Daily Prelims Notes 16 April 2024

April 16, 2024
Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
Category: DPN

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Daily Prelims Notes

16 April 2024

Table Of Contents

1. The strategic importance of Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Subject: Geography

Section: Mapping

Context:

The neglect of Andaman and Nicobar strategic island groups betrays a lack of strategic maritime vision in the decades since Independence.

More on news:

The transformation of India’s Look East policy into a robust Act East policy, a realization of the critical importance of ocean power, and the rapid enhancement in the capabilities of the Chinese People Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, have brought a degree of seriousness to the imperative of developing Indian island territories in general, and the Andaman and Nicobar group in particular.

What is the strategic importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands?

The islands are located 700 nautical miles (1,300 km) southeast of the Indian mainland.
The Malacca Strait, the main waterway that connects the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, is less than a day’s steaming from Port Blair.
Sabang in Indonesia is 90 nautical miles southeast of Indira Point (on Great Nicobar island), and Coco Island (Myanmar) is barely 18 nautical miles from the northernmost tip of the Andamans.
Thailand built the Kra Canal connecting the Gulf of Thailand with the Andaman Sea, its mouth would be about 350 nautical miles east of Port Blair.
The islands share four of India’s international maritime zone delimitations with Myanmar, Thailand, Indonesia, and Bangladesh.
They also give India substantial ocean space under the United Nations Conference on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS) in terms of exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.
In the foreseeable future, a serious challenge could emanate from a build-up of Chinese maritime forces at the eastern choke points of the Indo-Pacific, namely the Malacca (between Sumatra and the Malay peninsula), Sunda (between Java and Sumatra), Lombok (between Bali and Lombok), and Ombai-Wetar (off East Timor) straits.
The A&N Islands should be the first line of offense against any attempt from the East to undermine India’s maritime security.
While some effort was made to leverage this locational advantage with the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) being constituted as a tri-services command in 2001, subsequent efforts have been grossly inadequate.

What kind of infrastructure should be prioritized on the islands?

Ports and fuel storages must be built in both the northern and southern groups of the islands for ships’ operational turnaround without the need to return to Port Blair.
Work on the Galathea Bay (Great Nicobar Island) transhipment port must be expedited.
India could also explore the possibility of leveraging international arrangements in the Indo-Pacific such as the Quad and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) to catalyze development efforts on the islands.

About Andaman and Nicobar Islands:

The Andaman Islands are the extension of the submerged ArakanYoma Tertiary Mountain range of Myanmar and the Nicobars are the continuation of the Mentawai Islands to the south and southeast of Sumatra.
These two island groups situated in the Bay of Bengal span 6°45′ N to 13°41′ N (740 km) and 92°12′ E to 93°57′ E (190 km).
These islands are separated from one another by very narrow straits.
Andamans are separated from Nicobar by a 10-degree channel (10-degree latitude).
South Andaman and Little Andaman are separated by Duncan Passage.
The Grand Channel is between the Great Nicobar islands and the Sumatra islands of Indonesia.
The Coco Strait is between the North Andaman islands and the Coco Islands of Myanmar.
Port Blair, located in South Andaman is the administrative capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The southernmost point of India is The Indira Point, (formerly known as Pygmalion Point and Parsons Point) which is the southern point of the Great Nicobar Islands.
The highest peak of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands is Saddle Peak, located in the North Andaman.

2. Centre reveals forest records after 28 years; seven states miss deadline

Subject: Environment

Section: Env law and body

Context:

As many as 27 states and Union Territories (UT) have furnished details about their records concerning forests, according to the interim judgment passed by the Supreme Court on February 2, 2024.

More on news:

The Supreme Court issued an interim directive to the Centre to refer to its understanding of ‘forest’ as “broad and all-encompassing” in order to classify India’s forests as per the order given in the T N Godavarman judgment of December 1996.
The order came in the backdrop of a Public Interest Litigation Ashok Kumar Sharma, IFS (Retd.) & Ors -Vs- Union of India & Ors ,challenging the constitutionality of the Van Sanrakshan Evam Adhiniyam, 2023.
The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 was amended to Van Sanrakshan Evam Adhiniyam, 2023 by the Centre.
This was done with an aim to bring clarity to a 28-year-old issue in defining ‘forest’ as per the Godavarman judgment.
As per the Forest Survey of India, the Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) states that 0.167 million sq of forest areas lie outside notified forests.

Key findings:

The information uploaded on the government Parivesh website does not include forest records of seven states — Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Manipur, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Tripura.
Other states and UTs — Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal and Ladakh — do not mention any information about forest records.
States and UTs such as Jharkhand, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Andaman and Nicobar islands, Bihar as well as Dadra and Nagar Haveli have given generic figures and there is no data on ‘unclassed forests’.

