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Daily Prelims Notes 22 December 2023

  • December 22, 2023
  • Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
  • Category: DPN
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Daily Prelims Notes

22 December 2023

Table Of Contents

  1. Culture ministry sets aside ₹350 crore fund for promoting eight schemes
  2. The Donkey Route
  3. Why is the Iceland so volcanically active
  4. IPC to BNS what has change
  5. WHO prequalifies malaria vaccine by Serum Institute
  6. Bengaluru airport wins award at UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles
  7. As JN.1 emerges as variant of interest, time to evaluate preparedness
  8. Researchers patenting new treatment for nicotine addiction
  9. Coming soon, a ‘Cafeteria’ for oil spill-hit birds at Ennore Creek
  10. Missing for 42 years, flying squirrel resurfaces in Arunachal
  11. Peninsular river basins in India more likely to face widespread flooding than transboundary rivers: Study
  12. How an AI tool can make weather forecasts more accurate and help tackle climate change
  13. Dangerous road to the American Dream, via South America and Mexico
  14. Amendments to Carbon Credits Trading Scheme (CCTS) in India
  15. UNNATEE (UNlockingNATional Energy Efficiency Potential)
  16. LIC Granted Extension for Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) Compliance

 

 

1. Culture ministry sets aside ₹350 crore fund for promoting eight schemes

Subject : Schemes

Section: History

Context: Culture ministry sets aside ₹350 crore fund for promoting eight schemes

More about the news:

  • The Ministry of Culture in India plans to disburse over ₹350 crore over a five-year period to promote art and culture through various schemes.
  •  The financial assistance will be directed towards cultural organizations, including NGOs, institutions, and voluntary organizations. 
  • The disbursements are allocated as follows: ₹68.79 crore in FY22, ₹71.19 crore in FY23, and ₹71.16 crore each year from FY24 to FY26.
  • The Ministry of Culture in India is extending financial assistance to cultural organizations with a national presence, offering grants of up to one crore rupees. Additionally, the Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG) provides a maximum grant of ₹5 lakh, which can be increased to ₹20 lakh under exceptional circumstances.
  • These funding initiatives aim tosupport cultural organizations, cultural functions and production, preservation of cultural heritage in the Himalayan region, development of Buddhist/Tibetan organizations, building grants, and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

What is Cultural Function & Production Grant (CFPG)

  • The objective of this scheme component is to provide financial support to NGOs/ Societies/ Trusts/ Universities etc. for Seminars, Conference, Research, Workshops, Festivals, Exhibitions, Symposia, Production of Dance, Drama-Theatre, Music etc.
  • The maximum grant provided under CFPG is Rs.5 Lakh which can be increased to Rs. 20 Lakh under exceptional circumstances.

2. The Donkey Route

Subject : IR

Section: Msc

Context: Theme of SRK’s ‘Dunki’

What is Donkey Route:

  • The “donkey route” to the United States involves migrants traveling through Latin American countries to reach the US border.
  • The journey often starts in countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, or Guyana, where Indian citizens can obtain visas easily.
  • The route includes crossing the dangerous Darién Gap, a forested area between Colombia and Panama, facing risks such as lack of clean water, wildlife, and criminal gangs.
  • From Panama, migrants are often routed through Guatemala to enter Mexico and eventually reach the US border, facing challenges like jumping fences and crossing the Rio Grande river.
  • The journey is expensive, ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 70 lakh, and involves coordination with human trafficking networks.
  • Agents in India collaborate with traffickers along the entire route to the US.
  • Despite the dangers, many migrants continue to take this perilous journey in pursuit of the American Dream.

3. Why is the Iceland so volcanically active

Subject :Geography

Section: Geomorphology

Context: A volcano erupted close to an Iceland power plant after weeks of intense seismic activity southwest of Reykjavik

What are volcanoes:

  • Volcanoes are openings or vents where lava, tephra (small rocks), and steam erupt onto the Earth’s surface, according to the US Geological Survey.
  • They can be on land or in the ocean and form when material significantly hotter than its surroundings, such as magma (underground) or lava (on the surface), ash, and/or gases, erupts onto the Earth’s surface.
  • The rise of magma can occur when tectonic plates move away from each other, move towards each other, or at hotspots inside the Earth, where magma is heated up, becoming less dense and rising.

What are the different kinds of volcanoes:

  • The type of volcano is determined by factors such as the viscosity of the magma, the amount of gas in the magma, the composition of the magma, and the way the magma reaches the surface, according to the British Geological Survey.
  • There are two main types of volcanoes: stratovolcanoes and shield volcanoes. 
  • Stratovolcanoes have steep sides and a more cone-shaped structure, while shield volcanoes have a low profile resembling a shield lying on the ground.
  • Additionally, various volcanic features can form from erupted magma, such as cinder cones or lava domes, along with processes that shape volcanoes.

