Daily Prelims Notes 28 January 2023
- January 28, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN
Daily Prelims Notes
28 January 2023
Table Of Contents
- Pune researchers discover rare low-basalt plateau with 76 plant species in Western Ghats
- Four possible consequences of El Niño returning in 2023
- Renewable energy investment matches fossil fuels in 2022 for 1st time
- Karewas
- India to raise at WTO EU’s plan to levy carbon tax on imports
- Ramacharitmanas
- 130 model villages proposed in areas along the eastern border
- Rise in waterbird count recorded in Kerala’s capital
- Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
- India-South Africa sign pact, 12 cheetahs to be brought to Kuno
- India sends notice to Pakistan to amend Indus Water Treaty
- FSSAI notifies financial regulations, to form finance committee
1. Pune researchers discover rare low-basalt plateau with 76 plant species in Western Ghats
Subject: Geography
Section: Indian Physical Geography
Context: Researchers from Pune have discovered a low-level basalt plateau, an isolated flat-topped steep hill, in the Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
More on the News:
- Scientists at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI) in Pune have discovered a new low-altitude basalt plateau in the Western Ghats’ Thane region.
- The plateau, now listed as the fourth plateau type in the mountain range, houses 76 plant and shrub species from 24 families, which the scientists say can hold clues to the impact of climate change on the survival of species.
- There were so far three known plateau types in the Western Ghats — high-altitude laterite plateaus, low-altitude laterite plateaus and high-altitude basalt plateaus.
- The study of plateaus in the Western Ghats is extremely important. These are open and mostly arid habitats and the survival of plant species here is an important repository of information on how vegetation can survive in high-temperature conditions that are likely to take place with climate change.
About Plateau:
- Plateau is extensive area of flat upland usually bounded by an escarpment (i.e., steep slope) on all sides but sometimes enclosed by mountains. The essential criteria for plateaus are low relative relief and some altitude.
- Although plateaus stand at higher elevation than surrounding terrain, they differ from mountain ranges in that they are remarkably flat.
- Formation of Plateau: The formation of a plateau requires one of the same three types of tectonic processes that create mountain ranges
- Volcanism – This type of plateau can form where extensive lava flows (called flood basalts or traps) and volcanic ash bury preexisting terrain. For example, the basalts of the Deccan Traps, which cover the Deccan plateau in India, were erupted 60–65 million years ago when India lay in the Southern Hemisphere, probably over the same hot spot that presently underlies the volcanic island of Reunion.
- Crustal shortening – is the process of plateau formation by the thrusting of one block or slice of crust over another or by the folding of layers of rock.
- Thermal expansion – When the lithosphere underlying a broad area is heated rapidly—e.g., by an upwelling of hot material in the underlying asthenosphere—the consequent warming and thermal expansion of the uppermost mantle causes an uplift of the overlying surface.
2. Four possible consequences of El Niño returning in 2023
Subject: Geography
Section: Physical Geography
Context: It’s possible that Earth’s rising temperature will temporarily exceed the 1.5°C threshold of the Paris agreement some time after the peak of the El Niño in 2024.
More on the News:
- Every two to seven years, the equatorial Pacific Ocean gets up to 3°C warmer (what we know as an El Niño event) or colder (La Niña) than usual, triggering a cascade of effects felt around the world. This cycle is called the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) because every El Niño is naturally followed by a La Niña and vice versa, with some months of neutral conditions in between events.
- It is not surprising for La Niña conditions to last two consecutive years, but a three-year La Niña, which the world has had since 2020, is more rare.
- The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has reported that the equatorial Pacific Ocean will return to its neutral state between March and May of 2023, and it is likely that El Niño conditions will develop during the northern hemisphere’s autumn and winter.
- Possible Consequence of El Niño returning in 2023:
- Likelihood of exceeding 1.5°C
- During an El Niño, the ocean transfers some of that excess heat and moisture to the atmospher
- On top of the global warming trend, a strong El Niño can add up to 0.2°C to the average temperature of the Earth. The hottest year on record was 2016, during a particularly strong El Niño.
