9 PM UPSC Current Affairs Brief 30 Jan, 2024

Mains Oriented Articles

GS PAPER - 2

Populism Does Not Help Public Health

Source: This post on Issues with Public Health in India has been created based on the article “Populism does not help public health” published in “The Hindu” on 30^th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Social Justice – Issues relating to Health.

Populism does not help public health, The article discusses the issues with public health in India and highlights steps that can be undertaken to deal with them.

What is The Current Status of Public Health and Nutrition in India?

As per the 5th National Family Health Survey 2019-21:

1. 35.5% of children under 5 were stunted.
2. 32.1% were underweight.
3. Prevalence of anemic children aged 6-59 months increased from 58.6% to 67.1%.
4. Prevalence of anemia increased from 54.1% to 59.1% among women aged 15-19 years.

This highlights a significant gap in public health efforts.

What are The Issues with Public Health in India?

1) Emphasis on Short-Term Results: Political leaders promote initiatives that promise immediate results, such as new hospitals, subsidised treatments, and populist health policies.

2) Budgetary Constraints: These short-term measures do not have much impact because of a lack of action beyond public announcements, due to budgetary constraints.

3) No Emphasis on Critical Areas: Attention is not given to critical areas such as sanitation, disease surveillance, and public health education, which are important to maintain population health and prevent disease outbreaks.
For instance, in the case of Dengue, immediate relief camps are set up but long-term strategies such as understanding vector control or developing effective vaccines is not undertaken.

4) Profit-Driven Pharma Sector: The pharmaceutical industry’s profit-driven nature often sidelines areas such as public health. For instance, socio-economic factors such as poverty result in disparity in availability of medicine (as seen in the case of TB).

5) Lack of a Comprehensive Approach: Public health requires expertise from various fields such as environmental science, sociology, urban planning, and economics. India’s current approach is physician-centric only.

 

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What Should be Done?

1) Focus on R&D: Research and development is crucial. For example, research related to vaccine development and the impact of climate change on disease vectors.

2) Separating Health from Political Processes: Public health decisions should be based on scientific evidence and long-term goals rather than short-term political interests.

3) Nutrition Support: Investments in nutrition programmes have positive long-term implications for health and productivity.

4) Comprehensive Approach: Effective public health management should encompass preventive measures, policy formulation, community health, environmental health, etc.

5) Autonomy to Health Ministries: Health Ministries can be placed directly under the leadership of elected officials, such as the CM or PM, like India’s space and the atomic energy departments. This would provide a degree of autonomy for them.

Question for practice:

What are the issues plaguing the public health sector in India? Suggest steps that can be undertaken to deal with these challenges.

UGC’s Draft Guidelines on Implementation of Reservation

Source: This post on Controversy over UGC’s Draft Guidelines on Implementation of Reservation has been created based on the article “Why UGC’s draft guidelines sparked outrage over ‘dereservation’ in faculty recruitment” published in “Indian Express” on 30^th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2 Social Justice – Mechanisms, laws, institutions and Bodies constituted for the protection and betterment of vulnerable sections.

News: The article discusses the controversy regarding UGC’s new guidelines on implementation of reservation in higher education.

Background:

The Union government and the University Grants Commission (UGC) recently issued clarifications that faculty positions in universities reserved for SC, ST, OBC, and EWS candidates will not be opened to the general category.

This was in response to a controversy surrounding new draft guidelines on the implementation of reservation in higher education issued by the UGC last month.

Why did UGC Issue The New Guidelines on Implementation of Reservation?

Since the 2006 guidelines of the UGC on implementation of reservation, there have been various changes in this field. For e.g. new DoPT circulars based on court orders.

It was observed that there was confusion regarding the existing rules on implementing reservations. The objective was to develop a fresh set of guidelines that would clarify the latest government position.

The document lists all the court cases and government orders related to the process of implementation of reservation in higher education.

What is The Controversy?