Why is Iceland so volcanically active:

  • Iceland experiences frequent volcanic activity due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge in the North Atlantic Ocean, where the Eurasian and North American plates are moving apart.
  • This movement causes volcanic rift zones, where the Earth’s crust is pulled apart and fractured, allowing molten rock or magma to rise and sometimes erupt as lava and/or ash.
  • Additionally, Iceland is situated over a hot zone or hotspot, contributing to increased volcanic activity in the region.

How many active volcanos does Iceland currently have:

  • Iceland has 33 active volcanoes which have erupted over 180 times in the past 1,000 years.
  • Iceland experiences frequent seismic activity due to its location on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
  • One of Iceland’s most famous volcanoes is Eyjafjallajökull. In 2010, this volcano erupted and caused a massive ash cloud to spread across Europe
  • Other famous volcanoes include Hekla, Grímsvötn, Hóluhraun, and Litli-Hrútur (part of the Fagradalsfjall system).

4. IPC to BNS what has change

Subject :Polity

Section: Legislation in news

Context: Lok Sabha nod for 3 bill on criminal law

More about the news:

  • The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 proposes significant changes to the Indian Penal Code; it aims to replace some notable modifications including incorporating terrorism and organized crime into regular criminal law, implementing gender neutrality for offenses related to children, and repealing Section 377, which criminalized homosexuality.

What are the new offenses:

  • Promise to Marry: Clause 69 criminalizes a “deceitful” promise to marry, addressing the “love jihad” narrative. It includes consensual sexual activity, making it punishable with imprisonment up to ten years.
  • Mob Lynching: The Bill codifies offenses linked to mob lynching and hate-crime murders, imposing punishments ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty for offenses committed by a mob of five or more individuals based on factors such as race, caste, community, or personal belief.
  • Organized Crime: For the first time, organized crime is brought under ordinary criminal law, with punishment for attempts and committed offenses ranging from five years to life imprisonment or death, depending on whether death is involved.
  • Petty Organized Crime: A separate category criminalizes offenses such as theft, snatching, cheating, unauthorized selling of tickets, unauthorized betting or gambling, and selling of public examination question papers.
  • Terrorism: Terrorism is included under ordinary criminal law, borrowing language from the Unlawful Atrocities Prevention Act. The definition of “terrorist” is broad, and the offense involving terror financing is broader in the BNS than in UAPA.
  • Attempt to Suicide: The BNS criminalizes attempting suicide with the intent to compel or restrain a public servant from discharging official duty, prescribing a jail term up to one year with community service. This provision could be applied to prevent self-immolations and hunger strikes during protests.

What are the deleted offences:

  • The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023 introduces changes in various areas:
  • Unnatural Sexual Offences: Section 377, which criminalized homosexuality and other “unnatural” sexual activities, has been repealed. However, concerns arise as its total omission may impact addressing non-consensual sexual acts, especially as rape laws remain gendered.
  • Adultery: The offense of adultery, previously struck down by the Supreme Court in 2018 as unconstitutional, has been omitted in the BNS.
  • Thugs: The BNS fully omits Section 310 of the IPC, which criminalizes individuals habitually associated with others for purposes like robbery and child-stealing, labeled as “thugs.”
  • Gender Neutrality: While rape laws still apply only to women, the BNS introduces gender neutrality in certain laws. Procuration of a girl (Section 366A of IPC) and kidnapping of minors (Section 361 of IPC) are made gender-neutral. For offenses like outraging the modesty of women (354A) and voyeurism (354C), gender neutrality for the accused is established, allowing women to be booked under the law.

What are the Other tweaks:

  • Fake News: The BNS introduces a new provision criminalizing the publication of false and misleading information, addressing concerns related to fake news.
  • Sedition: Although initially stated as repealed, the BNS reintroduces sedition under a new name, ‘deshdroh,’ with a broader definition. It now encompasses aiding subversive activities through financial means and encouraging feelings of separatist activities.
  • Mandatory Minimum Sentence: The BNS introduces mandatory minimum sentences in various provisions, deviating from the discretionary powers of judges. For instance, Section 303 is tweaked to prescribe “death or imprisonment for life, which shall mean the remainder of that person’s natural life.”
  • Damage to Public Property: Offences related to causing damage to public property now carry a graded fine under the BNS, where the fine corresponds to the amount of damage caused.

