Skip to content

2023 06 07

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 1:

  1. 350th Anniversary Celebrations of Shivaji Maharaj’s

GS Paper 2:

  1. The practice of manual scavenging in India

GS Paper 3:

  1. Pulses and Edible oil production in India
  2. Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2023
  3. A just energy transition for a low-carbon future

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

  1. How chocolate could counter climate change
  2. PM Modi School: Prerna
  3. Tribal ‘green warrior’: Damodar Kashyap

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

  1. 130 Years of Gandhi’s Rail Incident in South Africa
  2. Magnetite-bearing rocks
  3. Phage Therapy
  4. Carbon dioxide levels breach another record
  5. Global Ocean Census

Mapping

  1. Kakhovka Dam (Ukraine)
  2. Kosovo-Serbia conflict

350th Anniversary Celebrations of Shivaji Maharaj’s

GS1/GS4 Paper

Syllabus: Modern India: Marathas/ Ethics

Source: TH

Other aspects of his rule:
Description
Central Administration The King was the supreme head of state who was assisted by a group of eight ministers known as the ‘Ashtapradhan’; The Peshwa, also known as the mukhya pradhan, originally headed the advisory council; The system was founded by Shivaji, inspired by Deccan style of administration (Malik Amber reforms in Ahmednagar)
Revenue Administration Abolished Jagirdari System; Introduced Ryotwari System; Supervised hereditary revenue officials (called Deshmukhs, Deshpande, Patils and Kulkarnis); revenue system was patterned on the Kathi system of Malik Amber; Imposed Chauth and Sardeshmukhi
Military Administration Organized disciplined and efficient army; Paid soldiers in cash, chiefs through jagir grants (Saranjam or Mokasa); had Infantry, Cavalry, and Navy
Contributions Shivaji revived Hindu traditions and promoted Marathi and Sanskrit; Established India’s first navy; Competent civil rule; Innovative military tactics (pioneering non-conventional methods (guerrilla warfare)); Cared for people’s well-being
Steps Taken in His Honour INS Shivaji and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus named after him; Shri Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Memorial National Committee; Shivaji festival started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak (1895)

Significance of Raigarh Fort:

Celebrations of the 350th anniversary of the coronation are being held at Raigad Fort in Maharashtra.

At this fort, Shivaji was coronated in 1674. Here, he laid the foundation of “Hindavi-Swaraj” or the self-rule of Hindu people and also took the title Chhatrapati. It is a hill fort situated about 25 km from Mahad in Raigad district and Early Europeans called it the Gibraltar of the East. Fort overlooks an artificial lake known as ‘Ganga Sagar Lake’. Shivaji was cremated at the fort in 1680.

Ethical learnings from his life:

  • Responsible Use of Power: Shivaji demonstrated responsible use of power by serving the people’s interests and exemplifying the rule of the people.
  • Respect for Diversity: Shivaji respected diversity by promoting the usage of local languages and traditions, and by maintaining a genuinely secular rule.
  • Courage and Determination: Shivaji’s bravery and determination in facing larger and more powerful enemies teach us the importance of courage in overcoming challenges.
  • Care for the Downtrodden: Shivaji cared for the downtrodden and farmers, highlighting the significance of empathy and compassion towards all members of society.
  • Ethical Leadership: Shivaji’s focus on the well-being of his people and his adherence to ethical principles showcase the importance of ethical leadership in governance.

Conclusion:

Shivaji Maharaj was a legendary Maratha warrior king who left a lasting impact on Indian history. His legacy continues to inspire generations, serving as a reminder of the virtues of justice, valour, and compassion.

