GRID 2020 report: Over 5 million displaced in India in 2019

The Global Report on Internal Displacement, GRID 2020 released by Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, IDMC said that over 5 million people have displaced in India in 2019. According to the report, this is the highest in the world.

Highlights: World

• According to the report, around 33.4 million people faced displacements in the world due to conflicts and disasters. 
• They are spread in 145 countries. In 2019, around 75% of the disasters were triggered by disasters. 
• Out of these, 95% were due to weather hazards such as floods and storms.
• The disasters were dominant in the regions such as East Asia, South Asia and Pacific. 
• Of all, India, China, Bangladesh and Philippines each recorded more than 4 million displacements in 2019.

Highlights: India

• According to the report, social and economic vulnerability, hazard intensity and high population were the major reasons for the displacement. 
• The report says that 2.6 million people in India suffered displacement due to south west monsoon. 
• Around 19,000 faced displacement in the country due to conflicts. 
• They were mainly high in the regions of West Bengal and Tripura.

Solutions

• The report demands greater political support. 
• It also suggests increased investment in development sectors and humanitarian sectors.

IMD released list of 169 new names of Tropical Cyclones

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has released 169 new names for the tropical cyclones in the Indian Ocean Region.

Highlights

• The names were contributed by 13 countries namely India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Thailand, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Iran. 
• The decision to create new list of cyclones was taken during the 45^th session of Panel on Tropical Cyclones (PTC) held by World Meteorological Organization.

Rules in fixing names

The names should have the following rules

• The proposed names should be neutral to cultures, politics, gender and religious beliefs
• The name should not hurt the sentiments of the group of population in the world
• The name should not be rude or cruel in nature
• The PTC has rights to reject the names suggested by the countries
• The name should be short with less than 8 characters and easy to pronounce.

Regional Specialize Meteorological Centre

• The RSMC in New Delhi is responsible to name the cyclones in the region of Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea. 
• The suggestion of names of cyclones in these regions including Northern Indian is given by countries such as India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Oman, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Lock Down improves water quality of Ganges

The Lock Down imposed in the country on March 22, 2020 has improved air quality and water quality. According to CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board), 40 million litres of waste water enters water bodies.

The Ganges

• The water pollution of a river is measured based on Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD). 
• The Ganga has become dump yard for industrial waste and untreated sewage. 
• Since 1985, several schemes and programmes have been launched to clean Ganga starting with Ganga Action Plan I. 
• Later in 2015, the biggest initiative Namami Gange was launched.

After COVID-19

• After lock down, the real time monitoring data from the CPCB say that out of 36 monitoring points of the Ganges, 27 are now clean and suitable for wildlife and fisheries propagation.
• The dissolved Oxygen values have reported to have improved in the cities like Varanasi where the pollution peaked. 
• The improvement has been from 6.8 mg/litre as compared to 3.8 mg/litre before lock down.

Reasons

• The major reasons for the improvement in the water quality is that activities such as bathing, tourism, fairs near the ghats were stopped. 
• Also, the major industrial activities around the river were stopped.
• Though sewage persists to enter the river, now the situation is different. 
• This is because when sewage effluents get mixed with the industrial effluents, it is highly difficult for the river to assimilate itself.

Task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline submits its report

On April 29, 2020, the task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline has submitted its final report to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitaraman. The report has been prepared for the year 2019-25.

Highlights

• The summary of the report prepared by the task force on National Infrastructure Pipeline had already been released in December 2019. 
• The Finance Minister in her Union Budget Speech 2019-20 had announced Rs 100 lakhs crore for the National Infrastructure Pipeline.
• The Task Force had undertaken bottom to top approach to prepare the report. 
• the report has provided a detailed split up for the capital expenditure of Rs 111 lakh crore. 
• According to the report, projects of Rs 33 lakh crore are at conceptual stage. 
• Also, the report suggests the funds to be allocated as 24% to energy sector, roads 18%, railways 12% and urban 17%.

Recommendations

The following recommendations were made by the task force

• A Committee to be set up to monitor NIP progress. This will help to eliminate delays
• A Steering Committee be set up at ministerial level to follow the implementation
• A Steering Committee be set up to raise financial resources for NIP.