5. WHO prequalifies malaria vaccine by Serum Institute

Subject: Science and Tech

Section: Health

Context:

  • The World Health Organization(WHO) added the R21/Matrix­ M malaria vaccine,  developed by Oxford University and manufactured by Serum Institute of India, to its list of prequalified vaccines. In October 2023, the WHO had recommended its use for the prevention of malaria in children.

About the R21/Matrix-M Vaccine:

  • It is a new vaccine approved for the prevention of malaria in children.
  • It was developed by the University of Oxford and the Serum Institute of India with support from the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (‘EDCTP’), the Wellcome Trust, and the European Investment Bank (‘EIB’).
  • It is the first malaria vaccine to reach the WHO’s target of 75% efficacy.
  • It has already been approved for use in Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Nigeria.
  • The vaccine will be rolled out in those African countries in early 2024 and will be available in mid-2024 in other countries.

What is malaria?

  • It is a life-threatening disease caused by parasites that are transmitted to people through the bites of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.
  • There are 5 parasite species that cause malaria in humans, and 2 of these species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, pose the greatest threat.
  • Malaria is common in tropical areas where it’s hot and humid.
  • Children under 5 years of age are the most vulnerable group affected by malaria.

Symptoms:

  • The signs and symptoms of malaria are similar to flu symptoms. They include:
    • Fever and sweating.
    • Chills that shake your whole body
    • Headache and muscle aches.
    • Fatigue.
    • Chest pain, breathing problems, and cough.
    • Diarrhoea,nausea and vomiting.
    • As malaria gets worse, it can cause anemia and jaundice.
  • The most severe form of malaria, which may progress to a coma, is known as cerebral malaria. This type represents about 15% of deaths in children and nearly 20% of adult deaths.

Treatment:

  • It is preventable and curable. With early treatment, most people with malaria will make a full recovery.
  • Some drugs are given in combination with other drugs. The type of parasite will determine the type of medication.
  • The main antimalarial drugs are:
    • chloroquine
    • hydroxychloroquine
    • primaquine
    • artemisinin-based therapy
    • atovaquone-proguanil

6. Bengaluru airport wins award at UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles

Subject : IR

Section: International organisation

Context:

  • Terminal 2 (T2) of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has been recognised as one of the world’s most beautiful airports and  awarded the special prize for interiors at the UNESCO’s 2023 Prix Versailles.

About  PRIX VERSAILLES

  • Announced each year at UNESCO since 2015, the Prix Versailles is a series of architectural competitions that shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide.
  • At the intersection between multiple disciplines, the members of the Prix Versailles World Jury are tasked with awarding twenty-four World Titles from among the ninety-six projects named Selected Sites (in the categories of Airports, Campuses, Passenger Stations and Sports) or Continental Laureates (in the categories of Shops & Stores, Shopping Malls, Hotels and Restaurants).
  • The Official List – which pays tribute to innovation, creativity, reflections of local heritage, ecological efficiency and the values of social interaction and participation, which the United Nations holds in high regard – is in line with the principles of intelligent sustainability, taking the projects’ ecological, social and cultural impacts into consideration.

Some More Accomplishments of Bengaluru International Airport:

  • Earlier, Terminal 2 of the Bengaluru International Airport received the prestigious IGBC platinum certification from the Indian Green Building Council under the IGBC Green New Building Rating system.
  • The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) has launched IGBC Green New Buildings rating system to address the National priorities.
  • This rating programme is a tool which enables the designer to apply green concepts and reduce environmental impacts that are measurable.
  • The rating programme covers methodologies to cover diverse climatic zones and changing lifestyles.
  • Designed to accommodate 25 million passengers per annum in its first phase, T2 aims to blend functionality with aesthetic appeal, offering passengers an unforgettable experience through its insightfully curated art and decor elements.
  • The sustainable design of T2, the world’s largest terminal pre-certified with a platinum LEED rating by the US Green Building Council before operational commencement, reflects the airport’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
  • LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system.
  • LEED certification provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings, which offer environmental, social and governance benefits.
  • LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement.

7. As JN.1 emerges as variant of interest, time to evaluate preparedness

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Health

Context:

  • The identification of a sub variant — JN.1 — has sparked fresh interest in the epidemiological world, and has sounded the need for caution. The World Health  Organisation, has decided, due to its rapid spread, to classify the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI) from the parent lineage BA.2.86. 

About JN.1 Variant

  • Variant Lineage: JN.1 is a sub-variant of BA.2.86, also known as Pirola, first detected in the United States in September and globally as early as January.
  • Mutation Characteristics: While JN.1 has only one additional mutation on the spike protein compared to Pirola, its high number of spike protein mutations has drawn attention of researchers.

