IASNOVA
Content visible only to IASNOVA PRO Subscribers
To Subscribe, Click Here
1. Pandaram Lands
- Lakshadweep administration is actively numbering trees on Pandaram lands.
- Pandaram lands definition according to the Laccadive Minicoy and Amini Islands Land Revenue and Tenancy Regulation, 1965:
- Lands where the government had proprietary rights before the regulation commenced.
- Includes lands where the government may acquire rights under this or any other law.
- Jenmam land: Defined in the 1965 regulation as land over which a person holds proprietary rights according to the customary law of the Islands.
2. Coffee Club
- Uniting for Consensus (UfC), also known as Coffee Club, formed in the 1990s.
- Objective:
- Expand non-permanent seats in the UN for regional inclusivity.
- Oppose the creation of new permanent seats and limit veto powers.
- Membership:
- Consists of 12 countries and 2 observers, including a P5 country.
- Notable members include Italy, Turkey, Pakistan, among others.
3. DIANA Initiative:
- Recently approved establishing an accelerator and two test centers in Finland.
- Created by NATO to enhance dual-use innovation across member countries.
- Supports companies with resources, networks, and guidance for developing deep technologies.
- Aims to address key defence and security challenges like operations in denied environments and collective resilience threats.
- Membership includes all NATO nations.
4. Public Stake Holding and Peace Clause- WTO
- WTO’s 13th Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi ended without a permanent solution for the public stockholding (PSH) issue, heavily advocated by India.
- PSH Policy: Allows governments to buy crops at Minimum Support Price (MSP), storing and distributing to the needy; limited by a subsidy cap of 10% for developing and 5% for developed countries.
- Global Divide: Developing countries, including India, seek higher subsidy limits and formula changes for calculating price support; developed countries oppose, citing market distortion.
- Peace Clause & India’s Stand: Temporary solution allows PSH without dispute till a consensus is reached; India seeks a permanent solution and changes to subsidy calculation.
5. CODEX COMMITTEE ON SPICES AND CULINARY HERBS (CCSCH)
In its 7th session held in Kochi, CCSCH finalized quality standards for 5 spices – small cardamom, turmeric, juniper berry, allpice and star anise. It also forwarded the same to CAC for adoption as full-fledged Codex standards.
- Codex Standards: International documents including standards, codes of practice, hygiene practices, guidelines, and recommendations designed to ensure food safety and quality globally.
- Nature: These texts are voluntary and do not bind national food legislation, allowing countries to choose whether to adopt them.
- Codex and WTO: The WTO Agreements on Sanitary and Phyto-sanitary Measures (SPS) and on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) recommend that members align their national regulations with these international standards to streamline global trade practices.
6. Petroleum Exploration and Production
- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) initiated the first crude oil production from its Cluster-2 project in the deep-sea areas of the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin in the Bay of Bengal.
- Petroleum Basins in India:
- Composition and Location: Consists of diverse rocks and sediments, notably source rocks (shale formations) rich in oil and gas.
- Extent: 26 sedimentary basins cover 3.4 million square kilometers across India, with 49% on land, 12% in shallow waters, and 39% in deep waters, extending to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
- Categories: Basins are categorized into three levels based on the maturity of hydrocarbon resources.
- Extraction Methods:
- Offshore Drilling: Conducted in marine environments such as the Arabian Sea or Bay of Bengal.
- Onshore Drilling: Performed on land across various sedimentary basins.
- ONGC’s Role: Stands as India’s largest oil and gas producer, contributing to 72% of the country’s output.
India is 3rd largest energy and oil consumer in world.
7. Triple dip La Niña
A recent study has revealed that the unprecedented triple dip La-Niña had peculiar impact on air quality in peninsular as well as North India.
- A triple-dip La Niña is a rare event that occurs when the La Niña effect lasts three years in a row.
- La Niña is a phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
- Factors responsible for the uniqueness of the triple-dip La Niña of 2020–2023
- The 2020–2023 triple-dip La Niña was distinct as it did not follow a strong El Niño.
- So far, it was believed that strong El Niños cause a significant loss of heat from the equatorial Pacific Ocean to the atmosphere and to higher latitudes. This creates a large ocean heat deficit that can take years to recover.
8. Biomineralization
- Biomineralisation: Natural process where organisms produce minerals to form hard structures like coral skeletons.
- Coral Conservation: Research focuses on biomineralization to understand coral adaptation to climate change and acidification.
- Mechanism: Corals use calcium carbonate to build skeletons; environmental stressors impair this ability.
- Recent Study: Berkeley Lab revealed complex biomineralisation processes in corals using advanced imaging techniques, crucial for predicting coral responses to ocean acidification
- Marginal Environments: Corals in extreme conditions show lower calcification rates, making their skeletons more porous yet maintaining growth rates, suggesting resilience strategies
Biomineralisation research helps understand how corals adapt to environmental stressors, with recent studies using advanced techniques to reveal complex processes. Efforts like cryopreservation aim to preserve coral genetic diversity for future restoration.