National Infrastructure Pipeline

• The National Infrastructure Pipeline is the first of its kind. 
• It aims to improve quality life of the citizens in the country. 
• The project will aim to attract investments. 
• It has set a target of making India a 5 trillion USD economy by 2025.

Functions of the Task Force

• The Task Force was constituted to identify financially economical and feasible infrastructure. 
• It was tasked to estimate the annual infrastructure investment and capital costs. Also, the task force was employed to monitor projects in order to minimize costs.

Infrastructure Vision 2025

The GoI has framed the Infrastructure Vision 2025. The main aspirations of the vision are as follows

• To provide affordable and clean energy
• To provide 100% digital coverage to all
• To provide world class quality education.
• To provide housing and water supply
• To double farmers’ income by 2022

Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation: Economic Decline of 2.7% expected in the region

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation has stated that the APEC region is to face an economic decline of 2.7% in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19. Also, the region is to face near growth rate. This will be the highest decline for the region since the 2008 financial crisis.

Highlights

• The unemployment rate according to the report of APEC was 3.8% in 2019 and it is to increase to 5.4% in 2020. 
• The region is also expected to face an economic rebound in the year 2021. 
• The anticipated growth of the region in the 2021 is 6.3%.

APEC

• APEC comprises of Vietnam, US, Thailand, Taiwan, Singapore, Russia, Philippines, Peru, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Mexico, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Chile, Canada, Brunei and Australia.
• It was begun in 1989. 
• The forum was formed to leverage the growing inter dependence of the countries in the region of Asia-Pacific. 
• The region has now been renamed as Indo-Pacific.
• The three major observers of APEC include ASEAN, Pacific Economic Cooperation Council and Pacific Islands Forum.

India and APEC

• India is not a member of APEC. For the first time, India was invited to be an observer in the association in 2011. 
• India has requested for membership in APEC and had received the support from Japan, US, Papua New Guinea and Australia. 
• There are constraints faced by India to join APEC as India does not border Pacific Ocean.

Alzheimer Inhibitor developed by Jawaharlal Nehru Centre of Advanced Scientific Research

The scientists of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) operating under Department of Science and Technology has invented a natural product for Alzheimer disease.

Significance

• Alzheimer’s is a disorder that accounts for more than 70% of all types of dementia. 
• It is difficult to develop effective medication for the disease as the disease attributes to multifaceted toxicity.
• The Berberine used in traditional medicines has been converted into Ber-D. Ber-D is antioxidant and soluble. 
• On the other hand, Berberine is toxic to cells and poorly soluble.
• The natural product called Isoquinoline is also used. 
• Isoquinoline is found in India and China and has been used in traditional medicines.

Ber-D

• The Ber-D invented prevents generation of Reactive Oxygen Species. 
• It rescues biomacromolecules from oxidative damages.
• It prevents the accumulation of metal-dependent and independent Amyloid Beta. 
• Amyloid Beta are the peptides of amino acids that build up around the brain cells.

Cause of Alzheimer

• The disease is caused due to abnormal build up of protein around the brain cells. 
• Proteins are made up of amino acids. 
• Therefore, the drug invented prevents deposition of these proteins called Amyloid Beta around the brain cells.
• The medicine invented also helps to prevent DNA damages.

CSIR Technology of Electrostatic Disinfection transferred for Commercialization

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Central Scientific Instrument Organization (CSIR-CSIO) has developed a technology for sanitization and effective disinfection. The CSIR-CSIO has transferred the technology to a Nagpur based company Rite Water Solutions Private Limited.

Highlights

• The Disinfectant technology has been found to be highly effective and efficient to stop the spread of any pathogen. 
• The machine has been developed based on the electrostatic principle.

About the machine

• The machine produces fine and uniform droplets of disinfectants that kills micro organisms including virus. 
• The main advantage of the machine is that it uses minimum limited disinfectant as compared to other conventional and manual methods.

How is the device different?

• The device sprays charges droplets of disinfectants. 
• As the droplets are charged, they can cover obscured surfaces as well. 
• This improves the efficiency and efficacy of the device to reach hidden areas. 
• The hidden areas always have greater possibility of viruses.

