May 29 2024

Recently, Major Radhika Sen, an Indian woman peacekeeper, who served with the UN mission in Congo, will be honored with a prestigious military gender advocate award.

UN Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award

  • About: Created by the Office of Military Affairs within the Department for Peace Operations (DPO), the Award recognises a military peacekeeper who has the best integrated a gender perspective into peacekeeping activities. 
  • Selection Process: Awardees are chosen from nominees put forward by Force Commanders and Heads of Mission from all peace operations.
  • Recognition: Award’ recognises the dedication and efforts of an individual military peacekeeper in promoting the principles of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. 

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Recently, the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) launched “PRAGATI- 2024” (Pharma Research in AyurGyan And Techno Innovation). 

PRAGATI-2024

PRAGATI-2024 aims to encourage joint research endeavors between CCRAS and the Ayurvedic pharmaceutical industry, fostering innovation and expansion within the Ayurveda domain.

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)

Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) operates as an independent body under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy), Government of India.

  • Aim: Founded in 1978, its mission is to organize, coordinate, advance, and advocate for research in Ayurveda and the Sowa-Rigpa medical system using scientific principles.
  • Objectives: Conducting studies to scientifically validate the effectiveness of Ayurvedic practices.
    • Advancing and popularizing Ayurvedic science through research and educational initiatives.
    • Fusing traditional Ayurvedic approaches with modern medicine to enhance overall healthcare services.

Achievements of CCRAS

  • Ayurvedic Formulation Development: CCRAS has created numerous significant Ayurvedic formulations and technologies, which have been patented and brought into commercial use.
  • Ayurveda Morbidity Codes: CCRAS has devised morbidity codes and standardized terminologies to establish uniformity in Ayurvedic practice.
  • AYUSH Research Portal: An extensive repository of Ayurvedic research, encompassing data on medications, case reports, and clinical trials.

Prominent Initiatives

  • Golden Triangle Partnership: A joint endeavor involving CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research) and ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) to bolster the scientific verification of Ayurvedic practices.
  • Tribal Health Care Research Program: Geared towards cataloging ethno-medical wisdom and scientifically validating its efficacy.

AYUSH Medicine System

AYUSH stands for the various medical systems practiced in India, including Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy.

  • Evolution of AYUSH: In 1995, the Department of Indian Medicine and Homeopathy was established within the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
    • In 2003, this department underwent a name change to become the Department of AYUSH, with a concentrated emphasis on education and research in Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy.
    • Establishment of the Ministry of Ayush in 2014: Aiming to revitalize ancient medical systems’ knowledge and facilitate the optimal growth and dissemination of Ayush healthcare systems.

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Recently, the Vice-President of India visited National Aerospace Limited (NAL) facilities and laid the foundation stone of the Centre for Carbon Fiber and Prepregs in Bengaluru.

Center for Carbon Fiber and Prepregs

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), CSIR-NAL established an integrated facility for carbon fiber and prepregs in 2003 with the focus on indigenizing the carbon fiber development from polyacrylonitrile based precursor fiber.

National Aerospace Laboratories

  • About: NAL is a research organization in India specializing in aerospace research and was established by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research in 1959.
  • Goal: Its primary focus is developing civilian aircraft in India, and it works closely with HAL, DRDO, and ISRO. 

Carbon Fiber

Carbon fiber is a material that is made by heating fibers of carbon to a high temperature in the absence of air.  The heating process removes all impurities and other non-carbon elements, leaving behind a high-strength, low-weight material. 

  • Carbon Fiber Dependency: At present, India does not manufacture carbon fiber domestically, depending entirely on imports from nations like the US, France, Japan, and Germany.

Advantages of Carbon Fiber Compare to Other 3D-Printed Materials

  • Enhanced Strength for Structural Use: The advantage of carbon fiber printed parts is the increased strength when compared to other 3D-printed materials.
    • Most 3D-printed parts are made out of PLA or ABS which are relatively weak, meaning the parts cannot be used for structural purposes.

Properties of Carbon Fibers

  • Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Carbon fibers surpass steel in tensile strength while maintaining a much lighter weight.
  • Superior Elastic Modulus: Comparable to or surpassing metals such as aluminum and steel, carbon fibers exhibit remarkable stiffness.
  • Minimal Thermal Expansion: Carbon fibers experience little expansion or contraction with temperature changes, making them ideal for high-temperature uses.
  • Chemical Resistance: Resistant to corrosion and chemical deterioration, carbon fibers boast enhanced durability in challenging conditions.
  • Versatile Electrical Properties: Initially conductive, carbon fibers can be engineered to showcase semiconducting or insulating characteristics.

Pre-preg Carbon Fiber

Pre-preg carbon fiber refers to unidirectional carbon fiber sheets that have been impregnated with resin prior to use. 

Applications of Pre-preg Carbon Fiber

  • Aerospace: Pre-preg carbon fiber is widely used in the aerospace industry for the manufacture of aircraft components, such as wings, fuselage, and other structural parts.
  • Sports: Pre-preg carbon fiber is used in the manufacture of high-performance sports equipment, such as golf clubs, tennis racquets, and bicycles. 
    • The strength and stiffness of pre-preg carbon fiber provide improved performance for athletes.
  • Automotive: Pre-preg carbon fiber is used in the automotive industry for the manufacture of high-performance racing car components, such as body panels, chassis, and suspension parts. 
    • The low weight and high strength of pre-preg carbon fiber make it ideal for use in the automotive industry.
  • Renewable Energy Sector: Employed in wind turbine blade construction and solar panel frameworks to enhance energy efficiency and dependability.
  • Maritime Sector: Utilized in boat hulls, masts, and rigging to lessen weight and enhance buoyancy and stability.

