Day-299 | Daily MCQs | UPSC Prelims | ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
[WpProQuiz 344]
[WpProQuiz 344]
THE CONTEXT: The spike in recent years in extreme calamities, topped by the Covid outbreak, spotlights the urgency of better disaster preparedness in Indian states and the Centre. Health pandemics like Covid and climate hazards like the Uttarakhand floods or Delhi heat waves have differing origins, but they spotlight common gaps in readiness. With extreme health and climate disasters set to continue, these events must be seen as regular occurrences rather than one-off acts of nature. Ranked by HSBC as the most vulnerable to climate change among 67 nations, India needs to make a paradigm shift to prioritize preparedness and not just recovery. This preparedness plan must be tailor made to the unique requirements of the states.
STATE
MEASURES TAKEN
KERALA
ODISHA
REASON
EXPLANATION
LEGAL REQUIREMENT
SPECIFIC VULNERABILITIES
ADMINISTRATIVE SET UP
DISASTER RISK ASSESSMENT AND REDUCTION
SUCCESS STORIES
COMMUNITY OWNERSHIP
CLIMATE CHANGE CHALLENGES
CAPACITY BUILDING
The problem areas in preparedness are organisational and planning related issues, like inadequate policy direction, outdated plans and over concentration on recovery and response activities, which leads to low preparedness.
Lack of resources or resource organisations and unclear allocation of these resources is also likely to create gaps or overlaps in the preparedness arrangements.
Other problems like inadequate coordination and lack of cooperation at the policy making and implementation level, public awareness and suitable training for the disaster managers usually contribute significantly to poor disaster preparedness activities. The problems in state disaster preparedness are summarized below
FRAGILE INSTITUTIONS
POOR COMPLIANCE OF POLICIES
HAZARD RISK AND VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENTS
PREPAREDNESS PLANNING
COORDINATION
PUBLIC EDUCATION, TRAINING AND REHEARSALS.
COMMUNITY BASED DISASTER PREPAREDNESS
Bloomberg ranks Singapore highest in Covid resilience, based on fatality rates, test rates and vaccination rates. Drawing on its experience with Sars and Influenza A, the Singapore government has prioritized disaster preparedness in its investments. One indication of this priority is that the government has built up digital infrastructure and engineering capabilities that can be deployed before, during and after calamities strike. For example, tools for contact tracing, like Safe Entry and Trace Together, are enabling Singapore to respond swiftly to the spread of Covid. A suite of digital tools is helping disseminate information and enabling government agencies to better coordinate and manage the crisis.
THE WAY FORWARD
CONCLUSION: Disaster Preparedness” means the state of readiness to deal with a threatening disaster situation or disaster and their effects. It deals with measures to be taken for preparedness and capacity building to effectively respond to any threatening disaster situations or disaster. India’s unique geo climatic vulnerabilities and poor socio economic infrastructural base have made it quite vulnerable to disasters. The Covid pandemic has exposed the countries’ lack of preparedness for meeting the challenges. Although, almost all states bore the brunt of the Virus, some better prepared states could come out stronger. For instance, while Uttar Pradesh and Delhi reeled under oxygen shortage, Kerala was well prepared. This and other evidence makes a strong case for state specific disaster preparedness plans which can be a game changer in India’s disaster management strategy.
THE CONTEXT: For the first time, India’s apex court livestreamed the three separate constitutional bench proceedings simultaneously in YouTube.
THE EXPLANATION:
• There are more than 8 lakh people viewed the proceedings before the three Constitution Benches.
• The livestreaming was closely monitored by technical support teams of the court to ensure the smooth proceedings.
• The cases heard by these benches are the challenge to 10 per cent quota for economically weaker sections of the society, the scuffle between Maharashtra Chief Minister Shinde’s faction and the Uddhav Thackeray camp over who was the “real” Shiv Sena Party and the challenge to the All India Bar Examination post enrollment for lawyers.
• This initiative aims to bring the judiciary close to the citizens living across India, especially the important hearings having constitutional significance.
• The initiative was result of the meeting of the Supreme Court Judges on September 20.
• In the future, the apex court would use a dedicated platform for livestreaming the hearings.
