1. QUANTUM ENGINE
TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT:A team of physicists in Germany has developed a new type of quantum engine that works by flipping the identity of atoms.
EXPLANATION:
- The engine is still in its early stages of development, but it could have far-reaching implications for the future of energy production and computing.
- The new quantum engine is based on a theoretical concept called the Pauli engine, which was first proposed in 2003.
- The Pauli engine is a type of heat engine that converts the energy difference between two quantum states of a group of atoms into work.
HOW IT WORKS:
- The engine works by exploiting a fundamental difference between two types of subatomic particles: fermions and bosons.
- Fermions are particles that obey the Pauli exclusion principle.
- It means that no two fermions can occupy the same quantum state at the same time.
- Bosons, on the other hand, do not obey the Pauli exclusion principle, which means that they can all occupy the same quantum state.
- The engine works by starting with a group of fermions that are cooled to very low temperatures.
- At these temperatures, the fermions will all occupy the lowest energy level possible.
- However, if the fermions are then exposed to a strong magnetic field, their energy levels will change, and they will be forced to occupy higher energy levels.
- This process is known as a Bose-Einstein condensation (BEC).
- Once the fermions have been converted to bosons, they can be used to power the engine.
- The engine works by exploiting the fact that bosons have a lower energy than fermions.
- By flipping the identity of the atoms back and forth between fermions and bosons, the engine can release energy.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS:
- The new quantum engine could have a wide range of potential applications.
- For example, it could be used to develop new types of batteries and fuel cells that are more efficient and have a higher energy density than current technologies.
- It could also be used to develop new types of quantum computers that are more powerful and faster than current computers.
CHALLENGES:
- One of the main challenges facing the development of the new quantum engine is that it is still very inefficient.
- The current prototype engine has an efficiency of only about 25%.
- However, the researchers believe that they can improve the efficiency of the engine significantly in the future.
- Another challenge is that the engine is very sensitive to temperature.
- It only works at very low temperatures, close to absolute zero.
- This means that the engine would need to be cooled using a cryogenic system, which would be expensive and complex.
CONCLUSION:
- The new quantum engine is a promising new technology with the potential to revolutionize energy production and computing.
- However, there are still a number of challenges that need to be overcome before the engine can be commercialized.
2. INDIAN OCEAN RIM ASSOCIATION
TAG: GS 2: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
THE CONTEXT:The Indian Ocean Rim Association’s (IORA) Council of Ministers (COM) held in Colombo on October 11 was attended by foreign ministers and senior officials of the 23-nation grouping of countries with the theme “Reinforcing Indian Ocean Identity”.
WHAT IS THE IORA AND HOW WAS IT FORMED?
- The Indian Ocean Rim Association includes 23 countries from Africa, West Asia, South Asia, South East Asia, Australia and littoral states situated in and around the Indian Ocean.
- Its apex body is the Council of Foreign Ministers which meet annually.
- The grouping moves by rotation through members every two years.
- Sri Lanka took charge as Chair 2023 from Bangladesh, and India is Vice-Chair, meaning that the troika of IORA is within the South Asian region.
- IORA’s membership includes 23 countries: Australia, Bangladesh, the Comoros, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Oman, Seychelles, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, the UAE and Yemen.
- It also has 11 dialogue partners: China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Russia, Türkiye, the U.K. and the U.S.
- The IORA was formed in 1997 (then called the Indian Ocean Region-Association for Regional Cooperation) in Mauritius.
- Itsgenesis came from a speech Nelson Mandela gave in Delhi in 1995.
IMPORTANCE OF THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION:
- A third of the world’s population (2.6 billion people) live in the region.
- 80% of global oil trade, 50% of the world’s containerised cargo and 33% of its bulk cargo passes through it.
- The region produces a combined total of $1 trillion in goods and services and intra-IORA trade is billed at around $800 billion.
- IORA, remains a “safe space” for India and other countries of the region that wish to keep out the constant challenge of big-power rivalries.
- India’s other regional organisations, like SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation), face their own challenges.
- While the QUAD (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), has made progress, it remains U.S.-led, along with military allies Australia and Japan.
- Meanwhile, China is actively trying to rope in India’s neighbours with groupings like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China-Indian Ocean Region Forum on Development Cooperation, China-South Asian Countries Poverty Alleviation and Cooperative Development Centre, which exclude India.