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Recently, The commerce ministry had organized a two-day “Chintan Shivir” for formulating strategies and standard operating procedures for free trade agreements.

Free Trade Agreement

  • Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are arrangements between two or more countries or trading blocs that primarily agree to reduce or eliminate customs tariff and non tariff barriers on substantial trade between them.
    • Classification: Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
  • Current FTA Negotiations : India is currently negotiating an FTA with the UK, European Union and a widening deal with Australia & also reviewing a trade deal with Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries. 
    • India completed negotiations with UAE, Mauritius and a mini trade deal with Australia.

 

Key Highlights of Chintan Shivir on FTA Strategy and SOP  for Trade Negotiations

Key Themes and Session:

  • Economic Assessment and Modeling of FTAs: Experts emphasized the need for comprehensive economic studies and models like Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) for guiding FTA negotiations to synergies between trade and investment policies. 
  • Incorporation of New emerging areas in FTAs: They discussed trade strategy and vision 2047 & inclusion of environment, labor, gender, and indigenous peoples in trade agreements
  •  Services and Digital Trade in FTAs: They talked about cross-border supply, data sovereignty, consumer protection, and cybersecurity & discussed India’s data adequacy issues under EU’s GDPR and e-commerce challenges. 
  • Standard Operating Procedures for FTA Negotiations:  Exports focused on the evolution and benefits of SOPs in enhancing trade agreements. & Stressed the importance of stakeholder consultations and real-time drafting of agreements. 
  • Capacity Building and FTA Resource Management: In the note they highlighted the role of FTAs in national security and regulatory cooperation & also emphasized interdisciplinary support and the utilization of resources from Indian embassies/missions. 
    • They also highlighted the challenges and solutions for implementing domestic laws and international treaties.
  • Utilization of FTAs to Address Emerging Sectors: Experts deliberated on supply chain constraints, critical minerals, and the impact of geopolitical influences.

Conclusion 

Overall Discussions were held to chart a strategic path for India’s future FTA negotiations & Balancing geopolitics and geoeconomics, and integrating non-trade issues in FTAs. 

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Recently, Cyclone rain-triggered landslides in the northeast & collapse of a stone quarry in Aizawl, Mizoram spotlights needs for building resilience to multistate disaster.

What is landslide and Its Causes?

Landslides are sudden movement of rock, boulders, earth or debris down a slope is termed as landslide.

  • Factor: when the pull from gravity exceeds the strength of the geomaterial forming the slope of a hill or mountain.

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Causes of landslides

Landslides

  • Due to Natural Factors: Occurs mainly in mountainous terrains where there are conducive conditions of soil, rock, geology and slope. 
  • Natural causes that trigger it include heavy rainfall, earthquakes, snow melting and undercutting of slopes due to flooding. 
  • Due to the Anthropogenic activities:  such as excavation, cutting of hills and trees, excessive infrastructure development, and overgrazing by cattle.

Landslide Concerns & Vulnerability

India is among the top five landslide-prone countries globally, where at least one death per 100 sq km is reported in a year due to a landslide event.

  • According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI), About 0.42 million square km of India’s landmass, or about 13% of its area, spread over 15 states and four Union Territories, is prone to landslides, 
    • This covers almost all the hilly regions in the country. 
  • North Eastern States: About 0.18 million square km, or 42% of this vulnerable area is in the Northeastern region, where the terrain is mostly hilly.
    • Between 2015 and 2022, the eight states in this region, including Sikkim, recorded 378 major landslide events which resulted in loss of life or damage to property. 
    • These events constituted 10% of all major landslides in India during this period.
  • In the country as a whole, Kerala saw the largest number of landslides 2,239 most of which occurred after the disastrous 2018 floods in the state. 

Landslide Trigger Multi-hazard Disasters

One event can trigger another, and can lead to multiple disasters simultaneously.  Over the last few years, India has witnessed events in which heavy rainfall has resulted in a breach of glacial lakes, causing flash floods that have resulted in landslides and flooding. 

  • Effect: Massive power outages, transport and communication failures, disruption of health services, and difficulties in rescue and relief operations have followed.
  • Lack of Regulations & Ineffective Implementation: Many hilly areas lack proper building regulations & not enforced effectively. The risk from landslides has been exacerbated by the failure to maintain terrain’s ability to withstand the load. 
    • New constructions, infrastructure development, and agricultural practices can heighten the risk of landslides.

Why is it difficult to predict landslides?

  • Complexity of Geomaterials: Underneath the ground, geomaterials consist of multiple, intertwined layers of various rocks and particulate materials like sand, silt, and clays. 
    • Their strength can vary significantly, from a factor of one to 1,000, and their spatial distribution influences slope stability.
  • Incomplete Data and Uncertainty: Accurate slope stability assessment necessitates three-dimensional mapping of these materials and their strengths. 
    • No sensor can provide this comprehensive information that forces geologists and geotechnical engineers to rely on partial data from select locations and extrapolate it to the entire slope.
  • Runout Distance and Safe Zones:  While it is known that larger landslides have longer runout distances, predicting the exact size of a landslide is difficult, making the determination of runout distances and safe zones uncertain. 
  • Timing of Landslides: To Determine when a landslide will occur is also uncertain. 
    • Only Mechanical analysis can estimate the vulnerability of a slope under specific scenarios, including earthquake magnitude and groundwater distribution. 
    • However, To predicate the timing of these triggers is as challenging as predicting weather and seismic activity.