1) Dereservation Provision: The chapter on de-reservation that sparked controversy. It suggested that reserved posts could be dereserved in “exceptional cases”. It states that it can be done if a university can provide adequate justification.

2) Extends to Grade B, C and D Jobs: DoPT permits dereservation for Group A posts in exceptional circumstances. However, the draft UGC guidelines extend this provision to Grade B, C, and D posts.

Note: Dereservation means opening up faculty positions that were originally reserved for specific categories (SC, ST, OBC, EWS candidates) to applicants belonging to the general category if those positions remain vacant despite efforts to fill them.

What Happens to Unfilled Positions in Higher Education Currently?

Although the DoPT already permits dereservation in exceptional circumstances exclusively for Group A posts under the central government, this provision has not been implemented in higher education institutions.

Unfilled quota positions in universities are re-advertised and special recruitment drives are carried out till suitable candidates are identified.

What was The Government’s Reaction?

The Ministry of Education issued a clarification stating there is no new instruction permitting dereservation.

Question for practice:

What led to the controversy regarding UGC’s new guidelines on implementation of reservation in higher education?

Early Nutrition Impacts Understanding development

Source: The post effects of stunting has been created, based on the article “Early nutrition impacts cognitive development” published in “The Hindu” on 30th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- governance-Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Early Nutrition Impacts Understanding development, The article discusses how stunting from poor nutrition in early childhood affects a child’s brain development and learning. It also talks about India’s efforts to combat stunting through nutrition programs, improved sanitation, and educating mothers about child feeding and care.

What are The Different Studies Related to The Effects of Stunting?

Study by Sánchez et al. (2024): This study in ‘World Development’ explored the connection between early under-nutrition and four key cognitive skills developed later in childhood: working memory, inhibitory control, long-term memory, and implicit learning. The first two measure executive functioning. For example, study done in Ethiopia and Peru found that stunting at age 5 negatively impacts these cognitive functions.

Spears (2013) Study: This research focused on how improved sanitation in India can reduce the incidence of diarrhea and stunting, highlighting the importance of clean water and sanitation infrastructure.

NCERT’s National Achievement Test and Pratham’s Annual Status of Education Report: These Indian studies assess children’s enrollment and learning outcomes, providing insight into how stunting affects educational achievement.

Studies on Maternal Factors in India: Research in India has demonstrated that a mother’s height and education level are strong predictors of her child’s risk of stunting, underscoring the importance of maternal health and education in preventing stunting.

What are The Challenges in Measuring The Effects of Stunting on Child Development?

Specific Focus of Research: Research on the effects of stunting often concentrates on specific cognitive-achievement test scores, like math, reading, and vocabulary. This approach might not fully capture the broader cognitive impacts of stunting.

Achievement Tests and Cognitive Skills: Achievement tests, which are designed to assess knowledge acquired through schooling, may not accurately reflect a child’s inherent cognitive skills. These tests are influenced by both cognitive abilities and educational opportunities, complicating the assessment of stunting’s impact on cognitive development.

Influence of Behavioral Factors: The research tends to overlook behavioral factors, such as delayed school enrollment, which can be a consequence of stunting. These factors can significantly affect learning outcomes, thus impacting the evaluation of stunting’s true effects on cognitive development.

Complexity in Isolating Stunting’s Impact: Studies like the one by Sánchez et al. in ‘World Development’ use statistical techniques like household fixed effects to control for unobserved factors within a household. This is necessary to focus on the effects of variables like stunting on cognitive development, highlighting the complexity in measuring stunting’s effects accurately.

What Measures is India Taking Against Stunting?

Poshan Abhiyaan and Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS): These programs aim to enhance nutrition and overall development of pregnant women, mothers, and children. They focus on improving the quality and utilization of Anganwadi services.

Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission: India is improving sanitation and clean water facilities to reduce diseases like diarrhea. Better sanitation is linked to lower stunting rates.

 

Want To Know More-

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What Should be Done?