9. Iran Pakistan Conflict
- Iran’s Strikes: Targeted Jaish al-Adl, a Sunni Islamist group active in Iran.
- Pakistan’s Response: Focused on Baloch Liberation Army and Baloch Liberation Front, active separatist groups in Pakistan.
- Iran-Pakistan Border: Known as the Goldsmith Line, 909-km long, from Afghanistan tripoint to the Arabian Sea.
- Baloch Population: Approximately 9 million across both sides—Pakistani Balochistan and Iranian Sistan and Baluchestan.
- Baloch share linguistic, ethnic, and religious connections across borders.
- Deep-rooted issues with Pakistani and Iranian governance.
10. Energy Transition Index 2023: WEF
- Ranking: India ranked 67th in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Energy Transition Index (ETI) 2023.
Highlights:
- India only major economy with accelerating energy transition momentum; Singapore also notable for balanced progress.
- Top Performers: Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Switzerland.
- G20 Countries: France (7), Germany (11), U.S. (12), U.K. (13).
- Global Trends: ETI scores increased by 10% since 2014; only 41 countries show steady progress.
Contributors and Concerns for India
- Progress: Universal electricity access, clean cooking, renewable energy.
- Concerns: Import dependence, carbon-intensive energy mix.
- Recommendations: Promote clean energy, innovation, energy efficiency, public-private partnerships, and invest in low-carbon technologies.
11. Havisure Vaccine
- Recent Launch by Indian Immunologicals Ltd (IIL): IIL, a subsidiary of the National Dairy Development Board, launched ‘Havisure,’ India’s first indigenously developed Hepatitis A vaccine, in Hyderabad.
- Havisure Vaccine:
- Dosage: Administered as a two-dose series, with the first dose given at or after 12 months of age, and the second dose at least six months following the first.
- Recommendations: The vaccine is recommended for routine immunization of children and for individuals at increased risk due to exposure or travel to areas with high Hepatitis A incidence.
- Target Groups: Particularly advised for people with occupational risks of infection and those suffering from chronic liver diseases.
- Hepatitis A:
- Cause: Caused by the Hepatitis A virus (HAV).
- Transmission: Primarily spread through ingestion of food or water contaminated with feces from an infected person.
- Nature of Infection: Hepatitis A typically presents as an acute (short-term) infection, unlike some forms of hepatitis that can develop into chronic (long-term) conditions.
12. Renewables Report 2023- IEA
- IEA Report: The International Energy Agency’s Renewables 2023 report highlights the progress and challenges in the renewable energy sector.
Highlights of the Renewables 2023 Report
- Record Growth: Global renewable capacity additions surged by 50% to 510 GW in 2023, with China leading in solar PV and wind.
- Power Mix: Renewables projected to surpass coal by 2025; wind and solar PV dominant by 2028.
- Regional Growth: Accelerated growth in US, EU, India, Brazil; Middle East and North Africa also improving.
- India’s Forecast: Adding 205 GW by 2028, doubling 2022 capacity.
- Solar PV: Prices dropped by 50% in 2023, boosting adoption.
- Biofuel and EVs: Emerging economies driving biofuel expansion; biofuels and renewable electricity in EVs to offset oil demand by 2028.
Challenges
- Financial Constraints: Inadequate financing in developing economies, rising interest rates.
- Grid Bottlenecks: Integration challenges due to rapid deployment.
- Wind Industry: Supply chain disruptions, especially in offshore wind.
Recommendations
- Governments: Urged to triple renewable power capacity by 2030.
- Policy and Infrastructure: Address policy uncertainties, invest in grid infrastructure, ease administrative barriers, and enhance financing in emerging economies.
13. India’s NDC Targets
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are climate action plans to reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts, submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement.
- They are crucial for meeting the global temperature goals of keeping warming well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.
- NDCs include targets for greenhouse gas emissions reductions, renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, and other climate-related goals.
- They are updated every five years to reflect increased ambition and progress.
India’s NDC has three main elements:
- An emissions-intensity target of 45% below 2005 levels by 2030;
- A target of achieving 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel-based energy resources by 2030; and
- Creation of a carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 GtCO2e through additional forest and tree cover by 2030.
14. Chilika Lake – Odisha
- Brackish water lagoon at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal
- It is the largest coastal lagoon in India
- 2nd largest coastal lagoon in the world
- It has been listed in UNESCO World Heritage tentative list.
- Largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent.
15. Tsomoriri – Jammu and Kashmir
- Freshwater to brackish lake
- Borax laden wetlands
- Only breeding ground outside China for the Black Necked crane– endangered species
- Only breeding ground for Bar-Headed Geese in India
- Habitat for- The great Tibetan Sheep or Argali & Tibetal Wild Ass which are endemic to Tibetan plateau
- Barley fields at Korzok – highest cultivated land in the world
- 400 year old Korzok monastery is situated here
- Lake is considered holy by Buddhist communities and water is not used
- It is designated as WWF Sacred Gift for the Living Planet.