Background
• Swapnil Tripathi judgment of September 2018 upheld the plea demanding livestreaming of the Supreme Court proceedings. In this judgement, the apex court held that livestreaming provides the opportunity of the general public to witness the live proceedings, which is otherwise difficult due to logistical challenges and infrastructural restrictions.
• The court held that livestreaming of court proceedings was part of the right to access justice under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution. Article 21 provides the right to life and personal liberty. Live telecast of court proceedings will help realize the “open court system” which envisages a universally accessible judiciary.
• In the 2018 judgement, several conditions were laid out by the Supreme Court for livestreaming. The livestreaming of apex court proceedings happened for the first time in August 2022, when a ceremonial bench said farewell to the outgoing Chief Justice of India N V Ramana. The High Courts of Gujarat, Orissa, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Patna and Madhya Pradesh have been livestreaming their proceedings through their own YouTube channels since the early 2020.
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Bill was tabled at the Karnataka Legislative Assembly.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Bill gives preference to Kannadigas in government jobs and provides reservations to locals in private jobs generated in the state.
• The Bill defines Kannadigas as individuals whose parents have resided in Karnataka for a minimum of 15 years with the knowledge of reading and writing Kannada.
• Under this Bill, practical and functional knowledge of Kannada will be taught in higher, technical and professional education courses.
• Students who have studies in Kannada Medium schools will get reservations in higher education.
• It will deny land concession, tax rebates and other incentives to private companies that do not recruit at least a minimum percentage of Kannadigas.
• Government jobs in the state will be provided only if a Kannada language exam is passed. This exam is not required for individuals who have passed Class 10 with Kannada as first or second language.
• The Bill proposes the use of Kannada language for all official and administrative correspondences in the state and by local authorities. Earlier, the state government was criticised for using only English language for correspondence.
• Kannada is also made mandatory in subordinate courts, tribunals, banks and other financial institutions.
• Shops, industries and commercial establishments who violate this proposed legislation will incur a fine of Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000, including suspension of license.
VALUE ADDITION:
Sarojini Mahishi Committee
The Sarojini Mahishi Committee had provided 58 recommendations to provide job security for Kannadigas in Karnataka. However, these recommendations were not adopted because they were highly stringent. Among them are the 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in all public sector units, 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in group C and D jobs in central government departments and PSUs in Karnataka and minimum 80 per cent and 65 per cent reservation in Group B and A jobs respectively. These recommendations were not adopted as they may cause several constitutional challenges and violate fundamental rights.
THE CONTEXT: Recently, according to the report most of the waterbird populations protected under the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) are now facing serious threats.
The EXPLANATION:
The report was released at the Eighth Session of the Meeting of the Parties to AEWA opened in Budapest September 27, 2022.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT
Decline in population:
• Some 41 percent of all waterbird populations protected under AEWA are now declining.
• The decline in waterbird populations in the short and long term is 40 percent higher than the increase. This proportion has not changed substantially over the last 15 years.
• Some 29 per cent are stable and 30 per cent are increasing.
Major threats:
• The species are impacted by the 38 threats including shifting and alteration of habitat, invasive alien species, unsustainable harvest and poaching, dams and water management.
Region based assessment:
• The proportion of decrease in AEWA waterbird population is higher in central and southwest Asia and eastern and southern Africa.
IUCN Status:
• Some 13 percent of the AEWA species are globally threatened.
• Four are critically endangered.
• Nine are endangered and 20 are vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Major challenges faced by the Migratory Waterbirds
• Changes in range and distribution: It is well known that temperature is one of the primary determinants of the location of biomes and habitats. It is therefore logical that species ranges also depend on temperature.
• Changes in breeding range: The periods of the two BTO Breeding Bird Atlases, bird species (including some waterbird species) extended their breeding ranges northwards by an average of 18.9 km, a trend that they attributed to warming temperatures.
• Habitat Loss: One of the main threats facing endangered migratory animals is habitat loss.
• Turbines: The Bern Convention (the Council of Europe) commissioned a report from BirdLife International on how wind turbines affect birds and how to minimize the risks.
• Oil Spills: Of all man-made disasters, oil spills are among the most common and can, over localized areas, be one of the most destructive to wildlife, killing the animals and poisoning their habitats.
• Climate Change: The Earth‘s temperature and sea levels are rising, rain patterns are altering, and extreme weather is occurring more often.