Promote Early Breastfeeding: Focus on early and continued breastfeeding for two years, coupled with appropriate complementary feeding starting at six months, as part of initiatives like the Mother’s Absolute Affection Programme.

Educate on Diet Diversity: Scale up community-based programs to educate parents about diversifying diets with locally available, nutrient-rich foods after six months of age.

Increase Childcare Center Staff: Add an extra Anganwadi worker to each center to double preschool instructional time, improving math and language scores, as evidenced by a trial in Tamil Nadu.

Question for practice:

Discuss the key studies related to the effects of stunting on child development and the challenges in measuring these effects.

Pros and Cons of Simultaneous Elections in India

Source: The post simultaneous elections in India has been created, based on the article “Pros and cons of simultaneous elections” published in “The Hindu” on 30th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper2- Indian Constitution- features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Pros and Cons of Simultaneous Elections in India, The article is about a proposal in India to hold simultaneous elections for the national parliament (Lok Sabha), state assemblies, and local bodies. It explores the benefits and challenges of this idea, focusing on aspects like cost, governance, and its impact on India’s democracy and federal system.

What is The Need for Simultaneous Elections in India?

To Reduce Election Costs: The cost of holding separate elections is high. With the Lok Sabha elections costing around ₹4,000 crore, adding state elections increases these costs. Simultaneous elections could drastically cut down these expenses.

To Avoid Constant Election Mode: Currently, political parties are in a continuous campaign mode due to frequent state elections. This distracts from governance and policy implementation. Simultaneous elections would enable a more focused approach to administration.

To Enhance Administrative Focus: Regular elections divert administrative resources and attention to election management. Simultaneous elections would free up these resources for more consistent governance throughout the year.

To Mitigate Social Polarization: The ongoing cycle of elections leads to polarizing campaigns, intensifying social divisions. Simultaneous elections would reduce the frequency of these campaigns, potentially easing social tensions.

What are The Challenges Involved in Holding Simultaneous Elections in India?

Overlapping of National and State Issues: Simultaneous elections could lead to national issues overshadowing regional ones, affecting the representation of state-specific concerns.

Reduced Feedback for Governments: Holding elections once every five years might limit the electorate’s ability to provide regular feedback, impacting policy responsiveness.

Need for Constitutional Amendments: Implementing simultaneous elections requires amending Articles 83, 85, 172, and 174 of the Constitution, which govern the duration and dissolution of the Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Additionally, amending Article 356, related to the President’s rule, is necessary.

Fixed Tenure Complications: Aligning the fixed tenure of both Lok Sabha and state assemblies is complex, especially when governments lose majority or seek early dissolution.

 

Want To Know More Topics-

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On Issues with Public Health in India – Populism do

 

What are The Various Recommendations Related to Simultaneous Elections in India?

Recommendations for Simultaneous Elections in India by Law Commission (1999, 2018) and Parliamentary Committees on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice (2015) are:

Staggered Election Cycles: Conduct Lok Sabha and half of the state assembly elections together, and the rest after two and a half years. This requires adjusting the tenures of current assemblies.

Linked ‘No-confidence’ and ‘Confidence’ Motions: Any ‘no-confidence motion’ should be accompanied by a ‘confidence motion’ for an alternative government. This discourages unnecessary dissolution of houses.

Shortened Tenure for Prematurely Dissolved Houses: If a house dissolves early, the new house should only serve the remainder of the original term. This aims to prevent frequent elections.

Annual By-Elections: Clubbing bye-elections caused by death, resignation, or disqualification, and conducting them once a year to streamline the process.

Way forward

Moving forward, apart from the measures already suggested, it’s essential to engage in a broad-based consensus among political parties, civil society, and constitutional experts. This collaborative approach can ensure that any shift towards simultaneous elections aligns with India’s democratic ethos and federal structure, while addressing practical challenges and respecting the constitutional mandate. This inclusive dialogue is key to successfully navigating the complexities of implementing simultaneous elections.