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What are the Measures taken by the Government which need to be expedited?

To effectively mitigate and manage landslide risks, the government has initiated several measures aimed at early warning and sustainable development. These efforts, ranging from advanced rainfall prediction systems to the implementation of the National Landslide Risk Management Strategy, are crucial in reducing the impact of landslides on vulnerable communities. Below is a summary of the key measures and their current status.

Early Warning

  • An early warning system is still being tried out & deployed on a trial basis at a few locations. 
  • These warning systems are linked to rainfall forecasts from IMD. 
  • The rainfall prediction is combined with soil and terrain information to calculate whether it is likely to result in displacement of land.

In any case, since earthquakes themselves cannot be predicted, we cannot have a landslide early warning based on earthquakes. But rainfall-based early warning systems for landslides seem to work well. 

Rainfall forecasts

  • Reliable location-specific predictions are available at least a day in advance. 
  • Scientists create a rainfall threshold for land movement and soil displacement at each landslide-prone location.
  • If the rainfall forecast is higher than the threshold, an early warning for landslides is issued.
  • Usually, a single day’s rainfall does not trigger landslides, unless there is a cloudburst event. Sustained heavy rainfall over a week or 10 days is what becomes dangerous.

A National Landslide Risk Management Strategy (2019)

  • It mentions vulnerability mapping, identifying the most vulnerable locations, development of an early warning system, and preparation of mountain zone regulations

The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA)

  • It has been working with GSI and other agencies to mitigate and manage the risks from landslides. 

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Need for Regulated & Sustainable  Development

  • Development is essential for infrastructure and economic activities but it must be regulated by maintaining the area’s carrying capacity.
Also Read: Landslide Susceptibility Map For India: By IIT Delhi
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Recently, A devastating landslide struck several remote villages in the mountainous Enga province in Papua New Guinea, estimates place the death toll between 690 and 2,000 people, with thousands more missing.

About Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea is an island country situated in the south-western Pacific. It covers the eastern part of New Guinea, shares its land border only with Indonesia.

Papua New Guinea

  • Neighbors : Indonesia to the west, Australia to the south, and the Solomon Islands to the south-east.
  • Capital: Port Moresby
  • Language & Ethnicity:
    • English is the primary language for government and commerce, while Tok Pisin is the most commonly spoken language in everyday situations. 
    • It is the most diverse country globally, with over 800 languages spoken. 
  • It is a constitutional monarchy &  gained independence on September 16, 1975.

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A gene called SaSS6 and its variants, implicated in the developmental process of an embryo is likely to cause microcephaly.

Implications of SASS6 Gene Variants in Embryonic Development and Microcephaly

  • The Chinese Study: Researchers at the Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University, China, presented “The genetic findings of members of a nonconsanguineous Chinese couple with a history of microcephaly and foetal growth restriction during their first pregnancy”.
    • Published In: The paper was published in the American Journal of Medical Genetics.
    • Finding: 

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SASS6 Gene:

  • SASS6 (SAS-6 Centriolar Assembly Protein) is a Protein Coding gene. 
  • Discovery: Researchers discovered the SASS6 gene in the roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans in a study conducted in 2004.
    • They found that the protein that cells made using this gene was conserved across animals, meaning natural selection allowed this protein to exist in all members of the animal kingdom.
  • The SASS6 gene encodes a protein that has 657 amino acids. This protein assembles new centrioles during the cell division process. 
    • The genes contain instructions for cells to make structures called centrioles 
  • Diseases associated:  Mutations in SASS6 cause diseases like  Microcephaly 14, Primary, Autosomal Recessive and Primary Autosomal Recessive Microcephaly.
  • Mutation causing Microcephaly: The researchers were able to describe the mutation correlated with microcephaly in a study of a consanguineous Pakistani family of which four members had microcephaly. 
    • The mutation is named,  Ile62Thr, and is a result of the amino acid isoleucine at position 62 been replaced by threonine.
      • The Result of the study reinforced the role of the  SASS6 gene in causing microcephaly, and reveals an expanded view of the phenotype and mutation spectrum associated with this gene.
      • If one copy of the SASS6 gene was non-functional, the other retained at least some function. The implication was that if both copies are non-functional, the human embryo dies before it becomes a foetus.
  • The German Study: Researchers at the University of Cologne, Germany, in a study conducted this year reported,
    • To have modified the mouse embryo-derived cells to remove all functional SASS6 genes
    • Findings: 
      • Centriole: The cells were able to make passable, if also abnormal, centrioles even after the genes were removed.
      • The Stage of Neuron development: At this point, when the cells were nudged to develop into neurons, all the centrioles made without using the gene’s recipe disappeared, and the cells couldn’t differentiate into neurons.

About Microcephaly

Microcephaly is a rare neurological condition in which an infant’s head is much smaller than the heads of other children of the same age and sex. 