- Since the planet has already warmed by around 1.2°C relative to pre-industrial times and El Niño adds some extra heat to the atmosphere, it’s possible that Earth’s rising temperature will temporarily exceed the 1.5°C threshold of the Paris agreement some time after the peak of the El Niño in 2024.
- More heat, drought and fires in Australia
- Australia has had three years of above average rainfall due to prolonged La Niña conditions that brought severe floods, especially in the east.
- During El Niño, scientists expect the opposite: less rain, higher temperatures and increased fire risk, especially during winter and spring in the southern hemisphere.
- Slower carbon uptake in South America
- During an El Niño, the Amazon rainforest dries and vegetation growth slows so that less CO₂ is absorbed from the atmosphere, a trend repeated in the tropical forests of Africa, India and Australia.
- Cold winters in northern Europe
- During El Niño winters, both pressure centres lose strength, and the jet stream brings wetter conditions to southern Europe.
- The largest effect is observed in northern Europe, however, where winters become drier and colder. A frosty 2023-24 winter season is likely if El Niño ramps up sufficiently by then.
- Likelihood of exceeding 1.5°C
About El Nino https://optimizeias.com/el-nino/
About La Nina https://optimizeias.com/la-nina-2/
About ENSO Cycle https://optimizeias.com/el-nino-year-or-neutral-phase-likely-in-2023-transition-may-lead-to-monsoon-deficit-experts/
3. Renewable energy investment matches fossil fuels in 2022 for 1st time
Subject :
Context: For the very first time in history, investment in low-carbon energy technologies worldwide was equal to money spent on fossil fuels, according to BloombergNEF, a global strategic research service provider.
More on the News:
- The amount of investment in cleaner energy technology in 2022 was $1.1 trillion.
- Investment towards energy transition grew by $261 billion from the previous year — a 31 per cent increase from 2021. But the investment in fossil fuels was also simultaneously up $214 billion over 2021 levels.
- The growth in fossil fuel investments in 2022 occurred against the backdrop of high commodity prices, with many oil and gas majors earning record profits.
- Increased climate awareness has, however, made these companies more focused on share buybacks and diversifying to lower-carbon assets.
- The researchers broke down the investment into various categories: Renewable energy remained the largest sector at $495 billion (up 17 per cent year-on-year) and electrified transport was growing much faster and hit $466 billion (up 54 per cent).
- The hydrogen sector received the least boost at $1.1 billion but the sector grew the fastest, tripling investment every year.
- Investment in clean-technology factories grew fourfold from 2018 and reached $78.7 billion in 2022.
- Battery-related factory spending is growing at pace and now attracts more investment than other clean-tech sectors at $45.4 billion in 2022. Facilities to produce lithium-ion battery components accounted for about 58 per cent of facilities opened in 2022.
- China is still the leading manufacturer of low-carbon technologies because it attracted over half of the trillion-dollar investment at $546 billion. This was followed by the European Union at $180 billion and the United States at $141 billion.
Promotion of Renewable energy
Steps taken:
- Permitting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) up to 100 percent under the automatic route.
- Waiver of Inter State Transmission System (ISTS) charges for inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be commissioned by June 2025
- Declaration of trajectory for Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) up to the year 2030.
- Setting up of Ultra Mega Renewable Energy Parks to provide land and transmission to RE developers on a plug and play basis.
- Schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II, etc.,
- Laying of new transmission lines and creating new sub-station capacity under the Green Energy Corridor Scheme for evacuation of renewable power.
- Setting up of Project Development Cell for attracting and facilitating investments.
- Standard Bidding Guidelines for tariff based competitive bidding process for procurement of Power from Grid Connected Solar PV and Wind Projects.
- Government has issued orders that power shall be dispatched against Letter of Credit (LC) or advance payment to ensure timely payment by distribution licensees to RE generators.