Question for practice:

Examine the key reasons for proposing simultaneous elections in India and the challenges associated with implementing this idea.

GS PAPER - 3

Improving Battery Technologies for Speedy EV Adoption

Source: This post has been created based on the article “Improving Battery Technologies for Speedy EV Adoption” published in “The Hindu” on 30^th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 Science and Technology – Developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.

News: The article discusses the working of the lithium battery in Electric Vehicles. Improving Battery Technologies for Speedy EV Adoption It also highlights the issues plaguing Li-ion batteries and discusses the efforts being made to improve EV batteries

What is The Current Status and Future Potential of EV Adoption in India?

EV sales recorded a 50% growth in 2023 compared to 2022. It comprises 6% of vehicles registered in 2023.

The future growth of EV adoption is dependent on advances in battery technology (better cost, longer range, faster charging and improved safety).

How does The Lithium Battery Work?

1. Lithium-ion battery consists of two electrodes (an anode and a cathode) separated by a liquid electrolyte.
2. Lithium atoms in the anode give up electrons which travel to the cathode through an external wire — this stream of electrons provide the current which powers the motor of the vehicle.
3. Simultaneously, lithium ions (now positively charged from loss of an electron) travel through the electrolyte to reach the cathode.

Why is Lithium The Material of Choice for EV Batteries?

1. Lithium has a high tendency to give up its electron.
2. Its small size enables the ions to efficiently travel between electrodes through the electrolyte.

This means lighter and smaller batteries with the ability to store large amounts of energy can be made.

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What are The Issues with Li-ion Batteries?

Energy Density: Its energy density, while high compared to earlier battery technologies, is low in comparison to petrol.

Long Charging Time: Batteries are slow to charge (compared to filling petrol at a pump).

Affordability: There is a need to make batteries more affordable and increase their life-span.

Environmental Concerns: These are primarily related to the mining of lithium and other elements (such as cobalt, nickel).

What are The Efforts being Made to Improve EV Batteries?

The efforts toward improving the EV battery can be broadly classified into three approaches:

1. Changes in the electrodes: An ideal electrode should be lightweight, store a lot of lithium; and be made of materials that are cheap, non-toxic and easily available.
2. Deploying sensing and control infrastructure: For instance, a Battery Management System (BMS) consists of sensors to measure parameters such as temperature, voltage, current, etc. This continuous monitoring can increase safety, extend battery life and speed-up charging.
3. Solid-State Lithium Battery (SSB): It seeks to replace the liquid electrolyte used in EV batteries (highly flammable). Also, it provides sufficient structural stability and good separation between the anode and the cathode, thereby replacing the carbon scaffolding used currently. This can greatly reduce the battery’s weight and improve charging speed.

What are India’s Prospects in EV Batteries Development?

1) Presence of EV Ecosystem: India has an expanding market, start-up-friendly environment, friendly government policies, and successful home-grown EV companies (Ather, Ola Electric).

2) R&D for Innovation: Fundamental research in material science at premier universities (IIT- Madras and Mumbai) and government research labs promotes innovation.

3) Semiconductor Industry: The semiconductor industry in India is also contributing advanced sensors and processors that will power the next generation of BMS.

Question for practice:

How do the lithium batteries of current EVs work? What are the issues with them? How can EV batteries be improved to improve their adoption?

Growth Mania Can be Injurious to Society

Source: The post inequality in India has been created, based on the article “Growth mania can be injurious to society” published in “The Hindu” on 30th January 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper3- Economy-growth, development and employment.

Growth Mania Can be Injurious to Society, The article discusses India’s economic growth and increasing inequality. Despite ambitions for a $5 trillion economy, growth has benefited the rich more, leaving many poor behind. This rising inequality impacts social issues and democracy, and the focus on just economic size may worsen these problems.

What is the current status of economic growth and inequality in India?

India’s growth has led to more inequality. Since the 1980s, the gap between rich and poor has widened, making India one of the most unequal societies.