Insta Links

Marathas

Mains Links

Discuss the significance of Marath’s rule in India’s history. (250 Words)

Prelims links:

He wrote biographies of Mazzini, Garibaldi, Shivaji and Shrikrishna; stayed in America for some time; and was also elected to the Central Assembly. He was (UPSC 2018)

(a) Aurobindo Ghosh

(b) Bipin Chandra Pal

(c) Lala Lajpat Rai

(d) Motilal Nehru

Answer: C

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, 350th Anniversary Celebrations, Shivaji Maharaj, Today's Article

The practice of manual scavenging in India

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Mechanisms, Laws, Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection and Betterment of Vulnerable Sections

Source: TH

Context: According to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJ&E), only 508 districts out of the total 766 in the country have declared themselves manual-scavenging free.

The practice of manual scavenging in India:

  • Meaning: Manual scavenging includes the disposal of human excreta manually from dry latrines, and public streets and the maintenance and sweeping of septic tanks, sewers and gutters.
  • Prevalence in India: As many as 58,000 people worked as manual scavengers as of 2018. 941 people have died since 1993 due to accidents while undertaking hazardous cleaning of sewer and septic tanks.
    • The practice, which is considered the worst remaining evidence of untouchability, is most prevalent among people from lower castes/Dalits.

Attempts to abolish manual scavenging:

Salient features of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013:

  • It bans manual scavenging.
  • It widened the definition of manual scavengers by including it in all forms of manual removal of human excreta.
  • It lays a key focus on rehabilitating the manual scavengers by organising training programs (at a stipend of Rs. 3000) and offering scholarships to their children.
  • It makes the offence of manual scavenging cognizable and non-bailable.
  • It makes it obligatory for employers to provide protective tools to the workers.

Other efforts:

  • The scheme for rehabilitation of manual scavengers: Under this, ~58,000 identified sewer workers have been given a one-time cash payout of ₹40,000 each.
    • In addition, ~22,000 of them have been connected to skills training programmes.
  • NAMASTE scheme: For 100% mechanisation of sewer work. The scheme for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers has now been merged with the NAMASTE scheme.

Concerns:

  • Lack of funding: The Union Budget 2023-24 showed no allocation for the rehabilitation scheme and ₹100 crore allocation for the NAMASTE scheme.
  • Less than half of the identified sewer workers are connected to skills training programmes.
  • Despite all efforts, manual scavenging is still practised in India.

Way ahead:

  • All local bodies must identify and profile all septic tank/sewer workers in their respective areas.
  • Provide them with occupational training and safety equipment.
  • Sign them up for health insurance under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

Best practice:

  • The Bandicoot Robot is the world’s first robotic scavenger, developed as a Make in India and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan initiative by the startup Genrobotics.
  • Kerala became the first state in the country to use robotic technology (Bandicoot) to clean all its commissioned manholes.

Insta Links:

Manual scavenging

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, 7 June CA, Bandicoot, GS 2, Practice of manual scavenging in India, The Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act 2013, Today's Article, Today’s article

Pulses and Edible oil production in India

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Agricultural Produce and Issues and Related Constraints

Source: IE

Context: As compared to edible oil, India has relatively achieved atma nirbharta (self-reliance)  in pulses.

Edible oil production in India:

Import of edible oil by India: The quantum of imports has surged from ~8 mt to 16 mt between 2013-14 and 2022-23 (from ~$7 to 21 billion in value terms).

Govt efforts to increase edible oil production:

  • National Food Security Mission – Oilseeds and Oil Palm (NFSM-OS and OP): The government has been implementing this Centrally-sponsored scheme from 2018-19 to increase the production and productivity of oilseeds in the country.
  • National Mission on Edible Oils (Oil Palm) [NMEO (OP)]

Concerns: The productivity (yield) gap between improved technology and farmers’ practices ranged from 21% in sesame to 149% in sunflower.

Case of pulses:

  • India is the largest producer (25% of global production), consumer (27% of world consumption) and importer (14%) of pulses in the world.
  • Though pulses are grown in both Kharif and Rabi seasons, Rabi pulses contribute more than 60% of the total production.

Import data: In quantity terms, India’s imports of pulses came down from 6.61 mt in 2016-17 to 2.52 mt in 2022-23.