Subject :Geography
Section: Indian Physical geography
Context: Nourishing soils of Kashmir’s karewas crumble under infrastructure.
About Karewas:
- Karewas are alluvial deposits of different soil and sediments such as sand, clay, silt, shale, mud, lignite and loess.
- Geologist Godwin-Austen first used the term karewas in the year 1859.
- The karewas of Kashmir occupy nearly an area of 2500 square kilometres, spread across the Valley.
- Karewas are soft sediments. Normally, they consist of clay and sand. However, some beds may also contain boulders, prints of volcanic ash and coal in some places. The rest of the lithology of Kashmir consists of hard rocks and are identifiable to the naked eye.
Formation in Kashmir Valley
- Kashmir valley resides between the Great Himalayas and the Pir Panjal ranges of the Kashmir Himalayas. In earlier times, when the upliftment of the Pir Panjal ranges happened, the flow of the river had stopped.
- As a result, the whole of Kashmir valley became a large lake. Slowly, the glacial deposits have accumulated here in this lake. Thus creating a large lacustrine plain.
- Later on, the water drained away and these unconsolidated deposits remained These unconsolidated gravel and mud deposits are known as Karewa formation.
Significance of Karewas:
- Geological Treasure: The karewas beds can help study the climatic condition of the period they were formed. Moreover, the faults and folds of karewas are important to know about the tectonic activities that happened in the Valley.
- Livelihood of the Valley: almond and walnut trees, makes up 80% of the Cultivation
- Saffron Farming: the moisture-retaining quality of this formation makes it ideal for saffron farming.
- Predict the future climatic conditions: By studying the karewas, we can even predict the future climatic conditions of Europe.
Threats to karewas:
- Illegal and unregulated mining as one of the major threats to the karewas.
- The karewas are imperilled by rapid urbanisation and illegal extractive land uses.
- Karewa soils now line the base of highways or railway tracks.
- karewas sites are being converted to commercial residential areas.
5. India to raise at WTO EU’s plan to levy carbon tax on imports
Subject: International Relations
Section : Groupings
Concept :
- With 15 per cent of India’s exports going to the EU, the proposed CBAM could put Indian exporters in a spot.
- India is likely to raise the issue of carbon tax, to be imposed by the European Union, in the WTO.
- According to senior officials of the Department of Commerce (DoC), India will raise the issue of CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanism) in all appropriate fora of the WTO.
- The said taxation will be implemented in 2026, and the transition period will begin in 2023, when importers in the EU will have to report (every quarter) the related emissions on goods brought in.
About Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
- The European Union has proposed a policy called the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism — to tax products such as cement and steel that are extremely carbon intensive, with effect from 2026.
- It is a duty on imports based on the amount of carbon emissions resulting from the production of the product in question.
- As a price on carbon, it discourages emissions. As a trade-related measure, it affects production and exports.
- This measure makes it necessary for carbon-intensive industries to comply with stricter emission standards.
Opposition :
- BASIC, a group constituting Brazil, India, South Africa and China, and therefore large economies that are significantly dependent on coal, has for several years voiced common concerns and reiterated their right to use fossil fuel in the interim during their countries’ eventual transformation to clean energy sources.
- They jointly stated that carbon border taxes, that could result in market distortion and aggravate the trust deficit amongst parties, must be avoided.
Subject: History
Section: Art and Culture
Concept:
- On January 11, Bihar Education Minister Chandra Shekhar said the Ramcharitmanas, spreads hatred in society.
About Ramacharitmanas
- The Ramcharitmanas is based on the Ramayana, sage Valmiki’s great epic.
- It is the holiest book of the Indo-Gangetic region, and among the world’s most read holy books.
- Across the Hindi heartland region, a reference to “Ramayan” often actually means Ramcharitmanas.
- Tulsidas, a Brahmin whose original name was Ram Bola Dubey, composed the Ramcharitmanas on the bank of the Ganga in Varanasi.
- He lived in the times of Akbar and had poetic interactions with the son of mughal commander, Bairam Khan.