World Inequality Report’, 2022 describe India as “a poor country with an affluent elite”.

Data from the Labour Bureau shows that from 2014 to 2022-23, real wages for agricultural labor slightly increased by 4.6%, but for non-agricultural workers, wages actually decreased.

Over the period 2014-23, real per capita income in India has increased by 37% while the real wage of agricultural labour has increased by less than 5%.

What are the challenges in estimating inequality in India?

Limited Data Availability: Government agencies are reluctant to supply complete data on inequality, making precise estimates challenging.

Gender Data Gap: There is a lack of wage data for women workers, who constitute a significant portion of the labor force in certain sectors.

Focus on Male Workers: Rural wage rate data from the Labour Bureau, while reliable, only covers male workers, leaving a gap in understanding the full wage trends.

Why is data on rural wage rates reliable in estimating inequality in India?

Market-Based Quotes: The rural wage rate data is based on actual market quotations, providing a realistic view of wages.

Non-Survey Based: Unlike survey responses, this data reflects real-world transactions, reducing biases or inaccuracies common in surveys.

Comprehensive Coverage: It covers a wide range of rural jobs, offering a broader perspective on wage trends in rural areas.

Indicative of Living Standards: Since a large portion of India’s workforce is in rural areas (51.7% according to sixth economic census of India reports), these wage rates are indicative of the living standards of a significant population segment.

What are the consequences of inequality in India?

Social Pathologies: Growing inequality in India is linked to increased violence, disease, and mental health disorders.

Impact on the Rich: Inequality affects all, with the affluent building gated communities for security, highlighting a divided society.

Eroded Trust: The trust between different societal groups diminishes, impeding collective efforts on public issues.

Hindrance to Public Goods: Efforts to improve public goods like sanitation and waste management face challenges due to inequality. Issues like open defecation continue, as commitment to public hygiene varies across different income groups.

Challenge to Democracy: Inequality poses a threat to democratic values, as it contradicts the principle of equitable opportunity for all.

Way forward

To address these challenges, India needs policies that balance economic growth with reducing inequality. This includes focusing on increasing wages, especially in rural areas, and ensuring equitable access to public goods. Strengthening data collection on inequality can also help in creating more effective policies.

Question for practice:

Discuss the consequences of rising inequality in India and how they impact various aspects of society.

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Following articles have already been covered in the 7 PM Articles of the day:

THE TYRANNY OF BACK-DOOR GOVERNANCE [LM] 
7 PM Article - Challenges faced by Urban Local Bodies In India- Explained Pointwise

Prelims Oriented Articles (Factly)

Gallantry awards

Source-This post on gallantry award has been created based on the article “Republic Day 2024: Over 1,100 personnel awarded Gallantry and Service medals.Details here” published in “Live Mint“on 25 January 2024.

Why in the news?

The Central Government has chosen 1,132 personnel from various services including police, fire service, home guard, civil defence, and correctional service for gallantry and service medals on Republic Day.

About Gallantry awards

Aspect	Detail
History	1) The first three gallantry awards namely Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, and Vir Chakra were instituted by the government of India on 26th January 1950. These awards are given during war time. 2) Three other gallantry awards — the Ashoka Chakra Class-I, the Ashoka Chakra Class-II, and the Ashoka Chakra Class-III — were instituted in 1952. These awards were renamed Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra in January 1967.These awards are given during peace time.
Objective	To honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the officers/personnel of the Armed Forces and others lawfully constituted Forces and civilians.
Frequency	Announced twice in a year – first on Republic Day and then on the the Independence Day
Order of precedence	Param Vir Chakra> the Ashoka Chakra> the Mahavir Chakra> the Kirti Chakra> the Vir Chakra >the Shaurya chakra.
Awarded by	1. The President every year at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. 2. However, the Param Vir Chakra and the Ashoka Chakra are conferred by the President to the awardees/NoKs on the occasion of the Republic Day Parade at the Rajpath.

