Current affairs 23rd August 2025 By Right IAS
Famine in GAZA
The UN confirmed that famine is underway in the Gaza Governorate and is expected to spread to Deir Al-Balah and Khan Younès by the end of September. The UN defines famine according to the following criteria: at least 20% of households face an extreme lack of food; at least 30% of children under the age of five suffer from acute malnutrition, and at least two people out of every 10,000 dying every day of starvation or from the interaction of malnutrition and disease.
The Hindu
Great Nicobar Island Project and FRA issue
Background of the Project A ₹72,000-crore mega infrastructure project planned on Great Nicobar Island includes: A transshipment port. An airport A power plant A township Project involves diversion of 13,075 hectares of forest land.
Concerns Raised Local tribespeople (Nicobarese) raised concerns about: Forest land diversion. Impact on tribal rights and vulnerable groups. Tribal Council of Little Nicobar and Great Nicobar complained to Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram. Dispute Over Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 Administration’s claim (2022): FRA rights of tribals were already identified and settled.
Consent for diversion was taken after this. Issued a certificate dated August 18, 2022. Tribal Council’s position: No process of settling forest rights was ever initiated. Hence, no valid consent could have been given. Council was not part of the Gram Sabha meeting (August 12, 2022).
Legal Confusion Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Act, 1956 (PAT56): Gives Administrator full authority to divert land. Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006: Requires settlement of rights and Gram Sabha consent before forest diversion. It is unclear whether land diversion was done under PAT56 or FRA
Centre’s Stand Centre maintains due process was followed. Gram Sabha in August 2022 gave consent, as per administration. However, Nicobarese council denies participation in that Gram Sabha.
Current Situation Council submitted complaint to the Minister on July 21, 2024. Letter delivered on July 30; email also sent. No response yet from the Ministry.
Council is “exploring options” if no reply is received.