Breakup of India’s imports of major pulses:

Reasons behind the reduction in pulses imports:

  • Higher domestic production: India’s pulses output has increased from ~19 mt in 2013-14 to 28 mt in 2022-23, which translates into a self-sufficiency ratio of over 90% in pulses (40% for edible oils).
  • Imports of chickpea (chana) have recorded dramatic drops: The boost to chana production came from two key government measures,
    • The first is the levy of a 60% import duty on chana since March 2018.
    • The second intervention has been government procurement at minimum support prices (MSP).
    • These incentivised Indian farmers to expand the area under the pulses crop grown during the rabi (winter-spring) season.

Concerns:

  • Arhar/Tur/pigeon pea is the problem: Arhar imports from Mozambique, Myanmar, Tanzania, Malawi and Sudan hit a record0.9 mt in 2022-23.
  • Implications of imports: The overall import figures have not significantly reduced as a result of the erratic production of most non-chana pulses. This may result in inflation amid worries about El Nino.

Way ahead:

  • The government must address micro-irrigation, quality seeds, marketing infrastructure and government policy issues to decrease dependency on imports.
  • Technology and market support to farmers are the key to increasing oilseed production.

Insta Links:

Agricultural exports-imports

Mains Links:

How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in the recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millet production and consumption. (UPSC 2018)

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, 7 June CA, GS 3, Pulses and Edible oil production in India, Today's Article, Today’s article

Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2023

GS Paper  3

Syllabus: Economy: Energy/ SDGs

Source: DTE

Context: The world is facing challenges in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7) by 2030. (As per the Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2023 report)

The report has been released by a collaborative effort of the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency, United Nations Statistics Division, World Bank and the WHO

What is SDG 7?

SDG 7 refers to Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims at reaching universal access to electricity and clean cooking, doubling historic levels of efficiency improvements, and substantially increasing the share of renewables in the global energy mix.

Factors limiting the world in achieving SDG 7 are:
Factors Examples
High inflation Rapidly increasing energy costs affecting affordability
Uncertain macroeconomic outlook Fluctuating economic conditions impacting energy investments
Debt distress Countries struggling with unsustainable debt burdens
Lack of financing Insufficient funds for energy projects and infrastructure
Supply chain bottlenecks Delays in procuring and delivering energy equipment and materials
Tighter fiscal circumstances Government budget constraints limiting energy-related initiatives
Soaring prices for materials Increased costs of solar panels, batteries, and other components
Currency fluctuations Exchange rate instability impacting energy investments
The concentration of financial flows Limited distribution of international public financial resources
The decreasing trend in international public financial flows Reduction in funds supporting clean energy in developing countries

The report provides the following recommendations:

  • Scale up efforts to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency to meet the targets of SDG 7.
  • Enhance financial flows and investment in clean energy technologies, especially in developing countries (to the tune of USD 1.4-1.7 trillion through 2030).
  • Address the challenges of high inflation, uncertain macroeconomic outlook, and debt distress
  • Accelerate progress in energy intensity improvement to exceed the targeted rate and ensure sustainable energy consumption patterns.
  • Strengthen international cooperation and support for countries facing energy challenges, especially the least-developed countries and small island developing states.
  • Monitor and track progress regularly to identify gaps and take necessary corrective measures.

India’s status:

  • India is ‘On-Target’ to meeting universal access to electricity
    • In April 2018 India achieved its goal, ahead of schedule, of providing electricity to every village in India
  • Despite a national policy push for clean fuel for cooking, more than two-thirds (479) of districts remain ‘Off-Target’.

India’s initiatives for SDG7:

  • Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (also known as Saubhagya)
  • Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) (separation of agricultural and non-agricultural feeders to improve supply)
  • Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY) (for financial restructuring and turnaround plan for state DISCOMs)
  • Atal Distribution System Improvement Yojana (ADITYA)
  • PM-KUSUM

About the 2030 SDG Agenda:

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, also called the 2030 Agenda, was launched by a UN Summit in 2015 and is aimed at ending poverty in all its forms. There are 17 SDGs, which are an urgent call for action by all countries in a global partnership. 2023 marks the halfway point for achieving SDGs by 2030.