- He is said to have begun writing on Ram Navami day in 1574, and completed the poem over the next few years.
- Tulsidas made the story of Lord Ram popular among the masses because he wrote in the regional dialect that most people understood.
Difference between Ramayana and Ramacharitmanas
- Both are based on the life of Lord Ram but the main difference between the two is their Author and the time when they were written.
- Ramayana was written by Sage Valmiki in Treta Yuga. Whereas, Ramcharitmanas was written by Tulsidas in Kaliyuga.
- Ramayana was written in Sanskrit, while Ramcharitmanas was written in Awadhi Language.
- Slokas format was used to write Ramayana, whereas, Chaupais format was used to write Ramcharitmanas.
7. 130 model villages proposed in areas along the eastern border
Subject: Schemes
Concept:
- Commanding in Chief Eastern Command, on Friday said that there is a proposal of developing 130 villages in the Eastern Theatre as model villages in areas along the border.
- He said the initiative of model villages was announced in the last year’s Union Budget and it is an ongoing process aimed to ensure that there is no migration from border villages in search of livelihood.
About Vibrant Villages Programme
- It was announced in the Budget Speech 2022.
- The programme envisages coverage of border villages on the Northern border having sparse populations, limited connectivity and infrastructure, which often get left out from the development gains.
- It should be used by all border-guarding forces to encourage tourism in border villages, to make them self-reliant and vibrant.
- This objective will be met by strengthening infrastructure across villages located near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It seeks to prevent migration.
Significance of the programme
- The announcement to launch Vibrant Villages Programme is significant in light of increasing China’s presence along the Himalayan frontier with India.
- China is actively constructing dual-use infrastructure. It has sparked concerns among government, strategic circles and security forces, and strategic circles.
- China has undertaken large-scale construction since 2017, along the border. It is building border villages in Tibet in a bid to strengthen their presence along the frontier.
China’s model villages
- China has developed model villages across border areas of Bhutan and Nepal along with India in recent years.
- India’s Vibrant Villages Programme is being considered as a response to China’s model villages.
8. Rise in waterbird count recorded in Kerala’s capital
Subject : Environment
Section: Msc
Concept :
- The Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) 2023 has recorded a 65% increase in water_birds in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram district, albeit with a slight dip in the count of species.
Asian Waterbird Census
- It is a citizen-science programme supporting conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide.
- AWC is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC) coordinated by Wetlands International.
- AWC runs in parallel with other regional programmes of the IWC in Africa, Europe, West Asia, the Neotropics and the Caribbean.
AWC in India:
- It was initiated in the Indian subcontinent in 1987 and since then has grown rapidly to cover major regions of Asia, from Afghanistan eastwards to Japan, Southeast Asia and Australia.
- In India, AWC is jointly coordinated by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and Wetlands International.
Significance:
- It gives an idea of the birds at the wetland and the health of the wetland; the more the waterbirds, the more suitable the wetland is.
- It helps in better implementation of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) d the Convention on Biological Diversity‘s (CBD).
Main birds which were sighted during the census:
Oriental darter
- It is mainly found in freshwater rivers and ponds.
- Conservation status
- IUCN: Near Threat
Cattle egret
- Conservation status
- IUCN: Least Concern
Spot-billed Pelican
- It breeds in southern Asia from southern Iran across India east to Indonesia.
- Conservation status
- IUCN: Near Threatened
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV
9. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People
Subject : International Relations
Section :United Nation
Concept :
- An organization representing the Chin Kuki Mizo communities living in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar has sought the help of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in ending the “policy of extermination” of ethnic minorities inhabiting the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) of Bangladesh.
- It claimed that Dhaka’s action is clearly in violation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.
About the Declaration:
- The Declaration is a comprehensive statement addressing the human rights of indigenous peoples.
- It emphasizes rights of indigenous peoples to live in dignity, to maintain and strengthen their own institutions, cultures and traditions and to pursue their self-determined development, in keeping with their own needs and aspirations
- Other U.N. bodies address indigenous rights through Conventions such as the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Convention No.169 and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) (Article 8j).