Swasth Bharat Abhiyan

• The technology of electrostatic sprayer contributes to healthy life style and health care of the masses. 
• It is directly linked to Swasth Bharat Abhiyan. The Swasth Bharat Abhiyan is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. 
• The yatra under the scheme was led by FSSAI.
• The Swasth Bharat Yatra was launched in 2018 on the World Food Day (October 16). The volunteers rallied and cycled to spread awareness about healthy diet.

HCARD: Robot to assist COVID-19 frontline warriors

On April 29, 2020, the robotic device HCARD, Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device was launched to help frontline health care workers. The robot will help them in maintaining physical distance from the COVID-19 infected persons.

Highlights

• The HCARD was developed by CSIR laboratory located in Durgapur. 
• The device is capable of working in both automatic and manual mode. 
• It can be monitored and controlled using a control station or a nursing booth. 
• The cost of the device is Rs 5 lakhs and it weighs 80 kilograms.

About HCARD

• The HCARD works on war footing mechanism to reduce the impact of COVID-19 through technological interventions. 
• The device has drawers that will provide food to patients. 
• The device will also collect samples from patients.

Significance

• The device is important to save the public and help in optimal use of Personal Protective Equipment. 
• With the robot being employed at hospitals, the chances of medical professionals such as lab technicians, nurses or doctors meeting or interacting with the patients decreases and so does the usage of PPEs. 
• Also, the medical professionals working in the frontline, with direct contact with the COVID-19 infected patients shall remain safe.
• The device also helps in maintaining social distancing with the patients.

Common Service Centres of GoI to take over E-Commerce in rural areas

On April 29, 2020, the Government of India announced that the Common Service Centres will now take over village level online retail chain. The step is expected to reach more than 60 crores of people in rural region.

Highlights

• The Common Service Centres are to take over the jobs of E-commerce Giants Flipkart and Amazon in the rural regions. 
• The initiative is promoted by Government of India. 
• The village-level online retail chains are being created to address the difficulties created by the restrictions imposed on mobility. 
• GoI has plans to provide massive essential supplies through this initiative.
• The outlets are to be set up and run by private individuals. 
• However, they are to be monitored directly by the Ministry of electronics and IT.

Common Service Centres

• The Common Service Centres are to supply essential commodities like milk, vegetables, fruits, pulses, etc. 
• The consumers shall place their orders at these centres through special applications.
• The Common Service Centres were established in 2006 under National E-Governance Plan. 
• They were to provide cost-effective, high quality voice and data services in the areas of education, telemedicine, e-governance and entertainment.
• The CSC were established to access information to all rural citizens. 
• It also helps in skill upgradation to the youth in the rural.

NTRO: Increase in Cyber Attacks due to work from home

On April 29, 2020, the National Technical Research Organization has reported that the number of cyber attacks in the country has increased due to the work from home scenario. According to the report, the critical sectors may fall prey to inimical forces to relax geofencing restrictions that are granted to employees.

Highlights

• The report says that many sectors including public enterprises, government undertakings, banking, power, telecom, transport, energy are susceptible to attacks. 
• This has occurred mainly because several companies had relaxed their geofencing restrictions in order to allow their employees to work from home.

What is the issue?

• Several cyber criminals have gone to an extent of impersonating officials from health organizations and other government enterprises, seek donations through malicious e-mail attachments.

Government Actions

• In order to reduce this, the Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed the firms in the country to track all CRUD (Create, Read, Update and Delete) activities in their IdAM (Identity and Access Management). 
• Also, the ministry has asked the firms to stay resilient against ransomware attacks.

National Technical Research Organization

• The NTRO was set up in 2004. It is a technical intelligence agency that acts under the National Security Advisor of India in the Prime Minister Office. 
• There are controversies that the NTRO is not yet completely functional. 
• It requires more than 98 million USD to make the organization completely equipped.

Mobile Kiosk for COVID-19 Sample Testing used in Agartala Smart City

The smart city, Agartala has implemented a mobile kiosk for sample collection. The kiosk makes sure there are no wastages in Personal Protective Equipment and also ensures protection to sample collecting medical professionals.