• Electrocution: Birds are threatened due to power poles that have yet to be fitted with the latest safety devices.
• Unsustainable Hunting and Poaching: Poaching, illegal trade and unsustainable hunting are among the most serious threats to the survival of wild species (migratory and sedentary) alongside habitat loss and degradation.
• Wildlife Crime: Wildlife crime ranks alongside drug smuggling, human trafficking and illegal arms trade as one of the most lucrative activities funding organized crime and terrorism.
Recommendations of the report
• The development of schemes to monitor the breeding of migratory waterbirds in Africa, central and southwest Asia and Russia.
• Recruitment of additional Parties to join the agreement
• Intensifying the assistance to AEWA parties in Africa and central and southwest Asia
• Filling the gaps in implementing the AEWA Strategic Plan 2019 – 2027.
THE CONTEXT: The Centre has set a new target of a 40% reduction in particulate matter concentration in cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) by 2026, updating the earlier goal of 20 to 30% reduction by 2024.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The Indian Government has set a new target of 40 per cent reduction in the particulate matter concentration by 2026 in cities under the NCAP.
• This is an update of the earlier goal of 20 to 30 per cent reduction of particulate matter concentration by 2024.
• The city-specific plans under NCAP are being upgraded to make them on par with the new goals.
• According to the Environment Ministry, 95 of the 131 non-attainment cities covered under the NCAP have reduced their PM10 levels in 2021 when compared with the 2017 levels.
• Non-attainment cities are those that have fallen short of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for over 5 years from 2011 to 2015.
• 20 cities have met the national standards for annual average PM10 concentration, which is 60 micrograms per cubic meters.
• Cities that showed an overall improvement in PM10 concentration since 2017 are Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Patna, Nagpur, Pune, Agra, Allahabad, Bareilly, Firozabad, Moradabad, Kanpur, Varanasi, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Raipur and others.
VALUE ADDITION:
NCAP
• The NCAP was launched in 2019 as the first-ever national framework for air quality management with time-bound reduction target. It aims to bring down the concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 across India with 2017 as the base year for the comparison of concentration of the pollutants.
• Under NCAP, city-specific action plans have been created to include measures to strengthen the monitoring network, reduce pollution from industries and vehicles etc. It also aims to improve capacity to management air pollution and raise public awareness about the harms caused by the air pollution.
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates were banned by the Centre for a period of five years, days after law enforcement agents tried in a campaign to suppress the activities of the group.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The Ministry of Home Affairs used the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act to enact the ban, claiming that the Popular Front of India (PFI) and its affiliates pose a “major threat to internal security of the country” and are connected to terrorist organisations like the ISIS.
• Centre also mentioned, they also promote “anti-national sentiments… radicalise a particular section of society with the intention of creating disaffection.”
• The MHA designated the Popular Front of India (PFI) as a “unlawful association” along with “its associates or affiliates or fronts including Rehab India Foundation (RIF), Campus Front of India (CFI), All India Imams Council (AIIC), National Confederation of Human Rights Organization (NCHRO), National Women’s Front, Junior Front, Empower India Foundation, and Rehab Foundation, Kerala,” claiming that it was “necessary to curb the nefarious activities” of the organisation.
• The SDPI, the PFI’s political wing, was excluded from the ban.
• After the ban, the Popular Front of India (PFI) made an announcement that it was breaking apart.
• The PFI and its affiliates’ designation as “unlawful associations” gives law enforcement organisations the right to detain PFI members, freeze their accounts, and seize their assets.
Section 10 of the UAPA:
• According to Section 10 of the UAPA, membership in a banned organisation is illegal.
• According to the Section 10 of the UAPA, belonging to an organisation that is prohibited carries a minimum two-year sentence and, in some cases, a life sentence or even the death penalty.
• According to Section 10, anyone who “is and continues to be a member of such association; participates in such association’s meetings; contributes to, receives, or solicits any contribution for the benefit of such association; or in any other manner assists the operations of such association shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, and shall also be liable to fine.”
• Anyone who supports the goals of the prohibited organisation is likewise subject to it.
• Section 7 of the UAPA’s grants the government the authority to “prohibit use of funds” by an “illegal group.”