16. Concern Over Gibraltar Strait Subduction Zone
A recent study by scientists in Portugal predicts the ‘Ring of Fire’ subduction zone beneath the Gibraltar Strait may lead to the Atlantic Ocean’s closure in 20 million years.
- Scientists concerned about Atlantic Ocean’s future due to Gibraltar Strait subduction zone.
- Gibraltar Strait: Between Spain and Morocco, meeting point of Eurasian and African Plates.
- New subduction system similar to Pacific’s Ring of Fire may form in Atlantic.
- African Plate subducting beneath Eurasian Plate, causing seismic activity.
- Predicted westward expansion of subduction zone over 20 million years.
- Subduction could shrink ocean basin, potentially closing Atlantic Ocean.
- Current 125-mile subduction zone could expand to 500 miles, termed “subduction invasion.”
Subduction Zones
Definition: Subduction zones are regions where one tectonic plate slides beneath another into the Earth’s mantle. This process typically involves an oceanic plate descending beneath a continental plate due to differences in density.
Mechanism:
- Oceanic-Continental Subduction: The denser oceanic plate subducts beneath the lighter continental plate.
- Oceanic-Oceanic Subduction: When two oceanic plates converge, one subducts beneath the other, forming deep oceanic trenches.
- Continental-Continental Collision: Although less common, when two continental plates converge, they create mountain ranges instead of a subduction zone.
Geological Features:
- Trenches: Deep depressions in the ocean floor, such as the Mariana Trench, formed by the subducting plate.
- Volcanic Arcs: Chains of volcanoes on the overriding plate, such as the Andes and the Cascades, formed by melting of the subducted plate.
- Earthquakes: Frequent seismic activity along the subduction interface, often producing some of the world’s most powerful earthquakes.
17. GREEN MINERALS
- Often referred to as “minerals of the future”, green minerals are metals and other mineral resources that are needed to support the transition to clean energy technologies aimed at reducing carbon emissions. These include — bauxite, cobalt, copper, lithium, granite, manganese and nickel.
18. Electoral Bonds (EBs):
- Interest-free bearer bonds for political donations, available in denominations from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 crore.
- Can be bought by individuals and companies from specified SBI branches, requiring a KYC-compliant account.
- 15-day life span for donation use to political parties, maintaining donor anonymity.
- No purchase limit; donations are tax-exempt under specific Income Tax Act sections.
- Eligibility for Parties: Must be registered under Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and have obtained at least 1% of the votes in the last significant election.
- Must be done by eligible parties through a designated account, with the donation amount disclosed to the Election Commission.
19. FDI in Space
- FDI Policy Amendment in Space Sector:
- Union Cabinet approved FDI between 49-100% in the space sector.
- Automatic Route:
- Up to 74% FDI for satellite manufacturing, operation, data products, ground and user segments.
- 100% FDI for manufacturing satellite components, systems/sub-systems for satellites, ground segment, and user segment.
- Up to 49% FDI for launch vehicles, spaceports, associated systems/sub-systems.
- Government Approval Required:
- Above 74% for satellite activities and beyond 49% for launch-related activities.
- Previously limited to establishing and operating satellites with government approval.
- Goals and Impact:
- Attract investors, improve business ease, stimulate investment, income, and job growth.
- Aligns with Indian Space Policy 2023 to boost private sector role, enhance capabilities, and establish a commercial space presence.
- FDI policy reform aimed at liberalizing entry, providing clear guidelines for space-related investments.
- Consulted with stakeholders like IN-SPACe, ISRO, NSIL, and the industry for policy formulation.
- Expected to increase private participation, generate employment, facilitate technology absorption, and support ‘Make In India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.
20. Dugongs
(Dugong has come in the past in Prelims exam)
- Dugongs, often referred to as “sea cows,” are herbivorous marine mammals inhabiting warm coastal waters from East Africa to Australia, primarily feeding on seagrass in shallow meadows which are vital for their survival.
- They belong to the order Sirenia, which includes manatees, and are noted for their social nature, forming groups that vary in size based on food availability and habitat conditions.
- Dugongs face multiple threats including habitat loss, entanglement in fishing gear, hunting, and marine pollution, leading to their classification as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN due to declining populations and habitat degradation.
- In India, dugongs are found in regions rich in seagrass such as the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Gulf of Kutch.
21 . Decline in Pampore Saffron
- Decline in saffron production in Khrew, Pampore, Pulwama district, Kashmir; only one farmer remains.
- Numerous cement industries impact saffron quality and quantity.
- Saffron from Crocus sativus L. flower; used as a spice.
- Kashmir is the world’s second-largest saffron producer with 11-12 tonnes annually.
- Kashmiri saffron has high crocin content (8%), enhancing color and medicinal properties.
- Cement factory dust harms saffron flowers, reducing quality and quantity
