Daily Prelims Notes 14 January 2024

Daily Prelims Notes

14 January 2024

Table Of Contents

1. India’s First National Highway Steel Slag Road section on NH- 66 Mumbai-Goa National Highway inaugurated
2. Govt reconstitutes EPFO Board
3. Changing environment caused the demise of largest primate
4. A near-complete dam linked to Ken-Betwa project is yet to get environment clearance
5. India’s oldest living city found in Vadnagar
6. Pakistan ‘shuts’ key crossing at Afghan border
7. Sudan government rejects east African mediation move
8. BEACH GAMES 2024, DIU

1. India’s First National Highway Steel Slag Road section on NH- 66 Mumbai-Goa National Highway inaugurated

Subject :Environment

Section: Pollution

Context:

• Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member (S&T), NITI AAYOG has inaugurated India’s First National Highway Steel Slag Road section on NH- 66 Mumbai-Goa National Highway.

More on news: 

• The Steel Slag Road Technology which was developed by CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) is transforming the waste of steel industries into wealth.
• It is  helping the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to build stronger and eco-friendly national highways in the country.
• For construction of this road around 80,000 tons of CONARC Steel slag were converted as processed steel slag aggregates at JSW Steel Dolvi, Raigad plant.
• India is the second largest steel producing country in the world and about 19 million tonnes of steel slag is generated in the country as a solid waste, which will increase to 60 million tonnes by the year 2030.
• Steel slag road technology fulfilling the Prime Minister’s ‘Waste to Wealth’ mission

About Steel Slag Road Technology:

• The technology has been developed by the Central Road Research Institute under a research project in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel, Government of India.
• This technology facilitates the large-scale utilization of waste steel slag of steel plants and has proved very useful in effective disposal of about 19 million tonnes of steel slag generated in the country.
• This technique has been successfully tested in road construction in four major states of the country including Gujarat, Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh.
• The 1st road made with steel slag road interpretation technology in Surat, Gujarat, has become famous for its technological excellence at national and national level.
• No natural ballast of any kind has been used in the construction of this road.

About Waste to Wealth Mission:

• The Waste to Wealth Mission is one of the nine scientific missions of the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology, and Innovation Advisory Council (PMSTIAC). 
• The mission is spearheaded by the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Government of India. 
• The mission aims to identify, develop, and deploy technologies to treat waste to generate energy, recycle materials, and extract resources of value.
• The mission will assist and augment the Swachh Bharat and Smart Cities projects by leveraging science, technology, and innovation to create circular economic models that are financially viable for waste management to streamline waste handling in the country.

About CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI):

• CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) is a premier national laboratory established in 1952
• It is a constituent of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
• It is engaged in carrying out research and development projects on design, construction and maintenance of roads and runways, traffic and transportation planning of mega and medium cities.
• It provides assistance in management of roads in different terrains, improvement of marginal materials, utilization of industrial waste in road construction, landslide control, ground improvements and environmental pollution.
• It deals with the aspects of road traffic safety and analysis & design, wind, fatigue, corrosion studies, performance monitoring/evaluation, service life assessment and rehabilitation of highway & railway bridges.
• The institute provides technical and consultancy services to various user organizations in India and abroad.

2. Govt reconstitutes EPFO Board

Subject :Polity

Section: National Body

Context:

• The Centre reconstituted the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) by excluding representatives of the Opposition trade unions INTUC, AITUC and AIUTUC from the panel.

More on news:

• All India Manufacturers Association, an organization of employers started by legendary engineer M. Visvesvaraya in 1941,is excluded from the CBT.
• Laghu Udyog Bharti, an organization of employers supported by the RSS, has managed to send two members to the panel.
• There are two persons nominated for the post of vice chairman i.e. 
  • Minister of State for Labour and Employment, and 
  • Labour and Employment Secretary.
• There are five central government representatives, four from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and one from the Ministry of Finance along with 15 state government representatives.
• The AITUC, which is one of the oldest trade unions in the country, has decided to raise its protests.

About Reconstituted EPFO board(Central Board of Trustees)

• In the place of INTUC, AITUC and AIUTUC, the Centre has newly inducted to the panel the Trade Union Coordination Centre, Self Employed Women’s Association and the National Front of Indian Trade Unions.
• The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh(BMS) , which is  the trade union of Sangh Parivar, has retained three members in the panel.
• The CBT, EPFO is a tripartite, statutory body constituted by the central government under the provisions of section 5A of the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act,1952
• It has representatives of employees, employers and government.
• The role of the Board includes administration of the funds, delegation of administrative and financial powers for administration of the schemes, appointment of officers and staff, maintenance of accounts of income and expenditure and determining the annual rate of interest.