Possible Consequences of JN.1

  • Transmission and Severity: Currently, there is no evidence suggesting that JN.1 causes more severe symptoms or spreads faster than other circulating variants.
  • WHO Assessment: Both Pirola and JN.1 have been effectively neutralized by serum from infected and vaccinated individuals, according to the WHO Technical Advisory Group on COVID-19 Vaccine Composition.

Current Concerns and Global Spread

  • Increasing Cases: A rise in cases caused by Pirola and JN.1 has been observed globally, including in the USA, Europe, Singapore, and China.
  • WHO Data: JN.1 accounted for a significant proportion of COVID-19 sequences in the GISAID database and a notable percentage of variants in the United States.
  • Singapore’s Situation: Singapore reported a surge in COVID-19 cases, predominantly JN.1, with increased hospitalizations among older individuals.

Vaccination and Immunity in India

  • Hospitalization Risk: Data from Singapore indicates higher hospitalization risks for those who received their last COVID-19 vaccine dose over a year ago.
  • Indian Immunity Levels: Doctors suggests that widespread vaccination and exposure to COVID-19 have likely resulted in substantial immunity in India, reducing the need for updated vaccines.
  • Consistent Precautions: Experts recommend standard protective measures against respiratory viruses, including masking in crowded and enclosed spaces, staying in well-ventilated areas, and frequent hand washing.

8. Researchers patenting new treatment for nicotine addiction

Subject : Environment

Section: Pollution

Context:

  • Researchers have demonstrated a practical approach for treating nicotine dependence. Currently, Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) is used which relies on providing additional nicotine to the body. Researchers have now turned to nicotine’s oxidative metabolite, cotinine.

Key Facts:

  • Tobacco use is a global pandemic, affecting an estimated 1.2 billion people, which poses substantial health burden and costs.
  • With approximately 5 million tobacco-related deaths annually, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable premature mortality in the world.
  • Death is mainly caused by lung cancer, coronary heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and stroke.
  • The risk of serious disease diminishes rapidly after quitting and permanent abstinence is known to reduce the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease, stroke, and other cancers.

About Nicotine replacement therapy

  • NRT is the most common medication used to assist in quit attempts. Its main mechanism of action is to partially replace the nicotine formerly obtained from tobacco smoking, which aids smoking cessation by reducing the severity of withdrawal symptoms and cravings and also reduces the reinforcing effects of nicotine delivered via tobacco while providing an alternative source of some reinforcing and cognitive effects.
  • NRT does not completely eliminate all symptoms of withdrawal because the available delivery systems do not reproduce the rapid and high levels of nicotine achieved through inhalation of cigarette smoke.
  • Differences in formulations may have an impact on the efficacy for some of these effects, but there is little direct evidence that one nicotine product is more effective than another.

How Cotinine can be an alternative approach

  • Using ascorbic acid as a potential reducing agent, researchers converted cotinine in smokers’ plasma back to nicotine, targeting both nicotine addiction and detoxification simultaneously.
  • Ascorbic acid in a specified dose (Vitamin C) converts cotinine back to nicotine within the smokers’ plasma. Individuals find it difficult to quit smoking because of nicotine withdrawal.
  • Current NRT products provide additional nicotine to the body. This turned researchers to cotinine. 
  • Generally, 80% of nicotine accumulates as cotinine in the body, while the remaining 20% is eliminated in urine.
  • Cotinine can cause cancer. So, for the first time, instead of adding on to the nicotine content in the body, researchers have showcased that vitamin C can be  utilised to recirculate cotinine.
  • Side effects are negligible, the person does not receive additional nicotine and detoxification occurs at the end of the cycle.

9. Coming soon, a ‘Cafeteria’ for oil spill-hit birds at Ennore Creek

Subject : Environment

Section: Pollution

In the news:

  • Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) and Besant Memorial Animal Dispensary (BMAD) plan to establish feeding stations for birds at Ennore creek. They aim to catch the birds to rehabilitate and care for them.

Details:

  • The Department of Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, along with WTI, local volunteers, and the Wildlife Warden of Chennai, are working together to assess and rescue affected birds. While many have flown away, some, like pelicans and painted storks, have been severely impacted.
  • To capture sick birds, the team plans to create feeding stations with nets.
  • Trapping birds in nets is being considered in Ennore Creek as a conservation measure due to a drastic decline in the bird population caused by contamination from an oil spill.
  • The oil spill has affected not only the birds but also the fish.