- IORA membership is based on consensus, and Pakistan has not been admitted to the grouping since it first applied in 2001.
- Because it has not extended MFN (most favoured nation) status to India, making the IORA a less contentious space for India as well, compared to groupings like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
IORA’s FOCUS:
- According to its charter, the IORA’s seven priority areas are
- Maritimesafety and security;
- Tradeand investment facilitation;
- Fisheriesmanagement;
- Disasterrisk management;
- Academic;
- Science and technology;
- Tourism and cultural exchanges; and
- Gender empowerment.
- The IORA also runs a special fund in addition, disbursing $80,000-$150,000 for project grants to members, and has a particular focus on climate change.
- Strategic issues and the importance of keeping a free and open sea lane, guarding against piracy, have become an integral part of the discussions.
- Speaking at the conference this year, External Affairs Minister of India stressed the importance of maintaining the Indian Ocean as a “free, open and inclusive space” where there was “respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
3. AMUR FALCONS
TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT:The Manipur Forest Department will carry out a head count of Amur falcons-the world’s longest travelling raptors- in Tamenglong district.
EXPLANATION:
- The district’s forest unit as well as Tamenglong based Rainforest Club Tamenglong (RCT) are all set to hold a series of programmes jointly to spread awareness among the villages.
- Tamenglong’s district magistrate also released an order, banning on hunting, catching, killing and selling of the birds and using of air guns during the raptors’ roosting period.
IMPORTANCE OF THE HEAD COUNT:
- The head count will provide valuable data on the population of Amur falcons in Manipur, which is essential for developing effective conservation strategies.
- The data will also help to identify any new or emerging threats to the birds.
- The head count is an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of Amur falcons and the need to protect them.
- The head count is also a sign of the Manipur Forest Department’s commitment to conserving Amur falcons and other wildlife in the state.
THREATS TO THE AMUR FALCON:
- Habitat loss:
- Amur falcons rely on a variety of habitats during their migration, including grasslands, woodlands, and wetlands.
- However, these habitats are increasingly being lost to development, agriculture, and other human activities.
- Hunting:
- Amur falcons are hunted for food and for sport in some parts of their range.
- This is a major threat to the species, especially in areas where populations are already declining.
- Pesticide poisoning:
- Amur falcons can be poisoned by pesticides that are used in agriculture.
- This is a particular threat to the birds during their wintering grounds in Africa, where pesticides are often used intensively.
- Climate change:
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- Climate change is also a threat to Amur falcons.
- As the climate warms, the birds are forced to change their migration patterns and habitats.
- This can make it more difficult for them to find food and nesting sites.
AMUR FALCONS:
- The Amur falcons are locally known as Akhuaipuina.
- They usually arrive in Manipur in thousands, mostly in Tamenglong in mid-October from their breeding grounds in South Eastern Siberia and Northern China.
- Feeds on dragonflies that follow a similar migration path over Arabian Sea.
- These pigeon-sized birds undertake a yearly journey covering up to 22,000 km(longest sea crossing of any raptor).
- They leave the region at November-end after having enough food for their non-stop flight to Africa, where they spend their winters.
- They also cross over the Indian Ocean between Western India and tropical East Africa, a journey of more than 4,000 km, which also includes nocturnal flight.
- This bird is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972.
- Migrates west through India and across the Arabian Sea to Southern Africa
- Flyway: East-Asian Australasian and African Eurasian
- Population of more than 1,000,000 breeding individuals.
4. DECLINE IN POLLINATION IN TROPICAL AREAS
TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT:According to a new study led by researchers from the University College London and the Natural History Museum, tropical crops like coffee, cocoa, watermelon and mango, face a potential crisis due to the loss of insect pollinators.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE STUDY:
- According to the United States Department of Agriculture, three-fourths of the world’s flowering plants and about 35 per cent of the world’s food crops depended on animal pollinators to reproduce.
- Using a dataset containing 2,673 sites and 3,080 insect pollinator species, the researchers showed that the combined pressures of climate change and agricultural activities have led to large reductions in insect pollinators.
- The researchers looked at which pollination-dependent crops were most at threat till 2050.
- The number of insects that pollinate those plants declined by 61 per cent.