- UN Declarations are generally not legally binding.
- It was drafted and formally debated for over 20 years prior to being adopted by the General Assembly in 2007. It was started in 1982 when the UN-ECOSOC established the Working Group on Indigenous Populations.
- Adopted by a majority of 144 states in favour, 4 votes against (Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States) and 11 abstentions.
Rights ensured by the Declaration:
- The Declaration, however, is widely viewed as not creating new rights.
- It addresses both individual and collective rights, cultural rights and identity, rights to education, health, employment, language, and others.
- Recognizes subsistence rights and rights to lands, territories and resources.
- All human rights and fundamental freedoms as recognized in the Charter of the UN, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the rest of international human rights law.
- Right to be free from any kind of discrimination.
- Right to self-determination– By that right they can freely determine their political status and pursue their economic, social and cultural development.
10. India-South Africa sign pact, 12 cheetahs to be brought to Kuno
Subject: Environment
Section: Species in News
Concept:
- An MoU on cooperation in reintroduction of cheetahs to Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh next month, has been signed between India and South Africa.
- In terms of the agreement, an initial batch of 12 cheetahs (7 male and 5 female) are to be flown in from South Africa to India during February 2023.
- The cats will join eight cheetahs introduced to India from Namibia during 2022.
- Some improvements have been made to the existing bomas (wildlife enclosures built usually for the treatment or quarantine of animals) based on the observations of the last few months.
Cheetah Reintroduction Plan
- Discussions to bring the Cheetah back to India were initiated in 2009 by the Wildlife Trust of India.
- Under the ‘Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India’, 50 cheetahs will be brought from African countries to various national parks over 5 years.
Recommended sites:
- Kuno Palpur National Park (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh: Amongst the surveyed sites of the central Indian states, KNP has been rated the highest, because of its suitable habitat and adequate prey base.
- It is assessed to be capable of supporting 21 Cheetahs and is likely the only wildlife site in the country where villages have been completely relocated from within the park.
- Kuno also provides the possibility of harbouring four of India’s big cats – tiger, lion, leopard and Cheetah, enabling them to coexist as they have in the past.
- The other sites recommended are – Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh; Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary – Bhainsrorgarh Wildlife Sanctuary complex, Madhya Pradesh; Shahgarh bulge in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan; Mukundara Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan.
Reasons behind re-introducing cheetah from southern Africa:
- The locally extinct Cheetah-subspecies of India is found in Iran and is categorised as critically endangered.
- Since it is not possible to source the critically endangered Asiatic Cheetah from Iran, India decided to source Cheetahs from Southern Africa.
- Southern African Cheetahs have the highest observed genetic variety among extant Cheetah lineages, which is critical for a founding population stock.
- Furthermore, Southern African Cheetahs have been determined to be the ancestors of all other Cheetah lineages, making them suitable for India’s reintroduction programme.
Challenges of bringing back Cheetahs:
- Based on the evidence available, it is impossible to conclude that the choice to bring the African Cheetah into India is scientifically sound.
- As a result, the Supreme Court of India (in 2020) permitted an experimental release of Cheetahs in a suitable habitat.
11. India sends notice to Pakistan to amend Indus Water Treaty
Subject : International Relations
Section : Neighbour relations
Concept :
- India has sent a notice to Pakistan for the modification of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
- This was after Pakistan unilaterally tried to change the process of resolving disputes between the two sides.
What is India’s notice about?
- The notice, sent through the Commissioner of Indus Water, has invoked Article XII (3) of the treaty.
- The provisions of this Treaty may from time to time be modified by a duly ratified treaty concluded for that purpose between the two Governments.
- The notice gives Pakistan 90 days to consider entering into intergovernmental negotiations to rectify the material breach of the treaty.
- This process would also update the IWT to incorporate the lessons learned over the last 62 years.