About Trade Unions:

• Labor unions or trade unions are organizations formed by workers from related fields that work for the common interest of its members.
• They help workers with issues like fairness of pay, good working environment, hours of work and benefits. 
• They represent a cluster of workers and provide a link between the management and workers.
• The Indian Trade Union Act, 1926, is the principle act which controls and regulates the mechanism of trade unions.
• The BMS is considered as the largest union at present, followed by the INTUC. HMS and CITU.

About AITUC:

• The All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) is the oldest trade union federation in India.
• It is associated with the Communist Party of India.
• It was founded on 31 October 1920 with Lala Lajpat Rai as its first president.

About International Trade Union Confederation(ITUC)

• ITUC is an international body of independent trade unions from 187 countries.
• The federation was formed on 1 November 2006 out of the merger of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU) and the World Confederation of Labour (WCL). 
• It is headquartered at Brussels, Belgium.
• Its role is crucial for any trade union to be elected to the workers’ representatives in the governing body of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
• The Trade Union Development Cooperation Network (TUDCN) is an initiative of the ITUC whose main objective is to bring the trade union perspective into international development policy debates.

About EPFO:

• The Employees’ Provident Fund came into existence with the promulgation of the Employees’ Provident Funds Ordinance on the 15th November, 1951.
• It was replaced by the Employees’ Provident Funds Act, 1952.
• The Act is now referred to as the Employees’ Provident Funds & Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952 which extends to the whole of India.
• EPFO is one of the World’s largest Social Security Organisations in terms of clientele and the volume of financial transactions undertaken.
• EPFiGMS is a customized portal of EPFO with an aim to redress grievances for the services provided by EPFO.

3. Changing environment caused the demise of largest primate

Subject :Environment

Section: Biodiversity

Context:

• The extinction of Gigantopithecus blacki, the largest known primate, was attributed to its struggle to adapt to environmental changes, according to a paper in Nature.

Details.

• This research addresses a significant gap in understanding why this giant ape failed to survive, while similar primates persisted.
• Fossil distribution indicates a significant reduction in its geographical range before extinction, but the exact timeline and reason for this decline remain undetermined.

Determining changes:

• Researchers, analyzing fossil samples from 22 caves in southern China, used teeth analysis and stable isotope analysis to determine changes in diet and behaviour.
• Pollen analysis suggests that the environment, suitable for G. blacki, transitioned from dense forests to open forests during the extinction window (295–215,000 years ago).
• Dental analyses indicate a less diverse diet and increased stress among G. blacki during this period compared to its primate relative, Pongo weidenreichi.
• The decline in G. blacki fossils supports the hypothesis that it struggled to adapt to the changing environment, leading to its precise timeline for extinction.

About the Gigantopithecus blacki:

• Gigantopithecus is an extinct genus of ape, with its only known species, Gigantopithecus blacki, living from 2 million to 300,000 years ago during the Early to Middle Pleistocene.
• They are the largest primate in Earth’s history.
• Initially discovered in a drugstore in 1935, its remains, including teeth and mandibles, have been found in various sites, mostly in China, and potentially in Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia.
• Despite its gorilla-like reconstruction, estimates of its size (potentially 200–300 kg) are speculative due to limited remains.
• Gigantopithecus was once considered a hominin but is now classified as closely related to orangutans.
• Gigantopithecus was a herbivore adapted for grinding tough, fibrous plants, with evidence of fig family fruits in its diet.
• It inhabited subtropical to tropical forests and went extinct around 300,000 years ago, possibly due to climate change and human activity.
• Gigantopithecus has also gained attention in cryptozoology as a speculated identity for the Tibetan yeti or American bigfoot.

Source: TH

4. A near-complete dam linked to Ken-Betwa project is yet to get environment clearance

Subject : Geography

Section: Mapping

Context:

• The Lower Orr dam, a crucial part of Madhya Pradesh’s contribution to the Ken-Betwa River interlinking project, has been found in violation of environmental clearance laws by an expert committee of the Union Environment Ministry.