- The highest risk to crop production from pollinator losses will be in the tropical regions of sub-Saharan Africa, South America and Southeast Asia.
- In terms of total production potentially at risk, China, India, Indonesia, Brazil and the Philippines emerged as being most at risk.
- Among crops, cocoa was estimated to be at the highest risk, by a large margin, especially in Africa, followed by mango, particularly in India, and watermelon in China.
- The main factors driving this decline were identified to be destruction of habitat, improper land-use such as grazing, fertilisers and crop monoculture of farming, along with high pesticide use.
FACTORS DRIVING THE DECLINE OF INSECTS POLLINATION:
- Altered climate and change in land-use have reduced the number of insects pollinating key tropical crops.
- Destruction of habitat,
- Improper land-use such as grazing
- Fertilisers
- Crop monoculture of farming, along with high pesticide use.
WAYS TO PROTECT INSECT POLLINATORS:
- Protect and restore natural habitats, such as forests, grasslands, and wetlands.
- Reduce the use of pesticides, especially systemic pesticides, which can harm insect pollinators even at low doses.
- Plant pollinator-friendly plants in gardens and other urban areas.
- Support sustainable agricultural practices that promote biodiversity.
- Educate the public about the importance of insect pollinators and how to protect them.
POLLINATION:
- Pollination is the process of transferring pollen from the male part of a flower to the female part of a flower.
- This is essential for the reproduction of many plants, including many of the crops that we rely on for food.
POLLINATION PROCESS:
- There are two main types of pollination: self-pollination and cross-pollination.
- Self-pollination:
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- This is when pollen from the male part of a flower is transferred to the female part of the same flower. Self-pollination is common in some plants, such as beans and peas.
- Cross-pollination:
-
- This is when pollen from the male part of one flower is transferred to the female part of another flower. Cross-pollination is common in many plants, such as fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
IMPORTANCE OF POLLINATION:
- Cross-pollination is important for crop production because it can lead to higher yields and better-quality crops.
- For example, cross-pollinated tomato plants produce more fruit and larger fruit than self-pollinated tomato plants.
- Insect pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and moths, play a vital role in the cross-pollination of crops.
- When insects visit flowers to feed on nectar, they pick up pollen on their bodies.
- When they visit another flower, they transfer the pollen to the female part of that flower.
- The loss of insect pollinators is a serious threat to global food security.
- It is estimated that insect pollination contributes over €153 billion to the global economy each year.
- The loss of insect pollinators could lead to higher food prices and reduced food availability, especially for poor and vulnerable populations.
5. INDIAN RAILWAYS UNLIKELY TO MEET ASSET MONETISATION TARGET
TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY
THE CONTEXT: As per reports, the Indian Railways is unlikely to meet the asset monetisation targets given to it for the four-year period ending 2024-25.
EXPLANATION:
The National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP), proposed a monetisation target of Rs 1.52 lakh crore for the railways till FY25 but it has been able to achieve only a lower single-digit percentage of this goal.
Figures:
- During the FY22- FY25 period Indian Railways had the second largest target under the NMP which is 26% of the total value over 4 year period.
- It has managed to achieve asset monetisation of around Rs 30,000 crore against the target of Rs 57,222 crore in FY23.
Reasons for the skewed response to NMP in Indian Railways:
- The station redevelopment projects which were initially proposed in a public-private partnership (PPP) mode are now implemented under engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) mode.
- Attempts to privatise train operations have also not seen the success as envisaged owing to the pandemic and also due to risky nature of contracts skewed towards the interest of
- Higher premiums being the deciding factor for the winning bid and restrictions on routes and train timings etc are some reasons
- Indian Railways is a monopsony which also enhances the risk perception.
National Monetisation Pipeline:
- Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs in August 2021 launched the asset monetisation pipeline of Central ministries and public sector entities as ‘National Monetisation Pipeline’.
- Under the ambitious NMP, the government identified 13 sectors – including airports, railways, roads, shipping, gas pipeline among others to be privatised as the government aims to monetise its brown-field infrastructure assets.
- It is considered as one of the key factors in fulfilling the government’s goal of providing universal access to high-quality and affordable infrastructure to its citizens.
- The NMP estimated aggregate monetisation potential of Rs 6 lakh crores through core assets of the Central Government, over a four-year period, from FY 2022 to FY 2025.