Ennore Creek:

  • It is a backwater located in Ennore, Chennai along the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal.
  • It is located in the zone comprising lagoons with salt marshes and backwaters, submerged under water during high tide and forming an arm of the sea with an opening to the Bay of Bengal at the creek.
  • Once a flourishing mangrove swamp, the creek has been degraded to patches in the fringes mainly due to human activities in the region.
  • The depth of the creek varies from 1 to 2 m and is shallow near the mouth.
  • The north–south trending channels of the creek connect it with the Pulicat Lake to the north and to the distributaries of the Kosasthalaiyar River in the south.

Wildlife Trust of India (WTI):

  • WTI is an Indian nature conservation organisation.
  • It was formed in November 1998 in New Delhi, India, as a response to the rapidly deteriorating condition of wildlife in India.
  • WTI is a registered charity in India (under Section 12A of the Income Tax Act, 1961).

Source: The Hindu

10. Missing for 42 years, flying squirrel resurfaces in Arunachal

Subject : Environment

Section: Species in news

Context:

  • A nocturnal flying squirrel has resurfaced in Arunachal Pradesh after going missing for 42 years. It was last recorded in the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district.
  • The Aaranyak study was supported by Re:Wild, a global wildlife conservation organisation, and the Small Mammal Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission.

Namdapha flying squirrel (Biswamoyopterusbiswasi):

  • They are an arboreal, nocturnal flying squirrelendemic to Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India, where it is known from a single specimen collected in Namdapha National Park in 1981.
  • It was the sole member in the genus Biswamoyopterus until the description of the Laotian giant flying squirrel (Biswamoyopteruslaoensis) in 2013.
  • What sets the Namdapha flying squirrel apart from the red giant flying squirrel is the prominent tuft of hair on the ears of the former.

Red giant flying squirrel (Petauristapetaurista):

  • It is a species of rodent in the family Sciuridae (squirrels).
  • It is found in a wide variety of forest–types, plantations and more open habitats with scattered trees in Southeast Asia, ranging north to the Himalayas and southern and central China.
  • One of the largest arboreal squirrels, all populations have at least some reddish-brown above and pale underparts, but otherwise, there are significant geographic variations in the colours.
  • Mostly nocturnal and able to glide (not actually fly like a bat) long distances between trees by spreading out its patagium, skin between its limbs.
  • It is a herbivore and the female has one, infrequently two, young per litter.
  • It is not a threatened species.

Source: The Hindu

11. Peninsular river basins in India more likely to face widespread flooding than transboundary rivers: Study

Subject : Geography

Section: Indian geography

Context:

  • Past focus primarily on localized flooding, prompting researchers from IIT Gandhinagar to study and highlight widespread floods in major Indian river basins.

Analysis Findings:

  • Mahanadi and Narmada basins had the most frequent widespread floods (40 events), tied to seasonal trends influenced by monsoon patterns and heavy rainfall.
  • River basins in peninsular India (Narmada, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Cauvery) show higher probabilities of widespread flooding compared to Ganga and Brahmaputra.
    • Narmada (59%), Mahanadi (50%), Godavari (42%), Krishna (38%), Cauvery (19%), Ganga (21%), and Brahmaputra (18%) indicate varying probabilities of widespread flooding.
  • Basins experience widespread floods during monsoon months, except Cauvery, with specific months linked to heavy rainfall periods (July-September for Godavari, Mahanadi, and Narmada).
  • Impact of Widespread Flooding: Widespread flooding, covering large basin areas, causes significant losses compared to localized flooding.
  • Climatic Factors: Rainfall patterns, monsoon intensity, and atmospheric circulations significantly influence flood occurrences.
  • Climate Change Impact: With a warming climate, the drivers of widespread floods are expected to change in timing, occurrence, and probability, signalling potential alterations in flood patterns. Atmospheric rivers play a significant role in these flood events.

Atmospheric River:

  • Atmospheric rivers are long, narrow bands of moisture in the atmosphere that extend from the tropics to higher latitudes. These rivers in the sky can transport 15 times the volume of the Mississippi River.
  • When that moisture reaches the coast and moves inland, it rises over the mountains, generating rain and snowfall. Many fire-weary westerners welcome these deluges, but atmospheric rivers can trigger other disasters, such as extreme flooding and debris flows.
    • Also called “Pineapple Express” storms that carry moisture from Hawaii to the United States West Coast are just one of their many flavors.
  • The 2018 Kerala floods, 2022 Pakistan floods and lower Mississippi River floods in 2008, 2011 and 2015–19 have been linked with atmospheric rivers.