Power of the Central Government as per the law:
• According to the law, if the Central Government is satisfied following an investigation that “any person has custody of any moneys, securities, or credits which are being used or are intended to be used for the purpose of the unlawful association, the Central Government may, by order in writing, prohibit such person from paying, delivering, transferring, or otherwise dealing in any manner.”
• Centre has the power as per the law to ban the person if found with such moneys, securities, or credits or with any other moneys, securities, or credits.
• It also grant law enforcement organisations the authority to conduct searches of these organisations’ offices and inspect their financial records.
• The Center is authorised to “notify any place which in its opinion is used for the purpose of such unlawful organisation” under Section 8 of the UAPA.
• The term “place” in this context refers to a home, a building, or a portion of one, as well as to a tent or a vessel.
THE CONTEXT: The Indian government recently launched the JALDOOT App and JALDOOT App e-brochure.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The JALDOOT application was jointly developed by union ministries of Panchayat and Rural Development.
• This app can be used by Gram Rojgar Sahayak to measure the water level in a well twice a year before and after monsoon.
• It enables the systematic collection of data on ground water levels and storing them in central digital database for analysis.
• This data can be used for the implementation of Gram Panchayat Development Plan and Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
• Using this app, water levels of 2 to 3 wells in a village will be captured.
• The water levels in open wells will be measured twice a year – from May 1 to 31 as pre-monsoon water level and again from October 1 to 31 as post-monsoon level.
• Jaldoots (officers involved in measuring the water levels), will upload the geo-tagged photograph through the app on every occasion of measurement.
• The application would work both online and offline mode. In the offline mode, Jaldoots will be able to capture the water level even without internet connections and the captured date will be stored in the mobile. When the app comes online, the data will be uploaded and synchronized with the central server.
• The data in this application will be stored in the National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC), which will help in the creation of various reports through comprehensive assessment and analysis.
VALUE ADDITION:
About National Water Informatics Centre
National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) is the central repository that stores data regarding the availability of water resource across India. Set up in 2018, it comes under the aegis of the Ministry of Jal Shakti’s Department of Water Resources. This central repository enables the data-based sustainable development and management of water resources in India.
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
SOCIAL ISSUES
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENT
SECURITY
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY
QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS
50-WORD TALK
Things to Remember:
[WpProQuiz 343]
THE CONTEXT: Recently, in an unfortunate incident, an office of Haryana police was mowed down by a dumper as he was trying to stop illegal mining. His death again highlighted the issue of illegal mining in the country and started a debate about the same. In this article, we will analyze the issue in detail and will try to give way forward to stop such activities.
Zone |
The killing of Citizens/Villagers/Farmers | The killing of Reporters/Activists | The killing of Govt. officials | Total |
North |
6 | 1 | 5 |
12 |
West & Central |
3 | NA | 2 |
5 |
East |
4 | 3 | 4 |
11 |
South |
5 (+5*) | 1 | NA |
11 |
Total |
23 | 5 | 11 |
39 |
India has grossly underestimated the issue of illegal mining, which damages the environment and causes revenue loss
Issue of regulation
The problem has not been taken seriously
Apart from the above, there are many other reasons for such activities
WHAT SHOULD BE THE WAY FORWARD?
THE CONCLUSION: Illegal mining has become a serious issue in India. The incidents related to illegal mining, like the death of officers and tragedies, are daily events. Apart from it, impacts on the environment and Economic loss to the state exchequer are some other negatives of such activities. Government should come up with strong regulations to stop it, and technology should be used to monitor these activities.
Discuss how the use of technology can be a game changer in stopping illegal mining in India.
Why the issue of illegal mining persists in India? What should be the way forward to stop such activities?
THE CONTEXT: Recently, Public interest litigation (PIL) was filed seeking the annulment of halala marriage and polygamy.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The PIL was regarding the annulment of Section 2 of the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937, to be declared arbitrary and in violation of Articles 14, 15, 21 and 25 of the Constitution.
• The litigant requested the court to ensure that provisions of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, apply to all Indian citizens.
• She contended that nikah halala is rape under IPC Section 375.
What is Nikah halala?
• Nikah halala is a law that requires a woman to marry and sleep with another man in order to return to her first husband.
