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The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) Released Its First-ever Report on Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT)

IN NEWS

• The Financial Action Task Force (FATF), is concerned about the lack of focus on the financial aspects of illegal wildlife trade (IWT), and has conducted this study to support jurisdictions to combat related money laundering.

BACKGROUND

• The Financial Action Task Force (on Money Laundering) , is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1989 on the initiative of the G7 to develop policies to combat money laundering. In 2001, its mandate was expanded to include terrorism financing.
• This is the FATF’s first global report on IWT. It builds on previous studies by two of the FATF-Style Regional Bodies (FSRBs), work by other international bodies and recent initiatives by the private sector.
• This study by the FATF makes a unique contribution by assessing the money laundering (ML) aspects of wildlife crimes, and by demonstrating how jurisdictions should apply the FATF standards to combat IWT.

KEY FINDINGS

• This study highlights that jurisdictions should view the proceeds generated by IWT as a global threat, rather than as a problem only for those jurisdictions where wildlife is illegally harvested, transited, or sold. In particular, criminals are frequently misusing the legitimate wildlife trade, as well as other import-export type businesses, as a front to move and hide illegal proceeds from wildlife crimes.
• They also rely regularly on corruption, complex fraud and tax evasion. Another key theme of this study is the growing role of online marketplaces and mobile and social media-based payments to facilitate movement of proceeds from wildlife crimes.
• These trends highlight the increasing importance of a coordinated response from public authorities, the private sector and civil society to identify and disrupt financial flows from IWT.
• As in prior studies, the FATF has found that despite IWT’s global impact, public and private sectors in many jurisdictions have to date not prioritised combatting the financial flows connected to IWT in line with risk. Jurisdictions often do not have the knowledge, legislative basis, and resources required to assess and combat the threat

CONCLUSION

• Prioritise combatting the financial flows associated with IWT proportionate to risk.
• Provide all relevant agencies with the necessary mandate and tools to conduct successful financial investigations into IWT.
• Improve co-ordination between authorities responsible for combatting wildlife crimes and those responsible for conducting financial investigations to ensure authorities more regularly exchange information and follow the financial trail.
• Cooperate with other jurisdictions, relevant international organisations and the private sector to combat IWT.

Money For Cow Dung: Chhattisgarh Launches Scheme for Livestock Owners

IN NEWS

• The initiative is part of the 'Godhan Nyay Yojana', announced by Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel at an online press conference. It will commence from 20th July, when 'Hareli', a local festival, is celebrated.
• The Chhattisgarh government will now buy cow dung from livestock owners and convert it to fertilizer.

PURPOSE

• The Chhattisgarh government will now buy cow dung from livestock owners and convert it to fertilizer
• Scheme had multiple objectives, including income generation and environment conservation. Chhattisgarh has the tradition of cattle grazing in open, which harms both the cattle and the crops of farmers.
• Many a times cows and buffaloes are left after milking which cause road accidents and illegal trespass on farmers crops etc.The scheme will curb this malfunctioning and will help poor and marginalized people to earn income.

BENEFIT

• Vermi-compost fertilizer produced from cow dung under the scheme will be sold through cooperative societies to meet the fertilizer requirement of farmers as well as of the Forest Department, Agriculture, Horticulture, Urban Administration Department for plantation campaigns.
• Often cow owners leave the cows astray after milking, which causes various problems. This will change after the implementation of ‘Godhan Nyay Yojana’. Livestock owners will provide proper fodder and water to their cattle and keep them tied up.

Urban Missions

Why in NEWS?

• Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs organized a webinar to mark the 5th anniversary of urban missions on 25th June, 2020.

About

• Missions include Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) (PMAY-U), Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and Smart Cities Mission (SCM).
• The online event was organized to celebrate the achievements and boost implementation of the urban missions.

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

• The Mission aims at ensuring universal coverage of drinking water supply and substantial improvement in coverage and treatment capacities of sewerage and septage, along with storm water drainage, non-motorized urban transport and green spaces & parks.
• The Mission spans across 500 cities, covering more than 60% of urban population.

Smart Cities Mission (SCM)

• It was launched with the objective of promoting cities that provide core infrastructure and give a decent quality of life to its citizens, a clean and sustainable environment and application of ‘Smart’ solutions.
• Climate Smart Cities and Data Smart Cities are two important programs under Smart Cities Mission. They are key enablers, driving the future course of action through data driven performance management, urban innovation and institutional capacity building.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U)

• The scheme was launched with the objective of providing pucca house to all eligible beneficiaries of Urban India by 2022 with the vision of ‘Housing for All’.
• The number of houses sanctioned in last five years under the Mission is almost eight times more than those sanctioned under earlier urban housing schemes during the span of 10 year

e-Blood Services

Why in News?

• Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare and Chairman of Indian Red Cross Society, launched the ‘e-Blood Services’ mobile App for The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS), on 25th June,2020.

About ‘e-Blood Services’ App

• Application is developed by the E-Raktkosh team of Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (CDAC) under the Digital India.
• This app makes it easy for those in need to request for Blood units at IRCS.
• It allows assured delivery within the specified time.
• This feature will make it easy for a blood seeker to obtain blood & shall bring the added advantage of complete transparency & single window access to the service.

The Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS)

• The Indian Red Cross Society is a voluntary humanitarian organization to protect human life and health based in India. It is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and so shares the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.

e-RaktKosh

• It is a Centralized Blood Bank Management System.
• Initiative to connect, digitize and streamline the workflow of blood banks across the nation.
• It enforces Drug & Cosmetic Act, National blood policy standards and guidelines ensuring proper collection & donation, effective management and monitoring the quality and quantity of the donated blood.

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