Source: Down To Earth

12. How an AI tool can make weather forecasts more accurate and help tackle climate change

Subject : Science and Tech

Section: Awareness in IT

Watsonx.ai:

  • It is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) tool that will help users monitor the Earth from space, measuring environmental changes that have already happened while also making predictions about the future.
  • Launched by NASA and IBM at the COP28 summit and available on the open-source AI platform Hugging Space.
  • It can help scientists estimate the past and future extent of wildfires, floods, and urban heat maps.

How it works?

  • It is similar to Bing and ChatGPT, it operates on a foundation model but uniquely incorporates NASA’s satellite image datasets instead of text.
  • IBM developed the model to interpret these visual datasets.
  • Training Process: To teach the model to understand evolving visual sequences, scientists tasked it with filling in gaps in images, prompting it to reconstruct the missing parts. As it pieced together more images, the model improved in understanding their connections. It underwent adjustments for tasks like photo segmentation and categorization.
  • It boasts user-friendly simplicity. Users can select a location and date, prompting the model to highlight changes in floodwater levels, reforestation initiatives, and other pertinent factors.

What will be its impact?

  • IBM’s approach could significantly reduce data cleaning needs and accelerate geographical analysis by three to four times, streamlining processes.
  • The insights derived from this technology can aid in mitigating flooding effects, infrastructure development, disaster response improvement, and environmental protection.
  • Future integration of generative AI in weather forecasting may lead to more accurate predictions of hurricanes, droughts, and other catastrophic weather events. It could shed light on how environmental changes, like polar ice melting, impact daily life.
  • Businesses, disaster response teams, and logistics companies could benefit. This AI could help prepare for housing-related fires, optimize supply chain logistics, and understand broader weather patterns.

How AI has helped in weather forecasting?

  • Accessing and analyzing the vast and growing climate data sets pose significant hurdles. By 2024, an estimated 250,000 terabytes of climate data will be available, necessitating time-consuming analysis.
  • The use of AI, particularly deep-learning models like AI emulators,aids in interpreting these complex data sets.
  • European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting has begun employing AI emulators to generate forecasts based on historical weather patterns. These models can infer weather patterns from data, enabling quicker desktop-based forecasts, and bypassing the time-consuming processes of traditional systems.
  • AI integration streamlines data interpretation, potentially reducing forecasting time from hours to minutes, offering a promising approach to handle the increasing volume of climate data for informed decision-making in weather forecasting.

AI and Climate Change:

  • AI-powered vehicles have the potential to minimize energy consumption by identifying optimal routes, thus reducing environmental impact.
  • AI aids farmers by optimizing crop irrigation, cutting water wastage by 40%, and enhancing harvest productivity, as demonstrated by a 30% increase in yields among AI-equipped peanut farmers in India.
  • AI’s potential extends to assessing, reducing, and mitigating emissions at both macro and micro levels, potentially cutting an organization’s carbon footprint by 5-10%.

Source: Indian Express

13. Dangerous road to the American Dream, via South America and Mexico

Subject : Geography

Section: Places in news

Context:

  • People from India (Punjab, Haryana and now Gujarat) and Pakistan take an illegal route to enter the USA and Canada, that passes through the jungles of Panama, risking their lives. The route is called the ‘Donkey route’.

First stop: Latin America:

  • Countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Guyana have visas on arrival for Indian citizens. Some other countries, including Brazil and Venezuela, give tourist visas to Indians easily.
  • A migrant’s route also depends on which countries his agent has ‘links’ in — links to human trafficking networks.
  • The nearer a country is to the US border, the more difficult it is to get a visa from India.

Crossing a dangerous forest- Darién Gap:

  • From Colombia (or any other Latin American country), the migrants enter Panama. This involves crossing the Darién Gap.
    • The Darién Gap is a geographic region in the Isthmus of Darién or Isthmus of Panama connecting the American continents within Central America, consisting of a large watershed, forest, and mountains in Panama’s Darién Province and the northern portion of Colombia’s Chocó Department.
  • Risks here include a lack of clean water, wild animals, and criminal gangs. Migrants can face robbery and even rape in this region — crimes committed here go unreported and unpunished.
  • Guatemala is a big coordination centre on this route. Migrants are handed over to new traffickers here.
  • Alternate route:
    • There is one more route from Colombia that starts from San Andrés, to avoid the forest in Panama. But it is not much safer.
    • From San Andrés, migrants take boats to Nicaragua, a country in Central America. Fishing boats with illegal migrants go to Fisherman’s Cay, around 150 kilometres from San Andrés. From there, migrants are transferred onto another boat to move forward to Mexico.

At the US border:

  • The 3,140-km border separating the United States and Mexico has fencing, which the migrants have to jump across. Many choose to cross the dangerous Rio Grande River.
  • A new, safer route:
    • There is another easier donkey route- migrants first go to Europe, and from there, directly to Mexico.
  • An average donkey trip may cost between Rs 15 lakh and Rs 40 lakh. But sometimes, the cost is as high as Rs 70 lakh.