NOTE-1) All the gallantry awards may be awarded posthumously.
2) Civilian citizens of either sex in all walks of life and members of Police Forces including Central Para-Military Forces and Railway Protection Force are eligible for Ashoka Chakra, the Kirti Chakra and the Shaurya Chakra.

UPSC Syllabus-Art & culture

Alpenglow Phenomenon

Source-This post on Alpenglow Phenomenon has been created based on the article “NASA astronaut shares photos of ‘alpenglow’ from space: What is it?” published in “The Economic Times” on 29 January 2024.

Why in the news?

Recently, NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara of the International Space Station shared some amazing photos of “alpenglow” phenomenon observed near Hindu Kush mountain range.

About alpenglow phenomenon

1) About– Alpenglow is an optical phenomenon that appears as a horizontal reddish glow near the horizon opposite to the Sun. This happens when the solar disk is just below the horizon.
2) Duration– It can occur during the twilight hours before sunrise or after sunset.
3) Colour range – Between red, pink and orange.

When does it occur?

Alpenglow occurs when direct sunlight around sunrise or sunset is reflected off airborne precipitation, ice crystals or particulates in the lower atmosphere, as the sunlight has no direct path to reach a mountain.

Some important points about Hindukush Himalayan Region

Range-It stretches over 3500 kilometers across eight countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar and Pakistan.
Major river-It is the source of ten of Asia’s largest rivers – the Amu Darya, Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong, Yangtse (Jinsha), Yellow River, and Tarim (Dayan).
Why it is called third pole?- It has the largest concentration of frozen water on Earth after the North Pole and South Pole.
Glaciers-There are an estimated 54,000 glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalayas. These glaciers cover 60,000 square kilometers and serve as a major source of the water in the region’s rivers.

UPSC Syllabus – Geography

UNRWA: United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees

Source-This post is based on the article “What is UNRWA, and why have Western countries paused its funding amid Gaza war?” published in “The Indian Express” on 30th January 2024.

Why in the News?

The United States and eight other Western nations, which contributed over half of UNRWA’s 2022 budget, withdrew their funding. This action followed accusations from Israel regarding the involvement of some agency personnel in the October 7 attack.

What is UNRWA?

Aspect	Details
Full form	UNRWA- (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) for Palestine Refugees
About	It is a specialized agency established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949.
Mandate	To provide assistance and protection to Palestinian refugees who were displaced following the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, as well as their descendants.
Operational domain	It operates in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan.
Funding	1. UNRWA receives generous support from UN Member States such as US, regional governments, and the European Union. 2. These sources represent close to 89.2 percent of financial contributions to the Agency. 3. It also gets a limited subsidy from the UN, which is used only for administrative costs. 4. Top donors of 2022- USA, Germany, EU, Sweden, Norway, Japan, France, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland and Turkey.
Key Programmes	It runs education, health, relief and social services, microfinance and emergency assistance programmes inside and outside refugee camps.

UPSC Syllabus- International Organisations

Dalma wildlife sanctuary

Source – This post on Dalma wildlife sanctuary has been created based on the article “Dalma Wildlife Sanctuary to offer ‘canopy walk’ facility by mid-Feb” published in “The Times of India” on 21 January 2024.

Why in the news?

Dalma wildlife sanctuary is setting up canopy walk facility to encourage eco-tourism.

About Dalma wildlife sanctuary

Aspect	Detail
About	The Sanctuary gets its name from the “Dalma mai“, a local goddess who is revered and worshiped by the local people.
Location	The sanctuary lies on the Chota nagpur Plateau of Jharkhand, contiguous with the steel city Jamshedpur. It is situated around the Dalma hills.
Type of forest	It has  “Dry peninsular sal” and “Northern dry mixed deciduous Forest“.
Flora	It has very rich floral diversity. Medicinal plants like Ananatmula, Satawari, Sarpgandha etc. are abundant in the sanctuary.
Fauna	The sanctuary is known for its elephants. Beside elephants the sanctuary has considerable population of other wildlife like barking deer, wild boar, giant squirrel sloth bear etc
Significance of recent move	1) The facility will aid nature lovers, particularly, the bird watchers who can spend long hours and can record behavioral pattern of birds. 2) It would provide employment to local people.
Issues	Famous for holding many elephants and other animals, which come downhill during the monsoons and winter and enter nearby villages and towns of Jharkhand and West Bengal. This occasionally leads to conflicts between man and elephants