• In Islam, ‘halala’ is a term that finds its roots in ‘halal’ that translates to something that is permissible, and therefore ‘lawful’.
• In the context of marriage then, it means that a divorced woman can become ‘halal’ (lawful) for her husband again after nikah halala is complete.
What is the procedure?
• Islam dictates that a Muslim man has the liberty to divorce and remarry the same woman twice.
• However, if he decides to dissolve the marriage for the third time, he can only remarry the same woman if she first marries another man, consummates the marriage, and only if the man dies or willingly asks for divorce, can the woman go back to her first husband and remarry him.
• Usually, nikah halala stems from instant triple talaq and ends with it.
Quranic justification:
• Halala, the way the Koran speaks of it, empowers women to take independent decisions.
• It saves women from temperamental husbands who divorce in a fit of anger, then cancel it, then divorce again, unleashing an endless cycle of marriage and divorce.
Global scenario:
• In Saudi Arabia, where divorces are on the rise, no cases of halala have been reported.
• No case has been reported from the UAE, Kuwait and Yemen either.
Indian Law on Nikah Halala:
• In India, the Muslim Women’s Protection of Rights on Marriage, passed after invalidation of triple talaq by the Supreme Court, is silent on nikah halala.
• The Act made instant triple talaq a criminal offence but steered clear of halala which takes place as a consequence of triple talaq.
Issues:
In modern India, nikah halala has been manipulated and misused.
• Rapes: There are cases of rapes on women by keens on the name of Halala.
• Websites offering halala marriage: In the midst of this, several websites and social media pages have emerged offering halala marriage services to women who’ve been divorced by their first husbands.
• Blackmailing and extortion: Many women who approach these services are either blackmailed or taken advantage of. Many are asked to pay large sums of money.
THE CONTEXT: Recently,Khosta-2 variant of coronavirus found in Russian bats in Sochi National Park.
THE EXPLANATION:
• A team of American researchers have found the Khosta-2 in Russian bats.The zoonotic virus is capable of infecting humans.
• This is unlike the Khosta-1, which is also found in Russian bats but cannot easily spread to humans.Khosta-2 has been classified as sarbecovirus, a member of the coronavirus family.
• It is related to SARS-CoV-2, which is causing a worldwide pandemic.Khosta-2 was discovered in bat samples obtained from Sochi National Park between March and October 2020, when the world was struggling to contain the spread of the SARS-CoV-2.
• The pathogen is capable of infecting human cells similar to SARS-CoV-2. It attaches to the ACE-2 entrance enzyme, which is located on the surface of the human cells with a spike-like protein on the surface.
• While its method of infection is similar to SARS-CoV-2, Koshta-2 is not effective.
• Scientists have combined the Khosta-2 with serum obtained from individuals vaccinated against COVID-19. They found that the antibodies in the serum were not able to neutralize the pathogen.
• Similar results were found when the virus was combined with the serum from people who have recently recovered from Omicron infection.It is also found to be completely resistant to all coronavirus vaccines currently available on the market.
• It does not have the genes that can increase the severity of the disease like the Omicron Variant. However, this can eventually change if it mixes with the genes of the SARS-CoV-2.
About sarbecovirus
Severe acute respiratory syndrome–related coronavirus or sarbecovirus is an enveloped positive-sense, single-stranded RNA virus that enters the host cells by latching on to the ACE2 receptor. It is capable of infecting humans, bats and other mammals.
VALUE ADDITION:
About Sochi National Park
Sochi National Park is UNESCO world heritage site in Russia. Established in 1983, it is the oldest national park in Russia. It is situated in Western Caucasus, close to the city of Sochi. It is bounded by rivers Shepsi and Magri in the northwest, Abkhazia in the southeast, Black sea coast and Main Caucasian ridge in the north and south.
THE CONTEXT: The Asian Development Bank announced a $14 billion assistance to fight food insecurity in Asia Pacific.
THE EXPLANATION:
• The funding to address food insecurity in Asia Pacific was announced as part of the 55th ADB annual meeting.
• It will be used to combat food crisis caused by climate change and Russian war in Ukraine.
• The financial aid will be provided for the period of 2022-2025.
• While 3.3 billion USD will be spent in 2022, 10.7 billion USD will be used from 2023 to 2025.
