Shocking Truth Why Human Smuggling Demands Urgent Attention from Parliament

Topic: GS2 – Indian Polity

Context

The article highlights the plight of Indians deported from the U.S., facing inhumane treatment and humiliation. It underscores the broader problem of human smuggling and irregular migration from India.

Plight of Deported Indians

• Many Indians who are deported from other countries face inhumane treatment.
• They are often shackled, handcuffed, and humiliated before being sent back.
• Some illegal immigrants from India have been abandoned in dangerous situations, such as clearing ammunition fields in Iraq.

Growing Problem of Irregular Migration

• Every year, thousands of young Indians attempt illegal migration, also known as “irregular migration.”
• This activity is supported by human smugglers operating in various states, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Kerala, and Gujarat.
• Human smuggling, also called “kabootarbazi,” is a highly profitable business requiring no skills, investment, or fear of legal consequences.

Horror and Exploitation of Migrants

• Many young people are misled by human smugglers into believing they will achieve success abroad.
• Instead, they become victims of exploitation, facing extreme risks such as:
  • Death from suffocation in containers.
  • Drowning at sea.
  • Being forced into labor camps.
• Survivors report horrifying conditions, such as being deprived of food and water or forced to sit in unsanitary conditions.
• Human smugglers operate without any regard for human life and generate significant profits, fueling organized crime and corruption.

Criminal Networks and the Organized Nature of Human Smuggling

• Human smuggling has become an international criminal business, often involving mafia networks.
• Migrants are often sent to dangerous regions where they are forced to work under inhumane conditions.
• Due to low risks and high profits, criminals continue to expand this illegal trade.

Need for Stronger Legal Frameworks

• The Emigration Act, 1983, does not define or address human smuggling directly.
• The existing law does not effectively combat this illegal trade, leading to calls for a stronger national law.
• A proposed law, the Emigration (Overseas Mobility Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, remains uncertain in its implementation.

Efforts by Punjab and Their Limitations

• Punjab has enacted the Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act, 2012, to regulate travel agents and curb human smuggling.
• This law defines human smuggling as illegally transporting individuals abroad in exchange for money.
• The Act includes licensing requirements for travel agents and penalties for fraudulent activities.
• However, enforcement of this law has been weak, limiting its effectiveness.

Need for a Strong Central Law

• The existing legal framework at the state and national levels is insufficient.
• A comprehensive central law is necessary to effectively regulate human smuggling.
• Parliament must take urgent action to create a strong legal mechanism to protect Indian citizens from falling victim to this dangerous trade.
• A national law with strict enforcement provisions is essential to control illegal migration and safeguard lives.

Practice Question:  Discuss the challenges posed by human smuggling in India and suggest legal and policy measures to curb it. (150 Words /10 marks)

 2. AI has an environmental problem

Topic: GS3 – Science and Technology

Context

The rapid growth of AI is driving economic transformation but also increasing environmental concerns due to high energy consumption, carbon emissions, and e-waste generation.

 Introduction

• AI has become an essential part of daily life, influencing how people work, live, and conduct business.
• It includes technologies that simulate human thinking and decision-making.
• The global AI market is valued at $200 billion and is expected to contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the world economy by 2030.
• Large investments in AI infrastructure are being made globally, including significant projects in the U.S. and India.
• However, AI’s rapid rise comes with risks, especially environmental concerns.

Environmental Impact Across AI’s Lifecycle

AI affects the environment at different stages, including infrastructure development, hardware production, data centre operations, and model training. Data centres are a key component of AI and contribute about 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Electricity demand from data centres is projected to double by 2026, worsening the environmental impact.  Advanced AI models require 10–100 times more computing power than previous versions, increasing demand for hardware and worsening energy consumption. The growth of data centres is also leading to an increase in e-waste.

 Software Life Cycle and Carbon Emissions

• AI’s environmental impact is not limited to hardware but also includes emissions from software processes.
• AI models require energy-intensive processes like data collection, training, validation, and maintenance.
• Training a single advanced AI model can release up to 552 tonnes of carbon dioxide, similar to the annual emissions of dozens of cars.
• To address these environmental risks, sustainability must be integrated into AI development and usage.

Global Discussions on Sustainable AI

• At international climate meetings, such as COP29, discussions have highlighted the need for greener AI practices.
• More than 190 countries have adopted ethical AI recommendations that consider environmental impact, though they are non-binding.
• Some regions, like the European Union and the U.S., have introduced laws to reduce AI’s environmental footprint.
• However, policies on AI sustainability are still rare, and national AI strategies often overlook sustainability, especially in the private sector.

Steps Towards Sustainable AI

• Investing in Clean Energy: AI companies should transition to renewable energy and purchase carbon credits to offset emissions.
• Optimising Data Centres: Locating data centres in areas with abundant renewable energy can help lower their environmental impact.
• Improving AI Efficiency: AI itself can help manage energy grids and integrate renewable energy sources for better efficiency.
• Using Energy-Efficient Hardware: Regular maintenance and the use of specialised, efficient hardware can reduce AI’s energy consumption.
• Developing Smaller AI Models: Domain-specific models can provide effective results while using less processing power.
• Reusing Pre-Trained Models: Instead of creating new models, companies can adapt existing models to save energy and resources.

The Need for Transparency and Accountability

• Companies should measure and disclose the environmental impact of AI operations to track emissions effectively.
• Establishing standard frameworks for emissions tracking will ensure consistency and accountability across the AI industry.

Conclusion

• Sustainability should be an integral part of AI’s design to ensure its long-term viability.
• By balancing innovation with environmental responsibility, AI’s benefits can be harnessed without harming the planet’s future.

Practice Question:  How does the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) contribute to environmental degradation, and what strategies can be adopted to mitigate its impact? (250 Words /15 marks)

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