1. THE SIENA GALAXY ATLAS (SGA)
TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: Recently, astronomers have created a stunning atlas of nearly 400,000 galaxies in the cosmic neighbourhood of the Milky Way, aptly named the Siena Galaxy Atlas (SGA).
THE SIENA GALAXY ATLAS (SGA):
- This remarkable feat was achieved using data from three astronomical surveys conducted between 2014 and 2017 at the Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO) and Kitt Peak National Observatory (KPNO), collectively known as the DESI Legacy Surveys.
- The cosmic atlas is a digital atlas that was created to get to know our universe better through several of the known galaxies.
- NGC 520 is one of the largest and brightest galaxies in the Siena Galaxy Atlas. It is made of two disk galaxies that will eventually merge together to form one massive system.
- A selection of 42 galaxies from the Siena Galaxy Atlas illustrates the tremendous range of galaxy types, sizes, colours and surface brightness profiles, internal structure, and environments of the galaxies in the SGA.
- IC 4212 is a barred spiral galaxy located in the constellation Virgo. It is situated close to the celestial equator, meaning it is at least partly visible from both hemispheres in certain times of the year.
HOW IS IT DIFFERENT FROM OTHER ATLASES?
- It is dependent on state-of-the-art digital images captured by advanced technology, unlike previous atlases which relied on antiquated equipment and photographic plates.
- As it is built on the images captured with highly sensitive instruments, it boasts of having the most accurate data.
- It is also the first cosmic atlas to feature the light profiles of galaxies - a curve that describes how the brightness of the galaxy changes from its brightest point to its dimmest.
HOW DOES IT CONTRIBUTE TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE UNIVERSE?
- Comprehensive and detailed view of nearby galaxies:
- The SGA provides a comprehensive and detailed view of nearly 400,000 galaxies in the cosmic neighbourhood of the Milky Way.
- This is a significant increase over previous atlases, which typically included only a few thousand galaxies.
- The SGA’s large sample size allows astronomers to study the statistical properties of galaxies in more detail, and to identify rare or unusual objects.
- High-quality data:
- The SGA is based on high-quality digital images captured with highly sensitive instruments.
- This results in much higher data quality than previous atlases, which were often based on photographic plates.
- The SGA’s high-quality data allows astronomers to make more accurate measurements of the sizes, shapes, colours, and luminosities of galaxies.
- Publicly available data:
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- The SGA is freely available to the public online, anyone can access and use the data for their own research or educational purposes.
- The SGA’s public availability will help to democratize astronomy and encourage more people to participate in the scientific process.
2. MANUAL SCAVENGING
TAG: GS 2: GOVERNANCE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
THE CONTEXT: The Supreme Court has issued a landmark ruling ordering the central and state governments to completely eradicate manual scavenging, a dehumanizing practice that has trapped individuals in inhumane conditions for generations.
EXPLANATION:
- The ruling comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) against manual scavenging and underscores the need for a comprehensive effort to eradicate this deplorable practice.
- The petition has highlighted that people were still dying in sewers though the practice was banned with the introduction of the Employment of Manual Scavengers and Construction of Dry Latrines (Prohibition) Act, 1993 and the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act, 2013.
- The court’s decision stipulates significant compensation for the families of those who lose their lives while cleaning sewers.
- Under the new guidelines, the next of kin of individuals who die during sewer cleaning operations will receive Rs 30 lakh in compensation.
- Those who sustain permanent disabilities while engaging in sewer cleaning will be awarded a minimum compensation of Rs 20 lakh, and up to Rs 10 lakh can be provided for other injuries.
- The court has issued a total of 14 directives to both central and state governments, focusing on the effective implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act of 2013.
- In its ruling, the court emphasized the importance of rehabilitating victims of manual scavenging and their families.
- The court directed the government to provide scholarships and skill development training to help victims transition to new livelihoods.
- The Supreme Court also reminded the Union and State governments of their duty to eliminate manual scavenging, as discrimination based on factors such as caste, race, or religion is strictly prohibited under the Constitution.
- The court asserted that genuine fraternity and dignity are fundamental values crucial to the well-being of society.
- To prevent sewer-related deaths, the government agencies must collaborate and coordinate their efforts.
- The high courts have been encouraged to monitor such cases closely. The Supreme Court has scheduled further monitoring of this matter for February 1, 2024.
PROHIBITION OF EMPLOYMENT AS MANUAL SCAVENGERS AND THEIR REHABILITATION ACT, 2013:
- It is wider in scope and importance, acknowledging the urgency of rehabilitating manual scavengers.
- The act seeks to prohibiting manual scavenging in all forms and ensures the rehabilitation of manual scavengers to be identified through a mandatory survey.
KEY FEATURES OF THE ACT:
- Prohibits the construction or maintenance of insanitary toilets.
- Prohibits the engagement or employment of anyone as a manual scavenger and violations could result in a years’ imprisonment or a fine of INR 50,000 or both.
- Prohibits a person from being engaged or employed for hazardous cleaning of a sewer or a septic tank.
- Offences under the Act are cognizable and non-bailable.
- Calls for a survey of manual scavengers in urban and rural areas within a time-bound framework.
3. SUBSIDIARY BODY ON SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE (SBSTTA)
TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: Recently, the 25th meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-25) in Nairobi, Kenya came with recommendations that would help Parties move from “agreement to action” after the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) in Dec 2022.