• In 2022, USD 2.5 billion of this assistance will be used to repurpose and strengthen the existing projects and launch new projects in agriculture, natural resources and rural development.
• 800 million USD will be used by private sector for finance operations of trade and supply chain, direct agribusiness lending, micro financing programmes and lending to financial institutions.
• This comprehensive initiative will ensure long-term food security in Asia and Pacific by strengthening food systems and making them resilient to climate crisis and biodiversity degradation.
• The latest funding would complement the existing aids targeting food security in the region.
Food security situation in Asia Pacific
• The food insecurity in the region is being exacerbated by floods, droughts, global warming, diseases and other factors that are adversely impacting the food production. Currently, around 1.1 billion people do not have access to healthy diets because of scarcity and food inflation in the region.
• Some countries in Asia Pacific are vulnerable to food shocks because of their high dependence on imported staples and fertilizers. This makes nutritious food unaffordable in several of low-income countries in the region. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has disrupted the supply of these vAital goods and worsened the situation.
About Asian Development Bank
Asian Development Bank is a Manila-based regional development bank established in 1966. Its aim is to promote the social and economic development of Asia and the Pacific. It is owned by 68 members, of which 49 are from Asia Pacific region.
THE CONTEXT: Recently, NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) successfully crashed into Dimorphous.
THE EXPLANATION:
The Humanity’s first planetary defence test:
• With the collision, the test has been completed successfully in a mission that went exactly as planned without any hitches.
Reason for test:
• The impact should have nudged the asteroid slightly and subtly changed its orbit around Didymos, the larger asteroid.
• Telescopes on Earth and in space are going to take measurements of this change to see how the change measures up to computer-generated simulations.
Why Dimorphos?
• Didymos is a perfect system for the test mission because it is an eclipsing binary which means it has a moonlet that regularly orbits the asteroid and it can be seen when it passes in front of the main asteroid.
• The Didymos system is not an Earth-crossing asteroid, and there is no possibility that the deflection experiment could create an impact hazard.
• Earth-based telescopes can study this variation in brightness to understand how long it takes Dimorphos to orbit Didymos.
About the DART Mission
It is a planetary defence-driven test of technologies for preventing an impact on Earth by a hazardous asteroid.
Objectives:
• DART is the first technology demonstration of the kinetic impactor technique that could be used to mitigate the threat of an asteroid hitting Earth.
• The kinetic impactor mitigation technique is the impulsive deflection of the asteroid through the sudden addition of momentum. In simpler terms, DART is being sent to collide with an asteroid to change its orbital period.
VALUE ADDITION:
ABOUT ASTEROIDS
• Asteroids, sometimes called minor planets, are rocky, airless remnants left over from the early formation of the solar system about 4.6 billion years ago.
• Most of this ancient space rubble can be found orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter within the main asteroid belt.
o Some asteroids go in front of and behind Jupiter, which are called Trojans.
o Asteroids that come close to Earth are called Near-Earth Objects (NEOs) for short. NASA keeps close watch on these asteroids.
• Asteroids range in size from Vesta (the largest at about 329 miles in diameter) to bodies that are less than 33 feet across. The total mass of all the asteroids combined is less than that of Earth’s Moon.
• Asteroids are not all round like planets. They have jagged and irregular shapes.
THE CONTEXT: A new study has shown that honeybees can learn odd and even number categorisation — also called parity classification.
THE EXPLANATION:
• Parity classification is the categorization of numbers as either odd or even.
• It is used when dealing with real-world objects that can be paired. If an element cannot be paired in a group, then the number of objects are odd.
• Previous studies have shown that honeybees are capable of learning the order of quantities, performing simple addition and subtraction, matching symbols with quantities and relate size and number concepts.
• A new research has found that they were also capable of parity classification.
• Till date, only humans were found to be capable of this task.
• Honeybees were successfully trained to undertake this task as part of an experiment.
• The scientists separated honeybees into two groups.
• One group trained to associate even numbers with sugar water and odd numbers with quinine (bitter-tasting liquid).
• Another group was trained to associate odd numbers with sugar water and even number with quinine.
• The training was given using comparisons of odd versus even numbers with cards presenting 1 to 10 printed shapes.