  • Causes: Microcephaly usually is the result of a problem with brain development which can be caused by a variety of factors like,
    • MicrocephalyConsanguinity and genetic risk: A study on a clinic level has found that 70%+ cases of congenital microcephaly come from consanguineous marriages with greater the risk of an individual inheriting a mutated copy of a gene from both parents.
      • Consanguineous marriages are conducted between closely related individuals, such as between uncle and niece or between first cousins.
    • Genetic changes: Genetic mutations or an underlying genetic condition leads to disease like Down syndrome and microcephaly.
    • MicrocephalyDecreased oxygen to the fetal brain (cerebral anoxia): Certain complications of pregnancy or delivery can impair oxygen delivery to a baby’s brain.
    • Infections during pregnancy: Certain infections can be passed to the womb during pregnancy causing brain underdevelopment like,  toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, German measles (rubella), chickenpox (varicella) and Zika virus.
    • Substance use disorder: Consumption of drugs, alcohol or certain toxic chemicals in the womb  may affect fetal brain development during pregnancy.
    • Uncontrolled phenylketonuria or PKU: Phenylketonuria (PKU) hampers the mother’s ability to break down the amino acid phenylalanine and may affect brain development of the fetus during pregnancy.

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Recently, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has launched three major initiatives – PRAVAAH portal, the retail direct mobile app and a fintech repository.

PRAVAAH Portal (Platform for Regulatory Application, VAlidation and AutHorisation)

PRAVAAH  portal is a secure and centralized web-based portal for any individual or entity to seek authorisation, license or regulatory approval on any reference made by it to the Reserve Bank.

  • Features: On the portal, 60 application forms covering different regulatory and supervisory departments can be submitted online.
    • On the portal, an entity can track/monitor the status as well as RBI can send a decision related to a specified application in a time bound manner.
    • More application forms would be made available as may be required. 

Need of PRAVAAH Portal

  • Regulatory Requirements: Different entities must obtain licenses or authorizations to conduct activities regulated by the RBI. 
    • Additionally, regulated entities need to periodically seek specific regulatory approvals from the RBI under various statutes and regulations.
    • Presently, the application and approval processes occur through a combination of online and offline methods.
  • Streamlining Financial Sector Compliance: The 2023-24 Union Budget has emphasized the necessity to streamline, simplify, and minimize the cost of compliance for financial sector regulators. 
    • This includes establishing defined timeframes for processing applications under various regulations.
  • Role of PRAVAAH: ‘PRAVAAH’ will eventually cover all kinds of applications submitted to the RBI across its functions.

Retail Direct mobile app

The retail direct mobile app will provide retail investors a seamless and convenient access to the retail direct platform and provide ease of transacting in government securities (G-Secs).  

  • Launching of Retail Direct Portal:  In November 2021, the Retail Direct Scheme was launched, granting individual investors the opportunity to hold gilt accounts with the RBI and engage in government securities investment.
    • A Gilt Account functions similarly to a bank account, with the distinction that it is debited or credited with treasury bills or government securities rather than currency.
  • Advantage of the App: With the launch of the retail direct mobile app, retail investors can now transact in G-Secs using the mobile app on their smartphones.
  • Features of the App: Through this application, investors can purchase both central and state government bonds, along with Treasury bills.
    • It facilitates buying securities in primary auctions and executing buy/sell orders through the Negotiated Dealing System-Order Matching system (NDS-OM) platform.

Benefits of Retail Direct Scheme

  • Direct Access: Within the scheme, small investors have the opportunity to directly purchase or sell government securities (G-Secs), or bonds, without the need for an intermediary such as a mutual fund.
  • Zero Default Risk: With the government as the borrower, there’s a sovereign guarantee for the funds, ensuring zero risk of default.
  • Interest Rate Advantage: Additionally, government securities may provide more attractive interest rates compared to bank fixed deposits, contingent upon prevailing interest rate trends.

About FinTech Repository

The FinTech Repository aims to capture essential information about FinTech entities, their activities, technology uses, etc. 

About Fintech:

  • Definition: Fintech,  a combination of the terms “financial” and “technology,” refers to businesses that use technology to enhance or automate financial services and processes.
    • FinTechs, both regulated and unregulated, are encouraged to contribute to the repository.
  • Management of the Repository: The FinTech Repositories are secure web-based applications and are managed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a wholly owned subsidiary of RBI.
  • Functions: The repository would enable availability of aggregate sectoral level data, trends, analytics, etc that would be useful for both policymakers and participating industry members.

EmTech Repositories

A related repository for only RBI regulated entities (banks and NBFCs) on their adoption of emerging technologies (like AI, ML, Cloud Computing, DLT, Quantum, etc.), called EmTech Repository, is also being launched.

  • Ownership: EmTech Repositories are secure web-based applications and are managed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), a wholly owned subsidiary of RBI.

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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced the arrival of the southwest monsoon

Key Highlights Onset of Monsoon

  • The climatic conditions are favorable for the monsoon to reach the Kerala coast in the coming days.
    • The Southwest Monsoon is the primary rainy season for most of India, bringing much-needed water for agriculture.Onset of Monsoon
    • The Northeast Monsoon provides some rainfall to the southern peninsula, particularly Tamil Nadu.
  • Typical Monsoon Pattern
    • Andaman and Nicobar Islands: This region usually starts receiving monsoon rain between May 15 and May 20.
    • Kerala Coast: This region typically starts receiving rain in the last week of May.