Insta Links

India, its SDG pledge goal, and the strategy to apply       

Prelims Links

Consider the following statements: (USPC 2016)

  1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the ‘Club of Rome’.
  2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: B

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, SDG7, Today's Article, Tracking SDG7: The Energy Progress Report 2023

A just energy transition for a low-carbon future

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Infrastructure (Energy)/Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Source: TH

Context: Given the significant impact that cities have on the environment, low-carbon cities are crucial to mitigate the effects of climate change.

How are cities impacting climate?

  • In 2020, cities across the world dumped 29 trillion tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere.
  • This CO2 along with other GHGs poses a serious health hazard and also manifests as extreme weather events, leading to the loss of lives and livelihoods.

Challenges ahead: By 2050, 7 billion people will be living in cities.

Need of the hour – A just energy-system transition:

  • This could reduce urban CO2 emissions by around 74%.
  • The transition must be implemented both on the demand and the supply sides.

Mitigation options on the supply side: Include phasing out fossil fuels and increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix, and using carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies.

On the demand side:

  • Using the Avoid, Shift, Improve framework – reducing and substituting the demand for fossil fuels with renewables.
  • Addressing residual emissions in the energy sector by implementing CO2 removal (CDR) technologies.

Why is a just energy transition needed?

  • A one-size-fits-all approach is unlikely to ensure a socially and environmentally just transition.
    • For example, transitioning to renewable energy sources could disproportionately affect communities and fossil fuels-dependent sectors in developing economies.
  • Other concerns include land dispossession related to large-scale renewable energy projects, spatial concentration of poverty, gendered impacts, etc.

Significance of Indian states to achieve energy transition goals:

  • States as spheres of implementation: The realisation of national goals often depends on how they are aligned with State priorities and capabilities.
  • States as laboratories of policy innovations: For example, PM KUSUM is a national adoption of successful State efforts on solarizing agriculture.
  • The legacy issues must be addressed at the State level: Such as high losses, unreliable supply and service quality in the electricity sector.

Good news: With rapid advancements in clean energy and related technologies and reduced cost, the economic and technological barriers to implementing low-carbon solutions have been crossed.

Way ahead:

  • Transitioning to low-carbon/net-zero cities: It is necessary to decarbonise urban systems.
  • Sector-coupling approach: Integrate mitigation and adaptation options in multiple sectors, including energy, buildings, transportation, industry, and urban land use.
  • A State-level framework: To understand plans, actions, and governance processes and to broaden the transition discourse.
  • Different strategies for different cities: The considerations are a city’s spatial form, land-use pattern, level of development, and the state of urbanisation.
    • The strategies include energy-efficient services and infrastructure, people-centric urban design, and implementing building codes while gradually shifting to low-emission construction materials.
  • For a just energy transition: The energy supply needs to be balanced against fast-growing energy demand (due to urbanisation), the need for energy security and exports.
  • Mitigation and adaptation responses: Must engage multiple stakeholders in energy governance and decision-making, scaling up investments and capabilities, etc.

Conclusion:

  • In the upcoming G20 forum, India is planning to propose a multiple energy pathways approach to accommodate the diverse development trajectories of countries.
  • The diversity of India’s States, which necessitates multiple pathways, will determine its own domestic energy transition.

Insta Links:

Low-cost finance for the energy transition report

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, 7 June CA, Carbon capture and storage (CCS), CO2 removal (CDR) technologies, GS 3, Just energy transition, Low carbon/net zero cities, Today's Article, Today’s article

How chocolate could counter climate change

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

Context: A German factory in Hamburg has developed a process to convert cocoa bean shells into biochar, a black powder that has the potential to counter climate change.