• The group that associated odd number with sugar water learned more quickly than the other group.
• This shows that honeybees’ learning bias is different from humans, who categorize even numbers more quickly.
• The bees were then tested with new numbers that were not shown during the training.
• They were able to categorize the new numbers of 11 or 12 elements as odd or even with 70 per cent accuracy.
• They may have been able to achieve this feat either by finding unpaired element, performing division calculations or counted each element and applied odd or even categorization rule to the total number of elements.
• This novel experiment, if used in other animal species, would help improve the understanding on how mathematics and abstract thoughts emerged in humans.
THE CONTEXT: Bathukamma is being celebrated in Telangana from September 25 to October 3 this year.
THE EXPLANATION:
• Bathukamma is observed as the state festival of Telangana since the state’s inception in 2014.It is a flower festival celebrated mainly in Telangana and several parts of Andhra Pradesh.
• This 9-day festival is celebrated based on Sathavahana calendar and it usually falls on September or October, during the latter half of monsoon, before the onset of winter.
• This festival begins with Mahalaya Amavasya, also known as Engili Poola Bathukamma.
• Bathukamma means ‘Goddess of Life’. It is a collection of flowers stacked one layer at a time and rising in a series of concentric circles like the gopuram in South Indian temples.
• It is made using locally grown flowers like Gunugu puvvu (Celosia), Thangedu puvvulu (Cassia auriculata), Gummadi puvvulu (Cucurbita), Vaama puvvulu (Ajwain), Banthi puvvu (Marigold), Chamanthi puvvulu (Chrysanthemum) etc.
• During the first seven days of this festival, women make symbolic images of Bodemma (Goddess Gauri) using clay and small Bathukamma.
• The final day of this festival, called Saddula Bathukamma, involves the preparation of huge Bathukamma on a special plate and womenfolk singing and dancing around it.
• Bathukamma are then taken out in a procession to be immersed a river or any nearby waterbody.
• The flowers used in Bathukamma are capable of purifying water in ponds and tanks.
• The festival concludes a day before the Dasara Festival.
• The Union Ministry of Culture has announced that this festival would be celebrated at the India Gate for the first time.
• The celebrations will be in line with the Telangana/Hyderabad Liberation Day celebrations that were organized earlier this month, when the national flag was hoisted in Hyderabad by Home Minister.
• Meanwhile, the Telangana government has started the distribution of 1 crore Bathukamma sarees for this festive occasion.The initiative was started by the Telangana government in 2017 to support weavers in the state.
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
SOCIAL ISSUES
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
ENVIRONMENT
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
ETHICS EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDY
QUOTATIONS AND CAPTIONS
50-WORD TALK
Things to Remember:
[WpProQuiz 342]
THE CONTEXT: Recently, RBI released the report titled ‘State Finances: A Risk Analysis,’ in which the public finances of the 10 most heavily indebted states of India were analysed. This article intends to analyse the key findings of the report and further discuss the implications of unregulated state finances.
The measure used to compare a state’s public debt to its gross state domestic product is called the debt-to-GSDP ratio (GSDP). The debt-to-GSDP ratio accurately predicts a state’s capacity to repay its debts by contrasting what it owes with what it generates.
IMPACTS OF THE PANDEMIC
ATTENUATING TAX BUOYANCY
OVERBURDENED DISCOMS
POLITICS OF ‘FREEBIES’
LEGAL LOOPHOLES
MENACE OF ‘ESCROW ACCOUNTS
BY PASSING CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
AGGRAVATING BANKING SECTOR STRESS
REPLICATING THE SRI LANKAN CRISIS
Considering all possible causes and concerns of unregulated borrowing by states in India, one can opine that while some expenses are inevitable, some can be addressed with more prudence and probity. For instance, one can certainly be in favour of expanding, for example, the MGNREGA type of spending and subsidy in the form of food ration schemes. These go a long way in increasing the productive capacity of the population. So, they’re not just freebies. However, what should be regulated is announcing freebies merely in the name of vote bank politics. For instance, when it comes to simply giving away loan waivers, one cannot go in favour of these because they have undesired consequences such as destroying the whole credit culture.