Highlights

The kiosk running on three-wheeler vehicle enables navigation and helps in collection of samples from the community. There is no need for the patients to reach hospitals to give samples. The kiosk also helps in mass testing.

Austerity Measures

The Tripura Government has announced “austerity measures” to reduce expenditure and focus on optimum utilization of central government resources. The government office expenses were to be reduced by 15%. All the Government offices were instructed to make optimum utilization of their resources. They were strictly instructed to reduce telephone bills, power by 10%.

The Government is also focusing on e-mail usages to reduce paper expenses.

Agartala Smart City

The smart city project of Agartala was implemented at a cost of Rs 357 crores. The Asian Development Bank also funded by providing soft loans. Around Rs 2,000 crores were sanctioned in all by both the central and state governments.

In 2015, Agartala was selected as one of the 100 smart cities in the Smart City Programme of India. The city has a population of around 5.25 lakh people.

India attends Petersberg Climate Dialogue

On April 28, 2020, Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate change Shri Prakash Javadekar attended the 11^th session of “Petersberg Climate Dialogue” representing India.

Highlights

• The dialogue was hosted by Germany. 
• It was co-chaired by United Kingdom. Over 30 countries participated in the dialogue. 
• The dialogue discussed about measures to tackle COVID-19, save lives and to overcome social and economic consequences of the disease. 
• It also discussed about the preparatory steps in moving into the implementation phase of Paris Agreement.

India at the dialogue

• India suggested to have a Climate Technology that is open to everyone at affordable cost. 
• India also suggested to create 1 trillion USD grant to the developing world immediately.

About the Dialogue

• The Dialogue is being organized by Germany since the failure of Copenhagen Summit in 2009. 
• The dialogue is usually attended by the Environmental Ministers.

Copenhagen Summit

• The Copenhagen Summit failed to deliver a climate deal. 
• The 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) is commonly known as Copenhagen Summit. 
• It was held in Copenhagen, Denmark.
• At the summit, the Copenhagen Accord was drafted. 
• The Developed countries under the accord agreed to pledge up to 30 billion USD.

Other major UNFCCC

• In 2010, the Green Climate Fund was established. 
• In 2012, the Kyoto Protocol was adopted. In 2015, the Paris Agreement was adopted.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Monsoon steps begun

The Jal Shakti Abhiyan has taken all measures to boost the rural economy and combat present health crisis created by COVID-19. Also, the scheme is to use large availability of rural labour forces (due to lock down).

Highlights

• The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had recently announced that the monsoon rains in the country are to be normal. 
• With this, the Jal Shakti Abhiyan had made preparations to conserve water and recharge and replenish water sources.

Jal Shakti Abhiyan

• The Jal Shakti Abhiyan was launched in 2019. 
• So far, the scheme has covered over 256 water stressed districts in the country. 
• It is the largest mass movement in India that brings all stakeholders under one ambit. 
• This is because more than 6 and half crore people are part of it. 
• This includes central government, state governments, Panchayati raj institutions, etc.
• Under the scheme, more than 5 lakh water bodies have been renovated. 
• Around one crore rain water harvesting and water conservation structures have been created.

MNREGS

• The Ministry of Home Affairs recently allowed Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme to work on water conservation and irrigation works. 
• The Jal Shakti Abhiyan will now use these forces as well.
• The Village Action Plan that are prepared by the local communities are also to be implemented this year under the scheme.

Anti-Leprosy Drug Trials started by CSIR against COVID-19

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research has started the trials of anti-leprosy drug trials against COVID-19. The drug trial is to be conducted with the help of Mycobacterium MW.

Highlights

• The Mycobacterium MW is a heat killed bacteria. 
• It is to be tried on different COVID-19 patients. 
• The drug trial was approved by the Drug Controller General of India. 
• One particular strain of bacteria called the Mycobacterium MW is to be tried on several COVID-19 patients. 
• The drug has already proved its effectivity against leprosy.
• The CSIR is also trying phytopharmaceuticals

Phytopharmaceuticals

• The Phytopharmaceuticals are herbal medicines. 
• They contain one or more plant products as Active Ingredients. 
• Phytopharmaceuticals are preferred to synthetic drugs as their benefit-risk ratios are higher.