Some important points about wildlife sanctuaries

1) The State Government may designate some areas as wildlife sanctuaries under the Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 if they are thought to be of significant ecological, geomorphological, and natural value.
2)  India’s wildlife sanctuaries cover 122564.86 km2 or 3.73% of the country’s total land area.
3) There are 567 wildlife sanctuaries in the country.
4)They are IUCN Category IV protected areas.

UPSC Syllabus- Environment & Ecology

Kinnow farming

Source-This post on Kinnow farming has been created based on article ”No juicy returns for Punjab kinnow growers as prices drop” published in ”Hindustan Times” on 28 Janaury 2024.

Why in the news?

Kinnow growers in Punjab are apprehending losses this season, as nearly half of the 13 lakh tonnes of the crop are yet to be harvested.

About Kinnow farming

Aspect	Detail
About	1) Type of Citrus Fruit – Citrus fruit consists of Kinnow, Oranges, Lime and Lemon 2) It has originated in South East Asia. 3) These are major fruit crops of Punjab. 4) In India, Citrus is the third-largest fruit crop after Banana and Mango. 5) Citrus fruits are an important source of vitamin C.
Major growing states	Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh are major Kinnow growing states.
Ideal climate for growth	1) Temperature-13-37°C 2) Rainfall-300-400mm
Soil	1) It can be grown on wide range of soil ranging from sandy loam soils to clay loam or deep clay loam or acidic soils with good drainage facility. 2) Crop does not thrive well in saline and alkaline soils. Also, it cannot withstand in waterlogged soils. 3) For optimum crop growth, pH of soil should be in the range of 5.5 to 7.5.
Irrigation	1) It requires frequent watering at initial growth years. 2) Irrigation at weekly intervals must be provided to 3–4 years old crop. 3) Irrigation at an interval of 2–3 weeks depending upon soil type, weather conditions and rainfall must be applied to older trees. 4) Flood irrigation should be avoided as it causes disease like root rot, collar rot etc.

UPSC Syllabus-Indian Economy (Agriculture)

Humboldt’s Enigma

Source-This post is based on the article “What is Humboldt’s enigma and what does it mean for India?” published in “The Hindu” on 12th January 2024.

Why in the News?

The article explores Humboldt’s enigma, a concept introduced by Alexander von Humboldt during the 19th century. This concept suggests a correlation among temperature, altitude, humidity, and biodiversity.

What is Humboldt’s enigma?

1) Humboldt’s enigma proposes that biodiversity isn’t confined solely to Earth’s tropical regions. 

2) It suggests that various regions beyond the tropics, such as mountainous areas, also exhibit significant biodiversity.

3) For example- In case of India, the biodiversity isn’t confined only to the tropical regions of MP, Chhattisgarh and Western Ghats but also the regions like eastern Himalayas also serve as regions of abundant biodiversity, where variations in climate and a diverse geological makeup contribute to abundant biodiversity.

What are the different drivers of biodiversity?

1) The history of the earth, its geography, and the climate – These factors are primary drivers of biodiversity.

2) Geological process of Mountains– Mountains act as “cradles” for new species, stemming from geological processes such as uplifts that create novel habitats.

3) Climatic Stability– Climatologically stable mountains have turned these locations into ‘museums‘ that accumulate diverse species over time.

4) Coastal tropical sky islands- The Shola Sky Islands in the Western Ghats demonstrate features of both a cradle and a museum for biodiversity. This is why some of the oldest bird species in the Western Ghats, like the Sholicola and Montecincla, reside on the Shola Sky Islands.