About T N Godavarman Thirumalpad:

In a landmark judgment case — T N Godavarman Thirumulpad v. Union of India (December 12, 1996) — the court ruled that ‘forest’ has to be understood in terms of its dictionary meaning, irrespective of ownership.
The Godavarman judgment had also included forest-like areas, unclassed forests and community forest lands, including non-notified forest in its ambit.
The states and UTs were expected to form expert committees to identify forest areas within a month of the 1996 Godavarman order issued on December 12.

3. Siachen: 40 years of Op Meghdoot

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

On April 13, 2024, it has been forty years since the Indian Army gained a strategic position by occupying the glacier before Pakistan could act.

Conflicting claims:

Siachen, translating to “land of roses” in the Balti language, is ironically known as the world’s highest and coldest battlefield.
Strategically located with Pakistan to the left and China to the right, Siachen has been a point of contention since the Partition of India and Pakistan.
The Line of Control (LoC) was established up to point NJ-9842 by the 1972 Simla agreement, but the glacier area remained unmarked.
India bases its claim on the area through the Jammu and Kashmir Accession Agreement of 1947 and the Karachi Agreement of 1949, which suggest the ceasefire line extends “Northwards to the glaciers.”
Pakistan, however, interprets the line as extending “North-Eastwards,” claiming the territory beyond the Saltoro Ridge and Siachen, aiming for direct connectivity to China and strategic control over the Ladakh region and the critical Leh-Srinagar highway, thereby posing a significant threat to India.

Genesis of Operation Meghdoot:

In the 1970s and 1980s, Pakistan allowed foreign mountaineering expeditions into Siachen as a way to support its territorial claims. In response to intelligence indicating potential Pakistani military action, India launched Operation Meghdoot on April 13, 1984.
This preemptive military operation aimed to secure control over the 76.4 km-long Siachen Glacier.
The successful capture was marked by the Indian flag being planted at Bilafond La by Captain Sanjay Kulkarni and his platoon.
A significant moment came in June 1987 when Indian troops captured the strategically important Quaid post during Operation Rajiv, which was subsequently renamed Bana Top in honour of Naib Subedar Bana Singh, who received India’s highest military honour for his role in the assault.
Operation Meghdoot remains ongoing, making it the longest-continuous military operation in the world.

Recent developments on the glacier:

Technological improvements at Siachin include better habitat, communication systems, mobility solutions, logistics, medical support, and green initiatives.
The glacier itself is experiencing the effects of climate change, evident from the receding of the glacier’s snout by over a kilometre since 1984.
The implementation of VSAT technology has revolutionized communications, providing troops with data and internet access which enhances real-time situational awareness and telemedicine capabilities.
Mobility on the glacier has been significantly boosted by the introduction of All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs), ATV bridges, Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, and logistic drones, which facilitate the delivery of essential supplies to isolated posts during winter months.
The use of special clothing, advanced mountaineering gear, and timely weather updates helps soldiers endure extreme temperatures that can drop to -60 degrees Celsius.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) plays a critical role, with nearly all types of its aircraft, including Rafale, Su-30MKI, Chinook, Apache, and others, supporting Operation Meghdoot.
On the medical front, telemedicine capabilities have been expanded with the help of ISRO, while medical facilities at Partapur and Base Camp are equipped with top-notch medical and surgical specialists, high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPO) chambers, and oxygen generation plants, enhancing the medical support available to the troops stationed there.

What next?

Siachen’s strategic importance is accentuated by its location overlooking the Shaksgam Valley—part of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) and near an area ceded by Pakistan to China in 1963 following the India-China war.

Shaksgam Valley:

The Trans-Karakoram Tract, also known as the Shaksgam Tract, covers approximately 5,200 km² and is located north of the Karakoram watershed, mainly comprising the Shaksgam Valley.
This area is administered by China as part of Taxkorgan and Yecheng counties in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.
Historically, the tract was under Pakistan’s control since 1947, but through the 1963 Sino-Pakistan Agreement, Pakistan recognized Chinese sovereignty over the area, with both countries agreeing on a border based on actual ground positions.
India claims the Shaksgam Tract as part of the broader dispute over the Kashmir region.
The region was historically part of Shigar in the Baltistan region, with cultural ties indicated by infrastructure like polo grounds and local names for geographical features in Balti/Ladakhi languages.
The area is characterized by extreme terrain with high mountains, bounded by the Kunlun Mountains to the north and the Karakoram peaks, including K2 and Broad Peak, to the south.
The southeast of the tract is adjacent to the Siachen Glacier region, known as the highest battlefield in the world, currently controlled by India.

Source: TH

4. Acidification may strip Indian soils of 3.3 billion tonnes of essential carbon, affecting crop growth, sequestration: Study

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

A recent study has raised concerns about the significant loss of soil inorganic carbon (SIC) due to soil acidification in India, where over 30% of cultivable land carries acidic soil.