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Meaning of Onset of Monsoon

Onset of Monsoon

  • Start of Monsoon Season: The onset of the monsoon (June-September)marks the arrival of the southwest monsoon over the Indian subcontinent.
    • This occurs when the monsoon winds reach Kerala, the southernmost state of India.
  • Starting months: This event usually happens around late May or early June.
  • Annual Rainfall: The southwest monsoon provides over 70% of India’s annual rainfall.
    • It is crucial for agriculture, water resources, and overall economic well-being.

Criteria for Declaring Monsoon Onset

The IMD broadly checks for consistent rainfall, its intensity, and wind speed over a specific area.

  • Rainfall Requirements
    • Consistency: At least 60% of 14 designated weather stations in Kerala and Lakshadweep must record a minimum of 2.5 mm of rain for two consecutive days after May 10.
    • The 14 designated stations are:
  • Minicoy
  • Amini
  • Thiruvananthapuram
  • Punalur
  • Kollam
  • Alappuzha
  • Kottayam
  • Kochi
  • Thrissur
  • Kozhikode
  • Thalassery
  • Kannur
  • Kasaragod
  • Mangaluru
  • Wind Speed and Direction: Westerly winds should reach up to 600 hectopascals (hPa) in the specified area from the equator to 10ºN latitude, and 55ºE to 80ºE longitude.
    • Zonal wind speed in the area from 5-10ºN latitude and 70-80ºE longitude should be around 15-20 knots (28-37 kph) at 925 hPa.
  • Heat Requirements- Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR): The OLR value should be below 200 watts per square meter  (wm²) in the specified region to confirm the onset.
    • OLR measures the energy emitted to space by the Earth’s surface, oceans
      • This measurement should be within the region bounded by 5-10ºN latitude and 70-75ºE longitude, as per IMD guidelines.

Factors Affecting South West Monsoon Formation

  • Differential Heating and Cooling
    • Land-Water Contrast: Variation in temperature between land and water creates low pressure over the Indian landmass and high pressure over the surrounding seas.
  • Position of Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
    • Summer Shift: During summer, the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) moves over the Ganga plain, approximately 5°N of the equator. 
      • This zone is also called the monsoon-trough. 
        • It influences monsoon formation.
  • High-Pressure Area over Indian Ocean
    • East of Madagascar: A high-pressure area exists east of Madagascar, around 20°S in the Indian Ocean. 
Feature Northeast Monsoon Southwest Monsoon
Direction North-East South-West
Season Winter (October-November) Summer (June-September)
Rainfall Amount Lower intensity Higher intensity
Affected Regions Southern Peninsula (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, etc.) Most of India (except North-West)
Origin Land (Siberian and Tibetan Plateaus) Sea (Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal)
Impact on Temperature Relatively drier, cooler Humid, warmer
      • The intensity and position of this area impact the Indian Monsoon.
  • Tibetan Plateau Heating: The Tibetan plateau heats intensely during summer, generating strong vertical air currents and forming low pressure about 9 km above sea level.
  • Influence of Jet Streams
    • Westerly Jet Stream: Movement of the westerly jet stream to the north of the Himalayas influences monsoon formation.
    • Tropical Easterly Jet Stream: Presence of the tropical easterly jet stream over the Indian peninsula during summer affects monsoon patterns.
  • Southern Oscillation (SO)
    • Pressure Reversal: Normally, high pressure occurs in the tropical eastern south Pacific Ocean and low pressure in the eastern Indian Ocean. 
      • However, in some years, this pattern reverses which is known as the Southern Oscillation (SO).

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Recently, Environmental activists have filed a lawsuit at an Oslo court challenging Norway’s proposal to carry out seabed mineral exploration, saying that authorities have not done sufficient impact assessment of the deep sea mining.

Deep Sea Mining

Deep-sea mining involves extracting minerals and metals from the seabed, typically at depths exceeding 200 meters. This practice holds promise for supplying essential resources to industries like renewable energy, electronics, and biotechnology.

  • Deep Ocean Resources: The deep ocean harbors abundant minerals and metals crucial for various sectors such as renewable energy, electric vehicles, and consumer electronics. 
  • Environmental Risks of Deep-Sea Mining: However, deep-sea mining poses significant risks and uncertainties. Its environmental impacts remain largely unknown and could lead to irreversible harm to marine ecosystems and biodiversity, which sustain life on Earth.

Climate Litigation Across the Globe

  • Climate Litigation: Climate litigation is a form of legal action that is being used to hold countries and companies accountable for their climate mitigation efforts and historical contributions to climate change.
  • Genesis: The phenomenon of climate change litigation originated in the United States, where the number of such cases is high, thanks to increasing awareness and a transition towards an ecocentric perspective.
    • The case of Juliana v. United States was pivotal, where a group of twenty-one young individuals sued the United States to demand both recognition of fundamental rights violations and a mandate to develop a plan for the progressive reduction and elimination of CO2 and fossil fuels.
  • Key Cases: In April, Europe’s highest human rights court sided with a group of 2,000 Swiss women, all over the age of 64, who sued their government for not doing enough to combat the adverse effects of climate change.
    • In August 2023, young plaintiffs from Montana, USA, succeeded in a case against their state government. The government was found guilty of violating the plaintiffs’ constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment.

Climate Litigation in India

  • Article 14 and Climate Change: The Supreme Court ruled that climate change impacts the right to equality, explaining that poorer communities would suffer disproportionately from severe food and water shortages caused by environmental degradation, thus affecting their right to equality.
  • Right to Clean Environment: The court recognized the long-standing right to a clean environment in Indian law and emphasized the need for a specific right to protection from the growing impacts of climate change.