Note– The northern Andes range, which includes Chimborazo, is recognized as the world’s most biodiverse location.

UPSC Syllabus- Environment

Maratha Military Landscapes: India’s UNESCO World Heritage Nomination for 2024-25

Source-This post is based on the article “Maratha Military Landscapes of India will be India’s nomination for recognition as UNESCO World Heritage List for the year 2024-25” published in “PIB” on 29th January 2024.

Why in the News?

The “Maratha Military Landscapes of India” will be India’s nomination for recognition in the UNESCO World Heritage List for the year 2024-25.

What are the ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’?

Aspect	Details
About	It refers to the historical regions, fortifications, military architecture, and associated cultural elements related to the Maratha Empire’s military history.
Developed in	These were developed between the 17th and 19th centuries.
Selected forts for Nomination	There are more than 390 forts in Maharashtra out of which only 12 are chosen for the Maratha Military Landscapes of India. a. Shivneri Fort, Lohagad, Raigad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijaydurg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee Fort are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India. b. Salher Fort, Rajgad, Khanderi Fort, and Pratapgarh are protected by the Directorate of Archaeology and Museums, Government of Maharashtra.
Categorization of selected forts	In the Maratha Military Landscapes of India these forts are categorized as: a. Hill forts– Salher fort, Shivneri fort, Lohgad, Raigad, Rajgad and Gingee fort. b. Hill-forest fort– Pratapgad c. Hill-plateau fort– Panhala d. Coastal fort– Vijaydurg e. Island forts– Khanderi fort, Suvarnadurg and Sindhudurg

What are the categories of nomination for UNESCO World Heritage List?

1) There are two categories of nomination– cultural and natural criteria.

2) There are six criteria (i to vi) for cultural sites and four criteria (vii to x) for natural sites for inclusion in the World Heritage List.

3) The Maratha Military Landscapes of India is nominated under:
a. Criterion (iii)- Unique or exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or civilization, either living or extinct.
b. Criterion (iv)- To exemplify a significant stage in human history through outstanding architecture, technology, or landscape.
c. Criterion (vi)- To be closely linked with significant events, traditions, beliefs, and works of universal significance.

What are the World Heritage sites in India, particularly in Maharashtra, and how are they categorized?

1) At present in India there are 42 World Heritage sites, out of which 34 are cultural sites, seven are natural sites whereas one is mixed site.

2) In Maharashtra there are six World Heritage Sites, five cultural and one natural:
a. Cultural Sites– Ajanta Caves (1983), Ellora Caves (1983), Elephanta Caves (1987), Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (formerly Victoria Terminus) (2004), Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018).
b. Natural Site– Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala is serial property in natural category (2012).

3) The Maratha Military Landscapes of India, listed in the 2021 Tentative List of World Heritage sites, is Maharashtra’s sixth cultural property nominated for the World Heritage List.

UPSC Syllabus- Art & Culture

SADA TANSEEQ: India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise

Source-This post is based on the article “India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ commences in Rajasthan” published in “PIB” on 29th January 2024.

Why in the News?

The first edition of India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ has commenced at Mahajan, Rajasthan.

What is Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’?

Aspect	Details
About	It is a joint Joint Military Exercise between India-Saudi Arabia.
Aim	To train troops of both sides for Joint Operations in Semi Desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Edition	First
Features	1. The Exercise allows both sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in sub-conventional domain. 2. The Exercise includes setting up Mobile Vehicle Check Posts, conducting Cordon & Search Operations, House Intervention Drills, Reflex Shooting, Slithering, and Sniper Firing.
Significance	1. It will aid in the development of interoperability, camaraderie, and goodwill among troops from both sides. 2. It serves as a platform to achieve shared security objectives, enhance defense cooperation, and foster bilateral relations between friendly nations.

UPSC Syllabus- Defence Exercise