Details:

This acidification, primarily driven by industrial activities and intensive farming, is projected to lead to a loss of 3.3 billion tonnes of SIC from the top 0.3 meters of soil over the next 30 years.
SIC, which includes mineral forms like calcium carbonate, is crucial for regulating nutrient levels, fostering plant growth, and carbon storage.
The study highlights that acidic soils, particularly prevalent in India’s humid southwestern, northeastern, and Himalayan regions, reduce the availability of nutrients to plants and increase susceptibility to stress factors.
With a focus mainly on soil organic carbon (SOC) in past research, SIC has been relatively neglected, though it is a substantial carbon pool.
Soils store more than thrice the quantity of carbon in vegetation or double the quantity of carbon in the atmosphere.
The findings underscore the global importance of SIC, with estimates that global soils store approximately 2,305 billion tonnes of carbon as SIC.
India, along with China, faces significant future risks due to ongoing soil acidification, exacerbated by nitrogen fertilization and deposition.
The potential relocation of lost SIC to deeper soil layers or its release into the atmosphere or water bodies remains a concern.
The study calls for more comprehensive assessments of soil pH and strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of agricultural practices on SIC, emphasizing the role of SIC in climate change mitigation and carbon sequestration efforts.

Soil Organic Carbon (SIC):

Soil organic carbon (SOC) comes from plants, animals, microbes, leaves and wood, mostly found in the first metre or so.
Soil organic carbon is a measurable component of soil organic matter. Organic matter makes up just 2–10% of most soil’s mass and has an important role in the physical, chemical and biological function of agricultural soils.
Organic matter contributes to nutrient retention and turnover, soil structure, moisture retention and availability, degradation of pollutants, and carbon sequestration.
Soil organic matter is composed mainly of carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, and has small amounts of other elements, such as nitrogen, phosphorous, sulfur, potassium, calcium and magnesium contained in organic residues.
It is divided into ‘living’ and ‘dead’ components and can range from very recent inputs, such as stubble, to largely decayed materials that might be many hundreds of years old. About 10% of below-ground SOM, such as roots, fauna and microorganisms, is ‘living’.

Source: DTE

5. Nigeria makes history with rollout of new 5-in-1 meningitis vaccine

Subject: Science and tech

Section: Health

Context:

Nigeria has become the first country globally to introduce Men5CV, a new vaccine endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which protects against five strains of the meningococcus bacteria responsible for meningitis.

Details:

This new vaccine significantly enhances protection compared to previous vaccines that targeted fewer strains, marking a major advance in the global fight against meningitis.
- It protects against strains A, C, W, Y and X of the meningococcus bacteria, all of which can cause meningitis and blood poisoning.
The disease, which inflames the brain and spinal cord membranes, can lead to severe health issues including brain damage and hearing loss.
The introduction of Men5CV is particularly relevant for the “African meningitis belt,” an area spanning 26 countries, including Nigeria, where bacterial meningitis is prevalent. Last year, meningitis cases in Africa surged by 50%, underscoring the urgency for improved vaccination strategies.
The vaccine rollout contributes to the WHO’s goal of eradicating meningitis by 2030. Funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the campaign enhances the vaccine’s accessibility, ensuring broader protection.
Following a recent outbreak in Nigeria, which led to numerous cases and deaths, a targeted vaccination campaign was launched, aiming to immunize over a million people between the ages of 1 and 29. This step could significantly reduce the incidence of the disease and prevent future outbreaks.
- The outbreak occurred across seven out of Nigeria’s 36 states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Gombe, Jigawa, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara.

“African meningitis belt”

Meningitis:

Meningitis is an inflammation (swelling) of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. These membranes are called meninges.
The most common causes of meningitis are viral and bacterial infections. Other causes may include:
- cancer
- fungi
- drug-induced reactions
Transmission: Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through sneezing and coughing.
Symptoms:
- Common symptoms of meningitis are neck stiffness, fever, confusion or altered mental status, headaches, nausea and vomiting.
- Less frequent symptoms are seizures, coma and neurological deficits (for example hearing or vision loss, cognitive impairment, or weakness of the limbs).
- Types of meningitis caused by viruses or bacteria can have similar symptoms. Symptoms may be stronger in some types of meningitis than in others and require different treatments.
Treatment and Prevention:
- Meningitis is a medical emergency. It is potentially fatal within 24 hours and requires urgent medical attention.
- Meningitis can vary in severity, appropriate treatment and care depending on the cause. Meningitis caused by bacteria requires immediate antibiotic treatment.
- Vaccines offer the best protection against common types of bacterial meningitis.
- Antibiotics for close contacts of those with meningococcal disease, when given promptly, decrease the risk of transmission.