Climate jurisprudence in India

  • Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra vs. State: Recognizing the right to a healthy environment as integral to human dignity under Article 21.
    • This landmark case marked the first instance in India where the Supreme Court intervened to stop illegal mining, highlighting the importance of environmental protection.
  • M.C. Mehta vs. Union of India: The Supreme Court declared the right to live in a pollution-free environment as part of the fundamental right to life under Article 21 of the Constitution.
  • Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991): In the case of Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar (1991), the Supreme Court ruled that the right to life encompasses the right to a healthy environment, emphasizing the government’s responsibility to safeguard and enhance the environment. 
    • The court highlighted that a clean environment is essential for the enjoyment of the right to life and personal liberty.
  • Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board vs C Kenchappa:In this  case the Supreme Court acknowledged the negative impacts of increasing sea levels and global temperatures.
  • MK Ranjitsinh And Ors. v. Union of India: In this  case the Supreme Court ruled that individuals possess a “right to be protected from the detrimental impacts of climate change,” a right discernible through the combined interpretation of Article 14 and Article 21.

Status of Climate Litigation in India

  • Role of Judiciary: Indian courts have been handling environmental issues linked to climate for a while now, even if not explicitly labeled as climate litigation.
    • The National Green Tribunal focuses on environmental matters, but cases related to these issues often end up in the High Court and Supreme Court too.
  • Potential for New Legal Precedents: The Supreme Court’s decision on the right against climate change may pave the way for a fresh legal framework that harmonizes human and socio-economic progress with environmental and climate concerns.
  • Efficacy of Judicial Decisions: Doubts linger regarding the effectiveness of court judgments on climate change, particularly in ensuring the enforcement of rights concerning its impacts.
  • Obstacles: Courts might not demonstrate the same level of proactive involvement in climate change cases as they do with other environmental issues, mainly due to the intricate nature of climate change and its socio-economic ramifications.

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The Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS-4) will be convened  (May 27-30) in Antigua and Barbuda, North America.

Fourth International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS-4) 2024

Small Island Developing States

  • Theme: Charting the course toward resilient prosperity
  • Aim: To Assess the ability of SIDS to achieve sustainable development, including the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals

About Small Island Developing States (SIDS)

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are a distinct group of 39 States and 18 Associate Members of United Nations regional commissions that face unique social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities.

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  • Located: The three geographical regions in which SIDS are located- the Caribbean, the Pacific, and the Atlantic, Indian Ocean and South China Sea.
  • Recognition: SIDS were recognized as a special case both for their environment and development at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Receive Support

Small Island Developing States

  • Regional Level: SIDS are supported by inter-governmental organizations, primarily the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) and the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).
  • UN Programmes of Action in Support of SIDS: 

    • Barbados Programme of Action (BPoA), 1994: It prescribed specific actions that would enable SIDS to achieve sustainable development. 
      • The Barbados Declaration is a statement of political will underpinning the commitments contained in the BPoA.
  • Mauritius Strategy, 2005: The Mauritius Strategy for further implementation of the BPoA was adopted to address remaining gaps in implementation.
  • SAMOA Pathway, 2014: It recognizes the adverse impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on SIDS’ efforts to achieve economic development, food security, disaster risk reduction and ocean management, among other challenges. 

Global Environment Facility & SIDS

  • The Global Environment Facility has provided $1.9 billion in grant finance to SIDS through national, global, and regional projects. 
  • The current GEF-8 funding cycle (2022 – 2026) continues to provide strong support and an emphasis on the needs of SIDS and Least Developed Countries (LDCs).

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Climate change has led to a rise in temperature and humidity, but the growing urban sprawl has also played a role in heating up Indian cities, which has resulted in the “urban heat island effect”.

Intensifying Heat Waves in Indian Cities

  • Report by the Centre for Science and Environment: The extreme summer months in Indian cities over the last two decades is due to rising temperature, relative humidity, a rapid increase in built-up areas and concretisation and changes in land use.
  • Consecutive Hot Year: This is the third straight year of severe heat waves in India, which have been far longer, over 10 days-long — this time than the usual four to eight days. 
  • Study by the United Kingdom’s Met Office: An earlier assessment said that the spell of record-breaking temperatures in India may occur every three years now instead of the previous time frame of about 300 years.

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About Urban Heat Island Effect

Urban Heat Island Effect

  • Refers: It occurs when urban areas witness higher temperatures than their rural surroundings. 
  • Occurrence: Urban heat islands result from complex interactions between built environments, natural factors, and human activities. 
    • This is mostly due to human activities, buildings and infrastructure in cities that absorb and retain heat more effectively than natural landscapes. 