Details:

• Documents reveal that the dam construction began in 2019 without obtaining formal clearance from the Ministry, leading to a recommendation in December 2022 for necessary legal action against the project proponent, the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
• The NWDA, a Jal Shakti Ministry body, had completed a significant portion of the dam and canal network (82% and 33.5%, respectively) without proper clearances, including lacking a ‘consent to operate’ certificate.

Fresh assessment:

• The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has advised the developers of the Lower Orr Dam project to undergo a new environmental appraisal, with the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) required to provide additional data on potential damages.
• Because the project involved diverting forest land, a separate Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) is expected to weigh the project proposal and recommend such diversion.

Lower Orr Dam Project:

• The Lower Orr project envisages providing irrigation and drinking water, on about 90,000 hectares, spanning the Shivpuri and Datia districts of the drought-prone Bundelkhand regions of Madhya Pradesh.
• This includes a dam over the Orr river and a separate system of barrages.

Ken Betwa Link Project (KBLP):

• The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP) is the River interlinking project that aims to transfer surplus water from the Ken river in MP to Betwa in UP to irrigate the drought-prone Bundelkhand region.
• The region spread across the districts of two states mainly Jhansi, Banda, Lalitpur and Mahoba districts of UP and Tikamgarh, Panna and Chhatarpur districts of MP.
• The project involves building a 77-metre tall and a 2-km wide Dhaudhan dam and a 230-km canal.
• Ken-Betwa is one of the 30 river interlinking projects conceived across the country.
• The project has been delayed due to political and environmental issues.
• It would submerge 58.03 sq. km (10.07%) of critical tiger habitats in the Panna Tiger Reserve and 50% loss to the habitat of a highly endangered vulture species.

Ken, Betwa and Orr Rivers:

• Ken and Betwa rivers originate in MP and are the tributaries of Yamuna.
• Ken meets with Yamuna in Banda district of UP and with Betwa in Hamirpur district of UP.
• Orr river is a tributary of Betwa river.
• Rajghat, Paricha and Matatila dams are over Betwa river.
• Ken River passes through Panna tiger reserve.

5. India’s oldest living city found in Vadnagar

Subject :History

Section: Art and culture

Context:

• A joint study by five prominent institutions has found evidence of a cultural  continuity in Vadnagar in present day Gujarat even after the collapse of the Harappan civilisation, thus making it likely that the “Dark Age” was a myth.

More about the News:

• The excavation was done by a team of scientists from IIT Kharagpur, Archaeological Survey of India, Physical Research Laboratory, Jawaharlal Nehru University and Deccan College
• The study was funded by Infosys Foundation and Gujarat government’s Directorate of Archaeology & Museums that is entrusted with building India’s first experiential digital museum at Vadnagar.
• The excavation at Vadnagar was carried out from 2016 till early 2023.

Key Findings in the Excavation:

• The find is significant as it plugs a gap in Indian archaeological history between 1,500 BCE and 500 BCE and points to a continuity in human settlement in India over 5,500 years.
• There was no record of an advanced city-like settlement before 500 BCE.
• The team said that the settlement could be as old as 1,400 BCE and contemporary to the very late phase of post-urban Harappan period.
• If true, it indicates a cultural continuity in India for the past 5,500 year and that the so-called Dark Age may be a myth.
• The period between the collapse of Indus Valley Civilisation around 4,000 years ago (early 2nd millennium BCE) and the emergence of Iron Age and cities of Mahajanapadas like Gandhar, Koshal, Avanti (6th-5th century BCE) is depicted as the ‘Dark Age’ by a section of archaeologists.
• The records are rare for this period – one of the earliest is the rock inscription of emperor Ashoka during Mauryan period (320-185 BCE) at Sudarsana Lake, Girnar hill, Gujarat.
• The excavation at Vadnagar has revealed characteristic archaeological artifacts, potteries, copper, gold, silver and iron objects and intricately designed bangles.
• The study also indicates that the rise and fall of different kingdoms over 3,000 years and recurrent invasions of India by central Asian warriors were driven by severe change in climate like rainfall or droughts.
• The radiocarbon dates show that successively Vadnagar was ruled by:
  • Indo-Greeks (till 100 CE),
  • Indo-Scythian or Shakas known as Kshatrapa kings (till 400 CE),
  • Maitrakas (Gupta kingdom), Rashtrakuta-Pratihara-Chawada kings (till 930 CE),
  • Solanki kings (Chalukya rule till 1,300 CE),
  • Sultanate-Mughals (1680 CE), and
  • Gaekwad/British.
• The excavation team said that the inference from the findings at Vadnagar was that cold arid/hyper-arid conditions could have triggered migration from the uninhabitable central Asia.