Source: DTE

6. What share of global CO₂ emissions comes from aviation?

Subject: Environment

Section: Climate change

Context:

Flying, despite being highly carbon-intensive, contributes only 2.5% to global carbon emissions because only about 10% of the world’s population flies regularly.

Details:

As global incomes rise, however, this percentage and the consequent emissions are expected to increase.
Total CO2 emissions are often explained through the Kaya identity, which considers population, income, energy efficiency, and carbon intensity. Since 1990, demand for air travel and freight has quadrupled, with passengers travelling over 8 trillion kilometres by 2019, equivalent to nearly a light-year.
Despite this surge in demand, the carbon efficiency of flying has improved significantly due to advancements in aircraft design, technology, and higher passenger load factors, which have more than doubled the energy efficiency of flying from 2.9 megajoules per passenger-kilometre in 1990 to 1.3 megajoules in 2019.
However, the carbon intensity of aviation fuel has remained unchanged, as jet fuel used today is the same as in 1990, with biofuels making up only a minor fraction of the fuel mix.
As a result, while the efficiency gains have helped reduce per-kilometre emissions from 357 grams of CO2 in 1990 to 157 grams in 2019, the overall CO2 emissions from aviation have doubled from about 0.5 billion tonnes in 1990 to about 1 billion tonnes in 2019 due to the increased demand.
Looking back further, emissions have quadrupled since the 1960s, highlighting the significant impact of rising aviation demand over time.
Despite efficiency improvements, the increase in aviation’s share of global emissions since 2010 underscores the ongoing challenge of mitigating aviation’s environmental impact.

Source: TH

7. Iran-Israel Conflict and India’s Oil Trade

Subject: IR

Section: Places in news

Impact of Escalation:
- Escalation in the Iran-Israel conflict could affect India’s crude oil imports.
- Geopolitical tensions in West Asia may increase risk premiums and raise concerns about supply disruptions.
- India relies on imports for over 85% of its crude oil needs.
Importance for India’s Economy:
- India’s economy is highly sensitive to oil price volatility.
- High oil prices can lead to inflation, affect trade balance, foreign exchange reserves, and the value of the rupee.
Recent Developments:
- Global benchmark Brent crude breached $90 per barrel due to tensions.
- Prices were already rising due to production cuts by major producers.
Speculations on Prices:
- Analysts suggest oil prices could reach $100 per barrel if conflict impacts oil availability.
- Concerns about supply and transportation disruptions or attacks on production facilities.
Impact on India’s Imports:
- India currently does not import Iranian oil due to US sanctions.
- Potential impact on competition with China for oil from other suppliers, especially Russia.
Crude Suppliers to India:
- India imports from West Asian suppliers like Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
- Potential disruption could impact supplies and prices.
Key Concerns:
- Strait of Hormuz is crucial for India’s West Asian oil supplies.
- Any disruption could lead to panic buying by Indian refiners.
Refiners’ Response:
- India’s crude suppliers are diverse and large.
- Refinery sector officials monitoring the situation, concerns about price upswing.
Financial Impact:
- High oil prices may pressure refiners and fuel retailers’ financials.
- Possibility of losses on fuel sales unless retail prices are adjusted.
- Refiners closely watching situation to assess future impacts.
India’s Crude Suppliers:
- March 2024: Russia was India’s top source of crude (33% of imports).
- Cumulative share of Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE was almost 48% in India’s total oil imports.

Key points

The ‘Axis of Resistance’:

The ‘Axis of Resistance’ refers to a coalition of groups and entities primarily aligned against Israel and its allies in the Middle East. It includes:

Hamas: A Palestinian militant Islamist group controlling the Gaza Strip.
Hezbollah: A Lebanese Shia Islamist political party and militant group.
Houthi Movement: A Yemeni rebel group known formally as Ansar Allah.
Various Shi’ite armed groups in Iraq and Syria, often backed by Iran.

These groups are united by their opposition to Israel and, often, to Western influence in the region. They coordinate efforts and share resources to resist what they perceive as threats to their interests and territories.

Impact of Israel-Hamas Conflict on India:

India, as a net importer of crude oil, could be affected by prolonged conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war in the following ways:

Increased Import Bill: Rising oil prices due to conflict can lead to higher import bills for India.
Petrol and Diesel Prices: Elevated global oil prices can translate to higher petrol and diesel prices domestically.
Inflationary Pressures: Higher fuel prices can contribute to overall inflation.
Fiscal Deficits: Government subsidies to control fuel prices could impact fiscal deficits.
Currency Depreciation: A rise in import bills can put pressure on the Indian rupee.
Economic Growth: Prolonged conflicts may lead to economic uncertainty and impact overall growth prospects.