Causes of Urban Heat Island

  • Use of Heat Absorbing Materials: Materials such as concrete and asphalt in urban areas absorb heat during the day and release it slowly, causing temperatures to remain elevated, especially at night.
    • Buildings with dark surfaces reduce the albedo and increase heat absorption.
  • Inappropriate Construction: When buildings are built adjacent to each other, it limits airflow and creates heat-trapping spaces between structures, causing higher temperatures.
  • Absence of Greenery: The absence of plants, trees, and green spaces in cities reduces natural cooling through shade, worsening the heat island effect.
    • Less Tree Cover: The lack of trees increases the risk of exposure to higher temperatures. In Indian cities, there are places with such poor density of trees as one tree for 50 people
      • There are some places where it could be as low as one tree for 450 people. All these contribute to worsening the urban heat islands effect.
      • According to a 2014 Indian Institute of Science report, the ideal tree-human ratio should be seven trees for every person. 
  • Urban Heat Island EffectHigh Energy Demands: Metropolitan cities have higher energy demands for things like transportation, industrial processes, and air conditioning, which release heat into the air, contributing to the urban heat island effect. 
    • The air conditioners emit hot air which further causes more heat thereby having a cascading effect.
    • Transportation systems produce a great amount of heat due to burning of fossil fuel which is beyond the carrying capacities of incoming cool winds.
  • Presence of Pollution: Urban heat islands have poorer air quality because more pollutants get trapped in the city. Warm water from cities also harms the quality of nearby streams, affecting the plants and animals living there.

Effects of Urban Heat Island

  • Health Hazards: This is a serious cause for concern as the heat stress continues to build, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses and even death.
    • It poses a grave risk to lives, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly, babies, pregnant women, those who live in slums and work outdoors.
  • Environmental Hazards: Urban heat islands may contribute to global warming by increasing overall temperatures in urban areas and beyond.
    • They lead to lower air quality due to more pollution as a result of increased fossil fuel consumption and the pollution in the region makes water bodies polluted.
    • One alarming consequence of this is that summer nights now offer little respite from the searing heat of the day, with cities across climatic zones not cooling down at the rate they once did. 
    • Urban heat islands could lead to temperature differences of up to six degrees centigrade within a given area or neighbourhood. 
      • This could change depending on the construction material used, the number of buildings around the area and the way it is built, the road materials that have been used and tree/green cover presence and density in the particular locality. 
      • Also the lack of water bodies can add to the heat effect. 
  • Power Outages & Increase in Energy Cost: All this also puts a strain on energy sources, leading to increase in energy costs and power outages when demand peaks.
    • As per study of the Resources for the Future, each 1°C increase in temperature raises energy demand by 0.5% to 5%, depending on the local level of air conditioning penetration.

Challenges that India Needs to Address

  • Lacking Behind in Tech Adoption: India’s tech adoption in weather and heat risk monitoring is improving but may not be at par with other developed countries that have sophisticated systems due to more resources allowing them to deploy more extensive networks and achieve higher-resolution data. 
    • Example: While leading Indian cities have seven to eight India Meteorological Development weather stations on an average, a comparable city like San Francisco would have more than 100 weather monitoring stations. 
  • Less Available Data: India’s focus on weather has been more on water risk and security and hence have more granular data on precipitation, while heat is not a consistent part of the monitoring process.
    • In developed economies, weather tracking is done by a variety of actors, from academic and research institutions to government bodies to the private sector. All of this rich data provides a much more nuanced understanding of scenarios.
  • Negligence in Enforcement: While more than 20 states have worked with the NDMA to create Heat Action Plans (HAP), most remain on paper. They are hampered by a lack of funding, granularity and a sustainable vision for transformation. 

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Are Heat Islands the same as Climate Change?

  • Heat islands and climate change are not the same, but they are related. 
  • Urban Heat Island EffectDifferences: Heat islands happen when cities are hotter than their surroundings, whereas, climate change is the long-term warming of the Earth due to gases in the air trapping heat. 
    • While heat islands don’t directly cause climate change, they make cities hotter, which can make climate change effects worse.
  • Concern: Cities are getting hotter because of both heat islands and climate change. 
    • As more people live in cities, the problem of heat islands gets bigger. This means cities will face even more heatwaves in the future. 
    • So, while heat islands don’t cause climate change, they make it worse for people living in cities. 

Case Study of Ahmedabad:

  • A Success Story: If there is a success story in heat tracking by an Indian city, it is certainly Ahmedabad, which turned a new leaf after the heatwave of 2010 which led to deaths of more than 2,000 people. 
  • Heat Action Plan: In 2012, Ahmedabad developed a heat action plan. 
    • This initiative included the deployment of temporary monitoring stations, satellite-based heat maps and early warning systems to identify areas vulnerable to extreme heat events. 
    • The data collected from these systems is helping inform decision-making and design interventions to mitigate the heat stress.

Present Scenario in India:

  • Now all over India, more than 24 cities and states are in the process of preparing ‘heat action’ plans demonstrating the value of using technology-driven evidence and decision-support systems to tackle urban heat issues.
  • The tech for mitigation is around building materials like cool roofing materials, reflective building materials, different varieties of paints, apart from having vertical gardens, urban forests and green infrastructure. There is work going on in several cities of Gujarat on this issue.