14. Amendments to Carbon Credits Trading Scheme (CCTS) in India

Subject : Environment

Section: Climate change

Introduction:

  • The Ministry of Power in India has introduced amendments to the Carbon Credits Trading Scheme (CCTS).
  • These amendments pave the way for India to establish its own standards for carbon trading.

Role of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):

  • The amendments instruct the carbon credits administrator, the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), to develop standards and register projects under the offset mechanism.
  • BEE is tasked with both “validation” and “verification” of carbon credits, as opposed to only “verification” in the original scheme.

Deepening Indian Carbon Credit Market:

  • The amendments aim to deepen the Indian carbon credit market by allowing ‘non-obligated entities’ to register decarbonization projects and generate carbon credits.
  • Non-obligated entities, which were initially limited to purchasing credits, can now register projects and seek the issuance of Carbon Credit Certificates.

Offset Mechanism for Non-Obligated Entities:

  • The introduction of an “offset mechanism” allows non-obligated entities to register projects for accounting greenhouse gas emission reduction or removal, leading to the issuance of Carbon Credit Certificates.

Prescribing Limits for Non-Obligated Entities:

  • Non-obligated entities, unlike obligated entities, do not have a prescribed limit for their greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) is tasked with identifying sectoral scope and methodologies for the offset mechanism with the support of technical committees.

Elimination of Overseas Certification Dependency:

  • Once BEE establishes standards, Indian entities will no longer have to rely on overseas standards agencies for validating their carbon credits.
  • The move is expected to reduce costs and time associated with overseas certification, making it more convenient for Indian carbon credit generators.

These amendments reflect efforts to enhance and streamline the carbon credits trading scheme in India, providing a regulatory framework that encourages participation from a broader range of entities in decarbonization projects.

About Carbon Credit

The term “Carbon Credit” refers to a tradable permit that represents the right to emit a specific amount of carbon dioxide or an equivalent amount of another greenhouse gas.

Essentially, a carbon credit is a unit of measurement that equals one tonne of carbon dioxide that has been removed, reduced, or sequestered from the atmosphere. It is a market-based approach to incentivize businesses and countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)

  1. The ‘CCTS’ stands for the Carbon Credits Trading Scheme, and it is a scheme for the reduction or removal of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The central government notifies and governs this scheme.
  2. Background: The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022, empowered the central government to specify the carbon trading scheme in consultation with the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).
  3. Features of CCTS:
    • Accredited Carbon Verifier: An accredited agency, recognized by the BEE, is responsible for validation or verification activities under the CCTS.
    • Indian Carbon Market Governing Board (ICMGB):
      • Established for oversight, rule-making for the Indian carbon market, and guidelines for selling carbon credit certificates abroad.
      • Environment secretaries serve as ex-officio co-chairmen.
      • Meets at least once a quarter.
    • Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):
      • Administers the Indian carbon market and acts as the secretariat for ICMGB.
    • Grid Controller of India Ltd: Serves as the registry for the Indian Carbon Market.
    • Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC): Regulator for trading activities under the Indian carbon market.
  4. Types of Carbon Markets:
    • Compliance Markets: Created to comply with laws and regulations.
    • Voluntary Markets: Involves the voluntary issuance, buying, and selling of carbon credits.
  5. Features of The Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act 2022:
    • Establishes provisions for carbon markets to encourage carbon trading and reduce emissions.
    • Mandates the use of non-fossil sources for energy and feedstock.
    • Establishes a domestic carbon market in India.
    • Brings large residential buildings under the Energy Conservation regime.
    • Enhances the scope of the Energy Conservation Building Code.
    • Amends penalty provisions for stricter enforcement.
    • Expands the governing council of the Bureau of Energy Efficiency.
    • Empowers State Electricity Regulatory Commissions for energy conservation functions.
    • Mandates the use of clean energy, including green hydrogen.

BEE Star Rating

The BEE Star Rating, implemented through the Standards and Labelling Program introduced in 2006, is a labeling system that provides consumers with information about the energy efficiency of various appliances.

Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE):

  • BEE is a statutory body established under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
  • BEE assists the government in developing policies and strategies focused on self-regulation and market principles. The primary objective is to reduce the energy intensity of the Indian economy.

State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22

The State Energy Efficiency Index (SEEI) 2021-22 is an assessment framework developed by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) in collaboration with the Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy (AEEE). The index aims to track the progress of states and union territories (UTs) in implementing energy efficiency initiatives.