The shells are heated in an oxygen-free environment, which locks in greenhouse gases and produces biochar that can be used as a fertilizer or as an ingredient in “green” concrete. Biochar has the ability to capture a significant amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere.

Usage: Indian government has also been emphasizing ‘biochar’. The example can be used in Agriculture/Environment Questions.

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, Chocolate, climate change, Today's Article

PM Modi School: Prerna

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s first school in Vadnagar, Gujarat, is being transformed into an inspirational model school called “Prerna” to motivate the youth of India to become agents of change. The school, set to graduate its first batch next year, aims to impart values through various techniques and technologies.

As part of the initiative, two students from each of the 750 districts in the country will be selected to spend a week at the school, with 30 students from 15 districts present at any given time.

Usage: The school can be used as an example of value-based education.

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, PM Modi school, Prerna school, Today's Article

Tribal ‘green warrior’: Damodar Kashyap

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH 

Damodar Kashyap, a 74-year-old tribal farmer in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar district, has transformed 400 acres of land in his village into a flourishing forest through a community-based approach to conservation.

As the village sarpanch, he implemented strict rules and fines for forest destruction and deployed villagers to patrol and guard the forest. Kashyap also utilized local beliefs and practices to emphasize the sacredness of the forest.

He has received recognition for his conservation work, including the Paul K Feyerabend Foundation Award in 2014 and a chapter in the Class 9 social sciences textbook of the Chhattisgarh Board.

Usage: The story can be used in Ethics (Environment ethics)/Essay/ Governance/ Environment Questions.

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, Damodar Kashyap, Today's Article, Tribal 'green warrior'

130 Years of Gandhi’s Rail Incident in South Africa

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: BS

Context: The Indian Navy’s frontline warship, INS Trishul, is visiting Durban to commemorate the 130th anniversary of an incident involving Mahatma Gandhi on June 7, 1893.

  • The Navy’s visit is part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebration, honouring key moments in India’s struggle for independence.

About the incident:

The Pietermaritzburg Railway Station incident occurred on June 7, 1893, when Mahatma Gandhi, a young lawyer at the time, was evicted from a first-class train compartment in South Africa. The incident was a result of racial discrimination, as non-whites were not allowed in first-class compartments.

Significance of the incident:

The Pietermaritzburg Railway Station incident holds great significance as it marked a turning point in Mahatma Gandhi’s life and his fight against racial discrimination. This incident became a catalyst for Gandhi’s activism and played a pivotal role in shaping his approach towards social and political change, ultimately influencing the Indian independence movement.

In 1997, former South African President Nelson Mandela conferred the ‘Freedom of Pietermaritzburg’ posthumously on Gandhi.

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, 130 Years of Gandhi's Rail Incident in South Africa, Pietermaritzburg Railway Station, Today's Article

Magnetite-bearing rocks

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: ET

Context: The Bihar government plans to collaborate with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) to gather valuable geological information about magnetite-bearing rocks and ultramafic rocks in the region.

What are magnetite-bearing rocks?

Magnetite-bearing rocks are rocks that contain magnetite, a black, opaque, and magnetic mineral. These rocks often exhibit magnetic anomalies and are known to host valuable minerals such as Chromite, Nickel, Platinum Group of Elements (PGE), and gold. Magnetite is one of the most abundant metal oxides and has various industrial applications. More often, magnetite occurs in its massive form, commonly called ‘lodestone’

What are ultramafic rocks?

Ultramafic rocks are a type of igneous rock that have a high concentration of dark-coloured minerals rich in iron and magnesium. These rocks typically contain very little silica and are composed mainly of minerals such as olivine and pyroxene. Ultramafic rocks are associated with deep-seated mantle processes and are often found in areas where tectonic plates are converging.

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, Magnetite, South Bihar, Today's Article, ultramafic rocks

Phage Therapy

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: medicalxpress

Context: A study conducted by the University of Exeter shows that the public is aware of and accepts the use of bacteria-killing viruses, known as phage therapy, as an alternative to antibiotics.