Way Forward

  • Sustainable Management: The urban heat islands issue is an urban design and development issue, which needs to be looked at from a bigger lens of economic policy, city management and sustainable living in cities.
    • Urban Heat Island EffectThere is a growing consensus among experts that city-specific management plans (Heat Action Plan), which take into account local factors, are a far more effective response to heat waves. Such plans should prioritise green spaces and water bodies and target all heat generators, including vehicles, industries and concrete surfaces.
      • Example: Ahmedabad’s Cool Roofs programme, which offers an affordable solution for the urban heat island effect. 
    • There is a need to adhere to environmentally sustainable solutions like Green Building Code which makes the building more eco-friendly.
  • Urban Heat Island EffectAdequate & Required Infrastructure: 
    • Build Green Roofs: These are an ideal heat island reduction strategy, providing both direct and ambient cooling effects. It also improves air quality by reducing the heat island effect and absorbing pollutants. 
    • Build Green Infrastructure: By planting trees and other vegetation to reduce the number of greenhouse gasses in the region and increase the evaporation and transpiration thus keeping the region cool. They also keep the surroundings cooler thereby decreasing the cost of air-conditioning.
    • Light Colours of Buildings: It helps in less absorption of heat by increased albedo and less heat retention.
  • Technological Advancements: In India, several tech innovations have enhanced weather and heat risk monitoring. And now, with AI, more advanced modelling techniques can be developed for weather forecasts which allow India to be prepared for heatwaves and other weather events.
    • Example: Japan and China are looking at cool pavements, where they are looking at light coloured paints, special coatings etc. that reflect sunlight and can help lower surface temperatures and mitigate heat island effects. Such innovations are being studied in Pune and Delhi.
    • Passive cooling technology is a widely-used strategy to create naturally ventilated buildings and can address the urban heat island issue.
      • The IPCC report cites ancient Indian building designs that have used this technology, which could be adapted to modern facilities in the context of global warming.
  • Innovations: There is also innovation of running cold water through pipes all across houses and many other architectural-led innovations for heat mitigation.
    • India needs to incorporate heat-resilient designs based on factors such as building orientation, location, materials to maximise shade, create green spaces, and promote natural ventilation which all can help mitigate urban heat island effects.
  • Focus on Individual Health Impact: The aspect of health tech is associated with heat stress, that is the provision of customised heat stress testing and customised alerts and medication based on vulnerabilities to heat or dehydration. This is not based on generalised guidelines but on customised individual data.

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Veer Savarkar Birth Anniversary 2024: Recently, The Prime Minister has paid tributes to Veer Savarkar on his Jayanti. 

Veer Savarkar Jayanti 2024

India celebrates Veer Savarkar Jayanti every year on May 28 to commemorate the birth anniversary of Vinayak Damodar “Veer” Savarkar.

  • Savarkar was a prominent freedom fighter and advocate for the development of the Hindu community.
  • He strongly advocated for the abolition of the caste system in India.
  • Savarkar encouraged the reconversion of individuals who had converted to other religions back to Hinduism.
  • As a politician, activist, and writer, Savarkar was a multifaceted figure.
  • He is credited with developing the Hindu nationalist political ideology of Hindutva while detained in Ratnagiri in 1922.
  • Savarkar became a leading figure in the Hindu Mahasabha, a right-wing Hindu nationalist organization.
  • His followers added the prefix ‘Veer’ (meaning brave) to his name in recognition of his contributions.
  • The glorification of Savarkar’s life and legacy remains controversial, especially within the context of contemporary Indian politics.

Biography of Vinayak Damodar Veer Savarkar

Veer Savarkar is also known as Swatantryaveer Savarkar or Veer Savarkar in Marathi, was a freedom fighter, politician, lawyer and a writer.

  • Born: on May 28, 1883, in Bhagur Village, Nashik, Maharashtra. 

Veer Savarkar 

Veer Savarkar’s Contribution in India’s Freedom Struggle

Veer Savarkar coined the Hindu nationalist ideology of ‘Hindutva’. and 

  • He was a pivotal leader in the ‘Hindu Mahasabha’ in 1907. 
  • Involvement in Politics: 
    • As a high school student, Savarkar became involved in politics and continued to do so at Fergusson College in Pune. 
    • During his legal studies in the United Kingdom, Veer Savarkar got involved in organizations such as the India House and the Free India Society.
  • Literary Work:  “The Indian War of Independence,” which depicted the Indian revolt of 1857.
  • Due to his association with the India House, He was arrested in 1910 and was deported to India.

Veer Savarkar’s Years in Prison

Savarkar was sentenced to two life imprisonments and was sent to the cellular jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, also known as Kala Pani, in 1911. 

  • During his prison years, He wrote a Hindu ideological pamphlet named Hindutva: Who is a Hindu?.
  • He was released from prison in 1924. 
  • After his release he played a major role in the ‘Ratnagiri Hindu Sabha’. 
  • From February 1966, Savarkar began to fast unto death, forsaking food, water and medicines . 
  • He passed away on February 26, 1966.

Organisations Associated to Veer Savarkar

Here are some organisations which were associated with Veer Savarkar;

  • Mitra Mela: 

    • It was the predecessor of Abhinav Bharat Society, formed in Nasik during his teenage years to spread national & revolutionary ideas.
  • Abhinav Bharat Society (Young India Society): 

    • Established with the support of his brother Ganesh Damodar Savarkar in 1904.
    • It attracted numerous revolutionaries and political activists, establishing branches across India and London. 
  • India House: 

    • Founded by Shyamji Kishan Verma in 1905, India House served as a hub for promoting nationalist sentiments among Indian students in London. 
  • Free India Society (in London in 1906):  

    • He established it by drawing inspiration from the ideals of Italian nationalist Mazzini.
  • Hindu Mahasabha:

    • Initially formed in 1907, it expanded to a national level in 1915, with eminent figures such as Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Lal Lajpat Rai.
    • He served as the president of Hindu Mahasabha for 7 years(1937-1943).

 

Also Read: Modern History

 

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