Reasons for the notice
- The notice appears to be a fallout of a longstanding dispute over two hydroelectric power projects that India is constructing:
- one on the Kishanganga river, a tributary of Jhelum, and
- the other on the Chenab – Ratle Hydro Electric Projects.
- In 2015, Pakistan requested the appointment of a Neutral Expert to examine its technical objections to these projects.
- In 2016, Pakistan unilaterally retracted its request to appoint a Neutral Expert and proposed that a Court of Arbitration adjudicate on its objections.
- On the other hand, in 2016, India requested a Neutral Expert to be appointed as this was an important part of the process which Pakistan was trying to skip.
- In March 2022, at Pakistan’s continuing insistence, the World Bank initiated actions on both the Neutral Expert and Court of Arbitration processes.
- India not satisfied with the initiation of two concurrent processes.
- Such parallel consideration of the same issues is not covered under any provision of the IWT.
- India sticked to the graded dispute solving mechanism of IWT.
Indus Water Treaty (IWT)
- The Treaty is a water-distribution treaty between India and Pakistan, brokered by the World Bank.
- IWT was signed by the then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and then Pakistani President Mohammed Ayub Khan in Karachi on September 19, 1960, after nine years of negotiations between the two countries.
- According to this treaty, three rivers: Ravi, Sutlej and Beas were given to India and the other three: Sindh, Jhelum and Chenab were given to Pakistan.
Rights & obligations under this treaty
- India is under obligation to let the waters of the western rivers flow, except for certain consumptive use.
- The treaty allocates Pakistan approx. 80% of the entire water of the six-river Indus system and reserved for India just remaining 19.48% of the total waters.
- India can construct storage facilities on western rivers of up to 3.6-million-acre feet, which it has not done so far.
- The IWT permits run of the river projects and require India to provide Pakistan with prior notification, including design information, of any new project.
Dispute redressal mechanism under the Treaty
- Article IX of the Treaty is a dispute resolution mechanism – graded at three levels to resolve a difference or a dispute related to projects on the Indus waters.
First level
- Either party has to inform the other side if they are planning projects on the Indus river with all the information that is required or asked for by the other party.
- This process is done at the level of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC), created to implement and manage the goals of the IWT.
- If PIC is unable to solve the question in contention, the question becomes difference and goes to second level.
Second level
- The second grade is the World Bank appointing a neutral expert to resolve the differences.
- If a neutral expert cannot resolve the issue, the difference becomes a dispute and goes to third level.
Third level
- At this level, the matter goes to a Court of Arbitration (CoA) whose chair is appointed by the World Bank.
Why is this notice significant?
- This notice opens the possibility of India proposing major changes to the treaty and even the idea of altering it completely.
- India has not spelled out exactly what it wants to be modified in the Treaty.
12. FSSAI notifies financial regulations, to form finance committee
Subject : Polity
Section : National body
Concept :
- The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) notified financial regulations on Friday.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Fund.
- According to the FSSAI (Finance) Regulations, 2023, it will maintain a Food Safety and Standards Authority of India Fund.
- This fund will include grants given to the food authority by the Central government among other
- All sums such as fees, penalties and other statutory charges realised by the Food Safety and Standards Authority (including interest thereof) as a Regulatory Body may be separately accounted for and received in a Bank Account to be maintained by the Authority.
- This will be audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General annually.
Finance Committee
- The Finance Committee shall provide overall inputs on financial matters of the Food Authority and more specifically relating to review of:
- budget of the Authority (including performance budget);
- estimation of grant in aid from the Central Government and other receipts;
- audit of accounts of the Food Authority through auditors appointed for this purpose;
- investment of surplus funds;
- advice on budget allocations for various work programmes.
- The annual accounts and financial statements of the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India shall be prepared by the Chief Financial Authority, reviewed by the Finance Committee and shall be placed before the Food Authority for its consideration.
For further notes on FSSAI, refer – https://optimizeias.com/food-safety-and-standards-authority-of-india-fssai/