What is Phage therapy?

Phage therapy is a treatment approach that uses bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect and kill specific bacteria. It involves using these viruses to target and destroy bacterial infections, serving as an alternative to antibiotics.

How do they function?

Phages are highly specific in their action, targeting only the specific bacteria they are programmed to attack, which can potentially reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance. Phage therapy has gained attention as a potential solution for antibiotic-resistant infections and is being explored as a promising avenue in medical research.

What are Bacteriophages?

Bacteriophages are viruses that infect bacteria and use them as hosts for their replication. They are highly diverse and can target different types of bacteria. It was discovered by Frederick Willian Twort in 1915 (Great Britain) and Felix d’Herelle in 1917 (France)

What is Antibiotic Resistance?

Antibiotic resistance refers to the ability of bacteria or other microorganisms to withstand the effects of antibiotics, making them ineffective in treating infections caused by these resistant bacteria. By 2050, antibiotic resistance will result in the death of 10 million people from drug-resistant diseases every year

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, Antibiotic Resistance, Bacteriophages, phage therapy, Today's Article

Carbon dioxide levels breach another record

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: DTE

Context: According to scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the Earth’s atmosphere have spiked over 50% since the beginning of the industrial age.

  • The annual increase in CO2 levels peaked at 424 parts per million in May, indicating a continuous rise not seen in millions of years.

About Keeling Curve:

The Keeling Curve is a record of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations measured at the Mauna Loa Observatory in Hawaii. It was initiated by scientist Charles David Keeling in 1958.

About NOAA:

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is a Washington, D.C.-based scientific and regulatory agency within the United States Department of Commerce, a United States federal government department.

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, Carbon dioxide, Green House gas, keeling curve, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Today's Article

Global Ocean Census

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: Mongabay

Context: A new initiative called ‘The Ocean Census initiative’ aims to discover 100,000 new marine species within ten years, utilizing advanced technologies like high-resolution imagery, DNA sequencing, and machine learning.

Need: Scientists estimate that only about 10% of marine species have been formally described, leaving approximately 2 million species unidentified.

The Plan:

The Ocean Census plans to conduct multiple expeditions to marine biodiversity hotspots, with the first expedition already underway in the Barents Sea. The initiative seeks to build upon previous efforts such as the Challenger Expeditions and the Census of Marine Life (between 2000 to 2010).

Implemented by:

It is jointly established by The Nippon Foundation (a non-profit philanthropic organization in Japan) and Nekton Foundation (marine science and conservation institute in the U.K) to discover unknown marine life

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, Global Ocean Census, Today's Article

Kakhovka Dam (Ukraine)

Mapping

Source: IE

Context:  A huge Soviet-era dam on the Dnipro River in southern Ukraine, known as the Kakhovka Dam, was breached, resulting in flooding across the war zone.

The dam was an important part of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant, supplying water to the Crimean Peninsula and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.

Crimea is a peninsula in Eastern Europe, on the northern coast of the Black Sea, almost entirely surrounded by the Black Sea and the smaller Sea of Azov. It came under Russian rule in 2014.

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, Crimea, Kakhovka Dam, Today's Article, ukraine

Kosovo-Serbia conflict

Mapping

Source: TH

Context: NATO has sent 700 more of its peacekeeping troops to Kosovo, to establish peace in the Kosovo-Serbia conflict

About the conflict:

The Kosovo-Serbia conflict stems from Kosovo’s declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008, which Serbia does not recognize. Tensions arise from historical, ethnic, and political factors, leading to sporadic clashes and disputes. Efforts to resolve the conflict have been slow, with concerns about Serbia’s ties to Russia.

About Kosovo and Serbia

Kosovo is located between the Mediterranean Sea and mountainous regions of Southeast Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. Serbia is a small land-locked country in the Balkan region. It shares borders with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania and Albania.

June 7, 2023 /07 Jun 2023, Kosovo, Serbia, Today's Article