What is Mycobacterium MW?

• Mycobacterium MW is a strain of mycobacterium. 
• It is a non-pathogenic, non-specific immune potentiating, rapidly growing atypical mycobacterium. 
• This strain of bacteria shares a common T and B cell determinants with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae.
• The heat killed bacteria induces T-cell responses. 
• This induces the responses of the cells against tumor cells as well.

About the Trial

• Along with CSIR Gujarat based pharma-giant Cadila Pharmaceuticals will also join the Mycobacterium trial. 
• The hospitals that are to participate in the trial includes AIIMS Delhi, AIIMS Chandigarh and AIIMS Bhopal.

BRICS Foreign ministers to attend COVID-19 meeting

The foreign ministers of the BRICS grouping are to discuss on measures to combat COVID-19. External Affairs Minister Shri S Jaishankar is to represent India at the meet.

Highlights

• The video conference is to be hosted by Russia as it is the current rotating head. 
• The ministers are to discuss possible joint measures to fight against the highly contagious, fast spreading and dangerous COVID-19.

BRICS

• BRICS was established in 2009 and is the acronym of the members Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 
• All the five BRICS members are the members of G20.

BRICS representations

• The five members of the BRICS grouping contribute to 41% of the world population. 
• The combined GDP of the five countries as of 2018 was 18.6 trillion USD.

Why is BRICS important for India?

• There is a huge tug of war between the super powers US and China-Russia. 
• India is stuck in the middle between the super powers. 
• The BRICS platform is a good opportunity for India to balance its relations between these super powers
• BRICS has recently become the voice of developing countries. 
• This is mainly because the western countries are increasing their challenges on the issues starting from World Trade Organization till Climate change.
• India is pursuing to get membership at the UNSC (United Nations Security Council). 
• In order to achieve this, China is the major roadblock to India. 
• Thus, BRICS acts as an opportunity to engage with China and resolve the disputes.

ADB approves 1.5 billion USD for India to fight COVID-19

On April 28, 2020, the Asian Development Bank approved 1.5 billion USD loan to support the Indian Government in its actions against the spread of COVID-19 crisis. The fund is to be used in disease containments, social protection and disease prevention.

Highlights

• The loan sanctioned by the ADB is to be used for social protection of economically vulnerable sections and the poor. 
• Recently, ADB had approved 2.2 billion USD support package for India. 
• Apart from ADB, the AIIB (Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank) had allocated 500 million USD to India to strengthen its health care system. 
• The World Bank has also announced 1 billion USD support to India.
• India had earlier approached to ADB, AIIB and other world monetary institutions in order to get financial support.

AIIB

• The AIIB began its operations in 2016. 
• It aims to alleviate health care pressures, to provide liquidity support and credit lines and finally to provide budgetary support to the governments.

ADB

• The Asian Development Bank was established in 1966 to promote social and economic development in Asia. 
• It was modeled so close to the World Bank. 
• There were only 31 members at time of its establishment. 
• However, currently there are more than 68 members.
• Japan holds the largest share in the bank, followed by USA, China. 
• India holds a share of 6.35%.

April 28: World Day for Safety and Health at Work

Every year the World Day for Safety and Health at Work is observed on April 28. With COVID-19 pandemic creating great challenges for governments, workers and employers, this year the day is to focus on addressing outbreak of infectious diseases at work.

This year, the day is marked under the theme

Theme: Stop the Pandemic

Highlights

• The day aims to stimulate national tripartite dialogue that convened on safety and health. 
• The day is being observed by the International Labour Organization since 2003.

International Labour Organization

• The celebration of the day is a part of Global Strategy on Occupational Safety and Health. 
• ILO also observes International Commemoration Day for Dead and Injured Workers on April 28. 
• This is being observed since 1996.

Significance

• It is important to mark the day to address emerging risks at work. 
• This includes risks in new and emerging technologies and their production processes. 
• For instance, biotechnology and nanotechnology. 
• Also, the day creates awareness about new working conditions. 
• This includes work intensification, higher work loads, challenging conditions associated with migration.