6. Pakistan ‘shuts’ key crossing at Afghan border

Subject :IR

Section: Places in news

Context:

• Pakistan effectively closed a key border crossing with Afghanistan to truck drivers, Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban said.
• The Torkham border crossing has been closed a number of times in recent  months.

More about News:

• Pakistan has said many Pakistani Taliban leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan and have been emboldened to carry out more attacks on security forces in Pakistan.
• The Afghan Taliban government insists it does not allow the Pakistani Taliban to use its soil to launch attacks in Pakistan.
• Pakistan is concerned about the presence in Afghanistan of the Pakistani Taliban, which is a close ally of the Afghan Taliban.

About Torkham Crossing

• The Torkham Crossing, a critical border point connecting Pakistan and Afghanistan.
• Torkham Crossing is a crucial border crossing that links Pakistan and Afghanistan. Its strategic location makes it a vital entry point for trade and connectivity between the two nations.
• The Border road is a key lifeline for a landlocked Afghanistan, linking the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar to Jalalabad, the main city in Nangarhar, and the route onwards to the capital Kabul.

7. Sudan government rejects east African mediation move

Subject :IR

Section: Places in news

Context:

• Sudan’s Army­ aligned government spurned an invitation to an East African summit and rebuked the United Nations for engaging with the commander of rival paramilitary forces.

What is the Current Crisis in Sudan?

Background:

• The conflict in Sudan has its roots in the overthrowing of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir by military generals in April 2019, following widespread protests.
• This led to an agreement between the military and protesters, under which a power-sharing body called the Sovereignty Council was established to lead Sudan to elections at the end of 2023.
• However, the military overthrew the transitional government led by Abdalla Hamdok in October 2021, with Burhan becoming the de-facto leader of the country and Dagalo his second-in-command.

Tussle between Army and RSF:

• Soon after the 2021 coup, a power struggle between two military (SAF) and paramilitary (RSF) generals arose, interrupting a plan to transition to elections.
• A preliminary deal was reached in December 2021 for a political transition, but negotiations hit a roadblock over the integration of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), due to disagreements over the timetable and security sector reforms.
• Tensions escalated over the control of resources and RSF integration, leading to clashes.
• There was disagreement over how the 10,000-strong RSF should be integrated into the army, and which authority should oversee that process.
• Also, Dagalo (RSF general) wanted to delay the integration for 10 years but the army said it would take place in the next two years.

8. BEACH GAMES 2024, DIU

Subject :Geography

Section: Oceanography

Context: The Beach Games 2024, the first multi-sports beach games in India, organized at the pristine blue flag certified Ghoghla Beach in Diu concluded with landlocked Madhya Pradesh emerging overall champion, topping the medal tally with a total of 18 medals, including an impressive haul of 7 golds. This remarkable feat not only showcased the sporting prowess of Madhya Pradesh’s contingent but also highlighted the depth of talent fostered within the state

What is Blue Flag Certification?

It is an internationally recognised eco-label that is accorded based on 33 criterias. These criterias are divided into 4 major heads namely,

1. Environmental education and information
2. Bathing water quality
3. Environmental management
4. Conservation and safety services in the beaches

Blue Flag beaches are considered the cleanest beaches of the world. It is an eco-tourism model endeavouring to provide the tourists/beachgoers clean and hygienic bathing water, facilities, a safe and healthy environment and sustainable development of the area.

It is accorded by the international jury composed of eminent members – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Denmark-based NGO Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

On the lines of Blue Flag certification, India has also launched its own eco-label BEAMS (Beach Environment & Aesthetics Management Services).

12 Beaches which have Received the Certification:

• Shivrajpur (Gujarat)
• Ghoghla (Daman & Diu)
• Kasarkod (Karnataka)
• Padubidri beach (Karnataka)
• Kappad (Kerala)
• Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh)
• Golden beach (Odisha)
• Radhanagar beach (Andaman and Nicobar)
• Kovalam (Tamil Nadu)
• Eden (Puducherry)
• Thundi beach and Kadmat beach (Lakshadweep)