EXPLANATION:
- The outcome is important considering that only six years remain to ensure that the targets of the Framework are achieved.
- The major agenda of the meeting was to develop a monitoring mechanism for progress, and the implication of the recently completed assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES); and the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
- The latest IPBES report pointed out the role invasive species play in extinction of plants and animals.
- The Methodological Assessment Report on the Diverse Values and Valuation of Nature; and the Thematic Assessment Report on the Sustainable Use of Wild Species by IPBES were also discussed.
- Findings from IPCC AR6, suggested that climate change is the main driver of the loss of biodiversity.
- The biodiversity provides capacity to nature to support climate adaptation, resilience, mitigation and disaster risk reduction were discussed too.
FINDINGS OF THE MEETING:
- Need for urgent action to address the biodiversity crisis:
- The meeting noted that the current rate of biodiversity loss is unprecedented in human history, and that this loss is having a significant impact on human well-being and the economy.
- The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) provides a clear roadmap for action:
- The meeting welcomed the adoption of the KMGBF and noted that the Framework provides a comprehensive set of goals and targets for addressing the biodiversity crisis.
- The meeting recommended to develop and implement robust monitoring and reporting systems to track progress towards the goals and targets of the KMGBF.
- Increasing financial and technical support for biodiversity conservation:
- Current levels of funding for biodiversity conservation are far below what is needed to achieve the goals of the KMGBF.
- Increasing financial and technical support for biodiversity conservation is recommended by the COP.
- Building the capacity of stakeholders to implement the KMGBF:
- Many stakeholders, including government officials, local communities, and the private sector, will need support to implement the KMGBF.
- Mainstreaming biodiversity into all relevant sectors, such as agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and energy.
- Raising public awareness about the importance of biodiversity:
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- Public awareness of the biodiversity crisis is low, and that this needs to be addressed in order to build support for conservation efforts.
SUBSIDIARY BODY ON SCIENTIFIC, TECHNICAL AND TECHNOLOGICAL ADVICE (SBSTTA):
- It is established as an open-ended intergovernmental scientific advisory body as per the Article 25 of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- It is a committee of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- The COP is the highest decision-making body of the CBD, and it is composed of representatives of all Parties to the Convention.
- SBSTTA is responsible for providing scientific and technical advice to the COP on matters relating to the implementation of the CBD.
- In 1994, India along with other countries adopted the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
- It is an international treaty which focuses on three main goals:
- conservation of biological diversity,
- sustainable use of its components, and
- the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.
4. INS IMPHAL
TAG: GS 3: INTERNAL SECURITY
THE CONTEXT: Yard 12706 (Imphal), the third Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer was delivered to the Indian Navy on 20 October, 2023.
INS IMPHAL:
- The Project is a follow-on of the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade.
- It is designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai.
- This ship is a hallmark of indigenous shipbuilding and is amongst the most technologically advanced warships in the world.
- The ship was constructed using indigenous steel DMR 249A.
- It is a guided missile destroyer with a displacement of 7,400 tons and an overall length of 164 meters.
- Imphal is a potent and versatile platform equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, including surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles and torpedoes.
- Powered by a Combined Gas and Gas Propulsion Plant (COGAG), comprising four gas turbines, she is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h).
- The ship boasts of a high indigenous content of approximately 75% that includes Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (BEL, Bangalore), BrahMos Surface-to-Surface Missiles (BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi), Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai), Anti-Submarine Indigenous Rocket Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai) and 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (BHEL, Haridwar).
- The delivery of Imphal is an affirmation of the impetus being given by the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’.
- The induction of the destroyer is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of large number of stake holders and would enhance the maritime prowess of the country in the Indian Ocean Region.
5. REGIONAL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (RRTS)
TAG: GS 3: ECONOMY
THE CONTEXT: The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS Corridor at Sahibabad RapidX Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh.
EXPLANATION:
REGIONAL RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (RRTS):
- It will be known as NaMo Bharat.
- It is India’s first semi-high-speed regional rail service project.
- It is constructed by the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is a joint venture company of the Central government and the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
- It is indigenously manufactured with a designed speed potential of 180 kmph and operational speed potential of 160 kmph.
- It is a new rail-based, semi-high-speed, high-frequency commuter transit system with a design speed of 180 kmph.
- A total of eight RRTS corridors have been identified for development in the National Capital Region, out of which three corridors have been prioritised to be implemented in Phase-I — Delhi Ghaziabad Meerut, Delhi-Gurugram-SNB-Alwar and Delhi-Panipat.
- The priority section of the RRTS Corridor between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot has five stations — Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot.
- The foundation stone for the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor was laid by Prime Minister Modi on March 8, 2019.
- The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS being developed at a cost of more than Rs 30,000 crore.
- It will connect Delhi to Meerut in less than an hour of travel time going through the urban centres of Ghaziabad, Muradnagar, and Modinagar.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE RRTS:
- RRTS being developed in the country, is a state-of-the-art regional mobility solution and is comparable to the best in the world.
- It will provide safe, reliable and modern intercity commuting solutions in the country.
- In line with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the RRTS network will have extensive multi-modal integration with Railway stations, Metro stations, Bus services etc.
- Such transformative regional mobility solutions will
- Boost economic activity in the region;
- Provide improved access to employment, education &
- Healthcare opportunities; and
- Help in the significant reduction of vehicular congestion & air pollution.
