
respectively.

About Olga Tokarczuk

She is the 15th woman writer to have won the award out of 116 literature laureates since 1901. She
never views reality as something stable or everlasting. She constructs her novels in a tension between
cultural opposites; nature versus culture, reason versus madness, male versus female, home versus
alienation.
Some of her best works include: The Journey of Book-People (First Book), Primeval and Other Times,
House of Day, House of Night, 2002 etc.

About Peter Handke

Peter Handke has established himself as the one of the most influential writers in Europe after the
Second World War. His bibliography includes novels, essays, works and screenplays.
Some of his best works include: Die Hornissen (1966), Offending the Audience (1969), Walk about the
Villages (2015) etc
Personal Notes
Dated: 11.Oct.2019 DNS Notes

Title 5. Annual Ganges river dolphin census begins (The Hindu, Page 02)
Syllabus Prelims: Environment & Biodiversity
Theme About Gangetic Dolphin
Highlights About Gangetic Dolphins
 Dolphins are animals of aquatic ecosystems. They are found in the sea, brackish water and
fresh water. A total of 15 species of marine and harbour dolphins have been reported from
Indian waters and coasts. Besides, the Irrawady Dolphins are found in brackish waters of
Odisha.
 Amongst the fresh water dolphins, the Gangetic Dolphin is found in the Ganges river and its
tributaries. Apart from this, Indus River Dolphins have also been reported in Indus River in
Punjab.
 All fresh water, brackish water and marine Dolphins (Cetaceans) are listed in Schedule-I of the
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, thereby according them the highest degree of protection
against hunting.
 Gangetic Dolphin is one of the 17 species identified for taking up „Recovery programme of
Critically Endangered Species, under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme
 of „Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitat‟
 The Ministry of Environment and Forests notified the Ganges River Dolphin as the National
Aquatic Animal.
Personal Notes