Framework and Indicators:

  • SEEI 2021-22 employs an updated framework with 50 indicators aligned with national priorities.
  • These indicators are designed to monitor the outcomes and impacts of state-level energy efficiency initiatives.

Objective:

  • The primary objective of SEEI is to drive decarbonization efforts in states.
  • It provides a basis for outlining recommendations to assist states in promoting energy efficiency.
  • The ultimate goal is to contribute to the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).

15. UNNATEE (UNlockingNATional Energy Efficiency Potential)

Subject : Environment

Section: Climate change

Context: The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) has formulated a national strategy document called UNNATEE (Unlocking NATional Energy Efficiency potential) to accelerate energy efficiency in India.

Significance:

  • Framework and Implementation Strategy: UNNATEE provides a clear framework and implementation strategy to establish a connection between energy supply-demand scenarios and energy efficiency opportunities in the country.
  • Linkage to Environmental and Climate Change Goals: The document outlines a comprehensive roadmap to address India’s environmental and climate change mitigation goals through targeted energy efficiency measures.
  • UNNATEE, as a strategic document, aims to guide and enhance India’s efforts in meeting its energy efficiency targets and contributing to broader sustainability and climate change mitigation objectives.

UTPRERAK (Unnat TaknikiPradarshan Kendra)

The Ministry of Power in India has established a Centre of Excellence named UTPRERAK (Unnat TaknikiPradarshan Kendra) with the aim of accelerating the adoption of energy-efficient technologies in the Indian industry.

Objectives:

Reference Institution and Technology Showcase:

  • UTPRERAK will function as a reference institution, showcasing energy-efficient technologies across various industry sectors.

Training and Education:

  • The centre is tasked with providing training and education in energy efficiency to more than 10,000 energy professionals over the next five years.

Emission Reduction and Technology Adoption:

  • UTPRERAK will play a pivotal role in assisting industries in meeting emission reduction targets.
  • It aims to promote the widespread adoption of new and energy-efficient technologies within industries.

Policy Inputs:

  • The centre will provide valuable inputs for the formulation of national energy policies, contributing to the development of effective strategies.

Research Facilitation:

  • UTPRERAK will facilitate and support research initiatives focused on energy-efficient solutions.
  • Implementing Authority: UTPRERAK has been established by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE).

16. LIC Granted Extension for Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) Compliance

Subject :Economy

Section: Capital Market

  1. SEBI’s MPS Norms:
    • SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) has prescribed Minimum Public Shareholding (MPS) norms for listed companies.
    • Rule 19A of the Securities Contract Regulation Rules states that every listed company, except public sector companies, should maintain a public shareholding of at least 25%.
  2. LIC’s Ownership Structure:
    • As of September 30, 2023, the government owns 96.5% of LIC (Life Insurance Corporation of India).
    • The government had divested 3.5% of its shareholding in LIC, and the company got listed on stock exchanges.
  3. Exemption Granted:
    • The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, has granted LIC a one-time exemption to achieve 25% MPS within ten years from the date of listing, i.e., until May 2032.
    • This exemption is in the public interest and aligns with Rule 19A(6) of the Securities Contract (Regulations) Rules 1957.
  4. SEBI Regulations:
    • Rule 19A(6) allows a listed company to have three years from the date of listing to ensure MPS.
    • The objective is to encourage broader public shareholding, including individuals and institutions.
  5. Finance Ministry’s Earlier Statement:
    • Earlier, the Finance Ministry stated that a listed public sector undertaking (PSU) would continue to be exempt from MPS norms for a specified period.
    • The exemption applies to entities where the Central Government, State Government, or public sector company holds the majority of shares, voting rights, or control.
  6. Exemption Duration:
    • The exemption specified by the Economic Affairs Department for LIC will be valid until May 2032.
    • It continues irrespective of any change in control of LIC after the issuance of the exemption.
    • This exemption provides LIC with an extended timeline to meet MPS norms, contributing to the government’s ongoing disinvestment strategy for the insurance giant.

Minimum public shareholding requirement

  • Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) mandates a minimum public shareholding requirement for listed companies in India. The minimum public shareholding norms are outlined in the SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations, 2015.
  • As per these regulations, a listed company is required to maintain a minimum public shareholding of 25%. This means that at least 25% of the total shares of the company should be held by public shareholders, which include individual investors, institutional investors, and other non-promoter entities.
  • Companies are expected to comply with this requirement within a specified timeframe from the date of listing. In case a company does not meet the minimum public shareholding criteria, it may be required to take necessary steps to achieve compliance. Failure to comply with SEBI’s regulations can lead to penalties and other regulatory actions.
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