THE WAY FORWARD
THE CONCLUSION: Given that the Constitution of India provides clear provisions regarding the borrowing by the Central Government and State Governments, both must diligently abide by the constitutional values and limits. State borrowings must be more transparent and prudent. Also, there must be a behavioural change within political parties to participate in elections on their working capabilities rather than hampering state finances in the name of vote bank.
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the experts have been talking about the benefits of Neurodiversity in the workplace which can give a competitive edge from increased diversity in skills, ways of thinking, and approaches to problem-solving.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is Neurodiversity?
Major Challenges faced by them
Denial in Job
Lack of awareness
Discrimination
Unsuitable work environment
The assumption of “one-size-fits-all”
Neurodiversity and mental health
SIGNIFICANCE
|
THE CONTEXT: The CBI launched Operation Megh Chakra to combat the spread of Child Sexual Abuse Materials online.
THE EXPLANATION:
THE CONTEXT: A memorial made of ashes collected from rhino horns were unveiled recently at the Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
THE EXPLANATION:
About Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park in Assam hosts the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos. It is situated at the edge of the Eastern Himalayan biodiversity hotspots – Golaghat and Nagaon districts. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 1985. According to the latest State of Rhino Report, the national park hosts 2,613 rhinos – the highest in India.
VALUE ADDITION:
State of Rhino Report
According to the State of Rhino Report 2022, released by the International Rhino Foundation, one-horned rhinos’ population in India, Nepal and Bhutan has increased while the population of rhinos in Africa and Indonesia either fell or saw only a slight rise. The estimated population of one-horned rhinos is 4,014. The population is surging mainly because of efforts of governments of India and Nepal towards expanding the natural habitats and anti-poaching activities.
THE CONTEXT: Prime Minister virtually inaugurated the National Conference of Environment Ministers held in Gujarat.
THE EXPLANATION:
What is LiFE?
What is PARIVESH?
PARIVESH (Pro Active Responsive facilitation by Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single window Hub) is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. It provides a single window clearance mechanism for those seeking Environment, Forest, Wildlife and CRZ Clearances from Central, State and District authorities. It enables citizens to interact with scrutiny officers, generate online clearance letters, online mailers and alerts to state government officials in case of delays in the processing of applications.
Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan
Guidelines for ‘Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan- Ranking of Cities’ was released during the National Conference of Environment Ministers. The Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan ranks 131 cities across India for the implementation of City Action Plans prepared as part of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) for the reduction of air pollution up to 40 per cent by 2025-26. The cities are categorized into three groups based on population. The first group has cities with population more than 10 lakh, the second has population between 3 to 10 lakh and the third has population less than 3 lakh. The ranking is based on the annual self-assessment of the cities based on the framework provided in the government portal.
VALUE ADDITION About National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) The NCAP is a long-term strategy that aims to achieve 20-30% reduction in Particulate Matter Concentration by 2024, with 2017 as the base year for comparison of the concentration. Specific plans were created for each city. These plans include strengthening of monitoring network, reducing vehicular/industrial emissions, awareness creation etc. The implementation of these plans are regularly monitored by Committees at Central and State levels. |
THE CONTEXT: Make in India, the flagship program of the Government of India that aspires to facilitate investment, foster innovation, enhance skill development, and build best-in-class manufacturing infrastructure, completes 8 years of path-breaking reforms.
THE EXPLANATION:
About Make in India initiative
The Make in India initiative was launched on September 25, 2014 to make India a global manufacturing hub by promoting investments, innovation, enhanced skill development, intellectual property rights and infrastructure development. It is being implemented by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
THE CONTEXT: The World Tourism Day is observed every year to promote tourism and spread awareness about its importance.
THE EXPLANATION:
Background
About UNWTO
UNWTO is a specialized agency of the United Nations that promotes responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism across the world. Headquartered in Madrid, it acts as a global forum for international collaboration in the tourism sector and a source of knowledge on tourism related topics.
VALUE ADDITION India’s tourism sector The latest edition of the Economic Impact Report by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that the tourism sector’s contribution to the overall growth of the Indian economy could be higher than the pre-pandemic levels, with year-on-year growth at 20.7 per cent. The report expects the sector’s contribution to reach around 215 billion USD. This is 1 per cent higher than the 2019 levels. Jobs in this sector is also expected to grow to almost 35 million, which is 8.3 per cent higher than the previous year. |