Rohingya Refugee Crisis

Why in News: The capsizing of a wooden boat off the Indonesian coast last week has once more highlighted the dire situation faced by Rohingya refugees. This incident has refocused global attention on the refugees’ plight as they continue to undertake perilous sea voyages in search of a brighter future.

Rohingya Refugees

The Rohingya are a minority Muslim ethnic group with historical connections to Myanmar’s Arakan kingdom.

• Identity: They identify themselves as Rohingya, a term derived from “Arakan,” but face accusations of being illegal immigrants from Bangladesh by successive Myanmar governments.
• Challenges: Despite their long-standing presence in Myanmar’s Rakhine State, they are denied recognition as an ethnic group and basic rights due to Myanmar’s denial.
• Cultural: The Rohingya possess unique cultural and religious practices that differentiate them from the majority Buddhist population.
• Linguistic Distinctiveness: They speak a Bengali dialect, distinguishing them from the common Burmese language.
• Citizenship Issues

• Under Myanmar’s 1982 citizenship law, Rohingya can only attain citizenship if they can prove their ancestors resided in Myanmar before 1823.
• Otherwise, they are classified as “resident foreigners” or “associate citizens,” even if one of their parents is a Myanmar citizen.

• Forced Displacement

• Rohingya have been fleeing Myanmar since violence erupted in 2012 and escalated in 2017, leading to what the UN termed “ethnic cleansing.”
• The 2017 crisis saw over 750,000 Rohingya seeking refuge in Bangladesh amidst brutal violence and severe human rights violations.

• International Response: The UN fact-finding commission in 2018 accused Myanmar of genocidal intent against the Rohingya, citing systemic abuses by the military including targeting civilians and sexual violence.

Difference between Illegal Migrants Vs Refugee

Factors Driving Rohingya to Risky Sea Routes

• Restricted Living Conditions in Myanmar: Despite millions fleeing Myanmar since the 1990s, around 600,000 Rohingya remain, mostly confined to camps with limited movement and opportunities.
• Harsh Conditions in Bangladeshi Refugee Camps: Over 960,000 Rohingya reside in overcrowded camps near the Myanmar border in Cox’s Bazar, facing shortages of food, water, sanitation, healthcare, and education. Camps are plagued by gang violence and arson attacks, leading to fatalities and heightened insecurity.
• Increasing Desperation Amidst Limited Options: With the prospect of returning to Myanmar slim, Rohingya are increasingly opting for perilous journeys across the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea to reach Muslim-majority countries like Indonesia and Malaysia.
• Exploitation by Human Traffickers: 

• Human traffickers take advantage of Rohingya desperation, charging exorbitant fees for unsafe passage on precarious boats from Bangladesh to Indonesia.
• The voyages, lacking space and basic supplies, can last weeks to months, with horrifying reports of abuse, particularly against women.

• Alarming Death Rates:

• The UN estimates that one in eight Rohingya attempting the sea route die or disappear, making the journey one of the deadliest in the world.
• Recent statistics show a significant increase in deaths or disappearances compared to previous years, highlighting the escalating risks Rohingyas face.

Way Forward

• Urgent Action Needed: The UN refugee agency urges regional coastal authorities to take timely action to save lives and rescue those in distress at sea, emphasizing their duty under international maritime law.

• International Responsibility: Resolving the Rohingya crisis requires concerted efforts from the international community, including providing humanitarian assistance, addressing root causes in Myanmar, and holding accountable those responsible for human rights violations.
• Key Measures: Essential actions include providing sufficient humanitarian aid, tackling the root causes of the crisis within Myanmar, and ensuring accountability for human rights abuses against the Rohingya population.

Katchatheevu Island

Source: TH

Why in News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently condemned the Congress party for transferring the strategic Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka during the 1970s.

Overview of Katchatheevu Island

• Historical Background:

• Formation: Originating from volcanic activity during the 14th century, Katchatheevu has a long geological history.

• Administration:

1. In the early medieval period, the island was governed by the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka.
2. Control later shifted to the Raja of Ramnad in the 17th century, who included Katchatheevu in his territory. Subsequently, it became part of the Madras Presidency.

• Location: Katchatheevu, a small uninhabited island spanning 285 acres, is situated in the Palk Strait, positioned between India and Sri Lanka. It lies approximately 33 km northeast of Rameswaram and around 62 km southwest of Jaffna.
• Primary Structure: The island’s only significant structure is St. Anthony’s Church, constructed in the early 20th century. Annually, during a festival, Christian clergy from both India and Sri Lanka jointly conduct services, attracting pilgrims from both nations.
• Lack of Potable Water: Katchatheevu is unsuitable for permanent habitation due to the absence of a freshwater source on the island.
• Dispute: In 1921, both India and Sri Lanka, then British colonies, laid claims to Katchatheevu, primarily concerning fishing boundaries.

