PRELIMS
Dhordo Village
Why in News: Dhordo village in Kutch, Gujarat has become fully solar-powered. Recognised by UNWTO as “Best Tourism Village”.
Key Facts
- 4th solar village in Gujarat → after Modhera, Sukhi, Masali.
- Achieved under PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.
- 81 homes with rooftop solar, capacity 177 kW.
- Annual generation: 2.95 lakh units.
Economic Benefits
- Each household saves ~₹16,064 per year.
- Surplus power sold to grid → additional income.
- Subsidies + bank loans made transition affordable.
Community Impact
- Energy self-sufficiency achieved.
- Reduced household expenses, better quality of life.
- Village leadership (Sarpanch: Miyan Hussain) praised govt efforts.
Environmental Significance
- Reduces fossil fuel dependence & carbon emissions.
- Aligns with India’s climate goals & SDGs.
- Serves as model for sustainable rural development.
Red-Necked Phalarope
Why in News: Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) spotted at Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Tiruppur.
- First-ever record in this inland water body.
About the Species
- Small migratory wader with a distinctive red neck.
- Breeds in the Arctic, winters in South-East Asia.
- Feeds on planktonic invertebrates by spinning in circles on water.
- Special adaptation: dense belly plumage acts as a buoyant raft.
Ecological Significance
- Usually avoids inland water bodies; prefers coastal/wetland habitats.
- Sighting indicates growing ecological importance of Nanjarayan Sanctuary.
- Nanjarayan now hosts 192 bird species (earlier rare sightings: Eurasian Wryneck, Pied Avocet).
Conservation Importance
- Highlights role of inland wetlands in migratory bird conservation.
- Boosts birdwatching and eco-tourism.
- Supports awareness and monitoring of shifting migratory patterns.
Static Info
- Migratory Birds: India is part of the Central Asian Flyway.
- Convention: India is a signatory to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS/Bonn Convention).
- Protected Areas: Nanjarayan proposed as a bird sanctuary; example of inland wetland biodiversity.
Mini-Moons and Quasi-Moons
Why in News: Astronomers spotted asteroid 2025 PN7, classified as a quasi-moon of Earth. Discovered this summer via Pan-STARRS observatory (Hawaii).
Key Facts about 2025 PN7
- Tiny quasi-moon, estimated size ≤52 feet.
- Orbit similar to Earth’s, in lockstep around the Sun.
- Likely to remain for ~126 years, then drift away (~60 yrs more).
- Closest approach: 2.5 million miles (10× Earth-Moon distance) in Aug 1980.
- First shifted into quasi-moon orbit in 1957.
Source & Origin
- Many quasi-moons/asteroids originate from main asteroid belt (Mars–Jupiter).
- Others may be chunks of the Moon ejected by impacts.
- Origins of 2025 PN7 still speculative due to limited telescope data.
Mini-Moons vs Quasi-Moons
- Mini-Moons: Orbit Earth directly, temporary visitors, stay only months (e.g., 2024 PT5).
- Quasi-Moons: Orbit the Sun, not Earth, but in resonance with Earth’s orbit; long-term companions.
Scientific Significance
- Quasi-moons are good targets for planetary science missions.
- Example: Kamo‘oalewa, quasi-moon targeted by China’s Tianwen-2 mission.
- Offer clues about evolution of the inner solar system.
India–U.S. Corn Trade Disagreement
Why in News: U.S. pressing India to import its corn (maize). India refuses due to GM crop concerns & self-sufficiency drive for ethanol blending.
India’s Maize Status
- Yield: <4 tonnes/ha (global avg. 6 tonnes).
- Annual production: ~50 million tonnes.
- 10–12 million tonnes earmarked for ethanol blending (2024-25).
- Imports in 2024-25: ~1 million tonnes (60% Myanmar, rest Ukraine).
- Not importing U.S. corn (mostly Genetically Modified).
Why India Avoids U.S. Corn?
- GM crop restrictions: Only GM cotton allowed; brinjal & mustard still under study.
- Political stakes: Maize farmers in Bihar; imports could hurt domestic prices before elections.
- Fear of “dumping” cheap U.S. corn (≈70% of Indian maize price).
- Protecting maize ecosystem developed for ethanol.
U.S. Agriculture vs. India
- U.S.: Highly mechanised, large farms (~500 acres), capitalist, 3 million people in 2M farms.
- Focus: cash crops corn & soybean; agribusiness-driven.
- Uses: ethanol, HFCS (syrup), plastics, CAFO animal feed.
- India: Farming is mass occupation, aimed at food security & nutrition; small holdings.
China Factor
- Stopped importing U.S. soybeans (due to trade war).
- Now imports from Brazil & others → crisis in U.S. Midwest.
India’s Stance
- Ethanol blending = cut oil imports (20% blending → save $10 bn forex).
- Importing corn undermines import substitution & farmer income goals.
- India wary of Mexico’s NAFTA experience (cheap U.S. corn displaced local farmers).
Bonnard Standard
Why in News: SC applied the Bonnard standard in the Adani Enterprises case, protecting journalists from pre-trial injunctions in defamation suits.
About Bonnard Standard
- Origin: UK case Bonnard v. Perryman (1891).
- Principle: Courts should grant pre-trial injunctions in defamation only if absolutely certain the statement is false and unjustifiable.
- Purpose in India: Prevent misuse of defamation law as SLAPP suits (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation).
Supreme Court Affirmation
- Bloomberg v. Zee (2024): SC struck down ex parte injunction, upheld Bonnard standard.
- Adani case: Delhi court’s order forcing takedown of reports criticised for violating Bonnard standard.
- Exceptional circumstances: Only if content is malicious and clearly false.
Link with Free Speech
- Protects Article 19(1)(a) (free speech).
- Ensures restrictions stay within Article 19(2) (reasonable limits like defamation).
- Balances freedom of expression vs. right to reputation.
Three-Fold Test for Injunctions
1. Prima facie case – serious issue to be tried.
2. Balance of convenience – weigh harm to plaintiff vs. defendant.
3. Irreparable harm – injury not compensable by money.
Defamation – Quick Facts
- Defined under IPC Sec. 499.
- Civil and criminal wrong.
- Includes spoken words, signs, visible representations harming reputation.