Current Scenario

• With COVID-19 creating crisis all over the world, it is important to bring about adequate safety and health measures at work place. 
• The collaboration of governments, workers and employers both nationally and internationally is the only solution to handle COVID-19.

Guidelines to use Air Conditioners issued by Central Public Works Department

The Central Public Works Department has issued guidelines to use air conditioners during COVID-19 pandemic. The guidelines have been issued as Air conditioner usages are to increase with the arrival of Summer in the country.

The main objective of the guidelines is to counter the fact use of air conditioners lead to increased spread of COVID-19. The threat of the pandemic can be reduced by following the guidelines

Highlights

The guidelines were prepared by the Indian Society of Heating Refrigerating and Air Conditioner Engineers (ISHRAE). The association shared the guidelines with the Central Public Works Department. The CPWD has made necessary changes and has issued to the public.

The Guidelines

According to the guidelines, the ideal temperature to be maintained while operating an air conditioning system is between 24 degree Celsius and 30 Degree Celsius. The relative humidity should be maintained between 40% and 70%. The other guidelines are as follows

• The air-conditioned room should be kept ventilated even when the ACs are not operating
• The commercial and industrial facilities should ventilate with outdoor air
• In order to maintain positive pressure in the space, the mechanical exhaust air shall be 70% to 80% of fresh air quantity.
• The air filters should be cleaned frequently.

It is to be noted that the GoI had recently issued order that every air conditioner should have minimum temperature threshold as 24 degree celsius.

Exercise Pitch Black Cancelled

The biennial warfare exercise hosted by Royal Australian Air Force was cancelled due to COVID-19 threats.

Exercise Pitch Black

• The main aim of the exercise is to practice Defensive Counter Air combat and Offensive Counter Air Combat. 
• The exercise is held in Northern Australia. 
• The first pitch black exercise took place in June 1981.

History

In 1990, the exercise began its training including Singapore. Later on, slowly, it began to spread to other international forces.

2006

• In 2006, for the first time, more countries participated in the exercise. 
• It included Thailand, Singapore, UK, US and Australia.

2008

• In 2008, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization also joined the exercise. 
• The NATO was formed in 1949.
• It is an intergovernmental military alliance between 30 North American and European countries.

2010

• In 2010, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand alone were the participants. 
• The exercise was then held in 2012, 2014, 2016 and also in 2018.

India in the exercise

• In 2018, India participated in the exercise for the first time. 
• Around 131 aircraft were involved and more than 4,000 personnel participated in the exercise. 
• This also included Canada, France, Australia, Germany, Netherlands, Indonesia, Thailand, US, Malaysia.

India-Australia

• The bilateral and defence relations between India and Australia has gone up in the recent years. 
• The countries jointly hold AUSINDEX, naval exercise with more than 1000 personnel participating in the exercise.
• The countries are planning to sign Mutual Logistics Support Agreement that has been pending for a long time. 
• The Maritime Domain Awareness agreement is also under discussion between the two countries.

WHO map includes Ladakh as Chinese Territory

The World Health Organization has recently showed the parts of Ladakh as Chinese territory in its map. The region has been shown as dotted line and colour code. Also, the regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir has been shown as dotted line. Dotted line suggest that the region is a disputed territory.

Highlights

• Many of the United Nations maps show parts of Kashmir as disputed region. 
• However, this is the first time a UN body has shown Ladakh region in different colour. 
• This new map of WHO differs from the standard depiction of the UN by not showing parts of Jammu and Kashmir that are under actual control of India. 
• The region that are actually under the control of India has different colour.

India-China Border Issue

• Pakistan had given up its power over the PoK (Pakistan Occupied Kashmir) in 1960s. 
• Today China occupies 37,000 square kilometre in Ladakh. 
• Also, China included parts of Arunachal Pradesh within its territory earlier this month.

Map of China

• The Map of China till today was based on its 1989 edition of Sky Map. 
• This map was created after China sorted its border issues with Central Asian countries and Russia. 
• The Sky Map has now updated its geographic information claiming the Tibet region bordering Bhutan and India. 
• China also claims that Arunachal Pradesh is a part of South Tibet.