1974 Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreement:

• Agreement Details: Signed by Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi of India and Sirima R.D. Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka in 1974, the agreement recognized Katchatheevu as part of Sri Lanka’s territory, altering its ownership status.
• Access for Indian Fishermen: The agreement granted Indian fishermen continued access to Katchatheevu for traditional activities, but it did not address fishing rights. Sri Lanka stipulated that Indian fishermen could utilize the island for resting, drying nets, and visiting the Catholic shrine without requiring a visa.
• Fishing Rights: Despite a subsequent treaty in 1976 restricting fishing in each other’s exclusive economic zones, uncertainty persists regarding fishing rights, creating ongoing tensions.

Konda Reddi Tribes

Source: TH

Why in News: The indigenous wisdom of the Konda Reddi tribe regarding the Indian laurel tree demonstrates its valuable resourcefulness.

Overview of Konda Reddi Tribe

• Geographic Location: Inhabiting the banks of the Godavari River in the hilly and forest areas of East and West Godavari, and Khammam districts of Andhra Pradesh.
• Tribal Classification: Recognized as a Primitive Tribal Group (PTG) and categorized as a particularly vulnerable tribal group (PVTG).
• Population: Recorded population as per the 1991 Census is 76,391.
• Language: Telugu serves as the mother tongue for the Konda Reddis.
• Social Structure: The Konda Reddi family structure is patriarchal and patrilocal, with monogamy as a general rule but instances of polygamous families exist.
• Religious Practices: Worship deities such as Muthayalamma, Bhumi Devi, and Gangamma Devi. Celebrate festivals like Mamidi Kotha, Bhudevi Panduga, and others.
• Cultural Practices: Engage in traditional dances like Bison horn, performed jointly by men and women during festive and marriage occasions.
• Political Organization: Governed by the ‘Kula Panchayat’ for social control, with each village led by a traditional headman known as ‘Pedda Kapu.’
• Livelihood: Primarily engage in shifting cultivation and rely heavily on forest resources for sustenance.

About Indian Laurel Tree:

• Distribution: Found in Southeast Asia, India, and Sri Lanka.
• Introduction: Initially introduced as an ornamental tree but became invasive after the accidental introduction of the pollinating wasp in the 1980s.
• Botanical Features: Belongs to the Fig Family, producing fig-like fruits containing approximately 150 seeds. A single tree can yield up to 100,000 fruits.
• Ecological Impact: Known as ‘strangling figs’ due to their tendency to grow on other trees, posing a threat to the survival of their hosts.
• Reproduction: Seedlings can sprout in various environments, demonstrating high adaptability.

Madagascar cyclone ‘Gamane’

Source: India Today

Why in News: Recently, the disaster management office of Madagascar reported that a tropical cyclone named Gamane, which traversed the island, resulted in the deaths of at least 18 individuals and the displacement of thousands more.

Overview of Madagascar

• Geographic Location: Situated in the Indian Ocean off the coast of East Africa, Madagascar ranks as the world’s second-largest island country, covering an area of 592,800 square kilometers.
• Physiographic Regions: Madagascar features three main longitudinal regions: the eastern coastal strip, the central plateau, and the western low plateaus and plains. The Tsaratanana Massif in the north boasts the island’s highest peak, Maromokotro, reaching 2,876 meters.
• Historical Background: France colonized Madagascar in 1883, officially declaring it a French colony in 1896. The Malagasy Uprising in 1947 marked a significant struggle for independence, culminating in Madagascar’s sovereignty in 1960.
• Capital and Languages: The capital city is Antananarivo, and the official languages are Malagasy and French.
• Government System: Madagascar operates as a semi-presidential republic, where the public elects a president who appoints a prime minister to form a cabinet for presidential guidance.
• Economic Profile: The economy relies heavily on agricultural sectors, particularly forestry and fishing, which contribute around 80% of the country’s GDP. Key agricultural exports include coffee, vanilla, and sugarcane.
• Biodiversity: Madagascar boasts diverse ecosystems, including lush rainforests, arid deserts, and grassy plains, alongside extensive coral reefs and mangrove forests along its coastlines. Nearly 90% of its flora and fauna are endemic, owing to the island’s isolation from the African continent by strong ocean currents.